COLLECTIVE MADNESS Soft despotism is a term coined by Alexis de Tocqueville describing the state into which a country overrun by "a network of small complicated rules" might degrade. Soft despotism is different from despotism (also called 'hard despotism') in the sense that it is not obvious to the people." BUDAPEST - The Xiang Ou Express Budapest-Changsha return freight train carrying Central European cargo containers to Changsha, China, was launched from here for the first time on Monday. The train carries 41 containers of red wine, beer, cereals, milk powder and hardware accessories made in Hungary and its neighboring countries. The launching ceremony was attended by Laszlo Mosoczi, deputy state secretary of the Hungarian ministry for national development, Hunan province Vice Governor He Baoxiang, and Xu Xiangping, head of the department of commerce for the Hunan province. Mosoczi said Hungarian export to China reached a record of $2.25 billion last year, while the export of food products increased by 1.5 times from 2015. The data of the first eight months showed that further increase -- double digits in several areas -- is to be expected, he added. Xu said it is a major move to promote the smooth flow of trade, adding that "it is also an important way for the Hunan province to build a new pattern of opening to the outside world." On June 16 this year, the first freight train from Changsha arrived in Budapest. Almost two years of preparation involving over 200 meetings, 30 subcommittees, and so on. Thats just a quick look at Joyce Rabins work as Chair of Together in Israel: Our Pride, Our Purpose. Hadassahs 100th National Convention. (Hadassah, which was founded in 1912, held its first conventi Read moreS'ville resident helps organize 100th national of Hadassah, The Womens Zionist Organization of America Reddit Email 9K Shares By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | The announcement that Prince Harry is set to marry American actress Meghan Markle provoked a flurry of articles about the British royal family becoming multicultural. The Washington Post actually has a headline about Britains black queen. (The peculiar American one drop rule makes anyone with any recent African heritage African, to the surprise of societies like Brazil which have a spectrum of categories on race. Ms. Markle herself said, My dad is Caucasian and my mom is African American I have come to embrace say who I am, to share where Im from, to voice my pride in being a strong, confident, mixed-race woman. I think journalists should respect her self-definition. Ms. Markle is African-American from her mothers side and Dutch, English, German, Irish, and Scottish on her fathers side. Except that most African-Americans are also Scottish, English, Dutch, etc. because of their ancestry from their former slavemasters, who routinely used to have children with their slaves (who could not refuse) and then sell the children down the river. Those are the people to whom Confederate statues were erected from the late 19th century. Because the royal family of Britain is invested in the popular imagination with the ultimate whiteness, it is a lightning rod for thinking about race and its boundaries. Hence the controversies about Princess Dianas Pakistani and Egyptian boyfriends. It seems pretty obvious that she deliberately explored multicultural romantic relationships in part as a rebellion against a Buckingham palace that had tried to micro-manage her life when she was married to Prince Charles. But whiteness is an illusion. Because the crowned heads of Europe intermarried over centuries and because Spanish nobility was in the mix, and because in turn Spaniards and other southwestern Europeans are up to 20% North African in heritage as well as having substantial genetic endowments from Jews and various other Muslim peoples, not to mention Phoenicians and sub-saharan Africans actually all European royal families have been mixed-race for a very long time. In fact, genealogists allege that Prince Harry is descended from the Prophet Muhammad (see below). What I actually wish is that we could get rid of the ridiculous residual category of white, which was used by working class Catholics in a desperate bid to distinguish themselves from Latinos and African-Americans. But really. Why are Italian-Americans from Sicily white in America, but people from Latin America whose ancestors lived in Catalonia are brown? In the medieval era, for a while, both Catalonia and Sicily were in the same country, ruled by the crown of Aragon! The popular press in America is confused about such issues because many writers do not realize that there is no such thing as race in the 19th century biological sense. You have 2 parents, 4 grandparents, 16 great-grandparents, and by the time you get back to 1400 you have a million ancestors. For someone who hails from Europe, how likely is it that none of them were Arabs and Berbers from southern Spain who had been forced to convert and then married Catholics? Europes population in 1400 was only 78 million or so and theyre descended from a million of them. And Arabs in southern Spain were in turn intermarried with Berbers and Africans. After 50 generations (a generation is 24 years), most of the worlds genes get shared around. Everyone in the Mediterranean basin shares common ancestors from only a few thousand years ago, including Tunisians and Egyptians and Spanish and Italians. Of course race is not completely an illusion. There are broad geographical races with some outward, phenotypical characteristics that mostly have to do with navigating between dangerous ultraviolet rays and the need for vitamin D. Other features have to do with climate (in cold places a longer nose insulates the brain from frigid air; in warm humid places that isnt necessary). But mostly what Americans typically think of as race is actually culture. So the British royal family is probably even more all mixed up than the rest of us, but were all mixed up. And a good thing, toogenetic diversity in a bloodline makes it healthier. I made this point a decade ago: Burkes Peerage: Queen Elizabeth II Descended from the Prophet Muhammad By Juan Cole | Feb. 28, 2008 | . . . I know that it is hard for people invested in a hard East/ West dichotomy to imagine that the icon of Western civilization, the British royal family, has Arab Muslim antecedents (along with a host of other nationalities of course.) But it does. The Greater Mediterranean got all mixed up over millennia. Most Sicilians (i.e. most Italian-Americans) also have Arab Muslim ancestors. It works the other way around, too. It is obvious that a lot of Egyptians, Lebanese and Jordanians have descent from the Christian European Crusaders. This is connected to just pointing out that having ancestors named Hussein is more common among Europeans and Americans than is usually realized. Elizabeth II cant be descended from the Prophet Muhammad without also being descended from his grandson, the original Husayn / Hussein, since that is the line of descent of the Sayyids. United Press International October 10, 1986 MOSLEMS IN BUCKINGHAM PALACE Mixed in with Queen Elizabeths blue blood is the blood of the Moslem prophet Mohammed, according to Burkes Peerage, the geneological guide to royalty. The relation came out when Harold B. Brooks-Baker, publishing director of Burkes, wrote Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to ask for better security for the royal family. The royal familys direct descent from the prophet Mohammed cannot be relied upon to protect the royal family forever from Moslem terrorists, he said. Probably realizing the connection would be a surprise to many, he added, It is little known by the British people that the blood of Mohammed flows in the veins of the queen. However, all Moslem religious leaders are proud of this fact. Brooks-Baker said the British royal family is descended from Mohammed through the Arab kings of Seville, who once ruled Spain. By marriage, their blood passed to the European kings of Portugal and Castille, and through them to Englands 15th century King Edward IV. - Related video: The Guardian: Meghan Markle and Prince Harrys first TV interview in full VANCOUVER, Nov. 28, 2017 /CNW/ - ATAC Resources Ltd. (TSX-V:ATC) ("ATAC") is pleased to announce results for the final 11 diamond drill holes from the 2017 exploration program at its 100% owned Osiris Project at the Rackla Gold Property, Yukon. The Osiris Project is located outside of the area currently under option to Barrick Gold Corporation. Highlights Hole OS-17-257 from the Conrad Zone intersected 12.19 m of 9.44 g/t gold in the 650 Fault corridor, a 75 m step-out from hole OS-17-238 (12.50 m of 20.78 g/t gold); Hole OS-17-259 intersected 76.20 m of 3.54 g/t gold and 25.91 m of 5.44 g/t gold within the Conrad Upper Zone and 650 Fault corridor, respectively; Sunrise Zone extended to depth with the intersection of 13.68 m of 4.55 g/t gold in hole OS-17-254; and, Gold grade increased at depth within the northern part of the Osiris Zone where hole OS-17-258 returned 16.46 m of 5.29 g/t gold. "The exceptional grades encountered in our 2017 step-out drilling campaign have far exceeded this year's objectives and continue to demonstrate the strength of the mineralizing system within our 100% owned Osiris Project. All three zones will be a focus for building ounces in our 2018 drill program as all zones remain open for expansion," states ATAC's President and CEO, Graham Downs. "Drill results from the 650 Fault area at the Conrad Zone are particularly exciting as many are near-surface and represent some of the highest grade intersections recorded to date. The full extent of the gold mineralization at the 650 Fault area is not yet known and remains open for extension to the east and at depth." Conrad Zone In total, 15 holes (6,788 m) were drilled at Conrad in 2017 to focus on cross-faults interpreted to be part of the hydrothermal plumbing system that introduced gold mineralization into the Conrad Zone. The 2017 drilling also targeted lateral and vertical continuity between mineralization previously intersected by widely-spaced holes at the Conrad Upper, Middle and Lower Zones. The following table contains results from the final five 2017 drill holes at the Conrad Zone. Conrad Zone Diamond Drill Results Target Area Drill Hole From (m) To (m) Interval* (m) Gold (g/t) Gold** (g x m) Lower Zone OS-17-250 505.00 515.11 10.11 8.44 85 incl. 507.71 512.64 4.93 15.52 77 and 531.76 536.45 4.69 5.46 26 Middle Zone OS-17-253 580.64 601.98 21.34 1.76 38 650 Fault OS-17-255 27.43 41.15 13.72 3.57 49 Upper Zone and 123.44 145.00 21.56 9.33 201 incl. 124.97 135.87 10.90 14.57 159 650 Fault OS-17-257 30.48 42.67 12.19 9.44 115 650 Fault OS-17-259 57.91 83.82 25.91 5.44 141 incl. 67.06 83.82 16.76 7.40 124 Upper Zone and 170.69 246.89 76.20 3.54 270 incl. 170.69 204.22 33.53 7.17 240 * The reported intersections are drilled thicknesses and are believed to represent approximately 60 to 100% true widths. ** Gram metres are calculated by multiplying the gold grade (g/t) by the interval (m) and rounding to the nearest integer. Three of the last five 2017 holes drilled at Conrad were designed to follow-up mineralization intersected in hole OS-17-238 which returned 12.50 m of 20.78 g/t gold. Holes OS-17-257 and OS-17-259 targeted the 650 Fault corridor at the structural intersection with the Nadaleen Fault. These holes returned high-grade gold intersections of 12.19 m of 9.44 g/t gold and 25.91 m of 5.44 g/t gold, respectively, and to date are the only drill holes that have tested this structural junction. Holes OS-17-250, 253 and 255 were drilled as step-out holes from previous drilling in the Upper, Middle and Lower mineralized zones at Conrad. The high-grade 650 Fault corridor will be a priority for continued follow-up drilling in 2018. Sunrise Zone The final three diamond drill holes completed at the Sunrise Zone in 2017 are presented in the table below. A total of six holes (1,886 m) were drilled at Sunrise in 2017 to test wide gaps between previously drilled holes and to step-out at depth. Sunrise Zone Diamond Drill Results Drill Hole From (m) To (m) Interval* (m) Gold (g/t) Gold** (g x m) OS-17-251 168.46 174.35 5.89 3.76 22 incl. 168.46 169.58 1.12 12.80 14 OS-17-252 192.63 196.54 3.91 8.39 33 incl. 195.39 196.54 1.15 19.15 22 OS-17-254 322.64 328.57 5.93 4.50 27 incl. 322.64 325.53 2.89 7.88 23 and 368.20 381.88 13.68 4.55 62 incl. 374.29 376.96 2.67 15.50 41 * The reported intersections are drilled thicknesses and are believed to represent approximately 50 to 70% true widths. ** Gram metres are calculated by multiplying the gold grade (g/t) by the interval (m) and rounding to the nearest integer. Hole OS-17-254 returned two intervals of high-grade gold mineralization including 5.93 m of 4.50 g/t gold and 13.68 m of 4.55 g/t gold. These results are consistent with hole OS-17-249 located 100 m to the east which returned 10.42 m of 7.97 g/t gold and 15.24 m of 13.52 g/t gold (see ATAC news release dated October 10, 2017). Both of these holes show a bifurcation of the mineralized zone and an elevated gold grade with depth. This area will be a focus of drilling in 2018. OS-17-251 and 252 were drilled to enhance the continuity of the shallower drilling previously targeted at the Sunrise Zone. The Sunrise Zone remains open along strike and at depth. Osiris Zone A total of eight holes (2,540 m) were drilled at the Osiris Zone in 2017 to confirm the continuity of the mineralizing system to the north where wide-spaced drilling in 2011 initially identified the mineralizing trends. Results of the final three diamond drill holes completed at the Osiris Zone are presented in the table below. Osiris Zone Diamond Drill Results Drill Hole From (m) To (m) Interval* (m) Gold (g/t) Gold** (g x m) OS-17-256 133.43 147.86 14.43 2.45 35 OS-17-258 271.88 288.34 16.46 5.29 87 incl. 277.98 285.29 7.31 7.41 54 OS-17-260 46.19 58.82 12.63 1.76 22 * The reported intersections are drilled thicknesses and are believed to represent approximately 70 to 100% true widths. ** Gram metres are calculated by multiplying the gold grade (g/t) by the interval (m) and rounding to the nearest integer. Mineralization in hole OS-17-258 returned 16.46 m of 5.29 g/t gold associated with a fine crackle brecciation of the host Osiris limestone unit. This intersection is the deepest test of the Osiris Zone, which has been traced over an approximately 900 m unfolded strike length and vertically over 450 m, from the top of hole OS-11-049 on the ridge crest to the deepest intersection in OS-17-258 in the valley floor. The Osiris Zone will be a focus of continued systematic step-out drilling in 2018. "The 2017 diamond drill program at Osiris was our first substantial follow-up from mineralization delineated in the northern part of the zone in 2011," states Julia Lane, Vice President of Exploration for ATAC. "Our results from both Osiris and Sunrise continue to highlight the continuity of these zones and their potential for extension at depth." Technical information including cross-sections and plan maps for the Conrad, Osiris and Sunrise Zones, can be found on ATAC's website at www.atacresources.com and at Corebox. Conrad Zone Plan Map Sunrise Zone Plan Map Sunrise Zone Cross Section 480E Osiris Zone Plan Map Osiris Zone Cross Section 2480N The technical information in this news release has been approved by Julia Lane, P.Geo., Vice President of Exploration for ATAC and a qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101. QA/QC All drill core assaying was completed by ALS Canada Ltd. All samples were fine crushed before a 250 gram split was pulverized to better than 85% passing 75 microns. The pulverizing circuit was cleaned with quartz sand twice between samples. Pulps were then analyzed at ALS in North Vancouver, B.C. where gold determinations were carried out. Splits of the pulverized fraction were dissolved using a multi acid digestion and analyzed for 49 elements using inductively coupled plasma (ICP) together with mass spectrometry (MS) and atomic emission spectroscopy (AES). Gold analyses were by the Au-AA25 procedure that involves fire assay preparation using a 30 gram charge with an atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) finish. Mercury analyses were digested with aqua regia and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Rigorous procedures are in place regarding sample collection, chain of custody and data entry. Certified assay standards, duplicate samples and blanks are routinely inserted into the sample stream of diamond drill samples to ensure integrity of the assay process. All diamond drill samples included in this news release have passed the QA/QC procedures as described above. All assay intervals presented in this news release are uncut. About ATAC ATAC is a Yukon-based exploration company focused on developing Canada's only known Carlin-type gold district at the Rackla Gold Property. Recent work on the ~1,700 km2 property has resulted in a positive Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Tiger Gold Deposit, drilling of multiple high-grade Carlin-type gold zones and the identification of numerous early-stage gold exploration targets. ATAC and Barrick Gold Corporation recently partnered to explore the Rackla Gold Property's Orion Project, with Barrick having the option to earn up to 70% of Orion by spending $55 million in exploration. ATAC is well-financed with approximately $13 million in its treasury and recently completed an approximately $10 million exploration program at the Osiris and Rau Projects (which are not subject to Barrick's earn-in right), while concurrently working with Barrick to advance the Orion Project. We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you consent to our use of cookies. MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Nov. 27, 2017) - Osisko Metals Incorporated (the "Company" or "Osisko Metals") (TSX VENTURE:OM) (FRANKFURT:0B5) is pleased to announce that it has signed a formal Purchase Agreement to acquire, from four vendors (The "Vendors"), a 100% interest in 4 claim groups (the "Properties") in the Mount Fronsac North area in the Bathurst Mining Camp ("BMC"). The Properties are comprised of a total of 39 claim units that have an approximate surface area of 850 hectares. Three of these claim groups host the northern extension and downdip potential of the Mount Fronsac North Deposit that was acquired by Osisko Metals in July 2017 (see NR dated July 6, 2017). A previous drill hole (MF00-26) intersected several intervals Cu-Pb-Zn mineralization within a wide envelope of strongly altered and pyritized mineralization that is the north plunging extension of the Mount Fronsac North deposit. Hole MF00-26 intersected 7.0 metres grading 1.93% Zn (384.0-391.0 metres) as well as 7.0 metres grading 1.84% Cu (399.0-406.0 metres). The mineralized envelope is comprised of a 22.5-metre-wide zone (379.0-401.5 metres) of semi-massive to massive sulphides. Only limited wide spaced drilling was conducted to follow up on these results and the current Mount Fronsac North drill program will test this area again very soon. The fourth claim group that was acquired is a separate block and it is located 5 km east of the Mount Fronsac North Deposit. This claim block hosts similar mineralized favourable stratigraphy that has had limited drilling. However, one hole in this area intersected 29.9 metres of 1.5% Zn and 0.5% Pb. Untested gravity anomalies and significant lead soil anomalies exist up-ice from this drilling. Osisko Metals also staked adjacent claims in the area to create a coherent land package covering similar stratigraphy. Jeff Hussey, President and CEO of Osisko Metals, commented: "We are happy to announce another acquisition in the western half of the BMC. The Mount Fronsac North Deposit is a relatively large sulphide deposit that hosts high grade mineralization locally. The larger volume of sulphide mineralization is evidence of a significant volcanogenic system that we will evaluate and explore." THE MOUNT FRONSAC NORTH EXTENSION TRANSACTION Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement between the Vendors and Osisko Metals, the Company will acquire 100% interest and will have the exclusive rights to explore and develop the Property by; Making a one-time payment by issuing 150,000 common shares of Osisko Metals to the Vendors on the closing of the Purchase Agreement; and Additional Performance Payment as follows: Issue to the Seller an additional maximum amount of $999,999 payable in the equivalent value of Osisko Metals common shares valued at the 30-day VWAP prior to the event that the Purchaser achieves commercial production on the Properties with the Sellers being entitled to such percentage of this Performance Payment as is obtained by dividing the amount of Mineral Reserves existing on the Property (as set out in a Positive Feasibility Study) by the total Mineral Reserves contained within the adjacent claim blocks in which the Purchaser has an interest ; The Vendors will retain a 0.6% Net Smelter Royalty (NSR) from the proceeds of any commercial production from the Properties. The transaction is subject to TSX Venture approval. About Mount Fronsac North The Mount Fronsac North deposit contains a historical, non 43-101 compliant, unclassified resource of 1.26 million tonnes grading 7.65 % Zn, 2.18 % Pb, 0.14% Cu, 40.3 g/t Ag, and 0.40 g/t Au. This high grade zone is hosted within 14 million tonnes of low-grade, semi-massive (>60%) to locally massive sulfides that occur in an envelope of quartz-sericite chlorite schist. The high grade deposit has a north-south strike length of 525 metres and a down dip length of 600 metres. Thickness varies between 2 to 20 metres. The alteration and disseminated mineralization halo has a maximum thickness of 140 metres and contains up to 50 percent fine to coarse-grained disseminated pyrite. The pyritic envelope is 900 metres long and extends down dip over 1,000 metres. Massive sulfides are found throughout this alteration envelope, but preferentially occur at or near the upper contact. Qualified Person Gary Woods is a Professional Geologist registered in New Brunswick and the Senior Exploration Manager for Osisko Metals Incorporated, he is the Qualified Person responsible for the technical data reported in this news release. About Osisko Metals Osisko Metals is a Canadian exploration and development company creating value in the base metal space with an emphasis on zinc. In 2017, the Company acquired over 50,000 hectares in the Bathurst Mining Camp ("BMC"). The objective is to develop a multi-deposit asset base that could feed a central concentrator. In parallel, Osisko Metals is monitoring several base metal oriented peers for projects and acquisition opportunities. In Quebec, the Company acquired 42,000 hectares that cover 12 grass-root zinc targets that will be selectively advanced through exploration. Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd. (TSX:or)(NYSE:OR) and Osisko Mining Inc. (TSX:OSK) are significant shareholders of the Company. 910 Shares Share Trump recently declared a national public health emergency. In this statement he was not talking about HIV or hepatitis C nor was he referring to the increased incidence of gun violence in the country. The presidents statements focused on a very different public health problem; he was talking about Americas high incidence of opioid-related deaths mostly from overdose. This declaration has been met with various pronouncements including some statements from politicians and some individuals within the minority communities on the fact that the labeling of this problem as a public health emergency was only because the majority of deaths in this crisis happened to be white Americans. I would say though that, I agree with Trump on this issue: this is a public health emergency irrespective of the color of the skins of the cases. To those who say this problem is a white-only problem, I beg to differ. Ninety percent of the cases are whites, but we must not lose site of the fact that 77 percent of our population is white. So if 90 percent of the deaths are white people, there is still a relatively significant contribution from minorities. This is not a time to politicize issues especially when we are dealing with lives especially the lives of young Americans. A 2015 a Kaiser Family Foundation representation of vital registration data revealed that one in four of all overdose deaths involving opioids was among younger Americans ages 25 to 34 years. This problem was so bad it actually affected overall gains in life expectancy among white Americans. Although there were more overdose deaths among men than women the increase appears to be accelerating faster in females compared to males. American Association of Addiction Medicine Reports suggest that from 1999 to 2010 overdose deaths from prescription opioids among women have increased by about 400 percent compared to 237 percent among men. The question that we need to address now though is: Why are we having such a rapid increase in the number of addictions to opioids and other addictive drugs today? While we may not have any good data to support this claim, it is well known that close and supportive family and other forms of social relationships have a positive impact on addiction as well as response to painful stimuli both physical and psychological. Over the past ten years, our dependence on technological gadgets including social media outlets has significantly reduced close interpersonal interactions. While there is a whole list of other factors driving this epidemic, it is my belief that our gradual decline in significant social interactions may be negatively impacting some of the other drivers. This theory is based on a an experiment by Bruce Alexander who used rats to prove that social isolation does negatively impact ones risk of addiction, and rats in a socially enriched environment where more resistant to addiction. If this theory is true, then what must Trump and our public health authorities focus on in our efforts to reduce the risk of addiction to opiates in our communities? To achieve control, we must not focus so much on the supply as we have always done in the past at great cost but on the demand. In the 1980s and 1990s, we fought a very costly war on drugs mostly in our inner-city neighborhoods and supply sources in South and Central America. Today, I cannot clearly say who won that war. In this current problem, we must address the disenchantment and social isolation that is driving our young people to ingest and inject chemicals into their bodys to make them feel better when our bodies have always been dependent on its own abilities to produce similar effects from chemical that are produced endogenously by the activities that we engage. Anyone who engages in physical activities and interactions with others regularly can attest to the life-enhancing effects of these activities whose benefits usually last longer than the high from any opioid and also tend to be much safer. So President Trump, if you want to address this epidemic and make any big impact, please forget about your wall and do not go the same way that all your predecessors who attempted to address this problem have gone. To make any headway on this problem, we must look at our best we can enrich the lives of the individuals in the communities most affected by addressing the high rates of unemployment and our over-dependence on electronic devices to the detriment of better interpersonal relationships. I would like to state a major disclaimer: I do not have any good data to support this but when all else has failed then looking for solutions supported by good research data can be considered a frivolous. Mr. President, I would quote you on this, What do we have to lose? Hope to hear from you soon. Leonard A. Sowah is an internal medicine physician. Image credit: Shutterstock.com Kingstree, SC (29556) Today Morning clouds will give way to sunshine for the afternoon. High 53F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight A mostly clear sky. Low 24F. Winds light and variable. Say it IS true: Christmas music is bad for you./Points on the curve The Herald reports: A Green Party candidate is aiming to be the first refugee to become an MP in New Zealand. Auckland barrister Golriz Ghahraman, originally from Iran, has been confirmed as a candidate for the general election. She says electing a refugee to Parliament would send a strong message during a global refugee crisis and at a time of rising anti-refugee and immigrant sentiment. It would be historic for New Zealand and I think it will mean something at this particular moment in a time when we are seeing one of the worst humanitarian disasters in a lifetime in the Middle East, Ghahraman said. To say that someone fleeing that part of the world could actually be so accepted, that she could take part in a democratic society, would be really meaningful. Especially with the rhetoric of Donald Trump and Brexit, I got to the point where I thought some of us who are witnessing this actually need to put our hands up and be at the table in the higher levels of governance. Her family fled Irans repressive Islamic regime in 1990 when she was 9 and they were granted political asylum in New Zealand. Having an ambitious, educated mother, she was mostly the driver of us moving away, and she had a lot of trouble continuing to work because she wouldnt adhere to Islamic dress codes and eventually it became dangerous for us, she said. The family travelled to New Zealand on the advice of a relative, who was also a refugee, and found the country was incredibly welcoming, she said. The 35-year-old has since built up an impressive CV as a human rights lawyer in New Zealand and overseas. She worked as a prosecutor at United Nations tribunals for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia, where heads of state were on trial for mass atrocities. After getting her masters degree in International Human Rights Law at Oxford University she also worked on the Khmer Rouge tribunal in Cambodia. Ive had a couple of people e-mail me on this interesting point. In the maiden speech of Golriz Ghahraman, she said: This was just the backdrop to a bloody war we fought against Saddam Husseins Iraq. I remember the bombs, the sirens, running to the basement. Waiting. Mostly I remember the kids, my age, who stopped speaking because of shell shock. Sounds awful. The Iran Iraq war lasted eight years and killed several hundred thousand people. It was a terrible conflict. But Stuff reported: Ghahraman was nine when her family fled their home town of Mashhad in the post Iran-Iraq War. So where is Mashhad? Is it near the border with Iraq, where the bombing and missiles occurred? Actually it appears to be as far away from Iraq as one can get. It is almost by the border with Turkmenistan. Around 1,600 kms away. Now it is quite possible Ghahraman lived somewhere else other than Mashhad. Maybe they moved towns to get away from the war. Maybe the Stuff article has it wrong. But it would be useful to clarify this apparent inconsistency. This Radio NZ profile says she was born in Mashhad. So either she is saying that Mashhad was bombed by Iraq from 1,600 kms away in the 1980s, or she was born in Mashhad, moved somewhere else (closer to the war zone!) for a while, and then moved back to Mashhad. Again it is hard to reconcile all this. And no Im not picking on Ghahraman. This is not personal. I actually welcomed her candidacy in January. As I said a couple of readers have e-mailed me about this issue after my blog yesterday on her work in Rwanda (which I only blogged on because of the revelation in the interview). Of interest is that in the quoted Herald story on her candidacy in January it explicitly says she worked as a prosecutor in Rwanda. The Stuff story did the same. This was a high profile story announcing her candidacy. Did she ever contact Isaac Davidson who wrote it to say he had got it wrong and she was on the defence teams in Rwanda and former Yugoslavia, not a prosecutor. Has she ever sought to correct media reports that have got it wrong? Ive now located close to half a dozen media stories that all explicitly state or imply she worked as a prosecutor in Rwanda. None of these were ever corrected, not was the Greens website. And they certainly didnt mention that she posed for selfies with her clients such as Simon Bikindi who was sentenced to 15 years prison for inciting genocide including a speech encouraging the Hutu nation to exterminate all Tutsis. Its one thing to defend someone in a justice system, but another to pose for a smiling photo with them. Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp More Pinterest Print Tumblr Strategy and Finance Minister Kim Dong-yeon speaks during a press conference at the Sejong Government Complex, Monday. Although Korea chalked up the second-highest economic growth rate in the third quarter among OECD members, Kim worried the effect might be limited to big exporters. / Courtesy of the Ministry of Strategy and Finance By Yoon Ja-young Korea ranked second-highest in terms of third-quarter economic growth among Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) member countries. While its economic growth rate is expected to surpass 3 percent this year, however, the outlook is uncertain for next year due to discrepancy between exports and domestic demand. According to the OCED, its 22 member countries whose data were available saw their economies grow on average 0.6 percent in the third quarter, falling from 0.8 percent in the second quarter. Korea's economy, meanwhile, grew 1.4 percent in the third quarter, following Latvia which topped the list with 1.5 percent. Latvia is a small economy that joined the OECD last year. Korea owes its good performance to an increase in exports, which expanded by 6.1 percent from the previous quarter. This was the highest quarterly rise in more than six years. The government and major economic think tanks expect Korea's economic growth rate to surpass 3 percent this year, on the boom in exports. "The economy has been showing stable signs, and the growth rate has become certain to surpass 3 percent this year. External risks have been controlled, with a Korea-Canada currency swap following the renewed Korea-China currency swap," Strategy and Finance Minister Kim Dong-yeon said in a press meeting Monday. For next year, however, many experts are cautious about growth staying above 3 percent while the government expects the number will be attainable. Analysts point to the discrepancy between exports and domestic demand. "While expansion of international trade on the global economic recovery will increase demand for Korean products, the trickle-down effect on domestic market industries will be negligible," said Ju Won, a director at the Hyundai Research Institute. "If one only focuses on good macroeconomic indices such as the economic growth rate and current account surplus, economic policy may overlook the poor economic conditions perceived by the people." The finance minister also pointed to the gap between good indices and chronic problems. "While the macroeconomic indices are stable, there remain problems of dualism and the widening gap in terms of distribution despite an increase in income. The government aims at qualitative growth where all can share the fruits of the economy," Kim said. Ju also showed concern over the "hollowing-out of the economy." "The ratio of overseas investment, which took only 10 percent of domestic facility investment in the early 2000s, now takes over 30 percent. With wages rising in the labor market due to issues like the minimum wage hike and transition of irregular workers to regular workers as well as anti-corporate sentiment expanding in society, businesses are likely to accelerate overseas investment." He pointed out that not only manufacturing but also services industries are increasing overseas investment. "This could lead to the hollowing-out of the economy since service industries have huge significance in terms of domestic demand and employment." The LG Economic Research Institute also showed concern that weakening investment will hinder growth. "Investment makes up an especially huge part of growth in Korea. From the latter half of the year, however, investment is losing steam. Construction spending will start to fall next year while facility investment will also slow as it has been limited to semiconductors." Despite the government's income-led economic growth plan which aims to boost consumption, the institute noted an increase in consumption will not make up for all the negative impact of slowing down investment. Envoys involved in illegal activities to earn hard currency By Kim Jae-kyoung More nations should expel North Korean diplomats to crack down on their illegal activities overseas and completely cut off the regime's economic lifeline, experts said Friday. "North Korean embassies are self-financed operations. In addition, they are expected to pay revolutionary tax to the Kim Jong-un regime," said Tara O, an adjunct fellow at the Pacific Forum CSIS. "So they partake in illicit activities to earn hard currency and take advantage of diplomatic immunity to not get discovered in the first place, or if caught, still be able to get out of the situation." She explained that diplomatic immunity is a principle of international law in which diplomats are not subject to local courts' jurisdiction to ensure the efficient and effective performance of their official missions. "So perhaps the best way to reduce North Korean diplomats' illegal activities is to reduce the diplomatic staff as some countries have done recently, or close them," she said. "Reducing the demand for such illegal goods in the destination countries would also help," she added. "These are measures that add to the maximum pressure strategy." Sean King, senior vice president of Park Strategies, concurred. "Cracking down on Pyongyang's diplomatic corps is key, as its embassies function as an overseas office network for the multinational criminal enterprise that North Korea is," said the New York-based political and East Asia specialist. In King's view, the likes of mainland China, Russia, Cuba, Iran and Syria never will, but as many enlightened countries as possible, "should cut off diplomatic ties with Pyongyang, expel its diplomats and shut down North Korean businesses in their respective countries." Following the North's sixth nuclear test in September, a growing number of countries, including Spain, Mexico, Kuwait, Peru and Myanmar, have taken meaningful measures by expelling envoys or reducing the number of diplomats accredited there. "States should also freeze the assets of North Korean entities and individuals, especially those known to be connected to the North's military and weapons programs," King said. "America should warn its trading partners that countries that keep trading with North Korea will lose their access to the U.S. market." NK's illegal activities in spotlight By Lee Seong-hyon China sent a qualified envoy to Pyongyang. The problem was that the envoy was "minimally" qualified. North Korea knew it was a test. The North Korean leader let Xi's envoy "wait around" for four days, causing him much anxiety, and yet never showed up to see him. Many Chinese took this as an insult. Such feelings, however, may be unwarranted. The envoy, after all, fulfilled his mission well, meeting with North Korean officials appropriate to his rank. Meeting Kim, though, is in another realm. Song Tao is a "qualified" envoy. He is head of the Communist Party's External Affairs Department (zhonglianbu). This organ, not the Chinese foreign ministry, handles relations with North Korea, including those with the Workers' Party. The just-concluded 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CCP) was a party event. The Chinese Communist Party and the North Korean Workers' Party have the "custom" to explain the outcome of important political events by sending delegations to each other's country. As such, China sent Song, representing the CCP, to North Korea. Second, China yet sent a "minimally" qualified envoy. In the past, China dispatched much higher ranking dignitaries. In 2007 after the 17th Congress, China sent Propaganda Department chief Liu Yunshan, a member of the powerful Political Bureau, to Pyongyang. In 2012, after the 18th Congress, China sent Li Jianguo, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, and again a Political Bureau member. Song is just a ministerial-level official and his pecking order in the CCP is below the Political Bureau. Third, it was possible that North Korea therefore took the choice of Song as an "insult," not the other way around. On top of that, strangely, Song was given the special title "Xi Jinping's envoy." This poses a dilemma on the part of North Korea. Song is a mere working level official. North Korean leader Kim wouldn't need to meet him, based on the usual diplomatic decorum. But then, Song visited with the hat that represented the authority of Xi Jinping. Should Kim then have met Song? The tabloid Global Times, under the People's Daily, sent out a veiled warning to North Korea. "We hope Pyongyang can treat this visit (by Song) seriously. Song is the special envoy of Xi, which is very different from other diplomats." Kim, however, rejected the pretense. Looking back on the intrigue, there may have been multiple calculations for China to dispatch such a mid-level envoy. One, Beijing may have taken Washington's counsel into consideration. The U.S. frowns when China sends a senior envoy to North Korea, which could be wrongly seen as a "reward" by Pyongyang when the latter misbehaves. Two, China may have purposely sent an envoy who was "not too high, not too low," given that China and North Korea haven't had high-level exchanges for quite a long time and the two have the biggest divergence of opinions over Pyongyang's nuclear program. If a Chinese political heavyweight went to Pyongyang and returned empty-handed, without any progress on the nuclear program, and without meeting Kim, that would have been a diplomatic disaster. Song, a mid-level official would then be a "safe" choice. Three, speculation is that China actually used the occasion to "test" Kim, a young and defiant leader. This is consistent with an old habit of the Chinese in attempting to "shape" North Korea and "sow" influence in their asymmetrical relationship. (South Korea accepted the allusion and now Chinese mid-level officials meet with South Korean senior officials, treating them as their "counterparts.") North Korea has never caved into such attempts by China and has never lost face, in spite of dealing with a more powerful patron from the Cold War era. Song, in North Korea, fulfilled his mission appropriate to his rank. North Korea didn't "insult" him either. Song in Pyongyang met with Choe Ryong-hae, a member of the standing committee of the Workers' Party, and Ri Su-yong, a member of the party's political bureau. Both rank higher than Song in the overall scheme of things. We should also note that North Korea's Ambassador to China Ji Jae-ryong personally greeted Song at the Beijing airport "before and after" Song's trip to Pyongyang. It was North Korea giving "face" to Xi's envoy. Meeting with Kim? That may be in another realm according to North Korean standards. Lee Seong-hyon (sunnybbsfs@gmail.com), Ph.D., is a research fellow at the Sejong Institute. PRESS RELEASE Enthusiasm on Belt and Road at China-Latin America Productive Capacity Forum in Beijing Nov. 24, 2017 (EIRNS)At a Beijing forum on China-Latin America Investment Productive Capacity Cooperation, held on Nov. 22, there was enthusiastic endorsement of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) by the many Ibero-American and Caribbean participants, representing Jamaica, Uruguay, Chile, Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, and Cuba, Xinhua reported Nov. 22. Officials from two Chinese companies also attended the conference, sponsored by the China Overseas Development Association. Zhang Zhenxi, Vice President of the China Overseas Development Association, noted in his speech that Chinese non-financial direct investment in Latin-America grew by 40% in 2016 over the previous year, adding that he was sure that this will continue to increase. "The Belt and Road Initiative... offers a unique development perspective," he said, "which has great significance for the improvement of infrastructure in Latin American countries." The Latin American participants expressed a desire to see more Chinese investment in their countries, and stronger bilateral cooperation in the framework of the BRI. Uruguays ambassador to China, Fernando Lugris, offered details on his countrys strong bilateral ties with China, and announced that in the future "well promote relations with China under the Belt and Road Initiative, encouraging economic cooperation even further." Note that the Uruguayans have been organizing for months for the large Nov. 30-Dec. 2 China-Latin America-Caribbean Business Forum, taking place in Punta del Este, Uruguay, at which Latin Americas participation in the Belt and Road will be a key topic of discussion. Felipe Aguayo, head of the ProMexico government trade office, said many Chinese companies are beginning to invest in Mexico because it offers favorable conditions. As for the BRI, he said, "Mexico is very interested. We want to participate in that initiative. We think it is a great opportunity." Andreas Pierotic, from the Chilean embassy in Beijing, underscored that for Chile, as well as for the rest of Latin America, "the Belt and Road has profound significance," and noted that last year, when Xi Jinping attended the APEC summit in Lima, "he invited Latin America to become part of this great initiative of trade connectivity, infrastructure, finances, think tanks and people-to-people" cooperation. He noted that recent agreement to expand the Chile-China Free Trade Agreement, signed by Xi and President Michelle Bachelet, reflects "the deepening of trade connectivity in the context of the Belt and Road." * The Brazilian government and the European Union (EU) have began a joint forum in the city of Sao Paulo to analyse the possibility of starting green businesses in Brazil and the socioeconomic changes necessary for complying with the Paris Agreement. The event provides a meeting place for businessmen, members of financial institutions, and public workers from both Brazil and the EU looking to invest in environmentally sustainable businesses. It also includes round tables with investors and companies who use low-carbon footprint, forest restoration initiatives, fuel efficiency, bioenergy, and solar-powered energy. End of preview - This article contains approximately 91 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options Indonesia's Mount Agung is spewing towering clouds of ash, raising concerns that the giant 10,305-foot-tall (3,140 meters) volcano might have a big eruption soon, according to news sources. The volcano, located on the eastern side of the resort island of Bali, began erupting ash last Tuesday (Nov. 21). These ashy plumes have reached heights of about 9,800 feet (3,000 m), and have led the government to ask about 100,000 people on Bali to evacuate, according to the Indonesian National Board for Disaster Management. "The volcano's alert level has been raised to the highest level," senior state volcanologist Gede Suantika told The Jakarta Post. "Constant tremors can be felt." [50 Amazing Volcano Facts] The volcano's recent rumblings began in September, leading authorities to evacuate more than 140,000 people living near the volcano at that time, The Jakarta Post reported. But Agung's alarming activity dropped in October, prompting the government to lower the warning to the second-highest level and allowing many people to return home. That changed last week, when the volcano belched out steam an episode experts are calling a phreatic eruption, when magma heats groundwater and causes it to evaporate instantaneously, sometimes carrying rocky debris. Some of the volcano's ash puffs are accompanied by explosive eruptions, whose associated booms can be heard up to 7 miles (12 km) from the summit. "The rays of fire are increasingly observed in the next night," the National Board for Disaster Management officials said in a statement. "This indicates the potential for a larger eruption is imminent." The agency advised people to stay at least 7.5 miles (12 km) from Mount Agung's crater. This zone includes 22 villages and about 90,000 to 100,000 people, government spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho told reporters, according to National Public Radio (NPR). However, just 40,000 people have left, largely because many people don't want to abandon their livestock or don't think the situation is dangerous enough to warrant evacuation, NPR reported. Government officials also closed Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport (also known as Denpasar International Airport), affecting about 59,000 passengers on 445 flights, according to Business Insider. Mount Agung last erupted over the course of almost a year, from February 1963 to January 1964, according to a 2012 study in the journal Bulletin of Volcanology (opens in new tab). During those eruptions, the volcano blasted out lava, hot gases and volcanic rock fragments, known as tephra, leading to the deaths of more than 1,100 people, according to the study. Mount Agung is part of the Sunda volcanic arc, which lies above the oceanic crust going under the Java trench in the Indian Ocean, south of Bali, the study reported. Before its 1963 eruption, Agung hadn't erupted since 1843, meaning it had stayed dormant for 120 years, the researchers said. Original article on Live Science. Archaeologists rediscovered a giant geoglyph of a killer whale, etched into a desert hillside in the remote Palpa region of southern Peru, after it had been lost to science for more than 50 years. The 230-foot-long (70 meters) figure of an orca considered a powerful, semimythical creature in ancient Peruvian lore may be more than 2,000 years old, according to the researchers. They said it may be one the oldest geoglyphs in the Palpa region, and older than those in the nearby Nazca region, which is famous for its vast collection of ancient ground markings the Nazca Lines that include animal figures, straight lines and geometrical shapes. [See Photos of the Orca Geoglyph of Peruvian Lore] Archaeologist Johny Isla, the head of Peru's Ministry of Culture in Ica province, which includes the Palpa and Nazca valleys, explained that he saw a single photograph of the orca pattern for the first time about four years ago. He'd seen it while researching studies of geoglyphs at the German Archaeological Institute in Bonn. The photograph appeared in an archaeological catalog of geoglyphs printed in the 1970s, which was based on research carried out in Palpa and Nazca by German archaeologists in the 1960s, Isla said. But the location and size of the orca geoglyph were not well-described in the catalog, Isla told Live Science in an email. As a result, he said, the glyph's whereabouts in the desert hills of the Palpa Valley, about 250 miles (400 kilometers) south of Lima, were by then unknown to local people or to scientists. After returning to Peru, Isla looked for the orca geoglyph on Google Earth and then on foot. "It was not easy to find it, because the [location and description] data were not correct, and I almost lost hope," he said. "However, I expanded the search area and finally found it a few months later," in January 2015. Orca art After documenting the rediscovery, Isla led a team of six specialists from Peru's Ministry of Culture in an effort to clean and restore the orca geoglyph in March and April this year. Before the restoration, the geoglyph was disappearing due to erosion and the passage of time. "Being drawn on a slope, it is easier [for it] to suffer damage than [for] those figures that are in flat areas, such as those of the Nazca Pampa," he said. Until the restoration this year, time and erosion had almost obliterated the ancient orca geoglyph to untrained eyes. (Image credit: Johny Isla) The creators of the orca drew it on the hillside in negative relief by removing a thin layer of stones to form the outline of the figure. This is similar to the technique used by the people of the Nazca culture to create geoglyphs from about 100 B.C. to A.D. 800. But some contrasting parts of the rediscovered pattern, such as the eyes, were created out of piles of stones, the researchers said. This technique was used by people of the older Paracas culture, who occupied the region from around 800 B.C. to 200 B.C. Soil tests have indicated that the orca geoglyph dates from around 200 B.C. The style of the pattern and its location on a hillside, rather than on a plain, suggest that it may be one of the oldest geoglyphs in the region, said one of Isla's colleagues, Markus Reindel of the German Archaeological Institute, in an interview in a German newspaper. Isla said that before the restoration earlier this year, it would have been hard for a layperson to see the orca. "With the eyes of an archaeologist, and after having seen the photo in the catalog and later in Google Earth, it was not very difficult," he said. "However, [for] the eyes of a person without these advantages, it was a bit difficult." [In Photos: Google Earth Reveals Sprawling Geoglyphs in Kazakhstan] Paracas people The Paracas culture had developed in the valleys of Chincha, Pisco and Ica, north of Palpa, after 800 B.C. and later occupied the valleys of Nazca and Palpa, Isla explained. Paracas society, he said, was theocratic (ruled by priests) and agricultural, and had made important advances in the production of ceramics and textiles. The geoglyph was marked out more than 2,000 years ago by removing a thin layer of stones in some places and piling up stones in others. (Image credit: Johny Isla) "The landscape of the region where the Nazca and Palpa geoglyphs are located basically corresponds to the coastal desert, north of the Atacama Desert, which is cut by small oasis valleys," Isla said. "People lived on the edge of the valleys and used the slopes and plateaus of the desert to make the geoglyphs." The geoglyphs of Palpa and Nazca cover an area of more than 174 square miles (450 square km). Their exact purpose remains a mystery, but archaeologists think the images were primarily religious symbols. Isla and Reindel have explored the Palpa region since the 1990s, finding more than 1,000 geoglyphs, some of which are more than 1,300 feet (400 m) long, according to an article published in 2005 in the journal Andean Past. Peru's Ministry of Culture is trying to secure access to the orca geoglyph and provide basic services for visitors to the area, Isla said. However, public access to the geoglyph was currently restricted by the claims of "land traffickers," who were able to lay claim to uncultivated land under Peruvian law, he said "Both in Nazca and in Palpa, the archaeological heritage, especially the geoglyphs, has been threatened by urban advance and the expansion of the agricultural frontier," Isla said. "This [has happened] with the lands near the orca geoglyph, where there is currently private property that occupies part of the archaeological zone." Original article on Live Science. The castle found beneath the surface of Lake Van in Turkey may have been built 3,000 years ago by ancient people called the Urartians, but archaeologists can't say for certain. Last week, a story about a 3,000-year-old castle discovered beneath the waters of Lake Van, in Turkey, went viral. But what's the real story behind this Atlantis-like discovery? It turns out that the story is more complicated and mysterious than recent news reports suggest, Live Science found after speaking with several archaeologists as well as the leader of the photography team who discovered the castle. Parts of the "castle," a term that the discoverers use to describe it, likely date to the Middle Ages, which lasted from about A.D. 476 to 1450, and it may not be an entirely new discovery: Reports from surveys of the Lake Van area conducted in the 1950s and 1960s noted the existence of the structure. It's not clear when the castle was washed underwater. [See Photos of the Remains of the Underwater Castle in Turkey] For instance, some of those reports indicated that medieval castle builders at Lake Van actually reused ancient material dating back to about 1000 B.C. to create the castle walls. The reports also mention a wall that plunges into the lake that has inscriptions on it that discuss an ancient king named "Rusa" and his interactions with a god named "Haldi." What has really been found? For the past 10 years, a team led by Tahsin Ceylan, an underwater photographer, has been exploring the waters beneath Lake Van, documenting natural features like microbialites (living, organic rock structures that are similar in some ways to coral) as well as archaeological sites, such as a Russian ship that dates to 1915. In 2016, this team, which does not include an archaeologist, found a structure outside the harbor of Adilcevaz, a town in Turkey that has been inhabited for thousands of years. We "came across some sort of wall outside the harbor in one of our dives. Later [we] found out that it is a castle's wall that starts within the harbor and continues outside," Ceylan told Live Science. [Image Gallery: Stone Structure Hidden Under Sea of Galilee] "The castle is approximately 1 kilometer [less than a mile] long and has a solid structure." The castle is made primarily of cut stones, Ceylan said, adding that the team had found a lion drawing on one of them, supporting the idea that Urartians a people who flourished in Turkey about 3,000 years ago may have built the structure. Lions were a popular motif among the people of Urartu. Media reports suggested that an archaeologist was part of the team. "Our team of divers does not include an archaeologist that is something the press added on their own," Ceylan said. "In our statement that we've sent to the press, we indicated that [given] the fact it was built with cut stones and one of the stones has a lion figure carved on it, the castle might belong to [the] Urartian civilization that lived here 3,200 years ago. But we specifically stated that archaeologists are the sole deciders on the matter. But the press made their own assumptions from this statement," Ceylan said. Archaeologists weigh in The archaeologists that Live Science talked to thought that many of the remains the team found likely date to the Middle Ages. The underwater remains seem to consist of "Medieval castle walls and probably an Urartian site," said Geoffrey Summers, an archaeological research associate at the University of Chicago's Oriental Institute. The remains have been "known for a long time" from survey reports, Summers said. Summers looked at a high-resolution image of the lion drawing, saying he thinks it looks more medieval than something from the Urartian kingdom. Kemalettin Koroglu, an archaeology professor at Marmara Universitesi, agreed that much of the underwater remains are actually medieval. He noted that some of the images show masonry between the ashlar wall stones (which are a type of stone that is square cut). "The walls [seem] medieval or late antique period rather than Urartu. Urartian never used any material between ashlar wall stones to connect each other," Koroglu said. It's possible that some of the 3,000-year-old Urartian remains seen in the photos were actually reused by castle builders during the Middle Ages, said Paul Zimansky, a history professor at Stony Brook University in New York. He also said that he needs to conduct more research. Earlier explorers A vast collection of surveys and documents published by archaeologists who surveyed the Lake Van area in the 1950s and 1960s includes mentions of both Urartu and medieval remains in the area. One intriguing paper, by archaeologists Charles Allen Burney and G.R.J. Lawson, published in 1958 in the journal Anatolian Studies, discusses a "medieval castle at Adilcevaz, on the north shore of Lake Van," whose builders had reused blocks that had been constructed by the Urartians 3,000 years ago. Lake Van, the largest lake in Turkey, of course has its own "lake monster," or Van Golu Canavar in Turkish. (Image credit: Pecold/Shutterstock) Another intriguing report published in 1959 in the journal Anatolian Studies by a scholar named P. Hulin reports on a "lofty wall of later than Urartian times" that runs "into the lake." While investigating the wall, Hulin apparently discovered inscriptions dating back about 2,700 years that mention an Urartian king named Rusa. The inscriptions are fragmentary, and Hulin could make out only a small amount of the writing. The inscriptions discuss Rusa, who appears to be interacting with Haldi, an Urartian god. The archaeologists and divers that Live Science spoke to all agree that more research is needed to determine what exactly these underwater remains consist of. "The area needs to be thoroughly researched by [an] archaeologist," Ceylan said. "For the time being, there is no team here to conduct dives and researches on the castle." Originally published on Live Science. An excavated street at the Indus site of Kalibangan, a Bronze Age settlement that sits right along the Ghaggar-Hakra paleochannel, visible in the background. Almost 5,000 years ago, a civilization developed in what is today northwest India and Pakistan, rivaling Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt in scope. The people of the Indus civilization farmed everything from cotton to dates, and eventually established at least five major cities with basic indoor plumbing and public sewage systems. A few of these cities, including the famed sites of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, sit along major glacier-fed rivers. But the bulk of the Bronze Age Indus villages that have been found so far sit far from flowing water, north of the Thar Desert and between the Ganges-Yamuna and the Indus river systems. As early as the late 1800s, archaeologists and geologists noted a dry paleochannel, like an old riverbed, which ran through many of these settlements. The assumption was that the settlements first grew alongside the river, and then dried up when the river did. Now, new research reveals that this old story is entirely wrong. In fact, the river that once filled the dry channel dried up more than 3,000 years before the heyday of the Indus civilization. Instead, the ancient people who populated those villages may have relied on seasonal monsoon flooding and the rich, water-trapping clays of the old river valley for a flourishing system of agriculture. [24 Amazing Archaeological Discoveries] "They were able to survive in a very diverse landscape," said lead study researcher Sanjeev Gupta, a sedimentologist at Imperial College London. "It makes it a richer story." River mystery Gupta and his colleagues have been working to unravel the mystery of the paleochannel, called the Ghaggar in India and the Hakra in Pakistan, for a dozen years. "What we set out to do was to do a detailed geological analysis to underpin the archaeological understanding," Gupta told Live Science. This involved first combining various satellite views of the region with radar imagery to build detailed topographical maps of the dry channel. Next, a field team headed by Rajiv Sinha and Ajit Singh, of the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, took sediment samples from the paleochannel at the Indus site of Kalibangan, which sits right alongside the dry channel. This was a painstaking process, Gupta said. The team drilled down 131 feet (40 meters) in the sandy soil. To extract unbroken cores of sediment that wouldn't crumble, they had to drill 3.3 feet (1 m) at a time, removing long columns of sand and soil in opaque barrels. They drilled five cores, and each one took about a week to collect. [The World's 10 Longest Rivers] This map of northwestern India and Pakistan shows the locations of ancient Indus settlements. Though some larger cities are on modern Himalayan rivers, most of the villages sit in areas not fed by major rivers. (Image credit: P.J. Mason/S. Gupta (Imperial College London) (Data for map courtesy of NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey)) The tedium of the collection process was nothing compared with the detailed work that would take place back at the lab. The researchers sliced the cores in half lengthwise so that they could use one semicircular half to analyze the types of sediment and the other to undergo a barrage of sophisticated analyses to reveal ages. A changing river The first revelation delivered by the sediments was that the paleochannel was, indeed, once a river. "We found these beautiful river deposits with all the hallmarks of Himalayan rivers," Gupta said, including dark-brown and gray sands washed down from the rugged mountains. To figure out which river had brought these mountainous deposits down, the researchers used dating techniques to figure out the ages of two minerals in the sands: mica and zircon. Analyzing thousands of grains (the mica alone took six straight weeks of 24-hour work), the team found that the ages of the sediments matched one river, and one river alone: the Sutlej, which now flows in a westerly direction across the Punjab region. The discovery reveals that the Sutlej once flowed through the now-dry paleochannel but shifted course at some time during history. This process, called avulsion, happens occasionally with rivers. But when had the Sutlej avulsed? To find out, the researchers used another sophisticated technique, called optically stimulated luminescence. When grains of sediments like quartz or feldspar are buried, Gupta explained, they are exposed to background radiation in the surrounding soil, which excites electrons in the minerals. These excited electrons accumulate with time, creating a sort of natural stopwatch that measures the time since the sediment was last exposed to sunlight. Using this technique, the researchers dated their five Kalibangan cores, along with six other cores from other locations along the former Sutlej path. What the results showed, Gupta said, was that in the period from 4,800 to 3,900 years ago, when the Indus villages were at their peak, the sediments were dominated by fine sands and muds. "These are low-energy river environments or lakes," Gupta said. "So there's no big Himalayan river." Calm waters Put it together, and it adds up to this: The Sutlej once ran through the old channel, washing down glacial sediments and probably bringing raging seasonal floods to the region. But the dating showed that between 15,000 and 8,000 years ago, the Sutlej changed course. No one knows why, Gupta said, but the course change left behind a low-lying river valley, rich in groundwater and likely fed by small, seasonal monsoon rivers that would inundate the valley in fertile mud. In addition to being a safer place to live than next to a raging glacial river, the valley was fertile. [7 Ancient Cultures History Forgot] A Landsat 5 composite satellite image shows the Ghaggar-Hakra paleochannel in dark blue. The former river channel left behind a low-lying area rich with groundwater and muddy soil. (Image credit: P.J. Mason/S. Gupta (Imperial College London) (Landsat imagery courtesy of NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and the U.S. Geological Survey)) "We think, actually, that these towns and settlements developed here because this was actually a good place for agriculture," Gupta said. The study is impressively well-documented and gives archaeologists concrete data to use going forward, said Rita Wright, an expert on the Indus civilization at New York University who was not involved in the study. Archaeologists have become increasingly sensitive to the ecological diversity of the Bronze Age Indus people, Wright told Live Science, but the new information about water resources could change the way researchers think about Indus settlement patterns. With no rivers in the Ghaggar-Hakra channel area, ancient people may have moved around in pursuit of water rather than staying in villages for generations, for example. "As an archaeologist, when I read this, I thought, 'Oh, maybe that's why there are so many documented settlements there. Maybe they were ephemeral," Wright said. The region is still India's breadbasket, Gupta said. Groundwater still feeds agriculture in the area, but the groundwater has been depleted. The research team is now working on a project to understand how the groundwater flows and how it can best be managed in the future. "Water resources are still fundamental, then to now," Gupta said. The research was published today (Nov. 28) in the journal Nature Communications. Original article on Live Science. Black smoke and red light are seen at the peak of erupting Mount Agung, from Rendang village of Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia, on early morning of November 28, 2017. The government increased the volcano alert to highest level in 7 kilometer radius range of Mount Agung and extend the closure of I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, Bali. A Balinese volcano that has been spewing huge columns of ash in tiny eruptions over the past week could be facing the "big one" very soon, experts now say. "The potential for a larger eruption is imminent," Indonesia's Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center, said in a statement. Gede Suantika, a senior volcanologist with the state's Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center, said the major eruption could be coming within hours, although it's impossible to say for sure, the the New Zealand Herald reported. Mount Agung, on the Indonesian island of Bali, has been rocked by small eruptions that rained ash clouds. But in the last week, Mount Agung blew steam, a sign volcanologists say means that the magma is heating and instantaneously vaporizing groundwater, Live Science previously reported. Yesterday, a sludgy, cold form of lava known as lahar appeared a hint that a magmatic eruption was imminent, the New Zealand Herald reported. And late Monday (Nov. 27), a glowing red arc of magma shot across the sky above the towering volcano, reaching nearly two miles (3 kilometers) in height, the Guardian reported. The glowing magma show increases the chances that a major magmatic eruption is imminent, volcanologists told The Guardian. The 10,305-foot-tall (3,140 meters) volcano began rumbling to life in September. On Sunday, the country's Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center raised Indonesia's aviation threat level to red, the highest possible level, and the Denpasar International Airport in Bali was closed. The government has urged more than 100,000 people within a six-mile (9.6 km) radius to evacuate. If Mount Agung does blow, it could send fast-moving clouds of rocky debris and poisonous gas down the mountainsides, known as pyroclastic flows. The last time the mountain erupted, in 1963 and 1964, more than 1,000 people in surrounding villages died. Originally published on Live Science. People who increase their physical activity may experience beneficial changes in their heart's structure, and these changes could reduce the risk of heart failure, a new study suggests. In the study, researchers analyzed information from more than 2,700 people who'd had their heart examined with an MRI at the start of the study, and again 10 years later. The participants who were around 60 years old, on average, at the start of the study also completed a survey about their physical activity levels during a typical week. The researchers then looked at how people's heart structures changed over time and whether this was linked with the individuals' activity levels. Often, as people age, the walls of their hearts get thicker, while their heart cavities get smaller. This "small, thick heart" increases the risk of heart failure, a condition in which the heart muscle can't pump enough blood to meet the body's normal demands, said Dr. Roberta Florido, a research fellow in cardiology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore. [8 Tips for Healthy Aging] In particular, a small, thick heart increases the risk of so-called "heart failure with preserved ejection fraction," Florido said. This means heart failure develops because the heart is stiff, despite having a normal pump function, she said. The researchers found that, after taking into account participants' activity levels at the start of the study, greater increases in physical activity over the 10-year study period were linked with beneficial changes in the heart's structure. The alterations included a slight increase in heart volume, as well as maintenance of the heart wall's thickness in other words, the heart's walls didn't get any thicker. These changes could prevent the development of the "small, thick heart" that's associated with heart failure, Florido said. "We see favorable changes in their heart structure" linked with physical activity, Florido told Live Science. Previous studies have found that physical activity reduces the risk of heart failure, and the new study suggests that these beneficial changes comprise "one of the mechanisms of how physical activity prevents heart failure," Florido said. Heart failure is on the rise in the United States, and around 6.5 million U.S. adults now live with the disease, according to the American Heart Association. It's estimated that about 50 percent of people with heart failure will die within five years of the diagnosis, Florido said. What's more, there are really no treatments for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, which makes prevention of this type of heart failure particularly important, she said. "We need to reinforce the importance of the recommended levels of physical activity, especially with the growth of heart failure [diagnoses] and the lack of treatment strategies for heart failure with persevered ejection fraction," Florido said. The new study's methods make it difficult to estimate what level of change in physical activity is linked with the beneficial heart changes. That's because the researchers took into account people's activity at the start of the study, meaning that people who performed a lot of physical activity at the start of the study could still see benefits even if they decreased their activity later, Florido said. But in general, the more activity people did, both at the start of the study and over time, the better it was for their hearts, Florido said. A follow-up study will look more specifically at the level of change in physical activity that's needed for these beneficial heart changes, she said. Florido recommends that people try to meet the U.S. physical-activity guidelines of 150 minutes of moderate activity, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity, per week. The new findings were presented this month at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions meeting in Anaheim, California. Original article on Live Science. The shrine (sometimes called the Edicule) that holds the tomb of Jesus is seen in this photograph. The shrine is located within the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. A tomb that, according to legend, held the body of Jesus Christ dates back almost 1,700 years, scientific tests show. Whether the tomb ever truly held the body of Jesus is unknown. The limestone bed dates to almost 300 years after the death of Jesus. Additionally, a number of other sites claim to also hold the "tomb of Jesus." The tomb of Jesus is covered by a shrine (sometimes called the Edicule) located within the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. According to legend, Helena, the mother of Roman emperor Constantine the Great (reign ca. 306-337), discovered the tomb around the year 327. Constantine legalized Christianity throughout the Roman Empire and supposedly converted to Christianity before he died. The legend says the Romans protected the tomb of Jesus by building a shrine over it as well as a church. This church has been destroyed, renovated and rebuilt several times over the past 1,700 years. [See Photos of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre] Today, the shrine that covers the tomb is in poor shape and is in danger of collapse. To help save it, a team that includes scientists supported by the National Geographic Society has been conducting conservation work in the shrine and its tomb. During this work, the archaeologists opened the tomb of Jesus for the first time in centuries it has been sealed with marble slabs since at least A.D. 1555 to prevent damage from visitors and excavated the tomb. They found the remains of what appears to be a limestone bed that, as legend says, may have held the body of Jesus. Tests using a technique called optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) of mortar from the limestone bed revealed when the quartz within the masonry was last exposed to light. The results showed that the bed was constructed around A.D. 345, during or shortly after the reign of Constantine the Great. The test results were released today (Nov. 28) by the National Geographic Society (opens in new tab). "Obviously, that date is spot-on for whatever Constantine did," archaeologist Martin Biddle, who has studied the tomb extensively, told National Geographic (opens in new tab). Today, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is a site of pilgrimage for Christians. A study reporting the test results will be published in an upcoming issue of the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports. When the conservation work is complete, scientists hope that the marble cladding that hid the tomb will be replaced with a material that will allow visitors to see inside the tomb. Original article on Live Science. The first batch of meals destined for local families with newborn babies were cooked this week at Bellyful Hibiscus Coasts first Cookathon at Stoney Homestead in Millwater. Bellyful is a not-for-profit charitable trust that provides free meals cooked by volunteers to families with babies under three months old, or those with young children who may be finding things tough through illness in the family. Referrals come from health professionals, community organisations or friends and family. Nationally, 3900 families were referred to Bellyful for help and 17,800 meals were delivered by around 400 volunteers, last year. The Hibiscus Coast branch, coordinated by Kelly Paddison, is the 20th and most northern in New Zealand, reaching as far as Puhoi. The group had its official launch this week, on November 27 this featured a combined cooking session and cake cutting ceremony, and was attended by volunteers, Kelly, Bellyful NZ chief executive Charlotte Delahunty and quality and operations manager Wendy Thompson. Kelly says that many of the Coast volunteers, including several who stepped forward after seeing the story in Hibiscus Matters September 6 paper, were previous recipients of the service. Jennie Burrowes, of Red Beach, says that is why she wanted to help. I had a newborn and no family support, as they all live in the South Island, she says. My husband works full-time and starts early in the morning. My baby was unwell and had a couple of operations, which made it very difficult for him to feed. I was exhausted and this was my first baby, so I didnt know what to expect. When someone from Bellyful knocked on my door with a meal I burst into tears. Help is always needed with a new baby and Kelly says Bellyful has grown as families move away from traditional support networks. We cant wait to start delivering the meals out into the community to the families who need them, Kelly says. Having a baby or dealing with illness when you have young children is hard work and its those families who might not have a support network bringing them meals who we really want to help. When youre having a rough time, something as simple as not having to worry about getting dinner sorted can be a big deal. To make the local branch happen, funds were raised over the last few months through cake stalls, a sausage sizzle and cash donations including more than $500 from the Hibiscus Coast Community House, which came from the proceeds of their Op Shop in Orewa. The group is hoping for sponsorship from local businesses, as well as welcoming donations through the Bellyful Hibiscus Coast Facebook or Givealittle pages. The meals of macaroni cheese, lasagne and spaghetti bolognese will be prepared at regular cookathons, frozen and then delivered by volunteers. Referrals can be made at bellyful.org.nz or phone 0508 Bellyful. Local News, Health & Wellness, Politics By Long Island News & PR Published: November 28 2017 Hospital Will Pay Restitution To Patients & Change Billing Procedures. New York, NY - November 28, 2017 - Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced an agreement with The Brooklyn Hospital Medical Center (Brooklyn Hospital) after an investigation that revealed the hospital illegally billed sexual assault survivors for forensic rape examinations. As part of the settlement, Brooklyn Hospital will maintain a Sexual Assault Victim Policy that prevents such improper billing, and will provide full restitution to improperly billed sexual assault survivors. Attorney General Schneiderman has also sent letters to 10 additional hospitals across New York State seeking information on their policies. Attorney General Schneiderman reminded New Yorkers that survivors of sexual assault are entitled to cost-free emergency care under New York law, which requires those services to be provided free of charge through the states Office of Victim Services. Its hard to imagine the heartache and anxiety a survivor must feel having to fight a collection agency over an unlawful bill for a rape kit. Its unacceptable, and we will not allow it to continue, said Attorney General Schneiderman. I want to be clear: survivors of sexual assault are entitled to cost-free emergency care under New York law and we will do everything possible to ensure they get the respect and care they deserve. Attorney General Schneiderman initiated an investigation after receiving a complaint that a survivor of sexual assault was billed seven separate times by Brooklyn Hospital for a forensic rape exam administered in Brooklyn Hospitals emergency room. The Attorney Generals investigation further revealed that between January 2015 and February 2017, Brooklyn Hospital conducted 86 forensic rape exams and in 85 out of those 86 cases, the hospital either improperly billed the patient directly, or billed the patients insurance plan without advising the patient of their payment options as required by law. Brooklyn Hospital had sent some of these improper bills to collection. Click here to read the settlement agreement New York State Executive Law Section 631(13) provides that when a hospital furnishes services -- including a forensic rape examination (FRE) to any sexual assault survivor, it shall provide such services to the patient without charge and shall bill the Office of Victim Services (OVS) directly, or alternatively, the sexual assault survivor may voluntarily opt to assign the costs to private insurance. The purpose of Executive Law 631(13) is to ease payment of FREs by providing for submission of bills to OVS; provide quality exams; and give survivors of sexual assault the ability to choose a means of payment for their FREs, either through the OVS program or their own insurance. Allowing sexual assault survivors to choose to have OVS directly pay for services helps ensure privacy and confidentiality. This increased privacy increases the likelihood that a survivor will submit to the FRE, which in turn increases the ability of law enforcement agencies to identify offenders. It is unconscionable that a survivor who undergoes an intensive rape kit collection process would then receive a bill in the mail to pay for her own rape kit. What other crime victims must cover the costs of their own crime investigations? This goes to the very heart of blaming the victim, and we commend A.G. Schneiderman for stopping this illegal practice in its tracks, said Sonia Ossorio President NOW-NY. Hon. Judy Harris Kluger, executive director of Sanctuary for Families, said, At Sanctuary for Families, we assist survivors of many forms of gender violence, including domestic violence, sex trafficking, and sexual assault. We applaud Attorney General Schneiderman for uncovering the untenable practice of charging sexual assault survivors for forensic rape examinations. Institutions like hospitals should be places of refuge and healing for gender violence survivors. Victims should not be re-traumatized by receiving a bill for the collection of evidence used to find and prosecute the person who assaulted them. Survivors of sexual assault should not have to pay for an evidence gathering medical exam. New York State law provides for direct payment through its Office of Victim Service for all sexual assault medical exams, said Mary Haviland,Esq., Executive Director, NYC Alliance Against Sexual Assault. A hospital may not charge the patient for that exam. We applaud Attorney General Eric Schneiderman for taking the initiative to make sure that charging survivors of sexual assault for medical exams does not take place in New York State. No survivor of sexual assault who consents to a Forensic Rape Exam should ever receive a bill for medical services that NYS hospitals are obligated to provide. Receiving an underserved notice from a collections agency is a traumatizing reminder of a devastating event, and completely unnecessary. As NYS's oldest Rape Crisis program, CVTC praises the actions of the Attorney General's Office in ensuring that every survivor of sexual assault has access to the free medical exam promised by New York State, said Christopher E. Bromson, Executive Director, Crime Victims Treatment Center. Safe Horizon CEO Ariel Zwang said, Rape survivors deserve expert and immediate medical care after an assault, including access to a rape kit. The Violence Against Women Act requires states to pay for these sexual assault forensic examsthere should be no cost to survivors. For so long, survivors and victim advocates fought to change the law so that survivors would not incur the cost of these important exams. We applaud the Attorney Generals office for ensuring enforcement of this law, holding hospitals accountable who have unnecessarily charged for this exam, and standing up for survivors. "The Downstate Coalition for Crime Victims thanks the Attorney General for ensuring state mandated free forensic rape exams for survivors of sexual assault. This law is of the utmost importance for survivors, and no medical facility should consider itself exempt, said Kimberly Sanchez, Co-chair, Legislative Committee, Downstate Coalition for Crime Victims. New Yorkers with complaints regarding hospital billing or other health-care related issues may contact the Attorney Generals Health Care Helpline at 1-800-428-9071. School & Education, Local News, Politics By Long Island News & PR Published: November 28 2017 $2 Billion Smart Schools Bond Act Supports Classroom Technology, High-Tech Security, and School Connectivity. Albany, NY - November 28, 2017 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the approval of 88 Smart Schools Investment Plans aimed at reimagining teaching and learning for the 21st century. The approved plans, totaling $75.6 million, are part of the $2 billion Smart Schools Bond Act - a sweeping education technology initiative first proposed by the Governor and overwhelmingly approved by voters. The investments authorized today will modernize classrooms across New York and equip students with the skills they need to thrive in the global economy. "These vital investments are playing a critical role in expanding educational opportunity, helping schools modernize outdated classrooms and giving students access to state-of-the-art technology to learn and grow," Governor Cuomo said. "This funding equips students across New York with the skills and technology they need to succeed in the 21st century economy." The Smart Schools Review Board met today for the seventh time to consider investment plans submitted by school districts and special education schools. The Board is comprised of the Director of the Budget, the Chancellor of the State University of New York, and the Commissioner of the State Education Department. The plans approved today were submitted by 80 school districts and seven special education schools. Projects include $30.0 million for classroom technology purchases, $27.4 million for school connectivity projects, $17.5 million for high-tech security projects, and approximately $745,000 for prekindergarten classroom construction. A summary of the 88 plans is available here In 2014, Governor Cuomo called for New York State to invest $2 billion in its schools through a Smart Schools Bond Act - an initiative that would finance educational technology and infrastructure, providing students access to the latest technology and connectivity needed to succeed and compete in the 21st century economy. New Yorkers agreed, as the voters authorized the Smart Schools Bond Act that November. Following the proposal of the Bond Act, Governor Cuomo established the Smart Schools Commission to gather information on strategies for how schools can most effectively invest the bond funds. This advisory commission produced a final report recommending a focus on expanding robust broadband and wireless connectivity and utilizing transformative technologies. The plans approved today by the Smart Schools Review Board reflect many of the best practices identified by the Commission. State Budget Director Robert F. Mujica said, "School districts are using these funds to reimagine their classrooms for the next generation, optimizing their investment and driving student achievement." State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia said, "It's sometimes hard to imagine just how quickly and radically technology is changing our lives. More than ever, our students need an education that prepares them to use and master the new technologies that will solve the world's ever-more complex problems. The funding that's available to school districts through the Smart Schools Bond Act will help give teachers the tools they need to prepare their students for success in the world that awaits them after graduation." Local News, National & World News, Community, Charity & Cause By Long Island News & PR Published: November 28 2017 Deployments This Week Coincide with Arrival of New York Utility Equipment and Vehicles in San Juan. Albany, NY - November 28, 2017 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the deployment of 72 additional New York State electric utility experts to Puerto Rico arriving today and tomorrow to assist with the ongoing recovery of Puerto Rico's power grid. The deployment coincides with the arrival of a barge loaded with an additional 55 utility vehicles and equipment docking at the port in San Juan. Under Governor Cuomo's direction, this week's deployment brings the total number of New York utility personnel involved in the power restoration effort to 457 along with approximately 330 New York utility vehicles and other power recovery equipment to assist with the island's restoration of power. "From day one, we have put boots on the ground to help our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico, and we remain committed to helping them during every step of the recovery effort," Governor Cuomo said. "With the addition of this deployment, we have hundreds of New York utility workers in Puerto Rico who are taking a hands-on role in helping repair the power grid and providing storm recovery expertise." This latest wave of New York utility assistance responds to Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello's request for utility mutual aid resources in order to accelerate the power restoration process on the island. New York utilities providing support include crews and experts from the New York Power Authority, National Grid, Con Edison, PSEG, Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp, and AVANGRID. This week's deployment builds on previous waves of mutual assistance from New York announced by Governor Cuomo on November 21, November 13 and November 2, including the NYPA-led, 28-member Tactical Power Restoration team that specializes in damage assessment of the power distribution system and a team of 15 who are assigned to help expedite the necessary filings for funding reimbursements with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The New York State utility workers are coordinating directly with the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority in cooperation with the United States Army Corps of Engineers. In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Maria, the initial teams of NYPA personnel assisted PREPA in triaging the damage and assessing virtually all of the island's 360 substations. The arrival of New York's resources and personnel this week also complements two previous deployments of New York State assistance sent to Puerto Rico under Governor Cuomo's direction on September 22 and September 29. Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA President and CEO, said, "On behalf of Governor Cuomo, NYPA is pleased to oversee New York State's utility response to this disaster. We are working every day with our Puerto Rican counterparts to repair the island's electrical grid and to help ensure that we rebuild the system making it stronger and more resilient." National Grid New York President Ken Daly said, "Our team is eager to get to work restoring service to our neighbors in Puerto Rico, and supporting the mutual aid teams already gathered for this monumental effort. We appreciate Governor Cuomo's leadership in organizing a unified New York response." John McAvoy, Chairman and CEO of Con Edison, said, "With this additional wave of power restoration teams from New York headed to Puerto Rico, Con Edison and Orange & Rockland Utilities will have over 250 employees and contractors on the ground there, helping residents and families rebuild their homes and their lives. Our women and men remain dedicated and committed to getting the job done." Dan Eichhorn, President and COO of PSEG Long Island, said, "PSEG Long Island is proud to continue supporting Governor Cuomo's efforts to rebuild Puerto Rico's energy grid just as quickly and safely as possible. Our employees and contractors are acutely aware of how important mutual aid support can be during times of crisis and we will provide the assistance that is needed to help the people of Puerto Rico." Music, Movies & Entertainment, Local News, Community, Charity & Cause, Seasonal & Current Events By Long Island News & PR Published: November 28 2017 Students performed with inductees Richie Cannata and Albert Bouchard, along with Sal The Voice Valentinetti at the LIMHOF Holiday Concert. Melville, NY - November 28, 2017 - With over 1,000 people in attendance at the With over 1,000 people in attendance at the NYCB Theater at Westbury on Sunday, November 19, 2017, Long Island Music Hall of Fames (LIMHoF) Holiday Concert was a huge success, having raised over $50K in funds that will benefit LIMHOF music and education program initiatives on Long Island. Students from the John L. Miller Great Neck North High School Orchestra and Chorus, the Oyster Bay High School Wind, Ensemble, the Uniondale High School Show Choir, and the Herricks High School Jazz Ensemble all had the opportunity to perform with music legends Long Island. We were thrilled to have more than 200 Long Island student musicians take part in this major event said Ernie Canadeo, Chairman of LIMHoF. The fact that they got the opportunity to play with some of our inductees in such a classic venue really made it a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The concert featured many special appearances. Albert Bouchard, one of the founding members of Blue Oyster Cult and a LIMHoF inductee, accompanied the Oyster Bay High Schools Wind Ensemble in a rendition of Dont Fear the Reaper; Saxophonist and LIMHoF inductee Richie Cannata, best known for his time with Billy Joels original band, joined the Herricks High School Jazz Ensemble in a performance of New York State of Mind. Uniondale High Schools Show Choir shined in gold ensembles as they sang and danced to Fly Like a Bird and the holiday favorite, We Need a Little Christmas. Sal The Voice Valentinetti, Bethpage native and finalist of Americas Got Talent, was the afternoons surprise guest. Valentinetti joined the John L. Miller Great Neck NorthHigh School Orchestra and Chorus in renditions of What a Wonderful World and Hello, Dolly! When asked to perform at this event, Valentinetti jumped at the opportunity. Music is such an important part of education, and its a building block for these kids, he said.I would do anything to help the arts, and to see high schoolers excited about classical and jazz music is a home run in my eyes. Funds raised at The Holiday Concert will go towards scholarships, development of seminars, the mobile education museum, and other community initiatives promoting Long Island music education. Local News, Business & Finance, National & World News, Politics By Long Island News & PR Published: November 28 2017 County Executive Urges President to Use Full Power and Authority to Prevent Limiting or Eliminating Deduction for State and Local Taxes. Suffolk County, NY - November 28, 2017 - Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone today called on President Trump to block legislation under consideration by Congress that could result in significantly higher taxes for middle class families on Long Island. In a letter to the President, the County Executive urged him to block any legislation that would limit or eliminate the deduction for state and local taxes that has existed within the federal tax code for over a century. A copy of the County Executives letter appears below. Dear President Trump, As the Suffolk County Executive representing 1.5 million residents, I am writing to you now with a profound sense of urgency to ask for your help to stop legislation currently under consideration by Congress that could result in significantly higher taxes for middle class families. Specifically, I am urging you to veto any legislation that limits or eliminates the deduction for state and local taxes that has been part of the federal tax code since its inception in 1913. The loss of the deduction for state and local taxes, which includes the state income tax and the local property tax, would have a disproportionate impact on Long Islanders. According to the Long Island Association (LIA), the leading business organization in the region, should this bill become law it could result in an annual cumulative tax increase of $4.4 billion on Long Island. Given that Long Islanders already send significantly more tax dollars to Washington than they ever get in return - approximately $23 billion a year - this additional tax burden would add insult to injury, and could devastate the local economy. According to the report by the Long Island Association, Long Island taxpayers at virtually every income level could face a tax increase greater than a thousand dollars a year. The average annual increase for households with an income level between $25,000 to $200,000 would range from $1,356 to $3,980 and the overall average impact across all income levels could be a staggering $7,794, according to the LIA report. As you can well imagine, with families stretching every dollar to make ends meet, an increase of even several hundred dollars would force a family to make tough decisions about what they could no longer afford. An increase of thousands of dollars a year would force them to make stark choices that would undoubtedly be harmful to their family in order to pay the federal government higher taxes. Worse yet, the tax increases that would result from measures being considered by Congress would reverse recent gains in consumer confidence, negatively effecting taxpayer buying power, hurting families and small businesses. Moreover, the revenue streams that local governments rely on to fund initiatives such as the battle to eradicate violent gangs like MS-13 would be severely impacted placing an even greater burden on local taxpayers. And over time, the significantly increased cost of owning a home would also have a devastating impact on the housing market on Long Island, significantly reducing property values. For most middle class and working class families on Long Island, our homes represent our single most important economic asset. As a native New Yorker, you understand better than most people in Washington, that what is considered middle class in Madison or Louisville is not the same as in Medford or Melville. As a fellow New Yorker, I believe you understand that the firefighters and cops, the teachers, nurses and construction workers, many of them veterans or seniors, are the very people who form the backbone of our communities. These middle class and working class families cannot and should not be asked to shoulder an even larger federal tax burden in order to subsidize tax cuts in other parts of the country. Mr. President, as a fellow New Yorker, I am urging you to stop Congress from passing legislation that would amount to a massive tax increase on hard working Long Island residents. There is a reason why every elected official representing Long Island in Congress has stood up to oppose this bill because they understand it would be devastating for Long Island. We respectfully request that you use your power and authority as President of the United States to make sure this damage never occurs. Sincerely, Steven Bellone by Melynda Fuller , November 27, 2017 Earlier this month, Teen Vogue announced it would be shuttering its print publication immediately, transitioning to an online-only magazine. However, on December 1 and 2, the publication will bring its editorial vision to its audience, when the first Teen Vogue Summit launches in Los Angeles. Hosted by Teen Vogue editor in chief Elaine Welteroth, credited with the publications prominent and celebrated political and activist-centric voice, the summit speakers include actress Rowan Blanchard, actress, scholar and activist Yara Shahidi, founder and CEO of Girlboss media Sophia Amoruso, and former First Lady and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who will give the keynote address and be interviewed by Shahidi. Blanchard and Shahidi have both appeared on the cover magazines print edition. advertisement advertisement Teen Vogue, which offered assistance in the form of underwritten tickets and support with travel costs to 50 attendees, called the event a chance to empower and equip our readers with inspiration, insight, tools and connections to help [them] pursue [their] passions and achieve [their goals]. The publication views the summit as an opportunity to extend its brand to a live audience, connecting readers with each other and potential mentors at sessions featuring representatives from companies like YouTube Space L.A. and Girlboss Media. Event sponsors include Facebook Messenger, Google Pixel 2, and Sephora. LIFEWTR, PBteen and TOMS are partnering with the summit. The summit also marks the first major Conde Nast brand event entirely supported by the publishers in-house media agency 23Stories. Newly expanded in October, 23Stories offers services ranging from campaign assistance to content development and event support. Raul Martinez, creative director at Conde Nast, stated: With a collaborative, next-gen approach to idea development and creative work, we believe we can create the unexpected, and be a catalyst for new norms. by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, November 27, 2017 Consumers turned to mobile devices in record numbers on Thanksgiving Day and on Black Friday in the U.S. for purchases, with 66% of orders made with a phone or tablet -- up from 58% in 2016. The numbers from Shopify show that desktop sales continue to drop, accounting for the remaining 34% -- down from 42% during the 2016 Thanksgiving holiday weekend in the U.S. The company also began sharing a global look at live sales during the holiday weekend from its Live Data Dashboard. The heat map shows where sales originated through Shopifys platform. The dots represent global sales from merchant stores, and the lines indicate where the buyers are relative to the shops. advertisement advertisement Adobe reported that mobile set a new record during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, representing 53.3% of visits -- about 44.6% attributable to smartphones and 8.7% to tablets. Mobile drove 39.7% of revenue -- 29.8% from smartphones and 9.9% from tablets. Smartphone traffic specifically grew 21% year-on-year (YoY), while revenue coming from smartphones saw 41% growth YoY -- a new record. For the holiday season, Adobe predicts online holiday sales will rise 13.8% to reach $107.4 billion. On Monday, comScore released numbers that estimate about 115 million people visited online retail sites on Thanksgiving, 61% of whom only visited on their mobile devices. Some 129 million people visited online retail sites on Black Friday, up 14% compared with last year. About 55 million came from desktops and 104 million from mobile. Some 30 million came from both type of devices. Criteo also saw an increase in purchases from mobile devices on Thanksgiving Day, and reported that spending peaked online at 9 p.m. EST, with 46% of all purchases occurring on mobile phones. Across the board, consumers demonstrated a higher propensity to spend. The average order value for the day came in at $180 -- up $24 more than the average day for the month among the billions of product searches and millions of completed transactions on retail sites that Criteo supports. Black Friday has fizzled out a bit. Online shopping on Black Friday did not show the gains it had in the past because retailers triggered deals earlier in the month, but gains still hit more than 50% during the first week of November. Criteo reported that on Black Friday the number of online shoppers rose 3.5% compared with last year, and the number of purchases rose 12.5%. Some 40% of transactions were completed on mobile devices on Thanksgiving Day, according to Criteo. Salesforce Commerce Cloud reported similar numbers for Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday. Mobile traffic share demonstrated the biggest increase, from 52% in 2016 to 60% this year. Mobile order share also jumped from 34% to 42%. Overall, sales on Thursday and Friday rose 26% compared with the same days in 2016. Traffic to sites rose 19% -- flat compared to last year. Salesforce reported that the average order value rose from $120 to $122. Mobile order share rose from 34% in 2016 to 42%, and social traffic share rose from 4.1 to 4.7%, respectively. Mobile traffic share demonstrated the biggest climb -- from 52% in 2016 to 60% this year -- while mobile order share also jumped from 34% to 42%. by Melynda Fuller , November 27, 2017 Penske Media Corporation (PMC), which publishes Variety and Hollywood Life, announced the acquisition of fashion and tech entity FashInvest. Financial terms were not disclosed. FashInvest will operate as an independent publication and continue to host its networking events. PMC purchased Fairchild Media, which publishes Women's Wear Daily, from Conde Nast in 2014. Last month, PMC acquired sourcing and manufacturing trade publication Sourcing Journal. The FashInvest acquisition extends the companys involvement in fashion, technology and finance. FashInvest was founded in 2009 and began as a series of industry events at the epicenter of fashion and finance. It soon launched a website with editorial ranging from interviews with industry luminaries to fashion coverage to advice for industry entrepreneurs. PMC Chairman and CEO Jay Penske stated the acquisition gives Fairchild Media "the opportunity to deepen our coverage of emerging companies, start-ups and the financial institutions shaping the future fashion industry." advertisement advertisement FashInvest COO Erik Seel added there was an "insatiable appetite" for fashion brands, tech companies, retailers and investors to "stay current with the investment news, innovations and resources driving the industry. FashInvest will benefit from PMC's SEO practices to innovative partnerships and sharpen audience engagement. The company is reportedly looking to expand FashInvest's brand with a push to the West Coast and globally. by Sara Guaglione , November 27, 2017 LittleThings has hired a bank to help the digital publisher explore a range of options, including putting itself up for sale or bringing in an outside investor. Joe Speiser, cofounder and CEO of LittleThings, told The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the news, that the company had received five inquiries from media companies before it hired a bank earlier this month to help determine the right course of action. Speiser said LittleThings could expand its business by tapping into a bigger media companys advertising sales force or distribution network for greater scale. LittleThings, which has about 100 employees, expects to bring in nearly $50 million in revenue in 2017, mostly from programmatic and direct advertising sales, which represents considerable growth from last years $34 million in revenue, according to WSJ. advertisement advertisement LittleThings publishes positive and meaningful content to uplift women over 30, the companys president and COO Gretchen Tibbits told Publishers Daily in February. The brand avoids topics like politics and does not chase millennials, she noted. More than 50% of LittleThings site traffic comes via referrals from Facebook, where it has more than 10 million followers. The publisher focuses on distributing videos on the social platform, as well as hosts a Facebook Live morning show. Tibbits said LittleThings is primarily a social publisher and a mobile video company most of its audience consumes its content on mobile. LittleThings.com had 41 million unique visitors in October, according to comScore, though that does not include views from videos uploaded directly to Facebook, Speiser told WSJ. The problem with being reliant on Facebook views became evident during August and September, when LittleThings experienced a 30% decrease in referrals, due to a Facebook algorithm tweak, according to Speiser. LittleThings is making up for that drop by enrolling in a new Facebook program that allows it to serve ads between video breaks. The news of LittleThings exploring future options comes as Meredith Corp. announced over the weekend it will acquire Time Inc., continuing a trend of media companies consolidating for greater scale and online advertising revenue to compete with Google and Facebook gobbling up the majority of digital ad dollars. by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, November 27, 2017 Google sent a warning to publishers on Monday not to use Event markup that misleads or confuses searchers. The company has seen several publishers that focus on coupons and vouchers use the "Event" markup to describe something that is not an event, such as a product. The warning also went out to webmasters. The markup is intended to trigger a result such as an event that will occur at a specific time and day. If an "event" is scheduled in the platform but it is not actually an event -- such as a product -- it could provide an undesirable experience for the searcher. If this happens, the publisher will find a notification in their Search Console account. Google said it will remove the ability for the entire website to serve rich snippets in search results. "While were specifically highlighting coupons and vouchers in this blogpost, this applies to all other non-event items being annotated with 'event' markup as well -- or, really, for applying a type of markup to something other than the type of thing it is meant to describe," Sven Naumann, trust and safety search team at Google, wrote in a blog post. advertisement advertisement Google also published new general guidelines for using the Event markup. Marking up an organized events allows users to discover events through Google Search results and other products including Google Maps. The guidelines also provide information on how to mark up an event snippet that runs several days, such as specifying both the start and end dates of the event. If there are several different performances across different days, each with individual tickets, Google suggests adding a separate Event element for each performance. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, November 27, 2017 The Federal Communications Commission's plan to repeal the net neutrality rules would harm small businesses and prevent new ones from gaining traction, more than 200 companies are telling FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. "Because of net neutrality, consumers and businesses have unfettered access to one another, increasing competition and consumer choice," Pinterest, Reddit and hundreds of other companies write in a letter to Pai unveiled on Monday. "An internet without net neutrality protections would be the opposite of the open market, with a few powerful cable and phone companies picking winners and losers instead of consumers." Last week, Pai unveiled a draft of an order to repeal the net neutrality regulations. Those rules, passed in 2015, prohibit broadband providers from blocking or throttling traffic and from charging higher fees for prioritized delivery. advertisement advertisement The order is slated for a December 14 vote. If the FCC goes through with the repeal, broadband providers "will be able to favor certain websites and e-businesses, or the platforms they use to garner new customers, over others," the companies write. "Businesses may have to pay a toll just to reach customers," they add. "This would put small and medium-sized businesses at a disadvantage and prevent innovative new ones from even getting off the ground." Companies signing the letter note that this Monday -- also called "Cyber Monday" -- often is among the busiest days of the year for online retail. "The internet is increasingly where commerce happens," they write, adding that online sales totaled almost $3.5 billion on last year's Cyber Monday. The companies writing to Pai aren't the only ones to object to the planned net neutrality repeal. The two Democrat FCC Commissioners are voicing criticism of Pai's proposal. "Before my fellow FCC members vote to dismantle net neutrality, they need to get out from behind their desks and computers and speak to the public directly," Jessica Rosenworcel wrote last week in an op-ed. "When they do this, they will likely find that, outside of a cadre of high-paid lobbyists and lawyers in Washington, there isn't a constituency that likes this proposal. In fact, the FCC will probably discover that they have angered the public and caused them to question just whom the agency works for." Many observers expect the FCC to vote along party lines in favor of the repeal. But Stanford Law School's Barbara van Schewick, a net neutrality proponent, suggested Sunday that Congress could pressure the agency to retreat. Congressional pressure has stopped the FCC before," she wrote in a post on Medium. She adds that last year, the FCC decided not to move forward with a proposal that would have enabled consumers to replace expensive set-top boxes with free apps. by Sean Hargrave , Staff Writer, November 28, 2017 What was YouTube thinking? Or rather, what was it not thinking? How can it be caught again so publicly not protecting its users -- and by association, its advertisers? To borrow from Oscar Wilde, to provoke one boycott is unfortunate, to provoke two is downright careless. There is a part in all of us that gets where YouTube is coming from in all this. It was hard for it to know when somebody had posted an extremist video online, and it has since tightened its scrutiny. But today we're talking about protecting our children, and the US tech giant has been found to be falling way short after The Times found predatory remarks were being left up under innocent videos of children. Then the BBC ran a story that it had discovered that the reporting tools for raising concerns about such comments were not working properly. The corporation had raised concerns about many accounts, to test the system, and they were only deleted several days later when the journalists revealed they were investigating the issue for the BBC. The system clearly wasn't working. Now we have the revelation that this predatory action had caused YouTube's search autocomplete service to suggest the most vile searches for its users. Remember, all this comes just months after a who's who of digital advertising ditched the channel over revelations that it was placing their ads next to extremist videos that not only harmed their brands, but also meant they were inadvertently funding terror. Today Netimperative brings us the latest big names to join a growing list of household names topped by BT, Adidas, Deutsche Bank, eBay, Amazon, Mars, Diageo and Talktalk. It is little wonder that we have Sky calling on the European powers that be to take Google and YouTube to task, alongside other US tech giants, for disseminating fake news, allowing hate and extremist content to spread across the web and for not even paying their proper fair share of UK or EU tax as they do so. The case against Google and YouTube is compelling, and the boycott list is growing. However, in a couple of months, you can rest assured enough will be said about algorithms and human checkers to appease brands and things will go back to normal. The uncomfortable truth about YouTube and Google is they appeal to SMEs who want to set up an ad campaign with a couple of clicks of the mouse. Sure, the big guys are there too -- but not in the same way as they dominate mainstream news media advertising or television spots. That's why YouTube could walk through its last debacle with revenue actually up. A mass boycott was nothing more than a temporary blip on its revenue chart that just keeps on going up and up. This slip-up on predatory comments will, I suspect, simply be a repeat. But for those of us who have long been arguing, like Sky today, that our governments have to take firmer action against the US tech giants, this can only be yet another point to drive home an inconvenient truth. If you're talking about giants that soak up the vast majority of digital marketing budgets and don't protect users, you've got another strong argument to run alongside the very simple overriding point. If these guys are set up in London, employing lots of staff in London and sell ad space to UK businesses that is being consumed by UK people, can they really claim they do business through some low-cost tax haven and not the very capital city they are set up in? At some point, somebody in government has to grow a spine and not just leave it to the advertisers to call the occasional temporary boycott. by Thom Forbes @tforbes, November 28, 2017 As yet another scandal unfolded at Wells Fargo yesterday, two contenders for the temporary leadership of the Consumer Financial Protection Board asserted their right in federal court to lead the agency set up to protect consumers from fraud perpetrated by banks and Wall Street. On Friday, outgoing CFPB director Richard Cordray appointed Leandra English, who had been serving as the agencys chief of staff, to lead the agency as the deputy director until the Senate approves a permanent successor appointed by the President. Cordray did so under a provision of the Dodd-Frank legislation creating the agency in 2010 that states that the deputy director shall be appointed by the Director and serve as acting Director in the absence or unavailability of the Director. advertisement advertisement Hours later, President Trump overruled that decision and instead named Mick Mulvaney as the temporary head of the CFPB. The director of the White House Office of Management and Budget has been a vocal critic of the agency (sad, sick joke) who sponsored bills to dismantle it when he was a Republican congressman from South Carolina. His appointment had been rumored since shortly after Cordray announced he was stepping down earlier this month. Then, Sunday evening, English filed a motion for an emergency temporary restraining order to block the Trump administration from ousting her from the agency, reports Jonathan H. Adler for the Washington Post. Interestingly, English is being represented by private counsel. According to Reuters, CFPB general counsel Mary McLeod, who was appointed by Cordray in 2015, thinks the Trump administration has the stronger legal claim and has written a memo to this effect, Adler continues. On Monday morning, Mulvaney strolled into the CFPB offices carrying a bag of Dunkin Donuts as English took her case to Judge Timothy J. Kelly, a Trump appointee at U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The dueling afternoon developments followed a morning of high drama that Mulvaney acknowledged caused consternation among CFPB staffers Monday, writes Jim Puzzanghera for the Los Angeles Times. Folks asked questions, very candidly. I told them, Look, I'm not here to shut the place down because the law doesn't allow me to do that, Mulvaney told reporters. That being said, we're going to run it differently than the previous administration. Meanwhile, at a hurriedly called and packed-to-the-gills hearing, Judge Kelly voiced his concerns, noting that lawyers for the president could not definitively say whether Ms. English was protected from losing her job. The judge also said that neither set of attorneys had addressed whether Mr. Mulvaney can wear two hats, Katie Rogers reports for the New York Times. Yet the judge remarked that he was essentially being asked by Deepak Gupta, Ms. Englishs lawyer, to overrule the presidents power to appoint a new director, Rogers continues. Thats an extraordinary remedy, Judge Kelly said, before asking Mr. Trumps lawyers to respond to Ms. Englishs complaint with their own brief by the end of the evening. Whatever the ruling, it is sure to be challenged and the CFPB will be left dangling in the winds of Washington dysfunction. Once the court decides on whether to grant Ms. Englishs requests, appeals could quickly follow. But until the temporary leadership situation is sorted out, the CFPB may be hobbled as regulator. Any enforcement actions or rulemaking that would ordinarily require a signoff from the agencys head could be challenged in the courts, points out Lalita Clozel for the Wall Street Journal. People will be sitting in their offices reading things and working on things but [not] doing anything about them, said Karen Shaw Petrou, managing partner of policy-analysis firm Federal Financial Analytics Inc. Other than moving the flower pots or changing the coffee in the machine, this is a standstill. And just when we thought the bottom of the barrel had been reached regarding the frauds at Wells Fargo, employees of its foreign exchange group have been intentionally overcharging customers to inflate their bonuses, writes Fortunes Hallie Detrick, following up on a story the Wall Street Journals Emily Glazer broke last night. Current and former bank employees say its pricing practices were rooted in a culture and compensation system that looked to maximize revenue. Bonuses were defined as 10% of revenues exceeding revenue targets, Glazer reports. And while those directly impacted are not the consumers the CFPB was set up to protect, it does impact the littler guys. Current and former employees say Wells Fargos foreign-exchange customers are largely midsize businesses that dont tend to trade in large volumes. As a result, those clients dont have the same insight into the market as larger firms that are more-active traders, Glazer writes. by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, November 28, 2017 A week after YouTube published a blog post on the company's tough approach to protect kids, YouTube is investigating reports that the autocomplete feature in its search engine is suggesting disturbing child abuse terms. The latest blow to Google's online video service comes days after brands like Hewlett-Packard, Mars, Lidl and Adidas pulled their advertising from Google and YouTube, alleging that predatory comments were found near videos of children. Some suggest the terms could be giving YouTube's AI a bad lesson in search. "On Sunday our teams were alerted to this profoundly disturbing autocomplete result and we worked to quickly remove it as soon as we were made aware," said a YouTube spokesperson. "We are investigating this matter to determine what was behind the appearance of this autocompletion." advertisement advertisement YouTube estimates that it has removed ads from 2 million videos and more than 50,000 channels that featured disturbing content aimed at kids. Some of that content exploited children in the videos. Malicious acts that teach artificial intelligence to serve disturbing content higher in search results could become the next challenge for companies like Google, Microsoft and others that have web crawlers aggregating and indexing content, aimed at those searching for information across the internet. Algorithms learn from what people search for on the site. One report suggests users searched for "how to have" and the autocorrect feature in YouTube's search engine filled in the sentence with "s*x with your kids." Admittedly, Search Marketing Daily could not replicate the results. Typing "how to have" into YouTube's search box served up choices such as "a lucid dream," "your first kiss," "good handwriting" and "clear skin." Jonathan Kagan, senior director of search and biddable media at MARC USA Results:Digital, said people are uploading inappropriate content and mislabeling it, which is part of the issue that occurred in March where they showed questionable and hate content next to brand advertisements. "It's quite easy to mislabel things," he Kagan. "You just label it whatever you want." Kagan suggests there are a few instabilities at work. Other than mislabeling, he said YouTube changed the monetization rules that a video must have 10,000 views, which helped them find the mislabeled content and remove it. It also comes down to advertisers reviewing their reports consistently to find the error. Many do not, he said. "All it takes is one brand to announce their findings and 500 to pull the plug," Kagan said. "There are possible algorithm issues that help people proceed from one inappropriate video to the next because the algorithm keeps learning from that activity." Kagan said it's similar to what happened during the presidential elections when Donald Trump accused Google of being pro-Hillary Clinton because the autofill feature on google.com would suggest something less flattering when typing "Donald Trump" into the search engine, compared with typing in "Hillary Clinton." by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, November 28, 2017 The city of Chicago has sued ride-hailing company Uber over revelations that the company attempted to cover up a 2016 data breach that exposed personal information of 57 million people. "Uber willfully and intentionally exposed many Chicago and Illinois residents to the risks of identity theft and financial fraud, tax return scams, and other potential harm," Cook County attorneys write in a complaint filed Monday in state court in Illinois. The suit comes several days after it came to light that Uber suffered a data breach in October 2016 that resulted in the theft of email addresses and phone numbers of around 50 million customers and 7 million drivers, and driver's license numbers for 600,000 people. Uber then allegedly paid hackers $100,000 to destroy the information. The company, which was under investigation by the Federal Trade Commission at the time of the data breach, didn't disclose the incident until last week. Since then, various regulators have announced investigations of the company, and lawyers for consumers have brought potential class-action complaints. advertisement advertisement The Chicago authorities allege that Uber violated various Illinois laws, including a state law requiring companies to notify people about data breaches. The city is seeking fines of at least $10,000 a day for each day Uber allegedly concealed the breach. The complaint in Chicago alleges that Uber should have beefed up its security after suffering a prior data breach in 2014, and that the company violated state law by failing to inform residents about the data breach. "Using a relatively low-level attack, hackers were able to access Uber's massive trove of user data stored on a third-party cloud service, by exploiting virtually the same security flaw attackers used nearly a year prior to breach its systems," the complaint alleges. "Rather than face further backlash and lose more customers and drivers, Uber opted to cover up the breach." The complaint adds that any promise by the hackers to delete the data was "meaningless." "Criminal hackers couldn't possibly be trusted to protect user data," the complaint alleges. The city tapped privacy lawyer Jay Edelson to serve as special prosecuting counsel in the matter. Edelson has brought privacy complaints against numerous Silicon Valley companies, including Amazon, Google, Facebook and Apple. General adaptation syndrome is a three-stage response that the body has to stress. But what do the different stages involve and what examples are there of GAS in action? Stress is sometimes thought of as a mental pressure, but it also has a physical effect on the body. Understanding the stages the body goes through when exposed to stress helps people become more aware of these physical signs of stress when they occur. This article explores what general adaption syndrome (GAS) is, its different stages, and when it may occur. It also considers how people can better manage their response to stress. Fast facts about GAS: GAS is a three-stage process that the body goes through when it is exposed to stress. It is vital to find ways to manage it to limit the effects on the body. Causes of the process include life events and psychological stress. What is GAS? Share on Pinterest GAS describes the way the body responds to stress. Hans Selye, a Vienna-born scientist, working in the 20th century, was the first person to describe GAS. Selye found that rats displayed a similar set of physical responses to several different stressors. The latter included cold temperatures, excessive physical exertions, and injection with toxins. The scientist explained GAS as the bodys way of adapting to a perceived threat to better equip it to survive. A paper on Selyes GAS theory was published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology in 1946. The three stages of GAS The three stages of GAS are: alarm reaction resistance exhaustion What happens within the body during each of these stages is explored below. Alarm reaction stage At the alarm reaction stage, a distress signal is sent to a part of the brain called the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus enables the release of hormones called glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoids trigger the release of adrenaline and cortisol, which is a stress hormone. The adrenaline gives a person a boost of energy. Their heart rate increases and their blood pressure rises. Meanwhile, blood sugar levels also go up. These physiological changes are governed by a part of a persons autonomic nervous system (ANS) called the sympathetic branch. The alarm reaction stage of the GAS prepares a person to respond to the stressor they are experiencing. This is often known as a fight or flight response. Resistance During the resistance stage, the body tries to counteract the physiological changes that happened during the alarm reaction stage. The resistance stage is governed by a part of the ANS called the parasympathetic. The parasympathetic branch of the ANS tries to return the body to normal by reducing the amount of cortisol produced. The heart rate and blood pressure begin to return to normal. If the stressful situation comes to an end, during the resistance stage, the body will then return to normal. However, if the stressor remains, the body will stay in a state of alert, and stress hormones continue to be produced. This physical response can lead to a person struggling to concentrate and becoming irritable. Exhaustion stage After an extended period of stress, the body goes into the final stage of GAS, known as the exhaustion stage. At this stage, the body has depleted its energy resources by continually trying but failing to recover from the initial alarm reaction stage. Once it reaches the exhaustion stage, a persons body is no longer equipped to fight stress. They may experience: tiredness depression anxiety feeling unable to cope If a person does not find ways to manage stress levels at this stage, they are at risk of developing stress-related health conditions. When does GAS occur? Share on Pinterest Stressful life events and experiences, such as being in debt or having problems at work, may lead to GAS. Selyes study was limited to physical stressors, such as cold temperatures and physical over-exertion. However, it is now understood that life events that induce psychological stress cause the same physical reactions, as were seen in Selyes study. The sort of life events that can cause a person to experience stress and GAS include: relationship breakdowns losing a job medical problems money troubles In theory, the fact that these situations can cause GAS may be beneficial. The alarm reaction gives people a burst of energy and concentration that could help them to problem-solve. For most people, however, the physical response their body goes through when they are under stress is not helpful. Unlike threats people may have faced in the Stone Age, a person nowadays is unlikely to be able to resolve a stressful situation of modern-day life with a burst of energy. Long-term stress can have a negative impact on a person physically and on their immune system. A 2008 paper noted that chronic stress could: increase the risk of viral infection increase the risk of type 2 diabetes lead to stomach ulcers lead to depression A review from 2008 further explains that chronic stress is also linked to an increased risk of heart disease. How to manage GAS Share on Pinterest Writing a journal and practicing mindfulness may help to treat GAS. The first step to controlling GAS is to understand what triggers stress. Different things trigger stress for different people. It is important for a person to identify what situations and events are particularly stressful for them. It may then be possible to make lifestyle changes to reduce exposure to these triggers. For example, a long commute may be stressful. If so, moving job roles somewhere closer to home, or asking to work remotely, may help. When it is not possible to avoid a stress trigger, it is important to find a way to reduce the impact it has on body and mind. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America recommend physical activity as a way of reducing stress. Exercise releases endorphins, which improve sleep and promote a sense of wellbeing. Brisk walking or running are easy ways to take exercise. The following activities may also help: mindfulness and meditation deep breathing yoga and tai chi relaxing baths journaling seeing friends to talk issues through After discovering that people who get migraine have significantly higher levels of sodium in their cerebrospinal fluid than people who do not get it, researchers call for further research to study this avenue as a new way to diagnose the headache disorder. Share on Pinterest Migraine affects approximately 1 in 7 Americans. The team from University Hospital Mannheim and Heidelberg University, both in Germany is presenting the new findings this week at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, held in Chicago, IL. It would be helpful, notes Dr. Melissa Meyer, a radiology resident, to have a diagnostic tool supporting or even diagnosing migraine and differentiating migraine from all other types of headaches. The researchers used a type of MRI called sodium MRI to measure sodium levels in different parts of the brain. Their study is thought to be the first to use this technique to study migraine. Migraine diagnosis is challenging Migraine is a common type of severe head pain that is often described as an intense pulsing or throbbing pain in one part of the head. To qualify as migraine, however, other factors must also be considered. As well as pain, these factors include the number of attacks (a minimum of five lasting up to 72 hours) and other symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, or enhanced sensitivity to light and sound. Migraine affects more than 10 percent of people worldwide and is thought to be around three times more common in women than in men. The prevalence of migraine is high in the United States, where it affects around 1 in 7 people. Along with other types of headache, migraine is a leading cause of outpatient and emergency room visits. Some migraine attacks can occur with vision changes known as aura. Around one third of people who get migraine can predict the headache because the aura which appears as light flashes or zig-zag patterns across the field of vision, or even loss of vision arrives first. Migraine is challenging to diagnose because the symptoms vary widely, with the result that many cases are not diagnosed and treated. Some patients with tension headaches can also be misdiagnosed with migraine and consequently receive the wrong treatment. Sodium MRI to study living brain tissue Scientists are making increasing use of sodium MRI as as a way to measure biomedical properties of living tissue in a noninvasive manner. For their study, Dr. Meyer and the team decided to use sodium MRI to study migraine because there is evidence that sodium has an important chemical role in the brain. The researchers enlisted 12 women aged 34, on average who were being clinically examined for migraine. The women gave information about the frequency, duration, and intensity of their migraine attacks and auras. They also recruited another 12 age-matched women who were in good health and who did not get migraines to act as controls. Then, the researchers examined the brain tissue of all the participants using sodium MRI and compared measures of sodium concentration of the migraine group with those of the control group. The way that fat is distributed across our body puts us at risk of cardiometabolic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. New research examines how gender influences this risk. Share on Pinterest Belly fat may affect mens and womens health differently, suggests new research. Almost 70 percent of people in the United States are overweight, and over a third of the population is obese. These dire statistics have led researchers and health professionals to speak of an obesity epidemic in the U.S. Heart disease, stroke, and diabetes are only a few of the many cardiometabolic health risks associated with obesity. Coronary heart disease for which obesity is a major risk factor can lead to angina and heart attacks, if untreated. But its not so much the quantity of the fat that poses a threat to our health, as its distribution. For instance, we know that people with more fat around their abdomen tend to be predisposed to coronary artery disease. Additionally, gender seems to play a role. New research suggests that gender influences how fat is distributed across the body, which, in turn, influences cardiometabolic risk. The newest study was led by Dr. Miriam A. Bredella, a radiologist at the Massachusetts General Hospital and an associate professor of radiology at the Harvard Medical School, both in Boston, MA. Speaking about the motivation for her recent study, Dr. Bredella says, We hypothesized that there are gender-based differences in body composition and ectopic fat depots and that these could be associated with gender-specific risk profiles for diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Their findings will be presented at this years Radiological Society of North America annual meeting, held in Chicago, IL. In the last decade and a half, Bangalore has become synonymous with the ever-growing tech industry in India and the never-ending traffic. We complain about the city, crib about the traffic and threaten to move out everytime things get difficult, but we seldom do. Why? Well, because no matter what, we are smitten by this wonderful city. People often wonder what is it about Bangalore that makes one fall in love, is it the climate, the people or the old world charm of the city that not many know about. Ready to answer all of these questions, I decided to venture headfirst into Bangalore's secret places and show you the real city. The day started with me being rejected by auto drivers (just like my tinder dates) till I finally met Rahmatullah Baig, a veteran of 30 years as an auto rickshaw driver. My brief to him was simple, Show me some beautiful places around Bangalore that I wouldn't know about. He looked at me for a minute, smiled and said Chalo Miya. So, armed with my OPPO F5, Rahmatullah and I began our journey. My first stop was the Bangalore Palace. Tucked in the centre of the city is this Tudor styled palace built in 1878 for the Mysore Royal Family. Siddarth Raj/OPPO F5 Siddarth Raj/OPPO F5 This beautiful piece of architecture is a marvel to the eyes and very picturesque to the camera. I got a great shot of the palace with the blue sky in the background. Next, my auto driver and guide for the day suggested we stop for a quick breakfast at Sri Sagar Malleswaram, famously known as Central Tiffin Room (CTR). With a legacy of more than 60 years, this old but golden joint has one of the best Butter Masala Dosas in the business. Siddarth Raj/OPPO F5 Fun fact: It is one of Deepika Padukone's favourite eateries in the city. After a hearty Masala Dosa and filter coffee, the rickshaw veered a few miles into the bylanes of old Bangalore and our auto stopped at Tippu Sultan's summer palace. This hidden gem in Bangalore is a beautiful piece of architecture and proof that kings were true connoisseurs of art. The courthouse with both gentlemen and ladies court, also acts a history museum. Siddarth Raj/OPPO F5 Even though the interiors were dimly lit, I managed to make the most of the low-light conditions with my OPPO F5 and clicked this selfie portrait. The security guard was gracious enough to even give me some insights on the old fashioned rockets kept in the inner sanctum. Siddarth Raj/OPPO F5 Following this, my charioteer showed me places where old structures once stood but were now replaced by Metro excavations. We finally reached an old fort near K R Market called the Bangalore Fort, whose origins date back to Kempegowda and the Vijay Nagar Empire. Siddarth Raj/OPPO F5 Siddarth Raj/OPPO F5 The doors of the fort gave away the grandeur of the regal surroundings and once inside, the elegant and calm walls of this fort will make you forget that this was actually the busiest part of Bangalore. Siddarth Raj/OPPO F5 Hardened by the Mysore war, this fort in the midst of concrete buildings and flooded markets is a gentle reminder that history stands stills even as the time moves on. Siddarth Raj/OPPO F5 After another cutting chai break with Rahmat, the auto chugged its way to Vidhana Soudha, the house of the state's legislative assembly that is an exemplary architectural wonder. Siddarth Raj/OPPO F5 One of the most expensive Government buildings ever built post-Independence, this huge structure is lit on Sundays and public holidays, unfortunately, I missed that sight but was able to capture a shot on my OPPO F5 with the skyline, wrapping my tour through Bangalore. Siddarth Raj/OPPO F5 Rahmat then dropped me at the metro station, but not before I captured this selfie with the wonderful man who helped me rediscover my city from a traveler's point of view. Siddarth Raj/OPPO F5 This glorious city trail made me fall in love with Bangalore once again and the pictures I clicked on this journey will always remain a precious memory. Thanks to the OPPO F5 that let me capture the city in its real glory with their all-new AI beauty technology feature that gives you an upgraded 'real beauty' experience in a selfie that #CapturesTheRealYou. And in my case, it just managed to capture the real traveler within me with its 20 MP front camera. Hoping to find more hidden gems like this in my city, until then, this is Siddarth signing off. Siddarth Raj/OPPO F5 Miles to go ahead, miles to click ahead. Even though the Marvel cinematic universe is fast approaching its 10th anniversary, it doesn't mean it's slowing down at all, it's quite the opposite, especially with the recent success of 'Thor: Ragnarok' hammering that point home. 2018 will be a big year for Marvel with the release of 'Black Panther', the first Marvel movie with a black actor in the lead, and obviously the much anticipated 'Avengers: Infinity War'. The release of the third instalment of the Avengers franchise in May will also mark the 10th anniversary of the release of 'Iron Man', which kicked off Marvel Studios' grand cinematic universe experiment. And now, basically a decade later, MCU's success is unmatched by any other franchise in Hollywood. In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, ( https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/11/marvel-cover-story?mbid=social_twitter ) Marvel Studios' president Kevin Feige teased the fans by saying that the as-yet-untitled fourth Avengers movie, scheduled for 2019, will bring things you've never seen in superhero films: a finale. Even with the almost overwhelming star-studded Avengers franchise coming to an end, with the contracts of key actors like Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, and Scarlett Johansson about run out after the last Avengers movie, there's not much to worry about. Marvel owns the rights to 7,000 characters, and they will for sure bring a lot of them to the big screen very soon. Marvel The cover story with Vanity Fair featuring the conversation with Feige took an in-depth look at the history of the MCU, talking about everything from the wildly successful Thor: Ragnarok this year to the very first Iron Man film back in 2008. Till now, Marvel has already released or plotted 22 MCU movies, from 'Iron Man' through to the end of the studio's 'Phase Three' arc, which wraps with a fourth and supposedly final Avengers film in 2019, closing out the Infinity War story. According to Feige, they've got another 20 movies on the docket that are completely different from anything that's come before intentionally. He added, There will be two distinct periods. Everything before Avengers 4 and everything after. But, all we know is that everything will be different, and that's building up more excitement for the fans, but that's pretty much it for now. Marvel is not ready to reveal its post-Avengers plan as yet. As of now, we only know of two confirmed upcoming sequels in Feige's alluded-to second period of 20 new films post-Avengers films: a 'Spider-Man: Homecoming' sequel in 2019, and a third 'Guardians of the Galaxy' film to be released in 2020. Marvel Studios has done a marvellous (pun intended) job of elevating a bunch of heroes and villains to household names and it will be interesting to see all the new characters that are about to come our way, especially when there are 7,000 characters to choose from, making the possibilities basically infinite. We often hear the saying; 'Not ever college dropout is a Billionaire'. It is true, because some of them are Nobel laureates. Although, being a dropout in no way guarantees that you would succeed in life but neither does a degree. This is what today's list is about. Even if you don't think that you are the best student, it shouldn't stop you from being an expert on the subject you choose later in life. 1. Rabindranath Tagore Pinterest Tagore was a legend, an artist too underrated for all his achievements. If you don't agree with the statement, there is only one possible explanation, which is that you aren't aware of all the things he has achieved. Rabindranath Tagore attended Presidency College, on the insistence of his father, for only one day and left law school after attending it for only a few months. Tagore has written a lot of short stories, poems, drama, and novels in his lifetime. His writings were translated into many languages including English, Dutch, Spanish, German and others. Tagore is the only known person to have written the national anthems for three different countries. We all know about 'Jana Gana Mana', the national anthem for India, but he also wrote 'Amar Sonar Bangla', the national anthem for Bangladesh and 'Nama Nama Sri Lanka Mata', in Bengali, for Sri Lanka. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature for Gitanjali in 1913. Sadly, the medal that was awarded to Rabindranath Tagore was stolen from a museum in Kolkata in 2004. On 7 December 2004, the Swedish Academy decided to present two replicas of Tagore's Nobel Prize, one made of gold and the other made of bronze, to the Visva-Bharati University. On turning 60, Rabindranath Tagore took up drawing and painting and held many successful exhibitions of his works. 2. Harry Edmund Martinson Pinterest Probably one of the biggest strugglers on this list, Martinson was orphaned at a very young age and at 16 he ran away from his institution and went to sea. He spent most of his teenage years on ships and traveling to different countries. You can experience all this through his writings. Martinson was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature along with Eyvind Johnson in 1974. 3. George Bernard Shaw Pinterest He started working at the age of 15 because he didn't like the schooling system. He then moved to London and struggled for a decade to sell any of his books. Shaw was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1925. He later also won an Academy award. 4. William Faulkner famous authors Although he dropped out of high school, he knew that his heart was in writing, which is why he continuously kept studying on his own. He enrolled in a few university courses and published his poems in the newsletters. Later, he gave the world some classics pieces of writing and isolated himself from the world to write about topics no one wanted him to. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1949. 5. Jose Saramago chasing light He was always a bright student but had to drop out due to financial reasons. He worked as a translator as well as a journalist. He was definitely a man who made his own rules. Most of the characters in his books didn't have a name since he did not believe in proper nouns and was also openly atheist. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1988. 6. Joseph Brodsky our russia Joseph Brodsky is a name every poet in the world is aware of. He decided to drop out of school at age 15 and took various jobs. After training under noted Russian poet Anna Akhmatova, he moved to the United States and authored nine volumes of poetry. He then took the job of teaching at Columbia University as well as Mount Holyoke College. In 1987, he received the Nobel Prize in Literature. 7. Arthur Henderson famous people After his father's death, Arthur had to drop out of school. Upon his mother's remarriage, he went back to school for three years before dropping out once again. He joined the Ironfounders' Union at 18 and got elected as secretary of Newcastle lodge within a short time. He stepped in Britain politics in 1892. Henderson co-founded the Labor Party in 1906 and became its secretary. He uniquely served three separate terms as Leader of the Labour Party in three different decades. His colleagues affectionately called him Uncle Arthur". He became the foreign secretary in 1929 and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1934. 8. Leon Jouhaux memoires de guerre "I would not go so far as to say that the French trade unions attached greater importance to the struggle for peace than the others did; but they certainly seemed to take it more to heart." -Leon Jouhaux. He had to drop out of High School since his dad's earning stopped because of a prolonged strike. He had to take his dad's job at a match factory after his dad lost his eyesight. He soon became an important part of the union and took up the fight against white phosphorus which left his father blinded. He was a stern preacher of peace. After the World War II, Jouhaux split from the CGT to form the social-democrat Workers' Force (CGT-FO). In 1951, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. 9. Albert Einstein Pinterest This is no news to anyone but he has earned every mention in the lists of the brightest brains in the history of mankind. When he turned 15, Einstein decided to drop out of school even though he loved mathematics and science. He later attended a school in Switzerland to get his A-levels before going to study in Zurich. Einstein got a job at the Patent Office and worked on theoretical physics in his part time. During this time, he published many important scientific papers, including some which reformed modern science. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921. Were excited to announce that metalbulletin.com is now part of fastmarkets.com. A new look and an improved experience means you can still stay ahead of this fast-moving metals market with price data, news and market intelligence right here on Fastmarkets. Discover more than 2000 prices, news and analysis in primary and secondary metals markets. We cover base metals, industrial minerals, ores and alloys, steel, scrap and steel raw materials. If you already have a Fastmarkets account, youll still have uninterrupted access to your markets by logging in with your current details. The much talked about second studio album of Ghanaian rapper, Koo Ntakra has officially been released across most streaming and download platforms and digital stores worldwide. KOK (King of Kofcity) album is currently available worldwide on major international music digital stores and streaming platforms including; iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube, Amazon, Shazam, Aftown among others. The seventeen (17) tracks Hip hop/Rap, Afro pop fused album features top names in the Ghanaian music hemisphere including, Edem, D Cryme, Yaa Pono amongst others as well D.I from Nigeria. Fans and music lovers can now, stream, buy and download all songs off the KOK Album by Koo Ntakra via the following links below. spotify:album:3j6Y20GTVZyQBxZo5R1afX Apple Music: http://itunes.apple.com/album/id/1316239218 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3j6Y20GTVZyQBxZo5R1afX iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/album/id1316239218?ls=1&app=itunes YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxDUHX1DjwKvI4RlE_D7XuMLfyly-NDY2 Aftown: https://aftown.com/listing/1524/kok-album---koo-ntakra-%28digital-album%29 Ghanaian fashion designer and CEO of Kweku Outluk, Isaac Frimpong-Manso, has asked the countrys celebrities to continue to support local fashion brands by wearing their designs. He also stated that they should give up-and-coming designers a chance to clothe them. That, he indicated, would not only help the local fashion industry but also promote Ghana to the world. Isaac, who was speaking in an interview with NEWS-ONE on Monday, has expressed enthusiasm with how Ghanaian celebrities have so far been embracing local designs in the last few years. According to him, the fashion is doing well but it can't work in isolation. It needs the activities of celebrities to further push Ghana's fashion brands out there. Our celebrities have been pivotal in supporting local fashion brands. I can speak for myself. Most of the celebrities I design for they have been very helpful. Talk about people like Adjetey Anang, Nathaniel Attoh, Kalybos, Kafui Dey and others they have been very supportive. They even go to extent of linking me to new clients. It is a good thing and they should give the up-and-coming designers a chance to also clothe them. They are really helping and I must recommend them, he mentioned. Sometimes it is difficult to get through some celebrities. Not everybody will open up to you because you are not at their level or something. So if they can open up to a lot more local designers and try and further promote our brands. I know of celebrities who when you give them stuff, they are able to pin point things to you that if you do this or that to the finishing, you will go far. The knowledge they have should help and impact on the fashion industry. It is not always that they should try things from Nigeria, he added. Isaac is popularly known as Kweku-Outluk. He studied Fashion & Textile at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (KNUST). He currently holds a master's degree. He started the fashion brand Kweku-Outluk in 2012. It's been five years now and he has different outlets in Kumasi and Canada. Kweku-Outluk has been on different platforms and fashion weeks. We were on the Kumasi Fashion Week, KNUST Fashion Week and others. We also have contracts. It's been great. Currently, we are employing 15 people and it is great. It's being a journey. We are based in Kumasi but we distribute around the world. We also have a big shop in Canada (African Arabian Market), where you can get our designs, he concluded. Photo - Kelebogile Masisi, before and now 28.11.2017 LISTEN A young South African woman faced a near death situation but as fate may have it, she survived by "God's Grace" to tell her story to motivate others. Kelebogile Masisi, a massage therapist in South Africa have had to battle with a strange disease back and forth since last year October. Although, the disease could not be specifically diagnosed, it fell between an extreme rash or a serious acne on her face. "It started as rashes last year October, and went down in November. It's been on and off till March this year. It started again as pimples in April so I thought it was acne," she said in an interview with modernghana.com Although, she thought it was acne, she believed deep inside her it wasn't acne but rather her situation had a spiritual undertones. In June and July, she said it started being so painful and whenever people asked her, she would say it was acne although she knew it wasn't. In August her situation worsened, pastors prayed for her but nothing happened. "I was invited to some churches, people prayed for me, but nothing happened." Now her condition turned from rashes on the face to somewhat severe pimples and then her face began swelling to the extent that she couldn't see. "I was taken to the hospital on a Friday and the doctor said I wasn't going to leave up to Monday but by the grace of the Lord I am alive." She was admitted to the hospital for the second time, doctors thought it was acne but they decided to give her drugs to reduce her swollen face and from there she started recovering gradually. For her, consistent prayer is the only thing that aided her recovery. "Friends, pastors, mother's colleagues,hospital staff and a WhatsApp prayer group stood in and consistently prayed till I was completely healed." "It was a difficult moment for me, my family and friends. All we did was to pray...nothing else. The doctors were even surprised about the speed of my recovery when they came to check on me." She had a mesage for women going through similar ordeals, "No matter what may come your way, people will come up with remedies but stick to the word of God." Copyright (2017) Modern Ghana All rights reserved. This article, or any portion thereof may not be reproduced, paraphrased or used in any manner whatsoever without giving full credit to modernghana and the author of the article. However, it could be used in brief quotations and in reviews. Former President John Dramani Mahama has taken a swipe at President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for rushing to implement the free Senior High School (SHS) policy, hinting of a possible reversal of the programme by a future National Democratic Congress (NDC) government since it is not mandatory. Why should the government introduce free education now when the Constitution says it should be done progressively? In fact, it is not by force to introduce free SHS now, Mr John Mahama underscored. The former president predicted that the challenges associated with the free Senior High School (SHS) policy would not cease unless there was a comprehensive funding strategy. According to him, President Nana Akufo-Addo and the government of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) should have organized a national stakeholders'conference on the policy to enable Ghanaians to make suggestions as to how the policy could be implemented effectively. But there was no consultation prior to the implementation of the policy. I want to advise the president that it is not too late. He should immediately organize a consultative forum to discuss funding options for the policy as was done prior to the establishment of the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) during President Rawlings' regime and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), introduced by former President Kufuor, he suggested. Interestingly, the NDC in parliament which Mr John Mahama was part and parcel of at the time boycotted the passage of the NHIS law on the same ground of no funding arrangements. The former president also accused President Akufo-Addo and his NPP administration of giving Ghanaians fake assurances and pledges prior to the 2016 general elections, when in actual fact, he (Mahama) and his team had nothing significant to offer. He was addressing hundreds of supporters of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) at Tarkwa in the Western Region at the end of a 'unity walk' organized by the NDC last Saturday. The 'unity walk' was aimed at re-energizing the grassroots of the NDC as part of ongoing efforts towards rebuilding the party as recommended by the Professor Kwesi Botchwey Committee that investigated the causes of the party's humiliating defeat in last year's elections. The exercise, which was also patronized by the majority of illegal miners, also called galamseyers in the Tarkwa and Prestea area, was the fourth in a series of walks after similar events had been held in Accra, Tamale and Cape Coast. It was attended by the party's bigwigs, including the former Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah. The galamseyers kept on chanting, We want our galamsey back and not free education. Mr Mahama indicated that President Akufo-Addo and the members of his government could not be the repository of all wisdom, adding, They are leading as though they have the entire world's knowledge and could fix everything on their own, independent of suggestions and recommendations from any other camp. The former president asserted that the Free SHS policy's failure would even be imminent, with the announcement of a programme to get volunteers to fund it. The creation of the Voluntary Contribution Fund to solicit the support of Ghanaians will not help. Immediately, let's call a national stakeholders' conference on how to finance Free SHS, he emphasised. 'NPP's Promises Are Fake' Former President Mahama told the NDC supporters that majority of Ghanaians were getting disappointed with the NPP because the party made promises it could not fulfill. It is clearly evident that after the NPP took power, most people are getting disappointed because the things they promised to do are not what Ghanaians are seeing, Mr Mahama asserted. He continued, The NPP promised to give each constituency $1 million a year, but we were in government and we knew that looking at our resources, it was impossible to give every constituency that amount; but they kept on promising and now they can't fulfill it. I Don't Lie According to Mr Mahama, the NDC saw no reason and justification to make pledges and promises to the public, knowing very well that there was little possibility of them being achieved. Unlike the NPP, Mr Mahama indicated that he had not been trained to peddle falsehood and make unachievable promises without considering the actualities on the ground and how feasible fulfilling the promise would be. NDC is a party which doesn't lie; we don't tell lies. We don't promise on what we can't fulfill and if we can, we will promise on that. Prior to the 2016 elections, a lot of people came to me to tell me to make promises to Ghanaians like the NPP was doing, to promise a lot even when I know I may not be able to deliver eventually; but I told them that I was not trained like that and that if I know I can't fulfill a promise, I won't give fake assurances that I can do it, he told the crowd. Galamsey On the ban on illegal mining, the former president told the people that the NDC government was going to introduce some new policies to regulate mining. He indicated that currently in the mining code, there is small and large-scale mining but pointed out that the small-scale mining had mixed up with the medium-scale ones. So we decided to bring three scales large, medium and small and hold a national conference on mining in Kumasi before the law, which was also aimed at protecting the environment, will be implemented, he announced. According to him, the ban on illegal mining should have been accompanied by the introduction of alternative livelihood programmes. NDC Was Divided Former President John Mahama admitted that the party was divided particularly at the grassroots levels prior to the 2016 general elections, hence, the need to organize the walk to help unite the party at the grassroots. He therefore admonished the party supporters to play active roles in its rebuilding process and ensure that they offer maximum support for any person who emerges as the flag bearer of the party for the 2020 general elections. Let us forgive the sins of each other so we can forge ahead and then when we go for the presidential congress, we all support the individual that emerges as flagbearer, then that person takes us to the elections in 2020, he entreated. Mahama Endorsed Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ellembelle, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, has indicated that Ghanaians are anxiously waiting for former President John Mahama to come back in 2020 as president. Addressing the party supporters earlier, he remarked, We are ready for JM and the victory of JM is coming again. From Emmanuel Opoku, Tarkwa The African Human Rights Court has ordered the government to halt steps to retrieve an amount of 51 million said to have been wrongfully paid to businessman Alfred Woyome. In a decision that will come as a huge relief for the applicant, the court said the attempt by the government to sell the properties of the businessman is likely to prejudice the case brought before it by Mr Woyome. In a November 24 ruling, a copy of which has been intercepted by Myjoyonline.com, the 11-member panel presided over by Sylvain ORE said the African Human Rights Court has jurisdiction over the matter and will take steps to preside over same. The Court said it took the decision to grant the request for interim measures because a substantial injustice would be done to Mr Woyome if the state of Ghana is allowed to auction his properties and the court later decides in his favour. The court finds that the situation raised in the present application is of extreme gravity and urgency on the basis that should the applicants property be attached and sold to recover the 51, 283, 480.59 the applicant would suffer irreparable harm if the application on the merits is decided in his favour the court said. Background Alfred Agbesie Woyome proceeded to the African Human Rights Court in January this year when government decided to sell his properties as a way of retrieving monies paid to him in the name of judgement debt. More soon Story by Ghana|Myjoyonline.com|Nathan Gadugah Civil Society Group Food Sovereignty Ghana has sued government again over plans to commercialise Genetically Modified Foods in the country. The group in a fresh suit dated November 23, against the National Biosafety Committee and four others, is seeking declarations on whether required processes and laws have been adhered to in the ongoing plans to commercialise GMOs. According to court documents, the plaintiffs are seeking a declaration from the Human Rights Court on whether or not the defendants have observed the critical domestic and international laws of risk assessment and management in relation to the release and commercialization of Bt cowpea and Bt rice in the country. The defendants in the case are the National Biosafety Committee (which is now defunct following the establishment of a National Biosafety Authority), the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Attorney Generals Office, National Biosafety Authority and Ghana National Farmers and Fishermen Association. Food Sovereignty Ghana has filed the case along with the Vegetarian Association of Ghana, Goaso Kayan Akuafo Kuo a farmers association, and Convention Peoples Party. The plaintiffs are also seeking a declaration from the court as to whether the defendants have proper and detailed documentation in relation to the area of risk assessment and management in relation to the intention to release and commercialise Bt cowpea and Bt Rice in the Ghanaian ecosystem, and if they meet the accepted legal requirements in the handling of GMO activities. This is the second such court suit against government over plans to commercialise GMOs in the country. In February 2015, the plaintiffs filed a suit at the Human Rights Court seeking a declaration that in approving the release and commercialization of GMOs, government had not met the requirement of the law on major issues of risk assessment and risk management. Some GMO seeds They went on to apply for an interlocutory injunction to restrain the defendants, their agents, servants and assigns from approving, releasing and commercializing GMO rice and cowpea until the final determination of the case. Both requests were dismissed by the court. Now, Director of Communications of Food Sovereignty Ghana Edwin Kweku Andoh Baffuor says they will soon appeal that ruling but are in the meantime seeking further clarifications from government on the ongoing trials. We are seeking directions from the court. We are trying to find out whether the international protocols and laws have been followed to the latter regarding the risk assessments that have been done for the Bt cowpea and Bt rice, he explained. If you look at what happened with the cotton in Burkina Faso with the cotton, clearly, the socio-economic assessment was not well done there. Hence the abandoning of the GM cotton agenda in Burkina Faso after a few years, he added. Mr Baffuor announced further legal actions against government over the plan for commercialization once this case is over. This is the beginning of the substantive case to show that Ghana does not need GMO and the proposals that have been made do not equate to Ghana needing GMOsits something that we should not entertain, he noted. We want to highlight that these are the red flags that we should be paying attention to now. Some of these risk assessments have not been through. And as a nation we stand to lose out if we go ahead with the release of this cowpea and rice, he said. The Ghana National Farmers and Fishermen Association (GNAFF) has however dismissed the latest suit as an action without merit. The case has no merit They are just making a lot of noise because they dont have any facts. They are not farmers. They are also not in the business of farming. They are just a civil society organisation that is linked to anti-science groups that are fighting science and evidence-based issues relating to agriculture, John Awuku Dziwornu who is an executive of the association told Joy news. This case will not go anywhere because they dont have any strong foundation. They dont know what it is. Ghana is abiding by all the international protocols. They should go and read and they will understand, Mr Dziwornu added. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research is currently undertaking trials that will allow for the commercialization of genetically modified cowpea (Bt cowpea). The novel variety produced using GMO technology has been engineered with genes from a naturally occurring pest killing bacteria known as Bacillus thuringiesis (Bt), that makes it largely resistant to the destructive pest, Maruca pod-bearer. The Bt cowpea is expected on the local market next year. Plans for the production of GMO rice and cotton have since been abandoned because of financial constraints. Story by Ghana|Myjoyonline.com | Joseph Opoku Gakpo | Joy News 28.11.2017 LISTEN Citizens for Truth and Accountability, Ghana (CITAG), a youth-led group of citizens who are ready to ensure the right thing is done by citizenry and government and also fight for equal right and justice, has added their voice in support of the numerous condemnations of well meaning Ghanaians against the seeming nature of acceptance and legalization of gay rights by President Nana Addo when he recently granted an interview to international network, Al-Jazeera, the video which has since gone viral and nauseating. Below is the full statement It is embarrassing to note that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo stated unequivocally that Ghana was ready to legalize gaysm and lesbianism if like minded groups can push, pressure and demand their 'animalistic rights of same sex marriage. In laying emphasis on a similar instance some time ago in London, it was obvious the first gentleman of the land was shamelessly and disappointingly campaigning and signalling a green light for Civil Society Organizations and gay groupings to start a radical action to drive home their demands. This is very pathetic, unpatriotic and most importantly alien to our Ghanaian norms and believes. This emphatically brings to light and further firms up the position of the current government as far as legalizations gaysm and lesbianism rights are concerned. It also reaffirms the long perception some people have held that the current President dines with the gay communities, who finance most of his political activities. In sharp contrast to this unfortunate and disgusting position of the Nana Addo-Bawumia led Government, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) under its various leadership in government since 1992, most recent of which is Late Professor Atta Mills and former President John Dramani Mahama have consistently stated the minds of Ghanaians by outrightly condemning such ill calls by some members of the international community. Similarly the President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta did also exhibited maturity in responding to similar question thrown to him by this same foreign media not long ago. It therefore came as a shock to hear our President deviating from the precedence that is seemingly the position of Ghana and Africa as a continent. Ghana could be described as a secular country made up various religions, all of which abhors gay marriage. Akuffo Addo has obviously, selfishly and arrogantly betrayed the trust the entire citizenry entrusted in him less than a year ago by voting him to power. The position of CITAG as echoed by most Ghanaians is that, Ghana cannot be mortgaged to Satan in the name of foreign aids. Ghanaians are already faced with too many challenges and so cannot accept this demonic offer with its attendance repercussions. The Ghanaian history has been written already and cannot find any space to insert this barbaric chapter. We therefore wish to call on all well mannered Ghanaians and Africans to condemn this catastrophic pronouncement made by President Akuffo Addo and the NPP government. We also wish to call on religious leaders and all God fearing people to call the President to order and to also pray for him to avert possible possession by the devil. In conclusion, CITAG as a matter of urgency is calling on the President to immediately apologize to Ghanaians and pray for forgiveness to avert the wrath of God on him. Ghana is a blessed nation which no one can curse, either by action or inaction. Thank you. *CITAG!....Voice of the voiceless!* Signed: Atanga Mathew (Nat.Com. Director) Eben Kwaku Fenuku (Convener) Clement Blay (Dep.Convener) Akugri Rashid Asuntaba (Director of Operations) Damba Inusah (Nat. Organiser) Source: Daniel Kaku 27.11.2017 LISTEN Some workers of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) have appealed to the government to quickly release their outstanding allowances. They say life has been unbearable for them after working for seven months without an allowance, forcing some of their colleagues to abandon work in search of other jobs. At least 50 workers stormed the premises of The Multimedia Group Monday, to demand the media companies intervention in the matter. We have been working for months and they keep postponing the payment date. We are tired, if they want us to stop working they should pay us and we will leave, one frustrated worker said. We are mothers with children if they do not pay us how do they expect us to survive? Do they expect us to engage in criminal activities? one worker quizzed. They do not tell us anything convincing when we ask when we are going to be paid, so we keep sweeping the beaches daily. The men amongst us have all left to find other jobs to do, yet another worker said. But YEA Director of Communication, Awal Mohammed told Emefa Apawu on Joy FM's Newsnite the Agency does not owe the workers seven months allowance. Per our records, what we know is that officially the arrears is for two months i.e. September and October. We are currently working on the September payment which will be due by the end of this week, he said. However, he said there are some workers who have peculiar individual problems. He stressed that those who did not submit their "timesheet" by the 22nd of every month to the Monitoring Assistant at their respective district are likely to have their payment delayed for seven months. Again, there are people who have issues with their Ezwich numbers and some workers are without appointment letters, but they are the minute school of the beneficiaries, he explained. He said they are working earnestly to clear the arrears after which the YEA will process for payment the November and December salaries. It will be paid on December 15, he added. Mr Mohammed also explained that the delay in some cases is not the Agencys fault but as a result of some workers not adhering to the laid down process in salary payment. Regarding reports of some individuals who are not working yet drawing salaries from the Agency, he explained that when they took over there were 64,000 beneficiaries but it has now been pruned down to 40,000. "There is an ongoing HR audit which was directed by the Board which started only today. These are the measures put in place to ensure that the taxpayers are not swindled," he said. Story by Ghana| Myjoyonline.com |Abubakar Ibrahim Mr. Emmanuel Agbodeka, a Senior Staff at the Accra Psychiatric Hospital has called on the Ghana Education Service to establish guidance and counseling centres at all educational institutions to provide timely interventions to students going through crises. 'Organisations must also employ organisational psychologists to prepare employees who by no fault of theirs, have to take on new responsibilities, go through demotions and transfers, as well as employees earmarked for redundancy', he added. Mr. Agbodeka made the call at the weekend at a programme to mark the celebration of World Union of Catholic Women's Organisation (WUCWO) organised by the Accra Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women. Speaking on: 'Drug Abuse and Suicide and how they can be combated', Mr. Agbodeka believed that these professionals must not be stationed only at these institutions, but must be accessible to people who needed such services. He commended parliament for passing the Mental Health Law but said a lot more needed to be done in terms of education, human resources attraction and retention, and funding. He tasked relevant government agencies to train more psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, clinical psychologists, and addiction specialists to increase the number of professionals in the field. 'Aside the training, better remuneration, incentive packages and better conditions of service must be provided to attract and retain qualified and competent staff to the field of psychiatry. The practice of psychiatry is associated with risk of violence and injury to staff; and risk allowance must be provided to take care of the risk staff are exposed to', he recommended. Mr. Agbodeka noted that criminalising suicide cases was detrimental to tackling the problem effectively, saying it prevented the identification and starting of a tailored-made intervention for people at high risk of suicide. He said section 57 clause 2 of the 1960 criminal code of Ghana clearly states that suicide (attempted or completed) is a crime. Mr. Agbodeka was of the view that the framers of this law wanted to deter people from opting for suicide when such people are at their lowest ebb. 'Suicide or attempted suicide is a 'cry for help' and people who venture to take that option need our compassion and sympathy, which is a mark of a humane society'. He said drug abuse and drug addiction were global problems affecting the health of nations, destroying societies, families, and individuals and all must be concerned in addressing the menace. He called on the government to expose illegal drug dealers to authorities and the uninformed addicts to be treated and rehabilitated at appropriate hospitals and centres. Reverend Father Emmanuel Obeng Cudjoe, the Spiritual Director, Accra Catholic Women Council, urged Catholic women to join the council to network as a family, and organise programmes of national interest. He dispelled the notion that the Council was set up to collapse the society saying 'we love our society than the church but the society exists because of the church'. Mrs. Margaret Yeboah, President of the Accra Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women, said every five years, the WUCWO sends a theme with subtopics to the Women Councils worldwide to deliberate on and grow in the church as well as help families, country, and the world. She said the theme for this year was 'Women, Sowers of Hope', which emphasised the need to sow seed of hope in homes, workplaces, churches and everywhere they found themselves. 28.11.2017 LISTEN Koforidua, Nov 27, GNA-The Ghana Police Service is to recruit 15,000 Community Policing Assistants through the Youth Employment Agency (YEA). The youth who would be employed would be from the communities and focus would be on those who are familiar with their communities and could help the police in gathering intelligence to help reduce crime in the country. This was disclosed by the Director of the National Police Patrol Department (NPD), Commissioner of Police (COP) Akuribah Yaagy at a meeting with police personnel at Koforidua. He said the new policing concept would bring about development because once the communities were safe the President's vision of one village one dam, planting for food and jobs and one district one factory policies would be successful. He said it is only when the communities are safe that investors would be motivated to invest in the country. GNA 28.11.2017 LISTEN The maiden edition of EMPRETEC Ghana Foundation's programme dubbed 'Meeting the Giants of Industry Evening Encounter' has been held in Accra. The programme, an informal platform for entrepreneurs to learn from big shots in the industry to help them grow and expand, was sponsored by Prudential Bank. Speaking at the event which was attended by scores of entrepreneurs the Minister for Trade and Industry, Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen underscored the indispensable role entrepreneurship plays in the development of every country. According to him, the key to the prosperity and wealth of nations lies in the quality of its entrepreneurs and not the nation's natural resources as many believe. "Otherwise how do you explain that Japan, with absolutely no natural resource is the second or third most powerful nation in the world? And you consider many African countries that control virtually all the strategic natural resources in the world but are considered to be poor.' He said Ghanaians must take entrepreneurship seriously to propel the country's development. Mr Kyerematen, citing the height to which entrepreneurs can reach, extolled Mark Zuckerberg, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Facebook who, through his social media platform created in 2004, has annual turnover of $ 27 billion, nearly half of Ghana' gross domestic product(GDP). 'There is something in entrepreneurship we as Ghanaians ought to appreciate if we want to move forward' he said and commended EMPRETEC Ghana for creating the platform for young entrepreneurs to excel. The Chief Executive Officer of EMPRETEC Ghana, Emmanuel Dei-Tumi, in his welcome address announced that the foundation would offer free training to entrepreneurs, as part of its efforts to support the growth of the industry. This, he said would be done in collaboration with Invest in Africa (IIA) , a not-for-profit organisation with the vision to create thriving African economies, which is absorbing the fees for the trainees. He said the foundation would continue to build competences of entrepreneurs through its evening encounters and other platforms and urged entrepreneurs to take advantage of the various opportunities. Mr Dei-Tumi said the programme would be organized every month to afford young entrepreneurs to learn from others experiences and also network. Mr Moses Baiden, CEO of Margins Group, sharing his experience, recounted his early years as an entrepreneurs and how passion, persistence and perseverance has been a driving force of his exploits. He urged entrepreneurs to be strong in the face of adversity and refuse to allow failure discourage them from pursuing their dreams, saying 'When you fall, get up, re-strategise and continue.' He also asked them to plan and monitor their progress, utilize any opportunity and honour contract commitments to help build trust, which comes in handy in times of need. CEO of Home Foods and Cannery Limited, Madam Felicia Twumasi, said financial gains must not be the sole reason for establishment of business and that businesses must impact society. Sharing her experience with exports of food, she stressed the need for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) to place value on their products to attract customers and not allow minor setbacks to kill their dreams. Deputy Managing Director (Banking Operations) of Prudential Bank, Mr Richard Acolatse, said the bank since its inception had provided support for SMEs and would continue to collaborate with other institutions to offer more support. Ato Panford, Member of Parliament for Shamaa Constituency and Chairman of National Board for Small Scale Industries, who presided over the event, commended EMPRETEC for supporting SMEs over the years. GNA 28.11.2017 LISTEN Kasapreko Company Limited, has unveiled Charles Nii Armah, popularly known as Shatta Wale a popular dance hall musician as the brand ambassador for its Storm Energy drink. The brand Ambassador tagging was aimed at making the drink the leading and most sought after in the country. Mr Richard Adjei, the Managing Director of Kasapreko Company Limited, said the company chose Shatta Wale to be the brand Ambassador because of his hardworking, versatile and energetic attributes. He added that the company was excited about their partnership with Shatta Wale and were looking forward to the great things ahead of the relationship. "Our Storm Energy drink brand ambassador we are unveiling today is hardworking, multi-purpose, and active. No other artiste churned out as many songs as Shatta did last year. 'His songs always top the charts and bring life to any gathering. Shatta Wale is also authentic, original and has stayed true to his roots with his genre of music," he said. Mr Adjei added that, the drink was the first energy drink produced by the company and was made under the strictest quality. The energy drink has been in the Ghanaian market since April, 2016 and was the latest product of the non-alcoholic beverages produced by Kasapreko Company Limited. Speaking to the media during the event, Shatta Wale said he had always looked forward to working with great companies in the country like Kasapreko. The Dancehall Artiste said he was grateful for the opportunity given to him by the company and that the slogan of storm energy; 'work hard, play hard' attracted him to work with Kasapreko. "I want Ghanaians to be proud of things produced in the country. I accepted storm energy drink because it was made in Ghana. I would like Ghanaians to patronise the drink and products from Kasapreko even when they are outside the country," he added. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency, Miss Eunice Adjei Boateng, the Director of Sales and Marketing of Water and Carbonated Soft Drinks for Kasapreko Company Limited, said the company chose Shatta Wale as the brand Ambassador because of his passion for his music and his status as the biggest artiste in the country. She stated that the drink was unique in every form like all products from Kasapreko and that the drink stood for creativity, uniqueness and passion just like its ambassador. She urged Ghanaians to patronise it because of its functionality of energizing whoever drank it as well as its refreshing taste compared to other brands on the market. She reiterated that the drink was not to be drunk by pregnant women and persons below the ages of eighteen. GNA By Kodjo Adams/ Emmanuel Kwame Donkor, GNA 28.11.2017 LISTEN Mr Edward Owusu, the Atebubu-Amantin District Chief Executive has appealed for support towards the construction of the Atebubu Yam market project, costing the assembly GHC5.5 million. He said with its Internally-Generated Fund (IGF), the assembly had completed the first phase of the project, which cost GHE2.9 million and urgently need additional funds to complete the project before the rains set in. In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Atebubu in the Brong-Ahafo Region, Mr Owusu said the yam market was one of the biggest in the country, adding that due to its deplorable condition, traders were reluctant to pay their taxes. He said currently the assembly could generate between GHE1,000.00 and GHE1,500.00 revenue from the market on daily basis and he was optimistic that on completion, the assembly would be able to rake in more revenue needed for development. Mr Owusu said the project covered pavements, construction of drainage system, market sheds, as well as security lights and sanitary facilities. Besides, the Assembly has prioritised some areas in its short term development plan and the construction of 40 bed capacity ward at the Atebubu Government hospital, one-storey district police headquarters, extension of water system, and 20-seater privy water closet toilets for the Fakwasi community. The other projects, Mr Owusu added included; the renovation of the Atebubu main market and extension of street lights to newly developed areas and the assembly would require approximately GHE3.4 million to undertake these projects, and urged themto pay their taxes and rates regularly. Mr Owusu entreated the assembly's tax revenue unit to intensify their revenue mobilisation drive and admonished tax collectors to be honest and assured the people of the equitable distribution of resources, asking them to support the assembly to generate more revenue. Meanwhile, traders at the Atebubu Yam market have expressed concern about the deplorable nature of the market which was affecting their economic activities. They told the GNA in an interview that stealing was rampant there due to poor illumination and security systems. The market women also expressed dissatisfaction at the poor storage system in the market and appealed to the government to come to their aid. GNA By Dennis Peprah, GNA Dr. Peter Amoako-Yirenkyi, Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Consultant, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has called for industry to forge stronger linkages with the universities to grow. He added that this was the way forward to achieve greater efficiency and become more competitive. He said companies that adopted research findings of academia in their activities, would have competitive edge over the others as they would be more innovative and creative. Dr. Amoako-Yirenkyi, addressing the opening session of an international conference on scientific computing and industrial modelling in Kumasi, said it was in their own interest to begin to make use of scientific and evidence-based experiences to stay in business - survive the stiff competition from foreign companies. The event was organized by the National Institute for Mathematical Sciences Ghana (NIMS), a group committed to the nation's socio-economic development through the application of science and technology. 'Scientific computing and industrial modelling - a tool for accelerating innovation', was the theme chosen for the three-day conference. It has brought together members of the Institute, manufacturers, business administrators, researchers and science students from universities across the nation to discuss solutions to factors inhibiting the growth of local businesses. Dr. Amaoko-Yirenkyi, who is Director of the Centre for Scientific and Technical Computing at the Institute, asked business operators to move away from the old way of doing things. They should take advantage of ICT to sustain their operation and boost profitability. Professor Evans Adei of the KNUST Chemistry Department and a member of the Institute, said the university as a research-based educational institution was determined to assist build the capacity of local business for optimal performance. GNA By Stephen Asante, GNA Togbe Adela Ananze Titriku XII, Chief of Amanflu Division of Dorfor and the acting President of Dorfor Traditional Council, has appealed to government not to abandon plans of creating a new district out of the North Tongu District. He noted that implementation of plans at creating a new district for Dorfor, Volo, Fodzoku and Torgorme traditional areas with a district capital at Juapong seemed to have been halted and called for its revival. Togbe Titriku who made the appeal at this year's Ayimagonu Festival of the Chiefs and people of Dorfor Traditional Area said the size of North Tongu District was too big and needed to be relooked at and that all requirements had been met for the creation of a new district. He also called the attention of authorities to the lack of potable water in most parts of the area though the Volta River flows through the land and expressed worry over the halting of work on a proposed water project by the Austrian government, planned to benefit the North Tongu and Ho West districts. Mr Collins Arku, District Chief Executive, North Tongu, said consultation processes were still on-going for the creation of the new district. Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament, North Tongu Constituency, expressed gratitude to the government for not suspending ongoing works on major roads in the District. He said though government had suspended most road contracts including the Eastern Corridor, work was still ongoing on the Juapong-Adidome and Juapong-Abutia roads. GNA By Sumaiya Salifu Saeed, GNA 28.11.2017 LISTEN Professor Christopher Ameyaw-Akumfi, a Former Minister of State, at the weekend, called on the chiefs and people of Bono-East to shun partisan politics in their quest for the creation of a new region. He affirmed that the movement for the creation of the new Bono East Region was in the right direction, but added that until the people bury their political differences and forge ahead in unity, the campaign would not yield results. Prof Ameyaw-Akumfi, who is the Chairman of the committee spearheading advocating the creation of the Bono East Region made the call when he addressed the chiefs and people of the Atebubu-Amantin, Pru, Sene West and Sene East Districts at a forum at Atebubu. It was organized by the Bono East Youth Alliance, a pressure group, aimed at sensitizing the people on the processes involved in the creation of a new region, in accordance with article five (5) on the 1992 constitution. Prof Akumfi-Ameyaw, who is also the Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructural Investment Fund (GIIF) and a former Member of Parliament for Techiman North Constituency, said President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was on course and it was up to the campaigners to meet the requirements for the creations of the new regions. He said his committee would send a petition to the Commission of Inquiry set up the government, this week and assured the people that certainly the Commission would understand the import of the petition for the creation of the region. Prof Ameyaw-Akumfi explained to the people the need for intensified public education on the referendum process so that they would be able to meet the 50 per cent voter turnout and the required 80 per cent votes. He emphasised that until such constitutional requirement on the voter turnouts were met, the campaign for the creation of the Bono-East Region would be in vain. Prof Akumfi-Ameyaw was unhappy that business entities and corporate bodies in the area as well as other natives abroad remained unsupportive, and called for financial assistance so that the committee could work effectively. Mr Kofi Amoakohene, the Member of Parliament for Atebubu-Amantin constituency observed that, successive governments had neglected the people, in the area of development for a long time. He explained that the creation of the new region would bring governance to the door-step of the people and facilitate rapid socio-economic development. Mr Amoakohene, who is the Coordinator of the Committee, added his voice on the calls for the people to avoid partisan politics and ensure a united front in their pursuit. He said the area had a large land size as well as abundant covered and uncovered natural resources that could be tapped to spur rapid socio-economic growth. Mr Edward Owusu, the Atebubu-Amantin District Chief Executive, commended the chiefs and people for their continuous support towards the development of the area. He reminded them that the creation of the new regions was captured in the 2016 manifestoes of both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic (NDC), and urged followers of the two political parties and others to support it. Mr Kokroko Amankwaa, the General Secretary of the National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana (NALAG), said the creation of the new regions was a giant step to deepen decentralization and local government in the country. 'The creation of the new regions will help deliver stronger economic growth and provide essential and valuable services and infrastructure', he added. Mr Amankwaa called for support, especially among the youth in the quest for the creation for the regions. GNA By Dennis Peprah, GNA 28.11.2017 LISTEN President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Monday inaugurated the newly constituted Board of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), charging the members to take steps to increase fairness for consumers in the utilities tariff-setting regime. He said the perception that the utility regulator had become an upward tariff reviewing entity must change, and instead be a body that protects the interest of consumers and ensure the delivery of quality service by utility providers. 'This perception can no longer be left to festerit must change,' President Akufo-Addo told the eight-member Board, Chaired by Mr Michael Opam, a technical adviser at the Energy Ministry at a short ceremony at the Flagstaff House in Accra. President Akufo-Addo also tasked the Board to sanction appropriately utility service providers that fail to meet any required standards of performance, because the country's development and economic growth hinged greatly on the energy sector. 'The Board has a duty to contribute to the development of a competitive energy sector, to drive the industrial and economic development of the country and at the same time, ensure the ordinary Ghanaian has access to efficient and affordable energy.' The President said since assuming office in January, his government had taken steps that have ensured a marked improvement in the supply and distribution of electricity. He said government successfully issued a GHE4.7 billion, in seven and ten year bonds, to settle a portion of the GHE10 billion debt overhang, inherited from the previous administration in the energy sector, saying that, the remainder of the debt would be settled by the end of the first quarter of 2018. The President stated further that the initiative was 'extremely important' in resolving some of the liquidity challenges faced by the banks and would enable more investments to be attracted into the sector, all with the goal of reducing the cost of energy. President Akufo-Addo said the 2018 budget read in Parliament last week set out a tariff-setting methodology and cost structure of power production, and this has resulted in recommendations that have been made to the PURC for consideration. 'It is important, in the view of government, that we bring relief to the Ghanaian consumer and Industry', he said. The President reminded the Board members that they were not subject to the 'direction or control of any person or authority in the performance of their functions'. However, the statutory composition of the Board, he noted, demonstrated the necessity of thorough stakeholder consultation in the successful fulfillment of the Commission's mandate. 'The task ahead of you is a challenging one, it is my expectation and hope that you would be up to it and you have my full support to undertake the measures to enable you to succeed. Much of the future development of our country is reposed squarely on your shoulders,' the President said. Mr Opam expressed appreciation to the President for the confidence reposed in them, and assured that the Board would work to balance the interest of consumers and investors in the electricity, natural gas as well as water sectors. He said whilst government took steps to offset the legacy debts in the sector, the Board would also ensure that no such debts are accrued and would demand greater operational efficiency and ensure higher standards of performance from utility companies to ensure consumers get reasonable value for their money. The PURC Chairman said although the institution was independent, it would however be guided by the socio-economic policy of government in the performance of their mandate. 'We would be mindful of the importance of our mandate in respect of transforming the economy through industrialization and job creation. We will perform our role as partners in that collective agenda', he said. Other members of the Board include, Madam Mami Dufie Ofori, the Executive Secretary, Mr Daniel Owusu-Korangteng, a representative of Trades Union Congress, Dr Yaw Adu Gyamfi, a representative of the Association of Ghana Industries and Mr Ebo B. Quagrainie, representative of the Consumer Protection Agency. The rest are Prof. Joe Amoako Tuffour, Mr Ismael Edjekumhene, Mr Emmanuel Sekor and Madam Dora Oppong, all nominees of the President to the Board. GNA By Ken Sackey, GNA 28.11.2017 LISTEN Mr Chris Addy-Nayo, a member of the National Democratic Congress in the Buem Constituency has called on Ghanaians to prioritise the education of their children as a fundamental right under the country's social democratic values. Mr Addy-Nayo, speaking at a Meeting in Sunyani with NDC Constituency Members, explained that neglecting to educate children posed not only a threat for the social and economic values of society but also undermined the NDC's party's value, which guarantees the right of every child to education. The meeting was in response to the Kwesi Botchwey Report, following the defeat of the NDC at the 2016 election, where one of the main recommendations was for the Party to restore the capacity and effectiveness of the various organs, especially at the grass root level, which connects directly to the people. Mr Addy-Nayo said 'the NDC is embarking on rebuilding its grass root base to make it stronger and also as a foundation towards winning the trust of the electorate and help rebuild the country based on its Social Democratic credentials, and that, it was reconnecting itself to the social democratic roots, especially with rural communities and its principal actors, including the Youth and women. He said the current situation, where the Youth in communities leave school without any basic skills and vocation creates a growing army of disaffected youth, which has dire implications for the social cohesiveness of the country. He said there lots of job creation on areas such as small-scale industries, forestry, environment, agriculture and fishing in the Brong Ahafo region, which are capable of creating sustainable jobs for the teeming youth in the communities. He said, however that, for these to come to fruition, it requires a well-trained and skilled Youth, supported by the right education and vocational skills. Mr Addy-Nayo called on the people of Sunyani to specifically protect their environment, forests and river bodies to ensure a clean and healthy environment, since a healthy environment guarantees a healthy people contributing to the social and economic development of their communities. GNA By Morkporkpor Anku, GNA A stunned crowd looks on as crates bearing macabre labels such as "mixed bones" and "Body 1" are unloaded from a UN truck in Boali, victims of a massacre by peacekeepers from Congo. "This is like a knife in our hearts," breathes Robert Konomo, 60, who lost his two younger brothers in one of the greatest blunders by peacekeeping soldiers in Africa. Last week, the United Nations returned the remains of 13 women and men to their families in Boali, a town some 100 kilometres (60 miles) north of Central African Republic's capital Bangui. But more than three years later, how the slaughter unfolded remains unclear, and justice remains an empty word. A sober black monument carved with the victims' names has been put up at the local cemetery, where relatives gathered last Tuesday for a ceremony where the bones were handed over, to be laid in their final resting place. About a dozen civilians were reported missing in the Boali region in March 2014 following a clash between, on one side, "anti-balaka" militiamen mainly drawn from Christian communities, and on the other, Congolese soldiers serving in MISCA -- a multinational African force that had been deployed to the strife-torn country. Mass grave MISCA handed over to the UN mission MINUSCA in September 2014. But by then, Human Rights Watch was already investigating the African-led force and accusing Congolese troops of bloody reprisals after one of their number was killed by the anti-balaka. "Peacekeeping soldiers are there to protect the civilian population, not to make them suffer new atrocities," HRW's emergencies director, Peter Bouckaert, said at the time. Searches for the bodies of those who disappeared came up with nothing until 2016, when a mass grave was unearthed close to a onetime MISCA base in Boali. The remains of 12 men and women were exhumed and once again, HRW charged that Congolese peacekeepers were to blame for their deaths. A family carries away the remains of one of their relatives, victim of the Boali massacre in March 2014, in the wake of a memorial service more than two years later "I'm happy, but I'm not satisfied," said Konomo, dressed in his finest robes to honour the reconstituted skeletons of his brothers laid out on rough-hewn wooden tables ahead of burial. "I hope that justice will be done," he added firmly. Delivering justice is the goal of a medical and legal investigation into the incident since the Republic of Congo set up a probe under international pressure. A Special Criminal Court established to try crimes committed in the troubled CAR since 2003 -- when onetime military chief Francois Bozize seized power in a coup -- has placed Bouali prosecutor Roger Poussinga in charge of the legal inquiry. Forensic first A specialist team financed by the United States was formed to identify and reassemble the bones. Three-quarters of the researchers were students in forensic medicine at Columbia University in New York and the others were doctors of forensic anthropology from Argentina. "It's the first time that a (foreign) forensic assessment has been carried out" in CAR, said a science officer of the UN's police (UNPOL) delegated to provide technical assistance to the experts. The scientists took DNA from bones to be sequenced and cross-checked against presumed relatives, one of them told AFP, asking to remain anonymous. "This helps us track down the families." The memorial monument for massacre victims unveiled in Boali on November 21 pays tribute to "the perseverance of their families" in recovering the bodies Justice Minister Flavien Mbata unveiled the memorial plaque, revealing an inscription that reflected the bitterness of relatives of the victims. "International soldiers on a mission in the CAR killed 13 people and buried 12 of them in a mass grave. Thanks to the perseverance of their families, the bodies were found, identified and returned," the plaque reads. Some people wept when the skeletons of their kin were carried past in rough-hewn wooden boxes. Eleven families attended the ceremony, in some cases travelling many kilometres. Some people used their mobile phones to take photos of the imposing monument carved with the names of the victims. Though relatives were keen on a search for the truth of the massacre, the forensic work left some sceptical and unhappy. "It's not our way of doing things, for bodies to be handled" in this way, said one young man. "What they want most of all is for justice to be done." Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni has arrived in Ghana for a two-day official state visit. Welcoming him at the Kotoka International Airport Monday evening, Ghanas Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia wished him a fruitful visit to our dear country and hoped his presence will help foster knit relationship between the two countries. Gentiloni is expected to hold bilateral talks with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as part of the visit, and interact with business establishments with an Italian interest while in Ghana. Meanwhile, French President, Emmanuel Macron, will be in Ghana on Thursday, November 30, for a days visit. He is on an Africa tour which began Monday. He will be visiting Burkina Faso and Cote dIvoire before coming to Ghana. Almost three decades ago, Louis Henkin opined that "almost all nations observe almost all principles of international law and almost all of their obligations almost all of the time." But the all-important question is: do states really adhere to the national, regional and the international human rights regimes? It is absolutely true that under the terms of reference of the human rights regime, once a state joins, and accepts to ratify a human rights treaty, the said state parties is expected to adhere to the treaty provisions (UN 1969). Thus, this article seeks to explore and analyse the creeping justice and the polemic of commitments and compliance in the international human rights regimes, with special emphasis on the recent African Court on Human and Peoples Rights stay of execution in Woyome versus the Republic of Ghana. Interestingly, though, the extant literature is silent on how states commit to human rights treaties that have no reciprocate benefits, unlike trade and other financial agreements which extend mutual benefits (Hathaway 2003). Besides, it is somehow puzzling to see states committing to human rights treaties, given that the regime rather invites the international community to interfere in the affairs of the sovereign states, in particular, how states treat their citizens (Hathaway 2003; Wotipka and Tsutsui 2008). The African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights (the Court) is a continental court established by African countries to ensure protection of human and peoples rights in Africa. It complements and reinforces the functions of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights. The Court was established through Article 1 of the protocol on the Establishment of an African Court on Human and Peoples Rights, which was adopted by Member States of the then Organization of African Unity (OAU) in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, in June 1998. Apparently, the Court has jurisdiction over all cases and disputes submitted to it concerning the interpretation and application of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights , the (the Charter), the Protocol and any other relevant human rights instrument ratified by the States concerned. Specifically, the Court has two types of jurisdiction: contentious and advisory. According to the Protocol (Article 5) and the Rules (Rule 33), the Court may receive complaints and/or applications submitted to it either by the African Commission of Human and Peoples Rights or State parties to the Protocol or African Intergovernmental Organizations. Non-Governmental Organizations with observer status before the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights and individuals from States which have made a Declaration accepting the jurisdiction of the Court can also institute cases directly before the Court. Per Article 50 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, the Commission can only deal with a matter submitted to it after making sure that all local remedies, if they exist, have been exhausted, unless it is obvious to the Commission that the procedure of achieving these remedies would be unduly prolonged. The crucial question then is: did Woyome exhaust all the domestic remedies before submitting a statement to the Commission for onward submission to the African Court of Human and Peoples Rights? The abusive African litigants may well explain why a number of states parties are refusing to endorse the competence of the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights. As at July 2017, only eight (8) of the thirty (30) States Parties to the Protocol had made the declaration recognizing the competence of the Court to receive cases from NGOs and individuals. The eight (8) States are; Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote dIvoire, Ghana, Mali, Malawi , Tanzania and Republic of Tunisia (ACHPR, 2017). The African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights was adopted on 27 June 1981, and came into force on 21 October 1986 (ACHPR, 2013). African Charter on Human and People's Rights recognises the collective rights. It acknowledges the correlation between individual and peoples rights. It also recognises the right to development (ACHPR, 2013). The Charter encapsulates the list of duties and obligations, and, the bodies for the protection and defence of human and peoples rights . Article four of the Charter for instance, incorporates the rights and duties pertaining to individuals and groups alike, for example, the right to life. The Charter addresses specifically the rights and duties of the community, basically the family, society and the nation in question. Moreover,, the Charter places emphasis on third generation rights, which are primarily the rights to peace, solidarity, a healthy environment and development. Furthermore, Article sixteen (1) directs that every individual shall have the right to enjoy the best attainable state of physical and mental health. More significantly, Article thirty of the African Charter established the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights. The Commission mandate is to promote human and peoples rights in Africa . It does this by gathering documents, undertakes studies and research on African problems in the field of human and peoples' rights, encourages national and local institutions concerned with human and peoples' rights and make recommendations to Governments (article 45, 1)(United Nations,2004). Unlike the European system, the African Charter did not initially provide for a designated court on human and peoples rights. However, in 2006, an African court on human and peoples rights was established through the adoption of article one of the 1998 optional protocol to African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights on establishment of African Court on Human and peoples Rights. The court has jurisdiction over cases concerning the interpretation and application of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights. But all said and done, the African system allows individuals to make applications of alleged violations to the commission. More importantly, the applicant does not have to be connected to the alleged violations; a state party can also report another state party, unlike the European system (United Nations, 2004). The downside though, is, unlike the European system, whereby individuals have direct access to the European Court of Human Rights, the individual complainants in African system have to go through the Commission. In this regard, the African system appears somewhat complicated. Given the circumstances, I cannot vouch for the effectiveness of the African Regional Human Rights system as compared to the European and the American systems, in the sense that the African system focuses primarily on promotion without any monitoring mechanisms. More room for improvement. Interestingly, the world society approach theorists observe that most states only join the human rights regime to acquire legitimacy, and thereby deflecting possible future criticisms (Hafner-Burton and Tsutsui 2005). Thus, some experts suggest that the same factors that urge a state to comply with human rights treaties, the same factors would dissuade a state from committing (Hathaway 2007). By inference, a sizeable number of states join the human rights regime without the desire to comply with the treaty provisions. Similarly, Hafner-Burton and Tsutsui (2005) building on the influential legal models by Chayes and Chayes (1995), note three reasons that explain state compliance. To begin with, they stress that organisational power results in less costly compliance and more attractive in the absence of compelling grounds for noncompliance. Secondly, they observe that international treaties emanate from prolonged negotiations that represent the national interests of member states. Hafner-Burton and Tsutsui explicate that because states ratify treaties when their national interests are met, they are inclined to comply with the treaties they choose to join. In a grand scheme of things, Human rights regimes require ratified countries to give in to the international community to interfere in their human rights practices towards their citizens. The ratified countries, so to speak, would commit to human rights treaties not so much because of the costs and benefits in doing so, but as a result of genuine commitment to the principles of such a human rights treaty. In the case of Woyome versus the Republic of Ghana, I am of the firm conviction that the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights lacks the jurisdiction to sit on the case as it is still pending in our apex court. If, indeed, Article 50 of the African Charter is anything to go by, then the Commission has erred by forwarding Woyomes complaint to the Court for determination. In that regard, I will suggest that Ghana lodges a protest with the Commission, and if possible, takes the necessary steps towards denunciation. Even if, the Africa Charter is somehow silent on denunciation, Ghana can still follow the footsteps of others and activate Article 56 of the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties and denounce its endorsement on the competence of the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights. References: Hafner-Burton, M. E. and Tsutsui, K. (2005) Human Rights in a Globalizing World: The Paradox of Empty Promises, The American Journal of Sociology Hathaway, A. O. (2003) The Cost of Commitment, Stanford Law Review Hathaway, A. O. (2007) Why Do Countries Commit to Human Rights Treaties, The Journal of Conflict Resolution Humphrey, J. P. (1983) The Memoirs of John P. Humphrey, the First Director of the United Nations Division of Human Rights Human Rights Quarterly Ishay, M. (2004) What are human rights? Six historical controversies, Journal of Human Rights Kabasakal, Z. F. (2006) Forging a Global Culture of Human Rights: Origins and Prospects of the International Bill of Rights, Human Rights Quarterly Marks, S. P. (1998) From the "Single Confused Page" to the "Decalogue for Six Billion Persons: The Roots of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in the French Revolution Human Rights Quarterly Tarantola, D. (2008)A Perspective on the History of Health and Human Rights: From the Cold War to the Gold War, Journal of Public Health Policy The African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights (2013) The Third and Fourth Periodic Reports (Online) Available: http://www.achpr.org/files/sessions/42nd/state-reports/3rd,4th-2006/staterep34_algeria_2006_eng.pdf (The African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights (2013) The African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Online) Available: www.achpr.org The European Commission on Human Rights (2013) The European Convention on Human Rights (Online) Available: www.echr.coe.int ( The Inter American Commission on Human rights (2013) The American Convention on Human Rights (Online) Available: oas.org/juridico/english/sigs/b-32.html ( The Inter American Commission on Human Rights (2013) Inter American Convention on The Forced Disappearance of Persons (Online). Available: The Organisation of American States (2012) Trinidad and Tobago: Notice to Denounce the American Convention on Human Rights (Online). Available: http://www.oas.org/en/iachr/mandate/basic_documents.asp ( Twiss, S. B. (2007) Torture, Justification, and Human Rights: Toward an Absolute Proscription Human Rights Quarterly United Nations (1969) The Vienna Convention on The Law of Treaties. (Online) Available: legal.un.org/ilc/texts/instruments/english/conventions/1_1_1969.pdf PDF United Nations (2004) The Regional Human Rights System (Online). Available: www.un.org ( United Nations (2006) The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Selected Decisions of The Human Rights Committee Under The Optional Protocol (Volume 7) New York: United Nations. Waltz, S. (2001) Universalizing Human Rights: The Role of Small States in the Construction of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Human Rights Quarterly Wotipka, M. C. and Tsutsui, K. (2008) Global Human Rights and State Sovereignty: State Ratification of International Human Rights Treaties, 1965-2001, Sociological Forum 28.11.2017 LISTEN STEVEN Blessing Ackah, a young dynamic and intelligent Ghanaian, whose immense influence, cuts across the world is honoured to Chair the NEW STRATEGIES FOR FINANCIAL SECTOR AND WORLD ECONOMY COMMITTEE under the Ministers for Economy Delegation at the upcoming G200 Youth Summit facilitated by the President of G20Y Association. About the G200 Nomination With endorsements from H.E. Ambassador Professor Dr. Tal Edgars- UN Ambassador to Africa, and Mrs. Ana Manduley Atarodian, US Based and Co- Founder of UAE- AFRICA MDC, Mr. Ackah was nominated to join the G200 Alumni Association and was extended the role to chair one of the Committees. The G200 Youth Forum will be the largest international event organized for young leaders in 2017, and about 300 young leaders, parliamentarians, students and academics, representatives of the business world, governments and international organizations will be participating in it The result of the G200 youth summit will be a final Communique (recommendation) discussed and approved by the participants. Subject Communique will be disseminated throughout the world and shared with the Heads of States and leading international Organisations such as the IMF, WORLD BANK, UNITED NATIONS, OECD, EUROPEAN UNION AND AFRICA UNION. This is the first time a black person is Chairing such committee and It is believed that, Steven will make Ghana proud and serve as a young mentor to many youth across Africa Steven is a youth diplomat, a member of National Election Early Warning and Response Group under the Ghana National Peace Council and cutting-edge strategist with an outstanding record in both social enterprise and profit-making business. Based on his advocacy on youth employment policies and job bank strategies, he was bestowed the Most Outstanding Personality Service Award 2017 by West Africa Merit award Organization. Many a citizen went absolutely livid when His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, in an interview with Aljazeera, in response to a question concerning the illegality of homosexuality in Ghana, said these words: These are socio-cultural issues if you like. I dont believe that in Ghana, so far, a sufficiently strong coalition has emerged which is having that impact on public opinion which is saying change it, lets then have a new paradigm in Ghana. These words emanating from the lips of the president seemed to suggest that he was opening the door for the acceptability of homosexuality as part of the Ghanaian culture should a strong coalition make demands for it. Unsurprisingly, he got some stick for it and not necessarily wrongly so. I, however, pray that stones would not be hurled at me upon your reading of this article. It is trite in any analysis of the social contract theory that in the Hobbesian (Thomas Hobbes) order of things, government is instituted by the people amidst chaos to protect the rights of all citizens including MINORITIES. It is therefore a non-sequitur to say that a persons human right is dependent on a majority vote. John Locke, another great theorist postulates that government is formed with the task of protecting the life, liberty and property of individuals. For him, a persons body is his first property. This means that how that person chooses to use his body for any act should not warrant an attack from another insofar as the one using his body to engage in certain acts does not infringe upon the rights of others while doing so. An example in this regard is the womans right to protect herself from being raped. Notice that in this case, although a man possesses a right to copulate with the woman, he does not have a right to do it if it goes against the womans right to consent which is tied to the right over her body, her primary property. It must be said that a womans right to consent to coitus is not contingent on what a majority of the citizenry think. Neither is an unmarried mans right to engage in consensual sex with a married woman based on what more than 50% of the people think. To the latter point, many Ghanaians would state emphatically that adultery is a sin. Nevertheless, they hasten to add that it is not a crime because there is a recognition that two adult individuals who engaged in consensual sex albeit outside culture or religious boundaries have a right to use their bodies as they please. The $64,000 question is whether or not homosexuality is a right. The answer, based on the above analysis is in the affirmative. I say so because if a person has the right to use his body as he pleases, it follows that he can have consensual sex with whoever he chooses. It is for this reason that I part ways with our president when he intimates that a powerful coalition of groups must precede the enjoyment of the rights of certain individuals. In playing the card of influence on public opinion, he ostensibly places a human right at the mercy of socio-cultural norms, a dangerous move that might even go against the right to life. Think for a second about a society that believes in cannibalism. Should individuals lose their right to life just because society, or religion says so? Lets have a quick look at the law that bars homosexuality in Ghana. Section 104 (1b) of the Criminal Offenses Act, 1960 says as follows: A person who has unnatural carnal knowledge of another person of not less than sixteen years of age with the consent of that other person commits a misdemeanor. The main question that arises from this is what is unnatural carnal knowledge? The answer lies in Section 104 (2) of the same act which explains it to be: sexual intercourse with a person in an unnatural manner or with an animal. Now, the idea of criminalizing unnatural carnal knowledge or sexual intercourse is problematic since the said acts are not even restricted to homosexual couples. I make this statement because in speaking of unnatural sexual activity, oral sex and anal sex are mentioned (God didnt create those organs for that purpose). Can we then say that a married man who has consensual oral and or anal sex with his wife should be arrested and prosecuted given the fact that Section 246 (4) of the Criminal and other Offences (Procedure) Act, 1960 says that a person convicted of a misdemeanor is liable to a term of imprisonment not exceeding three years? Or is it a matter of the people involved and not the act because if it is the former then that is tantamount to discriminating against persons based on who they are and not what they do. If it is limited to anal sex as many claim, then does that mean lesbians are exempted? And wont that even be a discrimination against gender and not just sexual orientation? As a matter of fact, many Ghanaians dont realize that it is quite legal to advertise unnatural carnal knowledge on either electronic or print media. Just stop for a second to think about this. What at all is natural about using condoms during sexual intercourse? Unless an artificial barrier is now seen as natural, I am at a loss as to why people accept the commercials of condoms on our screens but think homosexuality is more unnatural. (as if such a distinction even exist in the law) Most certainly, the president who is an eminent lawyer by all standards knows that parliament who represent the people have the power to make, amend or repeal laws regarding sexuality and that it is only a strong coalition that will make it happen. It was a clever way of attaining political correctness although it might have backfired amongst those who are not conversant with such matters. Nonetheless, imagine what will happen if parliament, based on the wishes of the majority, decided to castrate all the men of a particular tribe. In the same vein, we should ask ourselves why we fight against female circumcision in the name of human rights when some say its a cultural phenomenon. We do so because we recognize that the young girls body is not subject to what the majority of her kinsmen say. It is therefore an issue of double standards when homosexuality is raised. Strangely enough, people seem to forget that a a strong coalition of Hutus thought it was right to exterminate half a million Tutsis. Now why is that wrong? Having dealt with all the aforementioned points regarding human rights, I want to emphasize the fact that culture is necessary in ensuring stability of a country and that is where the issue of marriage comes in. Marriage, unlike sex, is not an inalienable right but a privilege granted by the state. Indeed, this is when the individual is said to be subordinate to the collective culture. In speaking about marriage, parliament can resolve to legalize homosexual marriage based on the desires of the people as was done in the United Kingdom or the people can directly decide for themselves in a referendum in the case of the Republic of Ireland. Personally, I believe in maintaining the status quo of prohibiting homosexual marriage by virtue of the fact that by giving gay couples the right to adopt children, we stand a risk of negatively affecting the upbringing of children. Thus, I will be vehemently opposed to attempts to legalize homosexual marriage. The distinction between homosexuality and homosexual marriage is very key. The first is a basic right while the other is subject to culture. I hope this message in not misconstrued since I am a Christian, (and a straight one for that matter) who believes in the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (GNT). He writes: Surely you know that the wicked will not possess Gods Kingdom. Do not fool yourselves; people who are immoral or who worship idols or are adulterers or homosexual perverts or who steal or are greedy or are drunkards or who slander others or are thieves none of these will possess Gods kingdom. Significantly, all these groups are put in the same category of people on their way to damnation. But just as adultery, drunkenness and idol worship are seen as abominable before God but not punishable by law, I see no reason why my belief in the fact that homosexuality is a grave sin should be the basis to deprive someone of this right especially when he may not subscribe to my religion and is not bound by it. Interestingly, Paul in Verse 12 of the same chapter (NIV) says the following: I have the right to do anything, you say but not everything is beneficial. I have the right to do anything but I will not be mastered by anything. Indeed, I like Paul posit that not all rights are right but they are rights all the same. I belief that homosexuality does not enure to the benefit of the gay person but I cant force his or her actions. Its just like forcing a smoker who is fully aware that smoking kills to stop buying cigarettes. Its his body! This might come as a surprise to many, but this argument actually helps the religious case. The ultimate question I intend to ask is this, When the faithful are in the minority and are being persecuted for their beliefs in a culture that sees religion as the opiate of the masses, would the religious then say that a majority vote determines their freedom of religion? BY Daniel Ewusi Awuku (November 16, 2017) We invite all Liberians, our ECOWAS brothers and sisters, and our friends in the international community to join us in marking Liberias transition from negative peace to positive peace. We thank member states of the international community for the billions of dollars that have been contributed to Liberia over the years; and we especially extend our heartfelt gratitude to our brothers and sisters of ECOWAS, who not only provided material and financial support to us over the years, but also suffered the loss of lives of many of their sons and daughters to achieve peace in our country. Now every Liberian can take pride in the fact that today we can disagree, without resorting to violence; as a people governed by the tenets of democracy, we seek to resolve our differences in accordance with the rule of law. At the conclusion of the 1985 Presidential and General Elections, the erstwhile Liberia Action Party, along with other political parties, felt that the elections results were fraudulent. Certain individuals among them resorted to armed violence, as a means of addressing their grievance, which ultimately resulted into a Civil War that spanned over a period of 14 years, leaving about 250,000 Liberians dead, many more injured and/or displaced, and our country completely destroyed. At the conclusion of the 2011 Presidential and General Elections, the Congress for Democratic Change felt that the elections results were fraudulent. As a means of addressing their grievance, they engaged in demonstrations, which resulted into the death of at least one Liberianone too many. However, following the announcement of the results of the first round of the 2017 Presidential and Representatives Elections, the All Liberia Party (ALP), Liberty Party (LP), and Unity Party (UP) felt that not only were the results of the elections fraudulent, but that the elections were also characterized by gross irregularities and violation of the Constitution and Elections Law of Liberia. The leadership of the four political parties (the Political Parties), however, made the decision that our grievances would be addressed through the channel provided by law. At this point, credit must be given to the African Union, under the Chairmanship of His Excellency, Alpha Conde, President of the sisterly Republic of Guinea; and, the ECOWAS, under the Chairmanship of His Excellency, Faure Gnassingbe, President of the sisterly Republic of Togo, whose support for the democratic process in Liberia has earned our eternal gratitude. It is a great time for our country, as Liberians witness a democratic transition, in accordance with the rule of law. This is history making, unfolding right before our eyes. Never before in living memory have the results of fraudulent elections been challenged through the rule of law. One may, therefore, argue that our democracy is being tested, but it is certainly not under assault. We are, notwithstanding, aware that a few of our compatriots may be apprehensive about the course that we are taking, because heretofore change in our country had been synonymous with violence, destruction, and death. But we assure our fellow Liberians, our ECOWAS brothers and sisters, and the international community, that the change Liberia pursues today is peaceful and lawful. We would also like to assure all Liberians, our ECOWAS brothers and sisters, and the international community, that the Political Parties are doing everything legally and practicably possible to have the case that is currently pending before the NEC expeditiously determined. But we ask all to understand that the Political Parties are not the only parties to the action of the alleged Violation of the Constitution and Elections Law of Liberia, Massive Election Frauds, and Gross Irregularities; the NEC is also a party, the Defendanta legal anomaly, where the NEC is both a party to the litigation and the judge. It is, therefore, almost impossible for the Political Parties to proceed expeditiously with the hearing of the matter, when the NEC is obstructing every judicious move on the part of the Political Parties. For example, LP filed its Complaint on October 23, 2017; the NEC, in appreciation of LPs constitutional right to due process should have halted the run-off process until LPs case was determined. But the NEC resolved that it would proceed with the run-off in utter disregard of the constitutional right of LP. LP then wrote the NEC on October 24, 2017, specifically requesting the NEC to call off the run-off, pending the determination of its case. The NEC refused, leaving LP with no choice but to seek a Writ of Prohibition from the Supreme Court of Liberia. The proceeding before the Supreme Court, which was provoked by the unlawful action of the NEC, extended the duration for determining the case by about five days. Then UP filed a Motion to Intervene in the LP case; LP interposed no objection to UPs Motion. But surprisingly, the NEC denied UP its right of intervention. UP had to appeal to the Board of Commissioners to have its right restored. That caused another delay in handling the matter. UP subpoenaed certain documents to facilitate the presentation of its side of the case; documents that are in the possession of the NEC. The NEC refused to grant the subpoena. UP appealed the decision of the NECs Hearing Officer to the Board of Commissioners on November 7, 2017. Although the Board of Commissioners heard arguments of the appeal, up to November 14, 2017, the Board of Commissioners had refused to rule on the UPs appeal. This has left UP with no choice but to file a Bill of information with the Supreme Court of Liberia. The list of the NECs attempt to deprive the Political Parties of due process of law goes on and on. It should also be understood that if the Political Parties were to exercise their right of seeking an interlocutory ruling for every breach of the law that is being committed by the NEC, wittingly or unwittingly, the process would last much longer. There are some who have been made to believe that if a newly elected President is not inaugurated on the third Monday of January 2018, the Liberian sky will fall, or that an interim government would have to be formed. Nothing could be further from the truth! Although we are committed to ensuring that the legal process is concluded long before January 15, 2018, if for any reasonthe continuous breaches by the NEC or otherwisethe judicial process is not timely concluded, there will be no break in constitutional continuity in our country. The succession provision of the Constitution of Liberia is clear and unambiguous; the government of Liberia will continue to function and our Republic will live on, stronger and healthier than ever. Together, we would have achieved a democratic transition, availing ourselves of the rule of lawa salient tenet of democracy. And so, to our fellow Liberians, we say, rest assured, we are in this together! Our country has come of agefinally we can disagree and not kill each other and destroy our country. This is a very proud time for all Liberians. God bless the people, and save the Republic of Liberia! Charles Walker Brumskine Liberty Party, under the leadership of Charles Walker Brumskine, former Senator, Grand Bassa County, former President Pro Tempore, Leader, of the Liberian Senate, instituted an action of Violation of the Constitution and Elections Law of Liberia, Massive Election Frauds, and Gross Irregularities against the National Elections Commission. United Party, under the leadership of Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Vice President of the Republic of Liberia, intervened in the action, confirming and affirming the claims and allegations of Liberty Party. All Liberia Party, under the leadership of Benoni Wilfred Urey, a renown and prominent businessman, also supports the claims and allegations of Liberty Party. The entire city of East Hartford Connecticut was thrown into joyful mood when word went out that Bishop elect Dennis Kwame Anane was going to be consecrated. The consecration ceremony was performed under the leadership of Arch Bishop Dr Daniel Antwi Boasiako the Founder of Shepherd to Shepherd Clergy Network in USA, at the auditorium of the Revelation Power Ministries on 91 Tolland Street , in East Hartford Connecticut. " From a humble beginning and by the dint of hard work, sacrifice , passion and dedication this is how far the Lord has brought me. " Bishop Denis Anane noted. Arch Bishop Dr Antwi Boasiako counselled the new Bishop in town to continue to humble himself and conduct himself worthy of the office for which he has been elected . As member of the Shepherd to Shepherd network it is expected of him to be a good ambassador of the network of Clergy. Dr Antiw Boasiako noted. Exhibit maturity, let your hidden talent shine and be seen, bear the fruits of faithfulness, build a true servant character, heal the broken hearts, be submissive to God and your authorities. Do not rush for fame but rather let the fame locate you and finally let Christ be the cornerstone of the ministry. Arch Bishop Dr Antwi Boasiko emphasized A certificate was presented to Bishop Denis Anane as a good standing member Shepherd to Shepherd Network of Clergy Bishop Dei Asare Morris on his part tasked him to do more to win souls to the Kingdom of Heaven and all should join hands to flush out the untrained and nine day wonder preachers out from the noble and Holy work , since they are tarnishing the work of the Clergy using ill means to be known, but he is very much hopeful and confident that, " our own Bishop Denis Anane will never join the way of falling" Good leaders are very well trained , very well groomed, very well bred, very well prepared, tested and tried , and it is not easy and common to find one, by the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ as such I can boldly stick out my neck today that we have found one in Bishop Denis Anane" Bishop Dei Morris said it boldly to the congregation. Ever present and affordable Bishop Dr Alexander Adu Gyamfi of the Bible Believers Tabernacle aka BBT in New York , being the vice President of the Shepherd to Shepherd Clergy Network, USA called on the congregation to always be there to pray and support the church and their Bishop, since he alone cannot do it all. Bishop Dr Adu Gyamfi admonished Bishop Denis Anane not to hesitate to call on them for consultation whenever the need arises, since it is the duty bound of the Clergy to give out wise counseling each other. The newly consecrated Bishop Denis Anane in appreciation without the wisdom, Mercy and Grace of God that has guided his family and church nothing would have been possible for me. Again he expressed his profound gratitude to the leadership of the Clergy Network, his wife who has been with him through this level, the church , his family who were there to show tremendous love and support for him on this memorable day. Img-3955 Img-3951 Img-3956 Img-4042 Img-4043 Img-4045 Img-4053 Img-4056 Img-4057 Img-4058 Img-4059 Img-4060 Img-4078 Img-4079 28.11.2017 LISTEN Such is the misery being experienced by travellers to and from the north who have been stranded for days because they are unable to cross the bridges over the Black and White Volta tributaries of the Volta River at Buipe and Yapei - which are apparently being rehabilitated and have been closed to vehicular traffic since 21st October, 2017 - that a practical solution that will give them some temporary relief must be found as soon as practicable, if a tragedy there is to be avoided. As we speak, news reports in the Ghanaian media indicate that there have been two deaths, thus far. The ministerial team in charge of the ministry of roads and transport must seek the assistance of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), which should liaise with the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) to provide tents, camp beds, toilets, washing facilities, and meals for all the stranded people on both sides of the banks of that part of the Volta River. If feasible, the GAF's High Command should ask the minister for defence to contact his Russian counterpart, to explore the possibility of the Russian Navy sending its giant Zubr-class hovercraft to Ghana, to convey vehicles and passengers across both sides of the banks of the two tributaries of the Volta River until the rehabilitation of the said bridges are completed, and they are finally opened to traffic once again. This blog is pretty certain that the Russian government will be happy to help Ghana resolve this unfortunate crisis with the use of its Zubr-class giant hovercraft, if approached. Finally, food for thought: Since they are used by thousands of vehicles transporting goods to and from landlocked sister nations such as Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali daily, in the long-term, the government should encourage private-sector Japanese construction companies to partner suitable Ghanaian entrepreneurs to self-finance the building of tolled world-class bridges across the Volta River and its tributaries (ditto across other major rivers in Ghana) - as public private partnership (PPP) infrastructure projects: profits from which they will not have to pay any taxes on for 25 years to enable them recoup their investments. Kenyan police fired tear gas and clashed with both ruling party and opposition supporters Tuesday ahead of the swearing in as president of Uhuru Kenyatta after two disputed polls that have left the nation deeply divided. As foreign and local dignitaries poured into the 60,000-seat Kasarani stadium in Nairobi for the ceremony, the opposition attempted to gather for a "memorial rally" honouring the more than 50 people killed, mostly by police, in four months of political upheaval. However police fired volleys of tear gas and beat opposition supporters, prompting running battles in the area, an AFP reporter said. Chaos also erupted at the Kasarani stadium as a crowd of Kenyatta supporters attempted to force their way into the venue, prompting police to fire tear gas. "I just want to see President Uhuru Kenyatta because I voted for him, why are we being beaten like NASA (the opposition coalition)," said Janet Wambua, who was among the angry crowd. Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta is being sworn in for a second and final term Joseph Irungu of the interior ministry planning committee had said there was space for 40,000 people who did not get in to watch the event on big screens outside the stadium. However no such screens were provided, further angering the crowd. Around 13 mostly African heads of state are expected to attend the ceremony where Kenyatta, 56, will be sworn in for his second and final five-year term. These include the presidents of South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia and Somalia -- among others. Prime ministers, foreign ministers and special envoys will represent other African nations, as well as Qatar, Serbia, Ukraine and the United Arab Emirates, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is also attending. 'Despotic coronation' Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta's swearing in for a second term may not draw a line under the country's political crisis Kenyatta's inauguration comes after the Supreme Court validated his victory in last month's rerun poll. However, the swearing-in may not draw a line under the country's political crisis with his defeated rival Raila Odinga vowing to fight on. The NASA coalition has described Tuesday's inauguration as a "despotic coronation". The electoral strife goes back to an August 8 poll that was annulled in September by the Supreme Court, citing "irregularities and illegalities". The court ordered a rerun in October that was boycotted by the opposition, handing Kenyatta a landslide of 98 percent of votes cast by just 39 percent of the electorate. The disputed election season has split the country along ethnic and regional lines, although political violence has not reached the scale of that which followed a 2007 poll when 1,100 were killed. Kenyan army soldiers have rehearsed the inauguration ceremony ahead of Uhuru Kenyatta being sworn in for a second term Odinga, denied the presidency for a fourth time this year, believes that he was cheated and the 72-year-old has refused to recognise the result. He has promised to found a "third republic" -- following independence from Britain in 1963 and a new constitution adopted in 2010 -- as well as to continue a programme of protests and economic boycotts aimed at undermining Kenyatta's "dictatorship". The current political crisis draws on a deep well of social, ethnic and geographic grievances in the country of around 48 million people. Profile of Uhuru Kenyatta In areas loyal to Odinga, an ethnic Luo, there is a sense of having been ground down and discriminated against since independence, not least by Kenyatta's Kikuyu group, which has given Kenya three of its four presidents. The months of disruption and unrest, plus the holding of two separate elections, have badly affected the economy, hitting the poorest hardest while leaving the wealthy political elites relatively unharmed. Libyan authorities in Tripoli has launched an investigation into the alleged trafficking and sale of some African immigrants into slavery by an unknown militant group in the North African Nation. In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tripoli copied the Head of Affairs in Ghana, Salah AL. Koy said, reports making rounds some on media networks and social media are yet to be confirmed. Earlier last week, some horrific images and videos surfaced on social media followed by a report on CNN where some African immigrants were subject to various forms of abuses, chained and sold into slavery in the North African state. However, the statement expressed its rejection and denunciation of such inhumane which are contrary to the culture and heritage of the Libyan people. The ministry also confirms that what has been published in the media in this regard is under investigation by the concerned Libyan authorities. And if these allegations are proved, all those involved will be punished and will confirm the investigation, prosecutions and legal punishment of all those involved in these heinous crimes. In addition, the ministry expresses its full explicit commitment to the provisions of the United Nations in this regard and affirms its commitment to implement its national laws and legislation which criminalize human trafficking, slavery, and servitude, the statement said. Head of Affairs at the Libyan Embassy in Ghana, Salah AL. Kony assured the Libyan State government commitment to hunting down the perpetrators of the inhumane acts of prosecution. He also called on the Ghanaian media and the general public to assist them adequate information in that regard. Meanwhile, Government of Ghana and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration is yet to comment on this issue. Source: Abdel-Hanan Adam/ModernGhana It was FOREIGNERS who named it the Gold Coast. We ourselves didn't call our land by any single name. We called ourselves by the names bequeathed to us by our ancestors usually based on the language or dialect we speak. Now, that's a very important distinction. When the British and other European peoples came to trade with us, they only cared about the products they found on our land. And one of the products they valued most highly in our country was gold. So, they captured our lands at the point of a gun and renamed it: the GoldCoast! It became their protectorate. Then, their possession. Next, their colony. Next door to us, the French were doing the same thing. They called their prize the Ivory Coast. In time, the entire landscape in West Africa along the Bight of Benin became known, at one stage, as the Slave Coast because you guessed it not only inanimate commodities were obtained from there to be sold abroad but also humans who could speak and think like their kidnappers. But history moved along. And in the late 1950s and 1960's many African countries became independent. Many changed their names. We changed ours from the words, Gold Coast,to Ghana. But we couldn't hide the gold that lay beneath our soil. And this happened: because our economy had changed, by the time we gained our independence, into a state whereby people could be deceived into working against their own national interests by being given ready cash with which to purchase goods and services that were now regarded as essential to life, corruption soon became rife in every sphere of life. The policeman at a road barrier; the market toll-collector; the teacher in the classroom; the civil servant in charge of granting licences or other permits; the chief in his finery granting title to ancestral lands. Almost everyone sought to obtain money without working for it. And, of course, the law-makers and law enforcers at the top could not do anything about it either. Why? Because they too were infected with the same disease. That is how galamsey was allowed to grow from a small social 'mishap' that killed unfortunate people every now and then, into a calamity that threatens the survival of our entire nation. We have progressively become to a sucker nation where foreign fortune-hunters team up with local idiots who can't see beyond their noses, to ply their trade successfully by just knowing who is the best person to bribe and where. Foreigners are brazenly corrupting our people into leading them to our farmlands and riverbeds, and sometimes, even homesteads, to mine for gold. Precious lands selected by our ancestors for their ability to sustain life are being churned into gold-bearing gravel that, washed with mercury, cyanide and other chemicals, turns into solid gold. So unusual is this spectacle of a people allowing themselves to be driven out of their ancestral lands by their own stupidity that it attracts foreign film crews. Aljazeeraalone has screened several films, one of which was called China's African Gold Rush. It also commissioner Anas Aremeyaw Anas to do a film entitled Fool'sGold. Anyone who has a computer that's connected to the Internet can just go to www.google.com , then Search for: ghana+galamsey+films. He/she can find at least 20 films. The existence of these films makes one wonder: how can this accurate information exist and without this galamsey evil being uprooted? One of the more interesting of these films was made by the famous Discovery Channel. As long ago as October 26, 2012, Discovery started showing a series entitled Jungle Gold to its world-wide audience. Jungle Gold ran for two whole seasons as follows: Season 1 (8 Episodes): October 26, 2012 - December 7, 2012; Season 2 (6 Episodes: August 11, 2013-September 6, 2013. You ask: how come I didn't hear about this? You didn't hear about it because in the country in which you live, national economic and social disasters other than gory accidents do not make news. It is rather pastors, priests, prophets and other self-talking celebrities who make news! Oh and politicians, especially politicians are given to an abusive turn of phrase. JungleGold was syndicated by Discovery Channel of the US to the following Channels around the world, i.e.: Canada, the United Kingdom, Poland, the Netherlands, Denmark,Sweden, Norway, Hungary, Germany, Austria, Australia, New Zealand, India and Russia. The stupor of indifference among Ghanaians is so deep that although there are voluble Ghanaians spread around the countries where JungleGold was shown, I do not know of any protest movements that sprouted in those countries when the film was shown there. Indeed, the film-makers were able to return to Ghana and successfully film the episodes that constitute the stories of Season 2! What is the story of Jungle Gold? The story-line contains all the assumptions that make the blood of the anti-racist boil. It tells of the belief by a team of youngish Americans that having lost a load of cash in the real estate crash that occurred in most of the industrialised nations in 2008, they could try and restore their fortunes status by coming to far-away [and presumably backward] Ghana to mine gold in its jungles. While in Ghana, they can hire helicopters; they can be spirited away from the country by charter flights at the drop of a hat. But the country remains a jungle to them. Worse, their families are depicted as living in constant fear that something awful will happen to them. Nevertheless, the pretty wife of a member of the team thinks the risks worth taking: what else could her husband possibly do but take risks to ensure that their family continues to enjoy its comforts? It doesn't occur to her to wonder what those Americans forced to live on welfare do! Anyway, let me give you a few lines about Jungle Gold: QUOTE: The series follows [two Americans] Scott Lomu and George Wright as they join the lucrative African gold rush in an attempted high-risk financial recovery from having lost everything in the real estate crash. It focuses on the duo as they encounter the task of gold placer mining in the Ashanti Belt ... in Ghana. The men used excavators, and water pumps to mine for gold.... [No mention of the destruction of rivers; nor of the poisoning of the land by mercury and cyanide.] UNQUOTE Are you shocked to find that not a word of condemnation is to be found in the film about the destruction of water-bodies or farms and that all that concerns the film-makers is: will the two Americans be able to make money and take it back safely to America to be enjoyed by them and their families? I ask you: why should they care, if WE don't care? The question that I personally hope you will ask yourself is this:What has happened to the brains of the people of Ghana? 28.11.2017 LISTEN The Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Ms Sigrid Kaag arrives today, November 27, for a one-day visit. Since her taking office some weeks ago, Ghana is the first African country she visits. The purpose of this visit is to the reaffirm and further strengthen the excellent relations between the two countries whose shared history dates back centuries. Gradually, the focus has shifted from development cooperation to trade and investments, initiated by the Dutch From Aid to Trade Agenda. This aligns strongly with the Ghana beyond Aid Agenda, of the government of Ghana. Empowerment of the private sector and entrepreneurship are considered to be the main engine for economic growth. Minister Kaag emphasized that this focus is Not only good for Ghana, but also provides opportunities for Dutch companies and investors . Minister Kaag will be received by H.E. Vice President Bawumia. In the economic domain, opportunities for mutual trade and investments will be high on the agenda. Other elements of her visit include a meeting with some leading women in Ghana and Dutch entrepreneurs, and visits to the recently launched Safisana from waste to energy plant and the Blue Skies fruit processing plant, which both have benefitted from Dutch financial support. Minister Kaag will continue her trip to Ivory Coast, where she will join Prime Minister Rutte and Minister Zijlstra (Foreign Affairs) to take part in the AU/EU Summit. Img-20171128-wa0007 Ghanas new ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, H.E M.S Sophia Horner-Sam, is not only a woman of great acumen and academic excellence but also has an enviable fashion style. She dazzled with her beautiful Kente dress when she presented her letters of credence to His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Kingdom of the Netherlands at the Royal Palace in The Hague on Wednesday, October 25, 2017. It was, indeed, a sheer display of Ghanaian culture at the Royal Palace. Simply put Ghana beautiful Kente took over the Royal Palace of the Netherlands. Members of her entourage were all clad in beautiful Ghanaian designs to also promote brand Ghana out there. Sophia Horner-Sam is a Ghanaian diplomat and politician. She is a member of the New Patriotic Party and previously served as Deputy Western Regional Minister during the John Agyekum Kufuor administration. In July 2017, President Nana Akuffo-Addo appointed her as Ghanas ambassador to the Netherlands. She is raising the flag of Ghana high out there. Information reaching DAILY GUIDE indicates that the Judicial Council, through the Chief Justice (CJ), Sophia A.B. Akuffo, is empanelling a committee to look into the alleged abuse of power and corruption scandal that has rocked the Electoral Commission (EC). There appears to be sufficient grounds for impeachment of the EC officers involved, who are at loggerheads, thereby jeopardizing the operations of the commission. A five-member committee is expected to investigate the EC chairperson, Charlotte Osei, together with her two deputies Georgina Opoku-Amankwa, who is in-charge of Corporate Services and Amadu Sulley, in-charge of Operations as prescribed under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution. The committee, to be presided over by a Supreme Court Judge, has two other Court of Appeal judges (male and female), as well as two other members nominated by the Council of State (female and male) as its membership. Both the judiciary and the Council of State are said to have nominated their respective representatives and as a result, the impeachment proceedings have become imminent. The committee will soon commence sitting. Prima Facie Case The impeachment committee is being established because the Chief Justice, in a preliminary investigation, reportedly established a prima facie case against the three EC bosses following separate petitions filed against them. According to sources, the CJ is expected to write to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo requesting for an order directed at the three EC officials to step aside before the committee could commence its work. A source said several infractions in the award of contracts at the EC will feature prominently in the committee's investigations. The preliminary investigations into the scandal commenced last August when Madam Sophia Akuffo wrote officially to the commissioners to file their official responses to the allegations leveled against them in the various petitions. First Petition The whole action against the EC officials was triggered by a petition sent to the presidency by Lawyer Maxwell Opoku-Agyemang, who was acting on behalf of some unnamed staff of the commission, seeking to trigger impeachment proceedings against Ms Charlotte Osei. A litany of allegations were leveled against her, including spending GH3.9 million to partition an office, receipt of a bullet-proof Toyota Land Cruiser from the erstwhile National Democratic Congress (NDC) government, spending about $14 million for district offices when the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) had authorized her to use only $7.5 million, as well as attending Cabinet meetings under President John Mahama's administration, among others. Second Petition Later, another petition was filed by a lawyer called Douglas Seidu against the EC boss on grounds of breach of procurement practices and provisions of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 633) (as amended), gross financial mismanagement, as well as conflict of interest. The petitioner alleged that Mrs. Osei put herself in a conflict of interest situation when she awarded a contract to Aerovote Security Printing (Ghana) Limited to print the pink sheets used for the 2016 general elections, insisting that she has strong business links with the director of Aerovote and said that she (Osei) had 'arranged' the deal even before the procurement process opened. Lawyer Seidu claimed the EC boss 'unilaterally' awarded contracts worth GH249,018,895.03 and $71,406,388.80 in breach of procurement processes and also awarded various contracts, including printing of letterheads and a logo for the commission that indicated gross financial mismanagement. Fight Back Initially, the EC boss, through her lawyers [email protected] who are also the commission's external solicitors, hit back at her accusers, insisting that she had not been corrupt or abused her office and rather accused her two deputies of deliberately scheming to frustrate her stay in office. The chairperson, in her initial response, openly accused Mrs. Opoku-Amankwaa of signing contracts worth over $40 million without her knowledge and authorization between May and September 2015. Illegal Votes Transfer She also turned her attention to Amadu Sulley and said apart from transferring votes illegally in the run-up to the 2016 general elections, he (Sulley) also pocketed huge amounts of money from some political parties. The Deputy Chairperson, Operations, collected funds above GH6million in cash from some political parties for the organization of party primaries without recourse to the structures of the Commission, and without the involvement of the finance department of the Commission, Ms Charlotte Osei said. Counter Petition The fight became nastier when other unknown persons who appeared to be on the side of Mrs. Osei, sent a counter petition to the president to investigate her two deputies also for corruption and abuse of office. Accusations and counter accusations then ensued between the EC boss on one hand and her two deputies on the other. They fought back strongly, trying to parry the chairperson's allegations. Corporate Services Mrs. Opoku-Amankwaa, for instance, said in a 25-point response to the EC chairperson's public statement that The chairperson's claim that there was a deliberate strategy to frustrate her work and tenure is palpably false and a figment of her own imagination. The deputy commissioner appeared to suggest that it was rather Mrs. Osei who was the problem at the commission and not her or Amadu Sulley. Her managerial deficiencies, coupled with her poor human relations and lack of appreciation for team work, are too manifest to escape public judgement, Ms Opoku-Amankwaa averred. She also described as frivolous, useless, fabrications and a figment of Mrs. Charlotte Osei's imagination, the allegations leveled against her and asked that they be treated with contempt. Operations Amadu Sulley did not take issues lightly when he was accused of pocketing GH6 million from the parties. I don't understand the motive of the Chair to come out now to make this unfortunate allegation against me and the Deputy Chair, Finance/Administration. He also accused Mrs. Osei of sidelining him in the daily operations at the commission. He said he was taking legal advice and concluded with a sarcastic statement, If you tell one lie you need a thousand lies to cover up! The EC boss then sued Lawyer Opoku-Agyemang for defamation and said she was moving to clear her name; but it is unclear if she has been pursuing the action. Initial Impediment Before the formal preliminary investigation commenced, a private citizen, Ayamga Yakubu Akoglo, had filed a writ at the Supreme Court, seeking to prevent the Chief Justice from going ahead to investigate the EC boss, but it is unclear if the suit was ever determined by the court or withdrawn by the applicant. The plaintiff had wanted the suit, which also cited the Attorney General, to declare the action being initiated against the EC boss by the Judicial Council as unconstitutional, void and of no effect, after averring that the issues raised in the petition against Mrs. Osei had nothing to do with her core functions as prescribed under Article 45 of the 1992 Constitution and as a result, did not warrant her removal per Article 46 (1) of the Constitution. Interdiction Currently, Mrs. Opoku-Amankwa is on interdiction following a complaint filed by Mrs. Osei. Mrs Opoku-Amankwaa has been facing the EOCO over the alleged misuse of Endowment Fund of the commission's staff. Amadu Sulley, on the other hand, is still in office but in the heat of the scandal, accused Mrs. Charlotte Osei of sidelining him in the day-to-day management of the EC, a protest which suggested that the EC Chairperson was running a 'one-woman' show. By William Yaw Owusu President Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo Addos response to a question about legalisation or otherwise of homosexuality in Ghana has attracted the attention of the Christian Council and other religious leaders. In his response, there was one thing that stood out the power of public opinion can change the current stance of the nation on whether homosexuality should be legalised. Public opinion is very powerful. Public opinion can be influenced greatly by people who have the wherewithal to ensure that their whims and caprices are achieved. Homosexuals are not evil; their acts are! Usually the argument is made that some people are born with the tendency to get sexually intimate with people of the same sex. Its not always the truth. Majority of people who get involved in the act have at one point in time or the other been influenced by people they grew up with in the same neighbourhood, school, church or mosque. As a people we must not lose sight of the fact that, theres a long line of persons and experiences that have one effect or the other on an individual during his or her formative life. Apart from parents and immediate family relations therere friends and acquaintances at school, church or mosque that an individual comes across. These people influence the individuals way of thinking and doing things. The influences that lead to homosexuality do not begin in one day. The step to helping people change their understanding of sex must be started from the moment they got hooked on to the act. The questions are: where did this person fall out of line? What were the factors that caused one to yield to the orientation of finding sexual satisfaction in the same sex? This is where the Christian Community, Islamic Community and the traditional leaders are needed greatly. The politicians cant do this. Theyre too interested in saving their faces and making sure that they dont incur the wrath of the leaders of the United States of America (USA), the United Kingdom (UK), Canada and Australia. Sadly, the leaders of these countries have been caught between a rock and a hard place on the issue of homosexuality and have spoken for it in one breath and in another, have asked that their societies return to the Bible. In December 2011, former Prime Minister of the UK, David Cameron called on the leadership of the Church of England to bring back UK to what he described as moral code of the Bible. He states: I believe the Church of England has a unique opportunity to help shape the future of our communities. But to do so it must keep on the agenda that speaks to the whole country. The Bible has helped to give Britain a set of values and morals which make Britain what it is today values and morals we should actively stand up and defend. Put simply, for too long we have been unwilling to distinguish right from wrong. Live and lets live has too often become do what you please. Bad choices have too often been defended as just different lifestyles. To be confident in saying something is wrong, is not a sign of weakness, its strength In October, 2011 he had stated in a key note speech to his party in Manchester: Conservatives believe in the ties that bind us; that society is stronger when we make vows to each other and support each other. So I dont support gay marriage despite being a Conservative. I support gay marriage because I am a Conservative. Obviously if the UK returns to the moral code of the Bible, gay marriage would be repealed. The response of the President laid the determination of the matter at the doorsteps of public opinion. It behoves Christian, Islamic, as well as traditional leaders of our beloved country to ensure that right from the communities to the churches, mosques and schools, public opinion against the act is shaped through discussions and understanding the psychology of those who find themselves in it. The strategy should be one that allows homosexuals to come out for help for that is what they need. They need love. The strategies must be consistent, deliberate and slow. For, old habits die hard. As homosexuality lurks around like a monster seeking to destroy the values that give us a sense of existence, let us condemn the act and show the individuals the love they need to break away from the act. The writer is a freelance writer. [email protected]/[email protected] Kwaku Agyapong aged 62 Killed his wife over infidelity. 28.11.2017 LISTEN The police has arrested Kwaku Agyapong aged 62 who shot and killed his wife Akosua Gyafoh aged 45 at Kwahu Nkwantanang in the Eastern Region. The Suspect was arrested with a barrel gun. On Monday 27th November at 7:30 am the deceased wife had a misunderstanding with the husband which ended up in a fearsome fight. On interrogation the suspect admitted the offense and claimed he acted out of anger ,that his deceased wife have been sneaking out of their matrimonial home and suspected infidelity. Suspect has five children with his deceased wife, the eldest being 27 years old. Body of deceased has been deposited at Atibie Government hospital morgue awaiting autopsy. Amnesty International on Tuesday called for Shell to be prosecuted for allegedly helping Nigeria's military to commit human rights abuses in the oil-rich south in the 1990s. The London-based global rights watchdog said the oil giant should be tried in Nigeria, as well as Britain and Netherlands where it has its head office. Shell's Nigerian subsidiary strongly denied the charges, calling them "false and without merit". Audrey Gaughran, director of global issues and research at Amnesty, said it was "indisputable that Shell played a key role" in events in Ogoniland in the 1990s. "But we now believe that there are grounds for a criminal investigation," she added in a statement after publishing a cache of documents relating to the turbulent period. A criminal file will be prepared and submitted to the authorities "with a view to prosecution", she said. Amnesty alleged that the oil major "repeatedly encouraged" Nigeria's military to deal with community protests in Ogoniland, which is part of the Niger Delta region. It claimed the company was aware that "would lead to unlawful killings, rape, torture, the burning of villages" and even provided transport for troops. "That it has never answered for this is an outrage," it added. 'Murderous attacks' Community unrest forced Shell to quit Ogoniland in 1993 but the company still maintains a network of pipelines in the area. Amnesty said Shell and the Nigerian military government at the time operated as business partners and had regular meetings to discuss the protection of their interests. "Internal memos and minutes from meetings show Shell lobbying senior government officials for military support, even after the security forces had carried out mass killings of protesters," it said. "They also show that on several occasions Shell provided logistical or financial assistance to military or police personnel when it was well aware that they had been involved in murderous attacks on defenceless villagers." On November 10, 1995, Ogoni activist and writer Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight of his compatriots were executed on trumped-up murder charges. That led to Nigeria's expulsion from the Commonwealth. The nation was readmitted in 1999 after its return to civilian rule. A spokesman for the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC), said: "Amnesty International's allegations concerning SPDC are false and without merit. "SPDC did not collude with the authorities to suppress community unrest and in no way encouraged or advocated any act of violence in Nigeria. "We believe that the evidence will show clearly that Shell was not responsible for these tragic events." Shell remains a major oil operator in Nigeria, accounting for much of the country's daily output of some two million barrels per day. It is the duty of every leader to ensure the interest of his people and needs of his country at large is served. The president of the republic on the 25th of November 2017 at 10:05 GMT talked to Al Jazeera a state-funded broadcaster in Doha, Qatar, owned by the Al Jazeera Media Network about the country's democratic success and his hopes for the continent in general. As a human rights activist and as a leader being interviewed on an international platform where countries who offer donation and assistance to his country will be listening and watching, the President of the Republic of Ghana couldn't have said it any better than the comment he passed when the question was raised on "why Homosexuality still remained illegal in Ghana". Now a human rights activist is a person engaged in social or political campaigns against the violation of human rights and/or abuse of human rights. To be fair and frank, He answered by saying, Ghanaians' are not ready to change the paradigm concerning how they do things and that is not withstanding, he meant to say Homosexuality isn't the way the average Ghanaian does their things, however, as a leader, he wouldn't hesitate in it's enforcement if it becomes pressurable and a greater section of the citizenry calls for it. To me, in ensuring nation growth, promoting freedom and ensuring the right of all is served, the need to heed to majority interest is the best way to go about events. Emphatically, he spoke about the fact that, Democracy has suffered and gone through turbulence in the past before arriving at the place it is today in the United States and other developed countries. Relatively, homosexuality is bound to happen just as elsewhere in the world through the activities of advocacy/pressure groups and majority influence which facilitated to a greater extent the implementation of homosexuality notably gay rights and laws that ensured same sex marriage in the United States and many other countries. The president of the land cannot, single handedly promote the implementation of homosexuality unless the country allows him space to do so. He is a human right activist who seeks to promote and ensure the smooth exercise of human rights and as well refuse the infringement of human rights at the expense of the other. As a leader and not a tyrant, he is permitted to promote majority interest and as such cannot take a decision because he feels to but because the nation calls for it. On the other hand, He went furthur to talk about Child trafficking as another social canker and the need to solve such problem as it emanates primarily from poverty and many other related social factors. The host applauded him for his sweet tweets as compared to President Donald Trump. However, when asked of his opinion about Donald Trumps personality, he stated that, Donald Trump has a remarkable personality whose tweets contradicts his personality. To conclude, i would like to add that, the European democracy as strong as it is now, was weaker three hundred years ago and same applies to every practice. Nana's comment related practices to homosexuality and the possibility of it gaining root if only the country calls for it. Apparently, Ghana is dominated by Christians and our moral values frowns upon the act which makes the possibility of the enforcement of Homosexual laws very unacceptable. God lives to glorify his people Writer: Emmanuel De-Graft Quarshie Degraftxclusive.blogspot.com Accra Central-connect with Ghana President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday kicked off his maiden African tour by vowing to declassify secret French files on Burkina Faso's assassinated leader, Thomas Sankara, hailed as a revolutionary hero in many parts of the continent. The threat of terrorism has cast a shadow over Macron's swing through West Africa, with three civilians being wounded in an attempted grenade attack on French troops in Ouagadougou, the Burkinabe capital, shortly before his arrival late Monday. "Two hooded individuals on a motorcycle threw a grenade towards a French army vehicle" as it made its way to a barracks housing French special forces, a security source told AFP on condition of anonymity. The three-day trip aims to boost France's influence in West Africa, taking him from Burkina Faso -- bearing the brunt of jihadist attacks in the Sahel -- to a European-African summit in Ivory Coast and finally to Ghana, a former British colony. After meeting Burkinabe President Roch Marc Christian KaborA, Macron touched on one of the country's greatest traumas -- the killing of its revered leader Sankara, 30 years ago. All French files on the event will be made available for Burkinabe investigators, Macron said. "At present, except for documents which are classified and categorised as secret, the files are available and open to Burkinabe justice," Macron said. "I have made a clear undertaking and I have just told President Kabore: these documents will now be declassified for Burkinabe justice, which will have access to all the documents on the Sankara affair." Sankara, a charismatic young army captain dubbed "Africa's Che Guevara," was cut down in a hail of bullets on October 15, 1987 on his way to a special cabinet meeting. The putsch brought Sankara's close friend Blaise Compaore to power. Compaore himself ruled Burkina Faso with a rod of iron until October 2014, when he was ousted by a popular uprising. About a dozen people have been charged in connection with Sankara's assassination including soldiers from the presidential security unit. Compaore, who is in exile in Ivory Coast, is the subject of an international arrest warrant over the killing. Macron was to address university students, visit a school and meet members of the French community in Ouagadougou. On Wednesday, he will attend the inauguration of a major solar power plant on the outskirts of Ouagadougou that has been built by a French company and partially funded by a French development agency. Leftwing demonstrators erected a barricade and burned tyres on a road leading to the university ahead of Macron's speech there, as riot police were deployed. Migration and security Macron's advisers say his main message in the tour will be to stress a partnership of equals with Africa, based on education and entrepreneurship. But regional security concerns will also be discussed, especially at a summit of the European Union and African Union on Wednesday and Thursday, which will bring together more than 80 leaders from the two continents. European leaders are desperate to find ways to stem the flow of African migrants across the Mediterranean without leaving them to the mercy of traffickers in transit countries such as Libya, where they face torture, rape, and -- as a CNN report showed recently -- being sold into slavery. Macron will also seek international backing for a new, five-nation African counter-terrorism force, which France hopes can eventually take over the fight against jihadist groups in the Sahel region. Ouagadougou has suffered two recent terror attacks carried out by Islamist militants -- a shooting spree in January 2016 that left 20 dead and a similar assault by gunmen in August that killed 19. French special forces have been present in the country since 2010 to help regional governments tackle jihadist violence in the Sahel, particularly in neighbouring Mali. The disturbances near the university came after criticism of Macron in chatrooms on local social media. Common criticisms include the lucrative contracts French companies sweep up in the region as well as Paris' historical support for African autocrats. The Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Sunyani Technical University (STU), Dr. Justice Solomon Korantwi-Barimah says in spite of the fact that Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is the main driving force of Ghana's socio-economic advancement, not much has been done to promote and develop TVET over the years. "It is a known fact that Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is one of the most vulnerable sectors in today's educational system in Ghana. It is worrying to see how people who should have known better play down on technical and vocational education", he said. "For sixty (60) years of nationhood building, apart from Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the first president of Ghana who took concrete steps to establish many technical institutions, successive governments have not shown much commitment in this regard. Whilst Senior high Schools are on the increase, Technical and Vocational Institutions remain the same", Dr. Korantwi-Barimah was addressing the 40th anniversary and the Second Speech and Prize-Giving day of the Ahafoman Senior High/Technical School at Goaso in the Brong Ahafo Region. The theme for the occasion was "Revamping Technical and Vocational Education and Training in the 21st Century, the role of stakeholders". The Pro Vice-Chancellor of STU wondered why almost every district has a Senior High School but same cannot be said about Technical and Vocational Training Institutes. "Locally, there is at least one Senior high School in each of the Districts of the Brong Ahafo Region but that cannot be said of TVET institutions", he stressed. Dr. Korantwi-Barimah further noted that "another worrying issue is the evidence from parents, policymakers and in some cases trainees themselves which suggests that technical and vocational education has a poor rate of returns because of lack of formal employment prospects." "I must say that 'Technically' we have lost everything that essentially made us unique in the past. In the words of a priest, 'we tend to major in minor and minor in major things'. In short, we have dislodged our sense of priority and focus as regards Technical and Vocational Education and Training." "Technical graduates in Ghana are frustrated by employers placing them wrongly with inappropriate salary and job levels. Some employers discriminate against technical and vocational graduates, whiles some educational institutions do not accept qualifications of graduates from technical and vocational institutions." The Pro Vice-Chancellor called on the government to make a major shift in its education policy in favour of technical and vocational education and training, in order to build the nation's stock of human capital and give employable skills to the youth of this country. He said the government should "make it a deliberate policy to come up with workable strategies and sustainable financing structure to deal with all the bottlenecks in TVET education." "As a result of the misconception among Ghanaians about TVET education, there is the need to rebrand it for people to understand its importance to national development. It is now an open secret that there are fewer white color job opportunities because our universities are producing unskilled labour that is not needed by the job market. However, there are demands for skilled workforce in many of our industries. For instance, in the emerging oil and gas industry alone, there are so many specialized jobs which are filled by expatriates workers because the Ghanaian expertise is non-existent." "Again, Technical and Vocational Institutions should review and upgrade their programmes to bring them in line with modern trends and practices in the industry. The ultimate aim is to make technical and vocational education demand-driven and relevant to the needs of industries." "Additionally, the institutions should make provision for in-service training courses for teachers to build their capacity to enhance their competencies and skills to enable them to deliver quality practical training." Dr. Korantwi-Barimah also called on players in the industry to improve upon the linkage that exists between technical and vocational institutions and industries in order to bring training more in line with the requirements of industry and commerce. The entire city of East Hartford Connecticut was thrown into joyful mood when word went out that Bishop elect Dennis Kwame Anane was going to be consecrated. The consecration ceremony was performed under the leadership of Arch Bishop Dr Daniel Antwi Boasiako the Founder of Shepherd to Shepherd Clergy Network in USA, at the auditorium of the Revelation Power Ministries on 91 Tolland Street, in East Hartford Connecticut. " From a humble beginning and by the dint of hard work, sacrifice , passion and dedication this is how far the Lord has brought me. " Bishop Denis Anane noted. Arch Bishop Dr Antwi Boasiako counselled the new Bishop in town to continue to humble himself and conduct himself worthy of the office for which he has been elected . As member of the Shepherd to Shepherd network it is expected of him to be a good ambassador of the network of Clergy. Dr Antiw Boasiako noted. Exhibit maturity, let your hidden talent shine and be seen, bear the fruits of faithfulness, build a true servant character, heal the broken hearts, be submissive to God and your authorities. Do not rush for fame but rather let the fame locate you and finally let Christ be the cornerstone of the ministry. Arch Bishop Dr Antwi Boasiko emphasized A certificate was presented to Bishop Denis Anane as a good standing member Shepherd to Shepherd Network of Clergy Bishop Dei Asare Morris on his part tasked him to do more to win souls to the Kingdom of Heaven and all should join hands to flush out the untrained and nine day wonder preachers out from the noble and Holy work , since they are tarnishing the work of the Clergy using ill means to be known, but he is very much hopeful and confident that, " our own Bishop Denis Anane will never join the way of falling" Good leaders are very well trained , very well groomed, very well bred, very well prepared, tested and tried , and it is not easy and common to find one, by the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ as such I can boldly stick out my neck today that we have found one in Bishop Denis Anane" Bishop Dei Morris said it boldly to the congregation. Ever present and affordable Bishop Dr Alexander Adu Gyamfi of the Bible Believers Tabernacle aka BBT in New York , being the vice President of the Shepherd to Shepherd Clergy Network, USA called on the congregation to always be there to pray and support the church and their Bishop, since he alone cannot do it all. Bishop Dr Adu Gyamfi admonished Bishop Denis Anane not to hesitate to call on them for consultation whenever the need arises, since it is the duty bound of the Clergy to give out wise counseling each other. The newly consecrated Bishop Denis Anane in appreciation without the wisdom, Mercy and Grace of God that has guided his family and church nothing would have been possible for me. Again he expressed his profound gratitude to the leadership of the Clergy Network, his wife who has been with him through this level, the church , his family who were there to show tremendous love and support for him on this memorable day. 28.11.2017 LISTEN Accra, Nov. 28, CDA Consult The Ghana Employers Association (GEA) in collaboration with the Trades Union Congress (TUC) have embarked on an education campaign on the Labour Act for workers in the informal sector. The campaign which is being sponsored by the Business Sector Advocacy Challenge (BUSAC) Fund is aimed at improving working conditions and standard of living of workers in the sector. Under the programme, the GEA and the TUC have set out to educate workers in the sector to help deepen their knowledge and understanding of the Labour Act 2003. Mr Joseph Kingsley Amuah, GEA Director of Industrial Relations at a media engagement in Accra said the objectives of the programme was to sharpen the skills, understanding and capacity of employers and employees in the informal economy to appreciate the provisions of the Labour Act 651. He added that their action was to facilitate compliance of the law which will lead to industrial peace, high productivity, good labour-management cooperation and consultations and enhance the transition of the Informal economy to formality. Mr Amuah explained that the move by the two organizations with support from the BUSAC Fund was critical as the informal sector played a critical role in the economy of the country. The informal economy is the main employer in Ghana, absorbing about 88 per cent of the economically active population. The informal economy provides employment and income for many who lose or cannot find work in the formal economy, and it includes a disproportionate number of women, young people and others from disadvantaged groups. The sector is a critical component of local economies and a crucial livelihood strategy for the poor and the very poor urban majorities, he stated. Mr Amuah stated that educating informal economy operators to understand and appreciate the Labour Act would not only assist in addressing the decent work deficits in the sector but also contribute to a more conducive policy environment for enterprise creation, improved labour standards, industrial peace and harmony and increased productivity and development. He outlined some of the activities for the campaign as sensitization workshops in Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi, and Koforidua to disseminate the Labour Act 2003 and its accompanying Legislative Instrument (LI) and advocacy for the re-establishment of the Informal Economy Office/Desk at the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations. The Legal Administrative Officer of the TUC, Paapa Danquah, said the advocacy programme would help improve the standard of living and working conditions of workers in the informal sector. He said many workers in the sector were unaware of their rights as employees and obligations as employers hence many workers operated under very dangerous and unfair conditions. Students of schools of hygiene in the country are protesting at various state agencies, demanding the payment of their allowances. In a statement issued earlier by the presidents of the various Students Representative Councils of the three campuses of the School of Health, the students said that they have gone through all the necessary requirements for their allowances to be paid. They have submitted their E-zwich and other valid identification cards as well as their account numbers, yet none of the students in Accra, Ho and Tamale have received their allowances. The students say they do not understand why they have been neglected by the government even though trainees from the various nursing training and colleges of health, have received allowances for September and October, following the presidents announcement of the restoration in October. Some of them from the Korle Bu campus in Accra told Joy News Maxwell Agbagba the protest is to compel the government to release funds for the payment of their allowances. We want the government to pay our allowances immediately, one of the students said. When asked what they intend to do if the allowances are not paid, the student said: we will go to the house and we will not go back to school until it is settled." We will not go to school for him [president] to see that we are angry. It has been three months now, all institutions around Korle Bu have received theirs, but we havent, so we are charging him to pay, he added. Another did not understand why their transfer from the Health Ministrys payroll to the Sanitation Ministry will affect the payment of their allowances. We want to tell the government that the fact that we have been transferred does not mean that our allowances should not be paid, 37 [Military Hospital] is under Ministry of Defence but their allowances are being paid, he said. The students say the non-payment of their allowances is killing their career. Students in the Northern Regional capital, Tamale told Joy News Hashmin Mohammed that We are also Ghanaians, and we should be part of those receiving the allowances. The situation is not different in the Volta Region. In the capital, Ho, the students say they are being unfairly treated by the government and demanded that the allowances are released immediately. Egyptian security forces killed 11 suspected "terrorist elements" during a raid on a hideout for militants providing support for jihadists in the northern Sinai, the interior ministry said on Tuesday. A ministry statement said police were still identifying the suspected militants killed in the raid in Ismailiya province after they opened fire on security forces approaching the hideout. Militants carried out a bomb and gun assault on a mosque in Rawda village in North Sinai province on Friday, killing 305 people -- the deadliest in Egypt's recent history -- in an attack thought to have been carried out by the Islamic State group. It is widely believed in Egypt that the massacre took place at the mosque because Sufi Muslims worshipped there. The raid on the hideout was part of a security campaign in the province of Ismailiya around the Suez Canal separating the Sinai Peninsula from the rest of the country, and in the Nile Delta province of Sharqiya. Police were pursuing leaders of "terrorist groups in North Sinai that aimed to carry out a series of hostile operations targeting important and vital buildings and Christian churches," the statement said. Security forces were able to identify "a group of these elements and the hideouts they were using to hide, train, and store means of logistic support ahead of smuggling them to terrorist groups in North Sinai". The statement said police also arrested six suspected militants and three people thought to have smuggled communications equipment to them. It said weapons, ammunition and communication devices were recovered. 28.11.2017 LISTEN Aside the common and immediately identifiable picture of an idyllic and romanticized Africa that basically consists of: sunsets, wildlife, safari boots etc., there is a lot more to the vast continent of Africa than many realise. Jumia Travel, the leading online travel agency, shares 4 ways Africa has actually helped to shape todays world. Coffee Coffee, a popular stimulant, is a brewed drink from roasted coffee beans (which are the seeds of the berries from the coffee plant) that originates from Ethiopia, where it is largely sourced. The discovery of coffee in Ethiopia possibly dates back to the 10thcentury, and the plant is generally known to have been exported from Africa to Arabia and then to other countries around the world. Coffee plants are now cultivated in over 70 countries, primarily in the equatorial regions of the Americas, Southeast Asia, India and Africa. Art Unfortunately, Africas role in inspiring the work of celebrated European artists like Picasso, Matisse or Kirchner has largely gone unnoticed over the years. Additionally, in the early 1900s, the aesthetics of traditional African sculpture was described by the Met Museum in New York as a powerful influence among European artists who formed an avant-garde in the development of modern art. Mobile Phones Africa, more specifically the Democratic Republic of Congo, is responsible for the bulk of the worlds supply of mineral cobalt, which is used to make the rechargeable batteries used in mobile phones. According to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, not only does the DRC hold almost half of the worlds cobalt reserves, it is also among the worlds largest producers of cobalt, copper, diamonds, tantalum and tin. Transplants After performing the first heart transplant surgery in 1967, South African surgeons accomplished another first in the area of transplant surgeries, by carrying out the worlds first transplant of the male organ in December 2014. It was a nine-hour operation done on a 21-year old recipient that allowed him to become sexually active. The recipient of course wasted no time in proving the efficacy of the procedure and in 2015, the head surgeon, Andre van der Merwe, announced that the recipients partner was pregnant. Fidelis Mukonori, the Jesuit priest who mediated Robert Mugabe's exit in what was a seismic moment in Zimbabwe's history, said the 93-year-old appeared relieved after signing his resignation letter. It was the culmination of a chaotic fortnight which began when Mugabe fired his deputy Emmerson Mnangagwa, prompting a military takeover and mass street protests which eventually forced him out, ending a 37-year reign that will best be remembered for its economic ruin. The resignation letter, which was read out in parliament on November 21, was the result of days of mounting pressure and back-and-forth negotiations with the military generals which were chaired by Mukonori. "When the letter was done, he looked at it, read it through and he just gracefully took his pen and signed," Mukonori told AFP in an interview in Harare. "And as soon as he put his signature, (his) face just glowed, really a sign of saying: 'It's done, I have done what I have to do.' "You could see the handsomeness of the man after signing ... that he has completed his job." Close to Mugabe for decades, Mukonori has been involved in mediating nearly all the defining conflicts of Zimbabwean politics, starting in the 1970s when he took part in talks between the guerrillas and colonial ruler Britain that eventually led to independence in 1980. And negotiating the exit of the man who had ruled one country for nearly four decades was "just another job". But most importantly, he too is relieved that the man whom he helped rise to power has finally bowed out. 'I was relieved' Robert Mugabe's resignation was the culmination of two weeks of political crisis that had put Zimbabwe on edge "It was the best thing he could have done, the man has served 37 years... definitely, it was time to rest," said the softly-spoken priest. "I was relieved when he signed," Mukonori admitted, recalling the tension as the nation stood on edge following mass street protests and as MPs gathered to impeach him. Asked if Mugabe's wife Grace was part of the negotiations, he said at times she "would make comments. But we were not negotiating with Grace ... the soldiers were interested in Robert Mugabe." Mukonori has known Mugabe for more than 40 years and says they are candid with each other. Jesuit-taught, Mugabe has always described himself as a devout Catholic. Following the introduction of Mugabe's controversial land reform policy in 2000 which allowed the seizure of white-owned farms, the farmers turned to Mukonori to intervene. He also helped the negotiations for the power-sharing government between Mugabe's ZANU-PF and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, before South Africa's former president Thabo Mbeki and Nigeria's Olusegun Obasanjo stepped in. Begged Mnangagwa to return During the talks to secure Mugabe's exit, the generals were "very calm", said the 70-year-old priest. And when they presented their 11-point list of grievances, Mugabe did not "wink" because he realised the "seriousness of the issues" and "accepted" them, he said. At one point, Mugabe asked to speak to Mnangagwa, who had fled to South Africa after his dismissal in what was the culmination of an increasingly-bitter succession battle between him and the first lady. So Mukonori rang Mnangagwa and put his cellphone on speaker, allowing them to speak. "They discussed for a good 10 minutes -- really what I call a heart-to-heart talk," he said, recalling how Mugabe begged Mnangagwa to return home, saying: "Come, come here why did you go to South Africa? I was planning to meet you after the dismissal and talk, just the two of us." Since Mugabe's resignation, Mukonori has spoken to him three times, saying he was doing well and had even offered to "support" Mnangagwa. A controversial role Long before the crisis, Mukonori said Mugabe had confided in him that he was going to step down after next year's elections. While Mukonori is seen as a tough and trusted mediator in Zimbabwe, he is also regarded by some as "controversial" because of his closeness to Mugabe. That tension was reflected in the preface to a mini biography of Mukonori published in 2006, which says: "There are those who feel that he compromises himself and the church by being too close to the president and his advisers. "There are others who appreciate his intervention and believe Fr Mukonori uses his influence for the benefit of the church and the nation." Born the village of Mazowe, just north of Harare, Mukonori joined the Jesuit order in 1971 then went on to obtain a masters degree in theology from the University of California at Berkeley. He is currently the principal and parish priest at Chishawasha mission school, some 40 kilometres (25 miles) outside the capital. This year, he published his memoirs -- "Man in the Middle" -- and in 2016, he released a report into the genesis of violence in Zimbabwe. He was also involved in collecting evidence for a report on the Gukurahundi massacres, a brutal crackdown on opposition supporters that claimed thousands of lives after independence in 1980 which was reportedly directed by Mnangagwa. Abidjan, Cote dIvoire, November 28, 2017 The President of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina, has launched the Presidential Youth Advisory Group (PYAG) to provide insights and innovative solutions for job creation for Africas youth, as outlined in the Banks Jobs for Youth in Africa Strategy (JfYA). The Jobs for Youth in Africa initiative aims to create 25 million jobs and benefit 50 million youth over the next 10 years by equipping them with the right skills to get decent and meaningful jobs. It is currently the largest effort going on for youth employment in Africa today. The advisory group, inaugurated on the sidelines of the 6th EU-Africa Business Forum in Abidjan on Monday, November 27, will work with the Bank to create jobs for Africas youth. This is a huge opportunity for Africa. If we fix the youth unemployment challenge, Africa will gain 10-20% annual growth. That means Africas GDP will grow by $500 billion per year for the next 30 years. Africas per capita income will rise by 55% every year to the year 2050, Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) said at the inauguration of the Group. Adesina, who identified Africas greatest asset as its youth, observed that out of the 13 million youths that enter the labour market each year, only 3 million (about 33% of African youth) are in wage employment, while the rest are underemployed or in vulnerable employment. The annual gap of more than 8 million jobs is going to worsen, with the number of youth expected to double to more than 800 million in the next decades. Africa has an unemployment crisis among its youth, he stressed, noting that unless employment opportunities are created for them, Africas rapidly growing population of youths can give rise to serious social, economic, political and security challenges. Africas youths, though strong and dynamic, cross the desert or the Mediterranean Sea because they do not find decent jobs in Africa. Graduates are wandering in the streets, jobless. The low level of employment opportunities is also fueling violence and extremism in Africa. Forty per cent of African youths engaged in armed violence join gangs or terrorist groups because of limited opportunities in their countries, Adesina said. Sixty-six million African youths earn less than $2 a day, less than the price of a hamburger, the Bank President emphasized. Sixty-six million is 8 times the population of Switzerland, 6 times the population of Belgium, the same as that of the UK, France or Italy, and 80% of Germanys population, he added. The Presidential Youth Advisory Group (PYAG) comprises nine members under the age of 40 who have made significant contributions to the creation of employment opportunities for African youth. The PYAG members are: Ashish Thakkar, CEO, Mara Group, Tanzania (Chair); Uzodinma Iweala, award-winning author, Nigeria; Mamadou Toure, Founder / CEO, Africa 2.0 / Ubuntu Capital, Cameroon; Vanessa Moungar, Human and Social Development Director, AfDB, and member of President Macrons Presidential Council for Africa, Chad; Francine Muyumba, President, Panafrican Youth Union, Democratic Republic of Congo; Jeremy Johnson, Co-founder, Andela, USA; Clarisse Iribagiza, CEO, Hehe, Rwanda; Ada Osakwe,CEO, Agrolay Ventures, Nigeria; and Monica Musonda, CEO of Java Foods, Zambia. On the rationale behind the setting up of the advisory group, President Adesina explained: We recognize the enormous amount of energy, creative and innovative thinking, and entrepreneurial excellence that many of our youth bring to the table. For this reason, the Bank must ensure that it is well advised by cutting-edge youth representatives on its policies, actions and programmes, for the benefit of Africas youth. The members of the Presidential Youth Advisory Group are expected to actively engage private sector partners, government leaders, civil society, donor partners, and other stakeholders; and support the significant amount of work that the Bank is already doing and promoting across the continent through its Jobs for Youth in Africa strategy, President Adesina said. A youth-led economic transformation agenda The Presidential Youth Advisory Group is an opportunity for leading young voices in Africa to develop new and fresh perspectives and recommend innovative solutions that will shape AfDBs support to African countries, and reduce the scourge of youth unemployment. The Bank is fully committed to working with the PYAG to scale up and expedite results that deliver decent and sustainable jobs for African youth, through formal employment and successful youth entrepreneurship that allows African youth to become their own drivers of economic prosperity, social stability and environmental sustainability. Ashish Thakkar, CEO of the Mara Group and Chair of the Advisory Group, said, It is a great honour to serve our continent in this function. We know that the stakes are high, but we are committed to the task of creating flourishing youth businesses that provide tremendous value. We are also focused on facilitating the achievement of AfDBs High 5s and Sustainable Development Goals. We have just concluded our work program for the next year and have hit the ground running. He described how his family lost everything they had during the genocide in Rwanda in the 1990s. I have borrowed $5,000 to launch my business without any form of support. Today, Mara Group has 14,000 employees around the world. I was alone, but imagine what we can do together with the support of an institution like the AfDB. I have never heard of an institution as important as the AfDB setting up and advisory group only made of youth. A Chinese proverb has it that if you want one year of prosperity, plant a grain. If you want 10 years of prosperity, plant a tree. If you want a century of prosperity, invest in people, said Toure, a member of the group. Also speaking, Ada Osakwe said, Forty per cent of entrepreneurs in Nigeria are women, but 73% operate in consumer retail systems. We need to address that and provide youth with more lucrative jobs. To make agriculture more attractive to young people, the Bank last year invested $800 million in supporting young entrepreneurs in agriculture as a business in 8 countries. It will reach 15 countries this year. The African Development Bank expects to invest 1.5 billion per year for the next 10 years to support young agripreneurs. Delivering on its youth strategy The African Development Bank has made great progress toward implementing its strategy through three key pillars: innovation, integration and investment. In terms of integration, the Bank entered into partnership with the International Labour Organization to strengthen the capacity of African countries to harmonize youth employment into national policies. The Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Multi-Donor Trust Fund will serve as a financial and operational instrument for the Jobs for Youth in Africa Strategy, with initial support of US $4.4 million from Denmark and Norway. The African Development Bank is also developing the Enabling Youth Employment (EYE) Index to measure youth employment outcomes and enabling policies at country levels. With this amazing group of very diverse young individuals, we even hope to exceed the Banks goal to create 25 million jobs and 50 million youth equipped with the right skills, said Thakkar. It is time to change the narrative about Africas youth! Uhuru Kenyatta, who was sworn in Tuesday for a second and final term after a bruising election season, is the son of Kenya's founding president and a man who epitomises the country's elite. The 56-year-old US-educated multi-millionaire, whose family owns an array of businesses, properties and land, followed in his father's footsteps when he defeated his rival Raila Odinga to become president in 2013. However, securing a second term required an acrimonious and drawn-out process that has split the nation, handing him the tricky task of trying to heal deep tribal and political schisms. At his inauguration in front of a capacity crowd at the 60,000-seat Kasarani stadium, he said: "I will devote my time and energy to build bridges, to unite and bring prosperity." He also acknowledged the damage done by Kenya's costly politics, exemplified during the disruptive months of unrest that led to his swearing-in. "We have pursued politics as an end in itself, rather than as a means to economic prosperity. This must end," he said. Odinga and Kenyatta's rematch -- billed as their final showdown -- was in August won by Kenyatta, with 54 percent of the vote, but the Supreme Court annulled the results due to "irregularities" and ordered a re-run. An angry Kenyatta called the judges "crooks" and threatened to "fix" the courts. However, he accepted the ruling and went on to win the second poll with 98 percent after Odinga refused to take part, claiming it would not be free and fair. The Supreme Court was again asked to dismiss the result, but this time upheld Kenyatta's victory. Privilege and wealth Kenyatta's first term was defined by big spending on eye-catching infrastructure and impressive economic growth in a tough climate. Kenyatta ran a successful election campaign in 2013 to claim his first presidency But this has gone hand-in-hand with spiralling debt and widening inequality. Terrorism has also been a consistent threat, with Kenyatta forced to address the nation in doleful terms after bloody attacks in 2013 and 2015. The former finance minister and deputy prime minister was born in 1961, shortly after his father Jomo Kenyatta was released from nearly a decade in British jails and before becoming Kenya's first president in 1964. His first name means "freedom" in Kiswahili. Educated at a private school in Nairobi and at Amherst College in the United States, Kenyatta is regarded as a leader of the Kikuyu people, the country's single largest ethnic group. He is married with three children and regularly attends Catholic church. In 2011 Forbes magazine estimated Kenyatta's wealth at $500 million (423 million euros). Despite his elite background, Kenyatta has a common touch. He easily mixes it up with ordinary Kenyans, eagerly gets down on the dance floor, joshes in the local youth slang and, in his younger years, earned a persistent reputation for partying hard. Dynastic politics Kenyatta's political career is a case study in pragmatism. Kenyatta unsuccesfully ran for the presidency in 2002 In the 1990s, he joined with the sons of other independence heroes to call for democratic reforms but then became a close ally of autocratic former president Daniel arap Moi who had him nominated as the ruling party's candidate for the presidency in 2002. Kenyatta lost to fellow Kikuyu politician Mwai Kibaki but then backed Kibaki's successful re-election bid in 2007, against Odinga who at the time was allied with William Ruto, now Kenyatta's deputy and running mate. The violent fallout from the disputed result led to the deaths of over 1,100 people and, eventually, to a power-sharing government in which Kibaki was president, Odinga prime minister and Kenyatta one of his deputies. Kenyatta and Ruto were indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for their alleged roles in orchestrating the violence. But in 2014 the court dropped charges against Kenyatta -- and later Ruto -- citing the disappearance of witnesses and lack of evidence. Despite, or perhaps because of the ICC indictment, Kenyatta and Ruto won the 2013 election, campaigning on a platform of nationalism, sovereignty and confronting imperialism in the form of the foreign court. Kenyatta beat Odinga in the first round with a wafer-thin margin of 50.03 percent -- a result Odinga disputed, unsuccessfully, in court. Kenyatta in 2015 welcomed the then US President Barack Obama, who toured his father's homeland The 2017 election season is seen as the final act in a multi-generational political rivalry stretching back half a century to when Jomo Kenyatta and Odinga's father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, vied for control of the nation. Kenyatta must stand down after one more term and, at 72, Odinga is regarded as too old to make another bid for the presidency in five years time. Both men's children are, for now, inexperienced in politics. A seedling nursery has been set up at Minti in the Bosome Freho District of the Ashanti region to feed the Rejuvenation of Galamsey Sites Project being undertaken by Partners of Nature Africa (PONA), a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO). The nursery, set up under the auspices of Dadease Hene, Nana Twum Barima Appau II, in partnership with Partners of Nature Africa, has been launched at a colorful ceremony at Minti. The ceremony was attended by the Member of Parliament for Bosome Freho, Madam Grace Dei, the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) Director for the area, Mr. Prempeh Adarkwa Yiadom, the Bekwai Municipal Director of the Forestry Commission, Mr. George Agbenowoshi, District Police Commander for Bosome Freho, Mr. Dennis Boateng, the Patron for the Small Scale Miners Association of Ghana, M. E.K. Agyemang and Nana Nti Karikari, who stood in for the Traditional Council. Addressing the gathering, Nana Twum Barima Appau II, Dadease Hene, disclosed that his partnership with PONA was motivated by a concern for the environment that has been damaged by activities of illegal miners. I decided to engage them to set up this nursery to help restore the environment and give back life to the earth so my people can live healthily, he said. Nana Appau II expressed his consent to any organization that is willing to join in the exercise, pledging to do whatever is within his powers to ensure its success. The Bekwai Municipal Director of the Forestry Commission, Mr. George Agbenowoshi, said the Commission would support the project with seedling to be planted in reclaimed areas, just as has been done to other organization. Forster Amofah, Director of Operations of PONA, revealed that the nursery would produce over 100 thousand seedlings to serve as a seedling bank for the area. We have decided to raise rubber seedlings in collaboration with Fredko Consult Ltd due to its economic benefits and viability, he said. He called for support from all stakeholders to ensure that the mess caused by Galamsey operatives is cleared for the people to enjoy their God-given environment. The dignitaries at the ceremony, joined hands to plant commemorative trees to mark the launch of the nursery. 28.11.2017 LISTEN The world all over, human race is identified by colour, ethnicity or creed. In this case there is the common identification of white or black race. Back in Africa in general and Ghana in particular where the majority of the human race is black individuals are mostly identified by the ethnicity factor. Ethnicity relates to a group of people who have common national and cultural traditions. In Ghana there are several ethnic groups such as the Ewe, Akans, Dagombas etc. Narrowing this synopsis to the Northern Region, there are several ethnic groups; some of which are classified as major while others are minor groups. The idea of majority and minority ethnic groupings is the creation of our colonial masters (British) through their governance policy of indirect-rule (ruling through chiefs) where they identified the four main ethnic groups of Dagomba, Nanumba, Mamprusi and Gonja as majority groups while recognising the other ethnic groups as minority tribes under these four main groupings. It is by this system that the Tampulma ethnic group located in the North Gonja District is recognised as a minority ethnic group in the Gonja traditional area. Primarily, the Tampulmas are located in the North Gonja District of the Northern Region which is their native home. However, some communities of Tampulmas can be found in East Mamprusi District where they relocated in the C17th. Others who were resettled in the early 1960s when the Mole Game Reserve was created can be found in areas such as Damongo, Busunu, Yapei, Daboya, Tamale etc. Beyond the Northern Region, large populations of Tampulmas are found in Wa East District in the Upper West Region, Ejura, Kumasi and Juaso all in the Ashanti Region. It is estimated that the total population of the ethnic group stands at between 250,000 to 300,000 across the country. WHO ARE THE TAMPULMAS The Tampulma is a tribe and they speak Tamplim as their traditional dialect which belongs to the Gur group of languages with lexical, phonetic and linguistic structures resembling that of Sisala, Mo and Vagla. Oral tradition has it that the Tampulma and these three other tribes were once one ethnic group. That each of the four ethnic groups was descendants of four brothers of same parentage who quarrelled over the sharing of a dog head and which led to the divisions. According to Adu Boahen in his Book entitled Topics in West African History, the Tampolensi (Tampulma) were among the first people to have settled in the present day Northern Ghana. They lived in this part of the country long before the arrival of the Dagombas, Mamprusis, Gonjas, etc. Tampulmas are therefore indigenes of the present day Northern Region of Ghana. SOCIO-CULTURAL LIFE OF THE TAMPULMA Like all other indigenous Africans, the Tampulma were animist. They sacrificed to their gods for protection in times of attacks from their neighbours and also for good rains and good harvest for their livelihood. Today, the advent of western religions has changed this status quo. Tampulmas are also highly sociable and relate and interact favourably with their neighbours. As traditionalist, Tampulmas were also good hunters and great warriors. They gamed for livelihood while protecting themselves with their spiritual warrior tactics. Throughout history the group has also been highly supportive to their sister tribes when the need arises. This generosity of the group has led to some of its members found in the East Mamprusi District. Oral history has it that a warring faction of the group moved to the Mamprugu in the late C17th. This was at the request from the then King of Mamprugu, Yamusah Naa Jeringa, (1682-1697) to the King of Tampulma for support against some Sahelian tribes (Busanga, Gurma, Kusasi etc) who were terrorising them and taking over their lands and their people into captivity. The group after wading off these attackers remained in Mamprugu at the request of the King until the 1950s when some of them returned home. Tampulmas on several occasions also came to the support of the Gonjas and other sister tribes. To cite one example, in the 1990s during the Nawuri-Konkomba verses Gonja ethnic conflict the Tampulma were on hand to rescue the then Kpembewura Bawa Doshie who was under serious attack from the enemy (Konkomba) when his own troops had deserted him. They drove off the enemy and managed to relocate the chief to Salaga for safety. Kpembewura Bawa Doshie later ascended the throne as Yagbonwura. Socially, Tampulmas have also inter-married to other tribes such as the Gonja, Dagomba, Grushis, Mamprusis and even the Southern tribes. TAMPULMAS AND THEIR PRESENT LOCATION Orally, it is believed that Tampulmas moved to their present location long before the C17th after their other sister tribes moved in the same direction. It is believed that before their migration they were located east of the White Volta, present day West Dagbon. Their first settlement after their migration saw them settled at the present day Daboya across the White Volta. However, some of them continued to move North wards until they established their Capital at Kadichari located currently in the Mole Game Reserve. As a result of this movement the mass of land located from Daboya through Wa East, and with an eastern boundary with Mamprugu at Zanwara is all Tampulma land. The ethnic group was then a very large tribe until some of them migrated to Mamprugu in support of the Mamprusis in their war against the Sahelian tribes in the C17th. Since then the group have resided on this land from generation to generation. They have never relocated to any other place except the group who went to Mamprugu to support them. Currently, most of the Tampulmas found in the Wa East now speak a dialect of Tampulma known as Chakali because of language assimilation from the Walas and Sisalas. In the early 1960s when the Mole Game Reserve was to be established, some Tampulma communities were also relocated from the area to Damongo, Busunu, Daboya, and some Hanga communities such as Murugu and Achibunyo. Despite this movement, they still have links with their brothers back home. Some of the Tampulmas who left to Mamprugu in the C17th returned home in the middle 1950s i.e. 1955-1957 after a misunderstanding with the Mamprusis. Having left their native home for about three centuries, before their returned, they went to consult the late Yabgonwura Awusi Ewuntomah Bunyangso who maternally was a Tampulma and he directed that they should go and see Wasipewura Mahama Asafo to show them the mass of land between Daboya and Kapriya to join their other brothers from old Tampulma. He also confided in them that that was their native land and that it was from the same area their ancestors left to Mamprugu. Before their return, the Tampulma communities that existed were Dankoh, Gurbagu, Kpariya, Semissi, Kunkori, Nyankpani, Yabum, Mankarigu, Sakpege, Belle, and Zakpani, Gbantalla, Felleng, etc where the last three communities later left to join the other communities. On their return they also established communities such as Lingbinsi, Dissah, Singa, Tari 1&2, Gbasimpa Banawa, Gbasimpa Sommun, Tienbang, Nabiengu, Salugu, and Kantomun. Within the area are also Mamprusi communities which are settlers on the land and such communities are Lukula, Sakpala, Bugsa, Zoo-yiri, Sagya, Mampeasem, Chelmun Kuldani and Gusibong, Zantani (Dagomba settler communities). This area is currently captured under the Wasipe Traditional Area, all under the Gonja Traditional Kingdom. THE ECONOMY OF THE TAMPULMA The Tampulma traditionally were hunters from the onset. They hunted and killed animals for survival when crop farming had not gained much prominence. While the men hunted and undertook minor fishing for the upkeep of the family, the women were engaged in the picking Shea nuts which they processed into Shea butter which was used as cooking oil. The women also harvested dawadawa which they processed into marmite for cooking. The Tampulmas when they moved west wards across the White Volta and settled at Daboya long before the C17th were the first people to have processed the alluvial salt at Daboya (Daboya salt) for human consumption before the Gonjas migrated from the Bole traditional area. Individual Tampulmas who set records in hunting were duly honoured. Oral history has it that Belle-Tina, the chief of Belle and his son Bugumdikuga also of Yagbum are on record to have hunted and killed over 120 Elephants each in their hunting history. In each of these occasions, they were duly honoured with war dances amidst firing of musketry. On the establishment of the Mole Game Reserve, hunting reduced in the Tampulma area and people reverted to crop farming. Today, Tampulmas are hard working farmers who produce various types of crops including yam, maize, millet, cassava, Guinea corn etc. The Tampulma land today is one of the major food growing areas in the Northern Region which in itself serve as food basket for the nation. However, most of the time their efforts are not rewarded due to the inaccessible nature of the area popularly called Overseas of the Northern Region as their produce are normally sold at very low prices. The inaccessible nature of the area leading to virtually no development is due to the absence of leadership amongst the Tampulma Ethnic Group since they do not have a Paramount chief to champion their course. Little or no form of trade is carried out in the area as a result of its inaccessibility. As a result, the people remain predominantly farmers up to date. THE POLITICAL HISTORY OF THE TAMPULMA The Tampulma are an independent ethnic group and have never been alienated to any other tribe or as an extension of any other ethnic group. The Tampulma are a tribe called Tampulma and speak a language called Tamplim. Linguistically, as already stated, the Tampulmas relate only to the Mo, Sisala and Vagla. The Tampulma have lived in their present native land long before the C17th and had their capital at a village called Kadichari. The village is now defunct and located deep in the Mole Game Reserve near Kpariya. The chief of Kadichari was the leader of all Tampulmas with a title called Kadichari- Tina. Tina in Tampulma means owner. He was also called Kadichari-koora. Koora in Tampulma means chief just as it is in Mo, Sisala etc. The Kadichari Tina was the spiritual and administrative leader of all Tampulmas. He was always chosen from amongst the most senior Kankooras to lead the ethnic group. Kankoora in Tampulma means a war leader. Every community in Tampulma land (Tamplim tiene) up till today has a Kankoora who is a war leader of the community. As already stated, Tampulmas were great warriors but lost administrative capabilities after the vanishing of the last Kadichari-Tina in the late C17th. While the Kankooras did the fighting, the chief (Kadichari-Tina) gave the administrative direction. It is not therefore surprising that after the vanishing of Kadichari-Tina Dorka in the late C17th, Tampulmas lost their sense of organisation which other tribes like the Gonja capitalised on and manipulated the tribe. THE TAMPULMA ENCOUNTER WITH THE GONJA The Gonjas arrived on the Tampulma land (Tamplim tiene) in the middle of the C17th. On arrival, they met the Tampulmas who were well organised under their chief (Kadichari-Tina). As was their mission, the Gonjas engaged in several wars with the Tampulmas. But the Tampulmas under their chief stood firm and repelled the Gonjas any time they attacked. The last of the wars fought between the two was in the latter part of the C17th when the Gonja realised a good number of Tampulma warriors had left for Mamprugu to support the Mamprusis. At the end of that war there was no victor and no vanquished. Both tribes suffered serious casualties. The two tribes lost a lot of their members to death and serious injuries recorded to the extent that they had to smoke a piece pipe. Kadichari-Tina Dorka vanished with his wife and his horse and has never been seen up to date. On a lighter note, it is believed he became the legendary Okomfo Anokye of the great Ashanti Kingdom. At that same war, before he vanished he and his people had wrecked great havoc on the Gonja Army which forced them to retreat southwards. This explains why there is no single Gonja community in Tampulma land except Daboya. At the end of that war, the survivals of both tribes entered into a covenant never to go to war against each other after smoking the peace pipe. It was also sworn by both tribes that any group that starts a war against the other shall lose the war. It is that covenant that has kept Tampulma and Gonja in peace in the Wasipe area up to date. Therefore, the assertion from some Gonja writers that Gonjas conquered Tampulmas is never true. Gonja has never conquered Tampulmas in any war. As far as the Tampulma Ethnic Group is concerned, the leader of the Gonja Tribe, Ndewura Jakpa of blessed memory never enskined any of his sons or agents on Tampulma land as he did at places he conquered since he never conquered the Tampulma people. The Wasipe skin of the Wasipe Traditional Area and its people migrated from the Bole area (a community named Wasipe) of the Northern Region to the current town of Daboya long after the wars of conquest. To confirm this, before he vanish Kadichari-Tina Dorka left his regalia a (hat) with his senior son the Kpariya-Tina. The presence of that regalia in Kpariya made Kpariya a sacred home for all Tampulmas and that no senior chief (commander) from Gonja land is allowed to step foot in Kpariya or see face to face with the Kpariya chief. If any chief did serious misfortune or disease will befall him. Wasipewura Chinchanko who in the 1920,s defied this undertaken and visited Kpariya did not only loose his horse got deskinned by the colonial Government on return to Daboya, but was also sent on exile to Tamale and never saw Daboya until his death. GONJA MANIPULATION OF THE TAMPULMA Nobody can deny the fact that having migrated from the old Sudanese Empire of Mali; the Gonja carried with them a lot of administrative experience over other tribes they encountered in all areas they went including the Tampulmas. The land forming the Wasipe Traditional Area belongs to two ethnic groups, i.e. the Tampulma and Hanga. Having failed in their war of conquest over the Tampulma, the Gonja adopted a different system (marry to rule) to enable them hold strong to the Tampulma land. MARRY TO RULE When the Gonja realised the spiritual and war strength of the Kankooras across the Tampulma land (Tamplim tiene) they adopted a system of marrying the daughters of these powerful men. The male children produce from these marriages became the chiefs in the Wasipe traditional area. Out of this system emerged two gates in the Wasipe traditional area which include: 1. Tampulma Gate 2. Hanga Gate It is very rear to have a Wasipewura whose parents are both Gonjas. The adoption of this system helped them to hold on to Tampulma land until date. By this system, the Tampulma even felt proud to see their nephews as the Wasipewura and that disenable Tampulmas from installing their own paramount chief. Under this system, the Tampulma gate dominated the Wasipe skin since most of the time; the Tampulma by virtue of their strength facilitated their nephews on to the skin. As regards to the dominance, Wasipewura Mahama Asafo of blessed memory granting an interview to the Canadian Anthropologist in the early 1970s confirmed he was the 22nd Wasipewura since the inception of the skin. Out of these, he said the Tampulma Gate was credited with fifteen (15) chiefs including himself. On the facilitation of their nephews onto the skin, there is evidence to this. During the 1892 Daboya chieftaincy crises involving Wasipewura Asei and Wasipewura Achiri Kofi, the Tampulmas marshalled forces to topple Achiri Kofi and re-instated Wasipewura Asei after Wasipewura Achiri Kofi had gone to hire Zabaramas who helped him oust Wasipewura Asei from the skin. Individuals under this system who ascended to the Wasipe skin help to suppress the efforts of the Tampulmas to install their own chief. A typical example of this suppression was meted out to Tampulma by Yagbonwura Awusi of blessed memory. Yagbonwura Awusi Ewuntomah Bunyangso who happened to be the first Wasipewura to have ascended to the Yagbon skin was maternally a Tampulma. He played a pivotal role in the return of some Tampulmas from the Mamprugu back home. On their return, their leader Kankoora Batom of blessed memory approached the Yagbonwura to help the tribe installed a paramount chief which he accepted in principle but failed to execute that request since we did not have the same culture and tradition. The Yagbonwura was also aware that no Gonja King ever played any role in the installation of the Tampulma chief (Kadichari-Tina). Kankoora Batom explained to the Yagbonwura that before their ancestors left Tampulma land to Mamprugu they had their King. Now that they have returned home nothing of that sought exists amongst their Kin. He was therefore appealing to the Yagbonwura Awusi as the paramount chief of the Gonja Traditional Area on which the Tampulma land was situated and also nephew of their fraternity to help them enskin Kadichari-Tina to help unite the tribe. According to oral sources, Yagbonwura Awusi Ewuntomah Bunyangso agreed to this request but never acted on it until his demise. TAMPULMA ETHNIC GROUP RE-INSTALLED PARAMOUNTCY AFTER OVER 300 YEARS Kadichari-Tina Dorka vanished with his wife and his horse in a war with the Gonja around 1690s. Since then no Kadichari-Tina was installed until 2000AD. Sources from the Gonja side states that the Kadichari Skin was disbanded after their last war with the Tampulma. We Tampulmas do not agree with this class of taught and wish to bring to the fore the two main reasons why it took the Tampulma ethnic group over 300 years to installed a Paramount Chief (Kadichari-Tina). The first reason for this delay was from the Tampulma side. With the Tampulma, they felt their King was not dead and as such they could not perform the funeral. He vanished with his wife and horse so they were confident that he will definitely return one day. Once the funeral was not performed they could not install a new Kadichari-Tina. It was not until the receipt of formal education that helped demystified this assertion that the current generation decided to perform the funeral and reinstalled a new Kadichari-Tina a skin they always describe as a war chief. The second reason was from the Gonja side where they felt threaten any time the name Kadichari-Tina was mentioned. Even today, the elderly in Gonja land who heard the true history of the activities of the Kadichari-Tina Dorka gets frighten when they hear the name Kadichari-Tina. The Gonja fraternity have confessed that the late King of Tampulmas terrorised them so much that they can never forget of him. He was a thorn in their flesh and that explains why they never want to hear his name. As a result, they will do all they can to ensure that the name never resurface. According to oral sources, just as the Tampulma never believed their King was dead, so do the Gonjas. They are always of the conviction that the King will return since he was not dead and buried. It is therefore out of this fear that the Gonjas were resisting all attempts for Tampulmas to install a Kadichari-Tina. However, in the year 2000AD the late Kadichari-Tina (Musah Mahama I) summoned all elders of Tampulma to Yabum where he negotiated for the performance of the funeral of our late King and also requested to be install the next Kadichari-Tina after the performance of the funeral. He was granted the permission to perform the funeral which he did and was finally installed Kadichari-Tina Musah Mahama I the first time in over 300 years. REFERENCE Adu Boahen, (1966); Topics in West African History 28.11.2017 LISTEN Experience has showed that no country has developed without mobilizing and harnessing its critical human resources. This was the call by His Excellency Papa Owusu-Ankomah, Ghanas High Commissioner to UK & Republic of Ireland during an interaction with the Ghanaian community in Luton, UK on Saturday, 25th November 2017. The visit to Luton was on the heels of last weeks official engagement of H.E. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to UK. The visit, among others, has ignited so much interest in the Ghanaian story such that, the High Commission is inundated with many invitations and round table discussions on business opportunities in the country. The visit to Luton also forms part of the Missions strategic programme of deepening engagement with Ghanaians resident in UK and also promote the country as a conducive destination in the sub-region for private sector investment. Similar visits have taken the High Commissioner to Liverpool, Glasgow and Manchester. Mayoral Team comprising of the Mayor of Luton Cllr. Mohammed Ayub, Mayoress Cllr. Naseem Ayub as well as the Deputy Mayor Cllr. David Agbley, who happens to be of Ghanaian descent welcomed the High Commissioner to the town. Other dignitaries included the High Sheriff of Bedfordshire Vinod Taylor, Pastor Lloyd Denny (Chair of Luton in Harmony), David Jonathan- Luton Council of Faith, Cllr. Jacqui Burnett, Rev. Bishop David Foh Amoaning and others. In interaction with the Mayoral team, the High Commissioner reiterated his call for partnerships between the Ghanaian private sector and the business community in Luton. The Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Luton in their welcome remarks underscored the positive role of the Ghanaian community in the town and pointed out that Luton is ambitious, innovative and set to become a major player in the UK economy with the launch of 1.5 billion inward investment programme in the Luton Investment Framework (LIF). It is anticipated that this will transform the town and create 18,500 quality jobs for the local community. Luton, with its population of about 200,000 has over 120 languages,and proud of its ethnic diversity, with about 55% of the population from black and minority ethnic groups including those of Ghanaian descent. In a brief statement as part of symbolic lightning up the town for Christmas festivities, the High Commissioner commended Luton for building a strong community based on cultural diversity and pointed out that Ghana is well positioned to engage in business and cultural exchanges with the town. Thereafter, H.E.Papa Owusu-Ankomah, atawell-attended meeting with the Ghanaian community at Lutons town Chamber reiterated the theme for this years 60th Independence Anniversary; Mobilizing for the Future, and challenged the diaspora community to bring their expertise and skills to bear on the countrys development agenda. The High Commissioner emphasised the fact that Ghanaians excel in every field of endeavour outside Ghana and the recent OBE lists of Her Royal Majesty the Queen, attest to this fact. He called on members of the diaspora community to channel their innovative resources to enhance the economic renaissance of a new Ghana Beyond Aid. Being a country noted for the first, history was also made since this happened to be the first time an African High Commissioner has ever delivered a speech at Lutons Chamber. The High Commissioner also used the platform to answer questions and highlighted on various governments initiatives including the Free Senior Secondary School Programme, e-registration of companies, Ghana Card, Paperless clearance of goods from the ports, National Digital Address System, streamlining of land registration, etc. Accompanying the High Commissioner were George Blankson, Head of Consular and Welfare, Kofi Addo, Head of Trade & Investment and Adoma Dennis, Counsellor, Consular & Welfare of Ghana High Commission. 2017-11-28 073321 Foreign Affairs Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey is expected to appear before Parliament to answer questions about the Libyan slave situation. In an urgent question filed by North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa Tuesday, the Minority is demanding answers on whether some Ghanaians have been caught up in the situation. Hundreds of African migrants are reportedly being sold in open slave markets in Libya. Foreign Affairs Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey Footage released by CNN from Libya, showed young men from sub-Saharan Africa being auctioned as farm workers. Slave raiders reportedly prey on vulnerable people who use Libyas coast to cross the Mediterranean into Europe, a route that has been described by experts as the deadliest route on earth. The North African country has for years been the gateway for Africans who are trying to get to Europe by sea, with more than 150,000 estimated to have crossed it within the last three years. The issue has triggered international condemnation, but Libyan officials have denied the claim. The Minority wants the Foreign Affairs Minister to clarify if some Ghanaians have been involved in the matter. Meanwhile, Joy News will be organising a forum on migration come Thursday in collaboration with DW TV. DW TVs Thomas Mosch said the programme will draw participants from government institutions, Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and migration institutions to find a way to stop the risky journey. Ghana and Italy have resolved to deepen the bilateral relations that exist between the two countries, as well as explore areas of interest which will inure to the mutual benefit of the two countries and their respective populations. This was disclosed on Tuesday, 28th November, 2017, when the Italian Prime Minister, Paolo Gentiloni, paid a courtesy call on the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, as part of a days working visit to Ghana. Addressing a joint press conference at the Presidency, President Akufo-Addo noted that relations between Ghana and Italy date several years, recalling the involvement of Italian companies in the construction of the Akosombo dam, Kpone dam, and the Tema Oil Refinery. President Akufo-Addo noted that subsequent visit to Italy by former Presidents J.A. Kufuor and John Mahama really broke the barriers of allowing us to even establish even stronger links. The President noted that the arrival of Paolo Gentiloni is within the context of this strong relationship that is between our two countries. Touching on the many areas of Ghanas national life where Italian involvement has been important, President Akufo-Addo acknowledged the support given to the Kofi Anan Peace Keeping Training Centre by the Italian government. The training and investment between our countries is modest but is important and the biggest investment in our nation for over a decade is that which has been made by the Italian state owned petroleum company ENI, the President said. He continued, The ENI investment is extremely important for the future of our country, not only in developing our oil deposits, but also, perhaps, even more significantly, in the gas resources that are going to be developed by them. The involvement of ENI, the President acknowledged gives us the opportunity to become increasingly self-sufficient in our energy generation. We are looking forward for greater intercourse with ENI that would allow us to go into other areas of the energy portfolio. On the impending 5th AU-EU summit, which will take place in Cote dIvoire from Wednesday, 29th November, President Akufo-Addo was hopeful that the Summit would define more concretely the relationship between the two continents. Looking at issues of common concern, the development of our economy, the issue of migration, issues of terrorism that confront both our continents, it is my expectation and hope that both Ghana and Italy will play very constructive roles tomorrow in defining this new understanding, this new relationship between Europe and Africa, the President added. Togo's President Faure Gnassingbe was on Tuesday urged not to seek re-election in 2020 to guarantee his place in history as the man who ushered in peaceful political change. Gnassingbe, who has been in power since the death of his father in 2005, has been the target of a wave of protests since late August calling on him to quit. Three more opposition marches are scheduled to take place on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Opposition stalwart Gilchrist Olympio said Gnassingbe and his government should accept a return to the 1992 constitution, which sets a 10-year limit for presidents. "Faure Gnassingbe must then accept the principle of not running in the presidential elections of 2020, to leave the field clear for democratic consultation," he told reporters. "The chance is being offered... to go down in history by creating the conditions for the peaceful change of power," he added. Olympio also called on the opposition to be united and plot a way forward, as well as announcing his retirement from politics. The 80-year-old's father Sylvanus, was Togo's first president after independence from French colonial rule in 1960. He was killed in a military coup in 1963 in which President Gnassingbe's father, General Gnassingbe Eyadema, took part. Gilchrist opposed the general for years after he seized power in 1967 but in May 2010 signed an agreement that brought his UFC party into government. A coalition of 14 opposition parties want the re-introduction of a two-term limit for presidents plus a two-round voting system at elections. At least 16 people have been killed in a series of protests, which have seen hundreds of thousands of people take to the streets across Togo. The opposition has rejected a government proposal for two-term limits because it is not retroactive, which potentially means Gnassingbe could stand at the 2020 and 2025 elections. Mediators such as Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo and Guinea's Alpha Conde are trying to open up talks between the two sides. Accra 28th November, 2017: A truck driver, Dawu Kwame and a civil engineer, Nicholas Selorm are the winners of brand new Hyundai Grand i10 taxis after the third and fourth mini draws took place in the ongoing Shell Filling No Y3 Deep Taxi Bonanza. Jeffery Kwaku Manso, a trotro driver and James Arkoful, a taxi driver both won a one year and six months free fuel respectively in the third draw whilst Abdul Adam, an electrical engineer won six months free fuel in the fourth draw. In addition, over 500 people won amazing prizes including free shopping vouchers and Shell Helix lubricants in both draws. I never believed it was me. I initially thought it was one of those jokes from friends. So when I had the call, I didnt take it seriously. However I came to the venue on the set date for the presentation. Upon approaching, I saw the car and a lot of people gathered before it dawned on me that truly, I had won a car. I am very grateful to Vivo Energy and the Shell promotion because, I will be counted as a car owner in my family, said Dawu Kwame during the presentation. The Retail Manager of Vivo Energy Ghana, Mr. Kwame Ackah, who represented the Managing Director, encouraged all customers to continue to buy at least GHS60 worth of fuel to stand a chance of winning any of the remaining two taxis in the promotion. The Shell Filling No Y3 Deep Taxi Bonanza is being run in partnership with the National Lotteries Authority (NLA) on the Caritas platform and Hyundai World by Hyundai Motors & Investments Ghana Limited. Last Friday, I was invited to deliver a lecture on the topic Mugabe: Freedom Fighter or Dictator at Futa Square in Nima. It was an educative session. I want to share the bullet points I touched on here. I further explained the points during the lecture though. Follow and read more on the points raised. Thank you. Amilcar Cabral stated in his book Unity and Struggle that In all our studies, history is best qualified to reward all research. On this basis let me take you slightly into history. It was Kwame Nkrumah, the one who knows that stated that Those who would judge us merely by the heights we have achieved would do well to remember the depths from which we started. Once upon a time, there lived a happy people called Matabeleland with their great king called Lobengula Khumalo. Matabeleland was named after its people, the Ndebele. Other ethnic groups include Tonga, Kalanga, Venda, Khoi Sani, Twana, Xhosa and Zulu. One fine afternoon, a group of free-booters led by Cecil Rhodes, (a man who had the reasoning that the more of the world we inhabit the better it is for the human race. He therefore advocated vigorous settler colonialism, describing the countrys black population as largely in a state of barbarism and advocated their governance as a subject race and was at the center of moves to marginalize them politically. He is a White Supremacist and an architect of Apartheid) visited Matabeleland with some few drinks (snaps), mirror, gun and gun powder and 100 British Pounds and presented it to the king. After that they handed Lobengula a paper and told him they wanted his signature on it. The king had no signature so therefore they made him to thumbprint. After that, Rhodes stated that by the paper that the king had thumb printed, he had ceded off the mineral and mining rights of the Matabeleland to him and his group for thousand years. The King protested and demanded withdrawal from that thievery of an agreement. Cecil Rhodes therefore brought the full force of their military industrial complex and pounded the Matabeleland people into submission. The people of Matabeleland were shut down and forced down in their numbers and it became obvious that they could not match the forces of Rhodes and conceded. Immediately, Rhodes changed the name of the place to Rhodesia. The whole idea of colonialism in Zimbabwe was thievery, blackmail, plunder and pillage, hoodwinking and bamboozling and above all murder. This is a brief history of colonial occupation of Matabeleland. A history of savagery. A history of barbarism. A history of thievery by the British. The one the world does not want to talk about now. On 21st February, 1924 at the Kutama Mission village, a small boy was born to a carpenter and a catechist. He was named Robert Mugabe. His grandfather was Constantine Karigamombe, a strong man who served Lobengula. So to Mugabe, Independence of Zimbabwe was their birthright which they never sold at any point in history. He was a constant victim of abuse by other boys who viewed him as a mummys pet. Mugabe excelled at school and was described as secretive and solitary child preferring to read alone rather than playing sports or socializing with other children. He won scholarship to study at South Africa at Fort Hare. There he joined the African National Congress and learnt Marxist ideas. His biggest influence then was Mahatma Gandhi. In 1958, he moved to Ghana. He said I went to Ghana to be an adventurist. I wanted to see what it will be like to be an independent African state. In 1960, he returned to Zimbabwe with his Ghanaian wife. He led the ZANU to attain independence for ZIMBABWE. The Zimbabwe African National Union became the political vanguard and carried it upon themselves to restore not just the glory of Matabeleland but to take back their full independence. Independence too we know is not an end in itself but a means to an end. This whole idea of Yellow Journalism, smear campaign to paint Mugabe as a demon is therefore understandable. He has been targeted for vengeful reportage and image-tarnishing enterprise. The Dictatorship label is been pushed by British Broadcasting Corporation and its allies whose nose have been bloodied by the drive by Mugabe to assert the full independence of the Zimbabwean people. I have had the opportunity to read the profile of some dictators and Mugabe is not part of them. Dictators take decisions that are arbitrary, whimsical and capricious. Mugabe never took a unilateral decision. Everything was approved by the Central Committee. Even the sacking of the Vice President was agreed by the Central Committee and Cabinet. The last time I checked, no dictator kept the constitution of his land. Mugabe never suspended the constitution. He has always subjected himself to the peoples scrutiny. I am yet to see a dictator who abides by the constitution and governmental institution of his lands. He has always contested and won the elections. Mugabe democratized education in Zimbabwe. He ensured every child attended school and not only the children of whites as done earlier. He increased the level of education of his people. And Education is the factory that turns an animal into a human being. A Dictator never gives wide-scale education to his people like Mugabe did. Zimbabwe has the highest literacy rate in Africa. When you give people education, you open their eyes. The whole dictatorship call is an enterprise of convenience. The imperialists dont care about the desire of the people. The point is any leader who will do the difficult things to resist attempts to co-opt his country and its resources will find himself given all sorts of labels. One of the criticisms against Mugabe is his prolonged stay in power. Though I stand against any leaders prolong hold on power, I tend to see the criticism of Mugabe along that tangent as hypocrisy. Houphuet Boinye, the former President of Cote dIvoire was in power for 30 years with the active support of France was never described as a Dictator. Iddi Amin was supported by the West. During the late 1960s, Milton Obotes move to the left, which included his Common Mans Charter and the Nationalization of 80 British companies, had made the West worried that he would pose a threat to Western capitalist interests in Africa and make Uganda an ally of the Soviet Union. So Iddi Amin was supported by Israel, West Germany and Great Britain. As a matter of fact, his right hand man was a British called Robert Astles (Major Bob Astles). Mobutu serviced the economy of Belgium and therefore did not receive the dictator label from the West when he was alive. In Obamas Audacity of Hope, he lamented the fact that the US at a point in time supported thieves like Mobuto and Iddi Amin. I dissociate myself from the decision to make his wife the Vice President. I dont like the idea of First ladies poking their noses into Presidential affairs. But will you blame a 93 year old man whose brain is in his wifes pocket? I am not happy with how the land was redistributed. But if he decides to take back the land from Criminals to Black People, is it right or wrong? Lastly, I am not happy because Mugabe as President was the Last Standing Pillar of Pan-Africanism on the continent. His ousting means Africa will further be manipulated through its puppet leaders. I end with Mugabes statement himself. Mr. President, Zimbabwe won its independence on 18th April, 1980, after a protracted war against British colonial imperialism which denied us human rights and democracy. That colonial system which suppressed and oppressed us enjoyed the support of many countries of the West who were signatories to the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Even after 1945, it would appear that the Berlin Conference of 1884, through which Africa was parceled to colonial European powers, remained stronger than the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is therefore clear that for the West, vested economic interests, racial and ethnocentric considerations proved stronger than their adherence to principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The West still negates our sovereignties by way of control of our resources, in the process making us mere chattels in our own lands, mere minders of its trans-national interests. In my own country and other sister states in Southern Africa, the most visible form of this control has been over land despoiled from us at the onset of British colonialism. That control largely persists, although it stands firmly challenged in Zimbabwe, thereby triggering the current stand-off between us and Britain, supported by her cousin states, most notably the United States and Australia. Mr. Bush, Mr. Blair and now Mr. Browns sense of human rights precludes our peoples right to their God-given resources, which in their view must be controlled by their kith and kin. I am termed dictator because I have rejected this supremacist view and frustrated the neo-colonialists. Mr. President, Clearly the history of the struggle for our own national and peoples rights is unknown to the president of the United States of America. He thinks the Declaration of Human Rights starts with his last term in office! He thinks he can introduce to us, who bore the brunt of fighting for the freedoms of our peoples, the virtues of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. What rank hypocrisy! Mr. President, I lost eleven precious years of my life in the jail of a white man whose freedom and well- being I have assured from the first day of Zimbabwes Independence. I lost a further fifteen years fighting white injustice in my country. Ian Smith is responsible for the death of well over 50 000 of my people. I bear scars of his tyranny which Britain and America condoned. I meet his victims every day. Yet he walks free. He farms free. He talks freely, associates freely under a black Government. We taught him democracy. We gave him back his humanity. He would have faced a different fate here and in Europe if the 50 000 he killed were Europeans. Africa has not called for a Nuremberg trial against the white world which committed heinous crimes against its own humanity. It has not hunted perpetrators of this genocide, many of whom live to this day, nor has it got reparations from those who offended against it. Instead it is Africa which is in the dock, facing trial from the same world that persecuted it for centuries. https://okorosite.wordpress.com/2017/11/15/mugabes-powerful-and-vociferous-speech-to-the-un-general-assembly/ Thank you! Okor[email protected] NB: The Writer is a Youth Activist and a Student of Knowledge The Management of the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) has been closely following media reports that seem to suggest that teacher trainee allowances are not being paid. We take this opportunity toinform the general public and our immediate stakeholders that payment of teacher trainee allowances started in October 2017 for the 2017/18 academic year. Prior to the reintroduction of the allowances, the Students Loan Trust Fund which is now mandated by Government to disburse the allowances held extensive consultations with the Principals of Colleges of Education (PRINCOF) and the Teacher Trainee Association of Ghana (TTAG) to agree on the modalities for payment. The SLTF also visited all 41 Colleges of Education who are benefiting from the allowance to educate the trainees on the conditions they need to satisfy to benefit from the allowance. For trainees to benefit from the allowance, certain conditions must be met by the trainee and by the College of Education in which s/he is enrolled in. The trainees must be duly registered in the academic year in their institution. In addition, the trainee must obtain a SSNIT number and an E-zwhich account number onto which the allowance is paid electronically. The College of Education must in turn forward a list of all eligible students to the SLTF for verification and payment. The following is an update of the process so far: Allowances for October and November have been disbursed to all colleges that presented school lists on time. 28,467 students have been paid as at 24th November 2017. For those colleges that presented their lists late, payment of both October and November allowances is being paid this month. There have been some challenges with the data of some students including presentation of wrong SSNIT numbers, misspelling of names, wrong ezwhich numbers, and duplication of student data. Once these anomalies are corrected, the affected students will be paid all their outstanding allowances. Many colleges are yet to present complete data of their first year students. Once this is done, they will be paid their outstanding allowances. By the agreed timetable with stakeholders, allowances are payable at the end of every month in which trainees are in school. The SLTF is committed to putting in place a rigorous disbursement system that will protect the public purse and serve its stakeholders efficiently. About Students Loan Trust Fund The students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) was established in December 2005 under the Trustee Incorporation Act 1962, Act 106. As part of reforms to makeaccreditedtertiary education more accessible to the majority of qualified Ghanaian students, the Government of Ghana passed the Student Loan Trust Fund Act, Act 820 (2011) for the efficient and effective disbursement of financial resources to tertiary students. The Trust Fund has the responsibility to recover loans from students after the completion of theirtertiary education. The principal objectives of the Trust Fund are to provide financial resources for the sound management of the Trust for the benefit of students and to help promote and facilitate the national ideals enshrined in Article 25 and 38 of the 1992 Constitution. President Emmanuel Macron kicked off his maiden African tour Tuesday by vowing to declassify secret French files on Burkina Faso's assassinated leader, Thomas Sankara, hailed as a hero in much of the continent. The terror threat has cast a shadow over Macron's swing through West Africa, with three civilians wounded in an attempted grenade attack on French troops in Ouagadougou, the Burkinabe capital, shortly before his arrival late Monday. "Two hooded individuals on a motorcycle threw a grenade towards a French army vehicle" as it made its way to a barracks housing French special forces, a security source told AFP on condition of anonymity. The three-day trip aims to boost France's influence in West Africa, taking Macron from Burkina Faso -- bearing the brunt of jihadist attacks in the Sahel -- to a European-African summit in Ivory Coast and finally to Ghana, a former British colony. After meeting Burkinabe President Roch Marc Christian Kabore, Macron touched on one of the country's greatest traumas -- the killing of its revered leader Sankara, 30 years ago. 'Africa's Che Guevara' "At present, except for documents which are classified and categorised as secret, the files are available and open to Burkinabe justice," Macron said. "I have made a clear undertaking and I have just told President Kabore: these documents will now be declassified for Burkinabe justice, which will have access to all the documents on the Sankara affair." Sankara, a charismatic young army captain dubbed "Africa's Che Guevara", was cut down in a hail of bullets on October 15, 1987 on his way to a special cabinet meeting. Many Burkinabe today suspect that France played a role in the putsch which brought Sankara's close friend Blaise Compaore to power. Compaore went on to rule Burkina Faso with a rod of iron until October 2014, when he was ousted by a popular uprising. About a dozen people have been charged in connection with Sankara's assassination including soldiers from the presidential security unit. Compaore, who is in exile in Ivory Coast, is the subject of an international arrest warrant over the killing. Colonial crimes 'indisputable' But his visit has stirred up some protest, with demonstrators erecting a barricade and burning tyres on a road leading to Ougadougou University where Macron was to give a speech, prompting the deployment of riot police. Macron's visit has sparked criticism on social media in this former French colony, notably over the lucrative contracts French companies sweep up in the region as well as of Paris' historical support for African autocrats. In his speech, Macron was quick to address the scars of the colonial period, saying "the crimes of European colonisation are indisputable," but insisting it was "a past which has to pass." But he also looked to the future, saying African was facing a challenge "that we cannot escape, that of demography", he said. "When you have demographic growth which consistently outpaces economic growth, you will never manage to fight poverty," he said. "Not talking about this is irresponsible." Several months ago, Macron came under fire over a speech on demographic, democratic and security challenges in Africa in which he said the continent had "civilisational" problems in which he flagged the fact that women had "seven or eight children". Migration and security Speaking in Ouagadougou, Macron promised to declassify files on Sankara's assassination for Burkinabe investigators Macron's advisers say his main message is to stress a partnership of equals with Africa, based on education and entrepreneurship. But regional security concerns will also be discussed at a summit of the European Union and African Union on Wednesday and Thursday that will bring together over 80 leaders from the two continents. European leaders are desperate to stem the flow of African migrants across the Mediterranean without leaving them at the mercy of traffickers in transit countries such as Libya, where they face torture, rape and being sold into slavery. Macron will also seek international backing for a five-nation African counter-terror force which France hopes can eventually take over the fight against jihadist groups in the Sahel region. Ouagadougou has suffered two recent Islamist terror attacks -- a shooting spree in January 2016 that left 20 dead and a similar assault by gunmen in August that killed 19. French special forces have been present in the country since 2010 to help regional governments tackle jihadist violence in the Sahel, particularly in neighbouring Mali. A Canadian prosecutor arrived in Democratic Republic of Congo Tuesday following a request by the UN chief that he lead a team to help the inquiry into the murder of two UN experts. Robert Petit arrived in Kananga, the main city in the restive central Kasai province, where he met with regional governor Justin Milonga, an AFP correspondent said. In a letter to the Security Council dated October 31, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he had named Petit as head of a team set up "to assist with the national investigation into the killing of Ms. Catalan, Mr. Sharp and the four Congolese nationals accompanying them". Zaida Catalan, a Swedish-Chilean national and American Michael Sharp were killed in March while investigating reports of more than 40 mass graves in the war-torn Kasai region. Their bodies were found 16 days later. Catalan had been decapitated. A UN report released in June described their murder as a "premeditated setup" in which state security may have been involved. Guterres said the team would include four technical experts and support staff, and that Petit would travel "regularly" to DR Congo "to liaise with the relevant Congolese authorities and other parties and to oversee the work of the technical experts". The four experts would be based in Kanaga where they would be "embedded with the team of investigators appointed by the national authorities responsible for the investigations", said the letter, a copy of which was seen by AFP. The Congolese authorities have said the pair were killed by militia members, with four suspects put on trial before a military tribunal on June 5. But the proceedings were suspended in October ahead of the arrival of the UN team, defence lawyer Serge Miseka told AFP on Tuesday. 28.11.2017 LISTEN The European Union has affirmed its commitment to supporting Nigeria s effort at improving her judicial sector as well as strengthening the Buharis administrations fight against corruption through the financing of a 23.3 million Euro (N10 billion) Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme. This is coming at a time that corruption and an ineffective justice system undermines Nigerias efforts at economic and social development and fighting poverty. The Programme, which is funded under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) National Indicative Progamme will consolidate on the achievements of the 10th EDF projects of; Support to the Nigerian Justice Sector (2013 to 2017) and Support to Anti-Corruption in Nigeria (2013 to 2017). The RoLAC aligns with the Nigerian governments commitment to fighting against corruption, reforming the criminal justice system, and increasing access to justice for women, children and people with disabilities. The programme will be implemented by the British Council at the federal level and in four states of Adamawa, Anambra, Kano and Lagos. The EU Ambassador and Head of Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Ketil Karlsen, who was represented by Kurt Cornelis at the launch of a Four Year RoLAC progamme in Abuja on Tuesday said criminal justice reform and the fight against corruption are complementary and mutually reinforcing. He said, corruption is both a cause and a driver of poor governance and performance of the criminal justice system. As at the time a strong Nigerian criminal justice sector, able to dispense timely and effective justice would strengthen the fight against corruption as incentives to engage in corrupt practices are reduced. The Programme Director at the British Council, Dr. Bob Arnot said the approach is not to bring predetermined solutions but to work in collaboration with Nigerian states and non-state actors to develop and implement sustainable initiatives that will build upon and consolidate the success of the EUs previous support to Nigeria in the justice and anti-corruption sector under the 10th EDF. He said that the British Councils long experience in Niger in the sector will also be brought to bear to ensure the successful completion of all interventions. Launching the programme on behalf of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubkar Malami, the Director, International Comparative Law Department in the Ministry, Mrs. Stella Anukam appreciated both E and the British Council for rolling out the programme aiming at strengthening the nations judicial reformation strategies. We at the Federal Ministry of Justice applaud your immense contributions and efforts. We reaffirm our commitment to you on this laudable programme. I am happy that it has been branded Nigerian programme, she said. She called for total commitment on the part of all stakeholders towards the implementation of the programme and expressed hope that the four component of the programme with a total of 19 outputs will be fully achieved at the end of four years. She presented the work plan for the RoLAC Programme to both EU and British Council officials. Hon Justice Jude Okeke who represented the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court at the event said the Court which has been in the forefront in the fight against corruption and support for the administration of criminal justice will always ensure that justice within the jurisdiction of the court is dispensed on time. The Director-General of NAPTIP, Dame Julie Okah-Donli said the programmes fall within the purview of the Agency's mandate of securing justice for the vulnerable group like women and children, stressing that the programme is coming at the right time. The Women Affairs Minister, Hajia Aisha Alhassan represented by her Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Ifeoma Anagbogu commended the sponsor of the programme for involving the Ministry in the role out the project which will increase access to justice for women, children and people with disabilities. She said the programme will add to the all-inclusive approach to seek justice for the vulnerable group. Representing the four focus states, the Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General of Kano State, Ibrahim Mukhtar appreciated the EU for considering them for states. He said RoLAC will tremendously impact positively on the judicial system of the concerned states. He promised a full cooperation of the four states in the implementation process. 28.11.2017 LISTEN Formal secondary education in Ghana has been the driving force of radical social, economic, and political change. The importance of this force demands a sustained engagement in terms of chronicling history. This engagement should provide a framework for understanding and interrogating the ways in which our secondary schools have contributed to national development. St. Augustines College - Conquering with Perseverance, is a strong example of such a chronicle, as it provides valuable information about St. Augustine's College and its relationship with Ghana in a developmental context. Situated a literal stones throw away from the Atlantic Ocean and a few kilometers from the Fosu Lagoon in Cape Coast, Augusco is beautiful in terms of location. Created and run by the Catholic mission in the then Gold Coast, Augusco is solid in terms of ideology. Having produced countless examples of excellence, Augusco is outstanding by pedigree. Such distinction requires a quality almanac, and that is where St. Augustines College - Conquering with Perseverance comes in. This well-organized almanac traces the history of St. Augustines from its nascent birth through the establishment of the teacher training college to the secondary school itself, better known as the College. Enough information is provided at each step, and it will interest the audience to see how meticulous the founders were in systematically going through the creation process. These initial chapters again explain the decision to name the College after Aurelius Augustinus, the philosophy of the College, when the College took off, as well as the houses of residence that provide accommodation for the young men of the College. The almanac continues by providing a solid picture of the schools administration, its achievements, the role of the past students union (APSU), among other interesting chapters. One chapter of particular interest is Chapter 26, whereAPSUnians from each decade since the inception of the College share their experiences with relation to Augusco. This chapter is laden with gems that not only underline the different engagements with the College from different eras but also indicate the ways in which the College is a consistent mainstay in Ghanas evolution. Overall, St. Augustines College - Conquering with Perseverance is a tremendous work that is well-researched and contributes massively to educational formation and nation building. The Foreign Affairs Ministry says some 168 undocumented Ghanaian detainees discovered in Libya were not victims of the reported slave trade. In a statement Tuesday, the Ministry said the detainees were arrested on illegal immigration charges and were already being held in detention camps. In view of the discovery, these were undocumented Ghanaians immediately issued with the necessary travel documents to facilitate their repatriation to Ghana on a chartered flight, with support from the International Migration Organisation (IOM), the statement added. Hundreds of African migrants are reportedly being sold in open slave markets in Libya. Footage released by CNN from Libya, showed young men from sub-Saharan Africa being auctioned as farm workers. Slave raiders reportedly prey on vulnerable people who use Libyas coast to cross the Mediterranean into Europe, a route that has been described by experts as the deadliest route on earth. The North African country has for years been the gateway for Africans who are trying to get to Europe by sea, with more than 150,000 estimated to have crossed it within the last three years. Foreign Affairs Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey is expected to appear before Parliament to answer questions about the slave situation. In an urgent question filed by North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa Tuesday, the Minority is demanding answers on whether some Ghanaians have been caught up in the situation. But the Ministry said it went to the aid of the undocumented detainees following disturbing reports of Ghanaians being sold off as slaves in Libya. Foreign Affairs Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey It said the Ghana Mission in Malta with concurrent accreditation for Libya paid a consular visit to the three detention centers; Tajoora, Trek Al Sika and Trek Malta. The Ministry said it has its ears on the ground and will keep the general public updated. Meanwhile, government is taking steps to open a consulate in Libya following the closure of the Mission during the Libyan crisis. Story by Ghana| Myjoyonline.com |Abubakar Ibrahim |[email protected] A Sudanese civilian employee of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in war-torn Darfur has been arrested and charged with sexually abusing a minor, the mission said Tuesday. It said the Sudanese police had informed it that the suspect was arrested on Sunday. Both the accused and the alleged victim of the incident in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, are Sudanese nationals, it said. "The mission condemns, in the strongest possible terms, any instance of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse committed by UN personnel in the Darfur region," mission chief Jeremiah Mamabolo said in a statement. "We are guided by a zero tolerant policy on such abhorrent incidents and will not tolerate or condone the perpetration of such acts." Being a civilian employee and a Sudanese national, the suspect does not have the full immunity enjoyed by expatriates working for the UN mission. Sudanese officials claim that the conflict in Darfur has ended, but UN rights experts have regularly highlighted cases of rights abuses including rapes in camps for people displaced by the conflict. War erupted in Darfur in 2003 when ethnic minority rebels mounted an insurgency against the Arab-dominated government of President Omar al-Bashir, which they accused of economic and political discrimination. The UN says the conflict has killed 300,000 people and displaced more than 2.5 million. The joint African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur, also called UNAMID, was deployed in Darfur in 2007 to rein in the conflict. It is currently undergoing a major downsizing of its peacekeeping force. The integrity of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has been attacked after Supreme Court (SC) ignored an order by the continental court, to halt actions against businessman Alfred Woyome. Law lecturer with the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Justice Srem Sai has questioned why the NPP signed up to the African Court for Human and Peoples Rights in 2005, if it did not consider it as a serious body. The African Human Rights Court had directed government last Friday to cease efforts to retrieve the sum of 51.2million wrongfully paid to Mr Woyome until a case pending before it has been adjudicated. Related Article: Relief for Woyome as African Human Rights Court orders Ghana stay Law lecturer Justice Srem Sai The Tanzania-based court noted the businessman will suffer some irreparable harm if properties belonging to him are auctioned off, especially if the case before the African court goes in his favour. But the apex court in Ghana on Tuesday disregarded the order by the African Court, directing the government to go ahead with plans to sell Mr Woyomes properties. Deputy Attorney-General Godfred Yeboah Dame told Joy News the Treaty setting up the continental court has not been ratified by Parliament. He said the government will not waver in its resolve to retrieve the money paid to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) financier. Related Article: Woyome relief shortlived as SC ignores African Courts ruling But Mr Srem Sai said the action by the apex court constitutes a major setback for the countrys international relations. It may be fair for the Supreme Court to say that it is unaware of any law to compel it, but it will not be accurate to say even having knowledge of such an institution, it will still be the final court of judicature in international law, he said. Private legal practitioner, Yaw Oppong The Treaty setting up the court was ratified by the John Agyekum Kufuor-led NPP administration in 2005, but the law lecturer wondered if they did not take that job seriously. But private legal practitioner, Yaw Oppong has lauded the SCs decision, saying it has ensured that the sanctity of our constitution prevails. The Central University law lecturer said the apex court has been vested with the final judicial powers, noting no other court in Ghana or elsewhere can pretend to supervise or turn into an appellate court. The outspoken lawyer said because there is no act that has converted the African Court for Human and Peoples Rights protocol into an act of Parliament, its ruling cannot be binding. If it has not been ratified, it is not valid, he added. Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Austin Brakopowers | M: [email protected] 28.11.2017 LISTEN Youthful! Beautiful! Adorable, the fast rising IT girl AMIRA IBRAHIM-ALFA, Host of 53 EXTRA TV broadcast on M-Net Africa Magic has been invited to Host the next Miss Commonwealth International Pageant 2017, in London UK. We at Commonwealth International Ltd, London, UK are pleased and proud to inform you that Miss Amira Ibrahim-Alfa has been invited to be our co-host in respect of our forth coming event, holding our Annual Empowerment Event for commonwealth Nations to come and participant on World platform in London during the period from 24th November 2017 to 27th November 2017, the Grand Coronation Night is scheduled for Sunday 26TH November 2017. We are pleased to inform the public of Amira Ibrahim-Alfa's acceptance to co-host this year's 17th Anniversary of Miss Commonwealth International Pageant 2017. Participants for the prestigious Commonwealth tittles are coming from Africa, Asia-pacific, Caribbean and Euro Atlantic, these are sectors of Commonwealth. Amira Ibrahim- Alfa, the American born Nigerian, holds a master degree in Theatre Arts from Middlesex University London, UK and BA (Hons) degree in Advertising from the University Of The Arts London (LCC). She passed The Performing Arts School exam in Lamda, UK. During her maters program 2015/2016, she came to Nigeria and did her internship with EbonyLife TV in production (as a Production Assistant) and primarily worked on the First Stars Reality Show (a competitive reality show that gave young filmmakers the opportunity to show their creativity and skills to a global audience). Amira started school production act at the age of 3 years old and first broke into the Nigerian media scene at the age of 9 years old when she stared alongside Joke Silva, Olu Jacobs, Buky Ajayi and Bimbo Manuel in an award winning film by Fred Amata- "THE KINGMAKER". She then took a break to further her education in England, where she continued to train and participate in productions e.g. Sweet Charity - As Nickie, OLIVER- as the Artful Dodger, Ipi Tombi just to mention few. She was honoured with the 2012 Excellence Drama award in England (Mounts St. Mary's College Derbyshire). Amira has worked alongside designers such as FinAfrik and Nikki Khiran, Ade Bakare, Tiannah, Maufechi, LuxuryByFeyi etc. Amira is currently The Face of Africa Fashion Week Nigeria and London 2017. Talking about marriages these which include Nigerian celebs, it tends to give many goose bumps with the perception that Nigerian celebs are promiscuous. Nollywood actress, Moyo Lawal, is not happy with this perception which was the allegation she got from a fan who attacked her after posting that there are still faithful men in the country. She stressed that things tend to look that ugly for the celebs because they are popular due to their line of business. In her words, I strongly disagree about that celebrities are more promiscuous, they are just popular making it easier for everyone to know their business. BHP is Cutting Costs BHP Billiton Ltd [ASX:BHP] is planning to cut costs big-time over the next two years. The mining giant aims to save $2.2 billion, which would mean a 10% cut to unit costs across the board. Cost-cutting isnt BHPs only focus, though. Its also hoping to bump up production alongside the proposed savings. Iron ore in particular has been flagged by the miner. BHP wants to bring production rates up to 290 million tonnes a year by the end of 2019. Something the company is already on track to achieve, as noted by BHP Australia president Mike Henry: Weve put in place the granular plans that get us to 290, and thats going to be a big achievement in its own right That goal should easily be within the companys reach. BHPs WA sites are forecasting 275280 million tonnes of iron ore next year, provided there are no hiccups along the way. Iron Ore Prices Not a Concern And iron prices could be the least of its concerns. BHP says that it expects unit costs to be less than US$14 a tonne next year. Which is well below the markets current US$67 price. Meaning BHP can likely weather anything short of a catastrophe in iron ore demand. No End in Sight for Chinese Demand BHP is confident that Chinese demand isnt going away in the long run. The company concedes that short-term demand may slip due to policies in China. BHPs vice-president of marketing Vicky Binns told investors: While steel production in China will fall in the short term due to the mandated winter cuts and this could impact short term demand for iron ore and met coalrecord margins means competition for premium quality raw materials is high That high demand is also likely to be boosted by the highly anticipated One Belt, One Road initiative. This is a US$1.3 trillion project that BHP expects will require an extra 150 million tonnes of steel. Similarly, BHP believes China will fuel more demand for copper as well. Especially as the country is set to impose a ban on assembled copper scrap at the end of next year. Which means the Middle Kingdom will need to shore up supplies with more blister, anode and cathode copper. It seems Chinas growth saga still has a few chapters left. Especially for commodities. Yet BHP isnt the only miner thats seeing a windfall from Chinese demand. Check out what we believe are the top 10 mining stocks on the ASX for more great opportunities. Regards, Ryan Clarkson-Ledward, Junior Analyst, Money Morning You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Review of CI.133 will aid in ... Microphone and US Flag View Photos During the Democratic Weekly Address, Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) criticized the Republican tax plan, saying it benefits the wealthy at the expense of others. Bennet was Tuesdays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. Here are his words: Hello everybody. I hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving. And we extend a special thanks to the incredible men and women serving every day to protect us from harm and defend the freedoms we cherish. In many ways, this has been a difficult year, and our politics can often seem irredeemably broken. But Thanksgiving is also a time to step back and remember that we have so much more in common than the partisan bickering that fills our television screens. I know that all of us sitting around the Thanksgiving table want something better for our kids and our grandkidsto leave them a country with a future brighter than its past. But that will only be true if we do for them what our parents and grandparents did for us. We now face a test of our commitment to providing that future. As early as next week the United States Senate may vote on a tax bill an incredibly consequential piece of legislation affecting our entire economy for decades to come. Written in secret, this bill is being rushed to the floor without hearings or the chance for the American people to weigh in. As the vote approaches, Im reminded of a mom I met in the small town of Rifle, Colorado at an early childhood center. In the course of our conversation, she said to me, I have a job so I can have health insurance, and every single dollar I earn goes to pay for this early childhood center, so I can work. Too many Americans face this cycle, living each day with impossible choices their parents and grandparents were never asked to make. Yet, under the Republican tax plan, people making over $1 million a year would receive tax cuts of about $59,000 per year, while families earning $50,000 or less would see just $160 or $7.50 more each paycheck. Tens of millions of middle class families would actually see their taxes go up. And even though sabotaging our health care system has no place in a tax bill, Republicans doubled down by adding a provision at the last minute that would cause 13 million Americans to lose health insurance and premiums to rise by 10 percent. The central challenge with our economy is not that people at the top dont have enough. Its that incomes for everyone else like that mom in Rifle havent kept pace with rising costs of housing, health care, higher education, and childcare. The question before us is: are we going to ease that burden, or add to it? This bill helps the relatively small number of families that make over $1 million a year and adds to the burden of others. That alone should be enough for us to scrap this approach, but whats even more stunning is that it does this while adding at least $1.5 trillion, and perhaps as much as $2.5 trillion, to our debt. Our kids will bear that burden and the debt will restrict their future. Americas children dont have a vote in the United States Senate. The generation after them doesnt have a vote. We owe them the freedom to make their own choices, the same freedom our parents and grandparents had the decency to provide for us. And thats why I hope youre well rested because this week, well need to raise our voices and fight for that future. Democrats are committed to working in a bipartisan way to accomplish responsible tax reform that actually grows our economy and creates jobs. But the partisan bill thats in front of us is the opposite of what we need. Please take the time to let your representatives know that you want tax reform that lifts every family. Thank you. The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML. By Enrico Verga, a writer, consultant, and entrepreneur based in Milan. As a consultant, he concentrates on firms interested in opportunities in international and digital markets. His articles have appeared in Il Sole 24 Ore, Capo Horn, Longitude, Il Fatto Quotidiano, and many other publications. You can follow him on Twitter @enricoverga. Bitcoin, and cryptocurrencies more generally, consume huge amounts of energy. According to an analysis by Digiconomist, Bitcoin alone is currently eating up nearly as much energy as the entire Slovak Republic. Per the same site, the energy devoted to a single Bitcoin transaction could power 10 American households for a day. Keep in mind that Americans devour energy in Italy the same transaction could power more than 50 households for a day. It is worth remembering that there are three other virtual currencies not included in these figures. The activity known as Bitcoin mining, as currently conceived, not only consumes energy quickly, but does so at a continually increasing rate. Continuing in this manner will lead to steadily more severe environmental consequences, absent changes in the relevant technological systems. If you search for Bitcoin on Google, you get about 200 million results; if you search for Bitcoin pollution, you get about 800,000. One wouldnt say that the media finds the environmental impact of Bitcoin mining a particularly thrilling topic. To understand better the complexities and dangers here, lets look more closely at the world of cryptocurrency mining. Hard Labor in the Mines Miners play a crucial role in every cryptocurrency system. A cryptocurrencys goals include (1) validating new transactions in a way resistant to fraud, and (2) enforcing a limit on how fast Bitcoins can be created and transactions validated. The basic setup involves mathematical functions called hashes that are easy to calculate but hard to reverse. It is easy to compute the hash function even of a large amount of data, but it is very difficult to tamper with the data without causing major changes in the hash value. In the case of cryptocurrencies, the large block of data is the records describing a collection of new transactions. All of the blocks together form a linked list (the block chain or ledger), with each block containing the hash of the block added just before it. Suppose now that a hacker tries to modify a block. That will trash its hash value, and comparing the hash with the value thats supposed to match it in the following block will reveal that something is wrong. The way this regulates the speed of creation of new blocks is that a part of the new blocks header (the nonce) is not fixed in advance. It has to be chosen so that the new blocks hash will satisfy some sort of restriction (typically, starting with a certain number of zeros). The only way to validate the new block is to calculate hashes for every possible value of the nonce until you hit one that works. In practice, there is a global contest to see who can solve the computing puzzle for a new block. The winner is paid in Bitcoin. Solving the contest requires a ton of computing power (work). In this sense, the activity of a Bitcoin miner is not entirely dissimilar to that of an ordinary miner who toils in order to extract raw materials (gold, copper, silver) that will make it possible for a mint to coin money. For more details on this process, see for example here. Miners Evolve Digital mining has undergone substantial evolution. Once, it was the hobby of a few individuals who knew something about IT, trying to pump as much performance as possible out of their PCs. Today it is a capital-intensive industry that uses machines with hardware configurations designed specifically for mining. As a result, a small number of large hardware manufacturers profits from offering the cryptocurrency industry their newest and most efficient equipment. Meanwhile, single miners have turned into big mining conglomerates of various types. Remote hosting systems and cloud-based mining services offer customers the possibility of getting involved with mining without having to deal with computing equipment directly this is virtual mining. There are also the big physical miners who over time have become increasingly structured, and now maintain large data centers throughout the world. A third type of conglomerate has also developed, so-called mining pools. These involve individual and corporate miners who pool their computing power into virtual aggregates that aim to solve mining (hashing) problems more frequently and thus increase their profits. Pools subdivide their winnings in proportion to the amount of computing power each miner has contributed. Many of these pools have become professional organizations that go so far as to provide customer support services to their members. The Better the Miners Become, the More Energy Gets Consumed Imagine a mining computer capable of earning one Bitcoin each month. Then 10 such computers should in theory be able to earn 10 Bitcoins. The virtual currency world must therefore constantly keep in mind the potential problem of overproduction. The solution currently in use is straightforward: the more computing power is collectively brought to bear on mining, the more the puzzles to solve are made more difficult. This ceaseless struggle between computing power and computing difficulty has led to a circle that may seem virtuous but only if one ignores the impact on the environment. Nothing Is Created, Nothing Is Destroyed Now that we understand this virtuous or vicious circle, lets map out where the major real miners are (i.e. the locations of the machines that actually do calculations and burn energy). According to a University of Cambridge study, miners in just two countries account for the bulk of mining activity: China (58%) and the US (16%). Mining consumes energy in two ways: energy directly consumed while doing calculations, and energy required by the air-conditioning units that keep the computers from overheating (gamer readers can relate to this by recalling how much a PC can heat up while playing a computationally intensive game). Compare the huge server farms of IT and media companies (e.g. Facebook and Google) here the choice of where to locate this large energy consumption tends to fall on areas where energy costs are low, and if possible also where there is cooler weather. Miners tend to make similar choices, with little interest in how the energy they consume is produced. Miners want three things in a mining location: (1) low energy costs, (2) a cold climate, (3) fast Internet connections. Regarding low energy costs, several countries (such as China, see the map below) have clear advantages. On climate, northern Europe, Russia, Canada, and Alaska are the best options. As a matter of fact, little mining takes place in Russia, but mining in Canada is increasing. For fast and reliable Internet access, it is essential to be in a country where networks have high capacity and are well-maintained and secure. The following map (again from the Cambridge study) shows the interplay of these factors with mining activity: How Is the Energy Produced? As mentioned above, the US and China alone represent nearly three quarters of all mining activity. With this in mind, it is important to remember that their energy markets are far from being environmentally sustainable. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 73% of Chinas energy production in 2016 was based on the consumption of coal and other fossil fuels. Although the EIA estimates that Chinas coal consumption will eventually stabilize, through 2040 we are looking at consumption that is at least 40% based on fossil fuels. Thus, for example, the Bitmain group bases its mining activity in the Chinese region of Ordos, and it satisfies its demand for energy by using local coal-based energy production. The US (the base of almost one sixth of cryptocurrency mining) is also heavily dependent on fossil fuels. Between coal and natural gas, more than 64% of American energy production depends on polluting, nonrenewable forms of energy. Solutions? Recently there have been indications that the electrical company of Sichuan intends to disrupt the supply of electricity to cryptocurrency miners it has in fact started to raise prices for large consumers. This is perhaps a wise move, but the result might only be that miners relocate elsewhere. Bram Cohen, the inventor of the BitTorrent system for file sharing, has proposed a radical way out. A few weeks ago, Cohen announced that he is working on a new system, whose goal is to base verification on Proof of Time and Proof of Storage. The existing cryptocurrency verification system is based on Proof of Work, i.e. making sure that verifying a new block requires a certain substantial amount of computations (work). Cohens intent is to develop a system in which verification is based not on energy consumption but on hard disk space that miners keep free over time. The idea is an intriguing one and its proponent already has on his resume the creation of one innovative approach to distributing data. However, in the absence of changes along these or similar lines, the problem of the energy demand of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies is a real and growing one. If today, with Bitcoin at $8000, Bitcoin rivals the Slovak Republic in energy consumption, think about what will happen if (as its optimists dream) Bitcoin reaches $40,000. Currently, the matter is straightforward. Whoever uses Bitcoin is a polluter. Tell them to stop. An earlier version of this article, in Italian, was published by Forbes and can be read here. By Gaius Publius, a professional writer living on the West Coast of the United States and frequent contributor to DownWithTyranny, digby, Truthout, and Naked Capitalism. Follow him on Twitter @Gaius_Publius, Tumblr and Facebook. GP article archive here. Originally published at DownWithTyranny Whos responsible for carbon emissions? By 1890 the U.S. had taken the dominant position and held it until 2000 (source; click to enlarge). This piece contains a small number of simple ideas: Its going to take force to fight climate change. Asking and negotiating wont do the job. Theres no time to wait. New studies show sea level rise could be as much as 11 feet by the end of the century. Just because we cant stop all of the coming disaster doesnt mean we cant mitigate, perhaps even halve, its effects. Lets look at these points one by one. Its Going to Take Force Anyone who thinks that asking the billionaires who run our government, and have done so since Reagan snatched the 1980 election from Carter, to do something effective about the catastrophic effects of climate change that person is dreaming TV-induced dreams of public figures doing the right thing when right things need to be done. No one with power will do the right thing when it comes to climate change, or do enough of it to actually matter (though one person perhaps would have, had he advanced far enough). The most we can hope for from current mainstream leadership is for people to look like theyre doing the right thing, or to do some of the right things, but not enough of them to upset the money-laden apple cart that gets them elected, or to turn the mainstream press so against them that they get the Sanders-Kucinich treatment. Recall that even Al Gore got the Sanders-Kucinich treatment from the press, one of the under-mentioned factors in his loss to Bush. Were going to have to use force. What does using force mean when it comes to climate action? Here are just a two examples of many I could cite. So far these are orderly uses of force. (Disorderly uses of force are likely to come later, in the form of social chaos driven by global impotent anger, and are less likely to be effective. Well consider that set of outcomes at another time.) The Building Is Burning and All the Worlds Babies Are In It An example of the orderly use of force, from climate activist Emily Johnston writing at The Guardian: I shut down an oil pipeline because climate change is a ticking bomb Normal methods of political action and protest are simply not working. If we dont reduce emissions boldly and fast, thats genocide A little over a year ago, four friends and I shut down all five pipelines carrying tar sands crude oil into the United States by using emergency shut-off valves. As recent months have made clear, climate change is not only an imminent threat; it is an existing catastrophe. Its going to get worse, and tar sands oilthe dirtiest oil on Earthis one of the reasons. We did this very, very carefullyafter talking to pipeline engineers, and doing our own research. Before we touched a thing, we called the pipeline companies twice to warn them, and let them turn off the pipelines themselves if they thought that was better; all of them did so. We knew we were at risk for years in prison. But the nation needs to wake up now to whats coming our way if we dont reduce emissions boldly and fast; business as usual is now genocidal. The reason this counts as using force, despite the fact that nothing they did was permanent, is this it gave them access to the courts and the necessity defense (emphasis added): One major hope of ours was to set legal precedent by using the necessity defense and bringing in expert witnesses to testify that because of the egregious nature of tar sands crude and the urgency of the climate crisis, wed actually been acting in accordance with higher laws. The classic example of a legitimate use of the necessity defense is when someone is arrested for breaking and entering after they hear a baby crying in a burning building, and rush in to save her. Because it requires a high bar of proofyou must have tried everything else, the danger must be imminent, the action must be likely to be effectivecourts seldom even allow this defense to be argued, or expert witnesses to be brought; their only concern, generally, is did you break and enter? Not why. Three of our trials (which are in four states) had already rejected the use of the necessity defense. In North Dakota, the judge said essentially Im not going to let you put US energy policy on trial. But recently, I and the other Minnesota defendants were finally granted it. I have little doubt that the awful weather events of the last couple of months played some role in thisits not just scientists seeing the truth anymore: the building is indeed burning, and all the worlds babies are in it. The building is indeed burning. Its time to not think about property rights imagine that revolution! and save the babies instead. Putting the Prosecutor on Trial A final note. Recall above that the North Dakota judge said bringing climate science into the defense would allow the defendants to put US energy policy on trial. Thats exactly right and exactly whats at stake. Johnston comments, I was struck by the North Dakota judges implicit understanding that letting science be spoken in her courtroom would have had the effect of putting energy policy on trialof reversing, in effect, who was the defendant, and who the prosecutor (my emphasis). Putting the energy industry on trial is precisely the tack to take. A second example of the same use of force: Climate scientist and pioneer James Hansen is doing exactly the same thing here, and for exactly the same reasons global justice. A small handful of the powerful super-rich should not be allowed to destroy the lives of billions of their fellow humans, born and unborn, for just a short decade or so of added profit. Will the billionaires and the governments they control stand down and do the right thing? I wouldnt bet on it its going to take force. Note that orderly force can take many other forms as well, for example, destroying the stock price of fossil fuel-dependent energy companies, which Ive written about before. Theres No Time to Wait The second main point is that theres no time to wait. Every day it seems theres new news on the climate front, all with the same message were constantly wrong to the slow side, constantly comforting ourselves with underestimates of the speed of this evolving crisis. The latest is this, a new study showing that a feedback loop in the West Antarctica ice shelf may, by the end of this century, melt enough land-borne ice to sink coastal cities worldwide under as much as 11 feet of water (my emphasis): With marine ice cliff instability, sea-level rise for the next century is potentially much larger than we thought it might be five or 10 years ago, Poinar says. A lot of this newfound concern is driven by the research of two climatologists: Rob DeConto at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and David Pollard at Penn State University. A study they published last year was the first to incorporate the latest understanding of marine ice-cliff instability into a continent-scale model of Antarctica. Their results drove estimates for how high the seas could rise this century sharply higher. Antarctic model raises prospect of unstoppable ice collapse, read the headline in the scientific journal Nature, a publication not known for hyperbole. Instead of a three-foot increase in ocean levels by the end of the century, six feet was more likely, according to DeConto and Pollards findings. But if carbon emissions continue to track on something resembling a worst-case scenario, the full 11 feet of ice locked in West Antarctica might be freed up, their study showed. The result? Three feet of sea-level rise would be bad, leading to more frequent flooding of U.S. cities such as New Orleans, Houston, New York, and Miami. Pacific Island nations, like the Marshall Islands, would lose most of their territory. Unfortunately, it now seems like three feet is possible only under the rosiest of scenarios. At six feet, though, around 12 million people in the United States would be displaced, and the worlds most vulnerable megacities, like Shanghai, Mumbai, and Ho Chi Minh City, could be wiped off the map. At 11 feet, land currently inhabited by hundreds of millions of people worldwide would wind up underwater. South Florida would be largely uninhabitable; floods on the scale of Hurricane Sandy would strike twice a month in New York and New Jersey, as the tug of the moon alone would be enough to send tidewaters into homes and buildings. Theres no time left to dawdle. If we cant end carbon emissions in an orderly way, theres no way we can relocate all the worlds coastal cities in an orderly way. The chaos alone of all that relocation would kill most of the would-be escapees. Mitigating Climate Disaster Isnt All-or-Nothing Which leads to the last point, one last word for those whove thrown in the towel on the likely fate of our species. Just as the climate disaster is and will be a rolling nightmare, advancing from frontier to frontier in its destruction meaning, it wont all happen at once, but in stages so is disaster mitigation a rolling series of preventions that can knock off the worst climate effects one by one. But only if we act. If we started now, for example, we can very likely prevent the West Antarctic ice shelf disaster mentioned above, according to the authors of the study. If the divestment movement takes firmer hold, and shareholder lawsuits increase against an industry thats been lying for 50 years about the price instability of their in-the-ground assets, Big Oil could see financial decline well in advance of major climate collapses. If Big Oil collapses, a massive, aggressive, worldwide turn to renewables would be the only safe way left to keep the world in kilowatts a welcome and effective turn from a climate perspective. If the necessity defense really takes hold in American (or global) jurisprudence in climate cases against Big Oil companies, they could be threatened with bankruptcy due to damage lawsuits alone. After all, how great are the damages? More than they or their shareholders could begin to think of paying. How do you price the global devolution of a species from a smart-phone culture to the New New Stone Age? Any number of mitigating events could and will happen in the next 10 years, events that wont cancel climate consequences that ship has sailed but that could offset a great many of those effects still in doubt. In that sense, its not already over thats way too digital, too all-or-nothing an analysis. Its only already over if no one acts at all, and thats just not whats happening. Many, like those cited above and a great many more, are already acting, and acting with increasing force. Thats encouraging. Its also encouraging that the real (and so far failed) Resistance, which started with Occupy and continued through the 2016 election, has not ended. That fight against Rule by the Rich is also the climate fight, and thankfully, its not going to stop on any of its major fronts, including the battle for a human-livable climate. Jerri-Lynn here: Interesting post, discussing who is behind the influential Legatum think tank source of some of the misguided and magical thinking thats seduced many elite Brexit supporters, both in politics and the media By Peter Geoghegan, an Irish writer and journalist based in Glasgow. His books include A Difficult Difference: Race, Religion and the new Northern Ireland. Originally published at openDemocracy Its arguably the most influential think tank in the country, pushing a free market pro-Brexit vision and enjoying privileged access to media and ministers. But what does their background in disaster capitalism tell us about Legatums Brexit agenda? In June 2016, the Legatum Institute was just another free market think tank floating around the edges of Westminster. If youd heard of it at all, it was probably for its regular prosperity indexes, which provided fodder for countless news stories about the happiest, richest and even the most hard-up places to live. Fast forward less than eighteen months. Legatum is now the Brexiteers think tank of choice. Funded by a Dubai-based, New Zealand-born billionaire as well as around 40 mostly anonymous donors and based in plush Mayfair offices, Legatum has the ear of large sections of the British media and government. But former Legatum employees and others we spoke to called into question the think tanks experience and raised concerns about the burgeoning influence of the group. Labour MP Ben Bradshaw recently called for the UK government to look at the Legatum Institute, its relationship with the Government, and the background of its founder and main funder, Christopher Chandler. Legatums belief that Britain should remove all tariffs has almost become an article of faith for leading eurosceptics, including Brexit minister Steve Baker. In a recent Times op-ed Shanker Singham, chairman of Legatums self-styled special trade commission, wrote that Britain could maximise the benefits and minimise the disruptions of Brexit by leaving the EU as soon as possible and removing tariffs. The Irish border is a mere bagatelle, easily resolved by drones and creative thinking. Legatum has garnered lots of publicity of late. This weekend the Mail on Sunday reported that Singham was involved in drawing up Boris and Johnson and Michael Goves recent Brexit ultimatum. Meanwhile, Edward Lucas in the Times accused anyone who wanted to know more about Legatum and their influence on the UK government of breathtaking hypocrisy. But what do trade experts think of Legatum? The FT said that Legatums most recent report, the Brexit Inflection Point, report was riddled with misconceptions large and small. On Twitter, George Peretz, a lawyer specialising in trade law, described the proposal that the UK could become a world leader by immediate radical deregulation of tariffs as not a realistic way forward. Australia has just knocked back such a vision for post-Brexit trade with the UK. Previous Legatum reports have also met disdainful responses from experts. In September, the thinktank suggested it could solve the Irish border problem using drones. It also proposed the UK government should consider giving a prize for technological solutions to incentivise the development of innovative solutions. A prize to solve the Irish border problem? Publicly, politicos in Belfast politely described Legatums ideas as highly problematic. Privately, the language was far less restrained. But of course, we have all had enough of experts. Except, it seems, if the expert is Shanker Singham. Michael Gove himself told the Commons in February that he was sanguine about Brexit because he was taking the lead from Shanker Singham and other distinguished trade negotiators who believe leaving the EU will deliver economic growth both in the UK and across the world. While business complains of a lack of access to government, Singham has not struggled to get a hearing, meeting ministries at least seven times, most recently Michael Gove on Friday. When executives and business figures met with David Davis and other ministers at Chevening House during the summer, Singham was the sole think-tank representative present. In July and August, Singham held private meetings with Philip Rycroft, a topcivil servant at DExEU. Singham gave evidence to the Committee on Exiting the European Union. He also had meetings with Lord Headley of Bridges at Downing Street before the peer resigned from DExEU in June although the Brexit department refused to release minutes of that meeting or a list of attendees, in a response to a Freedom of Information request made by WhatDoTheyKnow. David Daviss department has been similarly reluctant to release information about other meetings between Legatum and Brexit ministers and officials, despite requests from openDemocracy and others. Steve Baker, the ardently eurosceptic Brexit minister, has heaped praise on Legatum in parliament and on his own website on at least 20 occasions. When Baker spoke highly of Legatum during a Commons debate in February 2017, his fellow Tory and Remainer Ed Vaizey responded: I know the Legatum Institute well because the chap who has become flavour of the month for his knowledge of trade deals, Shanker Singham, was at school with me, which automatically makes him a dangerous member of the liberal metropolitan elite. It is important that we are aware that one of the Brexiteers great champions is a member of the dangerous liberal metropolitan elite. Singham, and Legatum, is certainly very well thought of in Conservative circles. He is undoubtedly very knowledgeable regarding trade agreements, a well-placed Tory source said. He seems to know more about the possibilities created by Brexit than anyone else. Theresa May, then home secretary, was guest speaker at the 2015 Legatum summer party. Many leading Conservatives have approvingly cited Legatum reports in recent months. Some have questioned the depth of Legatum and Singhams trade expertise. Before joining Legatum at the start of 2016 as director of economic policy and prosperity studies , Singham was managing director for competitiveness and enterprise cities at Babson Global, in Boston. Among Babsons clients were the government of Republika Srpska, which comprises roughly half of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Republika Srpska has been controlled for more than a decade by the authoritarian Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik. Earlier this year, the US imposed sanctions on Dodik. Legatum director Shankam Signham in the Bosnian statelet of Republika Srpska. Facebook/Fair rights usage. In October 2014, Singham met with Republika Srpska president Zeljka Cvijanovic in Banja Luka to sign a letter of intent to build an entrepreneurs city in the Serb-run statelet. From our inquiries this city has yet to be built. Legatum was not always well disposed towards Brexit. Before the June 2016 referendum, it widely seen as a liberal, pro-EU outfit. Among those employed from its Mayfair offices were US author Anne Applebaum and Soviet-born British journalist Peter Pomerantsev. That changed in the wake of Brexit. Applebaum left after Philippa Stroud was appointed as CEO, in September 2016. The eurosceptic Baroness Stroud co-founded the Centre for Social Justice think-tank and was a special adviser to Brexiteer Iain Duncan Smith. Although a Remain voter during the EU referendum, Singham became head of a new Legatum special trade commission. There were other personnel changes at Legatum. Matthew Elliot, head of Vote Leave, became a senior fellow. Toby Baxendale, who helped run Andrea Leadsoms Tory leadership campaign, became a trustee. Donkeys spend 4 days in UP police custody for eating expensive plants at Jalaun jail India Today Transportation is now the biggest source of US CO2 emissions Treehugger Want to reduce the energy used by buildings? Make cities denser. Vox This Guy Makes Money Off Your Cigarette Butts and Flip-Flops Bloomberg Germany swings EU vote in favor of weed-killer glyphosate Reuters Thank you for distracting everyone from my shit-show of a government, May tells Meghan Daily Mash Bali volcano: Mt Agung ash shuts airport for second day BBC Tesla truck will need energy of 4,000 homes to recharge, research claims FT Class Warfare Tax Reform Senators Scramble to Advance Tax Bill That Increasingly Rewards Wealthy NYT Second skin Times Literary Supplement. An introduction to Islamic fashion. Wells Fargo Wells Fargo Bankers, Chasing Bonuses, Overcharged Hundreds of Clients WSJ. So, its not just the little people who got screwed. Lets see if any real consequences ensue. U.S. top court spurns challenge to Maryland assault weapons ban Reuters. furzy: a speck of good news. In data breach lawsuit, Chicago slams Uber for trusting word of criminals Ars Technica Big Brother IS Watching You Watch Brexit New Cold War Enabling Genocide Truthdig Myanmar accused of wiping out secret network of Rohingya reporters Guardian (furzy) Our Famously Free Press Medias complicated relationship with VC funding Columbia Journalism Review. More interesting than the headline promises. Net Neutrality China? Disgraced Chinese general commits suicide SCMP Trump Transition Sex in Politics Not! India Syraqistan How Anonymity Allowed Sexism in Economics to Be Revealed The Wire Antidote du jour: See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. The first dog-handling, counter-narcotics training course for ten Central Asian officers started at the Dog Handling Centre of the State Border Guard of Latvia on 27 November 2017 in Rezekne, eastern Latvia. The training is part of a counter-narcotics training project that NATO has been developing with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) since early 2016. The project provides a unique, combined approach to countering drugs-trafficking by connecting the target countries of the drugs trade in Europe and North America with the source and transit countries. During training, officers from Afghanistan, Central Asia and Pakistan can create links with their European and North American counterparts, which enable them to better combat cross-border narcotics trafficking. Unique cooperation Trainees can follow a range of courses at various levels. The information provided during classes is often based on the latest cases investigated by the instructors themselves, combining theoretical approaches with practical exercises. Through their participation in the course, trainees can establish a personal and professional network with their colleagues at national, regional and international levels. Building technical capacities and skills is the most sustainable way to empower countries as a reflection of shared responsibility, vision and commitment to address the drug control challenges that impact the world, says Ashita Mittal, Regional Representative at the UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia based in Tashkent. The UNODC-NATO partnership is one such example of the unique technical cooperation initiatives that provides an excellent opportunity for cross fertilisation of expertise and experiences for multiple law enforcement officers to build capacities to address the complex challenges of counter narcotics in the region. Training is carried out by academies and instructors from NATO and partner countries. The main training provider for the project is the Turkish International Academy against Drugs and Organised Crime (TADOC) based in Ankara, which provides training in Turkey as well as mobile training courses across the region. Training is also provided by Italy, Latvia and the United States. Earlier this year, Ukraine, a key NATO partner, also provided specialised canine training for Central Asian units in the use of sniffer dogs to detect drugs, at a training centre in the Lviv region. Since the project began in 2016, 203 counter narcotics officers have received training, while a total of 450 are due to have passed through the NATO-UNODC courses by the end of 2017. Strengthened relationships The partnership between NATO and UNODC allows both organisations to contribute to promoting peace, justice and strong institutions through strengthening international cooperation in combating illicit drug trafficking. The project also contributes NATOs Partnership for Peace (PfP) programme by increasing stability, diminishing threats to peace, and building strengthened security relationships between individual Euro-Atlantic partners and NATO, as well as among partner countries. PfP serves as a forum for practical bilateral cooperation between individual Euro-Atlantic partner countries and NATO. I strongly condemn North Koreas new ballistic missile test. This is a further breach of multiple UN Security Council Resolutions, undermining regional and international security. Recently, I visited NATOs regional partners, Japan and the Republic of Korea, and together we urged North Korea to refrain from further provocations, and abandon its nuclear and missile programmes. I repeat that call today. North Korea needs to re-engage in a credible and meaningful dialogue with the international community. (Natural News) Mysterious blasts are being heard all over the world and no one can seem to figure out whats causing them. From Alabama to Michigan, Idaho to California, Russia to Denmark, experts and non-experts alike are trying to figure out whether these mysterious booms are coming from ground explosions, objects falling from the sky, or something else. A boom in the state of Alabama, for instance, was heard and felt through 11 counties last Tuesday at around 1:39 CST. An earthquake event has since been ruled out, leaving both average citizens and experts puzzled and without answers. Just one day later, a similar boom was heard in the state of Idaho, where law enforcement officials still have yet to provide any real explanation. The same thing happened last Saturday in Michigan loud boom, and no explanation. In Colorado, residents of the towns of Lakewood, Brighton, Lochbuie and Elizabeth reported hearing what many of them described as an explosion or a sonic boom around 9:00 at night. The boom was so powerful that it shook homes and left many people confused, bewildered and frightened. It was just like boom and the trailer shook, and I thought, what the heck was that? said resident Ray Armijo in an interview with ABC7. It kind of scared me a bit. Lochbuie Police Chief Tracey McCoy explained to ABC7 that there were no reports of property damage but acknowledged that many residents were shaken up by the mysterious boom. Some stuff in my room visibly moved, said resident Aleja Moronez. Some posters fell off the wall. With the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and nearby Buckley Air Force Base both claiming that there were no operations going on at the time of the blast, residents of Colorado quickly developed their own unique theories. Some claimed that the sound was a meteorite falling from the sky and exploding in the atmosphere. Others argued that it could have been an earthquake, and some even joked on the Lochbuie Police Departments Facebook page that it was an alien invasion. In addition to Alabama, Idaho Michigan, Colorado, Russia and Denmark, similar booms have been heard in San Diego (November 2nd), Minnesota (November 3rd), Bend, Oregon (November 4th), and Tennessee (November 8th). Whatever the source of these mysterious booms is, it certainly appears that they are all connected to each other. While experts may eventually discover where they came from, as of right now, all that we have is our own individual imaginations. Follow more news on the unexplained at Unexplained.news. Sources Included: WND.com Weather.com (Natural News) Its certainly strange how sometimes even the most brilliant minds among us can come up with the most ridiculous ideas imaginable. Sir Isaac Newton, for example, believed that it was possible to see into the future by finding hidden clues and secrets within the Bible. William Herschel, who is credited with discovering the planet Uranus, thought that the surface of the sun was solid and inhabited by alien life. Now, physicist Stephen Hawking has officially joined the list of brilliant minds that say foolish things by arguing that overpopulation will cause planet Earth to turn into a ball of fire by the year 2600 due to the excessive consumption of energy. Hawkings statement, which was made in a video address delivered recently at the Tencent WE Summit in Beijing, was an attempt to get scientists and researchers on board with a plan to create a nano-spacecraft that is capable of reaching our nearest star system, Alpha Centauri, within 20 years. Such a project, Hawking hopes, will allow the people of earth to find a new habitable planet to live on should some kind of catastrophic event destroy our own. While space exploration is something that we should definitely be investing in, the idea that earth is going to turn into a massive ball of fire because of a growing global population and excessive energy consumption is simply preposterous. As a matter of fact, the world population is expected to slow throughout the remainder of the 21st century, and the annual population growth rate has dropped significantly since the 1960s with no signs of reversing. With the exception of the part about earth turning into a giant fireball, Hawkings argument that a growing population and unregulated energy consumption is leading to the destruction of planet earth really isnt that unique among progressives and environmentalists both within the United States and elsewhere. Prince William, for example, recently warned attendants at a gala dinner in London that the future of wildlife is being threatened by rapid population growth. In my lifetime, we have seen global wildlife populations decline by half, the 35-year-old Duke of Cambridge said. We are going to have to work much harder and think much deeper, if we are to ensure that human beings and other species of animal with which we share this planet can continue to co-exist. Prince William went on to explain that Africas population will more than double by the year 2050, and argued that this explosion in population puts wildlife and habitat under enormous pressure. Urbanization, infrastructure development, cultivationall good things in themselves, but they will have a terrible impact unless we begin to plan and to take measures now, he said. (Related: For more on the depopulation movement, visit depopulation.news.) The comments that Prince William made recently in London are reminiscent of comments his father made back in 2010 during a speech at the Oxford Center for Islamic Studies, where he warned that the world faces monumental problems as the global population continues to grow. He also cautioned that the earth doesnt have enough resources to sustain us all, and that a vast proportion is using them all up at Western levels. And therein lies the truth about the anti-population growth movement for many of them (though perhaps more so for Prince Williams rather than Stephen Hawking), it has to do with regulating the energy industry and generally expanding the size and scope of the government. They tell us that earth will face some kind of global catastrophe, and the only way we can possibly prevent it is if we take radical and immediate action, which in the end often hurts us more than it helps us. Sources include: LifeSiteNews.com Dailymail.co.uk (Natural News) Soldiers in Australia may be getting a new wearable device that keeps track of their health status and whereabouts on the battlefield. In the event a soldier is injured, the biometric device would act as an emergency beacon that could help expedite medical assistance and evacuation. Experts hope the wearable technology will reduce overall casualty numbers. The device, called Fight Recorder has already earned the nickname medical black box. Its being developed by two companies, Myriota and IMeasureU, which have received a reported $700,000 from the Australian governments Next Generation Technologies Fund. The two companies were selected out of a group of 47 top-notch companies and universities from across Australia and New Zealand. The Australian Defence Industry will also be working closely with the two companies to develop Fight Recorder. Myriota is a start-up communications company and IMeasureU is a wearable technology company. Sources say Fight Recorder will be probably share some traits with an existing IMeasureU product. Minister for Defence Industry, Christopher Pyne MP, explained, Survival rates for battlefield casualties are closely tied to response times and the Fight Recorder will enable Defence to quickly locate and treat casualties. Once again our local small and medium enterprises have demonstrated they are well placed to deliver Defence innovation, Pyne added. The experts say that the data collected by the device could also be used to help improve the design and performance of equipment and protective clothing used by soldiers. Biometric technology of all kinds is booming; by 2019, the industry is expected to reach $25 billion and more than 500 million scanners are expected to be in use worldwide. But not all of it used for such a noble purpose like rescuing injured soldiers. Facial recognition software is another form of biometric technology thats taking the world by storm, whether it be in the form of your iPhone or security officials using facial scanning software at airports. While there are clearly some great uses for biometric technology (like what the Australian government is seeking to use it for), there are very real concerns about such technology growing into an invasion of privacy. As Georgetown University Law Center on Privacy & Technology Associate Clare Garvie explains, while these technologies can serve a great purpose in certain arenas, there is a mounting concern about how far their uses will expand to. As she notes, these features may grow more commonplace and soon become an acceptable facet of everyday life even though they could easily violate personal privacy on a multitude of levels. Facial recognition software, for example, could one day become a normal part of police monitoring, or stores may use the biometric data to monitor customers. And its not just your privacy thats at risk. Security in the biometric world of facial recognition, fingerprint scans and other measures is a growing concern as well. While its fairly simple to change a password if your bank account gets hacked, changing your face or fingerprints would be quite the undertaking. While many people think that biometric data makes devices more secure, the truth is that they can still be hacked. Marc Goodman, an advisor to the FBI and Interpol, told NBC News, You can always get a new credit card. You can always create a new password. [Its] really hard to get new fingers. You only have ten of them and once that information leaks, its out and theres nothing you can do. Some have already had their fingerprints stolen and there is little recourse once that happens. Clearly, while biometric data can serve a great purpose, proceeding with caution is of utmost importance especially when it comes to the government. Sources for this article include: TheFireArmBlog.com DST.Defence.gov.au NBCNews.com (Natural News) There is an epidemic of anal cancer sweeping across America, and while it might not be politically correct to say so, one group in particular seems to be getting it the most: homosexual men. According to reports, men with HIV who have sex with other men are 100 times more likely to develop anal cancer than HIV-negative men who exclusively have sex with women. This suggests that anal cancer is a disease that almost exclusively afflicts non-straight males who are on the verge of, or already have, AIDS a fact that, again, is likely to ruffle some feathers. Not only that, but anal cancer appears to be a disease that ultimately results from persistent infection with human papillomavirus, or HPV. This is what health authorities are saying anyway as they bemoan the lack of national screening guidelines for detecting HPV infection early in order to prevent it from developing into anal pre-cancer, followed by full-blown anal cancer. It could all just be a ploy to get more people to take HPV vaccines, which have already proven themselves to be a massive hoax created by the pharmaceutical industry to generate more profits. But anal cancer is real, and the LGBT community would certainly become triggered were the media to start addressing it in terms of being a gay mens disease. So serious is this growing epidemic that a recent study published in the journal Cancer aims to come up with better solutions for prevention that will help HIV-positive gay and bisexual men avoid developing anal cancer. The studys conclusion, of course, suggests better anal pre-cancer management and post-treatment HPV vaccination as the best solution. Homosexuals developing anal cancer at high rates represents major public health concern, admits American Cancer Society Back in the 1980s, AIDS was by far the biggest concern within the gay community. Many in the general public expressed worry about contracting the disease from tainted blood and other infected fluids. But now, anal cancer is being declared as the most pressing problem among homosexual men, the Los Angeles Times reportedly calling it the next big crisis for the gay community. The American Cancer Society (ACS) has also declared that it expects to see 8,200 new cases of anal cancer just in 2017 alone. More than half of those who end up developing the disease will be diagnosed at stage III or later, which means they will most likely end up dying. Because of this, the ACS has stated that the scenario represents a major public health concern that, as of yet, does not have a definitive solution. Homosexuals are not the only people developing anal cancer, however. A study conducted in Hawaii found that anybody who has anal sex period, which includes straight couples, is more likely to develop anal cancer than others who do not have anal sex. In a lame attempt at being politically correct, news outlets were quick to suggest that there are other, non-sexual, ways of contracting the disease as well, again trying to deflect from anal sex being the primary cause. But this appears to be little more than a completely made up excuse that tries to cover for homosexuals and lay as little blame on their sexual behavior as possible. The truth is that anal sex is a high-risk activity that increases ones likelihood of developing both HPV infection and anal cancer. In fact, it is high risk for many other types of cancer as well, considering that HPV infection has been shown to lead to cancers of the cervix, vagina, vulva, penis, oral cavity, and rectum. Sources for this article include: DailyMail.co.uk NaturalNews.com PJMedia.com (Natural News) Monsanto has a lot to hide. Repeatedly named as the worlds most evil corporation and known for inspiring protests around the planet, their list of wrongdoings is lengthy and continues to grow. Therefore, its no surprise that they have a lot of documents that theyd like to keep out of the public eye, and new information shows how desperate they are to try to keep the proof of their evil ways from surfacing. Monsanto is currently facing a slew of lawsuits filed by Americans who claim exposure to their Roundup herbicide has caused them or a loved one to develop a type of cancer known as non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The lawsuits are being dealt with together as multi-district litigation in San Francisco under Judge Vince Chhabria in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, although its worth noting that they will be facing hundreds of other lawsuits in several other states as well. In the California cases, Judge Chhabria appears to be growing impatient with Monsantos tactics, threatening to sanction them if they continue with overbroad efforts to keep certain relevant documents from being released to the public, U.S. Right to Knows Carey Gillam reported in EcoWatch. He made his feelings clear when he told attorneys on both sides of the case: I have a problem with Monsanto, because itsit is insisting that stuff be filed under seal that should not be filed under seal. He added that when the documents are relevant to the litigation, they shouldnt be under seal, even if they are not are embarrassing to Monsanto, you know, even if Monsanto doesnt like what they say. The judge has also greenlighted a request by the plaintiffs to obtain documents and depose one of Monsantos key European former officials. Is the EPA in bed with Monsanto? The question at the heart of the lawsuits is whether or not Roundup causes cancer and if Monsanto covered up the risks or ignored them. However, the litigation could also shed light on possible governmental collusion with Monsanto when it comes to its assessment of glyphosate. There have long been concerns among some at the EPA that the chemical is carcinogenic, and several studies have shown that the ingredient itself, and products it is formulated with like Roundup, could be carcinogenic, but the EPA has repeatedly insisted it is unlikely to cause cancer. The plantiffs attorneys now say they have found evidence pointing to collusion between at least one EPA high-level official and Monsanto, something that Monsanto vehemently denies. The firm has already had to turn over nearly 10 million documents to the plaintiffs lawyers, including ones that detail the interactions that took place between Monsanto and EPA officials like Jess Rowland. Rowland is believed to be behind the leak of a report that was favorable to Monsanto just as they were trying to gain re-approval for glyphosate in Europe and keep it off Californias list of chemical carcinogens. Rowland left the EPA shortly afterward and hasnt commented on the matter. Chhabria has said documents about the issue are relevant and should not be sealed, so they could be available in court filings in the near future. Other documents that were recently unsealed in the case show that Monsanto hired ghostwriters to draft scientific research under the names of noted academics. Those documents showed how Monsanto executives like William F. Heydens conspired to hire academics to put their names on papers written by Monsanto ghostwriters that placed their products in a more flattering light. It will be interesting to see what other dirty secrets Monsanto is trying to keep hidden when future court documents are unsealed in the many lawsuits the firm is facing. Sources include: EcoWatch.com BaumhedLundLaw.com IBTimes.com A California mom who posted a photo that shows her breastfeeding her son while two women look on in disgust at Disneyland has received both major backlash as well as support. The mother said Monday she never expected such a response. Brittni Medina of Rancho Cucamonga, who attended the Anaheim park earlier in November, said her 10-month-old son became cranky while in line for a holiday photo and she needed to feed him. She said she heard two women making comments behind her, saying she should go somewhere private. Medina's husband snapped a picture so people could "peep the haters." "No women should be shamed for feeding their baby uncovered," she said in the Facebook post. The photo has been shared more than 1,000 times and liked more than 7,600 times. The breastfeeding mom said the response has been overwhelmingly positive, despite some detractors. "People are sending me their pictures of publicly breastfeeding," Medina told NBC4. "It's awesome that other moms feel more comfortable doing something so natural as feeding your kid." Medina also updated her Facebook post to say that family members of the disapproving women had reached out to her, and one said he was ashamed of his aunt's behavior. Medina said she and her family are Disneyland annual passholders and visit the theme park a couple of times per month. They don't expect that to change. Disney released a statement to NBC4 in response to the breastfeeding debate: "In accordance with California law, mothers are welcome to breastfeed children at Disneyland Resort, and we have two Baby Care Centers available in our theme parks as well, with additional amenities for parents of infants and toddlers." A Livermore priest is under investigation after being accused of inappropriate behavior, authorities said Monday. Father Van Dinh, a pastor of St. Michael Parish in Livermore, has been placed on administrative leave until the police investigation is completed, according to the Diocese of Oakland. In a statement provided Monday, the Diocese of Oakland said it considers all allegations of clergy misconduct serious. The allegation against Dinh does not involve a minor, but did fall within the protocol for clergy conduct, according to the Diocese of Oakland. No other information was immediately available. San Jose police on Monday were investigating a pair of bow-and-arrow attacks targeting cats in the city's Willow Glen neighborhood. Both attacks occurred in the area of Alma Loop and Minnesota Avenue, according to police. Investigators are concerned the attacks could escalate. They say many times people with violent tendencies start with attacks on animals. One cat that was struck with an arrow was recovering Monday night after undergoing surgery last week. "It is extremely alarming," said Capt. Jay Terrado of San Jose Animal Services. "When you have two incidents, for us, we are thinking its intentional and malicious." The first of the two incidents reported involved a feral cat attacked in October. The second involved a pet cat in the same vicinity shot with an arrow on Nov. 21, Terrado said. The cat's owner has put up signs warning residents to protect their pets. "I honestly hope they find who did this and arrest that person," resident Linda Ryan said. "Because this is cruel, and there is no purpose to this. It is completely senseless." Both cats survived and are recovering. Police dont have a suspect, and for many of the residents, there is concern. "I dont know if it's a hatred of cats or just a disregard for living creatures," resident Robert Ryan said. "But somebody who does something like that has really got to be sick." San Jose police said the suspect could face felony charges and jail time. Police say a Massachusetts man has died hours after being hit by a car near a Delaware home where people flock each year to see its elaborate Christmas lights. Delaware State Police say 62-year-old Thomas Brock was struck Friday night while crossing Red Lion Road in Bear, near where a homeowner puts of hundreds of thousands of lights and other decorations each winter holiday season. Brock walked directly into the path of a passing Honda, police said. The driver stopped and remained at the scene. Medics rushed Brock to Christiana Hospital in critical condition. He died Saturday, police said. Brock's hometown wasn't disclosed. No charges were filed as of Monday. Authorities say they don't believe the 23-year-old driver, a local resident, was going too fast. Police say neither one was impaired. State police offered tips for people walking near roadways and drivers during the holiday season. Tips for pedestrians: Wear reflective clothing, a blinking light or use your cell phones flashlight. Use a crosswalk. Be focused. Be aware of your surroundings and not distracted with your cell phone. Walk on the sidewalk when available, not the shoulder. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible. Never assume a driver sees you. Make eye contact with drivers as they approach you to make sure you are seen. Never walk under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Tips for drivers: Police and fire officials responded to a fire at an early childhood center in Kingston, Massachusetts on Monday afternoon. The 2-alarm fire was reported at 251 Bishops Highway, police said. The center was closed at the time of the fire. No one had to be rescued, and no one was injured. The fire was in the basement, and an initial report shows the cause was a mechanical issue of some sort. The fire is under investigation and an exact cause will be determined. At the time of the fire, aerial footage from NBC Boston's Sky Ranger helicopter showed about a dozen police and fire vehicles at the scene, with a ladder extended to the roof of the building. The center will most likely be closed for the remainder of the week. No further information was immediately available. Gov. Charlie Baker, a moderate Republican in a state dominated by Democratic officeholders, confirmed on Tuesday he will seek a second four-year term, a decision that had been widely expected. On Twitter and later during a previously scheduled appearance in Worcester, Baker said he and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito will run for re-election in 2018. "We've accomplished a lot together, but there's more work to do," Baker tweeted. The official launch of his campaign will not come until after the new year, said Jim Conroy, a senior political adviser who first announced Baker's intention to run again in a statement issued earlier Tuesday. "With election day still a year away, the governor and lieutenant governor remain focused on the bipartisan work they were elected to do, and a formal campaign launch should not be expected until later next year," Conroy said. Baker has maintained high favorability ratings in public opinion polls throughout his first term as governor of Massachusetts. He has frequently distanced himself from President Donald Trump and the Republican congressional leadership on issues such as health care and immigration policy. The governor's campaign will be directed from a headquarters in Boston, and Brian Wynne, executive director of the Massachusetts Republican Party, is expected to serve as campaign manager. By delaying a formal announcement until next year, aides say, Baker can avoid directly engaging his political opponents while continuing to raise money and press his legislative agenda. Baker has maintained a brisk fundraising pace, with his campaign account reporting a mid-November balance of just under $7 million. The three announced Democratic candidates for governor had less than $100,000 combined in their accounts, according to their most recent filings with the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance. One of those Democrats, former state Secretary of Administration and Finance Jay Gonzalez, took aim on Tuesday at what many political observers view as one of Baker's strengths: his reputation for working cooperatively with Democratic legislative leaders. "Charlie Baker seems to be confusing bipartisanship with cowardice," Gonzalez said. "Bipartisanship isn't refusing to take a stand, ducking and weaving when faced with big challenges." Outgoing Newton Mayor Setti Warren and one-time Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor Robert Massie also are seeking their party's nomination. One Republican, Barnstable County Commissioner Ronald Beaty Jr., said recently he was exploring a run for governor. Senate President Stan Rosenberg, an Amherst Democrat who has acknowledged a productive working relationship with Baker, said he will support his party's 2018 nominee, regardless of who it is, "because I'm a Democrat" and because the governor "tilts" toward the Republican Party's platform. Asked to single out an area of sharp disagreement with Baker, Rosenberg cited the governor's refusal to consider new tax revenue sources to support investments in transportation and education. Baker's first campaign for governor was in 2010, when he lost to incumbent Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick. Baker won the GOP nomination again in 2014 and narrowly defeated Democratic Attorney General Martha Coakley in the general election. A Massachusetts man was arrested Tuesday after leading police on a wild car chase through two towns that ended in a serious crash that injured the driver and four others. Alexander Cruz, 24, of Taunton, will be arraigned Wednesday in Taunton District Court on more than 20 charges, including four counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and two counts of negligent operation of a vehicle, according to the Bristol district attorney's office. Police said the chase began shortly after 11 a.m. on Route 138 in Easton after the driver of a gray Nissan Maxima - later identified as Cruz - failed to stop when an officer tried to pull him over for having an expired inspection sticker. The chase - which police said reached speeds of 80 mph - ended in Raynham a short time later when Cruz hit a tire deflation device in the road and collided with at least two other vehicles near the intersection of Route 138 and Britton Street. State police said the driver nearly hit a state police cruiser during the pursuit. "It looked like an atomic bomb went off," witness Chris Whaton of Raynham said. A female passenger in Cruz's car suffered serious injuries in the crash and was taken by medical helicopter to a local hospital. An update on her condition was not immediately available. Three other people who were in a car that was hit by Cruz's vehicle suffered non-life-threatening injuries, according to authorities. Cruz was also taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. He has since been released into police custody. "I heard this god awful crash and I said to my husband, 'Oh my god, what was that?'" witness Barbara Mariorenzi of Raynham said. At least three ambulances responded to the scene, along with fire and police from several neighboring communities. Motorists traveling on Route 138 north into Raynham were urged to avoid the area for a time due to the accident, but the road has since been reopened. It's unclear if Cruz has an attorney. Raynham police said Cruz also had three outstanding arrest warrants in connection with three separate incidents out of Taunton District Court. NOTE : NBC Chicago will live stream a "major announcement" by Gutierrez at 1 p.m. CT right here. Watch live above. NBC 5 has learned Congressman Luis Gutierrez will announce Tuesday he is not running for re-election after 24 years on Capitol Hill, sources say. Gutierrez telephoned key Democratic leaders late this afternoon to let them know of his plans. Calls to Gutierrez Monday evening have not been returned. Already printing petitions Monday night-- to begin the process of getting signatures before next Monday's deadline -- is Cook County Commissioner Jesus Chuy Garcia. Ald. Carlos Ramirez Rosa is considering a congressional race. This will also leave an opening on the county board should Garcia opt for Gutierrez's seat. Those interested in running for Gutierrez's seat besides Garcia and Ramirez Rosa include Ald. Joe Moreno and Ald. George Cardenas. With the opening at County Board -- should Garcia run for Congress -- Ald. Rick Munoz is interested in Garcia's seat. Insiders say the discussions of Gutierrez's retirement started over the weekend. Very few knew, but started mobilizing those who might be interested in running to replace Gutierrez. Whoever runs needs 862 signatures by next Monday, but candidates usually come with double what's needed. Before his congressional career, Gutierrez served as the 26th ward alderman and was a close adviser to Mayor Harold Washington. He has been a leading voice for immigration reform as well as hurricane relief for Puerto Rico. Since NBC 5 first broke the news that Gutierrez will not run for reelection, the phone lines are burning up as Chicago politicians look to reshuffle the deck. Garcia will have his petitions to replace Gutierrez in Congress, as will Moreno, sources say. The Gutierrez announcement, in which sources say the congressman will endorse Garcia, is expected at 1 p.m. Tuesday. Gutierrez handed in all of his petitions Monday but at the same time informed Mayor Rahm Emanuel of his decision not to run, a source familiar with the the matter told NBC 5. Editor's note: An earlier version of this story misspelled Rep. Gutierrezs surname in some places. He's been a mega donor for Republican candidates for years. Now, the Daily Beast reports businessman Dick Uihlein -- with homes in Illinois and Wisconsin -- is the chief financial supporter for Roy Moore's GOP Alabama Senate race. Uihlein has donated $100,000 -- making him the top donor -- to the Proven Conservatives PAC, according to the Daily Beast since September. The PAC is hosting new ads for Moore's campaign in the midst of sexual assault and harassment allegations. Uihlein is a strong supporter of President Donald Trump, with he and his wife having donated $24 million to Republican politicians and super PACs in 2016. Originally Uihlein supported Sen. Ted Cruz's presidential campaign. He's also donated in the past to State Rep. Jeanne Ives previous campaign. Ives is now hoping to face Gov. Bruce Rauner in the Illinois GOP Primary. The 72-year-old Uihlein is a shipping and office supply billionaire, having moved his company's headquarters from Waukegan to Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin in 2010 in exchange for nearly $19 million in tax incentives. Calls to Uihlein for comment have not been returned. A neighbor rushed to help tenants escape a burning home during what became a fatal fire in Enfield. A man was killed and four other people rushed to the hospital when flames ripped through 11 Alden Avenue Friday morning. A neighbor tells NBC Connecticut he saw the smoke from his house, dialed 911, then ran toward the home to try to help. "There's 3 people upstairs including a baby." Sean Crowley said a woman inside the home who made it out on her own said her son and other relatives were still trapped inside. "I tried to tell him to stay low, get the baby, cover the baby, keep it low near the ground," Crowley said. Firefighters were able to save four of the five people inside. One tenant, who authorities have not identified, died in the fire. Investigators are trying to determine how the flames began. Crowley said he did what he could to ensure no more lives were lost. "I'm still glad I was there and was able to get two of the three people," Crowley said. Firefighters are asking anyone with information, videos or photos of the fire to contact them to assist in the investigation. The annual New Haven Holiday Tree Lighting is set for today on the historic green in the Elm City. The afternoon will kick off at 4 p.m. with several fun activities: hay rides, musical performances, a petting zoo, a ferris wheel, costumed characters and a carousel. Santa will arrive around 4 p.m. and visit with children wanting to get in their holiday wish ahead of Christmas. The event is free and open to the public. New Haven Holiday Tree Arrives on the Green NBC Connecticut will be broadcasting live during the 4-6:30 p.m. news followed by the official tree lighting holiday special from 7-7:30 p.m. You'll be able to watch the show on air on NBC Connecticut, online at nbcconnecticut.com, and in our mobile app, which works on both Apple (available through the App Store) and Android phones (available through Google Play). During the 7 p.m. show, the youth choir from Our Lady of Victory in West Haven will sing after winning the NBC CT Choral Contest. During the contest, the choir received nearly 5,000 votes of the almost 10,000 votes cast online. The choir is led by director Ed Perez. The centerpiece of the evening will be the lighting of the tree, which arrived on the green in late October. It was cut from Elizabeth LaPointes yard in Branford earlier that morning. The 65-foot-tall Norway Spruce weighs more than 10,000 pounds and has been on her Branford property for more than 50 years. Well thats not my tree anymore, LaPointe said. Its New Havens. LaPointes husband and a neighbor planted the tree and her family decorated it for the holidays for two years, until it became too big. Its massive size caught the attention of New Haven Parks and Recreation, according to manager Bill Carone. Staff members drove by this tree a couple of months ago, and it was one of our top three, and we decided to go to this one, Carone said. "We look for a lot of the same things that homeowners look for in their tree," said Rebecca Bombero, director of New Haven Parks, Recreation, and Trees Department. "You want something that is straight and tall and full." LaPointe was surprised when the department came knocking at her door because she thought someone had made a complaint about the tree. I thought, Why are they here? Then he said something about, Well, did you call a couple of years ago to have it out as a Christmas tree on the New Haven Green? Then it dawned on me, yes I did, she said. LaPointe said shes looking forward to seeing the tree lit for the first time on Nov. 30, but is more excited about the future of her giving tree. Shes been told that when it comes down after Christmas, itll be used to, make park benches, lumber for Houses for Humanity. So that, that makes me happy, she said. The tree will be decorated with 30,000 LED bulbs in time for the tree lighting ceremony Thursday. Come down to the green, watch the tree lighting in-person, and meet a number of NBC Connecticut personalities, including Kerri-Lee Mayland, Kevin Nathan, Ryan Hanrahan, Justin Schecker, and Leslie Mayes. Throughout the holiday season, residents and visitors will be able to enjoy special events in New Haven, including laser light shows, ice carvings, and carriage rides. NBC Connecticut is proud to be the exclusive television media partner of the winter festivities in New Haven. The holiday season brings out porch pirates and state police are issuing a warning so you dont become a victim of theft. When you place orders for gifts to be delivered, track the package and require a signature upon delivery. State police said they are seeing an increase in what they call "tailgating," in which thieves follow delivery trucks and steal packages right after the driver drops it off. "The criminal will follow the Fed-Ex, the UPS driver and follow them along their route," said Trooper First Class Kelly Grant, Connecticut State Police. "Once the driver gets out, and makes the delivery, the criminal gets out and takes the package." Ask a friend, neighbor or family member to receive it if you will not be home, pick it up at a shipping and receiving store or instruct that the package be left someplace other than the front porch. Thieves are not concerned about the worth of the item but rather about reselling it. The Trail Wood Sanctuary in Hampton will be off limits for a few months and gypsy moths are to blame. The caterpillars significantly weakened many trees, particularly oaks, over the last three years. Theyve caused repeated defoliation, even killing some of the trees. "This is a big guy, a beautiful one, thats leaning directly towards the writing cabin," said Sarah Heminway, referencing a giant tree posing a threat to the property. Heminway is the director of Northeast Corner Programs for The Connecticut Audubon Society. Because of the gypsy moth caterpillar damage Connecticut Audubon that has run the property as a sanctuary since 1993 is closing it down for the first time on Dec. 1. Several trees on the 168-acre sanctuary impacted by the gypsy moth caterpillar pose a potential hazard to the public and wildlife. Theyre marked in blue, a sign that they might need to be chopped down. The tree removal project is scheduled to start mid-December and be completed by March 2018. The project is being conducted in winter to reduce potential impact to birds and their spring breeding season. Wind, snow or another storm could easily push some of these trees down, Heminway said. There was already debris from the storms over the last few months. The main concern is about the safety of visitors and local ecosystem. "This is not the way we wanted to manage the woods here. Unfortunately the gypsy moths recognized some of our biggest white oaks as the most tasty, and those are the ones that have clearly been affected the most," Heminway said. Connecticut Audubon and its forestry consultants, Ferrucci & Walicki of Midddlefield, and foresters from Hull Forest Products in Pomfret, are working collaboratively on the project. Trail Wood is a known site for writers, artists, hikers, and cross country skiers. "Theres a lot of dead wood that we dont want coming down on our heads. Its just an awful thing," said Roxanne Steed of Mystic. Steed was part of the artist in residence program at Trail Wood Sanctuary. She teaches art there once a month and even cross country skis there. She wont be teaching classes in Hampton this winter, but instead at Connecticut Aubudons property in Pomfret. "I have a feeling that things will be different when we go back," Steed said. Heminway said theres no count on the number of trees coming down, yet, but the plan is to improve the environment for visitors and wildlife. The project will be funded by The Connecticut Audubon Society. If some of the trees can be harvested for wood, it could help cover some of the cost, Heminway said. Trail Wood is the former home of Pulitzer Prize-winning author and naturalist Edwin Way Teale. After he passed, his wife donated the property to Connecticut Audubon. Starting Tuesday, Bud Light drinkers in the Lone Star State can enjoy special "Texified" packaging. To celebrate 35 years of brewing Bud Light in Houston, the beermaker's largest brewery, Bud Light is debuting special-edition bottles and cans featuring the iconic Texas lone star. "The Houston brewery has been perfecting Bud Light and other Anheuser-Busch brands for the state since 1982, but this is the first time the brand has created a Texas-specific packaging," the company said. What's more, Bud Light said they later add region-specific campaigns in 2018. Details about those campaigns will released at a later date. The Texas-themed cans are available statewide on Tuesday anywhere Bud Light is sold. The holidays can be hard when someone you love is no longer here. Amanda Johnson, of Dallas, knows that too well. She lost her younger sister six years ago to gun suicide. "It's like when we think of the effects of gun violence, we just think of the deaths. But the ramifications go far beyond just losing one person," Johnson said, describing the pain and emotional injury to survivors. "It's not just one bullet." Johnson has been collecting donations for the Salvation Army's Angel Tree program for the last seven years. This year, she decided to use the same model to collect donations for 20 Dallas-area children in need who have lost parents or siblings to gun violence. "So, I tell people it's not easy, but it gets easier," Johnson said. "But those first holidays are really hard." Johnson, an activist with Moms Demand Action, said she hopes the children getting the gifts are unaware of who bought them. She just wants to lighten the burden. "I get that this is just material," she said, looking at donated gifts. "But if it gives them some ray of fun and hope, and the childhood Christmas they should be having, then it's fantastic. It's worth all the work." If you would like more information about how to donate to Johnson's campaign, email txsurvivorteam@everytown.org. A Spring Valley woman was killed, and her husband is missing after the couple went on a river outing on the big island of Hawaii over the weekend. Police said 62-year-old Gladys Novinger fell into the water Saturday while crossing the Wailuku River above Rainbow Falls. The Novingers were reportedly in Hawaii to visit family in the area. The wife was found in the pool below the falls and was airlifted to Hilo Medical Center where she died. The husband, 61-year-old George Novinger, is yet to be found and rescue efforts were suspended due to bad weather. Heavy rain and flash flooding forced rescuers to suspend their search Monday, and authorities said bad weather is still hampering their efforts on Tuesday. The Novingers own Vineyard Hacienda in Spring Valley. Gladys Novinger helped to found the House of Peru, which is in the process of having its own cottage built at the International Cottages in Balboa Park. George Novinger recently retired as a diplomat for the U.S. State Department's Foreign Service. He also served as the Chairman of the International Cottage Committee and spoke last year to NBC 7 about the group's efforts to expand the International Cottages to include more nine additional nations including Mexico, India, Palestine and Peru. In that interview, Novinger said the International Cottages are designed to bring nations together, as a place to celebrate the art, food and culture of different countries. The Rainbow Falls waterfall stands about 80 feet high and is a popular tourist attraction located on the northwest border of Hilo. With a viewing area just east of the falls, people can walk out onto the rocks and get a close view of the waterfall from above. A Corgi-Chihuahua mix named Tiger is getting a custom wheelchair Tuesday after his family heard he may never walk again and abandoned him at a Southern California veterinarians office. Tiger, who is ready for adoption, had surgery for a slipped disc in Cerritos, and when his original family was told he may be crippled for life, they decided they couldnt care for him. After being fitted for his customized wheelchair with the help of The Fuzzy Pet Foundation, a nonprofit animal rescue, the 7-year-old pup has a new lease on life. The foundation was working hard to find him a home. "It may take us a while to find a forever home for a special-needs dog like Tiger," said Sheila Choi, Founder and CEO of The Fuzzy Pet Foundation. "He may or may not ever walk again, but he appears so comfortable and happy in his new wheelchair. We aren't giving up on him." Tiger is neutered, gets along with other dogs, loves to cuddle humans, and can run at a great speed in his new chair. The foundation notes that Tiger is a special needs dog who needs a loving owner as he suffers from paralysis in his hind-legs and mild incontinence. Adoption event information: When: Tuesday, 12 to 7 p.m. Where: VCA Lakewood Animal Hospital at 10701 South Street in Cerritos, CA 90703 According to the law, the owner of the pet could be fined under an animal abandonment ordinance in place statewide. The non profit advises pet owners that if they are faced with a situation where they are unable to care for a pet, do not leave the pet with a vet. Contact the local shelter or humane society and do a legal surrender, signing over the pet instead of abandoning it. If you would like to donate to a GoFundMe account set up to help Tiger, you may do so here. Note that GoFundMe deducts 7.9 percent of all funds raised in the form of platform and payment processing charges. Deputies in one Central Florida county are looking for a teenager who has been missing since Monday afternoon. The Lake County Sheriffs Office posted a photo of 14-year-old Saige Blum on their Facebook page, saying the teen didnt return home from her middle school and hasnt been heard from since. NBC affiliate WESH-TV reported that Blum was last seen wearing dark jeans, white and pink Nike shoes, a burgundy sweater and a black backpack. She is 52 tall, weighs 120 pounds with black, curly hair and wears glasses. Deputies have been searching the area around the school and her home, eager to find the teen they say suffers from several medical conditions, and ask anyone with information to notify the department. The audio recordings are enough to make a homeowner cringe. For the first time, New Yorkers are hearing the secretly recorded conversations of oil truck drivers, as they plot to steal from unsuspecting customers. Video and audio recordings obtained by the I-Team from recent law enforcement investigations show heating oil truck drivers at times blowing air instead of oil into customers' tanks in a scheme called "shorting." Customers routinely got deliveries of 10 to 20 percent air, but paid for 100 percent of the oil heating delivery bill. The stolen oil remaining in the fuel trucks is then sold on the black market, according to a home heating oil delivery driver who asked not to be named but decided to speak out to the I-Team, saying too many customers were getting ripped off. Its happening, it happens to this day, said the delivery driver. Its being done. The I-Team also obtained law enforcement recordings of drivers, dispatchers and supervisors having brazen conversations about how hundreds -- or even thousands -- of gallons of oil can be stolen during a delivery. In one apartment building delivery in 2015, a driver is heard mocking the customer, "I used to make him steal oil from his own tank. I used him to open the empty one. A colleague laughs, Oh no! At the New York County Criminal court in lower Manhattan, another driver is heard boasting, He used to order 6,000 (gallons) and I would give him five. And there hasnt been a complaint. So Kings County Hospital was also among the customers victimized, according to the tapes obtained by the I-Team. (He) did three, he told them he did seven. He did that (expletive) hospital. He was supposed to do one, a worker said on the tapes. He got greedy. The deliverer said of the practice, Its not fair, its not right. No one is paying attention. Its a mess. Officials said it has been a mess for decades. In 2015, nine companies and dozens of workers were arrested with many pleading guilty in a heating oil theft ring. In that case, 58 trucks were seized -- with 47 rigged with switches and compartments enabling drivers to pump air instead of oil through the hose. Dan Brownell, who runs the citys Business Integrity Commission, said the problem is so widespread that the NYPD couldnt arrest it away. The former prosecutor said regulation is needed to stop the grifts and that laws similar to what was done in the once mafia-plagued garbage hauling industry are essential. The city council needs to wake up, he said. The bottom line is unless that kind of threat is hanging over the heads of corrupt companies and individuals, this is not going to stop. Officials said "shorting" isnt the only scam. Insiders tell us another dirty trick of the trade is called "blending." They said that is when good heating oil is removed from a heating oil truck making room for waste oil - like used motor oil - to be secretly mixed with the remaining heating oil on board the truck. The heating oil that was removed is then sold on the black market, but customers received and got billed for regular heating oil, not the dirty blended fuel pumped into their buildings. William Watchel, a man who filed a class-action lawsuit against several oil companies alleging massive, ongoing fraud, said that with more than 3,500 buildings in the city still burning heavy oil, theres an overwhelming likelihood that you have been victimized at least once. And for that matter maybe repeatedly, he added. Some forms of blending are allowed. Clean recycled waste oil can be mixed with heating oil, providing a legal product. But according to Wachtel, many firms dont disclose they are delivering so-called blended oil products. He compares those to ordering a high-end drink, but the bartender waters it down -- or worse, uses rubbing alcohol in 30 percent. Wachtel claims dirty, unrecycled waste oil like used motor oil - is still being blended by oil and trucking firms due to the profitability of the black market. The fraud, it's institutionalized fraud, said Wachtel. That's the sad reality here. Investigators said some who pleaded guilty to shorting have given information about ongoing dirty waste oil blending schemes. In his lawsuit, Wachtel obtained driver logs and company records that appear to show up to 30 percent of adulterated oil was delivered to some buildings. It sends up into the air contaminants, carcinogens so it is hurting the public, Wachtel said. And on top of which, the person who is burning that fuel is getting an inferior product. It doesnt burn as efficiently. Who knows what other liquid is poured into that? said Brownell Is anti-freeze in there? Nobody knows. Lawyers for several companies responded in the class action suit saying that mixing some recycled oil is legal and deny having delivered adulterated oil or waste oil. They alleged Wachtels claims of fraud and abuse are unfair and exaggerated. Rocco Lacertosa, the CEO of the New York Heating Oil Association said most companies are honest, with just a few bad actors. We want to see this rooted out more than anybody else, he said. Were not talking about every oil company on the corner who is perpetrating these crimes. Again, Ill repeat myself, it is isolated to a small segment, a small subsegment of this industry. But the anonymous deliverer said the abuse is bigger than most believe. He said some companies improperly make millions, while drivers can earn and extra $1,000 a week. Theres a big problem here, said the driver. The law enforcement recordings acquired by the I-Team may support that claim. In one case, reports show 700 gallons of air was charged to one customer. The heating oil workers response: He put 1,700 gallons in a 1,000 gallon tank. And in holiday spirit, another heating oil employee expressed the excitement of his latest score, Exactly, yeah. Itll be a (expletive) early Christmas for real! What to Know Mayor de Blasio signed legislation allowing dancing in all New York City bars and restaurants on Monday for the first time since 1926. The law requiring a cabaret license for dancing was originally enacted during Prohibition in a racist attempt to police Harlem jazz clubs. Out of more than 20,000 bars and restaurants in the city, fewer than 100 actually had the license Mayor Bill de Blasio has signed legislation repealing a 91-year-old law that banned dancing at most New York City nightspots. In Monday's signing, the Democratic mayor said the law "just didn't make sense." He said, "nightlife is part of the New York melting pot that brings people together." The City Council voted to repeal the law in October. It prohibited dancing in bars and restaurants that didn't have a cabaret license. Critics say the law originated as a racist attempt to police Harlem's 1920s jazz clubs and was enforced unfairly. Nightlife advocates hailed the repeal, which goes into effect 30 days from Monday. What to Know Trump revived one of his favorite taunts against U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, referring to the Massachusetts senator as "Pocahontas" Tobacco ads with statements hit the major television networks and newspapers, but not the American Cancer Society or other health groups Harvey Weinstein engaged in sex trafficking, according to a new lawsuit filed against the disgraced movie producer Get the top headlines of the day in your morning briefing from NBC 4 New York, Monday through Friday. Sign up for our newsletter here. Trump Calls Warren Pocahontas at Event Honoring Native American Veterans President Trump revived one of his favorite taunts against U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, referring to the Massachusetts senator as "Pocahontas" at an event honoring three Navajo Code Talkers. In the past, Native American leaders have called Trumps attacks on Warren offensive and distasteful. Some Democrats have called the remark racist. The president has spent months feuding with Warren, an outspoken Wall Street critic who leveled blistering attacks on Trump during the campaign. He seized in particular on questions about her heritage, which surfaced during her 2012 Senate race challenging incumbent Sen. Scott Brown. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders dismissed criticism about Trumps comments by saying she didnt believe the president had used a racial slur. Volcano Gushing Ash Over Bali Closes Airport for a 2nd Day A volcano gushing towering columns of ash closed the airport on the Indonesian tourist island of Bali for a second day, disrupting travel for tens of thousands, as authorities renewed their warnings for villagers to evacuate. Mount Agung has been hurling clouds of white and dark gray ash about 9,800 feet above its cone since the weekend and lava is welling in the crater, sometimes reflected as an orange-red glow in the ash plumes. Its explosions can be heard about 7 1/2 miles away. The local airport authority said that closure for another 24 hours was required for safety reasons. Volcanic ash poses a deadly threat to aircraft, and ash from Agung is moving south-southwest toward the airport. Ash has reached a height of about 30,000 feet as it drifts across the island. Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency raised the volcano's alert to the highest level and expanded an exclusion zone to 6 miles from the crater in places from the previous. It said a larger eruption is possible, though a top government volcanologist has also said the volcano could continue for weeks at its current level of activity and not erupt explosively. Mick Mulvaney and Leandra English Battle for Control Over U.S. Consumer Watchdog The battle between two supposed directors of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is making for compelling optics but only seems to be delaying a tidal shift at the powerful consumer watchdog. Mick Mulvaney, President Trump's budget director and now his choice as acting director of CFPB, made a conspicuous effort to show he was firmly in control of the bureau. Meeting with reporters, he promised a new approach at the agency, which he called an example of "bureaucracy gone wrong." Earlier, he arrived at work with doughnuts for the staff. Leandra English, who was elevated to deputy director of the bureau late last week by Cordray upon his resignation, sent staff an email offering Thanksgiving wishes hours after asking a judge to block Mulvaney from taking over. Mulvaney sent his own email telling staffers to "disregard" any directions from English. Even if English wins in court, the clock is ticking on the bureau's current direction. Mulvaney, and likely any Trump appointee, is certain to roll back the bureau's aggressive stance and be more accommodating to banks and other financial companies. In his first move in the interim role, Mulvaney ordered a 30-day freeze on any potential new regulations or hiring. He was also unrepentant in his criticism of the bureau, which dates back to his time in Congress. Big Tobacco Finally Tells the Truth in Court-Ordered Ad Campaign Smoking kills 1,200 people a day. The tobacco companies worked to make them as addictive as possible. There is no such thing as a safer cigarette. Ads with these statements hit the major television networks and newspapers this weekend, but they are not being placed by the American Cancer Society or other health groups. Theyre being placed by major tobacco companies, under the orders of the federal courts. The Justice Department started its racketeering lawsuit against the tobacco companies in 1999, seeking to force them to make up for decades of deception. Federal district judge Gladys Kessler ruled in 2006 that theyd have to pay for and place the ads, but the companies kept tying things up with appeals. Actress Sues Harvey Weinstein, Accusing Him of Sex Trafficking Harvey Weinstein engaged in sex trafficking by traveling to Europe and luring an aspiring actress from London to a hotel room where he sexually assaulted her, according to a new lawsuit filed against the disgraced movie producer. The suit filed by Kadian Noble in federal court alleges that Weinstein went to London in 2014 and "groomed Kadian by telling her that he had a role in mind for her and that 'it will be good for you.'" Later that year, he approached her again at the Majestic Hotel in Cannes, France, and asked her to come to his hotel room to watch her demo reel, it says. Weinstein "knew that the promise of a role or the use of his influence on her behalf would entice Kadian into his hotel room, and knew that once there he was in a position to force the sexual activity he desired," the suit says. Kadian, 31, claims at one point, Weinstein put her on the phone with a Weinstein company producer who told her she "needed to be 'a good girl and do whatever he wished,' and if she did, then 'they would work' with her further," it says. After that, it alleges he molested her and forced her into the bathroom to watch him masturbate. A spokeswoman for Weinstein said he "denies allegations of non-consensual sex" and "has further confirmed that there were never any acts of retaliation against any women for refusing his advances." 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 View Results After 2 months of relative peace, North Korea launched its most powerful weapon yet early Wednesday, claiming a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile that some observers believe could put Washington and the entire eastern U.S. seaboard within range. The North said in a special televised announcement hours after the launch that it had successfully fired what it called the Hwasong-15, a new nuclear-capable ICBM that's "significantly more" powerful than the long-range weapons it's previously tested. Outside governments and analysts backed up the North's claim to a jump in missile capability. A resumption of Pyongyang's torrid testing pace in pursuit of its goal of a viable arsenal of nuclear-tipped missiles that can hit the U.S. mainland had been widely expected, but the apparent power and suddenness of the new test still jolted the Korean Peninsula and Washington. The launch at 3:17 a.m. local time and midday in the U.S. capital indicated an effort to perfect the element of surprise and to obtain maximum attention in the United States. In a government statement released through state media, North Korea said the Hwasong-15, the "greatest ICBM," could be armed with a "super-large heavy nuclear warhead" and striking the "whole mainland" of the United States. The North said the missile, which was fired near the capital Pyongyang, reached a maximum height of 4,475 kilometers (2,780 miles) and traveled 950 kilometers (590 miles) before accurately hitting a sea target, similar to the flight data announced by South Korea's military. The North said the missile, which was fired at the "highest" launch angle, didn't pose a security threat to its neighbors. It said leader Kim Jong Un after the successful launch "declared with pride" that the country has achieved its goal of becoming a "rocket power." "The development and advancement of the strategic weapon of the DPRK are to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country from the U.S. imperialists' nuclear blackmail policy and nuclear threat, and to ensure the peaceful life of the people, and therefore, they would not pose any threat to any country and region as long as the interests of the DPRK are not infringed upon," said the statement, referring to North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The firing is a clear message of defiance aimed at the Trump administration, which had just restored the North to a U.S. list of terror sponsors. It also ruins nascent diplomatic efforts, raises fears of war or a pre-emptive U.S. strike and casts a deeper shadow over the security of the Winter Olympics early next year in South Korea. A rattled Seoul responded by almost immediately launching three of its own missiles in a show of force. The South's president, Moon Jae-in, expressed worry that North Korea's growing missile threat could force the United States to attack the North before it masters a nuclear-tipped long-range missile, something experts say may be imminent. "If North Korea completes a ballistic missile that could reach from one continent to another, the situation can spiral out of control," Moon said at an emergency meeting in Seoul, according to his office. "We must stop a situation where North Korea miscalculates and threatens us with nuclear weapons or where the United States considers a pre-emptive strike." Moon, a liberal who has been forced into a more hawkish stance by a stream of North Korean weapons tests, has repeatedly declared that there can be no U.S. attack on the North without Seoul's approval, but many here worry that Washington may act without South Korean input. The launch is North Korea's first since it fired an intermediate-range missile over Japan on Sept. 15, and may have broken any efforts at diplomacy meant to end the North's nuclear ambitions. U.S. officials have sporadically floated the idea of direct talks with North Korea if it maintained restraint. The missile also appears to improve on North Korea's past launches. If flown on a standard trajectory, instead of Wednesday's lofted angle, the missile would have a range of more than 13,000 kilometers (8,100 miles), said U.S. scientist David Wright, a physicist who closely tracks North Korea's missile and nuclear programs. "Such a missile would have more than enough range to reach Washington, D.C., and in fact any part of the continental United States," Wright wrote in a blog post for the Union for Concerned Scientists. North Korea's description of a "super-large heavy" warhead is also likely to raise debate on whether the country is planning another nuclear test to demonstrate it has such a weapon. When the North flight tested two of its older ICBM models, the Hwasong-14s, in July, it said the missiles were capable of delivering "large-sized heavy" warheads. The North went on to conduct its sixth and most powerful nuclear test on Sept. 3, which it described as a detonation of a weapon built for ICBMs. South Korea's National Intelligence Service told lawmakers in a closed-door briefing on Wednesday that the possibility of another North Korean nuclear test "cannot be discounted," lawmaker Kim Byung-kee said. Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said the missile landed inside of Japan's special economic zone in the Sea of Japan, about 250 kilometers 155 miles) west of Aomori, which is on the northern part of Japan's main island of Honshu. A big unknown, however, is the missile's payload. If, as expected, it carried a light mock warhead, then its effective range would have been shorter, analysts said. An intercontinental ballistic missile test is considered particularly provocative, and indications that it flew higher than past launches suggest progress by Pyongyang in developing a weapon of mass destruction that could strike the U.S. mainland. President Donald Trump has vowed to prevent North Korea from having that capability using military force if necessary. In response to the launch, Trump said the United States will "take care of it." He told reporters after the launch: "It is a situation that we will handle." He did not elaborate. The country has test-fired rockets 18 times since Trump took office in January, NBC News reported. Pentagon spokesman Col. Rob Manning said the missile was launched from Sain Ni, North Korea, and traveled about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) before landing in the Sea of Japan within 370 nautical kilometers (200 nautical miles) of Japan's coast. It flew for 53 minutes, Japan's defense minister said. South Korea's responding missile tests included one with a 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) range, to mimic striking the North Korea launch site, which is not far from the North Korean capital. The U.N. Security Council scheduled an emergency meeting for Wednesday afternoon at the request of Japan, the U.S. and South Korea. Italy's U.N. Ambassador Sebastiano Cardi, the current Security Council president, told reporters late Tuesday that "it's certainly very worrying. Everybody was hoping that there would be restraint from the regime." He said the latest and toughest sanctions resolutions against North Korea "are working, having an effect on the situation ... on the capacity of the regime to obtain hard currency because to go along with the military programs or missile or nuclear (programs) you need money, and that's the objective." "There is still room for new measures, but for the moment ... we don't know what the council decision will be," he said. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said the missile flew higher than previous projectiles. "It went higher, frankly, than any previous shot they've taken," he told reporters at the White House. "It's a research and development effort on their part to continue building ballistic missiles that can threaten everywhere in the world." A week ago, the Trump administration declared North Korea a state sponsor of terrorism, further straining ties between governments that are still technically at war. Washington also imposed new sanctions on North Korean shipping firms and Chinese trading companies dealing with the North. North Korea called the terror designation a "serious provocation" that justifies its development of nuclear weapons. Kim Dong-yub, a former South Korean military official who is now an analyst at Seoul's Institute for Far Eastern Studies, said the North is likely trying to further evaluate the weapon's performance, including the warhead's ability to survive atmospheric re-entry and strike the intended target, before it attempts a test that shows the full range of the missile. South Koreans are famously nonchalant about North Korea's military moves, but there is worry about what the North's weapons tests might mean for next year's Winter Olympics in the South. President Moon told his officials to closely review whether the launch could in anyway hurt South Korea's efforts to successfully host the games in Pyeongchang, which begin Feb. 9. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who spoke with Trump, said Japan will not back down against any provocation and would maximize pressure on the North in its strong alliance with the U.S. Trump has ramped up economic and diplomatic pressure on the North to prevent its nuclear and missile development. So far, the pressure has failed to get North Korea's government, which views a nuclear arsenal as key to its survival, to return to long-stalled international negotiations on its nuclear program. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in a statement that North Korea was "indiscriminately threatening its neighbors, the region and global stability." He urged the international community to not only implement existing U.N. sanctions on North Korea but also to consider additional measures for interdicting maritime traffic transporting goods to and from the country. "Diplomatic options remain viable and open, for now," Tillerson said, adding the U.S. remains committed to "finding a peaceful path to denuclearization and to ending belligerent actions by North Korea." Associated Press writers Matthew Pennington, Lolita C. Baldor, Robert Burns, Mari Yamaguchi and Edith M. Lederer contributed to this report. Four people who died in the burned out Barclay Friends Senior Living Community earlier this month died of smoke inhalation, according to the Chester County Coroner's Office. The victims were identified as Mildred Gadde, Theresa Malloy, Delores Parker and Thomas Parker. The inferno broke out at the Chester County, Pennsylvania, facility on Nov. 16. It took crews days to recover the bodies from the West Chester fire scene. The manner of death including what cause the fire is pending further investigation, Coroner Gordon Eck said. Special agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) National Response Team, Pennsylvania State Police and Chester County Fire Marshals office announced last week they had recovered remains of all those believed to have perished in the fire. Investigators continued to sift through the rubble of the Barclay Friends Senior Living Community along North Franklin Street through the Thanksgiving holiday, officials said. A large crane and other excavating equipment was brought to the fire scene as investigators continued the search for a cause of the fire. No foul play is suspected in the fire, the ATF said. The fire erupted shortly before 11 p.m. while most of the 137 residents were sleeping. The blaze started in the back of one of the buildings, ripped through the center and all the way to the ceiling, creating a "raging inferno," Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan said. Flames tore through the senior living community's personal care wing with such speed that hundreds of first responders rushed into the building without securing their breathing equipment. NBC10s Denise Nakano is talking to a man who witnessed the fire that destroyed much of the Barclay Senior Living Community in West Chester from his backyard. Several firefighters described their helmets melting and cracking from the intense heat. Most of the residents were bedridden or in wheelchairs. Senior home staff and outside neighbors rushed from room to room in the facility, wrapping residents in blankets and sweeping them out in to the frigid night in wheelchairs and even in beds. Paramedics took 27 residents to hospitals for treatment. Some of the injuries were described by authorities as "serious." Of those that were rescued without injury, 102 were placed in other facilities and 31 have been taken in by family members. [PHOTOS]Seniors Flee Inferno at West Chester Senior Living Community Parts of the complex burned for more than 24 hours and unstable walls teetered over the scene. Last year, state health officials cited Barclay Friends and its owner Kendal with fire safety violations, including a failure to maintain corridor smoke doors. The violations were recorded in the facility's nursing home section, which was not touched by fire. A provisional license status for the nursing home was lifted in February following a new inspection, but at least one fire safety violation remained, state records showed. Police in suburban Philadelphia say a legally blind 75-year-old man was beaten and robbed in broad daylight while walking home from a Septa stop. Upper Darby Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood says $100 in cash and a phone were taken in the attack that happened Sunday around 2:30 p.m. while walking home from the 69th Street Terminal. Speaking from the hospital, the victim told NBC10 that he is "upset" and "not too happy" after the attack. "I went down hard," he said. Chitwood took to Twitter on Monday to ask for the public's help in catching the person who committed the crime. He called the suspect a "scumbag" and a "predator" who needs to be taken down. "It angers me when you see somebody who is minding their own business," Chitwood said. Every day, the victim takes the Market-Frankford line to 30th Street Station and walks through the city to get some exercise. He then makes his way back to the El and heads home, Chitwood said. "And then this predator, this scumbag, beats him and robs," he said. "Hopefully somebody helps us and we can get this guy off the street." The victim, who has not been identified, has been hospitalized with a possible fractured femur. No other details were released. The Philadelphia judge overseeing rapper Meek Mills probation case must quickly decide whether or not he should be granted bail, the Pennsylvania Superior Court ruled Tuesday. The decision came as the higher court denied an emergency motion for writ of habeus corpus filed hours before asking that Mill be released on bond as his case is reviewed. Attorneys for Mill say Common Pleas Judge Genece Brinkley has ignored their motions asking for bail and that she recuse herself from the case. That led them to appeal to the higher court. But the Superior Court kicked the case back to Brinkley saying she must make a ruling before they can hear any appeal. "The Court of Common Pleas is directed to enter a disposition of Petitioner's November 16, 2017 motion for bail without further delay," the ruling states. Brinkley will also need to send a brief explanation about her decision whatever it may be to the Superior Court. The quick decision pleased Mills legal team, which has been exploring many legal avenues to get the Philly-born rapper, whose legal name is Robert Williams, out of a state prison in Chester, Pennsylvania. "Were pleased that the Superior Court took immediate action to direct the Court of Common Pleas to decide on the application for bail "without further delay." We remain hopeful that Mr. Williams will be promptly released on bail," attorney Jordan Siev said in a statement. Tuesday's legal wrangling is the latest chapter in a decade-long saga over Mill's freedom. The 30-year-old is nearly a month into a 2 to 4 year prison sentence for violating probation. The probation stems from a 2007 arrest for drug possession and carrying a firearm without a license. He was convicted two years later and placed on parole after spending several months in jail. The sentence has been called harsh and unfitting of the lapses, which included an alleged fight in the St. Louis airport and performing tricks on a dirt bike in New York City. Prosecutors had recommended no jail time, but Brinkley felt otherwise. Two weeks ago, Mill was mistakenly granted a bail hearing after a court clerical error. The hearing was canceled later that day. Brinkley has not commented on the controversy since she's barred from doing so by court rules. The decision comes a day after prominent civil rights activist and MSNBC host Rev. Al Sharpton visited Mill in Chester prison. Sharpton has joined a growing chorus of people who see Mill's case as an example of unfair and harsh treatment of African-American and Latino people in the criminal justice system. Mill's management company, Roc Nation, and friends like rap mogul Jay-Z and Philadelphia 76ers minority owner Michael Rubin have launched an advertising campaign to #FreeMeekMill on social media and outdoors with billboards, bus shelter posters, and bus signage. Jay-Z penned an op-ed in The New York Times saying Mill's case demonstrates how the criminal justice system entraps and harasses African-Americans. Standing under the shadows of Chester State Prison near Philadelphia, the Rev. Al Sharpton delivered stern and impassioned remarks Monday evening after spending more than one hour with incarcerated rapper Meek Mill. Meek represents thousands of people in Pennsylvania and even tens of thousands of people around the country that have been victimized by abusive probationary and parole systems that give room for judges to act way beyond what is necessary, Sharpton said. Mill was sentenced earlier this month to two to four years for violating his probation despite prosecutors recommending no jail time. Since the ruling, Mill has skyrocketed to national fame and become a symbol for critics of the criminal justice system, which they say unfairly targets African-Americans. If you can do something like this to a successful artist like Meek Mill, you can do this to many around the country, Sharpton said. Mill was first arrested in 2007 on charges that included carrying a firearm without a license and drug possession. He was found guilty two years later and sentenced to 11 to 23 months in prison with five years of probation. He was released after eight months for good behavior and then arrested several times in subsequent years for violating his probation, mostly for leaving the state of Pennsylvania without the court's approval. Several of his violations were more serious. He was arrested for allegedly being involved in a fight at a St. Louis airport though those charged were later dropped and for popping wheelies on a dirt bike in New York City. In 2013, Philadelphia Common Pleas Judge Genece Brinkley ordered Mill to attend etiquette classes. The two have faced off several times in Philadelphia courtrooms over the past decade. Both Sharpton and Mills attorney, Joe Tacopina, accused Brinkley of having some kind of vendetta against the rapper during their decade-long legal battle. Mills defense team filed a motion earlier this month asking Brinkley to recuse herself from the case and allow a new judge to reconsider the rapper's fate. This young man did his time, Sharpton said. Youre really exposing a ruthlessness in the system that should be changed. Sharpton finished his remarks by vowing to see Mills case through until the end. Other celebrities have flocked to Mill's side and even created billboards calling for his release. The hashtag #FreeMeekMill has trended on social media for weeks. Activists and musicians from Colin Kaepernick to Jay-Z have pointed to his jailing as representative of what they describe as the harsh treatment of blacks by the criminal justice system. In a New York Times op-ed, Jay-Z said Mills case shows how the criminal justice system entraps and harasses African Americans. He has been on probation for basically his entire adult life. For about a decade, hes been stalked by a system that considers the slightest infraction a justification for locking him back inside, Jay-Z wrote. Al Sharpton runs the National Action Network and is a talk-show host on MSNBC, which is owned by NBCUniversal, the parent company of this site. A Delaware County woman is speaking publicly about the sexual assault she endured at a Chester County Massage Envy franchise as a new report alleges there are dozens more victims like her across the country. Susan Ingram was in the middle of a massage at Massage Envy's West Chester location in May 2015 when her massage therapist, James Deiter, sexually assaulted her with his fingers. Ingram said Deiter also placed his erect penis in her hand and ran it across her body. "I felt humiliated. I felt used. I felt broken...," Ingram said in an interview that aired Monday on The Today Show. Ingram was one of nine women assaulted by Deiter, who later admitted to the crimes in a 2016 plea agreement. Court documents show the 65-year-old Lancaster County man pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated felony indecent assault and six counts of misdemeanor indecent assault. He is serving up to 13 years in a state prison and is registered as a sex offender. NBC News Ingram also shared her story as part of a BuzzFeed News investigation published Sunday. The report found Ingram is among some 180 people who filed sexual misconduct complaints or lawsuits against Massage Envy employees at locations nationwide. The report alleges the billion dollar spa chain and its franchisees mishandled or ignored these cases and many more. NBC News has not confirmed all of the allegations. In Deiter's case, two women tried to warn the franchise about inappropriate behavior before Ingram was assaulted, BuzzFeed reports. Ingram told NBC News and BuzzFeed she was dismissed by the West Chester location's manager when reporting the incident. Deiter was fired after Ingram filed a police report. In a statement Sunday, Massage Envy which has more than 1,100 franchises in 49 states, according to the company's website said the incidents described in the report were "heartbreaking for us and for the franchisees that operate Massage Envy locations." Adam Horowitz, a lawyer who has worked on two dozen cases against Massage Envy, said the actual number of assaults is likely considerably higher. Ingram has filed a civil lawsuit against Massage Envy alleging in court documents that the West Chester staff "unfathomably recommended Deiter to unknowing female customers after they knew he had already sexually assaulted at least one client at that location." The suit is pending a jury trial in Philadelphia's Court of Common Pleas. [NATL] Top News Photos: Pope Visits Japan, and More Families of Navajo war veterans who were honored Monday at the White House say they were dumbfounded that President Donald Trump used the event to take a political jab at a Massachusetts senator, demeaning their work with an unbreakable code that helped the U.S. win World War II. Trump turned to a nickname he often deployed for Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren during the 2016 presidential campaign: Pocahontas. He then told the three Navajo Code Talkers on stage that he had affection for them that he doesn't have for Warren. "It was uncalled for," said Marty Thompson, whose great uncle was a Navajo Code Talker. "He can say what he wants when he's out doing his presidential business among his people, but when it comes to honoring veterans or any kind of people, he needs to grow up and quit saying things like that." Pocahontas is a well-known historical figure who bridged her own Pamunkey Tribe in present-day Virginia with the British in the 1600s. But the National Congress of American Indians said Trump wrongly has flipped the name into a derogatory term, and the comment drew swift criticism from American Indians and politicians. White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders, asked about criticism of Trump's remarks, said a racial slur "was certainly not the president's intent." Trump made the comment as he stood near a portrait of President Andrew Jackson, which he hung in the Oval Office in January. Trump admires Jackson's populism. But Jackson is an unpopular figure in Indian Country because his policies led to the forced removal of American Indians out of their southern homelands. The Navajo Nation suggested Trump's remark Monday was an example of "cultural insensitivity" and resolved to stay out of the "ongoing feud between the senator and President Trump." "All tribal nations still battle insensitive references to our people. The prejudice that Native American people face is an unfortunate historical legacy," Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye said in a statement. Begaye added on MSNBC Tuesday that, "No matter who is president, Indian nations will stand strong." Still, Begaye and relatives of Navajo Code Talkers said they're honored the story of the men recruited from the vast Southwest reservation to become Marines could be told on a national stage. Peter MacDonald, a former Navajo chairman and trained Code Talker who stood beside Trump, also took the opportunity to ask for support for a Navajo Code Talker museum. Trump obliged. MacDonald didn't immediately return messages left Monday by The Associated Press. He didn't visibly react to Trump's "Pocahontas" comment and later told the president he was certain he would succeed, crediting military generals. Michael Smith, a Marine whose father was a Code Talker, said most of the Code Talkers would be skeptical about going to the White House because it could be construed to mean they support a political cause. "So, why did they go? Why were they there? He's putting them in the Oval Office to say 'You did a good job, and say hi to Pocahontas?'" Smith said. "They should be taken care of as heroes, not as pawns." Michael Nez, whose father helped develop the code based on the Navajo language, said his father would have been upset to hear Trump's Pocahontas comment. But, as other Code Talker relatives said, his father was taught to respect the president as the commander in chief. "It's too bad he does put his foot in his mouth," Nez said. "Why he does it? I don't know." Helena Begaii said her 94-year-old Navajo Code Talker father, Samuel T. Holiday, declined an invitation to the White House on Monday. She said he would have a better feel for what happened once he reads the newspaper. "I feel really sad that they didn't get treated with respect," she said. Trump's Pocahontas comment is the latest in a long list of remarks Trump has made about people from specific ethnic and racial groups. In announcing a run for the presidency in 2015, Trump said many Mexican immigrants are rapists. He's sought to ban immigrants from certain Muslim majority nations. He's come under fire for what some said was a too-slow federal response to hurricane damage in Puerto Rico. The president has long feuded with Warren, an outspoken Wall Street critic who leveled blistering attacks on Trump during the campaign. Trump seized on questions about Warren's heritage, which surfaced during her 2012 Senate race challenging incumbent Republican Sen. Scott Brown. Warren said in an interview on MSNBC that, unfortunately, Trump cannot make it through a ceremony honoring heroes "without having to throw out a racial slur." Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., weighed in Tuesday, tweeting that Americans owe the Code Talkers a debt for their "bravery, skill & tenacity," which helped defeat tyranny in World War II. "Politicizing these genuine American heroes is an insult to their sacrifice," McCain said. New Mexico Sen. Tom Udall, vice chairman of the Indian Affairs committee, added: "Donald Trump's latest racist joke during Native American Heritage Month no less demeaned the contributions that the Code Talkers and countless other Native American patriots and citizens have made to our great country." Associated Press writer Catherine Lucey contributed to this report. San Diego officials gathered Monday to oppose a congressional bill that would take away some key financing for affordable housing. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, or H.R. 1, would take away two essential sources of funding for affordable housing developments: the low income housing tax credits and multifamily housing revenue bonds, according to a statement from the Local Initiatives Support Corporation in San Diego. California Senator Ben Hueso said over 10,500 families in San Diego have benefitted from affordable housing developments, and it would be a tragedy for the programs to be cut. "We need everyone's help out there to lift their phoone and call your congressperson and demand them to not support this measure," said Hueso. San Diego Councilmember Chris Ward said cutting funds would exacerbate San Diegos homeless crisis. San Diego faces a critical shortage of both affordable and market rate housing, said Ward. While confronting homelessness head-on, any reform or reduction to these programs would devastate affordable housing production, which is critical for working families, seniors, veterans and so many other disadvantaged communities. The low income housing tax credits program helps provide affordable housing by encouraging developers to set aside housing units for the homeless. The program provides financing for approximately 100,000 affordable homes each year, according to the San Diego Housing Commission. Multifamily housing revenue bonds are tax exempt bonds that developers use to provide below-market financing for low-income homebuyers and affordable rent to low-income families, according to the National Council of State Housing Agencies. The initiative from Washington to remove the two programs is a potentially crushing blow to all the city council and mayor have been working toward in addressing the homeless crisis, said San Diego Councilmember Barbara Bry in a statement. While officials worry that the removal of the federally funded programs could increase homelessness in San Diego, developers draw attention to the social ramifications. "We don't regard it as a politically divisive issue," said Ricardo Flores, Executive Director of the Local Initiatives Support Organization. "Instead, it has to do with retaining San Diego's urban quality of life. We stand firmly with our fellow affordable housing and homeless advocates to declare that any move by Congress to kill the low-income housing tax credit will significantly increase homelessness here in San Diego." Flores said another potential outcome of the bill is a worsening of Hepatitis A outbreaks in the future. Police are searching for whoever shot and killed a bear out of season in Frederick County, Maryland. Maryland Natural Resources police said they were called to the Frederick City Watershed area and found the body of the bear. The bear was killed out of season. Black bear season in Maryland runs from Oct. 23 to Oct. 26 and is only available in Alleghany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties. Police did not say what type of weapon was used to kill the bear. Anyone with information about the poacher is asked to call police at 800.635.6124 on the Catch-A-Poacher hotline. A moving company based in Hyattsville, Maryland, is facing charges from the Maryland Office of the Attorney General for overcharging customers. Attorney General Brian Frosh announced the charges and a temporary restraining order against Swift Van Lines, LLC, formerly known as Revolution Moving and Storage, LLC, and its owner Juan Carlos Martinez. Frosh said the company was charging customers several times the amount the company estimated it would cost to move the goods and then driving off with the customers belongings if they didnt pay the increased fee. Moving companies operating in Maryland cannot hold a consumers items hostage, said Frosh. Once a mover has loaded a consumers goods onto the truck, they must deliver the items to their new home for moves within the State of Maryland. The office said Swift would provide low estimates to customers and drastically increased its prices after loading the customers items onto trucks. The charges filed are based on the Maryland Consumer Protection Act and the Maryland Household Goods Movers Act. The AGs office said under Maryland law, when a move takes place within the state, a moving company cannot refuse to deliver consumers household goods after theyve been loaded on the truck. Maryland law also places limits on how much movers can charge consumers above their estimates. In most cases, movers cannot charge more than 125 percent of the estimate. The state is seeking a permanent order that would prohibit Swift from any further violations of the law and require them to pay restitution to customers. The case is scheduled to go to court in January. Eleven days after U.S. Park Police chased and shot a driver in Fairfax County, Virginia, the FBI identified him and said he has died. Bijan Ghaisar, 25, of McLean, Virginia, died Monday, the FBI said Tuesday. Police shot him 10 days earlier, the night of Friday, Nov. 17, near George Washington Parkway after he was suspected in a hit-and-run. Ghaisar, an accountant and Virginia Commonwealth University graduate, was unarmed when police shot him in the head three times, according to his family. "He presented no threat to anyone," the Ghaisar family said in a statement. "No reasoning could possibly justify the actions of the one or more Park Police officers involved in this unthinkable act," they continued. The FBI, which took the lead in the investigation last week, said Tuesday that they would not provide additional information because a federal investigation is ongoing. The FBI did not say why Park Police opened fire. Also, they did not comment on whether Ghaisar was armed. Ghaisar was an accountant who graduated from Langley High School in 2010 and Virginia Commonwealth University in 2015. He was a first-generation Iranian-American born in the United States and was "avidly anti-violence," his family said. "Bijan was an upstanding citizen in his community. He was loved by all -- a kind and gentle soul," his family said. Park Police pursued Ghaisar's SUV after a hit-and-run was reported in Alexandria, on southbound George Washington Memorial Parkway at Slaters Lane, the agency said in a statement. Officers tried to stop Ghaisar, who they suspected in the crime, but he "led United States Park Police officers on a vehicle pursuit," Park Police said. The chase continued south on the parkway, into Fairfax County. Park Police said they opened fire about 7:40 p.m. at Fort Hunt Road and Alexandria Avenue, an area with residential streets, about 6 miles south of the initial crash scene. At least one bullet hole could be seen in a window of the SUV. Two Fairfax County police officers responded to the scene but fired no shots, the department said. According to a Fairfax County Police Department dispatch call obtained by News4, Park Police opened fire, and then Ghaisar crashed his SUV. "We're at Fort Hunt and Alexandria roads. Park Police are firing shots," an officer can be heard saying amid gunfire. "Driver's in the car. He just drove off the road," the officer continues. Ghaisar, the only person in the SUV, was taken to a hospital in critical condition. After 10 days, he died. The investigation is ongoing. Fairfax County police turned over their in-car videos and other evidence to the FBI, county officials said last week. "We trust that the investigation will uncover what happened and permit justice for our son," the Ghaisar family said. A high-ranking official in the administration of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser was found to have used city employees to provide care for her child, according to a report by the Washington Post. The newspaper reported D.C.'s inspector general found Deputy Mayor Courtney Snowden asked her staff to take care of her child in 2015. Snowden is deputy mayor for greater economic opportunity, a position created by Bowser in 2015, to oversee economic development programs in "underserved District of Columbia communities." Anu Rangappa, communications director for the mayor, said, "Deputy Mayor Snowden is working on behalf of District residents to address inequities holding back our most vulnerable citizens from achieving their full potential. Any issues raised have been addressed, and the mayor has full confidence in Deputy Mayor Snowdens ability to continue to deliver for District residents. The inspector general's report showed Snowden acknowledged her "conduct was not appropriate and expressed remorse," according to the Washington Post. According to published reports, Snowden faced scrutiny from the Inspector General in 2017 as well. The report said Snowden potentially received preferential treatment, by having her child placed in a sought-after school ahead of a waiting list of families, by former D.C. Public Schools chancellor Kaya Henderson. A Massachusetts man is accused of trying to run down at least four Latino people in a Walmart parking lot on Black Friday while shouting racial slurs and threats. Robert J. McCarthy reportedly was ordered to be held without bail during his arraignment in Salem District Court on a dozen charges, including four counts of attempted murder and four counts of assault with intent to intimidate based on race or national origin, according to court documents. Police say the 56-year-old Lynn resident also threatened to sexually assault a person who was walking with his family through the parking lot. An officer responded to the Highland Avenue Walmart around 9:45 p.m. on Friday for a report of a male party trying to run over multiple people in the parking lot in an older model car. When the officer arrived, he noticed a 1993 Mercury Grand Marquis circling the parking lot, and saw many people running away from the car and around the parking lot in general. Dozens of people in the parking lot were also trying to flag down the officer while pointing to the red Mercury. The Mercury driver pulled into a parking spot and stopped, and as the officer was ordering the driver, later identified as McCarthy, numerous people came up to the officer yelling, "That's him!" and "That's the guy!" and that the driver had said "he was gonna kill all the Spanish people." McCarthy allegedly told one of the victims more than once that he was going to take the victim home and rape him, and then made explicit gestures. Witnesses, victims and the people who called 911 told responding officers that they believed McCarthy was trying to run over the victims, according to police. Atlagracia Sanabia said all she wanted was a good deal on a TV during Black Friday. "He would just loop around the parking lot and then he would speed really, really fast," she said. Police say the victims also reported hearing McCarthy call people who appeared to be Latino "vatos," and make references to immigration and deportation, even threatening to come to their homes with "la migra," which is slang for immigration enforcement officers. One victim "expressed a pronounced fear as well that McCarthy would find her address and attempt to find her after this incident," while another victim "expressed similar sentiments and was visibly shaken and extremely distraught" as the first responding officer interviewed her, according to the police report. Police say there were other victims, but they refused to give their names to officers, and witnesses indicated that other victims may have left the parking lot before being interviewed. A Walmart employee also told police that McCarthy had been acting "strangely" inside the store before the incident, speaking in a mix of English and Spanish about immigration and throwing merchandise around the store before being asked to leave. It's unclear if McCarthy has an attorney. He will appear in court again Monday. A newly-released toxicology report shows a quintuple murder suspect had a mix of substances in his system, including marijuana and fentanyl, the night hes accused of intentionally crashing into a carload of teenagers from Vermonts Harwood Union school district, killing all five of them. However, the head prosecutor for Chittenden County says that report is irrelevant to her case. Eli Brookens, 16, of Waterbury, Janie Chase Cozzi, 15, of Fayston, Liam Hale, 16, of Fayston, Mary Harris, 16, of Moretown, and Cyrus Zschau, 16, of Moretown were killed last October on Interstate 89 in Williston as they headed home from a concert. Childhood friends, Brookens, Hale, Harris, and Zschau attended Harwood Union High School in Duxbury, and Chase Cozzi was a student at Kimball Union Academy in Meriden, New Hampshire. The teens have been remembered as positive, upbeat kids who loved the outdoors and who brought joy to their many friends, relatives, and neighbors. Steven Bourgoin, 37, pleaded not guilty to the deaths of the five students, and is in jail as the case against him proceeds. Late last year, Bourgoins defense did not contest whether he was competent to stand trial. Despite this weeks release of the toxicology scan, Chittenden County States Attorney Sarah George told necn those drug findings actually dont mean much at all to her. We believe that the actions he took that night were all extremely intentional and had nothing to do with anything in his system, George said Tuesday. Georges office charged Bourgoin with five counts of second-degree murder, believing he knew full well he couldve badly hurt someone that night in October 2016 when he got on I-89 heading the wrong way into Williston. Prosecutors have described Bourgoin as mentally erratic and said it was his foreclosure and financial troubles, a pending domestic assault charge, and a dispute over child custody that sent the suspect over the edge, not the marijuana or any of the other substances that were revealed in the toxicology scan. He was in a really bad place and felt like he nothing left to live for, George said. The states attorney added that Bourgoin was a regular marijuana user who might not have been impaired to a significant degree the night of the deadly crash. George said she considers the release of the report by a Vermont State Police public records administrator, which followed multiple requests from veteran Vermont investigative journalist Mike Donoghue and others, a mistake. I asked them repeatedly to not release it, George said, referring to the Vermont State Police. Because I do believe its irrelevant. Donoghue reported in VTDigger that Vermont Rep. Ben Joseph, D-North Hero, was among those to push for the release. The retired judge had filed a Vermont public records request and received a copy of the toxicology report on Monday, Donoghue wrote. I am just starting to read the report. We had read newspaper accounts that said Bourgoin was under the influence of marijuana and this appears to confirm those news stories, Joseph said in the VTDigger article. Joseph said in Donoghues reporting that he had asked the state police to release the report because he feared state legislators will vote on possible marijuana legalization next year without knowing about the driver being impaired in the Williston crash. However, George told necn Tuesday that she opposed the reports release because she worried public exposure to the toxicology scan could taint the accounts of witnesses to the erratic drive and crash, as well as to a second wild wrong-way trip Bourgoin allegedly took in a stolen police cruiser. But George added that her staff has promised the families of the five young victims their case is strong, pledging to work tirelessly for justice, always mindful of the vibrant lives lost so suddenly. George said there are still more depositions to do in this caseboth of police officers and witnesses. Those are scheduled for January. Gorleston man wants church bells to ring for Armistice Pageant - master Bruno Peek, from Gorleston, is urging church bell-ringers across Great Britain to ring their bells at 7.05pm on Sunday November 11 2018 to commemorate the 100 years anniversary of the ending of the First World War. While cloud computing holds out the promise of operational efficiency and cost optimization, most big companies will be operating hybrid computing environments for the foreseeable future. As a result, cloud technology for many companies adds yet another layer on top of an already complex computing infrastructure. Seeing an opportunity to help IT departments work with developers and lines of business to optimize their hybrid computing environments, HPE is offering what it calls the first SaaS-based multicloud management application for on-premises and public clouds. Dubbed OneSphere, the software is being unveiled at the company's Discover Conference in Madrid today. "Hybrid IT is a given," said Rhett Dillingham, vice president and senior analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy, speaking on a webcast organized by HPE. As adoption of multiple clouds picks up steam, private cloud infrastructure investment continues for classic reasons of compliance and cost optimization as well as to support edge computing and IoT applications, Dillingham said. "You have these orchestration tools and cloud management platforms enabling multicloud and hybrid cloud use; what's turning into the challenge is the consolidated management across this hybrid infrastructure," Dillingham said. The problem is that the orchestration tools on the market now are limited, said Ric Lewis, senior vice president and general manager of the Software-Defined and Cloud Group at HPE. "They are very homogeneous; usually it's virtual machines only or VMs on- or off-premeses or VMs only in one public cloud vendor. OneSphere is open -- it has an open API so you can use it with whatever you want," Lewis said. When launched in January however, OneSphere will work only with AWS. HPE says that will be followed by support for Azure and Google Cloud. On-premises, HPE says OneSphere will support a range of cloud platforms including VMware and Kubernetes. In the future others will be added, including Open Stack and Azure Stack. HPE also plans to work with Cloud 28, a coalition of 600 partners worldwide, to further expand the capabilities. HPE The interface for HPE's OneSphere gives a view of a company's utilization of multiple clouds. OneSphere was designed to make it easy to build private clouds and connect to public clouds, help developers get resources they need immediately, and give lines of business and executives insights to make operations more efficient. The software provides users access, via a SaaS portal, to a pool of IT resources that spans public clouds they subscribe to as well as on-premises environments. This is particularly important for developers because today's applications are virtualized, containerized and built as microservices, straddling clouds and sites, noted Lewis. OneSphere is designed to let them self-provision the resources they need with a few clicks in the portal, without waiting for their counterparts in IT operations to respond to request tickets. "OneSphere is built on a modern architecture using container-based services and Kubernetes orchestration, all running in a cloud environment," said Bryan Jacquot, user experience architect in the HPE's Software-Defined and Cloud Group. A self-service portal OneSphere can transform an existing virtual machine farm into a private cloud, Jacquot said. When VM farms are connected to the OneSphere platform, the existing VM deployments, templates and networks are automatically discovered though the self-service portal. Deployment of new physical and virtual infrastructure is similar. Users specify where hardware is geographically located and a virtual gateway is deployed on-site to provide a secure communications link between the on-premises infrastructure and the SaaS platform. "Once this gateway is deployed you're able to compose bare-metal servers into a new private cloud running VMware in a single click," Jacquot said. While putting provisioning power in the hands of users can speed deployment of resources and take a load off the IT department, administrators will also want to be able to impose some constraints. "The potentially scary part for people is that they can have users clicking these buttons and all of a sudden, oh my goodness, what's the credit card bill gonna be, what are they doing?" said Katreena Mullican, senior architect and cloud whisperer at the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology in Huntsville, Ala. HudsonAlpha, a beta site for OneSphere, is a nonprofit organization with in-house researchers doing genomic research as well as extensive collaborations with a variety of outside scientists and organizations, all generating about 6PB of data a year. It's a collaborative venture and data, compute power and research is shared. "We are the definition of hyperscale and hybrid IT," Mullican said. Access controls are key OneSphere offers role-based access control and a simple interface where the researchers themselves -- many of whom get cloud credits on different cloud platforms as part of their research grants -- can deploy resources and applications either on site or in the cloud. "What OneSphere does is it puts that provisioning power in the hands of the end users, the researchers. It enables a type of shadow IT which is not the negative type of shadow IT that you might hear about -- it's actually a useful shadow IT so that they can accomplish their research in a timely manner," Mullican said. "Were saving lives here at HudsonAlpha through this research; I dont want that delayed." But while Mullican doesn't want to throttle back resources, she welcomes OneSphere's controls. "As an administrator I need to be able to go into the tool and say, this is where you're allowed to provision, this is the maximum, whatevers appropriate for the environment so I can sleep at night knowing these tools are out there. So it's a balance." OneSphere allows administrators to see utilization costs as they are incurred, Mullican notes. HPE also points out that OneSphere can provide a single view of usage and aggegate costs across all public clouds and on-premises deployments so line of business managers and CIOs can control and optimize resources and spending by cloud, site, line of business or subscriber. OneSphere is priced on a subscription consumption model. New guidelines for Canada have been published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal online this week that outline the use of new anti-HIV medications among high risk populations who are at risk of contracting HIV from getting the dreaded infection. These new guidelines aim to provide the clinicians with resources and support he added. This research was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Canadian HIV Trials Network. The guidelines outline the use of these medications both before and after exposure to HIV infection. These are called pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, and non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis, and nPEP respectively. PrEP refers to use of antiretroviral drugs regularly before an exposure to the infection occurs. This is suitable for persons who are at risk of getting HIV infections such as those who work with HIV positive individuals and also sexual partners of HIV positive individuals. nPEP refers to a course of anti HIV medications that are given to persons who have been exposed to HIV infection either sexually or due to drug-use related causes to prevent the infection. The guidelines that have been released suggest that these are biomedical interventions that must be part of a combination of preventive strategies adopted for HIV prevention and control. Behavioral interventions to prevent HIV infection include use of condoms and safe sex practices and adopting other measures to protect oneself from HIV exposure. Dr. Darrell Tan, an infectious disease physician and scientist at St. Michael's Hospital and lead author of the guidelines said in his statement, There are new biomedical HIV prevention strategies that have been widely endorsed worldwide by organizations including the WHO, U.S. CDC and othersIn particular, PrEP is a highly effective and safe Health Canada-approved method that involves taking a daily pill, which, if taken properly, can offer almost 100 per cent protection against new HIV infection. Dr. Tan was part of the 25 member panel that worked together with the Biomedical HIV Prevention Working Group of the CIHRs Canadian HIV Trials Network. The screened through all the available literature on the benefits provided by the PrEP and nPEP regimens. The authors add that HIV incidence in Canada is still high and cause for concern and these guidelines come in as very important in this scenario. They write that homosexual men in Canada are 131 times more at risk of getting HIV infection compared to heterosexual men and 54 percent of the new HIV infections are seen among homosexual men. Similarly those who are injection drug users are 59 times more likely to contractHIV compared to those who are non-users. Indigenous people are 2.7 times more likely to get HIV and those who have immigrated from countries that have endemic HIV infections are 6.4 times more likely to get this infection, the report adds. PrEP now has been recommended for: men who have sex with men (MSM) transgender women who had anal sex without a condom in the previous 6 months along with criteria such as; Presence of syphilis or bacterial STD of the rectum Past use of nPEP more than once Ongoing relationship with a HIV positive individual MSM HIV risk index (a measure for risk) over 10 Heterosexuals who had condomless vaginal or anal sex with someone who has HIV Drug users who share injection paraphernalia Drugs for PrEP include once-daily tenofovir disoproxil fumarate with emtricitabine (TDF/FTC). The guidelines recommend nPEP in patients presenting within 72 hours of moderate or high-risk exposure to HIV. The regimens include TDF/FTC along with either raltegravir, dolutegravir or a combination of darunavir and ritonavir. The authors performed an economic analysis assessing the cost benefit aspects of PrEP and nPEP in HIV prevention. Dr. Tan explained that the cost of these antiretroviral drugs has been the major obstacle that has restricted the feasibility and acceptability of these interventions. With the introduction of the generic versions of these medications and also availability of these drugs for public use, PrEP in Canada may now have a good run providing cost effective benefits. These guidelines are in the same lines as those already in place in the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia. Dr. Tan hopes that introduction of PrEP can dramatically reduce the number of new cases as has been seen in other countries. People whose genetic makeup triggers a later-than-average start to puberty have lower bone mineral density, especially in their lower spine. Because adolescence is a critical period for accruing bone, this effect may increase a person's risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures later in life. "If an individual is genetically programmed for later puberty, we found that he or she tends to have lower bone mineral density during childhood as well as in adulthood," said geneticist Struan F. A. Grant, PhD, one of three scientists from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) who co-led a study published Oct. 25, 2017 in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. Scientists already knew that later puberty was linked to lower bone mineral density, and that both are risk factors for osteoporosis. This study was the first to analyze the associations between genetic determinants of puberty timing and measurements of bone mineral density. The researchers drew on data from the Bone Mineral Density in Childhood Study (BMDCS), funded by the NIH. That study included sophisticated bone and growth measurements during annual visits for up to seven years in over 2,000 healthy children, adolescents and young adults during 2002 to 2010. Babette S. Zemel, PhD, another co-study leader, was the principal investigator of the BMDCS at CHOP, where she directs the Nutrition and Growth Laboratory. In the current research, the study team used a relatively new tool called a "genetic risk score" (GRS), which enables collective study of a group of genetic variants in one go. "We generated a genetic risk score in the BMDCS study based on hundreds of genetic variants associated with later puberty in children, and looked for associations with bone mineral density measurements," said first author Diana Cousminer, PhD, a CHOP geneticist with expertise in the genetics of puberty. The researchers performed these analyses separately in boys and girls, and also in publicly available corresponding genetic data on bone mineral density in adults. For both boys and girls, the GRS for later puberty associated with lower bone mineral density in both a longitudinal cohort of 933 individuals who each had up to seven assessments, and in a cross-sectional cohort of 486 individuals. The results varied according to the part of the skeleton where bone mineral density was measured, with lowest density in the lower back and hip bones. Genetics & Genomics eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today In a separate analysis called "Mendelian Randomization," the study team found that later puberty caused lower bone mineral density in both adult men and adult women. They also detected a strong causal effect in adolescent girls, while finding no causal relationship for adolescent boys. Cousminer said the number of boys in their analysis may not have been large enough to show a significant effect. The current research builds on several previous studies of bone health performed by CHOP scientists, using BMDCS data. Earlier this year, they showed that gains in bone mineral continue even after teenagers attain their adult height, reinforcing the importance of late adolescence for building bone strength. A 2016 study found that children and adolescents with higher levels of physical activity had higher bone density, even when they had genetic variants that predisposed them to weaker bones. That research, co-led by Zemel and Grant, strengthened the evidence that high-impact, weight-bearing physical activity improves bone health in children and adolescents. Other researchers have previously shown an epidemiological link between later puberty and the risk of bone fracture and osteoporosis late in life. The current study did not include data from elderly people, and so could not directly perform a genetic analysis of osteoporosis risk. Cousminer added that the CHOP team's future studies will address this question by using data from older research subjects. "Now that we are aware of the risks to lifelong bone health if someone is genetically predisposed to later puberty, we can work on strategies such as promoting weight-bearing physical activity, to optimize bone density during skeletal development," said Zemel. Source: http://www.chop.edu/news/genes-influencing-later-puberty-cause-lower-bone-density The income gap between the rich and poor in the United States has reached its highest levels since the Great Depression. Given past evidence that a wider rich-poor gap can be harmful to a population's health, tax policies that widen or narrow this gap may influence the overall health of a society. In a new study published in Preventive Medicine, Daniel Kim, MD, DrPH, examined actual and recently proposed tax policies and projected how these policies could affect the total number of deaths in the United States. He determined that only policies that considerably raise top federal income tax rates and that redistribute tax revenue to lower-income households are likely to bring large reductions in the total number of Americans that die annually. "Just over a month ago, the White House and Republicans unveiled a broad outline of a plan for fundamental changes in the US federal income tax code," commented Professor Kim, of the Department of Health Sciences, Bouve College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA, and the EHESP School of Public Health, Sorbonne Paris Cite, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France. "House and Senate Republicans are now drafting specific tax proposals that are slated to then get signed as a bill into law by President Trump by the end of this year. If enacted, this would represent the first major federal tax reform in more than 30 years. During this process, it is critical that policymakers consider the potential public health implications of these tax reforms." Professor Kim analyzed changes in tax policy based on detailed proposals by Donald Trump and Senator Bernie Sanders during the 2016 US Presidential campaign. These two contrasting proposals capture the kinds of changes in federal tax law that originate from both sides of the political spectrum. In addition, Professor Kim extended the Sanders proposal with both higher top bracket tax rates and the redistribution of tax revenue from taxpayers in the three highest tax brackets (with incomes $500,000 or more) to lower-income households. Based on this analysis, Professor Kim projected that 29,689 more deaths per year from all causes would result from the Trump plan and that 31,302 fewer deaths per year would occur from the Sanders plan. Under the modified Sanders plan including higher top rates, he estimated that there would be 68,919 fewer deaths per year, while under the modified Sanders plan with redistribution, a staggering 333,504 fewer deaths per year would be expected. The public-use tax file that Professor Kim obtained from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service contains 139,651 tax records that are representative of the 142.6 million tax returns filed by Americans. Using TAXCALC, a microsimulation software package, Professor Kim calculated tax liabilities and after-tax income for those tax returns according to the tax law changes for each proposal. The Gini coefficient, a measure of income distribution among a population's residents, was then calculated. By simulating changes in tax rates (including for ordinary income and long-term capital gains and dividend income), exemptions and deductions, changes in after-tax income and average changes in the state-level, Gini coefficient for all 50 U.S. states were estimated. Finally, these changes in income inequality and income levels through redistribution were used to project changes in mortality according to past estimates of these associations. Overall, the results of Professor Kim's study support an inverse relationship between federal marginal income tax rates and income inequality. Historically, since 1918, this seems to also be the case: as the top federal tax rate rises, the national share of income of the top 1% falls, and vice versa. Notably, the 75% top income tax bracket rates that Professor Kim showed were linked to large reductions in mortality have precedence, with similarly high tax rates in the 1970s up until 1981. In addition, public support for income redistribution through higher taxes on the wealthy has now reached historic peak levels: according to Gallup polls in 2013 and 2014, a majority (52%) of Americans agree that the government should redistribute wealth through heavier taxes on the rich. "The take-home message from this study is that policies that both substantially raise federal income tax rates and redistribute tax revenue appear needed if we want to see big reductions in the total numbers of Americans that die each year. Current tax proposals through the House and Senate fall well short of these top rates and do not include redistribution. At this critical time of tax reform, widening gaps between the rich and poor and growing public support for higher taxes and redistribution to combat inequality, policymakers should consider joint federal tax and redistributive policies to reduce the burden of mortality among Americans," said Professor Kim. Personalized medicine or "precision medicine" is the most significant trend in 21st century medicine. "It's all about the right treatment for the right patient at the right time," says Ursula Schmidt-Erfurth, Head of MedUni Vienna's Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry. And looking into the eye - using digital techniques and analyzing Big Data - also provides an accurate picture of a person's general medical condition, facilitates early diagnosis and treatment and makes for transparent patients. The ART-2017 specialist conference (Advanced Retinal Therapy) is characterized by these digital developments in personalized medicine. "As a window into the condition of a person's brain and vascular system, the retina offers huge insights into their Life Science data," explains Schmidt-Erfurth at today's press conference about ART 2017. In collaboration with the Department of Medicine III and the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, headed up by Anton Luger, it will in future be possible for doctors at MedUni Vienna to make an on-the-sport diagnosis of diabetes from the eye, using the first automated digital retinal screening technique, without the help of an ophthalmologist. In terms of diagnostic imaging, the eye is a unique part of the human body. Using OCT (optical coherence tomography) technology, 40,000 scans are produced within 1.2 seconds, with a total volume of 65 million voxels. The term voxel is a contraction of "volume" and "element" and refers to a grid point in a three-dimensional grid and overall to a huge volume of information about a patient's retina. The OCT data are analyzed using automated algorithms generated on the basis of Artificial Intelligence. Both the device and the AI method were developed by the Medical University of Vienna, notably at the Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering and in the OPTIMA Christian Doppler laboratory, under the supervision of Schmidt-Erfurth. Christoph Hitzenberger und Adolf Fercher from the Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering were awarded this year's Dolores H. Russ Prize, the "Nobel Prize for Engineering Sciences", for the early development of OCT as a technique. Moreover, Ursula Schmidt-Erfurth has just been awarded the Donald Gass Medal by the most prominent society in the USA, the Macula Society, and also holds several patents for development of these algorithms. Personal and medical Life Data "A digital image of the retina provides us with an enormous amount of data, offering information about a person's entire personal and medical Life Data," explains Schmidt-Erfurth. "Not only about existing or potential diseases, but also about lifestyle." For example, the retina shows how old a person is, their gender, smoking habits, blood pressure and whether they have diabetes, or at least an increased risk of developing it. "It has hitherto not been possible for us, as internists, to look into the eye, because we lacked diagnostic experience and did not have the necessary equipment in our department. Diabetes and high blood-pressure are very common conditions and, in many patients, result in long-term retinal damage," explains Florian Kiefer, internist at MedUni Vienna's Department of Medicine III. "By incorporating these new technologies into clinical care, we will be able to obtain a much more accurate picture of our patients' general health, so that we will not only be able to offer them individual information and advice but also customised treatments. This innovative approach represents a further important step towards better comprehensive care of the rapidly increasing number of diabetics." Moreover, it might be possible in future to detect diseases of internal organs, such as the kidneys, or age-related problems and neurological diseases from the retina. Says Schmidt-Erfurth: "A large number of digital techniques are already being used in the management of eye conditions, always with the aim of improving standards of ophthalmological care. Digital retinal scanning is an additional revolutionary step in this direction. However, it also opens up a whole universe of potential applications, far beyond purely medical ones... and an essential change to the job description of doctors in the near future." Under the banner: "The future is here to stay", the ART will provide a forum for lively debate between experts. In a project funded by the Austrian Science Fund FWF, Doris Wilflingseder investigates the initial stages of infection - the time span when the immune system might still stop HIV. Complement-coated HIV (pink) attached to a dendritic cell (green-blue). Quelle: Wilflingseder D./Pfaller K. "HIV has been intensively investigated in research labs all over the world for more than 30 years", says Doris Wilflingseder, and throughout that time it has been resisting effective treatment. "The virus mutates incredibly fast and plays a cat-and-mouse game with our immune system", adds Wilflingseder, a researcher at the Medical University of Innsbruck. Within the context of the FWF-funded project HIV infection and transmission close to reality, the immunologist heads a research group which works on describing the interaction of the virus with the immune system - before the immune deficiency spreads and the body might still defend itself against the virus. INITIAL CONTACT AS PIVOTAL POINT It is known that HIV infiltrates the genetic material of T helper cells, which constitute an essential element of the body's immune response - and that makes the virus so dangerous. Instead of effectively fighting the intruder, these cells are exploited by the virus and thus support the virus attack until the immune system finally breaks. "Our approach considers the initial contact between immune cells in the mucosa and the pathogens to be the pivotal point", explains the scientist. She places her bet on the complement system, the part of the innate immune system which can immediately destroy pathogens. "This part of our immune defense system is not taken into account by most other research teams, although it is a key element in the acute infection phase and can contribute to a successful fight against the virus", explains Wilflingseder. Basically, the complement system coats the invading HI-virus, thus marking it as such for the immune cells. Dendritic cells are then able to perceive the virus as an intruder and spring into action. These sentinels of the skin and mucosa apprehend anything they perceive as a foreign substance and deliver their prey "free of charge" to T helper and killer T cells. DEVIL IN THE DETAIL "Our trials and investigations have illustrated that complement-coated HIV is detected more readily by dendritic cells and, subsequently, more efficiently battled by effector cells than a virus that carries no immunological marker." On basis of these results achieved by Wilflingseder on cell cultures, a therapeutic vaccine might, in principle, be conceivable - in principle only, because the devil is in the detail. In this case it is the fact that the window of opportunity is only open for two weeks. "After that time, we see the emergence of HIV-specific antibodies that recognize the virus but do not neutralize it in that time span. In this way, the immune response conveyed by the dendritic cells is changed again, since other receptors get stimulated on the cells", notes Wilflingseder. Genetics & Genomics eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today "Right now, our research aims at gaining a better understanding of the immune system and these coating processes specifically at the beginning of the infection. We hope this will help us to find ways of strengthening the immune system even during the chronic phase of HIV infection", says Wilflingseder, putting any premature hopes for treatment into perspective. THE POTENTIAL OF NEW MODELS The researcher does see definite success and progress in another field. Doris Wilflingseder started and refined her investigations with the help of cell cultures. "Cell cultures are often very simple. They have none of the more complex structures we find in different types of tissue", she summarizes. For a long time, scientists skirted this disadvantage by using animal testing. "But now we are establishing really good 3D cell culture models. Lab-grown 3D structures and organoids increase our chances even further." The researcher is convinced that animal testing is not only dubious but also substitutable in many cases. "I collaborate closely with physiologists and bio-informatics experts on developing 3D cultures." Wilflingseder contributes her expertise and instinctive understanding of 3D cultures to this process. "Knowing intuitively when to change the media and when to take samples is important." Quite frequently, confirms the scholar, the right time does not follow a regular pattern. In order to suss it out one needs experience and creativity. "It's comparable to cooking. It is striking that people who can cook and bake also have a good instinct for cell cultures." The new models provide a better way, and, even more importantly, a method involving the human immune system, of investigating cancer and infections in a more relevant system. Anyone who has ever survived being a teenager should be well aware that parenting a teenager can be no easy feat. But factor in a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or intellectual disability (ID), and you'll likely have the recipe for a unique set of challenges to the entire family unit. According to autism expert Jan Blacher, a distinguished professor in the Graduate School of Education at the University of California, Riverside, the effects of those challenges went largely understudied for years while medical professionals blamed mothers of children diagnosed with ASD for their kids' disorders. Beginning in the 1950s, doctors turned to psychiatrist Leo Kanner's "refrigerator mother" theory as evidence that a lack of maternal warmth could essentially cause autism. It wasn't until the mid-1960s when psychologist Bernard Rimland, among others, began to discredit Kanner's theory, instead popularizing the idea that autism could be rooted in neurological development, or even genetics. Decades later, the race to find autism-linked genes continues. But it doesn't yet benefit families of kids with ASD, said Blacher and her research colleague, UCLA's Bruce L. Baker. Within those families, the impacts of raising children with autism hit mothers especially hard, resulting in what Blacher and Baker refer to as "collateral effects." In a study recently published online in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, the researchers found that mothers of teenagers with ASD or ID reported higher levels of stress and other negative psychological symptoms -- think depression or anxiety -- than mothers of teenagers with typical development, or TD. Those levels climbed even higher when teenagers with ASD or ID also showed signs of clinical-level disruptive behavior disorders. To find out how such disorders affected mothers, Blacher and Baker surveyed 160 13-year-olds and their families. Eighty-four of the study's teenage participants were classified as having typical development, or TD; 48 as having ASD; and 28 as having ID. As the director of UCR's SEARCH (Support, Education, Advocacy, Resources, Community, and Hope) Family Autism Resource Center, Blacher works with kids of all ages with ASD. She said this study, however, is special because it focuses on a pool of adolescents who are the same age. "Usually when studies have looked at the impacts of autism on families, the children involved have reflected wide ranges of ages," she said. "Here, we've eliminated the variance related to developmental stage." Genetics & Genomics eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today Blacher and Baker first assessed mothers and their 13-year-olds during in-person visits at their research site, and later asked mothers to complete separate questionnaires privately to measure youth behavior problems and parental well-being. "ASD group mothers scored highest on each of the two distress indicators," the researchers wrote, adding that ASD group mothers' levels of stress and psychological symptoms did not differ significantly from those of ID group mothers. The findings harken back to research demonstrating that parents of children with ASD have reported levels of stress consistent with those of individuals who experience post-traumatic stress disorder. What's more, mothers' levels of parenting-related stress and other psychological symptoms were amplified by the presence of one or more clinical-level behavior disorders, Blacher and Baker said. "The most common disruptive behavior disorder is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, but children with autism can also show signs of oppositional defiant disorder, depression, and anxiety," Blacher said. "The disorders that are most disruptive to parents are those we describe as 'acting out' disorders and involve behaviors like not following rules, hitting, screaming, arguing, lashing out, and breaking things." Still, the researchers emphasized that parents who face childrearing challenges need not resign themselves to lifetimes of mounting stress. The mothers they studied who demonstrated more resilience had one thing in common: an optimistic outlook on life. Using the Life Orientation Test, which assesses individuals' optimism or pessimism, Blacher and Baker found that mothers who were more optimistic -- believing that good rather than bad things would happen to them -- experienced fewer negative impacts associated with parenting a child with ASD or ID and comorbid behavior disorders. In those cases, a more positive outlook on life became a buffer against parenting-related stressors. "It's in the face of stress when optimism really becomes important," Blacher said. "A mom that has a high level of optimism is going to be able to better weather stress and be better prepared mentally for the challenges ahead." An interview with Dr. Jim Gimzewski, UCLA conducted by April Cashin-Garbutt, MA (Cantab) Can you please give a brief introduction to your research characterizing cancer cells? My name is James Gimzewski and I am a distinguished professor at UCLA. I'm in the Chemistry and Biochemistry department, but I am also heavily involved in the California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA. We were probably the first to pioneer the idea of what is now known as mechanobiology the study of the mechanical properties of cancer cells as a potential diagnostic tool. Credit: Mikheiken, A. et al. DNA nanomapping using CRISPR-Cas9 as a programmable nanoparticle. Nat Commun. 8, 1665 (2017) How has AFM allowed you to measure cell softness and why is this important? One of the beautiful things about AFM is that it is a mechanical tool. In the same way a doctor would feel the skin or tissue of a patient, AFM allows that to be done on the nanoscale and it is unique in that respect. What challenges did you have to overcome in terms of making sure the cells didnt burst? We know a lot about AFM technology. At the beginning, AFM was not very good at biology at all. However, we are experts in nanotechnology and by working with people who are experts in cells, and bringing the two fields together, we could conduct a lot of research and decrease forces, for instance, and understand things about the tip, which enabled us to develop this ability. Mechanobiology and AFM Play Mechanobiology and AFM from AZoNetwork on Vimeo. Is it known why metastatic cancer cells are extremely soft compared to normal cells despite similarities in appearance? I work with people at UCLA who are experts in pathology and there are subtle differences in certain morphologies and so on in cancer cells, but it is not always possible to tell that. We have an orthogonal tool that when used to look at the mechanobiology, shows us that the metastatic cancer cells are about 10 times softer than some equivalent mesothelial cells that would be in a sample. Will it be possible to use AFM in the clinical environment as a diagnostic tool? I have been working with Jianya Rao who is the head of pathology and specializes in cancer diagnosis. Together, we are working on a new type of tool, which is an automated platform that would allow, for instance, medical people to use the microscope and automatically detect cancer cells. That is the long-term goal of our work being able to translate that into a medical setting. How has AFM directly advanced or helped your research? I have always been interested in nanomechanics. I started studying nanotechnology in 1983 at IBM and then I moved to UCLA in 2001. I started to think we could use this nanomechanical tool as a unique way of looking at biology and that led me into medicine. It is an essential tool and it keeps improving by getting faster and more automated. I have a rosy view for the future of its use in medicine. What is the biggest impact that AFM has made to the biological and nanomedicine research fields? There are numerous ones. Of course, I particularly like the ability to study mechanobiology, but I am also interested in imaging and high-speed AFM. We have been able to image molecular motors running along actin filaments. High speed allows you to take videos of life at the nanoscale and I think they are marvelous. More things will emerge in the future. Credit: Mikheiken, A. et al. DNA nanomapping using CRISPR-Cas9 as a programmable nanoparticle. Nat Commun. 8, 1665 (2017) How has Bruker technology helped or advanced AFM in biological research? They are one of the leading companies, particularly in the bio field. Personally, together with the California NanoSystems Institute, we have a very close relationship. They are in Santa Barbara and we are in Los Angeles. They go out of their way to tweak and modify the machine according to who is working in bio and medical needs. I think that has been a very important aspect and, in particular, Chanmin Su is an absolute wizard at putting things together in a very short space of time! What is the importance of meetings, like the AFM BioMed Conference, to you and the AFM research community? Just today, I have learned so much. I try to keep up with the literature. In the old days, there were perhaps 50 AFM researchers in the world, whereas today, there are thousands of AFM researchers. This is therefore a great opportunity to get together, talk to people, find out the latest developments and even come up with new ideas and ideas for collaboration. This is a particularly good meeting. It is also not too big; it doesn't have parallel sessions and so on, so you can really have a one-to-one relationship with a lot of the people who are talking here or presenting posters. What direction do you see, or would like to see, AFM going in the next five years? What do you see as the next big thing for AFM? I would like to see a couple of things. I would like to see the speed keep increasing. At the moment, just some small demonstrations have shown 1,000 frames a second is possible under certain conditions, but it would be good if under all biological conditions, we could have really fast videos and watch the mechanics of life in motion. I think that is one direction. The other direction concerns the fact that AFMs tend to be general purpose. They can look at cells and at strands of DNA. They can do lots of things, but that comes at a price. I would like to see more purpose-built AFMs ones that can map DNA and are designed for that high speed. In the field of medical diagnosis, it would be useful to have machines that are much easier to operate so that a medical technician could run them. A third direction that is important to me is to keep reducing the forces down to piconewtons. We typically talk about nanonewtons in AFM, but I would like to see a move to very low perturbations in terms of the forces. Those are the three things that I personally would like to see happen and I think they will happen. Where can readers find more information? For more information on Prof. Gimzewskis research, please visit: http://gim.chem.ucla.edu/ For more information on AFM BioMed: http://www.afmbiomed.org/ For more information on AFM from Bruker: https://www.bruker.com/products/surface-and-dimensional-analysis/atomic-force-microscopes.html About Dr. Jim Gimzewski Dr. James K. Gimzewski is a distinguished professor of Chemistry at the University of California, Los Angeles and member of the California NanoSystems Institute. His current research includes nanoscale science of biological systems, fabrication of atomic switch networks to emulate the neocortex and the mechanobiology of cells, exosomes and actin bound with neuronal binding proteins. Dr. Gimzewski is a Fellow of the Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering. He has received honorary Doctorates (DSc hc & PhD hc) from the University of Aix II in Marseille, France and from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. He is a PI at Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA) in the National Institute of Materials Science (NIMS), Tsukuba, Japan. He is also Scientific director of the UCLA Art|Sci Center. Prior to joining the UCLA faculty in 2001, he was a group leader at IBM Zurich Research Laboratory, where he conducted research in nanoscale science and technology for more than 18 years. Dr. Gimzewski pioneered research on mechanical and electrical contacts with single atoms and molecules using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). First look - Han Solo's first "wife" Sana Starros in her first solo series The Marvel Comics' original character Sana Starros gets her own series Hafiz Saeed files petition in United Nations to remove his name from the list of terrorists Islamabad : 26/11 Mumbai terror attack mastermind and Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief Hafiz Saeed has filed a petition in the United Nations to remove his name from the list of terrorists, reports Times Now on Tuesday. Hafiz Saeed was listed as a terrorist by the UN under UNSCR 1267 (UN Security Council Resolution) in December 2008. He has been accused as the master mind of Mumbai terror attacks in November 2008. Before India, US had tagged him a specially designated global terrorist in May 2008. Now, after Lahore High Court in Pakistan released him from the house arrest, the JuD chief has filed a petition in the UN to remove his name as a terrorist. Saeed walked free from house arrest last week after Lahore High Court found insufficient evidences against him. India had expressed outrage when news about Saeed's imminent release broke, and had termed it an attempt by Pakistan to "mainstream" terrorists. India signs pact on security cooperation with Russia New Delhi : India on Monday signed an agreement with Russia -- Cooperation on Security -- aimed at a comprehensive approach on issues like high-tech crimes, counterfeit currency and illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and humans, an official said. Home Minister Rajnath Singh and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Kolokoltsev signed the agreement and agreed to hold the next Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting on counter-terrorism between India and Russia in 2018. Rajnath Singh is on a three-day visit to Russia from November 27 to 29. "This is an updated and more comprehensive agreement on cooperation on security between Ministry of Home Affairs of India and the Ministry of Interior of the Russian Federation," a Home Ministry statement said. "This agreement provides a comprehensive approach for cooperation in security-related issues, including IT crimes, counterfeit currency, illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, trafficking in human beings, economic crimes, crimes related to intellectual property and cultural property, amongst others." Both ministers emphasised on the strength of the relationship between India and Russia and underlined that cooperation in the field of security was an important aspect to further strengthen the efforts against terrorism, extremism and radicalism. The two leaders agreed that "terrorism must be fought unitedly and there are no good or bad terrorists". They also agreed to cooperate in combating new challenges, enhanced exchange of information, cooperation in building a data base and in training of police and investigating agencies, the statement said. A Joint Action Plan between India and Russia for 2018-20 was also signed by the Ambassador of India to Russia Pankaj Saran and State Secretary and Deputy Minister of Russia Igor Zubov. Having toilets makes your everyday life better. Globally toilets and sanitation can save millions of lives through disease prevention. Toilets can also prevent rapes. According to a study, women in India who use open defecation sites are twice as likely to get raped compared to women using a home toilet. China fixing toilets for tourism and for close quality of life gap Over the last three years, China has refurbished 68,000 public toilets which is 20 per cent more than the original target. These were mostly around tourist areas. The overhaul was backed by more than 1 billion yuan (US$152 million) in central government funding and over 20 billion yuan ($US3 billion) from local authorities. To mark World Toilet Day on November 19, the National Tourism Administration pledged to erect another 47,000 toilets and refurbish 17,000 others over the next two years. The tourism industry generated about 3.9 trillion yuan (US$600 billion) last year from more than 4.4 billion domestic and foreign visitors. While building new toilets and upgrading others, China also needed to work on waste treatment, with sewage threatening the countrys vulnerable underground water system. There has been a toilet paper theft problem from public bathrooms. Tourist authorities in Chinas capital have begun using facial recognition technology to limit how much paper a person can take. 50% of Indias population defecates in the open A movie that tackles the subject of open defecation may not sound like romantic entertainment, but audiences across India think the current Bollywood hit Toilet: A Love Story delivers just that. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made Clean India a prominent government campaign. This includes a spree of nationwide toilet building, according to government tallies, roughly 45 million over 3 years. 7.5% of people in Indias cities still relieve themselves in the open. Toilets Save Lives Toilets save lives because human waste spreads killer diseases. However, 4.5 billion people live without a household toilet that safely disposes of their waste. World Toilet Day is about inspiring action to tackle the global sanitation crisis. By 2030, the Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG #6, aim to reach everyone with sanitation, and halve the proportion of untreated wastewater and increase recycling and safe reuse. For that to be achieved, we need everyones poo to be contained, transported, treated and disposed of in a safe and sustainable way. Today, for billions of people around the world, sanitation systems are either non-existent or ineffective and, consequently, progress in health and child survival is seriously undermined. Also, poor water and sanitation cost developing countries around $260 billion a year, 1.5 per cent of their gross domestic product (GDP), while every dollar invested could bring a five-fold return by keeping people healthy and productive. * 1.8 billion people use an unimproved source of drinking water with no protection against contamination from faeces. * Globally, 80% of the wastewater generated by society flows back into the ecosystem without being treated or reused. * Only 39% of the global population (2.9 billion people) use a safely-managed sanitation service, that is, excreta safely disposed of in situ or treated off-site. * Combined with safe water and good hygiene, improved sanitation could prevent around 842,000 deaths each year. We need everyones poo to take a 4-step journey: * Containment. Poo must be deposited into a hygienic toilet and stored in a sealed pit or tank, separated from human contact. * Transport. Pipes or latrine emptying services must move the poo to the treatment stage. * Treatment. Poo must be processed into treated wastewater and waste products that can be safely returned to the environment. * Disposal or reuse. Safely treated poo can be used for energy generation or as fertilizer in food production. Where are toilets lacking ? Darker colors have fewer toilets per capita. In 2015, 23% of people in China did not access to an improved toilet. 60.4% of people in India did not have access to an improved toilet. In India, 173 people defecating in the open for every square kilometre in the country. According to World Health Organisation data, more than 140,000 children in India die from diarrhea each year before they reach the age of five. This is a update on rail plans in China, ASEAN and across Russia to Europe. China is pushing ahead to more than double the current high speed rail network by 2030. There are some minor modifications to not fund some projects because of debt concerns. ASEAN (Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia. Laos) high speed rail projects will be completed over the next ten years. The frequency and volume of rail freight between Europe and China has increased by eight times over the last three years. China is making a multi-billion dollar push for more trade and connections with Eastern Europe. China High Speed rail network will double again by 2030 By 2020, Chinas high speed rail network will reach 30,000 kilometers. This will be up from about 22,000 kilometers today. Chinas non-high speed railway network will reach 120,000 kilometers. Double-track will be 60% and electrification rates will 70% of track. The total length of high-speed lines will be further extended to reach 38,000km by 2025, and 45,000km by 2030. The National Development and Reform Commission, Chinas top economic planning body is raising the bar for approving local rail projects amid growing concern over a debt-driven infrastructure boom. Population levels, as well as the economy and fiscal conditions of Chinese cities seeking permission for subway projects will be more closely scrutinized. Two subway projects in Mongolia were halted. Beijing was still testing three lines: * a driverless subway, * a maglev train * a new tram will be launched in the citys western suburbs at the end 2017 Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) seeks to support the construction of more than 3000 kilometers of rail lines between China and Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. Many of the projects have started to take shape. In August 2017, the Thai government approved $5.5 billion for the construction of a 252-kilometer line connecting Bangkok to its northeast border. Malaysia is making $85 billion transport investment to 2020 and $75 billion is dedicated to railway development. Malaysia has a double tracking project running from north to south. In April 2017, China and Indonesia agreed to the terms on the building of a high-speed rail link between Jakarta and Indonesias fourth largest city, Bandung. Singapore and Malaysia are expected to announce the tender arrangements for their respective legs of the $15 billion 350 kilometer Kuala Lumpur (KL)-Singapore high-speed railway (HSR) by the end of 2017. The 350 km-long HSR line will cut off the travel time from Malaysia to Singapore from 4 hours drive to just 90 minutes in a train travel. It will travel at a top speed of 300km/hour. The terminus in Malaysia will be at the site of a former air force base in Kuala Lumpur, Bandar Malaysia, while the one in Singapore will be at Jurong East. Construction is planned to start in 2018 and the HSR is targeted to be up and running by 2026. Chongqing-Xinjiang-Europe rail line since 2011 The city of Duisburg, Germanys biggest inland port, is on one end of the Chongqing-Xinjiang-Europe rail line, which opened in 2011 from the Chinese southwest city of Chongqing. It takes only 13 days for goods to arrive in Duisburg from Chongqing by rail, 30 days less than by sea, and at a fifth of the cost of air freight. In 2014, Link witnessed the arrival of China-Europe trains at the Duisburg Intermodal Terminal (DIT), together with Chinese leaders. At that time, there were three trains operating to and from Duisburg and Chongqing every week. Today, the number has increased to over 25 per week. Daniel Thomas, of DIT Duisburg Intermodal Terminal, said that among them, 17 trains are westbound (from China to Europe), while another eight are eastbound. According to data from consultants GFW Duisburg, the number of Chinese businesses has grown steadily since 2014. More than 100 Chinese companies have so far settled here. At the same time, around 50,000 import and export containers were transported by CRE trains in 2016, almost four times of the amount in 2014. Construction started China funded Hungary Serbia line Officials have inaugurated the reconstruction of the railway line between Serbia and Hungary, a project financed mostly by China and its new Silk Road initiative to expand commercial ties with Europe, Asia and Africa. The symbolic launch of the project on Tuesday on the outskirts of the Serbian capital of Belgrade took place on the same day Chinese Premier Li Keqiang was meeting Budapest with the prime ministers of both countries, Serbias Ana Brnabic and Hungarys Viktor Orban. Orban has called the upgraded railway, which has been criticized by Hungarian opposition parties as too expensive and more important for China than Hungary, the flagship project of Chinas efforts to increase its presence in the region. On Monday, Hungary hosted the 16+1 summit between China and 16 countries from Eastern Europe. 23 agreements are expected to be signed between participants at the summit. China has set aside a $10 billion eastern european fund. Chinas outbound foreign direct investment in CEE remains modest and is concentrated in just a few countries. The headline list of projects completed to date seems to consist of a bridge in Serbia and two roads in Macedonia and little else. Chinese firms have invested heavily in port infrastructure in Greece, but CEE dreams that China would use its Greek ports as gateways for the economic development of the Balkans have so far failed to materialize. President Xi outlined five initiatives to further promote cooperation between China and the Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC). 1. Expand economic and trade scale, and boost trade and investment liberalization and facilitation. China is willing to import more high-quality agricultural products from the CEE countries. 2. Speed up major projects on connectivity, promoting links through land, sea, air and the Internet. China hopes to see more rail lines be launched by China Railway Express and more direct flights between China and Europe and would like to set up a logistic center in the CEE region. 3. Look at setting up industrial parks in the areas of production capacity, energy, logistics and agriculture. 4. More financial support for the 16+1 cooperation. He announced the establishment of China-CEEC Inter-Bank Association and the second phase of China-CEEC Investment Cooperation Fund in a keynote speech to the seventh China-CEEC Economic and Trade Forum held earlier on Monday. 5. More cultural and people-to-people exchanges, enhance cooperation on tourism, and start cooperation between youths. EU concerned about China reaching out to Eastern Europe EU diplomats are concerned China-eastern europe connections could be exploited by Beijing to undermine union rules and take advantage of growing east-west tensions in the pact itself. The Senate could vote on its tax overhaul as soon as this week. But first, Senate leaders need to win over a small number of Republican senators, and they cannot afford to lose more than two of those lawmakers for the bill to pass, assuming Democrats are unified in opposition. Below are Republican senators who oppose or have expressed concerns about the current bill: 1. Bob Corker Tennessee 2. Jeff Flake Arizona 3. James Lankford Oklahoma 4. Jerry Moran Kansas 5. Susan Collins Maine 6. Ron Johnson Wisconsin 7. Steve Daines Montana Increased Deficits The national debt has now topped $20 trillion, and several Republican senators have expressed concerns about more debt piling up as a result of the tax overhaul. The tax legislation approved by the Senate Finance Committee would increase federal deficits by $1.4 trillion over a decade. Repeal of the Individual Mandate Senate Republicans took a risk by injecting the difficult politics of health care into the tax debate. Their tax bill would end the Affordable Care Acts requirement that most people have health coverage or pay a penalty, a provision known as the individual mandate. Taxes on Small Businesses and Other Pass-Through Entities One part of the legislation that could change is how it would treat small businesses and other so-called pass-through entities, whose owners are taxed on profits through the individual tax code. Senator Ron Johnson, Republican of Wisconsin, came out against the tax rewrite this month, citing concerns about how these businesses would fare. NYTimes.com no longer supports Internet Explorer 9 or earlier. Please upgrade your browser. Senate Republicans $1.5 trillion tax cut would not pay for itself, according to a report released on Thursday by the nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation. The report is a significant setback for Republicans, who have asserted that the tax cuts would grow the economy enough to cover the cost of the plan. Source Estimated cost of Senate tax plan Cost including estimated effect of economic growth Joint Committee on Taxation $1.63 trillion $1 trillion Penn Wharton Budget Model $1.64 trillion $1.39 trillion Tax Foundation $1.78 trillion $516 billion Penn Wharton Budget Model, Sources: Joint Committee on Taxation The Tax Foundation . Note: Most estimates are 10-year revenue effects without factoring in government spending, known as outlays. However, the J.C.T.s only estimate of the bills effects with economic growth, shown above, includes outlays. The report of the committee, Congresss official tax scorekeeper, is the latest in a number of analyses that have found that the cuts could add a significant chunk to federal budget deficits, a move that would seem counter to years of Republican criticism of the deficits accumulated under the Obama administration. In the Congressional Budget Offices analysis of the Senate tax bill, the cuts would add $1.414 trillion to the deficit by 2027. That estimate does not include the amount that would be offset by the economic growth spurred by tax cuts. The Senate Bills Cumulative Cost Without Economic Growth $1.5 trillion 1 0.5 0 2018 2020 2022 2024 2026 $1.5 trillion 1 0.5 0 2018 2020 2022 2024 2026 Some Senate Republicans have expressed concerns about the bills deficits. Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee pushed to include in the final legislation some kind of safeguard that would trigger automatic tax increases or spending cuts if economic growth fails to cover the cost. But the provision was determined to run afoul of budget rules by the Senate parliamentarian on Thursday. Will the Tax Cut Pay for Itself? In a 2018 budget blueprint passed by Congress, lawmakers allowed enough room to lose about $1.5 trillion in revenue, but Republicans have said that the proposed tax legislation is designed to pay for itself. How Much the Tax Plan Could Add to the Deficit $10.1 trillion Projected deficits over the next 10 years under current law $1.5 trillion Cost of tax cuts proposed by Congress $10.1 trillion Projected deficits over the next 10 years under current law $1.5 trillion Cost of tax cuts proposed by Congress They have argued that economic growth spurred by the cuts would make up for the difference in tax revenue, eventually reducing the deficits. But there is no consensus among economists about the amount of growth that would occur, and few estimate that the bill would generate enough economic growth to offset the drop in tax revenue. To measure the macroeconomic effects of the Senate tax plan, economists have calculated estimates both with and without factoring in economic growth caused by the cuts. The results are produced using varying economic assumptions and show a wide range of estimated costs. For the Senate version of the tax plan, estimates vary widely across the Joint Committee on Taxation, the University of Pennsylvanias Penn Wharton Budget Model and the conservative Tax Foundation, whose models tend to assume large growth effects. But all three analyses show that even when factoring in economic growth, the tax bill would not pay for itself. Senate Bill Cost including economic growth Estimated cost of plan REVENUE neutral J.C.T. Tax Foundation Wharton $2 trillion -1.8 -1.6 -1.4 -1.2 -1 trillion -0.8 -0.6 -0.4 -0.2 0 Cost including economic growth Estimated cost of plan REVENUE neutral J.C.T. Tax Foundation Wharton $2 trillion -1.6 -1.2 -0.8 -0.4 0 Cost including economic growth Estimated cost of plan J.C.T. Tax Foundation Wharton $2 trillion -1.6 -1.2 -0.8 -0.4 0 Estimates for the House version of the plan, which passed with 227 Republican yes votes on Nov. 16, also vary widely, but each shows the bill would cost more than $1 trillion even when accounting for economic growth. The Joint Committee on Taxation has not released an estimate for the House version that includes economic growth effects. House Bill Cost including economic growth Estimated cost of plan REVENUE neutral Tax Foundation Wharton J.C.T. $2 trillion -1.8 -1.6 -1.4 -1.2 -1 trillion -0.8 -0.6 -0.4 -0.2 0 Cost incuding economic growth Estimated cost of plan REVENUE neutral Tax Foundation Wharton J.C.T. $2 trillion -1.6 -1.2 -0.8 -0.4 0 Cost including economic growth Estimated cost of plan Tax Foundation Wharton J.C.T. $2 trillion -1.6 -1.2 -0.8 -0.4 0 Moscow says hospitalisation reports of its foreign minister at G20 meet is 'height of fakery' From Kangara painting for Biden to Pithora for Australia, here's what PM Modi gifted leaders at G20 Summit Bali volcano alert to the highest level, Swaraj monitoring situation India pti-PTI New Delhi, November 28: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday said she was monitoring the situation in Bali closely and that the Indian Mission there would provide assistance to Indians requiring help as Indonesia raised Bali volcano alert to the highest level. The Indian Consulate in Bali has opened a help desk at the city airport to provide any assistance to the Indians stuck there. "Indians in Bali - Pls do not worry. Pradeep Rawat Indian Ambassador in Jakarta @IndianEmbJkt and Sunil Babu Consul General @cgibali are on the job and I am monitoring this personally(sic)," she said on Twitter yesterday. Massive columns of thick grey smoke that have been belching from Mount Agung since last week have now begun shooting more than three kilometres (two miles) into the sky, forcing flights to be grounded. The airport in Bali's capital Denpasar, a top holiday destination that attracts millions of foreign tourists every year, has been closed for the second day today. PTI Mount Agung volcano: Sushma Swaraj monitoring situation, Indian mission opens help desk India pti-PTI New Delhi, Nov 27: As Indonesia raised Bali volcano alert to the highest level, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today said she was monitoring the situation closely and that the Indian Mission there would provide assistance to Indians requiring help. The Indian Consulate in Bali has opened a help desk at the city airport to provide any assistance to the Indians stuck there. "Indians in Bali - Pls do not worry. Pradeep Rawat Indian Ambassador in Jakarta @IndianEmbJkt and Sunil Babu Consul General @cgibali are on the job and I am monitoring this personally(sic)," she said on Twitter. Massive columns of thick grey smoke that have been belching from Mount Agung since last week have now begun shooting more than three kilometres (two miles) into the sky, forcing flights to be grounded. The airport in Bali's capital Denpasar, a top holiday destination that attracts millions of foreign tourists every year, has been closed, a move expected to affect tens of thousands of passengers. PTI As 'RRR' performs well at Japan box office, SS Rajamouli confirms sequel to NTR-Charan-starrer 'Yashoda' 1st weekend box office collection: Here's how much it collected in 3 days GES 2017: Here's what Ivanka Trump is scheduled to do today India oi-Madhuri Recommended Video Global Entrepreneurship Summit : Here is Ivanka Trump's schedule for the event | Oneindia News United States President Donald Trump's daughter and advisor Ivanka Trump arrived at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad early on Tuesday morning ahead of the inauguration of the three-day Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES), 2017. She was directly driven to Hotel Trident in Madhapur in a special vehicle that came from the USA. Later, Ivanka would meet Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj at HICC. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi would arrive at Begumpet airport on Tuesday. He would then reach Miyapur Metro rail station by helicopter where he will be inaugurating the metro project. He would later reach HICC where he would officially meet Ivanka Trump. Ivanka Trump will address the summit on "Be the change - Women Entrepreneurs' Leadership". Later in the evening, Modi will host a dinner for the White House adviser in the iconic 101-chair dining room of the heritage hotel, once the home of the Nizams or rulers of the formerly princely state of Hyderabad. A five-course menu inspired by Hyderabad's famed cuisine is being readied for the guest by the hotel's team of culinary experts, led by executive chef Sajesh Nair. The menu will showcase Telangana's unique cooking styles and present diners with an array of choices. Famed delicacies such as dahi ke kebab, gosht shikampuri kebab, kubani ke malai kofta, murg pista ka salan and sitaphal kulfi will be presented over several courses - Aghaz (soup), Mezban (appetisers), Waqfa (sorbet), Mashgool Dastarkhwan (main course) and Zauq e shahi (dessert). After the dinner, Ivanka would return to hotel Trident while PM Modi will leave for New Delhi. The GES has previously been held in Washington DC, Istanbul, Dubai, Marrakech, Nairobi, Kuala Lumpur, and Silicon Valley. The GES 2017 will highlight the theme "Women First, Prosperity for All" and focus on supporting women entrepreneurs. OneIndia News As 'RRR' performs well at Japan box office, SS Rajamouli confirms sequel to NTR-Charan-starrer 'Yashoda' 1st weekend box office collection: Here's how much it collected in 3 days Hyderabad: Ivanka Trump meets Modi ahead of Global Entrepreneurship Summit India oi-Madhuri The United States President Donald Trump's daughter and advisor Ivanka Trump arrived for Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Hyderabad on Tuesday. Earlier in the day, Ivanka was received in Hyderabad by Kenneth Juster, the newly appointed US ambassador to India, and Navtej Sarna, New Delhi's ambassador in Washington. The summit is being hosted for the first time in South East Asia by the Governments of India and the United States. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the event that will be attended by U.S. President Donald Trump's daughter and his advisor Ivanka Trump. "Indians and Americans don't just share an affinity for democracy. We share a vision of the future." - Sec. Tillerson #GES2017 #USIndia70 #USIndiaDosti pic.twitter.com/tEKE2CuVWy U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) November 28, 2017 With the inauguration of the GES 2017 just hours away, the US embassy in India shared a comment American Secretary of State Rex Tillerson previously made about the summit and the relationship between New Delhi and Washington. "Indians and Americans don't just share an affinity for democracy. We share a vision of the future," Tillerson, the American equivalent for a minister for external affairs, had said. Modi and Ivanka Trump along with 100 special guests would also attend a special dinner at the Falaknuma Palace, now a plush hotel, in the old city. The dinner will be served on a Nizam-era table around which 101 guests can sit at a time. OneIndia News Cong for Muslims, BJP for Hindus: Did Rahuls temple visits in Guj help to bust the myth? Gujarat Assembly elections 2017: Modi, Rahul to be back in battlefield India pti-PTI Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi will be back in battlefield Gujarat on Wednesday to power the electoral campaign of their respective parties in the bitterly-fought Assembly polls. Modi, who launched a campaign blitzkrieg on Monday, addressing four election rallies in different parts of Saurashtra and south Gujarat, will hold four more tomorrow, after a day's break during which he inaugurated the Global Entrepreneurship Summit and the Hyderabad Metro in the Telangana capital. Modi will address rallies in Morbi and Prachi villages near Somnath, Palitana in Bhavnagar and at Navsari in south Gujarat on Wednesday. Rahul Gandhi will also be in Gujarat on a two-day campaign tour. He will kick off the current trip with a visit to the famous Somnath temple. He has been repeatedly ridiculed by the BJP for visiting a string of temples in the state during the election campaign. The Congress vice president will visit Gir Somnath, Amreli and Bhavnagar districts where he will interact with people and hold public meetings, party sources said. Gujarat goes to polls in two phases on December 9 and 14, while votes will be counted on December 18. The Congress is seeking to dislodge the BJP from power in the state, which the saffron party has ruled for close to two decades now. PTI Hyderabad: Ivanka Trump reaches Hotel Trident in special vehicle India oi-Chennabasaveshwar By Chennabasaveshwar Recommended Video Ivanka Trump reaches Hotel Trident in special vehicle | Oneindia News Ivanka Trump, daughter and advisor to US President Donald Trump, arrived in Hyderabad for the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in the wee hours on Tuesday. Ivanka Trump directly drove to Hotel Trident in Madhapur in a special vehicle that came from the USA. The Global Entrepreneurship Summit-2017 will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Ivanka will lead a delegation from her country at the event. Over 1,500 delegates, including entrepreneurs and investors and CEOs of major knowledge-based companies, are expected to attend the summit. The summit is being hosted for the first time in South East Asia by the Governments of India and the United States. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the event that will be attended by U.S. President Donald Trump's daughter and his advisor Ivanka Trump. Ivanka Trump at Trident Hotel Ivanka, 36, has travelled to India before, but this is her maiden trip to the country as a senior presidential advisor. Courtesy: @USAndHyderabad Ivanka Trump speaking to US Ambassador to India Ken Juster Accompanied by several top administrations official, a large number of Indian Americans are part of her delegation, which numbers 350 from 38 states. Courtesy: @USAndHyderabad Ivanka Trump pose for photo with US Ambassador to India Ivanka said she aims for this summit to serve as an open and collaborative environment for the exchange of ideas, to broaden networks, and to empower entrepreneurs to take their ideas and passion to the next level. Courtesy: @USAndHyderabad Ivanka Trump with Navtej Sarna, India's ambassador to US and US Ambassador It is "a testament to the strong friendship between our two people and the growing economic and security partnership between our two nations," Ivanka Trump told reporters during a preview of her India visit. Courtesy: @USAmbIndia (With agency inputs) Photo Gallery: Global Entrepreneurship Summit In Hyderabad Indo-US ties set to scale new heights: Sushma Swaraj India pti-PTI External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday said the relationship between India and the US under the current leadership will scale new heights and contribute to global peace and prosperity. The minister said this while proposing a vote of thanks at the inaugural session of the Global Entrepreneur Summit 2017, which among others was attended by Ivanka Trump, US President Donald Trumps daughter and advisor to the White House. "I have no doubt that under leadership of Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi and President Trump, India and US relations will scale new heights and contribute to global peace and prosperity," she said. The minister also underlined the need for according priority to women entrepreneurship, saying it should be a priority for India as well as the rest of the world. She further said that while India is a land of entrepreneurs, the US is a nation that is identified with spirit of enterprise. "The relationship between the two countries have developed into a partnership of global significance. Woman entrepreneurs are epitome of courage and leadership. Empowerment of women is priority for India and should be a priority for entire world," Swaraj said. She added that the government has embarked upon ambitious programme of empowerment of women and skill development. Further, the minister said Ivanka Trump represents the energy and spirit of entrepreneurship that characterised youth of today. "We appreciate efforts of the US government to promote entrepreneurship globally. We deeply value strong desire of President Trump to further strengthen partnership with India which we fully share," Swaraj said. The GES 2017 is being organised by the US administration in partnership with Niti Aayog. For the first time it is happening in south Asia. PTI Kejriwal pulls up top hospital officials for lapses India oi-Shreya By Shreya Recommended Video Arvind Kejriwal pulls up health officials of GB Pant Hospital over irregularities | Oneindia News Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, on Nov 28, pulled up the top officials of GB Pant hospital for the said schemes for not being implemented in totality. He himself monitors the health schemes of free medicines and surgery in private hospitals & resolution of complaints on the helpline numbers. In the last few days, the reports which have been submitted to the Chief Minister, showed that there were lapses in implementation of these pro-people schemes. Medicinal availability was not completely implemented, referral to private hospitals for free surgery was not made possible in totality. The Kejriwal-led Delhi Government had launched the scheme under which all medicines are given for free to the patients at the government hospitals and patients are referred to private hospitals for free surgery if they don't get their surgery done within 30-days at government hospitals. In addition to it, a helpline number has been issued by the government for patients and their attendants to lodge complaints. The hospital has to ensure that each complaint is attended to and is resolved. However, in the case of GB Pant hospital, there were lapses found in implentation of the schemes. Hearing Medical Director of GB Pant, the Kejriwal said that any additional help required for the betterment of the hospital will be provided as soon as possible, but the lapses should be done away with immediately. The Chief Minister directed the Medical Director & other officials of the hospital to resolve all issues and come with a report on the same by next Tuesday (7-days). OneIndia News Kerala Love Jihad: Wife not a chattel, husband cant be guardian says SC India oi-Vicky By Vicky Recommended Video Kerala Love Jihad : Supreme court says husband can't be the guardian | Oneindia News The Supreme Court said that a wife is not a chattel and husband cannot be her guardian. The observation was made during the hearing in the Hadiya case on Monday. A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud interacted with 25-year old Hadiya for nearly half-an-hour and posed questions on her life, ambition, studies, and hobbies. Hadiya told the court that she wanted 'freedom' to live with her husband, profess her faith in Islam and that she very well understood what she was doing. When the Bench asked Hadiya to name any relative or near acquaintance to be named as her local guardian in college at Salem in Tamil Nadu, she said her husband could be her guardian and she does not want anyone else in that role. "A husband cannot be a guardian of his wife. Wife is not a chattel. She has her own identity in life and society. Even I am not the guardian of my wife. Please make her understand," Justice Chandrachud said. The Bench posed questions to Hadiya in English while she answered in Malayalam, which was translated by senior advocate V Giri, who appeared for Kerala government. When the Bench asked Hadiya about her dreams for the future, she replied that she needs freedom and want to live with her husband. The Bench then asked whether she was comfortable in professing her faith and studying simultaneously and told her that being a good citizen, she can profess her faith and be a good doctor. Hadiya replied she wanted the freedom to profess her faith and she fully understood what she is doing. The Bench asked her whether she wanted to continue her studies and pursue an internship of in-house surgeons at the expense of the state government. The woman said she wanted to pursue her studies but not at the state's expense as her husband will take care of her. She further requested the court that she be allowed to visit her friend before being taken to Salem, to which the court agreed and directed the state government to provide her security. The court asked Kerala police to ensure that she travelled at the earliest to Salem in Tamil Nadu to pursue homeopathy studies at the Sivaraj Medical College. OneIndia News Padmavati funded from Dubai? BJP leader writes to Modi, demands probe India oi-Oneindia By Oneindia New Delhi, Nov 28: Earlier this month, veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy alleged that the controversial Bollywood film, Padmavati, waiting for its release in the country, has been funded from Dubai. Swamy is yet to furnish any proof in regard to the allegation levelled against the Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus on Rajput queen Padmavati by him. However, now, another BJP leader and Censor Board member Arjun Gupta wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday requesting an investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into allegation levelled by Swamy that Padmavati was financed from Dubai. Gupta, in his letter, also questioned how the film was shown to the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) in the United Kingdom (UK) without getting a certificate from India's Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), also known as the Censor Board, reported ANI. Although the CBFC is yet to certify Padmavati, which is hogging the limelight as protests and threats continue against the film by several Rajput and Hindu groups for allegedly "distorting history", the BBFC has cleared the film for its screening in the UK a few days ago. BJP Leader and Censor Board member Arjun Gupta writes to PM Modi, requests ED investigation into allegations of Subramanian Swamy of #Padmavati being financed from Dubai.Also questioned how film was shown to British censors without a CBFC certificate pic.twitter.com/Wqtf1LAb60 ANI (@ANI) November 27, 2017 "Dubai residents want Muslim kings to be presented as heroes in our movies and Hindu women eager to enter into relationships with them," said Swamy, further adding, "We should keep tabs on fact if there's a larger international conspiracy behind it." Expressing suspicion on the funding of the movie, Swamy asked the ED to investigate the financing behind the Bhansali movie. "Many such films are being made nowadays. Huge money spent on production... Many such movies started being produced, especially during United Progressive Alliance's (UPA) rule in the last 10 years. This needs to be stopped," added the BJP leader. The film by Bhansali, starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, and Shahid Kapoor, is based on a 1540 poem by the Sufi writer Malik Muhammad Jaysi. Historians, however, are yet to confirm the existence of queen Padmavati from Chittor, Rajasthan, who self-immolated herself after Sultan of Delhi Alauddin Khilji tried to kidnap her. The film is facing the ire of right-wing groups over alleged love scenes between queen Padmavati and Khilji as a part of a dream sequence, which Bhansali has repeatedly denied. The movie, in spite of not being certified by the CBFC, has been banned in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, all three BJP-ruled states. OneIndia News 'Medicine can also be studied in Tamil medium!' - CM Stalin's efforts are getting a growing response Mayor Priya is not the puppet but the savior - How did Chennai recover from the floods? Raids on Sasikala aides continue: IT dept searching 33 locations in TN India oi-Vicky By Vicky Recommended Video Sasikala aid's property raided by I-T department in Tamil Nadu | Oneindia News The Income Tax department is conducting raids in several locations in Tamil Nadu. The raids are a continuation of the one that was held two weeks back when officials searched the premises of the Jaya TV office and other locations belonging to aides of Sasikala Natarajan. The IT department is currently conducting simultaneous raids at 33 different locations. Raids are being conducted in Chennai and Madurai. Sources say that these raids are in furtherance of what was conducted two weeks back. Following the earlier raids, the IT department had seized several documents and also cash. The IT department is investigating investments made in shell companies. Further, the department is also probing how a fleet of imported cars came into Tamil Nadu illegally. OneIndia News SC rejects plea challenging Rakesh Asthanas appointment as spl CBI director India oi-Vicky By Vicky A petition challenging the appointment of Rakesh Asthana as a special director of the Central Bureau of Investigation has been rejected by the Supreme Court. The court rejected the petition that was filed by the advocate, Prashant Bhushan. Bhushan, on behalf of NGO Common Cause, filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking to quash Asthanas appointment in accordance with the Vineet Narain case. The Common Cause in their petition said that the government did not follow rules and regulations while the appointment of the CBI Director. The petitioner alleged that the government wanted to appoint its own choice as interim CBI Director "even if it meant bypassing the statutory law, the norms of propriety, and the directions contained in the Vineet Narain's judgment". "The judgment in Vineet Narain's case had clearly held that the tenure of CBI Director would be two years. This was to ensure that there is no ad-hocism in the appointment and functioning of the CBI Director," the petition states." Therefore, the petitioner submits that the government must be directed to comply with the mandate of the law and call for the meeting of the selection committee as per the DSPE Act, 1946 as amended by Lokpal Act, 2013," the petition adds. 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 Vadodara and Surat.In his earlier stint, he also accused the Chief Minister of Bihar in the infamous fodder scam. OneIndia News Thakur, Gabbar of 'Sholay' protest against GST in Surat India oi-Chennabasaveshwar By Chennabasaveshwar Congress workers went on a rally against Goods and Services Tax (GST) in a filmy style in Surat on Tuesday. Members of Congress took out a protest dressing up as characters from 'Sholay'. However, they were detained by police for carrying air guns, which resembled rifles and carrying out rally without prior permission. VJ Chaudhary, Salabatpura inspector, said, "They took out the rally without permission and were also carrying air guns. We are taking us with them, we have also informed RO, a team is coming to take stock of the situation and take further action." On Monday, BJP changed the venue of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's campaign schedule to the outskirts of Surat. It may be recalled that the Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi called the GST as 'Gabbar Singh Tax'. Since the GST was launched in the country, traders and businessmen in Surat are up against the biggest tax overhaul. There are over 165 textile trading markets in the city where over 65,000 traders conduct business. The daily turnover is around Rs 130 crore. OneIndia News After SC said no Jihad, only Love in Hadiya case, father considers review plea No more controversies over me, says Hadiya Choice of partner lies within individuals zone of core privacy: SC in Hadiya case Hadiya to continue studies at Tamil Nadu college, wants to meet her husband India pti-PTI Hadiya, a Kerala woman at the centre of an alleged love-jihad case after converting to Islam, arrived here on Tuesday evening to continue studies at a homeopathy medical college as directed by the Supreme Court. She was brought to the Sivaraj Homeopathy Medical College amid tight security by Kerala police from Coimbatore, about 170km from here. College Principal G Kannan said she would continue her course under her Hindu name Akhila Ashokan. The 25-year old will be undergoing a 11-month internship at the institution as directed by the apex court on Monday. The court, after the proceedings, had freed Hadiya from her parents' custody and asked her to pursue her studies. It did not accede to her plea to be allowed to go with her husband. Hadiya was brought to Coimbatore by a flight and then here by road. Wearing a yellow scarf, she was whisked away to the managing director's office soon after arrival at the college campus in Salem, a town in Salem. Later, emerging from the office after about half-an-hour later, Hadiya said she has sought permission to meet her husband. "I have sought permission from the college authorities to meet my husband. I hope they will allow," she told reporters. Replying to a question, she said security was not necessary for her. But at least for two days security will be there, she added. Later, she was taken in a police vehicle to the college hostel, located about five km away from here. Principal Kannan said her admission process has commenced and she will be attending classes from Wednesday. A Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra had given the direction yesterday after interacting with Hadiya. Kannan said no special treatment will be accorded to Hadiya at the hostel. The apex court has appointed the dean of the college as Hadiya's guardian and granted him liberty to approach it in case of any problem. She was earlier staying at her parental home in Kochi for several weeks. The bench, also comprising Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud, had directed the college and the university to re-admit Hadiya and grant her hostel facilities. Meanwhile, deputy commissioner of police Subbbulakshmi, who held a meeting with college authorities, told reporters that adequate protection will be given to her. The Kerala High Court had on May 29 annulled the marriage of Hadiya with Shafin Jahan, terming it as an instance of 'love jihad', following which the man approached the apex court. Jahan has also sought recall of the Supreme Court's order directing the NIA to investigate the case under the supervision of retired apex court judge, Justice R V Raveendran. It was alleged that Hadiya was recruited by the Islamic State's mission in Syria and Jahan was only a stooge. She was in the custody of her parents for almost six months after the high court annulled her 'nikah' with Jahan. Ashokan KM, the father of the woman, has alleged that there was a "well-oiled systematic mechanism" for conversion and Islamic radicalisation. Earlier today, Ashokan welcomed the SC decision allowing his daughter to pursue her studies. "Hadiya does not have any idea about Syria, where she wanted to go after converting to Islam.. . I cannot have a terrorist in the family ," he added. Ashokan also said he was sad that his daughter had to undergo such "unpleasant experiences because of which her studies were interrupted." "But now I am happy as the court has allowed her to study further," he told reporters in Delhi. PTI Child dies after being run over by TMC MP's car in Bengal West Bengal police get a breakthrough in the civic body chief murder case India oi-Amitava By Amitava The Chandannagar Police Commissionerate, West Bengal got a major breakthrough with the arrest of the two prime accused in the Municipal Chairman murder case. On November 22 night, Manoj Upadhyay, Chairman of the Bhadreswar Municipality was shot dead by assailants in the Hooghly district of West Bengal. Upadhyay's family in the FIR had named certain persons including Ratan Chaudhary and Raju Chaudhary and independent Municipal Councilor Raju Kumar Shaw. Chintu Dubey, the person driving the bike on which the Chairman was riding had named Ratan and Raju Chaudhary as being part of the group that had stopped the bike and shot Upadhyay in cold blood. Ratan and Raju had been absconding following the incident. Police had launched a manhunt for the FIR named. On Monday night a West Bengal police team along with the Uttar Pradesh Police raided a Hotel in Benia Bagh, Varanasi. Along with Ratan and Raju, 5 others were arrested. The arrested include Krishna Chaudhary, Akash Chaudhary, Rajesh Chaudhary, Santosh Prasad and Debu Pakhrey. They will be produced at the Varanasi Court before being brought to West Bengal on transit remand. Prior to these arrests, one Munna Rai had also arrested from the Hooghly district. The cell phones of the accused were tracked which finally led to their hideout in Benaras. Prior to this, they were hiding in Bihar. Prima facie the Chairman knew both the assailants. However, with the two getting involved in criminal activities including extortion, syndication, Upadhyay had distanced himself from the two. He even had stopped some of their illegal activities. The murder could have been a fall out of this, feel Upadhayay's family members. The incident had occurred at around 10:45 pm on November 22, when Chairman Manoj Upadhyay was returning home from the Jai Bharat Sangha club. Upadhyay used to visit the club daily and return home at this time. He was on a bike. His name was called out by a group of 15 or 16 odd men standing on the GT Road near the Hanuman Mandir in Gatebazar area. Chintru Dubey who was driving, stopped the bike group when they started firing. Five rounds were fired after which the assailants fled on foot, Dubey had stated. Hearing gunshots locals rushed out from their homes to find Upadhyay lying in a pool of blood. He was shot in the chest and stomach. He was rushed to the Chandannagar hospital where he was declared brought dead. Upadhyay was a popular leader. There were widespread protests with an allegation of police inaction. Locals, family members, and Trinamool Congress supporters claimed that despite life threats that Upadhaya faced, the police had failed to take any preventive action. Candlelight vigils and protests rallies took to the streets. There were major reshuffles in the rank and file of the police with Ajoy Kumar taking charge as the Commissioner of Police replacing Peeyush Pandey. The OC of Bhadreswar Police Station Anudutyi Majumdar was "closed" for having failed to discharge duties. OneIndia News Will Modis rich versus poor narrative against Congress have an impact on Gujarat polls? India oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Recommended Video Gujarat Assembly polls : PM Modi pitches 'rich verses poor' against Congress | Oneindia News Gandhinagar, Nov 27: It was only a few days ago when a bunch of young Congress workers from the Indian Youth Congress (INC) decided to attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a 'chaiwala' meme posted on Twitter. The Congress' offensive meme, which denigrates the country's official head, once again tried to rake up PM Modi's humble past when he as a child used to sell tea in the railway stations of his home state, Gujarat, to add to the income of his family. In 2014, before the Lok Sabha elections, senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar called Modi a "chaiwala" (tea seller), which proved costly for the party as Modi won the polls with a thumping majority. The crass, classist and anti-poor meme by the members of the INC has clearly backfired as PM Modi has brilliantly weaved the 'rich versus poor' narrative in poll-bound Gujarat. The Gujarat Assembly elections are scheduled on December 9 and 14. The results will be declared on December 18. On Monday, Modi launched Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Gujarat elections campaign with a series of rallies in Saurashtra and Kutch. In all the election rallies, the PM's speech focussed on attacking the Congress and reiterating his special bond with Gujarat, Modi's homeland. While he attacked the Congress for criticising his "reforms" in the economic front, Modi stressed the fact that the Congress was "anti-poor" since the days of former PM Indira Gandhi. Replying to the poorly-tested meme without referring to it, Modi said, "The Congress dislikes me because of my poor origins. Can a party stoop so low? Yes, a person belonging to a poor family has become the PM. They do not fail to hide their contempt for this fact. Yes, I sold tea but I did not sell the nation." As he warned the Congress "not to mock his poor origins", Modi attempted to voice the concern of the economically deprived people of being neglected for more than seven decades since the country got independence. "I request the Congress not to mock the poor and my poor origins," the PM stated. In Gujarat, Modi decided to target the Congress by attacking the party's strongest leader ever, Indira Gandhi. He also called the former PM "anti-poor". "Overnight, Indira Ji removed Morarji Bhai (Morarji Desai) from the Cabinet. She didn't open doors of the bank for the poor. When we got the opportunity to serve, the thing we did was to start the Jan Dhan Yojana and focus on financial inclusion," Modi said in Surat, where small-time traders and businessmen are openly expressing their anger against the Modi government over the demonetisation and the Goods and Services Tax (GST). The PM alleged that the Congress disapproves of the demonetisation as it has brought down corruption and flow of black money. "The Congress is unhappy about the demonetisation. They keep attacking me but I want to tell them...I have grown up in the same land as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. I will ensure that the poor get their dues. We will not allow this nation to be looted," he added. "I am grateful for all the kichad (muck) being thrown at me, after all, a lotus blooms only in muck, so, I don't mind if more is thrown at me," he stated, indicating that the Opposition's attempts to tarnish his image over the demonetisation and the GST are futile. Modi with his razor-sharp criticism alleged that the "arrogance of the Congress party is at a record high". "They don't realise that times have changed. Things are very different in Gujarat from the time they ruled here 22 years ago. Society is no longer divided, there is progress now." "Our efforts against corruption have naturally troubled the Congress," the PM added. Again in Surat, where Modi and the BJP are facing open opposition from the voters, attacked the Congress. "After campaigning in Kutch, Rajkot, and Amreli districts, I have come to Surat. I am seeing energetic response from people. I also see that the Congress is scared of defeat and unable to match the BJP's focus on development and good governance," said the former chief minister of Gujarat. In his Rajkot rally, Modi spoke about the Congress' alleged dubious distinction of "pitting one caste against the other". "It is the Congress' tendency. Make sure that you do not let them destroy the composite culture of Gujarat," he said while urging the voters to elect the BJP. "The solution to all problems is development. Development has to be continuous. We want to work even more for the people of Gujarat." Praising Modi and his love for the poor people as he himself comes from a humble family, the PM's cabinet colleague Ravi Shankar Prasad in the national capital said, "The PM understands poverty and poor. The Modi government is working for the poor." Upset over the PM's allegations that the grand old party is "anti-poor", senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge called Modi an "expert in marketing". "Modi is an expert in marketing. When a person holds a post, discussions are done on his performance and not on his economic status. He is saying such things to gain sympathy ahead of the elections." Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma said that the PM knows very less about history. "The Congress abolished the Zamindari system. The PM has relations with big industrialists but not poverty. They (the BJP and the PM) have not made any decision in the favour of poor. He has the habit of commenting on the Congress. We will send him a book on the Congress to study," added Sharma. Sharma tried to remind Modi that former Congress PM Lal Bahadur Shastri belonged to a poor family. "Manmohan Singh came as a refugee and was from a poor family too. The PM must recall Indira Gandhi's slogan of Garibi Hatao. She nationalised banks so that poor can get money easily," he added. If on the one hand, Modi made the best use of the chaiwala meme to construct the "rich versus poor" narrative in poll-bound Gujarat, on the other hand, the PM spoke passionately about his love for Gujarat. "Ye maati meri maa hai zindagi laga doonga iska karz chukane mein (This land is my mother, I will spend my whole life paying my debts to my motherland," Modi said. "We are not here for power, we are here for the 125 crore Indians. We want to take India to new heights of glory," he added. The PM added that "Gujarat is my soul and mother. My relationship with you is that of equality since you call me brother", highlighting the cardinal truth that Modi is the "son of the soil" and he understands the pulse of his voters well. Modi has often spoken against the Gandhi dynasty and the Congress' "elitist" attitude. This time, however, for the upcoming Gujarat polls, the Congress served Modi the best subject to target the grand old party--the never-ending division between the rich and the poor--which all politicians talk about but hardly anyone does anything to end the blot on the Indian democracy. OneIndia News Scuffle at IGI Airport: Passenger, Air India staffer slap each other India oi-Vikas By Vikas Recommended Video Air India staffer slapped by angry female passenger at Delhi airport | Oneindia News In yet another incident of a scuffle between a passenger and an airline staff, a woman on Tuesday slapped an Air India employee at Delhi's IGI Airport. The Air India lady staffer is also said to have slapped back the passenger. The argument between the lady passenger and the airline staffer broke out after the woman arrived late and missed her flight. An Air India official reportedly said that the issue has been resolved "resolved with the help of security and police." "A lady passenger going to Ahmedabad arrived late at the airport & missed her flight, There was argument between the duty manager and her, following which some altercation took place. That altercation has now been resolved with the help of security and police," news agency ANI quoted an Air India official as saying. DCP Airport said that both ladies later compromised and did not want an action to be taken in the matter. "A lady passenger had to board Air India Flight to Ahmedabad. She reported late for check-in and was denied boarding. Argument started between her and Air India lady staff and the passenger slapped her, lady staff also slapped her..Both have been medically examined. Later on both parties compromised in the matter between them and did not want any action. The matter has been filed," ANI quoted the DCP as saying. [Drunk men harass Indigo staffer, then fall on her feet to apologise] Earlier this month at the Hyderabad airport, two drunk men allegedly misbehaved with a woman cabin crew of Indigo airlines. When she reported the matter to the security staff, the duo, in an inebriated state, was taken to a police outpost at the airport where they fell to the staffer's feet to apologise. OneIndia News Hafiz Saeed knocks UN's door, demands dropping of 'designated terrorist' tag International oi-Vikas By Vikas Days after a Lahore court released him from house arrest, 26/11 Mumbai terror attack mastermind and JuD chief Hafiz Saeed has approached the United Nations seeking the removal of his name from the list of designated terrorists, said reports. Mirza and Mirza, the Lahore-based law firm that represents Saeed, is said to have filed the petition in the UN seeking de-listing of hi name from the sanctions list. An HT report quoted UNSC website as stating that Saeed was prescribed for "being associated with Lashkar-e-Tayyiba and Al Qaida for participating in the financing, planning, facilitating, preparing or perpetrating of acts of activities by, in conjunction with, under the name of, on behalf or in support of both entities." The JuD leader, who has a USD 10 million American bounties on his head for terror activities, walked free last week after his 10- month detention as the Pakistan government decided against detaining him further in any other case. [US state department expresses concern over Hafiz Saeed's release] In May 2008, the US Department of the Treasury had designated Saeed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order 13224. Saeed was also individually designated by the UN under the UN Security Council Resolution 1267 in December 2008 following the November 2008 Mumbai attack in which 166 people, including six American citizens, were killed. [Probe finds UP town celebrations post Saeed's release to be false] The JuD is believed to be the front organisation for the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) which is responsible for carrying out the Mumbai attack. OneIndia News Looking forward to review progress of India's bi-lateral relations: PM as he heads to G20 Summit Moscow says hospitalisation reports of its foreign minister at G20 meet is 'height of fakery' Indonesia: Volcano erupts in Bali, airport to stay shut International pti-PTI Karangasem (Indonesia), November 28: On a second day, plumes of ash from a rumbling volcano forced Indonesian authorities to close Bali's airport as a threatened eruption stranded tourists and forced mass evacuations. Tens of thousands of frightened people have fled their homes near Mount Agung, which looms over the resort island, as experts raised the alert level to maximum and warned it could erupt at any moment. Towering columns of thick grey smoke have been belching from the volcano since last week, and in the last few days have begun shooting into the sky, forcing all flights to be grounded until at least Wednesday morning. "The Volcanic Ash Advisory shows that the plane routes have been covered by volcanic ash, this is dangerous for the flights," Wisnu Darjono from the air traffic agency AirNav official said, referring to a global network of experts that supplies volcano-related information. Some 40,000 people have abandoned their homes in the danger zone but as many as many as 100,000 will likely be forced to leave, disaster agency officials have said. "Volcanic ash is still spewing. It's thick and rising very high -- up to three or four kilometres from the crater," said I Gede Suantika, an official at Indonesia's volcanology agency. "Activity at Mount Agung remains very high. It's still on the highest alert level," he added. The exclusion zone around Agung, which is 75 kilometres away from the beachside tourist hub of Kuta, has also been widened to 10 kilometres. As of Tuesday some 443 flights had been cancelled, affecting more than 120,000 passengers in Bali, a top holiday destination that attracts millions of foreign tourists every year. The airport on nearby Lombok island -- also a popular tourist destination east of Bali -- has opened and closed several times in the past few days. It is currently open but may yet be shuttered again, officials said. Mount Agung last went off in 1963, killing some 1,600 people in one of the deadliest eruptions ever seen in a country with nearly 130 active volcanoes. Memories of that disaster have helped drive people towards community centres and makeshift camps, including villagers who have to leave precious livestock behind. "I am very worried because I have experienced this before," 67-year-old Dewa Gede Subagia, who was a teenager when Agung last roared, told AFP from one evacuation centre. "I hope this time I won't have to evacuate for too long. In 1963, I left for four months." Experts said however that Agung's recent activity matches the build-up to that disaster, which ejected enough debris -- about a billion tonnes -- to lower global average temperatures by 0.2 - 0.3 degrees Celsius for about a year. "What we are seeing at the moment are small explosions, throwing out hot gases and fragments of molten rock, or ash," said David Pyle, a volcano expert at Oxford University. "The probability of a large eruption is high, but this may take some days or weeks to unfold." Agung rumbled back to life in September, forcing the evacuation of 140,000 people living nearby. Its activity decreased in late October and many returned to their homes. However, on Saturday the mountain sent smoke up into the air for the second time in a week in what volcanologists call a phreatic eruption -- caused by the heating and expansion of groundwater. Then on Monday so-called cold lava flows appeared -- similar to mud flows and often a prelude to the blazing orange lava seen in many volcanic eruptions. Indonesia is the world's most active volcanic region. The archipelago nation with over 17,000 islands lies on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" where tectonic plates collide, causing frequent volcanic and seismic activities. Last year, seven people were killed after Mt Sinabung on the western island of Sumatra erupted. A 2014 eruption at Sinabung killed 16. PTI North Korea: Missile tests were practice to attack South, US North Korea denies US claims of supplying arms to Russia North Korea fires new ballistic missile International oi-Deepika By Deepika Recommended Video North Korea fires another ballistic missile after a gap of two months | Oneindia News North Korea has fired a ballistic missile on Wednesday for the first time in more than two months, defying demand from the Trump administration to stop its weapons programme. The missile flew eastward from South Pyongan Province according to Yonhap news agency, which said the South Korean military and the US were analysing. North Korea launched an unidentified ballistic missile eastward from the vicinity of Pyongyang, South Pyongan province, the South Korean A Japanese government source said earlier on Tuesday that Japan had detected radio signals suggesting North Korea may be preparing another ballistic missile launch, although such signals were not unusual and satellite images did not show fresh activity. The US last week unveiled fresh sanctions that target North Korean shipping, raising pressure on Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear programme. Pyongyang condemned the move as a "serious provocation" on Wednesday and warned that sanctions would never succeed. After firing missiles at a rate of about two or three months since April, North Korean missile launches paused in September, after it fired a missile that passed over Japan's northern Hokkaido island on Sept. 15. OneIndia News Diet Coke (Image by JeepersMedia) Details DMCA He knew it would take 30 days to get a new Commissioner installed, so Reagan wrote an executive order making the FDA powerless to sign the revoked petition into law. Then he appointed one of Rumsfeld's friends from the defense department to over-rule the Board of Inquiry, Dr. Arthur Hull Hayes. He did this by adding another person to the Board of Inquiry resulting in a tie which only he could break. The Board of Inquiry had already convened and the decision had already been made but this is how underhanded industry makes their own laws, and the FDA is well known for serving above the law. This is how you change a decision after the decision has already been made. This modus operandi of power is why the public is not protected. As an example, Dr. Woodrow Monte tried to have a hearing on aspartame. He lived in Arizona at the time. Flacks and lobbyists came there to stop the hearing but finally he persevered and got his hearing. Industry used the same underhanded way to stop it. A bill had already been passed on toxic waste. They removed the guts and wrote in how to deregulate artificial sweeteners. The hearing was squelched. Nobody voted to have this done, the bill had already been passed for another subject. So back to Rumsfeld, he was then in control. By law, the executive orders of a President must always be on the record, but immediately in this case, the executive order was expunged or "scrubbed" from existence. It is mentioned in Dr. Goyan's wife's letter. When Arthur Hull Hayes left FDA, he went to work for the PR agency of the manufacturer, Burson Marsteller, at $1000.00 a day on a ten year contract. What a reward for getting a poison approved! One article said he only spent about 15 days with this company. Rumsfeld got his reward when the company was sold to Monsanto. He got $12 million. SYMPTOMS IN ORIGINAL STUDIES NOW THRUSTED ONTO THE CONSUMER PUBLIC: Most informants have given me their name, like Norma Vera, who translated studies for G. D. Searle studies which took place in six different nations. She told me they used people from poor villages so they wouldn't be missed if they died, and they administered a lot of aspartame. She became aware that aspartame caused brain tumors and seizures, damaging the brain so much it was resembled turning them into mush. The pregnant woman hemorrhaged, lost her baby and disappeared. She reported it hardened the synovial fluids. which accounted for the rapid spike in a brand new disease called fibromyalgia. Then Big Pharma decided to accept it as a disease when they found out they could make more drugs and more money on this aspartame ailment. According to the University of Florida in a study, when aspartame was omitted no more fibromyalgia. The famed internist, Dr. H.J. Roberts called it a "junk bucket" disease. The pain is excruciating. Dave Rietz, who set up DORway, went to 12 physicians and 11 simply called it joint pain and one called it fibromyalgia. No physician could help him. The pain was so severe that he built on a room for a Jacuzzi because he observed that the pain was less when he was in hot water. Reading the FDA list of 92 symptoms [ http://www.wnho.net/fda_92_symptoms_on_aspartame.htm ], he saw joint pain and then subsequently abstained. Then the pain was dissipated. He said he set up DORway to discovery to give back to the Internet what the Internet gave back to him, namely his life. However, in the end he died of aspartame prostate cancer. DORway was hacked so now the entire contents are on my web site, www.mpwhi.com but it takes awhile to open because he has over 1000 pages. So with the study continuing using the consumer public as guinea pigs, what happened next? The public began suffering from the same problems seen in the original studies. A 52 week oral toxicity study on 7 infant monkeys showed 5 had grand mal seizures and 1 died. This became a pivotal study used in the approval process. Now the study continuing on the public showed victims suffering from seizures. After Dr. Richard Wurtman from MIT had collected 80 aspartame seizure cases, he stated they were enough to have aspartame removed from the market. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). london (Image by davidswanson.org) Details DMCA The Stop the War Coalition has just published a short summary of what's wrong with foreign policy, going through a partial list of current wars one by one. Of course this is a British organization with a British perspective, but it's the closest thing to what a well-funded U.S. anti-war organization might produce, and it ought to be considered by people everywhere, as it impacts us all. I confess that I have throughout the terror-producing "war on terror" envied and identified with the British peace movement. Here's a country with a capital of nearly 13 times the population of Washington D.C., big rally and march locations, the rest of the country no farther away than an American will drive for a really good concert, and (not coincidentally, I think) peace as part of the political conversation. Plus, of course, Parliament's opposition to bombing Syria in 2013 was a huge help in delaying U.S. bombing. When I see people here in the United States cheerfully campaigning for presidential or Congressional candidates as if they actually like them and share a world view with them, I of course feel left out. I want to disarm and transition away from militarism to peaceful sustainable societies. I want to denounce the wars and the weapons dealing as harmful and endangering and environmentally destructive, rather than defensive or necessary or heroic. I don't share these views with anyone on CNN or MSNBC. But when people accuse me of somehow choosing to be a radical as if it were a personality trait rather than a result of how far public policy is from what I consider reasonable or decent, I can prove them all wrong by simply pointing across the pond. Let Jeremy Corbyn run for office in Virginia and I'll run around knocking on doors and littering yards with signs as much as the next guy -- more, I bet. And while I know we don't have this kind of time to work with, I think I secretly fantasize, somewhere in the back of my tragedy-saturated skull, that as Britain pushed the world toward ending slavery it could, over the coming century, push the world toward ending war. Stop the War's analysis of foreign policy failure points out, in general and case-by-case, how "fighting terrorism" by bombing and invading has had exactly the opposite effect. In various countries where Britain has joined with the United States in wars, just about every type of war has been tried, often more than once, and Trump is in most cases simply escalating the least successful approaches. In Afghanistan, Chris Nineham predicts that the U.S.-backed government will soon control just Kabul. I predict it will have a hard time even with that, as the population explodes with people fleeing the countryside, as the water is depleted, as the trash and sewage pile up, and as those who can recall anything resembling peace die off. In Yemen, Daniel Jakopovich makes the same demands of the British government that we make of the U.S., namely stop selling Saudi Arabia weapons, stop participating in the war, and advocate for peace. In Iraq, Shabbir Lakha recounts the counterproductive creation of groups like ISIS now being compounded by repeating the same murderous approaches to saving places by destroying them. I do wish Lakha hadn't written that alternatives to war had not been exhausted when the U.S.-and-friends attacked in 2003, because it implies that in some theoretical case such alternatives could be exhausted. In Syria, the Stop the War authors thread the needle of endless disagreements about this sad and ruined land by opposing overthrow without supporting the Syrian government. Stop the bombing, they say, aid the refugees, cut off support for Saudi Arabia's crimes, and support a peace process without preconditions. Yes, exactly right. But quite disappointing that Stop the War Coalition calls Russian war making legal, even while opposing it. Legal because invited by the Syrian government? But who gave the Syrian government the right to commit the crime of war? Who gets to declare what's a real nation and what is not, so that wars fought against non-real nations don't count as real wars? Stop the War claims Britain is now the second leading weapons dealer on earth, and that NATO members spend 70% of world spending on militarism, not counting NATO allies like Saudi Arabia, Japan, Australia, and South Korea. This, too, is a very useful perspective for us to take up in the United States and everywhere. It's not just that the U.S. dwarfs all other militaries in its pursuit of global domination. It's also that over three-quarters of militarism on earth is all on one team in desperate search of worthy opponents and customers, which it will manufacture if necessary. James O'Keefe is famous -- or at least notorious -- for running sting operations in which he uses actors to trick organizations he opposes into behaving badly on (hidden) camera. The Washington Post didn't fall for his latest ringer, a woman falsely claiming that Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore got her pregnant, then procured an abortion for her, when she was a teenager. Writing at The Atlantic, Conor Friedersdorf takes O'Keefe and his Project Veritas conservative media operation to task for "bad faith" in the dust-up. Instead of admitting that the Post's reporters exercised great care in investigating Jaime T. Phillips's claims, and declined to publish allegations their research couldn't substantiate, O'Keefe went on the offensive, posturing as the victim of an "ambush" by the Post and raising funds to "finish this investigation." "O'Keefe's team seems less interested in what's true than in making the media look bad," writes Friedersdorf. The indictment is harsh but it seems to be true. And that's a problem. Investigative journalism, including the "sting" variety of which O'Keefe has made himself one of the 21st century's acknowledged masters, plays an important role in informing the public. Real stories are broken. Real corruption is revealed. Real institutional flaws are outed. But "gotcha" journalism of the Project Veritas type must, if its practitioners want to remain trusted and relevant, hold itself to even higher standards of truth and disclosure than might be expected in "straight news" coverage. If a regular reporter gets someone's birth date wrong, a one-sentence correction on page B-38 is reasonable. If an investigative sting results in the discovery that the target didn't fail in the expected way, page B-38 isn't going to work. The truth of the matter needs to be put right out front. Not just to give the targets their due, but to protect the reputations of the investigators. The claims of an investigator who won't admit error and exonerate the innocent in the present can't be trusted in the future. The mission of Project Veritas ("Veritas" is Latin for "Truth") is to "[i]nvestigate and expose corruption, dishonesty, self-dealing, waste, fraud, and other misconduct in both public and private institutions in order to achieve a more ethical and transparent society." Ethics and transparency require a clear admission from O'Keefe that his Washington Post sting didn't reveal the misconduct he expected to find. His reputation, such as it is, requires that as well. From Reader Supported News #1: The Electoral College It's the mother of all gerrymandering schemes, voter suppression on steroids, and a living, breathing repudiation of democracy sitting like a giant tumor in the center of the U.S. Constitution. It's the Electoral College. Say what you want about Hillary Clinton -- love her, hate her, or apply any other emotion you like -- she won the presidential popular election by three million votes. In a real democracy that means she wins. Open and shut. Hillary Clinton, based on the votes cast by the American people on November 8, 2016, should be President of the United States. You can have a democratic republic or you can have an Electoral College, but you can't have both. Long live the Electoral College abolition movement! Death to minority rule! #2: James Comey As October surprises go, former FBI director James Comey's was about as consequential as they come. His letter(s) to Congressional oversight committees stated: "In connection with an unrelated case, the FBI has learned of the existence of emails that appear to be pertinent to the [Clinton email] investigation. I am writing to inform you that the investigative team briefed me on this yesterday, and I agreed that the FBI should take appropriate investigative steps designed to allow investigators to review these emails to determine whether they contain classified information, as well as to assess their importance to our investigation." It predictably touched off a political and media firestorm of epic proportions. The timing was crucial. Coming 11 days before the November 8th presidential election, it had the effect of reviving a Trump candidacy that appeared dead. The spotlight was back on the totally false but politically effective "Hillary Clinton is a criminal" meme, exactly where the Trump campaign wanted it. James Comey knew, or should have known, that delivering that letter to Congress would absolutely be tantamount to handing Congressional Republicans a weapon they could use to great effect in the closing days of the campaign. It was and they did. In the end, the new cache of emails proved as substanceless as the politically manufactured Clinton email scandal itself. The irreversible damage, however, was done. #3-4: Russian interference and DNC nomination rigging: It's a tie! There is overwhelming evidence that the Putin government did everything it could think of to influence the outcome of the 2016 U.S. presidential election in Donald Trump's favor. How successful those efforts were is more difficult to quantify. However, from a robust social media program to fake news stories, email hacking, and Wikileaks' public distribution, the Russian intelligence community at Vladimir Putin's urging were giving it all they had, everything they could come up with, and by all reports they are damned proud of it. Probably of greatest concern to American voters were the attempted intrusions into the individual state voting systems. According to notifications generated by the Department of Homeland Security, 21 states' election systems were targeted, but not necessarily breached, by Russian hackers. If true, that's a major concern going forward. Of equal significance was the undermining of Bernie Sanders' campaign by the Democratic establishment and specifically the DNC. All of which was painfully borne out in the hacked Podesta emails distributed by Wikileaks and the mind-boggling tales of chicanery former DNC chairwoman Donna Brazile dropped like a daisy cutter on the political establishment earlier this month. What Brazile said was that Hillary Clinton was running the DNC from the purse strings down. That worked to capture the Democratic nomination -- just barely -- but in the general election it depressed turnout and enthusiasm. In what was a razor-thin victory margin, or no margin at all, for Donald Trump, that enthusiasm deficit was a major factor. #5: Gender Bias/Misogyny Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). (Image by Open) Details DMCA The jailing of Ratko Mladic last week, for crimes of genocide committed in Srebenica and the Siege of Sarajevo in 1995, once again reveals the inadequacy and institutional bias that plagues the international-justice system. Based on numerous treaties, statutes, conventions and also on unwritten law derived of principles established at Nuremburg, international humanitarian law is both complex and confused - and the ad hoc tribunals it has established in recent years to investigate possible breaches are unsatisfactory. It is not that Mladic does not deserve to be held to account for his actions during the civil wars that occurred after the break-up of Yugoslavia in the 1990s, but that in its selective application of the processes of justice for these atrocities, the international-justice system is exposed to the criticism that it addresses only those conflicts which suit the ends of Western powers. Although Mladic was tried under the auspices of the International Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia, the International Criminal Court (ICC) was subsequently established to fulfill a wider role to examine crimes purported to have been committed during armed conflicts wherever they may have occurred. In this respect the ICC should have provided a more permanent and even-handed basis for the administration of the plethora of treaties and conventions that comprise international-humanitarian law - an acknowledgement that there are limits to human conduct even in war. This provides for protection of the wounded and sick, captured persons and for non-combatants; it prohibits torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment of prisoners; and it prohibits any form of punishment. It also specifies that only military targets may be attacked in conflicts. In spite of this, we have regularly seen actions committed that appear to be in breach of all of these conditions - indeed, there is more than sufficient evidence, one would think, to require the instigation of inquiries (if not proceedings) against numerous individuals on the basis of their actions in recent and current conflicts. That the ICC was established for this purpose and yet has failed to bring a single Western politician, administrator or military person within the scope of its legal processes is damning enough, but the fact that to date, all 39 indictments it has made have been against people from the African continent, is astonishing. We have very slight reason to congratulate ourselves for this or to believe that our military are in possession of a superior ethic. It seems reasonable to say that of all morally repugnant acts of war, those instances that stand out to the international community in our time must surely be those committed by the West and its allies: the invasion of Iraq itself - what Arundhati Roy has referred to as "one of the most cowardly wars in history" - still stands as a beacon to Western disregard for justice and as a testament to the impunity of Western leaders to judicial accountability. The charge sheet against the West is long and disturbing: the indiscriminate US bombing and shelling of Falluja, using depleted uranium shells in 2005, with its consequent devastation and ongoing health issues for the civilian population of the region is particularly repugnant; the incidents occurring at Abu Ghraib, the systematic torture of prisoners - including "rendering" in secret prisons, with the deliberate intention of circumventing judicial process, has rightly shocked the world; and Guantanamo Bay, where men have been held in permanent unchallenged incarceration - is silently acknowledged by much of the world to be reprehensible - except to the black hole of the justice system. Another notable candidate for the urgent attention of the ICC is the destruction and degradation of Libya carried out by the US, UK and France under the auspices of the now notorious "No-Fly Zone". Are none of these matters explicitly the subject of international humanitarian law? And what of the ongoing ethnic cleansing that has become a way of life in the territories of Palestine by Israel - surely such matters are not simply within the purview of international humanitarian law but are its very purpose? Reasonable people are entitled to ask if no-one is held to account for what may be the worst actions carried out in our age, then what possible justification can there be for pursuing lesser people in respect of similar crimes? Even if the catalogue of crimes against humanity needed to be prioritised for some practical purpose, it would still - one would think - result in the actions of the West taken in Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan et al occupying the top of that list for a considerable period. Until these matters are addressed by the ICC, such issues as its legitimacy, scope and motives will continue to be questioned - with good reason. There may be satisfaction that Mladic is in jail, but what assurance can possibly be given that such judicial processes have been fairly applied and with proper regard to all circumstances, when equal or even far greater accusations of crimes remain unaddressed by the international community? The ICC itself cannot be blamed for failing to live up to the expectations placed upon it and yet it suffers as a consequence when it fails to act with equal fairness to all: the way in which it has been established under the Rome Statute, 1998, has shackled it and given it an institutional bias not of its own making. For instance, the US is not a signatory to the ICC and refuses to recognise or acknowledge its jurisdiction over US political or military actions and personnel - yet the US is a major participant in the legal processes it employs against those who are subjected to ICC jurisdiction. Furthermore, it is active in gathering and furnishing intelligence for prosecution purposes. Not only is that an affront to justice, it degrades the authority and credibility of the ICC that a non-signatory power, whose acts and violations remain conspicuous in their absence from international scrutiny, may seek to serve justice on others for similar or lesser crimes. Nor is the US the only offender: China is neither a signatory to, nor a participant in, the ICC and Russia has withdrawn its support in view of the bias it perceives in the ICC serving only Western interests. India too, has indicated that the ICC will not receive its support. Thus the ICC is dangerously coalesced in its Eurocentric base in The Hague, where ex-colonial powers still seek to impose their jurisdiction upon the ex-colonies. One senses the sheer frustration of men like Julius Malema who, in 2011, demanded to know why arrest warrants had not been issued for Obama, Cameron and Sarkozy by the ICC in view of their actions in Libya. Although Article 8 of the Rome Statute, covering "crimes of aggression", has never been ratified as a result of its frustration by the main powers - who fear it would furnish grounds for prosecution of themselves for war crimes - its neglect has simply added further weight to the argument that the ICC is fashioned to provide retributive justice against the West's enemies. Western powers often claim that their domestic-justice systems are sufficiently robust to deal with instances of crimes of this kind, and yet experience suggests that this is not so. For instance, the acts of the UK military in Iraq and Libya have resulted in scant regard being given for criminal acts involving torture, murder and serial breaches of international law. When such cases have been (very rarely) brought before UK courts, the courts have acted sympathetically and with partiality in respect of offences - to the detriment of justice and the upholding of the law. Doubtless media and political bias and public pressure has aided their cause in defending against the proper investigation of charges against "our boys". It is such observations as these that have caused mounting scepticism - and anger - on the part of non-aligned countries, who have come to regard the ICC as a post-colonial mechanism for bringing ex-colonial subjects within the jurisdiction of their powers. South Africa's withdrawal from the ICC in 2017, although temporary, was a sure sign of gathering clouds: it remains a stated objective of South Africa to exit the ICC and it has been joined by others including Kenya, Namibia and Uganda - which, if it happens, will surely lead to a mass exodus by the rest of Africa. That would effectively be the end of the troubled ICC and a significant blow to those who wish to see international humanitarian law properly applied across the globe. The idea of international justice is fraught with difficulties in concept and application, but the principle itself is sound enough: there is an international recognition that to force adherence to the minimal standards of human conduct during war is desirable and that consequently there must be a means of holding participants and combatants in such wars to account in an independent way. That this has not and is not happening is the greatest challenge facing the ICC and the cause of international justice. It is widely acknowledged as a principle of jurisprudence that equality before the law is the essence of participation: that if law is to be accepted as a common standard to which all can be held accountable, then it must extend to all in its process and application. With Western nations involved solely in its applicability to others, the judgements it delivers against those countries and individuals of whom Western powers disapprove, remain at best dubious - and at their worst, may be considered as simple retribution. Quicklink Not Found Sometimes, authors delete their quicklinks after publishing them. To see if the quicklink was renamed or re-published, please click here. Progressive Content Not Found Sometimes, authors delete their progressive content after publishing. To see if the progressive content was renamed or re-published, please click here. An underlying assumption in this series of articles has been the notion that more democracy can only be an improvement. But could there be an unseen down-side? It is hard to imagine, but perhaps that is only because even an adequate portion of democracy is so outside of our experience. Traffic (Image by ImNotQuiteJack) Details DMCA It is certainly understandable how experiences with shortages might lead one to conclude more as necessarily better. But people seem too quickly to conclude that more of something good is necessarily better. Often it is of course, but we all know it is not always purely the case. More cars means more traffic; more construction means more congestion and more demands on our environment. One pill might cure what ails you while a dozen of them could kill you. The mistaken notion that if something is good then more is necessarily better can even corrupt our thinking about voting. Are more choices and more freedom of expression always better? For example is it always better to have more than just two candidates in an election? It is tempting to think so, but an extra candidate can easily distort an election when plurality voting is used. That particular voting system simply misfires much too frequently when there are even three candidates in an election. This does not mean that more candidates is what is bad. More reasonable it to conclude that plurality voting is a decidedly poor choice for elections even though we do keep using it. So long as we do keep using it, more candidates is not entirely a good thing. We have argued in the past that balanced approval voting is a good system and perhaps even the best system of voting. In that system, each voter has the option of voting approval (+1) or disapproval (-1) for each of the candidates. But necessarily also there is the option of marking neither approval nor disapproval (0). The sum is computed for each candidate and the winner is the candidate with the largest net vote. In this system the candidate with the largest net approval wins. It is worth noting that this is a description of the simplest example of a balanced range voting. Range voting is also known as score voting. But some people, apparently operating on the belief that surely more is better, will argue that allowing the voter more choices is undoubtedly better. For example, allowing the voter a larger range of say -2, -1, 0, 1, 2 would obviously be an improvement over balanced approval voting. Would they argue that a range of -100,...,0,...100 with 201 possible ways to vote for each candidate be an even greater improvement? Let's look at an example. Consider an election with five candidates where the issue of the day happens to be whether more choices in the election are better. For clarity let us assume there are 1000 voters. The five candidates are La, Lb (both of whom favor less), N (who is neutral on the issue), Ma and Mb (both of whom wish for more choices). Let us assume also that the voters split evenly with 450 voters approving of both La and Lb and disapproving of Ma and Mb while another 450 voters disapprove of both La and Lb while approving of Ma and Mb. The remaining 100 voters approve of N but remain neutral on the other candidates. In a balanced approval election, La, Lb, Ma and Mb would have a net vote of zero while N would be the winner, being a consensus candidate with a net vote 100 -- arguably the best possible outcome. But now suppose the M-voters get what they wished for, namely ranked voting with five ratings available for each candidate. And suppose that the 450 voters who approve of both La and Lb (preferring as they do to vote only approval or disapproval) all vow to give both La and Lb a rating of +2 and to give Ma and Mb a rating of -2. These 450 L-voters provide 900 votes for both La and for Lb while providing -900 votes for both Ma and Mb. The voters who want more choices have, let us say, an even mix of those who prefer Ma and those who approve of Mb and they likewise have a mix of opinion about La and Lb. The M-voters provide 675 votes for each of Ma and for Mb and likewise they provide -675 votes for each of La and Lb. In total for this election using 5-way ranked voting, La and Lb each get a net vote of 900-675 = 225 votes. This ties L1 and L2 for a win against the compromise candidate N with only 200 votes. Ma and Mb come in last, tied with -225 votes. In effect, the M-voters, by exercising their right to express themselves more precisely have managed to elect the candidate they most dislike. Perhaps after the election they will feel so satisfied that they voted in a way express exactly how they felt that it will not matter to them that the result for them was the worst possible; winning is not everything after all. If balanced ranked voting were adopted with more than just the three ranks (-1, 0, +1) that are available under balanced approval voting, it seems likely that most voters would eventually understand it to be strategically best to cast only maximum, minimum or neutral votes for all candidates. The voting system would in time behave nearly the same as would balanced approval voting. But no doubt there would always be some voters who would prefer to dilute their vote, continuing to insist that no harm could possibly come from expressing their opinion more precisely. And no doubt efforts by one side would be made to convince the other side to believe this -- so long as there remained essentially two sides at least. In earlier articles I have pointed out various problems with Instant Runoff Voting (IRV). But the fact that this alternative voting system remains so popular makes one wonder why people are so attached to it. I think that one important reason is that it has to do with the belief that more is better; in this instance, they prefer more expressive ability. Voters want to be able to express their opinions fully and they feel that ranking all of the candidates the way they can achieve this. But once again we have to consider whether more for the sake of more is really better. Perhaps that argument can be made if you are considering only elections with three or four candidates, but what if there are seventeen? How accurately can a voter construct a list of seventeen candidates in order of preference? How hard would it be for even just eight? Could such a contrived list really express fully the voter's actual opinions of the candidates? There is no way for the voter to express likely ambivalence about a few of them. And how, using just an ordered list, can one express which candidates seem acceptable and which simply seem unacceptable? There really is no way; two voters might well construct exactly the same list while one of them considers only one of the candidates to be acceptable while the other considers only two not to be acceptable. And just how important is it to express a very fine-grained preference for candidates? Is that more important than being able to express approval or disapproval clearly? Anyone who has followed this series of article will know that these specific problems can be side-stepped by using IRBV instead of IRV. IRBV has much the same look and feel as IRV, but few people have ever heard of IRBV. However, the issue here is not to promote IRBV. Rather, it is to understand why IRV has such a strong following. One reason surely is that IRV does have a movement promoting it. But another reason could well be that IRV has an intrinsic appeal based on the uncritical and incorrect belief that IRV uses a best-possible sampling of a voter's opinion about the candidates. Chuck Todd used most of his time interviewing Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senator Rob Portman on a singular subject, the sex harassment scandal gripping the nation. Ironically, he came over like a sexist as he interviewed Pelosi. Chuck Todd was not shy in the manner in which he badgered Nancy Pelosi in a rather shallow interview, yet, he was deferential to Rob Portman on the same subject. It is ironic that as Todd is discussing a subject in which men have used their power over women, that he would attempt to manhandle the former Speaker and ostensibly the most influential female politician in the country. Worse, he does it with such ease. He continuously interrupts the former Speaker, badgers her as she attempts to answer his duplicate and pointless questions. There was a stark difference in the manner in which he treated Rob Portman. He was almost deferential. He allowed Portman to finish his sentences. He even accepted non-answers from Portman unlike from Pelosi. Watching these interviews one right after the other showed the apparent bias in the manner in which he dealt with each politician. Pelosi may have had the most memorable statement as she called out Chuck Todd for not including the Republican tax bill in his questions. She did not let Todd deter her from giving the truth behind the Republican tax cut scam. She effectively told Todd that he fell into the GOP trap by focusing on one issue. The Republican tax cut scam is coming to a head probably sooner than later. Ignoring it on a Sunday news program is journalistic malpractice. We must call out the media as we hold them responsible. This piece was reprinted by OpEd News with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source. From Counterpunch (Image by Photo by BRQ Network | CC BY 2.0) Details DMCA NATO's military intervention in Libya in 2011 has justifiably earned its place in history as an indictment of Western foreign policy and a military alliance which, since the collapse of the Soviet Union, has been deployed as the sword of this foreign policy. The destruction of Libya will forever be an indelible stain on the reputations of those countries and leaders responsible. But now, with the revelation that people are being sold as slaves in Libya (yes, you read that right. In 2017 the slave trade is alive and kicking Libya), the cataclysmic disaster to befall the country has been compounded to the point where it is hard to conceive of it ever being able to recover -- and certainly not anywhere near its former status as a high development country, as the UN labelled Libya 2010 a year prior to the "revolution." Back in 2011 it was simply inconceivable that the UK, the US and France would ignore the lessons of Iraq, just nine years previously in 2003. Yet ignore them they did, highlighting their rapacious obsession with maintaining hegemony over a region that sits atop an ocean of oil, despite the human cost and legacy of disaster and chaos which this particular obsession has wrought. When former UK Prime Minister David Cameron descended on Benghazi in eastern Libya in the summer of 2011, basking in the glory of the country's victorious "revolution" in the company of his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy, he did so imbued with the belief he had succeeded in establishing his legacy as a leader on the global stage. Like Blair before him, he'd won his war and now was intent on partaking of its political and geopolitical spoils. Cameron told the crowd, "Your city was an inspiration to the world, as you threw off a dictator and chose freedom." Pondering the former UK prime minister's fatuous boast, I am reminded of a conversation I had recently with the driver of a cab taking me home to my apartment in Edinburgh, Scotland. During our exchange he informed me that he was originally from Libya, before going on to reveal that he was forced to flee the country after his family was massacred by Cameron's freedom-loving revolutionaries in 2011. In Libya, prior to the "revolution" and NATO's air campaign, he'd been a petroleum engineer with a PhD. Now he was working 10 hours a day driving a cab in Scotland in the middle of winter. The destruction of Libya by NATO at the behest of the UK, the US and France was a crime, one dripping in the cant and hypocrisy of Western ideologues for whom the world with all its complexities is reduced to a giant chessboard upon which countries such as Libya have long been mere pieces to be moved around and changed at their pleasure and in their interests -- interests which are inimical to the people of the countries they deem ripe for regime change. The word extremist is perhaps overused in our lexicon, but it is entirely appropriate when describing the pro-war neocon lobby that exerts inordinate influence on Western foreign policy. We are talking a class of rich, privileged and expensively educated men and women who are bent on purifying the world in the name of democracy. The end result has been a litany of countries destabilized and turned upside down with the lives of their citizens completely upended in the process. War and regime change without end remains their credo, driving them ever onwards as they lurch from one disaster to the other, intent, per Beckett, on failing once, trying again, and failing better. In 2011 the Libyan people fell victim to the West's crude attempt to hijack the momentum of the Arab Spring at the very point at which it came to the end of its reach. The speed of its spread and mass support in Tunisia and Egypt, where it succeeded in toppling two pro-Western dictators in the shape of Ben Ali and Hosni Mubarak, caught Washington and its allies by surprise. Libya is where they decided to try and place themselves at the head of its momentum. They did so motivated not by the desire to help effect democratic change in the country but to ensure that the extensive and lucrative oil exploration contracts and economic ties forged with the Gaddafi government were protected and upheld after its demise. This was their motivation and the result six years on is failed state in which the slave trade now exists. Washington and Europe have never been a source of stability in the Middle East or North Africa. On the contrary, their presence and double dealing has only ever brought the people of this part of the world unremitting suffering and despair. It's just as Gandhi said: "What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty or democracy?" From Consortium News Co-written by *Michael Winship In Babylon-on-the-Potomac recently, the brand new, $500 million Museum of the Bible had its grand opening. Donald Trump did not attend, perhaps fearing a fate like the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark when the remnants of the Ten Commandments are unsealed, holy mayhem ensues and miscreants melt like candles. Just a couple of blocks from Capitol Hill, the museum sprawls across eight floors and 430,000 square feet, giving visitors a chance to meet New Testament re-enactors, see a burning bush and Bibles that belonged to Babe Ruth and Elvis, walk through a replica of a village from the time of Christ, experience a motion ride called Washington Revelations and grab a snack at the Milk and Honey cafe' (There's also a cafeteria-style restaurant called, you guessed it: Manna). At the gift shop, you can buy key chains, hats and T-shirts, frankincense and myrrh body wash, a $1,250 leather foot stool shaped like a rhinoceros (because rhinos were on Noah's Ark, of course) or a $125,000 bejeweled pomegranate made of Jerusalem stone (the Song of Solomon: "I would give you spiced wine to drink from the juice of my pomegranates"). As the old joke goes, this is what God would do if He had money. To be fair, by most accounts, the museum is well designed and executed, high-tech and state-of-the-art. Philip Kennicott, art and architecture critic for The Washington Post, wrote, "What it does well, it does as well or better than any museum in the country," but added: "There... is a lot of slippage between [the museum's] claims that the Bible is enormously influential (which is indisputable) and that the stories it tells are fundamentally true (a claim disputed not just by atheists, agnostics, secular scholars and scientists, but also by billions of adherents of the world's other religions). Every resource of museum design and careful argumentation has been mustered to sweep up these unrelated ideas in one, big, overwhelming package." Right-Wing Money What has many observers far more concerned are connections among the new attraction's principal funders and the right wing. Here its mission becomes suspect, more political than religious, although with the right wing, it is always difficult to separate the two, each possessing a will to dominate. The Post describes a tangled relationship between the nonprofit museum, its corporate backer Hobby Lobby -- the very rich, closely held craft store chain controlled by the Christian conservative Green family -- and another principal backer the National Christian Foundation, a donor-advised fund "that supports key soldiers in the national battle for conservative Christian values." The foundation, self-mandated to "advance God's kingdom," has given millions to churches and others, counting among its grantees opponents of abortion and same-sex marriage. As for the billionaire Green family, their craft-store empire gained notoriety when it won a Supreme Court ruling allowing it to deny on religious grounds Obamacare coverage of contraception for its employees. Oh, and just in case you haven't heard, they recently were fined $3 million in fines and forced to turn over thousands of antiquities smuggled out of Iraq. (Down goes one of the commandments -- see Deuteronomy 5:19.) Those involved claim that the museum's purpose simply is to expose visitors to the story of the Good Book and that its motives are nonsectarian and apolitical. Sure. But the opening gala was held at the Trump International Hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue. The cheapest ticket was $2,500 and apparently no collection plate was passed for the hungry and homeless, on the grounds, we presume, that it would be an unfair tax on the rich. Organizers claim that the choice of a venue had all to do with finding an available space large enough and nothing to do with currying favor with the owners of the inn. Hobby Lobby CEO David Green backed Sen. Marco Rubio's 2016 presidential candidacy but endorsed Trump in the general election, and his son, museum chair and Hobby Lobby president Steve Green, recently told the Christian Broadcasting Network, "We are seeing that the current administration with President Trump is a friend of religious freedom and has taken steps to strengthen and confirm that we are a nation that values the freedoms our founders gave us." Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). This piece was reprinted by OpEd News with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source. From Down With Tyranny There are two stories here, one about net neutrality -- which Trump's FCC is about to terminate -- and one about a corruption of the process by which the FCC arrives at that decision. First, "ecommerce" grew, becoming a sizeable percentage of both Internet traffic and company profit. The Internet wasn't just about communication, it was about Money, not just for large existing companies. Dedicated ecommerce giants were created -- Amazon, for example, and Netflix. The people who love money more than anything now had a stake in how the Internet was treated under the law. Meaning, they had a stake in making sure their Internet traffic was special, privileged. Second, Internet traffic spread from phone lines to wired coax and fiber optic cable networks (Comcast, Time Warner) and wireless channels like satellite transmission (DirecTV). Were cable and satellite systems considered "common carriers" under the law? No, and it made no original sense to consider them so, since traffic on those channels was typically one-way, from the company to the customer, and never in the other direction. Internet traffic, of course, changed all that, turning cable lines and satellite transmissions into virtual common carriers, even though they weren't considered as such under FCC regulations. Finally, the Internet became an organizing tool for opponents, not just of Big Money, but of what I would broadly call "rule by the rich" -- which includes, among other things, the establishments of both political parties. It's the Internet that allows dissidents all around the world to organize resistance to powerful elites, from Cairo to Beijing to Washington D.C. The world of power hates the Internet, and works in every way it can to subvert it. All three of these changes made the Internet vulnerable to perversion no matter which party was in power, and open Internet, or net neutrality, advocates have been fighting ever since to keep the Internet as we now understand it open and free, which was always its developers' original intention. The FCC and the Open Internet President Obama's FCC looked for a while like it would write rules that benefited the wealthy, since his choice for FCC chair, Tom Wheeler, had ties strong to the industry. Surprisingly, though, the Wheeler-led FCC preserved net neutrality -- the open Internet as we know it today. Trump's FCC chair is also an industry insider, Ajit Pai, and this time the threat to net neutrality is almost certain to be realized. "The Federal Communications Commission took aim at a signature Obama-era regulation Tuesday, unveiling a plan that would give Internet providers broad powers to determine what websites and online services their customers see and use. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Nov 28, 2017: Pearl Ring Market Forecast 2023 TJC, Spree, Stewart Dawsons Pearl Ring Market http://bit.ly/2hTR4M1 http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-pearl-ring-market-2017-demand-insight-key-players-segmentation-and-forecast-to-2022 http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/ Pearl Ring MarketPearl Ring Market Research 2017A market study Global Pearl Ring Market examines the performance of the Pearl Ring market 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Pearl Ring market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Pearl Ring market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Pearl Ring Market 2017 report includes Pearl Ring market Revenue, market Share, Pearl Ring industry volume, market Trends, Pearl Ring Growth aspects. 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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 Internet Security Software 2017 Global Industry Key Players - Symantec , McAfee , Trend Micro , AVG , Avast Software , ESET , Bitdefender , Fortinet Market Analysis and Forecast to 2022 Global Internet Security Software Market https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/1416298-global-internet-security-software-market-size-status-and-forecast-2022 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/enquiry/1416298-global-internet-security-software-market-size-status-and-forecast-2022 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=1416298 Global Internet Security Software MarketThis report studies the global Internet Security Software market, analyzes and researches the Internet Security 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, likeSymantecMcAfeeTrend MicroAVGAvast SoftwareESETBitdefenderFortinetF-SecureG DATA SoftwareAviraQihoo 360KasperskyPanda SecurityQuick HealComodoMicrosoftRisingCheetah MobileAhnLabRequest a Sample Report @Market segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversUnited StatesEUJapanChinaIndiaSoutheast AsiaMarket segment by Type, the product can be split intoLinuxMacintosh OSMicrosoft WindowsMarket segment by Application, Internet Security Software can be split intoIndividual UsersEnterprise UsersGovernment UsersTo enquire about this report visit @Table of Contents-Key Points CoveredGlobal Internet Security Software Market Size, Status and Forecast 20221 Industry Overview of Internet Security Software1.1 Internet Security Software Market Overview1.1.1 Internet Security Software Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Internet Security 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 Internet Security Software Market by Type1.3.1 Linux1.3.2 Macintosh OS1.3.3 Microsoft Windows1.4 Internet Security Software Market by End Users/Application1.4.1 Individual Users1.4.2 Enterprise Users1.4.3 Government Users2 Global Internet Security Software Competition Analysis by Players2.1 Internet Security 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 Symantec3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 Internet Security Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 McAfee3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Internet Security Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 Trend Micro3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 Internet Security Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.3.5 Recent Developments3.4 AVG3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 Internet Security Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.4.5 Recent Developments3.5 Avast Software3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.5.4 Internet Security Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.5.5 Recent Developments3.6 ESET3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.6.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.6.4 Internet Security Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.6.5 Recent Developments3.7 Bitdefender3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.7.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.7.4 Internet Security Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.7.5 Recent Developments3.8 Fortinet3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.8.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.8.4 Internet Security Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.8.5 Recent Developments3.9 F-Secure3.9.1 Company Profile3.9.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.9.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.9.4 Internet Security Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.9.5 Recent Developments3.10 G DATA Software3.10.1 Company Profile3.10.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.10.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.10.4 Internet Security Software Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.10.5 Recent Developments3.11 Avira3.12 Qihoo 3603.13 Kaspersky3.14 Panda Security3.15 Quick Heal3.16 Comodo3.17 Microsoft3.18 Rising3.19 Cheetah Mobile3.20 AhnLabContinued..Buy Report@Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India Royal Cliffs DeVine Wine Club Experiences One of Australias Renowned Wines Guests enjoyed each delightful culinary creations accompanied by fantastic wines complementing each course at the Royal Grill Room http://www.royalcliff.com/leisure/de-vine-wine-club www.royalcliff.com www.royalcliff.com www.royalcliff.com Pattaya, Thailand What promised to be an unforgettable evening of wine and delectable cuisine turned out to be a huge success as the Royal Cliff Hotels Group deVine wine club recently held a memorable night of gastronomic food perfectly paired with Australian wine with its Penfolds A Story in Every Bottle wine dinner at the award-winning Royal Grill Room and Wine Cellar - Excellence and Heritage.The evening began with an elegant welcome cocktail reception at the Sunset Terrace Lobby and Bar where guests were warmly welcomed by members of the Royal Cliff Executive team and mingled over an exquisite selection of delicious canapes accompanied by Rawsons Retreat Chardonnay 2016.Afterwards, DeVine Wine Club members and wine lovers experienced a sumptuous 5-course dinner prepared by Royal Cliff's talented culinary team, along with premium wines from Penfolds, Australias premier wine producer.Guests first enjoyed an appetizing salmon tartar with shaved horseradish, trout caviar, pumpernickel, green apple and dill served with Penfolds Koonunga Hill Autumn Riesling 2016. It was followed by delicious turbot, miso, lime-beurre Blanc, sea asparagus, Coral Sea urchin and scallop croquette perfectly complemented by the Penfolds Koonunga Hill Chardonnay 2016 and mouthwatering Passion Fruit sorbet. Wine lovers then indulged in succulent lamb shoulder prepared sous vide style for 48 hours along with herb coated lamb loin, celeriac potato puree, Brussel sprout, Cipollini tomatoes and pancetta au jus served with Penfolds Maxs Cabernet Sauvignon 2014. Before dessert, everyone experienced the exquisite combination of flavours from baked Tasmanian Camembert, puff pastry, fig jam and frozen grapes paired with Penfolds Bin 128 Coonawarra Shiraz 2014. The evening capped off with delicious vanilla panna cotta, honeycomb, meringue, berries and lemon served with Penfolds Club Tawny Port NV.Throughout the dinner, guests also had the wonderful opportunity to explore the world of Australian Wines through the expertise and insights of Mr. Ron Batori, the President of Bangkok Beer and Beverages Co., Ltd. The night proved to be another remarkable evening of amazing cuisine and fantastic wine as everyone enjoyed the well-curated selection of beautifully balanced wines from Australias award-winning vineyard!Royal Cliffs deVine Wine Club was launched on April 28, 2001 as the visible face of the resort's enthusiasm for promoting wines and hosting wine-related events. Today, it is now Asias leading wine club, which hosts popular gala dinners.For more information about the DeVine Wine Club and how to apply for membership, please visitor email the clubs acting president, Mr. Prem Calais at wineclub@royalcliff.com.Situated on a 64-acre private parkland estate overlooking the stunning Gulf of Thailand, the Royal Cliff Hotels Group operates four award-winning hotels providing guests from home and abroad with the ultimate experience. Book your stay directly and get the best price guaranteed along with value-added optional extras that will enhance your hotel experience by visiting, contacting Reservations at (+66) 38 250 421 ext. 2732 or emailing: reservations@royalcliff.com.For more information on the Royal Cliff Hotels Group and its award-winning restaurants, please visitRoyal Cliff Hotels Group353 Phra Tamnuk Road, Pattaya, Chonburi, Thailand 20150Tel: (+66) 38 250421, (+66) 2 2947272, (+66) 2 2947301-03Email: relax@royalcliff.comWebsite:Vankamon AthikomkulchaiAssistant PR & Marketing ManagerTel: (+66) 38 250421, (+66) 2 2947272 M2M Cellular Modules 2017 Global Industry Key Players - AT&T, Vodafone Group, Verizon Communications, Sprint, Amdocs , China Mobile, Deutsche Telekom AG Market Analysis and Forecast to 2022 Global M2M Cellular Modules Market https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/1566578-global-m2m-cellular-modules-market-size-status-and-forecast-2022 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/enquiry/1566578-global-m2m-cellular-modules-market-size-status-and-forecast-2022 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=1566578 Global M2M Cellular Modules MarketThis report studies the global M2M Cellular Modules market, analyzes and researches the M2M Cellular Modules development status and forecast in United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia. This report focuses on the top players in global market, likeAT&T (U.S.)Verizon Communications (U.S.)Vodafone Group (UK)Sprint (U.S.)Amdocs (U.S.)China Mobile (China)Deutsche Telekom AG (Germany)Telefonica (Spain)Aeris Communications (Australia)Sierra Wireless (Canada)Request a Sample Report @Market segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversUnited StatesEUJapanChinaIndiaSoutheast AsiaMarket segment by Type, the product can be split intoProfessional ServicesManaged ServicesMarket segment by Application, M2M Cellular Modules can be split intoSmall and Medium EnterprisesLarge EnterprisesTo enquire about this report visit @Table of Contents-Key Points CoveredGlobal M2M Cellular Modules Market Size, Status and Forecast 20221 Industry Overview of M2M Cellular Modules1.1 M2M Cellular Modules Market Overview1.1.1 M2M Cellular Modules Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global M2M Cellular Modules 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 M2M Cellular Modules Market by Type1.3.1 Professional Services1.3.2 Managed Services1.4 M2M Cellular Modules Market by End Users/Application1.4.1 Small and Medium Enterprises1.4.2 Large Enterprises2 Global M2M Cellular Modules Competition Analysis by Players2.1 M2M Cellular Modules 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 AT&T (U.S.)3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 M2M Cellular Modules Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 Verizon Communications (U.S.)3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 M2M Cellular Modules Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 Vodafone Group (UK)3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 M2M Cellular Modules Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.3.5 Recent Developments3.4 Sprint (U.S.)3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 M2M Cellular Modules Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.4.5 Recent Developments3.5 Amdocs (U.S.)3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.5.4 M2M Cellular Modules Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.5.5 Recent Developments3.6 China Mobile (China)3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.6.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.6.4 M2M Cellular Modules Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.6.5 Recent Developments3.7 Deutsche Telekom AG (Germany)3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.7.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.7.4 M2M Cellular Modules Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.7.5 Recent Developments3.8 Telefonica (Spain)3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.8.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.8.4 M2M Cellular Modules Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.8.5 Recent Developments3.9 Aeris Communications (Australia)3.9.1 Company Profile3.9.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.9.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.9.4 M2M Cellular Modules Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.9.5 Recent Developments3.10 Sierra Wireless (Canada)3.10.1 Company Profile3.10.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.10.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.10.4 M2M Cellular Modules Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.10.5 Recent DevelopmentsContinued..Buy Report@Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India Toroidal Power Transformers Market To Witness Enhanced Usage In Medical Equipment, Motor Control Equipment And Battery Chargers Till 2021 | Million Insights Million Insights - World's Fastest Growing Market Research Database https://www.millioninsights.com/industry-reports/toroidal-power-transformer-market?utm_source=pressrelease&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=openpr_nov28&utm_content=content https://www.millioninsights.com/industry-reports/toroidal-power-transformer-market/request-sample https://www.millioninsights.com/industry/electricity Global toroidal power transformer market is segmented into application, product and geographical regions. A toroidal transformer has ring type core made from cold rolled grain oriented (CRGO) Silicon steel strip devoid of any joints and annealed for stress relief after being wound. These wound cores are then suitably insulated by class B insulation and the winding of copper wire is usually done by winding machines. In Toroidal Power Transformers the core is permanent, devoid of any air gap and the path of flux being along the direction of grain orientation, gives an occasion for optimum use of flux density, in addition very low iron loss and exciting current. The primary and secondary windings are closely linked magnetically. Therefore, the leakage fluxes and reactance are negligible.A toroidal transformer has its winding spread over the entire periphery of the core. This results in larger area for dissipating the heat. Till date, all such small low voltage type transformers needs were met approximately universally by traditional or conventional El transformers.Now materials are easily available, so it has been possible to develop low voltage transformers giving a whole set of advantages and wide range of applications in place of conventional transformers.Full Research Report On Toroidal Power Transformers Market Global Analysis available at:Doughnut shaped toroidal transformers save space compared to E-I cores, and sometimes to reduce external magnetic field. These use a ring-shaped core, copper windings wrapped round this ring (and thus threaded through the ring during winding), and tape for insulation. Toroidal transformers have a lower external magnetic field as compared to rectangular transformers, and can be smaller for a given power rating. Though they cost more to make, as winding requires more complex and slower equipment. They can be mounted by a bolt through the center, using washers and rubber pads or by potting in resin.The toroidal transformer construction, although generally more expensive than E-I laminated core types, provides a smaller and lighter transformer than for a given power rating together with higher efficiency and less leakage of magnetic field around the transformer.Specifically, toroidal transformers offer exceptional efficiency, minimal excess noise, and little excess leakage inductance. Torodial transformers can weigh as little as half as much as a transformer and still provide more 90% efficiency. They are categorized in Volt Amps, and size can be determined by operating frequency of the application the frequencies typically require smaller transformers.Toroidal Power Transformer Market is segmented by Application into Medical equipment, Audio/Video products, Motor control equipment, Lighting, stabilized power supplies, Microprocessor based units, Battery chargers, Telecommunication products,Instrumentation, Computer and peripherals, CNC controlled machines, CRT, Robot equipment, Industrial control equipments, Office machines, etc.Toroidal Power Transformer Market is segmented by Product Type into Autotransformer, Isolated Transformer, and laminated core. Autotransformer has one winding that is tapped at some point along the winding. Voltage is applied across a portion of the winding and a higher voltage is produced across another portion of the same winding. The equivalent power rating of the autotransformer is lower than an actual load power rating.Isolated Transformer is linked to two circuits magnetically, but provides no metallic conductive path between the circuits. An application would be in the power supply for medical equipment, when it is necessary to prevent any leakage from the AC power system into devices connected to a patient. Laminated Core is the most common type of transformer, widely used in electric power transmission, and appliances to convert mains voltage to low voltage to power electronic devices. They are available in power ratings ranging from mW to MW. The insulated laminations minimize the current losses in the iron core.Toroidal Power Transformers Market is segmented By Geographical Region into North America, China, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan, and India. The Key Players include Eaton, Wurth Elektronik, Analog Devices, Amgis, Triad Magnetics, Hammond Manufacturing, Abracon, Toroid, Tortran, Schneider Electric and Precision.Request for Free Sample Copy:This report studies Toroidal Power Transformers in Global market, especially in North America, Europe, China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan, focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with Production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, covering Eaton Wurth Elektronik Analog Devices Amgis Triad Magnetics Hammond Manufacturing Abracon Toroid Tortran Schneider Electric PrecisionMarket Segment by Regions, this report splits Global into several key Region, with production, consumption, revenue, market share and growth rate of Toroidal Power Transformers in these regions, from 2011 to 2021 (forecast), like North America China Europe Japan Taiwan KoreaSplit by product type, with production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, can be divided into Autotransformer Isolated transformer Type IIISplit by application, this report focuses on consumption, market share and growth rate of Toroidal Power Transformers in each application, can be divided into Computers Medical equipment Telecommunications Lighting OtherRelated 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 Lancing Devices Market by Type (One-time Lancing Devices & Reuse Lancing Devices), Product, Application (Household, Clinic, Hospital etc...), Region, Outlook and Forecast to 2022 ReportsWeb http://www.reportsweb.com/global-lancing-devices-market-research-report-2017-2022-by-players-regions-product-types-and-applications http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW00011243433/sample http://www.reportsweb.com/buy&RW00011243433/buy/2380 ReportsWeb.com added Global Lancing Devices Market Research Report 2017-2022 by Players, Regions, Product Types & Applications to its vast collection of research Database. The report is spread across 114 pages and supported by 15 company leaders.The Global Lancing Devices Market Research Report 2017-2022 by Players, Regions, Product Types & Applications This report offers an overview of the market trends, drivers, and barriers with respect to the Lancing Devices market. It also provides a detailed overview of the market of different regions across North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia & Pacific and Africa & Middle East. The report categorizes Lancing Devices market by By Form of Structure, By Location, By Material, and application. Report also focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with capacity, production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer. Key companies included in this research are Visiomed (France)TaiDoc Technology (China Taiwan)Menarini Diagnostics (Italy)Roche (Switzerland)Omron (Japan)Yuwell Medical (China)Norditalia (Italy)Medisana (Germany)iHealth (China)MED TRUST (Austria)IME-DC GmbH (Germany)EmsiG (Germany)Stat Medical Devices (US)nu-beca & maxcellent (China Taiwan)Biotest Medical (US)L-Tac Medicare (Singapore)VivaChek Laboratories, Inc. (US)Wrig Nanosystems Pvt Ltd (India)Browse complete report @Market Segment by Region, this report splits Global into several key Region, with sales, revenue, market share and growth rate of Lancing Devices in these regions, from 2011 to 2022 (forecast), like North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia & Pacific and Africa & Middle East. Firstly, Lancing Devices Market Lancing Devices Market, by Lancing Devices TypeOne-time Lancing DevicesReuse Lancing DevicesLancing Devices Market, by Regulate ModeAutomatic Transfer Code-freeSemi-automatic Card Transfer CodeManual Adjustment CodeOthersLancing Devices Market, by Writing SkillFlat OpeningSingle OpeningDouble OpeningLancing Devices Market, by Key ConsumerHouseholdClinicHospitalOthersRequest for Sample @Major points from Table of Contents:Chapter One Methodology and Data SourceChapter Two Lancing Devices Market OverviewChapter Three Lancing Devices by Key Players 2012-2022Chapter Four Lancing Devices by Regions 2012-2022Chapter Five Lancing Devices Market by Product TypesChapter Six Global Key Players Profile6.1 Visiomed (France)6.1.1 Visiomed (France) Company Details and Competitors6.1.2 Visiomed (France) Key Lancing Devices Models and Performance6.1.3 Visiomed (France) Lancing Devices Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast6.1.4 Visiomed (France) Lancing Devices Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin6.2 TaiDoc Technology (China Taiwan)6.2.1 TaiDoc Technology (China Taiwan) Company Details and Competitors6.2.2 TaiDoc Technology (China Taiwan) Key Lancing Devices Models and Performance6.2.3 TaiDoc Technology (China Taiwan) Lancing Devices Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast6.2.4 TaiDoc Technology (China Taiwan) Lancing Devices Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin6.3 Menarini Diagnostics (Italy)6.3.1 Menarini Diagnostics (Italy) Company Details and Competitors6.3.2 Menarini Diagnostics (Italy) Key Lancing Devices Models and Performance6.3.3 Menarini Diagnostics (Italy) Lancing Devices Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast6.3.4 Menarini Diagnostics (Italy) Lancing Devices Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin6.4 Roche (Switzerland)6.4.1 Roche (Switzerland) Company Details and Competitors6.4.2 Roche (Switzerland) Key Lancing Devices Models and Performance6.4.3 Roche (Switzerland) Lancing Devices Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast6.4.4 Roche (Switzerland) Lancing Devices Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin6.5 Omron (Japan)6.5.1 Omron (Japan) Company Details and Competitors6.5.2 Omron (Japan) Key Lancing Devices Models and Performance6.5.3 Omron (Japan) Lancing Devices Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast6.5.4 Omron (Japan) Lancing Devices Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin6.6 Yuwell Medical (China)6.6.1 Yuwell Medical (China) Company Details and Competitors6.6.2 Yuwell Medical (China) Key Lancing Devices Models and Performance6.6.3 Yuwell Medical (China) Lancing Devices Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast6.6.4 Yuwell Medical (China) Lancing Devices Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross MarginChapter Seven Lancing Devices by Appliance 2012-2022Chapter Eight Industry Chain and Supply ChainChapter Nine Development Trend and Research ConclusionList of Tables and FiguresTable Global Lancing Devices Sales Volume (K Units), Revenue (Million USD) and Price (USD/Unit)(2012-2017)Figure Global Lancing Devices Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2017)Figure Global Lancing Devices Sales Volume (K Units) and Growth Rate (2012-2017)Table Global Lancing Devices Sales Volume (K Units) by Key Players (2012-2017)Table Global Lancing Devices Sales Volume Market Share by Key Players (2012-2017)Figure Global Lancing Devices Sales Volume Market Share by Key Players 2016Figure Global Lancing Devices Sales Volume Market Share by Key Players 2017Table Global Lancing Devices Revenue (Million USD) by Key Players (2012-2017)Table Global Lancing Devices Revenue Market Share by Key Players (2012-2017)Figure Global Lancing Devices Revenue Market Share by Key Players 2016Figure Global Lancing Devices Revenue Market Share by Key Players 2017Table Global Key Players Key Product Model and Market PerformanceTable Global Key Players Key Target Consumers and Market PerformanceTable Global Lancing Devices Sales (K Units) by Regions (2012-2017)Table Global Lancing Devices Sales Share by Regions (2012-2017)Figure Global Lancing Devices Sales Market Share by Regions in 2016Figure Global Lancing Devices Sales Market Share by Regions in 2017Table Global Lancing Devices Revenue (Million USD) by Regions (2012-2017)Table Global Lancing Devices Revenue Market Share by Regions (2012-2017)Figure Global Lancing Devices Revenue Market Share by Regions in 2016Figure Global Lancing Devices Revenue Market Share by Regions in 2017Table Global Lancing Devices Price (USD/Unit) by Regions (2012-2017)Table North America Lancing Devices Sales (K Units) by Regions (2012-2017)Table North America Lancing Devices Revenue (Million USD) by Regions (2012-2017)Table North America Lancing Devices Sales Volume (K Units) by Key Players 2012-2017Figure North America Lancing Devices Sales (K Units) and Growth Rate (2012-2017)Table Latin America Lancing Devices Sales (K Units) by Regions (2012-2017)Table Latin America Lancing Devices Revenue (Million USD) by Regions (2012-2017)Table Latin America Lancing Devices Sales Volume (K Units) by Key Players (2012-2017)Figure Latin America Lancing Devices Sales (K Units) and Growth Rate (2012-2017)Place a Direct Purchase Order of Complete Report @Contact Info:Name: Sameer JoshiEmail: sales@reportsweb.comOrganization: ReportsWebPhone: +1-646-491-9876ReportsWeb.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 Aparna Challu-E-Biz Reaches out to Rural Artisans http://www.craftsbazaar.com Patiala-based Arun Kumar Bajaj never knew his paintings made out of thread, will catch the attention of an e-retailer. He has sold his paintings across India through exhibitions. But now he sells his wares sitting at home: a company has offered him an online platform to take heritage legacy to consumers.Bangalore, Karnataka, November 28, 2017 --- Patiala-based Arun Kumar Bajaj never knew his paintings, made out of thread, will catch the attention of an e-retailer. He has sold his paintings across India through exhibitions. But now he sells his wares sitting at home: a company has offered him an online platform to take heritage legacy to consumers.- Ludhiana-based Rajiv Gupta sells phulkari made by village women in Punjab to the entire country through an e-commerce player. He is now less dependent on local markets. There are many more such success stories of rural artisans. E-commerce companies are reaching out, educating and engaging artisans from remote corners of India. The size of the Indian handicrafts Industry is estimated about $5 billion per annum, according to industry experts.The e-commerce boom in India has not only helped the consumers, but also given many opportunities to the sellers. An example is the Dharavi slums in Mumbai. The slum dwellers sold leather products for many years. Today, their business has gone up substantially because they are able to sell, says Sahil Chopra, CEO and founder, iCubesWire,As per figures in the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17) document, there are 10 crore rural artisans in the country. While offline retailers benefit from major e-commerce players by putting up their products online, rural craftsmen and artisans are left behind. Brokers and middlemen take away their profits.In recent years, e-retailers have come to the rescue of the artisans. They assist them in manufacturing, packing and marketing online. Platforms such as CraftsBazaar, Trendybharat.com, Farida Gupta, GoCoop etc are working with rural artisans.Superior artistic products produced by Indian artisans are losing out to the mediocre in the absence of technology. So, currently we are not only selling the products of rural artisans to the Indian market but also serving overseas markets such as in the US, UK, Germany, France and the Middle East, says Aparna, Challu, founder, CraftsBazaar.The current retail market is largely unorganized. The lack of exposure and channels of supply has led to a stunted growth of the sector. So, the digital market can change the situation, says Varinder Singh Jawanda, founder and CEO of Trendybharat.com.His company has created a special curated collections corner for the products from the local artisans for foreign buyers.Also, Farida Guptas women apparel business is committed to bringing together a varied range of traditional crafts and techniques. The group has successfully built its online presence, resulting in an increase of 400% year-on-year profitability.Reaching out to rural artisans is difficult in the early stages. Initial challenges lie in convincing the artisans that we were not going to cheat them and that we are going to stay. At times we had to make payments before they manufactured products, says Aparna. Persuading every rural artisan is difficult as most of them have been conned by those who promised to sell their products, but never returned.Another challenge is there are no smartphones in rural areas. So at times retailers have to educate the people and even upload pictures on their behalf. Then, many artisans do not have bank accounts. E-tailers assist them with it, convincing them about self-sufficiency and identity formation.CraftsBazaar will be the first choice of consumers for buying fabulous, handmade, one-of-a-kind products from Home and Living to Apparel, Arts and Vintage.Contact:Aparna ChalluCrafts Bazaar99, Prithvi Layout, 4th CrossECC road, WhitefieldBangalore, Karnataka - 5600669980071771marketing@craftsbazaar.com Global Pickles Market Overview 2017, Demand by Regions, Types and Analysis of Key Players http://www.imarcgroup.com/request?type=report&id=867&flag=B http://www.imarcgroup.com/pickles-market http://www.imarcgroup.com/table-butter-market-india http://www.imarcgroup.com/lassi-market-india www.imarcgroup.com The global pickles market has witnessed a healthy growth over the years, owing to the increasing applications of pickles due to their numerous health benefits, and the rising demand for non-GMO pickles among the consumers.Request sample report:The latest report by IMARC Group, titled Pickles Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2017-2022, finds that the global pickles market reached a value of more than US$ 10 Billion in 2016. Pickles consist of vegetables and fruits soaked in the solution of vinegar or salt brine which helps to preserve them for a longer period of time. The solution prevents the pickles from decaying and encourages fermentation which makes them less vulnerable to spoilage-causing bacteria. Earlier this process was invented to preserve the vegetables and fruits, but nowadays pickles are consumed extensively as people relish the resulting flavour which is determined by several factors, such as the temperature of fermentation, the acidity or salinity of the solution and the exclusion of oxygen.Highlights of the global pickles market:The rising popularity of organic and non-GMO pickles coupled with the introduction of innovative products are driving the growth of the market.Supermarkets and hypermarkets are the most popular distribution channels.North America represents the largest market, accounting for the majority of the market share.The health benefits offered by pickles is the major reason for their rising demand across the globe. They introduce vitamin-B to improve the nutritional value of food, supply essential minerals and vitamins, reduce ulcers, help in digestion and possess anti-oxidant properties. Further, increasing preference for healthier varieties of pickles with lower salt content, and non-GMO and organic ingredients is influencing the market growth. Moreover, pickles are used as toppings to enhance the taste of various food products such as sushi, sandwiches, hotdogs, burgers, etc. This, in turn, has propelled the demand for pickles globally. According to the report, the global pickles market is further expected to reach a value of about US$ 12 Billion by 2022, exhibiting a CAGR of nearly 3% during 2017-2022.The market is segmented on the basis of product type into fruit pickles, vegetable pickles and meat pickles. On the basis of taste, the market is segregated in sweet, salty and sour pickles. Based on distribution channel, supermarkets and hypermarkets represent the most popular distribution channel. It is followed by convenience stores, independent retailers and online. Region-wise, North America currently accounts for the majority of the global share, followed by Asia Pacific and Europe. Other major regions are the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America. On evaluating the competitive landscape of the market, it is found that the key players include ADF Foods, Pinnacle Foods Inc., Kraft Heinz, Del Monte Foods and Reitzel.Read full report with TOC :The report by IMARC Group has examined the global pickles market on the basis of:Type:Fruit PicklesVegetable PicklesMeat PicklesOthersTaste:Sweet PicklesSalty PicklesSour PicklesRegion:North AmericaAsia PacificEuropeMiddle East and AfricaLatin AmericaDistribution Channel:Supermarkets and HypermarketsConvenience StoresIndependent RetailersOnlineOthersKey Players:ADF FoodsPinnacle Foods IncKraft HeinzDel Monte FoodsReitzelBrowse related reports:Table Butter Market in India:Lassi Market in India: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 Why businesses should engage with a professional agency to do their website. Web Design company in Melbourne https://www.gossipwebdesign.com/ Your business is like your new born baby, would you feel safe putting your new born baby in a car that is run down been thrashed and abused and can be easily broken into, it just doesnt look safe. I bet the answer is NO. We understand that everyone has different budgets but I think when it comes to safety of our babies we cannot compromise price.You may be thinking of what are we talking about, we are talking about the difference between having a DIY Website and a Website professionally done by a qualified web design company in Melbourne.As soon as you think of a DIY website you think of cheap and affordable but is that really the case. Remember that most DIY websites have a monthly installment plus a set up fee. And you never own your site outright.DIY rental site that is not e-commerce is $55-$100+ a month say your business is around for 10years just remember that even if you want to take your site from this DIY you will never be able to or own it, you will have to build from scratch. (12x100=1200yr) ($1200x10yr=12000yearnow remember this is not even a ecommerce website and not including all the other hidden costs. When choosing a DIY website you are held back with what you can do, your choosing from 100s of different templates that are easy to hack and that will look the same as other sites. With designing a DIY site these are some points you may find a issue with if you wanted your site to be found on Google. Having a DIY website it will hinder you using SEO (Search Engine Optimization)There are many potential issues with content that cant be found or cant be understood by the search engine that can work against you. For example:1.Orphaned content that cant be found2.Content only available via site search3. Flash files, Java programs, audio files, video files4.AJAX* and flashy site effects 5.Frames Content embedded from another site can be problematic. 6.Subdomains content split into subdomains rather than sub-folders7.Mobile-friendly design8.Page speedComparing a DIY website and a website built with a web design company in Melbourne. These are the basic things that a custom designed site will do for you.Page lay out is crucial for customer usability.Page layout:1. Important elements should have more prominence.2. Visual hierarchy.3.Make more important elements bigger!4.Home page and site navigation. Clear signpost directions for users.5.Site search.6.Large sites need a sensibly positioned search option.7.Form entry.8.Make forms as lightweight and easy to fill as possible.9. Design, Great design makes everything easier.Now if you are just manipulating a template and dragging and dropping images how can you make your website a standout.OK, so we can see how a DIY your self website can have enormous negative effects of your Google search results and have a negative effect on the customer usability.So, How much is a custom designed website which is done by a web design company in Melbourne. Will cover that after we show you what you can get with a web design company in Melbourne.Fundamental elements of creating a custom designed website: Unique as your business, and not template based User friendly and easy to navigate An online profile that mirrors your business Practical, easy to maintain and update Fun & engaging Make forms as lightweight and easy to fill as possible. Great design makes everything easier You have no restrictions with design and building phase, anything is achievable Your personal account manager whose qualifications allow them to relay everything in lame terms, no need to talk to the sales team. The coding is done format he design so you can be as creative as you want Google friendly site, so you can start you SEO campaign and drive traffic through the digital door.Price for custom designed website is obviously based on what you need for your business but for the sake of this article lets do the same website as the DIY one.For a basic site with no e-commerce platform it would range from $1500-$4000 depending on how many pages is required and other requirements.Includes:1. Logo design included in package2. Direct communication with the project manager for your account3. Google friendly website4. Marketing support & advice free of charge5. You own your site outright6. Website will be as unique as your businessYoumaybe thinking that the upfront cost of havinga custom website built by a web design company in Melbourne maybe a lot more then a DIY upfront cost. But I think if you crunch the numbers and compare apples for apples the custom websites win. Over the long term you will spend a lot more money on your DIY site and for little return. The site want be Google friendly, so how are you suppose to get a return on your investment if you can not advertise your businesses site online. And another benefit of going with a agency they are purely there for you and want your business to grow and prosper, where these massive DIY website companies do 100s of websites a month so you are just another number.If you need to take your business to the next level and want to maximize your ROI and have a boutique agency with highly trained professionals to help design and structure your website you should contact Gossip.Gossip Web Design is one of the leading Australian based Digital Marketing, Web design & Development Companies, which provides high quality Website design & development, Mobile Apps and Digital Marketing such as SEO (Search Engine Optimization), SMO (Social Media Optimization), SMM (Social Media Marketing), ORM and PPC (Pay Per Click) services as per our client needs. We have a highly experienced team with years of experience. Gossip always meets deadlines, without compromising the quality of workmenship.Address Level 9 ,440 Collins StreetState VictoriaCity MelbourneZipcode 3000Email id info@gossipdigitalmedia.com.auPhone 1300931696Website:- Transdermal Skin Patches Market in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is expected to be worth US$67.41 mn over 2017-2025 https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1220129 https://www.researchmoz.us/transdermal-skin-patches-market-kingdom-of-saudi-arabia-ksa-industry-analysis-size-share-growth-trends-and-forecast-2017-2025-report.html/toc http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Transdermal skin patches are medicated patches that are attached to the skin which facilitates the transfer of drug from the patch into the patients body over a period of time. It is a viable alternative for patients who are averse to takings drugs via pills or injections. This report analyzes the current and future prospects of the transdermal skin patches market based on product type, application, distribution channel and geography.The market report comprises an elaborated executive summary, which includes market snapshot that provides information about various segments of the market. It also provides information and data analysis of the market with respect to market segments based on product type, application, distribution channel and geography. The market overview section of the report analyzes market dynamics such as drivers, restraints and opportunities that influences the transdermal skin patches market in the current and future scenario. The report also provides value chain analysis of the market that describes the sequence of activities involved, from identification of the market need to their final reach to the end users. Furthermore, the report provides Porters five force analysis that studies five factors and their impact on the transdermal skin patches market.Click to get Sample PDF:The research is a combination of primary and secondary research, conducted for understanding and arriving at trends, used to forecast the expected revenue of transdermal skin patches used in hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, online pharmacies, etc. in the near future. Primary research formed the bulk of our research efforts with information collected from in-depth interviews and discussions with a number of key industry experts and opinion leaders.Secondary research involved study of company websites, annual reports, press releases, investor presentations, analyst presentation and various international and national databases. The report provides estimated market size in terms of US$ Mn for product type, application, distribution channel and geography for the period 2017 to 2025. The revenue generated from product type was calculated by considering the adoption rate of transdermal skin patches in Saudi Arabia and also in other geographies, the number of product launched, average cost of products, trends in industry, and distribution channel trends, among others.View Complete TOC with Tables and Figures at:Market share analysis among the market players is analyzed to signify the contribution of these players in the market in terms of percentage share. All these factors will help the market players to decide about the business strategies and plans to strengthen their positions in the Saudi Arabia market.Key Players Mentioned in this Report are:The report also profiles the major players in the market and provides various attributes such as company overview, financial overview, product portfolio, business strategies, and recent developments. Major companies profiled in the transdermal skin patches market include Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, Mylan, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Luye Pharma, Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical, Purdue Pharma, and Mundipharma.The transdermal skin patches market has been segmented as follows:Transdermal Skin Patches Market, by Product Type, Revenue (US$ Mn) 2017-2025- Drug in Adhesive- Matrix- Reservoir- VaporResearchMoz 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: Digital Notes Market: Premium Forecast and Analysis for 2017-2021!!! http://www.globalinforeports.com/request-sample/255505 http://www.globalinforeports.com/check-discount/255505 https://goo.gl/qYnuPr http://www.globalinforeports.com http://www.globalinforeports.com/blog Digital note is a form of note taking using digital devices to connect to iPhone, iPad, or Android devices or computer to transfer anything written into a digital format. Digital note industry is vague as it is an application concept attempts either to save paper and make it easier for organizing all notes, or to skip the process converting the hand-writing notes into electronic copies. The approach of syncing the information is more tend to via wireless method instead of using cable. In this report, we have targeted two basic forms (digital notepad and smart pen) and concentrated mainly on the hardware side. Digital stylus, when combined with app in tablet, could act digital note function. However, digital stylus is not included in this study.GIR Market Research has released a latest report based on thorough research on Digital Notes 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 Digital Notes 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 Digital Notes 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 Digital Notes 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 Digital Notes 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.Get Discount on this Report @Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Digital Notes in North America market, especially in United States, Canada and Mexico. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, countries, type and application.The report is worth a buy because:This report on Digital Notes 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.Download PDF Brochure@About Us:GIR Market Research is a company that simplifies how analysts and decision makers get industry data for their business. Our unique colossal technology has been developed to offer refined search capabilities designed to exploit the long tail of free market research whilst eliminating irrelevant results. GIR Market Research is the collection of market intelligence products and services on the Web. We offer reports and update our collection daily to provide you with instant online access to the worlds most complete and current database of expert insights on global industries, companies, products, and trends.Contact us:+1-888-376-9998 (US)Email- sales@globalinforeports.comWeb-Blogs- Specialty Cheese 2017 Global Market Key Growth Drivers, Challenges, Demand and Upcoming Trends by Forecast to 2023 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/4660 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/specialty-cheese-market-4660 Market Overview:Specialty cheese is a type of cheese in which attention is given to natural flavor and texture. It is a well-known source of protein, calcium, and phosphorus. The specialty cheese is obtained from various sources of milk such as goat milk, sheep milk, whole cow milk, skimmed cow milk, and buffalo milk. Various natural ingredients such as herbs, spices, fruits, nuts and others are added to the specialty cheese to preserve the natural flavors. The product is available in number of types such as fresh, aged fresh, soft white, semi-soft, hard, flavored, and others. These wide range of products are gaining popularity among the consumers.Increasing application of specialty cheese in fast food products, snacks, bakery products and others is driving the growth of the market. Additionally, changing lifestyle and consumption pattern among the consumers are supporting the growth of the specialty cheese market. Moreover, inclination of consumers towards fast food and snacks is boosting the market growth. However, constantly price hike of milk may hamper the specialty cheese market during the review period. Nevertheless, all these factors are projected to contribute to the estimated CAGR of 3.5% of specialty cheese market during the forecast period 2017-2023.Request a Sample Report @Major Key Players:The major players in the Specialty Cheese Market Arla Foods (Denmark) Kanegrade Ltd. (U.K.) Kraft Heinz Ingredients (U.S.) BelGioioso Cheese Inc (U.S.) Bel Brands (U.S.) ORNUA FOODS NORTH AMERICA INC (U.S.) Saputo Inc. (Canada)Table of Content:Chapter 1. Methodology And Scope1.1. Research Methodology1.1.1 Initial Data Exploration1.1.2 Statistical Modelling And Forecast1.1.3 Industry Insights And Validation1.2. Data SourcesChapter 2. Executive Summary2.1. Specialty Cheese Industry Market Synopsis, 2017-20232.1.1 Business Trends2.1.2 Product Type Trends2.1.3 Product Source Trends2.1.4 Product Flavor Trends2.1.5 Product Distribution Channel TrendsChapter 3 Specialty Cheese Market Industry Insights3.1 Industry Segmentation3.2 Industry Size And Forecast3.3 Industry Ecosystem Analysis3.4 Industry Impact Forces3.4.1 Growth Drivers3.4.1.1 Focus On Natural Flavors3.4.1.2 Wide Application Around Food Industries3.4.2 Industry Pitfalls & Challenges3.4.2.1 Lower Shelf Life3.4.2.2 Surge In Milk Prices3.5 Growth Potential Analysis3.6 Company Market Share Analysis, 20163.7 Porters Analysis3.8 PESTEL AnalysisChapter 4 Specialty Cheese Market By Type Insights4.1 Global Specialty Cheese Market Volume Share By Type, 2017-20234.1.1 Fresh4.1.1.1 Market Estimates & Forecast, 2017-20234.1.2 Aged Fresh4.1.2.1 Market Estimates & Forecast, 2017-20234.1.3 Soft White4.1.3.1 Market Estimates & Forecast, 2017-20234.1.4 Semi- Soft4.1.4.1 Market Estimates & Forecast, 2017-20234.1.5 Hard4.1.5.1 Market Estimates & Forecast, 2017-20234.1.6 Flavored4.1.6.1 Market Estimates & Forecast, 2017-20234.1.7 Others4.1.7.1 Market Estimates & Forecast, 2017-2023Chapter 5 Specialty Cheese Market By Source Insights5.1 Global Specialty Cheese Market Volume Share By Source, 2017-20235.1.1 Goat Milk5.1.1.1 Market Estimates & Forecast, 2017-20235.1.2 Sheep Milk5.1.2.1 Market Estimates & Forecast, 2017-20235.1.3 Cow Milk5.1.3.1 Market Estimates & Forecast, 2017-20235.1.4 Buffalo Milk5.1.4.1 Market Estimates & Forecast, 2017-2023Chapter 6 Specialty Cheese Market By Flavor Insights6.1 Global Specialty Cheese Market Volume Share By Flavor, 2017-20236.1.1 Herbs6.1.1.1 Market Estimates & Forecast, 2017-20236.1.2 Spices6.1.2.1 Market Estimates & Forecast, 2017-20236.1.3 Fruits6.1.3.1 Market Estimates & Forecast, 2017-20236.1.4 Nuts6.1.4.1 Market Estimates & Forecast, 2017-20236.1.5 Others6.1.5.1 Market Estimates & Forecast, 2017-2023Chapter 7 Specialty Cheese Market By Distribution Channel InsightsContinued..Regional Analysis:Global Specialty Cheese Market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and rest of the world (RoW). Europe is holds the major share of the specialty cheese market followed by North America. Growing consumption of specialty cheese in snacks and fast foods by the increasing population is the major factor driving the specialty cheese market in Europe. In North America, the U.S. holds the major share of specialty cheese market.Moreover, changing lifestyle and increasing disposable income in countries such as India, china and Japan are expected to affect the growth of the specialty cheese market in Asia Pacific, positively. Additionally, high focus on R&D is increasing the range of specialty cheese products, which is likely to surge the market growth in rest of the world.Access Report Details @Market SegmentationSpecialty cheese market is segmented on the basis of type, source, flavor, distribution channel, and region.About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.ContactMarket Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Lithium-ion Battery Market was valued at US$29.68 bn in 2015 and is Projected to reach US$77.42 bn by 2024 MRRSE https://www.mrrse.com/sample/983 https://www.mrrse.com/lithium-ion-battery-market https://www.mrrse.com/enquiry/983 https://www.mrrse.com/ https://www.industrynewsanalysis.com/ Lithium-ion Battery are a part of rechargeable battery group. Lithium-ion batteries offer high storage capacity, better efficiency and long lifecycle than other batteries. The demand for these batteries are increasing in various applications such as consumer electronics products, automotive application such as EVs and HEVs and energy storage systems in power plants and household electricity. The global lithium-ion battery market is anticipated to grow with a significant rate between 2016 and 2024. The rising demand for electronic devices and the stringent government regulations to control pollution level are expected to drive the lithium-ion battery market during the forecast period.Click here for free Sample Report @This study analyzes, estimates, and forecasts the global Lithium-ion Battery market in terms of volume (Units) and revenue (US$ Mn) from 2016 to 2024. Market numbers given in the report describe the demand for global lithium-ion battery, but not production or supply. The Lithium-ion Battery report also analyzes several driving and restraining factors and their impact on the market during the forecast period.The report provides comprehensive analysis of the Lithium-ion Battery by power capacity range and applications. It segments the lithium-ion battery market into range of power capacity that include 5-25 Wh, 48-95 Wh, 18-28 KWh, 100-250 KWh and more than 300 KWh. It further segments the market into the following key applications: consumer electronics, automotive and grid energy & industrial segment. The report also segments the market based on major geographies into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. It further provides volume and revenue for each application segment for each region. This includes 12 unique country-specific analysis.Based on the application and country, the report analyzes the attractiveness of each segment and country with the help of an attractiveness tool. The study consist of value chain analysis, which offers a better understanding of key companies in the supply chain from raw material manufacturers to end-users. Additionally, the study examines market competition through Porters Five Forces Analysis.The report includes an overview of the market share of key companies in the global Lithium-ion Battery market. Market share of companies has been derived on the basis of production by manufacturers of controlled release fertilizers. Key market players profiled in the study include Automotive Energy Supply Corporation (AESC), Panasonic Corporation, GA Yuasa Corporation, Hitachi Chemical Co. Ltd., Johnson Controls, Inc., LG Chem Power, Inc., Samsung SDI Co. Ltd., Toshiba Corporation. Profiles of key participants comprise important parameters such as company overview, financial overview, business strategy, and recent developments.Browse Full Report with TOC @Primary research represents the majority of our research efforts, complemented by extensive secondary research. We reviewed key players product literature, annual reports, press releases, and relevant documents for competitive analysis and market understanding. Secondary research also includes a search of technical writing, recent trade, Internet sources, and statistical data from government websites, trade associations, and agencies. This has proven to be the most consistent, effective, and productive approach for procuring precise market data, recognizing business opportunities, and understanding industry participants perceptions.Secondary research sources that are typically referred to include broker reports, corporation websites, external patented databases, financial reports, stockholder presentations, Securities & Exchange Commission filings, proprietary databases and relevant patent and regulatory databases, national government documents, statistical databases, and market reports, news articles, press releases, and webcasts specific to companies operating in the market. Secondary sources referred for this study include Chemical Week Magazine, ICIS Chemical Business Magazine, Hoovers, Factiva, and company presentations.The report segments the global Lithium-ion Battery market as follows:This report segments the global Lithium-ion Battery Market as follows:Lithium-ion Battery Market Power Capacity Analysis5-25 Wh48-95 Wh18-28 KWh100-250 KWhMore than 300 KWhLithium-ion Battery Market Application AnalysisConsumer ElectronicsAutomotiveGrid Energy & IndustrialLithium-ion Battery Market Regional AnalysisNorth AmericaS.CanadaRest of North AmericaEuropeGermanyFranceItalyK.SpainRest of EuropeAsia PacificChinaJapanSouth KoreaASEANRest of Asia PacificLatin AmericaBrazilMexicoRest of Latin AmericaMiddle East & Africa (MEA)GCCSouth AfricaEgyptRest of MEAEnquire 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.ContactState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United States Telephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite:Read More Industry News At: Gene Editing Market by Segmentation Based on Product, Application and Region 2017 - 2025 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=638 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=638 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=D&rep_id=638 Global Gene Editing Market: SnapshotGene editing or genome editing is the targeted insertion or modification of cells in living organism or cells and the method has come to occupy a crucial part of biomedical researches, constantly transforming various disciplines of life sciences. Over the past few years, continuous advancements in gene-editing technologies have led to the advent of several versatile methods, which have enabled investigators to introduce a number of sequence-specific changes into the genomes of a variety of cell types. This has facilitated the discovery of promising human gene therapies proving useful for treating various diseases. The use of targeted nucleases or engineered nucleases in laboratories has provided researchers potential tools to economically and rapidly manipulate almost any genomic sequence for a broad range of cell types.In recent years, gene editing techniques have been witnessed a paradigmatic shift with the advent of methods such as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9), zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs), and transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs). Using these technologies, investigators have been successful in generating a wide spectrum of outcomes, which are likely to prove useful in diverse areas as synthetic biology, disease modeling, neurosciences, and drug discovery. For instance, targeted nuclease have enabled the insertion of targeted DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). This has led to the activation of DNA repair pathways in various cells. In vivo applications of various gene editing tools, however, suffer from noticeable constraints. For instance, nuclease delivery or expression can be enabled only in diseased cells, thereby limiting potential of the market to an extent. Nevertheless, constant engineering advances are being made which will expectedly lay robust groundwork for expanding the current array of genome-modifying tools.Request Sample Copy of the Report@Global Gene Editing Market: OverviewGene editing involves the insertion, deletion, or replacement of DNA at specific sites in the genome of a cell or an organism. It is usually achieved in a laboratory environment using molecular scissors.Regulations for the security of life, well-being of plants and animals, human health, and environmental compliance will influence market players for increased focus on import, export, and commercialization of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).The report is an all-important tool to comprehend the various factors and growth trends that will influence the growth of the gene editing market between 2017 and 2025. The market study is a collective of facts and factoids that are associated with the global gene editing market in a chronological order. The analysis of past data and current market trends enable research analysts to present a satisfactory conclusion regarding the markets future. Thus, the analysis presented in the report can be used to devise successful business strategies for the future. Using standard analytical tools such as Porters Five Forces and SWOT analysis, the report presents the indices of strength, weakness, opportunities, and threats of the global gene editing market until the end of the forecast period in 2025.Global Gene Editing Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe increasing expenditures on research and development, growth of the biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, and rising demand for synthetic genes are the major factors driving the global gene editing market.Request TOC of the Report @The increasing prevalence of infectious diseases, cancer, and other genetic disorders is steering the growth of the gene editing industry. Moreover, the increasing demand for personalized medicine and advancement of medical science is propelling the industrys demand.However, strict government regulations to receive approval for mutation undertakings and lack of public awareness will challenge the growth of the gene editing market. Government regulations for assessing the medical benefits as well as the potential hazards of gene editing procedure will benefit the growth of this market.Global Gene Editing Market: Market SegmentationThe global gene editing market can be analyzed on the basis of technology, end user, application, and region. In terms of technology, the market can be segmented into CRISPR, ZFN, TALEN and others. On the basis of application, the global gene editing market can be divided into cell line engineering, plant genetic engineering, animal genetic engineering, and others. By end user, the market can be segmented into biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations, and academic and government institutes.Global Gene Editing Market: Regional OutlookThe global gene editing market can be divided into the regional segments of North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. The U.S. gene editing market is expected to display robust growth due to growth trend manifested by biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies and adoption of advanced technologies such as CRISPR for treating chronic hereditary diseases.Get Discount @In Europe, the U.K. is expected to contribute significantly to the growth of the gene editing market in this region. This is mainly due to the rising geriatric population and increasing incidence of chronic diseases. The Asia Pacific gene editing market is expected to display fast growth rate in the coming years. The rising geriatric population, modernization of healthcare practices, technological advancements, and government initiatives for controlling diseases are fuelling the growth of the Asia Pacific gene editing market.South Africa is expected to contribute significantly to the revenue of its regional market. The rising prevalence of sickle cell anemia, HIV, hemophilia and several forms of cancer will drive the industrys growth.Major Companies Mentioned in ReportThe report mentions and profiles some of the top companies in the global gene editing market, namely Agilent Technologies, AstraZeneca, Cellectis, Editas Medicine, Dharmacon, Qiagen, Sigma-Aldrich, Allele Biotech, Bio Rad, CRISPR Therapeutics, GE Healthcare, Lonza, Recombinetics, and Thermo Fisher Scientific.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 Global High Voltage Measuring Equipment Market is expected to be worth US$6.59 bn over 2016-2024 https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1220128 https://www.researchmoz.us/high-voltage-measuring-equipment-market-global-industry-analysis-size-share-growth-trends-and-forecast-2016-2024-report.html/toc http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG High voltage measuring equipment are high accuracy electrical devices used in the measurement of high voltage (35kV-400kV), extra high voltage (401kV-800kV) and ultra high voltage (>800kV) alternating and direct currents. These instruments can be primarily divided into capacitive voltage transformers, potential transformers and other equipment like high voltage capacitors, multimeters, probes, etc. They are used in several applications like power generation (substation), power transmission, industrial facilities and laboratories, etc. Both, the capacitive voltage transformers and potential transformers are types of instrument transformers. While the capacitive voltage transformer can be used for a wide range of voltages up to 1200kV, the potential transformer has a limited range of ~250kV. During the forecast period, the demand of these equipment for direct current transmission and extra high voltage (401-800kV) transmission is expected to be higher.High Voltage Measuring Equipment Market: Scope of StudyThis report analyzes and forecasts the market for high voltage measuring equipment at the global and regional level. The market has been forecast based on volume (Units) and revenue (US$ Mn) from 2016 to 2024, considering 2015 as the base year. The study includes drivers and restraints of the global high voltage measuring equipment market. It also covers impact of these drivers and restraints on demand for high voltage measuring equipment during the forecast period. The report also highlights opportunities in the high voltage measuring equipment market at the global and regional level.Click to get Sample PDF:The report includes detailed value chain analysis, which provides a comprehensive view of the global high voltage measuring equipment market. Porters Five Forces model for the high voltage measuring equipment market has also been included to help understand the competitive landscape in the market. The study encompasses market attractiveness analysis, wherein end-users are benchmarked based on their market size, growth rate, and general attractiveness.The study provides a decisive view of the global high voltage measuring equipment market by segmenting it in terms of product type (capacitive voltage transformers, potential transformers & others) and applications such as power generation (substation), power transmission, industrial & others (laboratory, testing centres, commercial purposes, etc.). These segments have been analyzed based on present and future trends. Regional segmentation includes current and forecast demand for high voltage measuring equipment in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa.View Complete TOC with Tables and Figures at:High Voltage Measuring Equipment Market: Regional OutlookDemand for the high voltage measuring equipment is anticipated to increase rapidly because of the heavy investment in transmission grids by various regions. This investment and thereby demand will be highest in Asia Pacific, followed by Middle East & Africa and Latin America. Here, the investment in transmission grids will primarily focus on providing citizens with access to electricity. On the other hand, demand will be comparatively lower in Europe and North America, where the markets are already mature and the demand is likely to come from replacement of old equipment and upgradation of the same to meet newer and stricter environmental regulations.High Voltage Measuring Equipment Market: Competitive LandscapeThe report comprises profiles of major companies operating in the global high voltage measuring equipment market. The global high voltage measuring equipment market is partially consolidated. Key players include ABB, Siemens, GE Grid Solutions, Maxwell Technologies, BHEL, Crompton Greaves, and Shanghai Electric Group Company Limited. Market players have been profiled in terms of attributes such as company overview, financial overview, business strategies, and recent developments.The global high voltage measuring equipment market has been segmented as follows:High Voltage Measuring Equipment Market: Product Type Analysis- Capacitive Voltage Transformer- Potential Transformer- 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: The Middle East alone it is expected to invest over US$250 billion in new Railway Construction Projects https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/2397541-project-insight-railway-construction-projects-middle-east-and-africa https://www.wiseguyreports.com/conferences https://www.wiseguyreports.com/seminars Pune, India, 27 November 2017: WiseGuyReports announced addition of new report, titled Project Insight - Railway Construction Projects: Middle East and Africa.The Middle East and Africa regions are likely to expand to their rail network in a big way. While investing in new Metro systems and new railroad and sub-Saharan Africa, especially in Nigeria and Tanzania, the infrastructure of railways increases their population and increases wealth. In the Middle East, only 250 billion dollars will be spent on various railway projects in the next decade, so that the new railway will expand to 67,000 kilometers.The railway construction projects in the Middle East and Africa with a total value of US$543.5 billion, including project from announced to execution stage, says report study.Report studies provide analysis based on CIC projects that show total project values for Middle East and Africa markets and analysis from Space and funding for the top 10 countries. Country, stage, price, km Top 50 projects have been listed for length and area known for railways. The list of top participants in this area is also shown to leading contractors, consultant engineers and project owners.GET SAMPLE REPORT @Saudi Arabia accounts for highest value of railway projects with US$77.1 billion.Based on the total value of this project, the companies are the top contractors in this field, China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) and then Yapi Merkezi Holding Inc After that, the plans for all projects will be considered, annual expenditure on 162 projects is expected to reach US $ 86.7 billion in 2019. In the pre-planning phase, the project was $ 103.1 billion, while planning phase projects amounted to 102.2 billion US dollars.Even study explains that, Public investment is responsible for the funding of the largest scale projects, with 56% combined public and private funding, 41% and the remaining 3% projects financially only through private funding.The Railway Construction Projects report provides a basic overview of the industry including its definition, applications and manufacturing technology. Then, the report explores the international and regional major industry players in detail. In this part, the report presents the company profile, product specifications, capacity, production value, and 2017-2022 market shares for each company.The Railway Construction Projects market report comprises an elaborated executive summary, which includes market snapshot that provides information about various segments of the market. The study also provides information and data analysis of the market with respect to market segments based on media type, end-user, and geography. The market overview section of the report analyzes market dynamics such as drivers, restraints and opportunities that influences the culture media market in the current and future scenario.The region cover in the report are Saudi Arabia, Iran, Nigeria, Qatar, Egypt, Algeria, Kuwait, Tanzania, The UAE, and Tunisia.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 Veterinary Hematology Analyzers Market is projected to reach a valuation of US$1,178.9 mn over 2016-2024 https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1220125 https://www.researchmoz.us/high-voltage-measuring-equipment-market-global-industry-analysis-size-share-growth-trends-and-forecast-2016-2024-report.html/toc http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Veterinary hematology analyzers are used widely in veterinary hospitals and research settings to count and characterize blood cells for detection and monitoring of disease in animals. Conventional veterinary hematology analyzers does the complete blood count (CBC) with a three-part differential white blood cell (WBC). Advanced veterinary hematology analyzers are able to detect small cell populations in rare blood conditions and can measure cell morphology. Factors prompting the growth of veterinary hematology analyzers market are increased adoption of pets, rising disposable income and growing outbreaks of animal diseases.Global Veterinary Hematology Analyzers Market: Scope of the ReportThis report on the veterinary hematology analyzers market analyzes the current and future prospects of the market. The report comprises an elaborate executive summary, including a market snapshot that provides overall information of various segments and sub-segments. The research is a combination of primary and secondary research. Detailed qualitative analysis of factors responsible for driving and restraining market growth and opportunities has been provided in the market overview section. Market revenue in terms of US$ Mn for the period between 2014 and 2024 along with the compound annual growth rate (CAGR %) from 2016 to 2024 are provided for all the segments, considering 2015 as the base year.Click to get Sample PDF:Market related factors such as technological developments, product innovation, expansion of animal healthcare infrastructure facilities around the world, and historical year-on-year growth have been taken into consideration while estimating the market size. Growth rates for each segment within the veterinary hematology analyzers market have been determined after a thorough analysis of past trends, demographics, future trends, technological developments, product development life cycle, and regulatory requirements. These factors would help the market players to take strategic decisions in order to strengthen their positions and expand their share in the global market.View Complete TOC with Tables and Figures at:Global Veterinary Hematology Analyzers Market: Geographical and Competitive DynamicsOn the basis of geography, the veterinary hematology analyzers market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Middle East & Africa. North America comprises the U.S. and Canada. Europe comprises Germany, France, U.K., Spain, Italy, Russia, Poland, and Rest of Europe. Asia-Pacific comprises China, India, Japan, Australia and New Zealand and Rest of Asia Pacific. Latin America comprises Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Rest of Latin America. Middle East & Africa comprises of GCC Countries, South Africa and Rest of Middle East & Africa. The competition matrix section included in the report is likely to assist the existing players to increase their market shares and new companies to establish their presence in the veterinary hematology analyzers market.The report also profiles major players in the veterinary hematology analyzers market based on various attributes such as company overview, financial overview, SWOT analysis, key business strategies, product portfolio, and recent developments. Key companies profiled in the report include IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., Abaxis, Inc., Heska Corporation, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc. , Drew Scientific Inc., URIT Medical, Boule Medical AB, scil animal care, Mindray, HORIBA Medical, Clindiag Systems, HemoCue AB, Diatron and Sysmex.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: Industrial Turbocharger Market: Rise In Oil Prices Continue To Boost Growing Fuel Effectiveness In Engines https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/industrial-turbocharger-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=15053 www.transparencymarketresearch.com Request Report MethodologyPower or efficiency of a motor or engine determines the overall mechanism of a machine. The volume of fuel and air passing into the inner combustion engine under huge pressure dictates the output of the engine. Industrial turbochargers are examples of forced induction systems since they supply high pressure exhaust gas towards the engine, and make greater amount of air obtainable for combustion. This enhances the functioning ability of an engine almost up to thrice and a turbocharger generally contributes to about three quarters of the power of the engine.Obtain Report Details @Fuel efficiency norms are projected to enhance the utility of industrial turbochargers in nearly half of the light vehicles, and thus boost the global industrial turbocharger market revenue. Rise in oil prices continue to boost growing fuel effectiveness in engines. This in turn accelerates growth in the global market to a great extent. Another trend encouraging market development is strict emission regulations. Emission norms are fixed off compulsory guidelines regulating many air pollutants, solid or gaseous emitted into the environment by human activity. Hereby industrial turbochargers are designed for protection of the environment, maintenance of human health, and efficient usage of resources. Other drivers for the industrial turbochargers market are corporate average fuel economy standards, predictive strategy of maintenance, targets of carbon emission, rising market for market of passenger vehicles, and trend of engine downsizing.One of the key restraining forces dictating the global industrial turbocharger market is the fact that diesel soaps disrupt turbochargers. Besides, these turbochargers are essential parts of ships, mining, power generators, and construction equipment. Hence unforeseen breakdown and malfunctioning can adversely affect the functioning of these machines, and this can have dangerous consequences. Strategies for maintenance are of paramount importance to the optimal functioning of the industrial turbochargers. Moreover, this market will in all probability remain dominant in the top manufacturers of auto components globally since market players need substantial space for plants and different equipment for making turbochargers. Hence they require considerable amount of capital for establishing facilities, purchasing raw materials, producing products, and be responsible for marketing them for potential clients. The other restraint is low inclination towards passenger cars running on diesel.However, the global industrial turbocharger market has medium barriers to entry. There are no government regulations, licensing needs or resource constraints adequate enough for preventing the entry of operators into this market. In the years ahead, even gasoline turbochargers are forecast to penetrate the market at a decent rate.The global industrial turbocharger market can be segmented on the basis of end-user industries, and geography. On the basis of geography, the market is divided into marine, agricultural equipment, construction and mining equipment, power, and oil and gas. In general, the construction and mining equipment segment has been dominating the market in terms of market share. This market includes the usage of powerful, heavy duty equipment and machines, such as cranes, excavators, and demolition grapples dependent on turbochargers to enhance the power output of their engine. The constant infrastructural development practices in every major nation worldwide and the growing demand from pharmaceuticals, automotive, and food and beverage industries will propel the growth in case of this segment.Request a PDF Sample for this Research Report @On the basis of geography, the global industrial turbocharger market can be segmented into North America, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the region of Europe, Middle East and Africa. In this market, the key vendors are Cummins, ABB, Honeywell, Napier Turbochargers, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Niitsu, Brogwarner, MTU, Bosch Mahle TurboSystems, Lianoing Rong Li Turbocharge, Precision Turbo and Engine, and Comp Turbo Technology.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a 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 recommendationsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Global Electric Car Chargers Market 2017 | MarketResearchReports. biz https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/reports/1369613/global-north-america-europe-and-market-research-reports https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/1369613 https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/enquiry/1369613 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/ "The Report Global (North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa) Electric Car Chargers Market 2017 Forecast to 2022 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz""The electric car charger is charging for different kinds of new energy electric vehicles, its function is similar to the gas station inside the tanker, it usually have two kinds in charging manner classification, AC and DC. Alternate current electric car charger is relative cheaper than the direct current Electric Car Chargers.It can be fixed on the ground or wall, installed in public buildings (public buildings, shopping malls, public parking, etc.) and residential area parking or charging stations, it charging for different kinds of new energy electric vehicles based on the demand. Electric Car Chargers of inputs directly connected to the AC power grid, output terminals are equipped with a charging plug for electric vehicle charging."View Report @Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Electric Car Chargers 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 coversChargepointABBEatonLevitonBlinkSchneider ElectricSiemensGeneral ElectricAeroVironmentPanasonicChargemasterElektromotiveClipper CreekDBT CEVPod PointBYDNARIXuji GroupPotivioAuto Electric Power PlantRuckus New Energy TechHuashang SanyouWanbangQingdao TelaidianGet Sample Copy Of This Report @Market 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, coversSlow ACFast ACFast DCMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoHomeOfficeCommercialThere are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Electric Car Chargers market.Chapter 1, to describe Electric Car Chargers Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Electric Car Chargers, with sales, revenue, and price of Electric Car Chargers, 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 Car Chargers, 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 Car Chargers market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Electric Car Chargers sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data sourceSend An Enquiry Request @Table of Contents1 Market Overview1.1 Electric Car Chargers Introduction1.2 Market Analysis by Type1.2.1 Slow AC1.2.2 Fast AC1.2.3 Fast DC1.3 Market Analysis by Applications1.3.1 Home1.3.2 Office1.3.3 Commercial1.4 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 Chargepoint2.1.1 Business Overview2.1.1.1 Chargepoint Electric Car Chargers Description2.1.1.2 Chargepoint Electric Car Chargers Headquarter, Main Business and Finance Overview2.1.2 Chargepoint Electric Car Chargers Product Introduction2.1.2.1 Production Bases, Sales Regions and Major Competitors2.1.2.2 Chargepoint Electric Car Chargers Product Introduction2.1.3 Chargepoint Electric Car Chargers Sales, Revenue and Market Share2.1.3.1 Chargepoint Electric Car Chargers Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.1.3.2 Chargepoint Electric Car Chargers Market Share in Global in 20162.2 ABB2.2.1 Business Overview2.2.1.1 ABB Electric Car Chargers Description2.2.1.2 ABB Electric Car Chargers Headquarter, Main Business and Finance Overview2.2.2 Chargepoint Electric Car Chargers Product Introduction2.2.2.1 Production Bases, Sales Regions and Major Competitors2.2.2.2 ABB Electric Car Chargers Product Introduction2.2.3 ABB Electric Car Chargers Sales, Revenue and Market Share2.2.3.1 ABB Electric Car Chargers Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.2.3.2 ABB Electric Car Chargers Market Share in Global in 20162.3 Eaton2.3.1 Business Overview2.3.1.1 Eaton Electric Car Chargers Description2.3.1.2 Eaton Electric Car Chargers Headquarter, Main Business and Finance Overview2.3.2 Eaton Electric Car Chargers Product Introduction2.3.2.1 Production Bases, Sales Regions and Major Competitors2.3.2.2 Eaton Electric Car Chargers Product Introduction2.3.3 Eaton Electric Car Chargers Sales, Revenue and Market Share2.3.3.1 Eaton Electric Car Chargers Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.3.3.2 Eaton Electric Car Chargers Market Share in Global in 20162.4 Leviton2.4.1 Business Overview2.4.1.1 Leviton Electric Car Chargers Description2.4.1.2 Leviton Electric Car Chargers Headquarter, Main Business and Finance Overview2.4.2 Leviton Electric Car Chargers Product Introduction2.4.2.1 Production Bases, Sales Regions and Major Competitors2.4.2.2 Leviton Electric Car Chargers Product Introduction2.4.3 Leviton Electric Car Chargers Sales, Revenue and Market Share2.4.3.1 Leviton Electric Car Chargers Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.4.3.2 Leviton Electric Car Chargers Market Share in Global in 2016About 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.ContactMr. NachiketaState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz Smart Strategies of the Research and Development Process - Global Smart Juicer Market 2017 https://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=1327096&type=S http://www.qyresearchreports.com Qyresearchreports include new market research report Global Smart Juicer Market Research Report 2017 to its huge collection of research reports.The trajectory of the global Smart Juicer market is shaped by a variety of macro- and micro- economic factors, an elaborate account of which is given in the in-depth report. The report offers an assessment of evolutionary trends, notable opportunities, and emerging prospects in various segments across major regions. An insight into the global as well regional competitive landscape includes a detailed profiling of various emerging players and new entrants and an evaluation of the key strategies adopted by them to gain a better foothold in the global Smart Juicer market. The assessment also includes highlighting the revenue size of prominent players and their scheduled product launches to consolidate their positions in various regions. The research also offers an overview of the regulatory landscape prevailing in various countries and their impact on the prominence of the current segments in the coming years. In addition, it takes a closer look at the recent investment in research and development activities expected to change the course of the global Smart Juicer market during the forecast period.The report on the global Smart Juicer market is prepared with valuable inputs from a wide spectrum of primary sources such as interviews and discussions with opinion leaders. In addition, the report bases its findings on an extensive range number of carefully-chosen secondary sources, including industry journals, annual reports, and investor presentations. The report evaluates various trends covered by these sources and evaluates the growth of the global Smart Juicer market on these lines. Industry leaders and executives, such as CEOs and CXOs looking for clear insights on trends to capitalize upon will find the insights offered in the study indispensable.To Download Sample Report With TOC:List of Tables and FiguresFigure North America Smart Juicer Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure Europe Smart Juicer Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure China Smart Juicer Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure Japan Smart Juicer Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure Southeast Asia Smart Juicer Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure India Smart Juicer Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2012-2022)Figure Global Smart Juicer Revenue (Million USD) Status and Outlook (2012-2022)Figure Global Smart Juicer Capacity, Production (K Units) Status and Outlook (2012-2022)Figure Global Smart Juicer Major Players Product Capacity (K Units) (2012-2017)Table Global Smart Juicer Capacity (K Units) of Key Manufacturers (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 Southeast Asia Food Emulsifier Market Industry Shares, Market Strategies & Key Players https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=7003 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/southeast-asia-food-emulsifier-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com A fresh business and commerce study by Transparency Market Research (TMR) has detected that the food emulsifier market in Southeast Asia is heavily dependent on product innovation in order to meet diverse demands. Consequently, research and development of new products is the primary strategy adopted by the key companies operating in Southeast Asia food emulsifier market, such as Archer Daniels Midland Company, BASF SE, Cargill, Inc., E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Ajinomoto Co., Associated British Foods Plc., Koninklijke DSM N.V., J.M. Huber Corporation, Chr. Hansen Holding A/S, and Givaudan SA. While Riken Vitamin and Palsgaard are focused on developing products with enhanced functional attributes, Danisco A/S already has a portfolio involving goods that possess enhanced taste, nutritional value, texture, and improved shelf life. On the other hand, Cargill, Inc. offers synthetic emulsifier for chocolate, bakery, and snacks.Download exclusive Sample of this report:As per the projections of the TMR report, the demand in the Southeast Asia food emulsifier market will increment at a CAGR of 5.1% during the forecast period of 2015 to 2021. The report has evaluated that the opportunities in this market were worth US$173.3 mn in 2014, and estimates it to swell up to a valuation of US$248.3 mn by the end of 2021.Application-wise, the food emulsifier market in Southeast Asia gains maximum demand from bakery and confectionery, significantly more than all other segments put together, including dairy products, meat products, convenience foods, and others. The report observes that demand for gluten-free baked products is escalating, besides gaining traction from growing consumer preference for nutritious and fibrous biscuits.Country-wise, the report gauges the potential of food emulsifier market in Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Rest of Southeast Asia. In 2014, Indonesia and Malaysia were the two key country-wide markets for food emulsifier. While Malaysia accounted for 25.2% of the demand share, Indonesia was the primary market and is projected to serve 38.2% of the overall demand in Southeast Asia food emulsifier market by 2021.Obtain Report Details @Based on product type, the market has been bifurcated into Stearoyl Lactylatess, Mono, Di-Glycerides & Derivatives, Sorbitan Esters, Lecithin, and others, with mono, di-glycerides & derivatives constituting for 43.4% for the demand share, followed by lecithin which accounted for 23.7%. Mono-, di-glycerides & derivatives are extensively consumed for manufacturing dairy and bakery items, including ice creams, cakes, bread, and margarine.The sudden rise of urban population in these emerging economies in Asia Pacific is the primary reason behind the prosperity of Southeast food emulsifier market. The urban population live a restless life and consequently, the demand for packaged food as increased leaps and bounds in the recent past. Incrementing demand for convenience food is the major factor boosting the demand for food emulsifier in Southeast Asia. The food emulsifier market in Southeast Asia has been witnessing robust growth due to its increasing demand across confectionery and bakery among others. In addition to that, consumers are now preferring food that are low on fat and healthy. Moreover, food emulsifiers are being added to the finished product to increase the overall quality of bakery and functional foods. Growth in the bakery industry in Southeast Asia is set to propel the demand in the food emulsifier market.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: Phototherapy Devices Market Forecast, Trend Analysis & Competition Tracking: Global Review 2017 to 2022 Phototherapy Devices Market- Fact.MR https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=S&rep_id=76 https://www.factmr.com/report/76/phototherapy-devices-market https://www.factmr.com/connectus/sample?flag=D&rep_id=76 https://www.factmr.com/ Increasing occurrence of skin disorders such as eczema and psoriasis across the globe coupled with technological advancement in phototherapy is projected to impact the overall sales of phototherapy devices in the near future. With the rise in number of patients having severe skin conditions, there has been a greater urgency of more advanced treatment modules. The arrival of cost-efficient and superior phototherapy equipment that run on LED technology is encouraging patients to opt for phototherapy treatment. In recent years, phototherapy treatment has undergone immense transformation owing to the development of new technological peripherals.Request Free Sample Report-The aforementioned factors are anticipated to further propel the adoption of phototherapy devices. Moreover, phototherapy devices are quite efficient when it comes to treating neonatal jaundice, a condition common among new born babies who have high bilirubin levels. On the flip side, high risk of adverse side-effects and increasing availability of alternative mode of treatments along with strict regulatory norms on new product approvals are some of the major growth deterrent of the global phototherapy devices market, which is set to expand at over 4.7% CAGR over the forecast period (2017-2022)Following notes form Fact.MRs report on global market for phototherapy devices will be instrumental for markets future prospectsAmong regions, the market in North America is expected to stay highly lucrative over the next five years. The regions market is expected to increase at a steady CAGR over 2022. During the same time, the markets in Europe and Asia-Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) are also expected to witness a considerable growth.Based on product type, conventional phototherapy will continue to witness robust adoption in 2017 and beyond. In terms of revenue, the conventional phototherapy devices segments currently holds around 55% share of the market and is expected to remain dominant during the forecast period.On the basis of end-use, adoption of phototherapy devices is projected to remain relatively high in hospitals. Currently, this segment command for over 60% revenue share of the market. By the 2022-end, over US$ 395 Mn worth phototherapy devices are likely to be sold globally only for hospital use.By light type, the white light segment is expected to reach valuation of around US$ 281 Mn by 2022-end. This segments is projected to represent a CAGR of 4.7% during the assessment period. Currently, this segment accounts for around largest revenue share of the market.Browse Full Report with TOC-Competition TrackingMedela AG, Natus Medical Incorporated, ALFAMEDIC S.R.O., Nice Neotech Medical Systems Pvt. Ltd., Herbert Waldmann GmbH & Co. KG, The Daavlin Company, Heal Force Bio-Meditech Holdings Limited, Dragerwerk AG & Co. KGaA, General Electric Company, Hill-Rom, Medisana AG, Natus Medical Incorporated, Solarc Systems Inc., National Biological Corp., NINGBO DAVID MEDICAL DEVICE CO., LTD., Schulze & Bohm GmbH, Guangzhou Beautylife Electronic Technology co.,Ltd., Philips Lighting Holding B.V., DIXION and Phoenix Medical Systems Pvt. Ltd. are among the key companies partaking in the growth of global phototherapy devices market through 2022.Check Discount-About Fact.MRFact.MR is a fast-growing market research firm that offers the most comprehensive suite of syndicated and customized market research reports. We believe transformative intelligence can educate and inspire businesses to make smarter decisions. We know the limitations of the one-size-fits-all approach; that's why we publish multi-industry global, regional, and country-specific research reports.Contact UsFact.MRSuite 988427 Upper Pembroke Street,Dublin 2, IrelandTelephone: +353-1-6111-593Email: sales@factmr.com/Web: Cognitive Analytics Market to reach $15.1 billion by 2023 http://kbvresearch.com/cognitive-analytics-market/ According to a new report Global Cognitive Analytics Market, published by KBV research, the Global Cognitive Analytics Market size is expected to reach $15.1 billion by 2023, rising at a market growth of 43% CAGR during the forecast period.The Tools market holds the largest market share in Global Cognitive Analytics Market by Type in 2016, and would continue to be a dominant market till 2023. The Services market is expected to witness a CAGR of 47.1% during (2017 2023).The KBV Cardinal Matrix is a visual representation about the key players in the industry. Based on the Analysis presented in the Cardinal matrix, IBM Corporation and Microsoft Corporation are the forerunners in the Cognitive Analytics market.KBV Cardinal Matrix Cognitive Analytics MarketCognitive Analytics Market SizeSource: KBV Research AnalysisThe North America market holds the largest market share in Global Asset Maintenance Cognitive Analytics Market by Region in 2016, and would continue to be a dominant market till 2023; growing at a CAGR of 39 % during the forecast period.Source: KBV Research Analysis, Company Publications and Secondary ResearchThe Europe market is expected to witness a CAGR of 40.3% during (2017 2023) in Global Fraud & Risk Management Cognitive Analytics Market. Additionally, The Asia Pacific market is expected to witness a CAGR of 47.7% during (2017 2023) in Global Sales & Marketing Cognitive Analytics Market.The Large Enterprises market holds the largest market share in Global Cognitive Analytics Market by Organization Size in 2016, and would continue to be a dominant market till 2023. The Small & Medium Enterprises market would attain market value of $5,699.8 million by 2023.The market research report has exhaustive quantitative insights providing a clear picture of the market potential in various segments across the globe with country wise analysis in each discussed region. The key impacting factors of the Global Cognitive Analytics Market have been discussed in the report with the competition analysis and the elaborated company profiles of IBM Corporation, Amazon Web Services, Google, Inc., Microsoft Corporation, Oracle Corporation, SAS Institute, Inc., Intel Corporation, Cisco Systems, Inc., Nokia Corporation, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) Company.Full report Global Cognitive Analytics Market SegmentationBy TypeToolsServicesProfessionalManagedBy ApplicationAsset MaintenanceFraud & Risk ManagementSales & MarketingSupply Chain ManagementOthersBy Organization SizeSmall & Medium EnterprisesLarge EnterprisesBy Deployment TypeCloudOn-PremiseBy VerticalBFSIRetail & Consumer GoodsEnergy & UtilitiesHealthcareManufacturingGovernmentTelecom & ITEducationOthersBy GeographyNorth America Cognitive Analytics Market SizeUS Cognitive Analytics Market SizeCanada Cognitive Analytics Market SizeMexico Cognitive Analytics Market SizeRest of North America Cognitive Analytics Market SizeEurope Cognitive Analytics MarketGermany Cognitive Analytics MarketUK Cognitive Analytics MarketFrance Cognitive Analytics MarketRussia Cognitive Analytics MarketSpain Cognitive Analytics MarketItaly Cognitive Analytics MarketRest of Europe Cognitive Analytics MarketAsia Pacific Cognitive Analytics MarketChina Cognitive Analytics MarketJapan Cognitive Analytics MarketIndia Cognitive Analytics MarketSouth Korea Cognitive Analytics MarketSingapore Cognitive Analytics MarketMalaysia Cognitive Analytics MarketRest of Asia Pacific Cognitive Analytics MarketLAMEA Cognitive Analytics MarketBrazil Cognitive Analytics MarketArgentina Cognitive Analytics MarketUAE Cognitive Analytics MarketSaudi Arabia Cognitive Analytics MarketSouth Africa Cognitive Analytics MarketNigeria Cognitive Analytics MarketRest of LAMEA Cognitive Analytics MarketCompanies ProfiledIBM CorporationAmazon Web ServicesGoogle, Inc.Microsoft CorporationOracle CorporationSAS Institute, Inc.Intel CorporationCisco Systems, Inc.Nokia CorporationHewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) CompanyUnique Offerings from KBV ResearchExhaustive coverage of Global Cognitive Analytics Market SizeHighest number of market tables and figuresSubscription based model availableGuaranteed best priceAssured post sales research support with 10% customization freeRelated Reports:North America Cognitive Analytics Market (2017-2023)Europe Cognitive Analytics Market (2017-2023)Asia Pacific Cognitive Analytics Market (2017-2023)LAMEA Cognitive Analytics Market (2017-2023)Knowledge Based Value Research is a global brand and consulting firm serving all kinds of business verticals, government and non-governmental organizations, and not-for-profit organizations. Our motto is to extend our services that will have a lasting impact on our clients who trust us with their business goals.4F CS 27, Ansal PlazaSector 1, Vaishali 201010Delhi NCR, Ghaziabad, IndiaTel: 0120-4968631 / +91-9990696033Email: info@kbvresearch.com China Digital Notes Market by Types, Manufacturers, Regions and Application 2017 Analysis and Forecasts to 2022 https://www.marketresearchnest.com/china-digital-notes-market-by-manufacturers-regions-province-type-and-application-forecast-to-2022.html https://www.marketresearchnest.com/requestsample.php?reportid=281486 https://www.marketresearchnest.com/purchase.php?reportid=281486 MarketResearchNest.com adds China Digital Notes Market By Manufacturers, Regions (Province), Type And Application, Forecast To 2022 new reports to its research database. The report spread across 115 pages with tables and figures in it.Digital note is a form of note taking using digital devices to connect to iPhone, iPad, or Android devices or computer to transfer anything written into a digital format. Digital note industry is vague as it is an application concept attempts either to save paper and make it easier for organizing all notes, or to skip the process converting the hand-writing notes into electronic copies. The approach of syncing the information is more tend to via wireless method instead of using cable. In this report, we have targeted two basic forms (digital notepad and smart pen) and concentrated mainly on the hardware side. Digital stylus, when combined with app in tablet, could act digital note function. However, digital stylus is not included in this study.Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Digital Notes in China market, to split the market based on manufacturers, Regions (Province), type and application.Get more details about report atMarket Segment by Manufacturers, this report coversWacomKent displaysMoleskineLivescribeLuidiaNeo smartpenNoteSlateI.R.I.S.SonyACE CAD EnterpriseE-pensMarket Segment by Regions (Province), coveringSouth ChinaSouthwest ChinaEast ChinaNortheast ChinaNorth ChinaMarket Segment by Type, coversDigital NotepadSmart PenMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoProfessional DesignBusinessEducationRequest a Sample Copy atThere are 18 Chapters to deeply display the China Digital Notes market.Chapter 1, to describe Digital Notes Introduction, product type and application, market overview, market analysis by Region (province), market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the manufacturers of Digital Notes, with profile, main business, news, sales, price, revenue and market share 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 China market by Regions (Province),covering South China,East China,Southwest China,North China,Northeast China,Northwest China and Central China,with sales, price,revenue and market share of Digital Notes,for each region,from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 5 and 6, to show the market by type and application, with sales, price, revenue, market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 7,8,9,10,11,12 and 13 to analyze the key Province by Type and Application,covering South China,East China,Southwest China,North China,Northwest China,Central China and Northeast China,with sales,revenue and market share by types and applications;Chapter 14, Digital Notes market forecast, by Regions (Province), type and application, with sales, price, revenue and growth rate forecast, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 15, to analyze the manufacturing cost, key raw materials and manufacturing process etc.Chapter 16, to analyze the industrial chain, sourcing strategy and downstream end users (buyers);Chapter 17, to describe sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers etc.Chapter 18, to describe Digital Notes Appendix, methodology and data sourceOrder a Purchase Report Copy atMarketResearchNest.com is the most comprehensive collection of market research products and services on the Web. We offer reports from almost all top publishers and update our collection on daily basis to provide you with instant online access to the worlds most complete and recent database of expert insights on global industries, organizations, products, and trends.Mr. Jeet JainSales Managersales@marketresearchnest.com+1-240-284-8070 / +44-20-3290-4151 Tropical Fruit Puree Market By Top Key Players-Superior Foods Inc., AGRANA Beteiligungs-AG,Ingomar Packing Company LLC https://www.alltakemarketresearch.com/enquiry/request_sample/12629 https://www.alltakemarketresearch.com/report-detail/Tropical-Fruit-Puree-Market Tropical Fruit Puree 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 Tropical Fruit Puree in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaRequest For Free Sample Of The Report @Global Tropical Fruit Puree market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includingITC LimitedAGRANA Beteiligungs-AGKUO GroupKagome Co., Ltd.Dohler GmbHKiril Mischeff LimitedTree Top Inc.Capricon Food Products India Ltd.SVZ International B.V.Aditi Foods India Pvt. Ltd.Inborja S.A.Kerr Concentrates Inc.Superior Foods Inc.Conservas Vegetales de Extremadura S.A.Mother India FarmsIngomar Packing Company LLCQuicornac S.A.Citrofrut S.A. de C.V.On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoMangoPassion FruitGuavaAvocadoTomatoPapayaObtain 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 Tropical Fruit Puree for each application, includingInfant FoodBeveragesBakery & SnacksIce-cream & yoghurtDressing & saucesOthersIf 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 New Research:Retail Order Management Software Market Trends and Forecast to 2021 https://www.researchbeam.com/global-retail-order-management-software-report-and-forecast-to-2021-market/request-sample https://www.researchbeam.com/global-retail-order-management-software-report-and-forecast-to-2021-market/purchase-enquiry https://www.researchbeam.com/global-retail-order-management-software-report-and-forecast-to-2021-market Get Sample@Retail Order Management Software 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.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 Retail Order Management Software MarketGet 15% discount on this report @The Retail Order Management Software Market is 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 Retail Order Management Software Market is 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 Retail Order Management Software Market is Company A Company B CitiXsys Heartland Payment SystemsCheck 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 Pharmacy Retailing Market Trends,Share,Size,Status and Forecast 2022 https://www.researchbeam.com/global-and-regional-pharmacy-retailing-research-report-2017-market/request-sample https://www.researchbeam.com/global-and-regional-pharmacy-retailing-research-report-2017-market/purchase-enquiry https://www.researchbeam.com/global-and-regional-pharmacy-retailing-research-report-2017-market Regional Pharmacy Retailing 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 Regional Pharmacy Retailing MarketGet 15% discount on this report @The Regional Pharmacy Retailing Market is 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 Regional Pharmacy Retailing Market is 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 Regional Pharmacy Retailing Market is CVS Walgreen Rite Aid Loblaw Diplomat Ahold AinPharmaciez Guoda Drugstore Yixintang AlbertsonsCheck 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 Mining invasion expected in Nairobi again next week when Kenya Mining Forum gathers industrys finest Ushering in a new dawn for mining sector in Kenya http://www.kenyaminingforum.com Kenyas Cabinet Secretary in the Mining Ministry, the Hon. Dan Kazungu, will once again open the Kenya Mining Forum that is returning to Nairobi from 4-5 December, following a hugely successful inaugural event last year.Since 2016s Mining Forum, says Hon Kazungu, Kenya has jumped 16 positions in the worlds most attractive mining investment destinations globally from position 102 to 86 according to a survey by Fraser Institute. This has been attributed to six key pillars of Kenyas Mining reform agenda that are driving transformation. These include the 20 year Mining Strategy and Roadmap, Mining and Minerals policy, Mining Act 2016, comprehensive and progressive mining regulations, robust competitive and attractive fiscal policy and current geo data.He adds: great significant strides have also been made in reforming our mining regulatory framework in Kenya among them; the operationalization of the online mining cadastre, which enables a transparent online application of mining licenses. Another key reform is the implementation of the Mining Act 2016, which has seen 14 mining regulations effected, ushering in a new dawn for a modern and forward looking mining sector in the country.Varied and practical programmeThis year Kenya Mining Forum is once again hosted by the Kenya Ministry of Mining, in collaboration with the Chamber of Mines.A varied conference programme focuses on industry issues and challenges ranging from finance, legislation, women in mining, the gemstone sector to CSR. The expo showcases leading technology and services for the sector while a practical workshop programme offers free training and up skilling for mining professionals.I expect lift-off in the mining sector over the next 5-10 yearsOther mining experts, industry representatives and suppliers who will be at Kenya Mining Forum include: Base Titaniums key message is to show the world what is possible to achieve in Kenya- Joe Schwarz General Manager External Affairs and Development at Base Titanium, the returning exclusive diamond sponsors of the Kenya Mining Forum. Kenyas free market credentials give it a unique opportunity to crowd international and domestic investors in. I expect lift-off in this sector over the next 5-10 years- Aly-Khan Satchu, Chief Executive Officer, Rich Management Ltd, Board Member, Base Titanium and keynote speaker at Kenya Mining Forum. The Kenya Chamber of Mines is consistent in its mandate to ensure that the environment for investment in the sector is stable and predictable- Moses Njiru Njeru, CEO, Kenya Chamber of Mines (KCM), speaker and partner organisation of Kenya Mining Forum. Accurate tonnages from scales or weighbridges are a win-win situation for all players involved in mining production- Dingiswayo Phiri, Head Sales & Marketing, Spruceland Technologies Group Ltd in Zambia and bronze sponsor. Let us look at adopting mining and exploration practices that ensure a sustainable eco-system- Leakey Tom, Sales Director at Scania East Africa Ltd, bronze sponsor. Full interview Our message at Kenya Mining Forum is to share knowledge on the latest innovations of using GIS in mining and specifically ArcGIS, and remote sensing. The business of mineral exploration and extraction is inherently spatial.- Judah arap Bett, Managing Director of ESRI Eastern Africa, bronze sponsor. What makes Kenya's gemstones unique is the story behind the gems, the tenacity and resilience of the miners - both men and women.- Diana Atieno, founder and MD of Porini Gems in Kenya, and featured panellist during the Women in Mining Breakfast. At Extractives Baraza, our ultimate goal is to enhance stakeholder engagement in Kenya's extractives sector- Dr. Melba K. Wasunna, SJD, Director, Extractives Baraza, Kenya. At the upcoming Kenya Mining Forum, Dr Wasunna is chairing a session on Corporate Social Responsibility. The main challenge has to be the impact of the mining sector on the environment and the planet. The sector has to be creative enough to be sustainable.- Karin Boomsma, Project Co-ordinator, Sustainable Inclusive Business, KEPSA, Kenya and panellist at the event.The full expert interviews can be found on the event website.Kenya Mining Forum dates and location:Conference and expo: 4-5 December 2017Venue: Safari Park Hotel & Casino, Nairobi, KenyaThe Kenya Mining Forum is organised by Spintelligent, a well-known trade conference and expo organiser on the African continent. The company has particular expertise and experience in mining and infrastructure development events; including the long running flagship shows such as DRC Mining Week in Lubumbashi, Nigeria Mining Week in Abuja, Future Energy East Africa (formerly EAPIC) in Nairobi, Future Energy Nigeria (formerly WAPIC) in Lagos and African Utility Week in Cape Town.Senior communications manager: Annemarie RoodbolTelephone: +27 21 700 3558Email: annemarie.roodbol@spintelligent.comWebsite:Postal address: PO Box 321, Steenberg, 7947, South Africa New Detailed Information: IT Solutions for Integrated Operating Room Market by Global Trends, Business Growth, and Forecasts 2022 IT Solutions for Integrated Operating Room Market https://www.reportsmonitor.com/request-sample/?post=498097 https://www.reportsmonitor.com/make-enquiry/?post=498097 https://www.reportsmonitor.com/global-it-solutions-for-integrated-operating-room-market-size-status-and-forecast-2022-2/ www.reportsmonitor.com Market Overview of Global IT Solutions for Integrated Operating Room Industry:This report gives us an overview of the Global IT Solutions for Integrated Operating Room Market which is classified on the basis of product and its various applications. It also mentions the key area where the demand for IT Solutions for Integrated Operating Room products is going to have. Also based on the type of the product the market is divided into various sections such as what are the current trends also, what are the end-users and the technology.Download Sample PDF Copy of this Report:The various products in the Global IT Solutions for Integrated Operating Room market along with their numerous applications are also examined in the report. It gives researchers a well-charted map as to where the potential investments need to be done. Also, there are some precautionary factors to be looked at to have an idea of which market route to take. It also mentions the various insights and parameters which will help propel the growth of the IT Solutions for Integrated Operating Room market and bring to forth the various opportunities available in the market.This IT Solutions for Integrated Operating Room Market Report scrutinizes the competition subtitles and keeps you in the forefront. It offers an in-depth analysis of the different verticals which brings to the spotlight the working of the IT Solutions for Integrated Operating Room Market. It provides a guiding light in helping you make well-informed business decisions by presenting before you a complete overview and a comprehensive detail of the market. It also explains meticulously the key product area and their future.Scope of the ReportThe IT Solutions for Integrated Operating Room market is characterized by constant technological innovation to keep pace with the changing industrial needs. This Market report provides a detailed analysis of worldwide markets for IT Solutions for Integrated Operating Room from 2012-2017 and provides extensive Industry forecasts 2017-2022 by top Key manufacturers analysis, region, Types, and Market segment by Applications.This report focuses on the Following top players:Stryker (US), Karl Storz (Germany), Steris (UK), Olympus (Japan), Image Stream (US), Getinge (Germany), Integritech (US)IT Solutions for Integrated Operating Room Market segment by Types,Type I, Type II, Type IIIMarket segment by Applications,Minimally Invasive Surgery, General SurgeryThe Report can be customized according to your needs. Contact our expert team today along with your requirements:Table of ContentGlobal Market Research Report 20171 Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of IT Solutions for Integrated Operating Room1.2 IT Solutions for Integrated Operating Room Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global IT Solutions for Integrated Operating Room Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category)(2012-2022)2 Global IT Solutions for Integrated Operating Room Market Competitions by Manufacturers3 Global Capacities, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)ContinuedAccess Complete report with TOC:We at Reports Monitor provide an in-depth analysis and key data on the specific IT Solutions for Integrated Operating Room Market you are looking for. Our Reports are thoroughly researched and a valuable source of guidance for companies and individuals looking for information for the same.About Reports Monitor:Reports Monitor 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: Global Denim Fabric market growth, analysis, research, trends, demand and market size 2017 Denim Fabric market research https://www.reportsmonitor.com/request-sample/?post=496998 https://www.reportsmonitor.com/global-and-regional-denim-fabric-market-status-and-future-forecast-2013-2023/ https://www.reportsmonitor.com/make-enquiry/?post=496998 www.reportsmonitor.com Denim Fabric ManufacturersDescription:Reports Monitor Publish a New Market Research Report on Global and Regional Denim Fabric Market Status and Future Forecast 2013-2023.The Denim Fabric market report covers the precisely studied and evaluated data of the global market players and their scope in the market using a number of analytical tools. The analytical tools such as investment return analysis, SWOT analysis and feasibility study are used to analyse the key global market players growth in the Denim Fabric industry.The report focuses on regional as well as global market, its key players, along with market segments including detailed study on various divisions and its applications. The report provides comprehensive information on each and every segment covered of the Denim Fabric market.Check sample report @Key Companies: Vicunha, Canatiba, Isko, Arvind, Aarvee, Nandan Denim Ltd, Santana Textiles, Weiqiao Textile, Partap Group, Black Peony, Orta Anadolu, Jindal Worldwide, Etco Denim, Raymond UCO, Bhaskar Industries, Sangam, Oswal Denims, Suryalakshmi, Xinlan Group, Artistic Fabric Mills, Foshan Seazon Textile and Garment, Cone Denim, Zhejiang Sitong Textile Fashion, Weifang Lantian Textile, Bafang Fabric, KG DenimMarket by Type: Light Denim Fabric, Medium Denim Fabric, Heavy Denim FabricMarket by Application: Jeans, Shirt, Jacket, OthersBrowse Detailed TOC, Tables, Figures, Charts and Companies Mentioned in Denim Fabric Market Research Report @Table of ContentsPart 1 Market Overview1.1 Market Definition1.2 Market Development1.3 Type1.4 Application1.5 RegionPart 2 Global Market Status and Future Forecast2.1 Global Market by Region2.2 Global Market by Company2.3 Global Market by Type2.4 Global Market by Application2.5 Global Market ForecastPart 3 Asia Market Status and Future Forecast3.1 Asia Market by Region3.2 Asia Market by Company3.3 Asia Market by Type3.4 Asia Market by Application3.5 Asia Market ForecastContinued...Some important points from Global Denim Fabric Market Research Report:Part 1:Market Overview, Development, and Segment by Type, Application & RegionPart 2:Global Market by company, Type, Application & RegionPart 3:Asia Market by company, Type, Application & RegionPart 4-10:Key Regions of Asia Market by Type, ApplicationPart 11:Company information, Sales, Cost, Margin etc.Part 12:ConclusionMake an Enquiry of report@The Denim Fabric report is a useful documentation that aids distributors, manufacturers, suppliers, customers, investors & individuals who are interested in this market.About usReports Monitor 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.Contact usJay MatthewsDirect: +1 513 549-5911Email: sales@reportsmonitor.comWebsite: Sterilization Equipment Market share research by applications and regions for 2017-2024 https://www.gminsights.com/request-toc/upcoming/1914 https://www.gminsights.com/inquiry-before-buying/1914 https://www.gminsights.com https://gminsights.wordpress.com Sterilization Equipment Market size is projected to experience significant growth from 2017 to 2024.Increasing incidence of nosocomial infections and growing need to prevent the same will drive sterilization equipment market over the forecast period. Use of contaminated invasive devices and medical instruments used for surgeries, unclean environmental surface and inadequate sanitation practices of hospital staff leads to increased possibility of nosocomial infection occurrence. Its prevalence is higher in developing countries as compared to developed ones. Increasing hospital admissions and growing number of surgical procedures serves as a high impact rendering factor. High geriatric population base should augment industry revenue owing to higher susceptibility towards various disorders and higher need for medical procedures.Request In-depth table of contents @Improving healthcare infrastructure and growing number of hospitals, clinics and ambulatory surgical centers would boost growth in the near future. Growing number of pharmaceutical companies is increasing demand as more number of biological products are being manufactured by these companies which require various disinfection practices to ensure product safety. Growth of food and beverage industry will spur market expansion. Various procedures and techniques are used for disinfecting foodstuffs such as milk, meat, juices, fruits and vegetables. High cost of equipment may restrict market growth to some extent.Heat sterilization held significant market share due to its widespread applications. Disinfection by heat includes both dry and moist heat. Dry heat is usually used for disinfecting materials which are damaged by high pressure or moisture but can withstand high temperatures. Benefits of dry heat such as comparatively lower costs and noncorrosive nature is resulting in its increased adoption. Moist heat uses steam under pressure and is commonly used for disinfecting biohazardous trash, materials resistant to moisture and heat such as culture media, medical devices and surgical dressings. Advantages of moist heat disinfection such as higher penetrating power, greater efficiency and ability to irreversibly denature enzymes and structural proteins will escalate growth.Make Inquiry about this report @Demand for low temperature sterilization should grow at profitable rate due to its ability of disinfecting temperature and moisture sensitive materials. Higher material compatibility, minimal device or design restrictions and low operational cost will boost adoption rates during forecast years. Hospitals accounted for significant revenue share owing to increasing number of nosocomial infections in these settings. Increasing patient volumes, growing number of public and private hospitals, and rising number of medical procedures would fuel segment growth.U.S. sterilization equipment market is slated to witness lucrative growth over the forecast period due to growing prevalence of hospital acquired infections. As per CDC statistics, about one out of every 25 individuals admitted in hospitals contracts at least one infection during the course of care. Increasing number of surgical procedures is leading to an increase in demand. Various programs are being implemented for curbing hospital acquired diseases leading to a higher demand for these products. For instance, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has set up a national action plan to prevent healthcare associated infections.India sterilization equipment market is poised to grow at a robust rate over the forecast timeframe owing to the presence of high burden of nosocomial infections as a result of improper sanitation practices. Presence of large population base, increasing number of surgical procedures and growing awareness pertaining to prevention of infections through proper sanitation should fuel industry growth. The country is witnessing an improvement in the healthcare infrastructure with rise in number of hospitals and increasing healthcare expenditures. Furthermore, infection control committees are being bestowed with greater power and authority. Impetus is being laid on disinfection and sanitation through various bodies such as GARP.Prominent industry players include Steris, Getinge Group, 3M, and Cantel Medical. The industry participants resort to various strategies such as acquisition and new product development in order to increase their industry foothold. For instance, in November 2015, Steris acquired Synergy health. The move has broadened the companys infection prevention product portfolio. In January 2017, Advanced Sterilization Products (Johnson & Johnson) launched STERRAD 100 NX low temperature sterilization system.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:Blog: Duty-Free Retailing Market Trends,Size,Status and Forecast 2022 https://www.researchbeam.com/global-and-regional-duty-free-retailing-research-report-2017-market/request-sample https://www.researchbeam.com/global-and-regional-duty-free-retailing-research-report-2017-market/purchase-enquiry https://www.researchbeam.com/global-and-regional-duty-free-retailing-research-report-2017-market Get Sample@Regional Duty-Free Retailing 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.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 Regional Duty-Free Retailing MarketGet 15% discount on this report @The Regional Duty-Free Retailing Market is 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 Regional Duty-Free Retailing Market is 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 Regional Duty-Free Retailing Market is LagardAre Travel Retail Dufry Lotte Duty Free LVMH Aer Rianta International (ARI) China Duty Free Group Dubai Duty Free Duty Free Americas Gebr. Heinemann JR/Group (James Richardson) King Power International Group (Thailand) The Shilla Duty FreeCheck 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 At a CAGR of 2.71%, Global Photochromic Lenses Market to grow over 2017-2021 - HOYA GROUP, Optical Dynamics, Signet Armorlite, Transitions Optical (Essilor International), VISION EASE , Younger optics https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1378307 https://www.researchmoz.us/global-photochromic-lenses-market-2017-2021-report.html/toc http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Photochromic lenses are made of glass, plastic, or polycarbonates, which are reactive to UV light or other lights with high intensity. These lenses can change their color to a darker tint when exposed to light, thereby providing protection to the eyes. Photochromic lenses are used in various medical applications. They are used for recovery from an eye surgery caused by cataract, diabetic retinopathy, or macular degeneration. Apart from these applications, photochromic lenses are also used by the individuals who require eye protection during daily routines such as driving.The global photochromic lenses market to grow at a CAGR of 2.71% during the period 2017-2021. The report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global photochromic lenses market for 2017-2021. The report presents a detailed picture of the market by way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources.The market is divided into the following segments based on geography:- Americas- APAC- EMEAClick to get Sample PDF:Technavio's report, Global Photochromic Lenses Market 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.Key vendors- Corning- ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL- Rodenstock- ZEISSView Complete TOC with Tables and Figures at:Other prominent vendors- HOYA GROUP- Optical Dynamics- Signet Armorlite- Transitions Optical (Essilor International)- VISION EASE- Younger opticsMarket driver- Convenience of purchase- For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challenge- Limitations of photochromic lenses for corrective users- For a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trend- Technological advances and innovation- For a full, detailed list, view our reportKey questions answered in this report- What will the market size be in 2021 and what will the growth rate be?- What are the key market trends?- What is driving this market?- What are the challenges to market growth?- Who are the key vendors in this market space?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: Antivirus Software 2017 Global Key Players AVG, Cheetah Mobile, ESET, Comodo, F-Secure, G DATA Software, Symantec, Microsoft, Quick Heal Market Analysis And Forecast To 2022 Antivirus Software Market 2017 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/2312901-global-antivirus-software-industry-market-research-report https://www.wiseguyreports.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=2312901 Antivirus Software Market 2017Pune, India, 16 October 2017: WiseGuyReports announced addition of new report, titled Global Antivirus Software Industry Market Research Report.The security has become a major concern for many sectors related to data security, stolen, hacked or any other malfunction, to overcome all these hurdles Antivirus Software" is the most preferred solution.The growing cybercrime across the globe is a major concern for all. Everyone wants to be safe and protected related to their business, data, and financial data protection. Antivirus industry has achieved tremendous growth in past few years. They are offering complete security and data protection. Protection from any harmful attack.The Antivirus software industry developed in past few years, with growing demand for smartphones and tablets, the software industry focusing on the smartphone and tablet. Most of the people are preferred working on their smartphones, tablet or smart device where all data is stored and shared.Antivirus industry has become advanced, they come with wide range of product and as per user requirement. There is high-end antivirus which protects the entire organization right from mobile, laptop, and PC. Even their home base antivirus which is installed in pc. Then there is only internet security which is majorly used because people are online 24 by 7.Cyber security will always be major concerns because Hacks are like the becoming news they are seen everywhere they are not restricted to technology industry or IT, but the whole world is becoming increasingly concerned. If you do not have the right tools to protect yourself, then you'll find yourself in serious trouble.Antivirus software playing a major role in smartphones, because of the rapid development of technology and online transaction. The antivirus for smartphone comes with various benefited features like GPS tracking, data backup, and full clean up, total security. Which making more demand for this software manner time mobile is lost, people forget, hence antivirus helps in protecting it.Request for Sample Report@The report majorly describes the antivirus software, types, applications and major players of Antivirus Software market in details. In-depth analysis of market status, enterprise competition pattern, the benefits and disadvantages of enterprise products, industrial development trends, regional industrial layout features and macroeconomic policy, industrial policy have also been included.The report also studied major Antivirus Software market drivers, challenges, investment capabilities, vertical market opportunities and usage issues, future roadmaps, value chain, big data analytics, vendor market share. Key profiling of major players in the market also described. This report Antivirus Software Industry" is made on compressive analysis and studying the various prime factors which are covered.Major Regions play vital role in Antivirus Software market are:North America, Europe, China, Japan, Middle East & Africa, India, South AmericaThe major players cover in the report are AVG, Cheetah Mobile, ESET, Comodo, F-Secure, G DATA Software, Symantec, Panda Security, AhnLab, Bitdefender, Microsoft, Quick Heal, Rising, Avast Software, Kaspersky, Qihoo, Trend Micro, Avira and McAfee.Continued..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 Laboratory Information System Market - Advanced technologies & growth opportunities in global Industry https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=1482 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/laboratory-information-systems.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com A laboratory information system is a complex information system designed for data and information management related to industrial and medical-related laboratories including clinical and analytical laboratories. Laboratory information system allows users to obtain, store, manage, retrieve and record laboratory data. Laboratory information system provides information that helps in the diagnosis, prevention, management and treatment of disease, as well as being an indicator for individual and population health. There is no standard laboratory information system designed due to the fact that client laboratories are highly diverse and have different requirements. Therefore, a laboratory information system is developed, customized and configured according to the needs of a laboratory. Globally, improvement in healthcare services is playing a major role in increasing the demand of laboratory information system. As a result, this market is expected to grow at a CAGR of about 7.7% during 2013 2019.Get an exclusive sample of this report @Some of the key driving factors for the laboratory information systems market are increasing need for integrated healthcare information systems, rising government initiatives and rising investments by healthcare IT players. Also, improvement in healthcare services in different parts of the world is increasing the global laboratory information systems market. However, the market faces some restraints such as lack of experienced professionals, high maintenance and service expenses and interoperability issues. Increasing use of mobile phones and companies focusing on new product launches are some of the major trends witnessed in the laboratory information systems market.Browse Research Report @North America has the largest laboratory information systems market. Rising cases of fatal diseases and their diagnostic and treatment needs are some of the major factors driving the demand for laboratory information systems in the region. Also, its public funded structure is acting as a significant driver for the North American market for laboratory information systems. In addition to increasing disease incidences, government initiatives to promote the use of laboratory information systems have resulted in Europe becoming the fastest growing laboratory information systems market. At the country level, some of the fastest growing markets for laboratory information systems market include Japan, Germany, U.S. and U.K.. Emerging markets which hold huge potential and increasing demand for powerful IT systems in diagnostic and medical laboratories are some of the major opportunities for the laboratory information systems market.Clinical diagnostics laboratory information system has the largest market share on the basis of its applications and is expected to grow at a CAGR of about 8.9% during 2013 2019. On the basis of its mode of delivery, the market can be classified into web based technology, on-premise technology and cloud based technology market for laboratory information systems.McKesson Corporation is the leading player in the laboratory information systems market. Other major players of laboratory information systems market include Merge Healthcare Incorporated, Cerner Corporation and others.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.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.Contact TMR90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Mexico Beer and Cider Market 2017: Key Players Grupo Modelo, SABMiller, Cerveceria Minerva, Casa Cuervo, Valle Redondo https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/2536083-mexico-beer-and-cider-market-insights-2017 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/conferences https://www.wiseguyreports.com/seminars SUMMARYWiseGuyReports published new report, titled Mexico Beer and Cider MarketMexico Beer and Cider Market Insights 2017 report provides a complete overview of the Mexico beer and cider industry structure offering a comprehensive insight into historical background trends, 2016 performance and 2017 outlook.GET SAMPLE REPORT @ScopeCovering total market (on and off-premise) the report details - 2011-2016 actual detailed beer consumption volume data by segment, brand, brewer, packaging and distribution (on-/off-premise), with 2017 forecasts.- Value by distribution channel 2011-2016, with 2017 forecasts.- Overview of the competitive landscape in the beer and cider market, with analysis of key company performance.- Insightful and valuable analysis of the drivers behind both current and emerging trends in the beer and cider market.Key points to buy- Gain an in-depth understanding of the dynamics and structure of the Mexico beer and cider industry, from the latest competitive intelligence of both historical and forecast trends to enhance your corporate strategic planning.- Evaluate the current emerging trends and future growth opportunities in the Mexico beer and cider market to support your brand development and marketing initiatives.- Understand volume vs. value trends and identify the key growth opportunities across the super-premium, premium, mainstream and discount segments to best target profitability.- Analyze domestic and imported beer brand performance and determine the key trends driving consumption preference to develop a competitive advantage.- Interrogate the unique granularity of our data to analyze the market on a variety of levels to make well-informed decisions on future threats and growth prospects in the marketplace for your company.Table of Contents1. Executive Summary2. Market Context3. Emerging Trends4. Brands and Private Label5. Market Share by Brewer6. Packaging Trends7. Channel and Pricing Trends8. Marketing and Innovation9. Outlook10. Appendix11. Methodology12. Product Definitions..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 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 APAC Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) Market Expand Their Businesses with New Investments QYResearchReports https://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=1384884&type=S https://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/asia-pacific-air-quality-monitoring-aqm-market-report-2017.htm/toc http://www.qyresearchreports.com Qyresearchreports include new market research report Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) to its huge collection of research reports.This report on the Asia-Pacific Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) market has been compiled by research analysts of the industry, with a primary aim to offer relevant information on the current market conditions for the Air Quality Monitoring (AQM). Its objective is to talk about the growth prospects of the market and reach out to a wider range of audience such as government agencies, manufacturers of Air Quality Monitoring (AQM), and multiple consultancy services. The research report offers comprehensive analysis of the vital driving factors that will have a huge impact on the market. It also studies the impeding or restraining aspects, upcoming and latest trends in the market which the prominent players in the Asia-Pacific market should make a note of to enhance their market presence. The potential of other factors of the Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) market can be assessed by studying its multiple segments such as products, end users, types, application, services, and others, whichever are applicable. The report also studies the future conditions of the market in all the important regions across the world, such as Latin America, Middle East and Africa (MEA), North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific.The report of the Asia-Pacific Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) market gives out the projection of the market size in terms of its revenue (USD billion). Top-down as well as Bottom-up approaches are applied in the study report to give an estimate and confirm the size of the market and of its other different sub-segments. The research report also extensively discusses the opportunities that may arise in the Asia-Pacific market for Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) by type and application in the manufacturing countries, and provides a prediction for the period of 2017-2022.Get free sample report of the research study at:Some of the prominent companies in the Asia-Pacific Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) market have been mentioned to attract the market shareholders. These companies are profiled respectively so as to give out their product portfolio, recent strategic decisions, and overall market share. The chapter also tries to grasp the possibility of the entry of upcoming players in the market. The leading companies of the Asia-Pacific market have been spotted with the help of secondary research methodologies and their dominance in respective areas have been evaluated with the help of detailed primary as well as secondary research.Asia-Pacific Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) sales volume, price, revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingThermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. (U.S.)Teledyne Technologies Inc. (U.S.)Siemens AG (Germany)Emerson Electric Co. (U.S.)General Electric Company (U.S.)G3M Company (U.S.)HORIBA, Ltd. (Japan)Servomex (U.K.)MERCK KGaA (Germany)TSI, Inc. (U.S.)Servomex Group Ltd. (U.K.)Testo AG (Germany)Read Complete Table of Content of the Report at:Table of ContentsAsia-Pacific Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) Market Report 20171 Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Air Quality Monitoring (AQM)1.2 Classification of Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) by Product Category1.2.1 Asia-Pacific Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) Market Size (Sales) Comparison by Types (2012-2022)1.2.2 Asia-Pacific Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Fixed Gas1.2.4 Portable1.2.5 Dust & Particulate Monitor1.2.6 AQM Station1.3 Asia-Pacific Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) Market by Application/End Users1.3.1 Asia-Pacific Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) Sales (Volume) and Market Share Comparison by Applications (2012-2022)1.3.2 Government1.3.3 Commercial & Residential1.3.4 Petrochemical1.3.5 Pharmaceutical1.4 Asia-Pacific Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) Market by Region1.4.1 Asia-Pacific Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) Market Size (Value) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 South Korea Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Taiwan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.8 Australia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Asia-Pacific Market Size (Value and Volume) of Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) (2012-2022)1.5.1 Asia-Pacific Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.5.2 Asia-Pacific Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)2 Asia-Pacific Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) Competition by Players/Suppliers, Region, Type and Application2.1 Asia-Pacific Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) Market Competition by Players/Suppliers2.1.1 Asia-Pacific Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) Sales Volume and Market Share of Key Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Asia-Pacific Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) Revenue and Share by Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.2 Asia-Pacific Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Asia-Pacific Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.2.2 Asia-Pacific Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.3 Asia-Pacific Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) (Volume) by Application2.4 Asia-Pacific Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) (Volume and Value) by Region2.4.1 Asia-Pacific Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) Sales and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)2.4.2 Asia-Pacific Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) Revenue and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3 China Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) (Volume, Value and Sales Price)3.1 China Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) Sales and Value (2012-2017)3.1.1 China Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) Sales Volume and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.2 China Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.3 China Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)3.2 China Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) Sales Volume and Market Share by Type3.3 China Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) Sales Volume and Market Share by Application4 Japan Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) (Volume, Value and Sales Price)4.1 Japan Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) Sales and Value (2012-2017)4.1.1 Japan Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) Sales Volume and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.2 Japan Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.3 Japan Air Quality Monitoring (AQM) Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)...About QYReseachReports.comQYReseachReports.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:Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-618-1030Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com Functional Flour Market Key Players, Growth, Analysis, 2017 2025 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=18248 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/functional-flours-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Global Functional Flour Market: OverviewThe report covers the analysis and forecast of the functional flour market on a global and regional level. The study provides historic data of 2016 along with the forecast for the period between 2017 and 2025 based on revenue (US$ Mn) and Volume (Kilo Tons).A comprehensive analysis of the market dynamics that is inclusive of market drivers, restraints and opportunities is included in the purview of the report. Additionally, the report includes potential opportunities in the functional flour market on the global and regional level. Market dynamics are the factors which impact the market growth, thereby helping to understand the ongoing trends of the global market. Therefore, the report provides the forecast of the global market for the period from 2017 to 2025, along with offering an inclusive study of the functional flour market.Download exclusive Sample of this report:The competitive profiling of the key players in the global functional flour market across five broad geographic regions is included in the study. These include different business strategies adopted by the leading players and their recent developments as in the field of functional flour.Global Functional Flour Market: Key SegmentsThe study provides a comprehensive view of the functional flour market by segmenting it based on raw materials into wheat, maize, rice and others. By type, the functional flour market has been segregated into pre-cooked flour, specialty flour and fortified flour. On the basis of product type, the functional flour market is segregated into conventional flour, additive-based flour and genetically modified flour. By application, the functional flour market is segmented into bakery products, noodles & pasta, non-food application and others.Regional segmentation includes the current and forecast demand for North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa and Latin America. These have been further sub-segmented into countries and regions with relevance to the market. The segmentation also includes demand for individual product and applications in all regions.Browse Market Research Report @Global Functional Flour Market: Scope of the ReportThe report provides the size of the functional flour market in 2016 and the forecast for the next nine years up to 2025. The size of the global functional flour market is provided in terms of both volume and revenue. Market revenue and volume is defined in US$ Mn and Kilo Tons respectively. The market size and forecast for each product and application segment are provided in the context of global and regional markets. Numbers provided in this report are derived based on demand generated from different raw materials, type, product type and application. Market dynamics prevalent in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific have been taken into account for estimating the growth of the global market.Global Functional Flour Market: Research MethodologyMarket estimates for this study have been based on revenue derived through regional pricing trends. The price for commonly utilized quality of functional flour in each application and function has been considered. Demand for functional flour has been derived by analyzing the global and regional demand for functional flour in each application for its respective functions. The global functional flour market has been analyzed based on expected demand.Average selling price of functional flour products in the major countries has been taken into consideration to estimate regional and global revenue. Forecasts have been based on the expected demand from functional flour applications. We have used the bottom-up approach to estimate the global revenue of functional flour market, split into regions. We have initially determined the volume and price in every region for the functional flour market. Revenue has been determined with the help of volume and price derived from every region. Based on raw materials, type, product type and application, we have summed up the individual revenues from all the regions to achieve the global revenue for functional flour.The application split of the market has been derived using a bottom-up approach for each regional market separately, with the global application 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 functional flour 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.Global Functional Flour Market: Companies Mentioned in ReportThe 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 are Cargill Incorporated, Archer Daniels Midland Company, The Scoular Company, Associated British Foods plc, SunOpta, Inc., The Hain Celestial Group, Inc., General Mills Inc., Parrish and Heimbecker, Limited, ConAgra Foods, Inc. and ITC Limited.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: Asia-Pacific Automatic Case Packers Market in 2018: What Does the Year Ahead Hold? QYResearchReports https://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=1384976&type=S https://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/asia-pacific-automatic-case-packers-market-report-2017.htm/toc http://www.qyresearchreports.com Qyresearchreports include new market research report Automatic Case Packers to its huge collection of research reports.This report on the Asia-Pacific Automatic Case Packers market has been compiled by research analysts of the industry, with a primary aim to offer relevant information on the current market conditions for the Automatic Case Packers. Its objective is to talk about the growth prospects of the market and reach out to a wider range of audience such as government agencies, manufacturers of Automatic Case Packers, and multiple consultancy services. The research report offers comprehensive analysis of the vital driving factors that will have a huge impact on the market. It also studies the impeding or restraining aspects, upcoming and latest trends in the market which the prominent players in the Asia-Pacific market should make a note of to enhance their market presence. The potential of other factors of the Automatic Case Packers market can be assessed by studying its multiple segments such as products, end users, types, application, services, and others, whichever are applicable. The report also studies the future conditions of the market in all the important regions across the world, such as Latin America, Middle East and Africa (MEA), North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific.The report of the Asia-Pacific Automatic Case Packers market gives out the projection of the market size in terms of its revenue (USD billion). Top-down as well as Bottom-up approaches are applied in the study report to give an estimate and confirm the size of the market and of its other different sub-segments. The research report also extensively discusses the opportunities that may arise in the Asia-Pacific market for Automatic Case Packers by type and application in the manufacturing countries, and provides a prediction for the period of 2017-2022.Get free sample report of the research study at:Some of the prominent companies in the Asia-Pacific Automatic Case Packers market have been mentioned to attract the market shareholders. These companies are profiled respectively so as to give out their product portfolio, recent strategic decisions, and overall market share. The chapter also tries to grasp the possibility of the entry of upcoming players in the market. The leading companies of the Asia-Pacific market have been spotted with the help of secondary research methodologies and their dominance in respective areas have been evaluated with the help of detailed primary as well as secondary research.Asia-Pacific Automatic Case Packers market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Automatic Case Packers sales volume, price, revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingRobert BoscMassman LLCHartness InternationalBrentonMarchesini GroupLangen GroupU-PACKADCO ManufacturingK N Packaging SolutionsHamrickECONOCORPCPSMolins PLCBluePrint Automation (BPA)...Read Complete Table of Content of the Report at:Table of ContentsAsia-Pacific Automatic Case Packers Market Report 20171 Automatic Case Packers Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Automatic Case Packers1.2 Classification of Automatic Case Packers by Product Category1.2.1 Asia-Pacific Automatic Case Packers Market Size (Sales) Comparison by Types (2012-2022)1.2.2 Asia-Pacific Automatic Case Packers Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Semi-automatic1.2.4 Fully automatic1.3 Asia-Pacific Automatic Case Packers Market by Application/End Users1.3.1 Asia-Pacific Automatic Case Packers Sales (Volume) and Market Share Comparison by Applications (2012-2022)1.3.2 Food & Beverage1.3.3 Chemical1.3.4 Pharmaceutical1.3.5 Consumer Goods1.3.6 Others1.4 Asia-Pacific Automatic Case Packers Market by Region1.4.1 Asia-Pacific Automatic Case Packers Market Size (Value) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 South Korea Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Taiwan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.8 Australia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Asia-Pacific Market Size (Value and Volume) of Automatic Case Packers (2012-2022)1.5.1 Asia-Pacific Automatic Case Packers Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.5.2 Asia-Pacific Automatic Case Packers Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)2 Asia-Pacific Automatic Case Packers Competition by Players/Suppliers, Region, Type and Application2.1 Asia-Pacific Automatic Case Packers Market Competition by Players/Suppliers2.1.1 Asia-Pacific Automatic Case Packers Sales Volume and Market Share of Key Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Asia-Pacific Automatic Case Packers Revenue and Share by Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.2 Asia-Pacific Automatic Case Packers (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Asia-Pacific Automatic Case Packers Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.2.2 Asia-Pacific Automatic Case Packers Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.3 Asia-Pacific Automatic Case Packers (Volume) by Application2.4 Asia-Pacific Automatic Case Packers (Volume and Value) by Region2.4.1 Asia-Pacific Automatic Case Packers Sales and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)2.4.2 Asia-Pacific Automatic Case Packers Revenue and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3 China Automatic Case Packers (Volume, Value and Sales Price)3.1 China Automatic Case Packers Sales and Value (2012-2017)3.1.1 China Automatic Case Packers Sales Volume and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.2 China Automatic Case Packers Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.3 China Automatic Case Packers Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)3.2 China Automatic Case Packers Sales Volume and Market Share by Type3.3 China Automatic Case Packers Sales Volume and Market Share by Application4 Japan Automatic Case Packers (Volume, Value and Sales Price)4.1 Japan Automatic Case Packers Sales and Value (2012-2017)4.1.1 Japan Automatic Case Packers Sales Volume and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.2 Japan Automatic Case Packers Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.3 Japan Automatic Case Packers Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)4.2 Japan Automatic Case Packers Sales Volume and Market Share by Type4.3 Japan Automatic Case Packers Sales Volume and Market Share by Application...About QYReseachReports.comQYReseachReports.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:Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-618-1030Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com Gelatin Market Sizing, Share, Competition Analysis, Product & Consumer Research, Go to Market Strategy and Segment Forecasts To 2022 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/1126561-global-gelatin-market-research-report-2017 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/enquiry/1126561-global-gelatin-market-research-report-2017 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=1126561 In this report, the global Gelatin market is valued at USD XX million in 2016 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2022, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2016 and 2022.Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of Gelatin in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaRequest a Sample Report @Global Gelatin market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includingGelitaRousselotPB (Tessenderlo)NittaQinghai GelatinDongbao Bio-TecWeishardt GroupSterling GelatinEwald GelatineItalgelatineLapi GelatineGreat Lakes GelatinJunca GelatinsTrobas GelatineNorlandEl Nasr GelatinNippi Gelatin DivisionIndia Gelatine & ChemicalsGeltechReinert Gruppe IngredientsNarmada GelatinesJelliceVyse GelatinSam Mi IndustrialGelikoBBCA GelatinQunli Gelatin ChemicalYasin Gelatin ManufacturerXiamen Hyfine GelatinCda GelatinOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoSkin GelatinBone GelatinHalal GelatinOn 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 Gelatin for each application, includingPharmaceuticalFoodOtherMake an enquiry of this Report @Table of ContentsGlobal Gelatin Market Research Report 20171 Gelatin Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Gelatin1.2 Gelatin Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global Gelatin Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category) (2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Gelatin Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Skin Gelatin1.2.4 Bone Gelatin1.2.5 Halal Gelatin1.3 Global Gelatin Segment by Application1.3.1 Gelatin Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Pharmaceutical1.3.3 Food1.3.4 Other1.4 Global Gelatin Market by Region (2012-2022)1.4.1 Global Gelatin 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 Gelatin (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Gelatin Revenue Status and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Gelatin Capacity, Production Status and Outlook (2012-2022)2 Global Gelatin Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Gelatin Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.1 Global Gelatin Capacity and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Gelatin Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Gelatin Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.3 Global Gelatin Average Price by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.4 Manufacturers Gelatin Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type2.5 Gelatin Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.5.1 Gelatin Market Concentration Rate2.5.2 Gelatin Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion3 Global Gelatin Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)3.1 Global Gelatin Capacity and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.2 Global Gelatin Production and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.3 Global Gelatin Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.4 Global Gelatin Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.5 North America Gelatin Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.6 Europe Gelatin Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.7 China Gelatin Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.8 Japan Gelatin Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.9 Southeast Asia Gelatin Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.10 India Gelatin Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)4 Global Gelatin Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2012-2017)4.1 Global Gelatin Consumption by Region (2012-2017)4.2 North America Gelatin Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.3 Europe Gelatin Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.4 China Gelatin Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.5 Japan Gelatin Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.6 Southeast Asia Gelatin Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.7 India Gelatin Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)5 Global Gelatin Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type5.1 Global Gelatin Production and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)5.2 Global Gelatin Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)5.3 Global Gelatin Price by Type (2012-2017)5.4 Global Gelatin Production Growth by Type (2012-2017)6 Global Gelatin Market Analysis by Application6.1 Global Gelatin Consumption and Market Share by Application (2012-2017)6.2 Global Gelatin Consumption Growth Rate by Application (2012-2017)6.3 Market Drivers and Opportunities6.3.1 Potential Applications6.3.2 Emerging Markets/CountriesContinuedPurchase 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 Asia-Pacific Automotive ABS and ESC Market Is Expected to Exhibit an Upward Growth Trend Across Globe QYResearchReports https://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=1384977&type=S https://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/asia-pacific-automotive-abs-and-esc-market-report-2017.htm/toc http://www.qyresearchreports.com Qyresearchreports include new market research report Automotive ABS and ESC to its huge collection of research reports.This report on the Asia-Pacific Automotive ABS and ESC market has been compiled by research analysts of the industry, with a primary aim to offer relevant information on the current market conditions for the Automotive ABS and ESC. Its objective is to talk about the growth prospects of the market and reach out to a wider range of audience such as government agencies, manufacturers of Automotive ABS and ESC, and multiple consultancy services. The research report offers comprehensive analysis of the vital driving factors that will have a huge impact on the market. It also studies the impeding or restraining aspects, upcoming and latest trends in the market which the prominent players in the Asia-Pacific market should make a note of to enhance their market presence. The potential of other factors of the Automotive ABS and ESC market can be assessed by studying its multiple segments such as products, end users, types, application, services, and others, whichever are applicable. The report also studies the future conditions of the market in all the important regions across the world, such as Latin America, Middle East and Africa (MEA), North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific.The report of the Asia-Pacific Automotive ABS and ESC market gives out the projection of the market size in terms of its revenue (USD billion). Top-down as well as Bottom-up approaches are applied in the study report to give an estimate and confirm the size of the market and of its other different sub-segments. The research report also extensively discusses the opportunities that may arise in the Asia-Pacific market for Automotive ABS and ESC by type and application in the manufacturing countries, and provides a prediction for the period of 2017-2022.Get free sample report of the research study at:Some of the prominent companies in the Asia-Pacific Automotive ABS and ESC market have been mentioned to attract the market shareholders. These companies are profiled respectively so as to give out their product portfolio, recent strategic decisions, and overall market share. The chapter also tries to grasp the possibility of the entry of upcoming players in the market. The leading companies of the Asia-Pacific market have been spotted with the help of secondary research methodologies and their dominance in respective areas have been evaluated with the help of detailed primary as well as secondary research.Asia-Pacific Automotive ABS and ESC market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Automotive ABS and ESC sales volume, price, revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingBoschContenental AgDelphi Automotive PlcDenso CorporationTRW AutomotiveMachino Plastics Ltd.Haldex CorpAisin Seiki CoHitachiADVICSMANDONissin KogyoWABCO...Read Complete Table of Content of the Report at:Table of ContentsAsia-Pacific Automotive ABS and ESC Market Report 20171 Automotive ABS and ESC Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Automotive ABS and ESC1.2 Classification of Automotive ABS and ESC by Product Category1.2.1 Asia-Pacific Automotive ABS and ESC Market Size (Sales) Comparison by Types (2012-2022)1.2.2 Asia-Pacific Automotive ABS and ESC Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Three Channel ABS1.2.4 Four Channel ABS1.2.5 ESC1.3 Asia-Pacific Automotive ABS and ESC Market by Application/End Users1.3.1 Asia-Pacific Automotive ABS and ESC Sales (Volume) and Market Share Comparison by Applications (2012-2022)1.3.2 Passenger Vehicle1.3.3 Light Commercial Vehicle1.3.4 Heavy Commercial Vehicle1.4 Asia-Pacific Automotive ABS and ESC Market by Region1.4.1 Asia-Pacific Automotive ABS and ESC Market Size (Value) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 South Korea Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Taiwan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.8 Australia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Asia-Pacific Market Size (Value and Volume) of Automotive ABS and ESC (2012-2022)1.5.1 Asia-Pacific Automotive ABS and ESC Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.5.2 Asia-Pacific Automotive ABS and ESC Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)2 Asia-Pacific Automotive ABS and ESC Competition by Players/Suppliers, Region, Type and Application2.1 Asia-Pacific Automotive ABS and ESC Market Competition by Players/Suppliers2.1.1 Asia-Pacific Automotive ABS and ESC Sales Volume and Market Share of Key Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Asia-Pacific Automotive ABS and ESC Revenue and Share by Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.2 Asia-Pacific Automotive ABS and ESC (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Asia-Pacific Automotive ABS and ESC Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.2.2 Asia-Pacific Automotive ABS and ESC Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.3 Asia-Pacific Automotive ABS and ESC (Volume) by Application2.4 Asia-Pacific Automotive ABS and ESC (Volume and Value) by Region2.4.1 Asia-Pacific Automotive ABS and ESC Sales and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)2.4.2 Asia-Pacific Automotive ABS and ESC Revenue and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3 China Automotive ABS and ESC (Volume, Value and Sales Price)3.1 China Automotive ABS and ESC Sales and Value (2012-2017)3.1.1 China Automotive ABS and ESC Sales Volume and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.2 China Automotive ABS and ESC Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.3 China Automotive ABS and ESC Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)3.2 China Automotive ABS and ESC Sales Volume and Market Share by Type3.3 China Automotive ABS and ESC Sales Volume and Market Share by Application4 Japan Automotive ABS and ESC (Volume, Value and Sales Price)4.1 Japan Automotive ABS and ESC Sales and Value (2012-2017)4.1.1 Japan Automotive ABS and ESC Sales Volume and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.2 Japan Automotive ABS and ESC Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.3 Japan Automotive ABS and ESC Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)...About QYReseachReports.comQYReseachReports.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:Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-618-1030Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com Predictive Breast Cancer Gene Testing Market Set to Surge Significantly During 2013-2019 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=1789 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=1789 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com http://www.theglobalhealthnews.com/ Predictive gene testing mentors are used to detect disease or disorder inherited by analyzing gene mutations associated with particular inherited disease or disorder. Predictive gene testing is also known as presymptomatic testing due to the fact that this test is performed even before the early signs of the disease or disorder are observed and thus enable determining persons risk of suffering disease or disorder.Predictive breast cancer gene testing is performed to identify risk of breast cancer in a person having a family history of breast cancer.Early detection of breast cancer enables complete cure of the patient and saving affected breast of the patient. Considering the advantages of early detection of breast cancer, governments worldwide have started taking initiatives to spread awareness about breast cancer and the early detection techniques available in their respective territories. Growing breast cancer incidences worldwide is another major cause of concern for governments worldwide to focus on awareness programs to reduce the morbidity rate breast cancer.Request for Brochure @Factors such as increasing incidences of breast cancer globally, government worldwide are focused on reducing the morbidity rate of breast cancer and spreading awareness about the available treatmentsin respective countries are driving the predictive breast genetic testing market toward growth.On the other hand expiration of Myriad Geneticss patent, BRCAnalysis gene test in near future will enable the entry of many market players in this field. On the other hand, factors such as acquisition of small market entrants by big players, higher initial cost required to start a new facility and the requirement of robust intellectual property to ensure sustenance are restraining the growth of this market.Currently North America is dominates the predictive breast cancer genetic testing market with the company, Myriad Genetics dominating the United States market. The European market is driven by funding from state governments; however, many private companies are entering into European market, thereby driving European predictive breast cancer genetic testing industry towards growth.Request for TOC @Many market players will be entering into the Asia-Pacificregion considering rapid growth of medical tourism in the region. Some of major companies contributing to predictive breast cancer genetic testing market include Myriad Genetics, Complete Genomics, Ambry Genetics, PreventionGenetics and Illumina.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.ContactTransparency Market ResearchState Tower90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:TMR Blog: Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) Technologies Market to Witness Increase in Revenues by 2019 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=1855 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=1855 Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) is a test performed to detect the presence of antibodies in a biological liquid sample. ELISA is used as quality control check in many industry and as a diagnostic tool in plant pathology and in medicine.Though the latest emerging technology i.e. themultiplex proteomic array platform is rapidly replacing the ELISA, its market continues to grow since it is being preferred as a secondary validation tool to confirm the results of multiplex proteomic platform. Emergence of cost effective technologies and laboratory automation are some of the major factorsthat are driving the global ELISA market towards growth. The existing ELISA manufacturers are currently facing price pressures due to increase in the number of market players, thereby increasing competitive rivalry. In order to survive the market competition, many market players are have begun to shift their focus on niche marketsand have increased their efforts in developing innovative solutions.Request to View TOC @The ELISA market can be segmented based on test types such as:Sandwich ELISAIndirect ELISAMultiple and portable ELISACompetitive ELISAThis market is further segmented on the basis of applications, such as:ImmunologyInflammationInfectious diseasesCancerProtein quantitationOtherGeographically, the global enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay market can be categorized into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and rest of the world regions. North America,particularly the United States currently leads this marketand is followed by Europe due to widespread existence and early adoption of highly developed technologies and supportive economy. Asia-Pacific is a promising market for ELISA kits and is expected to undergo rapid market growth. Especially countries like China and India are promising regions, reason being rapidly growing medical tourism industry in India and China will increase the use of ELISA test as a diagnostic tool.Request for Broucher @Some of the market players leading the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) market include Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific. Inc., Life Technologies Corporation and ZEUS Scientific, Inc.ABOUT US:Transparency 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:Transparency Market ResearchState Tower90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453 Plastic Bins Market Report for Period 2017 till 2023 ORBIS Corporation, Perstorp, OTTO, Helesi, Keter, Edsal, Busch Systems and Others Plastic Bins Market https://goo.gl/Snmgks https://goo.gl/Snmgks https://goo.gl/Snmgks http://marketreportscompany.com Global Plastic Bins market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely Vishakha, Busch Systems, W Weber, Perstorp, OTTO, Helesi, Shanghai AOTO, Myers Industries, ORBIS Corporation, Keter, Edsal, Allit AG, Brite, Raaco and Others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2023 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2022, etc.A bin refers to a large container or enclosed space for storing something in bulk, such as coal, grain, or wool and many more.Plastic Bins can be used for inventory, storage, transport or other use. Plastic bins with high impact strength of the HDPE (low-pressure high-density polyethylene) and PP (polypropylene) as the raw material injection molding. Most box technology is made of a plastic injection, and some plastic box is also supporting the lid (flat cover and flip two).Request for Free Sample Copy of Global Plastic Bins Market 2017Top Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:Myers IndustriesORBIS CorporationKeterEdsalAllit AGBriteRaacoVishakhaBusch SystemsW WeberPerstorpOTTOHelesiShanghai AOTOOthersGlobal Plastic Bins Market: Key Product TypeStandard TypeOblique InsertionDislocationOthersGlobal Plastic Bins Market: Key Application TypeIndustrial UsesLife UsesOthersGlobal Plastic Bins Market: Key RegionNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia, Italy and Others)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia and Others)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia and Others)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa and Others)The Global Plastic Bins Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global Plastic Bins Market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The Global Plastic Bins Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Enquire before Buying @Table of Contents:1 Market Overview1.1 Market Segment Overview1.1.1 Product Definition1.1.2 Market by Type1.1.2.1 Standard Type1.1.2.2 Oblique Insertion1.1.2.3 Dislocation1.1.3 Market by Application1.1.3.1 Industrial Uses1.1.3.2 Life Uses........................Continue (Global Plastic Bins Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and with the help of third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.About Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters. We can provide market insights for any particular region, country across the globe within shortest possible turn around time.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States North America Pressure Vessels Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/reports/1385260/north-america-pressure-vessels-by-market-research-reports https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/1385260 https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/enquiry/1385260 http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/ "The Report North America Pressure Vessels Market by Manufacturers, Countries, Type and Application, Forecast to 2022 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz""Pressure Vessels is a closed container designed to hold gases or liquids at a pressure substantially different from the ambient pressure.The pressure differential is dangerous, and fatal accidents have occurred in the history of pressure vessel development and operation. Consequently, pressure vessel design, manufacture, and operation are regulated by engineering authorities backed by legislation. For these reasons, the definition of a pressure vessel varies from country to country, but involves parameters such as maximum safe operating pressure and temperature, and are engineered with a safety factor, corrosion allowance, minimum design temperature (for brittle fracture), and involve nondestructive testing, such as ultrasonic testing, radiography, and pressure tests, usually involving water, also known as a hydro-test, but could be pneumatically tested involving air or another gas."View Report @Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Pressure Vessels in North America market, especially in United States, Canada and Mexico. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, countries, type and application.Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report coversCBIIHI CorporationMitsubishi Heavy IndustriesHitachi ZosenMorimatsuL&TDoosanKNMSPVGMersenJSWBelleliNKATBSpringsfabHansonTHVOWLS GroupSunpower GroupCIMC EnricCFHIAVIC Liming JinxiJinzhou Heavy MachineryHLHINAMAGBTICBaoseWuxi Chemical EquipmentKexin JidianGet Sample Copy Of This Report @Market Segment by Countries, coveringUnited StatesCanadaMexicoMarket Segment by Type, coversTitaniumSteelStainless SteelNickel MaterialZirconiumComposite MaterialMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoPetrochemicalChemicalCoal ChemicalNuclear PowerNon-ferrous MetalOtherSend An Enquiry Request @There are 15 Chapters to deeply display the North America Pressure Vessels market.Chapter 1, to describe Pressure Vessels Introduction, product type and application, market overview, market analysis by countries, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the manufacturers of Pressure Vessels, with profile, main business, news, sales, price, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 3, to display the competitive situation among the top manufacturers, with profile, main business, news, sales, price, revenue and market share in 2016 and 2017;Chapter 4, to show the North America market by countries, covering United States, Canada and Mexico, with sales, revenue and market share of Pressure Vessels, for each country, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 5 and 6, to show the market by type and application, with sales, price, revenue, market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2012 to 2017;Chapter 7, 8 and 9, to analyze the segment market in United States, Canada and Mexico, by manufacturers, type and application, with sales, price, revenue and market share by manufacturers, types and applications;Chapter 10, Pressure Vessels market forecast, by countries, type and application, with sales, price and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 11, to analyze the manufacturing cost, key raw materials and manufacturing process etc.Chapter 12, to analyze the industrial chain, sourcing strategy and downstream end users (buyers);Chapter 13, to describe sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers etc.Chapter 14 and 15, to describe Pressure Vessels Research Findings and Conclusion, Appendix, methodology and data sourceTable of Contents1 Market Overview1.1 Pressure Vessels Introduction1.2 Market Analysis by Type1.2.1 Titanium1.2.2 Steel1.2.3 Stainless Steel1.2.4 Nickel Material1.2.5 Zirconium1.2.6 Composite Material1.3 Market Analysis by Applications1.3.1 Petrochemical1.3.2 Chemical1.3.3 Coal Chemical1.3.4 Nuclear Power1.3.5 Non-ferrous Metal1.3.6 Other1.4 Market Analysis by Countries1.4.1 United States Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.2 Mexico Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Canada Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Market Dynamics1.5.1 Market Opportunities1.5.2 Market Risk1.5.3 Market Driving Force2 Manufacturers Profiles2.1 CBI2.1.1 Profile2.1.2 Pressure Vessels Type and Applications2.1.2.1 Type 12.1.2.2 Type 22.1.3 CBI Pressure Vessels Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.1.4 Business Overview2.1.5 CBI News2.2 IHI Corporation2.2.1 Profile2.2.2 Pressure Vessels Type and Applications2.2.2.1 Type 12.2.2.2 Type 22.2.3 IHI Corporation Pressure Vessels Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.2.4 Business Overview2.2.5 IHI Corporation News2.3 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries2.3.1 Profile2.3.2 Pressure Vessels Type and Applications2.3.2.1 Type 12.3.2.2 Type 22.3.3 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Pressure Vessels Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.3.4 Business Overview2.3.5 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries News2.4 Hitachi Zosen2.4.1 Profile2.4.2 Pressure Vessels Type and Applications2.4.2.1 Type 12.4.2.2 Type 22.4.3 Hitachi Zosen Pressure Vessels Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2016-2017)2.4.4 Business Overview2.4.5 Hitachi Zosen News2.5 MorimatsuAbout 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.ContactMr. NachiketaState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz Global Protective Communication Equipment Market: By Application - Defense and Law Enforcement, Oil and Gas, Aviation, Manufacturing & Construction Market Research Report https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1366768 https://www.researchmoz.us/global-protective-communication-equipment-market-professional-survey-report-2017-report.html/toc http://www.researchmoz.us/ http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Protective Communication Equipment Market: By Application - Defense and Law Enforcement, Oil and Gas, Aviation, Manufacturing & Construction" to its huge collection of research reports.This report studies Protective Communication Equipment 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, covering3MHoneywellAegisoundCavComElacin Hearing ProtectionHellberg SafetyHunter ElectronicMinerva Hearing ProtectionSavox CommunicationsSilenta GroupSilynx CommunicationsSoneticsVariphone InternationalOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoPassiveIntelligentTo Get Sample Copy of Report visit @By Application, the market can be split intoDefense and Law EnforcementOil and GasAviationManufacturingConstructionBy Regions, this report covers (we can add the regions/countries as you want)North AmericaChinaEuropeSoutheast AsiaJapanIndiaBrowse TOC @Table of ContentsGlobal Protective Communication Equipment Market Professional Survey Report 20171 Industry Overview of Protective Communication Equipment1.1 Definition and Specifications of Protective Communication Equipment1.1.1 Definition of Protective Communication Equipment1.1.2 Specifications of Protective Communication Equipment1.2 Classification of Protective Communication Equipment1.2.1 Passive1.2.2 Intelligent1.3 Applications of Protective Communication Equipment1.3.1 Defense and Law Enforcement1.3.2 Oil and Gas1.3.3 Aviation1.3.4 Manufacturing1.3.5 Construction2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Protective Communication Equipment2.1 Raw Material and Suppliers2.2 Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis of Protective Communication Equipment2.3 Manufacturing Process Analysis of Protective Communication Equipment2.4 Industry Chain Structure of Protective Communication EquipmentAbout ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @ Current and Projected Crop Sprayers Market size in terms of volume and value 2016-2026 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1366 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1366 www.futuremarketinsights.com Sprayers are devices that used to apply pesticides, insecticides on plants to control pastes and diseases. Sprayers are also use to apply herbicides to control weeds and micronutrients to promote growth of plants. The sprayers breaks the chemical solution into fine droplets and distribute the insecticides uniformly over the plant. A good sprayer should produce steady stream of liquid in desired droplet size so that plants to be treat get covered uniformly. The sprayer should convey adequate pressure so that sprayer should reach all foliage over the plant. The sprayer are operated manually as well as by power.Request For Report Sample:Crop Sprayers Market: Drivers & RestraintsFood drives the world. In addition to clean water, acquire sufficient food is major concern for majority of peoples in the world which makes the agriculture one of the biggest and important industry in the world. Agricultural productivity is not only the prime factor for countries economy but also for the health and security of its population. So importance of agricultural in countries economy is major driving factor for crop sprayer market.Population explosion, increasing incomes, declined natural sources and changing climate conditions affected food prices to rise and agricultural productivity once again become a major concern. Strategies to increase food productivity imparts the use of technology in agriculture. Such strategies will helps to drive crop sprayers market.Green revolution have changed the concept of traditional farming. Extensive efforts to modify farming methods assisted to increase the food production in Asia Pacific and Latin America. There are some regions in Middle East and Africa where many effort were taken to apply the green revolution approaches but failed. So there is need to help the farmers to use farming equipment in farming. Farmers in undeveloped countries does not have disposable income to use modern techniques in farming. So there is need of government initiatives to assist the farmers.Crop Sprayers Market: Market SegmentationCrop sprayers market can be segmented on the basis of Capacity of SprayersUltra Low Volume Sprayers (less than 5liters/hectare)Low Volume Sprayers(5 to 400 liters/hectare)Manually OperatedKnapsack SprayersRocker SprayersPedal Operated SprayersStirrup SprayersPower Driven SprayersKnapsack Power SprayersHigh Volume Sprayers(More than 400 liters/ hectare)Self-Propelled SprayersMounted SprayersTrailed SprayersCrop Sprayers Market: Regional-OutlookThe global Crop Sprayers market has been divided into seven key geographical regions which includes, North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan, and Middle East & Africa. Asia Pacific will be dominating market for Crop Sprayers. Countries like India, China, and Indonesia are major agricultural promoting countries in Asia Pacific. There will be demand for Low volume sprayers in India as there is farming in small plots. Farming land in India is bisected. China and Indonesia will demand High volume sprayers. Asia Pacific is followed by North America. North America is major producer of wheat, corn and soybean. Latin America is also the lucrative market for crop sprayers market. Green revolution have lead the Latin America as prime agriculture region. Brazil and Mexico will be important countries for Crop sprayers market. Western Europe also contributes for Crop sprayers market. Germany and Netherlands. Netherlands is one of the prominent producer of vegetables and flowers. Eastern Europe also important market for Crop Sprayers. Middle East and Africa is lags behind in Agriculture. But countries like Israel, South Africa, and Nigeria have proved the development in Agriculture. So there is opportunity to expand the crop sprayers market in this region.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC):Crop Sprayers Market: Key playersSome of the identified players in the global Crop Sprayers market are,Chafer Machinery GroupHousehamJohn Rhodes AS limitedBoston Crop SprayersCleveland crop sprayers limitedAvison SprayersS & K sprayersFoggers India Pvt ltd.ASPEE IndiaCrystal Crop Protection Pvt LtdTaizhou Sunny Agricultural Machinery Co., Ltd.,Zhejiang Ousen Machinery Co., 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: Patio Heaters Market Report for Period 2017 till 2023 Napoleon, Blue Rhino, Lava Heat Italia, Bond, AZ Patio Heaters Infratech, Lynx, Solaira and Others Patio Heaters Market https://goo.gl/Q9ohDN https://goo.gl/Q9ohDN https://goo.gl/Q9ohDN http://marketreportscompany.com Global Patio Heaters market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely Dayva, Infratech, Lynx, Solaira, Sunglo, Sunpak, SYMO nv, Bond, AZ Patio Heaters, AmazonBasics, Napoleon, Blue Rhino, Lava Heat Italia, Bromic and Others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2023 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2022, etc.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global Patio Heaters Market 2017Top Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:BondAZ Patio HeatersAmazonBasicsNapoleonBlue RhinoLava Heat ItaliaBromicDayvaInfratechLynxSolairaSungloSunpakSYMO nvOthersGlobal Patio Heaters Market: Key Product TypeBy Fuel Type: Electric, Natural Gas, PropaneBy Heat Output: 0 BTUs - 10000 BTUs, 10001 BTUs - 20000BTUs, 20001 BTUs - 30000BTUs, 30001 BTUs - 40000BTUsBy Design: Standing/Tall, Tabletop, HangingOthersGlobal Patio Heaters Market: Key Application TypeCommercialResidentialOthersGlobal Patio Heaters Market: Key RegionNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia, Italy and Others)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia and Others)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia and Others)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa and Others)The Global Patio Heaters Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global Patio Heaters Market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The Global Patio Heaters Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Enquire before Buying @Table of Contents:1 Market Overview1.1 Objectives of Research1.1.1 Definition1.1.2 Specifications1.2 Market Segment1.2.1 by Type1.2.1.1 By Fuel Type: Electric, Natural Gas, Propane1.2.1.3 By Design: Standing/Tall, Tabletop, Hanging1.2.2 by Application1.2.2.1 Commercial1.2.2.2 Residential1.2.3 by Regions........................Continue (Global Patio Heaters Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and with the help of third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.About Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters. We can provide market insights for any particular region, country across the globe within shortest possible turn around time.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States Beverage Industry Business & Investment Opportunity (2017 2022) Market Research Reports https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/1706002-global-beverage-forecasts-march-2017 SummaryGlobal Beverage Forecasts is a bi-annual report designed as a global manual to provide both historical consumption trends for all commercial beverage categories, and forecast trends five years into the future. It is mainly numbers based, but includes a short analysis exploring the trends behind the data and forecast assumptions for each beverage category.GET SAMPLE REPORT @Global Beverage Forecasts reports cover soft, dairy, hot and alcoholic drinks and provide a comprehensive analysis of consumption trends, covering -- 1999-2016 topline consumption data for 31 beverage categories, with forecasts to 2022 measured in both million litres and litres per capita for 82 markets.- Insightful and valuable analysis of the drivers behind the beverage trends and forecast assumptions for 53 markets - Australia New Zealand, Bahrain, Egypt, Tunisia, Lebanon, Kuwait, Oman, UAE, Iran, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, South Africa, Nigeria, Bolivia, Ecuador, Uruguay, Paraguay, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Panama, Honduras, Costa Rica, Colombia, Argentina, Venezuela, Peru, Chile, Mexico , Brazil, Hong Kong, Pakistan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Japan, India, Thailand, Singapore,Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Philippines, Vietnam, China, Canada, USA.ScopeMain beverage category groups: Soft Drinks, Bulk/HOD water, Dairy & Soy Drinks & Milk Alternatives, Hot Drinks, Beer & Cider, Spirits and Wines.Individual beverage categories within each main group are as follows -- Soft Drinks: Packaged Water (excludes all water sold in large containers of >10 liters), Carbonates, Enhanced Water, Flavored Water, Juice (100% pure juice), Nectars (products with a 25-99% juice content), Still Drinks (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 Lip Gloss 2017 Global Market Key Players L'oreal, LVMH Group, Chanel, Revlon, Procter & Gamble Analysis and Forecast to 2022 Lip Gloss Market https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/2531580-global-lip-gloss-market-research-report-2017 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/2531580-global-lip-gloss-market-research-report-2017 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=2531580 Lip Gloss Market 2017Wiseguyreports.Com adds Lip Gloss Market Market Demand, Growth, Opportunities, Analysis of Top Key Players and Forecast to 2022 To Its Research Database.Report Details:Global Lip Gloss market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer;The top key players including ;LorealLVMH GroupChanelRevlonProcter & Gamble.Makeup Art CosmeticsBourjoisNARS CosmeticsEstee LauderCoty IncNYXGiorgio Armani BeautyKANEBOShiseidoTONYMOLYEtude HouseLaneigeMISSHAThis report provides valuable information for companies like manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, traders, customers, investors and individuals who have interests in this industry.Request a Sample Report @Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of Lip Gloss in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoLiquidSoft solidOtherOn the basis of the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales), market share and growth rate for each application, includingOnlineSupermarketExclusive AgencyIf you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Complete Report Details@Major Key Points in Table of Content:Global Lip Gloss Market Research Report 20171 Lip Gloss Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Lip Gloss1.2 Lip Gloss Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global Lip Gloss Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category)(2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Lip Gloss Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Liquid1.2.4 Soft solid1.2.5 Other1.3 Global Lip Gloss Segment by Application1.3.1 Lip Gloss Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Online1.3.3 Supermarket1.3.4 Exclusive Agency1.4 Global Lip Gloss Market by Region (2012-2022)1.4.1 Global Lip Gloss 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 Lip Gloss (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Lip Gloss Revenue Status and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Lip Gloss Capacity, Production Status and Outlook (2012-2022).7 Global Lip Gloss Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis7.1 Loreal7.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.1.2 Lip Gloss Product Category, Application and Specification7.1.2.1 Product A7.1.2.2 Product B7.1.3 Loreal Lip Gloss Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.2 LVMH Group7.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.2.2 Lip Gloss Product Category, Application and Specification7.2.2.1 Product A7.2.2.2 Product B7.2.3 LVMH Group Lip Gloss Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.3 Chanel7.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.3.2 Lip Gloss Product Category, Application and Specification7.3.2.1 Product A7.3.2.2 Product B7.3.3 Chanel Lip Gloss Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.4 Revlon7.4.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.4.2 Lip Gloss Product Category, Application and Specification7.4.2.1 Product A7.4.2.2 Product B7.4.3 Revlon Lip Gloss Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.4.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.5 Procter & Gamble.7.5.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.5.2 Lip Gloss Product Category, Application and Specification7.5.2.1 Product A7.5.2.2 Product B7.5.3 Procter & Gamble. Lip Gloss Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.5.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.6 Makeup Art Cosmetics7.6.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.6.2 Lip Gloss Product Category, Application and Specification7.6.2.1 Product A7.6.2.2 Product B7.6.3 Makeup Art Cosmetics Lip Gloss Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.6.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.7 Bourjois7.7.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.7.2 Lip Gloss Product Category, Application and Specification7.7.2.1 Product A7.7.2.2 Product B7.7.3 Bourjois Lip Gloss Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.7.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.8 NARS Cosmetics7.8.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.8.2 Lip Gloss Product Category, Application and Specification7.8.2.1 Product A7.8.2.2 Product B7.8.3 NARS Cosmetics Lip Gloss Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.8.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.9 Estee Lauder7.9.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.9.2 Lip Gloss Product Category, Application and Specification7.9.2.1 Product A7.9.2.2 Product B7.9.3 Estee Lauder Lip Gloss Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.9.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.10 Coty Inc7.10.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.10.2 Lip Gloss Product Category, Application and Specification7.10.2.1 Product A7.10.2.2 Product B7.10.3 Coty Inc Lip Gloss Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.10.4 Main Business/Business OverviewContinued.Buy now @Contact Us:NORAH TRENTPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Sales@Wiseguyreports.ComPh: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)ABOUT US:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.ADDRES:WISE GUY RESEARCH CONSULTANTS PVT LTDOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India Door Closer Market Report for Period 2017 till 2023 GEZE, Oubao, Archie, Kinlong, CRL, Cal-Royal, Stanley, DORMA, ASSA and Others Door Closer Market https://goo.gl/6KGSEk https://goo.gl/6KGSEk https://goo.gl/6KGSEk http://marketreportscompany.com Global Door Closer market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely Ryobi, Hutlon, Archie, Kinlong, CRL, Cal-Royal, Hager, Allegion, DORMA, ASSA ABLOY, GEZE, Oubao, FRD, Stanley and Others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2023 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2022, etc.A door closer is a mechanical device that closes a door, in general after someone opens it. Choosing a door closer can involve the consideration of a variety of criteria. In addition to the closers performance in fire situations, other criteria may include resistance to opening forces (for use by disabled or infirm), control over the rate of closing, safety, durability, risk of vandalism, anti-ligature and aesthetics.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global Door Closer Market 2017Top Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:AllegionDORMAASSA ABLOYGEZEOubaoFRDStanleyRyobiHutlonArchieKinlongCRLCal-RoyalHagerOthersGlobal Door Closer Market: Key Product TypeSurface applied door closerConcealed door closerFloor springOthersGlobal Door Closer Market: Key Application TypeCommercialResidentialOthersGlobal Door Closer Market: Key RegionNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia, Italy and Others)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia and Others)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia and Others)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa and Others)The Global Door Closer Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global Door Closer Market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The Global Door Closer Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Enquire before Buying @Table of Contents:1 Market Overview1.1 Market Segment Overview1.1.1 Product Definition1.1.2 Market by Type1.1.2.1 Surface applied door closer1.1.2.2 Concealed door closer1.1.2.3 Floor spring1.1.3 Market by Application1.1.3.1 Commercial1.1.3.2 Residential........................Continue (Global Door Closer Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and with the help of third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.About Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters. We can provide market insights for any particular region, country across the globe within shortest possible turn around time.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States Energy Storage Technologies Market to Expand Substantially Owing to Technological Innovations During 2016-2024 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=128 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=128 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Global Energy Storage Technologies Market: OverviewEnergy storage refers to a process of transfiguring energy from the traditional sources to a form that can be easily stored and then again converted back to the original state as per requirement. This process helps in storing energy that can be later used at peak demand and consumption periods, high generation costs, and low energy production. A robust rise in the demand for energy across the globe is expected to bode well for the growth of the global energy storage technologies market. Rising need to develop advanced low carbon energy technology is anticipated to drive the deployment of energy storage technologies across various industries. In addition, the mounting requirement for reliability and resiliency of the energy grid coupled with the integration of the available renewable energy resources is further expected to accelerate the progress of the global energy storage technologies market. Energy storage technologies are also anticipated to a play a prominent role in the energy industry in terms of de-carbonization by efficiently connecting electricity with heat networks. Energy storage technologies can shift the balance of supply and demand of energy for a short period of time. This helps in avoiding blackouts and also corrects load imbalances.The research report is an examination of the growth trajectory based on the historical, current, and future opportunities of the global energy storage technologies market. It provides an evaluation of the dynamics that are anticipated to affect the progress of the market and the predominant trends have also been stated in the study. The report also presents a diverse viewpoint on the competitive landscape of the market through the value chain and Porters five forces analysis. The report mentions the research and development projects, mergers and acquisitions, details on collaborations and licensing. The study provides insights into the marketing strategies, products, and shares of the key players operating in the global energy storage technologies market.Request For Report Sample@Global Energy Storage Technologies Market: Trends and OpportunitiesThe growth of the global energy storage technologies market can be attributed to the growing demand for energy across the globe along with the rising need for low carbon emitting technologies. Energy storage technologies have application in cooling and heating networks, off-grid applications, and electricity grids. However, the most efficient and cost effective energy storage devices also face difficulties in terms of harsh regulatory and market conditions that are expected to hinder their deployment. Research and development may help in addressing these issues and are also likely to provide companies lucrative growth opportunities.Based on technology, the global energy storage technologies market has been segmented into solid state batteries, flow batteries, flywheels, compressed air energy storage, thermal energy storage, and hydro-power. Initial high investment and capital cost is further expected to restrict the growth of the market. In spite of the high cost, the pumped storage hydropower segment is likely to gain traction in the near future.Global Energy Storage Technologies Market: Regional OutlookGeographically, the global energy storage technologies market is classified into Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World. Among these, North America is expected to emerge as the potential consumer region owing to its technological diversity. With the introduction of high-end storage projects, Europe and Asia Pacific are also expected to follow the trail.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC):Companies Mentioned in the ReportThe key companies in the market are SEEO Inc., S&C Electric Company, Hawaiian Electric Company Inc., Eos Energy Storage, Convergent Energy + Power, General Electric, AES Corporation, ABB Ltd., and Alstom.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 Asia-Pacific Digital Power Conversion Market Production, Operations, Price and Gross Margin 2018 QYResearchReports https://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=1384989&type=S https://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/asia-pacific-digital-power-conversion-market-report-2017.htm/toc http://www.qyresearchreports.com Qyresearchreports include new market research report Digital Power Conversion to its huge collection of research reports.This report on the Asia-Pacific Digital Power Conversion 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 Asia-Pacific Digital Power Conversion market.The report provides qualitative and quantitative analysis of the Asia-Pacific Digital Power Conversion 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 Digital Power Conversion 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 Digital Power Conversion market with information on leading segments, country wise market information with respect to the market size, growth rate (CAGR %), and growth factors.Get free sample report of the research study at:The market overview section comprises impact factors such as drivers, restraints, and opportunities for the Asia-Pacific Digital Power Conversion 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.Asia-Pacific Digital Power Conversion market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Digital Power Conversion sales volume, price, revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingGETexas InstrumentsROHMMicrochip...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, includingEnterprise & Cloud ComputingCommunication InfrastructureAutomotiveIndustrialRead Complete Table of Content of the Report at:Table of ContentsAsia-Pacific Digital Power Conversion Market Report 20171 Digital Power Conversion Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Digital Power Conversion1.2 Classification of Digital Power Conversion by Product Category1.2.1 Asia-Pacific Digital Power Conversion Market Size (Sales) Comparison by Types (2012-2022)1.2.2 Asia-Pacific Digital Power Conversion Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 AC/DC1.2.4 DC/AC1.2.5 Isolated DC/DC1.2.6 Sequencers1.2.7 Power Conditioning/Active Power Filtering1.2.8 Hot Swap1.3 Asia-Pacific Digital Power Conversion Market by Application/End Users1.3.1 Asia-Pacific Digital Power Conversion Sales (Volume) and Market Share Comparison by Applications (2012-2022)1.3.2 Enterprise & Cloud Computing1.3.3 Communication Infrastructure1.3.4 Automotive1.3.5 Industrial1.4 Asia-Pacific Digital Power Conversion Market by Region1.4.1 Asia-Pacific Digital Power Conversion Market Size (Value) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 South Korea Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Taiwan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.8 Australia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Asia-Pacific Market Size (Value and Volume) of Digital Power Conversion (2012-2022)1.5.1 Asia-Pacific Digital Power Conversion Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.5.2 Asia-Pacific Digital Power Conversion Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)2 Asia-Pacific Digital Power Conversion Competition by Players/Suppliers, Region, Type and Application2.1 Asia-Pacific Digital Power Conversion Market Competition by Players/Suppliers2.1.1 Asia-Pacific Digital Power Conversion Sales Volume and Market Share of Key Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Asia-Pacific Digital Power Conversion Revenue and Share by Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.2 Asia-Pacific Digital Power Conversion (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Asia-Pacific Digital Power Conversion Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.2.2 Asia-Pacific Digital Power Conversion Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.3 Asia-Pacific Digital Power Conversion (Volume) by Application2.4 Asia-Pacific Digital Power Conversion (Volume and Value) by Region2.4.1 Asia-Pacific Digital Power Conversion Sales and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)2.4.2 Asia-Pacific Digital Power Conversion Revenue and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3 China Digital Power Conversion (Volume, Value and Sales Price)3.1 China Digital Power Conversion Sales and Value (2012-2017)3.1.1 China Digital Power Conversion Sales Volume and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.2 China Digital Power Conversion Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.3 China Digital Power Conversion Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)3.2 China Digital Power Conversion Sales Volume and Market Share by Type3.3 China Digital Power Conversion Sales Volume and Market Share by Application...About QYReseachReports.comQYReseachReports.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:Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-618-1030Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com Deep Dive into Instant Water Heater Market to observe latest trends, market dynamics and future growth- 2017 to 2022 Instant Water Heater Market https://www.reportsmonitor.com/request-sample/?post=501704 https://www.reportsmonitor.com/make-enquiry/?post=501704 https://www.reportsmonitor.com/check-discount/?post=501704 www.reportsmonitor.com This report covers the global Instant Water Heater market various parameters and the growth prospects. It covers the overall market scenario and gives an in-depth analysis of the various competitors and the market value.The Instant Water Heater Industry split has been done according to the production, distribution, revenue and market share and the overall growth rate of Facial Surgery Equipment Package.Ask for Sample @The top competitors of Instant Water Heater market along with the different parameters are production, price, revenue, market share for each manufacture are Rheem Manufacturing Company, Rinnai Corporation, A.O. Smith, NORITZ AMERICA CORP., Ariston Thermo Group, Kyungdong Navien Co.,Ltd., Stiebel Eltron GmbH & Co. KG, Bradford White Corp., Haier Electronics Group Co, Ltd., Bajaj Electricals Ltd., Bosch, Eemax, Siemens, Media.The geographical split of this Industry is divided into the following with several key regions such as North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia and India.On the basis of product, this Instant Water Heater industry report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each Type, primarily split into Electric, Gas.Major applications/end users, consumption (sales), market share and growth rate of Instant Water Heater Market for each application, including Residential, Commercial.Have A Query On This Report? @Some Points from TOC:1 Instant Water Heater Manufacturing Cost Analysis1.1 Instant Water Heater Key Raw Materials Analysis1.2 Key Raw Materials1.2.1 Price Trend of Key Raw Materials1.2.2 Key Suppliers of Raw Materials1.3 Market Concentration Rate of Raw Materials1.3.1 Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream Buyers1.4 Instant Water Heater Industrial Chain Analysis1.4.1 Raw Materials Sources of Instant Water Heater Major Manufacturers in 20161.4.2 Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/Traders.Check Discount on this report@We at Reports Monitor provide a comprehensive analysis by providing in-depth reports of the various market verticals. Our Mission is to provide a detailed analysis of the vast markets worldwide, backed by rich data. Decision makers can now rely on our well-defined data gathering methods to get the correct and accurate market forecasting along with detailed analysis.About UsReports Monitor (ReportsMonitor.com) is a platform for companies looking to meet their 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. The prime focus is to get reliable data, Decision makers can now rely on our distinct data gathering methods to get factual market forecasting and detailed analysis.Contact Us:Office C & D - 4th Floor,Siddhi Towers,Above Rupee Bank,Kondhwa Road,Pune 4501704048,Maharashtra,IndiaIndia: +91 2069535353Jay MatthewsDirect: +1 513 549-59501704Email: sales@reportsmonitor.comWebsite: Remittance Market: Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast Market Research Report https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=507321 https://www.researchmoz.us/global-remittance-market-report-2015-edition-report.html/toc http://www.researchmoz.us/ http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Remittance Market: Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast" to its huge collection of research reports.Remittance is defined as transfer of money by an individual residing in foreign country to his/her home country. The monetary fund transferred by foreign migrants to their homes represents second largest financial inflow to the respective nation. Remittance channel is collectively comprised of a sender, a recipient, intermediaries in both countries, and the payment interface used by the intermediaries. In order to ensure greatest security during any money transfer transaction, certain international standards have been set by the World Bank. The remittance system encompasses the following components: Remittance Service Providers (RSP), Remittance Corridors, and Remittance Network and, Money Transfer System. Remittances are playing an increasingly large role in the economies of many countries. They contribute to economic growth and to the livelihoods of less prosperous people.The key factors driving the growth of the global remittance market are growing urbanization, accelerating economic growth, rising employment population and rapidly increasing international migrant population. Some of the noteworthy trends and developments of this industry are sustainable development goals and financing for development, expanding existing payment system infrastructure for remittances, unstable remittance cost, the impact of remittance on health, education and poverty, wide portfolio of remittance services and electronic transactions on the rise. However, the expansion of global remittance market is hindered by strict regulatory compliances and access points establishment.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Table of Content1. Overview1.1 Types of Remittance Services1.2 Remittance Marketplace1.2.1 Components of Remittance Marketplace1.3 Remittance Market Value Chain2. Global Remittance Market2.1. Remittance Market by Income Characteristics2.1.1 Low Income Countries2.1.2 Middle Income Countries2.1.3 High Income Countries2.2 Remittances Market by Region2.2.1 Developing Countries2.2.2 East Asia and Pacific Region2.2.3 Europe and Central Asia Region2.2.4 Latin America and Caribbean Region2.2.5 Middle East and North Africa Region2.2.6 South Asia Region2.2.7 Sub Saharan Africa Region2.3 Remittances Market by Largest Receiving CountriesBrowse TOC @3. Market Dynamics3.1 Growth Drivers3.1.1 Increasing International Migration3.1.2 Growing Urbanization3.1.3 Economic Growth3.1.4 Rising Employment Opportunities3.2 Trends & Developments3.2.1 Sustainable Development Goals and Financing for Development3.2.2 Expanding Existing Payment System Infrastructures for Remittances3.2.3 Unstable Remittance Cost3.2.4 Impact of Remittance on Health, Education and Poverty3.2.5 Wide Portfolio of Remittance Service3.2.6 Electronic Transactions on RiseAbout ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @ APAC Digital Pressure Gauges Market Key Trends, Challenges and Opportunities 2018 QYResearchReports https://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=1384990&type=S https://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/asia-pacific-digital-pressure-gauges-market-report-2017.htm/toc http://www.qyresearchreports.com Qyresearchreports include new market research report Digital Pressure Gauges to its huge collection of research reports.This report on the Asia-Pacific Digital Pressure Gauges 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 Asia-Pacific Digital Pressure Gauges market.The report provides qualitative and quantitative analysis of the Asia-Pacific Digital Pressure Gauges 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 Digital Pressure Gauges 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 Digital Pressure Gauges market with information on leading segments, country wise market information with respect to the market size, growth rate (CAGR %), and growth factors.Get free sample report of the research study at:The market overview section comprises impact factors such as drivers, restraints, and opportunities for the Asia-Pacific Digital Pressure Gauges 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.Asia-Pacific Digital Pressure Gauges market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Digital Pressure Gauges sales volume, price, revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingOMEGA EngineeringAMETEKNagano Keiki Co. (FUKUDA & Ashcroft)NOSHOKKellerFluke CorporationHoneywell Sensing & ControlAdditelWinters InstrumentsMeriamWIKAGE Measurement & Control...Read Complete Table of Content of the Report at:Table of ContentsAsia-Pacific Digital Pressure Gauges Market Report 20171 Digital Pressure Gauges Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Digital Pressure Gauges1.2 Classification of Digital Pressure Gauges by Product Category1.2.1 Asia-Pacific Digital Pressure Gauges Market Size (Sales) Comparison by Types (2012-2022)1.2.2 Asia-Pacific Digital Pressure Gauges Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 0.5% of span1.2.4 0.25% of span1.2.5 0.1% of span1.2.6 0.05% of span1.2.7 0.02% of span1.3 Asia-Pacific Digital Pressure Gauges Market by Application/End Users1.3.1 Asia-Pacific Digital Pressure Gauges Sales (Volume) and Market Share Comparison by Applications (2012-2022)1.3.2 Power Industry1.3.3 Chemical/Petrochemical Industry1.3.4 Metallurgical industry1.3.5 Measurement1.3.6 Military machinery1.3.7 Others1.4 Asia-Pacific Digital Pressure Gauges Market by Region1.4.1 Asia-Pacific Digital Pressure Gauges Market Size (Value) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 South Korea Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Taiwan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.8 Australia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Asia-Pacific Market Size (Value and Volume) of Digital Pressure Gauges (2012-2022)1.5.1 Asia-Pacific Digital Pressure Gauges Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.5.2 Asia-Pacific Digital Pressure Gauges Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)2 Asia-Pacific Digital Pressure Gauges Competition by Players/Suppliers, Region, Type and Application2.1 Asia-Pacific Digital Pressure Gauges Market Competition by Players/Suppliers2.1.1 Asia-Pacific Digital Pressure Gauges Sales Volume and Market Share of Key Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Asia-Pacific Digital Pressure Gauges Revenue and Share by Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.2 Asia-Pacific Digital Pressure Gauges (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Asia-Pacific Digital Pressure Gauges Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.2.2 Asia-Pacific Digital Pressure Gauges Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.3 Asia-Pacific Digital Pressure Gauges (Volume) by Application2.4 Asia-Pacific Digital Pressure Gauges (Volume and Value) by Region2.4.1 Asia-Pacific Digital Pressure Gauges Sales and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)2.4.2 Asia-Pacific Digital Pressure Gauges Revenue and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3 China Digital Pressure Gauges (Volume, Value and Sales Price)3.1 China Digital Pressure Gauges Sales and Value (2012-2017)3.1.1 China Digital Pressure Gauges Sales Volume and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.2 China Digital Pressure Gauges Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.3 China Digital Pressure Gauges Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)3.2 China Digital Pressure Gauges Sales Volume and Market Share by Type3.3 China Digital Pressure Gauges Sales Volume and Market Share by Application...About QYReseachReports.comQYReseachReports.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:Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-618-1030Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com Asia-Pacific Drum Liners Market Key Analysis and 2018 Development Trends QYResearchReports https://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=1384991&type=S https://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/asia-pacific-drum-liners-market-report-2017.htm/toc http://www.qyresearchreports.com Qyresearchreports include new market research report Drum Liners to its huge collection of research reports.This report on the Asia-Pacific Drum Liners 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 Asia-Pacific Drum Liners market.The report provides qualitative and quantitative analysis of the Asia-Pacific Drum Liners 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 Drum Liners 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 Drum Liners market with information on leading segments, country wise market information with respect to the market size, growth rate (CAGR %), and growth factors.Get free sample report of the research study at:The market overview section comprises impact factors such as drivers, restraints, and opportunities for the Asia-Pacific Drum Liners 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.Asia-Pacific Drum Liners market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Drum Liners sales volume, price, revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingGreif, IncBerry Global, Inc.Sealed Air CorporationBemis Company, Inc.Winpak Ltd.Balmer Lawrie & Co. LtdBulk Lift International, Inc.International PlasticsCDF CorporationWelch Fluorocarbon, IncThe Cary CompanyVestil Manufacturing CorporationProtective Lining CorpSri Lakshmi Vishnu PlasticsHeritage PackagingDanapoly Inc....Read Complete Table of Content of the Report at:Table of ContentsAsia-Pacific Drum Liners Market Report 20171 Drum Liners Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Drum Liners1.2 Classification of Drum Liners by Product Category1.2.1 Asia-Pacific Drum Liners Market Size (Sales) Comparison by Types (2012-2022)1.2.2 Asia-Pacific Drum Liners Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Flexible Drum Liner1.2.4 Rigid Drum Liner1.2.5 Semi Rigid Drum Liner1.3 Asia-Pacific Drum Liners Market by Application/End Users1.3.1 Asia-Pacific Drum Liners Sales (Volume) and Market Share Comparison by Applications (2012-2022)1.3.2 Industrial Chemicals1.3.3 Petroleum & Lubricants1.3.4 Food and Beverages1.3.5 Paints, Inks and Dyes1.3.6 Cosmetics and Pharmaceutical1.3.7 Building and Construction1.3.8 Others1.4 Asia-Pacific Drum Liners Market by Region1.4.1 Asia-Pacific Drum Liners Market Size (Value) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 South Korea Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Taiwan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.8 Australia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Asia-Pacific Market Size (Value and Volume) of Drum Liners (2012-2022)1.5.1 Asia-Pacific Drum Liners Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.5.2 Asia-Pacific Drum Liners Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)2 Asia-Pacific Drum Liners Competition by Players/Suppliers, Region, Type and Application2.1 Asia-Pacific Drum Liners Market Competition by Players/Suppliers2.1.1 Asia-Pacific Drum Liners Sales Volume and Market Share of Key Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Asia-Pacific Drum Liners Revenue and Share by Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.2 Asia-Pacific Drum Liners (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Asia-Pacific Drum Liners Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.2.2 Asia-Pacific Drum Liners Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.3 Asia-Pacific Drum Liners (Volume) by Application2.4 Asia-Pacific Drum Liners (Volume and Value) by Region2.4.1 Asia-Pacific Drum Liners Sales and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)2.4.2 Asia-Pacific Drum Liners Revenue and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3 China Drum Liners (Volume, Value and Sales Price)3.1 China Drum Liners Sales and Value (2012-2017)3.1.1 China Drum Liners Sales Volume and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.2 China Drum Liners Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.3 China Drum Liners Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)3.2 China Drum Liners Sales Volume and Market Share by Type3.3 China Drum Liners Sales Volume and Market Share by Application4 Japan Drum Liners (Volume, Value and Sales Price)4.1 Japan Drum Liners Sales and Value (2012-2017)4.1.1 Japan Drum Liners Sales Volume and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.2 Japan Drum Liners Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)4.1.3 Japan Drum Liners Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)...About QYReseachReports.comQYReseachReports.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:Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-618-1030Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com Global Proton Therapy Market: Key Players - IBA Inc, Varian Medical Systems, Elekta, and Hitachi Ltd Market Research Report https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=502632 https://www.researchmoz.us/global-proton-therapy-market-report-2015-edition-report.html/toc http://www.researchmoz.us/ http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Global Proton Therapy Market: Key Players - IBA Inc, Varian Medical Systems, Elekta, and Hitachi Ltd" to its huge collection of research reports.Radiation describes the way energy moves from one place to another. One of the top technological developments in the field of radiotherapy has allowed for the evolution of proton therapy. Proton therapy, also called proton beam therapy, is a type of radiation treatment that uses protons rather than x-rays to treat cancer. It is a highly precise method of radiotherapy which is suitable for all patients regardless of age, mainly depending on diagnosis. A proton is a positively charged particle.Technological upgradations like rotational gantries, higher energies and larger fields have expanded the application of proton therapy to almost every site of the human body .Proton therapy market is mainly centred in the Americas, more specifically in the North American region. However, since last few years, it has been observed that the technology is now being adopted at a fast pace by medical specialists of the European and Asian regions. The technology around proton therapy has also made inroads in various other corners of the world all because of the increasing financial strength and interest of governments in its advancement.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Some of the factors driving the growth of proton therapy and thus radiation therapy are increasing number of cancer cases worldwide, growing preference for non-invasive procedures and technological innovations. Other factors like ageing population also promote the use of proton therapy equipments. Proton therapy treatment centers involve huge investments in terms of finance, location as well as experienced professional with hands-on-experience of this technology. Cutting edge technologies like pencil beam scanning hold the potential to elevate the ability to treat the highly complex tumors, while leaving healthy tissue and critical structures untouched. This particular technology is used with proton therapy and thus, many new proton centers are adapting it worldwide.This report assesses the proton therapy market and associated terms in terms of both market volume and market value. The top companies having a vicious competition with each other and dominating the industry are- IBA Inc, Varian Medical systems, Elekta, and Hitachi Ltd. These players are being profiled in the report along with their key financials and strategies for growth.Browse TOC @Table of Content1. Radiation Therapy1.1 Classification1.1.1 External Beam Radiation Therapy1.1.2 Internal Radiation Therapy or Brachytherapy1.1.3 Other Treatment Options1.2 Market Analysis1.2.1 Global MarketMarket ValueMarket Segments1.2.2 Regional MarketsRegional ShareLINAC Volume2. Proton Therapy2.1 Applications2.1.1 On the Basis of Cancer Site2.1.2 On the Basis of Dosage2.2 Technological Substitutes Comparatives2.2.1 Proton Therapy and Xray Radiation2.2.2 Proton Therapy and Surgery2.3 Treatment Devices2.4 Global Market AnalysisAbout ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @ Solar Energy Market Excessive Growth Opportunities Estimated to be Experienced 2016-2024 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=177 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=177 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Global Solar Energy Market: OverviewThe abundant availability of solar energy is making it an ideal long-term source of clean energy that can be used as a viable alternative to currently prevalent nonrenewable sources such as coal, gas, and oil. Solar energy is being increasingly used in the commercial, industrial, and residential sectors. Solar photovoltaics is amongst the most commonly used systems to convert solar energy into electrical energy. Various studies suggest that the in 2015, the total installed capacity of solar PV was more than 250 GW, while the added capacity was recorded to be approximately 59 GW. The increasing investments in renewable energy and rising environmental concerns regarding the greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions are driving the global solar energy market.The report provides a comprehensive overview of the global solar energy market through industry chain structure, definitions, classifications, applications, and technology. It presents insights into short-term and long-term market growth by methodically examining its current market scenario and historical data. The competitive landscape of the global solar energy market is also discussed in the report. It profiles key players along with their latest developments, business strategies, cost and revenue structures, and contact information.Request For Report Sample@Global Solar Energy Market: Drivers and RestraintsFuelled by the ever-increasing demand for electricity in conjunction with government initiatives promoting the use of renewable energy sources, the global solar energy is expected to trace a positive exponential curve from 2014 to 2020. Moreover, subsidies and tax benefits offered by governments for effectively utilizing barren land for solar power plants are propelling the growth of the market. Other factors such as rapid industrialization in emerging countries and low operating and maintenance cost of solar power projects are working in favor of the global market.Despite these favorable growth conditions, the economic slowdown in several parts of the world is adversely affecting the growth of the market. In Europe, the economic meltdown has compelled previously supportive European governments to cut down on subsidies on solar energy production. Furthermore, high harnessing cost and low production capacity of solar power plants are negatively impacting the dynamics of the global solar energy market.Global Solar Energy Market: Geographical SegmentationOn the basis of geography, the global solar energy market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World (RoW). Europe and North America are, collectively, anticipated to command a large share in the market in terms of revenue throughout the forecast period. The growth of these regions can be attributed to favorable government initiatives and increasing awareness regarding environmental conservation. Moreover, strong demand from countries such as the U.S., France, Germany, and Canada is fuelling the growth of these regions. The deployment of solar power plants is gaining momentum in Asia Pacific. The expansion of solar power production in countries such as Japan, India, and China is contributing to the growth of the APAC region. Another factor bolstering the market is the increasing demand for electricity owing to population growth and rapid industrialization.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC):Companies Mentioned in the ReportThe leading players in the market are First Solar Inc., Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd., Sharp Corporation, Trina Solar Limited, and Yingli Solar. With technological advancements and availability of bountiful resources in equatorial countries in Latin America and Africa, the new and existing companies are estimated to enjoy sustainable growth in the near future.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 Power Generation Market to Grow at 18.7% CAGR till 2022 MRRSE https://www.mrrse.com/sample/716 https://www.mrrse.com/indonesia-power-generation-market https://www.mrrse.com/enquiry/716 https://www.mrrse.com/checkdiscount/716 https://www.mrrse.com/ https://www.industrynewsanalysis.com/ 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 Power Generation Market by TechnologyGet Free Sample Report @The power industry is one of the largest and essential industries globally. There is a direct correlation between the development of a nation and its power industry. No country can achieve economic and social prosperity without adequate investments in electrification across the nation. Several power projects are planned in developing economies in Asia Pacific as these economies continue to expand their power generation capacities to meet the rising electricity demand. In the last few years, several developed economies have permitted the entry of private companies in the power industry. This step has introduced competition in the power industry, especially in the generation and retail supply of electricity. This market liberalization has further improved production efficiency of the overall industry.In Indonesia, the power generation market is still dominated by the government-owned PT PLN. Approximately 85% of power generation facilities and the entire transmission & distribution network is solely controlled by PT PLN. The coal mining industry is developed in Indonesia with several private players investing in this market. Coal still continues to account for a major share in the global power generation industry. Although the share of coal is anticipated to decline in the future years, it would continue to be the major fuel in the short-term outlook.Browse Complete Report with TOC @This research study is designed to analyze the power generation market in Indonesia. The market is calculated in terms of power generation capacity (GW), power generation (TWh), and revenue (USD Billion). The market for power generation has been segmented on the basis of six major power generation technologies in Indonesia. These include coal-fired, natural gas-fired, oil-fired, geothermal, hydro, and combined cycle (gas-steam). The report provides growth forecast for the period 20142022. Projections have been provided for power generation installed capacities, power generation, and revenue. The study on the power generation market also provides historical data, detailed analysis, and statistically refined forecast for key technology segments.The size of the power generation market has been estimated based on indicators in technology segments. The report includes the key market dynamics affecting the demand for power generation technologies. As a part of our market dynamics analysis, we have analyzed market drivers, market restraints, and market opportunities in Indonesia. A comprehensive landscape, which includes company market share analysis and market attractiveness analysis, has also been provided in this report. Company market share analysis has been provided for major players involved in power generation in Indonesia. Market attractiveness analysis has been provided for six power generation technologies in Indonesia.The report also provides a detailed industry analysis of the power generation market in Indonesia with the help of Porters Five Forces Model. The Porters Five Forces analysis aids in understanding the five major forces that affect the industry structure and profitability of the global power generation technology market. The forces analyzed are the bargaining power of buyers, bargaining power of suppliers, threat from new entrants, threat from substitutes, and degree of competition. The Porters Five Forces analysis has been provided across the geographies studied in the report.The report features an in-depth analysis of trends observed in each of the power generation technology segments provided in the report. Various new technologies, which are influencing the market dynamics of each power generation technology, have been identified and highlighted. Emerging trends for each power generation technology have been addressed for Indonesia.The study also includes the value chain of the power generation market in Indonesia, which provides a glimpse of fuel procurement, contract awarding, power generation, as well as the interaction of suppliers and buyers with the end-users of the product. The market attractiveness has been primarily done considering the market size and market growth. Besides market size and growth, government support, regulatory policies, environment benefits, and availability of resources have also been considered to rank/benchmark major technologies for each region.Send an Enquiry @Key participants in the power generation market in Indonesia include Alstom S.A., PT Arutmin Indonesia, Asia Resource Minerals plc, Chevron Indonesia, Hyundai Engineering Co. Ltd., Medco Power Indonesia, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., PT Adaro Energy Tbk., PT Bumi Resources Tbk., PT Cirebon Electric Power, PT Geo Dipa Energi, PT Harum Energy Tbk., PT Indonesia Power, PT Jawa Power, PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy, PT PLN, PT Wartsila Indonesia, PT. Pembangkitan Jawa-Bali, Siemens AG, United Coal Indonesia. This report provides an overview of these companies, followed by their financial revenues, business strategies, technical performance analysis, operational standards, and awards and achievements.Indonesia Power Generation Market: Technology AnalysisCoal-fired Power GenerationNatural Gas-fired Power GenerationOil-fired Power GenerationGeothermal Power GenerationHydro Power GenerationCombined Cycle Power GenerationCheck Discount @About Market Research Reports Search Engine (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.Contact UsState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United States Telephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite:Read More Industry News At: Hydrophobic Coating Market to Register Steady Growth During 2017 - 2025 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/16927 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/16927 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Hydrophobic Coating Market: OverviewThe hydrophobic coating are used to provide durable protection from liquids and abrasion, and it can be applied to a variety of substrates including metal, plastics, glass, fabrics, painted surfaces, and 3D printed parts. The surface contact angle in the hyperbolic coatings is the major factors which determine the hydrophobicity of any surface. Variation of the chemical composition of the material or use of various hydrophobic agents on smooth surfaces can change the surface contact angle greater than 90 degrees.Hydrophobic Coating Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe global hydrophobic coating market is expected to experience significant growth due to the increasing scope of application in aerospace, automotive, and construction industry. Technological advancements to implement nanoparticles in hydrophobic coatings, which offers improved performance characteristics and high surface area is expected to create new opportunities for the growth of hydrophobic coating market over the forecast period. The use of hydrophobic coatings for glass components used in an automobile offers high resistance from dust and rains. This application is likely to increase demand for hydrophobic coatings for the manufacturing of automotive windows and displays over the forecast period. Thus, the increase in demand for hydrophobic coatings for a broad range of applications in the automobile industry is expected to drive the global hydrophobic market over the forecast period. The changing consumer demand, innovations in automotive industry, and increasing disposable income is projected to drive the global auto industry.A sample of this report is available upon request @The increasing use of hydrophobic coatings for metal and plastic components used in the automobile industry is projected to drive the global hydrophobic coating market over the forecast period. Top industry players in global hydrophobic coatings market are focusing on product innovation to serve the increasing demand of the customers. However, the global key players in hydrophobic coating market are expected to face intense competition from the local and regional players over the forecast period. The easy availability of raw materials, increasing end-use industries, immense scope of new product development is likely to open new opportunities for the industry players over the forecast period.The anti-microbial coatings segment in the global hydrophobic coating market is expected to dominate over the forecast period owing to its increasing application in the medical industry. The high demand from medical and optical applications is supposed to drive the growth of this segment. The aerospace industry sector is expected to gain market share during the forecast period due to the increasing use of anti-corrosive and anti-wetting coatings.Hydrophobic Coating Market: SegmentationOn the Basis of Properties, Hydrophobic Coating market is segmented into:Anti-MicrobialAnti-Icing/WettingAnti-FoulingAnti-CorrosionSelf-CleaningOn the Basis of Application, Hydrophobic Coating market is segmented into:AerospaceAutomotiveConstructionMedicalOpticalTo view TOC of this report is available upon request @Hydrophobic Coating Market: Region Wise OutlookThe global hydrophobic coating market is segmented into the seven key regions: North America, Latin America, Western Europe, and Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ), Japan and the Middle East and Africa (MEA). The APEJ region is expected to dominate the global hydrophobic coating market over the forecast period. Rapid growth in industries including automotive, construction, medical, and optical is supposed to drive the hydrophobic coating market in APEJ region over the forecast period. China is estimated to dominate the APEJ hydrophobic coating market due to the increase in automotive industry in this area. The growth in automotive production on account of rising demand for passenger cars is expected to drive the North America hydrophobic coating market over the forecast period. The increase in investment by the major players to set up new production sites in Western European countries is expected to drive the hydrophobic coating market in this area.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: Optical Fingerprint Sensor Market Size, Segments, Growth and Trends by Forecast to 2023 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/4750 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/optical-fingerprint-sensor-market-4750 Market Highlights:A fingerprint sensor is an electronic device which converts the fingerprint pattern into a digital image by identifying the valleys and ridges in the fingerprint. Fingerprint sensors are usually categorized into optical, capacitive, thermal, Piezo electrical, ultrasonic types. Optical finger print sensor is the one that captures the digital image of the fingerprint by emitting the light from light emitting diodes, directed by the lens towards CMOS optical imagers, which detects the unique pattern and matches it with the registered pattern.The advantage of optical fingerprint sensor is its ruggedness, which allows it to be used frequently in public places. However, this also adds a potential threat, as the outer skin which can be easily overridden by the image of fingerprint which can be detected by the fingerprint reader at a distance.The optical fingerprint sensor, however show a good usage in the future of smartphones due to advancement in display technology and growing trend of bezel less displays, encouraging the smartphone manufacturers to use optical fingerprint sensor under the display.The segmentation of global Optical Fingerprint Sensor Market is done under components, technology, application and region. The market is expected to reach USD 2050 million by 2023 with a growing CAGR of 15 %.Major Key Players: Synaptics Incorporated (U.S.) BioEnable Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (India) Vkansee (China) Bayometric (U.S.) Shenazhen CAMA Biometrics Co.Ltd (China) SecuGen Corporation (U.S.) VocalZoom (Israel) Fingerprint Cards AB (Sweden) Bio Key International Inc (U.S.) Securlinx Integration Software (U.S.) Aware Inc (U.S.)Request a Sample Report @Regional Analysis:The regional analysis covers the geographical regions namely North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and rest of the world. Among these regions, Asia Pacific is leading the market for optical fingerprint sensors. This growth can be attributed to the huge presence of semiconductor and electronic component manufacturing industry located in China, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea. The APAC region, being led by two developing nations, India and China, is adopting the fingerprint sensors across various applications, thus witnessing the fastest growth. Also the advancement in smartphone technology is encouraging the smartphone manufacturers to adopt new technology.North America was an early adopter of fingerprint sensors and has become an established and strong market due to the presence of some of the large vendors of fingerprint sensors. North America follows Asia Pacific, as this region is technologically advanced. The growth of this region also attributes to factor like higher sales of top-end smartphones and tablets, and emerging applications in countries like the U.S and Canada. However, Europe tends to be a mature market for optical fingerprint sensors. The rest of the world segment, lags other regions in this market as the penetration of smartphones (major consumer of fingerprint sensor) with fingerprint scanner is limited. Further, the commercial security and government usage is not much for the optical fingerprint sensors.The global optical fingerprint sensor market is expected to reach USD 1 billion by 2023, with a CAGR of 12%.Segmentation:The global optical fingerprint sensor market is segmented into component, technology, application and region. On the basis of component, the market is further segmented into lens, photodiodes, cover plates, charged coupled device (CCD) and Complementary Metal - Oxide - Semiconductor (CMOS) optical imagers. Among these, the CMOS optical imagers and charged coupled device (CCD) perform a major role in fingerprint detection. The charged coupled device helps the photo diode to emit light, which gets reflected by the lens directed towards CMOS optical imagers, identifying the surface pattern.The photo diodes are the array of light emitting diodes that emit the light when a finger is placed on the cover plate (made of either glass or plastic) which is connected to the microcontroller that matches the pattern on the surface such as ridges, valleys or unique marks by analyzing the lightest and darkest areas of the image. These components work in integration with each other to store and identify the fingerprints.On the basis of technology, the market is segmented into electro optical imaging and multi-spectral imaging. The electro optical imaging is a technique that enhances the optical sensors and improves their resistance against any fraudulent access. The electro-optical imaging induces a voltage across a light emitting polymer firm that creates a small current whenever a fingerprint ridge touches the polymer surface. This process produces an opposite high contrast image, where the fingerprint valley remains dark and ridges light up. On the other hand, multispectral imaging is an advanced technique designed to reduce the fingerprint spoof attacks.The multispectral imaging is however, independently used as an optical sensor. The advantage of the multispectral imaging is that it captures those features of the tissues that lie below the surface of the skin as well as on the surface of the fingers. The tissue feature represents the second layer of security in multispectral imaging. However, the most used technique is the electro optical imaging in optical fingerprint sensors.Access Report Details @Intended Audience: Storage providers Optical lens providers Telecom operators Research firms Electronic component industries Healthcare firms retailers government agencies Military and defense IT enablers Database solutions providersTable 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 Process2.2 Primary Research2.3 Secondary Research2.4 Forecast Model2.4.1 Market Data Collection, Analysis & Forecast2.4.2 Market Size EstimationContinuedList of Tables:Table 1 Optical Fingerprint Sensor Market, By ComponentTable 2 Optical Fingerprint Sensor Market, By TechnologyTable 3 Optical Fingerprint Sensor Market, By ApplicationContinuedList of Figures:Figure 1 Research Bot ComponentFigure 2 Optical Fingerprint Sensor Market, By Component (%)Figure 3 Optical Fingerprint Sensor Market, By Technology (%)ContinuedAbout Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our clients 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 questions.ContactMarket Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Bioresorbable scaffolds Market by Biotronik, Xenogenics Corp. and Forecast to 2027 Bioresorbable scaffolds Market https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1251 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/1251 Bioresorbable scaffolds (BRS) takes into account fruitful intense revascularization of coronary supply route stenosis. It has been appeared to be related with low rates of rehash revascularization and major unfavorable heart occasions (MACE) amid the early follow-up period. The fundamental preferred standpoint of the BRS is that following complete bioresorption, no outside body stays in the vessel divider at long haul development, which may lighten the expanded long haul danger of stent thrombosis. The market for bioresorbable scaffolds is blasting. The worldwide Bioresorbable Scaffolds Market is required to achieve millions before the finish of the estimated period and is relied upon to develop at amazing CAGR.Get a Sample Report @Top Key Player of this Market are:Some of the key players in this market are: Abbott Vascular (U.S.), Biotronik (GER), Kyoto Medical Planning Co. Ltd. (JP), REVA Medical, Inc. (U.S.), Xenogenics Corp. (U.S.) and others.The report for Global bioresorbable scaffolds 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 markets segments and regions.Check Discount @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:Akash Anand,Market Research Future+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Digital Microscope Market Report for Period 2017 till 2023 Nikon, Motic, Keyence, Hirox, TQC, Vision Engineering, BYK, Olympus Corporation and Others Digital Microscope Market https://goo.gl/hsBsdD https://goo.gl/hsBsdD https://goo.gl/hsBsdD http://marketreportscompany.com Global Digital Microscope market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely Nikon, Leica Microsystems, TQC, Vision Engineering, AnMo Electronics Corporation, BYK, Olympus Corporation, Motic, Keyence, Hirox, Carl Zeiss, Jeol and Others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2023 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2022, etc.A digital microscope is a variation of a traditional optical microscope that uses optics and a digital camera to output an image to a monitor, sometimes by means of software running on a computer. A digital microscope often has its own in-built LED light source, and differs from an optical microscope in that there is no provision to observe the sample directly through an eyepiece. Since the image is focussed on the digital circuit the entire system is designed for the monitor image. The optics for the human eye are omitted.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global Digital Microscope Market 2017Top Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:Olympus CorporationMoticKeyenceHiroxCarl ZeissJeolNikonLeica MicrosystemsTQCVision EngineeringAnMo Electronics CorporationBYKOthersGlobal Digital Microscope Market: Key Product TypeType 1Type 2Type 3OthersGlobal Digital Microscope Market: Key Application TypeIndustryCosmetologyBiomedicineScientific ResearchOthersGlobal Digital Microscope Market: Key RegionNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia, Italy and Others)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia and Others)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia and Others)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa and Others)The Global Digital Microscope Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global Digital Microscope Market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The Global Digital Microscope Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Enquire before Buying @Table of Contents:1 Global Market Overview1.1 Scope of Statistics1.1.1 Scope of Products1.1.2 Scope of Manufacturers1.1.3 Scope of Application1.1.4 Scope of Regions/Countries1.2 Global Market Size2 Regional Market2.1 Regional Production2.2 Regional Demand2.3 Regional Trade........................Continue (Global Digital Microscope Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and with the help of third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.About Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters. We can provide market insights for any particular region, country across the globe within shortest possible turn around time.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States Rapid Industrialization to Boost Coal Market Growth by 2014-2020 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=306 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=306 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Coal Market: OverviewCoal has played a crucial role in industrialization since time immemorial. It has been the key factor in shaping economies across the globe and determining the pace of development for several nations. The monumental amount of coal consumed by the world is used in a wide range of applications such as the production of steel, iron, power, and several manufacturing and transportation industries. The demand for coal is presently caught in the crossfire of growing pollution levels and the increasing attractiveness of the renewable sources of energy.The research report on the global coal market includes a fair assessment of the overall market and the key market dynamics. The report includes a SWOT analysis to determine the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats influencing the segments of the coal market. On the other hand, the analysts have also scrutinized the intensity of the competitive rivalry and the bargaining power of consumers and suppliers through Porters five forces analysis. The comprehensive document includes evaluation of all the key factors that are poised to shape the trajectory of the global coal market in the coming years.Request For Report Sample@Coal Market: Trends and OpportunitiesThough the debate over usage of coal is a heated one, it is still an important raw material for the production of energy. About 35% of the worlds electricity is produced by utilizing coal. Analysts state that this percentage will continue to rise in the coming years as well. Besides electricity, coal is also extensively used in the industrial sector. Thus, the uptake of coal in the coming years is expected to remain steady. The research report observes that the coal supplies are spread over innumerable areas across the globe. This has eliminated the issue of dependency on a specific region. Furthermore, it has also opened up opportunities for several nations in the international markets.The growing demand for electricity from several developing countries and the fast pace of industrialization in these nations are the key growth drivers for the global coal market. The exponential rise in the global population is expected to create several lucrative opportunities for the overall market in the coming years. The only restraint in the global market is the high cost of coal extraction, which is likely to hamper the markets growth in the near future.Coal Market: Region-wise OutlookAccording to the report, the coal market is witnessing an increase in the production as Asia Pacific is showing an active participation. The major coal-producing nations in the world are Australia, China, South Africa, India, and the U.S. However, the majority of coal produced by these countries is used by the nations themselves, while marginal quantities of coal traded in the international markets. Presently, Asia Pacific consumes about 50% of the total coal produced globally. Several countries in Asia Pacific such as Korea, China, and Japan lack energy resources and are thus importing natural energy resources to meet their needs.Australia is known to be the leading exporter of coal across the globe. The country exports about 200 mt of hard coal from its entire production every year. Thus, is an important commodity in Australia. Analysts predict that China, the U.S., and Canada are expected to significant exporters of coal in the coming years.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC):Key Players Mentioned in the Report are:Some of the important players identified in the global coal market are Anglo Pacific Group plc. Coal India Ltd., Pacific Coal Resources Ltd., China Shenhua Energy, Rio Tinto, Blackham Resources Limited, BHP Billiton Ltd., Altona Energy Plc, SouthGobi Resources Limited, and Melior Resources Inc.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 Carnauba Wax Market to Remain Lucrative During 2017 - 2025 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/16993 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/16993 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Global Carnauba Wax Market: OverviewCarnauba wax is a type of natural wax-containing mono and di hydroxyl fatty alcohols, hydroxyl acids and their polyesters. Carnauba wax is majorly found in the Brazil and obtained from palm tree leaves. Some of the important properties of carnauba wax are the high melting point, hardest among other natural waxes such as bee wax, high oil retention capability etc. Carnauba wax finds major usage in the cosmetic industry as an additive owing to its characteristic properties. For instance, it delivers high-gloss finish in the makeup products such as lipsticks and lip balms, hypoallergenic properties makes carnauba wax to be used in sensitive skin care products also. In food and pharmaceutical industry, carnauba wax finds application as food additives and binding & coating tablets respectively. The carnauba wax market is well established with the presence of suppliers. The demand for carnauba wax is increasing since the individuals are turning towards adoption of natural and organic products over synthetic and petroleum based products. Carnauba wax is also used as release agents, car polishes and in wood floor polishes.A sample of this report is available upon request @Global Carnauba Wax Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe global cosmetic industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.9% till 2020 coupled with rising population. The global carnauba wax market is primarily driven by the two major end-use industries, cosmetic and food. Increasing disposable income of individuals which aids in expanding the behavior of individuals towards more adoption of cosmetics boosts the global carnauba wax market. For instance, carnauba wax is widely used an additive in lip balms, mascaras and lipsticks owing to the better emulsification, oil binding properties. Further, for carnauba waxes, there are no price fluctuations when compared to synthetic and petroleum based waxes, which gives an additive advantage for carnauba wax manufacturers.However, the regulations for the manufacture of carnauba wax are strict, since they are widely consumed in food, pharma and cosmetics industries which make the global carnauba wax quite consolidated.Global Carnauba Wax Market: SegmentationOn the basis of type, carnauba wax market can be segmented as follows:-Prime Yellow (Type 1)Extra light Fatty Grey (Type 3)Fatty Grey (Type 4)Prime Yellow MicronisedOn the basis of carnauba wax form, carnauba wax market can be segmented as follows:-FlakesPowderLumpsOn the basis of application, carnauba wax market can be segmented as follows:-AdditivesPolishesRelease agentsFood CoatingsOn the basis of end use, carnauba wax market can be segmented as follows:-PharmaceuticalCosmeticsFoodOthersGlobal Carnauba Wax Market: Region wise OutlookThe global carnauba wax 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). The carnauba wax market in Latin America and APEJ regions is robust owing to the availability of suitable climatic condition for palm trees from which carnauba wax is extracted. Countries such as Brazil in Latin America and Indonesia, India, China are prominent for carnauba wax production. North America and Eastern European regions majorly import high amounts of carnauba wax.To view TOC of this report is available upon request @Global Carnauba Wax Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players identified in the global carnauba wax market includes:Tropical Ceras do Brasil Ltda.Brasil CerasFONCEPIKerax LimitedStrahl & Pitsch, Inc.Carmel Wax Inc.Kahl GmbH & CO. KGMicro Powders, Inc.PARAMELTAMEDEO BRASCAThe 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 geography, technology and applications.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: Military Drones Market Going To $6.8 Billion By 2022: Detailed Analysis Covering Major Industry Factors Market Research Report https://www.researchmoz.us/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=699346 https://www.researchmoz.us/military-drones-market-shares-strategy-and-forecasts-worldwide-2016-to-2022-report.html/toc http://www.researchmoz.us/ http://bit.ly/1TBmnVG Researchmoz added Most up-to-date research on "Military Drones Market Going To $6.8 Billion By 2022: Detailed Analysis Covering Major Industry Factors" to its huge collection of research reports.The 2016 study has 868 pages, 379 tables and figures. Worldwide military drone markets are poised to achieve significant growth with the use of cameras on stable flying armament platforms positioned as the best technology for knocking out terrorist enclaves. No one thinks this is the best way to fight the terrorists, but it is what is being used in the current environment.Military drones are flying cameras and flying weapons that can be remotely controlled. Military drones are being used for lifting cameras above the ground so every person who wants it can use a camera to rise above the earth to look down from above can do military surveillance. Each drone can choose thousands of vantage points, extending military strategic visualization beyond what has previously been possible.The military drones are able to achieve terrorist control tasks. They have been evolving air camera integration for surveillance systems capability. They are used for surveillance, reconnaissance and intelligence missions. They do 3D mapping and support ground troops. These are more energy efficient, last longer and have a significantly lower cost of operation than manned aircraft. Drone aircraft are sophisticated and flexible. They take off, fly and land autonomously. They enable engineers to push the envelope of normal flight. Reconnaissance drones can fly for days continuously. Remote, ground-based pilots can work in shifts.To Get Sample Copy of Report visit @Drones are set to make every industry more productive with better, more flexible visualization. Drone uses provide the prospect of trillions of dollars in economic growth. Drones connect seamlessly and securely to the Internet and to each other.Use of military drones represents a key milestone in provision of value to every military in every country. Customized camera configurations are used to take photos and videos with stunning accuracy and ideal representations of activity by an enemy. Digital controls further automate flying, making ease of use and flight stability a reality. New materials and new designs are bringing a transformation of military drones forward. With further innovation, continued growth of military drone markets is assured.The worldwide market for military drones at$4.4 billion worldwide in 2015 going to $6.8 billion by 2022. Multiple applications drive market growth, applications in surveillance and bombing terrorists. Lightweight military drones are used for visualization, attack drones are used in all manner of military maneuver, military drones are used for infrastructure surveillance, aerial mapping, and logistics delivery.Browse TOC @Companies ProfiledMarket LeadersGeneral AtomicsNorthrop GrummanLockheed MartinHoneywellBoeing / Insitu / L3AeroVironmentChina AerospaceBAEIAIRaytheonDraganflyerMarket ParticipantsAeroVironmentAeryon LabsASN TechnologiesAurora FlightAviation Industry Corp (AVIC)BAE SystemsBoeingChallis Inc.China AerospaceCybaeroIntel / Cyberhawk InnovationsDenel DynamicsAbout ResearchMozResearchMoz is the one stop online destination to find and buy market research reports & Industry Analysis. We fulfill all your research needs spanning across industry verticals with our huge collection of market research reports. We provide our services to all sizes of organizations and across all industry verticals and markets. Our Research Coordinators have in-depth knowledge of reports as well as publishers and will assist you in making an informed decision by giving you unbiased and deep insights on which reports will satisfy your needs at the best price.Mr. NachiketState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesEmail: sales@researchmoz.usWebsite @Tel: 866-997-4948 (Us-Canada Toll Free)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Follow us on LinkedIn @ Acrylic Glass Market Report for Period 2017 till 2023 Mitsubishi Rayon, Altuglas (Arkema), Raychung Acrylic, Asia Poly, Elastin, MARGACIPTA WIRASENTOSA, Unigel Group and Others Acrylic Glass Market https://goo.gl/HrxHuJ https://goo.gl/HrxHuJ https://goo.gl/HrxHuJ http://marketreportscompany.com Global Acrylic Glass market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely Shen Chuen Acrylic, Raychung Acrylic, Asia Poly, Elastin, GARY Acrylic Xishun, MARGACIPTA WIRASENTOSA, Evonik, Mitsubishi Rayon, Altuglas (Arkema), Polycasa, Plaskolite, Taixing Donchamp, Unigel Group, Jumei and Others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2023 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2022, etc.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global Acrylic Glass Market 2017Top Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:EvonikMitsubishi RayonAltuglas (Arkema)PolycasaPlaskoliteTaixing DonchampUnigel GroupJumeiShen Chuen AcrylicRaychung AcrylicAsia PolyElastinGARY Acrylic XishunMARGACIPTA WIRASENTOSAOthersGlobal Acrylic Glass Market: Key Product TypeType 1Type 2Type 3OthersGlobal Acrylic Glass Market: Key Application TypeAutomotive and TransportBuilding and ConstructionLight and SignageOthersGlobal Acrylic Glass Market: Key RegionNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia, Italy and Others)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia and Others)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia and Others)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa and Others)The Global Acrylic Glass Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global Acrylic Glass Market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The Global Acrylic Glass Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Enquire before Buying @Table of Contents:1 Global Market Overview1.1 Scope of Statistics1.1.1 Scope of Products1.1.2 Scope of Manufacturers1.1.3 Scope of Application1.1.4 Scope of Regions/Countries1.2 Global Market Size2 Regional Market2.1 Regional Production2.2 Regional Demand2.3 Regional Trade3 Key Manufacturers3.1 Evonik........................Continue (Global Acrylic Glass Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and with the help of third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.About Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters. We can provide market insights for any particular region, country across the globe within shortest possible turn around time.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States Global Lab Automation Market Growing Government Funding For the Development Of Biotech And Drug Discovery Research Estimated to 2017 - 2024 Global Lab Automation Market http://databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=global-lab-automation-market http://databridgemarketresearch.com/toc/?dbmr=global-lab-automation-market http://databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-lab-automation-market/ http://databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-next-generation-sequencing-ngs-market/ http://databridgemarketresearch.com/blog/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/data-bridge-market-research Data Bridge Market Research added new report Global Lab Automation Market, By Equipment (Automated Liquid Handlers, Automated Plate Handlers, Robotic Arm, Automated Storage & Retrieval Systems), By Software (Laboratory Information Management System, Laboratory Information System, Chromatography Data System, Electronic Lab Notebook, Scientific Data Management System), By Analyzer (Biochemistry Analyzers, Immuno-based Analyzers, Hematology Analyzers), By Application (Drug Discovery, Genomics, Proteomics, Protein engineering, Bio Analysis, Analytical Chemistry, System Biology, Clinical Diagnostics, Lyophilization), By End-User (Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals, Hospitals, Research Institutions, Academics, Private Labs), By Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Europe, South America, Middle East and Africa) Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Get Free Sample Report Visit @Market Analysis: Lab Automation MarketThe Lab Automation Market accounted to USD 5.8 billion in 2016 growing at a CAGR of 7.1% during the forecast period of 2017 to 2024. The upcoming market report contains data for historic years 2015, the base year of calculation is 2016 and the forecast period is 2017 to 2024.Market Definition: Lab Automation MarketLab automation is the process in which specimen processing equipment is used in order to perform clinical research. Lab automation process has minimum involvement of lab technologists.Request for Detail Table of Content Visit @Major Market Competitors: Lab Automation MarketSome of the major players operating in lab automation market are Tecan Group Ltd., Perkinelmer, Inc., Danaher Corporation, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Agilent Technologies, Inc., Qiagen N.V., Roche Holding AG, Siemens AG, Hamilton Robotics, Inc., Biomerieux SA among others.Market Segmentation: Lab Automation MarketBy Equipment the market for lab automation is segmented into automated liquid handlers, automated plate handlers, robotic arm, automated storage and retrieval systems.By software the lab automation market is segmented into laboratory information management system, laboratory information system, chromatography data system, electronic lab notebook, scientific data management system.On the basis of analyzer the market is segmented into biochemistry analyzers, immuno-based analyzers, hematology analyzers segments. By application the segmentation of the market is drug discovery, genomics, proteomics, protein engineering, bio analysis, analytical chemistry, system biology, clinical diagnostics, lyophilization. Based on end user the lab automation market is segmented into biotechnology & pharmaceuticals, hospitals, research institutions, academics, private labs.On the basis of geography, lab automation 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.Read more about the Global Lab Automation Market Visit@Related ReportGlobal Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Market Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Global Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Market,By Product (Instruments (Hiseq series, Miseq series, ION Torrent, SOLiD, Pacbio Rs II and Sequel system), Consumables (Sample preparation consumables, Other), Services (Sequencing services, Data management services), by Application (Diagnostics, Drug Discovery , Biomarker Discovery , Precision Medicine , Agriculture & Animal Research), by End-user (Hospitals & Clinics, Research Centers and Academic & Government Institutes, and Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies), by Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Europe, South America, Middle East and Africa) Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Report Access: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.Contact:Vishal DixitData Bridge Market ResearchTel: +1-888-387-2818Email: Sales@databridgemarketresearch.comInvestor: investors@databridgemarketresearch.comVisit Blog:Follow us on LinkedIn: Print Server Market Report for Period 2017 till 2023 Linksys, Canon, HP, D-Link, Xerox, Dymo and Others Print Server Market https://goo.gl/76PthM https://goo.gl/76PthM https://goo.gl/76PthM http://marketreportscompany.com Global Print Server market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely Edimax, Xerox, IOGEAR, NETGear, TRENDnet, HP, D-Link, Brother International, Startech, Dymo, Linksys, Canon and Others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2023 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2022, etc.A print server, or printer server, is a device that connects printers to client computers over a network. It accepts print jobs from the computers and sends the jobs to the appropriate printers, queuing the jobs locally to accommodate the fact that work may arrive more quickly than the printer can actually handle. Ancillary functions include the ability to inspect the queue of jobs to be processed, the ability to reorder or delete waiting print jobs, or the ability to do various kinds of accounting, such as counting pages, which may involve reading data generated by the printers.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global Print Server Market 2017Top Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:HPD-LinkBrother InternationalStartechDymoLinksysCanonEdimaxXeroxIOGEARNETGearTRENDnetOthersGlobal Print Server Market: Key Product TypeInternal print serverExternal print serverOthersGlobal Print Server Market: Key Application TypeOfficeHomeOthersGlobal Print Server Market: Key RegionNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia, Italy and Others)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia and Others)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia and Others)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa and Others)The Global Print Server Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global Print Server Market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The Global Print Server Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Enquire before Buying @Table of Contents:1 Market Overview1.1 Market Segment Overview1.1.1 Product Definition1.1.2 Market by Type1.1.2.1 Internal print server1.1.2.2 External print server1.1.3 Market by Application1.1.3.1 Office1.1.3.2 Home1.1.3.3 Others........................Continue (Global Print Server Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and with the help of third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.About Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters. We can provide market insights for any particular region, country across the globe within shortest possible turn around time.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States Cancer Treatment Drugs market forecast to 2022 insights shared in detailed report Cancer Treatment Drugs Market https://www.reportsmonitor.com/request-sample/?post=504169 https://www.reportsmonitor.com/make-enquiry/?post=504169 New report of Cancer Treatment Drugs Market Report communicates about the manufacturing process. The process is analysed thoroughly with respect three points, viz. raw material and equipment suppliers, various manufacturing associated costs (material cost, labour cost, etc.) and the actual process of whole Enterprise Cancer Treatment Drugs market.Cancer Treatment Drugs are used to treat malignancies, or cancerous growths. Depending on the technology it cans classification into Chemotherapy, Targeted Therapy, Immunotherapy (Biologic Therapy), Hormonal Therapy and Others.Get Sample PDF of Cancer Treatment Drugs Market Report @Cancer Treatment Drugs Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report covers: Roche, Novartis, Celgene, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Amgen, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Takeda, Eli Lilly, AstraZeneca, Astellas, Merck & Co., Sanofi, Bayer, Biogen Idec, Eisai, Teva, Otsuka, Merck KGaA, Ipsen, AbbVie.In this introductory section, the Cancer Treatment Drugs industry research report incorporates analysis of definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure.Cancer Treatment Drugs Market Segment by Type covers: Chemotherapy, Targeted Therapy, Immunotherapy, Hormonal Therapy (Biologic Therapy), Others.Cancer Treatment Drugs Market Segment by Applications covers: Blood Cancer, Breast Cancer, Gastrointestinal Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Respiratory/Lung Cancer, Other Cancers.Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Cancer Treatment Drugs in Global market, especially in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application.Pre Order Enquiry for Cancer Treatment Drugs Market report @Next part of Cancer Treatment Drugs Market Research Report contains additional information like key vendors in Market space, Cancer Treatment Drugs Market opportunities and threats faced by the vendors in the Global Cancer Treatment Drugs Market , opportunities, market risk and market overview. The process is analysed thoroughly with respect three points, viz. raw material and equipment suppliers, various manufacturing associated costs (material cost, labour cost, etc.) and the actual process.The next part also sheds light on the gap between supply and consumption. Apart from the mentioned information, growth rate of Cancer Treatment Drugs markets in 2022 is also explained. Additionally, type wise and application wise consumption tables and figures are also given.About UsReports Monitor (ReportsMonitor.com) is a platform for companies looking to meet their 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. The prime focus is to get reliable data, 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.com Thermal Conductivity Market Report for Period 2017 till 2023 Teka, Decagon, Hukseflux, KEM, F5 Technologie GmbH, Linseis and Others Thermal Conductivity Market https://goo.gl/AWousv https://goo.gl/AWousv https://goo.gl/AWousv http://marketreportscompany.com Global Thermal Conductivity market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely F5 Technologie GmbH, C-Therm Technologies, Teka, Decagon, Hukseflux, TA Instruments, KEM, Linseis, Hot Disk and Others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2023 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2022, etc.Thermal conductivity is the most important thermophysical material parameters for the description of the heat transport properties of a material or component. Thermal Conductivity Meters are precise and accurate measurements of heat transfer properties, which is critical for any process or material. Information about heat properties is routinely used in heat transfer models of all complexities. Thermal Conductivity Meters reflect important information about material composition, purity and structure, as well as secondary performance characteristics such as tolerance to thermal shock.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global Thermal Conductivity Market 2017Top Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:TA InstrumentsKEMLinseisHot DiskF5 Technologie GmbHC-Therm TechnologiesTekaDecagonHuksefluxOthersGlobal Thermal Conductivity Market: Key Product TypeType 1Type 2Type 3OthersGlobal Thermal Conductivity Market: Key Application TypeIndustrial materialsBuilding materialsRefractory materialCraft materialCeramic materialOthersGlobal Thermal Conductivity Market: Key RegionNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia, Italy and Others)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia and Others)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia and Others)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa and Others)The Global Thermal Conductivity Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global Thermal Conductivity Market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The Global Thermal Conductivity Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Enquire before Buying @Table of Contents:1 Global Market Overview1.1 Scope of Statistics1.1.1 Scope of Products1.1.2 Scope of Manufacturers1.1.3 Scope of Application1.1.4 Scope of Regions/Countries1.2 Global Market Size2 Regional Market2.1 Regional Production2.2 Regional Demand2.3 Regional Trade........................Continue (Global Thermal Conductivity Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and with the help of third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.About Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters. We can provide market insights for any particular region, country across the globe within shortest possible turn around time.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States Global Polylactic Acid Market (L-lactic, D-lactic & DL-lactic) 2017 to 2022 Polylactic Acid Market Research Nest https://www.marketresearchnest.com/global-north-america-europe-and-asia-pacific-south-america-middle-east-and-africa-polylactic-acid-pla-market-2017-forecast-to-2022.html https://www.marketresearchnest.com/requestsample.php?reportid=281480 https://www.marketresearchnest.com/purchase.php?reportid=281480 MarketResearchNest.com adds Global (North America, Europe And Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East And Africa) Polylactic Acid (PLA) Market 2017 Forecast To 2022 new reports to its research database. The report spread across 124 pages with tables and figures in it.Polylactic acid (PLA) is an aliphatic polyester made up of lactic acid (2-hydroxy propionic acid) building blocks. It is also a biodegradable and compostable thermoplastic derived from renewable plant sources, such as starch and sugar. PLA can be processed through different production lines including injection molding, blow molding, thermoforming or extrusion, and further used to produce various items such as plastic films, bottles, and biodegradable medical devices.Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Polylactic Acid (PLA) 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 more details about report atMarket Segment by Manufacturers, this report coversNatureWorksSynbra TechnologyTeijinTorayFuterroToyoboSulzerUhde Inventa-FischerHisun BiomaterialsShanghai TongjieliangJiuding Biological EngineeringShenzhen Esun IndustrialMarket 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, coversPoly(L-lactic)acidPoly(D-lactic)acidPoly(DL-lactic)acidMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided intoFood and Beverage PackagingServicewareElectronics and AppliancesMedical and HygieneOtherRequest a Sample Copy atThere are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Polylactic Acid (PLA) market.Chapter 1, to describe Polylactic Acid (PLA) Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Polylactic Acid (PLA), with sales, revenue, and price of Polylactic Acid (PLA), 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 Polylactic Acid (PLA), 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, Polylactic Acid (PLA) market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Polylactic Acid (PLA) sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data sourceOrder a Purchase Report Copy atMarketResearchNest.com is the most comprehensive collection of market research products and services on the Web. We offer reports from almost all top publishers and update our collection on daily basis to provide you with instant online access to the worlds most complete and recent database of expert insights on global industries, organizations, products, and trends.Mr. Jeet JainSales Managersales@marketresearchnest.com+1-240-284-8070 / +44-20-3290-4151 Jet Kerosene (Fuel) Market Projected to be Resilient During 2016-2024 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=356 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=356 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Global Jet Kerosene (Fuel) Market: OverviewSupported by new technological advancements and escalating investments, the substantial rise in the airline industry is likely to drive the growth of the global jet kerosene market in the coming years. Jet kerosene is mainly used to power aircraft. Usually, it is of a higher quality compared to the fuel utilized in applications such as heating and road transport. It is believed to be the best quality fuel with the most efficient combination of properties.Air content and combustion quality are the two most important properties, which influence the performance of jet kerosene. The other prominent qualities of jet kerosene include non-corrosivity, cleanliness, fluidity, volatility, stability, and lubricity. Apart from this, jet kerosene can also be utilized as a hydraulic fuel in engine control systems and as a coolant for several fuel system components.Request For Report Sample@Based on its current and historical performance, this research report offers an in-depth evaluation of the global market for jet kerosene (fuel). The driving forces, limitations, trends, opportunities, and growth prospects of this market have also been assessed in the study to identify the markets future status.Global Jet Kerosene (Fuel) Market: Trends and OpportunitiesAccording to researchers, the worldwide jet kerosene (fuel) market is teeming with opportunities, thanks to the remarkable rise in the global economy. The air traffic is expected to increase significantly in the near future as, with the socio-economic growth and the increasing disposable income, the traveling preferences of consumers have begun to shift towards airlines. As a result, the frequency of airplanes is expected to witness a manifold increase, and consequently, the demand for jet kerosene is also projected to experience a substantial upsurge over the years to come. Furthermore, the rising airline liberalization is also anticipated to fuel the demand for jet kerosene to ensure the increased connectivity services for a long-term period.The improvements in GDP growth and the productivity, as well as the increased aviation connectivity, are also expected to boost the global aviation industry in the near future, resulting in the high demand for jet kerosene across the world. However, the intensifying competition among airlines is likely to cause competitive pricing of services, which may act as a restraint to the worldwide jet kerosene (fuel) market. Apart from this, the price volatility of jet kerosene will also hamper the growth of this market in the coming years.Global Jet Kerosene (Fuel) Market: Geographical AnalysisOn the geographical front, the worldwide jet kerosene market is segmented into Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, and the Rest of the World. Driven by the substantial increase in the count of passengers, who prefer traveling via airlines, Asia Pacific is likely to lead the overall market in terms of jet fuel consumption over the next few years. North America and Europe are also projected to register a steady rise in the demand for jet fuel in the years to come.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC):Companies mentioned in the research reportOil Corporation Ltd., Qatar Jet Fuel Co., Valero Marketing and Supply Co., Allied Aviation Services Inc., and Bharat Petroleum are some of the key enterprises in the global market for jet kerosene.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 Electro-Optic Modulator (EOM) Market Overview, Top Key Players, Growth Analysis and Segments by Forecast to 2023 Electro-Optic Modulators Market https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/4723 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/electro-optic-modulators-market-4723 Market Highlights:Electro optic modulator (EOM) is an optical device in which a signal controlled element exhibiting the electro optic effect is used to modulate the beam of light. The modulation can be imposed on phase, frequency, amplitude or polarization of the beam. High end electronic devices are one of the major application areas of electro-optic modulators. Modulating the power of a laser beam as well as frequency stabilization of laser are some of the major applications of electro-optic modulators market.Gooch & Housego PLC (U.K) a global leader in photonics technology launched visible wavelength fiber coupled Acousto Optic Modulator for using in pulsed fiber laser amplifier systems, giving optimum performance in a range of demanding applications including material processing and sensing.Request a Sample Report @Major Key Players: Thorlabs Inc (U.S.) Conoptics Inc (U.S.) QUBIG GmbH (Germany) GLEAM Optics (Canada) Inrad Optics Inc (U.S.) Newport Corporation (U.S.) Photon LaserOptik GmbH (Germany) Gooch & Housego PLC (U.K) APE Angewandte Physik und Elektronik GmbH (Germany) Brimrose Corporation of America (U.S.)Regional Analysis:The competitive landscape of the Electro-Optic Modulator Market is formed by some of the major players and many of the new entrants in the market. The leaders are focusing on innovation in the technology and investment in research and development. The electro-optic modulator are used in many application areas such as space & defense, instrumental & industrial systems, optical telecommunications, fiber optic sensors, and many more. The segmentation is also divided on the basis of region under North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Rest of the world. The North America leads the market for electro-optical modulator market. America has adapted the changes in the field of telecommunication and space & defense through these modulators. Modern communication networks require high performance and scalable electro-optic modulators that convert electrical signals to optical signals at high speed. Existing lithium niobate modulators have excellent performance but are bulky and expensive to scale up. To overcome this problem many of the major companies started developing scalable and high-performance nano photonic electro-optic modulators made of single-crystalline lithium niobate mirroring resonators and micro-Mach-Zehnder interferometers.Thorlabs Inc. a market leader in American market launched Exulus reflective two dimensional spatial light modulator based on Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCoS) technology. The Exulus provides high-resolution, high-speed phase modulation with minimal fluctuations, making it ideal for use in a wide range of applications such as optical trapping, beam steering and shaping, femtosecond pulse shaping, adaptive optics, display and imaging, and holography.Europe follows America in the market for electro-optical modulators. QUBIG (Germany) a key market player in electro-optic modulator introduced GHz electro optic modulator that has a custom frequency from 1GHz to 4GHz with a variable bandwidth. The electro optic modulator features a large aperture for easy alignment and is optimized for free-space lasers. It is available with a number of options such as temperature control, tunable resonance frequency, fiber coupling, double resonance, and Brewster angles. This can be used for frequency shifting and two tone frequency modulation spectroscopy.China leads the electro-optic modulator market in Asia followed by India, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan among others. Rapid industrialization is one of the major push factors of the electro-optic modulators market. Expanding business by opening new sales offices in different geographic locations is one of the major business strategies adopted by the leading players. Focusing on the sales and distribution channels along with increasing the product offering keeping in mind the customers demand are some of the other strategies adopted by the companies.By Type: Polarization Modulators Amplitude Modulators Phase Modulators Analog Modulators Liquid Crystal Modulators Travelling wave Modulators Thermally compensated ModulatorsBy Application: Fiber Optic Sensors Space and Defense Optical Telecommunications Instruments and Industrial SystemsBy Region: North America Europe Asia pacific Rest of the worldAccess Report Details @Intended Audience: Manufacturers Telecommunication Sector Testing Military Personnel Space ScientistsTable 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 Global Electro Optic Modulators2.2 Primary Research2.3 Secondary Research2.4 Forecast Model2.4.1 Market Data Collection, Analysis & Forecast2.4.2 Market Size EstimationContinuedList of TablesTable 1 Global Electro Optic Modulators Market, By TypeTable 2 Global Electro Optic Modulators Market, By ApplicationTable 3 Global Electro Optic Modulators Market, By RegionContinuedList of FiguresFigure 1 Research DeploymentFigure 2 Global Electro Optic Modulators Market, By Type (%)Figure 3 Global Electro Optic Modulators Market, By Application (%)ContinuedAbout Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our clients 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 questions.ContactMarket Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Industrial Films Market Report for Period 2017 till 2023 Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation, Eastman, Berry Global Group, RKW SE, Hirani Polyplast, Poddar Mercantile Private Limited and Others Industrial Films Market https://goo.gl/p8gSDU https://goo.gl/p8gSDU https://goo.gl/p8gSDU http://marketreportscompany.com Global Industrial Films market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely DuPont, Eastman, Virtuosity, Hirani Polyplast, Poddar Mercantile Private Limited, Zhejiang Zhongyue Packaging Materials, Shantou Kaixuan Packaging, DuPont Teijin Films, Saint-Gobain, 3M, Berry Global Group, RKW SE, SKC, Toray, Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation and Others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2023 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2022, etc.Lyophilizers (Freeze Dryers) are machines for Freeze-drying .Freeze-drying-technically known as lyophilisation, lyophilization, or cryodesiccation-is a dehydration process typically used to preserve a perishable material or make the material more convenient for transport. Freeze-drying works by freezing the material and then reducing the surrounding pressure to allow the frozen water in the material to sublimate directly from the solid phase to the gas phase.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global Industrial Films Market 2017Top Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:DuPont Teijin FilmsSaint-Gobain3MBerry Global GroupRKW SESKCTorayMitsubishi Chemical Holdings CorporationDuPontEastmanVirtuosityHirani PolyplastPoddar Mercantile Private LimitedZhejiang Zhongyue Packaging MaterialsShantou Kaixuan PackagingOthersGlobal Industrial Films Market: Key Product TypeType 1Type 2Type 3OthersGlobal Industrial Films Market: Key Application TypeTransportationConstructionIndustrial PackagingAgricultureMedicalOthersGlobal Industrial Films Market: Key RegionNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia, Italy and Others)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia and Others)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia and Others)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa and Others)The Global Industrial Films Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global Industrial Films Market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The Global Industrial Films Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Enquire before Buying @Table of Contents:1 Global Market Overview1.1 Scope of Statistics1.1.1 Scope of Products1.1.2 Scope of Manufacturers1.1.3 Scope of Application1.1.4 Scope of Regions/Countries1.2 Global Market Size2 Regional Market2.1 Regional Production2.2 Regional Demand2.3 Regional Trade3 Key Manufacturers3.1 DuPont Teijin Films........................Continue (Global Industrial Films Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and with the help of third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.About Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters. We can provide market insights for any particular region, country across the globe within shortest possible turn around time.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States Confectioneries Market Report for Period 2017 till 2023 Nestl, Amul, Barcel, Fazer Group, Haribo, Jelly Belly, Lindt & Sprungli, Lotte, Meiji and Others Confectioneries Market https://goo.gl/nMKj2s https://goo.gl/nMKj2s https://goo.gl/nMKj2s http://marketreportscompany.com Global Confectioneries market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely Crown Confectionery, Fazer Group, Haribo, Jelly Belly, Keggs Candies, Kraft Foods, Lindt & Sprungli, Lotte, Meiji, Ferrero Group, Hersheys, Mars, Mondelez International, Nestl, Amul, Barcel, Brookside Foods, Cemoi and Others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2023 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2022, etc.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global Confectioneries Market 2017Top Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:Ferrero GroupHersheysMarsMondelez InternationalNestlAmulBarcelBrookside FoodsCemoiCrown ConfectioneryFazer GroupHariboJelly BellyKeggs CandiesKraft FoodsLindt & SprungliLotteMeijiOthersGlobal Confectioneries Market: Key Product TypeType 1Type 2Type 3OthersGlobal Confectioneries Market: Key Application TypeBakery ConfectionsSugar ConfectionsOthersGlobal Confectioneries Market: Key RegionNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia, Italy and Others)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia and Others)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia and Others)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa and Others)The Global Confectioneries Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global Confectioneries Market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The Global Confectioneries Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Enquire before Buying @Table of Contents:1 Global Market Overview1.1 Scope of Statistics1.1.1 Scope of Products1.1.2 Scope of Manufacturers1.1.3 Scope of Application1.1.4 Scope of Regions/Countries1.2 Global Market Size2 Regional Market2.1 Regional Production2.2 Regional Demand2.3 Regional Trade3 Key Manufacturers3.1 Ferrero Group........................Continue (Global Confectioneries Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and with the help of third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.About Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters. We can provide market insights for any particular region, country across the globe within shortest possible turn around time.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States Advanced Authentication Market Size, Segments, Growth and Trends by Forecast to 2023 Advanced Authentication Market https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/4747 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/advanced-authentication-market-4747 Market Highlights:A number of credentials systems are used in the market to gain access such as username or password, which can access multiple systems by saving them in database. However, in the recent years many high profiles breaches were reported, which triggered awareness among public about importance of security measures. Thus, security firms and IT developers are more focused on developing advanced authentication techniques, which can help to avoid security threats by adding multi-factor authentication. The factor that is driving the growth of the global advanced authentication market are security threats, BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) and increase in mobile transactions.The global Advanced Authentication Market is a fragmented market. The leaders constantly keep innovating for the new technology and investing in research and development. The advanced authentication market has driven many areas like government, BFSI, retail & wholesale, and telecommunications.Major Key Players: CA Technologies (U.S.) IBM Corporation (U.S.) HP ESSN (U.S.) CSC BSS (India) Oracle Corporation (U.S.) MasterCard Inc. (U.S.) Atos Corporation (France) Versasec AB (Sweden) Gemalto (the Netherlands) Datacard Group (U.S.)Request a Sample Report @Regional Analysis:The global market is segmented on the basis of region into North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Rest of the world. North America leads the global advanced authentication market owing to concentration of leading players in this region.In February 2017, Leadership Compass report from KuppingerCole, a leading analyst firm for identity and access management, named CA Technologies a Leader in adaptive authentication. EGNYTE (U.S.) an American software company, which provides software for enterprise file synchronization and sharing, is offering advanced authentication bundle that provides users EGNYTE account with additional control and security over user login and password management. These optional features help companies adhere to a higher standard of business regulations and compliance.Europe holds the second position in the global advanced authentication market. In 2016, Gemalto (the Netherlands), an international digital security company, launched the Gemalto Assurance Hub, which is a revolutionary approach to fraud prevention in online banking. Powered by machine learning, Gemalto Assurance Hub analyses the profile and the behavior of customers in real time. The platform only activates additional authentication measures when required, providing a smooth user experience. Atos Corporation (France), a leading digital transformation company, is planning to launch a new ultra-secure authentication method in its Evidian Enterprise SSO solution. It now uses the Nymi Band, an authentication wristband based on a person's heartbeat, to enable Always-On-Authentication. In partnership with Nymi, the leader in wearable authentication devices and creator of the Nymi Band, Atos is now offering users a new way to securely access their data and critical applications via multi-factor authentication.Since Asia Pacific is at a growing stage and moving towards digitalization, many of the market players like Mastercard, CA Technologies and others are expanding their operations in the Asian region.Segmentation:The global advanced authentication market is segmented into solution, product, deployment, and end-users. The product segment is sub-segmented into software, hardware, and services. The hardware covers a wide range of hardware tokens, biometrics, smart cards, and others. The hardware token sometimes referred as security token. It is a physical device given to an authorized user of computer services to ease authentication. The hardware token is used in addition to or in place of a password to prove that the customer is genuine.The token acts as an electronic key to access payment services. The biometrics is an authentication method that uses fingerprint, facial scans, and IRIS, or voice recognition technology to identify users. It is most often used as a form of authentication in a broader two-factor or multifactor authentication system since most biometric implementations also require employees to enter user IDs and passwords. Biometrics can be used for both physical access to corporate buildings and internal access to enterprise computers and systems.By Solution: Single Factor Authentication Multi-Factor AuthenticationBy Deployment: On-Premise CloudBy Product: Hardware- Biometrics- Smart cards- Hardware Tokens- Mobile Smart Credentials Software ServicesBy Industries: BFSI Government Retail Engineering & UtilitiesBy Region: North America Europe Asia Pacific Rest of the worldAccess Report Details @Intended Audience: Software Developers Testing Cloud Providers Banks Database Solutions IT EnablersTable 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 Global Advanced Authentication2.2 Primary Research2.3 Secondary Research2.4 Forecast Model2.4.1 Market Data Collection, Analysis & Forecast2.4.2 Market Size EstimationContinuedList of TablesTable 1 Global Advanced Authentication Market, By SolutionTable 2 Global Advanced Authentication Market, By DeploymentTable 3 Global Advanced Authentication Market, By ProductContinuedList of FiguresFigure 1 Research DeploymentFigure 2 Global Advanced Authentication Market, By Solution (%)Figure 3 Global Advanced Authentication Market, By Deployment (%)ContinuedAbout Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our clients 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 questions.ContactMarket Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Spiral Welded Pipe Market Report 2017- EVRAZ, Baoji Petroleum Steel Pipe, JFE, Jindal SAW Ltd Spiral Welded Pipe Market https://goo.gl/YVavdE https://goo.gl/q1bWR4 www.apexmarketreports.com Apex Market Reports, recently published a detailed market research study focused on the "Spiral Welded Pipe Market" across the global, regional and country level. The report provides 360 analysis of "Spiral Welded Pipe 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 Spiral Welded Pipe industry, and estimates the future trend of Spiral Welded Pipe market on the basis of this detailed study. The study shares "Spiral Welded Pipe Market" performance both in terms of volume and revenue.Get Free Sample Copy of Report Here:Top Manufacturers Analysis of This ReportEVRAZBaoji Petroleum Steel PipeJFEJindal SAW LtdEUROPIPE GroupEssar SteelJiangsu Yulong Steel PipeAmerican SpiralWeld Pipe CompanyZhejiang KinglandTenarisShengli Oil & Gas PipeCNPC Bohai Equipment ManufacturingCHU KONG PIPEBaosteelBorusan MannesmannThe market research report explores the Spiral Welded Pipe market across the globe along with major regions and countries. The research report provides a detailed study on each and every aspect of "Spiral Welded Pipe 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 Spiral Welded Pipe market based on major product types, application and end users industries of Spiral Welded Pipe. Besides, the report also covers geographical segmentation for Spiral Welded Pipe 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 Spiral Welded Pipe is determined by assessing the major industry participants, production capacity, production capacity utilization rate, Spiral Welded Pipe market's production chain, pricing by each manufacturer and the revenue generated by each manufacturer in the Spiral Welded Pipe market globally.Enquire Before Buying @The Global Spiral Welded Pipe market 2017 is further analyzed on the basis of product pricing, Spiral Welded Pipe production volume, data pertaining to demand and Spiral Welded Pipe supply, and the revenue garnered by the product. The report provides upstream and downstream analysis covering major raw material used in manufacturing of Spiral Welded Pipe 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 Spiral Welded Pipe 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 - Aviation Cyber Security Market: Rising Sophistication of Cyber-attacks Compel Aviation Industry to Adopt Better Security Solutions https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/aviation-cyber-security-market-2017-2025.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=23966 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Aviation cyber security solutions are software suites designed to defend aviation networks, computers, and databases from cyber-attacks and unauthorized access. As the burgeoning global aviation industry becomes more dependent on information technology (IT) solutions and digital technologies to meet the continuously rising consumer base and changes in consumer preferences, cyber security has become a serious and urgent concern.Cyber-attackers are becoming more sophisticated in the ways they attack aviation systems and companies in the aviation market are leaving no stone unturned to make their systems comprehensively secured to ensure smooth operations and high-quality services to their consumers.An increasing number of airport and airline operators are deploying effective security systems and solutions to protect their IT systems and infrastructure from cyber-attacks. These solution help in protecting the critical infrastructures and reducing the severity of cyber-threats, which can otherwise cause heavy financial losses and disruptions in the worldwide transportation network.Obtain Report Details @The demand for better aviation cyber security solutions such as unified threat management, identity and access management, risk and compliance management, and vulnerability management for the aviation sector are expected to significantly drive the global aviation cyber security market over the forecast period.Transparency Market Research states that the revenue valuation of the global aviation cyber security market stood at US$2,545.2 mn in 2016. The market is projected to expand at a CAGR of 7.4% from 2017 to 2025 and reach US$4,759.3 mn by 2025.Managed Security Services to Continue to Witness Strong GrowthIn terms of services, the global market for aviation cyber security is segmented in the report into managed security solution, training, and consulting. Of these, the segment of managed security solutions presently accounts for a massive chunk of revenue in the global market and is expected to hold over 73% of the global market by the end of the reports forecast period.The segment will significantly benefit from the increasing adoption of outsourced monitoring and management solutions in the aviation industries across regions such as North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. The segment is expected to expand at a promising 7.4% CAGR from 2017 to 2025.However, the segment of training services is expected to lead in terms of growth rate over the forecast period. The demand for training services in the global aviation cyber security market is expected to exhibit a 7.9% CAGR from 2017 to 2025.Request Sample @Despite Small Share in Global Market, South America to Present Most Lucrative Growth OpportunitiesFrom a geographical perspective, the North America market for aviation cyber security dominated the global market in terms of revenue contribution in 2016. The region accounted for over 36% of the market in the said year. The leading position of North America in the global aviation cyber security market is chiefly attributed to the presence of large airline operators and airports. Same applies to Europe, which is another leading contributor of revenue to the global aviation cyber security market.Asia Pacific is anticipated to contribute significant chunk of revenue to the global market over the reports forecast period owing to the thriving aviation industry. Due to the severity of rising cyber-threats and introduction of new airline services, Middle East & Africa (MEA) is expected to emerge as one of the key regional markets for aviation cyber security solutions in the coming years.Some of the leading players operating in the global aviation cyber security market are Airbus Defence and Space SA, BAE Systems, Inc., Computer Sciences Corporation, General Electric Company, General Dynamics Corporation, Harris Corporation, BluVector Inc., Palo Alto Networks, Inc., root9B Holdings Inc., Rockwell Collins, Inc., Raytheon Company, Thales S.A. and Unisys Corporation.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. 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: Commercial Payment Cards Market Advancements to Watch Out For 2022 Commercial Payment Cards http://www.orbisresearch.com/contacts/request-sample/539283 http://www.orbisresearch.com/contacts/discount/539283 http://www.orbisresearch.com/contacts/enquiry-before-buying/539283 https://www.linkedin.com/company/orbis-research Orbis Research has recently announced the addition of a fresh report, titled 2017 Market Research Report on Global Commercial Payment Cards Industry to its report offerings. The report introduces volume and value market share by players, by regions, by product type, by consumers and also their price change details.DescriptionThe Global Commercial Payment Cards market report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the Global Commercial Payment Cards industry. This report evaluates the Global market for "Global Commercial Payment Cards".The Global Commercial Payment Cards market report report provides complete analysis of the Global Commercial Payment Cards market by analysing all round market dynamics such as regional market opportunities, drivers, challenges, constraints, threats, and other market trends.The Global Commercial Payment Cards Market report contains latest Business Data resulting from various Research sources that helps Decision Makers to deliver a Distinctive and Trustworthy Analysis for Companys Growth.The Global Commercial Payment Cards Market Survey starts with Industry overview of Global Commercial Payment Cards Market covering Major Regions Status, Industry Chain Structure, Definitions and Specifications, with a detailed focus on Manufacturing Cost Structure Analysis including Raw Material Suppliers, Equipment Suppliers and Manufacturing Process.In Next Part, the researchers has collected and presented information on Technical Data and Manufacturing Plants Analysis which comprises of Capacity and Commercial Production Date, Manufacturing Plants Distribution, R&D Status and Technology Source of Major Manufacturers in 2017.Get a PDF Sample of Global Commercial Payment Cards Market report at:In following segment, with Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin, Business Region Distribution Analysis, Competition between various Company Profile has been given along with Product Pictures and Specifications in Global Commercial Payment Cards Industry Report.The Key Players Mentioned in Global Commercial Payment Cards Market Report are: American Express Banco Itau Bank of America Merrill Lynch Bank of Brazil Bank of East Asia Chase Commercial Banking Diner's Club Hang Seng Bank Hyundai JP Morgan MasterCard SimplyCash Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Visa WEX Inc. Woori BankThe Global Commercial Payment Cards Industry Report is also a Great Source of Marketing Type Analysis consisting:1. Global Commercial Payment Cards Regional Marketing Type Analysis2. Global Commercial Payment Cards International Trade Type Analysis3. Traders or Distributors with Contact Information of Global Commercial Payment Cards by Regions4. Global Commercial Payment Cards Supply Chain AnalysisKnow More About Year End Discount@:Some Points From Table of Content:Chapter One: Commercial Payment Cards Market Overview1.1. Product Overview and Scope of Commercial Payment Cards1.2. Commercial Payment Cards Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1. Global Commercial Payment Cards Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category)(2012-2022)1.2.2. Global Commercial Payment Cards Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3. Open-loop versus closed loop cards1.2.4. Commercial electronic payments1.3. Global Commercial Payment Cards Segment by Application1.3.1. Commercial Payment Cards Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2. Small Business Credit Card1.3.3. Corporate Credit Cards1.4. Global Commercial Payment Cards Market by Region (2012-2022)1.4.1. Global Commercial Payment Cards Market Size (Value) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2. North America Status and Prospect (2012-2022)Chapter Two: Global Commercial Payment Cards Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1. Global Commercial Payment Cards Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.1. Global Commercial Payment Cards Capacity and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.2. Global Commercial Payment Cards Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.2. Global Commercial Payment Cards Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.3. Global Commercial Payment Cards Average Price by Manufacturers (2012-2017)Chapter Three: Global Commercial Payment Cards Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)3.1. Global Commercial Payment Cards Capacity and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.2. Global Commercial Payment Cards Production and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.3. Global Commercial Payment Cards Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.4. Global Commercial Payment Cards Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.5. North America Commercial Payment Cards Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.6. Europe Commercial Payment Cards Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.7. China Commercial Payment Cards Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)Chapter Four: Global Commercial Payment Cards Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2012-2017)4.1. Global Commercial Payment Cards Consumption by Region (2012-2017)4.2. North America Commercial Payment Cards Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.3. Europe Commercial Payment Cards Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.4. China Commercial Payment Cards Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.5. Japan Commercial Payment Cards Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.6. Southeast Asia Commercial Payment Cards Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)Chapter Five: Global Commercial Payment Cards Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type5.1. Global Commercial Payment Cards Production and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)5.2. Global Commercial Payment Cards Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)5.3. Global Commercial Payment Cards Price by Type (2012-2017)5.4. Global Commercial Payment Cards Production Growth by Type (2012-2017)Got any Query? Feel free to ask us at:Lastly, the Report provides Development Trend Analysis for 2017-2022 years which will forecast Market Size (Volume and Value), Sales Price, Consumption Forecast, Market Trend (Product Type) and Market Trend (Application). Also the List of Major Consumers is analyzed and Contact Details are provided to easy communicating.Finally, the Report is concluded with Various Methodology, Analyst Introduction and Data SourcesOrbis Research (orbisresearch.com) is a single point aid for all your market research requirements. We have vast database of reports from the leading publishers and authors across the globe. We specialize in delivering customized reports as per the requirements of our clients. We have complete information about our publishers and hence are sure about the accuracy of the industries and verticals of their specialization. This helps our clients to map their needs and we produce the perfect required market research study for our clients.Hector CostelloSenior Manager Client Engagements4144N Central Expressway,Suite 600, Dallas,Texas 75204, U.S.A.Phone No.: +1 (214) 884-6817; +9164101019Follow Us on LinkedIn: Food Ingredients Sterilization Market: Evolving Industry Trends and key Insights by 2024 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=19133 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/food-ingredients-sterilization-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Global Food Ingredients Sterilization Market: SnapshotEnsuring quality of food and its ingredients is paramount, for which several sterilization processes as used such as heating, moisturizing, and radiation. These processes help in reducing or destroying the micro-organisms in the food ingredients and make them safe for consumption. Rapidly escalating population with which the food demand is increasing, and incremented rate of food product recalls across the world are the primary drivers of the global food ingredients sterilization market. With technological advancements, the risk of foodborne pathogens during the sterilization process has significantly lowered, which is further fueling the adoption of these sterilization equipment and methods. However, lack of awareness among the consumers pertaining to the benefits offered by food sterilization is hindering the market from achieving its true potential.Download exclusive Sample of this report:The global food ingredients sterilization market was valued at US$326,069 in 2016, which is estimated to reach a valuation of US$452,046.9 by 2024, rising at a healthy CAGR of 4.2% during the forecast period of 2016 to 2024.Heat Sterilization Remains PopularBy method, the global market for food ingredients sterilization is segmented into moisture, heat, and radiation, with heat based sterilization posing most of the demand, followed by radiation and moisture. For extended shelf life, food ingredients and products are heat sterilized in order to reduce the possibilities of contamination. To inactivate the production of toxins inside the container during shelf life or transportation, the manufacturers of packaged food often use methods such as microwave-assisted thermal sterilization technology. In addition to that, food ingredient sterilization companies are focused on increasing their production capacity in the lucrative regions of Asia Pacific, North America, and Europe, which will help them serve to rapidly increasing consumer base. Technological advancements in the sterilization technologies is also expected to meet the extended demand coming from the popularity of packaged and ready-to-eat food products.Obtain Report Details @Asia Pacific Offers Vast Unmet DemandThe developed regions of North America and Europe currently serve most of the demand for food sterilization, owing to stringent regulations for food safety and high demand for packaged food, especially in the developed countries such as the U.S. and Canada. However, Asia Pacific has been primed to escalate the demand at most robust rate during the forecast period due to the presence of vast population and rapid urbanization, with which lifestyles are changing and demand for ready-to-eat food is increasing. Lack of awareness among the consumers regarding the benefits of food ingredients sterilization in several countries such as India, China, South Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore is the only challenge faced by the vendors in the Asia Pacific region.Sterigenics International LLC, Balchem, Inc., Safe Spice, Croll Reynolds, and Wenda Ingredients are a few leading companies currently active in the global food ingredient sterilization market. Most of these key players are also indulged in providing sterilization processes for healthcare products and services to maintain their stronghold.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: Memory Foam Mattress Market Report for Period 2017 till 2023 Restonic, Tempur Sealy, Simmons, Sleemon, Corsicana Bedding, Kingsdown and Others Memory Foam Mattress Market https://goo.gl/nqNe3k https://goo.gl/nqNe3k https://goo.gl/nqNe3k http://marketreportscompany.com Global Memory Foam Mattress market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely Sinomax, Corsicana Bedding, Kingsdown, Restonic, Tempur Sealy, Mlily, Serta, Simmons, Sleemon and Others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2023 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2022, etc.Marine Propulsion Engines are used to generate thrust to move a ship or boat across water.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global Memory Foam Mattress Market 2017Top Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:Tempur SealyMlilySertaSimmonsSleemonSinomaxCorsicana BeddingKingsdownRestonicOthersGlobal Memory Foam Mattress Market: Key Product TypeType 1Type 2Type 3OthersGlobal Memory Foam Mattress Market: Key Application TypeHome UseCommercial UseOthersGlobal Memory Foam Mattress Market: Key RegionNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia, Italy and Others)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia and Others)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia and Others)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa and Others)The Global Memory Foam Mattress Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global Memory Foam Mattress Market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The Global Memory Foam Mattress Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Enquire before Buying @Table of Contents:1 Global Market Overview1.1 Scope of Statistics1.1.1 Scope of Products1.1.2 Scope of Manufacturers1.1.3 Scope of Application1.1.4 Scope of Regions/Countries1.2 Global Market Size2 Regional Market2.1 Regional Production2.2 Regional Demand2.3 Regional Trade........................Continue (Global Memory Foam Mattress Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and with the help of third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.About Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters. We can provide market insights for any particular region, country across the globe within shortest possible turn around time.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States Cloud-based Language Learning Market: Demand from English Language Learning Segment to Remain Key Growth Driver https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/cloud-based-language-learning-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=16370 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Cloud-based language learning solutions have significantly evolved in a very brief time since their introduction sometime less than a decade ago. This nascent market has witnessed impressive growth across several regional markets with well-established cloud and networking infrastructure and continues to embark upon an impressive growth path across many emerging economies across regions such as Asia Pacific.Factors central to cloud computing, such as less operational cost, immense flexibility, easy setup and maintenance of resources, and centralized data storage, allowing access to data anytime, anywhere, have been the key encouragement for language learning companies to switch to cloud from conventional networking models.In the next few years, cloud-based language learning solutions are expected to become the de facto standard of the language learning industry. Transparency Market Research estimates that the global cloud-based language learning market was worth US$146.3 mn in 2016. The market is expected to reach US$427.5 mn by 2025, expanding at a promising CAGR of 12.8% from 2017 to 2025.Obtain Report Details @English Learning Courses to Lead to Strong Demand for Cloud-based Services and SolutionsOn the basis of training type, the global cloud-based language learning market is segmented into education and corporate. The education segment comprises students in schools and students taking courses in higher education. The corporate segment includes business learners learning languages for various business-related purposes.Based on language, the global cloud based language learning market is segmented into English, Spanish, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Italian, and Russian. Of these, the segment of English is expected to be the leading adopter of cloud-based language learning solutions in the near future. This is attributable to the rising demand for online English training courses as the language increasingly becomes the preferred language of communication in the fields of academics and businesses across the globe.North America to Remain Leading Contributor of Revenue to Global MarketFrom a geographical perspective, the North America market is leading contributor of revenue to the global cloud-based language learning market. In 2016, the region accounted for around 50% of the overall revenue of the global cloud based language learning market. The leading position of North America in the market is primarily attributable to the vast spending on English language learning courses by foreign students enrolled in higher education institutions in the region.Request Sample @Over the reports forecast period, the market for cloud-based language learning in Asia Pacific is expected to witness growth at the most promising pace. Countries such as India, China, and Japan in the region are expected to be at the forefront of adoption of cloud-based language learning solutions owing to the vast improvements in networking and technological infrastructures.The market in Asia-Pacific is also fuelled by the large scale adoption of learning technologies in schools and digitization initiatives in academic institutes. Governments in these and other countries in the region have mandated language learning initiatives in school systems, which is also expected to drive the market.In the highly fragmented vendor landscape of the global cloud-based language learning market, companies resort to growth strategies such as acquisitions and partnerships to expand their global footprint and simultaneously expand their consumer base. Some of the leading players operating in the market are Duolingo, Linguatronics LC, Rosetta Stone Inc., Speexx, Lesson Nine GmbH, Sanako Corporation, SANS Inc., Culture Alley, Voxy Inc. and EF Education First Ltd.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. 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: Clown Fish Market Report for Period 2017 till 2023 Bali Aquarich, Captive Bred, Fisheries Research Institute, Council of Agriculture, Sea & Reef, ORA Clownfish and Others Clown Fish Market https://goo.gl/jwYqux https://goo.gl/jwYqux https://goo.gl/jwYqux http://marketreportscompany.com Global Clown Fish market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely Zhejiang Mariculture Research Institute, Bali Aquarich, Captive Bred, Aquamarine International, ORA Clownfish, Fisheries Research Institute, Council of Agriculture, Sustainable Aquatics, Sea & Reef, AMF and Others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2023 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2022, etc.The clown fish (also known as the anemonefish) is a small species of fish that is found around tropical coral reefs. The most commonly known species of clown fish is orange with white markings but clown fish can be found in many different colours and can also differ in shape.There are 28 recognised species of clown fish that are found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The clown fish is also found as far north as the Red Sea and inhabits the Great Barrier Reef, on the Australian east coast.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global Clown Fish Market 2017Top Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:ORA ClownfishFisheries Research Institute, Council of AgricultureSustainable AquaticsSea & ReefAMFZhejiang Mariculture Research InstituteBali AquarichCaptive BredAquamarine InternationalOthersGlobal Clown Fish Market: Key Product TypeType 1Type 2Type 3OthersGlobal Clown Fish Market: Key Application TypeCommercial AquariumHome AquariumOthersGlobal Clown Fish Market: Key RegionNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia, Italy and Others)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia and Others)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia and Others)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa and Others)The Global Clown Fish Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global Clown Fish Market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The Global Clown Fish Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Enquire before Buying @Table of Contents:1 Global Market Overview1.1 Scope of Statistics1.1.1 Scope of Products1.1.2 Scope of Manufacturers1.1.3 Scope of Application1.1.4 Scope of Regions/Countries1.2 Global Market Size2 Regional Market2.1 Regional Production2.2 Regional Demand2.3 Regional Trade........................Continue (Global Clown Fish Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and with the help of third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.About Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters. We can provide market insights for any particular region, country across the globe within shortest possible turn around time.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States Border Security: Insights from the German Border Control of the Future www.bordersec.com/openPR http://www.smi-online.co.uk With the migration crisis ongoing throughout the Mediterranean and mainland Europe, national security continues to be a priority for EU nations. Just recently, the European Parliament has announced the approval to store biometric details of non-EU visitors. At the same time, France and Germany have called for the right to reintroduce border controls within the Schengen zone due to terrorism threats.In line with this, SMi is proud to announce that Mr Ralph Krueger, Director of Project Control of the Future, German Federal Police Headquarters, will be speaking at the 11th Border Security conference in Rome next February.Speaking on Day 1 of the event, Mr Krueger will be presenting a session on strategies to enhance border security capabilities with a focus on the German Border Control of the Future. The talk will explore PNR, Entry/Exit and ABC gate projects that will enhance and renew border controls to meet EU Standards. Mr Krueger will also discuss the project timeframes, as they target operational functionality on the frontline at air and sea borders by 2020. Additionally, he will give updates and feedback from testing at Frankfurt airport and initial pilot projects.Mr Krueger will be joining other key European speakers including: Rear Admiral Gianfranco Annunziata, Deputy Head 3rd Department, Plans, Operations & Maritim Strategy and Head of Maritime Strategy & International Relations Office, Italian Navy Genaral Staff Vice Admiral Luis Carlos de Sousa Pereira, Portuguese Maritime Authority Director General and Commandand Maritime Police, Portuguese Ministry of Defence John Vine CBE QPM, Strategic Consultant, Borders & Immigration and Former Chief Inspector, Borders and Immigration, UK Superintendent Patrik Engstrom, Head of Border Policing Section, National Operations Departrment, The Swedish Police Dr Enrique Belda, Deputy Director General of Communications and Information Systems for Security, Spanish Ministry of Interior Professor James Ferryman, Professor of Computational Vision, Computer Science, University of Reading and Project Lead, EU PROTECTOther featured speakers include representatives from the US Department of Homeland Security, Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection, Italian State Police, Guardia di Finanza, Delegation of the European Union to Turkey, Schiphol Airport, Airpol and more.The full list of speakers, programme and topics can be found onBorder Security 2018 will provide delegates a platform to discuss application of technologies and strategies to implement next generation capabilities to secure land, air and sea borders in response to growing global threats.Those interested in attending are advised to register on the event website. Early Birds discounts available.11th Border Security Conference21-22 February 2018Crowne Plaza St Peters Hotel, Rome, Italy---- END ----For sponsorship packages contact Sadia Malick on +44 (0) 207 827 6748 or email smalick@smi-online.co.uk. For delegate enquiries contact Andrew Gibbons on +44 (0) 207 827 6156 or email agibbons@smi-online.co.uk. For media enquiries, contact Honey de Gracia on +44 20 7827 6102 or hdegracia@smi-online.co.uk.About SMi Group: Established since 1993, the SMi Group is a global event-production company that specializes in Business-to-Business Conferences, Workshops, Masterclasses and online Communities. We create and deliver events in the Defence, Security, Energy, Utilities, Finance and Pharmaceutical industries. We pride ourselves on having access to the world's most forward thinking opinion leaders and visionaries, allowing us to bring our communities together to Learn, Engage, Share and Network. More information can be found at1Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7XW SaaS Based HRM Market: Demand for Engaging User Interfaces Ups Revenue Earnings https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/europe-saas-based-hrm-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=23897 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Software as a service (SaaS) based human resource management (HRM) refers management of HR issues and information on cloud services. SaaS based HRM solutions allow end users to control and manage several aspects of HRM such as maintain a record of employees details from the date of joining to the date of retirement in an efficient manner.SaaS based HRM solutions are also inclusive of HR activities such as directory management, application tracking, time and attendance management, electronic forms processing, and others such as payroll management and leave management. Introduction and adoption of SaaS based HRM solutions has allowed companies to improve productivity of their HR department by offering self-service web interfaces. In the light of these advantages, the Europe SaaS based HRM market is expected to reach a valuation of US$1,962.1 mn by 2025 from US$676.2 mn is 2015, growing at a CAGR of 11.3% between 2017 and 2025.Obtain Report Details @SaaS based HRM allows businesses to manage and access their employee details in an efficacious manner on a real-time basis. Several vendors are focusing on improving existing SaaS based HRM solution by integrating value added processes such as workforce analytics, human resource compliance management tools, and other features such as process design control.Thus, persistent efforts to improve the present line of products is expected to augment the growth of the overall market. The markets progress is also likely to be favored by the increasing demand for cost saving HRM solutions.Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Take the Lead in Europe SaaS Based HRM MarketOn the basis of enterprise size, the Europe SaaS based HRM market is segmented into small and medium enterprise (SMEs), large enterprise. Small and medium enterprise (SMEs) segment is projected to lead the market over the forecast period. Enterprises that house between 10-1000 employees are categorized as SMEs. The pressing need to save time and money along with offering employees job satisfaction is expected to drive SMEs to adopt SaaS based HRM solutions.Request Sample @The flexibility and cost-effectiveness of these solutions is also expected to up their adoption amongst SMEs. Large enterprise are also migrating to SaaS based HRM solutions due to their cost effective process, improved security measures, and easy compliance management.Germany Assumes Lead as Government Works toward Modernization of WorkplacesThe Europe SaaS based HRM market is expected to be driven by the Germany country. However, the U.K. is estimated to contribute major share in the overall SaaS based HRM market followed by Germany and France. Excellent offering by local players and supportive government initiatives towards modernization of businesses are expected to keep Germany at the forefront. Analysts expect that the German SaaS based HRM market will surge at a CAGR of 12.2% during the forecast period.Some of the key players operating in the the Europe SaaS based HRM market are The Sage Group plc, IBM Corporation, ADP LLC, SAP (SuccessFactor, Inc.), Oracle (Taleo Corporation), Rexx systems GmbH, SD Worx, Perbit Software GmbH, Jobvite Inc., Persis GmbH, among others.About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. 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: Active Optical Cable (AOCs) Market Analysis - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends and Forecast, 2014 - 2024 by Acumen Research and Consulting Acumen Research and Consulting https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/tentative-table-of-content/166 https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/request-customization/166 https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/inquiry-before-buying/166 https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/buy-now/0/166 https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com Introduction:An active optical cable, abbreviated as AOC, is a wiring technology which uses optical fiber between connectors for improving cables performance. AOC uses electrical-to-optical conversion at the end of cables to improve its speed and distance performance without compromising on its compatibility with the standard electrical interfaces. The ability of AOC to substitute or used as an alternative to copper cables has led to the rise in demand for AOCs. The growth is further attributed by various benefits offered by AOCs such as low power consumption and small bend radius that results in easy installation and lighter weight. With the help of various protocols, applications of AOCs have increased from advanced computers to networking & storage. Additionally, these cables rely on several protocols for data transmission including USB, InfiniBand and Ethernet.Download Table of Content:Market Classification and Overview:Increased processor speed and high demand for greater bandwidth are few key factors driving The Growth Of Active Optical Cables Market. For cloud based applications, online gaming, audio & video services and Community Antenna Television (CATV), hi-speed data services are required that are enabled by the use of these cables. Also, the improvements in technology related to fiber optics have propelled the market growth. However, the high initial cost of investment for AOCs and the replacement threat from wireless broadband and copper cables are restricting the market growth. The demand for smaller cables and inventive paths by the consumers are also bolstering the market demand for AOCs. As compared to copper cables, the optical fibers are longer, thinner, stronger and lighter.Request Customization:The AOCs market is segmented by protocol, form factor, end-user applications and geography. On the basis of protocol, the market is segmented into InfiniBand, Ethernet, display port, serial-attached SCSI, High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), PCI express, USB, thunderbolt and others. The form factor segments include Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable (QSFP), small form-factor pluggable (SFP), CXP, Cx4, CDFP, CFP and others. Furthermore, the end-user applications of AOCs include data center, high-performance computing, consumer electronics, personal computing, telecommunication and others. The geography segment is classified into Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa and Latin America. The InfiniBand protocol is the most used protocol and the market for this segment is expected to grow significantly in coming years. InfiniBand helps in improving the quality of service and is scalable and highly efficient as compared to other protocols. The use of InfiniBand in commercial applications is influencing the market positively. Also, data center application is anticipated to dominate the market among all other end-user segments. The growth of this segment is attributed by the rising demand of data centers across the globe. Moreover, the data center requires a wide range of fiber optic modules for connecting switches, servers and storage that is achieved through AOCs.Inquiry Before Buying:Market Participants:Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable (QSFP), under form factor segment is the most used form-factor owing to the increasing use of QSFB in data centers. QSFP AOCs facilitates high performance, long reach and energy- efficiency. Whereas, CDFP is growing at a higher pace due to its capability of consuming low power and high data rate transmission. Among various geographies, North America is leading the AOCs market and Asia Pacific is projected to show high growth attributed by the increasing demand from China and other developing countries. The AOC market in Asia Pacific is in its developing stage and offers high growth potential. Some of the leading players in the AOCs market include Finisar Corporation, Avago Technologies Ltd., Molex Incorporated, EMCORE Corporation, The Siemon Company, TE Connectivity Ltd., CI Electronics, 3M Company, Shenzhen Gigalight Technology Co., Ltd. and Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. among others.Buy Now This Report From Here:About UsAcumen Research and Consulting (ARC) is a global provider of market intelligence and consulting services to information technology, investment, telecommunication, manufacturing, and consumer technology markets. ARC helps investment communities, IT professionals, and business executives to make fact based decisions on technology purchases and develop firm growth strategies to sustain market competition. With the team size of 100+ Analysts and collective industry experience of more than 200 years, Acumen Research and Consulting assures to deliver a combination of industry knowledge along with global and country level expertise.Contact -Frank WilsonSales Manager | Acumen Research and ConsultingEmail: frank@acumenresearchandconsulting.comPh - USA +1 716-2400-831Asia-Pacific +912065600384Website: Area Rugs Market Report for Period 2017 till 2023 Shaw Industries, Milliken & Company, Mohawk Industries, The Dixie Group, Balta Industries and Others Area Rugs Market https://goo.gl/BHB2eK https://goo.gl/BHB2eK https://goo.gl/BHB2eK http://marketreportscompany.com Global Area Rugs market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely Nourison Industries, OW (Oriental Weavers), Shaw Industries, The Dixie Group, Balta Industries, Milliken & Company, Mohawk Industries and Others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2023 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2022, etc.Area Rugs are pieces of thick, heavy material that are used to cover usually a section of a floor.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global Area Rugs Market 2017Top Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:Balta IndustriesMilliken & CompanyMohawk IndustriesNourison IndustriesOW (Oriental Weavers)Shaw IndustriesThe Dixie GroupOthersGlobal Area Rugs Market: Key Product TypeWool Area RugSilk Area RugCotton Area RugSisal, Jute & Sea Grass Area RugAnimal Skins Area RugSynthetics Area RugOthersGlobal Area Rugs Market: Key Application TypeResidential UseCommercial UseOthersGlobal Area Rugs Market: Key RegionNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia, Italy and Others)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia and Others)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia and Others)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa and Others)The Global Area Rugs Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global Area Rugs Market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The Global Area Rugs Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Enquire before Buying @Table of Contents:1 Market Overview1.1 Market Segment Overview1.1.1 Product Definition1.1.2 Market by Type1.1.2.1 Wool Area Rug1.1.2.2 Silk Area Rug1.1.2.3 Cotton Area Rug1.1.2.4 Sisal, Jute & Sea Grass Area Rug1.1.2.5 Animal Skins Area Rug1.1.2.6 Synthetics Area Rug1.1.3 Market by Application1.1.3.1 Residential Use1.1.3.2 Commercial Use........................Continue (Global Area Rugs Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and with the help of third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.About Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters. We can provide market insights for any particular region, country across the globe within shortest possible turn around time.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States Active Electronic Components Market- Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2014 to 2024:By Acumen Research and Consulting Acumen Research and Consulting https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/tentative-table-of-content/165 https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/request-customization/165 https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/inquiry-before-buying/165 https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/buy-now/0/165 https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com Introduction:An electronic component refers to a basic physical entity or device in an electronic system which is used for affecting electrons or their associated field. Electronic components have three major types that are active electronic components, electromechanical components and passive electronic components. Active electronic components are the devices having electronic filter and are capable to amplify a signal or to generate a power gain. A usual active electronic component would be a transistor, integrated circuit or an oscillator. These components function as an alternating current circuit in a device that works to generate or increase voltage, active power or current. All of the active electronic components require a source of energy to function, which is usually supplied from a DC circuit.Download Table of Content:Market Dynamics:The increasing technical advancements in semiconductor and electronics industry have led to the improvements in applications of these components. Semiconductor devices such as diodes, integrated circuits, transistors, optoelectronic components are used on a large scale. Whereas, display devices such as X-ray tubes, triodes, microwave tubes, cathode ray tubes and photoelectric tools are largely used devices. The key factor that is positively influencing the market growth for active electronic components is the increasing growth for portable devices such as portable displays and portable electronic devices. Furthermore, the demand and need for energy-efficient electrical products and addition of new applications are the factors anticipated to bolster the growth of active electronic components in the coming years.Market Classification:In the past, the use of Active Electronic Components was limited to few applications such as printed circuit boards and consumer electronics; however, the use of these devices has increased in space & satellite technology, automobiles and military applications. The growing trend for the use of hybrid and electric vehicles and rising adoption for renewable energy is propelling the market growth for these devices. Several renewable energy equipment or fixtures comprises devices such as solar turbines, panels and invertors, and these devices further consists active electronic components such as photo-transistors and photodiodes.Request Customization:Moreover, with the innovation and advancement in technology the demand for small mobile devices such as tablets, smartphones and PDAs has increased, which is resulting in the growing demand for active electronic components. Also, the demand for miniaturized electronic components is propelling with the new developments taking place in wearable devices such as smart wrist bands (fitness bands) and smart watches.Regional Overview:The market for active electronic components is segmented by product type and geography. The product type segment of active electronic components is classified into semiconductor devices, display devices and others. Based on geography, the active electronic components market is segmented into North America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and Latin America. The report also offers insights on major countries covered under each of these regions.The market for active electronic components is dominated by the North America owing to the increased adoption for renewable energy sources and smart devices. However, Asia Pacific is expected to surpass the market and in the coming years attributed by rising need and demand for energy-efficient devices and growth in adoption of smartphones particularly, in India and China.Inquiry Before Buying:Market Participants:Some of the prominent key companies operating in the global active electronic components industry include Texas Instruments, Inc., Analog Devices, Inc., Renesas Electric Corporation, Fairchild Semiconductor International, Inc., Maxim Integrated Products Inc., Toshiba Corporation, ON Semiconductor, ST Microelectronics NV, Infineon Technologies AG, Everlight Electronics Co., Ltd., Diotec Semiconductor AG among others.Buy Now This Report From Here:About UsAcumen Research and Consulting (ARC) is a global provider of market intelligence and consulting services to information technology, investment, telecommunication, manufacturing, and consumer technology markets. ARC helps investment communities, IT professionals, and business executives to make fact based decisions on technology purchases and develop firm growth strategies to sustain market competition. With the team size of 100+ Analysts and collective industry experience of more than 200 years, Acumen Research and Consulting assures to deliver a combination of industry knowledge along with global and country level expertise.Contact -Frank WilsonSales Manager | Acumen Research and ConsultingEmail: frank@acumenresearchandconsulting.comPh - USA +1 716-2400-831Asia-Pacific +912065600384Website: Nickel Mining Global Market 2017: Key Players Vale SA, Glencore Plc, BHP Billiton Ltd https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/753541-global-nickel-mining-to-2020 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/753541-global-nickel-mining-to-2020 www.linkedin.com/company/4828928 https://twitter.com/WiseGuyReports https://www.facebook.com/Wiseguyreports-1009007869213183/?fref=ts Summary"Global Nickel Mining to 2020", provides in-depth overview of global nickel mining industry, global nickel reserves by country and historic and forecast data on nickel production and prices. The report covers factors affecting demand for global nickel and information on the active, exploration and development nickel projects. It also gives and profiles of global leading nickel producing companies.GET SAMPLE REPORT @Scope- Provides overview of global nickel mining industry.- Information about global nickel reserves by country, reserves by major operating mines and nickel grade.- Historic and forecast nickel production and price data from 2000 to 2020.- Comprehensive information of major operating nickel mines in Asia-Pacific (APAC), Europe, Oceania, Middle East and Africa (MEA), South and Central America (SCA), North America (NA) and Former Soviet Union (FSU)- Comprehensive information of major exploration and development nickel projects in APAC, Europe, Oceania, MEA, SCA, NA and FSU.- Obtain various factors affecting the global nickel industry and demand for the commodity.- Company snapshots, including company overview, business description and information on current and upcoming nickel projects.Reasons to buy- Get the complete scenario of global nickel mining industry.- Get an overview of global nickel reserves and bifurcation by country, selected operating mines and nickel grade.- Obtain historic (2000-2015) and forecast data on nickel production and prices to 2020.- Identify various factors that drive and affect the demand for nickel.- Information about various active, exploration and upcoming nickel projects in the world with bifurcation by region.- Identify and understand various companies operating in the global nickel mining industry with complete profile and business description.Table of Content: Key Points1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 32 GLOBAL NICKEL MINING - RESERVES AND PRODUCTION 62.1 Global Nickel Reserves by Country, Major Mines and Grade 62.1.1 Australia 62.1.2 Brazil 72.1.3 New Caledonia 82.1.4 Russia 82.2 Historical and Forecast Production 82.2.1 Production by country 112.2.1.1 Philippines 122.2.1.2 Russia 142.2.1.3 Australia 152.3 Active Mines 172.4 Exploration Projects 272.5 Development Projects 333 FACTORS AFFECTING GLOBAL DEMAND FOR NICKEL 433.1 Global stainless steel industry 434 MAJOR NICKEL PRODUCERS 464.1 MMC Norilsk Nickel 474.2 Vale SA 484.3 Glencore Plc 504.4 BHP Billiton Ltd 525 APPENDIX 545.1 Abbreviations 545.2 Methodology 54ContinuedACCESS 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 Mobile Robotics Market: Increasing Investment in Defense to Fuel Adoption https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/mobile-robotics-market-2017-2025.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=23912 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com The growing competitions among major players such as Alibaba, Amazon, and JD.com, characterizes the competitive landscape in the global market for mobile robotics, finds a new study by Transparency Market Research (TMR). The established participants are investing significantly in research and development as well as marketing resources, owing to which the competition within this market has intensified.With the producers focusing on manufacturing products at competitive prices, which are similar in functionality and performance and the rising number of new entrants, the degree of competition in this market is likely to remain high over the next few years, states the research report.As per TMRs estimations, the global market for mobile robotics, which was worth US$8.58 bn in 2016, is anticipated to rise at a healthy CAGR of 15.60% during the period from 2017 to 2025 and reach US$30.96 bn by the end of the forecast period.Obtain Report Details @Unmanned ground vehicles have emerged as the key products in this market and are expected to retain their position over the next couple of years.mobile robotics marketIncreasing Deployment of Mobile Robots in Manufacturing Sector to Ensure Asia Pacifics DominanceIn this research report, the worldwide market for mobile robotics has been classified into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America on the basis of geography. Asia Pacific led the global market in 2016 with 32.20% and is projected to maintain its dominance throughout the period of the forecast.The increasing deployment of mobile robots in the manufacturing sector is likely to drive the Asia Pacific mobile robotics market in the near future. Apart from this, the surge in the investment in defense and logistics sectors is also anticipated to increase the uptake of mobile robots in the coming years, reflecting greatly on the growth of this regional market.According to the market study, mobile robots are mostly deployed in industrial and service applications. Among the two, mobile robots find a higher demand in the industrial application segment and the trend is likely to remain so over the next few years, states the reserch report.Request Sample @Increasing Usage of Mobile Robots for E-Commerce Logistics to Boost Markets GrowthThe increasing usage of mobile robots for e-commerce logistics is the key factor behind the substantial growth of the global market for mobile robotics. The recent rise in the e-commerce sector has fueled the demand for efficient order fulfillment, resulting into the rising integration of automation with manual labor to make the delivery system more efficient and reduce the online retail fulfillment costs. This, as a result, has impacted this market positively and is expected to have a high influence over the coming years.The increasing demand for factory automation and the rising adoption of mobile robots in emerging economies, especially China, are also expected to stimulate this market over the forecast period. However, the high initial investments required for the deployment of mobile robots may hamper the growth of this market in the years to come, states the research study.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: Barcode Readers Market Report for Period 2017 till 2023 Honeywell, Symbol Solutions (Motorola), Denso Wave, Microscan, Newland Cognex, Bluebird, Zebex and Others Barcode Readers Market https://goo.gl/jbkQZw https://goo.gl/jbkQZw https://goo.gl/jbkQZw http://marketreportscompany.com Global Barcode Readers market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely Opticon Sensors, Denso Wave, Microscan, Bluebird, Zebex, CipherLAB, Datalogic, Honeywell, Symbol Solutions (Motorola), Newland Cognex and Others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2023 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2022, etc.A barcode reader (or barcode scanner) is an electronic device that can read and output printed barcodes to a computer. It consists of a light source, a lens and a light sensor translating optical impulses into electrical ones. Additionally, nearly all barcode readers contain decoder circuitry analyzing the barcodes image data provided by the sensor and sending the barcodes content to the scanners output port.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global Barcode Readers Market 2017Top Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:DatalogicHoneywellSymbol Solutions (Motorola)NewlandCognexOpticon SensorsDenso WaveMicroscanBluebirdZebexCipherLABOthersGlobal Barcode Readers Market: Key Product TypeOptical Imager Barcode ScannersLaser Barcode ScannersOthersGlobal Barcode Readers Market: Key Application TypeRetailTransportation and LogisticsManufacturing and IndustryHealthcareOthersGlobal Barcode Readers Market: Key RegionNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia, Italy and Others)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia and Others)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia and Others)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa and Others)The Global Barcode Readers Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global Barcode Readers Market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The Global Barcode Readers Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Enquire before Buying @Table of Contents:1 Market Overview1.1 Market Segment Overview1.1.1 Product Definition1.1.2 Market by Type1.1.2.1 Optical Imager Barcode Scanners1.1.2.2 Laser Barcode Scanners1.1.3 Market by Application1.1.3.1 Retail1.1.3.2 Transportation and Logistics1.1.3.3 Manufacturing and Industry1.1.3.4 Healthcare1.1.3.5 Others........................Continue (Global Barcode Readers Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and with the help of third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.About Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters. We can provide market insights for any particular region, country across the globe within shortest possible turn around time.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States Portable Oxygen Concentrators Market to Register a CAGR of 7.8% During the Forecast Period 2016-2026 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/portable-oxygen-concentrators-market https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1061 www.futuremarketinsights.com According to a latest report published by Future Market Insights titled Portable Oxygen Concentrators Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 20162026, the global portable oxygen concentrators market is anticipated to register a CAGR of 7.8% between 2016 and 2026 in terms of value.Read Report Overview @Portable oxygen concentrators supply oxygen to patients suffering from respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. The concentrator separates nitrogen and oxygen from air in the environment and then supplies 95% pure oxygen to patients. POCs are easy to carry as they are smaller in size compared to stationary concentrators. Moreover, POCs are of great use to mountaineers and travellers in places where oxygen is inadequate.According to Future Market Insights, the global portable oxygen concentrators market is likely to witness substantial growth owing to increasing prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, growing consumer awareness for oxygen therapy devices, and a changing consumer lifestyle. Further, adoption of new technologies in medical devices, increasing government expenditure towards healthcare and medical devices development and production, and a rise in investment by companies manufacturing homecare products is likely to boost the growth of the global portable oxygen concentrators market during the forecast period (2016 2026). However, high product costs and stringent FDA regulations pertaining to medical devices are some of the factors likely to restrain the growth of the global portable oxygen concentrators market during the forecast period.The global portable oxygen concentrators market is segmented into the seven key regions of North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, APEJ, MEA, and Japan. Growing geriatric population consequently increasing the requirement for homecare settings particularly in high income countries with increasing number of patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases is expected to result in significant growth of the North America portable oxygen concentrators market. The North America region is expected to report incremental opportunity of US$ 781.7 Mn between 2016 and 2026. Evolution of health insurance system is expected to contribute largely to the revenue generation potential and attractiveness of the Eastern Europe portable oxygen concentrators market. Rising adoption of portable oxygen concentrators in chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases patients for better care is expected to fuel revenue growth in the Japan portable oxygen concentrators market over the forecast period. High product cost of portable oxygen concentrators is expected to hamper sustainable adoption in the APEJ region. Lack of product awareness is expected to hamper market growth in the APEJ and MEA regions.Request Sample Report @The report profiles some of the top companies operating in the global portable oxygen concentrators market such as Koninklijke Philips N.V., Inogen Inc., Chart Industries Inc., Resmed Inc., Invacare Corporation, Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare, Precision Medical Inc., Besco Medical Co. Ltd., Oxus America, Inc. (Oxus), Foshan Keyhub Electronic Industries Co. Ltd., O2 Concepts LLC, and GCE Group. Key strategies adopted by leading market players in the global portable oxygen concentrators market include product approvals and commercialisation, efficient entry into markets in emerging countries, and adoption of latest innovative technologies in healthcare, thus strengthening regional proficiency and addressing customer needs effectively. New product launches, product innovation, and geographical expansion are anticipated to form the core of these strategies during the forecast period.ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT: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: Latest Research report on Hydraulic Cylinder Market predicts favorable growth and forecast till 2025 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=656 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=656 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=D&rep_id=656 Global Hydraulic Cylinder Market: SnapshotHydraulic cylinders play a crucial role in motion control in a wide range of industrial applications such as in aerospace, wind turbines, industrial robotics, and military. They are used in making mobile industrial concrete pumps which have varied applications in the construction industry. The unidirectional force generated in the hydraulic fluids drives the power in piston rods, which helps in lifting, pushing, and pulling of machinery and earthmoving equipment. Over the past few years, constant improvements have been made in the metals used in hydraulic pumps. This has led to equipment being more tear- and corrosion-resistant resulting in better performance and efficiency in harsh environments. Ergonomic and design innovations in various parts used in hydraulic pumps make them more flexible and standardized, allowing for easy replaceability of parts irrespective of vendors or suppliers in the market. The use of carbon fiber composite materials reduces the weight of hydraulic cylinders considerably, thereby enhancing their performance.The maintenance of frictional properties of rod seals and wipers used in hydraulic cylinders is critical for their higher service life and their efficiency in more demanding environments. Hence it is imperative that adequate coatings on piston rod seals are done to minimize tear and wear that may be caused by static and dynamic friction. In recent years, the impact of alternative coatings has been tested to be instrumental in enhancing the life-cycle of hydraulic equipment. Furthermore, the use of radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology used in hydraulic cylinders is a recent innovation underpinning the adoption of automation in Industry 4.0. RFID tags help in the identification and traceability of cylinders that need repair or replacement, even in difficult operating environments where the markings may be covered by hard-to-remove industrial dirt.Request Sample Copy of the Report@Global Hydraulic Cylinder Market: OverviewA hydraulic cylinder refers to a mechanical actuator that is utilized to provide unidirectional force through a unidirectional stroke. Powered by pressurized hydraulic fluid, hydraulic cylinders have extensive applications in construction, manufacturing, heavy industries, and agriculture.The research report presents a detailed assessment of market drivers, market challenges, growth trends that will impact the growth of the global hydraulic cylinder market during the forecast period. The report provides detailed insights into the vendor landscape of this market throwing light on the growth opportunities that leading players can leverage.Global Hydraulic Cylinder Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe top factor driving the global hydraulic cylinder market is rapid industrialization combined with economic growth in developing countries. The robust demand for modern agriculture equipment for improved productivity and conservation of energy is expected to augment the growth of the global hydraulic cylinders market. Furthermore, the evolution of food processing industries combined with the modernization of agricultural practices will fuel the demand for hydraulic cylinders in the coming years.Request TOC of the Report @Furthermore, the rising demand for material handling equipment for minimizing the risk of downtime will fuel the growth of the global hydraulic cylinder market in the near future. Material handling equipment such as electronic overhead traveling cranes and level luffing cranes are utilized across a large range of industries such as food and beverage, oil and gas, power, and retail.In developed countries such as the U.S., large-scale initiatives for the exploration of shale gas is expected to benefit the markets growth. In industrial units, factors such as the expansion of production capacity and capacity utilization will also augment the growth of the hydraulic cylinder market.Global Hydraulic Cylinder Market: Regional OutlookThe global hydraulic cylinder market can be divided into the regional segments of North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. China is expected to contribute significantly to the growth of the Asia Pacific hydraulic cylinder market. This is mainly due to huge investments announced by the Chinese government in the infrastructure sector. The modernization of agricultural practices combined with increasing investment in infrastructure will lead India to contribute significantly to the Asia Pacific hydraulic cylinder market during the forecast period.In North America, the U.S. hydraulic cylinder market is expected to grow by leaps and bound. The increasing investment on defense and material handling and aerospace will further boost the industrys growth.Get Discount @Russia is anticipated to display significant gains in the hydraulic cylinder market. The increasing demand for modern agriculture and construction equipment will bolster the demand for hydraulic cylinders in the country. In Latin America, Brazil is expected to display significant demand for hydraulic cylinders. The increasing investment in transport infrastructure and government initiatives for the development of the transportation sector will boost the hydraulic cylinder market in this region.Major Companies Mentioned in ReportSome of the leading companies in the global hydraulic cylinder market are Wipro Infrastructure Engineering, Best Metal Products, Eaton Corporation PLC, Lignon Industries LLC, Hydrapac Italia, Chapel Hydraulic, Bailey International LLC, Enerpac Corp., Parker-Hannifin Corporation, Texas Inc., Hydrosila, Weber-Hydraulik Group, Bosch Rexroth AG, Aggresssive Inc., Hannon LLC, Perfection Prince Manufacturing Corporation, Burnside Autocyl (Tullow) Ltd, United Hydraulics, Caterpillar Inc., Hyco International Inc., Precision group Inc., Norrhydro OY, and Pacoma GmbH.Each of the companies is profiled for their business attributes of competitive position, technological developments, financial standing, and SWOTs.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 Asia-Pacific Nano-diamond Powder Market Development Trends and Qualitative Analysis 2018 QYResearchReports https://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=1385014&type=S https://www.qyresearchreports.com/report/asia-pacific-nano-diamond-powder-market-report-2017.htm/toc http://www.qyresearchreports.com Qyresearchreports include new market research report Nano-diamond Powder to its huge collection of research reports.The market for Nano-diamond Powder is forever evolving with the introduction of new products and entrance of new players. Consequently, it is of optimum importance to be aware of latest scenario and future prospects of each aspect of the market for whoever is connected to the value chain. This report on the Asia-Pacific Nano-diamond Powder market aspires to serve as a credible business tool for its targeted audiences such as original equipment manufacturers, government agencies, and research institutes.The report starts off with an elaborated assessment of the current scenario of the Asia-Pacific Nano-diamond Powder market, including introduction, overview by region, and market value chain analysis. It then moves into the exploration of various dynamics that will drive or mitigate the prosperity of the Asia-Pacific Nano-diamond Powder market, such as trends, drivers, restrains, opportunities, and challenges. Moving on, the report segments the market into various important aspects, including end users, applications, component, product type, and others, whichever applicable. The analysts of this report have also realized the importance of regional and country-wise data and forecasts, as most of the audiences of this report as expected to be more prominent in certain parts of the world. Some of the key regions generally explored as North America including the U.S. and Canada, Asia Pacific including China, India, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and Malaysia, and European region including the U.K., Germany, France, and Italy.Get free sample report of the research study at:One of the featured aspect of this report is its section on competitive landscape, which has been developed in order to represent the concentration of companies, big or small, and the shares of the demand distributed among them. Besides picking out the top three and top five companies in the Asia-Pacific Nano-diamond Powder market, the report profiles a number of key companies for their business overview, headquarters, recent strategic decisions, product portfolio, and geographical presence.Asia-Pacific Nano-diamond Powder market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Nano-diamond Powder sales volume, price, revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingSumitomoYahuaAmerican-Diamond IndustrialAdamas NanotechnologiesSintaReishauerRay TechniquesArt BeamMicrodiamantFR & PC ALTAIRead Complete Table of Content of the Report at:Table of ContentsAsia-Pacific Nano-diamond Powder Market Report 20171 Nano-diamond Powder Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Nano-diamond Powder1.2 Classification of Nano-diamond Powder by Product Category1.2.1 Asia-Pacific Nano-diamond Powder Market Size (Sales) Comparison by Types (2012-2022)1.2.2 Asia-Pacific Nano-diamond Powder Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 10-30nm1.2.4 30-50nm1.2.5 50-100nm1.2.6 Others1.3 Asia-Pacific Nano-diamond Powder Market by Application/End Users1.3.1 Asia-Pacific Nano-diamond Powder Sales (Volume) and Market Share Comparison by Applications (2012-2022)1.3.2 Aerospace1.3.3 Aircraft manufacturing1.3.4 Precision machinery1.4 Asia-Pacific Nano-diamond Powder Market by Region1.4.1 Asia-Pacific Nano-diamond Powder Market Size (Value) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 South Korea Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Taiwan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.8 Australia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Asia-Pacific Market Size (Value and Volume) of Nano-diamond Powder (2012-2022)1.5.1 Asia-Pacific Nano-diamond Powder Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.5.2 Asia-Pacific Nano-diamond Powder Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)2 Asia-Pacific Nano-diamond Powder Competition by Players/Suppliers, Region, Type and Application2.1 Asia-Pacific Nano-diamond Powder Market Competition by Players/Suppliers2.1.1 Asia-Pacific Nano-diamond Powder Sales Volume and Market Share of Key Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Asia-Pacific Nano-diamond Powder Revenue and Share by Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.2 Asia-Pacific Nano-diamond Powder (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Asia-Pacific Nano-diamond Powder Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.2.2 Asia-Pacific Nano-diamond Powder Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)2.3 Asia-Pacific Nano-diamond Powder (Volume) by Application2.4 Asia-Pacific Nano-diamond Powder (Volume and Value) by Region2.4.1 Asia-Pacific Nano-diamond Powder Sales and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)2.4.2 Asia-Pacific Nano-diamond Powder Revenue and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3 China Nano-diamond Powder (Volume, Value and Sales Price)3.1 China Nano-diamond Powder Sales and Value (2012-2017)3.1.1 China Nano-diamond Powder Sales Volume and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.2 China Nano-diamond Powder Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2017)3.1.3 China Nano-diamond Powder Sales Price Trend (2012-2017)3.2 China Nano-diamond Powder Sales Volume and Market Share by Type3.3 China Nano-diamond Powder Sales Volume and Market Share by Application...About QYReseachReports.comQYReseachReports.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:Brooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-618-1030Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com Tea Tree Oil Market Report for Period 2017 till 2023 Thursday Plantation, True Blue Organics, Naturally Australian Tea Tree Oil, Maria River Plantation, Oribi Oils, Nandu Biology, Bestdo Technology, Earthoil and Others Tea Tree Oil Market https://goo.gl/Jio5NU https://goo.gl/Jio5NU https://goo.gl/Jio5NU http://marketreportscompany.com Global Tea Tree Oil market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely Fuyang Biotechnology, Oribi Oils, Nandu Biology, Bestdo Technology, Cape Mountain Oils, Earthoil, Tea Tree Therapy, Thursday Plantation, True Blue Organics, SOiL, Main Camp Natural Extracts, G.R. DAVIS, T.G. Cassegrain & Co. Pvt Ltd, Naturally Australian Tea Tree Oil, Maria River Plantation, Jenbrook Pvt Ltd, LvHuan Technology and Others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2023 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2022, etc.Tea-tree oil, also known as Main Camp Natural Extracts oil, is a yellowish colored essential oil that is made from the leaves of the plant Main Camp Natural Extracts alternifolia (native to Australia).Request for Free Sample Copy of Global Tea Tree Oil Market 2017Top Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:Main Camp Natural ExtractsG.R. DAVIST.G. Cassegrain & Co. Pvt LtdNaturally Australian Tea Tree OilMaria River PlantationJenbrook Pvt LtdLvHuan TechnologyFuyang BiotechnologyOribi OilsNandu BiologyBestdo TechnologyCape Mountain OilsEarthoilTea Tree TherapyThursday PlantationTrue Blue OrganicsSOiLOthersGlobal Tea Tree Oil Market: Key Product TypeType 1Type 2Type 3OthersGlobal Tea Tree Oil Market: Key Application TypeMedicineSkincare productsOthersGlobal Tea Tree Oil Market: Key RegionNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia, Italy and Others)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia and Others)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia and Others)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa and Others)The Global Tea Tree Oil Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global Tea Tree Oil Market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The Global Tea Tree Oil Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Enquire before Buying @Table of Contents:1 Global Market Overview1.1 Scope of Statistics1.1.1 Scope of Products1.1.2 Scope of Manufacturers1.1.3 Scope of Application1.1.4 Scope of Regions/Countries1.2 Global Market Size2 Regional Market2.1 Regional Production2.2 Regional Demand2.3 Regional Trade........................Continue (Global Tea Tree Oil Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and with the help of third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.About Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters. We can provide market insights for any particular region, country across the globe within shortest possible turn around time.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States PoE Injector MarketPower Over Ethernet: Granular View of The Market from Various End-Use Segments https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/poe-injector-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=30824 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=30824 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com The global power over ethernet (PoE) injector market is envisioned to garner a colossal growth from connectivity applications with the soaring usage of the PoE technology and solutions. The PoE technology could be used to power PoE compatible devices such as wireless access points and voice over internet protocol (VoIP) phones.Thus, with the growing usage of such devices, the demand for PoE injector is foretold to increase correspondingly. Wireless access points could find growth due to the mushrooming popularity of internet of things (IoT). The deployment of VoIP phones could witness a heightened increase in view of their benefits such as ease of installation and maintenance and low communication cost.Obtain Report Details @The global PoE injector market is forecasted to attain a revenue valuation of US$762.2 mn by 2022 at a 12.5% CAGR between 2017 and 2022. In 2017, the market was valued at a US$423.4 mn.A noteworthy trend predicted to take shape in the world PoE injector market could be the healthcare sector attracting a high attention since the last few years. Surging investments in research and development and snowballing usage of technologies and innovations in healthcare are foreseen to be a critical trigger of the demand in the market. The growth of PoE injector in the healthcare sector could also be attributed to the rise of diseases and elevating health concerns.Obtain Brochure Of Report @Players operating in the world PoE injector market are prophesied to find favorable prospects because of the success of multi-port midspan, which could rise at a 14.4% CAGR. It could be a larger market by type and grab a handsome share of 67.4% by the end of 2022. By end use, there could be opportunities prevailing on the back of corporate offices, healthcare facilities, retail, telecommunication, other industrial sectors, and residential markets. In view of application, players could find new avenues opened up in key markets such as connectivity, security and access control, lighting control, and infotainment.Regionally, the market is anticipated to offer a wide room for growth while riding on the expected dominance of Asia Pacific except Japan (APEJ) in terms of revenue. Prognosticated to be an attractive market for PoE injector, APEJ could expand at a 15.1% CAGR. Another major revenue getter of the market could be North America with a US$156.5 mn envisaged to be earned by 2022. However, other geographies such as Europe and Japan could also be worth to keep an eye on.Get Sample Of Report @The international PoE injector market could be marked by the inclusion of several local, regional, and global vendors. A variety of end users are expected to be served with various application products offered by more than a few local and regional vendors. In the future, the competition could aggravate owing to increasing mergers and acquisitions and technological innovation. New entrants in the market could find it a challenging ground to compete against global vendors in respect of innovation, reliability, and quality. Some of the leading companies in the market could be Microsemi Corp., L-Com, Inc., Sixnet Holding LLC, ICP DAS Co., Ltd., and N-TORN Corp.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: Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) 2017 Global Key Players FireEye (Mandiant) (USA), Carbon Black (USA), Guidance Software (USA), Cybereason (USA), Symantec (USA) Market Analysis And Forecast To 2022 Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Market https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/2548386-global-endpoint-detection-and-response-edr-detailed-analysis-report-2017-2022 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/enquiry/2548386-global-endpoint-detection-and-response-edr-detailed-analysis-report-2017-2022 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=2548386 Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Market 2017Wiseguyreports.Com Adds Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) -Market Demand, Growth, Opportunities, Manufacturers, Analysis of Top Key Players and Forecast to 2022 To Its Research Database.Description:This 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 Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) industry.This report splits Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) market by EDR Type, which covers the history data information from 2012 to 2016 and forecast from 2017 to 2022.This report focuses Global market, it covers details as following:Major Companies:FireEye (Mandiant) (USA)Carbon Black (USA)Guidance Software (USA)Cybereason (USA)Symantec (USA)RSA NetWitness (USA)Cisco (USA)CrowdStrike Falcon Insight (USA)Tanium (USA)CounterTack (USA)Digital Guardian (USA)Panda Security (Spain)SentinelOne (USA)Tripwire (USA)Endgame (USA)McAfee (Canada)Check Point (Israel)Trend Micro (USA)Sophos (UK)Request for Sample Report@Main RegionsNorth AmericaUnited StatesCanadaLatin AmericaMexicoBrazilArgentinaOthersEuropeGermanyUnited KingdomFranceItalySpainRussiaNetherlandOthersAsia & PacificChinaJapanIndiaKoreaAustraliaSoutheast AsiaIndonesiaThailandPhilippinesVietnamSingaporeMalaysiaOthersAfrica & Middle EastSouth AfricaEgyptTurkeySaudi ArabiaIranOthersMain Product Type:Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Market, by EDR TypeData Search and InvestigationsSuspicious Activity DetectionData ExplorationEndpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Market, byMain Applications:Data Loss Prevention (DLP)Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)Network Forensics Tools (NFT)Advanced Threat Defense (ATD)Enquiry 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 Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Detailed Analysis Report 2017-2022Chapter One Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Market Overview1.1 Global Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Market Sales Volume Revenue and Price 2012-20221.2 Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), by EDR Type 2012-20221.2.1 Global Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Sales Market Share by EDR Type 2012-20221.2.2 Global Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Revenue Market Share by EDR Type 2012-20221.2.3 Global Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Price by EDR Type 2012-20221.2.4 Data Search and Investigations1.2.5 Suspicious Activity Detection1.2.6 Data Exploration1.3 Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), by 2012-20221.3.1 Global Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Sales Market Share by 2012-20221.3.2 Global Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Revenue Market Share by 2012-20221.3.3 Global Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Price by 2012-20221.3.41.3.5Chapter Three Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) by Players 2012-20173.1 Global Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Sales Volume Market Share by Players 2012-20173.2 Global Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Revenue Share by Players 2012-20173.3 Global Top Players Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Key Product Model and Market Performance3.4 Global Top Players Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Key Target Consumers and Market Performance.Chapter Five Global Top Players Profile5.1 FireEye (Mandiant) (USA)5.1.1 FireEye (Mandiant) (USA) Company Details and Competitors5.1.2 FireEye (Mandiant) (USA) Key Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Models and Performance5.1.3 FireEye (Mandiant) (USA) Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast5.1.4 FireEye (Mandiant) (USA) Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin5.2 Carbon Black (USA)5.2.1 Carbon Black (USA) Company Details and Competitors5.2.2 Carbon Black (USA) Key Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Models and Performance5.2.3 Carbon Black (USA) Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast5.2.4 Carbon Black (USA) Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin5.3 Guidance Software (USA)5.3.1 Guidance Software (USA) Company Details and Competitors5.3.2 Guidance Software (USA) Key Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Models and Performance5.3.3 Guidance Software (USA) Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast5.3.4 Guidance Software (USA) Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin5.4 Cybereason (USA)5.4.1 Cybereason (USA) Company Details and Competitors5.4.2 Cybereason (USA) Key Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Models and Performance5.4.3 Cybereason (USA) Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast5.4.4 Cybereason (USA) Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin5.5 Symantec (USA)5.5.1 Symantec (USA) Company Details and Competitors5.5.2 Symantec (USA) Key Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Models and Performance5.5.3 Symantec (USA) Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast5.5.4 Symantec (USA) Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin5.6 RSA NetWitness (USA)5.6.1 RSA NetWitness (USA) Company Details and Competitors5.6.2 RSA NetWitness (USA) Key Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Models and Performance5.6.3 RSA NetWitness (USA) Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast5.6.4 RSA NetWitness (USA) Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin5.7 Cisco (USA)5.7.1 Cisco (USA) Company Details and Competitors5.7.2 Cisco (USA) Key Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Models and Performance5.7.3 Cisco (USA) Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast5.7.4 Cisco (USA) Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin5.8 CrowdStrike Falcon Insight (USA)5.8.1 CrowdStrike Falcon Insight (USA) Company Details and Competitors5.8.2 CrowdStrike Falcon Insight (USA) Key Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Models and Performance5.8.3 CrowdStrike Falcon Insight (USA) Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast5.8.4 CrowdStrike Falcon Insight (USA) Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin5.9 Tanium (USA)5.9.1 Tanium (USA) Company Details and Competitors5.9.2 Tanium (USA) Key Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Models and Performance5.9.3 Tanium (USA) Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast5.9.4 Tanium (USA) Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin5.10 CounterTack (USA)5.10.1 CounterTack (USA) Company Details and Competitors5.10.2 CounterTack (USA) Key Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Models and Performance5.10.3 CounterTack (USA) Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Business SWOT Analysis and Forecast5.10.4 CounterTack (USA) Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Sales Volume Revenue Price Cost and Gross Margin5.11 Digital Guardian (USA)5.12 Panda Security (Spain)5.13 SentinelOne (USA)5.14 Tripwire (USA)5.15 Endgame (USA)5.16 McAfee (Canada)5.17 Check Point (Israel)5.18 Trend Micro (USA)5.19 Sophos (UK)Continued..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 Tooth Filling Materials Market Report for Period 2017 till 2023 VOCO GmbH, SDI Limited, Coltene Whaledent, Kettenbach, DMG Chemisch-Pharmazeutische Fabrik, Ivoclar Vivadent, Shofu Dental, Kerr Corporation and Others Tooth Filling Materials Market https://goo.gl/1VzxQZ https://goo.gl/1VzxQZ https://goo.gl/1VzxQZ http://marketreportscompany.com Global Tooth Filling Materials market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely The Aurum Group, Ivoclar Vivadent, Kerr Corporation, Premier Dental, Kuraray Noritake Dental, Shofu Dental, Pentron Clinical Technologies, VOCO GmbH, SDI Limited, Coltene Whaledent, DENTSPLY International, GC America, DenMat Holdings, Kettenbach, DMG Chemisch-Pharmazeutische Fabrik, Heraeus kulzer and Others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2023 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2022, etc.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global Tooth Filling Materials Market 2017Top Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:SDI LimitedColtene WhaledentDENTSPLY InternationalGC AmericaDenMat HoldingsKettenbachDMG Chemisch-Pharmazeutische FabrikHeraeus kulzerThe Aurum GroupIvoclar VivadentKerr CorporationPremier DentalKuraray Noritake DentalShofu DentalPentron Clinical TechnologiesVOCO GmbHOthersGlobal Tooth Filling Materials Market: Key Product TypeType 1Type 2Type 3OthersGlobal Tooth Filling Materials Market: Key Application TypeHospitalDental ClinicResearch InstitutionsOthersGlobal Tooth Filling Materials Market: Key RegionNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia, Italy and Others)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia and Others)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia and Others)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa and Others)The Global Tooth Filling Materials Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global Tooth Filling Materials Market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The Global Tooth Filling Materials Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Enquire before Buying @Table of Contents:1 Global Market Overview1.1 Scope of Statistics1.1.1 Scope of Products1.1.2 Scope of Manufacturers1.1.3 Scope of Application1.1.4 Scope of Regions/Countries1.2 Global Market Size2 Regional Market2.1 Regional Production2.2 Regional Demand2.3 Regional Trade3 Key Manufacturers3.1 SDI Limited........................Continue (Global Tooth Filling Materials Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and with the help of third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.About Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters. We can provide market insights for any particular region, country across the globe within shortest possible turn around time.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States Mobile BI Market : Key Growth Factors and Industry Analysis 2017 - 2025 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=593 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=593 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=D&rep_id=593 Global Mobile BI Market: OverviewThe global mobile BI market is envisaged to witness the addition of new products and features to keep consumers interested. For instance, the Redmond-based giant technology company, Microsoft recently announced the inclusion of new features such as Shared with me View in its all-platform Power BI mobile apps. Also accessible through web portals, Power BI mobile apps have been updated to facilitate users with a single place to share all dashboards. Key analysts predict a new level of advancement in the global mobile BI market owing to latest launches such as Yellowfin 7.3+. It allows the formulation of keen business insights for data and IT analysts through trustworthy and governed data and flexible creation of dynamic visualizations for developers.The augmenting need of mobile BI software solutions across a myriad of organizations is envisioned to propel the demand for consulting services and professional services. As a result, the services market could register a significant CAGR during the forecast period 20172025. Several industries have expressed the need to streamline their sales and resolve sales-related problems in real time. This is anticipated to set the tone for a reliable growth in the sales market for mobile BI. However, mobile BI is also implemented for other business functions such as human resource, finance, operations, marketing, and IT.Request Sample Copy of the Report@While small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) could up the growth in the global mobile BI market for receiving low-cost solutions, large enterprises are predicted to birth a staggering demand on the back of time-efficient and cost-effective features.Global Mobile BI Market: SnapshotMobile Business Intelligence or mobile BI is the ability that aids the mobile personnel to attain business insights via information analysis employing applications improved for mobile devices. Business intelligence or BI is basically referred to computed-based techniques employed in the spotting, extracting, and evaluating business information such as associated incomes and costs or sales revenue by departments or products. Though, the notion of mobile computing has been long prevalent, the concept of mobile BI has gained momentum in the last few years. This growth has been encouraged due to the significant change in the wire world with the advent of wireless technology with smartphones giving rise to a new era of mobile computer technology, prominently in the field of business intelligence.Organizations are developing their personal Information Technology (IT) monitoring tools in order to gain enhanced visibility into the new intricacies. The right solutions can help one detect patterns that will help predict issues early before they occur. Mobile BI permits big data from IT to be transformed into appropriate and actionable insights for a rapid resolution. It further enables the business organization to extract information from key operational data units such as log files, events, performance metrics, and trouble tickets to proactively dodge outages, attain faster mean time for repairing, and understand cost savings through better operational efficiency.Request TOC of the Report @The market intelligence publication delves into the possible growth opportunities for the global mobile BI market and the chronological growth of the market throughout the forecast period. It also uniquely provisions required data related to facers such as dynamics influencing the progress in all possible retrospective manner. Several ubiquitous and non-ubiquitous trends have also been mentioned in the study. 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 reaches out to point out accomplishments related to R&D, acquisitions, mergers, and crucial partnerships and verifications. The companies in limelight have been analyzed on market shares, products, and key strategies.Global Mobile BI Market: Trends and ProspectsThe key drivers of the global mobile BI market are the growing trend of bring your own device (BYOD), rising platforms of mobile enterprise application, burgeoning popularity of Representational State Transfer Application Programming Interface (REST APIs), growth of in-memory computing, and robust advancement in the features of mobile device. The global mobile BI market is also progressing owing to the transformation from the generic BI techniques for the purpose of business data analysis to advanced methods and the upsurge in the flow of unstructured and structured data.The mobile BI market can be classified on the basis of industry verticals, amongst the segments of insurance, financial services, and banking are likely to be the leading adopters of mobile BI due to the extensive rise in data volume and the growing demand for IT systems in banks and several other financial institutes.Get Discount @Global Mobile BI Market: Regional AnalysisThe market in North America is expected to emerge lucrative owing to the growing technological advancements and early adoption of business intelligence solutions. Due to the high opportunities for vendors in the industry verticals of the Asia Pacific region, mainly in Japan, China and India, the market is projected to witness strong growth.Global Mobile BI Market: Competitive LandscapeSome of the leading players in the market are Qlik Technologies, SAS Institute, Tableau Software, SAP SE, Microsoft Corporation, and IBM Corporation.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 4K2K TV Market 2017: Key Players Hisense, LG, Panasonic, Samsung, Sony, Haier, Koninklijke Philips, Konka, Panda, Micromax Informatics, Sansui Electric 4K2K TV Market 2017 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/request-sample/623125 https://www.qyresearchgroups.com/report/global-4k2k-tv-market-research-report-2017-d-345 http://bit.ly/2AieqmI https://www.qyresearchgroups.com QY Research Groups has released a latest report based on thorough research on 4K2K TV 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 4K2K TV market.Get Sample Copy of this Report @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 4K2K TV 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.The methodological analysis which is used to approximate and forecast the 4K2K TV 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 4K2K TV 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.Global 4K2K TV market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players including Hisense LG Panasonic Samsung Sony Haier Koninklijke Philips Konka Panda Micromax Informatics Sansui Electric Sichuan Changhong Electric Toshiba Videocon Xiaomi Technology Seiki Digital Skyworth Digital TCLBrowse More Insight @The 4K2K TV 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 industrySome points from TOC:-Global 4K2K TV Market Research Report 20171 4K2K TV Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of 4K2K TV1.2 4K2K TV Segment By Screen Size1.2.1 Global 4K2K TV Production and CAGR (%) Comparison By Screen Size (Product Category)(2012-2022)1.2.2 Global 4K2K TV Production Market Share By Screen Size (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Under 40 Inches1.2.4 40-49 Inches1.2.5 50-59 Inches1.2.6 60-69 Inches1.2.7 70-79 Inches1.2.8 80 and Above1.3 Global 4K2K TV Segment by Application1.3.1 4K2K TV Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Household1.3.3 Commercial1.4 Global 4K2K TV Market by Region (2012-2022)1.4.1 Global 4K2K TV Market Size (Value) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 United States Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 EU Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 South Korea Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 Taiwan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of 4K2K TV (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global 4K2K TV Revenue Status and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global 4K2K TV Capacity, Production Status and Outlook (2012-2022)ContinuedDownload PDF Brochure of this Report @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:Sarah JEmail- sales@qyresearchgroups.comWebsite- Manned Security Services Market by Analysis, Development, Market Status and Forecast to 2023 ReportsWeb http://www.reportsweb.com/global-and-regional-manned-security-services-market-status-and-future-forecast-2013-2023 http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW00011261511/sample http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW00011261511/buying Publishers Manned Security Services 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. Market Overview, Development, and Segment by Type, Application & RegionFor More Information About This Report:Market Segment as follows:By RegionGlobal Key Companies:G4SSecuritasAllied UniversalUS Security AssociatesSISTOPSGRUPBeijing BaoanOCS GroupICTS EuropeTransguardAndrews InternationalControl RisksCovenantChina Security & Protection GroupAxis SecurityDWSSMarket by TypeServiceEquipmentMarket by ApplicationCommercial BuildingsIndustrial BuildingsResidential BuildingsRequest Sample Copy At:Table of Content1 Market Overview2 Global Market Status and Future Forecast3 Asia Market Status and Future Forecast4 China Market Status and Future Forecast5 Southeast Asia Market Status and Future Forecast6 Japan Market Status and Future Forecast7 Western Asia Market Status and Future Forecast8 Other Regions of Asia Market Status and Future Forecast9 Key Companies10 ConclusionInquire 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 Carbon Energy Software MarketPower Over Ethernet: Clear Understanding of The Competitive Landscape and Key Product Segments https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/carbon-energy-software-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=3992 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=3992 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com An increased emphasis on curbing energy usage will be the top driver for the global carbon and energy software market. The growth of the market will only be accentuated by governments expecting greater compliance with norms related to carbon dioxide emissions. These factors will enable the global carbon and energy software market to report a CAGR of 11.5% between 2014 and 2022, says Transparency Market Research in its latest report. The report is titled, Carbon and Energy Software Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2014 - 2022. According to the findings of the report, the global carbon and energy software market stood at US$369.7 mn in 2013.Browse the full Carbon and Energy Software Market (By Deployment Type - On-premise and Hosted; By End-use Industry - Oil and Gas; Energy and Utilities; IT and Telecommunication; Manufacturing; and Others (Retail, Automobiles, Construction, Medical, etc)) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2014 - 2022 report atThe report, however, also cautions that companies in the global carbon energy software market will face restraints in the form of low awareness among consumers and the seemingly high cost of deploying carbon and energy software. However, some of these restraints can be mitigated if companies explore cloud-based solutions designed specifically for small and medium enterprises. For the purpose of this study, the market is segmented on the basis of deployment type, end-use industry, and geography.By the method of deployment, the carbon and energy software market has been segmented into hosted and on-premise. With an impressive share of about 80% (by revenue), the on-premise carbon and energy software market dominated in 2013. However, this trend will turn during the reports forecast period considering the mounting popularity of hosted carbon and energy software. Thus, the market for the latter will catch on significantly over the next seven years.Obtain PDF Brochure @Several acquisitions are expected to occur in the global carbon and energy software market over the next few years essentially because many new companies are entering the market and existing firms are diversifying their portfolio to include carbon and energy software. Likewise, on the basis of end-use industry, the report segments the market into: energy and utilities,oil and gas,manufacturing,IT and telecommunications, and others.In 2013, the IT and telecommunications industry was the largest end-user in the carbon and energy software market with a 30.0% share in revenue terms. The demand for carbon and energy software will exhibit continued growth in the IT and telecom industry. However, industries that are carbon intensive are poised to generate a higher demand for carbon and energy software in order to comply with new regulations.For a geographical perspective, the market is segmented into North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America. While North America was at the forefront of the global carbon and energy software market with a 33% share in 2013, the fastest rate of growth will be reported by the Asia Pacific region.Request A Sample Of Report @There are several factors that currently tilt the balance in favor of the North America market, the most important one being a greater degree of environmental awareness among business enterprises here. The dynamics at play in the Europe carbon and energy software market are similar to that of North America. The report notes that countries such as Australia, China, India, Chile, Argentina, and Brazil carry appreciable growth opportunities for the carbon and energy software market.Key players in the global carbon and energy software market are: Intelex Technologies, Inc., CA Technologies, Inc., IBM Corporation, IHS, Inc., Enablon North America Corporation, Thinkstep AG (PE International), Enviance, Inc., Verisae, Inc., ProcessMAP Corporation, and SAP SE.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: Electric Heat Tracing Market : Key Players, Growth, Analysis, 2017 - 2025 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=2750 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=2750 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=D&rep_id=2750 Global Electric Heat Tracing Market: OverviewA number of countries and regions encounter temperatures beneath the point of solidification consistently. Consequently, work easily, ventures in these regions must keep up an ideal temperature inside the funneling systems and also amid the assembling forms. Since water and numerous different liquids/chemicals solidify underneath zero degree Celsius. Nations with thriving compound ventures should unintentionally keep up an ideal temperature as the failure to do as such would prompt fluids solidifying in pipelines, in this manner influencing the entire procedure. This, thus, can hamper the production and general efficiency if the ideal temperature isn't kept up.Electric heat tracing system is utilized to adjust heat and to direct or increment the temperature of vessels and channels. Heat tracing links can be introduced on water, sewer lines and at particular areas which are inclined to solidifying, for example, fire hydrants, street intersections, and shallow cover areas among others. The interest for heat tracing systems varies over businesses in light of the parameters specic to every application. The main players are fabricating an extensive variety of electric heating links and control systems to oblige the developing needs of industry.Request Sample Copy of the Report@Global Electric Heat Tracing Market: Drivers and RestraintsElectric heat tracing systems are for the most part used to keep up the temperature of the liquids in many process businesses. Petrochemical industry section is foreseen to witness a huge development over the figure time frame. Developing computerization and industrialization over the globe is foreseen to drive for the development of electrical heat tracing market over the coming years.Furthermore, the expanding necessity for perpetual heating systems combined with expanded concentrate on limiting operational cost is probably going to supplant the conventional heating systems crosswise over enterprises. This is a factor that is predicted to affect the market growth decidedly over the coming years.Global Electric Heat Tracing Market: Market PotentialRecently, to counter the cold and maintain ambient temperatures within travel, a popular public transport enterprise, the Coast Mountain Bus Company of Canada took some drastic measures. Along with tire socks and de-icing products, their TransLink buses and SkyTrains are being installed with electric heat tracing systems. In February 2017, some heavy ice buildup led to severe disruption of trains, and TransLink are ensuring that the incident does not repeat itself. Such instances demonstrate the potential of the market for electric heat tracing.Request TOC of the Report @Global Electric Heat Tracing Market: Regional AnalysisNorth America is relied upon to hold the dominant share of the electric heat tracing market over the coming years. North American nations are receiving electric heat tracing systems for different applications, for instance, solidifying process due to low temperature of pipelines. The US is predicted to be the significant supporter of the electric heat tracing market in North America. The vicinity of significant players in the US is relied upon to drive the electric heat tracing market in this region. The oil and gas is a noteworthy industry in the US, which is adding to the economy of North America. North America has different snow covered countries, and the low temperature requires heat tracing systems for pipelines conveying oil and gas, chemicals, or some other liquids to keep from solidifying. Hence, the interest for electric heat tracing market in North America is predicted to steadily increment in the coming years.Global Electric Heat Tracing Market: Vendor LandscapeSome of the leading vendors of the global electric heat tracing market are Thermon, Chromalox, Emerson, Urecon, eltherm, Supermec and Anhui Huanrui Heating Manufacturing Co among others.Get Discount @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 Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Market Key Growth Factors and Forecast up to 2025 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/therapeutic-drug-monitoring-market https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-953 www.futuremarketinsights.com Therapeutic drug monitoring is a branch of clinical chemistry and clinical pharmacology which aims at maintaining the drug concentration levels in the body fluids within the particular therapeutic range. The purpose of therapeutic drug monitoring is refining patient care by individually adjusting the drug dosage for better outcomes.Some of the situations where measurement of drug dosage concentration is useful include, non-response at therapeutic dose, suboptimal tolerability, pharmacokinetic drug-drug interaction and drug adherence. TDM is regarded as a module of personalized medicine that interacts with various other disciplines such as pharmacogenomics and pharmacokinetics. Most commonly monitored drugs are digoxin, valproate and carbamazepine.Read Report Overview @The global therapeutic drug monitoring market showed significant growth over the last few years and is projected to grow at a robust CAGR during the forecast period.Therapeutic drug monitoring is driven by various key factors which include, ageing population with better health care services, increasing demand for genetic testing, increased government and private sector participation in therapeutic drug monitoring markets, rise in drug profiling.Ongoing problems with reimbursement, retrenchment in the hospital fields and a weak global economy. Fluctuating exchange rates further weakens the global market.With the advancement of technology and increase incidence in disease population, therapeutic drug monitoring, is gaining wide acceptance as a method of choice among patients. This market is expected to grow at a healthy CAGR in the forecast period (2015-2025).In the upcoming years, the TDM market will undergo significant transformation. These alterations will be done by convergence of new and more stringent regulations improvements in diagnostic technologies, automation and system engineering.Depending on geographic regions, therapeutic drug monitoring market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, South America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan, and Middle East & Africa.Request Sample Report @In terms of geography, North America dominates the therapeutic drug monitoring market, followed by Europe. During the earlier stages of this market development growth rates were higher, while the value of the market was relatively low. As the market value started to rise the annual growth rate declined slightly, but is expected to increase again as the market develops and the advantages of therapeutic drug monitoring is appreciated in the established markets and as the techniques and products appear in the emerging market.Coulter, BioChem Pharmaceuticals, BioRad, OraSure Technologies,and Roche Diagnostics. The market is currently led by Some of the key players in compression therapy market are,Abbott Laboratories, Bayer AG, Beckman Roche diagnostics followed by Abbott Laboratories.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: Smart Mobile Supply Chain Solutions MarketPower Over Ethernet: Influential Factors Determining the Trajectory of the Market https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/smart-mobile-supply-chain-solutions-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=4323 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=4323 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Transparency Market Research (TMR) has recently published a report titled Smart and Mobile Supply Chain Solutions Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2014 - 2020, detailing the present dynamics and growth opportunities for the global smart and mobile supply chain solutions market.It studies the prevalent demand and supply trends for smart and mobile supply chain solutions, and evaluates how the same is likely to impact the market in the near future. Based on in-depth findings, the analysts behind the report estimate that the global smart and mobile supply chain solutions market, which was valued at US$7,095.3 million in 2013, is likely to develop at a positive CAGR of 13.2% between 2014 and 2020.Browse the full Smart and Mobile Supply Chain Solutions Market (By Component Type - Software and Services; By End-use Application - Retail, IT and Telecommunication, Manufacturing, BFSI, Government, Energy and Utility, Healthcare, Logistics and Transportation, and Others) - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2014 - 2020 report atSmart and mobile supply solutions provide users intelligent, interconnected, and instrumented information about the supply chain. The information thus obtained is crucial for supply chain executives who participate in decision making. Furthermore, it also helps product managers in analyzing the dynamics of consumer behavior.Get A Brochure Of Report @The report has highlighted these as key factors fuelling demand from the global smart and mobile supply chain solutions market.On matters of the regional segmentation of the global market, a lead TMR analyst said, Whilst North America held the largest share of the smart and mobile supply chain solutions market, accounting for 37.2% in 2013, the market is also anticipated to capitalize on the rising demand from the emerging economies around the world.The smart and mobile supply chain solutions market comprises both software and services. The entry of multiple supply chain solution providers in the market has augmented the demand for integration services, which the report identifies as a major factor expected to drive the market over the reports forecast period. The two major software segments of the market connected supply chain (SCP) and connected sourcing and procurement, collectively hold 50% of the global smart and mobile supply solutions market. Factors such as increasing e-tendering by governments from around the world, technological advances, and escalating emphasis on cost and carbon emission control drive the demand for the aforementioned software.Get Sample Report @Key end-use segments of the smart and mobile supply chain solutions market include IT and telecommunication, retail, banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI), energy and utility, logistics, manufacturing, government, healthcare, and transportation. Of these, retail and manufacturing held the two largest market shares in 2013, accounting for 18.5% and 18.4% of the market, respectively.Accelerating demand for integrated supply chain solutions from the logistics and retail sectors is expected to boost the smart and mobile supply chain solutions market further during the reports forecast period. Some of the leading companies profiled in the report are JDA Software Group, Inc., SAP SE, Epicor Software Corporation, Manhattan Associates, Inc., Descartes Systems Group, Inc., GT Nexus Inc., Oracle Corporation, IBM Corporation, Infor Global Solutions, Inc., and Kewill Systems Plc.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: Telecom Services UK Market 2017: Key Players BT, EE, Sky UK, O2 UK and more https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/608878-united-kingdom-telecom-services-services-and-content https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/608878-united-kingdom-telecom-services-services-and-content www.linkedin.com/company/4828928 https://twitter.com/WiseGuyReports https://www.facebook.com/Wiseguyreports-1009007869213183/?fref=ts SummaryIn 2016, the UK will be the largest telecom services market in Western Europe. Research expects minor Brexit implications on the telecom industry outlook over the next five years since the telecom market is less vulnerable to macroeconomic changes and cycles than are other industries. Going forward, growth in the UKs telecom market will be driven by further customer migration to faster-speed fixed and mobile networks which generates an uplift in ARPU and by richer content offerings for pay-TV. The IoT/M2M market growth will also provide additional revenue for operators. Over the next five years, operators should take hold of opportunities by focusing on convergence offers through innovative service offerings including triple-play and quad-play bundles to seize opportunities arising from growth in data in the market. LTE expansion and FTTH/B deployments by operators and FMC will present opportunities for vendors and investors.GET SAMPLE REPORT @Key Findings The decision to leave the EU will open a period of discussions and negotiations between the UK and the EU, which could last up to two years. The exit model and the framework of the new relationships between the UK and the EU are far from clear, and so is the impact on the UK economy. LTE will replace 3G as the largest adopted technology in 2016 as 4G/LTE network coverage expands and consumer appetite for faster speeds and additional content grows. The top two operators, BT (including EE) and Sky UK, will account for 48.0% of overall service revenue in 2016. The operators initiatives to increase the uptake of fixed-mobile convergence and bundled offerings along with LTE and fiber expansions will further intensify competition and fuel the growth in the market.SynopsisUnited Kingdom: Telecom Services Market Will Continue to Grow Through 2021 Driven by Data Services and Content provides an executive-level overview of the telecommunications market in the UK today, with detailed forecasts of key indicators up to 2021. It delivers deep quantitative and qualitative insight into the UKs telecom market, analyzing key trends, evaluating near-term opportunities and assessing risk factors, based on proprietary data from Pyramid Researchs databases.The Country Intelligence Report provides in-depth analysis of the following: Regional context: Telecom market size and trends in the UK compared with other countries in the Western European region. Economic, demographic and political context in the UK. The regulatory environment and trends: a review of the regulatory setting and agenda for the next 18-24 months as well as relevant developments pertaining to spectrum licensing, national broadband plans, number portability and more. A demand profile: analysis as well as historical figures and forecasts of service revenue from the fixed telephony, fixed Internet, mobile voice and mobile data. Service evolution: a look at changes in the breakdown of overall revenue between the fixed and mobile sectors and between voice, data and video from 2014 to 2021. The competitive landscape: an examination of key trends in competition and in the performance, revenue market shares and expected moves of service providers over the next 18-24 months. In-depth sector analysis of fixed telephony, broadband, mobile voice and mobile data services: a quantitative analysis of service adoption trends by network technology and by operator, as well as of average revenue per line/subscription and service revenue through the end of the forecast period. Main opportunities: this section details the near-term opportunities for operators, vendors and investors in Britains telecommunications market.Reasons to Buy Gain in-depth analysis of current strategies and future trends of the telecommunications market in the UK, service providers and key opportunities in a concise format, to build proactive and profitable growth strategies. Understand the factors behind ongoing and upcoming trends in the UK mobile communications, fixed telephony and broadband markets, including the evolution of service provider market shares, to align product offerings and strategies to meet customers demand. Leverage the graphical information (more than 20 charts and tables in the report based on the Research forecast products), to gain an overview of the telecom market in the UK. Analysis of key telecom players in the markets and major business strategies being adopted by them, to identify the opportunities to improve the market share. Explore novel opportunities to align your product strategies and offerings to meet the requirements and succeed in the challenging telecommunications market in the UK.Table of Content: Key PointsExecutive summaryMarket and competitor overviewRegional contextEconomic, demographic and political contextRegulatory environmentDemand profileService evolutionCompetitive landscapeMajor market playersSegment analysisMobile servicesFixed servicesPay-TVIdentifying opportunitiesOverall market opportunitiesContinuedACCESS 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 South East Asia Rpo MarketPower Over Ethernet: Insights into the Competitive Scenario of the Market https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/south-east-asia-rpo-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=4285 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=4285 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com With the growing competition in terms of recruiting the best professional, the need for recruitment process outsourcing is also increasing, states Transparency Market Research (TMR) in a research report. The companies are working towards making their services more reliable, swift, and readily available so that they could get an upper hand over their competitors.The impact of globalization is clearly visible here as more and more companies are opting for recruitment process outsourcing for recruiting talented professionals from across different regions. Thus, the companies providing these services have also rolled up their sleeves to be prepared for an upcoming competition in the global market. Some of the top drawers companies operating in the market are Kelly Outsourcing and Consulting Group, Zyoin Web Pvt. Ltd., Hudson Global, Inc., Talent Fusion, Atterro Human Capital Group, and Randstad Holding NV.Obtain Report Details @According to a TMR analyst, The Southeast Asia recruitment process outsourcing market is expected to witness a 19.3% CAGR from 2014 to 2020. The market was worth US$45.6 mn in 2013 and by the end of 2020 it is expected to touch a valuation of US$154.7 mn.Based on the engagement type, the Southeast Asia recruitment process outsourcing market has been classified into end-to-end RPO and on-demand RPO. Among these engagement types, the segment of on-demand RPO dominated the Southeast Asia market with maximum share in terms of revenue in 2013. This dominant position can be credited to the grander advantages of on-demand RPO engagement in comparison to the end-to-end one.For instance, the on-demand RPO comprises outsourcing some portions of the complete recruitment procedure. This makes on-demand RPO services inexpensive in comparison to the end-to-end recruitment process outsourcing and permits client establishments to have enhanced control over their recruitment procedures.Get A Brochure Of Report @Region-wise, the market has been segmented into Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Rest of Southeast Asia. In 2013, the Rest of Southeast Asia held for the leading share of around 78% of the Southeast Asia recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) market. This progress can be attributed to equally high acceptance of these facilities in Singapore and Malaysia. Furthermore, the demand for recruitment process outsourcing in the Rest if Southeast Asia is also driven by the growing IT outsourcing industry in Myanmar and Philippines.Recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) denotes to outsourcing of diverse recruitment procedures to an exterior service supplier. It is a sort of business process outsourcing (BPO) where the company removes all or a part of the recruitment processes to a RPO provider. The RPO providing corporations work as an allowance to the human resource subdivision of the client group and manages the recruitment process liable upon the necessities of the client. Diverse procedures outsourced by the client association include probing for candidates, arranging their interviews, careers posting and other significant roles in recruitment.The market for recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) in Southeast Asia is driven by high advantages obtainable by these solutions over traditional in-house recruitment processes. The most important benefit of outsourcing the recruitment processes is the decrease in the costs of operations.Get Sample Report @Moreover, RPO providers have a devoted team of recruiters that safeguard the capable management of the recruitment procedures of the client association. Other than this, RPO suppliers undertake the responsibility of hiring applicants and other recruitment procedures for the client establishments. Therefore, by outsourcing recruitment processes to the RPO provider, the client groups can pay attention on their essential competencies more professionally.The study presented here is based on a report by Transparency Market Research (TMR), titled, Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) (Engagement Type - On-demand RPO and End-to-end RPO; End-use Industry Construction Industry, Marine, Aerospace, Hospitality, Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare) Market - Southeast Asia Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2014 - 2020.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: Dental Carpule Market Share Analysis, Strategies, Revenue and Forecasts to 2023 Market Research Future https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/721 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/721 The Global Dental Carpule Market report examines the key players and their fundamental profiling in the market, widely analyzing their middle abilities, and drawing an engaged scene for the market. Comprehensive Dental Carpule Market are been driven by need of safe association of injectable prescriptions to the patients having dental issues thusly upgrading the idea of guardian.The World Dental Carpule Market is required to accomplish US$ 20 Million of each 2023 from US$ 11 million of each 2016 with a CAGR of approximately 4.9%. Carpule is a sort of ampule or cartridge containing liquid remedy to be implanted using a syringe. It has a puncturable best and one end and a sliding connection on the other side. In dental calling, dental cartridges are known as carpules.Get Sample Copy @"Carpule" is an enlisted exchange name for dental cartridge arranged by Cook-Waite Laboratories which was presented in 1920. These are either made of glass or plastics. As of late, a large portion of the nearby anesthesia producers have begun fabricating plastic cartridges. They have various inconveniences over glass cartridges, for example, constrain required to be connected to the plunger of the syringe, spillage of arrangement amid infusion and the plunger does skim down the plastic cartridge as it does in the glass cartridge. Prefilled dental carpule comprises of four sections to be specific round and hollow glass tube, plug (plunger), aluminum top and stomach. The shade of cartridge band contrasts as indicated by the arrangement filled in it.Dental Carpule Market Key Players:GlaxoSmithKline,AstraZeneca,Gilead,Sanofi Genzyme,Merck,Roche,Pfizer and Novartis.Local Analysis of Dental Carpule Market: Globally North America is the biggest market for Dental Carpule. Europe creates most noteworthy income in dental caruple showcase. This is because of increment popular and mindfulness for dental beautifying agents and dental wellbeing in this district. North America is the biggest market for Dental Carpule which is required to develop at a CAGR of 3.1% and is relied upon to reach at US$ 9.2 million. Interest for dental caruples is expanding North America since patients have perceived the significance of safe organization of sedatives required for any dental strategy. Interest for dental caruples is expanding in North America since patients have perceived the significance of safe organization of injectable medications required for any dental methodology.Get Discount @Major TOC of Dental Carpule Market:1 Report Prologue2 Market Introductions2.1 Introduction2.2 Scope of Study2.3 Research Objective2.4 Assumptions & Limitations2.4.1 Assumptions2.4.2 Limitations3 Research Methodology3.1 Research Process3.2 Primary Research3.3 Secondary Research4 Market Dynamics4.1 Drivers4.1.1 Improving Medical Device Regulation4.1.2 Growing demand of dental cosmetics4.1.3 Increasing awareness about dental health4.2 Restrains4.2.1 Patient safety4.2.2 Cost of caruples5 Market Factor Analysis5.1 Porters Five Forces Model5.1.1 Bargaining power of suppliers5.1.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers5.1.3 Threat of New Entrants5.1.4 Threat of Substitutes5.1.5 Intensity of Rivalry5.2 Supply Chain Analysis.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 Mobile Banking Market 2017 Global Key Players -HSBC Mobile Banking, ICICI Bank Mobile Banking, S. Bank, Santander Mobile Banking, Barclays,.. Mobile Banking Market https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/897563-global-mobile-banking-market-research-report-2017 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/enquiry/897563-global-mobile-banking-market-research-report-2017 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=897563 Mobile Banking Market:WiseGuyReports.com adds Mobile Banking Market 2017 Global Analysis, Growth, Trends and Opportunities Research Report Forecasting to 2022reports to its database.Executive SummaryThis report studies Mobile Banking in Global market, especially in North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia and India, focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with capacity, production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, coveringHSBC Mobile BankingICICI Bank Mobile BankingS. BankSantander Mobile BankingBarclaysSBITSB BankICBC BankMBSCCBRequest Sample Report @Market Segment by Regions, this report splits Global into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue, market share and growth rate of Mobile Banking in these regions, from 2011 to 2021 (forecast), likeNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaSplit by product type, with production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, can be divided intoIOSAndroidSplit by application, this report focuses on consumption, market share and growth rate of Mobile Banking in each application, can be divided intoAccount informationTransactionInvestmentsSupportContent servicesFor further information on this report, visit -Table of ContentsGlobal Mobile Banking Market Research Report 20171 Mobile Banking Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Mobile Banking1.2 Mobile Banking Segment by Type1.2.1 Global Production Market Share of Mobile Banking by Type in 20151.2.2 IOS1.2.3 Android1.3 Mobile Banking Segment by Application1.3.1 Mobile Banking Consumption Market Share by Application in 20151.3.2 Account information1.3.3 Transaction1.3.4 Investments1.3.5 Support1.3.6 Content services1.4 Mobile Banking Market by Region1.4.1 North America Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.2 Europe Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Mobile Banking (2012-2022)2 Global Mobile Banking Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Mobile Banking Production and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.2 Global Mobile Banking Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.3 Global Mobile Banking Average Price by Manufacturers (2015 and 2016)2.4 Manufacturers Mobile Banking Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type2.5 Mobile Banking Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.5.1 Mobile Banking Market Concentration Rate2.5.2 Mobile Banking Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion3 Global Mobile Banking Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)3.1 Global Mobile Banking Production and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.2 Global Mobile Banking Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.3 Global Mobile Banking Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.4 North America Mobile Banking Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.5 Europe Mobile Banking Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.6 China Mobile Banking Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.7 Japan Mobile Banking Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.8 Southeast Asia Mobile Banking Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.9 India Mobile Banking Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)4 Global Mobile Banking Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2012-2017)4.1 Global Mobile Banking Consumption by Regions (2012-2017)4.2 North America Mobile Banking Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.3 Europe Mobile Banking Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.4 China Mobile Banking Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.5 Japan Mobile Banking Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.6 Southeast Asia Mobile Banking Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.7 India Mobile Banking Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)5 Global Mobile Banking Production, Revenue (Value), Price Trend by Type5.1 Global Mobile Banking Production and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)5.2 Global Mobile Banking Revenue and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)5.3 Global Mobile Banking Price by Type (2012-2017)5.4 Global Mobile Banking Production Growth by Type (2012-2017)6 Global Mobile Banking Market Analysis by Application6.1 Global Mobile Banking Consumption and Market Share by Application (2012-2017)6.2 Global Mobile Banking 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 Digital Certificates and Public Key Infrastructure Market: Demand for Software Solutions to Drive Market https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/digital-certificates-public-key-infrastructure-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=20477 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com The global market for digital certificates and public key infrastructure has been witnessing a healthy rise, thanks to the improved operational efficiency at reduced costs and the enhanced security and controlled workflow associated with digital certificates and public key infrastructure.Over the coming years, the global digital certificates and public key infrastructure market is likely to witness substantial rise, expanding at an exponential CAGR of 23.60% between 2017 and 2025. The opportunity in this market is projected to rise from US$1.95 bn in 2016 to US$12.90 bn by the end of 2025.Although, the markets future looks bright but the lack of awareness and technical competency linked with digital certificates may limit its growth over the next few years. The incompatibility among various formulation techniques, dearth of standardization, and the various ambiguities in regulations are also expected to deter the market from progressing steadily in the near future.Obtain Report Details @Software Solutions to Continue Reporting Strong DemandHardware and software are the two main types of technical solutions provided in the worldwide digital certificates and public key infrastructure market. Software solutions, which provide content validation to the electronic documents, have been leading the global market and are expected to remain on the top over the forthcoming years. With the increasing uptake of such software solutions, this segment is anticipated to witness substantial growth in the near future, ensuring its dominance.Digital certificates and public key infrastructure services are deployed predominantly on-premise or on cloud. Currently, on-premise deployment model is much popular than the cloud-based model. However, with the growing internet penetration, the letter, in which cloud-hosting signing services are utilized to sign the documents digitally, is expected to overtake the former over the forthcoming years.Request Sample @Continued Dominance of North America to be Witnessed in FutureNorth America, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and South America are the prominent regional markets for digital certificates and public key infrastructure across the world. North America emerged as the dominant regional market among these in 2016 with a contribution of US$678.8 mn to the overall revenue generated in this market that year. Researchers expect this regional market to continue its dominance over the next few years.Among other regional markets, Europe is expected to witness a significantly higher progress in terms of size as well as revenue over the forthcoming years, thanks to the rising number of certificate authorities and the growing Internet penetration in this region.GMO GlobalSign Inc., GoDaddy Group, Verisign Inc., Gemalto N.V., Comodo Group Inc., Signix Inc., Ascertia, Secured Signing Ltd., Docusign Inc., Identrust Inc., Kofax Ltd., Entrust Datacard Corp. are some of the key players operating in the global digital certificates and public key infrastructure market.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: Global Ion Indicators Market 2017: AnaSpec, GeneCopoeia, Abcam, TEFLabs, AG Scientific Ion Indicators Market 2017 http://bit.ly/2icMLzc http://bit.ly/2ncKiGu www.qymarketresearch.com The Global Ion Indicators market research Report during 2017 to 2022 provide depth perception of the major regional market standing of the Ion Indicators 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, South Korea and Japan.Get Sample Copy of Report Here:This Ion Indicators market state and future possibilities of the segment has jointly been examined. Additionally, key methods within the Ion Indicators 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. Top Manufacturers Analysis in Ion Indicators market including;1. Thermo Fisher Scientific2. ATT3. Abcam4. Eurogentec5. AnaSpec6. GeneCopoeia7. TEFLabs8. AG Scientific9. Montana MolecularEnquiry Here: Global Ion Indicators Market: Type Analysis1. Zinc Indicators2. Calcium Indicators3. Sodium Indicators4. Potassium Indicators5. Chloride Indicators6. Membrane Potential Indicators7. PH Indicators Global Ion Indicators Market: Application Analysis1. Hospitals2. Laboratory3. Medical Center4. OthersThe Ion Indicators report covers the marketing research and forecast of Ion Indicators Market on a regional also the world level. The Ion Indicators report is generically divided into six components and each half aims at the summary of the Ion Indicators past, present and future conditions of the market, feasibility of the investment alongside numerous methods and policies. Excluding the classification and definition, the Ion Indicators market report conjointly discusses the analysis crucial and export and explain a comparison of the Ion Indicators market that's centered on the trends and development.Each regional Ion Indicators 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, the conduct involved analysis of trends and analysis in these regional markets. Acknowledging the standing of the surroundings and product's up gradation, the Ion Indicators market report foretells every and each detail.At the end of Ion Indicators 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 Ion Indicators market. The Ion Indicators 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: +1-386-310-3803Website: Modular Data Center Market by Functional Module Solution (All-In-One Module and Individual Module), Service, Data Center Size, Tier Type, Industry, and Region- Global Trends and Forecast 2014 to 2024 Acumen Research and Consulting https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/tentative-table-of-content/369 https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/request-customization/369 https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/inquiry-before-buying/369 https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/buy-now/0/369 https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com Introduction:A modular data center refers to a portable method of positioning a data center capacity. These data centers can be deployed anywhere, where there is a requirement of data capacity. Modular data center comprises modules and components that are purpose-engineered to provide scalable data center capacity that has multiple cooling and power options. Usually these data centers are designed in shipping containers with standardized configurations but can also be custom-made according to the requirement. The modular data centers are gaining popularity among organizations owing to the characteristics such as scalability and easy deployment. Since these data centers are prefabricated modules they can be deployed easily and in less time as compared to conventional data centers. Another factor driving the demand for modular data center is that it facilitates in cutting the infrastructural cost required to deploy a conventional data center. Furthermore, organizations are opting for modular data center in place of conventional data centers due to the advancement of technology, power efficiency delivered by modular data centers and dynamic business needs.Download Table of Content:Market Dynamics:The Modular Data Center Market is bifurcated by module solution, service, deployment size, vertical and geography. The solution segment is classified into all-in-one functional module and individual functional module. The individual function module is further sub-segmented into IT module, mechanical module and electrical module. By service, the market is segmented into consulting, integration & deployment and infrastructure management. On the basis of deployment size, the market is bifurcated into medium-sized data center, large data center and enterprise data center. Further, the vertical segment is classified into banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI), healthcare, IT & telecom, education, government & defense, energy, retail, manufacturing and others. Geographically, the market is bifurcated into Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa (MEA) and Latin America.Market Classification:The integration & deployment services segment dominates the market for modular data center in terms of service. Increasing investments globally for deployment of modular data centers and their rising adoption are fueling the market growth. North America held the largest share in 2015 owing to the developments and better infrastructure facilities available in the region. However, Asia-Pacific is expected to experience high demand for modular data centers. This demand is due to the increasing number of companies deploying modular data centers in developing economies such as India, China and Philippines. The dependency on vendors may act as a factor hampering the growth of modular data centers market. Vendors offer specialized solutions, that are not standardized. This makes it difficult for organizations to opt for any other vendor who can offer added functionality solutions.Request Customization:The IT & telecom segment is the leading verticals segment owing to the increasing demand for capacity expansion by IT & telecom companies particularly, in developing countries. The rising usage of internet services in developing countries by population demanding more digital content is resulting in increased demand for capacity expansion. Further, the modular data centers are portable and can be easily shipped and also, can work efficiently in harsh environments. Thus, organizations operating in remote locations are opting for modular data centers for increasing efficiency. On the other hand, modular data centers can be re-located and their usage in defense applications is rapidly increasing.Market Participants:Some of the players profiled in modular data center market report are Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., International Business Machines Corporation, Dell, Inc., Emerson Electric Co., Cannon Technologies Ltd., Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Development LP, Schneider Electric SE, Cisco Systems, Inc., Commscope, Inc., Rittal GmbH & Co. Kg, Bladeroom Group Ltd and Flexenclosure Ab (PUBL) among others.Inquiry Before Buying:Market SegmentationMarket by Module SolutionAll-in-one functional moduleIndividual functional moduleo IT moduleo Mechanical moduleo Electrical moduleMarket by ServiceConsultingIntegration & deploymentInfrastructure managementMarket by Deployment SizeMedium-sized data centerLarge data centerEnterprise data centerMarket by VerticalBanking, financial services and insurance (BFSI)HealthcareIT & telecomEducationGovernment & defenseEnergyRetailManufacturingOthersMarket by GeographyNorth Americao USo Canadao MexicoEuropeo UKo Germanyo Franceo Rest of EuropeAsia-Pacifico Chinao Japano Indiao Philippineso Rest of Asia-PacificLatin Americao Brazilo Chileo Rest of Latin AmericaMiddle East and Africa (MEA)o South Africao Saudi Arabiao Rest of MEABuy Now This Report From Here:About UsAcumen Research and Consulting (ARC) is a global provider of market intelligence and consulting services to information technology, investment, telecommunication, manufacturing, and consumer technology markets. ARC helps investment communities, IT professionals, and business executives to make fact based decisions on technology purchases and develop firm growth strategies to sustain market competition. With the team size of 100+ Analysts and collective industry experience of more than 200 years, Acumen Research and Consulting assures to deliver a combination of industry knowledge along with global and country level expertise.Contact -Frank WilsonSales Manager | Acumen Research and ConsultingEmail: frank@acumenresearchandconsulting.comPh - USA +1 716-2400-831Asia-Pacific +912065600384Website: Latest Nutrigenomics Market 2017 Analysis and Industry Forecasts To 2023 Market Research Future https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/4009 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/4009 The Worldwide Nutrigenomics Market is required to develop at the CAGR of 16.8% amid the conjecture time frame and is assessed to achieve USD 17,313.5 million by 2023. Nutrigenomics is the investigation of communication of supplement and qualities. It ponders the impact of sustenance and their constituents on the qualities.The World Nutrigenomics Market report give bits of knowledge about elements influencing the market development and examinations the market structure alongside estimate for the following 7 years of the different fragments and sub-sections of the Nutrigenomics showcase. On the basis of application the market is segmented into obesity, diabetes, anti-aging, chronic diseases.The Global Nutrigenomics Market report has been segmented on the basis of products, techniques and application. On the basis of products, the market is categorized into reagents & kits, services. On the basis of techniques, the market is segmented into saliva, buccal swab, blood, others.Get Sample Copy @Nutrigenomics Market Key Players are:WellGen Inc. (US),Metagenics, Inc (US),Genomix Nutrition, Inc. (US),Nutrigenomix (US),NutraGene (India),XCODE Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd. (India),Cura Integrative Medicine (Australia).Nutrigenomics Market Regional Analysis: Considering the global scenario of the market, America dominates the global nutrigenomics market owing to the presence of huge population suffering from diabetes and obesity. North America holds the largest market share in America nutrigenomics market. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2015), in America approximately 9.3% of the total America population is suffering from diabetes.Europe has the second largest market for the Nutrigenomics Industry which is followed by Asia Pacific. Presence of well-developed healthcare sector and high healthcare expenditure, the nutrigenomics market in Europe is growing at a CAGR of 17%. Asia Pacific is also witnessing a rapid growth in this market which is mainly due to rapidly increasing awareness of treatments, presence of huge diabetic and obese population and rising healthcare expenditure.Asia Pacific Nutrigenomics Industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 17.1% during the forecasted period. The Middle East & Africa is expected to have limited growth. Middle East is dominating this market by holding 64.3% of the Middle East & Africa market share.According to the International Diabetes Federation (2016), 420 million adults were suffering from diabetes which is expected to reach 625 million by 2040. Further, as per the World Health Organization (2014), more than 600 million adults were obese and 1.9 billion adults, were overweight. Moreover, increasing healthcare expenditure, and government support for research & development has fueled the market growth. However, high cost of treatment and need of well qualified physicians may restrain the growth of market.Major TOC Nutrigenomics Market:1 Report Prologue2 Introduction2.1 Scope of Study2.2 Research Objective2.3 Assumptions & Limitations2.3.1 Assumptions2.3.2 Limitations2.4 Market Structure3 Research Methodology3.1 Market Size Estimation3.1.1 Market Share analysis3.2 Market Pricing Approach.ContinuedAsk to Expert @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 Nov, 28 2017: Multi-Turn Valve Market Forecast 2023 Hitachi Koki, Robert Bosch, Mindman, Danaher Multi-Turn Valve http://bit.ly/2ib4CGW http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-multi-turn-valve-market-2017-demand-insight-key-players-segmentation-and-forecast-to-2022 http://www.spiremarketresearch.com Multi-Turn Valve Market Research 2017A market study "Global Multi-Turn Valve Market" examines the performance of the Multi-Turn Valve market 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Multi-Turn Valve market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Multi-Turn Valve market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Multi-Turn Valve Market 2017 report includes Multi-Turn Valve market Revenue, market Share, Multi-Turn Valve industry volume, market Trends, Multi-Turn Valve Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Multi-Turn Valve Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Multi-Turn Valve Market 2017 :Robert Bosch GmbHHilti CorporationStanley Black&DeckerMakita CorporationActuant CorporationTechtronic IndustriesDanaher CorporationHitachi Koki LtdSKFEmerson ElectricMindmanSiemensFirstly, the report covers the top Multi-Turn Valve manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Multi-Turn Valve report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Multi-Turn Valve industry, Multi-Turn Valve industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Multi-Turn Valve Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Browse Full Report Here:The Multi-Turn Valve 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 Multi-Turn Valve market revenue worldwide.Finally, Multi-Turn Valve 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 Digital Impression System Market : Industry Analysis, Opportunity Assessment and Forecast http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/digital-impression-system-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=22472 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com The increasing awareness regarding the advantages associated with the digital impression technology over the conventional method of impression, such as the simple, easy, and precise scanning with minimum efforts for both, the patient and the dentist, is having the most prominent influence on the global market for digital impression systems.As these systems eliminate the lengthy and painful process of elastomeric impression utilized for dental applications, their application in dental therapies has augmented substantially. Furthermore, the fact that digital impression systems decrease retakes required in dental applications, such as restoration, thus reducing the overall time and increasing the productivity, is also reflecting positively on the growth of this market.Obtain Report Details @Going forward, the increasing production of advanced powder-free intraoral scanners at a much reduced price is expected to propel this market substantially over the forthcoming years. Apart from this, the rising uptake of these systems by dentists, prompted by the increasing focus on patients comfort and the accuracy of the treatment, is also projected to impel the market in the near future. In 2016, the market stood at US$2.13 bn. Proliferating at an impressive CAGR of 18.30% between 2017 and 2025, it is likely to reach US$9.6 bn by the end of 2025.Standalone systems, such as plug and play intraoral scanners, and mobile/portable systems, such as intraoral scanners, tablet/screens, and carts, are the main types of digital impression systems available across the world. Mobile/portable systems have surfaced as the leading contributor to this market. In 2016, this product segment held the topmost position in the global market with US$1.02 bn in revenues.Make an Enquiry @North America, the Middle East and Africa, Europe, Asia Pacific, and South America are the prime geographical segments of the worldwide digital impression system market. In 2015, North America dominated the overall market with US$555.4 mn in revenues. Analysts expect this regional market to continue its dominance over the next few years, thanks to the presence of a large pool of established market players. The U.S and Canada are likely to emerge as the key domestic markets for digital impression systems in North America in the near future.With its booming economies and improvement in consumers standard of living, the Asia Pacific market for digital impression is predicted to progress significantly among other regional markets in the years to come. The growing number of large orthodontic clinics and practitioners in Asian economies, such as Japan, China, and India, is likely to boost this regional market considerably over the forthcoming years.3M ESPE, 3Shape A/S, Align Technology Inc., Sirona Dental Systems Inc., PLANMECA OY, Ormco Corp., Glidewell Laboratories, Dental Wings Inc., Densys3D Ltd., and Carestream Health Inc. are the leading vendors of digital impression systems across the world.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: Nov, 28 2017: Micro Drives Market Forecast 2023 Ametek, Danaher Motion, Faulhaber, Regal Beloit Micro Drives http://bit.ly/2Bt8asz http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-micro-drives-market-2017-demand-insight-key-players-segmentation-and-forecast-to-2022 http://www.spiremarketresearch.com Micro Drives Market Research 2017A market study "Global Micro Drives Market" examines the performance of the Micro Drives market 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Micro Drives market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Micro Drives market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Micro Drives Market 2017 report includes Micro Drives market Revenue, market Share, Micro Drives industry volume, market Trends, Micro Drives Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Micro Drives Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Micro Drives Market 2017 :ABBFaulhaberMaxon MotorNidecRegal BeloitWEGAmetekBaldorJohnson ElectricDanaher MotionFirstly, the report covers the top Micro Drives manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Micro Drives report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Micro Drives industry, Micro Drives industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Micro Drives Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Browse Full Report Here:The Micro Drives 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 Micro Drives market revenue worldwide.Finally, Micro Drives 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 Safety Light Curtain Market : Growth Expected to Dominate Worldwide by 2025 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=2765 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=2765 https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=D&rep_id=2765 Global Safety Light Curtain Market: OverviewThere has always been a constant urge from various industries to automate their processes and extract greater efficiency. While industrial automation aids in easing the repeated tasks as well as makes better use of resources, resulting in improved products, it is also escalating the need for stronger safety measures. In this scenario, the market for safety light curtains is flourishing. These curtains are reliable and cost effective, provide protection at hazardous areas, and can be easily integrated to different machine functions through safe control solutions. Safety light curtains offer robust resistance from special ambient conditions and the market for the same will continue to grow at a notable CAGR during the forecast period of 2017 to 2025.Global Safety Light Curtain Market: Key TrendsAs highlighted earlier, the relentless efforts from industries to automate their manufacturing processes is driving the demand in the global safety light curtain market. Vendors operating in the sectors pertaining to pharmaceutical, metal and materials, oil and gas, food and beverages, packaging, and automotive have realized the increasing number of accidents as a result of malfunction at the workplace. To ensure safety during activities such as assembling of products, storing, packaging and processing, robotic technology is now being used, which in turn increases the need for safety checks without human interference. These safety light curtains come with digital indicators that enables the industry players to adjust beams and can detect accumulation of dirt. And, thereby, improving the quality of work and eventual products.Request Sample Copy of the Report@Rise in industrial revolution 4.0, radical growth of the packaging industry, and government mandates for safety regulations are some of the other factors driving the global safety light curtain market. On the other hand, inability of these curtains to provide for a secondary protective layer, need to regularly maintain them, lack of awareness regarding the benefits offered by these curtains, and highly competitive scenario are a few factors obstructing the prosperity of the global safety light curtain market. Nevertheless, the stockholders connected to the value chain of this market will continue to gain new opportunities by developing digital indicators and focus on the emerging economies in the region of APAC.Global Safety Light Curtain Market: Market PotentialThe advent of presence sensing device initiation (PSDI) and the prosperity of the automotive industry, particularly with the emergence of electric vehicles, are two factors adding substantial futuristic potential to the market for safety light curtain. PSDI can be applicable wherever repeated machine loading and unloading is required, metal restructuring processes such as bending, stamping, punching, folding, and welding, and large scale production in electronic industries.Request TOC of the Report @Global Safety Light Curtain Market: Regional OutlookBeing the manufacturing hubs in Asia Pacific, the most profitable region in the market for safety light curtain, China and India are expected to drive the demand throughout the forecast period. China in particular specializes in mass production of various products and components for industries such as automotive, electronics, semiconductor, healthcare, and food and beverages. Robust demand for consumer goods owing to vast population base, growing awareness regarding the efficient controls and constant analysis of manufacturing processes, and favorable government policies are some of the other factors favoring the Asia Pacific safety light curtain market.Global Safety Light Curtain Market: Competitive AnalysisThe overall shares in the global safety light curtain market is divided among a large pool of players who all offer products with desired features. In the near future, innovation will decide who stays ahead of the curve. OMRON, KEYENCE, Pepperl+Fuchs, SICK, and Rockwell Automation are some of the key companies of this market.Get Discount @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 Hospital and Laundry Boilers Market Projected to Witness Vigorous Expansion by 2020 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/north-american-hospital-laundry-boilers-market.asp https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/3389 www.persistencemarketresearch.com Laundry and boilers services play an important role in sterilization and maintains contamination free environment in hospitals. Laundry service is responsible for delivery of adequate amount of clean and sterile linen to patients and healthcare professionals. The major tasks of laundry service include collection of linen, washing, drying and delivery to users. Boilers are used for steam and hot waters for vital needs, such as space heating and sterilization of linen and provide hygienic conditions for patients.The U.S. and Canada dominates the North American hospital and laundry boilers market due to improved healthcare infrastructure in the region. For instance, in 2012, American Hospital Association (AHA), a national organization that represents and serves all types of hospitals and healthcare networks conducted an annual survey of total number of registered hospitals in the U.S. This number was 5,723 in 2012. Registered hospitals are those hospitals that fulfill all the AHA criteria. This improved healthcare system in the U.S. has resulted in significant rise in demand of laundry and boiler services to main hygienic conditions for the patients and healthcare professionals.Browse Report:In recent time, rising number of hospital admissions is key driver for the North American hospital and laundry boilers market. For instance, in 2010, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 2, 58,000 hospital admissions had registered for hip fractures among people aged 65 and above and the number is expected to reach 2, 89, 000 by 2030. This increasing number of hospital admissions requires sterile linen for their better comfort in hospitals. However, the high energy cost to operate boilers in hospitals is key restraint for the North American hospital and laundry boilers market. In addition, strict regulation associated with the generation of steam through boilers also obstructs growth of the North American Hospital and laundry boilers market. For instance, hospitals require accreditation from Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) for steam generation.Some of the major companies operating in the North American hospital and laundry boilers market are Parker Boiler Co., Indeck Power Equipment Co., Fulton, Powerhouse Equipment & Engineering Co., Inc., Smith Hughes Co., Nationwide Boiler, Inc., Energy Equipment Co., Inc., Reagan-Riter Boiler Works, Inc. and Energy Products Co..Request For Report Sample: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.Contact UsPersistence 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: Industrial Flood Scrubbers Market: Stringent Regulations Encouraging Use of Eco-friendly Technologies across Industries https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/industrial-floor-scrubbers-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=3960 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Floor scrubbers are automated solutions recently introduced in the market keeping in mind the cleaning requirements in industries. Their benefits lie in making industrial cleaning easier and more convenient. Industrial floor scrubbers are available as walk-behind, ride-on and robotics floor scrubbers, specifically adopted by the end-use industries.As these floor scrubbers offer a high level of cleanliness that helps in keeping the environment dust-free and reduces bacteria build up, experts foretell their demand to surge higher in the future. Additionally, the launch of industrial floor scrubbers with artificial intelligence is slated. This development will help execute tasks requiring human intelligence. Spurred by these factors, the global industrial floor scrubbers market is forecast to exhibit strong growth in the coming years.On the flip side, the high cost of these products are posing threat to the global industrial floor scrubbers market. The factor also inhibits the markets penetration in emerging nations.Obtain Report Details @Considering the scenario, the global industrial scrubbers market is forecast to exhibit a CAGR of 8.5% between 2017 and 2025. At this pace, the markets valuation will reach US$6.62 bn by the end of 2025, from US$3.24 bn in 2016.Demand for Robotic Floor Covers to Rise at Higher PaceBy type, the global industrial floor scrubbers market is categorized into walk-behind scrubbers, ride-on scrubbers, and robotic scrubbers. Among these scrubbers type, robotic scrubbers segment is anticipated to show large-scale adoption due to rapid development in advanced technologies in the industrial floor scrubbers across the world. Of these, the demand for walk-behind scrubbers is forecast to remain the maximum through the course of the forecast period. By the end of 2017, it is expected to hold over 51% of the overall market.Further, the end-use industry segmentation includes transportation, healthcare & pharmaceuticals, government, education, hospitality, manufacturing & warehousing, and retail & food. Of these, the manufacturing and warehouse segment emerged dominant in the market in 2016.On account of stringent regulations impelling industries to focus more on cleanliness, the demand from the manufacturing and warehouse segment is forecast to remain high through the forecast period. Furthermore, healthcare & pharmaceuticals industries are anticipated to witness strong growth in near-term, largely due to growing focus on sustainability.Request Sample @North America and Europe to Remain Dominant through Forecast PeriodRegionally, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and the Middle East and Africa constitute the key market segments. North Americas share in the overall market is expected to reach 33.5% by the end of 2017, thus the region is expected to emerge lead in the future. Europe has emerged as the second-leading market for industrial floor scrubbers. Through the course of the forecast period, these regions are expected to continue leading the market.Owing to rapid industrialization and the rising awareness about the latest technologies, industries in Asia Pacific are also expected to showcase increasing demand for industrial floor scrubbers. The robust growth in healthcare, food, and manufacturing industries will aid the expansion of the industrial floor scrubbers market in Asia Pacific.Alfred Karcher GmbH & Co. KG, Bortek Industries, Inc., iRobot Corporation, Ecovacs Robotics, Factory Cat, Hako Holding GmbH & Co. KG, Nilfisk-Advance, Inc., Tennant Company, Tornado Industries, Inc., and Wiese, Inc. are a few of the leading players operating in the global industrial floor scrubbers market.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: Reinsurance in Lebanon Market 2017 - Opportunity, Driving Trends and deep study. https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/1673914-reinsurance-in-lebanon-key-trends-and-opportunities-to-2020 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/1673914-reinsurance-in-lebanon-key-trends-and-opportunities-to-2020 www.linkedin.com/company/4828928 https://twitter.com/WiseGuyReports https://www.facebook.com/Wiseguyreports-1009007869213183/?fref=ts Synopsis'Reinsurance in Lebanon Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides detailed analysis of the market trends, drivers and challenges in the Lebanese reinsurance segment.It provides values for key performance indicators such as written premium, reinsurance ceded and reinsurance accepted during the review period (20112015) and forecast period (20152020).GET SAMPLE REPORT @The report also analyses information pertaining to the competitive landscape in the country, gives a comprehensive overview of the Lebanese economy and demographics, and provides detailed analysis of natural hazards and their impact on the Lebanese 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.Summary'Reinsurance in Lebanon Key Trends and Opportunities to 2020' report provides in-depth market analysis, information and insights into the Lebanese reinsurance segment, including: An outlook of the Lebanese reinsurance segment A comprehensive overview of the Lebanese economy and demographics Detailed analysis of natural hazards and their impact on the Lebanese insurance industry The competitive landscape in the Lebanese reinsurance segmentScopeThis report provides a comprehensive analysis of the reinsurance segment in Lebanon: It provides historical values for the Lebanese reinsurance 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 Lebanese reinsurance segment, and market forecasts to 2020. It provides a detailed analysis of the reinsurance ceded from various direct insurance segments in Lebanon, and the reinsurance segment's growth prospects. It analyzes various natural and man-made hazards and their impact on the Lebanese insurance industryReasons to Buy Make strategic business decisions using in-depth historic and forecast market data related to the Lebanese reinsurance segment, and each category within it. Understand the demand-side dynamics, key market trends and growth opportunities in the Lebanese reinsurance segment. Identify growth opportunities and market dynamics in key product categories. Gain insights into key regulations governing the Lebanese insurance industry, and their impact on companies and the industry's future.Key Highlights In 2017, Gen Re partnered with Monsenso, a Danish technology company, to offer mental health solutions. In March 2017, the government announced plans to provide subsidized loans to encourage consolidation in the insurance industry. In 2017, Nasco Insurance Group acquired a 93.9% stake in Lebanese insurer Al Ittihad Al Watani (LUnion Nationale) for LBP26.4 billion (US$17.5 million). In June 2015, Chedid Europe Reinsurance Brokerage Ltd a subsidiary of Chedid Re announced its registration as a Lloyds broker. In May 2016, Chedid Capital Holdings acquired a majority stake in Emirati Al Manara Insurance Services Co. Ltd.Table of Content: Key Points1 KEY FACTS AND HIGHLIGHTS2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY3 ECONOMY AND DEMOGRAPHICS4 REINSURANCE OUTLOOK4.1 Reinsurance Segment Size, 201120204.1.1 Total reinsurance premium accepted4.2 Reinsurance Segment Size by Premium Ceded, 201120205 NATURAL AND MAN-MADE HAZARDS5.1 Flooding5.2 Storms5.3 Earthquakes5.4 Wildfires5.5 Man-made Hazards5.6 Exposure6 COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE6.1 Company Profiles6.1.1 Arab Reinsurance Company company overview6.1.2 Gen Re Beirut Sal company overview6.1.3 The Mediterranean and Gulf Insurance and Reinsurance Co. company overview7 DEFINITION AND METHODOLOGYContinuedACCESS 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 Concrete Bonding Agents Market Report for Period 2017 till 2023 QUIKRETE Companies, BASF, GCP Applied Technologies, Fosroc, Sika and Others Concrete Bonding Agents Market https://goo.gl/NddPvV https://goo.gl/NddPvV https://goo.gl/NddPvV http://marketreportscompany.com Global Concrete Bonding Agents market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely The Euclid Chemical Company, GCP Applied Technologies, Fosroc, LafargeHolcim, QUIKRETE Companies, BASF, Dow Chemical, Mapei, Saint-Gobain, Sika and Others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2023 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2022, etc.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global Concrete Bonding Agents Market 2017Top Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:BASFDow ChemicalMapeiSaint-GobainSikaThe Euclid Chemical CompanyGCP Applied TechnologiesFosrocLafargeHolcimQUIKRETE CompaniesOthersGlobal Concrete Bonding Agents Market: Key Product TypeType 1Type 2Type 3OthersGlobal Concrete Bonding Agents Market: Key Application TypeBuilding and constructionRoad and infrastructureUtility industriesOthersGlobal Concrete Bonding Agents Market: Key RegionNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia, Italy and Others)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia and Others)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia and Others)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa and Others)The Global Concrete Bonding Agents Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global Concrete Bonding Agents Market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The Global Concrete Bonding Agents Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Enquire before Buying @Table of Contents:1 Global Market Overview1.1 Scope of Statistics1.1.1 Scope of Products1.1.2 Scope of Manufacturers1.1.3 Scope of Application1.1.4 Scope of Regions/Countries1.2 Global Market Size2 Regional Market2.1 Regional Production2.2 Regional Demand2.3 Regional Trade3 Key Manufacturers3.1 BASF........................Continue (Global Concrete Bonding Agents Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and with the help of third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.About Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters. We can provide market insights for any particular region, country across the globe within shortest possible turn around time.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States Thin Film Photovoltaic Market Challenges and Opportunities Report 2016 - 2024 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=619 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=619 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Thin-film photovoltaic market is experiencing a continuous advancement on the basis of materials employed and manufacturing technology. The aim to utilize an economical electricity generating technology has resulted in a number of companies investing in the thin-film photovoltaic market. The technology of thin film photovoltaic has experienced a huge development leap from just being providing a strip of PV cells for powering calculators to solar charges or sophisticated BIPV for mobile devices.This study presents information and evaluation of the present status of the global thin-film photovoltaic market. The state of the market by the end of 2020 is also presented in this report. The technological developments taking place in the market and their influence on the markets growth have also been detailed. Likewise, the emerging technologies in this market have been thoroughly explained.The report further presents the comparative evaluation and the market share of different thin film technologies along with presenting their forecast by the end of 2020. In addition, fundamental topics such as the market drivers, restraints, challenges, and the investment status in the global thin-film photovoltaic market have been presented through this study. The report aids in understanding how each technology within this market, at different development stages, will change the overall market dynamics.Request Report Brochure @Overview of Thin Film Photovoltaic MarketThe growth of the market for photovoltaic cells varies nation by nation. This is primarily owing to the public support programs and variations in energy policies, particularly in case of photovoltaic. Thin film photovoltaic systems have numerous benefits in the marketplace owing to which they are being highly demanded globally. They have two primary technical advantages which make them more powerful than crystalline systems. Firstly, they exhibit enhanced low light production properties. Secondly, they exhibit an attractive temperature coefficient and this lowers the influence of high ambient temperatures on the production of energy.Owing to less steps of production and comparatively low material input, thin film photovoltaic technologies hold an immense potential in lowering cost. Another advantage of thin film is their aesthetic appeal. Due to their homogenous and almost black appearance, thin film modules, particularly those employing copper indium gallium selenide technology, are highly utilized to build integrated PV applications globally.The global thin film photovoltaic market is fuelled by the rising population and the increasing investments globally. In addition, strict regulations and rules imposed by governments in a number of nations will also provide impetus to the growth of this market. Furthermore, factors such as increased efficiency and low cost of thin film photovoltaic cells are also positively impacting the development of the overall market. On the other hand, the skyrocketing cost deployed in the maintenance of thin film photovoltaic systems may impede the development of the market in the coming years.Visit For TOC@On the basis of geography, the report categorizes the market into Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World (RoW). The energy demand is rising at an alarming rate which presents immense opportunities for thin film photovoltaic systems in Asia Pacific, particularly in nations such as China and India.Key players in Thin Film Photovoltaic MarketThe prime players in the global thin film photovoltaic market are Dunmore Corporation, SoloPower Systems Inc., HHV Solar Technologies Pvt. Ltd, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, First Solar Company, Hanergy Holding Group Limited, Kaneka Corporation, SoltaBond GmbH BLOO Solar Inc., NanoPV Solar Inc., and Tokyo Electron Limited, among others.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: Smart Agriculture Market: Key Players and Production Information analysis http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/smart-agriculture-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=11561 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com The demand for smart technologies such as Big Data, cloud-based services, GPS, and the IoT is gaining pace in the agriculture industry. Driven by the rising need for high precision crop analysis, automated farming techniques, and collection of data from the field, the world is likely to witness the agriculture industry get smarter with the implementation of aforementioned technologies in the coming years.Data thus derived from implementing smart technologies can help farmers yield high quality and larger quantity of crops. Spurred by these factors, the global smart agriculture market is projected to report a CAGR of 13.5% between 2017 and 2025. At this pace, the markets valuation will rise from US$6.55 bn in 2015 to US$23.44 bn by the end of 2025.Besides rising population, which triggers demand for food, the global smart agriculture market is expected to gain from favorable government initiatives. However, the journey is likely to be more difficult in underdeveloped economy where the agriculture sector is reeling under lack of knowledge among farmers. The high cost of smart devices is making the matter worse. Nevertheless, in the coming years the market is likely to gain from the rising penetration of high-speed internet even in remote areas.Obtain Report Details @The smart agriculture market is segmented on the basis of solutions, application and geography. Regionally, the global smart agriculture market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. Of these, the dominance was with the smart agriculture market in North America, which held over 44.14% of the overall market in 2016. Extensive researches funded by governments across the region to minimize human involvement and boost crop yield has fuelled the demand for smart agriculture technologies in North America.Europe emerged as the second-leading and is expected to continue exhibiting lucrative market opportunities. In the U.K. especially the market is forecast to witness accelerated pace of gains as the government make huge investments in the research and development of robust technologies. Besides this, rate of growth in Italy is predicted to remain high through the forecast period.During the same time, the Asia Pacific smart agriculture market is forecast to rise at an influential rate. Countries such as Japan, China, and Australia will strong agriculture sector are expected to emerge at the fore of the regional market. China held the leading share in the Asia Pacific smart agriculture market. However, in the forthcoming years Japan is expected to showcase more attractive opportunities for the market.Make an Enquiry@The global market for smarty agriculture is segmented on the basis of solutions, application and geography. Based on solution, the market for smart agriculture is further segmented as network management, agriculture asset management, supervisory control and data acquisition, logistic and supply chain management, smart water management, and other. Of these, the network management segment held the dominant share of 21.20% in the overall market in 2016.However, over the course of the forecast period, the demand for smart water management solutions is expected to rise at a higher pace. A major section of the agriculture sector still depends on vagaries of monsoon for farming. Smart water management and irrigation solutions have therefore become popular among farmers to boost their crop yield and ensure minimum water wastage.On the basis of application, the smart agriculture market has been segmented as precision agriculture, livestock monitoring, fish farming, smart greenhouse and others. Of these, the precision agriculture segment held the leading share of 49.09% in the overall market in 2016.The practice helps farmers grow high quality crop with less human effort, which are key factors fuelling the demand for precision agriculture around the world.The major players in the smart agriculture market are Deere & Co., Trimble Navigation Ltd., Raven Industries Ltd., AgJunction Inc., AGCO Corporation, SST Development Group Inc., Ag Leader Technology, Hexagon AB, Iteris Inc., TeeJet Technologies.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: Spirometer Market Report for Period 2017 till 2023 Schiller, Welch Allyn, NDD, SDI Diagnostics, Contec, Vitalograph, Geratherm, Fukuda Sangyo and Others Spirometer Market https://goo.gl/ZDw5ir https://goo.gl/ZDw5ir https://goo.gl/ZDw5ir http://marketreportscompany.com Global Spirometer market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely Futuremed, Fukuda Sangyo, NDD, SDI Diagnostics, Geratherm, Cosmed, Medikro, Anhui Electronics Scientific Institute, Contec, BD (CareFusion), Schiller, Welch Allyn, CHEST. MI., MIR, Vitalograph, MGC and Others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2023 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2022, etc.A spirometer is a device that gauges lung function by measuring the amount of air a patient is able to blow out of his lungs. A primary care physician or allergist may perform spirometry on a patient if he presents symptoms such as trouble breathing, wheezing, chest tightness or shortness of breath.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global Spirometer Market 2017Top Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:BD (CareFusion)SchillerWelch AllynCHEST. MI.MIRVitalographMGCFuturemedFukuda SangyoNDDSDI DiagnosticsGerathermCosmedMedikroAnhui Electronics Scientific InstituteContecOthersGlobal Spirometer Market: Key Product TypeHand-held SpirometerTable-top SpirometerDesktop (PC) SpirometerOthersGlobal Spirometer Market: Key Application TypeHospitalClinicHomecareOthersGlobal Spirometer Market: Key RegionNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia, Italy and Others)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia and Others)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia and Others)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa and Others)The Global Spirometer Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global Spirometer Market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The Global Spirometer Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Enquire before Buying @Table of Contents:1 Market Overview1.1 Market Segment Overview1.1.1 Product Definition1.1.2 Market by Type1.1.2.1 Hand-held Spirometer1.1.2.2 Table-top Spirometer1.1.2.3 Desktop (PC) Spirometer1.1.3 Market by Application1.1.3.1 Hospital1.1.3.2 Clinic1.1.3.3 Homecare........................Continue (Global Spirometer Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and with the help of third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.About Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters. We can provide market insights for any particular region, country across the globe within shortest possible turn around time.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States Alternative Fuels Market Projected to Grow Steadily During (2016 - 2024) https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=626 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=626 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com The tremendous rise in energy consumption across the globe is the primary factor boosting the demand for alternative fuels. As alternative fuels are chemical-free and environment-friendly, they help in reducing carbon emission. In addition, the tremendously rising crude oil prices and strict government regulations for reducing greenhouse gas emissions are projected to encourage the growth of the global alternative fuels market in the coming years.The research study offers a comprehensive analysis of the global alternative fuels market, presenting insights into the prominent opportunities and growth prospects. The study sheds light on the historical developments and the current market situation in order to map a clear trajectory of the global alternative fuels market throughout the forecast period. The limitations and challenges faced by the leading players have been discussed in the scope of the research report to guide new entrants in formulating effective business decisions.Request Report Brochure @Global Alternative Fuels Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe growing need to cut down on import dependence and the decreasing reserves of crude oil are the primary factors augmenting the growth of the global alternative fuels market. In addition, these factors are pushing energy companies and national governments to invest more in the alternative fuels market. Most of the energy consuming centers across the globe are completely dependent on imported oil from different oil exporting countries. To reduce this reliance, several countries are making efforts to create awareness regarding the benefits of alternative fuels. This is projected to contribute extensively towards the growth of the market.On the other hand, the high operational costs of appliances that run on alternative fuels are restricting the growth of the alternative fuels market across the globe. In addition, the high maintenance and limited availability of alternative fuels are expected to hamper the markets growth throughout the forecast period. Nevertheless, the enforcement of strict regulations by governments on the use of alternative fuels is expected to encourage leading players to introduce new technologies and products in the near future.Visit For TOC@Global Alternative Fuels Market: Region-wise OutlookThe global alternative fuels market has been classified on the basis of geography into Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, and Rest of the World. Among these regions, currently, North America is leading the global market with high investments in developing innovative alternative fuels. In this region, the U.S. is considered as the key consumer of energy, thanks to the enormous amount spent on developing new technologies to make use of alternative fuels as a source of energy. Moreover, government support in the form of tax concessions and rebates is expected to fuel the growth of the alternative fuels market in North America.Furthermore, the growing demand for energy is projected to boost the demand for alternative fuels in Asia Pacific market. India, China, and Japan are the most prominent energy consuming countries who are making heavy investments in the global market. As a result, the Asia Pacific alternative fuels market is expected to witness significant growth in the next few years.Key Players Mentioned in the Research ReportThe key players operating in the alternative fuels market across the globe are BP plc, Sasol Ltd., General Electric Company, EI DuPont, and ExxonMobil Corporation. The growing demand for alternative fuels is encouraging the participation of new players. This is expected to strengthen the competitive scenario of the global alternative fuels market.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: Nov, 28 2017: Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Market Forecast 2023 Hydrogenics, Fuel Cell Energy, Daimler, Hyundai Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle http://bit.ly/2Aeh7Il http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/global-hydrogen-fuel-cell-vehicle-sales-market-2017-demand-insight-key-players-segmentation-and-forecast-to-2022 http://www.spiremarketresearch.com Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Market Research 2017A market study "Global Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Market" examines the performance of the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle market 2017. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report analyzes the potential of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle market in the present and the future prospects from various angles in detail.The Global Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Market 2017 report includes Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle market Revenue, market Share, Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle industry volume, market Trends, Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.To Get Sample Report Click Here:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Sellers of Global Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Market 2017 :DaimlerHondaHyundaiToyotaAudiBallard Power SystemsBMWFuel Cell EnergyGMHydrogenicsMANVolvoHydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Market : By ApplicationCommercial VehiclesPassenger CarsFirstly, the report covers the top Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle manufacturing industry players from regions like United States, EU, Japan, and China. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions.Further, the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle report gives information on the company profile, market share and contact details along with value chain analysis of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle industry, Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Browse Full Report Here:The Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle 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 Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle market revenue worldwide.Finally, Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle 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 Carbon Fiber Market: How It Is Going To Impact On Global Industry To Grow In Near Future And With the CAGR Value of 11.10% http://databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=global-carbon-fiber-market http://databridgemarketresearch.com/toc/?dbmr=global-carbon-fiber-market http://databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-carbon-fiber-market/ http://databridgemarketresearch.com/speak-to-analyst/?dbmr=global-carbon-fiber-market http://databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-ransom-ware-protection-market/ http://databridgemarketresearch.com/blog/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/data-bridge-market-research Global Carbon Fiber Market By Resin Type (Thermosetting CFRP, Thermoplastic CFRP); By Manufacturing Process (Lay-Up Process, Compression Molding Process, Resin Transfer Molding Process, Filament Winding Process, Injection Molding Process, Pultrusion Process); Raw Material Type; End-Use Industry; Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Europe, South America, Middle East and Africa) Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Request for Free Sample Report @The Global Carbon Fiber Market accounted for USD 25.7 billion in 2016 and projected to grow at a CAGR of 11.10% during the forecast period of 2017 to 2024. The upcoming market report contains data for historic years 2014, 2015, the base year of calculation is 2016 and the forecast period is 2017 to 2024.Market Definition: Global Carbon Fiber MarketCarbon fibre is a black, smooth, and light-weighted textile fibers, it is specially used due to its lightness and strength at high temperature for reinforcing resins, ceramics, and metals, mainly in turbine blades and for fishing rods. It has its wide application in Aerospace & Defense, Wind Energy, Automotive, and others. Increase in demand for fuel-efficient vehicles may act as the major driver in the growth of carbon fiber market. On the other side, insufficient production capacity may hamper the market.Complete report on Global Carbon Fiber Market Research Report 2017-2024 spread across 350 Pages, profiling Top companies and supports with tables and figuresKey Questions Answered in Global Carbon Fiber Market Report:-Our Report offers:- What will the market growth rate, Overview and Analysis by Type of Global Carbon Fiber Market in 2024? What are the key factors driving, Analysis by Applications and Countries Global Carbon Fiber Market? What are Dynamics, This Overview Includes Analysis of Scope, and price analysis of top Vendors Profiles of Global Carbon Fiber Market? Who are Opportunities, Risk and Driving Force of Global Carbon Fiber Market? Who are the opportunities and threats faced by the vendors in Global Carbon Fiber Market? Business Overview by Type, Applications, Gross Margin and Market Share What are the Global Carbon Fiber Market opportunities, market risk and market overview of the Market?Request for Detaild TOC:Top Key Players: TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC. TEIJIN LIMITED Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation SGL Group Formosa Plastics Corporation Hexcel Corporation DSK Hyosung Pvt. Ltd. Koninklijke Ten Cate bv. DowAksa Cytec Solvay Group TAEKWANG INDUSTRIAL CO.,LTD. Gurit Plasan Carbon Composites SK chemicals Nippon Graphite Fiber Co., Ltd. kemrock Park Electrochemical Corp BGF Industries, Inc. Oyster Technology Crosby Composites DSM Aeron Composite Pvt. Ltd. ZhongAo Carbon Sigmatex Ltd Holding company Composite and others.Avail 10% Instant Discount on Purchase of this report Mail us on: sales@databridgemarketresearch.comMajor Market Drivers and Restraints: Increase in the use of carbon fiber and carbon fiber reinforced plastics in boeing and airbus aircraft Increase in demand for fuel-efficient vehicles Focus on production of electricity from renewable sources High cost of carbon fiber composites Insufficient production capacityFor more insightful information visit @Customize report of "Global Carbon Fiber Market" as per customers requirement also available.Market Segmentations:Global Carbon Fiber Market is segmented on the basis of Material Type Manufacturing Process Resin Type End-Use GeographyMarket Segmentations in Details:On the basis of Material Type into polyacrylonitrile (Pan-Based) carbon fibers, pitch-based carbon fiber, and rayon-based carbon fiber.On the basis of Manufacturing Process, the global carbon fiber market is segmented into lay-up process, compression molding process, resin transfer molding process, filament winding process, injection molding process, pultrusion process, and others.On the basis of Resin Type, the global carbon fiber market is segmented into thermosetting CFRP, and thermoplastic CFRP.On the basis of End-Use industry, the global carbon fiber market is segmented into aerospace & defense, wind energy, automotive, sporting goods, civil engineering, pipe & tank, marine, electrical & electronics, medical, and other applications.On the basis of geography North America South America Europe Asia-Pacific Middle East & AfricaCompetitive Landscape: Global Carbon Fiber MarketThe global Carbon fiber 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.Speak to Author of the Report@Other ReportGlobal Ransom Ware Protection Market Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Global Ransom ware protection Market, By Geography, Solution (Standalone Anti-Ransom Ware Software, Secure Web Gateways, Application Control, IDS/IPS, Web Filtering, Threat Intelligence), Service (Managed Services, Professional Services), Application, Deployment Mode, Organization Size, Vertical- Industry Trends and Forecast to 2024Report 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: Automotive Air Filter Market size and forecast, 2016-2026 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1684 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1684 www.futuremarketinsights.com An automotive air filter is a device that is made up of fibrous materials that removes solid particulates like pollen, dust, bacteria, and mould from the intake air. A chemical type of air filter consist of a catalyst or absorbent for removing molecular contaminants like ozone or volatile organic compounds. Air filters are being used in applications where air quality is of vital importance, notably in building ventilation systems and in vehicle engines. The cabin automotive air filter is a paper-pleaded filter, which is located in the air intake from outside for the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Some of the automotive air filters are rectangular or similar in shape as that of the combustion air filter, others have a unique shape to fit the available space of outside-air intakes. The very first automaker to provide a disposable air filter in order to clean the ventilation system was Nash Motors.The combustion automotive air filter restricts particulate matter to enter into the engines cylinders, where it can cause oil contamination and mechanical wear. Nowadays, fuel injected vehicles are using a paper pleated filter element that is in a flat panel form. These filters are placed in a plastic box connected with a throttle body. Older vehicles using throttle body or carburettors fuel injection system use a cylinder air filter, which are a few inches and are between 6 to 16 inches.Request For ToC @Global Automotive Air Filter Market: Drivers and RestrainsThe ever increasing automobile market, and particularly the cars market is the major driving factor for the growth of global automotive air filter market and specifically the cabin filter market due to the cars market. Also automobile consumers are becoming aware about the importance of air filter for purified air and staying isolated in their passenger cabin from the atmosphere dirt that leads to the booming cabin air filter aftermarket.However, the flourishing electric vehicle market is restricting the growth of intake air filter, which is specifically required in the internal combustion engines intake manifold. Thus it can slowdown the growth of global automotive air filter market.Global Automotive Air Filter Market: Region Wise OutlookThe global automotive air filter market can be divided into seven regions, namely North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan and Middle East and Africa. Europe is the dominant region in the global automotive air filter market owing to the ever increasing automobile market in this region. Asia Pacific is the second major contributor in the automotive air filter market due to the automobile giants such as Maruti, Hero and other companies.Request For Report sample @The companies such as General Motors, Ford are having a significant contribution in the global automobile market making North America a considerable player in the global automotive air filter market. Japan is technologically advanced country in terms of automotive markets and so the technology of automotive air filter is very common in this country. Latin America and Middle East and Africa are at a nascent stage in the automotive air filter market but is anticipated to have a modest CAGR in the forecasted period.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: Sugar Confectionery Market, Global Industrial Analysis, Forecast 2023 http://bit.ly/2Accsaf http://bit.ly/2zLGt10 http://bit.ly/2AFppdf Confectionery is related to food products that comprise high sugar content such as chocolates, caramel, sweets, gums, candies, cookies, and marshmallows. These products are used to reduce stress, alleviate boredom, and to satisfy cravings.For More Info, Get Sample :Introduction of new products with innovative flavors & healthy ingredients, growth in retail market, and increase in gifting trend drive the market growth. Asia-Pacific is anticipated to register significant growth in the market, owing to rise in disposable income and increase in population in emerging countries such as China and India. In addition, introduction of low-priced, smaller versions of established confectionery chocolate brands by key players has supplemented the market growth However, rise in demand for sugar-free products on account of increase in instances of diabetes and growth in health concerns are anticipated to restrain market growth.The report categorizes the global sugar confectionery market by product type into hard-boiled sweets, caramels & toffees, gums & jellies medicated confectionery, mints, and others (marshmallows, nougat, lollipops, and liquorice). Further, based on geography, the market is classified into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.Major players operating in this market include the following: Nestle SA Chupa Chups SA. Cadbury PLC, Kraft Foods Inc. Ferrero SpA. The Hershey Company Perfetti Van Melle S.P.A. HARIBO Dunhills (Pontefract) PLC, Lotte Confectionery Co Ltd WM Wrigley JR Company Lindt & SprungliEnquire About Report :KEY BENEFITS FOR STAKEHOLDERS This report provides a quantitative analysis of the current trends and estimations from 2014 to 2022 of sugar confectionery market, which assist to identify the prevailing opportunities. Major countries in each region are mapped according to individual market revenue. This study evaluates the competitive landscape to understand the competitive environment globally. Comprehensive analysis of factors that drive and restrict the growth of the market is provided. Microlevel analysis is conducted based on type and region. Key players and their significant developments in recent years are listed.KEY MARKET SEGMENTSBy Product Type Hard-Boiled Sweets Caramel & Toffees Gums & Jellies Medicated Confectionery Mints Others (Marshmallows, Nougat, Lollipops, and Liquorice)Also Request For Discount :By Geography North America U.S. Canada Mexico Europe UK Germany Italy France Spain Rest of Europe Asia-Pacific India China Japan Australia South Korea Rest of Asia-Pacific LAMEA Brazil Saudi Arabia South Africa Argentina Turkey Venezuela Rest of LAMEAKEY PLAYERS Adams and Brooks Candy Jelly Belly Candy AS Kalev Mapro Industries Ltd. Barambo Ltd. Roshen Kondyterska Korporatsia GBO Mendelez International Croatian company Kras dd (Companies mentioned above are not profiled in the report, but can be profiled upon client request.)Table Of Content CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CHAPTER 3. MARKET OVERVIEW CHAPTER 4. GLOBAL SUGAR CONFECTIONERY MARKET, BY PRODUCT TYPE CHAPTER 5. GLOBAL SUGAR CONFECTIONERY MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHY CHAPTER 6. COMPANY PROFILESAbout 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 Fumaric Acid Market to Witness Comprehensive Growth by 2025 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/16723 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/16723 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Fumaric acid also known as trans-butene diotic acid which is a chemical compound whose formula is HO2CCH=CHCO2H and molecular weight 116.072 g/mol, since it has a sour taste and is odorless and colorless crystalline solid it is used in bakery products . It is dicarboxylic acid which is a precursor to L-malate in the Krebs tricarboxylic acid cycle. It is formed by the oxidation of succinic acid by succinate dehydrogenase. Fumaric acid is the strongest tasting food acidulants that control the growth of microorganisms, it adjusts pH and enhances flavor. Greater buffering capacity among other benefits offers high opportunity for industrial application in the market. It produces complex molecules of organic acids in mammals and found in plant life. Fumaric acid originates in bolete mushrooms, Iceland moss, and lichens. It is regarded as a non-toxic and a non-irritant material and hence used in pharmaceutical products.Request For Report Sample:Global fumaric acid market: Market dynamicsThe growth of global fumaric acid market is driven by food and beverage industry, since food and beverage producers pay attention towards acidulants mostly because of its antimicrobial effect, prefer Fumaric acid as it has a long lasting sour taste at a pH less than 4.5 it's widely used as food additive for protecting the color, flavor and texture and quality of the food. With the rise in lifestyle and consumer awareness there is a rise in the use of fumaric acid. Fumaric acid is a substitute for tartaric acid and occasionally takes the place of citric acid as it gives same taste .it is also used for manufacturing of candy which gives a sour taste, malic acid is utilized in the same way. Fumaric acid is widely preferred because fumaric acid is sourer per unit weight than other acidulants. The key factors restraining the global fumaric acid market is due to finely dispersed particles which might form explosive mixtures in the air, inhalation of the particles might cause respiratory irritation. Fumaric acid is authorized preservative in feeding stuff to animals however provided that an expected level of use is maintained.Food and beverage industry has higher rate of consumption of fumaric acid followed by unsaturated polyester resins and alkyd resins and agriculture industry as feeds for livestocks. Use of fumaric acid is increasing the application in the field of medical science.Global fumaric acid market: Regional overviewBased on the geographies, the global fumaric acid market is fragmented into seven key regions- North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific except Japan, Japan, and Middle East & Africa. Among the regions mentioned above in Asia-Pacific except japan, China is the largest producer of fumaric acid China is also a major exporter of fumaric acid. Asia-pacific is expected to grow total market volume in the forecast period. Japan has a growing market for fumaric acid because of the low price and a variety of applications. European market is expected to have a sluggish growth rate in the food and beverage industry. North America has almost reached the maturation stage hence these regions are expected to grow at a slow rate. Overall the outlook for the global fumaric acid market will have positive growth over the forecasted period, owing to the growing demand in the pharmaceutical industry.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC):Global fumaric acid market: market playersSome of the market players identified in the global fumaric acid market includes:Yantai hengyuan bioengineering Co., LtdThirumalai Chemicals Ltd.PolyntFuso Chemical Co., Ltd.IsegenJiangsu Jiecheng Bioengineering Co., Ltd.Tate & LyleTokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.SIP CHEMICAL INDUSTRIESH Plus Limited.Khusheim Holding.Bartek Ingredients Inc.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: Concrete Bonding Agents Market to Witness Comprehensive Growth by 2025 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/16777 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/16777 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com In the construction industry, damage in any concrete surface or floor leads to two options either to demolish or to resurface. These two options are costly and time-consuming. Pouring fresh concrete on damaged surface will make new concrete to settle on top of an old surface as a separate layer. Firstly, spreading bonding agent on damage area than pouring fresh concrete will ensure that the new concrete will successfully adhere.The bonding agent is the natural and synthetically prepared material used to strengthen joining quality of any two material without any mechanical force. Its primary use is bonding fresh concrete to old; it can also be used as underlayment, terrazzo, crack fillers, grouting-mortar or stucco. The concrete bonding agent is a milky white color paste which changes into clear form depending on temperature, wind, and humidity. Two critical factors affect the bonding quality between old and new concrete (i) strength and reliability of old surface (ii) neatness of old surface. It is mandatory that damage surface should be free from dust or spillage like oil, grease to have strong concrete bonding. Latex emulsion and epoxies are the two primary type of bonding agents used in construction industry. As compared to latex based, epoxy based concrete bonding agent provides superior strength and durable bonding to concrete, but as latex based is low cost hence it leads the global concrete bonding agents market followed by epoxy based bonding agent. The concrete bonding agent is thoroughly applied using brush, broom, roller or spray. Concrete bonding Agent is used on Wall, ceiling, columns and other surfaces of buildings.Request For Report Sample:Concrete Bonding Agents Market: Drivers & RestraintsAlthough concrete bonding agent has a variety of application but an increase in the decorative interior for giving aesthetic and pleasing finishing for residential construction is majorly driving the global market of concrete bonding agent. The rise in living standard and income of middle-class population in emerging countries raise the demand of concrete bonding agent for decorative use. Concrete bonding agent has a variety of application and above all ease to use which always keep the demand of the product high. Other factors which contribute to the growth of concrete bonding agent market are strong industrial base in the construction industry, increase in investments by foreign companies in the construction sector and repair in old builds. Although the overall concrete bonding agents market is growing significantly, challenges such as poor and inadequate workmanship are hindering the growth of concrete bonding agents market.Concrete Bonding Agents Market: SegmentationThe concrete bonding agents market is segmented as per its product type, application, end users and geographical use.On the basis of product types, the concrete bonding agents market is segmented into:Cementitious latex basedEpoxy basedType IIIOn the basis of concrete bonding application, the concrete bonding agents market is segmented into:RepairingMarineDecorativeFlooringConcrete Bonding Agents Market: Regional OutlookBased on the geographies, concrete bonding agents market is segmented into seven regions - North America concrete bonding agents market, Latin America concrete bonding agents market, Eastern Europe concrete bonding agents market, Western Europe concrete bonding agents market, APEJ concrete bonding agents market, Japan concrete bonding agents market and the Middle East & Africa concrete bonding agents market. Among the regions mentioned above, Asia Pacific excluding Japan is the largest market for concrete bonding agents in terms of value and volume followed by the Middle East and Africa. China and India alone accounted for a significant share of its total market. Repairing old construction, high funding by private and public companies to promote construction and strong industrial base in the construction sector are powering the demand for concrete bonding agent on a large scale.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC):Global Concrete Bonding Agents Market PlayersSome of the market players accounting for concrete bonding agents market includes BASF SE, The Quikrete Companies, Inc., Sika AG, The Euclid Chemical Company, The DOW Chemical Company, Saint-Gobain Weber S.A., DOW Corning Corporation, Fosroc International Ltd., GCP Applied Technologies, Inc.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: Future of Deep Brain Stimulation Devices Size 2022 Medtronic, Boston Scientific, St Jude Medical, Beijing Pins, SceneRay https://www.marketstudyreport.com/request-a-sample/699593/?utm_source=OPR-SL https://www.marketstudyreport.com/check-for-discount/699593/?utm_source=PAID-SL https://www.marketstudyreport.com/reports/emea-europe-middle-east-and-africa-laboratory-safety-cabinets-market-report-2017/?utm_source=RR-SL https://www.marketstudyreport.com https://www.marketstudyreport.com/category/news-releases/ MarketStudyReport.com Add New Global Luffing Jib Tower Crane 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 118 pages with table and figures in itDeep brain stimulation (DBS) Market is a neurosurgical procedure involving the implantation of a medical device called a neurostimulator (sometimes referred to as a 'brain pacemaker'), which sends electrical impulses, through implanted electrodes, to specific targets in the brain (brain nuclei) for the treatment of movement and neuropsychiatric disorders. DBS in select brain regions has provided therapeutic benefits for otherwise-treatment-resistant disorders such as Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, dystonia, chronic pain, major depression and obsessive?compulsive disorder (OCD). Despite the long history of DBS, its underlying principles and mechanisms are still not clear. DBS directly changes brain activity in a controlled manner, its effects are reversible (unlike those of lesioning techniques), and it is one of only a few neurosurgical methods that allow blinded studies.Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Deep Brain Stimulation Devices 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.Request a sample copy of Deep Brain Stimulation Devices Market Research Report @Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report covers Medtronic, Boston Scientific, St Jude Medical, Beijing Pins, SceneRay.Market Segment by Regions, regional analysis covers:North America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)Market Segment by Table of Contents: Global Deep Brain Stimulation Devices Market Overview Global Deep Brain Stimulation Devices Market Manufacturers Profiles Global Deep Brain Stimulation Devices Market Competition, by Manufacturer Global Deep Brain Stimulation Devices Market Analysis by Regions Global Deep Brain Stimulation Devices by Countries Global Deep Brain Stimulation Devices Market Segment by Type Global Deep Brain Stimulation Devices Market Segment by Application Deep Brain Stimulation Devices Market Forecast (2017-2022) Sales Channel, Distributors, Traders and Dealers Research Findings and Conclusion AppendixMarket Segment by Type, covers Single-channel DBS Dual Channel DBSMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided into Parkinsons disease Essential Tremor Dystonia OthersEnquire For Discount on Deep Brain Stimulation Devices Market Research Report @There are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Deep Brain Stimulation Devices market.Chapter 1, to describe Deep Brain Stimulation Devices Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Deep Brain Stimulation Devices, with sales, revenue, and price of Deep Brain Stimulation Devices, 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 Deep Brain Stimulation Devices, 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, Deep Brain Stimulation Devices market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Deep Brain Stimulation Devices sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data sourceRelated Reports: -EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Laboratory Safety Cabinets Market Report 2017In this report, the EMEA Laboratory Safety Cabinets market is valued at USD XX million in 2016 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2022, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2016 and 2022.Centralize market research purchases across your entire organization in one place.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:Connect with us: Google+ | LinkedIn | Twitter Global Chemical Vapor Deposition Market Anticipated to Rise due to Growing Application in Microelectronics Industry, finds TMR https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=29564 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=CR&rep_id=29564 www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ Key players in the Chemical Vapor Deposition market include ULVAC Inc., IHI Corporation, Singulus Technologies AG, Veeco Instruments Inc., Tokyo Electron Limited, Mustang Vacuum Systems, Dynavac, and Oxford Instruments. The chemical vapor deposition market is likely to witness the entry of new players on a regular basis in the coming years due to the attractive commercial proposition of the market. Acquisition of smaller emerging players with considerable expertise in particular aspects of the process is likely to be a key tactic for large players in the global chemical vapor deposition market in the coming years.According to Transparency Market Research (TMR), the global chemical vapor deposition market was valued at US$16,449.8 mn in 2016 and is estimated to reach US$32,441.5 mn by 2025, expanding at a CAGR of 7.7% between 2017 and 2025.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Currently, Asia Pacific leads the global chemical vapor deposition market, followed by North America and Europe. Increasing consumption of chemical vapor deposition in electronics industries in China and India is likely to fuel the demand for chemical vapor deposition applications in Asia Pacific over the forecast period. China is the key manufacturer and consumer of CVD products in Asia Pacific, mainly due to the booming demand from microelectronics applications. CVD demand would continue to increase in Asia Pacific over the forecast period. Asia Pacific accounted for more than 35% of the global chemical vapor deposition market in 2016.Rising Need for Reliable Coatings Drives Chemical Vapor Deposition MarketChemical vapor deposition (CVD) can be performed by various methods such as atmospheric pressure CVD (APCVD), low pressure CVD (LPCVD), and others. It is used to provide wear-resistant coatings, corrosion-resistant coatings, and heat-resistant coatings. It is also used for the production of high-purity powder and fabricating ceramic and metal matrix composite materials. The growing need for high-quality coatings in a number of industries is likely to drive the chemical vapor deposition market in the coming years.Steady Growth of Microelectronics Sector Benefits Chemical Vapor Deposition MarketRising demand for microelectronics is likely to drive the chemical vapor deposition market in the near future. The microelectronics application segment is expected to emerge as a prominent and rapidly expanding application of chemical vapor deposition in the coming years. In the microelectronics industry, CVD equipment is used for wafer processing in the semiconductor industry, and for coating applications in the LED (light emitting diodes) manufacturing process. Microelectronics is a leading application segment for CVD and expansion of the microelectronics market has been a major factor fuelling the CVD market.Request for Customization @Rapid industrialization in developing economies in Asia Pacific is likely to be a crucial driver for the global chemical vapor deposition market. This has also led to growing demand for automated equipment in many industries, leading to rising use of chemical vapor deposition to ensure a strong coating.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.Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Global Biochar Market: Popularity of Organic Food and Waste Management Benefits Driving Demand, notes TMR https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=2863 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=CR&rep_id=2863 www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ A fresh market intelligence study by Transparency Market Research (TMR) suggests that the future of the global biochar market is prosperous. And, although the market is currently in nascent stage, its stockholders will gain new revenue opportunities as a result of its diverse applications in soil amendment, greenhouse gas remediation, and energy production. The report identifies Vega Biofuels, Inc., Pacific Pyrolysis Pty Ltd, Phoenix Energy, Biochar Supreme LLC, Agri-Tech Producers, LLC, Full Circle Biochar, Diacarbon Energy Inc., Genesis Industries LLC, Earth Systems Bioenergy, Pacific Biochar, CharGrow, LLC, and Cool Planet Energy Systems as some of the key companies currently operating in the global biochar market.As per the projections of the TMR report, the demand in the global biochar market will multiply at an impressive CAGR of 14.5% during the forecast period of 2017 to 2025, estimating it to reach a valuation of US$14,751.8 thousand by 2025, considerably up from its evaluated worth of merely US$444.2 thousand in 2016. The report also detects Federal Rural University of the Amazon, Aberystwyth University, University of East Anglia, and Massey University as some of the institutes that are currently involved in the research and production of biochar, and may redefine the future of the global market for it. As far as the share of domestic players in the global pie is concerned, the report notes high concentration of manufacturers in the region of North America. These small enterprises are completely integrated into the value chain of the biochar market, right from the production stage to its commercialization.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Based on feedstock type, the global biochar market gains maximum demand from woody biomass segment, whereas agriculture and forestry are two important application categories. Geographically, North America is most profitable region, followed by Europe, although vastly populated region of Asia Pacific is projected to increment the demand for biochar at most robust growth rate during the forecast period of 2017 to 2025.Increasing Usage for Soil Enhancement Driving DemandThe global biochar market is gaining traction from a number of factors, such as its growing usage for soil enhancement, escalating demand for organic food, strict government regulations for soil preservation, waste management benefits, growing investment in the bio-fuels sector, increasing environmental concerns and the consequent need to reduce greenhouse gas emission, and the availability of cheaper feedstock and management of waste disposal. Biochar is produced mainly through modern pyrolysis processes in which direct thermal decomposition of biomass waste in the absence of oxygen takes place, resulting into biochar along with bio-oil and syngas.Biochar is rich in carbon content and is fine grained residue. Biochar can also be obtained using different technologies such as gasification and microwave pyrolysis. In the agriculture sector, biochar is primarily used to enhance soil fertility, increase yield, and provide crop nutrition. Besides improved overall productivity, biochar is also gaining considerable popularity in livestock farming as an animal feed. Owing to the surge in the food industry, the agriculture industry is expected to increasingly adopt biochar as the forecast period unfolds. On the other hand, financial barriers in a number of emerging economies and the lack of consumer awareness are a few hindrances faced by the global biochar market.Growing Popularity of Biochar Certification Opening New OpportunitiesThe growing popularity of biochar certification and standards programs such as IBI Biochar Standards, IBI Biochar certification, European Biochar Certificate, and Biochar Risk Assessment Framework (BARF) is also expected to aid the global biochar market in a longer term.Request for Customization @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.Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Global Fluorspar Market: Flourishing Construction Industry Makes APAC most Lucrative Region, reports TMR https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=1858 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=CR&rep_id=1858 www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ A fresh study by Transparency Market Research (TMR) notifies that the global fluorspar market is moderately consolidated, with a few companies holding significant chunk of overall shares. The report identifies Centralfluor Industries Group, Inc., Mexichem S.A.B. de C.V., and Zhejiang Wuyi Shenlong Floatation Co Ltd. as three most prominent participants of the fluorspar market, whereas China Kings Resources Group Co., Ltd., Kenya Fluorspar Company Ltd. (KFC), MINERSA GROUP, Seaforth Mineral & Ore Co., Inc., British Fluorspar Ltd, Mongolrostsvetmet LLC., and Masan Group are a few other notable companies connected to the value chain.The TMR report projects the global fluorspar market to exhibit a CAGR of 2.7% during the forecast period of 2017 to 2025, estimating it to reach a worldwide worth of US$1,860.8 mn by the end of 2025, considerably up from its evaluated valuation of US$1,505.3 mn in 2016. As far as growth strategies are concerned, the fluorspar market players are constantly investing in the research and development of new products. The report observes that although the degree of competition remains high owing to oversupply, the players aspire to introduce cheaper products in the cost-sensitive regions. In addition to that, fluorspar market players are also indulging in mergers and acquisitions to maintain steady supply contracts and build goodwill. The entry of new players in the near future will further intensify the competitive landscape of the global fluorspar market, particularly in the regions of Asia Pacific and the Middle East and Africa as there are plenty of reserves of fluorspar in China and South Africa.Request Sample Copy of the Report @Product-wise, the global fluorspar market gains maximum demand for acidspar, which is mainly utilized in the production of hydrofluoric acid and aluminum. Metspar segments demand is dependent chiefly on the requirement for steel. Application-wise, the market for fluorspar has been bifurcated into aluminum production, steel production, hydrofluoric acid, lithium-ion batteries, and concrete additives. Geographically, Asia Pacific is the most lucrative region by a long margin, which is a reflection of increasing infrastructure projects in the region that requires a constant supply of steel and aluminum.Growing Demand for Aluminum and Steel Driving DemandThe demand in the global fluorspar market is essentially driven by rising demand for fluorochemical as well as increasing requirement and consequent production of aluminum and steel. In the near future, the dynamics of the hydrofluoric acid market will have a direct impact on fluorspar market. Increasing investments in infrastructure projects globally is augmenting the demand for aluminum and steel. Increasing demand for aluminum and steel will in turn poise the growth of fluorspar market during the forecast period. Unconventional applications of fluorspar such as electrolyte in lithium-ion battery and concrete additive are likely to provide potential growth of fluorspar market. Industrially, fluorspar has applications in the production of enamels and ceramic glasses as well as flux for smelting. Pure form of fluorspar has applications in microscopes and telescopes as they have low light dispersion and exhibit less chromatic aberrations in comparison to unconventional glasses. Fluorspars usage in li-ion batteries and growing consumption of cement in the construction industry are two fresh new opportunities for the vendors operating in the global fluorspar market.Environmental Concerns May Hamper Markets GrowthThe global fluorspar market has several drivers, but stringent government regulations pertaining to the protection of ozone layer, as the global warming concerns escalates, is obstructing it from attaining its true potential. About 22 countries signed The Montreal Protocol in 1987, pledging to reduce the production and consumption of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). This move, aimed at preventing the depletion of the ozone layer, has had a negative impact on the demand for fluorspar in the recent past.Request for Customization @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.Contact UsTransparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Rising Sale of Luxury Car is Envisioned to Intensify the Growth of Car Refrigerator Market in near future https://www.researchnester.com/sample-request/2/rep-id-315 https://www.researchnester.com/ask-the-analyst/rep-id-315 https://www.researchnester.com/payment/rep-id-315 Car Refrigerator Market: Global Demand Analysis & Opportunity Outlook 2024The global car refrigerator market is segmented into type such as compressor, absorption and thermoelectric. Among these segments, thermoelectric segment is believed to showcase a noteworthy CAGR by the end of 2024. Likely, growing adoption of luxury vehicles on the back of swelled disposable income is anticipated to flourish the growth of car refrigerator market globally. In addition to this, rise in per capita income coupled with changing lifestyle of the consumers is also predicted to propel the market of car refrigerator in near future.Global car refrigerator market is projected to mask a remarkable CAGR over the forecast period. Moreover, the global car refrigerator market is anticipated to generate exponential sales over the forecast period i.e. 2017-2024. Additionally, the market of car refrigerator is riding on the back of robust expansion of automotive industry along with rising inclination towards luxury cars equipped with numerous features.Request Free Sample Report @In terms of regional platform, North America region is slated to account for a lion share in the market of car refrigerator in 2016. Further, U.S. is the most prominent country in this region due to rapid urbanization along with growing adoption of advanced technologies. Moreover, Europe market is expected to attain maturity as most of the vehicles are integrated with high end electronics. Apart from this, Asia-Pacific region is predicted to post a highest CAGR owing to presence of largest automotive industry and emerging economies such as India and China.Swelled Disposable IncomeRise in per capita income coupled with rising purchasing power of the consumer have augmented demand for high end electronics equipped in car and growing preference for luxury products due to changing life of the population are believed to be the dynamic factor behind the rapid growth of car refrigerator market during the forecast period. Moreover, growing demand for high end electronics from commercial cars is also envisioned to foster the growth of car refrigerator market.To Know More Ask The Analyst @Increase in Sale of CarIncreasing number of car on roads for e.g. the global sale of passenger car reached to 69,464,432 in 2016 from 45,407,298 in 2005. Furthermore, growing adoption of technologically advanced cars is predicted to augment the demand for car refrigerator. These factors are anticipated to flourish the growth of car refrigerator market globally.On the contrary, maintenance issue related with car refrigerator is projected to dampen the growth of car refrigerator market. Moreover, incorporation of car refrigerator into cars has resulted in increased price of car which is expected to hinder the growth of car refrigerator market.The report titled Car Refrigerator Market: Global Demand Analysis & Opportunity Outlook 2024 delivers detailed overview of the global car refrigerator market in terms of market segmentation by type, by price range, by distribution channel 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.This report also provides the existing competitive scenario of some of the key players of the global car refrigerator market which includes company profiling of Mobicool, PNDA, NFA, IndelB, Kingcool, Fiyilian, ,Ezetil, Congbao, Autobox, and Aotuotai. 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 car refrigerator 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.Buy This Premium Report @About Us:-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.Contact for more Info:Ajay DanielEmail: ajay.daniel@researchnester.comU.S. Phone: +1 646 586 9123U.K. Phone: +44 203 608 5919 New Research Reports Dermatology Devices Market Will Rise At CAGR of 7.0% by 2026 MRRSE https://www.mrrse.com/sample/2716 https://www.mrrse.com/dermatology-devices-market https://www.mrrse.com/enquiry/2716 https://www.mrrse.com https://www.industrynewsanalysis.com/ Dermatology devices comprise lasers, RF devices, microdermabrasion devices, and other related accessories. These devices are installed in hospitals and dermatology clinics to assist physicians and non-physician clinicians to treat skin diseases and are also used to diagnose skin cancer. In terms of revenue, the global dermatology devices market is projected to register a CAGR of 7.0% during the forecast period and is expected to be valued at US$ 5,307.6 Mn by the end of 2026.Click here For Free Sample Report @Rising demand for non-invasive dermatological procedures and increasing aesthetic awareness are factors boosting the adoption of dermatology devices globallyGrowth of the global dermatology devices market is primarily driven by increasing prevalence of skin problems including acne leading to scars, growing demand for at-home devices, and significant increase in non-invasive liposuction procedures along with a growing obese population. The global market for dermatology devices is expected to witness a significant growth rate in terms of value owing to an increasing aesthetic awareness, increasing fashion consciousness, and the growing demand for non-invasive cosmetic correction procedures. Moreover, growing healthcare expenditure, increasing geriatric population, and rising disposable income is creating high potential growth opportunities for players operating in the global dermatology devices market.However, high costs of dermatological treatments, side effects related to dermatological treatments, and uncertainty related to U.S. Healthcare reforms might hinder market growth over the forecast period (2016 2026).Lasers product type segment expected to dominate the market by 2016 end, due to an increasing application in cosmetic correction proceduresIn terms of revenue share, the Lasers segment dominated the global dermatology devices market in 2015 and is expected to dominate throughout the forecast period, registering a higher CAGR over the forecast period. The RF Devices segment is expected to witness a CAGR of 6.6% in terms of value over the forecast period.Vascular Lesions application segment anticipated to hold high market share through 2026The Vascular Lesions segment held maximum share in 2015 and is expected to continue its dominance throughout the forecast period. The Tattoo Removal segment is anticipated to reach US$ 943.9 Mn by 2026 owing to an increase in awareness among people regarding the health hazards caused by tattoo ink at later stages of life.Specialty Dermatology Clinics end user segment has been growing owing to an increasing preference for specialists for cosmetic correction treatmentsThe Speciality Dermatology Clinics segment is estimated to account for 36.2% revenue share of the global dermatology devices market by 2016 end. Number of patients preferring private clinics over hospitals has been increasing over the years, as additional costs such as management costs are not associated with private clinics.Browse Full Report With TOC Click here @North America is expected to dominate the global market by 2016 endThe North America regional market is anticipated to account for 22.6% revenue share of the global dermatology devices market by 2016 end and is expected to gain in terms of market share due to increase in skin disorders, skin cancer, and a growing preference for cosmetic surgeries. In terms of value, Eastern Europe is expected to register the highest CAGR of 8.6% over the forecast period.Dermatology devices manufacturers are likely to target APEJ and MEA markets through mergers with established local players in the laser and RF devices market to increase their customer baseValeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc., Cynosure Inc., Lumenis, Syneron Candela Ltd., Avita Medical Ltd., Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd., Cutera, Lutronics Corporation, and Beijing Toplaser Technology Co. Ltd. are some of the top companies operating in the global dermatology devices market.Make An Enquiry@About UsMarket Research Reports Search Engine(MRRSE) is an industry-leading database of market intelligence reports. MRRSE is driven by a stellar team of research experts and advisors trained to offer objective advice. Our sophisticated search algorithm returns results based on the report title, geographical region, publisher, or other keywords.MRRSE partners exclusively with leading global publishers to provide clients single-point access to top-of-the-line market research. MRRSEs repository is updated every day to keep its clients ahead of the next new trend in market research, be it competitive intelligence, product or service trends or strategic consulting.ContactState Tower90, State StreetSuite 700Albany, NY - 12207United StatesTelephone: +1-518-730-0559Email: sales@mrrse.comWebsite :Read More Industry News At: Future of Building Thermal Insulation Material Size 2022 Lfhuaneng, Dow, Taishi, Beipeng, Rockwool https://www.marketstudyreport.com/request-a-sample/699598/?utm_source=OPR-SL https://www.marketstudyreport.com/check-for-discount/699598/?utm_source=PAID-SL https://www.marketstudyreport.com/reports/asia-pacific-organophosphonate-market-report-2017/?utm_source=RR-SL https://www.marketstudyreport.com https://www.marketstudyreport.com/category/news-releases/ MarketStudyReport.com Add New Global Luffing Jib Tower Crane 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 117 pages with table and figures in itBuilding insulation materials Market are the building materials which form the thermal envelope of a building or otherwise reduce heat transfer.Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Building Thermal Insulation Material 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.Request a sample copy of Building Thermal Insulation Material Market Research Report @Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report covers Lfhuaneng, Dow, Taishi, Beipeng, Rockwool, Sedant Roba, Shanghai ABM, Owenscorning, Kosenca, Beijing Wuzhou, Hengxiang Insulation Materials, Zhongjie Group, Xinxing Huamei, Huafon Puren, Beijing Beihai, First, Feininger, HuaXiaXinRong, Wenzhou Lucky, Ourgreen, Junxuan, Hongbaoli, Lecron Group.Market Segment by Regions, regional analysis covers:North America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)Market Segment by Table of Contents: Global Building Thermal Insulation Material Market Overview Global Building Thermal Insulation Material Market Manufacturers Profiles Global Building Thermal Insulation Material Market Competition, by Manufacturer Global Building Thermal Insulation Material Market Analysis by Regions Global Building Thermal Insulation Material by Countries Global Building Thermal Insulation Material Market Segment by Type Global Building Thermal Insulation Material Market Segment by Application Building Thermal Insulation Material Market Forecast (2017-2022) Sales Channel, Distributors, Traders and Dealers Research Findings and Conclusion AppendixMarket Segment by Type, covers EPS Panels XPS Panels PU Panels Mineral Wool Panels OtherMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided into Roof Wall Floor OtherEnquire For Discount on Building Thermal Insulation Material Market Research Report @There are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Building Thermal Insulation Material market.Chapter 1, to describe Building Thermal Insulation Material Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Building Thermal Insulation Material, with sales, revenue, and price of Building Thermal Insulation Material, 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 Building Thermal Insulation Material, 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, Building Thermal Insulation Material market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Building Thermal Insulation Material sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data sourceRelated Reports: -Asia-Pacific Organophosphonate Market Report 2017In this report, the Asia-Pacific Organophosphonate market is valued at USD XX million in 2016 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2022, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2016 and 2022Centralize market research purchases across your entire organization in one place.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:Connect with us: Google+ | LinkedIn | Twitter Omeprazole Market 2017 to 2022 Analysis of Global Key Players AstraZeneca, Lupin, Oneiro Chemicals, Cadila Healthcare, Dr Reddys, Hetero Drugs, Sun Pharmaceutical and ZHP Omeprazole Market Research Nest https://www.marketresearchnest.com/global-omeprazole-market-outlook-2017-2022.html https://www.marketresearchnest.com/requestsample.php?reportid=282489 https://www.marketresearchnest.com/purchase.php?reportid=282489 MarketResearchNest.com adds Global Omeprazole Market Outlook 2017-2022 new reports to its research database. The report spread across 97 pages with tables and figures in it.Omeprazole, sold under the brand names Prilosec and Losec among others, is a medication used in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease, peptic ulcer disease, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. It is also used to prevent upper gastrointestinal bleeding in people who are at high risk. It can be taken by mouth or injected into a vein.The report covers forecast and analysis for the omeprazole market on a global and regional level. The study provides historic data of 2012-2016 along with a forecast from 2017 to 2022 based on both output/volume and revenue. The study then describes the drivers and restraints for the omeprazole market along with the impact they have on the demand over the forecast period. Additionally, the report includes the study of opportunities available in the omeprazole market on a global level.Get more details about report atThe report has been prepared based on the synthesis, analysis, and interpretation of information about the global omeprazole market collected from specialized sources. The competitive landscape section of the report provides a clear insight into the market share analysis of key industry players. Company overview, financial overview, product portfolio, new project launched, recent development analysis are the parameters included in the profile. Relevantly, the report and company profiles specify the key drivers that are impacting the demand in global omeprazole market.Key Regions North America Europe Asia PacificRequest a Sample Copy atKey Vendors AstraZeneca Lupin Oneiro Chemicals Cadila Healthcare Dr Reddys Hetero Drugs Sun Pharmaceutical ZHP request free sample to get a complete list of companiesKey Questions Answered in this Report What will the market size be in 2022? What are the key factors driving the global omeprazole market? What are the challenges to market growth? Who are the key players in the omeprazole market? What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key players?Order a Purchase Report Copy atMarketResearchNest.com is the most comprehensive collection of market research products and services on the Web. We offer reports from almost all top publishers and update our collection on daily basis to provide you with instant online access to the worlds most complete and recent database of expert insights on global industries, organizations, products, and trends.Mr. Jeet JainSales Managersales@marketresearchnest.com+1-240-284-8070 / +44-20-3290-4151 Hemostasis Diagnostics Market Globally Expected to Drive Growth through 2019 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=1523 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=1523 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com The cast removal devices are instruments used for cutting casting material such as orthopedic plaster. These devices possess properties such as high cutting torque and low material speed. The devices are further classified in three categories in accordance to their method of application for cutting such as hand handled device, advanced device and bottom edge device. The hand handled devices cut the orthopedic casts without noise with a few or no debris generation however advanced devices maintain the velocity of the equipment throughout the cast. The bottom edge devices are designed to cut the cast from the bottom of the cast to reduce the risk to skin cutting.Request for Brochure @The device can also be classified as cast vacuum, cast spreader, cast cutter and saw. The cast vacuum helps in removing the cast by creating vacuum between skin and cast inner layer. This reduces the itching of skin and also risk of skin cutting. Cast cutter and saw are the blade structured devices used to cut the cast either from bottom up or top down. Cast spreaders are used to split the edges of the cast once it is cut with the cast saw.Rise in aging population worldwide has increased the incidence of injury and fall which would augment the growth of cast removal devices. In addition, rise in number of accidents worldwide has also increased substantially which would enhance the growth of this market. Moreover, the governments of various nations have improved funding for these devices which would also trigger the growth of this market. For instance, The Indiana government has granted USD 2 million to OrthoPediatrics Corp. to develop and commercialize their cast removal products. These devices have also created ease for orthopedic surgeons by reducing the risk of skin cutting.Request for TOC @Some of the major players in cast removal devices include Smith & Nephew Corporation, Stryker Corporation, KMT Robotic Solutions and ViewCast Inc amongst other significant players.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: Global Life Science Reagents Market to Exceed A Value of US$25.7 bn by 2020 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/life-sciences-reagents-analytical-reagents.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=1162 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ A new Transparency Market Research report states that the global life science reagents market was valued at US$12.4 bn in 2012 and is expected to reach US$25.7 bn by 2019. It is expected to expand at a healthy CAGR of 10.80% from 2013 to 2019. The title of the report is Life Science Reagents Market Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2013 2019.According to the report, the global life science reagents market is stimulated by factors such as technological advancements and growing applications of biosciences and biotechnology within the pharmaceuticals and healthcare fields. In addition, the rising prevalence of a number of diseases, along with increasing mortality rates, is also boosting the demand for life science reagents. Furthermore, the rising activities of research and development (R&D) within the field of pharmaceuticals and the increasing initiatives taken by governments in various nations are also augmenting the market for life science reagents. On the other hand, factors such as the soaring requirement of capital investment, absence of skilled labor, and big patent repositories having few market participants may impede the growth of the market in forthcoming years.Read Report @In terms of product type, the life science reagents market is segmented into cell and tissue reagents, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) reagent kits, electrophoresis reagents, flow cytometry reagents, chromatography reagents, electrophoresis reagents, in-vitro diagnostics (IVD) reagents, and others including mass spectroscopy, gene expression reagents, and transfection reagents. Amongst these, the segment of chromatography reagents is the most extensively utilized reagent product type and hold the largest share in the market. The key factor responsible for the dominance of this segment is the broad utilization of chromatography within each and every aspect of product development and research related to biotechnology. In terms of end use, the market is segmented into research and academic institutions, commercial and contract manufacturers, forensic laboratories, and clinical laboratories. Amongst these, the segment of research and academic institutions is the largest life science reagents consumer.On the basis of geography, the market is segmented into Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World (RoW). Amongst these, North America leads the market and is trailed by Europe. On the other hand, Asia Pacific is predicted to exhibit the greatest growth rate in the forecast period due to factors including rising activities of research and development, supportive government policies, and the presence of skilled workers at low labor cost. On the other hand, within RoW, countries such as Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina have been attracting investments from other countries for fuelling the domestic industry for biotechnology, hence boosting the life science reagents market in the region.Request Sample Report@Abbott Laboratories, Life Technologies, Bio-Rad, and Sigma-Aldrich, among others, are the prime players operating in the market for life science reagents, as stated in the 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.Contact us:Transparency Market Research90 State Street,Suite 700,AlbanyNY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Global Laparoscopy Devices Market Expected to Grow CAGR of 7.1% from 2013 to 2019 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/laparoscopic-devices-market.html https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=384 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ A new report published by Transparency Market Research (TMR) presents an in-depth elaboration on the global laparoscopy devices market. The report, titled Laparoscopy Devices Market Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2013 2019, is available for sale on the companys website.According to the research report, the global laparoscopy devices market was valued at US$7.5 billion in 2012 and is expected to reach US$12.3 billion by 2019, growing at a CAGR of 7.1% from 2013 to 2019. The report opens a discussion about the key market drivers for laparoscopy devices, the restraints, growth opportunities, and threats.The growing concerns about weight gain and morbid obesity are leading to increasing bariatric procedures, many of which use laparoscopy devices. In the coming years, as obesity continues to be the biggest battleground for many people, these surgeries are going to be the biggest application of laparoscopic devices.Read Report @The global laparoscopy devices market is segmented on the basis of equipment, application, and geography. The equipment types in the global laparoscopy market are inclusive of wound protector laparoscope, irrigation system, internal closure devices, insufflation devices, trocars, hand-assist devices, energy systems, sample retrieval bag, and gastric band. The applications of laparoscopy are seen in general surgeries such as appendectomies, cholecystectomies, hernia repairs, and antireflux surgeries, bariatric surgeries such as sleeve gastrectomies, gastric bypass, and gastric banding, colorectal surgeries, urological surgeries such as prostatectomies and nephrectomies, and gynecological surgeries. Geographically, the global laparoscopy devices market has been divided into the regions of North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Rest of the World.The key market driver for the global market for laparoscopy devices are advantages such as quick recovery and reduced time spent at the hospital. The continuous advances in these devices have made them an integral part of operation units. The biggest application of laparoscopy devices is seen in bariatric surgeries, due to the growing number of obese people across the globe. Furthermore, the growing number of cholecystectomy surgeries performed around the world is also making a significant contribution to the growth of the global laparoscopy devices market.Europe and North America hold the lions share in the global laparoscopy devices market and are likely to continue their dominance all through 2019. Analysts predict Asia Pacific and Latin America will also offer great opportunities to this market in the coming future. The key market drivers will be the rising disposable income, growing investment in healthcare facilities, and high prevalence of several diseases.Request Sample Report@The key players in the global laparoscopy devices market are Ethicon Endo-Surgery (a subsidiary of J&J), Covidien, Olympus, Intuitive Surgical, Stryker, Boston Scientific Corporation, Smith & Nephew, Aesculap, Karl Storz, and ConMed.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.Contact us:Transparency Market Research90 State Street,Suite 700,AlbanyNY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Cardiac Pacemaker Market Projected to Exhibit US$ 3923.8 Mn by 2024 Cardiac Pacemaker Market https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/cardiac-pacemaker-market.asp https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/12382 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Persistence Market Research (PMR) delivers key insights on the global cardiac pacemaker market in its upcoming report titled, Cardiac Pacemaker Market: Global Industry Analysis and Forecast, 20162024. The global cardiac pacemaker market was valued at US$ 4,100.0 Mn in 2015 and this is likely to decline to US$ 3923.8 Mn by 2024. In terms of revenue, the global cardiac pacemaker market is anticipated to exhibit a declining CAGR of -0.5% over the forecast period owing to various factors, on which PMR offers detailed insights and forecasts.Global cardiac pacemaker market dynamicsA key unmet need in global cardiac pacemaker market is the lack of a 100% safe and efficient pacemaker device to treat arrhythmias. There is an imperative need for development of cost-effective and rapid diagnostic methods for arrhythmias with a growing geriatric population and increasing patient pool with escalating global demand for treatment. This is anticipated to offer lucrative opportunities to new players in the global cardiac pacemaker market. Various key players in the cardiac pacemaker market are signing partnerships and licensing deals to share the research and development platform. In 2014, Medtronic has signed a deal with Lifetech Scientific to bring pacemaker into the Chinese market. According to the agreement, Lifetech Scientific shall manufacture pacemaker at their facility and Medtronics would provide with technology and required training.Read Report @Global cardiac pacemaker market forecastThe market is segmented based on product type, end users, and regions. Based on product type, the market is segmented into implantable pacemaker and external pacemaker. Both the segments are expected to exhibit a negative CAGR for the forecast period, owing to increasing number of device recall related to device malfunctioning. The implantable pacemaker segment is expected to exhibit a declining CAGR of -0.5% and external pacemaker segment is expected to exhibit a declining CAGR of -1.0% during the forecast period.Based on end users, the market is segmented into hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers. The hospitals segment is anticipated to account for the highest market share over the forecast period exhibiting a declining CAGR of -0.1% due to better reimbursement rates offered by government and non-government bodies.This report assesses trends, that drive growth of each segment on the global as well as regional levels, and offers potential takeaways, that could prove substantially useful to medical device manufacturing companies who wish to enter into the global cardiac pacemaker market. North America and Europe are expected to lose market share in terms of revenue generation. Latin America, APAC, and MEA are collectively expected to be more attractive in terms of revenue generation in the global cardiac pacemaker market in 2016 with growth in revenue for the forecast period. Latin America is expected to expand at a CAGR of 1.1% closely followed by Asia Pacific with a CAGR of 1.0% over the forecast period, due to increase in the diagnosis rate and improved healthcare infrastructure. The India cardiac pacemaker market is expected to increase over other markets and register a CAGR of 1.5% in the region due to increased government initiative, increase in health care expenditure, and increase in disease prevalence. The growth of cardiac pacemakers in this region is largely due to increased participation of local manufacturers and increasing healthcare expenditure.Request Sample Report @Global cardiac pacemaker market competitive landscapeSome key players in the global cardiac pacemaker market identified in this report are Medtronics, Lepu Medical Technology Co ltd., Osypka Medical GmbH. MEDICOWEB, Boston Scientific Corporation, Pacetronix ltd., BIOTRONIK SE & Co. KG, LivaNova Plc., and St.Jude Medical Inc. Persistence Market Research has discussed individual strategies of these companies in terms of increasing focus on rare diseases, initiatives to increase awareness, and enhancing distribution base. The report has been concluded with strategic recommendations for players already present in the market and new players planning to enter the market, which could help them in the long run.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.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Growth Prospects of Global Theranostics Market During 2016 2024 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=790 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=790 Theranostics is considered as a fusion of diagnostics and drug therapy. It helps in optimizing safety, effective results, and streamlining of overall drug development. The combination of advanced diagnostic tests and effective medical drugs has been given several names, such as pharmacodiagnostics, integrated medicine, Dx/Rx partnering, and companion diagnostics. Research activities in this field are contributing extensively towards the growth of the market, as this is considered as a highly emerging field and is projected to generate strong growth opportunities from regulatory bodies and the healthcare industry. This market is expected to focus on developing specific analysis in order to predict the use of the most effective drug for patients.Request for Brochure @The research report on global theranostics market offers a thorough overview, emphasizing on the promising growth opportunities and challenges in the market. The research study, with the help of analytical tools, helps in determining the latest trends and key growth prospects that are estimated to encourage the growth of the global theranostics market in the forecast period. In addition to this, the product segmentation, key applications, geographical segmentation, technological advancements, and the competitive landscape of the global market have been discussed at length in the scope of the research study.As this field is considered to hold immense growth potential, the global theranostics market is projected to register a progressive growth rate in the next few years. The improved co-operation between diagnostics companies and drug manufacturers is one of the important reasons estimated to fuel the growth of the global theranostics market in the near future. In addition, the effective communication with physicians in order to understand theranostics penetration in the market is likely to result in commercialization in the global market.On the other hand, the regulatory timelines and cost of theranostics products are some of the primary factors anticipated to restrict the growth of the global market in the forecast period. Nonetheless, the leading companies emphasizing on the theranostics with licensed drugs are projected to play a crucial role in reaching out to a large number of pharmaceutical companies. In addition, the increasing number of strategic collaborations and partnership are projected to accelerate the growth of the overall market in the coming years.The global theranostics market can be categorized in terms of geography into North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Rest of the World. Among these regions, North America is expected to lead the global theranostics market and account for a key share throughout the forecast period. The rising incidence of serious medical conditions, such as neurological disorders and cancer and the rising awareness among patients regarding the benefits of these treatments are expected to encourage the growth of the theranostics market in North America. In addition, the availability of advanced healthcare infrastructure in the U.S. is expected to contribute extensively towards the development of the overall market.Furthermore, Europe is expected to follow North America and grow at a substantial pace throughout the forecast period. The high awareness among consumers and health providers concerning the theranostics devices is one of the important factors projected to fuel the growth of this region in the coming years. The rising focus of key players on the expansion of product portfolio and the research and development activities are projected to supplement the growth of emerging nations across the globe.Request for TOC @Some of the prominent players operating in the global theranostics market are National Health Service, European Medicines Evaluation Agency, Pfizer, Myriad Genetics, National Genetics Institute, Monogram Bioscience, Enterix, Food and Drug Administration, Abbott Laboratories, ViroMed Laboratories, Dickinson & Company, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Becton, Vermillion Diagnostics, Genetics & Public Policy Center, Litholink Corporation, World Health Organization, Roche, 23andMe, Prometheus, Cellestis, Oxford Immunotec, US LABS, Laboratory Corporation of America, Home Access Health, and EntroGen.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.Contact us:Transparency Market Research90 State Street,Suite 700,AlbanyNY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com Future of Cytotoxic Drug Size 2022 Roche, Eli Lilly, Celgene, Sanofi, eisai https://www.marketstudyreport.com/request-a-sample/699601/?utm_source=OPR-SL https://www.marketstudyreport.com/check-for-discount/699601/?utm_source=PAID-SL https://www.marketstudyreport.com/reports/world-blood-bank-market-research-report-2022-covering-usa-europe-china-japan-india-south-east-asia-and-etc/?utm_source=RR-SL https://www.marketstudyreport.com https://www.marketstudyreport.com/category/news-releases/ MarketStudyReport.com Add New Global Luffing Jib Tower Crane 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 116 pages with table and figures in it.Cytotoxic drugs Market inhibit or prevent the function of cells. Cytotoxic drugs are primarily used to treat cancer, frequently as part of a chemotherapy regime. Recently, their uses have expanded to treat certain skin conditions (e.g., psoriasis), rheumatoid and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and steroid-resistant muscle conditions. The most common forms of cytotoxic drugs are known as antineoplastic. The terms antineoplastic and cytotoxic are often used interchangeably.Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Cytotoxic Drug 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.Request a sample copy of Cytotoxic Drug Market Research Report @Market Segment by Manufacturers, this report covers Roche, Eli Lilly, Celgene, Sanofi, eisai, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma, Merck, Seattle Genetics, Takeda, Haosoh Pharma, Novartis, AstraZeneca, Jazz Pharma, Spectrum Pharma.Market Segment by Regions, regional analysis covers:North America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa)Market Segment by Table of Contents: Global Cytotoxic Drug Market Overview Global Cytotoxic Drug Market Manufacturers Profiles Global Cytotoxic Drug Market Competition, by Manufacturer Global Cytotoxic Drug Market Analysis by Regions Global Cytotoxic Drug by Countries Global Cytotoxic Drug Market Segment by Type Global Cytotoxic Drug Market Segment by Application Cytotoxic Drug Market Forecast (2017-2022) Sales Channel, Distributors, Traders and Dealers Research Findings and Conclusion AppendixMarket Segment by Type, covers Injection Solid Oral Dose Forms OthersMarket Segment by Applications, can be divided into Breast Cancer Blood Cancer Prostate Cancer Respiratory/Lung Cancer OtherEnquire For Discount on Cytotoxic Drug Market Research Report @There are 15 Chapters to deeply display the global Cytotoxic Drug market.Chapter 1, to describe Cytotoxic Drug Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Cytotoxic Drug, with sales, revenue, and price of Cytotoxic Drug, 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 Cytotoxic Drug, 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, Cytotoxic Drug market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Cytotoxic Drug sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data sourceRelated Reports: -World Blood Bank Market Research Report 2022 (covering USA, Europe, China, Japan, India, South East Asia and etc)Blood Bank 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 profitCentralize market research purchases across your entire organization in one place.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:Connect with us: Google+ | LinkedIn | Twitter Global Fetal Monitoring, Diagnostics and Predictive Tests Market to Represent Significant Revenue Growth 2016 - 2024 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=893 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=893 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ Fetal monitoring records the fetus pulse rate during pregnancy. It also involves examination of fetal heart rate, movement, and uterine contraction. The global fetal monitoring, diagnostics and predictive tests market is driven by many factors, the increasing initiatives from government and non-government bodies aimed at improving maternal and fetal health in their countries being one of them encouraging the market the most.Besides this, factors such as the increasing number of symposia and conferences organized to spread awareness regarding the health and wellness of an expecting mother and her unborn child and technological advancements are having profound impact on the market. In emerging economies such as India and China, the market is witnessing an array of opportunities, as governments spend increasingly on improving their existing healthcare infrastructure.Request for Brochure @The report provides a comprehensive overview of the global fetal monitoring, diagnostics, and predictive tests market. For the purpose of the study, it segments the global fetal monitoring, diagnostics, and predictive tests market based on various parameters. It then presents an in-depth review of the various factors impacting the growth of the market across the segments. Fetal monitoring, neonatal monitoring, and prenatal diagnosis for instance are a few of the key segments in the market based on procedure types. Of these, the prenatal diagnosis segment raked high revenue for the market in 2011.Compiled with the intent of helping stakeholders understand the prevailing dynamics in the global fetal monitoring, diagnostics and predictive tests market better, the report includes exhaustive information sourced via primary and secondary research. To add to its value expert opinions are also included in the report. Based on in-depth findings, the report thus provides refined outlook for the near future.The increasing prevalence of cardio pulmonary diseases around the world and the advent of various technologies such as non-invasive surgeries have been providing great impetus to the global fetal monitoring, diagnostics and predictive tests market. Besides this, the rising healthcare expenditure across emerging economies such as India, China, Mexico, and Brazil is also aiding the markets expansion.Based on application, the key segments of the market are intrapartum fetal monitoring, neonatal monitoring, and antepartum fetal monitoring. Technological advancements will ensure growth across all these segments. Among the key geographic regions the increasing birth rate in India and China will seal Asia Pacifics position as a lucrative market for fetal monitoring, diagnostics and predictive tests. Increasing government initiatives to prevent maternal mortality across emerging nations will also provide significant boost to the market in Asia Pacific.Regionally, the global fetal monitoring diagnostics and predictive tests market can be segmented into North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and Rest of the World. Among these regions, North America offers the most lucrative opportunities to the market due to the high disposable income of customers and their high awareness level. The region also boasts a highly sophisticated medical infrastructure, which strongly supports the growth of the fetal monitoring, diagnostics and predictive tests market in North America.Furthermore, the rising healthcare spending is creating opportunities for the market across the emerging economies of Asia Pacific and Rest of the World. The healthcare sector in countries such as India, China, Singapore, and Thailand is developing fast. Governments across these nations are taking conscious initiatives to spread awareness about health and wellness, especially among expecting women. These factors are expected to give impetus to the fetal monitoring, diagnostics and predictive tests market in emerging economies.To study the competition prevalent in the global fetal monitoring, diagnostics and predictive tests market, the report provides a detailed assessment of its vendor landscape. Some of the leading companies operating in the market are Gima Professional Medical Products, Toshiba America Medical Systems, Utah Medical Products, Medline Industries, Philips Healthcare, Med-Electronics, Atom Medical Corporation, Thames Medical, Cooper Surgical, GE Healthcare, Shimadzu Europe, Cardinal Health, Summit Doppler, Clinical Innovations, Analogic Corporation, Superior Medical, Hitachi Medical Systems, Wallach Surgical Devices, Rocket Medical, Allen Medical Instruments Corporation, Sunray Medical Apparatus Company, Siemens Healthcare, and others.Request for TOC @Using SWOT analysis, the strengths and weaknesses of the companies profiled are gauged. The analysis also presents insights into the threats and opportunities that lie ahead for the companies in the near future. Information thus compiled is intended to help the market participants identify the most successful strategies adopted by the leading players in the global fetal monitoring, diagnostics, and predictive tests market.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.Contact us:Transparency Market Research90 State Street,Suite 700,AlbanyNY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: Global Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Market Forcast To Grow At CAGR Of 12.43% Between 2017-2021 https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/1378137 https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/reports/1378137/global-autonomous-underwater-vehicle-market-research-reports https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/enquiry/1378137 https://www.researchmoz.com/checkout?rep_id=1378137&licType=S http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/ "The Report Global Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Market 2017-2021 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"About Autonomous Underwater Vehicle MarketAutonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) are systems that operate without a human pilot and are deployed for various underwater missions. Unlike ROVs, AUVs are robots that do not require operator input. The history of AUVs dates to 1957 when the first AUV Self-Propelled Underwater Research Vehicle (SPURV) was developed at the Applied Physics Laboratory of University of Washington, with funding from the US Office of Naval Research (ONR). It could operate at a maximum depth of about 11,800 feet and had a speed of 4-5 knots for almost four hours. It was powered by a combination of zinc cells and solid-state converters. The US Navy used SPURV to study submarine wakes. Since then, AUVs have evolved significantly in design and are being adopted for a variety of applications.Get Sample copy of this Report @Technavios analysts forecast the global autonomous underwater vehicle market to grow at a CAGR of 12.43% during the period 2017-2021.Covered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the global autonomous underwater vehicle market for 2017-2021. To calculate the market size, the report considers the new developments and procurements of AUVs.The market is divided into the following segments based on geography:AmericasAPACEMEATechnavio's report, Global Autonomous Underwater Vehicle 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 vendorsGeneral DynamicsKongsberg MaritimeLockheed MartinSaabThales GroupOther prominent vendorsBoeingECA GroupFugroOceaneering InternationalMarket driverTechnological advancements prompting development of hybrid AUVsFor a full, detailed list, view our reportView Report @Market challengeOperational hindrancesFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trendIncorporation of new algorithm and metricsFor 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?You can request one free hour of our analysts time when you purchase this market report. Details are provided within the report.Send An Enquiry Request @Table of ContentsPART 01: EXECUTIVE SUMMARYPART 02: SCOPE OF THE REPORTPART 03: RESEARCH METHODOLOGYPART 04: INTRODUCTIONMarket outlinePART 05: MARKET LANDSCAPEMarket overviewMarket size and forecastFive forces analysisPART 06: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY END-USERSegmentation of global AUV market by end-user - 2016Segmentation of global AUV market by end-user - 2021Segmentation of global AUV market by end-user 2016-2021Global military AUV marketGlobal commercial AUV marketPART 07: REGIONAL LANDSCAPEGeographical segmentationRegional comparisonAmericas market size & forecastEMEA market size & forecastAPAC market size & forecastMarket opportunityPART 08: DECISION FRAMEWORKPART 09: DRIVERS AND CHALLENGESMarket driversMarket challengesPART 10: MARKET TRENDSIncorporation of new algorithm and metricsDevelopment of bio-inspired solar-powered AUVsDevelopments in Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT)PART 11: VENDOR LANDSCAPECompetitive scenarioList of vendors in global AUV marketGeneral DynamicsKongsberg MaritimeLockheed MartinSaabThales GroupOther prominent vendorsPART 12: APPENDIXList of abbreviationsBuy Now @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.ContactMr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz Pacing Lead Market to Significant Growth Foreseen by 2025 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/pacing-lead-market.asp https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/18886 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Pacing Leads are used for the transmission of electrical stimulation signals from the pacemaker to the heart itself. Pacing leads and its ability of the transmission of electrical signals to the hearts are essential for the success of any pacemaker operation or device. Pacing leads having demand of biostability, biocompatibility and electrical requirement. In addition, pacing leads are ideal for long term implantable devices. Pacing leads are used during cardiovascular treatment. Pacing leads are minimally invasive medical devices that enable physicians to map the electrical system of the heart. When patient`s heart is not having sinus rhythm the cardiac output is not optimum. As pacing leads are placed to the myocardium after the cardiac surgery. The electrical activity of the heart can be paced and sensed once the pacing leads are placed and connected to pacemaker.View Report Preview @Pacing leads can be sited on the right ventricle, atrium or in both. When pacing leads are placed only in atrium or ventricle then it is known as single chamber pacing while when pacing leads are placed in both chamber then it is known as dual chamber pacing. In single chamber pacing nearly invariably refers to employing the pacing lead on the right ventricle to make sure that the ventricles sufficiently pump blood through the body. However, if the ventricles or atria are not synchronized with each other, this often results in low cardiac output. While dual chamber pacing ensures the synchronization of atria and ventricles which results in the optimum cardiac output. However, placement of pacing lead on atrium can be lifesaving measure mainly when ventricular pacing is ineffectual.Pacing Lead Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe global Pacing Lead Market is driven by the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular disorders in developed nations, high disease occurrence in underdeveloped nations and various supportive government initiatives, and non-government organizations funding. The increase in the overall health care spending and resistance to conventional treatment technique has benefitted the global Pacing Lead Market. The global Pacing Lead Market is likely to be restrained by the high cost of research and development in this sector. Lack of awareness and costly medications are some restrains to global Pacing Lead Market.Pacing Lead Market: OverviewBased on application type, the global Pacing Lead Market is segmented into unipolar pacing leads and bipolar pacing leads. Similarly, based on end user, the market is segmented into, hospitals and online ambulatory surgical centers. Hospitals are expected to hold maximum share in the market due to higher rate of implants that take place in the hospitals segment as the reimbursement rates offered are better as compared to ambulatory surgical centers.Pacing Lead Market: Regional OverviewIn terms of region, the global Pacing Lead Market has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. North America is the leading player of Pacing Lead Market owing to increasing awareness and successful research in product innovations. Europe is the second leader in global Pacing Lead Market owing to development of devices and efficiency. Asia Pacific is also expected to grow due to increasing investment in health care spending and rise in research and development.Request to View Sample of Research Report @Pacing Lead Market: Key PlayersThe key players in the market are Boston Scientific Corporation, Medtronic, Biomerics, Greatbatch Medical, LivaNova Plc, MEDICOWEB, Qinming Medical, St. Jude Medical and BIOTRONIK SE & Co. KG,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: Cenospheres Market Share will Increase more than US$ 700 Million By 2022 Cenospheres Market https://www.marketresearchengine.com/cenospheres-market-report https://www.marketresearchengine.com/cenospheres-market-report https://www.marketresearchengine.com/ The global Cenospheres Market is segmented on the lines of its type, end user and regional. Based on end user type segmentation it covers (Gray Cenospheres and White Cenospheres); based on end user it covers (Oil & Gas, Refractory, Construction, Automotive and Paints & Coatings). The global Cenospheres Market on geographic segmentation covers various regions such as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa. Each geographic market is further segmented to provide market revenue for select countries such as the U.S., Canada, U.K. Germany, China, Japan, India, Brazil, and GCC countries.The global Cenospheres Market is expected to exceed more than US$ 700 Million By 2022 at a CAGR of 12.33% in the given forecast period.The major driving factors of global Cenospheres Market are as follows: Superior Structural Properties Rising Demand From End-Use IndustriesThe restraining factors of global Cenospheres Market are as follows: Limited Source of Raw Material Lack of Quality Control Across Developing CountriesThe opportunities factors of global Cenospheres Market are as follows: Reclamation of Fly Ash LagoonsBrowse Full Report @:This report provides:1) An overview of the global market for Cenospheres and related technologies.2) Analyses of global market trends, with data from 2015, estimates for 2016 and 2017, and projections of compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) through 2022.3) Identifications of new market opportunities and targeted promotional plans for global Cenospheres Market.4) Discussion of research and development, and the demand for new products and new applications.5) Comprehensive company profiles of major players in the industry.The scope of the report includes a detailed study of Global Cenospheres Market with the reasons given for variations in the growth of the industry in certain regions.Request Sample Report:Table of Contents1 Introduction2 Market Research Tactics3 Market Summary4 Quality Market Insights5 Cenospheres Market Overview6 Regulatory Market Synopsis7 Cenospheres, By Type8 Cenospheres Market, By End Consumer9 Cenospheres Market, By Geographic Region10 Competitive Landscape11 Company Profiles11.1 Introduction11.2 Ceno Technologies11.3 Cenosphere India Pvt. Ltd.11.4 Durgesh Merchandise Pvt. Ltd.11.5 Envirospheres11.6 Omya AG11.7 Petra India Group11.8 PR Ecoenergy Pvt. Ltd.11.9 Qingdao Eastchem Inc.11.10 Reslab Microfiller11.11 Scotash LimitedAbout 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 Fludioxonil Market 2017 to 2022 Analysis of Global Key Players - Hebei Xingbai, Hengrun, Hubei Chengyu, Jiangsu Subin, Jinyuanlai, Rainbow, Syngenta, Udragon Fludioxonil Market Research Nest https://www.marketresearchnest.com/global-fludioxonil-market-outlook-2017-2022.html https://www.marketresearchnest.com/requestsample.php?reportid=282477 https://www.marketresearchnest.com/purchase.php?reportid=282477 MarketResearchNest.com adds Global Fludioxonil Market Outlook 2017-2022 new reports to its research database. The report spread across 106 pages with tables and figures in it.Fludioxonil is a non-systemic fungicide, introduced in 1993 by Ciba-Geigy (now Syngenta). It is used for the treatment crops (particularly cereals, fruits and vegetables, and oramental plants; often in combination with another fungicide such as cyprodinil). Brand names from Syngenta include Celest (seed treatment) and Switch (fludioxonil + cyprodinil for spraying on crops). Fludioxonil is used against Fusarium, Rhizoctonia, Alternaria and Botrytis cinerea.The report covers forecast and analysis for the fludioxonil market on a global and regional level. The study provides historic data of 2012-2016 along with a forecast from 2017 to 2022 based on both output/volume and revenue. The study then describes the drivers and restraints for the fludioxonil market along with the impact they have on the demand over the forecast period. Additionally, the report includes the study of opportunities available in the fludioxonil market on a global level.Get more details about report atThe report has been prepared based on the synthesis, analysis, and interpretation of information about the global fludioxonil market collected from specialized sources. The competitive landscape section of the report provides a clear insight into the market share analysis of key industry players. Company overview, financial overview, product portfolio, new project launched, recent development analysis are the parameters included in the profile.Demand for this market rises from the seed treatment and other applications. All the segments have been analyzed based on present and future trends and the market is estimated from 2017 to 2022. Relevantly, the report and company profiles specify the key drivers that are impacting the demand in global fludioxonil market.Key Product Types Fludioxonil WP Fludioxonil FS Fludioxonil WGRequest a Sample Copy atKey Applications Seed Treatment OthersKey Regions North America Europe Asia PacificKey Vendors Hebei Xingbai Hengrun Hubei Chengyu Jiangsu Subin Jinyuanlai Rainbow Syngenta Udragon request free sample to get a complete list of companiesKey Questions Answered in this Report What will the market size be in 2022? What are the key factors driving the global fludioxonil market? What are the challenges to market growth? Who are the key players in the fludioxonil market? What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key players?Order a Purchase Report Copy atMarketResearchNest.com is the most comprehensive collection of market research products and services on the Web. We offer reports from almost all top publishers and update our collection on daily basis to provide you with instant online access to the worlds most complete and recent database of expert insights on global industries, organizations, products, and trends.Mr. Jeet JainSales Managersales@marketresearchnest.com+1-240-284-8070 / +44-20-3290-4151 ELT Market in China Analysis To Grow At CAGR Of 21.93% Over period 2017-2021 https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/1378148 https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/reports/1378148/elt-in-china-market-research-reports https://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/enquiry/1378148 https://www.researchmoz.com/checkout?rep_id=1378148&licType=S http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/ "The Report ELT Market in China 2017-2021 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. - MarketResearchReports.biz"About ELT MarketTraining for the English language is predominant in the global language learning market. This is because the language is essential for various practical applications. However, the rising importance of other languages will also contribute to the market growth. Globalization of businesses and staggering growth of emerging economies have placed few native languages such as Chinese, Japanese and other similar languages on the international map. As a result, prospective candidates seeking job opportunities, away from their domicile, in other nations are expected to be well-versed with the respective native language. This development has triggered the rise in demand for language training courses in Mandarin, English, French, Spanish, and Arabic.Get Sample copy of this Report @Technavios analysts forecast the ELT market in China to grow at a CAGR of 21.93% during the period 2017-2021.Covered in this reportThe report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the ELT market in China for 2017-2021. To calculate the market size, the report considers the sales and volume of the services market.Technavio's report, ELT Market in China 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 vendorsBerlitzChinaEDUDisney EnglishEF Education FirstiTutorGroupNew Oriental Education & Technology GroupPearson ELTSprout4FutureTAL Education GroupXueda Education GroupView Report @Market driverIncreased private investment in online English training vendorsFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket challengeAvailability of increasing number of open-source materialsFor a full, detailed list, view our reportMarket trendGrowing number of ELTs in Tier-2 citiesFor 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?You can request one free hour of our analysts time when you purchase this market report. Details are provided within the report.Send An Enquiry Request @Table of ContentsPART 01: EXECUTIVE SUMMARYPART 02: SCOPE OF THE REPORTPART 03: RESEARCH METHODOLOGYPART 04: INTRODUCTIONMarket outlinePART 05: MARKET LANDSCAPEMarket ecosystemMarket characteristicsMarket segmentation analysisPART 06: MARKET SIZINGMarket definitionMarket size and forecast 2016-2021PART 07: FIVE FORCES ANALYSISPART 08: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY LEARNING METHODELT market in China: Segmentation by learning methodComparison by Learning MethodELT market in China by classroom-based learning Market size and forecast 2016-2021ELT market in China by online learning Market size and forecast 2016-2021ELT market in China by blended learning Market size and forecast 2016-2021Market opportunity by Learning MethodPART 09: MARKET SEGMENTATION BY END-USERELT market in China by end-userComparison by end-userELT market in China by individual learners Market size and forecast 2016-2021ELT market in China by institutional learners Market size and forecast 2016-2021Market opportunity by end-userPART 10: DECISION FRAMEWORKPART 11: DRIVERS AND CHALLENGESMarket driversMarket challengesPART 12: MARKET TRENDSGrowing number of ELTs in Tier-2 citiesRadical shift toward specialized form of English learningEmergence of gamified contentPART 13: VENDOR LANDSCAPECompetitive landscapePART 14: VENDOR ANALYSISVendor overviewBerlitzChinaEDUDisney EnglishEF Education FirstiTutorGroupNew Oriental Education & Technology GroupPearson ELTSprout4FutureTAL Education GroupXueda Education GroupPART 15: APPENDIXBuy Now @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.ContactMr. NachiketState Tower90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-621-2074Website:E: sales@marketresearchreports.biz Occupational Radiation Monitoring Market to Record an Exponential CAGR by 2025 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/occupational-radiation-monitoring-market.asp https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/18901 http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com Occupational radiation dose monitoring is the method of analyzing the radiation levels exposed to the person while working with radioactive material. Exposures can be internal as well as external to the body. It is essential to monitor for a person who gets exposed occupationally to the ionizing radiations and is expected to receive excess dose by 10 percent of the applicable annual permissible limit. Occupational dose monitoring is done either by the use of dosimeters or by performing bioassays. Dosimeter is a device worn by an individual to monitor and track external radiation exposures while going in the range of radioactive material. These are further classified into passive dosimeters and active dosimeters. The bioassays are in vivo or in vitro measurements which are used to analyze and evaluate the materials excreted or removed from the body to determine the type, concentration and quantity of personal uptake. There are various international organizations supporting the field of occupational radiation protection and thus regulating the occupational radiation monitoring market. Occupational radiation monitoring is a mandatory requirement for the users working in the radiation zones for personal as well as environmental safety concerns.View Report Preview @There is continuous evolution in the radiation monitoring technology products in terms of range and readout methods along with added features such as dosimeters associated with GPS or network options.Occupational Radiation Monitoring market: Drivers & RestraintsIncreasing awareness among the workers as well as involvement of various regulatory agencies for occupational radiation monitoring management is going to fuel the market. Increasing use of radiation therapy in the medical treatment also require the use of occupational radiation monitoring equipments. Growing concerns of incidences for radiation side effects over the individual is also likely to increase the market. Lack of awareness in various industrial sectors as well as high cost of the monitoring procedure may hamper the growth.There are a number of dosimeter equipments available in the market according to the specific need such as dose range, detector type, temperature range and also with additional features. In industrial and research facilities, the regular occupational radiation doses are usually quite acceptable. Occupational radiation monitoring in the nuclear facilities has received more consideration than in any other practice. Accelerating usage of radiation in several industries such as food industry, food irradiation, energy generation in the form of nuclear power, and radiography and thereby, rising risk of leakage and exposure to radiation represents the escalating use of monitoring equipments for occupational radiation. Along with the number of vendors for these occupational radiation monitoring products, there are also various service providers in the market providing provisions for occupational radiation monitoring at various facilities.Geographically, the market for Occupational Radiation Monitoring can be segmented into five regions, North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Middle East & Africa. North America is the highest consumption market for the occupational radiation monitoring equipments because of stringent monitoring by various regulatory bodies and availability of the monitoring equipments and services in the market. This is followed by European countries because of the high usage in medical and research operations and follow up of high regulations in the laboratories. Asia Pacific is the growing market for the occupational radiation monitoring with the increasing number of research facilities as well as industrial operations using nuclear materials in their work. Latin America followed by Middle East & Africa is anticipated to have the lowest market share for occupational radiation monitoring market.Request to View Sample of Research Report @Some major key players of Occupational radiation monitoring market include Landauer, Mirion Technologies Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., PL Medical Co. LLC., Laurus Systems Inc., S.E. International Inc., Honeywell, Polimaster Inc., Fuji Electric Corp. of America, Far West Technology Inc., Canberra Industries 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: Buprofezin Market 2017 to 2022 Analysis of Global Key Players - Nihon Nohyaku, Changnong, ChemChina, Jiangu Chemical and Jindun Agrochemical Buprofezin Market Research Nest https://www.marketresearchnest.com/global-buprofezin-market-outlook-2017-2022.html https://www.marketresearchnest.com/requestsample.php?reportid=282517 https://www.marketresearchnest.com/purchase.php?reportid=282517 MarketResearchNest.com adds Global Buprofezin Market Outlook 2017-2022 new reports to its research database. The report spread across 100 pages with tables and figures in it.The report covers forecast and analysis for the ,buprofezin market on a global and regional level. The study provides historic data of 2012-2016 along with a forecast from 2017 to 2022 based on both output/volume and revenue. The study then describes the drivers and restraints for the buprofezin market along with the impact they have on the demand over the forecast period. Additionally, the report includes the study of opportunities available in the buprofezin market on a global level.Get more details about report atThe report has been prepared based on the synthesis, analysis, and interpretation of information about the global buprofezin market collected from specialized sources. The competitive landscape section of the report provides a clear insight into the market share analysis of key industry players. Company overview, financial overview, product portfolio, new project launched, recent development analysis are the parameters included in the profile.Demand for this market rises from the Agriculture and other applications. All the segments have been analyzed based on present and future trends and the market is estimated from 2017 to 2022. Relevantly, the report and company profiles specify the key drivers that are impacting the demand in global buprofezin market.Key Applications AgricultureKey Regions North America Europe Asia Pacific ChinaRequest a Sample Copy atKey Vendors Nihon Nohyaku Changnong ChemChina Jiangu Chemical Jindun Agrochemical request free sample to get a complete list of companiesKey Questions Answered in this Report What will the market size be in 2022? What are the key factors driving the global buprofezin market? What are the challenges to market growth? Who are the key players in the buprofezin market? What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key players?Order a Purchase Report Copy atMarketResearchNest.com is the most comprehensive collection of market research products and services on the Web. We offer reports from almost all top publishers and update our collection on daily basis to provide you with instant online access to the worlds most complete and recent database of expert insights on global industries, organizations, products, and trends.Mr. Jeet JainSales Managersales@marketresearchnest.com+1-240-284-8070 / +44-20-3290-4151 Offshore Wind Turbine Global Market by Key Players, Countries, Application, Analysis and Forecast to 2023 ReportsWeb http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW00011201638/sample http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW00011201638/buying http://www.reportsweb.com/offshore-wind-turbine-global-market-status-and-trend-report-2013-2023-top-20-countries-data ReportsWeb.com published Offshore Wind Turbine 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.Offshore Wind Turbine-Global Market Status & Trend Report 2013-2023 Top 20 Countries Data offers a comprehensive analysis on Offshore Wind Turbine industry, standing on the readers' perspective, delivering detailed market data in Global major 20 countries and penetrating insights. No matter the client is industry insider, potential entrant or investor, the report will provides useful data and information.Key questions answered by this report include:Worldwide and Top 20 Countries Market Size of Offshore Wind Turbine 2013-2017, and development forecast 2018-2023Main manufacturers/suppliers of Offshore Wind Turbine worldwide and market share by regions, with company and product introduction, position in the Offshore Wind Turbine marketMarket status and development trend of Offshore Wind Turbine by types and applicationsCost and profit status of Offshore Wind Turbine, and marketing statusMarket growth drivers and challengesRequest a Sample Report@The report segments the global Offshore Wind Turbine market as:Global Offshore Wind Turbine Market: Regional Segment Analysis (Regional Production Volume, Consumption Volume, Revenue and Growth Rate 2013-2023):North America (United States, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia, Spain and Benelux)Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, Southeast Asia and Australia)Latin America (Brazil, Argentina and Colombia)Middle East and AfricaGlobal Offshore Wind Turbine Market: Type Segment Analysis (Consumption Volume, Average Price, Revenue, Market Share and Trend 2013-2023):Self-Propelled Jack-Up VesselNormal Jack-Up VesselHeavy Lift VesselGlobal Offshore Wind Turbine Market: Application Segment Analysis (Consumption Volume and Market Share 2013-2023; Downstream Customers and Market Analysis)Power PlantsChemical PlantOtherInquire Before Buying@Global Offshore Wind Turbine Market: Manufacturers Segment Analysis (Company and Product introduction, Offshore Wind Turbine Sales Volume, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin):MPI-OffshoreSeajacksFred. Olsen WindcarrierGeoseaVan OordJack-Up BargeSEAFOXSwire Blue OceanGaoh OffshoreIn a word, the report provides detailed statistics and analysis on the state of the industry; and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the market.For 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 Growth of Propisochlor Market 2017 Analysis and Forecast to 2022 Research Report at MarketResearchNest.com Propisochlor Market Research Nest https://www.marketresearchnest.com/global-propisochlor-market-outlook-2017-2022.html https://www.marketresearchnest.com/requestsample.php?reportid=282518 https://www.marketresearchnest.com/purchase.php?reportid=282518 MarketResearchNest.com adds Global Propisochlor Market Outlook 2017-2022 new reports to its research database. The report spread across 100 pages with tables and figures in it.The report covers forecast and analysis for the ,propisochlor market on a global and regional level. The study provides historic data of 2012-2016 along with a forecast from 2017 to 2022 based on both output/volume and revenue. The study then describes the drivers and restraints for the propisochlor market along with the impact they have on the demand over the forecast period. Additionally, the report includes the study of opportunities available in the propisochlor market on a global level.The report has been prepared based on the synthesis, analysis, and interpretation of information about the global propisochlor market collected from specialized sources. The competitive landscape section of the report provides a clear insight into the market share analysis of key industry players. Company overview, financial overview, product portfolio, new project launched, recent development analysis are the parameters included in the profile.Get more details about report atDemand for this market rises from the Agriculture and other applications. All the segments have been analyzed based on present and future trends and the market is estimated from 2017 to 2022. Relevantly, the report and company profiles specify the key drivers that are impacting the demand in global propisochlor market.Key Applications AgricultureRequest a Sample Copy atKey Regions North America Europe Asia Pacific ChinaKey Vendors Arysta Changnong Xinyi Zhongkai Songliao request free sample to get a complete list of companiesKey Questions Answered in this Report What will the market size be in 2022? What are the key factors driving the global propisochlor market? What are the challenges to market growth? Who are the key players in the propisochlor market? What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key players?Order a Purchase Report Copy atMarketResearchNest.com is the most comprehensive collection of market research products and services on the Web. We offer reports from almost all top publishers and update our collection on daily basis to provide you with instant online access to the worlds most complete and recent database of expert insights on global industries, organizations, products, and trends.Mr. Jeet JainSales Managersales@marketresearchnest.com+1-240-284-8070 / +44-20-3290-4151 Butachlor Market 2017 to 2022 Analysis of Global Key Players - Changnong, Qingfeng, Shandong Binnong and Jiangshan Butachlor Market Research Nest https://www.marketresearchnest.com/global-butachlor-market-outlook-2017-2022.html https://www.marketresearchnest.com/requestsample.php?reportid=282519 https://www.marketresearchnest.com/purchase.php?reportid=282519 MarketResearchNest.com adds Global Butachlor Market Outlook 2017-2022 new reports to its research database. The report spread across 101 pages with tables and figures in it.The report covers forecast and analysis for the ,butachlor market on a global and regional level. The study provides historic data of 2012-2016 along with a forecast from 2017 to 2022 based on both output/volume and revenue. The study then describes the drivers and restraints for the butachlor market along with the impact they have on the demand over the forecast period. Additionally, the report includes the study of opportunities available in the butachlor market on a global level.The report has been prepared based on the synthesis, analysis, and interpretation of information about the global butachlor market collected from specialized sources. The competitive landscape section of the report provides a clear insight into the market share analysis of key industry players. Company overview, financial overview, product portfolio, new project launched, recent development analysis are the parameters included in the profile.Get more details about report atDemand for this market rises from the Agriculture and other applications. All the segments have been analyzed based on present and future trends and the market is estimated from 2017 to 2022. Relevantly, the report and company profiles specify the key drivers that are impacting the demand in global butachlor market.Key Applications AgricultureKey Regions North America Europe Asia Pacific ChinaRequest a Sample Copy atKey Vendors Changnong Qingfeng Shandong Binnong Jiangshan request free sample to get a complete list of companiesKey Questions Answered in this Report What will the market size be in 2022? What are the key factors driving the global butachlor market? What are the challenges to market growth? Who are the key players in the butachlor market? What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key players?Order a Purchase Report Copy atMarketResearchNest.com is the most comprehensive collection of market research products and services on the Web. We offer reports from almost all top publishers and update our collection on daily basis to provide you with instant online access to the worlds most complete and recent database of expert insights on global industries, organizations, products, and trends.Mr. Jeet JainSales Managersales@marketresearchnest.com+1-240-284-8070 / +44-20-3290-4151 Europe Advanced Wound Care Market is projected to reach USD 5,144.5 million by 2024 ReportsWeb http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW00011180010/sample http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW00011180010/buying http://www.reportsweb.com/europe-advanced-wound-care-market ReportsWeb.com published Advanced Wound Care 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.In this region, The Europe advanced wound care market is expected to reach USD 5,144.5 million by 2024, from USD 3,224.6 million in 2016 growing at a CAGR of 6.1% in the forecast period 2017 to 2024.Based on geography, the Europe advanced wound care market is segmented into 11 geographical regions, such as,Germany,France,United Kingdom,Italy,Spain,Russia,Turkey,Belgium,Netherlands,Switzerland andRest of Europe.Europe advanced wound care market competition by top players including-Smith and Nephew Plc.Acelity L.P., Inc.Molnlycke Health CareColoplast Corp.ConvaTec, Inc.3M Health careMedtronicIntegra Lifesciences CorporationThe Europe advanced wound care market is segmented into three product types, namely, dressing, biologics, and therapy devices.The APAC Advanced Wound Care market is segmented on the basis of type, product type, usability, end user, distribution channel and geography.On the basis of type, Advanced Wound Care are categorized into spunbond, meltblown, drylaid, wetlaid and spun-melt-spun (SMS).On the basis of product type, the Advanced Wound Care market is segmented into hygiene and apparel products.On the basis of product type, hygiene is sub-segmented into incontinence pads, ostomy liners, disposable underwear's, CSR wraps, disposable medical wipes and diapers.Apparel products are sub-segmented into surgical masks, surgical packs, surgical drapes and gowns, surgical caps and wound care material.Request a sample copy atBased on dressing type, the market is segmented into foam dressing, hydrogels, film dressings, alginates, wound contact layer and super absorbent dressing.Based on biologics type, the market is segmented synthetic into skin grafts, growth factors, allografts and xenografts.Based on wound care growth factor type, the market is segmented into platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), platelet rich plasma (PRP), epidermal growth factor (EGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (BFGF), granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), talactoferrin ALFA, thrombin peptide (TP508) and keratinocyte growth factor (KGFBased on wound care therapy devices type, the market is segmented into negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT), pressure relief devices (PRD), wound debridement devices, hyperbaric oxygen chambers and physical therapiesBased on NPWT type, the market is segmented into stand-alone NPWT devices, portable NPWT devices and disposable NPWT devices.Based on PRD type, the market is segmented into mattress and bed.Based on hyperbaric oxygen chambers type, the market is segmented into monoplace, multiplace and topical.Based on wound debridement devices type, the market is segmented into hydrosurgical, ultrasound, and mechanical among others.Based on physical therapies type, the market is segmented into laser therapy, electrical simulation, external shock wave therapies and saline mist therapy.Based on wound type, the market is segmented into surgical wound, diabetic ulcer, burns, pressure ulcer, venous ulcer among others.On the basis of end users, the market is classified into hospitals, wound care centers, ambulatory centers, home healthcare, clinics, and community healthcare.On the basis of end user the market is segmented into direct tenders, and retails.On the basis of distribution channel the market is segmented into direct tenders, and retails.Inquire for Report atCompanies Mentioned:Smith and Nephew Plc.Acelity L.P., Inc.Molnlycke Health Care Coloplast Corp.ConvaTec, Inc.3M Health careMedtronicIntegra Lifesciences CorporationTable of Content:1. Introduction2. Market Segmentation3. Market Overview4. Executive Summary5. Premium Insights6. Europe Advanced Wound Care Market, By Product Type7. Europe Advanced Wound Care Market, By Wound Type8. Europe Advanced Wound Care Market, By End User9. Europe Advanced Wound Care Market,10. Europe Advanced Wound Care Market, By Geography11. Europe Advanced Wound Care Market, Company Share12. Company ProfilesFor more information about this report atAbout 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 Growth of Tebuthiuron Market 2017 Analysis and Forecast to 2022 Research Report at MarketResearchNest.com Tebuthiuron Market Research Nest https://www.marketresearchnest.com/global-tebuthiuron-market-outlook-2017-2022.html https://www.marketresearchnest.com/requestsample.php?reportid=282520 https://www.marketresearchnest.com/purchase.php?reportid=282520 MarketResearchNest.com adds Global Tebuthiuron Market Outlook 2017-2022 new reports to its research database. The report spread across 113 pages with tables and figures in it.The report covers forecast and analysis for the ,tebuthiuron market on a global and regional level. The study provides historic data of 2012-2016 along with a forecast from 2017 to 2022 based on both output/volume and revenue. The study then describes the drivers and restraints for the tebuthiuron market along with the impact they have on the demand over the forecast period. Additionally, the report includes the study of opportunities available in the tebuthiuron market on a global level.The report has been prepared based on the synthesis, analysis, and interpretation of information about the global tebuthiuron market collected from specialized sources. The competitive landscape section of the report provides a clear insight into the market share analysis of key industry players. Company overview, financial overview, product portfolio, new project launched, recent development analysis are the parameters included in the profile.Get more details about report atDemand for this market rises from the Agriculture and other applications. All the segments have been analyzed based on present and future trends and the market is estimated from 2017 to 2022. Relevantly, the report and company profiles specify the key drivers that are impacting the demand in global tebuthiuron market.Key Applications AgricultureKey Regions North America Europe Asia Pacific ChinaRequest a Sample Copy atKey Vendors Changnong Yancheng South Chemicals Jiangsu Kuaida request free sample to get a complete list of companiesKey Questions Answered in this Report What will the market size be in 2022? What are the key factors driving the global tebuthiuron market? What are the challenges to market growth? Who are the key players in the tebuthiuron market? What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key players?Order a Purchase Report Copy atMarketResearchNest.com is the most comprehensive collection of market research products and services on the Web. We offer reports from almost all top publishers and update our collection on daily basis to provide you with instant online access to the worlds most complete and recent database of expert insights on global industries, organizations, products, and trends.Mr. Jeet JainSales Managersales@marketresearchnest.com+1-240-284-8070 / +44-20-3290-4151 Growth of Diafenthiuron Market 2017 Analysis and Forecast to 2022 Research Report at MarketResearchNest.com Diafenthiuron Market Research Nest https://www.marketresearchnest.com/global-diafenthiuron-market-outlook-2017-2022.html https://www.marketresearchnest.com/requestsample.php?reportid=282521 https://www.marketresearchnest.com/purchase.php?reportid=282521 MarketResearchNest.com adds Global Diafenthiuron Market Outlook 2017-2022 new reports to its research database. The report spread across 106 pages with tables and figures in it.The report covers forecast and analysis for the ,diafenthiuron market on a global and regional level. The study provides historic data of 2012-2016 along with a forecast from 2017 to 2022 based on both output/volume and revenue. The study then describes the drivers and restraints for the diafenthiuron market along with the impact they have on the demand over the forecast period. Additionally, the report includes the study of opportunities available in the diafenthiuron market on a global level.The report has been prepared based on the synthesis, analysis, and interpretation of information about the global diafenthiuron market collected from specialized sources. The competitive landscape section of the report provides a clear insight into the market share analysis of key industry players. Company overview, financial overview, product portfolio, new project launched, recent development analysis are the parameters included in the profile.Get more details about report atDemand for this market rises from the Agriculture and other applications. All the segments have been analyzed based on present and future trends and the market is estimated from 2017 to 2022. Relevantly, the report and company profiles specify the key drivers that are impacting the demand in global diafenthiuron market.Key Applications AgricultureKey Regions North America Europe Asia Pacific ChinaRequest a Sample Copy atKey Vendors Syngenta Changnong Yancheng South Chemicals Jiangsu Cahngqing request free sample to get a complete list of companiesKey Questions Answered in this Report What will the market size be in 2022? What are the key factors driving the global diafenthiuron market? What are the challenges to market growth? Who are the key players in the diafenthiuron market? What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key players?Order a Purchase Report Copy atMarketResearchNest.com is the most comprehensive collection of market research products and services on the Web. We offer reports from almost all top publishers and update our collection on daily basis to provide you with instant online access to the worlds most complete and recent database of expert insights on global industries, organizations, products, and trends.Mr. Jeet JainSales Managersales@marketresearchnest.com+1-240-284-8070 / +44-20-3290-4151 S-Metolachlor Market 2017 to 2022 Analysis of Global Key Players - Syngenta, UPL Limited, Jiangsu Changqing, CNADC and Zhongshan Chemical S-Metolachlor Market Research Nest https://www.marketresearchnest.com/global-s-metolachlor-market-outlook-2017-2022.html https://www.marketresearchnest.com/requestsample.php?reportid=282525 https://www.marketresearchnest.com/purchase.php?reportid=282525 MarketResearchNest.com adds Global S-Metolachlor Market Outlook 2017-2022 new reports to its research database. The report spread across 105 pages with tables and figures in it.The report covers forecast and analysis for the ,s-metolachlor market on a global and regional level. The study provides historic data of 2012-2016 along with a forecast from 2017 to 2022 based on both output/volume and revenue. The study then describes the drivers and restraints for the s-metolachlor market along with the impact they have on the demand over the forecast period. Additionally, the report includes the study of opportunities available in the s-metolachlor market on a global level.The report has been prepared based on the synthesis, analysis, and interpretation of information about the global s-metolachlor market collected from specialized sources. The competitive landscape section of the report provides a clear insight into the market share analysis of key industry players. Company overview, financial overview, product portfolio, new project launched, recent development analysis are the parameters included in the profile..Get more details about report atDemand for this market rises from the Agriculture and other applications. All the segments have been analyzed based on present and future trends and the market is estimated from 2017 to 2022. Relevantly, the report and company profiles specify the key drivers that are impacting the demand in global s-metolachlor market.Key Applications AgricultureKey Regions North America Europe Asia Pacific ChinaRequest a Sample Copy atKey Vendors Syngenta UPL Limited Jiangsu Changqing CNADC Zhongshan Chemical request free sample to get a complete list of companiesKey Questions Answered in this Report What will the market size be in 2022? What are the key factors driving the global s-metolachlor market? What are the challenges to market growth? Who are the key players in the s-metolachlor market? What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the key players?Order a Purchase Report Copy atMarketResearchNest.com is the most comprehensive collection of market research products and services on the Web. We offer reports from almost all top publishers and update our collection on daily basis to provide you with instant online access to the worlds most complete and recent database of expert insights on global industries, organizations, products, and trends.Mr. Jeet JainSales Managersales@marketresearchnest.com+1-240-284-8070 / +44-20-3290-4151 Global Drop Hose Sales Market Report with Size, Key Players, Opportunities, Status, Trends and Forecast 2017-2022 Market Research HUB https://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=enquiry&repid=1384512 https://www.marketresearchhub.com/report/global-drop-hose-sales-market-report-2017-report.html https://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=enquiry&repid=1384512 https://www.marketresearchhub.com/ https://www.industrynewsanalysis.com/ The market for Global Drop Hose Sales Market Report 2017 has been undergoing a transitional phase over the recent past. The continual advancements in technologies and the swift increase in infrastructural development projects have influenced the demand for Global drop hose substantially over the past few years. The swift rise in urbanization and the significant increase in the disposable income of people are likely to maintain the demand pace of Global drop hose sales market in the near future. The augmenting interest of investors, government funding, and the rising trend of automation are also projected to reflect positively on this market in the years to come.Request Free Sample Report@The report presents an estimation of the overall market size in terms of value (US$) and in volume (kilo tons) and talks about the key segments and the geographical subdivisions of the Global drop hose sales market report 2017 in details. It presents in-depth information on the development trends and the policies and regulations, concerning Global drop hose sales market report 2017, implemented in each of the geographical segments. The predominant applications of the Global drop hose sales market report 2017 have also been talked about at length in this research report.Geographically, this report split global into several key Regions, with sales (K Units), revenue (Million USD), market share and growth rate of Drop Hose for these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringUnited StatesChinaEuropeJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaGlobal Drop Hose market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Drop Hose sales volume, Price (USD/Unit), revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingCadman Power EquipmentIRRIGAZIONE VENETAPuck Custom EnterprisesStorth360 Yield CenterLechler...On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoRubberPVCotherOn 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 of Drop Hose for each application, includingFertilizerLiquid NitrogenBrowse Full Report with TOC@Table of ContentsGlobal Drop Hose Sales Market Report 20171 Drop Hose Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Drop Hose1.2 Classification of Drop Hose by Product Category1.2.1 Global Drop Hose Market Size (Sales) Comparison by Type (2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Drop Hose Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Rubber1.2.4 PVC1.2.5 other1.3 Global Drop Hose Market by Application/End Users1.3.1 Global Drop Hose Sales (Volume) and Market Share Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Fertilizer1.3.3 Liquid Nitrogen1.4 Global Drop Hose Market by Region1.4.1 Global Drop Hose Market Size (Value) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 United States Drop Hose Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 China Drop Hose Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 Europe Drop Hose Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Japan Drop Hose Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 Southeast Asia Drop Hose Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 India Drop Hose Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value and Volume) of Drop Hose (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Drop Hose Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Drop Hose Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)2 Global Drop Hose Competition by Players/Suppliers, Type and Application2.1 Global Drop Hose Market Competition by Players/Suppliers2.1.1 Global Drop Hose Sales and Market Share of Key Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Drop Hose Revenue and Share by Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Drop Hose (Volume and Value) by TypeContinued..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 Us:90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free: - 800-998-4852 (US-Canada)Email:- press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite:-Read Industry News at :- Global Drainage Plow Sales Market Report with Size, Key Players, Opportunities, Status, Trends and Forecast 2017-2022 Market Research HUB https://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=enquiry&repid=1384511 https://www.marketresearchhub.com/report/global-drainage-plow-sales-market-report-2017-report.html https://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=enquiry&repid=1384511 https://www.marketresearchhub.com/ https://www.industrynewsanalysis.com/ The research study examines the Global Drainage Plow Sales Market Report 2017 on the basis of a number of criteria, such as the product type, application, and its geographical presence. The whole supply chain of this market has been explained with statistical details with a special emphasis on various upstream and downstream components. The current trends pertaining to the demand, supply, and sales of Global Drainage Plow Sales Market Report 2017, together with the recent developments have been given here to provide an exhaustive picture of this market.Request Free Sample Report@Geographically, this report split global into several key Regions, with sales (K Units), revenue (Million USD), market share and growth rate of Drainage Plow for these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringUnited StatesChinaEuropeJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaGlobal Drainage Plow market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Drainage Plow sales volume, Price (USD/Unit), revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players includingALPLER AGRICULTURAL MACHINERYAP MachinebouwEmy Elenfer di Luciano ErbelliMAINARDISpapperiWIFO-ANEMA...On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoDragPowerHandOn 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 of Drainage Plow for each application, includingVegetablesRow CropsTobaccoFruitBrowse Full Report with TOC@Table of ContentsGlobal Drainage Plow Sales Market Report 20171 Drainage Plow Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Drainage Plow1.2 Classification of Drainage Plow by Product Category1.2.1 Global Drainage Plow Market Size (Sales) Comparison by Type (2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Drainage Plow Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Drag1.2.4 Power1.2.5 Hand1.3 Global Drainage Plow Market by Application/End Users1.3.1 Global Drainage Plow Sales (Volume) and Market Share Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Vegetables1.3.3 Row Crops1.3.4 Tobacco1.3.5 Fruit1.4 Global Drainage Plow Market by Region1.4.1 Global Drainage Plow Market Size (Value) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 United States Drainage Plow Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 China Drainage Plow Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 Europe Drainage Plow Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Japan Drainage Plow Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 Southeast Asia Drainage Plow Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 India Drainage Plow Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value and Volume) of Drainage Plow (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Drainage Plow Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Drainage Plow Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)2 Global Drainage Plow Competition by Players/Suppliers, Type and Application2.1 Global Drainage Plow Market Competition by Players/Suppliers2.1.1 Global Drainage Plow Sales and Market Share of Key Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Drainage Plow Revenue and Share by Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)ContinuedEnquire 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 Us:90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free: - 800-998-4852 (US-Canada)Email:- press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite:-Read Industry News at :- Global Disposable Nonwoven Products Sales Market Report with Size, Key Players, Opportunities, Status, Trends and Forecast 2022 MRH https://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1384660 https://www.marketresearchhub.com/report/global-disposable-nonwoven-products-sales-market-report-2017-report.html https://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=1384660 https://www.marketresearchhub.com/ https://www.industrynewsanalysis.com/ To study the market for Disposable Nonwoven Products in a precise manner, Market Research Hub (MRH) has included a new research report. The report is titled Global Disposable Nonwoven Products Sales Market Report 2017, which enlightens the readers about the market share as well as growth rate during the period 2017-2022. The research study estimates that the Disposable Nonwoven Products sector would be rising with a positive CAGR during the same stated forecast period.Request Free Sample Report@Geographically, this report split global into several key Regions, with sales (K Units), revenue (Million USD), market share and growth rate of Disposable Nonwoven Products for these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringUnited StatesChinaEuropeJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaGlobal Disposable Nonwoven Products market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Disposable Nonwoven Products sales volume, Price (USD/Unit), revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players including3M CompanyCardinal HealthJohnson & JohnsonBectonMedtronicBoston ScientificHartmannBayerStrykerBraunAbbott LaboratoriesKimberly-ClarkAnsellBard (CR)Lohmann & RauscherMedline IndustriesDickinsonAhlstromSmiths Medical (Smiths Group)On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoDisposable Preventative WearSurgical MasksCapsOn 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, includingHospital WardsICUOther Similar AreasBrowse Full Report with TOC@Table of ContentsGlobal Disposable Nonwoven Products Sales Market Report 20171 Disposable Nonwoven Products Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Disposable Nonwoven Products1.2 Classification of Disposable Nonwoven Products by Product Category1.2.1 Global Disposable Nonwoven Products Market Size (Sales) Comparison by Type (2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Disposable Nonwoven Products Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Disposable Preventative Wear1.2.4 Surgical Masks1.2.5 Caps1.3 Global Disposable Nonwoven Products Market by Application/End Users1.3.1 Global Disposable Nonwoven Products Sales (Volume) and Market Share Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Hospital Wards1.3.3 ICU1.3.4 Other Similar Areas1.4 Global Disposable Nonwoven Products Market by Region1.4.1 Global Disposable Nonwoven Products Market Size (Value) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 United States Disposable Nonwoven Products Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 China Disposable Nonwoven Products Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 Europe Disposable Nonwoven Products Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Japan Disposable Nonwoven Products Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 Southeast Asia Disposable Nonwoven Products Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 India Disposable Nonwoven Products Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value and Volume) of Disposable Nonwoven Products (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Disposable Nonwoven Products Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Disposable Nonwoven Products Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)2 Global Disposable Nonwoven Products Competition by Players/Suppliers, Type and Application2.1 Global Disposable Nonwoven Products Market Competition by Players/Suppliers2.1.1 Global Disposable Nonwoven Products Sales and Market Share of Key Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Disposable Nonwoven Products Revenue and Share by Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)Continued..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 Us:90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free: - 800-998-4852 (US-Canada)Email:- press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite:-Read Industry News at :- Global Disposable Lead Wires Sales Market Report with Key Players, Opportunities, Status and Forecast 2022 Market Research HUB https://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=enquiry&repid=1384509 https://www.marketresearchhub.com/report/global-disposable-lead-wires-sales-market-report-2017-report.html https://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=enquiry&repid=1384509 https://www.marketresearchhub.com/ https://www.industrynewsanalysis.com/ The demand and manufacture of medical equipment goes hand in hand with the rate of evolution of the healthcare industry across the world, and this is currently an optimistic point due to the rapidly evolving healthcare infrastructure globally and especially in emerging economies. The assessment of the Global Disposable Lead Wires Market Report 2017 is a critical tool needed by all entities taking a part in this market. Regardless of the position and the size of a player, the value that they can gain from this report can be immeasurable, as the overall success of the player will always depend on the factors that have been elucidated in the report. The report makes use of proven research methodologies that create a highly accurate picture of the market for the given forecast period. It additionally generates concepts and theories on the market in terms of its upcoming values and status of growth, allowing readers to form their own strategies and success formulae. To achieve this, the readers can take advantage of the exhaustive volume of information presented in the report on the current scenario of the Global disposable lead wires sales market, as well as the predictions on the market for the coming years. The data is presented in a simplified manner that makes it easy for all users to act upon. Some of the methods of analysis being used in this report include the Porters Five Forces analysis, which elaborates on the market trends such as buyers strengths and threat from new entrants and substitutes, along with a company based SWOT analysis, which allows users to gather valuable data on their key competitors.Request Free Sample Report@Geographically, this report split global into several key Regions, with sales (K MT), revenue (Million USD), market share and growth rate of Disposable Lead Wires for these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringUnited StatesChinaEuropeJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaGlobal Disposable Lead Wires market competition by top manufacturers/players, with Disposable Lead Wires sales volume, Price (USD/MT), revenue (Million USD) and market share for each manufacturer/player; the top players including3MBD and CompanyMindray Medical InternationalCarlisle Medical TechnologiesSchillerOSI SystemConmed CorporationWelch AllynCurbell Medical ProductsMedtronicOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoTPETPUSiliconPVCOn 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 of Disposable Lead Wires for each application, includingHospitalsClinicsLong Term FacilitiesAmbulatory and Home CareThe competitive landscape of the Global disposable lead wires sales market report 2017 is a highly crucial section of the report that creates a firm portrait of the markets key players and their rivalries. A reader can evaluate their position in the market using this scale of reference, while extensively planning their future movements to counter the movements of the other players in the same areas. This segment provides updated details on player profiles, business strategies, financial statistics, and overall rate of growth and future potential for the leading players in the market, as well as the ones that show the most positive growth rates.Browse Full Report with TOC@Table of ContentsGlobal Disposable Lead Wires Sales Market Report 20171 Disposable Lead Wires Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Disposable Lead Wires1.2 Classification of Disposable Lead Wires by Product Category1.2.1 Global Disposable Lead Wires Market Size (Sales) Comparison by Type (2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Disposable Lead Wires Market Size (Sales) Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 TPE1.2.4 TPU1.2.5 Silicon1.2.6 PVC1.3 Global Disposable Lead Wires Market by Application/End Users1.3.1 Global Disposable Lead Wires Sales (Volume) and Market Share Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Hospitals1.3.3 Clinics1.3.4 Long Term Facilities1.3.5 Ambulatory and Home Care1.4 Global Disposable Lead Wires Market by Region1.4.1 Global Disposable Lead Wires Market Size (Value) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 United States Disposable Lead Wires Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 China Disposable Lead Wires Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 Europe Disposable Lead Wires Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Japan Disposable Lead Wires Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 Southeast Asia Disposable Lead Wires Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 India Disposable Lead Wires Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value and Volume) of Disposable Lead Wires (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Disposable Lead Wires Sales and Growth Rate (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Disposable Lead Wires Revenue and Growth Rate (2012-2022)2 Global Disposable Lead Wires Competition by Players/Suppliers, Type and Application2.1 Global Disposable Lead Wires Market Competition by Players/Suppliers2.1.1 Global Disposable Lead Wires Sales and Market Share of Key Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Disposable Lead Wires Revenue and Share by Players/Suppliers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Disposable Lead Wires (Volume and Value) by Type2.2.1 Global Disposable Lead Wires Sales and Market Share by Type (2012-2017)ContinuedEnquire 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 Us:90 State Street,Albany, NY 12207,United StatesToll Free: - 800-998-4852 (US-Canada)Email:- press@marketresearchhub.comWebsite:-Read Industry News at :- Well Testing Services Market 2017 Global Analysis By Top Key Players Schlumberger, Expro Group, SGS, Priority, Oil States, Tetra Tec, PTS Technologies Well Testing Services 2017 Market https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/1564855-global-well-testing-services-market-size-status-and-forecast-2022 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/enquiry/1564855-global-well-testing-services-market-size-status-and-forecast-2022 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=1564855 WiseGuyReports.Com Publish a New Market Research Report On - Well Testing Services Market 2017 Global Analysis By Top Key Players Schlumberger, Expro Group, SGS, Priority, Oil States, Tetra Tec, PTS Technologies.This report studies the global Well Testing Services market, analyzes and researches the Well Testing Services development status and forecast in United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia. This report focuses on the top players in global market, likeSchlumbergerExpro GroupSGSPriorityOil StatesTetra TecPTS TechnologiesHalliburtonRockwater EnergyALL-STATE WELL TESTING SERVICEJaguar EnergyStriclanGet a Sample Report @For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comMarket segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversUnited StatesEUJapanChinaIndiaSoutheast AsiaMarket segment by Application, Well Testing Services can be split intoOil and Gas FieldOtherAsk Query @Table Of Contents Major Key PointsGlobal Well Testing Services Market Size, Status and Forecast 20221 Industry Overview of Well Testing Services1.1 Well Testing Services Market Overview1.1.1 Well Testing Services Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Well Testing Services 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 Well Testing Services Market by End Users/Application1.3.1 Oil and Gas Field1.3.2 Other2 Global Well Testing Services Competition Analysis by Players2.1 Well Testing Services 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 Schlumberger3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 Well Testing Services Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 Expro Group3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Well Testing Services Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 SGS3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 Well Testing Services Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.3.5 Recent Developments3.4 Priority3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 Well Testing Services Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.4.5 Recent Developments3.5 Oil States3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.5.4 Well Testing Services Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.5.5 Recent Developments3.6 Tetra Tec3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.6.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.6.4 Well Testing Services Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.6.5 Recent Developments3.7 PTS Technologies3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.7.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.7.4 Well Testing Services Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.7.5 Recent Developments3.8 Halliburton3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.8.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.8.4 Well Testing Services Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.8.5 Recent Developments3.9 Rockwater Energy3.9.1 Company Profile3.9.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.9.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.9.4 Well Testing Services Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.9.5 Recent Developments3.10 ALL-STATE WELL TESTING SERVICE3.10.1 Company Profile3.10.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.10.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.10.4 Well Testing Services Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.10.5 Recent Developments3.11 Jaguar Energy3.12 StriclanContinue.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. Global Same-day Delivery Market: expected to grow over the forecast period by 2022 https://www.reportsmonitor.com/request-sample/?post=331849 https://www.reportsmonitor.com/make-enquiry/?post=331849 http://www.reportsmonitor.com Global and Chinese Same-day Delivery Market Report by Material, Application, and Geography Global Forecast to 2021 is a professional and in-depth research report on the world's major regional market conditions, focusing on the main regions and the main countries.The report firstly introduced the Same-day Delivery Market basics: definitions, classifications, applications and market overview; product specifications; manufacturing processes; cost structures, raw materials and so on.Same-day Delivery Market split by Application -Application 1, Application 2, Application 3. Same-day Delivery Industry Segment by Regions- (North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific) and the main countries (United States, Germany, United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea and China).Get PDF Sample of Same-day Delivery Market Report @Through the statistical analysis, the Same-day Delivery Market report depicts the global Industry Analysis, Manufacturers Analysis, Same-day Delivery Industry Development Trend, Sales Demand and Forecast to 2022.Table of Contents:Chapter 1 Same-day Delivery Market Overview1.1 Definition1.2 Classification Analysis1.3 Application Analysis1.4 Same-day Delivery Industry Chain Structure Analysis1.5 Same-day Delivery Market Development Overview1.6 Global Same-day Delivery Market Comparison Analysis1.6.1 Global Import Market Analysis1.6.2 Global Export Market Analysis1.6.3 Global Main Region Market Analysis1.6.4 Global Market Comparison Analysis1.6.5 Global Market Development Trend AnalysisChapter 2 Same-day Delivery Up and Down Stream Industry Analysis2.1 Upstream Raw Materials Analysis of Same-day Delivery Market2.1.1 Upstream Raw Materials Price Analysis2.1.2 Upstream Raw Materials Market Analysis2.1.3 Upstream Raw Materials Market Trend2.2 Down Stream Market Analysis of Same-day Delivery Market2.1.1 Down Stream Market Analysis2.2.2 Down Stream Demand Analysis2.2.3 Down Stream Market Trend AnalysisInquire for further detailed information about Same-day Delivery Market Report @Chapter 3 Same-day Delivery Productions Supply Sales Demand Market Status and Forecast3.1 2012-2017 Same-day Delivery Market Capacity Production Overview3.2 2012-2017 Same-day Delivery Production Market Share Analysis3.3 2012-2017 Same-day Delivery Market Demand Overview3.4 2012-2017 Supply Demand and Shortage of Same-day Delivery Industry3.5 2012-2017 Same-day Delivery Import Export Consumption3.6 2012-2017 Same-day Delivery Cost Price Production Value Gross MarginIn the end Same-day Delivery Market report provides the main region, market conditions with the product price, profit, capacity, production, supply, demand and market growth rate and forecast etc. Same-day Delivery Market report also Present new project SWOT analysis, investment feasibility analysis, and investment return analysis.About UsReports Monitor (ReportsMonitor.com) is a platform for companies looking to meet their 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. The prime focus is to get reliable data, 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: Personal Protective Equipment Market revenue is expected reach US$444.2 mn by 2021 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=9203 https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pressrelease/saudi-arabia-personal-protective-equipment-market.htm https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/saudi-arabia-personal-protective-equipment-market.html www.transparencymarketresearch.com In a somewhat consolidated market for personal protective equipment in Saudi Arabia, where the top three companies accounted for over half the share in the overall market in 2014, competition is intense. The key players, namely Honeywell International, 3M Corporation, and MSA Safety, compete on the basis of the range of product offerings. They also bank on brand recall to bolster their sales something that gives them an edge over smaller local companies.However, local vendors steal a march over prominent ones with cheaper products in the Saudi Arabia personal protective equipment. This has served to dent the shares of big players, who thereby have had to scale back their research and development budgets to cut costs.Sample With Latest Advancements @A report by Transparency Market Research finds that the Saudi Arabia personal protective equipment market will rise at a steady 7.0% CAGR during the period between 2015 and 2021. Expanding at this rate, the market which was worth US$318.7 mn in 2016 will likely become worth US$444.2 mn in 2021.The different types of products available in the Saudi Arabia market for personal protective equipment are hearing protection, eye and face protection, head protection, protective clothing, disposable respirator, respiratory protection, professional footwear, re-usable respirator, hand protection, fall protection, etc. Of these, the segment of professional footwear held the maximum market share of 25.0% in 2014 on the back of solid demand from the oil and gas sector.Region-wise, the key segments of the Saudi Arabia market for personal protective equipment are Eastern Province, Western Province, Central Province, and others. Among them, the Eastern Province accounts for maximum demand due to the presence of numerous boroughs in the regions. By 2021-end, the Eastern Province is slated to generate about US$233.6 mn in revenue.Browse Our Press Releases For More Information @Workers Accidents Result in Pushing up DemandWorkers accidents in Saudi Arabia in the past has been primarily pushing up demand for personal protective equipment in the region. This is because the casualties resulting from such accidents has forced the authorities to impose strict safety rules for industrial entities. Personal protective equipment are used in several industries such as manufacturing, construction, oil and gas, chemicals, food, healthcare, etc. At the forefront of driving demand in the market, however, is the oil and gas industry in the region.Automation Posing Challenge to MarketOne factor that is expected to prove detrimental to the Saudi Arabia market for personal protective equipment, on the other hand, is the rising automation. Large scale automation of various production processes is gradually bringing down the size of labor force and this will negatively affect the demand for personal protective equipment.Browse Our Report @The market for personal protective equipment in Saudi Arabia is also being deterred by the presence of numerous local manufacturers producing cheap safety products. This has forced the big players to reduce their prices, which in turn is squeezing their profits.In order to overcome such challenges, manufacturers of personal protective equipment can look to the more attractive markets Northern and Southern provinces of Saudi Arabia where industrialization is progressing at a rapid pace. Both regions are witnessing impressive industrial growth and are comparatively untapped, explains the lead analyst of the TMR 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. 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: Offshore Drilling Market by Key Players, Countries, Application, Analysis and Forecast to 2022 ReportsWeb http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW00011078459/sample http://www.reportsweb.com/inquiry&RW00011078459/buying http://www.reportsweb.com/russia-offshore-drilling-industry-global-and-chinese-market-research-report-2017 ReportsWeb.com published Offshore Drilling 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 'Global and Chinese Russia Offshore Drilling Industry, 2012-2022 Market Research Report' is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the global Russia Offshore Drilling industry with a focus on the Chinese market.The report provides key statistics on the market status of the Russia Offshore Drilling manufacturers and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the industry.Firstly, the report provides a basic overview of the industry including its definition, applications and manufacturing technology.Then, the report explores the international and Chinese major industry players in detail.In this part, the report presents the company profile, product specifications, capacity, production value, and 2012-2017 market shares for each company.Request a Sample Report@Through the statistical analysis, the report depicts the global and Chinese total market of Russia Offshore Drilling industry including capacity, production, production value, cost/profit, supply/demand and Chinese import/export.The total market is further divided by company, by country, and by application/type for the competitive landscape analysis. The report then estimates 2017-2022 market development trends of Russia Offshore Drilling industry.Analysis of upstream raw materials, downstream demand, and current market dynamics is also carried out. In the end, the report makes some important proposals for a new project of Russia Offshore Drilling Industry before evaluating its feasibility. Overall, the report provides an in-depth insight of 2012-2022 global and Chinese Russia Offshore Drilling industry covering all important parameters.Table of Content:Chapter One Introduction of Russia Offshore Drilling Industry1.1 Brief Introduction of Russia Offshore Drilling1.2 Development of Russia Offshore Drilling Industry1.3 Status of Russia Offshore Drilling IndustryChapter Two Manufacturing Technology of Russia Offshore Drilling2.1 Development of Russia Offshore Drilling Manufacturing Technology2.2 Analysis of Russia Offshore Drilling Manufacturing Technology2.3 Trends of Russia Offshore Drilling Manufacturing TechnologyChapter Three Analysis of Global Key ManufacturersChapter Four 2012-2017 Global and Chinese Market of Russia Offshore Drilling4.1 2012-2017 Global Capacity, Production and Production Value of Russia Offshore Drilling Industry4.2 2012-2017 Global Cost and Profit of Russia Offshore Drilling Industry4.3 Market Comparison of Global and Chinese Russia Offshore Drilling Industry4.4 2012-2017 Global and Chinese Supply and Consumption of Russia Offshore Drilling4.5 2012-2017 Chinese Import and Export of Russia Offshore DrillingInquire before Buying@Chapter Five Market Status of Russia Offshore Drilling Industry5.1 Market Competition of Russia Offshore Drilling Industry by Company5.2 Market Competition of Russia Offshore Drilling Industry by Country (USA, EU, Japan, Chinese etc.)5.3 Market Analysis of Russia Offshore Drilling Consumption by Application/TypeChapter Six 2017-2022 Market Forecast of Global and Chinese Russia Offshore Drilling Industry6.1 2017-2022 Global and Chinese Capacity, Production, and Production Value of Russia Offshore Drilling6.2 2017-2022 Russia Offshore Drilling Industry Cost and Profit Estimation6.3 2017-2022 Global and Chinese Market Share of Russia Offshore Drilling6.4 2017-2022 Global and Chinese Supply and Consumption of Russia Offshore Drilling6.5 2017-2022 Chinese Import and Export of Russia Offshore DrillingChapter Seven Analysis of Russia Offshore Drilling Industry Chain7.1 Industry Chain Structure7.2 Upstream Raw Materials7.3 Downstream IndustryChapter Eight Global and Chinese Economic Impact on Russia Offshore Drilling Industry8.1 Global and Chinese Macroeconomic Environment Analysis8.1.1 Global Macroeconomic Analysis8.1.2 Chinese Macroeconomic Analysis8.2 Global and Chinese Macroeconomic Environment Development Trend8.2.1 Global Macroeconomic Outlook8.2.2 Chinese Macroeconomic Outlook8.3 Effects to Russia Offshore Drilling IndustryChapter Nine Market Dynamics of Russia Offshore Drilling Industry9.1 Russia Offshore Drilling Industry News9.2 Russia Offshore Drilling Industry Development Challenges9.3 Russia Offshore Drilling Industry Development OpportunitiesChapter Ten Proposals for New Project10.1 Market Entry Strategies10.2 Countermeasures of Economic Impact10.3 Marketing Channels10.4 Feasibility Studies of New Project InvestmentChapter Eleven Research Conclusions of Global and Chinese Russia Offshore Drilling IndustryFor 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 Travel Insurance Market 2017 Global Analysis By Top Key Players Allianz, Munich Re Group, AIG, Prudential, Manulife, Mapfre, AXA Travel Insurance Market 2017 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/1051675-global-travel-insurance-market-size-status-and-forecast-2022 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/enquiry/1051675-global-travel-insurance-market-size-status-and-forecast-2022 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=1051675 WiseGuyReports.Com Publish a New Market Research Report On - Travel Insurance Market 2017 Global Analysis By Top Key Players Allianz, Munich Re Group, AIG, Prudential, Manulife, Mapfre, AXA.This report studies the global Travel Insurance market, analyzes and researches the Travel Insurance development status and forecast in United States, EU, Japan, China, India and Southeast Asia. This report focuses on the top players in global market, likeAllianzMunich Re GroupAIGAssicurazioni GeneraliPrudentialACE&ChubbManulifeUnitedHealthcare GlobalMapfreAXATokio Marine HoldingsChina Pacific insuranceHanse MerkurPing An Insurance (Group) Company of ChinaPeople's insurance company of ChinaChina LifeSompo Japan NipponkoaGet a Sample Report @For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comMarket segment by Regions/Countries, this report coversUnited StatesEUJapanChinaIndiaSoutheast AsiaMarket segment by Type, the product can be split intoMedical ExpenseTrip CancellationTrip DelayProperty DamageOtherMarket segment by Application, Travel Insurance can be split intoDomestic TravelOutbound TravelAsk Query @Table Of Contents Major Key PointsGlobal Travel Insurance Market Size, Status and Forecast 20221 Industry Overview of Travel Insurance1.1 Travel Insurance Market Overview1.1.1 Travel Insurance Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global Travel Insurance 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 Travel Insurance Market by Type1.3.1 Medical Expense1.3.2 Trip Cancellation1.3.3 Trip Delay1.3.4 Property Damage1.3.5 Other1.4 Travel Insurance Market by End Users/Application1.4.1 Domestic Travel1.4.2 Outbound Travel2 Global Travel Insurance Competition Analysis by Players2.1 Travel Insurance 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 Allianz3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 Travel Insurance Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 Munich Re Group3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 Travel Insurance Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 AIG3.3.1 Company Profile3.3.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.3.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.3.4 Travel Insurance Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.3.5 Recent Developments3.4 Assicurazioni Generali3.4.1 Company Profile3.4.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.4.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.4.4 Travel Insurance Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.4.5 Recent Developments3.5 Prudential3.5.1 Company Profile3.5.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.5.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.5.4 Travel Insurance Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.5.5 Recent Developments3.6 ACE&Chubb3.6.1 Company Profile3.6.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.6.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.6.4 Travel Insurance Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.6.5 Recent Developments3.7 Manulife3.7.1 Company Profile3.7.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.7.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.7.4 Travel Insurance Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.7.5 Recent Developments3.8 UnitedHealthcare Global3.8.1 Company Profile3.8.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.8.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.8.4 Travel Insurance Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.8.5 Recent DevelopmentsContinue.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. Automotive Alternator Market: Industrial Trends and Market Demand 2016-2021 Automotive Alternator Market https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1973 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/automotive-alternator-market Market Scenario:Automotive alternator is a generator which generates power to the electrical component of the vehicle. The increasing usage of electrical power in the cars and the rise in electrical and electronics device in the vehicles is expected to surge the market for automotive alternator. Moreover, increasing global demand for vehicles has a significant contribution in the growth of automotive alternator market. Asia-Pacific is estimated to have the largest market for automotive industry due to government initiated FDI for international automotive players, favorable economic conditions, and presence of major automotive manufacturing industries which in turn is expected to drive the demand in the automotive alternator market.The global automotive alternator market is expected to show a growth at CAGR of about 5.5% from 2016 to 2021.Request a Sample Copy @Key PlayersThe key players of Global Automotive alternator Market report include- Valeo, Denso, Bosch, Remy, ISKRA, Mando, Mitsubishi, Hitachi Automotive, Magneti Marelli, Motorcar Parts of America, Hella KGaA Hueck & Co., and Lucas Electrical.Brief TOC:1 Report Prologue2 Introduction2.1 Definition2.2 Scope Of The Study2.2.1 Research Objective2.2.2 Assumptions2.2.3 Limitations2.3 Market Structure2.4 Market Segmentation3 Research Methodology3.1 Research Process3.2 Primary Research3.3 Secondary Research3.4 Market Size Estimation3.5 Forecast ModelContinueBrowse Full Report @Regional Analysis of Global Automotive alternator Market:Asia-Pacific is the major regions for the automotive alternator market. Asia-Pacific is expected to be fastest growing market for the automotive alternator. Emerging economies like China, India, and South Korea are expected to drive the market due to government initiative in FDIs for international automotive players, increasing individuals disposable income & purchasing power is expected to drive the market for automotive alternator. It is followed by European region due to presence of biggest automotive players in the region.About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Driver Safety Market - Trends, Opportunities and Global Forecast 2022 Driver Safety Market https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/2007 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/driver-safety-market-2007 Market Overview:Stringent regulations from government regarding drivers safety and growing concerns regarding road accidents have surge the demand for the driver safety technologies. Increasing road accident has made the manufacturer to work on the automotive safety & technologies to prevent the accidents. With the introduction of new technologies such as driver alertness detection system, electronic stability control (ESC), and others has contributed in the growth of the driver safety market. These technologies tackle the safety issues and various causes such as drivers distraction caused by tiredness and drowsiness and have helped to lower down the road accidents in the recent times.Moreover, Truck drivers who are only permitted to drive in the dark night and involves dangerous route. These factors significantly contribute to driver fatigue and distraction which can result in accidents hence in turn is expected to increase the demand for driver fatigue and distraction monitoring systems amongst the commercial vehicles.Request a Sample Copy @Key Players of Driver Safety Market: Denso Corporation Robert Bosch GmbH Continental AG Magna International Inc. Valeo S.A. Tobii AB Seeing Machines Infineon Technologies AG Optalert PTY Ltd Smart Eye ABBrief TOC:1. Report Prologue2. Introduction2.1. Definition2.2. Scope of the Study2.2.1. Research Objective2.2.2. Assumptions2.2.3. Limitations2.3. Market Structure2.4. Market Segmentation3. Research Methodology3.1. Research Process3.2. Primary Research3.3. Secondary Research3.4. Market Size Estimation3.5. Forecast Model4. Market Dynamics4.1. Drivers & Opportunities4.2. Challenges & Restraints4.3. Value Chain Analysis4.4. Porters Five Forces Analysis5. Driver Safety Market, By Type5.1. Introduction5.2. Driver Alertness Detection System5.3. Vehicle-To-Vehicle Communication5.4. Electronic Stability Control5.5. Eye-Tracking/Blink-Monitoring5.6. Pressure/Angle Steering Sensor5.7. Lane Departure Warning5.8. OthersContinueRegional Analysis:Asia-Pacific is the major regions for the Driver Safety Market. Asia-Pacific is expected to show significant growth in driver safety market. Government regulations regarding safety, increasing competition in the automotive industries have led manufacturers to adopt the safety technologies which in turn will boost the Driver Safety Market. North America and Europe will show the static growth for the driver safety market as the driver safety market is already established in the region due to safety awareness and concerns for the road safety.Target Audience: Government and research organization Manufacturers of Driver safety Traders, distributors, and driver safety suppliers Investment bankers and M&A ConsultantsBrowse 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 Software Defined Radio (SDR Radio) Market 2017 Global Analysis By Top Key Players Northrop Grumman Corporation, BAE Systems, Elbit Systems, Thales Group, L-3 Communications Holdings Software Defined Radio (SDR Radio) Market https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/2546961-global-software-defined-radio-sdr-radio-market-research-report-2017 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/enquiry/2546961-global-software-defined-radio-sdr-radio-market-research-report-2017 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=2546961 WiseGuyReports.Com Publish a New Market Research Report On - Software Defined Radio (SDR Radio) Market 2017 Global Analysis By Top Key Players Northrop Grumman Corporation, BAE Systems, Elbit Systems, Thales Group, L-3 Communications Holdings.In this report, the global Software Defined Radio (SDR Radio) market is valued at USD XX million in 2016 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2022, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2016 and 2022.Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of Software Defined Radio (SDR Radio) in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringUnited StatesEUChinaJapanSouth KoreaTaiwanGet a Sample Report @For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comGlobal Software Defined Radio (SDR Radio) market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includingNorthrop Grumman Corporation (U.S.)BAE Systems Plc. (U.K.)Elbit Systems Ltd (Israel)Thales Group (France)L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. (U.S.)...On the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoJTRSCognitiveTETRAOn 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 Software Defined Radio (SDR Radio) for each application, includingDefenseCommercialHomeland SecurityAsk Query @Table Of Contents Major Key PointsGlobal Software Defined Radio (SDR Radio) Market Research Report 20171 Software Defined Radio (SDR Radio) Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Software Defined Radio (SDR Radio)1.2 Software Defined Radio (SDR Radio) Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global Software Defined Radio (SDR Radio) Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category)(2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Software Defined Radio (SDR Radio) Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 JTRS1.2.4 Cognitive1.2.5 TETRA1.3 Global Software Defined Radio (SDR Radio) Segment by Application1.3.1 Software Defined Radio (SDR Radio) Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Defense1.3.3 Commercial1.3.4 Homeland Security1.4 Global Software Defined Radio (SDR Radio) Market by Region (2012-2022)1.4.1 Global Software Defined Radio (SDR Radio) Market Size (Value) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 United States Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 EU Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 South Korea Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 Taiwan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Software Defined Radio (SDR Radio) (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Software Defined Radio (SDR Radio) Revenue Status and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Software Defined Radio (SDR Radio) Capacity, Production Status and Outlook (2012-2022)..7 Global Software Defined Radio (SDR Radio) Manufacturers Profiles/Analysis7.1 Northrop Grumman Corporation (U.S.)7.1.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.1.2 Software Defined Radio (SDR Radio) Product Category, Application and Specification7.1.2.1 Product A7.1.2.2 Product B7.1.3 Northrop Grumman Corporation (U.S.) Software Defined Radio (SDR Radio) Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.1.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.2 BAE Systems Plc. (U.K.)7.2.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.2.2 Software Defined Radio (SDR Radio) Product Category, Application and Specification7.2.2.1 Product A7.2.2.2 Product B7.2.3 BAE Systems Plc. (U.K.) Software Defined Radio (SDR Radio) Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.2.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.3 Elbit Systems Ltd (Israel)7.3.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.3.2 Software Defined Radio (SDR Radio) Product Category, Application and Specification7.3.2.1 Product A7.3.2.2 Product B7.3.3 Elbit Systems Ltd (Israel) Software Defined Radio (SDR Radio) Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.3.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.4 Thales Group (France)7.4.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.4.2 Software Defined Radio (SDR Radio) Product Category, Application and Specification7.4.2.1 Product A7.4.2.2 Product B7.4.3 Thales Group (France) Software Defined Radio (SDR Radio) Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.4.4 Main Business/Business Overview7.5 L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. (U.S.)7.5.1 Company Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area and Its Competitors7.5.2 Software Defined Radio (SDR Radio) Product Category, Application and Specification7.5.2.1 Product A7.5.2.2 Product B7.5.3 L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. (U.S.) Software Defined Radio (SDR Radio) Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)7.5.4 Main Business/Business Overview...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. Patient Monitoring Devices Market Comprehensive Analysis & Global Foresight to 2022 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/2484 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/patient-monitoring-devices-market-2484 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/2484 Market research future has a half-cooked research report on Global Patient monitoring devices market. The global market for Patient monitoring devices market is growing continuously and expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.7% from 2014 to 2022Global Patient Monitoring Devices Market is expected to reach USD 23.4 billion by 2022 at a CAGR of 5.7%. North America is the largest market for patient monitoring devices while Asia-Pacific region is fastest growing. Europe is second largest market for patient monitoring device and expected to grow steadily during forecasting period.Patient monitoring devices in this report refer to the sensors which are used in smart wearable devices. Global Patient monitoring devices market is driven by increasing demand of wearable for infants and continuously evolving sensor technology. With increasing personal care and health consciousness, for tracking biometrics such as calories burnt, heart rate and others, the demand for wearable fitness trackers and other wearable is increasing. Rapid expansion of internet of things (IoT) is driving demand of Patient monitoring devices in various application areas such as healthcare and fitness, consumer electronics and others.Get a Copy of Sample Report @The global Patient monitoring devices market has been evaluated as steadily growing market and it is expected that the market will continue to grow similarly in the near future. These monitoring devices continuously check patients vital signs by using a medical monitor. Patient monitoring devices market has various functions such as glucose monitoring, blood monitoring, temperature monitoring, cholesterol monitoring, weight monitoring etc. Electrocardiography is fastest growing sub-segment, it is largest in cardiac monitoring market and fastest growing in neurological device. Electrocardiography is the process that checks for problems with the electrical activity of your heart. Electrocardiography is very helpful to diagnose unexplained chest pain or pressure, cause of symptoms of heart disease, to check how well medicines are working and see if they are causing side effects that affect the heart. Increase in consumer awareness is driving the market growth which expected to grow in same pace in near future. Patient monitoring devices manufacturers trying to make more advance, accurate and innovative device to provide desirable solution.Taste the market data and market information presented through more than 120 market data tables and figures spread over 80 numbers of pages of the project report. Avail the in-depth table of content TOC & market synopsis on Patient Monitoring Devices Market Research Report Global Forecast to 2022.Segments:Patient monitoring devices market has been segmented on the basis of product type which comprises Central monitoring stations, Portable bedside monitors, Electrocardiogram (ECG) Devices, Hemodynamic Monitoring Devices, Fetal and neonatal monitors, Respiratory Monitors, Weight management monitors, Temperature monitoring devices, and others. On the basis of end user, the market is segmented into Hospitals and clinics, Ambulatory care centers, Home care and others.Regional Analysis of Patient Monitoring Devices Market:Considering the global scenario of the market, North America region is believed to be the largest market for Patient monitoring devices. Moreover the European market is also growing and second largest market for Patient monitoring devices. On the other hand, Asia-Pacific market is expected to grow at the fastest pace in the Patient monitoring devices during the forecasted period. Rest of the World is likely to have a limited but steady growth in the market.Browse Full Report Details @Key Players for Patient Monitoring Devices Market:Some of the key players in this market are: GE Healthcare, Roche Diagnostics, BIOTRONIK SE & Co. KG, Abbott Laboratories, Siemens Healthcare, Philips Healthcare, CAS Medical Systems, Inc.,Spacelabs Healthcare, Honeywell International, Inc., Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co.The report for Patient Monitoring Devices 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 markets segments and regionsGet Discount @Study objectives of Patient monitoring devices Market:- To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 7 years of the various segments and sub-segments of the Patient monitoring devices market. To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth. To analyze the Patient monitoring devices 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 product type, by end user and its sub-segments. 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 in the global Patient monitoring devices market.ContinueWe are thankful for the support and assistance from Patient Monitoring Devices Market - Global 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 Car Carrier Market Report for Period 2017 till 2023 Delavan, Wally-Mo Trailer, Infinity Trailer and Others Car Carrier Market https://goo.gl/Gcuikp https://goo.gl/Gcuikp https://goo.gl/Gcuikp http://marketreportscompany.com Global Car Carrier Market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely Delavan, Wally-Mo Trailer, Infinity Trailer and Others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2023 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2023, etc.A car carrier, known variously as a car-carrying trailer, car hauler, auto transport trailer, etc., is a type of trailer or semi-trailer designed to efficiently transport vehicles via truck. Modern car carrier trailers can be open or enclosed. Most commercial trailers have built-in ramps for loading and off-loading cars, as well as power hydraulics to raise and lower ramps for stand-alone accessibility.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global Car Carrier Market 2017Top Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:CIMCMiller IndustriesBoydstunCottrellK?ssbohrerDongfeng TrucksMANLandollKentucky TrailersDelavanWally-Mo TrailerInfinity TrailerOthersGlobal Car Carrier Market: Key Product TypeOpen-Air Car CarrierEnclosed Car CarrierOthersGlobal Car Carrier Market: Key ApplicationAutomobile Sales Servicshop 4STerminalsOthersGlobal Car Carrier Market: Key RegionAsia-PacificNorth AmericaEuropeSouth AmericaMiddle East & AfricaThe Global Car Carrier Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global Car Carrier Market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The Global Car Carrier Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Enquire before Buying @Table of Contents:1 Market Overview1.1 Market Segment Overview1.1.1 Product Definition1.1.2 Market by Type1.1.2.1 Open-Air Car Carrier1.1.2.2 Enclosed Car Carrier1.1.3 Market by Application1.1.3.1 Automobile Sales Servicshop 4S1.1.3.2 Terminals1.1.3.3 Others1.2 Global and Regional Market Size......................Continue (Global Car Carrier Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and with the help of third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.About Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters. We can provide market insights for any particular region, country across the globe within shortest possible turn around time.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States Hydraulic Hose Market Report for Period 2017 till 2023 Alfagomma, Yokohama Rubber, Gates and Others Hydraulic Hose Market https://goo.gl/UA7kED https://goo.gl/UA7kED https://goo.gl/UA7kED http://marketreportscompany.com Global Hydraulic Hose Market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely Alfagomma, Yokohama Rubber, Gates and Others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2023 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2023, etc.A hydraulic hose is a synthetic rubber hose, which can withhold high pressure. The hydraulic hose is mainly used to transmit fluid power or fluid within hydraulic machinery. A hydraulic hose is consisting of an inner rubber protection layer, middle rubber layer, steel wire spiral layer and external rubber cover. The inner rubber protection layer resistant to liquids and protects the steel wire spiral layer from corrosion. The external rubber cover protects the steel wire spiral layer against damage. While the steel wire spiral layer plays a role like bones of human.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global Hydraulic Hose Market 2017Top Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:ParkerManuliAlfagommaYokohama RubberGatesBridgestoneEatonSemperitHANSA-FLEXSumitomo RikoContinentalRYCOKurtLETONE-FLEXDagongYuTongOuya HoseJintongJingBoYuelongLuohe YiBoHengyuOthersGlobal Hydraulic Hose Market: Key ApplicationEngineering MachineryMining IndustryIndustrialOthersGlobal Hydraulic Hose Market: Key RegionAsia-PacificNorth AmericaEuropeSouth AmericaMiddle East & AfricaThe Global Hydraulic Hose Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global Hydraulic Hose Market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The Global Hydraulic Hose Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Enquire before Buying @Table of Contents:1 Global Market Overview1.1 Scope of Statistics1.1.1 Scope of Products1.1.2 Scope of Manufacturers1.1.3 Scope of Application1.1.4 Scope of Regions/Countries1.2 Global Market Size2 Regional Market2.1 Regional Production2.2 Regional Demand2.3 Regional Trade3 Key Manufacturers3.1 Parker3.1.2 Company Information3.1.2 Product Specifications.......................Continue (Global Hydraulic Hose Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and with the help of third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.About Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters. We can provide market insights for any particular region, country across the globe within shortest possible turn around time.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States In-Depth Analysis on Intra-Cranial Pressure Monitors Market & Global Forecast to 2022 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/2042 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/2042 Global Intra-cranial pressure (ICP) monitor market information, by techniques (invasive and non-invasive), by methods (intra-ventricular catheter, subdural screw, epidural sensor) by application (traumatic brain injury, intra-cerebral hemorrhage, meningitis and others), Forecast till 2022Intra-cranial pressure (ICP) monitors are devices used for treating severe brain injury by recording the pressure (swelling) inside different areas of the brain. This devise segment is growing rapidly due to increase in number of cases related to neurological disorders, along with technology advancement and awareness about different types of treatment in the market. Other factors leading to the increasing growth of the device market includes increase cases of sleep disorders, brain disorders autoimmune disease and depression cases in the present generation.The report for Global Intra-cranial pressure (ICP) monitor 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 markets segments and regionsGet a Copy of Sample Report @Key players of Global Intra-cranial pressure (ICP) monitor market: Covidien plc (Ireland) Compumedics Limited (Australia) Natus Medical Incorporated (US) Integra LifeSciences Corporation (US) Codman & Shurtleff, Inc. (US) Raumedic (USA) VittamedStudy Objectives of Intra-cranial pressure (ICP) monitor market:Providing detail analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 5 years on various segments and sub-segments of the global Intra-cranial pressure (ICP) monitor market. Providing insights about factors affecting the market growth. Analyzing the global Intra-cranial pressure (ICP) monitor market based on various factors- price analysis, supply chain analysis, Porters Five Force analysis etc. Giving past and predicted future 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. Providing country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and predicted future growth. Giving country level analysis of the market for segments by methods, by techniques, by application and by end-users. Giving an overview of key players and their strategic profiling in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies and drawing the current competitive scenario of the market. Tracking and analyzing competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments along with research and developments in the global Intra-cranial pressure (ICP) monitor market.Segments of Intra-cranial pressure monitor market:The global intra-cranial pressure (ICP) monitor market is majorly segmented on the basis of techniques, methods and application. Based on techniques, market is segmented into invasive and non-invasive ICP monitoring. Based on methods used in screening these are classified into intra-ventricular catheter, subdural screw and epidural sensor. Further on the basis of application the market is again classified into traumatic brain injury, intra-cerebral hemorrhage, meningitis and others.Get Discount @ContinueWe are thankful for the support and assistance from Global Intra-cranial pressure (ICP) monitor Market Research Report- Forecast To 2022 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 Corn Starch Market Report for Period 2017 till 2023 Nihon Shokuhin Kako, Japan Corn Starch, Sanwa Starch and Others Corn Starch Market https://goo.gl/fnkAof https://goo.gl/fnkAof https://goo.gl/fnkAof http://marketreportscompany.com Global Corn Starch Market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely Nihon Shokuhin Kako, Japan Corn Starch, Sanwa Starch and Others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2023 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2023, etc.Corn starch, it is a carbohydrate extracted from the endosperm of corn. This white powdery substance is used for many culinary, household, and industrial purposes. In the kitchen, corn starch is most often used as a thickening agent for sauces, gravies, glazes, soups, casseroles, pies, and other desserts.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global Corn Starch Market 2017Top Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:ADMCargillIngredionPenford ProductsTate & Lyle AmericasRoquetteArgoGeaAVEBENihon Shokuhin KakoJapan Corn StarchSanwa StarchZhucheng XingmaoChangchun DachengXiwang GroupLuzhou GroupCOPOChina StarchBaolingbao BiologyXian GuoweiLihua StarchHenan Julong Biological EngineeringHebei Derui Starch CompanyCorn Development CompanyLongliveOthersGlobal Corn Starch Market: Key Product TypeNon-GM Corn StarchGeneral Corn StarchOthersGlobal Corn Starch Market: Key ApplicationStarch SugarBeerFood IndustryPaper IndustryMedicineModified StarchChemical IndustryOthersGlobal Corn Starch Market: Key RegionAsia-PacificNorth AmericaEuropeSouth AmericaMiddle East & AfricaThe Global Corn Starch Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global Corn Starch Market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The Global Corn Starch Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Enquire before Buying @Table of Contents:1 Market Overview1.1 Objectives of Research1.1.1 Definition1.1.2 Specifications1.2 Market Segment1.2.1 by Type1.2.1.1 Non-GM Corn Starch1.2.1.2 General Corn Starch1.2.2 by Application1.2.2.1 Starch Sugar1.2.2.2 Beer1.2.2.3 Food Industry1.2.2.4 Paper Industry1.2.2.5 Medicine1.2.2.6 Modified Starch1.2.2.7 Chemical Industry.......................Continue (Global Corn Starch Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and with the help of third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.About Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters. We can provide market insights for any particular region, country across the globe within shortest possible turn around time.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States Nursing Bra Market Report for Period 2011 till 2023 Bravado, Triumph, La Leche League, Anita, Medela, Cake Maternity, Leading Lady, Cantaloop, Rosemadame, Senshukai, INUjIRUSHI, Wacoal (Elomi), Sweet Mommy and Others Nursing Bra Market https://goo.gl/Fo4c7o https://goo.gl/Fo4c7o https://goo.gl/Fo4c7o http://marketreportscompany.com Global Nursing bra market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely Bravado, Triumph, La Leche League, Anita, Medela, Cake Maternity, Leading Lady, Cantaloop, Rosemadame, Senshukai, INUjIRUSHI, Wacoal (Elomi), Sweet Mommy and Others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2023 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2023, etc.A nursing bra is a specialized brassiere that provides additional support to women who are pregnant or lactating and permits comfortable breastfeeding without the need to remove the bra. This is accomplished by specially designed bra cups that include flaps which can be opened with one hand to expose the nipple. The flap is usually held closed with a simple clasp or hook.In this market research report, the global Nursing bra market is valued at USD XX million in 2017 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2023, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2017 and 2023.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global Nursing bra Market 2017Top Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:Destination Maternity (Motherhood)BravadoTriumphLa Leche LeagueAnitaMedelaCake MaternityLeading LadyCantaloopRosemadameSenshukaiINUjIRUSHIWacoal (Elomi)Sweet MommyMamawayO.C.T. MamiHappy HouseHuboEmbryAimerOthersGlobal Nursing bra Market: Key Product TypeUnderwire Nursing BrasWireless Nursing BrasGlobal Nursing bra Market: Key ApplicationPregnant WomenLactating WomenGlobal Nursing bra Market: Key RegionNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia, Italy and Others)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia and Others)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia and Others)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa and Others)The Global Nursing bra Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global Nursing bra Market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The Global Nursing bra Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Enquire before Buying @Table of Contents:1 Market Overview1.1 Market Segment Overview1.1.1 Product Definition1.1.2 Market by Type1.1.2.1 Underwire Nursing Bras1.1.2.2 Wireless Nursing Bras1.1.3 Market by Application1.1.3.1 Pregnant Women1.1.3.2 Lactating Women1.2 Global and Regional Market Size1.2.1 Global Overview1.2.2 Market by Region1.2.2.1 Asia-Pacific1.2.2.2 North America1.2.2.3 Europe1.2.2.4 South America1.2.2.5 Middle East & Africa2 Global and Regional Market by Company2.1 Global2.1.1 Global Sales by Company2.1.2 Global Price by Company2.2 Asia-Pacific.......................ContinueGlobal Nursing bra Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and with the help of third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.About Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters. We can provide market insights for any particular region, country across the globe within shortest possible turn around time.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States Aquaponics Market Report for Period 2017 till 2023 Aquaponic Source, Backyard Aquaponics, Aquaponics USA and Others Aquaponics Market https://goo.gl/5GSNVy https://goo.gl/5GSNVy https://goo.gl/5GSNVy http://marketreportscompany.com Global Aquaponics Market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely Aquaponic Source, Backyard Aquaponics, Aquaponics USA and Others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2023 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2023, etc.Aquaponics is the integration of aquaculture and hydroponics in a reciprocally beneficial water-based system. This arrangement encompasses the growth of a variety of fishes such as goldfish, carp, crappie, tilapia, brim, koi, and bass, as well as plants such as chives and lettuce. The waste from fish litters that turn into nitrates and ammonia are harmful to the fish but are beneficial for plant growth as they help in supplementing essential required nutrients. This creates an extremely maintainable natural system as natural food is available to aquaculture and plants for growth and productivity.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global Aquaponics Market 2017Top Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:Nelson and PadeAquaponic SourceBackyard AquaponicsAquaponics USAPentairAESGothic Arch GreenhousesStuppyECF Farm SystemsUrban FarmersPFASEcoGroAquaponic LynxAquaponics PlaceEndless Food SystemsAonefarmJapan AquaponicsEvo FarmWater FarmersOthersGlobal Aquaponics Market: Key Product TypeMFGNFTDWCOthersGlobal Aquaponics Market: Key ApplicationFamilyAcademicCommercialOthersGlobal Aquaponics Market: Key RegionAsia-PacificNorth AmericaEuropeSouth AmericaMiddle East & AfricaThe Global Aquaponics Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global Aquaponics Market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The Global Aquaponics Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Enquire before Buying @Table of Contents:1 Market Overview1.1 Objectives of Research1.1.1 Definition1.1.2 Specifications1.2 Market Segment1.2.1 by Type1.2.1.1 MFG1.2.1.2 NFT1.2.1.3 DWC1.2.1.4 Others1.2.2 by Application1.2.2.1 Family1.2.2.2 Academic1.2.2.3 Commercial1.2.2.4 Others1.2.3 by Regions2 Industry Chain2.1 Industry Chain Structure......................Continue (Global Aquaponics Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and with the help of third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.About Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters. We can provide market insights for any particular region, country across the globe within shortest possible turn around time.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States Metal 3D Printer Market Report for Period 2011 till 2023 EOS GmbH, Concept Laser GmbH, SLM, 3D Systems, Arcam AB, ReaLizer, Renishaw, Exone, Wuhan Binhu, Bright Laser Technologies, Huake 3D, Syndaya and Others Metal 3D Printer market https://goo.gl/ssaQQs https://goo.gl/ssaQQs https://goo.gl/ssaQQs http://marketreportscompany.com Global Metal 3D Printer market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely EOS GmbH, Concept Laser GmbH, SLM, 3D Systems, Arcam AB, ReaLizer, Renishaw, Exone, Wuhan Binhu, Bright Laser Technologies, Huake 3D, Syndaya and Others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2023 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2023, etc.Metal 3D printer, also called metal additive manufacturing, can produce metallic products through three - dimensional and printing technology. Now it is widely used in automotive industry, aerospace industry and medical industry. Metal 3D printer works by laying down metal powder. A high powered laser then melts that powder in certain precise locations based on a CAD file. Once one layer is melted, the printer will place another layer of metal powder on top, and the process repeats until an entire object is fabricated.In this market research report, the global Metal 3D Printer market is valued at USD XX million in 2017 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2023, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2017 and 2023.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global Metal 3D Printer Market 2017Top Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:EOS GmbHConcept Laser GmbHSLM3D SystemsArcam ABReaLizerRenishawExoneWuhan BinhuBright Laser TechnologiesHuake 3DSyndayaOthersGlobal Metal 3D Printer Market: Key Product TypeSelective Laser Melting (SLM)Electronic Beam Melting (EBM)OthersGlobal Metal 3D Printer Market: Key ApplicationAutomotive IndustryAerospace IndustryHealthcare & Dental IndustryAcademic InstitutionsOthersGlobal Metal 3D Printer Market: Key RegionNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia, Italy and Others)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia and Others)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia and Others)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa and Others)The Global Metal 3D Printer Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global Metal 3D Printer Market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The Global Metal 3D Printer Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Enquire before Buying @Table of Contents:1 Market Overview1.1 Market Segment Overview1.1.1 Product Definition1.1.2 Market by Type1.1.2.1 Selective Laser Melting (SLM)1.1.2.2 Electronic Beam Melting (EBM)1.1.2.3 Others1.1.3 Market by Application1.1.3.1 Automotive Industry1.1.3.2 Aerospace Industry1.1.3.3 Healthcare & Dental Industry1.1.3.4 Academic Institutions1.1.3.5 Others1.2 Global and Regional Market Size1.2.1 Global Overview1.2.2 Market by Region1.2.2.1 Asia-Pacific1.2.2.2 North America1.2.2.3 Europe1.2.2.4 South America1.2.2.5 Middle East & Africa2 Global and Regional Market by Company.......................ContinueGlobal Metal 3D Printer Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and with the help of third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.About Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters. We can provide market insights for any particular region, country across the globe within shortest possible turn around time.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States Deep Brain Stimulation Devices Market Report for Period 2011 till 2023 Medtronic, Boston Scientific, St Jude Medical, Beijing Pins, SceneRay and Others Deep Brain Stimulation Devices Market https://goo.gl/4zBxCp https://goo.gl/4zBxCp https://goo.gl/4zBxCp http://marketreportscompany.com Global Deep Brain Stimulation Devices market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely Medtronic, Boston Scientific, St Jude Medical, Beijing Pins, SceneRay and Others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2023 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2023, etc.Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a neurosurgical procedure involving the implantation of a medical device called a neurostimulator (sometimes referred to as a brain pacemaker), which sends electrical impulses, through implanted electrodes, to specific targets in the brain (brain nuclei) for the treatment of movement and neuropsychiatric disorders. DBS in select brain regions has provided therapeutic benefits for otherwise-treatment-resistant disorders such as Parkinsons disease, essential tremor, dystonia, chronic pain, major depression and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Despite the long history of DBS, its underlying principles and mechanisms are still not clear. DBS directly changes brain activity in a controlled manner, its effects are reversible (unlike those of lesioning techniques), and it is one of only a few neurosurgical methods that allow blinded studies.In this market research report, the global Deep Brain Stimulation Devices market is valued at USD XX million in 2017 and is expected to reach USD XX million by the end of 2023, growing at a CAGR of XX% between 2017 and 2023.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global Deep Brain Stimulation Devices Market 2017Top Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:MedtronicBoston ScientificSt Jude MedicalBeijing PinsSceneRayOthersGlobal Deep Brain Stimulation Devices Market: Key Product TypeSingle-channel DBSDual Channel DBSGlobal Deep Brain Stimulation Devices Market: Key ApplicationParkinsons diseaseEssential TremorDystoniaOthersGlobal Deep Brain Stimulation Devices Market: Key RegionNorth America (USA, Canada and Mexico)Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia, Italy and Others)Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia and Others)South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia and Others)Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa and Others)The Global Deep Brain Stimulation Devices Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global Deep Brain Stimulation Devices Market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The Global Deep Brain Stimulation Devices Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Enquire before Buying @Table of Contents:1 Market Overview1.1 Deep Brain Stimulation Devices Introduction1.2 Market Analysis by Type1.2.1 Single-channel DBS1.2.2 Dual Channel DBS1.3 Market Analysis by Applications1.3.1 Parkinsons disease1.3.2 Essential Tremor1.3.3 Dystonia1.3.4 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).......................ContinueGlobal Deep Brain Stimulation Devices Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and with the help of third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.About Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters. We can provide market insights for any particular region, country across the globe within shortest possible turn around time.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States Patchouli Oil Market Report for Period 2017 till 2023 Givaudan, INDESSO, Firmenich and Others Patchouli Oil Market https://goo.gl/WcQyDA https://goo.gl/WcQyDA https://goo.gl/WcQyDA http://marketreportscompany.com Global Patchouli Oil Market report provides detailed analysis of companies namely 2023 Givaudan, INDESSO, Firmenich and Others. This report study includes global market statistics and analysis for example, company performance, historical analysis 2012 to 2016, market forecast 2017 to 2023 in terms of volume, revenue, YOY growth rate, and CAGR for the year 2017 to 2023, etc.Request for Free Sample Copy of Global Patchouli Oil Market 2017Top Company Profiles and Analysis included in this report:TakasagoGivaudanINDESSOFirmenichPT Karimun Kencana AromaticsVan aromaPT. Djasula WangiNusaroma Essential OilBotanAgraOthersGlobal Patchouli Oil Market: Key ApplicationFragrance IndustryInsect RepellentToysOthersGlobal Patchouli Oil Market: Key RegionAsia-PacificNorth AmericaEuropeSouth AmericaMiddle East & AfricaThe Global Patchouli Oil Market analysis report provides detailed value chain for analysis of Global Patchouli Oil Market. The value chain helps to analyze major upstream in raw materials, major equipments, manufacturing process, downstream customer analysis and major distributor analysis.The report also covers in-depth description, competitive scenario, wide product portfolio of prime players active in this market and business strategies adopted by competitors along with their SWOT analysis. Side by side, it also explicitly provides information about mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and all the other important activities happened in current and past few years. The Global Patchouli Oil Market report explores manufacturers competitive scenario and provides market share for all major players of this market based on production capacity, sales, revenue, geographical presence and other major factors.Enquire before Buying @Table of Contents:1 Global Market Overview1.1 Scope of Statistics1.1.1 Scope of Products1.1.2 Scope of Manufacturers1.1.3 Scope of Application1.1.4 Scope of Regions/Countries1.2 Global Market Size2 Regional Market2.1 Regional Production2.2 Regional Demand2.3 Regional Trade3 Key Manufacturers3.1 Takasago3.1.2 Company Information3.1.2 Product Specifications.......................Continue (Global Patchouli Oil Market Research Industry Report is prepared with the help of extensive primary and secondary sources, directories, journals, newsletters and with the help of third-party application like Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg, Businessweek, etc.About Us:Market Reports Company is a global research and consulting company. We provide customized reports. We can study and analyze any market based on wide range of parameters. We can provide market insights for any particular region, country across the globe within shortest possible turn around time.What we offer: Customized Reports: we provide customized report study on any market or industry. Region Specific Study: If you need region specific or if you are searching for particular region market study then, we have expert research team for that. How we work: We work in all domains and industries, you name it and we provide the market research industry report analysis of it. Expertise: Superior Research Team, 24*7 Customer Care ServiceContact UsJason Smith,Sales Manager, Global Business Development,Website:Email: jasonsmith@marketreportscompany.comContact us: +1-888-220-3424Address: 20 N State Street, Chicago, Illinois, 60602 United States Blood Coagulants Market of ME&A: Latest Research with CAGR Of 9.5% Till 2023 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/2743 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/blood-coagulants-market-2743 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/2743 Middle East and Africa Blood Coagulants Market Information, by Drug Class (Coagulation Factor (Plasma-derived Factors (Factor VIII and IX, Von Willebrand Disease Factor, Prothrombin Complex and others) and Recombinant Coagulation Factors (Factor VIII and IX, Von Willebrand Disease Factor, Prothrombin Complex and others)), Vitamin K analogues, Fibrinogen Analogues and others), by Clinical Indications (Accidents, Surgery, Hemophilia and Others) - Forecast till 2022. Blood Coagulant Market of Middle East & Africas growth is majorly attributed to increasing prevalence of the bleeding disorders, rising funding, healthcare insurance coverage, and awareness programs for bleeding disorders. In the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa, bleeding disorders have become a huge problem due to limited screening, ignorance of diseases, and poor access to treatment.Coagulation is a process in which blood changes from a liquid to a gel, forming a blood clot. It is a natural process occurs to heal a lesion/wound/cut and stop the bleeding.Get Sample Report @According to the Annual Global Survey of World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH), in 2014 the total population of Egypt was 86,895,099 out of which 5,246 people were living with hemophilia, 513 were living with von willebrand disease, and 1,123 had bleeding disorders. It is also reported that 4201 cases of hemophilia A were registered and among them 37% patients were under 4 years. A research study published in Medicine journal in 2017 stated that hemophilia A is the most common type of hemophilia in Saudi Arabia and dominant in male: 1: 5000 to 10,000. Whereas, prevalence rate of hemophilia B: 1: 34,500 male patients.The market is expected to grow at the CAGR of 9.5% during the forecast period 2017-2023. As per a study published in Blood Coagulation Fibrinolysis journal in 2016, Yaounde Hemophilia Treatment Center (HTC) of Cameroon multiple cases of hemophilia and von willebrand disease (VWD) were registered.Market Segments:On the basis of drug class which comprises of coagulation factor which is further sub-segmented into plasma derived and recombinant coagulation factor; vitamin K analogues, fibrinogen analogues and others.UAE is the largest market for blood coagulant drugs in Middle East and Africas market of blood coagulating drugs closely followed by Egypt. Middle East and Africa blood coagulants market has been segmentedclinical indications; market is segmented into accidents, surgery, hemophilia and others.Browse Report @Key Findings:MEA blood coagulants market for hemophilia segment was estimated to be USD 31.55 million in 2016UAE is the fastest growing region in the MEA market and projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.1% during forecast periodHemophilia segment dominates the market with nearly 45.5% share of the MEA marketMEA blood coagulation market is projected to reach about USD 141.68 million by 2023Regional Analysis of Middle East and Africa Blood Coagulants Market:Another market that has witnessed good growth rates is Saudi Arabia, because of the greater expenditure on health by the local government and the rise in per capita income of the people. Noteworthy markets in Africa include South Africa and Algeria. The demand for these products have given rise to many biotechnological firms especially in India. The rest of Africa market is however the fastest growing with a huge unmet medical needs.The market for blood coagulants favors organizations with solid innovative research and hello there tech in-house abilities. The market mirrors an oligopolistic nature with a couple of players ruling the market.Huge Companies Participated for Middle East and Africa Blood Coagulants Market:Some of the major players in this market: Pfizer Inc. (U.S.), Bayer AG (Germany), Novo Nordisk AS (Dernmark), Shire (Republic of Ireland), SOBI (Sweden), Octapharma (Switzerland), and CSL Limited (Australia)Get Discount for this Report @Study Aims Middle East and Africa Blood Coagulants Market:To provide detail analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 6 years of the various segments and sub-segments of the Middle East and Africa blood coagulants marketInsights about factors affecting the market growthAnalyze the market based on various factors- price analysis, supply chain analysis, Porters Five Force analysis etc.Overview of key players and their strategic profiling in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the marketTrack and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, new product developments, and research and developments globally.Important people for the market of blood coagulants Blood coagulants are manufacturers, Blood coagulants suppliers, Private research laboratories, Research and development (R&D) companies, Market research and consulting service providers, Government research laboratories, Contract manufacturing organizationsAt 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 FutureOffice No. 528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com The World Market of Concrete Fiber will have significant growth 2017-2022 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/2085 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/concrete-fiber-market-2085 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/2085 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/concrete-fiber-market-2085 Market Scenario:Concrete fibers are placed in such a way that construction base becomes stable and stiff. Concrete fiber is extensively used in exterior and interior parts of commercial, residential, and industrial construction and building and widely deployed in highways, roads, bridges, and pavements in the transportation industry. The key role of concrete fiber is to prevent cracking caused by plastic or drying shrinkage. The material has short and long fibers uniformly distributed that help seal micro and macro cracks in concretes.Increasing use of basalt fiber as a strengthening material for concrete reinforcement and fueling the market growth. Moreover, increasing demand of synthetic concrete fiber across various end-use industries such as transport infrastructure, building & construction, and mining is driving the global concrete fiber market. However, capital-intensive R&D, lack of technical knowledge and high operating cost are some of the factors affecting market growth.Regional AnalysisAsia pacific is estimated to account for the largest share. Countries such as China, India, Japan and others witnessing an increase in the demand for concrete fiber. China leads the concrete fiber market. Rise in construction activities due to an increase in population has aided China and other developing economies. Moreover, major global manufacturers are focusing on setting up distribution networks and R&D centers in this region. This plays an important role for the growth of the market. Whereas, North America is one of the key concrete fiber markets. Product innovation in terms of quality and application development are driving the market of concrete fiber.Request a sample @Key PlayersThe major player operating in the market of global concrete fiber are Bekaert SA, Cemex, ABC Polymer Industries, Sika AG, Propex Operating Company, LLC., The Euclid Chemical Company, Fibercon International Inc., Nycon Corporation, and BASF SE.Target Audience Organizations Manufacturer Research Institute / Education Institute Potential InvestorsProduct Analysis Product matrix which gives a detailed comparison of the market for different recycled product typesAdditional Information Regulatory Landscape Pricing Analysis Macroeconomic IndicatorsGeographic Analysis Geographical analysis across 15 countriesCompany Information Profiling of 10 key market players In-depth analysis including SWOT analysis, and strategy information of related to report title Competitive landscape including emerging trends adopted by major companiesThe report for Global Concrete fiber 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 advance Concrete fiber, 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.Browse report @Market Scenario:Concrete fibers are placed in such a way that construction base becomes stable and stiff. Concrete fiber is extensively used in exterior and interior parts of commercial, residential, and industrial construction and building and widely deployed in highways, roads, bridges, and pavements in the transportation industry. The key role of concrete fiber is to prevent cracking caused by plastic or drying shrinkage. The material has short and long fibers uniformly distributed that help seal micro and macro cracks in concretes.Increasing use of basalt fiber as a strengthening material for concrete reinforcement and fueling the market growth. Moreover, increasing demand of synthetic concrete fiber across various end-use industries such as transport infrastructure, building & construction, and mining is driving the global concrete fiber market. However, capital-intensive R&D, lack of technical knowledge and high operating cost are some of the factors affecting market growth.Regional AnalysisAsia pacific is estimated to account for the largest share. Countries such as China, India, Japan and others witnessing an increase in the demand for concrete fiber. China leads the concrete fiber market. Rise in construction activities due to an increase in population has aided China and other developing economies. Moreover, major global manufacturers are focusing on setting up distribution networks and R&D centers in this region. This plays an important role for the growth of the market. Whereas, North America is one of the key concrete fiber markets. Product innovation in terms of quality and application development are driving the market of concrete fiber.Request a sample @Key PlayersThe major player operating in the market of global concrete fiber are Bekaert SA, Cemex, ABC Polymer Industries, Sika AG, Propex Operating Company, LLC., The Euclid Chemical Company, Fibercon International Inc., Nycon Corporation, and BASF SE.Target Audience Organizations Manufacturer Research Institute / Education Institute Potential InvestorsProduct Analysis Product matrix which gives a detailed comparison of the market for different recycled product typesAdditional Information Regulatory Landscape Pricing Analysis Macroeconomic IndicatorsGeographic Analysis Geographical analysis across 15 countriesCompany Information Profiling of 10 key market players In-depth analysis including SWOT analysis, and strategy information of related to report title Competitive landscape including emerging trends adopted by major companiesThe report for Global Concrete fiber 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 advance Concrete fiber, 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.Browse report @At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.Market Research FutureOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com World Construction Repaint Market is expecting CAGR of 6% with 90 billion USD market size https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/2093 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/construction-repaint-market-2093 Market Scenario:Construction repaint is identified as paints which are used in homes, commercial, and institutional applications for the purpose of maintenance, repairs, and for renovation. Moreover, high disposable income and rising need for accommodation development are some factors which are driving the market of construction repaint. Moreover, growing demand for housing, and rapid urbanization are encouraging factors for construction repaint market. Government initiatives such as development of smart cities are providing major boost to the market of construction repaint. However, popularity of glass buildings acts as a barrier for this market. Global construction repaint market is expected to cross USD 90 billion by 2022. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of approximately 6% during the forecast period.Market is expected to cross market size of USD 90 billion by the end of forecast period with CAGR of approximately 6% between 2016 and 2022.Regional AnalysisAsia pacific is estimated to account for the largest share, in terms of value, of the construction repaint market. The region is expected to hold highest growth rate due to high demand from countries such as China and India. China is currently the largest market for construction repaint in the Asia-Pacific region, and is expected to remain by 2022. Moreover, increasing demand from the residential & non-residential sectors drives the construction repaint market in these countries.Request a sample @Key PlayersThe major player operating in the market of global construction repaint are Akzonobel N.V, Asian Paints Ltd. , Axalta Coating Systems LLC, Joint Ventures, Jotun A/S,Kansai Paint Co., Ltd., New Product Launches, Nippon Paint Holdings Co., Ltd.,PPG Industries Inc.,RPM International Inc., The Sherwin-Williams Company, and The Valspar Corporation.Target Audience Organizations Manufacturer Research Institute / Education Institute Potential InvestorsProduct Analysis Product matrix which gives a detailed comparison of the market for different recycled product typesAdditional Information Regulatory Landscape Pricing Analysis Macroeconomic IndicatorsGeographic Analysis Geographical analysis across 15 countriesCompany Information Profiling of 10 key market players In-depth analysis including SWOT analysis, and strategy information of related to report title Competitive landscape including emerging trends adopted by major companiesThe report for Global Construction Repaint 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 advance Construction Repaint, 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.Browse report @About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by Components, 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 questions.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.Contact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Global Crane Market is projected to grow and become huge with CAGR 5.9% during 2017-2023 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/2934 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/crane-market-2934 Market ScenarioCrane is primarily used for lifting heavy loads and transporting them to other places. It is widely used in mining, shipyards and marine sector. Growing construction and infrastructure sector across the globe, is the primary driving factor of the market. Technological innovations in crane models have resulted in lighter and more energy efficient cranes. These factors have had a positive influence on the growth of the market. However, stringent norms regarding the emission is a factor that may hamper the growth of the market.The global crane market accounted for USD 32.10 billion in 2016, and it is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.9% during the forecast period.Regional AnalysisAsia-Pacific region dominates the global crane market, followed by Europe. Growing demand from construction and infrastructure sector is driving the demand of the market in Asia-Pacific region. Asia-Pacific region is expected to grow at the fastest pace during the forecast period. Europe is another major market for cranes. Expansion and upgradation of power grids and distribution networks are driving the demand of the market in this region.Request a sample @Key PlayersThe key players of global crane market are Cargotec Oyj (Finland), Konecranes PLC (Finland), Liebherr Group (Switzerland), The Manitowoc Company, Inc. (U.S.), Terex Corporation (U.S.), Tadano Ltd. (Japan), Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group Co., Ltd. (China), Manitex International Inc. (U.S.), Sumitomo Heavy Industries Construction Crane Co., Ltd (Japan), and Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. (China).Intended Audience Manufacturing Industries Distributer & Supplier companies consultants and Investment bankers Government as well as Independent Regulatory Authorities Research OrganizationsProduct Analysis Product matrix which gives a detailed comparison of the market for different recycled product typesAdditional Information Regulatory Landscape Pricing Analysis Macroeconomic IndicatorsGeographic Analysis Geographical analysis across 15 countriesCompany Information Profiling of 10 key market players In-depth analysis including SWOT analysis, and strategy information of related to report title Competitive landscape including emerging trends adopted by major companiesThe report for Global Crane 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, 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.Browse report @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:Market Research FutureOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com The World Pharmaceutical Grade Lactose Market Growth at a Strong CAGR of 4.1% by 2023 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/4816 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/pharmaceutical-grade-lactose-market-4816 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/4816 Pharmaceutical grade lactose is produced by concentrating whey or permeate to over-saturate the lactose which is further refined, dried, and milled properly. This grade of lactose is prepared to meet rigid pharmaceutical specifications. Pharmaceutical grade lactose is manufactured in different specialty and customized range to use in various oral solid dosage forms (OSDFs) such as tablets, capsules, sachets, dry powder inhalers and others. In solid form, lactose can either be in an amorphous state or in a crystalline state. The most well-known forms of crystalline lactose are -lactose monohydrate and -lactose. The general properties offered by lactose such as, cost effectiveness, low hygroscopicity, excellent physical and chemical stability, compatibility with other ingredients, and its bland taste contribute to its acceptance by government bodies as lactose is marked safe according to the regulations of FDA Inactive Ingredients Database and is also GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) listed. Lactose and its complex are also predominately recommended as filler/diluent in solid dosage forms by European Pharmacopoeia.Sample Report Available atIncreasing approval from government bodies to use pharmaceutical grade lactose as an excipient, drug formulation coupled with nanotechnology, efficient compatibility with active ingredients and other excipients, and increasing demand for dry powder inhalers (DPI) products will propel the growth of the market. However, lactose-induced health complications, stringent government regulations, and lack of compatibility of pharmaceutical grade lactose with amine based drugs may hinder the growth of market to an extent.It is estimated that pharmaceutical grade lactose market is expected to grow at a CAGR 4.1% during the forecast period 2017-2023.Taste the market data and market information presented through more than 296 market data tables and figures spread over 251 pages of the project report. Avail the in-depth table of content TOC & market synopsis on Pharmaceutical grade lactose market research reportGlobal forecast till 2023.Major Key Players in Global Pharmaceutical Grade Lactose MarketSome of key the players in the market are BASF SE, Merck KGaA, Kerry Inc. DFE Pharma, Meggle, Armor Pharma, ALPAVIT and others.The pharmaceutical grade lactose market consists of four regions namely the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa.Europe accounts for the largest market in the world. Europe consist of two regions namely Western Europe and Eastern Europe. Western Europe holds the major share of the market, which is majorly contributed by Germany, the U.K., and France. The increasing government support for development of the pharmaceutical domain drives the European market.Asia Pacific region is projected to be the second largest, and fastest growing region owing to the improving health infrastructure, and developing pharmaceutical industry. According to the Indian Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), in 2016 the generics market of India stood at USD 26.1 billion. Asia Pacific consists of regions namely Japan, China, India, Australia, Republic of Korea, and rest of Asia Pacific.Browse complete report atPharmaceutical grade lactose market growth in the Americas is majorly attributed to the approval for the usage of lactose as excipient by FDA. However, high occurrence of lactose induced problems has strongly affected the growth of the market.The Middle East and Africa holds the least share of the global market owing to the presence of poor and slow developing countries, especially, in African region.SegmentationThe pharmaceutical grade lactose market is segmented on the basis of type, and application.On the basis of type, the market is segmented into crystalline monohydrate lactose, inhalation lactose, granulated lactose, spray dried lactose, and others. Crystalline monohydrate lactose is further segmented into -Lactose monohydrate, and -Lactose (anhydrous lactose). Sub-segmentation of -Lactose monohydrate includes milled, and sieved. Inhalation lactose is further segmented into sieved, and milled.On the basis of application, the market is classified into tablets manufacturing, capsule manufacturing, and others. Tablets manufacturing is further classified into direct compression, wet granulation, and dry granulation. Capsule manufacturing is further classified into capsules, sachets, and others.Ask Question to Expert atLIST OF TABLESTABLE 1 PRIMARY INTERVIEWS 15TABLE 2 SAMPLE SIZE DETERMINATION OF END-USER (PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES) 16TABLE 3 PHARMACEUTICAL GRADE LACTOSE MARKET, BY TYPE, 2014 TO 2023 (USD MILLION) 35TABLE 4 PHARMACEUTICAL GRADE LACTOSE MARKET BY REGION, 2014 TO 2023 (USD MILLION) 36TABLE 5 PHARMACEUTICAL GRADE LACTOSE MARKET, BY REGION, 2014 TO 2023 (USD MILLION) 37TABLE 6 PHARMACEUTICAL GRADE LACTOSE, BY REGION, 2014 TO 2023 (USD MILLION) 38TABLE 7 PHARMACEUTICAL GRADE LACTOSE, BY REGION, 2014 TO 2023 (USD MILLION) 39TABLE 8 PHARMACEUTICAL GRADE LACTOSE MARKET, BY APPLICATION, 2014 - 2023 (USD MILLION) 41TABLE 9 PHARMACEUTICAL GRADE LACTOSE FOR TABLETS MANUFACTURING, BY REGION2014 TO 2023 (USD MILLION) 42ContinueAbout usAt 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:Market Research FutureMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: salesteam@Marketresearchfuture.Com Future Scope of Oral Thrush Market, Which is Expected to reach USD 9.5 billion by 2023 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/4417 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/oral-thrush-market-4417 Oral thrush or oral candidiasis is an infection of the oral mucosa caused by strains of the Candida species. Candida albicansaccounts for about 50% cases of the oral thrush across the globe and 80% of the cases are caused various strains of candida such as C. tropicalis, C. glabrata and C. albicans. Various factors affects the prevalence of candida such as humidity and temperature. Additionally, high prevalence is also detected in hospitalized patients, smokers, immune-compromised individuals due to diseases such as HIV/AIDS, diabetes, cancer, and Down syndrome. It also affect the people eating high carbohydrates containing food, suffering from xerostomia (dry mouth) and wearing dentures are at a higher risk of developing oral thrush. Newborns, Females, and geriatric population are more susceptible to the infection.Increasing risk factors such as fatty and sugar rich foods, growing screening, increasing infant population, rising number of immune-compromised patients, rising prevalence of diseases such as diabetes drive the market growth. However, increasing drug resistance by the candida species, falling profitability of the anti-fungal and antibiotic drug, huge market fragmentation, and lack of awareness and misdiagnosis may hamper the growth of the market over the review period.Taste the market data and market information presented through more than 50 market data tables and figures spread over 80 pages of the project report. Avail the in-depth table of content (TOC) & market synopsis on Global Oral thrush Market Research Report Forecast till 2023.Sample Report Available atRegional AnalysisThe Americas holds a significant share of the global market owing to extensive use of medications and high expenditure on the health care. Additionally, the fastest uptake of new products, concentration of major healthcare companies coupled with the larger market for oral hygiene products drives the market growth. The US spent 16% of the total GDP on healthcare in 2015, which fueled the sale of oral thrush treatment.Europe is the second largest market in the world due to high income and healthcare penetration and the market growth is led by countries such as Germany and France. The UK is expected to be the fastest growing market as result of high influence of media and the rise in the awareness about oral hygiene coupled with the high per capita income of the population.Asia Pacific region is expected to grow the fastest with China and India are likely to lead this market due to fast growing healthcare sector and large unmet needs during the forecast period. South East Asia countries such as Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia will also contribute highly to the market.Gulf nations such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE are estimated to drive the Middle East & African market. Other Middle East nations to watch out for are Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt and Iran. The African region is expected to witness a moderate growth owing to poor economic and political conditions and poor healthcare development. However, Africa has the highest unmet needs in the world and cost-effective products will be the key to dominate the African market. First comer will take advantage to establish its dominance in African market that will be difficult to overcome by any new player due to the smaller market size and market value of the African oral thrush market.Browse complete report atSegmentationThe global oral thrush market has been segmented on the basis of types, diagnosis, treatment, and end user.Based on types, the market has been segmented as pseudomembranous, erythematous, hyperplastic, and others.Based on diagnosis, the market has been segmented as examination, biopsy, endoscopy, and others.Based on treatment, the market has been segmented as anti-fungal, immune-modulator,s and others.Based on the end user, the market has been segmented as hospitals & clinics, academic, and research and others.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.About usAt 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:Market Research FutureMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: salesteam@Marketresearchfuture.Com Global Forklift Trucks Market is showing growing demand from manufacturing industry with CAGR 5.9% from 2017-2023 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/2920 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/forklift-trucks-market-2920 Market ScenarioForklift trucks are used to lift and move materials within short distances. Forklift trucks are used across various industries such as automotive, food and beverages, construction, consumer goods, e-commerce, and retail. Growing demand from manufacturing industry is the primary driving factor of the forklift trucks market. Increase in productivity, reduced injuries & accidents along with operator comfort are some major factors that have positive influence on the market growth. However, high cost of electric powered forklift trucks is the factor that may hamper the growth of market.Global Forklift Trucks Market is projected to reach USD 41.73 billion by 2023, at a CAGR of 5.9% from 2017 to 2023.Regional Analysis of Global Forklift Trucks Market:Asia-Pacific dominates the global forklift trucks market followed by Europe. Growth in industrialization in this region, is the primary factor that increases the demand of forklift trucks market. This region is expected to grow at the fastest pace during the forecast period. Europe is another important market and is expected to contribute significantly during the forecast period.Request a sample @Key PlayersThe key players of global forklift trucks market are Komastu Ltd. (Japan), Toyota Industries Corporation (Japan), KION Group AG (Germany), Hyster-Yale Material handling Inc. (U.S.), Jungheinrich Group (Germany), Mitsubishi Nichiyu Forklift Corporation (Japan), Crown Equipment Corporation (U.K), The Raymond Corporation (U.S.), Anhui HELI Co., Ltd (China), and Kalmar Global (Finland).Target Audience Manufacturing Organizations Distributors & Suppliers Government as well as Independent Regulatory Authorities Research Institute / Education Institute Potential InvestorsProduct Analysis Product matrix which gives a detailed comparison of the market for different recycled product typesAdditional Information Regulatory Landscape Pricing Analysis Macroeconomic IndicatorsGeographic Analysis Geographical analysis across 15 countriesCompany Information Profiling of 10 key market players In-depth analysis including SWOT analysis, and strategy information of related to report title Competitive landscape including emerging trends adopted by major companiesThe report for Global Forklift Trucks 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.Browse report @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:Market Research FutureOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Point of Care Technology Global Market Accretes A Phenomenal Growth By 2023 With A Striking CAGR https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1164 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/point-of-care-technology-market-1164 Market Research Future has a half cooked research report on the global point of care technology market. Point of Care Technology Market is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of 9.5% by 2023Point of Care Technology Market Information: By Type of Products (Glucose Testing, Cardiac Markers, Hba1c Testing, Coagulation and others), and By End Users (Clinics, Hospital, Home Care, Ambulatory Care) - Global Forecast Till 2023Point of care technology is termed as a time when clinicians deliver healthcare products and services to patients. Point of care technology includes diagnostics, devices for documentation, and others. Point of care documentation devices smooth the workflow, reduces errors in a clinical tasks including diagnostics, medication prescribing, and medication administration, which will indirectly boost the growth of the market. Moreover, increasing prevalence of the diseases and rising research and development facilities. Furthermore, rising healthcare expenditure, and increasing awareness among the people regarding the point of care diagnostics products, are some of the factors that are expected to fuel the market growth. On the other hand, higher cost of the point of care technology is may affect the growth of the market negatively during the forecasted period. Moreover, development in the diagnosis of patients with chronic diseases, for instance, diabetes, and growing medical technology are likely to increase the growth of the market. In point of care technology, it provides ease of diagnosis where the patient is seen at home. The point of care testing devices in the healthcare focuses on quality rather than test volume, which is expected to boost the growth of the market over the review period.Complexity of documentation in the point of care technology may hinder the growth of the market during the forecasted period.The global point of care technology market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.5% during the forecast period 2017-2023.Taste the market data and market information presented through more than 105 market data tables and figures spread over 100 pages of the project report. Avail the in-depth table of content TOC & market synopsis on point of care technology market research reportGlobal forecast till 2023.Sample Report Available atMajor Players in Point of care technology MarketSome of the key players in the global market are Abbott (U.S.), Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc.(U.S.), Techno MedicaCo., Ltd. (Japan), F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd (Switzerland), Siemens AG (Germany), Alere Inc. (U.S.), Instrumentation Laboratory (U.S.), PTS Diagnostics (U.S.), Nova Biomedical (U.S.), Beckman Coulter, Inc. (U.S.) BD (U.S.), Quidel Corporation (U.S), Meridian Bioscience, Inc. (U.S).Regional AnalysisThe global point of care technology market consists of four regions: the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa.The Americas accounts for a significant share of the global point of care technology market as a result of the presence of huge & increasing patient population base and the largest producer and consumer of medical devices. Similarly, the demand for medical devices in Europe is expected to increase growth of the market positively. Europe holds the second position in the global market, which is followed by Asia Pacific. Asia Pacific may experience the growth owing to the presence of abundant opportunities for medical device manufacturers. For instance, healthcare services revenue is increasing rapidly, especially, in India and China, which is predicated to result in a large number of new hospital construction projects.Whereas, the Middle East & Africa holds the least share in the global point of care technology market on account of poor economic condition and less development in healthcare infrastructure.SegmentationThe global point of care technology is segmented by type of products, and end users. On the basis of type of product, it is segmented into glucose testing, cardiac markers, HbA1c testing, and coagulation, and others. On the basis of end users, it is segmented into clinics, hospital, home care, ambulatory care, and others.Browse complete report atPoint-of-care testing allows patient diagnosis, in an ambulance, the home, the field, or in the hospital. The results of care are timely, and allow rapid treatment to the patient. Point of care technology market is growing rapidly due to the evolving healthcare industry, especially in developing nations. The major factors that propel the growth of the market are development in diagnostics, patients with chronic diseases, increasing growth in medical technology, and other uses of point of care technology. Moreover, increasing investment in research and development among the developed countries will also boost the growth of the market positively during the forecast period. Furthermore, advancement of diagnostic laboratories and adoption of automated lab systems, is likely to fuel the growth of the market. On the other hand, complexity of documentation and investment cost involved in this type of care technology, may hinder the growth of the market during the forecasted period.Table Of Contents1 Report Prologue2 Market Introduction2.1 Introduction2.2 Scope Of Study2.3 Research Objective2.4 Assumptions & Limitations2.4.1 Assumptions2.4.2 Limitations3 Research Methodology3.1 Research Process3.2 Primary Research3.3 Secondary Research4 Market Dynamics4.1 Drivers4.2 RestraintsAbout Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members.Contact:Market Research FutureMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.Com The World Pharmacogenomics Market is Expected to Grow at a CAGR over ~ 5.8% by 2023 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1177 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/pharmacogenomics-market-1177 World Pharmacogenomics Market defines how genes can affect a persons response to drugs. Pharmacogenomics is predicted to treat a wide range of health problems including cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer disease, cancer, HIV/AIDS, and asthma, in near future. The growing biotech industry boosts the market growth. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development in 2017, biotech R&D in the business enterprise sector was 11.3%, and 9.4% of total business enterprise R&D, for U.S. and France respectively in 2014. Moreover, in 2016, according to the BIOCOM AG, the total turnover for the Germany based biotech companies was USD 3.7 billion. Moreover, rising healthcare expenditures followed by increasing interest for customized drugs will drive the market growth. However, lack of awareness and consistency in pharmacogenomics products will restrain the market growth during the forecasted period.Sample Report Available atRegional AnalysisAmerica dominates the global pharmacogenomics market owing to a well-developed healthcare sector. Moreover, the presence of developed economies and rising number of patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases have boosted the growth of the market in America. In 2016, according to the Centres for Diseases Control and Prevention in the U.S., heart disease was the leading cause of death for both men and womenEurope is the second largest pharmacogenomics market, followed by the Asia Pacific region. Availability of funds for research and development along with government support within the region will drive the market growth during the forecasted period.Asia Pacific is the fastest growing region for the market due to the presence of a huge patient population, continuously developing economies like India and China and presence of huge opportunities in the market drives the market. According to the Indian Brand Equity Foundation in 2016, the Indian biotech industry is estimated to reach USD 100 billion by 2025 from USD 7 billion in 2015 with a CAGR of 30.46%.On the other hand, the Middle East & Africa has the least share in the global pharmacogenomics market due to presence of poor economy and stringent government policies especially in Africa region. The majority of the market of this region is held by the Middle East due to a well-developed healthcare sector and huge healthcare expenditure.Key PlayersThe key players for the global pharmacogenomics market are Myriad Genetics, Inc. (U.S.), 23andMe, Inc. (U.S.), Pathway Genomics (U.S.), GeneTech (U.S.), GeneDx. (U.S.), Future Science Group (U.S.), Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Israel), Assurex Health, Inc. (U.S.), and othersBrowse complete report atThe global pharmacogenomics market is segmented on the basis of technology, application, and end user.On the basis of technology, the market is segmented into microarray, sequencing, polymerase chain reaction, and others. The sequencing segment is sub-segmented into Sanger sequencing, pyrosequencing, next-generation sequencing, and others. On the basis of application, the market is segmented into oncology, cardiology, neurological disorders, and others. The oncology segment, by technology, is sub-segmented into breast cancer, lung cancer, and others. On the basis of end users, the market is segmented into hospitals, research organizations, academic institute, and othersAbout usAt 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:Industry Research FutureMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: salesteam@Marketresearchfuture.Com Green Cement Market is expecting huge CAGR of 15% during 2017-2023 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/2907 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/green-cement-market-2907 Market ScenarioGreen cement refers to a cementitious material, which can be manufactured by the use of industrial wastes such as recycled concrete, power plant wastes, burnt clay, mining and quarrying wastes, and slag.The major drivers for the growth of the green cement market are the advantages of manufacturing with the use of green cement such as low requirement of natural resources and use of less water to carry out the process of construction. The utilization of wastes such as used oils, used tires, animal meal, solid recovered fuels, foundry sand, fly ashes, sewage sludge, and filter cakes in cement kilns help reduce carbon dioxide emissions during the process of the production of cement. However, low awareness among the people for use of green cement is expected to hinder the growth of the market.The Green Cement Market is expected to grow over the CAGR of around 15 % during the period 2017 to 2023.Regional AnalysisThe North America region is expected to dominate the green cement market owing to the introduction of stringent rules and regulations regarding the GHG emissions by the government authorities of the region. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to grow, owing to the rapid industrialization and urbanization in the region. The increasing number of construction activities in the region along with the increasing awareness for green cement is expected to contribute to the growth of the market.Request a sample @Key PlayersThe key players of green cement market are Heidelberg Cement AG (Germany), LafargeHolcim Ltd. (Switzerland), Taiheiyo Cement Corporation (Japan), Taiwan Cement Corporation (Taiwan), Ecocem Ireland Ltd. (Ireland), ACC Limited (India), UltraTech Cement Ltd (India), Calera Corporation (U.S.), Ceratech, Inc (U.S.), Solidia Technologies, Inc. (U.S.), Cenin Cement (U.K.) and others.Intended Audience Distributer & Supplier companies End Users consultants and Investment bankers Government as well as Independent Regulatory AuthoritiesProduct Analysis Product matrix which gives a detailed comparison of the market for different recycled product typesAdditional Information Regulatory Landscape Pricing Analysis Macroeconomic IndicatorsGeographic Analysis Geographical analysis across 15 countriesCompany Information Profiling of 10 key market players In-depth analysis including SWOT analysis, and strategy information of related to report title Competitive landscape including emerging trends adopted by major companiesThe report for Green Cement 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, 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.Browse report @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:Market Research FutureOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Future Growth of Laboratory Information Systems market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.3% between 2016 and 2027 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/852 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/check-discount/852 Https://Www.Marketresearchfuture.Com Market research future has a cooked research report on Global Laboratory Information Systems Market. The Laboratory Information Systems market is growing at an average rate and is expected to show the similar trend during forecast period.Globally the market for Laboratory Information Systems market is increasing rapidly. Global LIS market is driven by eight major drivers such as need for advanced techniques, growth in molecular diagnostics, cloud computing, rising government initiatives and increasing demand for laboratory efficiency.Study Objectives of Laboratory Information Systems 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 Laboratory Information Systems market To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth To Analyze the Laboratory Information Systems market based on various factors- price analysis, supply chain analysis, porters five force analysis etc. To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to four main geographies and their countries- North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of the World (ROW) To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective To provide country level analysis of the market for segment by Application, Components, Delivery 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 Laboratory Information Systems marketGet a Sample report atKey Findings The global LIS market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.3% between 2016 and 2027, driven by growth from both developed and emerging markets. Clinical application will drive the majority of the growth in the global LIS market. Software accounts for the majority of the global LIS market in terms of components North America and Europe together contributed more than 75% of the global total market size in 2014. Emerging markets such as China and India are expected to generate significant demand for LIS during 2016-2027.SegmentsSegmentation by ApplicationsSegmentation for Laboratory Information Systems market involves the following Applications such Clinical LIS Market, Drug Discovery LIS Market, Industrial LIS Market.Segmentation by ComponentsSegmentation for Laboratory Information Systems market involves the following Components such as Software in LIS Market, Hardware in LIS Market, Services in LIS Market.Segmentation by DeliverySegmentation for Laboratory Information Systems market involves the following Delivery such as Web-based LIS Market, On-premise based LIS Market, Cloud-based LIS Market.Get a discount atKey PlayersThe key players that are involved in Global Laboratory Information Systems market are Cerner Corporation, Recent Developments, Eclipsys Corporation, LabVantage Solutions Inc, LabWare Inc, McKesson Corporation, Medical Information Technology Inc., Merge Healthcare Inc, STARLIMS Corporation, Sunquest Corporation and Thermo Fisher Scientific IncThe report for Laboratory Information Systems 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.Continue..About usAt 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:Market Research FutureMagarpatta Road, Hadapsar,Pune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@Marketresearchfuture.ComWeb: Construction Aggregate Market is expanding rapidly with large CAGR https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1545 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/construction-aggregate-market-1545 Market ScenarioThe global construction aggregate market is driven by the growth in construction and infrastructure industry along with increased investment. The Construction Aggregate market is applications driven and is highly dependent on the residential, commercial and infrastructure development. With the rising industrialization, the need for construction material has widened the scope of construction aggregate market. Furthermore, the rising investments in building and construction industries in emerging countries have stimulated the demand for construction aggregate in a big way.SegmentsGlobal construction aggregate market is segmented on the basis of Material, Application, and Region. On the basis of material it is segmented as crushed stone, gravel, sand, and others. On the basis of application it is segmented as commercial, residential, industrial, infrastructure, and others. Additionally on the basis of region, it is segmented as North America, Europe, APAC and Rest of the World.Regional Analysis of Global Construction Aggregate MarketAPAC dominates the global construction aggregate market with its fast growing market worldwide. The region is expected to show rapid infrastructural growth. With lot of investments in the regions of China and India, the construction sector is growing. The inflow of foreign investment in India further augments the market for Construction Aggregate.Request a sample @Key PlayersThe key players of Global Construction Aggregate Market report include- Aalborg Portland A/S, CEMEX S.A.B. de C.V., Heidelberg cement AG, Anglo American PLC, Boral Limited, Martin Marietta Materials Inc., LSR Group, Lafarge Holcim Ltd, Asamer Baustoffe AG, Vulcan Materials Company, CRH PLC and Eurocement Holding AG.The report covers brief analysis of geographical region includesNorth AmericaUSCanadaEuropeGermanyFranceItalyNetherlandsU.K.Rest of EuropeAPACChinaIndiaJapanRest of Asia-PacificRoWSouth AmericaMiddle EastAfricaThe report for Global Construction Aggregate 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.Browse report @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 ServicesContact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com Sprayed Concrete Market is expected to reach USD 9.1 billion by 2022 with a CAGR of more than 8% https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1817 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/sprayed-concrete-market-1817 Market Synopsis of Sprayed Concrete MarketThe global sprayed concrete market has seen a phenomenal growth over the past years and it has been expected that the market will grow with a stable growth rate during the forecast period. As per MRFR analysis, the global sprayed concrete market is poised to reach USD 9.1 billion by 2022 with a CAGR of more than 8%. Sprayed concrete is majorly used in the application areas such as underground construction, retailing walls, protective coatings, water-retaining structures, Specialty construction and others. The growing construction industry has resulted in increased demand for sprayed concrete across the globe. The other major driving factor which are driving the market are technological advancement in construction industry, reduction in framework cost, high sustainability and others. On the other hand, the lack of skilled labor would prevent the growth of market. Geographically, Europe is expected to lead the global market followed by North America and Asia-Pacific.Request a sample @Key Players for Sprayed Concrete Market:Some of the key players in this market are BASF, Atlas Copco, Cemex S.A.B., Lkab Berg & Betong, KPM Industries, U.S. Concrete, GCP Applied Technologies, Tarmac Building Products Limited, Prestige Concrete Products, Sika AG and among others.Target AudienceManufactures of end-use industryRaw material SuppliersAftermarket suppliersResearch Institute / Education InstitutePotential InvestorsKey executive (CEO and COO) and strategy growth managerAdditional InformationRegulatory LandscapePricing AnalysisMacroeconomic IndicatorsGeographic AnalysisGeographical analysis across 20 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 covers brief analysis of geographical region includesNorth AmericaUSCanadaEuropeGermanyFranceItalyNetherlandsU.K.Rest of EuropeAPACChinaIndiaJapanRest of Asia-PacificRoWSouth AmericaMiddle EastAfricaThe report for Global Sprayed Concrete 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.Browse report @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 ServicesContact:Market Research FutureOffice No. 524/528, Amanora ChambersMagarpatta Road, HadapsarPune - 411028Maharashtra, India+1 646 845 9312Email: sales@marketresearchfuture.com It turns out getting respected news organizations to believe you when you lie to them is harder than you might think. Project Veritas, a conservative organization that is technically a charity, is known for using disruptive, often morally compromised tactics in its efforts to humiliate mainstream media outlets. CNN describes it as an anti-media organization. This time, their target was The Washington Posts ongoing investigation into the sexual misconduct committed by Alabama senatorial candidate Roy Moore. It started with a fake operative, and ended with Project Veritas founder James OKeefe getting ridiculed endlessly on Twitter. Heres what you need to know. Roy Moore in Alabama .?.?. I might know something but I need to keep myself safe. How do we do this? That was the main content of the email, received by Post reporter Beth Reinhard. After some communication back and forth which mostly revolved around James requesting promises of protection, they agreed to set up a meet. Eventually, the woman gave WaPo her real name: Jaime Phillips. Phillips told Reinhard that she had been impregnated by Roy Moore when she was a teenager living in Alabama in the summer of 1992. She said she was only there for that summer, yet reporters noticed her cell phone number had an Alabama area code. Similarly, WaPos investigations into Phillips personal life only led to more falsehoods. A GoFundMe account in Phillips name was found, centering on her move from Alabama to New York to combat the lies and deceipt of the liberal MSM. When confronted about the GoFundMe, Phillips said she had interviewed with The Daily Caller. The Daily Caller had no records of any such interview. Phillips move to New York coincided with Project Veritas posting 12 job openings for undercover operatives to infiltrate news organizations, trick them into believing false stories, and record it all to embarrass those organizations. Reinhard and others were already suspicious of Phillips, and when Post reporters realized Phillips now lived just 16 miles away from Veritas headquarters, they figured there was a connection. They were right. And that was when the jig was up. The Washington Post now knew Phillips was a plant that had been trying to con them into publishing a fake story. It didnt work. Instead of publishing the fake account, WaPo got to publish articles about how they saw through a two-bit conservative anti-media scheme. Everyone joined in. Beyond the expected left-wing dragging, CNN reports that even conservative outlets like National Review and The Daily Wire condemned Project Veritas attempt. Ben Shapiro called it horrible. Even nonpartisan corporate overlords like Netflix piled on. If you want more information on the power of due diligence when reporting a major news story, Spotlight is now streaming. Netflix US (@netflix) November 28, 2017 WaPo reports that several Alabama residents have confirmed that unknown people claiming to be Post reporters have called, offering money for damaging information against Roy Moore. Conservative websites like Gateway Pundit have helped spread this story, as they retweeted a (now-deleted) Twitter account alleging WaPo offered $1000 for information. (The Washington Post does not pay for its information.) CNN reports that OKeefe is known for exaggerating his findings in an effort to generate clicks. He so desperately wants his videos to be bombshell game-changers that he tends to heavily edit them to make himself look good. For example, take a look at his version of the confrontation with WaPo reporter Aaron C. Davis. You can also watch the unedited version at that link. Theyre pretty different. OKeefe has gotten into legal trouble for similar stunts in the past: CNN notes that he pled guilty to a misdemeanor charge of entering federal property under false pretenses and was sentenced to three years probation and community service. James OKeefe has been on the defensive ever since this incident, as his organization has come under fire from all sides of the political spectrum. As his list of critics and detractors grows ever larger, its unclear what consequences his charity will see. WaPo, meanwhile will get back to work. There are plenty of real accusations of sexual misconduct against Roy Moore to report. The Washington Post isnt a perfect newspaper, but if you come at their journalistic integrity, you best not miss. James OKeefe and Jaime Phillips missed. West, northern Michigan brace for storm that could bring foot of snow Eurasian Poker Tour Prague Dec. 8-14 Boasts 2 Million in Guarantees November 28, 2017 Jason Glatzer Editor King's Casino and partypoker LIVE join forces to present the Eurasian Poker Tour (EAPT) Prague on Dec. 8-14 at the Grandior Hotel Prague. The schedule features three exciting tournaments with $2 million in guaranteed prize pools. EAPT Prague Main Event The highlight of the poker festival is the 1,100 EAPT Prague Main Event which boasts a huge 500,000 guaranteed prize pool. The live portion of the tournament kicks off with two opening flights on Dec. 9-10. Players buying in directly begin the action with 100,000 in chips and blinds increasing every 60 minutes. Players that can't wait can alternatively play an opening flight online at partypoker on Nov. 30. Satellites and sub-satellites begin at just $0.01 and players choosing this path will bring forth the stack they have accumulated in satellites to the online opening flight. Players bagging chips and those deciding to buy into the event on Day 2 will compete for three more days on Dec. 11-13 until a winner is crowned. Two Exciting Side Events In addition to the Main Event, there are two huge side events that are likely to attract some of the biggest names in poker. The first big side event is the 25,500 King's Super High Roller with a 1 million guaranteed prize pool on Dec. 11-12. Players begin the tournament with 100,000 in chips with blinds going up every 40 minutes before increasing to every 60 minutes later in the event. Additionally, the tournament allows for unlimited reentries during the late-registration period. Another huge event is the 5,300 EAPT High Roller on Dec. 13-14 with a 500,000 guaranteed prize pool. The structure mirrors the King's Super High Roller with players kicking off the action with 100,000 in chips with unlimited reentry available until late-registration is closed. Need a partypoker Account? In order to play an online Day 1 or to play in an online satellite for the partypoker EAPT Prague 1,100 Main Event, you will obviously need an account at partypoker. If you don't already have an account, we have great news for you. Create your free partypoker account via PokerNews, use the bonus code PNCOM when making your first deposit and partypoker will generously award you a 100 percent bonus up to $500 on your first deposit. President Uhuru Kenyatta has asked Kenyans to free themselves of past grievances. Speaking shortly after he was inaugurated this afternoon for a second term in office, he has urged people of Kenya to stay within the law. He said that however serious our grievances may be, the law must reign supreme. As proof that he believes this, he added that when the Supreme Court of Kenya got involved in the last election despite having won, we complied He has promised to be a president for all. Meanwhile, the Deputy President William Ruto has asked Kenyans to say no to hate and instead unite as a nation. He said this election was different because people were voting on issues, such as infrastructure and education, rather than identity. He has called this a steady progress towards mature politics. Dear Academia, Ive never been intimidated by the sight of abstruse or polysyllabic words (i.e.; words like abstruse and polysyllabic). I spent precious moments of my adolescence nose-deep in a dictionary, trying to decipher some of the more arcane references in Steely Dan lyrics (the exact monetary value of a piaster, for example, or why a drug dealer was nicknamed after a French megalomaniac). Plus Im a writer, so I appreciate and can pick up a few tricks from those who revel in the nether regions of language, making it do what they need it to do in the spirit of the literary game recognizing game. Far be it from me to give you a harder time than youve already been having as of late. On top of the seemingly perennial questions about the value of higher education, especially in those disciplines not seen as particularly useful in a competitive, global economy (i.e., everything not STEM), your junior members toil away as lowly adjuncts with few health benefits and apparently even fewer rights of any sort, especially as the tenuous nature of their employment is concerned. None of this is made any better by the current political environment, which accuses most of you of fomenting revolution through the rigorous cultivation of educated minds (of course, if you were fomenting the sort of revolution those in the current ascendance would appreciate, none of this would be an issue). So I say these words carefully, not wanting to give your detractors more ammunition, but valuing the work you do, and wanting it to have the kind of impact you want it to have (i.e., a significant contribution to the public discourse, if not a widely-viewed TED talk or a gig as an on-call pundit). I say this from my lived experience, both as someone who spent a recent year working in higher education and seeing up close and personally the work you do, and as a critic and essayist who frequently uses academic, scholarly products as springboards for musings on history, race and culture. My humble request is simply this: Can you please dial it back a little with the academic lingo? I know this is a perennial debate amongst yall, especially with the shifting realities of university presses and what that means for the publishing youre expected to pursue. I know every so often, as if on cue, someone holds forth in one of your industry trade papers, The Chronicle of Higher Education or Inside Higher Education, about the quality and nature of academic writing. But Im coming from another perspective the one beyond the academy, perfectly capable of deciphering the rarified terminology but wondering what good it really does in the long run. Heres the kind of thing Im talking about. This is Brent Hayes Edwards, in his excellent Epistrophies: Jazz and the Literary Imagination, expounding upon the poetry, and poetic forms, of the blues: In effect, this double apostrophe in the blues poem is a radical strategic response to the version of subjectivity inscribed in the traditional lyric, which has always had treacherous implications for a black poetic practice. The lyric is not a timeless, universal form; it is marked by history and its history couches a threat to the enunciation of black subjectivity. In Nathaniel Mackeys words, there is a predicament of subjectivity in the lyric that we inherit within a Western tradition which has legacies of domination and conquest and moral complication that make [its] claims to subjectivity and sublimity hard to countenance.' The entire paragraph continues for another 64 words, some of which are the blues lyric as a discourse of individualization and internalization. Im sure the eminent blues lyricist Willie Dixon had that very thought in mind when he was essaying Wang Dang Doodle. Im not picking on Edwards specifically; hes just the most recent example in my reading list of this tendency. Over the years in this space, Ive encountered similarly cryptic passages in books about early writing by black Americans, racial depictions of Jesus Christ, and the evolution of black dandyism. Ive been able to make my way through them, even when they were a step or two beyond my wheelhouse of expertise; the more academic writing you read, the more of it you can decipher without advanced degrees. But why is so much writing by academics so complicated to decipher in the first place? It really doesnt have to be that way. Back in October, black professors Daphne A. Brooks (Yale), Kara Keeling (USC) and Jacqueline Stewart (University of Chicago) performed a video mixtape tribute to the Combahee River Collective (CRC) as part of a black feminist film series in Chicago. This was a new one for me; my readings on black feminism and progressive thought never introduced me to this collective, or their 1977 manifesto on black feminism as the logical political movement to combat the manifold and simultaneous oppressions that all women of color face. The professors sought to pay honor and respect to the CRC by citing examples of musically bold soul sistas throughout time, from Labelle to Beyonce. They played YouTube clips of performances from back in the day as backdrops to the linkages they drew between the black cultural and feminist politics of the 70s and now. Its an intriguing concept, both conceptually and practically, provoking a lot of interesting questions, and by and large they pulled it off. Unfortunately, this wasnt quite a performance for the masses. The event was promoted mostly through University of Chicago channels, as opposed to Pookies Facebook feed or fliers on telephone poles. As such, it attracted an educated, woke audience that didnt need terms like intersectionality defined for it. Good for them, and good for the professors doing this work: its nice to have a shared baseline of terms and understanding in working through complicated issues and ideas. But I suspect there are a lot of people who, while they may not be up to speed on this seasons countercultural buzzwords, would have easily understood the gist of things from the visuals alone. The thing is, dearest academia, your shared baseline of terms and understanding is someone elses incomprehensible jargon. Every field, of course, has its own bag of jargon, not to mention annoying catchphrases that wannabees tend to drop as if theyre hot. That doesnt make the jargon of academia any better. Thats because jargon, when wielded indiscriminately, draws boundaries between the insiders who know it and the outsiders who dont, and who cant become insiders without figuring out (often, with scant assistance) what the jargon means in everyday language. I think this is especially problematic for those of you in academia because you produce so much amazing work that can resonate beyond your ivy- or graffiti-covered walls. Take Epistrophies: Ive been listening to the likes of Louis Armstrong, Cecil Taylor, and Henry Threadgill for decades, but gained an enhanced appreciation of their work from Edwards examination of how they wielded words as well as musical notes. Im sure there are lots of other jazz fans who would have more than one a-ha! moment while reading this work. But I wonder if some of those fans might not push through the more esoteric sections, where Edwards seems to forget that not all of his potential readers have a Master of Fine Arts degree and know what terms like a discourse of individualization and internalization mean in any given context. (Or if theyd even know, given how most scholarly books are marketed, that Epistrophies even exists.) I appreciate that some concepts are less immediate than others to explain in detail, and may need more specialized language to make the point. But I cant help thinking, as long as the work in question isnt a technical or procedural manual, there might be a middle ground between explaining an idea to a Ph.D. candidate in Ph.D.-level language and making it plain for a reasonably literate layperson. One might not want to be as extreme about it as Ms. Lauryn Hill, who revealed her writing m.o. on the Fugees Zealots: And after all my logic and my theory/ I add a muthafucka so you ignant niggas hear me. But Im guessing one could more prudently attempt a promise similar to the one Chuck D made on Public Enemys Dont Believe the Hype: to reach the bourgeois/ and rock the boulevard. Academics, you know a lot of words. Use your vocab more imaginatively, with an eye towards making your work more accessible to a broader potential audience without watering down the bonafides of your research. And peer review panels, since you often hold the fate of such works in your hands, cut them some slack when they dare to aspire towards readability, instead of getting all fussy with your red pencils in the name of academic tradition or some other spurious notion. In other words, if you want more than just university librarians to understand the book on that specialized corner of the worlds knowledge you spent years researching and writing, its no crime to use four $5 words instead of one $20 word. You get more bang for your buck, that way and your readers get a better experience. Charleston, SC (29403) Today Cloudy. High 54F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Some clouds early will give way to generally clear conditions overnight. Low around 35F. Winds light and variable. 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 moreBank official reported Russell Laffitte's handling of Murdaugh client checks as suspicious By Steven Ariong. The Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers have shot dead one suspected Turkana warrior from Kenya in the semi-arid region of north eastern Uganda. The warrior was gunned down in a 20 minute gun exchange between UPDF and Turkana who had raided cows in Losilang village in Kotido district. Capt. Abert Arinaitwe the UPDF 3rd division Spokesperson says six warriors had raided 30 heads of cattle and 33 goats and sheep from Kotido driving them to Kenya. He adds that the army has recovered one SMS G gun with ammunitions from the dead warrior while others managed to flee leaving all the cows and goats that they had raided behind. Karamoja region is currently hosting about 70,000 Turkana pastoralists who entered the country with more than 100,000 livestock following the persistent drought in northwest Kenya. Separately, eight pastoralists both Turkanas and Karimojong have been admitted at Matany hospital in critical condition after they sustained serious injuries during the fight over water and pasture at Kobebe water dam in Moroto district. There was a combination of superlative hysteria and political opportunism behind the warnings about the end of democracy leading up to last weeks elections, but it wasnt inconceivable that wed have flare-ups of violence and intimidation, that people who embrace the fantasy that the 2020 e Read moreEditorial: Election 2022 gave everybody something to celebrate Assistant Columbia bureau chief Adcox returned to The Post and Courier in October 2017 after 12 years covering the Statehouse for The Associated Press. She previously covered education for The P&C. She has also worked for The AP in Albany, N.Y., and for The Herald in Rock Hill. State Circuit Judge DeAndrea Benjamin appears poised to join a powerful federal appeals court bench following a U.S. Senate hearing in which Republicans repeatedly questioned her handling of two cases out of thousands she'd handled in South Carolina over two decades. Read moreSC Judge Benjamin praised by Clyburn, questioned by Republicans during US Senate hearing Agricultural Inoculants Market By Type (Plant Growth Promoting Micro-organisms, Bio-control Agents, Plant-resistance Stimulants) By Source (Bacterial, Fungal, Others) By Application (Seed Inoculation, Soil Inoculation, Others) By Crop Type (Cereals And Grains, Oilseeds And Pulses, Fruits And Vegetables, Other Crops), And By Region - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, And Forecasts (20162021) We Think Through Different Layers, We Work Across Different Verticals PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-28 13:03:44 Press Information Market Data Forecast USA Abhishek Shukla Sales Manager (International Business Development) +1-888-702-9626 email http://www.marketdataforecast.com # 821 Words USASales Manager (International Business Development)+1-888-702-9626 The Global Agricultural Inoculants Market was worth USD 302.35 million in 2016 and estimated to be growing at a CAGR of 9.6%, to reach USD 478.3 million by 2021.View report: http://marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/agricultural-inoculants-market-2877/ With the increasing popularity for organic food and organic farming, and increasing environmental awareness regarding the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, the need for agricultural inoculants is increasing which enhances the growth of this market in the aforementioned forecast period.Agricultural Inoculants are beneficial microbes formulated and applied to seed or soil for enhancing plant health and growth, thereby enhancing agricultural productivity. They could be bacteria, fungi or other microbes which help in preventing diseases, increasing growth and improving crop yield. These Inoculants are accessible in solid, liquid, and freeze-dried forms. Inoculant standards have been changing and the rate of their usage is also on the rise.Download free sample report: http://marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/agricultural-inoculants-market-2877/request-sample The growth of the agricultural inoculants market is driven by the high demand and cost of basic agrochemicals like pesticides and fertilizers, increasing demand for organic foods and organic farms around the globe, and the ominous need for increased global food productivity to meet the needs of growing population. However the lack of awareness among consumers and low adoption rate due to lack of proper channels is hindering the growth of this market. Furthermore, high growth potential in developing regions and technological advancement in synthesis of inoculants provide the future growth potential for this market.The Global market for Agricultural Inoculants is broadly categorized by Type, Source, Application, Crop type. Based on Type - Plant Growth Promoting Micro-organisms, Bio-control agents, Plant-resistance Stimulants. Based on Source - Bacterial, Fungal, Others. Based on Application - Seed inoculation, Soil inoculation, Others. Based on Crop type - Cereals & grains, Oilseeds & pulses, Fruits & vegetables, Others. Based on the geographical analysis the market is categorized into regions of North America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East and Africa and Asia Pacific. Product wise the most popular product is PGPMs Plant Growth Promoting Micro-organisms having highest share. Asia Pacific is dominating the market with largest share and North America is in second place. Asia-Pacific is the fastest growing region.Inquire before buying: http://marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/agricultural-inoculants-market-2877/inquire Some of the key players dominating this market include BASF SE, E.I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company, Bayer CropScience, Novozymes A/S, Brettyoung, Verdesian Life Sciences, Dow Chemical Company, Syngenta Ag, Precision Laboratories, Xitebio Technologies.Agricultural Inoculants Market Segmentation:Type Introduction Plant Growth Promoting Micro-organisms Bio-Control Agents Plant-resistance Stimulants Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, By type Market Attractiveness Analysis, By Type Market Share Analysis, By TypeSource Introduction Bacterial Fungal Others Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, By Source Market Attractiveness Analysis, By Source Market Share Analysis, By SourceApplication Introduction Seed inoculation Soil inoculation Other Applications Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, By Application Market Attractiveness Analysis, By Application Market Share Analysis, By ApplicationCrop Types Introduction Cereals & Grains Oilseeds & Pulses Fruits & Vegetables Other Crops Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, By Crop type Market Attractiveness Analysis, By Crop type Market Share Analysis, By Crop typeThe scope of the report: Global, regional and country-level analysis and forecasts of the study market; providing Insights on the major countries/regions in which this industry is blooming and to also identify the regions that are still untapped Segment-level analysis in terms of technology, component, and type along with market size forecasts and 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 the effect of exogenous and endogenous factors that affect the global market; which includes broadly demographic, economics, and political, among other macro-environmental factors presented in an extensive PESTLE Analysis Study the micro environment factors that determine the overall profitability of an Industry, using Porters five forces analysis for analysing the level of competition and business strategy development A comprehensive list of key market players along with their product portfolio, current strategic interests, key financial information, legal issues, 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 An executive summary, abridging the entire report in such a way that decision-making personnel can rapidly become acquainted with background information, concise analysis, and main conclusions Expertly devised analyst overview along with Investment opportunities to provide both individuals and organizations a strong financial foothold in the marketAbout Us: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, we cater to the needs of both individual and corporate clients. Our analyst team comprises expert professionals in market research, who with their collective knowledge and skillset dedicatedly serve clients from various industries and regions. PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-28 18:45:32 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 395 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Anglo Pacific Group PLC--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---London England (FSCWire) - Anglo Pacific Group PLC (LSE:APF). has issued a press release with the following headline:Anglo Pacific Group PLC Directors' Share Dealings in CompanyTo 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 Anglo Pacific Group PLC, 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/Anglo Pacific Group PLCSource: Anglo Pacific Group PLC (LSE: APF, TSX: APY, WKN: 871733, ISIN: GB0006449366)Date: November 28, 2017Time: 12:08 PM EST--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Anglo Pacific Group PLC 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: 2017-11-28 10:33:01 Paris, November 28 2017 - Atos, a leader in digital transformation, today announces that it has been named has been named a 'Leader' by global research and advisory firm NelsonHall in its latest NEAT analysis on Mortgage & Loan BPS (Business Process Services). The NelsonHall NEAT vendor evaluation study assesses 15 of the most significant service providers that deliver Mortgage & Loan BPS against their 'ability to deliver immediate benefit' and their 'ability to meet future requirements'. Atos was positioned as a Leader in both 'ability to deliver immediate benefit' and 'ability to meet future requirements' for Mortgage & Loan BPS Services overall. In the research NelsonHall identifies Atos' key strengths as having a full offering from BPS to SaaS for retail and mortgage loans, large and increasing onshore footprint in Europe and technology partnerships for comprehensive lending platform and digital solutions. Commenting on the research, Andy Efstathiou, Banking Sourcing Research Director at NelsonHall, said: "The lending industry is adapting to new business conditions; it will need to aggressively lower the cost of operational delivery (~50% from today) and deliver greater flexibility to manage a more cyclical operating environment. The Atos offering helps clients achieve these goals making it well positioned to extend its footprint further in Europe and in the longer term to North America and APAC." Atos Loan Factory - supporting banks build a best-in-class Loans Business Atos Loan Factory is a complete Software-as-a-Service and BPS solution designed for agility and innovation to support banks in creating the digital lending platform of the future. Developed in partnership with Worldline, European market leader in payments and transactional services, and Circeo, a leading FinTech in developing next-generation retail loans software, it enables banks to create new services in as little as 4-6 months, improve productivity and lower IT processing costs. To read the full NelsonHall report, please go to: https://research.nelson-hall.com/sourcing-expertise/neat-reports/?avpage-views=neat&avpage-views=article&id=79982&fv=1 ### 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. 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. Press contact: Laura Fau - laura.fau@atos.net - +33 6 73 64 04 18 @laurajanefau 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 PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-28 23:46:02 HAMILTON, Bermuda, Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leaders of Bermuda's global business sector highlighted the breadth, advantages and significant economic impact of the island's financial market during an awareness-raising cross-industry forum held in London today by the Bermuda Business Development Agency (BDA). Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2bcaa95b-e3ca-44c9-899a-cb70eeb4cf10 http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7bdeef31-44cc-4e6d-9984-f08a6cd6bfe7 http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/edb31e57-95aa-4327-8abb-47277d9619a2 Premier the Hon David Burt officially opened the day-long forum after meeting with Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May. The Premier is in the city for the BDA event as well as annual Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) meetings and various Parliamentary events, followed by planned visits to Paris and Berlin later in the week. "Our government supports events like this BDA forum, because it's important to engage people from around the world to help accomplish our goals growing Bermuda's economy," said the Premier. "Bermuda has a very powerful story to tell as a well-regarded international financial centre known for robust regulation and leadership on transparency and compliance. We believe this is an excellent platform to talk about Bermuda's role in supporting global economies. It's important, because we trade on that reputation." The forum attracted close to 250 delegates, encompassing a wide range of industries, to ME London Hotel in the city's West End. Featuring top regulatory and industry representatives in discussion panels, the agenda covered hot-button topics such as Brexit and the recent theft of "Paradise Papers" law-firm data, while emphasising the many elements that differentiate Bermuda-from the island's world-respected regulator and access to capital to its deep pool of valuable industry expertise. Speakers also examined the varied sectors that make Bermuda a centre of excellence, including re/insurance, captive insurance and insurance-linked securities, to asset management, family offices, and trust and private-client business. "The forum has provided us with an opportunity to tell the Bermuda story at a critical juncture when the European spotlight is on international financial centres," said BDA CEO Ross Webber. "Our jurisdiction has a compelling message, and people are beginning to understand that Bermuda really is different." Forum panels in the morning covered risk-industry topics-from insurance trends and the outlook for 2018 to why Bermuda remains "the World's Risk Capital." Afternoon sessions focused on the rapidly-growing convergence of re/insurance and asset management, then moved to examine high-net-worth services, family governance and charitable trust structuring. The day's line-up featured 25 Bermuda executives, including Bermuda Monetary Authority CEO Jeremy Cox; Bermuda Stock Exchange CEO Greg Wojciechowski; Association of Bermuda Insurers & Reinsurers President Brad Kading; Grainne Richmond, President of the Bermuda Insurance Management Association (BIMA); and Keith Robinson, Chairman of the Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners (STEP) Bermuda. Keynote speaker, Deputy Chair of Lloyd's and Hiscox Chair Robert Childs, described Bermuda's speed to market and detailed the many advantages Bermuda had lent to Hiscox. "The forum gathered government, industry and regulatory experience to give attendees an opportunity to be exposed to the Bermuda market," said BMA CEO Jeremy Cox. "That kind of collaboration is part of what has made Bermuda successful. Certainly, given the times we're in, that's important-because there's been a lot of misinformation in the media about our jurisdiction. This has given us an opportunity to set the record straight." Other Bermuda-based executive participants included Mark Allitt of KPMG Bermuda; Sarah Demerling of Estera; BDA former chair and Hiscox Director Caroline Foulger; David Gibbons of PwC Bermuda; Ed Granski for Meritus Trust; Randall Krebs of Harbour International Trust Company; BDA Board member Jessel Mendes, of EY Bermuda; Michael Neff of Butterfield Bank; Michael Parrish of Marsh Bermuda; Peter Pearman of Conyers Dill & Pearman; Brian Quinn of Granite Management; Fozeia Rana-Fahy of MJM; Aon CEO Joe Rego; Andrew Smith of Qatar Re; Ariane West of Taylors in association with Walkers; Arthur Wightman of PwC Bermuda; Kim Willey of ASW Law; and Akilah Wilson of the BMA. "We were very impressed by the support not just from Bermuda industry but from friends of Bermuda here in the UK," Webber added. "We had over 20 different companies represented at our forum; that's a marvellous endorsement of the work of the BDA, and a great reflection of the collaboration of the Bermuda market. It's very rewarding to see Bermuda so well represented and supported." Overseas presenters included Richard Hay of Stikeman Elliott, London; Sian Hill of KPMG UK; and Samantha Morgan of RMW Law. "It's about working relationships with the right people - we're not just marketing the jurisdiction," said Jessel Mendes, a BDA Board member and Partner at EY Bermuda. "We're really selling, and I think that's critical. It's about working the relationships with the right people to bring business back to Bermuda. Today, the focus is on the relationship, on business development, and on sales. That's a new mindshift and I believe credit for it goes to the BDA." Tomorrow, a second industry event-"Beyond Convergence"-will also take place at the hotel, focusing solely on insurance-linked securities. Organised by ILS Bermuda to dovetail with today's forum, it will provide a more detailed look at Bermuda's success in attracting capital, expertise and clients to the sphere of alternative reinsurance. Featured speakers will include some of the same industry executives, including the BSX's Wojciechowski, the BMA's Cox, ABIR's Kading, and BDA's Webber. MEDIA CONTACT: Rosemary Jones Head of Communications & Marketing rosemary@bda.bm 441 278-6558 441 337-4696 CONNECTING BUSINESS The BDA encourages direct investment and helps companies start up, re-locate or expand their operations in our premier jurisdiction. An independent, public-private partnership, we connect you to industry professionals, regulatory officials, and key contacts in the Bermuda government to assist domicile decisions. Our goal? To make doing business in Bermuda smooth and beneficial. 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: Bermuda Business Development Agency (BDA) via Globenewswire PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-28 16:33:03 THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, SOUTH AFRICA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD BE PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW PRESS RELEASE : REGULATED INFORMATION - INSIDE INFORMATION 28 November 2017, 16:30h CET BIOCARTIS LAUNCHES EQUITY PLACEMENT Mechelen, Belgium, 28 November 2017 - Biocartis Group NV (the "Company" or "Biocartis"), an innovative molecular diagnostics company (Euronext Brussels: BCART), announces today the launch of an equity offering to raise an amount of approximately EUR 60 million by means of a private placement via an accelerated bookbuild offering (the "Offering"), with the possibility to increase the size of the Offering to up to 8,933,950 new shares in total (representing up to approximately 20% of the Company's issued share capital). Biocartis currently envisages using the net proceeds to fund the expansion of the Idylla(TM) test menu and applications, its sales and marketing activities, the ongoing increase of its cartridge manufacturing capacity, and working capital and other general corporate purposes. The bookbuilding procedure will commence immediately. The Company will announce the results of the placement as soon as possible after closing of the bookbuilding in a subsequent press release. Trading in Biocartis shares on Euronext Brussels will be suspended during the bookbuilding period. Trading in the stock is expected to resume following the publication of the results of the Offering. J.P. Morgan, Degroof Petercam, KBC Securities and Kempen are acting as Joint Bookrunners in the Offering. As a strategic investment in connection with the recent collaboration announced between Genomic Health, Inc. ("Genomic Health") and Biocartis, Genomic Health intends to submit an order to the Joint Bookrunners for an amount of EUR 4 million. The Offering is open to institutional investors and such other investors as permitted under applicable private placement exceptions. Any final allocation to Genomic Health and participating investors, as the case may be, will be made based on customary, objective and pre-identified criteria. No guarantee has been given as to the final allocation to Genomic Health, or that any allocation will be made to them, or as to the size of any such allocation. In relation to the Offering, the Company has agreed with the Joint Bookrunners to a market customary 180 days standstill period on future share issuances, waivable by the Joint Bookrunners. --- END --- More information: Renate Degrave Manager Corporate Communications & Investor Relations e-mail rdegrave@biocartis.com tel +32 15 631 729 mobile +32 471 53 60 64 About Biocartis Biocartis (Euronext Brussels: BCART) is an innovative molecular diagnostics (MDx) company providing next generation diagnostic solutions aimed at improving clinical practice for the benefit of patients, clinicians, payers and industry. Biocartis' proprietary MDx Idylla(TM) platform is a fully automated sample-to-result, real-time PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) system that offers accurate, highly reliable molecular information from virtually any biological sample in virtually any setting. Biocartis launched the Idylla(TM) platform in 2014. Biocartis is developing and marketing a rapidly expanding test menu addressing key unmet clinical needs in oncology and infectious diseases. These areas represent respectively the fastest growing and largest segments of the MDx market worldwide. Today, Biocartis has twelve oncology tests and two infectious disease tests in its product menu. More information: www.biocartis.com. Press Photo Library available here. Follow us on Twitter: @Biocartis_. Important information: This communication is not a prospectus for the purposes of the Prospectus Directive (Directive 2003/71/EC and amendments thereto, including Directive 2010/73/EU, to the extent implemented in the relevant Member State of the EEA (as defined below)) and any implementing measure in each relevant Member State of the EEA (the "Prospectus Directive"). This communication cannot be used as basis for any investment agreement or decision. Acquiring investments to which this announcement relates may expose an investor to a significant risk of losing the entire amount invested. Persons considering making such investments should consult an authorised person specialising in advising on such investments. This announcement does not constitute a recommendation concerning the securities referred to herein. The information contained in this announcement is for general information only and does not purport to be full or complete. This announcement does not constitute, or form part of, an offer to sell or issue, or any solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe for shares, and any purchase of, subscription for or application for, shares. This announcement and the information contained herein are not for publication, distribution or release in, or into, the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Africa or any other jurisdiction where to do so would be prohibited by applicable law. Any persons reading this announcement should inform themselves of and observe any such restrictions. This announcement is not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States. It does not constitute or form a part of any offer or solicitation to purchase or subscribe for securities in the United States. The securities mentioned herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and may not be offered or sold in the United States, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The Company and its affiliates have not registered, and do not intend to register, any portion of the offering of the securities concerned in the United States, and do not intend to conduct a public offering of securities in the United States. An offer of securities to which this announcement relates is only addressed to and directed at persons in member states of the European Economic Area ("EEA") who are 'qualified investors' within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive ("Qualified Investors"), or such other investors as shall not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of Article 3.2 of the Prospectus Directive. In addition, any offer of securities to which this announcement relates is in the United Kingdom being distributed only to, and is directed only at, (i) 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, as amended (the "Order"), (ii) high net worth entities etc. falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order, and (iii) any other person to whom it may otherwise lawfully be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as 'relevant persons'). The offering of securities to which this announcement relates will only be available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe for, purchase, or otherwise acquire securities will be engaged in only with relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this announcement or any of its contents. No announcement or information regarding the offering, listing or securities of the Company referred to above may be disseminated to the public in jurisdictions where a prior registration or approval is required for such purpose. No steps have been taken, or will be taken, for the offering or listing of securities of the Company in any jurisdiction where such steps would be required, except for the admission of the new shares on Euronext Brussels. The issue, exercise, or sale of, and the subscription for or purchase of, securities of the Company are subject to special legal or statutory restrictions in certain jurisdictions. The Company is not liable if the aforementioned restrictions are not complied with by any person. Certain statements, beliefs and opinions in this announcement are forward-looking, which reflect the Company's or, as appropriate, the Company directors' or managements' current expectations and projections concerning future events such as the Company's results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, performance, prospects, growth, strategies and the industry in which the Company operates. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties, assumptions and factors could adversely affect the outcome and financial effects of the plans and events described herein. A multitude of factors including, but not limited to, changes in demand, competition and technology, can cause actual events, performance or results to differ significantly from any anticipated development. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement regarding past trends or activities are not guarantees of future performance and should not be taken as a representation that such trends or activities will continue in the future. In addition, even if actual results or developments are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement, those results or developments may not be indicative of results or developments in future periods. No representations and warranties are made as to the accuracy or fairness of such forward-looking statements. As a result, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release any update or revisions to any forward-looking statements in this announcement as a result of any change in expectations or any change in events, conditions, assumptions or circumstances on which these forward-looking statements are based. Neither the Company nor its advisers or representatives nor any of its subsidiary undertakings or any such person's officers or employees guarantees that the assumptions underlying such forward-looking statements are free from errors nor does either accept any responsibility for the future accuracy of the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement or the actual occurrence of the forecasted developments. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this announcement. 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: Biocartis Group NV via Globenewswire Brain Monitoring Market PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-28 12:27:27 Press Information Coherent Market Insights 1001 4th Ave, #3200 Mr Shah CEO 2067016702 email http://www.coherentmarketinsights.com # 924 Words 1001 4th Ave,#3200CEO2067016702 Brain monitoring devices identify and measure any abnormality in the functioning of the brain cells (neurons) that are linked with neurological disorders such as Alzheimers, Parkinsons, epilepsy, dementia, multiple sclerosis, sleep disorder, and brain tumor. Monitoring brain functions such as blood flow, pressure surrounding the brain, electrical and neural activity, gravity adjoining the brain, cerebral oxygen capacity, tumor, traumatic brain injury, and other conditions can aid in preventing serious consequences. Increasing stress level and rapid onset of aging are major factors increasing uptake of preemptive monitoring to detect neurological conditions. Treating a brain disease incurs major cost, with risk for death due to high complexity in certain neurological condition. Therefore, early diagnosis and regular health check is recommended by healthcare service providers and practitioners.Brain monitoring market potentialThe potential for brain monitoring would increase with penetration of healthcare facilities in emerging economies. Inadequate funding in emerging economies such as India, China, Brazil, Indonesia, and also certain developed countries such as Israel has resulted in low access to healthcare facilities in rural regions of these nations. A larger share of the population thus remains unserved for their health care needs. Besides, there exists a large target population worldwide, with increasing incidence of brain injuries, strokes, and other brain disorders. These factors collectively create a highly conducive environment for sustained growth of the global brain monitoring market in the foreseeable future.Request a sample copy of this report@Key statistics pertaining to the global brain monitoring market:The International Brain Injury Association states that brain injury is the leading cause of death and disability worldwideAccording to the Centers for Disease and Control (CDC) Injury Prevention Center, traumatic brain injury led to around 2.8 million emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths in in the U.S. in 2013The Alzheimers Association estimates that prevalence of Alzheimers disease in 2016 was nearly 5.4 million in the U.S. (5.2 million are aged 65 years and above)Furthermore, CDC estimates that every year, stroke results in over 130,000 deaths in the U.S.National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (2015-16 survey) estimated that mental morbidity of population above 18 years of age was 10.6% in India (higher in urban metros)Presence of this high target population would contribute towards growth of global brain monitoring market, further supported by favorable government incentives and regulations.Get More Details about this Report@Brain monitoring market taxonomyThe global brain monitoring market is analyzed on the basis of product type, end user, and application. The different product types of brain monitoring are:Electroencephalography (EEG) Devices,Electromyography (EMG) Devices,Magnetoencephalography (MEG) Devices,Sleep Monitoring Devices,Cerebral Oximeters,Transcranial Doppler (TCD) Devices,Intracranial Pressure (ICP) Monitors,Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Devices,Computerized Tomography (CT) Devices,Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Devices,AccessoriesThe global brain monitoring market is also segmented on the basis of application into epilepsy, dementia, Huntington's disease, Parkinsons disease, stroke, traumatic brain injuries, headache disorders, sleep disorders, and others. Hospitals, neurological centers, diagnostic centers, ambulatory surgical centers, and others is the segmentation of the global market of brain monitoring on the basis of end user. Hospitals are the major end users, as they have a considerably high patient flow, high investment capacity, and wide availability of healthcare resources to effectively serve the patients need.Demand for non-invasive brain monitoring modalities is high, owing to its better convenience, safety, and cost-effectiveness as compared to invasive brain monitoring devices. This has further encouraged manufacturers to increasing investments in non-invasive devices and technologies to cater to consumer demand. A portable brain injury scanner is a great addition to the brain monitoring industry. This is expected to further drive growth of the brain monitoring market during the forecast period (20162024).Plethora of untapped opportunities in emerging economiesThe World Health Organization (WHO) has devised a Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2020 with certain objectives in order to provide comprehensive responsive mental health and social care services to the global population. Neurological disease burden is especially high in emerging economies, which has resulted in renewed efforts by government and non-government agencies to tackle this menace. Market players can gain significant growth in Asia Pacific, Middle East, Latin America and Africa regions for their brain monitoring modalities and services, provided they focus on development of low-cost products and strengthen collaborations with healthcare facilities. Developed world, including North America and Western Europe require more advanced monitoring devices to be compatible with rapidly changing technology. This entails research and time for commercialization, until which market players can cash in on sales of their existing products in emerging global economies. This creates highly lucrative opportunities for players in the global brain monitoring market and these factors are expected to be prevalent through the forecast period (20162024).Some of the major players in the global brain monitoring market are BrainScope Company, Inc., Neural Analytics, GE Healthcare, InfraSacn, Inc., Elekta A.B., Siemens Healthineers, Philips Healthcare, Natus Medical, Medtronic, Neurosoft Limited, and Cadwell Laboratories.Ask For DiscountAbout Coherent Market Insights:Coherent Market Insights is a prominent market research and consulting firm offering action-ready syndicated research reports, custom market analysis, consulting services, and competitive analysis through various recommendations related to emerging market trends, technologies, and potential absolute dollar opportunity.Contact Us:Mr. ShahCoherent Market Insights1001 4th Ave,#3200Seattle, WA 98154Tel: +1-206-701-6702Email: sales@ coherentmarketinsights.com Visit Coherent Market Insights Blog @ https://blog.coherentmarketinsights.com Connect with us on LinkedIn @ https://www.linkedin.com/company/coherent-market-insights PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-28 19:20:12 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 393 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Canadian Zeolite Corp.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Vancouver, British Columbia (FSCWire) - Canadian Zeolite Corp. (TSX Venture:CNZ). has issued a press release with the following headline:Canadian Zeolite Provides Update on AcquisitionTo 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 Canadian Zeolite 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/Canadian Zeolite Corp.Source: Canadian Zeolite Corp. (TSX Venture: CNZ, ISIN: CA1368001097, WKN: A2AEE1, OTCQB: CNZCF, FWB: ZEON)Date: November 28, 2017Time: 1:20 PM EST--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Canadian Zeolite 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.) PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-28 10:03:02 New strategic alliances with KPMG and PSA Consulting will extend Deltek's delivery capabilities in Norway Oslo, Norway, Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Deltek, the leading global provider of enterprise software and solutions for project-based businesses, recently announced new partnerships with KPMG and PSA Consulting to extend its consulting and implementation services in the Norwegian market. Established as leading practices within the professional services sector, both KPMG and PSA Consulting will complement and extend Deltek's own consulting expertise in the delivery of it's Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Talent Management solutions, which are purpose-built for project-centric organizations. The partnerships will enhance the level of service and expertise that Deltek clients experience during and after systems implementation. KPMG and PSA Consulting will provide complementary advisory services in areas such as digital transformation leadership, change management, integration and business consulting to assist with the implementation and operation of Deltek Maconomy ERP and Deltek Talent Management. This will provide a new level of service and scalability giving Deltek clients a quicker path to return on investment. "Our team has vast experience with Deltek Maconomy and working with leading project-based businesses across the Nordics," said Martin Flatset, Managing Director, PSA Consulting. "We therefore look forward to continuing our close work with Deltek's clients to help them get even more value out from their ERP solutions." "Deltek is a very successful global vendor in the highly competitive ERP space, specializing exclusively in solutions for project-centric organizations. This focus means Deltek, like KPMG, truly understand clients and offer proven solutions and expertise that deliver value. KPMG looks forward to working together with more Deltek clients to support its digital transformation projects and future growth," said Rune Skjelvan, Head of Advisory, KPMG. "Enhancing the level of service and expertise delivered to our growing customer base has always been a priority for Deltek, to ensure maximum return on their investment in ERP and Talent Management, and that the solutions are ready to meet the demands of their business now and in the future. Therefore, I am very pleased to announce these strategic alliances with KPMG and PSA Consulting. These partnerships will guarantee our clients receive the utmost level of consulting services as they face a rapidly transforming industry, changing demands from their own clients, margin pressures, and an increasingly digital agenda," said Stefan Grahn, VP Nordics, Deltek. About KPMG KPMG is a global network of professional firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services. KPMG operate in 152 countries and have more than 189,000 people working in member firms around the world. The independent member firms of the KPMG network are affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative ("KPMG International"), a Swiss entity. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. KPMG Norway have 1,000 highly skilled and engaged employees in 24 offices across Norway. More info: www.kmpg.no About PSA Consulting PSA Consulting, based in Oslo, Norway, delivers expert level advisory, consulting and solutions to leading project and competence based companies in the Nordics. More info: www.psaconsulting.com/ 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 organizations 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, optimize 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/eff08860-98b3-4024-9d87-9dc9baf22169 Electronic Refrigerant Leak Detector has become a crucial tool for many trade professionals. Basically any equipment that is used in air conditioning or for cooling / freezing contains a refrigerant that has the potential to escape from the coils and joints, so leak testing occurs during production of the equipment, installation (if applicable) and periodic maintenance checks throughout the life of the equipment. PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-28 13:34:08 Press Information Research Trades Office No.10, Wing C, Rajhans, Baner, Pune-45, India email http://www.researchtrades.com Published by Pranjal Mehta +91 7507349866 e-mail http://www.researchtrades.com/ # 470 Words Office No.10, Wing C, Rajhans,Baner, Pune-45, IndiaPranjal Mehta+91 7507349866 The companies and manufacturers get an understanding into the upstream raw material analysis and downstream demand survey and tracks the impact of market dynamics on industry chain structure. The report highlights key recommendations for new venture development and offers an investment feasibility of new projects. These recommendations are also helpful to identify the imminent investment pockets across segments and major countries. The study on Global 3D Computer Graphics Software Market is helpful to all investors, key stakeholders, market players and concerned market participants to identify the lucrative business avenues.Click here for sample report @ https://www.researchtrades.com/request-sample/1333524 Scope of the Report:This report focuses on the Electronic Refrigerant Leak Detector 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 Inficon, Robinair, Testo, Bacharach, Elitech Technology,Ritchie Engineering, AGPtek, CPS, Fieldpiece Instruments, Market Segment by Regions, regional,analysis covers, North America (USA, Canada and Mexico), Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia), South America (Brazil, Argentina, Columbia etc.)Buy a Copy of this report for a single user price of USD 4880 @ https://www.researchtrades.com/checkout/1333524 Key chapters for this reportChapter 1, to describe Electronic Refrigerant Leak Detector Introduction, product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market risk, market driving force;Chapter 2, to analyze the top manufacturers of Electronic Refrigerant Leak Detector, with sales, revenue, and price of Electronic Refrigerant Leak Detector, 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 Electronic Refrigerant Leak Detector, 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, Electronic Refrigerant Leak Detector market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2017 to 2022;Chapter 13, 14 and 15, to describe Electronic Refrigerant Leak Detector sales channel, distributors, traders, dealers, Research Findings and Conclusion, appendix and data sourceBrowse This Report @ https://goo.gl/6ifiJk Who we areResearch Trades has team of experts who works on providing exhaustive analysis pertaining to market research on a global basis. This comprehensive analysis is obtained by a thorough research and study of the ongoing trends and provides predictive data regarding the future estimations, which can be utilized by various organizations for growth purposes.Reach us at:Email: sales@ researchtrades.com Call us: +1 6269994607 (USA), +91 7507349866 (IND)Web: http://www.researchtrades.com Skype ID: researchtradescon. PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-28 13:00:36 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 405 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for CIBT Education Group Inc.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Vancouver, British Columbia (FSCWire) - CIBT Education Group Inc. (TSX:MBA). has issued a press release with the following headline:GEC(R) Flagship Project GEC Education Mega Center(R) Receives Third Reading Approval by Surrey City CouncilTo 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 CIBT Education Group 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/CIBT Education Group Inc.Source: CIBT Education Group Inc. (TSX: MBA, OTCQX: MBAIF, ISIN: CA17163Y1025)Date: November 28, 2017Time: 7:00 AM EST--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of CIBT Education Group 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.) Global Feed Mineral Market is poised to reach $4.06 billion by 2021 170 pages report by Market Data Forecast PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-28 11:05:35 Press Information Market Data Forecast Abhishek Shukla Sales Manager (International Business Development) 1-888-702-9626 email http://www.marketdataforecast.com/ Published by chaitanya inampudi +917680952236 e-mail http://www.marketdataforecast.com/ # 468 Words Sales Manager (International Business Development)1-888-702-9626chaitanya inampudi+917680952236 The Global Feed Mineral Market was worth $2.99 billion in 2016 and estimated to be growing at a CAGR of 6.34%, to reach $4.06 billion by 2021.Livestock nurturing and the intake of animal products make a vital contribution to the financial and nutritional wellbeing of millions of individuals around the world. Feed Minerals play a prominent role in the global food by ensuring safe, ample and reasonably priced proteins.Natural substances such as soil, water and plants contain elements such as minerals which are provided to the animals to maintain their health. They perform several functions such as bone development, controlling acid base balances, muscle contraction, and enzyme stimulation.Download Free Sample Report @ http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/global-feed-mineral-market-1120/request-sample Buy now @ https://www.marketdataforecast.com/cart/buy-now/global-feed-mineral-market-1120 The growth of the global Feed Mineral market is majorly driven by factors such as increasing demand for mineral rich animal meat, increasing disposable income in emerging countries, and growing adoption of scientific methods to increase meat production. Also, another factor which is further expected to increase the intake of feed minerals is the huge demand for high quality meat from the meat processing industry. However, factors such as stringent government rules on the usage of certain minerals and the rising cost of raw materials are impeding the growth of the market.Market Segmentation By Type Micro Minerals By Animal TypeThe market has also been geographically segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Rest of the World. North America is the largest market for Feed Minerals followed by Europe, due to the high intake of meat products in these regions. The developing markets of Asia-Pacific most significantly India and China, account for the high growth rate due to factors such as rising consumption of meat, increasing disposable incomes, and growth in the scientific animal nurturing system.The major players in the market are fixated on broadening their distribution networks to cater to the wider market. Investment in the production process is another tactic adopted by the manufacturers to decrease the expenses incurred. The major companies dominating the global Feed Mineral market are Royal DSM, Cargill Inc., Nutreco NV, Archer Daniels Midland, and Tanke Biosciences Corp.About Market Data Forecast:The publisher of this report is Market Data Forecast whose forte lies in Market research and Business Intelligence. Handling both individual and corporate clients across multiple business domains they offer syndicated/customized research to suit the clients research objective. Their research reports section offers a wide variety of market studies ranging from all-encompassing comprehensive market studies to product specific niche markets covering Global among other regions of the global market as well. For more info kindly visit, www.marketdataforecast.com Contact:Abhishek ShuklaSales Manager (International Business Development)Market Data ForecastDirect Line: +1-888-702-9626Mobile: +91 998 555 0206Mail: abhishek@ marketdataforecast.com PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-28 14:00:33 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 397 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Gungnir Resources Inc.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Vancouver, British Columbia (FSCWire) - Gungnir Resources Inc. (TSX Venture:GUG). has issued a press release with the following headline:Gungnir to Re-Evaluate Potential of Its Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Assets in Sweden; Geophysics UnderwayTo 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 Gungnir Resources 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/Gungnir Resources Inc.Source: Gungnir Resources Inc. (TSX Venture: GUG, WKN: A116WL, ISIN: CA40281L1094)Date: November 28, 2017Time: 8:00 AM EST--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Gungnir Resources 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: 2017-11-28 12:20:12 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 392 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Jadestone Energy Inc.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---SINGAPORE (FSCWire) - Jadestone Energy Inc. (TSX Venture:JSE). has issued a press release with the following headline:Jadestone Energy MD A for 6 Mth Rslts to Sep 2017To 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 Jadestone Energy 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/Jadestone Energy Inc.Source: Jadestone Energy Inc. (TSX Venture: JSE, ISIN: CA46989Q1000, WKN: A2DHZ1)Date: November 28, 2017Time: 6:20 AM EST--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Jadestone Energy 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: 2017-11-28 13:00:35 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 402 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Kings Bay Resources Corp.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Vancouver BC. (FSCWire) - Kings Bay Resources Corp. (TSX Venture:KBG). has issued a press release with the following headline:Kings Bay Completes Drilling at Lynx Lake Copper- Cobalt Property in LabradorTo 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 Kings Bay Resources 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/Kings Bay Resources Corp.Source: Kings Bay Resources Corp. (TSX Venture: KBG)Date: November 28, 2017Time: 7:00 AM EST--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Kings Bay Resources 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.) Spine Biologics Market PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-28 12:09:08 Press Information Market Data Forecast 531/MIG-II, Rd Number 1, Kukatpally Housing Board Colony, Kukatpally, Hyderabad, Telangana Abhishek Shukla Sales Manager +1-888-702-9626 email http://marketdataforecast.com # 386 Words 531/MIG-II, Rd Number 1, Kukatpally Housing Board Colony, Kukatpally, Hyderabad, TelanganaSales Manager+1-888-702-9626 Spine biologics are used during spine fusion surgery for the treatment of spinal deformities such as trauma, tumors, degenerative disc disease, and spinal cord injuries by stimulating bone growth formation through inflammatory stage, repair stage, and remodeling stage. Therefore, surge in the number of spinal fusion surgeries have fueled the adoption of biologics.View Full Report @ http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/latin-america-spine-biologics-market-4279/ Spine Biologics market is growing due to advancement in technology as well as demand for better minimally surgical procedures which make it more convenient for both the patient and doctor. A rise in prevalence of diseases due to aging population, increased government funding, is driving the market in most regions. Biologics help in faster recovery and activate cellular growth. The biggest restrain in the market is the healthcare cost for such procedures and the substitute product available. There is a lack of expert professionals and unfavourable reimbursement scenario.Free sample of the report is available @ http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/latin-america-spine-biologics-market-4279/request-sample Latin America Spine Biologics Market is broadly categorized into surgery type and product type. By surgery type the market is segmented into Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion , Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion, Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion, Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion, Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion, Others. Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion contributed to a a large share in the market. By product type the market is classified into bone graft, bone graft substitutes, platelet rich plasma and bone marrow aspirate therapy. The bone grafts substitutes segment accounted for a major share of the market. On the basis of geography, the market is analysed under various regions namely Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and rest of Latin America.Inquire before buying @ http://www.marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/latin-america-spine-biologics-market-4279/inquire The major companies profiled in the report include Alphatec Holdings, Inc., Depuy Synthes (Johnson & Johnson), Exactech, Inc., Globus Medical, Inc., Medtronic plc, NuVasive, Inc., Orthofix International N.V., RTI Surgical, Inc., SeaSpine, and Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.About Us: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, we cater to the needs of both individual and corporate clients. Our analyst team comprises expert professionals in market research, who with their collective knowledge and sksillset dedicatedly serve clients from various industries and regions. Lipase Market By Source (Microbial Lipases, Plant Lipases, Animal Lipases), By Application (Animal Feed, Dairy, Bakery, Confectionery, Others), By Functions (Frozen Food And Beverage Additives And Food And Beverage Texturants) And By Region - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, And Forecasts (20162021) We Think Through Different Layers, We Work Across Different Verticals PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-28 13:08:20 Press Information Market Data Forecast USA Abhishek Shukla Sales Manager (International Business Development) +1-888-702-9626 email http://www.marketdataforecast.com # 872 Words USASales Manager (International Business Development)+1-888-702-9626 The Global Lipase Market was worth USD 457.2 million in 2016 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.6%, to reach USD 629.3 million by 2021.View report: http://marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/lipase-market-3596/ Lipase is an enzyme produced by pancreas which catalyzes biochemical reactions in which hydrolysis of fats take place. It also hydrolyzes ester bonds in triglycerides to form mono glycerides and free fatty acids and also helps in formation of fatty acids. Lipases are also involved in inflammation and cell signaling.Absence or inadequacy of lipase in body results in high cholesterol, high risk towards diabetes, decreased cell permeability, muscle spasms and high levels of triglycerides in the body. Lipases are used in industries for yogurt and cheese fermentation. Recombinant lipase enzymes are being used in applications such as laundry detergents, baking and as biocatalysts in converting vegetable oil into fuel.Download free sample report: http://marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/lipase-market-3596/request-sample Increase in pancreatic disorders and number of patients undergoing pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, use of lipases in cosmetics industry, changing food habits and increase in consumption of dairy products are driving the lipase market. Use of lipase in food and beverages industry as flavoring agent and to increase shelf life of food products is also expected to drive the market. Uncertainties in patent protection laws are restraining the market growth.The global lipase market is segmented on the basis of source, application, functions and region. Based on source of lipase, the market is segmented into microbial lipases, animal lipases and plant lipases. Microbial lipases produced from bacteria and yeast account for the largest market share as they are most preferred in enzymes industry due to the low cost and high effectiveness compared to that of plants and animals. Based on applications, the market is segmented into Animal Feed, Dairy, Bakery, Confectionery and Others. Animal feed application leads the market in this segment due to increase in livestock production and increasing meat consumption. Dairy products applications are the fastest growing segment due to the changing eating habits and rise in disposable incomes of people. Based on functions the market is segmented into Frozen Food and Beverage Additives and Food and Beverage Texturants.Inquire before buying: http://marketdataforecast.com/market-reports/lipase-market-3596/inquire On the basis of geography, the global market is analyzed under various regions namely North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa. Asia Pacific region is the largest market segment due to the increase in demand for bakery and processed dairy products in this region. Latin America region is projected to be the fastest growing segment due to the increase in food and beverage industries.Major players in the lipase market are E. I. Du Pont De Nemours and Company, Associated British Foods PLC, Amano Enzymes Inc., Novozymes A/S, Advanced Enzymes, Enzyme Development Corporation, Renco New Zealand, Koninklijke DSM N.V., Chr. Hansen Holdings A/S, and Clerici-Sacco Group.Market SegmentationSource Introduction Microbial Lipases Plant Lipases Animal Lipases Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, By Source Market Attractiveness Analysis, By Source Market Share Analysis, By SourceApplication Introduction Animal Feed Dairy Bakery Confectionery Others Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, By Application Market Attractiveness Analysis, By Application Market Share Analysis, By ApplicationFunctions Introduction Frozen Food and Beverage Additives Food and Beverage Texturants Other Functions Y-o-Y Growth Analysis, By Functions Market Attractiveness Analysis, By Functions Market Share Analysis, By FunctionsThe scope of the report: Global, regional and country-level analysis and forecasts of the study market; providing Insights on the major countries/regions in which this industry is blooming and to also identify the regions that are still untapped Segment-level analysis in terms of technology, component, and type along with market size forecasts and 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 the effect of exogenous and endogenous factors that affect the global market; which includes broadly demographic, economics, and political, among other macro-environmental factors presented in an extensive PESTLE Analysis Study the micro environment factors that determine the overall profitability of an Industry, using Porters five forces analysis for analysing the level of competition and business strategy development A comprehensive list of key market players along with their product portfolio, current strategic interests, key financial information, legal issues, 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 An executive summary, abridging the entire report in such a way that decision-making personnel can rapidly become acquainted with background information, concise analysis, and main conclusions Expertly devised analyst overview along with Investment opportunities to provide both individuals and organizations a strong financial foothold in the marketAbout Us: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, we cater to the needs of both individual and corporate clients. Our analyst team comprises expert professionals in market research, who with their collective knowledge and skillset dedicatedly serve clients from various industries and regions. PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-28 22:40:13 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 388 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Plaintree Systems Inc--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Ottawa, Ontario (FSCWire) - Plaintree Systems Inc (CSE:NPT). has issued a press release with the following headline:Plaintree Systems Inc. Announces Q2 - 2018 resultsTo 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 Plaintree Systems 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/Plaintree Systems IncSource: Plaintree Systems Inc (CSE: NPT, OTC Pink: PTEEF)Date: November 28, 2017Time: 4:40 PM EST--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Plaintree Systems 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: 2017-11-28 14:00:47 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 401 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Quantum International Income Corp.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Toronto, Ontario (FSCWire) - Quantum International Income Corp. (TSX Venture:QIC). has issued a press release with the following headline:Quantum International Income Corp. Completes Further Acquisitions in Georgia Gaming MarketTo 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 Quantum International Income 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/Quantum International Income Corp.Source: Quantum International Income Corp. (TSX Venture: QIC, TSX Venture: QIC.U, ISIN: CA74766M1005)Date: November 28, 2017Time: 8:00 AM EST--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Quantum International Income 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.) PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-28 12:00:38 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 406 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Silver Pursuit Resources Ltd.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Vancouver, British Columbia (FSCWire) - Silver Pursuit Resources Ltd. (TSX Venture:SPF). has issued a press release with the following headline:Silver Pursuit is Encouraged by Confirmation Sampling at East Bell Project, Churchill County NevadaTo 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 Silver Pursuit Resources Ltd., or to see additional press releases issued by this company, please either click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into your browser: http://www.fscwire.com/public-company/Silver Pursuit Resources Ltd.Source: Silver Pursuit Resources Ltd. (TSX Venture: SPF, ISIN: CA82808R2019, WKN: A1W9J6)Date: November 28, 2017Time: 6:00 AM EST--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Silver Pursuit Resources Ltd. and disseminated through FSCwire.About FSCwireFSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.), is a global newswire dissemination, SEDAR, SEDI, and EDGAR / XBRL service provider.FSCwire is a full service global newswire dissemination company and is fully approved by all exchanges in Canada and the U.S. Press releases can be distributed for all sizes of public, private or not for profit companies and any other organization requiring news distribution. In addition to individual companies; public relations, communications and investor relations firms trust FSCwire to distribute press releases for their respective clients.In addition to newswire dissemination FSCwire also offers EDGAR, XBRL, SEDAR, SEDI, and additional services for publicly traded companies. For more information, please go to our website: http://www.fscwire.com Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2017 - FSCwire (a division of Filing Services Canada Inc.) PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-28 02:59:13 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 386 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 FSCwire / Press ReleaseThe following press release was disseminated by FSCwire for Sokoman Iron Corp.--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---Puslinch, Ontario (FSCWire) - Sokoman Iron Corp. (TSX Venture:SIC). has issued a press release with the following headline:Sokoman Iron Corp Announces $800,000 Private Placement FinancingTo 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 Sokoman Iron 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/Sokoman Iron Corp.Source: Sokoman Iron Corp. (TSX Venture: SIC)Date: November 27, 2017Time: 8:59 PM EST--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---The story mentioned above was issued on behalf of Sokoman Iron 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.) PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-28 10:27:06 Press Information Published by ACN Newswire +65 6304 8926 e-mail https://www.acnnewswire.com/ # 404 Words ACN Newswire+65 6304 8926 SEOUL, KOREA, Nov 23, 2017 - (ACN Newswire) - Suprema, a global leader in biometrics and security solutions, was recognized with the 'Best Product Award' in the ID & Access Control category at the Detektor International Awards 2017, presented at the Stockholmsmassan (Stockholm International Fairs and Conference Centre) in Stockholm, Sweden on November 21.Detektor Best Product Awards were presented to the top companies of the year in each of four categories; Suprema in ID & Access Control, Axis in Alarm & Detection, Bosch in Video Surveillance and Genetec in IoT Security."The world's fastest facial recognition terminal and the first to support Bluetooth - shows Suprema's commitment to maintaining its leadership in the global biometric access control market," said the jury of Detektor International Awards 2017."At Suprema, we are honored that our new FaceStation 2 has been acknowledged by the prestigious Detektor International Awards," said Hanchul Kim, Suprema Director of Global Sales."Recognizing both technological and practical innovation within a product, Suprema FaceStation 2 was selected by the jury as an innovative biometric security product that carries industry standards to the next level with its proven performance and reliability."Introduced earlier this year, FaceStation 2 has already been shipped to over 50 countries worldwide, and is positioned as the ultimate facial recognition access control solution in the market today," Kim added."FaceStation 2 opened a new generation in facial recognition technology, defying preconceived limits and delivering innovation exceeding the growing expectation of the markets." The Detektor International Awards is an independent program which annually recognizes manufacturers displaying the most genuine innovation and greatest originality in the opinion of Detektor's international team of jurors.About Suprema Inc.Suprema is a leading global provider of biometrics and ID solutions. By combining world renowned biometric algorithms with superior engineering, Suprema continually designs and develops industry-leading products and solutions. Suprema's extensive range of portfolio includes biometric access control systems, time & attendance solutions, fingerprint live scanners, mobile authentication solutions and embedded fingerprint modules. Suprema has worldwide sales network in over 130 countries and is one of the world's Top 50 security company in its turnover (ranked in A&S's Security 50, 2010-2015). For more information, please visit www.supremainc.com Contact:Andy AhnSuprema Inc.Head of Marketingandyahn@ suprema.co.kr Source: Suprema Inc.Topic: Awards receivedSectors: Security/BiometricsFrom the Asia Corporate News NetworkCopyright 2017 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. A division of Asia Corporate News Network. PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-28 09:52:59 Press Information Watts McCray Lawyers Level 15, The Chambers 370 Pitt Street Sydney, New South Wales 2000 Australia 02 9635 4266 email http://www.divorce.com.au Published by Cam Wilkes 006499503888 e-mail https://www.pureseo.co.nz # 438 Words Level 15, The Chambers370 Pitt StreetSydney, New South Wales 2000Australia02 9635 4266Cam Wilkes006499503888 Watts McCray, Australias leading family lawyers, can assist clients with difficult parenting cases that involve relocation to another country or state. As the world gets smaller with people travelling and settling in different parts of the world, Australian family law is trying to adapt to the changing needs of the family.Relocation cases are difficult for everyone but Watts McCray ensures its clients are aware of all the scenarios that need to be considered in such situations. When moving to another state or country it is best to obtain consent in writing from the other parent. This can be done by email or text. The financial security, emotional stability and availability of family support is important for the children involved. It is necessary to ensure the other parent will get adequate time with the children. If there are medical issues or mental health problems, all reports must be kept as they may be of relevance down the track. Watts McCray will work to ensure if court orders are entered into prior to a possible future relocation, such orders are drafted to allow relocation without the client being in breach of such orders.When Watts McCray is acting on behalf of a parent proposing to resist a relocation they will work to ensure the non-relocating parent maintains a strong and meaningful relationship with his or her children. This involves working to maximise time spent with children during the week and participating in school and extracurricular activities. They will ensure the client is able to respond in opposition to any relocation and consider how best to achieve the parent's goal. With consent orders they will ensure the wording prevents any possible relocation in the future thus requiring the other parent to make an application to the court.Watts McCray has been at the forefront of making Australians aware of the latest in the world of family law. Their resource filled, dedicated website divorce.com.au aims to make things simple for those looking for information on all types of family law matters. The website also addresses issues such as child support, spousal maintenance, child custody, divorce and property. Settling disputes outside the court room using alternative dispute resolution methods like mediation, settlement conference, arbitration and collaborative law gives parties the benefits of saving time and money. These topics are also discussed in detail on the website.Watts McCray Lawyers, with offices located in Sydney, Canberra, Central Coast, Parramatta, Norwest, Brookvale and Frenchs Forest, are a leading specialist family law firm. For more resources related to divorce: https://www.divorce.com.au/ To contact: https://www.divorce.com.au/contact-us/ PR-Inside.com: 2017-11-28 18:28:01 THUNDER BAY, Ontario, Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zenyatta Ventures Ltd. ("Zenyatta" or "Company") (TSXV:ZEN) is pleased to announce the appointment of Brett A. Richards to the Board of Directors of Zenyatta where he will also act as Chairman. Mr. Richards, who is based in London, England, is a well-respected mining industry executive with over 32 years of mining and metals business development experience. Brett has extensive mine project development, project financing, board and executive level experience on 5 continents in over 20 countries. He is currently the CEO of Midnight Sun Mining Corp. (TSXV:MMA), and has held executive management positions for private equity shareholders in the past including: CEO, African Thunder Platinum; CEO, Renew Resources; and CEO, Octea Limited. Brett is formerly the transition CEO of Roxgold through a successful shareholder proxy battle; was CEO of Avocet Mining plc from 2008 to 2012, and was part of the five (5) person start-up of Katanga Mining Limited from 2005 to 2008. Brett's other publicly listed experience was in senior executive positions with Kinross Gold and Co-Steel Inc. Brett has significant public and private Board and Board Committee experience both in Canada, United Kingdom, Norway and Johannesburg. Brett is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors in London; a member of Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technologists and (O.A.C.E.T.T. - Mechanical Engineering); a member of the London Metals Exchange (LME) and a member of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (P.D.A.C). He is currently the principal of Richards Enterprises Inc. (CI). Brett Richards commented, "I am very pleased to join the Board of Zenyatta Ventures. It has become apparent to me that Zenyatta has created considerable value from global collaboration and development related to the Albany high purity carbon material for conversion to an exciting nanomaterial called graphene. I am looking forward to advancing both the Albany graphite deposit to production and development activities of graphene applications under ZEN-tech Materials." Aubrey Eveleigh, President & CEO of Zenyatta commented, "We are very pleased to add a highly respected and accomplished mining executive of Brett Richards' caliber to our Board. Brett is a creative leader with vision, backed by deep technical knowledge and hands-on experience. He will add considerable strength to our Board as we transition through pre-feasibility and prepare for the upcoming full feasibility study. Mr. Richards, who has a considerable network in the industry, will assist us in our efforts to organize and meet business objectives for both Zenyatta Ventures Ltd. and ZEN-tech Materials Limited." In connection with the appointment of Brett Richards as Director and Chairman, he has been granted stock options to purchase up to 500,000 common shares in the capital of the Company. The options are exercisable at a price of $0.60 for a five year period. Zenyatta will also be granting 240,000 stock options to consultants of the Company at the same price. The grant of such options is subject to regulatory approval. To find out more on Zenyatta Ventures Ltd., please visit website www.zenyatta.ca or contact Aubrey Eveleigh, President and CEO of the Company, or you may email at info@zenyatta.caor Tel. 807-346-1660. 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 may contain forward looking information and Zenyatta cautions readers that forward looking information is based on certain assumptions and risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations of Zenyatta included in this news release. This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements", which often, but not always, can be identified by the use of words such as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", or "plan". These statements are based on information currently available to Zenyatta and Zenyatta provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements with respect to Zenyatta's future plans, objectives or goals, to the effect that Zenyatta or management expects a stated condition or result to occur, including the expected timing for release of sample analyses and a preliminary economic assessment, the expected uses for graphite in the future, and the future uses of the graphite from Zenyatta's Albany deposit. Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results relating to, among other things, results of exploration, metallurgical processing, project development, reclamation and capital costs of Zenyatta's mineral properties, and Zenyatta's financial condition and prospects, could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements for many reasons such as: changes in general economic conditions and conditions in the financial markets; changes in demand and prices for minerals; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological and operational difficulties encountered in connection with Zenyatta's activities; and other matters discussed in this news release and in filings made with securities regulators. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of Zenyatta's forward-looking statements. These and other factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on Zenyatta's forward-looking statements. Zenyatta does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by Zenyatta or on its behalf, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. 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: Zenyatta Ventures Ltd via Globenewswire Popular Nigerian cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye aka Bobrisky, has said that his lover is a government official. Bobrisky unraveled the identity of his most talked about partner on Snapchat on Tuesday and hinted that his partner is over 50 years. The Nigerian Snapchat sensation also revealed that he prefers his partner, old rather than young. He said, Both ex and present bae are over 50 years; I like them old. Dating a government official is sweet but the trouble you face in it is hard. My bae has locked me up before. Since Bobriskys emergence on the Nigerian social scene a few years ago, the real identity of his lover, who is believed to finance his lavish lifestyle has been shrowded in secrecy. A big spender, Bobrisky is always quick to attribute his wealth to his lover, whom he fondly refers to as his bae (lover). A self-confessed homosexual, when he was arrested at his Lekki, Lagos home on November 10 and released a day after, he was full of thanks to his bae, whom he said facilitated his release on bail. Bobrisky has in a short time, become one of Nigerias most talked-about individual on social media. Google Nigeria has also listed him as one of Nigerias most searched individual in 2017. The Nigerian Internet celebrity became popular with the use of Snapchat. On the social networking app, Bobrisky is either twerking, marketing his skin-bleaching cream or talking about his faceless bae. Each of his snaps, attracts thousands of viewers, a feat very few Nigerian celebrities can boast of. Few months ago, after his unfiltered pictures went viral, Bobrisky made the decision to go premium on the app. He announced that he will start charging his followers N10,000 monthly to view his snaps from August 15, 2017. Safinatu Mohammed is dead and departed to her grave. The fiery woman who attained legendary status for being the first caller in every radio and television phone-in programme in Lagos was buried on November 24 at her ancestral home in Badagry. Her family said she died at about 5 a.m. on September 22 in Agbor, where she lived with her relatives, after a protracted illness. Born October 16, 1948, as Stella Aderemi Johnson to the Johnson Ogungbayike family of Badagry, Lagos State, Sefi, as she was fondly called, attended WTC Demonstration School, Enugu, Enugu State; Mary Mount College, Agbor, Delta State; and St. Catherines Anglican Girls Grammar School, Owo, Ondo State. She also studied in Washington DC and was a staff of the Nigerian Embassy in Washington DC, USA. One of the earliest entrants into the Nigerian fashion industry, Sefi was among the pioneers in fashion shows, anchoring regular events at the Federal Palace Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos. She was also an advocate for women, widows, and children. Fashion was what God gave her and she lived and died in it, Okwechime Abdul said in a Facebook tribute. She made clothes for the high and mighty as her dress sense stood her put. Her tongue put her in many controversies but that is Safinatu for you. No compromises. Safi, however, warmed her way into public consciousness with her participation in current affairs programmes in virtually all popular current affairs programmes on radio and television in the 1990s, from MBIs Open Access to NTAs Tuesday Live. We werent close but I knew her voice, whenever there is a phone-in, she was always the first person to call in, said Precious Eze, a journalist, who also penned a tribute to the late activist, on his Facebook wall. She made intelligent contributions on national issues that made her become a voice, in fact, when her voice got diminished, a lot of people got worried. More than a decade ago, while working as a producer at Minaj Broadcasting International, Uzonna Ononye, said his path crossed with Safi for the first time. I needed her to be a guest on a show because of her exposure to current affairs and her interest in making comments in a national discourse, that was why I sought her and invited her to the programme. She obliged but with a condition that I was going to pick her, said Mr. Ononye, now the head of news at Silverbird Television. My office then was in Ladipo, she stays on the island, so I had to go and pick her and then take her back, but that was not a big deal for the fact that she agreed to be on the show. While in the car, she (kept) calling into other radio and TV programmes. While she lived, one question always hovered around Safi: how was she able to always be the first caller in any of the radio or television programmes that piqued her interest? She seemed to have a passion for a better society, for her to keep tab of all the current affairs programmes that are being followed by people and then always call. Sometimes you wonder how her call would be the first every day, Mr. Ononye said. That would suggest to me that perhaps she will be ready to call and hold on, they pick her call, she will say dont worry, Ill wait until the opening of the programme. And then they will open the line so that she will be the first. Because if shes not the first, she may not be lucky when a lot of calls start coming in. That suggests also that shes committed to this, for whatever reason. Today we have a society that once you see somebody making a lot of sacrifice, you begin to wonder where the money is coming from. In her case, Im not sure because she talks about the downtrodden, she talks about the poor, the homeless, people that nobody will ordinarily speak for. That was the Sefinatu Mohammed I knew within the period I knew and followed her and related with her on that work level. Her ardent admirer, Joe Igbokwe, described the late fashion designer as an activist par excellence. Around that 1999 era, Obasanjos era, she was very popular, she would talk loud and clear on any issue at all, any issue with respect to Nigeria, she was always intervening, said Mr. Igbokwe, the Lagos State Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress. An advocate in the peoples court, sometimes she was concerned about the new Nigeria where things work. We mourn here, we miss her typical voice, she has got peace and let her rest in perfect peace. If Safi was not at the forefront of campaigning against the closure of media houses in the mid-90s, she was championing for better telephone services during the infant years of the telecommunications industry in the early 2000s. Or she was running her nongovernmental organizations, Renewed Hope and the Safinatu Mohammed Foundation, aimed at liberating women and girls in conflict zones. She was also part of a mobilisation effort during the 1998 fire incident in Jesse, Delta State, providing the needed logistics material as well as financial to hundreds of victims of one of the most deadly oil pipeline explosion in Nigeria. In the years preceding her death, Safi developed an ailment that took a toll on her physically and financially. Due to her medical condition, she lost virtually all her belongings and was reduced to penury and abject poverty, Emmanuel Osegi, Safis nephew, told PREMIUM TIMES. In life, Safi was full of energy, championed the cause of the less privileged, and advocated for a better society. In death, she was unsung. To help raise funds for her funeral, her family created a memorial post to seek donations to support her burial arrangements as well as for a memorial service. Safinatu Mohammed was married to the late Abubakar Mohammed, a retired permanent secretary at the Federal Ministry of Education. She was 69. President Emmanuel Macron of France told African youths on Tuesday that he belonged to a new generation of French leaders who would build partnerships with the continent rather than tell it what to do. But a youth protest against him, stones pelting one of his delegations vehicles and a botched grenade attack on French troops, hours before his arrival in Burkina Fasos capital, Ouagadougou, showed the hostility that still lingers after decades of an often tense France-Africa relationship. Mr. Macron was also subjected to rowdy student questions at the university after his speech in Burkina Fasos capital Ouagadougou, and was sometimes left fruitlessly hushing as he struggled to get his answers heard above the crowd. In his speech, peppered with references to African nationalists such as Nelson Mandela and Burkinas revolutionary leader, Thomas Sankara, Mr. Macron promised a break with a past in which France often seemed to call the shots to former colonies. I am from a generation that doesnt come to tell Africans what to do, Mr. Macron said during a speech to university students in the Burkinabe capital Ouagadougou, prompting an applause. I am from a generation for whom Nelson Mandelas victory is one of the best political memories. The 39-year-old is on a three-day visit to Burkina Faso, Ghana and Ivory Coast aimed at boosting cooperation in education, the digital economy and migration. I will be alongside those who believe that Africa is neither a lost continent nor one that needs to be saved, he said. The grenade attack missed the French soldiers but wounded three civilians hours before Mr. Macron arrived. No group claimed responsibility. Stones were thrown at a delegation convoy, however, Mr. Macron was far away from it at a meeting with his Burkina counterpart, Roch Marc Kabore in the presidential palace. Dozens of local youths clashed with security forces in the center of the capital throwing stones. Police responded with teargas. Protesters burnt T-shirts with images of Mr. Macron and carried slogans including Down with new-colonialism and French military out of Burkina. It was not the first time a French president has promised to break with past French politics on the continent. Mr. Macrons predecessor, Francois Hollande, declared while visiting Senegal in 2012 that the time of La Francafrique is over, referring to a shadowy network of diplomats, soldiers and businessmen who manipulated African leaders for decades after independence. It comes at a tense time, when French troops are being sucked deeper into a years-long battle to quell Islamist militancy in the Sahel region. France has 4,000 troops deployed there, and there are mixed feelings about their presence highlighted in a bitter row between France and Mali over the deaths of 11 Malian troops being held captive by Islamist militants in a French air strike. The French are pinning their hopes on the so-called G5 Sahel force being set up by regional countrys with French and American backing. It launched a campaign on October 28 amid growing unrest in the desert reaches of the region, where jihadists allied to al Qaeda or inspired by Islamic State roam undetected. Mr. Macron had earlier told journalists G5 had been too slow to get established. He said he would call for greater co-operation between Europe and Africa to tackle human trafficking and he touted a European initiative to rescue African migrants from being enslaved in Libya. The exchange with heckling students was typical Mr. Macron, who during his presidential campaign often managed to turn initially hostile crowds in his favor by answering questions head on. You speak to me like Im a colonial power, but I dont want to look after electricity in Burkina Faso. Thats the work of your president, he retorted to one hostile questioner. (Reuters/NAN) The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has asked its donors for over 2 billion Swiss francs (about 2.04 billion dollars) to fund its field operations in 2018 to assist and protect millions of people affected by conflict and other situations of violence, according to an ICRC press release issued on Tuesday. The appeal marks an 11.6 per cent increase in the ICRCs 2017 field budget, ICRC said. According to ICRC, it will allow the organisation to continue responding to the most urgent needs of people caught up in conflict in the worlds most challenging hotspot such as in Syria, Iraq, South Sudan, DR Congo and Yemen. ICRC President, Peter Maurer, said the ICRC was deeply concerned by the number and scale of protracted conflicts the world is facing today. Both their immediate and longer-term consequences on the millions of people affected should alarm us all, he said. While some of these conflicts are often in the news, many are overlooked, out of the public spotlight. We are appealing for donors support to make sure that these people are not forgotten. The majority of the ICRCs activities remain focused in increasingly complex conflicts, supporting basic services and support systems that are vital to the lives of the general public. The challenges are particularly acute in cities, where schools, hospitals, water and electricity systems are often damaged and destroyed over years of fighting. With its privileged access to militaries and armed groups, the ICRC works to prevent violations of international humanitarian law and to protect civilians from the worst impacts of conflict, Mr. Maurer said. He also underlined the need for funding to remain flexible and non-earmarked, to ensure the ICRC can continue to deliver aid purely on the basis of need. (Xinhua/NAN) Pakistan has begun the importation of Nigerias Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as part of efforts to deepen the economic relationship between the two nations. Pakistan Head of Chancery, Asim Khan, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja that the first consignment of 70,000 metric tonnes of the gas had arrived at Pakistans Port Qasim in Karachi. Khan said that the importation marked the beginning of a major business expansion between Nigeria and Pakistan in the oil and gas sector, adding in the future, we are expecting much trade in this as well as in other sectors. The diplomat told NAN that Pakistan utilised gas heavily for both domestic and generation purposes. NAN learnt that prior to the commencement of gas importation from Nigeria, Pakistan was importing from Qatar to meet its domestic gas needs. As the relationship between Nigeria and Pakistan waxes stronger, that country also recently opened scholarship offer for about 50 Nigerians for undergraduate studies in science related courses at some of its higher institutions. It also announced plans to stage an agricultural equipment and machinery exhibition in Nigeria, to make its technological achievements in agriculture available to Nigerian farmers. Agricultural machinery expected to be exhibited would include rugged tractors and other equipment that could boost small and medium enterprises growth in Nigerias agricultural sector. Khan had said that Pakistan was determined to assist Nigerias efforts for self-sufficiency in food production, adding that the exhibition would be a channel to make durable and efficient farming equipment available to Nigerians at reasonable costs. The envoy said that the upcoming made-in-Pakistan agriculture exhibition was one of the strategies to assist Nigerian farmers boost their yields (NAN) Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Monday said payment of high electricity tariffs is inevitable for Nigerian electricity users. Mr. Osinbajo said this while speaking at the Sixth Presidential Business Forum held at the old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. A statement signed by Laolu Akande, the vice presidents media aide, quoted Mr. Osinbajo as saying that the government is, however, trying not to increase electricity tariff for now. Listening to questions concerning lower tariffs, we must pay higher tariffs, these sorts of things are inevitable, Mr. Osinbajo said. What we are trying to do is not increase tariffs for now, but how we can ensure we clean up the entire value chain. Im sure you are aware of the Payment Assurance Guarantee which we put in place for over N700 billion to ensure gas is paid for and for liquidity in the whole value chain. Today, we will be meeting with the World Bank on a scheme they have been working with us on to fund the entire value chain, and ensure we transit smoothly from where we are, to a much more market-determined policy for electricity. This will involve a fair amount of subsidy and help, the Federal Government and World Bank are working together on that. There is no way of sustaining the current subsidies long term, but we want to ensure the process is smooth. Mr. Osinbajo explained that President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that a small committee to look at the issue of intervention funds in agriculture be set up, adding that government would ensure that the agricultural intervention funds go to the right people and also monitor the use of the funds. Commenting on the gridlock in Apapa port, Mr. Osinbajo said that the port is meant to be a 34 million metric tonnes capacity port but it is doing 80 million metric tonnes, making it a port far too small for the size of business it is doing. We have met with all of the important stakeholders, asides from those who do their business there like Flourmills, Dangote and BUA. We have also met with the Navy, Police, NPA, Lagos State Government, all federal agencies working in the ports and port concessionaires. At our last meeting, we worked on a number of initiatives and agreed on a number of things that have to be done. I went personally to see for myself what was going on in the port area. There is a major problem there, but everyone has agreed on what to do and there is a plan which we are executing. Nothing would happen overnight, but we have a good plan that will make it work. We have taken a number of decisions; empty containers are to be relocated to holding bays, shipping companies would no longer be allowed to operate holding bays within the port, tank farms would not to be permitted within the Apapa area and process licensing access to trailer parks by NPA to commence. A task force has been set up to manage traffic within the Apapa and Tin Can Island environs. We agreed that Dangote Group will carry out palliative works and reconstruction of some major sections of the Apapa road, which is expected to be completed by June 2018. Procurement processes have also been concluded for construction of Liverpool road to Tin Can, to Mile 2, Oworonshoki up to the toll gate. The Honeywell Group has committed to construct a trailer park, they have started and will complete it very shortly. BUA Group agreed to do the works around the Tin Can Island road. We have it in hand, and we are watching and following up on it. The Vice president also assured that government would address the problem around smuggling and what to do when supply does not meet demand. He said there is a huge demand for poultry and despite local production, people are still buying imported poultry. He said, Smuggling is a serious threat to our economy, and Mr. President has asked me to head a team to work out what needs to be done. We are making the point to our neighbours, that smuggling is an existential threat, we cant permit the level of smuggling going on. Last year, there was over 500,000 metric tonnes of rice around Christmas, which the Minister of Agriculture told us about and how it came in through one of our neighbours, but we blocked it. Now, three shiploads of rice have left Thailand, 120,000 metric tonnes, going to this same neighbour of ours who have very large warehouses where they store this rice. It is very clear that this rice is for us because our neighbours dont consume parboiled rice, they consume the white broken rice. It is clear that our neighbours do excellent business, with allowing rice to come into Nigeria and other products including poultry I think it is important for us as a country, to make the point clear, that we are not going to accept that. We are all within the same economic zone and work together, so we go in a friendly and polite manner as possible, to ensure that this practice stops. The Vice president also reiterated the importance of private sector leadership to the nations economic policy, adding that government has tried to establish several public private sector platforms including the quarterly business forum. The constant engagement in my view is the way to go. If we continuously engage and interact this way, we will resolve most of the problems that stand in the way of our becoming the great economy that our country surely has the potential to be, he said. Judges from 12 states in Nigeria will not be appointed to the Court of Appeal in the ongoing process, the National Judicial Council, NJC, has said. The council said this on Tuesday evening when it confirmed ongoing steps for the appointment of 14 justices of the Appeal Court. This is to bring the total number of judges of the appellate court to 90 as stipulated by law. The 12 states, the NJC said, already have their fair representation of judges at the appellate court. In considering appointment for the 14 vacancies, and to ensure that each zone is adequately presented, all states that have three serving Justices were not considered unless under special circumstances. The states not considered are: Anambra, Bauchi, Borno, Cross-River, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo, Kogi, Kwara and Oyo, Soji Oye, the NJC spokesperson said. States like Adamawa, Kebbi and Sokoto have zero representation, which informed the need to include them in the current exercise. Mr. Oye said the recommended appointments were not lopsided as suggested by media reports. He gave further explanations on the circumstances surrounding the choice of the 14 recommended judges. The attention of the National Judicial Council has been drawn to an on-line publication and some newspapers alleging the National Judicial Council of recommending 14 Judges for appointment to the Court of Appeal, and that none of the Candidates shortlisted was from the South-east, he said. Mr. Oye explained that the exercise is on-going and no candidate has been recommended so far. To put the records straight, appointment of Judicial Officers to the Court of Appeal is done on merit and geographical spread. Section 2 of Court of Appeal (Amendment) Act, 2013, governing the appointment of Justices of Court of Appeal provides that the total number of Justices to be appointed should not be more than 90 plus the President. The Court however, currently has 76 Justices leaving vacancy for additional 14 Justices. Of the 76 Justices of the Court, the North Central with 6 States and FCT has 12 Justices; North-East with 6 States has 12 Justices plus the President; North-West with 7 States has 9 Justices; South-East with 5 States has 13 Justices; South-South with 6 States has 14 Justices and South-West with 6 States has 15 Justices. The spokesperson also explained the basis for which the vacancies exist. Appointments are made to the Court based on the elevation of Appeal Court Justices to the Supreme Court, retirement at the age of 70 years, or death. Such vacancies are filled with judicial officers from the zone of the judge who died, retired or elevated. It is therefore unfair for the online media to claim that the National Judicial Council recommended no Candidate from the South-East which currently has 13 Justices at the Court of Appeal, he added. PREMIUM TIMES earlier on Tuesday reported a previous explanation by Mr. Oye and the Senior Special Assistant on media to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Awassam Bassey, on the pattern of nomination of judges in courts across Nigeria. The embattled former chairman of the Presidential Pension Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, on Tuesday said his reinstatement started with a meeting with the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, as ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari. In a video aired by Channels TV on Monday, Mr. Maina, wanted for alleged corruption, explained how the current administration held meetings with him and returned him to the civil service. His secret reinstatement, exposed in October by PREMIUM TIMES, outraged Nigerians and raised questions about the Buhari administrations seriousness about tackling corruption. The president responded to the report with alarm, and ordered an immediate investigation as senior government officials directly involved in Mr. Mainas recall traded blames and denied responsibility. Despite receiving the report of the investigation, the president has not sanctioned anyone for the scandal till date. Instead, Mr. Buhari swiftly fired the Secretary to Government, Babachir Lawal, and head of the National Intelligence Agency, Ayo Oke, indicted in separate corruption cases. Critics said those sackings were diversionary. In his first known public comments, Mr. Maina appeared to imply the president merely feigned ignorance to pacify a roiled public as he was not only in the know about his reinstatement, but he ordered it. Mr. Maina said he initially decided not to return to work despite a court order reinstating him because some people in the past administration did not want him back. The letter of dismissal, I didnt even receive a letter. It was when I heard about it (that) my lawyers went to court. They took the Senate to court and the court quashed whatever was the report of the Senate. The court also removed all the warrant of arrest. The court upheld that I should return to work. That was in April 2013. But the last administration refused to take me back to my job. They refused to obey the court order. The Head of Service was asked not to return me to the office. The Federal Civil Service Commission chairperson at that time did not want me to return to office. Now I did not return to office but when this government came in, the president gave his note that go and sit down with Maina, Ive given you the approval. They sat down with me after the security agencies cleared me of any wrong doing. Mr. Maina said he has never been sued in any court of law for any allegation. Nobody has ever taken me to court in Nigeria. I want Nigerians to know. I have never been taken to any court of law. Nobody has ever sued me for anything. Ive never been taken to any court of law. I have sued all the security agencies that we are talking about and I have won. I have full court judgements. They place my name on INTERPOL, I went to court and removed it. They did this, I did this I removed it. There is nothing they have not done. Even the one they could not do, they went to immigration, put my name on no fly list. I went to the airport. I was in Nigeria, that was in 2015. I went to the court, the court granted me N2 million damages for not flying that day. He relayed how he helped the government recover N1.3 trillion through the AGF. He added that the process of his reinstatement started after the Attorney General, Mr. Malami, visited him. As soon as this present government decided to sit with me, and after sitting with, me, I told them I will not leave you to go back to Nigeria without something in your pocket. Im going to give you something in your pocket and the Minister laughed. The Minister of Justice said what are you going to give us as gift? I gave him a document, I say go here, here, here, theres N1.3 trillion they are going to steal it because theyve been stealing every year. He was shocked, he said not possible. I said sir, with all due respect, could you please try it, this is a gift Im giving you. I havent gotten to Nigeria, Im just giving you a gift. I say try it for you to understand where Im coming from. Im not a saint but I try as much as I can to help the system. The minister thought that wont be possible, when he got back, he realised I gave him a correct information. Now, after giving him this information, he asked me, when are you coming back, I said I will soon be back. I said I have a court order. So, I asked my lawyer to write a petition. He now wrote a petition to government and the Minister set up a committee to look at the petition. They looked at the petition and recommended that this is a court order that theres no question of going back on it, nobody has appealed it since 2013 so government must obey it. So, he sent a letter to the Federal Civil Service Commission to say this is the petition I got in my office, Im attaching the court order which you must respect. Im hearing people are saying hes directing people to reinstate me. No, he said you must respect the court order, this is the court order because he is the chief officer of the country. Now, the document was taken to the Federal Civil Service Commission. I went to the Federal Civil Service Commission, they told me they have just received the documents, they are going to see me later and we have a meeting. After that meeting, they wrote office of the head of service. They say we want you to sit down with your Senior Staff Committee and after that you send it to the Ministry of Interior; that was used at that time because they were coerced which I later found out. The Senior Staff Committee was coerced by the then Head of Service, Mr. Isa Bello Sanni to make sure they send me out and packing because I had stopped the inflow of 5.2 billion monthly to the office of the Head of Service. The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, Femi Adesina, refused to comment on the allegation. Reached Tuesday night by phone, he told PREMIUM TIMES, Anything on that issue, get in touch with the AGF. The Attorney General did not respond to phone calls. His spokesperson, Salihu Isah, could not also be reached as his telephone line was switched off. Tobacco companies in the United States have begun running television and newspaper advertisements referred to as corrective statements in major US-based outlets about the dangers of smoking cigarettes following a court order by a U.S. District Judge. According to the order issued by Paul Friedman, which must begin on November 26, tobacco companies will say what they had hidden from consumers and public health authorities for decades that cigarettes are addictive and deadly and that tobacco companies intentionally design them to make users more addictive. The corrective statements stem from a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Justice Department in 1999 and a landmark judgment issued in 2006 by U.S. District Judge Gladys Kessler, who found that tobacco companies had defrauded Americans by lying about the effects of smoking and their marketing to children. These corrective statements are not voluntary nor part of a legal settlement a court has ordered tobacco giants to take this action, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids said in an emailed statement on Monday. Full-page advertisements In the latest decision by the U.S. court, tobacco companies including Altria (the former parent company of Philip Morris International) and Reynolds (a US subsidiary of British American Tobacco) are required to publish one of the five corrective statements in 30-second prime time TV ads and also run full-page advertisements in 50 newspapers including their online versions around the country. The TV spots will run five times weekly for 52 weeks. The corrective statements detail the advert health effects of smoking (kills more people than murder, AIDS, suicide, car crashes, and alcohol combined); addictiveness of smoking and nicotine (cigarette companies intentionally design cigarettes with enough nicotine to create and sustain addiction); and adverse effects of second-hand smoke (kills 38,000 Americans each year). The rest include lack of significant health benefit from smoking low tar, light, ultra light, mild, and natural cigarettes (low tar and light cigarette smokers inhale essentially the same amount of tar and nicotine as they would from regular cigarettes) and manipulation of cigarette design to ensure optimum nicotine delivery (designing filters and selecting paper size to maximise the ingestion of nicotine). Judge Kesslers order to the tobacco companies to publish the corrective statements is significant because it is a rare instance of the companies being made to tell the truth about their decades-long conspiracy to deceive the public about health effects of smoking and their marketing to children, said Bintou Camara, Director of Africa Programs for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Government officials and health champions around the world should note this admission and question the companies activities in their own countries. Just as in Nigeria where tobacco companies employ several tactics to undermine legislation again their products, their counterparts in the US stalled the effectiveness of the corrective statements for 11 years, filing appeal after appeal since 2006 targeted at delaying or watering down the statements. They ended their appeals earlier this year, and the judge overseeing the case issued an order directing them to begin running the corrective statement ads, said Ms. Camara. The tobacco companies began running the ads yesterday (on Sunday) and we expect they will continue to do so as directed or face legal sanctions by the U.S government. The U.S court order came as tobacco giants like Philip Morris International continue their attempts to rebrand themselves as part of the solution to the global tobacco epidemic. Recently, the company embarked on programmes to promote itself as a supporter of a smoke-free world, including funding a training of senior journalists in Naivasha, Kenya, to a workshop Tobacco Harm Reduction: Towards a Smoke-free World. Last September, PMI announced an annual support of $80 million for the establishment of a Foundation for a Smoke-free World over the next 12 years, a move anti-smoking campaigners say was aimed at burnishing its image and which received criticism from the World Health Organization. Akinbode Oluwafemi, Deputy Executive Director, Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria urged governments to discontinue engagements with PMI that conflicts with the WHOs Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and, particularly, strengthen the implementation of Article 5.3 which obligates parties to act to protect their public health policies from the commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry. Mr. Oluwafemi noted that PMIs training of journalists in Kenya was a continuation of its orchestrated misinformation campaign and attempt to buy media influence and silence rising public support for effective tobacco control laws across Africa. Governments in Africa and media practitioners should be alarmed that PMI, while increasing the production and marketing of its deadly wares on the continent is now talking about harms reduction through its so-called trainings. A very dangerous dimension to PMI new tactic is the muddling of public health policy issues in its quest to grab more lungs or else how can it be imagined that a known producer of a lethal product is talking of helping governments achieve goal three of the Strategic Development Goals which promote good health and wellbeing? We can see through this deception. Again, if PMI is interested in a smoke-free world, all it needs to do is stop cigarette production and stop undermining regulations across our continent. Tobacco companies are not strangers to posturing themselves as public health stakeholders in the campaign for a smoke-free world. In 2014, the British American Tobacco Nigeria, BATN came under severe criticism from anti-tobacco campaigners for organising a training for police officers in Lagos on implementing the Smoke-free in Public Places law signed by the then governor, Babatunde Fashola. The BATN had defended its actions at the time arguing that the training was part of its efforts to support key stakeholders in the country to drive a fully compliant and well-regulated tobacco sector in a transparent and responsible manner. Mr. Oluwafemi said the global consensus about how to reduce tobacco use is continually undermined by PMI and other tobacco companies doggedly fighting strong policies proven to reduce tobacco use around the world such as higher tobacco taxes, graphic health warnings, and bans on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship. PMI should stop gambling with our lungs through its deceptive concept of a smoke-free world, he said. There is no safe alternative to the manufacturing, sale, and marketing of tobacco products. Last May, the Nigerian government introduced nine regulations in the Nigeria Tobacco Control Act that will be implemented by the federal government. But the implementation of the Act remains a mirage as the government continues to await the approval of the draft regulations by the National Assembly. Ms. Camara said the Nigerian government and civil society organisations can use the corrective statements issued by the US Court as further evidence that tobacco companies have a long history of fighting proven public health measures and lying to the public. While the court order only requires these statements be published in America, tobacco companies use many of the same strategies to promote their deadly products and grow their market shares around the world. Nigeria can protect against these tactics by implementing proven public health measures such as enlarging picture health warnings on tobacco packs, requiring all public places to be smoke-free and further restricting tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship. The House of Representatives has asked the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to provide railway level crossing barriers, highway codes and alarm system arrangements at all railway level crossings across the country. Adopting a motion by Akinwunmi Olaitan (Lagos APC) and two others at Tuesdays plenary on curbing rampant deaths at railway crossings in the country, the House mandated its committees on Police Affairs, Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Values and Land Transport to interface with the corporation on how to carry out the directive. A train recently derailed at Fagba area of Ifako Ijaiye in Lagos State and rammed into a trailer on the railway line, causing multiple crashes among trucks and other vehicles and the death of seven persons. Several people were also injured in the crash which caused a traffic jam that extended to the Ogba area of the state. Moving the motion, Mr. Olaitan said when a train derails leading to an accident, a dangerous situation usually occurs. He said the size, weight and speed of the railroad cars make any action difficult to mitigate the damage, as the safety features in vehicles cannot stand up to the force of a moving train. Accidents involving trains and vehicles are caused by failure of vehicle drivers to abide by highway codes and absence of railway level crossing barriers, given that most crossing locations are among the most eventful points on the transportation network, he noted. He said the right of way is normally granted to the train because its braking distance (depending on its weight and speed) is several hundred times longer than that of a vehicle. Usually, some kind of alarm system arrangements are made to keep the road traffic flowing during the safe periods and suitable bell system is provided for vehicles and pedestrians in order to prevent possible accidents. He called on the federal government to provide modern railway level crossing barriers, bells, railway/road signs, signals and lights and realizing the need for collaboration with highway authorities to carry out the necessary works to increase the visibility of the level crossings in order to reduce accidents at crossings. The house also mandated the relevant committees to conduct an investigation into the recent train crash in Agege, Lagos and report back in six weeks. The House of Representatives on Tuesday commenced debate on general principles of the 2018 Appropriation Bill as issues regarding the non-implementation of Zonal Intervention projects in 2017 appropriation were highlighted. Leading the debate, the House Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila (Lagos-APC), appealed to his colleagues not to lose sight of ideas behind the bill which seeks to consolidate on gains already attained by government, even as critical observations were raised. There were objections raised by some opposition lawmakers who demanded suspension of the debate until work on the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) was concluded and passed. Abubakar Chika (Niger-APC) also raised a constitutional point of order and the House Rules challenging the legality of the debate in the absence of MTEF. The Deputy Speaker, Lasun Yusuf, who presided over the plenary session, assured Mr. Chika that the debate would only be a stop-gap measure that would not necessarily lead to the passage of the Bill through second reading until the MTEF was dealt with. Mr. Lasun said that the House would definitely pass the MTEF within the days slated for debate on the appropriation bill. If we have to go strictly by our provision, we will be drawn back. I will plead with my colleagues to let us go on with the debate. The debate is not tantamount to passing the bill, this debate will allow us follow our calendar so that things will be done in the right order, he said. Responding, Mr. Gbajabiamila admitted the constitutional and legislative correctness of Rep. Chika. He said that his colleague was absolutely correct because we cannot be seen to violate our own laws which we passed in this House. As it is the practice, the MTEF cannot be left hanging for us to commence debate on the budget. But in line with your ruling, I seek the indulgence of the House to allow the debate and also urge our colleagues to show understanding. This would enable us reduce the work load on the document, Mr. Gbajabiamila said. He, therefore, urged his colleagues to look beyond the shortcomings observed and focus on the benefits of the budget to Nigerians. He said, The size of this budget is a deliberate attempt to take the nations economy out of recession and grow it to a sustainable level that upholds the minimum standard of living for Nigerians. The projected revenue for 2018 is N6.6 trillion, N2.4 trillion will be from oil, N1.3 trillion will be from non-oil, N710 billion will be from government assets and N847 billion will come from independent revenue. Speaking on how the N8.6 trillion would be spent, the House Leader disclosed that N2.01 trillion which represents 23 per cent of the budget would be used for debt servicing, and N220 billion will go for payment of local contractors. He added that N3.4 trillion would be dedicated to recurrent expenditure, pension and social intervention, and 30 per cent of the budget would be dedicated to capital expenditure. Mr. Gbajabiamila noted that a N2.05 trillion deficit which represents 1.7 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), would be funded by borrowing. Giving a snap shot of key areas that would be covered by the capital, he said N8 billion would be for the construction of the second run way of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Abuja Airport. N295 billion is for the construction of roads nationwide, N10 billion is for the second Niger bridge, N9.8 billion is for Mambila project among others. The capital aspect of this budget is purely to stimulate growth in all sectors of the economy, ranging from agriculture, aviation, rail and road transportation as well as solid minerals exploration. So, I put the ball in the court of my colleagues with a view to giving their support to the passage of this bill for second reading, and I must say that I expect to hear dissenting views on this, because no budget in the world is perfect. But lets not lose sight of the bigger picture of this budget with regards to issues of job creation, anti-corruption war, insecurity and provision of infrastructure that would serve the best interest of our citizens, Mr. Gbajabiamila said. In his contribution to the debate, Denis Agbo (Enugu-PDP), raised concern over non implementation of zonal intervention (Constituency) projects by the executive in the 2017 budget. Mr. Agbo said that it was those projects that had direct impact on the lives of the more than 170 million Nigerians, especially those in the nooks and crannies of the federation. He added that out of the N4.2 trillion allocated to capital projects, only a N100 billion was meant for federal legislators to bring federal presence to their people. Of the entire capital allocation, zonal intervention project is just about 3.4 percent of capital expenditure, and I see no reason why government will not implement it. Mohammed Monguno (Borno-APC) said there was the need for the House as a responsible arm of the legislature to take the bull by the horn in demanding adequate implementation of budgets. Citing a newspaper publication which quoted the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as saying the oil benchmark for 2017 budget had been exceeded by 18 per cent, Mr. Monguno questioned why the 2017 budget still suffered abysmal implementation if the nation was making more money than anticipated. NAN reports that the debate continues on Wednesday. NAN also reports that President Muhammadu Buhari presented the 2018-2020 Appropriation Bill to the joint session of the National Assembly on November 7. (NAN) The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has directed the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to register Socialist Party of Nigeria as a new party. Justice Gabriel Kolawole gave the order in a judgement on Tuesday, following an application by members of the party. He said the SPN had fulfilled necessary requirements for registration and directed INEC to issue it a certificate of registration within 30 days from the date of his judgement. Representatives of the SPN had approached the court after INEC terminated its registration process in August 2014 for alleged failure to comply with verification procedures. The plaintiffs: Segun Sango, Chinedu Bosah, Mikaliu Mohammed, Emmanuel Adikwu, Agbebire Marcellus and Nuhu Zira, asked the court to nullify the termination of their registration, stressing that they had complied with necessary registration procedure including the payment of N1 million, establishment of a headquarter in Abuja and the creation of a National Executive Committee comprising at least 24 representatives from across the country and Abuja. They asked the court to stop INEC from further collecting a mandatory N1 million from parties seeking to be registered for political activities. The plaintiffs also demanded a refund of the N1 million they had paid to INEC, as well as N1 million to serve as the cost of instituting the suit. The judge agreed with some of the requests made by the plaintiff, namely that the registration of SPN as a political party be restored by INEC. Mr. Kolawole ruled that INEC was bound by sections 78, (2) (3) and (4) to proceed with necessary steps for the registration of a political party within the stipulated time, adding that the electoral umpire had no right to carry out its constitutional powers according to the whims and caprices of its chairman. INEC is not permitted to exercise its statutory powers according to the predilection and the whims of its chairman and/or principal management officers in the discharge of its duties of political party registration and monitoring. Mr. Kolawole however refused the application by the SPN for a refund of their registration fees. He also rejected the application for compensation. To abolish torture in the Nigerian society, security outfits, groups and individuals need to adopt negotiations, persuasion and dialogue to find solutions to problems, Amnesty International Nigeria said on Tuesday. The country director of the civic group, Osai Ojigho, said this during a symposium and moot court competition among Nigerian Universities titled The Criminalising Torture in Nigeria. She said torture is not justifiable under any circumstance noting that organisations who feel they have the power to torture should investigate rather than use torture to get information. There is no need for people who feel they have the right to torture whether physically, emotionally, psychologically and mentally. This is against the law and it is a violation against human rights, Mrs. Ojigho said. According to her, victims should speak out and report incidents of torture. Victims think no one will believe them. The first point of contact should be a doctor or nurse who can officially document what happened to the victim. Then the victim should visit a nearby NGO and the NGO can take it up and advise you on the way forward, she said. Similarly, the deputy team leader, Nigeria Policing Programme, Idris Bawa, said the entire society needs to be sensitised on the effects of torture. Police should organise series of trainings and workshops for officers so that they will be well informed on different methods that can be used to interrogate. Nigeria police uses crude method to investigate, he said. According to him, torture and human rights violation is widespread in Nigeria; therefore, non-legal practitioners should be engaged in the fight to stop torture. Meanwhile, Hassan Bala from the Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, a participant at the event, said the issue of compensation is not enough for victims of torture. He said the anti-torture bill at the National Assembly should be passed into law. Amnesty International is calling on Nigeria, the UK and the Netherlands to launch investigations into Anglo-Dutch oil giant Shell, over its role in a swathe of horrific crimes committed by the Nigerian military government in the oil-producing Ogoniland region in the 1990s. The organisation has released a ground-breaking review of thousands of pages of internal company documents and witness statements, as well as Amnesty Internationals own archive from the period. The Nigerian militarys campaign to silence the Ogoni peoples protests against Shells pollution led to widespread and serious human rights violations, many of which also amounted to criminal offences. The evidence we have reviewed shows that Shell repeatedly encouraged the Nigerian military to deal with community protests, even when it knew the horrors this would lead to unlawful killings, rape, torture, the burning of villages, said Audrey Gaughran, Director of Global Issues at Amnesty International. In the midst of this brutal crackdown Shell even provided the military with material support, including transport, and in at least one instance paid a military commander notorious for human rights violations. That it has never answered for this is an outrage. It is indisputable that Shell played a key role in the devastating events in Ogoniland in the 1990s, but we now believe that there are grounds for a criminal investigation. Bringing the massive cache of evidence together was the first step in bringing Shell to justice. We will now be preparing a criminal file to submit to the relevant authorities, with a view to prosecution. The Nigerian governments campaign against the Ogoni people culminated in the execution, 22 years ago, of nine Ogoni men, including Ken Saro-Wiwa, the writer and activist who led the protests. The executions followed a blatantly unfair trial and sparked a global outcry. In June 2017 the widows of four of the men filed a writ against Shell in the Netherlands, accusing the company of complicity in their deaths. An individual or company can be held criminally responsible for a crime if they encourage, enable, exacerbate or facilitate it, even if they were not direct actors. For example, knowledge of the risks that corporate conduct could contribute to a crime, or a close connection to the perpetrators, could lead to criminal liability. Amnesty Internationals new report A Criminal Enterprise? makes the case that Shell was involved in crimes committed in Ogoniland in this way. In the 1990s Shell was the single most important company in Nigeria. During the Ogoni crisis, Shell and the Nigerian government operated as business partners, and had regular meetings to discuss the protection of their interests. Internal memos and minutes from meetings show Shell lobbying senior government officials for military support, even after the security forces had carried out mass killings of protesters. They also show that on several occasions Shell provided logistical or financial assistance to military or police personnel when it was well aware that they had been involved in murderous attacks on defenceless villagers. Shell has always denied that it was involved in the human rights violations, but there has never been an investigation into the allegations. What Shell knew Protests in Ogoniland were led by the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), in response to years of Shell oil spills which had devastated the environment. In January 1993, MOSOP declared that Shell was no longer welcome to operate in the region, forcing the company to leave temporarily citing security concerns. While Shell publicly sought to downplay the environmental damage it had caused, internal documents reveal that senior staff knew MOSOP had a legitimate grievance, and were highly concerned about the poor state of pipelines. On 29 October 1990, Shell requested security protection from an elite paramilitary police unit called the Mobile Police at its facility in Umuechem village, where peaceful protests were taking place. Over the next two days, the Mobile Police attacked the village with guns and grenades, killing at least 80 people and torching 595 houses. Many of the bodies were dumped in a nearby river. From at least this point on, Shell executives would have understood the risks associated with calling for intervention from the security forces. Despite this, there is clear evidence that Shell continued to do just that. For example, in 1993, shortly after it had left Ogoniland, Shell repeatedly asked the Nigerian government to deploy the army to Ogoniland to protect a new pipeline which was being laid by contractors. This resulted in the shooting of 11 people at a village called Biara on April 30, and the shooting to death of a man at Nonwa village on May 4. Less than a week after the shooting at Nonwa, Shell executives had a series of meetings with senior government and security officials. The minutes of these meetings show that, rather than raising concerns about the shootings of unarmed protesters, Shell was actively lobbying for the government and the security forces to allow them to continue work in Ogoniland and was offering logistical help in return. Financial support Shell also offered financial support. One internal company document reveals that on March 3, 1994, the company made a payment of more than $900 to the ISTF, a special unit created to restore order in Ogoniland. This was just ten days after the Unit commander ordered the shooting of unarmed protestors outside Shells regional headquarters in Port Harcourt. The document states that this payment was a show of gratitude and motivation for a sustained favourable disposition towards [Shell] in future assignments. On a number of occasions, Shells request to the government for help tackling what it termed the Ogoni issue was followed by a new wave of brutal human rights violations by the military in Ogoniland. It is difficult not to see causal links or to suppose that Shell was not aware at the time how its requests were being interpreted, said Audrey Gaughran. Sometimes Shell played a more direct role in the bloodshed for example by transporting armed forces to break up protests, even when it became clear what the consequences would be. This clearly amounts to enabling or facilitating the horrific crimes that followed. The Nigerian Army said its troops attached to Operation Lafiya Dole under the armys 202 Battalion, 21 Brigade in conjunction with the Mobile Strike Team, MST, killed 14 terrorists and rescued 30 hostages on Saturday. The operation ended with the rescue of the hostages from Boko Haram terrorists enclaves in Abusuriwa, Newchina, Bonzon, Usmanari, Goyayeri, Shitimari, Gashimari, Awaram amongst other villages in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State. According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Director Army Public Relations, Sani Usman, it said the operation led to the capture of one suspected terrorist, while many fled. The troops whose continuous resolve in routing out the remnants of the suspected terrorists hibernating within the Brigades Area of Responsibility ensured that their superior fire power made the terrorists to flee in disarray leading to the capture of one suspected terrorist while 8 of the Boko Haram terrorists were neutralised. In addition, the troops also rescued three men, 12 women as well as 15 children, among whom were an aged man and a woman held captive by the Boko Haram terrorists, he said. The suspected terrorist has been handed over to the relevant authorities for further interrogation, while the rescued civilian captives are being attended to, he added. Mr. Usman, a brigadier general, said the troops were also able to recover four AK-47 rifles, three magazines, seven dane guns and machetes, amongst other items. The statement also noted that in similar operation, troops of 152 Battalion of the Brigade ambushed some fleeing terrorists and killed five of them, while troops of 151 Battalion also deployed at the Forward Operations Base, Darel Jamel, killed a terrorist in an ambush. The Senate Joint Committee on Gas and Power, Steel Development and Metallurgy on Monday demanded the suspension of the inauguration of the 215MW Kaduna Power Plant following a disagreement with the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing over its plan to run the plant on diesel. This decision was made at a one-day hearing on the Urgent need to save the 215 MW Kaduna Power Plant, chaired by Enyinnaya Abaribe. The plant, which is already three years behind inauguration schedule, was initially designed to run on gas, when it was inaugurated in 2009; but the ministry changed the parameters to that of a diesel powered plant, PREMIUM TIMES understands. Running the plant by diesel could cost the country N46 million on a daily basis, with the change in original design causing the cost of power to be higher. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Louis Edozie, who represented the Minister, Babatunde Fashola, in an attempt to defend the change in parameters of the plant from gas-powered to diesel-powered, said that the ministry would inaugurate one of the eight units in January, adding that the unit will run on diesel instead of the gas. He said the diesel used daily is expected to cost N46 million. The Chairman of the Committee on Gas, Albert Bassey, expressed dissatisfaction with the reasons proffered by the officials of the Ministry. I feel very disappointed. Please tell your minister to stop the process of inauguration because the project cannot be ready even by mid next year. We are insisting that it will be cheaper to run the plant with gas and gas is environmentally friendly. Let your Minister know we cannot be taken for granted, Mr. Bassey said. The Chairman of GreenVille LNG, Eddy Van Den Broeke, said his company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kaduna Gas Plant to build storage facilities for the plant at no cost, adding that while the plant will produce a kilowatt of electricity at N79 on diesel, it will produce the same kilowatt at N37 on gas. He further explained that his company invested$400 million on its gas plant in Roumuji, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. In 2014 when the parameters were signed, it was agreed that LNG is most competitive. We have invested $400 million after which people in the ministry decided to change the parameters. It will cost $200 million more to use AGO (diesel) because there is no other fuel available that can replace LNG and GreenVille. I would want the ministry to give me one cent of response on this change of theory, he said. He said that besides the functional gas plant, Greenville had imported 250 trucks to evacuate gas to the plant before the change of parameters by the ministry. Mr. Abaribe insisted that the ministry should put the planned launch on hold to enable the committee embark on further physical examination of the plant. We have heard a lot of disturbing things and we have all seen that we have put the cart before the horse. Everyone in this hall today has now seen why we ask questions. We ask questions when things dont seem to be going the right way. You see one price at N79 and the other at N35, why do you go for the higher cost which is not cost effective. If you are going to spend N46 million daily to run a plant and you said it is temporary, that is not effective. If you start one plant and the rest dont come up in eight years, we need to save this project from becoming another white elephant project, he said. Speaking earlier when he declared the hearing open, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who was represented by the Senate Deputy Whip, Francis Alimekhena, said it was necessary to examine the cause of the shift from the use of LNG, to diesel to power the plant, adding that the use of LNG is environmentally friendly, much more sustainable and is in line with the charter of the United Nations on Free Energy and Climate Change. It is surprising that the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing appears to have jettisoned the use of gas to power the Kaduna power plant and instead, opted for the construction of Automobile General Oil, which is 60 per cent higher in cost when compared with gas, he lamented. He said the advantages offered by LNG informed the decision of the federal government, through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC to plan a contract for the construction of the 40x614km Ajaokuta-Abuja-Kaduna-Kano gas pipe line. Scores of people on Tuesday morning blocked the Zuba-Kaduna highway in Abuja to protest what they said was the excessive granting of land to the Army in the Nigerian capital. The protesters carried placards and put a halt to movement of traffic on the busy highway. They said they are original indigenes of Abuja and that their farmlands had been given to the army without adequate compensation. After over an hour of protest, the protesters dispersed and the road became free again. More details later The Nigerian Senate was on Tuesday thrown into a noisy session when Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe (PDP, Abia South) said the 2018 budget was fictitious and dead on arrival. The Senator made the comment as the Senate opened debate on the 2018 budget presented by President Muhammadu Buhari. What we debate usually is the general principles. What are we debating about a document that is totally fictitious? he said. His statement prompted the leader of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan (APC, Yobe North), to come under section 53(7) of the senate rule to caution his colleague. He said, It shall be out of order to use offensive and inventive language. Mr President, to call a document that the president of the federal republic of Nigeria presented to the National Assembly fictitious is improper and unparliamentary. The warning however did not deter Mr. Abaribe as he continued by quoting the leader of the Senate in his speech. Mr. President, quoting the Senate leader in his speech, he said, the 2018 budget is designed to consolidate on the achievements of the 2016 and the 2017 budgets. What was done in 2017 when less than 15% of that budget was released? Nothing was done. That is why I call it fictitious. Im very sorry if that is the word he is bothered about. I withdraw the word fictitious and say that this is totally imaginary. Because nothing was done in 2017. That is a fact that we all know, he said. Without going into the debate and the specifics, I can also say this: in the leaders speech, he said there was so much money that was received in 2017 and therefore theres an estimate of N11 trillion to be gottenand we know that as at last week, the total receivables that this government got was one-tenth of what was stated publicly. (Out of) the budget in 2017 of eight hundred and sixty something billion to be received, what was received was 150 billion. In what sense will the 2018 budget be predicated on an assumption that the facts have already destroyed. You are assuming 11 trillion, yet you are getting less than 1 trillion. That is why I said, with all due respect to my colleagues, rather than continuing to this debate that has no basis in reality, we may just continue to beg this government to be very specific in the indication of the assumptions underlined in the budget. Imported banana, with low prices, has flooded Abuja markets, raising concerns about the countrys food security, the livelihoods of banana farmers and traders as well as the health of consumers. An investigation by the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, at various markets and supermarkets in Utako and Maitama districts of Abuja on Tuesday revealed that the foreign banana was conspicuously displayed on several shelves. Even the roadside fruit hawkers were not left out, as they apparently gave more priority to displaying the foreign banana than the local variety. The sellers and buyers, who spoke to NAN, said that the imported banana had received high patronage due to certain factors such as its fresh appearance, smooth skin, size, taste and lower prices. The banana imports notwithstanding, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) identifies Nigeria as one of the largest banana and plantain producing countries in Africa. Recent statistics indicate that Nigeria produces about 2.74 million tonnes of banana annually, making the crop one of the important staple crops in the country. However, some of the sellers and consumers of the imported variety of banana said that it was receiving high patronage because of its fresh look, packaging, size and taste. NAN observed that the imported banana is usually displayed for sale in a bunch of five fingers, 10 fingers and 15 fingers, depending on the species. A consumer, Aminu Danlami, said that the imported banana was cheaper than the local species, adding that it also had a longer shelf-life when compared to the local banana. He also said that the unique taste of the imported banana had made it more appealing to most banana consumers. However, Rachael Oke, another consumer, bemoaned the flooding of FCT markets with imported, low-priced fruits whose sources could not be easily ascertained. She said that the imported fruits included apples, small grapes, plums and all kinds of exotic fruits. But Ms. Oke particularly frowned at banana importation, insisting that banana was cultivated in great quantities in many states across the country. She emphasised that if the trend was not reversed, it could force thousands of banana farmers and traders out of business, while exerting more pressure on the shaky food security of the country. One of the major banana importers at Utako market, who preferred anonymity, said that he used to import banana and other fruits from Togo, Cameroon and at times, Benin Republic; depending on the security situation and the prevailing currency exchange rates at different points in time. He said that his banana importation business was very lucrative because he had many retail outlets in Abuja, Lagos, Rivers, Kano and Kogi states, while the patronage for imported banana was constantly increasing, when contrasted with that of the local variety. He also added that the imported banana could retain its freshness for three weeks without losing its taste or look. It is easier for me to import banana than to import rice or vegetable oil because Customs (Nigeria Customs Service) will not disturb me. At times, I buy grains from Dawanu market in Kano and ferry them to Niger or Benin Republic or buy things from Taraba and take them to Cameroon. In those countries, I buy fruits and eggs for sales in my country, he said The man also noted that the imported banana could be preserved for a long time, unlike the home-grown species, adding that the same situation applied to other imported fruits like berries, apples and tangerines. A fruit distributor, Angulu Dangazuwa, said that it was better for him to sell the imported banana than the local banana variety. Hardly can you incur losses on it (imported banana) because it does not get spoilt easily; it sells faster and it is sweeter and readily available, if compared to the local variety, he said. Mr. Dangazuwa said that a box of imported banana with over 40 fingers cost about N2, 500, adding that a similar quantity of the local banana variety, which had a shorter shelf-life, cost about N3, 500. He argued that the home-grown banana was still one of the most expensive fruits in the country nowadays. A fruit seller at the Maitama Fruit Market, who simply identified himself as Abdulkareem, corroborated Mr. Dangazuwas viewpoint. He, however, noted that in spite of the stated qualities of the imported banana, foreigners living in the country still had a preference for the local banana. Mr Uzordima, a banana farmer in Gwagwalada, noted that the growing craze for imported banana had somewhat posed a serious threat to local banana farmers, their productivity and the countrys economy. He also said that the activities of the middlemen had negatively affected banana and plantain cultivation in the country. For a big bunch of plantain which is supposed to be sold for N1,200 or a big bunch of banana that is supposed to be sold at N300; the middlemen would force you to sell them at N800 and N100 respectively, he said. Mr. Uzordima grumbled that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development was apathetic towards the development, while the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) had done little or nothing to prevent smugglers from saturating the countrys markets with imported fruits. He underscored the need for the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and other stakeholders to develop the food and research components of the agricultural sector to enable the sector to cope with emerging challenges. A source at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development confirmed that the government was worried over prevalence of imported fruits in markets across Abuja. The source, who spoke to NAN on condition of anonymity, said that the issue was fast becoming a national embarrassment and a threat to the food security programme of the government. He conceded that the government was conscious of the potential threat of imported banana, particularly in relation to the local banana, the fruits markets and the national economy. He said that the government was working round the clock to curb the illegal importation of fruits into the country. According to the source, the ministry is working in concert with the NCS and the security agencies at the airport, which serves as one of the point of entry for the produce, to curb illicit fruit imports. He said that the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) is also working assiduously to monitor the importation of agricultural produce (plants, fruits and animals) into the country. The source, however, noted that the agencies could not be too rigid with regard to efforts to regulate food imports because Nigeria was a signatory to the protocols of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). He said that Nigeria, which was also a signatory to a protocol on the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures, needed to be more observant concerning the safety and security of food imports. The source said that the ministry was striving to address the challenges hindering the efforts of farmers to boost their productivity. He said that government was adopting a value chain approach to enhance productivity, increase agro processing and facilitate access to markets. All the same, analysts underscore the need for the government to redouble its efforts to curb indiscriminate importation of fruits, particularly those fruits that are widely produced in the country. (NAN) The Nigerian Senate has vowed to ensure the commencement of the implementation of the 2014 National Health Act from the 2018 fiscal year. The Act which was signed into law by former President Goodluck Jonathan stipulates that one per cent of the consolidated revenue fund be set aside for healthcare provision. However, the implementation of the Act was not included in the proposed 2018 budget recently submitted by President Muhammadu Buhari to the federal lawmakers for consideration and approval. Speaking at an event marking the 2017 World AIDS Day at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on primary health care and infectious diseases, Mao Ohuabunwa, said the Senate has resolved to go ahead with the implementation of that Act. The senator who seemed to be informing the government and the general public ahead of the plan, warned that the upper chambers action should not be misconstrued as budget padding. Mr. Ohuabunwa said the Senate was ready to synergise with the Executive arm of government in ensuring proper funding for healthcare in the coming year. Mr President, I have said here that we have resolved as a parliament that in 2018 we are going to implement the National Health Act, 2014, which states that one per cent of consolidated revenue fund should go to basic health care so that we can fund all our health services, including HIV/AIDS, he said. Immediate implementation of the National Act 2014, especially the clause on basic health care provision funds, to free up funds for healthcare services is necessary if the country would take ownership of the HIV/AIDS funding, he said. He reiterated that Nigeria is a signatory to the Abuja Declaration, where African countries agreed to commit not less than 15 per cent of the national budget to health. Speaking on HIV/AIDS, President Muhammadu Buhari reaffirmed his administrations commitment to fighting the scourge. The president, who was represented at the event by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, said he had directed that an additional 50,000 persons be placed on anti-retroviral drugs, ARV, annually starting from 2018. As Nigeria joins the rest of the global community to commemorate the 2017 World AIDS Day, I want to assure you all that the Federal Government appreciates the achievements and challenges related to the fight against HIV/AIDS. I assure you all that my government will give adequate attention to the effective implementation of policies that will promote sustainable development in Nigeria. Our commitment to universal health coverage for all Nigerians aligns with the African Union Roadmap on Shared Responsibility and Global Solidarity to address HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis in an integrated manner. In this vein, we are committed to the African Unions goal to end AIDS and other infectious diseases by 2030. To demonstrate my commitment to this pledge, I have directed an additional 50,000 persons be placed on ARV annually starting from 2018. This is in addition to about 60,000 persons we are catering for in Abia and Taraba states, he said. The burden of HIV on women, young people and babies born with HIV in Nigeria and in sub-Saharan Africa remains a clog in the wheel of our socio-economic development. The federal government is aware that procurement of health commodities from foreign sources is not sustainable for a country with a huge disease burden like Nigeria. In order to overcome this challenge, the federal government is working with relevant stakeholders to provide an enabling environment to promote the local manufacture of health commodities that meet global standards. While calling on state governments and the private sector to support the effort of the government, President Buhari said that though the 2018 budgetary provision for Health will witness a substantial increase, the federal government cannot do it alone. In his speech, the Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, said that the government was working hard to revise the trend of foreign-driven approach to the national HIV programme as more financial resources are being allocated for procurement of rapid test kits and anti-retroviral drugs. This he said will ensure that more HIV positive persons can be placed on free treatment. In his welcome remark, the Director General, National Agency for the Control of Aids, NACA, Sani Aliyu, appealed to state governments to align with the federal governments commitment to increased funding for HIV/AIDS by committing at least 0.5 to 1 per cent of their monthly federal allocations to the fight against HIV/AIDS. This he said can be used to address the unmet needs for HIV/AIDS in their respective states. The federal government cannot bear this burden alone; state governments and the organized private sector must play their part. We certainly need to increase investment in the health of our citizens, optimize our response strategies and strengthen our coordination and accountability frameworks to achieve optimal returns on our investment in health, he said. Scores of protesters on Tuesday morning blocked the Zuba-Kaduna highway in Abuja to protest what they said was the excessive granting of land to the Army in the Nigerian capital. The protesters carried placards with diverse inscriptions and halted movement of traffic on the usually busy highway. The protesters said they are original indigenes of Abuja and that their farmlands had been given to the army without adequate compensation. The vice chairman of Gwagwalada council, Kasimu Muhammed and the Emir of Zuba, Bello Muhammad came to the scene of protest to address the natives appealing to them to not block the highway. According to Mr. Muhammed, a committee has already been set up to discuss the issue. The committee has been set up to discuss this issue. It includes the chief of army staff, the (FCT) Minister and the Emir of Zuba, he said. The Emir of Zuba also expressed shock at the development. According to him, the army should be held responsible if the protest degenerated into a free for all. I expect the Nigerian Army to be law abiding people. If there is any violence in the course of this protest by the youth, the Nigerian Army is to blame because the committee that was set up to deliberate on this matter includes the Chief of Army Staff himself. Resolution has not been reached yet but the Nigerian Army has started working on the land. We are not anti-development, if the federal government wants to cede the land to the Nigerian Army, let there be consultations so that the people are relocated and compensated adequately, he said. A former vice chairman of Zuba, Abdullahi Alhassan, said that it was during the Babangida regime that some parts of the land were ceded to the Nigerian Army to build barracks as a security measure. He said since then, there has never been any official letter from the government to the natives ceding the whole land to the Nigerian Army. The chairman, FCT Koro Youth Association, Adamu Isyaku, said the Nigerian Army had taken over their land which covers areas from the FCT College of Education Zuba to Giri, Iddo and the airport road, without any reason and without due consultations. From FCT College of Education, Tunga-Mage to Giri and Iddo to Airport road all round. The Nigerian Army is taking over our land beqeathed to us by our forefathers without any reasons and consultations. We did not buy this land. We own it as fellow Nigerians have their own lands in other states and local governments. A year ago, we channeled our grievances through our village head, district and paramount chiefs, through the minister to the federal government and the federal government ordered the Nigerian Army to stop the work. They stopped the work. As a result of that, the federal government has just constituted and inaugrated a committee. If the indigenes are patiently waiting for the outcome of any resolution by the federal government with regards to this land, then why shouldnt the Nigerian Army patiently wait? He said the protests would continue until the army ceased work on the said land. Effort to speak with the defense spokesperson, Rabe Abubakar, proved abortive as he did not pick his calls. The protesters later dispersed and opened the road for human and vehicular movement again. The Tafawa Balewa Square, the National Arts Theatre and some selected power plants under the National Integrated Power Projects are part of the key national asset the federal government has concluded plans to sell, an official has said. The purpose of the proposed sale is to generate sufficient revenue to finance the countrys annual budgets for the next three years (2018-2020), the Director General of Budget Office, Ben Akabueze, was quoted as saying by The Nation newspaper. The newspaper quoted Mr. Akabueze as saying this when he appeared before the House of Representatives Joint Committees on 2018-2020 Medium Term Expenditure Framework /Fiscal Strategy Paper, MTEF/FSP, on Monday. He also noted that the federal governments non-core assets from the mines and steel sector like houses and estates are part of items slated for sale. According to him, some items for the 2018 budget would be financed from the revenue garnered from sales of the key government assets as well as national parks. He said proceeds from the privatisation of the assets would be used to finance the budget deficit of N2.005 trillion, much of which will be financed through domestic and foreign borrowings. He said that had been factored into the 2018 budget. Nigeria, he said, was generating too little revenue; hence it was expedient to borrow. The official added that the reverse would be the case, if actually the assets were generating revenues. We are generating too little revenue, hence we are borrowing. If we generate enough, borrowing ratio will drop, he said. However, chairman of the joint committee, Babaginda Aliu, frowned at the absence of representatives of the five federal government agencies whom he described as critical to the 2018 budget consideration and passage. He noted that notwithstanding the late submission of the MTEF/ FSP, the committee was committed to streamlining its activities to pass the document and ensure the budget is passed in record time. The Minister of State for Budget and Planning, Zaniab Ahmed; representative of the Governor of Central Bank, Adelabu R.A.; and Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Services, Tunde Fowler; also made presentations during the session. Also present were the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mohammed Dutse, who represented the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun; and the Comptroller-General of Customs, Hameed Ali, who was represented by Deputy Comptroller General of Customs in charge of T&T, Alu S.R. The federal government on Tuesday reiterated its commitment to reward and protect whistle-blowers who provided information that led to recovery of stolen funds or assets. The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, stated this during a visit to the head office of Leadership newspaper in Abuja. Mr. Mohammed, who was responding to a question on the stash of money recovered from an apartment in Ikoyi, Lagos, said the whistle blower would get the due reward. He clarified the compensation modality as contained in the framework, saying any whistle-blower whose information led to recovery of up to N1 billion would receive five per cent of the amount. He said the reward for any amount between N1 billion and N5 billion was five per cent for the first N1 billion and four per cent of the remaining N4 billion. The minister added that any amount above N5 billion would attract 2.5 per cent reward. Mr. Mohammed noted that the policy of government was to keep the identity of whistle blowers secret. He described as unfortunate the situation where more than one person came out as whistle blowers for the Ikoyi recovery. He disclosed that the federal government had come up with comprehensive strategy to tackle violent extremism across the country. He said the strategy was contained in a document entitled Policy Framework and National Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism launched by President Muhammadu Buhari. Mr. Mohammed said the document was developed after consultations with agencies of government, civil society organisations, the media and academia, as well as the international community. He also spoke on the various policies and programmes of government at revamping the economy, building infrastructure and creating jobs. On the fight against corruption, Mr. Mohammed said government was winning the war having succeeded in driving the menace under the table. He hailed Leadership newspaper for carrying out its duties professionally. (NAN) The Adamawa House of Assembly, on Tuesday, passed a bill for the free treatment of accident and terrorism victims by government hospitals in the state. The bill was unanimously adopted and passed after a motion for its third reading by the Majority Leader of the House, Hassan Barguma (APC-Hong) at the House, presided over by the Speaker Kabiru Mijinyawa (APC- Yola South). The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the bill, which abolished police report before treatment, defined accident victims requiring emergency treatment to include those of auto crash, plane crash and fire accident. Others, according to the bill are those involved in flood disaster, armed robbery attack, snake bite, dog bite and rainstorm. From the start of this law, the state shall provide free emergency treatment for all accident and terrorism victims within 24 hours of the occurrence of any of such accident. All the drugs required for the treatment of the accident victims shall be provided free within the first 24 hours of the accident. All terrorism victims shall receive free medical care, drugs and counselling until full recovery. The bill, which established an Accident and Terror Victims Support Committee, said the committee would be responsible for sourcing of funds from government, NGOs and private individuals to realise its mandate. The committee shall open and maintain a bank account known as Accident and Terror Victims Account, wherein all the funds realised from government and donor agencies shall be lodged. The committee shall be responsible for managing the account for the purpose of treatment and support of accident and terror victims, as the Commissioner for Health and Chairman, Hospital Services Management Board, should be signatories to the account. The bill further stated that the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in the state should assist in rescuing road traffic accident victims and deposit them at any of the government hospitals. The FRSC in the state shall not be obliged to write any undertaking in any government owned hospital before road accident victims are treated. The bill also said that the State Government is to provide funds and logistics for the joint patrol of the Hospital Service Management Board and the FRSC in rescuing accident victims. (NAN) The National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, in Jigawa has approved the re-deployment of 52 nursing and pregnant corps members to states of their choice. The state NYSC coordinator, Michael Amolo, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Dutse on Tuesday that the NYSC authority had also approved the re-deployment of 10 other corps members with health challenges. As for now, this is the number of corps members seeking re-deployment; we will listen to those with genuine cases but will not entertain those with flimsy reasons. We will not just allow people to come and go back like that without cogent reasons. According to him, the essence of the NYSC is for national unity and integration. It is mandatory for corps members to stay and serve in places where they are posted for primary assignment so that they can gain experience. The coordinator advised the corps members posted to the state to conduct themselves properly and to respect the culture and traditions of the people. He warned corps members against the indiscriminate use of the social media, adding that anyone found wanting would be sanctioned. (NAN) The Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has confirmed the destruction of over 50 shops after Mondays fire incident at the Yoruba section of Watt market in Calabar. John Inaku, SEMA Director General, who disclosed this after an assessment visit to the area on Tuesday, said the cause of the fire was still unknown. Up till now, the cause of the fire is still unknown; over 50 shops were affected during the tragic incident. I am here on the directives of the State Government to ascertain the cause of the outbreak and to report back so that something can be done to alleviate the plights of the victims. If you take a critical look at the shops, they are closely located. This makes it easy for the fire to spread quickly from one shop to another. My advice to shop owners is that they should always put off their appliances after close of business; this would go a long way to prevent disasters like this, he said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the fire affected mostly electrical, provision, jewellery and book shops in the market. NAN further reports that no casualty was recorded because of the outbreak. (NAN) Cocoa farmers in Nigerian have petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari over the alleged distribution of fake farm inputs by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture. The farmers alleged that the products that were distributed to cocoa farmers in the cocoa growing parts of the country adversely affected the growth and development of the crop when it was applied. The letter dated November 27 and addressed to the president, was signed by members of the executive of the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria, CFAN, including the National President, Raimi Adeniji; Secretary, Adeola Adegoke; National Vice President, South West, Ayodele Joseph; Financial Secretary, Ufono Sunday; and Public Relations Officer, Yerima Mustapha. A copy of the letter which was obtained by PREMIUM TIMES on Monday, noted that the farmers were not consulted on the quality and necessary inputs required to meet their needs before the chemicals were procured. We want to draw the attention of Mr. President, Muhammad Buhari to the ugly economic sabotage perpetuated within the Ministry of Agriculture whereby fake and unwanted inputs were procured for cocoa farmers, the letter read. In fact, the procured inputs, particularly fungicides, had destroyed our cocoa trees and farms. Sir, we have appealed to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture that farmers should be consulted whenever critical issues relating to the procurement of inputs in order to know our demands for the year. We want Mr. President to realise that most of the inputs procured in the past like jute bags, solo sprayer pumps, fungicide and insecticides were rejected by the cocoa farmers as a result of its low standard while those farmers that used part of it regretted their action because of the negative impact on their cocoa farms. Mr. President sir, it is sad to note that cocoa economy that use to feed the nation during the time of the western region has been relegated to the background due to the unpatriotic actions of those people saddled with the responsibility of promoting cocoa production at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture which is affecting the growth of the sector seriously. CFAN further said it had written a letter to the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, to raise the same issues while the President was on medical vacation in the UK and the letter was promptly referred to the Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh, but no action was taken. The group claimed it had also written several letters to Mr. Ogbeh, but did not get any response. On this above experience and explanations, we will therefore appeal to Mr. President to use his power to stop the ongoing procurement exercise on cocoa at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture with immediate effect until consultations are made with us as representatives of the peasant cocoa farmers in Nigeria, the association demanded. It said if the procurement of the inputs was not halted, the farmers would be forced to embark on an open demonstration in protest against the action by the Ministry of Agriculture at the various cocoa producing states of the country. We strongly appeal to Mr. President to move into the matter urgently to save cocoa farmers from untimely deaths due to the havoc caused by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, it added. The group, however, lauded the president for his commitment to the development of agriculture in the Nigeria, especially, cocoa, which was one of his campaign promises. It urged him to save the economy and the future of Nigeria. Responding to PREMIUM TIMES enquiries on the matter, the Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh, regretted the development, saying the ministry would immediately do a review of the situation and discuss with the stakeholders. Mr. Ogbeh, who responded via a text message, stated that the ministry could not have deliberately supplied fake inputs to farmers. I am shocked to learn of this unfortunate development, he said. The ministry will immediately meet with those affected, take samples of the fungicides and investigate the source of supply, find the supplier and compel him or her to account for the damage. The ministry would not deliberately issue chemicals to destroy farmers crops. To what purpose would we do that? We appeal to the farmers to exercise patience and let us conclude investigations before taking appropriate measures to rectify any damage caused. The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Edgar Imohimi, on Tuesday said there can never be hours-long bank robbery operations in the state again. Mr. Imohimi said this at a meeting organised by the Network on Police Reform in Nigeria, NOPRIN, at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos. The meeting was put together to review the draft report of a survey on the implementation of the Lagos state administration of criminal justice law by the Nigeria Police. Represented at the event by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Bolaji Salami, Mr. Imohimi said the era of hour-long robbery operation is long gone in the state as the command has put measures in place to address the situation. Before now, there used to be bank robbery. Robbers used to go to banks with generators and operate for many hours; but that can never happen in Lagos again, he said. He explained that with the provision of armoured tanks and the empowerment of the state rapid response squad, the police have been adequately equipped to secure the people of the state and their property. We have our vehicles stationed in many locations in the state. If you go around Lagos in the night now, you will see the vehicles around, he noted. Earlier, the national coordinator of NOPRIN, Okechukwu Nwanguma, praised the police commissioner for his reforms in the state since he assumed office. Mr. Nwanguma, who said the CP before Mr. Imohimi was reluctant to cooperate with NOPRIN on the survey report, said the new police chief gave the organisation his full support in the course of the draft of the report. He also praised the Lagos State government for blazing the trail in criminal administration law in Nigeria, adding that other states of the federation could emulate the state. The survey report, presented by Raphael Mbaegbu of the Independent Research International, revealed that the Lagos State Police Command fared well in compliance with the state criminal justice law in several areas. It, however, revealed some level of non-compliance in certain areas like detention of suspects among others. Commenting on the report, Mr. Imohimi said the police were stepping up their game to address some of the concerns. Now, every DPO must visit his cells everyday. We hardly arrest by proxy; I will not say we dont do that at all and it is not peculiar to Nigeria because it is done all over the world. We want to be a police that you will be proud of, he said. Irate members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities, SSANU, Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities, NASU, and National Association of Academic Technologist, NAAT locked down the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife on Monday over what they termed a skewed sharing formula in the disbursement of money released for their earned allowances by the federal government. The federal government had, two months ago, released N23 billion for the countrys public universities to settle earned allowances arrears. That amount was part of the N220 billion the government pledged to the schools, as part of a resolution reached to address the last strike action embarked on by staff unions of the universities over the non-implementation of previous agreements. But OAUs share of the money has now caused internal crisis. During a meeting held between the Vice Chancellor, Eyitope Ogunbodede and the unions on Monday, the school proposed 89:11 ratio. That is, the academic staff, ASUU, take 89 per cent, while other unions take 11 per cent. No sooner had the meeting ended than the non-academic staff, NASU, the academic technologists, NAAT, joined by members of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU embarked on protest, which brought parts of the schools routine activities to a halt. The aggrieved staff told PREMIUM TIMES that the sharing formula could not be accepted by their unions because it was too skewed against them. They said they, like ASUU, also fought for the release of the funds. This earned allowance was released by the government and we all fought for it together, said a representative of NAAT who identified himself as Mr. Olusoji. What is good for the goose, is good for the gander. I see no reason why any union should lay claim to a higher percentage of the money. He disclosed a congressional resolution that the protest should not cease, until they yield to our demands and that a letter should be sent to the national body. A member of NASU, Abu Adamu, insisted the money must be shared equally between ASUU and other unions. This is not the first time money will be sent and we will all share it 50:50, said Mr. Mr. Adamu It is not done anywhere. Even before the money will be released for disbursement, all the unions must sign that theyve agreed to the ratio, which we will not do. Im afraid if by tomorrow, it is not addressed, we will end up going on strike. added Mr. Adamu. This was corroborated by the branch chairman of NASU, OAU, Wale Odebunmi, who said, unless there is resolution, a strike action may ensue. The aggrieved staff further told PREMIUM TIMES that there was no letter from the government prescribing the sharing formula. He alleged that purported governments template shown by the management was not duly stamped. Reacting to the development, the Public Relations Officer of the university, Abiodun Olanrewaju, said the school could only urge the protesting staff to embrace peace. We urge everyone to allow peace to reign. Let them come to the round table and let the money be shared, Mr. Olanrewaju said. 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. Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Cloudy. A few flurries are possible. High near 30F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies early will become partly cloudy late. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 22F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Swiss-Belhotel International (SBI) has announced the appointment of Bartlomiej Mart Media Contact Marketing Pro Junction pressrelease@ mpj-pr.com +971 50 697 5146 Marketing Pro Junction+971 50 697 5146 End -- Swiss-Belhotel International (SBI) has announced the appointment of Bartlomiej Mart as the Hotel Manager for Swiss-Belresidences Juffair in Bahrain. Owned by Hassan Lari Property Development & Management, Swiss-Belresidences Juffair is expected to open its doors by 1st April, 2018.Bartlomiej brings over 14 years of outstanding experience in the hospitality industry working with some of the most successful hotels in Europe, USA and the Middle East. His most recent posting was as Director of Operations at Marriott Executive Apartments & Residence Inn in Bahrain where he spent almost six years.Laurent A. Voivenel, Senior Vice President, Operations and Development for the Middle East, Africa and India, Swiss-Belhotel International, said, "We have just setup the pre-opening office for Swiss-Belresidences Juffair under the supervision of our Area General Manager Herve Peyre and delighted to welcome Bartlomiej to our team. We are confident his diverse and multi-property management experience with superb pre-opening expertise will prove to be extremely useful in delivering exceptional guest service at Swiss-Belresidences Juffair."A Polish national, Bartlomiej holds a Master's Degree in European Financial Law. He began his career in the hospitality industry as an F&B Shift Leader at Harrisburg Hershey Marriott in USA in 2003 before moving to Old Course Hotel & Spa in the UK as HSKP Supervisor in 2005. Bartlomiej continued his progress gaining valuable experience in all aspects of the business. He joined back the Marriott group as Sr. HSKP Supervisor at Marriott Executive Apartments in Dubai in 2006 before taking up the role of House-Keeping Manager at JW Marriott Dubai in 2007. Over the years, Bartlomiej won many prestigious awards including 2014 Edge Award (Marriott Global Award for Excellence in Delivering Guest Experiences. Bartlomiej was one of the only 12 winners from Rooms & Spa disciplines from the group's around 4,000 hotels then).Swiss-Belresidences Juffair an upper midscale hotel apartment complex featuring 129 well-appointed two and three bedroom serviced units each equipped with fabulous facilities including a full-fledged kitchen. Enjoying a prime location in the city, in close proximity to popular shopping and dining attractions, the hotel also boasts outstanding recreation and dining facilities such as a swimming pool, a large spa connected with the health club, a mini theatre, a kids club, an all-day-dining restaurant and a deli corner in the lobby.For further information visit http://www.swiss- belhotel.com For media contact:Hina BakhtVice PresidentMPJ (Marketing Pro-Junction)Mob: +971 50 697 5146Email: h.bakht@mpj-pr.comAbout Swiss-Belhotel InternationalSwiss-Belhotel International currently manages a portfolio of more than *145 hotels, resorts and projects located in China, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Australia, New Zealand, Bulgaria, Georgia, Turkey and Tanzania. Awarded Indonesia's Leading Global Hotel Chain for six consecutive years, Swiss-Belhotel International is one of the world's fastest-growing international hotel and hospitality management groups. The Group provides comprehensive and highly professional development and management services in all aspects of hotel, resort and serviced residences. Offices are located in Hong Kong, New Zealand, Australia, Europe, United Arab Emirates. swiss-behotel.com*Numbers may fluctuate German vendor of logistics software commits to Mexican economy and people. Contact Benjamin Riege ***@riege.com Benjamin Riege End -- The decision of Riege Software to establish a branch in Mexico is driven by commitment to the developing economy of Mexico and its people. The decision to choose Queretaro as domicile for the Mexican branch was obvious since it is located at the heart of Mexico's industrial growth area, leading technology companies have their headquarters here and Queretaro provides easy access to other major industrial cities. As Tobias Riege, COO of Riege Software points out: "In compliance with our corporate philosophy of 'Putting people first' our engagement in Mexico furthers our goal of providing user friendly technology from Germany. We also know that global partnerships and cooperation are best energized by local feet on the ground."Principal task of Riege Software MX and its employees is to drive the development and implementation of Mexican-specific features and integrations within Scope and keep it in sync with the rapidly developing logistics industry in Mexico. Scope is the company's innovative TMS product, and designated to boost economic success but also to brighten the worklife of the most important factor in logistics humans. In day-to-day business, Riege Software MX provides all services and support needed on-site, adding a personal touch to the digitized working world. "Regardless of electronic communication and fulfillment, our physical closeness adds the human touch promised by our company mission," states Niels Schellingerhout, Head of Business Development at Riege Software MX.This approach to thought and action enabled Riege Software to add functions and interfaces, in short order, to serve the demand of Mexican customers as well as to fulfill the obligatory and mandatory requirements of Mexican fiscal laws.Currently, the Scope Mexico platform contains an impressive number of local features and functions: Mexican Tax logic, enabling customers to invoice directly out of Scope. The daily automatic download of exchange rates for the Mexican Peso from the Banco de Mexico. The integration of the popular Mexican accounting system CONTPAQi. A feature to validate Mexican tax IDs (RFC). And last but not least, electronic invoicing and stamping (CFDI) to SAT directly from Scope.The first steps have been made. Further steps forward will follow, for the benefit of both Riege Software and Mexican forwarders.About Riege SoftwareRiege Software ( https://www.riege.com/ about/ ) is a leading provider of smart software solutions and services for the cargo industry. Established 1985, the privately-owned company provides products and services to more than 350 customers worldwide with over 5,000 users in 24 countries. Headquartered in Germany, Riege maintains branches in Europe, Asia and the Americas.The company's brand is Scope ( https://www.riege.com/ scope/ ), a smart, innovative Transport Management System for Air Freight, Sea Freight and Customs. Built with effortless, functional features, Scope accelerates all processes and procedures. Since man is the most important link in the entire supply chain, Scope combines form with function and is designed for current and future logistics professionals. Guaranteed to enhance their work-life. The one-of-a-kind experience on December 7th in Chicago will benefit World Bicycle Relief and mobilize the next generation of African students to pursue their dreams Contact Brooke Slezak ***@brookeslezak.com Brooke Slezak End -- World Bicycle Relief, a global non-profit that distributes high quality bicycles in developing countries, announces, an evening of elevated impact on December 7in the West Loop of Chicago. This one-of-a-kind experience aims to inspire guests to support the life-changing work of World Bicycle Relief and mobilize the next generation of African students with bicycles.In rural regions of developing countries, distance is a barrier that prevents students from attending school. It is not uncommon for students to walk two hours to school. Girls must overcome even more challenges than boys, since they are required to perform hours of domestic chores before heading off to school. Additionally, girls also face the threat of sexual assault on the way to school. A bicycle changes all of that. A 2012 Education Report highlights a 28% increase in attendance and a 59% increase in academic performance for students with bicycles.The eveningwill feature a compelling conversation with Aaron and Teddy, two students visiting from Zambia who will share how bicycles have been transformative in their lives. Guests will also experience virtual bike rides with African students, globally infused dishes from Girl and Goat's celebrated chef Stephanie Izard and an exciting Peleton Paddle Raise with incredible auction items. The evening will unfold under the bow-truss roof, exposed-brick wonderland of a secret space hiding just west of the buzz on Randolph Street and is generously sponsored by Akuna Capital, Charles Bush-Joseph, MD at Midwest Orthopedics at Rush, Citizens Bank, Lagunitas Brewing Company, Railroad Financial Corporation Chicago and Sterling Bay Company.The evening coincides with World Bicycle Relief's annual appeal for funds that will provide life-changing bicycles to students living in developing countries. This year's campaign highlights Umoja Secondary School in Eldoret, Kenya, where children of Christian, Muslim and traditional African faiths study together and embody their motto-In this region, Muslim girls typically are not allowed to ride bicycles. When Umoja Secondary School received bicycles in 2016, a group of Muslim and Christian girls, together, chose to challenge the cultural expectations that confined them.These young girls conquered their fears, pushed past cultural constraints and boldly pursued their academic goals on two wheels."Owning a bicycle has changed my life a lot. I have come to face the world. It has helped me be confident. We can be ourselves, not what people want us to be," said Ayan, a student at Umoja Secondary School.World Bicycle Relief is committed to breaking down barriers for students, especially girls, and helping them achieve their educational goals and become change-makers within their communities.Join World Bicycle Relief on December 7th and change the future for thousands of bright, dedicated and passionate students. For more information and to register, visit:Founded in 2005, World Bicycle Relief mobilizes people through The Power of Bicycles. World Bicycle Relief accomplishes its mission by distributing specially designed, high quality bicycles through philanthropic and social enterprise programs. These purpose designed bicycles are built to withstand the challenging terrain and conditions in rural, developing areas. Entrepreneurs use the bicycles to increase productivity and profits. Students attend class more regularly and their academic performances improve. And, health care workers visit more patients in less time, providing better, more consistent care. World Bicycle Relief also promotes local economies and long-term sustainability by assembling bicycles locally and training field mechanics to service the bicycles. To date, World Bicycle Relief has delivered over 375,000 bicycles and trained over 1,800 field mechanics in Africa, Southeast Asia and South America. World Bicycle Relief is a registered nonprofit in USA, Canada, U.K., Australia and Germany, and has assembly facilities in Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Angola.For more information, please visit: http://worldbicyclerelief.org Follow us @PowerOfBicycles and Like us at facebook.com/worldbicyclereliefBrooke Slezakbrooke@brookeslezak.compress@worldbicyclerelief.orgMobile: 917.689.6024 The company also announced the industry-first Volume Virtual Reality (VR) technology that allows physicians to upload patient scan data to D2P and immediately visualize medical datasets in virtual reality without time-consuming pre-processing or segmentation. It produces results similar to those shown on high-end imaging workstations, but is rendered in virtual reality compared to standard flat screens. Visualization in virtual reality greatly enhances 3D understanding of structure and scale and can be used as part of routine examinations, or preoperative planning of surgical procedures. This new technology is available now as part of an integrated application through 3D Systems' D2P offering. New Agreement with Philips Provides Access to 3D Printed Models Also announced today, 3D Systems signed an agreement with Philips to accelerate medical progress in improved planning and patient outcomes. Philips customers now have seamless access to expedite 3D printing to create physical 3D models to help physicians understand patient anatomy that is difficult to visualize, and deliver personalized medicine in the most unique, complex cases. At RSNA, 3D Systems will showcase examples of patient-specific models in three materials, each printed using a different technology, including SLA (Stereolithography) using a biocompatible resin with the ability to highlight vital structures. These models can be sterilized for reference in the operating room. "In just over a decade, 3D printing has made patient-specific anatomical models routine. From pre-surgical planning to using the models as guides in the operating room, these tools have made complex procedures more simple and precise," said Evan Garfein, M.D., chief, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Montefiore Health System. "With the arrival of D2P software we now have advanced software and 3D printers that are accessible to surgeons at the point-of-care. It is the beginning of a new era in personalized medicine and surgical 3D printing." 3D Systems partners with radiologists, surgeons, healthcare professionals, medical device manufacturers, and medical teaching staff to offer a range of precision healthcare solutions, including virtual reality simulators, 3D printed anatomical models, VSP (Virtual Surgical Planning), patient-specific surgical guides, instrumentation and implants. "3D Systems continues to deliver on the growing need of the medical community for innovative and adaptive tools designed to provide better insights, better processes and better outcomes," said Kevin McAlea, executive vice president, general manager, Metals and Healthcare, 3D Systems. "Our extensive and growing offering of precision healthcare and medical 3D printing solutions provides the means and skills for medical professionals to overcome today's challenges and advance the future of patient care." Meet with 3D Systems' precision healthcare experts at the company's booth at RSNA 2017 in Chicago, IL, booth 1717. For more information on 3D Systems' comprehensive healthcare solutions, contact [email protected]. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements made in this release that are not statements of historical or current facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from historical results or from any future results or projections expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In many cases, forward looking statements can be identified by terms such as "believes," "belief," "expects," "may," "will," "estimates," "intends," "anticipates" or "plans" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are based upon management's beliefs, assumptions and current expectations and may include comments as to the company's beliefs and expectations as to future events and trends affecting its business and are necessarily subject to uncertainties, many of which are outside the control of the company. The factors described under the headings "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in the company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as other factors, could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected or predicted in forward-looking statements. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not, and should not be relied upon as a guarantee of future performance or results, nor will they necessarily prove to be accurate indications of the times at which such performance or results will be achieved. The forward-looking statements included are made only as the date of the statement. 3D Systems undertakes no obligation to update or review any forward-looking statements made by management or on its behalf, whether as a result of future developments, subsequent events or circumstances or otherwise. About 3D Systems 3D Systems provides comprehensive 3D products and services, including 3D printers, print materials, on demand manufacturing services and digital design tools. Its ecosystem supports advanced applications from the product design shop to the factory floor to the operating room. 3D Systems' precision healthcare capabilities include simulation, Virtual Surgical Planning, and printing of medical and dental devices as well as patient-specific surgical instruments. As the originator of 3D printing and a shaper of future 3D solutions, 3D Systems has spent its 30-year history enabling professionals and companies to optimize their designs, transform their workflows, bring innovative products to market and drive new business models. More information on the company is available at www.3dsystems.com SOURCE 3D Systems Related Links http://www.3dsystems.com DALLAS, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- This year, ACE Cash Express' annual Give A Little Campaign raised $18,358 in support of the National Down Syndrome Society's (NDSS) mission to be the leading human rights organization for all individuals with Down syndrome. "We're proud to support causes that impact the communities where we work and that our employees are passionate about," said Eric Norrington, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at ACE. The Give A Little Campaign is a national in-store fundraiser that supports charities that are chosen by ACE employees. ACE stores in the Northeastern U.S. chose to support NDSS and raised $18,358, thanks to the generosity of employees and customers. "We are beyond grateful for our partnership with ACE Cash Express," said NDSS President and CEO Sara Hart Weir. "Not only does their support provide NDSS with funds to further our important mission, but they also raise awareness across the country about our organization and promote the importance of inclusion across all aspects of society." The 2017 Give A Little Campaign provided more than $248,000 to charities across the country, including: AdoptAClassroom.org, Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, Autism Speaks, Back on My Feet, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Club, and The Coalition Against Pediatric Pain. This fundraiser is a part of ACE's charitable-giving program, the ACE Community Fund, which has donated more than $11 million to organizations throughout the nation since 2004. About ACE Cash Express ACE Cash Express, Inc. is a leading financial services provider serving consumers online and through a network of retail store locations. ACE provides a range of retail financial products and services including short-term consumer loans, check cashing, prepaid debit cards, money transfers, bill payments and money orders. ACE Cash Express, Inc. is one of the largest owners and operators of check cashing stores in the United States. SOURCE ACE Cash Express Beginning with back-of-house (BOH) complaint tracking in May 2017, AQA rolled out comprehensive data collection automation whereby Church's nearly 1,600 restaurants can systematically and intuitively report product complaints, thus centralizing communication between QA, distribution centers, and suppliers. The AQA system includes an intuitive dashboard that allows Church's QA team to quickly monitor and identify trends in quality issues as they occur, resulting in improved consistency across the brand. "Our team wanted to reduce the extensive labor hours spent doing administrative data input and data management for our company, our restaurants, distribution centers and our suppliers," states Lonita Barron, Senior Director of Quality Assurance at Church's Chicken. "We also were seeking a software company that was committed to our timelines to implement, and dedicated to our success. We wanted a system that was customizable and able to grow with our needs. The AQA team performed beyond our expectations, and has always been willing to do more." With the initial BOH implementation accomplished in under eight weeks, AQA then rolled out a specification tracking system that allows Church's to streamline specification development and manage changes to specs, making any changes visible to all teams and ensure the latest specification standard is always available. In addition, supplier production data is now automated and the AQA software automation system trends non-compliant products, alerting Church's Chicken QA department in real time when a product is out of specification before it makes it to the restaurant. "The mission of AQA is simple," states Eric Graves, Founder and CEO "to empower the restaurant industry with the only software solution that allows restaurants to control and prevent food safety events before they happen, rather than managing the problem after it occurs. We're thrilled with the results Church's Chicken is experiencing and energized knowing Church's is now on the leading edge of food safety and quality control for their industry." To find out more about AQA, visit www.actionableQA.com. About Church's Chicken Founded in San Antonio, TX in 1952 by George W. Church, Church's Chicken is one of the largest quick service restaurant chicken chains in the world. Church's specializes in Original and Spicy Chicken freshly prepared throughout the day in small batches that are hand-battered and double-breaded, Tender Strips, sandwiches, honey-butter biscuits made from scratch and freshly baked, and classic, home-style sides all for a great value. Church's (along with its sister brand Texas Chicken outside the Americas) has approximately 1,600 locations in 27 countries and international territories and system-wide sales of more than $1 billion. For more information, visit www.churchs.com. About Actionable Quality Assurance Actionable Quality Assurance (AQA) is a scientific data analytics company providing a digital automated platform to minimize food safety risks. It is the only software solution built specifically to simplify quality assurance and food safety management for the restaurant industry. For more information on Actionable Quality Assurance, please visit www.actionableQA.com. SOURCE Actionable Quality Assurance Related Links http://www.actionableQA.com NEW YORK, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Holborn Corporation (Holborn), a U.S.-based independent reinsurance broker, announced today that its Board has elected Adam Manus, 46, to the position of President and Chief Brokerage Officer, effective immediately. Adam is based in the firm's office in New York City. Frank Harrison, 58, will continue in his role as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. Mr. Manus has been an instrumental member of Holborn's team, previously serving as Executive Vice President where he focused on leading client relations, production and served as head of analytics. He was also Chair of the firm's Franchise Operating Committee, where he helped steer strategic planning. Joining the firm in 1993, Mr. Manus' tenure with Holborn spans more than two decades. Mr. Harrison said, "Holborn's success as an independent reinsurance firm has been due to our commitment to teamwork and client service, and no individual embodies these principles like Adam. For nearly 25 years, Adam has been a dedicated leader and client service practitioner. He has vast understanding of our role in the market and our unique position as an advocate and true partner for our clients. This is an exciting time for me and our firm as we draw closer to our Centennial in 2020, and I am pleased to have Adam taking on this role in helping us serve our clients while driving Holborn forward." Mr. Manus said, "I am thrilled to have the opportunity to take on this role at Holborn and help perpetuate Holborn's model for success. While industry challenges evolve, and Holborn's innovative offerings adapt, our commitment to teamwork and long-term relationships remains the same. I am excited to take on this position and work alongside Frank, who has been a tremendous leader and mentor, together with the rest of our dedicated team members in perpetuating our values and future growth." Mr. Manus graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Hamilton College, with a B.A. in Economics. He earned an M.B.A. at New York University's Stern School of Business, and is an Associate in Reinsurance. He is a board member of the New York Road Runners and has been active with the organization for nearly two decades. About Holborn Holborn Corporation (Holborn) is a privately held independent reinsurance brokerage firm established in 1920. With a commitment to integrity and a focus on long-term client relationships, Holborn's offerings include advanced analytic tools, global market access and responsive reinsurance services. Through the adoption of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) in 1998, Holborn became exclusively owned by its employees. For additional information, please visit www.holborn.com. SOURCE Holborn Corporation Related Links http://www.holborn.com DENVER, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, AdvisorLoans released their Advisor Lending Guide eBook. The eBook is available at no cost to either advisors or firms. It can be read online at AdvisorLoans.com/financial-advisor-RIA-Lending-Guide-eBook, saved as a PDF, or printed. Financial Advisors, RIAs, and firms now have an available lending guide written specifically for independent advisors seeking loans for acquisitions, partner buyouts, working capital, and business debt consolidation. There are a growing number of SBA and conventional commercial lenders entering (or dipping their toe) into advisor niche lending. Having more loan programs and lender options benefits an independent Financial Advisor or RIA who owns and operates an advisory business. But every lending option comes with its own set of intricacies. "The evolving lending choices has created industry confusion in which lenders, programs, structures and loan types are available, and which combination provides the most ideal loan for the advisor," said Darin Manis, a Partner at AdvisorLoans. SBA loans for example can become complex when different lenders have different underwriting criteria from both each other, and the SBA program itself. "The independent channel needed a lending eBook to bring clarity to the Financial Advisor and RIA lending landscape so we created one," added Manis. The Advisor Lending Guide eBook provides a lending resource for the Financial Advisor industry niche. The guide educates advisors on available options, structures, and reveals the "behind the curtain" look at the lending process. AdvisorLoans will continue to edit and revise as new options become available and as current options modify their requirements and offering. AdvisorLoans created an eBook they hope advisors don't take the time to read, at least not every word. Manis explains, "We would rather advisors and field leadership to just call us. Our Loan Advisor to the Financial Advisor model was created so advisors don't feel they have to read an eBook like this to get the most ideal loan for them." About AdvisorLoans: AdvisorLoans (http://www.advisorloans.com) operates an open architecture platform of lenders providing cash flow loans to Financial Advisors and RIAs. Their Loan Advisor model focuses on doing what's in the best interest of the advisor rather than the lender. AdvisorLoans packages loans internally and navigates the entirety of the process for the advisor. AdvisorLoans services are at no cost to advisors. See website for details. Darin Manis [email protected] 970-646-1100 SOURCE AdvisorLoans Related Links http://www.advisorloans.com Bono, co-founder, (RED), said; "Half a billion dollars to prevent and treat AIDS now that's a reason to punch the sky. When Bobby Shriver and I started (RED) just over a decade ago we had big goals, but even our big heads couldn't have dreamed up a number like that. This achievement belongs to the (RED) companies and consumers who have supported (RED) and raised a load of money and a load of awareness about AIDS - which is more the point because our experience is if there isn't heat and excitement around an issue, big government budgets get cut and people die." (RED) is fortunate to have had the transformational support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which has generously provided matching funds for key campaigns to multiply the impact of individual and corporate donations. For the third year in a row, the Gates Foundation will be matching every dollar raised for (RED)'s SHOPATHON, up to $15 million. Jimmy Kimmel Live! turns (RED) tonight For the third year running, Jimmy Kimmel is generously donating his show to support (RED)'s Shopathon. Bono, Ashton Kutcher, Bryan Cranston, Kristen Bell, DJ Khaled and more will all appear on the show packed with live music, interviews and irreverent holiday shopping fun to fight AIDS. The Jimmy Kimmel Live! (RED) Special airs November 28th, 11.35pm ET / 10.35 CET on ABC. "I am honored and excited to host our Third Annual (RED) special again this year to continue the fight to end AIDS with help from some of the shiniest stars in the world" said Jimmy Kimmel. U2, Charlize Theron, Reese Witherspoon & TAEYEON among stars offering winnable experiences on Omaze Bringing further heat to the AIDS fight, (RED) is once again teaming-up with fundraising platform Omaze, to offer fans chances to win extraordinary experiences with their favorite stars, for as little as a $10 donation. Winnable (SHOPATHON)RED experiences on Omaze.com/RED include: Swing into action and play mini golf with U2's Bono, The Edge, Adam and Larry Get you're a** kicked by Charlize Theron at a workout session at a workout session Hit the red carpet with Reese Witherspoon at the premiere of 'A Wrinkle In Time' at the premiere of 'A Wrinkle In Time' Head to Seoul with K-Pop sensation, TAEYEON, for the ultimate music, food & fun experience Buy gifts that keep giving with more than 150 spectacular (RED) products on Amazon.com/RED (RED) and Amazon have teamed-up for special holiday shopping offering brilliant (RED) products that raise money for the Global Fund to fight AIDS. Shoppers can choose from more than 150 (RED) products including fashion, cosmetics, kitchen goods, tech and more at Amazon.com/RED or via the Amazon App. Sharing smart ways to shop and give back, stars including Neil Patrick Harris, Tyra Banks, DJ Khaled, Ricardo Kaka, Allison Williams, Javier Munoz, Jay Ellis, and Yvonne Orji highlight their favorite (RED) products to give and get - on Amazon.com/RED. As the Official Payment Provider of (SHOPATHON)RED, long-standing (RED) partner Bank of America is making every dollar spent go even further. For every dollar spent on Amazon.com/RED from November 20 until December 31, Bank of America will donate 30 cents the daily cost of life-saving HIV/AIDS medication in sub-Saharan Africa - up to $1.5 million. CONTACT: [email protected] SOURCE (RED) Related Links http://red.org TEL AVIV, Israel, November 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Aidoc, a leading AI startup utilizing deep learning to augment radiologists' workflow and highlight anomalous cases, which are often highly urgent, today announced that it received CE (Conformite Europeenne) marking for the world's first commercial head and neck deep learning medical imaging solution. CE marking allows for widespread commercialization of Aidoc's solution in Europe. Aidoc's solution augments radiologists' workflow through its unique ability to comprehensively detect abnormalities in imaging of both the head and neck, an anatomical area responsible for a major portion of medical images. Providing significant value for day-to-day diagnosis, time saved by Aidoc's solution could be extremely impactful in trauma cases, where time can be the difference between the patient's life and death. Aidoc's deep learning technology highlights a vast array of medical findings to help radiologists prioritize readings, aimed at facilitating interpretation and reducing time to decision when it matters most. Radiologists can now perform smart optimization of their worklist by prioritizing cases based on AI medical image analysis in conjunction with other clinically available data. Aidoc's solution is agnostic to radiologists' incumbent software, integrating seamlessly and providing immediate results. "The amount of medical imaging - especially CT and MR scans - is increasing dramatically, but the number of radiologists has plateaued, creating unsustainable bottlenecks and making the radiologist's already complex work even more challenging," said Aidoc CEO Elad Walach. "Our technology can have a monumental impact augmenting the radiology workflow, aimed at more cost-effective treatment for medical centers and practices, and the healthcare system as a whole. With the CE mark, we have a unique opportunity to update outdated technology for the benefit of hundreds of millions of Europeans." The CE marking was based on data collected in clinical trials validating Aidoc's precision, which compared the solution's results to unassisted radiologists' review of those cases. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles also assessed Aidoc's solution earlier this year and that study resulted in impressive accuracy in scan analysis. "In our clinical trial, Aidoc's technology has demonstrated its ability to enhance our radiologists' workflow, as abnormal scans can be prioritized and more carefully reviewed," said Dr. Barry D. Pressman, MD, Chairman of Imaging at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. "Our firsthand experience has led me to believe in the technology's potential to achieve a significant increase in our radiologists' productivity and accuracy. It's a win both for our physicians and our patients. Aidoc's AI powered solution will help our radiologists be their best, and streamline their workflow." About Aidoc Aidoc is a smart radiology company utilizing the most advanced innovations in deep learning and artificial intelligence to augment radiology, with the goal of cutting healthcare costs without sacrificing quality results. Using patent pending technology, Aidoc's state-of-the-art solution analyzes all relevant imaging and clinical data, providing radiologists with highly accurate detection, streamlining workflow and breaking through bottlenecks by allowing them to focus on what they do best, diagnosis. With a team of leading technology experts and industry thought-leaders, Aidoc's vision is to help millions get quicker, highly accurate imaging results. Aidoc is based in Tel-Aviv, Israel. For further information, visit https://aidoc.com/ Contact : Joel Strauss Headline Media [email protected] +1-917-595-2309 SOURCE Aidoc ALLENTOWN, Pennsylvania, November 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- American Energy Partners, Inc. (OTC: AEPT) (the "Company", "American Energy" or "AEPT"), a diversified energy company, today announces that it has retained Aqua Terra Asset Management, LLC ("Aqua Terra"), an affiliate of Boenning and Scattergood, Inc. to provide investment banking services to American Energy. "American Energy will seek companies within the middle market of the Oil and Gas services sector and that can be vertically integrated within our existing cross-selling platform. Within this arrangement American Energy will focus on energy acquisitions in the five (5) million to twenty (20) million range," states American Energy's Chairman and CEO, Brad Domitrovitsch. "The Company is very pleased to have retained a leading investment banking firm to assist the company with important strategic decisions. After extensive meetings with the investment bank management is assured that it has made a first-rate decision that could materially benefit shareholders." About Aqua Terra Aqua Terra is an affiliate of Boenning and Scattergood, Inc. Established in 1914, Boenning & Scattergood, Inc. is one of the oldest independent securities, asset management and investment banking firms in the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest Regions. Professionals at our firm provide individual investors, corporate and municipal clients and institutions a full complement of financial services including retail brokerage, equity research, equity and fixed income sales and trading, investment banking, public finance, equity option strategy and asset management. For additional information, visit: https://www.boenninginc.com/ American Energy Partners, Inc. (AEPT) AEPT and its group of companies focus on providing solutions in markets where energy production and water meet technology. Collectively, the subsidiaries are engaged in the energy sector as well as the design, construction and operation of regional water treatment facilities that serve the industrial, energy and government sectors. Hydration Corporation of PA, LLC ("HCPA") is engaged in the businesses of water exploration, water augmentation, and the treatment of impacted waters. Notably, its intellectual property delivers one of the highest energy yields from a broad range of water-bearing assets, with one of the lowest capital expenditures of any other known water processes. American Energy Solutions, LLC provides treatment technologies that contribute to HCPA's business model of low-cost treatment and distribution. As a provider of design, this subsidiary is capable of repeatable and synergistic services across the value chain. Gilbert Oil & Gas Company is leveraging broad industry valuation experience to source drilling, operating, and partnership opportunities in the upstream oil and gas space. It is positioned to become a strong customer of AEPT's other subsidiaries while providing them with the foundation to attract other customers and enter new markets. For additional information, visit: http://americanenergy-inc.com. Safe Harbor This press release contains forward-looking statements, particularly as related to, among other things, the business plans of AEPT, statements relating to goals, plans and projections regarding AEPT's financial position and business strategy. The words or phrases "would be," "will allow," "intends to," "may result," "are expected to," "will continue," "anticipates," "expects," "estimate," "project," "indicate," "could," "potentially," "should," "believe," "think", "considers" or similar expressions are intended to identify "forward-looking statements." These forward-looking statements fall within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934 and are subject to the safe harbor created by these sections. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, involve known and unknown risks, a reliance on third parties for information, transactions or orders that may be cancelled, and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in our industry, to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results include risks and uncertainties related to the fluctuation of global economic conditions, the performance of management and our employees, our ability to obtain financing, competition, general economic conditions and other factors that are detailed in our periodic reports and on documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements made herein are as of the date of this press release and should not be relied upon as of any subsequent date. AEPT cautions readers not to place undue reliance on such statements. AEPT does not undertake, and AEPT specifically disclaims any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect occurrences, developments, unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statement. Actual results may differ materially from AEPT's expectations and estimates. Company Contact: [email protected] Brad J. Domitrovitsch 610-217-3275 [email protected] http://www.americanenergy-inc.com SOURCE American Energy Partners, Inc. AGOURA HILLS, Calif., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- American Homes 4 Rent (NYSE: AMH), a leading provider of high quality single-family rental homes ("the Company"), today posted the revised "Home Price Appreciation Factor" and "Home Price Appreciation Amount" through September 30, 2017, as those terms are defined in the final prospectus for the Company's 5.5% Series C Participating Preferred Shares (NYSE: AMHPRC). The computations of these amounts are based on the results of the House Price Index of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, or FHFA, known as the Quarterly Purchase-Only Index, or POI, specifically the non-seasonally adjusted "Purchase-Only Index" for the "100 Largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas" as of September 30, 2017, which was released November 28, 2017. Based on the weighting among our top 20 markets established under the terms of our 5.5% Series C Participating Preferred Shares, cumulative home price appreciation for the period from December 31, 2013 to September 30, 2017 was 29.72%, resulting in a Home Price Appreciation Factor of 14.86%. The Home Price Appreciation Amount on our 5.5% Series C Participating Preferred Shares through September 30, 2017 was $3.715. The computation of these amounts appears at the end of this press release and has also been posted to the "For Investors" page of the Company's website. The Company anticipates announcing the next update to these amounts in approximately three months. About American Homes 4 Rent American Homes 4 Rent is a leader in the single-family home rental industry and "American Homes 4 Rent" is fast becoming a nationally recognized brand for rental homes, known for high quality, good value and tenant satisfaction. We are an internally managed Maryland real estate investment trust, or REIT, focused on acquiring, renovating, leasing, and operating attractive, single-family homes as rental properties. As of September 30, 2017, we owned 50,015 single-family properties in selected submarkets in 22 states. Additional information about American Homes 4 Rent is available on our website at www.americanhomes4rent.com. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements." These forward-looking statements relate to beliefs, expectations or intentions and similar statements concerning matters that are not of historical fact and are generally accompanied by words such as "estimate," "project," "predict," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "potential," "plan," "goal" or other words that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. Examples of forward-looking statements contained in this press release include the anticipated timing of the next update of the Home Price Appreciation Amount. The Company has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations and assumptions about future events. While the Company's management considers these expectations to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to risks, contingencies and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company's control and could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to conform to actual results or changes in its expectations, unless required by applicable law. For a further description of the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to the business of the Company in general, see the "Risk Factors" disclosed in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in the Company's subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Contact: American Homes 4 Rent Investor Relations Phone: (855) 794-2447 Email: [email protected] Measurement of Aggregate HPA Amount Per 5.5% Series C Participating Preferred Share September 30, 2017 December 31, 2013 September 30, 2017 Metropolitan Statistical Area Relative Weighting Applied in Determining HPA Actual POI Value (1) Assigned Baseline Value Actual POI Value POI Value Relative to Dec 31, 2013 Baseline Dallas Plano Irving, TX 4.754% 198.79 100 281.10 41.41% Fort Worth Arlington, TX 4.754% 186.40 100 254.37 36.46% Indianapolis, IN 8.880% 165.40 100 202.09 22.18% Greater Chicago Area, IL 7.679% 185.58 100 215.09 15.90% Atlanta, GA 7.545% 179.66 100 241.75 34.56% Nashville, TN 6.390% 237.75 100 322.32 35.57% Houston, TX 6.312% 251.00 100 299.02 19.13% Cincinnati, OH 6.119% 166.16 100 204.21 22.90% Salt Lake City, UT 5.495% 323.59 100 427.09 31.98% Tampa, FL 5.361% 218.28 100 304.30 39.41% Charlotte, NC 5.354% 193.47 100 244.41 26.33% Phoenix, AZ 5.270% 247.72 100 325.47 31.39% Jacksonville, FL 4.776% 216.03 100 289.09 33.82% Las Vegas, NV 4.371% 149.08 100 209.66 40.64% Raleigh, NC 4.040% 198.65 100 251.16 26.43% Columbus, OH 3.167% 180.44 100 233.38 29.34% Orlando, FL 3.036% 181.11 100 255.76 41.22% Tucson, AZ 1.867% 216.99 100 265.78 22.48% Greensboro, NC 1.789% 157.21 100 183.00 16.40% Austin, TX 1.550% 317.68 100 442.33 39.24% San Antonio, TX 1.490% 227.56 100 295.44 29.83% Cumulative HPA 0.00% 29.72% HPA Factor (50% Cumulative HPA) 0.00% 14.86% HPA Amount $ 3.715 (1) Actual POI Value as of December 31, 2013 represents the value as published in the POI for each market as of April 1, 2014 and will remain constant for purposes of calculating the HPA Amount, notwithstanding any subsequent revisions by the FHFA. SOURCE American Homes 4 Rent Related Links https://www.americanhomes4rent.com TOKYO, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE: 4503, President and CEO: Yoshihiko Hatanaka, "Astellas") today announced new data in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) research, including preliminary results from a Phase 1 study of the investigational agent gilteritinib in combination with induction and consolidation chemotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed AML, it will present at the 2017 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting. The wide selection of abstracts showcases the company's full-scale development program across the FLT3 mutation-positive (FLT3mut+) AML care continuumfrom newly-diagnosed to relapsed or refractory patients. "This research further shows FLT3 mutations are one of the most commonly occurring mutations in AML, and we are pleased to be continuing our commitment to addressing the needs of AML patients," said Steven Benner, M.D., senior vice president and global therapeutic area head, Oncology Development, Astellas. "Further, we're pleased to showcase additional data that examines the cost of care as well as healthcare utilization in the current treatment of FLT3mut+ AML." The following abstract will be presented during an oral presentation session: Title: Preliminary Results from a Phase 1 Study of Gilteritinib in Combination with Induction and Consolidation Chemotherapy in Subjects With Newly Diagnosed Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) (Abstract 722) Presenter: Keith W. Pratz, M.D., John Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore Session Date/Time: Monday, December 11, 3:00 p.m. EST Location: Building B, Level 5, Murphy BR 1-2 In addition to the oral presentation, Astellas will present the following five abstracts during poster sessions: Title: Treatment Patterns and Healthcare Resource Utilization in Patients with FLT3-mut and FLT3-wt Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Multi-country Medical Chart Study (Abstract 2186) Lead Author: James D. Griffin, M.D. Session Date/Time: Saturday, December 9, 5:30-7:30 p.m. EST Location: Building A, Level 1, Hall A2 Title: Comparative Assessment of FLT3 Variant Allele Frequency by Capillary Electrophoresis and Next-Generation Sequencing in FLT3mut+ Patients with Relapsed/Refractory (R/R) Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) who Received Gilteritinib Therapy (Abstract 1411) Lead Author: Catherine C. Smith, M.D. Session Date/Time: Saturday, December 9, 5:30-7:30 p.m. EST Location: Building A, Level 1, Hall A2 Title: Real-World Occurrence of Symptoms and Toxicities and Associated Cost Implications in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Treatment Episodes: A Retrospective Database Analysis in the U.S. (Abstract 2118) Lead Author: Bhavik Pandya, Pharm.D. Session Date/Time: Saturday, December 9, 5:30-7:30 p.m. EST Location: Building A, Level 1, Hall A2 Title: Evaluation of the Impact of Minimal Residual Disease, FLT3 Allelic Ratio, and FLT3 Mutation Status on Overall Survival in FLT3 Mutation-Positive Patients with Relapsed/Refractory (R/R) Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) in the CHRYSALIS Phase 1/2 Study (Abstract 2705) Lead Author: Mark J. Levis, M.D., Ph.D. Session Date/Time: Sunday, December 10, 6:00-8:00 p.m. EST Location: Building A, Level 1, Hall A2 Title: Economic Burden of Treatment Episodes in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Patients in the U.S.: A Retrospective Analysis of a Commercial Payer Database (Abstract 4694) Lead Author: Bruno C. Medeiros, M.D. Session Date/Time: Monday, December 11, 6:00-8:00 p.m. EST Location: Building A, Level 1, Hall A2 About Gilteritinib Gilteritinib is an investigational compound that has demonstrated inhibitory activity against FLT3 internal tandem duplication (ITD) as well as FLT3 tyrosine kinase domain (TKD), two common types of FLT3 mutations that are seen in approximately one-third of all patients with AML. Further, gilteritinib has also demonstrated inhibition of the AXL receptor in AML cell lines, which has been reported to be associated with therapeutic resistance. Astellas is currently investigating gilteritinib in various AML patient populations through several Phase 3 trials. Visit AstellasAMLTrials.com to learn more about ongoing gilteritinib clinical trials. Gilteritinib was discovered through a research collaboration with Kotobuki Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and Astellas has exclusive global rights to develop, manufacture and potentially commercialize gilteritinib. Gilteritinib has been granted Orphan Drug designation and Fast Track designation by the U.S. FDA, and SAKIGAKE designation by the Japan Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. The safety and efficacy of the agent discussed herein are under investigation and have not been established. There is no guarantee that the agent will receive regulatory approval and become commercially available for the uses being investigated. Information about pharmaceutical products (including products currently in development), which is included in this press release are not intended to constitute an advertisement or medical advice. About Astellas Astellas Pharma Inc., based in Tokyo, Japan, is a company dedicated to improving the health of people around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceutical products. We focus on Urology, Oncology, Immunology, Nephrology and Neuroscience as prioritized therapeutic areas while advancing new therapeutic areas and discovery research leveraging new technologies/modalities. We are also creating new value by combining internal capabilities and external expertise in the medical/healthcare business. Astellas is on the forefront of healthcare change to turn innovative science into value for patients. For more information, please visit our website at www.astellas.com/en. Cautionary Notes In this press release, statements made with respect to current plans, estimates, strategies and beliefs and other statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements about the future performance of Astellas. These statements are based on management's current assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to it and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: (i) changes in general economic conditions and in laws and regulations, relating to pharmaceutical markets, (ii) currency exchange rate fluctuations, (iii) delays in new product launches, (iv) the inability of Astellas to market existing and new products effectively, (v) the inability of Astellas to continue to effectively research and develop products accepted by customers in highly competitive markets, and (vi) infringements of Astellas' intellectual property rights by third parties. Information about pharmaceutical products (including products currently in development) which is included in this press release is not intended to constitute an advertisement or medical advice. SOURCE Astellas Pharma Inc. Related Links http://www.astellas.com/en TEL AVIV, Israel, November 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Israeli Medical Cannabis Company Bazelet has completed a fully GMP complying new manufacturing plant with a large production capacity, sufficient to serve all medical cannabis needs of 100,000 patients. Manufacturing will use state-of-the-art, industrialized, proprietary technologies designed to provide high quality, accurate and carefully consistent products. Production in the new plant will start in Q1 of 2018 to meet increasing demand in Israel and foreseen export options. Meir Ariel, CEO of Bazelet commented: "On completion of the new plant, Bazelet reaches new peaks of capacity and quality and becomes a key player in the medical cannabis world. We are using the best technology, science, experience, innovation, and care to provide our patients with the best solutions to their needs. We look forward to exporting our excellent products to the rapidly opening new markets." In designing and constructing its new plant, Bazelet has engaged the best engineering, equipment, air-control and safety expertise to ensure smooth, accurate, automatic and reliable production. Bazelet will operate according to GMP (good manufacturing practices) at the new premises. The plant features several clean rooms for special products and will operate with a drying and curing capacity sufficient to treat 300-400 tons of cannabis per year and with extraction capacity at around 60 tons per year. Bazelet has a strong and innovative R&D team of scientists and experts from a range of fields including chemistry, biology, neurology, analytical chemistry, pharmacology, herbal treatment, plant extracts, and bee's science. It is well networked in the Israeli scientific community, including university labs and university hospitals. Bazelet's team uses its science, diversity, creativity, vast patient knowhow and proprietary manufacturing knowledge to best serve its patients, to further improve production, to form new products and delivery methods and to explore new applications for its products. This work has led so far to 14 provisional patent applications, with seven of them in the PCT stage. A recent product of Bazelet's innovative R&D group are new cannabis formulations directed to enhance the therapeutic effect in an array of conditions, including treatment of pain, anxiety, various neurological conditions, auto-immune diseases, conditions related to women health and wellness and conditions characterizing geriatric populations. Another set of formulations is directed to the treatment of children, including cases of epilepsy and autism, aiming to reduce putative long-term effects in this population. Those formulations are based on cannabis enrichment with particular terpene blends, specific for each indication. Bazelet's first patent application in this field was published recently, the International Search Report (ISR) promisingly found all claims possessed Utility, Novelty, and an Inventive Step. "I am proud of our diverse, innovative and fruitful R&D team. Our new terpene-enriched products are tailored to the specific needs of the various groups of patients for improved therapeutic effects," said Prof. Aharon (Ari) Eyal, CSO at Bazelet. Intellectual property has also covered extraction methods, a cannabis-based veterinary composition for improving the health of bees and a honey-cannabinoid composition. Find out more about Bazelet: https://www.bazelet-n.com. About Bazelet Bazelet is an Israeli medical cannabis company that was founded five years ago. Bazelet currently processes crops from half of Israeli's eight licensed farms to serve the needs of 10,000 medical cannabis patients, around 40% of licensed users in Israel. Bazelet securely delivers its products to the homes of thousands of patients every month. In its portfolio, Bazelet has a range of 50 different cannabis strains and 20 different oils. It runs an in-house laboratory to analyze its products confirming their composition, quality, and reproducibility. Bazelet talks to and personally meets thousands of patients every month, starting with the guidance of newly-licensed patients on how to correctly use their medical cannabis. It gets to know its patients' medical needs and personal conditions (age, other medications, lifestyle, etc.) and uses that to guide them on selecting the most suitable strains and delivery method for their needs. Bazelet employs highly-experienced pharmacists, naturopaths and herbal-treatment experts to provide the best advice to patients. Bazelet has leadership teams focusing on special clients' communities, including autistic and epileptic children, women wellbeing and geriatric medicine. For more information, please contact: [email protected] +972-722-288-646 SOURCE Bazelet MELBOURNE, Fla., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- BestOnlineCasinos.io (BOCIO) is a new gambling guide moving forward with its rankings of the best online casinos in 2018. BestOnlineCasinos.io reviews online casinos based on their location/category with rankings for USA, UK, Euro, Canada and Bitcoin casino players. Read through the online gambling FAQs section to find answers to the most frequently asked questions about playing at Internet casinos. BestOnlineCasinos.io explains the different kinds of online casino bonuses available to online gamblers. Learn about the differences between welcome bonus offers, reload bonuses and no deposit casino bonus offers. People located in the United States will find top 3 rankings of online casinos accepting USA players. Gamblers from the United Kingdom have reviews of the best UK casinos for playing slot machines, blackjack, video poker and other real money casino games. BestOnlineCasinos.io also ranks the top 3 casinos for European players, Canadian players and Bitcoin gamblers. Learn what to look for when choosing an online casino to gamble with and find out which casino software platforms are trusted for gambling on the Internet. BetSoft, IGT, Microgaming, NetEnt Playtech, Realtime Gaming, Rival and Saucify are online gambling software providers that come highly recommended by BOCIO and it encourages people to play at a casino operating on one of these platforms since they have their software audited for gaming fairness and random outcomes. The website has an educational blog with useful information on how to choose the best online casino sites. It also provides helpful betting advice for playing at casinos on the Internet. Their goal is to help people find secure online gambling sites for wagering on casino games like baccarat, blackjack, craps, roulette, slots and video poker. BestOnlineCasinos.io provides online casino rankings and objective reviews for Internet casino players. Stay informed with blog posts about new online casinos, rouge casinos and new casino games being released. Visit the About Us page to learn more about what sets their website apart from other Internet casino guides. Media contact: Benjamin Ogden BestOnlineCasinos.io 4077582138 http://bestonlinecasinos.io/ SOURCE BestOnlineCasinos.io Related Links http://bestonlinecasinos.io Over his illustrious career, Barke has held a number of executive roles, including CEO of Pearson's Addison-Wesley group, Executive Chairman of Pearson's higher education business in the U.S. and Canada, Chairman of Pearson Canada and President of Allyn & Bacon. Since stepping down from Pearson in 2014, he remains involved in the education industry focusing on education companies that combine digital disruption with a social mission. "I am honored to join the Board of Directors of Academic Partnerships," said Barke. "I have watched AP grow to a dominant force in the industry and admired its razor focus on assisting public institutions in the delivery of affordable, accessible and high-quality higher education to working adults." Randy Best, Chairman of the Board of Academic Partnerships commented, "Bill's deep industry experience and alignment with AP's focus on accessibility and affordability of higher education for mature students makes him a perfect collaborator for our board. We are all looking forward to learning from his insights and knowledge." In addition to serving on the board of Academic Partnerships, Barke serves or has previously served on the boards of StudyPortals, Sagence Learning, Flat World Knowledge, Jumpstart and The National Academy Foundation. He has advised Knewton, Ellevation Education and Advent International. He also mentors students in the Year Up program. About Academic Partnerships Academic Partnerships is a leading online service provider for higher education globally. The company assists universities in converting their on-campus degree programs into an online format, recruits qualified students for those programs, and supports enrolled students through graduation. Serving public and private not-for-profit universities in the United States and top international institutions, Academic Partnerships is guided by the principle that the opportunities presented through technology-aided learning make higher education more accessible and affordable. The company was founded by a group of social entrepreneurs who have spent nearly 20 years developing innovative learning solutions to improve education. For more information, please visit www.academicpartnerships.com. Media Contact: Molly Casey 214-210-4017 SOURCE Academic Partnerships Related Links http://www.academicpartnerships.com WASHINGTON, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Senate Banking Committee voted today to confirm Brian Montgomery as the next commissioner at the Federal Housing Administration. National Association of Realtors President Elizabeth Mendenhall, a sixth-generation Realtor from Columbia, Missouri and CEO of RE/MAX Boone Realty said FHA's mission is critical to first-time homebuyers. She singled out lower- and middle-income borrowers, especially young buyers, as those most in need of FHA's assistance and issued the following statement: NAR President, Elizabeth Mendenhall "It's no secret that affordability concerns are standing in the way of otherwise creditworthy homebuyers all across the country. Millennials, and first-time buyers especially, depend on FHA for a safe low-down-payment option to help make that important first entry point into homeownership. "Realtors believe FHA's work to help those buyers is absolutely critical, and for that reason we need solid leadership guiding the way. Brian Montgomery is ready to do the job on day one, having already served in the position under presidents from both parties. He understands the issues and the challenges our country has ahead of us, and Realtors are excited to see his nomination moving forward." 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. SOURCE National Association of Realtors Related Links http://www.realtor.org STAMFORD, Conn., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Tudor Investment Corporation ("Tudor), a privately-owned investment management company, has leased 24,000 square feet of office space at 200 Elm Street, a Class A office property located in downtown Stamford CT, owned by Building and Land Technology (BLT). Tudor will be occupying space in the B wing of the 200 Elm Street building. Tudor is expected to move in to the property in April 2018. 200 Elm Street, Stamford CT Leasing volume at 200 Elm has remained strong over the last year. In addition to this new lease with Tudor, Henkel Consumer Goods Inc. signed an approximately 155,000 square-foot lease at 200 Elm and RSM, a leading provider of audit, tax and consulting services, secured a 27,800-square-foot lease at the property. "There's a growing excitement about Downtown Stamford right now," said Carl R. Kuehner, III, CEO of BLT. "As the city continues its overall revitalization, the Stamford office market has also strengthened as evidenced by the robust leasing momentum at 200 Elm Street. We're pleased to welcome Tudor to its new headquarters and we believe there is more activity to come for both the Stamford market and 200 Elm Street as the city's transformation continues." Mike Riccardi, President of Tudor, said "We're very excited about our upcoming move to 200 Elm Street in downtown Stamford. It's a great building and the location boasts urban amenities and easy travel access between here and our New York City office at Astor Place. We are well underway with plans for a state-of-the-art trading floor at the newly-renovated and modern Elm Street complex." Brian Carcaterra of CBRE Connecticut represented Tudor in the transaction. 200 Elm is the sister building to 695 East Main, the renovated and reconfigured Class A office complex that formerly housed the headquarters of Gen Re. After acquiring the property in 2012, BLT completed a multi-million-dollar renovation, transforming the vacant corporate property into a fully modernized pair of office buildings with distinct addresses and identities. The two interconnected buildings are surrounded by a private landscaped courtyard and first class shared amenities. Deloitte anchors 695 East Main Street, the Clock Tower Building, where they occupy the majority of the building. 200 Elm Street boasts a spectacular new 4-story atrium grand entrance, modernized elevators, new roofs, new bathrooms, new large conference facility and collaboration areas. Amenities include a full-service cafe with grand rotunda seating area, outdoor central courtyard, full service fitness center managed by Exhale Spa, manned security stations with surveillance, control gates and card key access 24/7/365. 200 Elm/695 E. Main are near the Stamford Transportation Center and adjacent to I-95, convenient for all commuters, and walking distance to shopping centers, hotel and restaurants. Complimentary Trolley service is offered to the Stamford Train Station, Harbor Point and Downtown Stamford. Electric car chargers are available in the parking garage. About Building and Land Technology Building and Land Technology (BLT), founded in 1982, is a privately held real estate developer, manager and private equity firm. BLT is vertically integrated and has invested in, developed, owned and managed in excess of 25 million square feet of commercial, hotel and residential properties across 26 states. BLT is also the largest franchisee of Sotheby's residential real estate brokerage, with 28 offices and 1,000+/- real estate agents. To learn more about BLT visit http://www.bltoffice.com. About Tudor Investment Corporation The Tudor Group ("Tudor") is a privately owned group of affiliated companies engaged in the investment management of client and proprietary assets. Paul Tudor Jones II formed Tudor Investment Corporation, the first of the Tudor Group companies, in 1980. Tudor is active in the global fixed income, currency, equity and commodity markets for an international clientele. Tudor is headquartered in Connecticut with additional offices in New York, London, Singapore and Australia. Contact : Great Ink Communications, Ltd. 212-741-2977 Tom Nolan ([email protected]) Eric Waters ([email protected]) SOURCE Building and Land Technology LOVINGTON, N.M., Nov. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Continental Who's Who recognizes C. Barry Crutchfield as a Pinnacle Professional Member in the Legal field. Crutchfield serves as an Attorney at the firm of Templeman & Crutchfield, P.C. He has served as a managing partner of the firm since 1977, brings over 40 years of legal field experience, as well as expertise in the areas of personal injury and criminal law, to his role. Highly regarded for his work inside the courtroom, Crutchfield has successfully argued his clients' cases to judges and juries, leading to best scenario outcomes. He utilizes both his legal experience as well as his background in the Federal and Military sectors. "I am driven by my passion for achieving justice," Crutchfield said. In addition to his work in law firms, Crutchfield has served as Deputy Counsel for the Governor of Texas, as well as a Military Judge for the United States Marine Corps in Camp Pendleton, California. Prior to joining the firm of Templeman and Crutchfield, he handled briefings and trials of civil and criminal matters at the Law Office of Warren Reynolds in Hobbs, New Mexico. Crutchfield earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and History from Eastern New Mexico University in 1968. He then went on to complete his Juris Doctor from the University of Texas at Austin in 1971. To further his professional development, Crutchfield is a member of the New Mexico State Bar Association, serving as the Chairman of the New Mexico Board of Bar Examiners from 1991-1993. He is also a member of the Lea County Bar Association, the State Bar of Texas, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the American Board of Trial Advocates and the Phi Delta Phi Board of Visitors. As a testament to his outstanding work in the field, Crutchfield was named one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the New Mexico State Bar, which also honored him on two occasions with an Outstanding Contribution Award. He has also been recognized by Marquis Who's Who, Who's Who in America, Who's Who in American Law and Who's Who in the World. For more information, visit www.cbarrycrutchfield.com. Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected] SOURCE Continental Who's Who Related Links http://www.continentalwhoswho.com BAE Systems, CAE, Lockheed Martin Canada, L3 Technologies, MDA and Ultra Electronics are partnering as Canada's Combat Ship Team for the Royal Canadian Navy's future fleet of surface combatants. Canada's Combat Ship Team is offering the most advanced and modern warship design, the Type 26 Global Combat Ship (GCS), with high-tech platform innovations from prominent Canadian companies. The solution includes the internationally renowned Canadian-developed combat management system, CMS 330. Canada's Combat Ship Team's approach to the CSC project exclusively parallels the Canadian Government's Defence Policy, which is the foundation for the offering: Strong, Secure and Engaged. STRONG. Canada's Combat Ship Team's approach to the strategic objective STRONG is to provide the right ship for the Royal Canadian Navy that surpasses baseline requirements with minimal change. This solution represents the lowest development risk and is underpinned by Canadian doctrine; interoperability with five-eyes nations and other NATO allies; ability to achieve safety certification and security accreditation; ease of operation, maintenance and sustainment; and ease of upgradeability to address future capabilities. SECURE. Under the pillar of SECURE, Canada's Combat Ship Team's offering focuses on ensuring successful program execution by bringing together a pan-Canadian team who have proven, demonstrated and current pedigree in performing complex defence contracts in Canada; who have well-established infrastructure, employees, security clearances and facilities in place today; who have demonstrated their commitment and reliability to successfully execute the project by their substantial investments in CSC and in meeting all procurement deadlines; and therefore who are poised to perform the CSC program, Ready on Day One . ENGAGED. Embodied throughout Canada's Combat Ship Team's offering is our multifaceted approach to achieving the strategic pillar ENGAGED. The underlying principles implemented focus on partnership with all stakeholders and, equally important, maintaining sovereignty of the CSC solution in Canada, which can only be achieved by having the solution and capability developed "at home" by Canadians. Canada's Combat Ship Team is living proof that capability investments made in Canada result in sustained jobs not only through long term sustainment of its system and products, but also extend to exports which leverage Canada's investments to other nations adding more jobs to Canadian industry. This team recognizes the significant benefits that Canada will receive with the implementation of Canada's Combat Ship Team's strategic objective to bring the jobs "home" to Canada and therefore collectively become the Home Team . Quotes "The Type 26 Global Combat Ship is a flexible, next generation warship design which offers a low risk and affordable solution for the Canadian Surface Combatant program. With the UK Type 26 program running ahead of CSC, our Canadian ship will benefit from lessons learnt on the UK program. This schedule also allows Type 26 the opportunity to be the most advanced Canadian Surface Combatant. Canadian companies such as W.R. Davis Engineering in Ottawa, Rolls-Royce in Peterborough and L3 MAPPS in Montreal have already begun work on delivering high-technology systems for the UK's Type 26, demonstrating the skills and capability available from the Canadian supply chain." Anne Healey, Country Director, Canada, BAE Systems "Building on our proud Canadian history of more than 70 years, we are honoured to join forces with this pan-Canadian team that has been assembled for CSC. CAE welcomes the opportunity to leverage the strengths of our combined organizations to support the Government of Canada and Irving Shipbuilding to deliver a modern, capable warship with an integrated training system that aligns with the Future Naval Training Strategy. CAE is dedicated to offering customers the most innovative training solutions to achieve the highest levels of operational readiness and performance." Joe Armstrong, Vice President and General Manager - Canada, CAE "The Defence Policy released earlier this year announced the Government's new vision for the Canadian Armed Forces, and as a Pan-Canadian team, our approach to CSC implements these Defence Policy pillars where we are offering the right ship for the Navy to enable them to be STRONG; we are offering proven, Canadian pedigree of companies to ensure successful program execution is SECURE; and we are offering a solution that ensures sovereignty is maintained by bringing the direct jobs on CSC home to Canada so that we are ENGAGED and able to sustain the CSC ships throughout their lifespan. Lockheed Martin Canada has been Canada's trusted Combat System Integrator for more than three decades, and our team can be counted on to deliver affordable solutions, sustained job creation, and technology development in Canada for export potential. We'll employ our proven collaborative partnership model to successfully manage the highly complex systems integration process including integrating our CMS 330 Combat Management System with the Type 26 Global Combat Ship and leverage the innovation and talent here at home which will ultimately result in unprecedented economic outcome for Canada." Rosemary Chapdelaine, Vice President and General Manager, Lockheed Martin Canada Rotary and Mission Systems "We are proud to be a member of Canada's Combat Ship Team. With a strong Canadian footprint, we are in a unique position to leverage our established Canadian companies to deliver Canadian marine technologies, systems integration support, and through life in service support to the team in a number of areas including integrated communications, electro optic and infrared sensors, torpedo handling systems, and integrated platform management systems." Mike Greenley, President, L3 WESCAM "As one of Canada's leading space and defence companies, MDA's participation in this team is very strategic. For MDA, in addition to providing world-class operational CSC capability to the Canadian Forces, this project will be a major enabler in achieving significant future MDA exports from Canada and the resulting growth in jobs and business in Canada a continuous corporate strategy for MDA since 1969." Dave Hargreaves, Vice President Aerospace and Defence, Surveillance and Intelligence, MDA "As a long-time participant in Canada's defence community, Ultra Electronics is delighted to be a member of Canada's Combat Ship Team. It is truly a privilege to be able to provide our world-leading Canadian designed and developed underwater warfare products to this uniquely assembled team to deliver Canada's future surface combatant." Ken Walker, President, Ultra Electronics Canada Quick Facts In June 2016 , following Industry engagement, the Government of Canada announced that it would proceed with a procurement package based on a Total Ship Reference Point. For industry, this meant combining the efforts of a warship designer and combat systems integrator into a consolidated proposal. , following Industry engagement, the Government of announced that it would proceed with a procurement package based on a Total Ship Reference Point. For industry, this meant combining the efforts of a warship designer and combat systems integrator into a consolidated proposal. BAE's Type 26 has been selected by the Royal Navy and steel has been cut on the first of a planned eight ships. Due to its current stage in the lifecycle, there is no obsolescence in the design and it therefore offers the lowest risk to build in Canada . . The Type 26 Global Combat Ship can undertake a wide range of roles from high intensity conflict to humanitarian assistance, including anti-submarine warfare and air defence. It is flexible, versatile and highly survivable with an extremely low acoustic signature. Built for the Royal Canadian Navy's doctrine, tactics and operations, Lockheed Martin Canada's innovative Combat Management System CMS 330 was developed in Canada as a result of 34 years' experience and knowledge of Canadian and NATO naval operations. as a result of 34 years' experience and knowledge of Canadian and NATO naval operations. Members of Canada's Combat Ship Team are currently delivering on the final stages of Canada's HALIFAX-class Modernization Project. Combat Ship Team are currently delivering on the final stages of HALIFAX-class Modernization Project. Collectively, our team employs more than 9,000 Canadians in over 40 facilities across the country with an established presence on both coasts. Our collective Canadian supply chain consists of approximately 4,000 contracts Canada -wide. About BAE Systems BAE Systems is a world leading shipbuilding, support and maintenance company with the skills and expertise to design, build, integrate, test, commission and support complex warships. BAE Systems has a strong track record of collaboration with customers and industrial partners worldwide to share technology and skills - helping countries grow their naval and industrial capabilities. Canadian industry is already integral to the Type 26 Global Combat Ship program. About CAE As a globally-recognized training systems integrator, CAE is committed to providing defence and security forces world-class training centres, training services, and a comprehensive portfolio of training solutions. CAE is headquartered in Canada and has employees in 15 locations across the country. About Lockheed Martin Canada Lockheed Martin Canada has a proud legacy of providing innovative naval systems and sustainment solutions for Canada and abroad. For more than three decades, Lockheed Martin Canada has demonstrated its capability and commitment to the Royal Canadian Navy as the Prime Contractor and Combat System Integrator for the HALIFAX Class Frigates. About L3 Technologies A leading provider of communication, electronic and sensor systems used on military, homeland security and commercial platforms, L3 Technologies is also a prime contractor in aerospace systems, security and detection systems, and pilot training. With over 50 years of business operations in Canada, L3 has a strong Canadian presence with L3 MAPPS, L3 MAS, L3 Communication Systems Canada and L3 WESCAM that each have experience working on technologies and projects for the Royal Canadian Navy. About MDA MDA's business provides technology solutions to commercial and government organizations worldwide. The Company's established global customer base is served by more than 6,500 employees operating from 21 locations in Canada, the United States and internationally. MDA focusses primarily in the Communications and the Surveillance and Intelligence sectors, and has supported the Royal Canadian Navy for over two decades. About Ultra Electronics Based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Ultra Electronics is a part of the Ultra Electronics Group, an international electronics company. Ultra Electronics has been delivering sophisticated, cost-effective, and innovative solutions to the defence market for 70 years. Ultra Electronics has been extremely successful in transforming its research investment into the technologically advanced underwater battlespace sensor systems that it delivers to both Royal Canadian Navy and internationally. Today, Ultra Electronics is recognized worldwide for its expertise in hull mounted sonar, towed active and passive arrays, sonar sensors, and underwater acoustics. For more information about our team, visit our website: www.canadascombatshipteam.com or follow us on Twitter @CSCHomeTeam. SOURCE Lockheed Martin CHICAGO, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- RSNA 2017, Booth 7313 -- Change Healthcare and Zebra Medical Vision today announced an agreement to create solutions that deliver artificial intelligence solutions to complex radiology reporting environments. Change Healthcare's proven radiology solutions, along with Zebra Medical Vision's algorithms, will benefit radiologists and other imaging specialists by improving the efficiency of routine tasks and the effectiveness of workflow in the radiologist reading environment. "For artificial intelligence to be truly valuable, it must be integrated into radiologists' routine, daily readflow," said Ashish Sant, senior vice president and general manager, Radiology & Infrastructure, Change Healthcare. "Pragmatic, artificial intelligence solutions such as the All in One (AI1) offering from Zebra Medical Vision are essential. We see a strategic fit as Change Healthcare pursues solutions that optimize workflow and access to clinical data for our medical imaging customers." By working together on the pragmatic integration of artificial intelligence algorithms into radiology solutions, Change Healthcare and Zebra Medical Vision are innovating to transform the radiology readflow environment. In parallel, Change Healthcare will continue to work closely with its forum of clinical and academic leaders on leveraging the integral insights inherent in imaging and clinical information so that solutions developed truly help imaging specialists identify critical conditions more quickly. "Our team at Zebra Medial Vision is excited to be working with Change Healthcare's experts," said Elad Benjamin, co-founder and CEO of Zebra Medical Vision. "We know that Change Healthcare's industry-leading enterprise imaging solutions and their deep clinical knowledge combined with our growing artificial intelligence solutions will help bring real benefit to radiologists and their reading practice." To learn more about enterprise imaging solutions and our assistive intelligence approach, visit Change Healthcare's Booth 7313 at the RSNA 2017 conference, now through Dec. 1. About Change Healthcare Change Healthcare is inspiring a better healthcare system. Working alongside our customers and partners, we leverage our software and analytics, network solutions and technology-enabled services to enable better patient care, choice, and outcomes at scale. As a key catalyst of a value-based healthcare system, we are accelerating the journey toward improved lives and healthier communities. Learn more at www.changehealthcare.com. About Zebra Medical Vision Zebra Medical Vision uses artificial intelligence and deep learning to create and provide next generation products and services to the healthcare industry. Its Imaging Analytics Platform allows healthcare institutions to identify patients at risk of disease, and offer improved, preventative treatment pathways to improve patient care. AI1 is the company's commitment to make AI-enabled healthcare solutions affordable globally, including its current and future algorithms available for a low flat price per scan. The company has been named a Top 5 global AI company (Fast Company), Top 50 AI Leader (Fortune), Cool Vendor (Gartner) and has won the Social Impact Award by Nvidia. Headquartered in Israel, the company was founded in 2014 by Eyal Gura, Eyal Toledano, and Elad Benjamin, and is funded by Khosla Ventures, Marc Benioff, Intermountain Investment Fund, OurCrowd, and Dolby Ventures. For more information, visit www.zebra-med.com. SOURCE Change Healthcare Related Links http://www.changehealthcare.com NORWICH, N.Y., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Chobani, LLC, maker of America's #1 Greek Yogurt brand and the second largest overall yogurt manufacturer in the U.S., today unveiled a major brand evolution in celebration of its 10th anniversary to commemorate its national distribution in 2008. To bring specialness and magic to the yogurt shelf and position the company for another decade of growth in yogurt and beyond, the company evolved its visual identity with a new wordmark, packaging design and new products offered regionally. New Look, Same Yogurt: Chobani Greek Yogurt New Look, Same Yogurt: Chobani Flip "We make yogurt but our business is wellnessfor the fans who enjoy our products to the communities we operate in," said Peter McGuinness, Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer, Chobani. "As we approached 10 years as a national brand, we spent the past ten years focusing on the impact our company can and does have on communities across America, using food as a force for good. That's framing how we're looking at the next decade, and our new packaging is the first glimpse into that. It's a beautiful translation of our brand and our purpose that moves us closer to becoming a food-focused wellness company." Chobani's vision to make universal wellness happen sooner builds on the company's founding mission to provide better food for more people, while laying out how Chobani is defining wellness and where the brand will invest to achieve it: Nutritional Wellness: Scaling our efforts to provide better food for more people. Social Wellness: Increasing our investment in the communities we serve and the people who craft our food. Environmental Wellness: Building a supply chain that ensures the planet's health. New Creative Expression To bring this vision to life for consumers, Chobani is launching an evolution of the brand's creative expressionFighting for Happily Ever Afterwhich is shaping everything from the brand's packaging, website and campaigns to its cafes, and more. Chobani's in-house creative team spent more than a year developing the evolved brand look and feel. This evolution differentiates the brand at shelf and reflects the values of the company. The new creative will be supported by a robust integrated campaign to inform and educate consumers, including online video, shopper marketing, social and PR programs. In February, the brand is planning a major commemoration of its 10th anniversary, including activations for fans and initiatives focused on strengthening communities. We've Never Been Stronger As the brand that spent the last decade reshaping the dairy aisle by challenging industry norms and constantly innovating, Chobani continues to push the yogurt category forward, even as other big companies have struggled. Chobani's current market share of overall yogurt (+20%) is the highest it's ever been on a sustained basis, representing a ~40% share of the Greek Yogurt segment. Absent low-performing brands, the category is showing 3.1% growth, driven by Chobani's record distribution, production and double-digit topline growth.1 Expanding our Product Portfolio Beginning in December, Chobani is rolling out its first-ever regional offering, Chobani with a Hint Ofa simply crafted, blended Greek yogurt made with only natural ingredients, hand-selected varietal real fruits and spices for delicious flavor with less sweetness. Priced at $1.49 per 5.3-oz cup, A Hint Of will be available first in Pacific, Northeast and Florida markets, and expand to national distribution in July 2018. "A Hint Of" provides Chobani fans with a new option with only natural sweeteners (9g sugar) and high protein (12g), and a mildly sweet taste in five curated flavors: Madagascar Vanilla Cinnamon Wild Blueberry Monterey Strawberry Gili Cherry Alphonso Mango Chobani is also expanding its offerings across existing product platforms, including: Chobani Smooth Strawberry Banana and Mixed Berry : Two popular flavors added to Chobani's first ever non-Greek yogurt platform. : Two popular flavors added to Chobani's first ever non-Greek yogurt platform. Chobani Flip Honey Crunch Bunch : Inspired by the iconic cereal brand, with honey yogurt, corn flakes, honey oat bunches and glazed pumpkin seeds. : Inspired by the iconic cereal brand, with honey yogurt, corn flakes, honey oat bunches and glazed pumpkin seeds. Chobani Flip Tropical Daybreak : Offering steady morning energy with pineapple coconut yogurt, ancient grain clusters, coconut chips and dried pineapple. : Offering steady morning energy with pineapple coconut yogurt, ancient grain clusters, coconut chips and dried pineapple. Chobani Whole Milk Vanilla Chocolate Chunk : Delicate dark chocolate chunks, folded into a rich, creamy, Madagascar vanilla yogurt. : Delicate dark chocolate chunks, folded into a rich, creamy, vanilla yogurt. Limited Batch Chobani Cherry Vanilla Blended: Combined two of our most popular flavors into a delicious blended yogurt to create a flavor experience that is familiar yet unique. Combined two of our most popular flavors into a delicious blended yogurt to create a flavor experience that is familiar yet unique. Limited Batch Chobani Mint Chocolate Chunk: Inspired by one of America's favorite ice cream flavors, with creamy mint yogurt blended with chocolate pieces to deliver a more nutritious snack that's packed with protein. Inspired by one of America's favorite ice cream flavors, with creamy mint yogurt blended with chocolate pieces to deliver a more nutritious snack that's packed with protein. Limited Batch Chobani Flip Buttercrunch Blast: Features the crunchy candy-bar goodness of toffee pieces, peanut butter clusters, chocolate cookies and roasted peanuts tumbled into a delicious chocolate yogurt. For more information about Chobani's evolution, visit Chobani.com/next10years 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, New York, 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 and Greek Yogurt Drink, Chobani Smooth, Chobani Flip, 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. 1 Based on latest 13-week Nielsen reporting. SOURCE Chobani, LLC Related Links http://www.chobani.com FOREST PARK, Ga., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Clorox Company (NYSE:CLX), headquartered in Oakland, California, today celebrated the official opening of a new manufacturing facility for the company's Home Care products. Named Atlanta West, the 258,000-square-foot facility is adjacent to the company's existing manufacturing facility, called Atlanta Main, which also manufactures Home Care products. The opening of Atlanta West has created about 100 jobs in Clayton County from managers to engineers to production associates. "The opening of Atlanta West is a result of the continued success of our Home Care business, reflecting the strength of Clorox-branded products," said Linda Rendle, senior vice president and general manager Cleaning Division. "We're capitalizing on our business momentum by investing in this state-of-the-art facility to enhance our supply chain and support long-term growth." Today, Clorox-branded products are in more than 65 percent of U.S. households, due, in part, to the company's strong focus on delivering superior value to consumers through product innovation. Notably, in January 2017, the company launched the Clorox Scentiva platform starting with disinfecting wipes and sprays which deliver a differentiated product experience through scents that are designed in collaboration with high-end fragrance houses. In Clorox's first quarter of its fiscal year 2018, Scentiva products contributed to strong sales growth of the Home Care business. For more than 70 years, the Atlanta area has been an important hub for Clorox. With offices in Alpharetta, Kennesaw and Forest Park, the company employs approximately 800 people in sales, strategic sourcing, engineering, quality, product supply, manufacturing and distribution. Paul Unitas, director of manufacturing Atlanta campus, stated, "It's great to be a part of something that will have a meaningful economic impact on the community. Our expansion has created opportunities for existing employees as well as new jobs that are growing our Clorox family here in the Atlanta area." The Clorox Company The Clorox Company (NYSE: CLX) is a leading multinational manufacturer and marketer of consumer and professional products with approximately 8,100 employees worldwide and fiscal year 2017 sales of $6 billion. Clorox markets some of the most trusted and recognized consumer brand names, including its namesake bleach and cleaning products; Pine-Sol cleaners; Liquid Plumr clog removers; Poett home care products; Fresh Step cat litter; Glad bags, wraps and containers; Kingsford charcoal; Hidden Valley dressings and sauces; Brita water-filtration products; Burt's Bees natural personal care products; and RenewLife digestive health products. The company also markets brands for professional services, including Clorox Healthcare and Clorox Commercial Solutions. More than 80 percent of the company's sales are generated from brands that hold the No. 1 or No. 2 market share positions in their categories. Clorox is a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact, a community of global leaders committed to sustainability. The company also has been broadly recognized for its corporate responsibility efforts, most notably receiving a Safer Choice Partner of the Year Award in 2016 and 2017 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as well as being named to CR Magazine's 2017 Best Corporate Citizens list and included in the 2016 Newsweek Green Rankings. The Clorox Company and its foundations contributed about $11 million in combined cash grants, product donations and cause marketing in fiscal year 2017. For more information, visit TheCloroxCompany.com, including the Good Growth blog, and follow the company on Twitter at @CloroxCo. CLX-C SOURCE The Clorox Company Related Links http://TheCloroxCompany.com NESS ZIONA, Israel, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- CollPlant (TASE: CLPT, OTC: CQPTY) - a regenerative medicine company utilizing its proprietary plant-based rhCollagen technology for tissue repair products (recombinant human, "rhCollagen"), announced that it has signed an agreement with a distributor in Greece and Cyprus. Under the terms of the agreement, the distributor undertook to make the first order for the product when signing the agreement, in an amount that is not material to the Company. The distributor is a Greek company operating in the field of medical devices, and the agreement is exclusive for a period of three years, with an option for an extension. Yehiel Tal, CEO of CollPlant: "The agreement is the continuation of the implementation of our penetration strategy of the product into Europe and to increase of sales. This is the fifth distributor that has come on board to distribute the product, while in parallel we are continuing to receive positive feedback from treatments carried out in Europe, reflected in rapid recovery of chronic wounds." VergenixFG is based on the Company's collagen technology, and is designed to treat chronic hard-to-heal wounds such as diabetic ulcers, pressure sores, surgical cuts and trauma wounds. The product is injected directly into the wound, filling it and contributing to the healing process until full wound closure, without any side effects. About CollPlant CollPlant is a regenerative medicine company leveraging its proprietary, plant-based recombinant human collagen (rhCollagen) technology for the development and commercialization of tissue repair products, initially for the orthobiologics, 3D Bio-printing of tissue and organs, and advanced wound care markets. The Company's cutting-edge technology is designed to generate and process proprietary rhCollagen, among other patent-protected recombinant proteins. Given that CollPlant's rhCollagen is identical to the type I collagen produced by the human body, it offers significant advantages compared to currently marketed tissue-derived collagen, including improved biofunctionality, superior homogeneity and reduced risk of immune response. The Company's broad development pipeline includes biomaterials indicated for orthopedics and advanced wound healing. Lead products include: VergenixSTR (Soft Tissue Repair Matrix), for the treatment of tendinopathy; and VergenixFG (Flowable Gel) wound filler, for treatment of acute and chronic wounds. CollPlant's business strategy includes proprietary development and manufacture of tissue repair products and their commercialization and distribution, together with leading third parties, alongside alliances with leading companies for joint development, manufacture and marketing of additional products. For more information about CollPlant, visit http://www.collplant.com Contact at CollPlant: Contact at Rx Communications Group, LLC: Eran Rotem Paula Schwartz (for US Investors) Deputy CEO & Chief Financial Officer Managing Director Tel: +972-73-2325600/612 Tel: +1-917-322-2216 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] SOURCE CollPlant LONDON, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Checkpoint inhibitors continue their march into multiple areas of oncology, and are now approved as treatments for colorectal cancer. But while Keytruda (pembrolizumab; Merck & Co.) and Opdivo (nivolumab; Bristol-Myers Squibb) represent the most recent additions to the CRC treatment armamentarium, do KOLs believe they'll make an impact? An array of programmes are in late-stage development, including other PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, BRAF/MEK inhibitors, and cancer vaccines. All are vying for patients and the all-important seal of approval from key opinion leaders. But how will these products fare in a highly competitive space? And what will be the key to clinical and commercial differentiation? KOLs provide candid insights on these and other new therapies, their likely use, and how they'll affect current mainstays such as anti-VEGFs and anti-EGFRs, in KOL Insight: Colorectal Cancer. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4275621 Ten North American and European KOLs provide their insight on 8 marketed/registered products, 7 pipeline programmes, 3 early-stage mechanisms of action and the potential for bevacizumab biosimilars. Take a tour of the report now The table of contents > The key business questions answered > The key KOL quotes > See the therapies covered > Find out who the 6 EU & 6 US KOLs are > Review an extract from the report - 1 drug profile > Top takeaways It's about to get personal. As gene mapping becomes more common in the diagnosis of CRC, what impact will this have on treatment selection and sequencing of current and future treatment options? Outlook unclear for checkpoint inhibitors. KOLs are split on whether these new additions will have a significant impact on CRC treatment outcomes. What could drive higher rates of adoption in the treatment algorithm? New treatment guidelines on the horizon? Data on left side vs. right side tumours could usher in significant changes in the treatment algorithm for CRC. Do KOLs believe treatment guidelines will evolve, and what impact will this have on treatment selection? Combination regimens to lead the charge. KOLs agree that combination regimens will become an increasingly important part of the CRC treatment algorithm in the near future. But which regimens are the best, and what clinical trials are needed to support their approval? KOLs warming to bevacizumab biosimilars, but concerns still remain. With over a dozen Avastin biosimilars on the way, and one already approved in the US, KOLs are cautiously optimistic. What are their concerns, and what will biosimilars have to show to achieve widespread uptake? The bar has been set, and it's high. KOLs believe that novel therapies for CRC will be held to higher safety and efficacy standards in the future. How will this impact clinical development and investment in an area which still has significant levels of unmet need? Quote "Personally, I'm not 100 percent comfortable with that because with statistics you have to make some assumptions that things are close enough, but not exactly the same. When you say, 'no clinically meaningful difference,' that's in one tumour type and in one study. One study in lung cancer doesn't necessarily tell you that it's going to have the same [efficacy] in colon cancer."US Key Opinion Leader "From a philosophical point of view, this is an interesting strategy. But I don't see the point to go in a Phase III trial, which is very costly and very difficult to run, when the Phase II trial is negative. What is the point? You should move to another target or modify something. I have worked on colorectal cancer for 15 years more or less. I have never seen any Phase II negative trial which converted into a positive Phase III trial, never in my life. I would not bet any money on this trial."European Key Opinion Leader Sample of therapies covered Marketed/Registered Therapies Aflibercept (Zaltrap; Regeneron/Sanofi) Bevacizumab (Avastin; Roche) Ramucirumab (Cyramza; Eli Lilly) Cetuximab (Erbitux; Eli Lilly/Merck Group) Panitumumab (Vectibix; Amgen) Regorafenib (Stivarga; Bayer) Nivolumab (Opdivo; BMS) Pembrolizumab (Keytruda; Merck & Co.) Pipeline (P3) Therapies Atezolizumab (Tecentriq; Roche) Lefitolimod (Mologen) Binimetinib (Array Biopharma/Pierre Fabre) Cobimetinib (Cotellic; Exelixis) Nintedanib (Boehringer Ingelheim) Napabucasin (Boston Biomedical/Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma) OncoVAX (Vaccinogen) Early Stage MOAs (P1/P2) Veliparib (ABT-888; AbbVie) Entinostat (Syndax Pharmaceuticals) SYM004 (futuximab/modotuximab; Symphogen) KOLs interviewed KOLs from North America Johanna Bendell. Director of GI Cancer Research Program at Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Nashville, TN Thomas Cartwright. Co-Chairman US Oncology Gastrointestinal Research, Ocala, FL Mike Morse. Professor of Medicine, Professor in the Department of Surgery, Member of the Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC Bert O'Neil. Joseph W. and Jackie J. Cusick Professor of Oncology, Indiana University of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN Bassel el-Rayes. Chief Clinical Research Scientist, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University Hospital and Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta, GA KOLs from Europe Guiseppe Aprille. Department of Oncology, University Hospital, Udine, Italy Khurum Khan. Locum Consultant GI and Acute Oncology, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Sutton, UK Jaafar Bennouna. Professor, Medical Oncology, University of Nantes, France and Institut de Cancerologie de l'Ouest, Nantes, France John Bridgewater. Clinical Researcher, University College London Cancer Institute, London, UK Anonymous German KOL. Head of Oncology/Haematology Department, large teaching hospital in Germany Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/4275621 About Reportbuyer Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers 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 SHENZHEN, China, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Huntkey, a leading global power solution's provider, are giving away PLAYERUNKNOWN'S BATTLEGROUNDS codes for steam till the end of November. https://en.huntkey.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/PUBG.jpg At Huntkey, we are huge fans of PUBG, and are very excited to announce that we're giving away 10 PUBG codes to followers on Huntkey Facebook page. The giveaway will be ended on November 30th, and we will announce the winners on Dec. 4th. To enjoy this special chicken dinner, Huntkey is inviting everyone to participate in this giveaway activity for a chance to win a PUBG code! To be eligible, just follow 2 simple steps! 1) "Follow" the Huntkey Facebook page: www.facebook.com/HuntkeyDIY. 2) Write a comment below the PUBG GIVEAWAY post. As a leading global power solutions provider, Huntkey has developed a series of PC power supplies to support gamers' devices. To give gamers a better "electricity experience", Huntkey is promoting its safe and high efficiency power supply. https://en.huntkey.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/born-for-gaming.png About Huntkey Huntkey, founded in 1995 and headquartered in Shenzhen, is a member of The International Power Supply Manufacturer's Association (PSMA) and a member of The China Power Supply Society (CPSS). With branch companies in the USA, Japan and other areas, and cooperating factories in Brazil, Argentina, India and other countries, Huntkey has specialized in the development, design, and manufacturing of PC power supplies, industrial power supplies, surge protectors, adapters and chargers for many years. With its own technologies and manufacturing strength, Huntkey has served Lenovo, Huawei, Haier, DELL, ZTE, Bestbuy and many other large enterprises for years, and has received unanimous recognition and trust from most of its customers. For more information about Huntkey, please visit: http://en.huntkey.com/ http://www.facebook.com/HuntkeyDIY/ SOURCE Huntkey CHICAGO, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG), announced today that it will join Chance the Rapper to donate much needed funding for Chicago's Public Schools. The Conagra Brands Foundation will partner with SocialWorks, the charitable organization founded by Chance, to provide $300,000 to SocialWorks' New Chance Fund, ensuring more Chicago Public School students have access to arts enrichment education. The donation coincides with Giving Tuesday, the Tuesday following Thanksgiving that kicks off the charitable season when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving. Chance the Rapper, a Chicago native, announced earlier this year he would be donating $1 million in funding to Chicago Public Schools and urged local corporations to do the same. Conagra Brands is answering that call with a multi-year grant from the Conagra Brands Foundation that will provide $100,000 each year to Chicago Public Schools over the course of three years. SocialWorks will be working with the Chicago Public School Foundation to direct funds to local schools that do not have existing arts programs, have low school ratings, and have recently had budget cuts. Conagra's donation will go towards strengthening curriculum, providing support materials and creating enrichment opportunities for students within these schools. "We're eager to give back to our newly adopted hometown where so many of our employees, consumers and customers live and work," said Jon Harris, Chief Communications Officer, Conagra Brands. "After seeing the amazing work Chance the Rapper and SocialWorks are doing to support our city's youth who attend Chicago Public Schools, the Conagra Brands Foundation was eager to get involved in this incredible effort not only to create a better today for these kids but to reveal a future that is limitless. We encourage other major companies in our amazing city to join this very important cause." "SocialWorks and I are happy to know that Conagra Brands cares and is cognizant of the troubles affecting our city's youth," said SocialWorks' founder Chance the Rapper. "We hope this encourages more corporations contribute and help strengthen CPS." SocialWorks will also provide an additional $10,000 as part of their matching donation program. To encourage other corporations and individuals to providing funding, SocialWorks has pledged to match each $100,000 donation with an additional $10,000. To learn more about how to support Chicago Public Schools, visit www.socialworkschi.org. About Conagra Brands Foundation Conagra Brands Foundation believes everyone has a right to healthy and nutritious food knowing that food insecurity exists in every U.S. county. The Foundation partners with exceptional national and local nonprofits with high-impact programs located in the communities where we live and work. By focusing our efforts within five areas: Direct Food Access, Cooking Skills, Nutrition Education, Healthy and Active Lifestyles and Urban Agriculture, we are able to be a leader in the fight against food insecurity in North America. About Conagra Brands Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG), headquartered in Chicago, is one of North America's leading branded food companies. Guided by an entrepreneurial spirit, Conagra Brands combines a rich heritage of making great food with a sharpened focus on innovation. The company's portfolio is evolving to satisfy people's changing food preferences. Conagra's iconic brands, such as Marie Callender's, Reddi-wip, Hunt's, Healthy Choice, Slim Jim and Orville Redenbacher's, as well as emerging brands, including Alexia, Blake's, Frontera and Duke's, offer choices for every occasion. For more information, visit www.conagrabrands.com. About SocialWorks SocialWorks aims to empower youth through the arts, education, and civic engagement while fostering leadership, accessibility, and positivity within the youth throughout Chicago. Using this framework for our interactive spaces and experiences, SocialWorks hopes to nurture local talent and open new doors much like what their founder, Chance The Rapper, has done in the music industry. By utilizing grassroots marketing and staying true to his vision, Chance became the first streaming artist to be nominated for and win a Grammy. Together, SocialWorks and friends hope to move forward with the same spirit of innovation, bringing the city and its youth together. Contact: Kristine Mulford [email protected] 312 549 5522 SOURCE Conagra Brands, Inc. Related Links http://www.conagrabrands.com BOULDER, Colo., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Congruex, a company established for the purpose of building a nationwide platform that delivers end-to-end engineering, construction and maintenance services to broadband service providers and utility operators across the country, today announced the appointment of Robert Vrij and John Schanz to the Company's Board of Directors. Messrs. Vrij and Schanz will work closely with Congruex founders, Bill Beans and Kevin O'Hara, to build a best-in-class engineering and construction management platform, with the objective of becoming one of the largest pure-play network engineering firms in the nation. We are honored to welcome Robert Vrij and John Schanz to Congruex's Board of Directors, said Kevin O'Hara, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Congruex. Mr. O'Hara continued, "Throughout their respective careers, Robert and John have consistently distinguished themselves as visionaries, earning the praise of their peers and the broader industry. Their contribution to our Board will be significant, and we look forward to drawing on their unparalleled expertise as we build a best-in-class network engineering and construction platform." Brian Cassidy, Partner at Crestview and co-head of the firm's media investment strategy, said, "Robert Vrij and John Schanz are a perfect fit for Congruex. Their respective expertise as industry pioneers and leaders, will serve invaluable as Congruex builds a nationwide platform to deliver differentiated engineering and construction solutions. We are excited for what the future of Congruex holds and look forward to our close partnership with the Company's founders, Bill Beans and Kevin O'Hara." Bios of Robert Vrij and John Schanz Robert Vrij has more than 25 years of industry experience, most recently serving as Senior Vice President of Hewlett Packard's Enterprises Group and managing director of HPE Americas. Prior to HPE, Mr. Vrij spent five years at Alcatel-Lucent USA as executive vice president and chief of global sales and marketing, as well as president and chairman of Alcatel-Lucent USA. In these roles, he was responsible for managing $15 billion in sales, as well as global alliances, marketing and communications. Prior to Alcatel-Lucent, Mr. Vrij spent nearly a decade at AT&T and Lucent Technologies, advancing from sales management to become president and CEO of Lucent Technologies for EMEA. He has also run a small to mid-size public company and worked as an executive in start-ups, such as Openwave Systems, a leading provider of software applications and infrastructure and Genband Inc., a provider of IP solutions to service providers. Mr. Vrij earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Southwest Texas State University and a Master of Business Administration from St. Thomas University in Houston. John Schanz has been instrumental in building some of the world's most powerful and reliable networks. He is widely recognized as a key contributor to the massive scaling and advancement of Internet infrastructure. Mr. Schanz is currently a Senior Advisor at BBH Capital Partners, Graham Partners and TDF Ventures, and a member of the Board of LiquidSky. He previously held senior leadership positions at Comcast, Sprint, GE and AOL. As the former Chief Network Officer of Comcast Cable, Mr. Schanz led a team of 5,000 FTEs, transforming the culture and talent to champion changes from historic norms. Likewise, he scaled the world's largest 24xForever network and infrastructure, which supports five multibillion-dollar business units. Moreover, Mr. Schanz helped scale the global Internet core at Sprint, and along with his team, enabled AOL to grow into the predominant Internet Service Provider of its era. Mr. Schanz has also been a leader in cybersecurity, streamlining risk management to protect customers, employees and technology infrastructure. Mr. Schanz earned an Electrical Engineering degree at Manhattan College. He is the recipient of the 2013 National Cable & Telecommunications Association Vanguard Award in Science & Technology. In 2012, InfoWorld recognized Mr. Schanz with a Technology Leadership Award. The Chairman of the FCC has also previously appointed him to chair the FCC's Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council. About Congruex Congruex is comprised of seasoned industry executives bringing together leading engineering and construction companies across the U.S. Congruex is building a company with unique capabilities ranging from network development, engineering, construction and operations. Our customers benefit from the integrated skills that the Congruex companies can offer either as a single discipline, or as a turn-key solution with self-perform capabilities. Congruex was formed in mid-2017 by industry executives, Bill Beans and Kevin O'Hara, in partnership with Crestview Partners. Funds managed by Crestview and the Congruex leadership team have committed up to $200 million of equity as part of what is expected to be a total investment of approximately $500 million. For more information: www.congruex.com. About Crestview Partners Founded in 2004, Crestview Partners is a value-oriented private equity firm focused on the middle market. The firm is based in New York and manages funds with over $7 billion of aggregate capital commitments. The firm is led by a group of partners who have complementary experience and distinguished backgrounds in private equity, finance, operations and management. Crestview has senior investment professionals focused on sourcing and managing investments in each of the specialty areas of the firm: media, industrials, energy and financial services. For more information: www.crestview.com. Media Contact: Daniel Yunger Kekst 212-521-4800 [email protected] SOURCE Crestview Partners Related Links http://www.crestview.com MENLO PARK, Calif., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Perry Keating has joined global consulting firm Protiviti as a managing director in its Security and Privacy practice. Based in the firm's Washington D.C. area office, he focuses on helping clients grow their businesses through the effective deployment of technology and addressing their most pressing security concerns. Keating brings to the firm more than 25 years of international technology consulting experience with some of the world's largest professional services companies. His expertise includes cybersecurity, cloud, analytics, IT resiliency and IT diligence as part of mergers and acquisitions across private and public sectors. His industry expertise includes aerospace and defense (GovCon), U.S. federal government, high technology (software) and telecommunications. Most recently, Keating served as chief operating officer at Blue Canopy Group, where he helped grow its cybersecurity, cloud, data analytics and technology-managed services. He was formerly a partner at a Big Four accounting firm and has held leadership roles at Avaya, Agilex and Oracle. Keating also served as a Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Army, Corps of Engineers. "Perry's enthusiasm and attention to delivering measured business results for clients on large, complex technology programs sets him apart in the marketplace. He is highly effective in focusing on core issues and the challenges that executive teams are confronting on a daily basis to protect their sensitive data and operations from cyber threats," said Kurt Underwood, managing director with Protiviti and global leader of its technology consulting practice. "I'm pleased to be working with Perry again," added Underwood referring to partner roles he and Keating held in a Big Five firm twenty years ago. "Today, Perry joins a larger global group of technology experts who are trusted advisors to our clients' C-suites and boards." Keating is a member of the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM); the Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association (AFCEA); the Army Engineer Association (AEA); the Association of the United States Army (AUSA); the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA); and the Reserve Officers Association (ROA). He is also an active volunteer and supporter of several non-profit organizations, including the American Red Cross, the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) and the United Services Organization (USO). He holds an MBA from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and a bachelor's degree in computer science from Tulane University. About Protiviti Protiviti (www.protiviti.com) is a global consulting firm that delivers deep expertise, objective insights, a tailored approach and unparalleled collaboration to help leaders confidently face the future. Through its network of more than 70 offices in over 20 countries, Protiviti and its independently owned Member Firms provide clients with consulting solutions in finance, technology, operations, data, analytics, governance, risk and internal audit. Protiviti has served more than 60 percent of Fortune 1000 and 35 percent of Fortune Global 500 companies. The firm also works with smaller, growing companies, including those looking to go public, as well as with government agencies. Protiviti is a wholly owned subsidiary of Robert Half (NYSE: RHI). Founded in 1948, Robert Half is a member of the S&P 500 index. Protiviti is not licensed or registered as a public accounting firm and does not issue opinions on financial statements or offer attestation services. Editor's note: Photos available upon request. SOURCE Protiviti Related Links http://www.protiviti.com SANTA MONICA, Calif., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- DeepRadiology, a deep learning artificial intelligence medical company announces the world's first CT head system with performance exceeding radiologists. The system is able to detect clinically significant pathologies in CT scans of the head with error rates better than published error rates for radiologists. The unique software system was created using the latest artificial intelligence techniques, the knowledge contained in all major radiology textbooks on the subject, and the cumulative experience of reviewing over 9 million CT scan images. The system is described in a paper published at https://arxiv.org/abs/1711.09313. DeepRadiology has developed similar systems for other CT scan types as well as images produced using plain x-rays, MR, ultrasound, mammography, and nuclear medicine. Please contact us if you are interested in our services. In addition to leading experts in radiology and artificial intelligence, DeepRadiology is fortunate to have Yann LeCun, widely regarded as the 'inventor of deep learning', as a key part of our team. DeepRadiology will be exhibiting at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) which is the largest radiology meeting in the world with over 50,000 attendees. The RSNA will be meeting in Chicago from November 26 through December 1, 2017. Please visit us at McCormick Place, 2301 S King Dr, North Hall, Booth 8143. About DeepRadiology DeepRadiology is a medical deep learning artificial intelligence company bringing together the brightest minds in the field to create revolutionary products that transform healthcare. DeepRadiology is headquartered in Southern California. For more information, visit http://www.deepradiology.com. SOURCE DeepRadiology The investment of CAD$32 million comes from Kayne Partners, the growth private equity arm of Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors LP, an investment firm managing approximately $25 billion in assets and satellite leader Intelsat. Intelsat, a strategic investor, provides integrated satellite communications on a global basis and is already a collaborating partner in the Dejero CellSat solution, which intelligently combines cellular connectivity from multiple mobile network providers with Ku-band IP satellite connectivity. Dejero's solutions provide reliable connectivity by blending cellular, satellite and other IP connections from multiple network providers to deliver the bandwidth required to exchange high throughput, low latency video and data. Its cloud-managed solutions are used by news organizations to report live from around the world, and to provide Internet connectivity in remote locations or while mobile. "We are impressed with Dejero's rapid growth and worldwide success, which are clearly driven by its unique network blending technology that solves connectivity challenges in portable, in-vehicle and fixed location scenarios," said Leon Chen, Managing Director at Kayne Partners. "This investment will allow Dejero to bring its innovative thinking more quickly to market and further extend its position as market leader." As part of this financing round, Leon and Rob Shilton, also of Kayne Partners, will be joining the Dejero board of directors. Also joining the board is Michael DeMarco, Intelsat's Executive Vice President of Operations, who commented: "following the success of our recent partnership that brought the Dejero CellSat solution to market, we've made a strategic investment that will accelerate our collaboration on additional multi-network connectivity solutions for our customers." Bruce Anderson, CEO of Dejero, explained "Simple, fast, cost-effective and highly reliable connectivity is vital in today's interconnected world, and is becoming ever more so through natural progressions such as connected vehicles and the internet of things. With this funding we see huge opportunities to deliver a broader range of blended connectivity solutions and services, not only to our traditional market of broadcast and media, but to other markets where reliable, flexible connectivity is just as vital. "Our existing collaboration with Intelsat is greatly enhanced by this investment, which we value as an endorsement of our skills in innovation and delivery," Anderson added. "Kayne brings to the table a new set of insights and connections which will also drive strong growth." About Dejero Driven by its vision of reliable connectivity anywhere, Dejero blends multiple Internet connections to deliver fast and dependable connectivity required for cloud computing, online collaboration, and the secure exchange of video and data. With its global partners, Dejero supplies the equipment, software, connectivity services, cloud services, and support to provide the uptime and bandwidth critical to the success of today's organizations. Headquartered in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, Dejero is trusted for broadcast-quality video transport and high-bandwidth Internet connectivity around the world. For more information, visit www.dejero.com. About Intelsat Intelsat S.A. (NYSE: I) operates the world's first Globalized Network, delivering high-quality, cost-effective video and broadband services anywhere in the world. Intelsat's Globalized Network combines the world's largest satellite backbone with terrestrial infrastructure, managed services and an open, interoperable architecture to enable customers to drive revenue and reach through a new generation of network services. Thousands of organizations serving billions of people worldwide rely on Intelsat to provide ubiquitous broadband connectivity, multi-format video broadcasting, secure satellite communications and seamless mobility services. The end result is an entirely new world, one that allows us to envision the impossible, connect without boundaries and transform the ways in which we live. For more information, visit www.intelsat.com. About Kayne Partners Kayne Partners is a leading provider of capital and connections to rapidly growing companies in North America. Since its inception more than a decade ago, it has invested over $600 million in platform investments and add-on acquisitions. Kayne Partners seeks to partner with driven entrepreneurs as a non-control minority investor and provide transformative capital to these high growth companies. Kayne Partners is the growth private equity group of Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P. For more information, please visit our website: www.kaynepartners.com. About Kayne Anderson Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P., founded in 1984, is a leading alternative investment management firm focused on niche investing in upstream oil and gas companies, energy and infrastructure, specialized real estate, growth equity and both private credit and diversified liquid credit. Kayne Anderson manages $24.5 billion in assets (as of September 30, 2017) and employs over 300 professionals. Kayne Anderson is headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in Houston, New York City, Chicago, Denver, Dallas, Atlanta and Boca Raton. For more information, please visit www.kaynecapital.com. All trademarks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners. SOURCE Dejero Both Memorial Hermann Foundation and DentaQuest understand that a lack of access to preventive health services can directly impact a child's ability to engage at school. This is particularly true for Houston-area children in poor health, who are hungry, fearful, and living in poverty. Children with poor oral health are nearly three times more likely than their counterparts to miss school as a result of dental pain, and research shows these absences are associated with poorer school performance. "We are happy to say that many Medicaid-eligible children in Greater Houston have dental benefits through DentaQuest. But we want all of Houston's children to have a fair chance at success," said Joe Vesowate, DentaQuest's regional vice president in Texas. "This partnership with Memorial Hermann Foundation that brings dental care to uninsured children where they are at school is so important to us," Vesowate added. "As a bonus, this also creates opportunities to connect with hard-working parents on what they need to know to keep their children healthy and cavity free." School-based health centers, like those in Houston's public schools, increase educational success by providing medical, dental, and mental health care that enables students to stay in school and learna big part of why DentaQuest is involved. Ensuring children can stay in school can actually interrupt the cycle of poverty and disparities, given that high school graduates are more likely to be employed and insured. The Memorial Hermann mobile dental program aligns with the DentaQuest company mission to improve the oral health of all by providing access to basic dental services, oral health education, and a deep commitment to transforming the health of the communities served. Ongoing Investment in the Houston Community The latest donation from DentaQuest reflects its ongoing commitment to families in Texas. DentaQuest recently committed $1 million to the Rebuild Texas Fund, established by the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, following the devastation by Hurricane Harvey. Along with the donation to Memorial Hermann, DentaQuest will continue efforts to connect with members and providers in the Houston areaparticipating in 10 outreach and community events in Houston this November alone. As a partner to the State of Texas, DentaQuest provides Medicaid and CHIP dental benefits that cover a full range of care with a focus on prevention and access for roughly 1.7 million people. DentaQuest partners with over 6,350 dental providers across the state, and in Harris County, DentaQuest has more than 1,500 providers and roughly 60,000 members. DentaQuest is involved locally in the community and regularly partners with area non-profit organizations to offer oral health education, basic dental screenings and free dental hygiene kits. Upcoming events include the 2017 Statewide Parents Involvement Conference and the Claude Black Community Center Healing Holiday Event. Through DentaQuest Cares, the company's employee volunteer and giving program, employees are encouraged to share their time with local nonprofits, like the Houston Food Bank, and give back to the communities where they live, work, and play. For more information about DentaQuest and the work they are doing in the Houston community, please contact Apiyo Obala [email protected] for details. For general information about DentaQuest please visit: www.dentaquest.com. About DentaQuest Based in Boston, Mass., DentaQuest (www.dentaquest.com) is the leading dental benefits administrator in the United States and the largest in the Medicaid space. Along with its charitable DentaQuest Foundation, its clinical DentaQuest Care Group and its educational DentaQuest Institute, its mission is to improve the oral health of all. Follow DentaQuest on Twitter @dentaquest, Facebook at www.facebook.com/DentaQuest and LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/dentaquest, and subscribe to our blog, Oral Health Matters at http://oralhealthmatters.blogspot.com. Media Contact: Apiyo Obala Wyatt Brand [email protected] 512-904-9928 SOURCE DentaQuest SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital Realty (NYSE: DLR), a leading global provider of data center, colocation and interconnection solutions, announced today that it will host an Investor Day for institutional investors and sell-side analysts in New York beginning at 1:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday, December 5, 2017. The senior management team will discuss the company's strategy, technology trends, sustainability initiatives, capital allocation and financial overview. A live audio webcast of the event and presentation materials will be available through the Investors section of Digital Realty's website at http://investor.digitalrealty.com. About Digital Realty Digital Realty supports the data center, colocation and interconnection strategies of more than 2,300 firms across its secure, network-rich portfolio of data centers located throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Digital Realty's clients include domestic and international companies of all sizes, ranging from financial services, cloud and information technology services, to manufacturing, energy, gaming, life sciences and consumer products. For Additional Information Andrew P. Power Chief Financial Officer Digital Realty (415) 738-6500 Investor Relations John J. Stewart / Maria S. Lukens Digital Realty (415) 738-6500 [email protected] SOURCE Digital Realty Related Links http://www.digitalrealtytrust.com BLACKHAWK, Calif., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Wireless Glue, Inc., the leader in IIoT Data Fusion software, has announced that Donald Farmer, Principal at TreeHive Strategy, has joined Wireless Glue's Advisory Board. The members of Wireless Glue's advisory team are industry visionaries who have been instrumental in the evolution of Wireless Glue's technology, which aggregates silos of disparate sensor and application data into a common format using time series methods to enable unique insights and corresponding actions. With the addition of Mr. Farmer, Wireless Glue is positioned for the next phase of growth. "Donald is a thought leader in the Business Intelligence / IoT space and we look forward to benefiting from his insight and experience as an Advisory Board member," said Peter McCabe, Wireless Glue's CEO. "Donald will be our third Advisory Board member, and he brings a unique perspective on operational challenges in the IoT space, which will nicely complement the existing skills of our Advisory Board." "Wireless Glue is one of the most innovative companies in the IoT world today," said Donald Farmer, Principal at TreeHive Strategy. "I feel privileged to join this exciting and dynamic team and look forward to working closely with Peter and the Advisory Board during the next phase of Wireless Glue's growth." As the Principal of TreeHive Strategy, Mr. Farmer is an internationally respected thinker in the fields of data analysis and innovation, with over 30 years of deeply practical experience. His background is very diverse, having applied data analysis techniques in scenarios ranging from fish-farming to archaeology to advanced manufacturing. He has worked in award-winning startups in the UK and Iceland, and spent 15 years at Microsoft and at Qlik leading teams designing and developing new enterprise capabilities in data integration, data mining, self-service analytics and visualization. Mr. Farmer is an advisor to globally diverse academic boards, government agencies and investment funds on data and innovation strategy. He also advises several startups worldwide, developing products and services ranging from restaurant management software in the Philippines to intelligent supply-chain automation in Silicon Valley. He mentors individuals from junior inside sales reps to globally-focused executives. Mr. Farmer lives with his wife, Alison, an artist, in an experimental woodland house in Seattle. About Wireless Glue Wireless Glue is a leading provider of IIoT Data Fusion software for transforming IIoT data to facilitate the blending of operations technology (OT) with information technology (IT). Wireless Glue's solution aggregates silos of disparate sensor and application data into a common format using time series methods, tagging, collating, abstracting and providing hierarchical context enabling greater insight and action for deep learning, BI, and dashboard applications. For more information, visit www.wirelessglue.com SOURCE Wireless Glue Networks, Inc. Related Links http://www.wirelessglue.com NEW YORK, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Revenue Prospects for Chemistry Services, Biology Services, Lead Optimisation, Lead Identification and Screening, Leading National Markets and Companies Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p04268695 Report Details Drug Discovery Outsourcing our new study reveals trends, R&D progress, and predicted revenues Where is the Drug Discovery Outsourcing market heading? If you are involved in this sector you must read this newly updated 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 225-page report provides 150 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 Drug Discovery Outsourcing 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 forecasts for 4 Drug Discovery Submarkets, Global Drug Discovery Outsourcing Submarkets Chemistry Services Biology Services Lead Optimisation Lead Identification and Screening In addition to the revenue predictions for the overall world market and segments, you will also find revenue forecasts for 13 leading national markets: The US Germany The UK Italy Spain France Russia Japan South Korea China India Brazil Mexico The report also includes profiles and for some of the leading companies in the Drug Discovery Outsourcing market, with a focus on this 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, India, Brazil and Mexico in particular, will continue to achieve high revenue growth to 2027. Leading companies and the potential for market growth Overall world revenue for Drug Discovery Outsourcing will surpass $21bn in 2017, 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 Drug Discovery Outsourcing Market report helps you In summary, our 225-page report provides you with the following knowledge: Revenue forecasts to 2027 for the Drug Discovery Outsourcing market, with forecasts for 4 submarkets, each forecasted at a global level discover the industry's prospects, finding the most lucrative places for investments and revenues Revenue forecasts to 2027 for 13 key national markets See forecasts for the Drug Discovery Outsourcing market in the US, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, Russia, China, India, Japan, and South Korea 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 of the major companies involved in the Drug Discovery Outsourcing market Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p04268695 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. __________________________ Contact Clare: [email protected] US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001 SOURCE Reportlinker Related Links http://www.reportlinker.com GUATEMALA CITY, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Intertrust SPV (Cayman) Limited, an ordinary company incorporated with limited liability under the laws of the Cayman Islands, acting solely in its capacity as trustee (the "Issuer") of the Energuate Trust (the "Trust"), established pursuant to a Trust Deed dated December 24, 2016, announced today that it has commenced a solicitation (the "Solicitation") of consents (the "Consents") from the holders of its outstanding 5.875% Senior Notes due 2027 (the "Notes"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in a Consent Solicitation Statement (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Statement") and an accompanying Consent Form (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Consent Form"), each dated as of November 28, 2017, to certain proposed amendments (the "Proposed Amendments") to the Loan Agreement, dated as of May 3, 2017 (the "Loan Agreement"), by and among Distribuidora de Electricidad de Occidente, S.A. ("DEOCSA") and Distribuidora de Electricidad de Oriente, S.A. ("DEORSA" and, together with DEOCSA, the "Parent Guarantors"), as borrowers, Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch (the "Lender") and The Bank of New York Mellon, as administrative agent. The Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture, dated as of May 3, 2017 (the "Indenture"), by and among the Issuer, the Parent Guarantors and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (the "Trustee"). The Proposed Amendments will amend the Loan Agreement in connection with the sale by Inkia Energy Limited ("Inkia"), an exempted company organized under the laws of Bermuda with operations in Latin America and the Caribbean, and one of Inkia's subsidiaries of substantially all of their assets, including approximately 91% of the equity interests in DEOCSA and approximately 93% of the equity interests in DEORSA, to holding companies indirectly owned by certain funds managed by I Squared Capital Advisors (US) LLC and one or more minority co-investors (the "Acquisition"). The Proposed Amendments will be effected by an amendment to the Loan Agreement (the "Loan Agreement Amendment") as described in more detail in the Statement. The Solicitation will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on December 7, 2017, unless extended or earlier terminated (such time on such date, as the same may be extended or earlier terminated, the "Expiration Time"). The Solicitation is subject to customary conditions, including, among other things, the receipt of valid Consents with respect to a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes (the "Requisite Consents") at or prior to the Expiration Time (which Consents have not been revoked prior to the earlier to occur of the date on which the Loan Agreement Amendment is executed and the Expiration Time (the "Revocation Time")). In the event that each of the conditions to the Solicitation described in the Statement is satisfied or waived by the Issuer, including, but not limited to, the receipt of the Requisite Consents, the Issuer will pay to each holder of record (each such holder, a "Holder") of the Notes as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on November 27, 2017 who has delivered a valid Consent in respect of such Notes at or prior to the Expiration Time (and has not revoked such Consent prior to the Revocation Time), $2.50 in cash for each $1,000 principal amount of Notes (the "Consent Fee"). Upon satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to the Solicitation, the Issuer will pay the Consent Fee as promptly as practicable on the closing date of the Acquisition and immediately prior to such closing. Holders of Notes who deliver Consents but validly revoke and do not redeliver their Consents in accordance with the Statement or deliver their Consents after the Expiration Time will not receive the Consent Fee. Subject to applicable law, the Solicitation may be abandoned or terminated for any reason at any time, including after the Expiration Time and prior to the Proposed Amendments becoming operative, in which case any Consents received will be voided and no Consent Fee will be paid to any Holders. If the Requisite Consents are received at or prior to the Expiration Time, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Loan Agreement, (1) the Issuer will notify the Lender that it has received the Requisite Consents to the Proposed Amendments and (2) the Trust and the Trustee will deliver an instruction to the Lender to execute the Loan Agreement Amendment with the Parent Guarantors and the other parties thereto to give effect to the Proposed Amendments. The Proposed Amendments will not become operative unless and until all conditions have been satisfied or waived and the Consent Fee has been paid. If the Requisite Consents are not received at or prior to the Expiration Time, the Proposed Amendments will not be adopted and the Consent Fee will not be paid. The Acquisition On November 24, 2017 the Parent Guarantors' indirect parent company, Inkia and one of its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Sellers"), entered into a Share Purchase Agreement pursuant to which the Sellers will, upon the satisfaction or waiver of closing conditions, sell substantially all of their Latin American and Caribbean businesses to Nautilus Inkia Holdings LLC and one or more other newly formed holding companies (each, a "Bidco") that are indirectly owned by certain funds managed by I Squared Capital Advisors (US) LLC (collectively, the "Sponsor") and one or more minority co-investors. The sale is for cash consideration of $1,177 million plus excess proportionally consolidated group cash at closing above $49.9 million. The Sponsor intends to finance $150 million of the cash consideration for the sale with additional indebtedness that is expected to be pari passu with Inkia's 5.875% Senior Notes due 2027 (for which the Sponsor has obtained financing commitments). This indebtedness may be refinanced concurrently with or immediately following consummation of the Acquisition. The Parent Guarantors are not expected to provide, nor will provide, a guarantee of such additional indebtedness or any refinanced indebtedness. The initial purchase price for the sale is subject to a number of adjustments, including for changes in working capital, outstanding debt and Inkia's proportionally consolidated group cash as described above. Following consummation of the Acquisition, the Parent Guarantors will become indirect subsidiaries of a Bidco and the Sponsor intends to retain existing management. Inkia and the Parent Guarantors currently expect the Acquisition to close by the end of calendar year 2017, but no assurances can be made that such timing will occur. Consummation of the Acquisition would constitute a Change of Control (as defined in the Loan Agreement) under the Loan Agreement and, consequently, the Indenture. The Indenture currently requires the Issuer, following a Change of Control that results in a Rating Decline (as defined in the Loan Agreement), to make an offer to repurchase all or any part of the Notes at a cash purchase price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Notes repurchased, to the date of such repurchase. The Loan Agreement currently requires the Parent Guarantors, following a Change of Control that results in a Rating Decline, to make an offer to prepay all or any part of the Loans (as defined in the Loan Agreement) at a cash purchase price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Loans prepaid, to the date of such prepayment. While the Issuer and the Parent Guarantors currently do not expect the Acquisition to cause a Rating Decline and thereby require the Issuer and the Parent Guarantors to make such offers, the Issuer is seeking Consents from Holders to amend certain provisions of the Loan Agreement to provide certainty that the Sellers will be able to consummate the Acquisition without the Issuer and the Parent Guarantors being required to make such offers. The Issuer has engaged Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC to act as Solicitation Agent and D.F. King & Co., Inc. to act as Information and Tabulation Agent for the Solicitation. Questions regarding the Solicitation may be directed to Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC at (800) 820-1653 (toll-free) or (212) 538-2147 (collect). Requests for documents relating to the Solicitation may be directed to D.F. King & Co., Inc. at (866) 530-8636 (toll-free), (212) 269-5550 (banks and brokers) or email at [email protected]. This press release is for informational purposes only and the Solicitation is only being made pursuant to the terms of the Statement and the related Consent Form. The Solicitation is not being made to, and Consents are not being solicited from, Holders of Notes in any jurisdiction in which it is unlawful to make such Solicitation or grant such Consents. None of the Issuer, the Parent Guarantors, the Trustee, the Solicitation Agent or the Information and Tabulation Agent makes any recommendation as to whether or not Holders should deliver Consents. Each Holder must make its own decision as to whether or not to deliver Consents. This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. Energuate Through two corporate entities, DEOCSA and DEORSA, Energuate is one of two large energy distributors in Guatemala and the largest distribution company in Central America measured by population served. The Parent Guarantors use the trade name "Energuate" for the collective distribution businesses of DEOCSA and DEORSA, but Energuate is not a legal entity. Energuate operates in 21 of Guatemala's 22 departments, distributing energy to a service area of 101,914 km2 with approximately 11.8 million inhabitants. As of December 31, 2016, Energuate's service area represented approximately 93.6% of the country's territory in which approximately 72.8% of its total population resides. As of December 31, 2016, Energuate provided services to approximately 1.7 million regulated customers in Guatemala, which Energuate estimates represent approximately 56.0% of Guatemala's population and approximately 54.3% of Guatemala's regulated distribution customers. As of December 31, 2016, Energuate operated 70,380 km of distribution lines in Guatemala, representing approximately 83.1% of Guatemala's distribution lines. Energuate holds government authorizations to provide energy distribution services within its service area until 2048. In the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, Energuate sold 2,316.4 GWh, 2,315.2 GWh and 2,184.1 GWh of energy, respectively, which represented approximately 21.2%, 21.3% and 21.5% of the energy purchased in Guatemala for such periods. Energuate purchases the energy it distributes to its customers principally through long-term PPAs with generation companies. As of December 31, 2016, Energuate was party to 73 PPAs with 31 generators with a weighted average life of 12 years. Energuate's principal executive offices are located at Diagonal 6 10-50 zona 10, Edificio Interamericas World Center, Torre Sur, Nivel 14, Of. 1401, Guatemala City, Guatemala, and its telephone number at that address is +502-2367-9300. Energuate's website is located at www.energuate.com. Energuate's website and the information contained therein or connected thereto are not incorporated into this press release. The Sponsor The Sponsor is an independent global infrastructure investment manager with approximately U.S.$9.4 billion in assets under management. The Sponsor has extensive experience and expertise in developing and operating energy and utility businesses and provides managerial expertise and technical support. The Sponsor has invested, and in some cases co-invested (with third parties, including investors in certain investment funds managed by the Sponsor), assets in Latin America, Asia, Europe and the United States with greater than 4,500 MW of installed capacity from hydropower and thermal generation, 740 km of transmission lines and natural gas processing facilities. Forward-Looking Statements This communication and statements made from time to time, other than historical facts, by the Parent Guarantors and their respective representatives constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and any such forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the following cautionary statements. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and are based on current expectations and involve a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Such statements are inherently subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in such forward-looking statements. In addition, the forward-looking statements represent the Parent Guarantors' views as of the date on which such statements were made. The Parent Guarantors anticipate that subsequent events and developments may cause their views to change. However, although the Parent Guarantors may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, they specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, whether as a result of new information, future events or other occurrences. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Parent Guarantors' views as of any date subsequent to the date hereof. SOURCE Intertrust SPV (Cayman) Limited LONG BEACH, Calif. and OMAHA, Neb., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Epson, the number-one selling projector brand worldwide, and KANEKO today announced a partnership empowering artists to bring their vision to life in a new exhibition called light. As the presenting sponsor, Epson will provide an invaluable piece to the exhibition with its large venue Pro L1505U laser projectors, offering bright, vivid imagery and reliable technology. Leveraging four of Epson's Pro L1505U large venue laser projectors, award-winning media artist and designer Refik Anadol will use the projectors high image quality and flexibility in his audiovisual installation project 'Infinity' an immersive 7-foot by 7-foot environment that creates a perception of presence in a non-physical world. Using contemporary methods, the project will deconstruct the framework of false space and lapse the normal boundaries of the viewing experience by transforming the conventional flat cinema projection screen into a three-dimensional moving space of visualization. Delivering incredible, bright imagery in a compact form, the Pro L1505U projectors enable Anadol to create his visual art immersion with Epson's advanced technology. "As the major element in my 'Infinity' experiment, light is used to blur and interconnect the boundaries between actual and physical realms as the gateway between the space created by the projection technology and physical space," said Anadol. "With new challenges in developing an immersive environment, it is key for me to be able to focus on the entire visual art experience, and with Epson's Pro L1505U laser projectors I can focus all my attention on the art, without worrying about the technology." "Viewers of the 'Infinity' installation will be able to fully appreciate the seamless convergence of art and technology with the support of Epson's Pro L1505U laser projectors," said Gavin Downey, senior product manager, Epson America, Inc. "From sharper images and brilliant colors, to the flexibility an artist needs to bring their artistic vision to life without the drawbacks of restrictive technology equipment, our large venue projector solutions are robust enough to provide the utmost support artists need for a limitless creative experience." A large part of the light exhibition relies on audience participation, with a variety of performances, lectures, youth education, and hands-on creative experiences to connect visitors with their own creativity. Artists will employ glass, sculpture and light itself to showcase the beauty that light evokes aesthetically and thematically. The public will also gain insight into scientific issues such as vision and optics, physiology of light energy, sustainability, light pollution, and conservation. "We are very grateful and excited that Epson and Refik Anadol have selected KANEKO and Omaha as a space to showcase the globally revealed and enormous creative power of the 'Infinity' experiment," said Chris Hochstetler, MPA, executive director, KANEKO. "We are certain that the work will take all of us to a place we have never experienced." light Exhibition Details The exhibition will run at KANEKO in Omaha, Neb. from Dec. 5, 2017 through March 31, 2018. The museum is free to the public and open Tuesday Friday from Noon to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. About Epson Pro L1000-Series Laser Projectors The Pro L1000-Series are the first projectors to integrate a laser-light source with an inorganic phosphor wheel in combination with inorganic LCD panels and Epson's proprietary 3LCD technology to deliver advanced performance, quality, reliability, and flexibility. The Pro L-Series comes in nine models ranging from 6,000 to 15,000 lumens of color and white brightness1, and offers nine optional lenses, including the world's first zero-offset ultra short-throw lens2. For more information, visit https://epson.com/laser-projectors. About KANEKO KANEKO is a non-profit arts and cultural organization dedicated to exploring and encouraging the creative process and how it impacts our lives. Established by internationally renowned sculptor Jun Kaneko and his wife, Ree, KANEKO was conceived of as "open space for your mind," a place where thoughtful examination of others' ideas through exhibitions and public programs leads us to new and exciting ideas of our own. For more information about KANEKO, please visit www.thekaneko.org. About Epson Epson is a global technology leader dedicated to connecting people, things and information with its original efficient, compact and precision technologies. With a lineup that ranges from inkjet printers and digital printing systems to 3LCD projectors, smart glasses, sensing systems and industrial robots, the company is focused on driving innovations and exceeding customer expectations in inkjet, visual communications, wearables and robotics. Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the Epson Group comprises more than 80,000 employees in 86 companies around the world, and is proud of its contributions to the communities in which it operates and its ongoing efforts to reduce environmental impacts. Epson America, Inc., based in Long Beach, Calif., is Epson's regional headquarters for the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. To learn more about Epson, please visit: epson.com. You may also connect with Epson America on Facebook (facebook.com/Epson), Twitter (twitter.com/EpsonAmerica), YouTube (youtube.com/EpsonAmerica), and Instagram (instagram.com/EpsonAmerica). 1 Color brightness (color light output) and white brightness (white light output) will vary depending on usage conditions. Color light output measured in accordance with IDMS 15.4; white light output measured in accordance with ISO 21118. 2 Zero-offset ultra short-throw lens can be used with the Pro L1100U/NL, L1200U/NL, L1300U/NL, and L1405U/NL. EPSON is a registered trademark, EPSON Exceed Your Vision is a registered logomark and Better Products for a Better Future is a trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation. All other product and brand names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Epson disclaims any and all rights in these marks. Copyright 2017 Epson America, Inc. SOURCE Epson America, Inc. Related Links http://www.epson.com Watch Esurance employees going offline Cyber Monday to volunteer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgAdpLj94vI&t "Helping people rebuild after a catastrophe is at the core of what we do as an insurance company," said Jonathan Adkisson, president of Esurance. "Following the recent disasters, many of our employees volunteered their personal time and donated money to help their communities. Now, we're coming together as a unified force, stepping out of the office for a day to help give back to the most impacted communities." Esurance is headquartered in San Francisco with offices in Dallas and Tampa, so this year's hurricanes and fires hit close to home and impacted its employees and their families, friends, and neighbors. While Esurance catastrophe response teams came together quickly, using advanced technology to waive inspections, settle claims fast, and reimburse customers, Esurance employees wanted to do more to help these communities recover. "At Esurance, we use technology to make the insurance process simple and convenient, and most importantly, to help our customers quickly recover when they need it most," said Nancy Abraham, vice president of integrated marketing communications at Esurance. "After the devastating losses suffered by so many of our friends and neighbors, we wanted to do more to help them restore their lives and get back to normal. So, we're rolling up our sleeves to give our time and support to those affected by the catastrophic events." Esurance-sponsored volunteer days are taking place in coordination with local volunteer centers and food banks throughout this week with additional days in December. Staggering the volunteer days allows the company to encourage maximum participation without disruption to customer service. During this time, Esurance offices will remain open and customer service representatives available to assist customers. The event is part of the company's overarching "Doing Good at Esurance" program, which harnesses and amplifies individual employee's contributions and coordinates local volunteer opportunities. This year, nearly 2,000 Esurance employees volunteered more than 8,000 hours, almost doubling last year's efforts, helping community programs such as food banks and youth services. For more information about Esurance's corporate social responsibility initiatives, please visit https://www.esurance.com/company/community. For helpful auto and home protection tips, follow Esurance on the Esurance Blog, Facebook, and Twitter. About Esurance Esurance, insurance for the modern world, provides auto, homeowners, motorcycle, and renters insurance direct to consumers online and over the phone. With an easy-to-use mobile app, helpful online tools like photo claims and Coverage Counselor, and knowledgeable experts, Esurance is the smart choice for today's web-savvy consumer. And as a member of the Allstate family with an A+ rating from A.M. Best*, Esurance offers auto and home insurance with just a click, call, or tap away. For more information, visit esurance.com or call 1-800-ESURANCE (1-800-378-7262). Media Contact: Dolleen Cross [email protected] 415-875-4722 *Esurance has an A.M. Best financial strength rating of A+ (superior) in all states where its products are available, except New Jersey where it is rated A- (excellent). Rating is effective as of April 7, 2016. Click here for a guide to A.M. Best's Credit RatingsTM. SOURCE Esurance Related Links http://www.esurance.com Although the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is not yet able to definitively address these concerns, studies by a consortium of leading universities, through the Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence (ASSURE), have begun to bring better understanding to the physical damage associated with small unmanned aircraft or drones colliding midair with commercial and business aircraft. The ASSURE research team began its research in FY 2016, using unique resources from Mississippi State University, Montana State University, Ohio State University, and Wichita State University. This research team set out to answer the question of what happens when not if there is a collision between a sUAS and an airplane. "While the effects of bird impacts on airplanes are well documented, little is known about the effects of more rigid and higher mass sUAS on aircraft structures and propulsion systems," said Mississippi State University's Marty Rogers, the Director of ASSURE. "The results of this work are critical to the safety of commercial air travel here in the United States and around the world." Today at 12:15 p.m. EST, at the FAA Federal Headquarters in Washington, D.C., the FAA, along with ASSURE members, announced their findings in The sUAS Air-to-Air Collision Severity Evaluation Final Report. Researchers' efforts began by first determining the most likely impact scenarios. This was done by reviewing operating environments for both sUAS and manned aircraft. The team then selected the commercial and business aircraft and sUAS based on these impact scenarios and their likely exposure to one another. The commercial narrow-body air transport selected was characteristic of a Boeing B737 and an Airbus A320 aircraft, which represent 70% of the commercial aircraft fleet. The business jet model represented a Learjet 30/40/50. Similarly, the team selected a small quadcopter and a light fixed-winged unmanned aircraft as representative of the most-likely threats to manned aircraft. Researchers determined the areas of manned aircraft most likely to be impacted as being the leading edges of wings, vertical and horizontal stabilizers, and windscreens. ASSURE researchers also performed engine impact simulations on the fan section of an existing business-jet-sized, turbofan-engine model that the FAA previously used for fan blade-out testing. The FAA/ASSURE team conducted this research to better inform the scope of the next phase of research, as well as the critical variables essential to their continued research and engine ingest testing. "Computer simulations, supported by material and component level testing, were conducted to determine the effects of sUAS impacts on manned aircraft," said Gerardo Olivares, Ph.D., Director, Crash Dynamics and Computational Mechanics Laboratories at Wichita State University. "Conducting this study through full-scale physical tests would not have been possible from a cost and time perspective due to the immense complexity of the task. On the other hand, simulation enabled us to study over 180 impact scenarios in a twelve-month period. To ensure results accurately predict the actual physical behavior of collisions, we have spent a lot of time developing, verifying, and validating detailed models of manned and unmanned aircraft. Once the models are validated, we can use them in the future to investigate other impact scenarios." Researchers observed various levels of airframe and engine damage in all sUAS collision simulations. They confirmed that energy (projectile mass and velocity) and the stiffness of the sUAS are the primary drivers of impact damage. This research showed that the severity of the collision is also dependent on the design features of the sUAS and the dynamics of the impact. Commercial aircraft manufacturers design aircraft structural components to withstand bird strikes from birds up to eight pounds for the empennage and four pounds for windscreen. ASSURE simulations show sUAS collisions inflict more physical damage than that of an equivalent size and speed bird-strike. sUAS components are much stiffer than birds, which are mostly composed of water. Therefore, bird-strike certification regulations are not appropriate for unmanned aircraft. Additionally, regulators do not require and manufacturers do not design commercial and business aircraft to withstand collisions from other aircraft. The ASSURE research team also conducted both physical testing and simulation on sUAS lithium batteries. Typical high-speed impacts caused the complete destruction of the battery, therefore, in these cases, there was not an increased risk of fire due to a shorted battery. However, during some of the low-speed impacts, associated with landing and takeoff, the battery was not completely destroyed. In some of these simulations, the battery remained lodged in the airframe and there was potential for increased risk of battery fire. The findings above show the importance of properly researching and regulating the use of sUAS in a crowed national airspace system. While design features can decrease the severity of a drone impact, sUAS pilots and the public must be aware of and abide by regulations for safe sUAS operations. It is critical that everything be done to keep these collisions from occurring through the safe separation of all aircraft, both manned and unmanned. The FAA will depend on the sUAS community to help develop the technology for proper detect-and-avoid so that these aircraft do not meet in flight. This is the first in a series of research projects conducted to understand and quantify the potential severity of airborne collisions. Future studies will research the severity of collisions with general aviation (GA) aircraft, rotorcraft, and high-bypass turbofan engines representative of those found in airline fleets today. Because of the scope and magnitude of this research, and the impact it will have on industry and national airspace safety, the follow-on studies will be broken into multiple phases beginning this year and running through FY21. The complete report is available at http://www.assureuas.org/projects/deliverables/sUASAirborneCollisionReport.php ABOUT ASSURE ASSURE partners represents 23 of the world's top research institutions and more than 100 leading industry and government partners. (Learn more at ASSUREuas.org.) ASSURE membership includes representation in 13 states, 9 countries, and over 200 locations, and core to 3 UAS test sites. Digital Media Kit with Release, Images, and Graphics: http://pr.cirlot.com/faa-and-assure-announce-results-of-air-to-air-collision-study/ SOURCE ASSURE Related Links http://www.ASSUREuas.org HOUSTON, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Family Tree DNA (FTDNA), a division of Gene-by-Gene Ltd, the first to market with a consumer oriented genealogical DNA testing kit and the only genealogical DNA testing company with its own state-of-the-art genetics laboratory, is telling consumers they will never sell their genetic data in a consumer awareness campaign entitled "Can the Other Guys Say That?" "We feel the only person that should have your DNA is you," says Bennett Greenspan, President and Founder of Family Tree DNA. "We don't believe it should be sold, traded, or bartered." According to Greenspan, "the value of DNA testing is that the DNA test can tell you things about yourself that you cannot determine by looking in the mirror. It allows you to interrogate the history book written in your cells." The media campaign comes at the start of what is traditionally the biggest selling season of the year for genealogically focused DNA testing companies, reminding consumers who flock to genealogical sites to purchase their holiday gifts that, "Finding your roots is fun, but not all DNA test companies are created equal." Other DNA testing companies are, in fact, selling consumers' genetic data to pharmaceutical companies for a profit. While these companies claim to remove personally identifying information prior to selling the data, the question, says Greenspan, is whether consumers feel the sale of their genetic data is "part of the deal [they] really thought [they] were signing up for when [they] ordered a simple DNA test for genealogical purposes." The "Can the Other Guys Say That?" campaign launched on Thanksgiving Day and encourages consumers to "Make the Smart Choice this Holiday Season." VIDEO LINKS: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/blwv8ij6o8eh5ge/AACfCEj5v7aCvQmDPVYTwDqTa?dl=0 :60/:30/:15 Spots Bennett Greenspan Laboratory Family Tree DNA Logo CONTACT INFORMATION: Jimmy Haas Hapner-Hart Media Inc. [email protected] 646-207-1046 Clayton Conder Marketing Director, FTDNA [email protected] ABOUT FTDNA Founded in 2000, Family Tree DNA is the world leader in genetic genealogy and ancestry DNA testing and has the most comprehensive ancestry DNA combined database. FTDNA is a privately held company located in Houston, Texas. www.familytreedna.com. SOURCE Family Tree DNA ATLANTA, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- FieldEdge, the leading provider of field service management software, today announced a new integration with Nearby Now, a mobile-enabled cloud platform helping businesses improve local rankings everywhere they service. Field service businesses share the challenge of building local rankings across service areas that can encompass many more cities than they have business locations. Nearby Now's unique solution enables businesses to easily create checkins describing their great work, and to secure more reviews at an industry-leading 40% rate. This content will be integrated directly into a client's website and search engines give each client direct reputation and ranking benefit. The FieldEdge and Nearby Now integration will make this even easier for businesses. Field technicians will be able to create those valuable checkins and request customer reviews right from the FieldEdge mobile app they are already using to manage their jobs. The integration will give clients the ability to build reputation and rankings without any changes to their daily workflow. "Service-area businesses want to rank in local search everywhere they work, and everywhere they would like to work, not just where they park their trucks at night," said Billy Coover, CEO and co-founder of Nearby Now. "This integration makes it simple for them to rank better locally and build local reputation based on all they places they work every day, not just where they have offices." "FieldEdge helps contractors improve customer service, efficiency, and profitability every day," said Rameez Ansari, CEO at FieldEdge. "Integrating with Nearby Now will help them use the great work they are already doing to bring in more leads and build a stronger reputation at the local level." The integration is now available to any client using both Nearby Now and FieldEdge. To learn more, contact Nearby Now ([email protected]) or FieldEdge (800-226-7529). About Nearby Now Nearby Now's unique solution enables business to boost rankings across their entire service areas powered by an industry-leading 40% review response rate. Nearby Now is all about delivering value directly to the client -- better rankings for their own site, more reviews for their business, lasting organic ranking value, a better online reputation, and ultimately more leads and more business. Founded in 2011, Nearby Now is a privately held company based in Scottsdale, Arizona. Our team is distributed across the US, and our current clients hail from the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. For more information, visit https://www.nearbynow.co. About FieldEdge FieldEdge is the leading developer of innovative service management software for the service industry. With offices in Atlanta, GA, and Fort Myers, FL, FieldEdge serves more than 30 service verticals, both nationally and internationally. FieldEdge's flagship products, FieldEdge and Electronic Service Control (ESC), are comprehensive service management solutions that enable home service contractor companies to easily manage customers, work, and finances. FieldEdge and ESC provide the tools and features growing and profitable service companies need for success. For more information, visit http://www.fieldedge.com or contact us at 800-226-7529. SOURCE FieldEdge Related Links http://www.fieldedge.com TORONTO, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Businesses often struggle with complex technology challenges year round, but when looking toward 2018, there are scenarios that are likely to impact business, business data, and budgeting. Experts at ioFABRIC Inc. offered the following predictions about what IT departments can expect in 2018: 1. Rise in Ransomware IT organizations should expect an increase in malicious attacks in 2018, with recent predictions that cybercrime will rise to $2.1 trillion by 2019. This clearly calls for added steps in data protection. "We recommend immutable storage snapshots, which cannot be modified or encrypted by ransomware," advised Steven Lamb, CEO and Co-Founder at ioFABRIC. 2. Artificial Intelligence Artificial Intelligence will continue to reduce manual setup and administration, minimize human error, and ultimately improve operations, along with operational costs. "AI-based technology can be self-configuring, efficient, and cooperative," said Lamb. "We're in the early stages of seeing AI in enterprise technology, and we are excited to see it evolve in 2018." 3. Cost Optimization Businesses are still concerned with costs, and in 2018 affordable solutions will make headway. Custom or branded hardware will continue to lose ground to the combination of commodity hardware plus software-defined infrastructures. "Software intelligence that provides analysis will be increasingly desirable," said Lamb. "In order to stay competitive, software-defined infrastructures will need their own cost intelligence to provide consistent premium performance at least cost." 4. Evergreen Technology Hardware upgrades are costly and complex, so the emphasis in 2018 will be evergreen infrastructures that will never again require forklift upgrades. Data migrations will become a thing of the past as intelligent software continually manages this complex process. "Data Fabrics can use evergreen technology to allow storage hardware to be seamlessly swapped in and out. Customers can combine new or existing hardware to improve data availability while safely extending the life of existing storage," said Lamb. 5. Climate Change Environmental experts say to expect more severe weather. IT departments will take steps to protect data, including synchronous replication to multiple locations. "It is essential to budget for appropriate storage solutions for data continuity and disaster recoverythis means adopting a multi-location, multi-cloud model," said Lamb. "Unfortunately there are practical challenges with managing multiple copies of data in multiple locations, so administrators performing this manually need to prepare for a learning curve." About ioFABRIC Inc. ioFABRIC Inc. is a data management company whose software delivers a multi-site, multi-cloud data fabric that ensures complete data protection and availability with artificial intelligence and industry-unique cost optimization features. ioFABRIC Vicinity ensures storage is always available, always protected, and always evergreen. Vicinity creates a data fabric supporting applications running on servers, VMs, containers, and clouds. Vicinity is sold through ioFABRIC's reseller and distribution channel as licensed software or by white-labeling it with additional hardware and/or software. For more information visit www.iofabric.com. Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Twitter SOURCE ioFABRIC Inc. Related Links https://www.iofabric.com NEW YORK, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Top 50 accounting and advisory firm, Friedman LLP, expands its dynamic service offerings to include cyber security consulting with the launch of Friedman CyZen LLC ("CyZen"), a wholly owned company of Friedman. The goal of CyZen is to bring peace of mind to businesses by empowering them to make sense of cyber security and defend against cyberattacks. The cyber security advisors of CyZen deliver multi-faceted services to support a range of businesses within the public and private sectors from small and medium-sized companies to large-scale enterprises. Recognizing that there is no one-size-fits-all approach, the CyZen team devises customized solutions geared toward the particular vulnerabilities of each organization. The team draws on more than 30 years of combined experience in cyber security protection across a host of industries, including government, financial services, technology, retail, manufacturing, legal, healthcare, telecommunications, real estate, pharmaceuticals, and more. At the helm of this new practice group is Managing Director Jacob Lehmann. He brings more than 10 years of experience spearheading pro-active, innovative and custom-tailored solutions that help safeguard clients from cyber security risks. The CyZen team possesses decades of experience protecting entities, including the U.S. Department of Defense and National Security Agency. "It's not only multi-million dollar conglomerates that are victims of cyberattacks," Jacob emphasized. "Targeted attacks on small to medium-sized businesses are on the rise and encompassed 40% of all breaches during the last two years. Friedman CyZen's vision is to create a platform that equips clients with the knowledge and resources they need to combat attacks." "Friedman CyZen aligns with our core mission by providing services across a full range of areas that are critical to our clients' financial success and well-being," remarked Harriet Greenberg, Co-Managing Partner of Friedman LLP. "Our current and future clients will benefit from CyZen's deep cyber security expertise while also having access to the extensive resources of Friedman." "The CyZen team's passion and knowledge of cyber security will put our clients in a much more secure position than they currently are," added Co-Managing Partner Fred Berk. "Every company and individual has sensitive information that must be protectedwe can now assist." Meet the Friedman CyZen Leaders Jacob Lehmann is the Managing Director of Friedman CyZen LLC with more than 10 years of experience spearheading pro-active and custom-tailored solutions that help safeguard clients from cyber security risks. His engagements span small and medium-sized businesses and high-net-worth individuals to big enterprise-level engagements and start-ups across a broad spectrum of industries, including technology, banking, finance and real estate. He earned his B.S. of Technology in Information Technology from SUNY Morrisville. Learn more about Jacob's dynamic experience here. William Mendez, CISSP will work alongside Jacob as a Director in leading Friedman CyZen LLC. William has more than 10 years of experience strategizing and executing innovative cyber security solutions for entities ranging from small and medium-sized businesses to large corporations in the finance, real estate, nonprofit, education and energy sectors. He received his B.S. in Computer Science from New York University Polytechnic; he then earned his M.E. in the study of Network Information Systems from Stevens Institute of Technology. William is a Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP). Learn more about William's experience here. About Friedman CyZen No company is immune to cyberattacks. As cyber threats evolve, it becomes increasingly difficult to know what steps needed to protect your business. The cyber security advisors of Friedman CyZen LLC bring you peace of mind by empowering you to make sense of cyber security and defend against attacks. Friedman CyZen's multi-faceted suite of services, including assessment, testing, remediation and monitoring, support a range of businesses within the public and private sectors and across a broad spectrum of industries. To empower you and your business, visit us to learn more. About Friedman LLP Friedman LLP, headquartered in Manhattan with locations throughout New Jersey and in Long Island, Pennsylvania, and Beijing, has been serving the accounting, tax and business consulting needs of public and private companies since 1924. Our industry-focused practice features concentrated areas of expertise and an understanding of the economic environment. We are innovative in our approach, act quickly in our decision-making and are flexible in our delivery of services. Our clients benefit from hands-on contact with our partners, cutting-edge technical expertise and our understanding of their industry and their business. Our clients have the advantage of working with a mid-size accounting firm that combines the staff and resources of a large firm with a philosophy of personal responsibility for our clients. Visit www.friedmanllp.com to learn more. MEDIA CONTACT Friedman LLP Jill Jacobs: 212-842-7517 [email protected] Dukas Linden Public Relations Ryan Dicovitsky: 646-808-3646 [email protected] SOURCE Friedman LLP Related Links http://www.friedmanllp.com NEW YORK, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Patrick Gagnon's life has been nothing if not interesting. The Canada born entrepreneur first cut his teeth in show business in Canada and the US in the early 2000s. By 2010 he was one of the biggest show producers in Canada and was well known as the next big thing. In 2011, Gagnon was forced to sell his show business assets to cover events large loss and he resolved to find change and proceeded to head to Africa to donate his time to humanitarian help. While there he discovered the world of artisanal and small-scale mining. A quick learner; Gagnon soon rose from his humble beginnings in the gold business sector in West Africa to become one of the biggest gold exporters in Africa. On his journey, he made important contacts around the world who helped him build a business that resulted in the export of over six tons of gold for a value of more than 250 million dollars US. Imprisoned by authorities in Burkina Faso for seven months; Gagnon was eventually cleared of smuggling charges. Nicknamed "The Wolf of Africa"; he is now partnered with five world-renowned experts in the African mining sector and is one of the keynote speaker in a seminar series hosted by Africa Gold Insider. The seminars will be proudly hosted in forty-five (45) cities across five (5) continents in 2018. The conferences are limited to 200 attendees per city and focus on four themes: Buying and selling artisanal gold to the international market. Mining Coproduction with artisanal miners. How to set a small alluvial or hard rock mining operation. How to comply with AML rules as well as to establish the traceability of your gold production. Keynote speakers(*) & special guest (#): *Patrick Gagnon (Canada) - Expert in African gold trading and artisanal coproduction deals. *Laurent Duplat (Belgium) - Expert of gold traceability and AML compliance. #Dr.Kader Cisse (Burkina Faso) - Former Minister of Mines for Burkina Faso #Albert Matthews (South Africa) - Engineer and expert in mining in Africa. #Jean Mantoro (Burkina Faso) - Former director of mine in Burkina Faso Presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWH3wsUPpTY&t=7s Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77GGg1mlZIM Tickets: 895$ // Program: www.africagoldinsider.com SOURCE Africa Gold Insider CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The results of the inaugural Genes in SpaceTM winning experiment conducted aboard the International Space Station (ISS) were published in the Nature Partner Journal npj Microgravity. The experiment designed by then-16-year-old high-school student Anna-Sophia Boguraev of Bedford, N.Y., established proof of concept for targeted detection of DNA sequences during spaceflight. The pivotal experiments were carried out by astronauts Jeff Williams and Tim Peake aboard the International Space Station, and their preparation and analysis involved a multidisciplinary team of Genes in Space scientists and engineers. These experiments relied on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the gold standard for DNA analysis that is widely used in research and medicine on Earth. Prior to these experiments the technique had not been tested in space. The team's findings establish that DNA from a variety of sources can be amplified in microgravity conditions using a miniPCRTM thermal cycler and lay a foundation for future uses ranging from environmental monitoring to on-orbit diagnostics. Boguraev, now a sophomore at Yale University, praised her time working with Genes in Space and said, "In proving that DNA can be successfully amplified in space, I've not only had the opportunity to unify two of my greatest interests, space and biology, but also do it in a way that's not possible in a classroom and be part of a greater mission the push of mankind towards the stars." Founded by Boeing and miniPCR, Genes in SpaceTM seeks to inspire the next generation of space biologists by promoting youth scientific engagement through authentic research. Students in grades 7-12 have the opportunity to conduct pioneering DNA research in space and build genetic analysis capabilities aboard ISS. The 2018 Genes in SpaceTM contest opens in January. For more information visit: www.genesinspace.org. Media contacts: miniPCR: Emily Gleason, [email protected], 781-990-8727 Boeing: Steven Siceloff, [email protected], 281-226-4872 SOURCE Genes in Space ATLANTA, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Deborah Borden, D.M.D., M.S., has been named clinical director of the Georgia School of Orthodontics' (GSO) Atlanta and Gwinnett clinics. An orthodontist and pediatric dentist, Dr. Borden will oversee the clinical operations at the school's two state-of-the-art clinics, which provide patients access to exceptional orthodontic care and the latest technological advancements. "I am excited to work with the GSO doctors and staff to focus on the heart of our school our patients. As clinical director, my goal is to provide our patients the highest quality orthodontic care and a seamless patient experience," said Dr. Borden. "I want every patient to continue to be impressed with our treatment and professionalism and our warmth." Dr. Borden brings more than 30 years of experience to GSO's clinics. Prior to joining GSO, she served as an orthodontist and consultant with Taylor Orthodontics in Crestwood, Ky., and Milliner Orthodontics in Mayfield, Ky. Earlier, she was in private practice in Louisville and then served as a pediatric dentist in Elizabethtown, Ky. Dr. Borden then returned to the University of Louisville (UofL) to specialize in orthodontics and established a private practice in Elizabethtown. In 2010, she became a mission volunteer, providing dental services and support to in-need individuals both locally and in various countries around the world. Dr. Borden is a graduate of the UofL, where she received a bachelor of science degree in medical technology, doctor of dental medicine and master of science in oral biology. She is dual trained and is certified in both orthodontics from the UofL and pediatric dentistry from the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. "Dr. Borden's training and experience in both orthodontics and pediatric dentistry will further strengthen our patient experience," said Dr. Ricky Harrell D.M.D., M.A., program director of GSO. "In her role as clinical director, she will help to further our mission of providing the Atlanta community access to high quality orthodontic care." About the Georgia School of Orthodontics The Georgia School of Orthodontics (GSO) enrolled its first class in the fall of 2016. Based in Atlanta, Ga., GSO offers an advanced specialty education program in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. The 36-month residency program is structured to provide collaborative and evidence-based learning for residents while providing quality orthodontic care to patients in the school's clinics. GSO's mission is to educate outstanding dentists to be proficient in the clinical specialty of orthodontics while providing Georgians with the highest level of patient care available. GSO faculty and staff are dedicated to diversity in both education and practice. For more information, visit www.GSOrthodontics.org or call (770) 351-7737. Media Contact: Dena Risher, Georgia School of Orthodontics 404.432.4427, [email protected] SOURCE Georgia School of Orthodontics Related Links http://www.GSOrthodontics.org GLEN ROCK, N.J., Nov. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Charity Navigator, the country's leading online charity evaluation service, today announced that beginning tomorrow, #GivingTuesday, it will make concise impact statements and progress reports for 2,400 charities available for free of charge on its website. In addition to accessing financial analysis developed from each organization's 990 filings with the Internal Revenue Service, site visitors will be able to review impact reports prepared by charities and supplied by GuideStar, Classy, and GlobalGiving. This marks the first joint effort by these sector leaders and is the first of a number of planned collaborative initiatives. "Publishing impact reports of nonprofits is a radical expansion of the information previously shared by Charity Navigator and frequently requested by donors," said Charity Navigator CEO Michael Thatcher. "We are delighted to be working with GuideStar, GlobalGiving, and Classy to encourage thousands of organizations to provide their results information alongside our latest charity evaluations." During this experimental phase, progress reports shared by Charity Navigator will not have any effect on the star or numerical rating nonprofits receive from Charity Navigator. "GuideStar is excited to partner with Charity Navigator to share our quantitative and qualitative data about nonprofit programs," said Jacob Harold, President and CEO of GuideStar. "We believe the inclusion of GuideStar's Gold- and Platinum-level data will enrich donors' experience on Charity Navigatorsomething we can all agree is a happy news for this Giving Season." "We're thankful for this opportunity to partner with Charity Navigator to provide more impact information for donors," said Co-Founder and President of GlobalGiving, Mari Kuraishi. "At GlobalGiving our aim is to fuel and amplify the work of nonprofits that listen to the people they serve and adapt programs to meet those needs. This partnership with Charity Navigator helps highlight these organizations that are committed to greater effectiveness." "Our mission at Classy is to mobilize and empower the world for good, and we've always felt that showcasing the impact nonprofits are making in their communities is a critical piece of empowering the sector," said Pat Walsh, Co-Founder and Chief Impact Officer at Classy. "We originally created this framework to help organizations clearly articulate their impact for the Classy Awards, and now we're excited to see it brought to life in a new way through this meaningful collaboration." A list of all 2,400 organizations supplying their progress reports is available upon request. About Charity Navigator Charity Navigator, www.CharityNavigator.org, is the largest expert charity evaluator in America. The organization helps guide intelligent giving by evaluating the Financial Health, Accountability and Transparency of charities and by providing data about 1.6 million nonprofits. Charity Navigator does not charge the organizations it evaluates, ensuring unbiased evaluations, nor does it charge the public for this trusted data. As a result, Charity Navigator, a 501(c)(3) public charity itself, depends on support from individuals, corporations and foundations that believe it provides a much-needed service to America's charitable givers. Charity Navigator, can be reached directly by telephone at (201) 818-1288, or by mail at 139 Harristown Road, Suite 101, Glen Rock, N.J., 07452. About GuideStar GuideStar, www.guidestar.org, is the world's largest source of nonprofit information, connecting people and organizations with data on 2.5 million current and formerly IRS-recognized nonprofits. Each year, more than 8 million people, including individual donors, nonprofit leaders, grantmakers, government officials, academic researchers, and the media, use GuideStar data to make intelligent decisions about the social sector. GuideStar Nonprofit Profiles are populated with information from the IRS, directly from nonprofits, and via other partners in the nonprofit sector. In addition, users see GuideStar data on more than 200 philanthropic websites and applications. GuideStar is itself a 501(c)(3) public charity. About Classy Classy is a social enterprise that creates world-class online fundraising tools for nonprofits, modernizing the giving experience to accelerate social impact around the world. Since 2011, fundraising on the Classy platform has doubled each yearresulting in thousands of nonprofits collectively raising over half a billion dollars. Based in San Diego, CA, Classy is trusted by organizations of all sizes, from the fastest-growing nonprofits like Team Rubicon and The Trevor Project, to some of the world's largest social organizations, such as Acumen Fund, Robin Hood Foundation, and Shriners Hospital for Children. Classy also hosts the annual Classy Awards to spotlight the innovative work nonprofits are implementing around the globe. Backed by prominent technology investors, including JMI Equity, Mithril, Salesforce Ventures, and Bullpen Capital, Classy has raised $53 million to-date in growth capital. For more information, visit www.classy.org or follow Classy on Twitter @Classy. About GlobalGiving GlobalGiving is the largest global crowdfunding community connecting nonprofits, donors, and companies in nearly every country. They help nonprofits access the tools, training, and support they need to be more effective. They also work to drive more donations to more effective organizations. GlobalGiving is itself a 501(c)(3) public charity. SOURCE Charity Navigator Related Links https://www.charitynavigator.org Since its 1983 introduction in Sweden, IsaDora has seen steady growth in the global cosmetic market. The trend-forward, beloved European favorite is one of the fastest growing international cosmetics brands, a leading indie brand in Europe and the number one make up brand in Sweden. IsaDora can be found in 6,000 department stores, perfumeries and pharmacies in over 40 countries. Now, Malmo-based parent company, Invima AB, is setting its sights on the American beauty consumer. "We are entering the U.S market with excitement and optimism," says Ingvar Vigstrand, President and founder of IsaDora. Known for its passionate commitment to quality control IsaDora's formulations are universally fragrance free, clinically tested, cruelty free and suitable for sensitive skin. Each product contains a comprehensive ingredient list for full transparency and is hygienically sealed to ensure safety. Free to set aside quality concerns, women around the globe have enthusiastically embraced IsaDora and its strong reputation as a color authority. Shoppers gravitate to the brand's expansive portfolio of products and shades that can be used to achieve any look. IsaDora's reputation for quality, paired with its highly desirable "sweet spot" masstige price point, helps drive robust demand and product loyalty. And with the introduction of five trend collections per year, there is always something new to entice the IsaDora customer, who loves beauty and ranges from youthful and trendy to mature and classic and everything in-between. Xenia Deli is the enthralling face of Isadora, perfectly representing the glamorous, fashion-forward side of the brand. She has worked with major labels from Victoria's Secret to Guess by Marciano and featured in Harper's Bazaar, Vogue, Elle and Allure. Xenia also gained attention for starring in Justin Bieber's music video "What do You Mean," which Glamour.com declared had three stars: Justin Bieber, Xenia Deli and Xenia Deli's eyebrows. Luckily, she shares beauty tips on IsaDora.com. IsaDora launches on Walgreens.com today with a comprehensive assortment of face, brow, lip and eye beauty products. Seasonal color collections will be introduced throughout the year. "We are thrilled about our new relationship with Walgreens.com and their confidence that IsaDora will complement their line-up of cosmetics. Launching online gives us instant opportunities and a nationwide consumer reach," says Ingrid-Marie Johansson, Chief Creative Officer of IsaDora. "They've been aggressive in creating a superior experience for their beauty shopper and in embracing brands that not only offer amazing products, but also concentrates on remarkable formulations and innovations. That is what our customers demand." SOURCE IsaDora Lindon Lindy Saline may have lived in the Coulee Region for only a tad over three decades, but his resume of community activities, contributions and accomplishments reads like that of a centenarian a milestone he was approaching. Lindy hit La Crosse like a storm, Duane Moore said of Salines immersion in the community when he and his wife, Jane, arrived in 1984, after he retired from General Electric and they moved from New Canaan, Conn., to Dresbach, Minn. Volunteer extraordinaire, big-hearted, generous and good guy are just a few of the adjectives other acquaintances and friends invoke to describe Saline, a Minneapolis native who died Friday in La Crosse at the age of 93. He was a bright spot of philanthropy and activity, said Moore, who became involved with Saline when Moore chaired the Jail Ministry Board at the La Crosse County Jail and Saline was a volunteer and board member at then-Franciscan Skemp Hospital, as well as through the La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce. He was good for the community, and it was a great pleasure to work with him, Moore said. Saline, a Navy veteran, was real active in the chamber when the local units of government were all fighting, said then-Mayor John Medinger, who said collaboration between cities and towns was hard to come by in those days. That is when Saline, Joe Heim and Merl Case formed United Coulee Region, which Medinger described as an arm of the chamber that did yeoman service to stop us from hiring lawyers to sue each other, Medinger said. He was very easy to work with. I never saw him lose his temper, Medinger said. He was one of those guys who, if you were getting volunteers together, he would be first on your list. He was a volunteer extraordinaire. Despite Salines endeavors to foster peace between municipalities in the Coulee Region, he didnt mind filing a suit himself for a just cause, said Sue Durtsche of La Crosse, one of the Salines four children. When the family lived in Florida, he sued Daytona Beach in an effort to get the city to raise taxes to provide equal education for blacks at a time when schools there were segregated, Durtsche said. The suit resulted in death threats, and Saline ordered his children not to answer the phone for about six months during that time, she recalled. Durtsche also recalled a time when her older sister, Sandy, answered the phone and the person on the other end asked whether her dad was a doctor. Yes, but not the kind who will do you any good, Sandy replied. That remained one of the favorite anecdotes about her father, who had a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. That degree was on top of his masters degree from UW and his B.S. in electrical engineering from Marquette University. An elder at First Presbyterian Church in La Crosse, Saline described his faith as Franbyterian, a blending of his own faith heritage and his involvement with the Franciscans by virtue of his volunteering and board memberships and president terms at St. Francis Medical Center in La Crosse since 1987 and its various identities in the ensuing decades, as well as at Viterbo University, a Franciscan-founded college in La Crosse. He also was involved in Lutheran and Congregational churches. He had a great heart and was a great man, said Sheila Garrity, former head of the La Crosse Community Foundation who was hired for that post when Saline was an LCF board member. He always pushed to find the root cause of problems instead of treating just symptoms, Garrity said. Ideally, he wanted to head off difficulties before they caused more suffering, she said. Lindy and Jane and later Lindy himself were always very generous in their financial support of the LCF and its work in the region, she said. Saline, who served on other boards and for organizations too numerous to mention, chaired the steering committee of the foundations To Make a Difference report, which underscored the importance of parenting classes to reduce child abuse/neglect cases, Garrity said. The report sparked Salines interest in causes such as child care, parenting classes and helping Hmong immigrants assimilate into the American culture, Garrity said. Lindy provided great leadership and supported LCF in many ways, with time, talent and treasure. He stayed engaged with LCF and supported its work until his death, Garrity said. The D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo, where Saline was a trustee, put out Salines book, Doing Whats Right, Right, as its first foray into the book-publishing business in 2008. The book was an updated version of one he self-published in 1991 to help provide ethical guidelines for both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. It was but a small part of his overall writings, including more than 50 published professional papers. In 2000, the Salines received Viterbos Pope John XXIII Award, which recognizes people for distinguished service to the community. Among numerous other accolades he received were being named chamber volunteer of the year in 1986, receiving the BSJs Iverson-Freking Ecumenical Award in 1992, the LADCO Distinguished Service Award in 1994, the Franciscan-Skemp Hospitals Spheres of Influence Award in 1996 and the Rotary Four-Way Test Award in 1997. Salines roles during his 36 years at GE included being head of several technical and business operations and corporate staff functions. He was director of the General Electric Management Development Institute, which sponsored courses and workshops for GE management personnel. Saline, who had five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, was in relatively good health until he broke several ribs in a fall in February, starting a health spiral, daughter Sue Durtsche said. He became less active than he had been, but he was reading the Wall Street Journal two weeks ago, she said. Saline was too humble to tout many facets of his life himself, she said. But his career included being part of the team that helped develop GE components for the Apollo Space program for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, which landed the first humans on the Moon from 1969 to 1972. Even his children dont know details of some parts of his career because he refused to talk about them, saying they were highly classified, Durtsche said. When his children told him that the reports surely had been declassified by the time he reached his later years, he answered that he had not set a limit on the confidentiality papers he signed, she said. Casually mentioning the irony that her GE refrigerator had broken down Sunday night, Durtsche brushed aside any notion that that might have been a wink from her father. She suggested that information was not for publication. If you do, hell come find you, she said, albeit with a smile. LONDON, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- IVD Quality Controls Market by Product Type (Quality Controls, Data Management Software, and External Quality Assurance Services), by Application (Clinical Chemistry, Hematology, Immunoassay, Molecular Diagnostics, Microbiology, Coagulation/Hemostasis, and Others), by End User (Hospitals, Clinical/ Reference Laboratories, Research & Academic Institutes, and others), by Manufacturer Type (IVD Instrument Manufacturers and Third Party Quality Control Manufacturers)- Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast to 2022 Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5219039 The rising need of faster and error free laboratory results, improving laboratory efficiency, and technological advancements in multi-analyte third party IVD quality controls are the major factors that significantly impacted the development in In Vitro Diagnostics Quality Controls Market. Global IVD quality controls market is expected to reach USD 1,065.3 million by 2022, at a CAGR of 3.8% during the forecast period of 2017 to 2022. Following a comprehensive research on IVD quality control products and an in-depth analysis of the market scenario, the report carries out an impact analysis of the key industry drivers, restraints, trends, and opportunities listed in the market dynamics segment. Increasing number of accredited clinical laboratories, growing demand for external quality assessment (EQA) support, and increasing mandates from regulatory & accreditation bodies on the use of quality controls are the key market drivers covered in the report which will support the industry growth during the forecast period. However, additional costs burden associated with quality controls on laboratories, unfavorable reimbursement scenario for IVD tests, and lack of mandatory regulations for clinical laboratory accreditation in many emerging countries restraining the adoption of these quality control products to some extent. The global IVD quality controls market report offers an extensive outlook of the various segments of the market. The global In Vitro Diagnostics Quality Controls Market is majorly segmented by product type (quality control products, data management software, and external quality assurance system), application (clinical chemistry, hematology, immunoassay, molecular diagnostics, microbiology, coagulation/hemostasis, and others), end user (hospitals, clinical/ reference laboratories, research and academic institutes, and others), and manufacturer type (IVD instrument manufacturers and third party quality control manufacturers); and geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East and Africa). The report further gives an extensive detail on the each segment and sub-segment covered in the report. For instance, the In Vitro Diagnostics Quality control market report briefly talks about the dynamics of the various applications of IVD quality control products. These applications include clinical chemistry, hematology, immunoassay, molecular diagnostics, microbiology, coagulation/hemostasis, and other applications. The applications segment further briefly talks about the trends impacting the growth of these markets and the benefits involved with the use of IVD quality control products in these applications to improve overall laboratory efficiency. The report also provides the market size and forecast of IVD quality control products for these applications in all the countries included in the scope. An exhaustive analysis of the geographical scenario of the industry for the six major geographies: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa is included in the geographical analysis section. These regions are further analyzed at a country level with the detailed qualitative and quantitative analysis. The geographic analysis provides detailed insights on the key trends of the industry in the listed regions & countries, identifying the demographic & economic impact, government & private investments, and regulatory scenario. The report identifies North America to be the largest market, followed by Europe. The geographical analysis section also comments on the key market players shaping the growth of the industry in the respective countries. The report also includes the competitive landscape based on extensive assessment of the key strategic developments adopted by leading market participants in the industry over the past 3 years (2014-2017). The study has also incorporated the market share analysis of leading players and detailed profiles of 20 top market players across the value chain of the industry, including detailed financial performance, product offerings, and strategic growth initiatives of each player. The key players operating in the global IVD quality control market are Randox Laboratories Ltd. (U.K.), Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (U.S.), Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc. (U.S.), Technopath Clinical Diagnostics (Ireland), SeraCare Life Sciences Inc. (U.S.), Merck KGaA (Germany), Maine Molecular Quality Controls, Inc. (U.S.), Sero AS (Norway), Eurotrol B.V. (The Netherlands), Omega Diagnostic Group PLC (U.K.), Fortress Diagnostic Limited (U.K.), Sun Diagnostics, LLC. (U.S.), Siemens AG (Germany), Abbott Laboratories (U.S.), F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. (Switzerland), Helena Biosciences Europe (U.K.), Danaher Corporation (U.S.), Ortho Clinical Diagnostics (U.S.), ZeptoMetrix Corporation (U.S.), and Becton Dickinson and company (U.S.). Key questions answered in the report: Molecular Diagnostics application to drive the adoption of IVD quality control products and services What impact does this have on the adoption of IVD quality control products for molecular diagnostics in comparison to other applications? Which are the high growth market segments/regions for the IVD quality control products for molecular diagnostics application? Hospitals segment account for a large proportion of all end users of IVD quality control globally What factors contribute to the large usage of IVD quality control products in hospitals? Conversely, which geographic segment is expected to experience the fastest growth for hospitals segment? The North American IVD quality control products market favors larger manufacturers that compete in multiple segments Who are the top competitors in IVD quality controls market and what strategies do they employ to gain market shares? What is driving growth and which market segments have the most potential for revenue expansion over the forecast period? What strategies should new companies looking to enter IVD quality controls market use to compete effectively? What are the major drivers, restrains, opportunities, and trends in the global IVD quality control products market? Who are the major players in various countries and what share of the In Vitro Diagnostics Quality Controls Market do they hold? What are the geographical trends and high growth regions/ countries in In Vitro Diagnostics Quality Controls Market? Recent new product launches, partnerships & collaborations, approvals, and expansions taken place in the IVD quality control products space. What companies have recently launched new products and how will these products affect the competitive landscape of the IVD quality control space? Which companies have recently received approvals and how will these approvals promote a competitive advantage? Who are the major players in the global In Vitro Diagnostics Quality Controls Market and what share of the market do they hold? Who are the local emerging players in the IVD quality controls market and how do they compete with the global players? Scope of the Report Market by Product Type Quality Controls Whole blood based quality controls Serum & Plasma based quality controls Urine based quality controls Other quality controls Data Management Software External Quality Assurance Services Market by Application Clinical Chemistry Hematology Immunoassay Molecular Diagnostics Microbiology Coagulation/Hemostasis Others Market by End User Hospitals Clinical/ Reference Laboratories Research and Academic Institutes Others Market by Manufacturer Type IVD Instrument Manufacturers Third Party Quality Control Manufacturers Independent third party quality controls Instrument specific third party quality controls Market by Geography North America U.S. Canada Europe Germany France U.K. Italy Spain Rest of Europe Asia-Pacific Japan China India Australia Rest of Asia-Pacific Rest of World Latin America Brazil Mexico Rest of Latin America Middle-East Africa Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5219039 About Reportbuyer Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers 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 NEW YORK, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) will host 16 surgeons from Greece for an annual seminar dedicated to teaching the latest techniques and innovations in complex primary total hip and knee replacement. Initiated in 2006, the annual HSS Stavros Niarchos Foundation Orthopaedic Seminar Program consists of two days of didactic sessions, case consultations, roundtable discussions, hands-on workshops and operating room observation at HSS. Moderated by Michael Cross, MD, and Peter K. Sculco, MD, both hip and knee surgeons at HSS, this year's seminar will be held November 28 and 29th, and will focus on the diagnosis and treatment of complex primary hip and knee replacements. The following three days will include attendance at the 29th Annual HSS Holiday Knee & Hip Course, a CME-accredited professional education course. The program aims to immerse visiting Greek surgeons, with under 10 years of experience, in the high-volume joint replacement environment at HSS. "This year's knee seminar includes a comprehensive overview of complex issues in primary knee replacement surgery. The goal of the didactic lectures and hands-on skills workshop is to provide our Greek surgeon colleagues with the surgical principles to manage these complex cases. The clinical experience of the world-renowned faculty is a major strength of this teaching program." "Surgeons will leave with an understanding of the decision-making process that can only come from the combination of lectures, workshops, and operating room observation of a skilled surgical team." The Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) is one of the world's leading private international philanthropic organizations and has provided grants in the areas of healthcare as well as sports, arts and culture, education and social welfare. Last year, HSS received a $925,000 grant from the Foundation that is supporting professional development programs, such as this, for Greece's orthopedic surgeons. HSS and the Foundation have had a longstanding relationship lasting over a decade. "Our vision at HSS includes being the most trusted educator in the field of orthopedics," said Dr. Cross, hip session moderator. "This seminar offers hands-on training that the surgeons take directly back to Greece to be able to provide high-quality patient care for those needing joint replacements." Over 30,000 surgeries are performed at HSS each year, with HSS physicians performing more hip surgeries and knee replacements than any other hospital in the United States. People travel to HSS for medical care from more than 100 countries. About Hospital for Special Surgery Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) is the world's leading academic medical center focused on musculoskeletal health. HSS is nationally ranked No. 1 in orthopedics and No. 3 in rheumatology by U.S. News & World Report (2017-2018), and is the first hospital in New York State to receive Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Service from the American Nurses Credentialing Center four consecutive times. HSS has one of the lowest infection rates in the country. HSS is an affiliate of Weill Cornell Medical College and as such all Hospital for Special Surgery medical staff are faculty of Weill Cornell. The hospital's research division is internationally recognized as a leader in the investigation of musculoskeletal and autoimmune diseases. HSS has locations in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. www.hss.edu SOURCE Hospital for Special Surgery Related Links http://www.hss.edu BLOOMINGTON, Minnesota , November 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new market intelligence report by BIS Research, titled "Global Liquid Biopsy Market- Analysis and Forecast, 2016-2025", the global liquid biopsy market is estimated to grow to $4.43 billion by 2025. The global liquid biopsy market is expected to grow at an impressive compound annual growth rate of 22.5%, between the years 2016 and 2025, due to the growing prominence for non-invasive diagnostic procedures. (Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/495163/BIS_Research_Logo.jpg ) Browse 51 market Data Tables and 153 Figures spread through 312 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Global Liquid Biopsy Market" Cancer, a global pandemic is one of the leading causes of deaths worldwide. As per the American Cancer Society, 1 in 8 deaths worldwide is caused by cancer. According to the research study conducted by the International Agency for Research, approximately 14.1 million new cancer cases were detected and 8.2 million devastating cancer deaths were reported in 2012. Moreover, considering the present rates, the numbers of cases detected are expected to grow over 21.7 million, while the death counts are expected to reach 13 million by 2030. The rise in the number of cancer cases has been significantly inflating the economic burden globally and was registered to be approximately $1.16 trillion in 2010. Several developed countries, such as the U.S., the U.K., Germany, France, and Canada, among others have been making considerable efforts to develop actionable measures to control the prevalence of cancer. The World Health Organization (WHO), aided by aforementioned developed countries, has been significantly supporting several developing countries to combat cancer prevalence. The prime factor aiding the rise in the count of cancer cases is lack of medical procedures for enabling continuous monitoring of patients' response towards treatment and procedures enabling early detection of cancer. The development of medical procedures enabling continuous monitoring of cancer patients and personalized treatments will significantly decrease the count of cancer mortalities. Currently, tissue biopsy is the widely adopted medical procedure for cancer diagnosis. However, the dependency of tissue biopsy on invasive surgical procedures, which in many instances often precludes the regular treatment monitoring and the initial diagnosis, had initiated the research of better minimal invasive procedures. The impressive research on molecular technologies, cancer biomarkers, and the biomarkers' presence in the body fluids has opened up pathways for the development of a significant non-invasive diagnostic procedure, namely Liquid Biopsy. According to Pushplata, an analyst at BIS Research "North America is a leading contributor to the global liquid biopsy market and is noticed to be contributing more than 50% of the global market value. However, Asia Pacific is expected to grow at an impressive 26.3% CAGR between the years 2016 to 2025. Presently, the Asia Pacific market is contributing approximately 15% to the total global market value." Research Highlights: Oncology is the leading contributor to the global liquid biopsy market and currently has been reported to contribute approximately 96% to the global liquid biopsy market value Kits & Consumables is the leading sub-segment to the global liquid biopsy market value Cell-Free DNA segment is anticipated to show immense market opportunity during the forecast period Reference Laboratories and Hospitals are holding a major share of end user segment Request for Sample Report: https://bisresearch.com/requestsample?id=348&type=download This market intelligence report provides a multidimensional view of the global liquid biopsy market in terms of market size, and growth potential. This research report aims at answering various aspects of the global liquid biopsy market with the help of key factors driving the market, threats that can possibly inhibit the overall market growth, and the current growth opportunities that are going to shape the future trajectory of the market expansion. The study considers the growth-share matrix model for a comprehensive study of the global liquid biopsy market and assesses the factors governing the same. Furthermore, the competitive landscape chapter in the report explicates the competitive nature of the global market and enables the reader to get acquainted with recent market activities, such as product launches, regulatory clearance, and certifications, partnerships, collaborations, business expansions, and mergers and acquisitions etc. The research report provides a comprehensive product sales, manufacturers, and trend analysis by segments, and demand by geographical regions. This report is a meticulous compilation of research on more than 50 players in the market ecosystem and draws upon insights from in-depth interviews with key opinion leaders of more than 10 leading companies, market participants, and vendors. The report also profiles 22 companies, including many key players, such as Adaptive Biotechnologies, ANGLE plc., Biocept Inc., Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc., Cynvenio Biosystems, Inc., Epic Sciences, F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Genomic Health, Guardant Health, Inc., Illumina, Inc., Janssen Diagnostics, LLC, MDxHealth, Menarini Silicon Biosystems., Myriad Genetics, Natera, Inc., NeoGenomics Laboratories, Inc., QIAGEN, RainDance Technologies, Inc., Sysmex Inostics GmbH, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Trovagene Inc. Key questions answered in the report: What are the major market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the global liquid biopsy market? How did the liquid biopsy market evolve and what is its scope in the future? What are the key developmental strategies which are being implemented by the key players to stand out in this market? What is the total addressable market (TAM), segmental addressable market (SAM) and the potential market opportunity of the global liquid biopsy market? What is the market share of the leading segments and sub-segments of the liquid biopsy market in 2016 and 2025? How will each segment of the global liquid biopsy market grow during the forecast period and what will be their revenue generation at the end of 2025? Who are the key players dominating the global liquid biopsy market and their respective share? What are the influencing factors that may affect the market share of the key players? How will the industry evolve during the forecast period 2016-2025? Which product type is dominating the market? What are the dominating products offered by different companies for each product type, available in the market? How the market is distributed on the basis of application? Which cancer type is the leading contributor to the global liquid biopsy market revenue? Which geographical location will contribute to the highest sales of the liquid biopsy products? Related Reports: Global Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing Market, Analysis and Forecast, 2017-2023 About BIS Research: BIS Research (Business Intelligence and Strategy Research) is a global B2B market intelligence and advisory firm which focuses on those emerging trends in technology which are likely to disrupt the dynamics of the market. With over 150 market research reports published annually, BIS Research focuses on high technology verticals such as 3D Printing, Advanced Materials & Chemicals, Aerospace and Defence, Automotive, Healthcare, Electronics & Semiconductors, Robotics & UAV and other emerging technologies. Our in-depth market intelligence reports focus on the market estimations, technology analysis, emerging high-growth applications, deeply segmented granular country-level market data and other important market parameters useful in the strategic decision making for senior management. What distinguishes BIS Research from the rest of the players is that we don't simply provide data, but also complement it with valuable insights and actionable inputs for the success of our clients. Contact: Bhavya Banga Email: [email protected] BIS Research 9100 West Bloomington Freeway, Suite 159, Bloomington, MN 55431 Visit our Blog @ http://bisresearch.com/blog/ Connect with us on LinkedIn @ https://www.linkedin.com/company/3720474 Connect with us on Twitter @ https://twitter.com/BISResearch SOURCE BIS Research SAN BERNARDINO, Calif., and PATTERSON, Calif., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- As the Cyber Monday numbers are starting to come in, a class action lawsuit says online giant, Amazon.com is taking unfair and illegal advantage of workers. Joshua Haffner of Haffner Law has just filed a class-action lawsuit against the online cyber giant for violations of California state labor laws. "We have been learning of sweat-shop like conditions for workers, who work long shifts and have not been able to get the appropriate rest breaks and overtime that is required," said Haffner, a Los Angeles based attorney who specializes in wage-and-labor class action cases. "It's unfair to the workers who are low paid and working as hard as they can to make ends meet and be good employees," said Haffner. "Providing the short break required by law isn't too much to ask." The lawsuit, filed against Golden State FC, LLC dba Amazon.com in Sacramento County's Superior Court, says, "Defendant failed to provide Plaintiff and Class members a third rest break when they worked over 10 hours of on-the-clock time, and were scheduled for a 10 hour shift (or 10 1/2 hour shift including meal break time)." It goes onto say Amazon.com has "caused Plaintiff and Class members damages including, but not limited to, loss of wages and compensation Failing to pay overtime wages, failing to pay premium wages for missed meal and rest breaks and failing to pay all wages owed on each pay period." "Amazon is known to want to help shoppers save a penny," said Haffner. "But that penny shouldn't be saved at the expense of hard workers by shorting them the money they have earned." Joshua H. Haffner is a Los Angeles based lawyer specializing in representing individuals injured or victimized by negligence, insurance bad faith, or other wrongdoing. For over 20 years, Joshua has handled civil litigation for plaintiffs involving serious personal injury, insurance bad faith, class actions, fraud, and other tort cases. SOURCE Haffner Law WOODLAND HILLS, Calif., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Input 1, LLC, a multi-national provider of insurance billing products and services, is proud to announce that Hanover Excess and Surplus, Inc. has selected Input 1's Premium Billing System as its new servicing platform to manage the growing receivables of their premium finance subsidiary, Hanover Premium Finance. "Our premium finance division helps us ensure that our customers keep their insurance in force with a payment plan that works for them. In order to remain competitive and to support our growth, we needed a best-in-class platformsupported by a partner that has a deep understanding of this business and a strong commitment to supporting their customers. We needed a partner to advance our technology to a point of vast superiority than that of our competition, a partner that answers the phone when we call, and a partner that gets things done fast and correctly, the first time. We found that partner with Input 1 and PBS," said Leah Barr, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. "We are honored to have been selected by the people of Hanover Excess and Surplus to provide a rock-solid foundation and support system upon which they can continue to expand their premium finance business. Our API provided for a rapid integration that supports seamless financing at point of purchase. Couple that with our ability to build custom features, unique to their needs, and we have a winning formula. When you join forces with a company like Hanover, that has been serving their industry and their customers for over 40 years, there is an opportunity to make a significant impact on the customer experience and strengthen the future of the business. We look forward to working with Hanover as they continue their impressive run in the mid-Atlantic," said Chris Farfaras, Executive Vice President and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer for Input 1. About Hanover Excess and Surplus and Hanover Premium Finance Serving Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina since 1970 and Georgia since 2011. Hanover is a general wholesale agency with a remarkable depth of experience and breadth of product lines an insurance agent's comprehensive resource for challenging coverages. Hanover is a trusted advisor for PROvision Coverages, including E&O, For-Profit/Not-For-Profit D&O, Professional Liability and Personal Coverages, including Homeowners, Condos & Renters, Mobile Home, and Excess Wind & Flood. www.hanoverxs.com About Input 1, LLC Since 1984, Input 1 has been providing outsourced administrative services, software, and specialty consulting services to insurance carriers, managing general agencies, banks, and premium finance companies located throughout the United States, Canada, and the Virgin Islands. The company's line of SaaS products and services, comprised of insurance billing, premium finance, mobile account management and payment processing platforms, known collectively as the i1Core Insurance Billing Suite, provides online access to more than one million agents, brokers, and policyholders. www.input1.com Contact Input 1, LLC Marketing Department 888-882-2554 ext.2135 [email protected] SOURCE Input 1, LLC Related Links http://www.input1.com The three-day turkey giveaway started out with excited volunteers gathering to collect, count, bag and prepare frozen turkeys to be distributed across the city of Chula Vista, Los Angeles County and the city of Riverside. "Hensel Phelps is extremely proud to be able to give back to the communities where we have built lasting relationships. Our hope is that challenged communities will be able to share the joy and the memories that the Thanksgiving holiday brings. This event is truly special for the employees of Hensel Phelps and one we look forward to annually," said Executive Vice President Brad Jeanneret of Hensel Phelps. With Thanksgiving the same week, the Hensel Phelps Turkey Giveaway was planned to ensure that families in Southern California that face challenges and hardships were provided the opportunity to celebrate Thanksgiving with their families and loved ones with food on the table. With a history of giving back and community service, Hensel Phelps, subcontractors and community partners provided over 3,100 frozen turkeys across Southern California to local families. The event was made possible by generous contributions from subcontractors, general contractors and community members. About Hensel Phelps Celebrating our 80th year in construction, Hensel Phelps is recognized as one of the premier general contracting firms in the United States since 1937, specializing in planning, building and managing facilities in every building sector, including healthcare, aviation, higher education, federal and justice. Hensel Phelps has been an engaged community partner in the Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego markets for over 30 years. Hensel Phelps Contacts: Giovanna Brasfield, Outreach & Diversity Manager Office: 949-852-0111 [email protected] Tom Klecker, Marketing & Communications Manager Office: 949-852-0111 [email protected] SOURCE Hensel Phelps Related Links http://www.henselphelps.com "Our challenge here at Hikvision is the same as other video surveillance providers," said Chuck Davis, Hikvision's director of cybersecurity for North America. "The difference is that we are the number one video surveillance provider in the world, so we believe it is our responsibility to be vigilant in terms of cybersecurity defense. It's a formidable challenge but everyone here at Hikvision is onboard." Presented by Hikvision Canada Inc. and hosted by Davis, each road show event will consist of a two-hour interactive education session about cybersecurity, cyber threats and vulnerabilities, myths about the video surveillance industry, and best practices to mitigate those threats and vulnerabilities. Attendance is free, but space is limited, so early registration is recommended. Interested parties can register here for one or more of the sessions below: Montreal : Monday, Dec. 4 , Theatre Marcellin-Champagnat : , Theatre Marcellin-Champagnat Toronto : Tuesday, Dec. 5 , Living Arts Centre Mississauga : , Living Arts Centre Mississauga Calgary : Wednesday, Dec. 6 , Cardel Theatre : , Cardel Theatre Vancouver : Friday, Dec. 8 , Shadbolt Centre of the Arts Burnaby With more than 20 years' experience building world-class cybersecurity programs for large enterprise organizations, Davis recently joined Hikvision from IBM, where he was an executive security architect. He holds seven US Patents and numerous certifications, including the CISSP-ISSAP. "We're looking forward to bringing our cybersecurity resources directly to our clients and partners in Canada," said Alex Asnovich, head of marketing for Hikvision North America. Hikvision is planning a U.S. cybersecurity road show in 2018. About Hikvision Hikvision is leading provider of artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics and other emerging technologies, and is the world's largest video surveillance manufacturer. Featuring the industry's strongest R&D workforce, Hikvision manufactures a full suite of comprehensive products and solutions for a broad range of vertical markets. Beyond security, Hikvision products provide important data and business intelligence for end users, which can be used to enable greater commercial success and more efficient operations. Committed to the utmost quality and safety of its products, Hikvision encourages partners to take advantage of the many cybersecurity resources Hikvision offers, including the Hikvision Security Center. SOURCE Hikvision Digital Technology Co., Ltd. Agile Appraisal enables delivery of appraisals to users in as little as five business days by combining HouseCanary's robust data and analytics with the expertise of local appraisers all at a lower cost than a Fannie Mae Form 2055. The platform's foundation is HouseCanary's real estate data and analytics, allowing appraisers to focus attention on valuation and significantly reducing the appraisal timeline. The entire process is fast, accurate, and affordable, all while facilitating full compliance. "We are excited about expanding with AXIS Appraisal Management Solutions and Mercury Network to continue modernizing the appraisal landscape," said Alex Villacorta, PhD, HouseCanary's Executive Vice President of Analytics. "With our comprehensive data and analytics platform, their appraisers can efficiently spend their time and attention on the key aspects of the valuation analysis, especially when utilizing our integrated tools around comp selection and adjustments, which results in reduced revisions and time savings for all parties. Our partnership will bring efficiency and consistency to our mutual property valuation clients through this innovative bifurcation process." "Lenders and investors need alternative valuation products based upon risk and need that still include an appraiser's expert opinion of value. Agile Appraisal provides a powerful solution in times when a full appraisal is too much and an AVM is not enough to assess risk in any given market," said Kim Perotti, Co-President of AXIS. "This product is perfect for portfolio review and HELOCs (home equity lines of credit), and we are proud to be adding this offering to our wide array of products," agreed Michael Simmons, Co-President of AXIS. "Alternate valuations are becoming more and more prevalent in today's market. We are excited to have both companies on board and to offer this product to other Mercury Network customers," said Jennifer Miller, President of Mercury Network, now part of CoreLogic. As part of the partnership, AXIS Appraisal Management will offer Agile Appraisal to premier appraisers, allowing them to continue their unmatched service for their bank and credit union clients by completing a higher volume of appraisals than ever before while still maintaining the accuracy and confidence they expect in their valuations. Agile Appraisal uses regression-based adjustments for location, time, and property characteristics, all while leveraging block-level valuation ranges to conduct automated checks of the final value. With this technology, HouseCanary, AXIS Appraisal Management Solutions and Mercury Network will continue modernizing the appraisal industry. Learn more about how Agile Appraisal works and which companies use the platform at www.housecanary.com/agile-appraisal. To Order an Agile Appraisal: www.axis-amc.com/place_order/account_request.php About HouseCanary: Founded in 2014, HouseCanary's mission is to help people make better real estate decisions. Built on a foundation of great data, powerful models, and predictive analytics, the HouseCanary platform aggregates millions of data elements, including more than four decades of property data and a rapidly expanding arsenal of proprietary calculations and analytics, to accurately define and forecast values and market influences. HouseCanary is financed by notable investors including Hillspire (Alphabet Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt's family office), PSP Growth/PSP Capital (firm founded by entrepreneur and former Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker), Alpha Edison, ECA Ventures, Raven Ventures and others top Silicon Valley investors. The company is headquartered in San Francisco. www.housecanary.com. Please contact us with any questions or comments at [email protected] or 855.218.9597. About AXIS Appraisal Management Solutions: Founded by experts in appraisal and lending after the housing crisis of 2009, AXIS is one of the leading independent AMCs with nationwide coverage. AXIS invests in the best people, technology, and innovative solutions to serve the mortgage industry and consumers. AXIS helps the mortgage industry and consumers reduce risk and drive profitable and prudent lending decisions by providing the highest quality appraisals completed by local, talented appraisers compensated well above industry standards. A full-service AMC, AXIS also provides expert reviews, and the most accurate valuation intelligence products available. Visit www.axis-amc.com. About Mercury Network: Mercury Network, now a part of CoreLogic, serves nearly 1,000 lenders and AMCs with six core valuation technology solutions, including two leading appraisal management platforms, as well as add-on modules for commercial appraisal, appraisal quality control, alternative valuations, and additional closing services such as flood certificates and income verification. For more information about the company, visit www.mercuryvmp.com. SOURCE HouseCanary Related Links http://www.housecanary.com ATHENS, Ga., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- FormFree today announced that housing finance expert Faith Schwartz has been elected to its board of directors. Among the most influential leaders in the mortgage industry, Schwartz has played a firsthand role in shaping current housing finance best practices and public policy. Principal and founder of Housing Finance System Strategies, a housing finance strategic advisory firm, Schwartz also serves as a senior advisor to the leadership team of Accenture Credit Services. In 2007, Schwartz was recruited to lead HOPE NOW, an alliance formed by the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury in response to the housing market crisis. As HOPE NOW's executive director, a position she refers to as a "career highlight," Schwartz assembled a coalition of government agencies, lending institutions, nonprofits and housing trades. Schwartz has also held executive-level roles at CoreLogic and Freddie Mac. Recognized by Mortgage Banking magazine as one of its 20 Distinguished Industry Women, Schwartz was also named one of HousingWire's 2012 Women of Influence and is a recipient of a lifetime achievement award from the Five Star Institute. She actively serves on the boards of Hope LoanPort (HLP), the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA), Riskspan and Saint Anselm's Abbey School. She holds a master's degree in business administration from the University of Pittsburgh and a bachelor's degree in accounting from Shippensburg State College. "FormFree's data-driven solutions have found a unique toehold in the mortgage industry and have the potential to transform the broader financial services landscape," said Schwartz. "Automated verification of borrower assets, employment and income makes lending simple and secure for everyone involved. I look forward to being part of a growing company that is shaping the future of lending." About FormFree FormFree is a fintech company whose market-leading AccountChek reports are used by hundreds of lenders nationwide to verify borrower assets, employment and income in minutes. With FormFree, lenders can delight customers with a paperless experience and reduce origination timelines by up to 20 days. FormFree offers automated analysis and standardized delivery to lenders and their investors using a secure ReIssueKey. To date, AccountChek has securely placed more than one million asset reports for over 1,000 U.S. lenders. A HousingWire TECH100 company for four consecutive years, FormFree is based in Athens, Georgia. For more information, visit https://www.formfree.com/ or follow FormFree on LinkedIn. *PHOTO: Send2Press.com/300dpi/17-1128s2p-Faith-Schwartz-300dpi.jpg This release was issued through Send2Press, a unit of Neotrope. For more information, visit Send2Press Newswire at https://www.Send2Press.com SOURCE FormFree Related Links http://www.formfree.com SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Hyperledger, an open source collaborative effort created to advance cross-industry blockchain technologies, announced today that 14 new organizations have joined. As a multi-project, multi-stakeholder effort, Hyperledger incubates nine business blockchain and distributed ledger technologies including Hyperledger Fabric, Hyperledger Iroha, Hyperledger Indy, Hyperledger Burrow, Hyperledger Quilt and Hyperledger Sawtooth, among others. "The amount of interest in getting involved with Hyperledger and increasing diversity of organizations joining our efforts in 2017 is really building momentum," said Brian Behlendorf, Executive Director, Hyperledger. "These new members are critical in our goal of advancing enterprise grade, open source distributed ledger frameworks upon which users can build and run a variety of business applications. We're excited to see the contributions from this vibrant community push forward more Hyperledger projects to 1.0 and beyond." Hyperledger aims to enable organizations to build robust, industry-specific applications, platforms and hardware systems to support their individual business transactions by creating an enterprise grade, open source distributed ledger framework and code base. It is a global collaboration including leaders in finance, banking, IoT, supply chain, manufacturing and technology. The latest General members include: Agavon, B9lab, China Minsheng Bank, EBPI BV, Global Blockchain Technologies, GM Financial, GXChain, Information Builders, Sempre IT, United Traders and YDreams Global. Hyperledger supports an open community that values contributions and participation from various entities. As such, pre-approved non-profits, open source projects and government entities can join Hyperledger at no cost as Associate members. Associate members to join this month include: Monetary Authority of Singapore, National Association of Realtors and UCLA Blockchain Lab. New member quotes: Agavon "As one of our key areas of business is providing consulting services to help companies decide whether blockchain or other distributed ledger technologies is right for them, as well as which one would be best, it was natural for us to decide to become a member of Hyperledger," said Travin Keith, Founder of Agavon. "This way, we join many other great businesses taking blockchain technology forward in the right way. We look forward to being active members of the community by collaborating with others and contributing to the ecosystem, especially since some members of our team have already been doing so over the past year." B9lab "We have been watching the enterprise blockchain space for a while and the work of everyone involved in Hyperledger has been the most consistent and convincing by far," said Elias Haase, Founder of B9lab. "We decided to build an in-depth developer course for Hyperledger Fabric, and more courses will be following for the other incubated projects. Our aim is to bring more talent into the market where the community and technology really merit it. We're thrilled to be a part of the growing Hyperledger ecosystem." China Minsheng Bank "China Minsheng Bank continues to focus on and explore the applications of blockchain technology in the financial industry," said Niu Xinzhuang, general manager of the science and technology department of China MinSheng Bank. "Also, through technology leading business, change and innovation, China Minsheng Bank provides more efficient, more convenient, more intelligent financial services for clients. We're very excited to join Hyperledger and contribute to this community." EBPI BV "We are very happy to be part of the Hyperledger family," Coen Egberink, managing director of EBPI BV. "The disruptive technology enables us to optimize and reinvent existing business models. Hyperledger gives us an advantage to make a difference for our customers and their users. We strongly believe in the new technological wave that Blockchain brings and think Hyperledger is the ideal tool to be part of that." Global Blockchain Technologies "As we work in the dynamic and rapidly-growing blockchain industry, we are extremely eager to explore and heighten our understanding of a variety of blockchain platforms," said Shidan Gouran, President of Global Blockchain Technologies Corp. "We feel that there is no universal solution for all problems. Joining Hyperledger is an ideal opportunity for us to collaborate with the community to develop top-tier blockchain solutions." GXChain "Since its inception, our company has been devoted to using blockchain technology for providing efficient and safe data exchange services for companies, governments, and institutions, helping people better manage their data," said Minqiang Huang, Founder and CEO of GXChain. "We believe data will be the most important resource. The development level of a country will be largely determined by their efficiency of using data. GXChain greatly simplifies procedures of data exchange, improving security, user privacy and protecting data copyrights. We are excited to join Hyperledger. We want to make a better world by collaborating with more members to explore blockchain and related business models." Information Builders "As blockchain technology makes inroads into finance, manufacturing, logistics, and many other business domains, Information Builders is pleased to introduce mature technologies for data intelligence, data integrity, and data integration to Hyperledger," said Gerald Cohen, CEO of Information Builders. "Our iWay Service Manager (iSM) integration engine and WebFOCUS analytics platform enables blockchain applications to turn raw data into instant insights, while our Omni-Gen data management platform enforces consistency and standardization within blockchain applications, helping customers to easily integrate many types of applications, databases, and computing platforms onto Hyperledger Fabric. We look forward to working with Hyperledger." Sempre IT "At Sempre IT, we are on a journey to enable our clients and partners in the development of new digital disruptive business models, and The Linux Foundation is aligned with our objectives, considering all the blockchain ecosystem provided by Hyperledger," said Thiago Azevedo, CTO of Sempre IT. "The capabilities of a modular blockchain and its permissioned operation mode have a huge impact on the consensus strategy of the ledger. We are excited to be the first Brazilian partner of Hyperledger, improving our services of designing smart contracts and supporting the infrastructure components and the functional and performance tests of the blockchain." United Traders "We are veterans of financial markets and have developed top notch software packages for professional traders, algorithmic trading, and market-making," said Dmitry Belousov, Partner at United Traders. "We've been studying blockchain technology since 2013 and see it as promising and highly appreciate its potential for further development. Becoming a member of Hyperledger, a consortium unifying leaders of financial progress is a big step for us. This step gives us opportunities for cooperation, exchange of technologies and building new partnerships." YDreams Global "We are proud to be part of this important movement that Hyperledger is leading," said Daniel Japiassu, CEO of YDreams Global. "Blockchain is a necessity for our products and joining Hyperledger is part of our growth strategy as it will positively affect Arkave and several other initiatives. In order to have the fastest network of VR gaming arenas in the world, we need to combine efforts with Hyperledger and the amazing community they have. It is an honor to work with Hyperledger and we are looking forward to the collaboration." About Hyperledger 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. To learn more, visit: https://www.hyperledger.org/. Contact: Jessica Rampen The Linux Foundation/Hyperledger [email protected] 650.787.3548 SOURCE The Linux Foundation Related Links http://www.linuxfoundation.org BLACK RIVER FALLS A four-hour standoff in the Grove area of Black River Falls ended peacefully Monday evening when a suspect was taken into custody, according to the Jackson County Sheriffs Department. The suspect, whose identity was not released, was taken into custody at 6:24 p.m. Police had responded to a call about a man barricaded in a residence in the 100 block of South Third Street. We understand that it was long time to ask people to stay away from the area, Sheriff Duane Waldera said. We were able to ensure citizens safety by them cooperating while we worked to resolve the situation. The Black River Falls Police Department, Wisconsin State Patrol and La Crosse County Sheriffs Department and Black River Falls Municipal Utilities assisted at the scene. The incident remains under investigation. illy gift items can be purchased at www.illy.com and in select illy caffe shops in cities including Las Vegas, San Francisco, Denver, Washington D.C., Los Angeles and Toronto. Free shipping is offered on orders over $50.00 at www.illy.com in the United States until December 15, 2017. illy X1 Anniversary Edition Espresso & Coffee Machine In celebration of the original X1 espresso machine's 20th anniversary, illy's new limited edition X1 Anniversary Espresso & Coffee Machine is an evolution in form and functionality from the original Luca Trazzi design that has been sold since 1996. It is steeped in heritage yet has undergone meticulous revisions including a profile accentuated by new curved lines and a new cup-rest that adjusts to varying heights. Available in stainless steel, red and matte black, the multi-beverage machine prepares espresso, cappuccino, coffee, and latte with ease. Price: $595 for red or black, $695 for stainless steel illy Y3.2 Espresso & Coffee Machine The new, compact Y3.2 prepares a perfect cup of espresso and coffee all at the touch of a button with iperEspresso coffee and espresso capsules. Elegant and functional, its compact form makes it suitable for kitchens and offices large and small. Price: $149 Maurizio Galimberti illy Art Collection As the latest chapter of the revered illy Art Collection, the Maurizio Galimberti illy Art Collection features Polaroid shots of iconic Italian city views and architectural treasures including Trieste, Venice, Milan, Florence, Pisa, and Rome. The subjects are captured through a sequence of shots and imprinted on the saucer and the iconic illy ceramic cup. This collection is available in a set of six cappuccino cups ($170), set of six espresso cups ($140), set of two mugs ($55), set of two cappuccino cups ($55), set of two espresso cups ($50), and a single espresso cup ($40). Price: Ranges from $40 to $170 Extraordinary Coffee for Any Preparation The world renowned illy blend is available for any coffee preparation and offered in three roasts medium, dark and extra dark. The extraordinary taste of rich, smooth coffee cup after cup is available in iper capsules, whole bean, K-Cup pods, in addition to single origin coffees from countries like Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Brazil and more. Plus, illy's "a casa" auto-delivery is available as a gift that continues year-round for coffee lovers who never want to run out. Price: Starting at $15 New illy Corporate Gifts In addition to individual gifts, illy offers a line of corporate gifts for businesses wishing to give the very best to colleagues, associates and employees. Many corporate gift offerings can be packaged in an impressive, premium illy Signature "Amore Red" Gift Box. https://www.illy.com/en-us/shop/gifts/corporate-gifts/ Price: Starting at $32 Expert Advice from illy Master Barista Brush up on your coffee preparation skills before your guests arrive. The knowledge is free from illy's award-winning Master Barista, Giorgio Milos. Check-out his five keys to coffee preparation and the perfect advice for hosting a brunch or dessert party this season: www.masterbarista.tumblr.com. illycaffe is an Italian family business, founded in Trieste in 1933 and committed to offering the greatest coffee to the world. illy is the world's most global coffee brand, producing the unique illy 100% Arabica blend made of 9 of the world 's best selections of Arabica; each day more than 7 million cups are served in over 140 countries in the finest cafes, restaurants, hotels and in offices and homes. illy has become the standard forerunner of espresso, and thanks to three critical innovations, is considered the leader in the science and technology of coffee. With the bestowing of the first "Ernesto Illy Award for quality espresso coffee" in 1991 in Brazil, illy also pioneered direct sourcing, sharing know-how and paying a premium price for the best quality, based on partnerships underwritten by the principles of sustainable development. The company also founded the University of Coffee with the aim of fostering and spreading its culture, providing comprehensive academic and hands-on training for coffee growers, baristas and coffee lovers in order to cover every aspect of the product. Everything 'made in illy' is enhanced by beauty & art, which represent founding values of the brand, starting from its logo designed by an artist, James Rosenquist and including the renowned illy Art Collection, comprised of over 100 cups designed by international artists. In 2016 the company was employing 1,269 people, and posted consolidated revenues of 460 million. There are approximately 230 stores and mono-brand illy shops in 43 countries . Press Contacts: ALISON BROD MARKETING + COMMUNICATIONS, 212.230.1800 Joanna Cella Dunphy [email protected] SOURCE illy Related Links http://www.illy.com In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, Insitu, a leading information services company with more than one million operational UAS flight hours, put INEXA Solutions, its aerial remote sensing services professionals and suite of tools and capabilities including Insitu's ScanEagle UAV and manned aircraft equipped with powerful scanning payloads and sensors to work on supporting the Houston area's disaster recovery efforts. Insitu deployed operations personnel and four ScanEagle Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to Corpus Christi, Sugarland, and other sites around Houston. Participating in emergency response efforts such as search and rescue, damage pollution, critical infrastructure assessments, security and monitoring, and unmanned and manned aviation over watch protection, Insitu launched and conducted beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations over the Port of Corpus Christi. The main channel at Corpus Christi was blocked with submerged debris, preventing regular shipping traffic typically moving approximately $100 million in goods per day from entering the port. The Insitu team conducted main channel assessments, identified hazards to navigation, and isolated damage to the Port's critical infrastructure. The Insitu team located a submerged ship in the bay, and provided debris maps and other information to response crews that contributed to the reopening of the Port of Corpus Christi within six days. At Sugarland, Texas, a second base of operations was established, where Insitu used payloads including infra-red (IR) and full-color video, telescopic optics, and broad area precision mapping for information delivery. The Insitu team flew the ScanEagle BVLOS, utilizing the range and endurance of the aircraft to extend the limits of its data collection missions. Concluding its missions in Texas, Insitu in September relocated its ScanEagles and crews to assist with fire suppression at the Eagle Creek Fire in Oregon, across the Columbia River from the Insitu headquarters in Bingen, Washington. The Eagle Creek fire hit very close to home, burning nearly 50,000 acres throughout the Columbia River Gorge region, and forcing many residents, and Insitu employees and their families to evacuate their homes to escape the blaze. At the Eagle Creek fire, the ScanEagle system provided optimal, near real-time data for firefighters and first responders, resulting in heightened emergency response efforts, increased situational awareness and safety, and supported planning and resource allocation. The ScanEagle can supplement manned firefighting fleets by "flying the gaps," or operating during dense smoke conditions or at night, when manned aircraft typically are grounded due to hazardous flying conditions for pilots. Providing both unmanned and manned aerial sensing services including data processing and information delivery using Infrared (IR) and Electro-optical (EO) payloads, Insitu delivered near real-time video and geo-referenced still images of points of interest at the Eagle Creek fire, allowing Geographic Information System (GIS) specialists to perform analyses using Esri's ArcGIS software. In October, Insitu's fire suppression efforts moved from Oregon to Northern California, where the ScanEagle averaged approximately 10 flight hours per night over several nights at the Mendocino Complex fire, and subsequently at the Central Complex fire in Santa Rosa. Insitu's ScanEagle collected and processed data on hot spot and fire line locations, and disseminated up-to-date information to firefighters for their morning planning meetings. "Throughout August, September, and October, we were extremely busy assisting with disaster recovery and fire suppression activities," said Mark Bauman, Vice President and General Manager, Insitu Commercial. "We are very pleased to provide our expertise in aerial remote sensing and data analytics to deliver valuable information for first responders and incident commanders," Bauman adds. "This critical, up-to-date information allows firefighters to more quickly and effectively plan their fire suppression efforts." All efforts for air space access were coordinated with the FAA, as well as the various fire suppression agencies. About Insitu Insitu is an industry-leading provider of information for superior decision making. With its headquarters in Bingen, Wash., and offices in the U.S., U.K., and Australia, the company creates and supports unmanned systems and software technology that deliver end-to-end solutions for collecting, processing and understanding sensor data. We proudly serve the diverse needs of our global customers in the defense, government and commercial industries. To date, our systems have accumulated more than one million flight hours and nearly 125,000 sorties. Insitu is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company. For more information, visit insitu.com. Follow us on Vimeo, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. CONTACT: Monica Golden Insitu Media Relations +1 509.637.6574 [email protected] SOURCE Insitu, Inc. Related Links http://www.insitu.com PLANO, Texas, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Intelligent Contacts, a leader in hosted communication and payment solutions, was just named one of the 20 Most Promising Payment & Card Providers for 2017 by CIOReview Magazine. CLICK HERE to see the payment innovations that put them on top. After evaluating hundreds of companies, CIOReview chose Intelligent Contacts as one of its top picks for secure and innovative payment solutions. Intelligent Contacts is one of the only providers of integrated communication and payments tools geared towards the self-service and millennial-mindset marketplace. "In today's cashless era, scores of payments and card solution providers are provisioning out-of-the-box technology to build numerous innovative payment methods," says Alena D'Souza of CIOReview. "As a direct result of technology advancements such as mobile payments for instant or real-time transactions, payment and card solutions are evolving fast and are becoming more secure." Technology Driven by Consumer Preferences It's this consumer-centric focus that has led Intelligent Contacts to develop a suite of mobile-first communication and payment tools to help businesses capitalize on the exploding trends towards mobile commerce. Easy Payment Now a mobile-optimized portal that helps customers pay their bills in full or create a personalized payment plan for balances owed. a mobile-optimized portal that helps customers pay their bills in full or create a personalized payment plan for balances owed. Intelligent Negotiator online technology that helps consumers pay in full, create their own payment plans, or arrive at a negotiated settlementall according to the rules set by the business. online technology that helps consumers pay in full, create their own payment plans, or arrive at a negotiated settlementall according to the rules set by the business. Merchant Gateway & Virtual Terminalsecure payments, invoicing, statement generation, and transaction reporting for any sized business. "Over 40 percent of the revenue our clients receive through our payment gateways come from mobile devices," Intelligent Contacts CEO Jeff Mains. "It's exciting to see the impact that our mobile enhancements and self-service technologies have made to the collection and payment ratios of our clients." CIOReview, whose readership includes senior IT decision makers and heads of IT, also recognized Intelligent Contacts for providing the highest level of credit card security. Intelligent Contacts abides by the strictest PCI requirements to detect tampering and protect encryption keys, offering one of the only PCI-certified P2PE solutions on the market. READ CIOReview ARTICLE Intelligent Contacts offers a full suite of communication and payment tools inside one easily-integrated platform. Each of these services follows a pay-as-you-use model, and can be chosen individually or bundled together to maximize productivity and increase revenue. SOURCE Intelligent Contacts Related Links http://www.intelligentcontacts.com LONDON, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Summary Interleukin 1 (IL1) - Interleukin-1 is a cytokine which plays an important role regulation of immune and inflammatory responses. It helps leukocytes pass through blood vessel walls to sites of infection and causes fever by affecting areas of the brain that control body temperature. There are two forms of interleukin-1, alpha and beta. IL-1 stimulates thymocyte proliferation by inducing IL-2 release, B-cell maturation and proliferation, and fibroblast growth factor activity. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5214362 Interleukin 1 (IL1) pipeline Target constitutes close to 24 molecules. Out of which approximately 23 molecules are developed by companies and remaining by the universities/institutes. The molecules developed by companies in Pre-Registration, Filing rejected/Withdrawn, Phase III, Phase II, Phase I, Preclinical and Discovery stages are 1, 1, 1, 5, 2, 11 and 2 respectively. Similarly, the universities portfolio in Preclinical stages comprises 1 molecules, respectively. Report covers products from therapy areas Immunology, Musculoskeletal Disorders, Metabolic Disorders, Oncology, Cardiovascular, Dermatology, Central Nervous System, Gastrointestinal, Genetic Disorders, Ear Nose Throat Disorders and Genito Urinary System And Sex Hormones which include indications Gouty Arthritis (Gout), Epidermolysis Bullosa, Inflammation, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Atherosclerosis, Behcet Disease, Familial Mediterranean Fever, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Type 2 Diabetes, Acne Vulgaris, Alzheimer's Disease, Autoimmune Disorders, Bladder Cancer, Bullous Pemphigoid, Cachexia, Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Cervical Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Dermatological Disorders, Diabetes, Esophageal Cancer, Fallopian Tube Cancer, Hearing Disorders, Hidradenitis Suppurativa, Hypercholesterolemia, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Kidney Fibrosis, Liver Fibrosis, Lymphoma, Metastatic Adenocarcinoma of The Pancreas, Metastatic Colorectal Cancer, Mevalonate Kinase Deficiency (Hyperimmunoglobulin D Syndrome (HIDS)), Muckle-Wells Syndrome, Myocardial Infarction, Neonatal Onset Multisystem Inflammatory Disease, Osteoarthritis, Ovarian Cancer, Pain, Plaque Psoriasis (Psoriasis Vulgaris), Prostate Cancer, Restenosis, Sarcoidosis, Skin Inflammation, Systemic Idiopathic Juvenile Arthritis and Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-Associated Periodic Syndrome (Familial Hibernian Fever). The latest report Interleukin 1 (IL1) - Pipeline Review, H2 2017, outlays comprehensive information on the Interleukin 1 (IL1) targeted therapeutics, complete with analysis by indications, stage of development, mechanism of action (MoA), route of administration (RoA) and molecule type. It also reviews key players involved in Interleukin 1 (IL1) targeted therapeutics development with respective active and dormant or discontinued projects. The report is built using data and information sourced from proprietary databases, company/university websites, clinical trial registries, conferences, SEC filings, investor presentations and featured press releases from company/university sites and industry-specific third party sources. Note: Certain content / sections in the pipeline guide may be removed or altered based on the availability and relevance of data. Scope - The report provides a snapshot of the global therapeutic landscape for Interleukin 1 (IL1) - The report reviews Interleukin 1 (IL1) targeted therapeutics under development by companies and universities/research institutes based on information derived from company and industry-specific sources - The report covers pipeline products based on various stages of development ranging from pre-registration till discovery and undisclosed stages - The report features descriptive drug profiles for the pipeline products which includes, product description, descriptive MoA, R&D brief, licensing and collaboration details & other developmental activities - The report reviews key players involved in Interleukin 1 (IL1) targeted therapeutics and enlists all their major and minor projects - The report assesses Interleukin 1 (IL1) targeted therapeutics based on mechanism of action (MoA), route of administration (RoA) and molecule type - The report summarizes all the dormant and discontinued pipeline projects - The report reviews latest news and deals related to Interleukin 1 (IL1) targeted therapeutics Reasons to buy - Gain strategically significant competitor information, analysis, and insights to formulate effective R&D strategies - Identify emerging players with potentially strong product portfolio and create effective counter-strategies to gain competitive advantage - Identify and understand the targeted therapy areas and indications for Interleukin 1 (IL1) - Identify the use of drugs for target identification and drug repurposing - Identify potential new clients or partners in the target demographic - Develop strategic initiatives by understanding the focus areas of leading companies - Plan mergers and acquisitions effectively by identifying key players and it's most promising pipeline therapeutics - Devise corrective measures for pipeline projects by understanding Interleukin 1 (IL1) development landscape - Develop and design in-licensing and out-licensing strategies by identifying prospective partners with the most attractive projects to enhance and expand business potential and scope Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5214362 About Reportbuyer Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers 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 GENEVA, November 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- iOnctura SA, a recently founded late stage preclinical immuno-oncology company, announced today the formation of an international Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). iOnctura is developing a pipeline of selected assets with novel biology that target and modulate mechanisms that drive immunosuppression in the tumour microenvironment (TME) to boost efficacy and maximize the therapeutic potential of checkpoint inhibitors. Such immune-suppression is thought to be one of the main reasons why a considerable number of patients do not respond to first generation checkpoint inhibitors. The company's lead program, a potentially first in class highly selective PI3K delta inhibitor, is scheduled to enter clinical development in 2018. The Scientific Advisory Board will closely work with iOnctura's management team to maximise the potential of iOnctura's pipeline and rapidly progress its assets through pre-clinical and clinical proof of concept, guided by strong scientific rationale and translational science. The SAB includes some of the world's leading experts in tumor immunology and checkpoint inhibitor therapy: Dr Sergio A. Quezada , Head of Immune Regulation and Tumour Immunotherapy Research Group at University College London , Head of Immune Regulation and Tumour Immunotherapy Research Group at University College London Dr James Larkin , Consultant Medical Oncologist at The Royal Marsden, Vice Chair of the Cancer Research UK Clinical Research Committee and Lead of the Uncommon Cancers Theme at The Royal Marsden/The Institute of Cancer Research NIHR Biomedical Research Centre , Consultant Medical Oncologist at The Royal Marsden, Vice Chair of the Cancer Research UK Clinical Research Committee and Lead of the Uncommon Cancers Theme at The Royal Marsden/The Institute of Cancer Research NIHR Biomedical Research Centre Professor Stuart Farrow , Director of Biology, Cancer Research UK's Therapeutic Discovery Laboratories. , Director of Biology, Cancer Research UK's Therapeutic Discovery Laboratories. Dr Joern-Peter Halle , Head of External Innovation & Translational Innovation Platform Immuno-Oncology at the biopharma business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany iOnctura, has already built a pipeline of promising programs through its alliances with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany - which operates its biopharma business as EMD Serono in the US and Canada - and Cancer Research UK, and has entered into a research collaboration with Cancer Research UK's Therapeutic Discovery Laboratories. On welcoming the members to the SAB, Catherine Pickering, CEO and co-founder of iOnctura, said: "We are delighted to have attracted this prestigious group of experts to our Scientific Advisory Board. Comprised of world renowned scientists and clinicians, their knowledge and experience in the field of cancer immunology will be invaluable as we rapidly progress our pipeline through pre-clinical development and clinical proof of concept, and will support our goal to maximize the therapeutic potential of checkpoint inhibitors for patients." SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD Dr Sergio A. Quezada Dr Quezada earned an undergraduate degree in biochemistry from the P. Universidad Catolica de Chile and a Ph.D. from Dartmouth Medical School in the US, where his research focused on the mechanisms for the induction of transplantation tolerance. Working with Prof Randy Noelle at Dartmouth, Dr. Quezada developed a model to study anti-CD154 graft tolerance and made several fundamental contributions to the understanding of the immune regulation and mechanisms of transplantation rejection and tolerance. In 2004, Dr Quezada joined the laboratory of Dr James Allison at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, where he has carried out postdoctoral research aimed at understanding the mechanisms governing anti-tumor T-cell immunity and how these mechanisms can be manipulated for the generation of potent anti-tumor immune responses. In November 2011, Dr Quezada joined the University College London Cancer Institute in the United Kingdom as Head of the Immune Regulation and Tumor Immunotherapy group. His research group at UCL focuses in the study of the mechanism of action of anti-CTLA-4, anti-PD-1 and other immune-modulatory antibodies targeting co-inhibitory and co-stimulatory pathways (including ICOS, 4-1BB, OX-40) and used as novel anticancer therapies. In the last years, through a number of clinical collaborations, his team gained significant expertise in the characterisation and interrogation of immune reactivity and function within the microenvironment of different human cancers including melanoma, lung and kidney cancers. Dr Quezada was a Cancer Research Institute Fellow from 2005 to 2008 and has been the recipient of Dartmouth's John W. Strohbern Medal for excellence in biomedical research, the Cancer Research Institute (USA) New Investigator Award and a Cancer Research UK Career Development Fellowship. Most recently he was awarded with a Cancer Research UK Senior Cancer Research Fellowship. Dr James Larkin Dr James Larkin is a Consultant Medical Oncologist specialising in the treatment of melanoma and cancers of the kidney. Dr Larkin took a first in Natural Sciences from Cambridge University and undertook clinical training at Oxford University, qualifying in 1996. He underwent general medical training in London and in 2001 won a Medical Research Council Fellowship for a Clinician, carrying out laboratory research at The Institute of Cancer Research which led to the award of a PhD. He completed specialist training at The Royal Marsden and was appointed a Consultant in 2008. His research interests involve trying to understand cancer and its consequences better as well as developing improved treatments, particularly with targeted therapies and immunotherapies. He is Chair of the Cancer Research UK Clinical Research Monitoring Panel, a medical advisor to the patient advocacy group Melanoma UK, a trustee of the Kidney Cancer Support Network and the only non-US member of the Board of Directors of the Kidney Cancer Association. He is a past NIHR National Specialty Lead for Early Phase Oncology Trials as well past Chair of both the NCRI Renal Cancer Clinical Studies Group and The Royal Marsden/ICR Committee for Clinical Research. He is currently Vice Chair of the Cancer Research UK Clinical Research Committee and Lead of the Uncommon Cancers Theme at the Royal Marsden/ICR Biomedical Research Centre for Cancer. Professor Stuart Farrow Professor Stuart Farrow joined Cancer Research UK's Therapeutic Discovery Laboratories (then Cancer Research Technology Discovery Laboratories) as Director of Biology in April 2015, where he leads the discovery team responsible for oncology target validation and disease positioning. He has a particular focus on discovery of new therapeutic opportunities in immuno-oncology. Before joining Cancer Research UK's Therapeutic Discovery Laboratories he spent more than 20 years in drug discovery and leadership roles in the pharmaceutical industry. Most recently he was based at the University of Manchester, where he directed the establishment of the Manchester centre for collaborative research in inflammation and immunology (MCCIR), a 15M initiative funded by GSK, AstraZeneca and the University of Manchester. He has also served as a translational biology expert on the UK MRC Infection and Immunity Board. Stuart has worked in several therapeutic areas, leading discovery programmes from early discovery through to commercial launch, and has also directed major translational research initiatives. He has an extensive publication record with particular emphasis on immunology and inflammation. Dr Joern-Peter Halle Dr Joern-Peter Halle is leading the External Innovation and Translational Innovation Platform Immuno-Oncology function at the biopharma business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. Most recently, he was Head of the President's Office and of Strategy and Business operations at the biopharma business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. Prior to this, he was responsible for the program leaders of the oncology portfolio, part of the cross-functional oncology leadership team, and Head of Early Stage Licensing of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. He started his career in Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany 12 years ago as a member of the corporate development team and was member of the Serono acquisition and integration team. Prior to joining Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, he co-founded a biotech company focusing on R&D in dermatology where he served as a Chief Business Officer. Peter holds a PhD in molecular biology from the University of Konstanz and began his career as a postdoc in biochemistry at the Gene Center Munich. About iOnctura iOnctura is a biopharmaceutical company focusing on novel therapeutics to modulate key culprits of immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment. iOnctura aims to improve current immune checkpoint therapies by developing novel drugs with potential first or best-in-class safety and efficacy profiles that when combined with checkpoint inhibition have the potential to optimize clinical outcomes. Through its partnerships with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany and Cancer Research UK, iOnctura has established a pipeline of pre-clinical molecules to advance towards the clinic in combination with first generation checkpoint inhibitors. iOnctura, supported by a world renowned scientific advisory board and, with its access to Cancer Research UK's Therapeutic Discovery Laboratories and network of academic collaborators, is well-positioned to rapidly establish novel combination therapies in the field of cancer immunology. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, iOnctura was founded by Merck Ventures, the strategic venture investment arm of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany in June 2017. Hakan Goker, Senior Investment Director at Merck Ventures, and Keno Gutierrez represent Merck Ventures on iOnctura's board of directors. For more information contact: Optimum Strategic Communications Mary Clark, Supriya Mathur, Hollie Vile Email: [email protected] Tel: +44(0)203-714-1787 SOURCE iOnctura SA PORTLAND, Ore., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Jama Software, provider of the leading product-development platform for companies building complex products and integrated systems, announced strong revenue results for the first half of its fiscal year. With an increase in new license bookings of 73 percent and more than 150 new and expansion customer wins, the company enters the second half of its fiscal year well positioned for continued growth. The Jama Product Development Platform helps companies modernize, digitize and transform their entire product development processes, speeding time to market and cutting development, validation and verification costs. "Market pressures and product complexity are driving massive changes not only in the types of products that companies create and sell but also how they go about developing those products," said Scott Roth, CEO of Jama Software. "Jama's product development platform directly addresses these challenges. "The market is responding," Roth continued, "as we continue to drive strong financial performance and rapidly add customers." Significant new customer wins and expansions in first half 2018 include: Anthem, GM-Cruise Automation, HCA, Viasat, Merck, Rivian Automotive, Nikola Motor Company, Virgin Orbit, Tektronix, Lyft-Level 5 and Leica Microsystems, among others. "Manufacturing firms with decades of experience developing products are facing rough seas as democratized product development, digital capabilities and as-a-service business models sink their status quo," according to a recent Forrester report.1 This well-documented trend highlights the difficulty for well-established market leaders to navigate the next generation of smart, connected products while still maintaining their competitive edge. Tools that help manage this complexity while not losing sight of market windows are critical for companies to have successful next-generation innovation. By helping both disruptors and well-established market leaders develop successful digitized products and realize the potential of digital transformation, Jama has emerged as the product development platform of choice. To drive continued rapid growth, Jama also added key staff and expanded its international footprint during the first half. The company hired Laura Trotter, who brings extensive high-tech hardware, software and SaaS marketing experience to Jama, as VP of marketing; and, as VP of engineering, John Gasper brings to Jama more than 25 years of experience with large-scale enterprise software, and critical business processes and workflows, as well as big data and analytics. Jama also successfully opened its European headquarters in The Netherlands, led by founder Eric Winquist, and is scaling up the team. About Jama Software Jama Software is the product development platform for companies building complex, smart and connected products. The Jama solution enables enterprises to accelerate development time, mitigate risk, slash complexity and verify regulatory compliance. More than 600 product-centric organizations, including NASA, Thales and Caterpillar, use Jama Software to modernize their process for bringing complex products to market. The company is headquartered in Portland, Ore. For more information, visit www.jamasoftware.com. 1 "Vendor Landscape: Product Lifecycle Management Solutions, The Internet Of Things And Product Digitization Make Product Lifecycle Management Solutions A Vital Piece Of The Digital Strategy Puzzle," Forrester, August 18, 2017 SOURCE Jama Software Related Links https://www.jamasoftware.com HELSINKI, Finland, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, and Johnson & Johnson Innovation LLC, in collaboration with Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, Tekes the Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, announced today the seven finalists in the Next-Gen Baby Box QuickFire Challenge focused on "the Baby Box of the future." The top finalists were selected from 135 total applicants from across the world (75 from North America; 44 from Europe, nine from Asia, five from Australia and two from South America) who contributed novel ideas to promote child health, detect childhood disease earlier and facilitate healthy parenting. J & J Innovation Logo. (PRNewsFoto/Johnson & Johnson Innovation) "Through the Next-Gen Baby Box QuickFire Challenge, we hope to nurture groundbreaking solutions for the future that contribute to the value of the successful Finnish Baby Box, an 80-year-old program that brings health essentials to newborns and parents," said Ben Wiegand, PhD, Global Head, World Without Disease Accelerator, Janssen. "With the backdrop of Slush, a premier health/tech startup event, finalists have a unique opportunity to secure support for their innovations, which could have an impact on the trajectory of health for infants in the future." The seven finalists, who were provided structured mentorship over the past month, will pitch their ideas to a panel of judges on November 30, 2017 during Slush, one of Europe's leading start-up and technology events, taking place in Helsinki, Finland. Those interested in attending the Next-Gen Baby Box QuickFire Challenge event can join in person at 14:00 in Kokoustamo Meeting Room 102, or by Periscope/Twitter via @jnjinnovation. All finalists have been awarded a trip to participate in the pitch event taking place at Slush, and select winner(s) will receive up to $150,000 (USD) in funding, with potential for further funding toward future pilot programs in Finland. Select winner(s) may be eligible to receive additional funding through the achievement of proof of concept milestones that further validate the impact or outcome(s) of their ideas, and may be considered for future child health concepts or potential inclusion in "the Baby Box of the future." The seven finalists are: Connido Ltd. Bluebell is an innovative baby monitoring system that guides parents to improve the baby's routine and well-being in addition to their own health. Bluebell is an innovative baby monitoring system that guides parents to improve the baby's routine and well-being in addition to their own health. CallMidwife.com Web-based and mobile app for pregnant women and parents that enables parents to monitor their pregnancy, diagnose various complaints and access home. treatment guidelines. Web-based and mobile app for pregnant women and parents that enables parents to monitor their pregnancy, diagnose various complaints and access home. treatment guidelines. Elemental Software Elemental's Social Prescribing platform is an easy to use, cloud-based, responsive platform that enables community referrals to be implemented, measured and delivered across numerous health and social care scenarios. Elemental's Social Prescribing platform is an easy to use, cloud-based, responsive platform that enables community referrals to be implemented, measured and delivered across numerous health and social care scenarios. iDE8 Ltd. A single-use, pain-free medical device for detecting the presence of elevated Glucose and Ketones for babies and toddlers. A single-use, pain-free medical device for detecting the presence of elevated Glucose and Ketones for babies and toddlers. Kuura Health 24 x 7 digital platform for all parenting and children's health related concerns, backed with artificial intelligence (AI) and clinical knowledge. 24 x 7 digital platform for all parenting and children's health related concerns, backed with artificial intelligence (AI) and clinical knowledge. Small World Social Technology platform connecting expectant and new mothers with health care professionals and community coaches/volunteers for breastfeeding and new-born care support. Technology platform connecting expectant and new mothers with health care professionals and community coaches/volunteers for breastfeeding and new-born care support. Prapela LLC Vibration technology that helps infants breathe, relax and sleep. The QuickFire Challenges, an initiative of Johnson & Johnson Innovation, JLABS (JLABS) the no- strings-attached incubators of Johnson & Johnson Innovation seek to empower and enable ground-breaking science and health solutions, encouraging various stakeholders students, entrepreneurs, researchers, start-up companies, etc. to apply. The Next-Gen Baby Box QuickFire Challenge is part of the Janssen strategic focus to create a world without disease, shifting the paradigm from treating disease to maintaining health through prevention, interception and cure. For more information about the QuickFire Challenges, please visit: www.jlabs.jnjinnovation.com/quickfire-challenges About the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies At the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, we are working to create a world without disease. Transforming lives by finding new and better ways to prevent, intercept, treat and cure disease inspires us. We bring together the best minds and pursue the most promising science. We are Janssen. We collaborate with the world for the health of everyone in it. Learn more at www.janssen.com. Follow us at Twitter.com/JanssenGlobal. About Johnson & Johnson Innovation Johnson & Johnson Innovation LLC focuses on accelerating all stages of innovation worldwide and forming collaborations between entrepreneurs and Johnson & Johnson's global healthcare businesses. Johnson & Johnson Innovation provides scientists, entrepreneurs and emerging companies with one stop access to science and technology experts who can facilitate collaborations across the pharmaceutical, medical device and consumer companies of Johnson & Johnson. Under the Johnson & Johnson Innovation umbrella of businesses, we connect with innovators through our regional Innovation Centers, JLABS, Johnson & Johnson Innovation - JJDC, Inc. and our Business Development teams to create customized deals and novel collaborations that speed development of innovations to solve unmet needs in patients. For more information please visit www.jnjinnovation.com. About Johnson & Johnson Innovation, JLABS Johnson & Johnson Innovation, JLABS (JLABS) is a global network of open innovation ecosystems, enabling and empowering innovators to create and accelerate the delivery of life-saving, life-enhancing health and wellness solutions to patients around the world. JLABS achieves this by providing the optimal environment for emerging companies to catalyze growth and optimize their research and development by opening them to vital industry connections, delivering entrepreneurial programs and providing a capital-efficient, flexible platform where they can transform the scientific discoveries of today into the breakthrough healthcare solutions of tomorrow. At JLABS we value great ideas and are passionate about removing obstacles to success to help innovators unleash the potential of their early scientific discoveries. JLABS is a no-strings-attached model, which means entrepreneurs are free to develop their science while holding on to their intellectual property. JLABS is open to entrepreneurs across a broad healthcare spectrum including pharmaceutical, medical device, consumer and digital health sectors. JLABS currently has eight locations in innovation hot spots across North America and produces entrepreneurial programs and campaigns to seek out the best science, like the QuickFire Challenges around the globe. The JLABS flagship opened in 2012 in San Diego at Janssen's West Coast Research Center, and since then, has established two locations in San Francisco - one through a collaboration with the California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3) and a second standalone facility in South San Francisco. JLABS is also located in Boston through a collaboration with LabCentral, in Lowell, Massachusetts through a collaboration with UMass, in Houston through a collaboration with the Texas Medical Center (TMC), in Toronto through a collaboration with the Ontario Government and the University of Toronto and a new JLABS @ NYC (in collaboration with the New York Genome Center) opening in 2018. SOURCE Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies Related Links http://www.janssen.com MORRISTOWN, N.J., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) has donated $10,000 to Advancing Opportunities, Inc., to help install smart home technology at its new group home in Jackson, New Jersey, the first time such equipment has been installed at one of its residences in the state. Serving New Jersey's disabled community since 1950, Advancing Opportunities provides assistive technology services and residential programs. The smart home technology will be used to help residents feel safer and more independent. JCP&L's donation will help install smart home devices, including power door openers activated by wall-mounted buttons and wireless remotes, electronically monitored water temperature controls for safety in the kitchen and bath, and motion sensors located in doors, windows and on beds that help the staff identify residents that could need assistance. "Supporting Advancing Opportunities' new group home is another example of JCP&L and its employees making the communities we serve better places to live by helping everyone have access to new technology," said Jim Fakult, president of JCP&L. "The holiday lights we have donated and installed will help brighten the new home, just as Advancing Opportunities brightens the lives of its residents." Advancing Opportunities group homes typically include four residents. "We are proud to have JCP&L join us as a partner in our first smart home project," said Jack Mudge, Advancing Opportunities president and chief executive officer. "It is because of partners like JCP&L that we are able to fulfill our mission and promote independence, not only for individuals at this house, but for people with disabilities across the state who benefit from what we learn through this pilot program." Advancing Opportunities provides person-centered services in community settings. For additional information visit www.advopps.org. JCP&L is a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE). JCP&L serves 1.1 million New Jersey customers in the counties of Burlington, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren. Follow JCP&L on Twitter @JCP_L, on Facebook www.facebook.com/JCPandL or online at www.jcp-l.com. FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. Visit FirstEnergy on the web at www.firstenergycorp.com, or follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp. Editor's Note: JCP&L and Advancing Opportunities will hold a tour at the Jackson Group Home for the media on Wednesday, November 29 at 1 p.m. The Jackson Group Home is located at 976 West Veterans Highway, Jackson, N.J. SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp. Related Links http://www.firstenergycorp.com The students' winning design was a three-piece ensemble in shades of yellow and blue featuring shorts, bustier top and a jacket with stunning handwork of a large Van Gogh-inspired sunflower on the back. "We've gone to thousands of fashion shows," said celebrity stylist Joe Zee, one of the judges. "That could be on a runway." "It is incredible to win," said Heidebrecht, a junior. "It's great to know that all the hard work paid off, and to have it validated by some important people in the industry is amazing." The "Good Morning America" competition kicked off in New York on Aug. 29, when the Jefferson students and teams from Marist College and Montclair State University were presented with the design challenge: take a traditional long, white, beaded wedding gown and turn it into a sensational new outfit. Through several weeks of sleepless nights and weekend workand with visits by GMA to record their progress on cameraEspina and Heidebrecht deconstructed, designed, dyed, sewed and ironed their way to the top. The students presented their final designs to judges during a runway show taped Sept. 14 at the "Good Morning America" studio, where Espina and Heidebrecht were declared the winners. The students were asked to keep their win under wraps until the segment aired. The competition was judged by Zee and Anne Fulenwider, editor-in-chief of Marie Claire magazine. The designs were judged on creativity, technical skills and sustainabilityusing as much as possible of the original gown, including beading, lace and trim. "I'm beyond excited, as well as grateful for the opportunity to participate and proud to represent Jefferson and the fashion design program," said Espina, a senior. She expects the experience of designing the winning outfit and competing on national television in a high-pressure environment will help open doors as she enters the fashion industry after graduating in May. "I'm so proud of Tommy and Keren," said Sheila Connelly, director of Jefferson's fashion design program. "The original wedding dress is unrecognizable with the dyeing, surface detail and embellishments they created during many sleepless nights. Winning this challenge is wonderful recognition for our internationally acclaimed Jefferson fashion design program." SOURCE Thomas Jefferson University Vandermay's product development strategy will spotlight innovations, customer acquisitions and retention for the technology disruptor that currently powers more than 50,000 independents MONTREAL, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Lightspeed, a powerful cloud-based point of sale system for retailers and restaurants, announces the appointment of John Vandermay to the role of Chief Technology Officer. Vandermay's nomination comes in the midst of incredible growth for Lightspeed, following the announcement that the company closed a US $166 million (C $207 million) series D round investment. In 2016, the retail tech innovator launched its omnichannel product, seamlessly merging in-store POS, eCommerce and mobile, empowering customers to sell anywhere, at any time. With over 25 years of software engineering and global leadership experience, John Vandermay joins Lightspeed from Visto (formerly Collective), an advertising technology company in NYC backed by Accel, Greycroft, and iNovia. While at Visto as CTO, Vandermay lead the transformation of the company to an advertising media service provider to a technology platform by building a breakthrough SaaS enterprise advertising platform that seamlessly provided transparency and interoperability between the myriad of ad technologies. Before Visto, John spent three years at Dassault Systemes GEOVIA, where he was the Vice President of Product Development, and oversaw successful global engineering and product management. In addition to executive leadership roles in engineering at companies like Cognos and BlackBerry, he also led Engineering and Development at Omniture, where his contributions built an analytics engine that powered more than 350k transactions / second, expanded the product portfolio to over 10 products and resulted in a successful IPO in 2006 and secondary offering in 2007, eventually leading to the sale of the company to Adobe in 2009 for $1.8 billion. "It's incredible to welcome John back to Canada and into our Lightspeed community, at the height of growth in our development sector. John's extensive experience in software engineering and product development will make him an invaluable asset to the Lightspeed team," said Lightspeed Founder and CEO Dax Dasilva, "As a Canadian company, we're proud to be part of an innovative network of technology companies that are attracting top industry talent back to Canada." "I am thrilled to join Lightspeed during this significant period of global growth and work alongside the team to advance development," said Vandermay. "Lightspeed is a team of innovators, whose renowned advancements in omnichannel and POS technology allows restaurants, retail entrepreneurs, and business owners to seamlessly grow and manage their businesses." Lightspeed is also pleased to announce that John will curate a blog series entitled Lightspeed talks code. Read the first entry here. About Lightspeed Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Lightspeed is the most powerful cloud-based point-of-sale solution for independent businesses, in-store and online. Nearly 50,000 retailers and restaurateurs, processing over US $15 billion in transactions annually use Lightspeed to grow and manage their business. Lightspeed can be found in more than 100 countries, powering favorite local businesses, where the community goes to shop and dine. Founded in 2005, Lightspeed has grown to nearly 600 employees, with global offices in Canada, USA, Europe, and Australia. For more information, please visit: http://www.lightspeedhq.com, Facebook: Facebook.com/LightspeedHQ, Twitter: @LightspeedHQ and Instagram: @LightspeedHQ. SOURCE Lightspeed POS Montreal SACRAMENTO, Calif., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- On Monday, December 4, Judge Peggy Hora (retired) of Justice Speakers Institute, will receive the 2017 V. Robert Payant Award for Teaching Excellence. The ceremony will be held in Charleston, South Carolina, at the National Association of State Judicial Educators' conference. Judge Hora is the 28th recipient of this award bestowed annually by the National Judicial College (NJC). It was named in honor of Payant, a distinguished Michigan jurist and NJC president and dean from 1990 to 1998. Judge Peggy Hora (Ret.) She joined the faculty of NJC in 1992 and has taught nearly 60 courses on such leading-edge topics as fairness and the courts, and practical aspects of substance abuse. Currently Judge Hora is President and Co-Founder of the Justice Speakers Institute, LLC (JSI), an essential resource for speakers, trainers, consultants, and writers on local to international justice issues. Upon taking the bench, Judge Hora quickly recognized the pervasive and negative impact alcohol and other drugs have on individuals, families, communities, the courts, and the criminal justice system. She focused her professional development on therapeutic jurisprudence throughout her 21 years on the bench. She held a criminal court assignment in Hayward, California, and presided over Alameda County's first drug treatment court until she retired in 2006. She is a founder of the problem-solving courts movement, which offers real help and healing to addicts all over the world. She was a Senior Judicial Fellow for the National Drug Court Institute and the Global Centre for Drug Treatment Courts, and a former dean of the B.E. Witkin Judicial College of California. She also is an Honorary President of the International Therapeutic Jurisprudence Society, dedicated to advancing legal and interdisciplinary scholarship. Judge Hora remains a global leader in solution-focused courts. She was a visiting scholar at the University of Tasmania School of Law, and the 2009-2010 Thinker in Residence appointed by the Premier of South Australia to recommend policies for their justice system. Judge Hora frequently speaks at conferences and provide hands-on training and consulting to jurisdictions worldwide including the United Kingdom, Israel, Chile, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, Australia, and South Africa. Her work has been cited by appellate courts and nearly 200 journals and law reviews. She recently authored a chapter on drug courts in the 5th Edition of the ASAM Principles of Addiction Medicine, and regularly blogs and creates podcasts for JSI. CONTACT: Brian MacKenzie, 248.231.9228 SOURCE Justice Speakers Institute LIMA, Peru, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Kallpa Generacion S.A., a Peruvian corporation (formerly known as Cerro del Aguila S.A. ("CDA") and the successor to Kallpa Generacion S.A. ("Kallpa"), which merged with and into CDA) (the "Company," "we" or "us"), announced today that it has commenced solicitations (the "Solicitations") of consents (the "Consents"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in a Consent Solicitation Statement (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Statement") and an accompanying Consent Form (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Consent Form"), each dated as of November 28, 2017, to certain proposed amendments (the "Proposed Amendments") to (i) the Indenture, dated as of August 16, 2017 (the "2027 Indenture"), by and between the Company, as issuer, and Citibank, N.A., as trustee, governing the Company's 4.125% Senior Notes due 2027 (the "2027 Notes") and (ii) the Indenture, dated as of May 24, 2016, as amended by a First Supplemental Indenture and a Second Supplemental Indenture, both dated as of August 16, 2017 (collectively, the "2026 Indenture" and, together with the 2027 Indenture, the "Indentures"), by and between the Company (as successor to Kallpa), as issuer, and Citibank, N.A., as trustee, governing the Company's 4.875% Senior Notes due 2026 (the "2026 Notes" and, together with the 2027 Notes, the "Notes"). The applicable Proposed Amendments will amend the applicable Indenture in connection with the sale by Inkia Energy Limited ("Inkia"), an exempted company organized under the laws of Bermuda with operations in Latin America and the Caribbean, and one of Inkia's subsidiaries of substantially all of their assets, including 74.9% of the Company's equity interests, to holding companies indirectly owned by certain funds managed by I Squared Capital Advisors (US) LLC and one or more minority co-investors (the "Acquisition"). The applicable Proposed Amendments will be effected by a supplemental indenture to the applicable Indenture (collectively, the "Supplemental Indentures"), as described in more detail in the Statement. Each Solicitation will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on December 7, 2017, unless extended or earlier terminated (such time on such date, as the same may be extended or earlier terminated, the "Expiration Time"). Each Solicitation is subject to customary conditions, including, among other things, the receipt of valid Consents with respect to a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding applicable Notes (the "Requisite Consents") at or prior to the Expiration Time (which Consents have not been revoked prior to the earlier to occur of the date on which the applicable Supplemental Indenture is executed and the Expiration Time (the applicable "Revocation Time")). In the event that each of the conditions to the applicable Solicitation described in the Statement is satisfied or waived by the Company, including, but not limited to, the receipt of the applicable Requisite Consents, the Company will pay (i) to each holder of record (each such holder, a "2027 Holder") of the 2027 Notes as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on November 27, 2017, who has delivered a valid Consent in respect of 2027 Notes at or prior to the Expiration Time (and has not revoked such Consent prior to the applicable Revocation Time), $2.50 in cash for each $1,000 principal amount of 2027 Notes (the "2027 Consent Fee") and (ii) to each holder of record (each such holder, a "2026 Holder" and, together with the 2027 Holders, the "Holders") of the 2026 Notes as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on November 27, 2017, who has delivered a valid Consent in respect of 2026 Notes at or prior to the Expiration Time (and has not revoked such Consent prior to the applicable Revocation Time), $2.50 in cash for each $1,000 principal amount of 2026 Notes (the "2026 Consent Fee" and, together with the 2027 Consent Fee, the "Consent Fees"). Upon satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to the Solicitations, the Company will pay the Consent Fees as promptly as practicable on the closing date of the Acquisition and immediately prior to such closing. Holders of Notes who deliver Consents but validly revoke and do not redeliver their Consents in accordance with the Statement or deliver their Consents after the Expiration Time will not receive the applicable Consent Fee. Subject to applicable law, either or both of the Solicitations may be abandoned or terminated for any reason at any time, including after the Expiration Time and prior to the applicable Proposed Amendments becoming operative, in which case any applicable Consents received will be voided and no applicable Consent Fee will be paid to any applicable Holders. If the applicable Requisite Consents are received at or prior to the Expiration Time, the Company intends to promptly execute the applicable Supplemental Indenture. The applicable Proposed Amendments will not become operative unless and until all conditions have been satisfied or waived and the applicable Consent Fee has been paid. If the applicable Requisite Consents are not received at or prior to the Expiration Time, the applicable Proposed Amendments will not be adopted and the applicable Consent Fee will not be paid. The Acquisition On November 24, 2017 the Company's indirect parent company, Inkia, and one of its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Sellers"), entered into a Share Purchase Agreement pursuant to which the Sellers will, upon the satisfaction or waiver of closing conditions, sell substantially all of their Latin American and Caribbean businesses to Nautilus Inkia Holdings LLC and one or more other newly formed holding companies (each, a "Bidco") that are indirectly owned by certain funds managed by I Squared Capital Advisors (US) LLC (collectively, the "Sponsor"), and one or more minority co-investors. The sale is for cash consideration of $1,177 million plus excess proportionally consolidated group cash at closing above $49.9 million. The Sponsor intends to finance $150 million of the cash consideration for the sale with additional indebtedness that is expected to be pari passu with Inkia's 5.875% Senior Notes due 2027 (for which the Sponsor has obtained financing commitments). This indebtedness may be refinanced concurrently with or immediately following consummation of the Acquisition. The Company is not expected to provide, nor will provide, a guarantee of such additional indebtedness or any refinanced indebtedness. The initial purchase price for the sale is subject to a number of adjustments, including for changes in working capital, outstanding debt and Inkia's proportionally consolidated group cash as described above. Following consummation of the Acquisition, the Company will become an indirect subsidiary of a Bidco and the Sponsor intends to retain existing management. Inkia and the Company currently expect the Acquisition to close by the end of calendar year 2017, but no assurances can be made that such timing will occur. Consummation of the Acquisition would constitute a Change of Control (as defined in each of the Indentures) under each of the Indentures. Each Indenture currently requires the Company, following a Change of Control that results in a Ratings Decline (as defined in each of the Indentures), to make an offer to repurchase all or any part of the applicable Notes at a cash purchase price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the applicable Notes repurchased, to the date of such repurchase. While the Company currently does not expect the Acquisition to cause a Ratings Decline and thereby require the Company to make such an offer, the Company is seeking Consents from Holders of each series of Notes to amend certain provisions of the applicable Indenture to provide certainty that the Sellers will be able to consummate the Acquisition without the Company being required to make such an offer. The Company has engaged Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC to act as Solicitation Agent and D.F. King & Co., Inc. to act as Information and Tabulation Agent for the Solicitations. Questions regarding the Solicitations may be directed to Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC at (800) 820-1653 (toll-free) or (212) 538-2147 (collect). Requests for documents relating to the Solicitations may be directed to D.F. King & Co., Inc. at (800) 499-8541 (toll-free), (212) 269-5550 (banks and brokers) or email at [email protected]. This press release is for informational purposes only and the Solicitations are only being made pursuant to the terms of the Statement and the related Consent Form. The Solicitations are not being made to, and Consents are not being solicited from, Holders of Notes in any jurisdiction in which it is unlawful to make such Solicitations or grant such Consents. None of the Company, the trustees for the Notes, the Solicitation Agent or the Information and Tabulation Agent makes any recommendation as to whether or not Holders should deliver Consents. Each Holder must make its own decision as to whether or not to deliver Consents. This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. The Company On August 16, 2017, Kallpa Generacion S.A. merged with and into CDA, with the Company as the surviving entity. In September 2017, CDA was renamed Kallpa Generacion S.A. The Company is a leading owner, developer and operator of power generation facilities in Peru with 1,618 megawatts ("MW") of installed capacity. The Company owns and operates the largest private hydroelectric power plant in Peru in terms of installed capacity, with an installed capacity of 555 MW. The hydroelectric power plant has three generating turbines and consists of a dam, a powerhouse for the turbines, a six-kilometer headrace tunnel, a 10 MW mini-hydro and a 17-kilometer transmission line that operates on the Mantaro River, located in Huancavelica in central Peru. This power plant is located 16 kilometers downstream from Peru's largest hydroelectric complex, formed by the Mantaro and the Restitucion hydroelectric plants, with a combined installed capacity of 1,008 MW, and the Junin water reservoir, which is the second largest in Peru. The complex has an extensive track record of solid performance with more than 40 years of operations and a constant generation above 6,500 GWh per year for the past 10 years, according to the Committee for the Economic Operation of the System ("COES"). In addition, the Company owns and operates two thermoelectric power plants in Peru, both utilizing natural gas for their operations. The first unit, Kallpa I, reached its commercial operation date in June 2007, and the Company thereafter completed the conversion of its three natural gas-powered open-cycle generation turbines (Kallpa I, II, and III) into combined-cycle by adding a 292 MW steam turbine (Kallpa IV) in August 2012 (collectively, the "Kallpa plant"). Compared to other thermal plants, the Kallpa plant's combined-cycle was one of the most efficient in Peru in terms of heat rate in 2016, according to the COES. As of December 31, 2016, the Kallpa combined-cycle plant had an installed capacity of 870 MW, the largest thermoelectric plant in Peru, representing approximately 7% of the total capacity in Peru. Additionally, in April 2014, the Company acquired a 193 MW open cycle natural gas-fired plant that is located nearby the Kallpa plant. As of December 31, 2016, the Company's total installed capacity was 1,618 MW, representing approximately 13% of the total installed capacity in Peru. As a result of the Company's efficiency and low cost of operations, it has a strong competitive position in the Peruvian market, with approximately 14% of market share in terms of energy dispatched during 2016. The Company is a corporation (sociedad anonima) organized under the laws of Peru with its registered address at Av. Santo Toribio No.115, Of. 701, San Isidro, Lima, Peru. The Company's primary internet address is http://www.kallpageneracion.com.pe. The Company's internet website and the information contained therein or connected thereto are not incorporated herein. The Sponsor The Sponsor is an independent global infrastructure investment manager with approximately U.S.$9.4 billion in assets under management. The Sponsor has extensive experience and expertise in developing and operating energy and utility businesses and provides managerial expertise and technical support. The Sponsor has invested, and in some cases co-invested (with third parties, including investors in certain investment funds managed by the Sponsor), assets in Latin America, Asia, Europe and the United States with greater than 4,500 MW of installed capacity from hydropower and thermal generation, 740 km of transmission lines and natural gas processing facilities. Forward-Looking Statements This communication and statements made from time to time, other than historical facts, by us and our representatives constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and any such forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the following cautionary statements. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and are based on current expectations and involve a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Such statements are inherently subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in such forward-looking statements. In addition, the forward-looking statements represent the Company's views as of the date on which such statements were made. The Company anticipates that subsequent events and developments may cause its views to change. However, although the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, it specifically disclaims any obligation to do so, whether as a result of new information, future events or other occurrences. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any date subsequent to the date hereof. SOURCE Kallpa Generacion S.A. NEW YORK, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Since 2014, in collaboration with local partners (including Kiwi Energy), Wild Forests and Fauna, has hosted four Future Leaders Summits in the Madre de Dios region of Peru. Future Leaders is a multi-year capacity-building program that provides local, aspiring, young professionals skills in sustainable business, innovation and leadership. Programs are hosted in globally significant, endangered forests that have critical opportunities for conservation. The curriculum of the program is driven by four pillars that encourage sustainable business innovation: leadership, collaboration, entrepreneurship and environmental citizenship. This will be Kiwi Energy's third consecutive year supporting the Future Leaders program, and the fifth and final program in Madre de Dios, Peru. The workshop will be in collaboration with McDaniel College's Forest Online program with an emphasis on marketing. This year, 15 local young leaders and 16 Forest Online students will be invited to the Las Piedras Amazon Center for five days and four nights. This year's workshop challenge will be to develop media packages that support LPAC's ecotourism and highlight their new main structure with solar panels. The focus of the event will be on teaching the art of storytelling, developing marketing skills and the collection of compelling media. "We're proud to partner with such a respected organization. Their Future Leaders program is a great example of how we can leverage education to preserve our natural resources and shape the future of our planet." Richard Booth, President of Retail Operations, Kiwi Energy. About Kiwi Energy Kiwi Energy is an energy retailer dedicated to providing innovative energy solutions for electricity and natural gas supply. We focus on environmentally conscious products backed by friendly and efficient customer service. As a company, we pride ourselves on transparency and our team is always happy to help with any questions about the energy industry or our services. About Wild Forests and Fauna Wild Forests & Fauna (WildFF), based in Seattle, Washington, protects and restores globally important forests through conservation and entrepreneurial capacity building in collaboration with local communities and leaders. They work at the landscape-scale and implement high-impact projects that connect people to forests around the world. [http://wildff.org] Media Contact: Nikki Clark Email: [email protected] Related Images image1.png Kiwi Energy Logo image2.png Wild FF Logo image3.jpg Related Links Kiwi Energy SOURCE Kiwi Energy and Wild Forests and Fauna Related Links http://www.kiwienergy.us CINCINNATI, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced that Mike Schlotman, Kroger's executive vice president and CFO, will address investors at the Barclays Eat, Sleep, Play Conference at 11:00 a.m. ET on Tuesday, December 5, 2017. The presentation will broadcast online at ir.kroger.com. Click on "Events, Presentations & Webcasts" to access the event. The presentation will be available in an archived format for one week following the conference. At The Kroger Co., we are dedicated to our purpose: to Feed the Human SpiritTM. We are 450,000 associates who serve nearly nine million customers every day in 2,793 retail food stores under a variety of local banner names in 35 states and the District of Columbia. Our Family of Companies operates an expanding ClickList offering a personalized order online service in addition to 2,258 pharmacies, 783 convenience stores, 307 fine jewelry stores, 222 retail health clinics, 1,472 supermarket fuel centers and 38 food production plants in the United States. Our Company has been recognized as one of America's most generous companies for our support of more than 100 Feeding America food bank partners, breast cancer research and awareness, the military and their families, and more than 145,000 community organizations including schools. As a leader in supplier diversity, we are a proud member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable. SOURCE The Kroger Co. Related Links http://www.kroger.com SAN FRANCISCO, November 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The global laundry detergent market value is expected to reach USD 205.2 billion by 2025, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. Rising penetration of washing machines in the developing economies is expected to propel the sector growth. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160524/371361LOGO ) The top brands of the laundry detergent market include Tide, Purex, and Surf. These three brands are responsible for the nearly half of the market share of the laundry detergent market. The four vendors which control the laundry detergent industry are Proctor & Gamble, Unilever, Church & Dwight, and Henkel. The brands produced by the Unilever, Proctor & Gamble, and Henkel concentrate on the middle and high-class segment of consumer whereas Church & Dwight targets the low end of the consumer segment. The rising disposable income in the developing economies is forging new trend in the industry where consumers are inclined to buy brand based on its quality and company's reputation. However, this trend is only common for the mature market of the North America and European region. The consumers from Africa and Asia Pacific region prefers the product based on its pricing. Key players include Unilever, Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Church & Dwight Co., Inc., Proctor & Gamble. Mergers of major players in the industry is likely to consolidate industry in the predicted timeline. For instance, the key merger of the laundry detergent industry in 2016 is the acquisition of the Sun Products by the German consumer goods company Henkel AG & Co. KGaA. Browse full research report with TOC on "Laundry Detergent Market Analysis By Product (Powder, Liquid, Fabric Softeners, Detergent Tablets), By Application (Household, Industrial or Institutional), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2014 - 2025" at: http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/laundry-detergent-market Further Key Findings From the Report Suggest: The global demand for laundry detergent market was USD 133.3 billion in 2016 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 4.9% from 2017 to 2025 to exceed a total revenue of USD 205.2 billion by 2025. in 2016 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 4.9% from 2017 to 2025 to exceed a total revenue of by 2025. Powder detergents was the biggest product segment in the market accounting for over 31% of the total revenue in 2016 Household was the largest application segment with a demand of over USD 118 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 4.9% by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 4.9% The APAC is expected to be the largest regional market with a projected CAGR of 5.3% over the forecast period The industry is dominated by global players such as Unilever, Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Church & Dwight Co., Inc., Proctor & Gamble. Companies are moving towards strategic mergers and acquisition to increase their international presence and gain significant share. Browse related reports by Grand View Research: Cosmetics Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/cosmetics-market Liquid Laundry Detergent Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/liquid-laundry-detergent-market Aroma Chemicals Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/aroma-chemicals-market Smart Pills Market - http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/smart-pills-market Grand View Research has segmented the global laundry detergent market by product, application, and region: Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2014 - 2025) Powder detergents Liquid detergents Fabric softeners Detergent tablets Others Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2014 - 2025) Household Industrial or Institutional Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2014 - 2025) North America U.S. Canada Europe Germany Russia UK Asia Pacific China Japan India CSA Brazil Middle East & Africa Saudi Arabia Read Our Blog By Grand View Research: http://www.grandviewresearch.com/blogs/bulk-chemicals About Grand View Research Grand View Research, Inc. is a U.S. based market research and consulting company, registered in the State of California and headquartered in San Francisco. The company provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. To help clients make informed business decisions, we offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across a range of industries, from technology to chemicals, materials and healthcare. Contact: Sherry James Corporate Sales Specialist, USA Grand View Research, Inc. Phone: +1-415-349-0058 Toll Free: 1-888-202-9519 Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.grandviewresearch.com SOURCE Grand View Research, Inc. BATTLE CREEK, Mich., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Tony the Tiger is taking NYC once again with an exciting new food destination this time with the help of Lauren Conrad. Ahead of its anticipated opening, Kellogg's is partnering with the famous author, foodie/entertainer, lifestyle expert and designer to open its new cereal cafe in NYC. Lauren Conrad, best-selling author, foodie and entertainer, will create part of the cereal-inspired menu at Kelloggs new NYC Cafe Conrad, who's known for creating everything from an epic fondue table to the ultimate holiday dinner, will stir up a number of simple, exciting cereal-inspired creations for the cafe's new menu good for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The menu will also include favorites from Kellogg's original Times Square location, all featured within a DIY cereal bar. "I love spending time in the kitchen thinking of flavorful new ideas so people can enjoy food in new ways," Conrad said. "Cereal is something we've all grown up with and still enjoy. It's been exciting to explore the unexpected fun it brings to the table or in this case, the bowl." In addition to creating hundreds of innovative, tasty recipes for her lifestyle website, last year Conrad released a how-to lifestyle and entertaining book titled Celebrate, which became her seventh New York Times bestseller. Born and raised in California, the 31-year-old wife and mom is also a fashion designer and philanthropist. "Lauren Conrad is a natural when it comes to entertaining done easy and thinking of fun ways people can enjoy their food," said Aleta Chase, marketing director for Kellogg's. "In thinking through the evolution of our new menu and fully customizable experience, we were excited about Lauren's fresh ideas and ways to inspire people with the endless possibilities cereal can bring." Kellogg's NYC Cafe will open the doors of its new permanent brick-and-mortar location in NYC's Union Square neighborhood on December 14. The second iteration of the cereal cafe, located at 31 E 17th St., will be a place for foodies and people to chill, create and explore the endless possibilities of cereal. Conceptualized by Anthony Rudolf and Sandra Di Capua of Co.create NYC, the Kellogg's NYC Cafe experience will be five times the size of its former location, which gained worldwide attention with its debut. In advance of the opening, we are offering exclusive preview opportunities to media on December 12-13. For more information on the grand opening and other exciting announcements, check out Kellogg's NYC on Instagram and Facebook. About Kellogg Company At Kellogg Company (NYSE: K), we strive to make foods people love. This includes our beloved brands Kellogg's, Keebler, Special K, Pringles, Kellogg's Frosted Flakes, Pop-Tarts, Kellogg's Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies, Cheez-It, Eggo, Mini-Wheats and more that nourish families so they can flourish and thrive. With 2016 sales of $13 billion and more than 1,600 foods, Kellogg is the world's leading cereal company; second largest producer of crackers and savory snacks; and a leading North American frozen foods company. And we're a company with a heart and soul, committing to help create 3 billion Better Days by 2025 through our Breakfasts for Better Days global purpose platform. To learn more, visit www.KelloggCompany.com or www.OpenforBreakfast.com and follow us on Twitter @KelloggCompany, YouTube and on our Social K corporate blog. SOURCE Kellogg Company Related Links http://www.kelloggcompany.com GREENVILLE, Pa. and SCHAFFHAUSEN, Switzerland and LUXEMBOURG, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Advisory Board of Werner International Holding S.a.r l. is announcing today information about the latest organizational developments at WernerCo and the start of a leadership change at the company. CEO & President William T. Allen has announced he will be retiring in the next few months and will be working with the Advisory Board on a smooth leadership transition. The Company thanks Bill for his hard work and contribution over the past ten years in transforming WernerCo and leading the Company during the recent change of ownership to funds advised by Triton. Following the acquisition, the Advisory Board and the Company's Executive Team have been involved in a strategic planning process to evaluate and propose a new organizational structure for the business going forward. This future organizational structure will align the business to better serve its diverse international customer base. Going forward, the intention is to have the business managed on a more regional basis through two organizations: one focused on the Americas and the other focused on Europe and the rest of the world. Each of the new organizations will be headed by a President/Managing Director reporting to a global CEO. The Company is pleased to announce that Ed Gericke, currently the Executive VP of Sales & Marketing will be the President of the Americas business organization in this new structure. In addition, following Bill's retirement, Ed will be acting CEO of WernerCo until a new CEO is on board. The search for the new CEO is underway. Martin Bertinchamp, Chairman of the Advisory Board of Werner International Holding Sarl, comments: "We thank Bill for his hard work and contribution in transforming WernerCo over the last decade and during the change of ownership. With Ed we have an outstanding manager with distinguished leadership qualities and a long-term expertise within our company to drive the North American business forward and to take over the role as acting CEO until the ongoing CEO search is finished. We look forward to driving the growth of WernerCo to become the global leader for access equipment, storage solutions and safety equipment. Innovation, safety and quality remain the core pillars of our strategy." "I am excited to take on the role as acting CEO of WernerCo to continue to develop and expand our offerings. As EVP and member of the Executive Team of WernerCo, I am well aware of the challenges that we face in today's dynamic and changing environment in both the Americas and in Europe and the rest of the world. WernerCo has a fantastic platform to offer both existing and new customers innovative and reliable products and we will continue to focus on improving our operational excellence, supported by the necessary resources to do so," stated Ed Gericke, acting CEO of WernerCo. ### ABOUT WERNERCO: WernerCo is a privately owned, fully-integrated, international manufacturer and distributor of access products, fall protection equipment, secure storage systems and light duty construction equipment. Its portfolio of industry leading brands include Werner, KNAACK, WEATHER GUARD, Youngman, BoSS, Centaure, Duarib, Haemmerlin and Bailey. WernerCo has manufacturing, warehousing, sales, distribution and office facilities in the United States, Australia, Canada, China, France, Hungary, Mexico, Philippines, Vietnam and the United Kingdom. WernerCo's international headquarters are in Schaffhausen, Switzerland and its US headquarters are in Greenville, Pennsylvania. For more information, visit www.wernerworldwide.com. Contact: Angie Maddox 404-996-4041 [email protected] SOURCE WernerCo Related Links http://www.wernerworldwide.com The Prizehog BWX State Com #1H is Lilis's sixth successful operating horizontal Wolfcamp B well in the Permian's Delaware Basin. The Prizehog #1H's 4,720 ft lateral was completed with 24 stages of 200 ft plug-to-plug spacing with approximately 2,040 lbs. of sand per ft. More importantly, this well is an additional data point that further delineates the Company's eastern most acreage. The Company plans to continue developing its New Mexico acreage with two additional wells scheduled in the first quarter of 2018. The Company expects that it will likely target the Wolfcamp A formation for these wells. In addition, the Company also plans to continue delineating its acreage geographically to the east and drilling additional benches in its Texas properties in the coming months. The Company also announced gas sales for the Company's New Mexico properties commenced through its agreement with Lucid on November 16, 2017. Lilis anticipates initial Texas production by December 15, 2017 and anticipates completed field production across all of its properties dedicated to Lucid by mid-January 2018. "We are extremely pleased with the results from the Prizehog BWX State Com #1H. This well is further evidence of the significant productivity and potential of our eastern acreage. We intend to continue delineating our acreage both geographically and geologically through testing of additional benches in upcoming wells. We are also very pleased to see the initial gas sales under our new midstream partnership with Lucid," said Ron Ormand, Executive Chairman of Lilis. Delaware Basin Offset Well Results Well Results, sorted by IP24/1000' (boe) # Operator Well Name IP24(boe) IP24/ 1000' (boe) IP24/ 1000' (bo) % Liquid Lateral Length Zone 1 EOG Hound 30 Federal704 H 4,528 647 498 77% 7,000 A 2 EOG Neptune 10 St. Com 701H 5,327 628 465 74% 8,482 A 3 Matador Totum #211H 2,247 514 401 78% 4,371 A 4 Lilis Hippo #1H 1,917 467 346 74% 4,100 B 5 Lilis Lion #1H 1,530 380 262 69% 4,025 B 6 EOG Beowulf 33 St.Com 601H 2,765 379 330 87% 7,289 A 7 EOG Noah Brunson 1H 3,124 334 n.a. n.a. 9,340 B 8 Lilis Grizzly #1H 1,323 322 209 65% 4,100 B 9 Felix UL 4-21 #1H 1,302 307 n.a. n.a. 4,200 B 10 Lilis Bison #1H 2,014 292 219 75% 6,900 B 11 Felix UL Sunshine Mesa 29-21 #1H 1,330 272 n.a. n.a. 4,900 B 12 Lilis PrizehogBWX State Com #1H 1,127 239 170 89% 4,720 B 13 Jagged Peak UL 28-27 #1H 2,272 236 n.a. n.a. 9,600 B 14 Lilis WildhogBWX State Com #1H 997 219 188 86% 4,567 B 15 Felix Falcon State 28-36 #1H 941 215 n.a. n.a. 4,400 A 16 Jagged Peak UL 4344-21 #1H 1,761 176 150 85% 10,000 B 17 Forge UL 21 Pahaska #1H 748 174 150 86% 4,300 A 18 Jagged Peak UL BeldinL J1211-17 #2HX 1,978 173 151 87% 11,400 B 19 Forge UL 21 Bighorn #1H 1,621 172 146 85% 9,400 A 20 Endurance Talco 9 26 35 Fed 3H 1,257 170 146 86% 7,391 A 21 Felix UL Elk Park 21-21 #1H 768 168 n.a. n.a. 4,600 B 22 Jagged Peak UL 3031A-17 #1H 1,548 162 139 86% 9,500 B 23 Jagged Peak UL 3031B-17 #1H 1,439 143 120 84% 10,000 B 24 Felix UL 20 #1311H 1,376 142 n.a. n.a. 9,700 A 25 RSP Permian LudemanG #2603H 890 131 100 76% 6,813 XY 26 Jagged Peak UL 2932-17 #1H 1,175 113 95 84% 10,400 B 27 Mewbourne University B20 1 #W201PA 333 74 65 88% 4,499 C Source: Company disclosure, DrillingInfo, Wood Mackenzie, RSP Permian investor presentation Note: % liquids used to calculate IP24/1000' (bo) where % oil was not disclosed. 1. Wolfcamp B excludes LLEX. About Lilis Energy, Inc. Lilis Energy, Inc. is a San Antonio-based independent oil and gas exploration and production company that operates in the Permian's Delaware Basin, considered amongst the leading resource plays in North America. Lilis's total net acreage in the Permian Basin is over 15,000 acres. Lilis Energy's near-term E&P focus is to grow current reserves and production and pursue strategic acquisitions in its core areas. For more information, please visit www.lilisenergy.com. Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. These risks include, but are not limited to our ability to replicate the results described in this release for future wells; the ability to finance our continued exploration, drilling operations and working capital needs; our anticipated future cash flows and ability to access other sources of liquidity; all the other uncertainties, costs and risks involved in exploration and development activities; and the other risks identified in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Additionally, initial production rates are subject to decline over time and should not be regarded as reflective of sustained production levels. In particular, production from horizontal drilling in shale oil and natural gas resource plays and tight natural gas plays that are stimulated with extensive pressure fracturing are typically characterized by significant early declines in production rates. Readers are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date hereof, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update the forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. SOURCE Lilis Energy, Inc. Related Links http://www.lilisenergy.com DUBAI, UAE and MUMBAI, November 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Irrfan Khan, noted Indian actor of international acclaim, makes his debut as a jury member on the show Living Talent, an intercontinental Talent Hunt company, announced the launch of Masterpiece 2017 - a global show to be hosted in Dubai Festival City on 15-16 December, 2017. The first-of-its-kind talent show will have deserving contenders from across the world compete across genres such as arts and craft, performance and innovation. Contestants will showcase their unique talents before the esteemed jury; one from each category will be bestowed the title - 'The Living Masterpiece'. (Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/611446/Living_Talent_Logo.jpg ) The intercontinental jury is an enviable mix of celebrities from across 5 continents: Natalia Oreiro , Argentinian Singer and Actress , Argentinian Singer and Actress Conor Walton , Artist, United Kingdom , Artist, Marina Debris, Artist and Designer, Australia Adam Miller , Artist, United States , Artist, Roopam Sharma , MIT Award recipient, Social Innovator , MIT Award recipient, Social Innovator Mayur Ramgir, Renowned Intercontinental Innovator and Author Irrfan Khan, Indian Actor with presence in Hollywood Lauren Gottlieb , Star of Hindi film 'ABCD' *Backed by self-made stars like RJ Naved, Rannvijay Singh, Richa Chadda and Karan Wahi 225 deserving participants, selected from online video submissions, will fly to Dubai (with a companion) where they will compete with contestants globally. Moreover, organisers will waive off the fee in case of especially dazzling artists from a deserving background. Judges and viewers will decide jointly which contestant advances to the finals to win the grand prize of US$10,000, and a chance to feature in an upcoming Intercontinental Web series by Living Talent Media Group. Masterpiece 2017 will invite venture capitalists and angel investors who bring seed capital, valuable mentorship and office space for the winners. Winners also stand a chance to be funded by ZLab - endorsed by Shark Tank Celebrity and Inventor of 'As seen on TV' Kevin Harington. Process of application - Eligible candidates (18-26 years of age) to upload proof of their talent through videos in any of the three categories of Arts & Craft, Performance, Innovation on http://www.livingtalent.org - Fee of Rs 1,600 (in case the participant is travelling alone, they get 40% discount on fee with code: GOaloneDXB). This includes airfare, stay, food, transfers, and coupons for US$30 - 225 shortlisted participants will be invited along with one companion to an all-expense paid trip to Dubai For media queries: Meera Warrier [email protected] +91-9820486177 SOURCE Living Talent The ManDoki Soulmates embody the creative spirit of the 1970's, when artists were striving not only for individual virtuosity in musical expression but also for unlimited and unrestricted individuality and freedom. "We couldn't be more excited to debut our 'Wings of Freedom' concert series in New York City," says Leslie Mandoki, Bandleader and founder of ManDoki Soulmates. "We are a group of musical rebels and idealistic freethinkers who endeavor to be authentic and honest, and support common global values for free people in a free and tolerant world. There is much talk of what divides people, however, we chose to focus on what unites us, the human race. This is the spirit of the ManDoki Soulmates." For the last 25 years, Leslie Mandoki has united all these legendary icons of Anglo-American rock and jazz-rock as "ManDoki Soulmates" recording new music and playing together as one band on one stage. The best of the best performing their sophisticated and progressive rock music, combining modern jazz influences, and fresh interpretations of some of the best known classic hits of the individual Soulmates. Hot off the heels of the band's European "Wings of Freedom" tour where the supergroup performed at sold-out concerts at the Hammersmith Apollo in London, L'Olympia in Paris, Berlin Concert House, Palais des Festivals in Cannes, and Sziget festival in Hungary (25th Anniversary Concert), the ManDoki Soulmates will make their US concert debut in New York City. In June 2017, at the Marche International du Disque et de l'Edition Musicale (MIDEM), the world's largest international assembly of the music industry in Cannes, France, ManDoki Soulmates were awarded with the MIDEM 2017 Achievement Award for the concert tour 'Wings of Freedom.' The Award was given to Leslie Mandoki and his Soulmates for drawing the attention to the values of a free and tolerant Europe with their music and for building bridges between the different cultures as the core concepts of the tour. In May of 2017, Mandoki received the "Medal for Extraordinary Merits for Bavaria in a United Europe" to honor his commitment to a unified Europe and the message of the "Wings of Freedom" concerts. "Sixty years ago, TIME magazine named the Hungarian Freedom Fighter 'Man of the Year.' Their story, their fight and their longing for freedom in 1956; inspired me to spread the message of freedom to others with the power of music. This spirit gave us the title of our concerts because as we all know, dreams can only fly on the wings of freedom," says Leslie Mandoki. ABOUT THE MANDOKI SOULMATES Leslie Mandoki founded the concept group, ManDoki Soulmates' in 1992 with such acclaimed musicians as Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull), Bobby Kimball (Toto), Jack Bruce (Cream) and jazz-rock star Al Di Meola." In addition to these luminaries, for more than two decades the ManDoki Soulmates band has united legendary icons of Anglo-American rock and jazz-rock in a remarkable lineup including David Clayton-Thomas, Chaka Khan, Chris Thompson, Steve Lukather, Nick van Eede, Eric Burdon, Nik Kershaw, Greg Lake, Randy and Michael Brecker, Bill Evans, John Helliwell, Mark Hart, Tony Carey, Mike Stern, Midge Ure, Anthony Jackson, Victor Bailey, Pino Palladino, Paul Carrack, Cory Henry, Peter Frampton and Jon Lord. Over the last 25 years the ManDoki Soulmates released about 10 albums of new recorded music in Europe and played countless concerts. ABOUT MUSICARES The Recording Academy's charity MusiCares provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need. MusiCares' services and resources cover a wide range of financial, medical, and personal emergencies, and each case is treated with integrity and confidentiality. MusiCares also focuses the resources and attention of the music industry on human service issues that directly impact the health and welfare of the music community. This event is in celebration of the 2018 GRAMMY week to benefit MusiCares. RUBENSTEIN PUBLIC RELATIONS CONTACT: JODI EINHORN 212.805.3015 [email protected] SOURCE ManDoki Soulmates Meghan Markle barely let Prince Harry finish proposing. It was a "cozy night" earlier this month at the couple's Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace and the pair were roasting a chicken, the American actor said. Or trying to roast a chicken, Harry said, correcting her. "It was so sweet and natural and very romantic. He got down on one knee," she said. "As a matter of fact, I could barely let you finish proposing. I said, 'Can I say yes now?'" The pair giggled as they fondly remembered the moment. Harry continued, "There was hugs and I had the ring in my finger. I was like, 'Can I give you the ring?' She goes, 'Oh, yes! The ring!'" "It was a really nice moment," the prince said. "It was just the two of us, and I think I managed to catch her by surprise as well." Cozy nights have been a theme of their courtship, they said. To avoid the media scrutiny -- which, at times, has been none too kind to Markle and her beau -- they've avoided nights on the town, instead opting for evenings at home, away from the paparazzi and their prying lenses. In essence, they had to "reverse the whole process," the prince said. These were among the revelations -- along with Harry's belief that Markle and his mother, the late Princess Diana, would be "thick as thieves" -- divulged by the royal couple-to-be in an interview with BBC's Mishal Husain. The interview aired Monday evening, hours after the pair announced that they planned to wed following an 18-month romance. How they met Markle, who grew up in Los Angeles, said she didn't think of theirs as a "whirlwind" relationship. The two met for a drink in July 2016 on a blind date, brokered by a mutual friend, whose name they would not reveal, but "it was definitely a setup," Markle said. They didn't know much about each other. Markle wasn't too familiar with the British royal family, and Prince Harry had never seen the television show, "Suits," nor any other example of Markle's work. Harry recalled his first impression: "I was beautifully surprised when I walked into that room and saw her. There she was sitting there." He thought, "I'm going to have to up my game." Shortly after their first encounter, during which they shared their passions and the changes they'd like to effect in the world, they decided another date was in order. "What are we doing tomorrow? We should meet again," Markle recalled asking. Prince Harry was about to head off to Africa, and Markle was busy filming "Suits." "We need to get the diaries out and find out how we're going to make this work," Harry thought at the time. Getting to know each other They had another date that month and then Harry was able to convince Markle to join him in Botswana a few weeks later. They camped out under the stars for five days, he said. "Then we were really by ourselves, which was crucial to me, to make sure that we had a chance to get to know each other," he said. Added Markle: "We were able to really have so much time just to connect, and we never went longer than two weeks without seeing each other, even though we were obviously doing a long-distance relationship. We made it work." Markle, 36, said she's glad she didn't know much about the royals before meeting Harry, 33, as she's been able to learn about them from him rather than from tabloids. The family has been "so welcoming," helping Markle to acclimate not only to life at Kensington Palace but to the royal family itself, she said. Certain four-legged members of the family have been particularly hospitable, the prince said. "The corgis took to you straight away," Harry said of the canines his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, famously holds dear. "I spent the last 33 years being barked at. This one walks in and absolutely nothing, just wagging tails." "They're just laying on my feet during tea," Markle said, laughing with the prince. Markle has two rescue pups of her own, one of which has joined her and the prince in the United Kingdom, she said. Diana's 'a part of this with us' The couple's time in Botswana is represented on Markle's finger, as the primary stone on her engagement ring was sourced from the African nation. The smaller diamonds on the side of the ring came from his mother's jewelry collection. Harry wanted to include those on the ring, which he designed himself with a yellow gold band, "to make sure she's with us on this crazy journey together." "I think everything about Harry's thoughtfulness and the inclusion of that and obviously not being able to meet his mom it's so important to me to know that she's a part of this with us," she said. Looking down at her ring, she said, "It's incredibly special to be able to have this, which sort of links where you come from and Botswana, which is important to us. It's perfect." Asked if Markle and his mum would get along, Harry said, "They'd be thick as thieves, without question. I think she would be over the moon, jumping up and down, so excited for me but then, as I said, would've probably been best friends with Meghan. "It is days like today when I really miss having her around and miss being able to share the happy news, but with the ring and with everything else that's going on I'm sure she's with us, jumping up and down somewhere else." CSE: MDM FSE: 2Mo OTCQB: MRPHF KELOWNA, BC, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ - Marapharm Ventures Inc. ("Marapharm") announces that it continues moving forward with the Canadian marijuana cultivation license. "More than 3 years have passed since we filed an application to have a cultivation license for marijuana in Canada. We are cautiously optimistic that we will have a Canadian cultivation license soon and we will be growing in Canada. We are currently amending the application for new staff and a new location in British Columbia. The plan is to begin construction of a facility asap in anticipation of our approval. We are part of the new green rush in Canada." Linda Sampson, Marapharm CEO. GMP Securities analysts suggest that the adult use legalization market in Canada will be greater than previously suggested and that edibles could comprise 40 percent of all cannabis consumed. CIBC World Markets estimate $10 billion of legal cannabis sales per year. ABOUT MARAPHARM VENTURES INC. www.marapharm.com Marapharm is a publicly traded company primarily investing in the medical and recreational cannabis space, with corporate operations based in British Columbia, Canada. Since 2016 they have rapidly expanded their footprint to include production locations in the key North American states of Washington, Nevada, and California. They actively seek expansion opportunities worldwide. SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: facebook.com/marapharm Twitter: twitter.com/marapharm STOCK EXCHANGES: Marapharm trades in Canada, ticker symbol MDM on the CSE, in the United States, ticker symbol MRPHF on the OTCQB, and in Europe, ticker symbol 2Mo on the FSE. Marapharm also trades on other recognized platforms in Europe including Stuttgart, Tradegate, L & S, Quotnx, Dusseldorf, Munich, and Berlin. Neither the CSE, the FSE nor the OTCQB has approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. Neither the CSE, the FSE nor the OTCQB accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. MARIJUANA INDUSTRY INVOLVEMENT: Canadian listings (CSE) will remain in good standing as long as they provide the disclosure that is rightly required by regulators and complying with applicable licensing requirements and the regulatory framework enacted by the applicable state in which they operate. Marapharm owns marijuana licenses in California and Nevada. Marijuana is legal in each state however marijuana remains illegal under US federal law and the approach to enforcement of US federal law against marijuana is subject to change. Shareholders and investors need to be aware that adverse enforcement actions could affect their investments and that Marapharm's ability to access private and public capital could be affected and or could not be available to support continuing operations. Marapharm's business is conducted in a manner consistent with state law and is in compliance with licensing requirements. Copies of licenses are posted on Marapharm's website. Marapharm has internal compliance procedures in place and has compliance focused attorneys engaged in jurisdictions to monitor changes in laws for compliance with US federal and state law on an ongoing basis. These law firms inform any necessary changes to our policies and procedures for compliance in Canada and the US. FORWARD - LOOKING STATEMENTS: Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward looking statements. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "expect", 'may", "will", "project", "should", 'believe", and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumption but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and the forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. SOURCE Marapharm Ventures Inc. Related Links www.marapharm.com CARLSBAD, Calif., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Physical Rehabilitation Network (PRN), welcomes Mark Fuller as the new Chief Financial Officer of the company. Fuller has a broad financial background with leadership roles spanning multiple business environments and industries. He has worked for both large public companies such as ITT Corporation and Caesars World as well as private equity-backed multi-unit businesses invested in healthcare and education. "It's an honor to be a part of the strong team at PRN. We will continue to strive toward building value for our partners and maximizing returns for our investors," stated Fuller. Fuller has helped lead numerous organizations in high growth environments targeting acquisitions and de novo investments. With his vast experience in growth-oriented companies, he will be an asset to the executive team and a tremendous resource to the field. Most recently, Fuller was the Chief Financial Officer for MB2 Dental solutions, a Dallas-based multi-unit dental service organization. He also holds a CPA license in both Colorado and California. Bruce McDaniel, Chief Executive Officer of PRN, commented that, "Mark brings a wealth of financial knowledge and leadership skills to the PRN executive team as we continue to build an organization of value-added services to our PT partners, quality care to our patients and a service-minded culture to our employees. We are excited to have someone of Mark's talents, experience and energy joining the PRN team." About Physical Rehabilitation Network Physical Rehabilitation Network, LLC (PRN) is a privately-held physical therapy organization based in Carlsbad, California. PRN is prominently recognized as the leading therapist-friendly rehab organization in the western part of the United States through its partnership model with premier physical and occupational therapists. The company currently operates over 100 locations providing local autonomy and branding to its therapist partners while streamlining all traditional overhead activities of running a practice. PRN is actively seeking high quality, entrepreneurially-driven physical and occupational therapists interested in partnering with PRN as the company expands its footprint providing opportunities for therapists to own their own clinic. For more information on PRN services and its model, please contact Michael Rice at 312.560.6020 / [email protected] or visit us at www.prnpt.com. Contact: Dawn Wild, Director of Marketing Phone: 720-299-4808 Email: [email protected] Related Files Mark Fuller.JPG Related Links PRN Website SOURCE Physical Rehabilitation Network Related Links http://www.prnpt.com LONDON, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Market barriers may not be the only reason doctors don't prescribe your brand Market barriers only affect 12% of cancer pain prescriptions in the EU5 countries. Most brands gain market share because of them, but for some brands, perception may be an even bigger problem. And over 10% of doctors either wouldn't prescribe these brands, or simply haven't heard of them at all. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5214594 Find out how doctors see your brand, and whether market barriers are dragging your market share down, in Market Access Impact: Cancer Pain (EU5). Based on a survey of 150 medical oncologists, the report covers 7 major therapies from Kyowa Kirin, Teva, Takeda, and Mundipharma/Napp. Handy graphs and charts show you how 7 barriers affect your market share, revealing which competitors you gain share from, and lose it to. Top Takeaways Most brands gain. While every brand wins and loses share because of barriers, 5 of the 7 surveyed brands see a net gain, albeit very small for some brands. No one barrier is to blame. Most of the 7 barriers covered in the report affect the same amount of prescriptions. Barrier impact is small. Over 45-65% of surveyed doctors experience only one barrier with any given brand, but for some brands that climbs to 3 barriers. Some brands are hit harder by certain barriers. Learn which brand doctors have the most trouble reimbursing, which three products lose out due to patient type recommendations, and more. Do the brands have a perception problem? Up to 30% of doctors either wouldn't consider prescribing these brands, or haven't heard of them at all. Insight into 7 Major Cancer Pain Treatments Abstral (fentanyl sublingual; Kyowa Kirin) Actiq (fentanyl transmucosal; Teva) Effentora (fentanyl buccal; Teva) Instanyl (fentanyl intranasal; Takeda) Oxycontin (oxycodone CII; Mundipharma/Napp) OxyNorm (oxycodone IR; Mundipharma/Napp) PecFent (fentanyl intranasal; Kyowa Kirin) Exploring Market Access Barriers Market Access Impact: Cancer Pain (EU5) explores key issues affecting drug manufacturers. You'll learn: How barriers affect market access: What brands do doctors prescribe the most? How many prescriptions do barriers affect? Which barriers have the biggest impact? How barriers affect your brand: How many doctors prescribe your brand? How many don't, but would consider it? Why don't doctors prescribe your brand? What do they prescribe instead? Which competing brands does your brand take market share from? A Report Based on Expert Knowledge We surveyed 150 medical oncologists30 from each EU5 country (France, Italy, Germany, Spain, UK)chosen from the largest community of validated physicians in the world. All respondents: Have been practicing for 2+ years Prescribed at least one of the listed products Seen at least 5 patients with NSCLC in total in the last month We conducted the survey between September 1-12, 2017 Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5214594 About Reportbuyer Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers 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 LONDON, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Find out why doctors can't prescribe your brand, and what you can do about it Market barriers affect a staggering 39% of prescriptions for injectable treatments for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in the US. According to the diabetologists and primary care physicians we surveyed, that's a problem with no single solution. Many of them experience as many as 2 different barriers with any given brand, and for some brands that grows to 3. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5214620 Find out which barriers cost your brand the most market share, which competitors are taking it from you, and what you can do to win it back, in Market Access Impact: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (Injectables) (US). Based on a survey of 100 diabetologists and primary care physicians, the report covers 11 major injectable therapies from GSK, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi, and Eli Lilly. Handy graphs and charts show you how 7 barriers affect your market share, revealing which competitors you gain share from, and lose it to. Top Takeaways Houston, we have a (barrier) problem! US physicians claim that close to 40% of all injectable diabetes therapy prescriptions are impacted by barriers; find out what's the biggest barrier, and if anything can be done about it. Despite the barriers, treatment usage is high. Find out which brands get used a lot despite the prescribing restrictions, and which ones lose out. One barrier to rule them all. Between 25-60% of surveyed doctors experience this one barrier for all treatment options; what is it and can anything be done to lower its impact? Market access mistakes could be costing some brands dear. Another barrier impacts 30-55% of prescriptions, and market access mistakes could be the key reason. In a barrier free world, one brand could lose outbig time. One brand takes market share from several other brands, but if restrictions were lifted physicians predict usage could plummet. Is it your brand? Insight into 11 Major Injectable Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Treatments Adlyxin (lixisenatide; Sanofi) Humalog (insulin lispro; Eli Lilly) Lantus (insulin glargine; Sanofi) NovoLog (insulin aspart; Novo Nordisk) Ryzodeg (insulin degludec/insulin aspart; Novo Nordisk) Tanzeum (albiglutide; GlaxoSmithKline) Toujeo (insulin glargine; Sanofi) Tresiba (insulin degludec; Novo Nordisk) Trulicity (dulaglutide; Eli Lilly) Victoza (liraglutide; Novo Nordisk) Xultophy (insulin degludec/liraglutide; Novo Nordisk) Exploring Market Access Barriers Market Access Impact: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (Injectables) (US) explores key issues affecting drug manufacturers. You'll learn: How barriers affect market access: What brands do doctors prescribe the most? How many prescriptions do barriers affect? Which barriers have the biggest impact? How barriers affect your brand: We surveyed 100 US-based diabetologists and primary care physicians, chosen from the largest community of validated physicians in the world. All respondents have: Been practicing for 2+ years Prescribed at least one of the listed products Seen at least 5 patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (Injectables) in total in the last month We conducted the survey between October 9-20, 2017. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5214620 About Reportbuyer Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers For more information: Sarah Smith Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 208 816 85 48 Website: www.reportbuyer.com SOURCE ReportBuyer Related Links http://www.reportbuyer.com SAN ANTONIO, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Massage Heights, a leader of professional, affordable and convenient therapeutic massage and facial services, announced the opening of its second retreat in Omaha, which opened yesterday in Aksarben Village at 6750 Mercy Road, Suite 104. The new location is owned and operated by local entrepreneur and existing Massage Heights franchisee Codie Burrow, who opened Omaha's first Massage Heights retreat with her husband in 2011 in the Shoppes at Grayhawk. In celebration of its grand opening, Massage Heights Aksarben Village is offering two special offers until Dec. 27, 2017. Guests who purchase a 30-minute massage for $24.99 will receive an additional 30 minutes for free. Additionally, any guest who signs up for a 12-month Massage Heights membership at the Aksarben Village location will receive a complimentary 60-minute massage. "It has been a joy serving the Omaha community for the last six years and I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to open a second location," said Burrow. "Massage Heights' corporate team has provided unparalleled support and a business model that not only has allowed me succeed, but also expand. I'm looking forward to elevating the lives of even more residents of Omaha through our massage and facial services." "There is nothing more rewarding to me than when our existing franchise partners continue to grow with us," said Shane Evans, co-founder and president of Massage Heights. "Codie has had tremendous support from her husband in successfully operating our Maple West location for the past six years. We're thrilled to have Codie opening our second retreat in Omaha, and are excited for her continued success with Massage Heights." Massage Heights currently has two locations in Nebraska and is seeking franchisees to open additional retreats throughout the state. Massage Heights aims to have 300 retreats open nationwide by the end of 2020. As part of its accelerated growth strategy, the brand also is targeting franchise development in Dallas, Nashville, Denver, Kansas City, South Florida, and Las Vegas. As part of its nationwide expansion plans, Massage Heights is seeking qualified franchisees and area developers to join its growing brand. Prospective single- and multi-unit franchisees should have $175,000 in liquid assets and minimum $400,000 net worth per location, as well as experience in sales or retail management and managing hourly wage employees. Prospective area representatives should have $375,000 in liquid assets and minimum $600,000 net worth, as well as previous experience in franchising, sales, marketing and operating multiple sites, preferably in the retail, restaurant, hospitality or customer services industries. Massage Heights Aksarben Village is open Monday Friday from 9 a.m. 9 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. 8 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. 6 p.m. For more information, visit http://www.massageheightsfranchise.com, or call 402-934-9094. About Massage Heights Massage Heights is a family-owned, membership-based therapeutic services franchise company that provides Members and Guests convenient, professional, affordable resort-quality massage and facial services that help people achieve a balanced and healthy lifestyle, in an upscale Retreat environment. Regular massage and skin therapy services help people look and feel their best from the inside out by aiding in the reduction of stress, pain management and increased relaxation, all resulting in the ability to tackle daily life with a higher level of vitality and positivity, truly elevating the everyday. MEDIA CONTACT: Fish Consulting Caitlin Willard [email protected] 954-893-9150 SOURCE Massage Heights Related Links http://www.massageheights.com IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Building on four years of donations and over 30 years' worth of volunteer hours completed, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today announced they will recommit to their annual charity program, Mazda Drive for Good, in 2018. In its fifth year, MNAO will provide monetary donations to four national charities and 42 local charities, meeting a $5 million commitment to the communities in which it does business. Additionally, in 2018, MNAO employees and dealers will spend 50,000 hours of time volunteering in their local communities. "Our Mazda Drive for Good program started in 2013, as a way to unify Mazda owners, dealerships and employees around causes that are important to them," said Masahiro Moro, president and CEO of MNAO. "What started as a winter charity event evolved into a true way-of-life for many of our dealer partners and employees. We are proud to announce our recommitment to our local communities, and the non-profits that truly make a difference in peoples' lives, each and every day." In its fifth year of the Mazda Drive for Good program, Mazda will collaborate with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, American Red Cross, American Heart Association, and the Mazda Foundation (USA), Inc. on a national level, and 42 community non-profit organizations across the country. See below for a complete list of partner organizations. In addition to the monetary donations, MNAO employees and dealer partners will continue to provide hands-on assistance to individual charities and causes they feel passionate about, in their local communities. Mazda established the Mazda Drive for Good charitable program as a way to give back to the communities in which it does business. Since its launch in 2013, the Mazda Drive for Good program has donated more than $18.4 million, has pledged more than 263,000 charitable service hours and continues to provide monetary donations and community service throughout the year. You can learn more about the Mazda Drive for Good program on Inside Mazda. Follow the conversation at #MazdaDrive4Good or MazdaUSA.com/Drive4Good. Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, California, and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through nearly 600 dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at InsideMazda.MazdaUSA.com/Newsroom. Follow MNAO's social media channels through Twitter and Instagram at @MazdaUSA and Facebook at Facebook.com/Mazda NATIONAL American Heart Association American Red Cross Mazda Foundation St. Jude Children's Research Hospital GULF REGION Albuquerque Ronald McDonald House Austin Austin Humane Society Dallas & Fort Worth MD Anderson Cancer Center Denver JDRF Harlingen Boys and Girls Club of Edinburg RGV Houston JDRF Kansas City Children's Mercy Hospital New Orleans Covenant House New Orleans Omaha Children's Hospital & Medical Center Foundation MIDWEST REGION Chicago Ronald McDonald House of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana Cincinnati Friar's Club of Cincinnati Cleveland Ronald McDonald House of Cleveland Ronald McDonald House of Akron Columbus Nationwide Children's Hospital Detroit Children's Hospital of Michigan Lexington Kentucky Children's Hospital Louisville Children's Hospital Foundation Milwaukee Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer (MACC) Fund Minneapolis Ronald McDonald House Upper Midwest NORTHEAST REGION Baltimore American Cancer Society Boston The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism Hartford & New Haven Autism Speaks New York Autism Speaks Philadelphia The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Pittsburgh Autism Society of Pittsburgh Washington, D.C. Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Washington DC SOUTHEAST REGION Atlanta Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Charlotte Charlotte Family Housing Ft. Myers & Naples Golisano Children's Hospital Raleigh UNC Children's Hospital (The Medical Foundation of NC, Inc) Richmond & Petersburg Ronald McDonald House Charities of Richmond West Palm Beach Place of Hope WESTERN REGION Los Angeles Local chapters of Big Brothers Big Sisters Phoenix Phoenix Children's Hospital Foundation Portland Randall Children's Hospital Foundation Sacramento, Stockton & Modesto Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Sacramento Area San Diego Rady Children's Hospital Foundation San Francisco, Oakland & San Jose Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford Seattle & Tacoma Seattle Children's Hospital Salt Lake City Prevent Child Abuse Utah SOURCE Mazda North American Operations Related Links http://www.mazdausa.com LONDON, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- How well does your asthma/COPD medical affairs team performance compare with the rest? According to this latest survey of 150 pulmonologists and primary care physicians across the EU5 (UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain) the performance of asthma/COPD medical affairs teams still has a way to go in some key areas. Find out what physicians think is done well; what they want to see more of; and why some are dissatisfied. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5214592 Use Medical Affairs Reputations: Asthma/COPD 2017 (EU5) to discover how your team can better meet the high expectations of physicians at the frontline. This report compares the current activities of medical affairs teams for the 12 leading treatments for asthma/COPD from AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, GSK, and Novartis. It shows: How physicians rate each team overall, and for 12 key medical affairs services. What is most important to physicians, plus what can be done better. How, and how often physicians want to meet with your team. It's time to find out exactly how well your medical affairs team is performing against fierce competition and establish an action plan to gain competitive advantage. Top Takeaways Tightly bunched at the top. Five teams have leapt ahead with 78-80% of physicians recalling an interaction within the last 6 months. Where does your team sit? At the top or toward the bottom? Building confidence. How much do European physicians rely on medical affairs to answer questions about off-label usage? What are they spending more time talking about to medical affairs professionals than ever before? Fierce competition. One team has leapt to the top of the satisfaction tables for almost every medical affairs attribute. Which team is it, and what can other teams do to catch up? Are doctors embracing digital? Or do physicians prefer face-to-face meetings in their office or at medical conferences? And what's the optimal frequency of these meetings? Good news for all. Physicians praised every drug for at least 3 areas of support provided by medical affairs. Information is king. 35% of respondents want to know more from their medical affairs teams. What specifically are they asking for? Insight into Medical affairs teams for these asthma/COPD treatments Anoro (umeclidinium/vilanterol; GSK) Daxas (roflumilast; AstraZeneca) Eklira (aclidinium; AstraZeneca) Nucala (mepolizumab; GSK) Onbrez (indacaterol; Novartis) Relvar Ellipta (vilanterol/fluticasone furoate; GSK) Seebri (glycopyrronium; Novartis) Seretide (fluticasone/salmeterol; GSK) Spiriva (tiotropium; Boehringer Ingelheim) Symbicort (budesonide/formoterol; AstraZeneca) Ultibro (indacaterol/glycopyrronium; Novartis) Xolair (omalizumab; Roche/Novartis) A Competitive View of Your Medical Affairs Team Developed with the help of medical affairs specialists, this report gives you an in-depth comparison of medical affairs teams for 12 leading asthma/COPD brandsanswering important questions like: What do physicians need? How, and how often are they using your medical affairs team? What services do they consider most important? How often should you contact them? What channels are best? Does your medical affairs team deliver? How memorable are your team's interactions with doctors? How do doctors rank your team for performance and satisfaction in 12 key areas? How does your team compare to the competitionin each area, and overall? What needs improvement? Are you delivering the services that are most important to doctors? Where do you need to improve? How can your team enhance its services? Based on Interviews with Practicing Doctors We surveyed 150 pulmonologists and primary care physicians from the EU5 (France, Italy, Germany, Spain, UK) chosen from the largest community of validated physicians in the world All respondents: Have been practicing for between 3 and 35 years See at least 5 asthma/COPD patients a typical month Devote at least 50% of their time to direct patient care Have interacted with at least one listed product's medical affairs team in the past 6 months. We conducted the survey between September 1-14, 2017. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5214592 About Reportbuyer Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers 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 LONDON, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- How well does your Parkinson's Disease medical affairs team performance compare with the rest? Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5214617 According to this latest survey of 150 neurologists across the EU5 (UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain) the performance of Parkinson's Disease medical affairs teams still has a way to go in some key areas. Find out what physicians think is done well; what they want to see more of; and why some are dissatisfied. Use Medical Affairs Reputations: Parkinson's Disease 2017 (EU5) to discover how your team can better meet the high expectations of physicians at the frontline. This report compares the current activities of medical affairs teams for the 9 leading treatments for Parkinson's Disease from AbbVie, Britannia, GSK, Lundbeck, Meda Pharma, Novartis, Teva, UCB and Zambon. It shows: How physicians rate each team overall, and for 12 key medical affairs services. What is most important to physicians, plus what can be done better. How, and how often physicians want to meet with your team. It's time to find out exactly how well your medical affairs team is performing against fierce competition and establish an action plan to gain competitive advantage. Top Takeaways One clear winner, but plenty to play for. Four teams visit over two thirds of physicians, with one a full 10 points clear in the lead; is this your team? If not, what can you do to gain ground? Building confidence. How much do European physicians rely on medical affairs to answer questions about off-label usage? What are they spending more time talking about to medical affairs professionals than ever before? How are the new kids on the block faring against the old guard? New brands on the market are benchmarked against established therapies, but how are they doing? Is it a case of not enough time on the market, or are they proactively shaping physician sentiment? Are patients the main focus, or is it something else? How much do European physicians rely on medical affairs to help them improve patient access, education and outcomes? And are they spending more or less time doing this than before? Information or attitude? When it comes to what physicians recommend in terms of key areas for improvement, is it information, attitude or something else? Could addressing these tip the balance? Insight into Medical affairs teams for these Parkinson's Disease treatments Apokinon (apomorphine SC; Britannia) Azilect (rasagiline; Teva/Lundbeck) Comtan (entacapone; Novartis) Dostinex (cabergoline; Pfizer) Duodopa (levodopa/carbidopa intraduodenal; AbbVie) Neupro (rotigotine; UCB) Requip (ropinirole; GSK) Tasmar (tolcapone; Meda Pharma) Xadago (safinamide; Zambon) A Competitive View of Your Medical Affairs Team Developed with the help of medical affairs specialists, this report gives you an in-depth comparison of medical affairs teams for 9 leading Parkinson's Disease brandsanswering important questions like: What do physicians need? How, and how often are they using your medical affairs team? What services do they consider most important? How often should you contact them? What channels are best? Does your medical affairs team deliver? How memorable are your team's interactions with doctors? How do doctors rank your team for performance and satisfaction in 12 key areas? How does your team compare to the competitionin each area, and overall? What needs improvement? Are you delivering the services that are most important to doctors? Where do you need to improve? How can your team enhance its services? Based on Interviews with Practising Physicians We surveyed 150 neurologists from the EU5 (France, Italy, Germany, Spain, UK) chosen from the largest community of validated physicians in the world. All respondents: Have been practicing for between 3 and 35 years See at least 5 Parkinson's Disease patients a typical month Devote at least 50% of their time to direct patient care Have interacted with at least one listed product's medical affairs team in the past 6 months. We conducted the survey between October 9-25, 2017. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5214617 About Reportbuyer Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers 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 LONDON, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- How well does your asthma/COPD medical affairs team performance compare with the rest? Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5214591 According to this latest survey of 100 US pulmonologists and primary care physicians, the performance of asthma/COPD medical affairs teams for some high profile brands still has a way to go in some key areas. Find out what physicians think is done well; what they want to see more of; and why some are dissatisfied. Use Medical Affairs Reputations: Asthma/COPD 2017 (US) to discover how your team can better meet the high expectations of physicians at the frontline. This report compares the current activities of medical affairs teams for the 12 leading treatments for asthma/COPD from AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, GSK, Novartis, and Roche. It shows: How physicians rate each team overall, and for 12 key medical affairs services. What is most important to physicians, plus what can be done better. How, and how often physicians want to meet with your team. It's time to find out exactly how well your medical affairs team is performing against fierce competition and establish an action plan to gain competitive advantage. Top Takeaways Leader or laggard? One team strides ahead with 82% of physicians recalling an interaction within the last 6 months whereas another is lagging way behind with less than a quarter of physicians recalling an interaction. How does your team stack up? Patient focus. How much do US physicians rely on medical affairs to help them improve patient access, education and outcomes? And are they spending more or less time doing this than before? It's not just about small molecules. With biologics becoming a critical part of asthma management, how do the medical affairs teams for two of the key biologics perform, both against each other and their small molecule peers? Good news for all. Physicians praised every drug for at least 4 areas of support provided by medical affairs teams. Information or attitude? When it comes to what physicians recommend in terms of key areas for improvement, is it information, attitude or something else? Could addressing these tip the balance? Insight into Medical affairs teams for these asthma/COPD treatments Advair (fluticasone/salmeterol; GSK) Anoro (umeclidinium/vilanterol; GSK) Arcapta (indacaterol; Novartis) Breo Ellipta (vilanterol/fluticasone furoate; GSK) Daliresp (roflumilast; AstraZeneca) Nucala (mepolizumab; GSK) Seebri (glycopyrronium; Novartis) Spiriva (tiotropium; Boehringer Ingelheim) Symbicort (budesonide/formoterol; AstraZeneca) Tudorza (aclidinium; AstraZeneca) Utibron (indacaterol/glycopyrronium; Novartis) Xolair (omalizumab; Roche/Novartis) A Competitive View of Your Medical Affairs Team Developed with the help of medical affairs specialists, this report gives you an in-depth comparison of medical affairs teams for 12 leading asthma/COPD brandsanswering important questions like: What do physicians need? How, and how often are they using your medical affairs team? What services do they consider most important? How often should you contact them? What channels are best? Does your medical affairs team deliver? How memorable are your team's interactions with doctors? How do doctors rank your team for performance and satisfaction in 12 key areas? How does your team compare to the competitionin each area, and overall? What needs improvement? Are you delivering the services that are most important to doctors? Where do you need to improve? How can your team enhance its services? Based on Interviews with Practicing Doctors We surveyed 100 US-based pulmonologists and primary care physicians, chosen from the largest community of validated physicians in the world. All respondents: Have been practicing for between 3 and 35 years See at least 5 asthma/COPD patients a typical month Devote at least 50% of their time to direct patient care Have interacted with at least one listed product's medical affairs team in the past 6 months. We conducted the survey between August 1st and 16th, 2017. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5214591 About Reportbuyer Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers 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 At the conference, executives from the Medical Marijuana, Inc. portfolio of companies spoke to hundreds of patients and doctors at the event about CBD and shared stories of previous international successes in Mexico, Brazil and Paraguay. Speakers included Dr. Stuart Titus, CEO of Medical Marijuana, Inc., and Raul Elizalde, President of HempMeds Mexico. "We are proud to sponsor this global event and speak with an international audience about our products and the benefits of CBD," said Medical Marijuana, Inc. CEO Dr. Stuart Titus. "We are working to bring HempMeds to Colombia in 2018." Those interested in learning more about HempMeds and its products are encouraged to visit https://hempmedspx.com. About Medical Marijuana, Inc. We are a company of firsts. Our mission is to be the premier cannabis and hemp industry innovators, leveraging our team of professionals to source, evaluate and purchase value-added companies and products, while allowing them to keep their integrity and entrepreneurial spirit. We strive to create awareness within our industry, develop environmentally-friendly, economically sustainable businesses, while increasing shareholder value. For details on Medical Marijuana, Inc.'s portfolio and investment companies, visit www.medicalmarijuanainc.com. To see Medical Marijuana, Inc.'s corporate video, click here. Shareholders are also encouraged to visit the Medical Marijuana, Inc. Shop for discounted products. FORWARD-LOOKING DISCLAIMER AND DISCLOSURES. This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and information, as defined within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is subject to the Safe Harbor created by those sections. This material contains statements about expected future events and/or financial results that are forward-looking in nature and subject to risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements by definition involve risks, uncertainties. The statements in this press release have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. The Company does not sell or distribute any products that are in violation of the United States Controlled Substances Act. The Company does sell and distribute hemp-based products. CONTACT: Public Relations Contact: Andrew Hard Chief Executive Officer CMW Media P. 888-829- 0070 [email protected] www.cmwmedia.com SOURCE Medical Marijuana, Inc. Related Links http://www.medicalmarijuanainc.com The leaders of the state Assembly on Tuesday said records related to claims of sexual harassment occurring within their chamber would not be released to the public in order to protect victims privacy. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Assembly Minority Leader Gordon Hintz also pledged to seek justice for victims of sexual harassment and said that serial sexual harassers would likely be fired or removed from their seats. We want to make sure people feel comfortable bringing forward any accusation and knowing that it will be dealt with severely and swiftly if its true, Vos said. I think the whole process is to ensure someone actually gets justice, which is whats happened every single time that I have seen in the Assembly because we have a good, strong policy that guarantees that we have the opportunity for victims to come forward. Vos, R-Rochester, and Hintz, D-Oshkosh, made the remarks at a joint news conference Tuesday after a mandatory sexual harassment training organized for all Assembly staff. Vos acknowledged a few incidents of sexual harassment at the Capitol in recent years. The Assembly and Senate chief clerks denied a request made by the Wisconsin State Journal earlier this month for records related to claims of sexual harassment over the last 10 years. In their denial, the clerks said releasing such information would have a chilling effect on victims desire to come forward. Vos said that because victims privacy should be upheld and respected, completed investigations into sexual harassment also should not be released publicly. Hintz said records should be kept private even if the names of complainants are blacked out to maintain consistency in how complaints are handled because some victims wouldnt want details of events known under any circumstances. Even with the redaction, there is speculation about other things some of the victims dont want those details out there, Hintz said. I think our policy is actually first to protect those who would be most impacted by the release of information. The State Journal also has requested records related to completed investigations, discipline and settlements related to sexual harassment claims. Those requests are pending. Public trust seen as issue in absurd practice Bill Lueders, president of the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council, said not releasing records related to possible sexual harassment in the Capitol is contrary to law and past practice and could erode public trust. Victims are identified all the time. Does the Legislature propose that no one be prosecuted for crimes anymore if it is not also possible to shield the names of victims? Lueders said. He also said denying the records could be an attempt to cover up allegations of misconduct or evidence that allegations werent handled properly. Assembly Chief Clerk Patrick Fuller and Senate Chief Clerk Jeff Renk said in their denials to the newspaper that the purpose of the internal complaint process is to instill employee confidence that resolving concerns is handled in a confidential manner. The public disclosure of records concerning complaints and investigations compromises the privacy rights of victims, witnesses, and others, they each wrote in separate responses. The increased level of embarrassment would have a chilling effect on future witnesses or victims coming forward, contrary to public policy. April Barker, a Waukesha-based attorney who handles open records litigation, said in other cases state appeals courts have ruled repeatedly that the publics interest in knowing government information outweighs any potential chilling effect the release of records might cause. Certainly the publics entitled to know about (potential) misconduct to just black it all out and say no, no one gets to know anything in this setting, is absurd, she said. Amy Scarr, a Madison attorney with more than 20 years of experience representing plaintiffs in workplace sexual harassment cases, said blacking out names from records related to sexual harassment in a public workplace could avoid any chilling effect their release may produce. She said often victims of sexual harassment want their experience shared. In an ideal world the plaintiffs in these kinds of cases would like to be able to talk about these things and some would be interested in going to the media because they dont want this happening to someone else, Scarr said. It really doesnt make sense that the public wouldnt be able to hold their legislators accountable and know whether they are engaged in the publics business or in private shenanigans. Vos said few sexual harassment incidents have occurred since he entered the Legislature and the ones that have had been handled swiftly. He pointed to the Assemblys decision to strip former GOP Rep. Bill Kramer of his leadership position after he was accused of sexual misconduct. Kramer was convicted of charges that he sexually assaulted a political aide in 2011. Pledging to protect victims Legislative staff are at-will employees, which means they can be fired for any reason. But Vos on Tuesday pledged to protect victims from retaliation if an alleged harasser is a supervisor. He said workers can also complain to Vos or Hintz or to the Legislative human resources office. He said employees can complain anonymously, but taking that route makes it more difficult to prove allegations. If you have an anonymous complaint it will be taken seriously but its awfully hard to step in and prove an anonymous complaint, Vos said. You actually have to have someone say this occurred and do the due diligence but thats why its not our job to be the investigators thats why we have a Legislative human resources office. The Assemblys training comes amid an avalanche of allegations made against prominent lawmakers in state Legislatures and Congress, entertainers and media figures. None have involved people in Wisconsin. DARMSTADT, Germany and NEW YORK, November 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- N ot intended for UK-based media Pivotal Phase III J avelin trial investigating avelumab as third-line treatment for patients with unresectable, recurrent or metastatic gastric cancer did not meet its pre-specified primary endpoint of superior overall survival compared to chemotherapy First global trial of a checkpoint inhibitor versus an active chemotherapy comparator rather than placebo in this hard-to-treat patient p opulation Safety profile was consistent with that observed in previously reported studies of avelumab; no new safety signals were identified Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, and Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) today announced that the Phase III JAVELIN Gastric 300 trial did not meet its primary endpoint of superior overall survival (OS) with single-agent avelumab* compared with physician's choice of chemotherapy. The trial investigated avelumab as a third-line treatment for unresectable, recurrent or metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma patients whose disease progressed following two prior therapeutic regimens, regardless of programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression. The safety profile of avelumab was consistent with that observed in the overall JAVELIN clinical development program. "Gastric cancer in the third-line setting is a particularly hard-to-treat and heterogeneous disease, and importantly, this was the first trial conducted with a checkpoint inhibitor compared to an active chemotherapy comparator rather than placebo in a global patient population," said Luciano Rossetti, M.D., Executive Vice President, Global Head of Research & Development at the Biopharma business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, which operates as EMD Serono in the US and Canada. "Data from this study will provide valuable information for physicians treating this late stage disease. We remain committed to our ongoing gastric cancer program with avelumab including the JAVELIN Gastric 100 study in the first-line switch maintenance setting." "Gastric cancer is a leading cause of cancer death globally with clear unmet needs, and the results provide important insights as we continue to investigate the role of avelumab for the treatment of gastric cancer," said Chris Boshoff, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Head of Immuno-Oncology, Early Development and Translational Oncology, Pfizer Global Product Development. "With approvals for two cancers in 2017, our companies have made tremendous progress with avelumab on behalf of patients this year, and we are confident that our broad clinical development program in both monotherapy and combinations across a range of cancers will continue to bring new potential treatment options to patients." The JAVELIN Gastric 300 data will be further examined in an effort to better understand the results and will also be submitted for presentation at an upcoming medical congress. The outcome of JAVELIN Gastric 300 does not have any impact on current avelumab approvals. JAVELIN Gastric 300 is a Phase III, multicenter, international, randomized, open-label clinical trial investigating avelumab plus best supportive care versus physician's choice of protocol-specified chemotherapy (paclitaxel or irinotecan monotherapy) plus best supportive care in patients with unresectable, recurrent or metastatic gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma whose disease has progressed following two prior therapeutic regimens. The trial enrolled 371 patients from 147 sites in Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America. The primary endpoint was OS. The avelumab gastric clinical development program also includes JAVELIN Gastric 100, a multicenter, randomized, open-label Phase III study evaluating avelumab as first-line maintenance therapy following induction chemotherapy in unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic gastric or GEJ cancer. The trial will continue as planned. *Avelumab is under clinical investigation for treatment of gastric/GEJ cancer and has not been demonstrated to be safe and effective for this indication. There is no guarantee that avelumab will be approved for gastric/GEJ cancer by any health authority worldwide. About Gastric/Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer Globally, gastric cancer is the fifth most common cancer but the third most common cause of cancer death.[1],[2] In 2012, there were approximately 950,000 new cases and 723,000 deaths worldwide.[3] Of these cancers, 90 to 95 percent were adenocarcinomas.[4] Incidence varies by country, with higher rates seen in Central/Eastern Europe, Eastern Asia and South America.[5] Survival in advanced disease is poor and generally less than one year.[6] Globally, there is no recommended therapeutic approach for patients who progress after two lines of therapy for recurrent or metastatic gastric cancer. About Avelumab Avelumab is a human anti-programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) antibody. Avelumab has been shown in preclinical models to engage both the adaptive and innate immune functions. By blocking the interaction of PD-L1 with PD-1 receptors, avelumab has been shown to release the suppression of the T cell-mediated antitumor immune response in preclinical models.[7]-[9] Avelumab has also been shown to induce NK cell-mediated direct tumor cell lysis via antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) in vitro.[9]-[11] In November 2014, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, and Pfizer announced a strategic alliance to co-develop and co-commercialize avelumab. Approved Indications in the US The FDA granted accelerated approval for avelumab (BAVENCIO) for the treatment of (i) adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) and (ii) patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC) who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy, or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy. These indications are approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for these indications may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials. Important Safety Information from the US FDA Approved Label BAVENCIO can cause immune-mediated pneumonitis, including fatal cases. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of pneumonitis, and evaluate suspected cases with radiographic imaging. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 2 or greater pneumonitis. Withhold BAVENCIO for moderate (Grade 2) and permanently discontinue for severe (Grade 3), life-threatening (Grade 4), or recurrent moderate (Grade 2) pneumonitis. Pneumonitis occurred in 1.2% (21/1738) of patients, including one (0.1%) patient with Grade 5, one (0.1%) with Grade 4, and five (0.3%) with Grade 3. BAVENCIO can cause immune-mediated hepatitis, including fatal cases. Monitor patients for abnormal liver tests prior to and periodically during treatment. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 2 or greater hepatitis. Withhold BAVENCIO for moderate (Grade 2) immune-mediated hepatitis until resolution and permanently discontinue for severe (Grade 3) or life-threatening (Grade 4) immune-mediated hepatitis. Immune-mediated hepatitis was reported in 0.9% (16/1738) of patients, including two (0.1%) patients with Grade 5, and 11 (0.6%) with Grade 3. BAVENCIO can cause immune-mediated colitis. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of colitis. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 2 or greater colitis. Withhold BAVENCIO until resolution for moderate or severe (Grade 2 or 3) colitis, and permanently discontinue for life-threatening (Grade 4) or recurrent (Grade 3) colitis upon reinitiation of BAVENCIO. Immune-mediated colitis occurred in 1.5% (26/1738) of patients, including seven (0.4%) with Grade 3. BAVENCIO can cause immune-mediated endocrinopathies, including adrenal insufficiency, thyroid disorders, and type 1 diabetes mellitus. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency during and after treatment, and administer corticosteroids as appropriate. Withhold BAVENCIO for severe (Grade 3) or life-threatening (Grade 4) adrenal insufficiency. Adrenal insufficiency was reported in 0.5% (8/1738) of patients, including one (0.1%) with Grade 3. Thyroid disorders can occur at any time during treatment. Monitor patients for changes in thyroid function at the start of treatment, periodically during treatment, and as indicated based on clinical evaluation. Manage hypothyroidism with hormone replacement therapy and hyperthyroidism with medical management. Withhold BAVENCIO for severe (Grade 3) or life-threatening (Grade 4) thyroid disorders. Thyroid disorders, including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and thyroiditis, were reported in 6% (98/1738) of patients, including three (0.2%) with Grade 3. Type 1 diabetes mellitus including diabetic ketoacidosis: Monitor patients for hyperglycemia or other signs and symptoms of diabetes. Withhold BAVENCIO and administer antihyperglycemics or insulin in patients with severe or life-threatening (Grade 3) hyperglycemia, and resume treatment when metabolic control is achieved. Type 1 diabetes mellitus without an alternative etiology occurred in 0.1% (2/1738) of patients, including two cases of Grade 3 hyperglycemia. BAVENCIO can cause immune-mediated nephritis and renal dysfunction. Monitor patients for elevated serum creatinine prior to and periodically during treatment. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 2 or greater nephritis. Withhold BAVENCIO for moderate (Grade 2) or severe (Grade 3) nephritis until resolution to Grade 1 or lower. Permanently discontinue BAVENCIO for life-threatening (Grade 4) nephritis. Immune-mediated nephritis occurred in 0.1% (1/1738) of patients. BAVENCIO can result in other severe and fatal immune-mediated adverse reactions involving any organ system during treatment or after treatment discontinuation. For suspected immune-mediated adverse reactions, evaluate to confirm or rule out an immune-mediated adverse reaction and to exclude other causes. Depending on the severity of the adverse reaction, withhold or permanently discontinue BAVENCIO, administer high-dose corticosteroids, and initiate hormone replacement therapy, if appropriate. Resume BAVENCIO when the immune-mediated adverse reaction remains at Grade 1 or lower following a corticosteroid taper. Permanently discontinue BAVENCIO for any severe (Grade 3) immune-mediated adverse reaction that recurs and for any life-threatening (Grade 4) immune-mediated adverse reaction. The following clinically significant immune-mediated adverse reactions occurred in less than 1% of 1738 patients treated with BAVENCIO: myocarditis with fatal cases, myositis, psoriasis, arthritis, exfoliative dermatitis, erythema multiforme, pemphigoid, hypopituitarism, uveitis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, and systemic inflammatory response. BAVENCIO can cause severe (Grade 3) or life-threatening (Grade 4) infusion-related reactions. Patients should be premedicated with an antihistamine and acetaminophen prior to the first 4 infusions and for subsequent doses based upon clinical judgment and presence/severity of prior infusion reactions. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of infusion-related reactions, including pyrexia, chills, flushing, hypotension, dyspnea, wheezing, back pain, abdominal pain, and urticaria. Interrupt or slow the rate of infusion for mild (Grade 1) or moderate (Grade 2) infusion-related reactions. Permanently discontinue BAVENCIO for severe (Grade 3) or life-threatening (Grade 4) infusion-related reactions. Infusion-related reactions occurred in 25% (439/1738) of patients, including three (0.2%) patients with Grade 4 and nine (0.5%) with Grade 3. BAVENCIO can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise patients of the potential risk to a fetus including the risk of fetal death. Advise females of childbearing potential to use effective contraception during treatment with BAVENCIO and for at least 1 month after the last dose of BAVENCIO. It is not known whether BAVENCIO is excreted in human milk. Advise a lactating woman not to breastfeed during treatment and for at least 1 month after the last dose of BAVENCIO due to the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed infants. The most common adverse reactions (all grades, 20%) in patients with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) were fatigue (50%), musculoskeletal pain (32%), diarrhea (23%), nausea (22%), infusion-related reaction (22%), rash (22%), decreased appetite (20%), and peripheral edema (20%). Selected treatment-emergent laboratory abnormalities (all grades, 20%) in patients with metastatic MCC were lymphopenia (49%), anemia (35%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (34%), thrombocytopenia (27%), and increased alanine aminotransferase (20%). The most common adverse reactions (all grades, 20%) in patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC) were fatigue (41%), infusion-related reaction (30%), musculoskeletal pain (25%), nausea (24%), decreased appetite/hypophagia (21%), and urinary tract infection (21%). Selected laboratory abnormalities (Grades 3-4, 3%) in patients with locally advanced or metastatic UC were hyponatremia (16%), increased gamma-glutamyltransferase (12%), lymphopenia (11%), hyperglycemia (9%), increased alkaline phosphatase (7%), anemia (6%), increased lipase (6%), hyperkalemia (3%), and increased aspartate aminotransferase (3%). Please see full US Prescribing Information and Medication Guide available at http://www.BAVENCIO.com. Alliance between Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, and Pfizer Inc., New York, US Immuno-oncology is a top priority for Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, and Pfizer. The global strategic alliance between Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, and Pfizer enables the companies to benefit from each other's strengths and capabilities and further explore the therapeutic potential of avelumab, an anti-PD-L1 antibody initially discovered and developed by Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. The immuno-oncology alliance is jointly developing and commercializing avelumab and advancing Pfizer's PD-1 antibody. The alliance is focused on developing high-priority international clinical programs to investigate avelumab, as a monotherapy, as well as combination regimens, and is striving to find new ways to treat cancer. All Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, Press Releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, Website. Please go to http://www.emdgroup.com/subscribe to register online, change your selection or discontinue this service. About Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, is a leading science and technology company in healthcare, life science and performance materials. Around 50,000 employees work to further develop technologies that improve and enhance life - from biopharmaceutical therapies to treat cancer or multiple sclerosis, cutting-edge systems for scientific research and production, to liquid crystals for smartphones and LCD televisions. In 2016, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, generated sales of 15.0 billion in 66 countries. Founded in 1668, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, is the world's oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed corporate group. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, holds the global rights to the "Merck" name and brand except in the United States and Canada, where the company operates as EMD Serono, MilliporeSigma and EMD Performance Materials. Pfizer Inc.: Working together for a healthier world At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacture of health care products. Our global portfolio includes medicines and vaccines as well as many of the world's best-known consumer health care products. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one of the world's premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than 150 years, we have worked to make a difference for all who rely on us. We routinely post information that may be important to investors on our website at http://www.pfizer.com. In addition, to learn more, please visit us on http://www.pfizer.com and follow us on Twitter at @Pfizer and @Pfizer_News, LinkedIn, YouTube and like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Pfizer. Pfizer Disclosure Notice The information contained in this release is as of November 28, 2017. Pfizer assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this release as the result of new information or future events or developments. This release contains forward-looking information about BAVENCIO (avelumab), the alliance between Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, and Pfizer involving anti-PD-L1 and anti-PD-1 therapies, and clinical development plans, including their potential benefits, that involves substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Risks and uncertainties include, among other things, uncertainties regarding the commercial success of BAVENCIO; the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including the ability to meet anticipated clinical study commencement and completion dates and regulatory submission dates, as well as the possibility of unfavorable study results, including unfavorable new clinical data and additional analyses of existing clinical data; risks associated with interim data; the risk that clinical trial data are subject to differing interpretations, and, even when we view data as sufficient to support the safety and/or effectiveness of a product candidate, regulatory authorities may not share our views and may require additional data or may deny approval altogether; whether and when any other drug applications may be filed in any jurisdictions for potential indications for BAVENCIO, combination therapies or other product candidates; whether and when regulatory authorities in any other jurisdictions where applications are pending or may be submitted for BAVENCIO, combination therapies or other product candidates may approve any such applications, which will depend on the assessment by such regulatory authorities of the benefit-risk profile suggested by the totality of the efficacy and safety information submitted; decisions by regulatory authorities regarding labeling and other matters that could affect the availability or commercial potential of BAVENCIO, combination therapies or other product candidates; and competitive developments. A further description of risks and uncertainties can be found in Pfizer's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, and in its subsequent reports on Form 10-Q, including in the sections thereof captioned "Risk Factors" and "Forward-Looking Information and Factors That May Affect Future Results", as well as in its subsequent reports on Form 8-K, all of which are filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and available at http://www.sec.gov and http://www.pfizer.com. References Ferlay J, Soerjomataram I, Ervik M, Dikshit R, Eser S, Mathers C, Rebelo M, Parkin DM, Forman D, Bray , F. GLOBOCAN 2012 v1.1, Cancer Incidence and Mortality Worldwide: IARC CancerBase No. 11 [Internet]. Lyon, France : International Agency for Research on Cancer; 2014. Available at: http://globocan.iarc.fr. Accessed: November 2017 . International Agency for Research on Cancer. GLOBOCAN 2012 Available at: http://globocan.iarc.fr/old/FactSheets/cancers/stomach-new.asp. Accessed: November 2017 . Chapter 1, Cancer Worldwide. In: Stewart BW, Wild CP (eds). World Cancer Report 2014: International Agency for Research on Cancer, World Health Organization; 2014. Waddell T et al. Ann Oncol 2013;24(Suppl 6):vi57-63. International Agency for Research on Cancer. WHO. GLOBOCAN 2012: Estimated Cancer Incidence, Mortality, and Prevalence Worldwide in 2012 2012 [ 06 April 2015 ]. Available from: http://globocan.iarc.fr/Default.aspx. Accessed: November 2017 . Shah MA. J Clin Oncol 2015;33:1760-9. Dolan DE, Gupta S. PD-1 pathway inhibitors: changing the landscape of cancer immunotherapy. Cancer Control. 2014;21(3):231-237. Dahan R, Sega E, Engelhardt J, Selby M, Korman AJ, Ravetch JV. FcRs modulate the anti-tumor activity of antibodies targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis.Cancer Cell. 2015;28(3):285-295. Boyerinas B, Jochems C, Fantini M, et al. Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity activity of a novel anti-PD-L1 antibody avelumab (MSB0010718C) on human tumor cells. Cancer Immunol Res. 2015;3(10):1148-1157. Kohrt HE, Houot R, Marabelle A, et al. Combination strategies to enhance antitumor ADCC. Immunotherapy. 2012;4(5):511-527. Hamilton G, Rath B. Avelumab: combining immune checkpoint inhibition and antibody-dependent cytotoxicity. Expert Opin Biol Ther. 2017;17(4):515-523. Contacts : Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany Media Friederike Segeberg +49-6151-72-6328 Investor Relations +49-6151-72-3321 Pfizer Media (US) Sally Beatty +1-212-733-6566 Investor Relations Ryan Crowe +1-212-733-8160 (Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/611455/Merck_KGaA_Pfizer_Logo.jpg ) SOURCE Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany Carney, now 32, always travels with the bear and as a dancer, has traveler around the world. "I never go anywhere without Brown Ted," she said. Carney's father, Patrick, wrote MIA in 1989 to see if Nikki's bear might be found. Dickie Davis, one of MIA's Operations Supervisors, looked everywhere but could not find the bear, so she sent a replacement bear saying, "Nikki , we believe Santa may have found your bear and asked him to come to the North Pole." On November 26, Nikki flew to MIA to personally thank Davis for the Christmas present from years ago that she never forgot. "You never know the impact of everyday acts of kindness," says Davis now MIA's Director of PR and Digital Marketing. Miami International Airport offers more flights to Latin America and the Caribbean than any other U.S. airport, is America's second-busiest airport for international passengers, boasts a lineup of more than 100 air carriers and is the top U.S. airport for international freight. MIA, along with its general aviation airports, is also the leading economic engine for Miami-Dade County and the state of Florida, generating business revenue of $33.7 billion annually and welcoming 70 percent of all international visitors to Florida. MIA's vision is to grow from a recognized hemispheric hub to a global airport of choice that offers customers a world-class experience and an expanded route network with direct passenger and cargo access to all world regions. MIA is committed to sustainable practices. Learn more at www.MIAefficiency.com. Follow us online: Facebook Twitter Instagram iflymia MEDIA CONTACT: Greg Chin 305.876.7017 [email protected] SOURCE Miami International Airport The pairing of Seymour and Amini is as substantial as it is stylish. Both are world travelers, successful entrepreneurs, ardent philanthropists, and incredibly gifted artists. Seymour is best known for her long and illustrious acting career while Amini's acclaim is firmly rooted in the luxury home furniture industry. Since 2009, the two luminaries have channeled their talents and passions into what is arguably the most innovative and exquisite furniture on the market today The Michael Amini and Jane Seymour: A Design Collaboration . Because both share a love for storytelling, The Showroom's November event will also feature a collaborative book signing by Amini and Seymour. She will sign copies of her newly released, "The Road Ahead: Inspirational Stories of Open Hearts and Minds" (Post Hill Press) and he will sign copies of "Michael Amini Grand Tour: A Journey in Furniture Fashions" (Amini Innovation Corporation). "We could not be any more excited about hosting this event," comments Amy Foster, lead buyer for The Showroom. She continues, "While the dedicated Michael Amini Gallery inside The Showroom is impressive on so many levels, having Jane and Michael here to share their vision and insights with our guests elevates the entire experience!" According to The Showroom's manager Patrick Baldwin, hosting special events such as this are an integral part of the overall customer experience. "Whether you're a design-savvy homeowner or a design professional, we want The Showroom to be the luxury furniture experience and resource that's always thought of first," says Baldwin. "Since opening our doors in August, the response from our community and support from the industry would indicate we're well on our way!" About The Showroom @Furniture Row - The Showroom offers the ultimate luxury home furniture shopping and design experience in the Mountain West. Boasting an astounding 170,000 square feet of retail space, The Showroom houses 30 dedicated galleries showcasing collections by Baker, Bernhardt, Hancock & Moore, Century, Christopher Guy, Marge Carson, Michael Amini, and more. Welcoming the design community and community-at-large, The Showroom features an extensive design library with dedicated workspaces. In the Pink Palace, guests can relax over a cup of coffee, enjoy a fresh salad, or shop designer jewelry, clothing, and accessories. The Retreat features a cinema, game tables, snack bar, and Furniture Row Racing exhibit. The Showroom is located at 5445 N Bannock Street Denver, Colorado 80216. Visit TheShowroom.com Contact John Knippenberg | Furniture Row Marketing [email protected] SOURCE The Showroom @ Furniture Row Related Links https://www.furniturerow.com/fr/theshowroom NEW YORK, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- New Jersey Institute of Technology ("NJIT") is pleased to announce that Michael and Kristina Gabelli have established a new scholarship in memory of Sal Capriglione. The scholarship will annually support two academically talented undergraduate students enrolled in the Newark College of Engineering and participating in ROTC. The inspiration for this new scholarship was the Sal Capriglione Memorial Endowed Scholarship, established by The Skyway Foundation in 2013. Mr. Capriglione was a member of the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, and remained active in the Air Force Association until his death at age 50 in 1969. Mr. Capriglione respected the commitment of young men and women who served in the armed forces and supported them at every opportunity. After his untimely death, Chapter 190 of the Air Force Association was renamed the "Sal Capriglione Chapter." The Sal Capriglione Endowed Scholarship represents the three ideals that Sal held close to his heart: dedication to country, dedication to community and love of family and friends. Kristina Gabelli commented, "We are thrilled to make this commitment to NJIT, in honor of my grandfather Sal Capriglione. Sal was an honorable man and throughout his life was devoted to helping the young men and women of the U.S. military. We are proud to establish this scholarship fund in his name that will provide opportunities to well-deserving NJIT students." Michael Gabelli added, "Our goal is to provide financial assistance for deserving students who embody the ideals, values and principles that guided Sal's life. We look forward to helping these students at NJIT achieve their goals for several years to come." "For so many of our talented and hardworking students, the chief obstacle standing between them and a degree from NJIT is not academic but financial," noted Kenneth Alexo Jr., NJIT's vice president for Development & Alumni Relations. "I want to thank Michael and Kristina Gabelli for their generosity and leadership in establishing this scholarship in memory of Sal Capriglione and for helping us maintain the affordability of an NJIT education for all deserving students and their families." About NJIT One of the nation's leading public technological universities, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) is a top-tier research university that prepares students to become leaders in the technology-dependent economy of the 21st century. NJIT's multidisciplinary curriculum and computing-intensive approach to education provide technological proficiency, business acumen and leadership skills. With an enrollment of 11,400 graduate and undergraduate students, NJIT offers small-campus intimacy with the resources of a major public research university. NJIT is a global leader in such fields as solar research, nanotechnology, resilient design, tissue engineering and cybersecurity, in addition to others. NJIT is among the top U.S. polytechnic public universities in research expenditures, exceeding $130 million, and is among the top one percent of public colleges and universities in return on educational investment, according to PayScale.com. NJIT has a $1.74 billion annual economic impact on the State of New Jersey. Contact for NJIT: Tanya Klein News and Media Relations Manager Office of Strategic Communications New Jersey Institute of Technology [email protected] 973 596-3433 Contact for Michael and Kristina Gabelli: Melissa Sheer Kent Place Communications 917-690-2199 [email protected] SOURCE NJIT HONG KONG, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Microban, the leading antimicrobial and odor control technology solution provider, has moved its Asia Pacific headquarters to Unit 105, 1/F, Philips Electronics Building, 5 Science Park East Avenue, Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong. The grand opening ceremony for the new office was held on October 13, 2017. The new office space in the Hong Kong Science Park both allows for continued growth and supports the company's strategy of leveraging the world-class infrastructure and seamless network of advance laboratories and R&D offices nearby. The Hong Kong Science Park also offers a full range of leisure and lifestyle facilities, including shops, restaurants and even a club house that that will support the team's work-balance life. Mr. George Tee, Chief Technology Officer of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), a statutory body that comprises InnoCentre, Industrial Estates and Science Park, said, "HKSTP has established a tech-based ecosystem which connects stakeholders, nurtures talent, facilitates knowledge transfer and drives innovation to commercialization. Currently, over 600 technology companies and approximately 13,000 technology talents have joined Hong Kong Science Park. We would like to extend a warm welcome to Microban for being part of the community. HKSTP will continue to support Microban and other science and technology companies to foster their growth and innovative ideas through the vibrant innovation and technology ecosystem as well as comprehensive value-added services." Mr. Richard A. Loomis, President and CEO of Barr Brands International, Inc. said, "Barr acquired Microban International as part of its strategic direction in 2011. With relocation of Microban's Asia Pacific headquarters to the Hong Kong Science Park we are further demonstrating our commitment to continued growth in innovation, and enhancement of our global leadership position in providing antimicrobial solutions for consumer, industrial and medical products." "The Microban mission includes being the innovation partner for our customers, promoting sustainable growing global business for our parent company Barr Brands International, and more importantly, providing a great place to work for our employees," said Mr. Pablo Perella-Berdun, President of Microban International, Ltd. "Our presence in the Hong Kong Science Park provides us with an ecosystem of innovative companies around us, and an environment of creativity where our employees will thrive." "Microban Asia is excited to join the mix of science-driven companies in the Hong Kong Science Park as a research & development driven company delivering technology-focused solutions for customers, we are looking forward to taking full advantage of this platform for future growth," said Dr. Martin Szeto, Managing Director of Microban International (Asia) Ltd. He considered this new office to be a key development in the growth of Microban Asia. Dr. Ivan Ong, VP of Research & Development of Microban International, Ltd., highlighted that, "with the availability of advanced and comprehensive laboratory facilities here, this office is certainly a wonderful addition to our innovation development and strengthens our commitment to protect and conserve the environment." About Microban Founded in 1984, Microban is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Barr Brands International. At Microban, we promise to redefine clean with proactive product protection that lives on. Our proactive systems keep products cleaner, and control odors better by preventing problems before they start. Microban drives innovation by combining science and creative solutions that enhance high quality consumer, textile, industrial and medical products around the world. Today the Microban brand and technologies are featured on thousands of products worldwide. The company is headquartered in North Carolina with operations in North America, South America, Europe and Asia Pacific. For more information, please visit www.Microban.com. Contact Information Karen Li Business Development Executive [email protected] Tel: +852 2760 3770 SOURCE Microban International Related Links https://www.microban.com NASHVILLE, Tenn., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading plaintiffs' firm Morgan & Morgan is representing three well-known, veteran newscasters who allege that Meredith Corporation, who does business as WSMV-TV News Channel 4, has engaged in persistent age-based bias against older employees. Attorney Brian Winfrey has filed a case in Tennessee federal court on behalf of Jennifer Johnson, Dennis Ferrier and Nancy Van Camp, who allege that Channel 4 terminated them as a result of age bias. "This case sheds light on some ugly truths about what is happening at Channel 4. My clients are accomplished professionals. They don't deserve this treatment after decades of dedicating their careers to Channel 4," Winfrey said. "By pursuing this case, we hope to send a message to Meredith Corporation, Channel 4, and other networks that age-based discrimination is never acceptable." The three employees have highly-accomplished careers spanning decades. They boast large fan followings in the Nashville area and have collectively received dozens of prestigious awards for their work. A Pattern and Practice of Age Discrimination The lawsuit alleges that in 2015, Channel 4 management began engaging in hostile behavior towards older on-air personalities. Leadership, including General Manager Doreen Wade, made comments about getting rid of the "old timers" and bringing on "faces that appeal to a younger demographic," the complaint alleges. News Director Jim Gilchriest commented on multiple occasions, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks" in reference to Ferrier and other veteran newscasters. The complaint identifies a number of employees over the age of 40 who were removed and replaced by younger employees between 2015 and 2016. When veteran on-air personalities reported their concerns about "a persistent pattern and practice of discrimination in the workplace, particularly on the basis of age," Channel 4 failed to take any preventative or correction action, allowing management to engage in additional unlawful acts against older employees without reprimand, the lawsuit alleges. The growing workplace hostility against older employees took many forms, according to the complaint. Along with unfair job scrutiny, adverse job assignments, and other retaliatory acts, the employees experienced ridicule, hostile communication, and insults on a regular basis. Ferrier was allegedly retaliated against shortly after raising concerns with HR about the hostile work environment at Channel 4. After taking an approved bereavement leave to attend his father's funeral, he was fired by management for making an "inaccurate statement" during a June 2016 broadcast. Ferrier asserts that this given reason for his firing was a smokescreen to hide age-based discrimination and retaliation. Johnson was forced off-the-air in December 2015 after Channel 4 targeted her with a series of adverse employment acts designed to compel her to quit, including: a demotion from news anchor to reporter; discriminatory field assignments and work shifts, and increased hostility during daily interactions with management, the lawsuit alleges. Van Camp was forced off-the-air around June 2016, and was subjected to unfair treatment, ridicule, and refusal to renew her contract all because of her age, the complaint alleges. She was replaced by a meteorologist over a decade younger than her. Gilchriest allegedly commented, regarding Van Camp's removal and replacement, "Out with the old, in with the new." The lawsuit asks the court to bar Channel 4 from further age discrimination, for the reinstatement of each plaintiff to full-time positions, and for backpay, among other things. The case of Jennifer Johnson, Nancy Van Camp, and Dennis Ferrier v. Meredith Corporation d/b/a WSMV-TV News Channel 4, case number 3:17-cv-01493, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, Nashville Division. ABOUT MORGAN & MORGAN Morgan & Morgan, a national plaintiff's law firm fighting for the people, not the powerful, has recovered more than $4 billion for more than 200,000 clients. The firm has more than 350 attorneys in 40 offices in 11 states. With the support of 2,000 employees, the firm's attorneys represent clients in a wide range of practice areas from personal injury, workers' compensation, and medical malpractice cases to labor and employment, mesothelioma, and product liability lawsuits to national mass torts and class actions. For media inquiries, contact: Karine Lim / Erika Nedwell Morgan & Morgan, P.A [email protected] / [email protected] 212-738-6265 / 212-738-6254 SOURCE Morgan & Morgan Related Links https://www.forthepeople.com The ECO Smart Pen TM by MyDx is a next generation, rechargeable delivery pen with Bluetooth technology capable of monitoring dosages and consumer feedback. The ECO Smart Pen also comes equipped with remote access and child safety protection via the EcoSmartPen App and is designed to help patients and consumers better manage and regulate their cannabis consumption habits, while protecting their children from unsupervised use. A Game-Changing Innovation That Helps to Raise the Standard of Safety in Cannabis MyDx's patents cover the delivery pen's child-safety locks, dosage control and tracking and related technologies unique to the next-generation delivery pen that monitors how many doses or "puffs" it takes for strains/formulas to take effect per individual personalized medicine. This information is stored passively or actively, depending on the user, and is complimentary to the MyDx ecosystem, which includes its testing devices, software and services. Since late 2015, MyDx has worked diligently to help consumers better understand what they put into their bodies and empower them to take charge of their marijuana consumption habits. Its handheld tester is used all over the world to identify and track how those strains impact its users. Approaching 3,000 testers in circulation, MyDx has built, and continues to build upon, a comprehensive database of user and consumption information that is now being used to drive policy; educate and inform industry stakeholders such as doctors, consumers, entrepreneurs, and politicians; and, promote a higher level of public safety and concern. MyDx is the only company in the world that actively tracks and analyzes (in real time) how strains impact consumers and alleviate ailments. While this is important to the legitimacy of the industry, given the current lack of oversight, it's also a public safety concern. That's when it occurred to the MyDx Team that more needed to be done, especially for those with debilitating ailments. "Today, doctors only offer prescriptions for medicinal marijuana, generally. They don't provide any recommendations on what to use and when and how to use it. And that's a public safety problem. We know from our data that not all cannabis is the same (not even the names), which is why our customers use our handheld testers. But the one piece of data we didn't have was knowing how much of a certain chemical profile it took to achieve its desired effect. Hence the creation of the ECO Smart Pen," said Daniel Yazbeck, CEO of MyDx. "We will not only offer patients a way to Trust & Verify their products, but, with the ECO Smart Pen, they will be able to determine for themselves how much they need to consume to achieve their desired effect. In combination with MyDx360, doctors and administrators will also be able to better monitor their patient's habits and offer more targeted prescriptions." Lack of Industry Research Despite the rising tide of marijuana legalization sweeping across North America, research still lags reform, which is counter to how, generally, research informs reform. Moreover, according to KPMG's report on Improving Medical Marijuana Management in Canada, "the quality of clinical data has been inconsistent and there are significant gaps in understanding of the therapeutic efficacy for many conditions." Consequently, the industry is moving forward without complete regard to patient and public safety and that's a problem for consumers, especially those using marijuana to address specific ailments. With the addition of the ECO Smart Pen to the MyDx Ecosystem, MyDx will capture and house the most comprehensive dataset of marijuana consumption in the world. This new data will then inform the company's foray into identifying green active biopharmaceuticals (gAPI). How the ECO Smart Pen Works Passive Monitoring The ECO Smart PenTM immediately activates the MyDx App via bluetooth as soon as you inhale from any compatible brand cartridge. Once the brand information is submitted, the pen will then passively monitor your consumption habits, such as frequency of use since purchase as well as dosage. Active Monitoring Once you begin using the product, you'll be able to actively track which ailments the product relieved and/or feelings it generated and how many doses it took to generate those feelings and/or reliefs. Software As A Service (SAAS) Manufacturers, Doctors and the like will be able to use MyDx Software on a private label basis to monitor and manage their respective user groups under a subscription-based model, which will be tiered for varying levels of access to user data and analytics. Key Features Bluetooth Connectivity Behavioral/Dose Controls Mobile-App Control (local or remote) Usage Analytics Data/Cloud Storage Child-Safety Controls To learn more or Pre-Order the ECOSmartPenTM, please visit www.mydxlife.com/ecosmartpen. About MyDx, Inc. MyDx, Inc. (OTC:MYDX) is a chemical detection and sensor technology company based in San Diego, California whose mission is to help people Trust & Verify what they put into their minds and bodies. The Company's first product, MyDx, also known as "My Diagnostic", is a patented multiuse hand-held chemical analyzer designed to help consumers and professional test for pesticides in food, chemicals in water, toxins in the air, and the safety and potency of cannabis samples, which is the initial focus of through the CannaDxTM application. CannaDx users have submitted over 40,000 crowdsourced datapoints revealing the chemical profile of the cannabis they are consuming and how its making them feel which feeds a data analytics platform, a SaaS business, as well as the biopharmaceutical division of MyDx. The company is committed to addressing areas of critical national need to promote public safety, transparency and regulation in the various markets we serve and hence its more immediate mission is to continue to develop smart devices as part of an ecosystem that crowdsources consumer generated preclinical data to drive innovation in the cannabis industry. For more information, please visit www.mydxlife.com. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in Section 27(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements may contain certain forward-looking statements pertaining to future anticipated or projected plans, performance and developments, as well as other statements relating to future operations and results. Any statements in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be considered to be forward-looking statements. Words such as "may," "will," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "estimate," "intends," "goal," "objective," "seek," "attempt," or variations of these or similar words, identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements by their nature are estimates of future results only and involve substantial risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to risks associated with the uncertainty of future financial results, additional financing requirements, development of new products, our ability to complete our product testing and launch our product commercially, the acceptance of our product in the marketplace, the uncertainty of the laws and regulations relating to cannabis, the impact of competitive products or pricing, technological changes, the effect of economic conditions and other uncertainties detailed from time to time in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, available at http://ir.mydxlife.com/all-sec-filings or www.sec.gov. Investor Contact: MyDx Shareholder Communications 800.814.4550 ext. 4 [email protected] SOURCE MyDx, Inc. Related Links http://www.mydxlife.com (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141106/712194 ) http://industryarc.com/Report/15134/nano-coatings-market.html Following the rapid economic growth in Asia during the last decade, demand for Nano Coatings in APAC has risen sharply and the market is anticipated to reach $14 billion by 2021. Growing usage of Nano coatings in healthcare as well as aerospace sector is all set to escalate the Nano coatings market. In addition to it, growing emphasis on renewable energy facilities also drives the usage of Nano coatings. EU's economy is largely influenced by the dynamics of developed countries of Western Europe, however, the scenario is changing with increasing investments in Eastern Europe. Nano coatings have been extensively used in various applications over the past few years across the globe. Request for TOC @ http://industryarc.com/pdfdownload.php?id=15134 The key element that nano structured coatings provide protection-from ice, pollutant, UV, fire, heat, bacteria, marine life, touch and corrosion. These factors cost global industry billions in maintenance, loss and downtime each year and can pose a significant public health hazard. For example, direct corrosion costs account for 3-4% of a country's GDP worldwide. Nano coatings can significantly increase the cost/benefit ratio of products, providing cost effective solutions and improved performances. Moreover, nano materials lead to new functionalities, completely innovative characteristics and the possibility to achieve multifunctional coatings and smart coatings. The global Nano coatings market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 16.8% during the forecast period and will reach $14 billion by 2021. As the industrial companies striving to compete on a global scale, they require to modernize their industrial production facilities. The ability of nano coatings to meet these requirements explains why they are under development for medical device applications. Nano-coatings technology has already been widely applied in hearing aid coatings. Nanoparticle coatings are being increasingly applied in protective coatings for medical electronics, biocompatible coatings on implantable devices, and lubricious coatings on medical devices. Escalating demand for automotive &transportation is propelling the growth of Nano coatings in various geographies. Make an enquiry @ http://industryarc.com/inquiry-before-buying.php?id=15134 The market of Nano coatings has been segmented into the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe and Rest of the World (RoW) on basis of geography. In 2016, Europe is the prominent region for Nano coatings market and is estimated to grow with a CAGR of 6.0% during the forecast period. The growth in Europe is attributed to the increasing biomedical, aerospace, automotive and manufacturing activities. However, considerable Nano coatings demand in the Americas along with Asian countries is likely to boost the overall market. The Prominent Players in this Market Include Angstron Materials LLC Bluestone Global Tech Cabot Corporation Durham Graphene Science GRAnPH Nanotech Nano coatings companies through its broad range of products, product expansion and innovation have been successful in catering to a variety of customers, consequently maintaining their hold over the Nano coatings market. With various product launches, mergers, acquisitions, collaborations and other strategies, these companies are obtaining industrial gases market shares in the industry. About IndustryARC: IndustryARC is a Research and consulting firm that publishes more than 500 Reports Annually in various industries, such as Agriculture, Automotive, Automation & Instrumentation, Chemicals and Materials, Energy and Power, Electronics, Food & Beverages, Information Technology, Life sciences & Healthcare. IndustryARC primarily focuses on Cutting Edge Technologies and Newer Applications of the Market. Our Custom Research Services are designed to provide insights on the constant flux in the global demand-supply gap of markets. Our strong analyst team enables us to meet the client research needs at a very quick speed with a variety of options for your business. We look forward to support the client to be able to better address customer needs; stay ahead in the market; become the top competitor and get real-time recommendations on business strategies and deals. Contact us to find out how we can help you today. Media Contact: Mr. Venkat Reddy Sales Manager Email 1: [email protected] Or Email 2: [email protected] Contact Sales: 1-614-588-8538 (Ext-101) Connect with us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/industryarc Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/IndustryARC Browse Market Research Reports - http://industryarc.com/Domain/4/chemicals-materials-market-research.html Subscribe to our YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ico4CGzBlO0 SOURCE IndustryARC HAMPTON, Va., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NASA's Langley Research Center is inviting children grades K-12 attending public, private, parochial and homeschools in the U.S. to use their talents, imagination, and knowledge of NASA to create original artwork for the 2018 art contest. The contest is intended to illustrate how NASA research and innovation is propelling science forward to help build a better world of new opportunities and technologies. This year, Langley is celebrating 100 years of contributions in aeronautics, space exploration, and climate study. The center is asking students to illustrate their interpretation of NASA Langley with the theme "The Next 100 Years." Art can be created via drawing, painting, mixed media or digital creation mediums. Entries must be submitted at https://artcontest.larc.nasa.gov from Dec. 1 to midnight EST Dec. 31, 2017. A grand-prize winner will be selected from all entries and a first, second, third place and honorable mention winner will be selected for each grade level. Learn more about the art contest at: https://artcontest.larc.nasa.gov View last year's winners on the NASA Langley Flickr site at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa_langley/albums/72157674817303682 For general inquiries, please email [email protected]. SOURCE NASA Related Links http://www.nasa.gov The pledge builds on Nespresso's long-term commitment to Colombian coffee and its efforts to improve production in regions previously impacted by the conflict, including reviving the industry in areas where production was lost. It follows Nespresso's limited-edition Aurora de la Paz (Dawn of Peace), a coffee sourced from the region of Caqueta and launched earlier this year as a symbol of the opportunity that peace presents for coffee farmers. Early indications suggest that Nespresso will source up to five times more coffee from Caqueta in 2018, as it expands its efforts into areas that were inaccessible before the peace accord. The extension of the programme will see coffee-sourcing for the first time from San Vicente del Caguan, a community that found itself at the centre of the armed conflict. This region has unique climate, with Arabica coffees grown at a low altitude and low temperatures. Combined with the high humidity, this characterizes the coffee with rich, fruity notes and fine acidity. President Santos said: "Colombian coffee is the finest in the world. I welcome Nespresso's commitment to our country, which highlights the many opportunities that peace opens for Colombia." Nespresso's agronomists have already started working with more than 500 producers in the Caqueta region in order to implement its AAA Sustainable Quality Program. The program works directly with farmers to improve their productivity, quality and sustainability by sharing good practice, providing technical assistance, and improving standards in farmers' environmental and social welfare. Jean-Marc Duvoisin, CEO of Nespresso, said: "Quality coffee, and the premiums that farmers can earn, present a very strong opportunity for the long-term sustainability and resilience of coffee farming communities. We are delighted to bring this incredible coffee to the world." The Caqueta farmers will join the 33,000 Colombian farmers already enrolled in the AAA Program, launched in the country in 2004 and supported by a team of 150 local agronomists. The extension of the program into San Vicente will be implemented with the support of Nespresso's strategic partner, the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation (FNC). Roberto Velez, CEO of the FNC, said: "We are honoured to build on our partnership with Nespresso, to renew the commitment we have made to Colombia's coffee farmers and to work together with our communities for a lasting, peaceful and prosperous future." Guillaume Le Cunff, President of Nespresso USA and CEO of the Nespresso Sustainability Innovation Fund said: "Our work and partnership with farmers in Colombia is another example of how the Nespresso AAA Sustainable Quality Program impacts not just the production of the highest quality coffee, but also farmer lives and communities. We look forward to expanding our work with farmers in former conflict zones and extending our commitment to Colombia." Key achievements of the Nespresso AAA Sustainable Quality programme in Colombia so far include: 33,000 Colombian farmers enrolled in the Program, supported by a team of 150 local agronomists Supporting 10'000 AAA coffee farmers to become certified by The Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade International and Fairtrade USA Helping farmers to build resilience to climate change by driving the reforestation of 1 million native species of trees on farms by the end of 2017 Supporting the FNC to renovate 100 million coffee trees Co-investing in water management systems in 25 critical water basins and promoting community milling facilities The introduction of a retirement savings scheme for 2000 farmers in Caldas together with Colpensiones and the Fairtrade International Organization Contacts U.S. Taylor Sneed +1 212 445 8460 [email protected] Colombia Andres Trochez External Communications Manager Nestle Colombia +57 (1) 5219000 Ext 4008 [email protected] FNC Martha Sanchez Directora de Communicaciones Corporativas +57 (1) 313 6600 ex 1790-1752 About Nestle Nespresso SA Nestle Nespresso SA is the pioneer and reference for highest-quality portioned coffee. Headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, Nespresso operates in 64 countries and has more than 12,000 employees. In 2016, it operated a global retail network of over 650 exclusive boutiques. For more information, please visit our website at www.nestle-Nespresso.com. About the Nespresso AAA Sustainable Quality Program The Nespresso AAA Sustainable Quality Program, launched in 2003 in collaboration with the NGO The Rainforest Alliance, empowers coffee farmers by investing in community infrastructures, paying cash premiums for superior coffee and best agricultural practices, and providing farmers with training, financing and technical assistance to continuously improve quality, sustainability and productivity. This approach drives improvements in social, environmental and economic conditions for coffee farmers and farming communities. About FNC The Colombian Coffee Growers Federation, also known as the FNC, is an advocate of more than 560.000 coffee producers. With over 90 years, the FNC works towards the well-being of Colombian coffee growers and the sustainability of the coffee sector. SOURCE Nespresso Related Links http://www.nestle-Nespresso.com ORCHARD PARK, N.Y., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- NeuroproteXeon, Inc. announced the publication of a second finding from a randomized, controlled Phase II trial of inhaled xenon and oxygen, combined with hypothermia, for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients. The study, which appeared in today's issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC Vol. 70, No. 21, November 28, 2017: 2652-60) found, "among comatose survivors of OHCA, in comparison with hypothermia alone, inhaled xenon along with hypothermia suggests less severe myocardial injury as demonstrated by the significantly reduced level of troponin-T" P= 0.01. Earlier published results from the same Phase II trial, showed significantly less white matter brain damage in patients receiving xenon, oxygen and hypothermia versus hypothermia alone (P=0.006) Journal of the American Medical Association ("JAMA"), March 15, 2016. NeuroproteXeon is preparing to start its pivotal, 30 center, Phase III trial in the second quarter of 2018. The Company has an agreed Special Protocol Assessment ("SPA") with the United States Food & Drug Administration ("FDA") and a Scientific Advisory Working Party Agreement ("SAWP") with the European Medicines Agency ("EMA"). Both FDA and EMA have provided the Company with orphan designation on this application with related market exclusivity (seven and twelve years, respectively). About NeuroproteXeon NeuroproteXeon, Inc. is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical/device company developing xenon to improve functional capabilities and survival in patients with Post-Cardiac Arrest Syndrome ("PCAS"). The Company has a license agreement with Mallinckrodt LLC for the sale and distribution of xenon gas for inhalation in North America, Australia and Japan upon approval of the drug in those markets. Contact: Matt Napoletano, COO [email protected] 716-332-7200 ext. 146 http://neuroprotexeon.com SOURCE NeuroproteXeon Related Links http://neuroprotexeon.com Latest Study Uncovers the Impact Business Traveller Booking Behaviour has on Safety FRANKFURT, Germany, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- A new Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) Foundation report released today found that more than three-quarters of business travellers in the U.K., Germany and France agree that their organisations care about their safety while travelling for work. Conducted in partnership with Concur, the How Traveller Booking Behaviour Impacts Safety study, also found risk management services supporting business travellers are still far from comprehensive and universal. "During these times of global uncertainty, business leaders have a responsibility to know where employees are and keep them safe and informed," said Scott Torrey, Chief Revenue Officer, Concur. "One of the most surprising results of the study is that more than half of business travellers know that not booking through company channels can affect their safety but a majority still book outside. This means that companies need to put a stronger focus on safety, and I firmly believe duty of care is one of the most important things a business can do for its employees." Business travellers in the U.K., Germany and France agree organisations care about their safety. In fact, the GBTA Foundation found that in an emergency or security event, business travellers overwhelmingly expect their company to proactively contact them, with at least two-thirds expecting their company to do so within two hours. However, two-thirds of business travellers acknowledge that not booking through company channels can affect their safety by making it more difficult for their company or TMC to locate and contact them in an emergency. The irony is that roughly seven out of 10 travellers booked outside of company channels at least once in the past year, even when they had a TMC or access to an OBT. This suggests organisations could be doing more to protect employees with risk management services and technologies and better educating on the services and policies in place to support employees travelling on business. The report uncovered several other travel risk management trends among U.K., German and French business travellers. Direct bookings . In the last year, nearly half of business travellers used a corporate online booking tool (OBT). However, nearly 70 percent of business travellers whose company uses a TMC say they booked at least one business trip directly with a supplier in the last year. Fewer than 40 percent say their organisation has a system in place to capture travel plans and itineraries booked directly with suppliers. . In the last year, nearly half of business travellers used a corporate online booking tool (OBT). However, nearly 70 percent of business travellers whose company uses a TMC say they booked at least one business trip directly with a supplier in the last year. Fewer than 40 percent say their organisation has a system in place to capture travel plans and itineraries booked directly with suppliers. Traveller locating . Travellers expect their companies to use a range of information to quickly locate them during an emergency or security event including travel itineraries (53 percent), GPS information from employer-provided smartphone apps (44 percent) and expense report information (32 percent). . Travellers expect their companies to use a range of information to quickly locate them during an emergency or security event including travel itineraries (53 percent), GPS information from employer-provided smartphone apps (44 percent) and expense report information (32 percent). Traveller services : Less than half of German business travellers (49 percent) say that their organisation provides them with an assistance hotline in case of an emergency while there are more business travellers in the U.K. (57 percent) and France (65 percent) that have access to an emergency hotline provided by their company. : Less than half of German business travellers (49 percent) say that their organisation provides them with an assistance hotline in case of an emergency while there are more business travellers in the U.K. (57 percent) and (65 percent) that have access to an emergency hotline provided by their company. Training and resources . More than one-half of business travellers report their organisations provide travel safety trainings, but there's a consensus that more would be helpful. Some 61 percent of travellers expressed interest in group and one-on-one trainings, and the majority approximately 65 percent would prefer to receive several trainings each year. "Over three years of tracking booking data, a majority of business travellers who had access to an OBT consistently say they booked directly with a supplier or with an OTA in the past year, meaning their company may not have had access to their travel data," said Monica Sanchez, director of research for the GBTA Foundation. "Missing or incomplete booking data can greatly hinder a company's ability to care for their travellers as it plays a key role in duty of care enabling virtually every risk management function that companies perform." In response to growing travel risk management challenges, Concur introduced Concur Locate and Active Monitoring earlier this year. Concur Locate with Active Monitoring, powered by Healix, is the first integrated traveller risk management solution drawing from the industry's most comprehensive data set including travel and expense data, itineraries booked direct captured through TripLink and TripIt, and supplier e-receipts. Businesses of all sizes can benefit from 24/7 monitoring, communications support and traveller assistance, without the infrastructure or headcount associated with a global security operations centre. Today's announcement took place at the GBTA Conference 2017 in Frankfurt. Attendees can learn more about the study findings at the conference on Thursday, November 30 at 9:00 a.m. CET. Attendees can also hear more about Concur Locate and Active Monitoring at booth #28. The How Traveller Booking Behaviour Impacts Safety study surveyed 735 business travellers in the U.K., Germany and France over September and October 2017. For more information about findings and methodology, the report is available for download here. About Concur For more than two decades, Concur, an SAP company, has taken companies of all sizes and stages beyond automation to a completely connected spend management solution encompassing travel, expense, invoice, compliance and risk. Concur's global expertise and industry-leading innovation keep its customers a step ahead with time-saving tools, leading-edge technology and connected data, in a dynamic ecosystem of diverse partners and applications. User-friendly and business-ready, Concur unlocks powerful insights that help businesses reduce complexity and see spending clearly, so they can manage it proactively. Learn more at concur.com or the Concur blog. Contact: Katharine Kemp [email protected] 425.590.5377 Laurel Cifala [email protected] 206.268.2229 SOURCE Concur Related Links http://www.concur.com NEW YORK, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- New Street Research are pleased to announce the appointment of David Epstein to the role of Global Chief Operating Officer, effective December 5. David will be based in New York and will join the New Street Global Management Committee. David joins New Street Research from Gerson Lehman Group where he was Head of Business Intelligence and Lean Operations and ran the Pricing Desk. Formerly a consultant with McKinsey and Company, David also brings a wealth of relevant experience to the firm from both buy-side (Bridgewater Associates) and sell-side (BNP Paribas) in a variety of operating roles. Iain Johnston, Senior Partner of New Street Research LLP, said: "We look forward to David joining us at a time of radical change for the research industry. David will be instrumental in building out our global franchise across The Americas, Europe and Asia; his hiring reflects our confidence in the opportunity to grow our world-class equity research business as other market participants reduce their commitment to the provision of intellectual capital." Jonathan Chaplin, Managing Partner of New Street Research LLC, added: "David's focus on operations will enhance the ability of our analysts in all time zones to deliver the fresh, alternative and independent perspective and insight that has always been the hallmark of our research product. We are aiming to deliver the best user experience to our growing global institutional user baseDavid will be fully engaged in optimizing the New Street research product and service to all our clients. I am excited about the opportunity to build, with David, an even stronger business and deeper client experience." About New Street: New Street Research is the preeminent global research and analysis firm in the Communications sector with offices in New York, London and Singapore. The team is comprised of top-ranked analysts that led teams at JPMorgan, UBS, Credit Suisse, and Merrill Lynch in the US, Europe, Asia and emerging markets. Our primary business is advising institutional investors within the Communications Services sector; however, when we are at our best we are combining intellect and industry knowledge to help shape the industry. We solve problems for investors, telecom & cable companies, regulatory agencies and other industry participants ranging from investment decisions, capital raising and deployment, strategy and policy. For more information contact: Jonathan Chaplin +1 212 921 9876 [email protected] SOURCE New Street Research Related Links http://www.newstreetresearch.com BOLIVAR PENINSULA, Texas, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- NewCoast Properties, a Texas-based developer, today announced a new partnership with Heritage Texas Properties, one of Texas' largest independent real estate firms, to support continued investment in the Texas Gulf Coast. NewCoast's current waterfront communities, Seagrass Beach and Laguna Harbor, are designed to bring luxury vacation homes with high-end amenities to the Bolivar Peninsula. "Heritage Texas Properties is an all-star team with deep Texas roots. They are a trusted name in real estate and know their clients well," said Brad Ballard, Principal of NewCoast Properties. "With our partnership, we hope to showcase the beauty of the Texas Gulf Coast, while making the process of designing a luxury vacation home an enjoyable experience. We love our community and have great confidence that this partnership will further enhance our investment in the Bolivar Peninsula and its future." Seagrass Beach and Laguna Harbor are designed with family in mind. From resort-style amenities and secure gated entrances to private docks, a beachfront pool with cabanas, and direct access to the blue water of the Gulf of Mexico, these communities provide a lifestyle of comfort and adventure. Both communities are truly unmatched along the Texas Gulf Coast in quality, price, and design. "We are excited to join Brad and the NewCoast team in their ongoing efforts to build and invest in the Bolivar Peninsula," said Valerie Gil, Heritage Texas Properties Realtor. "Our clients expect luxury, exclusivity, and space. Laguna Harbor and Seagrass Beach answer that call, and we are excited to deliver both communities to our clients." NewCoast Properties homes are constructed with extraordinary quality and care. With recent extreme weather events along the Gulf Coast, the highest standard of home construction is top of mind for homebuilders and buyers alike. "Hurricane Harvey dealt a devastating blow to much of the Texas Coast, however, Laguna Harbor and Seagrass Beach escaped the storm with no damage to homes or community grounds. I am very thankful both communities were designed and constructed to be disaster resilient, which allows myself and our homeowners to rest easy knowing their homes were built to higher construction standards," said Ballard. Visit seagrassbeach.com and lagunaharbor.com for available homes, home-sites, tour information and much more. About Heritage Texas Properties Since 1976, Heritage has been committed to service excellence across Houston's seven county region and beyond, with multiple offices in the greater Houston, Galveston, nearby hill country, and surrounding lake communities. Beyond our regional presence we are affiliated with Leading Real Estate Companies of the World and Luxury Portfolio International which provide clients global exposure of listed properties within a network of more than 120,000 REALTORS in over 50 countries. About NewCoast Properties Seagrass Beach and Laguna Harbor are exclusive waterfront communities located on the Bolivar Peninsula in Galveston County, Texas. Both communities offer expansive Gulf of Mexico and Galveston Bay views, sprawling common areas and resort-style amenities in a family-oriented setting just a short drive from Houston and Beaumont. This is not an offering where prohibited by law. SOURCE NewCoast Properties LONDON, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Future of the Nigeria Defense Industry - Market Attractiveness, Competitive Landscape and Forecasts to 2022 Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5214357 Summary Nigerian defense budget, valued at around US$1.5 Billion in 2017, registered a negative CAGR of over 10% during the historic period. The country has a long history of internal conflicts negatively affecting its economic growth and stability. The recent emergence of radical Islamic group Boko Haram intensified the rebellion in northeast Nigeria and led to a state of emergency announcement by the President regarding the affected states. Nigeria is expected to spend a total of close to US$9.5 Billion on its defense over 2018-2022, and the country's military expenditure is expected to increase at a CAGR of close to 9% to reach over US$2 Billion by 2022. Capital expenditure's share of the total defense budget increased from over 16 in 2013 to about 30% in 2017, and is expected to increase to an average of about 26% over the forecast period. Allocations towards the army are expected to marginally decrease from an average of about 36% over the historic period to over 35% over the forecast period. Similarly, allocations towards the navy are expected to decrease from just over 20% during the historic period to about 20% over the forecast period. Allocations towards the Nigerian Air Force are expected to decrease from over 21% during the historic period to about 21% over the forecast period. Nigerian homeland security expenditure increased from almost US$1 Billion in 2013 to about US$1.5 Billion in 2017, registering a CAGR of over 11% during the historic period. Threats from Boko Haram and increased drug trafficking are expected to drive the country's focus on defense spending. In order to counter these threats, the country is expected to invest in surveillance and intelligence technologies such as electronic identification documents, e-passports, automated border crossing systems, bio-metric identification, and CCTV (closed circuit television) systems, which are expected to be covered under defense spending. As a result, the Nigerian homeland security budget is expected to increase at a CAGR of almost 14% over the forecast period, from around US$1.7 Billion in 2018 to close to US$3 Billion by 2022. Traditionally, the country has been an importer of weapon systems as domestic military production is small-scale and technologically inferior. During the historic period, Russia was the largest supplier of military hardware to Nigeria with over 30% share of imports, followed by China with around 22%, the US with about 15%, and Ukraine, the Czech Republic, and South Africa accounting for around 9%, 6% and 5% respectively. Most of the country's imports consist of ships, aircraft and armored vehicles. The report "Future of the Nigeria Defense Industry - Market Attractiveness, Competitive Landscape and Forecasts to 2022" provides readers with detailed analysis of both historic and forecast defense industry values, factors influencing demand, the challenges faced by industry participants, analysis of industry leading companies, and key news. In depth, this report provides the following - - The Nigeria defense industry market size and drivers: detailed analysis of the Nigeria defense industry during 20182022, including highlights of the demand drivers and growth stimulators for the industry. It also provides a snapshot of the country's expenditure and modernization patterns. - Budget allocation and key challenges: insights into procurement schedules formulated within the country and a breakdown of the defense budget with respect to capital expenditure and revenue expenditure. It also details the key challenges faced by defense market participants within the country. - Porter's Five Force analysis of the Nigeria defense industry: analysis of the market characteristics by determining the bargaining power of suppliers, bargaining power of buyers, threat of substitution, intensity of rivalry, and barriers to entry. - Import and Export Dynamics: analysis of prevalent trends in the country's imports and exports over the last five years. - Market opportunities: details of the top five defense investment opportunities over the next 10 years. - Competitive landscape and strategic insights: analysis of the competitive landscape of the Nigeria defense industry. It provides an overview of key players, together with insights such as key alliances, strategic initiatives, and a brief financial analysis. Companies mentioned in this report: Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), Dornier Aviation Nigeria AIEP Limited (DANA). Scope - The defense budget of Nigeria for the year 2017 is US$1.4 billion. For the historic period, 2013-2017, the defense budget of the country registered a CAGR of -11.09%. The defense budget is currently being driven by efforts to modernize the army and threats from terrorist organizations. - During the historic period, the Nigeria MoD allocated an average of 19.5% of the total defense budget to capital expenditure, while an average of 80.5% was reserved for revenue expenditure. Over the forecast period, allocation towards capital expenditure is expected to increase at an average of 26.9%. - The MoD is expected to invest in multirole aircraft, infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) and attack helicopters. Reasons to buy - This report will give the user confidence to make the correct business decisions based on a detailed analysis of the Nigeria defense industry market trends for the coming five years - The market opportunity section will inform the user about the various military requirements that are expected to generate revenues during the forecast period. The description includes technical specifications, recent orders, and the expected investment pattern by the country during the forecast period - Detailed profiles of the top domestic and foreign defense manufacturers with information about their products, alliances, recent contract wins, and financial analysis wherever available. This will provide the user with a total competitive landscape of the sector - A deep qualitative analysis of the Nigeria defense industry covering sections including demand drivers, Porter's Five Forces Analysis, Key Trends and Growth Stimulators, and latest industry contracts Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5214357 About Reportbuyer Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers 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 STOCKHOLM, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Itiviti, backed by Nordic Capital Fund VII, today announces the intention to combine with ULLINK to build a full service technology and infrastructure provider for global and regional financial institutions. The proposed combination of Swedish based Itiviti, a global leader in trading software for banks and trading firms, offering the full spectrum of sell-side capabilities and ULLINK, a best in class platform for cash equity and derivatives trading solutions, is intended to create a world-leader in capital markets technology with revenues of over $200 million, 1,000 employees and a local market presence in all major markets of Europe, Asia and the Americas. Due to its scale and diversification, the new company will be a full service provider for global and regional financial institutions. The combined product portfolio would support the complete order cycle across all asset classes, and therefore the new company would be a powerful partner to existing and new customers within the finance industry. The proposed combination would provide for a merger of two equals, both with market leading technology. Through scale and diversification, the combined entity would be ideally positioned to take advantage of shifting trends in the financial services industry, including new regulatory requirements such as MiFiD II, which are forcing financial institutions to revise their technological strategies in order to meet new compliance rules. The combined product portfolio will support the complete order cycle across all asset classes and therefore the combined company will be a powerful partner to existing and new customers within the finance industry. Torben Munch, CEO of Itiviti comments: "The proposed combination will offer our customers the industry's broadest range of products based on modern, flexible technology. The global reach of the combined entity will be unique and both ULLINK and Itiviti share the ambition to meet our customers' demand for solutions that cover all asset classes and the full value chain. In a world with increasing regulatory pressure and changing market structures the combined entity would become the reliable and long-term partner our clients can depend on. We are also looking at bringing together a pool of talented people across the world with in-depth industry experience and technological expertise. The companies complement each other in many ways and the focus will be on growth and expansion. It is our goal to make the combined company the undisputed technological leader in our industry." Didier Bouillard, CEO of ULLINK comments: "The proposed combination of ULLINK and Itiviti would create a world-leader in Capital Markets technologies and services. Itiviti provides leading solutions in connectivity, market making and trading, with considerable expertise in the derivatives space. ULLINK's core competence in High Touch and Low Touch OMS and our world-leading NYFIX network complement Itiviti's solutions, and our capabilities in connectivity would create a global powerhouse unrivalled in the industry." Fredrik Naslund, Partner at the Advisor to the Nordic Capital Funds says: "Nordic Capital started this journey in 2012 seeing large opportunities in transforming the financial sector and creating a world-leading provider of complete trading technology solutions for the global capital markets. Itiviti was formed of Orc Group, CameronTec and Tbricks, and we are now reaching a new milestone by looking at creating one of the largest global players in the combination of two strong companies, Itiviti and ULLINK. Nordic Capital sees great value potential in creating this game-changer in the financial industry." The transaction is subject to consultation of the French works council and customary antitrust and regulatory approvals. Media contacts: Katarina Janerud, Communications manager Advisor to the Nordic Capital Funds Tel: +46-8-440-50-50 e-mail: [email protected] Torben Munch, CEO Itiviti Tel. +45-2223-4789 e-mail: [email protected] Didier Bouillard, CEO ULLINK Tel: +44-207-743-7228 e-mail: [email protected] About Itiviti Itiviti is a world-leading technology provider for the capital markets industry. Trading firms, banks, brokers and institutional clients rely on Itiviti technology, solutions and expertise for streamlining their daily operations, while gaining a sustainable competitive edge in global markets. With 13 offices and serving more than 400 clients worldwide, Itiviti has a track record of delivering innovative financial infrastructure solutions covering all asset classes, across geographies and regulatory landscapes. We offer highly adaptable platforms and solutions, enabling clients to stay ahead of competitive and regulatory challenges. For more information please visit www.ititviti.com About ULLINK ULLINK was founded in 2001 and is a global provider of market leading multi-asset trading technology and infrastructure for buy-side and sell-side market participants, including NYFIX, one of the industry's largest FIX based trading communities. Trusted by over 150 of the world's top-tier banks and brokers, the company provides consistent, reliable access to the most current and innovative trading solutions available. Their multi-asset solutions allow customers to connect to their desired markets, trade when and where they want, while being able to comply with global regulation. From its 10 offices covering all the major global financial centers, the team will advise on the best approach to address customers' challenges and deploy its technology. For more information, please contact [email protected] or visit www.ullink.com. About Nordic Capital Nordic Capital is a leading private equity investor in the Nordic region with a resolute commitment to creating stronger, sustainable businesses through operational improvement and transformative growth. Nordic Capital focuses on selected regions and sectors where it has deep experience and a proven track record. Core sectors are Healthcare, Technology & Payments, Financial Services, Industrial Goods & Services and Consumer & Retail, and key regions are the Nordics, Northern Europe, and globally for Healthcare. Since inception in 1989, Nordic Capital has invested EUR 11 billion through eight funds. The Nordic Capital Funds are based in Jersey and are advised by advisory entities, which are based in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Germany and the UK. For further information about Nordic Capital please see www.nordiccapital.com This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com http://news.cision.com/itiviti-group-ab/r/nordic-capital-backed-itiviti-announces-the-intention-to-combine-with-ullink-to-create-a-new-global-,c2401466 The following files are available for download: http://mb.cision.com/Main/13830/2401466/758699.pdf Press release in PDF format SOURCE Itiviti Group AB CHICAGO, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ReadAskChat, a National Science Foundation funded early-learning system, launched its digital library for children 0-4 that embeds on-demand guidance for parents and caregivers in a method of interactive (or "dialogic") readingan activity the American Academy of Pediatrics says is vital for children's development. Examples of ReadAskChat's conversation starters and activities linked to reading selections: Science features are illustrated with photographs. This page from "Bird Sounds" prompts imaginative thinking--the precursor to critical thinking and problem solving--about what the owls might be saying to each other. This story includes audio of six different bird species. Adults and children are encouraged to have fun listening to real life sounds from nature and imitating the sounds. Examples of ReadAskChat's conversation starters and activities linked to reading selections: "Naught or Nice?"--a wordless story created by Jon Goodall--encourages adult and child to look closely at the art and talk together about what is happening in the story: What are those frogs up to? Are they cleaning the kitchen floor or making a big mess? Are they being naughty or nice? Both interpretations are possible! The research-based ReadAskChat method uniquely fosters child-adult interactions about stories, poems, and math and science features at three developmental levelsbaby, toddler, and preschooler. Open-ended conversation starters and prompts for singing, chanting, and imaginative play promote word acquisition and other prereading and school-readiness skills. An option to view conversation starters in Spanish and story text in English honors the home language in Spanish-speaking homes while providing early exposure to English. Research Base The brain and social-science research underlying the ReadAskChat method is discussed in a white paper that may be viewed on the ReadAskChat website. The ReadAskChat format differs from other digital storybooks. "Young children only learn language and social-emotional behaviors from their caregivers, not from digital sources," explains Carolyn Saper, ReadAskChat cofounder and president. "So we designed ReadAskChat to be parent-mediated. This means it's the very opposite of a 'babysitting app.' There are no voiceovers or distracting bells and whistles. Instead, ReadAskChat is something parents and children do together. We only include artwork and features that can appeal to adults as well as to children. We know from experience that when adults are having fun with stories, their kids will, too." Social-justice Mission The goal of ReadAskChat is to make high-quality children's books accessible to families from all cultural and economic backgrounds and to guide them in ways to have meaningful conversations about the ideas they evoke. The ReadAskChat dual business model reaches individual families through app stores while offering bulk subscriptions to community organizations and schools that focus on early learning and literacy and/or parenting education. Institutions also receive a rich set of training materials to support parents, home visitors, and teachers in implementing a strongand enjoyableReadAskChat program. About ReadAskChat: Cofounders Carolyn Saper and Alice Letvin each has 30+ years experience in PK12 literary publishing; teacher professional development; literacy assessment; and literature-based language arts curricula. Their collaboration includes leading the creation of the Junior Great Books Curriculum of Interpretive Reading, Writing, and Discussion and Read-Aloud Program, which have been recognized as groundbreaking and exemplary programs that extended the benefits of inquiry-based learning to classrooms with diverse learners. The distinguished ReadAskChat advisory board includes early-education researchers and teachers; experts in children's literature, Spanish, and adult literacy; pediatricians; librarians; education psychologists; and computer scientists. ReadAskChat is a recipient of a National Science Foundation Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant, and was a finalist in the 2016 University of Chicago Booth School of Business John Edwardson '72 Social New Venture Challenge. For more information, go to ReadAskChat.net. Contact: Julie Brannon, Telp Media | [email protected] | 205-201-1897 ReadAskChat on iTunes App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/readaskchat-for-children-0-4/id1223747440?mt=8 ReadAskChat on Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.readaskchat ReadAskChat on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/readaskchat/ ReadAskChat on Twitter: https://twitter.com/readaskchat ReadAskChat on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/242285754 ReadAskChat on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ReadAskChat/ ReadAskChat on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/24999857/ ReadAskChat Website: http://readaskchat.net/ SOURCE ReadAskChat, Ltd. "At Old Navy, we believe in paying it forward. Opening doors for youth and helping them build promising futures is just one of the ways we give back," said Sonia Syngal, president & CEO, Old Navy. "We are in this together our teams, our families, our communities. That's why this Black Friday, we welcomed shoppers to join us in that mission through our Cozy Sock trigger donation campaign. And we are so proud to make this $1 million donation to Boys & Girls Clubs as part of our continuing ONward! program." Through its cause platform ONward!, Old Navy is committed to taking the next generation to the next level, and has long supported Boys & Girls Clubs to help turn learners into leaders. The $1 million donation will go to creating an employment program for Boys & Girls Club youth2, offering them career mentoring and a first job at Old Navy stores. "We are grateful for Old Navy's partnership and their continued commitment to supporting America's youth," said Jim Clark, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "Old Navy's donation will help our young people reach their full potential as productive and responsible citizens." Old Navy believes in giving the next generation a foot in the door for the future. Through the This Way Ahead job training program, Gap Inc. has committed to providing 10,000 jobs for youth from local nonprofits by 2020. The partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs will help expand the program to impact more young adults in additional cities. Learn more about Old Navy's cause work at Oldnavy.com/ONward. About Old Navy Old Navy is a global apparel and accessories brand that makes current American essentials accessible to every family. Originated in 1994, the brand celebrates the democracy of style through on-trend, playfully optimistic, affordable and high-quality product. A division of San Francisco-based Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS), Old Navy brings a fun, energizing shopping environment to its customers in more than 1,000 stores around the world. For more information, please visit www.oldnavy.com. About Boys & Girls Clubs of America For more than 150 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, 4,300 Clubs serve 4 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Club programs promote academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 54 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at on Facebook and Twitter. Media Contacts: Dava Huber [email protected] 212-206-4678 Taylor Frazier [email protected] 212-230-1800 1General coastline of California is 840 miles according to the Congressional Research Service https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RS21729.pdf. At 26 inches per pair and over 2.2 million pairs sold on Black Friday (Nov. 24, 2017), the socks would line over 900 miles. 2Funds will be divided proportionally between Boys & Girls Clubs of America ("BGCA") and Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada ("BGCC") based on the respective sales in the US and Canada. SOURCE Old Navy Related Links http://www.oldnavy.com MOORESVILLE, N.C., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Matt Maglodi, founder of the internet marketing company Online Advantages, is pleased to announce the grand opening of a new East Coast office in Mooresville, North Carolina. The new location will serve the Carolinas, the greater Northeast Coast as well as the Lake Norman area. To learn more about Online Advantages and the high quality and affordable digital marketing services that they offer their valued clients, please visit Online Advantages Mooresville. To celebrate the grand opening of the new Online Advantages location, Maglodi said he will be offering free monthly marketing workshops to small businesses that will cover the basics of internet marketing. "We are looking forward to working more closely with clients in and around the area, and offering our effective and innovative digital marketing services, including SEO, web development, lead generation, online reputation management and more," Maglodi said. Online Advantages also offers the following services: Search engine optimization or SEO Google Adwords marketing or Paid Search Marketing Online reputation management or ORM Local SEO management Video Marketing Social Media Management As Maglodi noted, Online Advantages' proven pay-per-click and SEO strategies help deliver new customers to their clients' businesses. "Our strategies have helped businesses, large and small, reach in-market consumers, making a true impact on the bottom line," Maglodi said, adding that at Online Advantages, he and his team are here to help educate their clients about search marketing and choosing a strategy that's right for them and their business. "We're constantly researching, testing, connecting, and finding other ways to stay on top of this always-changing industry so we can offer the best, most relevant advice to help you succeed. The blueprint for online success is simple: we do the heavy lifting while you focus on what matters most, your customers." About Online Advantages: Online Advantages is a unique full service internet marketing company. Founder Matt Maglodi specializes in all aspects of online marketing from video marketing, to pay per click advertising, organic search and social media. For more information, please visit https://onlineadvantages.net/. OnLine AdVantages Mooresville 125 Trade Court F #199 Mooresville, NC. 28117 704-734-9909 SOURCE Online Advantages Related Links https://www.onlineadvantages.net LOS ANGELES, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Academy Award-nominated legendary actor Gary Oldman will receive this year's Distinguished Artisan Award at the 5th Annual Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards (MUAHS, IATSE Local 706) celebrating his prolific acting career and the plethora of characters he embraces. The black-tie awards gala, honoring both make-up artists and hair stylists outstanding achievements in motion pictures, television, commercials and live theater, returns to the NOVO in L.A. Live on Saturday, February 24, 2018. The announcement was made today by Susan Cabral-Ebert, President of IATSE Local 706. Gary Oldman (photo credit Sarah Dunn) Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylist Guild (MUAHS, IATSE Local 706) Said Cabral-Ebert: "We are thrilled to present our Distinguished Artisan statue to one of the most creative and celebrated actors of his generation, Gary Oldman. Gary is known as a chameleon, an actor who changes his appearance, his voice, everything about himself from film to film. He has worked with the finest artisans in the world, he collaborates with the team and probably knows more about make-up and hair than any other actor. When you consider the hundreds and hundreds of hours he has spent allowing us to transform him, we are delighted to present him with our Distinguished Artisan Award to show our appreciation." Academy Award-nominated and Emmy-nominated actor Gary Oldman is the kind of thespian who disappears into his roles and completely alters his appearance with the talents of the make-up and hair teams. He boldly embodied the characters of Winston Churchill in The Darkest Hour, Sex Pistol Sid Vicious in the biopic Sid and Nancy, and George Smiley in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. The later portrayal brought him accolades worldwide including BAFTA Award, British Independent Film Award, European Film Award, and Academy Award nominations for Best Actor. Oldman's diverse career encompasses theatre, film and television and has garnered over 30 awards and 44 nominations. He is well known for playing over-the-top antagonists such as Russian terrorist Egor Korshunov in the blockbuster Air Force One, Lee Harvey Oswald in JFK and the title character in Bram Stoker's Dracula. He scored the coveted role of Sirius Black in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, giving him a key part in one of the highest-grossing franchises ever. He reprised that role in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Oldman played on the iconic role of Detective James Gordon in Batman Begins, a role he played again in The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises. Among his many other roles, Oldman played a main scientist in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, and Norton, the scientist in the remake of RoboCop. The Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild's Distinguished Artisan Award is given to those whose body of work in the film industry was richly enhanced by the consistent collaboration of make-up and hair styling artistry creating memorable characters throughout their career. Previous recipients include Johnny Depp, Ryan Murphy and Guillermo del Toro. As previously announced, Oscar-Winning Make-Up Artist Greg Cannom and Emmy-Winning Hair Stylist Mary Guerrero will receive the Guild's Lifetime Achievement Awards. Additional awards will honor nominees for outstanding achievements in motion pictures, television, commercials and live theater. Nominations for this year's awards will be announced on January 5, 2018. Final ballot on-line voting at www.local706.org closes on February 16, 2018. Winners will be announced on Saturday, February 24, 2018 at the Awards gala. Further inquiries regarding the MUAHS Awards may be directed to Kathy Sain in the MUAHS Office at 818.295.3933. or email [email protected]. For more information, visit www.local706.org or get #MUAHSawards updates on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MUAHS Awards is proudly sponsored by Diamond Level: M.A.C. Cosmetics; Ruby Level: Hask and Ardell; Sapphire Level: Schwarzkopf Professional and Dermaflage; Silver Level: Cinema Makeup School, Japonesque, Kryolan, Make-up Designory; Media Sponsors: The Hollywood Reporter, Variety and SHOOT. MEDIA CREDENTIALS: To request credentials, please apply online at bit.ly/2moh9rH SPONSORSHIP/ADVERTISING CONTACT: Dan Evans IngleDodd Media (310) 918-4882 [email protected] Media contact: Cheri Warner [email protected] 818.760.8995 SOURCE Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylist Guild (MUAHS, IATSE Local 706) Related Links http://www.local706.org SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Pacific Union International, Inc., the largest independent real estate brokerage in California, produces its first annual Los Angeles Real Estate Economic Forecast from the stage of the Skirball Cultural Center on Wednesday, Nov. 29 at 5 p.m. Pacific Time. The unique, one-hour webcast production, in the format of a "TED"-style talk, will be live-streamed on http://www.pacificunion.com/ and simulcast in Mandarin for Pacific Union's Chinese investors throughout Asia. Pacific Union International CEO Mark A. McLaughlin, John Burns of John Burns Real Estate Consulting and Pacific Union Chief Economist Selma Hepp headline the Pacific Union International Los Angeles Economic Forecast to 2020 webcast from the stage of the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles on Wednesday, November 29 at 5 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. This dynamic economic analysis of today's Los Angeles real estate market includes a forecast to 2020. The webcast features esteemed national real estate economist John Burns of John Burns Real Estate Consulting, along with Pacific Union Chief Economist Selma Hepp and Pacific Union CEO Mark A. McLaughlin. Pacific Union presented its fourth economic forecast for Bay Area markets on Nov. 15 from the stage of the SFJAZZ Center. The annual forecast is unique in the nation and provides crucial insights about real estate markets over the next three years. The intelligence delivered by Pacific Union forecasts since 2014 has instilled confidence in its real estate professionals and their clients to support their investment decisions. Past cited market trends have been strongly borne out, including predictions for the top of the market, normalization of appreciation rates, and trends in migration from urban centers to "surban" locations. In addition to its forward-looking insights, this first Los Angeles Real Estate Economic Forecast to 2020 features state-of-the-art, four-camera webcast production design and breakthrough audio and visual technology to deliver engaging and useful insights. The webcast sets a new standard of innovation in the industry, far beyond methods used by other brokerages to educate their real estate professionals and clients. "Other Los Angeles brokerages talk about innovation in their real estate practices," Pacific Union International CEO Mark A. McLaughlin says. "Yet Pacific Union's Silicon Valley tech investments and Innovation Lab deliver faster business analytics to our elite teams at John Aaroe Group and Partner's Trust, creating the ideal roadmap for the ultimate client experience." Pacific Union vigorously executes against a unique high-performance vision for the development of the real estate firm of the future. Key to this vision is its Innovation Lab, led by Vice President of Product Lisa Norman, in which 30 agile real estate professionals accelerate technology development unsurpassed in the industry. The technology stack created through this initiative includes a robust array of industry-leading tools that give Pacific Union real estate professionals an edge in the market. Pacific Union International is the eighth-largest real estate brokerage in the U.S. by 2016 sales volume. The leading luxury brokerage forecasts 2017 sales volume in excess of $18 million. In October, Pacific Union acquired Empire Realty Associates in Northern California. It was the third geographic expansion for Pacific Union in California within 10 months, following its mergers with Beverly Hills-based Partners Trust in August 2017 and John Aaroe Group in December 2016. About Pacific Union International Founded in San Francisco in 1975, Pacific Union International, Inc. is the West Coast's premier luxury real estate brand with 2016 sales volume of $12.61 billion. In 2016, real estate industry leaders RISMedia and REAL Trends rank Pacific Union as the eighth-largest brokerage in the U.S. Through its 2015 acquisition of The Mark Company, the nation's leading sales and marketing firm for new urban luxury developments, Pacific Union expanded its brand to development projects from San Diego to Seattle. In 2016 Pacific Union merged with Los Angeles-based brokerage John Aaroe Group, followed in 2017 with a merger with Partners Trust also based in Los Angeles, extending the Pacific Union brand to become the preeminent leader and ultimate California real estate company. The strategic alliance of these four powerhouses and the acquisition of Empire Realty Associates supports more than 1,450 elite real estate professionals in 47 offices throughout the West Coast. Northern California markets include San Francisco, Marin, Contra Costa, Alameda, Napa, and Sonoma counties, Silicon Valley, and the Lake Tahoe region. Greater Los Angeles markets include Beverly Hills, Downtown, the Westside, and the San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys. To extend Pacific Union's international reach, in 2013 the brokerage established an award-winning, Beijing-based China Concierge program that fully supports its Chinese investors on the mainland. Additionally, Pacific Union offers a full range of personal and commercial real estate services, including buying, selling, and relocation in addition to operating joint-venture businesses that provide rental and commercial property management and insurance services. Locally owned, Pacific Union executes with a vision for the future, an entrepreneurial mindset, and an unwavering commitment to deliver exceptional service and expertise. For more information, visit: www.pacificunion.com. SOURCE Pacific Union International, Inc. Related Links http://www.pacificunion.com SANTA CLARA, Calif., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Palo Alto Networks (NYSE: PANW), the next-generation security company, announced today that it has achieved Amazon Web Services (AWS) Networking Competency status. This designation, which complements the AWS Security Competency that Palo Alto Networks achieved in 2016, recognizes that Palo Alto Networks provides proven technology and deep expertise to help customers adopt, develop and deploy networks on AWS. Achieving the AWS Networking Competency differentiates Palo Alto Networks as an AWS Partner Network (APN) member that provides specialized, demonstrated technical proficiency and proven customer success with specific focus on networking based on networking connectivity. To receive the designation, APN Partners must possess deep AWS expertise and deliver solutions seamlessly on AWS. "The Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Security Platform provides customers with the ability to prevent successful cyberattacks regardless of where data resides on the cloud, within the network or on endpoints," Adam Geller, vice president, Product Management at Palo Alto Networks. "Customers can grow and scale their AWS environments with peace of mind that they're gaining improved efficiency and automation while also enhancing their cybersecurity posture within the cloud." AWS is enabling scalable, flexible, and cost-effective solutions from startups to global enterprises. To support the seamless integration and deployment of these solutions, AWS established the AWS Partner Competency Program to help customers identify Consulting and Technology APN Partners with deep industry experience and expertise. The Palo Alto Networks VM-Series Next-Generation Firewall for AWS provides customers with the granular visibility and control required to protect applications and data on AWS. When implemented as part of the Next-Generation Security Platform, customers can achieve consistent security on the endpoint, across the network and in the cloud. "By deploying the Palo Alto Networks VM-Series on AWS, we have gained deeper visibility into our network traffic, so we can stop global bad actors from breaching our network in the first place," said Tom Fink, vice president, Technology Services at Verge Health. "We chose Palo Alto Networks because we wanted a platform that could best meet our dynamic growth, while providing us with the most comprehensive and easiest-to-manage approach for identifying and blocking cyberthreats in the cloud. Palo Alto Networks checks all of those boxes." About Palo Alto Networks Palo Alto Networks is the next-generation security company, leading a new era in cybersecurity by safely enabling applications and preventing cyber breaches for tens of thousands of organizations worldwide. Built with an innovative approach and highly differentiated cyberthreat prevention capabilities, our game-changing security platform delivers security far superior to legacy or point products, safely enables daily business operations, and protects an organization's most valuable assets. Find out more at www.paloaltonetworks.com. Palo Alto Networks and the Palo Alto Networks logo are trademarks of Palo Alto Networks, Inc. in the United States and in jurisdictions throughout the world. All other trademarks, trade names or service marks used or mentioned herein belong to their respective owners. SOURCE Palo Alto Networks, Inc. Related Links http://www.paloaltonetworks.com BEIJING, Nov. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Last week, for the first time in history, the President of the Republic of Panama, Juan Carlos Varela, made a state visit to the People's Republic of China to meet with his counterpart, President Xi Jinping, marking the first official state visit by Panama to China since the formal establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries earlier this year. During the visit, the two leaders adopted 19 agreements and a Joint Declaration, which together lay the foundation for a new stage of Panama China relations, and continue to strengthen Panama's diplomatic, economic, commercial and tourism platforms. President Varela, accompanied by the members of his cabinet, also opened the Embassy of Panama in Beijing, and the Panamanian Consulate in Shanghai. The agreements completed between the two countries include: Trade and investment promotion, facilitating the opening of the Chinese market for Panamanian exports, and strategic alliances between Panamanian and Chinese companies. Financing for development and infrastructure projects, including the development of a massive railroad. A tourism agreement which categorizes Panama as an approved tourism destination and eases visa processes for Chinese tourists to visit Panama . as an approved tourism destination and eases visa processes for Chinese tourists to visit . A maritime cooperation agreement which grants the status of Most Favored Nation to Panama , and facilitates trade through China's ports. , and facilitates trade through ports. The inclusion of Panama in China's massive Belt and Road Initiative, where it will play a key role thanks to the Panama Canal and its strong financial and logistics platforms, amongst other offerings. in massive Belt and Road Initiative, where it will play a key role thanks to the Panama Canal and its strong financial and logistics platforms, amongst other offerings. The opening of Air China's direct flight between Panama and China in March 2018 . Both nations also agreed to carry out cooperation projects in science, technology and cultural matters. Additionally, China confirmed its support for President Juan Carlos Varela's initiative to promote the construction of a passenger and cargo train that connects the provinces of Panama and Chiriqui. The agreement will result in a pre-feasibility study for the Rail Transport System, one of the priority cooperation areas for both countries. President Varela also met with the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Shanghai, Li Qiang, the highest authority of the largest city in China, where he also met with business leaders and invited them to establish commercial alliances with Panama and to use its logistics and services platform to better reach Latin America. In Shanghai, the Panamanian delegation also hosted "PanamaFest", an event that brought together the main tour operators, travel agencies, hoteliers and investors from China to better understand Panama's diverse tourism offerings. "Panama is a unique destination, not only for tourists and retired people, but also for adventurers, scientists and historians," said President Varela. SOURCE Government of Panama Children's supports families from across a five-state region, providing care to nearly 150,000 children each year. With a shared commitment to patient care and clinical excellence, Philips and Children's will work to understand the health system's current and future technology needs, while developing innovative methods of enhancing patient outcomes and the patient experience, delivering on their joint mission to improve the lives of children. Through the strategic partnership, Philips and Children's will develop a technology plan that is intended to provide business stability and predictability, while providing Children's with access to Philips health technologies and services, as well as clinical education, IT integration and data analytics. Moreover, like other Philips long-term strategic partners, Children's will have access to global best practices and Philips innovations, clinical programs that extend access to care beyond the hospital and into the community. "As the only full-service pediatric specialty health care center in Nebraska, we know that families from across the region are putting their trust in us," said Richard G. Azizkhan, M.D., president and CEO of Children's. "Partnering with Philips will help Children's continue to transform pediatric health care by leading in providing innovative, quality care. The partnership will help us deliver on our commitment to improve the life of every child by providing our staff with the clinical support tools and training that can drive a consistent patient experience, improve workflow throughout our network and help improve patient outcomes." Children's is the latest forward-thinking healthcare network to extend their relationship with Philips, helping to address their technology needs, in order to better support their communities. Over the last few years, Philips had become the de facto leader in long-term strategic partnerships working with organizations such as Augusta University Health (15-year term), Westchester Medical Center Health (15-year), Mackenzie Health (18-year term), Marin General Hospital (15-year term) Medical University of South Carolina (8-year term), Banner Health (15-year term), Bon Secours Charity Health System (15-year), and Phoenix Children's Hospital (15-year) to help further care in their local communities. These partnerships underscore Philips' commitment to provide new solutions for hospitals and health systems, and highlight a growing trend towards strategic partnerships for creating long-term patient value. "Philips and Children's Hospital & Medical Center share a common mission to improve children's lives by transforming how care is delivered, enhancing the patient and staff experience and improving health care for the communities we serve," said Brent Shafer, chief executive office of Philips North America. "Partnering will allow us to understand how we can help them further break down data silos, giving their staff access to information that can help them improve their already impressive level of patient care." For more information on how Philips is partnering to drive innovation in healthcare, visit this website and follow @PhilipsNA. For further information, please contact: Silvie Casanova Philips North America Tel: +1-978-659-7467 Email : [email protected] Kathy O'Reilly Philips Group Press Office Tel: +1 978-221-8919 E-mail: [email protected] Twitter: @kathyoreilly Laura Mitchell Senior Marketing Coordinator, Children's Hospital & Medical Center of Omaha Tel: +1 402-955-4044 E-mail: [email protected] About Royal Philips Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Philips' health technology portfolio generated 2016 sales of EUR 17.4 billion and employs approximately 73,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter. SOURCE Royal Philips "The IQon Elite Spectral CT is the first detector-based spectral CT of its kind to deliver more confident patient diagnoses in the first scan, representing a revolution in CT performance," said Kees Wesdorp, Business Leader, Diagnostic Imaging, Philips. "With the IQon Elite, Philips is elevating its already high standard of patient care by providing health systems with a more sophisticated level of data and higher throughput capability that is exceptional in the healthcare industry." Pioneering a new spectral standard of care Representing an evolution of the original IQon Spectral CT scanner, the IQon Elite advances the capabilities of its predecessor through a series of key benefits that support emergency/trauma department care and Philips' commitment to oncology excellence. This new configuration provides a number of enhanced features and benefits, including: Enhanced diagnostic certainty - The IQon Elite's faster reconstruction speeds and better visualization of bone marrow pathology enhance diagnostic confidence within emergency and trauma departments, providing the opportunity to reduce the need for subsequent scans [1]. Its ability to estimate electron density provides enhanced tissue characterization, enabling a new level of diagnostic certainty for oncology clinicians and their patients. - The IQon Elite's faster reconstruction speeds and better visualization of bone marrow pathology enhance diagnostic confidence within emergency and trauma departments, providing the opportunity to reduce the need for subsequent scans [1]. Its ability to estimate electron density provides enhanced tissue characterization, enabling a new level of diagnostic certainty for oncology clinicians and their patients. Increased patient volume - IQon Elite's faster reconstruction speeds have been shown to enable up to 200 CT patients per day [2]. This is an important benchmark for healthcare facilities experiencing a high volume of patients, especially in the emergency department where CT can be a commonly used imaging modality. - IQon Elite's faster reconstruction speeds have been shown to enable up to patients per day [2]. This is an important benchmark for healthcare facilities experiencing a high volume of patients, especially in the emergency department where CT can be a commonly used imaging modality. Enhanced clinical breadth Its new radiation therapy planning couch and bariatric table top allow larger patients to be scanned with increased positioning controls, providing greater clinical breadth. The IQon Elite Spectral CT scanner will be available globally during the first quarter of 2018. For more information about Philips IQon Spectral CT and the Philips Spectral Diagnostic Suite, including clinical images demonstrating the spectral difference, please visit: http://www.spectralctlearningcenter.philips.com/. Philips will be showcasing the new IQon Elite Spectral CT alongside its full portfolio of integrated imaging systems, devices, informatics and services at booth #6735 in Hall B at McCormick Place. For more information about Philips' presence at RSNA, please visit www.philips.com/rsna, and follow @PhilipsLiveFrom for #RSNA17 live updates throughout the event. [1] Results from case studies are not predictive of results in other cases. Results in other cases may vary. [2] Typical protocol includes 600 images per SBI, 3 conventional series per patient, and 1.5 SBI per patient For further information, please contact: Kathy O'Reilly Philips Group Press Office Tel.: +1 978-659-2638 E-mail: [email protected] Twitter: @kathyoreilly Steve Klink Philips Group Press Office Tel.: +31 6 10888824 E-mail: [email protected] About Royal Philips Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Philips' health technology portfolio generated 2016 sales of EUR 17.4 billion and employs approximately 73,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter. SOURCE Royal Philips Related Links http://www.philips.com KANSAS CITY, Mo., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Am Law 100 firm Polsinelli announces today its position on the 2018 Client Service A-Team Report by BTI Consulting Group. Ranking at No. 24, the firm is among 30 leading law firms across the country that deliver the best client service. Now in its 17th year of publication, the report assesses how law firms perform in client service delivery, measuring 17 different client service activities all of which corporate counsel agree drive the strongest relationships with law firms. Polsinelli earned recognition in all 17 client service dimensions. With only 30 firms outpacing competition and driving the best client relationships, Polsinelli earned its No. 24 spot out of a pool of 650 total law firms serving Fortune 1000 clients. The measurement of the firms is the result of more than 350 in-depth interviews with top legal decision makers at the world's leading organizations. "We apply undivided attention to understanding our clients' challenges, knowing that for each matter we must tailor our approach to meet the clients business goals," said Polsinelli Chairman and CEO Russ Welsh. "Communicating with our clients proactively and focusing on a deep understanding of our clients' businesses and service needs has again enabled our firm to earn recognition among the top 30 firms in client service excellence." Polsinelli was awarded "Leaders of the Best" status in seven client service activities, including: Commitment to Help: Displaying a level of urgency and dedication to solving clients' problems and helping them achieve success as individuals in their organizations. Client Focus: Ability to deliver on clients' targeted outcomes based on business goals, budgets, and risk tolerance. Handles Problems: Acknowledging a problem and identifying plans that presents an action path moving forward. Anticipates the Client's Needs: Based on a complete understanding of the clients' businesses, using experience to meet the undefined and unmet needs clients face. Innovative Approach: Bringing new, creative thinking to solve clients' issues in a way that brings them competitive advantage. Additional comments cited by general counsel to describe Polsinelli include: "They provided perfect assistance in complex cases on a regular basis." "I'm impressed by their ability to make quick decisions and to resolve legal matters efficiently." "They are a fast-growing firm and have made a good name for themselves in the last couple of years." The BTI Client Service A-Team 2018 report draws on data collected in BTI's ongoing Annual Survey of General Counsel. This year, legal decision makers interviewed between February and October, which included general counsel, chief legal officers, direct reports to general counsel, and other legal decision makers from organizations averaging $12.9 billion in annual revenue. Earlier this month, Polsinelli was named "Law Firm of the Year" in Health Care for the second time by U.S. News & World Report, which also included top-tier rankings for the firm in 10 national practice areas and 152 total categories on the 2018 "Best Law Firms" list. About Polsinelli Polsinelli is an Am Law 100 firm with approximately 800 attorneys in 20 offices. Ranked #24 for Client Service Excellence1 and #10 for best client relationships2 among 650 U.S. law firms, Polsinelli was also named among the top 20 best-known firms in the nation3. The firm's attorneys provide value through practical legal counsel infused with business insight, and focus on health care, financial services, real estate, intellectual property, mid-market corporate, labor and employment, and business litigation. www.polsinelli.com | Polsinelli PC | In California, Polsinelli LLP 12018 BTI Client Service A-Team Report 22017 BTI Industry Power Rankings 32017 BTI Brand Elite For more information, contact: Carrie Trent 314-552-6864, [email protected] SOURCE Polsinelli Related Links https://www.polsinelli.com NEW YORK, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Power Clouds Inc. (OTC Pink: PWCL), a global renewable energy company, today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2017. Revenue for the third quarter ended September 30, 2017 was $640,713, a 29% increase compared to $496,916 revenue for the same quarter of the previous year. The increase is primarily due to the inclusion of revenues from the acquisition of two PV parks in Italy that was completed on March 31, 2017. Gross profit for the quarter was $323,182, a 23% increase compared to $263,448 for the comparable period last year reflecting the immediately accretive 75% gross margins delivered from the Italian parks that augment the gross margins generated from the Company's Romanian operations. Total operating expenses were $265,250 in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $1,006,573 in the same period of 2016. The decrease is primarily due to a decline in non-cash stock compensation costs which totaled $8,750 in the third quarter of 2017 compared to $660,000 in the third quarter of 2016. For the three months ended September 30, 2017, EBITDA was $57,932 compared to an EBITDA loss of $743,125 for the third quarter of 2016. This was the second consecutive quarter of positive EBITDA for the Company. The net loss was $446,933, or $(0.01) per fully diluted share, compared to a net loss of $935,176, or $(0.01) per fully diluted share, for the same period of fiscal 2016. Increases in interest expense and depreciation and amortization, due to the inclusion of the Italian operations, accounted for the increase, as well as a $202,135 provision for a one-time loss on the sale of a subsidiary in the 2017 period. Fully diluted per share results are based on weighted average shares outstanding of approximately 101.3 million and 99.5 million in the three- month periods of 2017 and 2016 respectively. "The third quarter is our second consecutive quarter of strong year-on-year revenue growth and the second consecutive quarter of positive EBITDA. The results are primarily driven from the acquisition of two Italian PV parks that closed in March 2017," said Vincent Browne, Chief Executive Officer of Power Clouds. "We believe that operational positive EBITDA is sustainable going forward, a reflection of the Power Clouds business model to acquire operational PV parks with long-term government supply contracts and positive recurring cash flows that deliver long term stable and predictable incomes." "We are continuing to execute on our strategic plans to expand our operations in Europe and have a strong pipeline of potential acquisitions that are progressing through our rigorous due diligence process. We are also working to close the 3 additional PV parks in Italy, previously announced in August, which we now expect to close during Q1 2018. The addition of these parks will more than double our installed power base in Italy and be immediately accretive upon closing, another important characteristic of the Power Clouds operating model," concluded Mr. Browne. For the first nine months of 2017 ended September 30, 2017, revenue was $1,574,973, a 41% increase compared to revenue of $1,114,614 for the same period of 2016. Operating expenses were $708,400 for the current nine month period compared to $1,450,683 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. EBITDA loss narrowed to $12,738 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared to a $935,495 EBITDA loss for the comparable period of 2016. The net loss for the nine months was $1,198,190, or $(0.02) per fully diluted share, compared to a net loss of $1,387,337, or $(0.02) per fully diluted share, for the nine month period of 2016. Fully diluted per share results are based on weighted average shares outstanding of approximately 98.8 million and 95.3 million in the nine-month periods of 2017 and 2016 respectively. For additional information the full FYQ3 report is available to view at http://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/PWCL/filings About Power Clouds Inc. Power Clouds Inc. is a global renewable energy provider that is changing how energy is generated and owned. We create value for our investors by developing; owning and operating clean energy power plants in multiple countries where the combination of regulatory, economic and environment elements are maximized. PWCL operates solar parks that connect directly to national power grids rather than residential rooftops. We currently have activities in Europe & Asia. Global focus means operations are not limited to any one geography or single commercial model or regulatory influence. For further information about how the Power Clouds model works, see www.PowerCloudsInc.com Forward Looking Statement This press release contains forward-looking statements. Words such as "expects," "intends," "believes," and similar expressions reflecting something other than historical fact are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including the timely development and market acceptance of products and technologies, the ability to secure additional sources of finance, the ability to reduce operating expenses, and other factors described in the Company's filings with the OTC Markets Group. The actual results that the Company achieves may differ materially from any forward-looking statement due to such risks and uncertainties. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release. SOURCE Power Clouds Inc. Related Links http://www.PowerCloudsInc.com FORT MYERS, Fla., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Property Debt Research, The Municipal Lien Search Company, is pleased to participate in the Florida Land Title Association (FLTA) Scholarship program for the third year in a row. The Property Debt Research Scholarships are awarded annually to two exceptional students each year at the annual FLTA Convention held this year in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Selection of awardees is determined by criteria developed by the FLTA. Property Debt Research "We are honored to participate in the FLTA Scholarship program. Helping gifted students continue their education through our scholarship awards is one of the many ways we try to give back to the Florida Title industry," said Bruce Russell, CEO of Property Debt Research. Recipients of the 2017 Property Debt Research Scholarships are Alyssa Posavec and Rachel Marie Dellegatto. By recognizing the educational achievements of these two students through the FLTA Scholarship program, Property Debt Research's contribution helps support the FLTA membership community. "We are extremely excited to partner with Property Debt Research again this year. Through this partnership we are able to fund two additional FLTA scholarships each year to students seeking higher education within our FLTA membership family," said Scott Merritt, Executive Director of FLTA. To be eligible for FLTA Scholarships program, students must be associated with the FLTA membership base and demonstrate high academic excellence and community involvement. About Property Debt Research Property Debt Research, the leader in Municipal Lien Search reports, has over 20 years of service to real estate professionals. They are ranked in the top half of the Inc.5000 list of Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America for the second year in a row! The company specializes in researching municipal liens and debt on residential and commercial properties in Florida and Nationwide. They also provide HOA Estoppel letter research. Property Debt Research offers exceptional client service and competitive rates. All of Property Debt Research reports are 100% Guaranteed and backed by a $1 million E&O insurance policy. Property Debt Research serves title companies, real estate attorneys, financial institutions, settlement agents, and real estate investors in Florida and throughout the United States. In addition to their years of experience and their million-dollar E&O insurance policy, Property Debt Research continues to invest in a technologically advanced customer portal, which makes ordering and tracking municipal taxes and debt search reports fast, easy, and available 24/7. Property Debt Research | Hdqrtrs: 6801 Palisades Park Court, Fort Myers, FL 33912 Sheila Beiter | 239-274-1272 | Toll-Free: 877-543-6669 [email protected] | http://www.PropertyDebtResearch.com/ #FLTA #ALTAonline #realestate #titleagents SOURCE Property Debt Research Related Links http://www.propertydebtresearch.com LONDON, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- How will established and emerging agents reshape the prostate cancer treatment landscape? A multitude of novel therapies have been approved for prostate cancer over the past ten years, but what does the future hold? Key opinion leaders (KOLs) are excited about expanded approvals for hormonal therapies and personalised approaches with PARP inhibitors and PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapies, but which therapy will stand out in an evolving and competitive landscape? Other innovative targeted agents are also in the pipeline but which segment of the market can they expect to capture? Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5214612 Learn how KOLs see the market evolving, and how they expect developers to differentiate their marketed and pipeline therapies in KOL Insight: Prostate Cancer. Twelve US and European KOLs provide their candid insights on five marketed products and ten Phase III pipeline programmes. Take a tour of the report now The table of contents > The key business questions answered > The key KOL quotes > See the therapies covered > Find out who the 6 EU & 6 US KOLs are > Review an extract from the report - 1 drug profile > Top Takeaways How will the LATITUDE/STAMPEDE results for Zytiga impact the treatment of prostate cancer? Will Zytiga become the new standard of care in the metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) space and if so, how will this impact competitor Xtandi? Is Xtandi expected to transition up the treatment algorithm? With up to seven Phase III studies investigating Xtandi across numerous settings, find out which studies KOLs are most optimistic about. Will next-generation antiandrogens, apalutamide and darolutamide, be able to differentiate themselves in a competitive market? How can the potential new market entrants successfully stand out from established agents? Bone-targeted therapies set to play an important role in the future of prostate cancer?Could bone-targeted therapies shift earlier in the treatment algorithm in combination with Zytiga or Xtandi? Is the jury still out on immunotherapies in prostate cancer? Do KOLs believe that vaccine-based therapies or PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors hold any opportunity in prostate cancer and if so, which approaches are the most promising? Do PARP inhibitors represent an important advance for the personalised treatment of prostate cancer? Find out how KOLs think olaparib (Lynparza) and rucaparib (Rubraca) compare and if they can change treatment for biomarker-selected patient groups? Which innovative mechanisms of action are KOLs most excited about? Array BioPharma/Roche's Akt inhibitor ipatasertib is also in the Phase III pipeline but how do the KOLs view this novel mechanism in prostate cancer? How will future treatment pathways evolve for the treatment of prostate cancer? Find out if immune checkpoint inhibitors or PARP inhibitors are expected to play an important role. Quotes "It is very likely that the PARP inhibitors will be approved. Out of all the new agents being tested, the PARP inhibitors are probably the most likely to be successful."US Key Opinion Leader "It's the treatment combinations that will have an impact, much more than the [individual] therapies themselves. What will really change the landscape is not the treatments themselves, but the way we select patients."EU Key Opinion Leader Sample of therapies covered Marketed Therapies Xtandi (enzalutamide; Astellas/Medivation) Zytiga (abiraterone acetate; J&J) Xofigo (radium-223 dichloride; Algeta/Bayer) Xgeva/Prolia (denosumab; Amgen) Provenge (sipuleucel-T; Sanpower Group) Pipeline Therapies apalutamide (ARN-509; J&J) darolutamide (ODM-201; Bayer/Orion) PROSTVAC (rilimogene galvacirepvec/ rilimogene glafolivec; Bavarian Nordic/Bristol-Myers Squibb) DCVAC/PCa (stapuldencel-T; Sotio) ProstAtak (aglatimagene besadenovec; Advantagene) Tecentriq (atezolizumab; Roche) Keytruda (pembrolizumab; Merck & Co.) Lynparza (olaparib; AstraZeneca) Rubraca (rucaparib; Clovis Oncology) ipatasertib (Array BioPharma/Roche) KOLs interviewed KOLs from North America Dr. Rahul Aggarwal MD, Developmental Therapeutics Specialist and Genitourinary Oncologist at the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA Dr. Tomasz M. Beer MD FACP, Professor, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology and Deputy Director, Oregon Health & Science University Knight Cancer Institute, Portland, OR Dr. David E. Crawford MD, Professor of Surgery, Urology, and Radiation Oncology, and Head of the Section of Urologic Oncology at the University of Colorado, Aurora, CO Dr. Saby George MD FACP, Associate Professor of Oncology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY Dr. Neha Vapiwala MD, Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA Dr. Michael J. Zelefsky MD, Vice Chair, Department of Radiation Oncology, Clinical Research; Chief, Brachytherapy Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY KOLs from Europe Dr. Raffaele Ardito, Head of the Day Oncology Unit at Referral Cancer Center of Basilicata, Rionero in Vulture, Italy Dr. Nicolas B Delongchamps MD, Consultant, Cochin Hospital and Professor at Paris Descartes University, Paris, France Dr. John P Logue MB, MRCP, FRCR, Consultant Clinical Oncologist, the Christie Hospital, Manchester, UK Dr. Chris Parker MD FRCR MRCP, Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant in Clinical Oncology and Prostate Cancer Translational Research at The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden, London, UK Anonymous German KOL, Chief Physician and Professor of Urologic Oncology at a major Hospital, Germany Anonymous German KOL, Professor in the Department of Urology at a major University Hospital, Germany Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5214612 About Reportbuyer Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers 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 KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Radial, the leader in omnichannel commerce technology and operations, today announced that they have been ranked as the number two international eCommerce and fulfillment services company as part of the 2018 Leading Vendors to the Top 1000 report, outpacing industry giants including FedEx, UPS, and USPS. The annual report, commissioned by Internet Retailer, provides detailed rankings, data, and analysis of the top technology providers that are powering the eCommerce landscape. "Since the company's inception, Radial has been committed to providing the most frictionless eCommerce experience for consumers throughout the world, and to be given this recognition is a validation of our efforts," said Steven Birdsall, executive vice president and chief revenue officer of Radial. "Radial has undergone rapid expansion in recent years and, as we move forward, we'll continue to focus on what makes Radial such a valuable partner for our clients." The announcement of the Top 1000 report comes on the heels of Radial's recent acquisition by the Belgian post and parcel service (bpost), the largest employer in Belgium with $2.9 billion in revenue. Through its acquisition of Radial, bpost furthered its goal of creating a global eCommerce logistics network to delight its eCommerce customers. "At a time when building our leadership position in international eCommerce is such a priority for Radial, it means even more to see our company featured so prominently on this list," continued Birdsall. "As we look to the future, we'll continue to expand our offerings throughout the international market and deliver the best customer experience possible." In addition to being named a top international eCommerce and fulfillment services company, Radial was ranked by Internet Retailer in the top ten for several additional categories, including: Fulfillment - #2 Marketplace Management - #3 Customer Service Software - #4 Payment Security/Fraud Protection - #5 Shipping Carrier - #5 Order Management - #7 Live Chat/Click-to-Call - #8 Payment Processing - #8 eCommerce Platform - #10 To learn more about Radial's solutions, please visit: https://www.radial.com/ About Radial Radial is the leader in omnichannel commerce technology and operations, enabling brands and retailers to profitably exceed retail customer expectations. Radial's technical, powerful omnichannel solutions connect supply and demand through efficient fulfillment and transportation options, intelligent fraud detection, payments, and tax systems, and personalized customer care services. Hundreds of retailers and brands confidently partner with Radial to simplify their post-click commerce and improve their customer experiences. Radial brings flexibility and scalability to their supply chains and optimizes how, when and where orders go from desire to delivery. Learn how we work with you at www.radial.com. Media Contact: Radial: Laura Beauregard PAN Communications for Radial 407-734-7320 [email protected] SOURCE Radial Related Links http://www.radial.com (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130912/638839 ) Small Business Lending is a complex process with high associated risks. These loans require an efficient lending workflow tailored specifically to the requirements of small businesses. Newgen's Small Business Lending solution automates the lending process from end-to-end for the full range of small business loan types. The solution provides a simple and easy-to-use interface for the capture and analysis of small business loans. It is built on Newgen's Business Process Management framework to enable credit origination, approval and monitoring in a paperless and electronically driven workflow environment. Speaking on the participation, - Anand Raman, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Newgen Software Inc., said, "Today's small businesses are big businesses of tomorrow. Banks need to harness the right technology to profitably tap into this customer base. The Small Business Banking Conference is a great platform to understand current market sentiments and trends prevalent in the banking landscape. Newgen will showcase solutions that enable banks to deliver faster banking services by creating leaner business processes." Interact with Newgen experts at booth #26 to get insights on how banks can improve profitability by making their lending scalable and efficient. Banking professionals can also have exclusive one-on-one sessions on Newgen's range of banking solutions. Newgen offers a wide range of solutions designed specifically for banks, catering to multiple lines of business, such as Commercial & Retail Lending, Commercial & Institutional loans (C&I), Commercial Real Estate loans (CRE), Small Business Administration loans (SBA), and others. American Banker's Small Business Banking conference offers access to thought leadership, best practices and leading solution providers in the small business banking space. About Newgen Software Inc. Newgen Software Inc., is a provider of Business Process Management (BPM), Enterprise Content Management (ECM), Customer Communication Management (CCM) and Case Management solutions with large, mission-critical solutions deployed at world's leading Banks, Insurance firms, Healthcare Organizations, Governments, BPO's & Telecom Companies. For more information, please visit http://www.newgensoft.com Media Contact: Asif Khan [email protected] SOURCE Newgen Software Inc. SPARKS, Nevada, November 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- RESTANCE, Inc. (USOTC: ANCE) today announced a contract to manufacture condoms with the Playboy brand name and bunny head logo for distribution, starting in Kenya. The brand name is being announced today in support of World AIDS Day, coming on December 1, 2017. RESTANCE is participating in a campaign to contribute to the United Nations goal of ending the AIDS Epidemic by making condoms available everywhere in Africa through the #DoIt4Africa buy-one-give-one campaign where an anticipated $20 million in condoms will be sold in North America and for every condom sold, a condom will be manufactured in Africa and given away in Africa. RESTANCE has executed an initial $500,000 contract to produce condoms for the campaign. Look for more details on the #DoIt4Africa campaign coming soon. In addition to opening a condom manufacturing plant, RESTANCE is pursuing several other business lines in the growing economies of East Africa. The Company is developing opportunities in the region including initiatives in technology and systems integration services, utility support services, affordable housing and health products manufacturing. RESTANCE recently acquired East African Development Partners as part of its strategy in East Africa. Learn more about the RESTANCE operations in Africa on the Company's website: http://www.restanceinc.com Disclaimer/Safe Harbor: This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act. The statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events that involve risks and uncertainties. Among others, these risks include the expectation that any of the companies mentioned herein will achieve significant sales, the failure to meet schedule or performance requirements of the companies' contracts, the companies' liquidity position, the companies' ability to obtain new contracts, the emergence of competitors with greater financial resources and the impact of competitive pricing. In the light of these uncertainties, the forward-looking events referred to in this release might not occur. Randell Torno [email protected] +1-800-834-5792 SOURCE RESTANCE, Inc. No matter what, there's one thing you need to do for sure: Plan! And a new video from VSP Individual Vison Plans can show you where to start: Finances: Start gathering up all the information you can about where you have money invested and what your income will look like as you move into retirement. This includes Social Security. Insurance: Determine what coverage you have and where there are gaps. Adjust as necessary, and don't forget vision coverage. As you age you are at a higher risk to chronic eye disorders such as glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration. A comprehensive eye exam can also uncover symptoms of significant health problems including hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes. Individual plan offerings can provide an affordable way to keep tabs on your eye health and overall wellbeing in retirement. Housing: Evaluate your housing and location decisions looking forward. Consider different places you might want to live including cities or states you might want to move to. Your Business: Begin thinking about what you want to do with your business. Will you sell it, get a partner, pass it to your children, or move it with you to another state? Want more? Click here for the full "From Self-Employment to Retirement" resource guide, with even more advice on retiring after working for yourself, and visit vspdirect.com for more details or to enroll in an Individual Vision Plan today. No matter how you see yourself retiring, VSP Individual Vision Plans wants to help ensure your vision in retirement stays clear! From increased effectiveness and productivity, to fewer headaches and reduced eye strain (along with many other benefits), it's crucial to keep your eyes healthy to continue living the life you love. As a doctor-governed company, VSP Global exists to create value for members and opportunities for VSP network doctors. VSP Global's complementary businesses include VSP Vision Care, the only national not-for-profit vision benefits company, which provides access to eye care around the world through a network of 38,000 eye doctors. SOURCE VSP Vision Care MINEOLA, Texas, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Retreat in the Pines, a 30-acre retreat center hosting women's retreats since 2004, makes holiday gift giving easier with yoga retreat gift certificates. Cozy Cabins of Retreat in the Pines Retreat gift certificates, sold in a variety of denominations, allow the recipient to choose their own retreat. Or the gift-giver can surprise the recipient with the perfect retreat. Gift recipients need not have yoga experience to enjoy the yoga classes, property, nurturing meals, and relaxation offered at the retreats. Retreat gift certificates are perfect for moms, sisters, daughters and partners; to purchase, email [email protected]. Retreat in the Pines, located in the Piney Woods of East Texas and two hours from Dallas, was recently named a "Best Wellness Retreat in Texas" by Texas Monthly. Women's retreats are all inclusive and women come to recharge, find perspective and enjoy home-cooked meals, renewing yoga, time in nature, and connection with other inspirational women. Theresa Polley, Retreat in the Pines founder, created the warm and comforting space to welcome ALL women. Guests stay in one of the two cozy log homes, practice yoga in the serene yoga studio or the outdoor yoga platform (when weather permits) and savor a healthy and delicious meal in the recently completed dining hall. About Retreat in the Pines: Retreat in the Pines specializes in yoga retreats for ALL women. Regardless of background, age, fitness ability or income. Beginners are welcomed with open arms and the Retreat Assistance program assists those who may not have the financial resources to attend a retreat. The Yoga Nurture Retreat, the most popular retreat, is $399 and includes shared accommodations, farm to table meals, wine with dinner and all yoga and activities. Massages are available for an additional charge. For more information, visit RetreatinthePines.com or email [email protected]. Media Contact: Theresa Polley Retreat in the Pines 469-867-0766 [email protected] SOURCE Retreat in the Pines Related Links http://RetreatinthePines.com HOUSTON, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The top-ranked Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University is now accepting applications for [email protected], a new online Master of Business Administration degree for professionals across the country. Rice Business is ranked among the best business schools in the nation. The school placed 10th among the 2017 Best Business Schools, according to Bloomberg Businessweek. Rice Business has also earned notable rankings from Financial Times, U.S. News & World Report and the Princeton Review. [email protected] will match the rigor and world-class reputation of the school's on-campus offerings, empowering future business leaders to pursue innovation and nourish bold ideas that challenge typical conventions and adapt to an evolving business landscape. "The launch of our online program marks a significant milestone for our school as we prepare to welcome a new group of business leaders to our family," said Peter Rodriguez, dean of Rice Business. "[email protected] will make our outstanding programs accessible to working professionals who don't live in Houston. Their contributions will, in turn, strengthen our existing programs, allowing students and faculty to draw new inspiration from diverse experiences and industries across the U.S." The new online program consists of 54 credit hours that can be completed in as little as two years. Students complete two Residential Intensive Learning Experiences, which will allow for collaboration among classmates and professors in business settings at the Rice campus in Houston and abroad. Powered by 2U, Inc., the online platform features weekly live class sessions, a highly interactive mobile app and engaging asynchronous course content. The first application deadline is May 4, and the first cohort of students will begin classes in July. Visit onlinebusiness.rice.edu for additional curriculum information and application requirements or contact an admissions counselor at [email protected]. The online MBA program is currently pending approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. About the Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University The Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University is consistently recognized by rankings publications for its top-tier programs, which include the Rice MBA, Executive MBA and MBA for Professionals. The school is internationally known for the research and thought leadership of its faculty. For more information on Rice MBA programs, visit business.rice.edu. Courses are taught by a dedicated, nationally recognized team of professors who integrate insights from their own research and business experience into the classroom and help students understand both core business fundamentals and specialized, applied topics in the context of the rapidly evolving business landscape. Degree programs include the full-time MBA, MBA for Professionals, Executive MBA, the new [email protected], coordinated MBAs in engineering or professional science, a dual MD/MBA with Baylor College of Medicine, Ph.D., Master of Accounting and undergraduate business minor. The business school also offers a full schedule of executive education open enrollment and customized courses for business and industry, along with certificates in finance and accounting, health care and leadership. For more information about and insights from Rice Business faculty research, visit the school's Rice Business Wisdom website, ricebusinesswisdom.com. Follow the Jones Graduate School of Business via Twitter @Rice_Biz. Follow Rice News and Media Relations via Twitter @RiceUNews. About 2U, Inc. 2U partners with great colleges and universities to build what we believe is the world's best digital education. Our platform provides a comprehensive fusion of technology, services and data architecture to transform high-quality and rigorous campus-based universities into the best digital versions of themselves. 2U's No Back Row approach allows qualified students and working professionals around the world to experience a first-rate university education and successful outcomes. To learn more, visit 2U.com. Media contact: Jemila Woodson, Senior Manager, Program Public Relations, 2U, Office: 301-892-4419 SOURCE 2U, Inc.; Rice School of Business Related Links http://2u.com OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Nov. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Rx Savings Solutions, a leading pharmacy transparency solution, today announced the company has secured $18.4 million in a new round of funding led by McCarthy Capital to catalyze their innovative approach in addressing pharmacy costs for health plans and large employers across the nation. Rx Savings Solutions membership has soared in the past two years, climbing from 100,000 members in 2015 to what will be 2 million lives served by January 1, 2018. The new capital will be put toward sales, marketing, and investment in additional software functionality to make cumbersome processes throughout the pharmacy paradigm easier for consumers to navigate. "Everyone in the nation has the same problem high drug costs and most people don't know there are options to save money," says Michael Rea, pharmacist, founder and CEO of Rx Savings Solutions. "We are using the power of technology to streamline how Americans purchase prescription drugs in the same ways the Internet has transformed how consumers book travel, buy cars, or shop for electronics. Like a shopping app, we do the price checking for you and proactively alert you of the savings directly." Brian Zaversnik, Vice President of McCarthy Capital, will join the Rx Savings Board of Directors. Zaversnik will be actively involved in the business along with Rea, local investor Dan Henry, and others. Henry has guided several companies in the Kansas City area from humble beginnings to billion dollar corporations. He was actively involved in the last funding Rx Savings Solutions announced in July 2015 of $2.7 million in capital. Rx Savings Solutions relies on patented algorithms to analyze thousands of recommendations to find the best clinical option while maximizing savings for users. The company works with health insurers and self-funded employers to drive consumerism and engagement for employees by focusing on pharmacy spend. Savings for the plan are maximized as well, with marquee clients like Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City reaching a monthly ROI of 4:1 within the first year of the program. Other clients include Quest Diagnostics, Berkshire Hathaway Media Group, the State of Kansas Employee Health Plan, Teachers Health Trust, West Virginia Public Employees Insurance Agency and American Century Investments, among others. "Rx Savings Solutions is the national leader in a rapidly evolving space," said Brian Zaversnik, Vice President of McCarthy Capital. "The sophistication of the software and the corresponding savings for clients are clear differentiators. They are bringing pharmacy and technology together in a way that will transform the industry and bring significant efficiency to the market." Rx Savings Solutions' system is HIPAA security compliant. All interaction between the software platform and the employee is confidential. Rx Savings Solutions is without bias and delivers the most accurate, cost-effective data to subscribers based solely on the location and medication needs of each user. "This new strategic capital gives us the resources needed to continue to build an organization that combines premier pharmacy expertise with leading technology expertise," adds Rea. "The result is a powerful, proactive software approach that is one of a kind." About Rx Savings Solutions Rx Savings Solutions offers an innovative, patented engagement software system empowering employers and employees to be educated consumers of healthcare. Founded and operated by a team of pharmacists and software engineers, Rx Savings Solutions supports a collaborative, cost-saving solution for purchasing prescription drugs. Using their clinical backgrounds, Rx Savings Solutions delivers proactive personalized recommendations on ways to optimize therapies to members, while achieving proven savings results for employers, employees and health plans. Located in Kansas City, Rx Savings Solutions serves self-insured businesses, employer groups, health plans and their members nationwide. For more information, visit rxsavingssolutions.com or follow them on LinkedIn and Twitter. About McCarthy Capital McCarthy Capital Fund VI is managed by McCarthy Partners Management, LLC, a registered investment advisor that conducts business as McCarthy Capital. McCarthy Capital, headquartered in Omaha, NE, is focused exclusively on lower middle-market companies. For more than 30 years, the McCarthy organization has been partnering with founders, families, and exceptional management teams to support the growth of their companies. For more information about McCarthy Capital, please visit www.mccarthycapital.com. Contact: Cecile Fradkin S&C Public Relations Inc. 646-941-9139 [email protected] SOURCE Rx Savings Solutions Related Links https://www.rxsavingssolutions.com The "telehealth" technology makes physician care available at any time, day or night, without having to transport a patient to a physician's office or hospital. Aided by an on-site nurse and a tech cart equipped with medical equipment such as a digital stethoscope, a physician can see and talk to patients via video and assess their condition. "It's as if the physician is in the room," said Lou Daniels, Chief Executive Officer of TeleCare Partners Group. "Now simple diagnoses can be made at 2 a.m., when a physician is not physically available, and spare an elderly patient a trip to the emergency room." This is key not only to keep patients comfortable and healthy, but to reduce unnecessary and costly readmissions to the hospital. "This technology increases our ability to care for patients at the facility rather than returning them to a hospital where they are at risk for infections, functional decline and higher out-of-pocket costs,'' said Dr. Nancy Istenes, Saber's Chief Medical Officer. Though this technology is not new, Daniels calls Saber "visionary" in its decision to implement it throughout its 88-plus skilled nursing facilities. Dr. Istenes says it just makes good sense. "Saber's launch of a Telemedicine technology ensures that every patient we care for has access to cutting-edge quality of care,'' she said. Mike Demagall, Vice President of Population Health at Saber, adds: "We believe TPG adds value to our patients, families, physicians, staff and all our partners. As part of our transitional care model Progressive Approach to Home or PATH we are striving to follow the IHI Triple Aim goals, and now the newer introduced Quadruple Aim. Along with enhancing care, this helps in balancing work and life for families, staff and physicians." Saber facilities will use telemedicine on nights, weekends and holidays when physicians are typically not in the facility. The technology will also be available when a patient's physician cannot be reached or the patient's physician requests a second opinion. Protocols are in place to assess the severity of a patient's symptoms and determine if emergency treatment is necessary. About Saber Healthcare Group: Established in 2001, the Bedford Heights-based company has grown from two skilled nursing facilities to more than 105 skilled nursing and assisted living facilities in six states (Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina and Florida). Its "On the Cutting Edge of Healthcare" philosophy has spurred its growth and the company to implement greater healthcare knowledge and technologies to serve residents and patients in better ways. About TeleCare Partners Group: Based in Simsbury, Conn., TPG was founded by a team of experts in the field of telemedicine. TPG's on-demand virtual healthcare delivery system empowers Skilled Nursing Facilities nationally with advanced telemedicine technology; 24/7 access to Board Certified doctors and support services that contain costs, increase workforce productivity; and improve the quality and effectiveness of medical interactions. For more information, visit: http://www.telecarepg.com/ SOURCE Saber Healthcare Group Related Links http://www.saberhealth.com (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/609197/hospitalforsalelease.jpg ) Designed as a tech-enabled platform, hospitals can directly pitch their Greenfield, or brownfield multi-specialty, or any kind of hospital directly to listed investors, and transact business in a safe, confidential and encrypted environment. The model is extremely simple and efficient. Users can register for free on the marketplace, add details of their hospital or medical equipment that they want to sell or put on lease. The smart algorithm will throw up their profile in the search results whenever an investor searches for a hospital that matches their criterion. Users do not have to travel worldwide and incur huge expense in terms of time and money to find investors, as now due to this marketplace, they can do all this from the comfort of their office or home in full confidentiality. Established by Amrit Pal Singh, an MBA with over 22 years of experience in India and overseas, Singh says, "Soaring infrastructure and medical equipment costs, staff challenges, evolving healthcare compliances, regulations and fewer patient walk-ins have pushed, the otherwise lucrative hospital establishments to the brink. Revenue shortfalls severely impact business and drive hospitals in debt, putting the hospital management in great stress and under pressure to make their business sustainable which may, at times lead to hasty short term decision-making and unethical business practices that can put patients' lives in jeopardy." Visithttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIYIbCgFfag&t= for more details. Doctors who have always wanted to run their own ethical, patient-centric practice but never had the time or resources to travel all over the world in search of land, infrastructure & equipment to build a hospital, they can simply log on to hospitalforsalelease.com, post their requirements and search from the available list of hospitals for sale or lease to turn their dream of running their own ethical hospital practice into a reality. Doctors can now achieve their dream and make an impact in the life of patients. Please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QgsPUXwLKs. For more information, please visit https://healthcareradius.wordpress.com/2017/04/21/hospital-for-sale-lease-a-portal-for-hospitals-and-investors-the-game-changer/comment-page-1/ https://www.hospitalforsalelease.com/founder.php Media Contact: Amrit Pal Singh Founder & CEO +91-98766-25076, +91-84275-72767 [email protected] [email protected] Entrepreneur Potential in Ideas SOURCE Hospitalforsalelease.com NEW YORK, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Purcell Julie & Lefkowitz LLP, a class action law firm dedicated to representing shareholders nationwide, is investigating a potential breach of fiduciary duty claim involving the board of directors of Ormat Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: ORA). If you are a shareholder of Ormat Technologies and are interested in obtaining additional information regarding this investigation, free of charge, please visit us at: http://pjlfirm.com/ormat-technologies-inc/ You may also contact Robert H. Lefkowitz, Esq. either via email at [email protected] or by telephone at 212-725-1000. One of our attorneys will personally speak with you about the case at no cost or obligation. Purcell Julie & Lefkowitz LLP is a law firm exclusively committed to representing shareholders nationwide who are victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty and other types of corporate misconduct. For more information about the firm and its attorneys, please visit http://pjlfirm.com. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. SOURCE Purcell Julie & Lefkowitz LLP Related Links http://www.pjlfirm.com Agri-tech company targets worldwide biologicals market for growth DENVER, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Inocucor, the developer and producer of powerful biological crop inputs for agriculture, has appointed Novozymes BioAg R&D leader Shawn Semones, Ph.D. as Executive Vice President, Research and Development and Chief Technology Officer. Semones is a distinguished R&D director with more than 18 years of experience at Novozymes Biologicals, Inc., where he helped build its BioAg R&D Application Division. Most recently, he was Director of BioAg R&D Application Development and Novozymes Biologicals Site Lead, directing R&D efforts across three sites within North America, as well as a global field R&D team. Semones' recent work has focused on the applied discovery of microbial technology for agriculture. He has been the R&D lead for the BioAg Alliance, the strategic alliance between Novozymes and Monsanto tasked with the development of new microbial technologies for agriculture, since its inception in 2014. "Shawn has spent his entire career as a leader in the field of agricultural biologicals," said Inocucor President and CEO Donald R. Marvin. "He brings a unique combination of R&D, business development and communications experience to Inocucor." Semones will oversee all R&D operations, field trials, regulatory affairs and strategic product development partnerships for Inocucor, directing scientists at its Technical Center for Excellence in Montreal and its U.S. Headquarters in Centennial, Colo. He holds a Ph.D. in Biology Plant Physiology/Mycology from Virginia Tech, as well as M.S. and B.S. degrees in Biology from Virginia Commonwealth University. Inocucor uses a patented fermentation process to combine multi-strains of bacteria, yeasts and fungi into powerful biostimulants that naturally improve crop yields, shorten growing periods and produce healthier, more resilient soils. It also is developing microbial biocontrol products that target devastating diseases in potatoes, tomatoes and strawberries. Contact: Michele Wells, Wells Communications (303) 417-0696 [email protected] SOURCE Inocucor Related Links http://www.inocucor.com/ Located in Annapolis, Maryland, this new Advanced Clinical Spa opens in partnership with board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Kelly Sullivan. Recognized as one of the nation's preeminent plastic surgeons, Dr. Sullivan has developed multiple innovative surgical procedures and is committed to helping each of her patients achieve his or her goals for health and beauty. Dr. Sullivan ensures that each patient achieves superior results by pairing the most innovative in-office procedures with a personalized at-home skincare regimen. Dr. Sullivan says, "We provide top-quality procedures and treatments at Sullivan Surgery and Spa and, through our new partnership with SkinCeuticals, we are thrilled to offer scientifically-backed skincare to our patients to further enhance their results. I am excited to partner with SkinCeuticals because we share the same commitment to excellence in providing the best treatments to rejuvenate the skin and enhance natural beauty." Dr. Sullivan continues, "While every patient's goals and skincare needs are unique, I always recommend that an antioxidant and sunscreen are incorporated into each regimen. I personally love vitamin c serum C E Ferulic, a potent vitamin C serum that protects against free radicals, and broad spectrum sunscreen Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50." Specifically formulated for use before, during and after in-office procedures, SkinCeuticals offers clinically-tested products proven to achieve both immediate and long-term benefits. Of the partnership, Brenda Wu, SkinCeuticals US General Manager, says, "We are very excited to partner with Dr. Sullivan and Sullivan Surgery and Spa. Through this partnership, we will continue to deliver superior results to patients through a synergy of professional treatments and SkinCeuticals clinical skincare." ABOUT SKINCEUTICALS Founded in Dallas, TX in 1997, SkinCeuticals discovers, develops, and delivers an advanced line of scientifically backed cosmeceutical treatments. As leaders in antioxidant and sun protection technology, SkinCeuticals products have been shown to dramatically improve skin health by protecting skin from environmental damage and visibly improving skin clarity, tone, and texture to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. For more information, visit the brand on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, or at www.skinceuticals.com. Contact: Laura Cummins at SkinCeuticals: (212) 984-4907/[email protected] SOURCE SkinCeuticals Related Links http://www.skinceuticals.com NEW YORK, Nov. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Unbundling the Smart City Opportunity Increased urban penetration coupled with rapid expansion of cities have resulted in a lot more dependence on resources such as water, energy, environment, infrastructure and other basic utilities. This has also resulted in spikes in congestion and pollution. Such stress on city resources has forced government institutions and municipalities to look at alternative means to managing cities. This has brought about a transformation moving toward smart solutions that are more sustainable, green, and resourceful. The future is all about smart city solutions with the market expected to attain a potential of $2.1 trillion by 2025. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05219389 By scanning through numerous smart city projects, Frost & Sullivan has found critical parallels among them that were indicative as to what could potentially come under the broader gambit of being a smart city. We define smart cities as those that are built on "Smart" and "Intelligent" solutions and technology that will lead to adoption of at least 5 out of the 8 following smart parameters, namely Smart Citizen, Smart Governance/Education; Smart Healthcare; Smart Building; Smart Mobility; Smart Infrastructure; Smart Technology; Smart Energy, and Smart Citizen. Connectivity and innovative new solutions will gain more traction to alleviate the core challenges posed by urbanization. Such novel solutions will require cities to re-visit some of the existing city regulation framework and to create new funding mechanisms to support smart city solutions. The study "Smart city Perspective By Key Regions" looks to identify the major smart cities from a global perspective. It unearths the various global regulations and standards that govern smart cities, key policy areas and controls, funding channels and the opportunities that such cities are likely to create to smart city players and businesses from both a regional perspective and from a country perspective. From a policy stand point, policies surrounding data privacy, sustainable development - green initiatives, smart climate solutions and Infrastructure are some of the major polices critical to building smart cities. Major questions that the study will answer are: Providing a historical perspective on smart cities Showcasing the addressable market for Global Smart Cities market from both a region and vertical perspective Showcasing local industry strengths and restraints by region and by country Identifying new opportunities for businesses looking to enter the smart city market Global standards that govern the smart cities market Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05219389 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. __________________________ Contact Clare: [email protected] US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001 SOURCE Reportlinker Related Links http://www.reportlinker.com CEDAR KNOLLS, N.J., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Marketsmith Inc., one of the nation's fastest-growing, data-driven marketing agencies, has been named agency of record for SMT Expo, a division of Glenmore Industries. SMT [smart | modular | technology] is the exclusive provider of the exposition industry's leading, full-floorplan, fabric booth system and the sole manufacturer of this breakthrough technology. The tool-less, modular EXPOKNIT system assembles and disassembles in a breeze, and is perfectly scalable for everything from a single custom booth to an entire show floorplan. Marketsmith Inc. "This revolutionary system, with its patented technology, is poised to disrupt a legacy industry known for stagnant product offerings with a new superior product, which is one of the reasons we chose to work with Marketsmith," says Joe Cascio, SVP, sales and marketing, SMT Expo. "As innovators, we also appreciate and admire Marketsmith's marketing expertise, their ability to precisely target our customers and the fact that their patented data analytics technologies disrupted their own business category." "As a leading marketing agency, we have extensive experience in doing trade shows for our clients," says Jill Draper, president of Marketsmith. "We immediately saw the viability and potential of this product." SMT believes that Marketsmith's I.P.Q. approach, powered by its patented i.Predictus proprietary data analytics platform, will be a critical factor in driving sales. I.P.Q. gives clients an immersive look into their business and is a powerful tool for establishing campaign strategies and KPI's. About SMT expo SMT expo is a venture between Glenmore Industries LLC and trade show veterans with over 50 years of combined experience. For over 40 years, Glenmore Industries has been a leading OEM manufacturer of a wide array of home, institutional, and automotive products that are sold in over 20 countries. Still a privately-held, family business, Glenmore Industries, headquartered in Edison, New Jersey, has offices and manufacturing facilities in Taiwan, China, Vietnam, and the United Kingdom. As part of Glenmore, SMT expo has the full support of Glenmore's global manufacturing network, as well as its global presence and design capabilities. About Marketsmith Inc. Marketsmith is one of the nation's fastest-growing, woman-owned integrated-marketing agencies, and we believe Technology is the New Creativity. Our proprietary tools and technology give us the data and analytics to inform every decision we make, from strategy to media to creative. With our unique I.P.Q. approach, powered by our patented i.Predictus analytics platform, we help our clients gain greater insights into their KPIs, deliver greater ROI across all channels, and predict sales with 93 percent accuracy. WBENC and NGLCC Certified, we employ a diverse mix of talented professionals and handle over $200M in media billings. Most importantly, we do great work so we can do good things! For more information, please visit www.marketsmithinc.com. CONTACT: Ann Willets (908) 433-7821 [email protected] Related Images image1.png SMT expo image2.png Marketsmith Inc. SOURCE Marketsmith Inc. Social media has made it possible for businesses of all sizes to better know and serve their customers. In today's competitive marketing environment, where global digital ad spend is slated to hit $563.4 billion in 2017 , Socialbakers has become the go-to social media marketing partner for thousands of enterprise brands and SMBs around the globe. Socialbakers' industry-leading AI-powered marketing suite has helped brands like Nestle, Desigual, Lexus and Microsoft to ensure their investment in social media is delivering measurable business outcomes. "At Socialbakers we have been helping customers get the best return on their social media activities for almost 10 years and over that time we have built the industry's most complete social media management platform", said Yuval Ben-Itzhak, CEO, Socialbakers. "Through the unique combination of data, experience and AI-powered technology, we enable our customers understand their audience, create more effective content to engage and grow their customer base, and measure social media's impact on their business goals. It is an honour to be recognised by industry leaders for the continuous innovation we deliver to our customers". "We are delighted to name Socialbakers as one of the top 10 companies globally specialized in providing Digital Marketing Analytics solutions," said Debra Morgan, Managing Editor of Marketing Tech Outlook magazine. ABOUT SOCIALBAKERS Socialbakers is the trusted social media management partner to thousands of enterprise brands and SMBs. Leveraging the largest social media data-set in the industry, Socialbakers' social media marketing platform helps brands large and small ensure their investment in social media is delivering measurable business outcomes. With over 2,500 clients across 100 countries, Socialbakers is the leading social media management platform, tracking 10 million social profiles across all major social platforms including Facebook, Instagram,Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Google+, and VK.com. Socialbakers has been a Facebook Marketing Partner since 2011, a Pinterest Marketing Partner since 2017 and a LinkedIn Marketing Partner since 2017. For more information, visit www.socialbakers.com. SOURCE SocialBakers PORTLAND, Ore., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- SOLE Financial has partnered with WiseWage, a payroll partner owned by Reinvestment Partners, to provide SOLE Paycards to WiseWage's employer clients. As a company that focuses on bringing mainstream financial services to the unbanked through small business employers, WiseWage's mission aligns with SOLE Financial's goal of bringing financial inclusion to unbanked workers through paycards. WiseWage attributed the choice to partner with a paycard company as part of a large-scale decision to move from advocacy to action in the financial inclusion space. Prior to the partnership, WiseWage's business model focused on assisting clients with unbanked employees to choose between prepaid or low-risk bank accounts for their employees. Partnering with SOLE has allowed WiseWage to add a payroll card to their consulting product suite. WiseWage cited SOLE Financial as the ideal paycard partner due to both companies' shared focus on the social importance of bringing financial services to the 26 percent of American workers who are unbanked. Adam Rust, WiseWage managing director, explained, "We chose SOLE because SOLE Paycards are more affordable for workers than prepaid cards, but the SOLE payroll card is even better than prepaid cards. There's no overdraft fee, workers can make cashback transactions, and SOLE offers a robust financial literacy program for cardholders." Of the business model that relies on employers to reach the unbanked, Rust said, "The real opportunity is to appeal to small businesses' desire to save money and use that incentive to trigger unbanked workers into the banking system. Everybody wins." WiseWage has already begun transitioning several clients onto the SOLE Paycard, including TFR Enterprises, a Texas-based disaster relief service that often has employees working in the field for weeks at a time, miles from traditional banks. These workers will now be able to access their funds instantly on payday with their SOLE payroll debit cards. Tom Secor, SOLE Financial president, said, "When the opportunity arose to help the unbanked workforce in partnership with Adam and his team, we jumped at the chance. Our companies' shared passion for serving the underserved was immediately apparent. Through this collaboration, we are able to dramatically expand our financial inclusion efforts. We're firm believers that experiencing the cost, time and security benefits of direct deposit should be enjoyed by every employee, not just those with access to traditional bank accounts." About SOLE: SOLE Financial advances financial inclusion by providing unbanked workers instant and affordable access to their hard-earned pay while helping companies go paperless. The SOLE Visa Payroll Card eliminates the expensive and logistical burden of paper checks and bridges the gap for clients striving to reach 100 percent direct deposit participation. SOLE celebrates clients that achieve 100 percent paperless pay by planting a grove of trees in their name through its corporate social responsibility program, the SOLE Paperless Trees Project. #FinancialInclusion #DirectDeposit #PaperlessTrees About WiseWage: WiseWage is owned by Reinvestment Partners, a non-profit organization whose mission is to advocate for economic justice and opportunity. RP does this by providing direct services to People, revitalizing Places and advocating for just Policies. WiseWage's goal is to promote financial security for everyone by connecting them with products that save them time and money. WiseWage does the research, while the employer client benefits. At WiseWage, anyone can obtain a low-cost or free account, regardless of their banking history. Media Contact: Taylor Ellsworth Phone: 971.227.5364 Email: [email protected] Related Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnTNCrcc4SE SOURCE SOLE Financial TRUE BLUE, Caribbean, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- St. George's University just awarded scholarships to four applicants to the University's medical school as part of its #SGUperspective program. The winners will each receive up to $10,000. "We are delighted to honor Matthew DeLuca, Joseph Varvarigos, Adam Kirstein and Laraib Sehrish with scholarships through the #SGUperspective program," said Dr. G. Richard Olds, President of St. George's University. "These grants are helping us attract a January class with a passion for medicine and a wide range of viewpoints and experiences." #SGUperspective scholarships are available to new students who enroll in the January 2018 class. Students can apply by creating a 30-60 second video highlighting the aspects of medicine that inspire them, sharing it on social media with the hashtag #SGUperspective, and submitting it here for evaluation by the University's admissions committee. St. George's will award scholarships of up to $10,000 to as many as 30 students. DeLuca chose to focus on leadership and service, while Varvarigos made his video about the importance of having an open heart. Adam Kirstein sang about the need for doctors to connect with patients, and Sehrish honed in on the need for empathy in medicine. This late entry grant program will be accepting application for the January 2018 class until December 31. Applicants to St. George's January class will also be eligible for the newly established Humanitarian Scholarship, which is awarded to students who demonstrate a commitment to philanthropy and community service. Like the #SGUperspective grants, this scholarship is available only to students entering in January. Students applying for admission in January will also be considered for CityDoctors Scholarships, which support students planning to work in urban hospitals in the New York metropolitan area. "We look forward to welcoming a class of students this January who are committed to academic excellence," Olds said. "Our video grant program has already led us to four future superstars who will bring innovative, unique perspectives to medicine -- and we look forward to identifying many more." About St. George's University: St. George's University is a center of international education, drawing students and faculty from 140 countries to the island of Grenada, in the West Indies, to its programs in medicine, veterinary medicine, public health, science, and business. St. George's is affiliated with educational institutions worldwide, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Ireland. The University's over 15,000 graduates include physicians, veterinarians, scientists, and public health and business professionals across the world. The University programs are accredited and approved by many governing authorities and repeatedly recognized as the best in the region. For more information, visit www.sgu.edu. MEDIA CONTACT: Yael Wollstein (202) 471-4228 ext. 118 [email protected] SOURCE St. George's University Related Links http://www.sgu.edu THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Nov. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Summit Midstream Partners, LP (NYSE: SMLP) announced today that Matthew Harrison, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will attend the Bank of America Merrill Lynch 2017 Leveraged Finance Conference in Boca Raton, Florida, on Wednesday, November 29, 2017. The related presentation materials associated with this event will be accessible through the Investors section of SMLP's website at www.summitmidstream.com prior to the beginning of the conference on November 29, 2017. About Summit Midstream Partners, LP SMLP is a growth-oriented limited partnership focused on developing, owning and operating midstream energy infrastructure assets that are strategically located in the core producing areas of unconventional resource basins, primarily shale formations, in the continental United States. SMLP provides natural gas, crude oil and produced water gathering services pursuant to primarily long-term and fee-based gathering and processing agreements with customers and counterparties in five unconventional resource basins: (i) the Appalachian Basin, which includes the Marcellus and Utica shale formations in West Virginia and Ohio; (ii) the Williston Basin, which includes the Bakken and Three Forks shale formations in North Dakota; (iii) the Fort Worth Basin, which includes the Barnett Shale formation in Texas; (iv) the Piceance Basin, which includes the Mesaverde formation as well as the Mancos and Niobrara shale formations in Colorado and Utah; and (v) the Denver-Julesburg Basin, which includes the Niobrara and Codell shale formations in Colorado and Wyoming. SMLP is in the process of developing new gathering and processing infrastructure in a sixth basin, the Delaware Basin, in New Mexico. SMLP also owns substantially all of a 40% ownership interest in Ohio Gathering, which is developing natural gas gathering and condensate stabilization infrastructure in the Utica Shale in Ohio. SMLP is headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas, with regional corporate offices in Denver, Colorado and Atlanta, Georgia. About Summit Midstream Partners, LLC Summit Midstream Partners, LLC ("Summit Investments") beneficially owns a 35.4% limited partner interest in SMLP and indirectly owns and controls the general partner of SMLP, Summit Midstream GP, LLC, which has sole responsibility for conducting the business and managing the operations of SMLP. Summit Investments is a privately held company controlled by Energy Capital Partners II, LLC, and certain of its affiliates. An affiliate of Energy Capital Partners II, LLC directly owns an 8.1% limited partner interest in SMLP. SOURCE Summit Midstream Partners, LP Related Links http://www.summitmidstream.com The report "Synthetic Rubber Market by Type (SBR, BR, SBC, EPDM, IIR, NBR), Application (Tire, Non-Tire Automotive, Footwear, Industrial), and Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and Middle East & Africa) - Global Forecast to 2022" published by MarketsandMarkets, the market is estimated to be USD 28.88 Billion in 2017 and is projected to reach USD 37.82 Billion by 2022, at a CAGR of 5.5% between 2017 and 2022. The Synthetic Rubber Market is driven by the rising demand for synthetic rubbers in applications such as tire, non-tire automotive, footwear, and industrial. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160303/792302 ) Browse 119 Market Data Tables and 59 Figures spread through 146 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Synthetic Rubber Market" https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/synthetic-rubber-market-761.html Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report "SBR is estimated to be the largest type segment of the market by 2022" Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) is the most widely used type of synthetic rubber. SBR is used in large quantities in automobile and truck tires, due to its abrasion-resistant quality. SBR produced in latex form is used as a rubbery adhesive in carpet manufacturing. Other applications of SBR include drive couplings, haul-off pads, conveyor belts, shoe soles and heels, adhesives, roll coverings and car tires (but not truck tires), and various other molded rubber goods. Get PDF Brochure @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=761 "Tire is projected to be the fastest-growing application segment of the market from 2017 to 2022" The consumption of synthetic rubber in the tire application is growing due to the rising demand for automobiles in developing countries. The exponential growth of the automotive industry in China has supported the growth of the country's tire industry. The rapidly growing automotive and transportation industries in countries like China and India are expected to propel the growth of the tire industry in APAC. The synthetic rubber type used to manufacture tires is the SBR. SBR is a cost-effective alternative to natural rubber, with better abrasion resistance and inherent hysteresis. Asia Pacific is estimated to be the largest market for synthetic rubber by 2022, with China estimated to be the dominant market for synthetic rubber in the Asia Pacific region. Japan, South Korea, and India are the other major countries contributing to the growth of the Synthetic Rubber Market in the region. The increasing use of synthetic rubber in applications such as tire, non-tire automotive, footwear, and industrial is expected to drive the Synthetic Rubber Market in these countries. The key companies profiled in the Synthetic Rubber Market research report include LANXESS (Germany), Sinopec (China), The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company (US), Kumho Petrochemical (South Korea), TSRC Corporation (Taiwan), Nizhnekamskneftekhim (Russia), JSR Corporation (Japan), LG Chem (South Korea), Versalis S.p.A. (Italy), and ZEON Corporation (Japan). Inquiry before Buying @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_Buying.asp?id=761 Browse Related Reports Elastomers Market by Type (Thermoset (Natural Rubber, Synthetic Rubber (SBR, IIR, PBR, NBR, ACM, EPM)), and Thermoplastic (PEBA, SBC, TPO, TPU, TPV)), Application (Automotive, Consumer Goods, Medical, and Industrial) - Global Forecast to 2021 https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/elastomers-market-48929183.html Polybutadiene Market by Type (Solid Polybutadiene (High Cis, Low Cis, High Trans, High Vinyl), Liquid Polybutadiene), Application (Tires, Polymer modification, Industrial rubber, Chemical), and Region - Global Forecast to 2022 https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/polybutadiene-market-56692050.html Know More About our Knowledge Store @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Knowledgestore.asp About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets provides quantified B2B research on 30,000 high growth niche opportunities/threats which will impact 70% to 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Currently servicing 5000 customers worldwide including 80% of global Fortune 1000 companies as clients. Almost 75,000 top officers across eight industries worldwide approach MarketsandMarkets for their painpoints around revenues decisions. 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. MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "RT" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. Contact: Mr. Rohan MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Visit Our Blog @ http://www.marketsandmarketsblog.com/market-reports/chemical Connect with us on LinkedIn @ http://www.linkedin.com/company/marketsandmarkets SOURCE MarketsandMarkets LONDON, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5220280 With a telecom network that was near total collapse, the government had the daunting task of bringing it up to modern standards. Despite the launch of 4G/LTE services, the overall the telecom sector has continued to struggle. Tajikistan still has one of the lowest fixed-line penetrations in the Asian region and one of the lowest broadband levels of broadband penetration. Tajikistan's mobile sector has been on a strong growth path for over a decade. It continues to be the standout feature of the country's telecom industry. It has experienced relatively strong growth over the last five years. However, as the market has moved closer to a saturation phase there has been an inevitable slowing in the growth rate. Moderate growth is predicted over the next five years to 2022. The market will be constrained from higher growth due to strong local competition and a further maturing market. Fixed broadband penetration in Tajikstan remains extremely low mainly due to a limited number of fixed lines as well as the dominance of the mobile platform. Market penetration has only grown marginally over the last five years from a very small base. Over the next five years to 2022 growth is expected to continue but overall market penetration will remain extremely low. However, an expanding internet user population is a positive sign for the country's future. This has been helped by the increasingly widespread presence of mobile broadband services. Tajikistan has seen a strong increase in mobile broadband penetration over the past four years, however the mobile broadband market is still at an early stage of development and penetration remains relatively low compared to other Asian nations. Very strong growth is predicted over the next five years to 2022. The mobile broadband market will be driven by a rising level of mobile subscribers, increasingly faster speeds offered by the mobile operators as they roll out their 4G networks and improving tariffs due to strong competition. Key developments: Despite the launch of 4G/LTE services, the overall the telecom sector has continued to struggle. Fixed broadband penetration in Tajikstan remains extremely low mainly due to a limited number of fixed lines as well as the dominance of the mobile platform. Very strong growth is predicted over the next five years to 2022 in the mobile broadband segment Telia Company sold its 60% holding in Tcell to the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED). MegaFon was reportedly considering withdrawing from the Tajikistan mobile sector over concerns at the country's erratic taxation system. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5220280 About Reportbuyer Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers 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 CHERRY HILL, N.J., Nov. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, today announced it will assist in financing Project HOME's development of an affordable housing, LGBTQ-friendly residence for formerly homeless young adults. Project HOME is a non-profit organization empowering individuals to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness through affordable housing, employment, health care and education. The young adult residence will be the first of its kind in Pennsylvania, and among the first in the nation. The bank has provided an $11 million commitment including a $6.7 million tax-exempt construction loan through its Commercial Real Estate Group and a $4.3 million investment through the Community Capital Group in partnership with Raymond James, with Raymond James Tax Credit Funds (RJTCF), a leading national sponsor of affordable housing, with more than $1.1 billion in tax credit equity closed in FY2017. RJTCF is excited to work for the first time with Project HOME, a recognized leader in providing affordable housing and supportive services to individuals at risk of homelessness, and pleased to continue our unparalleled relationship with TD Bank. The funds will aid in the development of a four-story building with 30 one-bedroom apartments including a living area, a full-size eat-in kitchen, a bedroom, a bathroom and a walk-in closet. The main floor will also include a large community room, an exercise room, a common laundry room and property management and residential services offices. "The development of Project HOME's newest affordable housing community in Northern Philadelphia addresses the threat of homelessness, and the devastating impact it can have on any young person starting out in life," said Mark McBride, Vice President for TD Bank. "We are proud to partner with an organization that shares TD Bank's values. We hope that by promoting diversity in our communities and making inclusion a core value, we can send a powerful message of encouragement to others." Project HOME's new affordable housing units will be available for young adults (ages 18-23) who are homeless, have experienced homelessness or are at risk of homelessness, those who have aged out of foster care, disabled or special needs households, and LGBTQ individuals. Residents will have access to Project HOME's full range of programs, including classes, medical and behavioral health services and job training and placement. With a central location in North Philadelphia, the development will have excellent accessibility to public transportation, employment, shopping, and major roadways and interstate highways. The groundbreaking ceremony for the first phase of the two-affordable housing development project at 1315 N. 8th Street has been scheduled for Wednesday, December 6, 2017. "We are deeply grateful for TD Bank's leadership and support of this project and their shared belief that LGBTQ-friendly housing for young adults experiencing, or at risk of experiencing homelessness is vitally important to ending and preventing homelessness in Philadelphia," said Sister Mary Scullion, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Project HOME. "Homelessness is solvable in our lifetime and this residence brings us one step closer. Through employment opportunities, education, and a supportive community, these young adults will have the tools they need to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness while achieving their fullest potential." "We are pleased to partner with Project HOME in our continued efforts to give-back," said Benjamin Kruger, Vice President of Commercial Real Estate at TD Bank. "From our experience, Project HOME operates housing with both professionalism and compassion. We look forward to supporting this initiative and future developments with the organization." TD Bank creates strong relationships with customers by understanding their industry and their business. This project represents the third transaction between TD Bank and Project HOME. About Project HOME Since 1989, Project HOME has helped thousands of people break the cycle of homelessness and poverty by providing a continuum of services that includes street outreach, supportive housing and comprehensive services that focus on health care, education and employment through both adult and youth education and enrichment programs at the Honickman Learning Center and Comcast Technology Labs and community-based health care services at the Stephen Klein Wellness Center. Project HOME has pledged to end chronic street homelessness in Philadelphia, housing1,000 adults who have been long-term street homeless, suffering from mental illness, and/or addiction; and youth who are homeless and/or aging out of foster care. To learn more, visit www.projecthome.org. About Raymond James Tax Credit Funds Raymond James Tax Credit Funds is a wholly owned subsidiary of Raymond James Financial, Inc. (NYSE-RJF). Since 1969, subsidiaries of RJF have been among the leading syndicators of affordable housing. Raymond James Tax Credit Funds has raised more than $8 billion in equity for more than 1,900 properties across the United States since the inception of the tax credit program in 1986. For more information, visit rjtcf.com. About Raymond James Financial, Inc. Raymond James Financial, Inc. (NYSE: RJF) is a leading diversified financial services company providing private client group, capital markets, asset management, banking and other services to individuals, corporations and municipalities. The company has approximately 7,300 financial advisors in 3,000 locations throughout the United States, Canada and overseas. Total client assets are $693 billion. Public since 1983, the firm is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol RJF. Additional information is available at www.raymondjames.com. About TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, is one of the 10 largest banks in the U.S., providing more than 9 million customers with a full range of retail, small business and commercial banking products and services at more than 1,200 convenient locations throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Metro D.C., the Carolinas and Florida. In addition, TD Bank and its subsidiaries offer customized private banking and wealth management services through TD Wealth, and vehicle financing and dealer commercial services through TD Auto Finance. TD Bank is headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J. To learn more, visit www.tdbank.com. Find TD Bank on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TDBank and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TDBank_US. TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, is a member of TD Bank Group and a subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank of Toronto, Canada, a top 10 financial services company in North America. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges under the ticker symbol "TD". To learn more, visit www.td.com. SOURCE TD Bank Related Links http://www.TDBank.com COLUMBIA, Md., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Tenable, Inc., the Cyber Exposure company, today announced the expansion of its existing operations in the Middle East, Japan and Latin America in response to strong global demand for Tenable solutions. This expansion comes on the heels of the company achieving record third quarter results with record billings and billings growth exceeding 50 percent on a year-over-year basis. The third quarter marks the sixth consecutive quarter of 45 percent billings growth or higher and showcases Tenable's leadership in helping organizations of all sizes around the globe rethink how they manage, measure and reduce Cyber Exposure across the modern attack surface. Cyber threats have no geographic boundaries and pose an existential threat to organizations of every size, in every sector and in every geography. With cyber attacks such as WannaCry and Petya infecting computer networks in at least 65 countries in a matter of days, the urgency to proactively understand and reduce cyber risk in every country around the globe has never been greater. Tenable already has an established global footprint, with close to 24,000 customers in 160 countries and 22 percent of the companies on the Forbes Global 2000 list. The company has hired seasoned industry veterans to accelerate its established and growing presence in these high-growth regions. Doug Neuman has joined Tenable as regional sales director for Japan. Neuman is a proven technical and sales leader with 15 years of experience building, leading and managing global cybersecurity teams. Prior to joining Tenable, Neuman served as the managing director for Japan at Tanium where he led the sales and technical teams, working closely with Global 2000 companies and government organizations in the region. Francisco Ramirez has also joined Tenable to lead the company's efforts in Latin America. For over 15 years, Ramirez built successful teams in the region for industry leaders like IBM, Sourcefire, and most recently Cisco. Finally, Maher Jadallah joins Tenable as regional director of sales in the Middle East. Jadallah has spent over a decade in IT security leading teams to help grow Cisco, Sourcefire and Riverbed's presence in the region. "Tenable is one of the fastest-growing private cybersecurity software companies in the world and we are committed to providing the best customer experience in every geographic market," said John Negron, chief revenue officer at Tenable. "Bringing in these talented go-to-market leaders illustrates we are not just fulfilling our growing global demand for Cyber Exposure solutions, but setting the pace for innovation across our industry. We are excited to bring Neuman, Ramirez and Jadallah on board to help lead the company through its next phase of growth." About Tenable Tenable, Inc. is the Cyber Exposure company. Over 23,000 organizations of all sizes around the globe rely on Tenable to manage and measure their modern attack surface to accurately understand and reduce cyber risk. As the creator of Nessus, Tenable built its platform from the ground up to deeply understand assets, networks and vulnerabilities, extending this knowledge and expertise into Tenable.io to deliver the world's first platform to provide live visibility into any asset on any computing platform. Tenable customers include more than 50 percent of the Fortune 500, large government agencies and mid-sized organizations across the private and public sectors. Learn more at tenable.com. Contact Information: Cayla Baker [email protected] (443) 539-6476 SOURCE Tenable, Inc. Related Links https://www.tenable.com ZHUHAI, China, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- "Returnees wishing to serve the motherland can realize their dreams in Zhuhai." The Fourth Zhuhai International Students Festival & 2017 Overseas Students' Entrepreneurship Week is scheduled to be held in Zhuhai, in China's southern Guangdong province, between December 8 and 10. Overseas Students' Entrepreneurship Week, a part of the International Students Festival and a premiere branding campaign promoted on a nationwide scale by the Communist Youth League Central Committee, hosted by Huafa Group under the theme "Returnees wishing to serve the motherland can realize their dreams in Zhuhai", will feature 13 events specially designed for international students, including the opening ceremony, the keynote speech and the talent exchange and project cooperation conference. The event is expected to attract over 1,000 of the best performing students studying in China and abroad, who plan to collectively discuss plans on how to better serve China, as well as the topic of innovation and entrepreneurship in Zhuhai. Liu Zihong, chairman and CEO of Royole, will deliver the highly anticipated keynote speech during the opening ceremony, during which he is expected to share with attendees the story behind his company's "black technology" as an example of the success that can be achieved by an entrepreneur who has studied abroad and returned to China to further his or her career. As a focused event of the International Students Festival, the Overseas Students Conference will bring together 144 large state-owned companies, several of the leading listed as well as privately-held companies in addition to some of the world's top 500 companies, all of whom have come to the event with the intention of filling more than 3,000 high-quality positions at their respective firms, offering yearly salaries up to 350,000 yuan (approx. US$53,000). Following the previous three successful editions of the event, the Zhuhai International Students Festival brings together overseas students from 17 countries and regions. This year's International Students Festival will continue the focus on creating a gathering platform for returnees, highlighting efforts in establishing the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area's innovation hub and a strategy base in Zhuhai to support the Chinese government's One Belt, One Road initiative. SOURCE Zhuhai Huafa Modern Service Investment Holdings Co.,Ltd. BOCA RATON, Fla., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The CNS Summit has released the 2017 CNS Summit Innovation Index. The CNS Summit Innovation Index ranks life science companies based on publicly available information, with regards to three facets of innovation: Trial Optimization, Digital Advancement, and Innovative Partnerships. The Index is powered by pharma innovation specialists IDEA Pharma. The CNS Summit Innovation Index, launched at CNS Summit 2016, has, with this year's release, established itself as the key indicator of innovation in the life sciences. Key findings show the rise of Astra Zeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, BMS, Celgene, and Bayer as emerging innovation leaders. "The CNS Summit Innovation Index is a data-driven, neutral assessment of the digitization of the pharmaceutical industry," said Amir Kalali, Chief Curator and Scientific Program Chair. "We hope that it will encourage even more innovation." Mike Rea, CEO, IDEA Pharma said, "The CNS Summit Innovation Index looks forward -- to the connection of possibilities, to the intersection of creativity, strategy, and technology, to companies beginning to behave like disruptors, rather than the disrupted." The goal of the CNS Summit Innovation Index is to objectively assess investments made in innovation, encourage leadership in innovation, and allow companies to benchmark their innovation activities via an objective external source. The CNS Summit, founded on the principles of Collaboration, Innovation, and Technology, is a community working collaboratively to shape the future of the life sciences. The CNS Summit 2017 is taking place November 16th19th, 2017 in Boca Raton, Florida. For more information, visit www.cnssummit.org. Contact: Erica Moore 858-324-1823 [email protected] SOURCE CNS Summit Related Links http://www.cnssummit.org BATTLE CREEK, Mich., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- WHAT:To celebrate 'Giving Tuesday,' a day known for its charitable online giving, No Kid Hungry is auctioning the last available Pringles Thanksgiving Dinner to the highest bidder! No Kid Hungry, a charity that is ending childhood hunger in America, will benefit from the full proceeds raised and Pringles will match the donation up to $5,000. "No child deserves to go hungry this holiday season, yet one in six kids in America struggles with hunger," said Clay Dunn, Chief Communications Officer for No Kid Hungry. "With this auction, Pringles fans can gain a fun collector's item and make a real impact on our work at the same time." Each Pringles Thanksgiving Dinner contains a tray of the mouth-watering crisps fans know and love in eight new Thanksgiving themed flavors: Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce, Creamed Corn, Green Bean Casserole, Mac & Cheese and Pumpkin Pie. WHERE: nokidhungry.org/pringles WHEN: Auction start: 11/28, 8:00am ET Auction ends: 11/30, 11:59 pm ET SOURCE Kellogg Company LONDON, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Halal Food Market By Product (Meat & Alternatives, Milk & Milk Products, Fruits & Vegetables, Grain Products), By Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, MEA, CSA), And Segment Forecasts, 2014 - 2025 Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5214690 The global halal food market is expected to reach USD 2.10 trillion by 2025, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The global halal food industry is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period owing to increasing Muslim population and their substantially increasing expenditure on food & non-beverages, which is considered as the main driving force of this market. The total Islamic population is expected to increase from 23% in the present situation to around 30% of the total world population by 2030. World over initiatives has been seen escalating since the last few years with the advent of few events in Asia Pacific and the Middle East & African region, which are the top two regions contributing to the growth of the global market. A major bilateral initiative to mention would be the cooperation between Abu Dhabi and South Korea, which allowed South Korea to gain further access to the global halal food market. Governments of the Islamic as well as the non-Islamic nations and the manufacturers of halal-certified food products have been taking various initiatives in terms of marketing & educating consumers about these products. The confidence of consumers in halal brands has been the most influential factor in the actual purchase of these products. Meat and alternatives were the largest product segment in 2016 with a net market worth of over USD 590 billion globally. Halal meat has always been a remarkable business segment. The formation of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has been well placed to take the initiative of setting an international standard for these food items. Owing to the formation of these types of organizational figures the industry participants have been successful to a great extent in building consumer trust and pushing penetration of the product category to even higher levels. Further key findings from the report suggest: The global halal foods industry was valued at USD 1,245.6 billion in 2016 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.1% over the next eight years Milk & milk products such as processed milk, cheese, and yogurt are expected to be one of the another primary product segment driving growth for the global industry Beverages such as carbonated drinks, packaged juice, and sweeteners with halal certification are expected to witness substantial demand over the forecast period. The segment is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 4.8% in Turkey. Asia Pacific was the leading consumer in 2016. Around 63% of the global Muslim population resides in this region, which is the main driving factor in the region. Indonesia and Malaysia together accounted for over 55% of the regional demand in 2016. Major companies actively operating in the global halal food industry include Nestle, Glanbia Cheese Ltd, Guenther Bakeries UK Ltd, Kellogg's Companies have been trying to strengthen consumer trust with several marketing campaigns trying to be transparent about their production process of packed halal foods Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5214690 About Reportbuyer Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers 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 NEW YORK, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- KEY FINDINGS The Global Medical Aesthetics market is forecasted to expand further with a CAGR growth of 10.22% during the forecast years of 2017-2026. The revenue generated by the market is estimated to rise from $ 7983 million in 2016 to $21016 million by the end of 2026. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05222533 MARKET INSIGHTS The product-wise segmentation of the global medical aesthetics market is carried out on the basis of laser-based medical aesthetics, facial aesthetics, dental implants and breast implants. Growing interest for aesthetic and cosmetic treatments and the advent of non-invasive techniques for these procedures are chiefly propelling the market growth. However, possible threat due to the penetration of counterfeit products in the market, coupled with the lack of reimbursement offered for these procedures are acting as major challenges for the market. REGIONAL INSIGHTS The region-wise segmentation of the market is done into Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific and rest of world. The Asia-Pacific market is forecasted to exhibit a phenomenal growth during the forecast period on account of the rising GDP of countries like India, South Korea, Japan, China and Australia. However, by the end of the forecast period, the North American market is likely to dominate the global scene on account of the huge demand from growing aging population in the region and the increasing popularity of non-invasive procedures in facial aesthetics. COMPETITIVE INSIGHTS Allergan, Syneron Medical, Alma Lasers, Straumann, Cutera, Sientra Inc, Cynosure, Nobel Biocare, Invasix Aesthetic Solutions, Merz Aesthetics, Mentor, and Galderma are some of the renowned companies who are engaged in this market. Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05222533 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. __________________________ Contact Clare: [email protected] US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001 SOURCE Reportlinker Related Links http://www.reportlinker.com LONDON, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Innovus Pharma, Plethora Solutions, Absorption Pharmaceuticals and Allergan are the leading companies dominating the premature ejaculation market. The global premature ejaculation (PE) market is expected to cross $1.9 billion, growing impressively at a CAGR of 8.9% during the period 2016?2022. A high burden of PE prevalence and associated chronic condition, which can, in turn, poses as a high-risk factor for the occurrence of this disease is the key market driver for the premature ejaculation market in both developing and developed countries. Regionally, the US is the main contributor to the global PE market. Despite the absence of PE drug in the US, the market in North America retains dominant share because of wide accessibility to PE off-labels and OTC drugs. In terms of route of administration, the oral drugs segment contributes a dominant share of nearly three-fourths of the global market. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5219025 Report Timeline Base Year: 2016 Forecast Year: 2017?2022 Major vendors profiled in the report are as following: Innovus Pharma Plethora Solutions Absorption Pharmaceuticals Allergan Other prominent vendors include Menarini, GlaxoSmithKline, Ixchelsis, Dong-A Pharmaceutical, NeuroHealing Pharmaceuticals. Scope of the Report The report considers the present scenario of the global premature ejaculation market and its in-depth analysis for the period 20172022. It includes a detailed study of growth drivers, trends, and restraints. The report also profiles the leading vendors in the market and other key vendors. The report provides the analysis of key segments of the market by route administration, mechanism of action, geography, and vendors. It provides a detailed analysis of revenue from various segments: Route Administration Topical therapies Oral therapy Mechanism of Action SSRI PDE5 inhibitors Ester/Amide anesthetics Geography APAC Europe Latin America MEA North America Major trends, drivers, and restraints for each geography are included in the report. Premature ejaculation (PE) is a male sexual dysfunction, which is characterized by the inability to delay ejaculation for more than one minute after penetration or sexual stimulation. The condition is associated with uncontrolled ejaculation either before or shortly after sexual penetration, or with minimal sexual stimulation. The global premature ejaculation market is expected to cross $1.9 billion, growing impressively at a CAGR of 8.9% during the period 2016?2022. Increasing disease awareness, growing patient willingness to seek pharmaceutical therapy assistance for disease management and increasing presence of favorable guidelines, which recommended the use of drugs as first-line therapy for treatment of PE, will augment market prospects during the forecast period. The report provides a holistic view of the global premature ejaculation market, the companies involved in the market, and the factors driving its growth. The report also provides information about the latest trends that are likely to become strong market driving forces over the next five years. This report also provides the Porter's Five Forces analysis along with a description of each force and its impact on the market. Further, the report also provides complete value chain analysis of the global market. Premature Ejaculation Market Dynamics Emphasis on clinical progress of love hormone receptor antagonists to drive the market growth Increase in prevalence of chronic diseases, low-effectiveness of non-pharmacological treatment, and a wide accessibility to premature ejaculation OTC drugs and generic off-label drugs are the prime factors that are going to escalate the market growth during the forecast period. Furthermore, pharmaceutical advances in PE drug formulation technology, emphasis on clinical progress of love hormone receptor antagonists, and launch of premature ejaculation treatment awareness campaigns are the latest trends that are likely to positively impact the market. The report also provides the key restraints of the market. Premature Ejaculation Market: Segmental Overview The amide anesthetics segment is the fast-growing segment in terms of mechanism of action. The oral drug segment to remain the dominant market in terms of route of administration. The topical PE drugs market is expected to witness growth at a higher pace than the oral PE drugs market. However, the oral PE drugs market is likely to retain its market share until the end of the forecast period. In terms of mechanism of action (MOA), the global PE market broad segments include SSRIs, PDE5 inhibitors, and amide anesthetics. In 2016, the SSRIs segment dominated the market. This segment is anticipated to retain its dominance till the end of forecast period. The amide anesthetics segment, which occupied low share in 2016, is anticipated to witness higher growth than the other drug MOAs segment during the period 2016-2022. Premature Ejaculation Market: Geographical Analysis North America to remain the largest market followed by Europe The premature ejaculation market in North America is the largest due to high prevalent PE population. The US occupies approximately 90% of the PE market in North America due to the high population density and comparably higher utilization of off-label and OTC PE products. Similarly, the UK, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy are the leading markets for PE therapies in the European region. The market in APAC is likely to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period. A significant increase in PE incidence due to growing burden of chronic conditions, which, in turn, is associated with the high risk of PE occurrence is expected to boost the market growth in this region. The prevalence of PE in the Middle East countries and Latin America is estimated to be lowest than other regions. The market, however, is anticipated to witness a moderate growth rate in these regions. Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/5219025 About Reportbuyer Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers 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 The conference was held at the China Hall of Science and Technology in Beijing. The conference was supported by the United Nations land and Sea Silk Road City Alliance Project, hosted by the UCESCC's Silk Road Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center and the Publicity Department of the CPC Jiayuguan Municipal Committee, organized by the Beijing Maritime-Continental Silk Road Cultural Development Center and the Jiayuguan (Great Wall) Silk Road Culture Research Institute, and co-organized by Beijing Bertone Vision Management Consulting Co., Ltd. and Jiayuguan Culture Tourism Group Co., Ltd. At the conference, the United Nations Maritime-Continental Silk Road Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection "Jiayuguan Declaration" was published, and the agreement to establish the International Cultural Tourism Demonstration Base for Maritime-Continental Silk Road Intangible Cultural Heritage was signed. The demonstration facility will be located in Jiayuguan. The conference is the Project's first gathering focused on the Silk Road's intangible cultural heritage, and is also the first meeting held following the inception of the UCESCC's Silk Road Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center. The center, established in October 2017, is a specialized organization with the mission of protecting intangible cultural heritage, that, under the direction of the Project's secretariat, was voluntarily formed by the governments of cities aligning the One Belt, One Road route, companies engaged in intangible cultural heritage businesses, inheritors of intangible heritage projects, and intangible cultural heritage experts and scholars. The Project is also an organization committed to initiating and launching relevant events and programs across the regions targeted by the One Belt, One Road initiative. Its mission, through multilateral cooperation among countries and regions along the UN Maritime-Continental Silk Road, is to promote the sustainable development of a Silk Road intangible cultural heritage industry, create an international consensus on the protection of intangible cultural heritage and facilitate exchanges and collaborative efforts among these countries and regions, in an effort to contribute to regional peace and prosperity. Jiayuguan is a key city along the section of the One Belt, One Road initiative that lies within China, one of the key cities along the UN Maritime-Continental Silk Road, as well as a famous Chinese historical and cultural city in its own right. China has, over the thousands of years of its existence, accumulated an immensely rich and diversified cultural heritage, which includes the unique Silk Road, Great Wall and Chinese frontier cultures, as well as rich, intangible Silk Road cultural heritage resources and the deep cultural connotation that is associated with each of these resources. The conference represents an unprecedented opportunity to showcase the city to the world. In due course, it can be expected that more cities in China and in countries along the One Belt, One Road route will choose to participate in the protection of their own intangible cultural heritage and boost the development of a Silk Road intangible cultural heritage industry, while the countries and regions along the UN Maritime-Continental Silk Road engage in an ever growing number of mutually beneficial collaborative efforts. The intangible culture heritage, that is part and parcel of the Silk Road, has long been protected as a result of the wisdom of the peoples that have resided along the trade route for generations, and the collection of valuable historical properties that make up the heritage are clearly recognized as such. They are the driving force for what is being referred to as the "human destiny community". The first UCESCC - Silk Road (Jiayuguan) Intangible Cultural Heritage Conference marks the beginning of the efforts to protect the Silk Road's intangible cultural heritage, and another milestone in the protection of that heritage. SOURCE The first UCESCC Silk Road (Jiayuguan) intangible cultural heritage Conference ONTARIO, Calif., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Joint Commission has recognized Prime Healthcare as a Pioneer in Quality contributor. Prime hospitals have implemented new technology to electronically share clinical quality measure (eCQM) data to The Joint Commission to measure and improve care processes, performance and outcomes. "We commend Prime Healthcare as a 2017 Pioneers in Quality organization for its contributions and commitment to electronic clinical quality measure data and practice toward quality improvement," said David W. Baker, MD, MPH, FACP, executive vice president, Division of Health Care Quality Evaluation, The Joint Commission. "Out of 3,200 health care organizations, Prime Healthcare is among only 480 that The Joint Commission has recognized this year for embracing new technology to submit data about the care it provides to patients. That work to voluntarily share information helps the entire industry move forward in utilizing electronic clinical quality measurement for health care improvement." Until recently, most hospitals collected information to measure health care quality by manually abstracting data from patient records. Today, through eCQMswhich rely on structured, encoded data present in the electronic health recordhospitals can electronically collect and transmit data on the quality of care that patients receive. The electronic data can then be analyzed to measure and improve quality and outcomes. The Joint Commission, the United States' leading accreditor of health care organizations, established the Pioneers in Quality program to assist and recognize hospitals that report eCQM data, as well as share best practices for all hospitals in gathering, analyzing and leveraging eCQM data for quality improvement. "We are grateful to be recognized by The Joint Commission for our commitment to quality improvement," said Prem Reddy, MD, FACC, FCCP, Prime Healthcare Chairman, President & CEO. "Our adoption of electronic clinical quality measures is crucial to continuously improving quality of care and outcomes for all patients." "Congratulations and thank you to our information technology and quality improvement teams for their important role in achieving this honor," said Sunny Bhatia, MD, Chief Medical Officer for Prime Healthcare. "Innovation and performance analysis are critical to continuous improvement in quality care and outcomes for all our patients." Pioneers in Quality recognition is not an indicator or measure of data quality or quality of care, but an indicator of an organization's commitment to adopting eCQMs toward quality improvement. It recognizes eCQM data reporting and other contributions that advance eCQM adoption in health care. For more information about The Joint Commission and the Pioneers in Quality program, visit www.jointcommission.org. About Prime Healthcare Services and Foundation: Prime Healthcare is an award-winning national hospital system with 44 acute-care hospitals providing nearly 43,000 jobs in 14 states. Thirteen of the hospitals are members of the Prime Healthcare Foundation, a 501(c)3 public charity. Based in California and one of the largest hospital systems in the country, Prime Healthcare is committed to ensuring access to quality healthcare. It has been recognized as among the "100 Top Hospitals" in the nation 38 times and among the "15 Top Health Systems" three times, and is the only "10 Top Health System" west of the Mississippi. For more information, please visit www.primehealthcare.com About The Joint Commission Founded in 1951, The Joint Commission seeks to continuously improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value. The Joint Commission accredits and certifies more than 21,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. An independent, nonprofit organization, The Joint Commission is the nation's oldest and largest standards-setting and accrediting SOURCE Prime Healthcare Related Links http://www.primehealthcare.com DALLAS, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- While "two feet tall", "slightly rotund", and "has a penchant for red, conical hats" may not be phrases commonly equated with a successful online dating profile, when that profile belongs to the Travelocity Roaming Gnome, it may represent the perfect profile for anyone who loves to travel. Starting today, Tinder users who stumble across a certain ruggedly handsome gnome should pause before swiping left, as he may be the key to heading off to a brand new tropical resort destination. By swiping right, Tinder users will receive a message in their inbox on how to enter the "Be My Gnomie" contest by demonstrating why they are the Roaming Gnome's perfect travel companion for a chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime trip for two at three of the newest luxury-service resorts in Montego Bay, Jamaica, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, and Nassau, Bahamas to experience travel just like the Roaming Gnome himself. "The Roaming Gnome has been traveling the globe for well over a decade, and he knows better than anyone how to really get the most out of a travel experience. One thing he's learned is that travel is most enjoyable when you have a great travel companion and a trusted travel provider like Travelocity that makes it easy to just relax and enjoy by taking care of the details," said Ashley Parker, Director of Brand Marketing for Travelocity. "We are excited to see all of the creative ways that people will come up with as they show us why they are the perfect travel companion for the Roaming Gnome." Not a Tinder user? Not a problem. Entering the "Be My Gnomie" contest is as easy as following @RoamingGnome and @Travelocity on Instagram, and then submitting a photo or video post telling us why you would be the perfect travel companion, using the hashtag #BeMyGnomieContest. The winner will receive round trip business class airfare for himself/herself and a guest along with three nights each at three of the hottest new resorts in Montego Bay, Punta Cana, and Nassau. Full contest details are available at www.travelocity.com/bemygnomie. About Travelocity Travelocity encourages travelers to "Wander Wisely" and is dedicated to being the champion of the customer with its Customer 1st Guarantee, making the traveling experience both simple and memorable with competitive prices, 24/7 customer service and more. Based in Dallas, Texas, Travelocity is owned by Expedia, Inc., one of the world's leading travel companies, with an extensive brand portfolio that includes many of the world's leading online travel properties. 2017 Travelscape, LLC. All rights reserved. Travelocity, Roaming Gnome and the Star Design are trademarks of Travelscape, LLC. All other trademarks and logos are property of their respective owners. CST# 2083930-50 Contact Keith Nowak Travelocity 469-335-8670 [email protected] SOURCE Travelocity Related Links http://www.travelocity.com AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Epicor Software Corporation, a global provider of industry-specific enterprise software to promote business growth, today announced Transtar A/C Supply, Inc. has chosen the award-winning Epicor Prophet 21 software as its new enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution to achieve growth with enhanced tracking and reporting and maintain company culture. Our small business personality is our bread and butter. Prophet 21 software feels tailored to our company, right out of the box. With the Prophet 21 solution, our customers are getting the same experience at all of our branches, no matter the time of day or year. Its built for wholesale distribution and through the software well be able to establish our company culture further. - Joshua Pitt, Regional Director, AVP, Transtar A/C Supply, Inc. Transtar A/C Supply, Inc. is one of the leading wholesale distributors and exporters of air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration equipment in the greater Houston area. Transtar was established in 1984 from a small single location in Houston, and has now grown to eight locations in the area with over 160,000 square feet of warehousing facilities stocking over 2 million dollars in inventory. Transtar was looking for a solution that would allow the company to maintain the charm and personality of a small business while also offering the modern, big picture conveniences that a large corporation would have. "Our small business personality is our bread and butter," explained Joshua Pitt, regional director, AVP, Transtar A/C Supply, Inc. "Prophet 21 software feels tailored to our company, right out of the box. With the Prophet 21 solution, our customers are getting the same experience at all of our branches, no matter the time of day or year. It's built for wholesale distribution and through the software we'll be able to establish our company culture further." Detailed tracking and reporting to overcome the plateau Transtar had been steadily growing, but eventually reached a plateau. After assessing the situation, the company determined that their ERP software was holding them back and it did not have the dynamic functionality needed to take them to the next level. Along with maintaining company culture, Prophet 21 software will efficiently manage the company's inventory and warehouse. "We are most excited about the level of reporting and the ease of tracking that Prophet 21 software provides," said Pitt. "Through this tracking, we'll be able to run dynamic real time reports for purchasing, inventory, and everything else. We have a great staff and we're confident that they will make great use of the data that Prophet 21 will give us." "The Epicor Prophet 21 solution is a proven success for distributors of all sizes, and the software is becoming more powerful and valuable to companies that need a one-stop shop for their services," said Mark Jensen, director of product management, Epicor. "Prophet 21 software offers a combination of features and functionality that can accurately streamline processes. Pricing, inventory and even quoting becomes automated reducing time consumption." About Epicor Prophet 21 Leveraging a half-century of distribution industry knowledge and expertise, Epicor Prophet 21 software is an end-to-end distribution solution offering deep functionalityfrom open ecommerce platforms to mobile sales and field services, wireless sales counters and warehouses, advanced inventory management, and customer optimization tools. Visit the Epicor Prophet 21 solution hub to learn more. About Epicor Software Corporation Epicor Software Corporation drives business growth. We provide flexible, industry-specific software designed around the needs of our manufacturing, distribution, retail, and service industry customers. More than 40 years of experience with our customers' unique business processes and operational requirements are built into every solutionin the cloud or on premises. With this deep understanding of your industry, Epicor solutions manage complexity, increase efficiency, and free up resources so you can focus on growth. For more information, connect with Epicor or visit www.epicor.com. Epicor, the Epicor logo, and Prophet 21 are trademarks or registered trademarks of Epicor Software Corporation, registered in the United States and other countries. Other trademarks referenced are the property of their respective owners. The product and service offerings depicted in this document are produced by Epicor Software Corporation. Contact: Katie Chubb Public Relations Specialist Epicor Software Corporation +1 512 278 5365 [email protected] SOURCE Epicor Software Corporation Related Links http://www.epicor.com In 2011, Australian co-founders Simon & Lani te Hennepe created The Bali Bible as a way to share recommendations with friends. "When it first started it was us sharing our experience with friends, but we quickly realised there was a much bigger audience out there," says CEO & co-founder Simon te Hennepe. Leveraging the early popularity of social media platforms, The Bali Bible gained a tribe-like following by connecting travellers to share their experiences and inspire each other. "We were pretty surprised with how it took off, but could see something special happening. It makes so much sense that people want to connect over their travel experiences," comments co-founder Lani te Hennepe. Since then, The Bali Bible has grown to become the authority on Bali travel with well over 2 million monthly visits and 290,000 pages of user generated recommendations. The co-founders realised they were onto something special and quickly identified an opportunity. "There was no single, seamless travel platform that offered an end-to-end experience," says CEO & co-founder Simon te Hennepe. So they embarked on a journey to develop an evolved solution that would serve traveller needs at every stage. TRAVLR evolves current travel technology to meet modern traveller expectations and intends to disrupt the incumbent market. The TRAVLR team have bold plans to integrate blockchain functionality, artificial intelligence and augmented reality into the travel experience. TRAVLR operates in Bali and Fiji with plans to launch into New Zealand, Seychelles, Indonesia and Ibiza. TRAVLR secured its first round of funding from a syndicate of New Zealand investors via Suubee a platform connecting investors, traders, venture capitalists and entrepreneurs. 'We know from The Bali Bible that we can meaningfully improve the travel experience. We can't wait to launch TRAVLR across these new destinations where we can impact the lives of millions," says CEO Simon te Hennepe. www.travlr.com Media Contact Mitch Lawson [email protected] +61-4-0606-4438 SOURCE TRAVLR Pty Ltd Related Links http://www.travlr.com/ (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/611359/Eurozine.jpg ) Eurozine's focal point 'Disinformation and Democracy' combines empirical studies at national levels with theoretical discussion of the politics of post-truth; analyses of contemporary developments with intellectual and conceptual histories; and investigations of the political fringes, asking: what now constitutes democratic 'normality'? It's impossible to ignore Russia's role in these phenomena. Markus Wehner gives an overview of the strategy and techniques of Russian 'infowar'; Anton Shekhovtsov traces how far-right groups across Europe and the U.S. use Russian web-hosting to spread anti-western propaganda; and Daniel Leisegang assesses the effectiveness of Germany's new law on online hate speech and fake news, given the virtual migration to the Runet. Shifting the focus to eastern Europe, Milena Iakimova and Dimitar Vatsov explore how, in Bulgaria, Russian propaganda has co-opted western grassroots criticism of liberalism and globalization since 2013. They note: '[W]e were ... amazed when we started hearing the talking points identified by our study now coming from the mouth of the new U.S. President, Donald Trump.' From dialectical materialism to neoliberalism, any politics that lays claims to the truth is both illusory and dangerous, argues Jean-Claude Monod. Political scientist Joseph Uscinski explores the relationship between conspiracy theorizing and partisanship in the U.S., pointing out: '[I]f one wants to challenge mainstream wisdom, conspiracy theories are an excellent rhetorical device for doing so.' Providing historical perspective, Marci Shore compares western intellectuals' response to the disappointment of 'real-existing communism' with that of the dissidents who lived under it: can a radical concept of truth counter the threat of 'post-modern dictatorships'? And Valentin Groebner traces a thread of fakery in 'news' right back to the Middle Ages. All the focal point texts are available in English in Eurozine: http://www.eurozine.com/focal-points/disinformation-and-democracy/ This editorial collaboration within the Eurozine network continued via a series of panel discussions at the 28th European Meeting of Cultural Journals in Tartu, Estonia in October 2017. The discussions can be viewed on YouTube: http://bit.ly/2ADE5tg SOURCE Eurozine WASHINGTON, Nov. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- US companies were the big winners at the 2017 Dubai Airshow as UAE customers placed more than $44 billion in new orders for commercial aircraft and defense-related equipment and services. "US companies remain the preferred supplier for UAE commercial and military aviation requirements," said Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba. "US exports of commercial and military aircraft, services and equipment to the UAE make up the largest share of America's $19 billion trade surplus with the UAE." At the Airshow, Emirates Airline placed firm orders for 40 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner aircraft valued at $15.1 billion. According to the US Department of Commerce jobs multiplier, this order alone will support 78,000 US jobs both at Boeing and at its suppliers across the US. Also at the Airshow, UAE-based regional airline flydubai announced a separate $27 billion order for 225 Boeing 737 MAX Airplanes, the largest-ever single-aisle jet order by a Middle East carrier. flydubai operates an all-Boeing fleet of planes. "The UAE's airlines rely on Boeing airplanes to meet the growing demand for air travel in the region, and between the region and Asia, Africa, Europe and North America," said Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba. "Over the last decade, UAE customers have purchased over $150 billion in Boeing aircraft, supporting hundreds of thousands of American jobs." The 787-10 aircraft will be assembled at the Boeing facility in North Charleston, South Carolina and the 737s will be manufactured in Renton, Washington. Emirates is also the world's largest operator of Boeing 777 aircraft, and was the launch customer for the 777X. In 2013, Emirates announced the largest commercial airplane order in the history of US commercial aviation with commitments and purchase rights for a total of 200 Boeing 777X aircraft. According to Boeing data, it has delivered or has on order a total of 329 aircraft for Emirates. flydubai has a total of 361 Boeing 737s on its order books, with 63 planes already having been delivered. Abu-Dhabi-based Etihad currently flies 24 777 aircraft with 25 more on order, along with an $8.7 billion order for 787-10 aircraft first announced in 2013. Including the latest agreements, UAE airlines have received or have on order more than 800 Boeing aircraft, according to Boeing data. In the defense sector, the UAE agreed to a $1.6 billion deal with Lockheed Martin to upgrade the UAE Air Force's fleet of 80 F-16 fighter jets. The F-16 "Block 60" is regarded as the most advanced version of that aircraft ever produced, and it forms the backbone of the UAE Air Force's fleet. The UAE also announced a $684 million deal with Raytheon for precision-guided munitions. "The deals between UAE customers and US companies will support American jobs and help grow the US economy," said Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba. "The UAE is proud to partner with US manufacturers to create shared prosperity and advance our mutual security interests." Media Contact: Embassy of the United Arab Emirates +1 202-243-2448 SOURCE Embassy of the United Arab Emirates Related Links http://www.uae-embassy.org SAN ANTONIO, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- As an organization that respects the hard work of its employees both on the job and at home USAA is proud to be listed No. 15 on the 2017 Best Workplaces for Parents. The Great Place to Work ranking considered more than 440,000 employee surveys from organizations nationwide, including 50-plus factors that contribute to team members' success, with a strong emphasis on the well-being of co-workers raising children. USAA ranked No. 39 on last year's list. "We have listened to our employees and made strides in providing the flexibility, the benefits and the support they need to be their best at home and at work. As the needs of our employees evolve, so too must USAA," says Pat Teague, USAA Chief Human Resources Officer. "This recognition is evidence that we are on the right path and will continue to listen and respond to the needs of our employees." This acknowledgment comes on the heels of USAA's recent announcement to expand parental leave in order to give all new parents an additional 12 weeks of paid time off when a child joins the family by either birth or adoption. This leave is in addition to the existing vacation time and short-term disability options for employees. "I think the new policy strengthens USAA's ability to be a career destination and shows leadership within corporate America," says Kevin McAdams, a USAA employee and new father. "It is truly about USAA treating its employees with caring and empathy the very values that we can come back to work with and give to our members." By giving employees extended time to be with their families and strengthen their bonds, USAA is creating conditions for people to succeed. In fact, at the Best Workplaces, nine in 10 parents said they consider their positions more than "just a job," reflecting the dedication common among parents at the leading employers. USAA has long been recognized for its service and for being a top employer. This year, Great Place to Work and FORTUNE ranked USAA among the 100 Best Companies to Work For, Best Workplaces for Women and Best Workplaces for Millennials. About USAA: The USAA family of companies provides insurance, banking, investments, retirement products and advice to more than 12 million current and former members of the U.S. military and their families. Known for its legendary commitment to its members, USAA is consistently recognized for outstanding service, employee well-being and financial strength. USAA membership is open to all who are serving our nation in the U.S. military or have received a discharge type of Honorable and their eligible family members. Founded in 1922, USAA is headquartered in San Antonio. For more information about USAA, follow on Facebook or Twitter (@USAA), or visit usaa.com. About the Best Workplaces for Parents Great Place to Work based its ranking on a data-driven methodology applied to anonymous Trust Index survey responses from 443,258 employees at Great Place to Work-Certified organizations. To learn more about Great Place to Work Certification and recognition on Best Workplaces lists published with FORTUNE, visit Greatplacetowork.com. About Great Place to Work Great Place to Work is the global authority on high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures. Through its certification programs, Great Place to Work recognizes outstanding workplace cultures and produces the annual Fortune "100 Best Companies to Work For" and Great Place to Work Best Workplaces lists for Millennials, Women, Diversity, Small & Medium Companies, industries and, internationally, countries and regions. Through its culture consulting services, Great Place to Work helps clients create great workplaces that outpace peers on key business metrics like revenue growth, profitability, retention and stock performance. Learn more at Greatplacetowork.com and on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. SOURCE USAA Related Links http://www.usaa.com HOUSTON, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- 3esi-Enersight, the energy industry's most trusted provider of solutions for integrated strategy, planning and reserves, recently released its latest version of Val Nav 2017, the oil and gas industry's most powerful technical reserves and economics software. Built by engineers, for engineers, Val Nav is a completely integrated reserves management system that unifies company data and simplifies engineering workflows for decline analysis, forecasting, economics, reserves management and opportunity analysis. It features ground-breaking functionality that is changing the landscape of engineering workflows, including first-of-its-kind assisted forecasting. "The assisted forecasting algorithm in Val Nav makes light work of routine tasks, allowing teams to spend less time data mining and more time on in-depth analysis of large data-sets and trends," says Randy Freeborn, Research Fellow at 3esi-Enersight. "Our customers can run assisted forecasts with confidence. Ninety percent of the time the wells require no change at all and the remaining 10 percent are easily identified and just require a quick tweak." Val Nav's assisted forecasting algorithm lets users rapidly assess economic potential under various scenarios, allowing bulk screening of wells to support precise A&D evaluation, competitor activity assessment, type well generation and more. "Production forecasts are at the heart of every decision made, from acquisition to abandonment," said Cameron Zawalykut, product manager for Val Nav. "Multi-million dollar decisions are riding on the ability to efficiently evaluate oil and gas assets with speed and reliability, so it's imperative that forecasts are not only timely but also accurate." In addition to the industry's most established assisted forecasting algorithm, the latest version of Val Nav has improved petroleum economic calculation times up to 75 percent faster than previous benchmarks. Readers can learn more about Val Nav's assisted forecasting in the guide, "Trusting a 10-Minute A&D Evaluation," or they can watch a short video about the latest release of Val Nav 2017 here. About 3esi-Enersight: 3esi-Enersight is the E&P industry's leading provider of solutions for integrated strategy, planning and reserves, trusted by thousands of executives and technical decision makers in companies that include NOCs, Super Majors, Emerging Operators, investors and consultants. From corporate strategy and planning to operations, capital management and reserves, 3esi-Enersight solutions are deployed in every region of the globe, helping customers make better investment decisions across conventional, unconventional, onshore and offshore assets. For more information please contact: Jeremy Greene - VP Marketing, 3esi-Enersight Email: [email protected] Or Visit https://www.3esi-Enersight.com Related Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cc7e_P_-YIw SOURCE 3esi-Enersight Related Links http://www.3esi-Enersight.com VALLEY FORGE, Pa., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Vanguard today filed a registration statement for six new factor-based ETFs and one factor-based mutual fund, representing Vanguard's first introduction of actively managed ETFs in the U.S. The company currently offers suites of active factor ETFs in Canada and the United Kingdom. The new factor funds are expected to begin trading in the first quarter of 2018. Five single factor funds are designed for financial advisors and institutional investors seeking to achieve specific risk or return objectives through targeted factor exposures: minimum volatility, value, momentum, liquidity, and quality. The sixth ETF and fund will offer a multi-factor approach. Vanguard will employ an active, rules-based quantitative approach in managing the funds, which will also feature the traditional characteristic of all Vanguard fundslow cost. "Our factor-based fund offerings serve as a valuable extension of our low-cost active lineup, providing additional ways for suitable investors to help meet their long-term objectives by targeting exposure to specific factors in the market," said Vanguard Chief Investment Officer Greg Davis. "With Vanguard's actively managed, rules-based approach to factors, investors can now harness well-known factor exposure in a more transparent and low-cost way." The new suite of active factor offerings includes: Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation with lower volatility relative to the broad U.S. equity market. seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation with lower volatility relative to the broad U.S. equity market. Vanguard U.S. Value Factor ETF seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation by investing in stocks with relatively lower share prices relative to fundamental values. seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation by investing in stocks with relatively lower share prices relative to fundamental values. Vanguard U.S. Momentum Factor ETF seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation by investing in stocks with strong recent performance. seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation by investing in stocks with strong recent performance. Vanguard U.S. Liquidity Factor ETF seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation by investing in stocks with lower measures of trading liquidity. seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation by investing in stocks with lower measures of trading liquidity. Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation by investing in stocks with strong fundamentals. seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation by investing in stocks with strong fundamentals. Vanguard U.S. Multifactor ETF seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation by investing in stocks with relatively strong recent performance, strong fundamentals, and low prices relative to fundamentals. seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation by investing in stocks with relatively strong recent performance, strong fundamentals, and low prices relative to fundamentals. Vanguard U.S. Multifactor Fund seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation by investing in stocks with relatively strong recent performance, strong fundamentals, and low prices relative to fundamentals. The five single factor-based ETFs will have an estimated expense ratio of 0.13%; the Multifactor ETF and Multifactor Fund will have an estimated expense ratio of 0.18%. The Multifactor Fund will require a minimum initial investment of $50,000 for Admiral Shares. The risk of factor investing While factors have exhibited the potential for strong performance, there are a number of risks for investors to consider. Factor returns can be cyclical, and investors should be aware of the potential for periods of underperformance relative to the broad equity market. Implementing factors in a portfolio Factor investing can be used in a number of applications, including static tilts, active fund substitution, and portfolio completion. To assist advisors and institutional investors, Vanguard published Equity factor-based investing: A practitioner's guide, which offers a primer on the suitability and key portfolio construction considerations of factor investing. Experienced Vanguard equity team to manage funds Vanguard Quantitative Equity Group (QEG), which has more than 25 years of quantitative investment management experience, will serve as investment advisor to the funds. QEG currently manages nearly $35 billion in assets across more than 35 mandates, including all Vanguard factor funds offered to investors abroad and the firm's first active U.S. factor mutual fund, Vanguard Global Minimum Volatility Fund, which was launched in December 2013. About Vanguard Vanguard is one of the world's largest investment management companies. As of October 31, 2017, Vanguard managed $4.8 trillion in global assets. The firm, headquartered in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, offers more than 371 funds to its more than 20 million investors worldwide. For more information, visit vanguard.com. All figures as of October 31, 2017, unless otherwise noted. A registration statement relating to the fund and ETFs has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission but has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of, these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state. For more information about Vanguard funds and ETFs, visit advisors.vanguard.com or call 800-662-7447 to obtain a prospectus or, if available, a summary prospectus. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information about a fund are contained in the prospectus; read and consider it carefully before investing. Copies of the final prospectus can be obtained from Vanguard. Please note that a preliminary prospectus is subject to change. Vanguard ETF Shares are not redeemable with the issuing Fund other than in very large aggregations worth millions of dollars. Instead, investors must buy and sell Vanguard ETF Shares in the secondary market and hold those shares in a brokerage account. In doing so, the investor may incur brokerage commissions and may pay more than net asset value when buying and receive less than net asset value when selling. U.S. Patent Nos. 6,879,964; 7,337,138; 7,720,749; 7,925,573; 8,090,646; and 8,417,623. Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor of the Vanguard Funds. All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest. SOURCE Vanguard Related Links http://www.vanguard.com BUFFALO, N.Y., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- To celebrate Giving Tuesday, a global day to give back, M&T Bank announced Waggies by Maggie & Friends has been awarded the $10,000 grand prize in its first-ever Understanding What's Important Business Challenge, an initiative that celebrates local businesses and the organizations they support to make a difference in their communities. Four other finalist community organizations each received $1,000. Waggies by Maggie & Friends is a Wilmington, Delaware-based nonprofit dog treat company that provides meaningful employment opportunities for persons with intellectual disabilities. They plan to invest the $10,000 prize into additional equipment to improve their baking process in order to grow and offer more life-changing work experiences to people in their community. With the Understanding What's Important Business Challenge, M&T Bank invited local businesses to share their stories about community organizations that are important to them. Janssen's Market, a gourmet supermarket in Greenville, Delaware and the first retail store to carry Waggies dog treats, entered the challenge and nominated Waggies for the opportunity to win a $10,000 gift of support from M&T. "At M&T Bank, we understand the impact that local businesses have on our communities. They create jobs, drive economic growth, and improve quality of life by giving back to local charities and nonprofit organizations," said Eric Feldstein, M&T Bank senior vice president and manager of business banking. "We launched the Understanding What's Important Business Challenge to celebrate the community impact of local businesses, and we are so pleased to congratulate Waggies by Maggie & Friends and Janssen's Market as well as all of the organizations that took part in this initiative for all they do to make their communities the best they can be." M&T received nearly 500 submissions from businesses throughout its geographic footprint. Five were selected as finalists, and the public was given an opportunity to vote online for their favorite of the five finalist organizations. More than 20,000 votes were cast to help determine the winning organization. In addition to the $10,000 prize for Waggies, M&T awarded $1,000 prize grants today to the remaining four finalists, which included: To learn more about the grand-prize winner, the four finalist organizations and their nominating businesses, visit: https://bank.mtb.com/BusinessContest The grand-prize winner was selected based upon independent scoring criteria that most heavily weighed the public vote and also considered other key factors, including the impact of the prize money, why the community organization is important to the nominating business and the business' involvement with the organization. Founded in November 2007, Waggies by Maggie & Friends produces all-natural dog treats, while empowering people with intellectual disabilities to be successful in their workplace and in the community. Over the last 10 years, Janssen's Market has helped them buy equipment, design packaging for retail distribution and offered ongoing business advice and support. Their long-term relationship is a textbook example of the community impact M&T hoped to highlight with its business challenge. To learn more about Waggies, visit http://waggies.org. M&T's business banking team is committed to "Understanding What's Important" to each of its business customers. Whether it's expanding the company, hiring more workers, investing in new equipment or supporting nonprofit organizations in their community, M&T works alongside local businesses to help them achieve their goals and foster long-term success. About M&T Bank M&T is a financial holding company headquartered in Buffalo, New York. M&T's principal banking subsidiary, M&T Bank, operates banking offices in New York, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. Trust-related services are provided by M&T's Wilmington Trust-affiliated companies and by M&T Bank. 2017 M&T Bank. Member FDIC. SOURCE M&T Bank Corporation Related Links http://www.mandtbank.com NEW YORK and TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) and the New York City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (NYCHCC) announced today that WellCare of New York was awarded the inaugural Anthony Chiarelli Employment Engagement Award in honor of its "successful practices [that] have provided compelling results on the value of diversity in corporate America." Alex Diaz, senior manager of Medicaid Sales for WellCare, accepted the award on behalf of the company on Nov. 9 during the NYCHCC 2017 Relief Mission to Puerto Rico in San Juan. While in Puerto Rico, he joined staff from the YMCA of Santurce to assist with clean-up and restoration. NYCHCC is dedicated to representing and advocating for Hispanic businesses in New York City in a cohesive and collective way. The organization helps to ensure the success of Hispanic businesses and the community they serve. The Anthony Chiarelli Employment Engagement Award recognizes companies that understand employee engagement is a critical asset in the efforts to expand consumer segments while developing talent and recruiting the best employees. "We are privileged to have members like WellCare of New York on our team. They continuously show their support and commitment to the Hispanic community, especially in times of need. The Employment Engagement Award was well deserved as WellCare's corporate practices are a model worth emulating," said Cindy Estrada, NYCHCC executive director. As home to more than 1 million Puerto Ricans, many New Yorkers had family members impacted by the destruction caused this fall by Hurricane Maria. To support this community, Dr. Sander Koyfman, WellCare of New York's behavioral health behavioral health medical director, joined the Dominican Medical-Dental Community Outreach Society to deliver medical supplies and services to the island. In addition, associates provided water and other supplies for relief efforts. "WellCare of New York is honored to be the recipient of the Anthony Chiarelli Employment Engagement Award. Our culture is built around doing the right thing to keep the trust of those we serve and with whom we work," said John J. Burke, WellCare's state president in New York. "This honor recognizes the efforts of our entire team to help our communities live better, healthier lives." The award is named for Anthony "Tony" Chiarelli, who passed away April 2017 after battling leukemia. A WellCare of New York marketing community outreach manager, Chiarelli worked closely with elected officials, community organizations, the New York Police Department, and others throughout the Northeast to help ensure residents have the resources to achieve the best possible health outcomes. As of Sept. 30, 2017 WellCare serves approximately 138,000 Medicaid members, 89,000 Medicare Advantage members, 57,000 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan members and 6,000 Managed Long Term Care members in New York. About WellCare Health Plans, Inc. Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) focuses exclusively on providing government-sponsored managed care services, primarily through Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, to families, children, seniors and individuals with complex medical needs. WellCare serves approximately 4.3 million members nationwide as of Sept. 30, 2017. For more information about WellCare, please visit the company's website at www.wellcare.com or view the company's videos at https://www.youtube.com/user/WellCareHealthPlan. SOURCE WellCare Health Plans, Inc. Related Links http://www.wellcare.com Western ranks among the best in value for higher education and currently attracts students from around the world, including Japan, China, Korea, and Vietnam. Nestled between multicultural cities of Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia, Western is located in the small city of Bellingham, giving students the opportunity to discover their passion in a vibrant location with a strong sense of community. Students have the option of exploring more than 160 different degree programs in top fields like environmental studies, engineering, computer science, economics and more. Boasting a 95% undergraduate student population, students develop meaningful relationships with faculty, contributing to world-class research and building their resumes with companies including Microsoft, Tesla, Amazon, Boeing, NASA and more. Their rigorous academics are complemented by the vast outdoor recreation offered in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. "We are incredibly excited about our partnership with Western Washington University," states Dr. Emily Williams Knight, Managing Director for Study Group Higher Education North America. "As our first partner on the U.S.' West Coast, we know this will be an attractive opportunity for international students. Western provides the perfect environment for students' self-discovery and with the quality of Western's programs; we know these students will be successful." "Study Group shares our value in putting students first and supporting the success of all students," states Dr. Sabah Randhawa, President of Western Washington University. "Adding their more than 24 years of international experience serving students, this partnership will provide greater resources to our campus community. We look forward to welcoming new international students in 2018." Study Group will provide global marketing and recruitment along with admissions and student services to grow and support the international student population at Western Washington University. 1 Source: U.S. News & World Report, 2018 About Western Washington University Western Washington University emphasizes excellence in undergraduate education and graduate programs. The third-largest university in the state, WWU offers degrees in more than 160 programs through its seven colleges. More than 15,000 students attend Western, which U.S. News & World Report has consistently ranked as the top public master's-granting university in the Pacific Northwest. Western serves the local community, state and region through partnerships, innovative research, mentoring and community service activities. About Study Group For the latest up to date information on Study Group please visit: corporate.studygroup.com For further information or interview opportunities, please contact: Joe Monastero Global Head of Marketing, Study Group Higher Education North America [email protected] +1 212 497 8384 SOURCE Study Group Related Links http://www.studygroup.com ZURICH and NEW YORK, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- White Tale Holdings ("White Tale") was disappointed by the recent statement of the Board of Clariant on November 24, 2017. Only days prior, we traveled to Zurich to meet with members of the Board of Clariant for the first time, in good faith, to discuss our views and reiterate our commitment to the long-term future of the company. Unfortunately, it now appears, the less than two-hour meeting was perfunctory as we later learned of their response in the media. As the largest shareholder of Clariant, currently holding over 20%, White Tale has been consistent in both private conversations and in our public statements about the need for a thorough, independent review of all strategic alternatives. We have never advocated the break up of the company despite the false claims by Clariant. As we have said before, White Tale is committed, as long-term investors, to the success of Clariant, its employees and all shareholders. We look forward to bringing these matters to shareholders directly. Media Contact Edwin van der Geest Dynamics Group AG Tel +41 43 268 32 30 [email protected] SOURCE White Tale Holdings KANSAS CITY, Mo., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Angel, a new comprehensive national study released today, provides a detailed picture of angel investors, who they are, where they live, and how they make investment decisions. Key findings include: Angels are still predominantly men, but the number of women angels has been increasing 22 percent of angels are women and 30 percent of new angels are women; Angels are based everywhere, not just in the Silicon Valley, Boston and New York ; and ; Most angels are experienced entrepreneurs; Median investment size is $25,000 ; and ; and A typical angel has a portfolio of 11 companies, with large variation depending on how long the angel has been investing. "Without angels, most high-growth startups wouldn't start," says Marianne Hudson, executive director of the Angel Capital Association. "But until now, there was very little data on angels and how they make investment decisions." The American Angel report is based on a comprehensive survey of 1,659 accredited angel investors in the U.S., led by Laura Huang, assistant professor of management and entrepreneurship at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Huang and a team of researchers designed and implemented the study in collaboration with the Angel Capital Association and Rev1 Ventures, which raised the John Huston Fund for Angel Professionalism to fund this research. Hudson explains that angels play a unique, vital role in business creation. "After tapping family and friends, startups look to angels to provide 90 percent of outside equity. They invest about $25 billion in more than 70,000 companies every year. Angels invest their own money and support startups very early in their development." "Angels are a particularly important group of investors that provide critical early-stage funding, and yet they are understudied compared with venture capitalists and other later-stage investors. We knew little about how angels in the U.S. made their investments and who they are, and our study sheds light on these important questions," says Huang. Highlights of The American Angel include: Angels are everywhere: Most angel investors (63 percent) don't live in Silicon Valley, New York or Boston , the traditional homes of venture capital. The American Angel reports that angels in those three communities write smaller checks than angels elsewhere (average of $32,000 vs. $37,000 ). Most angel investors (63 percent) don't live in Silicon Valley, or , the traditional homes of venture capital. The American Angel reports that angels in those three communities write smaller checks than angels elsewhere (average of vs. ). Entrepreneurs become angels and are especially active : More than half of angels (54.8 percent) have experience as entrepreneurs and often advise the startups they invest in, informally or as board members. Angel investors with entrepreneurial experience write bigger checks, an average of $39,000 vs. an average of $28,000 for angels without entrepreneurial experience. They also have more companies in their angel portfolios and see better returns. : More than half of angels (54.8 percent) have experience as entrepreneurs and often advise the startups they invest in, informally or as board members. Angel investors with entrepreneurial experience write bigger checks, an average of vs. an average of for angels without entrepreneurial experience. They also have more companies in their angel portfolios and see better returns. More women are becoming angels: Women comprise 22 percent of angel investors in the study. The American Angel results indicate that number is growing. Among respondents who began investing since 2015, 30 percent are women. In comparison, other studies have shown 5 to 8 percent of venture capitalists are women. Women comprise 22 percent of angel investors in the study. The American Angel results indicate that number is growing. Among respondents who began investing since 2015, 30 percent are women. In comparison, other studies have shown 5 to 8 percent of venture capitalists are women. Women invest differently than men: 51 percent of women respondents consider gender of business founders to be important when making investment decisions (compared to 6 percent of men). "This indicates that women are seeking to support women entrepreneurs," says Huang. 51 percent of women respondents consider gender of business founders to be important when making investment decisions (compared to 6 percent of men). "This indicates that women are seeking to support women entrepreneurs," says Huang. Another gender difference: twice as many women as men reported they strongly consider social impact of a startup when making investment decisions (33 percent for women vs. 16 percent for men.) Both men and women angels agree that the quality of the founding team is the most important consideration when investing. Eyes-open risk takers: Angels said an average of 11 percent of their portfolio yielded a positive return. "That number is consistent with other studies that have shown 5 to 10 percent of angel investments yield a positive return for angels," says Huang. "A deeper dive shows that where startups have been sold or gone public, 39 percent yielded positive returns for the angel investor." Find detailed results at www.theamericanangel.org. The American Angel report is the first in a series of on-line and print resources from the Angel Capital Association developed to provide in-depth data on angel investment activities. Sign up HERE for updates. About Angel Capital Association The Angel Capital Association (ACA) is the professional association of angel investors across North America and offers education, best practices, public policy advocacy, and significant benefits and resources to its membership of more than 13,000 accredited investors, who invest individually or through its 260 angel groups, accredited platforms, and family offices. About Penn Wharton Entrepreneurship and the Wharton School Founded in 1881 as the first collegiate business school, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is recognized globally for intellectual leadership and ongoing innovation across every major discipline of business education. With a broad global community and one of the most published business school faculties, Wharton creates economic and social value around the world. The school has 5,000 undergraduate, MBA, executive MBA, and doctoral students; more than 9,000 participants in executive education programs annually and a powerful alumni network of 96,000 graduates. Wharton Entrepreneurship is widely considered one the most influential centers of entrepreneurship in the world. The Wharton School was the first to develop a fully integrated curriculum of entrepreneurial studies in 1973. Today the Goergen Entrepreneurial Management Program, named in honor of Wharton alumnus and benefactor, Robert Goergen (1962 MBA alumnus) is one of the largest entrepreneurial teaching programs available, offering more than 20 courses to some 2,000 students and entrepreneurs. The faculty of over 20 professors and practitioners teach courses for undergraduate and graduate students and guide initiatives for entrepreneurs. About Rev1 Ventures Rev1 Ventures is a venture fund that helps entrepreneurs build great companies. Combining investment capital with a unique blend of services through our startup studio, we propel innovation for startups and corporate innovation teams. Named a top VC investor in the Great Lakes Region, Rev1 manages a continuum of financial support from corporate and community partners, as well as the Ohio Third Frontier. Rev1 was named the Most Active VC in Ohio in 2017 by CB Insights. The American Angel report was financed by the John Huston Fund for Angel Professionalism, a charitable fund raised by Rev1 Ventures. For more information, visit http://www.rev1ventures.com. Media Contact: Mary Ellen Amodeo 612-963-5797 [email protected] SOURCE Angel Capital Association Related Links http://www.theamericanangel.org TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- WilsonHCG, a global leader of innovative talent solutions, today celebrates Marisol Hughes, Executive Vice President of People Operations and General Counsel, and Crystal Kardys, Vice President, Innovation and Organizational Effectiveness, who were honored by Profiles in Diversity Journal. Ms. Hughes has received the publication's 10th annual Diversity Leader Award, while Ms. Kardys has been named a 2017 Women Worth Watching Award Winner. Ms. Kardys and Ms. Hughes are the fourth and fifth WilsonHCG women leaders to be nominated and recognized by Profiles in Diversity Journal. "Crystal and Marisol embody our DNA here at WilsonHCG. They are collaborative, filled with integrity, take pride and ownership in their work, and are highly passionate about the commitments we as a company make to each client," said John Wilson, WilsonHCG CEO. "We're thrilled to see Crystal and Marisol recognized by industry peers for their empowering, truly innovative achievements." The 10th annual Diversity Leader Award celebrates industry innovators who approach organizational challenges and opportunities through the lens of inspiring both diversity and inclusion. Ms. Hughes leads two dynamic support departments: legal and HR (internally branded as People & Culture). Within the HR focus of her position, she is responsible for developing and executing the talent, development and people strategy that supports WilsonHCG's greater business and strategic direction. Ms. Hughes serves as a strategic advisor to CEO, John Wilson, and her primary goal is, each day, to serve as a champion for WilsonHCG employees while empowering, communicating and supporting WilsonHCG's mission. She is an active member of the Florida Bar Association and holds a Juris Doctor degree and an MBA. The 16th annual Women Worth Watching honor sets out to celebrate leading women executives for their initiative and achievements; women of purpose and drive who represent diversity within their spheres of influence, and focusing on each executive's unique and personal contributions to the international business community. Over the past six years, Ms. Kardys has grown from recruiter to currently leading WilsonHCG's global innovation strategy; this includes identifying and preparing inventive client solutions including advanced analytics, recruitment technology, recruitment strategy and implementation management. Ms. Kardys is the originator and driver of WilsonHCG's renowned Fortune 500 Top 100 Brands report, with the fifth annual report set to be released at the beginning of 2018. With Ms. Kardys' role in mind, as WilsonHCG seeks to drive innovation in recruitment and talent technologies, this month the company released its newest report, HR and Talent Technology: The Journey to Automation. The complimentary piece can be accessed at the link. About WilsonHCG Wilson Human Capital Group, Inc., (WilsonHCG) is a global leader in innovative talent solutions that operates on the principle of providing true partnership to our clients. Through our highly configurable Talent Ecosystem model, we transform the talent function into a strategic advantage. At WilsonHCG, the relationships we develop lead to the results our clients realize. Better People, Better Business. CONTACT: Richard Ward, 715.214.9144, [email protected] SOURCE WilsonHCG Related Links http://www.wilsonhcg.com GREENBELT, Md., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Jordan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC) and X Energy, LLC (X-energy) announced today they have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for assessing X-energy's advanced nuclear reactor - the Xe-100 and its potential for deployment in Jordan. Dr. Kam Ghaffarian, Chief Executive Officer X-energy stated, "I am honored and excited about this MOU with JAEC. Delivery of our Xe-100 for electricity, water desalination and other thermal applications in Jordan represents a breakthrough for the advanced nuclear reactor industry. The people of Jordan stand to benefit by using our technology. This was the very reason I founded X-energy." "As we work to bring our Xe-100 to markets worldwide, we will continue to create alliances with other potential customers that share the Kingdom of Jordan's goal for clean air, fresh water and energy security," Dr. Ghaffarian continued. "This MOU is a demonstration of our commitment to provide distributed and clean energy solutions to countries like Jordan. The United States of America has always been a beacon of light for civil nuclear power innovation." Dr. Khaled Toukan, Chairman JAEC said, "The HTR's potential once implemented provides Jordan with opportunities that include both electric generation and non-electric utilizations such as water desalination and industrial applications and is the nexus between 3rd and 4th generation technologies." About X-energy X-energy is an advanced nuclear reactor design and TRISO-based fuel fabrication company. X-energy is developing an innovative nuclear power plant design solution. The Xe-100 is a 200MWt (76MWe) high temperature gas-cooled pebble bed modular reactor that requires less time to construct, uses factory-produced components, cannot melt down, and is "walk-away" safe without operator intervention. In concert with Xe-100 design, X-energy is actively producing TRISO-based fuel forms and will implement pilot manufacturing capabilities starting in 2018. Reactor and fuel activities are supported by $40M in private investment and a five-year $53M U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Reactor Concept Cooperative Agreement award. Twitter: @xenergynuclear; Facebook: facebook.com/xenergynuclear, www.x-energy.com About Jordan Atomic Energy Commission (JAEC) JAEC is a government entity of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan established under Law No. 42 in 2007, with the 2008 amendment empowering it to lead the development and implementation of nuclear strategy and to manage the nuclear program in the country. JAEC directed the implementation of several key and notable projects in Jordan including the Sub-Critical Assembly, the exploration of Uranium in Central Jordan, and The Jordan Research and Training Reactor (JRTR) - Jordan's first nuclear reactor. Current projects JAEC is managing include the Uranium Mining project in Central Jordan and the Nuclear Power Plant Projects under development including SMRs. Contact: Melanie White Lyons [email protected] 301.363.2839 @xenergynuclear SOURCE X-energy Related Links http://www.x-energy.com The Poznan location has already sparked franchise interest in Europe with one contract now signed for a location in Warsaw, as well as Ziebart franchises planning to open in other countries soon. The new Warsaw franchisee is set to open its doors in March of 2018. Ziebart International Corporation is headquartered in Troy, MI, representing a global franchise network of vehicle protection and appearance services for nearly 60 years. The company was founded on rust protection in 1959 and operates approximately 400 licensed locations with 950 service centers in 33 countries. Ziebart is the world's leading name in automotive services that renew, protect, preserve, and enhance the appearance of cars and trucks. Ziebart offers a full line of appearance and protection services for both the interior and exterior of vehicles, including Professional Detailing, Window Tint, Ceramic Z-Gloss Paint Coating, Z-Shield Paint Protection Film, Vehicle Wraps, genuine Ziebart Rust Protection and Undercoating, Sprayed-on Bed Liners, Truck Accessories and much more. Visit www.ziebart.com for more information. Media contact: Larisa Walega Ziebart International Corporation (248) 837-3941 [email protected] SOURCE Ziebart International Corporation Related Links http://www.ziebart.com Since launching in early 2017, Zippity has performed thousands of services across New Hampshire using its custom, 4-season mobile service trailers, smart key drop system, and online service management dashboard. With rising demand from Boston area employers, Zippity launched additional service trailers in November and has already begun servicing Massachusetts commuters as they prepare their cars for winter. "Zippity is dedicated to providing world class service for our customers at the place that is most convenient for them: their workplace. We are looking forward to bringing convenient and reliable car maintenance to the Boston community, especially around the holidays when families should be spending their free time together, not waiting for their car at the auto shop," said Henry Ebosh, Zippity's Head of Operations. Zippity provides a range of car maintenance services, delivered by Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Certified technicians inside the mobile service trailer at employer sites. Zippity customers receive a free 12 Point Health Check with every service and can manage their services online at www.zippitycars.com. Other services provided in the Zippity service trailer include: Conventional & Synthetic Oil Changes Battery Inspections & Replacements Brake Inspections & Replacements Cabin & Engine Air Filter Replacements Wiper & Bulb Replacements Health Checks & Diagnostics: Belts, Hoses, Steering, Suspension, Tires, Check Engine Light About Zippity: Zippity provides convenient on-site car maintenance services for employees at their workplaces. Using its custom, four-season mobile service trailers and online service management technology, Zippity has performed thousands of high quality mechanical services for customers across New England. For more information, please visit www.zippitycars.com. Press Inquiries: Kate Hitchner Marketing Director [email protected] 978-505-9062 SOURCE Zippity Related Links http://www.zippitycars.com The NSW foreign investor land surcharge will increase to 2 percent per annum (from 0.75 percent per annum) with effect from 31 December 2017 for the 2018 land tax year. The land tax surcharge was introduced in NSW with effect from 1 January 2017 to be imposed on owners of residential land who are 'foreign persons'. The surcharge also extends to trusts that own residential land which have beneficiaries that are 'foreign persons'. The land tax surcharge provisions are very broad and will catch discretionary trusts if the trust deed has a broad definition of beneficiaries, which is typical of most discretionary trust deeds. Lawyers Meyer Vandenberg have warned "in this global age, given the wide class of beneficiaries," there is a high chance that a family member includes someone of international origins who is not an Australian or New Zealand citizen. If any of these potential family members themselves meet the definition of 'foreign person' or invest in a company that meets the definition of a 'foreign person', and the trust owns residential land in NSW, then the trustee is liable for the land tax surcharge. "Our federal politicians are having to re-look at their family origins (though to confirm their eligibility for holding office!)," Meyer Vandenberg told its clients. "It is a timely reminder to also consider reviewing your discretionary trust deed and your family situation. "If the trust owns residential land in NSW or is considering owning residential land in NSW in the near future, it is worthwhile getting advice." Interest for childcare centres continues unabated, with more properties under the asset class sold so far in 2017 than previously. A recent analysis by commercial real estate agency Burgess Rawson of its sales over the past seven years shows 65 properties have been sold in 2017 so far, higher than previously. The average yield has risen to more than 5.5%, their report says. Burgess Rawson, which has nearly three-quarters of the market share for childcare centre sales in Australia, says in a new report that average yields have fallen to 5.84% in the year to date from 7.58% since 2013. Burgess Rawsons director Billy Holderhead was quoted by the Australian Property Journal as saying that unlike other property sectors where a surge in supply would normally result in an oversupply and push yields higher, childcare investment yields have declined further. Supply increased a massive 550% between 2013 and 2014, yet yields compressed further by 10% from 7.58% to 6.89%. The sales history shows that despite increased supply, compression yields and greater price volumes continued. Therefore equilibrium, where demand is met, in our opinion has not been reached, he said in the article carried on Burgess Rawsons website. We see this trajectory continuing into the foreseeable future. Even the collapse of ABC Learning Centres has not dented the popularity of childcare centres, with 96% of all ABC centres now assigned to Goodstart, a consortium of The Benevolent Society, Mission Australia, the Brotherhood of St Laurence and Social Ventures Australia. Burgess Rawsons associate director Adam Thomas said childcare centres truly are one of the few remaining set and forget property investments, with strong similarities to supermarkets in a previous era when leases were more favourable to landlords. This shows the core fundamentals are there, he added. In the last five years, rents have surged too. Rents range from $1,500 and $6,000 per childcare place, per year, with metropolitan centres sold this year averaging $3,000 per place, according to Burgess Rawson. Five years back, the metro range was nearly $2,000 and has now climbed to the high $3,000s. Earlier this year, a record low yield was set at an auction in Sydney when a 36-place G8 Childcare centre property (picture above) in Vaucluse sold for $4.425 million on a yield of 3.57%. Another research by Ray White, Between The Lines: WA Child Care , says the child care market as an income producing asset class has grown in appeal across the East Coast for the two years with a push into the Western Australian market has heated up during the second half of 2017. It says high supply over the last five years in the East Coast was realised due to the large increases in population and the undersupply of facilities, in more recent times its heavily subsidised income stream has not gone unnoticed by savvy investors, it says. The prospects for childcare centres looks secure with the federal government projected to spend $8.8 billion in 2018/19 and as much as $10 billion by 2020, according to Burgess Rawson childcare specialist Michael Vanstone. The government predicts this investment will return 90,000 parents back to the workforce, which will add $3.1 billion to the economy, adds the Burgess Rawson report. The Ray White report, which focuses on WA, says the market there is still in its supply phase with a high volume of stock recently entering the market and a pipeline in the works. Researchers Vanessa Vader and Stephen Harrison say the demand for childcare centres is high as investors can see the value and attractive yields still on offer. Added to that is the ease of funding for child care assets. A new fast food and Caltex service station in NSWs Goulburn with long leases to Woolworths and Red Rooster fetched $4,530,000 at Burgess Rawsons portfolio auction. The yield on the sale was a strong 5.06 percent. It was sold to a Chinese investor with settlement yet to be registered. The 180 Hume Street property is on a large 4,317 sqm corner site surrounded by Bunnings, McDonalds, Subway and Shell. There is a 15 year lease to Woolworths that started in 2017 and has options till 2052. Fast-food chain Red Rooster is on a 10 year leases that started in 2017 and has options till 2047. It is opposite the Big Merino tourist pit-stop landmark. The development was completed in 2017 and comes with depreciation benefits. The total net income from the property is $229,073 pa + GST.qm. The selling agents were Simon Staddon and Darren Beehag at auction in June this year. Back in 2013, a local investor Rodney Thompson had bought the site for just over $1 million, and over the past four years he redeveloped it into a Red Rooster outlet and Woolworths Caltex service station, according to the Goulburn Post. It's been an exciting few years for Australian crane-spotters, but the peak is now in, at least for the residential sector. In fact, the most active quarter for residential building work done was all the way back in June 2016; it just mightn't feel that way if you live in Sydney. Looking at the value of work done on new houses, the uplift through this cycle only looks moderately impressive, with a steady contraction underway, broadly since 2015. Of course, this cycle has been far more notable for the record building of higher density projects. This dynamic has helped to address an inherent undersupply of capital city housing, especially in a number of inner suburban areas where land availability had previously been limited. Crane your neck...the peak is in Jonathan Kearns from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) noted in a speech this week that attached dwelling approvals have soared from less than half those of detached dwellings under a decade ago, to almost on par across recent years. The annual number of attached dwellings approved peaked more than a year ago back in the September quarter of 2016, but with longer build times there can be a risk that completions peak just as the residential market turns down. If it feels as though Sydney developers are still building new townhouses and apartments like the clappers, then this is well borne out by the statistics. Indeed, New South Wales is propping up the national figures, although even here the peak is probably imminent. In Victoria, attached building activity levels have been fairly flat now for about one and a half years, while in both Queensland and Western Australia activity has been falling quite significantly throughout 2017. The scale on this chart matches that for detached housing, and shows how Sydney has shifted markedly towards higher density living over the past two decades (while Melbourne has simply seen lots of dwellings built of all types, both in the inner city and on the urban fringe). Shift in composition Brisbane's dwelling stock historically comprised only a very small share of apartments, but the total stock of attached dwellings has now lifted by more than one-third since 2015, which is remarkable, with completions set to peak this year. Perth has also seen a strong uplift from a comparatively small stock of existing units. Despite this, the RBA speech noted that apartments in Perth and Brisbane have witnessed only small median price falls in recent years. To date there have not been widespread reports of valuations at settlement being lower than off the plan purchase prices, nor has there been a marked increase in settlement failures or arrears. The RBA also noted that purchases by foreign buyers accounted for just 10-15% of new construction (and about a quarter of new apartments), which intuitively feels low, although the share is higher in Sydney and Melbourne. Of these offshore buyers, about hailed from China. Although residential building is now turning down, to date the downturn has been only moderate. Moreover, there is also now a strong pipeline of infrastructure projects, especially in New South Wales, which might help to explain why the reported monthly unemployment rate of only 3.9% for Greater Sydney has not been lower since 2005. Wooroonooran Falls, a rural estate in Far North Queensland, is the latest to be swept up in the Bitcoin sales process. The innovative listing follows one in Melbourne earlier in the week where the vendor of a home in The Basin was willing to accept a part Bitcoin payment. The vendor of Wooroonooran Falls however, at the foot of Mt Bellenden Ker, is happy to take the full transaction in Bitcoin. The 32 hectare Babinda estate with Queenslander homestead and its own waterfall has been listed for $1.2 million, or 100 Bitcoin, with their recent valuation climbing to around $12,000 per Bitcoin. The home is steeped in history. It was owned by one of the first settlers in the area, the Hon. Victor Nelson Hood, the nephew of Lord Nelson and the Godson of Queen Victoria. The four bedroom, one bathroom Queenslander was built in 1948. Views from the front verandah look over the sugar cane fields. LJ Hooker Cairns South agent Cheyenne Morrison told The Cairns Post the vendor heavily researched Bitcoin before making the decision. After extensive research the seller has decided that the digital currency offers significant chance of appreciation over the coming weeks, and buyers at the current price would get a discount on the asking price by paying in Bitcoin, Morrison said. Morrison told the Cairns Post that listing the property through Bitcoin opened up a whole new market of potential buyers. I believe this will be the first property advertised for sale via Bitcoin in Cairns, the agent said. If you are new to iQ you can schedule a demo and learn more about this opportunity. PSFK iQ - Where Innovators Turn for Research. Our professional-grade research platform is designed specifically for Retail and CX leaders who want to know whats next. Whether youre staying current on trends or need a real-time research partner to help you get ahead, count on PSFK iQ to deliver the info you need to make your next move. Netflix hit House of Cards has extended its production hiatus to 8 December, in the wake of star Kevin Spacey being accused of sexual misconduct. The drama is in the middle of production for its sixth and final season. According to a letter sent to cast and crew by series producers Media Rights Capital, the shows writers are exploring ways to eliminate Spaceys character from the programme. Spacey was fired from the production and all future Netflix projects on 3 November while the investigation into his conduct continues.These last two months have tested and tried all of us in ways none of us could have foreseen, the letter, obtained by Variety , reads. The one thing we have learned throughout this process is that this production is bigger than just one person and we could not be more proud to be associated with one of the most loyal and talented production cast and crews in this business.It added: We continue to work with Netflix with the hope of resuming production soon. As we continue these discussions, we have determined together that the crew will be paid for an additional two-week hiatus beginning on November 27th and continuing through December 8th. Moscow may increasingly look toward private military companies (PMCs), known in Russia as Chastnye Voennie Companiy (ChVK), to exert plausibly deniable and economically and politically sustainable military influence abroad, according to experts speaking to The Cipher Brief. Unlike relying on proxies such as ragtag local militias or organized criminal groups in conflicts such as in Continue reading "A Wolf in Mercenary Clothing? Russian Private Contractors as Gray Zone Tool" Simply accepting the stress of finals week does not help students or professors, but making systematic changes as to dates when projects are assigned and due while giving students periods to themselves can help reduce the stress. Martinsville is building a new police station. What you need to know. YEREVAN -- An Armenian court has convicted a former commander of separatist forces in Nagorno-Karabakh of weapons smuggling and money laundering and sentenced him to six years in prison. The November 28 verdict against Samvel Babayan followed a trial that his allies in the opposition to President Serzh Sarkisian's government charge was politically motivated. The court in Yerevan also sentenced two of Babayan's co-defendants to prison sentences -- one to two years and one to three years -- while the other four received suspended sentences. Babayan was the top commander of ethnic Armenian forces in Azerbaijan's Nagorno-Karabakh region from 1993 to 1999. Armenian-backed separatists seized control of the mainly Armenian-populated region and some surrounding territory during a war that killed some 30,000 people and drove about 1 million from their homes. Intermittent fighting has continued since a 1994 cease-fire and diplomatic efforts to resolve the territorial dispute have brought little progress. Babayan was arrested in March after Armenia's National Security Service claimed to have confiscated a man-portable Igla missile system and alleged that he was behind its acquisition. The arrest came about two weeks before parliamentary elections in which Babayan voiced support for an opposition alliance led by former Defense Minister Seyran Ohanian and two former foreign ministers. The alliance, known by the acronym ORO, contends that the criminal case is politically motivated. Babayan and his six co-defendants went on trial in July. The once-powerful general has repeatedly denied prosecutors' claims that he promised to pay other suspects $50,000 for the delivery of the weapon. Babayan, 52, was arrested previously in 2000 and sentenced to 14 years in prison after being convicted of masterminding a botched attempt on the life of the president in Nagorno-Karabakh's separatist government. After his early release in 2004, Babayan relocated to Yerevan, where he set up a political party that fared poorly in the 2007 Armenian parliamentary elections, and then emigrated to Russia in 2011. He returned to Armenia in May 2016, citing what he said was the increased risk of renewed war with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh and the neighboring regions that the separatists control. "Dear God, please spare me Serb heroism and Croatian culture," ("Sacuvaj me boze srpskog junastva i hrvatske kulture") was a famous quip of Miroslav Krleza (1893-1981), the greatest Yugoslav and Croatian writer of the 20th century. Krleza did not live long enough to witness the destruction of Yugoslavia and the wars of the 1990s, but he unerringly identified -- and mocked in his typically acerbic style -- the nationalist conceits that played no small part in the breakup of the country. A major element in Serb national identity has long been their supposed martial spirit, while the Croats have sought to distinguish themselves from their Balkan neighbors by claiming to possess a superior, more authentically Western culture. Both of these national myths were given the lie in the war. The Serbs showed little of their military prowess in the 1990s wars, contriving to lose ground in all the conflicts -- in Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, and Kosovo -- despite enjoying overwhelming superiority in weapons and personnel. On the other hand, some of the most notorious acts of destruction of cultural heritage -- aimed at removing all traces of the Muslim population from areas of Bosnia that the Croats considered to be "theirs" -- were masterminded or carried out by men who before the war had built a reputation as "promoters of culture." The case of Slobodan Praljak is typical, and one of the crimes for which he has been convicted in the first instance at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) is the destruction of the Old Bridge in Mostar. 'Prlic Five' Slobodan Praljak (72) is one of "the Prlic Five," a group of Croat political and military leaders tried along with Jadranko Prlic, the former president of the wartime statelet of "Herceg-Bosna." The six men were convicted in 2013 and given prison sentences of 16 to 25 years. They are awaiting judgments on appeal on November 29. While the Bosnian Serb Army was busy carving out the borders of what became Republika Srpska, in the southwest, Bosnian Croat forces -- with significant support from Croatia proper -- turned on the Bosnian Army and set out to establish their own ethnically homogenous space, using some of the same methods of ethnic cleansing employed by the Serbs. Before the war, Praljak had been a writer and film director. He had also been the director of various theaters, including in Mostar. With the outbreak of the war, the man of culture became a general and an adviser to Croatian President Franjo Tudjman. He was eventually accused of command responsibility for the destruction of the Old Bridge in Mostar, one of the most striking Ottoman monuments in the Balkans, and a jewel of Bosnia's Islamic heritage. The 16th-century bridge over the Neretva River was commissioned by Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent and built by the Ottoman architect Mimar Hayruddin. Its construction is wrapped in myth and legend, but it became the symbol of the city of Mostar, which got its name from it. According to the 17th-century Ottoman traveler Evliya Celebi, the name "Mostar" means "bridge-keeper." Celebi wrote that the bridge was "like a rainbow arch soaring up to the skies, extending from one cliff to the other.... I, a poor and miserable slave of Allah, have passed through 16 countries but I have never seen such a high bridge. It is thrown from rock to rock as high as the sky." The graceful arch stood for more than four centuries, surviving not only the fall of the Ottoman Empire, but two world wars -- including the Nazi occupation of Yugoslavia. But like so much of Bosnia's Ottoman heritage, it was not spared by the merciless onslaught of Serb and -- in this case -- Croat nationalists intent on erasing the country's Islamic past. Overwhelmed By Sorrow During the trial in The Hague, Praljak denied all charges, and his defense lawyers spun conspiracy theories backed by "experts" who asserted that the Old Bridge in Mostar was "most likely destroyed by explosives rigged on the bridge [by the Bosnian Army], not when it was hit by a shell fired from HVO [Bosnian Croat forces] tank." However it was not merely a stray shell, but over 60 projectiles that were fired at the bridge between November 8 and 9, 1993, from HVO positions before the Old Bridge collapsed. In a recent tweet, a resident of Mostar described the sorrow that overwhelmed him the moment the bridge collapsed. There was a belief among Bosnians that only someone without education or culture -- a barbarian -- could destroy an ancient monument that preserves the footprints of past centuries. But that was far from the case. The Croatian group of six held responsible for the act was extremely well-educated, and it's likely that Praljak has more academic diplomas than any other member of the Prlic Five. He initially studied engineering and graduated with distinction from Zagreb University, but this was followed by degrees in Philosophy and Sociology. A year after that, he graduated from the Film Academy. The day the Old Bridge was destroyed, the Sarajevo-based newspaper "Oslobodjenje" published an editorial with the headline: "They Have Killed The Oldest Resident Of Mostar." The Old Bridge was rebuilt after the war, in 2004, thanks to foreign funds as well as expertise and backing by UNESCO. 'Extended Cease-Fire' One of the traditions that became inextricably associated with the Old Bridge was the annual diving competition, organized every summer by the "Mostari" club. This year, they marked the anniversary of the destruction of the bridge on November 9 in a special manner. There was a gathering of students from Mostar schools, as well as residents and local politicians, but they were predominantly from one side of the Neretva, with Croat officials conspicuous by their absence. Air-raid sirens were sounded, flowers were cast into the river below, and a single diver jumped off the bridge followed by silence, without the usual applause. Mostar resident Zeljko Laketic was in the Bosnian military in 1993, and stood only a few dozen meters away from the Old Bridge when it was destroyed. "I saw that everyone was in tears, as if a member of their family had been killed. I saw hardened men, veterans of two years of war who had seen everything, crying like little children," Laketic told RFE/RL. Meanwhile, the Croat politicians only show up on the anniversary of the reopening of the bridge, preferring to ignore the circumstances of its destruction. Apart from its beauty, the Old Bridge in Mostar had over the centuries become a symbol of this multiethnic Bosnian city, uniting the two banks of the Neretva River. Its destruction was thus not only about erasing the Islamic past, but symbolically breaking the bonds between the city's various peoples. The bridge may have been rebuilt, but the fabric of Bosnia's -- and Mostar's -- multiethnic society has not been stitched back together. As a local RFE/RL correspondent recently lamented to me: "Here [in Mostar] we do not have peace, only an extended cease-fire." The views expressed in this blog post do not necessarily reflect those of RFE/RL In case you didn't notice, there will be important military exercises in Estonia this week. They'll involve 700 participants from 25 NATO members and partner countries. But there won't be any tanks. There won't be any artillery. And there won't be any infantry. Instead, there will be a lot of people tapping away on laptops, tablets, and smartphones. They'll be defending against malware, they'll be combating fake news on social media, and they'll be fending off threats to mobile devices. Cyber Coalition, which is NATO's flagship cyberdefense exercise, has been taking place annually for a decade now. But given Russia's aggressive hacking campaign against the West in recent years, it has taken on a fresh urgency, a fresh visibility, and a fresh relevance. And it is, of course, not surprising that the alliance is holding the drills in Estonia. After all, back in 2007, Estonia was the first NATO member to suffer a massive cyberattack, which was widely believed to have been launched by Russia. And since then, the tiny Baltic nation has become a leading innovator in cyberdefense. In a new experimental program, Estonia is even giving qualified draftees in its armed forces the option of being cyber warriors instead of serving in the infantry. And this year, in an effort to shore up its cyberdefenses, Estonia signed a deal to back up all of its government's data at the world's first "digital embassy" in Luxembourg. For years now we've been hearing about Moscow's creative use of hybrid warfare. It seems now, the West is getting serious about hybrid defense and hybrid containment. And it's not surprising that the Estonians are leading the way. Keep telling me what you think on The Power Vertical's Twitter feed and on our Facebook page. The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that Georgia violated the rights of former Prime Minister Vano Merabishvili, who was jailed on charges that he ordered the beating of a Georgian lawmaker in 2005. In a decision issued on November 28, the ECHR found that Georgian authorities violated Merabishvili's rights during his pretrial detention, and ordered the country to pay him 4,000 euros ($4,800) in respect of nonpecuniary damages. The Strasbourg-based court said "it had not been established that Mr Merabishvilis pretrial detention had principally been meant to remove him from Georgia's political scene. There has been no violation of the European Convention on Human Rights with regard to his initial placement in pretrial detention, it also said. However, the court ruled that "at least from 25 September 2013 onwards, his pretrial detention had ceased to be based on sufficient grounds. It said that, while in the beginning the purpose of the restriction of Merabishvili's right to liberty had been "the investigation of offences based on a reasonable suspicion, later on the predominant purpose became to obtain information" about the death in 2005 of the former Prime Minister of Georgia Zurab Zhvania and the foreign bank accounts of the former President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili. Merabishvili in September 2016 was sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison on charges of ordering the beating of Georgian lawmaker Valery Gelashvili. Merabishvili was interior minister at the time Gelashvili was assaulted. On November 1, Georgia's Supreme Court upheld a February decision of the Tbilisi Court of Appeals that rejected Merabishvili's appeal against the conviction. Merabishvili is a close ally of Saakashvili and a key figure in Georgia's 2003 Rose Revolution. Saakashvili, who is currently in Ukraine, is being investigated separately in the Gelashvili case. Saakashvili has been charged by authorities in Tbilisi with instructing Merabishvili to order the assault on Gelashvili. Supporters of Merabishvili and Saakashvili say the charges against them are politically motivated and amount to a "witch-hunt" by Georgia's current government. Kazakhstan's Foreign Ministry says it has held talks with Chinese officials regarding "frequent complaints by ethnic Kazakhs about problems they face in the People's Republic of China." In its November 28 statement, the ministry said that Deputy Foreign Minister Aqylbek Kamaldinov and the Chinese ambassador to Kazakhstan, Zhang Hanhui, discussed the issue in Astana on November 27. The same day, reported problems faced by ethnic Kazakhs in China were discussed by representatives of the consular services of the Kazakh Foreign Ministry and Chinese Embassy, the statement said. It said that Kazakh diplomats in Beijing had discussed the same issues with Chinese Foreign Ministry officials on November 9. The statement also said that the issues concerning the Kazakh diaspora in China will be on the agenda of the Kazakh-Chinese talks during Kamaldinov's planned visit to Beijing in December. In recent months, media reports in Kazakhstan and elsewhere quoted ethnic Kazakhs from China's northwestern province of Xinjiang as saying that they and their relatives have been under increased scrutiny and pressure imposed by the local government. There are some 1.5 million ethnic Kazakhs living in Xinjiang. BISHKEK -- Authorities in Kyrgyzstan say they have detained two of four suspects who escaped from pretrial custody on November 27. The Kyrgyz Interior Ministry said on November 28 that murder suspect Ramil Bazarkulov and robbery suspect Bakyt Dildeshov were detained overnight by Bishkek police and placed back in custody. Two other detainees who escaped -- murder suspect Kairat Janbotoev and Bagtiat Achyldurdyiev, a Turkmen citizen suspected of robbery -- remained at large. The four escaped from pretrial detention in the Central Asian country's northern Chui region early on November 27. The top U.S. general on November 16 said the chances of any near-term military victory for Ukraine are not high unless the Russian military completely collapses, which he said is unlikely. General Mark Milley, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that while the Ukrainian military has had important successes in Kharkiv and Kherson, Russia occupies 20 percent of Ukraine and still has significant combat power inside the country's territory. Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's ongoing invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here. "The military task of kicking the Russians physically out of Ukraine is a very difficult task, and it's not going to happen in the next couple of weeks," Milley said, speaking at a joint news conference at the Pentagon with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. A political solution involving a Russian withdrawal is still possible, he said, noting that Russia could end the fight now, but it won't. Russia intends to "continue fighting into the winter as best as we can tell," Milley said. Milley and Austin addressed reporters after a virtual meeting between dozens of defense ministers representing countries in the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. Austin said the meeting was the group's seventh this year and Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov took part. "The free world is with us until we win," Reznikov said on Twitter after the meeting. "Ukrainian strength now: increased economic potential, better training for the Ukrainian Army, modern logistics." He thanked the partners for their support and "new initiatives" and noted he expects significant results before the next meeting in Germany. The countries in the contact group have supported Ukraine by sending billions of dollars in military hardware and have offered training, advising, and intelligence support. There was an "absolute sense of emergency, absolute sense of determination" on the part of all member countries that attended meeting, the top U.S. general said. "The cohesion and coherence of the organization is complete and the resolve is high." Milley reiterated that the United States and other nations in the contact group would support Ukraine in defending itself for as long as it takes. Milley also repeated the U.S. position that it is up to Ukraine to decide how and when to negotiate with the Russians. "Ukraine will continue to endure. Ukraine is not going to back down," Milley said. The Ukrainian people are hard. They are tough, and most of all they are free and they want to remain free. Ukraine is going to continue to take the fight to the Russians." Ukraine has vowed to keep the pressure on Russian forces until it reclaims control of all occupied territory. Ukrainian forces recaptured the strategic southern city of Kherson over the weekend, raising optimism about Kyiv's broader military prospects heading into winter. Austin said winter fighting favors the Ukrainians in part because contact group members have sent enormous amounts of winter gear. The Russians, on the other hand, will have difficulties getting the winter gear they need to support their troops because supplies have been limited by economic sanctions and supply lines have been damaged. Russia is currently taking time to regroup their forces while they conduct what Milley called a "campaign of terror" to inflict maximum suffering on the Ukrainian civilian population in order to defeat Ukrainian morale. A barrage of missiles on November 15 was likely the largest wave of missiles seen since beginning of the war, Milley said, adding that the Russians are striking Ukrainian civilian infrastructure that has little or no military purpose. He said the attacks cause unnecessary suffering within the civilian population and said the Pentagon has assessed that more than a quarter of the Ukrainian civilian population is without power. "The deliberate targeting of the civilian power grid causing excessive collateral damage and unnecessary suffering of civilian population is a war crime," he said. With reporting by C-SPAN, Reuters, and RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service Macedonian police say they have detained dozens of people -- including a former interior minister, former police officials, and conservative opposition lawmakers -- over violence at the parliament building in April. The public prosecutor's office says it issued an order early on November 28 for 36 people to be detained in connection with the incident, in which protesters stormed into parliament and more than 100 people were injured. The detainees were brought to Skopje's criminal court for questioning and charged with posing a "terrorist threat to the constitutional order and security," which carries a minimum prison sentence of four years. Among those detained is former Interior Minister Mitko Cavkov, who was responsible for police security around the parliament. He is suspected of not giving timely orders to the police to prevent the crowds from invading parliament. Also detained were several lawmakers from the opposition VMRO-DPMNE party. The VMRO-DPMNE, led by former Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, described the arrests as "political persecution" and demanded the release of the suspects. Several hundred protesters stormed into the parliament building on April 27 after the opposition Social Democratic Union and others representing Macedonia's ethnic Albanian minority voted for a new speaker. The protesters attacked journalists and lawmakers, including the opposition leader, Zoran Zaev, now the acting prime minister. With reporting by AP and dpa North Korea claims to have tested a new intercontinental ballistic missile that can reach the entire U.S. mainland in its latest launch in defiance of UN sanctions. Pyongyang's state television said early on November 29 that a missile fired into the Sea of Japan hours earlier was "significantly more" powerful than a long-range weapon tested earlier this year. It called the new missile a Hwasong 15. The U.S. Defense Department said that it detected and tracked a missile launched from Sain Ni, North Korea, that traveled about 1,000 kilometers before landing in the Sea of Japan on November 28. The Pentagon said that an initial assessment indicated it was an intercontinental ballistic missile. "Our commitment to the defense of our allies...in the face of these threats, remains ironclad," a Pentagon statement read. Speaking about the rocket launch, U.S. President Donald Trump said, It is a situation that we will handle." He did not elaborate. Trump conferred by phone with the leaders of Japan and South Korea about the "grave threat" posed by the missile launch, the White House said. The launch was condemned separately by NATO, the European Union, and the United Nations. The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said North Korea launched a ballistic missile at around 6:17 p.m. GMT from Pyongsong in South Pyongan Province over the sea between South Korea and Japan. Seoul said it responded to the launch with a missile-firing test. "We will never yield to any provocative act," Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said. "We will maximize our pressure" on Pyongyang. The UN Security Council scheduled an urgent meeting on November 29 to discuss the matter, the U.S. mission to the UN said. Pyongyang has test-fired several missiles this year, amid increased tensions over its nuclear program. It fired an intermediate-range missile over Japan in September, days after it carried out its sixth and most powerful nuclear test. An intercontinental ballistic missile test, if confirmed, would signal further progress by North Korea in developing a weapon of mass destruction that could strike the U.S. mainland. In a statement on November 28, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called on the international community to continue sending "a unified message" to North Korea that it must abandon its programs into weapon of mass destruction. "All nations must continue strong economic and diplomatic measures," the statement read. " In addition to implementing all existing UN sanctions, the international community must take additional measures to enhance maritime security, including the right to interdict maritime traffic transporting goods to and from" North Korea. It also said that "diplomatic options remain viable and open, for now," adding that the United States "remains committed to finding a peaceful path to denuclearization and to ending belligerent actions by North Korea." A week ago, the U.S. administration designated North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism and imposed new sanctions against the country over its nuclear program. With reporting by AFP, AP, Reuters, dpa, and the BBC The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that Russia violated the rights of a man who was jailed in connection with a protest on the eve of President Vladimir Putin's inauguration to his current term. In a decision issued on November 28, the ECHR found that Russian authorities violated Nikolai Kavkazsky's rights during his detainment and prosecution over the protest on Moscow's Bolotnaya Square on May 6, 2012. The court ordered Russia to pay him 10,000 euros ($11,900). The decision supported Kavkazsky's claim that the authorities violated two articles of the European Convention on Human Rights -- a ban on torture and the right to a fair trial in a reasonable period of time. Kavkazsky was sent to pretrial detention in June 2012, a month after the protest, despite legally documented health problems. He was transferred to house arrest only after his health drastically deteriorated in jail. Kavkazsky had sought 70,000 euros ($83,400) in compensation from the Russian government. More than 400 people were detained after clashes erupted at the 2012 protest. Police and protesters blame one another for the violence. The rally was one of a series of large opposition protests sparked mainly by anger over evidence of widespread fraud in the December 2011 parliamentary elections and dismay at Putin's decision to return to the presidency after a four-year stint as prime minister. More than 30 people were prosecuted in connection with the clashes, and more than 20 were sentenced to prison or served time in pretrial custody. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has stressed Washington's commitment to European security, especially as Russia continues what he called its "aggressive behavior ." In a speech on November 28 at a Washington think tank, Tillerson said the United States would be the first to respond to any attack on a European ally under NATOs Article 5 mutual defense clause. Some European leaders have expressed concern that the administration of President Donald Trump may pull back from the alliance after demanding that European members spend more on their own defenses. Speaking at the Wilson Center, Tillerson accused Russia of pursuing policies to "drive apart" Washington and its European allies. Tillerson said Russia's military interventions in Georgia and Ukraine, and interference in European elections and politics were unacceptable and "not worthy" of a responsible member of the international community. "While the West continues to seek a productive new relationship with post-Soviet Russia, thus far it has proved elusive," he also said. 'Better Coordination Needed' Tillerson said the massive Zapad 2017 military exercises that Russia held with Belarus in September illustrated the need for better coordination between Washington and its European partners. In reaffirming U.S. commitment to European security, Tillerson said Washington would never forget how NATO had "stood with us" after the terror attacks of September 11, 2001. At the same time, Tillerson said European partners needed to accept greater responsibility for their own security. Tillerson repeated Washington's support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty, and called on Moscow to fulfill the terms of the Minsk agreements on ending the conflict in eastern Ukraine. He said Ukraine was the key to better bilateral ties. "What I've said to the Russians is -- we are never going to get [the U.S.-Russian] relationship back to normal until we solve Ukraine," Tillerson said. "It just sits there as an enduring obstacle and we've got to address it." After occupying and illegally annexing Ukraines Crimean region in March 2014, Moscow began fomenting unrest in parts of eastern Ukraine. Moscow has provided political, military, and economic support to separatists who gained control over parts of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions, sparking a war that has killed more than 10,000 people since April 2014. Moscow denies involvement in Ukraine's internal affairs, despite compelling evidence to the contrary. Tillerson said U.S. sanctions on Russia would remain in place "until Russia reverses" the actions that put them in place. Energy Security He also said that enhancing European energy security was crucial since Russia had used energy as a "weapon." The secretary of state said Washington was working to ease rules on shipping crude and liquid natural gas, or LNG, to Europe. He also cited infrastructure energy projects in Greece, Poland, and Croatia as part of efforts to achieve energy security. However, he said the Nord Stream-2 pipeline project to transport Russian natural gas to Germany via the Baltic Sea was "unwise." Tillerson said areas of possible cooperation with Russia exist. "Russia has great fear of migration out of the Central Asian region and terrorism inside of Russia," he said. "We think there are areas of greater cooperation on counterterrorism with Russia. There may be opportunities for cooperation in Afghanistan -- we've not yet come to what that might be, but we are talking about it." On other topics, Tillerson said the Balkans remained "fragile," and urged the nations there to "abandon old animosities so peace can become permanent." MOSCOW -- Russian investigators say they are probing the possibility that Tsar Nicholas II and his family were murdered in a "ritual killing," appearing to give new life to an old conspiracy theory criticized by Jewish community members as blatantly anti-Semitic. The revelation echoes a conspiracy theory that the Bolshevik Revolution 100 years ago and the murder of Nicholas II were a Jewish plot. It came to light at a conference at Moscow's Sretensky Monastery on November 27 attended by the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, that was called to discuss a new investigation into the tsar's murder. Marina Molodtsova, a senior investigator at the Investigative Committee, a Russian equivalent of the FBI, told the conference that a commission examining the death would conduct a "psychological-historical examination" to check the claims of a ritual murder. At the same conference, Bishop Tikhon, an influential priest known as Vladimir Putin's confessor because of his proximity to the Russian president, said the theory of a ritual killing is widely held within a church commission examining the murder. "We relate most seriously to the version of a ritual murder," Tikhon was quoted by TASS news agency as saying. "What's more, for a significant part of the church commission there is no doubt that that is what happened." 'Reason For Persecutions' Neither Molodtsova nor Tikhon mentioned Jews nor claimed this ritual had been carried out in some kind of Jewish tradition. But the formulation of ritual murder was said by Jewish community figures to clearly evoke an old myth that has blamed the killings on plotting Jews. "The allegation of ritual killings by Jews is one of the most ancient anti-Semitic slanders," Aleksandr Boroda, the president of the Federation for Jewish communities of Russia, told Interfax. "It has many times served as the reason for persecutions, which claimed hundreds, even thousands, of victims. But every time when these accusations have been examined by people who aren't infected by anti-Semitic convictions, it has turned out that this slander is a lie." The tsar's family -- Nicholas, his wife Alexandra, their five children -- and doctor and three servants were murdered on Vladimir Lenin's orders on July 17, 1918, in the basement of a merchant's mansion in Yekaterinburg. The killings were the subject of considerable speculation following the collapse of the Soviet Union, and a government commission was charged with clarifying the circumstances of the murders and identifying their remains. In 1995, the Russian Orthodox Church formally submitted 10 questions to the commission, including one seeking clarification as to whether the royals were victims of a Jewish plot. Church officials at the time said they sought to obtain conclusive evidence to finally nix the theory. The commission was led by former Deputy Prime Minister Boris Nemtsov and found no evidence to support the claim. The tsar's and his family's remains were identified, and Nicholas II was canonized in 2000. 'Absolutely Wild' At the behest of the Russian Orthodox Church, an investigation into the murder was reopened in 2015, since some wings of the church reportedly had doubts that all the remains were genuine. The situation around the remains is expected to be discussed at a Bishops' Council of the Russian Orthodox Church later this week. The meeting at Sretensky Monastery was held on November 27 in order to discuss the preliminary findings of the investigation. Borukh Gorin, a speaker for the federation, told Interfax that the claims of a ritual murder were "absolutely wild." He called the allegation "absurd," as the Bolsheviks were avowed atheists and not guided by Jewish beliefs. "It is absolutely terrifying 100 years later to hear the phrase ritual killing from the mouth of an investigator of the Investigative Committee and then from a high placed hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church." Lyudmila Narusova, a lawmaker in the Federation Council and mother of TV personality and presidential hopeful Ksenia Sobchak, joined the criticism, telling Interfax that the comments could potentially incite ethnic hatred. She said they appeared to mark a "return to some kind of obscurantism." In a follow-up statement to state agency RIA Novosti on November 28, Bishop Tikhon appeared to try and deflect the criticism, arguing that the murder of Nicholas II could have taken on "ritual" significance because of his status as Russia's last tsar. "The murder of the tsar and his family, which put a final end to the existence of the Romanov dynasty hated for its 300-year rule, was a very special matter that bore a ritual, symbolic meaning for many people," he said. 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. Im joined by the Royal United Services Institutes Raffaello Pantucci to talk about Xi and Putin. Listen to the first episode here or below. 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. GANDHINAGAR: The Ministry of Textiles on Saturday signed as many as 65 MoUs in the textile sector on the second day of the first of its kind mega exhibition Textiles India 2017. "The MoUs were signed between various domestic and international organisations from the industry and government," an official said. The MoUs were signed in presence of Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani and Minister of State, Textiles, Ajay Tamta. The MoUs signed relate to exchange of information and documentation, research and development, commercialisation of handloom products and silk production, cooperation in geo-textiles, skill development and supply of cotton and trade promotion with overseas partners. "In two days, we have signed 65 MoUs. We are hoping a large scale of investment. Here is a government which is here for redressal of your grievances. The government is also willing to listen the problems you face," Irani told a investors meet here after signing the MoUs. She said that among 65 signed MoUs, three were signed with Australia, Bangladesh and China. Irani said that the current age is a golden era for development of textiles industry. Read Also: India's Millennial Workforce Embracing Flexi-Work Styles: Microsoft Most Indian Firms Aim To Move To Cloud Infrastructure: Oracle GANDHINAGAR: India on Sunday said it can be a reliable sourcing partner for natural and man-made fibres for the Asean countries. "India being the largest producer of cotton and jute and the second largest producer of Man-Made Fabrics (MMF) has the potential to act as a reliable sourcing partner for Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)," said Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani addressing a conference on Asean-India Cooperation at Textiles India 2017 here. The Minister said that Indian textiles and apparel exports to Asean in 2016 were worth over $1.2 billion. "Export of textiles and apparels to Asean comprises 3 per cent of India's total exports to the world," she said. Irani said there are enormous opportunities for collaboration between India and Asean in capacity building, sharing of knowledge and technology, and mutual assistance in education, research and development. "Enhancing digital and infrastructure connectivity with Asean countries is a major priority for India," she added. Speaking at the event, neighbouring Myanmar's Industry Minister U Khin Maung Cho said its textile and apparel sector offers huge opportunities for Indian business. "Myanmar policies are attractive for foreign direct investment in various sectors, especially garments, textiles and agriculture," he said. The conference organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) explored the value chains and institutional frameworks for collaboration in textiles between India and Asean countries under India's 'Act East' policy. At least 65 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed during the three-day textile trade fair that concludes on Sunday. The MoUs, related to exchange of information and documentation, commercialisation of handloom and silk products, skill development, supply of cotton, and research and development and trade promotion with international partners were signed between various international and domestic organisations. Read Also: India Of 2017 Different From India Of 1962: Jaitley India's Millennial Workforce Embracing Flexi-Work Styles: Microsoft Larson&Holz clients have supported the first cryptobroker LH-Crypto by investing over $1000000. LH-CRYPTO PRE ICO has started very recently, at the beginning of November. LH-CRYPTO founders are planning it to become the first retail Forex and binary options broker which makes mutual payments with clients in cryptocurrencies only. Cryptocurrencies will make the whole process cheaper and easier and will attract new clients to margin trading industry. George Pavloff has commented on the project at the Finance Magnates London Summit 2017, Now I can state that the project is a success. I meet investors every day, visit exhibitions around the globe, and I can assure you that there are many people who believe in our project. It is worth mentioning that the new project LH-CRYPTO is gathering pace, acquiring investors from all over the world. The official site LH-CRYPTO.IO has been translated to 12 languages, and all of them are popular among native speakers. Many are waiting for the start of the ICOthe 4th of December, when the starting price of the token is finally determined. Judging from the investment pace, even at this preliminary stage, we can tell that the price will be at least 50% higher, i.e. 15 cents per token. Apart from that we have learned that Larson&Holz brokers clients have supported the project. George Pavloff has also commented on that, Personally, I never thought that Forex brokers clients will invest much, especially Larson&Holz clients. We intended LH-Crypto for cryptocurrencies users, we wanted to attract new clients from crypto environment. But for these two weeks Larson&Holz support has been receiving a lot of requests from its clients to purchase LHCoin tokens. The amount of requests has already surpassed the point of 1 million dollars. The only challenge with this type of investors is that Forex traders dont usually have money in cryptocurrencies to purchase tokens. However, we have found a way. We will simply transfer the equivalent amount from our clients accounts and then we will distribute tokens proportionally. However, we will have to do it all manually, so it will probably be done only by the end of PRE ICO. Read Also: The Best Business Gadgets You Can Order Online Now 7 Writers Who Can Offer You to Buy Essays Cheap at WritePro.net What happened in Notre Dame hoops home game vs. Southern Indiana? Home games against upset-minded non-conference opponents are coming fast and furious this time of year for Notre Dame men's basketball team The searing-hot planet 55 Cancri e likely has a thick atmosphere with a similar composition to that of Earth, a new study suggests. A planet circling a star in the constellation Cancer might have an atmosphere similar to Earth's, but with dayside temperatures hot enough to melt titanium, a new study suggests. The planet is called 55 Cancri e, and it lies about 41 light-years from the sun. The alien world has a diameter twice that of Earth and harbors about eight times more mass than our planet. 55 Cancri e was discovered in 2004, and it orbits just 1.4 million miles (2.3 million kilometers) from its host star so close that a year on the alien planet lasts just 18 hours. In fact, 55 Cancri e is tidally locked, meaning it always shows the same face to its star. [Oozing Super-Earth: Images of Alien Planet 55 Cancri e] Observations by NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope had previously suggested that lava may flow on 55 Cancri e's dayside but harden on the cooler nightside. In the new study, researchers took another look at the Spitzer data, and combined that information with a model of how energy likely flows around the exoplanet. The results, which were published earlier this month in The Astronomical Journal, are interesting. If 55 Cancri e lacked an atmosphere, team members said, Spitzer's infrared sensors would see discrete hot spots from lava pools and little movement of heat from one side of the planet to the other. But the new analysis doesn't reflect that scenario; for example, Spitzer hasn't seen such hot spots, and 55 Cancri e's nightside is apparently warmer than previously thought. "If there is lava on this planet, it would need to cover the entire surface," study co-author Renyu Hu, an astronomer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, said in a statement. "But the lava would be hidden from our view by the thick atmosphere." That atmosphere likely contains oxygen, nitrogen and water vapor rather like the air of Earth, but a lot thicker and heavier, the researchers said. "Scientists have been debating whether this planet has an atmosphere like Earth and Venus, or just a rocky core and no atmosphere, like Mercury. The case for an atmosphere is now stronger than ever," Hu said. 55 Cancri e is incredibly hot by Earthly standards the dayside temperature averages 4,200 degrees Fahrenheit (2,300 degrees Celsius), study team members said, whereas the nightside is around 2,400 to 2,600 degrees Fahrenheit (1,300 to 1,400 degrees C). Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com. An artist's view of a star lighting up the atmosphere of its planet. When starlight strikes the atmosphere, molecules that could indicate the presence of a habitable environment emit radiation that can be detectable by Earth-based telescopes. Stellar storms, or eruptions of material that are regularly spewed into space by stars, could help scientists search for potentially habitable environments on alien planets, according to a new study. Most stars, including the sun, produce explosions on their surfaces that spit powerful particles out into space. These expulsions can rain down on nearby planets, and the new study shows that these interactions could create chemical "beacons" in the planetary atmospheres that reveal the presence of potentially life-friendly environments. "We're in search of molecules formed from fundamental prerequisites of life specifically molecular nitrogen, which is 78 percent of our atmosphere," Vladimir Airapetian, a solar scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, said in a statement from the agency. Airapetian is lead author on the new paper, which argues that modern instruments could detect these prerequisite chemicals faster than they could detect signs of existing life-forms. [Alien Atmospheres: The Search for Signs of Life] "These are the basic molecules that are biologically friendly and have a strong infrared emitting power, increasing our chance of detecting them," Airapetian said. Because Earth is the only known habitable world so far, scientists use it as a guide for what to expect when hunting for life beyond the solar system. Water vapor, nitrogen and oxygen are all products of life as we know it. While the sun releases a relatively light stream of charged particles and occasional, energetic bursts, other stars can release far larger, more energetic and more frequent doses that bathe their nearby planets. If the charged particles interact with the atmosphere of a planet containing those products of life water vapor and molecular nitrogen and oxygen the interaction could trigger a cascade of chemical reactions that form what Airapetian and his colleagues call "atmospheric beacons" molecular oxygen, nitric oxide and hydroxyl (one atom each of oxygen and hydrogen, bound together), according to the statement. Then, if the conditions are right, researchers could detect those beacons. As light from the star hits the planet's atmosphere, it would cause the beacons to send energy into space as infrared radiation. Examining the radiation from the atmosphere of such a world would reveal the presence of these beacons. Since it takes a significant amount of molecular oxygen and nitrogen to create the beacons, their detection could indicate an atmosphere filled with biologically friendly chemistry, indicating a potentially habitable exoplanet. "Taking what we know about infrared radiation emitted by Earth's atmosphere, the idea is to look at exoplanets and see what sort of signals we can detect," said study co-author Martin Mlynczak. "If we find exoplanet signals in nearly the same proportion as Earth's, we could say that a planet is a good candidate for hosting life." The habitable zone around stars is a so-called Goldilocks' zone where conditions are just right for liquid water. See how habitable zones work in this Space.com infographic (Image credit: by Karl Tate, Infographics Artist) The researchers first used a well-established computer model of Earth's atmosphere to find out how beacons could be produced from ozone which is made up of three atoms of oxygen and forms naturally in Earth's upper atmosphere in response to stellar storms from our own sun. By adjusting the model slightly, the researchers found that the ozone levels of a planet orbiting an active star would drop "to a minimum," leading to a high formation of atmospheric beacons, according to the statement. Next, the researchers wanted to know how bright the infrared signal would be from a world whose atmosphere contained nitrogen, oxygen and water vapor, and which was exposed to an ongoing onslaught of stellar storms. To answer this question, Airapetian and his colleagues relied on data from NASA's Earth-observing Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics (TIMED) mission. An instrument aboard TIMED called the Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) "studies the very same chemistry that generates the atmospheric beacons, as it occurs in Earth's upper atmosphere in response to solar activity," according to the statement. The SABER data revealed that the frequency of intense stellar storms is directly related to the strength of the infrared signals from the atmospheric beacons. If a nearby star is bombarding its planets with storms, enough beacons could be formed to be observed with a 6- to 10-meter space-based telescope in just 2 hours of observation time, according to the study. Future instruments, such as NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, could help to make even more detailed measurements, officials said in the statement. But even if a planet radiates these signals, that doesn't necessarily mean that life has evolved on its surface. Shawn Domagal-Goldman, an astrobiologist at NASA Goddard who was not connected with the study, said there might be other things that could produce the beacons. "This is an exciting, new proposed way to look for life," Goldman told Space.com. "But as with all signs of life, the exoplanet community needs to think hard about context. What are the ways nonbiological processes could mimic this signature?" The new study may help scientists search for alien life in distant solar systems, but it wouldn't be possible without a little help from our favorite habitable planet, Earth. Follow Nola Taylor Redd on Twitter @NolaTRedd or Google+. Follow us at @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com. WASHINGTON An unmanned military aircraft in mid-August took off from a test facility in North Dakota on a 1,075 nautical mile trip. Its mission was to show whether it could travel seamlessly across spot beams on a satellite without losing contact. Why is this noteworthy? Military surveillance drones typically communicate via satellites that have wide beam coverage so the aircraft always stays in the same footprint. Newer satellites have multiple high-powered spot beams, each covering narrow geographic areas. The challenge for the unmanned airplane was to switch beams in flight at about the 600 mile-point. The beam-switching test was organized by unmanned aircraft manufacturer General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and communications satellite operator Intelsat. It took place near the Grand Forks Air Force Base. A MQ-9 Reaper (also known as Predator B) switched between two spot beams on an Intelsat EpicNG high-throughout satellite. [The Most Dangerous Space Weapons Concepts Ever] The Air Force did not request the test, but military and Defense Department officials were there to observe. "We'd been endeavoring for quite some time to get an opportunity to demonstrate the capability of the unmanned aircraft to switch between beams on one of the new Epic satellites," Intelsat General Corp. President Skot Butler told SpaceNews. "We made sure it would fly far enough that it would have to switch beams multiple times," Butler said. Intelsat and other satellite operators see unmanned aircraft as a critical target market for their new high-capacity spacecraft that push more data at faster speeds than the legacy wide beam kind. Vast amounts of bandwidth are available for live high-definition video streaming but the issue is how to get it into military UAVs that have older antennas and terminals. Satellite providers say all it takes are software upgrades but modifications of military equipment never are as simple as they seem. Satellite communications providers for some time have been trying to show the military the potential advantages of multiple spot beam satellite designs. Bigger and faster data pipes are one selling point. Another is enhanced security. Signals in spot beams are more difficult to jam and interference can be worked around more easily, Butler said. Whether it's intentional jamming or accidental interference, he noted, the satellite's digital payload can disconnect the uplink from the downlink and assign new frequencies and a new link to the UAV to reestablish the connection. Intelsat is talking to military users about how they would fly drones with multi-spot satellites, he said. "Increased data rates and interference mitigation are both of great interest." All branches of the military own and operate different UAV models but they do not control the purchase of commercial satellite bandwidth, which is centrally managed by the Defense Information Systems Agency. Almost all Air Force unmanned planes are equipped with terminals that use commercial Ku-band. Transitioning to high-throughput Ku-band, Butler said, should be simpler and less costly than changing over to other commercial or military satellites that use Ka-band frequencies. There are modern multi-band terminals that can be installed in new aircraft but most of the military fleet has older hardware. The Pentagon started to rush UAV production in 2001 to meet war commanders' demands for 24/7 surveillance in Afghanistan, Iraq and other war zones. At the time the easiest way to get satellite capacity was through commercial Ku providers. The Pentagon back then did not foresee the UAV phenomenon would be permanent and 16 years later, the communications infrastructure has not changed much. Nicole Robinson, corporate vice president of SES Networks, said the company demonstrated that an Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drone that typically can pipe data at 5 to 10 megabits per second over commercial Ku band could increase the data rate to 30 megabits when connected to the company's O3B satellite network. That system uses Ka band, as do Inmarsat's high-capacity satellites. Rebecca Cowen-Hirsch, senior vice president of Inmarsat U.S. Government Business, has been pushing the case that the military should use commercial Ka band for manned and unmanned airborne missions. "A unique advantage of Ka-band over Ku-band is that it is the only frequency where the commercial and military bands are immediately adjacent to each other," so commercial services can more seamlessly complement military satellite capacity. The U.S. government-owned Wideband Global SATCOM constellation uses the military Ka band. Cowen-Hirsh noted that Ka-band terminals are currently available that "easily tune through the contiguous 1.5GHz of Ka-band and readily switch between U.S. government-owned systems and private-sector satcom systems." This story was provided by SpaceNews, dedicated to covering all aspects of the space industry. WASHINGTON It may come as a shock to many that space is a big deal for the U.S. Army. Though most of its work is done on the ground, more than 70 percent of the Army's major weapons and equipment need satellites to function. To push this message, Army leaders designated Nov. 27 Dec. 1 as "space week" with a dual focus on what the Army needs and does in space. About 2,220 active-duty soldiers, reservists and civilians make up the "space forces" under the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. The commander, Lt. Gen. James Dickinson, is "dual hatted," reporting both to the chief of staff of the Army and the chief of U.S. Strategic Command. [The Most Dangerous Space Weapons Concepts Ever] Soldiers communicate, navigate, target, find the enemy, predict the weather and protect forces in the field "based on combat and support assets available from space," said Army spokeswoman Lira Frye. Space forces are assigned to five key missions intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; missile warning; environmental monitoring; satellite communications; and positioning, navigation and timing, or PNT. Frye said Army leaders decided this was a good time to highlight space because activities are growing and the Army wants to attract more officers to the space career field known as Functional Area 40, or FA40. Over the past year, Army space forces supported more than 16 exercises for every geographic combatant command except U.S. Africa Command. Soldiers are picked for the FA40 career field after a competitive selection process through the "voluntary transfer incentive program," which can occur at the four-year mark of a soldier's career. Besides their technical abilities, soldiers applying for the FA40 are evaluated based on their values and leadership track records. Once designated, FA40 officers attend a space operations officer qualification course. The timing of space week happens to coincide with the passage of the Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act, which realigns military space responsibilities. Much of this language came from the House version of the bill that sharply criticized the Air Force for not advancing space innovation in the military at a time when adversaries are moving to challenge U.S. dominance of space. The NDAA directs the Pentagon to accelerate the modernization of space systems and calls for an independent study on whether a distinct "space corps" should be created within the Department of the Air Force. The congressional debate has energized critics who blame the Air Force for under-funding space programs and for lethargic modernization. Army leaders have not publicly weighed in on the more controversial reforms pushed forth by the NDAA, including the elimination of offices within the Air Force that deal with space and the transfer of responsibilities from the secretary to the Air Force Space Command. The head of U.S. Strategic Command, Air Force Gen. John Hyten, said the House framed the "problem statement exactly right," but there still no clear answer on how to solve it. "My biggest fear is that the department seems to have lost its ability to go fast. And our adversaries are going fast," Hyten said Nov. 18 at the Halifax International Security Forum. He praised Congress for "eliminating broad swaths of bureaucracy" in military space. "That's an amazing statement," he said. "But what's going to replace it? It's up to the department. Now we can figure out what we have to do," including how to eliminate the "bureaucracy that keeps us from going fast." Missile defense a top concern Just days before the Halifax forum, Hyten toured operations centers at Schriever Air Force Base and Peterson Air Force Base and met with Army units there that support missile defense and space missions, according to an Army news release. Hyten was briefed by the Army's 100th Missile Defense Brigade on how it would respond to an intercontinental ballistic missile attack. One issue that worries Army commanders is having reliable missile-warning data from satellites. With thousands of troops stationed in the Korean Peninsula amid escalating tensions with a North Korean regime that has threatened the United States and its allies, missile warning has become priority one. Analysts have questioned why the Air Force has not started to develop a new generation of missile-warning satellites to supplement the existing SBIRS constellation. Another pressing concern is the security of GPS signals for positioning, navigation and timing, or PNT. The Army is investing in alternative technologies and backup systems as it fears enemies now have technologies that can jam signals and hackers would break into ground networks. A perpetual headache in military space programs has been the coordination, or lack thereof, between the Air Force which builds the satellites, and the other services that are responsible for acquiring the terminals, antennas and other "user equipment." This affects Army forces in a big way. There are now, for instance, brand-new communications satellites in orbit and fully operational but the procurement of ground equipment is lagging years behind. Some industry analysts believe a consolidated space corps could help bring together the management of satellites, ground systems, base stations, teleports and terminals under one organization. As one industry source told SpaceNews, "The military needs to do better job coordinating those elements under one program management organization." This story was provided by SpaceNews, dedicated to covering all aspects of the space industry. Orbex says it is making progress on a small launch vehicle intended to launch from British soil, but has released few details, including what the vehicle will look like. LONDON A British company has released new details about a small satellite launch vehicle it expects to have ready in the next few years, part of a growing number of ventures seeking to build and launch rockets from the country. In a presentation at a Royal Aeronautical Society commercial space conference here Nov. 22, the head of Orbex said the company was making good progress in the development of a launch vehicle designed for launching small satellites primarily into polar orbits. "We're quite confident that this is a good business opportunity," said Chris Larmour, chief executive of Orbex, in what he said was the first public presentation about the startup's plans. "It's a good opportunity, and it's an interesting thing to do, too." Orbex is working on a small launch vehicle that Larmour says will be capable of placing up to 165 kilograms into polar orbits from a launch site on the north coast of Scotland. That site, he said, provides "a lot of sea" for launches to the north. The company has a 1,200-square-meter development facility and a separate 1,000-square-meter engine test site, although Larmour declined to say where they were located. Orbex is planning a larger 2,000-square-meter factory to be built closer to the Scotland launch site once the vehicle is ready to go into production. Orbex has been focusing on the development of a 6,750-pounds-force engine, incorporating components made with additive manufacturing, for the vehicle. The engine has been fired 45 times, he said, including a recent test where the engine shut down prematurely, as intended. That engine is a key part of the effort by Orbex to reduce the mass of the vehicle. "One of the dirty little secrets of microlaunchers is they're heavy," he said. "We currently have a patent pending on a new architecture that removes about 30 percent of the inert mass of the vehicle." Besides the use of composite materials, he said the vehicle will use six engines in its first stage, less than other similar small launchers in development. Many basic details about the rocket remain under wraps, however. He declined to name the fuel that the engine will use along with liquid oxygen, other than to say it was neither methane nor the refined version of kerosene known as RP-1, but that the fuel remained liquid at liquid oxygen's cryogenic temperatures. Even the name of the rocket is proprietary. "The rocket does have a name internally, but we haven't finally settled on what it's going to be," he said. Orbex is in the process of closing a fourth round of funding, he said, primarily from wealthy individuals but also from venture capital firms. That includes financing announced in June from High-Tech Grunderfonds, a German seed-stage investment firm. Larmour did not disclose how much the company has raised to date but said in a later interview that the cumulative funding to date would be equivalent to a "Series A-" round. Larmour declined to state when Orbex projected its first launch to take place. He later said he expected both the cost and schedule for developing his company's vehicle to be similar to what Rocket Lab encountered for Electron, another small launcher. Rocket Lab started working on what would become Electron around 2010, with a first, partially-successful launch in May of this year. Rocket Lab has raised $148 million to date, although $75 million of that came in a Series D funding round in March intended to expand its production capabilities. He didn't give a price for a launch of the vehicle, but said that the company has letters of intent from a number of customers. He added the company expects to sign its first contract, for the launch of a 50-kilogram science satellite from an unidentified organization, by the end of the year. The company's business plan calls for one launch a month, but Larmour said it can break even on just three launches a year. Government support Larmour praised the U.K. Space Agency for its support of an emerging small launch sector in the country, saying that it has been "extremely helpful" to the company. "I commend them for what they're doing currently," he said. "There are various processes going on in the U.K. Space Agency supporting U.K. launch, and I think the entire movement is fantastic." Among those processes is potential funding for companies like Orbex to support their vehicle efforts. The agency issued a call for proposals in February for grants to support the development of launch capabilities from the U.K. by 2020. The proposals put no limit on how much companies could request, but set a guideline of about 10 million pounds ($13 million). "We had incredibly strong interest" in that call for proposals, said Claire Barcham, satellite launch program director at the U.K. Space Agency, in a separate conference presentation. The agency received 26 proposals, and has selected a "small number" of them for further consideration. "We hope to be in a position, quite shortly, to announce the outcome of that process." The government has also introduced legislation to establish a regulatory framework for launches from the country. That bill, currently being considered by the House of Lords, is on track to move on to the House of Commons in December and could be enacted as soon as early next year. The U.K.'s focus on small launch vehicles and spaceports has raised some questions about whether that is the best use of government funding, given the growing number of small launch vehicle development projects taking place worldwide, all seeking a market whose size remains uncertain. Barcham, though, said that developing a domestic launch capability was critical to ensuring that the country remained a leader in the overall smallsat market. "We have a thriving value chain for small satellites and their services in the U.K.," she said, calling the lack of a launch capability a "missing link" for the industry. "We would like to enable small satellite launch, and suborbital spaceflight, from U.K. spaceports to help us to plug that gap in our value chain." This story was provided by SpaceNews, dedicated to covering all aspects of the space industry. Smithsonian Channel's "Survival in the Skies," premiering tonight (Nov. 28), documents the moments of genius and danger as humans learned how to brave the high speeds, low oxygen density and hazardous heights of air and space travel. The miniseries focuses on four key technologies that sustain humans above the Earth: spacesuits, ejector seats, parachutes and jet engines. According to Tim Evans, an executive producer on the series, those four provide a fascinating look at how technology has aided our ascent to the skies. "It's not necessarily transportation it's how do you survive in a region where you're supposed to die," Evans told Space.com, "whether that's space, or another planet, or going really fast through the air." [Evolution of the Spacesuit in Pictures (Space Tech Gallery)] As seen in the clip above, the first episode focuses on spacesuits and their predecessor, the protection developed for high-altitude, open-air planes. With each advance, fliers risked their lives testing the suits for the first time. A notable example, Evans said, is the first human to venture outside a spacecraft: the Russian cosmonaut Alexei Leonov, who went on a groundbreaking spacewalk in 1965. In the episode, Leonov himself takes viewers through the unexpected dangers that arose in testing a spacesuit in the vacuum of space for the first time. "We were really lucky to get that great interview," Evans said. "He steps out into space, the first human to walk into space, and then realizes he can't get back in, because no one thought about [the fact that] a pressurized suit's going to expand in outer space. He figured out a way to get back in by letting the air out, which is not something you normally should do." The episode traces the spacesuit's evolution to the modern, automated life-support system, and also looks beyond, to what suits might look like for astronauts exploring the solar system. It features interviews with spacesuit designers and historians as well as the astronauts and cosmonauts who wear the suits. "We had the final interview with Gene Cernan, the last man to walk on the moon and we were very lucky to get that and his description of space kind of sums it up. He calls [the spacesuit] his own private little spacecraft," Evans said. "That is a completely different way of looking at it from the original pressure suits with which you try to keep someone from passing out. "It will be changing and developing as we move on and as the next generation is looking at how do you go about moving around on a different planet regularly," Evans added. Alexei Leonov, interviewed in the first episode of Smithsonian Channel's "Survival in the Skies," was the first human to venture outside for a spacewalk. (Image credit: Smithsonian Channel) Ejection seats, the subject of Episode 2, followed a similar trajectory; they started as simple devices that used compressed air to shoot a pilot who was in danger out of an aircraft. Now, they're $100,000 flying machines that help guide their riders to safety, Evans said. While parachutes, profiled in Episode 3, haven't changed in principle from Renaissance-era technology, engineers have adapted the technology for extreme feats like dropping a rover on Mars. And jet engines, the subject of Episode 4, are essential to travel and the world's economy today, Evans said. Someday, the next generation of jets may even be able to boost fliers into space. "We are now on the cusp of the second great evolution of space travel and aviation," Evans said. "Private companies are taking over and making the necessary breakthroughs. This is a look back at the first evolution of that technology and the breakthroughs that make the current evolution possible." "Survival in the Skies" begins tonight (Nov. 28) at 9 p.m. Eastern and Pacific times. Email Sarah Lewin at slewin@space.com or follow her @SarahExplains. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com. Fifty years ago this month, a small group of astronomers made a revolutionary cosmic discovery explaining a phenomenon that they initially thought might come from an intelligent alien civilization. In November 1967, Jocelyn Bell (now Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell), a graduate student at Cambridge University in England, made what turned out to be the first detection of a pulsar an incredibly dense ball of material formed when a massive star runs out of fuel and collapses in on itself. In the time since the discovery of pulsars, the objects have provided insight about the life cycle of stars and extreme states of matter, and provided evidence that supports Albert Einstein's theory of gravity. There are currently efforts underway to use pulsars to detect gravitational waves, or ripples in the fabric of the universe, and another to use pulsars as part of a space-based navigation system. Pulsars spin rapidly, while simultaneously radiating opposing beams of radio waves out into space. The setup is similar to a lighthouse that spins around one up-and-down axis and radiates two beams of light from a second axis. To ships on the water, the steady beams looks like a light pulsing on and off. The same is true for pulsars; if one of the beams happens to sweep across the Earth, it appears to astronomers as though the object is blinking or pulsing. [What Are Pulsars?] Bell Burnell was studying objects using a radio telescope she helped build at the Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory, outside Cambridge, under the supervision of her advisor, Antony Hewish, who designed the instrument. The telescope was intended to help study the radio cosmos using a technique called interplanetary scintillation. Hewish intended to use this method on objects called quasars, or incredibly bright centers of massive galaxies, illuminated by material swirling around monster black holes. Quasars vary in brightness, and Hewish thought the interplanetary scintillation technique was appropriate for identifying those changes. "We were looking far beyond [what could be seen with] optical telescopes," Hewish told the BBC of the radio astronomy he and his colleagues were doing then. "You felt very privileged actually. It was like opening a new window onto the universe, and you were the first people to have a look out through and see what was there." Most known neutron stars are observed as pulsars, emitting narrow, sweeping beams of radiation. They squeeze up to two solar masses into a city-size volume, crushing matter to the highest possible stable densities. (Image credit: NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center) Bell Burnell was in charge of operating the telescope and analyzing the data, according to an article she wrote for Cosmic Search Magazine in the 1970s. Using this technique, Bell Burnell spotted an object that appeared to be flickering every 1.3 seconds; this pattern repeated for days on end. The object didn't match the profile of a quasar. The signal conflicted with the generally chaotic nature of most cosmic phenomenon, the researchers would later explain. In addition, the light was of a very specific radio frequency, whereas most natural sources typically radiate across a wider range. For those reasons, Bell Burnell, Hewish and some other members of the astronomy department had to acknowledge that they might have found an artificially created signal something emitted by an intelligence species. Burnell even labeled the first pulsar LGM1, which stood for "little green men 1." A second discovery Bell Burnell would later report that Hewitt called a meeting without her, in which he discussed with other members of the department how they should handle presenting their results to the world. While their fellow scientists might practice restraint and skepticism, it was likely that the possible detection of an intelligent alien civilization could create chaos among the public, the scientists said. The press would very likely blow the story out of proportion and descend on the Cambridge researchers. According to Hewitt, one person even suggested (perhaps only partly joking) that they burn their data and forget the whole thing. Years later, Burnell wrote that she was rather annoyed at the appearance of the strange signal for another reason. As a graduate student, she was trying to get her thesis work done before her funding ran out, but work on the pulsar was taking away from her primary pursuit. "Here I trying to get a Ph.D. out of a new technique, and some silly lot of little green men had to choose my aerial and my frequency to communicate with us," she wrote in the article for Cosmic Search Magazine. Pulsars are fast-spinning and highly magnetized stars. See how they work here. (Image credit: by Karl Tate, Infographics artist) But then, Bell Burnell resolved the problem. She went back through some of the data from the radio array and found what looked like a similar, regularly repeating signal, this one coming from an entirely different part of the galaxy. That second signal indicated that this was a family of objects, rather than a single civilization trying to make contact. "It finally scotched the little green men hypothesis," Bell Burnell said in the a BBC documentary filmed in 2010. "Because it's highly unlikely there's two lots of little green men, on opposite sides of the universe, both deciding to signal to a rather inconspicuous planet, Earth, at the same time, using a daft technique and a rather commonplace frequency." "It had to be some new kind of star, not seen before," she said. "And that then cleared the way for us publishing, going public." In 1974, the Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to Hewish, along with radio astronomer Martin Ryle, "for their pioneering research in radio astrophysics: Ryle for his observations and inventions, in particular of the aperture-synthesis technique, and Hewish for his decisive role in the discovery of pulsars." The omission of Bell Burnell's name as a contributor to the pulsar discovery has stirred controversy among scientists and members of the public, though Bell Burnell has not publicly contested the Nobel committee's decision. Follow Calla Cofield @callacofield. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com. John Chakeres' images of NASA's first four space shuttle orbiters are the focus of "First Fleet." Pictured, the proposed design of the photo book to be published in fall 2018. A photographer's long-forgotten, seldom seen images of NASA's first space shuttles are now set for publication, 30 years after they were captured. "First Fleet: NASA's Space Shuttle Program 1981-1986," a collection of John Chakeres' photographs, will be released by Daylight Books in the fall of 2018, pending the outcome of a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign nearing its end. In 1981, Chakeres embarked on a project to document the now-retired fleet of winged orbiters, just as NASA prepared to launch its first space shuttle mission. [NASA's Space Shuttle - From Top to Bottom (Infographic)] "I wanted to create images that were majestic, symbolic, and gave the viewer a sense of what was required to fly such a complex piece of technology. The idea was to do more of a portrait of the space shuttle," Chakeres writes of the project on Kickstarter. "The fact the space shuttle was the most complex machine ever created compelled me to photograph it." "The space shuttle, in one sense, was a piece of sculpture to me," he said. "I was intrigued by how its design created a unique looking vehicle, and its final form was determined by its function." Chakeres, who by 1981 had already published two books of his landscape and art photography, followed the space shuttles and NASA's launch preparations at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida over the course of the fleet's first 24 missions. The project grew out of a life-long fascination with human spaceflight which is why what happened on the 25th space shuttle mission made Chakeres step away from photographing the shuttle. "It ended with the Challenger accident in 1986," Chakeres explains. "It was hard to continue the work after witnessing this accident, and I decided to set the project aside." Chakeres' film negatives remained in storage, unseen and never printed until 2013, two years after the 135th and final space shuttle mission. Friends and colleagues encouraged him to take a fresh look at the photos he took more than a quarter century earlier. Four years ago, he began scanning the film, rediscovering the images. "I began to think about what compelled me to make them," Chakeres said. Chakeres says he was drawn to NASA's activities by how each of the pre-shuttle missions seemed to set a new first, a trait that continued as the orbiters took flight. The space shuttles were the first to service satellites in orbit, the first to launch American women and minorities into space, and the first to fly as a group serving a common purpose. During the burgeoning years of the space shuttle program, NASA had four operational orbiters: Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, and Atlantis. (Endeavour would later be added in the wake of the loss of Challenger.) "Those four vehicles comprised the first fleet of manned spacecraft, hence the title for the book," Chakeres writes on Kickstarter. Chakeres' photos captured the four orbiters rising from the launch pad, landing from space and between the missions being moved and prepared for flight. John Chakeres photographed NASA's space shuttle orbiters at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Now, his photos are being prepared for publication in "First Fleet." (Image credit: Kickstarter/John Chakeres) "First Fleet" will present about 70 of Chakeres' photos in a 12 by 12-inch (30.5 by 30.5 centimeter) coffee-table format book. Former shuttle astronaut Leland Melvin will write the foreword, with photography curator W.M. Hunt penning the introduction. "First Fleet" will number 144 pages. In addition to three earlier books (including "Random New York: An Unscripted Walk, 2008"), Chakeres' photographs have been included in numerous exhibitions and in other publications and are in a number of permanent collections, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. He has taught photography, printmaking and digital imaging at Ohio University, Columbus College of Art and Design and Columbus State Community College in Ohio. Chakeres' Kickstarter awards supporters with copies of the book, as well as a "First Fleet" mission patch, photo cards and limited edition prints. The $16,000 campaign ends on Sunday (Dec. 3). For his part, Chakeres considers "First Fleet" as his way of giving back to the space program, which had a real impact on his life. "'First Fleet' is my way of paying homage to all of the men and women who built and flew the space shuttle, and how they inspired me to live a creative life," Chakeres states. For more details or to back the campaign, see "First Fleet: NASA's Space Shuttle Program 1981-1986" on Kickstarter: http://kck.st/2zZ71rZ Follow collectSPACE.com on Facebook and on Twitter at @collectSPACE. Copyright 2017 collectSPACE.com. All rights reserved. Shaheed El-Hafed, Nov 25, 2017 (SPS) - The National Union of Saharawi Women (NUSW) condemned on Friday the continuous and serious violations of human rights committed by the Moroccan regime against the Sahrawi women in the occupied cities of Western Sahara. In a statement published on the eve of the celebrations of the International Day against Violence against Women, NUSW condemned the crimes, the physical and moral violence practiced by the Moroccan authorities and their repressive apparatuses against Sahrawi women in the Occupied Zones and the South of Morocco. It expressed its unconditional solidarity with women victims of oppression, abuse and deprivation throughout the world, appealing to all international human rights organizations for putting an end to the sufferings of the Saharawi women. The statement called for eradication of all forms of violence that threaten the integrity and security of family. (SPS) 062/SPS/TRA I t's possible to feel sorry for Iain Conn, the fairly charming chief executive of Centrica, the company behind British Gas.The main role of the person holding this job is to take regular biffs from the tabloids for being energy fat cats. His predecessor Sam Laidlaw became Sammy Two Pools in The Sun, which claimed he used twice the amount of energy of an ordinary family just to heat his first swimming pool, and planned to build a second. Conn is having a miserable year, presently failing either to satisfy customers in search of cheap deals 820,000 left in the last four months or shareholders, which saw the stock crash 15% on one day last week. Profit margins at British Gas, often the highest in the sector, were above 7% in 2016. Thats higher than for supermarkets, say, where Tesco struggles to turn a 100 grocery bill into a fiver of profit. But it doesnt automatically scream price gouging. Perhaps the real place we should be looking for energy fat-cattery is behind the scenes, at the profits made by the gas and electric network firms, the companies that control the transmission of power into our homes. (Think of it like this: if National Grid runs the motorways, these firms run the A and B roads). These 10 network companies make profit of towards 8 billion a year, in some cases with margins as high as 40%. Their costs can make up 25% of a households average annual bill about 300. Since these companies have a natural monopoly, its hard to see why this is justified. The equivalent businesses in Germany have margins of just 7% to 9%, so collective swtich website The Big Deal tells me. The company that is in charge of electricity transmission in London is called UK Power Networks. As well as London it covers the East of England and the South-East. It made 1.05 billion in 2016, up 31% from 803 million in 2013. (The London bit specifically made 347 million in profit last year up 18% from 294 million in 2013). The profit margin for UK Power Networks is 30%. UK PN refers me to the trade body Energy Networks Association for a response. A spokeswoman says: The use of profit margin is misleading. For every 1 of profit we reinvest approximately 1.40 in the energy networks. Our prices are agreed by Ofgem and we are continually scrutinised by Government, Parliament and the regulator. Thats a strange response I think. It is their job to keep the energy networks up and running. Supermarkets might say how much they spend revamping stores, but they dont think its something for which they deserve praise. Edward Molyneux of The Big Deal says: People think the Big Six are a monopoly but at least there are some smaller energy companies battling with them. The network companies have zero competition and thats why these mega profits cant be right. No one begrudges companies making a profit, but these are excessive. If they made reasonable profits bills could be cut. I think Ed is right. Time for the Competition and Markets Authority to get involved. T odays stress tests offer a rare chink of sunlight to the City as it trembles ahead of Brexit. Even if we crash out of the EU with no deal, our major banks are all now strong enough to survive. In fact, even if we get a hard Brexit and another crisis on top, banks say they could make enough efficiencies to cope and still make an 8.3% return on equity. Thats great news, but raises the question: why wait for a crisis to make these savings? Shareholders could do with them now. The long-term view It's early days yet, but Thames Waters new shareholder structure could prove a fitting alternative to short-termist plc ownership. Thames was traduced for years for failing to invest while paying bumper dividends to its former owner Macquarie. Now, the (largely British) pension funds who recently took it over seem to be taking a long-term view. Theyve agreed not to take the 50 million-plus divvy they might have expected until Thamess investment programme improves its leakage and pollution record. I doubt Macquarie would have agreed such a sacrifice, and, of wider importance, nor would shareholders in a plc. FTSE chiefs trying to grow and invest in their businesses often complain of the short-termism of modern fund managers. Those carrying out long projects to boost performance for future generations are judged by the markets on their performance in quarters, instead of years. Properly planned investment, and with it, productivity, suffer. If Thamess new structure proves to deliver a better service for customers, and fair returns for investors, more companies might follow its lead. Hohn must draw in Sir Chris Hohns chances of getting Xavier Rolet unfired by the London Stock Exchange are now up there with the proverbial moggies in Hades. Last week he bizarrely called on the august bodies of the Bank of England and Financial Conduct Authority to jump in and duff up the LSE board. As if. It felt like the desperate last stand of a man who knows hes beaten. Today, governor Mark Carney, in that casual manner he does so well, confirmed Hohns defeat. Washing his hands of the Rolet affair, he witheringly declared the Frenchman had made an extraordinary contribution but everything comes to an end. The same could be said for Hohns courageous campaign. Hes highlighted the LSEs bafflingly bad succession planning, but failed to gain the City Establishments backing for an outright coup. Time to retire from battle with dignity intact. M y bookshelves hint that I am a racist. This comes as a slight shock. Its not as though my study is wall-to-wall with first editions of Mein Kampf and Five Go to Kick-An-Immigrant Island. But the problem is not the content; it is the arrangement. I like my books neat. Shelved in a logical fashion. There are a few thousand of them, so this is practical. I do not deploy the Dewey Decimal System beloved of old-fashioned librarians, but there is nevertheless a strict scheme. The history books go by century; the novels by respectability. There are large shelves for outsize volumes and a reference section ranging from Old French dictionaries to Rogers Profanisaurus. The books are carefully aligned, spines facing outward and all replaced after use. I become super-antsy if they get out of sequence. And here lies the problem. A report just out of Yale University suggests that an inclination to orderly arrangement and its corollary, a revulsion at disorder known as pattern deviancy aversion may indicate broader prejudice. Not just towards stuff, but towards humans. According to these findings, a tendency to dislike visual incongruities a malformed pizza or incorrectly laid floor tiles is linked with a tendency to shun people on the margins of society or from minority groups. It is hard to know what to say here. I cannot deny that the thought of a Romana Zapparoli with a slice missing makes me cringe. Were a builder to misalign my bathroom floor I would fire him on the spot and have the house demolished. I abhor incorrectly closed cupboards, improperly laid cutlery and a poorly stacked dishwasher. So far this fastidiousness has not parlayed into membership of the English Defence League or National Action. I do not bear conscious ill-will towards the marginalised. Yet if the scientists have it right then it is only a matter of time before I go from carefully replacing my copy of Mary Beards SPQR in the Romans section to sticking the ol Klan hood on and buying a family pass to a Richard Spencer rally. The only hope, then, is that the scientists have this wrong. That it is possible to be a neat-freak while remaining a conscious individual fit for purpose in the 21st century. Or, to put it another way, my best hope is that I am anal, and not a raging bigot. What a choice that is. Hats off to Harry for his choice of bride and averting a revolution Hurrah for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle! Their engagement is encouraging for those of us who have divined the masterplan energising the younger generation of the House of Windsor: to dilute the mystery of royalty by marrying into the middle classes or the Hollywood set so dissolving the inbred institution of monarchy. Another royal generation content to marry ones foul German cousin and produce offspring good for nothing but boarding school, dull military commission and a life of adultery would have been more than history could bear. By these plebeian means, however, revolution will be avoided. There will be a nice society-celebrity wedding next year, and monarchy will continue its long-term trajectory of gentle downgrading in step with the appetites of the nation. Eventually royalty will quietly vanish and Buckingham Palace sold to the Chinese for conversion into 150 million luxury flats. Congratulations, both! Forecast sends a chill through me There may be nothing new under the sun but there is reliably much surprise for Britons each winter when the days draw in, the thermometer drops and no one can believe that it is actually cold. There have been countless headlines lately screaming of cold snaps and flakes of snow as though a Westeros winter were upon us. I do not join in the sniggering of my snob-liberal friends. Human beings are dangerously sensitive to tiny movements in temperature. The cold is no joke if youre elderly, sick, sleeping rough or cant afford to keep the heating on. And, of course, winter makes great art. I think here of William Morris: I am Winter, that do keep /Longing safe amidst of sleep / Who shall say if I were dead / What should be remembered? Gaga 2.0 Sia is far from everyday Good new festive pop music is rare but Sias endearingly weird just released Christmas album, called Everyday is Christmas, is fab. Against the odds, I rather like her: the wacky hair, Gaga 2.0 schtick and ability to sing unaided by vocoder (now rare in pop). Sia is Australian, so by rights she should have little real understanding of what a wintry Christmas is about. Somehow, though, it works. F aced today with the probability of a snap election, the Irish Taoiseach has bigger worries than being told Shut your gob. The response of a Brexit paper to Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar charts the new low in Anglo-Irish relations as the nature of the post-Brexit border between Northern Ireland and the Republic advances to centre stage. This has preoccupied the Irish government since the referendum result. What does give pause for thought is the blindness of Brexiteers in London and within the ranks of the Democratic Unionist Party upon whom Theresa May depends. When Ian Paisley Jr says Brexit and the border have literally nothing to do with Varadkars concerns, one can only wonder what province of never-never land he is inhabiting. DUP leader Arlene Fosters insistence that Northern Irelands commercial relationships are entirely directed towards the UK rather than the rest of Ireland is equally delusional. Though he happens to be Irish, the remarks of Phil Hogan were made wearing his hat as the EUs agriculture commissioner; it is a very simple fact, as he put it, that a special status for Northern Ireland is the only way of avoiding the hard border no one wants. Zealous Brexiteers such as dismal ex-Secretaries of State for Northern Ireland Theresa Villiers and Owen Paterson wont admit this while Liam Fox has hung himself even further out to dry by ruling out any special status for Northern Ireland. This brings us back to the mindset of the Seventies and early Eighties, when it was a mantra of Tory politicians to refuse to admit that Northern Ireland was, in the title of Dervla Murphys book about it, a place apart. Starting with the 1985 Anglo-Irish Agreement, a more intelligent approach was put into place whereby civil servants and politicians in Dublin and London built a network of agreements recognising the provinces special status. One result was an easing of the border while not threatening Northern Irelands status within the UK. For the Brexit paper to call Varadkar naive is hilarious; he has been consistent throughout, and if he is replaced as Taoiseach by Micheal Martin, the arguments presented from Dublin will remain the same. The 19th-century wit Sydney Smith remarked that the moment the very name of Ireland is mentioned, the English seem to bid adieu to common feeling, common prudence and common sense, and to act with the barbarity of tyrants and the fatuity of idiots. It is tempting to say the same of English attitudes towards Europe. Roy Foster is Emeritus Professor of Irish History at Oxford, Professor of Irish History and Literature at Queen Mary University of London and author of Vivid Faces: the Revolutionary Generation in Ireland, 1890-1923 (Penguin). The best compliment to pay Meghan Markle on her style it that it is the least interesting thing about her. Not that she doesnt have a keen eye. Classic and elegant, without relinquishing her brand of confident feminine sexiness (she caught a prince after all), her wardrobe also semaphores ambition and media acumen: this is a woman who realised that what she says is more important than the fabric of her skirt. So, although she is a fashion fan, its unlikely she will lose her head over her wedding dress. There will be no attempts to outshine the Duchess of Cambridge - shell set her own mark. The bets are on and we in the fashion firmament are hoping she will choose a British designer. The London-based Canadian Erdem Moralioglu is at the top of my list - his designs are at a couture level of mastery and he will bring to life the kind of fantastical (but gently cool) creation most of us dream of come our wedding day. Erdem AW17 at London Fashion Week 1 /17 Erdem AW17 at London Fashion Week Erdem at LFW A model walks the AW17 runway Getty Images Erdem at LFW A model walks the AW17 runway Getty Images Erdem at LFW A model walks the AW17 runway Getty Images Erdem at LFW A model walks the AW17 runway Getty Images Erdem at LFW A model walks the AW17 runway Getty Images Erdem at LFW A model walks the AW17 runway Getty Images Erdem at LFW A model walks the AW17 runway Getty Images Erdem at LFW A model walks the AW17 runway Getty Images Erdem at LFW A model walks the AW17 runway Getty Images Erdem at LFW A model walks the AW17 runway Getty Images Erdem at LFW A model walks the AW17 runway Getty Images Erdem at LFW A model walks the AW17 runway Getty Images Erdem at LFW A model walks the AW17 runway Getty Images Neither are his clients young girls merely looking for the next big thing: they are for women who, like 36-year-old Markle, radiate self-confidence. Theyre popular on the red carpet. And Markle is no stranger to his collections: Erdem is a designer I have been wearing for years, she told Vanity Fair. I suspect the Fifties feel of his recent spring/summer 18 show is unlikely to appeal to her personal style, but the future Duchess is unlikely to risk a less experienced designer. His discretion can be relied upon; that and the fact he is one of the nicest, most intelligent men in fashion. There will be endless names swished about between now and the wedding. British-based Emilia Wickstead, who launched her own bridal line this year, is another who deserves the accolade. Emilia Wickstead SS18 at London Fashion Week 1 /13 Emilia Wickstead SS18 at London Fashion Week Emilia Wickstead at LFW A model walks the SS18 runway AFP/Getty Images Emilia Wickstead at LFW A model walks the SS18 runway AFP/Getty Images Emilia Wickstead at LFW A model walks the SS18 runway AFP/Getty Images Emilia Wickstead at LFW A model walks the SS18 runway AFP/Getty Images Emilia Wickstead at LFW A model walks the SS18 runway AFP/Getty Images Emilia Wickstead at LFW A model walks the SS18 runway AFP/Getty Images Emilia Wickstead at LFW A model walks the SS18 runway AFP/Getty Images Emilia Wickstead at LFW A model walks the SS18 runway AFP/Getty Images Emilia Wickstead at LFWEmilia Wickstead at LFW A model walks the SS18 runway AFP/Getty Images A model walks the SS18 runway AFP/Getty Images I can say from the safety of knowing her well and the fact she designed the most elegant wedding dress for my brothers wife that she definitely has the credentials to deliver on the day, especially a sleek, low-key silhouette if the rumours of a more intimate wedding are true. And Wickstead is the less obvious choice, which may appeal to Markle, who bar the odd Prada bag and Lanvin dress has so far avoided big , louche brands. There is also the slight possibility of an English designer at the helm of a French fashion house - Clare Waight Keller newly installed at Givenchy, perhaps. I wouldnt be surprised if she calls upon the Vogue editor Edward Enninful for a spot of advice, as the magazine has a long history in royal dressing (I was often mistakenly listed as a style advisor to Kate). She may even throw a curve ball and in these torrid Brexit times pay lip service to our special relationship by choosing an American designer. New Yorker Misha Nonoo is a friend of the actress and who doesnt want a mate expertly handling your nerves on the big day? Nonoo has a straight-forward practicality like Markle, but her design teams experience will fall short of the kind of layered wow-factor details you need for the dress of a lifetime. I suspect Nonoo will be handling some of the honey moon outfits instead. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle engagement announcement 1 /36 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle engagement announcement Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Eddie Mulholland-WPA Pool/Getty Images Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace AFP/Getty Images Prince Harry and Ms Meghan Markle photo call today on the announcement of their engagement in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Getty Images Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace AP Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace PA Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace EPA Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace AP Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Getty Images Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Reuters Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Sky News Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace PA Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace EPA Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace EPA Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Getty Images Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace AFP/Getty Images Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace EPA Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace AP Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, London, after the announcement of their engagement PA Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leave following a photocall after announcing their engagement in the Sunken Garden in Kensington Palace EPA Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry and Meghan Markle walk away after posing for the media in the grounds of Kensington Palace AP Given Markle was born in Los Angeles, Kate and Laura Mulleavy of LA-based label Rodarte could create a dress that would go down in fashion history but this is highly unlikely. One thing we do know, as an actress Markle works in the realm of storytelling. She is also clearly a romantic. And a Royal wedding is the oldest and greatest fairy tale of them all. I doubt she or the dress will disappoint. Emily Sheffield is former deputy editor of British Vogue W hen I last met Lee Child, seven years ago, he was already pretty punchy about the evergrowing sales of his Jack Reacher thrillers. Fourteen books into a series, it should have found its level by now, you would think, but its growing year on year, he said with satisfaction. At the time, hed sold around 37 million books worldwide. The sales are still climbing, totalling more than 100 million now. His new novel The Midnight Line, Reacher #22, one of his best has gone straight to the top of the bestseller charts, 48,814 sold in the first week. Back then, Child showed himself to be highly competitive with more literary novelists such as Martin Amis and Ian McEwan, memorably telling me he could write one of their novels in three weeks and sell 3,000 copies or whatever, whereas they could never do the reverse and write successful genre fiction like his. When we meet in the May Fair Hotel this week in a suite without any windows, quite the interrogation room he seems ever so slightly more mellow. Certainly, hes no longer fired up by the resentment he still felt then for the events that had launched him into writing fiction in middle age being sacked from his job at Granada Television just as he turned 40. Now he tells me that the injustices of the past and Granada faded long ago. At 63, hes still a formidable presence, though: intimidatingly tall, lean, hawkish-looking, staring at you unblinkingly with pale, cold eyes as he speaks, yielding nothing, just like his hero. On the other hand, he has his heros admirable directness too, giving it to you straight whatever you ask, in perfectly formed sentences. That rivalry? Good writers have no problem with him, Child says (many, from Haruki Murakami to AS Byatt, have come out and declared their fandom). Top-tier writers never object its third-rate guys who are sniffy about it. So you think, well, its absurd that youre not doing it then. If its that easy, go ahead and do it. You can send your children to university and buy them a house, and your grandchildren and your great-grandchildren. Why wouldnt you do it? Are they so principled that they are going to deny their family riches, or is it that they actually cant do it? Child lives mainly in Manhattan, in an apartment overlooking Central Park, but he also has a house in Provence. Six years ago he bought a farm in Sussex, and, quite recently, a place in Wyoming too, the setting of his latest novel. His wife Jane prefers country life, despite being a New Yorker herself. Theyve been married 42 years, having met at university. Shes an academic, into history. For her, anything beyond about 1485, Henry VII, is dangerously modern, practically journalism. Their daughter Ruth, now 38, is a linguist. They once spent a two-hour car journey back from Philadelphia talking about a gerund that we saw on a billboard, he says, fondly. His own upbringing in Birmingham, as the son of a civil servant, was normal post-war austerity. We were not poor in the sense that we ate three meals a day and we had shoes and so on. But it was dull, nonetheless, not fulfilling. Having been in showbiz, one way or another, all his life, he has concluded that almost all performers are secretly or subconsciously doing it for the love and approval that they often didnt get as children. Im definitely doing that, because my parents were quite withholding and very conditional about love and approval, in a Kafkaesque way, that first of all we didnt know what we were supposed to be doing, and then we would never achieve it. For him, writing, like all performance, is all about the audience. Its not about you, its not about your own self-image, its not about being a cool guy, its not about buying the black polo-neck and the black leather jacket its about the audience. Its a transaction he has with his readers, he explains, giving them what they want, while allowing space for their own imaginations, not overloading the story with detail. In fact, despite all the thumping and the great adventures, the Reacher novels are in some ways quite abstract and minimal compositions. Pure literature, you might say. You dont want to bolt on too many arbitrary characteristics. That is a problem with genre fiction as a whole, that people feel the hero must be interesting, so they start bolting on various things that are allegedly idiosyncratic or interesting but are really just for the sake of it. He finds JK Rowlings Cormoran Strike novels a tiny bit overcooked. Hes missing a leg, which is great. Fine. But he also has bad hair. And Im like one or the other. Give the poor guy decent hair at least. And, he says slyly, in passing I would point out ex-military policeman? Where did she get that idea? More book reviews 1 /24 More book reviews Recovery by Russell Brand Will Russells brand of self-help prove quite so addictive? By Nicholas Lezard. Read review A Life in Questions by Jeremy Paxman Paxo refuses to answer all the really good questions, says David Sexton. Read review Politics: Between: The Extremes by Nick Clegg The basis of this book makes it impossible not to warm to Clegg, says Melanie McDonagh. Read review Serious Sweet by A L Kennedy Thank heavens for London in this tale of self-obsessed lovers. Read review The Last Royal Rebel: The Life and Death of James, Duke of Monmouth by Anna Keay Born a kings b****** and destined for a traitors death. Read review Man Up: Boys, Men and Breaking the Male Rules by Rebecca Asher Getting to the bottom of why boys will be boys. Read review The Course of Love by Alain de Botton A philosophical novel that does run smooth, says Johanna Thomas-Corr. Read review The Tree Climbers Guide: Adventures in the Urban Canopy by Jack Cooke How I gave this book a proper test and ended up with a broken ankle. Read review Reader, I Married Him: Stories Inspired by Jane Eyre Brontes classic tale in the imaginations of other writers, says Claire Harman. Read review Moranifesto by Caitlin Moran Caitlin comes clean about politics the world according to our funniest feminist. By Rosamund Urwin. Read review Spark Joy An Illustrated Guide to the Japanese Art of Tidying by Marie Kondo Theres no messing wih Marie, says Katie Law. Read review Cockfosters Stories by Helen Simpson After 50, a womans life gets better not worse. By Katie Law. Read review Stalins Englishman: The Lives of Guy Burgess by Andrew Lownie Joker in the spying pack. By Richard Bassett. Read review Even Dogs in the Wild by Ian Rankin The darkness that lies at the heart of the novel is offset by a lightness of touch, says Mark Sanderson. Read review Unfaithful Music & Disappearing Ink by Elvis Costello Elvis proves not quite so lyrical on the page, says Nick Curtis. Read review The Importance of Elsewhere: Philip Larkins Photographs by Richard Bradford His poetry paints better pictures than any camera, says David Sexton. Read review Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith Morality wins out over macabre murders, says Melanie McDonagh. Read review The Grownup by Gillian Flynn Calling all Flynnies: the con girl whos like gone girl. Read review He freely admits that Giant Jack Reacher is Child as a boy, Child as wishfulfilment: what he would do if he lived in a fictional universe and could get away with it. But then he thinks thats why Reacher reaches so many readers too. Even though theyre far too civilised to admit it, everybody has got a list of 10 people they would cheerfully punch in the face and we would just love to be able to do that. In the past, he has always been tactful about the appropriateness of titchy Tom Cruise playing giant Jack Reacher but this time he plays it straight. The reality of casting Reacher is that it was a Venn diagram that didnt meet in the middle. We needed three things. We needed talent enough to put a largely interior character on the screen. We needed somebody 6ft 5in and 250 lbs. And we needed somebody bankable enough to bring $100 million to the production. And these circles never met, so we had to jettison one of them. In many ways I was delighted with the decision because as movies theyre fine. But are they Reacher movies? No, not really, But that makes no difference to me, because the book is the product I see nothing but the book. The movie is a peripheral thing, somewhere slightly behind me and off to one side. However, his fans took it harder, he acknowledges. I was never really that exercised about it, although a lot of readers were and that was probably a miscalculation on my part. Looking to the future, he doesnt envisage re-casting Reacher, Bond-style, so much as changing media altogether and making the stories for subscription TV, where its all happening now long seasons that could be binge-watched, very gritty, very authentic. The Midnight Line is absolutely topical, dealing with opioid addiction, a huge problem in the US right now. More people have died recently of opioid overdoses than died in Vietnam. Its carnage. Its rare for me to do something thats ripped from the headlines. Its purely a coincidence, really. As the novel reveals, he has a great deal of sympathy for addicts. People have rotten lives, they need to take the edge off somehow, and an opium high is a magnificent thing it is just a wonderful thing. Our brain chemistry is perfect for it. Well get nowhere if we just tut-tut and scold and prohibit. Weve got to face up to the fact that it is hugely attractive and the only way of solving it is to remove the rottenness out of peoples lives so they dont need it. Hes a convinced smoker and devotee of weed himself; in the past, he has said weed shouldnt just be made legal, it should be compulsory. He doesnt intend to stop smoking. I enjoy it and its a bargain. Conceivably itll take 10 or 20 years off my life but Im happy to give it up for the enjoyment while Im alive. To worry about do you live till 70 or 90 ... The world itself is four billion years old. Twenty years for any insignificant individual is utterly trivial what difference does it make? Thus speaks Lee Child, the best thriller writer we have. L ast night, the nation stood still for 20 minutes during Prince Harry and Meghan Markles first televised interview together on the day they announced their engagement. The loved-up duo spoke of how they met (a blind date set up through a mutual friend) and how he proposed (during a quiet night at the cottage, while cooking a roast chicken). But it was when they were speaking of Botswana the landlocked country in Southern Africa that we knew this was the place they fell in love. Of their first meeting, Harry said: I had never watched Suits, I had never heard of Meghan before and I was beautifully surprised when I walked into that room and saw her. I was like, OK well Im going to have to really up my game here. Rhino Conservation Botswana It was I think about three maybe four weeks later that I managed to persuade her to come and join me in Botswana and we camped out with each other under the stars. The pair returned to Botswana this year for Meghans 36th birthday so what is it about Botswana that holds such a special place in their hearts? Prince Harry first visited Botswana when he was just 13 years old, two months after his mother, Princess Diana, died. In January, the fifth in line to the throne became a patron of Rhino Conservation Botswana. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle engagement announcement 1 /36 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle engagement announcement Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Eddie Mulholland-WPA Pool/Getty Images Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace AFP/Getty Images Prince Harry and Ms Meghan Markle photo call today on the announcement of their engagement in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Getty Images Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace AP Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace PA Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace EPA Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace AP Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Getty Images Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Reuters Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Sky News Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace PA Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace EPA Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace EPA Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Getty Images Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace AFP/Getty Images Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace EPA Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace AP Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, London, after the announcement of their engagement PA Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leave following a photocall after announcing their engagement in the Sunken Garden in Kensington Palace EPA Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry and Meghan Markle walk away after posing for the media in the grounds of Kensington Palace AP He said at the time: Ive been lucky enough to visit Botswana for more than 20 years and Im fortunate to be able to call it my second home. Where to stay Prince Harry reportedly is a regular at bush camp site Meno a Kwena around the Maun area which is popular with glamping tourists. Billeted as the ultimate tent and camping experience in Botswana, Meno a Kwena is midway between Botswanas extraordinary Okavango Delta and the spectacular Central Kalahari Game Reserve. Onsite you will find nine luxurious tents, all with ensuite bathrooms which overlook a river often dotted with wild game like elephants and other animals. How to get there To get to Meno a Kwena you can fly into Johannesburg, South Africa and Windhoek, Namibia and get a connecting Air Botswana flight for the trip to Maun where the team will pick you up from the airport. Other cities you can fly to in Botswana are Gaborone, Fancistown and Kasane. A beaming Meghan Markle with Prince Harry as they give their first TV interview / PA What to do When in an African country, one of the highlights of the trip will be seeing the big five elephants, rhinos, lion, buffalo and leopards. Luckily, a stay at Meno a Kwena allows you to see wildlife directly from the camp as it is situated on the Boteti River where elephants spend hours drinking water, playing and swimming and during the dry season (May to November) you can see Africas second-largest zebra migration drinking in front of the camp. The site also offers safari tours to see wildlife across the plains and boat transfers across the river. When to go May will give you the best chance of seeing the most types of wildlife but you will get to see great wildlife all year round. The dry season runs from May to November so booking between those months is your best bet but be wary temperatures can rise to 38 degrees during October and November. Meno A Kwena prices begin at 334 per person; menoakwena.com E very country and culture has its own quirks that are often completely overlooked by outsiders. However, sometimes these quirks are so extreme that they can land you in trouble if you're not aware of them. Airport transfer company Hoppa has compiled a list of quirky and peculiar laws from across the globe that could get naive holidaymakers in trouble. As pleading unaware of some laws doesn't seem to work as a get out of jail free card, the list of laws hopes to educate jet-setters before they make any costly or consequence-heavy blunders. From crossing the street to packing paracetamol in your suitcase, scroll on to discover 13 peculiar things that could get you in trouble when travelling abroad. Adam Jaime/Unsplash Buying alcohol mid-afternoon in Thailand Thailand is known across the globe as a partying hotspot thanks to its Full Moon beach parties and party resorts. However, what many travellers don't realise is that it's illegal to order any alcoholic drinks throughout the country outside of the hours of 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or 5 p.m. to midnight. This means no 4 p.m. cocktails on the beach or late night beverages while out clubbing into the small hours. Any clubs, bars, or vendors caught selling alcohol outside of these designated time slots can be fined 4,000 Baht (92) or even face a prison sentence of up to two years. Get down, get on up: London has club nights galore / Caiaimage/Paul Bradbury/Getty Images Dancing after dark in Japan Dancing after midnight is illegal in Japan due to a law introduced in 1948, put into place to regulate the sex industry. The law was changed in 2015 after campaigners asked for the ban to be lifted. Now, dancing after midnight is allowed, but only if the lighting is at least 10 lux (that's 10 lumens per square metre). Getty Images Smoking in public in Singapore Although smoking isn't illegal in public in Singapore, regulations on where you can smoke in public places are extreme. Bus stops, playgrounds, and carparks are all strict non-smoking zones. Smokers must also stay at least five metres away from all entrances to buildings, bus shelters, and common areas while holding a lit cigarette, or face fines of up to S$10,000 (5,600). Frank Kohntopp/Unsplash Jaywalking in the US In the US, Iran, and Singapore, crossing the road anywhere that isn't a designated pedestrian crossing can result in fines, a court appearance, or even a prison sentence. Shutterstock Texting while walking in Honolulu In an attempt to make pedestrians share responsibility for road safety with drivers, texting while walking has recently been banned in Honolulu, Hawaii. Anyone caught texting or looking at any sort of electronic device while crossing a road can be slapped with a fine of up to $99 (75). Shutterstock Swearing in public in Australia Banned in three Australian states New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland swearing in a public place can get you slapped with an on-the-spot fine of anything between AU$100 (58) and AU$240 (140). Will Langenberg/Unsplash Wearing swimwear in the city in Spain Despite the sunbathers clad in bikini tops that line Spain's beaches in the summer, failing to wear appropriate clothing away from the beach could result in happy-go-lucky tourists being slapped with a semi-nudity charge and a fine between 100 and 200 (90 and 180). (PA) / PA Wire/PA Images Taking painkillers into the United Arab Emirates Drug laws in the UAE are extremely strict many over-the-counter remedies common in the UK and around the world are seen as serious narcotics, especially anything containing codeine. Travellers are safer to leave their painkillers at home, as possession of a banned substance or even traces in the bloodstream can result in a prison sentence of up to four years. Scott Barbour/Getty Images Feeding Venice's pigeons Feeding pigeons in Venice was made illegal in 2008. The law was brought about in an attempt to minimise the number of bird droppings on Venice's famous monuments and ornate buildings. VOLKSWAGEN Driving without headlights in Sweden No matter the time of day, all moving vehicles must have their headlights switched on when driving through Sweden and Norway. In the depths of winter, Stockholm only has between five and six daylight hours. Meanwhile, Swedish summers can see upwards of 20 daylight hours. Due to the vastly ranging figures, it's safer to ask all drivers to keep their headlights on at all times. Shutterstock Wearing high heels to a Greek historic site High heels have been banned from many ancient monuments across Greece due to the additional wear-and-tear they're deemed to cause on the historic sites. The law was passed in 2009. At the time, the Director of Greek Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities, Eleni Korka, told the Daily Mail: "These monuments have a skin that suffers and people must realise that." Kent Police found 15 people in the back of a lorry at Medway Services / PA Wire/PA Images Stopping on the motorway in Germany High heels have been banned from many ancient monuments across Greece due to the additional wear-and-tear they're deemed to cause on the historic sites. The law was passed in 2009. At the time, the Director of Greek Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities, Eleni Korka, told the Daily Mail: "TheGermany's motorway network, called the autobahn, has a very strict "no stopping" policy. Drivers causing a block in the traffic from staying still could be fined anywhere between 30 and 70 (27 and 63). (Getty) Wearing pink shorts on Sundays in Victoria, Australia Due to an old law still around from the Victorian era, pink shorts are banned in Victoria, Australia, on Sunday afternoons. The reasons why this law is in place are unclear, but strutting your stuff in pink shorts from midday onwards will see you committing a literal fashion crime. C oca-Cola fans, rejoice. You can now fully immerse yourself in the sweet taste of Christmas by staying the night in the Coca-Cola truck. The famous truck has travelled over 730,000 miles in its seven-year lifetime, the equivalent of 29 times around the world. But its finally parking up to give two lucky people the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to cosy up for a sleepover inside. This isnt a lorry-drivers kip in a motorway lay by situation - you'll sleep in a secret central London location, under 8,000 twinkling fairy lights in the trucks decked out interior. Think woodland snow scenes, a flickering fireplace and even a Christmas tree. Coca-Cola Truck Sleepover - In pictures 1 /12 Coca-Cola Truck Sleepover - In pictures During the sleepover, guests will be treated to a delicious Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, bulging stockings full of gifts, and of course plenty ice-cold of Coca-Cola. On top of this, there will be a flurry of festive films and music to keep you entertained, and breakfast the following morning. But the fizzy fun doesnt stop after that: guests will also receive complimentary tickets to visit the Coca-Cola London Eye, to soak up Londons gorgeous views. To enter the competition, visit laterooms.com, find the truck's listing and explain why you are the ultimate Christmas fan. The competition closes at midday on December 8, 2017. Terms and conditions apply. T he City of London was put on lockdown as police carried out a controlled explosion following a security alert at the Gherkin. City workers were told to stay indoors due to reports of a suspicious vehicle in the finance hub. The driver of the car was arrested over possession of false documents, police said. Images taken from inside neighbouring office blocks showed a police robot next to a silver car. Staff were pictured huddled in the stairwells inside the iconic skyscraper as bomb disposal units probed the car. One member of staff told the Standard: "We were told to stay inside because of a suspicious vehicle. "There was a loud bang as the bomb robot blew up the car. Police used a sniffer dog before they told us it was safe." One woman, who works in the Gherkin but asked not to be named, added: We were asked to evacuate due to a suspicious vehicle being parked outside the building. We all moved into the stairwells. Everyone is just chatting. Its all pretty calm and no-one is panicking." Footage showed armed police on the scene and described the usually busy area as "eerily quiet". A spokesman for City of London Police said: City of London Police were called to St Mary Axe following a report of a suspicious vehicle parked on the street. The incident was reported to us at 11.32am on Tuesday." The vehicle was deemed non-suspicious and roads were reopened just before 1pm, police added. T he family of a man who died after being restrained by six police officers are suing the Met for 40,000 damages. Darren Neville, 28, died in hospital two months after he was restrained by police outside the probation hostel where he was staying in Highbury in March 2013. Mr Neville, who had taken cocaine, was behaving bizarrely, having smashed through a glass door with a fire extinguisher and put a recycling bin over his head. Police were flagged down by a passing cyclist and six officers worked together to restrain him, using both handcuffs and leg restraints. But he had two fits and, after going into cardiac arrest, was rushed to intensive care at Royal London Hospital. He died on May 12 at Whittington Hospital, Archway, where he had been able to communicate only by screaming thought to be due to a mixture of pain and frustration. In a civil trial at the High Court, his brother Louis Neville, and parents Carol Neville and Philip Gray, are suing the Met Police for alleged breaches of his human rights. At the opening of the case, the familys barrister Rajeev Thacker argued that Darrens right to life and to protection from inhumane and degrading treatment were violated by the police. Mr Thacker said the officers who restrained him, who were trained in mental health, should have recognised that Mr Neville might have been having an acute behavioural disturbance (ABD) and there was a real risk of death if he was restrained. He told the court that medical experts agreed the restraint contributed to the cardiac arrest which was ultimately the cause of death. Mr Thacker said the force used against him was disproportionate. The officers immediately ran into this situation, immediately escalated the situation, he told the court. From there, things escalated to restraint and more and more restraint. He added: The officers simply werent thinking throughout the restraint. The response was to restrain more and more as he struggled more and more, without appreciating that was the sort of thing that causes a cardiac arrest in someone suffering from ABD. Met Commissioner, Cressida Dick, has said the officers restrained Darren to help him, that their actions were reasonable and the force used was proportionate. The family is seeking damages totalling 40,000 for alleged breaches of Darrens human rights. The Met denies liability. The hearing continues. T he father of a business student stabbed to death after he confronted boys who pelted his home with eggs today called for tougher sentences for knife crime offenders. Syed Abdul Makit said families had a critical role in solving Londons knife crime epidemic, as our children are slaying each other over nothing. Syed Jamanoor Islam, 21, died in his mothers arms after he was set upon by an armed gang near his family home in Mile End. A 16-year-old boy was found guilty of his murder on Friday. The youth, who cannot be named because of his age, stabbed Mr Islam on April 11 at the culmination of a row that began 24 hours earlier. Mr Islams family home was egged during a fight between two groups of teenage boys, Inner London Crown court heard. The business student was attacked as he confronted the group the next day. Speaking out: Syed Abdul Makit The 16-year-old pulled out a knife and inflicted a fatal stab wound to his leg. Mr Islams father, 40, said: I want to tell every parent in this country to look after their children. This was a senseless killing. Our children are slaying each other over nothing. Situations escalate and develop into fights, someone brings a knife and now my son is dead. No one should have been killed over such a small thing. I want the person who stabbed my son to get a life sentence. All other kids have to see if they use a knife they will go to prison for the rest of their lives. It doesnt matter how young you are. If you kill somebody you are going to prison. Syed was a clever boy with so much potential and he was ripped from our lives. He said tougher sentences were necessary to help reduce rising levels of youth violence. So far this year 24 teenagers have been murdered in the capital, double the figure for the whole of last year. Eighteen were stabbed. Mr Makit said: The Government needs to be tougher on teenagers who kill, they think because they are young they will only get two years. It needs to make the children think and get the message to them early. The young dont think of consequences. The system looks at their lives, the hardships they suffer, but what about the person who was killed? He is now just a picture in my mind. Mr Islams killer will be sentenced on December 22 along with three others present during the attack who were convicted of conspiracy to commit actual bodily harm. A female pedestrian has been rushed to hospital with serious leg injuries after being hit by a bus in Trafalgar Square. Emergency services were called to the London landmark just after 2pm after reports of a collision. London Air Ambulance was scrambled and landed in the middle of the square before taking the woman to hospital. Dramatic footage showed the helicopter landing in front of watching tourists before medics ran to assist the pedestrian. Her injuries are not believed to be life-threatening, a Met police spokesman said. There will be "unavoidable road closures" in place until further notice. The age of the woman hit is not yet known. A London Ambulance Service spokesman said: We were called at 2.06pm today to Northumberland Avenue, Westminster to reports of a road traffic collision. We sent a number of resources to the scene including an ambulance crew, a single responder in a car, a cycle responder, an advanced paramedic and an incident response officer. Londons Air Ambulance was also dispatched. We treated a woman for a leg injury at the scene and took her to hospital by ambulance. T he UK and EU have reached a deal on the final Brexit divorce bill deal which could tot up to nearly 50 billion, it has been reported. According to two news outlets, sources from both London and Brussels suggested there had been a breakthrough in talks and an agreement on the financial settlement had been reached. It raises hopes of progress ahead of next month's crunch summit. On Tuesday evening the Telegraph reported that a deal had been reached and the final figure is expected to be between 45 billion and 55 billion - or between 40 billion and 49 billion. According to the Guardian, the divorce bill agreement could see the UK coughing up as much as 57 billion. The Financial Times said that "several diplomats familiar with the talks" had confirmed that the UK will assume EU liabilities worth up to 100 billion (89 billion) gross, but that net payments would amount to around half that figure. Key Brexit Players - In pictures 1 /8 Key Brexit Players - In pictures David Davis Reuters Michel Barnier AP Tim Barrow AFP/Getty Images Oliver Robbins Sabine Weyand Didier Seeuws AFP/Getty Images But a government official said it does not recognise this account of a reported bill settlement and stressed that intense talks are continuing in Brussels this week as an agreement is sought. A spokesman for the EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier also declined to comment. Negotiators have been working towards an early December deadline of agreeing a divorce settlement figure. Once that is agreed at a meeting with European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker on December 4, talks can move onto discussions of a post-Brexit trade deal. Theresa May's Brexit in her own words Theresa May is set to meet Mr Juncker and Mr Barnier in Brussels on Monday. The PM and EU diplomats need to also agree key issues including the Northern Irish border and citizens rights before the December 14 and 15 European Council summit in order to be able to move onto the next phase of negotiations. The problem of the Irish border has emerged in recent weeks as a major difficulty in securing sufficient progress and the two sides in the Brexit negotiations are still at odds over the role of the European Court of Justice in enforcing citizens' rights after Brexit. Earlier today, former Cabinet minister Priti Patel said Brussels should be told to sod off over its financial demands for Brexit. Meanwhile it emerged the UK could be required to follow new rules implemented by the EU during a Brexit transition period. The position set out by Michel Barnier in leaked documents would make the application of new EU rules a condition of a transitional deal, meaning Britain could be subject to further Brussels' regulations for about two years after leaving the bloc. F acebook and Twitter have responded to Government inquiries over online Russian interference in the EU referendum, with the latter saying: "Not all [bots] are bad". The social media giants' were responding to demands from the UK Government's Digital Culture, Media and Sports Select Committee. Their replies were published on Tuesday and shared on Twitter shortly after by committee chair Damian Collins, who has been campaigning for the firms to demonstrate greater online transparency. Simon Milner, Facebook's UK policy director, said the company was "considering how [best to] respond to [a similar] request for information" from the Electoral Commission - which is also investigating hacking claims - promising they would have more information by mid-December. Twitter bosses, however, sought to distance themselves from the controversy. Nick Pickles, head of UK public policy, cited a study by City University, which said there was "no evidence supporting the notion that bots can substantively alter campaign communication". An Internet bot, also known as a "web robot", is a software application that runs automated tasks online. It was revealed earlier this month that the Twitter account that shared an image which it claimed showed a Muslim woman "ignoring victims of the Westminster terror attack" was a Russian bot. Mr Pickles wrote: "We are currently undertaking investigations into these questions and intend to share our findings in the coming weeks. "It is important to note that not all automated accounts (bots) are bad, whether posting air quality sensor readings or posting details of Wikipedia edits, while not all high activity accounts are bots. "Twitters central control - users choosing to follow or unfollow an account to curate what appears in their timeline- is a robust defence against low-quality automated accounts." Damian Collins MP has demanded information from Facebook and Twitter / Getty Images Quoting a study into hacking by City University experts, the response goes on: "We have not found evidence supporting the notion that bots can substantively alter campaign communication." The firm says it takes down more than 3.2 "suspicious accounts" around the world every week - a figure which has more than doubled in the space of a year. Both Facebook and Twitter have come under political pressure around the world, with accusations of Russian influencers using the online networks to influence votes in Britain, France, Germany and the US. The Electoral Commission recently launched claims Russia used Twitter and Facebook to meddle in the UKs EU referendum. Committee chair Damian Collins told the Standard: "The British public have a right to understand the extent and scope of Russias disinformation campaign in the United Kingdom. "The agreement of both Facebook and Twitter to provide the information that I requested to the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee is critical to our understanding of Russian interference in our political process. "I hope that Twitter is able to provide the Committee with this information within the same timeframe as Facebook, and I will be writing to them to clarify this. Gina Miller is backing calls for an independent inquiry / Getty Images Brexit lawyer Gina Miller recently backed calls for an official inquiry into the allegations, as suggested by Labour MP Ben Bradshaw in the House of Commons. Speaking exclusively to the Standard, Ms Miller said: "The Electoral Commission, a quasi-governmental organisation, does not have the power or remit to deal with an investigation into Russian interference in the EU referendum. There has to be an independent inquiry. "The UK is only part of a larger story which we have seen unfolding all over the world, in the American, French and German elections. "We have to call into question what our government is doing. Where is their moral compass?" Damian Collins says he intends to write back to both Facebook and Twitter shortly. T ory MP John Profumo had a long-running affair with a glamorous Nazi spy who may have later tried to blackmail him, newly declassified MI5 files suggest. The minister, who was later forced to quit after an infamous sex scandal in the 1960s, met fashion model Gisela Winegard at Oxford in the early 1930s. At the height of the Profumo Affair in 1963, MI6 sent a letter to MI5 about Mrs Winegard, whose maiden name was Klein, outlining her wartime and postwar exploits. The letter, released today, reveals that Mrs Winegard and her husband had a UK Visa application rejected in 1951. John Profumo was later forced to quit after a notorious 1960s sex scandal / PA At the time of the application, authorities believed the Winegards had "recently engaged in blackmail activities and now think it possible their intended visit to the UK may be connected with this". The visa application, for a six-week "pleasure visit", listed "Jack Profumo, MP for South Cattering(sic)" as a reference, the files show. Mr Profumo was MP for Kettering from 1940 to 1945, and for Stratford-upon-Avon from 1950. The declassified records show that Dusseldorf-born Winegard had been ordered to leave the UK in 1935 and 1936 for working as a fashion model while on non-working visas. Gisela Winegard ran a secret wartime information service for the Nazis in Paris / PA She was reported as being "on intimate terms with the German Military Attache in Paris" in 1938, leading the Home Office to recommend she be barred from entering Britain. She also ran a secret wartime information service for the Nazis in Paris, under the cover of a "commercial information bureau" which also saw her visit Italy and Greece. Mr Profumo himself told MI5 about Mrs Winegard, the archives reveal. A memo reveals that in 1941 he admitted meeting her in 1936 "and got to know her well". The memo goes on: "She was always hard up. Later she went on to become a mannequin (model) and made a large number of useful contacts. John Profumo met Winegard at Oxford in the 1930s / PA Pre-war reports on Klein's activities in Britain describe her as being "of striking appearance" and well-connected, using "invitations and help from male friends" to make ends meet. Mr Profumo became MP for Kettering in 1940, but went on to serve with distinction as a British Army officer in the Second World War, landing in Normandy on D-Day. He lost his seat in the 1945 Labour landslide, but was elected in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1950. Four years later he married the actress Valerie Hobson. His political downfall came in 1963 when, while Secretary of State for War, he was implicated in the scandal that came to bear his name. The lurid disclosures of high-society sex parties and claims he had shared a mistress, Christine Keeler, with a Soviet defence attache enthralled and scandalised the nation. Mr Profumo was said to have been introduced to showgirl Keeler through Stephen Ward during a party at Lord Astor's mansion at Cliveden. After initially denying any impropriety, he was subsequently forced to resign in disgrace after a high-profile court case. He quit politics and devoted himself to charity work, going on to receive the CBE before dying aged 91 in 2006. P rince Harry and American actress Meghan Markle are to marry in Spring next year. The couple, who have enjoyed a 16-month whirlwind romance after being introduced by mutual friends in London, revealed they were engaged on Monday morning. After the wedding, the couple will live in Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace. On Monday evening, they gave their first TV interview revealing how Harry got down on one knee during a "typical night in" as they cooked a roast chicken at their home. Follow all the reaction and latest developments here. Meghan Markle has left one of her two rescue dogs behind after moving to the UK to marry Prince Harry. The 36-year-old bride-to-bes beloved Beagle Guy was legally allowed to stay with her in the UK, while Bogart, her first pet, will now live with friends, Prince Harrys communications secretary Jason Knauf said on Tuesday. It came as the newly-engaged couple revealed that they were to marry at St Georges Chapel at Windsor Castle in May next year. Ms Markle and Prince Harry gave their first TV interview on Monday afternoon in which the American actress said she had brought just one of her dogs over to the UK. She did not make it clear whether this was a permanent move. Meghan Markle's pet dogs: Bogart and Guy / Meghan Markle / Instagram She told the BBC's Mishal Husain: "I have two dogs that I've had for quite a long time, both my rescue pups. "And one is now staying with very close friends and my other little guy is, yes he's in the UK, he's been here for a while. "I think he's doing just fine." The American actress with her rescue dog Beagle / Meghan Markle / Instagram Mr Knauf said on Tuesday: Bogart is now living with friends. Ms Markle has said the pair "mean the absolute world" to her and she refers to them as "my loves" and "my boys". Guy and Labrador-shepherd mix Bogart have regularly featured on her Instagram account, with Guy even appearing in a patriotic knitted union flag jumper. It was American comedian and chat show host Ellen DeGeneres who convinced Ms Markle to adopt Bogart, her first pet, after she bumped into her in a shelter. Unseen footage gives insight into Harry and Meghan's relationship "She turns around and comes and taps on the window glass and she yells 'take the dog!' And so I brought him home. Because Ellen told me to," she said. Prince Harry joked during the couples interview that the Queens Corgis had taken to Ms Markle straight away, while he had been experienced being barked at for 33 years. Ms Markle is a keen advocate of adopting dogs, often using the #adoptdontshop hashtag in her posts, which will go down well with Harry's stepmother the Duchess of Cornwall. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle engagement announcement 1 /36 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle engagement announcement Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Eddie Mulholland-WPA Pool/Getty Images Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace AFP/Getty Images Prince Harry and Ms Meghan Markle photo call today on the announcement of their engagement in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Getty Images Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace AP Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace PA Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace EPA Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace AP Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Getty Images Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Reuters Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Sky News Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace PA Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace EPA Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace EPA Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Getty Images Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace AFP/Getty Images Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace EPA Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace AP Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, London, after the announcement of their engagement PA Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leave following a photocall after announcing their engagement in the Sunken Garden in Kensington Palace EPA Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry and Meghan Markle walk away after posing for the media in the grounds of Kensington Palace AP Camilla is patron of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, and adopted her two adored Jack Russells, Beth and Bluebell, from the shelter. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have a cocker spaniel called Lupo, a wedding present from Kate's brother James Middleton. Harry grew up surrounded by dogs. His father the Prince of Wales had a Jack Russell called Tigga, who featured on some of his Christmas cards along with William and Harry. P rince Harry and Meghan Markle have announced they will get married in a church ceremony in the spring next year. The Archbishop of Canterbury, who revealed the pair had "chosen to make their vows before God", is expected to perform the service. But many details including the date, venue and guest list are yet to be confirmed. Here is what we know and what many are speculating about the big royal wedding. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle engagement announcement 1 /36 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle engagement announcement Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Eddie Mulholland-WPA Pool/Getty Images Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace AFP/Getty Images Prince Harry and Ms Meghan Markle photo call today on the announcement of their engagement in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Getty Images Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace AP Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace PA Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace EPA Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace AP Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Getty Images Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Reuters Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Sky News Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace PA Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace EPA Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace EPA Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Getty Images Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace AFP/Getty Images Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace EPA Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace AP Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, London, after the announcement of their engagement PA Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leave following a photocall after announcing their engagement in the Sunken Garden in Kensington Palace EPA Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry and Meghan Markle walk away after posing for the media in the grounds of Kensington Palace AP The date Royal-watchers are waiting for Kensington Palace to confirm the exact date of the royal wedding. Courtiers synced their diaries a while ago to fix a suitable day and make sure the Queen, the Prince of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and other royals could all attend. It is unlikely to be April when the Duchess of Cambridge is expecting her baby, more likely is March, or even May, after the third Cambridge sibling has been born. The venue St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle has been suggested as a likely venue. The 15th century church is still grand, but will allow for a smaller scale royal wedding compared with Westminster Abbey and St Paul's Cathedral. The size of the guest list More than 2,000 people attended William and Kate's wedding in 2011, whereas around 800 went to the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall's religious blessing in St George's Chapel. The Queen's grandson Peter Philips had around 300 guests at his St George's wedding. The guest list will have to be finalised, including which dignitaries have to be invited. The Duke of Cambridge revealed how the Queen helped him. "I went to (the Queen) and said 'Listen, I've got this list, not one person I know. What do I do?"' he said. "And she went 'Get rid of it. Start from your friends and then we'll add those we need to in due course. It's your day."' Prince Harry says Meghan and Diana would have been great friends The best man and bridesmaids Harry's best man is expected to be his older brother William, perhaps jointly with one of Harry's childhood friends. Prince George and Princess Charlotte are likely to be page boy and flower girl, but Ms Markle is also expected to choose some grown up bridesmaids from her close set of friends. Rumours suggest she could make the wedding thoroughly modern by having a best woman. Who will foot the bill? For William and Kate's wedding, the costs including the church service, music, flowers, decorations, reception and honeymoon were split between the Queen, the Prince of Wales and Kate Middleton's millionaire parents. But the taxpayer picked up the bill for security at the event, including the 5,000 police officers, and the clear-up operation on the streets afterwards, with reports suggesting the total cost to the taxpayer came to between 10 million and 20 million. Citizenship Will Ms Markle become a British citizen? Perhaps, but not necessarily. When Canadian Autumn Phillips married the Queen's grandson Peter Phillips, she said: "I'm happy being Canadian and I'm proud of where I come from. So I'll keep my passport." Their children, Savannah and Isla Phillips, are said to hold dual British and Canadian citizenship, which would pave the way for dual citizenship for any children Harry and his bride might have. Will Ms Markle have to get a visa? Technically yes. The rule is that all non-European nationals must obtain a visa if they want to come to the UK in order to marry. Ms Markle could apply for a Family Visa if she wants to live with fiance Harry in the UK for more than six months. Fees range from 993 to 1,583. Decisions by the Home Office can be made on the same day via the premium service or sometimes take up to 12 weeks. There is unlikely to be any hold-up for the future HRH. The couple appear for a photocall after announcing their engagement / Chris Jackson/Getty Images The dress designer Bridal-wear designers around the world will be hoping to get the call for this royal wedding. Actress Ms Markle appeared in an Anne Barge ballgown wedding dress for her role as Rachel Zane in Suits, and her own first wedding to TV producer Trevor Engleson saw her wear a sleek, strapless, floor-length white dress with diamante detail. Her stylist and close friend Jessica Mulroney runs the bridal store Kleinfeld Hudson's Bay in Toronto, so it is likely Ms Mulroney will be Ms Markle's first port of call for help picking out dress amid great secrecy. Bookmakers Coral currently have Erdem Moralioglu as the favourite at 1-3. Sarah Burton who designed Kate's dress is at 2-1 and Vera Wang at 5 -1. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle give their first broadcast interview / BBC News The invites The Lord Chamberlain's Office at Buckingham Palace is responsible for organising royal weddings. Under the guidance of Harry's private secretary, Edward Lane Fox, they will deal with the ceremonial aspects of the day. From the sending of the usually gold embossed invitations, to arranging any royal carriages, the nuptials and the schedule of the day, the Royal Household staff, with their meticulous planning and tried and trusted procedures - are skilled at executing smooth-running ceremonies and celebrations for royal VIPs. Ms Markle is an expert calligrapher, who used to craft invitations for celebrity weddings, so will be heavily involved in the arrangements. The day-to-day running of the Lord Chamberlain's Office falls to the Comptroller, Lieutenant Colonel Sir Andrew Ford. Fans of the royals gathered outside Kensington Palace / Nick Ansell/PA Cake and flowers From choosing the wedding cake to picking the flowers, Harry and Ms Markle will be busy as they prepare for their big day. The wedding bouquet is likely to have myrtle in it, a tradition for royal brides. Honeymoon A honeymoon will be booked, perhaps to Africa, a continent much loved by Harry and Ms Markle and the couple will be hoping to keep the destination a secret. They could return to Botswana, the scene of their first holiday where they camped out under the stars, or adventurous Ms Markle and Harry may head elsewhere for their post-wedding break. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle show off the ring / Getty Images Coat of Arms The royal bride and groom will also have to approve Royal Collection wedding souvenirs, decide on a design for their cyphers and look at their Conjugal Coat of Arms. Joint website A new official website will be launched for the royals after their wedding, as well as, most likely, one celebrating the day. After their wedding, Harry and Meghan will also have to decide whether to split off from William and Kate and create their own foundation, or rebrand the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry to include Ms Markle. T atler magazine has faced an angry backlash for an article claiming American women are more suitable wives for British men because "English girls don't brush their hair or clean behind their ears." One of the articles interviewees also claimed British women are squeamish when it comes to performing sex acts. The article titled Why Britains most eligible bachelors are falling for spruce all-American charms was first published in an April 2015 issue of the magazine, Tatler said. It was republished on the Tatler website on Friday as speculation mounted over whether Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were set to announce their engagement. The article's sub-heading read: "Prince Harry and Meghan Markle? It's simple, really: Your average English girl rarely brushes her hair and never cleans behind her ears, so it's no wonder that Britain's bachelors are falling for spruce all-American charms." Camilla Luddington, an English actress, hit out at the magazine in a tweet that was liked over 2,000 times. Other critics branded the article a joke, disgusting and offensive. Readers were angered by a particular quote from one of the articles interviewees, an unidentified Old Etonian, who said: For a lot of British chaps, it is easier to go out with a foreigner than to find a girl from home with the "right" background." The quote was used to link to the article on Tatler's Twitter account on Monday. The tweet that sparked the backlash / Twitter A Tatler spokeswoman said: "This is a piece that first appeared in the April 2015 issue of Tatler. The word foreigner was not an editorial opinion, but a direct quote from a source, referring to a person not holding a UK passport. The article stated in its introduction: Your average English girl rarely brushes her hair and never cleans behind her ears, so it's no wonder that Britain's bachelors are falling for spruce all-American charms. An American heiress, Gayden Metcalfie, who is married a British businesssman is also quoted as saying: American girls will give blowjobs way earlier than British girls because they don't consider it sex. But they also like that we have polished nails and brush our hair. She added: American girls are livelier, better educated, and less hampered by etiquette. The magazine faced an angry backlash on social media. More than 200 replies were sent to the magazines Twitter account from people who branded the article a joke, offensive and like something from the 1930s. Others called it disgusting and disappointing. One person claimed British men are less conscious of their romantic choices than the article suggests: Earlier this month, Tatler apologised after claiming Downton Abbey actress Daisy Lewis was "probably fun in bed". O ne-year vindaloo visas should be issued to chefs to save the UKs curry houses, Vince Cable has urged. The Liberal Democrats leader used a speech at the British Curry Awards to back the move to allow more skilled South Asian chefs to work in Britain. It comes after Priti Patel led the Save Our Curry Houses campaign ahead of the EU referendum, blaming the decline in restaurants on the current immigration system. Speaking on Monday night, Sir Vince called on the Government to consider issuing temporary one-year working visas to South Asian chefs to help solve what has been dubbed the "curry crisis". Last year, industry workers sent a study to Theresa May, then Home Secretary, calling for the so-called vindaloo visas. At the awards event, Sir Vince said: If there was ever any doubt beforehand, the shortage of curry chefs is now a crisis. "The government received excellent suggestions on how to solve this problem over 18 months ago, but this well-researched 75-page document has sadly gone ignored. "Theresa May must revisit these proposals, which include a tightly controlled, one-year work visa, so that our curry restaurants can bring expert chefs to the UK and to train the next generation of curry cooks. "We need more urgent measures, including what has been dubbed a vindaloo visa, to save the nations favourite cuisine. Enam Ali, founder of the British Curry Awards, said three curry restaurants are closing each week because of restrictive policies surrounding immigration. B alis international airport has been shut for a second day as Mount Agung continues to spew towering columns of volcanic ash. Indonesian authorities have renewed warnings and told citizens living near the volcano they may be forcibly evacuated if they do not leave their homes. The Ngurah Rai airport was closed on Monday morning for 24 hours, with more than 400 flights and cancelled and 59,000 travellers stranded. On Tuesday the Transportation Ministry announced that closure for another 24 hours was required for safety reasons. Volcanic ash poses a deadly threat to aircraft, and ash from Agung is moving south-southwest toward the airport. Passengers wait at the Gusti Ngurah Rai International airport in Denpasar, Bali, after flights were cancelled on Monday / AFP/Getty Images Mount Agung has been hurling clouds of white and dark grey ash about 9,800 feet above its cone since the weekend and lava is welling in the crater. Its explosions can be heard over 7 miles away. Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency raised the volcano's alert to the highest level on Monday. It said a larger eruption is possible, though a top government volcanologist has also said the volcano could continue for weeks at its current level of activity and not erupt explosively. Agung's last major eruption in 1963 killed about 1,100 people. Authorities have told 100,000 people to leave homes that are in close proximity to the volcano, though as of Monday tens of thousands stayed because they felt safe or didn't want to abandon livestock. They have also warned people of the danger of mudflows from the volcano as it's now rainy season in Bali. Bali Volcano: Mount Agung erupts - In pictures 1 /38 Bali Volcano: Mount Agung erupts - In pictures Mount Agung as dawn broke on November 28, seen from Kubu sub-district in Karangasem Regency AFP/Getty Images The glow of the lava could be seen overnight AFP/Getty Images The ash cloud looked more specutacular than ever as the sun rose on Tuesday AFP/Getty Images The ash cloud looked more specutacular than ever as the sun rose on Tuesday Getty Images Mount Agung spewing smoke AP A farmer moves his cattle after the ares was deemed unsafe for livestock AFP/Getty Images Balinese children have been issued with masks for protection from the ash AFP/Getty Images Tourists watch the Mount Agung volcano erupting as they visit a temple in Karangasem, Nov. 27 AP Local residents began evacuating cattle, Nov.27 EPA Villagers rescued by National Search and Rescue Agency, Nov. 27 Reuters The Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali was closed due to the ash cloud EPA A group of surfers from Sydney wait for updates on their cancelled flight to Sumatra via Denpasar Nov. 27 EPA Passengers wait at the Gusti Ngurah Rai International airport in Denpasar, Nov. 27 AFP/Getty Images A villager wears protection from the ash as the volcano erupts in the distance Reuters Thousands of holidaymakers have been stranded on the island due to the volcano's eruption EPA The glow is seen from Bukit Asah, Nov 27. EPA Tourists watch the Mount Agung volcano erupting in Karangasem, Nov. 27. AP Villagers build make-shift shelter in a refugee camp, Nov. 27 Reuters Farmers tend their crops as Mount Agung erupts in the background in Amed, Nov. 27. Reuters People drive motorcycles on a road covered by volcanic ash, Nov. 27 EPA Incredible picture shows the beginnings of the ash cloud on November 26 Reuters The volcano glows, Nov. 26 EPA Tourists wait at Ngurah Rai international Airport in Denpasar, Bali EPA Stranded tourists at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar EPA A long exposure photograph shows the Mount Agung volcano spewing hot volcanic ash EPA Police officers wear masks as they patrol in a village in Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia AP Mount Agung volcano spewing hot volcanic ash as it is seen from Lempuyang Temple in Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia EPA Villagers who have been evacuated from areas near Mount Agung volcano shelter in a sports arena in Klungkung, Bali, Indonesia Reuters A village is covered with volcanic ash from Mount Agung volcano (not pictured) in Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia EPA Volcanologist Erik Klemetti at Dennison University in Ohio said Agung's 1963 eruption was big enough to cool the earth slightly but it's unclear whether this time it will have a similar major eruption or simmer for a prolonged period. "A lot of what will happen depends on the magma underneath and what it is doing now," he said. Bali is Indonesia's top tourist destination, with its Hindu culture, surf beaches and lush green interior attracting about 5 million visitors a year. Bali volcano: Mount Agung exclusion zone A Chinese tour service, Shenzhen PT Lebali International, had about 20 groups totaling 500 to 600 travellers from the Chinese cities of Wuhan, Changsha and Guangzhou in Bali, according an executive, Liao Yuling, who was on the island. "They are mostly retirees or relatively high-end, so they don't say they are especially anxious to rush home," she said by telephone. Loading.... If the airport stays closed, Liao said they would head by ferry and bus to Surabaya on Java where the company's charter flights could pick them up. "We are not really affected, because the volcano is too far away," said Liao. "We only can say we saw pictures of it on television." B arack Obama wished Prince Harry and Meghan Markle a lifetime of joy and happiness together as America reacted with delight to news of the royal wedding. The former US president, who is a friend of the prince, sent them his best wishes over Twitter following the announcement of a royal wedding this spring. However, there has been no comment from current president Donald Trump on the fact an American is marrying into the British royal family. On Monday he instead tweeted angrily about several US networks that he believes distort news reports about him. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will marry in the spring / EPA The Obamas are believed to be likely to be invited to the royal wedding, which has yet not had a date or venue confirmed. In his message, Mr Obama said: Michelle and I are delighted to congratulate Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on their engagement. We wish you a lifetime of joy and happiness together. At the Invictus games in Toronto in September, Mr Obama was overheard asking Harry about his relationship with the Suits actress. Highlights from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's first interview Michelle Obama recently referred to Harry as my friend when they made a surprise visit to schoolchildren in Chicago together. American news outlets covered the announcement with excitement, albeit with much less enthusiasm than their UK counterparts. Its official! wrote the New York Post. Britains Prince Harry has proposed to American gal pal Meghan Markle and the couple will tie the knot in the spring of 2018. A British woman attacked by a saltwater crocodile as she walked along the edge of a creek in Australia has told of the terror of her ordeal. The 24-year-old victim, named Leah, was bitten on the leg by the two-metre long animal in Cape Tribulation, in Queensland. Authorities said the creature will potentially be removed, and wildlife officers were searching the area today following yesterdays attack. Leah, from Hertfordshire, told the Standard she had been filming fish and mudskippers by the tourist beach when she was bitten. She said: We were just walking down to the end of the beach and there was a bit where the river meets the sea. It was low tide and pretty shallow. We were keeping an eye out because you never know - we were being cautious - and just wanted to see some fish and mudskippers. I crouched down, I didnt see it. And it just jumped towards me. I fell on the floor and as soon as I realised I was on the floor I got up and grabbed my things and ran off. I just remember crawling, feeling like I had got a dead leg. I looked down at my leg and saw blood running down. Leah, who asked not to have her surname published, was travelling with friends Ally Bullifent, a 22-year-old Sheffield University graduate from Salisbury, and Jaya Dorka, from Derby, also 22, whom she met in Sydney. The victim shared a photo of her bloodied leg after the attack She has been travelling around Australia since March, having previously spent time in China after graduating from university. A video of the terrifying attack was posted on social media by Ms Bullifent. It has been shared more than 2,300 times. It shows a crocodile close to the waters edge and the sound of screams. A picture of cuts and blood on a womans thigh was also uploaded. Leah said: I think it attacked just because we were being quite loud getting quite excited by the fish - it was a defensive act. My leg really hurts now. But I have been very lucky. It is not its fault, nor ours. We were not taunting it or even in the water. It was just bad timing - wrong place wrong time. She added: My family are just glad that Im OK. We were very fortunate it was a small baby. It could have done much more damage (if not). Ms Dorkas mother Gulinder, told the Standard she had been petrified after seeing the footage. She said: You can hear Jaya laughing and then screaming...I have been in a state. I just have horrible visions in my head. It just shows you need to be careful. The states Department of Environment and Heritage Protection warned people to expect saltwater crocodiles in all North Queensland waterways and to obey warning signs and stand back from the waters edge. A Cairns and Hinterland hospital spokeswoman said the woman received treatment for a bite at Mossman hospital and was discharged last night. It is the second time a tourist has been attacked by a crocodile at Cape Tribulation since May last year when a woman was killed by a 4.3m crocodile. F ormer US President Barack Obama is likely to get an invite to the royal wedding - but Donald Trump will almost certainly be snubbed, according to Washington sources. The current president conspicuously failed to congratulate the newly engaged couple yesterday, unlike the Obamas and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. As with Prince William and Kate Middletons decision not to invite the Obamas to their nuptials, Mr Trump would probably be missed off the list because of the immense additional cost of protecting the US leader. But while Barack and Michelle Obama have remained close to the royals - particularly with Prince Harry - Miss Markle may have her own reasons for keeping her distance. Harry and Barack Obama cheer on wheelchair basketball players at Invictus Games In a US TV interview during the 2016 election, Miss Markle said she might decide to stay in Torontowhere her show Suits was being filmed - if Mr Trump were to win. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle engagement announcement 1 /36 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle engagement announcement Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Eddie Mulholland-WPA Pool/Getty Images Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace AFP/Getty Images Prince Harry and Ms Meghan Markle photo call today on the announcement of their engagement in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Getty Images Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace AP Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace PA Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace EPA Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace AP Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Getty Images Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Reuters Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Sky News Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace PA Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace EPA Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace EPA Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Getty Images Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace AFP/Getty Images Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace EPA Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace AP Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, London, after the announcement of their engagement PA Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leave following a photocall after announcing their engagement in the Sunken Garden in Kensington Palace EPA Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace Jeremy Selwyn Prince Harry and Meghan Markle walk away after posing for the media in the grounds of Kensington Palace AP The future princess was a Hillary Clinton supporter and branded Mr Trump as divisive and misogynistic. Trump has made it easy to see that you dont really want that kind of world that hes painting, she added. It will be unlikely that Donald Trump will get an invitation, sources say / AFP/Getty Images Kensington Palace refused to comment on the wedding guest list but a White House insider admitted: The president isnt holding his breath waiting for an invite. Its not on his list of priorities - he has a country to run. An added worry for the royal planners is that including the Trumps could lead to protests marring the couples big day. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle show off the ring. / Getty Images When Theresa May suggested a possible state visit, polls suggested that more than two million people would take part in protests against him. Mr Trumps visit to the UK early in 2018 has now been recast as a working visit. Mr Trumps tweets yesterday were confined to tax reform and taking pot shots at CNN. His wife, Melania, did meet Harry at the Invictus Games in Tokyo, but she didnt congratulate the couple either, tweeting photos of the Christmas decorations at the White House. A gun safety group in the US has called for two internet service providers to disable websites that sell parts for homemade guns. Weapons made in this way, known as 'ghost guns', were reportedly used in a mass shooting in northern California in November. The group called for a ban on two websites, Ghost Gunner and Ghost Guns, which allow customers to sidestep regulatory procedure and build unregistered firearms. While these homemade guns are harder to track, there has been "a growing number" of shootings involving them, the New York Times reported. Such weapons were said to be used in a mass shooting in Tehama County in northern California on November 15 / AP The Giffords Law Centre to Prevent Gun Violence has urged internet service providers, Shopify, Inc. and DreamHost Inc., to "immediately shut down" the two websites. But the websites reportedly responded by saying they take steps to ensure their products are not used illegally. The guns are legal as long as they are intended for personal use, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Homemade guns are often favoured by gun enthusiasts, who enjoy the firearms as a hobby. However, Mark A. Tallman, from Colorado State University-Pueblos Centre for the Study of Homeland Security, told the New York Times there has been a growing number of cases involving homemade guns, some of which were high-profile active shootings by precisely the sort of people who are prohibited from buying the weapons. The warning from Giffords Law Centre came after a mass shooting that killed five and injured 12 in Tehama Country, California. 'Ghost guns' were said to be used in the shooting, as the gunman was banned from handling firearms and made his own semiautomatic weapons at home. The recent mass shooting in Northern California underscored how dangerous it is when people legally prohibited from owning guns can go online and buy do-it-yourself assault weapon kits from unaccountable companies with no background checks, and no questions asked, said Adam Skaggs, Chief Counsel at Giffords Law Centre. But companies like Ghost Gunner and Ghost Guns are profiting from doing just that. The Internet Service Providers hosting their websites are contractually entitled to shut these dangerous websites down, and they can, and should, do so. Both Ghost Guns and Ghost Gunner were reported saying their company's are law-abiding and comply with federal regulations. A spokesman for DreamHost, which hosts Ghost Guns, told the New York Times that the legality of the websites content was being reviewed. Shopify, the web host for Ghost Gunner, said it will investigate material reported to us and take action if a merchant violated its policies, it was reported. H arvey Weinstein is being sued under sex trafficking laws by an aspiring British actress who claims she was sexually assaulted by the disgraced Hollywood producer in Cannes. Kadian Noble, 31, said that Weinstein attacked her in the French city after grooming her in London with the prospect of a role in one of his films, according to the lawsuit lodged in the US. The action came after what is believed to be the first civil suit of its kind in the UK was filed against Weinstein by a woman seeking damages over "a series of sexual assaults". Ms Noble, who has waived her right to anonymity, said Weinstein "groomed" her when he visited London and she was introduced to an executive assistant of his, the suit filed in New York claims. She claims she was then "recruited and enticed" to Le Majestic hotel in Cannes in around February 2014 where she was asked to show him her showreel. Weinstein massaged her and told her if she was "a good girl" and did "whatever he wished" then "they would work" together, the lawsuit alleges. Ms Noble, who is living in London, claims that despite her resistance and telling him to stop, he "forcibly pulled" her into the bathroom where he stripped and assaulted her. "Kadian has suffered severe injuries and emotional distress, pain and suffering, mental anguish, inconvenience, loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life, inability to lead a normal life, shame and humiliation," lawyer Stuart Mermelstein writes. Ms Noble is demanding a jury trial under a federal sex trafficking statute and is also suing Weinstein's younger brother Bob Weinstein and the studio they co-founded, The Weinstein Company. She alleges they knew or were "in reckless disregard" of the fact that he would use force or coercion to engage in sexual activity with her. A spokeswoman for Weinstein said: "Mr Weinstein denies allegations of non-consensual sex. Mr Weinstein has further confirmed that there were never any acts of retaliation against any women for refusing his advances." In a separate case, a woman filed a lawsuit against Weinstein in the High Court in London, with her lawyers saying she likely wanted in excess of 300,000 in damages over alleged incidents "many years ago". Weinstein, 65, is also facing criminal investigations in London, New York and Los Angeles after various women, including stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie and Rose McGowan, spoke about his mistreatment of them. D onald Trump has attempted to reassure the world following North Koreas latest missile launch, saying: We will take care of it. Pyongyang fired an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan on Tuesday evening, the most recent in a series of launches which has caused tensions with the US and other countries. The missile flew for around 1,000 km and 50 minutes before landing in the sea, the Japanese government estimated. President Trump, speaking from the White House just hours after the launch, told reporters: It is a situation we will handle. He said todays latest launch does not change the US approach to the secretive states missile programme and added: We will take care of it. Donald Trump was briefed on the latest missile launch as it was still in flight over the Sea of Japan. / EPA Japan's prime minister, Shinzo Abe, said he is requesting an emergency meeting of the UN security council and promised to protect his country's people. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said: "Another illegal missile launch from DPRK. "This is not the path to security and prosperity for the North Korean people. DPRK regime must change course." North Korea's missile launch in May. / EPA There are fears North Korea is trying to build long-range missiles which could strike the mainland US. Its last missile test, 10 weeks ago in September, saw a ballistic missile fired over Japan and landing in the sea off of the coast of Hokkaido. The North, run by secretive leader Kim Jong-un, has previously tested missiles four times earlier this year, in February, April, July and August. Japan's PM Shinzo Abe promised to protect his country. / REUTERS The latter was thought to be its first ever ballistic missile capable pf carrying a nuclear weapon. Last week the US imposed fresh sanctions against the North over its missile programme, targeting shipping trade and Chinese companies which trade with Pyongyang. Todays missile, which was fired at around 6.17 GMT, is believed to have been launched from the city of Pyongsong. South Koreas military said the missile had an altitude of 4,500 km while a Pentagon spokesman said the missile landed less than 200 nautical miles from the Japanese coast. Minutes after the North fired the missile, South Korea's military conducted its own missile-firing test in response. N orth Korea fired a ballistic missile for around 1,000km, which is the latest in a series of launches causing tensions with the US and its neighbours. The Pentagon said in an initial assessment that the missile was an intercontinental ballistic missile that landed into the Sea of Japan. It added that the missile did not pose a threat to the US. Japan's government estimated that the missile flew for about 50 minutes and landed in the sea in Japan's exclusive economic zone, Japanese broadcaster NHK said. South Korean news agency Yonhap said the missile was launched at around 6.17pm GMT over the sea between South Korea and Japan from the city of Pyongsong, in South Pyongan Province, quoting military officials. Tensions have been building between North Korea and the US over its nuclear capabilities / AP The launch was first reported by South Korean news agency Yonhap, which said the missile flew to the east. South Korea's military later told the news agency the missile had an altitude of 4,500km and flew 960km. The Pentagon said that it had detected a "probable" missile launch from North Korea, but said it did not pose a threat to the US, it's territories or allies. President Trump addresses the latest North Korean missile launch A spokesperson for the Pentagon said the probable launch was detected at around 3.30am local time (6.30pm GMT). Leading Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun quoted an unidentified government official as saying the missile did not cross over Japan and it fell into the Sea of Japan or on the Korean peninsula. The White House said US President Donald Trump was briefed while the missile was still in the air. Minutes after the North fired the missile, South Korea's military conducted a missile-firing test in response, the South Korean military added. The North has carried out a number of missile tests in recent months, causing tensions with the US. Two Reuters sources said earlier that US government experts believed North Korea could conduct a new missile test within days, in what would be its first launch since it fired a missile over Japan in mid-September. North Korea paused its missile launches in Autumn, after it fired a missile over Japan on September 15, days after it conducted its sixth nuclear test. P ope Francis urged "respect for each ethnic group" during a keynote speech in Myanmar but avoided mentioning the horrors faced by Rohingya Muslims The Pope said the country is suffering from civil conflict and hostilities "that have lasted all too long and created deep divisions. Speaking after Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi made an address, he said: The arduous process of peace building and national reconciliation can only advance through a commitment to justice and respect for human rights. "Religious differences need not be a source of division and distrust, but rather a force for unity, forgiveness, tolerance and wise nationbuilding," the pope added. Rohingya: thousands of refugees have fled Myanmar (Redux / eyevine) / Redux/eyevine His visit to Myanmar comes after an exodus of more than 620,000 Rohingya from Rakhine state to the southern tip of Bangladesh following a military crackdown. Last week, the United States last week branded the crisis "ethnic cleansing". Speeches: Myanmar's civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi with Pope Francis / AFP/Getty Images The Popes trip is a delicate one and some papal advisers warned him against even saying the word "Rohingya", lest he set off a diplomatic incident that could turn the country's military and government against minority Christians. Theresa May speaks on the plight of the Rohingya people Myanmar does not recognise the Rohingya as citizens nor as members of a distinct ethnic group with their own identity, and it rejects the term "Rohingya" and its use. Pope Francis did not use the word in his speech. K enyas President Uhuru Kenyatta was today sworn in for a second five-year term in front of tens of thousands of supporters. Several African heads of state gathered at Nairobis Kasarani stadium for the ceremony - as police clashed with supporters and protesters outside. A military band serenaded the leaders from Somalia, Rwanda, Uganda, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Zambia and other nations as they arrived at the 60,000-capacity stadium. Hours before the inauguration, thousands of Kenyatta supporters, many clad in the red and yellow Jubilee party colours and carrying Kenyan flags, filled the stadium benches. Opposition leader Raila Odinga mocked Mr Kenyattas coronation. He boycotted a rerun of the presidential poll last month and claims Mr Kenyatta was not elected legitimately. As foreign and local dignitaries entered the stadium, the opposition attempted to gather for a memorial rally, honouring more than 50 people killed, mostly by police, in four months of political upheaval. Police fired volleys of teargas and beat the opposition supporters, prompting running battles. Police also fired teargas at Kenyatta supporters who tried to fight their way in to the stadium. The Supreme Court nullified the first election in August over irregularities. A passenger flight from New York to London had to be towed back to the terminal after "clipping" wings with another plane on the runway. The right wing of an EgyptAir plane headed to Cairo collided with the left wing of a Virgin Atlantic plane at the John F. Kennedy International Airport. Pictures from the scene showed the Virgin plane's wing tip being loaded onto the back of a truck. Shocked passengers on board took pictures of the wing tip lying on the tarmac following the incident just after 7pm on Monday. The wings of the two planes after the collision There were no reports of any injuries, but the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said both planes returned to the terminal. One passenger on the London-bound flight, Diana Fleischman, posted on Twitter: "Was about to fly to London on Virgin Flight VS0004 out of JFK - during taxi to the runway we collided with an aircraft taxiing next to us clipping our left wing." She added: "Were missing the tip of the wing on the left side." A view over the left side of the damaged plane Passengers eventually boarded another flight to London. A spokesperson for Virgin Atlantic told the Standard: "Our VS4 flight from New York to London Heathrow sustained damage to the wingtip whilst taxing to the runway at JFK airport yesterday (27 November). "Safety is always our priority, and all passengers and crew disembarked the aircraft as normal. Were arranging alternate travel for affected customers to enable them to continue their journeys as soon as possible, and we would like to thank them for their understanding during the delay. T he White House has defended Donald Trumps decision to call a senior politician Pocahontas, claiming it is not a racial slur. The US President was praising three Navajo code talkers who served in the Second World War when he brought up Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren, who has in the past claimed she is part Native American. He told them: You were here long before any of us were here, although we have a representative in Congress who they say was here a long time ago. "They call her Pocahontas. But you know what, I like you." Trump makes racial slur in front of Native Americans The president immediately faced a backlash for what many described as a racial slur, but White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said it was ridiculous to label the comment as such. She told a press conference: I think what most people find offensive is Sen Warren lying about her heritage to advance her career. When asked why he had made a racial slur, she said: Like I said, I dont think that it is and I think that was certainly not the presidents intent. Mr Trump repeatedly mocked the Massachusetts senator over her claims of Native American heritage in the run-up to the 2016 election. B ritains biggest supermarket Tesco has launched its 2017 Cyber Monday event, with hundreds of offers running all day. Thanks to its increasing popularity, the number of retailers taking part in the annual shopping event has grown significantly. For the 2017 sales bonanza, Tesco has slashed prices on hundreds of items across various categories including gaming consoles, kitchen appliances and TVs which can be found on the Tesco Direct website as well in-store at more than 700 Tesco outlets. In 2016, the supermarket chain received 4 million visits to the Tesco Direct website. Tesco spokesman Matt Davies said: We know our customers love Black Friday and were delighted to be bringing them fantastic deals on the biggest brands. "Christmas is just around the corner and we hope our Black Friday event will help customers kick start their festive shopping. Here are our top picks from the sale. PlayStation 4 Slim 500GB FIFA 18 Console 199 (was 229.99), Tesco, Buy it now Xbox One S 500GB Minecraft console + free Forza 7 170, Tesco, Buy it now Toshiba 49U5663DB 49 Inch 4K Ultra HD LED Smart TV with Freeview Play 299 (was 419), Tesco, Buy it now Samsung UE40MU6120 40in MU6120 4K Ultra HD certified HDR Smart TV with TV Plus 349 (was 499), Tesco, Buy it now LEGO Ninjago Movie Master Falls 16.50 (was 25), Tesco, Buy it now Black Friday 2017 in the United Kingdom - In pictures 1 /16 Black Friday 2017 in the United Kingdom - In pictures Shoppers on Oxford Street on Black Friday Rex Oxford Street on the morning of Black Friday Rex Oxford Street on the morning of Black Friday Rex Oxford Street on the morning of Black Friday Rex An empty House of Fraser on Oxford Street during the morning of Black Friday John Mercer via PA John Lewis at Brent Cross on the morning of Black Friday Shoppers carry their new Black Friday TV purchase at Tesco Extra in Neasdon on Black Friday Jeremy Selwyn Shoppers wait outside the entrance to leading games retailer GAME in Westfield shopping centre in Stratford ahead of a Black Friday event PA Shoppers on Oxford Street in London for Black Friday REUTERS Stickers used for sale prices await to be used PA Shoppers pack into games retailer GAME in Westfield shopping centre in Stratford for a Black Friday event. PA Shoppers wait outside the entrance to leading games retailer GAME in Westfield shopping centre in Stratford ahead of a Black Friday PA Acer Aspire 1 14 HD Thin & Light Pentium 4GB Memory 64GB Storage Laptop 219 (was 299), Tesco, Buy it now Dyson DC59 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner 139 (was 269), Tesco, Buy it now Delonghi ESAM2600 Magnifica Bean to Cup Automatic Coffee Machine 219 (was 429), Tesco, Buy it now Indesit Eco Time Washing Machine, IWSC 51051 EC UK.M, 5kg load with 1000rpm 149 (was 229), Tesco, Buy it now Breville BRSMW2016 20L Silver Solo Microwave 39 (was 59), Tesco, Buy it now Black Friday 2017 in the United Kingdom - In pictures 1 /16 Black Friday 2017 in the United Kingdom - In pictures Shoppers on Oxford Street on Black Friday Rex Oxford Street on the morning of Black Friday Rex Oxford Street on the morning of Black Friday Rex Oxford Street on the morning of Black Friday Rex An empty House of Fraser on Oxford Street during the morning of Black Friday John Mercer via PA John Lewis at Brent Cross on the morning of Black Friday Shoppers carry their new Black Friday TV purchase at Tesco Extra in Neasdon on Black Friday Jeremy Selwyn Shoppers wait outside the entrance to leading games retailer GAME in Westfield shopping centre in Stratford ahead of a Black Friday event PA Shoppers on Oxford Street in London for Black Friday REUTERS Stickers used for sale prices await to be used PA Shoppers pack into games retailer GAME in Westfield shopping centre in Stratford for a Black Friday event. PA Shoppers wait outside the entrance to leading games retailer GAME in Westfield shopping centre in Stratford ahead of a Black Friday PA Dyson DC28C Musclehead Vacuum Cleaner 149 (was 319), Tesco, Buy it now LEGO Star Wars TM Resistance Transport Pod S amsung could unveil its new Galaxy smartphone a lot earlier than expected. The tech company has previously announced its handsets in March and April, right up to this years Galaxy S8 in March 2017. But the Galaxy S9 could be shown off a lot sooner, according to early reports. Rumour suggests that Samsung could confirm the handset at CES in January, the annual tech showcase in Las Vegas. Samsung Galaxy S8 Launch - In pictures 1 /6 Samsung Galaxy S8 Launch - In pictures Franchesca Ramsey (L) and Casey Neistat speak onstage during Samsung Creators Unpacked at Lincoln Center in New York City Jason Kempin/Getty Images Justin Denison, senior vice president of product strategy at Samsung, speaks about the new features on the Samsung Galaxy S8 Drew Angerer/Getty Images A view of the new Samsung Galaxy S8 at its Samsung launch event in New York City Drew Angerer/Getty Images Members of the audience take photos as they hold up a new version of the Samsung Gear 360 camera Drew Angerer/Getty Images Justin Denison, senior vice president of product strategy at Samsung, speaks about the new features on the Samsung Galaxy S8 Drew Angerer/Getty Images According to VentureBeat, the S9 and S9+ will both be shown off at CES, and will offer a few subtle upgrades to the S8 rather than a total overhaul of the previous design. Allegedly the S9+ could include different features to the smaller S9, like more RAM and a dual backwards-facing camera. Samsung Galaxy advert mocks Apple fans The new models are both expected to move the fingerprint sensor from its current position at the side of the camera, to a new placing just below the camera. The Galaxy S8 offered a significant new look for Samsungs smartphone, extending the screen to cover the full face of the device with slim bezel edges. Apple featured a similar design on the iPhone X, which launched in November. Samsungs most recent phone, the Galaxy Note 8, arrived in the UK on September 15. The Note range is Samsung's 'phablet' (phone and tablet hybrid), larger than the S8 and bundled with a stylus. 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To help you find what you are looking for: Enter Search Term(s): Still cant find what youre looking for? Send us a message using our contact us form. To report a broken link or other problems with the website, please include the URL. Thank you for visiting state.gov. In October 2017 the South Korean Navy received the first of at least twelve PKX-B patrol boats. These are a smaller (230 ton) version of the larger (570 ton) PKX-B that first appeared in 2008. This sort of evolutionary development of new ship classes has become common with new South Korean warship designs and the South Koreans often evolve their designs that is the case in other nations. It works. The PKX-B is smaller because of technology and a new guided missile specifically designed to deal with North Korean swarm attacks of smaller boats armed with missiles or torpedoes. While the PKX-B was a result of the 2010 attacks by North Korea (that sank one South Korean corvette and the shelling of a South Korean island off the west coast) the first PKX-A entered service in 2008 based on the need to replace older 170 ton patrol boats that were worn out and forced to retire because they were no longer safe to use. In 2011 South Korea has increased its order for PKG-A missile patrol boats from 24 to 34. That was later changed to 18 PKX-A boats and a dozen or more PKX-B boats. All 18 PKX-A boats are now in service. These are 63 meters (207 foot) long, 570 ton vessels with a top speed of 76 kilometers an hour. Each boat is armed with a 76mm gun, a dual barrel 40mm autocannon, shoulder launched anti-aircraft missiles and four anti-ship missiles (range: 150 kilometers). In addition to air and surface radars, there are also electronic countermeasures. There is no sonar or anti-submarine weapons. There is a crew of forty, and each boat costs $39 million. The PKX-B are 44 meters (144 foot) long, 230 ton vessels with a top speed of 74 kilometers an hour. Each boat is armed with a 76mm gun, two 12.7mm RWS (remote weapons station) machine-guns, shoulder launched anti-aircraft missiles and twelve 130mm anti-ship missiles (range: 3-20 kilometers). The 80 kg (176 pound) missiles are initially guided by GPS/INS to the general area of the attackers by the ships fire control system and make their final attack with a heat-seeker. The fire control system for the 130mm missiles can handle three targets simultaneously followed by another volley of three missiles. In addition to air and surface radars, there are also electronic countermeasures. There is no sonar or anti-submarine weapons. There is a crew of twenty, and each boat costs somewhat more than the PKX-A. The first four PKX-B will be in service by 2019 and another four by 2020. The PKX boats replaced the popular Chamsuri-class patrol boats. These first entered service in the 1970s and over a hundred were built, most for South Korea but fifty ended up being exported. Chamsuri had no missiles, only a 40mm and two 20mm autocannon and two 12.7mm machine-guns. These were adequate for decades but in the 1990s it became clear that anti-ship missiles were needed for the next class of patrol boats. That led to the still evolving PKX class. In Egypt ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) is making spectacular attacks to remind the world that ISIL still exists and can still punish those it considers heretics and enemies of Islam. The heretics includes anyone who does not practice the extremely conservative form of Sunni Islam ISIL has adopted. The main heretic targets tend to be Shia (which Iran represents and defends) and Sufi (a notably non-militant form of Islam that will only get violent if attacked.) For that reason ISIL has learned that it is not beneficial to kill civilians that cannot be identified as heretics or enemies of Islam. In Egypt that means Sufis are available as targets as are Coptic Christians. Although Israel is next door to Egypt the Israelis have been very successful to keeping ISIL out. That is one reason many Arabs (and Moslems in general) accept the convenient myth that ISIL was somehow invented by Israel. In Libya ISIL has learned that it is best not to carry out attacks that kill any Moslem civilians. In fact ISIL appears to have decided that using as little violence inside Libya is the best way to survive and thrive there. ISIL needs a base are and at the moment Libya is one of the most likely areas to operate in. This is essential because a Libya base provides access to the rest of Africa as well as the Middle East via Egypt. There are still restrictions. Getting across the Egyptian border is difficult as long as Libyan general Hiftar and his LNA (Libyan National Army) operate throughout eastern Libya. The LNA has more problems with the Egyptian border since the collapse of ISIL in Iraq and Syria. Many of the surviving ISIL men are seeking to reach Libya via Egypt. Some of these ISIL personnel decide to join ISIL factions already established in Sinai (near the Israeli border) or western Egypt (near the Libyan border). This is the main reason why Hiftar still has a lot of support from Egypt and other Arab nations. Hiftar is genuinely hostile to Islamic terrorism but to the West he is seen as a potential new Libyan dictator. That is important to Libyans, but not as important as personal safety and enough national unity to get the economy going again. The Israeli-Arab Alliance The recent ISIL attacks in Egypt against Sufi Moslems will generate more enthusiasm in the Egyptian security forces for greater cooperation with Israel in the war against ISIL and Islamic terrorism in general. Israel was more successful governing Sinai (from 1967-82) than Egypt but that has been something Egypt was rarely willing to talk about. The Israelis always treated the Bedouin and Islamic outcasts like the Druze with more fairness than anyone else in the region. Although most Arabs in Arabia are Bedouin (or identify as such) outside of Arabia (especially in Egypt, Iraq and Syria) being seen as Bedouin was rarely a good thing. The Israeli Bedouin, like the Druze, are subject to conscription in Israel and many make a career of it. Some of the Israeli Bedouin from the Negev (the desert area of southern Israel adjacent to Sinai) keep in touch with kin in Sinai just as Israeli Druze kept in touch with kin in Syria. These family links across borders is an ancient tradition in this part of the world because it can be a lifesaver in wartime. ISIL tried to force Sinai Bedouin Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have gone public in support of an Arab-Israeli alliance to oppose Iran. Many (Arabs, Israelis and Iranians) believe that such an alliance wont last long but that is not crucial. The alliance only has to last long enough to halt the spread of Iranian power and influence. Israel has been through this before. The peace deals with Jordan and Israel have largely held even though there are ups and downs. The Israelis know that the anti-Semitic attitudes in the Arab world go back to before the emergence of Islam in the 7th century and have waxed and waned ever since. Currently the Arabs of Arabia, or at least key leaders, have decided that decades of denouncing the one nation in the region with a functioning democracy, the most advanced and successful economy and the most powerful armed forces, ought to be seen as a potential ally, not a battlefield opponent. As a result Arab journalists and leaders are speaking openly, and more frequently, about such an alliance. Some countries, like the UAE, can now speak openly of the discreet (and often not so secret) commercial, military and diplomatic links they developed with Israel over the years. To a lesser extent Kuwaiti and Saudi Arabian connections are now admitted. The motivation here is survival against an increasingly aggressive Iran. Hang together or hang separately. Israel already has powerful allies for dealing with Iran and welcomes an Arab alliance, even if it wont last, or at least will be under constant attack going forward, as was the case with the Jordanian and Egyptian peace deals. The young Saudi crown prince (and soon to be the king as his elderly father announced his abdication) pointed out that Iran is officially obsessed with destroying Israel while a growing number of Arabs see Israel as a potential ally. Everyone knows that before the current religious dictatorship took control of Iran in the 1980s Israel and Iran had many diplomatic and economic links, far more that Israel had with the Arab world. But Iranian religious leaders decided that Israel was at the top of the list of things that had to change. Next on the list was who should control the Islamic shrines in Saudi Arabia and so on. Iran has always been scary to its neighbors but was usually ruled by some aristocrat. Now that the Iranian Shia clergy (who were long known to be aggressive) are in charge it is time for neighbors to reconsider traditional alliances. Meanwhile Israeli and Arab military officials are working out a joint strategy and procedures for how it will work. This includes many Arab nations quietly urging Hamas and Fatah to make a serious and public effort to negotiate a peace deal with Israel. The implication is that if the Palestinians refuse (which seems likely) or simply fail again more Arab leaders will go public with their opinions on the hopelessness of the Palestinian leadership. That will lead to Palestinians becoming more isolated and dependent on charity from the West, Iran and Israel and that source of support is running out of patience as well. . Here is an example of how that will turn out. Hamas made a lot of bad decisions since 2007 and the Iran link is seen as one of the worst. In response to the Iran link Arab states who cut aid were quietly informed by Palestinian leaders that if they did not increase aid there would be violent Palestinian protests (in Gaza, West Bank and Jerusalem) against the reluctant Arab donors as well as Israel. That threat made the situation worse. These Arab donors (mainly Saudi Arabia, UAE and Kuwait) lost patience with the Palestinians and not only cut donor aid (which was being stolen or misused by corrupt Palestinian leaders) but also openly allied themselves with Israel against Iran. The Arab world still technically backs the Palestinians and the effort to destroy Israel but have lost confidence in the Palestinians to do anything in their own best interest. Iran is making the most of this situation and few Palestinians will do much to stop it. PA Sort Of Returns To Gaza In October Hamas and Fatah officials agreed to merge, ending a ten year old split that crippled the PA (Palestinian Authority) that was supposed to represent all Palestinians. The October 12th agreement signed in Egypt specified that the PA would take control of all the Gaza crossings on October 31st and that Egypt would allow free movement to and from Egypt. But that only happens if there is agreement on military matters. That is still not settled and even if it is such agreements have a tendency to aspirations not promises to be kept. Egypt, Israel and most of the Middle East is waiting to see how this actually works out. No one is particularly optimistic. This is especially the case when Hamas and Fatah officials give different answers to the same question. For example, Fatah is more popular because it does not impose strict lifestyle rules. Thus in the West Bank you can buy alcoholic beverages and visit night clubs that often feature traditional dancing (belly dancing and such). Both of these are forbidden in Gaza and Hamas officials admit that they have no intention of changing that. Since 2007 there have been two Palestinian governments; Hamas in Gaza and Fatah in the West Bank. The unification effort is, for Egypt (and Fatah) more about disarming Hamas and making Gaza less hospitable to Islamic terrorists who threaten Egypt. Hamas sees it differently and wants more freedom to operate in the West Bank and eventually replace Fatah there. Egypt insists on unification of the two Palestinian government and disarmament of Hamas before it will end its blockade of Gaza. It will take a few weeks for Egypt to determine if there is indeed a real merger. Hamas is in a difficult position here and is trying to talk its way out of the mess it created. Hamas has selected a new leader and made changes that Egypt has long demanded but not the most important ones. Hamas declared its civil government in Gaza dissolved on September 17th, but that was mainly for show. Hamas has about 25,000 armed (and many are trained) men on the payroll and wants to keep them on the job. Egypt wants a through crackdown on Islamic terror groups in Gaza and Hamas seems unable to deliver on that one either although Hamas is making a real effort this time. Meanwhile Iran has once more established a presence in Gaza which Egypt, Israel and Fatah all agree is a bad thing. Hamas and Fatah have until the end of November to work out all these differences between themselves and bring a final and agreed-upon agreement to Egypt for signing and endorsement by Egypt and most other Arab states. Yet many of those Arab states, especially the ones that used to be major supporters (financial and otherwise) of the Palestinians have declared the Palestinian cause hopeless and see nothing but more broken promises coming out of the Hamas-Fatah unification talks. Who Controls Syria For Israel anyone but Iran is tolerable. When it comes to opposing 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. 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. The Israelis keep pointing out that Iran and their dependency Syria have, since the 1980s, openly called for the destruction of Israel. Many Westerners saw this as absurd while Russia sees it as an opportunity and the Israelis point out that they have nukes, the most effective military (and economy) in the region and no tolerance for more Iranian forces moving into Syria or agreeing that the Assads are a legitimate government. For Russia this is a challenge since as outsiders they realize that Israel is right and long-term a more dependable and desirable ally. But the current Russian government is getting by on uncertainty, deception and hope that this approach will work. There are reasons why Russian roulette is accepted as a typically Russian form of whatever. November 26, 2017: Egypt carried out several airstrikes in Sinai against ISIL camps. Locals angry at the Rawda mosque attack provided the information, which the Egyptians could double check via pro-government tribal leaders and the high-tech targeting pods carried by their F-16s which enable pilots to get close up video of the target (and record it) before releasing the smart bombs. November 25, 2017: One side effect of the Rawda mosque attack was more Sinai tribes (most of them Bedouin) declaring support for the government and willingness to do what it takes to avenge the dead from yesterdays mosque attack. This sort of support makes it more difficult for young men in some tribes to join ISIL or keep ISIL support or membership secret from family or tribe. November 24, 2017: In Egypt (northern Sinai) about 40 armed men carrying ISIL flags used bombs and firearms to attack a Sufi mosque in al Rawda. The attack left over 300 Sufi worshippers at the mosque dead. Many of the attackers were dressed in police or army uniforms and arrived in SUVs and other civilian vehicles. The Egyptian government said it would avenge this attack but there are also questions about how and why Egyptian security forces missed the clear signs that such an attack was coming and did nothing to deal with the situation (like more checkpoints and patrols, which has worked in the past). The government ordered three days of national mourning and cancelled a scheduled (November 25-27) three day opening of the Gaza Rafah crossing. Sufis are a Moslem sect (or simply a method to study Islam) that is more mystical, and much less violent, than most. More violent and conservative forms of Islam, like those al Qaeda and ISIL believe in, consider Sufis heretics and often attack them and their mosques. Sufis can and will fight back, as they have done in Somalia and Yemen but they generally do so as a last resort. The government is waiting to see if this attack will have an impact on the resurgence of foreign tourism, which is up over 50 percent (from 2016) so far in 2017. Islamic terrorists attacking tourism is nothing new because tourism accounts for 11 percent of the Egyptian GDP and provides jobs (directly or indirectly) for 12 percent of the work force. The resurgence of Islamic terrorism in Egypt since 2013 led to a 15 percent decline in tourist income for 2015. And as with the pre-2011 Mubarak dictatorship the current government has largely eliminated large-scale anti-government demonstrations and is concentrating on Islamic terrorist groups, which the Mubarak government fought and defeated in the 1990s. November 23, 2017: Israel revealed that it had indeed (as some media earlier reported) obtained a lot of useful information from a Hamas member who was captured as he tried to enter (or defect to) Israel in September. Israel named the Hamas man, and that he was being tried for crimes, so there is probably something else going on here. Egyptian revealed that it had recently raided hideouts of Islamic terror groups (mainly Lewaa Al Thawra) associated with the Moslem Brotherhood and arrested nine suspects while killing three others who opened fire during one of the raids (all of them outside of Sinai and mostly along the Nile). November 22, 2017: In the south Israeli troops caught two unarmed men from Gaza crossing the border fence. One man surrendered when confronted while the other did not and was captured after he was shot and wounded. In western Egypt and warplanes attacked ten 4x4 vehicles from Libya that were trying to move weapons and ammunition into Egypt. The F-16s can operate at night and that has made it possible for more of these attacks to take place. November 21, 2017: Israel seized several tons of chemicals used in the production of explosives. These were being smuggled into Gaza via the Israeli crossing for commercial goods and foreign aid. The explosives were disguised as motor oil and their true nature could not be proven without a lab analysis of the material. Details were not released but since it is known that the Israelis carefully examine all the components of rockets or bombs used to attack them a lab test revealed Hamas using a new type of explosive and the rest is following up that lead. The Israelis are also expecting some more effective smuggling efforts now that Hamas and Iran are working together once again. Further south in Sinai Egyptian police raided an Islamic terrorist hideout and killed four armed men who fired at them. Police found over 25,000 rounds of ammunition and bomb making materials. In Egypt (Cairo) another round of unifications negotiations between Hamas and Fatah took place. Not much was accomplished other than a vague promise to hold elections by the end of 2018. November 19, 2017: In the north (Golan Heights) Israeli tanks fired on Syrian troops attempting to build a fortified outpost in the UN mandated demilitarized zone. This was the second day in a row Israeli forces fired on this illegal outpost. November 18, 2017: Bowing to political pressure India cancelled a half billion dollar deal worked out in 2016 for an Israel firm to set up a factory and team with an Indian firm to produce Spike ATGMs (anti-tank guided missiles). The Indian army has been warning for over a decade that without a new ATGM India would be at a serious disadvantage. But the procurement bureaucracy and DRDO (the Indian Defense Research and Development Organization) said it could develop and build a comparable ATGM in four years. That would be a miracle. No one in the military believed the DRDO but this was not about what DRDO could do but about the incompetence and corruption that has characterized DRDO for decades. DRDO may not be of much use for the military but for Indian politicians it is a vital part of getting elected and staying in power. DRDO provides jobs and cash for that. Meanwhile Israel remains a major military supplier for India. A July visit by the Indian president marked the official end of 70 years of India deferring to its Moslem population (which is larger than that of Pakistan) and decades of close ties with Moslem states at the expense of good relations with Israel. Since 2000 Israel has provided India help dealing with Islamic terrorists that Pakistan began using aggressively against India in the 1990s. India noted that Israel was a major supplier of military equipment worldwide and was especially good when it came to border security and dealing with Islamic terrorism. The alliance between Israel and India has grown stronger since 2001 and now India is quite open about it. There are more and more signs of shifts in long-established alliances involving Israel. November 17, 2017: Islamic Jihad, the Gaza based Islamic terror group most outspoken about its hostility for Israel, declared it would avenge the Israeli use of explosives (on October 30) to destroy a tunnel that had entered Israeli territory. Islamic Jihad declared this an Israeli act of aggression even though the explosives were set off in the portion of the tunnel that had entered Israel and nearly all the dead were the result of a rescue effort for some of the tunnel builders working on the tunnel when the explosives went off. Right after the explosion Gaza media identified six of the dead as belonging to Islamic Jihad and two as members of Hamas. Two of the Islamic Jihad dead were leaders and either inspecting the tunnel or supervising the work. It was later revealed that the death toll was higher (at least a dozen Islamic Jihad members and three or more from Hamas). Since this was more a case of Islamic Jihad and Hamas incompetence than anything else the standard response is to blame Israel and call for retaliation. This usually works because anyone in Gaza who points out what really happened (and is known by most in Gaza) they can more easily be accused of acting as an Israeli agent, or maybe even an Israeli spy. November 15, 2017: Leaders from Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria met in Egypt to update their common Libya policy. All three nations continue to vigorously (loudly and repeatedly) support the July peace agreement for Libya. A major reason for the July agreement was the need to avoid mass starvation in Libya. Since 2011 Libyan oil exports had shrunk and the Libyan Central Bank cash reserves are nearly gone. If peace and unity are not achieved soon no government would be able to buy and import food and other essentials. Even by Middle Eastern standards Libya was setting new records in self-destructive behavior. By 2017 more Libyans were agreeing that the situation was indeed becoming desperate and a lot more compromise was the only solution. Even with the current national compromise the tribal (Arab, Berber and black African) and religious differences (Islamic radicals versus everyone else) plus epic levels of corruption and entitlement keep peace and prosperity out of reach. At this point most Libyans will settle for survival. The neighbors (particularly Egypt, Mali, Niger, Tunisia and Algeria) back the new peace deal as do European nations. How long it will last is another matter. So far, the deal is still on track. If achieved by the end of the year or early in 2108 it would mean the first national government in Libya since 2011 and fewer worries about smuggling and Islamic terrorism coming out of Libya. The only major disagreement the Arab countries have with the West is Arab preference for LNA commander Khalifa Hiftar, which a growing number of Western leaders want to prosecute as a war criminal. That has not stopped Hiftar from travelling. Hiftar visited Egypt on November 3rd to report on conditions in areas he controls and discuss what can be done to improve security along the Libyan-Egyptian border. On the 13th Hiftar visited the UAE and while there attended the Dubai Air Show to meet with other Arab military and political leaders. Egypt and UAE have always been the primary supporters of the LNA and Hiftar. November 14, 2017: Israel deployed an Iron Dome battery to central Israel. Normally Iron Dome is sent to the northern or southern borders, where the most rockets are deployed against Israel in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza. Deploying Iron Dome in central Israel indicates a potential rocket or mortar threat from the West Bank. November 13, 2017: Without admitting it, Iran has been spotted building a military base in Syria, about 15 kilometers south of Damascus and too close (50 kilometers) to the Israeli border as far as the Israelis are concerned. The base is not large and appears to have facilities for about 500 troops. Israel believes this will be a headquarters for Iranian operations against Israel. Normally Israel waits for construction to finish before launching an attack (usually an air strike). Further south the head of the Russian intelligence agency (the FIS) visited Israel to discuss how to handle the dispute between Israel and Iran over the continued presence of Iran controlled (and often led) irregular forces. There are still as many as 3,000 armed ISIL fighters in Syria and they are scattered in over a dozen locations, none of them close to Israel. Turkey wants Russia to pressure the United States to stop providing weapons and other assistance to Syrian Kurds, something the U.S. has been doing more of since mid-2016 when it became obvious that the Kurdish led SDF rebel coalition had the best chance of driving ISIL out of Raqqa, which the SDF proceeded to do by late 2017. The SDF is still the most effective armed group fighting ISIL in Syria and the U.S. will continue supporting the SDF until ISIL no longer has a presence in Syria. That is fine with Israel but not with Turkey or Iran. Russia is trying to negotiate a peace deal between all the major antagonists and is having some success. But ultimately Israel sees this as a fools errand. November 11, 2017: In southern Syria Israeli air defenses shot down a Russian UAV carrying out a surveillance mission of the Israeli Golan Heights. Apparently Hezbollah was controlling the UAV and the Israelis continue to investigate who was doing what for whom on the Syrian side of the border to make this happen. November 9, 2017: In Egypt (Sinai) ISIL is believed responsible for ambushing a convoy carrying construction materials and guarded by soldiers. The seven trucks were destroyed, eight civilians and two soldiers were killed. Weapons and other equipment were taken by the attackers before they fled. November 5, 2017: In the south (on the Gaza border) Israeli troops have built a monitoring station in the tunnel from Gaza it partially destroyed on October 30th. Israel wants to ensure that Hamas does not resume work on this tunnel. Israel now believes 14 Palestinians were killed in the tunnel, most of them after the explosion because of an inept rescue effort. Most of the collapsed portion of the tunnel was on the Gaza side of the border but while examining the aftereffects of the explosion Israeli engineers found the bodies of five Palestinians belonging to Islamic Jihad. Israel will preserve the bodies and return them as part of a deal (as yet not agreed to by Hamas) to get back the bodies of two Israeli soldiers killed in 2014 and several Israelis who illegally entered Gaza and were arrested. November 3, 2017: In the north (Golan Heights) a large bomb could be heard exploding across the border in Syria Soon a large smoke cloud rose over the explosion and was visible as far as the Israeli border. It was soon revealed that al Nusra Islamic terrorists (affiliated with al Qaeda) had attacked Hader, an Assad controlled Druze village near the Israeli border. The attack began with a suicide car bomb exploding. The attack 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. By the end of the day a member of the Israeli parliament, who was Druze, revealed that four of those killed in the Hader attack were kin of his. Hundreds of Israeli Druze men attempted to force their way past the Israeli border fence and border guards to get into Syria to aid their fellow Druze but were prevented from doing so. Ten of the Israeli Druze did make it into Syria, briefly, before being forcibly returned to Israel by Israeli troops. There were no injuries but it was yet another indication that Israeli Druze are desperate to aid their fellow Druze (and often kin) just across the border (and sometimes visible from Israel). November 1, 2017: In central Syria (Homs province) an Israeli airstrike (four sorties) 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 West Bank Israeli troops fired on a car that accelerated towards them and refused to stop. The Palestinian driver of the car was shot dead and that stopped the vehicle. A Palestinian passenger was wounded. Amazon Web Services has become the latest tech firm to join the deep learning communitys collaboration on the Open Neural Network Exchange, recently launched to advance artificial intelligence in a frictionless and interoperable environment. Facebook and Microsoft led the effort. As part of that collaboration, AWS made its open source Python package, ONNX-MxNet, available as a deep learning framework that offers application programming interfaces across multiple languages including Python, Scala and open source statistics software R. The ONNX format will help developers build and train models for other frameworks, including PyTorch, Microsoft Cognitive Toolkit or Caffe2, AWS Deep Learning Engineering Manager Hagay Lupesko and Software Developer Roshani Nagmote wrote in an online post last week. It will let developers import those models into MXNet, and run them for inference. Help for Developers Facebook and Microsoft this summer launched ONNX to support a shared model of interoperability for the advancement of AI. Microsoft committed its Cognitive Toolkit, Caffe2 and PyTorch to support ONNX. Cognitive Toolkit and other frameworks make it easier for developers to construct and run computational graphs that represent neural networks, Microsoft said. Initial versions of ONNX code and documentation were made available on Github. AWS and Microsoft last month announced plans for Gluon, a new interface in Apache MXNet that allows developers to build and train deep learning models. Gluon is an extension of their partnership where they are trying to compete with Googles Tensorflow, observed Aditya Kaul, research director at Tractica. Googles omission from this is quite telling but also speaks to their dominance in the market, he told LinuxInsider. Even Tensorflow is open source, and so open source is not the big catch here but the rest of the ecosystem teaming up to compete with Google is what this boils down to, Kaul said. The Apache MXNet community earlier this month introduced version 0.12 of MXNet, which extends Gluon functionality to allow for new, cutting-edge research, according to AWS. Among its new features are variational dropout, which allows developers to apply the dropout technique for mitigating overfitting to recurrent neural networks. Convolutional RNN, Long Short-Term Memory and gated recurrent unit cells allow datasets to be modeled using time-based sequence and spatial dimensions, AWS noted. Framework-Neutral Method This looks like a great way to deliver inference regardless of which framework generated a model, said Paul Teich, principal analyst at Tirias Research. This is basically a framework-neutral way to deliver inference, he told LinuxInsider. Cloud providers like AWS, Microsoft and others are under pressure from customers to be able to train on one network while delivering on another, in order to advance AI, Teich pointed out. I see this as kind of a baseline way for these vendors to check the interoperability box, he remarked. Framework interoperability is a good thing, and this will only help developers in making sure that models that they build on MXNet or Caffe or CNTK are interoperable, Tracticas Kaul pointed out. As to how this interoperability might apply in the real world, Teich noted that technologies such as natural language translation or speech recognition would require that Alexas voice recognition technology be packaged and delivered to another developers embedded environment. Thanks, Open Source Despite their competitive differences, these companies all recognize they owe a significant amount of their success to the software development advancements generated by the open source movement, said Jeff Kaplan, managing director of ThinkStrategies. The Open Neural Network Exchange is committed to producing similar benefits and innovations in AI, he told LinuxInsider. A growing number of major technology companies have announced plans to use open source to speed the development of AI collaboration, in order to create more uniform platforms for development and research. AT&T just a few weeks ago announced plans to launch the Acumos Project with TechMahindra and The Linux Foundation. The platform is designed to open up efforts for collaboration in telecommunications, media and technology. IBM on Friday announced 20-qubit and 50-qubit quantum processors for its IBM Q early-access commercial systems. The 20-qubit processor featuring improvements in superconducting qubit design, connectivity and packaging has coherence times of 90 microseconds, which allows high-fidelity quantum operations, IBM said. The 50-qubit processor is an operational prototype. It expands upon the 20-qubit architecture and has similar performance metrics. IBM 50Q System IBM will offer these quantum processors as a service. Clients will have online access to the first IBM Q systems with the 20-qubit processor by the end of this year. The company declined to specify when the 50-qubit processor will be available as a service, IBM Research spokesperson Christine Vu told the E-Commerce Times. During 2018, IBM plans to improve the quality of qubits in the 20-qubit processor, as well as circuit connectivity and operation error rates. A 20-qubit processor would enable very large computing problems [such as] cryptography protein interactions, chemical interactions and flow simulations, said Michael Jude, research manager at Stratecast/Frost & Sullivan. Essentially, it would enable the solution of many systems of nonlinear differential equations, he told the E-Commerce Times. Why Quantum Computing as a Service IBM launched a working Quantum Computer as a Service in May of 2016, and since then has brought online 5- and 16-qubit systems for public access through the IBM Q experience. IBM is offering quantum computing as a service because its still pretty much an experimental solution, said Jim McGregor, principal analyst at Tirias Research. This lets IBM learn about the challenges as they crop up, he told the E-Commerce Times. Quantum computing is nonpersistent computing, Frosts Jude noted. The process of computing kills the computer. Once youve used a qubit, you can never use it again in the same computation. Also, quantum computers have strict cooling requirements. You have to use them in a data center, because they have to be used at temperatures close to zero Kelvin, Tirias McGregor pointed out. Big Blues Quantum Computing Ecosystem Open source software tools, applications for near-term systems, and educational and enablement materials for the quantum community all are part of IBMs quantum computing ecosystem. Earlier this year, IBM rolled out QISKit its open source quantum information software kit to program and run quantum computers. QISKit lets users create quantum computing programs and execute them on one of IBMs quantum processors, or on quantum simulators available online. QISKit is now integrated with the IBM Data Science Experience, a compiler that maps desired experiments onto available hardware and provides worked examples of quantum applications, such as a new way to study chemistry problems using quantum hardware. IBM has industrial partners exploring practical quantum applications through the IBM Research Frontiers Institute consortium. The Impact of Quantum Computing Quantum computing is going to change everything, McGregor noted. Its the type of solution we need for AI because its an exponential leap in processing performance, he said, and we need that for AI solutions, especially for on-premises solutions. IBM Research is working on two distinct paths linking AI and quantum computing, company spokesperson Vu told the E-Commerce Times. We dont know yet the practical application of quantum to AI, but we expect this interplay to yield new and fruitful avenues of research in both fields. IBM is laying a potential foundation to have the kind of industry presence in quantum computing they once held in computing, observed Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group. Google and HPE have been active in quantum computing, but Google doesnt seem to have the attention span for long-term projects like this, he told the E-Commerce Times, and HPE has already been sacrificed to a tactical strategy thats killing the company. A popular technique used by website operators to observe the keystrokes, mouse movements and scrolling behavior of visitors on Web pages is fraught with risk, according to researchers at Princetons Center for Information Technology Policy. The technique offered by a number of service providers uses scripts to capture the activity of a visitor on a Web page, store it on the providers servers, and play it back on demand for a websites operators. The idea behind the practice is to give operators insights into how users are interacting with their websites and to identify broken and confusing pages. You use session replay scripts to find out where all the dead zones are on your website, said Tod Beardsley, director of research at Rapid 7. If you have a space for a click here for 10 percent off and no one clicks there, there may be a problem with that page, he told TechNewsWorld. The scripts also can be used for support and to troubleshoot user problems, Beardsley added. Peeping Scripts However, the extent of data collected by the scripts far exceeds user expectations, according to researchers Steven Englehardt, Gunes Acar and Arvind Narayanan. Text typed into forms is collected before a user submits the form, and precise mouse movements are saved all without any visual indication to the user, they noted in an online post. Whats more, the data cant be reasonably expected to be kept anonymous. In fact, some companies allow publishers to explicitly link recordings to a users real identity, wrote the team. Unlike typical analytics services that provide aggregate statistics, these scripts are intended for the recording and playback of individual browsing sessions, as if someone is looking over your shoulder. That means that whether a visitor completes a form and submits it to the website or not, any information keyed in at the website can be seen by the operator. Even if you deleted the data you entered into a form, it would be exposed and visible to the website owner, said Abine CTO Andrew Sudbury. Youre being recorded when you think you arent, so you might reveal things you wouldnt reveal if you knew you were being recorded, he told TechNewsWorld. Flubbing Scrubbing The researchers studied seven session replay script service providers for 482 of the top 50,000 sites listed on Alexa. The services were Yandex, FullStory, Hotjar, UserReplay, Smartlook, Clicktale and SessionCam. The services offer a number of ways for website publishers to exclude sensitive information from the replay sessions, the researchers found, but those options were labor-intensive, which discouraged their use. For leaks to be avoided, publishers would need to diligently check and scrub all pages that display or accept user information, they explained. For dynamically generated sites, the process would involve inspecting the underlying Web applications server-side code, wrote Englehardt, Acar and Narayanan. Further, the process would need to be repeated every time a site was updated or the Web application powering it changed. The scripts just gather everything, so someone would have to go in and spend time and energy telling the service provider what not to gather on any particular Web page, Sudbury said. Generally, the publishers dont do that. Leaking Passwords To identify some of the risks replay scripts posed to site visitors, the researchers set up test pages and used scripts from six of the seven companies in the study. One of the companies, Clicktale, was excluded for practical considerations. Password leakage is one risk the replay services can pose. All the services take pains to redact passwords from their replays, the researchers explained, but those policies can break down on pages with mobile-friendly login boxes that use text inputs to store unmasked passwords. The services redacted sensitive information in a partial and imperfect way, the researchers also found. In addition to automated blocking of information in the replay sessions, the services let publishers manually specify fields for exclusion. To effectively deploy these mitigations, a publisher will need to actively audit every input element to determine if it contains personal data, the team wrote. This is complicated, error prone and costly, especially as a site or the underlying web application code changes over time. Vulnerable Transmissions User input isnt the only way privacy can be violated. Information on rendered pages also is captured by the replay services. Unlike user input recording, none of the companies appear to provide automated redaction of displayed content by default; all displayed content in our tests ended up leaking, the researchers wrote. Because it forces publishers to address that issue manually, the process is fundamentally insecure, they maintained. There are also potential risks in the transmission of data between the service provider and the publisher. Once a session recording is complete, publishers can review it using a dashboard provided by the recording service, the researchers explained. Some services deliver playbacks in an HTTP page, even if the original page was protected by HTTPS, they continued. That makes the playback page vulnerable to a man-in-middle attack that could suck all the data from the page and into a hackers hands. Whats more, some services dont use HTTPS to communicate with their clients, which exposes the transmissions to passive network surveillance. Strict Requirements At least one session replay provider said it took a number of precautions to protect its clients information. All of Clicktales policies and practices meet ISO 27001, aligning with the strict requirements of our global customers, said Leor Hurwitz, general counsel at Clicktale. ISO 27001 is a security standard for information security management systems that mandates requirements for implementing, monitoring, maintaining and continually improving those systems. By default, Clicktale is set up to not capture keystrokes or any common sensitive data fields contained within a Web page, Hurwitz told TechNewsWorld. In addition to establishing default blocks, the company works closely with its customers to ensure that when it implements a session replay system, any sensitive information contained within a Web page is not included in the capture process, he explained. Those measures allow its clients to improve customer experiences without the need to capture sensitive information that is not directly related to the shopping experience, Hurwitz added. Blocking the Scripts Consumers concerned about replay scripts can obtain software to block them. The javascript that performs this action is loaded by your browser when you visit a website. That can be blocked by a tracker blocker, Abines Sudbury said. The Web provides all sorts of amazing technical capabilities that are designed to let users have rich experiences at websites, he observed, but whats frustrating is that the advertising, profiling and tracking industries have discovered very quickly clever ways to track people against their will. Replay scripts have become an emerging topic among privacy advocates, noted David Picket, a security analyst at AppRiver. The current discussion will raise user awareness, he told TechNewsWorld. That typically results in greater demand for oversight, and technologies to combat this problem will most likely be built into existing solutions or emerge to prevent it. Long known as a popular Japanese cryptocurrency exchange site, bitFlyer will now support US-based residents interested in the legal trade of digital currencies. Coinbase and Gemini are the two major businesses with approval for US operations. Coinbase has licensing for 38 different states while Gemini offers services in 46. bitFlyer has been approved to offer its services in 41 states, coming in just above Coinbase. Over $180 million is traded daily on bitFlyer in Japan. Opening up the service to US residents could help move bitFlyer up from its current rank as the 14th largest exchange site. When trading on margin is factored in, bitFlyer ranks number one in total trade volume. Initially, there are only plans to support trading between Bitcoin and US dollars. Additional trade pairs will be offered in the future although there are no confirmed plans regarding which other currencies are guaranteed to be supported. Ethereum, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash and other coins with large market caps are likely to be added. Similar to Coinbase and Gemini, there are different requirements for identity verification before trading is permitted. Basic information such as name, phone number, birth date and home address are required. Providing basic information allows for up to $2,000 to be deposited or withdrawn daily and individual transactions are limited to $3,000 each. Deposits and withdrawals of up to $50,000 can be enabled by providing photo ID which also eliminates the restriction on transaction size completely. For now, only wire transfers and cryptocurrency are supported for moving money in and out of the exchange. Easier options such as ACH transfer will be introduced at a later date. One of the major complaints about Coinbase and Gemini are support ticket response times. A third major US exchange will undoubtedly be welcomed by those interested in digital currencies and may help alleviate some of the headaches involved with contacting support on exchange sites. According to the President of the National Institute of Civil Aeronautics (INAC), twelve airlines have requested to operate with Venezuela. | Read More Toyota Motor Corporation to Absorb Toyota Marketing Japan Corporation Toyota City, Japan, Nov, 27 2017; Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) has decided to absorb its wholly owned subsidiary, Toyota Marketing Japan Corporation (TMJ), as of April 1, 2018. In doing so, TMC intends to conceive and implement a dynamic and comprehensive approach to marketing for Japan that extends from product planning to dealer initiatives. TMC established TMJ as a specialist and independent marketing company in October 2009 to help refine its expertise and agility in this field. TMJ adapted the model-centric advertising campaigns of the past and successfully forged a new marketing strategy that resonates closer to the customer and is more in tune with changes in current trends. Examples include the TOYOTOWN series of commercials, which showcased the broad appeal of Toyota to our customers, and the AQUA SOCIAL FES!! events, which highlighted the growing social awareness of young people. However, as swift decision-making and action is key to responding to the ongoing and drastic changes in the business environment of both companies, TMC has decided to reconfigure its independent marketing function into a comprehensive planning and support function encompassing both the product planning and dealer business. Absorbing the Japanese marketing and product planning functions of TMJ will help TMC to formulate and carry out an integrated marketing strategy incorporating product planning, promotions, and dealer initiatives. This step should also help to support TMC's initiatives for the connected society of the near future, as well as speed up structural innovations for implementing mobility services. The transfer of functions and personnel is slated for January 1, 2018, while TMC intends to formally absorb TMJ on April 1 of the same year. Outline of TMJ (as of November 27, 2017) http://www.acnnewswire.com/topimg/Low_ToyotaOutline112717.jpg About Toyota Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) is the global mobility company that introduced the Prius hybrid-electric car in 1997 and the first mass-produced fuel cell sedan, Mirai, in 2014. Headquartered in Toyota City, Japan, Toyota has been making cars since 1937. Today, Toyota proudly employs 370,000 employees in communities around the world. Together, they build around 10 million vehicles per year in 29 countries, from mainstream cars and premium vehicles to mini-vehicles and commercial trucks, and sell them in more than 170 countries under the brands Toyota, Lexus, Daihatsu and Hino. For more information, please visit www.toyota-global.com. Toyota City, Japan, Nov, 22 2017 - (JCN Newswire) - Toyota Motor Corporation launched sales(1) of its compact and cuddlesome Kirobo Mini communication partner today through Toyota vehicle dealers across Japan.Kirobo MiniKirobo Mini is a miniature communication partner developed to provide companionship. It fits in the palm of the hand and is only 10 cm high when seated. It turns its head toward the person speaking and engages in casual conversation(1) while moving its head and hands. Its compact size means it can be taken just about anywhere.Presales were launched at designated dealers in Tokyo and Aichi Prefecture in May 2017, commencing with customers looking to interact with communication partners such as Kirobo Mini. The presales launch also targeted a wide variety of users including those who have a fondness for adorable products, are passionate about trying new products, and enthusiastic about enjoying Kirobo Mini in different ways.One feature of Kirobo Mini is the ability for users to share their Kirobo Mini experience with other users on the official communication website "With Kirobo Mini Friend Park." This well-received website allows users to share personal moments with their own Kirobo Mini and exchange information to help others discover the charm of the Kirobo Mini."With Kirobo Mini Friend Park" website: https://kirobomini.jp/ Furthermore, in tandem with this nationwide rollout, Kirobo Mini can now communicate based on information acquired from the cars and homes of users.(2) Details are as follows.Kirobo Mini's new abilities(3)1) Coordination with cars(4)(5)As Kirobo Mini grows up, it learns to converse based on information from connected cars.2) Coordination with homes(6)As Kirobo Mini grows up, it learns to converse based on TOYOTA HOME smart house information.(1) Unlike online orders in the presales launch in May 2017, customers can now place orders for Kirobo Mini at Toyota vehicle dealers (including Toyota, Toyopet, Toyota Corolla, and Netz stores).(2) Using standard Japanese(3) The same function is available in Kirobo Mini purchased during presales by updating the dedicated app.(4) When Kirobo Mini grows up to a certain level through communication with its users, it will be able to engage in these kinds of conversations.(5) An 11.6-inch T-Connect SD navigation system (DCM package) must be mounted on a Prius PHV (from February 2017). DCM contract is also required.(6) TOYOTA HOME's smart house (HEMS installation and TSC-HEMS service required) TOYOTA CITY, Japan - November 28, 2017: Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) plans to change its executive lineup and revise its organizational structure in January 2018 to further strengthen cooperation among companies of the Toyota Group and boost business innovation. TMC, constantly aware that there is always a better way, has been ceaselessly innovating its executive and organizational structure to promote its overarching goal of making ever-better cars and the development of a diversified and talented workforce. After introducing a regional-based management system in 2011 and a business unit system in 2013, TMC made substantial changes to its structure in April 2016 to create a company built around a product-based, rather than function-based, organization. Among efforts to actively boost business innovation in 2017, it established EV C.A. Spirit, a company that promotes development of basic structural technologies for electric vehicles through a business structure that is open to participation by other companies. TMC has also been promoting appointment of the right people to the right positions in its executive lineup. Transcending practices of the past, efforts have included appointing its first non-Japanese executive vice president in 2015 and its first executive vice president with a technical-position background in 2017. With the advance of electrification, automation, connectivity and other technologies, TMC believes the automotive industry has now entered a phase of "competition and coordination" that involves entities from other industries. To further strengthen cooperation among companies of the Toyota Group and boost business innovation, TMC has decided to change its executive lineup and revise its organizational structure in January 2018. Surrounded by changes of unprecedented speed and scale, TMC is aware it faces a "now or never" situation in which not a moment can be spared. In response, following the change to its executive lineup in April this year, TMC has made subsequent changes in June, August and November, as needed, and has decided to advance the timing of executive changes next year from the traditional April to January. "The automotive industry has entered an era of profound transformation, the likes of which come only once every 100 years," said TMC President Akio Toyoda. "Over the next 100 years, there is no guarantee that automobile manufacturers will continue to play leading roles in mobility. A crucial battle has begunnot one about winning or losing, but one about surviving or dying. We will pursue alliances with other companies and other industries. But, before that, it is essential that we concentrate the capabilities of the Toyota Group. Our coming structural change reflects our will that the Toyota Group will tackle this era of profound transformation. This change includes the appointment of people with high levels of expertise, regardless of time with the company or age and from the perspective of having the right people in the right places. This is an era in which the correct answers are unknown. Knowing that the customer comes first, we need to have people who understand the workplace well enough to lead with quick judgment, quick decisions and quick action through genchi genbutsu (on-site learning and problem-solving) as they see fit in response to all kinds of situations. To create forms of mobility to which people can feel intimately connected, and to be able to provide the freedom and joy of mobility to all people, everyone working for Toyota will unite in spirit and continuously take up new challenges," he added. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation On Monday, all of America awoke from our post-Thanksgiving comas to some glorious news: Meghan Markle of California is engaged to a British man (Prince Harry). While we subsequently spent the morning spiking our coffee with champagne to toast the happy occasion, many members of the British press did not seem to be as thrilled about the engagement. Instead, the news appeared to be met by the U.K. media with racism and burns against American girls. Of course, not all members of the British press reacted this way Markle and Prince Harry are, after all, sitting down with Mishal Husain of the BBC for their first joint interview after their engagement photo call. But by and large, the same tabloids that subjected Markle to abuse and harassment at the start of their relationship seem to be continuing their streak of horrible takes. Here are some of the worst. The American Girls Are Trapping British Men With Blowjobs Take Did you know that Prince Harry fell for Meghan Markle solely because she is American? And that American women are 100 percent completely and totally different from British ladies? Well, at least, thats what the Tatler would have you think. As the publication writes, Some British men, meanwhile, like some American women for one very specific reason. American girls will give blowjobs way earlier than British girls because they dont consider it sex, explains another American heiress whos married to an Old Etonian. Huh. The Unconventional Family Take The Daily Mail, which has previously been criticized for its racist posts about Markles upbringing and her family, has written that the engagement was VERY unlikely and that given Markles status as an American divorcee, the odds were seemingly stacked against them. The tabloid also published an article about who might be invited to the wedding, which included unnecessary and invasive information about her black mothers finances, her rogue half-siblings, and drama in her extended family. And of course, another about her unconventional family. Many people on Twitter have sensed a theme with this coverage Just in case you were in doubt about how racist it is, please check out @DailyMailUK's landing page post-announcement of Prince Harry & Meghan Markle's wedding. Or take my word for it & don't give them clicks Amy! Ami! Ame! (@amyslayer) November 27, 2017 .@MailOnline @DailyMailUK not too subtle but does it every time with their headlines, meantioning Meghan Markle is divorced & American to trigger their racist readers https://t.co/mtBPpbj3es #PrinceHarry #MeghanMarkle Amy Wyatt (@Lewisno1fan) November 27, 2017 Daily Mail gettting ready to write racist articles about Meghan Markle pic.twitter.com/oZwx5dP6d6 JON SNOW GONNA KILL THE WHITE KING (@mesquebarcelona) November 27, 2017 The Mistress Take The Spectators Melanie McDonagh began her post about Prince Harry and Meghan Markles engagement with a warning of sorts: It may be churlish to be unkind about a young couple who have just announced their engagement but needs must. Someone has to say it. Then she proceeds to talk about the fact that Markle is divorced and that seventy years ago, Meghan Markle would have been the kind of woman the Prince would have had for a mistress, not a wife. The @spectator publishes thinly veiled racist criticism of the talented and beautiful Meghan Markle. What a joyless, unpleasant and mean piece! So much for your magazine being for thoughtful, literate conservatives. This was sub-par Daily Mail twaddle. pic.twitter.com/IKqa9N2rHV (((Snigdha))) (@snigskitchen) November 27, 2017 The Shes Not Kate Take Similar to the Daily Mail, the Suns coverage of the royal engagement has included posts about Markles VERY un-royal family and how theyre going to liven up the Windsor Christmases (hmm). Theyve also highlighted the differences between Markle and her future sister-in-law Kate Middleton (i.e., race, family background, relationship history). In 2015, Markle wrote about her biracial identity in Elle UK, saying, Being biracial paints a blurred line that is equal parts staggering and illuminating. Well see what Markle and her fiance have to say when they speak to the BBCbut hopefully she gets a chance to put the rest of the British press in their place. British Prime Minister Theresa May leaves Number 10 Downing Street on Nov. 13, 2017 in London, England. Mrs May held a meeting with European business leaders over their concerns about the future of UK-EU trade arrangements after Brexit. (Jack Taylor/Getty Images) Britain and EU Have Agreed Brexit Bill: Sources The EU and Britain have agreed the size of the so-called Brexit bill, meaning that talks can now progress to the next stage, according to The Daily Telegraph. The final figure of the divorce deal has been left open to interpretation said the newspaper, which cites two unnamed sources, but it will be between 45 and 55 billion euros. The agreement paves the way not only for talks to progress, but steers Brexit a little further from the no deal option which would result in a hard Brexit. The two sources said that an agreement-in-principle has been struck over the settlement, which the EU had demanded must be resolved before talks could progress. Both sides of the negotiations have said all along that they are following the negotiating principle that nothing is agreed until everything is agreed. However, a breakthrough on the Brexit bill issues would, in theory, mean that divorce talks can progress to the two other major issues waiting in the wings: the role of the European Court of Justice, and the issues around the Northern Irish border with Ireland. The deal on the money is there; its now the ECJ question and Northern Ireland that are the outstanding issues ahead of the Council, said a senior source involved in the negotiations, according to The Telegraph. The newspaper quotes a third source with knowledge of the negotiations as saying that the text of the deal could provide the EU with the certainty that the final figure will be in excess of 50 billion euros. This could create the political wiggle-room needed for the UK government. A spokesman for the Department for Exiting the European Union said that intensive talks were continuing ahead of next weeks meeting. We are exploring how we can continue to build on recent momentum in the talks so that together we can move the negotiations onto the next phase and discuss our future partnership, he said, according to The Telegraph. The Willamette Valley Ag Expo is set for Tuesday through Thursday, Nov. 15 through 17, at the Linn County Expo Center, 3700 Knox Butte Road E. in Albany. Harvey Weinstein speaks at the UBS 40th Annual Global Media and Communications Conference in New York, NY, U.S. on December 5, 2012. (Reuters/Carlo Allegri/File Photo) British Actress Sues Harvey Weinstein in New York Alleging Sex Trafficking An aspiring British actress sued Harvey Weinstein in New York federal court on Monday accusing the movie producer of sex trafficking by inviting her to a hotel room in France and sexually assaulting her. The civil lawsuit filed by Kadian Noble in U.S. District Court in New York accused Weinstein of violating a U.S. federal sex trafficking law in February 2014 in Cannes, France. The lawsuit alleged that Weinstein was able to force or coerce Kadian into sexual activity in his hotel room because of his promise to her of a film role and use of his influence on her behalf. Holly Baird, a spokeswoman for Weinstein, said on Monday in an emailed statement, Mr. Weinstein denies allegations of non-consensual sex. Mr. Weinstein has further confirmed that there were never any acts of retaliation against any women for refusing his advances, Baird said. Weinstein has denied having non-consensual sex with anyone. Reuters has been unable to independently confirm any of the allegations. In the same lawsuit, Noble also sued the Weinstein Company and Weinsteins brother Bob, accusing them of being aware of Harvey Weinsteins behavior. Officials with the Weinstein Company, headed by Bob Weinstein, could not immediately be reached for comment. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages. The sex trafficking law has a 10-year statute of limitation. More than 50 women have accused Harvey Weinstein of sexually harassing or assaulting them over the past three decades. In the fallout from the accusations, Weinstein was fired from The Weinstein Co, the independent studio he co-founded in 2005 with his brother Bob, and expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Police in New York, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and London have said they are investigating allegations of sexual assault that have been made against Weinstein. Also on Monday, the Directors Guild of America said in a statement that Weinstein resigned from the organization. California Inmate With Skull Face Tattoo Escapes Prison Work Crew On Monday, Nov. 27, an inmate in California with a distinctive face tattoo that resembles a skull, vanished from a prison work crew and is still at large. The crew driver noticed at approximately 1:30 p.m that 27-year-old Corey Hughes was missing and notified dispatch, according to a Facebook post from the San Joaquin County Sheriffs office. Hughes was last seen near Interstate 5 and Country Club Boulevard in Stockton, California, the Sheriffs Office said. Police said Hughes was in on a weapons charge, and his release date was just months away on Feb. 6, 2018. Sheriffs spokesman Deputy Dave Konecny told CBS SF that inmate escape attempts close to their release were not uncommon. Its surprising how many inmates over the years have walked away from a detail with only a few months left on their sentence, Konecny told the network. Hughes will likely have his sentence increased once he is caught. Hughes was placed in a building called Honor Farm in San Joaquin County, which, houses pretrial and also sentenced male and female inmates, Konecny told CBS SF. The inmates in this building are classified as usually low risk and nonviolent. Honor Farm is located in French Camp, just south of Stockton. The mugshot of the inmate, posted to the official Facebook page of the Sheriffs Office, has garnered over 4,000 shares in just one day. One person commented on the post that authorities should be searching stores that sell makeup, referring to Hughess distinctive face tattoo. Check the stores in make up department. Hes probably trying to find a good concealer right about now, the commenter said. Anyone who sees Hughes is urged to contact the San Joaquin Sheriffs Office dispatch at 209-468-4400. From NTD.tv Please help support independent journalism by sharing this article with your friends and family. It takes less than a minute. Thank you! Zhang Yang (center), former member of the Central Military Commission, with other Chinese Communist Party officials at a meeting of the 12th National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on March 15, 2017. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images) Chinese Top General Kills Himself Amid Corruption Probe BEIJINGA prominent Chinese general under investigation for corruption has committed suicide, state media said on Tuesday, the latest development in a sweeping anti-graft campaign that has shaken the armed forces. Zhang Yang, a former member of the powerful Central Military Commission (CMC), was being investigated over links to disgraced generals Guo Boxiong and Xu Caihou, the official Xinhua news agency said. The investigation into Zhang, 66, had verified that he gravely violated discipline, was suspected of giving and taking bribes and the origin of a huge amount of assets was unclear, Xinhua said, citing the commission. Xinhua confirmed that on the afternoon of Nov. 23, Zhang Yang hanged himself at home. A suicide by an officer who held such a senior post is rare, though experts have said the frequency of officials from various levels of government taking their own lives may have increased as a result of the intensity of the corruption crackdown since Chinese leader Xi Jinping took power five years ago. A commentary carried on both the Defense Ministry and militarys official websites said the CMC decided on Aug. 28 to investigate Zhang, who had lost his moral bottom line and used suicide as a means to escape punishment from the party and country, an extremely abominable act. This former general of high position and great power used this shameful way to end his own life, the commentary said. He would exhort loyalty but be corrupt behind others backs, a typical two-faced person, it said. Sources had told Reuters that Zhang, who had served as director of the militarys Political Work Department, had been subject to an investigation, but the government had not announced it. Zhangs downfall was foreshadowed in September when he failed to make a list of 303 military delegates to the Chinese Communist Partys key five-yearly congress, along with fellow CMC member Fang Fenghui. Both men were replaced at the congress, held last month, as part of a sweeping military leadership reshuffle, in which Xi installed trusted allies in key positions. Chinas military has been an important focus of Xis deep-seated fight against corruption. Serving and retired officers have said graft in the armed forces is so pervasive it could undermine Chinas ability to wage war. Dozens of officers have been investigated and jailed, including Xu and Guo, both former vice chairmen of the commission, which Xi heads. Xu once ran the Political Work Department, which is in charge of imbuing political thought and makes military personnel decisions, and along with Guo was accused of taking bribes in exchange for promotions. Guo was jailed for life last year. Xu died of cancer in 2015 before he could face trial. By Michael Martina and Philip Wen North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un has vowed to complete North Korea's nuclear force. Hawaii is reinstating a statewide nuclear attack warning signal to prepare for a potential attack from North Korea. (STR/AFP/Getty Images) Cold War Sirens Dusted Off as Hawaii Fears North Korea Nuclear Attack Hawaii will restore its Cold War era nuclear attack warning signal on Friday in response to North Koreas increasingly threatening actions and rhetoric. The alert warning siren signal is a part of a ballistic missile preparedness program, said the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA), reported ABC radio. Residents of the 50th American state are being told Get inside, stay inside, and stay tuned upon hearing the siren which hasnt been used since the Cold War. The agency said that alerts warning of an impending nuclear missile attack will also be sent to residents phones and aired on TV and radio. Resident have to promptly respond to the alerts as any the launch to impact warning time for Hawaii is 15 minutes or less. They have been instructed to have a designated place to go for shelter. There will be no time to call our loved ones, pick up our kids, and find a designated shelter, HI-EMA Administrator Vern Miyagi told the Honolulu Star Advertiser. We should all prepare and exercise a plan ahead of time so we can take some comfort in knowing what our loved ones are doing, he said. Hawaii to reinstate nuclear warning system on Friday; attack sirens to be tested once a month. 1st U.S. state to do so amid growing tensions with North Korea. pic.twitter.com/Q39zYGKiRT BNO News (@BNONews) November 27, 2017 If a nuclear attack were to hit Hawaii, most probably centered on Honolulu, officials believe there could be around 18,000 fatalities. When [HI-EMA] started this campaign there were concerns we would scare the public, said Miyagi during an emergency preparedness presentation, reported ABC radio. What we are putting out is information based on the best science that we have on what would happen if that weapon hit Honolulu or the assumed targets. While the American military has conducted effective missile interception tests, there is no guarantee that an incoming missile will be intercepted, said HI-EMA who have their headquarters are in a Diamond Head battery housing constructed a century ago for coastal artillery. After any nuclear blast, Hawaiian residents would need to remain in shelters until the agency has fully evaluated the radiation and fallout. The ABC radio report said that this could take between a couple of hours or as long as two weeks. Town hall style meetings have been held with officials where residents can ask questions related to nuclear attack preparedness. The European Council on Foreign Relations think tank released a report this month that said that North Koreas top nuclear targets included Hawaii. International tensions have increased as Pyongyang actively develops its nuclear weapon and long-range missile launching capabilities. On Sept. 3, North Korea claimed it successfully tested a hydrogen bomb, and earlier this year, it launched two missiles over Japanese territory. From NTD.tv If you enjoyed reading this article, please support our independent journalism by sharing it on social media. Deer Hunter Shoots Duck Hunter in Wisconsin, Police Say Always look before you shoot, is what one hunter should be telling himself after an incident over the weekend. A duck hunter in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, was shot by a deer hunter on Sunday, according to local media reports. The incident took place Sunday at 2 p.m. local time near Mapleton Road in Oconomowoc, ABC2 reported. The duck hunter was dressed in camouflage, and police noted that the shooting seemed to be accidental. The duck hunter is expected to survive his injuries. But it gets worse: Western Lakes Fire District Chief Brad Bowen said that one of its ambulances got involved in an accident on the way to the shooting. We were responding to that incident and our ambulance was involved in a property damage only accident, Bowen said, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. There was another ambulance also en route so there was no delay in patient care. The hunter who fired his weapon was taken into custody. The shooting remains under investigation, NBC26 reported. Earlier this month, a 14-year-old Missouri girl thought she shot a deerbut it turned out to be an elk, which was technically illegal. 14-year-old Missouri girl shoots elk 200 miles from herd>> https://t.co/g873XrkdM5 pic.twitter.com/aH3QunzooX KFVS News (@kfvsnews) November 14, 2017 She called her dad, who was hunting nearby, and her dad realized it was an elk, said Tom Strother, who is the regional supervisor for the Missouri Department of Conservation, USA Today reported. More tragically, a New York hunter shot a woman who was walking her dog. He reportedly believed she was a deer. Rosemary Billquist, 43, was killed by a single shot as she walked her dogs in Chautauqua County located in western New York near the Pennsylvania border. Officials said that Thomas Jadlowski, 34, thought he saw a deer in a field 200 yards away when he opened fire, the New York Post reported. No charges were filed against him. An investigation is ongoing, according to the New York Post. Officials, however, said the shooting took place about 40 minutes after sunset, which is illegal, NBC New York reported. Jadlowski was also using a pistol. Billquist was taken to the hospital on Wednesday in Erie and later died of her injuries, the Chautauqua County Sheriffs Office confirmed. We have a small favor to ask of you. If you can, please share this article on Facebook so you can help The Epoch Times. It takes less than a minute. Thank you very much! Doctor Found Dead Inside Manhattan Hospital A medical researcher who was found dead in an Upper East Side, Manhattan, hospital died of an overdose, police sources told the New York Post. Dr. Miguel Crespo, 40, was found dead by workers in an eight-floor mens bathroom at Weill Cornell Medical Center at York Avenue on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 26. No drugs were discovered, but officials found aluminum foil and a possible snorting device, according to the Post. The cause of death has not been determined yet. Police dont suspect foul play, the New York Daily News reported. Weill Cornell Medicine is saddened by the death of our colleague Miguel Crespo, Ph.D. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends, Weill Cornell spokeswoman Sarah Smith told the paper. He joined Weill Cornell Medical College in 2011 and was conducting research on colon cancer, according to his LinkedIn page. On his website, his mission statement says: Throughout my life, I have relentlessly strived to capture the beauty in things I always felt the world has yet to discover windows, shadows, reflections, the magic in the velvety light that projects on our eyes. I have always been mesmerized by the compassion, the emotion, and the meaning somebodys look can convey and inspire, he said, according to the Daily Mail. Neighbor Xoey Lee told the Daily News that he was always polite. He always says, Hi. He didnt seem ill, she said. And while youre here We have a small favor to ask of you. If you can, please share this article on Facebook so you can help NTD. It takes less than a minute. Thank you very much! Dont Leave Dogs Outside in Extreme Weather: You Could Wind up in Jail As temperatures continue to drop, animal shelters in Pennsylvania are reminding pet owners to ensure that their dogs are not tied up outside in freezing temperatures for more than half an hour without adequate shelter. Cumberland Valley Animal Shelters communications director, Jennifer Vanderau, has asked pet owners to keep their dogs out of the elements and try not to let their dogs be rained on. Your doghouse that you have should keep them dry. If it rains and that freezes, thats awful. Please make sure that they can get out of the elements and they can get into the doghouse and not actually be rained on. Have it raised off the ground if you can, Vanderau told ABC News. We have a lot of concerned citizens in the area, she added. Vandera said cruelty officers from their shelter get calls about animals outside in freezing weather. Now with the new law passed in August this year, animal shelter officers will be able to do something about those animals. Libres Law provides a series of changes to Pennsylvanias anti-animal cruelty law such as increasing penalties for animal cruelty and imposing more guidelines for the tethering of dogs outside. Under the changes, pet owners who leave their dogs tied up at temperatures above 90 degrees or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit for more than 30 minutes could be charged with a summary offense, face a fine between $50 to $750, or be jailed for up to 90 days, or both. Depending on the condition of the dog, pet owners could be charged a misdemeanor of the second- or third-degree and face up to one year in jail or a $2,000 fine, or both. Pennsylvania Director of the Humane Society of the United States Kristen Tullo said there actually have been animals that have been frozen to the ground. The animals are coming in because of damage to their paws and because of bleeding paws and because of frostbite, hypothermia, and even death in situations, Tullo told the ABC news. The Libre Law was enacted after Libre, a 7-week-old Boston terrier, was found by a delivery man severely neglected by its owner in Lancaster. The puppy was dehydrated and starving, suffered from severe mange, his skin oozed blood and pus, and he was infested with maggots, according to Lancaster Online. Lucky for Libre, he made a recovery after ongoing care from animal rescue officials and vets and had become the face for the introduction of new animal cruelty measures. From NTD.tv Dear reader, we have a little favor to ask of you. We work hard to deliver important and interesting articles to you, but we cant do it without ad revenue. Please help support independent journalism by sharing this article with your friends and family. It takes less than a minute. Thank you! Family Loses Everything in Fire One Month Before Christmas An Indiana family has lost everything in a house fire during the early hours of Saturday, Nov. 25just one month before Christmas. Despite their ordeal, they are grateful that they made it out alive. The Wright family lost their rented home, three vehicles, their basic necessities, and Christmas gifts that they had bought on Black Friday, according to a GoFundMe page set up for them. Aaron Wright has been hailed as a hero by his neighbors after he swiftly got his wife and two daughters to safety from the burning home, reported WTHR. Wright told the news station that he was able to rescue his family because his wife, Elizabeth Wright, had heard the smoke alarm go off through their baby monitor. Those smoke detectors, if they hadnt of been there I dont know if wed woke up to get out. My husband, he opened the door in front of me and we both fell back. He shut the door and was screaming, We have to go get them out,' Elizabeth told WTHR, referring to the couples daughters. Wright then ran through the house and grabbed 9-year-old Akili and 2-year-old Nadilyn from their bedrooms before pushing them out the window to safety. Nadilyn was holding onto the window. She didnt want to go out. She didnt understand what was happening. She thought she was falling and Im just pushing as hard as I can to get her out of that window, Elizabeth recalled. He got us out and then dove out after us, Elizabeth said. Fortunately for the family, no one was hurt, but they were sent to the hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation, according to WishTV. Its pretty rough going home and seeing all the kids stuff burned up and most of the stuff is gone, Wright told WTHR. Investigators are now looking into the cause of the fire, which the Wright family believes started in the front yard, reported WTHR. It will take a couple of weeks to locate an exact cause and point of origin, firefighters said. The family said they had reported a gas leak near their house weeks ago, as did the neighbors. My husband had reported a gas leak to Vectren [a local natural gas company]. It was out by the road in our yard, Wright told WTHR. They said that it wasnt a problem and theyd come and fix it eventually. Vectren said it did respond to the fire on Saturday at the request of the fire department, but its still checking into reports about a possible gas leak, reported WTHR. Wrights cousin, Amanda OBanion, has set up a GoFundMe page to help the Wright family raise money to rebuild their home, pay for medical expenses, and buy necessities. From NTD.tv Dear reader, We have a little favor to ask of you. We work hard to deliver important and interesting articles every day, but we cant do it without people reading them. Please help support independent journalism by sharing this article with your friends and family. It takes less than a minute. Thank you! Father Arrested After Letting 8-Year-Old Daughter Steer Car New York State Police arrested a 36-year-old man late on Wednesday, Nov. 22, after investigating a car crash, which injured his 8-year-old daughter while she was handling the steering wheel. The 8-year-old was sitting on her fathers lap. The girl was taken to Albany Medical Center with serious but not life-threatening injuries, according to The Post Star, a local newspaper in Glens Falls, New York. State police said she is being treated for broken bones, a punctured lung from a broken rib, and head injuries, New York Daily News reported. Police and emergency responders received a call at 11:30 p.m. about a crash on County Route 17. They discovered a Honda sedan upon arrival, but the occupants had already left the scene. State troopers found out that the girl who was involved in the crash was taken to a relatives home. A resident of a nearby home gave Reynolds and his daughter a ride to the relatives home. When Glen Falls Police arrived at the home, they discovered the girl in her relatives care, but Reynolds was already gone. A search commenced with multiple agencies involved. Glens Falls Police tracked Reynolds to an acquaintances home on Windy Ridge Road. They arrested him on unspecified charges and took him to Glens Falls City Court. Police later took Reynolds to Glens Falls Hospital to treat injuries likely suffered in the crash. State Police suspect that Reynolds let his daughter control the wheel of the vehicle while he handled the breaking and acceleration. They believe she hit the windshield and the steering wheel after the car swerved from the roadway and crashed into an embankment and then a tree. The girl was not restrained by a seatbelt. Reynolds borrowed the car from his mother late on Tuesday. Reynolds was charged with vehicular assault and leaving the scene of a serious personal injury accident, misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child, and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, according to officials. Reynolds has an extensive criminal history, police said. He was behind bars for driving while drunk in 2011. He is being held at Washington County Jail without bail. The public defenders office will also investigate these serious allegations and will be prepared to defend Mr. Reynolds, the mans lawyer, Washington County Public Defender Michael Mercure, said. Some news outlets reported that Reynolds left his daughter crying at the crash site while he fled. Those reports are contrary to the police account in the local newspaper. From NTD.tv Support The Epoch Times. Share this article. FBI, Marines Join Search for Missing 3-Year-Old Girl The Onslow County Sheriffs Department, local fire departments, the FBI, and the Marine Corps are all contributing to the search for a three-year-old girl who disappeared from her Jacksonville, North Carolina, bedroom on Monday, Nov. 27. Mariah Kay Woods disappeared sometime between midnight and Monday morning from her home on Dawson Cabin Road in Jacksonville. Her mother, Kristy Woods, told WNCT News that she checked on her daughter at 11 p.m. on Nov. 26. Her live-in boyfriend said he saw the child when she woke up around midnight, after which he sent her back to bed. At 6:45 Monday morning the girls grandmother went to wake the child but she was not there, ABC News reports. North Carolina mom reaches out to the public in an emotion-filled plea after her 3-year-old daughter disappeared. "Please, bring her back She's my baby, she's my everything" https://t.co/dmV80y4X8z pic.twitter.com/TSl7Ph8kda ABC News (@ABC) November 28, 2017 Kristy Woods made a tearful plea to anyone who might have abducted her daughter: Just bring her home, please, safe and sound. Shes my baby, shes my everything. State officials issued an Amber Alert on Nov. 27. The FBI joined the search on Tuesday, Nov. 28. PLEASE RT | @MissingKids reports she has been missing since late Sunday in North Carolina. Authorities believe she was abducted from her bed and they don't know where the abductor is heading. https://t.co/AAnyVWMlbZ pic.twitter.com/4cuI5aDJNc 10News WTSP (@10NewsWTSP) November 28, 2017 Shelley Lynch, the spokesperson for the FBIs Charlotte, North Carolina, office, told CBS News that it had sent members of the Child Abduction Rapid Deployment team or CARD team, adding, FBI CARD Team members are highly trained and experienced experts on missing children cases. Part of the search area includes Camp Lejeune Marine Corps base. Marine Corps personnel are assisting in the search, Fox News said. #AMBERAlert Update! Mariah was last seen on November 26, 2017 at 11:00 p.m. at 2404 Dawson Cabin Road in Jacksonville, #NorthCarolina.https://t.co/D2vblnGoy9 NCMEC (@MissingKids) November 28, 2017 Family members told WNCT that there was no sign of forced entry or any disarray in Mariahs room, but did say that the homes back door was unlocked. Mariahs grandmother told WNCT that Mariah had an orthopedic problem with her left leg, which made it difficult for the child to walk steadily. It seemed unlikely that Mariah would have wandered off, given her difficulty walking. Law enforcement officials have interviewed Kristy Woods and her live-in boyfriend and searched their home and their vehicle, ABC reports. They also interviewed Mariahs biological father. [Officials are] working everything that can be worked to find this little girl, said Onslow County Sheriff Hans Miller. K9 units, helicopters, and drones were all combing the woods around the missing girls home. We dont know what happened. Its entirely premature to try to determine what happened, Sheriff Miller told ABC. Mariah Woods is described as being about 2 feet 9 inches tall and weighing 30 pounds, with blond hair and blue eyes. Anyone with information is encouraged to call either 911, or the Onslow County Sheriffs Office Investigations Division at 910-989-4070, or Crime Stoppers at 910-938-3273. Information can also be anonymously texted via Text-A-Tip by typing TIP4CSJAX and your message to 274637 (CRIMES). How do you react when you hear about Amber Alerts in your area? Do you think Amber Alerts help authorities find missing children? Please consider supporting our journalism by sharing this article on your social networks. From NTD.tv SCOTTSBLUFF The call came in at about 3 a.m. "We are heading to the hospital." Kendra and Lucas Bear quickly packed up and left their ranch in Merriman for Scottsbluff. "It is not that long a drive," Lucas said, "but that night it was a long drive." "We were afraid we would get there too late," Kendra said, for the arrival of a blessing the Bears had been waiting for since they married in April 2006. The young couple tried many different avenues to have children, but "we never had any success," Lucas said. Beginning the process "We wanted to have a family," Kendra said. "We did a lot of praying and talking to each other we decided to try adoption." They both had family members who had adopted in the past; some had members who had been adopted through the Nebraska Childrens Home 40 50 years ago. "Lucas and I decided we would like to have the experience of a newborn," Kendra said. So the couple began working with the Nebraska Childrens Home in 2011. They went through parenting classes, had background checks done and a home study. The Nebraska Childrens Home allows the birth families to pick the potential adoptive parents so the Bears also had to put together a profile on themselves. They also had to share their views of an open adoption. Kendra included a personal letter to the potential birth mother. She shared her hopes and dreams. The process took about nine months from their first contact to their profile being available to birth families to view and hopefully chosen. Then the waiting began. The wait For some the waiting is short, for others it is years and some are never selected. The days became weeks, weeks became months then years. "You kind of wonder is it ever going to happen," Kendra said. On Valentines Day, 2014, the phone rang. "I answered the phone," Kendra said. The person from the Nebraska Childrens Home said a birth mother had looked at our profile and would like to meet with us. "I started crying," she said. "I cant express the love and emotion that went over us at that moment. I dropped to my knees and thanked God for this amazing young woman who wanted to meet us." Taylor Kelsch was a 16 year old from Kimball, Neb. She was about 16 weeks into her pregnancy. "I believe adoption was the best choice for everyone," Taylor said. She began working with a case worker from the Nebraska Childrens Home. Taylor was asked to make a list of what she wanted in parents for the baby. The NCH then narrowed the choices down to 13 possible families. Those profiles were given to Taylor. When she read the Bears profile, "they felt like the right ones," she said. First meeting A meeting was set up with Taylor a week after the Bears had received the call. The Bears traveled to Scottsbluff for the first meeting. "We were really nervous," Kendra said. "What are they going to be like? What are they going to think of us? Will the like us?" They walked into the room and shortly afterwards Taylor and her mom came into the room. "I was really nervous," Taylor said. "They (Lucas and Kendra) made me feel welcome. I really liked them right off the bat." They spent about two hours sharing life stories, lots of questions and "we laughed a lot and shared some tears," Kendra said. Taylor wanted to get to know the Bears better and continue moving forward with their adoption journey. Later the Bears also meet the birth father and his family and made a strong connection with them. From meeting to birth There were tons of phone calls, texts and lots of face to face meetings after their first meetings. "Taylor is such an amazing person," Kendra said. "She would text me through the process sharing her experience, when the baby moved . . . She was so open." One day, Lucas said, Kendra got a called from Taylor, "How would you like to go to the ultrasound?" "I just thought it would be really good for Kendra to be there," Taylor said. At the ultrasound Taylor asked Kendra, "should we find out if it is a boy or a girl?" It was a girl. "She thought about us throughout the whole process," Kendra said. "It is incredible." Taylor and Kendra text messaged baby names back and forth. "We both really liked Aliyah," Taylor said. The families grew closer. The birth families visited the Bears ranch and the Bears were able to meet grandparents and other extended family members. Then on Aug. 1, 2014 came the 3 a.m. call from Taylor. The arrival Aliyah was about to arrive and the Bears left their ranch wanting to be at the hospital for her arrival. When they got to the hospital Taylor was still in labor. When the time came and everyone was leaving the room, Taylor said to Kendra, "We want you to stay." Kendra and Taylors mom stayed in the room and helped support Taylor. Aliyah arrived at 9:46 a.m. Kendra was allowed to cut the umbilical cord and be the first to hold the new arrival. "I was right there," Kendra said. "It is nice to know Aliyah had both her mothers there at her birth." "I was overwhelmed with joy," Lucas said. "All these years hoping you would have a child of your own and then finally you get the chance. You pinch yourself and ask, Is this real." It was real. The hospital had a room for Lucas and Kendra to stay in until Aliyah was ready to go to her new home two days later. "We said our goodbyes and brought Aliyah home with us," Kendra said. "It was really difficult (to say goodbye)," Taylor said. "I was happy but also heartbroken." More waiting Even though the Bears took Aliyah home with them the adoption was still not final. The birth parents have two weeks to decide and sign the final paperwork. Then there was another six months which included three home studies before they could pursue adoption. For Taylor, the first couple weeks after Aliyah left were difficult. "I would have loved to have raised her, but I know this was the best," Taylor said. Finally, on April 7, 2015 Aliyah officially became a Bear. "That is when we became an official family," Lucas said. The new family But the new family was much more than Lucas, Kendra and little Aliyah. "We came out with a new born baby, who is beautiful, but we also adopted them (the birth family)," Kendra said. When the Bears started the adoption journey they were a little intimidated by the thought of an open adoption, but not anymore. "It is a blessing to have this openness," Kendra said. "We spend a lot of time together." Taylor will call and want to come out to see Aliyah. If the Bears drive through anywhere Taylor might be, they stop by. "We have even had Taylors grandparents come (to the ranch) for a weekend," she said. "Its all very comfortable." "I know it (adoption) was the right decision, especially when I see them (Lucas, Kendra and Aliyah) together," Taylor said. Aliyah may not understand who she is at this point in her life, Taylor said, but "she loves me a lot." Now 3-years old, Aliyah, will have her first dance recital in April. "We have already invited the birth family," Kendra said. "I will be there," Taylor said. "I wouldnt miss it for anything." They all came to Aliyahs baptism, to her birthday party and they exchange Christmas gifts every year. "As Aliyah grows up she will be surrounded by so many people who love her," Kendra said. "Adoption is amazing," she added. It is not an end, it is a beginning, both Kendra and Taylor said. "When I see how blessed Aliyah is every day," Kendra said, "all, I can say is God is good." Venue of Miss Minnesota USA pageant at the Ames Center in Burnsville, Minn. (Screenshot via Google Maps) First Woman With Down Syndrome Competes in Miss Minnesota Pageant A woman has become the first person with down syndrome to compete in the Miss Minnesota USA pageant. Mikayla Holmgren, a student at Bethel University, has been called a trailblazer after competing at the pageant in Burnsville and receiving Spirit of Miss USA award, and the Directors Award, Fox News reported. Denise Wallace, executive co-director of Miss Minnesota USA, told People earlier this year that Holmgren is the epitome of what the Miss Universe Organization strives to look for in contestants someone who is confidently beautiful. Holmgren is no stranger to pageantry. Two years ago, she participated in the national Junior Miss Amazing, a pageant for girls and women with disabilities, in Los Angeles and was crowned Minnesota Junior Miss Amazing 2015. I want the whole world to see that I can do things that are hard and that people with Down syndrome are beautiful and talented, she told StarTribune in April this year. Holmgrens participation reflects how beauty ideals are becoming more diverse. Last year in the same pageant, A. Halima Aden, a Somali-American woman became a semifinalist being the first person to compete wearing a hijab. Jordan Buckellew, the director of Minnesota Miss Amazing, told StarTribute in April that beauty isnt a box that we can fit in. Were stepping away from the Miss Congeniality vibe where everyone has blond hair and blue eyes. Thats not what we accept or define as beauty anymore, Buckellew said. The 22-year-old is determined to show that her disability does not define her. As an accomplished dancer, Holmgren has demonstrated an unyielding self-confidence that has been inspiring other people. I want the world to know that Down Syndrome does not define me. With your help, I can help break through walls, she wrote on her GoFundMe page. From NTD.tv Dear reader, we have a little favor to ask of you. We work hard to deliver important and interesting articles to you, but we cant do it without ad revenue. Please help support independent journalism by sharing this article with your friends and family. It takes less than a minute. Thank you! Florida Couple Returning Home on Thanksgiving Die in Alligator Alley Crash A Tampa, Florida, couple returning home from a Thanksgiving vacation in South Florida were killed on Sunday when their SUV crashed into a canal in Davie, Florida, according to reports. Local10 reported that Kevin Livingston, 42, and Michele Livingston, 35, both of Tampa, were killed in the accident. Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. Mark Wysocky said their vehicle was traveling west on Interstate 75 in western Broward County when the left rear tires tread separated. The driver then lost control of the vehicle and veered off the highway before crashing into a canal. Several Good Samaritans attempted to rescue the two. The water, however, was too deep, Local10 reported. Crash on WB Alligator Alley MM 33. No WB traffic @browardsheriff pic.twitter.com/mbXKYsB62w Linda Trischitta (@LindaTrischitta) November 26, 2017 The waters estimated to be about 40 feet deep in that area, Wysocky said. The accident remains under investigation. Its unclear whether the two were wearing seatbelts when the crash took place. According to The Miami Herald, they were South Floridas fourth and fifth holiday weekend deaths. On Thanksgiving Day, a couple who were expecting their first child died in a wrong-way crash along with another person. The Florida Highway Patrol confirmed that Justin B. Lakin, 21, of Bradenton, Yvette R. Alexandre, 21, of Ruskin, and Lashay D. Waiters, 24, of Bradenton, were in the crash, according to Brandenton.com. They were taken to Tampa General Hospital, where they were pronounced dead. Alexandre and Waiters had recently gotten engaged, family members told the outlet. They had planned to get married in January of next year. Suzette Alexandre wrote on her Facebook Friday, We will miss their (b)eautiful faces and smile. My Baby girl Yvette Alexandre and her fiance Lashay we will always love you guys. WFLA reported that the couple was heading home after dropping off a friend. The two both attended the University of Central Florida in Orlando, where they met. According to the Daily Mail, Yvette had written that she was pregnant two weeks after announcing their engagement. Police said theyre not sure why Lakin was driving the wrong way. According to WWSB, all passengers were wearing seatbelts and alcohol wasnt a factor in the crash. While youre here Dear reader, we have a little favor to ask of you. We work hard to deliver important and interesting articles to you, but we cant do it without ad revenue. Indiana Hunter Accidentally Shoots Himself in the Leg An Indiana deer hunter had a close brush with death after accidentally shooting himself over the weekend. Karl Stratton went deer-hunting in the woods outside Middletown, Indiana on Saturday, Nov. 25. The 50-year-old hunter climbed a ladder to a perch in a tree and hung his 12-gauge shotgun, in its soft case, within reach on a convenient branch. However, Stratton neglected to follow a few basic gun-safety rules: The gun was loaded, it was pointed in his direction, and the safety was off, Conservation Officer Josiah Julian told IndyStar.com. Stratton had picked a good perch. At about 5:55 p.m. a deer came strolling by. Stratton reached for his gunbut somehow he discharged it while pulling it out of its case. The bullet tore into Strattons right thigh. He fell out of the tree stand and dropped to the ground. In a way, Stratton was extremely luckyhe didnt hit any major arteries and he wasnt alone. A relative called 911. Madison County sheriffs deputies responded to the site off County Road 500 East and found Stratton lying on the ground, bleeding, the Seymour Tribune reported. They did first aid at the scene and transported the wounded hunter to St. Vincents Hospital in Indianapolis, about 50 miles southwest. Stratton is expected to recover, according to a report from WIBC News. Hunting Accidents Abound Such accidents are not as rare as one might hope. A 53-year-old hunter from Random Lake, Wisconsin was also shot in the leg on Nov. 22, Fox News reported. The hunter, whose name was not released, was out hunting with four friends near the town of Fredonia, in Ozaukee County, eastern Wisconsin. The party spotted a deer and two fired at it, despite the fact that they were shooting past one of their friends. Low light is often a factor in accidents like thisbut not this time. This happened in the middle of the afternoon. The wounded hunter was airlifted to Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee. The Ozaukee County Sheriffs Office said the shooting appeared to be accidental, MSN reported. A 17-year-old from St. George, Utah, shot himself in the leg after returning from a deer hunt on Oct. 23, the St. George News reported. St. George Police Sgt. Tyler Cowan called the incident a negligent discharge. The victim told police that his deer rifle misfiredwhich could mean he dropped it, or somehow accidentally hit the trigger. The teen was transported to Dixie Regional Medical Center for surgery. The injury was not life-threatening. A Middlefield, Ohio, hunter was charged with two crimes for shooting a pick-up truck he mistook for a deer, the New York Post reported. Chautauqua County Sheriffs deputies said Marvin C. Miller, 26, was hunting near the town of North Harmony in southwestern New York state at 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 24. He peered through the trees and brush and spotted a brown object which he somehow thought was a buck. Miller sent a single round from his high-powered 7-mm hunting rifle right through one front fender of the truck and into the engine. Neither the trucks driver nor his passenger was injured. Miller was arraigned in the Sherman, New York, Town Court on charges of discharging a firearm across a public roadway, and second-degree reckless endangerment. Additional charges are pending, according to WGRZ News. A more serious hunting accident occurred on Nov. 22 when a woman living in that same small southwestern New York town of Sherman was shot and killed by a neighbor while she was walking her dogs behind her home. Rosemary Billquist, 43, died of a single gunshot wound, just 100 yards from her own living room where her husband sat watching TV. The neighbor, Thomas B. Jadlowski, thought Billquist was a deer and fired a single fatal shot from his high-powered pistol. Jadlowski was illegally hunting after sunset and did not have permission to hunt on the property where Billquist was killed. According to WWLP.com, the Chautauqua County District Attorneys office said Jadlowski is unlikely to face local criminal charges related to Billquists death. What do you think about deer-hunting accidents? How do you feel about hunting? Feel free to comment, and if you enjoyed reading this article, please consider sharing it. From NTD.tv Indiana Nurse No Longer an Employee After Shocking Tweet About White Baby Boys An Indiana nurse is no longer an employee of a hospital she worked for after a shocking Twitter message she wrote that said white baby boys should be sacrificed to the wolves. A spokesman for Indiana University Health said that Taiyesha Baker is no longer an employee of IU Health, but would not clarify if the nurse was fired, citing company policy, according to Indianapolis Star. In a since-deleted tweet, Baker, who went by the Night Nurse username, wrote: Every white woman raised a detriment to society when they raise a son. Someone with the HIGHEST propensity to be a terrorist, rapist, killer, and domestic violence all star. Historically every son you had should be sacrificed to the wolves [expletive]. IU Health is one of the largest hospital systems in the nation, according to Fox News. The company found out about Bakers tweet on Saturday morning, Nov. 25, after the message caused a wave of shocked reactions on social media, and was picked up by several news outlets. IU Health issued a statement early on Saturday to say that it was investigating the matter. Later on Saturday, IU Health issued an update, saying that Baker will have no access to patient care. IU Health is aware of several troubling posts on social media which appear to be from a recently hired IU Health employee, the statement said, according to the Indianapolis Star. Our HR department continues to investigate the situation and the authenticity of the posts. That message was followed by the Sunday statement clarifying that Baker is no longer an employee. Baker received a nursing license on Oct. 30, which is set to expire on Oct. 31, 2019, Fox 59 reported citing public nursing license records. Bakers account, @tai_fiery, was deleted and eventually recreated by another user who tweeted several times from it. The re-created account was later deleted. Baker worked for the Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital, according to IU Health spokesman Jason Fechner, the Washington Post reported. According to WHAS, Baker protested the appearance of conservative speaker Charles Murray at Indiana University in April, which gained media attention because it was themed after a widely mocked Pepsi ad featuring Kendall Jenner. Pepsi later pulled the ad after public outcry. In 2015, a Taiyesha Baker from Indianapolis was interviewed by Parlour Magazine about her travel experiences in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Spain. The article noted that Baker was a nursing student at the time. Support The Epoch Times. Share this article. Investigation Into Chinas Former Internet Czar Hints at Future Purge of Officials in Propaganda Machine Following the announcement that Chinas former head of Internet censorship, Lu Wei, was placed under investigation for corruption, rumors are now swirling that others in his close circle within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)s propaganda apparatus will also get sacked. As head of the CCPs Cyberspace Administration, Lu carried out many restrictive Internet policies, punishing those who published political dissent. Last week, the CCPs anti-corruption watchdog agency announced an investigation into Lu for seriously violating Party discipline, an oft-used euphemism for corruption. Lus trusted aides, relatives, and political enablers are all being ensnared in the investigation, according to a report by Hong Kong newspaper Oriental Daily News published on Nov. 26. Propaganda officials are, in particular, on the chopping block, according to Oriental Daily News. The rumor is not unfounded, as on the same day of the announcement of Lu being investigated, a court in Inner Mongolia opened session for the corruption case of Liu Jinghai, party secretary of Inner Mongolia Daily Newspaper, a state-run paper. The following day, two other propaganda officials in Anhui and Hunan provinces were announced to be investigated and sentenced to prison. Two weeks ago, Liu Beixian, the retired former head of the Chinese regimes mouthpiece, China News Service, was stripped of his Party membership. Undermining Xi The Hong Kong newspaper also reported that the CCPs state media have been subtly undermining CCP leader Xi Jinping, leading to his recent determination to purge enemies in the the propaganda apparatus. While openly praising Xi, state media have been promulgating a cult of personality image for Xi. That is perhaps most evident in state-run mouthpiece Xinhuas recent publication of a 15,000-word profile on Xi, titled Xi Jinping and His Era, and accompanied with a full English translation. In state media, Xi has also been repeatedly referred to as great leader, a phrase that has not been in use since the time of CCP leader Mao Zedong. Political observers have since speculated that the Party is going to return to an ultra-left, cult of personality-era. Lus Political Connections As for who will be the next target on Xis list, one name that has been raised is Liu Yunshan, according to the Oriental Daily News report. The former propaganda chief was the mastermind behind the CCPs propaganda machine for a decade, and key member of a rival faction loyal to former CCP leader Jiang Zemin. Both he and the recently sacked Lu got their start at Xinhua, the state news agency. After Liu was appointed to the powerful Politburo Standing Committee in 2012, he helped promote Lu to deputy head of the CCPs central propaganda department and head of the Cyberspace Administration. Zhang Dun contributed to this report. A file image of Somali al-Shebab fighters aligned with al-Qaeda (Mohamed Abdiwahab/AFP/Getty Images) and screenshot of police with a 20-year old man who is allegedly inspired by Al-Qaeda to commit a terror act in Melbournes Federation Square (Screenshot via Ten News). Man Arrested Over Suspected New Years Eve Terror Plot in Australia A 20-year-old Australian man of Somalian parents has been arrested for allegedly planning to kill as many people as possible in the city of Melbourne on New Years Eve. Victorian state police deputy commissioner Shane Patton Deputy said the unidentified Muslim man was arrested in the west Melbourne suburb of Werribee mid-afternoon Monday, Nov. 27 . He is still being interviewed by a joint police counter-terrorism team. What we will be alleging is that he was intending to use a firearm to shoot and kill as many people as he could in the Federation Square area on New Years Eve, Patton said in a press briefing. Tens of thousands of people gather for New Years Eve celebrations in Federation Square every year. Charges are expected to be made after interviews are completed. A 20 year old man has been arrested for allegedly planning a terror attack in Melbourne on NYE #TenNews pic.twitter.com/UfHpukajEH Ten News Melbourne (@tennewsmelb) November 28, 2017 The male is one of our high risks persons of interest, we have been monitoring him for a lengthy period of time, Patton said. Patton said that the suspect did not access any firearms but had gained access to literature produced by the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda which acts as a guide book on how to commit acts of terror. He is associated with other persons in the Victorian extremists community it is a very small community of extremists, said Patton This is a person who would become particularly energised when overseas events occurred. He expressed a great amount of interest in committing an attack himself. The arrest means this threat has been removed, we are quite confident there is no risk or no threat to the Victorian community now we have removed him from society and he is being interviewed. Patton added that there is no ongoing threat posed in respect to New Years Eve or Christmas. The suspect lived with his family in their home which is still being searched by police. Two other locations were searched on Monday his place of work and relatives home. The man was believed to be planning the New Years Eve attack on his own and police are investigating how he became radicalized. Last year, police foiled a Christmas Day terrorist plot in the city which involved four Islamic terrorists planning to use pipe bombs to kill people again in the Federation Square area. Australian police have charged 74 people in counter-terrorism investigations since 2014, the BBC reports. If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it on Facebook to show your support for The Epoch Times. From NTD.tv Missing New York Woman Found After Allegedly Being Abducted, Taken to Nevada A mom from Cortland, New York, says shes happy to have her daughter back after she was allegedly kidnapped for months. Mary Bartholomew, 25, went missing in late August after telling her mother she was going to meet a man who she met on Facebook. The two had already met in person before, according to Syracuse.com. The next morning, Bartholomewthe mother of four young kidsdisappeared. I knew she would never leave them, Angela Helms, Bartholomews mom, said. She filed a missing persons report on Aug. 25. It turns out that the man she met, Jon Wesley Turner, took her to Nevada. According to the Nye County Sheriffs Office, he was arrested for battery, false imprisonment, sexual assault, assault with a deadly weapon, and kidnapping on Nov. 2. I really believed that she was dead; she would never leave her kids, Helms told News3. Helms said that she got a call from her daughter, saying that deputies in Nye County, Nevada, found her after she was beaten and handcuffed to a chair in a motel room. Inside, deputies found a rope, handcuffs, and a hatchet, News3 reported. "Ill make sure that you all get buried together" Mom of a woman kidnapped from NY & found Beaten in Nevada, shares her story tonight @ 11. pic.twitter.com/XA39Twgas7 Gabby Hart (@GabbyNews3LV) November 5, 2017 Right before she ran for help from motel staff, who called 911 for her,[Turner] picked up a hatchet and attempted to hit her in the face with it screaming Im going to kill you,' wrote Deputy Eric Anderson in a police report, according to Fox5. [She] stated he then threatened to kill her, her 4 kids and he would bury them together if she did not comply with his commands. Turner left the motel but was arrested nearby, News3 reported. Bartholomew told officers after her rescue that Turner held her at gunpoint and forced her to leave New York. She had thought about leaving Turner several times before they went to Nevada, said Helms, but worried about what he would do to her if he caught her. According to Helms, Her face is all black and blue, shes covered in bruises and then you can see the strangulation marks around her neck. Turner, who is from Elmira, New York, was booked in Nye County, Nevada, on $250,000 bond. In a more bizarre twist, Turner allegedly forced Bartholomew to walk through the woods near Big Bear Lake in California, where their car was later found by California Highway Patrol officers in September, according to the San Bernardino Sun. Helms said that Bartholomew walked at least 200 miles to Nevada after they ditched her car. She was forced to sleep outside with Turnertied up or handcuffed, Helms claimed. Luckily, she made it out alive, Helms said. Ive talked to other mothers whose daughters did not, and my heart goes out to them. And while youre here We have a small favor to ask of you. If you can, please share this article on Facebook so The Epoch Times can continue to bring you important and interesting stories. It takes less than a minute. Thank you very much! Miss South Africa 2017, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters (L), is crowned new Miss Universe 2017 by Miss Universe 2016, Iris Mittenaere, on Nov. 26, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Patrick Gray/AFP/Getty Images) Miss Universe Survived Gun-Point Robbery on Her Way to the Crown Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, Miss South Africa, won the Miss Universe crown on Sunday night, Nov. 26. She wants to use her reign to promote two important causes: HIV/AIDS awareness and self-defense for women. HIV/AIDS is a very big problem in my country, South Africa, so I hope to stand as an advocate for that, she told reporters. Self-defense is an issue of personal importance for the newly-crowned Miss Universe. In June, 2017 one month after winning Miss South Africa Nel-Peters was carjacked at gunpoint. Congratulations to Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, the winner of the 2017 #MissUniverse competition! pic.twitter.com/JYuQYc3Lvo Miss Universe (@MissUniverse) November 27, 2017 Nel-Peters was driving on Jan Smuts Avenue through the wealthy Johannesburg suburb of Hyde Park. Several armed men approached her car, pointing pistols at her. Fortunately, Nel-Peters was able to use her self-defense training to flee the men who tried to trap her in her car. Another driver saw her running and stopped to give her a ride to safety. Her car and purse were later found by a private security firm. Johannesburg has many private security companies that step for where the overworked police force cannot. Self-Defense Training Might Have Saved Her Life Nel-Peters had studied personal self-defense, so she was able to respond well when she saw armed men approaching her car. I saw them approaching me, three to my left and another on the other side, and I knew by their eyes what they were coming to do. I was petrified but prepared for what was coming, she told Hollywood Life. I had at least three guns pointed at me, she continued. I climbed out of the car but they told me to climb back in because I was coming with them. Nel-Peters had no intention of being kidnapped. Rather than re-enter the car, she punched one of her assailants in the throat. He was dazed [after being punched] and pushed me into the car. I forced my way out and ran as fast as I could into traffic to get help, she said. Nel-Peters thought her training gave her the confidence and the technique to create a window of opportunity to escape. What might have happened had the attackers been able to kidnap her is too unpleasant to contemplate. After that incident, Nel-Peters decided to start training other women in personal self-defense. Miss Universe Growing More Global While the contest claims to crown the most beautiful and talented woman in the universe, it has not managed to attract representatives from all countries in the world but that is changing. For the first time, contestants from Laos, Nepal, and Cambodia entered the pageant. The 2017 event was the largest in the contests long history. The first Miss Universe Pageant ran in 1952, but the phrase Miss Universe was used in an earlier pageant that ran from 1926 through to 1935. Ninety-two women participated in this years Miss Universe contest. The United Nations recognizes 206 sovereign nations. What do you think about Miss Universe fighting off four armed attackers? How do you feel about beauty pageants? If you enjoyed reading this article, please consider sharing it. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to complete North Korea's nuclear force. Hawaii is reinstating a statewide nuclear attack warning signal to prepare for a potential attack from North Korea. (STR/AFP/Getty Images) North Korea Fires Ballistic Missile to the East, South Korea Says Missile lands in waters near Japan South Korean officials said North Korea launched a missile on Tuesday afternoon, according to local media reports. According to Yonhap News Agency, Pyongyang fired an unidentified ballistic missile from South Pyongan Province early Wednesday, local time. It quoted South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff for the information. According to NBC, quoting officials, the missile landed in the waters off Japans coast. North Korea launched an unidentified ballistic missile eastward from the vicinity of Pyongsong, South Pyongan Province, at dawn today, the Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed. Its unclear where the missile went. The report stated that it went eastward. The South Korean and U.S. militaries are analyzing details, Yonhap reported. Its the first time North Korea has launched a missile since mid-September. On Tuesday, a Japanese government source told Reuters that it had detected radio signals suggesting North Korea may be preparing another ballistic missile launch. Japans Kyodo news agency reported late on Monday, Nov. 27, that the Japanese government was on alert after catching such radio signals, suggesting a launch could come in a few days. The report also said the signals might be related to winter military training by the North Korean military. North Korea is pursuing its nuclear weapons and missile programs in defiance of U.N. Security Council sanctions and has made no secret of its plans to develop a missile capable of hitting the U.S. mainland. It has fired two missiles over Japan. Asked about the media reports, Pentagon spokesman Col. Robert Manning told reporters the United States continues to watch North Korea very closely. This is a diplomatically led effort at this point, supported by military options, he said. Reuters contributed to this report. And while youre here We have a small favor to ask of you. More people are reading The Epoch Times than ever, but ad revenues are plummeting across the media. If you can, please share this article on Facebook so you can help The Epoch Times. It takes less than a minute. Thank you very much! North Korea Missile Launch Comes Ahead of Major US Air Force Drills North Korea fired its first missile in 74 days early on Wednesday, Nov. 29 local time, about a week before a massive U.S. and South Korea joint Air Force exercise begins on the Korean peninsula. South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said the unidentified ballistic missile flew eastward from South Pyongan Province, according to South Koreas Yonhap News Agency. The U.S. and South Korean militaries are analyzing the details now. The launch comes 6 days before the United States and South Korea will launch a massive military exercise. While the U.S. Pacific Air Force emphasized in a Nov. 25 release that the exercise is regularly scheduled, it will take on additional significance following the launch. An Air Force B-1B Lancer assigned to the 37th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron prepares to take off from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, on Sept. 23, 2017. (Staff Sgt. Joshua Smoot) The ballistic missile launch also comes after months of threats by the North Korean regime to attack the U.S. mainland, as well as Japan and South Korea, with nuclear weapons. Vigilant Ace, which began in 2015, is a new kind of military exercise born in the era of North Koreas nuclear missile ambitions. That first year, the military said it brought higher level command and control into tactical exercises, letting the Air Force practice strategic to operational to tactical level linkages, according to exercise planner Lt. Col. David Villa, the 7th Air Force Inspector General. U.S. Air Force B-1B bombers and South Korean fighter jets fly over the Korean Peninsula during military exercises on June 20. (South Korean Defense Ministry) In other words, the exercise lets the Air Force practice the kind of planning and execution that a real war would require. North Koreas pause in missile tests had given some hope that the communist regime was attempting to meet the State Departments requirement for a 60-day pause in launches to precede any negotiations. Wednesdays launch erases that notion. It remains to be seen if the launch has any impact on Vigilant Ace. This year, the brief statement on the exercise repeats that it is regularly scheduled but also mentions it highlights the longstanding alliance of the United States and South Korea, and reaffirms U.S. commitment to the peninsula. While other exercises operate at the more strategic level, leaving tactical level exercises to be simulated, this exercise aimed to prepare the U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) air forces for real-world battle situations that require dealing with the immediate realities of war. In 2015, Vigilant Ace included 200 aircraft and 20,000 U.S. and ROK participants. This year, the Air Force did not release the number of ROK personnel involved but said that 12,000 U.S. personnel and 230 aircraft would participate. A C-2A Greyhound assigned to Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30 launches from the flight deck of the Navy aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) in the Philippine Sea on Nov. 17, 2017. (Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Eduardo Otero/U.S. Navy via Getty Images) This realistic air combat exercise is designed to enhance interoperability between U.S. and Republic of Korea forces and increase the combat effectiveness of both nations, said a statement released by the Air Force. Last year the exercise included a squadron-sized chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense. Marines and air force personnel trained under a simulated contaminated environmentone in which chemical, biological, or radiological weapons may have been deployed. This year the United States will send six F-22 Raptor stealth fighter jets to participate, South Korean military officials told Yonhap News Agency. It will be the first time for six F-22 stealth fighter planes to have flown over South Korea at once. Wednesdays launch also comes after an agreement in late September for the United States to increase its rotation of strategic assets to the region. Those assets can include aircraft carriers, nuclear-powered submarines, stealth fighters, or missile defense systems and other assets. The 7th Fleet, which patrols the region, hosted an additional two aircraft carriers and their associated strike groups until last week, temporarily boosting the Navys posture in the region. North Koreas test comes on the heels of their departure. If you enjoyed reading this article, support our independent journalism by sharing it on social media. WARSAW - This is encouraging. The Smederevo Steel Mill, a plant of Serbian national pride, finally started to make profit by the end of 2016 after a seven-year loss. It happened only eight months after Chinese HeSteel Group poured investment therein, vowing to make it one of the most competitive in Europe. It comes as one example in a larger picture where China and 16 Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) have quickened their economic exchange under the "16+1" cooperation format in realizing goals of the Belt and Road Initiative that is intended to improve infrastructure and trade between China and Europe and Africa. Also in Serbia, the first phrase of Expressway E763, built by a Chinese company, is expected to complete by the end of the year. Another upbeat story like the one in Serbia was also told in Poland when China's Liugong Group, five years after acquiring the machinery unit of Poland's Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW), remade it into a profitable joint venture that has paid taxes and dues for about $68 million during past four years while creating jobs. China's Hongbo Group invested $100 million to build a LED lamp factory in that country. In the Czech Republic, you may have to make an appointment until half a year later in a traditional Chinese medicine hospital that is keenly sought after among locals. According to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, in 2016, total trade between China and the 16 CEEC increased by 9.5 percent, marking a remarkable boost while China's trade with Europe and the world as a whole dipped in the same period. It makes the "16+1" cooperation a model for the Belt and Road Initiative and China-Europe ties. Proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative aims to build trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa on and beyond the ancient Silk Road routes. It comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. Gaining momentum The China-CEEC cooperation is gaining momentum, tapping the huge market potential in an area home to many emerging economies. China General Nuclear Power Corporation is negotiating to build two additional nuclear power units in Cernavoda in Southeast Romania. The $8.3 billion project will be the largest one so far between China and CEEC. The Hungary-Serbia high-speed railway, a flagship project for regional inter-connectivity, is also on the agenda. Zivadin Jovanovic, a Serbian expert on international affairs, told Xinhua, "Serbia and China will expand cooperation in infrastructure building, manufacturing, food processing and other sectors." Wang Yiwei, an expert on Europe with Renmin University of China, said that the building of the Belt and Road could improve the "16+1" format which was launched in Warsaw in 2012. "The format serves a framework that we can realize the win-win scenario for China and the European Union," Wang said. Czech President Milos Zeman said that efforts to push forward the Belt and Road Initiative within the framework of the "16+1" format will bring more opportunities to this region. Mutual benefits The China-CEEC cooperation comes with reciprocity. Chinese investment in CEEC is now over $9 billion while CEEC invested $1.4 billion in China. In the first three quarters of this year, the China-CEEC trade exceeded $49 billion, marking an increase of 14.5 percent year-on-year while China's imports from CEEC rose 21.9 percent. The increasing demand from China means a huge market for CEEC manufacturers. A Chinese company which bought in Lobkowicz Brewery Group in the Czech Republic not only helped preserve its traditional brewery skills, but also hopefully brought the prestigious Czech beer to Chinese groceries through China-Europe regular freight trains. The CEEC along the China-Europe railway connect the Asian and European continents and make up nearly one fourth of the countries along the Belt and Road. Jan Kohout, advisor to the Czech president, said the Belt and Road Initiative is one of the highlights of China's foreign policies, playing an important role in European and Asian development. "China and CEEC are making headway, building a community of shared future with practical actions," Wang said. Pizza Delivery Driver Found Dead in Trunk of Car in Kansas A Pizza Hut delivery driver in Wichita, Kansas, was found dead inside his own car on Sunday, Nov. 26. Hasan Rahman, 26, was found dead in the cars trunk with a gunshot wound, Wichita police said. Officers responded to a call around 11:45 a.m. on Sunday about an unknown car in east Wichita, and found the body that was later identified as Rahman inside the vehicle, according to CBS affiliate KWCH. Wichita Police Lt. Todd Ojile said that both the vehicle and Rahman were being sought by police after being reported missing, ABC affiliate KAKE reported. As of writing on Monday, Nov. 27, no arrests had been made and no suspect had been identified. Police said it did not appear that Rahman was robbed. Rahman was delivering pizzas to two addresses located in the 1100 and 1300 blocks of N. Williamsburg on Saturday night. When he did not return from the deliveries, coworkers became concerned and went to look for him. They discovered property belonging to Pizza Hut at the final address, KWCH reported. That night, they contacted police to report that Rahman was missing. Police tried to locate Rahman but could not find him, and could not find anyone who had seen him or anything suspicious in the area, according to KAKE. Police say they are currently investigating the death as a homicide. That same night, a mother and her son were reportedly found dead in East Huntington, just three blocks from the address where Rahmans body was found, according to KAKE. Lt. Ojile said he didnt believe Rahmans deathwas connected with this case. Over the weekend, there were a total of four homicides in Wichita, bringing the total number this year to 32, KAKE reported. Anyone with information is asked to call Wichita Police Departement detectives at 316-268-4181 or Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111. From NTD.tv Please help support independent journalism by sharing this article with your friends and family. It takes less than a minute. Thank you! Reports: Woman Who Killed Disabled Daughter Commits Suicide The Chicago mother who was convicted of killing her daughter two years ago died on Saturday, Nov. 25, two days before she was to go back to prison. Bonnie Liltz was sentenced to four years in prison after she pleaded guilty to the involuntary manslaughter of her disabled daughter in a botched, 2015 murder-suicide. Police were called to the 57-year-olds home in Schaumburg just after 6 p.m. on Saturday after concerned relatives said they have not heard from her since the night before. She was found dead in her apartment with authorities suspecting suicide, reported Chicago Tribune. She told her family she was going to see a movie and have lunch with a friend that day, but instead overdosed on pills, WLS-TV reports. Her attorney, Thomas Glasgow, told People that she left suicide notes. She did leave a note to me and to the other attorneys who had worked with her saying she knew she was going to die if she went back to prison and couldnt bear to die there, he said. Liltz had served in prison for a few months but was granted a bond by an appellate court after Glasglow argued that she was unable to receive the appropriate treatment for cancer in prison. She was due to return to prison on Monday, Nov. 27, after Illinois Supreme Court denied to hear the appeal of her sentence. Its a tragic, tragic end, Glasglow told Chicago Tribune. She just doesnt want to die in prison. Liltz adopted Courtney Liltz, 28, who had cerebral palsy when her she was five years old. Courtney was unable to walk or feed herself and needed constant care. In 2012, Liltz discovered that she had a recurrence of ovarian cancer, which she had battled when she was 19, according to Inside Edition. When Liltzs health continued to deteriorate, Courtney had to be placed in a state assisted-living facility while Liltz underwent surgery, Liltzs mother, Gladys Liltz, told Inside Edition in 2016. After that experience, Liltz did not believe her daughter would receive the appropriate care without her and feared for what may happen to her when she died. Her solution to this was an attempted murder-suicide where she gave Courtney a lethal dose of prescription pills and also took a heavy dose herself. However, she survived. According to the Chicago Tribune, at the time of her sentencing, Cook County Judge Greenblatt said Liltz deserved the prison time. The choice you made that morning was not an act of love. It was a crime, the judge said. Gladys Liltz said he daughter just couldnt face going back to prison. Shes at peace now, in heaven with her daughter, Liltzs mother told the newspaper. Thats all she ever wanted, was to be with Courtney. From NTD.tv Dear reader, we have a little favor to ask of you. We work hard to deliver important and interesting articles every day, but we cant do it without people reading them. Please help support independent journalism by sharing this article with your friends and family. It takes less than a minute. Thank you! Russian Jet Buzzes U.S. Spy Plane Over Black Sea, Says Pentagon A Russian jet buzzed a U.S. Navy spy plane over the Black Sea in a move that U.S. officials described provocative and unsafe. The Pentagon told CNN Monday that a Russian Su-30 fighter jet intercepted a P-8A Poseidon plane on Saturday. The US aircraft was operating in international airspace and did nothing to provoke this Russian behavior, Lt. Col. Michelle Baldanza, a spokeswoman for the Pentagon, was quoted as saying. The aircraft crossed in front of the U.S. spy plane in a left-to-right manner while using its afterburners, forcing the Poseidon to enter the Russian planes jet wash. An official told Fox that this caused violent turbulence for the U.S. plane. The incident lasted about 24 minutes in all, the official said. Another official added that the Russian Su-30 flew erratically, according to a Fox News report. First time in months a Russian fighter jet buzzed a US military aircraft. In June, Russian jet buzzed USAF RC-135 intelligence gathering plane in Baltic Sea Lucas Tomlinson (@LucasFoxNews) November 28, 2017 Russian fighter jet buzzing US spy plane in Black Sea comes more than week after Moscow called roughly 2,000 US troops in Syria an occupying force Lucas Tomlinson (@LucasFoxNews) November 28, 2017 NEW: Russian Su-30 fighter jet buzzed US Navy spy plane in Black Sea Saturday coming with 50 feet at full afterburner, official says Lucas Tomlinson (@LucasFoxNews) November 27, 2017 Pentagon: Russian Su-30 jet made "unsafe" intercept of US Navy P-8 Saturday in international airspace over the Black Sea. Russian jet crossed in front of P-8 while engaging afterburners, forcing the US plane to fly through its jet wash causing "violent turbulence" Ryan Browne (@rabrowne75) November 27, 2017 Baldanza said the Russian jet came within 50 feet of the U.S. aircraft. The P-8 had its flight transponder on during the provocation, officials said. In June, a Russian aircraft got within a dangerous 5 feet of a U.S. spy plane near the Baltic Sea. Then, a Russian Su-27 approached a U.S. RC-135 reconnaissance plane and acted provocatively and performed unsafe maneuvers, an official said at the time, per Fox News. Earlier this year, Russian jets were involved in an unsafe encounter with a U.S. destroyer, officials told Reuters. USS Porter queried all aircraft and received no response, the official said at the time. Such incidents are concerning because they can result in accident or miscalculation, they added. One encounter involved two Russian Su-24 jets, another incident a separate Su-24, and the third encounter a larger IL-38. In April, 2016, two Russian warplanes flew simulated attack passes near a U.S. guided missile destroyer in the Baltic Sea so close that they created wake in the water. Reuters contributed to this report. And while youre here We have a small favor to ask of you. If you can, please share this article on Facebook so you can help The Epoch Times. It takes less than a minute. Thank you very much! A New York City Police Department K-9 unit patrols on Central Park West during the 91st Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City on Nov. 23, 2017. (Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images) Teen Makes Teddy Bears for Families to Remember Fallen Officers A Florida teenager is creating handsewn teddy bears using fallen police officers uniforms to bring comfort to families and help them cherish their memories of their loved one. As a daughter of a police sergeant, Megan OGrady said she started Blue Line Bears after five Dallas police officers were killed in 2016. It hit close to home for me because it kind was like this could happen to my dad, Megan said in an interview with Fox & Friends Weekends on Nov. 26. Im lucky that it hasnt but its a reality for some children that it happens. According to the Blue Line Bears website, Megans goal is to help the children of fallen officers through the difficult loss of their parent. To do that Megan is contacting families of slain officers to obtain a uniform shirt(s) and is transforming their shirt into a teddy bear. She is hoping that the teddy bear will provide a lasting keepsake to help keep the officers memory alive and also provide a tangible reminder that their loved one will always be with them. Its like a physical way to hold a parent again, Megan told Fox and Friends. In order to make the teddy bear, the shirts will be cut, sewn and stuffed into the toy. The officers personalized badge showing the officers last name and police number will be sewn onto the bears stomach. The officers patch and any stripes will also be sewn onto the bear. Before the bear is sent back to the family, it will be given a St. Michael medal and blessed by a priest. This is all done at no expense to the families, the website reads. Megan said it takes four days to make a bear. To date, the nonprofit organization has delivered 230 handsewn bears to police departments around the country in 29 states, according to Fox & Friends. Her father, Patrick OGrady, told Fox & Friends that he was proud of his daughter. Its amazing, her father said. For some of the families, you look at the way police officers are treated in the United States, not by all people, but there is a segment that doesnt see the heart behind the badge. They dont see that we have families. They dont see that we swore an oath to protect them no matter what like them or not we will protect them. According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, 118 police officers across the country have died in the line of duty so far in 2017. From NTD.tv Dear reader, we have a little favor to ask of you. We work hard to deliver important and interesting articles to you, but we cant do it without ad revenue. Please help support independent journalism by sharing this article with your friends and family. It takes less than a minute. Thank you! Five Rocks Beach, where Hannah Dingle died in a car roll-over. (Screenshot via Google Maps) Teenager Tragically Dies at Her Favourite Place in the World Tributes have poured in for a teenager who died at her favourite place on Saturday, Nov. 25. The teenager, Hannah Dingle, died in a car roll-over on Saturday night at Five Rocks beach in Queensland, Australia according to the Daily Mercury. The 16-year-old girl loved to drive four-wheel drives, and the stretch of beach is a popular four-wheel driving area. Friends and family have described her as always smiling. A fundraising page set up for her two days ago by her friend Tony Lever has already raised over $20,000. Its with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to a 16 year old, bubbly and beautiful soul, Hannah, as she passed in a fatal car accident this past Saturday night 25th November 2017, he wrote on the page. Hannah loved her four wheel driving, hanging with friends and always had a massive smile on her face, no matter the situation. He told the Rockhampton Morning Bulletin that the money will go to Hannahs parents and a memorial at Stockyard Point on Five Rocks Beach. Everyone in the community has come together to support each other through this hard period of time and she would be smiling down on us, Lever told The Morning Bulletin. Lever said the original fundraising goal of $10,000 doubled to $20,000 in the first hour, so he has decided to up the goal to $30,000. In an update on the fundraising page he wrote, The support of the community has been amazing. Were upping the goal to $30,000; the end plan is to help the family as much as possible with all costs, before and after the initial wave. Every donation has been heart felt and reading the comments re-enforces the memory of how Hannah had an impact on the community and loved ones. Personally, thank you to everyone who donated, it makes you realise that there is good in tragic times. We were all close, she was friends with everyone and a very lovable person who would make everyone smile no matter what the situation, Lever told The Morning Bulletin. We owe Hannah everything and to always keep her memory alive forever is what we plan to do. Five Rocks beach, where Hannah died, is near Byfield National Park and is a popular place for camping, fishing and four-wheel driving. Queensland Police said a 21-year-old passenger suffered a leg injury from the crash, and the 21-year-old driver of the vehicle was not injured in the crash. Rockhampton Traffic Branch Officer Senior Sergeant Ewan Findlater told The Morning Bulletin that the cause of the crash was still under investigation. There is a fair bit of investigations to happen including blood samples from the driver to see if alcohol was a factor and a vehicle inspection. Reconstruction of the crash will also help determine the cause to see speeds as well, but all this will take substantial time, he said. And while youre here We have a small favour to ask of you. More people are reading The Epoch Times than ever, but ad revenues are plummeting across media websites. If you can, please share this article on Facebook so you can help The Epoch Times. It takes less than a minute. Thank you very much! Mount Agungs ongoing eruption seen at night from Kubu sub-district in Karangasem Regency on Indonesia's resort island of Bali on Nov. 28, 2017. (Sonny Tumbelaka/AFP/Getty Images) Tens of Thousands of Travelers Stranded by Mount Agungs Continuing Eruption Mt. Agung on Bali continues to erupt, spewing ash miles into the sky and forcing the extended closure of Balis Denpasar International Airport. The volcanos activity since tremors last week prompted officials to raise the alert level to its highest for the second time in two months has stranded tens of thousands of travelers on what is usually viewed as an island paradise. More than 440 flights were canceled on Tuesday, Nov. 28, according to ABC News, affecting some 60,000 passengersthe same number stranded by cancellations the day before, according to airport spokesman Ari Ahsanurrohim. According to the UKs Daily Mail, a total of some 900 flights have been canceled and some 120,000 tourists stranded. Some travelers have been told that the next available flights might not depart until after Christmas. Time lapse Mount Agung eruption. 28 November 2017 06.38 07.09 WITA (GMT+8) pic.twitter.com/RpJo66SpHg MAGMA Indonesia (@id_magma) November 28, 2017 Airport officials are afraid the thick volcanic ash could choke jet engines. Island authorities are also worried about the volcanic activity itself: a series of explosive eruptions in 1963 killed 1,100 people, according to VolcanoCafe.org. A six mile-radius around the volcano has been ordered evacuated, leaving around 100,000 people temporarily homeless. Experts say that the volcano could continue at its present level of activity for weeksor could erupt explosively. If it got much worse, it would be really hard to think of. Youve got a huge population center, nearly a million people in Denpasar and surroundings, and its very difficult to envision moving those people further away, Richard Arculus, a volcano expert at Australian National University, told ABC News. NASAs Modis satellite detected a thermal anomaly on the night of Nov. 27, suggesting that a magma chamber had broken open, giving the molten rock access to the surface. Malam ini, anomali termal untuk pertama kalinya terdeteksi di kawah Gunung Agung oleh satelit NASA Modis, power sekitar 70 Megawatt (sumber: mirovaweb.it). Ini menandakan bahwa magma dengan volume signifikan sudah berada di permukaan. pic.twitter.com/U6uIEDkFVu MAGMA Indonesia (@id_magma) November 27, 2017 It means that theres a direct conduit from the magma storage chambers in the crust up to the surface, volcanologist Richard Arculus told The Associated Press. What stops most eruptions from happening is that you dont have a conduit from where the magmas reached, to the surface. Once youve got that opened . it means theres easier access for the magma upward out into the open. Take a Boat or Take a Chance Stranded travelers have few choices. BBC reports that the airport on nearby Lombok island has re-opened. Indonesias Directorate General of Land Transportation was arranging buses to ferry terminals for travelers who choose that option, AP reported. Travelers could also take a ferry to Java and travel by land to one of Javas airports. Otherwise, tourists have little choice but to stay on the island and see what happens. The volcano is about 40 miles from the most popular tourist areas and the airport. I dont know, we cant change it, German traveler Gina Camp told ABC News. Camp had decided her best bet was to relax and enjoy another day on the island. Its nature and we have to wait until its over. Others were considerably less calm about the situation. My kids are really upset. Theyve been crying on the phone because theyve seen reports on the TV news and are worried about us, David Plowman of Perth, Australia, told Daily Mail. Would you try to escape by boat or would you enjoy more vacation time on Bali? Who should foot the bill for travelers stranded by the eruption? If you enjoyed reading this article, please consider sharing it. From NTD.tv Security camera footage has emerged of a corrections captain being viciously attacked by three inmates at Rikers Island on Nov. 23, 2017. (Screenshot YouTube) Three Inmates Brutally Assault Officer at Rikers Island Prison A video has emerged of three inmates brutally attacking a corrections captain at the notorious Rikers Island jail complex on Thanksgiving Day. The incident occurred inside the Otis Bantum Correctional Centerone of the many prison units housed on the island compound, reports the Daily News. Surveillance footage shows Capt. Awais Ghauri, 31, walking along a corridor inside the institution with a corrections officer behind him and a muscular inmate wearing shorts, seemingly innocently strolling beside the two. Suddenly the dread-locked inmate lurches toward Ghauri, winds up and lands a surprise punch to the captains face. Ghauri drops to the floor. His assailant straddles the officer and delivers a barrage of strikes to his head and body. The officer accompanying Ghauri goes for help, while inmates amass at the far end of the hall, and appear to prevent officers from providing effective assistance to their distressed colleague. The vicious attack on Ghauri continues for about 20 seconds. The officer somehow manages to pull off a surprise reversal by flipping the attacker on his back. As Ghauri delivers several blows of his own, two other inmates join the attack and strike the officer several times. Moments later the attackers stop their assault and disperse, and an officer arrives to assist the captain. Ghauri was treated in the hospital for bruises to his face and a several-inch cut below his ear but otherwise did not sustain any serious injuries, reported the Daily News. According to pix11, Deputy Commissioner of Public Information Peter Throne gave a statement about the incident: We will never tolerate the actions of those who harm our staff and we are working with the Bronx District Attorney to arrest and prosecute any inmate involved in this incident. Attacks are far from isolated events at the troubled institution. Four inmates were injured just last week in gang-related slashings. Glenn Martin, a former Rikers inmate has been crusading for closure of the 15-jail, 10,000 inmate complex. Its just a really [bad] place that doesnt foster rehabilitation and instead reinforces the kinds of behavior that get people in trouble, Martin said, according to USA TODAY. It reinforces the message that you have no value. Earlier this year, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito agreed to shut down Rikers Island within 10 years. Rikers Island is an example and an expression of a major national problem. The mass incarceration crisis did not begin in New York City, but it will end here, said Blasio, according to pix11. While applauded by many, the expected closure does raise questions about what will happen to the thousands of prisoners serving their sentences at Rikers. Watch this CBS report about a vicious attack on a Rikers Island corrections officer who was held down by two inmates while a third slashed his face and body. Since it was established in 1932, Rikers Island has become a place notorious for violence. Watch this ABC documentary about a day in the working life of a Rikers Island corrections officer. Watch this ABC documentary about what life is like for inmates and staff at the maximum security prison Rikers Island. < Tsunamis That Are Too Quick for Warnings Threaten New Zealand as Quake Faultline Wakes A megathrust quake could swamp New Zealands coast with a tsunami like that which killed 1600 people in Japan in 2011, according to geologists investigating a faultline they fear is waking up. Last November, the Kaikoura quake, caused the strongest ever recorded ground shaking in the country. One year on, however, and scientists are warning that the 7.8 Kaikoura quake wasnt the big one, and appears to have awoken a faultline that runs under the seabed alongside the whole east coast of the north island. Geologists say that the fault, known as the Hikarangi subduction zone, could unleash a 9.0 quake, triggering a tsunami that would arrive at the nearby coast as quickly as 7 minutes. Like the faultline that caused the Japanese tsunami of 2016, the Hikarangi subduction zone could punch up a huge block of seafloor, creating a shockwave that would bring a devastating wall of water to the coast. Scientists are setting out to closely track the movements of the subduction zonewhere the one plate of the earths crust grates beneath another, creating earthquakes which kick up in sudden upthrusts. The Hikurangi subduction zone is potentially the largest source of earthquake and tsunami hazard in New Zealand, but there is still much to learn about it, said a statement from research institute GNS Science explaining the latest research probing the Hikurangi subduction zone. We know that the Hikurangi subduction zone can produce large earthquakes and tsunamis, and that these events have occurred in the past. However, we dont know how often these earthquakes tend to happen, nor do we know how large they can be. GNS scientist Ursula Cochran told the Marlborough Express that the effects of a quake at the Hikurangi subduction zone could be devastating. We need to think Japan 2011 basically, because if our whole plate boundary ruptured it would be a magnitude-9 earthquake, Cochran said. One thing about reflecting on from the Kaikoura earthquake is we dont want people to think this is the big one, Cochran said. Kaikoura was a 7.8 quake on the north tip of the south island which killed two people, lifting some parts of the land permanently by over a meter. The Kaikoura quake indicated that the Hikurangi subduction zone had woken up, some geologists think, said Cochran. Earthquakes are caused by plates of the earths crust moving past each other. In some places, these plates slip sideways past each other, such as the famous San Andreas fault in California. In other places, however, one whole plate moves over the top of another, known as subduction. This leads to upthrust quakes where whole sections of the upper plate snap back upwards after being dragged down by the lower plate. This colossal shift of landmass turns a whole section of seafloor into a giant paddle, creating a tsunami. Subduction zone earthquakes often produce large tsunamis because there are large and rapid displacements of the seafloor, said GNS earthquake geologist Kate Clark. The Hikurangi subduction zone is hazardous because we know that the plates are stuck together in places and are building up stress that will be relieved in future earthquakes, Clark told the New Zealand Herald. We also know that it has generated large earthquakes and tsunamis in the past. Large population centres such as Wellington, Napier, Gisborne, Nelson, Blenheim, and Palmerston North are above the Hikurangi subduction zone. In 1947, part of the Hikurangi subduction zone off Gisborne ruptured in a magnitude 7.2 earthquake and there was little damage from shaking as the epicentre was far offshore, but a tsunami of up to 10 m height was generated, which damaged bridges and cottages along the coast north of Gisborne, said Clark. The speed of a tsunami varies with the depth of the ocean. Five hundred yards deep and the speed is around 150 mph, but at a depth of 3 miles it is around 500 mph. Clark said that a tsunami triggered by Hikurangi would arrive at the east coast within about 10 minutes. Others have estimated 7 minutes. Experts warn that it is this small time zone for evacuation which makes an earthquake from the fault so dangerous. San Diego State University professor Tom Rockwell said it is vital that people quickly gather their wits in such an event. People normally are just stunned by the fact that they went through a magnitude-9, and youre not thinking about it when youre on the beach that there might be something coming at them, Rockwell said, according to the Marlborough Express. Official advice from the government warns people to act immediately if a quake is strong or long. A local source tsunami generated from an earthquake close to New Zealand can arrive at New Zealand coastal areas within minutes, says the official advice. In this case, official warnings are unlikely to be issued before damaging waves arrive, so people in coastal areas need to take immediate actionif you feel an earthquake that makes it hard to stand, or lasts more than a minutemove immediately to higher ground or as far inland as possible. Update: Missing Toddlers Father Speaks Out The biological father of missing 3-year-old toddler Mariah Woods has spoken out, on Nov. 28. Mariahs father, Alex Woods, told NewsChannel 12 that he is not convinced that of his ex-partners story that Mariah has been abducted. Someone just walked right up in there, grabbed the 3-year-old out of the bed and she didnt cry, she didnt scream? Woods told the news station. Nobody heard anything? Four people in the housetwo adults and two kidssomeone just comes up and snatches the baby and walks out? he added. Woods learned about his daughters disappearance when the Amber Alert was released on Nov. 27, reported NewsChannel 12. He told the news station that he was given legal custody of Mariah and her two brothers last year while child protection services investigated an incident involving their mother. He said he has not seen them since. Mariahs disappearance has prompted a statewide search, involving FBI agents and Marines, after she vanished from her bed on Sunday, Nov. 26. She was last seen at her home in North Carolina at 11:30 p.m. Mariahs mother, Kristy Woods, who lives with her mother and partner, has asked the public for help to find her little girl. If anybody knows where she is at or any information, just please call the sheriffs department or notify anybody, Kristy told reporters at a press conference on Monday, Nov. 27. She is a very sweet loving girl. The toddlers mother alerted authorities at 6 a.m. on Monday after she discovered Mariah was missing from her bed, reported NBC news. Woods believes her daughter has been abducted. The FBIs Child Abduction Rapid Deployment team (CARD) joined local authorities to assist in the search for the toddler. In a statement on Facebook, Onslow County Sheriffs Office has also asked the public for help to locate the child. Mariah is described as a white female standing about 2 feet, 9 inches tall and weighing around 28 pounds. Dear reader, we have a little favor to ask of you. We work hard to deliver important and interesting articles to you, but we cant do it without ad revenue. Please help support independent journalism by sharing this article with your friends and family. It takes less than a minute. Thank you! From NTD.tv Lifestyle: If You're Not Getting Closer to Achieving Your Goals, Try Using a Different Metric While Online Shopping, You Might End Up Buying These Unsafe Chinese Goods With more and more consumers in the U.S. migrating from brick-and-mortar stores to online stores for shopping, they are likely to come across an abundance of Chinese goods, which have flooded online retail platforms like Amazon and eBay. A closer overview of consumer product reports in three Chinese provinces in November reveals that consumers are at high risk of using unsafe goodssome of which may be on sale on American retail sites. In Zhejiang Province in eastern China, the provincial bureau of quality and technical supervision announced a quality report on tissue products, reported by the Chinese regime mouthpiece CCTV on Nov. 26. Of 88 samples of tissues and 74 samples of toilet paper from different domestic brands, 35 failed to meet quality standards. Three tissue samples were found to have illegally used unprocessed waste paper pulp to make the tissues, evident by the multi-colored residual dots that appeared on the surface of the tissues. Additionally, these samples were all found to contain excessive amounts of fluorescent brightenerswhich could be harmful to the human body. Five toilet paper samples were also found with high amounts of bacteria, far higher than the levels allowed by regulations. Another five samples contained more dirt particles than the allowed national standard. One common problem among the failed tissue samples was false advertising: 13 samples fell short of the number written on the packaging. In one example, one tissue pack labeled as containing 500 tissues only contained 132 tissues. Six tissue samples had poor wet tensile strengthmeaning the tissues easily tore apart after coming in contact with water or sweat. On Chinas popular microblogging site, Weibo, some netizens were angry. What is wrong with our countrywhy is there no sense of safety in life, wrote a netizen from Fujian Province. I use Nepia, a Japanese-brand tissue. I am afraid to use domestic-made tissues since I might come down with gynecological diseasesit is so not hygienic, wrote a netizen from Guangdong Province. Others offered suggestions for better safety checks. I suggest more tests be done on tissues sold by major e-retailers [in China]. Some tissues sold on Tmall do not look to be of good quality, wrote a netizen from Anhui Province. The Zhejiang bureau also announced on Nov. 10 that of 33 wallpaper companies, six produced wallpapers with water absorption problems. Elsewhere in China, according to a consumer product report by the Yunnan Provincial Administration for Industry and Commerce released on Nov. 6, a list of 145 products failed to meet national quality standards, ranging from clothing, liquid and powder laundry detergents, to water pipes. Among them, 50 childrens clothing items failed to meet the quality standards, with inadequate fiber content, inappropriate pH levels, and inaccurate labeling on tags. In Beijing, the local administration for industry and commerce announced a report on Nov. 8, stating that 13 facemask items were found with safety issues, most of them failing to meet the required filtering standard. Then, on Nov. 22, the administration announced that seven kinds of firefighting equipment used by the local fire departmentthree types of emergency lights, two types of fire hoses, one powder fire extinguisher, and one fire hydrantfailed to meet safety standards. Woman Suffocating From Own Waste After Routine Surgery After a British woman underwent a routine operation, complications from the surgery may kill her. Kelly Yeoman, 34, underwent a minor keyhole surgery to remove a fluid-filled sac on her ovary. Two weeks later, she was re-admitted after it exploded and she was told she has a bowel infection, according to media reports. The operation failed to fix the issue and now, according to the BBC, her body is filling with her own feces. Friend Peter Rankin, who fears she may not survive, said that shes slowly suffocating at Bristols St Michaels Hospital, where she was admitted in August. She is almost unrecognizable as our happy, strong and determined friend, he said. Yeoman described the feeling as literally just being crushed by myself, the BBC reported. Yeoman added that doctors informed her that her case is the most complex theyve seen as she is allergic to many types of medication. Uploading an image of her X-ray on Facebook earlier in November, she wrote: For those who dont quite understand the extent of my condition, this is my X-ray, the whole thing is a picture of faecal loading cant even see my organs. And yes its all in my chest too, my diaphragm and lungs are so high up I can barely breathe, she added. Friends are trying to raise money via GoFundMe to have her get treated at a specialist center in London, saying that its time for a specialist intervention. Carolyn Mills, who is the head nurse at University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, told the BBC, We are so sorry to hear that Kelly Yeoman has concerns and questions about her treatment at St Michaels Hospital. She has not raised these with us since she had the procedure in August and this means that weve not had the chance to either talk to her or investigate those concerns. We will now contact her to take this forward. Kelly Yeomans organs are barely noticeable on an X-ray as her chest cavity fills with faeces, leaving her struggling to breathe. WARNING: Graphic https://t.co/CNd3cmseDN pic.twitter.com/lp8egwkEFz news.com.au (@newscomauHQ) November 25, 2017 Her friends praised the hospital, but they said that more needs to be done. Shes sending people messages in the middle of the night saying the pain is unbearable. This is a woman who should be enjoying every moment of her life, not lying helpless in a hospital bed, drowning in poo, Yeomans friend Kate Rankin told The Mirror. According to the GoFundMe: This is absolutely not a rant about the NHS or an attack on Southmead Hospital. On the whole, Kelly has been treated kindly and well, but she is now in a critical condition and needs one to one, specialist intervention. We would desperately like to get her admitted to St Marks Hospital, London (Specialist Bowel Hospital) as a private patient, so she can get the help she so urgently requires. While youre here Dear reader, we have a little favor to ask of you. We work hard to deliver important and interesting articles to you, but we cant do it without ad revenue. Please help support independent journalism by sharing this article with your friends and family. It takes less than a minute. Thank you! Members of the Chinese Communist Youth league stand at the Monument to the People's Heroes at Tiananmen Square in Beijing on June 4, 2007. (Guang Niu/Getty Images) Xi Jinping Weakens the Partys Communist Youth League and Potential Rival Faction The Communist Youth League, a key Party fixture that has long been considered a stepping stone for budding Communist officials, has recently seen its political footing get weakened further. The organization is for young people aged 14 to 28 to learn about Party ideology. On Nov. 20, Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Xi Jinping announced at a Party reform meeting that the China Youth University of Political Studies, a school founded in 1948 and co-managed by the Youth League and Chinas Ministry of Education, would abandon its education system, revise its teaching methods, and enhance its political training, according to a report by the Chinese regimes mouthpiece Xinhua. The announcement has since been interpreted by Chinese media to mean the Youth League has just been clipped further of its political power. The latest reform announcement came on the heels of Xis sharp criticism of the organization, outlined in his new book published in September, Discussion Excerpts on Work by the Youth League by Xi Jinping. In the book, Xi called the Youth League an empty shell of an organization that shouted empty slogans. And the Chinese leader even warned Youth Leaguers: dont think about getting a promotion all the time, and dont fantasize about becoming the successor [to the Party leadership], according to a pro-Xi overseas Chinese news outlet DW News. The Youth Leagues setback was further exacerbated when Xinhua announced that China CYTS Tours, a tour company established under China Youth Travel Group, which is 100-percent owned by the Youth League and considered its cash cow, was suspended pending further notice about its ownership change. Chinese media speculated that China Youth Travel Group would lose its grip on CYTS Tours when news broke that the companys share trading was suspended, back on Nov. 20. According to Xinhua, the Travel Group currently owns just 17.17 percent shares of China CYTS Tours. The double blows to the Youth League was not a total surprise. In August 2016, Xi had announced measures to reform the Youth League. All in all, it appeared that a broader Party restructuring was underway. The Youth League has produced a slew of well-known leaders in the regime, hence political observers refer to the existence of a tuanpai, or Youth League Faction in the Party. Former top officials Hu Yaobang, Zhao Ziyang, Hu Jintao, and current premier Li Keqiang were all former Youth Leaguers. Most of them are associated with the tuanpai faction. But according to Li Datong, the former editor at China Youth Daily, the official newspaper for the Youth League, tuanpai is no more than a political zombie. As a result, a successful reorganization of the Youth League could empower Xi to carry out an overhaul of the Party and encounter less resistance from rival political factions. There were signs that Party cadres with ties to the Youth League would not be favorable under Xis new leadership lineup, introduced in October after the 19th National Congress. Qin Yizhi, the former first secretary of the Youth League, was demoted to a position as the deputy director of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine. Yang Yue, the former secretariat of the Youth League from 2001 to 2005, and the current deputy provincial governor of Jiangsu Province, was not named to the 19th Central Committee of the Communist Partya body of 200-plus elite Party officialseven though he was an alternate member for the 18th Central Committee. Chinese economist Li Yining sits among empty chairs at the People's Political Consultative Conference held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, on March 3, 2013. (STR/AFP/Getty Images) Xi Jinpings Anti-Corruption Purge Has Taken Down so Many Top Officials, There Are Jobs Left Empty With Chinese leader Xi Jinpings anti-corruption campaign charging full steam ahead, many Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials have been ousted, leaving key positions unfilled. Since taking power in 2012, Xi has taken down many officials belonging to an opposition faction loyal to former CCP leader Jiang Zemin. Following the pivotal Party conclave, the 19th National Congress, that concluded in October, Xi has installed his confidants into top leadership positions, while continuing to take down provincial and city-level high officials across the country via corruption investigations. An analysis of official announcements reveals that 12 provincial-level positions have yet to be filled after previous officials were ousted from their post. According to Party convention, aside from Xinjiang and Tibet, the other 29 provinces, which include four municipalities that are centrally governedBeijing, Tianjin, Chongqing, and Shanghaishould have two deputy secretaries. Yet currently Tianjin and Fujian Province are each missing two deputies, while Hebei, Liaoning, Zhejiang, Guizhou, and Shaanxi provinces are missing one. Meanwhile, Tianjin, Fujian, and Shaanxi are also missing a city or provincial mayor. Tianjin is considered a hotbed for Jiang faction officials. Political observers note that the empty positions there could suggest that either current Tianjin party boss and Jiang faction official Li Hongzhong is making it difficult for Xi to appoint his allies, or that Party officials are not keen on working with Jiang faction officials there. Another key position that is still empty is the chairman of the China Insurance Regulatory Commission. The former chairman Xiang Junbo was sacked in April. The previous Communist Youth League central party secretary Qin Yizhi was demoted and switched out of the position in September, and his replacement has not been secured yet. Meanwhile, a slew of sacked officials are still awaiting their fate. Twenty-five officials have yet to be sentenced: 22 have been expelled from the Party and their administrative posts but have yet to be tried in court; two are still under investigation; and one has been tried but with no pronounced sentence yet. Ma Jian, the former vice minister at the Ministry of State Security, has been in limbo the longest. He was put under investigation in January 2015, then expelled from the Party and his post in December 2016, meaning it has been 714 days since he got sacked. His case is complex, involving many relatives and their bribes. Ma was close with former vice-premier and Jiang henchman Zeng Qinghong, as well as the exiled dissident businessman Guo Wengui. A sorry fate likely awaits former Fujian provincial mayor Su Shulin, who also had close ties with Zeng and another Jiang faction bigwig, former security chief Zhou Yongkang. Together, the three made dealings to profit off the petroleum industry. Fang Xiao and Xu Menger contributed to this report. Energizer Holdings, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, markets, and distributes household batteries, specialty batteries, and lighting products worldwide. It offers lithium, alkaline, carbon zinc, nickel metal hydride, zinc air, and silver oxide batteries under the Energizer and Eveready brands, as well as primary, rechargeable, specialty, and hearing aid batteries. The company also provides headlights, lanterns, and children's and area lights, as well as flash lights under the Energizer, Eveready, Rayovac, Hard Case, Dolphin, Varta, and WeatherReady brands. In addition, it licenses the Energizer and Eveready brands to companies developing consumer solutions in gaming, automotive batteries, portable power for critical devices, LED light bulbs, generators, power tools, household light bulbs, and other lighting products. Further, the company designs and markets automotive fragrance and appearance products, including protectants, wipes, tire and wheel care products, glass cleaners, leather care products, air fresheners, and washes to clean, shine, refresh, and protect interior and exterior automobile surfaces under the brand names of Armor All, Nu Finish, Refresh Your Car!, LEXOL, Eagle One, California Scents, Driven, and Bahama & Co; STP branded fuel and oil additives, functional fluids, and other performance chemical products; and do-it-yourself automotive air conditioning recharge products under the A/C PRO brand name, as well as other refrigerant and recharge kits, sealants, and accessories. It sells its products through direct sales force, distributors, and wholesalers; and through various retail and business-to-business channels, including mass merchandisers, club, electronics, food, home improvement, dollar store, auto, drug, hardware, e-commerce, convenience, sporting goods, hobby/craft, office, industrial, medical, and catalog. Energizer Holdings, Inc. was incorporated in 2015 and is headquartered in Saint Louis, Missouri. Your Ultimate Investing Toolkit Sign up for MarketBeat All Access to gain access to MarketBeat's full suite of research tools: Portfolio Monitoring Top Stock Lists Premium Reports Stock Screeners Live News Feed Premium Support Free for your first month. Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. (NYSE:ARE), an S&P 500 urban office real estate investment trust ("REIT"), is the first, longest-tenured, and pioneering owner, operator, and developer uniquely focused on collaborative life science, technology, and agtech campuses in AAA innovation cluster locations, with a total market capitalization of $31.9 billion as of December 31, 2020, and an asset base in North America of 49.7 million square feet ("SF"). The asset base in North America includes 31.9 million RSF of operating properties and 3.3 million RSF of Class A properties undergoing construction, 7.1 million RSF of near-term and intermediate-term development and redevelopment projects, and 7.4 million SF of future development projects. Founded in 1994, Alexandria pioneered this niche and has since established a significant market presence in key locations, including Greater Boston, San Francisco, New York City, San Diego, Seattle, Maryland, and Research Triangle. Alexandria has a longstanding and proven track record of developing Class A properties clustered in urban life science, technology, and agtech campuses that provide our innovative tenants with highly dynamic and collaborative environments that enhance their ability to successfully recruit and retain world-class talent and inspire productivity, efficiency, creativity, and success. Alexandria also provides strategic capital to transformative life science, technology, and agtech companies through our venture capital platform. We believe our unique business model and diligent underwriting ensure a high-quality and diverse tenant base that results in higher occupancy levels, longer lease terms, higher rental income, higher returns, and greater long-term asset value. Noem tells NYT former President Trump doesn't offer 'best chance' for GOP In an interview with The New York Times, Gov. Kristi Noem spoke about her reservations about former President Donald Trump announcing his bid for re-election. WASHINGTONCanada is taking its softwood lumber case to the World Trade Organization, setting in motion a potentially years-long fight against the United States before the international commercial body. The Canadian government announced Tuesday that it requested WTO consultations over American lumber duties, an initial step in eventually establishing a panel for litigating the dispute. A similar battle dragged on for four years at the WTO in the last instalment of the Canada-U.S. softwood dispute, before a temporary agreement in 2006 put the on-again, off-again issue to rest for a decade. Read more: U.S. reduces softwood lumber duties for all but 2 Canadian producers Canadian consumers to pay more if NAFTA talks fail Some flexibility on NAFTA's regional rules of origin, Freeland says It re-erupted this year when the U.S. imposed a series of penalties, arguing that Canada unfairly subsidizes its lumber companies through cheap access to public land. In a letter to a U.S. representative at the WTO on Tuesday, the Canadian government criticized those duties, arguing they were based on bad data and flawed methodology. The U.S. ... decision to impose punitive anti-dumping and countervailing duties on Canadian softwood lumber producers is unfair, unwarranted and deeply troubling, the Canadian government said in a statement. We will forcefully defend Canadas softwood lumber industry. Canada is also fighting the case through NAFTAs dispute-resolution system. The lumber fight has added a complex new wrinkle to the ongoing NAFTA negotiations, as the U.S. is simultaneously asking to kill the NAFTA panel system that handles softwood cases. Canadian softwood lumber exports to the U.S. are down about six per cent this year compared with last year, according to federal data analyzed by CIBC. The bank analysts say the biggest loser by far has been B.C. its exports to the U.S. have dropped 20 per cent, partly due to forest fires. New Brunswick exports have dipped slightly. In Ontario and Quebec, exports have actually increased. But the biggest gains this year have gone to Germany, followed by Austria, Sweden, Romania and Russia. With duties on Canadian lumber and a hot U.S. construction market, CIBC calculates German softwood exports to the U.S. have surged more than 600 per cent this year. Germany alone has filled about half the void left by declining Canadian exports to the U.S. That issue of foreign lumber was one of the major outstanding impediments to a softwood deal. Canada agreed to a limit on exports under the deal, but insisted on a right to surpass that limit in the event of a hot American market, like the current one so that the rising demand might be filled by Canadians, not Europeans and South Americans. U.S. industry shot down the proposal. Its support is critical. Any deal between the national governments requires industry approval, because the agreement would require that U.S. companies sign away their right to sue for duties. Canadian officials have expressed fear the U.S. industry might seek to repeat tactics of the past: Allow the fight to drag on for years, so duties on Canadian imports push up the domestic price of lumber. SHARE: Give it up for Lennie James, the hardest working man in TVs zombie apocalypse. The British actor, who plays Morgan on The Walking Dead, is joining spinoff series Fear the Walking Dead as a series regular in a crossover that was first revealed in October. But he wont be disappearing from The Walking Dead, at least not right away. In a statement read on Sundays episode of after-show Talking Dead, TWD showrunner Scott M. Gimple said, Even though Morgan is going to be featured on Fear, he has a lot of story left on The Walking Dead. The parent show is partway through its eighth season, with the mid-season finale airing Dec. 10. Fear aired its Season 3 finale in October. Season 4 will air in 2018, which is when James will be seen in the series. The plot of Fear the Walking Dead began at the start of the zombie apocalypse dramatized in The Walking Dead, with a different group of survivors battling the undead and other humans. Its unknown when the characters in Fear will meet Jamess character relative to his storyline in TWD. Morgan was first encountered by police officer Rick (Andrew Lincoln), the leader of the shows main group of survivors, in Season 1 of Walking Dead and again in Season 3 before joining Ricks group in Season 6. James joined the set of Fear in Austin, Texas, on Monday. Walking Dead shoots in Georgia. In a statement, James said, To take Morgan into this new realm and landscape, to see who he could now be, to see where his story could go in the world of Fear the Walking Dead is wonderfully exciting and I am really looking forward to the challenge. SHARE: Visiting the bountiful archeological sites of Guatemala and Honduras was definitely the highlight of my trip. But there were plenty of other exciting things to see and do in the 12 days split between the two countries. Weave a historical tale: The Guatemalan tradition of weaving with a backstrap loom dates back so far that it is depicted in ancient Mayan art. In San Pedro La Laguna there are dozens of womens co-operatives where you can learn about this time-honoured way of making clothing. During the workshop we attended at Casa Flor Ixcaco, we were shown every stage of the process from rolling the cotton fibres into thread, to dying them with natural colours and of course weaving it all together. After seeing firsthand how much love went into making a single piece, I couldnt help myself from going home with two handmade scarves. Travel through time: Traditional Mayan music remains an important part of many indigenous communities in Guatemala. In Antigua you can visit the Casa Kojom museum in La Azotea Cultural Centre in Jocotenango to learn about the rich tradition. The displays themselves arent exactly world class but the museum is worth visiting if only to watch a short documentary showcasing music from across 22 different indigenous regions in Guatemala. Explore Guatemalas former capital: Antigua was the third Spanish capital of Guatemala until an earthquake in 1773 led it to become largely abandoned. Today the city is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Although the earthquake levelled large parts of the city, many buildings survived, including the Iglesia de la Mercedes. Aside from the colonial Baroque architecture lining the citys cobblestone roads, there are plenty of things to keep you busy in Antigua, from its world class museums to its bustling nightlife. Sip 23-year-old rum: If you appreciate good rum then Guatemala is the place for you. Aged for 23 years in the highlands of Quetzaltenango, Ron Zacapas Centenario 23 once won first place at the International Rum Festival four years in a row. For $20 (U.S.) at Casa Del Ron in Antigua, you get to sample the Centenario accompanied by two other mature rums, with a barista on hand to explain the ingredients, the distilling process and their effect on the flavour. Visit the museum at Copan: It would be easy to tour the ruins at Copan and think youd seen everything the site has to offer. However, the originals of some of the kingdoms finest stonework have been removed and placed inside a sculpture museum on site. The only installation in the museum which isnt original is the life-size reconstruction of the Temple of Rosalila, in all its painted glory. Do some bird watching: I find the prospect of identifying different kinds of birds rather dull. However, during our tour I appreciated having Emilio Faillace on hand to make sure we werent missing out on the natural world while exploring ruins. As a naturalist, Faillace is an expert on birds and local flowers. Even though I struggled to pick out species by the end of the trip I couldnt help but be floored by the scarlet macaws which nest at the ruins in Copan. Cody Punter was hosted by the Guatemalan Tourism Institute and Bella Guatemala Travel, which did not review or approve this story. SHARE: GUATEMALA & HONDURASA stone peak pierced through the canopy of tropical rainforest as our helicopter made for the Mexican border. For decades the Guatemalan army used El Mirador as a landmark to identify the northern limits of the countrys airspace, believing it was a small mountain adorning an otherwise featureless landscape. Little did they know the summit was actually the crown jewel of an ancient Mayan city. Rising up from the jungle floor, El Miradors La Danta pyramid is one of the largest man-made structures in the ancient world, rivalling even the Great Pyramid of Giza. As we trekked through the jungle toward the pyramid accompanied by a soundtrack of chirping cicadas and bellowing howler monkeys, I started to appreciate why we were told the 12-day expedition we were embarking on with Bella Guatemala Travel was for travellers and not tourists. Its more than a tour. Its an experience, explains Jose Antonio Gonzalez, a 48-year-old archeologist whose wide-brimmed hat and Keith Richards swagger give him the air of a Guatemalan Indiana Jones. Along with his fellow guide Emilio Faillace, the thrill-seeking Mayaphile has put together an action-packed trip intended to immerse travellers in 2,300 years worth of Mayan history and culture. The itinerary alone is enough to make an adventurers jaw drop. On top of visits to at least seven archeological sites two of which are protected by UNESCO the tour also boasts helicopter rides, jungle hikes, visits to world class private artifact collections and a boat trip across a crater lake surrounded by active volcanoes, all crammed into 12 days split between Guatemala and Honduras. Sweetening the pot even further is the fact that Gonzalez and Faillace have tapped some of the most respected archeologists in the region to help them bring the Mayan world to life. The trip certainly got off on the right foot at El Mirador, where we were accompanied by Richard Hansen. The American archeologist has spent nearly four decades fending off jaguars and mosquitoes in an attempt to uncover the ancient citys mysteries. If that isnt impressive enough, he has also explored and mapped 51 cities in the surrounding basin, some of which were connected politically and commercially to El Mirador via a network of raised causeways that Hansen considers to be the first freeway system in the world. According to Hansen, at its height several hundred years before Christ, El Mirador would have supported 200,000 people in an area approximately the size of downtown Los Angeles. Although Hansen has excavated 20 major areas of the city, El Mirador remains largely covered by the jungle that reclaimed it after the kingdoms collapse around 150 A.D. As a result, when youre standing on top of the hulking La Danta it feels more as if youre in the middle of Jurassic Park than the ruins of Pompeii. But as soon as Hansen started showing off some of the groundbreaking discoveries he has unearthed over the years, I was able to picture the brightly painted buildings that would have once lined the glistening white boulevards of El Miradors sprawling urban centre. In the minds of many people the general public the Mayans are very mythic, Gonzalez said over one of many cold Gallo beers on the trip. We have an ambition to change that concept. Throughout the rest of our travels Gonzalez and Faillace painted a colourful but nuanced picture of a Mayan people who farmed, went to war, made clothes, designed mathematical systems, worshipped the cosmos and drank liquid chocolate from exquisite clay goblets. The diversity and complexity of the ancient Maya over the millennia was most evident at the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Tikal in northern Guatemala and Copan in Honduras. Like most kingdoms in the Mayan world the two shared a common religious iconography, characterized by stylized animals such as jaguars, monkeys and snakes and other anthropomorphic deities. Archaeological evidence even suggests that Copan was colonized by a delegation from Tikal around 426 A.D. Despite their connection, and the fact they both flourished in the Classic Period, the art and architecture of the two cities could not be any more different. In Tikal statuesque pyramids evoke the vanity of modern architects who built skyscrapers as high as possible because they could, leading Gonzalez to refer to the city as the New York of the Mayan world. In Copan, 400 kilometres south of Tikal, the buildings are no less impressive. But what really sets it apart from other Mayan kingdoms is the unique style of its finely detailed relief carvings. Copan is not monumental but its glorious, says Gonzalez, adding that if Tikal was the Mayan equivalent of New York, then Copan was its Paris. The royal lineages of Copan and Tikal both came to an end by 900 A.D. But scores of other sites including the lush grounds of Iximche which we visited continued to rise and fall until the end of the 17th century, when last Mayan kingdom of Itza was defeated by the Spanish in the same Peten jungle where El Mirador once prospered. Although the great kingdoms are now monuments to the past, it was revealing to see how strong and alive Mayan culture remains. On more than one occasion we witnessed Guatemalans practising Mayan spiritual rituals at the archeological sites where their ancestors would have worshipped. In Santiago Atitlan we were even invited to take part in a ceremony at the shrine of Maximon a Mayan deity with Spanish Catholic influences embodied by an effigy who is believed to be the keeper of balance in the world. Some people say Guatemalans come from the ancient Maya but its the same Mayan people who are still here. They never vanished. They prevailed, they breathe, they run, they jump, they create, they think, says Gonzalez. By the time I returned home I felt like I had spent the last two weeks on a journey through time and space. But it wasnt until a few weeks later that the experience truly started to sink in. Cody Punter was hosted by the Guatemalan Tourism Institute and Bella Guatemala Travel, which did not review or approve this story. When you go: Get there/around: I flew United Airlines from Toronto to Guatemala City, with a connection in Houston. We used a mix of buses, planes and helicopters to get around Guatemala and Honduras. Stay: Pretty much everywhere we stayed during our tour was top notch but nothing came close to Las Lagunas Boutique Hotel near Flores. Aside from the excitement of arriving at the property via helicopter direct from a long day in the jungle at El Mirador, the waterfront suites are perched on stilts looking over a lagoon, with a hot tub in a separate sun room offering the best views of the water. Another reason to stay there is the hotels owners have one of the best private collections of Mayan artifacts in the country, which can be viewed at request. Waterfront suites start at $425. Do this trip: Bella Guatemala Travel (bellaguatemalatravel.com) offers various tours and the Lost Kingdom of the Mayas tour runs once a year. SHARE: OTTAWAFinance Minister Bill Morneau is refusing to say whether he sold millions of dollars worth of company stock days before introducing tax changes that may have caused share prices to drop. Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre went after Morneau in question period on Monday, demanding to know whether the finance minister was behind the sale of $10.2-million worth of shares in Morneau Sheppell, the company he headed before he was elected a Toronto MP in 2015. The Nov. 30, 2015 sale came a week before the Liberal government formally introduced changes to tax rates dropping the income tax rate for middle-class Canadians while it boosting it on high-income earners. Those rates were to take effect on Jan. 1, 2016, prompting financial advisers to advise high-income earners to realize capital gains in the last weeks of 2015 to avoid the coming higher tax rates. Did the minister sell his shares in Morneau Shepell in the amount of $10 million exactly one week before he tabled in the House of Commons market-moving tax changes? Poilievre said. The 680,000 shares were sold for $15 apiece. By Dec. 14, a week after the tax rate announcement, they had dropped to $13.96. Somebody knew enough to sell $10 million of Morneau Shepell shares before that drop could occur, saving him half a million dollars, Poilievre said. Morneau held two million shares in Morneau Sheppell and sold half of those in the fall of 2015, a source has told the Star. Profits from those sales were donated to charity. The National Post has reported that the shares sold on Nov. 30 were held by Morneau. But on Monday, Morneau declined to say whether he was behind that sale. Instead, he accused the opposition of trying to create conspiracy theories out of thin air and focused his response on talking up his governments decision to raise taxes on wealthier Canadians. Morneaus spokesperson, Daniel Lauzon, later criticized the Conservative line of attack. The absurd allegations being made by the opposition are completely and utterly false, Lauzon said in an email to the Star. The opposition continues to show they would rather focus on the Minister of Finance than the priorities of Canadians including housing, the Canada Child Benefit and tax benefits for low-income workers, the statement said. Commons Speaker Geoff Regan appeared reluctant to allow Poilievres line of questioning, saying that it is not clear that this is within the responsibility of the government. But after Liberal MPs at one point refused to answer Poilievres question, the Conservative MP fired back that its the responsibility of government to ensure that no minister ever uses inside knowledge to benefit from transactions on the stock market. Morneaus share holdings and ties to his family firm have been a big headache in recent months after it was revealed he did not have a blind trust in place for his remaining stock holdings. He says he had acted on the advice of ethics commissioner Mary Dawson and set up a conflict of interest screen. But public pressure this fall forced him to sell off the remaining shares owned by him and his family. New Democrat MP Nathan Cullen said Monday he would be writing Dawson to ask if she provided advice to Morneau on how to divest his company shares. If not, Cullen said he would ask Dawson to consider opening an investigation into whether the stock sales constituted an ethics conflict. For a finance minister he needs to be beyond reproach. He needs to be able to make every decision free and clear of any conflict of interest, Cullen told reporters after question period. In an interview, Poilievre said Morneau should have ensured that any sell-off did not happen until after the tax changes were introduced. Dawson is already looking into whether Morneau was in a conflict of interest when he introduced a pension reform bill last year that would bring changes that could benefit Morneau Shepell. SHARE: OTTAWAOn the eve of a formal apology to LGBTQ people for historic discrimination practiced by past federal governments, Justin Trudeau drew a sharp contrast between him and his less sensitive predecessor. Not the Conservative one Stephen Harper. The former Liberal prime minister, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, his late father. On Monday, days after he apologized in Labrador to residential school survivors, Trudeau said: My father might have a different perspective on it than I do. He came at it as an academic, as a constitutionalist, I come at it as a teacher, as someone whos worked a lot in communities. Pierre Elliott Trudeau, the lawyer who led the patriation of Canadas Constitution and enshrined a Charter of Rights and Freedoms, famously turned aside Progressive Conservative calls in 1984 to apologize for the internment of Japanese Canadians during the Second World War. The elder Trudeau said: I do not think the purpose of a government is to right the past. It cannot rewrite history. It is our purpose to be just in our time. It was left to Brian Mulroneys Tory government to issue the long-sought apology to Japanese Canadians. Speaking at a social policy conference in Toronto, Trudeau said apologies for things past are important to make sure that we actually understand and know and share and dont repeat those mistakes. Apologies are key to allowing communities to move forward in a healing way, he added. Thats why a big piece of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission asked us to ensure that we were changing school curricula so students actually get non-aboriginal students across the country the right kind of education about this, he said. The prime minister drew a straight line from discrimination in the past to prejudices that survive in the present. For me it comes back to that question of why its important for politicians to march in gay pride parades, and why he will apologize on Tuesday to gay Canadians whose careers in the federal government, RCMP or military suffered, he said. There is still so much discrimination that recognizing it will make a big difference, and it will also help a whole bunch of people that wouldnt have to go through their future careers the kind of discrimination that happened in past decades, but also remind people we do have to change mindsets. Tuesdays apology will be attended by members of Egale Canada, the group that has long lobbied for acknowledgement of the devastating impact on peoples lives, and helped lead the charge in a class-action lawsuit seeking redress for the purge of gay public service workers. It will be Trudeaus second apology in five days on behalf of the Canadian government. On Friday, Trudeau formally extended Canadas apology to residential school survivors in Labrador. That group was left out of Harpers 2008 apology because the Conservative government said Ottawa didnt oversee those schools. The Trudeau government offered last year to settle a class-action lawsuit filed by the Newfoundland and Labrador residential school survivors for $50 million. The prime minister was emotional as he told survivors and their families in Happy Valley-Goose Bay: To all of you we are sorry. The federal government has formally apologized over past decades for a series of officially recognized wrongdoings: There was the 1988 apology by Mulroney to Japanese-Canadians. In 2001, the Liberal government of Jean Chretien apologized for the executions of 23 Canadian soldiers during the First World War. In 2006, Harper apologized for the imposition of a head tax on Chinese immigrants between 1885 and 1923. Two years later, Harper issued his official apology for Canadas role in overseeing the residential schools system from the 1840s to 1996. Justin Trudeau apologized in 2016 for Canadas decision in 1914 to bar 376 Sikhs aboard the Komagata Maru steamship from entering Canada. Trudeaus government is reportedly considering an apology for similarly barring the MS St-Louis, which carried 900 German Jews seeking asylum in 1939. Some of the refugees were accepted by Belgium, France, Holland and Britain, but about 500 were forced to return to Nazi Germany, where half did not survive. Read more about: SHARE: PRINCE ALBERT, SASK.A memorial service was held Monday night to celebrate the life of a Saskatchewan woman who captured the public eye after she survived a brutal beating, a sexual assault and being set on fire. The service for Marlene Bird in Prince Albert was attended by more than 100 people, including many members of her family and close friends. Her longtime partner, Patrick Lavallee, who cared for Bird after she lost both legs and much of her eyesight in the June 2014 attack, was also present. Read more: Marlene Bird, Saskatchewan woman viciously assaulted, set on fire in 2014, dies Saskatchewan man who attacked woman, set her on fire wont be declared a dangerous offender, judge rules Saskatchewan man who viciously attacked homeless woman apologizes Bird died Monday morning in hospital from organ failure at the age of 50. Ruby Bird remembered her cousin as a fighter with a strong and resilient spirit. She also said Bird never lost her sense of humour even after the vicious attack. She was a fun woman. I loved spending time with her, Ruby Bird said during the service at the Full Gospel Outreach Centre. She was the most loving woman there was, but she was also cheeky. Very cheeky. Thats the woman Im going to miss. Her daughter, Samantha Bird also spoke, and described Bird as a good mother who took care of her throughout her childhood. I have good memories of her, Samantha said. I hope shes happy right now. On Monday, family friend Linda Lavallee said Bird had forgiven Leslie Black, the man who attacked and sexually assaulted her. But she was upset over the 16-year prison term he received in September, and the stress of the case affected her health. It was very hard on her, even though she forgave (Black), said Lavallee. She thought the amount of time that guy was going to get was never enough for the amount of pain she went through. Black pleaded guilty in April to attempted murder. Court was told that after the attack, he walked to a nearby convenience store and bought candy. Black then walked past Bird, who was still on fire, and ignored her. After the sentencing, Bird said outside court that she was doing her best to forgive Black, because my mom told me to forgive people that do wrong. Bird was a member of the Montreal Lake Cree Nation. She is to be buried next to her grandmother in the tiny northern Saskatchewan community of Molanosa. SHARE: A Toronto lawyer arranged his husbands murder with his lover in order to collect on a $2 million life insurance policy, a prosecutor told a jury Monday at the start of a murder trial in a downtown courtroom. Crown attorney Anna Tenhouse presented a summary of the prosecutions anticipated evidence, including details of a bitter breakup, a torrid romance, salacious emails, and allegations that the accused men killed the victim after he bankrolled their European travels. At the centre of this love-triangle trial is Allan Lanteigne, a University of Toronto accounting clerk who was beaten to death in the entranceway of his Ossington Ave. residence on March 2, 2011. His body was discovered the next day. Accused of first-degree murder is Lanteignes husband, Demitry Papasotiriou-Lanteigne, who has pleaded not guilty. The couple married exactly 13 years ago, on Nov. 27, 2004, at Toronto City Hall. Co-defendant Michael Ivezic, a Mississauga married father, has also pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder. The Crown alleges he became Papasotiriou-Lanteignes lover after his marriage to Lanteigne fizzled out in 2008. Despite their split, Papasotiriou-Lantiegne and Lanteigne continued living together. Papasotiriou-Lanteigne, a lawyer, bought the home with two relatives. Their names but not Lanteignes were on title. While the marriage did not formally end, by 2009, Mr. Papasotiriou-Lanteigne was involved in an intensely intimate relationship with Mr. Michael Ivezic, Tenhouse told the jury. Jurors will see emails in which Ivezic refers to Papasotiriou-Lanteigne as his Baby B-O-I and Ivezic was referred as Daddy, Tenhouse said. She read several steamy excerpts. Papasotiriou-Lanteigne gave Ivezic a key to the Ossington home to use as a place to have sexual relations, the prosecutor said. In 2009, Papasotiriou-Lanteigne was accepted into a PhD program at the University of Lucerne, Switzerland. He paid for Mr. Ivezic to accompany him to Europe, for the preadmission interview, Tenhouse said. But Papasotiriou-Lanteigne wasnt long for Switzerland. By the spring of 2010, he moved to Greece where his father lived, and continued to pay for flight tickets so that Mr. Ivezic could join him in Europe, Tenhouse said. Except that it was Lanteigne, working full-time at U of T and part-time as a caterer, who was working two jobs to pay for all their joint expenses, while struggling to pay the bills and maxing out his credit cards, she said. While Lanteigne repeatedly told his spouse he could not provide an endless flow of money, the demands did not cease. At one point, Papasotiriou-Lanteigne asked his spouse to liquidate the $23,000 he had saved in his RRSP. Lanteigne refused. I am working my ass off and I do not see you doing anything, Lanteigne wrote in an email that Tenhouse read to the jury. My husband is having the time of his life in Greece and Switzerland and with his hand out and Im here like a slave giving it to him. Sorry I have no more, Lanteigne wrote in another email. Lanteigne began to suspect the affair and talked to a friend about a divorce, but was reluctant because his name wasnt on title and he had poured all of his time and money into the house, Tenhouse said. In early February 2011, Lanteigne wired his spouse $1,425 after telling him there will be no more. On March 2, Papasotiriou-Lanteigne emailed Lanteigne asking him to give him a call in Greece when he got home. Dont dilly dally on your way home buying shoes and shirts and crystal balls, Tenhouse said reading from Papasotiriou-Lanteignes email. That afternoon, Lanteigne left work and walked directly home, just like he had been told to do by Mr. Papasotiriou-Lanteigne, the prosecutor said. The Crowns submission is that Ivezic was waiting there for him after letting himself in with a key, given by the man who stood to gain $2 million and more from the death of Allan Lanteigne, Tenhouse told the jury. An autopsy showed Lanteigne was beaten to death. He was 49. No weapon was found but Ivezics DNA was found under Lanteignes fingernails. Within weeks, Papasotiriou-Lanteigne, still in Greece, enlisted Ivezic to collect money owing to him from Lanteignes death. Papasotiriou-Lanteigne also sought $2 million from Lanteignes life insurance policy naming him as the beneficiary. Tenhouse concluded her opening remarks by reading several romantic email exchanges between Papasotiriou-Lanteigne and Ivezic. Ivezic left his wife and children in May 2011 and flew to Greece where the pair planned to build a house, the jury was told. Papasotiriou-Lanteigne was arrested on a visit to Toronto in November 2012. Ivezic stayed in Athens where he was arrested in 2013. The trial continues Tuesday in front of Ontario Superior Court Justice Robert Goldstein. SHARE: The two Toronto police officers captured on their cruisers dashboard camera mocking a woman with Down syndrome pleaded guilty to professional misconduct Tuesday, each apologizing for conduct they admitted negatively impacted public trust in police. I said something awful and I truly do regret it, Const. Sasa Sljivo was quoted as saying in an agreed statement of facts read out at a tribunal Tuesday. I became a bully that day and I insulted a community that has never done anything to me in my life. If I could do anything or change anything . . . I really would. I am totally guilty and I dont have anything to say for myself other than that I am sorry, Sljivo continued. Sljivo and his partner, Const. Matthew Saris, were charged under Ontarios Police Services Act after they were caught giggling about Francie Munoz, a 29-year-old woman with Down syndrome. Sljivo called her a half woman and a little disfigured during a traffic stop in November 2016. Instead of the usual tribunal room at Toronto police headquarters, the hearing was held in the auditorium in order to accommodate Munozs family, friends and supporters, who have consistently attended past hearings in droves. Sljivo pleaded guilty to using profane, abusive or insulting language, contrary to the Toronto police code of conduct. Saris pleaded guilty to neglect of duty for failing to report the comments made by Sljivo remarks he can be heard chuckling at. In the agreed statement of facts read out, Saris said he is generally a happy guy who tends to laugh at everything, but said that doesnt excuse his conduct. The whole thing has been very embarrassing for myself, my family and the service, Saris said. Im just truly sorry. A family is outraged after a police dashboard camera video caught two officers insulting a woman with Down syndrome in June 2017. The disparaging remarks were made in what the officers thought was a private conversation shortly after pulling over a vehicle driven by Munozs mother, Pamela. They hadnt known at the time that the comments were being picked up by their in-car camera system. Their comments were then discovered after Pamela Munoz fought an alleged traffic violation and subsequently obtained the dash cam video from the traffic stop. Tuesdays hearing discussed possible penalties for the officers. Any case before the quasi-judicial professional misconduct tribunal can result in consequences ranging from a reprimand to dismissal. Prosecutor Insp. Domenic Sinopoli and the officers lawyer, Gary Clewley, agreed upon a combination of penalties, including mandatory unpaid work days five for Sljivo, who was the senior officer and the one making the comments, and two for Saris. The officers would also have to take sensitivity training and volunteer for at least 20 hours with the Special Olympics committee. Sinopoli said the proposed penalties struck the right balance. They acknowledged that the officers immediately displayed remorse by apologizing and pleading guilty to the misconduct, while punishing completely and utterly unnecessary comments that mocked a vulnerable member of our community. What resonated most in my mind was not the words that they uttered, it was the why, the police prosecutor said, adding that perhaps no one, not even the officers themselves, will be able to provide an answer. He added that no penalty handed down by the tribunal will be greater than the shame that they have already suffered. Sinopoli said the incident was a black eye on the Toronto Police Service; soon after the incident came to light, Toronto police Chief Mark Saunders apologized to the family in person. Clewley, the officers lawyer, said neither cop would repeat their mistake they dropped the ball in this occasion but they wont drop it again. Turning around to face Munoz during the hearing, Clewley said: These gentlemen are genuinely sorry. After the hearing, the Munoz family reiterated their longtime request to have those words delivered by the officers themselves and captured on video. This summer, the officers sent a written letter apologizing for their inexcusable remarks and taking full responsibility, but Pamela Munoz, Francies mom, said it hadnt seemed sincere. She took notice that the officers did not take advantage of a chance to address the tribunal when it was offered by Acting Supt. Richard Hegedus, the hearing officer, at the end of the proceedings Tuesday. They clearly had the opportunity to apologize in the tribunal, she said afterward. It wasnt the apology we were hoping for. Speaking to reporters outside, Clewley disagreed, saying the apology was public. They repeated their apology through me, in front of you folks you were all there, at a public hearing I dont think they need to do it anymore. It doesnt affect the sincerity of their regret, Clewley said. Sinopoli agreed, telling the tribunal that the act of contrition need not be a public spectacle of shame. Hegedus reserved his decision on the penalty, saying it will be released electronically to the parties as soon as possible. Munoz family did not take a position on the penalty, but Pamela Munoz told reporters she thought it was disappointing. Its a process thats an internal process. So, really, at times I was wondering if the prosecutor was the defence lawyer. Its the police policing the police, she said of the tribunal system. The familys lawyer, Brendan Pooran, said the reason the family did not take a position on the officers penalty was so they could focus on their Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario complaint, filed in September. The (human rights) tribunal has the jurisdiction to issue public interest remedies that would hopefully address the systemic issues that led to the discriminatory treatment that Francie incurred, Pooran said. Wendy Gillis can be reached at wgillis@thestar.ca SHARE: The Crown has withdrawn charges relating to a multi-national organized crime investigation against long-time Vaughan resident Cosimo Commisso. Commisso, 72, was charged in September with possession of proceeds of crime following Project Briscola, which drew together investigators from Canada, the United States and Australia. The charge was dropped before the case reached trial after the Crown concluded there was no reasonable chance of conviction. Eleven others remain charged in the case, which is still in the preliminary stages. Commisso declined to comment directly on Monday but his lawyer, Peter Brauti, said there was never a case against his client. Mr. Commisso did absolutely nothing wrong and has always maintained his innocence, Brauti said in a prepared statement. His position is supported by the fact that the Crown withdrew the charges against him at the very early stages of the prosecution, Brauti said. There was simply no evidence that Mr. Commisso was knowingly involved in anything illegal. Police said the case involves fraud against lenders, who were defrauded of $11 million by individuals who falsely presented themselves as officers of a business that was seeking to borrow money to expand. Police said the case involved money flowing across Canada into Brazil and the Seychelles. SHARE: A nurse who removed a patient from life support without a doctors authorization pleaded guilty on Monday at a disciplinary hearing, which ordered her certificate of registration as a nurse be suspended for five months. Joanna Flynn, who had been found not guilty of manslaughter and criminal negligence in a criminal court this summer, was before the Ontario College of Nurses tribunal Monday morning, where she pleaded guilty to two of four charges. Flynn admitted she removed Deanna Leblanc from life support without the required medical authorization and for failing to record that the responsible physician had not given medical authorization to discontinue life support. She admitted that her conduct was dishonorable and unprofessional. The disciplinary panel ordered that along with the five month suspension, Flynn had to follow the terms, conditions and limitations imposed by the hearing, including meeting with a nursing expert and informing her employers of the hearings decision for a period of 24 months. Joanna Flynn wanted to thank her nursing colleagues for all the support and she is now putting this behind her and moving forward, her lawyer, Kate Hughes, said after the hearing on Monday. Hughes said two allegations were dropped because of the lack of evidence available to prove them, one related to falsifying information and the other involved the lack of consent from a subsequent decision maker. The incident occurred while Flynn was a nurse at Georgian Bay General Hospital in Midland, Ont. On the morning of March 2, 2014, Leblanc, 39, awoke to crushing chest pain. She had undergone knee surgery on Feb. 28 but was otherwise healthy. She was admitted to the hospital where it took two and a half hours to resuscitate her though she remained unresponsive. In the agreed statement of facts, the doctor noted that the patient was admitted to the hospital totally unresponsive, that her pupils were equal dilated and not responding to light. A doctor also explained to the patients family, that the absence of brain activity meant the patient had a poor prognosis, according to the statement. According to the agreed statement of facts, the patients husband and substitute decision-maker, thought his wife would want him to discontinue life support and he wanted to end Leblancs life support that night. Flynn spoke to a doctor twice about the familys wishes. Both times the doctor said he wanted to wait until the next day to make a decision, according to the statement. Despite the doctors orders, with the husband in the room, Flynn turned off the patients life support machines. She stayed with the husband until Leblanc died. Her employment was terminated by the hospital five days after the incident. A year later, Flynn was charged with manslaughter and criminal negligence causing death. In June, a jury found her not guilty on both counts. The decision on Flynns suspension may have rested on the specifics of the situation, said Toronto criminal lawyer Jordan Donich. Donich was not involved with Flynns case and spoke on background. The nurse chose to proceed with the authority of the subsequent decision maker without meeting the bureaucratic authority and thats why she was facing misconduct, Donich said. But if we look at this contextually, she wasnt acting maliciously. Donich said the nurse was in a stressful situation where she was trying to respect the familys wishes and deal with the doctors decision. Just because the bureaucracy essentially didnt allow it to be done at that point in time, he said. Doesnt mean that this persons career should be ended forever and thats the basis of the decision here you have to look at. SHARE: Municipal and provincial leaders are slamming the brakes on the Toronto Region Board of Trades proposal to merge city transit agencies from Durham to Waterloo under a single body controlled by the Ontario government. In a report released Monday, the Board called for the creation of a new organization, nicknamed Superlinx, that would take responsibility for the operating and capital costs of GO Transit, the TTC, and 10 other municipal transit agencies. The business advocacy group argued uploading transit to the province would reduce political interference, free up municipal resources for other badly needed infrastructure, and pave the way for the creation of a single seamless network within the increasingly integrated Toronto-Waterloo Corridor. The Boards proposal is separate from and more extreme than one pitched Saturday by Ontario PC Leader Patrick Brown, who pledged his government would take on only the capital costs of TTC subway stations, tracks, and tunnels if hes elected premier next year. Liberal Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca threw cold water on the Boards Superlinx idea Monday, saying this is no time to get bogged down in governance issues when so many transit projects are underway or coming to fruition. "My focus . . . is to make sure that we get shovels in the ground and we actually build, and that at all costs we avoid going down kind of elongated rabbit holes of process debates, who owns what, who's responsible for what," he told reporters Monday. "We cannot take our eye off the ball. We need to be very focused . . . on the commuters." Mayor John Tory said uploading transit agencies shouldnt be the regions priority. He too said the focus should be on completing existing transit projects, as well as advancing fare integration, which would create a single standardized payment system for transit systems across the GTHA. More closely aligning TTC and GO Transit fares is a key part of his SmartTrack proposal. I would like to see us get something done like fare integration first and see how difficult it is to get these 12 systems and all of these governments to work together, he said. He also expressed concerns about the proposed structure of the Superlinx board, half of which would be made up of business leaders, transit experts, and citizens advocates nominated by an independent panel. The remainder would consist of agency executives and provincial and municipal government representatives. The makeup of the board was designed to limit undue political influence, but Tory said it was important to strike a balance between what you might gain by way of having politicians play somewhat of a lesser role and the loss of what Ill call local autonomy with respect to the operation of a transit system. Toronto city Councillor Gord Perks, a frequent critic of the mayors, echoed those concerns. He charged that allowing a provincial body control over local transit would be disastrous. I dont see for the life of me why someone appointed by the province of Ontario should be deciding on the frequency of the Dufferin bus, he said. Tom Galloway, a member of Waterloo Regional Council and chair of the planning and works committee, helps oversee Grand River Transit, which carries nearly 20 million passengers a year on about 70 bus routes. He said he also doubted a provincial bodys ability to effectively operate local lines. A provincial agency running a transit system, how sensitive is it going to be to neighbourhood needs? he asked. Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombies said the Boards proposal was worth exploring if it could lead to savings for municipalities. The citys MiWay agency spends about $73.3 million net a year to carry almost 40 million bus passengers. According to the Board report, cities would contribute to the cost of Superlinx operating transit, but would pay less than they currently give their own transit agencies. Superlinx would offset the difference by aggressively pursuing development along transit lines, while completely relieving cities of the obligation to pay for transit expansion. If there are service and cost efficiencies to be found through this approach, we should study this further, Crombie said in an emailed statement. At least one municipal representative. Oshawa and Durham regional councillor John Neal, was eager to embrace the Superlinx idea, and argued the current system is too fractured. Durham Region is suing Oshawa for $8.9 million in a dispute over which government is responsible for paying the pensions and liabilities of the citys transit system following its 2004 transfer to the region. Taxpayers are already on the hook for hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees. Were suing ourselves, with the best lawyers, Neal said. Hand it to the province, and let them do it. With files from Rob Ferguson and David Rider. Read more about: SHARE: The embattled York Region school board has appointed a new director a special education expert described as someone willing to listen, and learn. And after a tumultuous two years, thats exactly what it needs, say fellow educators. Louise Sirisko, who is currently with the Ministry of Education, starts her role in the new year. Were so pleased to have such an outstanding, equity-minded educator joining us, said chair Loralea Carruthers. We are optimistic about the future of the board. Sirisko, a former Peel public board superintendent, said in a statement that she will continue the focus on building relationships within our communities and earn trust and support for our collective vision. Working together, we will strengthen public confidence in the board through a student-centred commitment to engagement, achievement, well-being and equity. Her appointment comes just months after a damning Education Ministry report found parents and staff expressed feelings of alienation, marginalization and discrimination under the previous leadership. It also reported on a number of incidents where the board failed to effectively deal with instances of racism, discrimination and transparency. The reviewers spoke to hundreds of people as part of their probe. Following that, trustees dismissed director J. Philip Parappally, who was harshly criticized for his dealings with staff and parents. Minister of Education Mitzie Hunter who called Yorks problems severe then issued 22 orders to staff and trustees, including a directive to rebuild trust and better engage with parents and the community, as well as overhaul the director selection process. Former colleagues say Sirisko took on the challenge, seeing an opportunity to usher in change, and believe she is a good fit for the York Region District School Board. She is a very balanced person and by that I mean she loves her work and she loves education and she loves to work hard, but she also has a strong commitment to her family and to her own physical well-being, which is so important in leadership, said recently retired Peel District School Board director Tony Pontes, who worked with Sirisko for a decade. Shes a really good learner she likes to ask for a lot of advice, and shes not afraid to ask for advice. Shes not afraid to say she doesnt know it all. And her deep background in special education, and as a champion for equity, will put her in good stead at York. Sirisko has been working at the ministry for about three years, where she is director of the special education policy and program branch. In Peel, she was head of special education and also an elementary school superintendent. She began teaching in 1990, in Peel. She has a bachelor of arts degree in English and history from the University of Toronto, and an education degree from York. She has a masters in education/business administration from Brock. Her experience at another large, urban board, as well as her time with the ministry gives her a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position, added Carruthers. After Parappallys departure, the board appointed retired Simcoe County director Kathi Wallace. She leaves at the end of the month, and an acting director will take her place until Sirisko arrives. Hunter, who has worked alongside Sirisko at the ministry, lauded her leadership style that focuses on bringing people together with a strong understanding of the importance of equity and inclusion for all. I know that with Louises new leadership, (the York board) will continue to work together and with the ministry toward a shared goal of promoting public confidence, equity and inclusion for those within the board and in the surrounding community. I am confident that her experience at the Ministry of Education and the Peel District School Board will support her in this role as the YRDSB continues to address the directives and restore public confidence in the board, Hunter also said. Brian Woodland, who recently retired as head of communications in Peel, said Siriskos area of expertise goes beyond special education into curriculum with a a deeper understanding of the success of students, especially the most vulnerable students. At Peel, she began to look at how teaching assistants were deployed, asking is there a better way? In all of that, she would always come with data, always bring perspective and ideas, and have a process where all voices were heard. She came back with a solid plan. He described her as smart, funny, and said she wears her heart on her sleeve as a leader. She is open, and intuitive. And, he added, I would have always trusted her with information personal or professional. Pontes said under Siriskos leadership, the Peel board moved toward better integration of students with special needs, which was difficult work. Sirisko is a mother of three, and comes from a close-knit family her mother-in-law, who is 80-plus years old, still volunteers at the grandchildrens elementary school even though they are long gone. Hawthorne school shes there once a week and shes incredible. Pontes said his advice to her would be to take it slowly; there is nothing she needs to do tomorrow. What she needs to do is build a confidence of the system in her, and to really understand what the needs of the system are. So when she starts those things moving, or picks up on what Kathi has been doing, shell be doing it from a base of informed and first-hand knowledge. The most important thing, clearly she is going to have to be out there with schools and with principals, and her senior team, which is critical, and trustees. The parent community is going to want to meet her and get to know her. That kind of foundation will pay off dividends for her down the road. The York board has more than 123,000 students and is the third largest in Ontario. SHARE: In the Peoples Republic of China, Premier Kathleen Wynne is seeing red over the Progressive Conservative Peoples Guarantee manifesto. As in red ink and blood on the floor from anticipated budget cuts. Speaking to the Star from Nanjing one stop on her two-week trade mission to China, Hong Kong and Vietnam she was incredulous about Tory Leader Patrick Browns campaign platform unveiled Saturday. Weve been waiting for quite awhile to see something substantial come out of Brown and the Conservatives. So weve seen those now and the thing that jumps out at me is the pretty serious cuts, Wynne said Tuesday. Were the leanest per-capita program spending government in the country, said the premier, who has read the Tories 78-page platform. So to suggest that theres this bloated government and you can come in and slash $12 billion and nobody will feel pain is nonsense, she said. He has to be held to account on this. Thats a reference to the Browns pledge to cut income taxes, eliminate the cap-and-trade climate change plan that brings in $1.9 billion annually, and conduct a value-for-money audit to find $6.1 billion in savings across government over three years if elected June 7. I mean efficiencies thats the language that they use and in my experience, efficiencies has always been code for cuts for Conservatives, said Wynne. Conservative leader after Conservative leader has talked about efficiencies so were looking at . . . a scale of $12 billion. In reality, it would be impossible to realize that kind of cut without cutting education and health care in some way. Campaigning at a Scarborough manufacturing plant, Brown insisted that every Ontarian is going to pay less under his Peoples Guarantee plan, which will also bolster services. Under Kathleen Wynne, you work harder, you pay more, and you get less. This is not right and this is not fair. He is promising to reduce hydro rates by 12 per cent, invest $5 billion in a TTC subway network that will be uploaded to the province, reduce middle-class provincial income tax rates by 22.5 per cent, and enable parents to write off up to 75 per cent of child-care costs while boosting the number of daycare spots by 100,000. Wynne admitted some aspects of the Peoples Guarantee seem to be cribbed from her governing Liberals. Its great that they have now come around to acknowledging that they agree with our Fair Hydro Plan because, I mean, they want to add to that, she said, referring to the Liberals 25 per cent reduction in electricity rates that the Tories voted against in the Legislature. The 100,000 child-care spaces, I mean, were implementing that, so thats great that they agree with that. Its not an additional 100,000 child-care spaces. Theyre basically just doing what were already doing. As for the Tories plan to return Ontario to deficit next year with a $2.8 billion shortfall Wynne, who is projecting budget surpluses for the next few years, was gobsmacked. Im sure there was a lively internal conversation about that thats for sure, the premier said with a laugh, mindful of the concerns of fiscal conservatives. Starting to pay down the debt starts with balancing the budget and keeping it in balance, she said. This document is all about having it both ways or all ways: so were going to run a deficit, were going to cut fat thats not there, were going to start to pay down the debt. There are all sorts of inconsistencies in what hes suggesting. Read more about: SHARE: A 22-year-old Canadian woman from Montreal is in the custody of Kurdish forces in Syria, along with her two-year-old daughter and newborn baby girl, after having fled a Daesh-controlled region of Syria. She is being held by members of the Syrian Democratic Forces, a predominantly Kurdish and Arab force allied with Western governments fighting Daesh in the areas the group once held as part of its self-declared Islamic State. Officials with Global Affairs Canada are in contact with senior members of the coalition group. The woman, a Canadian citizen who surrendered to coalition forces last month, left Montreal for Syria with another teenage girl in November 2014, without telling her family or closest friends. It is believed the two took a common route for the thousands of Westerners who joined Daesh, also known as ISIS and ISIL, flying first to Istanbul, Turkey, and then travelling south into Syria. The womans mother, who has tried for three years to get her daughter home, said her daughter called crying soon after arriving, saying the situation was not what she expected and that she was being closely monitored. Everything is under surveillance. Everything is dangerous here, the womans mother said about the panicked call. We are watched. Its not safe. Im so sorry, mama. Im so sorry. Her mother, whom the Star agreed not to identify, has been in sporadic contact with her daughter throughout the three years she has been gone and speaks regularly with both the RCMP and Canadas spy service, CSIS. Toronto lawyer Nader Hasan has also been in contact with the security services on the mothers behalf. We have been working with Canadian authorities for months to find a way to get her out of Daesh territory and into Canadian custody, Hasan said in an interview with the Star. She was able to escape from Daesh territory despite being eight and a half months pregnant with the help of coalition allies. We understand shes in Kurdish custody as she awaits transfer to Canadian authorities. The RCMP has not indicated one way or another whether shell be charged with a criminal offence. That said we believe she is a victim and can be seen no other way, Hasan said. The Quebec teenager left for Syria soon after she turned 19. Months later she was married to a German citizen, a convert to Islam. By February 2015, she was pregnant. In December 2015, the Stars Allan Woods reached out to the woman on Facebook but got a reply from the husband, who went by the name Abu Saleheddin. Im the husband, what do you want? he wrote. They were in Iraq at the time, where Canada was part of the coalition fighting Daesh. The situation with fighter jets is still the same, few days ago they bombed a building with womans and children, the husband wrote. The exact route of the Canadian womans travel is unclear. She is believed to be in custody in the town of Al Hasakah, where she gave birth on Nov. 15. Canadian foreign affairs officials are working on getting travel documents for the women and her infant daughters. We are aware of the case and in contact with the family and offering consular assistance, MP Omar Alghabra, parliamentary secretary responsible for Canadians held abroad, told the Star. Women have been involved in terrorism throughout history, but Daesh has ushered in a new era of female participation. The groups propaganda focused on the need for women to help create a new world order, promising an ideal life, blending passages of the Quran with images of kittens and winking emojis. Only a small group of armed women in Raqqa, known as the Al-Khansaa Brigade, were considered Daesh enforcers imposing the groups strict code. Canadas 2016 Public Safety report noted: It is often unclear which roles women who travel to Syria perform. The most commonly held assumption is that women travel abroad to marry terrorists, but the reasons for travel and eventual roles vary. Some may occupy secondary roles within terrorist groups, while in other cases they appear to be training and taking part in combat. Some women have also facilitated the travel of others. Hicham Tiflati, a Montreal researcher who has spent years studying questions of identity among Muslims youths and radicalism, said with the exception of Al-Khansaa, the role of women was largely restricted to staying at home, raising children, and supporting their husbands. To my knowledge, she was a stay-at-home mother that was looking after her daughter and did not have an active role in the organization, said Tiflati, who knows the young womans mother. In a high-profile October 2014 case, three Toronto girls aged between 15 and 18 were intercepted by Turkish authorities at the behest of Canada and sent back home after leaving for Syria. The girls parents had alerted police after discovering their plan. The girls could have been charged with leaving to join a terrorist group, but instead agreed to speak with authorities and provide what intelligence they could about the recruitment of Western members. Community leaders and those within the security services who have advocated for measures beyond criminal sanctions hailed the case as a positive example of co-operation. Little is known about Canadian cases of returnees, although reportedly more than 60 have returned in recent years from conflicts in Somalia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, Iraq and elsewhere. Terrorism analysts and security sources say only a few are known to have returned from Daesh-held territory. Governments worldwide have been grappling with how to handle those returning from Daeshs defeat in Syria and Iraq. The Liberal government highlighted this issue soon after taking power, but despite pledges to create a community outreach and counter-radicalization office, little has been done. Two years after announcing funding for the initiative, Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale has yet to name a coordinator. The foreign fighter issue was back in the news recently after Rory Stewart, the U.K.s minister of international development, said the British government may be forced to kill its citizens who had joined the group. Im afraid we have to be serious about the fact these people are a serious danger to us, and unfortunately the only way of dealing with them will be, in almost every case, to kill them, he told BBC Radio. Officials from the U.S. and France have also been quoted as saying those who went to Syria should die in Syria. In response, Goodale told the CBC, Canada does not engage in death squads. Earlier this month at the Halifax International Security Forum, Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan stated: We will make sure that we put every type of resource into place so Canadians are well protected. Michelle Shephard is the Stars National Security correspondent. Follow her @shephardm. Read more about: SHARE: WASHINGTONA Libyan militant was convicted Tuesday of terrorism charges stemming from the 2012 Benghazi attacks that killed the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans. But a federal jury found him not guilty of murder, the most serious charge associated with the rampage he was accused of orchestrating. The attack became instant political fodder in the 2012 presidential campaign, with Republicans accusing the Obama administration of intentionally misleading the public and stonewalling congressional investigators, though officials denied any wrongdoing. Some were particularly critical of then-Secretary of State Hillary Clintons handling of the conflict, which dogged her during her presidential campaign. But the seven-week trial of Ahmed Abu Khattala was largely free of political intrigue. Jurors convicted Khattala on four counts, including providing material support for terrorism and destroying property and placing lives in jeopardy at the U.S. compound, but acquitted him on 14 others. Even with the mixed verdict, Khattala, 46, still faces the possibility of life imprisonment for his conviction on a federal firearms charge. Prosecutors accused Khattala of directing the attack aimed at killing personnel and plundering maps, documents and other property from the U.S. mission in Benghazi. But defence attorneys said their evidence against him was shoddy. Ambassador Chris Stevens was killed in the first attack at the U.S. mission, along with Sean Patrick Smith, a State Department information management officer. Nearly eight hours later at a CIA complex nearby, two more Americans, contract security officers Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty, died in a mortar attack. Today, a small measure of justice was meted out, CIA Director Mike Pompeo said in a message to CIA employees. Of Khattala he added: It took intelligence to find him, soldiers to assist in capturing him, law enforcement to interview him, and a legal team to put him away. Khattalas sentencing is to follow; but no term in prison will bring our people back. Prosecutors acknowledged they lacked evidence to show Khattala personally fired any gunshots, but argued he orchestrated the violence out of his hatred for U.S. freedoms and his suspicion that Americans were operating a spy base in Benghazi. They said Khattala led a group of militia hit men who could be seen on surveillance footage toting weapons and a gas can the night of the attack. Their case relied heavily on the testimony of informants, including one who was paid $7 million (U.S.) to befriend Khattala, help the government gather information on him and arrange his capture. Defence attorneys sought to discount the informants as liars who were paid for their stories. Federal public defender Michelle Peterson said in closing arguments that prosecutors were playing to jurors emotions to make up for shoddy evidence, including blurry surveillance video on which FBI agents frequently misidentified Khattala. He is a deeply religious man who believes in conservative sharia law as outlined in the Quran, which is not the same thing as terrorism, Peterson said. But prosecutors argued the evidence was enough to convict Khattala on all counts. He was there to kill Americans, and that is exactly what he and his men did, Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael C. DiLorenzo told jurors. The trial, which opened Oct. 2, was one of the most significant terrorism prosecutions in recent years in a U.S. civilian court, even though the Trump administration had argued such suspects are better sent to the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The mixed verdict could revive that debate, even as newly captured terror suspects including a second man charged in the Benghazi attacks are instead brought to federal court. Supporters of the military commission system argue valuable intelligence is lost when suspected terrorists are afforded protections of the American legal system. But prosecutors said Khattala provided information about other members of the Islamic extremist militia group blamed for the Benghazi attack. Among the men he pegged was Mustafa al-Imam, who was captured last month and awaits trial in the same federal courthouse in Washington. Jonathan Hafetz, a senior attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union who has handled terrorism cases, said the Khattala trial showed federal courts are capable of handling terror cases, even with his acquittal of murder charges. No court system can pretend to protect due process if it only achieves the resolution the government wants in every case, he said. Read more: Accused Benghazi attack militant to be tried in U.S. federal court Trial begins for suspected mastermind of 2012 Benghazi attacks U.S. judge refuses to dismiss charges against Ahmed Abu Khattala in Benghazi attacks SHARE: WASHINGTONThe prominent placement of an Andrew Jackson portrait during an event meant to honour a group of Native Americans at the Oval Office on Monday has raised questions about the White Houses message. Jackson is known for his harsh treatment of Native Americans as president, famously signing the Indian Removal Act, which led to thousands of Native American deaths as tens of thousands were forced to relocate. Some observers thought the juxtaposition of his portrait during the event with the stated purpose of honouring three Navajo code talkers was strange. We noticed, said Jacqueline Pata, executive director of the National Congress of American Indians. Andrew Jackson wasnt necessarily a president who was respectful of tribal governments and Native Americans. This is one of those eras that is probably bleaker in terms of the relationship between Native Americans and the federal government. The portrait is visible for the entirety of the White Houses 17-minute broadcast of the event. As president from 1829 to 1837, Jackson is perhaps most famous for his pivotal role in Native Americans painful and violent history in the United States. He signed the Indian Removal Act in 1830, which forced the relocation of more than 60,000 Native Americans to clear the way for white pioneers. The act helped lead to the Trail of Tears, in which an estimated 4,000 Cherokee died during the harsh conditions of a long march during a forced relocation in 1838 and 1839. The Cherokees called Jackson Indian killer; the Creek called him Sharp Knife. A slave owner, Jackson spoke about Native Americans as if they were an inferior group of people. Established in the midst of a superior race, he said of the Cherokee, they must disappear. Removing Native Americans from their land would enable them to pursue happiness in their own way, and under their own rude institutions, he said. Trumps affinity for Jackson has long been a facet of his public image as a politician. He lambasted an Obama administration plan, which has not yet taken effect, to remove Jackson from the $20 bill in favour of abolitionist Harriet Tubman, referring to Jackson during the presidential campaign as someone with a history of tremendous success for the country. And just days after his inauguration in January, Trump selected a portrait of Jackson in the Oval Office. In March, he stopped by the Hermitage, Jacksons home in Tennessee, to lay a wreath at the former presidents tomb. The presidents former chief strategist, Stephen K. Bannon, lauded Trumps inauguration address as Jacksonian. Pata said she wanted to assume the symbolism wasnt intentional. As the president spoke to honour the three code talkers Monday, he lobbed the nickname Pocahontas at Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren, which many consider to be a racial slur. Read more: Trump just called Elizabeth Warren Pocahontas at an event honouring Native American war heroes Families of Navajo Code Talkers criticize Trumps Pocahontas remark as derogatory Trump picks another fight with a Black sports figure. Thats no coincidence: Analysis Gyasi Ross, an author from Washington state and member of the Blackfeet Nation tribe, said he considered the portraits prominence during the news conference to be an intentional slight. Its an incredibly distasteful wink in front of people who have sacrificed so much, he said. Donald Trump is not a stupid man. He understands visuals and optics: His background is in television. So all of that stuff, I believe, is very deliberate. He said the insult was magnified by the nature of the event. Elders and veterans, we take those two things very seriously, he said, speaking about Native Americans. And so to people who take that seriously, all of these things are incredibly consequential. Mihio Manus, a spokesman for the president and vice president of the Navajo Nation, said the placement of the Jackson portrait was unfortunate. When asked about the Pocahontas comment, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said that being offensive was certainly not the presidents intent. She did not answer a question about the Jackson painting that was shouted as she left the briefing room. Trump has hosted conferences in front of the portrait before, like an economic announcement the president made this month. When Venezuelan activist Lilian Tintori met with the president and Vice President Pence in October, Trump had the group pose under the Jackson portrait and then posted the photo on Twitter. But there are plenty of other places to host a press event at the White House. A remark Trump made to Congress in 1993 about owners of casinos not looking like Indians continues to draw scrutiny. Some have compared Jackson, a populist who campaigned against elites and was known for being temperamental, to Trump. Trumps admiration for the former president has not gone unnoticed by Native Americans, Pata said. We knew when he chose to put the wreath on Andrew Jacksons grave, she said. There are a lot of presidents out there. We remember those things. Its part of our history, too. Read more about: SHARE: Perhaps as important as what Pope Francis said during his key speech in Burma on Tuesday was what he didnt say. Speculation had mainly circled around the question of whether the pope would use the term Rohingya to describe the countrys Muslim minority, which has been the target of a brutal military clearance operation. Rohingya Muslims are not officially recognized as a minority in Burma though many have lived there for generations. Burmese officials and many among the predominantly Buddhist population reject Rohingya and are instead using Bengalis to emphasize their disputed argument that the Rohingya migrated illegally to the country from Bangladesh. Read more: The one word Burmas generals dont want the pope to say on his visit: Rohingya Pope Francis immediately dives into Rohingya crisis upon arrival in Burma Popes legacy as refugee champion to be tested during his Burma, Bangladesh visit To the relief of some and the dismay of others, the pope refrained from using the term during an interfaith meeting and in a subsequent speech on Tuesday which he gave following a meeting with Burmese leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The civilian Burmese leader has come under criticism for allegedly ignoring human rights violations in the country. The pope did use his speech to urge respect for minority rights. The future of Burma must be peace, a peace based on respect for the dignity and rights of each member of society, respect for each ethnic group and its identity, respect for the rule of law, and respect for a democratic order that enables each individual and every group none excluded to offer its legitimate contribution to the common good, the pope said, according to the BBC. Pope Francis tweeted I want my visit to embrace all the people of Burma and to encourage the building of an inclusive society. Myanmars small Catholic community had previously urged the pope to refrain from using the term Rohingya, as such a move would likely have been interpreted as foreign meddling in domestic affairs by the Burmese leadership. But as a religious leader who has repeatedly defied the restraint his predecessors often showed, observers believed that Pope Francis could have still emphasized his support for the minority by deliberately using the factually correct but politically fraught term. The pope dove into the Rohingya Muslim crisis by meeting Monday evening with Burmas powerful military leader. (The Associated Press) Pope Francis had already prayed for our Rohingya brothers and sisters ahead of his visit. Refraining from reusing the term while in Burma is now being criticized as a contradictory signal by a pope who has been a vocal supporter of refugees across the globe and was previously quoted as saying that he does not like the contradiction of those who want to defend Christianity in the West, and, on the other hand, are against refugees and other religions. The Pope missed an important opportunity to tell Burma that every group has the right to self-identify, and to publicly refute the unconscionable pressure by Aung San Suu Kyi and the Burma military to deny the Rohingya their identity, Phil Robertson, the deputy Asia director of Human Rights Watch, wrote in an email. Whereas some had hoped that the popes use of the term would have increased pressure on Myanmars leadership to refrain from further repression and violence targeting Rohingya Muslims, others feared that such a move could have escalated tensions further. About 600,000 Rohingya Muslims had to flee across the border into Bangladesh in recent months, after the military targeted the minority. The U.S. government classified the violence as ethnic cleansing last week, and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson blamed the Burmese government, military and local vigilantes for horrendous atrocities in Myanmars western Rakhine state. The Burmese military is denying any involvement in the atrocities, and members of other religious groups in the country, such as Buddhists and Hindus, claim that they were in turn the targets of violence by the Rohingya. After meeting with the pope on Monday, Burmese military general Min Aung Hlaing wrote in a post on social media that there is no religious discrimination in Burma as the country ensures religious freedom. He said that in the course of the meeting the pope prayed for ensuring peace, tranquility and development of Burma. From the post, it was unclear whether the pope had raised human rights concerns in the meeting. He will meet some Rohingya Muslims in Bangladesh later on during his six-day visit, which ends on Saturday. Although the trip was planned ahead of the most recent escalation of violence, which has lasted for more than three months, it is now inevitably being dominated by the ethnic cleansing or genocide allegations that the Burmese government and military are facing from the United Nations, the United States and other Western governments. Myanmars Catholic Church leadership has also refrained from calling the violence against the Rohingya minority ethnic cleansing likely due to fears of repercussions that the use of the term could have for the Catholic minority just 650,000 in a country of 53 million. Whereas the Vatican spokesman defended the popes use of the term as not being a prohibited word ahead of the visit, a senior Vatican diplomat, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, was careful not to mention it in a previsit interview. SHARE: BERLINA German mayor who had won accolades for his welcoming approach to refugees was recovering Tuesday after being stabbed in the neck in an attack that authorities said was politically motivated. Andreas Hollstein, a member of Chancellor Angela Merkels conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), was at a kebab shop in the west German town of Altena on Monday evening when a man asked if he was the mayor, shouted criticisms of his asylum policies and then lunged with a foot-long blade. Hollstein was treated at the local hospital and released. At a news conference Tuesday, he credited the kebab shop owner, Abdullah Demir, as well as Demirs wife and son, with intervening to save his life. Read more: Opinion: Angela Merkel suffers, and so does the world EU court rejects Hungary, Slovakia appeal in refugee case Germanys immigrant population hits new high in 2016 Im sure that if they hadnt reacted like that, I wouldnt be alive now, Hollstein said, his neck wrapped in bandages. Demir, who is of Turkish family origin, told the German tabloid Bild that the mayor had just ordered a Turkish kebab sandwich when the perpetrator, who appeared to be drunk, confronted him. I myself am hungry and thirsty, the assailant said, according to Demir, while the mayor keeps bringing more refugees. The state premier of North Rhine-Westphalia, Armin Laschet, said security services believed the attacker, who was taken into custody, had a political motive. Merkel on Tuesday tweeted that she was outraged by the knife attack on Mayor Andreas Hollstein, and very relieved that he is able to be back with his family. Thanks also to those who helped him. We must never accept attacks on people who are just helping others, tweeted Justice Minister Heiko Maas. The attack comes at a time of growing concern over right-wing violence in Germany, two years after the European refugee crisis brought more than a million newcomers to the country. The German daily Tagespiegel reported earlier this year that authorities had a list of more than 12,000 potentially violent right-wing extremists, significantly more than a year prior. The Interior Ministry said it had nearly 600 outstanding arrest warrants for right-wing offenders. In September, Alternative for Germany became the first far-right party to win seats in the German Parliament in over half a century, having campaigned on an anti-Muslim, anti-migrant platform. Monday nights attack on Hollstein echoed the stabbing two years ago of Henriette Reker, who was campaigning at the time to be mayor of Cologne, Germanys fourth-largest city. Like Hollstein, Reker was stabbed in the neck in what authorities described as a backlash against her pro-immigrant stance. Reker, a Merkel ally, recovered from the attack and won the election days later. In June 2016, on the eve of Britains Brexit vote, pro-refugee British lawmaker Jo Cox was shot and stabbed to death by a far-right extremist Hollsteins town, Altena, is in a pretty but relatively poor area on the banks of the Lenne River, about 80 kilometres northeast of Cologne. The town of 17,000 has struggled in recent years as factories have closed and the population has dwindled. But amid the refugee crisisas Syrians, Iraqis, Afghans and others driven from their homes by war fled to GermanyHollstein was adamant that the town would do more than its share. It took in 350 people, as mandated by higher level authorities, then accepted 100 more. Altena has been given national awards for its efforts to integrate the refugees, which include a town-run database that tracks newcomers skills and attempts to match them to jobs. Local media reported that Hollstein said Tuesday that because of his welcoming attitude, he had been the target of frequent abuse, receiving anonymous emails soaked in hate. Even after the attack, Hollstein, who is in his mid-50s, said he had received messages saying the attacker had done the right thing. My interest is in looking after the towns interests, he said. Thats what drives me. Read more about: SHARE: NEW YORKIn 1980, under pressure to begin construction on what would become his signature project, Donald Trump employed a crew of 200 undocumented Polish workers who worked in 12-hour shifts, without gloves, hard hats or masks, to demolish the Bonwit Teller building on Fifth Avenue, where the 58-story, golden-hued Trump Tower now stands. The workers were paid as little as $4 an hour for their dangerous labour, less than half the union wage, if they got paid at all. Their treatment led to years of litigation over Trumps labour practices, and in 1998, despite frequent claims that he never settles lawsuits, Trump quietly reached an agreement to end a class-action suit over the Bonwit Teller demolition in which he was a defendant. For almost 20 years, the terms of that settlement have remained a secret. But last week, the settlement documents were unsealed by Loretta A. Preska, a U.S. District Court Judge for the Southern District of New York, in response to a 2016 motion filed by Time Inc. and the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. Preska found that the publics right to know of court proceedings in a class-action case was strengthened by the involvement of the now-president of the United States. In a 21-page finding, Preska wrote that the Trump Parties have failed to identify any interests that can overcome the common law and First Amendment presumptions of access to the four documents at issue. On the campaign trail and as president, Trump has made curbing immigration one of his top priorities, seeking to close the borders to people from certain Muslim-majority countries and to deport immigrants who are here illegally. The settlement serves as a reminder that as an employer he relied on illegal immigrants to get a dangerous and dirty job done. Katie Townsend, litigation director of the Reporters Committee, called the decision a major victory that goes beyond this one case. It makes clear that both the First Amendment and common law rights of public access apply to settlement-related documents in class actions, she said. Lawyers for Trump were not immediately available for comment. The documents show that Trump paid $1.375 million to settle the case, known as Hardy v. Kaszycki, with $500,000 of it going to a union benefits fund and the rest to pay lawyers fees and expenses. According to the documents, one of the union lawyers involved asked the judge to ensure prompt payment from Trump, suggesting within two weeks after the settlement date. Trump jumped in to object. Thirty days is normal, he said. For the demolition work, Trump hired an inexperienced contractor, William Kaszycki of Kaszycki & Sons, for $775,000. Kaszycki specialized in window and job-site cleaning. His company was renovating an adjoining building for Bonwit Teller, where he employed undocumented Polish workers. Trump would later testify that he never walked into the adjoining building or noticed the Polish workers. But a foreman on the job, Zbignew Goryn, testified that Trump visited the site, marvelling to him about the Polish crew. He liked the way the men were working on 57th Street, Goryn said. He said, Those Polish guys are good, hard workers. The demolition began in January 1980. It was hard, dirty work, breaking up concrete floors, ripping out electrical wiring and cutting pipes while laboring in a cloud of dust and asbestos. A smaller group of union demolition workers, who were paid much higher wages and, unlike the Poles, overtime, often made fun of their Polish co-workers, according to the testimony of Adam Mrowiec, one of the Polish labourers. They told me and my friends that we are stupid Poles and we are working for such low money, he said. In 1998, Wojciech Kozak described to The New York Times the back-breaking labour on the job. We worked in horrid, terrible conditions, Kozak said. We were frightened illegal immigrants and did not know enough about our rights. Today, Kozak, now 75, lives at the ODonnell-Dempsey Senior Housing building in Elizabeth, New Jersey. He has blue eyes and a strong handshake, but speaks through a special device because he had a tracheotomy for cancer. He proudly showed off his citizenship papers, dated Nov. 3, 1995. Kozak still recalls the work, and seeing Trump at the site in 1980. We were working, 12, 16 hours a day and were paid $4 an hour, he said. Because I worked with an acetylene torch, I got $5 an hour. We worked without masks. Nobody knew what asbestos was. I was an immigrant. I worked very hard. But Kaszycki stopped paying the men, and they eventually took their complaints to a lawyer named John Szabo. Szabo went to Thomas Macari, a vice president of the Trump Organization, threatening to place a mechanics lien on the property if the men werent paid. Still, there were problems. Szabo filed the lien, prompting Trump to ask for help from Daniel Sullivan, a labour consultant. Sullivan later testified that Trump described his difficulties, and that he had some illegal Polish employees. Trump, however, testified that he did he not remember that there were undocumented Polish workers on the job, or signing paychecks for the crew. I really still dont know that there were illegal aliens, Trump said on the stand. Trump did, according to Szabo, have his lawyer call Szabo with a threat to call Immigration and Naturalization Service to have the men deported. Szabo got the Labor Department to open a wages-and-hours case for the men, which ultimately won a judgment of $254,000 against Kaszycki. Kaszycki had signed a contract with Local 79 of the House Wreckers Union. But while Kaszycki or Trump paid into the union welfare funds for the handful of union workers on the job, they had not done so for the bulk of the workforce, the undocumented, nonunion Poles. A union dissident and former boxer, Harry Diduck, brought a case in federal court in 1983 against Kaszycki and, eventually, Trump and others, claiming that Kaszycki, the union president and Trump had colluded to deprive the welfare funds of about $600,000. A judge ruled that Trump was a legal employer of the Poles, but both sides appealed elements of his decision, with the total the welfare funds could get reduced to $500,000. On the eve of a second trial, Trump settled. Read more about: SHARE: HYDERABAD, INDIAIvanka Trump is only scheduled to be in India for two days, but her short trip dubbed a royal visit by the Indian media has been already peppered with controversies like studs on one of her made-in-China handbags. She arrived Tuesday to headline a global entrepreneurship summit in the southern city of Hyderabad, where authorities had swept the streets clean of beggars and some stray dogs. She came without senior State Department officials, a departure from years past when high-level U.S. envoys joined the conference. The snub by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was reportedly over his reluctance to bolster her global image with a high-powered team. Read the latest news on U.S. President Donald Trump She headlined an event focused on uplifting and supporting women entrepreneurs, but there was no mention of her apparel companys use of low-wage workers in India and other countries to stitch her clothes. But at Tuesdays event, entrepreneurs and business leaders praised Ivanka Trump, describing her as an elegant and professional working mother who built her own business and has been a strong advocate for women while adviser to her father in the White House. She is a very fierce and independent woman. Thats what I admire about her, said Renuka Diwan, the co-founder of an agriculture start-up in Pune. Shes successful in her own right. Nobody has to introduce her as Donald Trumps daughter. She has made a name for herself. Trump is set to share the Dias at the U.S.-sponsored Global Entrepreneurship Summit with Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and business leaders. Her keynote speech to more than 1,200 business executives and start-up leaders will touch on her familiar themes of womens empowerment and supporting entrepreneurship. When women work, it creates a unique multiplier effect, she said in similar speech earlier this month in Japan. Women are more likely than men to hire other women, to give them access to capital, mentorship and networks ... If women close the gap with men in all aspects of work and society, it could add trillions of dollars to our annual global GDP over the next decade. Ivanka Trumps apparel company, that she still controls, exclusively relies on foreign factories in places like Bangladesh, Indonesia, China and India, where mostly female workers are paid a few dollars a day for long hours, industry experts have said. Earlier this year, The Washington Post found that Trumps apparel company lags behind many others in the industry in the way it monitors treatment of its mostly female workers. Entrepreneurs from more than 100 countries attended the event in Hyderabad, nicknamed Cyberabad because its home to such tech companies as Microsoft, Facebook and Google. On Wednesday, Trump is to appear panel titled We Can Do It! Innovations in Workforce Development and Skills Training. President Trump had announced his daughter would be leading the U.S. delegation to the event after a White House meeting with Modi in June. Her visit is seen here as an opportunity for India to cement ties with the Trump administration. On Tuesday, Ivanka Trump met for the second time with Indias minister of external affairs, Sushma Swaraj, and she will be the guest of honour at a glitzy dinner Modi is hosting Tuesday at a hilltop marble palace that once belonged to a nizam, the monarchs who ruled Hyderabad before Indias independence from Britain. In India, a country of 1.3 billion people, empowering women is particularly challenging, analysts say. The rate of women joining the workforce has dropped, particularly in rural areas, even as incomes have grown. Female entrepreneurs face specific challenges: only about 14 per cent of businesses are headed by women, a third in the agricultural sector. Female business owners have difficulty accessing capital and being taken seriously in a business culture that is male-driven, entrepreneurs say. Read more: Ivanka Trump, Chelsea Clinton defend Malia Obama after conservative media, tabloids publish personal photos There are many challenges, said Thejaswi S., a Bangalore-based entrepreneur creating a line of affordably priced nutrition bars, and who uses only his second initial. They say, You are female, this is the age you are supposed to get married, not get into business, you are too young to head a company. This is what people say, even in my own family. Women make up less than 25 per cent of the enrolment in higher education, notes Vijayaraghavan M. Chariar, a professor of rural development and technology at the Indian Institute of Technology in New Delhi. There are a few success stories but there are very serious issues of patriarchy and gender stereotyping that are preventing a lot more creative women from joining the ranks of entrepreneurs, Chariar said. Ivanka Trump, he went on is a nice Barbie doll. Everybody wants to have a picture taken with her. But there are much more substantial women who are entrepreneurs we ought to be celebrating. Trump launched her branded empire in 2007 with a line of high-end jewelry, and gradually expanded toward a line of more affordable clothing, bags and shoes that garnered $100 million in retail revenue last year, according to Forbes. Read more about: SHARE: I find myself in rather an unusual position. Im a busy journalist published regularly in most of Canadas leading newspapers and magazines, a weekly panelist on television and radio, an author with Random House but for 18 months I have been back at university, pursuing a masters degree at Trinity College, University of Toronto. I say this because of the quite extraordinary amount of media coverage of the Lindsay Shepherd case at Wilfrid Laurier University, where a young teaching assistant was reprimanded to the point of tears after she showed a short clip in her classroom of a television interview with the rather self-consciously controversial and increasingly bizarre Jordan Peterson. Shepherd later received an apology from the university and is now becoming a young star within so-called free speech circles. It does surprise me that after several years within her chosen subjects community and culture she didnt realize what would be considered, rightly or wrongly, unacceptable, and that she thought to record the meeting I would not have had such foresight or knew how to make it so public, but nevertheless she was treated incorrectly. Obviously what happened was far worse than the mass slaughter of 305 innocent people in Egypt, otherwise we wouldnt have had almost every columnist in Canada devoting so much time and righteous anger to the Laurier martyrdom. It was also staggering that in what is supposed to be a diverse press there was almost no break in the strident consensus that campuses are places where only Marxist propaganda is acceptable and free speech under perennial siege. Oddly enough, as a white, middle-aged, male, Christian Ive simply not found this. I speak my mind as meagre as that might be on campus, I have political and religious debates with staff and students, I watch other, much younger people doing the same. And how sadly paradoxical it is that in the past week anybody who has dared to question the conventional wisdom about free speech at universities has been abused and condemned in the name of well free speech. I dont know all of the details of the Lindsay Shepherd case and Im sorry she was moved to tears. That simply should never happen. But given that the context of her case was trans issues and language, I wonder how young, vulnerable trans students are feeling right now. Ive been sent numerous emails from trans kids and their supporters about the current situation that are heartbreaking but Ive not seen much coverage of this. What I have seen are numerous conservative, and sometimes not so conservative, writers making blanket statements about contemporary colleges, when in fact the situation is nuanced, varied, complex, and, as is often the case, never the jaundiced reality of people with an agenda. Its also rather ironic in that some of those championing Shepherd are themselves not the most pristine advocates for liberty of expression. I can tell you from personal experience that social conservatives in particular are past masters at censorship, and try, and often succeed, in silencing those with whom they disagree. Its often more about protecting ones own right to speak rather than that of other people. There are clearly challenges at universities, just as there are throughout society. We have, thank goodness, made enormous progress in expunging some of the worst excesses of social rudeness and abuse from common conversation. This is sometimes tendentiously referred to as political correctness, but try asking a member of a sexual or ethnic minority what life was like before it. Its also true that sometimes matters go too far, but then liberation does have to breathe, and the powerful seldom give up their power willingly. No young person should feel intimidated at a university, whether it be a teaching assistant or a trans 19-year-old, a supporter of Israel or an anti-Zionist, a socialist or a conservative. There are no easy fixes, yet assorted columnists uttering homogenous harrumphs from distant experiences and privileges might satisfy a fearful older generation but brings us no closer to refining the situation. That they are joined by some sinister types trying to exploit the situation only makes it far worse. The academic sky is not falling and free speech is far from dead. Sober reflection and moderate response, however, might need a shot in the arm. Michael Coren is a Toronto writer. SHARE: The pride and joy of the next Progressive Conservative campaign is the Peoples Guarantee. Never mind the Ten Commandments. In a public oath-taking before 1,500 of the party faithful, PC leader Patrick Brown vowed to deliver on five sacred undertakings if he wins power in next years provincial election: Tax cuts. Childcare rebates. Hydro cuts. Mental health money. Accountability. Should he fall short on any of them, our future premier shall foreswear power forever more. If he cant deliver in his first term, he wont run for a second. Thus did Brown sign his name with a flourish and pledge fidelity to his followers who had come from far and wide to bear witness at an airport convention centre. As for the rest of us, have faith, good people of Ontario, and ye shall be justly rewarded by Browns government-in-waiting. Thats a promise. Guaranteed. The Peoples Guarantee or PG for short is the PCs ambitious centrepiece. But behold the subconscious subtext revealed shortly after Brown delivered himself of the party platform on stage: You Make Me! Those were the words or more precisely, the lyrics wafting across the hall in not-so-sacred song played for the cheering partisans after Brown spoke. Made popular by Swedish DJ and remixer Avicii in 2013, the throbbing technobeat of You Make Me is no prayerful hymn. Like Browns 78-page party platform, Aviciis hit song has its own beat, measure, counterpoint and chorus: We are one/One for sure/All united/Youll want some more/Oh-oh-oh-oh/You make me. You get the idea. Party unity forms the written preamble, but winning popularity far and wide is the unspoken purpose. Like the fully formed policies that emerged so suddenly after a long gestation, the focused theme song came as a surprise. For it is not just in words but song that Brown shall lead his hungry Tories from the political wilderness to the new Jerusalem next year at Queens Park. The little-known PC leader has remade himself or as Avicii might say, remixed himself as a progressive force in Ontario politics, with a dash of conservatism thrown in for good measure. And like Avicii in song, Brown likes to repeat himself in prose. The word change! appeared at least 20 times in his speech, etched into his teleprompter and drummed into the ears of an audience thirsting for regime change. You could feel it in the air as Progressive Conservative congregants thrilled to the upbeat music in the hall and thronged to the scent of power in the hallways. Thanks to strong polling numbers over the past year, Brown has attracted a remarkable 140,000 members to the party and recruited an impressive roster of new candidates for his presumed cabinet. But the leader himself remains an unknown quantity and personality. Roughly half of all voters have no opinion of him, and those who think poorly of him now outnumber those who think well, according to the latest survey by Campaign Research not in the same proportions as the unpopular Premier Kathleen Wynne, but worrisome all the same. Without known policies, or a knowable personality, the party faced possible peril. Randall Denley, who ran for the PCs in the last election, mused this month that under Brown his beloved party had endured two years of drifting without a policy rudder, and lamented that his leader has steered clear of ideas for so long that reasonable people might think he didnt have any. Now, Brown has answered his critics both within the party and outside the fold. The emperor no longer has no policies, just promises aplenty. As I wrote on the weekend after Browns big reveal, his Tories deserve credit for coming up with a comprehensive platform so early in the campaign season. And for submitting themselves to scrutiny by journalists, mockery by political rivals, and analysis by outside experts such as former parliamentary budget officer Kevin Page. At least voters can now judge the PCs on the strengths and weaknesses of policy, not just personality. How does the Peoples Guarantee fit in with You Make Me? More on the platforms fine print (and precise numbers) in future columns. Meanwhile, we leave you with the fine words that serenaded Brown and his true believers after the sermon from the mount, in hopes that all Ontarians might see the light and feel some love for the leader: All my life, Ive been/Ive been waiting for someone like you, yeah . . . You make me. Martin Regg Cohns political column appears Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. mcohn@thestar.ca, Twitter: @reggcohn Read more about: SHARE: Oyez. Oyez. Oyez. The proclamation is done and dusted. Its time to have a seat. Fan ourselves back to cool and calm after going all aflutter with the news of a royal marriage. Monday morning delivered a spot of brightness that spread cheer in defiance of the bleak times: a blue-blooded prince is turning a biracial commoner into a princess. Miscegenation in the age of the Alt-Right, or a resurgent white supremacy its practically an act of subversion, and from the British royals, no less. With her engagement pushing Meghan Markle to stratospheric celebrity status, its safe to say the new poster girl of unconventional is here, who by her existence will challenge the fallacy of post-racialism. A headline on The Guardians liveblog read: Joy or disdain? Follow the reactions to the royal engagement. Former U.K. foreign secretary Malcolm Rifkind told the media Markles mixed-race background (her mother is Black, her father white) is not news anymore. Its the least interesting aspect of the days news, he said. Its not an issue. There is no controversy. The world has moved on. The woman in question feels differently. In the couples first joint interview on Monday, Markle said she found the focus on her heritage disheartening. You know its a shame that that is the climate in this world, to focus that much on that, or that that would be discriminatory in that sense, she said. Read more: Prince knew she was the one the very first time we met: Harry, Markle announce engagement Can Meghan Markle keep up her acting career? And other royal questions Meghan Markle wears coat from Toronto label at Kensington debut Editorial: Harry and Meghan are a royal couple for the times If her race does not matter, why are people being asked to comment on it? Why would the media affect such nonchalance while talking about Markles non-whiteness, and why do we see such a quick emergence of ways to describe her otherness. Markle is a new kind of royal, says The Associated Press. Sure. Shes a woman of colour. A divorcee. An actress. An American. It describes her as an outspoken woman comfortable talking about her background. This brings the implicit assumption, the unspoken expectation that she talk about her background at all, a demand placed only on people who are not white. Background for Kate Middleton, now the Duchess of Cambridge, meant her commoner status as a multimillionaire family, not her whiteness. How do you identify yourself? is never a straight question for people from multiracial lineage who are, in fact, being asked which of their ethnicities they favour. The answers never please everyone. Markle defines herself as mixed-race in an Elle magazine essay. A seemingly innocuous statement can be a sensitive one: was calling herself mixed a rejection of her Blackness, a sign of internalized racism? Based on her story, in which she also talks about her Black ancestors who were enslaved, and the pain of hearing her mother being called the n-word, it did not appear to be so. She says her father once told her to draw her own box instead of checking off one of the rigidly defined options of ethnicity on a form. More power to her, but under the glare of public scrutiny, Markle will find her non-white parts continually rejected or held under the microscope or fetishized more than ever, until one day, shell be forced to take sides. Under the liberal brand of racism, she will be exotic. Or even ethnic. How lucky she is to have a perennial tan, they will coo. And look, cute mixed-race royal babies who will end racism once and for all. Because clearly, that worked out really well after the Barack Obama presidency. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle say they got engaged over a home-cooked meal of roast chicken and that they managed to see each other every two weeks as a long-distance couple. (The Associated Press) The old-school racists will play it straight. Harrys girl is (almost) straight outta Compton, a MailOnline headline read last year. And inevitably you didnt even have to wait for it Gang-scarred home of her mother revealed. And wouldnt you know it, she has relatives living in gang-infested areas. There will be plenty of reasons to find question marks around Markle, expressed in coded ways to build plausible deniability. Obviously, seventy years ago, Meghan Markle would have been the kind of woman the Prince would have had for a mistress, not a wife. Things have changed, states a piece in the Spectator, within hours of the engagement news. Obviously. And then: Meghan Markle is unsuitable as his wife for the same reason that Wallis Simpson was unsuitable: shes divorced and Harrys grandmother is supreme governor of the CofE. Right. Never mind that her in-laws-to-be are both divorcees. At the very least, being married to Markle offers Harry a window to the racial gaze that befalls people of colour. Last year, the prince released an irate statement via the Kensington Palace. It said in part, His girlfriend, Meghan Markle, has been subject to a wave of abuse and harassment. Some of this has been very public the smear on the front page of a national newspaper; the racial undertones of comment pieces; and the outright sexism and racism of social media trolls and web article comments. Unlike the Obama presidency, a Markle royalty is all about the symbolism, unburdened by the weight of military and policy decision making. This is a good thing. Just images of a mixed-race royal will signal that British need no longer translate into white. For those still anxious about this dilution of Britishness, take heart. This is a native development; after all, outsiders as rulers is a very British concept. Shree Paradkar writes about discrimination and identity. You can follow her @shreeparadkar Read more about: SHARE: Deckers Outdoor Corp. (DECK) - Get Free Report said Monday it plans to seat two new directors by the UGG-bootmaker's 2018 annual meeting, in an 11th-hour move intended to appease shareholders about two weeks before facing a change-of-control boardroom battle instigated by activist Mick McGuire. "We have always been and remain committed to strong governance practices that support stockholder value creation," said Deckers chairman John Gibbons in a statement. The announcement comes ahead of Deckers' 2017 annual meeting set for Dec. 14, where Mick McGuire's fund, Marcato Capital Management, is seeking to install nine dissident directors on the bootmaker's board. McGuire had been pushing to have the company auction itself or at least sell off some smaller brands if a full sale fails. McGuire, as expected, was not appeased by the move. In a statement he described the action as a a "desperate" attempt to avoid accountability for failing to achieve strategic goals. "Deckers' announcement is a clear admission that the current board lacks the skills and oversight required to properly lead the company," he said. The Deckers move is unusual since companies faced with activists often will seek to refresh their boards in advance of an upcoming boardroom battle, not during the 12-month period after the director fight. For example, in March 2016, Yahoo! Inc. added two management-backed directors onto its board as it faced Starboard Value's Jeff Smith, who was threatening a change-of-control proxy fight at the technology company. Yahoo! later settled with Smith and subsequently sold itself to Verizon Communications. Nevertheless, the Deckers offer of shaking up its board voluntarilytwo incumbent directors would also step downsuggests that the company may be responding to institutional investors who want the firm to do something to gain their support in the upcoming director battle. Marcato owns about 9% of Deckers and is the company's second-largest investor. However, control of the board will likely be decided by the vote of a few big long-term institutional investors who own big stakes. BlackRock, Vanguard and Dimensional Fund Advisers own 9.5%, 8.2%, and 8.8% respectively, according to FactSet Research Systems Inc. The activist's campaign may be muted by the fact that Deckers concluded what appears to have been an intense auction process that finished with no buyer for the business. Last month, Deckers said it had contacted 90 potential buyers but was not able to find an acquirer, bringing to a close a strategic review that was launched under pressure from McGuire. Also, Deckers has taken other steps of late to appease shareholders. Earlier this month, it announced it was making changes to its credit facility that otherwise was set to require more than $100 million of liabilities come due if the company approved McGuire's change-of-control slate of directors. Marcato in October filed a lawsuit in Delaware seeking to block Deckers from unleashing the liabilities, known in the governance community as a "poison put." Earlier this month, Marcato dismissed the lawsuit after Deckers creditors agreed to eliminate the poison put. Bruce Goldfarb, chief of proxy solicitor Okapi Advisors, suggested that the move was either intended to lock in the vote of long-term institutional investors or an action to gain their support. "It is clear that long-term investors have some concern with board composition, diversity, and tenure so making a pledge to refresh the board is a good idea," he said. Editor's note: This article originally appeared on The Deal, our sister publication that offers sophisticated insight and analysis on all types of deals, from inception to integration. Click here for a free trial. More of What's Trending on TheStreet: Uber Technologies's string of leadership and business failures may have cost investors more than $20 billion, according to reports that suggest Japan's SoftBank (SFTBY) is seeking a 30% discount on its massive investment in the ride sharing group Multiple reports, first revealed by Bloomberg, indicate that SoftBank, along with partners Dragoneer Investment Group and General Atlantic, is offering $33 a share, plus 1 billion in direct cash, for a 14% stake in Uber that would make it one of the San Francisco-based group's biggest stakeholders. The offer, however, is essentially a 30% discount to the assumed valuation of Uber, based on its last round of funding, and would peg its worth now at $48 billion. The reports follow a major security breach at Uber that led to the theft of 7 million customers, emails and telephone numbers of around 50 million and licence plate information on some 600,000 drivers. Uber said late last week that it had informed SoftBank of the October 2016 breach, which resulted in a $100,000 payment to hackers and the alleged destruction of 57 million users' data, before it told the public. That revelation has authorities around the world looking in to what the company knew and when it -- and its founder and former CEO Travis Kalanick -- knew it. It's also created a whole series of headaches for new CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, who said earlier this month that the group is looking to go public by 2019, telling an investment conference in New York last week that while Uber has "all the disadvantages of being a public company with the spotlight being on us" it has "none of the advantages" because of its private status. Former CEO Travis Kalanick "and the whole board now agree we should just go public. The numbers support it," Khosrowshahi said, adding that Uber is rebuilding the governance of the company as it preps for a stock market listing. Aside from the security breach, however, Uber is still picking up the pieces related to the fallout from a blogpost earlier this year from former engineer Susan Fowler that lifted the lid on a culture of harassment and intimidation at the world's most-valuable start-up. Uber is also struggling to hold onto early-mover advantages in key markets such as London, the biggest in Europe, where authorities are looking at revoking its operating licence over concerns that it's not properly screening drivers and following established transport rules. Uber lost a crucial battle in its attempt to hold onto its London licence earlier this month after a U.K. tribunal denied its appeal in case involving workers' rights. The ride-sharing company was told last year that it had to treat its drivers as paid employees who would be entitled to minimum wage and holiday pay benefits as opposed to individually contracted partners. The company appealed the ruling to the central London Employment Appeal Tribunal but was denied its plea. The decision casts a major doubt over the fate of its London licence, which was essentially revoked by Transport for London authorities in September amid concerns over the vetting of drivers and the alleged use of software that would evade government monitoring of vehicles. Uber London filed a formal appeal against the city's decision in Westminster Magistrates' Court in central London and is expected to be heard on December 11, although the ultimate fate of Uber's operating license in the British capital may not be known for several months. More of What's Trending on TheStreet: The AT&T (T) - Get Free Report and Time Warner (TWX) saga took another turn on Tuesday. AT&T and Time Warner have elected to extend the deadline, or "Termination Date" to finalize their $85.4 billion merger agreement to April 22, 2018. "In accordance with the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 22, 2016 (the "Merger Agreement"), among Time Warner, a Delaware corporation, AT&T, a Delaware corporation, West Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of AT&T, and West Merger Sub II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of AT&T, each of AT&T and Time Warner elected to further extend the "Termination Date" of the Merger Agreement to April 22, 2018," according to a filing with the SEC. The move comes a week after the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to block AT&T's attempt to acquire Time Warner. AT&T said at the time that it would "vigorously" contest the DOJ's allegations and that it was "confident" the court will reject the DOJ's challenge to the merger. Shares of AT&T were lower at the market open following the announcement of the deal's extension, while Time Warner stock was slightly higher. More of What's Trending on TheStreet: From tax reform to shareholder proposals, a lot is going on on Capitol Hill and at the nation's securities regulator that will impact embattled billionaire Bill Ackman and other activist investors in the months to come. We took a look at the top six Washington issues facing insurgent managers here. 1. The End of Shareholder Proposals - Coming Soon Ackman and other activist hedge fund investors often will consider whether shareholders have recently given a particular corporation a large negative vote on a specific issue. These negative votes usually come in the form of non-binding shareholder proposals submitted by large long-term public pension funds. (Hedge funds also will present them as a less intrusive approach to shaking up targeted corporations). A significant negative vote often suggests that a company has a significant disgruntled institutional investor base - one that an activist hedge fund can capitalize on with a campaign urging the business to sell itself or make operational changes. (consider how Ackman's campaign at Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. (CMG) - Get Free Reportemerged after a broad cross-section of shareholders voted to rejected the restaurant chain's CEO pay plans in 2014 and 2016). However, the shareholder proposal in its current form is under threat on both Capitol Hill and at the Securities and Exchange Commission, where a view has developed that the proposals cost management and the agency a lot regarding time and capital. SEC Chairman Jay Clayton told a congressional committee that the not-widely-held picture of a few shareholders could cost other shareholders and a targeted corporation valuable time and money that they "don't get back.' Hester Peirce, a GOP commissioner nominee, and ex-SEC counsel has complained that the proposals are a significant drain on SEC time and energy. If confirmed by the Senate, Peirce is likely to be a tough advocate for significantly scaling back on the number of proposals approved for consideration. Even, Democratic SEC commissioner candidate Robert Jackson has suggested that stricter limits on shareholder proposal resubmissions might make sense. What might tougher rules look like? A House bill would require activist shareholders seeking to submit proposals to publicly-traded U.S. corporations to hold 1% of their target company's shares for three years. This is significantly more than the current requirement that they hold $2,000 or more worth of shares for one year. The SEC could change up the rule without legislation if it introduced and later adopted a proposal. Prolific employers of the tactic say that the change would essentially remove shareholder proposals from existence even though the measures have been successful in driving companies to remove anti-takeover protections, install more independent directors and also helped eliminate workplace discrimination. The SEC already may have taken some action to help it help corporations keep shareholder proposals off their proxy statements. The commission earlier this month issued a bulletin with new guidance that corporate interests and shareholder defenders argue will give agency staffers more flexibility to reject shareholder proposals. 2. Death by Taxes, Activist Style Legislation under consideration on Capitol Hill that would hike taxes on some hedge fund managers is being considered by some as a bad joke since the Joint Committee on Taxation estimates that it will bring in only a meager $1.2 billion over ten years, or $120 million a year. However, the measure is no joke to Ackman and other activist hedge fund managers who would most likely be hurt the worst by the provision. At issue in the battle over taxes is the way carried interest-the profits received by many hedge funds, private equity managers, and venture capitalists are treated as capital gains with a top basic rate of 23.8% as opposed to the top ordinary income rate of 39.6%. A measure included in both House and Senate legislation would limit the carried-interest tax break by increasing the length of time assets would need to be held to qualify for the break, from one year to three years. This change would have zero impact on many types of managers, including those running private equity and venture capital funds. However, activist hedge funds would be hurt. Kai Haakon Liekefett, head of the shareholder activism response team at Vinson & Elkins, notes that such a tax change if implemented would hurt activists. "Activist hedge funds by nature need to be able to retain the ability to cut and run if need be," Liekefett said. "If they have to hold for three-plus years to avoid a tax penalty that would create a serious problem for a lot of hedge funds whose strategies are often based on shorter holding periods." 3. Universal Proxy Card Not Universally Accepted at SEC Ackman suggested recently that he might have won a recent boardroom battle at Automatic Data Processing Inc. (ADP) - Get Free Report had regulators or the payroll processor set up a "universal proxy card" giving shareholders more flexibility to pick among dissident directors and incumbent board members. "The corporate voting mechanism is one of the least democratic voting systems in the world," Ackman said in an interview with The Deal. "When people vote in elections they vote for people. They don't vote to withhold against Ted Cruz to support Donald Trump." Currently, shareholders who don't go to company meetings can vote either for director candidates offered on the activist's proxy card or those included on the company's card. This means they can't support only one of many dissident candidates offered at the same time that they back the rest of the company's slate. Though investors attending shareholder meetings can make these voting distinctions, most institutional and retail investors vote remotely. Large pension funds and other institutional investors have been pushing for companies and regulators to set up a universal proxy card system that gives investors the flexibility to pick precisely the directors they want in contested elections. But Ackman and big institutional investor proponents of such a change shouldn't hold their breath. The SEC under its previous chairman, Mary Jo White, introduced a proposal to set up a universal proxy card system. However, the Trump Administration's SEC chief, Jay Clayton, has shown no interest in adopting the measure so far. A regulatory agenda issued by the other GOP commissioner, Michael Piwowar, when he was interim chairman didn't include the proposal, all of which suggests it is dead in the water. 4. The Battle over 13D Ackman and other activists also often count on an SEC rule which requires funds or groups of investors to publicly report their stakes within ten days of acquiring at least 5% of a public company when they have plans to discuss strategic options for the business. They must explain their position in a regulatory filing called a Schedule 13D. Activists argue that they need the additional ten days to accumulate their position covertly so they can purchase shares at low prices that make their campaign attractive in the first place. However, corporate defense attorneys, including Wachtell Lipton, as well as a handful of Democratic lawmakers on Capitol Hill led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, have been pushing for a system that shortens the disclosure window. The Democrats would like to see that window condensed to four days. Wachtell's Marty Lipton, the founder of the poison pill, wants disclosure even faster. 5. The fight over Wolf Packs And while it is unlikely that Congress will take any action anytime soon it is possible that the SEC may do something. A related issue is whether activist hedge funds are working together in groups - also known as 'wolf packs'-without adequate disclosure. If a group of activists is cumulatively working together and their combined stake is greater than 5% they need to disclose their combined position. At an event recently at the Brookings Institution, Clayton suggested that he was worried that funds are working together without disclosing adequate information to the public: "If you have one person acting alone at 4% they don't have to tell you they are investing, but when they go over the threshold they have to tell you," Clayton said. "When you have four people at 4% working together they are supposed to tell us. That's an issue that bothers me." 6. Retail Investors and Proxy Wars At the time of Ackman's ill-fated boardroom war at ADP, retail investors represented 28% of the company's shares. Individual shareowners represent roughly 40% of shares at Procter & Gamble, the iconic American packaged goods company still under attack by activist Nelson Peltz. Clayton recently told a New York securities conference that he is concerned that long-term retail investors may be underrepresented or selectively represented in corporate governance. He has suggested reopening a 2010 so-called proxy plumbing review to consider how to engage retail investors. A more engaged retail investor base would change the playing field when it comes to voting on executive pay packages and proxy contests. "In the 2017 proxy season, retail shareholders beneficially-owned 30% of the shares in U.S. public companies; however, only 29% of those shares voted," Clayton said. "This may be a signal that our proxy process is too cumbersome for retail investors and needs updating." For more coverage like this, sign up for the Activist Daily. Join us in New York City on Nov. 30 for The Deal Economy Conference, where leading industry experts and other influential members of the deal community will gather to discuss key issues that will confront dealmakers in 2018. More of What's Trending on TheStreet: Tesla's (TSLA) - Get Free Report push into China has ramped up a notch. The electric automaker intends to open an electric car R&D center in Beijing, highlighting further efforts to infiltrate the Chinese market. Elon Musk's electric automaker sold over 10,000 vehicles in the country last year alone. The new Beijing R&D facility, first reported by Nikkei Asian Review, will reportedly be used for research and development of "new energy" cars and is wholly owned by Tesla's Hong Kong unit. Tesla is also considering building it's cars in Shanghai to reduce costs, as vehicles are on average 40% more expensive in China versus the U.S. mostly due to a steep tariff on imported vehicles. Shares of Tesla were moving higher during afternoon trading on Tuesday. More of What's Trending on TheStreet: Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace on November 27, 2017 in London, England Kensington Palace has confirmed that American Meghan Markle intends to become a British citizen, ahead of her marriage to Britain's Prince Harry. The bride-to-be, who is believed will become Duchess of Sussex after her May wedding, will also be baptised and confirmed before the wedding. The couple will be married at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, and the royal family will pay for the wedding, including the church service, the music, the flowers and the reception, the palace said. The couple announced their engagement yesterday and their first interview as husband and wife to be aired last night. Expand Close File photo dated 22/03/04 of an aerial of Kensington Palace, London, after it was announced that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are engaged / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp File photo dated 22/03/04 of an aerial of Kensington Palace, London, after it was announced that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are engaged In the interview the couple revealed how they met - saying they were set up by a mutual pal. Read More They also shared how Prince Harry popped the question to his surprised girlfriend, saying it was a cosy night at home in Nottingham Cottage, when Harry got down on one knee as they were preparing a chicken dinner. Then there were hugs and I had the ring in my finger and I was like can I give you the ring? She goes - oh yes the ring," said Harry. Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace on November 27, 2017 in London, England. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been a couple officially since November 2016 and are due to marry in Spring 2018. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Chris Jackson/Getty Images) Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace on November 27, 2017 in London, England. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been a couple officially since November 2016 and are due to marry in Spring 2018. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Chris Jackson/Getty Images) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Read More Meghan, who is protestant, will be baptised and confirmed before the wedding, which will be paid for by the royal family. Video of the Day The 36-year-old has already won over her soon to be family, with congratulations flooding in from family members since Clarence House made the official announcement. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and wife Kate have said they are "excited" for the couple. Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Britain's Prince Harry and his fiancee US actress Meghan Markle arrive to pose for photographs in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace in west London on November 27, 2017, following the announcement of their engagement Britain's Prince Harry and his fiancee US actress Meghan Markle pose for a photograph in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace in west London on November 27, 2017, following the announcement of their engagement Britain's Prince Harry and his fiancee US actress Meghan Markle pose for a photograph in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace in west London on November 27, 2017, following the announcement of their engagement Britain's Prince Harry stands with his fiancee US actress Meghan Markle as she shows off her engagement ring whilst they pose for a photograph in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace in west London on November 27, 2017, following the announcement of their engagement Britain's Prince Harry and his fiancee US actress Meghan Markle pose for a photograph in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace in west London on November 27, 2017, following the announcement of their engagement The official statement letter released by Britain's Prince Charles announcing the engagement of his son Prince Harry to Meghan Markle is pictured in London, Britain November 27, 2017. REUTERS/Simon Walker Meghan Markle poses on arrival for the GQ Men of the Year Party at Chateau Marmont on Sunset Blvd., in Hollywood, California, on November 13, 2012 Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. Meghan Markle attending the Eva Longoria Global Gift Gala at ME London in central London. Meghan Markle arrives at USA Network and The Moth's "A More Perfect Union: Stories of Prejudice and Power" in 2012 / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Britain's Prince Harry and his fiancee US actress Meghan Markle arrive to pose for photographs in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace in west London on November 27, 2017, following the announcement of their engagement "It has been wonderful getting to know Meghan and to see how happy she and Harry are together," they said in an official statement. Prince Harry was reportedly impressed by Meghan's desire to do good in the world - a trait also attributed to his charitable late mother Diana - after he learned that the actress had travelled to Rwanda earlier that year to work on a clean-water project. They clicked from the outset on that first date, and one of the many things Harry really liked about Meghan was her innate kindness and her desire to make a difference and give something back, said a friend of Harry's, according to Vanity Fair. The fact that she had been to Rwanda working on a clean-water project really impressed him. Read More Meghan is a global ambassador for World Vision and is a womens advocate for the U.N. Last year, in an essay written for women's magazine Elle, the actress revealed her plans for the future. Ive never wanted to be a lady who lunches," she wrote, "Ive always wanted to be a woman who works. And this type of work is what feeds my soul and fuels my purpose. In the piece Meghan referenced her upbringing, praising her mother for raising her as a 'global citizen' with 'eyes open to the sometimes harsh realities.' TORONTO Thomson Reuters (TSX / NYSE: TRI) today announced it will exercise its right to redeem all of the companys US$1 billion principal amount of 6.50% notes due on July 15, 2018 (CUSIP No. 884903 BB0). The redemption price will include an early repayment premium, as well as accrued and unpaid interest through the redemption date (which is expected to be on or about December 28, 2017). When available, Thomson Reuters will provide the specific total redemption price and redemption date in the Investor Relations section of its website, www.thomsonreuters.com. Beneficial holders with any questions about the redemption should contact their respective brokerage firm or financial institution which holds interests in the notes on their behalf. This news release is for informational purposes only and is not an offer to buy any securities of Thomson Reuters. Thomson Reuters Thomson Reuters is the worlds leading source of news and information for professional markets. Our customers rely on us to deliver the intelligence, technology and expertise they need to find trusted answers. The business has operated in more than 100 countries for more than 100 years. Thomson Reuters shares are listed on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges (symbol: TRI). SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking. There can be no assurance that the redemption will be completed. These forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and reflect current expectations. As a result, forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations. Some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations are discussed in materials that Thomson Reuters from time to time files with, or furnishes to, the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. There is no assurance that any forward-looking statements will materialize. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect expectations only as of the date of this news release. Except as may be required by applicable law, Thomson Reuters disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. CONTACT MEDIA David Crundwell Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs +1 416 649 9904 david.crundwell@tr.com INVESTORS Frank J. Golden Senior Vice President, Investor Relations +1 646 223 5288 frank.golden@tr.com Weatherford International plc, an oilfield service company, provides equipment and services for the drilling, evaluation, completion, production, and intervention of oil and natural gas wells worldwide. The company operates in two segments, Western Hemisphere and Eastern Hemisphere. It offers artificial lift systems, including reciprocating rod, progressing cavity pumping, gas, hydraulic, plunger, and hybrid lift systems, as well as related automation and control systems; pressure pumping and reservoir stimulation services, such as acidizing, fracturing and fluid systems, cementing, and coiled-tubing intervention; and drill stem test tools, and surface well testing and multiphase flow measurement services. The company also provides safety, downhole reservoir monitoring, flow control, and multistage fracturing systems, as well as sand-control technologies, and production and isolation packers; liner hangers to suspend a casing string in high-temperature and high-pressure wells; cementing products, including plugs, float and stage equipment, and torque-and-drag reduction technology for zonal isolation; and pre-job planning and installation services. In addition, it offers directional drilling services, and logging and measurement services while drilling; services related to rotary-steerable systems, high-temperature and high-pressure sensors, drilling reamers, and circulation subs; managed pressure drilling, conventional mud-logging, drilling instrumentation, gas analysis, wellsite consultancy, and open hole and cased-hole logging services; reservoir solutions and software products; and intervention and remediation services. Further, the company provides equipment and drilling tools; tubular handling, management, and connection services; equipment rental services; and onshore contract drilling and related services through a fleet of land drilling and workover rigs. Weatherford International plc was incorporated in 1972 and is headquartered in Baar, Switzerland. The following companies are subsidiares of PepsiCo: Alimentos Quaker Oats y Compania Limitada, Alimentos del Istmo S.A., Amavale Agricola Ltda., Anderson Hill Insurance Limited, Asia Bottlers Limited, BAESA Capital Corporation Ltd., BFY Brands, BFY Brands LLC, BFY Brands Limited, BUG de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Balmoral Industries LLC, Bare Foods Co., Barrhead LLC, Be & Cheery, Beaman Bottling Company, Bebidas Sudamerica S.A., Beech Limited, Bell Taco Funding Syndicate, Bendler Investments II Ltd, Bendler Investments S.a r.l, Beverage Services Limited, Beverages Foods & Service Industries Inc., Bishkeksut OJSC, Blaue NC S. de R.L. de C.V., Blue Cloud Distribution Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Arizona Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Arkansas Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Colorado Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Florida Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Georgia Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Illinois Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Indiana Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Iowa Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Kentucky Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Louisiana Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Minnesota Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Mississippi Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Missouri Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Nebraska Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Nevada Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of North Carolina Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Ohio Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Oklahoma Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Pennsylvania Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of South Carolina Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Tennessee Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Texas Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Virginia Inc., Blue Cloud Distribution of Wisconsin Inc., Blue Ridge Sales LLC, Bluebird Foods Limited, Bluecan Holdings Unlimited Company, Bokomo Zambia Limited, Bolsherechensky Molkombinat JSC, Boquitas Fiestas LLC, Boquitas Fiestas S.R.L., Bottling Group Financing LLC, Bottling Group Holdings LLC, Bottling Group LLC, Bronte Industries Ltd, C & I Leasing Inc., CB Manufacturing Company Inc., CEME Holdings LLC, CMC Investment Company, Caroni Investments LLC, Centro-Mediterranea de Bebidas Carbonicas PepsiCo S.L., Ceres Fruit Juices Pty Ltd, ChampBev Inc., China Concentrate Holdings Hong Kong Limited, Chipsy International for Food Industries S.A.E., Chipsy for Food Industries S.A.E., Chitos Internacional y Cia Ltda, Cipa Industrial de Produtos Alimentares Ltda., Cipa Nordeste Industrial de Produtos Alimentares Ltda., Cocina Autentica Inc., Comercializadora CMC Investment y Compania Limitada, Comercializadora Nacional SAS Ltda., Comercializadora PepsiCo Mexico S de R.L. de C.V., Compania de Bebidas PepsiCo S.L., Concentrate Holding Uruguay Pte. Ltd., Concentrate Manufacturing Singapore Pte. Ltd., Confiteria Alegro S. de R.L. de C.V., Copella Fruit Juices Limited, Copper Beech International LLC, Corina Snacks Limited, Corporativo Internacional Mexicano S. de R.L. de C.V., CytoSport Holdings Inc., CytoSport Inc., Davlyn Realty Corporation, Defosto Holdings Limited, Desarrollo Inmobiliario Gamesa S. de R.L. de C.V., Dilexis S.A., Donon Holdings Limited, Drinkfinity USA Inc., Drinkstation Inc., Drinkstation Innovation Co. Ltd., Drinkstation Limited, Dutch Snacks Holding S.A. de C.V., Duyvis Production B.V., EPIC Enterprises Inc., Echo Bay Holdings Inc., Elaboradora Argentina de Cereales S.R.L., Enter Logistica LLC, Environ at Inverrary Partnership, Environ of Inverrary Inc., Eridanus Investments S.a r.l, Evercrisp Snack Productos de Chile S.A., FL Transportation Inc., FLI Andean LLC, FLI Colombia LLC, FLI Snacks Andean GP LLC, Fabrica PepsiCo Mexicali S. de R.L. de C.V., Fabrica de Productos Alimenticios Rene y Cia S.C.A., Fairlight International SRL, Far East Bottlers Hong Kong Limited, Food Concepts Pioneer Ltd., Forest Akers Nederland B.V., Forty-Six Peaks Holding Inc., Fovarosi Asvanyviz es Uditoipari Zartkoruen Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag, Freshwater International B.V., Frito Lay Gida Sanayi Ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi, Frito Lay Poland Sp. z o.o., Frito Lay Sp. z o.o., Frito Lay de Guatemala y Compania Limitada, Frito-Lay Australia Holdings Pty Limited, Frito-Lay Dip Company Inc., Frito-Lay Dominicana S.A., Frito-Lay Global Investments B.V., Frito-Lay Inc., Frito-Lay Investments B.V., Frito-Lay Manufacturing LLC, Frito-Lay Netherlands Holding B.V., Frito-Lay North America Inc., Frito-Lay Sales Inc., Frito-Lay Trading Company Europe GmbH, Frito-Lay Trading Company GmbH, Frito-Lay Trading Company Poland GmbH, Frito-Lay Trinidad Unlimited, Fruko Mesrubat Sanayi Limited Sirketi, GB Czech LLC, GB International Inc., GB Russia LLC, GB Slovak LLC, GMP Manufacturing Inc., Gambrinus Investments Limited, Gamesa LLC, Gamesa S. de R.L. de C.V., Gas Natural de Merida S. A. de C. V., Gatorade Puerto Rico Company, General Bottlers of Hungary Inc., Golden Grain Company, Goveh S.R.L., Grayhawk Leasing LLC, Green Hemlock International LLC, Grupo Frito Lay y Compania Limitada, Grupo Gamesa S. de R.L. de C.V., Grupo Mabel, Grupo Sabritas S. de R.L. de C.V., Gulkevichskiy Maslozavod JSC, Hangzhou Baicaowei Corporate Management Consulting Co. Ltd., Hangzhou Haomusi Food Co, Hangzhou Haomusi Food Co. Ltd., Hangzhou Tao Dao Technology Co. Ltd., Health Warrior, Health Warrior Inc., Heathland LP, Helioscope Limited, Hillbrook Inc., Hillgrove Inc., Hillwood Bottling LLC, Hogganfield Limited Partnership, Holding Company "Opolie" JSC, Homefinding Company of Texas, Hudson Valley Insurance Company, IC Equities Inc., IZZE Beverage Co., Inmobiliaria Interamericana S.A. De C.V., Integrated Beverage Services Bangladesh Limited, Integrated Foods & Beverages Pvt. Ltd., International Bottlers Management Co. LLC, International KAS Aktiengesellschaft, Inversiones Borneo S.R.L., Inversiones PFI Chile Limitada, Inviting Foods Holdings Inc., Inviting Foods LLC, KAS Anorthosis S.a r.l, KAS S.L., KFC, Kevita Inc., Kinvara LLC, Kungursky Molkombinat JSC, Larragana S.L., Latin American Holdings Ltd., Latin American Snack Foods ApS, Latin Foods International LLC, Lebedyansky, Lebedyansky Holdings LLC, Lebedyansky LLC, Limited Liability Company "Sandora", Linkbay Limited, Lithuanian Snacks UAB, Mabel, Marbo Product d.o.o. Beograd, Marbo d.o.o. Laktasi, Matudis - Comercio de Produtos Alimentares Limitada, Matutano - Sociedade de Produtos Alimentares Lda., Mid-America Improvement Corporation, Mountainview Insurance Company Inc., Muscle Milk, NCJV LLC, New Bern Transport Corporation, New Century Beverage Company LLC, Noble Leasing LLC, Northeast Hot-Fill Co-op Inc., Office at Solyanka LLC, Onbiso Inversiones S.L., One World Enterprises LLC, One World Investors Inc., P-A Barbados Bottling Company LLC, P-A Bottlers Barbados SRL, P-Americas LLC, PAS Luxembourg S.a r.l, PAS Netherlands B.V., PBG Canada Holdings II LLC, PBG Canada Holdings Inc., PBG Cyprus Holdings Limited, PBG Investment Partnership, PBG Midwest Holdings S.a r.l, PBG Soda Can Holdings S.a r.l, PCBL LLC, PCNA Manufacturing Inc., PR Beverages Cyprus Holding Limited, PR Beverages Cyprus Russia Holding Limited, PRB Luxembourg S.a r.l, PRS Inc., PSAS Inversiones LLC, PSE Logistica S.R.L., PT Quaker Indonesia, Papas Chips S.A., Pei N.V., Pep Trade LLC, Pepsi B.V., Pepsi Beverages Holdings Inc., Pepsi Bottling Group Global Finance LLC, Pepsi Bottling Group GmbH, Pepsi Bottling Group Hoosiers B.V., Pepsi Bottling Holdings Inc., Pepsi Bugshan Investments S.A.E., Pepsi Cola Colombia Ltda, Pepsi Cola Egypt S.A.E., Pepsi Cola Panamericana S.R.L., Pepsi Cola Servis Ve Dagitim Limited Sirketi, Pepsi Cola Trading Ireland, Pepsi Logistics Company Inc., Pepsi Northwest Beverages LLC, Pepsi Overseas Investments Partnership, Pepsi Promotions Inc., Pepsi-Cola Advertising and Marketing Inc., Pepsi-Cola Bermuda Limited, Pepsi-Cola Bottlers Holding C.V., Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company Of St. Louis Inc., Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of Ft. Lauderdale-Palm Beach LLC, Pepsi-Cola Company, Pepsi-Cola Ecuador Cia. Ltda., Pepsi-Cola Far East Trade Development Co. Inc., Pepsi-Cola Finance LLC, Pepsi-Cola General Bottlers Poland Sp. z o.o., Pepsi-Cola Industrial da Amazonia Ltda., Pepsi-Cola International Cork, Pepsi-Cola International LLC, Pepsi-Cola International Limited, Pepsi-Cola International Limited U.S.A., Pepsi-Cola International Private Limited, Pepsi-Cola Korea Co. Ltd., Pepsi-Cola Management and Administrative Services Inc., Pepsi-Cola Manufacturing Company Of Uruguay S.R.L., Pepsi-Cola Manufacturing International Limited, Pepsi-Cola Manufacturing Mediterranean Limited, Pepsi-Cola Marketing Corp. Of P.R. Inc., Pepsi-Cola Mediterranean Ltd., Pepsi-Cola Metropolitan Bottling Company Inc., Pepsi-Cola Mexicana Holdings LLC, Pepsi-Cola Mexicana S. de R.L. de C.V., Pepsi-Cola National Marketing LLC, Pepsi-Cola Operating Company Of Chesapeake And Indianapolis, Pepsi-Cola Sales and Distribution Inc., Pepsi-Cola Technical Operations Inc., Pepsi-Cola Thai Trading Co. Ltd., Pepsi-Cola de Honduras S.R.L., Pepsi-Cola of Corvallis Inc., PepsiAmericas Nemzetkozi Szolgaltato Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag, PepsiCo ANZ Holdings Pty Ltd, PepsiCo Alimentos Antioquia Ltda., PepsiCo Alimentos Colombia Ltda., PepsiCo Alimentos Ecuador Cia. Ltda., PepsiCo Alimentos Z.F. Ltda., PepsiCo Alimentos de Bolivia S.R.L., PepsiCo Amacoco Bebidas Do Brasil Ltda., PepsiCo Asia Research & Development Center Company Limited, PepsiCo Australia Financing Cyprus Limited, PepsiCo Australia Financing Limited Partnership, PepsiCo Australia Financing Partner 1 LLC, PepsiCo Australia Financing Partner 2 LLC, PepsiCo Australia Financing Pty Ltd, PepsiCo Australia Holdings Pty Limited, PepsiCo Australia International, PepsiCo Austria Services GmbH, PepsiCo Azerbaijan Limited Liability Company, PepsiCo BeLux BV, PepsiCo Beverage Sales LLC, PepsiCo Beverage Singapore Pty Ltd, PepsiCo Beverages Bermuda Limited, PepsiCo Beverages Hong Kong Limited, PepsiCo Beverages International Limited, PepsiCo Beverages Italia Societa' A Responsabilita' Limitata, PepsiCo Canada Finance LLC, PepsiCo Canada Holdings ULC, PepsiCo Canada Investment ULC, PepsiCo Canada ULC, PepsiCo Captive Holdings Inc., PepsiCo Caribbean Inc., PepsiCo China Limited, PepsiCo Consulting Polska Sp. z o.o., PepsiCo De Bolivia S.R.L., PepsiCo Del Paraguay S.R.L., PepsiCo Deutschland GmbH, PepsiCo Eesti AS, PepsiCo Euro Bermuda Limited, PepsiCo Euro Finance Antilles B.V., PepsiCo Europe Support Center S.L., PepsiCo Finance Americas Company, PepsiCo Finance Antilles A N.V., PepsiCo Finance Antilles B N.V., PepsiCo Finance South Africa Proprietary Limited, PepsiCo Financial Shared Services Inc., PepsiCo Food & Beverage Holdings Hong Kong Limited, PepsiCo Foods A.I.E., PepsiCo Foods China Company Limited, PepsiCo Foods Group Pty Ltd, PepsiCo Foods Guangdong Co. Ltd., PepsiCo Foods Nigeria Limited, PepsiCo Foods Private Limited, PepsiCo Foods Sichuan Co. Ltd., PepsiCo Foods Taiwan Co. Ltd., PepsiCo Foods Vietnam Company, PepsiCo France SAS, PepsiCo Global Business Services India LLP, PepsiCo Global Business Services Poland Sp. z o.o., PepsiCo Global Holdings Limited, PepsiCo Global Investments B.V., PepsiCo Global Investments S.a r.l, PepsiCo Global Mobility LLC, PepsiCo Global Real Estate Inc., PepsiCo Global Trading Solutions Unlimited Company, PepsiCo Golden Holdings Inc., PepsiCo Group Finance International B.V., PepsiCo Group Holdings International B.V., PepsiCo Group Spotswood Holdings S.a r.l, PepsiCo Gulf International FZE, PepsiCo Hellas Single Member Industrial and Commercial Societe Anonyme, PepsiCo Holding de Espana S.L., PepsiCo Holdings, PepsiCo Holdings LLC, PepsiCo Holdings Toshkent LLC, PepsiCo Hong Kong LLC, PepsiCo Iberia Servicios Centrales S.L., PepsiCo India Holdings Private Limited, PepsiCo India Sales Private Limited, PepsiCo Internacional Mexico S. de R. L. de C. V., PepsiCo International Hong Kong Limited, PepsiCo International Limited, PepsiCo International Pte Ltd., PepsiCo Investments Europe I B.V., PepsiCo Investments Ltd., PepsiCo Ireland Food & Beverages Unlimited Company, PepsiCo Japan Co. Ltd., PepsiCo Light B.V., PepsiCo Logistyka Sp. z o.o., PepsiCo Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., PepsiCo Management Services SAS, PepsiCo Manufacturing A.I.E., PepsiCo Max B.V., PepsiCo Mexico Holdings S. de R.L. de C.V., PepsiCo Nederland B.V., PepsiCo Nordic Denmark ApS, PepsiCo Nordic Finland Oy, PepsiCo Nordic Norway AS, PepsiCo Nutrition Trading DMCC, PepsiCo One B.V., PepsiCo Overseas Corporation, PepsiCo Overseas Financing Partnership, PepsiCo Panimex Inc, PepsiCo Products B.V., PepsiCo Products FLLC, PepsiCo Puerto Rico Inc., PepsiCo Sales Inc., PepsiCo Sales LLC, PepsiCo Services Asia Ltd., PepsiCo Services CZ s.r.o., PepsiCo Services LLC, PepsiCo Twist B.V., PepsiCo UK Pension Plan Trustee Limited, PepsiCo Ventures B.V., PepsiCo Wave Holdings LLC, PepsiCo World Trading Company Inc., PepsiCo Y LLC, PepsiCo de Argentina S.R.L., PepsiCo de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., PepsiCo do Brasil Industria e Comercio de Alimentos Ltda., PepsiCo do Brasil Ltda., PepsiCola Interamericana de Guatemala S.A., Pet Iberia S.L., Pete & Johnny Limited, Pine International LLC, Pine International Limited, Pinstripe Leasing LLC, Pioneer Food Group Pty Ltd, Pioneer Foods Groceries Pty Ltd, Pioneer Foods Group Ltd., Pioneer Foods Holdings Pty Ltd, Pioneer Foods Pty Ltd, Pioneer Foods UK Ltd, Pioneer Foods Wellingtons Pty Ltd, Pipers Crisps Limited, PlayCo Inc., Pop corners, PopCorners Holdings Inc., Portfolio Concentrate Solutions Unlimited Company, Premier Nutrition Trading L.L.C., Prestwick LLC, Prev PepsiCo Sociedade Previdenciaria, Productos Alimenticios Rene LLC, Productos S.A.S. C.V., Productos SAS Management B.V., Punch N.V., Punica Getranke GmbH, Q O Puerto Rico Inc., QFL OHQ Sdn. Bhd., QTG Development Inc., QTG Services Inc., Quadrant - Amroq Beverages S.R.L., Quaker Development B.V., Quaker European Beverages LLC, Quaker European Investments B.V., Quaker Foods, Quaker Global Investments B.V., Quaker Holdings UK Limited, Quaker Manufacturing LLC, Quaker Oats Asia Inc., Quaker Oats Australia Pty Ltd, Quaker Oats B.V., Quaker Oats Capital Corporation, Quaker Oats Europe Inc., Quaker Oats Europe LLC, Quaker Oats Limited, Quaker Sales & Distribution Inc, Raptas Finance S.a r.l., Rare Fare Foods LLC, Rare Fare Holdings Inc., Reading Industries Ltd, Real Estate Holdings LLC, Rockstar Energy Drink, Rolling Frito-Lay Sales LP, S & T of Mississippi Inc., SIH International LLC, SVC Logistics Inc., SVC Manufacturing Inc., SVE Russia Holdings GmbH, Sabritas LLC, Sabritas S. de R.L. de C.V., Sabritas Snacks America Latina de Nicaragua y Cia Ltda, Sabritas de Costa Rica S. de R.L., Sabritas y Cia. S en C de C.V., Sakata Rice Snacks Australia Pty Ltd, Sandora Holdings B.V., Saudi Snack Foods Company Limited, Sea Eagle International SRL, Seepoint Holdings Ltd., Senselet Food Processing PLC, Senselet Holding B.V., Servicios GBF Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada, Servicios GFLG y Compania Limitada, Servicios Gamesa Puerto Rico L.L.C., Servicios SYC S. de R.L. de C.V., Seven-Up Asia Inc., Seven-Up Light B.V., Seven-Up Nederland B.V., Shanghai PepsiCo Snack Company Limited, Shanghai YuHo Agricultural Development Co. Ltd, Shoebill LLC, Simba (Proprietary) Limited, Simba Proprietary Limited, Sitka Spruce, Smartfoods Inc., Smiles and Bites Holdings S.de R.L. de C.V., Smiths Crisps Limited, Snack Food Investments GmbH, Snack Food Investments II GmbH, Snack Food Investments Limited, Snack Food-Beverage Asia Products Limited, Snacks America Latina S.R.L., Snacks Guatemala Ltd., So Spark Ltd., Soda-Club CO2 Atlantic GmbH, Soda-Club CO2 GmbH, Soda-Club CO2 Ltd., Soda-Club Switzerland GmbH, Soda-Club Worldwide B.V., SodaStream, SodaStream Australia Pty Ltd, SodaStream CO2 SA, SodaStream Canada Ltd., SodaStream Enterprises N.V., SodaStream France SAS, SodaStream GmbH, SodaStream Iberia S.L., SodaStream Industries Ltd., SodaStream International B.V., SodaStream International Ltd., SodaStream Israel Ltd., SodaStream K.K., SodaStream New Zealand Ltd., SodaStream Nordics AB, SodaStream Poland Sp. z o.o., SodaStream SA Pty Ltd., SodaStream Switzerland GmbH, SodaStream USA Inc., SodaStream Osterreich GmbH, South Beach Beverage Company Inc., South Properties Inc., Spitz International Inc., Sportmex Internacional S.A. de C.V., Springboig Industries Ltd, Spruce Limited, Stacy's Pita Chip Company Incorporated, Star Foods E.M. S.R.L., Stokely-Van Camp Inc., Stratosphere Communications Pty Ltd, Stratosphere Holdings 2018 Limited, Streamfoods Ltd, TFL Holdings LLC, Tasman Finance S.a r.l, The Gatorade Company, The Good Carb Food Company Ltd., The Pepsi Bottling Group Canada ULC, The Quaker Oats Company, The Smith's Snackfood Company Pty Limited, Thomond Group Holdings Limited, Tobago Snack Holdings LLC, Tropicana Alvalle S.L., Tropicana Beverages Limited, Tropicana Europe N.V., Tropicana United Kingdom Limited, Troya-Ultra LLC, United Foods Companies Restaurantes S.A., V-Water, VentureCo Israel Ltd, Veurne Snack Foods BV, Vitamin Brands Ltd., Walkers Crisps Limited, Walkers Group Limited, Walkers Snack Foods Limited, Walkers Snacks Distribution Limited, Walkers Snacks Limited, Whitman Corporation, Whitman Insurance Co. Ltd., Wimm-Bill-Dann Beverages JSC, Wimm-Bill-Dann Brands Co. Ltd., Wimm-Bill-Dann Central Asia-Almaty LLP, Wimm-Bill-Dann Foods LLC, Wimm-Bill-Dann Georgia Ltd., Wimm-Bill-Dann JSC, and Wimm-Bill-Dann Ukraine PJSC. Read More Bank of Montreal provides diversified financial services primarily in North America. The company's personal banking products and services include checking and savings accounts, credit cards, mortgages, and financial and investment advice services; and commercial banking products and services comprise business deposit accounts, commercial credit cards, business loans and commercial mortgages, cash management solutions, foreign exchange, specialized banking programs, treasury and payment solutions, and risk management products for small business and commercial banking customers. It also offers investment and wealth advisory services; digital investing services; financial services and solutions; and investment management, and trust and custody services. In addition, the company provides life insurance, accident and sickness insurance, and annuity products; creditor and travel insurance to bank customers; and reinsurance solutions. Further, it offers client's debt and equity capital-raising services, as well as loan origination and syndication, and treasury management; strategic advice on mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, and recapitalizations, as well as valuation and fairness opinions; and trade finance, risk mitigation, and other operating services. Additionally, the company provides research and access to markets for institutional, corporate, and retail clients; trading solutions that include debt, foreign exchange, interest rate, credit, equity, securitization and commodities; new product development and origination services, as well as risk management advice and services to hedge against fluctuations; and funding and liquidity management services to its clients. It operates through approximately 900 bank branches and 3,300 automated banking machines in Canada and the United States. Bank of Montreal was founded in 1817 and is headquartered in Montreal, Canada. Telefonica, S.A., together with its subsidiaries, provides telecommunications services in Europe and Latin America. The company's mobile and related services and products comprise mobile voice, value added, mobile data and Internet, wholesale, corporate, roaming, fixed wireless, and trunking and paging services. Its fixed telecommunication services include PSTN lines; ISDN accesses; public telephone services; local, domestic, and international long-distance and fixed-to-mobile communications; corporate communications; supplementary value-added services; video telephony; intelligent network; and telephony information services, as well as leases and sells handset equipment. The company also provides Internet and broadband multimedia services comprising Internet service provider, portal and network, retail and wholesale broadband access, narrowband switched access, high-speed Internet through fibre to the home, and voice over Internet protocol services. In addition, it offers leased line, virtual private network, fibre optics, web hosting and application, outsourcing and consultancy, desktop, and system integration and professional services. Further, the company offers wholesale services for telecommunication operators, including domestic interconnection and international wholesale services; leased lines for other operators; and local loop leasing services, as well as bit stream services, wholesale line rental accesses, and leased ducts for other operators' fiber deployment. Additionally, it provides video/TV services; smart connectivity and services, and consumer IoT products; financial and other payment, security, cloud computing, advertising, big data, and digital telco experience services; virtual assistants; digital home platforms; and Movistar Home devices. It also offers online telemedicine, home insurance, music streaming, and consumer loan services. The company was incorporated in 1924 and is headquartered in Madrid, Spain. Full coverage of the Delphi murders: Look back at 5 years of stories The World Customs Organization participated in the 8th Regional Joint Coordinating Committee (RJCC) meeting of The Project on Capacity Development for International Trade Facilitation in the Eastern African region held in Kampala, Uganda on 23 November 2017. The meeting was hosted by the Uganda Revenue Authority and attended by the Commissioners General, Commissioners Customs and other senior officials from five EAC (East African Community) Partner States, namely Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda as well as EAC Secretariat to confirm the latest progress and achievement made under their Trade Facilitation Project which is jointly supported by the WCO and JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency). As the ongoing Trade Facilitation Project in East Africa is about to complete In December 2017, the Commissioners were informed of the latest progress and achievements of the Trade Facilitation Project made through the collaborative work done by the respective Working Group members of the Revenue Authorities with the assistance of experts from the WCO, JICA, Japan Customs and EAC Secretariat. In the meeting, Commissioners recognized the significant achievements made by the members of the Master Trainer Program (MTP) who presented the products of their intensive work, i.e. Case Study Books on Customs Valuation and HS Classification as well as the Training Material on Post Seizure Analysis (PSA). A representative of the member of MTP also reported the great outcome of the WCO accreditation workshop for Expert Trainers on Customs Valuation and HS Classification organized for the Master Trainers in Brussels in October. Commissioners acknowledged those significant achievements made by the members of the MTP and reaffirmed their commitment to fully utilize those pool of experts and useful materials available in East Africa for the benefit of Customs officials and Customs clearing agents through more sustainable and self-contained training delivery. Five Revenue Authorities are now preparing to launch the next Project in East Africa which is expected to tackle not only trade facilitation but also enhancing border control in East Africa with the support also to be extended jointly by the WCO and JICA, in which the WCO is going to implement Program Global Shield (PGS) as part of the Project. The next Project is expected to commence in December 2017 immediately following the completion of the current Trade Facilitation Project. The WCO is committed to continue working together with JICA and five Revenue Authorities in East Africa to effectively achieve the objectives of this new Project. Featured infographics: @TheEIU_Africa team forecasts Ethiopia as sub-Saharan Africas fastest growing economy in 2018. East African/Franc Zone economies feature in regions top 20. Overall sub-Saharan Africa to grow around 3% in 2018 - Nigeria, South Africa recovering but sluggish. Our forecasts for sub-Saharan Africas slowest growing economies in 2018. Regions giants, Nigeria and South Africa, still slow. Statement by the African Group: Ninth Session of the Trade and Development Commission (UNCTAD) The African Group expresses its deep concerns that Africas share in international trade eroded to 2.2%. In absolute terms for example, Africas total exports fell by nearly half from $639.7bn in 2012 to $348.5bn in 2016. To simply recover from this loss, and develop resilience in future, Africa will need to invest more in the development of robust supply capacity to trade in upgraded products especially services and manufactured goods because they are less vulnerable to external shocks. In this regard UNCTADs support to Africa must be strengthened and put in the context of the continents participation in international trade. Industrialize Africa: strategies, policies, institutions, and financing (AfDB) Introductory remarks by Joseph E. Stiglitz: The issues of development are so complex that there is no magic bullet; we cannot approach them with any single tool. Instead, we need a comprehensive approach with a comprehensive industrialization framework and toolkit, adapting to the circumstances of the individual country. [Contributors to the publication include: Celestin Monga, John Page, Arkebe Ogubay, Justin Yifu Lin, Xiaobo Zhang, Ravi Kanbur, Haroon Bhorat] Ethiopia bets on clothes to fashion industrial future (Reuters) Ethiopias road link with the port in Djibouti is outdated and congested in many parts and, together with the limited capacity and dense bureaucracy of its customs service, slows companies supply chains. This is undermining the benefits of being closer to European markets than most of its Asian rivals. It takes up to 44 days from the time a clothing consignment leaves the factory to when it reaches buyers in Europe, compared to an average 28 days in Bangladesh and 21 days in China, according to a report from the Ethiopian Textile Development Institute compiled for investors this year. This drives up costs. It costs up to $1,870 to export a 40-foot container, compared with $1,290 in Bangladesh and $679 in Vietnam, according to an internal report compiled by a major European clothes retailer and seen by Reuters. However officials say the $4bn electric railway between Addis Ababa and the Red Sea, to be inaugurated in the coming weeks, will reduce the transit time to the Port of Djibouti from 2-3 days to eight hours. Trade facilitation in East Africa: update (WCO) As the ongoing Trade Facilitation Project in East Africa is about to complete In December 2017, the Commissioners were informed of the latest progress and achievements of the Trade Facilitation Project made through the collaborative work done by the respective Working Group members of the Revenue Authorities with the assistance of experts from the WCO, JICA, Japan Customs and EAC Secretariat. Five revenue authorities are now preparing to launch the next Project in East Africa which is expected to tackle not only trade facilitation but also enhancing border control in East Africa with the support also to be extended jointly by the WCO and JICA, in which the WCO is going to implement Program Global Shield as part of the Project. South Africa: industrial and competition policy, private sector postings (i) Manufacturing Circles report Map to a Million. The first priority is to prevent further de-industrialisation in rust belts like the Vaal Triangle, arresting further job losses and stabilising the industrial base. Then, to increase the utilisation of existing capacity, and boost the demand necessary to underpin new investment, additional demand for manufactured goods must be created. The Map to a Million (pdf) proposes a number of demand-side interventions to increase domestic demand, pursue import substitution and enhance South Africas export competitiveness. It also proposes various supply-side interventions to improve manufacturers competitiveness by reducing input costs, making changes to fiscal policy and supporting labour productivity. (ii) The corporate footprint of Business Leadership South Africas members. Big business supports small enterprises in the supply chain. Nearly R1 trillion, or 66.7% of BLSA member expenditure was paid to suppliers, enabling them to employ people, pay taxes, purchase supplies and make investments. BLSA collectively received 34.4 points out of 40 for black enterprise development as prescribed by BEE Codes. Business employs 6.9 times the number of public sector employees. BLSA members themselves employ 1.29 million people, with another 1.97 million jobs supported in the supply chain. 596,719 people are dependent on BLSA employees. The 57 member companies in the study contribute 23.5% of total private sector employment, and pay full-time and part-time employees just under R2 trillion. A further R8.7bn was devoted to training and skills development for BLSAs employees. Business contributes to the public sector and supports the most important institutions of state through taxation. Taxation to government from BLSA members alone amounted to over R431bn in 2016, 35.9% of total taxes collected. Thats the equivalent of more than one million teachers salaries, or almost two million police officers, or almost 1.5 million low-cost housing units. Downloads: A Social Accounting Matrix based input-output model (pdf) for was used to estimate the economic contribution that these companies made to the South African economy. For each, the members direct and indirect impacts will be shown, on a sectoral basis, by means of a dashboard. Although, strictly speaking, the induced effects do not form part of members footprint, these figures will also be shown. [Appendices (pdf)] (iii) SA needs a sharp, targeted weapon to tackle competition challenges (Business Day) The commission has reviewed more than 2,150 mergers from 2009 to March 2016, identifying 294 dominant firms in defined product markets falling within 31 sectors. At least 70.45% of SAs sectors have defined product markets with dominant firms. At least 42% of all product markets have dominant firms active within the manufacturing sector, a sector traditionally associated with jobs-rich development opportunities. Another phenomenon evident when analysing SAs merger control record is that of creeping concentration whether through cross-shareholdings and cross-directorships, or through a series of incremental acquisitions in a relatively short period of time that, if considered a single transaction, would raise competition concerns. Concentration should be understood and tackled as a competition problem, a recognised structural feature of markets that are not operating competitively. [The author, Michelle M Le Roux, chairs the ministerial advisory panel on amendments to the Competition Act] Nigerias capital importation: Q3 2017 (NBS) The capital importation into Nigeria in 2017 Q3 recorded a substantial increase compared to the past few quarters, as the economy continued to recover from recession following its exit in Q2 2017.The total capital imported in the third quarter was recorded at $4,145.1 million, more than double the inflow in the second quarter of this year, representing an increased value of 147.5% on a year on year basis. This inflow of capital in Q3 2017 is the first time since the beginning of 2015 that capital hit over $4,000 million in a quarter. The boom in capital importation in Q3 2017 was mainly driven by significant growth in both portfolio investment and other investment. The country from which Nigeria imported the most capital was the United Kingdom (pdf), which accounted for $1736.58 million, or 41.89% of the total of capital inflow in 2017 Q3. This value represented a 149.26% increase in capital importation relative to the figure in the previous quarter, and a 58.22% growth over the same period in last year. The country accounting for the second largest value of capital importation was the United States. The US accounted for $962.1 million in the third quarter of 2017, or 23.21%. The next two largest investors in the third quarter of 2017 were Tanzania (accounting for 7.61%) and Mauritius (5.53%). [Tables] Regulation harmonization: Africas blueprint for health care success (Devex) Speaking to Devex, Ndomondo-Sigonda explains why improvement in medical products and pharmaceutical regulation is vital and how harmonization can be achieved: As far as regulation of medical products is concerned, one of the pressing issues at the moment is really that of substandard and falsified medicines in circulation on the African markets. There is a prevalence of 25 to 30% of substandard and falsified products on the market and, of course, this is posing a big challenge in terms of public health because sometimes the public is subjected to these medicines, which can be very harmful. Secondly, we have an issue around the different requirements for the registration of medicines. That means the industry finds it very difficult to get products into the market. This poses a challenge when it comes to availability of the most needed medicines, especially new products. Generally speaking, all of this is compounded by the capacity limitations we see in most [African] countries they either dont have appropriate frameworks to regulate medicines, the laws are outdated, or just not comprehensive enough. [NEPAD: Concept note for the 3rd Biennial Scientific Conference on Medical Products Regulation in Africa, 27-28 November, Accra] Drug security in Nigeria: technology for supply chain integrity (PWC Nigeria) The presentation, by Dr Andrew S. Nevin, presents an overview of the health landscape in Nigeria noting the huge supply and financing gap across the health system evident in the relatively small pharma market in Nigeria. It highlights the challenge of drug counterfeiting and discusses how technology can be used to increase the supply chain integrity and prevent counterfeiting. Opening markets will remove barriers to EA food security (Business Daily) However, since most food products are tradable on world markets, food security is heavily dependent on the purchasing power of the poor and not only on management of domestic supply. These protectionist tendencies have negative implications on the regions food security and shifts in government agricultural policy on regional trade and domestic food price controls can at times be ad hoc. For instance, it is not uncommon for farmers who arrive at a border to find that a government has imposed an unannounced export ban, or sometimes a ban has been removed but customs officials have not been informed. A wide range of barriers to trade have resulted in the fragmentation of markets for both agricultural products and their inputs. This has led to a high level of price volatility and has contributed to food insecurity. In countries such as Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe where governments have directly intervened to control prices of staple food crops, prices are more volatile than in countries with fully liberalised food markets like Uganda. [The author, Steve Orr, is attached to FoodTrade ESA] Southern Africa: humanitarian outlook, November 2017 to April 2018 (RIASCO) The population of SADC has doubled since 1990 to about 333 million people. Over the past six years the region has recorded economic growth of around 4.4%, which is far below the SADC growth target. Yet even this meagre growth does not necessarily improve the lives of the most vulnerable in society. Malnutrition remains high in the region, with 13 of the 15 countries reporting stunting prevalence above 20%, and 7 countries reporting stunting prevalence above 30%. Similarly, prevalence of global acute malnutrition is >5% in 8 of 15 countries in the region, with the highest reported national prevalence in Madagascar at 8.6% (13.9% at district level). Prevalence of acute malnutrition and admissions are expected to increase in the region as a result of the lean season from October through March and partners are preparing contingency plans including nutrition response activities for the upcoming lean season. "Things that are interesting us are Dunns River and Nine Mile, Luminous Lagoon and Negril." I recommend all of these three things. However, none of them are 'in and around Montego Bay. The one way travel times to these places are: Dunn's River Falls - 2 hr. with Nine Mile adding to the travel time, Luminous Lagoon - 45. min., and Negril - 1 hr. 30 min. "how easy is it to book while we are in the resort?" Very easy. Every hotel that I know of in Jamaica will do the booking for you. You can also just call the tour company directly from your hotel and make the booking with them over the phone. Finally, after you clear customs at the airport you will enter the transportation hall. In the middle of the transportation hall you will find about 20 desks for transport/tour companies where you can get information and book tours. As to things to see/do in and around Montego Bay, try the following: Rose Hall Great House, the 'Hip Strip', Rockland Bird Sanctuary, and Doctors Cave Beach. All of these attractions are within a 15 min. drive of downtown Montego Bay. Hi all, Planning on seeing Australia in a 3 week trip starting in May. We start in Melbourne and end in Sydney, the plane ticket was cheaper this way. What do you think about the itinerary we have so far? We are both scuba divers hence why so many days spent in Cairns (and there's the day trips such as Dainstree). Was thinking of squeezing Noosa in there as well but not really sure if it would justify the extra costs of flying to Brisbanne and time squeezed out from Northern Queensland. Open to suggestions! Day 0: Arrive in Melbourne (evening) Day 1 - 4: Melbourne, GOR, Phillip Island. Fly out to Adelaide night of Day 4. Day 5 - 7: Kangaroo island tour. Return to Adelaide day 6 at night. Fly out day 7 in the morning to Cairns. Day 8 - 13: Cairns and surroundings. Scuba diving. Rent a car, drive around. Take a bus to Townsville night of day 13. Day 14 - 16: Townsville. Dive the Yongala. Maybe magnetic island? Bus to Airlie Beach. Day 17 - Day 20: Whitsundays and Airlie beach. See the famous whitehaven beach. Relaxing, maybe rent a car if there's anything in the surroundings? Fly to Sydney morning of day 20. Day 21 to Day 23: Sydney. Still half a day left from day 20. Want to do Blue Mountains. Day 24 - End of trip. Fly out from Sydney in the morning back to Europe. Edited: 4 years ago I am not sure what that first post implies (from someone from NYC and not upstate) as you can hike many places in upstate NY as well as ski. There has already been snow in the Syracuse area and in the lake effect areas to the north. Look at the Saranac Lake/Lake Placid area in the Adirondacks, Hunter or Windham in the Catskills and Ithaca or Naples in the Finger Lakes. Edited: 4 years ago Me and a friend are planning a trip To Costa Rica. We only have 10 days. We know nothing basicly. Anyone can help us? We Will be renting a 44. We did a pre- itinarery ( im french sorry ) of the places we want To visite. We know 10 days is not alote. We need help for distance in beetween each destination, hotels( no 5 stars we want To live it real), best spots to visite or any other tips. Anytning could help please . We are thinking of arriving in liberia and leaving from San Jose or close. The pre-itinary is shown in the 2 images. With the approx date and number of sleep to each. Thank you so much in advance. Just returned from a truly special November CR trip. We had Costa Rica on our bucket list for many years and after some research, chose to do a guided tour with Costa Rica Expeditions. Having never done a fully guided and essentially all-inclusive tour before, we did not know quite what to expect, but decided that we would give it a try and hope for the best. After completing Costa Rica Expeditions online questionnaire re our trip interests and ideas, our assigned travel planner Elena suggested that their Quest for Pura Vida tour would be a good fit and that we should review a proposed itinerary and consider any questions, changes or additions we might desire. We decided that Elenas suggested itinerary sounded great for the guided portion, and we added a few days to relax at Tamarindo Beach at the end of the trip. We literally could not be happier with every aspect of our Costa Rican experience. From the planning stages with Elena to our final hosted ride to Liberia airport as we headed home, we felt as if we were honored guests of this most beautiful, welcoming and wonderful country. Elena was responsive, organized and could not have been more helpful start to finish. Our Naturalist Guide, Gustavo Camancho was beyond amazing and exceeded our expectations in every way from the first day to the last. We asked lots of questions and literally never stumped him. His knowledge of and respect for all things Costa Rica are incredible; we now know and truly appreciate your plants, animals, climate, weather, geology, history and culture. He asked us early on what we wanted to see and made sure that we saw everything on our list and so much more. We could not believe how many times Gustavo spotted birds, sloths, monkeys, frogs, a certain tree or plant species as we drove or hiked. The term Naturalist Guide, however, only begins to describe Gustavos role and impact on our Costa Rican vacation. He was an organizer extraordinaire attending to every detail every day (including consistently great food and restaurant choices), but he was also a gracious host who clearly loves to share his country and its natural wonders. Beyond that, Gustavo is a great ambassador for both Costa Rica and Costa Rica Expeditions, exemplifying the values that we have come to appreciate and admire. We cannot imagine how Gustavo and our very skilled and gracious driver Eliezer could have done a better job of guiding, helping and being respectful of our needs at every turn. We have done a good deal of traveling over the years, and this trip ranks at the top of experiences. Costa Rica is a special place, and Costa Rica Expeditions is the perfect choice to make sure you experience Pura Vida. And, if you are lucky enough to get Gustavo and Eliezer, you simply could not be disappointed. For Vietnam take Sterling and change it to Dong when there. For Cambodia we took US dollars. No point paying to change Sterling into Dollars and then changing it again inVietnam. Make sure all the notes are in good condition, no writing on them, tears or repairs else they wont exchange them. You can also use ATMs if you dont mind paying the charge (it works out quite small in the grand scheme of things and is convenient). In Vietnam we used Gold shops to get the best rates. Hotels will change money, but not all offer the best rates. I am sure in Cambodia we paid for things in dollars. Edited: 4 years ago Day trip to Hokkaido? I would think its possible if youre doing at least a nights stay, not as a day trip. Your dates might be at least a week earlier for the blossoms in Hokkaido. Is your company in need of the most reliable and efficient best Best Jasmine Tea s in the market? Your good luck led you to the ideal situation, so congratulations! You are in the best possible place. By eliminating the need to read through dozens of Best Jasmine Tea reviews, we are saving you time and stress. Many customers find it difficult to decide which Best Jasmine Tea product to buy. The dilemma is brought about by the many types of Best Jasmine Tea in the market. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a clear understanding of how you may choose the most suitable Best Jasmine Tea available in the market. - John Pombe Magufuli - Tanzania's President did not attend Uhuru Kenyatta's swearing in ceremony on Tuesday, November 28 - This is despite the fact that Uhuru had attended Magufuli's inauguration when he clinched seat in 2015 - Magufuli instead sent his Deputy Samia Suluhu to attend the rally along several other international leaders Tanzanias Head of State John Pombe Magufuli was conspicuously absent from President Uhuru Kenyattas swearing in ceremony at the Kasarani Stadium on Tuesday, November 28. Magufuli instead sent his vice President Samia Suluhu to attend the rally alongside other dignitaries. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens READ ALSO: Wakenya wamkejeli Raila baada ya kutangaza tarehe ya kuapishwa Tanzania President John Pombe Magufuli alongside Uhuru Kenaytta at a past event. Photo: Magufuli/Facebook READ ALSO: President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto officially take oath of office Despite his absence, there was no concrete reason from the Tanzanian government given on why Magufuli could not make the event. His non-attendance of the historic inauguration of Uhuru Kenyatta comes at the back of a meeting with NASA leader Raila Odinga barely a week ago. Magufuli skips Uhuru swearing-in ceremony, sends vice president. Photo: Magufuli/Facebook READ ALSO: Uhuru still illegitimate president, resistance on - Raila Odinga On Tuesday, November 21, the NASA leader took a personal tour to Zanzibar where he reportedly met up with Magufuli, although particulars of the meeting remained scanty. READ ALSO: GSU officers seal off Jacaranda grounds ahead of NASA rally as Dagoretti MP Simba Arati is put under house arrest Magufuli, who is the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party leader, floored Jokaya Kikwete in the hotly contested Tanzania polls back in 2015. Interestingly, President Uhuru Kenyatta was among other regional leaders who were present at the colorful ceremony in November 5 2015. Have anything to add to this article or suggestions Share with is on news@tuko.co.ke Preparations underway for Uhuru's swearing in: Source: TUKO.co.ke Time to get the drinks, popcorn and other goodies out as you prepare to support your favouri One Ukrainian soldier was wounded in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) area in eastern Ukraine over the past day. Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Spokesperson for ATO Oleksandr Motuzianyk said this at a press briefing, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. One Ukrainian serviceman was wounded as a result of the enemy shelling of the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Marinka [35 km south-west of Donetsk]. He was immediately delivered to hospital, Motuzianyk said. He added that the illegal armed groups had launched 22 attacks on Ukrainian troops in last day. The Ukrainian Armed Forces returned fire 13 times. ol There is still a threat that Russia could launch a large-scale offensive operation against Ukraine, Deputy Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksandr Lytvynenko has said. He stated this during the VII National Expert Forum "Ukraine: Seeking Balance," an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "Despite the tremendous achievements of our Armed Forces, National Guard and Security Service in deterring Russian aggression, the factor of a Russian large-scale operation remains relevant. If the Russians fail to achieve success through a destabilizing campaign, they can return to widespread military aggression," Lytvynenko said. He noted that the Russian military command was deploying more forces and facilities near the border with Ukraine. "And here we should mention two newly deployed armies - the eighth army and the 20th general army. Here we should say about three newly created divisions - 150, 3, 144, as well as a division created in Khankala in the Caucasus. Here we should say about the quick rearmament of the air armies of the Southern and Western districts, where new aircraft arrive. Here we should say about the rapid deployment of a group in the occupied Ukrainian Crimea," Lytvynenko said. op Ukraine has excellent opportunities for selling halal products in the Middle East. In the coming years, this market may become one of the most attractive for Ukrainian exporters. This is stated in the commentary of the Suma Gourmet General Trading LLC, the beef distributor in the Arab countries, handed over to Ukrinform by the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "Ukraine has excellent opportunities for selling halal products. The market of halal meat and other products is growing in the Persian Gulf countries at an incredible pace," reads the commentary. As noted, the halal products market in the Middle East is one of the most attractive for Ukrainian exporters. ol Ukraine should focus on development of the digital economy and digital infrastructure and creation of its own powerful intellectual product. Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Volodymyr Omelian said this during the VII National Expert Forum "Ukraine: Striving for Balance", an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "We should focus on development of the digital economy, digital infrastructure, production of electric cars and creation of new transport corridors. Most importantly, we should create our own powerful intellectual product and artificial intelligence," Omelian said. According to the minister, the growth areas of domestic economy are the agrarian industry, the banking system and the creation of own intellectual product. "Small country Netherlands outperforms Ukraine in agricultural exports as it has absolutely different technologies and absolutely different labor productivity. In addition, they have effective banking system and intelligence advanced technological solutions," Omelian added. ol Russia has not complied with any resolutions adopted by international institutions in defense of the territorial integrity of Ukraine, therefore, the possible return of the Russian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) will contradict international law, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mariana Betsa has said. "Russia has failed to comply with any resolution as part of the Council of Europe, the UN or the OSCE. There can be no compromises in the issue of complying with international law, values. Russia's return to the PACE, without correcting international legal violations, restoring the territorial integrity of Ukraine and withdrawing Russian troops, contradicts international law," she wrote on Twitter. As reported, Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjorn Jagland spoke out for Russia's return to the PACE and the lifting of sanctions against Russia over its aggression against Ukraine. The head of the Ukrainian delegation to the PACE, MP Volodymyr Ariev, in turn, said that the return of the Russian Federation, which is lobbied by Jagland, significantly undermines the authority of the Council of Europe and reduces the force of resolutions that it adopted and that in this case the Ukrainian delegation "has nothing to do" in the PACE. Russia was deprived of voting rights in the PACE in April 2014 after Crimean occupation and the beginning of hostilities in Donbas. Earlier it was reported that the Council of Europe had prepared a mechanism that would help lift sanctions against Russia and returning the Russian delegation to the PACE. Ukraine and Georgia, which have a long history of friendship and partnership, should use all possible platforms to protect common interests. Speaker of the Georgian Parliament Irakli Kobakhidze said this during a meeting with Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman. Kobakhidze stressed during the meeting that Georgia supports the territorial integrity of Ukraine, condemns the annexation of Crimea and aggression against Ukraine. This geopolitical aspect is common to both states. "Our common pain is the occupation of our territories. We also have a common course: the European integration and rapprochement with NATO. I think we should use all the platforms, primarily the international ones, to protect our common interests," Kobakhidze said. The Head of the Government of Ukraine agreed with the interlocutor and added that the relations between the two countries are of a strategic nature, being "an essential foundation for deepening further relations." ol The lack of results in the negotiations between U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations Kurt Volker and Russian presidential aide Vladislav Surkov in Belgrade could have had to do with the lack of a bilateral meeting between President Putin and President Trump in Vietnam. Volker made such an assumption in a commentary to The Global POLITICO. "Our third meeting [with Surkov in Belgrade] was a step back. They went back to their original proposal again," Volker said. At the meeting, Surkov reverted to Russias initial proposal in September to deploy United Nations peacekeepers in eastern Ukraine along the line currently separating Ukrainian government forces and the Russia-backed separatists. Surkov told reporters after the meeting that Volker had presented 29 separate paragraphs to the Russians and that Surkov had agreed with just three of them. Volker noted that he cannot predict what would be Moscows next step. "It could be that that happened for completely other reasons having nothing to do with Ukraine, just where we are in our U.S.-Russian relationship. It could have had to do with the lack of a bilateral meeting between President Putin and President Trump [in Vietnam]," Volker added. At the same time, the American diplomat noted that was only his assumption. ol US President Donald Trump wants to achieve a peaceful settlement of the situation in Ukraine and see Ukraine regain its sovereignty and territorial integrity. U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations Kurt Volker said this in a commentary to The Global POLITICO. "I know, having heard from the president directly on this, he wants to do this. He wants to make peace; he wants to see this [conflict in Donbas] resolved; he wants to see Ukraine get its territory back. Its crystal clear," Volker said. As noted in the article, the most pressing current issue that could well blow up Volkers talksand further erode Trumps hopes of improved relations with Putinare weapons sales to Ukraine. After months of internal debates, both the Pentagon and the State Department have reportedly recommended Trump approve a $47 million package of arms, including Javelin anti-tank missiles that Ukraine has heavily lobbied for. But Trump himself has not yet signed off and many Russia watchers believe he remains reluctant to do so, the author of the article notes. So, with the Russian presidential election looming and the fate of the Ukraine talks with Surkov still unclear, its possible the U.S. may not act on the recommendation anytime soon. There isnt any decision here, Volker is quoted as saying. ol Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman and Prime Minister of Moldova Pavel Filip held a meeting in Tbilisi in the scope of the international forum Tbilisi Belt&Road Forum. In particular, the parties stated about the progress in implementing the Roadmap for Cooperation, the governments press service reports. The prime ministers discussed the results of work of the expert groups on the project of the Dniester Integrated Hydraulic Station and the development of documents on this energy complex, agreements on air traffic and international automobile traffic, which may be signed in the near future, as well as Dniester environmental projects, reads a report. The prime ministers also discussed the issue of demarcation of the entire state border. According to Volodymyr Groysman, there are no reasons to procrastinate this process. "We have enhanced our cooperation in all directions, and we have already achieved some progress," he stated. In turn, the prime minister of Moldova emphasized that he was pleased to meet with his Ukrainian counterpart and he praised the opportunity that allowed the parties to sum up the interim results of cooperation. iy Now Russia is trying to conduct a hybrid war against the entire Europe, not just meddling in elections and spreading propaganda but also posing threat to the very existence of the European democratic institutions. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin said this during the VII National Expert Forum "Ukraine: Striving for Balance", an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "I believe that Europe will not go along the path of compromise. They have already understood that the hybrid war unleashed by Russia is the global war against the democratic world, not just actions of local nature," Klimkin said. In this context, he reminded about the referendums in Catalonia and the Netherlands. "Therefore, it is a question of the future of the transatlantic union, and Ukraine's role in the fate of this union is actually much more important than many people think," the minister said. ol U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations Kurt Volker will continue talks with Russian presidential aide Vladislav Surkov on resolving the conflict in Donbas and plans soon to hold another meeting with him. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin told this to journalists on Tuesday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "Kurt [Volker] will continue these negotiations. One more meeting is scheduled in the near future. So far I cannot say when. We are in close coordination, so I can say that we will continue to exert pressure," Klimkin said. He noted that the pause in negotiations would be used usefully. "We have actually prepared our common vision. I am in constant contact with Kurt," the minister said. According to him, it is important that Donbas gradually pass under international control, which will ensure the observance of security conditions, and then preparations for the elections will begin. "Another option leads to the fact that the Russian protectorate will persist in Donbas, and this does not suit us or our friends," Klimkin said. op Stories about those who will put on a judge gown of the higher authority of the judicial branch of government for the first time Ukrinform continues the project, which acquaints Ukrainians with the new faces of the Supreme Court of Ukraine, tells about those who will wear judge gowns for the first time, and who came to the country's higher judicial body from scientific and educational institutions, from the bar and other spheres of social activity. Associate Professor of the Department of Theory and Philosophy of Law at the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv Dmytro Hudyma won the first place in the ranking of candidates for 30 vacant posts of judges of the Cassation Civil Court in the composition of the Supreme Court of Ukraine. The result is logical, because I chose the profession in childhood and went step by step, in a purposeful and persistent manner. From the first year of study at the university, I entered the scientific life, and my favorite subjects were criminal law and criminalistics. I wanted to be an investigator of the prosecutor's office, but rejected this idea while studying at the magistracy, when I received the opportunity on a competitive basis to undergo an internship in the department of communications with justice bodies of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine within ten months. Then my desire to become a lawyer strengthened. Then I started postgraduate studies, worked at the university, and was engaged in legal practice... About Santa Barbara and the profession of a lawyer I decided to become a lawyer at the age of seven under the influence of "Santa Barbara," a popular TV series in the late 1980s. Perhaps this is because there has never been any emphasis on advocacy in Soviet cinema. In detective movies, the focus was on the work of investigators, prosecutors, operative police officers, while defense lawyers remained behind the scenes. Apparently, the lawyer from the film made a special impression. My parents and grandparents did not approve of my choice for a long time. They thought I would change it. For some time, they even convinced me that it would be better to become an international law expert (in the mid-1090s there was a "boom" of the faculties of international relations). Despite this, the family strongly encouraged my interests and promoted professional development. The law profession, apparently, develops a person and teaches diverse perceptions of the situation. Scientific work gives even better opportunities for development, but this development is intellectual. And in financial terms, neither teaching nor scientific activity could give me anything, and this is one of the reasons why I started to practice law from the first day after the law faculty. But law practice does not always guarantee stable earnings: today you have a client, tomorrow you don't have a client. Therefore, I also earned some money on real estate transactions. I had the status of a private entrepreneur, from which I have already refused. About the rejection of careless work Work in a tense environment has taught me to count not only money, but also the time spent, plan activities for today, tomorrow, for a week, and for a month ahead. I hate careless work. And it's not about perfectionism. The time we spend on something is too valuable so as to spend more time later on the same thing. I do many things pro bono, that is for free. I had my own charitable foundation, dealt with about 30% of cases free of charge, and I also paid a salary to a lawyer who worked there. Through the internship program "Assistant to the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee of Ukraine" in 2002-2003 he got acquainted with civil service and the work in the Verkhovna Rada, and I understood the pros and cons of this work. About negative things and mediation I understand that I'm going to the system where they will be dissatisfied with me. It is quite rare when both parties agree with a court ruling. A judge always absorbs a negative attitude, at least from those who do not agree with a court ruling. Therefore, in law practice I was inclined to apply mediation. This is a trend of recent years. There were situations in which I brought together two conflicting parties, negotiated with both of them, and we reached consensus and signed peace treaties. It is very good that new procedural codes have been adopted now. They will allow the judge to take measures to reconcile the parties. The court is when there is no way out, when other means did not produce any results. But one should not find in court any divine hope for justice. The law is not an ideal means. I would even call it the least effective in comparison with other norms (moral, religious, etc.). About reforms I do not share pessimism about the judicial system, since I have seen significant positive changes for more than ten years of practice. The system is developing. Under pressure, slowly, but it is developing. Reforms that are currently taking place in society, including the judiciary, are oriented towards the future. If there is no retreat, we will feel the effect in a few years. Even reading the press, you can see the difference. Earlier there was not much information about detained officials, about conflicts between authorities, such as NABU, prosecutors. And there was just one news story per year about how many judges or other officials were caught red-handed, receiving bribes. About the meaning of work of the Supreme Court I have already felt changes in the judicial system as a citizen. They are happening in my eyes. Yes, slowly. But I do not believe in rapid revolutionary changes. Perhaps it is wrong to orient people that the Supreme Court will be formed, and everyone will be happy tomorrow. The state has created unique conditions, offering Ukraine's first ever competition for the position of judges to the Supreme Court. This is not just the peak of the pyramid of the judicial system. This is a body that ideologically influences the judicial system and society as a whole. I think that the right move by the state was that the Supreme Court brought together representatives of different professions - lawyers, teachers, and judges. This will lead to discussions on those issues in which judges seemed to understand everything before. If there are proposals for another vision, then other solutions may arise. I see the meaning of the work of the Supreme Court that the motivation of court decisions will be increased. About the most difficult thing in the competition My relatives supported my decision to go to the Supreme Court. They worried even more than me. The most difficult thing for me in the competition was to collect papers. It was necessary to confirm the ten-year experience of advocacy by court documents and much more. I did not sleep at all the night before submitting the documents. In my opinion, everything was worked out perfectly in terms of organization. I said at the initial stage how good was the work of employees of the Higher Qualifications Commission of Judges of Ukraine, who accepted the documents. There were no queues, despite the number of people who intended to take part in the competition. And all subsequent stages were organized at a high level. About money and status I feel well in a tent and in a luxurious palace. I need material means, but I have no obligation to them. I have no desire to earn more and more. I can ride in an old car, because it serves as a vehicle for me, not a means of self-affirmation. If I already buy something, it can be a very expensive thing, but for many years of use. This year I bought an expensive phone, because I felt I needed it. It's actually a computer that has unique capabilities that will last for the next five years. I do not buy things that I need to replace every year. About the prospects of teaching work I stopped lawyer's practice, because it is incompatible with the judiciary. Teaching, scientific and creative activities are compatible. If the Law Faculty of the Lviv University gives me an opportunity to teach on Saturdays, I will come to the students and give lectures. I am interested in communicating with students. I like to communicate with people younger than me. Now they have a different outlook, they were born after the adoption of the constitution, devoid of the burden of the past, open to new things, and many now read and speak English. About the benefits of traveling and learning new things I really like to travel around the world and get to know different cultures. People who live in the same environment and have no opportunity to see the lives of others are highly centered in their own culture. They cannot go beyond the framework and start to create something new. My trips enrich me. Apparently, I have a rest during them, no matter how tedious they are. I can easily walk in new cities, not sitting at all, for 12-15 hours. I get pleasure from this. From the age of seven, I started collecting stamps. I have a complete collection of Ukrainian stamps and maximum cards. In recent years, I have also collected stamps on the subjects "Human Rights," "Children's Rights," "Constitution," "Traffic Rules." It is very knowledgeable. Also, I have a pet a dog called Thomas. It's not just a dog, it's my friend. Unfortunately, I will not take him with me to Kyiv, because I will not be able to give him enough time. Dmytro Hudyma was born in Lviv on July 27, 1982. In 1998, he graduated from Lviv Ivan Franko State University (currently known as the Classical Gymnasium at the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv) with a gold medal and was enrolled in the Law Faculty at this university. During his studies at the university he was involved in human rights issues, the practice of the European Court of Human Rights and law anthropology. He is the author of more than 100 research papers on human rights, the practice of the European Court of Human Rights, the philosophy and methodology of law. He actively participates in scientific life, speaking at scientific and practical events. He has been engaged in public work since student years. He is a member of the Ukrainian Bar Association and the National Association of Lawyers of Ukraine. He also participated in the working groups of the OSCE Project Coordinator in Ukraine. Ukrainian citizen Pavlo Sharoiko, who was detained in Belarus on October 25, has been charged with "espionage," Belarusian KGB representative Dmitry Pobyarzhin has told the BelaPAN news agency, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports. Ukrainian Radio correspondent Pavlo Sharoiko, who was accredited in Belarus, was detained by the KGB on October 25. On the same day, a search was carried out in the apartment he was renting. Reports about his arrest came only three weeks later, on November 17. On November 20, Pobyarzhin said that Sharoiko allegedly admitted to being a military intelligence officer of Ukraine and working in Belarus under the guise of a journalist. The Belarusian KGB considers Sharoiko guilty of "creating an agent network" in Belarus. A criminal case was opened against him on charges of espionage, which foresees from 7 to 15 years in prison. The Belarusian media also claim that Sharoiko was working under the leadership of a Ukrainian diplomat expelled from Belarus and that their task was to study the activities of the Government of Belarus, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Russian Embassy and Russian military facilities, "to start and develop acquaintances, begin or continue receiving information from them." The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Radio denied information released by the KGB. op Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has called for an end to the war and aggression in eastern Ukraine. This is stated in a message of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on the occasion of the 84th anniversary of the Holodomor in Ukraine, which was published on the website of the Patriarchate. "While prayerfully commemorating the atrocity of famine, we would also like to make a prayerful appeal to all people of goodwill for the cessation of the war, aggression and ongoing violence in Ukraine, as well as to underscore the importance of respecting human rights and dignity, most especially of the prisoners of war, for whose safety and release we Orthodox pray for at every divine service," the Ecumenical Patriarch said. According to him, the aggressions and crimes witnessed in the early 20th century should not be repeated once again: "Rather, we should strive to be mechanisms of reconciliation and rapprochement, especially having fresh in our minds the disastrous results of the conflict and hostility 84 years ago." "Let us all, each from our own standpoint, personally and collectively, work to de-escalate tension and cultivate dialogue and mutual understanding, so that the dark chapters of the early 20th century will never reappear before us," he said. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew also added that the Mother Church of Constantinople was forever bonded spiritually to the Christ-loving nation of Ukraine, continuing to actively share in its pride and its joys, but also in its sorrows: "If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together." op Members of national parliaments of NATO countries have been informed in Brussels about the human losses that Ukraine suffered as a result of Russian aggression. First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Iryna Gerashchenko announced these data at a meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Inter-Parliamentary Council, an Ukrinform correspondent in Brussels reports. According to the UN, over 10,220 Ukrainians have been killed as a result of Russian aggression since 2014. In particular, 2,335 Ukrainian servicemen (including three women) were killed. A total of 137 children, including 90 boys and 47 girls, were killed. In addition, 298 citizens of other countries, including 80 children, were killed in the shooting down of Flight MH17 in Donbas by a Russian Buk missile. More than 8,390 Ukrainian servicemen, including 24 women, were injured. A total of 1,374 women became widows in Ukraine, and 2,190 lost their sons. About 1.5 million people became displaced persons. Among them 676,000 are women and 248,000 are children. Today, 162 Ukrainians are held hostage in uncontrolled areas in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Ten women and six teenagers are among them. A total of 403 people are missing in Donbas. A further 16 Ukrainian citizens became political prisoners and illegally detained in Russia. The Kremlin regime detained 53 Crimean Tatars for their political views and non-recognition of the occupied territory of Crimea. op Ukraine's Permanent Mission to the United Nations has handed over to the UN secretary general a letter from the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, in which it expresses its protest regarding the decision to extend the term of detention for journalist Roman Sushchenko, who is illegally held in Moscow. The text of the official letter on behalf of Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Volodymyr Yelchenko to the UN secretary general was made available to Ukrinform. "I would appreciate your kind assistance in having this letter distributed as a document of the General Assembly under sub-item (c) of Agenda item 72 of its 72nd Session and of the Security Council," reads a statement by the permanent representative. The document also contains the text of the comment by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on the extension of the term of Sushchenko's detention for two more months. "The Court once again rejected defense's request to change Roman Sushchenko's precautionary measure for non-custodial, which proves a continued pressure and prejudication of Russian judicial organs," reads the statement. The purposeful political character of the case against Roman Sushchenko is confirmed by the closed judgement session, as well as denial to grant access for a consular officer to participate in the session as public defender in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation. "Ukraine calls upon the international community, international human rights institutions and the OSCE Representative on Freedom of Media to take all appropriate legal and political actions to release and return Ukrainian citizen and journalist Roman Sushchenko to Ukraine," reads the document sent to the UN secretary general. op After its premiere in Cambodia in early September, First They Killed My Father, a critically acclaimed feature film portraying a childs eye view of the Khmer Rouge period, won over the audience at a screening in Maryland. The Hollywood movie, directed by Angelina Jolie and produced by renowned Cambodian director Rithy Panh, based on a memoir by Khmer Rouge survivor Loung Ung, was the first Hollywood film to be shot entirely in the Khmer language in Cambodia. Upon viewing the film, many at the Cambodian screenings wept openly at its portrayal of the Khmer Rouge regimes brutality -- the forced labor camps, starvation, and executions -- but applauded when the film ended on a hopeful note. At the screening in Montgomery College, Silver Spring, on the outskirts of Washington, DC, viewers commented on the movies distinct visual vocabulary and the bond between hope and despair in one of humanitys darkest hours. Arts and creativity is one possible way that people can overcome and transcend the terrible pain and emotional disaster that one would face after dealing with that kind of things that happened during the Khmer Rouge, said Joel Gershon, a filmmaker who appeared on a panel after the screening to discuss the movie. He added that he had been consumed by the protagonist, a young girl named Loung. You try to connect to the audience that doesnt speak the language and you got to have that emotion, the fear, the panic, confusion that you can see on Loungs face, the young girl, he said. There is a time where you can see in the eyes of Loung, that fear of not knowing where shes going next. Not knowing where life will take her. I think that does get communicated without words being necessarily said, Gershon added. The trauma of what happened during that time period cant really be explained in a two-hour movie, especially when its supposed to entertain, he said. People dont want to be completely depressed. They want to see something in the end that gives them some hope. Dr. Alfred Munzer, a genocide survivor, and pulmonologist said the film had vividly recreated the events of 1975-79. Telling the story through the eyes of a young girl, I think its very powerful. She really stands for us. She is the next generation in a way, he said. What it shows very visibly is how one person can turn against their kin -- people who are related to them within the same country. Its powerful and its very difficult to understand. Vietnamese Troops ousted the Khmer Rouge from Cambodias capital city of Phnom Penh on January 7, 1979 -- about three years after the Khmer Rouge takeover. Ben Bao, president of Cambodian Community Day, a community network in Washington, DC, said he thought there were some flaws in the film, as it portrayed anti-Vietnamese sentiment among the Khmer people, rather than focusing exclusively on the suffering of Cambodians. Pin Phounam, a student who played a stunt artist role in the film, said: I believe in Cambodia everyone has a story to tell, however different and sad. Loungs is just one story among the hundreds of stories of those whose relatives were killed. North Korea launched an unidentified ballistic missile Tuesday. South Korean Military officials are quoted as saying the missile flew on an eastward trajectory and that authorities are analyzing the launch in cooperation with the U.S. military. "We detected a probable missile launch from North Korea. We will provide additional information as available," Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Robert Manning said. The United States is "not surprised" by the development, a U.S. intelligence official told VOA. White House Press Secretary tweeted President Donald Trump "was briefed, while missile was still in the air, on the situation in North Korea." The last ballistic missile launch by North Korea was in September. It is still unclear what type of missile was launched Tuesday. In Japan, the Cabinet crisis team has been summoned for an emergency meeting. Japan's chief Cabinet secretary said Tokyo "strongly protests" the launch. The latest North Korean launch comes as the U.S. and South Korea are preparing a five-day joint exercise called Vigilant Ace from December 4-8 with thousands of military personnel and more than 230 aircraft, including six F-22 Raptor fighter jets deployed to South Korea for the first time. The White House said Monday that with the defeat of Islamic State the United States is winding down its military support for the local groups fighting the militants. The news of the policy change first came last week from Turkey, which has long complained of the US support for Kurdish YPG militia that Ankara considers a terrorist organization. VOA's Zlatica Hoke reports. Talks between the Syrian government and opposition forces aimed at bringing an end to the six-year war resume Tuesday in Geneva. Nearly half a million people have been killed since the President Bashar al-Assads crackdown on an uprising during the 2011 Arab Spring. As Henry Ridgwell reports from London, several regional and global powers have intervened in the conflict and it is they who will likely drive the terms of any peace deal. The United States has tripled the number of air-delivered munitions in Afghanistan this year and is training hundreds of soldiers who will soon start advising the Afghan army in combat areas outside of military bases. U.S. General John Nicholson, the top commander of international forces in the country, said via teleconference from Afghanistan Tuesday that the increased air power has allowed Afghans to more aggressively pursue the Taliban. The increased air power is made possible by new authorities granted to U.S. forces in Afghanistan under the administration of President Donald Trump. Under former president Barack Obama's administration, U.S. airstrikes were limited to cases of self-defense when the Taliban were in close enough range to present a direct threat to American and Afghan forces. As of October of this year, the U.S. had conducted more than 2,700 airstrikes in Afghanistan, Resolute Support spokesman Army Lt. Col. Kone Faulkner told VOA. 1,000 US soldiers outside the wire During the briefing, Nicholson outlined a major effort aimed at improving the Afghan offensive that is expected to begin when the weather warms next year. The U.S. Army is training 800-1,000 soldiers, whom Nicholson calls volunteers, for its first security force assistance brigade. The Army will produce a total of six security force assistance brigades to advise the Afghan army at the battalion level, known as the "kandak" level in Afghanistan. U.S. military officials say this strategy has been successful with American troops who have been advising Afghanistans special forces at a lower level during the past two years. This will enable us to help the Afghans with their offensive operations simultaneously in multiple corps, Nicholson said. The general said the advisers will operate in teams that will be backed up by additional American enablers, in order to protect the U.S. forces and their Afghan counterparts. The new strategy, however, puts hundreds more Americans at risk of getting caught in combat as they advise their Afghan partners in the field. The goal is to secure portions of the population who are living in contested areas before the upcoming Afghan election. The government controls about 64 percent of the population, the Taliban controls about 12 percent of the population and the other 24 percent live in contested areas. Trump's Afghan strategy The new Afghanistan strategy Trump announced in August adds about 3,000 American troops and additional NATO coalition partners to the Afghan fight, the bulk of whom will advise and assist Afghan forces down to the brigade level. The strategy also aims to focus on major players in the region, including India, China, Russia, Iran and Pakistan. U.S. leaders have expressed frustration over Pakistan's seeming unwillingness to prevent terrorists from using their territory to escape pressure in neighboring Afghanistan. Tuesday, when asked if the coalition has seen any significant change in Pakistan cracking down on militants crossing into Afghanistan, General Nicholson told Pentagon reporters, "We are hoping to see those changes, we are hoping to work together with the Pakistanis going forward to eliminate terrorists who are crossing" the border. Henry Fusirayi Nzarayebani, an elder in Zimunya, a village in eastern Zimbabwe, walks slowly toward plants growing at the edge of a narrow dirt path. He plucks a few leaves from a shrub nearly hidden amid a thicket of invasive Lantana camara plants, then rubs the leaves between his hands and sniffs the scent. "These leaves are used to treat stomachaches," Nzarayebani said with a smile. "You either boil the leaves, then drink the water, or you can chew the leaves raw and swallow the juice. These leaves are good for treating any kind of stomach upset." But such medicinal plants are growing rarer in Zimbabwe these days. Overharvesting can be a problem, as can competition from other plants. But one of the most serious problems appears to be the country's lengthening droughts, associated with climate change. "Unfortunately, this plant is becoming scarce," said Nzarayebani, standing near a small dry riverbed, which in wetter seasons gushes temporarily with water. "Ever since the 1992 drought, this plant has been disappearing, and is now only found in a few spots near the river. At times people are now traveling high up the mountains to look for some of these herbs," said the expert in traditional herbal medicine, a skill passed down in his family for generations. More drought, less medicine Zimbabwe experienced a devastating drought in 1992, and has since seen increasingly frequent and recurring dry spells. Between 2015 and 2016 the country suffered a crippling drought, linked to the El Nino weather phenomenon, that wiped out crops, wild plants and livestock. That is a particular problem for the large number of people in remote rural areas who rely on medicinal herbs because they live too far away from clinics or because the clinics short of foreign currency don't stock the drugs they need. In particular, many people turn to plants to treat high blood pressure, stomachaches and sexually transmitted infections, among others, herbalists said. But those plants are disappearing. Nzarayebani said he had seen 10 plants he has long relied on disappear in the past few years. "Even when the rains come, some of the plants are not coming back. It seems they have disappeared forever," he said. "This year we received very good rains but some of the herbs, particularly those used to treat sunken fontanel in babies, have completely disappeared," he said. He said he still held out hope that some would return if rains remained good. Another village elder, Albert Mutasa, said the disappearance of the long-relied-upon plants was a growing concern for many local people. "We are worried that our source of medicines is fast disappearing," Mutasa told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. "I used to get a plant known locally as mutsombori to treat various sicknesses at the wetland nearby, but due to the droughts experienced in the past years, the wetland is gone and the plants are gone, too." He said prolonged droughts appeared to have killed even the underground tubers or bulbs that had once helped plants regenerate once rains returned. "The plants are disappearing, both fruit and herbal medicines, but we cannot do anything. Some of these plants need a lot of water. The water is now scarce," he said. Lawrence Nyagwande, a plant expert with Environment Africa, an environmental organization based in Zimbabwe, said there was little doubt that droughts linked to strengthening climate change were a big contributor to the loss of Zimbabwe's medicinal plants. "Definitely there is a link," he said. "If some plants are disturbed by droughts they will not regenerate even when the good rains come." Police in Australian have charged a man with planning to carry out what they described as a potentially catastrophic" terrorist attack during New Year's Eve celebrations in Melbourne. Authorities say the suspect, a 20-year old Australian citizen of Somali descent, allegedly planned to shoot as many people as he could with an automatic rifle at a New Years Eve party at Federation Square in the center of Melbourne -- one of the most popular locales in Australias second biggest city to enjoy new year festivities. Officials believe the man, who has not been named, was acting alone and had obtained an al-Qaida manual online with instructions for carrying out such an attack. He also allegedly is a sympathizer of the Islamic State militant group. Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton says officers had been monitoring him as a "person of interest" since January. The man was arrested Monday as police conducted raids at his family home in suburban Melbourne and at a property belonging to a relative. Australias Federal Justice Minister Michael Keenan said it was the 14th alleged plot disrupted by the nations security agencies and police in the past three years. Keenan said the charges were a reminder of the depravity of the terrorists. Officials say the man faces life in prison if found guilty of the charges. Seventy-four people have been charged by Australian counterterrorism police since 2014, when the nation's terror threat level was raised to probable. In August, police said they had thwarted conspiracies to smuggle a bomb onto a plane at Sydney airport and another to set off a device that could release toxic gas. Bangladesh approved a $280 million project Tuesday to develop an isolated and flood-prone island in the Bay of Bengal to temporarily house 100,000 Rohingya Muslims fleeing violence in neighboring Myanmar. The decision came just days after Bangladesh sealed a deal aiming to start returning Rohingya to Myanmar within two months to reduce pressure in refugee camps. A Bangladeshi government committee headed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina approved the plan to develop Bhashan Char island, also known as Thenger Char, despite criticism from humanitarian workers who have said the island is all but uninhabitable. Planning Minister Mustafa Kamal said it would take time to repatriate the refugees, and in the meantime Bangladesh needed a place to house them. The project to house 100,000 refugees on the island would be complete by 2019, he said. "Many Rohingya people are living in dire conditions," he said, describing the influx of refugees as "a threat to both security and the environment." More than 620,000 Rohingya Muslims have sought sanctuary in Bangladesh after the military in mostly Buddhist Myanmar launched a harsh counter-insurgency operation in their villages across the northern parts of Rakhine state, following attacks by Rohingya militants on an army base and police posts August 25. Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali appealed in September for international support to transport Rohingya to the island. There were already about 300,000 Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh before the most recent exodus. Island perils Bangladesh, one of the world's poorest and most crowded nations, plans to develop the island, which emerged from the silt off Bangladesh's delta coast only 11 years ago and is two hours by boat from the nearest settlement. It regularly floods during the June-September monsoons. When seas are calm, pirates roam the nearby waters to kidnap fishermen for ransom. A plan to develop the island and use it to house refugees was first proposed in 2015 and revived last year. Despite criticism of the conditions on the island, Bangladesh says it has the right to decide where to shelter the growing numbers of refugees. A high-profile case of alleged child abuse at a nursery in China's capital has triggered a nationwide inspection of early learning facilities and shocked parents across the country. The incident is not the first this year, but one in a growing number of cases to hit Chinas booming early education industry. But how authorities respond to the case is key, as early education is seen as a crucial link some argue the weakest link - in the authoritarian Communist Partys aspirations to turn China into a global education powerhouse. During the recently concluded 19th Party Congress, the Communist Party listed preschool education as a key link in its efforts to develop the countrys education system. Officials aim to boost enrollment to 85 percent by 2020, by which time analysts predict the industry could be worth as much $50 billion. However, since the Party Congress wrapped up, China has been wracked with two major preschool scandals in two of the countrys most prominent cities Shanghai and Beijing. In early November, videos surfaced of teachers at an employee nursery in Shanghai for the online travel giant Ctrip violently shoving students around and apparently force-feeding others to eat wasabi. The case in Beijing at RYB Education, a company that recently listed on the New York Stock Exchange, has triggered even bigger shockwaves. Part of the reason for this is that the company is listed overseas and the severity of the accusations, which include not only physical, but also alleged sexual abuse. There have been reports before about abuse at schools. I think that what is different about this is that it is Beijing," said Lenora Chu, author of the book "Little Soldiers, An American Boy, a Chinese School and the Global Race to Achieve." "Because it is a private school, because these are middle class parents with money, I hope that change will begin to happen." According to allegations from parents of toddlers attending RYB in Beijing, the children were given pills, apparently to sleep, and pricked with needles. Some told their parents that they were given physical exams by men while naked and that one of the men was also not clothed. In response, RYB has established a special task force to carry out what it calls a thorough self-inspection across all teaching facilities. It was not immediately clear how that inspection would be carried out. The company operates about 1,300 day care centers in about 300 cities across China. Authorities in Beijing have detained four people in connection with the case and the principal of the school has been removed. However, only one is a teacher, the other three were detained for spreading rumors. According to state media reports, authorities in Beijing have requested that all schools appoint an inspector at every kindergarten and that more cameras are added to classrooms and that some will even be linked directly to police stations. Some are hopeful that the high-level of attention the incident has stirred up will bring about some much-needed change to a problem that has been festering for years. Xue Xinya, head of the sociology and social work department at XiAn Northwestern University, said Chinas early childhood education system has been a bit deficient ever since the country began opening up to economic reforms and shifting away from a planned economy. At that time it was the company in charge, and it was your own people, taking care of your kids; everybody knew each other, and in general things were managed strictly. Under the planned economy, people were simpler, they just wouldnt dare to abuse anyone. Xue said. After that era, state owned enterprises stopped providing social services, and there were fewer and fewer schools to care for children below the age of three. As China looks to grow its industry and ensure quality, one thing that is more important than technical training is professional ethics and values. [Professional] values education is very, very important for early childhood education, social work, and elementary school teachers. The countrys whole educational system ought to reflect this, like doctors in the West - when you act as a doctor you have a Hippocratic Oath, she said. Chinas leaders want more private investment to flow into preschool education, but analysts note some are hesitant because of a lack of clear guidelines and too many barriers. No single government agency is clearly in charge of the sector and preschool care is overseen by several ministries including the Ministry of Education, National Health and Family Planning Commission and Ministry of Civil Affairs. Some have called for the drafting of a Preschool Education Law to make clear government responsibilities such as management, funding, teacher training, supervision and assessment. Others note that legal amendments are needed to account for the impact such traumatic incidents can have on vulnerable young children. The biggest impact on these children is psychological. Many of these cases are uncovered when children are suddenly wetting their bed, having nightmares or refusing to go to school. But according to Chinas criminal code there currently is no valuation given for the psychological impact such incidents could have on children, said lawyer Si Zuoyang. Although the RYB case in Beijing has taken the nation by storm, it is not the first time that its schools have faced accusations. In 2015, four teachers from one of its schools in the northern province of Jilin also faced similar charges and were found guilty of abuse and poking some 17 children with a needle. Two of the teachers were sentenced to two years and six months in prison, the others to two years and 10 months. Three years is the maximum sentence for the crime of Maltreatment or Neglect by a Parent or Caretaker, a sentence ceiling some argue needs to be raised. Joyce Huang and Brian Kopczynski contributed to this report. A court in China's southern Hunan province has sentenced Taiwanese rights activist Lee Ming-che and his alleged Chinese national accomplice Peng Yuhua to five and seven years in prison respectively on charges of inciting state subversion. Lee is the first foreign non-governmental organization (NGO) worker to be sentenced after Chinas new Foreign NGO Management Law went into effect in January. International rights groups denounced both Lees and Pengs ruling, calling it preposterous. They said the verdict will have a chilling effect among NGO workers and rights defenders, both at home and abroad, if they continue to promote democratic values and human rights in China, which authorities there consider politically sensitive. Criminalizing communication The law is so broad and the evidence is so flimsy. That is basically just criminalizing communication, Frances Eve, Researcher of Chinese Human Rights Defenders, told VOA. The researcher called Tuesdays verdict a mockery of Chinas membership in the United Nations Human Rights Council and accused the Chinese government of being two-faced. The [Chinese] government is very two-faced. It will go say to the international community that we rule the country according to the law [and] that weve signed the International [Human Rights] Treaty, Eve said. Inside the country, thats a completely difference face. If you speak about democracy, you make a joke about Xi Jinping, you talk about social issues, all of that can result in a prison sentence, she added. Guilty of state power subversion On Tuesday, the court in the city of Yueyang found both Peng and Lee guilty of having organized a private group and set up discussion groups on social media platforms including QQ, Wechat and Facebook since 2012 to advocate for a democratic multi-party system and free elections in a bid to oust the ruling Communist Party. According to video clips posted on the courts official Weibo account, the court concluded that Peng, 37, was the main initiator, who established the group and organized private gatherings to discuss the political pursuit for a multi-party system, while Lee, 42, played an active role. In the video clip, Judge Bin Dai said that although their behavior has constituted subversion of state power, the court has awarded both what it called lenient jail terms after having taken into consideration their earlier confession in court. The court has concluded that the accused Peng and Lee have established an illegal group with an aim to subvert state power and topple the socialist system. Theyve also come up with a plan, measures and steps to subvert state power and attack the [political] system enshrined in the Constitution, which posed a serious threat to national security and stability, Dai said. No appeal? Both Lee and Peng would also be deprived of political rights for two years, the judge added. In response, they both told the court that they will not appeal. Taiwans government called Lees verdict unacceptable. In a press statement, Taiwans Presidential Office demanded the immediate release of Lee. Its regrettable that Lees case has not only seriously hurt cross-strait relations, but also challenged Taiwanese peoples insistence in democracy and freedom, the statement said. To spread democracy isnt a crime [The verdict] will also strike at Chinas international image, Taiwans Mainland Affairs Council added in another statement. To alienate Taiwan Pro-independence lawyer Hsu Yung-ming of New Power Party, moreover, called Lees case a ridiculous show trial that will only further alienate Taiwan from China. The trial Hsu said is a showcase for the huge discrepancy between Taiwan and China in terms of personal freedoms and rule of law. The people of Taiwan will be completely perplexed that why anyone would willingly refuse to appeal such a conviction. This shows the huge gap between us and China, Hsu said, adding that he suspects Lee was coerced into refusing to appeal. Lees wife Lee Ching-yu also defended her husbands innocence. In a written statement, released by Taiwanese Association for Human Rights, she said she took pride in Lees devotion and sacrifice for the pursuit of democracy in China. After the trial, she also vowed to continue her fight for Lee and to seek support from the international community, including her planned testimony to the UN in February. What the [Chinese] court has put Lee Ming-che on trial [for] falls into the scope of speech freedom, which should be considered not guilty in any civilized country, she was quoted by local media outlets. International rights groups, including Amnesty International, have called on world governments to continue to exert pressure on China authorities to address the plight Lee and many other Chinese rights defenders face. We would consider him [Lee Ming-che] to be arbitrarily detained and a prisoner of consciousness because he was doing nothing more than peacefully expressing his opinions, trying to work peacefully with other actors and improving human rights, said Hong Kong-based Roseann Rife, East Asia research director at Amnesty International. Rife also urged China authorities to acknowledge the progressive role the civil society and NGOs can play and engage with them in addressing systemic problems and finding solutions for China. Ralph Jennings contributed to this report. Chobani, the company that helped kick-start the Greek yogurt craze, is shrinking those words on its label as it may expand beyond that food in an increasingly crowded yogurt market. The new look, which will show up in supermarkets this week, removes "Greek Yogurt" from underneath the Chobani name. The yogurt inside will stay the same. Its packaging will be more muted than the current bright white, use a new font and style, and feature watercolor paintings of fruits rather than photographs of strawberries and peaches. "What this new identity enables us to do is start to seed, if you will, us going into other areas beyond yogurt," says Peter McGuinness, Chobani's chief marketing officer. But he wouldn't say what new foods or products it might make, or when it would happen. Chobani has grown quickly since its yogurt was first sold at supermarkets 10 years ago. Older food companies scrambled to catch up and offer their own versions of Greek yogurt, but last year Chobani overtook General Mills Inc.'s Yoplait as the best-selling yogurt brand in the U.S., according to market research firm Euromonitor. McGuinness says the new, thicker font makes Chobani easier to spot in the overcrowded yogurt aisle, and the off-white containers differentiate it from its rivals. Its Smooth Yogurt, which it launched earlier this year as a less-tart alternative to Greek yogurt, gets a more colorful container and shrinks the Chobani name. A similar treatment was given to Chobani Flip, which has yogurt in one container and mix-ins such as chocolate or dried cranberries in the other. Flip, which was launched nearly four years ago, is on track to become a $1 billion business in about two years, says McGuinness. It gets people to eat yogurt beyond breakfast, he says, and brings people to the brand who may not like yogurt. He declined to say how much the redesign would cost, but anywhere the logo appears is being updated. "This is a big investment," he says. This week for the first time in 357 years they are changing the guard at Buckingham Palace, not with Foot Guards wearing their signature red tunics, but with sailors, who have temporarily taken over the ceremonial role outside the royal residence to mark 2017 as the Year of the Navy. Britains biggest ever warship, the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, started its sea trials this year. The vessel is the first in a planned raft of new warships that are meant to mark an expansion of the navy and the return of Britain as a serious maritime force in keeping with its ambition to remain in the top tier of military powers. But whether the plans will be met is now in doubt. Sluggish economic growth, rising government debt and the feared impact of Britains exit from the European Union, known as Brexit, is forcing the ruling Conservatives to rethink what it can afford. And the future on the cards is one of crippling budget-squeezing measures that will see a delay in the building of new frigates and tanks and the Royal Navy having to give up its two remaining amphibious assault ships capable of landing Royal Marines on foreign shores. Far from expanding the Royal Navy, a looming round of biting spending cuts the second in three years would see the fleet contract. It would also see a delay in the purchase of American-made F-35 warplanes for use on Britains new expensive aircraft carrier. Cuts now being debated within the government would also devastate Britains overall military capability, fear British defense officials. Their counterparts in the United States have warned Britains much vaunted special relationship with America thats ultimately founded on military cooperation could well be imperiled as a result, reducing Britain's global influence already threatened by Brexit. British troops are currently deployed with U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan and bolstering the defense's of eastern European countries in response to Russias more aggressive military posture. Earlier in November, a senior U.S. general warned against deeper cuts to Britain's armed forces. Gen. Ben Hodges, commander of the U.S. Army in Europe, said Britain's position as a key ally and leading NATO member would be at risk, if its armed forces shrank even more. The British Army has already been cut from 120,000 to 82,000 regular troops. Its a leader in the [NATO] alliance and if it cant sustain the level of commitments its fulfilling right now, then I think it risks going into a different sort of category, he said in an interview with the BBC. Some recently retired senior officers who have the freedom to speak out say Britain already has fallen into a sub-par category. Last week, retired Gen. Richard Barrons warned a parliamentary defense committee that the countrys military is no longer fit for purpose and that the army is 20 years out of date and nearing breaking point. The navy is underfunded and the air force teetering on the edge because of decades of cuts, he warned. If you dont put this money back in defense, you will be responsible for tipping the armed forces into institutional failure, he told lawmakers. He pointed out that the defense review is coming at a time when Russia and China as well as allies such as the United States and Germany are growing their forces and modernizing them. Popular Defense Minister Tobias Ellwood is an army veteran who was feted publicly for his first aid efforts to revive a policeman felled in a lone-wolf terror attack last March on the House of Commons. Ellwood is threatening to resign in protest at cuts that will likely shrink the British armys full-time strength to just 70,000. It is rare for a British government minister to resign on a matter of principle. The last time a defense minister did so quit was in 1966. Even without the cuts, Britain is already far behind in combat strength compared to nearby France, which has 110,000 regular service personnel. Britain can call upon 249 combat tanks, whereas France has 406. Likely cuts to the Royal Navys budget would see it for the first time in history operating a smaller fleet than the French. British Prime Minister Theresa May, already buffeted and imperiled by divisions within the Conservative Party over Brexit, has been warned by Cabinet colleagues that she faces a very substantial rebellion in the House of Commons, if she fails to stop the cuts to the armed forces. And on Sunday, Nicholas Soames, grandson of Britains wartime leader Winston Churchill, tweeted, The Conservative parliamentary party has a duty now to unite against further defense cuts to capability. Soames and 23 other Conservative lawmakers warned in a letter to Mays minority government that they are also not prepared to see the degradation of this nations amphibious capabilities any further. The coal industry and environmentalists squared off Tuesday at a public hearing over the Trump administration's planned repeal of an Obama-era plan to limit planet-warming carbon emissions. The Environmental Protection Agency was holding the only scheduled hearing on the reversal in Charleston, West Virginia, capital of a state heavily dependent on coal mining. The hearing was expected to last two days. The Clean Power Plan sought to ratchet down use of the dirtiest fossil fuel but never took effect because of lawsuits filed by coal companies and conservative-leaning states. Coal-fired power plants are a major source of the carbon emissions driving climate change. Among those testifying was Bob Murray, chief executive Murray Energy Corp. He derided the Obama plan as an illegal power grab that has cost coal miners their livelihoods. "The Clean Power Plan would devastate coal-fired electricity generation in America," said Murray, whose company employs 5,200 miners and has 14 active coal mines. "This would impose massive costs on the power sector and on American consumers." Under the Obama administration, EPA held four multiday public hearings in Washington, Atlanta, Pittsburgh and Denver to collect feedback before issuing the Clean Power Plan in 2015. About two dozen conservative-leaning states and a battery of fossil-fuel companies immediately sued, successfully preventing the carbon reduction plan from taking effect before the election of Donald Trump, who as a candidate pledged to repeal it. To head EPA, Trump appointed Scott Pruitt, a former Oklahoma attorney general who was among those who fought the Clean Power Plan in court. Pruitt has made a priority the delay and reversal of recent environmental regulations negatively impacting the profits of coal and petrochemical companies. Though Trump, Pruitt and others have blamed environmental regulations for the loss of coal-mining jobs, the accelerating shift of electric utilities using cheaper and cleaner-burning natural gas is a primary culprit. Pruitt has also sought to cast doubt on the consensus of climate scientists that the continued burning of fossil fuels is the main driver of global warming. Scientists say climate change has already triggered rising seas and more extreme weather, including killer heat waves, worsened droughts and torrential rains. Pruitt did not attend Tuesday's public hearing, which was presided over by three EPA employees. The Sierra Club's climate-policy director, Liz Perera, told them that the proposed repeal ignores scientific reality. "This is about the kind of world that we want to leave for our children," she said. The plight of migrants in Libya was the focal point of a U.N. Security Council meeting Tuesday after CNN aired shocking footage of African migrants apparently being sold as slaves in that country. The envoys called for the prosecution and the possible imposition of sanctions on human traffickers and their networks. The footage that aired last week, in which young men from Niger and other sub-Saharan countries were shown being auctioned off as farm workers for about $400, sparked international outrage, including protests in Europe and Africa. Libyas U.N. envoy, Elmahdi Elmajerbi, said the government was investigating the CNN video, but he questioned its authenticity and said his country was the victim of "a large-scale false media campaign of defamation" trying to portray Libya as a racist country. French U.N. Ambassador Francois Delattre, whose government called for the council meeting, said victims were subjected to horrific human rights violations including rape, torture and arbitrary detention. Such practices "are not merely intolerable from the moral standpoint, they also constitute crimes against humanity, and they must not, they cannot, be left unpunished, he said through an interpreter. The U.N. envoy recommended that the council impose targeted sanctions against individuals implicated in human trafficking and suggested that perpetrators could be referred to the International Criminal Court for prosecution. Several council members also urged measures to address the root causes of forced migration, especially poverty, and they called for opening new legal pathways for migrants. U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said 17,000 migrants were in detention in Libya and many more were being held by smugglers and traffickers protected by militia groups. He said the United Nations had secured the release of about 1,000 asylum seekers and refugees this year. Germany's Christmas markets opened Monday at the start of the holiday season, with security staff on hand and concrete barriers to protect shoppers, nearly a year after an Islamist militant killed 12 people by driving a truck into crowds. Some 2,600 markets, known for their sparkling Christmas trees and wooden stalls serving candied nuts, sausages, mulled wine and handicrafts, opened across Germany under tighter-than-usual security. The markets are beloved by Germans and a major tourist attraction for visitors this time of year. In the city of Bochum in Western Germany, organizers decorate concrete bollards, wrapping them up as Christmas presents with bows to make them appear festive. In Photos: Germany's Christmas Markets Open a Year After Attack In Berlin, Petra Henne, who had been at the market in December last year just half an hour before Tunisian militant Anis Amri drove a hijacked truck into the crowd, came out for the opening this year to enjoy the festivities. The extra security was "a bit oppressive," she said. "And it is awful, this violence that you can't do anything about. But Berliners are on good form and they carry on anyway. What else can one do?" An interior ministry spokesman said the risk of an attack in Europe and Germany is "continuously high." Organizers and business owners had complained that the government was reluctant to share the cost of extra security measures. "What could be done was done," said Berlin's Mayor, Michael Mueller, on Monday, noting that those measures still could not guarantee absolute security. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) far-right party asked members of the public to share pictures showing extra security measures at their local markets and post them on social media in protest against Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision in 2015 to open Germany's borders to more than a million asylum seekers. The AfD blames Merkel's immigration policy for what it says is a rise in crime and Islamist attacks. Klaus Schultheis, an expert in German Christmas markets who collects annual national data on the subject, said he knew of only two markets that were cancelled over security concerns. "Christmas markets are a piece of the German culture that shouldn't disappear no matter what," he said. "It goes on." Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri said on Monday that the political and militant group Hezbollah must stop interfering in regional conflicts and accept a neutral policy to bring an end to Lebanon's political crisis. The Iranian-backed Hezbollah, which forms part of the Lebanese government, is fighting alongside Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Syria and in Iraq against Islamic State militants. Gulf monarchies have accused the Shi'ite group of also supporting the Houthi group in Yemen and of backing militants in Bahrain. Hezbollah denies any activity in Yemen or Bahrain. Hariris main patron is Saudi Arabia, Irans main regional rival, which has also intervened in regional conflicts. I dont want a political party in my government that interferes in Arab countries against other Arab countries, Hariri said in an interview recorded on Monday with French broadcaster CNews. I am waiting for the neutrality which we agreed on in the government, he said. One cant say one thing and do something else. Hariri shocked Lebanon on Nov. 4 by resigning from his post in a statement from Saudi Arabia. His resignation, however, has not yet been accepted. President Michel Aoun held talks on Monday with other Lebanese political leaders over the future of Hariris government but gave no sign whether they discussed Hariris demand that the country steer clear of regional turmoil. Lebanon cannot resolve a question like Hezbollah which is in Syria, Iraq, everywhere because of Iran. It is a regional political solution that needs to be done, Hariri said. The interference of Iran affects us all. If we want a policy that is good for the region we shouldn't be interfering. He said he was ready to stay on as prime minister if Hezbollah accepted to stick by the state policy of staying out of regional conflicts. However, he said he would resign if Hezbollah did not keep to that, although consultations so far had been positive. I think in the interest of Lebanon, Hezbollah is carrying out a positive dialogue. They know we have to remain neutral in the region. He said that if this weeks consultations ended positively he would possibly modify the make-up of the government and added that he was open to elections before next year. Ivanka Trump described the hurdles faced by women during a speech Tuesday at a business conference in India, which is treating her trip like a royal visit. But her solo outing also highlighted questions about whether her message of empowering poor women matches her actions. Trump's speech at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in the southern city of Hyderabad was broadcast live throughout India by major news channels. A buildup worthy of a Bollywood musical included cultural references that ranged from independence leader Mahatma Gandhi to the movie "Slumdog Millionaire." The city had cleared away beggars and filled potholes ahead of the visit by Trump, the daughter of President Donald Trump and a senior presidential adviser. She arrived without top officials from the State Department. "As a former entrepreneur, employer, and executive in a male-dominated industry, I've seen firsthand that all too often women must do more than their male counterparts to prove themselves at work, while also disproportionately caring for their families at home," Trump said in her speech. But the conference's focus on female entrepreneurs raises questions about some of the commercial decisions made by Trump and her namesake brand. Critics have faulted her for failing to use her leadership role to call out labor and human rights abuses, particularly in China, where the bulk of her U.S. merchandise ships from. And they point out that she has failed to take a public stand on alleged abuses in her brand's own supply chain. Trump stepped back from day-to-day management of her brand before taking on an official role as White House adviser, but still retains an ownership interest. "After my father's election, I saw an opportunity to leave my businesses for the privilege of serving our country, and empowering all Americans to succeed," she said in the speech. Abigail Klem, president of the Ivanka Trump brand, has called supply chain integrity "a top priority," but the brand has not joined the growing number of companies that publicly identify their manufacturers. A September investigation by The Associated Press showed that Trump's supply chain has become more opaque than ever since she took on her White House role, making it impossible to know whom her company is doing business with around the world. The brand has said supply chains are the responsibility of its licensees. Earlier this month, 23 rights groups signed a letter urging Trump, her brand and two licensees to publish the names and addresses of suppliers. They also urged Trump and her brand to publicly demand that the Chinese government not prosecute three activists detained this past summer while investigating the brand's supply chain, and allow independent monitoring of factories. Trump was joined at Tuesday's conference by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "What you are achieving here is truly extraordinary," Trump said. "From your childhood selling tea to your election as India's prime minister, you've proven that transformational change is possible." Modi was scheduled to host Trump for dinner at the luxurious Falaknuma Palace Hotel. "This event showcases the close ties between the United States of America and India," Modi said. "It underlines our shared commitment to entrepreneurship and innovation." Trump did not spend a lot of time during her speech discussing U.S. politics, although she did say the administration was "laser focused on passing long overdue tax cuts.'' The cleanup of Hyderabad, a southern technology hub, began a month ahead of the conference, when the city began rounding up several hundred homeless people and beggars. Officials said the drive against begging was launched because two international events were taking place in the city the entrepreneurship summit and the World Telugu Conference in December. Begging is a criminal offense in India and can be punished by as much as 10 years in prison, although the law is rarely enforced. Beggars tend to crowd around cars at traffic signals, knocking on windows and asking for food and money. They include children as young as 5, who weave through dangerous traffic and often perform small acrobatic acts. "It's cool that she's coming," said Amani Bhugati, a medical student, before the speech. "She's glamorous, beautiful and powerful. It's like a combination of Hollywood and politics." Others marveled at the improvements made around Hyderabad. "All new," said Gopal, a taxi driver who gave only his first name. But he also pointed to the potholes that remain on many smaller streets. "She's not coming here, so they didn't fix it," he said. More than 1,200 people were attending the three-day conference, although not everyone was thrilled about Trump's presence. "It's now being called Ivanka Trump's summit. It totally overshadows all our work," said Sangeeta Agarawal, the chief executive of U.S. startup Helpsy Health. "We feel that's it become more about her." The annual entrepreneurship conference has a theme this year of "Women first, prosperity for all," and involves networking, mentoring and workshops. Trump was to host at least two panel discussions before leaving Wednesday. CBS isn't saying that Jeremy Piven's freshman series Wisdom of the Crowd is canceled, but the actor apparently sees it that way. After the network said Monday it won't expand its initial episode order for the crime drama but declined to address its future, Piven responded with a bittersweet tweet. Proud of the work we did and we will Finish out our 13 episodes with full hearts! Piven wrote on his Twitter account, adding, Thanks for all the love, going to miss it as well. The tweets were confirmed by a spokeswoman, who declined further comment. The network's decision follows sexual misconduct allegations leveled by several women against Piven, who has denied them. CBS said previously it is looking into the claims but has issued no further statement. Piven stars in the series as a tech guru who creates a crowd-sourcing app to help solve crimes, including his daughter's killing. CBS plans to air the rest of the 13 episodes. Wisdom of the Crowd has earned lackluster ratings but CBS didn't comment on why it wasn't ordering a full season, typically about 20 episodes. Meanwhile, the network announced Monday it was ordering additional episodes of two sitcoms, Matt LeBlanc's Man With a Plan and Superior Donuts. French President Emmanuel Macron met with university students in Burkina Faso Tuesday, as he kicked off a three-day trip to West Africa. He is the first French president in three decades to visit Burkina Faso. President Emmanuel Macron spent three hours on Tuesday at the University of Ouagadougou, discussing migration, climate change and terrorism with a room full of students. In his remarks, the French president said he would pursue equal partnership with African nations, breaking with the more paternalistic relationship of old, a relationship between France and its former colonies known as the francafrique. Many in Ouagadougou welcome the change. Patigadawende Kabore, a government worker enjoying his lunch in a canteen near Ouagadougous city hall, said times have changed. He says he would like to tell Macron that the generation you are dealing with today is different from the ones that went before. Security was a key concern during Macron's visit. Police and army patrolled around all the main arteries, including the Kwame Nkrumah Avenue, scene of two major terrorist attacks in the past. In his university address, President Macron was full of praise for the regional French anti-terrorist force Barkhane. The force has been criticized by Burkinabe civil society groups, who call it an example of neo-colonialism. "The best policy is of course when a country runs its own security, said "Burkina Faso government spokesman Remi Fulgano Dandjenou. "But the fact remains that the problems that are happening in the Sahel region concerns not only the countries in that region. This means that not only the Sahel countries but also France, the EU, the United Nations play their part." France has been busy drumming up international support for the newly created G5 force, which it hopes can take over the war on terror in the Sahel. The G5 is comprised of troops from five African nations, including Burkina Faso. Back at the university, Macron engaged in a lively debate with students following his speech. The students, inevitably, brought up names from the past: Thomas Sankara, the slain revolutionary leader and a national hero, and Norbert Zongo, the journalist allegedly killed on the order of Francois Compaore, the younger brother of ex-president Blaise. Macron said all remaining documents on the murder of Thomas Sankara in the 1987 coup that brought Blaise Compaore to power would be declassified. However, he said he could not guarantee the extradition of Francois Compaore, who is currently in France but was recently charged in Burkina Faso for his alleged role in Zongos murder. Macron will head to Ivory Coast on Wednesday for a European Union-African Union summit expected to address migration. The French president will then wrap up his trip to the region Thursday in Ghana. Mali has delayed regional elections due next month until April 2018 in order to address dissatisfaction with the timing from powerful armed groups, the government said Monday. Tieman Hubert Coulibaly, minister for territorial administration, met former rebel groups and pro-government factions who registered "concerns" over the vote's timing, a government statement said. "In order to allow all those concerned to have time for the necessary discussion and to resolve the issues raised, it would appear necessary to delay the date of the elections," the statement said. The vote had been slated for December 17. The groups the ex-rebels of the Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA) and pro-government fighters known as the Platform agreed on a roadmap to peace with the central government two years ago, in an attempt to bring national unity after a 2012 separatist uprising in the north which was followed by a jihadist insurgency. The peace accord has failed to stop the two sides clashing repeatedly in violation of a cease-fire, while Mali's security situation has deteriorated more broadly as the al-Qaida-linked jihadists have infiltrated certain communities. Regardless, the groups' blessing is key to allowing elections to go forward in large parts of the country where the state is weak or even absent. Mali's last elections were held in November 2016 in its municipalities, following several delays and excluding several northern areas where security could not be guaranteed. The nation has lived under a near-constant state of emergency since an attack on the Radisson Blu hotel in the capital of Bamako in November 2015, which left 20 people dead. German Chancellor Angela Merkel will focus on expanding business ties and trying to regulate migration with Africa during an EU-Africa summit in Abidjan this week, as she comes under pressure at home to make progress faster on both fronts. Merkel is taking a break from her more than month-long drive to form a new government to attend the summit, keen to demonstrate Germany's continued ability to act on the foreign policy front, and to underscore her commitment to Africa. She will join with French President Emmanuel Macron at the summit to focus on education, investment in youth and economic development to prevent refugees and economic migrants from attempting the treacherous journey across the Mediterranean. Libya is now the main departure point for mostly African migrants trying to cross to Europe. Smugglers usually pack them into flimsy inflatable boats that often break down or sink. The chancellor told a conservative event on Saturday that she would press for expanded trade ties and investment, while urging African leaders in bilateral talks to accept the return of their citizens who had no right to stay in Europe. The trip is important for the German leader amid widespread criticism of her 2015 decision to allow in over a million migrants, then mostly from the Middle East and Afghanistan. She is under pressure at home to avert another migration crisis after losing support to the far right in the Sept. 24 election. Germany is likely to adopt an immigration law of some kind in the aftermath of election losses for mainstream parties. Experts say the far-right, anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party could see further gains in any new election next year if Merkel fails to convince the Social Democrats to renew the "grand coalition" that ruled for the last four years. A year after Merkel made Africa a cornerstone of Germany's presidency of the G20 industrialized nations, illegal migration from Africa remains a concern, with rights groups blasting the EU's failure to address conditions in migrant camps in Libya and elsewhere. Merkel has also faced criticism from German companies, who say they risk losing out in the face of burgeoning interest in the region from rivals in France, China, the United States, Britain, India and Turkey. Germany's trade balance with African countries expanded 11.2 percent to 13.8 percent in the first half of 2017 after declining slightly in 2016. "German industry remains underrepresented in these markets of the future," said Christoph Kannengiesser, director of the German-African Business Association. "Compared to other international firms, German companies are noticeably behind, due to insufficient support from the government." Native Americans have taken to social media to criticize President Donald Trump for using a racial slur during a Monday White House ceremony honoring Fleming Begaye, Thomas Begay, and Peter MacDonald, three of the 13 Navajo Code Talkers still living. I just want to thank you because youre very, very special people, Trump said to the men who were recruited into the U.S. Marine Corps to transmit tactics and vital information in a language that was then incomprehensible to Americas World War II enemies. WATCH: Trump comments to honorees You were here long before any of us were here although we have a representative in Congress who they say was here a long time ago. They call her Pocahontas. But you know what? I like you. Because you are special, Trump continued, touching MacDonald on the shoulder. Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye described the incident as part of an ongoing feud between Trump and Elizabeth Warren, over her claims to have Native American heritage during her Senate campaign. In this day and age, all tribal nations still battle insensitive references to our people. The prejudice that Native American people face is an unfortunate historical legacy, Begaye said. As Native Americans, we are proud people who have taken care of this land long before there was the United States of America and we will continue to fight for this Nation. Navajo Nation Council delegate Amber Kanazbah Crotty cited the event as the "latest example of systemic, deep-seated ignorance about Native Americans. "The Navajo Code Talkers are not pawns to advance a personal grudge or promote false narratives, Crotty said in a statement released Monday. Such pandering dishonors the sacrifice of our national heroes." Dine Code Talkers secretary Debra Klecan posted on Facebook that the White House ceremony was the first time she had ever heard disparaging comments made against the Code Talkers. Ive seen men and women of all ages break down in tears in honor and in awe of meeting them in person and they subsequently share their personal or family stories about how the Code Talkers affected their lives. It is too bad the president of the United States cannot do the same. In a personal Facebook message to Trump, Marty Thompson, whose great uncle Dennie Housteen was a Navajo Code Talker, demanded an official apology. There were three Navajo Code Talkers standing and sitting with pride and dignity next to you. But, you Honor and Respect them with aracist, derogatory comment about Pocahontas. Do you even know the true Pocahontas? Thompson asked. Jefferson Keel, president of the National Congress of American Indians, issued the following statement Monday: Today was about recognizing the remarkable courage and invaluable contributions of our Native code talkers. Thats who we honor today and everyday the three code talkers present at the White House representing the 10 other elderly living code talkers who were unable to join them, and the hundreds of other code talkers from the Cherokee, Choctaw, Comanche, Lakota, Meskwaki, Mohawk, Navajo, Tlingit, and other tribes who served during World Wars I and II. Keel also called on the president to refrain from invoking Pocahontas in a way that denigrates the legacy of the 17th century Pamunkey woman, born Matoaka, who is credited with helping foster relations between Virginia tribes and early British colonizers. "As a Marine Vet myself, I am keenly aware of how great a sacrifice these Navajo Marines made to the war effort," said Ray Cook, former op/ed editor of Indian Country Today Media Network. "There is something basically wrong that a man would on one hand hand praise Native veterans and, on the other and in the same breath, denounce another person with a claimed Native background with a racial slur that is derogatory to Natives." Native Americans observers were quick to note that Mondays ceremony took place beneath a portrait of Andrew Jackson, the seventh U.S. president and architect of the policy that forcibly drove thousands of Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek and Seminole tribe members from their homes to the West. Along the way, thousands died of cold, disease or hunger. And as if all this werent insult enough, Oglala Lakota journalist and Native Sun News Today publisher Tim Giago cited Trumps tone of voice. He talked down to Peter MacDonald and the other brave Navajo as if they were children, he told VOA, expressing fear that this may have detracted from Code Talker Peter MacDonalds speech. In his speech, MacDonald urged the creation of a museum commemorating the Code Talkers and preserving their stories for future generations of Americans. And he praised Americas unity and diversity. We have different languages, different skills, different talents, and different religion. But when our way of life is threatened, like the freedom and liberty that we all cherish, we come together as one. And when we come together as one, we are invincible. A general appointed at the weekend to run Venezuela's energy sector will name more military officers to senior management posts at state oil company PDVSA as part of a shakeup the government says is aimed at fighting corruption, two company sources told Reuters on Monday. In a surprise move, unpopular leftist President Nicolas Maduro on Sunday tapped Major General Manuel Quevedo to lead PDVSA and the Oil Ministry, giving the already powerful military control of the OPEC nation's dominant industry. Besides the corruption scandals, Quevedo will have to tackle an attempted debt restructuring, within the context of a deep recession and debilitating U.S. sanctions. Sources in the sector said Quevedo's appointment could quicken a white-collar exodus from PDVSA and worsen operational problems at a time when production has already tumbled to near 30-year lows of under 2 million barrels per day. About 50 officials at state oil company PDVSA have been arrested since August in what the state prosecutor says is a "crusade" against corruption. Sources within PDVSA and the oil industry said Maduro's administration was using corruption allegations to sideline rivals and deepen its control of the industry, which accounts for over 90 percent of export revenue. "The order given is to militarize PDVSA in key areas," said a PDVSA employee, asking to remain anonymous because he was not authorized to speak to the media. A second source said he was told military officials would take over key production divisions in Venezuela's east and west. Venezuela's president, a former bus driver and union leader whose popularity has plummeted during the economic crisis, has gradually handed the military more power in his cabinet and in key sectors such as mining. Unlike his popular predecessor Hugo Chavez, Maduro does not hail from the military. The opposition says he has been forced to buy the loyalty of the army, historically a power broker in Venezuela, giving them top posts and juicy business contracts while turning a blind eye to corruption. PDVSA did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but an internal company message seen by Reuters called on workers to come to Caracas on Tuesday for Quevedo's swearing in. "Let's all go to Caracas to consolidate the deepening of socialism and the total, absolute transformation of PDVSA," the message read. Increasing Military Sway Quevedo, a former housing minister with no known energy experience, is not a heavyweight in Venezuela's political scene, although two sources close to the military told Reuters he was a Maduro ally. Opposition lawmaker Angel Alvarado predicted the appointment would worsen PDVSA's operations. "They're getting rid of the old executives, who although socialist and working under catastrophic management, at least knew about oil," he said. "Now we're going to have totally inexperienced hands." Although military appointees had been on the rise within the oil industry too, Quevedo's appointment is the first time in a decade and a half that a military official has taken the helm of the oil industry. PDVSA so far had been led by chemist Nelson Martinez and the Oil Ministry by engineer Eulogio Del Pino, both of whom rose in the ranks under previous PDVSA president and Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez. Later demoted to become Venezuela's representative at the United Nations in New York, Ramirez recently criticized Maduro for not reforming Venezuela's flailing economy, in what insiders say is a power struggle between the two rivals. Oil Companies Worry The opposition has also accused Quevedo of violating human rights during the National Guard's handling of anti-Maduro protests, in which stone-throwing hooded youths regularly clashed with tear gas-firing soldiers. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio included Quevedo on a 2014 list of Venezuelan officials whom he said should be named in U.S. sanctions, although Quevedo does not appear in the list released by the U.S. Treasury Department. Venezuela's government denies abuses, saying protesters were in fact part of a U.S.-promoted "armed insurrection" designed to sabotage socialism in Latin America. Quevedo's appointment has worried foreign oil companies in Venezuela, including U.S. major Chevron and Russian state oil giant Rosneft, according to industry sources. Venezuela is also trying to pull off a complex restructuring of foreign debt, including $60 billion in bonds, about half of which have been issued by PDVSA. Bondholders were invited to Caracas for a meeting with the government two weeks ago, but market sources say there has been no concrete progress or proposals since. PDVSA said on Friday it was making last-minute payments on two bonds close to default, including one backed by shares in U.S.-based Citgo, a Venezuelan-owned refiner and marketer of oil and petrochemical products, due on Monday, and called for "trust" as it seeks to maintain debt service amid the crisis. Quevedo's position on the debt issue is not publicly known. A senior U.S. official overseeing a reorganization of the State Department that has been criticized by current and former U.S. diplomats has stepped down after less than four months on the job, U.S. officials said on Monday. Maliz Beams, a former financial industry executive who was named State Department counselor on Aug. 17, is "stepping away" to return to Boston, said a department spokesman on condition of anonymity. Christine Ciccone, the department's deputy chief of staff, will take over the agency's "redesign," he added. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has been criticized by current and former U.S. diplomats as well as by some members of Congress for his management of the agency, where may top posts have not been filled nearly 10 months into Tillerson's tenure. The department has also seen an exodus of senior diplomats. Tillerson defended the department when he was recently asked about morale problems and concerns that the agency was being weakened. "The redesign is going to address all of that. And this department is performing extraordinarily well, and I take exception to anyone who characterizes otherwise. It's just not true," he said on Nov. 20. State Department officials observing the reorganization say it has been plagued with uncertainty both about what Tillerson wants to achieve and how to go about it. "If the one thing she (Beams) was asked to do was the redesign and she is quitting ... how does this not reflect poorly on the overall management of this enterprise, that is the redesign?" said one official who spoke on condition of anonymity. Another State Department official said Beams had left of her own volition and was not fired. Beams did not immediately respond to voicemails left at her office and Massachusetts phone numbers or to an email sent to her State Department address. The State Department spokesman declined comment on criticism of the reorganization. A congressional aide said the effort is so amorphous that Congress is unable to pass legislation to give the agency the legal authority to make changes. "To do that we would need to have some road map - something - and none of that has been provided," said the aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church has taken a step towards possible eventual recognition of Macedonia's Orthodox Church, a rapprochement that echoes a warming of relations between the governments of the two Balkan neighbors. However, the move is unlikely to be welcomed by other Orthodox Churches such as those of Serbia and Greece, in a region where religious identity is often closely tied up with nationalist passions and politics. The Macedonian Orthodox Church was formed when the country was part of communist Yugoslavia but has never been recognized by other Orthodox churches due to a long-standing dispute over its independence from the Serbian Orthodox Church, with which it was previously formally united. This month, however, the Macedonian Church sent an official request to Bulgaria's 1,100-year-old Orthodox Church asking it to become its symbolic "mother" church. Bulgaria has close linguistic, cultural and historic ties with Macedonia. In a statement on Monday the Bulgarian Orthodox Church said that "aware of its sacred duty... (it was) taking all necessary steps to establish the canonical status of the Macedonian Church." "We must accept the outstretched hand of Macedonia," Bulgaria's Orthodox Patriarch Neofit said. "This is the least (we can do) because they are our brothers." The move comes three months after the prime ministers of Bulgaria and Macedonia signed a friendship treaty in a move designed to end years of diplomatic wrangling and boost Macedonia's European integration. Consultations The Bulgarian Church's Holy Synod, its top executive body, will consult with other Eastern Orthodox churches, including those of Russia and Greece and Serbia, before announcing its final decision, it said. The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest Christian denomination worldwide with more than 250 million members, but unlike the Roman Catholic Church it has no supreme leader comparable to the Pope but instead is composed mainly of de facto national churches, each led by a patriarch. There was no immediate response on Monday from the Orthodox Church in Serbia, Greece or elsewhere to the Bulgarian move, but they are unlikely to be positive. Greece is locked in a long-running dispute with Macedonia over the country's name, which is also the name of a northern Greek province, and Athens has blocked the Skopje government's attempts to join the European Union and NATO. Russia's Orthodox Church, by far the biggest worldwide, is unlikely to do anything that might compromise Moscow's strong ties with Serbia. Moscow is also opposed to Macedonia's plans to join NATO and the EU. But Bulgaria's Orthodox Church could unilaterally recognize Macedonia's Church, a move sure to cheer Bulgarian nationalists. "The Bulgarian Church must recognize the Macedonian (Church)," Bulgarian Defense Minister Krasimir Karakachanov, co-leader of the United Patriots party, a junior partner in the center-right coalition government in Sofia, said on Monday. "The two brotherly churches speak without a translator and use the same church books," he added, alluding to the close linguistic links. Bulgarian nationalists regard the Macedonian language as a dialect of Bulgarian. Indigenous groups in Paraguay, battling to protect their ancestral lands from expanding agriculture and cattle ranching, launched the first online map of their territory Tuesday. Paraguay's beef and soy export industries are the main drivers of deforestation in the fast-growing South American nation, often coming into conflict with some 120,000 indigenous people, according to the World Resources Institute (WRI), a think tank. The online platform and map, Tierras Indigenas, was built by Paraguay's Federation for the Self-Determination of Indigenous Peoples (FAPI), and so far 13 of the country's 19 indigenous peoples have contributed to it, Washington-based WRI said. The communities, who largely rely on the water, food, medicine and shelter from forests to survive, hope the map will help businesses and government to work out whether their activities are on legally recognized indigenous lands. "Private companies and banks, for example, will now be able to use this tool to assess land ownership and rights prior to conducting business in these areas," said WRI, which provided technical support to create the map. A growing number of indigenous groups around the world are using data, drones and apps to formally map their lands, forests and water sources to better monitor and protect them. Tierras Indigenas allows users to see where an indigenous group has legally recognized land, its size, the number of families living there, and if a forest is in a protected area. WRI hopes the geographic data can help to avoid conflict over land rights and tenure, and reduce deforestation through monitoring and timely alerts. "[The map] makes it less likely these lands will be dispossessed and converted into export-oriented commodity agriculture," Ryan Sarsfield, an expert on supply chain risk in Latin America with WRI, told Reuters. "The next step is to ensure that these maps are visible and available publicly so they can be used in decision-making processes in which indigenous people have often been excluded." Talks between the Syrian government and opposition forces aimed at bringing an end to the six-year war resume Tuesday in Geneva. Nearly half a million people have been killed since the President Bashar al-Assads crackdown on an uprising during the 2011 Arab Spring. Several regional and global powers have intervened in the conflict and it is they who will likely drive the terms of any peace deal. Despite the talks, bombs continue to fall. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said more than 50 civilians were killed by Russian airstrikes Sunday on Islamic State-held territory in eastern Syria. Moscow confirmed its bombers carried out an attack - but said only militants were killed. WATCH: Airstrikes ahead of peace talks Since entering the war in 2015, Russia has reversed the major territorial losses suffered by forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Jane Kinninmont, Chatham House, said, So while Russia is now playing peacemaker, it is its military intervention that has really started to create what seems to be an emerging victory for Bashar al Assad. He was aided by a fractured opposition. But for the first time at the Geneva talks, the different factions will be represented by a single unified delegation. Theyre demanding that Assad plays no part in Syrias future. Everything on the negotiating table is up for discussion, Opposition Chief Negotiator Nasr Al Hariri said. Western powers accuse Assads government of gross human rights violations, including the bombing of civilians and widespread torture and killings. But their demands for him to be removed from power have waned. While Russia and Iran have backed Assad, Western powers including the United States - have supported moderate opposition groups battling Islamic State. Kurdish forces control swathes of the north angering Turkey, which has sent troops into Syria. On all sides, war weariness has set in, said Kinninmont. The conflict in Syria has been started by local causes, but fueled partly by international intervention. So theres a chance to de-escalate partly because the international powers dont really want to be fueling this war anymore. However, the goals of the uprising in the first place to fight dictatorship, to have a more dignified way of life in Syria none of those have been met, Kinninmont said. As with the conflict, rival powers are seeking to influence the peace. Russia launched a round of talks last week separate from the Geneva process, in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. Syrian opposition groups are divided on whether to engage. Meanwhile the White House said both U.S. President Donald Trump and Russias President Putin stressed the importance of the Geneva talks in a phone call last week. Pope Francis has called for religious "unity" in Myanmar in a speech in the countrys capital that did not directly mention the plight of the Rohingya. Religious difference needs not be a source of division and distrust but rather a force for unity, forgiveness, tolerance and wise nation building, he told diplomats and members of civil society Tuesday in Naypyitaw. The future of Myanmar must be peace, a peace based on respect for the dignity and rights of each member of society, respect for each ethnic group and its identity, respect for the rule of law, and respect for a democratic order that enables each individual and every group, none excluded, to offer its legitimate contribution to the common good, he said. "The religions can play a significant role in repairing the emotional, spiritual and psychological wounds of those who have suffered in the years of conflict. Drawing on deeply-held values, they can help to uproot the causes of conflict, build bridges of dialogue, seek justice and be a prophetic voice for all who suffer," he added. He shared a stage with State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, who quoted from the Bible in her introductory speech. Sensitive issues in Myanmar The pontiff is visiting Myanmar to meet the countrys small Catholic community, but the trip has been dominated by expectations he will speak out on behalf of the Rohingya, a Muslim minority subjected to brutal violence the United States, Britain and United Nations call ethnic cleansing. More than 620,000 Rohingya have fled Buddhist-majority Myanmars Rakhine state since August, when security forces allegedly started targeting the group with mass killings and rapes. Francis has made a strong defense of refugees a hallmark of his papacy. But local Catholic leaders publicly urged him not to speak up on behalf of the Rohingya, citing the sensitivity of the issue. Myanmar denies accusations of ethnic cleansing, saying the group, widely derided within the country as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, are falsifying stories. Amnesty International said it was "disappointing" that the pope didn't use the word Rohingya during his Tuesday speech but welcomed his calls for "respect for all ethnic groups." The real scandal of the visit was the insistence of Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing that there is no discrimination between ethnic groups in Myanmar," said Ming Yu Hah, Amnesty Internationals Deputy Campaigns Director for South East Asia and the Pacific. Myanmar has no religious discrimination at all. Likewise our military too ... performs for the peace and stability of the country, Min Aung Hlaing told the pope, according to a Facebook post by the army chiefs office. Ecumenical contacts Crowds had gathered outside Naypyitaw International Airport to greet the pope, but his blue Toyota sped past them Monday without winding down the windows. Sister Regina, a nun who had traveled three hours from Taungoo in central Myanmar, said she was disappointed not to see the pope close up. It was very far away, she said. The car was very quick passing. But Im satisfied. Viva Papa, I say! Echoing the words of many other Catholics, she said she felt the popes visit would bring peace. He will give courage and strength to overcome, she said. Myanmar is home to 650,000 Catholics, many of them living in far-flung areas. Earlier Tuesday, Francis met more than a dozen religious leaders in Yangon, including representatives of the Buddhist, Muslim and Jewish communities. We talked mostly about general peace and reconciliation, said Sammy Samuels, the head of Myanmars small Jewish community. I said that Myanmar used to be known for religious tolerance ... But recently religion has become a sensitive issue, he said. Wednesday, the pope is to oversee a service at a sports ground in Yangon, the commercial capital, where tens of thousands of people are expected to attend. WATCH: Rohingya Repatriation Raising Alarms for Human Rights Monitors He's set to travel on Thursday to Bangladesh, where a meeting with selected Rohingya refugees in the capital, Dhaka, has been scheduled. But some say of they will be disappointed he did not say more on their behalf in their homeland. Speaking to the Associated Press, one refugee now living in the squalid Bangladeshi camps said, "He is the holiest man in the world, but its so sad to see that even the holiest man cannot call our identity." North Korea launched an intercontinental ballistic missile Tuesday that traveled about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles), the U.S. Department of Defense confirmed. The department "detected and tracked a single North Korea missile launch today at about 1:17 p.m. EDT. Initial assessment indicates that this missile was an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)," a statement by Pentagon spokesman Colonel Robert Manning said. The statement added that the missile "did not pose a threat to North America, our territories or our allies." The United States was "not surprised" by the development, a U.S. intelligence official told VOA. The White House press secretary tweeted earlier that President Donald Trump "was briefed, while missile was still in the air, on the situation in North Korea." In Japan, the Cabinet crisis team was summoned for an emergency meeting. Japan's chief Cabinet secretary said Tokyo "strongly protests" the launch. "We are very concerned and we have condemned them publicly. We told the North Koreans that we criticize their behavior in the strongest terms possible," Japanese Ambassador to the United Nations Koro Bessho said. The U.N. Security Council has not yet called an emergency meeting to discuss the missile launch. Initial reports indicate [it was] a ballistic missile that landed within Japan's EEZ," or exclusive economic zone, an area in which a coastal nation has jurisdiction over natural resources. "I presume this kills off the nascent theory that Kim Jong Un was non-verbally signaling good faith toward the U.S.A. through a self-imposed testing freeze, said Dennis Roy, senior fellow at the Hawaii-based East West Center. Japanese news outlet NHK reported that the missile flew for 50 minutes before landing in Japan's EEZ. The launch would be North Korea's first since it fired a missile over Japan in mid-September. Some experts had indicated North Korea's Kim would hold his fire until around the Winter Olympics in February. "I am surprised but not shocked when it comes to this move, Harry Kazianis of the Center for the National Interest, told VOA on Tuesday. North Korea, who did test two missiles in the fourth quarter last year, will have to continue to test its missile capabilities for years to come if it wants a nuclear deterrent that can hit the U.S. homeland. The latest North Korean launch came as the U.S. and South Korea are preparing a joint exercise called Vigilant Ace for December 4-8, with thousands of military personnel and more than 230 aircraft participating, including six F-22 Raptor fighter jets deployed to South Korea for the first time. Pyongyang routinely condemns such military drills using belligerent language and military threats. Some Republicans are hoping lawmakers will soon wrap up investigations into Russian meddling in the 2016 election that have dragged on for most of the year. But with new details in the probe emerging almost daily, that seems unlikely. Three congressional committees are investigating Russian interference and whether President Donald Trump's campaign was in any way involved. The panels have obtained thousands of pages of documents from Trump's campaign and other officials, and have done dozens of interviews. The probes are separate from special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. Mueller can prosecute for criminal activity, while Congress can only lay out findings, publicize any perceived wrongdoing and pass legislation to try to keep problems from happening again. If any committee finds evidence of criminal activity, it must refer the matter to Mueller. All three committees have focused on a June 2016 meeting that Trump campaign officials held in Trump Tower with a Russian lawyer and others. They are also looking into outreach by several other Russians to the campaign, including involvement of George Papadopoulos, who pleaded guilty this month to lying to the FBI as part of Mueller's probe. New threads continue to emerge, such as a recent revelation that Donald Trump Jr. was messaging with WikiLeaks, the website that leaked emails from top Democratic officials during the campaign. A look at the committees that are investigating, and the status of their work when they return from their Thanksgiving break: Senate Intelligence Committees The Senate intelligence panel, which has been the most bipartisan in its approach, has interviewed more than 100 people, including most of those attending the Trump Tower meeting. Chairman Richard Burr of North Carolina and the panel's top Democrat, Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, have said they plan to bring in Donald Trump Jr. The president's son was one of several Trump campaign officials in the meeting. The committee has looked broadly at the issue of interference, and called in executives from Facebook, Twitter and Google, pushing them to take steps to prevent Russian election meddling on their platforms. Warner told The Associated Press the committee is still looking for more information from those companies, which were initially reluctant to cooperate. Burr has said that he wants to wrap up the probe by early spring, when congressional primaries begin, to try and prevent further interference. While there are many areas of bipartisan agreement on the meddling, it's unclear whether all members will agree to the final report. It's also unclear if the report will make a strong statement on whether the Trump campaign colluded in any way with Russia. Warner said it's plain there were "unprecedented contacts" as Russians reached out to the Trump campaign but what's not established is collusion. "What we don't know is, is there a there there,'' Warner said. "That's still something I am reserving judgement on.'' House Intelligence Committee In the House, Democrats hope the intelligence committee can remain focused on the Russia probe as the panel's GOP chairman, Rep. Devin Nunes, and other Republicans have launched new, separate investigations into Democrat Hillary Clinton and a uranium deal during President Barack Obama's administration. Nunes stepped back from the Russia probe in April after criticism that he was too close to the White House, but remains chairman of the committee. Some Republicans on the panel have grown restless with the probe, saying it has amounted to a fishing expedition and pushing for it to end. Still, the committee has continued to interview dozens of witnesses involved with the Trump campaign, among them several participants in the 2016 meeting. The top Democrat on the panel, California Rep. Adam Schiff, told AP the committee has multiple interviews before the New Year. Attorney General Jeff Sessions was scheduled to come before the committee this week, likely answering questions behind closed doors about interactions between Trump campaign aides and Russians, and also his own contacts. The panel has also scheduled an interview Thursday with Erik Prince, the founder of the security firm Blackwater and a supporter of Trump's campaign. The Washington Post reported earlier this year that Prince was involved in a secret meeting in the United Arab Emirates in January with a Russian close to President Vladimir Putin. Prince's interview will be behind closed doors but the transcript will eventually be released, according to the committee. Schiff said the Republican investigations into Clinton and Obama could be "an enormous time drain,'' but they have not yet fully organized. He says the committee must be thorough and he doesn't believe the Russia investigation should end soon. Senate Judiciary Committee The Senate Judiciary Committee has also divided along partisan lines as Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the panel's top Democrat, haven't agreed on some interviews and subpoenas. But as in the House, the panel has proceeded anyway, conducting bipartisan, closed-door interviews with several people who were in the 2016 meeting. The panel is showing recent signs that it is aggressively pursuing the investigation. The committee is the only one to have interviewed Trump Jr. And just before the Thanksgiving break, it sent Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, a letter asking him to be more forthcoming with the committee. Grassley has been focused on a law that requires foreign agents to register and the firing of James Comey as FBI director. Along with the other committees, Judiciary is also looking into a dossier of allegations about Trump's own connections to Russia. It's not known if the panel will issue a final report, or if its probe will conclude before next year's elections. The deaths of four U.S. Special Forces soldiers in Niger last month have raised questions about Americas role in the fight against violent extremism in a sparsely populated region of Africa. Before the October attack, in which at least four Nigerien soldiers were also killed, some members of Congress said they were aware of U.S. operations in Niger, but others - including Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), and Sen. Chuck Schumer, (D-New York) - said they did not know U.S. troops were on the ground in Niger. U.S. involvement includes more than 800 troops, according to Pentagon officials. There are also two drone bases in the country. Niger and Burkina Faso want the U.S. to do more to support local governments in their fight against extremism, mainly by funding a new regional task force. The first-year operating budget for the five-nation force has been projected at $500 million. The United States is considering making a contribution of $60 million. A decade of involvement The heightened U.S. presence in the Sahel dates back to at least 2007, when the Pentagon established the United States Africa Command, AFRICOM. The command, based in Stuttgart, Germany, works with regional partners in Africa to strengthen security and stability. Since at least 2013, U.S. forces have conducted missions to train, advise and assist in Niger, collaborating with local authorities to clamp down on armed extremists. Niger has been a particularly important strategic partner in the region. During the Obama administration, the U.S. built drone bases in the capital, Niamey, and in the northern city of Agadez. Because the government of Niger has been a strong ally to the counterterrorism efforts, its been natural for the United States to station its counterterrorism forces in that country, said Lisa Mueller, an assistant professor of political science at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. But the Green Berets' deaths have brought new scrutiny to U.S. partnerships in the Sahel, and it is unclear how - or if - the Trump administration might shift its policy in the region. Some activists and U.S. lawmakers are concerned that some regional partners have authoritarian governments. Even Niger, said Brandon Kendhammer, an associate professor and director of the International Development Studies Program at Ohio University, is problematically democratic. Still, Kendhammer characterized U.S. involvement as a net positive. Its pretty clear that these investments do make a real difference in the ability of the region to provide its own security, he said. Seeking input has been key to that success, according to Kendhammer. Despite perceptions among some observers that AFRICOM works unilaterally, the command has a track record of seeking local expertise and wide-ranging perspectives, Kendhammer said. Green Beret deaths Pentagon officials expect to complete their investigation into the Niger attack in January. Based on what is now known, the U.S. soldiers killed last month were involved in exactly the kind of work that troops stationed in the Sahel undertake, Kendhammer said. A big part of that role involves training local forces via workshops and fieldwork. Training can cover everything from basic operations to advanced tactics, including rapid response to terrorist attacks. To maximize their impact, the U.S. follows a train the trainer model, Kendhammer said, working with elite local forces who, in turn, share knowledge and skills. No one has claimed responsibility for the October attack, but the Pentagon suspects possible involvement by militants affiliated with the Islamic State group, one of several extremist organizations operating in the Sahel. That presence typically involves local militants who pledge allegiance to an international organization like IS or al-Qaida. Such an affiliation might signal tenuous ties - occasional mention in an IS publication, for example - or ongoing communication with the broader network. Either way, affiliating with an established terrorist organization can be more pragmatic than ideological. According to Kendhammer, the particular group alleged to be behind the Niger attack was previously affiliated with al-Qaida and switched in 2015 or 2016 to find a better strategic partner. The tactics employed by local militants hinge on undermining U.S. efforts. As VOA previously reported, it is likely that villagers in Tongo Tongo, where last month's attack occurred, helped lure U.S. and Nigerien forces into a trap. The villagers willingness to assist militant groups reflects concerted efforts within those factions to build trust with local populations while fomenting contempt for America. Daily Beast contributor Philip Obaji Jr. reported this month that residents of Tongo Tongo blamed the U.S. for a 2016 grenade attack that killed six children. No evidence has linked the U.S. to the incident, but local militant groups have pushed the narrative of an American-led slaughter to win the hearts and minds of the local population, Obaji wrote. Financial constraints Governments in the Sahel say they need far more funding to carry out critical missions tied to two task forces: the newly formed G5 counterterrorism force, and the Multinational Joint Task Force, a longstanding effort based in Chad that has been revitalized to fight Boko Haram. Burkina Fasos minister of foreign affairs, Alpha Barry, told VOAs French to Africa service this month that the G5 force needs more help from the U.S., whose recent pledge will assist regional militaries but not the G5, according to Barry. Despite its bases and troop deployments, U.S. investment in the Sahel, particularly in Mali and Niger, has so far been eclipsed, both financially and militarily, by the EU and France, Mueller said. Local solutions Concerns about lack of funding and efforts to demonize the U.S. may have a common solution: more local initiatives and buy-in. But bringing those solutions to fruition is easier said than done. In U.S. government discourse about West Africa, [we tend] to talk about the need for everything to be regionally oriented and for everything to be an African solution to an African problem. And those are good ideas in principle, but they dont always translate directly into obvious policy, Kendhammer said. Not every regional initiative is going to be the right regional initiative. Not every local solution is going to be the local solution that's actually going to solve the problem because countries have different interests. In the end, countries interests will dictate how well a solution works. In the Sahel, thats complicated by a diverse host of local players, each with its own economic and security concerns. For Niger, fighting extremism is less about combating a homegrown threat and more about securing its borders. It might be tempting to look at Niger - a country that is approximately 99 percent Muslim in its population - and assume that Nigeriens are radicalizing. And as far as I can tell, that's just not the case, Mueller said. Instead, threats have spilled into the country from all sides, putting Niger in the crosshairs. Serbia began work on a China-funded railway line on Tuesday to try to improve the Balkan country's infrastructure, an effort also expected to strengthen Beijing's influence in Europe. In May Serbia borrowed $297.6 million from China's Exim Bank to modernize a stretch of the railway line between Belgrade and the Hungarian capital of Budapest. Beijing sees Serbia, an EU membership candidate and Hungary, an EU member, as part of its One Belt, One Road initiative, intended to open new foreign trade links for Chinese firms. The high-speed rail link between Belgrade and Budapest is expected to cost 3.2 billion euros ($3.80 billion) and is slated to become the main transport route for Chinese goods that arrive by sea at the Greek port of Piraeus to other parts of Europe. At the construction site in Belgrade's Zemun neighborhood, Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said that the 30km-long (18.6 miles) stretch of the railway line from Belgrade to the northern town of Stara Pazova is a key step forward. "This project ... is the first cross-border project within the 16+1 framework, ... it is the first project between China and EU, involving Serbia," she said. Earlier on Tuesday, at the 16+1 summit of Central and Eastern European countries and China, Brnabic met her Chinese and Hungarian counterparts Li Keqiang and Viktor Orban and discussed further cooperation. Serbia has enjoyed good relations with China since the 1990s, when Belgrade was economically isolated for its role in the Yugoslav wars. On Monday, Hungary also invited a procurement tender for a modernized railway link with Belgrade. The construction of the Hungarian stretch, worth around 550 billion forints ($2.1 billion), is expected to start in 2020, with China's Exim Bank providing 85 percent credit coverage. ($1 = 261.4100 forints) A former deputy chief of staff of U.S. Democratic Representative John Conyers has accused the long-time lawmaker of sexual harassment, the third such allegation levied against him this month. Deanna Maher, who managed an office for Conyers in his home state of Michigan from 1997 to 2005, told the Detroit Free Press he made unwanted sexual advances toward her on three occasions. The first occurred during a Congressional Black Caucus event in 1997, when she spurned his offer to share a hotel room and have sex. Maher said the other incidents involved unwanted touching in 1998 and 1999. Maher, who was 57 when the veteran lawmaker allegedly harassed her the first time, said she did not come forward because she feared her age would prevent her from getting another job if she lost her position with Conyers. The latest sexual harassment charge against Conyers is one of a number that have buffeted the Washington political scene. Democratic Senator Al Franken apologized on Capitol Hill Monday to "everyone who has counted on me to be a champion of women." Four women have accused Franken of initiating unwanted sexual contact in separate incidents. Republican Representative Joe Barton has admitted he shared a nude photo of himself with an unidentified lover that circulated online. Barton, who has served in the House for 32 years, has accused the lover of threatening to publicize the photo when he ended the relationship. The revelations followed allegations that Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore sexually assaulted a 14-year old girl and had sexual encounters with several young women while when he was in his 30's. Moore is campaigning in a special election in Alabama that will be decided on December 12. A year ago, President Donald Trump was accused by more than a dozen women of sexual assault or improper conduct. Many of the accusations became public when he was heard on an Access Hollywood tape boasting about kissing and groping women. Trump and the White House have denied the allegations. The sexual allegations in Washington has increased pressure on lawmakers to curb harassment on Capitol Hill. A vote has been scheduled for Wednesday in the Republican-controlled House that would change the rules to mandate training for all lawmakers and staff employees to prevent sexual harassment. The House will also hold hearings in December on whether the body that handles harassment complaints in the House, the Office of Compliance, would be allowed to disclose details of any future cases of sexual harassment and previously-settled instances. House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer told reporters Tuesday he was "deeply distressed" by the problem and did not realize it was as pervasive as it was. Hoyer said he had spoken with his daughters and women on his staff about the issue. "One of the things we need to assure ourselves is that women who find themselves in that position are not victimized by the system. It's a huge problem in the criminal process and it is a problem in the administrative process." Hoyer added, "It's clear that strong, effective, timely action is needed now." U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Tuesday the United States and its European allies recognize the "active threat of a recently resurgent Russia" and that the United States has strengthened its deterrence and defense commitment in Europe against Moscow. Tillersons remarks came days before he is to embark on a trip to Europe. He is scheduled to meet with foreign ministers from the North Atlantic Council (NAC) and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) next week. In a Europe policy speech, the top U.S. diplomat also said Russias aggression in Ukraine is an enduring obstacle to improving the frigid bilateral ties between Washington and Moscow. Well never get this relationship back to normal until we solve Ukraine, said Tillerson in his address at the Washington-based Woodrow Wilson Center, adding that the conflict in Ukraine must come to an end. Any resolution of the war that does not entail a fully independent, sovereign, and territorially whole Ukraine, is unacceptable, said Tillerson, while stopping short of addressing whether the United States will provide Ukraine with lethal defensive weapons. WATCH: Tillerson speech Ukraine has been fighting a defensive war in its east for nearly four years, after Russia seized Crimea and Russian-backed separatists invaded eastern Ukraine in 2014. Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed Moscow intervened in eastern Ukraine to defend Russian speakers. Russia has denied interfering in European politics and elections. Kurt Volker, the U.S. special envoy for Ukraine negotiations, earlier this year told VOA the argument that lethal arms sales would provoke Russia or embolden Ukraine to attack is flat out wrong. Russia is already in Ukraine, they are already heavily armed. There are more Russian tanks in there than in western Europe combined. It is a large, large military presence. And, there's an even larger military presence surrounding Ukraine from Russian territory, said Volker during a July 25 interview with Current Time, a Russian-language network jointly operated by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and VOA. American Foreign Policy Council Senior Fellow Stephen Blank, who supports U.S. weapon transfers to Ukraine, said arming Ukraine could help stiffen European and NATO resistance to Russia. In a policy brief published by a research group, the Atlantic Council, Blank said Ukraine is the front line of President Putins war against the West, and arming Ukraine will make it harder for Moscow to threaten Kyiv by utilizing tools including terror, propaganda, information warfare, and corruption. The Atlantic Council also published a report Tuesday calling for a permanent American military presence in the Balkans to stabilize the Southern European region amid increased Russian efforts to exert political influence. The report, published ahead of a Nov. 29 conference hosting top Balkan officials, calls for a "historic U.S.-Serbian rapprochement" and improved economic prospects for the region's predominantly Muslim youth, specifically via large-scale infrastructure projects aimed at interlinking Balkan nations and improving access to the European mainland. During Tuesday's speech, Secretary Tillerson cited Moscows other destabilizing activities, including intimidating American diplomats, cyber attacks, information warfare, and aiding the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad that uses chemical weapons against his own people. Tillerson said President Donald Trumps administration has requested $4.8 billion in its budget toward the so-called European Deterrence Initiative (EDI), which facilitates training and exercises with European allies and improve the readiness of U.S. forces in Europe. Hours before reports of North Korea's launch of another ballistic missile Tuesday, Tillerson said the U.S. and its European allies are ramping up a diplomatic and economic pressure campaign against North Koreas nuclear and missile threats. In addition to enthusiastically supporting U.N. Security Council resolutions, countries have taken unilateral steps to maximize pressure on the regime in Pyongyang," Tillerson said. "Portugal froze all diplomatic relationship with the DPRK in July. Spain and Italy have expelled North Korean ambassadors. Latvia has fined banks who have violated the sanctions." Tillerson said North Koreas aggression is a threat to all nations that required a coordinated response. The leader of Turkey's main opposition has produced what he claims is evidence of millions of dollars held in offshore bank accounts linked to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. As Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the head of the opposition Republican People's Party, began addressing parliament regarding the alleged offshore accounts, the state broadcaster cut the transmission. Images of the parliament were replaced by a studio, with a banner that read "Hot News." However, smaller TV channels continued their broadcasts. Kilicdaroglu then listed offshore bank transfers totaling $15 million, which he claimed were made by Erdogan's inner political circle and family, including one of the president's sons and a brother. All alleged payments were made to an account on the Isle of Man, a British Crown dependency in the Irish Sea renowned for offshore banking. "We have all the records of this company," Kilicdaroglu said. "We also have all the documents of the financial transactions. We also have bank receipts." Kilicdaroglu's deputies called for the president to resign. The opposition leader's speech was in response to Erdogan saying he would quit if it was proven that even one cent had been transferred to an offshore bank by his family members. Senior members of Erdogan's ruling AK Party attacked Kilicdaroglu's speech, calling it fake news and slanderous lies. In a sign that the political feud could escalate further, Erdogan in a speech to parliament Tuesday called Kilicdaroglu's party the country's "main treason party" and warned the opposition leader there would be consequences. "We will continue to seek justice through legal means," Erdogan said. "We will no longer turn the other cheek. If you hit me, you must be ready to be hit." The uproar comes as a trial was starting in New York in a case against the deputy head of a Turkish bank accused of trying to circumvent U.S. sanctions against Iran by funneling Iranian money through the U.S. financial system. U.S. prosecutors also have indicted a former Turkish minister who remains at large and is closely linked to Erdogan. The main defendant in the case is Reza Zarrab, a Turkish Iranian gold trader who pleaded guilty and agreed to testify for the prosecution. The case has caused alarm among Turkish leaders amid concerns that it could eventually implicate Erdogan or his family. The Turkish president's spokesman, Ibrahim Kalin, says the case was politically motivated. On Tuesday, arrest warrants were issued for a former opposition member of parliament and a former state official for providing what prosecutors say was "fake" evidence to the sanction-busting trial. Reza Zarrab, a Turkish-Iranian businessman charged with helping Iran circumvent U.S. sanctions, has pleaded guilty, according to U.S. prosecutors, agreeing to provide testimony that could potentially implicate senior Turkish officials in the sanctions-busting scheme and further inflame U.S.-Turkish relations. Zarrab's agreement to cooperate, reached on Oct. 26 but announced by federal prosecutors in New York on Tuesday, raised questions over whether the 33-year-old gold trader of Iranian ancestry will point fingers at Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Erdogan is not accused of any wrongdoing, but U.S. prosecutors say they have evidence showing Zarrab knew the Turkish president and sought his support for his scheme. "The assumption all along is that Erdogan certainly knew everything about what was going on," said Nicholas Danforth, a senior policy analyst with the Bipartisan Policy Center in Washington. "Whether or not Zarrab knew that Erdogan knew, whether or not he says that in public, that remains to be seen but it's certainly possible." As part of his plea agreement, Zarrab will take the stand against a co-defendant in the case, Mehmet Atilla, on Wednesday, prosecutors said. It was not immediately clear what prosecutors have offered Zarrab in exchange for his cooperation. Atilla is a former deputy general manager of Halkbank, the Turkish state-owned bank accused of facilitating the scheme from 2010 to 2015 while hiding it from U.S. regulators to avoid sanctions. Atilla's trial is expected to last three to four weeks, the judge trying the case said Monday. Seven others, including Halkbank's former general manager, Suleyman Aslan, and a former Turkish economy minister, Mehmet Zafer Caglayan, remain at large. Zarrab was arrested in Florida in March 2016 while on a family trip to Disney World, and later moved to New York to face a six-count indictment. The charges included conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and conspiracy to commit international money laundering. A seventh count was added later, and alleged Zarrab bribed a corrections officer to smuggle cellphones and alcohol into his jail cell in New York. A conviction on the charges could bring decades in prison. The disclosure followed weeks of speculation that Zarrab had cut a deal with prosecutors to avoid conviction for his role in running a scheme that allowed Iran to export oil to Turkey in exchange for gold and involved tens of millions of dollars in bribes to Turkish officials. Pressure on U.S. It was an outcome Turkish officials had vociferously tried to avoid ever since Zarrab was arrested. Calling it a politically motivated plot against Turkey, Turkish President Erdogan unsuccessfully pressed the Obama and then Trump White House to drop the case. And in recent weeks, as speculation grew that Zarrab had become a government witness, the Turkish government stepped up a campaign to discredit potential revelations of high-level corruption and Turkish complicity in the sanctions-busting scheme that might emerge during his trial. Danforth of the Bipartisan Policy Center said Zarrab's agreement to testify could exacerbate relations with Turkey. "It raises the stakes for the trial going forward," Danforth said. "We're going to find out what exactly Reza Zarrab knows, what exactly he testifies to in public, and either in the course of his testimony or in the coming weeks, who else prosecutors in the United States might look into." 2013 investigation The case against Zarrab is rooted in a 2013 Turkish investigation into corruption that led to the arrest of Zarrab and 88 other suspects, including three ministers. The probe identified Zarrab as the mastermind of an operation to smuggle gold to Iran. To facilitate the scheme, Zarrab was accused to giving tens of millions of dollars to three Turkish officials and the former general manager of Halkbank. Zarrab was later released and the Erdogan government shuttered the investigation, calling it a foreign-orchestrated conspiracy. The charges against Zarrab were similar to allegations made by Turkish prosecutors. In the indictment, Zarrab was accused of using his network of shell companies to help Iran evade sanctions. Under the sanctions, Iran could only deposit proceeds from its sales of oil and gas to Turkey into accounts in Turkey and could only use them to trade goods and serves with Turkey. To circumvent the sanctions, Zarrab set up a host of shell companies in Iran, Turkey, and China that engaged in fictitious trades. The transactions allowed Iran to receive gold in exchange for its oil exports to Turkey. Zarrab's lead lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, declined to answer VOA's questions about his client's guilty plea. Nick Biase, a spokesman for the U.S. District's Office for the Southern District of New York, said the plea agreement remains sealed. ELKO, Nev. An Jerome man arrested in the 2016 murder and decapitation of a Ryndon, Nev., woman pleaded no contest to first degree murder in a plea deal. Jose de Jesus Segundo-Huizar, 47, made his plea before Judge Al Kacin in Elko District Court through an interpreter Monday. The plea agreement stipulates that the District Attorneys office will drop five counts related to the case and not file additional charges. Segundo-Huizar faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole for allegedly killing Carmen Magallanes-Sanchez on or about Aug. 24, 2016. He is not eligible for probation and will be incarcerated in the Nevada State Prison, District Attorney Tyler Ingram said. Ingram said if the case were tried, the state would have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Segundo-Huizar with malice aforethought, willfully and with premeditation and deliberation, unlawfully killed another human being, a category A felony. The charge comes with three sentencing options: life without the possibility of parole; life with the possibility of parole after serving a minimum of 20 years; or he could be sentenced to 50 years in prison and eligible for parole after serving a minimum of 20 years. Court documents read by Kacin said that the victim was struck on or near her head ... or on another part of her body as yet unknown [using] a hammer or similar object before being decapitated. The five counts dropped included an alternate charge of second degree murder, burglary while in the possession of a firearm or deadly weapon, a category B felony; first degree kidnapping resulting in substantial bodily harm with the use of a deadly weapon, a category A felony; child abuse, a category B felony; and destroying or concealing evidence, a misdemeanor. At the time of the incident, a child about 9 months old was alleged to have been left in a crib for about 12 hours, resulting in the subsequent child abuse charge, according to previous reports. During the hearing, Segundo-Huizar admitted to not being a United States citizen, a factor that could result up to and including removal and deportation from the U.S., said Kacin, before asking the defendant if he understood the consequences of his plea. I understand perfectly, Segundo-Huizar said through his court translator, Eloise Mendoza. Since being incarcerated in October, Segundo-Huizar waived his preliminary hearing in January in Elko Justice Court and initially pleaded not guilty in February. Magallanes-Sanchez was reported missing by her boyfriend Aug. 24, 2016 and a portion of her body was found by a hunter in a shallow grave off Mountain City Highway 30 miles north of Elko on Sept. 4 and identified by fingerprints 11 days later, according to previous reports. Segundo-Huizar was tracked to Idaho by sheriffs detectives where they found him working as a ranch hand. He was arrested with assistance from the Idaho State Police. In October, Segundo-Huizar led Elko County Sheriffs detectives to the location he buried the victims head. Since then he has been held in Elko County Jail without bail. Authorities said at the time a motive for the killing was unclear, but that Segundo-Huizar admitted to an off-and-on relationship with the victim who was also living with someone else at the time of her death. In a court appearance shortly after his arrest, it was mentioned that the suspect lived with his wife in Jerome, Idaho, and had two grown children in Mexico. Public Defender Kriston Hill, representing Segundo-Huizar, and Ingram both said that the sentencing hearing could take up to two to three hours to allow for victim impact statements. A date for sentencing has not been set. Palpable tension and nail-biting uncertainty prevailed Tuesday on Capitol Hill as lawmakers grappled with a looming cutoff of federal funding, the future of U.S. taxation, and the fate of hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants brought to America as children. Efforts to forge a bipartisan agreement to avert a U.S. government shutdown stumbled when Congress' top Democrats, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, pulled out of a planned meeting with President Donald Trump after the president preemptively ridiculed the encounter. "Meeting with Chuck and Nancy today about keeping government open and working," Trump tweeted. "Problem is they want illegal immigrants flooding into our Country unchecked, are weak on Crime and want to substantially RAISE Taxes. I don't see a deal!" Pelosi and Schumer responded with a joint statement. "Given that the President doesn't see a deal between Democrats and the White House, we believe the best path forward is to continue negotiating with our Republican counterparts in Congress instead," the Democratic leaders said. "We don't have any time to waste in addressing the issues that confront us, so we're going to continue to negotiate with Republican leaders who may be interested in reaching a bipartisan agreement." The U.S. government's authority to spend funds expires December 8. A partial shutdown will occur unless both houses of Congress pass a funding extension. Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell responded to the day's developments with a statement of their own. "We have important work to do, and Democratic leaders have continually found new excuses not to meet with the administration to discuss these issues," Ryan and McConnell said. "Democrats are putting government operations, particularly resources for our men and women on the battlefield, at great risk by pulling these antics." Tax bill Overshadowing the fiscal deadline is an ambitious Republican drive to rewrite America's tax code by year's end. Trump sought to rally Senate Republicans by visiting their weekly caucus meeting Tuesday, but questions remained as to whether the tax bill will attract at least 50 votes in the 100-member chamber. "It's a challenging exercise think of sitting there with a Rubik's Cube trying to get to 50," McConnell told reporters after the Trump visit. "We do have a few [Republican] members who have concerns, and we are trying to address them." The bill would permanently cut corporate taxes, temporarily cut income taxes, and add more than $1 trillion to America's national debt over a decade. Two Republican senators have objected to the legislation as currently written, saying its benefits are tilted too heavily in favor of corporations. Several others have expressed grave concern the bill will raise the nation's debt. The House of Representatives passed their own tax bill earlier this month. With a slim, two-seat Senate majority, Republicans can afford only two "no" votes from their ranks, given unified Democratic opposition. "This plan would bankroll massive tax cuts for the wealthiest people in America and the largest corporations," said Illinois Democratic Senator Dick Durbin. "This tax plan by the Republicans will not help working families." "A 'yes' vote on this tax bill means voting for a growing economy, more jobs, higher wages and more take-home pay," countered Republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas. "A 'no' vote is a vote for stagnant wages, fewer jobs." Immigration Other issues before Congress could attract bipartisan solutions, including Trump's revocation of an Obama administration policy that shielded some 800,000 young immigrants from possible deportation. Lawmakers have crafted bipartisan legislation allowing undocumented immigrants who were brought to America as minors to remain and work in the United States, but nothing has been enacted so far. Some Democrats have threatened to oppose spending bills unless a measure codifying some version of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, known as DACA, is included. The U.S. State Department on Monday expressed concern about planned legislation it said could weaken Romania's fight against corruption. The proposals threaten "the progress Romania has made in recent years to build strong judicial institutions shielded from political interference," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement. The statement urged Parliament "to reject proposals that weaken the rule of law and endanger the fight against corruption." Justice Minister Florin Iordache, however, told public broadcaster TVR that the proposals wouldn't damage the independence of the justice system. He said lawmakers would take into account U.S. concerns. Romanian magistrates, the general prosecutor and the anti-corruption prosecutors' agency have also criticized the proposals. Romania has been praised for efforts to clamp down on high-level corruption in recent years. However, the left-wing government wants to revamp the justice system, which has sparked protests. On Sunday, tens of thousands demonstrated across Romania. One proposal is to legally prevent Romania's president from blocking the appointment of key judges. President Klaus Iohannis says he will use constitutional means to oppose the plan. The U.S. government runs out of funding in 10 days, but initial scheduled discussions Tuesday between President Donald Trump and Democratic congressional leaders to avert a shutdown ran into an immediate snag in politically fractious Washington. Trump, in a Twitter comment, said he planned to meet with the top two Democrats, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, "about keeping government open and working" beyond the December 8 funding cutoff. But the U.S. leader acknowledged he did not see a deal in the offing with Schumer and Pelosi, contending that the "Problem is they want illegal immigrants flooding into our Country unchecked, are weak on Crime and want to substantially RAISE Taxes." Hours later, Schumer and Pelosi called off the White House meeting, saying that since Trump did not see a deal materializing, they did not "have any time to waste" by meeting with him. The Democratic leaders said it would have been "a show meeting that wont result in an agreement." Instead, Schumer and Pelosi said they "believe the best path forward" was to meet with the top Republican congressional leaders, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan. "Were going to continue to negotiate with Republican leaders who may be interested in reaching a bipartisan agreement," the Democratic leaders said. Later, the White House said, Its disappointing that Senator Schumer and Leader Pelosi are refusing to come to the table and discuss urgent issues. The presidents invitation to the Democrat leaders still stands and he encourages them to put aside their pettiness, stop the political grandstanding, show up and get to work. These issues are too important." The White House said the meeting with Ryan, McConnell and White House aides would still go on and that if the "Democrats believe the American people deserve action on these critical year-end issues as we do, they should attend. Important work to do Ryan also called for Schumer and Pelosi to show up at the White House. "We have important work to do, and Democratic leaders have continually found new excuses not to meet with the administration to discuss these issues," Ryan said. "Democrats are putting government operations, particularly resources for our men and women on the battlefield, at great risk by pulling these antics. There is a meeting at the White House this afternoon, and if Democrats want to reach an agreement, they will be there." If the political leaders cannot reach an immediate agreement on funding the government through the end of the current fiscal year that extends through September 2018, they could approve a short funding extension with the goal of completing a longer-term deal before Congress recesses for the Christmas and New Year's holidays. Republican and Democratic lawmakers hold sharply divergent views about what ought to be included in the budget extension. Republicans generally want more defense spending, but Democrats say that should be paired with more money for domestic social programs. Democrats also want a provision included in the spending plan that would prohibit Trump from deporting 690,000 young people who came to the country with their parents years ago as undocumented immigrants. Trump has given Congress until March to resolve the issue, but at the same time wants funding for construction of a wall along the southern U.S. border with Mexico to thwart more illegal immigration. Democrats, and some Republicans, oppose construction of the wall. Some Democrats have said they will not vote for the government budget if the Dreamers, as the young immigrants are often called, are not protected from deportation. Republicans have opposed inclusion of the immigration provision in the budget and say the issue should be dealt with in separate legislation in early 2018. U.S. President Donald Trump has gone to Capitol Hill to meet Tuesday with Republican senators as he rallies support for a tax reform bill set to come to a vote later this week. After talks with the president on Monday, Senate leaders confirmed their intention to vote on the massive plan that would permanently cut corporate taxes, temporarily cut income taxes, and add more than $1 trillion to Americas $20 trillion national debt. "The current plan this week is to vote on the Senate tax bill," said Majority Whip John Cornyn of Texas. "The goal is to get the economy growing again." Cornyn and other Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee had a working lunch with President Trump at the White House amid furious efforts to round up at least 50 votes for the tax plan in the 100-member chamber. Republicans have a four-seat majority, and no Senate Democrat has come out in favor of the bill. In the event of a 50-50 tie, Vice President Mike Pence would cast the deciding vote to pass the bill. "We intend to get to 50 [votes]," said Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch of Utah. Opposition Several Republican lawmakers have voiced reservations about the Senate tax plan. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, has declared he opposes the tax plan in its current form. News reports quote aides to another, Steve Daines of Montana, as saying the legislation is weighted too heavily in favor of large corporations. Several other Republican senators have expressed grave concerns about adding to the national debt, but have not said how they will vote. Trump himself seemed to acknowledge a need to fine-tune the tax plan, tweeting that "middle class and job producers" would benefit from "just a few changes, some mathematical." The House of Representatives approved a different version of tax reform earlier this month. Should the Senate bill pass, the two versions would have to be reconciled into a unified bill and win passage in both chambers before the president could sign it into law. Democrats, meanwhile, are working furiously to oppose the tax initiative. "Republicans are trying to jam through a tax plan that would raise taxes on millions of middle-class Americans," tweeted Virginia Senator Tim Kaine. "Call your Senators and tell them you oppose this bill." Obamacare Democrat Ron Wyden noted that the Senate version of the tax plan would eliminate a key Obamacare provision requiring Americans to purchase health care insurance or pay a penalty. "The #GOPTaxPlan is not just an awful tax plan its an ATTACK on your health care," the Oregon senator tweeted. "Its time we make our voices heard and STOP this bill." On Sunday, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office concluded in a new report that the Senate bill would substantially benefit those earning more than $100,000 a year, while disadvantaging the country's poorest taxpayers. Sensing change in his native Uzbekistan, Hikmat Abdurahmonov plans to build a 10-story office block and open a consultancy firm oriented towards foreign trade. In neighboring Kazakhstan, banker Umut Shayakhmetova is considering an Uzbek subsidiary. There is hope in the air, she says. Their plans, commonplace in many countries, are striking because Uzbekistan, as Shayakhmetova puts it, is starting from zero. Until the death last year of former president Islam Karimov, it was one of the worlds most isolated states. Karimov, who came to power in communist times, kept an iron grip on the economy and politics and mistrusted both Russia and the West. Since then, foreign delegations have been beating a path to the capital Tashkent, drawn by the potential of the Central Asian countrys oil and gas and vast cotton crop as well as areas such as car and food production, machinery and chemicals. They also have political concerns: Uzbeks from a long-oppressed Muslim population have been arrested for attacks on civilians in New York, Istanbul, Stockholm and St. Petersburg this year that killed at least 65 people and wounded many more. Top-down political system Karimovs successor, his longtime prime minister Shavkat Mirziyoyev, has maintained the top-down political system while starting tentative reforms to an economy that had failed to create jobs, fueling discontent. In August, the country said it would abolish, in 2019, the exit visa system that prevented Uzbeks leaving without official permission, easing the path of millions of migrant workers whose remittances, mostly from Russia, are a vital source of income. A month later it stopped sending students, teachers and medical workers to harvest cotton after a global boycott campaign, and scrapped most of the capital controls that had bolstered state reserves but stifled trade and investment. For Abdurahmonov, 36, who has run property, trade, finance and other businesses and lived in the United States, Britain, China and Singapore, the currency reform means he can focus on making money instead of tracking it down in an opaque system. I think you can feel it in the air how the atmosphere is really changing, he said in an interview at his three-story, loft-style office building on the eastern outskirts of Tashkent. People are planning new businesses, you can see a lot of start-ups coming (to us). 'Serious While Abdurahmonovs company leases out office space, arranges foreign trade deals and provides other services for local entrepreneurs, Shayakhmetova is chief executive of Halyk Bank, Kazakhstan's biggest lender by assets. I have had meetings with high-level officials and I have the impression they are serious (about reforms), she said in Almaty, Kazakhstan's financial center. We are studying the market and talking to the regulator to see what their plans are. Shayakhmetova said the bank, which has assets of $26 billion and units in Russia, Georgia and Kyrgyzstan, could set up a subsidiary in Tashkent in a year and a half. The World Bank named Uzbekistan one of its top 10 improvers this year for ease of doing business, citing reforms in starting a business, construction permits, protection for minority investors, tax payments and electricity supplies. Ranked 74 out of 190 countries, it was slightly ahead of China and Ukraine but well below Russia, which is 35th. Our next target is quite ambitious we want to be in the top 20 by 2025, Azim Akhmedkhodjaev, head of the state investments committee, said, citing a draft Investment Code to replace more than a hundred separate laws and regulations. The country has not tackled the more complex and potentially painful restructuring of large state enterprises, however, or joined the World Trade Organization, and is among states perceived as most corrupt, according to watchdog Transparency International, which ranks it 156 of 176. Ordinary Uzbeks have yet to feel the full benefits of the foreign exchange liberalization, still unable to buy foreign currency in cash except on the illegal black market. Global outreach, Russian focus So far this decade, Russia, China and South Korea accounted for around two-thirds of investment, with most, last year, going into oil and gas, followed by chemicals and logistics. Akhmedkhodjaev said the country had attracted $4.2 billion so far this year, including $3.7 billion in direct investment or FDI, compared with $1.9 billion in FDI in the whole of 2016. According to World Bank data issued before Akhmedkhodjaev spoke to reporters this month, FDI inflows fell to $67 million in 2016. He did not comment on the discrepancy. The drop followed high-profile disputes with investors such as Britains Oxus Gold and Russian mobile phone operator MTS and a drop off in Chinese investment once a gas pipeline was built. This year, Frances Peugeot announced a joint venture and Turkish firm Gentes Yapi ve Endustry Tesisleri Ltd. Sti signed a deal to build a large logistics facility. That marked an easing of ties strained by Turkey granting asylum to a leading Uzbek opposition figure, although he and others have yet to return because, while some critics have been freed from jail, others have been detained. Akhmedkhodjaev listed United States, Germany and Japan among investors this year, a reflection of the presidents global outreach, while the main inflow, almost a billion dollars, was expected to come from Russian energy giant LUKOIL. Mirziyoyev has described Russia as a strategic partner, and Russian central bank data shows $2.7 billion in money transfers from Russia to Uzbekistan last year. Water entered the snorkel of the Argentine submarine ARA San Juan, causing its battery to short-circuit before it went missing November 15, a navy spokesman said Monday as hope dwindled among some families of the 44-member crew. The San Juan had only a seven-day oxygen supply when it lost contact, and a sudden noise was detected that the navy says could have been the implosion of the vessel. Ships with rescue equipment from countries including the United States and Russia were nonetheless rushing to join the search. Before its disappearance, the submarine had been ordered back to its Mar del Plata base after it reported water had entered the vessel through its snorkel, causing a battery to short-circuit, navy spokesman Enrique Balbi told a news conference. "They had to isolate the battery and continue to sail underwater toward Mar del Plata, using another battery," Balbi said. After contact with the San Juan was lost, the Vienna-based Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty Organization, an international body that runs a global network of listening posts designed to check for secret atomic blasts, detected a noise the navy said could have been the submarine's implosion. The search for the 65-meter (213-foot) diesel-electric submarine is concentrated in an area some 430 km (267 miles) off Argentina's southern coast. The effort includes ships and planes manned by 4,000 personnel from 13 countries, including Brazil, Chile and Great Britain. Among the crew's family members, fissures started appearing Monday between those who refuse to give up hope and those who say it is time to accept that their loved ones will not come back alive. Some relatives have said they are focusing on the lack of physical evidence of an implosion and the possibility that the submarine might have risen close enough to the ocean surface to replenish its oxygen supply after it went missing. But Itati Leguizamon said she believed her husband, crew member German Suarez, had died. "There is no way they are alive," she told reporters, her voice shaking and eyes welling with tears. "It is not that I want this. I love him. I adore him. He left his mother and sister behind, but there is no sense in being stubborn. "The other families are attacking me for what I am saying," she said, "but why have they not found it yet? Why don't they tell us the truth?" The U.S. consumer watchdog agency, enmeshed in partisan politics since its creation after the 2008 financial crisis, is now at the center of a tug-of-war over who will lead it. Both the departing director an Obama appointee often criticized as being too aggressive by banks and Congressional Republicans and the White House have named interim leaders of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. What the CFPB is The CFPB was proposed by now-Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, in her previous job at Harvard Law School, and it was created as part of the laws passed following the 2008 financial crisis and subsequent recession. It was given a broad mandate to be a watchdog for consumers when they deal with banks and credit card, student loan and mortgage companies, as well as debt collectors and payday lenders. The idea was to prevent financial companies, such as mortgage servicers, from exploiting consumers. Critics had said those kinds of companies had been subject to weak oversight before the financial crisis. The CFPB gets its funding from the Federal Reserve and its director is given significant leverage to go after what he or she considers important. The director can be removed only for cause, such as neglect of duty, and not over political differences. The structure of the agency has long been a sticking point because of arguments that it gives too much power to a single agency director and limits the presidents ability to replace that person. What it does Under the leadership of its first director Richard Cordray, the CFPB implemented or proposed a myriad of new rules and regulations for the banking industry. Nearly every American who deals with banks or a credit card company or has a mortgage has been affected by rules the agency put in place. The agency has also taken legal action against banks, mortgage companies, credit card issuers, payday lenders, debt collectors and others, and extracted billions of dollars in settlements. When Wells Fargo was found to have opened millions of phony accounts for its customers, the CFPB fined the bank $100 million, the agency's largest penalty to date. The banking industry has viewed CFPB as a thorn in its side, and accused it of overreaching in its regulation of consumer financial activities. Cordray lost some notable battles, such as when the GOP-led Congress overturned a regulation that would have ensured that customers could band together to sue their banks in a class action. The leadership fight Facing Republican opposition, President Barack Obama had used a congressional recess appointment to install Cordray to lead the agency. When President Donald Trump was elected, Cordray became one of the highest-level political appointees to remain, and some Congressional Republicans had urged Trump to fire him. Cordray announced earlier this month that he planned to resign his office by the end of November. Many thought his early resignation would give Trump a chance to appoint his own director, who could remake the agency and potentially roll back the protections Cordray and his staff put into place. But in tendering his resignation effective Friday, Cordray simultaneously elevated Leandra English, who was the agencys chief of staff, into the deputy director position. With Cordray's resignation, English would become acting director. That set up a fight with the Trump White House, which later Friday named Mick Mulvaney, currently director of the Office of Management and Budget, as interim director. Cordray and the White House have cited different laws to support their positions. Administration officials on Saturday acknowledged that some other laws appear to clash with the one they cited, said that in this case the president's authority takes precedence. The White House is denying President Donald Trump uttered a racial slur during an Oval Office event Monday honoring some Native American military veterans. I dont think that it is and that certainly not was the presidents intent, replied Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders when asked about Trump again referring to Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren as Pocahontas, the name of the famous reputed daughter of an early 17th century tribal chief. During an event to honor World War II code talkers from the Navajo tribe, Trump, in an ad-libbed remark, told the five elderly Marine Corps veterans you were here long before any of us were here. Although we have a representative in Congress who they say was here a long time ago. They call her Pocahontas. Trump repeatedly called Warren by that name during his successful campaign for the presidency, saying she had lied about her genealogy. Warren, in the past, had said her mother was part Cherokee and part Delaware, but acknowledged no documentation for her lineage. Having proof of even a trace of Native American or other minority lineage in the United States can allow someone to claim preferred status in college and job applications. I think what most people find offensive is Senator Warren lying about her heritage to advance her career, retorted Sanders amid several questions on the subject at the daily press briefing just after Trumps controversial repeating of the remark. It is deeply unfortunate that the President of the United States cannot even make it through a ceremony honoring these heroes without having to throw out a racial slur, responded Warren when asked about Trumps remarks during an live interview on the MSNBC cable television channel. We regret that the Presidents use of the name Pocahontas as a slur to insult a political adversary is overshadowing the true purpose of todays White House ceremony, says Jefferson Keel, the president of the National Congress of American Indians. We honor the contributions of Pocahontas, a hero to her people, the Pamunkey Indian Tribe in Virginia, who reached across uncertain boundaries and brought people together, added Keel, who is a U.S. Army officer and Vietnam War combat veteran. Once again, we call upon the president to refrain from using her name in a way that denigrates her legacy. U.S. Senator John McCain reacted on Tuesday. Also upsetting to some was that the event took place under the gaze of President Andrew Jackson, whose portrait Trump has placed in the Oval Office. Jackson, in 1830, signed the Indian Removal Act, which led to thousands of Native Americans being forced off their sovereign lands. At Mondays event, part of National Native American Heritage Month, Trump lavished praise on the code talkers, who all are now in their 90s. You are special people, you are really incredible people, the president said. The code talkers, little known for decades after the war, until their mission was eventually declassified, first saw combat in August 1942 during the Pacific battle at Guadalcanal. Using code words for military jargon, such as turtle for tank, these Marines used only Navajo language as a secure means of communication. Well, three weeks after the landing, General Van De Griff, Commander of the 1st Marine Division, sent word back to United States saying, this Navajo code is terrific, recalled Peter MacDonald, who heads the group of surviving code talkers. The enemy never understood it, he said at Mondays ceremony, we don't understand it either, but it works. Send us some more Navajos. Eventually there were 400 Native American code talkers and 600 code words. Their ability to outwit the Japanese who were listening to this wonderful language and had no idea that a language like this existed on the Earth, said White House Chief of Staff John Kelly. Kelly, a retired Marine Corps general, noted that during the invasion of Iwo Jima, the Marines lost 6,000 men and saw another 25,000 wounded during 28 days of battle against the Japanese. It would have been a lot worse had we not had the Navajo code talkers, said Kelly. Diplomats are searching for ways to prevent the global trade dispute resolution system from freezing up, after the Trump administration blocked appointments to the body that acts as the supreme court for global trade. U.S. President Donald Trump has vetoed the appointment of judges to fill vacancies on the seven-member Apellate Body of the World Trade Organization, which provides final decisions in arguments between countries over trade. "Members are already having a conversation about what to do with this situation," WTO Director General Roberto Azevedo told reporters. "They are floating ideas, they are discussing. We have to see how that evolves." The WTO normally has seven judges and needs three to sign off on every appeal ruling. But two have left and another goes in December, leaving only four just one above the minimum to deal with a growing backlog of trade disputes. Azevedo said he did not think the situation was a threat to the WTO's survival but it was already having an impact, and the longer it went on the more acutely it would be felt. In a confidential note sent to all WTO members on Monday, a copy of which was reviewed by Reuters, the Appellate Body said departing judges would continue working after they left on appeals filed before their terms ended. The United States has objected to that practice in the past. Appointments to the Appellate Body are meant to be unanimously agreed by all 164 members, like all decisions at the WTO. The fine print says the WTO can switch to majority voting if necessary, but diplomats are reluctant to do that for fear of unravelling a system that relies on consensus as a bulwark to protectionism. Azevedo said the Trump administration had made clear it had misgivings about the way the world trade system has functioned, although it had not linked any specific demands for reform with the decision to halt appointments to the appeals panel. The Trump administration has not publicly explained why it is blocking the appointment of judges to the trade panel. The U.S. mission to the WTO in Geneva declined to comment. 'True emergency' Several trade experts said the move seemed to fit Trump's ideology of favoring bilateral trade deals over the multi-lateral system embodied by the WTO. Pieter Jan Kuijper, professor of law at the University of Amsterdam, said Trump's trade representative, Robert Lighthizer, preferred the pre-WTO practice of negotiating the outcome of trade disputes rather than being bound by WTO rulings. Although Trump regularly says Washington has been hurt by trade disputes, WTO experts mainly say the United States has actually been a big winner at the WTO. But negotiating the outcome of trade disputes rather than leaving them to judges might tip the balance further in Washington's favor. Kuijper compared Trump's stance to that of Zimbabwe's former president Robert Mugabe killing off the court of the Southern African Development Community by blocking new judges when the court became too troublesome. "That example doesn't make one optimistic," he said. "We are in a true emergency where we should take into account that the end of the Appellate Body may come, either by design or by accident." Possible solutions At a panel discussion Monday for trade officials and diplomats, Kuijper and other trade experts discussed possible ways to avert a crisis if more vacancies come open. One solution would be to switch to majority voting for appointing judges. Another would be for the judges to change their own working procedures, refusing to take any more appeals until there are more judges. Nicolas Lockhart, a trade lawyer at Sidley Austin LLP, suggested the WTO could use its arbitration process more to resolve disputes and rely less on appeals. All three approaches have drawbacks, including the risk of further alienating the United States. "A process that could lead to a situation where the United States leaves the WTO in a huff is actually a situation where everyone loses, and the last thing we should be aiming for," said Alice Tipping, a former New Zealand trade diplomat now at the International Center for Trade and Sustainable Development. For 37 years under the iron-fisted rule of Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe has been battered by human rights abuses, endemic corruption, and mismanagement that sank the economy and reduced the nations once-strong agricultural sector to ruins. The nations new president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, sees only one way forward for his wounded nation: forgiveness. I thus humbly appeal to all of us that we let bygones be bygones," he said in his inaugural address last week, in which he described Mugabe as a mentor and father figure. Mugabe's government, in which Mnangagwa served as vice-president, was repeatedly accused of rigging elections, using force against opposition parties, jailing, beating and torturing critics, and other human rights violations. Endemic corruption grew especially intense after diamond fields were discovered in 2006. Tuesday, Mnangagwa announced his government would allow a three-month amnesty for those willing to return state funds they took during the previous administration. "Upon the expiry of the three-month window," his edict read, "Government will proceed to effect arrest of all those who would not have complied with this directive." But just a day after the new president urged his nation to let go, the state jailed former Mugabe-era minister Ignatius Chombo on massive corruption charges. He is one of several Mugabe cronies to face what some critics are saying is political retribution, not true justice. Equal justice? Constitutional scholar Lovemore Madhuku is representing Chombo. He spoke to VOA outside the Harare Magistrates Court this week. I think that they are just using [Chombo] to try and portray an image of dealing with corruption and so forth. But the cases that my client is facing, these are very old cases, he said. "...Its just to harass him and try to create an impression that we are dealing with corruption. Human rights lawyers say there are worse crimes, and more serious culprits, who are being protected. Renowned Zimbabwean human rights lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa told VOA she fears justice is not being applied equally. If there are crimes that are being committed, everybody should in fact be put on trial, she said. It shouldnt be selective at all. It shouldnt depend on which faction you belong to, are you on our side, or the other side. Activist Patson Dzamaras older brother Itai was abducted in 2015 for opposing Mugabe. He is still missing, and Dzamara told VOA he believes these high-profile trials are not targeting the real crimes. He says hes angry, and wants accountability. The current president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, played a very major role, he said. And so hes complicit. He is, or he was, a part of that arrangement in government. And for us to sweep that under the carpet, and say that was that and life just has to go on as though nothing happened, I dont think its proper. Church role At the Life and Liberty Church Zimbabwe, in central Harare, Bishop Noah Pashapa says he wants to encourage forgiveness, but understands why some people are not ready for it. I have not experienced what they experience that has gotten them to that place of finding it difficult to forgive, said Pashapa, who says he led a delegation of church leaders to advise Mnangagwa on his inaugural address. So I will appreciate how they feel and I will respect how they feel. And yet, I will seek to appeal to them to appreciate that, these things do happen. ... Sadly, wherever we human beings struggle for power, they do bad things to each other. Pastor Chris Oparoacha says he looks to other African nations for guidance, like Zambia. Chiluba, who was the outgoing president, was not given any immunity. He had to pay for the crimes that he did," Oparoacha says. "He might not be sentenced to prison, but whatever evil has been done, should be brought to light so those people are dealt with. There is, scholars agree, no clear way forward that will make all Zimbabweans happy. Justice and forgiveness, as many other African nations have learned, is a slow and complicated process. South Africas post-apartheid Truth and Reconciliation Commission has come under criticism for being too easy on perpetrators and failing to adequately compensate victims. Sierra Leones post-war Truth and Reconciliation Commission worked in theory, scholars said, but the government failed to completely implement the commissions recommendations. TWIN FALLS An eastern Idaho man accused of beating another man with a shovel and dumbbell in 2013 pleaded guilty on Monday to a felony count of aggravated battery. James Ernie Marquez, 41, was first charged in early 2013 after attacking Michael Flynn, during a dispute at Marquezs then-home in Twin Falls. Flynn suffered severe internal injuries from the Jan. 23 beating and was placed in a three-day medical coma as a result. The initial charge against Marquez aggravated battery causing great bodily harm or disability was dismissed by prosecutors for unknown reasons later that spring. In October of 2015, prosecutors filed a new charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and issued a warrant for Marquezs arrest. He was arrested the following August. On the night of the assault, Twin Falls police responded to Marquezs home on Arrow Wood Court, where they found Flynn covered in blood with large, open wounds on his head and face. He told police that he and Marquez had gotten into a fight after Flynn tried to break up a domestic dispute between Marquez and Marquezs wife. During the fight, Flynn told police, Marquez had bludgeoned him repeatedly with a shovel and a dumbbell weight. Flynn told investigators that Marquez had thrown the first punch, rendering him unable to fight back, and told him during the attack that he was going to kill him. According to Marquezs version of events, as told to police at the time, Flynn punched him first. Marquez told police that he used the weight and shovel to fight Flynn off. The blood evidence indicated that Flynns claims were more accurate than Marquezs, a detective noted in a sworn affidavit. At a hearing on Monday, Marquezs attorney, Samuel Beus, said that while Marquez still maintains that some of the beating was done out of self-defense, he admits he went beyond what would qualify as reasonable force. That night ... I got in a fight with a man that used to be my friend, and I beat him up pretty bad, Marquez told Twin Falls County District Judge Randy Stoker at the hearing. Im here to make things right. In exchange for Marquezs guilty plea, the state has agreed to dismiss the enhancement for the use of a deadly weapon. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for Feb. 9. Father Fidelis Mukonori, a Catholic priest who mediated talks between Zimbabwe's former President Robert Mugabe and the military generals who toppled him, says former First Lady Grace Mugabe participated in some discussions leading to the stepping down of Mr. Mugabe after a military intervention. In an exclusive interview with VOA Zimbabwe Service, Father Mukonori, for the first time, revealed that Mrs. Mugabe attended some of the meetings between Mr. Mugabe and the generals. The generals were not happy that Mrs. Mugabe was allegedly attacking them, war veterans and senior party members like then Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, now president, at ruling Zanu-PF party rallies. Asked if Mrs. Mugabe participated in the discussions, Mukonori responded, She came in when she had to. Mukonori though was quick to add, But she was not the major focus. We were zeroing in on the commander-in-chief of the Zimbabwe Defense Forces, and the Head of State and government and first secretary of Zanu-PF, President Robert Mugabe. For us that was the center of focus. We didnt want to lose focus. Father Mukonori says as far as the generals were concerned Mr. Mugabe was answerable to the (former) first lady. The first lady was the secretary for Womens Affairs and that in my view was part and parcel of the responsibility of the president. So we did not have to deal with that issue. ELIMINATION OF GENERAL CHIWENGA There were unconfirmed reports that as the plot to oust Mnangagwa thickened, there were also plans by the former first lady or her backers to cause an arrest or elimination of army General Chiwenga - deemed to be too close to Mnangagwa. Asked about the reports, Father Mukonori said, It was denied (by the former first lady). He added, I brought up the issue personally during the discussion period with the commanders. There were also allegations that a statement read by now detained former Zanu-PF Youth League leader, Kudzi Chipanga, had been authored by the former first lady or her office. Father Mukonori told VOA Zimbabwe Service that when this issue was raised, Mr. Mugabe personally called the first lady to explain to the generals the source of the statement. Mrs. Mugabe denied the allegation that she had authored it. In the press statement, Chipanga said youths were prepared to defend Mugabe to the last man. Said Chipanga: We are, therefore, taking a stand against those who are bent on sowing division among our people and also those taking advantage of the privilege of their appointment by our president to extort guarantees and immunity for fugitives, boarder (sic) jumpers from the same appointing authority. These people should be warned that we the youth are watching in our millions and those who wish to ride on the back of the tiger will end up inside. As a revolutionary party, Zanu-PF is evolving and placing itself at the forefront of the constitutional dispensation we fought the oppressor for and obtained. The remarks were a direct response to warnings given by General Chiwenga that the ruling Zanu-PF should not purge war veterans from its ranks. But after being allegedly abducted and beaten up by the army, Chipanga offered an apology. He said, I was ill-advised to read a document that was handed over to me by one Rodney Dangarembizi (Dangarembizi is a close associate of former First Lady Grace Mugabes who organized her 50th Birthday Dinner in 2015) yesterday. As a leader of the Zanu PF Youth League, I have since reflected and I personally admit that I erred together with my entire executive to denigrate your highest office. We are still young and make mistakes and we have learnt a lot from this mistake. I have not been persuaded to offer myself to the state media but I have personally reflected and realized my mistake, thank you, said Chipanga. Former finance minister Ignatius Chombo's lawyer, Lovemore Madhuku, told reporters that he would appeal the magistrates ruling in the High Court on Tuesday to remand him in custody. Their decision was always made up that bail would not be granted here ... " Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, who represented South Africa, won the Miss Universe crown Sunday. The 22-year-old, who recently earned a business management degree, was crowned at The AXIS Theater at Planet Hollywood casino-resort on the Las Vegas Strip. The runner-up was Miss Colombia Laura Gonzalez, while the second runner-up was Miss Jamaica Davina Bennett. Ninety-two women from around the world participated in the decades-old competition. This year's edition had the most contestants ever, including the first representatives in its history of Cambodia, Laos and Nepal. Along with the title, Nel-Peters earned a yearlong salary, a luxury apartment in New York City for the duration of her reign and more prizes. She is the second woman from her home country to earn the crown. Fans of the pageant submitted the questions that the final five contestants were asked during the competition. When asked to name the most important issue women face in the workplace, Nel-Peters said the lack of equal pay. "In some places, women get paid 75 percent of what men earn for doing the same job, working the same hours, and I do not believe that is right,'' she said. "I think we should have equal work for equal pay for women all over the world.'' Nel-Peters is from the South African coastal community of Sedgefield in the Western Cape province. She helped develop a program to train women in self-defense in various situations after she was robbed at gunpoint a month after she was crowned as Miss South Africa. Steve Harvey returned as the show's host despite botching the 2015 Miss Universe crowning. On Sunday, he poked fun at his mistake throughout the night. Three days after people in the U.S. celebrated Thanksgiving, Harvey told the audience he is "grateful for the Oscars,'' referring to the best-picture flub at this year's Academy Awards. Grammy-Award winner Fergie performed her new song "A Little Work'' while the contestants walked down the stage wearing evening gowns. This year's judges included YouTube star Lele Pons, former judge of "America's Next Top Model'' Jay Manuel and Wendy Fitzwilliam, the 1998 Miss Universe winner from Trinidad and Tobago. President Donald Trump offended Hispanics when he made anti-immigrant remarks in announcing his bid for the White House in 2015. At the time, he co-owned The Miss Universe Organization with NBCUniversal, but the network and the Spanish-language broadcaster Univision quickly cut ties with him, refusing to air the show. Trump sued both networks, eventually settling and selling off the entire pageant to talent management company WME/IMG. Wanted in Rome is a monthly magazine in English for expatriates in Rome established in 1985. The magazine covers Rome news stories that may be of interest to English and Italian speaking residents, and tourists as well. The publication also offers classifieds, photos, information on events, museums, churches, galleries, exhibits, fashion, food, and local travel. Rome's Joel Nafuma Refugee Center holds Christmas appeal until 18 December. The Joel Nafuma Refugee Center (JNRC) at the American Episcopal Church of Rome, St Pauls Within the Walls, is holding its annual Christmas Gift Bag Appeal between now and 18 December. The JNRC is appealing for practical Christmas gifts for the refugees in its care, and says the initiative does not cost much, is fun to do, and can involve families, schools and workplaces. The appeal is for basic necessities for those who are less fortunate. Donors are asked not to buy large or expensive items but to stick to this list: First aid supplies (plasters, cough sweets), hats, gloves and scarves, shaving cream and body lotion, notebooks, pens, razors, soap and/or body wash (travel size preferable), deodorant, thick wool socks (new), tissues (small packets) toothbrush and toothpaste, underwearsizes small, medium (new), candy and chocolate bars, playing cards and travel games. The JNRC says that a large number of small items can help many more people than a few large costly purchases. All items should be new, and not wrapped or decorated. Donations should be taken to St Pauls Within the Walls on Via Napoli 58, by Monday 18 December. The presents will be divided evenly among the refugees and handed out at the centres special Christmas lunch of rice, meat, curry, bread and fruit for all JNRC guests on 22 December. Located in the crypt of St Pauls, the JNRC was founded in 1995 and welcomes more than 200 guests each weekday, from 08.30 to 14.00. For more details see JNRC website. Installation in central Rome represents female victims of violence. 100 white silhouettes have been installed in Rome's Piazza S. Marco, just off Piazza Venezia in the city centre, to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25 November. Entitled Senza Parole (Without Words), the installation's statues represent women who have been murdered, and each figure has a personal story attached. The installation has been organised by Italian trade union UGL whose secretary Ornello Petillo says: "We have no more words in the face of such a tragedy." The Non Una di Meno (Not One Less) rally, designed to recall the victims of feminicide and male aggression as well as demanding greater rights for women, will begin in Piazza della Repubblica at 14.00 on 25 November. Photo La Repubblica Association offers support in Rome to seriously ill children and their families. Rome's Casa Andrea Tudisco, which provides support for seriously ill children and their families, celebrated its 20th anniversary with a party on 24 November. The charity's founder Fiorella Tudisco was joined by guests including motorcycle race champion Max Biaggi and entertainer Max Giusti, the president of the Lazio Region Nicola Zingaretti, the president of Bambin Gesu children's hospital Mariella Enoc, and numerous other volunteers and clown-doctors. The event featured film footage and testimonies from some of the many children and parents to have benefited from two decades of activity at Casa Andrea Tudisco, which offers accommodation and support to families who come to Rome for specialist medical treatment. Each year the charity hosts 120 family members for up to six months at its four reception facilities: the Casa di Andrea, the Piccolo Nido, the Casa Lontano da Casa and La Tana Libera Tutti. The Associazione Andrea Tudisco Onlus has 42 beds available 365 days a year, oversees more than 1,200 hospital transfers, provides clown therapy at 12 pediatric and specialist clinics, and is present at the Ospedale Bambino Gesu, the Policlinico Gemelli and the Ospedale S. Andrea. For full details see website. Starbucks to open outlets at Termini and Piazza di Spagna in spring 2018. Starbucks, the US-based chain of coffee shops, is reportedly set to launch two outlets in Rome next spring: one at Termini station and the other in Piazza di Spagna. The Termini outlet is expected to open in March 2018 while the cafe at the Spanish Steps is due to launch in May, according to a report in Italian daily newspaper La Repubblica. Starbucks is believed to have selected the two Rome sites as being a relatively "safe bet" due to the large amount of passing tourists, although Italians have reservations about the arrival of the American chain in the land of coffee. The company also has plans to open three outlets in Milan in 2018, and La Repubblica reports that if the initial cafes prove successful it could lead to 150-200 new Starbucks outlets opening across Italy in the coming years. TWIN FALLS The 18-year-old driver of a car that crashed just south of Twin Falls on Thanksgiving evening succumbed to her injuries Monday. Alexa Brown of Twin Falls was flown to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise after the car she was driving went off the road and rolled over, according to a statement from Idaho State Police. The crash took place at the intersection of Foothill Road and N 3000 E. The two passengers in the car, 49-year-old Aaron Brown and 47-year-old Kathy Brown, also of Twin Falls, were taken to St. Lukes Magic Valley Medical Center for treatment. Aaron Brown was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, police said, while Alexa and Kathy Brown were not. The Republican push to rewrite the tax code gained momentum Tuesday after a Senate panel advanced the measure and several wavering lawmakers signaled that they are leaning toward backing the bill. Republicans on the Senate Budget Committee unanimously voted to send the partys tax package to the Senate floor, setting up a final vote as soon as this week. The measure moved forward when two GOP senators on the committee who had threatened opposition, Sens. Bob Corker (Tenn.) and Ron Johnson (Wis.), instead supported the legislation. Corker said he had reached an agreement with GOP leaders that would limit the tax plans impact on the debt. Johnson, who has repeatedly threatened to vote against the bill because he says it favors corporations over other businesses, said he continued to have concerns but voted to make sure this process moves forward. While the bill now heads to the Senate floor, it remains unclear if Republicans have the 50 votes they need for final approval. GOP leaders still have to corral several on-the-fence members of their caucus, who have different and contradictory demands. But getting the legislation to the floor represents a significant victory for President Trump and Republican leaders, who are trying to deliver a major legislative accomplishment after a year full of misfires. Sen. Bob Corker R-Tenn.), center, confers with Sen. Ron Johnson R-Wis.), right, as Sen. Jeff Flake R-Ariz.) reads during a Nov. 14 Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing. All three are undecided on the Republican tax bill. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/Associated Press) Trump on Tuesday visited Republicans at the Capitol to cajole skeptical lawmakers. During his visit, he clashed with Johnson over the senators demands but appeared to make substantial progress toward winning another key vote, from Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine). In a private meeting with Collins before lunch, and again in front of the larger group of Republicans, Trump signaled openness to Collinss demands, which include paying federal subsidies to help lower-income Americans afford health coverage and allowing Americans to continue deducting up to $10,000 in property taxes from their taxable income. Its certainly progress, said Collins, who played a central role in derailing GOP health-care bills this year. McConnell said Tuesday that he intends to press forward with the bill in the coming days, eyeing passage by the weeks end. Its going to have lots of adjustments before it ends, but the end result will be a very, very massive the largest in the history of our country tax cut, Trump said. Beyond bolstering support for the bill, Republicans must also fit the sweeping tax cut most of it aimed at businesses into a tight fiscal straitjacket because of their decision to use special budget procedures to avoid a Democratic filibuster. That means the changes sought by Collins, Johnson and others would require finding offsetting revenue elsewhere in the bill. And that could create problems for other Republicans. View Graphic Do Senate Republicans have the votes to pass their tax bill? The House has already passed its version of the tax plan, and the Senate bill is certain to be considerably different. Republicans in the two chambers would have to reach an agreement on a consensus bill. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-Tex.) said Tuesday that he expected a formal conference committee to be appointed to hash out the differences, even as more Republicans speculated that the House would simply pass the Senate bill. Were looking forward to finding common ground in conference, finalizing the details and sending this historic legislation to the president by the end of the year, Brady said in remarks to the American Enterprise Institute. The Senate tax bill would permanently slash the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 20 percent starting in 2019 and temporarily lower the tax rates paid by individuals and families through 2025. It would also repeal a provision of the Affordable Care Act that sets up penalties if Americans dont have health insurance, a central plank of the Obama administrations signature health-care law. The health-care provisions in the bill prompted Collins to seek legislation stabilizing insurance markets, including a bipartisan bill sponsored by Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) that would make federal payments to insurers, as well as a bill Collins co-sponsored with Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) that would provide new reinsurance payments to subsidize high-cost patients. Those bills, however, cannot be added directly to the tax bill because of fiscal and procedural constraints. Collins said she wants to see the health legislation pass into law before the differences between the House and Senate tax bills are resolved. [Senate GOP tax bill hurts the poor more than originally thought, CBO finds] Meanwhile, few details have emerged about the deal Corker secured to blunt the tax bills deficit impact. He had sought the inclusion of a fiscal trigger that would generate additional revenue if the bill failed to spark the economic growth that Republicans have predicted. Some Republicans aired concerns that any such trigger could cause a tax increase amid an economic downturn or complicate companies ability to do long-term planning and investment. Corker would not discuss details of the proposal Tuesday but assured reporters that his colleagues would find it palatable. Theres agreement in principle, very strong agreement, with McConnell, with the Finance Committee and of course the White House has been in the midst of all this, too but the agreement was made with McConnell and the Finance Committee leadership, Corker said Tuesday. No official analysis has been released by the Treasury Department or the nonpartisan congressional Joint Committee on Taxation to support the GOP claims that growth would make up for revenue losses. In a Tuesday memo, the committee told Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) that it might have a rough analysis available by late Wednesday though that report would not include the latest changes to the Senate legislation. Wyden, the top Democrat on the tax-writing Senate Finance Committee, called the inclusion of a trigger another budget gimmick that would obscure the true cost of the GOP bill. What they have done for months is resisted efforts to give us anything resembling legitimate scoring, he said. Johnsons opposition is based on his complaints that the bill would not sufficiently lower taxes for millions of businesses that are effectively taxed through the individual income tax code. These businesses, known as pass throughs, would receive temporary tax cuts that expire in 2025, unlike the tax cuts for corporations, which would be made permanent. [Trump could personally benefit from last-minute change to Senate tax bill] Republicans control 52 votes in the 100-seat Senate, and they can afford to lose the support of just two members if they want the measure to pass. Trump and White House officials have made entreaties to some Democratic senators representing states that voted for Trump last year, but they have yet to persuade any to support the bill. Various estimates show that the tax plan would disproportionately benefit corporations and the wealthy, with many middle-class Americans seeing their taxes increase over time. Republicans have said they would not allow the middle class to see a tax increase and would change the bill if needed, but it has left an opening for Democrats to attack the package. This legislation is a disastrous and unfair piece of legislation that gives huge tax breaks to the people who need it the least the very, very wealthy, said Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). Budget Committee Democrats unanimously voted against advancing the tax bill Tuesday, and protesters disrupted the panels meeting shortly before the vote, chanting Kill the bill. But the measure proceeded after the protesters were cleared, and Democrats were unable to slow it down or change its design. Describing the committee vote at the White House on Tuesday, Trump touted his partys success. We had a unanimous vote from the Republican side, at least. The battle over who will lead a prominent federal consumer watchdog agency escalated Monday, with dueling leaders each claiming control before a federal judge during a chaotic day of public appearances and maneuvering. By the end of the day, it was still unclear who was the true acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau President Trumps pick of White House budget director Mick Mulvaney or one of the agencys longtime executives, Leandra English. Mulvaney showed up at the agencys Washington headquarters early in the morning bearing a bag of doughnuts and then firing off an email ordering the staff to disregard any orders from English. His office tweeted photos of Mulvaney taking part in office meetings and he invited in the press to announce that he had declared a temporary freeze on hiring and rulemaking. Trump wants me to get it [the agency] back to the point where it can protect people without trampling on capitalism, Mulvaney said. English, meanwhile, came to the office and sent an early morning email welcoming the staff of 1,600 back from the Thanksgiving holiday and then headed to Capitol Hill, where she met with several Democratic lawmakers. She held her first public appearance before a barrage of cameras and reporters sitting alongside Sens. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). Barely audible, English said the lawmakers had been very helpful. Leandra English, a longtime executive with the CFPB, speaks with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer D-N.Y.) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren D-Mass.) before a meeting on Capitol Hill Monday. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post) The confusion promised to continue for at least another day after a federal judge a recent Trump appointee declined to rule immediately on Englishs request for a temporary restraining order barring Mulvaney from taking over. Englishs attorney, Deepak Gupta, asked U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly to rule as expeditiously as possible in a way that could be immediately appealed. Everyone needs to know who is director of the bureau, Gupta said. The standoff is quickly turning into one of the highest-profile efforts by the Trump administration to roll back the governments oversight over the financial industry. And it is bringing to a head a long-simmering partisan fight over the CFPB, an agency established in 2011 in response to the global financial crisis. The tug-of-war left the CFPBs staff and contractors befuddled over how to proceed. Legal experts said any actions taken by either Mulvaney or English could later be challenged in court should they not ultimately prevail effectively freezing the agencys ongoing work. The CFPB, for example, is working on rules for debt collectors, which are now likely to stall, legal experts said. Republicans have been trying to gain control of the agency for years, complaining that the CFPB lacked accountability and its rulemaking made it harder for consumers to get loans. Republicans in Congress, for example, recently voted to block a regulation allowing consumers to sue their banks, arguing it would trigger a flood of frivolous lawsuits and drive up costs. On Twitter, Trump called the agency a "total disaster." [Wall Street wins big as Senate votes to roll back regulations allowing consumers to sue their banks] But Democrats and consumer advocates have cheered the CFPBs aggressive actions against big financial institutions, noting its record $100 million fine against Wells Fargo for opening millions of fake accounts consumers didnt want. The agency, they say, was intentionally created to be independent of Congress and from political pressure from the White House. Schumer said he recalled language being added to the legislation about who could temporarily replace an absent director to further limit political interference. We purposely put that to avoid putting a fox in charge of the henhouse, he told reporters. The Trump administration spent months privately fuming that the CFPBs longtime director, Richard Cordray, initially did not resign like other banking industry regulators following the election, and they have recently accused him of using his office to gain political advantage. A former attorney general of Ohio, Cordray has been rumored to be interested in running for governor. We think that a lot of the past practices under the previous director and under the previous administration were used more to advance political ambitions and not about protecting American consumers, which is what thats supposed to be, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Monday. When Cordray did resign Friday, he set off a showdown with the White House by promoting his chief of staff, English, to deputy director, and saying that she would serve as acting director until the Senate confirmed his permanent replacement. Trump struck back a few hours later by announcing that Mulvaney would take the job instead. [CFPB official Leandra English sues to block Trump White House pick Mick Mulvaney] Both sides spent the holiday weekend in a war of words about the fine print in dueling federal statutes. Englishs supporters argue that the legislation that created the agency in 2010, the Dodd-Frank Act, gave the power to appoint an acting director to Cordray. And some questioned whether Mulvaney would have the time to properly run such a large agency while also serving as the director of the Office of Management and Budget. As head of OMB, he is tasked with negotiating budget agreements with Capitol Hill. A deal must be brokered before a deadline next week to avoid a partial government shutdown. Mulvaney said he plans to work three days a week at the agency and three days at OMB. President Trump put a cloud over the agency by invoking a statute [to appoint Mulvaney] that doesnt apply here, said Warren, who, as a bankruptcy professor at Harvard Law School, came up with the idea for the agency. The agency has been an effective cop on the beat, and the banks dont want an effective cop on the beat. Schumer said Trump has nominated people devoted to terminating the agencies they were nominated to run. Mulvaney, he said, is only the latest in a line of Trojan horse candidates. Trump has installed new leadership at the top of several other regulatory agencies, many of which have already taken a more business-friendly tone. He is likely to follow that pattern with his eventual nominee to replace Cordray a decision that Mulvaney said will happen quickly. Mulvaney, a frequent critic of the CFPB, once called the agency a joke . . . in a sick, sad way. He stood by those 2015 remarks Monday but said the concerns among some consumer advocates were overblown. Rumors that Im going to set the place on fire or blow it up or lock the doors are completely false, he said. We intend to execute the laws of the United States, including the provisions of Dodd-Frank that govern the CFPB. At the court hearing, Mulvaneys attorney, Brett Shumate, a deputy assistant attorney general, was asked by the judge whether the government would agree that English would not be fired, to remove some of the urgency from the matter. Shumate said he could not give any representation or assurance on that score. For confused CFPB employees, Jose Andres, the Washington celebrity chef who once had his own legal dispute with the president over operating a restaurant in Trump's D.C. hotel, offered a respite. "Have two bosses? Please bring a proof you work there to any of our DC restaurants and the first drink is on us," he offered on Twitt er. Steven Mufson, Spencer S. Hsu and Thomas Heath contributed to this report. Pope Francis opened a diplomatically fraught trip to Burma and Bangladesh on Monday by immediately diving into the crisis over Burma's crackdown on Rohingya Muslims: He met with the country's military chief even before beginning the official program of his trip. The Vatican did not give details of Franciss 15-minute courtesy visit with Gen. Min Aung Hlaing and three officials from the Bureau of Special Operations. It took place in the residence of the archbishop of Rangoon, who has resisted international condemnation of the militarys operations against Rohingya as ethnic cleansing. The general is in charge of security in Rakhine state, where the militarys clearance operations against the Muslim minority have sent more than 620,000 Rohingya fleeing into neighboring Bangladesh. Refugees there have told of entire villages being burned and women and girls being raped. Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said only that Francis and the general spoke of the great responsibility of the authorities of the country in this moment of transition. Min Aung Hlaings office said in a statement on Facebook that he is willing to have interfaith peace, unity and justice. The general added that there was no religious or ethnic persecution or discrimination in Burma. Rohingya Muslims have faced state-supported discrimination in the predominantly Buddhist Burma for decades. Though members of the ethnic minority first arrived generations ago, Rohingya were stripped of their citizenship in 1982, rendering them stateless. They cannot travel freely, practice their religion, or work as teachers or doctors, and they have little access to medical care, food or education. The Rohingya in recent months have been subject to what the United Nations says is a campaign of textbook ethnic cleansing by the military in Rakhine. But Burmas Catholic Church has publicly urged Francis to avoid using the term Rohingya, which is shunned by many locally because the ethnic group is not a recognized minority. Francis has already prayed for our Rohingya brothers and sisters, and much of the debate in the run-up to the trip focused on whether he would do so again in expressing solidarity with the Rohingya. Burke did not say whether Francis used the term in his meeting with the general. The trip was planned before the latest spasm of violence erupted in August, when Rohingya militants attacked security positions in Rakhine. Security forces responded with a scorched-earth campaign. On Tuesday, Francis begins the main protocol portion of his week-long trip, meeting with Burmas civilian leader, Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, and others. Book critic If Gulliver could travel through time, instead of sailing around the world, imagine how familiar the Yahoos of Washington would look to him now. What would he say about the roaring Lilliputians and the swollen Brobdingnagians stomping around the capital? Jonathan Swift, we need you more than ever. Book World illustration on Jonathan Swift's 350th birthday and the health of satire by Ron Charles. Illustration by Alla Dreyvitser/The Washington Post (Alla Dreyvitser/The Washington Post) This week marks the 350th birthday of the brilliant Irish writer, born Nov. 30, 1667. That we know of Swift at all is one of the sweetest fortunes of literary history. His father died of syphilis before Jonathan was born. A wet nurse whisked him to England for three years. He depended on the generosity of an uncle. He was almost killed by a mail bomb. But despite those precarious turns, Swift became a poet, a priest, a political operator and, of course, the greatest satirist in the English language. The longevity of Swifts work is a testament to its potency because no genre fades as quickly: Satires are the cut flowers of literature. Time wilts their wit, fading their bright colors like old political cartoons that poke fun at fat cats we no longer recognize. (Voltaire adored Samuel Butlers 1663 mock heroic poem Hudibras, but try reading it now without footnotes.) As contemporary allusions are worn away by the acid rain of history, the profound insights of a great work of satire grow more prominent. Today, scholars relish the anti-Whig references in "Gulliver's Travels," but the rest of us can still enjoy its wicked critique of hubris, vanity and illogic. George Orwell, himself a genius at political satire, noted that Swift "possessed a terrible intensity of vision, capable of picking out a single hidden truth and then magnifying it and distorting it." [Jonathan Swift: Not (entirely) the misanthrope you thought you knew] Now, though, the pre-satirized absurdities of the Trump era call into question the potency of this genre. What comic genius can compete with the news? Most days, the White House sounds kookier than tea at the Mad Hatter's table. One minute Reince Priebus is groveling, "Mr. President, we thank you for the opportunity and the blessing that you've given us to serve your agenda." The next, Betsy DeVos is suggesting that schools might need guns to protect students from grizzly bears. This is climate change nobody should believe in, and it's made us all weirdly self-conscious about satire. On Facebook, one constantly sees real stories prefaced with the advisory: "Not from the Onion!" Otherwise, who would accept headlines about a former ghost-hunter considered to be a federal district court judge, or the Secretary of the Treasury neglecting to disclose $100 million in personal assets? With the Grabber-in-Chief constantly stroking himself, the Oval Office outstrips the imaginations of even our cleverest writers. This year, both Salman Rushdie and Harold Jacobson aimed for the heart of the bloated beast and missed badly. W.B. Yeats knew what he was talking about when he said of Swift, Imitate him if you dare. Consider the remarkable persistence of A Modest Proposal, published anonymously in 1729. Swifts ironic phrase is such a hardy part of our language that its easy to forget how unlikely it is that wed still be referring to a 3,000-word political pamphlet almost 300 years later. Originally titled A Modest Proposal for Preventing the Children of Poor People From Being a Burden to Their Parents or Country, and for Making Them Beneficial to the Public, the essay burns with rage at a privileged class willing to ignore and rationalize human suffering. Although the plight of starving Irishmen may be unimaginable to us today, the centuries have done nothing to mute Swifts savage indignation. He still sounds as timely as last nights Daily Show. If you havent read A Modest Proposal since high school, look it up again and be astounded. Speaking in the voice of a perfectly reasonable bureaucrat, Swift begins by describing the piteous state of beggars and their children all in rags, and importuning every passenger for an alms. In response to this deplorable state, he announces a solution, having no other motive than the publick good of my country, by advancing our trade, providing for infants, relieving the poor, and giving some pleasure to the rich: Why not harvest these Irish babies? A young healthy child well nursed, is, at a year old, a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled. HANDOUT IMAGE: "Jonathan Swift: The Reluctant Rebel," by John Stubbs (credit: Norton) ***NOT FOR RESALE (Norton) Much of Swifts essay is taken up with various statistics and logistical explanations, a hellacious spreadsheet of infant flesh to lay out the case for utilizing 100,000 children nursed to approximately 28 pounds each. In those well-modulated sentences, Swift washes individuals and their pain away. As John Stubbs writes in his recent biography, Swift possessed an unequalled capacity to endow a ludicrous line of argument with an air of steadfast reason. The bloody solution of A Modest Proposal is easy to laugh off as a bit of grotesque hyperbole, but the real horror of the essay remains its bland, bureaucratic tone the same sterile language of accounting that justified American slavery, the Holocaust or any scheme that slices human lives into the columns of a ledger. Even now, our political leaders are scheming to strip millions of Americans of health insurance so that the resultant federal savings can be lavished on the richest citizens. That may not be a recipe for roasting babies au gratin, but it makes a tasty birthday cake. If politicians havent changed their menu much in 300 years, the rest of us still face the same risk of indigestion. Remember that Gullivers Travels ends with the intrepid narrator isolated and disgusted. Orwell assumed that Gulliver reflected his creators morose character and claimed that Swift suffered from a general hatred of humanity stoked by a perverse obsession with mankinds sins and weaknesses. Stubbs argues that the image of Swift as a misanthropic monster is not entirely fair, but Gullivers fate is instructive, nonetheless. Now that were all strident critics trading the days outrages across Twitter and the dining room table, how are we to avoid being sickened by our own bitter indignation? The bile in a satirists mind must be balanced with hope, or the whole enterprise is doomed. Surely, Swift wouldnt have bothered to poke fun at cruelty, incompetence and hypocrisy unless he believed, on some level, that such scalding exposure could awaken a better nature. On his 350th birthday, its good to remember that despair is the satirists temptation and the citizens poison. Ron Charles is the editor of Book World and host of TotallyHipVideoBookReview.com. The special kitfo spiced raw round steak), bottom left, surrounded by condiments, cabbage and injera. (Dayna Smith/For The Washington Post) Staff writer Your first clues are found on Page 4 of the menu at Meleket Ethiopian Restaurant: Right there, next to the fried burger and the poisson du jour are two pastas, a pesto with chicken and a meatball plate. The owners, I immediately suspect, hail from Eritrea, the Horn of Africa country that has had a long, cantankerous relationship with Ethiopia. Eritrea also has deeper ties to Italy than its neighbor to the south. Over several decades in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Italian colonizers left their mark on Eritrea, sometimes with the heel of a jackboot. They influenced Eritreas architecture, its agriculture and its cuisine. Those pasta dishes are a dead giveaway that the restaurant is an Eritrean outpost in a Silver Spring neighborhood dominated by Ethiopian businesses. [The 10 best Ethiopian restaurants in the Washington area] Meleket's owners, I later learn, are natives of Asmara, the capital of Eritrea and the city that Mussolini once wanted to transform into Africa's Little Rome. The owners are also related: They're three of 12 siblings born into a large family. Since arriving in the United States, the trio has tasted success in business before combining their talents to launch Meleket: Habtamu Bayu owns a gas station. Sister Zuriashwork Bayu runs a catering operation, and brother Abe Bayu has built restaurants for others in the Washington area. Many will tell you theres no difference between Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisines. Abe Bayu is not one of them. He knows the subtle variations, but all the same, he feared diners might shy away from an Eritrean-branded restaurant, thinking it too foreign. So the Bayu family adopted the name of the African cuisine known all over Washington. Chef and co-owner Abe Bayu also served as general contractor. (Dayna Smith/For the Washington Post) Pastas aside, tomatoes play a significant role in Eritrean cooking, another hand-me-down from the Italians. Just taste the mesir wot at Meleket: The red lentil dish packs a predictable punch of berbere, the Ethiopian spice blend, but its wallop is softened by fresh tomatoes, which the kitchen cooks down until the fruits lose all form. Those long-stewed tomatoes give the red lentils a sweet complexity missing from mesir wot preparations at traditional Ethiopian restaurants, where the dish usually adopts a scorched-earth policy of intimidation through blistering blast waves of spice. A similar sweetness creeps into other dishes at Meleket, too, such as the shiro wot, a silky preparation in which a lentil-and-chickpea powder is constituted with onions, oil and tomatoes, the last of which adds a slight acidic touch. [The 10 best D.C.-area places to eat on the cheap, because nobody needs a $28 sandwich] Meleket opened in July in a space below a second-floor psychic reader, where you can have your palm read and then use the same hand to dig into these East African finger foods served on spongy injera. Abe Bayu served as general contractor for his restaurant, creating a sleek wood-and-stone interior that ditches the conventional mesob baskets in favor of two-tops covered with white tablecloths. He also leads the kitchen, with an assist from Zuriashwork Bayu, the caterer who knows how to scale up recipes to feed large groups. Abe Bayu is an unlikely chef, and not just because his most recent work experiences have come in the construction business. In Eritrean and Ethiopian restaurants, the chefs are almost always women, a reflection of East African foodways, which usually wind through the home. Most men think going into the kitchen is not the mans job, the chef says. They grow up with that mentality. The vegetarian platter. (Dayna Smith/For the Washington Post) Gender roles notwithstanding, Bayu came by his love of food naturally. He started working at his moms restaurant in Asmara as a child. He eventually earned her trust and was given a chance to cook. Cooking soon became his all-consuming passion, even when he was toiling in other professions. His dream was to open his own restaurant by 40, an age when many decide their bodies can no longer absorb the shocks of the demanding hospitality trade. Bayu just missed his self-imposed deadline: Hes 43 now. Bayu has the zeal of a late bloomer. His menu taps into his moms recipes but also includes American appeasements such as martinis, mini quesadillas and even an appetizer dubbed Bayu bites, in which a superb spiced mixture of chopped greens and fresh cheese sits atop slices of a crusty white bread, the first yeasted loaf I think Ive ever seen at an Eritrean or Ethiopian restaurant. The chef also prepares a spot-on Buffalo sauce for his chicken wings, but if you ask me, he missed a prime opportunity to develop his own Eritrean alternative, the berbere wing. [Bete in Silver Spring: An oasis of greenery and authentic Ethiopian cooking] One thing becomes apparent once youve sampled enough dishes at Meleket: Bayu has a good palate and, just as important, he uses it to taste his food before it moves into the dining room. Salt doesnt just hide in spice blends, whether berbere and mitmita, but is incorporated at different stages to heighten the pleasure of Bayus dishes: The beef in his bozena shiro is chewy but expertly seasoned; the house-made sambusa packed with lentils and onions is somehow spiced to imitate a more meaty filling; and his turmeric-tinted cabbage, paired with carrots, would have had an almost caramelized sweetness if not for the salt and seasonings to keep it on this side of the savory line. The kitfo, left, isnt as spicy as Ethiopian versions. (Dayna Smith/For the Washington Post) Eritreans generally take a more humane approach to heat than their neighbors across the border. As such, the special kitfo at Meleket a generous mound of raw beef, approximately the size of a human brain is more fragrant than spicy, emphasizing the buttery pleasures of the flesh. Even the molten stews known as wots assume a mild persona, including the doro wot, a dark-and-shimmering chicken preparation that looks as threatening as a pit bull until it reveals its soft, approachable underbelly. Meleket exhibits some of the behaviors you expect from a restaurant run by first-timers. On busy nights, the kitchen can fall deep into the weeds. Service can be friendly but absent-minded; you may need to ask for napkins or a water refill. The menu sometimes provides a mere sketch of the dish that actually arrives, but new menus are promised soon. Then there are the pasta plates, those specialties of the Eritrean table. One night I sampled Bayus pesto with chicken, a bowl overflowing with thin strands, each lightly coated with sauce. I tasted Parmesan. I tasted grilled chicken. I barely detected the sweet, ticklish flavors of fresh basil, the key to any good pesto. The herbs meager presence seemed like a metaphor: The Italian influence on Eritrean cooking has become a faint echo. A panel discussion on Travel in the Age of Trump at the Phocuswright Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., with (from left) Roger Dow, Gloria Guevara Manzo, Mike Premo, Chris Thompson and Seema Mody. (Ed McDonald/Phocuswright Conference) At the Phocuswright Conference, a travel industry meeting recently held in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., blockchain and artificial intelligence were touted as the flying cars and robot maids of the future. But the present looked alluring, too, with attention heaped on alternative lodging, beaches, tours and hurricane recovery. The annual event, now in its 24th year, explored the innovations and interests helping to expand the travel universe. Among the forward-thinkers: some of the biggest names in travel (Priceline, Kayak, Google and TripAdvisor, among others), as well as many start-ups (Beachy, TWIP, Luxtripper) wishing upon a star to become the next Airbnb or Uber. Here are some of the top trends to keep an eye or booking finger on. 1. Online booking sites are expanding into tours and excursions. "Until just a few years ago, this content was very difficult to find and book online," said Douglas Quinby, senior vice president of research at Phocuswright, a travel industry research firm. "Now all of the big players Airbnb, Expedia, TripAdvisor, Booking.com and others are investing heavily in the space." 2. Puerto Rico is looking forward to Christmas. Jose Izquierdo, executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Co., said the island is encouraging "meaningful travel and travel with a purpose" as in, give the hurricane survivors a hand but will welcome leisure tourists on Dec. 20. He said Old San Juan is stirring back to life, with cruise ships resuming their ports of call. "Old San Juan is a resilient city," he said. "The cobblestones are intact; the walls are up." Hotels are using this opportunity to rebuild and renovate. Of the 149 properties endorsed by the tourism office, he said, nearly 110 are operational. He added that 67 tourist attractions across the island are open, as is the west coast town of La Parguera, home of a bioluminescent bay. "We're planning a big comeback party," he said. 3. Call it Keeping Up With Airbnb: Major hotel booking sites are adding alternative lodgings, such as private accommodations, hostels and B&Bs, to their traditional properties. "More and more travelers are less concerned with hotels vs. homes vs. hostels and more concerned with location, price and quality," Quinby said. Searches on Expedia, Booking.com and Tripping.com result in a grab bag of possibilities, and Trivago recently started featuring HomeAway vacation rentals. [Most air travelers say taking off your shoes is okay. An etiquette expert disagrees.] 4. Everyone wants a piece of China. However, the travel companies don't want to just penetrate this emerging market; they want to adopt the country's progressive mobile practices. "China is far ahead of the rest of the world in mobile travel trends," Quinby said. Chinese travelers research and book trips on their phones, he said, and "the apps, payment services and other features are more advanced and widely accepted." 5. For beachgoers who care as much about the scene as the sand, a start-up called Beach-Inspector.com has come to the rescue. The Berlin-based company, which won Brand USA's Marketing Innovation Award, provides comprehensive reviews of more than 1,500 beaches in 50 destinations throughout Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The site covers the condition of the beaches plus such essentials as parking, watersports, food, atmosphere and demographics. The founders plan to add U.S. beaches next year. Inspectors wanted. 6. Booking by voice command "Alexa, teleport me to Fiji!" is still a work in progress, but "machine learning," a cousin of artificial intelligence, has arrived. "Increasingly your favorite travel brands will know what you want before you ask for it," Quinby said. Creepy or cool? You decide. 7. If you are long on travel aspirations but short on cash, two new players, Affirm and Uplift, have introduced payment installment plans. Take heart: You'll probably pay off your Machu Picchu trip way before your student loans. 8. Hotels are trying to woo travelers away from online travel agencies and toward loyalty programs. To entice guests, they are dangling discounted rates and such perks as free WiFi. The courting must be working: The number of U.S. hotel guests who belong to a frequent-stay program jumped from 37 percent two years ago to 63 percent, according to Phocuswright. D.C. Deputy Mayor Courtney Snowden used her staff for child care during the work day, according to a new inspector generals report. (Evelyn Hockstein/For The Washington Post) A top aide to Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) used city employees to provide care for her child during the work day, D.C.s inspector general has found. Courtney Snowden, Bowsers deputy mayor for greater economic opportunity, asked her staff to take her young child to a relatives home and to pick up the child from school in August 2015, according to a report released Monday by Inspector General Daniel W. Lucas. Snowden also left her child, then 8 years old, under the supervision of her employees while she attended a meeting outside her office, the report states. Investigators did not substantiate separate allegations that Snowden had inappropriate contact with her former private-sector company and clients after she assumed public office. They also did not examine an allegation that Snowden retaliated against her staff after they raised ethical concerns about her conduct. Lucas said that allegation was not in his offices purview. Anu Rangappa, a spokeswoman for Bowser, said the mayor remained confident in Snowdens ability to do her job, which primarily involves promoting small businesses and workforce development in the poor neighborhoods of Southeast Washington. Deputy Mayor Snowden is working on behalf of District residents to address inequities holding back our most vulnerable citizens from achieving their full potential, Rangappa wrote in an email. Any issues raised have been addressed, and the mayor has full confidence in Deputy Mayor Snowdens ability to continue to deliver for District residents. Snowden did not respond to requests for comment. After learning the results of the investigation in September, Bowser told the inspector generals office that Snowden acknowledged her conduct was not appropriate and expressed remorse, according to the inspector generals report. The mayor also stated that appropriate management action has been taken and concluded in response to the use of city staff for babysitting. Asked for a description of that action, her spokeswoman did not respond. [Top Bowser aide subject of second inspector generals probe] Lucass investigation, which The Washington Post previously reported was underway, marks the second time Snowden has come under scrutiny by the inspector generals office. Earlier this year, she was among a number of government officials found to have received preferential treatment from former D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson and to have circumvented the Districts notoriously competitive lottery system for school enrollment. The chancellor placed Snowdens son at Capitol Hill Montessori at Logan, a public school with a waiting list of more than 1,000 students. A second Bowser cabinet official, City Administrator Rashad M. Young, was also among those who benefited from preferential treatment. That investigation found that Henderson misused her authority as chancellor but did not assess the conduct of the government officials whose children received special placements. Lucass new report on Snowden states that the inspector generals office received an anonymous complaint alleging that the deputy mayor used her staff for child care and continued consultation with her former employers clients while in office. Before her appointment as deputy mayor in 2015, Snowden worked at the Raben Group, a public-affairs and lobbying firm. Investigators determined that Snowden did not violate any city rules during interactions with her former firm or its clients. [Secret report shows special treatment for D.C. officials in school lottery] In one incident examined by the inspector general, Snowden attended a fundraiser after the Districts Office of General Counsel advised her that she should not accept a former clients invitation to the event, because her seat would have been worth $500 and fallen under a prohibition on city officials receiving gifts. Snowden ultimately went to the event the Tim Russert Congressional Dinner hosted by the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington in May 2015. However, she sat at a table sponsored by the Boys & Girls Club rather than at the former clients table. The inspector general concluded her attendance fell under an exception in city ethics rules for invitations from an event sponsor. Snowden admitted to investigators that she asked an intern to transport her child to a relatives office in Northwest D.C., but said she paid the person to do so and that the errand took place at the end of the day, after the interns working hours. The intern and other witnesses confirmed the payment but said the trip happened during the work day, according to the report. In a second instance, Snowden acknowledged that she told her staff pick up her child from school but said she did so because the staff caused a conflict by scheduling a meeting for her during the pickup time, the report states. Snowden also admitted to leaving her child at her office while she attended a meeting. She said a relative was supposed to pick up the child within a half-hour but did not because of vehicle issues, the report states. Snowden said she did not instruct her staff to look after her child while he was in the office. However, Lucas stated in his report that it was implausible that Deputy Mayor Snowden would leave her 8-year-old child unattended . . . without the implied expectation that her employees would look after the child. Traditionally white public universities in Maryland count 122 academic programs that are not duplicated anywhere within the state system. Historically black state schools have only 11 such offerings. That disparity is at the core of a lawsuit, spanning more than a decade, to end inequality within Marylands public higher education system. Advocates of the states four historically black universities have fought for more high-demand academic programs they say would enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of each school. A recent ruling in the case could achieve those objectives and set Maryland and its four historically black universities on a path toward dismantling the legacy of segregation. But achieving parity among the states institutions of higher learning may challenge notions of equity and identity as the four schools lay the groundwork for their future. [Courts side with Maryland HBCUs in long-standing case over disparities in state higher education] Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake ordered the appointment of an independent monitor to create a set of unique, high-demand academic programs at Morgan State University, Coppin State University, Bowie State University and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Aminta Hawkins Breaux, the president of Bowie State University, chats with senior Daionna Young, 21, at the student center on campus in July. (Katherine Frey/The Washington Post) She instructed the monitor to provide an undetermined amount of annual funding for marketing, student recruitment, financial aid and any related initiative over the next decade. Blake also insisted that any program proposed by a Maryland university must be reviewed by the monitor to ensure it will not harm the historically black schools. We are looking at the ruling as a way in which we can position Morgan to truly be what the state designated us during the last legislative session to be: its preeminent, public, research university, said David Wilson, president of Morgan State in Baltimore. This is an opportunity to help us build out that mission with programs in urban sustainability, big data. . . . These are programs that are about the future, not about the past. Leaders at Bowie State and Eastern Shore said they also look forward to working with the court-appointed monitor, but declined to expound on the ruling. The Maryland Higher Education Commission, the defendant in the case, did not respond to requests for comment. The University System of Maryland, which oversees 12 state schools, issued a measured statement on the order, which officials say they are still reviewing. No decision has been made regarding a future path, either legally or programmatically, the statement said. As we conduct this review, we are mindful of the history of this litigation and our ongoing commitment to fostering diverse, inclusive, affordable and academically excellent higher education opportunities for all Maryland students. If the ruling goes unchallenged, it could bring to an end a lawsuit dating to 2006. That year, a coalition of alumni from Marylands public historically black institutions sued the state for not spending enough on their alma maters. The graduates argued that Maryland was undermining the four schools and encouraging segregation by allowing well-funded, traditionally white public universities to duplicate programs offered at the historically black schools. In doing so, the state placed pressure on enrollment and made it difficult for the four universities to attract a diverse population. [Disparity in Marylands public higher education goes on trial] To rectify the situation, the coalition has proposed remedies over the years, including increased funding and merging the University of Baltimore with Morgan State. A more recent proposal to transfer programs from traditionally white state schools raised the ire of the Maryland Higher Education Commission and some university presidents who said the plan would ultimately harm students. Judge Blake dismissed those proposals, but delivered a ruling that the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, which represents the coalition, and other advocates of desegregation say is much more consequential. Judge Blake has provided a foundation for a potentially far-reaching remedy that will over time enhance the institutional identities of the historically black institutions beyond race, said Clifton F. Conrad, a professor of higher education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Equity is about more than just money. A dual and unequal system, he said, is a vestige of segregation. And that inequality is reflected in the disparities in the academic offerings within Marylands public higher education system. When you have institutional identities anchored in programs, then the money will come along with that in terms of students bringing money to programs, hiring faculty who can bring in external funding or getting more resources from the state. Conrad said. But some contend the ruling does not go far enough. Before we celebrate the glass half full, I would have liked to see a bolder decision that leveraged the tools of program transfers and mergers, said David Burton, a graduate of Morgan State and one of the plaintiffs in the case. I would have liked to see a decision that placed as much consideration on the harm done to students at [historically black colleges and universities] as it did on the potential harm to students at predominantly white institutions were program transfers to take place. He stressed that the case is not about student diversity, but about deliberate acts by Maryland to prevent student diversity and institutional parity in violation of federal law. Parity would provide an opportunity for the historically black universities to be relevant to all students, which they must achieve as public institutions, Burton said. Conrad said creating programs to draw a more diverse population is a matter of sustainability. Having a competitive slate of courses is especially critical as college enrollment has leveled off across the country. But does the objective of diversity threaten the cultural identity of historically black institutions? [Maryland is still grappling with separate but equal in higher education] The great tradition of Morgan State as a historically black institution is not threatened, just as the great tradition of Notre Dame as an institution rooted in Catholicism is not threatened by having a diverse population, said Wilson, the Morgan State president. About a quarter of the universitys population is not black. Strengthening our research mission is not antithetical to the great history and tradition of this institution. Though the Maryland lawsuit stems from a failed attempt by the University of Baltimore and Towson University to create a joint MBA program in 2005, the roots of the problem run far deeper. Wilson points to the creation of the University of Maryland Baltimore County in the 1960s as an example of the states disregard for its historically black schools. Some of the campuses, including Morgan, had facilities that should have been razed decades ago. The state decided not to make those kind of investments, but to start a totally new campus and to spend billions of dollars developing that new campus at the neglect of other schools, Wilson said. Equity, he said, starts with funding, and going forward resources must be meted out in a way that is responsive to the missions of each institution. Wilson wants the state to regard Morgan in the same way it does other research universities. He credits Maryland for pouring money into renovations at historically black institutions, but said those efforts come after decades of neglect. Early on in the lawsuit, the coalition requested more money for the four historically black institutions, but the judge rejected the demand and said appropriations had improved. She also dismissed the states pledge of $10 million toward joint degrees between historically black institutions and other public universities, calling it inadequate. Maryland is one of several states that has faced a reckoning for disparities in public higher education. Alabama in 2006 agreed to pay $600 million toward a 30-year campus renovation plan for its two public historically black institutions. Four years earlier, a U.S. district court ordered Mississippi to spend $503 million on its three historically black colleges. Conrad, who has consulted on lawsuits involving desegregation, said the courts have demonstrated a deficit of courage by placing primary emphasis on funding. Still, Mississippi, where the lions share of the settlement was earmarked for the addition of new graduate and professional degree programs, could serve as a case study for Maryland. Jackson State University, for instance, used the settlement funding to establish a School of Public Health and create new academic programs in its College of Science, Engineering and Technology, according to university officials. The historically black institution credits those programs with making the university more competitive. Enrollment at Jackson State has climbed over the years, according to a study by the University of Pennsylvanias Center for Minority Serving Institutions. But the study found that historically black institutions in Mississippi have lost more than a quarter of their state funding since the 2008 economic recession. To Burton, there has to be a combination of new programs and funding to achieve parity at Marylands historically black institutions. He said he is encouraged by the judges appointment of a monitor and program review. It does provide a mechanism for going forward, but we have to address how we got here, he said. Its going to be important that the special master not lose sight of the glass half-empty because that can undermine the objectivity that may go into looking forward. Get updates on your area delivered via email The University of Virginia is investigating two complaints that an English professor sexually harassed female students in the schools creative writing program, according to a U-Va. document, with one recent graduate alleging that the award-winning writer inappropriately touched students on their shoulders, buttocks and lower backs and subjected them to unwanted and sometimes crude sexual comments. The professor, John Casey, author of the 1989 novel Spartina, is a longtime member of the faculty at the public university in Charlottesville. Emma Eisenberg, who graduated from U-Va. with a masters degree in creative writing in 2015, told school officials this month that Casey sexually harassed her and other female students from 2012 to 2014, the document from the universitys civil rights office said. She accused Casey of inappropriately touching women at social functions and said he once in class used a graphic anatomical epithet to refer to women and to a character in a story he told. Eisenberg, 30, a writer who lives in Philadelphia, said she was motivated to step forward by the recent wave of reports of sexual harassment emerging from Hollywood, the media industry, Capitol Hill and other sectors. It had always bugged me. In my gut I knew there was something wrong about those experiences, but it was so openly talked about within the program that I figured I was over-reacting, Eisenberg recalled in an email Monday. Seeing this recent flood of women coming forward confirmed what I had always known his behavior was problematic and inappropriate. Casey said it was premature to issue a public response. At this time the matter is under investigation, and I think it too early and perhaps improper to comment, he wrote in an email Monday. He said he planned to respond as soon as I have a complete rebuttal. Casey, whose precise age was not immediately available, is in his late 70s and has been an acclaimed writer and writing teacher for decades. Spartina, about a fisherman, his boat and a storm, won a National Book Award for fiction in 1989. He has held an appointment at U-Va. as the Henry Hoynes Professor of English since 1998. Eisenberg tweeted about her complaint Nov. 10, and the Chronicle of Higher Education reported on the case Wednesday. U-Va. said in a statement that the university takes seriously any report of sexual harassment and is investigating this matter in accordance with its applicable policy and procedures. University spokesman Anthony P. de Bruyn said Monday evening Caseys employment status remains unchanged at this time. In a Nov. 20 letter, which Eisenberg has given to reporters, the universitys Office for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights said it had opened a Title IX investigation into the complaints from her and the other former student. Title IX is a law barring sex discrimination in schools that receive federal funding. The letter said Eisenberg told officials that Casey had commented on the appearance of women in the masters program and on the sexual attractiveness of female authors. Eisenberg also alleged Casey gave preferential treatment to male students. The second woman alleged, according to the letter, that Casey repeatedly made comments about her looks, outfits and sex appeal, and made sexual comments to other female students. The master of fine arts in creative writing program at U-Va. is small and prestigious, admitting 10 students a year. Esteemed nonfiction and fiction writers and poets serve on the faculty, including Rita Dove, a former U.S. poet laureate. The creative writing program takes the allegations very seriously and is cooperating with the university as the allegations are investigated, said Jane Alison, an English professor and director of creative writing at U-Va. I can say nothing further at this time. Eisenbergs disclosure prompted others to step forward with criticism of Casey from incidents years earlier. Eisenberg gave The Washington Post their contact information. Judith Claire Mitchell, an English professor and director of creative writing at the University of Wisconsin, said she met Casey when she was a graduate student and he was a visiting writer at the University of Iowas renowned Writers Workshop in 1998. She said the two held a private meeting about her work in which he made a peculiar request. In our conference he, bizarrely, asked me the brand of the fairly ordinary running shoes I was wearing and then asked me to get up from my chair, go to the wall, turn around, and lift my foot to show him the soles of the shoes, Mitchell, now 65, wrote in an email. She said she complied with his request but felt idiotic about it and believed that he was manipulating me and my body. She said Casey also interrupted their discussion with comments about the physical appearance of my classmates, naming those he found particularly beautiful and trying to elicit my agreement. Mitchell said she was disgusted but did not complain to anyone at the time except friends. I understood the power dynamics and I made a conscious decision to pick my battles, she wrote. Val Brelinski, now 61, who teaches fiction writing for Stanford Universitys Continuing Studies program, said she encountered Casey when she was a masters student at U-Va. from 1999 to 2002. She said her experience was similar to Eisenbergs. In her time at U-Va., Brelinski said, she saw him touch females in ways that made them uncomfortable and make constant and highly specific comments about their clothing and bodies. Once, a female student wore a sweater to class that he said made it impossible to concentrate on anyones writing, Brelinski recalled. She said she and another female student raised concerns about Casey with another faculty member at the time but that little changed. Casey did not respond to an email seeking comment about the criticisms from Mitchell and Brelinski. THE DISTRICT Guns seized from Metro fare evaders Metro said illegal weapons were found on three riders stopped for fare evasion last week, including a gun that had been stolen in South Carolina and a gun that was thrown over a wall at Gallery Place Metro. Just after 8 p.m. Wednesday, Metro Transit Police officers said they saw people gambling near a W4 bus stop in the 4500 block of Benning Road in Southeast Washington. Police said they stopped a man who ran off, searched him and found a Ruger .380 semiautomatic handgun with three rounds of ammunition in his jacket. They said they later determined the gun had been stolen in South Carolina. Johnathan Kelly Jackson, 26, of no fixed address, was arrested and charged with possession of a handgun, among other charges. Also on Wednesday, officers stopped a man on a W4 bus at the Anacostia Metro station for possible fare evasion, transit police officials said. Officers said the man had an unregistered handgun with nine 9mm rounds in the magazine. Police charged Rashad Tucker, 25, of Southeast with possession of a concealed handgun. On Saturday, police said an 18-year-old Capitol Heights, Md., man tried to piggyback on another rider at the fare gates at Gallery Place. When confronted, the man threw a handgun over a wall to the stations lower level, officials said. Police said they found a fully loaded Amadeo Rossi .38 special revolver with five rounds of ammunition. Kevin Jacob was charged with fare evasion, carrying a pistol without a license and other counts. Dana Hedgpeth MARYLAND Dead 400-pound bear found; poacher sought Authorities in Maryland are searching for a poacher after a 400-pound black bear was found shot Sunday, officials said. The carcass of the male bear, about 7 years old, was found by someone riding a bike in the Frederick City Watershed Cooperative Wildlife Management Area near Cold Deer Road, Maryland Natural Resources Police spokeswoman Candy Thomson wrote in an email. Maryland made it legal to hunt black bears in 2004. Permits to hunt the animals are awarded each year, and the 2017 season ran from Oct. 23 to Oct. 26 in Frederick, Washington, Allegany and Garrett counties. The slain bear weighed more than 400 pounds and had been dead less than 24 hours, according to Thomson. She added that the average weight of the bears killed during this years legal hunt was 152 pounds. A person who kills a black bear illegally could face charges of failure to report the wounding or killing of a black bear and might be charged restitution fees of $1,500. Justin Wm. Moyer THE REGION Mid-December could be cold and stormy Record warm weather is forecast in the central United States, and the unseasonably mild weather should spread east as November comes to a close and December begins. But in roughly 10 days to two weeks, models are predicting a radical change that will put a big smile on the face of those who enjoy cold and snowy weather. By around Dec. 8, weather systems in Alaska and Greenland may configure themselves to allow frigid air to pour southward over eastern North America. And with that cold air in place, the potential for snow would markedly increase. Such a pattern is not locked in, and the models could be wrong, but it has captured the attention of meteorologists who specialize in long-range forecasting. The pattern looks impressive to me, said the Capital Weather Gangs Matt Rogers, a long-range forecaster. I havent seen anything like this in a while. Its too soon to say how cold it will be and exactly where and when any storms that could turn into snow-producers will form and track. The models at this time range still arent very good, even if theyre consistent, said Wes Junker, the Capital Weather Gangs winter-weather expert. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R), left, announces plans for a new paid sick leave measure that would phase in a requirement of five days of paid leave over three years for businesses with 25 or more employees. (Brian Witte/AP) Marylands battle over requiring businesses to offer paid sick leave entered a new phase Tuesday, with Gov. Larry Hogan (R) proposing a less-generous alternative to a bill approved this spring by the Democratic-controlled state legislature. Hogan vetoed that bill, which would require businesses with at least 15 employees to provide five paid sick days a year and was vocally opposed by parts of the business community. Democratic leaders say lawmakers will override the veto when the legislature reconvenes in January. But the bill passed the Senate with exactly the number of votes needed for an override, meaning that the defection of even a single lawmaker could leave Democrats unable to enact the bill. Hogan's alternative proposal would require businesses with at least 25 employees to offer paid sick leave, phasing in the rule over three years by applying it to companies of different sizes during that span. Businesses could also get a waiver if they prove that providing sick leave would cause a significant financial hardship. The governor said he will propose legislation to create tax credits for businesses with fewer than 50 employees that provide paid leave benefits. He said the bill approved by the Democrats would kill jobs and harm small businesses, and would also invade workers privacy by requiring them to tell employers why they are requesting leave. Democrats and advocates who pushed for the 2017 bill said those criticisms were unfounded, and legislative leaders said they are confident they have the votes to keep the bill in place. Were going to override the governors veto in January, said Del. Luke H. Clippinger (D-Baltimore City), who sponsored the vetoed measure. Were on the right side of this issue. Five states and several cities and counties, including the District, require businesses to provide paid sick leave. Senate Finance Committee Chair Thomas M. Middleton (D-Charles) said the Democratic bill is not as anti-business as the governor says it is . . . What I hear from advocates is that everyone who voted for the bill is staying firm. Hogan introduced a measure this year that would have required businesses with at least 50 employees to provide paid sick days, with a tax incentive for smaller businesses that agreed to follow suit. The bill, which Hogan said was the first sick-leave plan proposed by a Republican governor, never moved out of committee. Middleton said he is open to discussing Hogans proposal for providing tax credits to offset the costs of providing paid sick leave. But if you give a tax credit, you have to reduce services or find additional sources of revenue, and I dont think theres much appetite for those things, he said. Hogan said his new plan is based in part on findings from a work group he created in May to study how mandatory sick leave would affect employers and workers. Advocates accused him of trying to weaken worker protections while still showing voters that he supports popular ideas ahead of the 2018 election. It strikes me as a political stunt to muddy the waters and confuse voters, said Maryland Working Families director Charly Carter. A Washington Post-University of Maryland poll this year found overwhelming support in Maryland for paid sick leave. Eighty-four percent of respondents approved of requiring the benefit for businesses with at least 15 workers, while 87 percent backed such a mandate for businesses with at least 50 employees. Additionally, 78 percent said they would support tax benefits for businesses with fewer than 50 workers that provide paid sick leave. Workers give attention to cans and kegs alike at Union Craft Brewing in Baltimore. Local brewers complain that restrictive Maryland laws are putting a limit on the potential of the booming craft-beer industry. (Michael Robinson Chavez/The Washington Post) When California-based Stone Brewing expanded to the East Coast three years ago, it chose Virginia. Maryland was never in the running. And when the owners of Union Craft Brewing, a small Baltimore start-up, decided to expand, they settled on a 50,000-square-foot space with a smaller taproom than they originally wanted. We would make a greater investment and a greater commitment if we knew there was certainty to allow us to grow, said Adam Benesch, founder of the five-year-old brewery. It didnt make sense to build a huge taproom if were not allowed to sell enough beer to warrant that size. Unlike neighboring Virginia, Pennsylvania and Delaware, Maryland strictly limits how much craft-beer breweries can produce, sell in taprooms and sell for customers to take home, a set of restrictions that critics say is archaic. While Maryland has taken advantage of the exploding industry to some extent, brewers and their supporters say there is considerable untapped potential. Thats why Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot (D) has vowed to try again in 2018 to overhaul state law in hopes of better attracting and retaining craft-beer manufacturers. This week he unveiled a legislative package that, among other things, removes the caps on how much craft beer can be sold and brewed, and changes the hours and conditions for buying craft beer in some locations. We would make a greater investment and a greater commitment if we knew there was certainty to allow us to grow, said Adam Benesch, founder of five-year-old Union Craft Brewing. (Michael Robinson Chavez/The Washington Post) [This wealthy county thinks beer can cure its budget hangover] Franchot said that Maryland brewers support 6,500 jobs and account for $228 million in wages and $58 million in state and local revenue. The industrys total economic impact is $632 million annually, he said, but could be much more. We ought to start welcoming, appreciating and thanking this unbelievable sector, Franchot said this week at a news conference attended by several local brewers at Beneschs new, still-empty warehouse in Baltimore. Kevin Atticks, a lobbyist for the Brewers Association of Maryland, said that state laws have not kept up as the craft-beer industry has grown over the past several years. We have gone from start-ups to major employers producing hundreds of thousands of barrels of beer, with a broad fan base, he said. And as they contemplate expansion to meet demand they are reluctant to invest because of the onerous, arbitrary restrictions. Del. Dereck E. Davis (D-Prince Georges), chairman of the House Economic Matters Committee, said that the limits have been in place for years and while the industry is growing, none of the states existing brewers have come close to the current caps in place. The legislature raised the cap from 500 barrels to 2,000 barrels annually for taprooms. If you are giving your child an allowance of $5 a day and they are only spending $2.30 but still they are asking for $30 a day, that doesnt make sense, said Davis, whose panel oversees liquor regulation. They are asking for more and complaining about something that they are not even close to reaching. Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot D) has vowed to try again in 2018 to overhaul state law in hopes of better attracting and retaining craft-beer manufacturers. (Linda Davidson/The Washington Post) Franchot has been the leading voice in state government in the fight for the breweries. This spring he created a task force, Reform on Tap, to highlight the industrys growth. The group produced a report that says there were 22 craft breweries in Maryland in 2010, producing nearly 92,000 barrels of beer. This year 84 craft breweries are projected to produce 247,000 barrels. But the state still ranks 25th nationally in per capita beer production, 36th in the number of breweries and 47th in overall economic impact. Franchot, a former state lawmaker who is close to Republican Gov. Larry Hogan but has a strained relationship with Democratic legislative leaders, suggested at the news conference that resistance to his proposals in Annapolis could stem from those tensions. He and state Sen. Ronald N. Young (D-Frederick), who supports the effort to change the laws, encouraged brewers and their customers to lobby their legislators. This has nothing to do with me or what the senators think of me or the Senate president thinks of Senator Young, Franchot said. It has everything to do with the people, and the people of Maryland in a very broad-based way and a very potent way are going to weigh in on this and ask the legislature to do the right thing. Davis said the legislature will take a look at what the comptroller has to offer, adding that while the comptroller likes to say he is the chief alcohol regulator in the state, the 187 members of the legislature are the chief policymakers when it comes to alcohol. Well do our job and well let him do his job. [Hogan, Franchot: A robust bipartisan friendship] Todd Haymore, Virginias secretary of commerce and trade, said Maryland breweries reached out to Virginia officials earlier this year about the differences in craft-beer rules in the two states. Since then, he said, he and Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) have had talks with Maryland brewers about the opportunities that exist in Virginia. Am I aware of any Maryland breweries who have pulled up stakes and crossed the Potomac into Virginia? No, Haymore said. But at the same time, am I aware of Maryland brewers and entrepreneurs in Virginia in dialogue per our invitation? Yes. Benesch, whose company has 26 employees and plans to add 100 new jobs over the next seven to 10 years, said Maryland is stuck with restrictive laws because there had not been many craft brewers in the state a decade ago. Now, he said, there are those who are willing to make investments but the government is sending a very mixed message to them on whether they want them to make those investments or they dont want them to make those investments. Correction: An earlier version of this report said that Stone Brewings headquarters was relocated from California to the East Coast. The firm merely expanded, and its headquarters remains in the state. W. Marvin Watson gestures in the White House after being named postmaster general in 1968. (Henry Burroughs/AP) W. Marvin Watson Jr., a Texas businessman who became one of President Lyndon B. Johnsons most loyal confidants, served as his chief of staff in all but name and held the Cabinet position of postmaster general, died Nov. 26 at his home in the Woodlands, Tex., near Houston. He was 93. The cause was not immediately known, said a son, Lee Watson. Mr. Watson recalled being drawn to Johnsons imposing personality from the moment they met in 1948, when the future president was campaigning for a U.S. Senate seat. It was in Waco, Tex., Mr. Watson recalled, and Johnson made an indelible impression by circling the city by helicopter a novelty at the time then tossing out his Stetson hat for the watchful crowd to race after. Mr. Watson, a World War II veteran studying business at Baylor University in Waco, was among the horde. "He radiated enormous energy, more so than I have observed in any other person before or since," Mr. Watson said in his 2004 memoir, "Chief of Staff," written with another former Johnson aide, Sherwin Markman. Mr. Watson and his wife in 1968, leaving a Catholic church near the LBJ Ranch with President Lyndon B. Johnson and his daughter Luci. (AP) The strong connection was mutual. Johnson once called Mr. Watson the most efficient man I have ever known and described him as being as wise as my father, gentle as my mother and loyal to my side as Lady Bird. Johnson rose to Senate majority leader in the 1950s, was tapped as John F. Kennedys running mate in 1960 and became president after Kennedys assassination in November 1963. Meanwhile, Mr. Watson became executive assistant to the president of the Lone Star Steel Co. in Dallas and a behind-the-scenes force in Texas Democratic politics. Mr. Watson was little known outside Texas when Johnson invited him to join the White House staff in January 1965, months after the president's first chief of staff, Walter Jenkins, resigned after being arrested during a sexual encounter with another man. Mr. Watson was a Southern Baptist deacon who neither drank nor danced, as Time magazine reported, and invariably wears a vest and a buttoned-up air of rectitude. Unlike other Washington operators on the move, he deflected press attention, telling a New York Times reporter that he had very little power of decision. I try to remember that thats a fact. Despite his modest title of appointments secretary, he became a quiet power broker in his own right, wielding enormous influence over the presidents schedule, daily briefings, and political and judicial appointments. Occupying the office closest to the presidents, Mr. Watson often worked 18-hour days and was Johnsons liaison to the FBI and to Democratic operatives throughout the country and on Capitol Hill. He was described by the Times as one of the least known but most important men in Washington. A conservative Democrat who never ran for elective office, Mr. Watson was not considered an architect of Johnsons major legislative policies on civil rights and expansive social programs that came to be called the Great Society. Instead, he seemed content to serve as the presidents gatekeeper, or Johnsons bureaucrat par excellence, as historian Robert Dallek wrote in his Johnson biography Flawed Giant. After helping during the 1960 campaign, Mr. Watson gained Johnsons trust by managing the day-to-day details of the 1964 Democratic National Convention. He took credit for blocking the influence of Kennedy loyalists he suspected of plotting to nominate Johnsons rival, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, the assassinated presidents brother, in a convention-floor coup. 1 of 66 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad Notable deaths in 2017 View Photos Remembering those who died in 2017. Caption Remembering those who died in 2017. Katherine Frey Buy Photo Wait 1 second to continue. No detail escaped Mr. Watsons discerning eye. While working at the White House, he established strict standards of accountability, not all of which were popular. Responding to Johnsons insistence on a leak-proof administration, Dallek wrote, Mr. Watson required that White House operators record all incoming and outgoing calls, including the names of the parties speaking to each other. He insisted that White House chauffeurs report on the destination of any staff member using official transportation. Presidential foreign policy adviser McGeorge Bundy protested the watchdog system in a memo to Johnson, and political columnists Rowland Evans and Robert Novak exposed what they called Mr. Watson's "gumshoe tactics" in 1966. The practices were quickly stopped. Another time, after Johnson casually remarked that he would like to build a wall to keep nosy reporters at bay, Mr. Watson ordered masons to start building a barrier between the Executive Office Building and the White House. Other members of the administration canceled the project. Mr. Watson was a strong behind-the-scenes force who pushed several Kennedy holdovers out of the administration. In his memoir, Mr. Watson said he either fired or helped engineer the dismissals of such top White House advisers as Bundy, Richard Goodwin, Robert E. Kintner and press secretary Bill Moyers. After three years as de facto chief of staff, Mr. Watson was appointed postmaster general in April 1968, serving in what was then a Cabinet position until Johnson left office the following January. The teetotaling Mr. Watson tried to shun the Washington party set, but his proximity to the president put him in constant demand. In this Administration, the next best thing to getting invited to the White House is a summons to socialize with Presidential Assistant Marvin Watson, Washington Post society columnist Maxine Cheshire wrote in 1968. You can be almost certain that President and Mrs. Johnson are going to drop by before the evening is over. William Marvin Watson Jr. was born in Oakhurst, Tex., on June 6, 1924. His father was an auto dealer. A talented saxophonist in his youth, Mr. Watson won a music scholarship to Baylor but left to serve in the Marine Corps during World War II. After his discharge, he reentered Baylor on the GI Bill and received a bachelors degree and then a masters degree in economics in 1950. While in college, he married Marion Baugh. Besides his wife, of the Woodlands, survivors include three children, Lee Watson of Austin, Kimberly Rathmann of Cypress, Tex., and W. Marvin Watson III of the Woodlands; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Mr. Watson managed the chamber of commerce in Daingerfield, Tex., before becoming an executive with Lone Star Steel, a company that fired workers during a wildcat strike in 1957. When he worked in the Johnson White House, Mr. Watson lobbied in favor of certain pro-labor positions, despite being viewed by some as a strikebreaker in his earlier life. Im for organized labor, he said, when pressed by a Times reporter in 1967. I have never been against organized labor. In 1969, Mr. Watson returned to Texas and ran international operations of the Occidental petroleum company. In 1976, he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of trying to cover up illegal contributions by Occidentals chairman, Armand Hammer, to Richard M. Nixons 1972 reelection campaign. Mr. Watson later held top positions with technology and pharmaceutical companies and was president of Dallas Baptist University from 1979 to 1987. He served on the boards of corporate, legal and religious organizations. During his years at the White House, Mr. Watson was known for his mastery of detail. No job was too small or too demeaning. In a Post review of Mr. Watsons memoir, Ted Van Dyk, who had been a member of Hubert H. Humphreys vice-presidential staff, wrote that his office in the Executive Office Building overlooked the rear windows of the Oval Office and the meshed-fence area behind it in which LBJs beagles, Him and Her, often frolicked. One day, either Him or Her it was impossible to know from a distance managed to jump over the fence and run onto the White House lawn toward the Ellipse. Johnson must have seen the same thing I did, Van Dyk wrote. Moments later Watson, wearing a gray suit and vest and black wingtip shoes, broke running from the West Wing basement door in the direction the escaped beagle had taken. Some 10 minutes later he returned, sweating and rumpled, carrying Johnsons dog in his arms. A transfer-of-remains ceremony is held at Joint Base Andrews on Sept. 14, 2012, marking the return to the United States of the bodies of the four Americans killed in two attacks in Benghazi on the night of Sept. 11 and the morning of Sept. 12, 2012. (JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/GETTY IMAGES) A Libyan militant accused of being a ringleader of the deadly 2012 attacks on U.S. facilities in Benghazi was convicted on terrorism charges Tuesday. But the jury declined to find him directly responsible for the deaths of U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three other Americans. The case was seen as a test of detention and interrogation policies developed under the Obama administration to capture terrorism suspects overseas for criminal trial, with the outcome likely to figure into decisions about whether to use civilian courts for similar prosecutions. Jurors in Washington deliberated for five days after a seven-week trial. They convicted Ahmed Abu Khattala, 46, in the attack carried out on the night of Sept. 11 at a U.S. diplomatic mission, where Stevens and State Department employee Sean Smith died as a result of a fire, and in a second attack before dawn Sept. 12 on a nearby CIA annex, where agency contractors Tyrone S. Woods and Glen Doherty were killed in a mortar strike. The jury acquitted Abu Khattala of all but four of the 18 charges against him, finding him not guilty of the most serious ones, including murder. Abu Khattala becomes the first person convicted in the attacks, but the mixed verdict shows the challenge of investigating and bringing such cases. At trial, his defense team said Abu Khattala was drawn to the fiery scene in his home town as a bystander. They questioned the credibility of three Libyan witnesses who testified that they saw or heard Abu Khattala take steps to plan, execute and claim responsibility for the attacks. U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens, in an undated U.S. State Department photo in Washington. (Reuters) [Meet Ahmed Abu Khattala, an alleged ringleader of the Benghazi attack] Prosecutors presented what they called indisputable records linking the times of calls on Abu Khattalas cellphone but not call contents and surveillance video from the attack at the diplomatic mission that they said showed he was at least a key plotter. But they were pressed to prove events that erupted over hours, five years ago, overseas, in a place where the U.S. government had little presence and local authorities were weak and divided. Abu Khattala faces up to life in prison, including up to 15 years for each of two counts of terrorism and up to 20 years for destruction of property. He also was convicted of using a semiautomatic weapon in a crime of violence, which is punishable by up to life in prison and carries a mandatory minimum term of 10 years to be served on top of any other sentence. Abu Khattala, wearing the same type of off-white long-sleeve shirt, gray pants and prison sneakers in which he had appeared through most of the trial, sat without expression as the verdicts were read, except to cast an occasional glance into the courtroom gallery. His defense team, led by Jeffrey D. Robinson and assistant federal defender Michelle M. Peterson, declined to comment. Acting assistant attorney general for national security Dana J. Boente said in a statement that Abu Khattalas arrest and prosecution were critical steps in our efforts to identify and hold accountable those who were responsible for the terrorist attacks on our facilities in Benghazi, Libya. Our work is not done. We will not rest in our pursuit of the others involved in the attacks. U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Casey Cooper thanked the members of the jury in his chambers, after which the jurors left the courthouse a few blocks from the U.S. Capitol without commenting. In an email to CIA employees on Tuesday, the agencys director, Mike Pompeo, called the conviction a small measure of justice. It took intelligence to find him, soldiers to assist in capturing him, law enforcement to interview him, and a legal team to put him away. [Abu Khattalas] sentencing is to follow; but no term in prison will bring our people back. Abu Khattalas trial moved the Benghazi inquiry from the partisan political realm, where Republican claims of a Democratic coverup continued throughout the 2016 presidential contest, into a courthouse, where the jury of 12 District residents sorted through six binders of exhibits and hours of video evidence. Abu Khattala was a leader in an extremist brigade that was part of a militia seeking to establish strict Islamist rule in post-revolutionary Libya. U.S. intelligence assessments have reported that several groups were involved in the attacks, including Abu Khattalas brigade and the larger militia. Stevens and Smith died of smoke inhalation after militants overran the compound and set fire to the diplomatic villa. Woods and Doherty were killed on a roof at the CIA annex in a predawn mortar strike. Abu Khattala was captured in June 2014 by U.S. commandos and interrogated and transported for 13 days aboard a Navy warship traveling to the United States. [Thirteen days in the history of the accused leader of the Benghazi attacks] On board, he was questioned by two teams, the first working in a classified operation to extract intelligence and the second an FBI team that collected evidence for trial under the legal safeguards provided to defendants in civilian court. Abu Khattala is the only person brought to court in the attacks. However, on Oct. 29, during his trial, U.S. authorities brought a second suspect, from Misurata, Libya, for prosecution in Washington. That person, Mustafa al-Imam, has pleaded not guilty. [U.S. judge upholds ship-based interrogation of Benghazi terror suspect seized overseas] The Trump administration recently showed a willingness to continue bringing terrorism cases in civilian courts, including against additional Benghazi suspects. President Trump on Oct. 30 announced that on my orders, U.S. forces captured Imam to face justice in the United States. Brian Egan, a senior White House and State Department legal adviser during the Obama administration, said the mixed verdict will be cold comfort to Abu Khattala, given the possibility of lengthy imprisonment. This was done, in a very challenging case, through a criminal justice system that is time-tested and respected. I think that this is a win for the U.S. government and its care in effectuating Khattalas capture, interrogation, transfer and prosecution, Egan said. Before the trial began Oct. 2, Abu Khattalas defense moved to exclude statements he made while in military and FBI custody, arguing that the shipboard interrogation without a lawyer present violated his legal rights and that the circumstances were so coercive that they negated his signed waiver of his rights to an attorney and to refrain from self-incrimination. The government won a critical ruling when Cooper denied the motion. The decision upheld the government's flexibility in handling terrorism suspects seized abroad. University of Texas law professor Stephen I. Vladeck, who has written frequently about the handling of terrorism suspects, said passing judgment on the effectiveness of the civilian prosecution before sentencing is premature. To my mind, he said, the verdict is much less important than whether the government at the end of the day is able to incapacitate someone like Abu Khattala, who potentially could be imprisoned for the remainder of his life. The judges pretrial rulings upholding the twofold questioning, Vladeck said, are the far more important precedent, from a civil liberties perspective. The trial featured dramatic testimony by surviving State Department and CIA operators, some taking the stand under fake names and disguised in wigs and mustaches to protect their identities. [Baring grievous wounds, dry humor, U.S. agent testifies at Benghazi trial] Prosecutors also relied heavily on surveillance video taken by overhead drones and cameras at the diplomatic compound and on cellphone records the U.S. government obtained from Libyan authorities. Key testimony came from three paid Libyan informants, all testifying under pseudonyms. They included an undercover Libyan businessman who received $7 million for aiding the United States by approaching Abu Khattala as a financial supporter after the attacks, collecting incriminating statements from him and luring him to his capture. The witness, testifying as Ali Majrisi, said he was present in 2013 when Abu Khattala, on being urged to conduct more attacks, like those carried out by al-Qaeda in Iraq, allegedly said of the Benghazi attacks: "I intended then to kill everybody [all the Americans] there, even those who were at the [Benghazi] airport." The trial was preceded by months of sealed litigation and negotiations over tens of thousands of pages of classified documents about the case that the government turned over to the defense. Most physical evidence at the attack sites in Benghazi was burned or otherwise destroyed or looted, and FBI agents were given only eight hours, three weeks after the attacks, to access both sites, one testified. It could also be, not a lot of people in Benghazi wanted to cooperate with the U.S. prosecution effort, said Alice Hunt Friend, who served as a Pentagon official overseeing Africa security policy matters during the Obama administration from 2009 to 2014. One clear public lesson from the trial, she added, is how very, very difficult it is to track individual terror threats to Americans and to collect either the very detailed intelligence needed to prevent an attack or the evidence required to prosecute after one takes place. To go through the details of trying to marshal evidence sufficient to convict someone of a crime is a window into the kind of evidence needed in order to understand their tactics and to try to prevent other attacks, Friend said. It is an enormous challenge. Greg Miller contributed to this report. This bobcat was hit by a car traveling from Gloucester Va. to Richmond. After being extricated from the cars grille, it is being treated at the Wildlife Center of Virginia. (Wildlife Center of Virginia photo) The bobcat that was hit by a car in Virginia and ended up in the vehicles grille appears now to need more medical care than an initial report indicated. An update from the Wildlife Center of Virginia, where the cat was taken, indicated that it was still there, and had a fair prognosis. Richmond Animal Care and Control extricated the bobcat on Thanksgiving. It had been in the grille of a car that apparently hit it while traveling from Gloucester, Va. to Richmond. The animal was then taken to the Wildlife Center, in Waynesboro, Va. When it arrived, the center said, it was bright, alert, and growling although it showed signs of possible head trauma and vision loss. A complete physical exam showed slight difficulty breathing, and a large cut on its back, with ligaments and muscle exposed. Some lung bruising was also found. The staff administered intravenous fluids, and cleaned and sutured the cut on the bobcats back, the center said. They gave pain medication as well as a sedative before placing the cat in a holding room. On Friday morning, it seemed extremely feisty, the center said. It was again sedated for further treatment of its wounds. The IV apparatus was removed, and the animal was placed in an outdoor enclosure where it could be safely watched, the center said. It seemed to spend the weekend in relatively good shape, the center said, but as of Sunday afternoon, had yet to eat on her own. If all goes well, the center said, the bobcat should be able to be released in about a month. A federal judge held an emergency hearing but declined to rule immediately Monday afternoon on a request to bar President Trump from installing an acting director at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in place of the agencys No. 2 leader, an Obama administration holdover. U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly of Washington heard arguments by the bureau deputy director Leandra English, who filed a lawsuit Sunday calling herself the rightful acting director according to a 2010 Dodd-Frank act, which established the influential watchdog agency. Kelly said he would wait until government attorneys supplemented their arguments in a 40-minute hearing by filing a formal, written response Monday night defending Trumps choice, White House Office of Management and budget director Mick Mulvaney, whose appointment they said was authorized under an earlier, 1988 law governing presidential vacancies in general. Kelly, confirmed in September and one of two Trump nominees serving on the D.C. federal court, said he would notify both sides Tuesday where we go from there. [CFPB official Leandra English sues to block Trump White House pick Mick Mulvaney] From left, Leandra English, who was elevated to interim director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau by its outgoing director, met Monday with Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer D-N.Y.) and Sen. Elizabeth Warren D-Mass.) to discuss the fight for control of the consumer watchdog after President Trump chose White House budget director Mick Mulvaney for the same post. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP) The hearing came toward the end of a head-spinning day of dueling actions by rival appointees seeking to lead the bureau. The CFPB was created after the financial crisis to target unfair or abusive practices by financial institutions offering consumer products, including credit cards, mortgages and loans. Republicans have sought to rein in the agency for years as part of efforts to roll back banking industry regulations, saying it is unaccountable to elected officials and harms economic growth by unfairly burdening companies. The Trump administration got its chance to wrest control Friday, when longtime director Richard Cordray resigned and promoted his chief of staff, English to deputy director, saying she would serve as acting director until the Senate confirmed his permanent replacement. Trump hours later announced that Mulvaney would take the job. [Waging fight over consumer watchdog agency with doughnuts, well-wishes, two acting directors try to take command] Democrats and consumer advocates have supported the CFPBs aggressive actions against big financial institutions, and in her lawsuit, English said Congress intended the bureau to be independent of political pressure from the White House. Asked by Kelly why the court should undertake the extraordinary remedy of enjoining the president from exercising the power of his office, Englishs attorney said, I dont deny its extraordinary. This is an extraordinary case. Englishs attorney, Deepak Gupta, formerly the bureaus senior litigation counsel, argued that English properly took over under an explicit plan of succession set out by the Dodd-Frank law when it created the CFPB, providing for a deputy to serve as acting director until a successor is confirmed. Appointing Mulvaney, a sitting White House official and an outspoken critic of the bureau, to lead the agency would run counter to Congresss intent and explicit provisions, Gupta said. Gupta said English was not requesting that the president be barred from appointing a new bureau director subject to Senate confirmation, but that he be blocked from appointing or recognizing a temporary chief, and that Mulvaney be prohibited from taking charge. Gupta asked that the judge rule as expeditiously as possible in a way that could be immediately appealed. Everyone needs to know who is director of the bureau, Gupta said. Gupta said that English also carried out bureau business Monday, going into the bureau Monday morning, emailing employees, and meeting with lawmakers including Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) in her capacity as acting director through the afternoon. Arguing for the government, Brett Shumate, deputy assistant attorney general for federal programs, said that the Federal Vacancies Act, enacted in 1988, gave the president the authority to appoint Mulvaney, citing a Friday memorandum by the Justice Departments Office of Legal Counsel, and a memo distributed Monday by the bureaus current general counsel. Mulvaney was at the bureau Monday, issuing orders, meeting with senior aides and reviewing transition briefing materials, Shumate said, and the imposition by a judge of a different leader would only sow more confusion and disruption. Asked by Kelly if the government would agree that English would not be fired to remove some of the urgency from the matter, Shumate said, he could not give any representation or assurance on that score. Baghdad International Airport, where contractors schemed to rent out land at an inflated price. (Karim Kadim/AP) A prominent Iraqi general was involved in a scheme to cheat the State Department out of millions of dollars, according to former U.S. contractors involved. Two former DynCorp International workers testified in Alexandria federal court this week that they were paid hundreds of thousands of dollars by Fadhil Jamil al-Barwari, commander of the First Brigade of the Iraqi Special Operations Forces, to arrange an overpriced lease of land the general owned near the Baghdad airport starting in 2011. Payments came through Emil Popescu, a Romanian contractor who had been hired by Barwari, the workers said. The details were revealed in the trial for Popescu, who is charged with conspiracy to violate the Anti-Kickback Act. The onetime DynCorp workers, Wesley Struble and Jose Rivera, have pleaded guilty to their role in the conspiracy. The scheme came together, Struble testified Monday, as the United States began drawing down its military presence in Iraq. Contractors were scrambling to find work while companies searched for new land to lease as U.S. bases closed. It was Barwari who identified DynCorp as a possible tenant when another contractor, EOD Technology, was moving off his property, Struble testified. Struble had been working for EODT, which was paying $124,000 a month for the general's land under a Defense Department contract. Struble admitted in court earlier this year that he left EODT for DynCorp and, along with co-worker Jose Rivera, helped persuade the company to pay over $665,000 a month for the same property. I would help him with whatever I could to make it happen, Struble testified Monday about Barwari, and he would take care of me. However, Struble defended the expensive DynCorp lease, saying it involved more space and required more security than the EODT contract. The State Department ultimately paid the bill, which came to $5.3 million in rent from September 2011 through April 2014. Popescus role was to be the face of Barwaris company, Struble said. He had lost his own job at EODT as the contractors presence in Iraq shrunk. A friend of Rivera and Struble, Popescu was chosen as someone reliable to deal with DynCorp and handle the kickback payments, prosecutor Brian Harrison told jurors in his opening statement Monday. Barwaris two nephews had wanted to be in charge of the project but they were very immature, unreliable, irresponsible, Struble testified. For six or seven months of work at Barwaris company, Popescu was paid $400,000, Harrison said in court. Popescu acknowledged being involved in the conspiracy early on. But he said that when he was actually directed to split $150,000 of the first DynCorp lease payment between himself, Rivera and Struble, he got nervous. He said he told his co-conspirators he would no longer be paying out kickbacks. Thats when he had his change of heart, defense attorney Dontae Bugg said in his closing statement. Hes not going to be the money man for them anymore. Popescu left Iraq in March of 2012, after he finished building a camp on the generals property. The $400,000 payment was a legitimate salary for that work, Bugg argued, while Popescus involvement in the kickback scheme ended much earlier and thus outside the crimes five-year statute of limitations. Popescu, Rivera and Struble were indicted in March of 2017. But Rivera and Struble testified that while only their first payments came directly from Popescus hands, he was involved in the conspiracy throughout and never expressed reservations. He did not wash his hands of the scheme, Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Pedersen said in her closing argument. There are a lot of things the defendant could have done, should have done, but didnt. Bugg suggested there was a broader lesson to be learned from the case: Perhaps the U.S. government shouldnt be engaging in business with Iraqi generals. Three members of a Spotsylvania County family were found fatally shot Saturday in their home in what the sheriffs office called an apparent murder-suicide. The dead were identified as Robert Scully, 69, Mary Scully, 68, and their daughter, Meghan Scully, 38. They were found in their home on Waterford Drive. The sheriffs office said deputies were sent there around 3:30 p.m. to check on the occupants welfare. A neighbor told arriving deputies that the homeowners dog had been running around the neighborhood. The door to the house was ajar, the sheriffs office said. According to the sheriffs office the weapon that was thought to have been used was found at the scene. On Monday the sheriffs office said a medical examiners report confirmed that the man was the only one of the three whose wound was apparently self-inflicted. Spotsylvania County is about 65 miles southwest of Washington. Many people who live there commute to jobs in the District and its closer-in Virginia suburbs. It seems everyone has a plan to fix Metro. Up next, liberals and labor unions. Reps. Anthony G. Brown and Jamie B. Raskin, both Maryland Democrats, unveiled legislation Tuesday that would redirect federal transit funds to allow Metro to avoid cutting service or raising fares. The bill, drafted in coordination with Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689, would also require Metro to adopt a set of labor-backed initiatives such as a pilot program offering flat fares. It urges a study that could lead to reversing privatization of the MetroAccess paratransit program. And it would create two safety task forces: one to review Metros on-track safety and the other to review bus safety. The task forces would be named for train and bus operators who were killed on the job in separate incidents. The bill was made public at a news conference Tuesday morning at the New Carrollton Metro station with the two congressmen and ATU Local 689 President Jackie Jeter. The legislation seems to have little chance of winning approval in Congress, given Republican control of both chambers. Instead, it appears designed primarily to call attention to proposals advanced by the union and grass-roots activists who want federal, state and local governments to pick up a bigger share of the cost of Metro and relieve the burden on riders. Brown, who introduced the bill, represents a swath of Prince Georges County that is home to a large number of ATU members. I expect it will be quite a challenge to pass the bill, he said. Its an uphill battle [in Congress] for a lot of progressive, meaningful legislation. The legislation would give Metro the ability to use some of the money it receives annually from the Transportation Department for operations instead of just capital improvements. This would give Metro broader discretion and the ability to flex its federal formula grant funds for operating costs with the goal of avoiding service cuts and fare increases, according to a summary of the bill prepared by Browns office. Metro would get such flexibility with one important condition: The District, Maryland and Virginia would have to create a dedicated funding source that covers more than half of Metros operating costs. Metro is the only major transit system in the nation that does not obtain a significant share of its funding from a dedicated source. Metro General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, business leaders and others have urged dedicated funding to cover Metros capital needs, but no consensus has been reached within the region on whether or how to provide it. [Regions governments: Metro needs dedicated funding, but everything else is TBD] Several of the proposals in the Brown bill are adopted from the union-backed Fund It, Fix It, Make It Fair plan released by ATU Local 689 in March. The bill would establish a year-long pilot program offering $2.50 flat fares for trips originating from three Metro stations one each in the District, Virginia and Maryland to be selected by Metro. The union plan called for a $2 flat fare across the system. Flat fares would be a great way to lure riders back to the system, Raskin said. The Brown bill proposes another rider-friendly initiative: free transfers between bus and rail. It would require Metro to establish a pilot program offering free transfers between the two modes at certain stations. The union plan proposed free transfers between bus and rail within a two-hour window. Moreover, in its plan, the union called for a reduced-fare program for low-income riders that takes into account passengers ability to pay. The union notes that San Franciscos Municipal Transportation Agency offers a Lifeline Pass discounting its regular monthly pass 50 percent for those whose incomes are less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Accordingly, Browns bill proposes a similar fare program. [Metro union calls for flat fares, dedicated taxes to rescue ridership and finances] One unusual feature of the legislation is that it would grant Congresss consent to amend the Metro Compact to carry out many of its provisions even though revising the Compact would not be necessary to do so. Metro could act on these if they wanted to [without changing the compact], but they havent, Brown spokesman Matthew Verghese said. We included it as a mandate in the legislation to show congressional support for common-sense ideas. Dominions proposed 564-mile Atlantic Coast pipeline would come through Scott and Sally Shomo's farm, Shomo Ag LLC, just west of Staunton, Va. The farm has been in the Shomo Family for over 100 years. (Norm Shafer/For The Washington Post) RICHMOND -- Dominion Energy was taking no chances with the fate of its proposed natural gas pipeline during this years election season, even though both major candidates for governor supported the $5 billion project. The state's most powerful corporation, along with partner companies and the American Gas Association, poured resources into online groups called EnergySure and Your Energy Virginia to whip up what it called a grassroots "campaign to elect a pipeline." [See what Dominion Energy told industry insiders about its campaign] Numbers from an industry presentation suggest the scope of the effort: As of early October, Dominion had compiled a supporter database of more than 23,000 names, generated 150 letters to the editor, sent more than 9,000 cards and letters to federal regulators and local elected officials, and directed more than 11,000 calls to outgoing Gov. Terry McAuliffe and Virginias U.S. senators. [Virginia power broker in the hot seat in governors race] Critics say those efforts - outlined in a presentation that was not intended for the public but was briefly visible on the gas associations web site - amounted to overkill. But the company says the onslaught is the only way to do business at a time when everything is politicized and opponents can use social media to magnify their influence. We cannot just sit back and hope for the best and hope that the merit of our project will sell itself, Bruce McKay, Dominions senior energy policy director, said in an interview. He gave the presentation last month at a conference in Arizona. Nowadays [regulators] are being bombarded by general citizenry, by elected officials who have asked to insert themselves into the process, and this debate swirls around. Opponents of the pipeline - and of the separate Mountain Valley Pipeline, backed by a different set of companies - are a fragmented group of environmentalists and landowners from some of the most remote parts of the state. They have gone to great lengths to get attention for their concerns, staging art events, posting videos online and heckling political candidates. Just this week, a coalition of activists announced plans for a demonstration in Richmond on Dec. 2, featuring live music and hundreds of people holding hands around Capitol Square wearing blue ribbons and scarves to represent our universal connection to water. Known for disrupting campaign appearances by Gov.-elect Ralph Northam, a Democrat who said he would support the pipelines as long as they withstood strict environmental scrutiny, the anti-pipeline groups have promised to continue hounding the new administration. Dominion is by far more well-resourced. They have gobs and gobs of money, said Denise Robbins of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, which is coordinating the upcoming event. What we have is public support and the will of the people who dont want these pipelines in their communities. The protesters also have criticized Northam for failing to disclose that several members of his 85-person transition advisory team have ties to Dominion - a company that has given extensively to Virginia politicians of both parties, and in which Northam owns stock. Dominion and its executives gave Northams campaign more than $87,000 this year, according to the nonpartisan Virginia Public Access Project. View Graphic The latest stories and details on the 2017 Virginia general election and race for governor. Northams spokeswoman said he was trying to emphasize the public service of the transition team members in their short announcement bios, not their corporate affiliations. To Dominion, such issues are a distraction from what it sees as the orderly review process. The company argues that deep-pocketed national environmental groups are helping the local opponents, including the Southern Environmental Law Center, the Natural Resources Defense Council and Bold Alliance. McKays presentation sets out a dark view of the path the massive project must navigate. The historically non-political processes [are] now political, the presentation says. Opponents are absolutists who believe natural gas [is] worse than coal and learn tactics from protesters at other big projects such as the Keystone XL pipeline. Social media is fast and provides no fact-checking, and other media are lazy, sympathetic, often inept. Property rights are a key challenge - eminent domain is the fight to come - and there is no electoral reward for political courage. Opponents stage events for media consumption, using outrage and intimidation as common tools to try to delegitimize the process. In the wake of President Trumps election, the opposition is more aggressive, [with] more litigation, more funding. In an interview, McKay said some of that language is intentionally provocative to get the attention of an industry crowd. But the company does feel that in the battle for public image, its a struggle for us to get equal media coverage. So in the lessons learned portion of his presentation, McKay advises that while opponents have intensity - we have the truth and resources. He adds that engineers and lawyers are awesome but get a hipster - meaning, someone who can wield the tools of social media. The industrys online grassroots sites, which downplay their corporate sponsorship, are a way to rally the silent majority of ordinary people who actually do support the pipeline and its jobs and access to plentiful energy, he said. Dominion established EnergySure in 2015, and uses a mix of internal staff and outside consultants to maintain it. The company would not disclose how much money it puts into the effort, which McKay said is comparable to what opponents do. On the other side, the Sierra Club on any given day you can go to their web site and find 10 or 12 take-action boxes, he said. McKay insisted that the people who respond to the companys call to action - making calls, sending letters, even appearing at public hearings - are volunteers. In some cases they are employees of the company or members of labor unions, but theyre not paid. They come out and stand up to a microphone on their own time, he said. Dominion and its partners in the energy industry have to face up to the political climate and use the same tactics that are wielded against them, he said. We would be negligent if we didnt do what were doing, McKay said. The fact that McAuliffe, Northam and unsuccessful Republican candidate Ed Gillespie all said they would support the pipeline, which has so far cleared every regulatory requirement, doesnt lessen Dominions urgency. I dont think we tend to take anything for granted while there are still permits under consideration, McKay said. The opponents are not kind of pulling up their stakes. On that, both sides agree. "The pipeline issue will never go away unless the pipelines go away," said Josh Stanfield of the group Activate Virginia. Thirteen of the new Democrats elected to the House of Delegates this month signed his group's pledge to reject money from Dominion. But the General Assembly has little role in the pipeline approval process, so most attention will focus on pressing McAuliffe and Northam to exert influence on the state's regulatory bodies, Stanfield said. In my mind the fate of the pipelines right now is entirely dependent on the political ambitions of Terry McAuliffe, he said. If McAuliffe hopes to run for president one day, as is widely presumed, he will face attack from national Democrats for being seen as a pipeline supporter, Stanfield said. [As gas pipelines roil Va.s governors race, regulators backtrack on their role] Federal regulators have largely cleared the pipelines. The next - and possibly final - chance to stop the projects comes next month when Virginias Water Control Board holds meetings to consider water quality permits. If those hurdles are cleared, construction on the Atlantic Coast Pipeline could begin by years end. An earlier version of this story incorrectly said that 13 of the new Democrats elected to the House of Delegates pledged to oppose the pipeline. They promised not to accept campaign donations from the utility. This story has been updated. Workers continue to build bleachers and the reviewing stand as they prepare for the January inauguration of Virginia Gov.-elect Ralph Northam at the Capitol in Richmond. (Steve Helber/AP) Virginia's Board of Elections on Monday unanimously certified two state legislative races in which 147 voters cast ballots in the wrong district in favor of the Republicans in both contests. The decision means that Republicans control 51 seats in the House of Delegates while Democrats control 49. The action shuts down one potential route, but it does not end Democrats hopes to win control of the chamber. In letters sent over the weekend, Democrats had urged the Democratic-controlled board to hold off on certification because of the irregularities, particularly since one of the two races in District 28 was a squeaker that could determine which party takes charge of the House. In that race, Republican Robert Thomas leads Democrat Joshua Cole by 82 votes in the contest to fill the seat being vacated by retiring Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford). After conferring privately with lawyers for about 45 minutes, the boards three members said they were required by statute to certify the results by Mondays deadline despite irregularities that Chairman James Alcorn said he expects the courts or the House to eventually sort out. What I want at the end of the process is that the voters trust that the outcome of the election the winner of the election is who was elected by the eligible voters, Alcorn said. And so I would say we are not to the end of that process. Alcorn also said the board does not have the power to order any of the available remedies, such as a new election, which a judge could do. The losing candidate also could file a contest with the House, which could require a new election or pick a winner itself through a floor vote. And three of the races won by Republicans including District 28 are probably headed for a recount, so Democrats may have other opportunities to pick up a seat. In the 40th District, Del. Timothy D. Hugo (R-Fairfax) has a 106-vote lead over Democrat Donte Tanner, while in the 94th District, Del. David E. Yancey (R-Newport News) is up just 10 votes over Democrat Shelly Simonds. Mondays decision came three weeks after Election Day, and a week after the board had certified election results in 98 other House seats. The board initially held off on the two Fredericksburg-area House seats amid revelations that some voters in the 28th and 88th districts had been erroneously assigned to the wrong race. The assignment errors affect both races, but the focus has been on the 28th because the margin of victory was just 82 votes. It is one of three tight GOP wins statewide that are likely headed for recounts. Democrats would need one more victory to force a power-sharing deal with Republicans and two more to take the reins of the chamber for the first time since 2000. The boards decision was a disappointment to Democrats and their allies, who since Nov. 7 have filed three lawsuits asserting that 28th District voters had been disenfranchised in various ways. Two of the cases were dismissed. In the third case, a federal judge rejected Democrats request for a temporary restraining order to block the state board from certifying the 28th District election. But he did not dismiss the case, leaving Democrats the option of asking the judge for a new election. The State Board acknowledged today what we have long known: the election results in House District 28 are marred by irregularities, said Marc E. Elias, attorney for Cole and the House Democratic Caucus. [W]e disagree with the Boards decision to certify in spite of these irregularities, and we will continue to assess our options to remedy this wrong. House Republicans had threatened to file a lawsuit of their own if the board did not certify the results by Monday. We are pleased the State Board of Elections finally fulfilled its statutory duty and unanimously certified the election results in House Districts 28 and 88, but are disappointed it took over a week, a strong signal from a federal judge, and the threat of a state suit to get them to act, said Del. Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights), in line to become speaker if the GOP holds the majority. With this step, we can now proceed to handling any other questions through the proper venues outlined in state law, as members of State Board said multiple times today. Partisan tensions appeared to be running high at the start of Mondays meeting, when Alcorn made a motion to retreat into executive session so members could confer with lawyers. Republican Clara Belle Wheeler abstained from voting on that motion. But she came out of the closed-door meeting with a smile and soon voted, along with Alcorn and Singleton McAllister, to certify the results. Im proud of this board, Wheeler said afterward. We, the state board, fulfilled our obligation to the code and to the people to certify the election. [Democrats make historic gains in House] In the 88th District, Del. Mark Cole (R-Fredericksburg) no relation to Joshua Cole beat Democrat Steve Aycock by more than 4,000 votes. [With uncanny twists and an allegedly rogue registrar, Virginia House left in limbo] Given Mark Coles comfortable margin, the voter assignment errors were not expected to upend his race. But if his election had remained uncertified, Mark Cole would not have been seated when the legislature convenes in January. That would have evenly split the chamber, 49 seats controlled by Republicans and 49 controlled by Democrats. Republicans boasted a 66-to-34 majority going into the Nov. 7 elections. At a meeting last week, state Elections Commissioner Edgardo Cortes said that former registrar Juanita Pitchford erroneously assigned 83 voters from the 28th House District to the 88th. After further investigation, he said the state had discovered a total of 384 misassigned voters, including some in the neighboring 2nd House District. Of those, 147 of the misassigned voters cast ballots. Elections officials said they are not sure why Pitchford, who died in April, made the changes. INDONESIA Erupting Bali volcano forces evacuations Indonesian authorities ordered 100,000 people to flee Monday from an erupting volcano on Bali that forced the islands international airport to close, stranding large numbers of travelers. Mount Agung has been hurling white and dark gray ash about 9,800 feet into the atmosphere since the weekend, and lava is welling up in the crater. Its explosions can be heard 7 miles away. The National Disaster Management Authority raised the volcanos alert to the highest level early Monday and expanded the danger zone to six miles. The volcanos last major eruption, in 1963, killed about 1,100 people. Government spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said at a news conference in Jakarta that the extension of the danger zone affects 22 villages and 90,000 to 100,000 people. He said that about 40,000 people have evacuated but that others have not left because they feel safe or do not want to abandon their livestock. Balis airport was closed early Monday after ash, which can pose a deadly threat to aircraft, reached its airspace. An airport spokesman said 445 flights were canceled, stranding about 59,000 travelers. The closure was in effect until Tuesday morning, though officials said the situation would be reviewed every six hours. Associated Press CHECHNYA Kremlin ally Kadyrov says hes ready to quit Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov announced Monday that he is ready to step down a move largely perceived as a publicity stunt. Kadyrov said in a rare interview aired Monday morning that it is his dream to step down because he finds the responsibility of leading the Russian region too heavy. Kremlin-backed Kadyrov, a former rebel who switched his loyalties to Moscow, has been the dominant figure in Chechnya since the 2004 assassination of his father, President Akhmad Kadyrov. Ramzan Kadyrov has previously spoken about wanting to resign but never followed through. His public statements have been widely seen as part of a power play with the Kremlin for privileges and extra funding for his region, which relies on federal subsidies. It is my dream, Kadyrov said in the interview on the Rossiya 24 channel, when asked whether he would be willing to step down at some point. Its very hard to be a leader and bear the responsibility for the people, for the republic in the face of God, the countrys leaders. Kadyrov reiterated his allegiance to Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling him his idol. Im ready to die for him, Im ready to comply with any order, the Chechen leader said. The Kremlin sought to play down Kadyrovs statement. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Kadyrov is a Putin ally and in this instance he intends to work in the capacity that the countrys president has instructed him to. Associated Press Court bans Uber's ride-sharing operation in Israel: An Israeli court has ordered Uber to stop its ride-sharing operations in Israel, less than a month after the service's launch in Tel Aviv. A taxi driver union and rival transit application petitioned the Tel Aviv District Court this month to serve Uber with an injunction, claiming it violated an Israeli law forbidding drivers without taxi licenses from imposing fares on passengers. The ban on Uber's ride-share programs in Israel UberDay and UberNight will go into effect Wednesday. Uber may still operate its taxi-hailing service. British teen found guilty of plot against Bieber concert: A British teenager was found guilty of planning to drive a car into a crowd in the Welsh capital, Cardiff, with a Justin Bieber concert and a shopping center among the list of potential targets for his Islamic State-inspired attack. The 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, wrote a "martyrdom letter" in which he said he was "a soldier of the Islamic State." Police found the letter in a rucksack in his bedroom that also contained a large knife and a hammer. Texas man fined, to be deported after UAE arrest: A state-aligned newspaper in the United Arab Emirates said a Texan arrested for taking photographs at the Abu Dhabi International Airport has been fined and will be deported. The National reported that Joseph Lee, 59, must pay a 10,000-dirham ($2,700) fine. Lee's family told the Fort Worth television station KXAS last week that Lee was arrested after being pulled aside by security officials. His son, Jonathan, said his father took photos as the officials were "treating him kind of unfairly in a rude manner." From news services Columnist America is currently cursed, not only with tribal politics, but with tribal morality. Some liberals tend to minimize or excuse offenses against a few women in the broader cause of womens rights. What is a politicians wandering hand in comparison to maintaining legal abortion? Some conservatives tend to minimize or excuse offenses against women in the cause of conservative governance. What are a few old accusations compared to cementing a conservative Supreme Court or passing tax reform? Both sides give personal failings less weight than a compelling public good. It is not always an unserious argument, but in this case, it is a cruel and dangerous one. This description may sound like a columnist's caricature. But, on occasion, a caricature becomes incarnate. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) has admitted she has "no reason to disbelieve" any of Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore's accusers. Yet Ivey has announced she will vote for Moore anyway. "We need to have a Republican in the United States Senate," she explained, "to vote on the things like Supreme Court justices." This is worth a pause. One of the accusers in this case says that in the late 1970s Moore, then a county prosecutor, offered to drive her home. Instead, she alleges, he parked behind the restaurant where she worked, touched her breasts, tried to pull off her shirt, grabbed her neck and pushed her head toward his crotch, leaving nasty bruises and a lifetime of trauma. The victim was 16 years old at the time. If Ivey truly believes this accusation, she is voting for someone who committed sexual assault on a teenage girl, in order to help secure one Senate vote on a prospective Supreme Court nominee. This has the virtue, at least, of philosophic clarity. It is utilitarianism, unadorned. Ivey believes she is pursuing Jeremy Bentham's imperative, achieving the greatest good for the greatest number of people. It is a simple, easily stated moral rule. There are many varieties of utilitarianism, but they share some weaknesses. While the principle is easy to state, it is not easy to apply. It always involves speculative judgments about the future. What if, as a senator, Moore becomes a rolling scandal of misogyny and intolerance? What if this deepens the image of the GOP as the party of prejudice and male dominance? And what if this costs Republicans control of the House of Representatives and a few other Senate seats? How would this affect Iveys utilitarian calculation? This scenario is not unlikely. During his recent defeat in the Virginia governor's race, Ed Gillespie a comparatively good GOP candidate lost female voters by 22 percentage points. Is the three-ring spectacle of Roy Moore in the Senate going to improve Republican electoral performance with women? But the main problem with utilitarian calculation in politics reaches deeper. By definition, it means that the rights of the few can be sacrificed to the interests of the many. It is a theory that has always been plagued by hypothetical questions: What if punishing a few innocent people would, on balance, have a good social result? What if keeping a few people in slavery clearly benefited the many? What if a politician who is currently abusing teenagers demonstrably served a greater public good? At what point does the "but he'll vote right on Supreme Court nominees" argument end? Three rapes? Four murders? Wouldn't utilitarian calculations still apply? In the cases before us if you believe the credible testimony of the accusers the rights and dignity of women have already been violated. Ignoring or playing down those violations in the pursuit of other social goals conservative or liberal is an additional form of victimization, this time by the broader society. By politicians such as Ivey. By voters willing to downplay the abuses on their own ideological team. All are making the statement that some lives, when weighed in the balance, really dont matter. None of this is to make light of the difficult task of applying appropriate punishments for differing degrees of guilt. But various traditions of ethics rooted in religion as well as the Enlightenment theories that informed Americas founding place a primary emphasis on the rights and dignity of individuals protected against the shifting interests of the majority. This is the firm moral ground upon which our debate on sexual harassment should be conducted. Political figures guilty of coercion, exploitation, dehumanization, cruelty and the abuse of power should not be trusted with power. Even on our own side. Read more from Michael Gerson's archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook . WITH THE near elimination of the Islamic State in Syria, there has been a fresh burst of diplomatic activity aimed at ending the country's civil war. A new session is scheduled Tuesday of U.N.-sponsored talks in Geneva following conferences last week hosted by Russia and Saudi Arabia and an hour-long phone call between President Trump and Vladimir Putin. The public statements and background briefings about the latest process have been contradictory and confusing. But a single photograph offers a simple and eloquent summation: that of the bearhug delivered by Mr. Putin to blood-drenched Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad when they met in Sochi, Russia, last week. The embrace was Mr. Putins way of celebrating his success in rescuing the Assad regime from military defeat and propelling it to a string of victories over the Western-backed opposition in the past two years. It also eloquently communicated Mr. Putins objectives in the coming diplomacy: sustaining the regime in power indefinitely, providing a new platform for Russia in the Middle East and marginalizing the United States. Unfortunately, Mr. Trump appears more than happy to abet that project, which would also consolidate Iran's entrenchment in Syria. Following his phone call with Mr. Putin, he enthusiastically endorsed Mr. Putin's plans, which nominally entail new negotiations between the Assad regime and opposition groups over a new constitution. Turkey and Iran are lined up behind the Russian leader, who hosted their presidents in Sochi immediately after hosting Mr. Assad. Saudi Arabia, too, is playing along: Last week it convened a meeting of opposition groups to form a joint negotiating team after purging nearly a dozen longtime rebel leaders who refused to accept Mr. Assad's continuance in power. Trump administration officials point to Mr. Putin's nominal commitment to an eventual U.N.-supervised election with participation by all Syrians, including the half of the population displaced by the war. But because Mr. Assad would have no chance of winning a fair and free vote, it's a safe bet that neither the regime nor its backers in Tehran and Moscow will ever actually agree to it. The Pentagon has been seeking to maintain leverage over the political process by leaving U.S. troops in northeastern Syria to advise a Kurdish-Arab force that controls key oil fields. But Mr. Trump has now promised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that he would stop U.S. arms deliveries to the Kurds a decision that, The Post reported, appeared to take his national security team by surprise. It could be that Mr. Putin will fail as an architect of a Syrian settlement in spite of the opposition's weakness and U.S. incoherence. Already he has had to postpone a conference he had hoped to stage in Sochi later this week to discuss constitutional proposals; the opposition said it preferred to negotiate in Geneva, while Mr. Erdogan objected to the participation of the Kurds. On Monday the Assad government postponed sending a delegation to Geneva, despite Mr. Putin's assurances that the regime would participate. For now, however, Russia has supplanted the United States as the convening power of the Middle Easts most important conflict. That Mr. Trump would welcome that development is another testament to his curious deference to the Kremlin. It is also, following the disastrous record in Syria of President Barack Obama, an acceleration of the collapse of U.S. global leadership. Walter Shaub is a senior director at the Campaign Legal Center. He previously served as director of the Office of Government Ethics. The special counsel is facing the biggest test of his career. I'm referring not to Robert S.Mueller III but to Henry Kerner of the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), the small agency that investigates Hatch Act violations. That law prohibits executive branch employees from using their government positions to influence elections, which is precisely what presidential counselor Kellyanne Conway did last week. Whether Kerner will enforce the law is another matter. When Conway appeared on"Fox and Friends" last Monday, it was clear she was doing so in an official capacity: One of the show's hosts introduced her by her title and she articulated the administration's views as she stood in front of the White House. In discussing whether the president has enough votes to get a tax bill through the Senate, Conway (without prompting) attacked Doug Jones, the Democratic candidate for Senate in Alabama. "And Doug Jones in Alabama?" she said, "Folks, don't be fooled. He'll be a vote against tax cuts. He's weak on crime, weak on borders. He's strong on raising your taxes. He's terrible for property owners." Conway's intent was clear enough already, but she decided to make it clearer. "I'm telling you that we want the votes in the Senate to get this tax bill through," she admitted. Playing down the sexual misconduct allegations against Jones's Republican opponent Roy Moore, Conway added, "If the media were really concerned about all these allegations and that was what this was truly about with the Democrats, Al Franken would be on the ash heap of bygone, half-funny comedians." After a startled "Fox and Friends" host pointed out that even the Republican National Committee had withdrawn support for Moore, Conway doubled down on her advocacy against Jones. "Nobody ever says his name, and they pretend he's some kind of conservative Democrat, and he's not," she said. Based on this obvious violation of the Hatch Act, the Campaign Legal Center (where I am a senior director) filed a complaint against Conway with the OSC. The White House has offered typical misdirection in response, asserting that Conway was innocently championing the president's agenda. The question is not whether Conway was championing the agenda of the president who, it's worth noting, actively supports Moore but whether she was advocating against Jones. Only in a world of alternative facts could Conway's televised words amount to anything other than advocacy against Jones. In short, the case against Conway is airtight. Or it would be, that is, if President Trump hadnt appointed Kerner to lead the OSC. Kerner comes from a conservative group called the Cause of Action Institute. When I served as director of the Office of Government Ethics (OGE), Cause of Action was the only organization that wrote to me in defense of Conway after she told Americans to "go buy Ivanka's stuff." The group claimed Conway was exempt from OGE's ethics regulations and that OGE lacked authority to oversee the White House's ethics program, despite four decades of White House compliance with OGE oversight and an example in OGE's White House-approved regulations expressly highlighting their applicability to White House staff. Kerner and his group also went after potential whistleblowers at the Environmental Protection Agency. Shortly after the incoming administration demanded that the Energy Department turn over lists of employees who had worked on climate change issues, a small group of EPA employees understandably feared for their jobs and used encrypted texts to forge networks for potential whistleblowing. Cause of Action sued the EPA for release of the texts, which would have revealed the names of the would-be whistleblowers to the Trump White House and its allies. That action alone should have disqualified Kerner from consideration for a position that makes him the federal government's top guardian of whistleblowers. But Kerner got the job anyway, and the Conway incident now presents him with as clear a violation of the Hatch Act as he's likely to encounter during his five-year term. The trouble for Kerner is that Conway is close to his new boss, who notably sided with her the last time she violated ethics rules. Kerner criticized the last administration for its Hatch Act issues, saying that, "The law is clear: public officials paid by taxpayers cannot use their position to engage in political activities," and "the Obama administration's unprecedented history of Hatch Act violations threatens to undermine this important protection." If Kerner plans to hold Trump's administration to the same standard, he'll have to issue a clear finding that Conway violated the Hatch Act. To do so, he'll have to sign a letter asking Trump to take action against Conway. Kerner will have broad discretion in recommending a penalty because consequences for violating the Hatch Act range from a letter of reprimand to a civil penalty of up to $1,000 to suspension, termination or even debarment from federal employment for up to five years. What happens to Conway will send an unmistakable message to the rest of the federal workforce about this administrations commitment to enforcing the Hatch Act. Kerner asked for this thankless job, and hes taken an oath to enforce the Hatch Act. His willingness to pursue this slam-dunk case will tell us whether he has any intention of fulfilling that oath. If he does seek to hold Conway accountable, his penalty recommendation will tell us how vigorously he intends to go about fulfilling that oath. We should all watch what Kerner does next. Jonathan Lippman is of counsel at Latham & Watkins LLP and former chief judge of the state of New York. From coast to coast, officials in the criminal-justice system are finally concluding that the nations cash bail system isnt working. California's chief justice, Tani Cantil-Sakauye, endorsed a judicial commission last month that found cash bail "unnecessarily compromises victim and public safety" and "exacerbates socioeconomic disparities and racial bias." On the other coast, a New York City commission I led came to a similar conclusion, determining that our jails are filled with people unable to post even modest bail amounts even though they pose little risk to public safety. But is not enough to say that cash bail is unjust and contributes to the overuse of incarceration, especially when there are powerful forces such as the bail bonds lobby that are gathering to protect it. We must offer an affirmative vision as an alternative. That is why I was pleased to see California judges, like our commission, call for the adoption of evidence-based assessment tools to make better decisions about who poses a risk to community safety and who can be safely released while their cases are pending. Risk-assessment tools, which use scientific algorithms to make a prediction about the risk posed by each defendant, are not without their critics. Former attorney general Eric H. Holder Jr. and many public defenders across the country have argued that risk-assessment instruments effectively compound the racial bias that already exists in the criminal-justice system. Their argument is simple: Police are more likely to arrest people of color. Prosecutors are more likely to charge people of color. And judges are more likely to sentence people of color to jail. All risk-assessment instruments rely on prior criminal conduct to one degree or another to predict behavior. Therefore, racial bias is effectively hard-wired into the risk-assessment process. We need to wrestle with the concerns that Holder and others have raised, but we should not be deterred by them. Well-designed risk-assessment tools draw on large data sets aggregating and examining the behavior of thousands of defendants to predict how similar defendants will behave. Research has shown that science-based risk assessment is more accurate than the subjective analysis of the typical front-line criminal-justice practitioner. Risk-assessment tools allow prosecutors, probation officers and judges to make more informed and nuanced decisions about defendants. No matter how well made a risk-assessment tool might be, it can be no better than the people who use it. As the Center for Court Innovation and others have argued, we need to introduce risk-assessment tools with care, making sure that the people who use them are qualified and trained and that we focus on results to make sure everyone is treated with fairness and consistency. We also need to make the algorithm for determining risk transparent so that we are not relying on prepackaged protocols that undermine or constrain professional discretion. Fortunately, there are already many risk-assessment tools that can make the justice system fairer and more effective. Virginia's risk-assessment instrument led to the release of more than 550 nonviolent felons over a four-year period who would have otherwise been incarcerated. Contrary to conventional wisdom, the crime rate didn't budge. In Oregon, an actuarial risk-assessment tool effectively eliminated a persistent pattern of disparity in which judges were more likely to place African American young people in secure detention. In my prior role as chief judge of the state of New York, I saw firsthand how the punitive lawmaking of the past generation particularly mandatory minimum sentences effectively moved discretion away from front-line judges. Our history tells us that we shouldnt be limiting judges options; we should be expanding them. We need to give judges the tools they need to make the best decisions possible and that means providing them with good risk-assessment tools. Over the past few years, criminal-justice reform has become a bipartisan issue, with everyone from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) to the Koch brothers offering their endorsement. If we play our cards right, this opportunity might mean the end of mass incarceration in the United States. We should be using every possible tool to achieve this goal, including cutting-edge social science. CONGRESS'S OFFICIAL scorekeeper has once again delivered a message Republicans do not want to hear but should seriously consider: Their latest tax bill would balloon the deficit while significantly reducing the number of Americans with access to health care. Many Republicans have spent this year disparaging the Congressional Budget Office, though it is the nonpartisan gold standard in projecting how legislation will affect the country and has a Republican-appointed director to boot. This week will test whether there are still enough Republicans with the minimal sense of civic responsibility to heed the bright warning lights flashing before them. The CBO's latest report projects that the Senate Republican tax bill would open a $1.4 trillion hole in the budget, and that as we will explain in a moment is an understatement. Throughout the tax debate, Republicans have insisted that the tax cuts would lead to such robust growth that they would pay for themselves. This is a dangerous fantasy. There is no evidence or credible economic projection justifying GOP claims nothing but wishful thinking. The nonpartisan Tax Policy Center released last week a "dynamic" score of the House version of the tax-cut bill, finding that growth would recoup only about 12 percent of the plan's cost over the first decade. The fiscal impact of the Senate bill would be even worse except for this perverse fact: It saves money by reducing Americans access to health care. Heres how that works: A partial Obamacare repeal hidden in the GOP plan would result in 13 million fewer people carrying health-care coverage. With fewer people enrolled, the government would spend less money helping people pay for insurance. Under the GOP scheme, some people would choose not to get coverage, but the CBO is clear that many others would be priced out of the market a problem that Obamacare was designed to prevent and that Republicans promised they would not reimpose. Republicans are proposing to sacrifice peoples access to health care in order to balance their numbers and even then, their math does not add up. Another big reason the CBO's estimates do not look worse is that Republicans have used gimmicks to "shoehorn the bill into the rules," as Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney admitted earlier this month. The Senate bill would, on paper, phase out tax breaks for individual filers after several years, which in theory reduces the bill's cost over the 10-year period that the law requires Congress to take into account. But Republicans promise that future Congresses will not allow those breaks to sunset. In other words, the true increase in the debt they are proposing is much bigger than $1.4 trillion. They're just not being honest about it. The GOP would saddle future generations with ever-rising interest payments, even though decades of profligacy already have run up a huge bill for them to pay. And budget documents cannot depict the misery that would result from millions of Americans once again unable to afford health care. And for what? To lower business taxes and offer wealthy people a range of unnecessary giveaways, such as phasing down the estate tax. With Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) apparently moving toward the irresponsibility caucus, announcing last week that she supports one of the bill's least defensible provisions, there may be only a few Republican senators with the backbone to call this piece of legislative malpractice out for what it is. Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) come to mind, but there may be others. They could do the nation, and their party, a great service. Passing this bill would be more of a confirmation that Republicans are incapable of governing than passing no bill at all. Contributing columnist During my years co-hosting a nightly news and public affairs show on Los Angeless PBS affiliate, we would occasionally do segments on domestic abuse and the Southern California not-for-profits that provided refuge for the fleeing spouse and children. The shelter community told us that every segment encouraged more people to bolt the abusive environment and seek help. It was television, they said, that actually saved lives. I believed them then and now. Coverage of sexual assault and discrimination does in fact encourage victims to seek help and often justice. It inspires and motivates. Thus all media has to keep covering, in depth, every scandal. It will motivate people to change behaviors and victims to seek refuge and reparations. We do so, though, mindful that while the legion of victims is much, much larger than those of the falsely accused, that there are indeed many instances of false accusation. Cardinal Joseph Bernardin of Chicago was falsely accused of molesting a young man. His accuser later recanted, and Bernardin famously forgave him. The Duke University lacrosse team was wrongly prosecuted. Rolling Stone terribly bungled a story of campus assault at the University of Virginia, asserting in 2014 that a brutal gang rape had occurred at a U-Va. fraternity. The magazine paid a huge settlement to end the defamation suit that followed. So false charges exist but are very much a small fraction of the genuine cases of harassment and assault. How, then, ought the media deal with the former while aware of the latter? The answer isnt very satisfactory but it is the only one available: cautiously, with due process for the accused, always in court but also in the press, and via reference to a single standard, not one that bends to partisan pull. Questions of evidence and standards of proof confuse and often bewilder the general public and even superb reporters. Various forms of evidence have various "probative values." Try explaining that in a 60-second commentary. When it comes to allegations such as those made against Roy Moore or Al Franken or President Trump, my standard is statute of limitations aside would a civil jury convict for a claim of assault and/or battery? I weigh what is known and thought by me to be reliable and come to a conclusion. Different people will reach different conclusions, but their own standards ought to be the same for every case. (The scandals facing Harvey Weinstein and John Conyers are in a different category as there are documents that are dispositive in the minds of most people. When such settlements are even partially in public view, there isn't much "weighing" that needs to be done.) Theres a lot of rough justice being dispensed by the media these days, and much of it deserved. But caution is needed, in every case and with regard to every charge. Even the worst offender deserves a careful weighing of public evidence and a willingness by jurors the pundit class or otherwise to explain their thought processes. It isnt easy. It isnt quick. The facile or the overly confident are almost always not to be trusted. But it has to be done, this case-by-case weighing, and always with an understanding that other victims are watching, wondering whether it is safe for them to speak up or head out to safety. Rarely does media have such a complicated job with stakes as high as these. Associate opinions editor Autumn Brewington, a journalist in Washington, is a former op-ed page editor and royal blogger for The Post. Prince Harry and Meghan Markles engagement is more than a palace love story to cheer in a season of cheerless news. The happy union of a playboy-prince-turned-soldier-and-humanitarian and a biracial, divorced American actress-and-humanitarian welcomed by Britains power structure marks a striking evolution for the British monarchy. After all, Queen Elizabeth II, Britain's longest-serving monarch, is on the throne only because divorce was unacceptable for the royal family not that long ago. Her accession was unanticipated: She was born in 1926 at the home of her maternal grandparents, not a royal palace. The daughter of the second son of a king in a system rooted in primogeniture, Princess Elizabeth was expected to marry well and have an unremarkable (though privileged) life. Her future, and history, changed when her uncle David fell in love with an American, Wallis Warfield Simpson, who had married not once but twice before she met the then-Prince of Wales. The British government and dominions were adamant that a twice-divorced American could not be crowned queen, not when the king was head of the Church of England, which did not then allow divorces to remarry during the lifetime of a former spouse. The new king, however, was equally adamant that he would not give up the woman he loved. He abdicated in 1936, catapulting his younger brother, and later his niece, to the throne, and he was exiled. Days after Elizabeth's own coronation in 1953, another divorce scandal broke: Her sister, Princess Margaret, was in love with a divorced equerry, Group Capt. Peter Townsend. Officials and courtiers, still shaken by the abdication, were opposed. Margaret was told she could marry Townsend if she renounced her royal rights and left the country for some years. She chose her royal position and eventually married someone else whom she later divorced. As fifth in line to the throne, Harry is not considered a future king. Still, he is a senior enough royal that he needs the sovereign's approval to wed and in years past, permission would not have been granted to marry a divorcee (American or otherwise) without the prince renouncing his claim on the crown. In some respects, the evolution is unexceptional: Public attitudes toward divorce have relaxed markedly in recent decades, and the share of marriages ending in divorce in England and Wales has risen. Three of the queen's four children have divorced. Yet the speed with which the monarchy has shifted on divorce is remarkable for an institution that venerates tradition and symbolizes history. When Elizabeth's daughter, Anne, the Princess Royal, remarried in 1992, she did so in Scotland because she could not be remarried in a Church of England service. When Prince Charles sought to marry his longtime love Camilla Parker-Bowles, things were complicated by the enduring popularity of his first wife, Princess Diana, and by Charles's position as heir to the throne and future supreme governor of the Church of England. Although the church had begun allowing divorces to remarry a few years earlier, finding clergy to conduct the ceremony was a challenge. Charles and Camilla married in a civil service, in a registrar's office in Windsor, and followed that with a blessing at St. George's Chapel, during which, in a nod to societal judgments, they acknowledged their "manifold sins and wickedness." Charles's years-long campaign for public acceptance of Camilla and his insistence on marrying her set a precedent that made it easier for Harry, 33, to propose to 36-year-old Meghan, who was divorced in 2013. Meanwhile, though Markle's ethnicity has drawn scrutiny during their relationship, it speaks volumes that a biracial American commoner is being warmly welcomed into Britain's royal family, itself the top tier of a class-conscious society. The acceptance of her class and racial heritage as simply part of a modern family also stand out at a moment when racial tensions and class divisions are so pronounced in the United States. The queen saw the burden the crown placed on her father who died at 56 and she models her parents belief in prioritizing the monarchy before personal desires. Her reverence for tradition and her silence in the face of criticism sparked outrage in the aftermath of Dianas death, when an empty flagpole at Buckingham Palace was a lightning rod for public upset. But she is beloved in part for embodying Britains stiff upper lip and carrying on while saying little. Her stewardship over decades of deep social change has protected the monarchy as an institution above, yet reflective of, British life. She has guided the throne to a place where a woman who became sovereign as a result of a divorce scandal could welcome a divorced American into Britains royal family. Movie producer Harvey Weinstein is photographed at a party on the sidelines of the Cannes Film Festival in southeastern France on May 23. (Yann Coatsaliou/Agence France-Presse via Getty Images) Columnist Women are forcing a long-overdue reckoning on sexual harassment. The list of ousted executives and politicians keeps growing. The thousands of reports of sexual harassment on #MeToo keep coming. More women are emboldened to talk, and more are being heard. The risks for abusers particularly public figures are rising. We know the roots of this extraordinary moment; where the moment leads remains to be seen. The reckoning is part of the fierce reaction to Donald Trump's election victory in 2016. Trump won in spite of the ultimate "October surprise," when the "Access Hollywood" tape confirmed what more than a dozen women had alleged: Trump is a serial sexual predator, admitting on tape that, "when you're a star, they let you do it. You can do anything. . . . Grab them by the p---y. You can do anything." A president is the nations great teacher. Women were not about to allow him to teach that lesson. With the reckoning comes the public acknowledgment that sexual harassment of women is ubiquitous. Too often, women have learned to adjust to it. A recent Quinnipiac University poll reports that 60 percent of women have experienced sexual harassment, most frequently in the workplace. A public airing of abuses is needed to force a conversation about lines, degrees, decorum, but the focus must turn to changes in the structures and laws that might help change behavior if the reckoning is to have real and permanent impact. Thus far the reckoning has been fueled largely by the exposure of public figures. Because these stories drive headlines, the press is more likely to spend resources checking out claims that implicate the famous. To some degree, this is helpful: The culture won't change without cultural and political leaders in their agony and in their outrage leading the charge. Yet, as journalist Barbara Ehrenreich has noted, "our current sex harassment discussion is woefully class-skewed. Too much about actresses and not enough about hotel housekeepers." Sexual harassment is grounded in an imbalance of power, the heady sense that one can commit wrongful acts with impunity. Not surprisingly, it is most prevalent where the power imbalance is the most extreme. Ehrenreich cites Chicago's Unite Here Local 1, the hospitality union, which found that nearly 60 percent of hotel workers in the greater Chicago area reported being sexually harassed on the job. Too often the male guests feel free to get "handsy" or to appear with no clothes on. Waitresses also are constant targets. In most places, they are forced to work for a subminimum wage the federal rate is a paltry $2.13 per hour and tips. To get decent tips, they learn to put up with obnoxious abuse and worse. Similarly, in a letter paying tribute to the courage of the Hollywood actresses speaking up against producer Harvey Weinstein, the female farmworkers of the Alianza Nacional de Campesinas, wrote, "We do not work under the bright stage lights or on the big screen. We work in the shadows of society in isolated fields and packinghouses that are out of sight . . . for most people in this country. . . . We share a common experience of being preyed upon by individuals who have the power to hire, fire, blacklist and otherwise threaten our economic, physical and emotional security. Like you, there are few positions available to us, and reporting any kind of harm or injustice committed against us doesn't seem like a viable option. Complaining about anything even sexual harassment seems unthinkable because too much is at risk, including the ability to feed our families and preserve our reputations." Changes in the law and in institutional structures can make a difference. If waitresses were paid a living wage, they would be better able to object to harassment from customers. Workers with unions have more ability to object. In Chicago, the City Council just passed an ordinance requiring hotel employers to provide hotel workers who work alone in rooms with a portable "panic button" to summon help from hotel security. It also requires hotels to make public their anti-sexual harassment policies, affords hotel workers the right to stop work and leave a room if they feel threatened and prohibits hotel employers from retaliating against hotel workers who report sexual harassment or assault. Congress can also show leadership by reforming itself. Recent House hearings shed light on the pervasive sexual harassment in what historically has been considered the congressional "boys club." Concerned staff aides even developed a "creep list" to warn newcomers about legislators to be wary of. Congress has a broken "dispute resolution system" that requires any complainant to undergo 30 days of mandatory counseling and 30 days of mediation before being able to file a suit. And sexual harassment settlements are paid for with taxpayer money. Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) have introduced the ME TOO Congress Act, which requires that the names of offending members of Congress be released and that they be held personally financially responsible for their behavior. The legislation would also require mandatory training for all members of Congress and staff, provide interns and fellows the same protections as full-time staff, and end forced mediation and counseling. Much commentary is focused on whether Trump can be held accountable, whether Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) should resign or Bill Clinton be shunned. But these are merely exclamation points. What's needed are real structural and legal changes to support the victims and curb the predators. Read more from Katrina vanden Heuvel's archive or follow her on Twitter. Columnist The Trump administrations approach to governance is that of a bratty toddler confronting a neat stack of blocks: Knock it down and scatter the pieces. It may take years to rebuild what President Trump and his minions are destroying. This is not the systematic move toward small government that conservatives have long sought. Its a lurch toward bad government, inadequate government, incompetent government. In some cases, its driven by spite; in others, by sheer cluelessness. Ultimately, we will all pay a price for Trumps nihilism. The most recent example is the chaos at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, an agency established in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis as a watchdog against abuses. Perhaps the bureau's best-known action to date was levying a $100 million fine against Wells Fargo for opening hundreds of thousands of deposit and credit-card accounts without the customers' knowledge or consent. All told, the bureau has saved nearly $12 billion for consumers. This record, according to Trump, is a "total disaster." Trump claimed in a weekend tweet that Financial Institutions have been devastated by the CFPB. That is nonsense. The much more likely reason for his criticism of the bureau is that it was established while Barack Obama was president. Trump has been unable to establish a proper legacy of his own, so he is intent on erasing his predecessors. CFPB Director Richard Cordray resigned Friday and, as specified by law, appointed an acting director Leandra English, who had been Cordray's chief of staff. But Trump, relying on a different federal statute, appointed his own acting director, Mick Mulvaney. You'd think Mulvaney already had enough to do, since he serves as White House budget director. But perhaps he relishes the extra work, since he was harshly critical of the agency when he was in Congress. In any event, he dutifully showed up at CFPB headquarters Monday morning with a bag full of doughnuts for "his" staff. English, meanwhile, has filed suit in federal court claiming it's really "her" staff. And the bureau, with two masters, is paralyzed. The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, by contrast, has no master. In its 41-year history it was founded during the Gerald Ford administration the office established to advise presidents on scientific matters has never gone so long without a leader. From 135 staffers under Obama, it has been slashed to 45. Perhaps this sort of thing was to be expected from Trump, who has described "global warming" as a Chinese hoax. The thing is, however, refusing to believe in science doesn't make you immune from its effects. Anyone with doubts about the law of gravity should think twice before jumping out of a second-story window. Meanwhile, China is racing ahead and has already become the world's leader in clean energy. A functioning White House science office, staffed with qualified scientists, would tell the president he is wrong to focus on coal, the fuel of the Victorian era, while ignoring the renewable-energy sources that will power the rest of the 21st century. But Trump hates being told he's wrong. He chose an Environmental Protection Agency director, Scott Pruitt, who perhaps has even less regard for what science tells us about greenhouse gases and atmospheric warming. The result has been to make the world's most powerful nation mute and irrelevant in the global conversation about climate change. Even more alarming is the way our diplomatic corps is being decimated by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. This is a bipartisan issue: Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) added his name to a letter complaining that U.S. diplomatic power "is being weakened internally as complex, global crises are growing externally." Tillerson, who once reportedly referred to Trump as a "moron," is both sane and intelligent, unlike so many other Trump appointees. But he has approached the State Department as if he were an ambitious mid-level corporate executive tasked with downsizing an overstaffed branch office. He has forced out a host of senior diplomats, hired consulting firms to advise him on a reorganization, agreed to slash the department's budget by up to 31 percent and refused to fill jobs that his predecessors considered vital. But Tillersons main job isnt management, its diplomacy. With every career ambassador and senior officer who is elbowed out the door, a lifetimes worth of contacts and expertise depart as well. The administration will sorely miss that wisdom in a crisis. Future presidents will have to restore what Trump and his team are casually destroying. Ignorance and petulance, rather than reason, now reign. Read more from Eugene Robinson's archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook. You can also join him Tuesdays at 1 p.m. for a live Q&A. Columnist There are lots of pressing issues Congress could be focusing on right now. Lawmakers could work on reauthorizing the Children's Health Insurance Program, which expired Sept. 30 , leaving the 9 million kids who depend on it in limbo. Or maybe they could find a solution for so-called "dreamers," the undocumented immigrants brought here as children, who will lose their protected status soon unless Congress acts. Or, hey, they could try to prevent the U.S. government from setting off a worldwide financial crisis. That's something that might happen in less than two weeks, when we hit the debt ceiling. Instead, Republican senators have a different priority: jamming through their plutocratic, sloppy tax overhaul as quickly as possible. By as quickly as possible, I mean as soon as this week, which would be a mere month after the first draft of the GOP tax bill was introduced in the House. For comparison, the last time such a major overhaul happened during the Reagan administration the process took more than two years . And it included dozens of hearings and consultations with voters, tax practitioners and experts. Thats nothing like the full-steam-ahead approach weve seen this time around. Why the haste? Republicans are of course desperate to notch a legislative win before the year ends, especially given their failed promise to repeal Obamacare. But perhaps more important, Republican lawmakers need to pass this terrible bill before voters and indeed lawmakers themselves have a chance to learn what's in it. "It's an ostrich approach to tax policy," says Steven Rosenthal, a senior fellow at the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center. Republicans dont want to learn what their own bill will cost, for instance. For years, Republicans promised that their tax cuts would pay for themselves, once you accounted for all the economic growth theyd unleash. They even mandated that Congresss own nonpartisan internal scorekeepers take into account this macroeconomic feedback when evaluating the budgetary effect of major bills such as this one. But now the Senate is racing to vote before those scorekeepers have a chance to evaluate their claim about the bill's cost (or lack thereof, supposedly). This is surely no accident. Outside groups, including one favorable to the tax overhaul, have already done their own analyses. So far none has found that the bill generates enough growth to pay for itself. Theres also that little inconvenient truth about whom the bill benefits. Republican leaders keep claiming the bill focuses on helping the middle class. But voters are already catching on to the fact that the biggest tax cuts go to the wealthiest. Lately the public has learned that the Senate bill will actually raise taxes for households making less than $75,000 by 2027, relative to current law. Yes you read that right. And it's true even if you don't count the bill's changes to Obamacare. The more time that passes, the angrier these voters will get, and the more pressure theyll presumably place on elected officials to either change or oppose the legislation. Which is yet another reason to vote on the bill ASAP: Familiarity will breed (even more) contempt. Unfortunately, rushing this bill through means that in addition to all the deliberate goodies and giveaways to the rich, there will be lots of unintended goodies and giveaways. That's because, given the haste with which this bill was drafted, the plan remains full of glitches. One apparent hiccup in the bill, for example, offers an even bigger giveaway than Republicans had intended to multinational corporations enjoying the repatriation tax holiday. Or consider the so-called guardrails intended to prevent workers from self-incorporating and taking advantage of the new preferential rate on pass-through income. Those remain extremely easy to game. Meanwhile, some pass-through businesses will (oops) face marginal tax rates of 70 percent. Under normal circumstances, a tax rate this high would send Republican policymakers running for the hills. There are other foreseeable problems, too. The bill may violate World Trade Organization rules, for example. And the shift to a territorial taxation system would also likely encourage companies to shift more, not less, of their operations abroad. The interaction of some other provisions would encourage taxpayers to make investments that they know would lose money, as New York University School of Law professor Daniel Shaviro has pointed out. Those are just some of the problems that tax experts have identified so far. Surely more will come out in the weeks and months ahead, as clever accountants and tax attorneys identify new ways to take advantage of slapdash legislative language. If Republicans were smart, theyd give themselves sufficient time to properly vet and craft this legislation. Apparently, theyd prefer to keep their heads in the sand. When the Supreme Court on Wednesday undertakes a potentially landmark examination of how law enforcements use of technology impacts the American notion of privacy, the terrain will be familiar. In 2012, when the government argued that placing a GPS device on someones car and tracking their whereabouts for weeks raised no constitutional concerns, some of the justices were taken aback. Essentially, I think you answered the question that . . . any of us could be monitored whenever we leave our homes, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg told the governments lawyer. [Supreme Court limits police use of GPS tracking] And when in 2014 the court ruled that a search of someones cellphone generally requires a warrant, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. noted what every smartphone owner knows. They could just as easily be called cameras, video players, Rolodexes, calendars, tape recorders, libraries, diaries, albums, televisions, maps or newspapers, Roberts wrote for a unanimous court. [Supreme Court says police generally need warrants to search cellphones] Now, the court is taking up a case that in part combines those concerns, asking whether authorities need a warrant to access cell tower records that could reveal a suspects whereabouts. Privacy groups and civil libertarians are asking the court to reconsider how precedents established in the days of rotary dials and telephone nooks can be reconciled with a world in which most Americans say that are usually within five feet of their smartphones. Its 2017, not 1977, but people have the right to expect that their everyday movements and thoughts will not be freely available to the government without a warrant, said Nathan Freed Wessler, an American Civil Liberties Union lawyer who is arguing Wednesdays case. Wessler represents Timothy Carpenter, who is serving a 116-year sentence for his role in armed robberies in 2010 and 2011 at RadioShack and T-Mobile stores in and around Detroit. The gang was stealing, of all things, smartphones. One of the men arrested named Carpenter as the ringleader, who typically organized the robberies, supplied the guns and acted as a lookout. Authorities asked cellphone carriers for 127 days of records that would show Carpenters use of his phone. Such records indicate where a cellphone establishes connections with a specific cell tower and give a fair representation of the vicinity of the user. In Carpenters case, the mass of information showed his phone at 12,898 locations, including close to where the robberies occurred when they took place. Carpenters lawyers say that the governments actions violated their clients rights under the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unreasonable searches. Authorities should have had to convince a judge there was probable cause to get the records, they say. Instead, under the Stored Communications Act, authorities had to meet a lesser standard: that there were reasonable grounds to believe that the records sought are relevant and material to an ongoing criminal investigation. The government contends that its actions fit squarely with the Supreme Court's prevailing precedents. In a 1979 decision in Smith v. Maryland, the court ruled that requesting records that showed the numbers called from a traditional home phone did not constitute what would be considered a "search" under the Fourth Amendment. Because the callers information was voluntarily transmitted to a third party the telephone company he or she had no reasonable expectation that the numbers called would remain private. It is the same in Carpenters case, Solicitor General Noel Francisco told the Supreme Court. Cell-phone users voluntarily reveal to their providers information about their proximity to cell towers so the providers can connect their calls, the brief says. Users cannot reasonably expect that the providers will not reveal that business information to the government. The companies are properly seen as potential witnesses to a crime, and requesting information from them should not require a warrant, the government argues. The third-party doctrine does not turn on what information the government acquires and how sensitive that information is, but rather on how the government acquires the information, the brief says. Seeking information about a suspect from a third-party witness does not amount to a Fourth Amendment search of that suspect, no matter how revealing or incriminating the evidence may be. If that is right, the companies are reluctant witnesses. Leading technology companies including Apple, Facebook and Microsoft ask the court to refine its Fourth Amendment doctrine to recognize that in the evolving digital era, where such data is disclosed to or collected by service providers to provide technologies that are increasingly integrated into daily life, people reasonably expect that their data will be stored securely and remain private. While the technology companies take no position on Carpenters case, several organizations say the court should use it to curtail the governments access to the records. The sweeping implication of the governments argument is troubling, said a brief filed by the Electronic Privacy Information Center and three dozen technology and legal experts. Sensitive personal data photos, emails, location information, or otherwise does not become less private simply because a cell phone user entrusts that information to a communications service provider. Former Maryland attorney general Stephen H. Sachs, who argued and won Smith v. Maryland in 1979, said the precedent has outlived its value. "When the Supreme Court decided Smith, in the pre-dawn of the digital age, we didn't know about the Internet, smartphones, cloud computing, Facebook or Twitter," Sachs wrote this week in The Washington Post. "No one involved in the case could foresee the digital revolution that was to come." There are indications those advocating a change will find a receptive audience. In the GPS case decided in 2012, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote that cellphone records provide a comprehensive record of a persons public movements that reflects a wealth of detail about her familial, political, professional, religious, and sexual associations. Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. noted the increasing use of closed-circuit television monitoring, devices that allow cars to whiz through toll plazas, tracking devices installed in case a vehicle is stolen and the GPS function of cellphones. The availability and use of these and other new devices will continue to shape the average persons expectations about the privacy of his or her daily movements, he wrote. And in the court's 2014 ruling on searches of cellphones, Roberts announced that the future had arrived. Cellphones are now such a pervasive and insistent part of daily life that the proverbial visitor from Mars might conclude they were an important feature of human anatomy, the chief justice wrote. The case is Carpenter v. U.S. Vice President Pence speaks at the Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations event celebrating the 70th anniversary of the U.N. vote calling for the establishment of a Jewish State in the Land of Israel, at Queens Museum in New York, on Tuesday. (Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images) NEW YORK President Trump is actively considering how to follow through on his pledge to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, Vice President Pence said Tuesday, reopening a divisive question that puts the president at odds with military and diplomatic advisers and close allies. Pence drew whoops and applause at an event marking the 70th anniversary of the United Nations vote paving the way for establishing the state of Israel when he contrasted the Trump administrations stance on the embassy to that of past U.S. administrations. While for the past 20 years, Congress and successive administrations have expressed a willingness to move our embassy, as we speak, President Donald Trump is actively considering when and how to move the American Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Pence said. In 1995, Congress mandated that the embassy be relocated from Tel Aviv, the commercial hub of Israel, to Jerusalem, located in a disputed territory. Each president since has deferred the move, citing national security risks. Trump did the same in June, setting aside a campaign promise to immediately order the relocation. He acted, reluctantly, on advice from Cabinet heads, Jordanian King Abdullah II and others who argued the move could ignite violence among Palestinians and their supporters who claim part of Jerusalem as a future capital. At the time, the White House said a move could jeopardize nascent administration efforts to restart Mideast peace talks. [Trump defers embassy move but says he remains committed to it] Trump faces another deadline on Friday to say what he will do about the embassy, and Pences remark suggests the president may move ahead with a relocation plan. On June 1, Trump signed a waiver blocking the embassy move for six months. He faces another deadline on the waiver on Dec. 1. Pence did not mention the upcoming deadline, which comes about two weeks before he will visit Israel and deliver an address to the Knesset. Trump visited Israel in May. The commemoration placed Pence before an enthusiastic crowd that included Trump backer Ronald Lauder and other prominent conservative Jewish New Yorkers. Lauder reminded the crowd that he has known Trump, a native New Yorker, for decades. The events backstory, however, is a reminder of the overwhelmingly liberal and raucously tribal political climate of New York City. The Queens Museum, site of the 1947 U.N. vote, had agreed to hold the commemoration in June but balked in August in a confusing episode that included accusations of anti-Semitism against the museum and its director. The museum reversed the cancellation after reviewing whether the event met the tax-exempt institutions guidelines. Queens lawmakers, however, have continued to criticize museum director Laura Raicovich. Two have called for her removal. We are deeply committed to all the communities we serve through our meaningful arts programming and we are looking forward to making this a successful event, the museums Board of Trustees chair, Mark Coleman, said in a statement in August. The museum closed on the day of the Trump-Pence inauguration in solidarity with an artist strike against what organizers called the intolerance of the incoming Republican administration. Raicovich has tweeted criticism of Trumps policies on immigration and other issues. She was not part of the program Tuesday, and there was no mention of the event on the museums events Web page. Pence said nothing about that controversy, but noted to applause that the United States has taken a tougher line in support of Israel at the United Nations. The days of Israel-bashing at the United Nations are over, he said, echoing a line that U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley uses frequently. The world body has too often countenanced anti-Semitism and hatred, Pence charged. The U.S. ambassador to Israel, former Trump bankruptcy lawyer David Friedman, also recently reiterated the administrations commitment to moving the U.S. Embassy, telling a pro-Israel audience here earlier this month that the move is not a question of if; it is a question of when. [Trump policy on Israel evolving in somewhat surprising ways] As a candidate, Trump had vowed to treat Israel with greater respect than he claimed President Obama had. Trump said one example of his new approach would be to finally override concerns about the embassy move that he cast as overly cautious. No one should consider this step to be in any way a retreat from the Presidents strong support for Israel and for the United States-Israel alliance, a White House statement about the June 1 deferral said. The embassy, along with those of many other nations, was built in Tel Aviv as a signal that the United States was not taking a position on the future status of Jerusalem. Although the United States considers Jerusalem the Israeli capital, its official position for decades has been that the Israeli occupation of East Jerusalem is illegitimate and that the citys status should be resolved through negotiations. In his address Tuesday, Pence said the United States is committed to a peace settlement, but made no mention of where that long-deferred goal stands. The effort has been led by Trump son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner, and special adviser Jason D. Greenblatt. As president, Trump has softened U.S. language dealing with Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, but also asked Israel to refrain from building further in the region to improve the climate for peace talks. Casting his campaign as a "spiritual battle" against "the immorality of our time," Alabama Republican Roy Moore vowed Monday to "take off the gloves" in the final weeks of his Senate race so he can establish a clear contrast with his Democratic opponent. Im a fighter. I dont hesitate to say that. Ive been that way my whole life, Moore told more than 100 supporters at his first public event since Nov. 16. My opponent will allow our Constitution to be totally undermined and disregarded. And I oppose that. Moore's campaign has been rocked by accusations from local women who have come forward over the past month to say he treated them inappropriately, including a woman who says he touched her sexually when she was 14 and he was 32. Moore, 70, has denied any sexual misconduct, while saying he may have dated teenagers in his 30s. National Republican leaders, with the exception of President Trump, have dropped support for Moore, with many, including Sen. Richard C. Shelby (Ala.), Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.), describing the allegations as credible. [Trump offers support for Moore despite misconduct allegations] In his remarks Monday, Moore cast the allegations in biblical terms, saying they demonstrated the end-of-time deceptions of ancient prophecy. In the last days, perilous times shall come, Moore said, quoting from the book of Timothy. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection . . . trucebreakers, false accusers. To calls of amen from the crowd, Moore said the allegations were a plot by his political enemies. A new television ad by his campaign that debuted Monday described the accusations as a scheme by liberal Democrats and the Republican establishment to protect their big-government trough. The ad features pictures of McConnell, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.). Moore returned repeatedly to the record of his opponent, Doug Jones, reading to the crowd a long passage from a recent interview to argue that the Democrat is out of step with the people of Alabama on judges, abortion, immigration, Obamacare and other issues. I oppose transgender rights, Moore said. I dont believe Christians hate anybody. I dont hate anybody. But I do hate sin. [For some evangelicals, a choice between Moore and morality] Bill Armistead, Moores campaign chairman, said Moores closing strategy is to refocus the race on the issues and away from the allegations. He is going to define who he is and what he stands for and what his opponent stands for, Armistead said. And its going to be a clear distinction. Moore took no questions from journalists or members of the audience, and he did not stay after his remarks to shake hands. But attendees, several of whom wore Make America Great Again hats, said as they left the event that they were proud to support him. Chuck Ellis, a state trooper from Albertville, first met Moore in 1982, when Moore interviewed him as part of his application to West Point. The person I met then is the same person I just heard speak, Ellis said. My job that I do depends on being able to read folks. I feel that he is being honest. At times, Moore was unmistakably candid with the crowd. After introducing his family, he made clear that they were tired of the campaign. There are 14 days left until the general election, Moore said. We have been ready for the end for a while. Native American groups have long objected to President Trumps use of the nickname Pocahontas to deride one of his political foes, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.). But even at a White House event specifically intended to honor the World War II Navajo code talkers the heroic Native Americans who helped the U.S. Marines send coded messages in the Pacific Theater Trump couldnt resist. I just want to thank you because youre very, very special people, Trump said Monday afternoon, speaking to a small group of code talkers. You were here long before any of us were here. Although we have a representative in Congress who, they say, was here a long time ago. They call her Pocahontas. Trumps reference unrelated to the ceremony and widely considered an offensive racial slur seemed to catch the code talkers off-guard, prompting polite smiles and silence. The scene played out in front of a portrait of President Andrew Jackson, who signed into law the Indian Removal Act. Mihio Manus, a spokesman for the president and vice president of the Navajo Nation, said that while were very appreciative of President Trump honoring the code talkers first and foremost, he thought Trumps comments about Warren were inappropriate. A portrait of President Andrew Jackson is displayed as a Navajo World War II veteran speaks during an event honoring Native American code talkers at the White House. (Oliver Contreras/Bloomberg News) Its unfortunate that President Trump would refer to Sen. Elizabeth Warren as Pocahontas in a joking way, Manus said. Pocahontas, although she wasnt Navajo, definitely was a historical figure in the foundation of this nation who is misrepresented in history. And so we as the Navajo Nation dont feel any member of any tribal nation should be used as the punchline of a joke. When asked about the Jackson portrait, Manus said, Its unfortunate. On Tuesday, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), a Vietnam War veteran and frequent critic of the president, similarly expressed dismay at Trumps comments. Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to the Navajo Code Talkers, whose bravery, skill & tenacity helped secure our decisive victory over tyranny & oppression during WWII, he wrote on Twitter. Politicizing these genuine American heroes is an insult to their sacrifice. [Why Donald Trump calls Elizabeth Warren Pocahontas] Trumps feud with Warren developed during 2016 presidential campaign, where Warren took to social media to mock and needle Trump, calling him everything from a loser to a xenophobic bully. In response, Trump quickly seized upon Warrens claims of Cherokee and Delaware Indian ancestry, which were a flash point in her Senate race in 2012, and coined a belittling nickname Pocahontas. On Monday, after the Pocahontas quip, Trump put his hand on one of the Navajo guests and said: But you know what, I like you because you are special. You are special people. Sen. Elizabeth Warren D-Mass.) addresses the 2017 Center for American Progress Ideas Conference in May. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post) Warren chastised the president for his language in an interview with The Washington Post. This was supposed to be a ceremony honoring war heroes, Warren said. All he had to do was smile and thank them for their incredible service. But he couldnt make it through the ceremony without throwing in a racial slur. He thinks hes going to shut me up? Its not going to work. Asked about Trumps comments at the daily news briefing, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said that being offensive or using a racial slur was certainly not the presidents intent, and instead she sought to blame Warren. I think what most people find offensive is Senator Warren lying about her heritage to advance her career, Sanders said. I think that Senator Warren was very offensive when she lied about something specifically to advance her career. Sanders ignored a shouted question about the Jackson painting as she exited the briefing room. [Donald Trumps long history of clashes with Native Americans] Laura Tohe, the daughter of a Navajo code talker and a professor at Arizona State University who has written a book about the heroes, said it is huge that the code talkers were honored at the White House. But, she said she was dismayed by Trumps remarks during the ceremony. The whole idea of using this platform to make a disparaging remark about Senator Warren was inappropriate and disrespectful, Tohe said. Tohes father, who died in 1985, and other young Navajo men were recruited by the Marine Corps to send messages in the Pacific. Japanese cryptographers were unable to decipher the code, which helped the United States. Stephanie Fryberg, a professor of psychology and American Indian studies at the University of Washington, said she was aghast to see the ceremony in front of a portrait of Jackson and to hear Trump say Pocahontas again. Rather than really honoring those veterans he took advantage of their presence to make yet another demeaning remark about Senator Warren, she said. Why invite those honorable men to the White House if you cant treat them with respect? Jacqueline Pata, executive director of the National Congress of American Indians, said only three of the 13 surviving code talkers could make it to the White House. They are in their 90s and were so excited about being able to participate in this event and to be there, she said. Pata said her organization has tried to educate those within the White House about using the name Pocahontas in a derogatory way. The event, she said, was held to honor both Native American History Month and Veterans Day. Pata said she is concerned that the presidents remarks will overshadow the enormous contribution the code talkers made to American history. They turned the tide in the war, she said. Its well-documented that they made the difference, and I dont want us to forget that. James Hohmann and John Wagner contributed to this report. President Trumps rocky relationship with Capitol Hill faces a crucial test Tuesday in a meeting with top Republican and Democratic congressional leaders that could edge the government closer to a year-end bipartisan fiscal deal or a federal shutdown. Leaders in both parties spent Monday preparing to make their case to an unpredictable president who abruptly sided with Democrats the last time he sat down with top leaders. Ahead of the meeting with House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.), Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), there were unresolved questions about how much more money the federal government may spend in the coming years plus pressing concerns regarding immigration and health care. With government funding scheduled to dry up on Dec. 8, both sides have floated the possibility of passing a short-term plan that would push negotiations until just before Christmas. Currently, Congress may spend no more than $549 billion for defense programs and $516 billion for non-defense programs next year, a cut from current levels. But the Trump administration and defense hawks want to boost defense spending to more than $600 billion, and Democrats are demanding a dollar-for-dollar increase in non-defense spending. In a sign of how serious Republicans are about boosting Pentagon spending, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is expected to attend the meeting, according to aides. White House legislative affairs director Marc Short said that the West Wing is anxious to find a path forward on budget caps that would pave the way for a long-term government spending bill. He said the president will listen to both sides in the meeting but will stick to such priorities as the need to rebuild the military. In an interview Monday, Short declined to get ahead of Trump on the issue of dreamers, or young undocumented immigrants brought to the United States by their parents. But Short did not sound open to meeting the demands some Democrats are pushing to offer permanent protections to that population. Leader Schumer has had many comments in the past about why we should not attach policy riders to spending bills, Short said. Schumer warned Republicans last year that adding unrelated policy issues to spending legislation poison pill riders in congressional parlance would lead to Democratic opposition and that Republicans would be obstructing if they allow poison pill riders to poison the process. But a year later with Republicans in total control of Washington Schumer and Democrats are insisting on adding such policy issues to the spending bill to win their support. Given that House Republicans have needed Democrats to help pass spending bills in recent years amid opposition from fiscal conservatives and because Senate Democrats can filibuster spending legislation, Schumer and Pelosi believe they have leverage to force a deal. Previewing the meeting on Monday, Schumer cited spending levels, immigration policy and the need to renew programs such as the Childrens Health Insurance Program as top priorities in the closing days of the year. Hopefully we can make progress on an agreement that covers those time-sensitive issues that keeps the government running and working, he said in Senate floor remarks. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer D-N.Y.) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi D-Calif.) address reporters on Nov. 13. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) A senior Democratic aide familiar with planning for the meeting said that Democrats will maintain influence over negotiations in the coming weeks. This meeting wouldnt be happening if they had the votes on their own, said the aide, who was granted anonymity to speak frankly. In the weeks leading up to Trumps last meeting with the top four congressional leaders in September, his frustration with his own partys top officials was boiling over. Senate GOP leaders had just fumbled attempts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, leaving a long-held GOP priority unfulfilled. The meeting yielded an agreement that set up a short-term spending agreement allowing Democrats to crow about how they maintained their negotiating leverage and Republicans to use the ensuing months to work on a bigger priority, tax reform. While many tensions remain raw in the GOP, Trump has sharpened his attacks on Democrats in recent weeks. In the closely watched Alabama Senate race, Trump has warned on social media that voters cant let Schumer/Pelosi win this race, as he has tried to cut into support for Democratic candidate Doug Jones. Among Democrats, there is growing resolve to withhold support for a spending plan that fails to address the fate of dreamers. Trump announced in September that he is ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program that granted temporary legal status to roughly 600,000 young immigrants. He has given Congress until March to enact a permanent fix or risk mass deportations. At least three Democratic senators, Cory Booker (N.J.), Kamala D. Harris (Calif.) and Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), and independent Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.) all of whom are potential Democratic presidential candidates in 2020 have said they would vote against the spending plan if it doesnt include protections for dreamers. Other potential Democratic presidential contenders, including Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.) and Chris Murphy (Conn.), have suggested they might also withhold support. In the House, members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus who account for 28 of the 194 House Democrats are expected to decide by the end of this week whether they will vote no against spending bills without an agreement to protect dreamers, according to caucus members and their aides. If they do, aides expect most if not all members of the congressional Black and Asian and Pacific Islander caucuses to join in opposition. Dozens of other Democrats might also vote no representing more than half of the caucus. Before the Thanksgiving break, aides to top Hispanic Caucus members huddled with senior aides to Pelosi to once again press her to push the issue. Caucus members are also hoping to meet with Schumer on Tuesday before he heads to the White House to convey their concerns, aides said. "At this point, we feel they get it," an aide to a senior Latino lawmaker said about Pelosi and Schumer. But Republicans remain insistent that establishing the parameters of a government spending bill that extends beyond elections next November should be the top priority for Tuesdays meeting. You dont want to have a spending showdown shutdown crisis before the midterms next year. So I think its important for both sides, honestly, to reach that agreement, said Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), a close ally of House GOP leaders. Cole said he expected the president to trust his instincts during the negotiation, and he warned Democrats against holding up a spending bill over pressure to reach an immigration deal. If you try to hold the entire government hostage to a single issue, Cole said, theres a risk of making the same mistake Republicans made in 2013 over Obamacare. Its very apt to backfire. Republican opposition to the Affordable Care Act in 2013 led to a government shutdown that the public widely blamed on the GOP. Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), an outspoken conservative lawmaker, said Monday that he supported Ryan's calls not to include a DACA solution in the spending plan. "Congress should pass single-subject legislation, which maximizes the transparency of our votes to constituents. It would be a grave mistake to add DACA reform to the spending bill," Biggs said in a statement, adding that a separate immigration measure should include money to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Asked what he hoped Tuesday meeting's would yield, Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) told reporters, "I hope a year-end solution, a pathway to making sure you guys are home on Christmas Eve instead of hanging out here with us." Read more at PowerPost Ivanka Trump called Tuesday for greater efforts to help women start businesses and contribute to the global economy, but there was no mention of her companys use of low-wage garment workers. The presidents daughter and White House adviser was scheduled to be in India for two days, dubbed a royal visit by the Indian media. She came without senior State Department officials, a departure from years past when top-level U.S. envoys joined the conference. To some, her appeals for female empowerment contrasted sharply with her own business practices. Trumps apparel company, which she still controls, exclusively relies on foreign factories in places such as Bangladesh, Indonesia, China and India, where mostly female workers are paid a few dollars a day for long hours, industry experts have said. The Washington Post reported this year that the Ivanka Trump company lags behind many others in the industry in the way it monitors treatment of its workers, most of them women. Still, Trump was given a red-carpet welcome in one of Indias tech hubs as Indian business executives and political leaders try to work out the Trump administrations America first trade policies. She headlined an event focused on uplifting and supporting female entrepreneurs, but there was no mention of her apparel companys use of low-wage workers in India and other countries to stitch her clothes. 1 of 68 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad Ivanka Trump: A life in the spotlight View Photos Heres a look at Ivanka Trumps early life of privilege and transformation into a business executive, first daughter and adviser to the U.S. president. Caption Heres a look at Ivanka Trumps early life of privilege and transformation into a business executive, first daughter and adviser to the U.S. president. Yana Paskova Buy Photo Wait 1 second to continue. Entrepreneurs and business leaders praised Trump, describing her as an elegant and professional working mother who built her own business and has been a strong advocate for women. She is a very fierce and independent woman. Thats what I admire about her, said Renuka Diwan, co-founder of an agriculture start-up in Pune. Shes successful in her own right. Nobody has to introduce her as Donald Trumps daughter. She has made a name for herself. [Ivanka Trumps snub: Questions on the women who make her clothing brand] Ivanka Trump shared the dais at the U.S.-sponsored Global Entrepreneurship Summit with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and business leaders, giving a keynote speech that touched on her familiar themes of womens empowerment and supporting entrepreneurship. She touted the Trump administrations work reducing job-crushing regulations that hurt small-business owners, its proposal for paid family leave and her efforts to lobby to pass tax cuts. We must ensure that women entrepreneurs have access to capital, access to networks and mentors, and access to equitable laws, she said. She noted that if India closed the gender gap of its labor force by half, the economy could grow by $150 billion in three years. But moments after her speech, former president Barack Obama confirmed details of his own three-nation trip that will include a meeting this week in New Delhi with Modi on issues such as climate change a clear jab at Trump administration policies such as its intention to withdraw from the international Paris climate accord seeking to limit greenhouse gas emissions. Obama also planned meetings in China and France. Entrepreneurs from more than 100 countries attended the event in Hyderabad, nicknamed Cyberabad because it is home to facilities of such tech companies as Microsoft, Facebook and Google. On Wednesday, Trump is set to appear on a panel titled We Can Do It! Innovations in Workforce Development and Skills Training. President Trump announced that his daughter would be leading the U.S. delegation to the event after a White House meeting with Modi in June. [Before business summit, Hyderabads beggars are swept away] Her visit is seen here as an opportunity for India to cement ties with the Trump administration. But it was shadowed by questions over political maneuverings back home. State Department officials and analysts speculated that the decision to leave her without a high-powered team was a snub by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. On Tuesday, Trump met for the second time with Indias minister of external affairs, Sushma Swaraj, and she was the guest of honor at a glitzy dinner that Modi hosted Tuesday at a hilltop marble palace that once belonged to a Nizam, one of the monarchs who ruled Hyderabad before Indias independence from Britain. In advance of the VIP visit, officials tried to clear the streets of Hyderabad of beggars and even stray dogs. In India, a country of 1.3 billion people, empowering women is particularly challenging, analysts say. The rate of women joining the workforce has dropped, particularly in rural areas, even as incomes have grown. Female entrepreneurs face specific challenges: Only about 14 percent of businesses are headed by women, a third in the agricultural sector. Female business owners have difficulty accessing capital and being taken seriously in a business culture that is male-driven, entrepreneurs say. There are many challenges, said Thejaswi S., a Bangalore-based entrepreneur creating a line of affordably priced nutrition bars and who uses only his second initial. They say: You are female. This is the age you are supposed to get married, not get into business. You are too young to head a company. This is what people say, even in my own family. While more women are attending college than ever before, women are still underrepresented in professional programs like law and management, according to Vijayaraghavan M. Chariar, a professor of rural development and technology at the Indian Institute of Technology in New Delhi. There are a few success stories, but there are very serious issues of patriarchy and gender stereotyping that are preventing a lot more creative women from joining the ranks of entrepreneurs, Chariar said. Trump, he went on, is a nice Barbie doll. Everybody wants to have a picture taken with her. But there are much more substantial women who are entrepreneurs we ought to be celebrating. Trump launched her branded empire in 2007 with a line of high-end jewelry and gradually expanded toward a line of more affordable clothing, bags and shoes that garnered $100 million in retail revenue last year, according to Forbes. Brian Murphy in Washington contributed to this report. A Belgian court announced Tuesday that it had struck down an effort to deport an imam at Belgium's oldest mosque, saying that Belgian immigration authorities had not provided evidence the cleric posed a serious threat to society. The imam, Abdelhadi Sewif, has worked at the Grand Mosque of Brussels for 13 years. The Belgian state secretary for asylum and migration, Theo Francken, accused Sewif of threatening national security as he sought to reject a residence permit renewal. Sewif has denied the charges and said that he was never able to review the evidence against him, because it was classified intelligence material. The decision curbs the efforts Belgian authorities have started to make against the mosque, which is Belgium's largest and is leased by the Belgian government to the Saudi royal family. Belgian lawmakers and counterterrorism officials have raised concerns about the unusual arrangement of foreign control of the mosque, which they say makes it less accountable to national authorities. The Belgian parliamentary committee charged with investigating the causes of the March 22, 2016, bombings of the Brussels airport and subway recommended in October that Belgium break the lease, which was signed in the 1960s as a gesture of goodwill to the country's growing Muslim population. [The mosque is Belgiums biggest. Officials say its a hotbed for extremism.] But Belgian counterterrorism officials have said they have no evidence that the mosques imams have advocated violence or lawbreaking. Tuesdays announcement from the court, which followed a formal Friday court decision, said that authorities failed to provide specific evidence that Sewif was a danger to security. Authorities must demonstrate how the personal conduct of the person concerned concretely constitutes present, real and sufficiently serious threat as to affect the fundamental interest of society. Such a proof cannot be based on mere speculation or general considerations, the immigration court wrote in announcing its decision. The existence of such a threat is not demonstrated in this case. Sewif denied the charges against him in an interview last month, saying he had always advocated an inclusive vision of Islam. On Tuesday, Sewifs lawyer said the imam welcomed the ruling. We are happy about the decision, said Hicham Chibane, the lawyer. Imam Sewif is a person of dialogue, a tolerant person. Although the ruling halts the effort to force Sewif to leave the country, it remains unclear whether Belgian immigration authorities will seek to expel the cleric using different reasoning. Sewifs residence permit expired over the course of the court procedures. We are analyzing the court decision, and after that we can decide on the next steps to take, said Katrien Jansseune, a spokeswoman for Francken. Read more Frustrated foreign leaders bypass Washington in search of blue-state allies Europeans approve defense pact in bid to reduce dependence on U.S. Belgian woman killed in New York terrorist attack was the most beautiful mom Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news Store owner Ahmet Demir describes the events inside his kebab stand, where Altena Mayor Andreas Hollstein was attacked in Altena, Germany, on Nov. 27. (Hufnage/Epa-Efe/Rex/Shutterstock) A German mayor who has won accolades for his welcoming approach to refugees was recovering Tuesday after being stabbed in the neck in an attack that authorities said was politically motivated. Andreas Hollstein, a member of Chancellor Angela Merkels conservative Christian Democratic Union, was at a kebab shop in the west German town of Altena on Monday evening when a man asked whether he was the mayor, shouted criticism of his asylum policies and then lunged with a foot-long blade. Hollstein was treated at a hospital and released. At a news conference Tuesday, he credited the kebab shop owner, Abdullah Demir, as well as Demirs wife and son, with helping to save his life. Im sure that if they hadnt reacted like that, I wouldnt be alive now, Hollstein said, his neck wrapped in bandages. Demir, who is of Turkish origin, told the German tabloid Bild that the mayor had just ordered a Turkish kebab sandwich when the perpetrator, who appeared to be drunk, confronted him. I myself am hungry and thirsty, the assailant said, according to Demir, while the mayor keeps bringing more refugees. Armin Laschet, the state premier of North Rhine-Westphalia, said security officials think the attacker, who was taken into custody, had a political motive. Merkel tweeted Tuesday that she was outraged by the knife attack on Mayor Andreas Hollstein, and very relieved that he is able to be back with his family. Thanks also to those who helped him. Tweeted Justice Minister Heiko Maas: We must never accept attacks on people who are just helping others. The attack comes at a time of growing concern about right-wing violence in Germany, two years after the European refugee crisis brought more than 1 million newcomers to the country. The German daily Tagesspiegel reported this year that authorities had a list of more than 12,000 potentially violent right-wing extremists, significantly more than a year prior. The Interior Ministry said it had nearly 600 outstanding arrest warrants for right-wing offenders. In September, Alternative for Germany became the first far-right party to win seats in the German Parliament in more than half a century, having campaigned on an anti-Muslim, anti-migrant platform. Monday nights attack on Hollstein echoed the stabbing two years ago of Henriette Reker, who was campaigning at the time to be mayor of Cologne, Germanys fourth-largest city. Like Hollstein, Reker was stabbed in the neck in what authorities described as a backlash against her pro-immigrant stance. Reker, a Merkel ally, recovered from the attack and won the election days later. In June 2016, on the eve of Britains Brexit vote, pro-refugee British lawmaker Jo Cox was shot and stabbed to death by a far-right extremist. Hollsteins town, Altena, is in a pretty but relatively poor area on the banks of the Lenne River, about 50 miles northeast of Cologne. The town of 17,000 has struggled in recent years as factories have closed and the population has dwindled. But amid the refugee crisis as Syrians, Iraqis, Afghans and others driven from their homes by war fled to Germany Hollstein was adamant that the town would do more than its share. It took in 350 people, as mandated by higher-level authorities, then accepted 100 more. Altena has received national awards for its efforts to integrate the refugees, including a town-run database that tracks newcomers skills and attempts to match them to jobs. Local media outlets reported that Hollstein said Tuesday that because of his welcoming attitude, he has been the target of frequent abuse, receiving anonymous emails soaked in hate. Even after the attack, Hollstein, who is in his mid-50s, said he had received messages saying that the attacker had done the right thing. My interest is in looking after the towns interests, he said. Thats what drives me. Luisa Beck contributed to this report. Read more: Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta waves to supporters Tuesday upon his arrival to take the oath of office at the Kasarani stadium in Nairobi. (Simon Maina/AFP/Getty Images/AFP/Getty Images) Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta was sworn in for a second term Tuesday amid the thunderous applause of supporters even as pro-government forces fired on protesters angered by the contentious election process that kept him in power. The inauguration capped an incredibly fraught few months for Kenya that saw an election whose results were annulled, weeks of unrest, an opposition boycott and, finally, a new election that gave Kenyatta 98 percent of the vote, but with a turnout of less than 40 percent. As Kenyatta was sworn in, police across town opened fire on opposition demonstrators, with reports of at least one dead. An impromptu rally later by opposition leader Raila Odinga was hit by tear gas, forcing his abrupt retreat to his vehicle. Kenyatta took the oath on the same Bible used by his father Kenyas first president, Jomo Kenyatta in 1964, and the capacity crowd erupted into cheers in the 60,000-seat Kasarani stadium decked out in the red and gold of Kenyattas party. Regional heads of state looked on, including the leaders of Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda and South Sudan. In his speech, Kenyatta noted that the past few months have been a trying time but assured the country that the elections are now firmly behind us. So many people tried to push into the stadium for the event that police fired tear gas outside the venue to control the crowd. This is the day that we have been waiting for. Its finally here. Our God had done this for us. The elections have tormented and almost destroyed our country. We hope that this will be the beginning of a new chapter, said Marvin Muriithi Munyua, 30, a businessman. Lets now focus on our country. [Opinion: Dear Kenya, dont repeat the mistakes of Rwanda] The extended election season, stretching from August until the inauguration, exacerbated the deep divisions in Kenya. Support for Kenyatta and his opponent, Odinga, broke along ethnic lines. The business community also backed Odinga, while many in more-marginalized regions turned to Odinga to try to stem the endemic corruption in the country. Odinga attempted to stage a parallel prayer rally during the inauguration for those killed in election-related violence. Some 70 people are estimated to have died in confrontations with police over the past few months. The government declared the rally illegal and blocked the roads leading to an area known as the Jacaranda grounds, preventing it from taking place. Residents of the area said police used live fire to disperse protesters. The residents held up spent cartridges as evidence that gunfire had been used. At least one body could be seen, and the opposition placed the overall death toll as high as five. This figure could not be independently verified. The crowd chanted Uhuru must go and Thief. Odinga supporters barricaded streets in the neighborhood with stones and said the forces attacking them were the Mungiki, a pro-government gang, rather than police. They are following people into the houses and killing them, said one man, who did not provide his name amid the chaos of chanting protesters. This is not the country we are going to live in. . . . This is more than a dictatorship. Before his convoy was hit by tear gas, Odinga spoke briefly to supporters, telling them that Kenyatta is not the president of Kenya and promising that he himself would be sworn in as president Dec. 12. Odinga withdrew from the Oct. 26 election rerun, saying nothing had been done to address the problems that led the first set of election results to be annulled. Within hours of Kenyattas victory, Odinga said his party, the National Super Alliance, would be transformed into a resistance movement that would use civil disobedience and boycotts to target the government and its corporate backers. Kenya is East Africas most diverse and richest economy, but the election turmoil has harmed economic growth. Paul Schemm in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, contributed to this report. Read more: Kenya president scores massive win in election rerun that most boycotted Kenya election rerun marred by clashes, low turnout Kenyas Supreme Court annuls presidential election, orders new vote Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news A man collects the belongings of victims from a Rawda mosque on Nov. 25, a day after the mosque was attacked in the Egyptian village. ( Stringer/Epa-Efe/Rex/Shutterstock) Before their village became a killing field, it was a sanctuary. Many of the 305 people slaughtered at a mosque in the village of Rawda on Friday had moved there to escape clashes between the Islamic State and Egyptian security forces elsewhere in Egypts Sinai Peninsula, witnesses said. The village had become sort of a motherland to its mostly Sufi Muslim residents, who saw safety in numbers. But in recent months, the militants had chased down the displaced to Rawda. They repeatedly ordered the Sufis to give up their rituals or face death. The community reported the threats to the military, villagers said, but no added protection arrived. So the residents erected four-foot-high sand barriers around the mosque and nearby roads in a futile effort to protect themselves. After the threats, we were expecting an attack, but not something so savage, said Yussef Mustafa, 37, a government employee who lost three brothers in the assault. The massacre in Rawda highlights the vulnerability of communities trapped in a conflict between Egyptian security forces and one of the Islamic State's most virulent affiliates. The attack, the deadliest in Egypt's modern history, is the latest sign of the government's inability to contain a spreading insurgency that is becoming more brazen and ambitious. No group has asserted responsibility for Fridays bloodshed. But the Islamic State affiliate known as Wilayat Sinai is active in the area, and witnesses said some of the attackers carried a black Islamic State flag. Wilayat Sinai has long relied on the sympathies of disaffected Sinai tribes ignored by the government and drawn its leaders and fighters from local communities. But particularly striking in Friday's attack was that most of the victims belonged to a clan of one of the most powerful tribes in the Sinai. That suggests an important shift for the group: Even though most of the leadership still hails from the Sinai, its membership now includes many more outsiders with no ties to the region, analysts and residents said. Membership has been bolstered by returnees who fought with the Islamic State, also known as ISIS, in Syria and Iraq, according to Zack Gold, a nonresident fellow at the Washington-based Atlantic Council. These outside fighters even if Egyptians, theyre foreign to North Sinai dont care about tribal interests and red lines, he said. Fridays carnage was part of a broader shift toward sectarianism for the Islamic State branch, both in the Sinai and on the Egyptian mainland. While sectarian attacks have been a hallmark of militants tactics in Syria and Iraq, they have gained prominence in Egypt only within the past year. In the past, the Islamic State attacked mostly soldiers and police. But more recently, the militants have targeted the country's Coptic Christian minority with devastating bombings of churches in Cairo, Alexandria and other cities, as well as assassinations, forcing thousands of Christians to flee the Sinai. The Rawda mosque attack and other high-casualty incidents afford the Islamic State the media attention that it seeks, delegitimize the efforts of the Egyptian government and further the groups global sectarian ambitions, said Jacob Greene, a research associate at the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy. [Analysis: Trump says attack in Egypt proves U.S. needs border wall with Mexico. Is he right?] The Sufis of Rawda understood their precarious existence. They believe in a moderate brand of Islam that promotes tolerance and pluralism. But the Islamic State and other Sunni extremists have long considered Sufism as heretical. In Mali, Pakistan and elsewhere, the Islamic State has targeted Sufi mosques and shrines. In November 2016, the Islamic State kidnapped and beheaded Sulaiman Abu Haraz, a prominent Sufi cleric believed to have been 100 years old. The Islamic State accused him of practicing witchcraft. In a photo released by the militants, a masked man in black attire is seen wielding a large, curved sword behind the head of the cleric, who was associated with the Rawda mosque. One of Harazs students was also executed. In an Islamic State magazine interview two months later, a senior militant commander in the Sinai identified Rawda, and the district where its located, as one of three Sufi areas the group hoped to eradicate. The commander said that Sufis deserve to be killed if they dont repent and accused them of collaborating with the oppressor. Egyptian military personnel passed through the area and at times conducted operations but never stayed. And they never came during Friday prayers, the main religious gathering of the week that always attracted hundreds of villagers, residents said. Meanwhile, Islamic State fighters were moving closer to the village, which is on the northern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, west of the provincial capital Arish. The conflict is a deadly game of cat and mouse where Egyptian forces are fighting with tanks, armored vehicles and other conventional weapons, and Islamic State fighters stage hit-and-run attacks, mostly on army checkpoints and outposts. Military operations had pushed the group out of the central Sinai and toward Arish. But in recent months, the fighters have moved west toward the mountains near Rawda, according to residents and local journalists. Two weeks ago, an Islamic State member distributed leaflets in the village ordering Sufi scholars to stop heretical actions, according to two local journalists. So the people closed the main road leading to the mosque, said Mohamed Elhor, one of the journalists. But villagers continued their daily lives. [As Egypt grieves after massacre, security forces ramp up strikes on militants] Khalid Soleiman, 22, and his large extended Sufi family arrived nearly two years ago after clashes broke out between militants and the military in the Bedouin town of Sheikh Zuweid, southeast of Arish. It was unsafe to live there, said Soleiman, who is studying to be a pharmacist. Last Friday, he was on his way to the mosque for the traditional Juma prayer. Hundreds of men and boys had gathered inside and outside the building. Women were not present, as is typical in many conservative communities. As Soleiman approached the mosque, more than two dozen militants arrived in several pickups. Some fanned out and gunned down panicked worshipers, while others entered the mosque to kill more. The microphone inside was on during the carnage. We could hear people scream, recalled Soleiman, who hid behind a house. I could hear the militants yell: Kill them all. Young and old. Dont spare anyone. Soleiman tried to escape from the house. But as he ran, a bullet grazed his leg. He took cover inside a chicken coop of another house. Some of the gunmen executed the wounded and anyone who tried to surrender. Others set cars on fire. Most of the fighters, he said, had Egyptian accents. Some had reddish beards, he said, suggesting to him that they were foreigners. Roughly a half-hour later, the gunmen jumped into their vehicles and sped into the mountainsThe first body Soleiman found at the mosque was his uncle. He would find the bodies of 17 more relatives. By some estimates, at least a quarter of the male population of Rawda is dead. There is no future for the village, Soleiman said. Unless we wait for the children to grow up and start their own families. Louisa Loveluck contributed to this report. Read more: Christians flee Sinai Peninsula in fear of Egypts Islamic State affiliate Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday accused Russia of using malicious tactics against the United States and European allies, including election interference, poisoning relations to a low reminiscent of the Cold War. In a speech at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, Tillerson cited a litany of Russias bad behavior, including invasions of neighboring Georgia and Ukraine, its energy policy, cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns to undermine democratic elections. He said the countrys actions are not the behaviors of a responsible nation. Our transatlantic unity is meant to convey to the Russian government that we will not stand for this flagrant violation of democratic norms, Tillerson said of Russias continued support for separatists in eastern Ukraine. U.S. sanctions put in place to punish Russia over annexing Crimea and its involvement in Ukraine, he said, will remain in place until Russia reverses the actions that triggered them. Tillerson called attempts to reset relations between Moscow and Washington elusive. I told Russia, were never going to get the relationship back to normal until we address Ukraine, said Tillerson, who was awarded Russias Order of Friendship while he ran ExxonMobil. It just sits there as an obstacle. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had harsh words for Russia during a speech at the Wilson Center, a think tank. (AP Photo/Sait Serkan Gurbuz) ) [Europeans approve defense pact in bid to reduce dependence on U.S.] The stern language Tillerson employed against Russia came in a speech that was meant to soothe worried Europeans in advance of his trip to the continent next week. Many allies remain uncertain about the Trump administration's commitments to their security, even though President Trump has softened his positions since early in his term when he questioned whether NATO countries were pulling their weight in defending themselves. Our security commitments to Europe are ironclad, Tillerson said, calling the NATO treatys mutual defense commitment the best mechanism we have to deter aggression. He said the United States will be the first to respond if a NATO ally is attacked, as Europe supported the United States after the terrorist attacks on the Pentagon and World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. But Tillerson also echoed Trumps insistence that NATO nations must increase their defense spending to 2 percent of their budgets. Tillerson acknowledged the harsh reviews that accompanied Trumps criticism of NATO spending and priorities, but he suggested it drove the point home. The presidents message was that we are committed to the alliance; you need to get as committed to it as we are. [Trump says Putin sincere in denial of Russian meddling] In his remarks about Russia, Tillerson expressed a harder line than the president he serves. Trump has repeatedly questioned whether Russia was involved in leaked emails and the spread of false, often conspiratorial articles that permeated many websites before last year's election. Russia has often employed malicious tactics against the United States and Europe to drive us apart, weaken our confidence and undermine our economic successes since the end of the Cold War, Tillerson said. In his visit to Europe next week, Tillerson said he plans to stress the importance of historical alliances and underscore that the United States cannot confront all of the threats it faces on its own. These alliances were forged in shared blood and shared sacrifices unlike many of our adversaries, who can count their allies on less than the fingers on one hand, he said. Tillerson singled out one NATO ally whose relationship with the United States has grown strained: Turkey. The presidents of Turkey, Iran and Russia met recently to discuss ways to advance peace in Syria, and the three regional neighbors have grown closer. Tillerson allowed that Turkey cannot ignore Iran and Russia but suggested Ankara give more priority to its NATO allies. Iran and Russia cannot offer the Turkish people the economic benefits that the West can, he said. Donald D. Lawrence Audio Article Friends and family of Compatriot Donald D. Lawrence are deeply saddened to announce his passing on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022,... Guadalupe Lupe Campos Audio Article Guadalupe Lupe Campos of La Vernia, Texas, passed away in his home on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022. Lupe was born... Manuel A. Acevedo Audio Article Manuel A. Acevedo passed away in San Antonio, Texas, on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022, at the age of 76 years... Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 27/11/2017 (1816 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A decision by Caisse Financial Group to close eight of its 27 branches in tiny communities is a clear shot at rural Manitoba francophones, a municipal politician in the southeast corner of the province says. I just feel the French community is being discriminated against, said David Beaudry, a councillor in the RM of Piney, where South Junction Caisse Populaire will close its doors March 1. Caisse Financial, which is headquartered in Winnipeg, mailed out letters earlier this month to members of the eight branches informing them of the closures. None of them have ATMs in branches or anywhere else for area customers to continue banking. RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Caisse Populaire at 205 Provencher Blvd. The lone ATM in South Junction just north of the Canada-U.S. border about an hour east of Steinbach is at a gas bar-convenience store and a $3 fee is added to each transaction. The ATM at the Access Credit Union in Sprague, 12 km east, was removed a year ago. That means an extra $3 charge for every withdrawal, a 12 km drive to Sprague during business hours. The only other option is a two-hour round trip to the nearest Caisse Financial branch in La Broquerie. Caisses populaires are, essentially, francophone versions of credit unions, and there has been one in the RM of Piney for nearly 80 years, Beaudry said. This is how the caisses came to the area in the first place, he said. They were designed to help the French community. Theyre walking away from one of the basic things that brought them here. Caisse Financial Group CEO Joel Rondeau said the smallest of its 27 branches are being closed because of reduced activity. The eight branches amount to a very small percentage of the companys assets, he said. At some point, you cant justify the service for that volume of business, he said. As we all know, how people do their financial transactions is evolving and changing. More transactions are being done by phone or the internet. But Beaudry said the southeast part of the province still relies heavily on cash transactions. Everybody has to pay cash, he said. We have a farmers market. Thats all cash. The president of the Piney Regional Chamber of Commerce said the community was caught off guard by the decision because it has experienced growth in recent years as a result of increased industrial activity and population growth. People were blindsided, Jonathon Prevost said, adding he expects most people will switch their accounts over to Access Credit Union in Sprague, rather than deal with the onerous inconvenience. We were seeing positive things, and then this happens. In addition to South Junction, branches are closing in Richer, St. Joseph, Letellier, Marquette, St. Leon, Rathwell, and Haywood. Rondeau said the branches performed counter services such as deposits, withdrawals and bill payments but no lending, investing or financial planning services. Credit unions close individual branches when they are no longer financially sustainable, said John Hamilton, spokesman for Credit Union Central of Manitoba. However, Hamilton could not recall in recent memory so many being shuttered at one time. Caisse Financial is an associate member of Credit Union Central but manages its own affairs. Caisse Financial Group wouldnt give specific numbers for the branches marked for closure but Rondeau said they have only a few hundred members each. The RM of Montcalm, which snakes along Highway 75, will lose caisse populaires in St. Joseph and Letellier. Its sad to see these places close in small towns but its the reality in this day and age, said Montcalm Reeve Derek Sabourin, adding he wishes Caisse Financial had included members in their decision-making process. People in Letellier will have to travel 16 km to the next nearest caisse populaire in St. Jean Baptiste, and people in St. Joseph will have to travel 22 km. Sabourin said Letellier has a population of about 200 people and St. Joseph, about 75. bill.redekop@freepress.mb.ca Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 28/11/2017 (1815 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Red River College now has two new Indigenous language courses open for registration and the college says teaching Indigenous languages is key to its role in reconciliation. The courses will focus on teaching Anishinaabemowin language and culture through both western classroom teaching and traditional oral teaching methods. Language and culture is such an integral part of our identity and our sense of self, wrote Rebecca Chartrand, RRCs executive director of Indigenous strategy, in a press release. The introductory course rolls out in February 2018, and the level 1 course rolls out in the spring. The two courses are part of a partnership between the colleges Continuing Education program and its Schools of Indigenous Education program. Although the courses are open to everyone, the main focus is to teach K-12 educators Indigenous language and culture a key point of the Manitoba Indigenous Education Blueprint, an agreement between Manitobas public school boards and post-secondary institutions signed in 2015 in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions (TRC) 2015 report. The second point of the 10-point document is bringing Indigenous knowledge, languages and intellectual traditions, models and approaches into curriculum. In the education section of the 2015 report, the TRC called on post-secondary institutions to help preserve and promote Indigenous languages by creating new credit courses. The course curriculums were developed with RRC and Seven Oaks, Louis Riel and Winnipeg School Divisions. erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 28/11/2017 (1815 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Music students at the University of Manitoba have been given academic credit to learn about sexual assault in the wake of sexual harassment allegations against disgraced former jazz studies professor Steve Kirby. The Winnipeg school confirmed all students enrolled in its faculty of music received a concert credit if they attended a special noon-hour session Sept. 13 to learn about its respectful work and learning policy and its sexual-assault policy. As well, the university held a similar presentation Sept. 11 for students sitting on the facultys student association. Travis Ross / Winnipeg Free Press Files Portrait of Steve Kirby, former director of Jazz Studies at the University of Manitoba. The special sessions werent known at the time, but some details about them are contained in a report to the U of Ms board of governors from university president David Barnard for its meeting Nov. 21. In the report, Barnard wrote the universitys human rights and conflict management officer, along with its director of student advocacy and accessibility, held two presentations Sept. 11 and 13. The students received concert credit for attending the sessions and case scenarios were included in all sessions. According to the music facultys undergraduate student handbook, music students have to attend a minimum of 30 concerts during the academic year to not be docked marks. The handbook says a maximum of 10 of the concert credits must be gained by attending professional concerts, including those given by organizations such as the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Royal Winnipeg Ballet and Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra. The handbook also says a minimum of 20 of the concert credits must be accumulated by attending midday recitals, student credit recitals, University of Manitoba ensemble performances, or the Wednesday Night Hang. The handbook does not address receiving a concert credit for attending any other type of session. Students are told if they dont get to the minimum number of concert credits, it will affect their final mark by a full letter grade meaning an A mark would drop to a B. As well, Barnard told the board of governors professors in the music faculty were also given a workshop on the two policies during their faculty retreat Sept. 9. University spokesman John Danakas said the sessions and numerous meetings in the weeks after with students on the facultys student association are because the university is committed to a respectful environment. The university condemns sexual harassment. The university wants to ensure we provide the best environment for students, he said Monday. Danakas said the concert credit was given for the session as an encouragement to attend. When asked why the university would issue a concert credit for a non-concert, Danakas said: The concert credit was earned most of the students (in the faculty) were in attendance. It was a good beginning session. The program encourages engagement. The faculty leadership felt it was important to recognize the high level of engagement demonstrated by the students. These are matters that are taken seriously by the university and it is important to the university that student voices are listened to and help inform policies moving forward. Kirby quietly retired from the U of M in June, after sexual-harassment allegations had come forward. His departure only became public when the Free Press reported on it. Kirby, who spent 14 years as a professor in the universitys jazz studies program, left after a female student complained to the institution he had sexually harassed her, along with a later investigation into the allegations which the school later found had merit. Shortly after, it was confirmed Kirby had been hired by the prestigious Berklee School of Music in Boston to teach music composition. However, after the Free Press brought the past allegations to Berklees attention, Kirby was suspended following an investigation. Earlier this month, the investigation concluded and Kirby was fired. After the allegations became known, Daniel Jordan, a member of the Winnipeg folk trio Red Moon Road, told the Free Press he had been bullied by Kirby while enrolled in the universitys music program. As a protest against what he believes is an inadequate apology by the university to the female students reportedly harassed by Kirby, Jordan returned his music degree. As well, jazz pianist and composer Michelle Gregoire, who grew up in Manitoba and spent the first decades of her music career in the province, told the Free Press the reason she uprooted her life and career to go Calgary was due to bullying by Kirby. My impression was my gender was an issue for him, she said earlier this month. He clearly saw me as a female It was clear to me he could not look past my gender and that may be why he bullied me. Gregoire said the bullying included character assassination and belittling her, but did not involve anything sexual. kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 27/11/2017 (1816 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The host of a local radio show criticized for promoting anti-Semitic conspiracy theories on-air has resigned from the CKUW board of directors, according to a spokesman for the station. Nonetheless, the station has left open the possibility that the host April Cherpaw may return to programming on-air should she meet specific conditions. We acknowledge that the programming in question was unacceptable, and we are deeply sorry to those offended by the broadcast in question, the station wrote in a letter to Bnai Brith Canada Jewish service organization. JEN DOERKSEN / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES A volunteer radio station host and board member of CKUW has resigned after airing a show featuring an interview with a guest promoting anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. Cherpaw tendered her resignation last Tuesday. April has otherwise had a positive history with CKUW. In no way does this excuse the unacceptable radio programming produced on Nov. 11; rather, it leads us to believe that she is capable of being a better ambassador of our station. CKUW 95.9 FM drew criticism following the Nov. 11 episode of the weekly show Where Angels Fear to Tread. During the broadcast Cherpaw interviewed Toronto conspiracy theorist Sydney White, who promoted various anti-Semitic conspiracy theories and tropes. Cherpaw introduced White as a veteran reporter and investigative journalist. White claimed Israelis gassed and cremated the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks and accused American-Jewish businessman Larry Silverstein of profiting billions on the massacre. She went on to say Jewish bankers were responsible for funding the Russian Revolution and repeatedly labelled the United States as Zionist America. In addition, she alleged a Toronto newspaper banned coverage of her talks, claiming a reporter told her the owners of the publication are Zionists. Who prints the money? The criminals who print the money and turn every country into a debtors prison, those same criminals own the media and print the news, White said during the broadcast. Cherpaw didnt dispute or disagree with Whites claims. After the content of the broadcast was highlighted by Bnai Brith Canada, the station suspended the program for six weeks. On Nov. 25, an on-air apology was delivered for the Nov. 11 broadcast. Although the episode remained available for download on the stations website after the shows suspension, as of Monday afternoon all archived episodes of the show had been removed. In response to the incident, a Bnai Brith spokesman will appear CKUW to discuss the rise of anti-Semitism in Canada, although no date for the appearance has been set. We were very disappointed to find out these types of views made it onto the air the content was bizarre and, frankly, dangerous, said Ran Ukashi, Manitoba regional director for Bnai Brith Canada. Anti-Semitism as a phenomenon exists on all political spectrums. I think this example is quite illustrative of that. There is a confluence of right-wing anti-Semitism and left-wing anti-Semitism. When people cant find shortcuts to explain social and political forces many times they turn to the Jews. The Jews are behind it in some sort of nefarious and mysterious way. And you see that here. Ukashi went on to say the station has informed him Cherpaw will have to go through an internal process to determine whether shell be welcomed back on-air. Cherpaw could not be reached for comment. The station is partly funded by student fees transferred from the University of Winnipeg Students Association (UWSA). A spokeswoman for the UWSA did not return a request for comment by the time of publication. CKUW is a non-commercial, university-based, volunteer-run station. ryan.thorpe.media@mail.com Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 28/11/2017 (1815 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Canadian grocery giant Loblaw recently announced its closing some stores and introducing home delivery of groceries in the Toronto market, while Walmart says its expanding its home delivery service. While it may feel that the Canadian market is late to the online grocery game there are several chains that have been offering it in the United States for years, for example its really a natural evolution reflecting differences in Canada. Online grocery shopping has received a lot of attention but remains a relatively small proportion of total grocery sales in Canada. Total online grocery expenditure is estimated at approximately $2 billion, with growth predicted to climb to almost $4 billion in the next couple of years. The current activity is largely focused in and around Toronto and Vancouver. Thats tiny given an annual retail food market of almost $100 billion, $80 billion of which is focused on traditional grocery stores. Online grocery shopping represents a larger share of total food purchases in other markets. While the U.S. proportion is predicted to grow to 20 per cent by 2025, it currently represents approximately four per cent of total food purchases. Many European markets are somewhat higher, with Great Britain estimated at almost seven per cent. This begs the question: are sales in Canada low because demand is low, or because there are not many good options outside of Toronto and Vancouver? Canadians shop differently Canadians are much less likely to shop online than Americans. Estimates of online shopping range from 2.5 per cent to 6.5 per cent of total retail sales. By comparison, online purchases are estimated to be closer to 8.5 per cent to nine per cent in the United States. Its unsurprising, then, that online grocery sales are lower in Canada than in the U.S. Canadians also express a strong preference for shopping for food in stores. Globally, 70 per cent of consumers prefer to get their groceries by visiting stores, but that number is 81 per cent for Canadians. There are lots of reasons why shoppers prefer picking up groceries in person, including cost, the ability to choose products on impulse and the issue of scheduling and waiting for delivery. There are clear differences between the markets in the U.S. and Canada. They help explain why Canadians have been slower to embrace online grocery shopping here. The Canadian grocery market is dominated by Loblaws, Metro and Sobeys, representing almost two-thirds of the retail market. Walmart and Costco are estimated to have almost 10 per cent of the market and are gaining ground. By comparison, the U.S. market is much less concentrated. Big-box stores have posed bigger threat Given that Canadian consumers have expressed a strong preference for in-store shopping, the main competitive pressure is coming from bricks-and-mortar big box stores. Some have argued that the Amazon purchase of Whole Foods was, in part, an acknowledgement that some bricks-and-mortar stores are necessary, particularly for fresh produce categories. Its hardly surprising then that retailers have not made expansion to online shopping and home delivery a competitive priority. Why beef up online options when customers arent clamouring for it? Nonetheless, pressure is coming from smaller players and non-traditional grocers. A strong and well-positioned regional brand, Longos Brothers, is prioritizing growth through its Grocery Gateway division in the Toronto area. Longos has seen significant growth at the expense of the big chains, but that growth is on a relatively small customer base. Grocers are preparing themselves anyway, in the event that Amazons online and home delivery options are a huge success. That threat is driving traditional grocers to increase online offerings. Online execution is hard Executing online sales is difficult, however. Grocery retailing is a relatively low-margin business, and there are costs associated with online shopping and home delivery, especially the last mile the final leg of the delivery to the customers door. The cost of delivery for the grocer is also highest in the early days, before a big customer base has been built up. Thats resulted in partnerships to facilitate delivery. Walmart, for example, uses Uber and Deliv to allow for same-day delivery for individual customers, so route planning and trucks arent needed. Whats more, consumer wariness and resistance to a number of elementsunique to online grocery ordering pose challenges. There are often delivery and membership fees, which raise the cost of shopping. Consumers also have to wait for the order. Not only is delivery delayed, but it needs to be coordinated so someone is there to accept delivery. Grocery companies are making efforts to address these concerns. Some retailers are offering pickup at stores or other central depots. Amazon and Walmart have proposed having drivers enter houses to put food in the fridge and avoid the need to have a consumer at home. After all, there are clearly benefits for grocers who offer online shopping and home delivery. Order sizes for groceries are likely to be bigger, and more regular, than for books, electronics or other items. Once a customer has tried an online food retailer, they may be less likely to switch. They become familiar with the interface, and an algorithm can make recommendations based on past purchases to speed up the order process, creating customer loyalty. Increased offerings may also drive demand to some degree, but retailers dont want to establish unprofitable channels without some assurance that demand exists and will grow. Right now, the fact that online represents a smaller share of total food expenditures in Canada than elsewhere has more to do with consumer preferences than with an industry lagging in its offerings. Online grocery shopping options will grow if more consumers become interested, but its unclear how quickly wary Canadians will embrace them. Michael von Massow is an associate professor of food economics at the University of Guelph. This article was first published at The Conversation Canada: theconversation.com/ca. Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 28/11/2017 (1815 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Sci-fi visions of robots changing our society have nothing on the bots in our real world. Political bots are a form of automated software that operates on social-media platforms including Facebook and Twitter with the intention of influencing political discourse, including the dynamics of election campaigns. So-called sock puppets are used to plant new ideas and then, through the use of automated accounts on social media, those ideas are diffused to promote consensus or conflict within society. Bots can be influential, because today there nearly as many Canadian Facebook user as there are registered voters. Moreover, a recent study found that 51 per cent of Canadians receive news first from digital sources rather than traditional media. Therefore, a greater public understanding of the role of bots is needed to avoid manipulation of public opinion during elections. Marcio Jose Sanchez, File / The Associated Press FILE - This July 19, 2016, file photo shows the Google logo at the company's headquarters in Mountain View, Calif. Google recently created a fund to support media literacy. Currently, many aspects of how bots work and how they impact both directly and indirectly the democratic process are not well understood. With bots, the line between planned and deliberate human actions and automated technological processes can be blurred in practice. Based on the global reach of the internet, both domestic and offshore actors and organizations can use bots to flood social media with information and then see that information distributed within the broader media environment. In the political domain, bots represent both an opportunity and a threat. An example of an opportunity would be a bot intended to promote transparency and accountability regarding industry and government actions or inactions. Another example would be bots used to communicate with supporters of a political party for the purposes of engagement and fundraising. A threat could consist of attacks on a political party or a candidate based on negative misinformation or disinformation. The former involves unintended inaccuracy, whereas the latter is a deliberate attempt to mislead. Bots can cause chaos and controversy during election periods, and this can detract from public trust and confidence in the outcomes. One particularly nefarious use of bots involves the posting of dark ads (so-called because the source and/or targets remain anonymous) on Facebook, targeted at selective segments of the voting population. Recent research suggests the use of psychographic profiles of individual voters generated from like clicks on Facebook allows organizations and individuals to target certain personality types within the voting population. Not only does this have the potential for hidden mass persuasion, it can also contribute to individual voters residing in a digital bubble where they encounter only opinions similar to their own. Segmentation of voters into categories of various kinds and customizing messages to trigger desired responses from them also contributes to greater polarization within society and makes consensus harder to achieve. The U.S. presidential election of 2016 brought greater attention to the rising role of bots. The hacking of the Democratic National Committees email system and the selective release of Hillary Clintons email on Wikileaks led to Russian efforts to amplify and sensationalize the leaked information through a military agency that created a website called DCLeaks. Messages were then issued under phony names to Facebook and to Twitter. In the same election contest, both the Clinton and the Trump campaigns used automated tweets to boost their popularity, but a higher percentage of the pro-Trump tweets originated from anonymous sources. Canadians will remember the scandal during the 2011 federal election over the misdirection of voters to the wrong polling stations by means of robocalls. In that case, the CRTC was given authority to regulate the misuse of telecommunications to suppress voter turnout. Something similar could be attempted using bots. Currently, under the Canada Elections Act, there are provisions that could potentially be used against harmful bots. For example, Elections Canada (EC) can deal with conduct that interferes with the election process and with false statements regarding the personal character or conduct of a candidate. Also, a bill currently before Parliament provides EC with the authority to educate the public about the electoral process. The effectiveness of these provisions to deal with the threats posed by bots is uncertain, but in all likelihood EC will need new regulatory tools. The government of Canada is working with social-media companies, particularly Facebook, on initiatives intended to protect against inappropriate interference in the democratic process. As part of its Election Integrity Initiative, the government has also promised programs to enhance civic literacy about the impacts of the ongoing technological revolution. Political parties could also adopt a code of conduct that would commit them to not using bots to distort electoral competition The main solutions to the nefarious use of bots, however, reside with the owners of social-media platforms. Until recently, Facebook and Twitter claimed they had policies to prevent abuse, but in practice they were happy to take money without much attention to the source and purpose of online advertising. They still prefer self-regulation as the way to forestall government intervention. Facebook did take down thousands of fake accounts before the recent German election; however, bots are becoming more sophisticated and harder to detect. Twitter has created a transparency center that will show which organizations spent money on ads, how much money was spent and the demographic groups being targeted. Google recently created a fund to support media literacy on the part of students. There may also be technological ways to combat harmful bots, such as counter bots. As a medium-sized country with a reasonably healthy democracy, Canada should not see itself as exempt from cyber threats. If Canada is to mitigate such threats, it will need co-operative social media companies, attentive governments, political parties and candidates that respect the norms of democratic behaviour, an appropriately equipped election agency and a vigilant public. Paul G. Thomas is professor emeritus of political studies at the University of Manitoba. He serves on the Elections Canada Advisory Board, but this article represents his opinion only. Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 28/11/2017 (1815 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau played a dirty trick on his rookie Public Services Minister Carla Qualtrough when he dumped in her lap the impossible task of fixing Phoenix, the governments non-system for paying public servants. He is setting her up to fail, which is a cruel thing for a prime minister to do to an eager cabinet novice. Ms. Qualtrough did herself no favours last week when she gave the governments response to the auditor generals latest account of the snowballing Phoenix disaster. Its all the fault of the former Conservative government, Ms. Qualtrough announced, but we are going to fix it. The Conservatives should be blamed for starting down the path to centralize civil service payroll operations in 2009 without properly finding out how this could be done and what it would cost. But the Liberals have been in office for two years now and they have made it steadily worse. The auditor generals account shows that the number of pay errors has steadily climbed under their negligent management. Justin Tang / The Canadian Press Minister of Public Services Carla Qualtrough Mr. Trudeau initially put Newfoundlands Judy Foote in charge of fixing it. She did nothing before she disappeared into a family health crisis. Winnipegs own Jim Carr was made acting minister in her absence. He did nothing and it got worse. Ms. Qualtrough was brought into the cabinet in July and then, in a revised mandate letter in October, was specifically told to fix Phoenix. But seven years of failure have pretty well proven that the thing cannot work. The auditor generals report shows that the masters of the civil-service payroll system had not the faintest idea what they were doing. They constructed a system that could not handle back pay arising from temporary service at a higher rank, or back pay arising from delays in settling civil-service labour contracts. Many other wrinkles and subtleties in civil service pay proved to lie beyond their ken. As the list of claimants for pay correction grew longer, they set priorities showing whose claims to fix first, then they changed the priorities, then they said anyone claiming less than $100 goes to the back of the line. They tried to count how many employees they were shortchanging, but they simply disregarded those they didnt want to deal with and underestimated the problem. As a result, they kept misinforming their political masters about the extent of the disaster. Meanwhile, they failed every week to discharge the basic duty that every employer has to carry out to pay the people who work for them. They turned the Government of Canada and the people it represents into a deadbeat employer. The Liberals figure they can get away with this politically because it was the Tories idea in the first place. That kind of cynical calculation seems to exempt them from taking ownership of the problem and applying the necessary effort. Ms. Qualtrough does not need inspirational lines from Mr. Trudeau about how much the government loves its civil servants. She needs authority from Mr. Trudeau to identify the individuals from deputy ministers on down and the consultants who bungled this boondoggle and dismiss them from government service. She also needs authority to make a fresh start. Experience shows that each department should pay its own people. She should be given authority to cut departments loose from the ashes of Phoenix. The visit by Pope Francis this week to Burma (Myanmar) has brought into focus the tragedy confronting the countrys Muslim Rohingya minority who have been forced to flee in droves to neighbouring countries. At least 620,000 men, women and children have been driven out of Burma in recent months by the Burmese army and associated gangs of thugs following minor attacks in August by the Arakan Rohinya Salvation Army (ARSA). The refugees live in squalid, overcrowded camps in Bangladesh and India, both of which have made clear they are not welcome. The international response to this massive humanitarian crisis is saturated with hypocrisy and cynicism, above all by the major imperialist powersthe United States, the European Union (EU) and their alliesthat exploit human rights to further their geo-political interests, including through regime change and wars. For decades, following its brutal crackdown on mass protests and strikes in 1988, the US and the EU treated the Burmese military regime as a pariah, denouncing its abuse of democratic rights and imposing harsh sanctions. Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD), was universally promoted as a democracy icon and awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991. Her house arrest by the junta, despite her role in derailing the 1988 protests and keeping the military in power, allowed the establishment media to bestow martyr status on her. Neither the condemnations of the military nor the accolades for Suu Kyi were based on any genuine concern for the democratic rights or suffering of the Burmese people. Washingtons chief grievance with the Burmese army was that it was too closely aligned with China. Suu Kyi represented that faction of the Burmese elite oriented to the West and the opening of the country to foreign investors. All that changed when the military regime signalled its willingness to distance itself from China and to engineer a political role for Suu Kyi and her NLD. Virtually overnight, the designation of Burma was changed from rogue state to developing democracy, US and European officials made a beeline for the country, US President Obama visited in 2012 and sanctions were dropped step by step. When the NLD won the 2016 election and Suu Kyi was installed as de facto head of government, it was hailed as the flowering of democracy. Barely noted was the fact that the military remained in charge of the key security ministries and, through a bloc of unelected parliamentary seats, retained a veto over any change to the constitution it had drawn up. This sham has now been exposed by the militarys atrocities against the Rohingya in Burmas western state of Rakhine. The vilification of Muslim Rohingya in predominantly Buddhist Burma has deep historic roots in the policies of divide-and-rule fostered by British colonial rule over India which included Burma until 1937. Unlike other ethnic minorities, the Burmese elite regarded the Rohingya as illegal immigrants or Bengalis brought in by the British, even if they had lived for generations within what became independent Burma in 1948. The military junta that seized power in 1962 whipped up anti-Muslim and anti-Rohingya chauvinism to divide working people and buttress its hold on power. In 1982, it stripped the Rohingya of citizenship rights by not including them as one of the countrys recognised ethnic minorities. Suu Kyi and the NLD are no less deeply imbued with such xenophobia and are opposed to the granting of basic democratic rights to the Rohingya. With Suu Kyi and her government acting as its facilitators and defenders, the army is carrying out a purge of Muslim Rohingyas on a scale that a decade ago would have produced an international howl of condemnation and demands for tougher sanctions, if not military intervention. The international reaction today is decidedly muted and the calls for action symbolic. In response to the growing international outrage over the militarys rampage, the US has followed the lead of UN officials and criticised the armys actions as ethnic cleansing. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who visited Burma earlier this month, declared that he was deeply concerned by credible reports of widespread atrocities committed by Myanmars security forces and vigilantes. Asked if the US would reimpose sanctions on Burma, Tillerson declared that it was not something that Id think advisable at this time. He added: We want to see Myanmar succeed. You cant just impose sanctions and say therefore the crisis is over. Tillerson and the Trump administration have studiously avoided any criticism over Suu Kyis role in defending the militarys actions. Various individuals, media and human rights organisations who helped inflate Suu Kyis status as a democracy icon, have begun to cautiously criticise her, even suggesting that her Nobel Peace Prize be withdrawn. Whether Pope Francis makes any criticism at all of the army or Suu Kyi, or even uses the term Rohingya, is the subject of media speculation. He met with Burmese military head Senior General Min Aung Hlang yesterday without issuing so much as a murmur of criticism. All this could rapidly change and Burma could return to the status of rogue state if Washington judges that it is again getting too close to China. Commander in chief General Hlang has just completed a six-day visit to China where he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Suu Kyi is about to head off to Beijing to attend a conference of world political parties and pay a working visit to strengthen bilateral relations. For the international working class, the sordid manoeuvres of the major powers and their utter indifference to the suffering of Burmas Rohingya minority are another lesson in geo-politics. Behind the banner of human rights always lie the predatory interests of the imperialist powers which they will ruthlessly prosecute regardless of the often terrible consequences for working people around the world. The state of Tennessee punishes the working class in its struggles to secure an education and a decent job, but looks the other way when it comes to election law violators who fail to pay fines. The New York Times recently pegged Tennessee as the nations most aggressive state in penalizing those who default on student loans. Nurses and teachers lose their licenses and their jobs if they fall behind on payments, and the future is anything but bright for those now in school. More than 44 million Americans hold a total of $1.4 trillion in student debt, a sum greater than total US credit card debt or automobile loans. Student loan debt could soon rival the total debt for home mortgages, with an average payoff time for a student loan approaching 20 years. As the WSWS observed in a recent perspective, Todays recent graduate can look forward to at least half a lifetime of penury as the cost of an undergraduate degree. And for those who cant afford more than the interest every month, its a lifetime. Daily more than 3,000 people for many different reasons, including health problems, family troubles or a lack of work, default on their federal student loans. But while they punish those unable to pay their student loan debt, a forgiving Tennessee state legislature, state election officials and even the states attorney generals office conveniently overlook those owing election violation fines, including those imposed for failing to report all money donated to their campaigns or committees. The Tennessean reported that the state has allowed election law fines totaling $1 million for 220 individuals and dozens of political action committees to go uncollected for decades. Some of the fines are 26 years old. Meanwhile struggling workers who borrowed money to go to school and then stumble cannot evade the state apparatus. Tennessee is one of the most aggressive states at revoking licenses, the records show, the Times reported. From 2012 to 2017, officials reported more than 5,400 people to professional licensing agencies. Manynobody knows how manylost their licenses. In Tennessee and 19 other states, workers pay back their student loans. or else. The Times led its lengthy report with the case of Shannon Otto of Nashville, Tennessee. Otto lost her nursing license when she developed epileptic seizures and was unable to work. With no income, she failed to make her student loan payments. The state responded by suspending her hard-earned nursing license. When she was able to get treatment, got her seizures under control and was ready to go back to work, she was unable to pay the $1,500 the Tennessee Board of Nursing demanded to reinstate her license. I absolutely loved my job, and it seems unbelievable that I cant do it anymore, Ms. Otto said. The Times notes: Firefighters, nurses, teachers, lawyers, massage therapists, barbers, psychologists and real estate brokers have all had their credentials suspended or revoked. It added, however, that determining the number of people who have lost their licenses is impossible because many state agencies and licensing boards dont track the information. According to the publication the licenses of at least 308 nurses and 223 teachers in Kentucky have been revoked or flagged for review. In Louisiana, 87 nurses now face losing their jobs unless they can become current on loan payments. However, unlike working class students, those who run for office are generally not worried about money nor are they pursued for their refusal to pay off fines. The more well offlawyers and morticians have been disproportionately represented in the legislaturefinance their own campaigns or readily find the businessman or corporate sponsor with deep pockets to underwrite them. How other states handle election law fines is not apparent, but Tennessee waits years to try to collect fines from the privileged group of Tennesseans who represent the ruling class in the legislature. Even as the state reluctantly goes after delinquent fines, it does not go after all that they owe, much less demand interest or revocation of professional licenses. The states Attorney Generals office is considering an agreement to cut the fine in half for two legislators, one who owed more than $40,000 and another who owed $10,000. In a revealing comment, the Tennessean reported: No one clarified why the attorney general and registry decided to accept such payment agreements While elected officials in Nashville are merciless in their efforts to squeeze money out of former students for creditors, those in Washington D.C. find money for tax cuts for the rich and for corporations by slashing educational benefits for those who need them most. A tax plan proposed and approved by the House of Representatives, should the Senate approve it and President Trump sign it, would: Raise the cost of attending college over the next ten years by $65 billion, according to an estimate by the American Council on Education (ACE). Repeal a tax deduction for interest payments on student loans that saves borrowers $625 annually for borrowers making less than $65,000 a year, or for married couples making less than $120,000. In 2015, 12 million people filed for this deduction. Require that tuition waivers for 145,000 graduates who work as teaching assistant be taxed as income. To add insult to injury, President Trump is proposing to abolish subsidized federal loans and institute a single program for all federal lending for students. Such a change would result in a single income-based repayment plan at 12.5 percent of adjusted gross income . 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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 John McCain isnt interested in Hillary Clintons account of what happened in the 2016 election. In a new, wide-ranging interview with Esquire Magazine, the Arizona senator criticizes Clintons recent campaign memoir, What Happened, in which she reflects on her shocking loss to Donald Trump. Youve got to understand that you cant rewrite history, McCain told Esquire. One of the almost irresistible impulses you have when you lose is to somehow justify why you lost and how you were mistreated: I did the right thing! I did! The hardest thing to do is to just shut up, he added. McCain would know. But after losing the 2008 presidential race to Barack Obama, the senator says he focused on moving forward, rather than rehashing the past. Whats the fing point? Keep the fight up? McCain said, later adding, Youve got to move on. The 81-year-old senator, who is battling brain cancer, recently announced plans for his own memoir, The Restless Wave, due out in April. McCain, who will reflect on his 2008 campaign in the book, told Esquire that Clintons mistake was writing her memoir so soon after the election. History will judge that campaign, and its always a period of time before they do, he said. This is Hillarys problem right now: She doesnt have anything to do. The 2017 Miss Universe pageant host Steve Harvey correctly announced the winners name without any confusion (unlike in 2015). But if you were to go on social media during last nights show, you would have thought Miss Jamaica Davina Bennett took home the crown because Twitter was going wild for her. The 23-year-old contestant embraced her natural hair, wearing an afro hairstyle during the competition and the social media response was overwhelming. Fans gave the second runner-up an outpouring of love and even started the hashtag, #MissJamaicaShouldHaveWon. I did not win but I got what I was seeking, Bennett wrote on Instagram. I won the hearts of many, I got to highlight Deaf awareness, I stand as the first afro queen to have made it thus far, I represented my little island and I received allll the love one could possibly wish for. THANK YOU!!! I came, I conquered and if you know me, then you know thats just another story and you will be seeing a lot more from me To all the queens that represented, congrats and to our new Miss Universe @demileighnp go conquer the world you are indeed a gem! From the time she stepped on stage, viewers were applauding her choice to wear her natural hair. And we gathered a few of our favorite reactions, below. Me arriving in the #MissJamaicaShouldHaveWon tag pic.twitter.com/kRaIzTy2Un katy kringle ?? threads (@katyxoxo00) November 27, 2017 Miss South Africa Has Been Crowned Miss Universe 2017 The 2017 Miss Universe pageant was full of contestants with inspiring stories. In addition to Bennetts empowering move, the winner, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters from South Africa, teaches self-defense after being held at gunpoint one month after winning the Miss South Africa pageant. Police say a 14-year-old Florida boy missing for nearly three months apparently witnessed a fatal shooting on a Sarasota vacant lot one week before his disappearance, PEOPLE confirms. Police have not ruled out a link between the Aug. 28 shooting death of Travis Combs and the disappearance of Jabez Spann, last seen on Sept. 4 at a Labor Day barbecue with his family in the same neighborhood as the killing. Im hoping someone in our community knows something about both these cases, Sarasota Police Chief Bernadette DiPino said in a statement Monday. Were asking our community to come forward with information to help us bring Jabez Spann home and bring justice to Travis Combs family. From the beginning of both these investigations, our detectives have been working tirelessly to bring peace to both of these families, DiPino said. 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. The connecting thread is found in statements reportedly made by a third figure, Reginald Parker, 55, who allegedly told three persons including Spanns aunt and grandmother that he also had witnessed the shooting of Combs, according to a court document obtained by PEOPLE. Parker allegedly said that after three males approached the victim in the lot, he saw Spann emerge from a nearby residence, and then heard a gunshot. Oh my god. Yall shot him, Spann said, according to the version of events Parker shared with Spanns grandmother, Lucille Tillery, the document states. Parker subsequently denied to police that he witnessed the killing, and also denied speaking about the incident to Spanns two relatives or a third person, each of whom provided sworn statements to police recounting Parkers conversations with them. Police found Combs with a single gunshot to his upper torso. Authorities later arrested and charged Parker on Nov. 8 with accessory after the fact to murder by impeding the investigation of armed robbery and murder, claiming that he knew who committed the crime and aided in their escape or detection, according to a probable cause affidavit. Story continues For more compelling True Crime coverage, follow our Crime magazine on Flipboard Parker is being held in Sarasota County Jail on a bond of $250,000, according to jail records, which did not indicate whether he has retained an attorney or entered a plea. A $25,000 reward is offered for information leading to Spann, who is described as a black male, 5-feet, 9-inches tall and 120 pounds, and last seen wearing a turquoise shirt. The FBI, Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Sarasota Police each are contributing to the reward sum. Those with information should call Sarasota CrimeStoppers at 941-366-TIPS or go online to www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com, and they may remain anonymous. Photo credit: Getty From Good Housekeeping Watch out, Kate Middleton: Meghan Markle may very well steal your throne - at least when it comes to Duchess With the Best Hair. Newly engaged to Prince Harry, the American actress is absolutely stunning, thanks in part to her beautiful, long brunette locks that inspire international envy. But don't be jealous. Okay, maybe be a little jealous over the whole marrying-a-prince thing. But don't be jealous about her hair. We've got insider info on exactly what you need to achieve Meghan's crowning glory. The Products In August 2016, when it hadn't even been announced that Prince Harry and Meghan were dating and she was best known as Rachel Zane on the show Suits, the beauty blog BeautyBanter spoke to the future duchess about her beauty routine, including her favorite hair products. For deep conditioning and damage repair, she loves the cult-favorite Kerastase Masquintense ($20.50 and up, kerastase-usa.com), which she says she uses "religiously." She also can't get enough of Kerastase's Serum Oleo-Relax ($40, kerastase-usa.com), a smoothing oil that keeps dehydrated hair frizz-free. Clearly a fan of hair oils, Meghan also says she's "obsessed with" Wella Oil Reflections Luminous Smoothing Oil ($40, ulta.com), which can be used on damp or dry hair. "It smells like vacation and makes your hair slippery and touchable," she told BeautyBanter. "It also doubles as a pretty amazing body oil post bath." Photo credit: Getty The Style Meghan's signature hairstyle is long, loose waves with a middle part - a look that's easy to achieve and flattering on everyone. After shampooing and conditioning, celebrity hairstylist Patrick Kyle recommends prepping hair with a mousse like Dove Mousse Volume Amplifier ($4, amazon.com). He says to use a tail comb and your nose as a guide to create a center part. Blow dry hair using the Ibiza B5 Round Brush ($51, amazon.com), he adds. Once dry, Kyle recommends using a 1 1/4- inch curling wand - he loves the T3 Whirl Trio Interchangeable Styling Wand ($270, sephora.com) because you get three wand sizes in one. Wrap hair around the wand, leaving out the ends, and curl away from the face. Story continues He recommends using the Oribe Dry Texture Spray ($22 and up, bluemercury.com) all over to get second-day hair and finishing with Nexxus Maxximum Spray ($14, ulta.com) to tame fly-aways and hold the style. The Color Meghan's hair color, a super-dark brunette shade with very subtle highlights, would work well for anyone with a dark- to medium-brown base, according to Nikki Ferrara, celebrity colorist at Serge Normant at John Frieda in New York City. "Your colorist can weave some very subtle highlights with a low-volume peroxide until the hair is a light to medium brown, and then finish with an overall medium chestnut brown gloss to keep it shiny and multi-tonal," Ferrara says. "Keep the highlights a few inches from the roots to make it lower-maintenance." Is it just us, or does there seem to be a new royal rule wherein you cannot marry a prince unless you have incredibly beautiful, long, wavy brown hair? WATCH: Prince Harry Describes How He Proposed to Meghan Markle You Might Also Like Actress Naya Rivera was arrested on domestic battery charges Saturday night after she allegedly assaulted her husband, Ryan Dorsey. The Glee actress, 30, struck Dorsey, 34, several times on the head and lip while they were out on a walk with their 2-year-old son, Josey, according to Dorsey, who filed the claim against his wife. Naya Rivera Mugshot Local news channel WSAZ said the actress was drunk when she attacked her husband, but investigators said it was unclear if she was under the influence during the altercation. RELATED: 12 Troubling Facts About Blake Shelton, 2017's 'Sexiest Man Alive' Including His Awful Now-Deleted Tweet She was arrested in Kanawha County, West Virginia, at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday. The couple and their son were staying 20 minutes from Charleston with family at the time. Dorsey recorded the assault on his phone and showed the video to police officers. VIDEO from tonights arraignment: After, I asked @NayaRivera if she wanted to say anything and she just put her head down. She was released on bond. Her father-in-law picked her up. Facing domestic battery charge on her husband. #wsazpic.twitter.com/u5MLQu2xqZ Jatara McGee (@WSAZJatara) November 26, 2017 Sgt. Brian Humphreys said that the video of Rivera hitting Dorsey was the main factor in her arrest. "I can just say that there was enough in the video to corroborate the statement of the video and that was why the decision was made that was made, Humphreys said during a press conference Sunday, according to WSAZ. There was some independent corroboration for what he said happened." Rivera was charged with a misdemeanor battery charge and released Sunday and set her bail at $1,000, according to WSAZ. With this charge, she could face up to a year in jail and a maximum of a $500 fine. Naya Rivera and Husband Ryan Dorsey The two had filed for divorce last November. After a year, Rivera called off the divorce and filled out the divorce dismissal paperwork to make it official. According to E! News, They want to make it work for the sake of their son. Story continues RELATED: New Details Released About Horrific Domestic Abuse 'Hills' Star Audrina Patridge Claims She Suffered At The Hands Of Her Husband Rivera and Dorsey dated before the actress got engaged to Big Sean. They began dating again right after Rivera broke off the engagement with the rapper. The couple was married three months later. Big Sean, 29, has reportedly been throwing shade at his newly arrested ex already. He tweeted a video of a young girl saying I told yall, I told yall, yall thought I was playing but I told yall. Rivera and Big Sean split in 2014 and he has seemingly been throwing shade at her ever since, especially with her recent arrest. He released songs that are supposedly about Rivera including cold b*tch and IDFWU. The rapper told Hot 97 that his album Dark Sky Paradise was written during one of the darkest times of my life when he was going through a bunch of craziness, presumably talking about his recent split with Rivera. He also went on to say that he was happy he dodged a marriage with Rivera. Naya Rivera and ex-boyfriend Big Sean Though Rivera plays Santana Lopez in Glee, she isn't the only one who is in the show business. Her husband is also an actor who has been in Justified, Pitch, and Ray Donovan. RELATED: 5 Cringey Facts About Ronda Rouseys Husband Travis Browne Related: 10 Celebrity Marriages That Lasted Less Than 90 Days Keywords: crime, domestic abuse, celebrity read more "She didnt want this come hell or high water. I dont think she thought it was going to happen, a longtime friend of the Trumps recently told Vanity Fair. Photo: Getty. In the roughly ten months since her husband took office, it seems that no one has been subject to more palace intrigue than First Lady Melania Trump. Whether she's swatting her husband's hand away, launching an anti-cyberbullying initiative while the President blasts members of his own party on Twitter, or inspiring conspiracy theories about a supposed body double that stands in her place, there's been plenty of fodder for those who love speculating about the First Lady's life. And now, according to a new report from Vanity Fair, there's more fuel to add to the "Melania doesn't like being First Lady" fireand several sources close to the Trumps have revealed that she isn't particularly keen on her new life. As VF's Sarah Ellison reports, it was Melania who pushed Donald to run in 2016 after he had toyed with the idea in 2012. But this didn't stem from any real desire for her husband to enter politics; rather, it was born more from her frustration with his back and forth about a presidential bid. And as Ellison puts it, "there may never have been a First Lady less prepared for or suited to the role. "This isnt something she wanted and it isnt something he ever thought hed win, a longtime friend of the family told the magazine. "She didnt want this come hell or high water. I dont think she thought it was going to happen. And now that Melania has inherited the East Wing of the White Housewhere the First Lady and her staff members are customarily basedher less-than-enthusiastic view of the role is apparent. She has just nine staffershalf the number of employees that both Michelle Obama and Laura Bush had. During the transition between Barack Obama and Donald Trump, East Wing workers "had very little to do." And Melania and her son Barron didn't actually move into the White House until June of this yearmaking her the first First Lady in the country's history to put off moving down to Washington. Story continues Those close to Melania, however, say that she's "slowly warming to the job" and CNN's Kate Bennett recently told The Daily Front Row that, despite seeming quiet and reserved, the First Lady "connects well and seems to come alive in a joyful way" whenever she spends time with children. Still, there's plenty of chatter surrounding Melania's relationship with her husband. Per VF, Melania's friends are "divided" when it comes to her feelings toward her husbandwith the infamous hand swatting and her apparent discomfort while dancing with him at the inaugural balls not reflecting too favorably on their relationship as a whole. As one pal put it, it's old news" that Melania and Donald basically live separate lives. But others have refuted these assertions. As one of the President's oldest friends put it, "The one who has the most control over Donald is Melania, 100 percent...He listens to her and adores her. As for what the First Lady herself thinks of all this, she's remained characteristically silent; both she and her press secretary declined to be interviewed by Vanity Fair. This story originally appeared on Glamour. More from Glamour: 13 Celebrities Who Have Hot Siblings 34 Times Kate Middleton and Prince William Gave Us Major Relationship Goals 17 Magnificent Engagement Rings Fit for Rock Stars, Royalty, or Real Housewives Here's How Much the Apartments in Friends, The Big Bang Theory, Sex and the City, and More Would Really Rent For Ryan Reynolds Reveals He Fell in Love With Blake Lively While on a Double Date With Someone Else The Most Popular Beauty Products on the Internet Photo credit: Chris Jackson / Getty From Delish As soon as someone gets engaged, the questions start flying: Have you set a date? What about the venue? Oh, and when do you plan on having kids?! We won't touch that last one, but the recent news of Prince Harry and Suits actress and humanitarian Meghan Markle's engagement made us immediately think of (what else?) food. The couple has plenty of time to dream up, taste, and determine their menu. They could go completely rogue, but if their preferences - and royal protocol - are any indication, here's what you'd probably find at the big reception. It's critical information to speculate, of course, for anyone who's placing bets, are unapologetically curious, or wants to imagine the spread in the off chance their invitation gets lost in the mail. Photo credit: Getty Expect Some Traditional English Food. Former chef to Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana, Darren McGrady, told People he regularly served Princes William and Harry classic British dishes. Cottage pie - an English meat pie made with ground beef, potatoes, and cheese - fish cakes, and poached chicken and rice were the boys' favorites. These dishes may seem a bit modest for a royal wedding, so there may be a few gourmet twists on old favorites. It's worth noting that Prince William and Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton's reception included fish cakes as a canape, as well as classics like miniature Yorkshire puddings and Bubble and Squeak, according to The Spruce. Bombas: The best sock brand you will ever try? (Photo: Bombas; Image: Quinn Lemmers) Yahoo Lifestyle presents #TheCurrent, a column by Fashion Editor Julie Tong, in which she gives her stamp of approval to some of the latest fashion products and launches. The editors at Yahoo Lifestyle are committed to finding you the best products at the best prices. At times, we may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. There are so many reasons to love Bombas socks that Im not quite sure where to begin. Ill start at the beginning of my personal Bombas journey, which is set, surprisingly, in Texas. I live in New York, and most of my fashion-related work originates here. So imagine my surprise when visiting my boyfriends family, I learned about the best thing to happen to feet since down slippers from his parents. Photo: Courtesy of Bombas Both his mother and father were raving about socks called Bombas. These socks, said the parents, are so soft, so comfortable, so sturdy but are particularly extraordinary because they dont fall down. Due to their stay up technology, Bombas had won the hearts of these folks. Steve, my boyfriends father, reported that on a recent business flight he noted that nearly everyone in his cabin appeared to be sporting Bombas. I could not remain in the dark any longer. It was time to do some research. I discovered that not only are Gigi Hadid, Zayn Malik and Justin Timberlake devotees of Bombas, but that the show Shark Tank was part of the brands story and that Shark Tank judge Daymond John was an early investor. When finally I got my hands (and feet) on a pair, I was an instant convert. Everything I had heard was true these socks are well made, soft, comfy, and they do, in fact, stay up! But my favorite feature of Bombass ankle socks is a special blister tab, a cushioned back-of-the-ankle spot that prevents chafing and blistering. Photo: Courtesy of Bombas Now that weve covered my personal origin story, I want to mention the companys origin story, because its compelling. Founders David Heath and Randy Goldberg came to the idea of launching a sock company out of a desire to do good. They had heard that socks are the No. 1 item requested by homeless shelters. In Forbes magazine, Goldberg said, I didnt grow up dreaming of being in the sock business. What compelled him and his business partner was an urge to help socks must be new, for hygiene reasons, and so shelters were always in need. Story continues So from the time the company launched, Bombas had a sell-one/give-one business model. For every pair of socks sold, a pair is donated. Recently Bombas succeeded in its goal of donating 1 million pairs in a single year. To date, the brand has donated more than 13 million pairs of socks! This is a feel-good perk for the rest of us, but the main reason youre likely to love Bombas is the literal feel good youll experience when you slip on a pair. The range of choices means even the pickiest among us can find our perfect match. Bombas womens socks are available in five height options: no show, ankle, quarter, calf and knee-high. There are solids, patterns and lightweight crew socks cotton, merino and more. Prices vary based on style and material (for context, womens ankle solids go for $12 when purchased as a single pair, $46 for a pack of four). The toughest part? Deciding among all the amazing options. No matter what, your feet will thank you! Womens Classic Marls Calf Socks Womens Classic Marls Calf (Photo: Bombas) Shop it: Womens Classic Marls Calf Socks, $12, bombas.com Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. For the past six months, Bianca Innes has been fighting for her life. Diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2017 at age 20, the aspiring journalist has since undergone 12 chemotherapy sessions, two surgeries, and been admitted to the hospital 10 times all while suffering from constant fatigue and bone pain. These photos were taken 12 months apart almost to the day. Bianca Innes at ages 20 and 21. (Photo: Instagram/biancainnes) What started out as a small lump on the right side of her breast tripled in size within weeks. Before Inness 21st birthday, doctors told her she had Grade 3 breast cancer an extremely rare diagnosis for a woman her age. This is me today sitting in the back of an ambulance, still attempting to smile through what I will gladly say was one of the hardest days of chemo so far. First round back into chemo after a few weeks off due to surgery and it has absolutely rattled me. Here's to tomorrow being a brighter and better day! #pinkhopeaus #pinkhope #knowyourrisk #bcna #breastcancerawareness #checkyourbreasts A post shared by Going Topless Blog (@biancainnes) on Sep 12, 2017 at 3:09am PDT After many tests I was diagnosed with Grade 3 Stage 2b Triple Positive breast cancer, Innes, who hails from Australia, told the Australian site Mamamia. Innes had no family history of cancer, and testing for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 breast cancer gene came back negative. My diagnosis came as a huge shock to not only me, but my family and friends too, she said. The first question I asked was, Will I lose my hair? At that time, it was the most important thought in my mind. Earlier this week, Innes shared a touching Instagram post with two images taken just 12 months apart. In the first photo, she appears healthy, with thick dark hair framing her face. The second image shows how cancer and chemo have ravaged her body. HAVING A MASSIVE WTF MOMENT THIS SATURDAY MORNING! These photos were taken 12 months apart almost to the day. On the left, a healthy, happy and normal 20 year old girl. On the right, a 21 year old girl fighting a battle she thought shed never be faced with. Breast Cancer, she captioned the image. Story continues The average age of diagnosis of breast cancer for women in the U.S. is 62 fewer than five percent of women diagnosed with it are younger than 40. In Canada, about 11 percent of women develop breast cancer by the time they reach 90 years old, while 20 percent of cases are diagnosed in women younger than 50. In the U.K., 81 percent of breast cancers occur in women older than 50, while 75 percent of new breast cancer cases develop in women older than 50 in Australia. Inness case is an anomaly. Her doctors say shes one of the youngest patients they have seen who have no family history of cancer. This is a stark reminder that cancer does not discriminate, Innes warned. It doesnt give a f**k about your age nor your financial status. My entire journey Ive tried to stay positive and show the raw realities of cancer at this age through my blog by spreading awareness to young women far and wide. Innes will undergo the next phase of her treatment in December. Until then, shes building up her physical and emotional strength. I take the good and bad days for what they are. I am proud to say that although I have breast cancer, I am happy, living life to the fullest and positive about the future, she said. I can thankfully say that I am looking forward to being another step closer to being cancer-free. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Not too long ago, it would have been difficult to imagine Prince Harry becoming engaged to marry Meghan Markle. Given that she is a mixed-race Catholic divorcee from the United States, royal protocol would have forbidden the match. But these are changed times and Markle, who was born to an African-American mother and white father, captured the worlds imagination in late 2016 when it was revealed that the successful actress and philanthropist had won Prince Harrys heart. Heres five reasons why their union will truly break new ground: 1. Markle is a woman of color The announcement represents a more inclusive royal family, Anna Whitelock, a royal expert and director of the London Centre for Public History and Heritage, tells TIME. As Harry is fifth in line to the throne, Queen Elizabeth would have had to give permission to the marriage. I think the Queen would have done so, happily Whitelock says. I dont think her being mixed race would have been at all significant for the Queen. But Britains right-wing tabloids made Markles race a talking point and were criticized for dog-whistle racism in their coverage of her. This included a 2016 Daily Mail article that described Markles mothers neighbourhood as being famous for gangs as it detailed the number of crimes that happened in the vicinity of her home. In a statement issued by Kensington Palace last Nov., the Prince issued a rare salvo against the press as he defended his mixed-race relationship and criticized the racial undertonesfrom the tabloids. 2. She was raised as a Catholic Far more serious from a historical perspective would have been Markles faith. Until 2015, Prince Harry would have been forbidden from marrying a Catholic under royal succession rules, as his grandmother is head of the Protestant Church of England. The regulations were eased as part of a broader shift to remove male bias and religious discrimination in the royal order. 3. She is American The 36-year-old, who grew up in California, also wins the title of the first American to be officially engaged to a British royal, and come the expected Spring 2018 wedding, Markle may become the first American to be given the title of Her Royal Highness (HRH). An American has married a British royal before, but under very different circumstances. When King Edward VIII began a relationship with divorcee Wallis Simpson, the prospect of them marrying sparked a constitutional crisis. Edward abdicated in 1939 after a year on the throne, before marrying Simpson in France as the Duke of Windsor. The pair never had an official engagement. Story continues 4. She is divorced Markle is a divorcee too, having ended her marriage to music producer Trevor Engelson in 2014, but it is not likely to cause a repeat of the scandal almost 80 years ago. Harrys father, Prince Charles, was divorced from Princess Diana before marrying Camilla Parker-Bowles in 2005. And with this marriage the stakes are much lower, Whitelock says. Harry wont be king and will become sixth in line to the throne when [Prince William and Kate Middleston] have their third child Its less of a constitutional significance. Of course, if this was William it would have much different implications. 5. Shes a well-known actor As an actor, Markle will be more equipped to deal with the international spotlight than other royal fiancees, though its not clear whether she will be able to continue in her line of work once she joins the royal family. But in many ways, Markle shows how attitudes change in the space of a single generation, Whitelock says. Her fiancees late mother, Princess Diana, came from royal lineage and at the time represented a young virgin bride. By contrast, Meghans entrance into British public life shows a royal family moving in line with the times. By John Whitesides HENAGAR, Ala. (Reuters) - Embattled Republican U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore said on Monday the allegations of sexual misconduct against him were evidence of the moral failings of leaders in Washington and meant to distract attention from the real issues. Hitting the campaign trail for the first time in more than two weeks, when the charges first disrupted the race, Moore said the allegations were false and malicious and politicians in both parties were desperate to see him fail. "This is simply dirty politics. It's a sign of the immorality of our times," Moore told about 125 supporters who jammed a rural community center in northeast Alabama, speaking just over two weeks before a Dec. 12 special election to fill the Senate seat vacated by Jeff Sessions when he was appointed U.S. attorney general earlier this year. Republican lawmakers in Washington, including Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, have rushed to distance themselves from Moore and called for him to step down from the race after he was accused by several women of sexual assault and misconduct when they were teenagers and he was in his early 30s. Reuters has not been able to independently verify those allegations. Moore said the allegations were designed to distract from "the true issues" facing people and that Senate leaders understood he was difficult to manage and did not want to deal with him. "Politicians will stop at nothing to win an election," said Moore, who has accused the media of joining in the effort to malign him. Outside the rally, a man wearing a Moore sticker pushed away a cameraman as he attempted to film Moore's arrival, local media reported. A reporter for the Birmingham News, in a tweet, identified the man as Tony Goolsby, the DeKalb County chairman for the Moore campaign. President Donald Trump defended Moore last week, but a White House official said Trump would not campaign for Moore before the Dec. 12 special election. Trump has repeatedly slammed Moore's Democratic opponent, Doug Jones, a former U.S. attorney, calling him a liberal and saying that Jones would not vote for a tax overhaul plan now being debated in Congress. Republicans hold a slim 52-48 majority in the Senate and are eager to maintain their advantage to pass Trump's legislative agenda on taxes, healthcare and other priorities. But Republican Senator Richard Shelby of Alabama told reporters on Monday he had not voted for Moore, writing in a candidate instead. He did not say whom he wrote in. Moore had largely stayed off the campaign trail and avoided questions since the allegations first surfaced in the Washington Post. The Jones campaign has taken notice and begun criticizing his absence. Before the rally, a Moore representative warned the crowd against any "outbursts" and said Moore would not be taking questions. (Reporting by John Whitesides; Editing by Tim Ahmann and Leslie Adler) Alec Baldwin couldnt resist mocking President Donald Trump at an Iowa Democratic Party fundraiser on Monday night. The actor, who regularly portrays Trump to hilarious effect on Saturday Night Live, repeatedly zinged the president during a speech at the partys annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner in Des Moines. Baldwin, posing as Professor of Advanced Trumpology and Abnormal Psychology at the now-defunct Trump University, joked about the fictional political science fiction course. He also made fun of guest lecturers, Environmental Protection Agency head Scott Pruitt and Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Baldwin channeled Trump to apologize for calling Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) Pocahontas during a White House event honoring Native American veterans. In Iowa, Alec Baldwin may have opened with jokes, but he closed with a call to political action that sounded more like a campaign speech than a comedy routine. https://t.co/brjOvXfUW6 #IAPolitics Des Moines Register (@DMRegister) November 28, 2017 It wasnt all lighthearted banter, however. Baldwin struck a serious tone in a bid to heal the Democratic rift between supporters of Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, asking the 2,000 guests to unite for the sake of the party. I am ready to fight, Baldwin told the audience. Weve got party-building to do on a scale weve never known. He promised that he was ready to fight to help the Democrats win. Baldwin urged Americans to send Trump to a retirement home in Moscow where he belongs, and put his own twist on Trumps campaign pledge: Make America America again. Check out the highlights of his speech in the clip above. Related Coverage Trevor Noah Mockingly Praises Trump's 'Right Racism' Of 'Pocahontas' Slur Story continues Stephen Colbert Gives Donald Trump's Allies And Enemies The Funniest Alter Egos Folks Imagine The Statue Of Liberty Speaking, And It's Nothing Good About Trump Jimmy Fallon And Martin Short Give Classic Christmas Song A Scary Trump Twist Also on HuffPost Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. British-American actress Angela Lansbury says attractive women must sometimes take blame for sexual harassment, adding that beauty has backfired on us. The 92-year-old acting veteran shared her views with Britains Radio Times this week, according to The Telegraph, wading into the scandal that has rocked Hollywood in recent months. There are two sides to this coin, she said. We have to own up to the fact that women, since time immemorial, have gone out of their way to make themselves attractive. And unfortunately it has backfired on us, and this is where we are today. The 92-year-old actress, seen here in 1962, said she never experienced sexual harassment while a young actress. (Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Getty Images) We must sometimes take blame, women. I really do think that. Although its awful to say we cant make ourselves look as attractive as possible without being knocked down and raped, she continued. Lansbury went on to say that women shouldnt have to be prepared for sexual harassment or abuse, however, saying theres no excuse for that. She said she believes the abuse will stop now since a lot of men must be very worried, adding that she never experienced sexual harassment as a young actress. The views Lansbury expressed made her a trending topic on Twitter Tuesday, as many social media users criticized the Murder, She Wrote stars opinions as dated yet inexcusable. Angela Lansbury went 92 years without being controversial but decided victim-blaming was the opinion to throw herself under the bus over. pic.twitter.com/WrRKsT5vOg Hanna Flint (@HannaFlint) November 28, 2017 thing is, angela lansburys comments cant be justified as old fashioned views because VICTIM BLAMING HAS NEVER BEEN OK D (@allig4torsky_) November 28, 2017 "I'm from a different generation" is a euphemism for "I lived through decades and decades of social progress and haven't learned a damn thing... #AngelaLansbury Johnny McVey (@mrjohnnymac18) November 28, 2017 Me when Angela Lansbury said THAT: pic.twitter.com/cXaf3hfiR3 Isaiah Fapuro (@IsaiahAF_) November 28, 2017 Murder She Wrote would have been quite a different show if in each episode Angela Lansbury blamed the victim. StanHengen (@StanHengen) November 28, 2017 Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Former Glee star Naya Rivera was charged with domestic battery after her husband told police she struck him on the lip and head while the two were walking in West Virginia with their year-old son. Ryan Dorsey showed Kanawha County sheriffs deputies a cell phone video of the alleged attack Saturday night in the town of Chesapeake, according to a police report. Deputies said they noticed minor injuries consistent with his statement. The two had been arguing over their son, Josey, a sheriffs spokesman told People. He said Dorsey didnt need medical attention. Rivera was released on a $1,000 personal recognizance bond. Rivera recently filed for divorce from Dorsey after two years of marriage. Glee actress Naya Rivera arrested on domestic battery charge. Full story on https://t.co/gLqggB15yU pic.twitter.com/YqlflJ23T6 Kalea Gunderson (@KaleaWCHS) November 26, 2017 Riveras one-time beau, rapper Big Sean, tweeted an apparent comment on Riveras bust a GIF of a gleeful little girl saying I told ya. Rivera married Dorsey three months after she split up with Big Sean in 2014. Rivera and Big Sean gave no reason for their split at the time. Rivera accused the rapper of stealing her Rolex watches shortly before the breakup. WHAT!! Naya Rivera unfollowed Big Sean and tweeted this but quickly deleted it. pic.twitter.com/0yRpDpYDIt GOOD Music News (@GOODMusicInfo) April 9, 2014 Rivera has since dished majorly on Big Sean in her tell-all memoir Sorry Not Sorry. She revealed that she once caught Ariana Grande at home with Big Sean, while they were still together. Story continues A representative for Big Sean said in a statement following the breakup that after careful thought and much consideration, Sean has made the difficult decision to call the wedding off. Sean wishes Naya nothing but the best and it is still his hope that they can continue to work through their issues privately. Rivera wrote in Sorry Not Sorry: I learned that I was no longer getting married from the internet, and at the same time as the rest of the world. Not only were we no longer getting married, but apparently we werent even together anymore. Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. Also on HuffPost Drew Barrymore on co-parenting with Will Kopelman It really is about the tone you set. And you can talk until youre blue in the face, but kids watch what you do every single day of your life, all day long, and that behavior and that example and that love and community and honesty is just, I think, whats making everything feel safe for my kids and thats really the intention I had as a parent." During a 2017 appearance on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" Kate Hudson on co-parenting with Matt Bellamy "If Matt and I had a great relationship, we would still be together, but we chose to move on because we had different visions of how we wanted to live our lives. That doesn't mean, though, that we can't rebuild something that would be the best thing for the kids." In a 2015 interview with Allure Jennifer Lopez on co-parenting with Marc Anthony Marc and I are very good friends, were very supportive. I feel its my responsibility as a mom when their dad is not there to let them know that their dad loves them very much because thats the doubt that they have when hes not around or they havent seen him. Thats my job to do that the same way its his job when hes with them to say, Mommy is working and she loves you. During a 2014 appearance on "HuffPost Live" Sienna Miller on co-parenting with Tom Sturridge [We] do bedtime every day. We felt like as much togetherness as possible would be ideal, and fortunately we really love each other and are best friends, and so that works. In a 2017 interview with Allure Taye Diggs on co-parenting with Idina Menzel "As people can imagine, it gets rough at times just because we're not in the same city, but we still love each other and what's most important is we love our son. That stabilizes us. I'm thankful for him." In a 2015 interview with "Entertainment Tonight" Idina Menzel on co-parenting with Taye Diggs [Our son] comes first and you have to get past your own egos and you never talk bad about each other." In a 2016 interview with People Angela Kinsey on co-parenting with Warren Lieberstein "Im really fortunate because my ex and I are very good friends and I talk to him every day. Our daughter is growing up seeing two people who care about each other. We may not be a traditional family on paper but we are a family and I tell her that families come in all shapes and sizes, but [a family is] love and I see her really flourishing because she sees two people treating each other with respect. During a 2013 appearance on "HuffPost Live" Amber Rose on co-parenting with Wiz Khalifa "I have pictures up of me and Wiz in [our son's] room so he can always come in and see us being happy together. We try to have family days with him, even though we're not together. Kids want to see their parents together and if you can't be together in a relationship, you've got to come together as friends for your baby. In a 2017 interview with People Miranda Kerr on co-parenting with Orlando Bloom "We decided as a family it was the right decision for Flynn, so Orlando and I both relocated and we live five minutes from each other ... Everything revolves around my son and his welfare." In a 2015 interview with HELLO! Fashion Monthly Nick Cannon on co-parenting with Mariah Carey We make the kids the number one priority, for them to see their parents together and for everybody to get along and have a great time. During a 2015 appearance on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" Gwyneth Paltrow on co-parenting with Chris Martin "I think, unfortunately, even though we couldn't stay in a romantic relationship, our values are very much around the importance of family and the importance of those relationships and I'm lucky that we're aligned in that way. And it's been hard, and you know, we've gone through really difficult times with it, but we've always said these children are our priority." During a 2015 appearance at the BlogHer15: Experts Among Us conference Ryan Phillippe on co-parenting with Reese Witherspoon You have to get to that point as a divorced parent, as any parent, where youre not putting yourself first. You want the kids experience to be its own and not like, Well, I need to have my time! We have been very good about that. In a 2016 interview with "Entertainment Tonight" This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Telegraph Prince Harry and American actress Meghan Markle announced on Monday they were getting married next year, saying their relationship had blossomed "incredibly quickly" after meeting on a blind date. Harry, 33, the Queen's grandson and fifth-in-line to the throne, and Markle, 36, best known for her role in the U.S. TV legal drama "Suits", said they had got engaged in London this month and will wed in the spring next year. The news was welcomed around the world - especially in Ms Markle's homeland. United States The New York Daily News And he did it in front of a portrait of notorious indigenous slayer Andrew Jackson! An early look at Tuesday's front page: https://t.co/UaUpGlAWGopic.twitter.com/ZCMjaZjvak New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) November 28, 2017 New York Post New York Post New York Times The New York Times front page Washington Post Washington Post's front page Los Angeles Times Los Angeles Times front page USA Today USA Today front page Canada The Globe and Mail The Globe and Mail front page Toronto Star Toronto Star front page Toronto Sun Toronto Sun front page National Post National Post front page Britain The Daily Telegraph A souvenir edition of The Daily Telegraph celebrates the happy couple telegraph While Matt manages to combine the news with England's Ashes struggles matt Daily Mail The Mail focuses on Harry's quote that "the stars were aligned" mail The Sun 'She's the one!' says The Sun, zooming in on the ring, which was made using one of Princess Diana's diamonds sun Daily Mirror The Mirror says Meghan 'just tripped and fell into Harry's life' mirror The Times The Times has a big picture of the couple, but splashes on a story about a Labour purge times The Guardian The Guardian also splashes on a politics story, but features a comment by Afua Hirsch on Britain's changing attitude towards race guardian Metro Metro goes with 'One's one' and features a picture of Meghan and Harry looking into each other's eyes Story continues Daily Express The Express also has the picture of the newly engaged couple beaming at each other express The Independent Predictably, the pro-republican Independent did not go big on the Royal news i The i celebrated the news, pointing out that Ms Markle will become the first mixed-race member of the Royal family i Australia The news graced the front pages in Australia as well. So big news about the Royals. Check out our front and back pages and Warren https://t.co/NEhgUFsAaFpic.twitter.com/SQPSCR5EiT The Daily Telegraph (@dailytelegraph) November 27, 2017 Melbourne's Herald Sun went for "Hooray Harry", Queensland's Courier Mail went for "Prince Marry" and the Hobart Mercury had "Meghan suits Prince Harry just fine". Karangasem (Indonesia) (AFP) - Evacuation centres and hotels in Bali filled up Tuesday with thousands seeking refuge as a volcano on the Indonesian resort island threatened to explode in a major eruption, forcing the airport to close for a second day. Stranded tourists hunted for accommodation while frightened villagers living in Mount Agung's shadow made their way to more than 200 evacuation centres as the mountain belched smoke and ash. The rumbling volcano -- which last erupted in 1963, killing around 1,600 people -- forced authorities to close Bali's airport again Tuesday as experts raised the alert level to maximum. Towering columns of thick grey smoke have been rising from the crater since last week, and in the last few days have begun shooting as high as four kilometres (2.5 miles), forcing all flights to be grounded until at least Wednesday. Ash is dangerous for planes as it makes runways slippery and can be sucked into their engines. The volcano, which looms over one of the world's top holiday spots, could produce a thunderous eruption at any moment, officials have warned. "The potential is there because magma is at the surface," said Kasbani, the head of the country's volcanology centre, who like many Indonesians goes by one name. Some 40,000 people have abandoned their homes in the danger zone but as many as many as 100,000 will likely be forced to leave, disaster agency officials have said. There is a 10 kilometre exclusion zone around Agung, which is 75 kilometres from the beachside tourist hub of Kuta. As of Tuesday around 440 flights had been cancelled, affecting more than 120,000 passengers in Bali, which attracts millions of foreign tourists every year. "We are supposed to go back to Germany via Singapore on (Friday) but the situation seems not good," said marooned student Alex Thamm. "Is it dangerous here? Do you think [the volcano] will explode?" - 'Nobody's fault' - Story continues Inn operator I Wayan Yastina Joni was among the few hoteliers willing to answer an appeal by Bali's governor and tourism agency to supply free rooms to out-of-luck visitors, though some offered discounts. "This is nobody's fault," said the owner of the Pondok Denayu Homestay. "It's a natural disaster that no one expected." Hundreds of visitors joined the mad rush to board buses headed to an international airport in Indonesia's second-biggest city Surabaya -- 13 hours' drive and a ferry ride away -- as torrential rain dampened spirits in the beach paradise. The airport on nearby Lombok island -- also a popular tourist destination -- has opened and closed several times in the past few days. Mount Agung's last eruption in the early sixties was one of the deadliest of the 20th century in a country with nearly 130 active volcanoes. "I am very worried because I have experienced this before," 67-year-old evacuee Dewa Gede Subagia told AFP. "I hope this time I won't have to evacuate for too long. In 1963 I left for four months." Roadside signs that read "Volcanic danger zone. No entry!" underscored the potential risks of staying behind, although some evacuees had their doubts. "The situation has forced us to be here," said I Nyoman Taman. "I don't want to be here...because no matter how bad it is at home, it's still better than at the evacuation centre." Experts said Agung's recent activity matches the build-up to the earlier disaster, which ejected enough debris -- about a billion tonnes -- to lower global average temperatures by 0.2 - 0.3 degrees Celsius for about a year. "What we are seeing at the moment are small explosions, throwing out hot gases and fragments of molten rock, or ash," said David Pyle, a volcano expert at Oxford University. "The probability of a large eruption is high, but this may take some days or weeks to unfold." - 'Ring of Fire' - Agung rumbled back to life in September, forcing the evacuation of 140,000 people living nearby. Its activity decreased in late October and many returned to their homes. However, on Saturday the mountain sent smoke up into the air for the second time in a week in what volcanologists call a phreatic eruption -- caused by the heating and expansion of groundwater. So-called cold lava flows have also appeared -- similar to mud flows and often a prelude to the blazing orange lava of popular imagination. Indonesia, the world's most active volcanic region, lies on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" where tectonic plates collide, causing frequent volcanic and seismic activities. str-dsa-rws-bbs/pb/sm Tourists were stuck in holiday limbo on Monday as an "imminent" eruption on the island of Bali saw more than 440 flights cancelled, with thousands facing a long, hard night's sleep on airport floors. The panic began when Mount Agung spurted clouds of grey and white ash across the Indonesian island and sparked a dangerous flow of debris, prompting fears it was on the verge of its first major eruption in more than 50 years. As the ash clouds reached heights of almost 10,000 feet, with glowing magma visible at the peak, 40,000 people were evacuated from the surrounding area. Disaster agency workers said that a total of 100,000 people would need to be evacuated, while officials warned the island was on "maximum alert." "We've been here since around 8am, we didn't know anything about the cancellation," Janeen McKay, who was anxious to get back to western Australia where she cares for her 80-year-old mother, told The Telegraph. "My other sister is now caring for her so my sister and me can have some holiday here. I just need to go home." She added: "We didn't know anything about free accommodation, we heard nothing. I am 51 years old; it's not comfortable to sleep on the hard floor." Bali Volcano - Mount Agung "I am not worry so much for me about the eruption, but I do feel for the locals who lost their homes. For me, it's just the flight delay." Several British tourists were also caught up in the chaos, among them Sarah Murphy, 40, and Tina Lucke, 31. After their Emirates flight to London Gatwick via Dubai was cancelled, they were re-booked onto the next available flight on Tuesday - only for that flight to be grounded amid uncertainty as to when Denpasar airport would re-open. The pair, who arrived on Bali on November 16, are staying in Padang Padang and are not near the volcano. "I have spoken with quite a few tourists today who are in similar positions," Ms Murphy said. "Some people staying here now were in Ubud and were apparently told to get over this side of the island because if it (the volcano) blows, then Ubud will be impossible to get out of because it's so busy with traffic. Story continues "Some other tourists I spoke to couldn't get hold of their airlines so had no idea what was happening or when or how they would leave." In a twist of irony, 31-year-old German tourist Noemi Galas said she been assured by a tour guide that there was no risk of Mount Agung erupting during a visit to another volcano nearby. "I went to to Mount Batur and saw the crater. My guide told me that there was another volcano that is actually active at the moment," she told The Telegraph. "He said don't worry, nothing will happen, it won't erupt. Now I am here." Mount Agung volcano on Bali spewed ash and steam todaybut volcanologists say the eruption was caused by magma heating water, not the more dangerous eruption of magma itself: https://t.co/9rzurzbPpMpic.twitter.com/JBZedX4Zwc ABC News (@ABC) November 21, 2017 "It was actually my friend who told me that my flight was cancelled, I didn't know anything. I checked in yesterday online, all was fine. I checked the website there was nothing. So I came here. They told me maybe tomorrow, just maybe tomorrow, I don't know anything else." Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency said on Monday that the volcanos eruptions were magmatic, meaning that lava has been forced to the surface. Blasts from the volcano were heard miles away. An agency spokesman said evacuation orders have been issued but some residents had refused to flee because they felt safe or wanted to tend to their livestock. "We really ask people in the danger zone to evacuate immediately because there's a potential for a bigger eruption," said a spokesman for the agency. Authorities will comb the area to persuade them. If needed we will forcibly evacuate them. Bali, an island lined with beaches and lush jungles and rainforests, is the most popular tourist destination in Indonesia and attracts about five million visitors a year. More than 220,000 British tourists visited last year. Indonesian authorities have arranged bus transport for tourists stranded at Balis airport and organised a free nights accommodation. Many of the stranded tourists were expected to leave the island by ferry. We now have to find a hotel and spend more of our money that they're not going to cover us for when we get home unfortunately," Brandon Olsen, a Canadian tourist stranded at the airport with his girlfriend, told Associated Press. Volcano Agung's eruption hazards A passenger wrote on the Facebook page of the airline Jetstar: "I was supposed to start a new job today but instead I am here in Bali wondering when I will be able to get home." Video footage showed large trails of volcanic mud or lahars running down the hillside. These can collect debris and rocks which can destroy houses and roads. Mount Agung, in eastern Bali, has been threatening to erupt for some time, prompting an evacuation of 140,000 people in September. The alert was lowered on October 29 as the activity decreased but was raised again three weeks later. Indonesias Vulcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Centre told Reuters the northeast area of Mount Agungs peak has swollen in recent weeks indicating there is fairly strong pressure toward the surface. It said that a large eruption could send rocks bigger than fists up to five miles away and volcanic gas to a distance of six miles within three minutes. The volcano's last major eruption in 1963 killed more than 1,000 people. Kensington Palace has declined to confirm whether President Trump will be welcome to attend the upcoming royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. A spokeswoman for the Palace, Julie Barley, told Newsweek, "Were focusing on the happy announcement of their engagement," and added that the guest list "will be announced in due course." RELATED: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle engagement photo call However, talking heads and pundits are already speculating whether the Trumps or Obamas will make the guest list. Being that Markle is a U.S. citizen, Business Insider suggests that Trump could expect an invitation to the wedding, which is expected to take place this coming spring. However, the British royal is reportedly highly critical of Trump in private, according to an US Weekly report earlier this year, in which a "close source" said Harry "is not a fan" of Trump. SEE ALSO: Obama's reaction to Prince Harry's engagement is as delightful as we'd expect "Harry thinks the president is a serious threat to human rights," the insider told the magazine. Negative comments made by Markle about Trump have also resurfaced, with her reportedly previously describing the American leader as "misogynistic" and "divisive." Markle, who is best known for her role in the Suits television show, even claimed that she would leave America if Trump was elected. RELATED: Obama hits campaign trail for first time since leaving White House Still, Trump could be left off the guest list for less personal reasons, as the Obamas didn't attend the 2011 wedding of Harrys older brother William, which was reportedly due to security costs for the then-first couple. On the other hand, however, the Obamas have appeared, at least on camera, to have forged a close relationship with Harry. Michelle Obama and Harry appeared together at a school event in Chicago recently and are regularly seen joking with each other whenever they attend events together. But Melania Trump also had a warm encounter exchange Harry during the Invictus games this year as well. Story continues RELATED: See Melania Trump and Prince Harry at the Invictus Games The former U.S. president was also seen sitting and laughing with Harry at the Invictus Games earlier this year, where Obama was reportedly overheard quizzing the 33-year-old royal on his relationship with Markle. Obama was also hosted by Prince Harry at the Kensington Palace back in May. Poor rural migrants who have lived in Beijings high-end business district for decades are among thousands who have been ordered to leave their homes - Neil Connor/Telegraph Poor rural migrants who have lived in Beijings high-end business district for decades serving snacks and noodles to office workers are among thousands who have been ordered to leave their homes as part of a city-wide campaign to force out low-end people. The mass evictions have fuelled concerns that officials are pushing out the poor in a bid to gentrify Beijings smarter districts, and comes within a wider drive to decrease the citys population. Authorities ramped up evictions following a fire in the southern outskirts of Beijing last week, which killed 19 people who were mainly migrants. Thousands have been forced to leave their homes near the site of the fire as officials seek to demolish illegal structures over safety concerns. View of the wreckage after a fatal housing block fire in Beijing, which killed 19 people Credit: RYAN MCMORROW/AFP But they have also launched a city-wide 40-day campaign targeting thousands of poor quality homes where the citys migrants often live. The crackdown has sparked anger in China, where decades of booming economic growth have left millions rich, but have created huge gaps in the distribution of wealth. More than a hundred Chinese intellectuals have signed a petition urging the Beijings municipal authority to cease the campaign. The drive to force out what the government terms low-end populations has caused alarm among the poor who live in Guomao, Beijings eastern business district and home to its most iconic modern skyscrapers. In a housing development just yards from the China headquarters of several multinational companies, designer boutiques and high-end apartments, The Telegraph spoke to three migrants who have been told by officials in the last week that they have to vacate their homes. One of them, Mr Zhou, came to Beijing more than 30 years ago from the eastern province of Anhui. The Beijing house of Mr Rao, from Inner Mongolia. He has lived there for 18 years but has been told to leave Credit: Neil Connor/Telegraph He lives at a noodle and steamed bun restaurant he runs with his wife and two children, but says his family have been ordered to leave within ten days. Why are we being punished? asked Mr Zhou, aged 48. Story continues It is the officials who are responsible for the deaths from that big fire who should be held responsible. Mrs Wu, a neighbour who runs a shop selling snacks and drinks, said she has been told to leave when all her stock has been sold. We had a closure notice put on our door the day after the fire, said Mrs Wu, who moved to Beijing ten years ago from her hometown in Henan province, central China. We have no choice but to return home and do farm work. Mrs Wu has lived in Beijing for 18 years, but has been told to leave her home, the local shop Credit: Neil Connor/Telegraph A man who lived nearby said he had been trying to avoid meeting with officials since the fire, as they had already forced his neighbours to leave. There is nothing for me back in my hometown in Inner Mongolia, said Mr Rao, who also has a notice on his front door. I just dont know where I will live in the future. Beijing last carried out a crackdown on illegal structures ahead of the 2008 Olympics, resulting in the displacement of 1.5 million residents. Additional reporting by Christine Wei Actor Billy Baldwin on Tuesday further addressed his claim that President Donald Trump once hit on his wife at a Manhattan hotel. Baldwin said in a tweet that he was not pissed at the president for making an advance on his wife. Honestly... my friends thought it was a riot at the time, Baldwin wrote in a Twitter message posted early Tuesday. Everybody flirts... I got no problem with that. But Baldwin said he does resent the president for criticizing Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.), who faces allegations from four women who say the former comic groped and sexually harassed them. I resent the hypocrisy of Trump pointing the finger at Al Franken while 16 women have accused HIM of sexual assault, Baldwin wrote. I was never pissed at Trump for hitting on my wife. Honestly my friends thought it was a riot at the time. Everybody flirts I got no problem with that. I resent the hypocrisy of Trump pointing the finger at Al Franken while 16 women have accused HIM of sexual assault. Billy Baldwin (@BillyBaldwin) November 28, 2017 Multiple women have accused Trump of sexual misconduct, and he was recorded bragging about sexual assault in the infamous Access Hollywood videotape. Reports surfaced over the weekend that Trump has been questioning the authenticity of the tape, even though he previously apologized for his comments and dismissed them as locker room talk. Trump challenged the authenticity of the Access Hollywood audio today cuz he's worried Mueller has something on him so, as a preemptive strike, he wants to cast doubt on the authenticity of any audio/ video they may try to use against him. He wants MAGA to think he's being set up Billy Baldwin (@BillyBaldwin) November 28, 2017 Last week, Baldwin hit back at the presidents eldest son, who also criticized Franken for the sexual harassment allegations. He called the president a 5th degree black belt when it comes to sexual impropriety allegations. Baldwin said Trump once showed up uninvited at a party he hosted and hit on his wife. Baldwin has been married to Chynna Phillips, of the band Wilson Phillips, since 1995. They have three children together. Also on HuffPost Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 13: Dwayne Johnson, Lauren Hashian and daughter Jasmine Johnson attend a ceremony honoring him with a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame on December 13, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by JB Lacroix/ WireImage) WESTWOOD, CA - DECEMBER 13: Will Smith and Jaden Smith attend the Premiere Of Netflix's 'Bright' at Regency Village Theatre on December 13, 2017 in Westwood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 13: Annette Bening (L) and Warren Beatty attend the Museum of the Moving Image Salute to Annette Bening at 583 Park Avenue on December 13, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images) NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 13: Alec Baldwin (L) and Colin Kaepernick attend Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Hosts Annual Ripple Of Hope Awards Dinner on December 13, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Ripple Of Hope Awards) HOLLYWOOD, CA - DECEMBER 12: Actress Rebel Wilson arrives for the premiere of Universal Pictures' 'Pitch Perfect 3' held at The Dolby Theater on December 12, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images) HOLLYWOOD, CA - DECEMBER 12: Actress Hailee Steinfeld arrives for the Premiere Of Universal Pictures' 'Pitch Perfect 3' held at The Dolby Theater on December 12, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images) HOLLYWOOD, CA - DECEMBER 11: (L-R) Nick Jonas, Jack Black, Dwayne Johnson, and Kevin Hart attend the premiere of Columbia Pictures' 'Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle' on December 11, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images) NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 11: Sienna Miller attends the New York premiere of 'Phantom Thread' After Party at Harold Pratt House on December 11, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Paul Bruinooge/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images) BEVERLY HILLS, CA - DECEMBER 11: (L-R) Actors Sharon Stone, Garrett Hedlund, Kristen Bell and Alfre Woodard attend Moet & Chandon Toasts The 75th Annual Golden Globe Awards Nominations at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on December 11, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Moet & Chandon ) NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 08: Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron attend 'The Greatest Showman' World Premiere aboard the Queen Mary 2 at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal on December 8, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Steven Ferdman/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 07: Gal Gadot attends the 2017 GQ Men of the Year party at Chateau Marmont on December 7, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for GQ) LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 06: Zac Efron seen at Capital Radio Studios on December 6, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Neil Mockford/GC Images) LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 05: Jennifer Aniston is seen at 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' on December 05, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by RB/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images) DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 07: Cate Blanchett attends the IWC Photocall on day two of the 14th annual Dubai International Film Festival held at the Madinat Jumeriah Complex on December 7, 2017 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for DIFF,) LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 06: Demi Lovato attends Refinery29 29Rooms Los Angeles: Turn It Into Art at ROW DTLA on December 6, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Araya Diaz/WireImage) LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 06: Janelle Monae attends Refinery29 29Rooms Los Angeles: Turn It Into Art at ROW DTLA on December 6, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic) LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 06: Sterling K. Brown (L) and Kathryn Hahn at The Hollywood Reporter's 26th Annual Women In Entertainment Breakfast presented in partnership with FIJI Water at Milk Studios on December 6, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for FIJI Water) LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 06: Angelina Jolie speaks onstage at The Hollywood Reporter's 2017 Women In Entertainment Breakfast at Milk Studios on December 6, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images) Actress Jennifer Lawrence attends The Hollywood Reporter 2017 Women In Entertainment Breakfast, on December 6, 2017, in Hollywood, California. / AFP PHOTO / VALERIE MACON (Photo credit should read VALERIE MACON/AFP/Getty Images) BEVERLY HILLS, CA - DECEMBER 05: Actor Ashley Judd speaks onstage at The Paley Center for Media on December 5, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 05: Sebastian Stan, Craig Gillespie, Allison Janney, Steven Rogers, Bryan Unkeless, Tonya Harding, Ricky Russert and Margot Robbie attend NEON and 30WEST Present the Los Angeles Premiere of 'I, Tonya' Supported By Svedka on December 5, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for NEON) NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 05: Diane Kruger discusses 'In The Fade' with the Build Series at Build Studio on December 5, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/WireImage) MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 04: Actress Jessica Chastain attends 'Molly's Game' Madrid premiere at Callao Cinema on December 4, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Pablo Cuadra/WireImage) MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA - DECEMBER 03: Actors Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis arrive at the 2018 Breakthrough Prize at NASA Ames Research Center on December 3, 2017 in Mountain View, California. (Photo by Miikka Skaffari/Getty Images,) WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - DECEMBER 04: Reese Witherspoon (R) and Ava Phillippe attend Molly R. Stern X Sarah Chloe Jewelry Collaboration Launch Dinner on December 4, 2017 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Sarah Chloe Jewelry) LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 04: Chris Pratt is seen at 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' on December 04, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by BG017/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images) BEVERLY HILLS, CA - DECEMBER 03: Julianne Hough attends The Trevor Project's 2017 TrevorLIVE LA on December 3, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by JB Lacroix/ WireImage) NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 27: Armie Hammer and Saoirse Ronan poses with her award at the 2017 Gotham Awards sponsored by Greater Ft. Lauderdale Tourism at Cipriani, Wall Street on November 27, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau) NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 27: Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman attend the GreenSlate Greenroom at The 2017 Gotham Awards at Cipriani Wall Street on November 27, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for GreenSlate) NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 27: Robert Pattinson and James Franco attend IFP's 27th Annual Gotham Independent Film Awards at Cipriani Wall Street on November 27, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Steven Ferdman/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images) NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 27: Actor Timothee Chalamet is seen Downtown on November 27, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Raymond Hall/GC Images) LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 27: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce the engagement of Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace on November 27, 2017 in London, England. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been a couple officially since November 2016 and are due to marry in Spring 2018. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage) TOKYO, JAPAN - NOVEMBER 27: Actress Jessica Chastain attrends the press conference for 'The Zookeeper's Wife' at Roppongi Hills on November 27, 2017 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Jun Sato/WireImage) SAN JOSE, CA - NOVEMBER 14: Katy Perry performs during her 'Witness' tour at SAP Center on November 14, 2017 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 24: Actors Jane Krakowski and Maya Rudolph attend FOX's 'A Christmas Story Live!' Lighting Event featuring the leg lamp at The Grove on November 24, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Tullberg/Getty Images) This article originally appeared on HuffPost. La Paz (AFP) - Bolivia's constitutional court Tuesday authorised leftist President Evo Morales to run for a fourth term in 2019, despite the South American nation rejecting the move in a referendum last year. Critics said the decision amounts to a green light for Morales to run for office indefinitely. "This is clear proof the court system in Bolivia reflects Morales' will," said Carlos Cordero, a political scientist at the Mayor de San Andres university. In February 2016, the country voted by a slim margin against proposed changes to the constitution to allow Morales -- already Bolivia's longest-serving leader since independence from Spain in 1825 -- to again stand for the presidency. But his Movement to Socialism (MAS) party, a grouping of unions and social movements, had sought "alternative legal solutions" to overturn the popular vote. In its ruling on Tuesday, the court said the right to run for office superseded the limits imposed in the constitution. "With this ruling, they have now gone outside the legal framework," said Doria Medina, a conservative legislator. Morales already had the constitution changed once, three years after taking power in 2006. Under that revised constitution, he was elected president in 2009, and then won what was meant to be a one-off renewal in 2014. Morales, 58, said last year that the "no" camp won the referendum because of "lies" told by a former girlfriend about their supposed love child -- a child she eventually admitted had died shortly after birth. Morales, who tended llamas as a child, is Bolivia's first indigenous president. Rio de Janeiro (AFP) - Brazil is ready to send at least 750 peacekeepers to join a United Nations force patrolling the Central African Republic, a Brazilian general said Tuesday. General Ajax Porto Pinheiro, who headed Brazil's former UN mission in Haiti, known as MINUSTAH, said the army was ready to respond to a UN request for reinforcements in the impoverished African country. "The timing is not precise, but we think our troops will go to Central Africa by March or April," he told AFP. This would first require government and congressional approval, he added. The United Nations voted this month to boost its struggling MINUSCA mission in the Central African Republic by 900 troops. The Security Council set a new ceiling for troops at 11,650, up from 10,750. An additional 2,080 police are authorized to serve as peacekeepers. Pinheiro said Brazil had been looking for a new peacekeeping role ever since its 13-year Haiti operation ended in September. "The possibility of intervening in Central Africa has been studied in depth since May," he said. However, the new mission will be "more challenging," he warned. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who has warned of a risk of ethnic cleansing in the Central African Republic, pushed for a beefed up MINUSCA force, saying it has reached its limits in coping with growing violence. London (AFP) - Prime Minister Theresa May left London late Tuesday for a three-day visit to the Middle East, where she will meet Saudi and Jordanian leaders in a bid to bolster regional ties. The British leader will hold talks on issues including Qatar and Yemen with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, before heading to Jordan for meetings with King Abdullah II and Prime Minister Hani Mulki. "This visit demonstrates that as the UK leaves the EU we are determined to forge a bold, confident future for ourselves in the world, a spokesman for May said. "It is clearly in the UK's security interests to support Jordan and Saudi Arabia in tackling regional challenges to create a more stable region, and in delivering their ambitious reform programmes to ensure their own stability," he added. May, embattled domestically after losing her parliamentary majority in a snap election over the summer and facing division over Brexit, visited both countries in April. In Saudi Arabia, she is expected to reiterate her support for the kingdom's fledgling social reform programme, which saw an end to the infamous ban on women driving last September. Britain's largest trading partner in the Middle East, London has signed off on more than 3.3 billion (3.7 billion, $4.4 billion) worth of arms sales to Riyadh since March 2015. During that time Saudi Arabia has embarked on a bombing campaign in Yemen that has been condemned for contributing to a humanitarian disaster. The UN estimates that seven million Yemenis are on the verge of starvation. May is expected to discuss the crisis during her meetings. Runway vs. retail Brian Atwood for Victorias Secret Porcelain Angel boots, left, and Aquazzura + Claudia Schiffer Loulous tasseled satin pumps, $850 Net-a-Porter (Photo: Victorias Secret/Net-a-Porter) When the Victorias Secret fashion show was first held in 1995, the primary focus of the event was, obviously, the lingerie, while delightful footwear was but a footnote, so to speak. Fast-forward more than two decades, and the shoes thigh-high, fur-trimmed, and leather boots, gladiator heels, and sky-high stilettos account for just as much of the costumes as do the bras, if not more. For the third consecutive year, American designer Brian Atwood has created the footwear in partnership with the Victorias Secret team for this years show in Shanghai. Victorias Secret itself doesnt sell shoes at least not really, save a pair of Ugg-like suede boots and furry slides on its Pink site, which targets younger shoppers. Yet chatter about the elaborate footwear on the Victorias Secret runways recurs annually, thanks in part to help from designers favored by Hollywood. (Before Atwood, Nicholas Kirkwood, and Sophia Webster designed the heels.) Among Atwoods relationships with celebrities like Melissa McCarthy, Lindsay Lohan and Jennifer Lopez, hes known for towering stilettos with prices equally as daunting to most women. The line is typically sold at luxury retailers like Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue, or online at Net-a-Porter. The Brian Atwood brand originally launched in 2001, with footwear to come a decade later might belong to a commercial enterprise (Steve Madden Ltd., which purchased the rights to Atwoods business in 2014, calls the brand super luxury), but his shoes arent well known to most Americans. Its that very reason working with Victorias Secret is just as important to Atwood as it is for the lingerie company. For Atwood, its a shot at reaching an 800 million-plus size audience worldwide, not all of whom may be able to afford the Atwood brand but can all aspire to it. For Victorias Secret, working with Atwood (as well as French luxury brand Balmain) bolsters the commercial brands cachet. Bringing in real high-end designers elevates [Victorias Secret] to a more sophisticated level on the world stage, Atwood tells Yahoo Lifestyle. Theyre smart to add those elements. Story continues Thats especially the case when one thinks of Chinese consumers and their penchant for luxury wares. They love luxury and they love the high fashion; in my opinion its an obsession, Atwood says of Chinese consumers. I have a great relationship in that market, and they always want whats new. Thats their addiction. As for the shoes themselves, there are 100 pairs made for the show that are divided into 22 styles, pegged to a few distinct themes (think of them like collections within the larger show). For 2017, there is nomadic adventure, porcelain angel, a winters tale, and lastly punk angel to accompany the Balmain x Victorias Secret collection that his friend and fellow designer Olivier Rousteing designed. (Unlike Atwoods creations, the Balmain line for Victorias Secret will be available for purchase by consumers.) Atwood is most excited about the details in each design be it micro-daggers or sequins or inlayed feathers. Heel height is of no concern to the designer, who says professional models know how to walk in five-inch heels. (Still, one model fell during this years show, tripping over her cape.) Designing for Victorias Secret is like being given carte blanche to do what you want, Atwood says. Sometimes thats problematic. As of this writing, the show has not yet broadcast in the U.S. (it does so on Tuesday, Nov. 28, at 9 p.m. ET), but eagle-eyed consumers have already accused the brand of cultural appropriation, as in years past. Nomadic adventure with its tribal prints that some say exploit Native Americans has been prophesied as problematic. If the designs dont deter you, availability will. In addition to the fact that you cant purchase any of the shows shoes, its tough to find any of Atwoods shoes online right now that arent resale. The designer is preparing a relaunch for the spring, and several luxury department store websites dont currently carry any Brian Atwood inventory. Atwood did say that his next collection will adapt some of the designs from the Victorias Secret runway, though. In the meantime, you can shop for styles similar to those Atwood created for the show. And if Victorias Secrets luxury bets pay off, maybe youll be inspired to buy new lingerie too. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: The one-minute hack to get Victorias Secret Angel hair The worlds most expensive shoes cost $15 million Victorias Secret model Lais Ribeiro has stretch marks and the internet is loving it Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. By Haejin Choi and Pei Li SEOUL/BEIJING (Reuters) - China will allow travel agencies in Beijing and Shandong to partly resume sales of group tours to South Korea, in a sign of thawing relations between the nations that have been locked in a year-long diplomatic standoff. However, executives from tour agencies in the regions said they had been told not to include in their travel packages units of South Korean retail-to-chemicals giant Lotte Group - which provided land for the installation of a U.S.-backed anti-missile system that Beijing vehemently opposed. China had banned all group tours to the neighboring country since March in the wake of South Korea's decision to install the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system. Beijing worries the THAAD's powerful radar can penetrate Chinese territory. In South Korea, a halving of inbound Chinese tourists in the first nine months of the year cost the economy $6.5 billion in lost revenue based on the average spending of Chinese visitors in 2016, official data shows. But a late October agreement between the countries to move past the dispute had boosted hopes group tours may be allowed in the near future. [L3N1NE1MN] China National Tourism Administration will allow resumption of only over-the-counter sales of package tours from Beijing and Shandong to South Korea, Park Yong-hwan, deputy director at Korea Tourism Organization, and executives at Chinese travel agencies said on Tuesday. Online sales of package tours, and chartering flights or cruise trips are still banned, Park said. According to the executives at travel agencies, restrictions on including Lotte Group units, such as Lotte Duty Free, in tour packages also remain. The executives declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter. Lotte, South Korea's No.5 conglomerate, has faced a major setback in the wake of deteriorating bilateral relations, with most of its hypermarkets in China being shut down after fire inspections. The South Korean travel ban is expected to be be in place for other Chinese regions for now and be gradually lifted going forward, Park said. Shares in South Korean tourism and retail companies rallied after the news of the partial lifting of the ban, first reported by Yonhap earlier in the day. Asiana Airlines gained 3.1 percent and duty free store operator Hotel Shilla rose 2.8 percent. Casino operator Paradise rose 2.2 percent, while cosmetics maker LG Household & Health Care added 3.7 percent. (Reporting by Haejin Choi in SEOUL and Pei Li in BEIJING; Additional reporting by Hyunjoo Jin and Joyce Lee; Editing by Himani Sarkar) Shanghai (AFP) - A deadly blast that rocked China's port city of Ningbo at the weekend was caused by the mishandling of illegal explosives, police said Tuesday. Sunday's blast hit a crumbling light-industrial area after a fugitive wanted for manufacturing and selling illegal explosives had asked relatives to dispose of the material, Ningbo police said in a statement. The explosion killed two people and injured at least 19 in the city, which is just south of Shanghai and one of China's largest ports. Two others were reported missing. The 33-year-old suspect surnamed Shan, who had been wanted by police in the northeastern province of Liaoning since late October, was arrested on Monday night. He had been hiding in the central province of Hubei, police said. They did not indicate why the suspect had been making explosives, which were shipped from Liaoning to Ningbo and contained aluminium powder and barium nitrate. The explosion happened after his relatives took the material to the site on Saturday, the statement said. They began to dismantle the explosives that same night and continued on Sunday morning, when the material blew up. The police statement did not say how many people were involved or what happened to them. The local government had said Monday that a septic tank in a vacant lot was at the epicentre of the blast. "Investigation showed the careless handling process could have caused the explosion and excluded the possibilities of any intentionally man-made blast," police said. The local government and state media variously described the site as a vacant lot or an abandoned factory. The force of the explosion shattered windows in nearby apartments, mangled cars and reduced small buildings to rubble, though locals said the structures were already in poor shape and slated for demolition. The explosion was so powerful that it was heard several kilometres away. Residents said some people from outside Ningbo had been squatting at the site, but others disputed that. In addition to the fatalities, four people were severely injured and 15 others slightly hurt. By Christian Shepherd and Jess Macy Yu BEIJING/TAIPEI (Reuters) - China on Tuesday sentenced Taiwanese rights activist Li Ming-che to five years in prison for subverting state power, prompting Taiwan's ruling political party to label the verdict "totally unacceptable". Li, a community college lecturer and an activist at a human rights non-governmental organisation in Taiwan, went missing while on a trip to China in March. Chinese authorities later charged him with subverting state power. In the first hearing of Li's case in September, he confessed to subversion, according to videos of the hearing, though his wife refused to recognise the court's authority. Tuesday's verdict was handed down by the Yueyang City Intermediate People's Court in central Hunan province, according to a video of proceedings released by the court's social media account. A mainland Chinese rights activist, Peng Yuhua, tried alongside Li, was sentenced to seven years for the same crime. Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said that it was "strongly dissatisfied and regretful" of the result, calling for Beijing to allow Li to return to Taiwan. Beijing must ensure the health and well-being of Li, respect the law and continue to allow his family to visit him, the DPP said in a statement. Li's wife, Li Ching-yu, who had travelled to the mainland from Taiwan to attend her husband's hearing, was in attendance when the verdict was read, according to the videos. Li Ching-yu said in a statement sent to Reuters by her supporters that her husband had long realised that his rights work came with a cost and that there were "tigers in the mountains". "He came to understand early on that he must accept the torment of being made to accept guilt and of being imprisoned," she said. Peng had been the main actor in the subversion and Li had been an active participant, the court authorities said in the video. Both Li and Peng said that they accepted the ruling and would not appeal, according to the court's video. Ties between Beijing and Taipei have been strained since Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, leader of the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party, took office last year. Tsais refusal to state that Taiwan and China are part of one country has angered Beijing, as have her comments about human rights on the mainland. (Reporting by Christian Shepherd in Beijing and Jessica Macy Yu in Taipei; Editing by Michael Perry and Tony Munroe) BEIJING (Reuters) - A prominent Chinese general under investigation for corruption has committed suicide, state media said on Tuesday, the latest development in a sweeping anti-graft campaign that has shaken the armed forces. Zhang Yang, a former member of the powerful Central Military Commission (CMC), was being investigated over links to disgraced generals Guo Boxiong and Xu Caihou, the official Xinhua news agency said. The investigation into Zhang, 66, had verified that he "gravely violated discipline", was "suspected of giving and taking bribes" and the origin of a huge amount of assets was unclear, Xinhua said, citing the commission. "On the afternoon of Nov. 23, Zhang Yang hanged himself at home," the agency said. A suicide by an officer who held such a senior post is rare, though experts have said the frequency of officials from various levels of government taking their own lives may have increased as a result of the intensity of the corruption crackdown since President Xi Jinping took power five years ago. A commentary carried on both the Defense Ministry and military's official websites said the CMC decided on Aug. 28 to investigate Zhang, who had "lost his moral bottom line" and used suicide as a means to "escape punishment from the party and country", an "extremely abominable act". "This former general of high position and great power used this shameful way to end his own life," the commentary said. "He would exhort loyalty but be corrupt behind others' backs, a typical 'two-faced person'," it said. Sources had told Reuters that Zhang, who had served as director of the military's Political Work Department, had been subject to an investigation, but the government had not announced it. Zhang's downfall was foreshadowed in September when he failed to make a list of 303 military delegates to the ruling Communist Party's key five-yearly congress, along with fellow CMC member Fang Fenghui. Both men were replaced at the congress, held last month, as part of a sweeping military leadership reshuffle in which Xi install trusted allies in key positions. China's military, the world's largest and undergoing an ambitious modernization campaign, has been an important focus of Xi's deep-seated fight against corruption. Serving and retired officers have said graft in the armed forces is so pervasive it could undermine China's ability to wage war. Dozens of officers have been investigated and jailed, including Xu and Guo, both former vice chairmen of the commission, which Xi heads. Xu once ran the Political Work Department, which is in charge of imbuing political thought and makes military personnel decisions, and along with Guo was accused of taking bribes in exchange for promotions. Guo was jailed for life last year. Xu died of cancer in 2015 before he could face trial. (Reporting by Michael Martina and Philip Wen; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Nick Macfie) (Reuters) - A federal jury on Tuesday convicted a Connecticut cardiologist of insider trading based on confidential information he learned about a clinical drug trial, prosecutors said on Tuesday. Jurors in Hartford, Connecticut, took roughly four hours to find Edward Kosinski, 70, of Weston, guilty on two counts of securities fraud. Each count carries a maximum 20-year prison term, though defendants typically receive far less. Brian Spears, a lawyer for Kosinski, said his client is asking U.S. District Judge Vanessa Bryant, who presided over the trial, to set aside the verdict and enter a judgment of acquittal, and plans to appeal if he is unsuccessful. Prosecutors said Kosinski sold his 40,000 shares of Regado Biosciences Inc on July 3, 2014, after learning nonpublic information about setbacks in a clinical trial of a drug to regulate clotting in patients undergoing coronary angioplasty. They said these setbacks included several allergic reactions and a halt on accepting new subjects until the events could be reviewed. Regado's share price fell 58 percent on July 3, 2014, after the news was disclosed, and Kosinski avoided about $160,000 of losses by having sold his shares earlier, prosecutors said. The defendant has worked at St. Vincent's Medical Center in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Regado later merged with Tobira Therapeutics Inc. Kosinski is free on $500,000 bail pending his sentencing, which has not been scheduled, prosecutors said. His trial began on Nov. 13. The case is U.S. v. Kosinski, U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut, No. 16-cr-00148. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Jonathan Oatis) Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman vowed that extremists will no longer tarnish our beautiful religion (AP) The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia has vowed to rid the world of all Islamic terrorists during the first meeting of a new military alliance. Mohammed bin Salman signalled his intent to increase the fight against terrorism just days after jihadists slaughtered over 300 people at a mosque in Egypt. Speaking at the meeting of a new Islamic coalition in Riyadh, he told defence ministers: Today we began tracking down terrorism and we see its defeat in many countries of the world, especially in Islamic countries. Prince Mohammed spoke at a meeting of the Islamic Military Counterterrorism Alliance in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (AP) We will pursue it until it disappears completely from the surface of the earth. Prince Mohammed promised stronger military and financial co-operation against terrorism after a series of incidents over recent years. Promising to bring moderate Islam to the region, he added: The greatest danger of extremist terrorism is in distorting the reputation of our tolerant religion. MORE: Armed robber jailed after members of the public punch him in the face to stop him escaping MORE: More than 200,000 people tried to buy a gun in the Black Friday sales The coalition is made up of 41 largely Sunni-majority countries and describes itself as a pan-Islamic unified front against violent extremism. Shia-majority countries including Iran, Iraq and Syria are not included in the coalition. Cairo (AFP) - Egypt's years-long military campaign against a jihadist insurgency in the north of the Sinai Peninsula is under increasing scrutiny following a devastating mosque attack last week. More than 300 people were killed in Friday's bomb and gun assault -- the deadliest in the country's recent history -- highlighting the insurgents' ability to carry out spectacular attacks despite the deployment of tens of thousands of troops. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi vowed to respond with "brutal force", and the army announced it had destroyed several of the vehicles used in the attack and killed their occupants. But for some analysts, the army's muscular reprisals are not enough. "I think (the Sinai) needs (a) smarter military presence," said Zack Gold, an analyst at the Atlantic Council's Rafik Hariri Center. "The job of the military is not to protect the military," he said. "The job of the military is to protect the population and to secure the territory". He said currently soldiers were usually confined to checkpoints on the region's roads instead of securing the population centres, where the insurgency has crippled the economy. - 'Easier to recruit' - Timothy Kaldas, a non-resident fellow at the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy, said multiple foreign diplomats had told him that when they urge Egyptian officials to change tactics, "they get a lot of pushback". "They are basically told 'not to interfere in Egypt's affairs'," he said. He said discussion of security strategy took place within a "small circle" and that the public was "not allowed to participate in that conversation to discuss what is problematic and what could be better". Egypt's Western allies acknowledge the army has made some headway in containing the insurgency and forcing IS to change its tactics. Large-scale attacks on the military have grown less frequent, as IS has increasingly turned to a war of attrition involving roadside bombings and sniper attacks, inflicting fewer casualties on the army. Story continues The military has also succeeded in hitting some of the group's top commanders, including overall leader Abu Duaa al-Ansari who was killed in an air strike last year. It has largely ended the once-lucrative smuggling trade with the Gaza Strip by destroying tunnels under the border with the Palestinian territory and razing parts of the divided frontier town of Rafah to create a buffer zone. But the home demolitions have stoked further resentment in a region that has felt marginalised for decades. Kaldas said that situation "makes it easier for ISIS (IS) to recruit, it makes people less interested in supporting the government." IS too has sparked some antagonism with its tactics. The jihadists have alienated the region's largest tribe, the Tarabin, by executing dozens of its members for allegedly cooperating with the army. Some Tarabin have formed militias to fight IS. - Increased military presence - Sisi came to power after leading the military overthrow of his Islamist predecessor Mohamed Morsi in 2013 promising to restore security following the chaos of the Arab Spring uprising that toppled longtime dictator Hosni Mubarak. But four years on, the situation in Sinai is far from stable. In November 2014, shortly after Sisi's election as president, Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, a Sinai-based jihadist group previously linked to Al-Qaeda, swore allegiance to IS. Friday's attack was carried out by some 30 armed men carrying flags similar to the black banner of IS, although the jihadist organisation has not formally claimed it. The emergence of IS in Sinai strengthened the jihadist insurgency that began in 2013, with the Sinai militants drawing from the expertise of IS jihadists elsewhere. The Sinai Peninsula had long been demilitarised under the terms of the 1979 peace treaty between Egypt and Israel but as the violence intensified the government responded by ramping up its military presence, with the tacit approval of Israel. The region's biggest army was able to prevent IS repeating its successes in Iraq, where it seized a third of the country, including major urban centres, before declaring its "caliphate" in 2014. One attempt by IS in July 2015 to seize the town of Sheikh Zuweid prompted the military to unleash F-16 jets, forcing the jihadists to withdraw. Democratic candidates for Californias 48th congressional seat, from top left, Hans Keirstead, Boyd Roberts, Omar Siddiqui, Harley Rouda, Michael Kotick, Laura Oatman and Tony Zarkades. Far right, GOP Rep. Dana Rohrabacher. (Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: hansforca.com, boydrobertsforcongress.com, omarinthehouse.com, harleyforcongress.com, Scott Dudelson/Getty Images,oatmanforcongress.com, tonyzforcongress.org, Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call, Getty Images (2)). LOS ANGELES For Democrats in Orange County, Calif., it has started to seem, in recent months, as if the question is not so much Whos running for Congress in 2018? as Who isnt? In February, Democratic real estate broker Boyd Roberts announced that he would be challenging longtime GOP Rep. Dana Rohrabacher of Californias 48th Congressional District in the upcoming midterm elections. In March, businessman Harley Rouda, another Laguna Beach Democrat, declared that he would be gunning for Rohrabachers job as well. In April, Laura Oatman, an architect and mother of five, entered the race. Then came pioneering stem cell biologist Hans Keirstead. And American Airlines pilot Tony Zakardes. And lawyer Omar Siddiqui. And Nestle executive Michael Kotick. And these California Democrats arent unique. Earlier this month, the party won key victories in Virginia, New Jersey and scores of other local contests across the country. But one of the biggest stories of the night if not the biggest was recruitment, particularly in the battle for control of Virginias Republican-dominated House of Delegates. In previous years, Virginia Democrats had failed to field challengers in politically promising districts, conceding dozens of seats to vulnerable but unchallenged GOP incumbents. But 2017 attracted droves of diverse, often rookie candidates electrified by President Trump and itching to resist, and by Election Day, Virginia Democrats had standard-bearers on the ballot in 88 of 100 districts the most anyone could remember. The party wound up winning 16 seats, roughly twice the number even the most optimistic partisans had predicted before the election. This, in turn, has led to newfound optimism for the party going into 2018. According to Politico, Democratic leaders are now predicting a fundraising and candidate recruitment surge, powered by grassroots fury at the Trump administration. When it comes to recruitment, the conventional wisdom is clear: The more candidates, the merrier. Story continues Given the failed agenda being pushed by Paul Ryan and Washington Republicans, its no wonder that strong candidates are stepping up to the plate in Orange County and across California, says Drew Godinich, a spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. The deep bench of outsider candidates is a testament to the incredible grassroots energy we are seeing on the ground. Or as the DCCC chair, Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., has said elsewhere, No party ever lost an election due to too much energy and momentum. But 2018 is shaping up to be such an unusual election cycle that one has to wonder: Could an unprecedented glut of Democratic hopefuls and the crowded primaries that are sure to follow tip the scales the other way? Could Democrats be in danger of having too much of a good thing? This, at least, is the line that Republicans in the traditional conservative stronghold of Orange County are peddling. All the Republicans are unified behind one candidate in each of these races and the Democrats have divided loyalties to candidates who have no name ID, county GOP Chairman Fred Whitaker has said, according to the Orange County Register. Im pretty happy with it. And so, more than anywhere else, the O.C. will be the place to watch to find whos right. In November 2015, with roughly a year to go until Election Day 2016, only one Democrat had launched his candidacy across all of Orange County. Now there are seven Democratic candidates running in Rohrabachers district alone and 23 in the O.C. as a whole, where diversifying demographics, a dwindling Republican registration advantage and Hillary Clintons groundbreaking countywide victory in 2016 have Democrats eyeing four GOP incumbents previously considered safe: Reps. Rohrabacher; Ed Royce, CA-39; Mimi Walters, CA-45; and Darrell Issa, CA-49. For the most part, these challengers are not the gadflies, vanity candidates and sacrificial lambs that have run against Rohrabacher & Co. in prior elections. Democratic candidates for Congress in California, Doug Applegate, Mike Levin, Andy Thorburn and Mai-Khanh Tran. (Photo illustration: Yahoo News. Photos: applegateforcongress.com, mikelevin.org, thorburnforcongress.com, doctran2018.com, Getty Images). Theres Mai-Khanh Tran, a Vietnam-War-refugee-turned-pediatrician-turned-two-time-cancer-survivor. Theres Andy Thorburn, a teacher-turned-union-leader-turned-millionaire-businessman. Theres environmental activist Mike Levin, whos raised nearly a million dollars since announcing his candidacy in March. And theres retired Marine Col. Doug Applegate, who came within 1,622 votes of unseating Issa in 2016. Not to mention 19 more like them. Political scientists say theres a strong relationship between the number of candidates a party recruits and the partys win-loss record on Election Day. If a party can convince a large number of skilled and experienced candidates to run for office, those candidates tend to do better and the party tends to win more seats, Seth Masket of the University of Denver wrote in August for the data-focused FiveThirtyEight website. Democrats had twice the number of challengers that Republicans did in 2006 and then took over the House in that election, while a similar advantage yielded similar payoffs for Republicans in 2010. In his analysis, Masket plotted the Democratic share of viable, early House challengers that is, candidates who raised more than $5,000 by June 30 of the year before the election against the number of seats Democrats eventually gained or lost on Election Day. He found that in every election since 2004 in which Democrats fielded more candidates than Republicans, they also wound up gaining seats an additional 2.5 House members per each additional percentage-point advantage in early House candidates, on average. The most extreme example was 2006, when nearly 70 percent of the early House candidates were Democrats. That year, the party netted 31 seats on Election Day. Apply the same formula to the 2018 cycle, Masket noted, and Democrats will be on track to pick up 93 House seats the third-largest gain in U.S. history. Which brings us to the problem with the political science on recruitment: The numbers so far this cycle are way off the charts making it pretty much impossible to predict how things will ultimately shake out. Case in point: According to a recent analysis by Michael Malbin, executive director of the nonpartisan Campaign Finance Institute, 391 Democratic challengers have already raised $5,000 or more. No other cycle comes close. The next highest tally belongs to the GOP, who in October 2009 boasted fewer than half as many candidates (184) with $5,000 or more. In fact, at every fundraising level $5,000, $25,000, $50,000, $100,000 the Democratic class of 2017 is more than twice as large as the Republican class of 2009. Also unprecedented is the fact that, so far this cycle, 85 percent of the candidates whove cleared $5,000 are Democrats. By October of 2009, Republicans could only lay claim to 72 percent of the $5,000 club and they still managed to pick up 63 seats the following November, thanks to that years tea party wave. So far, so good for the Dems, right? Absolutely. But the flip side of this flood of Democratic challengers is that a lot of them are clustering into a few pivotal races, competing against each other for the opportunity unseat the most vulnerable Republican incumbents. As Malbin points out, eight Democratic challengers have filed FEC reports in the race against the incumbent, Jeff Denham, in Californias 10th District. Seven are running against Dana Rohrabacher in CA-48, seven against Peter Roskam in Ill.-6, and seven against John Faso in NY-19. The most these 29 challengers can do in the general election is defeat four incumbents. In other words, there may be 391 viable Democratic challengers out on the trail right now, but theyre only running against 156 Republican incumbents which means that, on average, 2.5 Dems are already competing in each primary contest, with roughly a year to go until Election Day. Rewind to this point in the last Democratic wave cycle (2006), and youll see that the average number of primary candidates back then was significantly lower: about 1.4 Dems per contest. None of which is bad for the party, per se. The only way to lay the groundwork for a wave election is by fielding solid candidates for as many flippable seats as possible, then waiting for the national mood to turn in your favor. By that measure, this years Democrats are miles ahead of where Republicans were in the fall of 2009, when only 97 Democratic incumbents had drawn viable challengers. Yet its not impossible to imagine that squeezing seven or eight Democrats into a competitive House primary could have some unintended consequences. The level of enthusiasm that comes with such a crowded field almost always outweighs any downside, says Dan Schnur, a former spokesman for Republicans Pete Wilson and John McCain, who until recently ran the Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics at the University of Southern California. But there needs to be some type of organization or structure through which to channel all that energy. The first thing to note is that unlike 2006, when then DCCC chair Rahm Emanuel recruited the right candidates, found the money and funded them and provided issues for them, 2017 is all about fired-up grassroots activists making the leap to electoral politics on their own. This means less grooming, less district-by-district tailoring, less top-down centrism and more rookies, more idiosyncrasies and likely more progressivism. From there, its a short leap to a more unpredictable primary season. As in the 2016 GOP presidential primary contest when the popular vote was divided among a dozen candidates the eventual nominee could wind up being a plurality candidate who represents a passionate faction of the party. But that isnt always the same thing as a nominee whos the best fit for the district in a general election. In fact, some Democrats worry that in such a scenario Republicans could put their thumbs on the scales, says Dave Min, one of two University of California, Irvine law professors running against Walters in CA-45 (along with five other Dems). With so many candidates, we run the risk that the incumbent will play in our primary, Min tells Yahoo News. Republicans could spend money to help pick a weaker candidate the challenger they want to face in the fall. A cramped field can also complicate fundraising. The problem isnt so much a lack of donations; so far, overall receipts have been impressive. Its that we all have to spend down to zero in the primary, while the Republican incumbent saves her cash, according to Min. So shell have more than a million dollars on hand to define the contest from Day One while our nominee will have to start over from scratch. Meanwhile, things could get even wilder in California, where control of Congress may ultimately be decided and where Democrats compete against Republicans and independents in a nonpartisan primary system. (The top two finishers proceed to the general election regardless of party affiliation.) Here, the risk is that splitting the Democratic vote seven or eight ways in a historically conservative area could allow a non-Democratic challenger to finish second and go head-to-head with the GOP incumbent next November. This has happened before. In 2012, Republican Rep. Gary Miller was gerrymandered out of his previous district (the 42nd) and forced to run in a new, majority-Hispanic district that leaned to the left. In the primary, Redlands Democrat Pete Aguilar actually won the most Democratic votes but because three other Democrats were also running, Republican Bob Dutton squeaked past him with 25 percent of the vote and faced off against Miller in the general election. It could happen again. In CA-48, for instance, one Republican, Stelian Onufrei, is already campaigning against Rohrabacher he has pledged to spend half a million dollars of his own money while another, former county GOP Chairman Scott Baugh, is waiting in the wings with more cash on hand than Rohrabacher himself. A Libertarian and an independent candidate are running as well. (The DCCC has said that, to prevent such outcomes, We absolutely reserve the right to get involved in these primaries where necessary.) In the end, Democrats should be excited about how many candidates theyve recruited for 2018 and how many have simply volunteered. The biggest class of challengers in recent memory? Thats a good problem to have. But its also worth remembering that the party is proceeding into uncharted territory and that 2018s most congested primaries could shake out in some unusual ways. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: North Carolina officials, the FBI and even the U.S. Marine Corps are aiding in the search for a 3-year-old girl whose mother is desperate for her safe return. Mariah Woods, whose third birthday came just this month, was reported missing from her Jacksonville home early Monday by her mother, Christine Woods. "Please bring her back," Woods told Mariah's potential captors in an interview with local reporters. "I love her. I'd do anything I can, whatever you want. Just bring her home please, safe and sound. She's my baby. She's my everything." The family said there was no sign of forced entry but said the back door of the home was unlocked. An statewide Amber Alert has been issued. Mariah is blonde and weighs about 45 pounds. She has problems with her left leg that cause her to have a distinct walk and to stumble with every few steps. Her family said Mariah would not have willingly left the house with a stranger. We have personnel from the FBI, United States Marine Corps Criminal Investigation Division, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Camp Lejeune Provost Marshal Office and the Onslow County Sheriffs Office here at the scene and were getting assistance from New Hanover, Brunswick and Wayne counties sheriffs offices, Onslow County Sheriff Hans Miller told the New Bern Sun-Journal. Anyone with information about this missing child is asked to call 911 or the Onslow County Sheriffs Office Investigations Division at 910-989-4070 or Crime Stoppers at 910-938-3273. Crime Stoppers offers cash reward of up to $2,500 for information that is deemed of value or assistance to law enforcement. Information can also be anonymously texted via Text-A-Tip by typing TIP4CSJAX and your message to 274637 (CRIMES). Callers to Crime Stoppers may remain anonymous and never have to reveal their identity. RELATED STORIES Watch: Teen Girl Who's Been Missing for a Month Swims Across Lake to Escape Her 3 Captors: Cops Story continues Watch: Missing Toddler With Autism Found With Family Dog, Mom Arrested for Neglect Watch: Family Dog Finds and Protects Missing 2-Year-Old Until Police Arrive Related Articles: For a long time, Jared Kushner carried himself with something of a swagger. After playing a central role in Donald Trumps election campaign, he along with Ivanka Trump took up offices in the West Wing. There were few peoples counsel the Presidents trusted more than that of his eldest daughter and his son-in-law. Kushner had come to the campaign with no experience other than in real estate. Despite that, Trump appeared to believe there was nothing he could not do. He tasked him with improving US-China relations, overseeing a project to improve government efficiency and appointed him head of the White House Office of American Innovation. One more thing I learned about Mueller. When I was at State & he was at FBI we worked together on an investigation, & he loves surprises. Kushner, Donnie Jr. and the rest of the Trump crime family better keep their overnight bags handy. Pack shoes with no laces guys. https://t.co/oYOh9yIWBt Norm Eisen (@NormEisen) November 24, 2017 He was also asked to take care of that little issue of peace in the Middle East. But have things gone sour for Kushner? Amid the backdrop of Special Counsel Robert Muellers ongoing probe into Russias alleged interference in the 2016 election and possible collusion between Moscow and the Trump campaign, two reports published on the same day have suggested Kushners role is being reduced and that he is keeping a much lower profile. The New York Times article said the shrinking of his portfolio was a result of the appointment of John Kelly as Trumps new chief of staff. John Kelly has proved less permissive than his predecessor, it said. The Washington Post said: His once-sprawling White House portfolio, which came with walk-in privileges to the Oval Office, has been diminished to its original scope. Story continues Reports suggest Kushner is becoming increasingly jittery and worried about the direction Mueller probe is taking, especially after he issued indictments against three former Trump campaign figures Paul Manafort, Rick Gates and George Papadopoulos. Do you think theyll get the President? Kushner asked a friend, according to Vanity Fair. Washington is gripped by Muellers probe and the question of who may be next to be charged. Many believe it could be Trumps former national security adviser, Michael Flynn. Norman Eisen, who saved as Barack Obamas White House Special Counsel for Ethics and Government Reform, suggested Mueller may be seeking to put the squeeze on Flynn in order to get at Kushner and then Trump. Kushner, Donnie Jr and the rest of the Trump crime family better keep their overnight bags handy. Pack shoes with no laces guys, he tweeted. Kushner has reportedly not yet been interviewed by Muellers team. But he has testified in camera to congressional investigators. I did not collude, nor know of anyone else in the campaign who colluded, with any foreign government. I had no improper contacts. I have not relied on Russian funds to finance my business activities in the private sector. I have tried to be fully transparent, he said in a statement afterwards. Hopefully, this puts these matters to rest. There would have been plenty for them to ask about; his presence at a meeting at Trump Tower at which a Kremlin-linked lawyer sought offer damaging material about Hillary Clinton, his four meetings with Russian officials, his role in the firing of FBI Director James Comey and his presence a the centre of the unlikely campaign that defeated Clinton. Reports suggest neither Kushner or his wife are enjoying their time in the White House, or the fact that their rather progressive circle of New York friends have reduced in size. He said to be deeply concerned his conversations are being picked up by government-authorised wiretaps, or even by Russia or China. Mr Mueller was appointed after Donald Trump fired FBI Director James Comey (Getty) Even though Kushner and his wife have bought a house in Washingtons Kalorama neighhourhood, close to the Obamas, such has been their desire to return to New York that one plan was reportedly floated which would have seen Ivanka Trump replace Nikki Haley as the US Ambassador to the UN, if Haley were to replace Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State. Those around Kushner are pushing back at any suggestions he could ever be more than a witness to Muellers investigation, or that he is being sidelined inside the White House. His lawyer, Abbe Lowell, declined to comment. A White House spokesperson, speaking on background, told The Independent it was a ridiculous question to ask about possible indictments of the Presidents son-in-law. Trump, the man who insisted that his daughter and son-in-law join him in the White House, also insisted nothing had changed. Jared is working very hard on peace between Israel and the Palestinians, and the last thing I would ever do is get in the way of that possibility, he said in an email to The Times. Jared has been very effective since the earliest days of the campaign and the same is true today. He added: He understood the movement then and has been helpful implementing the agenda the American people voted for since. Cairo (AFP) - Egyptian security forces killed 11 suspected "terrorist elements" during a raid on a hideout for militants providing support for jihadists in the northern Sinai, the interior ministry said on Tuesday. A ministry statement said police were still identifying the suspected militants killed in the raid in Ismailiya province after they opened fire on security forces approaching the hideout. Militants carried out a bomb and gun assault on a mosque in Rawda village in North Sinai province on Friday, killing 305 people -- the deadliest in Egypt's recent history -- in an attack thought to have been carried out by the Islamic State group. It is widely believed in Egypt that the massacre took place at the mosque because Sufi Muslims worshipped there. The raid on the hideout was part of a security campaign in the province of Ismailiya around the Suez Canal separating the Sinai Peninsula from the rest of the country, and in the Nile Delta province of Sharqiya. Police were pursuing leaders of "terrorist groups in North Sinai that aimed to carry out a series of hostile operations targeting important and vital buildings and Christian churches," the statement said. Security forces were able to identify "a group of these elements and the hideouts they were using to hide, train, and store means of logistic support ahead of smuggling them to terrorist groups in North Sinai". The statement said police also arrested six suspected militants and three people thought to have smuggled communications equipment to them. It said weapons, ammunition and communication devices were recovered. Some people just dont get it. Eric Trump seems to be one of them. On Tuesday, President Donald Trumps second son desperately tried to defend his daddy for calling Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren Pocahontas during an event that was supposed to honor Native American World War II veterans. The presidents attempt at a joke was quickly condemned by politicians and Native American leaders. Later, ABC News reporter Jon Karl asked White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders why Trump felt the need to say something that is offensive to many people while honoring the Navajo code talkers, these genuine American heroes? Sanders claimed the term wasnt a racial slur, even though Trump has been criticized in the past for repeatedly using it against Warren, who made unverified claims that she had Native American heritage during her 2012 Senate run. On Tuesday, the younger Trump attempted to defend his presidential pop with a tweet he probably meant to burn Dads detractors on Twitter for good. The irony of an ABC reporter (whose parent company Disney has profited nearly half a billion dollars on the movie Pocahontas) inferring that the name is offensive is truly staggering to me. Eric Trump (@EricTrump) November 28, 2017 Many people quickly responded that the young Trumps reasoning was a truly staggering example of stupidity. Well then, ask Native Americans. Here, since you're so fricken stupid I'll just tell you.... it's the context in which he uses it. Damn you're an idiot. CarrieDahl (@CarrieDDahl) November 28, 2017 A few explained the difference between making a movie about a real-life Native American is a lot different than using the name of that person to insult someone else. the movie is about the real Pocahontas u stupid ass. ur dad is taking the name and using it as a slur. racist what part of that do u not get? just how dumb are you? @nyc_oz (@nyc_oz) November 28, 2017 First of all its the listener who infers. The speaker implies. Second, there's a massive difference between a children's movie and a racially motivated slur being repeatedly used against a sitting US Senator. Besides your father and grandpa LIED about being Swedish for decades. Ivye Allen (@ivye_m) November 28, 2017 Some couldnt help but add a bit of snark to this teachable moment. Story continues Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. It's offensive when used as a pejorative (pssst Eric- means expressing disapproval or contempt) as in, for example "you are almost as dumb as Eric Trump". pic.twitter.com/hpmrDVJAeN Jeffrey Evan Gold (@jeffgoldesq) November 28, 2017 Others used blunt reasoning. Look, we all know he was trying to be mean. He used it in a mean way in front of a group of people who were most likely to be hurt by it. You can reach for context as much as you want but if it's not a mean thing to say why does he call her that? #ToBeMean Leslie J. Anderson, Our Lady of Rayguns (@inkhat) November 28, 2017 Some had questions of their own. Are you actually this dumb or is it just an act to appear this dumb? Matt McDermott (@mattmfm) November 28, 2017 How come the entire Trump family struggles with the concept of context? What gene is missing there? Winston Smith (@gaslightingus2) November 28, 2017 One person decided to put the shoe in Trumps mouth on the other foot (to use a very mixed metaphor). the irony of an ineffectual son (whose parent has profited nearly a million dollars on fraudulent charities set up through family foundations) inferring that the company affiliation of a reporter is disqualifying is truly staggering to me Bernie Bernstein (@greenbean99999) November 28, 2017 Eventually, people decided this was a good opportunity to go all-in on Eric Trump insults. Other things Eric finds "staggering." -Revolving doors -Where the Sun goes at night -How there's always a quarter hidden in his ear but he can never find it Patrick S. Tomlinson (@stealthygeek) November 28, 2017 As others have noted, and I feel compelled to reiterate, you have the intellectual capacity of a ham rolled in hair. Teenage Phlebotomy (@lumpyprole) November 28, 2017 Then there was one guy who wanted to change the subject entirely. Whats your favorite Disney movie? Mine is the one about the creature trapped in an opulent structure struggling to earn the affection of a wealthy father figure who is disgusted by him. Sam Sykes (@SamSykesSwears) November 28, 2017 Also on HuffPost US President Donald Trump waits ahead a working session on the first day of the G20 summit in Hamburg, northern Germany, on July 7, 2017 Tourists walk past a graffiti by street artist Lushsux, depicting US President Donald Trump kissing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu drawn on the controversial Israeli separation barrier separating the West Bank town of Bethlehem from Jerusalem, on October 29, 2017. A man takes a picture of a mural by English street artist Bambi depicting British Prime Minister Theresa May dancing with US President Donald Trump in London on February 22, 2017. A man takes pictures of a graffiti of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in Barcelona on June 7, 2016. A mural of U.S. President Donald Trump (R) and Russian President Vladimir Putin 'shotgunning' a marijuana joint is seen on March 17, 2017 in Vilnius, Lithuania. A visitor looks at a painting representing US President Donald Trump (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin made by Nepalese artist Sunil Sidgel at the India Art Fair in New Delhi on January 2, 2017. A collage shows Pope Francis kissing US President Donald Trump with a caption by Italian artist TvBoy reading in English and Italian 'The Good forgives the Evil' in tiny letters along Francis belt, on May 11, 2017 near Castel Sant'Angelo in central Rome. Mural depicting US President Donald Trump is seen on a wall as part of Mural Festival in the village of Staro Zhelezare, Bulgaria, Wednesday 26 July 2017. View of a graffiti painted against US President Donald Trump in Mexico City on June 27, 2017. This photo taken on December 24, 2016 shows a giant chicken sculpture outside a shopping mall in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi province. A Chinese shopping mall is ringing in the year of the cock with a giant sculpture of a chicken that looks like US president-elect Donald Trump. Picture of a graffiti against US Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump painted by an unknown artist on the embankment of the Bravo River on the border with the United States, in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua State, Mexico, on June 28, 2016. Detail of the mural paint made by Mexican artist Luis Sotelo called 'We are migrants not criminals' (Somos migrantes no delincuentes) in Tonatico, Mexico, on 25 June 2016. The mural is part of the cultural movement 'Stop Trump'. A man cycles past graffiti condemning US Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, on a street in Surabaya, Indonesia's east Java on October 17, 2016. A man photographs a mural on a restaurant wall depicting US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin greeting each other with a kiss in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on May 13, 2016. A mural lampooning US President Donald Trump in Dublin's Temple Bar by artist ADW. A mural of Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump is painted on April 14, 2017 in Belgrade, Serbia. The text reads 'Kosovo is Serbia'. A woman runs along a towpath near graffiti depicting U.S. President Donald Trump on a canal bridge in east London, Britain, February 18, 2017. A Donald Trump mural covers a building in the Wynwood neighborhood of Miami, Florida, on October 27, 2016. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany needs a stable government as soon as possible in order to respond to proposals for reforming the European Union and to deal with an uncertain global environment, Chancellor Angela Merkel told a news conference on Monday. Speaking after a meeting of her Christian Democrat (CDU) party's leadership, she said she would hold meetings with the Social Democrats (SPD), leader of the Social Democrats (SPD), who have agreed under pressure to enter coalition talks with Merkel's camp after first refusing to do so. "There are European elections in 2019 ... so there is a big expectations that we take positions," she said, referring to European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker's and French President Emmanuel Macron's proposals on the future governance of the currency and economic union. She also mentioned conflict in the Middle East, tensions with Russia and relations with the U.S. as factors that meant Germany needed to be "capable of acting". (Reporting By Thomas Escritt, editing by Michelle Martin) (Reuters) - A Florida man was sentenced by a U.S. judge on Tuesday to 25 years in prison for trying to blow up a synagogue in the state during a Jewish holiday last year, court officials said. James Medina, 41, will first be treated at a U.S. prison medical facility for a brain cyst and mental illness before being moved into the general prison population, U.S. District Judge Robert Scola in Miami ruled. The Federal Bureau of Investigation began watching Medina, who had converted to Islam, after he began expressing anti-Semitic views and a wish to attack a synagogue. They launched an investigation in late March 2016, court documents showed Medina, who faced up to life in prison, had pleaded guilty in August 2017 to charges of an attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and an attempted religious hate crime, court documents showed. "This is a very, very serious offense," Scola was quoted as saying in court by the Miami Herald. Medina's federal public defender, Hector Dopico, declined to comment when reached by Reuters on Tuesday afternoon. Medina met with an FBI-affiliated confidential informant and explained his plan to attack a synagogue in Aventura, Florida, near Miami, the documents showed. "Medina wanted to witness the explosion, hearing and feeling the blast from (a) nearby car," the informant cited Medina as saying, according to the documents. Asked why he wanted to do it, Medina said he wanted to kill Jews, adding: "It's my call of duty." Medina was supplied with what he thought was an explosive device by federal law enforcement. The device was inert and posed no danger to the public, federal law enforcement said in court filings. He was taken into custody as he approached the synagogue with the inert device and later admitted to his crimes, they said. No one was hurt. (Reporting by Jon Herskovitz in Austin, Texas; editing by Bernadette Baum and Diane Craft) By Marine Pennetier OUAGADOUGOU (Reuters) - France's President Emmanuel Macron told African youths on Tuesday that he belonged to a new generation of French leaders who would build partnerships with the continent rather than tell it what to do. But a youth protest against him, stones pelting one of his delegation's vehicles and a botched grenade attack on French troops hours before his arrival in Burkina Faso's capital Ouagadougou showed the hostility that still lingers after decades of an often tense France-Africa relationship. Macron was also subjected to rowdy student questions at the university after his speech in Ouagadougou, and was sometimes left fruitlessly hushing as he struggled to get his answers heard above the crowd. In his speech, peppered with references to African nationalists such as Nelson Mandela and Burkina's revolutionary leader Thomas Sankara, Macron promised a break with a past in which France often seemed to call the shots to former colonies. "I am from a generation that doesn't come to tell Africans what to do," Macron said, prompting applause. "I am from a generation for whom Nelson Mandela's victory is one of the best political memories." The 39-year-old is on a three-day visit to Burkina Faso, Ghana and Ivory Coast aimed at boosting cooperation in education, the digital economy and migration. "I will be alongside those who believe that Africa is neither a lost continent or one that needs to be saved," he said. The grenade attack missed the French soldiers but wounded three civilians hours before Macron arrived. No group claimed responsibility. Stones were thrown at a delegation convoy, however Macron was far away from it at a meeting with his Burkina counterpart, Roch Marc Kabore in the presidential palace. Dozens of local youths clashed with security forces in the centre of the capital throwing stones. Police responded with teargas. Protesters burnt T-shirts with images of Macron and carried slogans including "Down with new-colonialism" and "French military out of Burkina". Story continues BREAK WITH PAST? It was not the first time a French president has promised to break with past French politics on the continent. Macron's predecessor Francois Hollande declared while visiting Senegal in 2012 that "the time of La Francafrique is over", referring to a shadowy network of diplomats, soldiers and businessmen who manipulated African leaders for decades after independence. But it comes at a tense time, when French troops are being sucked deeper into a years-long battle to quell Islamist militancy in the Sahel region. France has 4,000 troops deployed there, and there are mixed feelings about their presence - highlighted in a bitter row between France and Mali over the deaths of 11 Malian troops being held captive by Islamist militants in a French air strike. The French are pinning their hopes on the so-called G5 Sahel force being set up by regional country's with French and American backing. It launched a campaign on Oct. 28 amid growing unrest in the desert reaches of the region, where jihadists allied to al Qaeda or inspired by Islamic State roam undetected. Macron earlier told journalists G5 had been too slow to get established. He said he would call for greater co-operation between Europe and Africa to tackle human trafficking and he touted a European initiative to rescue African migrants from being enslaved in Libya. The exchange with heckling students was typical Macron, who during his presidential campaign often managed to turn initially hostile crowds in his favour by answering questions head on. "You speak to me like I'm a colonial power, but I don't want to look after electricity in Burkina Faso. That's the work of your president," he retorted to one hostile questioner. (Additional reporting by John Irish, Richard Lough and Michel Rose in Paris; Writing by Tim Cocks; Editing by Richard Balmforth and Alison Williams) By Philip Blenkinsop BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Germany defeated its key EU ally France in a very tight vote on Monday to clear the use of weed-killer glyphosate for the next five years after a heated debate over whether it causes cancer. After months of indecisive votes among the 28 member states in Brussels, Germany, whose Chancellor Angela Merkel has yet to form a new coalition after a September election, came off the fence after abstaining in previous meetings. It said it backed a European Commission proposal against the wishes of France. The Commission, the European Union's executive, said in a statement that 18 countries had backed its proposal to renew the chemical's licence. Nine countries were against and one abstained, giving a "positive opinion" by the narrowest possible margin under rules requiring more than a simple majority. The extension was opposed by Germany's centre-left Social Democrats (SPD), with which Merkel is expected to launch exploratory talks this week on renewing their "grand coalition" after plans for an alliance with two other parties failed. French President Emmanuel Macron, who was elected in May on a platform of pursuing deeper EU integration alongside Germany, had wanted a shorter extension and a rapid phasing out of glyphosate, which is a mainstay of farming across the continent. After the vote, he said he would take all necessary measures to ban the product, originally developed by Monsanto , as soon as an alternative is available and at the latest within three years. Monsanto declined to comment. Europe has been wrestling for the past two years over what to do with the chemical, a key ingredient in Monsanto's top-selling Roundup, whose licence was set to expire on Dec. 15. The chemical has been used by farmers for more than 40 years, but its safety was cast into doubt when a World Health Organization agency, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), concluded in 2015 it probably causes cancer. Story continues The European Union agreed to roll over the licence for 18 months pending the results of a study by the European Chemicals Agency, which said in March this year that there was no evidence linking glyphosate to cancer in humans. Protest groups, however, seized on the IARC report, questioned the science in other studies and complained about the influence of big business. "The people who are supposed to protect us from dangerous pesticides have failed to do their jobs and betrayed the trust Europeans place in them," Greenpeace said after Monday's vote. In theory, the Commission could have pushed through a licence extension, but it said it wanted governments to make the call on an issue that has become so politically charged. After a series of indecisive votes, they finally produced a clear majority in favour of the Commission's proposal. "Today's vote shows that when we all want to, we are able to share and accept our collective responsibility in decision making," said health and food safety commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis. Farmers association Copa-Cogeca said it was glad a decision had been taken, but regretted the licence renewal had not been for 15 years given strong scientific evidence from EU agencies. The key swing vote came from Germany, whose government is operating in an acting capacity following the indecisive election. Berlin abstained earlier, but threw its weight behind a decision opposed by France. Poland, Bulgaria and Romania, all did likewise, leaving only Portugal still on the fence on Monday. Had any of the others continued to abstain, deadlock would have gone on. An extension required 16 states representing 65 percent of the EU population to vote in favour. The 18 supporters account for 65.7 percent. The German vote exposed internal divisions in Berlin ahead of this week's coalition talks. Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks, an SPD lawmaker, accused the chancellor's centre-right group of reneging on a deal to continue abstaining. French Agriculture Minister Stephane Travert told reporters that Paris would push to change farming practices that embraced alternatives to glyphosate, so that its use could be ended. (Additional reporting by Peter Maushagen in Brussels, Sybille de La Hamaide in Paris and Thorsten Severin and Andreas Rinke in Berlin; Editing by Alastair Macdonald and Catherine Evans) Our critic Ken Tucker said it: Godless will make you believe in westerns again. The Netflix limited series was 15 years in the making for writer-director Scott Frank, who spoiler alert builds the story to an epic shootout between a gang of outlaws and the women of La Belle, a showdown between the ruthless Frank Griffin (Jeff Daniels) and the redeemed Roy Goode (Jack OConnell), and Roys solo journey to California to reunite with his brother. Along the way, there are shots so gorgeous, Godless may be the most beautiful TV series of the year. Here are the stories behind 10 of our favorite moments. Frank (Jeff Daniels) delivers his own sermon. (Photo: Netflix) Episode 1: Frank preaches on horseback. The challenge is the horse has to hit a mark, Scott Frank says of Griffins perfectly framed warning to a church congregation not to hide Roy should he take refuge in their town. The other trick is he has to duck and be able to not hit his head as hes riding into the church, and thats the actual doorway we didnt change anything into the structure. He rode in, and its full of people, and theres a narrow path, and they just kept practicing with the horse. Because the platform hes standing on is only so big, the horse wouldnt overshoot the mark or it would be stepping off the platform. The platform was designed to stop the horse from going any further. Griffins gang makes a splash. (Image: Netflix) Episode 1: Franks gang crosses the Rio Grande. We would scout locations and we knew where the sun would be. There are times where we would have to wait for the exact moment. When theyre crossing the Rio Grande and the sun is behind the water when theyre splashing we knew we had an hour. It was 10:15, and we had to start shooting, and we would only get two or three takes before the sun would move and wed lose the perfect light, Frank says. The other thing there is the depth of the river. The river changes depth depending on how much water they release upstream. So again, it had to be carefully planned so that it wasnt too deep. The stunt coordinator and the wranglers all rode it before to make sure that the bottom of the river was OK. Then it was the actors turn. They were all proud of themselves that day, Frank says. Story continues Roy (Jack OConnell) rides again. (Image: Netflix) Episode 3: Roy rides out of the ring. You want to see this man who feels the most alive and the most free when hes on horseback the whole idea is, you dont know if hes gonna come back, Frank says. Three shots make the sequence after Roy breaks a horse for Alice Fletcher (Michelle Dockery): The first is when her son, Truckee (Samuel Marty), opens the gate of the corral. Were on the ground as the horse bolts past us. Jack was aboard without any tack hes riding without a saddle or bridle or anything, hes just holding on to the mane, and hes at a pretty good clip. So we built a temporary corral out of metal fence right outside, so the horse would have to stop, Frank says. And on one of the takes, the horse tried to wipe Jack off his back on the fence. Jack saw it coming and just bailed. He took a good fall there. For the next shot, chasing after the horse, they used an electric vehicle called a Tomcar. It goes about 40 miles an hour, and it has a 30-foot arm on it with a stabilized head for the camera, to keep the camera still, and you can move the arm up or down, Frank says. It holds four people, so you have your camera operator, the cinematographer, the driver everybody can be in the car, and the cameras pretty low to the ground, and were pretty close to the horse. For the third, soaring shot, they used a drone. Sometimes its windy in New Mexico, and this was July and theres a lot of storms, and it was very hard to control the camera the first time we did it, so we had to go back and shoot it again, Frank says. We mapped it out. We knew the exact route how far he was gonna ride, where he was gonna start to turn back. Youre not only mapping out the path of the horse, youre also mapping out the path of the drone and the angle. The camera sort of tilts up as he rides away from us, which is what makes it feel like off he goes. So you go from the ground where were tracking him, and then above him, when hes a tiny little figure below racing across the ground. And then we let him go, and at the top of frame he does a hook and starts to come back, and finally he exits the frame. Its a lot of work, but also, the music there is spectacular. Its a big music cue. Frank illuminates his gang. (Image: Netflix) Episode 3: Frank surprises Marshal John Cook (Sam Waterston). Theres a little, teeny bit of extra light added to the shot when Griffin places the glass chimney on the lantern and he and his gang, lying in wait for the marshal, suddenly come into view in the dark saloon, Frank says. But for the most part, that entire sequence is practical: We knew we wanted the rest of the saloon to fall away into blackness, so that when he walks in, he doesnt see anybody [but the bartender], Frank says. We went into the location and covered all the windows during the day, and we kept testing different lenses on the lanterns so that when you lower the chimney, it does light up the room all around. Thats not an effect. We shot in there without any light. You can do that with digital. Alice (Michelle Dockery) and Truckee (Samuel Marty) sit in the doorway of their home. (Image: Netflix) Episode 6: Alice reads the letter from Roys brother. We built that ranch and we built that house, and this was one of the main shots we were thinking about. I think about The Searchers or other great westerns having the camera in the dark house looking out the door its a classic shot. So we wanted to make sure that we had the horses and then the mountains beyond, Frank says. I always knew that for the big dramatic moments, we would be shooting out that door. The bulk of the letter reads on her back, actually, because its so powerful with just the two of them sitting there. Griffins gang is coming. (Image: Netflix) Episode 7: Franks gang rides to La Belle, and the dust flies. Theres no tricks in that thats 40 men on horseback strung out across the frame. The riders are all pros, so getting them spaced out is the easy part. The hard part is the timing the time of day is really perfect for it, so you just wait for that and knowing how far away from the men to be to get the exact background, Frank says. It was just picking the right spot. For a while they were saying, It would be so much cheaper if we didnt go back to the actual ranch because theyre really riding by when [Alice] sees them. That ranch we picked because it was such a beautiful location. Everywhere else wasnt as good, so I just keep saying, It has to be where it actually is, because we picked it for that vista. Frank and Roy prepare to draw. (Photo: Netflix) Episode 7: Frank and Roy meet in the meadow. Nobody wanted me to shoot there, because you couldnt drive trucks into that location or youd ruin the meadow you had to park some distance away and take these little four-wheel drive Gators into the location, Frank says of the spot two hours outside Santa Fe. It was really tricky to get the big crane in for that huge shot that big, classic, corny shot of the two of them facing each other down in the meadow with all the white flowers and all the white snow on the mountains in the background. But once I saw the location, I couldnt un-see it. So they were very upset with the production designer for showing it to me, I think. Roy gives his horse a rest. (Photo: Netflix) Episode 7: Roy heads West. We couldve had a half-hour sequence of him riding to California, Frank says. And we would have watched it. He credits second unit director Jeff Dashnaw, a veteran of many westerns (The Magnificent Seven, The Hateful Eight, Django Unchained), with delivering most of the montage including the sunset shot when Roy dismounts his horse to walk ahead of it for a stretch. That is a spectacular shot, which they got at the end of one day. They showed me and I just knew. I actually gave that image as a gift to Jeffs son J.J., who was riding the horse for that, Frank says. The series was filmed over five months. Jeff and I were always on the make for locations, and he was always showing me pictures. Or when were scouting other locations, even if we didnt use them for a scene, we might say, You know what? Thisll be good for the trip to California. Wed remember them for later sometimes wed shoot them four months later, he says. The antelope play. (Image: Netflix) He remembers scouting for the flashback scene in Episode 5, when Frank teaches young Roy how to lay down a horse and they almost get hanged. Its a working ranch, and there was a herd of antelope there, and so I said, Lets bring the second unit crew out and get a shot of Roy riding through the antelope as part of the California montage. Roy sees the ocean for the first time. (Photo: Netflix) The first unit took over once Roy reached California. The final shot of the series finds Roy looking out at the ocean. It was another location, difficult to access with cranes, that Frank fought for. Wed been looking forever, and they kept sending me pictures. I always wanted to shoot in Big Sur, and they kept sending me pictures of different places, like in Santa Barbara and Morro Bay, and they were all much easier to get to but they didnt have the same look. I knew I wanted it to be up high with raw coast in either direction. You had to come out of the mountains and come out of the redwoods. Nothing looked right. He couldnt be down low or it wouldnt be very dramatic, he says. The crew was on the plane on a Sunday when they heard fog was expected Monday, when they were scheduled to shoot. Everybody just looked at each other and we said, Lets go. Lets just shoot today. In the end, they couldnt get OConnell ready in time with the aging makeup and beard, but they were able to rehearse the shot with the crane and with the double. It was enormously complicated: He rides up and the camera comes around from the front of him and goes past him, Frank says. The next morning, we could shoot it right away because we had done it 15 times the day before. We got it before all the weather hit. Godless is streaming now on Netflix. Read more from Yahoo Entertainment: Hawaii is reportedly reinstating a Cold War-era siren that warns residents of an imminent nuclear strike on the island chain. On the first business day of each month Hawaii drills its attention alert, a 50-second steady-tone siren that if heard outside of testing hours signals a hurricane, tsunami or earthquake is on its way, Hawaiis Star Advertiser reports. But on Dec. 1, that regular siren will be followed by a second wavering alarm. This attack warning siren is being added to the test schedule against the backdrop of rising tensions between the U.S. and North Korea. While the attack warning tone will be new to many on Hawaii, it is likely to evoke worrying memories among some middle-aged residents. According to the Washington Post, the siren was last drilled around 1980, as U.S.-Russia tension spiked during the Cold War. This time around, the threat is from North Korea, which this year has twice test-fired intercontinental missiles, twice launched missiles over Japan, threatened to surround the U.S. territory of Guam with enveloping fire, and in September detonated a device it says was a hydrogen bomb. Read more: Guam Before the Storm: Life on the Island Caught Between Trump and Kim Hawaii is not alone in preparing for a possible nuclear strike. In August, authorities in Guam distributed a fact sheet among the U.S. territorys 163,000 residents, advising them of action they should take in the event of a nuclear attack. Among the advice is for residents to avoid using conditioner because it will bind radioactive material to your hair. Schools in Japan have also begun missile defense training alongside regular safety drills, while fishing authorities are preparing alerts for those who may be at sea during a launch. North Korea has tested a number of intercontinental ballistic missiles in recent months: Korea News Service/AP Hawaii has reinstated a Second World War-style missile warning system amid fears of an attack by North Korea. The sirens have not been tested since the Cold War but are being brought back as the US state responds to the on-going war of words between Donald Trump and the secretive communist state's leader Kim Jong-un. Reintroduced at the start of next month, the warning system will utilise existing technology that is already used to warn local people of an incoming hurricane or tsunami. Experts believe a North Korean missile could take just 20 minutes to reach Hawaii, meaning residents would have only have a very short time to react. Hawaii is protected by US anti-missile systems but the states leaders are taking extra precautions. They have expanded an educational programme teaching residents how to respond to a nuclear strike and arranged a series of public meetings and television and radio announcements to ensure Hawaiis 1.4 million residents know what to do in the event of an attack. Local people are being told to have a plan in place for where they will take shelter if alarms warn that a strike is imminent. They have also been advised to hide in a concrete structure and have enough food and water to last at least 48 hours and ideally two weeks. While he said a nuclear attack was unlikely, Vern Miyagi, a retired army major general who is now administrator of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, told NBC News, that the state was "a likely target because were closer to North Korea than most of the continental United States." He said: As we track the news and see tests, both missile launches and nuclear tests, its the elephant in the room. We cant ignore it. People of Hawaii need to know what Hawaii is doing in preparation for this. Each individual, each family should have a plan to be resilient, so they can take care of themselves, while we focus on getting the critical infrastructure, the harbours, the water, the roads, all back to some sort of normalcy. Story continues Officials believe that, if precautions are taken, 80 to 90 per cent of the population of Hawaii could survive a nuclear attack. The decision to prepare for a possible strike comes after a heated dispute between the US and the North Korean regime. The pariah state has threatened to launch a missile at American territory, while Donald Trump recently vowed to inflict fire and fury the like of which the world has never seen if North Korea launches an attack. An unusually complete albeit headless skeleton of a Steller's sea cow was recently found in northeast Russia. Despite the missing noggin, the remains may help researchers solve several mysteries about this enormous, extinct animal. For instance, researchers aren't sure how many vertebrae (the bones that make up the backbone) the Steller's sea cow had, and they aren't certain what its flippers looked like, said Daryl Domning, a professor of anatomy and a Steller's sea cow expert at Howard University in Washington, D.C., who is not involved with the new finding. It's not clear from the preliminary description posted online, but "it's the first possibly complete skeleton of the forelimb of the flipper," Domning told Live Science. "It's quite a remarkable specimen from the looks of it." [Sirenian Gallery: Photos of Cute Sea Cows] Researcher Marina Shitova found the Steller's sea cow (Hydrodamalis gigas) during a routine survey of the coastline of Komandorsky Nature Reserve. She noticed the dead creature's ribs poking out from the sand and pebbles. A few days later, the reserve's staff returned to excavate the bones, which took eight people a total of 4 hours to uncover, according to a statement from the reserve. The skeleton measured 17 feet (5.2 meters) long. But given the length of its missing parts (including the head), the Steller's sea cow likely measured nearly 20 feet (6 m) when it was alive, or about the length of a modern killer whale, the researchers said. It's extraordinary that the newly uncovered specimen is so complete, Domning said. Over the past 200 years, researchers have found bits and pieces of H. gigas remains. Because they had few complete specimens, researchers put together bones from multiple individuals to make mounts for museums, including the mount at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., which was built in the 1890s, he said. Story continues The last time researchers found a nearly complete Steller's sea cow skeleton was 30 years ago, when an almost 10-foot-long (3 m) specimen was discovered on Bering Island, Russia, he said. "But it's not nearly as complete as this [newly discovered] one." The newfound skeleton will go on display at the Komandorsky Nature Reserve visitor center, according to the statement. An illustration of a Steller's sea cow (Hydrodamalis gigas) from the book "Extinct Monsters," by the Rev. H.N. Hutchinson (London, 1893). Universal History Archive/UIG/Getty Rapid extinction The Steller's sea cow went extinct in 1768, a mere 27 years after it was first discovered by Western science. Like many species, it was discovered by accident. A Russian Navy expedition, led by the Danish explorer Vitus Bering, became shipwrecked in 1741 on the then uninhabited Commander Islands. The surviving crew, including the German naturalist Georg Wilhelm Steller (1709-1746), spent the winter there, and later escaped by building a smaller boat out of the wreckage of their ship, Domning said. During that long, cold winter on what was later named Bering Island, Steller discovered the sea cow, and even dissected one that had been killed. The beast was so big, Steller had to bribe sailors to help him move it, and he had to constantly deal with arctic foxes that were trying to eat the carcass and steal his pens and paper, Domning said. Even so, Steller managed to dissect the sea cow and write detailed descriptions of its anatomy and habits, Domning said. Upon their return, the Russian crew wasted no time in sharing the news that they had discovered a place replete with otters and fur seals. Hunters soon swarmed the area, killing otters and seals for pelts and the Steller's sea cow for meat and leather, rapidly hunting it into extinction. [Under the Sea: Life in the Sanctuaries] However, the story is more complex than that, Domning said. H. gigas ate kelp, a brown and reddish-colored alga. But so do sea urchins. When hunters killed the region's otters, the otters could no longer eat the urchins. Soon enough, the urchin population boomed, competing with H. gigas for algae. "They [the Steller's sea cow] were being starved at the same time they were being hunted," Domning said. Now, researchers can learn about the Steller's sea cow only by studying its remains, which are found in the North Pacific region. Skeletal analyses show that the species is closely related to dugongs (Dugong dugon) and more distantly related to manatees (Trichechus), Domning said. "I'd give anything to have specimens of that animal alive today just so we could learn more about what their physiology is like and everything else," Domning said. "But we'll never be able to answer a lot of those questions." Original article on Live Science. Editor's Recommendations (Photo: Joe/Screenshot) Amid the many headlines published on Monday about Prince Harry and Meghan Markles engagement, one stood out. Written by Joe, the website described the news with as Successful actress Meghan Markle to wed former soldier. Following a few paragraphs describing Markles career and accomplishments, including her starring role on Suits and founding the lifestyle blog The Tig, the piece ends with a brief and, to be fair, completely accurate bio of Prince Harry: Windsor is a 33-year-old former soldier, having served in Helmand, Afghanistan with the Army Air Corps. He is currently unemployed but does charity work. (Photo: Business Women Media/Screenshot) The publications not the first site to flip the script. Back in 2014, Businesswoman Media tipped the scale with a feminist headline that went viral: Internationally acclaimed barrister Amal Alamuddin marries an actor. The post went on to say, Amal Alamuddin, a 36 year old London-based dual-qualified English barrister and New York litigation attorney who has long been a high-profile figure in international refugee and human rights law has gone against the trend for professional women in her field and married an actor. Paper magazine went with something similar when her pregnancy was announced: Amal Clooney and actor expecting twins. When Angelina Jolie, an actress and philanthropist, announced her separation from Brad Pitt, City A.M. went with the title, London School of Economics lecturer to divorce actor husband. Twitter account @VagendaMagazine even challenged its followers to come up with the best subverted headlines, with many coming up with extremely clever alternatives. Alternative headline GOOD FOR HER: Gigi Hadid Reacts In Totally Appropriate Way When Random Man Tries To Lift Her In The Street pic.twitter.com/WTsbHcNt43 Rachel McGrath (@RachelMcGrath) September 22, 2016 These stories are already non-news in my opinion: even better when you call them out #thevagenda @VagendaMagazine pic.twitter.com/5Ggv2gwjpd Rebecca Sutton (@bexatrex) April 28, 2014 @VagendaMagazine Breaking news: Taylor Swift's hair reacts to natural forces in completely normal manner #thevagenda pic.twitter.com/mW1K9BhWOz Claire Corp (@ce_corp) April 28, 2014 These feminist-influenced headlines might be a growing trend, but that still leaves the racist, invasive headlines like the ones that make sure to point out Markles biracial identity, her estranged siblings, and her previous divorce. The Daily Mail even refers to her as divorcee Meghan. Story continues Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Tegucigalpa (AFP) - Honduran opposition candidate Salvador Nasralla on Tuesday accused incumbent President Juan Orlando Hernandez of trying to steal the Central American country's election by faking poll results. In an interview with AFP, leftist TV host-turned-politician Nasralla said Hernandez was colluding with the army and the electoral authorities to forge new results sheets and give himself the edge in Sunday's bitterly contested presidential election. "He's fabricating (the results)," said Nasralla. "He controls the media. He's going to have the results sheets he wants validated and change the will of the people." The general election in this poor, gang-plagued Central American country has turned into a drawn-out showdown between Nasralla, 64, and Hernandez, 49, who is going for four more years in office despite a constitutional limit of just one term. Both candidates have declared victory, but the results are far from clear. In the early hours of Monday, Nasralla led by five percentage points with 57 percent of ballots counted. Then the Supreme Electoral Tribunal interrupted its live broadcast of the results and announced the rest of the ballots would be brought to the capital, Tegucigalpa, to be counted. On Tuesday, the election authority posted new results on its website: 44.4 percent for Nasralla to 40.5 percent for Hernandez -- about one percentage point narrower than the opposition candidate's previous lead -- with just over 61 percent of the ballots counted. Nasralla accused the conservative president of plotting to rig the vote, saying his "survival instinct" was hijacking democracy. "He knows if he's not the president anymore he'll be extradited" to face corruption charges, he told AFP. "He's trying to sow chaos so he can declare a state of emergency and take control with the help of his people and the army." Hernandez's conservative National Party -- which controls the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government -- contends that a 2015 Supreme Court ruling allows his re-election. Nasralla and his coalition, the Opposition Alliance Against the Dictatorship, have denounced the incumbent's bid, saying the court does not have the power to overrule the 1982 constitution. IKEA again announces a recall on the Malm dresser, now responsible for killing eight children. (Photo: Getty Images) IKEA has been making headlines for again announcing a recall, in the days leading up to Thanksgiving, that was initiated back in June 2016. It comes in the wake of an eighth child killed by one of its toppled dressers. The Malm dresser, which has been targeted in past safety warnings, is at fault for the latest death of a California toddler. Parents of 2-year-old Jozef Dudek found the boy trapped under the faulty piece of furniture, and have been outspoken about the retailers past lame, ineffective recall the first time around. According to IKEA CEO Lars Petersson, the aim of the latest announcement is to heighten awareness of the initial recall. But with the death count caused by the companys product now up to eight, parents are inevitably wondering what went wrong with IKEAs first call to action and what they can do to keep their children safe. Anthony Green from Safe Kids Worldwide, in speaking with Yahoo Lifestyle about these concerns, says that the most important aspect to keeping kids safe is transparency. In this case, its fair to say that the manufacturer really needs to be very aggressive in getting out the information about the product and alerting families to make sure if they have one of these dressers, or a similar kind, to make sure that it hasnt been recalled, he shares, referring to a process that his organization is involved in. RECALL WARNING: @USCPSC reissued news of the #tipover risk of @IKEAUSANews #Malm dressers. 8th child dies, Jozef of Buena Park, CA. Secure it, or get a new dresser. https://t.co/P9OH6Ocb0M pic.twitter.com/pIMiictJ6R Safe Kids Advocacy (@SKWAdvocate) November 21, 2017 Working with both the manufacturers and consumers of childrens products, Green explains, Safe Kids acts as a middleman in receiving information about threats of injury and communicating it to families. Through an email subscription service, the organization provides parents with a biweekly email announcing the latest recalls in childrens products. But the information cannot be effectively communicated with families unless manufacturers are upfront about the issues themselves. Story continues First and foremost, its on the manufacturer to come out very transparently and clearly about the problem with their product, Green says. In this case, IKEA has been pretty slow. Although IKEA is emphasizing its prior recall in this latest outreach, critics say the company hadnt done enough in the past to get the word out about faulty items, such as the Malm dresser. While the first death by an IKEA dresser occurred 28 years ago, the other incidents have all taken place since 2002. But the first statement regarding the safety of the item wasnt issued until 2015. In a statement released by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on July 22, 2015, the governmental organization simply announced an offering by IKEA of free wall anchoring repair kits. Within the body of the statement, CPSC includes a warning to immediately stop using all IKEA childrens chests and dressers taller than 23 inches and adult chests and dressers taller than 29 inches, unless they are securely anchored to the wall. However, the actual term recall was never used prior to 2016, and its likely due to recall negotiations between CPSC and IKEA. According to the Recall Handbook issued by the CPSC in March 2002, responsibility is in the hands of both the government institution and the manufacturer at fault to negotiate a recall program. And while the CPSC calls for companies to report safety risks as quickly as possible, its not the way it always happens. No company likes to recall one of its products, the handbook states, but when a safety problem makes a product recall necessary to prevent injuries and save lives, it benefits everyone to move quickly and effectively. In a statement provided to Yahoo Lifestyle by IKEA U.S., the company notes that while theyve done extensive work to efficiently spread the word regarding the risk of injury with the product, there is more to be done. IKEA U.S., together with the CPSC, is re-announcing last years chest of drawer recall in order to ask anyone with an IKEA chest of drawers that is not safely secured to the wall to take immediate action. The most recent incident has indicated to us that there is more work to be done in spreading the message. IKEA and the CPSC want every consumer who has a recalled dresser to hear the message and participate in one of the solutions we are offering, the statement reads. In the last two years, we have done extensive outreach to consumers to communicate the recall including television ads, social, digital and print advertising, and emails to more than 13 million consumers which in turn has resulted in IKEA providing service or refunding more than one million dressers. However, there is still more work to be done, which is why we are re-announcing the recall. Consumers should visit IKEA.com/US for more information on the recall and a full list of recalled dressers. In the case of parents still uncertain about their furniture, however, Green assures that common sense can get you pretty far. Go into your kids bedroom and see what kind of dresser you have, he says. If you have a dresser thats been recalled, then do something about it whether its remove it or secure it with a strap you can get from IKEA. And a lot of this is common sense, which parents have a really good set of antennae about that. Its also keep aware of the news and being aware in general. For parents of any kind, Green admits that being super-aware is a difficult task. But knowing your resources is the first step. Click here to sign up for Childrens Product Recall Alerts. Click here to follow Safe Kids Advocacy on Twitter for up-to-date alerts and information. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. President Trump and the Chaldean archbishop of Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan, Monsignor Bashar Warda (Photos: Alex Brandon/AP, Filippo Monteforte/AFP/Getty Images) WASHINGTON A senior Iraqi Catholic leader is urgently pleading with President Trump to provide millions of dollars in aid to rebuild thousands of Christian homes destroyed in the war with the so-called Islamic State, saying the survival of that religious minority may be at stake. We need more than words, its time for action, the Chaldean archbishop of Erbil, Bashar Warda, told Yahoo News in an interview Monday conducted in a hotel in Washington, D.C. Asked what he would say if he could meet face to face with Trump or Vice President Mike Pence, Warda replied: We need your help now, not tomorrow, not to think about it, not to consult your adviser with all my respect. Warda said the homes of 14,000 Christian families in Nineveh province were damaged or destroyed during the years of conflict against the Islamic State, also known as ISIS, and that he hopes to gather about $262 million in aid to rebuild them as well as to restore vital infrastructure like roads, electricity and water. He said he has looked overseas for help, because: The Iraqi government had said that we dont have money for the effort. The final tally of destroyed residences is likely to be higher because church authorities have not yet gained access to the major Iraqi city of Mosul. In all, an estimated 100,000 Iraqi Christians left Nineveh, most of them finding refuge in Kurdish enclaves like Erbil, where the archdiocese has played a central role in feeding, clothing and housing them. Trump promised during the 2016 campaign to help Christians persecuted in the Middle East. His team has repeated the finding of the Obama administration that ISIS violence against Christians amounted to genocide. But at an Oct. 3 House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee hearing, Stephen Rasche, legal counsel and director of internationally displaced persons in Wardas archdiocese, testified: I regret to say that we have still yet to receive any form of meaningful aid from the U.S. government. Story continues U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Tom Malinowski, left, shakes hands with Archbishop Bashar Warda during his visit to the Chaldean Church in Erbil, Iraq. (Photo: Azad Lashkari/Reuters) Rasche singled out career officials, rather than Trump aides, for blame. While we have found the political appointees much more willing to help us since January, the fact is that even after the better part of a year, they have been unable to move the bureaucracy to take meaningful action, he said. Iraqi Christians have complained that international aid efforts put a priority on helping those in the greatest need and that, despite the finding of genocide, do not target religious communities. They would prefer that money to rebuild their communities be channeled through local nongovernmental organizations, notably the Nineveh Reconstruction Committee, which groups together Ninevehs various Christian churches. On Oct. 25, their efforts got a boost when Vice President Mike Pence gave a speech to Christian leaders in Washington in which he announced that Trump had ordered the State Department to stop funding ineffective relief efforts at the United Nations and instead provide support directly to persecuted communities through USAID, the U.S. Agency for International Development. But the money has not flowed in, leaving the return of Christian families to their homes in doubt. And with Iraqs Christian population already at a low ebb an estimated 300,000 prior to the war with ISIS, with unreliable figures today the country may be at what Rasche in October called a critical historical inflection point that will decide whether the Christian community survives in Iraq. The delay is not helping us, Warda said. Read more from Yahoo News: By Padraic Halpin and Conor Humphries DUBLIN (Reuters) - Ireland's scandal-hit deputy prime minister resigned on Tuesday, averting a government collapse and potential snap election that had threatened to complicate Brexit talks next month between Britain and the European Union. Opposition parties had demanded Frances Fitzgerald step down after the release of fresh documents about her disputed handling of a police whistleblower who alleged corruption in the force. Fianna Fail, the main opposition party, which props up Fine Gael Prime Minister Leo Varadkar's minority government, said her resignation meant a December election would be avoided. It had warned it might force a snap poll if Fitzgerald refused to quit. "Today I made the decision to tender my resignation to the Taoiseach (prime minister), stepping down with immediate effect," Fitzgerald said in a statement. "I have decided on this occasion to put the national interest ahead of my own personal reputation. I believe it is necessary to take this decision to avoid an unwelcome and potentially destabilizing general election at this historically critical time." Ireland's political crisis exploded in the run-up to a key Brexit summit next month at which Varadkar is set to play a major role. He must tell fellow EU leaders whether he believes sufficient progress has been made on the future of the border between Ireland and the British province of Northern Ireland. The border -- the only land frontier between Britain and the EU -- is one of three issues Brussels wants broadly resolved before it decides whether to move talks on Britain's divorce from the EU onto a second phase about trade, as Britain wants. While Varadkar has likely avoided the prospect of having to travel to Brussels in a caretaker capacity, his handling of the crisis has badly damaged him, his governing Fine Gael party and relations with its Fianna Fail opponents. "LOST THE DRESSING ROOM" While Fitzgerald's ministerial colleagues continued to back her in public ahead of the cabinet meeting at which she stood down, Tuesday's newspaper front pages were full of quotes from unnamed Fine Gael lawmakers and ministers saying she had to go. Some Fine Gael members who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity said they were furious with Varadkar and Fitzgerald's handling of the crisis, having been forced to spend four days strongly defending the deputy prime minister since it broke. Members of the opposition Labour and Sinn Fein parties and political analysts said as Fitzgerald resigned that an election was still likely to follow in the next three or four months. "Whatever happens today, the timeline of this administration is very much foreshortened by the events of the last two weeks," Labour leader Brendan Howlin told national broadcaster RTE. "I think right now he (Varadkar) has probably lost the dressing room, you can see that in today's newspapers, and he's done some damage to himself and the stability of the government too," added Howlin, a former cabinet colleague of Varadkar. The crisis was the first major test of the 38-year-old prime minister who succeeded Enda Kenny in June. With a reputation as a straight-talker, he has been likened to French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau by colleagues excited at the prospect of a generational shift. While an opinion poll on Saturday gave Fine Gael a one-point lead over Fianna Fail, bookmaker Paddy Power said on Tuesday that it made Fianna Fail slight favorites to win the most seats at the next election. The two center-right parties are fierce rivals but disagree little on policy. A three-year confidence and supply agreement between them is due to run until this time next year. "I think there is damage (but) nobody is enhanced by this debacle. I don't think either party comes out of it particularly well," said Theresa Reidy, a politics lecturer at University College Cork, referring to Fine Gael and Fianna Fail. "But Fine Gael are in government so they are more damaged by it." (Editing by Catherine Evans) Jerusalem (AFP) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday his country will open an embassy in Rwanda as part of the push to increase its influence in Africa. "We are opening a new embassy in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda," his office quoted him as saying at a meeting with Rwandan President Paul Kagame during a visit to Kenya. "This is part of the widening of Israel's presence in Africa and part of the deepening of cooperation between Israel and African states." Netanyahu was on a one-day visit to Nairobi for celebrations as Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta was sworn in Tuesday for a second term. At a festive lunch Netanyahu, who is also Israel's foreign minister, said he was seeking observer status for his country at the African Union. "This is my third visit to Africa in 18 months and my second visit here to Kenya," he said in a video clip released by his office "We believe in the future of Africa, we love Africa and I would like very much not only to cooperate on an individual basis with each of your countries but also with the African Union," he added. Israel has sought business and security ties with African nations as well as support at UN bodies. Seeking to deport African migrants who have arrived in Israel, Netanyahu's government has also signed deals with Rwanda and Uganda to accept departing migrants on condition they consent to the arrangement. Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling has fiercely hit back at a British magazine article that criticized Prince Harrys engagement to Meghan Markle. The Spectator shared the following piece by contributor Melanie McDonagh to its website on Monday after the news broke that the British royal had popped the question to the American Suits actress: Meghan Markle is unsuitable as Prince Harry's wife for the same reason that Wallis Simpson was unsuitable: shes divorced and Harrys grandmother is supreme governor of the CofE https://t.co/CnEasK1T67 The Spectator (@spectator) November 27, 2017 McDonaghs article suggested that Markle, who will become the first American to officially marry a British royal when they tie the knot in Spring 2018, was unsuitable as Prince Harrys wife because she is divorced. Obviously, seventy years ago, Meghan Markle would have been the kind of woman the Prince would have had for a mistress, not a wife, McDonagh wrote. It was not received well on Twitter, with many people pointing out that Prince Harrys father, Prince Charles, divorced Princess Diana. They also noted that Prince Charles later married the also divorced Camilla Parker Bowles, who is now the Duchess of Cornwall. Someone better tell Prince Charles. Camilla's a divorcee too. Billy Bragg (@billybragg) November 27, 2017 The Church of England was founded so a king could divorce... https://t.co/TmsuqJPQs7 Tim Shipman (@ShippersUnbound) November 27, 2017 Harrys father is married to a divorced woman. Jude Middleton (@gippsroad) November 27, 2017 Prince Charles is divorced. Soon he will be supreme governor of the CoE. The CoE don't care. Ali L (@Alichat66) November 28, 2017 who died and made Melanie McDonagh pope? Ian Morrison (@Ianimitable) November 27, 2017 You're right Melanie McDonagh: your @spectator piece is a churlish, miserable sourpuss piece and a half. Prince great bloke who deserves better. If you can't be nice, say nothing. Susie (@Susannah_J) November 27, 2017 Rowling, also a divorcee, appeared to have the final say when she posted this single hashtag in support of the newly engaged couple: Story continues Avada Kedavra! Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. Related Coverage Prince Of Norway Gives Dabbing The Royal Seal Of Approval Adorable Toddler 'Steals' Prince Harry's Popcorn And All Our Hearts This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Sarajevo (AFP) - Jadranko Prlic, who hears an appeals verdict over his war crimes conviction this week, is an academic who became leader of a self-proclaimed statelet for Croats during Bosnia's bitter 1990s conflict. The one-time prime minister of the "Croatian Republic of Herceg-Bosna", Prlic was sentenced to 25 years in jail in 2013 by UN judges at The Hague on charges of aiding and abetting the murder, deportation and harsh detention of Muslims. On Wednesday, the 58-year-old and five other wartime Bosnian Croat leaders will hear the verdict on their appeal case -- the last judgement to be handed down by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). The bald and bespectacled Prlic, who vehemently denied the charges, told the court in March that his trial represented "a dark side of international justice". Along with Croatian nationalist leader Franjo Tudjman, Prlic took part in a "joint criminal enterprise" to drive out Muslims from parts of Bosnia with the aim of allying the statelet with Croatia, the court said in its original ruling. Bosnian Croats and Muslims, allies against Serbs during most of the war in ethnically diverse Bosnia, turned against each other in 1993, when the Croats' "republic" was declared. The statelet, backed by Tudjman's regime, was formally dismantled in 1996 as part of the peace deal that ended the 1992-1995 war, which left 100,000 people dead. Sead Avdic, a Bosnian Muslim politician, in 2002 described Prlic as "lucid, thoughtful, hypocritical". - 'Not a great extremist' - The "president" of Herceg-Bosna, Mate Boban, died in 1997 and Tudjman in 1999, leaving Prlic the highest-ranking official to face judgement for the crimes. "Who was in the most dangerous position during the war? Me. Because I am not a great extremist," Prlic told AFP in 1996. Prlic was born in the eastern Croatian town of Djakovo in 1959 and joined the League of Communists, Yugoslavia's ruling party, in the 1970s. Story continues He obtained a doctorate in Sarajevo in 1987 -- one of the youngest people in the federation to do so. The lecturer served as mayor of Mostar, the southern Bosnian city whose bridge would later be destroyed, becoming a symbol of the war. Although he became a visiting professor at universities in the United States, Britain, Italy, he turned down a full-time job in Washington as a young and promising economist. Prlic later explained that the "quality of life" in Mostar was "better than it could be anywhere in the US". He also served as deputy prime minister in Bosnia's last communist government. After the clashes between Muslims and Croats ended, Prlic held various high-level posts in the newly-formed Croat-Muslim entity in Bosnia. - 'Insecure' Croats - After the war, Prlic went on to become Bosnia's foreign minister from 1996 to 2001 and tried to present himself as a moderate, founding an unsuccessful pro-European party. The ICTY charged him and his co-defendants in 2004. They surrendered and their trial opened two years later. Prlic, who according to the charges had the authority to close Herceg-Bosna's prisons and concentration camps, argued that the statelet's only aim was to ensure Croats' rights in a "new Bosnia". "Steps undertaken by the Muslim side resulted in the insecurity of Croats in Bosnia," he told the tribunal. Prlic published several books on economics and politics and in prison wrote a 2,000-page tome on Herceg-Bosna. "I think I had a rich life... I would probably do some things differently, but in principle I believe I was always where I had to be," he said in 2002. Jaime King and Kyle Newman attend an event on May 6, 2017, in Culver City, Calif. (Photo: Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic) Jaime King and Kyle Newman have joined the rare 10-year club in Hollywood. Now, after a decade together, the couple celebrate their anniversary this week, with King sharing wedding photos that even she had seen for the first time only recently. Ive never seen these photographs, she posted on Instagram, noting her brother Hugh Newman shot the pictures. The collection of photos posted below starts with a photo of King, 38, and her sister, and goes on to include shots of her with her bridesmaids, including actress Selma Blair. My best friends @therealselmablair whom we have shared 17 years together getting me dressed in the parking lot, she wrote. Other shots, seen by scrolling through above, include a photo of King walking down the aisle, another from the ceremony, and some insanely stunning shots of the Hart of Dixie star looking like the epitome of old Hollywood glamour. King wore an Italian silk faille Calvin Klein gown with a train so long it wouldnt fit into the car, she noted. My heart is so full knowing that everyday I have been blessed with the kindest, most gentle, brilliant husband/father by my side, King concluded. To my family and friends. Your presence sustains me and I am honored to know you all. Story continues King met her director husband in January 2005 when she filmed a cameo in Fanboys. The actress told InStyle there was a spark, and romance blossomed three months later. We started hanging out all the time, she exclaimed. After one week, we were so close. The pairs favorite Los Angeles restaurant, Urth Caffe, catered the wedding. I find sit-down dinners a bit boring, and we wanted a more relaxed event, King explained to InStyle. Overall, the couple described their nuptials as a laid-back affair she even went barefoot. It was all very fun and impromptu, Newman told the magazine at the time. A post shared by Jaime King (@jaime_king) on Jul 20, 2015 at 2:11pm PDT The couple went on to have two sons, James, 4, and Leo, 2. If only their second childs godmother, Taylor Swift, had been close enough back in the day to be a bridesmaid, because we wouldve loved to have seen that here too. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. By Sarah N. Lynch WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. jury on Tuesday acquitted accused Islamic militant Ahmed Abu Khatallah of the most serious charges he faced in connection with a 2012 attack on a U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya that killed U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans. The jury in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia found Khatallah guilty on only four of the 18 counts he faced and acquitted him on murder and other charges, according to the Justice Department. He was convicted on one count of conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, one count of providing material support to terrorists, one count of maliciously destroying property and one count of using and carrying a semiautomatic weapon during a violent crime, according to a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia. The jury reached its verdict after five days of deliberations. Khatallah is the first person to be tried in connection with the 2012 attack in Benghazi. A second person alleged to be involved, Mustafa al-Imam, made his first court appearance earlier this month. The case marks a major test of the government's ability to capture and try alleged terrorists in civilian courts rather than military proceedings. In a message to Central Intelligence Agency staff on Tuesday, Director Mike Pompeo said a "small measure of justice was meted out" by the verdict. In this case, prosecutors acknowledged that Khatallah did not directly participate in the attack on the U.S. consulate or nearby CIA annex. Rather, they sought to convince the jury that he helped orchestrate it behind the scenes. Khatallah was captured in 2014 by U.S. military and FBI officials in Libya and transported to the United States aboard a Navy vessel. He was first questioned by U.S. intelligence officials and later by the FBI. Khatallah waived his right to speak first with an attorney, and prosecutors used his statements in the trial. Story continues They also presented evidence including phone records showing that the defendant made calls to his associates right before they were captured on grainy videos participating in the attack and testimony from a variety of witnesses. Defense attorneys for Khatallah said the witnesses lacked credibility, especially one witness who was paid $7 million to inform on their client and lure to him the place where he was captured. Khatallah faces a statutory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison for each of the two terrorism charges, 20 years for the property destruction charge and 10 years for the firearms offense. (Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; additional reporting by Mark Hosenball; Editing by Cynthia Osterman) Kate Beckinsale on the set of Watch What Happens Live in August. (Photo: Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank) Kate Beckinsales Instagram is a treasure trove and not just because of the grumpy cat pictures and costumed dance parties in her kitchen. In between her jokes (that British wit) and silliness, there is a lot of real talk going on. On Tuesday, the topic was women-shaming and how its well past the time that it stops. The Underworld star shared a screenshot from a Daily Mail story about her titled, Vest-ed interest! Kate Beckinsale showcases toned arms in revealing tank top as she goes shopping. The article is basically just 10 photos of her walking down the street with some commentary on her figure. She said someone she knew sent it to her, likely because it had her age wrong 55 when shes actually 44 and included a line about how she showcased a body many women half her age would be proud of. I mostly dont see things like this but it was sent to me with some mirth and while, yes, it can be funny to read dumb things about yourself, Ive been aware for years (particularly with this newspaper but by no means confined to it), of how the glee in shaming women is so much darker and further reaching than enjoying a little schadenfreude that some model looks rough without makeup, she began. Beckinsale went on to talk about how women are usually shamed for things that they have no control over. For example GAINING WEIGHT WHEN PREGNANT, HAVING SHORT LEGS OR BIG ANKLES, HAVING LOWER BOOBS THAN A BARBIE, AGING, HAVING BIG EARS OR LONG TOES, BEING MENOPAUSAL, she wrote. She called it an archaic but pretty clever trick because it hits females when they are objectively at their most powerful, including when they are creating life and growing into themselves emotionally and intellectually. That knee jerk rush to bully her body in pregnancy and afterwards her age, her cellulite, hacking a phone for private photos and mocking her vagina trickles down from the one shamed woman and leaks into our whole culture, becomes a source of shame to be avoided by all women, all of us participating in this flight from shame ABOUT the stuff that makes women women. Story continues Beckinsale, whos mom to college-age daughter Lily (with ex Michael Sheen), asked her followers (all 1.3 million of em) to see what this type of shaming really is: a way to attack women. Lets resist being distracted and tormented by what our bodies are naturally doing and free that energy for joy and to effect change, she wrote. Its not going to stop tomorrow. A whole raft of women will be picked apart for a million dumb things tomorrow. I urge us all, as females, to see it for what it is. Fear of YOU. Fear of the magical mystery s*** a woman can do with her magical body. Fear of what she can withhold or bestow. Beckinsale, who is one of the 80-something women to come forward to accuse Harvey Weinstein of sexual misconduct (she was a teen), went on to reference men of that ilk, saying, Its the same impulse to reduce the power of a pretty girl who wouldnt date you in school by becoming a big boss and getting your p***s out at a meeting. It made you feel powerful knowing what you were going to do. Its fear. Dont let it in. She went on to say shes not trying to attack men just the negativity around this narrative. Im not manbashing. Im not even newspaper bashing. I just want to get to where this nonsense feels as archaic as smoking on planes. We put up with it, it harmed us, and we dont miss it. And theres a good reason why people should listen to her: I turned eleven years older over Thanksgiving, she quipped. You should listen to me. Im a straight up wizard. There are close to 18,000 likes and more than 900 comments on the post, including praise from Cara Delevingne, who wrote, I love you, adore you, and you certainly are a straight up wizard!!! Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Photo credit: Getty From ELLE UK It's only just been confirmed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are engaged, but there's already speculation that the actress will be joining the Queen for Christmas at Sandringham this year. The Suits star is expected to be invited to the three-day celebrations at Norfolk's Sandringham House with the royal family, following Clarence House's confirmation that she and Harry are to marry in spring next year (viaThe Telegraph). It would go against usual royal protocol however, as the Duchess of Cambridge was not invited to join Prince William for Christmas in 2010, despite announcing their engagement a month before. Markle was recently omitted from the Queen and Prince Philip's 70th wedding anniversary celebrations at Windsor Castle, as was Princess Eugenie's boyfriend, Jack Brooksbank. But it is being rumored that the royals will also be toasting Markle and Harry's exciting news during their Christmas festivities. The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh are delighted for the couple and wish them every happiness. https://t.co/aAJ23uSbao - The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) November 27, 2017 The Queen released a statement to declare that she and her husband, Prince Philip, "are delighted for the couple and wish them every happiness," a Buckingham Palace spokesman said. Harry and Markle, who have been dating since last summer, secretly got engaged earlier this month. The happy news was announced by Clarence House in the following statement: "His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales is delighted to announce the engagement of Prince Harry to Ms. Meghan Markle. "The wedding will take place in spring 2018. Further details about the wedding daywill be announced in due course. "His Royal Highness and Ms. Markle became engaged in London earlier this month.Prince Harry has informed Her Majesty The Queen and other close members of hisfamily. Prince Harry has also sought and received the blessing of Ms. Markle'sparents. Story continues "The couple will live in Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace." William and Kate added that they were "very excited for Harry and Meghan. It has been wonderful getting to know Meghan and to see how happy she and Harry are together." You Might Also Like Nairobi (AFP) - Kenya's Uhuru Kenyatta is due to be sworn in for a second term on Tuesday, an inauguration delayed by two disputed polls and a series of sometimes deadly street protests. At the same time, opposition leader Raila Odinga has promised to hold a "memorial rally" honouring the more than 50 people killed, mostly by police, in four months of political upheaval that has left the country deeply divided. Around 13 mostly African heads of state are expected to attend the ceremony at a Nairobi stadium where Kenyatta, 56, will be sworn in for his second and final five-year term. His inauguration comes after Kenya's Supreme Court validated his victory in last month's rerun poll. However, the swearing-in may not draw a line under the country's political crisis with Odinga vowing to fight on. The electoral strife goes back to an August 8 poll that was annulled in September by the Supreme Court, citing "irregularities and illegalities". The court ordered a rerun in October that was boycotted by the opposition, handing Kenyatta a landslide of 98 percent of votes cast from just 39 percent of the electorate. The disputed election season has split the country along ethnic and regional lines, although political violence has not reached the scale of that which followed a 2007 poll when 1,100 were killed. Odinga, denied the presidency for a fourth time this year, believes that he was cheated and the 72-year-old has refused to recognise the result. He has promised to found a "third republic" -- following independence from Britain in 1963 and a new constitution adopted in 2010 -- as well as to continue a programme of protests and economic boycotts aimed at undermining Kenyatta's "dictatorship". The current political crisis draws on a deep well of social, ethnic and geographic grievances in the country of around 48 million people. In areas loyal to Odinga, an ethnic Luo, there is a sense of having been ground down and discriminated against since independence, not least by Kenyatta's Kikuyu group, which has given Kenya three of its four presidents. The months of disruption and unrest, plus the holding of two separate elections, have badly affected the economy, hitting the poorest hardest while leaving the wealthy political elites relatively unharmed. Alejandra Borundas two kids are among those covered by CHP+ and who would lose out if the program goes away. (Photo: Helen H. Richardson/the Denver Post via Getty Images) Colorado has become one of the first states to tell its residents to research private insurance plans in the event that the federal government fails to reinstate funding to CHIP, the joint state- and federal-government-funded program that provides health insurance for 9 million children from middle- and low-income families nationwide. The states Department of Health Care Policy and Finance (HCPF) released a statement Nov. 27 announcing that it began sending a letter to families encouraging them to look into new health plans. The letter explains that federal funding for CHIP expired on Sept. 30. Colorado has state funds to cover the program costs only until Jan. 31, 2018. After that, families will have to pay for private plans should the government fail to renew. Each year, the federal government votes to allocate funds to the program and each state matches that money. To receive funding, both the Senate, and then the president, must sign off on the program budget. The House passed the bill to fund CHIP for the next five years on Nov. 3, but progression stopped short of the Senate. With no pass day in sight, states like Colorado are facing pressure to take action. It is critically important for families to start planning for potential changes in their health coverage if the federal government doesnt renew funding for the CHP+ program, Gretchen Hammer, Colorados Department of Health Care Policy Medicaid Director, said in the press release. We remain cautiously optimistic Congress will renew federal funding, but we want our families enrolled in CHP+ to be aware that changes may be coming and not be caught off guard should the program come to an end. CHIP has brought the U.S.s rate of uninsured children down to 5 percent a record low per the Kaiser Family Foundation. CHIPs Plus plan in Colorado alone currently insures more than 75,000 kids and nearly 800 pregnant women. These are families, theyre not making a whole lot of money, Marc Williams, Public Information Officer at Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, tells Yahoo Lifestyle. They make too much to qualify for Medicaid, but they make enough to qualify for CHIP program, because their employer may not provide health insurance. Story continues He said the loss of CHIP funding would add an additional financial burden on these families. Joan Alker, executive director of the Center for Children and Families at Georgetown University, agrees. She tells Yahoo Lifestyle that even the smallest lack of coverage in terms of time can have deep effects. Even a short period of no coverage is not good for kids health and it puts families at risk for financial risk, she said. As any parent knows, a kid can break a bone or need stitches any day of the week. If youre uninsured, even for a short period, [it] can have a devastating effect on a familys finances. Breaking news: Colorado announces that it has started sending letters out to CHIP families warning them that their coverage is in jeopardy. This is the first state I am aware of.https://t.co/OE70sKaddJ Joan Alker (@JoanAlker1) November 27, 2017 Some, including Alker, speculate the CHIP program hasnt been a priority for lawmakers with the focus on the Affordable Care Act. The bill itself, though traditionally bipartisan, has also caused disagreement among Democrats, who strongly support the program but fear Republicans want to take money from other assistance programs like Medicaid to fund it. Alker wants them to take action, before its too late. Im optimistic Congress will get this done and that terrible outcome can be avoided, but really, its very unfortunate were having this conversation. This could have been an easy win for congress months ago, yet its still not done, she said. The U.S. Census Bureaus American Community Survey (ACS), 44 states have seen improvements in coverage for children since the ACA took effect in 2014, with gains in Nevada, Montana, Florida, Arizona, California, Idaho, and Colorado. With CHIPs fate in purgatory, the future of kids coverage remains more uncertain. Williams says the state has been in contact with representatives in Congress, but should the government fail to act, the department will send a letter at the end of December, around the holidays, officially announcing the end of CHIP coverage. Were in a holding pattern until Congress decides what its going to do, Williams tells Yahoo Lifestyle. At the same time, we want to be proactive with our families so they can take measures to inform themselves. Alker says she believes theres a lack of awareness with respect to how much it takes to run programs like these. But just because states have funding until the end of the year doesnt mean its OK to delay the bill. Theres a lot more to it than that, Alker says. They cant live on a promise. Its not a good way to run government, to leave states with this level of uncertainty. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Future lawyers look flawless in graduation photos. (Photo: One Vision Studios, LLC) Following years of 8 a.m. classes, hours of homework, plenty of all-night study sessions, and countless gallons of coffee, 11 women are close to reaching their education goal: graduating from law school. To mark the achievement, the Elon University students posed for a little black dress-themed photo shoot, which has captured the hearts of the internet. Ashley Williams, one of the women set to get her Juris Doctor degree in December, shares with Yahoo Lifestyle that the North Carolina natives, who are part of the largest group of African-American women graduating from Elon Law, were inspired to collaborate on a photo shoot together to celebrate their accomplishments. We are all friends, we have Sunday dinner together, we also study together. So we spend a lot of time with one another, she shares. The 11 will graduate in December. (Photo: One Vision Studios, LLC) This support system has helped Anika Bailey, 24, overcome challenges. Our law school is a predominately white institution, so there arent many people in our school who look like us or can understand what challenges we face as women of color seeking to enter the legal profession, she tells Yahoo Lifestyle. We shared the pictures to spread positivity and maybe inspire a few people. We never expected it to go viral, says Williams. We worked hard to push one another through school. Now, this is the outcome. The 25-year-old says that besides the 11 women photographed, there are seven other women from their crew who are not pictured but who will also walk the graduation stage Dec. 16. The future lawyers pose with their graduation caps and gowns. (Photo: One Vision Studios, LLC) The photographer responsible for the viral photos is Kendall Williams, 26, of One Vision Studios, LLC. When he shared the images on Instagram, he wrote, the epitome of black girl magic. They are entering a white male-dominated profession to increase the 5 percent of African-American in the legal profession. Many said they couldnt do it but here they are! Their little black dress graduation photo shoot may empower other women to chase their dreams. (Photo: One Vision Studios, LLC) The photographer tells Yahoo Lifestyle that he was inspired to celebrate a group of law students that are not only black but are also young women that make up a small percentage of people in their industry. My inspiration was women achievements and black excellence. Story continues The soon-to-be lawyers celebrate their several years of hard work. (Photo: One Vision Studios, LLC) As we began discussing what we were going to do, we realized that the pictures meant so much more than a typical graduation picture, he says. Most of the girls are the first in their families to obtain a professional degree, so they wanted to commemorate the occasion with a positive image. Congratulations to the Elon Law class of 2017. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. On Sunday, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office released its report on the effects of the Senate GOP tax plan, and the results arent pretty. According to the CBO, if this bill passes there will be a huge transfer of wealth in our country from the middle class to the rich. Nearly every American making under $75,000 a year will have less money in the long run, while millionaires like me will have more money from all our tax cuts. The plan would also add an astounding $1.4 trillion to the national debt. Thats 1.4 trillion reasons Republicans are going to use in the future to justify cutting Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. Senate Republicans claim their bill is intended to help the middle class, and that tax cuts for millionaires and wealthy corporations are necessary to boost economic growth and raise wages. People who invest in job-creating businesses know that the most important factor for economic growth is customers who have the means and desire to buy their products. The idea that this tax plan is going to help anyone beside the ultra-rich is ludicrous. Even a brief examination of their bill shows how blatantly untrue their claims are. Yes, some middle-class Americans are going to get a tax cut, but it will be temporary and will leave millions worse off in the long run. If you make less than $75,000 a year, your taxes are going up so mine can go down. What about those huge tax cuts for millionaires and wealthy corporations? Those are permanent. That disparity tells you everything you need to know about the bill. To make matters worse, the Senate bills elimination of the Obamacare individual mandate would absolutely wreck the healthcare market. Without the mandate, health care premiums would rise across the board by about 10%, increasing costs for consumers and forcing those who cant afford the increase to go without. The CBO estimates that without the mandate an extra 4 million Americans would be without insurance by 2019, a number which rises all the way to 13 million by 2027. Some of those people will end up going bankrupt, and that wont help them, the businesses where they shop or any other part of the economy besides the debt collection industry. Story continues After years of talk about the danger of deficits and the importance of helping small businesses, this bill puts Senate Republicans priorities in the spotlight, and the American people (rightly) dont like what theyre seeing. Any tax bill will naturally have winners and losers as rates are changed and loopholes are closed, but its striking how clearly the lines in this bill have been drawn. If youre rich, youre a winner. If youre not, youre a loser. Thats not tax reform, its a handout to the wealthy. The zealous support for this bill by many Senators baffles me. Some of the bills loudest advocates, like Mitch McConnell of Kentucky or Tim Scott of South Carolina, represent states full of people that stand to lose if this passes. They are pushing a bill that will hurt the vast majority of their constituents, all to please a few wealthy donors. That decision isnt just morally reprehensible, its political suicide. The effects of this tax bill are clear Ill get a tax cut, and the middle class gets screwed. Thats apparently an acceptable tradeoff for many members of the Senate, but its not ok with me, and it shouldnt be ok with the American people. This bill is an outrage, and it must be stopped. Pearl currently serves as Chair of the Patriotic Millionaires and was a managing director at BlackRock Photo credit: Getty Images From Cosmopolitan UK Once Meghan Markle marries Prince Harry next spring, she could have a completely new name. The Suits actress' full name is currently Rachel Meghan Markle - yes, she shares a real first name with her character on the USA Network TV series. And once she and Harry tie the knot, she could become Rachel Meghan Mountbatten-Windsor. "Junior members of the royal family have the option of using the surname ," royal historian and author Carolyn Harris told Town & Country. Queen Elizabeth's descendants carry the name Windsor as well as the name Mountbatten, which reflects her husband Prince Philips surname. According to the official royal website: The Royal Family name of Windsor was confirmed by The Queen after her accession in 1952. However, in 1960, The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh decided that they would like their own direct descendants to be distinguished from the rest of the Royal Family (without changing the name of the Royal House), as Windsor is the surname used by all the male and unmarried female descendants of George V. It was therefore declared in the Privy Council that The Queen's descendants, other than those with the style of Royal Highness and the title of Prince/Princess, or female descendants who marry, would carry the name of Mountbatten-Windsor. All that said, royals rarely use their surnames. "Once married, Meghan will sign as Meghan, no last name. Just as Harry signs as Harry. Royals use only a first name," royal expert Marlene Koenig said. She added that Harry will most likely use a last name when he signs the marriage registrar - probably Mountbatten-Windsor. "This was used by Anne, Andrew, and Edward when they married. Charles had no surname on his registrar. We do not know what William used because unlike every other royal, he chose not to make it public," says Koenig. Koenig explains that when Harry and William were at school, they were listed under Wales because their father, Charles, is the Prince of Wales. And William's son George is registered at school with the last name Cambridge. On George's birth certificate, the couple left the last names blank. Story continues The Queen will likely grant Harry a royal dukedom on his wedding day - giving Harry and Meghan the titles Duke and Duchess, likely of Sussex. Photo credit: BBC This is all pretty confusing - and will make official documents a bit tricky for Meghan once she makes her official move to the U.K. "It will be interesting on how passports are handled, as she cannot become a legal resident of the country for five years," Koenig says. "There are visa procedures to go through from the fiancee settlement visa to the marriage visa, which has to be renewed at least once, and then, after five years, a foreign spouse can apply for permission for permanent residency and then start the citizenship application. So, I do not know how the passport issue will be handled." Meghan's credit cards and driver's license, however, will show her title as her name, Koenig explains. Check out Meghan and Harry's engagement photos below: You Might Also Like Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have announced their engagement The couple will get married in spring 2018 Meghan, 36, and Harry, 33, have been dating for over a year Couple give first interview following engagement Harry reveals how he proposed and that they met on a blind date Meghan says early press focus on her mixed-race background was disheartening Prince Harry has opened up about his relationship to Meghan Markle for the first time, revealing he met the American actress on a blind date and proposed over roast chicken. Following months of speculation, the couple confirmed they were engaged on Monday morning, saying they plan to marry in spring 2018. In the couples first joint interview, Harry described the proposal as just a standard typical night for us; trying to roast a chicken. Meghan said it was an instant yes from her. The couple also spoke at length about their relationship details of which had been closely guarded for many months. She said they had had five, six months of privacy and never went longer than two weeks without seeing each other. She also said she was disheartened at the press reaction to her mixed race background. The pair said they were introduced by a mutual female friend in July 2016 via a blind date, but declined to reveal her name. Harry told how they camped out under the stars in Botswana a few weeks after they met when Harry persuaded Ms Markle to join him on holiday. Then it was I think about three, maybe four weeks later that I managed to persuade her to come and join me in Botswana. And we, we camped out with each other under the stars, we spent, she came and joined me for five days out there, which was absolutely fantastic. Prince Harry and his fiancee Meghan Markle [Photo: AP] The actress also revealed she had met the Queen a couple of times, describing her as an incredible woman while Harry said the monarchs pet corgis took to [Meghan] straight away. When asked whether children were on the cards, Meghan replied: Not right now. Prince Harry adding: In the near future. Story continues Meghans engagement ring was designed by Harry himself and features three diamonds: one from Botswana and two from the personal collection of his late mother, Princess Diana. Harry added that he chose diamonds from Dianas jewellery box so that she could be with us on this crazy journey together. Harry said that Diana and Meghan would have been thick as thieves and that his mother would be over the moon, jumping up and down at the news. Earlier the couple had appeared for official photos outside Kensington Palace at 2pm on Monday afternoon. The royal said he was thrilled to be engaged while Meghan said she was very happy. When asked whether his proposal was romantic, Harry replied of course it was, saying that he knew Meghan was the one from the very first time we met. Its believed the pair will have a church wedding after the Archbishop of Canterbury said Harry and Meghan had chosen to make their vows to God. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh said they were delighted for the couple and wish them every happiness while the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge commented: We are very excited for Harry and Meghan. It has been wonderful getting to know Meghan and to see how happy she and Harry are together. The couple will marry in spring 2018 [Photo: Getty] Harry first met the 36-year-old divorcee in May 2016 in her hometown of Toronto while promoting the 2017 Invictus Games. They officially began dating in the summer of last year but did not publicly confirm their relationship until November. Kensington Palace was forced to issue a statement after Meghan and her family were hounded by the press. In it, she was described as Prince Harrys girlfriend of a few months. The 33-year-old royal believed a line had been crossed and reminded everyone that this is not a game it is her life and his. The actress has appeared in US legal drama Suits since 2011 [Photo: PA] Although Meghan is primarily known for her role on US legal drama Suits, she has used her public profile to raise awareness of a number of humanitarian causes along with issues such as gender and racial equality. According to People, Meghan was quickly introduced to Harrys father, Prince Charles. She met the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on her next visit to London in late November. Kate was said to be thrilled with Harrys romantic choice and vowed to do all she could to support Meghan as she entered a rather unique relationship. While the headlines surrounding the couple grew, Meghan was far from private. She penned an essay for ELLE on finding the right balance between fame and philanthropy and how she will always strive for gender equality. With fame comes opportunity, but it also includes responsibility to advocate and share, to focus less on glass slippers and more on pushing through glass ceilings. And, if Im lucky enough, to inspire, she wrote. Things started heating up for the pair around Christmas when they were spotted together in public for the first time. Meghan and Harry were seen buying a Christmas tree in Battersea Park, leading people to believe that things were becoming serious. In February, the first official paparazzi photos of the couple emerged. They enjoyed a date night at Londons Soho House and were pictured holding hands after an intimate dinner. The star is set to leave her acting career behind with Prince Harry expected to take on more royal duties [Photo: PA/Rex] Meghan began wearing jewellery with the letter H branded on it. Whether it was a deliberate attempt to show off her new boyfriend or simple gifts from the Prince, the actress wasnt afraid of brandishing the ring and necklace for all to see. According to insiders, the pair were inseparable with Meghan spending all of her free time away from filming with the royal. Wedding fever then began after Meghan and Harry were photographed in Jamaica at the nuptials of Harrys close friend, Tom Inskip. Media crews flooded Kensington Palace on Monday morning [Photo: PA] At the end of March, rumours began flying around that the couple were planning to move in together. A source told the Daily Mail that Harry was renovating a brand new apartment in Kensington Palace for Meghan to move into, leaving his two-bedroom bachelor pad behind. The stars inspirational lifestyle blog, The Tig, was shut down in April. Speculation that Meghan was forced to quit her blog to become fully integrated into the public family was rife. Shortly after, Meghans half-sister threatened the actress with a tell-all book, saying that the truth about Princess Pushy would kill her relationship with Prince Harry. Samantha Grant was criticised for cashing in on her relations newfound fame. Click below to see Meghan Markles top red carpet looks: As news of Pippa Middletons wedding emerged, the world was left wondering whether Harry would bring Meghan as his plus one. Pippas no ring, no bring policy that meant only couples who were married could attend brought an end to that rumour. However, Meghan was invited to the wedding reception held at the Middleton family home in Berkshire. Annoyingly for us, there were no photos of her at the reception although a source said she was there wearing a backless maroon dress. In September, Meghan spoke out about her relationship with Harry for the first time in a mega Vanity Fair interview, telling all about how the pair met and saying: Were a couple. Were in love. Im sure there will be a time when we will have to come forward and present ourselves and have stories to tell, but I hope what people will understand is that this is our time. This is for us. The couples first public appearance together came at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto where Harry performed a whole lot of PDA on the actress. Then came news that Meghan had told her TV bosses that she would not be returning to work on the eighth series of Suits next year, prompting many to believe that the American was planning a permanent move to London. Now, there are talks of when and where the couple will get married [Photo: Getty] Now, all the rumours have been proven true. Last week, removal vans were reportedly spotted outside Meghans Toronto home with the actress spotted doing a bit of Christmas shopping on Londons Kings Road. The couple will be living in Nottingham Cottage, Harrys two-bedroom apartment in Kensington Palace. Meghan is expected to join the royal family for Christmas at Sandringham. It would go against royal protocol as the Duchess of Cambridge wasnt invited to the three-day celebrations in 2010 despite getting engaged to Prince William a month before. We already speculated as to what Meghan will give up if she marries into the royal family. Now that she has accepted Prince Harrys proposal, its only a matter of time before the acting and social media comes to a complete halt. Her dress sense is also likely to require a revamp. The Duchess of Cambridge rarely shows off any skin with knee length dresses being her shortest style. Meghan, however, has been seen in teeny tiny shorts and ripped jeans since dating Prince Harry. Whatever she wears, we cant wait for the next royal wedding. READ THE FULL TRANSCRIPT BELOW: 00:00:15 Int: Your Royal Highness, Meghan Markle, congratulations to you both. 00:00:19 Meghan Markle: Thank you. Int: Can we start with the proposal and the actual moment of your engagement. When did it happen? How did it happen? 00:00:25 Prince Harry: It happened a few weeks ago, earlier this month, here at our cottage; just a standard typical night for us. 00:00:34 Meghan Markle: Just a cosy night, it was what we were doing just roasting chicken and having 00:00:38 Prince Harry: Roasting a chicken, trying to roast a chicken. Meghan Markle: Trying to roast a chicken and it just just an amazing surprise, it was so sweet and natural and very romantic. He got on one knee. 00:00:50 Prince Harry: Of course. Int: Was it an instant yes from you? 00:00:52 Meghan Markle: Yes, as a matter of fact I could barely let you finish proposing, I said can I say yes now? 00:00:56 Prince Harry: She didnt even let me finish, she said can I say yes, can I say yes and then were was hugs and I had the ring in my finger and I was like can I can I give you the ring? She goes oh yes the ring. 00:01:04 So no it was it was a really nice moment, it was just the two of us and I think managed to catch catch her by surprise as well. Meghan Markle: Yeah. Int: And this is how long after you first met? 00:01:14 Meghan Markle: Oh it would be a year and a half, a little bit more than that? 00:01:17 Prince Harry: No just about it would be about a year and a half yeah. Meghan Markle: Just about that? Int: Which for most people would be quite a whirlwind, is that how its felt to you? 00:01:24 Meghan Markle: I dont think that I would call it a whirlwind in terms of our relationship, obviously there have been layers attached to how public it has become after we had a good five, six months almost with just privacy, which was amazing. 00:01:40 But no, I think we were able to really have so much time just to connect and we never went longer than two weeks without seeing each other, even though we were obviously doing a long distance relationship. So its we made it work. Int: How did you first meet? 00:01:56 Prince Harry: Ah yes, we first met we were introduced actually by a mutual friend, who we will 00:02:02 Meghan Markle: We should protect her privacy and not reveal too much of that. 00:02:03 Prince Harry: Well protect her privacy yeah. And but it was it was literally it was through her and then we met once and then twice back to back two dates in London, last July. Meghan Markle: Yes. 00:02:17 Prince Harry: The beginning of July. And then it was I think about three, maybe four weeks later that I managed to persuade her to come and join me in Botswana. And we we camped out with each other under the stars, we spent she came and joined me for five days out there, which was absolutely fantastic. 00:02:34 Meghan Markle: Just to take the take the time to be able to go on long country walks and just talk. 00:02:41 Prince Harry: Weve been weve been all over the place. Int: Have you met the Queen? 00:02:44 Meghan Markle: I have, yes. Prince Harry: A couple of times. Meghan Markle: Yes, true, a couple of times. Int: What was that like? 00:02:48 Meghan Markle: Its incredible, I think, you know, a) to be able to meet her through his lens, not just with his honour and respect for her as the monarch, but the love that he has for her as his grandmother, all of those layers have been so important for me so that when I met her I had such a deep understanding and of course incredible respect for being able to have that time with her. And weve had a really shes shes an incredible woman. 00:03:17 Prince Harry: And the corgis took to you straight away. Meghan Markle: Thats true. 00:03:19 Prince Harry: Ive spent the last 33 years being barked at; this one walks in, absolutely nothing 00:03:23 Meghan Markle: Just laying on my feet during tea, it was very sweet. Prince Harry: just wagging tails and I was just like argh. Int: That has to be a good sign. Speaking of dogs, have you brought yours to the UK? 00:03:32 Meghan Markle: Well I have two dogs that Ive had for quite a long time, both my rescue pups. And one is now staying with very close friends and my other little guy is yes hes in the UK, hes been here for a while. Int: Okay, lets hope he adjusts well. 00:03:45 Meghan Markle: I think hes doing just fine. Int: What was it like introducing Meghan to your father and your brother? 00:03:56 Prince Harry: What was it like? It was exciting I mean Ive you know Id been seeing her for a period of time when I literally didnt tell anybody at all. And then William was longing to meet her and so was Catherine, so you know being our neighbours we managed to get that in a couple of well quite a few times now and Catherine has been absolutely 00:04:16 Meghan Markle: Shes been wonderful. Prince Harry: amazing, as has William as well, you know, fantastic support. And then my my father as well, we had a couple of no more than that Meghan Markle: Weve had 00:04:24 Prince Harry: A handful of teas and meetings and all sorts of gatherings over at his place as well. So no the family together have been absolutely, you know, a solid support and my grandparents as well have been have been wonderful throughout this whole process and theyve known for quite some time. So how they how they havent told anybody is is again a miracle in itself. But now the whole family have come together and have been a huge amount of support. Meghan Markle: Theyve been amazing. Int: And Meghan your parents, do you think you know while very happy for you obviously Meghan Markle: Yes. Int: Do you think they have worried at all about the scale of what youre getting into? 00:05:00 Meghan Markle: Well Im sure the onset, both my parents and my close friends were concerned, because we got very quickly swept up in a media storm that, as I shared, was not part of my life before that, but they also had never seen me so happy. And I think also once my friends excuse me, were able to to really meet Harry, and my mom, who weve spent a lot of time with, who is so much fun. Prince Harry: Her mums amazing. 00:05:29 Meghan Markle: It was just you know it was just obvious that no matter what we were being put through that it was just temporary and that we were going to be able to get through that. So everybody was really happy. And hes talked to my dad a few times, hasnt been able to meet him just yet, but its all been its all been worth every effort. 00:05:49 Prince Harry: Yeah, yeah its been great. Int: Your ring. Meghan Markle: Oh yes. Int: Tell us about your ring. 00:05:57 Prince Harry: The ring is is obviously yellow gold because thats what her favourite and the main stone itself I sourced from Botswana and the the little diamonds either side are from my mothers jewellery collection to make sure that shes with us on this on this crazy journey together. And 00:06:16 Meghan Markle: Its beautiful, and he designed it, its incredible. Prince Harry: Yeah, make sure it stays on that finger. Meghan Markle: Of course. Int: What does it mean to you Meghan to have those stones on your finger that once belonged to Princess Diana? 00:06:32 Meghan Markle: I think everything about Harrys thoughtfulness is and the inclusion of that and obviously not being able to meet his mom its so important to me to to know that shes a part of this with us. And I think in being able to meet his aunts and and also like Julia and just different people who were so important to his mom, Im able to, in some way, know a part of her through them and of course through him. And its its incredibly special. And you know to be able to have this which sort of links where you come from and Botswana which is important to us and its its perfect. Int: What do you think your mother would have thought of Meghan, or said about Meghan? 00:07:18 Prince Harry: Oh theyd be thick as thieves, without question, I think she would be over the moon, jumping up and down, you know so excited for me, but then, as I said, would have probably been best friends best friends with Meghan. 00:07:31 So no its you know it is days like days like today when when I really miss having her around and miss being able to share the happy news. But you know with the ring and with everything else thats going on Im sure shes Meghan Markle: Shes with us. 00:07:43 Prince Harry: Im sure shes with us yeah, you know, jumping up and down somewhere else. END Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for non-stop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. For Twitter updates, follow @YahooStyleUK. Read more from Yahoo Style UK: Meghan Markle opens up about Prince Harry for the first time Heres what Prince Harry and Meghan Markles wedding might be like Prince Harry can now marry Meghan Markle at Westminster Abbey By Anthony Esposito MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico's finance minister Jose Antonio Meade stepped down on Monday to seek the 2018 presidential nomination for the ruling party, which hopes his honest reputation will help counter the taint of corruption that has blighted its record in power. Meade had been widely expected to run for the centrist Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), whose credibility has been seriously undermined by graft scandals, gang violence in the country and persistent accusations of electoral fraud. "I'm going to register as presidential pre-candidate for the Institutional Revolutionary Party. I do so after 20 years of serving my country continuously with integrity and honesty," said the 48-year-old, who has held most of the top jobs in government. President Enrique Pena Nieto said Harvard-educated former World Bank official Jose Antonio Gonzalez Anaya would leave state oil company Pemex to replace Meade in the finance ministry. Meade is viewed by many PRI grandees as the most suitable candidate to take on the early front-runner in the July 2018 presidential race, leftist former mayor of Mexico City, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. Lopez Obrador, twice runner-up for the presidency, has railed relentlessly for years against government corruption, hitting the PRI where it is most vulnerable. Meade is not a member of the PRI, which changed its statutes in August to make it easier for outsiders to run and has ruled Mexico for 76 of the past 88 years. The party will formally elect its candidate on Feb. 18, but the identity of the winner may be clear long before that. Meade first entered cabinet under the previous centre-right administration of the National Action Party, or PAN. Serving as energy, then finance minister in 2011, Meade became foreign minister when Pena Nieto took office in December 2012. He later switched to the social development ministry before returning to finance last year. Seen by allies as a discreet and diplomatic official, Meade's grasp of finance and economics is matched by few in Mexico, and his academic career includes degrees in law and economics as well as an economics doctorate from Yale. Story continues The soft-spoken Meade remains far behind Lopez Obrador in opinion polls. But Meade's potential cross-party appeal is viewed as one of his principal assets at a time of increasing political fragmentation in Mexico. Crucially, argue his supporters, he has avoided the damaging scandals that have engulfed the PRI under Pena Nieto, who cannot constitutionally seek a second six-year term. "I thank (Meade) for his dedication and commitment and I wish him success in the project he has decided to undertake," Pena Nieto said in an address at his Los Pinos residence, where he accepted Meade's resignation earlier in the day. TV images showed Meade driving toward Los Pinos behind the wheel of a modest compact car, a frequent prop among Mexican politicians seeking to project the common touch. Gonzalez Anaya, who is related by marriage to influential former President Carlos Salinas de Gortari, will be replaced at Pemex by Carlos Trevino, a senior executive at the company. (Reporting by Anthony Esposito, Dave Graham, Adriana Barrera and David Alire Garcia Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Rosalba O'Brien) Yangon (AFP) - Myanmar's army chief Min Aung Hlaing said he told Pope Francis his country had "no religious discrimination" after the pair met late Monday, in a papal visit framed by the exodus of the Rohingya Muslim minority. "Myanmar has no religious discrimination at all," he said in a Facebook post by his office. "Likewise our military too... (it) performs for the peace and stability of the country." The Tatmadaw, as his army is known, has been accused by the UN and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson of conducting a campaign of "ethnic cleansing" by driving 620,000 Rohingya from western Myanmar into Bangladesh since August. Myanmar denies any wrongdoing despite testimony by refugees pointing to a widespread campaign of rape, murder and arson. The Rohingya, who are effectively stateless, are subject to a suffocating web of state-enforced restrictions. Most are denied citizenship by Myanmar, which says they are illegal "Bengali" immigrants. Last week Amnesty International called western Rakhine state a "crime scene", describing the restrictions on the Rohingya as tantamount to "apartheid". The pope, who is visiting Myanmar to spread a message of peace, has spoken up several times for the Rohingya as the crisis has unfolded calling the benighted group "brothers and sisters". His comments have enraged hardline Buddhist nationalists in Myanmar, who are now waiting to see if he uses the term "Rohingya" during his four-day trip. Min Aung Hlaing's office said the senior general had welcomed the pope during a brief 15 minute meeting in Yangon and told the pontiff there was also "no discrimination between ethnic groups in Myanmar". The Rohingya are not recognised as an official ethnic group. Editors at National Geographic Travel have released their picks for the best destinations to visit in 2018, with suggestions that range from Jordan and Dublin to Labrador, Canada. In the 2018 edition of NatGeo Travel's Best of the World list, 21 destinations are divided into three categories: cities, culture and nature. Cities that made this year's list were chosen for bustling with "new energy and intrigue." Dublin, for instance, is described as "Europe's largest village." Though home to 1.2 million residents, the city offers an intimate, friendly, cozy vibe, editors say, and is currently undergoing a renaissance with the opening of the new Emigration Museum and newly revamped National Gallery of Ireland. Travelers in search of an escape from the rat race and urban jungle of city life, meanwhile, may want to consider heading to the newly opened, 400-mile (644 km) Jordan Trail hiking path, believed to have been tread by Jesus, Moses and Mohammed. Divided into eight sections, the trail winds through Jordanian forests, canyons and deserts, and along the Red Sea. Destinations that made the cut for the culture category, meanwhile, were chosen for being rich in local character and opportunities for cultural engagement. Canada's newest national park, Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve, for instance, is a swath of protected land that spans roughly the size of Jamaica in the northeast pocket of Canada's Labrador region. For a deeper appreciation of the newly protected parkland, visitors can book hikes and other experiences with First Nations guides. As the 2018 European Culture Capital, Friesland in the Netherlands also fits tidily under the culture heading. "The No. 1 question we get from our 9.6 million readers is, 'Where should I go next?'" said NatGeo Travel editor-in-chief George Stone in a statement. "Our Best of the World list responds to that question with 21 timely destinations that make for a year of transformative travels." Story continues NatGeo's 2018 Best of the World destinations are: CITIES Dublin, Ireland Malmo, Sweden Phnom Penh, Cambodia San Antonio, Texas Santiago, Chile Sydney, Australia Tbilisi, Georgia CULTURE Cleveland, Ohio, USA Friesland, Netherlands Harar, Ethiopia Labrador, Canada Oaxaca, Mexico Tetouan, Morocco Vienna, Austria NATURE Albania Jordan Trail, Jordan Jujuy Province, Argentina Madagascar Oahu, Hawaii Ruaha NP, Tanzania Seoraksan National Park, South Korea This undated photo released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency show Kim Jong-Un at the newly built Sunchon Catfish Farm: AFP/Getty Images North Korea may conduct another missile test within days, after more than two months of silence, a new report has claimed. The US now has evidence that Japanese reports of an impending test are true, a US government source told Reuters. Japan recently detected suspicious radio signals coming from North Korea, and a source told the Japan Times that the country "might launch a missile within the next few days". South Korea's Yonhap news agency also made similar claims, citing South Korean government sources. Other US officials, however, noted that North Korea is known to falsely signal such tests, in order to disguise their true plans. The signals detected by Japan are also not unusual, and may be related to North Korean military training. North Korea last fired a ballistic missile over Japan in September. They tested missiles at a rate of two to three a month over the summer, but paused after the 15 September launch. The US recently returned North Korea to its list of state sponsors of terror a position it had not occupied since 2008. The decision imposed new, more stringent sanctions on the country. Pyongyang called the decision a "serious provocation," and said the country must continue to keep the treasured nuclear sword in our hands more tightly" in a statement to its state-run news agency. While North Korea has not conducted a missile test in months, it has been regularly testing engines and fuels, South Korean Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon told reporters on Tuesday. South Korea is still trying to determine whether these actions are related to missile or nuclear tests. Mr Cho also warned that the North could become fully nuclear capable within the next year. North Korea has been developing its nuclear weapons at a faster-than-expected pace," he said. "We cannot rule out the possibility that North Korea could announce its completion of a clear force within one year." A series of troubling news reports sprang from the country this year, as experts warned that North Korea was rapidly developing its nuclear weapons programme. Story continues In August, the Washington Post reported that North Korea had produced a nuclear warhead capable of fitting into one of its missiles. The chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marine Corps General Joseph Dunford, warned in September that these missiles will be capable of reaching the US in a "very short time". Hawaii has begun testing its Second World War-style missile warning system in preparation for a possible attack. Donald Trump has vowed to "take care of it" after North Korea claimed to have successfully tested a new intercontinental ballistic missile that it said was capable of striking any target in the United States. The US President was briefed while the missile was in the air, the White House said, and later declared: It is a situation that we will handle." The announcement of the new "Hwasong-15" missile, made in a special broadcast at noon local time on Wednesday, came hours after a long-range missile was fired into waters off Japan in what was believed to be its longest-range test yet. Kim Jong-uns rogue regime launched the missile, its first for more than two months, in the middle of the night and it flew for around 590 miles, reaching an altitude of 2,781 miles - more than 10 times the height of the international space station - and splashing down 53 minutes later in the Sea of Japan. The missile ended up within Japans exclusive economic zone, which extends 200 nautical miles from its coast. The dictator later declared that his country had achieved full nuclear statehood. North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un signs what is said to be a document authorising the missile test Credit: KRT/AP North Korea had carried out two tests of an intercontinental ballistic missile in July, both of which were Hwasong-14 missiles. The revelation of the new missile came as a surprise to experts. "The ICBM Hwasong-15 type weaponry system is an intercontinental ballistic rocket tipped with super-large heavy warhead which is capable of striking the whole mainland of the US," KCNA said. It said the development of the weapon would defend the North against the "US imperialists' nuclear blackmail policy and nuclear threat". "Kim Jong Un declared with pride that now we have finally realised the great historic cause of completing the state nuclear force, the cause of building a rocket power," state media KCNA reported. In response to the test, Donald Trump, the US president, said: It is a situation that we will handle. We will take care of it. Story continues The launch on Tuesday followed tests of the intercontinental ballistic missile Hwasong-14, pictured earlier this year Credit: REUTERS The missile reached a greater altitude than any North Korea has previously tested, James Mattis, the US defence secretary, said. It went higher frankly than any previous shot theyve taken, a research and development effort on their part to continue building ballistic missiles that can threaten everywhere in the world, basically," he told reporters at the White House. Many nuclear experts say the North has yet to prove it has mastered all technical hurdles including the ability deliver a nuclear warhead reliably atop an ICBM, but likely soon will. "We don't have to like it, but we're going to have to learn to live with North Korea's ability to target the United States with nuclear weapons," said Jeffrey Lewis, head of the East Asia Nonproliferation Programme at the Middlebury Institute of Strategic Studies. Donald Trump: We will take care of it South Korea responded by almost immediately launching three of its own missiles in a show of force. President Moon Jae-in expressed worry that North Korea's growing missile threat could force the United States to attack the North before it masters a nuclear-tipped long-range missile, something experts say may be imminent. "If North Korea completes a ballistic missile that could reach from one continent to another, the situation can spiral out of control," Mr Moon said at an emergency meeting in Seoul, according to his office. "We must stop a situation where North Korea miscalculates and threatens us with nuclear weapons or where the United States considers a pre-emptive strike." Mr Trump spoke to Sinzo Abe, the Japanese prime minister, after the test. The two leaders agreed that China needed to play an increased role to tackle the crisis. Presenter Ri Chun-hee makes a special announcement on North Korea's state-run television after the country launched a missile Credit: Reuters In a phone call the leaders "agreed to strengthen our deterrence capability against the North Korean threat," said Yasutoshi Nishimura, Japan's deputy chief cabinet secretary. Mr Abe described the launch as a "violent act" that "can never be tolerated", while Moon Jae-in, the South Korean president, said the test was a "serious threat" to global peace. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged Pyongyang to "desist taking any further destabilising steps." Boris Johnson, the Foreign Secretary called on North Korea to "change course". "This is not the path to security and prosperity for the North Korean people. DPRK regime must change course," Mr Johnson said. Pyongyang residents react at the Pyongyang Railway Station after the news of the successful launch of the new intercontinental ballistic missile Credit: AFP The UN Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting for Wednesday to discuss the provocation. Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera said it was judged to be ICBM class given its lofted trajectory. "If these numbers are correct, then if flown on a standard trajectory rather than this lofted trajectory, this missile would have a range of more than 13,000 km (8,100 miles) ... Such a missile would have more than enough range to reach Washington, D.C., and in fact any part of the continental United States," the US-based Union of Concerned Scientists said. However, it was unclear how heavy a payload the missile was carrying, and it was uncertain if it could carry a large nuclear warhead that far, the nonprofit science advocacy group added. The test came just days after Mr Trump added North Korea to Americas list of state sponsors of terror and unveiled new sanctions targeting its shipping, moves Pyongyang had called a serious provocation and violent infringement. Hwasong-15 ICBM - new North Korean missile It came weeks after Mr Trump returned from a tour of Asia where he sought to rally support for clamping down on North Koreas economy. Hours before the launch, officials in Hawaii said wailing sirens last heard more than 20 years ago would sound for 60 seconds at more than 400 locations on the first working day of each month, starting in December. In the event of a real attack, the sirens would give Hawaiians 12 to 15 minutes of warning before impact. Richard Rapoza, Hawaiis emergency management spokesman, said: We stopped using them in the mid-Nineties after the Cold War ended. The new siren tests were to be accompanied by public service announcements urging residents to get inside, stay inside and stay tuned. Announcing the tests, Mr Rapoza said a single 150-kiloton weapon detonated over Pearl Harbor, on the main island of Oahu, would be expected to kill 18,000 people and injure 120,000. 8:45AM Where could a Hwasong-15 missile reach? Called the Hwasong-15, the missile was launched at 3.17am local time from a site to the north of Pyongyang, flying for 53 minutes before falling into the Sea of Japan, within Japan's exclusive economic zone. North Korea claims it can reach targets at a distance of more than 8,000 miles, putting Britain and anywhere in the continental United States well within range of Kim Jong-un. Hwasong-14 by JamesMartinCNS on Sketchfab Click here for more from Julian Ryall. 8:23AM China voices 'grave concern' and urges talks China has voiced "grave concern" over North Korea's missile test and called for talks to peacefully resolve the nuclear crisis. Foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Beijing's proposal for North Korea to freeze weapons tests in return for the US to suspend military drills in the region was the best approach to ease tensions. Washington has rejected that approach. China hopes all sides will work on the "peaceful settlement" of the issue as a military option is not the solution to resolve the crisis, Geng told a regular news briefing. "China expresses grave concern and opposition to the relevant launching activity," the spokesman said. Beijing "strongly urges" North Korea to observe UN resolutions and "stop actions that heighten tensions on the Korean peninsula," Geng said. "At the same time we also hope the relevant parties will act cautiously to work together for the peace and stability of this region." 8:07AM Who is North Korea's veteran newsreader? The announcement that North Korea had successfully tested a new intercontinental ballistic missile fell, almost inevitably, to Ri Chun-hee. Mrs Ri has been reading the news on North Korean state television since 1971 . In front of a backdrop of Mt Paektu, the dormant volcano on the Chinese border that is the fount of Korean nationhood, she trembled with excitement, smiling broadly as she made the "historic" announcement. Residents watch a big video screen in Pyongyang showing newsreader Ri Chun-Hee making a previous announcement Credit: AFP/Getty Mrs Ri's appearance was the latest landmark in a remarkable TV career. Believed to be 73-years-old, Mrs Ri was born to a poor family in Gangwon Province, in central Korea, during the Japanese occupation. She studied performing arts at Pyongyang University of Theatre and Film before being selected by the party to be its mouthpiece due to her poverty and, consequently, her impeccable communist credentials. Recruited by Korea Central Television, she became chief news presenter by 1974 and survived purges and demotions of others around her at the station. Click here for more on her background. 6:17AM Celebrations in North Korea Pyongyang residents react at the Pyongyang Railway Station after the news of the successful launch of the new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) Hwasong-15 in Pyongyang Credit: AFP Pyongyang residents watch a big screen near the Pyongyang Railway Station showing the news on the successful launch Credit: AFP Pyongyang residents react at the Pyongyang Railway Station Credit: AFP 5:20AM Is this the endgame? Some analysts believe the announcement suggests this will be the last such test for a while. "Kim Jong Un declared with pride that now we have finally realised the great historic cause of completing the state nuclear force," state media KCNA reported. Melissa Hanham, Senior Research Associate at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, said the language suggested an endgame. So perhaps this is an out. A way to say theyve achieved what they want (as long as we treat them the way they want to be treated). 4/ Melissa Hanham (@mhanham) November 29, 2017 4:08AM The announcement in full Here is video of the announcement - though you may struggle to follow it if you don't understand Korean. Here's a video recording of North Korea's missile announcement. https://t.co/1H8Me293nt Chad O'Carroll (@chadocl) November 29, 2017 3:41AM Kim Jong Un 'personally authorised today's launch' Kim Jong Un personally authorized today's launch of the Hwasong-15, which North Korea says can reach all of the United States mainland pic.twitter.com/G0lPIRavfE Anna Fifield (@annafifield) November 29, 2017 3:37AM North Korea announces new missile North Korea says it has successfully tested a new ICBM - named the Hwasong-15 - which can reach all of the US mainland. It says it was a success. 3:34AM The announcement has begun North Korea has just started a special announcement about its latest missile test, featuring Ri Chun Hee, the newsreader who appears only when there's big news pic.twitter.com/WEOVmAcZD9 Anna Fifield (@annafifield) November 29, 2017 Find out more about Ri Chun Hee here. 3:21AM State TV gearing up for announcement Nothing like a power ballad before a missile launch announcement pic.twitter.com/WhC4yasKRC Oliver Hotham (@OliverHotham) November 29, 2017 3:07AM What to expect With the broadcast coming up in about 20 minutes, one North Korea watcher runs down the likely announcements. 2/ Not all launches this year have warranted special news. So this is considered by DPRK to be big achievement. New second stage? All of US in reach? Successful completition of working ICBM? Something like that. Martyn Williams (@martyn_williams) November 29, 2017 2:37AM North Koreans unaware anything happened While the launch of the long-range missile has made headlines around the world, it seems North Koreans are blissfully unaware. There has not yet been any official reports in North Korea about the test. At 10am, state radio was reportedly leading its news with the formation of a committee for remembering former leader leader Kim Jong-il in Bangladesh. State TV had shceduled an announcement for 3pm local time - but that seems to have been brought forward to noon, which is 3.30am UK time. Korean Central TV looks like it will begin broadcasts at noon local time, 3 hours earlier than scheduled. That means a likely release of news and images at noon on TV and probably radio, KCNA (in about 1 hour). pic.twitter.com/AMzhqTjdPv Martyn Williams (@martyn_williams) November 29, 2017 1:51AM Trump uses missile launch to attack Democrats After North Korea missile launch, it's more important than ever to fund our gov't & military! Dems shouldn't hold troop funding hostage for amnesty & illegal immigration. I ran on stopping illegal immigration and won big. They can't now threaten a shutdown to get their demands. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 29, 2017 As America's parties fight over a Republican tax plan, a new battle opened on another front as Democratic congressional leaders Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi skipped a White House meeting with Trump to discuss spending, immigration and other issues. Lawmakers must renew government funding before it expires on December 8 or risk a shutdown. Democrats hope to use their leverage on the budget issue to renew protections for young immigrants who entered the country illegally as children. 1:32AM Missile presumed to be Hwasong-14 South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said they presume North Korea fired a Hwasong-14 long-range ballistic missile on Wednesday, the South's Yonhap News Agency reported. A military spokesman told Reuters he could not confirm the report. If confirmed, the test would be a repeat of the intercontinental ballistic missile launch in July. Here's a handy graphic depicting a Hwasong-14. Hwasong-14 by JamesMartinCNS on Sketchfab 1:09AM Comparison of tests A quick draft chart to compare today's missile test with previous #Hwasong launches this year. Will update when more info becomes available. #NorthKoreapic.twitter.com/mLOCB3ZqpJ Andrew Facini (@andrewfacini) November 28, 2017 12:50AM Missile test 'underscores grave threat .... to entire world' President Donald Trump has spoken with South Korean President Moon Jae-in to discuss the countries' response to North Korea's latest missile launch. The White House says both leaders "underscored the grave threat that North Korea's latest provocation poses" not only to U.S. and South Korea, "but to the entire world." The two presidents also "reaffirmed their strong condemnation of North Korea's reckless campaign to advance its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, noting that these weapons only serve to undermine North Korea's security and deepen its diplomatic and economic isolation." 12:26AM Washington DC 'in range' Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera said it was judged that the missile was ICBM class given its lofted trajectory. The U.S.-based Union of Concerned Scientists said: "If these numbers are correct, then if flown on a standard trajectory rather than this lofted trajectory, this missile would have a range of more than 13,000 km (8,100 miles) ... Such a missile would have more than enough range to reach Washington, D.C., and in fact any part of the continental United States," However, it was unclear how heavy a payload the missile was carrying, and it was uncertain if it could carry a large nuclear warhead that far, the nonprofit science advocacy group added. 11:53PM North Korea 'undermining its security' US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe warned North Korea is putting its own security at risk with a provocative new missile test, according to a White House account of a crisis call between the pair. "The two leaders agreed that the North Korean regime's provocative actions are undermining its security and further isolating it from the international community. "The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to combat the North Korean threat." 9:37PM Japan's PM: 'Violent act will not be tolerated' Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has called for an emergency UN Security Council meeting. Mr Abe called the test a "violent act that can never be tolerated" and added: "We will never yield to any provocative act. We will maximise our pressure." 9:23PM Defense Secretary Jim Mattis: North Korea 'endangers world peace' The Defense Secretary said that the ICBM was shot "higher frankly than any previous shots" NK has taken. He said that North Korea's continued effort to develop weapons "endangers world peace, regional peace and certainly he United States." 8:56PM Trump: 'We will take care of it' Discussing the provocation, Mr Trump said: "It is a situation that we will handle. We will take care of it". 8:19PM Pentagon: test was an intercontinental missile The Pentagon said in its initial assessment that the missile was an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launched from Sain Ni in North Korea and travelled about 1,000 km before splashing down in the Sea of Japan. It added that the missile did not pose a threat to the United States its territories or allies. The US administration has previously said it will not tolerate the North's testing or deployment of an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead to US cities. 7:57PM What does the nuclear test mean? South Korean and US authorities are working together to analyse the latest missile's trajectory, according to a statement from South Korean military chiefs. North Korea is thought to be focusing efforts on building long-range missiles with the potential of reaching the mainland continental US. Officials in Pyonyang said the first of the longer-range missiles it tested in July could hit "any part of the world", but the US military called it an intermediate-range missile instead. Its last nuclear test reportedly involved a miniaturised hydrogen bomb that could be loaded on to a long-range missile. 7:48PM Donald Trump briefed on missile launch US President Donald Trump was briefed on North Korea's ballistic missile test while it was still in the air, the White House said. Mr Trump was visiting Congress at the time of the launch, according to press secretary Sarah Sanders, but has since returned to the White House. He is expected to make a statement on the missile test shortly 7:45PM How will the US react? Asked whether the US is out of peaceful options with North Korea, senator Lindsey Graham tells MSNBC: Not yet but were getting closer 7:37PM Missile flew for 50 minutes Japan's government estimates the North Korea missile flew for 50 minutes and landed in Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone By Christine Kim and Phil Stewart SEOUL/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - North Korea fired what appeared to be an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that landed close to Japan, officials said, Pyongyang's first test launch since mid-September with some scientists cautioning that Washington, D.C., could now technically be within reach. North Korea fired the missile a week after U.S. President Donald Trump put North Korea back on a U.S list of countries that Washington says support terrorism. The designation allows the United States to impose more sanctions, although some experts said it risked inflaming tensions on the Korean Peninsula. North Korea has conducted dozens of ballistic missile tests under its leader, Kim Jong Un, in defiance of U.N. sanctions. Trump has vowed not to let North Korea develop nuclear missiles that can hit the mainland United States. Of the latest test missile, Trump told reporters at the White House: "It is a situation that we will handle." Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe spoke by phone and agreed to boost deterrence capability against North Korea, Yasutoshi Nishimura, deputy chief cabinet secretary, told reporters in Tokyo. Trump said the launch did not change his administration's approach to North Korea, which has included new curbs to hurt trade between China and North Korea. Washington views the strategy as important to deterring Pyongyang from its ambition to develop a nuclear-tipped missile capable of hitting the United States. Washington has said repeatedly that all options, including military ones, are on the table in dealing with North Korea, but that it prefers a peaceful solution by Pyongyang agreeing to give up its weapons programs. "Diplomatic options remain viable and open, for now. The United States remains committed to finding a peaceful path to denuclearization and to ending belligerent actions by North Korea," U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said. Other than carrying out existing U.N. sanctions, "the international community must take additional measures to enhance maritime security, including the right to interdict maritime traffic" traveling to North Korea, Tillerson said in a statement. The U.N. Security Council was scheduled to meet on Wednesday to discuss North Korea's latest missile launch. North Korea has given no indication it is willing to give up its weapons programs and re-enter diplomatic talks. The United States and Japan said the early Wednesday launch appeared to be an ICBM. The Pentagon said its initial assessment was that an ICBM was launched from Sain Ni in North Korea and traveled about 1,000 km before splashing down in the Sea of Japan. The missile did not pose a threat to the United States, its territories or allies, the Pentagon said. U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said the ICBM went "higher frankly than any previous shot they've taken". Japan's government estimated that the missile flew for about 50 minutes and landed in the sea in Japan's exclusive economic zone, Japanese broadcaster NHK said. A North Korean missile on Aug. 29 was airborne for 14 minutes over Japan. Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said the missile reached an estimated altitude of 4,000 kilometers (2,485 miles) and broke up before landing in Japan's exclusive economic zone. He said it was judged to be ICBM class given its lofted trajectory. "If these numbers are correct, then if flown on a standard trajectory rather than this lofted trajectory, this missile would have a range of more than 13,000 km (8,100 miles) ... Such a missile would have more than enough range to reach Washington, D.C., and in fact any part of the continental United States," the U.S.-based Union of Concerned Scientists said. "We do not know how heavy a payload this missile carried, but given the increase in range it seems likely that it carried a very light mock warhead," the nonprofit science advocacy group said. "If true, that means it would be incapable of carrying a nuclear warhead to this long distance, since such a warhead would be much heavier." South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missile was fired from Pyongsong, a city in South Pyongan Province, at around 1817 GMT over the sea between South Korea and Japan. The South Korean military said the missile had an altitude of around 4,500 km (2,800 miles) and flew 960 km (600 miles). Minutes after the North fired the missile, South Korea's military conducted a missile-firing test in response, the South Korean military said. South Korean President Moon Jae-in said the launch had been anticipated and that the government had been preparing for it. Moon said that there is no choice but for countries to keep applying pressure and sanctions against North Korea. U.S. stocks briefly pared gains on the news but the S&P 500 index was up almost a percent at the close. A U.S. intelligence official said the initial indication was that the engine was not significantly more powerful than the Hwasong 14 which Pyongyang tested in July. The Hwasong-14 is a two-stage ICBM North Korea tested twice in July. South Korean and U.S. officials and defense experts have said the Hwasong-14 may have a range of about 10,000 km (6,200 miles) and could possibly strike many parts of the United States, but not the East Coast. After firing missiles at a rate of about two or three a month since April, North Korea paused its missile launches in September, following a missile it fired that passed over Japans northern Hokkaido island on Sept. 15. North Korea has said its weapons programs are a necessary defense against U.S. plans to invade. The United States, which has 28,500 troops in South Korea as a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean war, denies any such intention. Last week, North Korea denounced Trump's decision to relist it as a state sponsor of terrorism, calling it a "serious provocation and violent infringement." A U.S. government source familiar with official reporting and analyses said the U.S. assessment was the launch was the latest in a well-calculated and serious series of tests to develop and perfect North Korea missile systems rather than any response to Trump. Trump has traded insults and threats with Kim and warned in September that the United States would have no choice but to "totally destroy" North Korea if forced to defend itself or its allies. (Reporting by Christine Kim in Seoul, Linda Sieg, William Mallard, Timothy Kelly in Tokyo, Mark Hosenball, John Walcott, Steve Holland and Tim Ahmann in Washington and Michelle Nichols at the United Nations; Writing by Yara Bayoumy and David Brunnstrom; editing by Grant McCool) North Korea has fortified the spot on its border with South Korea where one of its soldiers made a dramatic defection dash earlier this month. The Charge dAffaires at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, Marc Knapper, posted a photograph that showed a group of workers digging a trench where the defector jumped out of his vehicle and bolted across the demilitarized zone, or DMZ. The North Koreans have planted two trees and are digging a trench at the spot where their soldier crossed the MDL [military demarcation line], Knapper wrote. Was at JSA today, the North Koreans have planted two trees and are digging a trench at the spot where their soldier crossed the MDL. https://t.co/dJJoX0LDlv Marc Knapper (@MarcKnapper) November 22, 2017 The United Nations released security camera footage of the escape last week, which showed a soldier running out of a vehicle after getting stuck in a ditch. He is then seen being shot by other North Korean soldiers as he runs across the joint security area (JSA). Later, he is dragged to safety by South Korean forces after collapsing near a wall. The defector was shot five times during his defection run. He is currently in stable condition and is undergoing operations to remove parasitic worms and treat his wounds, Lee Cook-jong, a surgeon at Ajou University Hospital, told The Guardian. Oslo (AFP) - Norwegian police said Tuesday they had uncovered 151 alleged sexual assau lts, including child rape, in a small community in Lapland, sending shock waves across the country. The case has highlighted longstanding distrust between national authorities and the indigenous Sami community, of which most victims and suspects are part of. An investigation was launched after the Verdens Gang newspaper (VG) last year published testimonies of 11 men and women claiming to have been assaulted in Tysfjord, a northern municipality located above the Arctic Circle with less than 2,000 inhabitants. A new police report identified 82 victims aged between four and 75, and 92 suspects, including three women, with some falling into both categories. Around 70 percent were members of the Sami, formerly known as the Lapps. Many were also followers of Laestadianism, a conservative Lutheran revival movement. Two people have so far been charged with 10 assaults in total, the police said, adding that more indictments could follow. The report showed that of the 151 sex assault cases -- including 43 rapes, three of them on children -- more than 100 were dropped mainly due to the statute of limitations. Some cases date as far back as 1953. - 'Pain' and 'pride' - "The police have no reason to believe that ethnicity or religious beliefs are an explanation to the assaults that took place," police officer Tone Vangen told a news conference. But she stressed that certain "mechanisms" in this community "have made it difficult for things to emerge". She said some suspects had turned to religion for repentance instead of the judicial authorities. There's "a strong need to close the ranks in the family in a situation where the Norwegian society is looking down on you," Vangen added. But she also apologised for police having failed to act after several complaints had been filed. Lars Magne Andreassen, director of a Sami cultural centre in Tysfjord, told AFP that he was divided between "pain" and "pride". Story continues "It's painful to note that there have been so many cases over so many years... and serious for some," Andreassen said but expressed "pride over society daring to break the silence". "In the Tysfjord case, silence of the victims was met with a similar silence from the authorities," he said. "It's not so much the fact that the Sami have a cultural problem which we should clean up but the fact that no one has listened to them," Andreassen added. "The scope (of the facts) is huge," the mayor of Tysfjord Tor Asgeir Johansen told Norwegian news agency NTB. "This is a small community and this of course affects it," he added. The Sami population is estimated between 40,000 and 60,000 in Norway but this figure is difficult to count accurately due to migratory flows and ethnic blends. Samis received an official apology from Norway's King Harald in 1997 for facing discrimination. Their way of life, which is closely associated to nature, has become threatened by mineral mining, wind farms and extensive logging, which are encroaching more and more upon reindeer herding grounds and fishing areas. Will Kate Middleton have enough time before the royal wedding to recover after giving birth to baby number three? (Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images) Kensington Palace revealed on Tuesday that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will get married at St. Georges Chapel in Windsor Castle in May 2018. Its going to be an exciting spring for the royal family, with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge expecting their third child just the month before. While most of the world cant wait for another royal wedding, speculating what the actress will wear and who will be be invited, some also expressed concern for Kate Middleton and whether or not shell have enough time to bounce back to her pre-baby body. People took to Twitter to express their concern for the 35-year-old royal. So, if Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding takes place in May, Kate will have given birth just a few weeks beforehand. I'd feel for her if she already hadn't posed for photos (looking amazing) just HOURS after delivering a baby. Twice. https://t.co/mY7JjuKxe1 Lesley Messer (@lesleymesser) November 28, 2017 That gives her a month to get into a dress though. I feel for her. That sucks. kristy z (@kristy_z) November 28, 2017 Did @WendyWilliams just say that the royal wedding should be pushed back so that Kate can lose the baby weight?! What is wrong with this woman!! So many things wrong with this thought process. Valerie Betz Johnson (@Valynn726) November 28, 2017 A royal wedding and a baby next year, it's just too much! Poor Kate though, will she be heavily pregnant or have just had it?? EJ (@E_Croi) November 27, 2017 However, there are people finding an upside to having the wedding so soon after giving birth: the duchess will be able to partake in the champagne toast. Story continues She is due in April, so this frees her up to have some champagne at the wedding! https://t.co/LrXH0Fdr36 Elizabeth Holmes (@EHolmes) November 28, 2017 The Duchess of Cambridge made her first public just five and half weeks after she gave birth to Prince George in 2013. For her second baby, Princess Charlotte, Kate took only six weeks off before returning to her duties in June 2015. Hoping baby comes early April and wedding is late May so she gets as much time as possible, wrote a commenter. No matter her weight, one thing is for sure, Kate will look absolutely beautiful at the royal wedding. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. (Reuters) - Police were searching for a 3-year-old girl who went missing from her bedroom in Jacksonville, North Carolina, after being put to bed on Sunday night, the local sheriff's office said. Mariah Woods may have been abducted, according to an alert issued by the state's Department of Public Safety. The girl wears orthopedic braces on her feet to help her walk, WRAL news channel reported. "She could be anywhere," Kristy Woods, the girl's mother, said in a tearful interview broadcast by WRAL. "She is a very sweet, loving girl. Long brown hair, blue eyes." Kristy Woods said she put her daughter to bed about 11 p.m. on Sunday, and said her boyfriend saw the girl about an hour later when the child got up and he had told her to go back to bed, WRAL reported. The couple contacted the Onslow County sheriff's office early the next morning to say the girl had disappeared. (Reporting by Jonathan Allen; Editing by Bernadette Baum) Meghan Markle, who is set to marry Prince Harry in spring, has dubbed Donald Trump misogynistic Prince Harry is to marry his girlfriend, the American actress Meghan Markle, Clarence House confirmed yesterday. More details are expected to be announced today, with the wedding venue yet to be confirmed, but it will be the guest-list that many will be most curious about. Markle was born in Los Angeles, which immediately poses the question: will US President Donald Trump have to be invited to the royal wedding? While Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to receive one of the sought-after invites, along with other Commonwealth leaders, the controversial Republican may be left off the guest-list. With the level of protection that surrounds an American leader, the inclusion of Trump would give security chiefs a headache as they work to police the high-profile event. His appearance could also spark mass protests, given the opposition to a proposed state visit shortly after his inauguration. After Theresa May extended an invitation, polls suggested that up to two million people would take to the streets in demonstrations. Michelle and I are delighted to congratulate Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on their engagement. We wish you a lifetime of joy and happiness together. Barack Obama (@BarackObama) November 27, 2017 In 2011, US president Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama were not invited to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridges wedding, reportedly because of the added security costs. THE ROYAL WEDDING 2018 MORE COVERAGE ON YAHOO UK Meet the Markles: The family Prince Harry is joining as he marries Meghan What the papers say about Prince Harry and Meghan Markles engagement Royal wedding planners get to work: 13 things to do before Harry and Meghans big day From Charles and Diana to Kate and William: A history of royal engagements (gallery) Terence Blacker: My guide to Britain for Princess Meghan Who is Meghan Markle, Prince Harrys fiancee? Story continues However, they were given a state visit to the UK a month later. If Trump was given the same treatment, it would be expected that newly royal Markle as a fellow American would meet him and join guests at the state banquet. Trump is yet to congratulate the Royal couple (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File) But the actress has previously been critical of the Republican, branding him misogynistic. Markle, who backed Hillary Clinton for president, suggested in a television interview in 2016 that she would leave America and stay in Canada if Mr Trump won. We film Suits in Toronto and I might just stay in Canada. I mean come on, if thats reality we are talking about, come on, that is a game changer in terms of how we move in the world here. Markle told Larry Wilmores Nightly Show in the US: Yes, of course Trump is divisive. Think about just female voters alone. I think it was in 2012, the Republican Party lost the female vote by 12 points. Thats a huge number and as misogynistic as Trump is and so vocal about it, thats a huge chunk of it, she said. At the wedding of Harrys parents, the Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer, in 1981 US president Ronald Reagan did not attend but his wife, first lady Nancy Reagan, did. This could be an option for Harry, who has already met the current first lady Melania Trump in Canada ahead of the 2017 Invictus Games. Harry has, however, forged a strong bond with the Obamas, through his work with servicemen and his trips to America, meaning a royal wedding invite is more likely to be on the cards for them. By Michael Holden LONDON (Reuters) - King Edward VIII sacrificed his throne and Queen Elizabeth's sister Margaret gave up her one true love, but for Prince Harry marrying a divorcee is no longer a bar to being a royal or following his heart. On Monday, Harry, fifth-in-line to the British throne, announced he was to wed his girlfriend, divorced U.S. actress Meghan Markle, with the blessing of his grandmother, the queen. British social attitudes have been transformed in recent decades but the monarchy has been bound by a more traditional set of Christian values. So the queen's approval is a stark demonstration of how much the monarchy has also changed and modernised in the last 80 years when the idea of a royal marrying someone who was divorced was inconceivable. "It's extraordinary how far we've come since the 1930s," said royal biographer Claudia Joseph. "In less than a century times have changed beyond all recognition." Famously, Harry's great-great-uncle Edward VIII set off a constitutional crisis in 1936 by insisting on marrying twice-divorced American socialite Wallis Simpson to the horror of the British establishment, the government and the Church of England, which the monarch nominally heads. It was dubbed "the greatest love story of the 20th century" and Edward abdicated after just 11 months on the throne and ended up living in France, meaning Elizabeth's father George VI unexpectedly became king. "You must believe me when I tell you that I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as king as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love," Edward said in his abdication speech. Such attitudes were still prevalent two decades later. In 1955, Elizabeth's younger glamorous sister Margaret was forced to call off her proposed marriage to a dashing air force officer, Group Captain Peter Townsend. Story continues Although a royal equerry, Townsend was still deemed an unsuitable husband for the queen's sister because he was divorced and he was sent off to Brussels by Buckingham Palace. "MARRIAGE IS INDISSOLUBLE" "I would like it to be known that I have decided not to marry Group Captain Peter Townsend," Margaret said in a sad announcement to the nation. "Mindful that Christian marriage is indissoluble and conscious of my duty to the Commonwealth, I have resolved to put these considerations before others." While divorce was considered unfathomable in those days, it has since become a common feature for the Windsors. Of Elizabeth's four children, three of their marriages have ended in divorce, most spectacularly that of Harry's father, heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles and his first wife Princess Diana. They divorced in 1996, 15 years after their fairytale wedding and a year before she was killed in a car crash in Paris and Charles went on to wed another divorcee Camilla Parker Bowles in 2005. Camilla was someone who he had first considered marrying in the early 1970s but who royal courtiers had considered unacceptable while she was not keen on taking on the role herself at the time. However Charles and Camilla could not marry in church, and the queen, who holds strong religious beliefs and has taken her role as Supreme Governor of the Church of England very seriously, declined to attend the civil ceremony. The Church of England had only ruled three years earlier that a divorced person could "in exceptional circumstances" marry again in church while their former spouse was still alive. Joseph said Charles's second marriage had paved the way for Harry. "I think the dilemma came when Prince Charles married the Duchess of Cornwall," she told Reuters. "That was a hard thing for the queen to deal with. Somehow they had to marry without compromising her role as head of the church." Harry and Meghan's union, like all those of the first six royals in direct line of succession, must be approved by the queen under the 2013 Succession to the Crown Act, which replaced an even more prescriptive law dating back to the 18th century. "The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh are delighted for the couple and wish them every happiness," Buckingham Palace said in a statement. (Editing by Guy Faulconbridge and Toby Chopra) Over 100 reindeer were killed over just three days (file picture) Over 100 reindeer have died in just three days after being mown down by freight trains in Norway. Reindeer herder Torstein Appfjell, 59, called the deaths "totally tragic" and said the number of animals killed was "unprecedented". Mr Appfjell, who said he was "dizzy with anger", said the worst incident happened on Saturday when 65 animals were mown down. The herder, who looks after around 2,000 reindeer in Helgeland in the North of the country, said 106 reindeer have been killed since Thursday. At least 250 reindeer were killed by trains over the last 12 months. Led by their herders, groups of animals have been migrating from their summer pasture in the mountainous regions towards the coast. But as they head towards their winter home, many have been caught on the train tracks dividing their route. Warnings for trains to drive slowly through the migration area failed to reach the drivers due to "a technical failure", according to Norwegian news website NRK. Local train operator, Bane Nor has now reduced the speed of their vehicles in the area, according to local media. Local residents, who say the slaughter of the reindeer on the tracks happens every year, are calling for a barrier to be built along the rails to protect the migrating animals. A Republican political strategist has launched a scathing attack on White House spokeswomanSarah Huckabee Sanders - saying she may only have a shrivelled husk left in her soul after defending Donald Trumps use of a racial slur. The President triggered widespread outcry when he used the word Pocahontas in reference to Senator Elizabeth Warren during a White House ceremony to honour Navajo military veterans. Ms Sanders later defended the President, saying people were more offended by Ms Warrens lying about her heritage to advance her career. Rick Wilson, a Republican strategist and frequent critic of the Trump administration, said he thought Ms Sanders knew she was not speaking the truth but had done so anyway. The reason she does that is because her job is contingent upon her being a serial congenital liar in defence of Donald Trumps latest outrages, he said on CNN. I mean, she probably has some like tiny, shrivelled husk left in her soul where she realizes this is the wrong thing to do. But she does it anyway because otherwise theyll replace her. Mike Shields, a former senior aide at the Republican National Committee, sought to defend Ms Sanders, saying it was the job of all White House press secretaries to step behind the podium and advocate on behalf of the president. Story continues Yet Mr Wilson was quick to double down his assault. He said: Few presidents go out and c*** on the dignity and legacy of people like these code talkers, these heroic veterans, and then send their press secretary out to answer questions in a way that isnt saying, Wow, the president regrets what he said today, he truly wishes he had not said that. He said Ms Sanders sought to bury people under an avalanche of horses***. I get thats her job, he said. The White House press secretary has to defend the indefensible. In very few other cases in our modern history, has the press secretary had to go out and defend someone who is slinging stuff that is demonstrably racially charged. Related Video: Watch news, TV and more on Yahoo View. Its tough to overstate how badly Republicans in Congress want to pass their massive tax reform plan before Christmas. But as the Senate prepares to vote on their version of the bill, a growing number of Republican senators are expressing reservations about the bill before them. Both Sens. Steve Daines of Montana and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin have said unequivocally that they oppose the current legislation, saying it unduly favors large corporations over small businesses. An aide to Daines told The Hill that the Wisconsin Republican remains optimistic that satisfactory changes to the bill are possible. But time is running out, and the window for victory is narrow. Republicans hold a slim majority in the Senate 52 of 100 seats and they can afford to lose just two votes to pass tax reform along party lines under the procedure known as reconciliation, which requires only a simple majority. Far more than two G.O.P. senators have been reluctant to commit their support. Most dangerously, an unofficial bloc of four Senate deficit hawks has privately convened in recent weeks to share their concerns with the bills impact on the deficit, as TIME first reported on Nov. 16. Among them are Sens. Jeff Flake of Arizona and James Lankford of Oklahoma; Sens. Bob Corker of Tennessee and Todd Young of Indiana have also spoken out against legislation over its effects on the deficit. As conservatives, weve said for a long time that to get ahead of the deficit we have to control our spending and have a growing, healthy economy, Lankford told reporters on Monday. Well, if we use all of the tax reductions to just offset, well never get on top of it. The tax reform bill, which will amount to the first major changes to the national tax code in more than 30 years, has proven controversial. Democrats have decried it as little more than a boon for the rich that harms lower-income Americans a view substantiated by a new estimate from nonpartisan congressional budget analysts, which found that Americans making less than $75,000 would be worse off by 2027. Story continues It would exacerbate inequality and set the middle class back at the worst possible time, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said on the Senate floor on Monday afternoon. The report also holds that tax reform would hike the federal deficit by $1.4 trillion over the next decade, though deficit hawks like Flake are wary that the figure could in fact be higher. In an interview with TIME on Nov. 14, he pointed to various gimmicks within the bill: costly provisions such as one that allows businesses to expense their assets that will nominally be phased out after five years. You phase it out after five years, it fits in this, but we know after five years theyre just going to do it again, he said. The tax reform bill also repeals the Affordable Care Acts individual mandate, which requires Americans to have health insurance. Two Republican Senators, Susan Collins of Maine and Jerry Moran of Kansas, have expressed uncertainty about this tactic, saying it should be handled on its own. The bill goes to the Senate Budget Committee on Tuesday. There, in an attempt to woo the vote of Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who proved a crucial swing vote on past attempts to repeal Obamacare, it will be joined with a bill to allow drilling on Alaskas Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, something that Murkowski supports. But the Budget Committee is also home to two skeptical Republicans Johnson and Corker who could use their seats to stymie progress on the bill. Republicans are hoping to pass it by the end of the week. One bobcat has something to be grateful for after it was rescued from the grill of a car on Thanksgiving. A woman was driving to work in Richmond, Va., Thursday morning when she hit something in the road. It wasnt until she parked her SVU, however, that she discovered a bobcat lodged in the grill of her Prius and called for help. The animal had survived a nearly 50-mile, hour-long journey while stuck. Now, I will tell you, we get calls that are very far from reality at times, but when our Officer Barbara Jones arrived on scene to her surprise the call was real, Christie Chipps Peters, the director of Richmond Animal Care & Control, told InsideEdition.com. Peters said that when they arrived to the "unbelievable scene, the animal hissed at them. I just took a deep breath and prepared for the rescue, Peters said. We used a stick pole to sedate so we only had to physically get within 4 feet of the car," Peters said. "Once sedated, we were able to remove the cat quite easily. The only thing holding it up was a wire and a small piece of plastic. The cat was taken to Wildlife Center of Virginia for an exam. Once she recovers, they will release the bobcat back into the wild. It was a wonderful way to start Thanksgiving thankful we were able to save such a beautiful animal. RELATED LINKS Teen Smuggled Bengal Tiger Cub Into U.S. From Mexico, Authorities Allege Abandoned Bobcat Cub Rescued From Park, Thanks to Fearless Homeless Trio Harrowing Video Shows Man's Frantic Effort to Fight Off Bobcat Attacking Pedestrian, Dog Related Articles: The secretary of state defended the Trump administrations plan to slash US diplomacy by 31% despite North Korean missile test and Afghanistan escalation Rex Tillerson said that Russia would continue to face sanctions unless Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity were restored. Photograph: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images Rex Tillerson said on Tuesday that the Trump administrations proposal to slash the state department and foreign aid budget is in part based on an expectation it will be able to resolve some of the global conflicts that have been absorbing costly diplomatic and humanitarian support. But in a vivid display of the most urgent diplomatic challenge facing the US, Tillerson was speaking as North Korea carried out a new ballistic missile test the first since it fired a missile over Japan in mid-September. The secretary of state presented this rationale for the budget cut at a time when he is under fire from former US diplomats for gutting his state department amid multiple crises around the world an allegation Tillerson denied. Tillerson, a former ExxonMobil oil executive, has faced a rising chorus of criticism for his management of US diplomacy. On Tuesday, the former director of the state department policy planning office, David McKean, complained that Tillerson had become fixated on restructuring the department, at the expense of substantive diplomatic work. McKeans commentary in Politico was titled: Rex Tillerson is Fiddling with PowerPoint while the World Burns. On the same day, the woman overseeing the departments redesign, Maliz Beams, abruptly resigned, and two former senior US diplomats, Nicholas Burns and Ryan Crocker, warned that the budget cuts coupled with the administrations dismissive attitude toward our diplomats and diplomacy threaten to dismantle the US foreign service, just when we need it most. Responding to those criticisms at the Wilson Centre in Washington, Tillerson argued the current combined state department and US Agency for International Development budget of $55bn was at a historic high and was not sustainable. The administration has proposed cuts of about 31%, but Congress is resisting such draconian measures. Story continues On Tuesday, the secretary of state said he was offended by suggestions that somehow we dont have a state department that works. And he offered a further rationale for the retrenchment, based on an assumption that the world would become more peaceful. Part of this bringing the budget numbers back down is reflective of an expectation that were going to have success in some of these conflict areas, getting these conflicts resolved and moving to a different place in terms of the kind of support we have to give, Tillerson said. However, elsewhere in Washington, reporters at the Pentagon were told on Tuesday by the top US commander in Afghanistan, Gen John Nicholson, that the US combat operations in Afghanistan, would increase dramatically over what we have done in the past year. Nicholson last week described the 16-year-old war as a stalemate but on Tuesday claimed it had turned a corner and that the momentum was now with the Afghan security forces. The secretary of state defended his record after a speech on US-European relations that emphasised Nato solidarity in the face of what he called Russian aggression, ruling out lifting Ukraine-related sanctions until the countrys territorial integrity had been fully restored. Tillerson said the conflict in Ukraine would not be resolved without the restoration of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity. That would entail a reversal of Russias annexation of Crimea and a withdrawal of its support for separatists in western Ukraine, in line with a 2014 agreement in Minsk. Any resolution of the war that doesnt entail a fully independent, sovereign and territorially whole Ukraine is unacceptable, Tillerson said. Russia chose to violate the sovereignty of the largest country in Europe. The United States and Europe have stood shoulder to shoulder since 2014 in confronting this Russian aggression with a coordinated sanctions policy. Tillerson added: Let me clear. Minsk-related sanctions will remain in place until Russia reverses the actions that triggered them. The secretary of states tough language on Russia appeared to be aimed at reassuring Nato allies before a planned European trip next week, when he will visit Brussels, Stockholm, Vienna and Paris. He also had a message on Brexit, vowing that the US was committed to maintaining its special relationship with the UK and a strong relationship with the EU. He urged both parties to resolve their divorce swiftly and without unnecessary acrimony. Another contender is jumping into Alabama Senate race, with just 15 days until voters head to the polls. Lee Busby, a 60-year-old retired marine colonel from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, is launching a write-in campaign as an independent candidate, he announced Monday in an interview with the Washington Post. The election will take place on December 12. In an interview with TIME, Busby said he believes Alabama voters want a candidate who falls somewhere in the middle ideologically, and they dont have that choice with the current options, Republican Roy Moore and Democrat Doug Jones. Both of the candidates have committed bases but those bases are at the far left flank and the far right flank and i think there is a vast number in the middle that are tired of the divisiveness int he country and will take that option if theyre given the option and thats all Im doing, he said. But Busby, who is a former aide to President Trumps Chief of Staff John Kelly he has not yet spoken with Kelly about his campaign was candid about the fact that he typically votes Republican. He supported Trump in the 2016 presidential election, and thinks the President is doing a good job. Should he win, he said his votes will likely align with a Republican agenda, although he stopped short of saying he would caucus with the Republicans. The Senate Leadership Fund, the Super PAC affiliated with Mitch McConnell that spent millions trying to defeat Moore in the Alabama Republican primary, declined to comment on Busbys announcement that he was entering the race. McConnells office did not respond to a request for comment. Alabamas Senate race has garnered national attention after the Republican candidate, Roy Moore, was accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women. The Post reported on November 9 that Moore had pursued teenagers romantically when he was in his thirties, citing on-the-record accounts from four women who relayed their own experiences. Four additional women came forward after that article was published. Moore and his campaign have denied the allegations, categorizing them as politically motivated. Story continues Since the allegations have emerged, the race has tightened despite Alabamas Republican voting proclivities; a November 16 Fox News poll showed Moore trailing Democratic candidate Doug Jones by eight points. Busby said he didnt support Moore before the allegations. The allegations really have nothing to do with [my decision to run]. I didnt feel like either of the two candidates had the qualifications to appeal to me as a voter for U.S. senate, he said. Busby took up sculpting after he retired from the military in 2013, according to an August article in Southern Living that profiled his work; he aims to create sculptures of soldiers killed overseas for the families they left behind. There are no prerequisites or filings necessary to run a write-in campaign in Alabama,Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill told TIME but the winning candidate needs to amass a plurality of votes to win. Theoretically, Busbys candidacy, should it gain traction, could take votes from both Jones and Moore, similar to the way Ross Perot siphoned off votes from George H.W. Bush in the 1992 presidential election. When asked if that was Busbys goal, or if he actually thought a victory was attainable, he said he thinks he can win, although he openly acknowledges it is an uphill battle. His campaign staff currently consists of volunteers he quickly asked to help after he spoke with the Post Sunday night. He laughed at the inquiry about campaign rallies and canvassing, explaining he would love to organize them but had not done so yet. I have no political organization, no existing big donors and no political experience, he said. With 14 days left to go, donors are great, but thats not the issue. The issue is will Alabama voters have a choice between Roy Moore and Doug Jones? And if they have that choice, will it resonate with them? Russia has denied that its warplanes were used in airstrikes on a village in eastern Syria Sunday that activists and observer groups say killed dozens of civilians. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a watchdog group based in the U.K., says 53 people were killed in bombings on the village of al-Shafah, including 21 children, BBC reports. The group said Russian aircraft supporting Syrian pro-government forces, which are trying to dislodge the Islamic State (IS) from the region on the border of Iraq, was responsible for the attack. Deirezzor24, an activist news website, reported that the strikes targeted residential buildings, and estimated the toll at 25. The site also alleged that Russia carried out the strikes. The Russian Defense Ministry responded with a statement dated Nov. 27, citing the Syrian Observatory for Human Rightss location in the U.K. calling the reports yet another fake. The Russian Aerospace Forces strikes in Syria target areas outside population centers, and only facilities of the international terrorist groups, the statement said, as reported by Russian news agencies cited by the BBC. A previous statement had confirmed that six that six Russian long-range bombers hit IS positions in Deir al-Zour province on the same day, the BBC reports. Al-Shafah is about 68 miles south of the city of Deir al-Zour. The nearby town of Boukamal, a district administrative center, was recaptured by Bashar al-Assads forces earlier this month, according to the Associated Press. By Andrea Shalal BERLIN (Reuters) - A senior Russia's foreign ministry official on Tuesday said he was not worried by the European Union's move to integrate European defenses, saying the initiative was "just words" and did not appear to be aimed at Moscow. Kirill Logvinov, head of the NATO section at the Russian foreign ministry, called at the annual Berlin Security Conference for renewed efforts to rebuild trust between European countries and Russia through dialogue and military cooperation. He said the trans-Atlantic NATO alliance had revived Cold War tensions through an enlargement that threatened Russia's national security. Moscow was open to resuming dialogue and rebuilding trust, he said, and remained committed to implementing the Minsk agreements aimed at ending violence in eastern Ukraine - as long as Kiev also made good its promises under the deal. "Just to sit down at a table would be an important step back toward building trust," Logvinov told reporters. Asked whether Russia was concerned about an agreement by 23 EU members to cooperate on funding joint military projects and commands, he said Moscow welcomed any steps that would help unify Europe. "We are not trying to splinter any group. The better the groups work with each other in the Europe, the better it is for us. The faster they speak with a single voice, the better it is for our relationship with the EU," he said. Logvinov said the EU's Permanent Structured Cooperation or PESCO, had been in the works for decades. "Of course, we are watching this development, but at this point, it's just words." France, Germany and 21 other EU governments signed an agreement this month to fund, develop and deploy armed forces after Britain's decision to quit the bloc, a project that was first proposed in the 1950s and long resisted by Britain. Under the deal, to be signed by EU leaders in December, participating governments will for the first time legally bind themselves into joint projects as well as pledging to increase defense spending and contribute to rapid deployments. Its backers say that if successful, the formal club of 23 members will give the European Union a more coherent role in tackling international crises and end the kind of shortcomings seen in Libya in 2011, when European allies relied on the United States for air power and munitions. Rachel Ellehuus, principal director for European and NATO policy at the U.S. Defense Department, told the conference that the United States welcomed the deal, lauding Europe's transparent approach to the new initiative. Unlike past attempts, the U.S.-led NATO alliance backs the project, aiming to benefit from stronger militaries. Many governments say Russia's seizure of Ukraine's Crimea in 2014 was a turning-point for European defense integration, after years of defense spending cuts that left Europe without vital capabilities. But German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen said PESCO was more about making Europe work more efficiently together to deal with humanitarian crises and was not related to fraying relations with Russia. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal, editing by Ed Osmond) The Senate tax reform bill would hurt lower-income Americans while giving substantial tax cuts to those making more than $100,000 a year, according to the Congressional Budget Office. The nonpartisan analysis, released Sunday, will complicate efforts to sell the tax plan to the public, though it will probably not shift the calculus within the Senate Republican caucus on the legislation. Thats because it largely fits within existing GOP arguments about taxes and health insurance. On Monday, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul published an op-ed on Fox News website saying that he will support the bill, despite previously voting against a budget resolution that was a key step toward passage. One reason he listed? The bill includes a repeal of the requirement that individual Americans purchase health insurance. Im also pleased to note that, in part by my urging, the Senate tax-plan writers have included repeal of the ObamaCare individual mandate in the tax plan, he wrote. The mandate is clearly a tax, a fact that was established by the Supreme Court when it upheld ObamaCare. So including it in the tax bill only makes sense. But including the repeal is one reason the CBO said the bill will hurt the poor. First, without a penalty, some healthy people would choose to forgo health insurance which Republicans point to as a reason not to be concerned. I have always supported the freedom to choose, Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski wrote in an op-ed for the Daily News-Miner. I believe that the federal government should not force anyone to buy something they do not wish to buy, in order to avoid being taxed. But with fewer healthy people in the mix, insurance companies would have to charge more. As premiums rise, more poor Americans would find they cant afford insurance, even with the tax credits and subsidies available under the Affordable Care Act. In fact, the CBO found that if the bill becomes law, 13 million more Americans will be without insurance by 2027. Story continues Again, thats not a surprising finding, given that the bill would undercut a central part of the Affordable Care Act, so its not going to change many minds in the Republican caucus. The CBO analysis also found that the bill would add $1.4 trillion to the federal deficit over the next 10 years. That number is much more likely to affect the internal political fight over the bill, as some deficit hawks in the Senate have already raised concerns that the bill would boost the deficit even more. As Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake noted, the official analysis of the bill assumes that tax cuts in the bill that are set to expire will actually do that, which he thinks is unlikely. The savings, the score, it just isnt valid because you know that theyre not going to follow through, he told Politico. You cant assume that well grow a backbone later. If we cant do it now, then its tough to do it later. On November 20, 2017, The Washington Post first reported that internationally-acclaimed television news journalist Charlie Rose was accused of sexual harassment at his independently-owned and small, but unquestionably prestigious, television production company Charlie Rose, Inc. In a statement to the Post, Rose said, It is essential that these women know I hear them and that I deeply apologize for my inappropriate behavior. Among the details of alleged acts of intimidation, unwanted touching, and perversion, the eight women who came forward in the article reported a common and painful realization: not knowing how to report and address the harassment given the lack of corporate structure, and specifically a human resources department at the company. He has since been fired from CBS, where he co-hosts CBS This Morning and was a 60 Minutes correspondent. PBS, which distributes his namesake program, has also ceased distribution. However, none of the women who accused him in the Post, worked for CBS or PBS. While the Charlie Rose scandal is news-worthy given the fame and notoriety of the alleged offender, countless employees of small companies are victims of sexual harassment. According to the United States Small Business Administration, in 2014 there were no less than 3.8 million private sector employers in the United States with 15 or fewer employees, and no less than 17.1 million employees working for these companies. Alarmingly, a recent ABC News-Washington Post poll found that 3 in 10 women have put up with unwanted advances from male co-workers and more than half of American women have experienced unwanted and inappropriate sexual advances from men. While women are not the only victims of sexual harassment in the workplace, the statistical data projects a very significant number of employees currently working for small businesses that may be negatively affected by sexual harassment and with seemingly nowhere to turn. Story continues The law defines sexual harassment in the workplace as a prohibited form of unlawful gender discrimination (regardless of the gender identity of the victim, or the accused). The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission defines sexual harassment as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct. As a form of unlawful gender discrimination, sexual harassment is prohibited in the United States by Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII). However, only those employers with 15 or more employees are required to comply with Title VII in the workplace. That said, states, cities and municipalities may have more inclusive anti-discrimination and anti-sexual harassment statutes that would cover a small business employer. For example, a company doing business in New York City that has at least four employees, would be required to comply with the New York City Human Rights law, which offers additional protections beyond those afforded under Title VII. Under the city law, the perpetrator of the sexual harassment may be individually liable if he or she is a principal or supervisory or managerial employee, such as Charlie Rose. This is why it is very important to check the specific laws in your area. In a perfect world, a victim of sexual harassment would take her or his concerns to the human resource department where a well-trained, impartial investigator would conduct a thorough inquiry followed by prompt remedial action. All too often, however, human resources prioritizes protecting the company from liability ahead of protecting the victim. And regardless of size, companies are not required by law to have human resources departments. Nevertheless, there are steps that can be taken if your employer is engaging in sexual harassment and there is no clear individual or department to report the behavior to. 1. Always, first and foremost, know that your immediate personal safety comes first. The local police should be alerted and involved, as needed. 2. Keep contemporaneous notes of any incident you feel may constitute sexual harassment and tell someone (close friend or family member) in real time about your experiences. A corroborating witness may be helpful later on. 3. Speak with an experienced employment attorney to understand your legal rights. 4. Identify the identity of your actual employer (whether the entity you think is your employer is in fact owned by a larger company, etc.) and determine with your experienced employment attorney whether there is anyone at the company (a supervisor or otherwise) who should be notified of the incident(s) before asserting a claim against the employer. This information is not meant to replace legal advice or representation from an experienced employment attorney. Hamas Monday ruled out demands to disarm its military wing, Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, saying that the weapons will rather be moved to the West Bank to fight Israel. The Islamist movement has agreed to reconcile with rival Fatah in the West Bank. Under a deal signed in Cairo in October, Hamas, which has been ruling Gaza for a decade, will hand over control of the Strip to Fatah on December 1. The movement has already relinquished Gaza crossings to its rival. Speaking to the media on Monday, the movements deputy chief in Gaza, Khalil al-Hayya indicated disarming the al-Qassam Brigades is out of question. The weapons of the resistance are a red line that is non-debatable, he said. These weapons will be moved to the West Bank to fight the occupation. It is our right to resist the occupation until it ends, he added. The different political groups have praised the reconciliation efforts but several hurdles including the fate of weapons still stand in the way of the conclusion. President Mahmoud Abbas has warned he will not tolerate any force, the like of Lebanon-based Shia movement Hezbollah in the Palestinian territories. Israel and the US have threatened not to recognize any Palestinian unity government with Hamas if the movement does not disarm and recognize Israel. The future of al-Qassem Brigades has been defined in the Cairo-backed 12 October deal. Lagos (AFP) - Amnesty International on Tuesday called for Shell to be prosecuted for allegedly helping Nigeria's military to commit human rights abuses in the oil-rich south in the 1990s. The London-based global rights watchdog said the oil giant should be tried in Nigeria, as well as Britain and Netherlands where it has its head office. Shell's Nigerian subsidiary strongly denied the charges, calling them "false and without merit". Audrey Gaughran, director of global issues and research at Amnesty, said it was "indisputable that Shell played a key role" in events in Ogoniland in the 1990s. "But we now believe that there are grounds for a criminal investigation," she added in a statement after publishing a cache of documents relating to the turbulent period. A criminal file will be prepared and submitted to the authorities "with a view to prosecution", she said. The Dutch prosecutor's office said it would examine the Amnesty report. "If we find a reason to open an enquiry, we will do so" a spokesman for the public prosecution service said, according to the Dutch news agency ANP. Amnesty alleged that the oil major "repeatedly encouraged" Nigeria's military to deal with community protests in Ogoniland, which is part of the Niger Delta region. It claimed the company was aware that "would lead to unlawful killings, rape, torture, the burning of villages" and even provided transport for troops. "That it has never answered for this is an outrage," it added. - 'Murderous attacks' - Community unrest forced Shell to quit Ogoniland in 1993 but the company still maintains a network of pipelines in the area. Amnesty said Shell and the Nigerian military government at the time operated as business partners and had regular meetings to discuss the protection of their interests. "Internal memos and minutes from meetings show Shell lobbying senior government officials for military support, even after the security forces had carried out mass killings of protesters," it said. Story continues "They also show that on several occasions Shell provided logistical or financial assistance to military or police personnel when it was well aware that they had been involved in murderous attacks on defenceless villagers." On November 10, 1995, Ogoni activist and writer Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight of his compatriots were executed on trumped-up murder charges. That led to Nigeria's expulsion from the Commonwealth. The nation was readmitted in 1999 after its return to civilian rule. A spokesman for the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC), said: "Amnesty International's allegations concerning SPDC are false and without merit. "SPDC did not collude with the authorities to suppress community unrest and in no way encouraged or advocated any act of violence in Nigeria. "We believe that the evidence will show clearly that Shell was not responsible for these tragic events." Shell remains a major oil operator in Nigeria, accounting for much of the country's daily output of some two million barrels per day. Sophia Bush attends attends an Emmy Awards after-party. (Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images) Actress Sophia Bush has been called one of the most charitable celebrities, which makes perfect sense: Not only has she worked tirelessly in support of environmental initiatives and girls education, but shes also raised a half million dollars for various charities. Talk about a giving nature! Thats always been in my DNA, Bush tells Yahoo. My parents tease me and say I was that crazy little kid who wanted to raise money for the Amazon and do beach cleanup on Saturdays when my friends were out playing. So it also makes perfect sense that PayPal would approach Bush to partner with the company on its #GivingTuesday initiative. From now until the end of December, PayPal will add 1 percent to donations made through the PayPal Giving Fund. The companys 1 percent donations added up to an additional $48 million last year year in support of worthy causes. To celebrate her partnership with PayPal, Bush spoke with Yahoo Lifestyle about what #GivingTuesday is all about, how you can make a difference to those in need, and why Hollywood is one of the most charitable industries around. So weve had Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, and now #GivingTuesday. What is Giving Tuesday and how does it work? Giving Tuesday started years ago as, Id say, a nice response to Black Friday and Cyber Monday. A collective of charitable people said, How can we highlight giving back in a time of year when money is moving around, and people are frantic about what to get people for the holidays? I always joke, Guys I dont need another ugly sweater; Id rather you donate to an organization that has meaning to me, and I think others can do that for people as well. Giving Tuesday is about giving to piggyback this weekend of shopping, and its such a wonderful time of year for people to give to causes that are meaningful to them. How did the partnership with PayPal come about, and how does it support Giving Tuesday? PayPal has been working on this initiative for years now, and when they came to me, I laughed and said, Do they know I use the service all the time when Im buying weird vintage lights? People want to know where their money goes and how much of it goes to charity. With the PayPal Giving Fund, theyre adding a 1 percent donation to yours, so 101 percent of the donation money goes to a charity of your choice. And that 1 percent adds up to $48 million in charitable donations every year, so it all really does count. It all adds up to make a massive difference. Story continues Getting involved in charitable initiatives can be intimidating for some. There are so many to choose from, and sometimes it feels like if you can do only a little, it wont be enough. What advice do you have for people who struggle with charitable involvement in this way? Thats why I think youve got to just start somewhere its all about taking the first step. And PayPal is making it easier with the PayPal Giving Fund because you can donate through that in support of any charity you like, and there are thousands of charities to choose from. You can even do a search. You can look for charities that support the environment, girls education, cancer research that can help steer you in the right direction. You can even look through the app on your phone. So start, do a search, and find an organization that really strikes you and makes you say yes, then donate on behalf of someone, or donate on behalf of yourself. If that feels good, figure out what version of that charity is in your community and volunteer take your family! I think thats the jumping-off point thats how people figure out what theyre passionate about, and then they see that volunteerism changes their lives. After raising a half million for charity, building three primary schools in Guatemala, and becoming a global ambassador for the Girl Project, youre as known for your charity work as you are for your work in Hollywood. Was that an ideal you were raised with, or has it developed over time? Thats always been in my DNA. My parents tease me and say I was that crazy little kid who wanted to raise money for the Amazon and do beach cleanup on Saturdays when my friends were out playing. Ive always been passionate and hyper empathetic, which can be tough, but I think also, I love people and tell stories about people. Thats the reason why Im an activist and an actor. Im fortunate I have a job that has allowed me a platform that also allows me to take on activism, and that passion can take me into a space for me to highlight things that inspire me. This is a very giving time of year, and there are a lot of organizations that need help. Plus, theres family outings, office parties, shopping its easy to get burned out. How do you practice self-care when youre giving a lot to others during this time of year? I think it is always important to prioritize self-care, because if youre not taking care of yourself, youre not taking care of anyone else. So get enough sleep, drink water, and if holiday gifts are stressful, instead of giving gifts, donate to charity this year a lot of people who do find it very rewarding. And you can also make meals that are easier and healthier. After Thanksgiving, you know, its like, I should eat veggies and chill. Its a really important thing to prioritize. You want to enjoy the holiday season. You dont want to just survive it; you want it to enrich you. Seeing you and the One Tree Hill gang come together in support of writer Audrey Wauchope, against alleged sexual harassment, was both heartening and amazing. Can you speak a little more about how that came together? I dont know that thats a part of this conversation, when were talking about giving. I dont want to pollute that message with someone elses legacy. But I think women are each others allies, and supporting one another is the best thing I can do. Thats why Im supportive of girls around the world, and like you said, Ive built primary schools in Guatemala. Supporting women, and empowering women, does change communities. How would you like to see Hollywood become more giving? Hollywood is incredibly giving. Im always amazed at the amount of charity events and donation drives and the highlighting of great causes that entertainers are always working on. By and large, these are a bunch of people who have come from not a lot, and weve fought to build these lives about stepping into other peoples shoes and caring about their lives. So many people in my industry work so hard for causes. From the outside, Hollywood looks very glamorous. Sure, theres the Oscars but thats an event, its not real life. Were on set 16 to 18 hours a day, were working with a lot of different people behind the scenes including people in catering, people in construction, and its a family. Youre all in it together, and you want the best for all those around you. And that desire for people to have good lives extends to those you work with throughout the neighborhoods you work in, and the community. Open empathy is what makes Hollywood a majorly charitable industry in the world. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Vienna (AFP) - Talks in Vienna aimed at resolving the "frozen conflict" in Transnistria, a sliver of land that claimed independence from Moldova in the early 1990s, made "substantial progress", the OSCE said Tuesday. Participants "confirmed progress on several of the eight issues previously identified... and made a commitment to finalise the remaining issues at the beginning of next year," a statement said. They signed a protocol outlining recent agreements on the ground and referring to the next steps, the Vienna-based Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe said. Mostly Russian-speaking Transnistria, also known as Transdniestr, is a strip of land bordering Ukraine which broke away from Romanian-speaking Moldova after the collapse of the Soviet Union and a brief civil war in 1992. Moscow has kept thousands of troops in the territory between Ukraine and the Dniestr river and has for years provided money to prop up the region of 500,000 people. Wedged between Ukraine and Romania, Moldova meanwhile is split between those favouring ties with former master Moscow and those seeking closer ties with the European Union. Residents in Transnistria, which has never been recognised as an independent state by any UN member including Russia, voted overwhelmingly to join Russia in a referendum in 2006. The talks in the Austrian capital in the "5+2" format involved representatives from Moldova, Transnistria, the OSCE, Russia, Ukraine, as well as the United States and the EU. Recent progress included Moldovan authorities agreeing in early November to re-open a bridge on the Dniestr river destroyed in the war that links Transnistria and Moldova. Issues resolved include the free movement of people over the river, Moldovan-language schools in Transnistria and the recognition of Transnistrian university degrees in Moldova. A person outside of the Supreme Court in 2014, when it heard arguments in the cellphone privacy case Riley v. California. Jose Luis Magana/AP The U.S. Supreme Court will hear a closely watched case on Wednesday that will determine whether authorities can search your cellphone location data without a warrant, in a dispute that could upend decades of privacy precedent. The case, Carpenter v. U.S., will look at whether the Fourth Amendment which guarantees your right against unreasonable searches and seizures protects you against warrantless searches of cellphone records that track your movements. For decades, the high court has said that when you share your information with a third party, like a bank or telephone company, you lose the expectation that it will remain private. But the Supreme Court may rule that cellphones have ushered in a new era of privacy expectations. I think Carpenter could significantly increase protection for the electronic data, Erwin Chemerinsky, the dean of Berkeley Law and a Supreme Court expert, told Yahoo Finance in an email message. He added: The court may well overrule its earlier decisions that there is no privacy interest if third parties have the information. A cellphone privacy case that began with the theft of smartphones Fittingly, the Carpenter case began with a series of armed robberies of smartphones at Radio Shack and T-Mobile (TMUS) locations in Michigan and Ohio in 2010 and 2011. A man named Timothy Carpenter and his half-brother, Timothy Sanders, were convicted of nine armed robberies tied to those smartphone thefts, according to an appeals court opinion in the case. At trial, part of the governments evidence consisted of records showing that each Timothy had used his cellphone within the vicinity of several of the robberies when they occurred. In fighting their conviction, the Timothys contended the government had violated the Fourth Amendment when it collected their cellphone location records without a warrant. However, a federal appeals court in Cincinnati, Ohio, ruled against the half-brothers, finding the Fourth Amendment doesnt yet extend to cellphone location data. Story continues The majority opinion of that court distinguished between the content of a communication and the information necessary to send it. The government cant read your letters, or your emails for that matter, nor can it listen to what youre actually saying on the phone, the court ruled. However, the court ruled that anything on the outside of an envelope is fair game as is so-called metadata thats used to route internet communications. The business records here fall on the unprotected side of this line. Those records say nothing about the content of any calls, the court ruled. Instead the records include routing information, which the wireless providers gathered in the ordinary course of business. The case for abandoning a long-held doctrine Now Carpenter, and his lawyers at the American Civil Liberties Union, are asking the nations highest court to reconsider that ruling. At issue is the so-called third-party doctrine, which says that if you hand over information to third parties you shouldnt expect it to remain a secret. This doctrine may need to be updated for the digital age, some experts argue. One argument for reconsidering this doctrine is that, in reality, people actually have no clue to what extent their phone companies know where they go and how long they stay there. That makes the case a good opportunity for the court to reconsider whether location information that is shared with a cell-phone provider might still be kept private from the government, Lior Jacob Strahilevitz, a professor at the University of Chicago Law School, told Yahoo Finance. Added Strahilevitz, co-author of an amicus brief in support of Carpenter, And the justices might use the opportunity to abandon a third-party doctrine that gives the government a lot of leeway to scoop up facts about individuals without judicial oversight. Some of Americas biggest tech giants including Apple (AAPL), Facebook (FB), Google (GOOG, GOOGL), and Yahoo Finance parent Verizon (VZ) also filed an amicus brief in the case. While that brief technically supported neither side in the case, the tech giants hinted that the court should reconsider whether the government should easily be able to get its hands on that data. At the same time, they seemed to want to ensure that companies can access that data for their own purposes. Because the data that is transmitted can reveal a wealth of detail about peoples personal lives users of digital technologies reasonably expect to retain significant privacy in that data, notwithstanding that technology companies may use or share the data in various ways to provide and improve their services for their customers, the brief said. Fourth Amendment doctrine must adapt to this new reality. Do cellphone users voluntarily expose themselves to observation? Of course, not everybody agrees that the Fourth Amendment should adapt to shield your cellphone location data from law-enforcement scrutiny. The prominent legal expert Orin Kerr submitted a brief on behalf of the government arguing that the Fourth Amendment doesnt protect that data because its the equivalent of being observed in a public space. And the Fourth Amendment, he noted, provides zero protection against being watched in public. Just as a person voluntarily exposes himself to observation by traveling in public to deliver a communication, so does a person voluntarily expose himself to observation by hiring an agent [i.e., a cellphone network provider] to deliver his communications remotely, Kerrs brief stated. The Fourth Amendment is not implicated by compelling testimony from an eyewitness or by observation in public The same rule should apply in the analogous context of obtaining historical cell-site records. Not a knee-jerk vote for the government While Kerr may be siding with the government, the U.S. may have an uphill battle in convincing the Supreme Court of its argument. The high court has a history of protecting privacy, and in 2014 unanimously ruled that searching the digital contents of a cellphone without a warrant is unconstitutional. Of course, that case involved searching the actual contents of a smartphone without a warrant and not just the location data held by cellphone service providers. Moreover, the makeup of the Supreme Court has changed since 2014. Still, Kerr himself told The New York Times earlier this year that the courts newest judge Donald Trump appointee, Neil Gorsuch is not a knee-jerk vote for the government. If the Supreme Court does end up taking a step further on digital privacy, the case, as University of Chicago Law professor Lior Jacob Strahilevitz noted, could turn out to be a major landmark. Erin Fuchs is deputy managing editor of Yahoo Finance. Read more: AT&T-Time Warner suit could be the start of a more aggressive antitrust era Antitrust expert calls Broadcoms bid for Qualcomm pretty audacious Harvey Weinstein scandal could expose a murky, untested area of the law BEIRUT/GENEVA (Reuters) - A Syrian government delegation will arrive in Geneva on Wednesday, a day later than expected, to attend peace talks being held there this week, Syrian state news agency SANA said. The delegation had delayed its planned departure for the talks, which begin on Tuesday, because of the opposition's insistence that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad step down. \ The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, said the government and opposition would have a chance to negotiate directly for the first time, but it was not clear if they would choose to do so. "We are going to offer it. We will see if this takes place. But we will be offering that," he said after meeting the opposition delegation. De Mistura has received assurances that the Syrian government delegation will attend the talks, U.N. spokeswoman Alessandra Vellucci told a Geneva news briefing. "At least we know that they are coming," she said, declining to give details on who transmitted the message from Damascus. De Mistura said the government had accepted a Russian suggestion of a ceasefire in the besieged rebel-held enclave of Eastern Ghouta near Damascus. Bombardment on the area killed three people on Tuesday, a war monitor said earlier. A delegation from the newly-unified Syrian opposition, which arrived in the Swiss city on Monday, is due to hold a first meeting with de Mistura later on Tuesday, she said. In an emailed statement, the opposition negotiating committee said it was ready to meet the government side. "It (the government) no longer has the pretext that the opposition is fragmented. We are one. We are ready to negotiate directly with the other side," said Yahya Aridi, the head of the negotiation committee. Earlier, the pro-Damascus Syrian newspaper al-Watan reported that the Syrian government delegation to an eighth round of peace talks in Geneva this week has not yet left Damascus. It had reported on Monday that the delay was because of the opposition's insistence that Assad step down, which he has refused to do. Nasr Hariri, head of the opposition delegation, told a Geneva news conference on Monday night that he is aiming for Assad's removal as a result of negotiations. The government delegation will be headed by Syria's U.N. ambassador and chief negotiator Bashar al-Ja'afari, SANA said. A breakthrough in the talks is seen as unlikely as Assad and his allies push for total military victory in Syria's civil war, now in its seventh year, and his opponents stick by their demand he leave power. (Reporting by Lisa Barrington and Angus McDowall in Beirut and Stephanie Nebehay and Tom Miles in Geneva; Editing by Catherine Evans and William Maclean) The Hague (AFP) - Syria came under pressure Monday to fill in gaps in its declaration to the world's chemical weapons watchdog amid reports of toxic arms use during its six-year civil war, triggering angry Syrian denials. A fact-finding mission from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has issued three reports showing the use of chemicals weapons in the country in recent years, OPCW chief Ahmet Uzumcu said. "It's very disturbing that yet again we are confronted with the use of chemical weapons," Uzumcu told the annual conference of countries belonging to the Chemical Weapons Convention. It was "vital... that the long-held international norm against chemical weapons remains strong and the perpetrators are held accountable," Uzumcu said. The 1993 arms treaty binds all member states to help rid the world of chemical weapons. Syria under President Bashar al-Assad finally joined in 2013, admitting under US-Russian pressure to having a toxic arms stockpile, and thus staving off threatened US air strikes. Syrian deputy foreign minister Faisal Mekdad hit back at what he said were "false accusations" of the regime's alleged involvement in attacks, saying the "politicised findings" of the OPCW fact-finding mission aimed to "smear the image of Syria" and destabilise his country. - 'No impunity' - He insisted that 100 percent of Syria's chemical weapons stockpile had been destroyed by the OPCW. Countries had "sent their mercenaries from all over the world and encouraged them to use chemical weapons and toxic chemical against civilians and the Syrian army," he claimed. He insisted the fact-finding team should carry out a new investigation. The debate in The Hague came on the eve of fresh talks in Geneva with the United Nations aiming to revitalise flagging efforts to end the six-year conflict in which more than 340,000 people have been killed. Story continues A joint UN-OPCW body, the Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM), in its latest report blamed the Syrian air force for a sarin gas attack on the opposition-held village of Khan Sheikhun in April that left scores dead. Speaking on behalf of the European Union, Estonia's representative for non-proliferation, Jacek Bylica, said EU countries were "appalled by the recurring systematic use of chemical weapons in Syria by the Syrian government and by (the jihadist group) ISIL." "There can be no impunity and those responsible for such acts must be held accountable," he said, calling on Damascus to work with the OPCW to complete an accurate picture of its chemical weapons stockpile. The OPCW has declared that 100 percent of the Syrian regime's stocks have been destroyed, but has increasingly voiced concerns that not everything was declared. United Nations (United States) (AFP) - Syrian peace talks set to open in Geneva this week hit a roadblock when President Bashar al-Assad's government refused to confirm it was attending and instead told the United Nations that no delegation would be arriving on Monday. The eighth round of UN-led talks, scheduled to begin on Tuesday, was seen as an opportunity to achieve progress toward ending the devastating six-year war after the opposition sent a united delegation to Geneva. UN envoy Staffan de Mistura, however, told the Security Council that during weekend talks with his deputy, "the government did not yet confirm its participation in Geneva but indicated that we would be hearing from them soon." "Last night, we received a message that the government would not travel to Geneva today," De Mistura said via videoconference from the Swiss city. Assad said last week, after a meeting in Russia with President Vladimir Putin, that he was ready for talks. "Naturally we know, and indeed expect, that the government will be on its way shortly," De Mistura said, "particularly in light of President Assad's commitment to President Putin when they met in Sochi." Amid the uncertainty over the Geneva talks, Russia has proposed holding a "congress" to bring together the government and opposition in Sochi, the Russian resort city on the Black Sea. But so far it has set no date for that gathering. Moscow is seeking UN support for the Sochi meeting, but De Mistura told the council that it was "premature" for him to declare his backing for the initiative. - US, France back Geneva talks - Western powers are concerned that Russia, which has sought a leading role in the peace process, will carve out a settlement that will largely favor its ally, Assad. US President Donald Trump said following a phone conversation with French leader Emmanuel Macron that the two agreed the Geneva talks were the "only legitimate forum for achieving a political solution in Syria." Story continues Turning to Syria's second key ally, Iran, Trump and Macron "also stressed the need to confront and reverse Iran's destabilizing activities in Syria," a White House statement said, without elaborating. The rocky start to the talks came as the Syrian army pounded Eastern Ghouta, outside Damascus, killing 18 people, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The regime's bombardment of Eastern Ghouta, one of the last remaining opposition strongholds, has killed more than 100 people in the past two weeks, according to the Observatory. After meeting in Riyadh last week, Syria's disparate opposition groups agreed to send a united delegation to Geneva, a move that was seen as a boost to prospects for a breakthrough. Despite the united front, Assad's delegation would, if it decides to attend, come to the negotiating table with the upper hand, since government forces have made gains in offensives backed by Russian military might. Around two-thirds of Syrians now live in regime-held areas that make up 55 percent of the country. - Potential for real talks - Following a closed-door session, Italian Ambassador Sebastiano Cardi, who holds the council presidency, told reporters that there was strong backing for the UN-led negotiations. "There is no military solution," said Cardi. "The meeting will start tomorrow so we really hope that all parties, including the Syrian government, will be present." The Geneva talks are to focus on holding UN-supervised elections and drafting a new constitution. Opposition demands for Assad to step down appear to have dropped off the agenda. "We will not accept any preconditions from either party," said De Mistura. "This crisis -- one of the worst in the history of the UN -- now has the potential, the real potential to move toward a genuine political process," he said. De Mistura will be meeting with the ambassadors from the council's five permanent members -- Britain, France, China, Russia and the United States -- in Geneva on Tuesday to discuss the upcoming talks. More than 340,000 people have died in the six-year war, half of the population has been displaced and the country lies in ruin after years of bombing campaigns and fierce ground assaults. Syria's reconstruction is expected to cost $250 billion, said the UN envoy. Sharing a vacation home with friends can be stressful, especially when youre the organizer putting the rental costs on your credit card. Will people pay you back? And if so, will they do it in a timely manner? It can be awkward to ask friends for money, but a new Airbnb feature will make it so you wont have to. Starting on Nov. 28, the home sharing platform will allow travelers to split the cost of a rental with other people in their group. Airbnb says that its the first accommodation platform to provide this service. According to a recent study complied by DKC Analytics, 79% of American travelers have been on multiple group trips in the past five years. Of those who have traveled in a group, about 38% say that they werent paid back all of the money they were owed by people in their group. Even worse, 43% of that group say theyve lost at least $1,000 from group trip repayments. These statistics, and feedback from consumers, led Airbnb to introduce the ability to split payments. Weve tested this in recent months with more than 80,000 groups successfully using the feature from all over the world in nearly 175 countries, using over 44 different currencies, Airbnb said in a statement. So far, the top cities where Airbnb guests are splitting payments are Paris, New York, Amsterdam, Los Angeles and London. How it works Lets say youre the group organizer. After you find your preferred booking, the total amount due is split evenly among the number of people in your group and your portion of the bill is charged to your credit card. This holds the reservation, which is then put in an awaiting payment state. Now trip organizers wont have to track their friends down for money. From there, the other people in your group have 72 hours to log-in to Airbnb and pay their portion of the bill. This means youll still have to track down your friends and pressure them to pay up, but it will happen before the trip and your money wont be on the line. If the rest of your crew fails to pay within the 72 hours, Airbnb will give the organizer another 24 hours to pay the remaining balance (or get the other group members to chip in) before the reservation is released. If this occurs, anyone who paid their portion will be refunded. Story continues Airbnbs study found that 29% of American travelers have fought with a friend over money that was owed for a trip. Thankfully, this feature, (and apps like Splitwise and Divvy) take the emotion out of splitting costs. Which leaves you time to worry about what really matterslike who gets the biggest room. Brittany is a reporter at Yahoo Finance. 4 apps to split the check and other expenses 5 tips to transform your Airbnb into a money maker Forget Airbnb, try these other popular vacation rentals Nairobi (AFP) - Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta was sworn in Tuesday for a second term, but his vow to heal the country's divisions was overshadowed by bloody protests and a pledge from his rival to stage his own inauguration. Kenya's schisms after a gruelling election period were on full display on the very first day of Kenyatta's second five-year term. The pomp of his inauguration ceremony contrasted with clouds of teargas fired at opposition leader Raila Odinga and his supporters as they attempted to rally elsewhere in Nairobi. At least two people were shot dead in clashes with police. Throwing down the gauntlet, Odinga rejected Kenyatta's inauguration and vowed to hold his own swearing-in on December 12, the day the country marks its independence from Britain. "I will be sworn in because I am the legitimate president," he said. Odinga's supporters engaged in running battles with police all morning as they attempted to gather for a "memorial rally" to honour nearly 60 people killed, mostly by police, in over four months of political upheaval. A senior police officer who earlier reported one fatality said: "We are aware there is another person dead and it has been said that he was also shot dead." Another policeman said six people had been injured by gunfire. Odinga spoke to a crowd of hundreds from atop his car briefly before police lobbed teargas at the convoy, forcing them to disperse. Meanwhile at the 60,000-seat Kasarani stadium, military parades, a 21-gun salute, traditional dancing and drumming accompanied Kenyatta's vows to heal the wounded nation. "I will devote my time and energy to build bridges, to unite and bring prosperity," he said as he started his second term faced with a large portion of the population that rejects his election outright. - 'No one eats politics' - Kenyatta urged the nation to focus on building the economy rather than dwell on divisive politics. Story continues "No one eats politics. For the last 50 years, we have watched as the Asian economies have risen to wealth, while much of Africa has stagnated. The difference is that they used politics to create vibrant economies for their people," he said. "In our case, we have pursued politics as an end in itself, rather than as a means to economic prosperity. This must end." Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto took the oaths of office before several African heads of state, including from South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, Somalia, Gabon, Botswana and Ethiopia. Prime ministers, foreign ministers and special envoys represented other African nations, as well as Qatar, Serbia, Ukraine and the United Arab Emirates. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while placed on top of the Kenyan government's guest list, did not attend the ceremony, but had a number of meetings with African leaders scheduled during his visit. The swearing-in ceremony also got a large dose of teargas as crowds tried to force their way into the packed stadium, with police on horseback struggling to keep them under control. - 'Despotic coronation' - The inauguration came after the Supreme Court validated Kenyatta's victory in last month's rerun poll. But analysts say the swearing-in may not draw a line under the country's political crisis, given Odinga's vow to fight on. The NASA coalition has described the inauguration as a "despotic coronation". The electoral strife goes back to an August 8 poll that was annulled in September by the Supreme Court, citing "irregularities and illegalities". The court ordered a rerun in October that was boycotted by the opposition, handing Kenyatta a landslide of 98 percent of votes cast by just 39 percent of the electorate. The disputed election season has split the country along ethnic and regional lines. However the deaths of some 58 people -- mostly at the hands of police -- has not reached the scale of the bloody aftermath of elections in 2007, when 1,100 were killed in politically-motivated tribal violence. Odinga, 72, finds himself denied the presidency for the fourth and likely last time in his long career. His calls for protests and economic boycotts have now turned to plans to swear himself in, comparing himself to Zimbabwe's Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was sworn in after Robert Mugabe was forced out. The current crisis draws on a deep well of social, ethnic and geographic grievances in the country of 48 million people. In areas loyal to Odinga, an ethnic Luo, there is a sense of having been ground down and discriminated against since independence, not least by Kenyatta's Kikuyu group, which has given Kenya three of its four presidents. Months of disruption and unrest, plus the holding of two separate elections, have badly affected the economy, hitting the poorest hardest while leaving the wealthy political elites relatively unharmed. The Kuwaiti appeal court Monday handed opposition figures, including leader Musallam al-Barrak, jail terms ranging from one to nine years for storming the National Assembly six years ago. Barrak, a former MP, just completed in April a two-year prison term for insulting publicly the countrys Emir. He is found guilty along several current and former lawmakers for storming the National Assembly on 16 November 2011 as the country reeled with protests. The lawmakers are accused of leading protesters to break into the institution in order to question former Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah over corruption allegations. Current MPs Waleed Al-Tabtabaei and Jamaan Al-Harbash received seven-year term each. Their colleague Mohammad Al-Mutair was sentenced to one year. In all 63 people were sentenced among the 70 people who were sued for the alleged storming. Monday ruling acquitted two defendants and dropped charges against a former MP who died last year. A criminal court acquitted all the defendants a couple of years ago arguing that the accused did not storm the parliament building and had no bad intention. The Emirate known as the most liberal country in the Middle East was rocked by street protests between 2011 and 2014 as demand for democratic reforms grew. In 2011, Islamists and secularists joined forces together to demand reforms. Several opposition activists are locked up in prisons. Some are on trial for insulting the Emir. People fall as police fire tear gas to try to control a crowd trying to force their way into a stadium to attend the inauguration of President Uhuru Kenyatta at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi - REUTERS Kenyan police fired teargas and clashed with both ruling party and opposition supporters on Tuesday as Uhuru Kenyatta was sworn in as president after two disputed polls that have left the nation deeply divided. Mr Kenyatta was sworn in at the Kasarani stadium but the pomp and ceremony was overshadowed by chaos in another part of Nairobi, where police engaged in running battles with opposition supporters trying to gather for a rally. As foreign and local dignitaries poured into the 60,000-seat stadium the opposition attempted to gather for a "memorial rally" honouring the more than 50 people killed, mostly by police, in four months of political upheaval. However police fired volleys of teargas and beat opposition supporters, prompting running battles in the area, an AFP reporter said. Meanwhile at the Kasarani stadium chaos erupted as a crowd attempted to force its way into the venue, prompting police to fire teargas at Kenyatta supporters who tried to fight their way in. President elect Uhuru Kenyatta, waves to his supporters as he arrives at Moi International Sports Complex in Nairobi Credit: Sayyid Abdul Azim/ AP People celebrate as Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta takes the oath of office during his swearing-in ceremony Credit: BAZ RATNER/ REUTERS "I just want to see President Uhuru Kenyatta because I voted for him, why are we being beaten like NASA (opposition)," said Janet Wambua, who was among the angry crowd. Joseph Irungu of the interior ministry planning committee had said there was space for 40,000 people who did not get in to watch the event on big screens outside the stadium. However no such screens were provided, further angering the crowd. Country profile | Kenya In a speech to the crowds President Kenyatta vowed to be the leader of all Kenyans and work to unite the country. "I will devote my time and energy to build bridges, to unite and bring prosperity," he said . Around 13 mostly African heads of state were expected to attend the ceremony where Mr Kenyatta, 56, will be sworn in for his second and final five-year term. These include the presidents of South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia and Somalia - among others - while prime ministers, foreign ministers and special envoys will represent other African nations, as well as Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Ukraine and Serbia. Story continues People fall as police fire tear gas to try control a crowd trying to force their way into a stadium to attend the inauguration of President Uhuru Kenyatta at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya November 28 Credit: BAZ RATNER/ REUTERS Two elections and a historic court case Mr Kenyatta's inauguration comes after the Supreme Court validated his victory in last month's rerun poll. However, the swearing-in may not draw a line under the country's political crisis with Mr Odinga vowing to fight on. The electoral strife goes back to an August 8 poll that was annulled in September by the Supreme Court, citing "irregularities and illegalities". The court ordered a rerun in October that was boycotted by the opposition, handing Kenyatta a landslide of 98 percent of votes cast by just 39 percent of the electorate. Supporters in the stand attend the presidential inauguration at Kasarani stadium in Nairobi, Kenya Tuesday, Nov. 28 Credit: Ben Curtis/AP The disputed election season has split the country along ethnic and regional lines, although political violence has not reached the scale of that which followed a 2007 poll when 1,100 were killed. Mr Odinga, denied the presidency for a fourth time this year, believes that he was cheated and the 72-year-old has refused to recognise the result. He has promised to found a "third republic" - following independence from Britain in 1963 and a new constitution adopted in 2010 - as well as to continue a programme of protests and economic boycotts aimed at undermining Kenyatta's "dictatorship". Supporters of President Uhuru Kenyatta engage in rock-throwing clashes with police at his inauguration ceremony after trying to storm through gates Credit: Ben Curtis/ AP The current political crisis draws on a deep well of social, ethnic and geographic grievances in the country of around 48 million people. In areas loyal to Mr Odinga, an ethnic Luo, there is a sense of having been ground down and discriminated against since independence, not least by Kenyatta's Kikuyu group, which has given Kenya three of its four presidents. The months of disruption and unrest, plus the holding of two separate elections, have badly affected the economy, hitting the poorest hardest while leaving the wealthy political elites relatively unharmed. By Tina Bellon NEW YORK (Reuters) - Parents of one of the victims who died in the Nov. 5 shooting at a Texas church on Tuesday filed a claim against the U.S. Air Force. The claim said the Air Force acted negligently when it failed to report the criminal record of Devin Kelly to a federal database that would have prevented him from legally purchasing a firearm. Kelly killed 26 people and wounded more than 20 at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. (Reporting by Tina Bellon; Editing by Cynthia Osterman) A rumbling volcano on Bali could erupt at any moment, authorities warned Monday as they raised alert levels to maximum, accelerated a mass evacuation and closed the main airport, leaving thousands of tourists stranded on the Indonesian resort island. Massive columns of thick grey smoke that have been belching from Mount Agung since last week have now begun shooting more than three kilometres (two miles) into the sky, forcing hundreds of flights to be grounded. Some 40,000 frightened people have fled their homes around the volcano but as many as 100,000 will likely be forced to leave, disaster agency officials said, after raising the alert to its highest level. The exclusion zone around Agung, which is 75 kilometres (47 miles) from the beachside tourist hub of Kuta, has also been widened to 10 kilometres. Makeshift tents and community centres filled up Monday as nearly two dozen villages were emptied of their inhabitants, including farmers reluctant to leave precious livestock behind. "Continuous ash puffs are sometimes accompanied by explosive eruptions and a weak booming sound," the National Board for Disaster Management said earlier Monday. "The rays of fire are increasingly observed at night. This indicates the potential for a larger eruption is imminent." Agung rumbled back to life in September, forcing the evacuation of 140,000 people living nearby. Its activity decreased in late October and many returned to their homes. However, on Saturday the mountain sent smoke up into the air for the second time in a week in what volcanologists call a phreatic eruption -- caused by the heating and expansion of groundwater. Then on Monday so-called cold lava flows appeared -- similar to mud flows and often a prelude to the blazing orange lava seen in many volcanic eruptions. "I'm very concerned because I left my house behind and I'm also worried about family," said 36-year-old farmer Putu Suyasa, who fled with some relatives from a village eight kilometres away from the volcano. Story continues "The mountain is spewing thicker smoke than before." - Scary memories - Dewa Gede Subagia was a teenager when Agung last roared. "I am very worried because I have experienced this before," the now 67-year-old told AFP from one evacuation centre. "I hope this time I won't have to evacuate for too long. In 1963, I left for four months." Mt. Agung last went off in 1963, killing around 1,600 people in one of the deadliest eruptions ever seen in a country with nearly 130 active volcanoes. The airport in Bali's capital Denpasar, a top holiday destination that attracts millions of foreign tourists every year, has been closed. Some 445 flights were cancelled, affecting more than 59,000 passengers, officials said. Colin Cavy, a French dive-master who has been in Indonesia for a couple of months, was nervously looking at his now-expired visitor visa. "I need to go to the immigration office," he said. While there was dismay from some tourists who were unable to return to their homes and jobs, others took events in their stride. "What can I say? We have to cooperate because this is a natural disaster," said Indian visitor Krisna Mustafa. Many were told that it could be several days before they could leave. "My 7:00 am flight this morning got cancelled, just when we were about to board," said 23-year-old Indonesian tourist Merry Handayani Tumanggor. "Now we have to stay in Bali again -- the earliest we can go is on Friday, they say." The airport on nearby Lombok island east of Bali, also a popular tourist destination, was closed for a night on Sunday but reopened on Monday morning. Officials announced late Monday that Lombok airport has been closed again until Tuesday morning due to the volcanic ash and at least 47 flights to and from the island have been cancelled. The Australian government put out a travel advisory on Sunday, warning that volcanic activity "may escalate with little or no notice". "Past eruptions of Mount Agung have shown this volcano's potential to cause significant impacts," it added. - Prayers - Dozens of Balinese Hindus took part in ceremonies near the volcano on Sunday, offering prayers in the hope of preventing an eruption. Officials have said the activity could be a magmatic eruption -- one which involves the decompression of gas and results in the spewing of ash -- and advised people near the mountain to wear masks. Indonesia is the world's most active volcanic region. The archipelago nation with over 17,000 islands lies on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" where tectonic plates collide, causing frequent volcanic and seismic activities. Last year, seven were killed after Mt. Sinabung on the western island of Sumatra erupted, while 16 were left dead by a Sinabung eruption in 2014. Perhaps Joe Flacco (L) got more words out of Tom Savage than the media did on Monday night. (AP) It was a rough night for Tom Savage, who turned the ball over in his last two possessions, which helped doom his Houston Texans to a 23-16 defeat on Monday night against the Baltimore Ravens. He finished with three total turnovers (two picks and a fumble) and completed 22 of 37 passes for 252 yards and no TDs. Savage had some explaining to do. Heres how he did it: Nobody came to Tom Savage's postgame press conference pic.twitter.com/jnfvgXyoRU NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) November 28, 2017 Deshaun Watson cant come back fast enough, but at least Savage gave us this forever moment. More NFL coverage from Yahoo Sports: Trump again hammers NFL: American public is fed up NFL comes down hard on two of its star players Power Rankings: Tomlins right about Steelers chances Eric Adelson: Despite Schianos NFL failure, Belichick lavishes praise A member of Chinas top military body committed suicide while under investigation for corruption, according to state media. It is the most senior suicide yet in President Xi Jinpings five-year crackdown on graft. Zhang Yang, 66, hanged himself at his Beijing home on Nov. 23, the Xinhua news agency announced on Tuesday. He was a member of Chinas Central Military Commission, the body in charge of Chinas defense organizations. That body had decided to hold talks with Zhang on Aug. 28 to investigate his involvement in the cases of two generals who reportedly conspired against the party leadership. The Chinese army called Zhangs suicide shameful on its official website, and claimed Zhang had offered bribes and held large amounts of property from unidentified sources. Over 1.5 million officials have been embroiled in President Xis corruption crackdown, which is now entering its sixth year. Zhang had previously been excluded from the Chinese Communist Partys congress, according to Bloomberg. At that meeting, which occurs once every five years, Xi signalled his desire to continue with his anti-corruption crusade. President Trump and first lady Melania Trump are pushing back against a Vanity Fair report that suggests she never wanted to be first lady and that neither of them thought hed win the presidency. Melania, our great and very hard working First Lady, who truly loves what she is doing, always thought that if you run, you will win, President Trump tweeted on Tuesday morning. She would tell everyone that, no doubt, he will win. I also felt I would win (or I would not have run) and Country is doing great! A spokeswoman for Melania Trump dismissed the report, published online Sunday, as a partisan smear. Once again part of the liberal media, this time Vanity Fair, has written a story riddled with unnamed sources and false assertions, Stephanie Grisham, the first ladys communications director, said in a statement. As a magazine tailored to women it is shameful that they continue to write salacious and false stories meant to demean Mrs. Trump, rather than focus on her positive work as First Lady as a supportive wife and mother. In an email to Yahoo News, Beth Kseniak, Vanity Fairs executive director of communications, said, We stand by Sarahs story. In the report by the magazines Sarah Ellison, a longtime friend of the first family told her that Melania Trump was ill-prepared for her role in the White House. Melania Trump, a Slovenian-born former model and Trumps third wife, initially stayed in Trump Tower with her 11-year-old son Barron, but they moved into the White House in June. First lady Melania Trump listens as President Trump speaks during the National Thanksgiving Turkey Pardoning Ceremony in the Rose Garden last week. (Photo: Evan Vucci/AP) This isnt something she wanted and it isnt something he ever thought hed win, the unnamed friend told Ellison. She didnt want this come hell or high water. I dont think she thought it was going to happen. But the report also suggested that Melania Trump was the person who ultimately pushed her husband to run for president in 2015 after he publicly flirted with the idea for years. She was very clearly the one who said, Either run or dont run, Roger Stone, a former Trump campaign adviser and longtime friend, told the magazine. Your friends are tired of this striptease. Every four years you talk about it. Story continues She knew it was in his blood, Stone added. He always wanted to run. She is the one who pushed him to run just by saying run or do not run. I dont think she was ever too crazy about it. She said, Its not my thing. Its Donalds thing. And I think she understood he was going to be unhappy if he didnt run. Its not the first time Melania Trump has responded to speculation over her true feelings about life in the East Wing. First lady Melania Trump tours Christmas decorations at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Monday. (Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images) Last month, Ivana Trump, Donald Trumps first wife, told ABCs Good Morning America that she speaks to Trump every couple weeks and that she has a direct number to call him at the White House but rarely uses it. I [dont] really want to call him there, because Melania is there, Ivana Trump said. And I dont want to cause any kind of jealousy or something like that, because Im basically first Trump wife, OK? Im first lady. I think for her to be in Washington must be terrible, she said of Melania. Its better her than me. I would hate Washington. Mrs. Trump has made the White House a home for Barron and the President, Grisham shot back. She loves living in Washington, D.C., and is honored by her role as First Lady of the United States. She plans to use her title and role to help children, not sell books. There is clearly no substance to this statement from an ex; this is unfortunately only attention-seeking and self-serving noise. President Trump salutes with first lady Melania Trump at the Armed Services Ball in Washington, Jan. 20, 2017. (Photo: Yuri Gripas/Reuters) Read more from Yahoo News: The EU missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah has deplored the continuing threat of demolitions and seizures of Palestinian structures in the occupied West Bank, and reiterated its strong opposition to Israels settlement policy. This came in a statement released Monday by the European Union Representative and the EU Heads of Mission in Jerusalem and Ramallah. The recent military orders against Palestinians in the communities of Ein al-Hilweh and Umm Jamal in the Northern Jordan valley and the community of Jabal al-Baba are leaving properties of up to 400 persons at risk of seizure and demolition, the statement said. Last month four other herding communities covering 170 people in the Northern Jordan Valley lost their case at the Israeli High Court and two European donor-funded schools in Wadi as Seeq and Al Muntar are presently under threat of destruction and seizure. We are also deeply concerned about the intention of the Israeli authorities to demolish around a fifth of the housing and infrastructure in Susiya in the South Hebron Hills within the coming weeks. As winter arrives, an imminent demolition will leave up to 100 people, half of them children, without shelter. The EU reiterated, in line with its long standing position on this issue, its strong opposition to Israels settlement policy and actions taken in this context, including demolitions and confiscations, evictions and forced transfers including of Bedouins, which all threaten the two-state solution. It called upon the Israeli authorities to halt demolitions of Palestinian houses and property, in accordance with its obligations as an occupying power under international humanitarian law, and to cease the policy of settlement construction and expansion, of designating land for exclusive Israeli use and of denying Palestinian development. US President Donald Trump not only used the slur "Pocahontas" at a ceremony honouring Navajo war heroes but did so in front of a portrait of former President Andrew Jackson, who was responsible for the deaths of thousands of Native Americans on the "Trail of Tears". Mr Trump was speaking during a ceremony honouring the Navajo code talkers, Second World War American soldiers who passed sensitive messages in their mother tongue to evade spies and interceptions. Mr Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act into law in 1830, which led to the forced evacuation of more than 120,000 Native Americans from Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina, and Florida to various points west of the Mississippi River. It ultimately resulted in the death of at least 4,000 people from the Cherokee tribe, but the Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole tribes were also devastated on what became known as the Trail of Tears. Most died from the cold, lack of food, or disease on their way to the newly-designated Indian territory. The purpose of the act was to clear the way for cotton growers in those southern states. Opponents of the bill included Abraham Lincoln, who would go on to become president some 30 years later and fight a bloody Civil War with the South over the issues of secession and slavery. Mr Trump has a portrait of Mr Jackson - who is also pictured on the $20 bill - hanging in the Oval Office, near his desk. During the short speech, Mr Trump acknowledged that the Navajo tribe long before any of us were here. But quickly said: although we have a representative in Congress who they say was here a long time ago. They call her Pocahontas, using the racial slur to refer to Senator Elizabeth Warren. He then turned to one of the veterans and put his hand on the mans shoulder saying: "But you know what, I like you. You are special people." Since the 2016 campaign during which Ms Warren was a fierce supporter of Hillary Clinton, Mr Trump has repeatedly criticized Ms Warren for saying she has Native American blood; that he doubts her claims about her heritage. Story continues As recently as 3 November, Mr Trump tweeted that Pocahontas just stated that the Democrats...rigged the Primaries! Everyone at the ceremony, including the war heroes, remained silent after Mr Trumps so-called joke. Ms Warren told MSNBC after the event: "It is deeply unfortunate that the President of the United States cannot even make it through a ceremony honouring these heroes without having to throw out a racial slur. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump will not campaign for Roy Moore, the Alabama Republican Senate candidate who is facing allegations of sexual misconduct, a White House official said on Monday. Republican lawmakers have distanced themselves from Moore and called for him to step down, but he has defied those entreaties and denied the allegations, labeling them politically motivated. Trump, at odds with Republican leaders in Congress, defended the Senate nominee in remarks last Tuesday. Asked if he would campaign for Moore ahead of Alabama's Dec. 12 special election, Trump told reporters, "I'll be letting you know next week." Moore has faced fire since a Washington Post story earlier this month reported on four women who said the Senate candidate pursued them when they were teenagers and he was in his 30s. More women have come forward since then. Reuters has not independently confirmed any of the accusations. Trump has repeatedly slammed Moore's Democratic opponent, Doug Jones, calling him weak on crime and saying that Jones would not vote for a tax overhaul plan being debated in Congress. Republicans hold a slim 52-48 majority in the Senate and are eager to maintain their advantage to pass Trump's legislative agenda on taxes, healthcare and other priorities. The last thing we need in Alabama and the U.S. Senate is a Schumer/Pelosi puppet who is WEAK on Crime, WEAK on the Border, Bad for our Military and our great Vets, Bad for our 2nd Amendment, AND WANTS TO RAISES TAXES TO THE SKY. Jones would be a disaster! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 26, 2017 (Reporting by Steve Holland; Writing by Makini Brice; Editing by Tim Ahmann and Jonathan Oatis) MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Owners of the Trump International Hotel in Panama City are trying to strip the president's name from the building and remove his company from management, the Associated Press reported on Monday. When it was completed in 2011, the 70-floor building was the future U.S. president's first international hotel venture, a complex including apartments and a casino in a waterfront building that has earned Trump between $30 million and $50 million. In August this year, Miami-based Ithaca Capital Partners completed its purchase of the hotel amenities and the majority of the units in the Trump International Hotel. In October, Ithaca proposed removing the Trump Organization's directors from the hotel board and sending a notice of default to Trump, to begin terminating Trump's link to the property, after complaints over alleged mismanagement, the AP reported. "Not only do we have a valid, binding and enforceable long-term management agreement, but any suggestion that the hotel is not performing up to expectations is belied by the actual facts," the Trump Organization said in a statement. Ithaca did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Trump licensed his brand to the luxury project and provided hotel management. A Reuters investigation published in November found that alleged fraudster Alexandre Ventura Nogueira had sold between one-third and one-half of the advance sales for the Trump Ocean Club, as the complex including the hotel and apartments is known. (http://reut.rs/2zOaBYo) The story, reported in conjunction with U.S. broadcaster NBC News, detailed how Nogueira did business with a Colombian money launderer and two criminals from the former Soviet Union. Nogueira told Reuters and NBC how, in the project's early days, he had participated in business meetings with Ivanka Trump and that she had endorsed his recommendation to sell the apartments for a higher price. Ivanka Trump declined to comment on the allegations, while the Trump Organization said it did not remember Nogueira. Story continues Earlier in November, the Trump Organization said it would give up management of the Trump SoHo hotel in New York City by the end of the year. The Trump Ocean Club Panama Owners Association could not be reached for comment. (Reporting by Christine Murray, Stefanie Eschenbacher and Ned Parker; Editing by Cynthia Osterman) The President used a racial slur in front of Navajo code talkers at the White House: Oliver Contreras-Pool/Getty Images The reaction to President Donald Trumps calling Senator Elizabeth Warren Pocahontas in front of Navajo military veterans has been swift and unforgiving. After the President, speaking at an event at the White House honouring Navajo code talkers, used a racial slur to refer to Ms Warren, critics of Mr Trumps were quick to point out that he had crossed a line. Faith Spotted Eagle, a prominent Native American activist, said that the use of the word in that setting amounted to emotional assault that carries as much weight as a physical assault, according to a reporter for the Toronto Star. He can phrase it and twist it and distort it any way he wants, the fact remains: That name does not belong in his mouth, Ms Spotted Eagle said. Ms Warren herself, during an interview just after the comment, was among those with harsh words for the President and his joke as well. This was supposed to be an event to honour heroes. People who put it all on the line for our country and people who because of their incredible work saved the lives of countless Americans and our allies, Ms Warren said during an appearance on MSNBC. It is deeply unfortunate that the President of the United States cannot even make it through a ceremony honouring these heroes without having to throw out a racial slur. Look, Donald Trump does this over and over thinking somehow hes going to shut me up with it. It hasnt worked in the past. It is not going to work in the future. Ms Warren was joined many members of her own party in denouncing what appeared to be meant as a joke from the President. Donna Brazile, the former chairperson for the Democratic National Committee, called the remarks insensitive and wrong. Democratic Senator Tom Udall, who represents New Mexico, said that the ceremony showed just how low Mr Trump could go. This moment in history wont overshadow the contribution the Code Talkers made and continue to make to our nation, Mr Udall wrote on Twitter. But at what should have been a solemn ceremony to honor Native veterans, Donald Trump took low even lower. Story continues The Navajo Nation, which is situated predominantly in northeastern Arizona and New Mexico, also released a statement. In this day and age all tribal nations still battle insensitive references to our people. The prejudice that Native American people face is an unfortunate historical legacy, Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye said. As Native Americans, we are proud people who have taken care of this land long before there was the United States of America and we will continue to fight for this Nation. Code Talkers helped the United States and allied countries during the second world war by using their native language to discuss sensitive issues, which the Germans and axis countries were unable to decipher. WASHINGTON President Trump promised Tuesday that the United States will handle North Korea after the regime of Kim Jong Un carried out its latest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test in defiance of escalating international pressure. Trump also vowed to continue his efforts to tighten the global diplomatic and economic vise on Pyongyang. We will take care of that situation, Trump told reporters as he met with Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan. It is a situation that we will handle. The president did not specify what that might mean. Defense Secretary James Mattis, sitting near the president, said that the ICBM fired Tuesday went higher, frankly, than any previous shot theyve taken and told reporters that the launch showed that North Korea was determined to build missiles that could threaten everywhere in the world, basically. The president and Mattis spoke after the Pentagon confirmed that North Korea had fired an ICBM at about 1:17 p.m. ET, its first test since mid-September. The rocket traveled roughly 1,000 kilometers from launch point to the Sea of Japan, where it splashed down. But because it flew on a lofted trajectory sacrificing distance for altitude some independent experts said the missile could conceivably have reached Washington, D.C.. President Trump speaks with reporters after meeting with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan at the White House, Nov. 28, 2017. (Photo: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters) Still, the Pentagon said, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) determined the missile launch from North Korea did not pose a threat to North America, our territories or our allies. It was unclear what prompted North Koreas launch, which came a week after Trump announced that his administration was putting the regime in Pyongyang back on its list of state sponsors of terrorism. At the time, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had noted the 60-day span since Kim had carried out a provocative act, adding: Were hopeful that he continues this quiet period. Thats our objective, is that he continue to be quiet. Story continues The Trump administration has notched several recent successes in its campaign to further isolate North Korea over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, notably a pair of 15-0 U.N. Security Council votes to tighten sanctions. Countries like Singapore and Sudan have promised to cut some economic ties. Even China, North Koreas de facto patron and its largest export market, has reportedly curbed trade with the secretive Stalinist regime. Asked whether the launch was making him reconsider his strategy, Trump responded: Nothing changed. We have a very serious approach. Right foreground, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. (Photo: KCNA via Reuters) Still, top Trump aides have been saying that time is running out to find a diplomatic solution, suggesting that the White House believes that North Korea unlike the Soviet Union or China cannot be deterred and must instead be disarmed. In July, North Korea fired two ICBMs potentially capable of reaching U.S. soil. In early August, news outlets reported that American intelligence confirmed a finding by Japans defense ministry that North Korea had likely developed warheads small enough to fit on its missiles. But there are still many questions about Pyongyangs capabilities how reliable are its guidance systems? Has it devised reentry systems to ensure that its warheads would not burn up in the atmosphere? After the July tests, Trump had made similarly confident comments. Well handle North Korea, Trump told reporters at a Cabinet meeting. Were going to be able to handle them. It will be handled. Read more from Yahoo News: By Idrees Ali WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The top U.S. general in Afghanistan said on Tuesday that he had not seen a change in Pakistan's support for militants so far, despite President Donald Trump taking a tougher line against Islamabad. U.S. officials have long been frustrated by what they see as Pakistans reluctance to act against groups such as the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani network that they believe exploit safe haven on Pakistani soil to launch attacks on neighbouring Afghanistan. In August, Trump outlined a new strategy for the war in Afghanistan, chastising Pakistan over its alleged support for Afghan militants. He accused Pakistan of harbouring agents of chaos and providing safe havens to militant groups waging an insurgency against a U.S.-backed government in Kabul. U.S. official expressed hope that relations between the two countries could improve after a kidnapped U.S.-Canadian couple and their three children were freed in Pakistan in October. The couple was abducted in neighbouring Afghanistan. "We have been very direct and very clear with the Pakistanis... we have not seen those changes implemented yet," General John Nicholson told reporters. "We are hoping to see those changes, we are hoping to work together with the Pakistanis going forward to eliminate terrorists who are crossing" the border, Nicholson said. He said that he believed that senior Taliban leaders were based in Pakistan, while the lower-level leadership was in Afghanistan. Nicholson added that he agreed with other senior U.S. officials that Pakistan's main spy agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) directorate, had ties to the Haqqani network militant group. The United States in 2012 designated the Pakistan-based Haqqani network as a terrorist organization. Pakistan says it has done a great deal to help the United States in tracking down terrorists. The four-star general said he had seen evidence of relations between Iran and the Taliban in western Afghanistan and was closely tracking it. Story continues The United States has sent more than 3,000 additional U.S. troops to Afghanistan as a part of Trump's South Asia strategy. Nicholson said over 1,000 troops would be advising Afghan troops at the battalion level, putting them closer to the fighting and at greater risk. Nicholson gave an optimistic view of the situation, saying he believed "we are on our way to a win." U.S. officials have made similar statements during the course of the 16-year-old war, but the situation according to many U.S. officials remains in a "stalemate." According to a recent report by a U.S. government watchdog, the Taliban had increased the amount of territory it has influence over or controls in Afghanistan in the past six months. The figures are a sign of the deteriorating security situation in the war-torn country, even as the United States has committed more troops. (Reporting by Idrees Ali; Editing by Alistair Bell and Lisa Shumaker) United Nations (United States) (AFP) - The United Nations wants Libya's internationally-backed government to agree to shut down 30 detention centers holding 15,000 migrants, most of whom will be sent back to their countries, the head of the IOM said Tuesday. The detention of the migrants, most of whom are fleeing poverty, has become a pressing issue after video footage showing African men sold in Libyan slave auctions sparked global outrage. At a Security Council meeting called by France, the head of the International Organization for Migration said he was working with the UN refugee agency on a plan "to try to empty the detention centers." "We need from the Libyans the agreement that we can empty these centers and I think they will agree to that," said William Lacy Swing by videoconference. Libya has become an enormous transit hub for sub-Saharan Africans seeking to reach Europe since the fall of dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011. Italy and the European Union have been providing financing, training and other aid to Libya to stop smugglers from taking migrants in flimsy boats across the Mediterranean, keeping them instead in detention centers. UN refugee chief Filippo Grandi said that many more migrants are being held by smugglers and traffickers in Libya, under the protection of "well-known militias." France requested the urgent meeting to push for a tough response by the top UN body after the footage aired by CNN showed migrants sold for as little as $400. French Ambassador Francois Delattre said he will propose names of migrant traffickers to be added to a UN sanctions blacklist that provides for a global travel ban and assets freeze. - 'Racist' Libya - Libya rejected the report of the slave auctions as a campaign to portray the country as racist and accused African governments of failing to take responsibility for the well-being of their citizens. "Libya is the victim of a large-scale false media campaign of defamation to portray it as a racist country," said Libyan acting Ambassador Elmahdi Elmajerbi. Story continues The Libyan envoy said authorities are investigating the slave auctions but that the international community must adopt an approach that tackles "the root causes" of illegal migration. Any sanctions that target smugglers must also hit those traffickers operating outside Libya, he said. Ethiopia said the images of the slave auctions had sent shockwaves across Africa and beyond. "There is a need for urgent action to dismantle the slavery camps and destroy the criminal networks involved in this inhuman practice," said Ethiopia's Ambassador Tekeda Alemu. "All necessary measures must also be taken to identify all those responsible for this unspeakable and barbaric crime and bring them to justice," he said. The reported slave auctions have raised questions about EU migration deals which UN officials have said have turned human traffickers into slave traders. Migration will dominate an EU summit with the African Union in Ivory Coast this week. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will attend. HOMEWOOD, Ala. (AP) With two weeks to go until the Alabama election for U.S. Senate, Kathie Luckie of Hoover said she is "teetering" with her choice. A Republican, she usually supports the GOP candidate. But she said Roy Moore has always been "a little radical" for her taste, even before he was hit with recent allegations of sexual misconduct. "It's a struggle. I'm just kind of bouncing around with my decisions. Right now, I'm caught between don't vote or vote Republican," said Luckie, a retired UPS supervisor from Hoover. Even though she's not a Moore fan, she said, "I do believe it's important for a Republican to get into the office." Voters like Luckie reliable Republicans in the middle will determine whether Moore or Democrat Doug Jones wins on Dec. 12. While Moore needs evangelicals to show up at the polls and Jones will rely heavily on black Democrats, a large swath of Alabama Republicans typically Christian and conservative holds the key to victory for both. Moore is counting on them to send another Republican to Washington while Democrats hope Jones peels off some Republicans and others, turned off by Moore, stay home. Doug Jones signs are a common sight in Homewood, a leafy suburb near downtown Birmingham where incumbent Republican Sen. Luther Strange lives. Harold Cook, 67, typically votes Republican but said he might vote for a write-in this time. "I'm not sure we need to go back to people who defy the law. The state has been through this before with the governor in the 1960s," Cook said. "I'm tired of seeing Roy Moore on the news." Moore was a polarizing figure in Alabama winning his last statewide election with 51 percent before the allegations of sexual misconduct. He was removed as state chief justice in 2003 when he disobeyed a court order to move a boulder-sized Ten Commandments monument out of the state Supreme Court building. After winning election to the post again, he was permanently suspended last year for urging state probate judges to refuse marriage licenses to gay couples, in defiance of the federal courts. Story continues Two women have accused Moore of sexually assaulting or molesting them decades ago, when he was a deputy district attorney in his 30s and they were teenagers. At least five others have said he pursued romantic relationships when they were between ages 16 and 18. Moore has denied the allegations of sexual misconduct and said he never dated "underage" women, although he has not defined what he meant by "underage." It's been a quarter of a century since a Democrat was elected to the U.S. Senate from Alabama, where many white voters almost reflexively vote for the Republican in statewide races. Zac McCrary, an Alabama-based Democratic pollster, said Jones must focus on issues that cross party lines and will "never have good math" if he presents it as a "D'' versus "R'' battle. "He's fighting real muscle memory among much of the white electorate," McCrary said. Jones has launched an advertisement with Republicans explaining their decision to support him. His wife, Louise, has been doing coffee talks with suburban women. In speeches, Jones hammers on "kitchen table issues" and breaking away from divisive politics. "Alabama has an opportunity to either go backwards with a divisive figure, the kind of figure that I think Alabamians are tired of. Or they can send some who has reached across the aisle, who's worked with both sides, who is trying to be someone who will find common ground with people," Jones said Sunday at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. Support for Moore is stronger in rural areas. Crossing an intersection down the street from a Sav-A-Life anti-abortion center in Troy, 77-year-old Bert Fridlin said he never votes Democrat. He won't this time either, he said, citing Jones' support of abortion rights. President Donald Trump on Sunday tried to frame it as a partisan battle. Disregarding concerns from Senate Republican leaders who have disavowed Moore, Trump tweeted out criticisms of Jones and said it would be a "disaster" for a Democrat to win the Alabama race. David Mowery, an Alabama-based political consultant, said Trump's words might sway Republicans who were considering sitting out the race. "But now they've got the president saying, 'Hey, I need Roy Moore to help us on things like tax reform.' I think it does affect certain voters," Mowery said. Morocco and Cote dIvoire are bound by an enduring alliance underpinned by south-south cooperation and a co-development approach. The visit paid by King Mohammed VI to Abidjan, which started on Sunday, is reflective of the keen interest attached by the two leaders to overseeing the social and economic development projects launched in Cote dIvoire with Moroccan support. The inauguration of the Mohammed VI fishing unloading site by the Moroccan monarch and his host President Alassane Ouattara offers a shining example of inter-African solidarity and cooperation. The project is designed to promote small-scale fishing with the aim of improving the living conditions of local fishermen, through a stable revenue generating activity. The upgrade was about developing a sea defense system as well as building administrative facilities on a surface area of 2,100 square meters as well as the construction of a commercial zone (fish hall, an ice factory, storage room for boxes), and an activity area (a mechanical workshop, a boat repair shop, a fish smoking plant). Morocco is developing another fishing unloading site at Grand Lahou, 150 kilometers west of Abidjan. The two fishing pro-jects are worth about $565,000. Both projects are funded by the Mohammed VI Foundation for Sustainable Development, the Moroccan Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, with the facilitation of Attijariwafa Bank. The King later on inaugurated in Abidjan, the Mohammed VI Vocational Training Multi-Sectoral Centre of Yopougon and launched the construction works of a boarding school that is part of the institute facilities. During the latest royal visit to Abidjan last March, Morocco and Cote dIvoire signed 14 cooperation agreements. The agreements cover several cooperation sectors (military, pharmaceutical industry, road infrastructure, finance, small and medium sized enterprises, social development, techno parks, data processing, transportation and logistics). United Airlines said the plane had landed safely despite the problem: Getty A plane carrying hundreds of people experienced tyre issues upon landing, with passengers reporting that two of the tyres had exploded. The United Airlines flight 961 was landing at Newark Liberty International Airport on Sunday having departed Frankfurt International Airport hours earlier. There were 264 passengers and 15 crew on board at the time. All are said to have disembarked safely. The airline did not provide details of the fault but one passenger on board said two of the planes tyres had blown upon landing. Hillary Kwiatek wrote on Twitter: If you hear about a plane landing with malfunctioning brakes and two blown tires at Newark, don't worry we're all fine. A United Airlines spokesperson said: United Airlines flight 961, a Boeing 777-222, experienced tyre issues upon landing at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) from Frankfurt (FRA). The aircraft landed safely and customers were deplaned and bussed to the terminal. The incident occurred on the same day that another United Airlines flight was diverted to London after reports of a medical emergency on board. Flight 31 from Munich to Newark made an unscheduled stop at London Heathrow, where paramedics assisted a number of passengers. According to those on board, several passengers had reported feeling nauseous and lightheaded during the flight. The plane was around 180 miles west of London when the crew decided to turn back and land so that those affected could receive medical attention. Passengers were rebooked on to other flights and hotel rooms were provided to those who needed them. An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the issue and the plane has temporarily been removed from service. Washington (AFP) - The US Supreme Court on Monday once again refused to intervene in the heated national debate over gun violence, leaving in place one state's ban on certain semiautomatic rifles and high-capacity magazines. The National Rifle Association (NRA), the nation's largest gun lobby, had asked the court to overturn a Maryland ban enacted in the wake of the 2012 school shooting in Connecticut that killed 26 people, 20 of them young children. But the court opted not to take up the case, in a decision issued without comment. The move came after recent mass shootings at an outdoor concert in Las Vegas, Nevada, where 58 people died and hundreds were injured, and in a rural Texas church (25 dead), had brought passionate new calls for gun control. Amid intense national interest in gun rights and violence, 21 states had asked the high court to rule on the Maryland ban. The US high court also turned down a case from Florida, leaving in place a state law requiring gun owners to carry their weapons in a bag or concealed in their clothing. Some gun enthusiasts wanted Florida to join the many states with so-called "open carry" laws, saying it can be a deterrent to crime. In both the Maryland and Florida cases, lower courts had upheld the state bans, so the high court's decision not to hear the cases leaves those restrictions in place. The second amendment to the US Constitution, which allows Americans to "keep and bear arms," has been the frequent subject of legal challenges, many from critics who say it was meant to provide for the arming of 18th-century-style militias, not to allow unrestricted private gun ownership. In 2008, gun enthusiasts won an historic victory in the Supreme Court, which ruled in "District of Columbia v. Heller" that the city of Washington could not bar its citizens from owning guns for lawful purposes such as self-defense. Since then, the court has refused to take up cases on thorny details such as which types of weapons can legally be banned by cities or states. The October 1 shooting in Las Vegas, by a man who used semiautomatic rifles to fire more than 1,100 rounds into a crowd of concertgoers, and the November 5 shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas, also involving a semiautomatic rifle, brought new calls for curbs on rapid-fire, military-style weapons. But as has been the case after previous mass shootings, lawmakers backed by the gun lobby have stifled most calls for change. Bahia Blanca (Argentina) (AFP) - Eleven days after Argentina's missing San Juan submarine went silent following an explosion, a 14-nation search has failed to find the vessel at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. But not for want of trying. For more than a week, aircraft from Argentina, Britain and the United States have crisscrossed the South Atlantic. A Russian Antonov transport plane has arrived with an underwater robot that can scour the ocean at a depth of 1,000 meters (3,300 feet), adding to the arsenal of sophisticated international recovery tools. Russia also sent an oceanographic research ship to the search zone, and the US Navy provided an underwater rescue capsule. Even though Argentina's navy has yet to declare the 44 crewmembers of the ARA San Juan dead, many relatives of the crew have lost hope. On Thursday, the navy revealed there had been an explosion aboard the submarine, which experts said was likely catastrophic and linked to a battery problem. "There is no precedent in history for a deployment of this extent," naval engineer Horacio Tettamanti said of the recovery effort. "The United States and Russia are the most developed in this field, a legacy of the Cold War," added Tettamanti, one of Argentina's leading experts in the field. Confirmation of the explosion has led to a more localized search area around a zone 400 kilometers off the Argentinian coast, after searchers initially scoured a 500,000 square kilometer (193,000 square miles) area nearly the size of France. But in this region north of the Falkland Islands -- known in Argentina as the Malvinas -- depths at the edge of the Argentine shelf can plummet. From Argentina's military base at Bahia Blanca two US Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft are using their radars and scanners in the sub hunt. An AFP journalist aboard saw them drop buoys equipped with sensors to try to detect the vessel. US personnel focus on their monitor screens, looking for any clues to the sub's location on a mission that continues 24 hours a day using rotating crews. Story continues At the port of Comodoro Rivadavia, a ship carrying the submarine rescue vehicle cast off and headed toward the search zone. The vehicle could descend to the sea floor to recover the crew members once the San Juan is located -- and it will be, said Tettamanti. "The search will continue until they find it. With the technical deployment that is there I am convinced that it will turn up rapidly, in coming days," he said. But military expert Rosendo Fraga cautioned: "The search is going to take time." Cairo (AFP) - A Sufi leader associated with a mosque where suspected Islamic State group gunmen massacred hundreds of worshippers in Egypt said Tuesday the jihadists had visited the mosque to warn against holding Sufi rituals there. Friday's massacre during prayers in the North Sinai town of Rawda killed at least 300 people when suspected IS gunmen surrounded the mosque and opened fire. IS, which views some practices of the Sufi sect as heretical, had previously targeted the mystics by kidnapping one of their leaders and beheading him. In one of their propaganda outlets, they had also vowed to fight the Sufis in Sinai, singling out the Jariri Sufi order associated with the mosque. Sheikh Mohamed al-Jawish, deputy head of the Jariri order, said that less than a month ago jihadists visited Rawda mosque and spoke to the muezzin, Fethy Ismail, who issued the call to prayer five times a day. "They entered the mosque. They were unknown" to the congregants, he told AFP. He said they told the muezzin, who later died in the massacre: "Don't celebrate the Mawlid. Don't hold Sufi prayer circles." Mawlids mark the Prophet Mohammed's birthday, and those of Muslim saints. IS follows the puritan Salafi theology and views the practice as an unlawful innovation in Islam. Jawish said that followers of his order had already stopped such gatherings in the North Sinai capital of El-Arish, where IS has deadly underground cells that often carry out assassinations and bombings. Despite the warning, Jawish said no one expected IS would return and actually carry out a massacre which shocked even supporters of the jihadist group. "No one expected this. They thought the issue ended with the warning not to hold the Sufi prayer circles," Jawish said in a phone interview. IS has claimed attacks that have killed dozens of Sufis, most notably in Pakistan. If the mosque was attacked because of its Sufi connections, the massacre would be in line with IS in Egypt increasingly focusing on civilian targets as it makes little headway in its Sinai insurgency. IS has killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers in the Sinai, as well as civilians accused of working with the authorities, since the July 2013 ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi. Nearly 10 years ago, Dr. John Sentamu, the archbishop of York, dramatically cut his clerical collar into pieces on live television. The prominent Church of England leader refused to wear it again until Zimbabwes longtime leader, Robert Mugabe, stepped down. Now that 93-year-old Mugabe has resigned, Sentamu has ended his protest on the same BBC program on which he began it. Sentamu returned to BBC Ones Andrew Marr Show on Sunday to put his clerical collar back on and to deliver a dire new warning to Zimbabwes new president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is accused of implementing violence under Mugabe. Its quite possible that Emmerson Mnangagwa could actually be a very, very good president. But he cant simply bury the past it wont go away, Sentamu said. Mugabe resigned under pressure from the military on Nov. 21. During his 37-year presidency, he oppressed opponents, oversaw grave human rights abuses, and drove his countrys economy into the ground. Mnangagwa, the former vice president, is being closely watched to see if his approach to leadership will differ from that of his predecessor. Zimbabwe's new interim president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, performs his first inspection of the Guard of Honour after he is officially sworn in on Nov. 24, 2017. (Photo: TONY KARUMBA/Getty Images) Sentamu, who was born in Uganda, is no stranger to the harm caused by dictatorial regimes. The archbishop was once a judge in Ugandas High Court. In 1974, he was jailed for 30 days for criticizing the brutal regime of former Ugandan President Idi Amin. He fled to the U.K., where he began studying theology and eventually became an ordained priest in the Church of England. Sentamu began his symbolic protest of Mugabe in December 2007. He removed his clerical collar, explaining that he wears it to identify himself as a clergyman. He then took a scissor and cut the collar into pieces, saying that Mugabe had similarly taken peoples identity and cut it to pieces. The archbishop of York, Dr. John Sentamu, holds pieces of the clerical collar he cut up in December 2007 to protest Robert Mugabe. (Photo: BBC News) Sentamu said he has been reminded of his protest every day since then. Normally, I tie the top button and then put on my collar, but for nearly 10 years, I havent be able to, he said. And it has meant I remember Zimbabwe. Story continues On Sundays show, host Marr revealed that he had kept the pieces of Sentamus old, cut-up collar with him all these years. Sentamu said he could potentially try to glue the pieces of the collar back together. But what he really needed was a brand-new collar, which he produced from his pocket. I actually think the lesson for Zimbabwe is the same, Sentamu told Marr. They just cant try and stitch it up. Something more radical; something new needs to happen. The next step that Sentamu hopes for from Mugabe is an apology. Mugabe at some point needs to say to the people of Zimbabwe, Thirty-seven years I took on a country which was fantastic. I nearly took it to ruin. Zimbabweans, forgive me. Also on HuffPost Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. Rev. Jennifer Bailey Bailey, a clergywoman for the African Methodist Episcopal Church, on the (s)heroes who inspired her feminism: "As a Christian leader, my feminism means daily affirming the full humanity and capabilities of women as part of God's beloved creation and their sacred work in the world. It also means honoring the sacrifices, courage and labor of the many female saints of God that it made it possible for me to wear my clerical robe and preach the gospel of Jesus. Historic figures like Jarena Lee, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth and Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie paved the way for me as did the unsung (s)heroes and everyday church mothers whose work has kept the church alive and flourishing since its inception. We still have a long way to go to completely shatter the stained glass ceiling but the ancestors have shown is it is possible by holding to God's unchanging hand. Blessed be her Holy Name." Sarah Bessey Bessey, author of Jesus Feminist, on how feminism could impact the church's mission: "It was following Jesus that made a feminist out of me! That discipleship lead me to caring about everything from maternal health in Haiti to sexism in the Church as issues of justice close to God's heart. Patriarchy is not God's dream for humanity: It never was and it never will be. I remain hopeful, too - more and more people are waking up to what wholeness and peace-making can look like for both men and women in the Kingdom of God which changes things on both a small personal scale but also helps to move the needle forward when it comes to systemic injustice, too." Vicky Beeching Beeching, a theologian, broadcaster, and LGBT activist, on why Christians can be feminists: "To me, feminism means championing the rights and equality of women. Jesus treated women in ways that were truly radical for his era, so I've argued for years that Christ should be considered a feminist. The church has seemed afraid of the feminist movement, unsettled by it somehow; branding it as harsh and shrill. That seems bizarre as Christians should be at the forefront of women's equality, not bringing up the rear! Many denominations still don't let women preach, become Elders, or get ordained, so there's much work to be done. 'Christian feminism' is not an oxymoron; it's a deeply compatible, healthy response to the injustices that still exist within the faith community." Gail Song Bantum Bantum, executive pastor of Seattle's Quest Church, on why feminism is about freedom: "Feminism cannot merely be an idea but a life embodied. For those of us women who have fought to live out our call in spaces of leadership within the church, we embody feminism daily whether we realize it or not. Any embrace of feminism within the church must be rooted in our deep conviction that we are all created to be free -- that it was for freedom that Christ set us free (Galatians 5:1). It is a desire for this freedom to emerge from the truth that both women and men are created fully and wholly as image bearers of God. In that sense, feminism is not necessarily about equality for me. It's about discipleship - about honoring the creativity of God in our midst, about enabling others to flourish, about fighting for another's freedom, and about submitting to the truth that we have all been gifted this breath each waking moment of the day." Rev. Dr. Paula Stone Williams Williams, a pastoral counselor, on how a journey to live out her gender identity helped her understand why feminism is important: "I have preached in three of the twelve largest churches in America. Today I would not be allowed in the pulpit of a single one. Not only would I be barred because I am transgender, I would be barred because I am a woman. The irony is the things I know now make me twice the person I was before. But women's voices remain silenced while churches stumble in the dark with a leadership blinded by its own entitlement. It has made me into something I never expected I'd be -- a feminist." Edyka Chilome Chilome, a spiritual activist, said she believes that the word "feminist" erases her identity as an indigenous mestiza woman who seeks to carry on the traditions of her female ancestors, whom she says "fought for the dignity of life and the sacred worth of women long before the term 'feminist was conceived. "As a woman of color I don't identify as a feminist although I walk in solidarity with my feminist sisters and am working toward similar goals of transformative justice. I grew up in a christian context that inherited liberation theology born from third world liberation struggles and the continuous survival of indigenous mestizo peoples in the global south. My Christianity looked like rallies at the capital Sunday morning led by indigenous mestiza women who made very clear for me that God, in whatever form, is calling us to walk with the earths people and honor life first. This means that the world is my parish, and at the end of the day, compassion and accountability go hand and hand." Mica McGriggs McGriggs, a Mormon, on why she thinks Jesus was a feminist: "Feminism for me as a Christian means I am working toward being more like Christ; I see the Savior as the ultimate intersectional feminist. He was always concerned and working for 'the least of these' he looked to the margins and created spaces that were inclusive to all. That is what intersectional feminism aims to do. The church would be a safer and more loving environment for all God's children if they were to embrace liberation theology and the practice of intersectional feminism." Rev. Christine Lee Lee, the first Korean-American woman ordained as a priest in the Episcopal Church, on the value of seeing women as Jesus did: "As a Christian, to me feminism is about seeing and valuing women as Jesus did. I'm always moved by the stories of Jesus' interactions with women in the gospels. In a time and culture where women were often invisible, he saw them and treated them as ones who were honored by God and deeply loved. If the church followed the example of Jesus in how he treated women, it could heal the world. Just like the human body, the whole flourishes when every part is made stronger." Nicole M. Garcia Garcia, a transgender Latina who is a candidate for ordained ministry in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, on tracing feminism back to the creation story: "Genesis 1: 27 is very clear: God made humankind in Gods image. Feminism, to me, does not mean I want more, I want what God gave to each of us -- to be a human being in Gods image. The church has subjugated women far too long and it is time to emphasize the love and compassion Jesus taught us in the Gospel." Bishop Minerva G. Carcano Carcano, the first Hispanic female bishop in the United Methodist Church, on women's God-given gifts: "As a Christian, I view feminism as a commitment to women having the opportunity to fully be who God created us to be. Creation itself allows us to catch a glimpse of Gods amazing creativity with all its beauty, potential and interrelationship. Individually and collectively women bring God-given gifts to life. The church has a responsibility to remind the world of the sacredness of all life including that of women. When women suffer because of discrimination due to their gender, everyone suffers through the loss of the gifts women bring to the world." Monica A. Coleman Coleman, a scholar, activist and minister, on what a woman's perspective and questions can bring to the church: "For me, feminism in religion is about voice and power. It's about what I notice and what kinds of questions I ask: Where are the women in the story? Who has voice? Who doesn't? What might she have said? Who is in leadership in churches? Whose voices and perspectives have the loudest voice and influence? I try to answer these questions when I preach and teach. I want them to feel natural to my daughter's faith." Rev. Winnie Varghese Varghese, an Episcopal priest at New York City's Trinity Wall Street Church, on feminism and equality: "As a Christian, feminism is a reality check on the gospel message of equality among all people in the eyes of God. If we believe we are equal in the eyes of God, we have to work to make that equality a reality in the world we live in. This has implications both for how girls and women understand their full humanity and dignity and how people of all genders understand the worth and dignity of women, which the church has historically profoundly influenced negatively." Kate Kelly Kelly, founder of the Ordain Women movement in Mormonism, on how feminism could have an impact on women in society: "In my home state of Utah, policy is heavily influenced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which is an extremely patriarchal religion. Any Church that excludes women from leadership roles is clearly missing out on 50 percent of the potential, talents and wisdom of its adherents. But, religious gender discrimination also leaks out of the bounds of the institution and negatively impacts society at large. Utah has one of the largest income gaps between men and women, as well as one of the lowest female college graduation rates. The influence of the religious teachings that put women below men affect not only Mormon women, but all people that live in Utah Societal parity for women will never be fully actualized until women are spiritually integrated as equals into every major faith tradition in the world." Emilie M. Townes Townes, Dean of Vanderbilt University's Divinity School, preferred to use the word womanist, a phrase coined by poet and activist Alice Walker to embrace the experiences of black feminists. Townes described the term this way: Womanism is when historic and current insights of Black women are used to eradicate inequalities for all people with a particular focus on class, gender, race, sex and sexuality as social and theological tools to unseat evil. "As a Christian, womanism underscores the power of the gospel working in our lives to set us all free from stereotypes based on gender, sexuality, race, class, physical ability, and all of the ways in which we are humans in Gods creation. Womanism is a spirituality of life that calls me to remember that my life is a gift from God and I should use this gift to work for peace and justice by sharing the good news and to work with others to craft a space and place for folks to thrive. This space and place, to my mind, is the church. It becomes the place that is genuine[ly] involved in being partners with God in bringing in the new heaven and new earth and an embodiment of love, hope, peace, and justice in a world that can use a good dose of each these days." Gina Messina-Dysert Messina-Dysert, co-founder of the site "Feminism and Religion," on why Christian feminism isn't an oxymoron: "While many believe the idea of a Christian feminist is an oxymoron, in truth, feminism and Christianity have a long history together. Although, many argue to be feminist is not to be Christian or vice versa, in fact, Christianity has feminist value. If we examine the foundation of the tradition, the idea that every person should be liberated and treated justly, this is very much in line with feminist ideals. Nonetheless, patriarchy has resulted in the manipulation of the tradition into one that has been utilized to oppress women. But with that said, feminism has a responsibility to uproot oppression wherever it exists - and that includes religion. And so, as a feminist lens is used to critique patriarchy in all aspects of society; it is critical that feminists continue to apply the same lens to religious traditions." This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Michael Cheng says one could compare his controversial purchase to buying a collectible car. People might spend a couple hundred thousand dollars and they leave it there, and maybe they dont make any money with it, he says. They just like looking at it. As rare as old roadsters might be, Cheng, with his wife Tina Lam, bought something much less common. Two years ago, they swooped up one of San Franciscos most elite private streets much to the surprise of the people who live there and on Tuesday, the citys Board of Supervisors will consider whether to rescind the sale. In an era when politicians routinely decry the ills of inequality, much schadenfreude has been generated over the purchase of Presidio Terrace, a gated cul-de-sac of multi-million-dollar homes where the likes of Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Rep. Nancy Pelosi have lived in relative privacy. After more than a decade of tax bills went unpaid, having been sent to the address of a now deceased accountant that once worked for the homeowners association (HOA), the city put the parcel up for sale in an online auction in 2015. And after eight parties made 140 bids, Cheng and Lam became the new owners of real estate in one of the Bay Areas most desirable neighborhoods for $90,100. Cheng, who works as a mortgage broker and real estate investor, and Lam, who works as a product manager at a tech firm, say they didnt even know precisely what they were bidding on at the time. The South Bay couple had been looking for opportunities to own a piece of San Francisco, they say, and took a gamble given the parcels tony location, not knowing exactly what it was other than some patch of ground. Only later did they realize what they had bought: the road, including 120 parking spaces, the sidewalks and lush islands of common area that lay among the streets 35 homes. Despite past statements that they might consider charging the residents for parking on the street, they say their intention has never been to make money on the investment but to enjoy the pride of ownership. Lam, who came to the U.S. from Hong Kong, says this is especially meaningful for her as a Chinese immigrant, that having her name attached to the property is her American dream even if it might be hard for other people to understand that theyd spend $90,000 to experience a feeling of achievement. Story continues Describing themselves as middle-class by Bay Area standards, they argue that the sale was legal and sum up the subtext that made the story go viral after it broke this summer. Even if the wealth distribution is not fair, the law is far, Cheng says, and thats something that is comforting to people. They suggest that the residents should have kept better track of their responsibilities as property owners and balk at suggestions the HOAs attorney has made about the couple being opportunistic. One onlooker tweeted that the prospect of unsuspecting ultra-wealthy people being at the whims of new landlords was delicious. And reporters noted that in the early 1900s, a racial covenant banned non-white people from owning homes on Presidio Terrace, a private development that has been managed by the homeowners since 1905. The hearing on Tuesday, Lam says, threatens to steal their property through political process. Were not even talking about their driveway, she says, arguing that their ownership has had no material impact on the people who live there. They are still driving on our street right now. Things look different from the other side of the pavement. A board member of the HOA, who asked that TIME not use her name to protect the privacy of her family, says that the portrayal of the neighborhood is not accurate and that to have our property sold without us even knowing is both unconstitutional and unfair. San Francisco Treasurer Jose Cisneros has maintained that the sale was done by the book. His office also acknowledges that when the HOA was sent a notice of the auction by certified mail, that notice was returned to his office as undelivered an indication that previous bills and notices did not reach them either. They knew we didnt get it, the board member says, adding that the sale never should have happened. In a brief filed with the Board of Supervisors, lawyers representing the Presidio Terrace Association argue that rescinding the sale is the lawful thing to do. Before the government sells a piece of private property, should it make a reasonable effort to notify those who have an interest in that property? Of course, the answer is yes. That is what principles of fairness and due process require, the brief reads, emphasizing that this is the case whether the government is dealing with the powerless or the privileged. Among the residents of Presidio Terrace are people who own $10-million mansions. There are also multi-generational families, families of immigrants and thirty kids who walk and bike around the manicured cul-de-sac that the homeowners pay to maintain, the board member says. She acknowledges that they did default on taxes that totaled $994.77 (about $14 a year plus fees) but says they would have been happy to pay if they had known about the bill and that residents have been investing in upkeep and maintenance. In all of this time, we as individual homeowners were all paying our property taxes and we also invest significantly in the property every year, she says. We maintain the road, the landscaping, we recently replaced a palm tree Weve been great stewards. Its a place where our children can grow up feeling safe and free, she adds. Were real people, and however we got there, were a very strong, cohesive community. She describes news vans and helicopters hovering around their homes after the story broke and says that since the sale became public, the street has become a frequent destination for the curious. She also argues that there is a problem with having the street owned by people whose interests might not be aligned with those of the individuals who use that street every day. Both parties confirmed to TIME that they had multiple meetings and discussed the possibility of a settlement, but they did not agree on the value of the street. The HOA board member says the notion that the couple has no intention of making money on the purchase is not consistent with the impression she got during those meetings. Cheng maintains that during the meetings we were consistent that we just wanted to own the property and not do anything to it, though they did discuss valuations. A title company that contacted the HOA earlier this year did ask about the possibility of homeowners buying the street back, but Cheng says that was done in error. Another twist to this tale is that failing to pay taxes is a mistake the HOA has made before, temporarily losing ownership of the street after defaulting on their bill in the 1970s. In a brief, the treasurer says it is the responsibility of taxpayers to keep their addresses updated with the city. He also notes that the Board has authority under the tax code to rescind the sale something that is noted in the small print accompanying online auctions and that his office will implement the direction it receives from the Board of Supervisors on this matter. Sen. Feinstein wrote a letter to the board in advance of the hearing urging it to reverse the sale, saying that she was not attempting to influence their decision because she counts some residents of Presidio Terrace among her friends but because the citys bureaucracy slipped up. As tax bills went unpaid and unacknowledged for years, the treasurers office was continually informed by the apparently decades-long feedback loop that the wrong address was still wrong, the lawmaker writes. The offices insistence that taxpayers were wholly to blame for that offices own fiasco was breathtaking. If the sale is canceled, Cheng and Lam say that it will be proof that powerful people get their way in an unfair system. The residents of Presidio Terrace, who paint the tax collector as the real villain in this drama saying that office has subjected both sides to an insufficient process maintain that justice will have been done. The HOA previously filed a lawsuit over the sale of the street with the San Francisco Superior Court, to ensure that the property was not sold to someone else as they pursued action with the board. In advance of the hearing, Cheng and Lam say they are willing to continue pursuing this through the courts if the hearing doesnt go their way. The people who live on Presidio Terrace are also determined to get their street back. This is our neighborhood, this is our street and our sidewalks, this is in a 112-year-old community, and it was sold without the knowledge of 35 homeowners, the board member says. So people can make it whatever they want. But its a really serious issue for the homeowners. Elizabeth Warren, seen in Atlanta, Georgia on August 12, 2017, is facing a fresh attack from Donald Trump: REUTERS/Christopher Aluka Berry The White House has defending President Donald Trump referring to Senator Elizabeth Warren as Pocahontas during a meeting with Native Americans, saying he meant no offense while accusing Ms Warren of lying about her career. Already fond of branding his political opponents with nicknames, the President has taken to calling Ms Warren Pocahontas for referencing what she calls her slight Native American ancestry a claim that her political adversaries have repeatedly derided. During an event honoring Navajo code-talkers, who worked with the American military during World War II, Mr Trump again used the word in an apparent reference to Ms Warren. You were here long before any of us were here, although we have a representative in Congress who, they say, was here a long time ago, Mr Trump told attendees. They call her Pocahontas. Mr Trump has set off a backlash in the past for what detractors call a racial slur, and his administration immediately faced questions about the appropriateness of invoking a well-known Native American figure to demean an opponent at an event meant to memorialize Native American achievement. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the term was not a racial slur and that it was ridiculous to label it as such. Using a racial slur was certainly not the President's intent, Ms Sanders told reporters.Asked why the President felt the need to say something that is offense to many people while honoring Native Americans, Ms Sanders deflected blame to Ms Warren. I think what most people find offensive is Sen Warren lying about her heritage to advance her career, Ms Sanders said. Ms Warren has invoked family lore in saying she has a small amount of Cherokee and Delaware heritage and maintains she never used that ancestry for personal gain. In an interview with MSNBC following the President's remarks, Ms Warren said it was deeply unfortunate that the President of the United States cannot even make it through a ceremony honouring these heroes without having to throw out a racial slur. In their first interview together on Monday, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle revealed how a prince from the United Kingdom and an American actress found each other. The newly-engaged couple told the BBC that their first meeting was pretty much a blind date. Rumor has it that fashion designer Misha Nonoo set up Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. (Photo: Getty Images) We were introduced, actually, by a mutual friend well protect her privacy but it was literally through her and we met once and then twice, back to back, two dates in London last July, beginning of July, and then it was about three, maybe four weeks later that I managed to persuade her to join me in Botswana, Harry revealed. Although the pair tried to protect the pal, rumor has it that fashion designer Misha Nonoo played matchmaker. Nonoo and Markle on the red carpet together. (Photo: Getty Images) The 31-year-old was born in Bahrain, raised in Britain, and now lives in New York where she works on her eponymous label. She met Markle years ago when they were sat next to each other at a lunch and they got along like a house on fire, Nonoo told the Evening Standard. She has the most remarkable and generous spirit. I aspire to be as philanthropic as she is, and to have as much of an impact as her. The pair have been close friends ever since. Markle even stepped out in one of Nonoos designs (a white button-down shirt fittingly named The Husband) when she made her first public appearance with Prince Harry at the 2017 Invictus Games. The designer called Markles wardrobe choice a beautiful surprise, saying she had no idea the actress had planned to wear one of her pieces for such a monumental occasion. Markle wore a shirt from her friends label at the Invictus Games. (Photo: Getty Images) So how is Nonoo connected to Harry? Well, until the end of last year, she was married to one of the royals former schoolmates and close friend Alexander Gilkes. The designer was also married to one of Harrys best friends Alexander Gilkes. (Photo: Getty Images) When asked whether she set the famous pair up, Nonoo replied: I really cant answer that. But she did describe Markle as the coolest girl in the world. I love her to death. If one persons guaranteed an invite to the most talked about wedding of 2018, its her. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Ten soldiers accused of treason and mutiny in a plot against Gambian President Adama Barrow, have been sent to court on Tuesday, local media reported Two others loyalists of former leader Yahya Jammeh are also being tried for aiding a sergeant to escape. The ten soldiers have allegedly attempted to overthrow the democratically elected government of The Gambia by illegal means, in violation of the law, AFP reported quoting a court document. The Gambian government is still under active threat from president Jammehs loyalists. The former leader ruled the West African nation for 22 years and for six weeks he refused to accept his election defeat by Adama Barrow. He was forced to exile in Equatorial Guinea by Ecowas troops earlier this year. Over 200 of his assets in The Gambia have been frozen, with a number of them in the control of his siblings. Adama Barrow had requested the continuous presence of the ECOWAS force in his country in order to sustain sound security in the early stages of his presidency. Colonel Magatte Ndiaye, the head of a Senegalese army contingent still deployed to Gambia since July informed the local and international media that rebel elements are still seeking to destabilize the country. Harare (AFP) - Zimbabwe's new president on Tuesday gave a three-month ultimatum for the return of funds siphoned out of the country by individuals and corporations, as he moves to stem graft and revive the moribund economy. "The government of Zimbabwe is gazetting a three-month moratorium within which those involved in the malpractice can bring back the funds and assets, with no questions being asked or charges preferred against them," Emmerson Mnangagwa said in a statement. The amnesty period will run from December 1. "Upon expiry of the three-month window, the government will proceed to effect arrest of all those who would not have complied with this directive and will ensure that they are prosecuted in terms of the country's laws," he said. Mnangagwa, who took over from long ruling Robert Mugabe last week after a military intervention, said the operation had discovered that huge funds were illegally externalised. The military operation which saw tanks rolling down the street and culminated in Mugabe's resignation, helped unearth "cases where huge sums of money and other assets were illegally externalised by certain individuals and corporates," he said. "Such malpractices constitute a very serious economic crime against the people of Zimbabwe which the government of Zimbabwe will never condone." Zimbabwe is facing a perennial liquidity crunch which has worsened in recent months leaving banks with little or no cash. Mnangagwa, 75, was sworn-in last Friday vowing to fight corruption, protect foreign investment and create jobs to help re-build the troubled economy. The aftermath of a two-car collision at the intersection of First Street and Yakima Avenue Sunday evening. Police say alcohol or other intoxicants may have been a factor. You are the owner of this article. Shalev Bokovza was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) when he was only six months old, and the doctors gave him only a year to live. But with the love and care of his dedicated parents, who refused to give up, Shalev has recently turned six years old. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter However, if they can't find the money for the expensive but life-saving drug Nusinersen (marketed as Spinraza) that Shalev desperately needs, he may not make it to his seventh birthday. The rare and life threatening disease affects 80 children in Israel. Shalev cannot carry out basic day to day activities without assistance and is hospitalized often. At any moment his lungs may collapse and he requires a ventilator close by. Shalev Bokovza Recently, an agreement was reached between the Finance and Health ministries in which funding was provided for 15 severely ill children under the age of two, but Shalev was not among them. So his parents, who only wish he could run and play at school like the rest of the children his age, have launched a campaign to raise the funds for the medication he needs. Shalev needs six injections of Spinraza, with each injection costing NIS 350,000. So far, his parents have raised enough for one injection, but he needs another five in order to have a chance to recover. Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon reportedly used public funds and donations to create a mechanism of paying millions of shekels in "salaries" to dozens of Likud activists and their families in return for supporting him in the party's primaries, according to an investigative report aired by the Israel Television News Company Monday, which cited letters, emails and recordings. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Danon, who serves as the World Likud chairman, allegedly used his power in the organization to take hold of a non-profit organization called Making Zionism ("Osim Tzionut") and placed his confidant Yaakov Hagoel at its helm. Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael (KKL) allegedly funneled vast sums into Making Zionism, especially during 2014, the year primaries in the Likud were held. Ambassador Danon allegedly paid Likud activists for their political support (Photo: Ido Erez) The Making Zionism non-profit launched a project dubbed "Cluster Coordinators" to spread the values of Zionism the world over, with each coordinator paid several thousand shekels. One of the coordinators was Shiran Megidish, the daughter of a member of the Likud Central Committeethe party's executive armfrom Kiryat Gat. "My dad is a well-known Likud activist, so they contacted him," Megidish said. Dor Harlap, a Central Committee member from Petah Tikva, delineated how the organization's activities were not meant to encourage Zionism but to back Danon. "The Zionist activity is obviously fictitious because you weren't measured by it. It was only about Danny Danon," he said. Another coordinator, M., who's a Likud member from the northern region, said, "Some months you make a bit of money as an afterthought. I generally almost didn't do anything. I just copied and pasted everything I got and was paid for it." Shimon Assulin, a Central Committee member from Ashkelon, explained how the mechanism worked. "They're mostly guys who are somewhat close to (Danon), love him and want to see him do well for himself. He helps them (in return). They're usually Central Committee or branch members or one of their sons who goes to university. (Danon) gives them that and expects their help down the line," Assulin detailed. Chairman of the Likud's Acre branch Rotem Ohana provided further explanation. "Did they find you through your father? Then your father is going to have to deliver," he stated plainly. Danon (L) and PM Netanyahu competed for leadership of the Likud party in 2014 (Photo: Motti Kimchi) Likud activist Elhanan Raziel elucidated on his part in the system. "I've been with (Danon) over three primary elections. I'm responsible for more than one thousand Likud members. They told me, 'If you get 150 more new members for Danny in 2014, we'll appoint you head of the Muslim and Turkish-speaking countries department and give you four paid coordinator positions. I agreed. Danny's still involved with it now as UN ambassador," he claimed. Those failing to cooperate with the system, the report claimed, quickly found themselves ousted. "I still work there as a coordinator but at a much smaller capacity. The formal reason was cutbacks. The informal one is that my political prowess must not have been enough for them," said Likud activist Dudi Eliyahu. A response on behalf of Danny Danon said: "These are false, tendentious claims intended to damage the work of Ambassador Danon. It's no coincidence that the claims were made on the eve of a historic event organized by Ambassador Danon marking the 70th anniversary of November 29 (the UN voting on the Partition Plan) in order to impugn this important endeavor." Danon is said to have paid activists to drum up support in the party's Central Committee (Photo: Yaron Brener) "The widespread appreciation and support Ambassador Danon enjoys among wide publics in both Israel and the world was created by professional, dedicated work and despite many attempts to question his activities. For more than 20 years, Ambassador Danon has been on the forefront of public relations for the State of Israel and doubly so over the past two years, as Israel's ambassador to the UN," Danon's comment said. Deputy World Zionist Organization Chairman Yaakov Hagoel responded: "The report's claims are absurd and baseless. The organization's people are administering their duties out of the values of Zionism, the love of Israel and contributing to the country. The report also ignored the institutions headed by representatives of the Labor, Meretz, Bayit Yehudi and other parties." TOKYO/WASHINGTON - Japan has detected radio signals suggesting North Korea may be preparing for another ballistic missile launch, although such signals are not unusual and satellite images did not show fresh activity, a Japanese government source said on Tuesday. "This is not enough to determine (if a launch is likely soon)," the source told Reuters. Japan's Kyodo news agency reported late on Monday that the Japanese government was on alert after catching such radio signals, suggesting a launch could come in a few days. The report also said the signals might be related to winter military training by the North Korean military. South Korea's Yonhap news agency, citing a South Korean government source, also reported that intelligence officials of the United States, South Korea and Japan had recently detected signs of a possible missile launch and have been on higher alert. The recommendations bill, which bars police from making recommendations on indictments and passed its first reading at the Knesset on Monday, will likely lead to a constitutional imbroglio if it is enacted into law in its current form, sources in the legal system believe. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit would still be able to ask the police for an opinion based on an amendment introduced to the legislation Monday, allowing him to request recommendations in specific cases such as the investigations against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but the recommendations would not be made public due to the limitation imposed by the law. After the bill passes its third and final reading, its constitutionality will likely be challenged by the High Court. Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid has already announced his intention to file a petition against the law. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit (Photo: Marc Israel Sellem) The law will likely be struck down by the High Court for three reasons. The first is inequalitythe fact it distinguishes between two types of suspects: Public figures, who the police are forbidden to submit recommendations on at the end of an investigation, and common people, who the police are allowed to submit recommendations on. Two additional reasons are the fact this is a retroactive and personal law, which is being enacted for Prime Minister Netanyahu and will apply to investigations that have already begun. Israeli law isnt fond of retroactive legislation, and all the more so legislation for specific people, as senior as they may be. Nevertheless, sources in the legal system note that Mandelblit hasnt deemed the law unconstitutional at any stage, although he firmly opposes it and sees it as a law aimed at protecting Netanyahu. In case of a High Court petition, the attorney general will likely be tasked with defending the law to the court. At the end of the day, the bill does include some amendments made at the attorney generals request. One of them is that he would be able to use his discretion in regards to whether and when to probe leaks of investigation findings. Another softened clause is a transitional order, which states that in the interim period, in all the investigations that had already begun by the time the law was approved, the attorney general would be able to ask the police to submit their recommendations to him even though they would not be made public. Its an unwise, illogical, annoying and foolish bill, a senior Justice Ministry official said Sunday. Other senior officials said Mandelblit could still use his authority and ask the investigation team in Case 1000, which focuses on allegedly illicit gifts received by Netanyahu and his wife from billionaire benefactors, to hand over its recommendations, but those recommendations would not be made public. Mandelblit may choose to do so, they said, in a bid to speed up the analysis of the findings and recommendations and reach a decision on the case. Undermining the publics right to know Prime Minister Netanyahu will likely find himself in an absurd situation in the coming months, and he may even lose more than he gains. The recommendations bill, which aims to prevent the publication of police recommendations in his criminal investigations, may not only fail in preventing their publication but may even increase the rumors, reports and commentaries on the polices findings against him. Like in the Soviet Union, when a police investigation is completed and the investigation material is handed over to the State Attorneys Office, the country would be filled with rumors and the different media outlets would compete over who publishes more of what they manage to collect. If the law is approved, every public figure would go through this from now on. Mandelblit with Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked. The attorney general could still ask the police to hand over their recommendations (Photo: Motti Kimchi) As a result, the public could be exposed to inaccurate or untrue information, and the police, the supervising attorney and even the attorney general would be barred from telling the public that the published information is wrong, even if it includes suspicions that were actually refuted in the investigation. And so, until an indictment is filed or until the case is closed, the public figure will be under a cloud of suspicions and rumors. While the recommendations bill may not be unconstitutional, it is highly problematic. The State of Israel raises the banner of the publics right know, excluding issues of privacy protection and possible harm to state security. The bill basically undermines not only the publics right to know but also its duty to know. Former Chief Justice Moshe Landau stressed in his rulings that citizens have the right to know as much as possible about the states leaders before making a decision on who to vote. Before casting its vote, the public must be aware of the offenses the police believe a party leader or any other candidate running in the elections should be indicted for. The recommendations bill further violates two of the biggest taboos in Israeli and Western law: Personal laws and retroactive laws. In this respect, the recommendations bill is fully adjusted to Prime Minister Netanyahu's needs. The law is also expected to increase the foot-dragging in the State Attorneys Office decision-making process. The lack of recommendations in a public figures investigation, which holds political and national ramifications in the case of an incumbent prime minister, would only push the final decision further away. The team of attorneys handling the case would be forced to analyze the evidence from the very beginning, come up with a clear and coherent picture and form their recommendations ahead of a decisiona process that could take many months and even years and lead to major obstruction of justice. After years of no Israeli ministerial presence in Egypt, the Minister of Social Equality, Gila Gamliel, paid a visit to Cairo, Sunday, to participate in the Regional Conference for the Promotion of Gender Equality that was held in the Egyptian capital despite the massive terror attack in the Sinai. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The minister was greeted by the Israeli ambassador to Egypt, David Govrin, who only recently returned to Egypt after a nine month hiatus in which the Israeli embassy was closed due to security concerns. Gila Gamliel (Photo: Evyatar Nisan) Gamliel's attendance comes in the wake of her comments last week in which she said that a Palestinian state can only be established in the Sinai Peninsula. Gamliel represented Israel at the regional conference, sponsored by the European Union and the Egyptian Government. Jordan, Morocco and other countries also participated. "Walking the streets of Cairo, I can sense the pain in people's eyes, in the public discourse and in the media. Despite the Sinai terror attack the Egyptian government is determined that the conference be held," said Minister Gamliel. "This is proof of the steadfastness of the Egyptian people who, like Israel, are facing murderous terror attacks while maintaining regional stability and cooperation". Georgia increases exports on international market By Keti Donadze The export of Georgian Products has been growing on the international market. Georgias foreign trade turnover was marked as USD 8.566 bln in January-October 2017, showing a 12.7% annual increase.The list of top 10 products exported from Georgia includes:1. Ores, slag: USD 336.3 million2. Beverages, spirits, vinegar: USD 272.million3. Iron, steel: USD 204.5million4. Fruits, nuts: USD 195.8 million5. Pharmaceuticals: USD 103.5 million6. Gems, precious metals: USD 85 million7. Mineral fuels including oil: USD 72.2 million8. Fertilizers: USD 65.8 million9. Knit or crochet clothing, accessories: USD 49.9 million10. Animals: USD 47.3 millionThe export of agricultural products has increased by 43% in 2017.The best-selling products include: wine, alcoholic drinks, mineral water, potatoes, nuts, tomatoes and soft drinks. Georgian products are foreseen to have big potential on the international market.In recent years, Georgia has made a significant breakthrough in facilitating trade relations with partner countries. On June 27, 2016 the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) signed Free Trade Agreement with the Government of Georgia. The Free Trade Agreement between the Government of Georgia and the Government of Peoples Republic of China was signed in Beijing on 13 May 2017. The ratification of the agreement from the Georgian side was concluded on November 2. The Agreement will enter into force upon completion of an appropriate procedure from the Chinese side. The preparation of a joint feasibility study for Georgia-India Free Trade Agreement is underway.According to an economic analyst, Demur Giorkhelidze, bio-products have high potential on the exports market."Georgia has very good potential. Export should be a main direction. It is necessary to implement relevant policies in agriculture, he stated on bpn.geGeorgian spices and herbs are also very tradable in the region.A restaurant owner in the center of Kiev, Ilarion Sauk, says he uses Georgian spices and herbs for Ukrainian dishes as well as salt, which is brought from Georgias region Svaneti."Georgian spices are very popular in restaurant business. The salt from Svaneti region is not only used for the Georgian kitchen, it gives Ukrainian dishes a piquant flavor, he told eugeorgia.info. Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman asserted Tuesday that "there is no physical military Iranian presence in Syria right now." Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Lieberman's comment contradicts declarations made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has repeatedly warned of Iranian entrenchment in Syria . The prime minister also said Iran was building missile factories in the war-torn country, noting that "where ISIS leaves, Iran enters." In a briefing three months ago, Mossad Director Yossi Cohen updated government ministers about Iran's entrenchment in the region using both Iranian forces and local proxies in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen. Defense Minister Lieberman Furthermore, Qasem Soleimani, the commander of the elite Iranian Quds Force, was documented in Syria visiting forces in the field quite a few times. "It's true that there are some Iranian advisers and experts, but there are no military Iranian forces on Syrian soil," Lieberman told Ynet in an interview on Tuesday. "Iran has a strategy to create a proxy everywhere," the defense minister explained. "After all, they don't have a physical presence in Lebanon. For this, they have Hezbollah. They're not physically present in Yemen, they have the Houthi rebels. They have the same plans in Syriato create all kinds of militias of Shiite mercenaries, which they will bring from Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan." "All of the players in the region know we are the strongest power in the Middle East. Israel is a regional power," he asserted. "We won't allow Iran to establish a presence in Syria." 'We're dealing with trifles' The "recommendations bill," which would bar police from making recommendations on indictment, passed a first reading in the Knesset on Monday. The legislation passed thanks to a last-minute change of heart by Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon, who, despite previous objections, agreed to the condition set by the Likud Party that would apply the law retroactively to the investigations against Netanyahu. "I'm part of the coalition," Lieberman said, explaining why he allowed the bill to pass. "There are bills you like more, and bills you like less. It doesn't matter. At the end of the day, this is the nature of a coalition government. You have to take on tasks even when you don't like them." He rejected claims the recommendations bill was a "personal bill" meant to help Netanyahu. "The one who initiated it, David Amsalem, is not exactly among Netanyahu's people in the Likud... I remember a year and a half ago he was against Netanyahu and then changed directions again... I don't believe he coordinated this with Netanyahu," Lieberman claimed. He dubbed the recommendations bill, as well as bill proposals concerning work on Shabbat, as "trifles." "There is an explosive security situation (in the region), fragile and tense. Look what's happening around us, we're dealing with trifles," the defense minister argued. Addressing concerns the ultra-Orthodox parties could leave the coalition government if the Shabbat-related bills are not passed, Lieberman said that "Going to elections in this complex security situation is irresponsible... In a situation like this, with all of the threats we're dealing withIran, the Gaza Strip, Lebanon and Sinaishould we really be dealing with the 'supermarkets bill' and even dismantle the government over it?" Defense Minister Lieberman However, he said he does not believe Israel is heading for elections. "What we've seen with the last two crisesboth with the Haredi parties and over the recommendations billwas that no one wants to go to elections," he said. Despite dismissing the Shabbat-related bills as "trifles," Lieberman said the proposal that would grant Interior Minister Aryeh Deri the authority to cancel municipal bylaws, including those allowing the opening of some businesses on Shabbat, was "wrong. We must not interfere in daily life, in the delicate fabric of society in different cities." "There is no reason for the government to interfere in bylaws, which are entirely under the responsibility of municipalities... There is no reason to open stores in Bnei Brak, and no reason to close stores in Ashkelon. Each city has its own character," he said. Lieberman lamented the fact that "instead of being an embracing Judaism, we're creating a new type of Judaism that is tough, unfriendly, and rejectionist. And in my opinion, this is a strategic mistake," he said. "These bills have nothing to do with Judaism. It's politics, and nothing more. We can't separate religion and state in Israel, but we must separate religion and politics," Lieberman asserted. 'Major' change in regional security requires additional funds for IDF Last week, the Defense Ministry asked for an increase of NIS 4.8 billion to the IDF's budget, citing significant security changes in the region. "The coalition agreement has a clause that specifically states that if there is a significant change (in the region), we can ask for additional funds," Lieberman said, describing the change as "major" but refusing to elaborate further. The defense minister also lamented the fact that the Finance Ministry has failed to transfer NIS 150 million a year since 2014 to fortifying homes in northern Israel. "The Finance Ministry was part of the committee that led to this decision... and all of a sudden the Finance Ministry doesn't want to give the money... the finance minister has an obligation to fortifying the north," Lieberman determined. Amid objections to incorporating women in the IDF in general and in combat units in particular, the defense minister said that "I have no objection for a woman to serve in Golani, and I have no ideology to push (women) there." He also commented on the strained relationship between Israel and Diaspora Jews, saying "I think mistakes were made with relation to the biggest, most important Jewish community: with the Western Wall plan, conversion, and with the deputy minister's (Hotovely) comments... I hope the PM will fix this quickly and get passed this crisis." United Torah Judaism MK Moshe Gafni has asked the Knesset Committee for Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs to hold a discussion Tuesday titled "Is the Jewish Agency still relevant, necessary or beneficial?" Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Sources close Gafni said the motion is merely the kickoff to an array of measures that the MK intends to employ against the Agency. His office did not deny that the strong connection between the Jewish Agency and the liberal streams of American Jewry, including the Reform and Conservative Movements, is behind his campaign against the Jewish Agency. MK Moshe Gafni (Photo: Motti Kimchi) It seems that the last straw was the deep involvement of the Agency's director, Natan Sharansky, in drafting the Western Wall egalitarian area plan, which the Haredim oppose. MK Yoel Razvozov (Yesh Atid), a member of the Immigrations Committee, criticized Gafni's actions. "MK Gafni and the Haredi parties do not recognize any stream of Judaism other than their own, despite the fact that the majority of world Jewry is not Orthodox. In this way, they are essentially dividing the Jewish people between those who share their worldview, and those who are not Jews at all. This is racist towards all those not Jewish enough for Gafni and his associates," he said. The Jewish Agency said in response, "The Jewish Agency is the meeting place for all the Zionist organizations and streams of the Jewish people and believes that the State of Israel should be a place for all Jews, regardless of ethnicity, outlook or school of thought. Regarding the Kotel, the Agency believes that the principle outlined by the prime minister should be followed: one wall for one people." ATHENS - Greek counter-terrorism police detained nine Turks in Athens on Tuesday in an investigation connected with Turkish leftist militant groups, ahead of a scheduled visit next month by Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. A police statement said the Turkish nationals -- eight men and a woman -- were detained in the central Athens areas of Neos Kosmos and Kallithea earlier Tuesday. Police said the operation was not connected with suspected Islamist terrorism. The detainees are suspected of links with the Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front, or DHKP-C, deemed a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union. Erdogan's visit, announced Tuesday, is set for December 7-8. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry criticized on Tuesday comments made by Israel's Minister for Social Equality, Gila Gamliel, in which she asserted that a Palestinian state can only be established in the Sinai Peninsula. "We oppose any action or statement that undermines Egyptian territorial integrity," Shukry said on Egyptian television. Shukry also denied reports that the Israeli ambassador in Cairo was summoned for a hearing, and said the meeting was requested by him. Police arrested on Tuesday two Haredi protesters during disturbances outside of the Jerusalem draft office. Police said the protesters have intermittently blocked Rashi Street in the capital, but the road is now open. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is among the leaders attending the inauguration of Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta as Israel pursues closer diplomatic ties with the African continent. Netanyahu has said his intention also is to forge links with countries with whom Israel does not have diplomatic relations. He has said he hopes that by the end of Tuesday an announcement will be made about a new Israeli embassy in an African country. In exchange for expertise in security and other fields, Israel now wants African states to side with it at the United Nations, where the General Assembly overwhelmingly recognized Palestine as a non-member observer state in 2012. Some 500 ultra-Orthodox protesters from the Jerusalem Faction demonstrated outside the Jerusalem IDF induction center in the capital on Tuesday. Demonstrations were held in protest of the detention of a young woman in the center. Police were seen confronting protesters and requesting backup. 18 protesters were arrested after disrupting the peace and three officers suffered minor wounds. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Dozens of police officers clashed with the rioting Haredim, who hurled eggs and water bottles at the forces and called them "Nazis." Haredim clashed with police in Jerusalem (Photo: Eli Mendelbaum) Protesters also called out "religious persecution" and declared "We will die and not enlist." Police officers were later hit by glass bottles and stones and were punched during the hard-line Haredi demonstrations near the capital's recruiting office. Magen David Adom treated three wounded cops on-site. The cops were said to have suffered only minor wounds. Police attempted to disperse the protesters who blocked the adjacent road, confronted civilians and attacked cops. 18 demonstrators have been arrested thus far. Footage of the clashes in Jerusalem (: , ) X Tuesday's protest came on the heels of Sunday's protest in the capital, when ultra-Orthodox protesters rioted against the conscription law and the arrest of yeshiva students who deserted to avoid service. 36 protesters were arrested in demonstrations that included blocking the passage of vehicles and the Chords Bridge Junction. Roads nearby were only reopened three and a half hours later. (Photo: Yishai Porat) The protests were sparked by the order of the Jerusalem Faction's leader Rabbi Shmuel Auerbach to "protest the honor of the Torah, which was trampled to the ground with the arrest of 12 prisoners from the 'world of Torah' to prolonged periods of time." Last week also saw mass Haredi demonstrations with hundreds of protesters arrested, and four more deserted being taken into the army's custody. Egyptian security forces have killed 11 suspected militants in a shootout near the Sinai, the interior ministry said on Tuesday, just days after more than 300 people were killed in an attack on a mosque in North Sinai. The shootout occurred during a raid on a suspected militant hideout in the Sinai-bordering province of Ismailia, the ministry said in a statement. It said the area was being used by militants to train and store weapons and logistical equipment for attacks in North Sinai. Six suspected militants were arrested as part of the operations, which also included a raid on an additional suspected militant hideout in the 10th of Ramadan, an area just outside of Cairo. The interior ministry statement on Tuesday did not directly link the suspected militants targeted in the operations to last week's mosque attack. The Simon Wiesenthal Center for preserving the memory of the Holocaust announced it is seeking out Holocaust survivors who survived the Babi Yar killing fields in the Ukraine during World War II and who would be willing to testify in the trial of some of the perpetrators, who were only recently located. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The center, named after the storied Nazi hunter, located the names of 80 people who participated in the Babi Yar massacre who are likely still alive today. Two of those involved were indeed located alive by the Germans two months ago. Dr. Efraim Zuroff, who heads the center, had been the one to contact the German government in an effort to track down the two. After coming up empty handed for a period of two years, Zuroff finally contacted television broadcast stations, and together they managed to track down the two Nazis who took part in the Babi Yar killing in which 50,000 people were murdered, starting September 1941. Memorial at the Stutthof concentration camp (Photo: Ezra Wolfinger/NOVA) The center is also continuing to seek out people who survived Poland's Stutthof concentration camp. Two of the guards who served in Stutthof near the end of 1943, when gas chambers were active in the camp, were indicted for their part only two weeks ago. The center is attempting to find witnesses to testify in the trials, and has located some 20 people who were interned there during the aforementioned period. Survivors from Zhytomyr and Kamianets-Podilskyi in the Ukraine are also being sought by the center. Hungarian Jews who were not citizens were deported to the two camps in the summer of 1941, and were murdered there by Ukrainians, Hungarians and Germans. Locating survivors from the camps is considered to be a last ditch effort to try the Nazi criminals. "We are in a race against time," said Zuroff. "Every day that passes without these people standing trial brings them closer to evading a trial and justice." Germany's policy on indicting Nazi war criminals underwent a change ten years ago. In the past, to indict a Nazi criminal the prosecution would have had to prove he had committed a specific crime against a specific victim with the motive being racist hatred, conditions which are nigh impossible to prove today, with so few witnesses left and the difficulty in singling out the criminals who participated in the exterminationas most Jews had no idea who their assailants were. The policy shift was made possible thanks to a decision that stipulated the entire existence of death camps was predicated on murdering innocent people, and that therefore anyone stationed there may be indicted for being an accessory to murder based on their service alone. The attendant punishment for said offense in Germany was five to ten years. The trial of John Demjanjuk served as precedent to try others based merely on their service in death camps (Photo: AP) The change made is much easier for the prosecution, which no longer needed a witness to finger the defendant, which itself paved the way for the prosecution of many criminals who could not have been indicted otherwise. The conviction of John Demjanjuk , purported to be a Treblinka guard dubbed by prisoners "Ivan the Terrible," based on the policy shift was a precedent. After his trial, widespread searches were underway in an attempt to locate anyone who served in the death camps or murder squads, and two other criminals who served in Auschwitz were also convicted. A former Islamic State warlord suspected of masterminding a deadly attack on Istanbul airport in 2016 is believed to have been killed during a special operation in ex-Soviet Georgia last week. Akhmed Chatayev, an ethnic Chechen, is highly likely to have lost his life during a police operation against a group of armed men on the outskirts of the Georgian capital Tbilisi last week. One Georgian special forces serviceman and three members of the armed group, which was suspected of terrorism, were killed in the operation. Four police officers were wounded and one member of the group was arrested during the 20-hour operation at the apartment block where the group was hiding. "We suspect that one of the gunmen killed in the special operation in Tbilisi could be Akhmed Chatayev," Nino Giorgobiani, deputy chief of the state security service said. Chatayev was named by Turkish media and a U.S. congressman as the mastermind of the suicide bombing of Istanbul airport in 2016 which killed 45 people. His involvement in the airport bombing has not been confirmed by Turkish officials. Tbilisis New Mayor Demands New Draft Budget By Gvantsa Gabekhadze (TBILISI) Tbilisis newly elected mayor, Kakha Kaladze, hit the ground running on Monday demanding that his deputies submit a new draft budget for the Georgian capital to better reflect the citys needs for the coming year.While speaking with his cabinet, Kaladze said that the existing draft elaborated under his predecessor, David Narmania, failed to address City Halls budget needs for new infrastructure projects and improved social service programs for the citys residents.The Mayor also announced a structural reform at the Mayors office and its agencies to make Tbilisi governance more fitted to the residents needs and transparent.Kaladze also appointed new heads to oversee Tbilisi Transport, Architecture, Property Management Service and Kindergarten Management Agency.The opposition European Georgia party has repeatedly appealed to the Mayors Office to reduce salary supplements and bonuses, as well as any other artificial expenses to save up toGEL 200 million (USD 74 million) from the citys budgetEuropean Georgias Goka Gabashvili claims the savings would be enough to provide a GEL 50 (USD 18.50) supplement for pensioners in Tbilisi, purchase 100 new businesses and reduce property fees by 10percent.Deputy Mayor Irakli Khmaladze stated that the Mayors Office had already planned changes to the budget with Kaladze and his deputies are in constant communication with the Ministry of Finance.The current budget for Tbilisi stands at GEL815 million (USD 301 million). Police officers were hit by glass bottles and stones and were punched during the hard-line Haredi demonstrations near the capital's recruiting office. Magen David Adom treated three wounded cops on-site. The cops were said to have suffered only minor wounds. Police attempted to disperse the protesters who blocked the adjacent road, confronted civilians and attacked cops. 18 demonstrators have been arrested thus far. Figures within the Haredi public claimed the "severance package" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu provided the Haredi parties with following the resignation of United Torah Judaism Health Minister Yaakov Litzman Sunday was a series of meaningless steps that at best will have no effect on Shabbat observance and at worst will only allow its desecration. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter What Shas's Aryeh Deri, Litzman and their politician cohorts presented as a significant achievement for religious observance, the sector's journalists dubbed intentional "fake news" meant to allow things to return to normal and ensure the coalition's stability going forward. The main process Likud and Haredi politicians agreed on Monday was to promote, as early as next week, the "supermarket bill," which states that a local authority will not allow Shabbat commerce in its jurisdiction unless the interior minister approves such commerce. As the current holder of that officer is Deri, who is certain to deny any such requests, Shas touted the agreement as a significant religious-political win. Meeting of Shas and UTJ MKs In such cases the interior minister will indeed be able to veto such a move, but no city or local council is known to have contemplated it to begin with. The supermarket bill in its current promulgation, although, does not endow Derior his successorsthe authority to prevent Shabbat desecration in places where it is already prevalent, which includes most local authorities. In addition, the interior minister does not have the authority to enforce municipal bylaws banning trade, nor will he be able to in the future. The end result is that the law accompanied by so much public fanfare is all but meaningless. Deri will not have the power to ban Shabbat trade in places it is already carried out (: ) The Likud-Haredi agreement nevertheless earned scathing criticism from both the left and right wings. MK Moshe Gafni (United Torah Judaism) insisted the supermarket bill also be applied to Tel Aviv, in which case it will turn out to be a resounding, albeit very specific, success. In such an eventuality the bill was bypass the High Court's ruling decreeing Tel Aviv supermarkets will remain open on Shabbat, acquiescing to the Haredi demand to do so, and will have an immediate and direct influence on the city from which the Shabbat struggle originated and that has become its symbol. A significant factor not taken into account thus far is the Union of Local Authorities in Israel (ULAI), chaired by Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut Mayor Haim Bibas, one of the more prominent Likud members and a close ally of Netanyahu, who objects to endowing the interior minister with new powers at the expense of mayors and council heads and has threatened to appeal to the High Court if the plan was acted on. "The local authority and its elected representatives know the municipality's needs and represent them optimally and the decision should therefore be theirs and theirs alone," ULAI said. Tel Aviv supermarkets will likely remain open on Shabbat (Photo: Motti Kimchi) "The bill should be coordinated with the country's local government, representing all 8.6 million of Israel's citizens. Each authority has the right to select its own character and local style. Insofar as this right is curtailed, we will appeal to the High Court to decide on the matter," the Union of Local Authorities in Israel's statement concluded. A further way of preventing Shabbat trade is by utilizing the Hours of Work and Rest Law, which bars employing Jews on Shabbat. This would appear to be an effective tool for the Haredi parties to leverage against businesses operating on Shabbat, without waging exhaustive battles on the local level. However, it has been the Labor and Welfare Minister Haim Katz's policy to avoid enforcing the statute in the private sector. While Shas requested to allow the interior minister to enforce the matter through his ministry's Population and Immigration Police, Katz has thus far stood fast in his refusal. The Hours of Work and Rest Law also stood at the center of another point of agreement between the Likud and Haredi parties, pertaining to solving the Shabbat train works crisis. According to the new framework, anytime the appointed minister wishes to provide an irregular permit to work on Shabbat, they must also take into account considerations having to do with Israel's traditions, or the religious ban on working during the day of rest. Breadth of Shabbat train works may be curtailed, but they will not be abolished (Photo: Hagai Dekel) While his may reduce maintenance and infrastructure work carried out by Israel Railways on weekends, it will not completely abolish it, as per Litzman's original demand. Regardless, the article in question will do nothing for Shabbat commerce, as it is not enforced. The government's ministers have voted via telephone on the amendment to the Hours of Work and Rest Law banning Shabbat trade. The law is expected to undergo a preliminary reading in the Knesset Wednesday. The Shabbat Equality Coalition's petition to the High Court to instruct the government to enforce the law has been pending. Its Executive Director Roy Lachmanovitz is convinced this is the key to the entire struggle's success and claimed the Haredi parties have been exerting efforts in the wrong places. "What's the point of giving the interior minister powers if he may be replaced by someone else two years from now?" Lachmanovitz wondered. Lachmanovitz believed Litzman and Deri needed to demand amendments and adjustments to the Hours of Work and Rest Law while recruiting dozens of inspectors to enforce it. "There are several lacunae dramatically impacting the public aspect of the day of rest. For instance, Jewish business owners employing non-Jews on Shabbat and therefore allegedly not breaking the law and, of course, the minute number of inspectors," Lachmanovitz claimed. "Without an executive arm, the entire agreement will be for nothing. This is not what small business owners and thousands of employees were praying for. The core issues should be transformed, rather than the cosmetics of the matter," he concluded. DUBAI Senior Saudi Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, a former National Guard head once seen as a contender to the throne, has been freed after more than three weeks in detention, according to Twitter messages by royal family members on Tuesday. Miteb was among dozens of royal family members, ministers and current and former senior officials who were rounded up in a graft inquiry at least partly aimed at strengthening the power of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. It was not immediately possible to confirm the reports of his release and Saudi officials had no immediate comment. "Almighty, thanks be to you..." wrote Abeer bint Khaled bin Abdullah in a posting on her Twitter account. Posting an apparent file photo of Prince Miteb, she added: "May God give you long life, long life full of health, and keep you for us." Chinese authorities have decided to deport to Israel the head of a criminal organization detained there and hand him over to Israeli authorities, despite the lack of an extradition treaty between the two countries. He was arrested in China at the Israel Police's request for allegedly committing serious offenses in Israel. "My client was in China legally and there were no legal grounds to deport him. Deportation was apparently carried out at the behest of Israel's police and if he lands here and is arrested, it will constitute kidnapping," the criminal boss's attorney said. Education Minister Naftali Bennett reportedly canceled an event of the Association for Civil Rights on Tuesday over allegations that it is "pro-terrorist." This after Bennett received a letter that was signed by the members of 45 bereaved families, objecting to the alleged cooperation between the ministry and the association. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The seminar was supposed to take place on Wednesday. The families, however, asked Bennett to intervene, claiming that the Association for Civil Rights aims to expand on the rights of terrorists and their families. Among other claims, their letter cited several cases in which the association appealed to the High Court of Justice to prevent the demolition of terrorists' homes. Bennett (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky) "The Association for Civil Rights is an extremist de-legitimization organization whose many actions against the State of Israel include directly fighting us, bereaved families, while defending the terrorists who murdered our children, parents, brothers, wives and husbands," the letter read. It continued by writing that "unfortunately, the same de-legitimization organizations repeatedly protect these loathsome murderers. It is unthinkable that the Education Ministry would support this organization. Defenders of terrorism must be aggressively fought, not given budgetary support that comes out of all our pockets." As a result of the letter, Bennett decided to cancel the seminar and have his ministry Dir. Gen. Shmuel Abuhav look into the allegations. Sources within the Education Ministry stated that "the education minister will not provide any assistance to an organization wishing to harm the State of Israel. As such, if indeed this will be found to be the case, there will be no more cooperation, ever. Actions of the organization for the benefit of terrorists go against the important and significant values that the education system promotes." US Vice President Mike Pence said on Tuesday that President Donald Trump is actively considering "when and how" to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Pence made the comment in remarks at Israels Mission to the United Nations in Queens, at an event celebrating the 70th anniversary of the United Nations vote calling for the establishment of a Jewish state. "President Trump is actively considering when and how to move the American Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem," stated Pence, after receiving a standing ovation from the crowd. Pence during UN event X He added that "the horrors of the Holocaust reminded the world that (without Israeled) the safety an security of the Jewish people could not be assured." Pence speaking at the UN Headquarters (Photo: AFP) "America stands with Israel because her cause is our cause, her values are our values and her fight is our fight," added Pence. "The days of Israel-bashing at the United Nations are over." Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, also spoke the at the celebration. "Today, a historic event is being held here in the place where the historic vote that led to the establishment of the State of Israel. The US embassy, currently in Tel Aviv (Photo: AFP) "We celebrate two celebrationsthat of the 33 ambassadors who supported the establishment of the State of Israel; and a second celebration, of 70 years of action and Zionism that we are proud of. "Therefore, today, in the presence of the US vice president, dozens of ambassadors from all over the world also from countries that did not vote for us 70 years ago, and together we will salute the State of Israel," said Danon. Throughout his presidential campaign, Trump had vowed to move the US embassy to Jerusalem. However, in June Trump signed a waiver to keep it in Tel Aviv. Following his signing the waiver, the White House issued a statement. "President Trump made this decision to maximize the chances of successfully negotiating a deal between Israel and the Palestinians, fulfilling his solemn obligation to defend America's national security interests. But, as he has repeatedly stated his intention to move the embassy, the question is not if that move happens, but only when." Danon (Photo: UN Photo/Rick Bajornas) Trump is facing a new deadline in early December on whether to extend the waiver again, a practice that his predecessors used to avoid inflaming tensions in the Middle East. In addition to Pence and Danon, Tuesday's UN event included World Jewish Congress President Ronald Lauder and Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz. The News in Brief Georgias Ombudsman Issues Report on Closure of Abkhazia Checkpoints (TBILISI) Georgias Public Defender Ucha Nanuashvili on Monday released a report on the recent closure of checkpoints between the Russian-backed breakaway region Abkhazia and government controlled territory in Georgias western Megrelia region. The report, released on November 16, assesses the humanitarian and economic impact of the closure of two checkpoints between Abkhazias predominantly ethnic Georgian Gali district and its adjoining Zugdidi district in Megrelia (known in Georgia as Samegrelo). The state of human rights protection in the communities located adjacent to Abkhazias Administrative Boundary line, specifically in the Gali district, is gradually deteriorating, Nanuashvili said in the report, adding that the closure of the two checkpoints earlier this year, restricts local residents freedom of movement and creates unjustified impediments in terms of receiving healthcare services and education. Around 3,400 families in 11 villages in the Gali district are particularly affected, Nanuashvili noted, saying the closure increased the time and costs of travel to Zugdidi for local residents, including schoolchildren, who regularly crossed the boundary line. The report also noted that the closure also complicated issues related to identification documents, restricted of the right to education in ones native language and furthered the discriminatory polices of the secessionist Abkhaz government towards ethnic Georgians in Gali. Considering the present socio-economic conditions and lack of human rights protection (in Gali) there is a risk that the (Georgian) population will leave Abkhazia, said Nanuashvili in his report, while also calling on the Georgian government to expand its education, healthcare and social assistance programs to residents that remain in Abkhazia. The Russian-backed rebel authorities in the Abkhaz capital Sukhumi closed two out of the four checkpoints that connect the region with the rest of Georgia on March 5. A number of countries and international organizations, including the United Nations, the European Union, NATO, the United States, the United Kingdom, Lithuania and Japan, spoke against the decision, stressing that it would restrict the freedom of movement for locals, including schoolchildren and patients requiring medical treatment. The decision to close the de facto border by authorities in Sukhumi raised internal concerns as well. The residents of Nabakevi and the surrounding villages in the Gali district, who used the two checkpoints to travel to Zugdidi for school, medical services and commercial activities, organized a protest rally against the decision on January 25. (Civil.ge) Georgias Longest Tunnel Completed (TBILISI) -- An 8.5 km-long tunnel, part of a railway modernization project, was recently completed according to Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili. The Kvishkheti-Zvare tunnel, which is part of the Tbilisi-Makhinjauri main railway project. "The implementation of this large-scale project will increase the efficiency of the railway and decrease travel time between Tbilisi and (the Black Sea port) Batumi. Georgian Railways will do everything to implement the project by 2020. By then, we will have modernized the railway infrastructure in compliance with modern standards," Kvirikashvili said. The event was attended by the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China, as well as the finance minister and other members of the government. (IPN) @alextdaugherty As congressional leaders mull another disaster relief package for Puerto Rico, a group of Democratic senators with potential presidential aspirations are pushing their own plan. Sens. Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Kristen Gillibrand and Kamala Harris, all possible Democratic presidential contenders in 2020, are sponsoring a bill that aims to put disaster recovery "in the hands of the people of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands," a contrast to a $44 billion disaster relief request from the Trump administration last week that encompasses Puerto Rico, Texas, Florida and other areas around the country affected by recent hurricanes, floods and wildfires. A host of Florida lawmakers voiced displeasure with Trump's disaster relief request for varying reasons. The bill, which is also supported by Trump critic and San Juan mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz, focuses on making the territory more resilient to future storms, a potential sticking point for some deficit-conscious Republicans. Rep. Darren Soto, the only Puerto Rican in Congress from Florida, and Reps. Nydia Velazquez and Stacey Plaskett are sponsoring the House version of the bill. "In the wealthiest and most powerful nation in the world, millions of people in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands are still struggling with basic needs more than two months since the hurricane struck," Sanders said in a statement. "However, we cannot simply rebuild Puerto Rico the way it was. We must go forward to create a strong, sustainable economy and energy system in Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands that corrects for years of unequal treatments of the islands. The bill specifically addresses Puerto Rico's ballooning debt, damaged electric grid, Medicare and Medicaid and requires FEMA to use local workers in disaster recovery efforts. The bill also seeks to stop the privatization of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands' electric grid, schools and roads along with debt relief. "Puerto Rico is struggling with an unsustainable $74.8 billion of debt, much of which is held by Wall Street creditors, with an additional $49 billion in unpaid pension obligations," a press release for the bill said. "A small group of hedge fund billionaires have demanded extreme austerity policies to decimate public services, including firing teachers and closing schools. That is unacceptable. Puerto Rico will require substantial debt relief so they can focus on rebuilding, not paying back Wall Street." Republicans are likely to oppose the bill but the new effort from Sanders, Warren, Gillibrand and Harris could have political impacts for Democrats as Puerto Ricans are relocating to the U.S. mainland in droves after Hurricane Maria destroyed power and communications throughout the island. The Trump administration's disaster response has been criticized by lawmakers from both parties, and Democrats have cautioned that Maria will become Trump's Hurricane Katrina. Democrats in Florida and are hopeful that an influx of Puerto Ricans will help them at the ballot box, though Republicans like Sen. Marco Rubio have also voiced concerns with the Trump administration's disaster response. Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello recently asked for $94 billion in disaster relief, a massive sum that the Trump administration is unlikely to approve. Rossello, in contrast to Cruz, has refrained from directly criticizing the Trump administration. "The bill that Senator Sanders has introduced in the United States Congress is a comprehensive plan that provides the blueprint for the transformation of Puerto Rico," Cruz said in a statement. "While dealing with all major areas of immediate concern: energy, health and education it also sets the foundation to make Puerto Rico a more equitable, just and fair society for all." via WAMU 88.5 in Washington Ask anyone where the Russian Embassy is in D.C., and theyll point you to the large diplomatic complex on Wisconsin Avenue NW. But the embassy may soon have a new address: 1 Boris Nemtsov Plaza. A bill making its way through the Washington D.C. Council would symbolically rename the portion of Wisconsin Avenue directly in front of the embassy between Davis Street and Edmunds Street after the former Russian politician and longtime critic of President Vladimir Putin who was assassinated in Moscow in early 2015. The idea was born earlier this year on Capitol Hill, where Sen. Marco Rubio introduced a bill to commemorate Nemtsov by making sure Russian diplomats coming in and out of the embassy couldnt easily ignore his name. But after the bill stalled in the Senate, Rubio found a willing partner in Democrat Mary Cheh, who introduced her own bill in late October in the council. It will get its first hearing next week. People are being assassinated simply because they are agitating for democracy, said Cheh. Thats wrong, and if this a small way of us saying thats wrong, Im happy to do it. Read more here. @newsbysmiley @alextdaugherty Congress faces a Dec. 8 deadline to fund the federal government, and Republican leaders are usually reliant on Democratic support to pass federal spending proposals that rankle deficit-conscious conservatives. As the deadline approaches, Miami Rep. Carlos Curbelo, a moderate Republican who usually supports House Speaker Paul Ryan, said Tuesday he wont support any funding legislation unless theres a deal to help undocumented young adults who came to the U.S. as young children. If enough Republicans follow Curbelos path, Ryan could be forced to find a solution in order to keep the government running. House leadership knows it is a major priority for me to get this done before the end of the year, Curbelo said in an interview. I know that we have until March [before an Obama-era executive order expires], but theres no sense in waiting that long. Curbelo has faced criticism from Democrats for not signing onto the Dream Act, a legislative solution to the Obama order that protects Dreamers from deportation. Instead, Curbelo is pushing his own bill called the Recognizing Americas Children Act, which he touts as a more conservative version of the Dream Act. Curbelo has said he will support any legislation that helps Dreamers if it comes to the floor for a vote even if it isnt his bill. President Donald Trump said he will not renew the Obama-era executive order, known as DACA, which will end in March 2018. It is possible that congressional leaders will propose a short-term spending bill to keep the government running through Christmas, which gives Democrats and Republicans more time to hash out a final plan. Curbelo said his position on first helping some 800,000 young immigrants applies specifically to any appropriations bill that funds the government beyond Dec. 31. Read more here. For picture posts from 2010 and earlier, see the Earlier Picture Posts Page Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Catch the latest in Opinion Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly! Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy TWO ASSAULTS Police arrested Emil Longneck, 58, of Butte, for a misdemeanor charge of sexual assault, and Anthony Davis, 46, of Butte, for a misdemeanor charge of simple assault in the 900 block of Lewisohn Street between 6:30 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. Saturday. Longneck allegedly groped a female in the chest area in a bathroom. Davis allegedly grabbed Longneck and threw him out of the house. SIMPLE ASSAULT Police arrested Tangee Jessen, 46, of Butte, for simple assault, a misdemeanor, at St. James Healthcare, 400 S. Clark St., at 5 p.m. Friday. Medical professionals were attending to Jessen when she allegedly struck both a nurse and a security guard. DANGEROUS DRUGS Police arrested Zane Werner, 34, of Butte, at the Town Pump, 531 S. Montana Street, at 5 p.m. Sunday on a felony charge of possession of dangerous drugs, a felony criminal contempt warrant, and two misdemeanor charges: resisting arrest and possession of drug paraphernalia. Police said they noticed Werner gaming and that there was a warrant out for his arrest. When police attempted to arrest him, Werner resisted and swallowed drugs, according to the report. Police found drug paraphernalia and a small bag of methamphetamine in his possession, police said. DUI REFUSAL Police allegedly found Robin Phillips, 64, of Butte, parked in the middle of the road at Buffalo and Montana asleep at the wheel at 2 p.m. Friday. Police arrested Phillips for DUI refusal, a misdemeanor, because she allegedly refused a Breathalyzer test. OUTSTANDING WARRANTS Police arrested the following people: Martin Houle, 39, of Butte, during a traffic stop in the 1300 block of East Second Street at 6:40 p.m. Friday for one outstanding felony warrant out of Cascade County, and three misdemeanors: driving on a suspended license, no liability insurance and failure to transfer plates. Felicia Henderson-Wilks, 45, no address, in the 2500 block of Harrison Avenue at 4 p.m. Sunday for five misdemeanor charges: driving with plates assigned to another vehicle, an outstanding warrant from Yellowstone County, driving with a suspended license and no liability insurance. Jazzmin Block, 22, of Butte, at 2:30 a.m. Saturday at Town Pump, 531 S. Montana St., for three outstanding misdemeanor warrants from Butte City Court. Carlos Martinez, 29, of Butte, in the 700 block of Front Street at about 10 p.m. Sunday for three outstanding misdemeanor criminal contempt warrants. Nathan Kolberg, 32, of Port Orchard, Washington, at 12:30 a.m. Monday at Walmart, 3901 Harrison Avenue, for one outstanding misdemeanor criminal contempt warrant. While police were patrolling the parking lot, Kolberg allegedly ducked his head while sitting in his vehicle. Toni Baker, 37, of Butte, in the 200 block of West Park Street at about 5:30 a.m. Monday for two outstanding charges of criminal contempt. Police were called to the area because Baker was screaming and yelling at the top of a stairway. Partner-family member assault Police arrested a 17-year-old male at 2 a.m. Monday in the 2000 block of Thornton Avenue for partner-family member assault, a misdemeanor. According to police, the male came home late with a damaged family vehicle. When his mother and stepfather questioned him, the boy reportedly knocked holes in the walls, knocked doors off hinges and punched his step-father in the face. A recent prioritization process related to the 2017 Butte-Silver Bow Community Health Needs Assessment found substance use disorders to be the No. 1 health concern in the county. From that finding, Butte-Silver Bow Chief Executive Dave Palmer formed a substance use disorder task force to study and act on the issue. Butte Cares, the communitys substance use prevention coalition, will spearhead the task force moving forward. Butte-Silver Bow is not alone in Montana in prioritizing substance use disorders as a primary health concern. Health needs assessments throughout the state are determining such disorders along with mental illness as a priority. On its website, the Montana Healthcare Foundation, an organization that invests in improving the health and well-being of Montanans, says behavioral health conditions (including both mental illness and substance use disorders) are common and serious problems throughout Montana. In 2014, Montana had the highest suicide rate in the United States for all age groups, and it has been among the five states with the highest suicide rate in the nation for more than 40 years. Community health assessments from Montanas 56 counties consistently ranked behavioral health as one of the leading community concerns. After meeting throughout the state with community mental health centers, substance use treatment centers, hospitals, community health centers, public health jurisdictions, advocacy groups, policy leaders and others, the Montana Healthcare Foundation issued a report titled Integrated Behavioral Health in Montana: A Baseline Assessment of Benefits, Challenges and Opportunities. The report is located at http://www.mthcf.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/IBH-Report-FINAL_4.26.16.pdf. The foundation also recently sponsored a statewide summit on substance use disorders. Healthy People 2020, a national health effort that provides science-based, 10-year objectives for improving the health of all Americans, says substance abuse has a major impact on individuals, families and communities. The effects of substance abuse are cumulative, significantly contributing to costly social, physical, mental, and public health problems. Healthy People says these problems include teenage pregnancy; HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases; domestic violence; child abuse; motor vehicle crashes; physical altercations; crime; homicide; and suicide. Healthy People provides a simple definition for substance abuse, and underscores the difficulty of addressing the issue, referring to substance abuse as a set of related conditions associated with the consumption of mind- and behavior-altering substances that have negative behavioral and health outcomes. Social attitudes and political and legal responses to the consumption of alcohol and illicit drugs make substance abuse one of the most complex public health issues. In addition to the considerable health implications, substance abuse has been a flashpoint in the criminal justice system and a major focal point in discussions about social values people argue over whether substance abuse is a disease with genetic and biological foundations or a matter of personal choice. Mike Thatcher, chief executive officer of Community, Counseling, and Correctional Services in Butte, attended the first meeting of the local task force, and sent CCCS representatives to the second meeting. Thatcher falls on the side of looking at substance abuse as a disease, and buys into a variety of evidence-based strategies that address substance abuse he works every day with people who landed in Montana State Prison because of their substance use disorders. Healthy People has also spoken to these evidence-based strategies. Improvements in brain-imaging technologies and the development of medications that assist in treatment have gradually shifted the research communitys perspective on substance abuse, says Healthy People. There is now a deeper understanding of substance abuse as a disorder that develops in adolescence and, for some individuals, will develop into a chronic illness that will require lifelong monitoring and care. Continues Healthy People: Improved evaluation of community-level prevention has enhanced researchers understanding of environmental and social factors that contribute to the initiation and abuse of alcohol and illicit drugs, leading to a more sophisticated understanding of how to implement evidence-based strategies in specific social and cultural settings. A stronger emphasis on evaluation has expanded evidence-based practices for drug and alcohol treatment. Improvements have focused on the development of better clinical interventions through research and increasing the skills and qualifications of treatment providers. Also attending the recent second meeting of the local substance use disorder work group were several Butte High School students who spoke knowingly and honestly about what they see and hear among their peers including how Butte teen-agers obtain various mind- and behavior-altering substances, and how teens may or may not be honest when surveyed about their substance use. Please watch this space in the future as the local task force continues its difficult and encompassing work. Substance use disorder is Butte-Silver Bows No. 1 health priority. The work group deserves substantial recognition for the huge undertaking ahead. The Sensitives, a documentary that follows the stories of three families struggling to cope with a rare illness, has had quite a year. The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and also saw screenings at the Santa Fe Independent Film Festival and the Camden International Film Festival. But director Drew Xanthopoulos said Saturdays screening of The Sensitives at Dillons Big Sky Cinema will have special meaning because he considers Dillon his hometown. I loved Dillon dearly, said Xanthopoulos by phone from Missoula where he is visiting for the holidays. The filmmaker, who graduated from Beaverhead County High School in 2002, described Dillon as a beautiful community with a rich history and a lot of potential. To have (The Sensitives) play in my hometown theater is super special, he said. Xanthopoulos moved to Montana in the 1990s when his father, John Xanthopoulos, got a teaching gig at the University of Montana Western, where students call him Dr. X. Xanthopoulos says The Sensitives is a documentary about relationships just as much as it is about illness. The film follows three families whose loved ones grapple with a rare condition that makes them sensitive to seemingly commonplace materials and technologies of the modern world. Pesticides, perfumes, cell phones any of these can send a sensitive into a debilitating downward spiral, the films synopsis reads. One of the films subjects, Joe, is too sick to care for himself and has to choose between continuing to rely on his familys support or moving to a community designed for sensitives. Twin brothers Sam and Nathan, meanwhile, live with their mother inside a sterilized home they havent left in years. Similarly, the films third subject, Susie, thinks about leaving the safeguard of a remote desert to advocate for disability justice. Its really about how a chronic illness affects these peoples relationships, said Xanthopoulos. Its about husbands and wives and grandparents and children. The Sensitives took three years to make, more than 200 hours to shoot and 50 trips of travel, The Missoulian reported when the film screened at the Big Sky Film Series this year. Xanthopoulos said there were a lot of unique challenges to making the film. To protect the people he was interviewing, Xanthopoulos drove to his subjects location instead of taking a plane. He traveled in an old Honda, which was preferable to traveling in a new car with a new car smell -- with odors of glues and plastics that can be harmful for sensitives. Xanthopoulos also had a set of work clothes that he would boil and wash in baking soda to rid them of odors -- and when that wasnt suitable he would wear clothing lent to him by his interviewees. In addition, some of his interviewees couldnt wear body mics because of sensitivity to electronics, so Xanthopoulos conducted interviews using only one microphone. I had to keep my distance from most folks, said Xanthopoulos. I couldnt get super close to people for very long, so it influenced the way the film looks. Its all shot on a longer lens, which gives it a different feel as well. Because its on a longer lens, you feel the movement more. You feel me more. You feel my reactions to whats happening. David Fabelo, the films editor, said by phone from Austin, Texas, that he and Xanthopoulos spent hours piecing together the footage for the film. It was kind of like a marriage, said Fabelo, laughing. Fabelo said audience members can expect to be embedded in the stories of the three families. The camera is almost like a member of the family, said Fabelo of Xanthopoulos filmmaking style. Its never really removed from the subjects and he as a director is never really removed from the subjects (either). Fabelo said Xanthopoulos was able to engender trust with his subjects something which is palpable as one watches the film. As for Xanthopoulos, he said the idea of environmental illness can sometimes raise a few eyebrows among audience members. But instead of focusing on the scientific part of environmental illness, Xanthopoulos said, he hopes his film will unveil a universal story about what it means to live with chronic illness. I would love for people to walk away from this film feeling a sense that the people they watched are not so different from themselves, said Xanthopoulos. And that, if they go out and try to find out more about this condition or if they ever meet somebody with this condition instead of their first instinct being suspicion or skepticism or an eyebrow raise, it would be met with empathy. Food drive set Saturday in Butte The 29th annual Thompson Distributing City-Wide Food Drive runs from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 2, in Butte. People are asked to leave bagged non-perishables such as canned soup, fruit and vegetables, peanut butter, jelly, paper towels, pasta, cooking oil, shampoo, bar soap, crackers, spaghetti sauce, cereal, and canned meats next to their mailboxes Saturday ready for pick-up between 10 a.m. and noon. Donations can also be dropped off that day at the Butte Emergency Food Bank, 1019 E. Second St., or at the Racetrack Fire Hall, 2344 Grand Ave., 406-723-4041. Cash donations also are appreciated. The event is sponsored by Thompson Distributing and Pepsi. UM director to speak at Tech The Montana Tech Business and Information Technology Department will host speaker Paul Gladen, director of Blackstone LaunchPad at the University of Montana, at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, in the Student Union Buildings Copper Lounge. Gladens presentation is titled, How to Build a Startup in Montana, which explores what it takes to start a business in Montana, and outlines some of the key methodologies and resources available to entrepreneurs embarking on their startup journey. He will also discuss the annual John Ruffatto Business Startup Challenge that is open to Montana Tech students and takes place at UM in April 2018. He is the director of the Blackstone LaunchPad at the UM, a program that helps students, alumni, faculty and staff explore entrepreneurship. He is co-founder of the Hellgate Venture Network, a networking group for Montana entrepreneurs. 'No Greater Love' film to debut Saturday The film version of No Greater Love will be screened 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, in the auditorium of Butte High School, 401 S. Wyoming St., during a world premier celebration. A packet containing DVDs of the film, CDs and an updated program will be available for purchase for $35. Attendance is free and all proceeds from packet sales will go to Friends of the Archives, a nonprofit that works on behalf of the Butte-Silver Bow Public Archives. Attendees will also have the opportunity to donate to Action Inc. and the Butte Food Bank during the event, and recipients of grants from the board of No Greater Love will be announced. DVDs and CDs of No Greater Love will also be available for purchase at the Butte-Silver Bow Public Archives, 17 W Quartz St, starting Friday. Twin Bridges center serves lunch TWIN BRIDGES -- Lunch is served every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the Twin Bridges Senior and Community Center. The menu through Dec. 4 is listed below: Wednesday, Nov. 29 Pork chops, pineapple casserole, fruit salad, rolls, and German chocolate cake. Friday, Dec. 1 Stew with a roll, salad, fruit and cookies. Monday, Dec. 4 Brunch for lunch with fruit and a muffin. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks settled with the former administrator of Montana State Parks for $137,500 and agreed to purge certain disciplinary matters from his employee file, newly released documents say. In September, the Independent Record learned of and requested information about FWP reaching a settlement with former Parks chief Chas Van Genderen. Van Genderen was terminated last year by former FWP Director Jeff Hagener for reasons that have not been disclosed. The agency confirmed the existence of the settlement, but declined to release additional information citing employee privacy concerns. The settlement includes a confidentiality agreement. After the agency's refusal to release the settlement, an attorney for the Independent Record entered into discussions with FWPs legal counsel. The Independent Record contended that such settlements by statute are public records and the agency was legally bound to disclose this one. Rather than see the state fight a potentially expensive legal battle, Van Genderens attorney, Eric Holm, said he decided to waive his right to privacy, paving the way for the settlements release. Van Genderen would fight the release of other records, Holm said, but was interested in putting the issue behind him. Holm declined to comment on the settlement amount and other conditions of the agreement. Per the settlement, Van Genderen agreed to withdraw complaints filed with the Montana Human Rights Bureau, the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission and grievances with the Board of Personnel Appeals. In exchange, FWP agreed to the payment, purging of disciplinary records identified by Van Genderens attorney and to conduct business in a manner that does not discriminate or retaliate against those alleging discrimination. Van Genderen agreed to give up any further claims. FWP admits no liability in the settlement. Both parties agree to not make any disparaging statements or allegations about each other for 10 years. Martha Sheehy, an attorney representing the Independent Record, believes state public records law is clear, particularly when it comes to expenditures of state money. The IR always asserted that it shouldve been released all along, she said. That was the basis of our request for disclosure and we stated our intent to file a lawsuit if necessary to obtain the settlement agreement. The release of the document in this case, I think it demonstrates a willingness to acknowledge the publics right to know." Independent Record Editor Jesse Chaney said that while he was disappointed FWP initially declined to release the settlement agreement, he was glad the agency complied with the request after the newspaper communicated its intention to file suit. Montanans have a right to know how the state is spending money, especially when it involves a six-figure payout to a former high-ranking employee amid a budget shortfall. We will continue to fight for transparency within state agencies so the people can effectively evaluate the performance of the government leaders who are there to represent them, he said. FWP Director Martha Williams, an attorney and former law professor, said that while she was not directly involved in the negotiations, she continues to believe the settlement is confidential employee information if privacy is not waived. Once Van Genderen waived his right to privacy, the agency did not have a reason to withhold the information, she said. Williams said she believed FWP had a strong case, but entering into a settlement was more compelling to allow us to move forward, with Montana State Parks. Earlier this year the parks division came under scrutiny from lawmakers and the media due to millions of dollars that went unspent despite a sizable maintenance backlog. Parks recently named Beth R. Shumate as Van Genderens successor as administrator and Bullock launched an initiative focused on strengthening support and exploring additional funding. In addition to cuts that came during the regular legislative session, parks again saw its funding cut by $250,000 in the recent special session. That cut will mean scaling back planned road work at Makoshika State Park, FWP chief of administration Dustin Temple said. Its official. Montana has joined 23 other states and provinces with wild cervid populations infected with chronic wasting disease (CWD). Ironically, the two infected mule deer were killed by hunters south of Billings, near Wyoming, within days of Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks release of its draft CWD management plan. MFWP has proactively moved to limit the emerging threat, and rightfully so. An infectious, neurodegenerative disease caused by abnormal proteins, called prions, CWD affects white-tailed and mule deer, elk, moose, and caribou. Its virtually always fatal. CWD first emerged in northeast Colorado and southeast Wyoming about 1980. It percolated along without much fanfare until the late 1990s when it began popping up elsewhere both in game farms and wild herds. At most new locations, its geographic distribution in the wild has expanded; and disease prevalence has trended upward. This is a disease to be taken dead seriously. Its unlike periodic outbreaks of botulism or blue tongue that quickly kill ducks or deer and then burn out. CWD persists; its relentless. Contributing to its persistence is the indestructibility of prions in the environment. Prions shed in saliva, urine, feces, and infected animal carcasses bind to soil and may be taken up by plants. There, prions remain infectious to cervids for years, perhaps decades. Infected animals survive for months or even years, all the while shedding prions. As more sick animals shed the pathogen, the cycle perpetuates. In some Colorado and Wyoming deer herds infected longest, CWD infects 2050 percent of the animals. Wyoming officials whove played down CWDs threat to game herds, have recorded annual declines of 10% and 21% in whitetail and mule deer herds, respectively. Some modelling efforts suggest that herd extinctions may occur in time. Theres no way to treat the disease and no vaccine prevents it. Instead, proactive intervention is the best bet to stem CWDs impacts. Like other density-dependent diseases, CWD proliferates where animals congregate. Montana can reduce the disease risk by implementing strategies that limit cervid numbers to state population objectives. CWD has now spread across neighboring Wyoming to all but Uinta and Teton Counties, the latter home to the National Elk Refuge where I worked the final 22 years of a career that spanned CWDs march across Wyoming. CWD is knocking at the door of 8,000 elk that winter on the refuge and 16,000 more at 22 state-operated elk feedgrounds. A looming nightmare. Dan Vermillion, chairman of the MFWP Commission, recently noted, To me, the arrival of CWD is terrifying and its heartbreaking the more I learn about the science and the potential it has to harm our game herds which have contributed to the states reputation ... Common sense, in the face of a disease event, points to getting rid of the (Wyoming elk) feedgrounds In a resolution unanimously passed earlier this year, Montanas Senate called upon Wyoming to do just that. But Im not hopeful. For 20 years I and other scientists and conservationists have warned that feeding elk is a worst-case scenario for CWD. Feedgrounds increasingly accumulating prions from infected elk could become veritable biological Superfund sites leading to migrating elk spreading CWD from these 23 feedground hubs to Idaho, Yellowstone National Park, and beyond. What should Montana do to protect its treasured wildlife? Disease surveillance followed by inaction, as in Wyoming, is not an option. Montana has two choices. The window for both wont stay open long: 1) try to rid the disease along our border, or 2) contain and limit CWD prevalence, as the Montana CWD plan prescribes. Both options require controversial management actions, public cooperation, a sustained commitment and funding. Neither option is guaranteed success. Both deserve debate. But accepting some level of cervid infection means that the longer CWD is here, the more animals will become infected and likely spread this deadly disease across the landscape. Thats CWDs lesson from the past 40 years. CWDs worst impacts will develop over years. But decisions made now will affect our ecosystems, economy, and Montanans way of life far into the future. Talk to others who are knowledgeable. Read up on the issue. Comments on our states CWD plan are due by December 8. NOTICE: TO BE CLEAR: WE HAVE OUTLINED UNDER OUR RECORD MAINTENANCE POLICY WHAT WE BELIEVE TO BE A FAIR PROCESS FOR ALL. SIMPLY PUT: IF THE COURT SAW FIT TO EXPUNGE YOUR RECORD,SO WILL WE, FREE OF CHARGE. ARRESTS DO NOT IMPLY GUILT AND CRIMINAL CHARGES ARE MERELY ACCUSATIONS,EVERYONE IS PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW AND CONVICTED. FCRA DISCLAIMER: MUGSHOTS.COM DOES NOT PROVIDE CONSUMER REPORTS AND IS NOT A CONSUMER REPORTING AGENCY. 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WE BELIEVE IN THE CONSTITUTION AND OUR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT TO PUBLISH UNPOPULAR SPEECH. OPEN RECORD LAWS WERE WRITTEN TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC; BY INFORMING THE PUBLIC OF ARRESTS AND TO HOLD LAW ENFORCEMENT ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE HUMANE TREATMENT OF ARRESTEES. MOST OF, IF NOT ALL MUGSHOT LAWS WERE CRAFTED TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC FROM FEES FOR REMOVAL OF ONLINE MUGSHOTS AND TO FURTHER PROTECT THE PRESS FROM THOSE VERY SAME "MUGSHOT LAWS".WE DO NOT ACCEPT PAYMENT FOR REMOVAL OF ARREST INFORMATION AND/OR BOOKING PHOTOGRAPHS. MORE... MUSCATINE Lawyers for Muscatine Mayor Diana Broderson and the Muscatine City Council continue to argue in the aftermath of a final ruling on the mayor's removal from office. Broderson was removed from office by the city council in May and appealed the decision in Muscatine County District Court. On Oct. 24, a judge ruled the removal vote was vacated because councilmen violated her right to due process. The ruling also required the defendants the city and city council to pay the mayors legal fees. This month, lawyers for Broderson said her legal fees since November 2016 total more than $134,000. Around the same time, her attorneys, William Sueppel and Catherine Gerlach asked the judge to dissolve a protective order, making the minutes of five closed session meetings public record. Monday, attorney for the city, Amy Reasner, argued against both requests. In regard to the legal fees, Reasner listed dozens of expenses that she said do not have proper documentation or justification. She argued the city should not be required to pay Broderson's legal fees, or asked the total amount be reduced. Reasner claimed there is no "statutory right" to attorneys' fees in writ of certiorari proceedings. Earlier this month, Broderson's lawyers also requested the defendants pay any future legal fees she incurs, such as if the city were to appeal the final ruling. Reasner, as well as an attorney for City Administrator Gregg Mandsager, also argued Monday against the release of five closed session transcripts. Previously, the judge ruled the meetings, held by the city council to discuss potential litigation against the mayor, should be used as evidence in Broderson's appeal because they show the council's role in the removal process. The mayor's lawyers asked the judge to dissolve a protective order he placed on the transcripts of the meetings on Aug. 31, which prohibit the minutes from being released to the public. The attorneys added, now that the city administrator is suing Broderson for defamation, the use of the closed sessions would help her prepare a full defense. Reasner argued Monday there is no public purpose for the tapes to be released. Broderson's attorneys said the tapes could help the mayor "clear her name," but Reasner said that is unnecessary because there are no ongoing proceedings attempting to remove her from office. Reasner denies the closed sessions were held illegally, which Broderson's attorneys alleged, and said even if the meetings were "illegally closed, lifting the protective order is not a remedy available" to the mayor under Iowa Code. In addition, Reasner said the closed sessions were relevant in Broderson's removal appeal, but not in her defense against the city administrator's defamation suit. She wrote, Broderson "requests lifting the protective order for her own personal gain, to use in a defamation suit and to 'clear her name,' relief which exceeds the authority of the court in a certiorari action." Reasner, as well as an attorney for the city administrator, added that the two meetings, on Feb. 18 and Oct. 13 of last year, which were allegedly held to discuss Mandsager's job performance, should especially remain confidential under Iowa Code. Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy Les emplois a Rennes sont abondants et varies. Il y a quelque chose pour tout le monde. Que vous soyez a la recherche dun emploi [] Les blattes ou cafards (Blatta orientalis) sont des insectes qui appartiennent a la famille des Blattoptera. Ils se caracterisent par leur forme allongee, leurs ailes [] A firefighter checks the site on Sunday of the Nov 18 fire that killed 19 people and injured eight others in Xinjian village, Beijing's Daxing district. [Zou Hong/China Daily] Beijing Party chief Cai Qi said at a meeting on Monday that consideration must be shown to those people who experience difficulties as a result of the campaign to check safety hazards in places where many migrant workers are living. As well as being people-oriented, the work must not be done in haste, he said. The campaign was launched after a fire, reportedly caused by faulty electrical wiring, claimed the lives of 19 people in Beijing's suburban Daxing district on Nov 18. There can be no doubt such a campaign is necessary, but what has been done in some areas has sparked a public outcry because the swiftness with which people were asked to leave their homes in buildings deemed a risk seemed harsh. What Cai said at the meeting will be reassuring as it is a positive response to the criticism of the campaign by someone who was himself an influential opinion leader on social media and knows the importance of keeping the public properly informed. A lot of problems and difficulties will have been encountered by the law enforcers no matter how well planned the safety campaign has been, as some of those who needed to be evacuated from dwellings with safety hazards will have been reluctant to be moved. The authorities should have given the residents more time to relocate, as Cai said, and the inspection should have been carried out in a more orderly way. Of course, it will be impossible for the campaign to be carried out to the satisfaction of all those having to vacate the premises where the live, even though it is for their own safety. But if enough is done to help those who find themselves in difficulties as a result, whether by providing temporary accommodation or train tickets home, there is no reason why this indispensible campaign cannot proceed smoothly with the public's blessing. It is hoped that Cai's words will help ensure law-based governance and put an end to all the controversy. FEMA announced a variety of financial, legal and emotional support services for people affected by the October wildfires. The deadline for victims to register for assistance is Dec. 11. More information is available at WildfireRecovery.org. The emotional impact of the October wildfires can be as devastating as the economic losses, experts say. The Disaster Distress Helpline is staffed with trained counselors who can help people in need of crisis counseling. Call 800-985-5990 (press 2 for Spanish) or text TalkWithUs or Hablanos to 66746. Locally, OLE Health is offering wildfire support groups. Groups will meet at 1141 Pear Tree Lane in Napa every Thursday from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. starting this week. English and Spanish groups are available. A legal hotline at 415-575-3120 has been established for disaster survivors in the designated counties. The service allows callers to receive free limited legal assistance from volunteer lawyers. Hours are 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Eligible homeowners and renters may be able to receive money for losses not covered by insurance to help pay for basic home repairs, temporary rental assistance and other needs. FEMA Individual Assistance is grant money that does not have to be repaid. To register, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov. As of Sunday, FEMA said it had approved 4,141 registrations, with grants totaling more than $12 million approved for individuals and households. Anyone who has questions about the Consolidated Debris Removal Program can call the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers debris removal information line at 877-875-7681 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., or email their questions to: USACESupportToNapa@usace.army.mil. FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, notes that the time to buy flood insurance is now. After some of the costliest fires in Californias history, areas that traditionally are not flood prone are at risk due to changes to the landscape caused by fire. For more information on the National Flood Insurance Program, visit fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program and then talk with an insurance agent. It is important to note that there is normally a 30-day waiting period for flood insurance to go into effect. Napa County looks likely to have a new priority heading its federal and state lobbying wish listswildfire recovery aid. A proposed county lobbying platform for 2018 mentions seeking maximum wildfire loss reimbursements for the county and its residents. It mentions supporting legislation and regulations to ease wildfire loss burdens and promote recovery. What specific disaster aid the county seeks in wake of Octobers Atlas, Nuns and Tubbs fires remains to be seen. The fires destroyed or badly damaged more than 600 homes. We intentionally left it vague because we werent quite sure what we need to ask for yet, Deputy County Executive Officer Molly Rattigan said. But the countys state lobbyists are game. Paul Yoder of Shaw/Yoder/Antwih, Inc. said the county secured $20 million in state funding for a new county jail after the existing jail was damaged during the 2014 South Napa earthquake. Yoder called this making lemonade from lemons. Thats the kind of work we anticipate doing for the county in response to the fires, he said. Napa County each year adopts a list of its state and federal legislative priorities. The county Board of Supervisors is to vote on the 2018 version on Dec. 5. As a prelude, supervisors discussed legislative matters at various meetings over the past two weeks. Napa County could try adding its voice to the federal tax reform debate underway in the Congress. Among the countys priorities is keeping the full deductions for state and local income and property taxes and the full deduction for home mortgages. These deductions are at risk. Steve Palmer of Van Scoyoc Associates considered whether tax reform in the Republican-controlled Congress is taking aim at California. Van Scoyoc does federal lobbying for the county. Id say, no, its not really anti-California, but its definitely anti-blue state, he told supervisors. Existing versions of tax reform would hurt California, New Jersey and New York the most, he said. Those states combined have six Democratic senators. A new item on the countys draft federal wish list is securing a $15 million grant to replace the main and secondary runways at Napa County Airport. The runways, aside from minor repairs, have the same pavement from when they were constructed 70 years ago, county officials said. Without the project, continued degradation of the pavement could render them inoperable, the draft platform says. A new item on the countys state wish list is to use state-owned land in Napa County for affordable housing. The draft platform specifically mentions unused portions of Napa State Hospital and the Veterans Home of California at Yountville. But critical state-owned open-space land should remain for the publics enjoyment as open space, the draft platform says. Were not trying to take state park land or Skyline Park for this purpose, Rattigan said. In a holdover item from previous years, the county could once again seek to buy Skyline Wilderness Park along Imola Avenue at fair market price. It presently leases the 850 acres with 25 miles of hiking trails from the state. The county first needs the state Legislature to pass a bill allowing the state and county to negotiate a price for Skyline. Previous 2010 legislation allowed the two parties to negotiate through 2015, but they failed to reach a deal before the expiration date. Monday, Nov. 20 0818 Medical aid on Laguna Seca Court for a possible heart attack. 0858 Medical aid on Howell Mountain Road for a bleeding problem. 1104 Mysterious packages were delivered to a Main Street bank, addressed from the same person. Police took a report. 1411 Report of two loose chihuahuas on Sylvaner Avenue. 1629 A dog had been barking for about 20 minutes on Pratt Avenue. Tuesday, Nov. 21 0848 A semi was blocking both lanes of Grayson Avenue. 0949 Report of a burglary on Chablis Circle. 1332 Report of possible drug activity in a Hunt Avenue parking lot. 1640 A woman who might have been intoxicated reportedly got into a car on Hunt Avenue. Wednesday, Nov. 22 1426 Report of many cars speeding on Crane Avenue, including sedans and construction vehicles. 1439 A sheriffs deputy passed on a report about a domestic incident on Pope Street. 1453 A Vineyard Avenue resident paid for a virus protection program, mistakenly thinking it was through Microsoft. Now callers are pressuring her to buy gift cards and sign up for Western Union. She also saw a window pop up on her computer saying she had a virus, and to call a phone number. An officer confirmed that the incidents were fraudulent. 1457 Police responded to a two-car accident at Railroad/Hunt. One driver was taken to the hospital after complaining of a head injury and nausea. 1537 Report of a problem with a woman panhandling outside a Hunt Avenue store. She had convinced one resident to buy groceries for her, but now the resident was upset and feeling like shed been taken advantage of. Police told the panhandler to leave and not come back. 1751 A person asked for information about the legality of adding Christmas lights to his car. Thursday, Nov. 23 0038 Police responded to a noise complaint on Pope Street. The music was turned off. 0243 Report of loud bass music on Mitchell Drive. 0733 Report of a woman and a small child panhandling on the sidewalk outside a Hunt Avenue store. 1115 A construction crew was working on a house on Spring Street. Police notified the workers of the noise ordinance prohibiting loud work on holidays. 1239 Two callers heard multiple shots near Pope/Silverado. 1415 Medical aid on Hunt Avenue. 1454 A very intoxicated man was lying on the sidewalk against a wall at Adams/Main. Police arrested the 55-year-old transient on suspicion of public intoxication, and for two outstanding Napa County warrants for public intoxication. 1554 Medical aid on Pope Street. 2006 Medical aid on Adams Street. 2227 A suspicious person was seen entering a gated area containing dumpsters on Adams Street. Police checked the area. 2354 Following a traffic stop at Adams/Oak, police arrested a 40-year-old St. Helena man on suspicion of DUI. Friday, Nov. 24 0314 Medical aid on San Juan Court. 0833 Police found a loose dog near Main/Charter Oak. 0838 A red and white border collie was reported missing from an office near Main/Grayson. 1314 Medical aid for a woman feeling dizzy on Park Street. 1456 An elderly woman asked police to check on her troubled son whom she hadnt seen or heard from all day. 1902 Medical aid on Redondo Court. 2254 A speeding car was failing to yield to police on northbound Highway 29 near Deer Park Road. 2302 Report of a loud party, with loud music and people screaming, near Chiles/June. Saturday, Nov. 25 0058 Report of loud music and loud people, with possible underage drinking, on Chiles Avenue. 1158 Report of trash overflowing near Mitchell/Oak. 1205 Report of metal and car parts scattered at Hunt/Church. 1423 A teenage girl ran away from her home on McCorkle Avenue. Shed told her mother she might visit a friend. The mother said her daughters bad behavior has been escalating. 1621 Report of a reckless driver swerving from side to side on Highway 29 between St. Helena and Calistoga. 1746 Report of a car swerving on Highway 29 near Whitehall Lane. 1953 Report of a truck blocking a driveway on Spring Street. Sunday, Nov. 26 0949 Report of a possible drunk driver weaving and traveling at only 10 mph on Highway 29 near Big Tree Road. 1326 Medical aid for a person feeling dizzy on Sulphur Springs Avenue. 1713 Report of someone camping in a white camper trailer on Spring Street. Monday, Nov. 27 1245 A woman said shed locked her keys in her car near Adams/Railroad. Police said they couldnt help her because of liability issues, but they gave her the phone number of a tow truck company that could help her. 1705 Report of a suspicious man wearing white rubber gloves in front of some dumpsters on Main Street. One day a month, the recently opened "eXtraordinarY" clinic sees two to three young patients in Emory Clinic B. While its patient base is small, its reputation is growing as a resource for families affected by sex chromosome variations. Established by pediatric nurse practitioner Sharron Close and developmental pediatrician Amy Talboy in 2016, the clinic is the first in the Southeast and one of a few nationwide that provide information, treatment, and access to research for these conditions. X and Y variations are not inherited and occur when girls (XX) and boys (XY) are randomly born with more or less than the expected number of sex chromosomes. Some people with variations such as trisomy X (which occurs in one out of 1,000 female births) and Klinefelter syndrome (which occurs in one out of 500 males births) live free of or are mildly affected by symptoms, while others face lifelong medical, developmental, and behavioral challenges. Girls with trisomy X, for example, may be unusually tall and have weak muscle tone and widely spaced eyes. Boys with Klinefelter syndrome may have tall stature, weak muscle tone, testosterone deficiency, and unhealthy metabolic profiles that predispose them to conditions such as central obesity, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular disease. Both groups may experience issues with reproductive health and learning and social disabilities that impact psychosocial health and quality of life. While X and Y variations are not rare, they are rarely diagnosed, leaving children, adults, and families to struggle on their own without knowing why. "Families have been falling through the cracks for decades," says Close, a faculty member in the nursing school. "Our clinic meets a tremendous need." Close and Talboy currently see patients who have been diagnosed via chromosomal analysis. The clinic evaluates their needs and connects children and parents with early intervention programs, speech and language therapies, and occupational and physical therapies as needed. As children grow older, clinicians can address reproductive health problems that may arise during puberty. They can also counsel expectant parents about possible risk of X and Y variations detected through prenatal screening. A genetic counselor, nurse navigator, neuropsychologist, pediatric endocrinologist, and adult urologist staff the clinic, in addition to Close and Talboy. The clinic now has a wait list, and its co-directors are debating whether to add a second clinic day. Sharron Close, Amy Talboy Sharron Close, Amy Talboy "We are growing a step at a time," says Talboy, a faculty member in human genetics. "We want to be available to anyone who would like to see us. We will follow every child over time to make sure their needs are addressed, their therapy is adequate, and that they are progressing as hoped. We can also educate families about research opportunities available to them." Until recently, most X and Y research was descriptive in nature and offered few interventions to help patients and families. To close the gap, Close organized conferences in 2015 and 2016 to engage patients, families, clinicians, and scientists in developing ways to help children and parents manage X and Y symptoms and cope with the issues they face in their lives. The No. 1 goal of patients and families in attendance, she found, was to raise awareness and promote education about sex chromosome variations. For the past two years, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal has signed a proclamation declaring May as X & Y Chromosome Variation Awareness Month, marking a milestone in a grassroots campaign led by Close, Talboy, and Dorothy Boothe, whose son has XXY (Klinefelter) syndrome. Boothe is a member and parent leader of the Southeastern Regional X and Y Support Group, which draws patients and families from Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, and Florida. The group meets bimonthly, often at the School of Nursing. "The first time we met, we had five or six times more people that we expected," says Talboy, who has addressed the Georgia State Senate about X and Y variations. Close is also a collaborator on a documentary by filmmaker Dianne Steinkraus, whose younger sister Carole has trisomy X. For years, Dianne consulted with doctors and behavioral experts to learn the cause of her sister's mental health issues. When Carole was 53, genetic testing confirmed she had trisomy X. Finally, the sisters had an explanation for Carole's lifelong struggles with anxiety, insecurity, and difficulty connecting with family and friends. It also explained why she was 6 feet tall by age 12. Carole, now 60 and in assisted living in Minnesota, is the inspiration behind Dianne's film. When completed, it will feature experts and projects from around the country, including a regional network of eXtraordinarY clinics like the one at Emory. "There probably are many other women like Carole who still haven't been diagnosed," says Close. SIU outreach program Operation: Sgt. Santa to benefit student-parents CARBONDALE, Ill. Need an idea for Giving Tuesday? How about a gift that allows a child to give? Operation: Sgt. Santa, an outreach from the Southern Illinois University Carbondales Public Relations Student Society of America, benefits children of SIU student parents by presenting them with gift cards they may use partly on themselves but they are encouraged to focus on family. On Dec. 6, the student group will present $100 Kohls gift cards to 15 children for a special shopping operation with Department of Public Safety police officers. The evening also includes dinner and holiday activities. The selected children and their families will come to operation headquarters at the Student Center to enjoy a meal and arts and crafts beginning at 5 p.m. While their families are busy with crafting fun, the selected children will go on a shopping spree at Kohls to shop for themselves and their families. When they return to base, PRSSA members will help them wrap their gifts. Applications for parents are available from Josh Houston, PRSSA faculty adviser, at jhouston@siu.edu. Community members are encouraged to donate to help this outreach. John Shaw tapped to lead Paul Simon Public Policy Institute by Pete Rosenbery CARBONDALE, Ill. Journalist and author John T. Shaw is poised to lead Southern Illinois University Carbondales Paul Simon Public Policy Institute as its next director. Shaw, a 26-year veteran congressional reporter with Market News International, covered political and economic issues for the global news service. He has been a contributing writer for the monthly magazine The Washington Diplomat for the past 20 years. Shaws People of World Influence column profiled international affairs leaders including Colin Powell, Madeleine Albright, James Baker, Sam Nunn and Zbigniew Brzezinski. Shaws appointment is subject to approval by the universitys Board of Trustees at its Dec. 14 meeting in Carbondale. Shaw will replace David Yepsen, who retired in October 2016. Jak Tichenor has been serving as interim director. If approved, Shaw will begin his duties on Jan. 16. I am excited John Shaw accepted our offer to lead the highly respected Paul Simon Institute, Chancellor Carlo Montemagno said. John will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience from his more than two decades covering national and international politics and public policy. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the institutes founding in 1997. The institute honors founder and former U.S. Sen. Paul Simon, D-Illinois, who started the institute upon his retirement from Congress. The institute is a bipartisan public service center with a broad-ranging mission to study and act on significant and controversial issues that impact the region, state, nation and world. The institute is also committed to developing and implementing approaches that could bring concrete, positive results by tackling difficult challenges in the public policy arena. Among the areas of the institutes focus are fostering ethical conduct in government, and opportunity and fair treatment for citizens in America and throughout the world. A native of Peoria, Illinois, Shaw earned his bachelors degree in political science from Knox College in Galesburg. He earned his masters degree in history from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia and did graduate work in international relations at The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. He has been a congressional analyst for media outlets including C-SPAN, ABCs 20/20, The PBS Newshour, and SkyNews Australia. Shaw is the author of five books including Richard G. Lugar: Statesman of the Senate and JFK in the Senate: Pathway to the Presidency. His latest book, Rising Star, Setting Sun: Eisenhower, Kennedy and the Presidential Transition that Shaped America, will be published by Pegasus Books in the spring of 2018. Shaws experience also includes working for The Wall Street Journal Europe in Brussels and creating a weekly on-air congressional segment for KPCC/Southern California Public Radio, one of the nations largest NPR affiliates. He has been a five-time Hoover Institution Media Fellow at Stanford University. Shaw began his career as a Governors Executive Fellow for Illinois Gov. James R. Thompson. During his one-year fellowship in Springfield, he worked on projects in the governors budget, program and personnel offices. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-27 19:26:20|Editor: pengying Video Player Close Former Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf speaks during the opening ceremony of the first Next Summit in Auckland, New Zealand, on Nov. 27, 2017. Some 400 delegates from academic and business circles in New Zealand gathered here Monday to discuss international cooperation under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative. (Xinhua/Li Qiaoqiao) AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Some 400 delegates from academic and business circles in New Zealand gathered here Monday to discuss international cooperation under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative. The first Next Summit, organized by the Oceania Silk Road Network along with New Zealand Green Industry Association and New Zealand Chinese Scientists Association, aims to promote international resource mobilization and capacity building through innovative cooperation among countries and regions, deepen international trade cooperation, and promote sustainable development, organizers said. In a message sent to the summit, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said there are "clear synergies" between the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China. Both frameworks strive to "stitch countries together in networks of trade and mutual gain," and both aim to "deepen global connectivity," Guterres said. Vice Minister of Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council Xu Yousheng told the opening ceremony that the summit's focus on new-type globalization, innovative cooperation, and sustainable development is in line with the trend of the pursuit of peace, development and win-win cooperation. Xu, also the vice president of the China Overseas Exchange Association, said the Belt and Road reflected the historic steps of the Chinese people's overseas migration, and it shows how Chinese reached out to the world. The Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative was proposed by China in 2013 with the aim of building a trade, investment and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes. The summit, with the theme of "innovation, cooperation and sustainability," was also attended by political figures including Essam Sharaf, former prime minister of Egypt and president of Sharaf Sustainable Development Foundation, as well as enterprises and research institutes from China and New Zealand. Summit organizers said the two countries share great room for cooperation to improve global governance and sustainable development. This summit also discussed and shared new thoughts and best practices in these areas, as well as explored and shared new opportunities for international cooperation while taking the Belt and Road Initiative as a case study. The summit was live broadcast globally via VR technology, so as to present the event in real time to those around the world who were unable to attend. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 00:33:13|Editor: yan Video Player Close SKOPJE, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) expects all Macedonian political parties to show commitment and willingness to cooperate on implementation of country's reforms, EU Ambassador to Skopje Samuel Zbogar told reporters Monday. Speaking to the press, Zbogar said the implementation of reforms was crucial to the advancement of Macedonia's EU bid. "We as EU want to see commitment not only from the government for continuation of the reforms but also from the parliament and the political parties," Zbogar said after the meeting with Maksim Dimitrievski, mayor of Kumanovo (northern Macedonia). The EU ambassador noted that if the institutions continued to deliver results, there would be a positive effect on relations between EU and the country next year. "In this context, we see cooperation between the government and the opposition, and we, as the European Union, encourage this process and we hope that this kind of cooperation ... will continue in the future and will yield results," Zbogar said. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 00:38:14|Editor: yan Video Player Close NICOSIA, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Rating agency Moody's Investor's Services on Monday issued a warning on the bailed-out Cypriot economy, saying it is "highly susceptible to every risk". In a report issued after its upgrading of the Cypriot economy in July, Moody's said it retained its grading with a positive outlook on account of the big ratio of non-performing loans which burden the banking system. Cyprus was pulled back from economic meltdown under a three-year 10-billion-euro economic assistance package by the Eurogroup and the International Monetary Fund. At the end of its bailout the eastern Mediterranean island achieved a robust growth, one of the highest among EU countries, a reduction of its sovereign debt and access to international markets. "However, Cyprus' debt metrics still remain vulnerable to a negative growth, fiscal or a combined shock scenario," with the island's economy being "susceptible to every risk" given the vulnerabilities of the banking sector which still struggles with a non-performing loans ratio of around 45 percent, Moody's said. Yet it said that the banks managed to improve their standing through restructuring and selling of non performing loans. It also added that the positive outlook on Cyprus' sovereign rating reflects Moody's view that improvements in economic resilience and fiscal strength are likely to be sustained. Moody's projected that Cyprus' economic output, expected to increase 3.5 percent this year, is forecast to expand 3.2 percent in 2018. These figures are slightly lower than the estimates by the Ministry of Finance which put growth at 3.7 percent this year and 3.5 percent in 2018. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 01:18:31|Editor: yan Video Player Close ADDIS ABABA, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian government on Monday called for stronger relations with Australia and New Zealand, with due emphasis given to investments in Ethiopia. At an Ethiopia-Australia, New Zealand business forum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopian Minister of Trade Bekele Bulado invited Australian and New Zealand investors to explore Ethiopia's investment landscape. Bulado, who noted the strong and longstanding historical relations among the three countries, said that the partnership "needs to translate so as to foster the three countries' all-round cooperation and further enhance economic and business ties." "Ethiopia presents strong internal market opportunities to Australia and New Zealand investors and businesses, in part emanating from the potential offered by huge population number," he said. Bulado pointed to such sectors as infrastructure, transport, mining, renewable energy, agriculture, and textiles for Australian and New Zealand investment. Australian Ambassador to Ethiopia Mark Sawe also reiterated the importance of trade and commerce in boosting relations between the two countries and emphasized the way trade could be an important agent of change in empowering peoples in the two countries. The Ethiopia-Australia, New Zealand business forum was organized by the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in partnership with the embassies of Australia and New Zealand in Addis Ababa. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 02:38:50|Editor: yan Video Player Close ANKARA, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Two people were killed and another injured when a mine collapsed in Turkey's Black Sea province of Zonguldak on Monday, local Dogan News Agency reported. Three workers were trapped inside the mine which is operated by Turkish Hard Coal Institution after the accident occurred. The emergency service teams and ambulances were dispatched immediately to the scene. Following nearly three hours of searching work, one of the trapped workers was rescued from the ruins and taken to the local hospital, while two others were found dead. The investigation was underway. Abdel Mohsen Salama (C), chief of the Egyptian Syndicate of Journalists, speaks to the media as he holds a candle amongst others at a vigil outside syndicate headquarters in the capital Cairo's downtown district on November 27, 2017, in the memory of the victims of a bomb and gun assault that left over 300 worshippers killed in the restive province of North Sinai on November 24. (AFP PHOTO) CAIRO, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Dozens of Egyptian journalists held on Monday a candlelight vigil in front of the Syndicate of Journalists in Cairo in memory of the victims of the Friday terror attack that left 305 in country's North Sinai province. The participants expressed their deep condolences to the victims' families and all those affected by the terrorist attack, wishing speedy recovery to the injured. "This is the least we could do for the victims and their families. We also want to convey a message that terrorism has nothing to do religions," Hanem al-Kerdassy, a researcher, told Xinhua. Egyptians hold candles at a vigil outside the Syndicate of Journalists in the capital Cairo's downtown district on November 27, 2017, in the memory of the victims of a bomb and gun assault that left over 300 worshippers killed in the restive province of North Sinai on November 24. (AFP PHOTO) On Friday, a group of terrorists killed 305 people, including 27 children, and injured 128 others while performing noon prayers in a mosque in North Sinai's al-Rawda village. The attack took place after the mosque's preacher started his sermons speech, when terrorists threw bombs from the windows and doors of the mosque, besieging the worshippers inside. No group has claimed responsibility for the bloodbath. A picture taken on November 25, 2017, shows the Rawda mosque, roughly 40 kilometres west of the North Sinai capital of El-Arish, after a gun and bombing attack. (AFP PHOTO) However, fingers are pointed at a Sinai-based group loyal to the Islamic State which has claimed most major terrorist operations in Egypt over the past few years and whose affiliates are currently facing a massive security crackdown in Syria and Iraq. "This is ugliest terror crime in the modern history of Egypt...killing unarmed worshippers can never be justified," Yasser Selim, an Egyptian journalist said. He said the Egyptian journalists send a message today to the whole world that the war on terror in Egypt is ongoing, urging the international community to support Egypt's war on terror. "The Egyptians are united in face of terrorism...we are not afraid of terror," he stressed. On Saturday, the Egyptian military said air force jets hit a number of vehicles loaded with terrorists involved in the deadly attack. In addition, the air forces targeted a number of hideouts containing weapons and ammunition that belong to the extremists. The airstrikes came hours after Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi vowed to respond fiercely against terrorists who carried out the attack. It is the first time a mosque was targeted by militants in Egypt. The North Sinai province, a mostly desert area bordering Israel and the Palestinian Gaza Strip, has been experiencing waves of anti-security attacks that have killed hundreds of police and soldiers since an army-led ouster of Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in 2013. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 04:14:21|Editor: yan Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Monday called for progress in the UN-brokered Geneva talks between the Syrian government and the opposition. "The members of the Security Council look forward to a new round of talks that will start tomorrow (Tuesday) in Geneva," Sebastiano Cardi, president of the Security Council, told reporters after the council held closed-door consultations on Syria following an open meeting. The council members urged all Syrian parties to participate actively and with no preconditions in the Geneva political process and to support efforts to ensure its success, said Cardi, the Italian ambassador to the United Nations. The council reiterated that there is no military solution to the Syrian conflict and confirmed that a political solution must be forged through the Geneva process, he said. They also stressed respect for Syria's sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity. The Syrian opposition has formed a unified group for Geneva talks following negotiations among them in Riyadh, while the Syrian government has not confirmed its attendance at the the new round of Geneva talks. "The meeting will start tomorrow and we really hope that all parties, including the Syrian government, will be present," said Cardi. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 04:29:25|Editor: yan Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Security Council on Monday condemned "in the strongest terms" an attack on UN peacekeepers in the Central African Republic (CAR) that killed an Egyptian blue helmet. Sunday's attack on a convoy of the UN mission in the CAR, or MINUSCA, near Gambo in the prefecture of Mbomou by suspected anti-Balaka militants also led to the injury of three other UN peacekeepers. Five suspected anti-Balaka attackers were killed. The Security Council members expressed their deepest condolences and sympathy to the family of the peacekeeper killed, and their deepest sympathy to the family of the peacekeepers injured, as well as to Egypt, and to the MINUSCA, said the council in a press statement. The members of the council condemned in the strongest terms all attacks, provocations and incitement to violence against the MINUSCA by armed groups and other perpetrators, said the statement. They reiterated that attacks against peacekeepers may constitute war crimes and reminded all parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law. They called on the CAR government to swiftly investigate this attack and bring the perpetrators to justice. The members of the Security Council reiterated their full support for the MINUSCA and expressed their deep appreciation to MINUSCA's troop- and police-contributing countries. They reiterated their strong support for the special representative of the UN secretary-general for the CAR, Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, and for the MMINUSCA to assist the CAR authorities and the people of the CAR in their efforts to bring lasting peace and stability. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack on Sunday. The CAR has been in civil war since 2012, which is being fought along religious and ethnic lines, primarily between Christian anti-Balaka militia and Muslim Seleka groups. With Sunday's attack, hostile acts have claimed the lives of 13 peacekeepers in the CAR this year. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 04:39:29|Editor: yan Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Relaxing of a three-week blockade of war-torn and famine-threatened Yemen to allow humanitarian aid to enter was welcomed by the United Nations on Monday, but the amount of goods delivered was described as "just a drop in the bucket." "We are glad that the deliveries of goods were able to resume at Hudaydah, Saleef (seaports) and at Sanaa airport, but this is just a drop in the bucket," chief UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters at UN Headquarters in New York. "We need to make sure that there is unimpeded and open availability of deliveries of food, of fuel whether by land, by sea or by air," he said. "The needs in Yemen are tremendous." The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the Saudi-led coalition had eased restrictions for humanitarian movements on Yemen's national airport in Sanaa and the Hudaydah and Saleef ports. "On Saturday, three humanitarian flights landed and took off from Sanaa airport, including two UN Humanitarian Air Service passenger flights and one humanitarian cargo flight," Dujarric said. "One of those flights delivered 1.9 million doses of diphtheria vaccines for 600,000 children to protect them against whooping cough, tuberculosis, pneumonia and meningitis." He said the vaccines will help contain an outbreak of diphtheria. More than 170 suspected diphtheria cases and at least 14 deaths in Ibb Governorate have been recorded since August. The first commercial cargo vessel, carrying 5,500 metric tons of wheat flour, docked Sunday for the first time since Nov. 6 at Hudaydah port and a UN-chartered vessel carrying 25,000 metric tons of bulk wheat tied up at Saleef port on Monday, the spokesman said. "With rapidly dwindling fuel stocks in Yemen and the dire humanitarian situation pushing at least seven million people towards famine, it is important that there is unimpeded access for both humanitarian and commercial cargo to enter Hudaydah and Saleef ports, including those carrying fuel. And that's not the case currently," he said. "Fuel is urgently required to operate generators for hospitals, water well pumps and sanitation units, and to facilitate the trucking of drinking water and staple food to vulnerable people in need," the spokesman said, noting that some 21 million Yemenis need humanitarian assistance. Pressed by reporters on the question of who was impeding access, Dujarric said, "there are challenges pegged to the Saudi-led coalition." In 2015, Houthi rebels attacked Yemeni government positions in one of the Arab world's poorest countries and a Saudi-led coalition was formed to defend the government. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 06:25:00|Editor: yan Video Player Close BERLIN, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- The mayor in western German town of Altena was attacked on Monday night in a kebab shop by a drunken man, German media Focus reported. The 56-year-old attacker is apparently drunken and should have criticized the policy of the mayor loudly. Before the attack he asked Andreas Hollstein whether he really is the mayor. The name of the town has become known nationwide, because it receives more refugees than it should have, according to the distribution quota of the federal state. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 06:45:05|Editor: yan Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Monday urged all Syrian parties to participate actively in the Geneva political process without preconditions and to support efforts to ensure its success. Sebastiano Cardi, President of the Security Council, told reporters after a closed-door consultations on Syria that the council reiterated a political solution must be forged through the Geneva process. The council members also stressed respect for Syria's sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity, Cardi said. Although the Syrian opposition has formed a unified group for Geneva talks following negotiations among them in Riyadh, the Syrian government has not confirmed its attendance at the new round of Geneva talks. "The meeting will start tomorrow and we really hope that all parties, including the Syrian government, will be present," said Cardi. Briefing Monday's Security Council open meeting, UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura said the "moment of truth" has arrived for the Syria talks. He stressed that the talks should begin in Geneva without preconditions. Initially, he said, the participants should focus on a working plan, particularly on principles as well as the constitutional and election "baskets," and all other initiatives should support the UN mediation process. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 06:55:10|Editor: pengying Video Player Close MAPUTO, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi announced Monday in central province Tete that the state will release 7.5 percent of the shares of Hidroelectrica Cahora Bassa (HCB) to the Mozambique Stock Exchange. As the fourth largest dam in Africa and the main hydroelectric facility on the Zambezi River in western Mozambique, HCB supplies power to several Southern African countries such as South Africa and Zimbabwe. Nyusi announced the plan during the 10th anniversary celebration for the transfer of the dam from Portugal to Mozambique. "Through the Mozambican Stock Exchange (BVM), we will make available to citizens, companies and national institutions, 7.5 percent of the total shares of HCB," said Nyusi. "After deep reflection, we decided to add value to the Mozambican saying that 'Cahora Bassa is already ours'. Thus, we announced that we have opened the shareholder structure of HCB to Mozambicans without any racial distinction," said the president. The president added that Mozambicans and institutions that have capacity to generate income through national asset shall benefit too. "All state-owned or private institutions should be managed through principles of profitability and transparency, being able to generate profits and contributing to the state treasury," he said. The president also acknowledged that the waived shares of HCB "will not reach everyone, but it is a sign of inclusion and innovation through which this infrastructure is to be managed with transparency respecting the highest international standards" . Filipe Nyusi also said that the debt of 800 million U.S. dollars that the Mozambican state had with Portugal was paid off last year. The construction of Cahora Bassa Dam was completed in 1974, during the Portuguese colonial period. The HCB Company was owned by Portugal until 1992 and most of the shares were sold back to Mozambique until October 2007. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 07:00:14|Editor: pengying Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump spoke over phone with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Monday, discussing Syrian situation and other issues, said the White House. The two leaders agreed on the importance of the UN-based Geneva process as the only forum for achieving a political solution in Syria, the White House said in a statement. In the phone call, Trump and Macron also discussed the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, it saide. The UN Security Council on Monday urged all Syrian parties to participate actively in the Geneva political process without preconditions. The Geneva peace talks is scheduled for Tuesday but the Syrian government is yet to confirm its participation in the talks. The Syrian armed conflict broke out in 2011 and quickly turned into a full-fledged civil war. UN figures show that the war has killed more than 330,000 people and displaced millions in the country. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 07:31:10|Editor: pengying Video Player Close Ornaments on the exterior of the White House are seen in Washington D.C., the United States, on Nov. 27, 2017. Some 150 volunteers from 29 states spent more than 1,600 hours to finish the decorations including 53 Christmas trees and more than 12,000 ornaments. An estimate of 25,000 visitors are expected to tour the White House for the Christmas holiday. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 07:30:22|Editor: liuxin Video Player Close MINSK, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko expressed his readiness to support new joint projects with China's Midea Group. "We have always paid great attention to the cooperation between Belarus and China. It is great that the company intends to expand its presence in our country. We are ready to support any of your projects," Lukashenko said on Monday during a meeting with Chairman and President of Midea Group Fang Hongbo. The Belarusian leader said that they will continue to provide all-round support and assistance to the development of partnership relations between Belarus and China. "I am ready to hear out any suggestions on further mutual cooperation and your promising projects in Belarus. You will always find full understanding and support here," Lukashenko said. For his part, Midea Group's Chairman and President Fang Hongbo thanked for the support that the Belarus' government has offered in the past ten years. "We intend to position Belarus as a hub which will cover all the CIS countries, to develop the production of microwave ovens and water heaters", Fang said. Fang Hongbo added that they plan to produce household appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines in Belarus. In 2007, Midea Group came to Belarus with direct investments. It established a joint venture in the Free Economic Zone Minsk with Belarus' Horizont Holding Company to produce microwave ovens and water heaters. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 07:50:27|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close File photo taken on Oct. 2, 2017 shows a damaged room of a police station that was targeted by suicide bombings in Midan neighborhood in Damascus. (Xinhua/Ammar Safarjalani) UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Monday urged all Syrian parties to actively participate in the Geneva political process without preconditions and to support efforts to ensure its success. Sebastiano Cardi, President of the Security Council, told reporters after closed-door consultations on Syria that the council reiterated that a political solution must be forged through the Geneva process. The council members also stressed respect for Syria's sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity, Cardi said. Although the Syrian opposition has formed a unified group for Geneva talks following negotiations among them in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the Syrian government has not confirmed its attendance at the new round of Geneva talks. "The meeting will start tomorrow and we really hope that all parties, including the Syrian government, will be present," Cardi said. Briefing Monday's Security Council open meeting, UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura said the "moment of truth" has arrived for the Syria talks. "The meeting will start tomorrow and we really hope that all parties, including the Syrian government, will be present," he added. Initially, he said, the participants should focus on a work plan, particularly on principles as well as the constitutional and election "baskets." All other initiatives should support the UN mediation process, he said. Asked by reporters to comment on the Syrian government's failure to confirm its presence at the Geneva talks, chief UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said, "participation of the Syrian government is very important." Several diplomats at the UN also expressed their hope that the Geneva talks will be able to produce positive outcomes given the fact that the Syrian opposition has formed a unified negotiating committee. French ambassador to the United Nations, Francois Delattre, saw a better chance for the Geneva talks as the Syrian opposition has reached a deal at the auspices of Saudi Arabia. "We very much welcome the great progress achieved in Riyadh by the Syrian opposition to establish a unified, credible and pragmatic group that will be able to negotiate in Geneva," he told reporters before walking into the Security Council chamber for the Syria meeting. The important outcome in Riyadh helps reinforce the importance of the Geneva process and brings about a new chance and new opportunities, said Delattre. He stressed that any political initiative must be compatible with the Geneva process in order to succeed. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 07:50:28|Editor: pengying Video Player Close CHICAGO, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) grains closed mixed Monday with wheat futures dropping more than 1 percent to fresh contract lows, pressured by poor demand for U.S. supplies from overseas buyers. The drop in wheat weighed on corn futures while soybean futures edged higher, underpinned by concerns about crop development in South America. The most active corn contract for March delivery went down 3.25 cents, or 0.92 percent, to 3.5175 dollars per bushel. March wheat delivery dropped 6.5 cents, or 1.5 percent, to 4.2825 dollars per bushel. January soybeans rose 2.75 cents, or 0.28 percent to 9.96 dollars per bushel. The U.S. Agriculture Department on Monday reported weekly wheat export inspections of 344,721 tonnes, in line with estimates for 200,000 tonnes to 400,000 tonnes. As for other major exporters, Australian wheat was the cheapest FOB offer in an Iraqi tender this week by sizable amount versus North American wheat. Australia offered wheat to Iraq at 283.35 dollars per tonne vs 294.47 dollars from the U.S., and 303.45 dollars for Canadian wheat. With 50 percent of the Australian wheat harvest now completed, its exporters are becoming more aggressive in the world wheat market now that quality is better known. The arrival of a more aggressive Australia will further retard U.S. wheat export opportunities into 2018. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 07:55:30|Editor: pengying Video Player Close MEXICO CITY, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Jose Antonio Meade stepped down as Mexico's finance minister on Monday in order to register as a pre-candidate for the 2018 presidential elections, for the ruling Revolutionary Institutional Party (PRI). The government announced that his post would be replaced by Jose Antonio Gonzalez Anaya, former director general of Mexico's state-owned oil company, Pemex, and the country's social security institute, IMSS. In a press conference, Meade said that he would register as pre-candidate, with the PRI having set a deadline of Nov. 30 for interested parties to do. Meade has been a regular figure in the government of President Enrique Pena Nieto, having served as minister of foreign affairs and of social development before his finance role. During the ceremony, Pena Nieto hailed Meade as "a good man, with a vocation of service and a deep love for Mexico." Local press reports had long expected that Meade would run and he has been widely backed by prominent members of the PRI. Health Minister Jose Narro and Public Education Minister Aurelio Nuno both expressed their support for Meade as president, despite both having been seen as potential candidates. Another leading figure, Miguel Angel Osorio Chong, currently Minister of the Interior, also ruled himself out of the race on Monday. Meade has broad experience in other governments. Prior to Pena Nieto's term in office, he served President Felipe Calderon, of the National Action Party (PAN) as energy and finance minister. Meade has a law degree from the National Autonomous University of Mexico and an economy degree from the Mexico Autonomous Institute of Technology (ITAM). He has a PhD in economics from Yale and has lectured there and at ITAM. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 08:30:38|Editor: liuxin Video Player Close Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with Latvian Prime Minister Maris Kucinskis in Budapest, Hungary, Nov. 27, 2017. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) BUDAPEST, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Latvian Prime Minister Maris Kucinskis on Monday agreed to jointly strengthen cooperation in a wide range of areas. The two leaders made the pledge during their meeting on the sidelines of an ongoing annual gathering of heads of government of China and 16 Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) scheduled for Nov. 26-29 in Budapest. China is willing to further align the Belt and Road Initiative with Latvia's development strategy, and help Latvia build up its infrastructure, including its ports, so as to revitalize the maritime passage and boost cooperation between China and the Baltic states, as well as the northern European countries, Li said. Noting that China-Latvia people-to-people exchanges enjoy good foundation and positive results, Li said he hopes that the two sides can continue to facilitate personnel exchanges and enhance cooperation in the fields of education, scientific research and sinology. For his part, Kucinskis said the two countries have made progress in logistics and transport cooperation, and have actively conducted third-party cooperation, adding that there are many more ambitious projects for the two sides to cooperate on in the future. Kucinskis said his country will take the advantage of its geographic locations and conduct logistics and freight cooperation with China with an aim to become an important regional gateway for China's exports of goods. Latvia is also willing to work with China to conduct third-party cooperation and promote their cooperation in such areas as education and scientific research, the Latvian prime minister said. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 09:35:51|Editor: pengying Video Player Close TOKYO, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Tokyo shares opened slightly lower Tuesday morning on media reports about the Korean Peninsula issue. As of 9:15 a.m. local time, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average fell 38.17 points, or 0.17 percent, from Monday to 22,457.82. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was down 2.42 points, or 0.14 percent, to 1,774.31. Decliners were led by insurance, real estate and mining issues. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 09:35:52|Editor: pengying Video Player Close YANGON, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Myanmar government and eight signatory armed groups have agreed on seven points with their continued peace process at the 6th Joint Implementation Coordination Meeting (JICM) held in the capital of Nay Pyi Taw. The JICM meeting agreed to continue implementing a union agreement in accordance with the Nationwide Ceasefire Accord (NCA), said a statement released by the State Counselor's Office late Monday. The meeting decided to hold the third meeting of the 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference in Nay Pyi Taw in January 2018 as well as 7th JICM in February next year. Other agreed points included holding an ethnic-based national-level political dialogue led by the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS)/ Shan State Army (SSA) in Shan state, which will represent the voices of the Shan people at the upcoming third Panglong conference. The meeting agreed to continue efforts to hold national level political dialogue led by Arakan Liberation Party (ALP). A report by a task force of reviewing implementation of NCA was approved at the meeting and the meeting decided to continue working on political framework, Terms of Reference (ToR) and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Services Vice Senior General Soe Win and leaders of eight signatory armed groups to the NCA attended the JICM meeting. Myanmar's previous government and eight armed groups signed the NCA on Oct. 15, 2015. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 10:06:02|Editor: pengying Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- France has requested a Security Council meeting for Wednesday on human trafficking and the selling of African migrants as slaves in Libya. The purpose of the meeting is to make the Security Council aware of the tragedy and to announce the council's unified opposition to such despicable practices, Francois Delattre, the French ambassador to the United Nations, told reporters on Monday. France also seeks to engage council members to work on the most efficient responses to deal with the scourge, he said. "We must go much further in terms of saying 'No' to an unacceptable situation, but also in terms of finding short- and long-term solutions to get rid of this scourge." He said the issue would also be discussed at a summit of the European Union and the African Union (AU) in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, on Wednesday and Thursday. There is strong European mobilization under the French leadership in partnership with the AU as well as growing awareness of the gravity of the issue, said the French diplomat. Sebastiano Cardi, president of the Security Council, said Wednesday's meeting would be an important session. The Italian ambassador to the United Nations said the meeting was agreed on after a telephone conversation between the foreign ministers of Italy and France on Saturday. ( The International Organization for Migration has been reporting cases of sub-Saharan African migrants being sold as slaves in Libya. A CNN report that included video footage of a slave auction outside the Libyan capital of Tripoli, where about a dozen migrants were sold as slaves in a matter of minutes, has triggered international outcry. Since the uprising in Libya that overthrew longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya's coast has became a hub for human trafficking and smuggling. Most of the migrants in Libya are fleeing sub-Saharan Africa to reach Europe. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 10:26:08|Editor: pengying Video Player Close NAY PYI TAW, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The third meeting of Myanmar's 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference has been set to be held in the last week of next January, according to a decision of the Joint Implementation Coordination Meeting (JICM). The 6th JICM on Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) was chaired on Monday by State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi with the attendance of Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Services and Commander-in-Chief of the Army Vice Sen-Gen Soe Win. The meeting also decided to hold national level political dialogue with the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS)/Shan State Army-South (SSA-S), one of the eight signatories to the NCA, in Langkho town, Shan state next January. The meeting agreed to continue efforts for Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), another signatory to NCA, to conduct national level discussions, as well as to hold the 7th JICM meeting on the last week of next February. In October 2015, Myanmar's previous government signed the NCA with eight armed groups out of 15. The incumbent government has held the 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference twice in August 2016 and May 2017 respectively. The second meeting was able to incorporate a total of 37 adopted principles into a union agreement in the country's peace process, the first time in Myanmar's history. The 37 adopted principles were signed by representatives of participating groups of the government, parliament, military, signatory armed groups to the NCA and political parties as Part One of the Union Accord. The third meeting of the 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference is expected to discuss unfinished fundamental principles as well as new principles on federalism. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 10:51:14|Editor: liuxin Video Player Close by Xinhua writer Wang Huijuan BELGRADE, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- With the ongoing sixth meeting of heads of government of China and 16 Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries in Hungary, experts agreed that China-CEE cooperation has boosted European development and China-European Union (EU) ties. From the first 2012 meeting in Warsaw, Poland, all the way through Bucharest, Belgrade, Suzhou, Riga and Budapest, the China-initiated "16+1" cooperation mechanism has shown its vitality across the region. INCREASE IN CHINA-CEE COOPERATION Poland and Hungary are respectively China's first and third largest trading partners in the CEE region, while China is Hungary's largest trading partner outside the EU. The first RMB clearing center of the Bank of China was also opened in Budapest in October 2015. Neven Cveticanin, a senior research associate at the Institute of Social Sciences of Serbia, told Xinhua in an interview that the 16+1 mechanism "led to an increase in economic cooperation between China and the area of Central and Eastern Europe." Thanks to progressing bilateral cooperation, bridges, roads and railways have been and are being built with the assistance of China here in Serbia. The two countries abolished their visa regimes with each other and China's Hainan Airlines launched its first flight to Serbia's capital this September, he said. "Through strengthening of economic relations, diplomatic and political relations got stronger as well," he added. In 2016, the two countries upgraded their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership. Experts from other countries of the region had similar things to say. Marton Schoberl, director of the Institute for Foreign Affairs and Trade in Hungary, described 16+1 as "a new chapter in their partnership." Schoberl pointed out at a recent conference of China-CEE think tanks in Budapest that the 16+1 formation includes "measures and programs in economy, trade, infrastructure, finance, tourism, education, agriculture, and culture." "In its stage of development, the 16+1 initiative has been very successful in attracting the attention of many politicians, media, social scientists and normal citizens," said Dr. Marek Hrubec, director of the Center of Global Studies of the Czech Academy of Sciences. "The economic cooperation between governments and large companies is on its way and has been progressing in the last five years," Hrubec said. Patrycja Pendrakowska, president of the Poland-Asia Research Center, also felt optimistic about the 16+1 cooperation. "When it comes to people-to-people exchanges and mutual understanding, I think that this network, this cooperation works very well, and it is important that we can learn more about each other, meaning not only from China, but also from other CEE countries," she told Xinhua. Cveticanin said "this initiative has strengthened the bilateral ties between Serbia and China, as well as multilateral ties between China and the whole area of Central and Eastern Europe." BOOSTING EUROPEAN DEVELOPMENT, CHINA-EUROPE RELATIONS The CEE region is commonly seen as a new potential growth point for Europe. Against the backdrop of financial problems and growing bottlenecks in Europe, the 16+1 mechanism will no doubt inject momentum into the development of the region, which will also boost the development of Europe. Chinese Ambassador to Serbia Li Manchang once told Xinhua in an interview that bilateral achievements between China and Serbia have set an example for China-CEE cooperation, which, to some extent, promotes the development of China-Europe ties. Cveticanin quoted late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping as saying that "it doesn't matter if the cat is black or white, as long as it hunts mice." He told Xinhua that "every type of cooperation is useful to both Europe and China, despite their occasional disagreements." He believed that the CEE represents a link between China and Europe, which, in a strategic, geopolitical and diplomatic sense, strengthens the position of CEE countries. Agnes Szunomar, a researcher at the Institute of World Economics of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, viewed the China-CEE mechanism as a challenge and competition for both the EU and China. "The challenge for the Union is to acknowledge that it has a competitive position. Competition is fundamentally good; competition is anticipated; and competition drives companies, firms and individuals to improve their services," Szunomar said. Considering competition as a healthy thing, Szunomar also took this mechanism as an opportunity for China to strive for a harmonious relationship with the EU. SUGGESTIONS, ANTICIPATION FOR FUTURE 16+1 COOPERATION Some people doubt the basis and quality of China-CEE cooperation as some of the CEE countries are EU members while some are not. Regarding this, Pendrakowska said "this initiative is a long-term process, and the non-member countries are in the procedure of accession to the EU." Schoberl said that even though CEE countries show diversity in terms of development and the state of their relations with China, "they share a common goal for prosperity and better relations with China, which is a powerhouse." Nevertheless, the differences between these countries need to be taken into consideration. "They have divergent interests and competing points of view when it comes to developing relations with China. Therefore, a key to strengthening these relations is the Chinese approach (attitude), concerning, for example, facilitating access to the Chinese market for enterprises from this region, as well as more importance put on the greenfield investments made by several '16+1' countries together and co-financed by China," said Marcin Przychodniak, an analyst at the Asia-Pacific program of the Polish Institute of International Affairs. Cveticanin said the current cooperation is dominantly political and economic and expressed the hope that cooperation in areas of education and science could also be enhanced, so that all-round cooperation could be achieved. To this end, Pendrakowska said "more political will was needed to bring the projects to the next level." (Xinhua reporters Nemanja Cabric in Belgrade, Han Mei in Warsaw, and Yang Yongqian and Geza Molnar in Budapest also contributed to this story.) Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 11:26:19|Editor: pengying Video Player Close CANBERRA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The decision by Australia's public broadcaster to move a popular music countdown away from Australia Day has been condemned by the country's communications minister. Triple J, an Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) radio station aimed at young people, said on Monday that the Hottest 100, a countdown of the year's best songs as voted by the people, would be moved from Australia Day to the last Saturday of January (Jan. 27) from 2018 onwards. The station said the decision to move the countdown was in response to an online poll held earlier in 2017 in which 60 percent of people voted to change the date. Australia Day is celebrated on Jan. 26, the same date the First Fleet of British ships arrived in Australia in 1788. The day has become increasingly controversial in recent years with the country's indigenous population referring to it as "Invasion Day" and treating it as a day of mourning. Communications Minister Mitch Fifield on Tuesday slammed Triple J's decision and asked the ABC to reconsider the change. "There are a relatively small number of people who have an issue with the fact that Australia Day is celebrated on Jan. 26," Fifield told reporters. "I already have made my view clear to the ABC. And I'll be asking the board of the ABC, who have the ultimate programming and editorial responsibility, to reconsider this." In a statement published on Tuesday, the ABC reaffirmed its support of the move, saying Triple J management had consulted with its audience, the music industry and indigenous people. "Triple J's community continues to celebrate the countdown and the great music, now over an extended weekend, while the network has more time to join the rest of the ABC in providing comprehensive coverage of Australia Day," it said. "Its 2018 program includes an interview with the Young Australian of the Year, and crosses to other Australia Day activities, including Indigenous events like Yabun." Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 11:31:21|Editor: liuxin Video Player Close CANBERRA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Australia's Northern Territory (NT) government has committed to an ambitious plan to convert to 50 percent renewable energy by 2030. Residents will be the beneficiaries of the drive towards clean energy, with the government offering grants of up to 750 U.S. dollars to households to undertake energy efficient measures. These include installing solar panels, batteries, solar pool pumps and hot water, smart meters, and energy efficient lighting and appliances. The Australian Labor Party (ALP) government has accepted outright or in principle all 11 recommendations contained in the Roadmap to Renewables report, a blueprint to move from 4 percent renewables to 50 percent by 2030. The Territory is currently 96 percent reliant on gas and diesel. Known colloquially as the Top End, the Northern Territory covers an area of 1.35 million square km, about one-sixth of the Australian continent, and in September 2015 had a population of almost 244,500, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics. The report says the move to greater renewable energy would have knock-on benefits, placing downward pressure on wholesale electricity prices, which could stimulate "significant economic development, job creation, industry growth and new investment." Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner said on Monday night his administration was creating a new energy market to ensure increasing levels of renewables were integrated into the grid in a stable way. Solar energy is already being delivered to 30 remote indigenous communities to reduce their reliance on diesel under a joint 41.8 million-U.S. dollar federal and Northern Territory government-funded program. The report also recommends that Alice Springs, about 1,500 km south of the territory capital Darwin, become a hub for solar energy research and development. The town of about 30,000 inhabitants plunged into darkness earlier this month during an eight-hour blackout. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 11:41:23|Editor: liuxin Video Player Close LONDON, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Britain launched an industrial strategy on Monday as it prepares to leave the European Union and faces uncertain economic prospects. The country's business secretary Greg Clark said the flagship strategy could boost the economy, build on Britain's strengths and embrace the opportunities of technological change. The launch of the strategy came as the government announced it has secured an investment by world-leading life sciences company MSD. The investment is said to support a new research facility in Britain, creating 950 jobs. German company Qiagen announced an expansion of its genomics and diagnostics campus in Manchester which will see 970 million U.S. dollars invested over three years in new Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund programs. The fund is created to respond to some of Britain's greatest global challenges and opportunities after Brexit. The strategy will take advantage of global trends to put Britain at the forefront of the industries of the future, according to the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (DBEIS). Clark set out an action plan on how Britain can build on its economic strengths, address its productivity performance, embrace technological change and boost the earning power of people across Britain. Clark considered his country to be "well-placed to benefit from this new industrial revolution" and starting "from a position of significant strength." Prime Minister Theresa May said the strategy will support businesses in seizing opportunities such as artificial intelligence and big data, while making sure young people have the skills to take on the high-paid, high-skilled jobs this creates. Annual gross domestic product (GDP) growth in Britain, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) figures released on Monday, was 1.5 percent, the slowest rate of growth in the club of seven rich nations, namely Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Britain and the United States. Britain has slipped from second highest in the group's growth rankings in 2016 to bottom now. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 12:16:30|Editor: liuxin Video Player Close YUEYANG, Hunan, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Lee Ming-che from Taiwan was sentenced to five years in prison for "subverting state power" by the Intermediate People's Court of Yueyang City in Hunan Province Tuesday. Mainland resident Peng Yuhua was sentenced to seven years in prison on the same charge. The two men were both deprived of their political rights for two years.They said they would not appeal. Prosecutors accused Peng of roping in dozens of people, including Lee, to establish an organization aimed at subverting state power and overturning the country's political system, using instant messaging services. On March 19, 2017, Lee was put under coercive measures by the Hunan provincial security organ on suspicion of subverting state power. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 12:51:46|Editor: ZD Video Player Close SYDNEY, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Strong ties between Chinese provinces and Australian states form part of the major building blocks for trade and economic relations between the two countries, amid their growing importance as consumer markets for each other, a Chinese official said on Tuesday. "Nation-to-nation trade and economic cooperation really depends on the good relationships and business collaborations between states and provinces and cities and the various localities," said Wang Hongbo, counselor of commercial affairs of China's Consulate General in Sydney. "China has been a very important and growing consumer market for Australian products, especially food and other produce and increasingly, healthcare products as well. And equally important, Australia is a significant market for China," said Wang. Wang, who was speaking at the 2017 Australia-China Food Safety and Traceability Forum in Sydney, added that Chinese and Australian inspection departments and agencies recently inked more than a dozen protocols to further open market access in both directions. More than 100 public and private sector representatives attended the event, including the independent third-party certification and inspection organization, China Certification & Inspection Group, as well as a delegation from central China's Hunan province. Imports and exports between Hunan and Australia for the first 10 months of the year reached 1.122 billion U.S. dollars, a year-on-year increase of more than 43 percent, said Hunan Provincial Department of Commerce Deputy Director General Li Xinqiu. The province imported Australian products ranging from iron ore and wood pulp to beef, wine and honey, while exporting goods such as electronic and chemical products to Australia. Hunan's investment in Australia is nearly three times as much as the Australian investments that it receives. The province, boasting a population of 73 million and total retail sales of consumer goods hitting more than 203.3 billion U.S. dollars last year alone, offered huge potential for further growth and development, said Li. "We're here this time to explore and promote more opportunities for trade and cooperation." "We're in the middle of an 'infrastructure revolution' right across not just Sydney but New South Wales as well," said Transport and Infrastructure Parliamentary Secretary for Australia's New South Wales state Mark Coure. "We're always welcoming delegations, particularly from China. We're also welcoming foreign investment... on many of these infrastructure projects that are currently under way," said Coure. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 12:56:49|Editor: pengying Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- SpaceX, the U.S. space exploration company led by Elon Musk, has raised another 100 million U.S. dollars in its latest fundraising round, bringing the total to nearly 450 million dollars, a regulatory filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission showed Monday. "This filing simply discloses that SpaceX received an additional 100 million dollars' investment as part of the last funding round which was disclosed earlier this summer," said a SpaceX spokesman. SpaceX disclosed in August that it had raised about 350 million dollars in the previous month. The new follow-on funding puts SpaceX's total post-money valuation at about 21 billion dollars. In May, SpaceX launched its first satellite for the U.S. military with its Falcon 9 rocket, breaking a monopoly held by a partnership of Lockheed Martin and Boeing. Musk, who also heads electric car maker Tesla, has outlined plans for a trip to Mars in 2022. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 13:21:56|Editor: pengying Video Player Close NEW DELHI, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- At least seven people were killed and 13 others injured on Tuesday in a bus crash in western Indian state of Maharashtra, police said. The accident took place in Kolpa area in Latur district, about 525 km east of Mumbai, the capital city of Maharashtra. "Today seven people were killed and 13 others injured in an accident on the Latur-Nanded highway," a police official said. "The accident took place after two vehicles collided head-on with each other on the main road." Police have registered a case and initiated investigations into the crash. Deadly road accidents are common in India often caused due to overloading, bad condition of roads and reckless driving. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 13:47:02|Editor: pengying Video Player Close NEW DELHI, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh jailed a herd of eight donkeys for four days. The poor animals ate up "expensive" plants just outside the compound of the main jail in the state's Jalaun district, over 200 km from capital Lucknow. "Various types of saplings were planted in the jail premises for beautification. Those were damaged by the donkeys. Hence, I rounded them up," jail chief Sita Ram Sharma told the media. The donkeys were freed on Monday after a local politician of the state's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) intervened in the wake of a plea by the owner of the donkeys. "For two days, I could not find my horses and donkeys. When I came to know that they are in jail, I sought the help from local BJP leaders to secure their release," owner Kamlesh S. said. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 14:02:04|Editor: liuxin Video Player Close BEIJING, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Zhang Yang, a member of the Central Military Commission (CMC), committed suicide at his home in Beijing on Nov. 23, after authorities launched an investigation into his links to two former senior military figures, Guo Boxiong and Xu Caihou, the CMC said Tuesday. Zhang, a former member of the Communist Party of China Central Military Commission and former head of the CMC Political Work Department, hanged himself in his home. The CMC decided to hold "talks" with Zhang to investigate his involvement in the cases of Guo and Xu, two corrupt former CMC vice chairmen, on Aug. 28, according to the CMC. Investigators said that Zhang had seriously violated discipline and law. He was also suspected of offering and accepting bribes and holding a huge amount of property from unidentified sources. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 14:07:07|Editor: pengying Video Player Close Afghan security force members take part in a military operation against Islamic State (IS) in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, on Nov. 28, 2017. At least seven militants loyal to Islamic State (IS) were killed when an unmanned air vehicle targeted their hideouts in Afghanistan's eastern province of Nangarhar, a local official said Tuesday. (Xinhua/Rahman Safi) JALALABAD, Afghanistan, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- At least seven militants loyal to Islamic State (IS) were killed when an unmanned air vehicle targeted their hideouts in Afghanistan's eastern province of Nangarhar, a local official said Tuesday. The attack took place Monday night when a drone strike targeted an IS hideout in Sala Kas area of Haska Mina district, leaving seven fighters dead, Nangarhar's governor spokesman Attaullah Khogiani said in a statement released here. The Afghan government has recently increased ground and air operations on the armed oppositions, especially IS militants in the east and southern provinces of the country. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 14:07:08|Editor: Liu Video Player Close Chinese Premier Li Keqiang delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the seventh China and the Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC) Economic and Trade Forum in Budapest, Hungary, Nov. 27, 2017. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) BEIJING, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has called for enhancing links between China and Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC), and has come up with very pragmatic proposals to advance their cooperation. As an important part of and a helpful complement to China-Europe ties, cooperation between China and the 16 CEE countries, which is dubbed 16+1, has promoted the development of China-Europe relations, Li said in a keynote speech to the seventh China-CEEC Economic and Trade Forum held in the Hungarian capital city of Budapest on Monday. The premier called for docking the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative with the development strategies of the CEEC. Speaking to over 1,000 entrepreneurs from China and the CEEC at the opening ceremony of the forum, Li also demanded efforts to accelerate the building of connectivity projects such as the Hungary-Serbia railway and promote the healthy development of China-Europe freight train services. Production capacity is also an area where the two sides should expand cooperation, said Li, calling for jointly building economic and trade cooperation zones and creating an industrial chain, value chain and logistics chain featuring closer integration, stronger drive and wider benefit. Li also called upon the two sides to boost trade and investment liberalization and facilitation by strengthening customs cooperation and speeding up logistics, and to promote cooperation in the fields of small and medium-sized enterprises. The Chinese premier urged the two sides to expand financing channels to support China-CEEC cooperation. In the speech, Li announced the establishment of China-CEEC Inter-Bank Association and the second phase of China-Central and Eastern Europe Investment Cooperation Fund. The China Development Bank will provide an equivalent amount of 2 billion euros (2.4 billion U.S. dollars) as development-oriented financial cooperation loans for the inter-bank association, Li said. Meanwhile, the Chinese premier said the second phase of the investment cooperation fund that totaled 1 billion dollars will be mainly invested in Central and Eastern Europe. China supports commercial and development financial institutions to provide finance for bilateral cooperation projects and supports the two sides to conduct renminbi-denominated financing business for their cooperation projects, Li said. China's economy has been transformed from a phase of high-speed growth to high-quality development, and this will surely create opportunities for all countries in the world including the CEEC in terms of bigger market, stronger growth, more investment and cooperation, Li said. The premier boiled his proposals down to five initiatives that also include spurs to cultural and people-to-people exchanges while attending the sixth meeting of heads of government of China and 16 CEE countries. Li said the key to the fast development of the 16+1 cooperation is to apply the principle of equality and consultation, mutual benefit, openness and inclusiveness, and innovation. The 16+1 cooperation is not a geopolitical tool, but an incubator for pragmatic trans-regional cooperation, said Li, adding that the cooperation is conducive to the balanced development of China-EU relations. This year marks the fifth anniversary of the launching of 16+1 cooperation. Li said in his speech that the 16+1 cooperation has been growing in the past five years, becoming an influential trans-regional mechanism with substantial projects and cooperation results. Chinese investment in CEEC is now over 9 billion dollars, up from 3 billion in 2012, while CEEC invested 1.4 billion dollars in China. In the first three quarters this year, their trade exceeded 49 billion dollars, marking an increase of 14.5 percent year-on-year. China's imports of agricultural products from CEEC have seen an annual increase of 13.7 percent. Stressing that the 16+1 cooperation does not mean to add up the 16 bilateral ties simply, Li said he believed that with the joint efforts of the 17 countries, the 16+1 cooperation will yield more results and reach a new level. Leaders of the 16 CEE countries spoke highly of Li's initiatives, saying the fruitful results of cooperation in the past five years is a testimony to the willingness of all countries to strengthen cooperation and the growing importance of the mechanism. They vowed to make full use of the platform to promote 16+1 cooperation, implement their consensus on cooperation, explore new potentials, strengthen practical cooperation in such fields as connectivity, finance, e-commerce, agriculture, logistics, small and medium-sized enterprises, tourism and culture, and push forward their relations with China as well as EU-China ties in order to achieve win-win results. After the meeting, the leaders witnessed the signing of a batch of cooperation documents on the Belt and Road Initiative, connectivity, industrial capacity cooperation, infrastructure, finance, quality inspection and culture. When meeting the press with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, Li said the cooperation between China and CEE countries has always been open and inclusive, adding that "this is especially important under the current circumstances." "Our cooperation does not target a third party or exclude a third party," said Li. "We welcome the participation of other countries so as to make the globalization more balanced and let more people enjoy the dividends of development." Calling China's rapid economic development a huge opportunity for CEE countries, Orban said the China-CEEC cooperation is a success with great potential and broad prospects. Bulgaria will host the next 16+1 leader's meeting in 2018. Borisov told the press conference that the EU's initiatives and those of China's, including the Belt and Road Initiative, are complementary, not contradictory. He thanked China for not only being committed to opening its domestic markets but also proposing projects that help other countries develop. The EU, Austria, Switzerland, Greece, Belarus and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) attended the meeting as observers. Li arrived in Budapest on Sunday for an official visit to Hungary and for the sixth meeting of heads of government of China-CEE countries. He will depart for Russia to attend the 16th meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in the Russian city of Sochi from Nov. 30 to Dec. 1. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 14:12:44|Editor: ZD Video Player Close Models present Mongolian costumes during the opening ceremony of the 14th Mongolian Costume Arts Festival in Hohhot, capital of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Nov. 27, 2017. The five-day festival opened here on Monday. (Xinhua/Wang Zheng) Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 14:12:11|Editor: liuxin Video Player Close JAKARTA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should boost strategic integration and create a closer community of shared future, Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong said. Liu, who is in Indonesia to attend the Third Meeting of China-Indonesia High-Level People to People Dialogue, made the remarks on Monday during her visit to the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta. She also met with Secretary-General of ASEAN Le Luong Minh and the permanent representatives of the 10 ASEAN countries. Noting that this year marks the 50th anniversary of ASEAN, Liu said the China-ASEAN ties have developed into the most dynamic and enriched ones among ASEAN's relations with its dialogue partners. China has been ASEAN's largest trading partner for eight consecutive years, while ASEAN being China's third largest trading partner for six consecutive years, Liu said. Both sides have upgraded the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, and carried out hundreds of cooperation projects in various fields, which have yielded fruitful results, she added. China has always considered ASEAN as a priority in its neighborly diplomacy and an important participant of the Belt and Road Initiative, Liu said, adding that China will firmly support the building of ASEAN Community and the bloc's central status in regional cooperation, and support a bigger role played by ASEAN in international and regional affairs. Noting that next year will be the 15th anniversary of the establishment of China-ASEAN strategic partnership, Liu said she hoped both sides could enhance integration of planning and development strategies, deepen people-to-people exchanges, push China-ASEAN strategic partnership to a higher level, and create a closer community of shared future for both sides. Minh, for his part, said ASEAN has continuously expanded and deepened its strategic partnership with China in recent years, promoting their own development and making important contributions to regional peace and stability. ASEAN appreciated China's long-term support for ASEAN Community building, and looked forward to further strengthening pragmatic cooperation in all fields between the two sides, he said. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 14:22:14|Editor: liuxin Video Player Close LJUBLJANA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Slovenian Prime Minister Miro Cerar Monday spoke highly of the cooperation between China and 16 Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC), also known as the 16+1 cooperation, according to the Slovenian Press Agency. As part of the 16+1 cooperation, Slovenia signed a cooperation agreement with China within the Belt and Road Initiative at the sixth meeting of heads of government of China and the CEEC in the Hungarian capital city of Budapest. "I am happy," said Cerar when talking about the agreement with China. "It is very important to us." Cerar said Slovenia's trade with China has witnessed an increase of 35 percent over the past three years, stressing that the Belt and Road Initiative contributed to the growth. The initiative, proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, comprises the overland Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, and aims to revive and expand cooperation and exchange on and beyond the ancient Silk Road routes, which nurtured trade between Asia and the outside world in the past. Meanwhile, Cerar said Slovenia has attached great importance to technological cooperation in technology and is ready to work with Chinese companies in this field. The prime minister also said more areas of economic cooperation lie ahead, such as tourism, adding that the number of Chinese tourists visiting Slovenia grew by nearly 20 percent during the last year. "Therefore we are working on establishing better transport connections, including an airline route between Slovenia and China," said Cerar. Slovenian Minister of Economic Development and Technology Zdravko Pocivalsek said the cooperation agreement within the Belt and Road Initiative was a step to further improve cooperation with China. "This initiative has already been signed by over 60 countries, and China has become our biggest trade partner outside of the European Union and the Western Balkans," said Pocivalsek. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 14:22:17|Editor: pengying Video Player Close DHAKA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Two militants were killed on Tuesday in a raid launched by Bangladesh's anti-crime elite force RAB on a militant hideout in the country's northwestern Chapainawabganj district, a police official said. The militants were most likely killed in suicide explosions causing a fire in the house where they were hiding," said the official who declined to be named. He said security forces surrounded the house suspecting it a militant hideout early Tuesday. The suspected militants inside exploded four to five bombs as the law enforcers asked them to surrender, he added. At least three people, including owner of the house, were detained. No further details were immediately available. In the wake of the deadly July 1, 2016 cafe attack, Bangladesh has conducted a series of large-scale operations against militants. Neo-JMB, an offshoot of the banned militant outfit Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh, has been blamed for an attack on the Holey Artisan Bakery, in which 20 hostages, mostly foreigners, were killed. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 14:27:20|Editor: liuxin Video Player Close YUEYANG, Hunan, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Lee Ming-che from Taiwan was sentenced to five years in prison for "subverting state power," by the Intermediate People's Court of Yueyang City in Hunan Province Tuesday. Mainland resident Peng Yuhua was sentenced to seven years in prison on the same charge. The two men were both deprived of their political rights for two years. They said they would not appeal. Prosecutors accused Peng of recruiting dozens of people, including Lee, to establish an organization aimed at subverting state power and overturning the country's political system, using instant messaging services. Peng started spreading ideas on subverting state power, and recruiting group members on instant messaging platform QQ in May 2012, the court said. Lee joined the group in September the same year, gradually becoming a key member. In November that year, after discussing with the others, Peng drafted a plan and established the goal of founding a political party and overthrowing the current political system in China. They aimed to attract a million members by 2017. From 2013, Lee and others set up several QQ groups, with membership reaching 2,000. Peng and Lee wrote articles and books, and made videos online to attack the country's political system. Lee also traveled to other cities on the mainland several times to take part in group gatherings. On March 19, 2017, he was put under coercive measures by the Hunan provincial security organ on suspicion of subverting state power. In September this year, a spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said the investigation and trial of Lee had been conducted in accordance with the law and due process and the rights of Lee and his family had been fully protected. A total of 30 people, including the defendants' close relatives, legislators, political advisors, journalists, and members of the public, attended the sentencing. Videos of the sentence were published on the official Weibo account of the court. The court allowed the defendants to meet with their families after the sentence, as per family requests. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 14:42:30|Editor: pengying Video Player Close HAVANA, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- A Cuban official said Monday that over 85 percent of registered Cuban voters have participated in Sunday's municipal elections, the first step of an electoral process in the island that will elect a successor to President Raul Castro with the newly constituted parliament. In a press conference that announced the preliminary results, Alina Balseiro, president of the National Electoral Commission (CEN), said 7,608,404 Cubans voted in the election, a day after the Caribbean nation commemorated the first anniversary of the death of its former president, Fidel Castro. "We had a massive turnout and our people voted with conscience, unity and responsibility. The process took place in a calm, organized way as we're used to every time there's an election in Cuba," Balseiro said. According to the official, 11,415 delegates for municipal assemblies had been elected and 1,100 posts will be decided in a run-off vote on Dec. 3. "Of the total votes cast, 91.71 percent were valid, while 4.12 percent were left blank and 4.07 percent were annulled," said the electoral authority. "With these preliminary figures, 35.4 percent of elected delegates are women while 14.3 are young people," Balseiro said. The elected delegates are tasked with local governance in their communities. Most of them can also be candidates for parliamentary elections. The CEN president said there wasn't a set date for the second stage of the general elections. In the second stage, half of the candidates for provincial assemblies and Cuba's parliament will be picked by a commission of social organizations while the other half will be selected from the municipal elections in the first stage. Once the new National Assembly begins its legislature next year, it will elect a new president of the Council of State to replace the current leader, Raul Castro, who is going to step down. Raul Castro, 86, became president in 2008 and launched a series of socio-economic reforms after his brother Fidel stepped down due to illness. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 14:57:37|Editor: pengying Video Player Close TEGUCIGALPA, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Leftist TV presenter-turned-politician Salvador Nasralla, the main challenger to Honduras' president, took a surprise lead Monday in early returns from the presidential election. However, supporters of both Nasralla and the conservative incumbent, Juan Orlando Hernandez, took to the streets of the capital, as both sides declared victory. Initial results at 5:30 p.m. local time (2330 GMT) based on 57.94 percent of the vote counted showed that 64-year-old Nasralla, of the Opposition Alliance, had 45.18 percent of ballots, followed closely by 49-year-old Hernandez, with 40.19 percent. Luis Zelaya, of the Liberal Party, came in at a distant third with 13.78 percent. The final results will be revealed by Thursday at the latest after all the votes get into the system, said David Matamoros Batson, president of Honduras' Supreme Electoral Court on Monday, adding that two million votes are yet to be counted. "What is missing are ... two million votes. As we keep advancing, we will continue revealing (the results)," he told a press conference. "We could not give more results until we have the voting slips that come in the boxes," he added. He added that the results of the 2013 presidential election were given 21 days after the vote took place. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 15:42:53|Editor: pengying Video Player Close HOUSTON, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- A study released Monday ranked Houston as one of the worst cities in North America for urban transportation, media reports said. The study, done by a group of researchers from the London-based Center for Economics and Business Research, examined 23 major cities in the region using a number of factors, including accessibility, travel time, as well as investments and infrastructure improvements to urban transportation. Commissioned by consulting firm Arcadis, the study found Houston, the fourth largest city in the United States, at the bottom of the ranking, only before Indianapolis, a much smaller city in the north central U.S. state of Indiana. Houston was even beaten by Tampa, Florida, a city with roughly a sixth of the population, according to the study. Researchers ranked Houston poorly because of residents' low percentage of public transit journeys, its above average car dependency and roadway fatalities. The top five cities according to the research were New York City, San Francisco, Vancouver and Montreal in Canada, and Washington D.C. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 15:42:54|Editor: pengying Video Player Close KABUL, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- At least 11 Afghan civilians were injured after a suicide bombing ripped through Pul-e-Alam, capital of eastern province of Logar on Tuesday, a local official said. "The blast occurred at around 11:10 a.m. (local time) along a road in central neighborhood of the city. The injured were shifted to nearby hospitals by ambulances and police vehicles," the official told Xinhua anonymously. Initial information found that the nature of the blast was a suicide bombing, targeting a local security official, the source said, adding that more details would be made public later as investigation was underway to find more facts about the incident. Unofficial sources told local media that the bomber attacked Mohammad Ayoub, deputy provincial police chief, but he was unhurt as he was sitting in a bomb proof vehicle. Government troops cordoned off the area shortly after the blast, keeping people from gathering at the scene for fears that there might be a second blast. So far, no one has claimed responsibility for the attack. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 15:53:01|Editor: pengying Video Player Close Tunisian Foreign Minister Khemaies Jhinaoui (R) meets with Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski in Tunis, Tunisia, on Nov. 27, 2017. (Xinhua/Adele Ezzine) TUNIS, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Tunisia had asked Poland to further revise the travel restrictions on its tourists, Tunisian Minister of Foreign Affairs Khemais Jhinaoui said Monday. "Following the remarkable improvement of security situation in Tunisia, in addition to the major steps taken in this area, several countries have now lifted all restrictions of travel on our country," Jhinaoui said at a joint press point with his Polish counterpart Witold Waszczykowski in Tunisia. "Poland will have to recover its position on the Tunisian tourist market, especially since the number of Polish tourists has significantly plummeted from 216,000 in 2010 to 16,000 in 2017," the top Tunisian diplomat added. During the preparation of a joint Tunisian-Polish commission, the two ministers expressed the hope that bilateral cooperation between Tunisia and Poland will rise to an higher level in sectors such as education, culture and integration of young people into the economy. The Libyan issue was also on the agenda of a series of talks between Waszczykowski and senior Tunisian officials including Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi. The Tunisian president discussed with his Polish guest the tools that could promote coordination between the two countries in various economic issues, as well as trying to find a consensual and peaceful political solution to the Libyan conflict, the fight against terrorism and the illegal emigration. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 16:03:06|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close BEIJING, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- China's social insurance fund had a surplus of 650.8 billion yuan (about 99 billion U.S. dollars) in 2016, the Ministry of Finance said in a final accounts report Tuesday. The surplus brought the total balance of the fund to 6.54 trillion yuan at the end of last year. Total revenue of the fund rose 8.1 percent year on year to 5.01 trillion yuan, while expenditure rose 11.5 percent to 4.36 trillion yuan. About 73 percent of revenue came from insurance premiums and another 22 percent was from government subsidies. The remainder could come from interest payments, investment returns or donations. The faster growth of expenditure over revenue reflects the pressure of an aging population. The share of people 60 years old or above stood at 16.7 percent of the total population at the end of last year, and has been rising fast for years. China's social insurance fund covers basic old-age, basic medical care, work-related injury, unemployment and maternity. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 16:03:07|Editor: pengying Video Player Close ANKARA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) are seeking consensus to form electoral alliance to boost their chances in 2019 multiple elections. In 2019, Turkey will hold three polls, local, parliament and presidential elections. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan needs to secure more than 50 percent of votes in the first round of presidential elections. However, the ambitious Turkish leader's narrow victory in a referendum for constitutional change in April that grants sweeping powers to the presidency with 51.4 percent support alarmed Erdogan. Moreover, his victory came with significant loss of votes in Turkey's biggest metropolis Istanbul and the capital Ankara, crucial poll indicators for general trends in Turkey. Erdogan has set his sight on consolidating nationalist, conservative votes for his aspirations to secure an easy victory. The ruling party reinforced nationalist politics, toned up anti-western rhetoric, and "powerful Turkey" narrative, often vow for military intervention in Syria and Iraq or signal drifting away EU membership bid. On the other hand, the MHP needs alliance with the ruling party mainly because its ranks are deeply divided. The nationalist party is on the verge of staying well below the current 10 percent electoral threshold since the party is losing blood after dissidents in November established a new center of attraction for nationalist votes, the Good Party (Iyi Party). A survey by the SONAR polling firm showed the Good Party has nearly 16 percent of the vote, while MHP has 7 percent, which is below the election barrier. The AKP and MHP had already laid the foundations for the constitutional referendum. The nationalist party's support facilitated the passage of the AKP-proposed amendment package in parliament in early 2017. The MHP recently pledged its full support to the ruling party for the 2019 elections. "Our party, together with the AKP, will struggle for the full establishment of the presidential system in 2019," MHP leader Devlet Bahceli told his parliamentary group on Nov. 14. Bahceli, in return, urged the AKP lowering the 10-percent threshold required for any political party to get into parliament. Analysts said that lowering threshold could produce complications for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's aspirations to secure an easy victory and the Kurdish vote might remain with the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) which has nearly 7 percent of votes, according to surveys. On Nov. 15, President Erdogan hinted a legal amendment could be put forth to allow political parties to form alliances before the upcoming parliamentary elections. "Pre-election alliance can be considered," he said. The ruling party has been working for amendment on the Elections and Political Parties Law to make ready for 2019, elections and two right wing parties are discussing possible cooperation formulas through back channels. However, the AKP is not in favor of lowering the threshold objecting a multi-party system at the parliament, instead offers electoral alliance on joint candidate list with the nationalist party, Muharrem Sarikaya, writer and permanent journalist from daily HaberTurk, said. But, the MHP does not want to be in an alliance where it does not take place by its own party identity, with its own candidate list, he added. "They have reached consensus on the possibility of alliance, but not on the methodology yet," Sarikaya noted. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 16:03:09|Editor: pengying Video Player Close CHONGQING, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- A Japanese academician has said that being elected to the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) was a great honor. Professor Yukio Tamura was among 18 new foreign academicians elected to the institution Monday, including Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, Dame Ann Dowling, president of the London-based Royal Academy of Engineering and Leo Rafael Reif, president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The total number of CAE foreign academicians is now 66. "It is indeed my greatest honor to be elected as a CAE Foreign Member," Tamura said in an email interview with Xinhua. "This was strongly owing to the warmest and tireless support by many Chinese friends of mine. Without their support, I could not have continued my activities in China." Tamura is a wind engineer dealing with wind resistant design of buildings and structures, and disaster risk reduction. "I should make more effort to become deserving of this greatest honor," he said. "I will do my best in this direction." Tamura works for the School of Civil Engineering of Chongqing University, in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. He cooperates with Chinese colleagues, and often collaborates with young Chinese researchers and PhD students in the field of wind engineering. "I would also like to disseminate all my know-how, developed by long and deep experience cooperating with many world eminent researchers and professors, to young Chinese talent," he said. In a letter to new members, the CAE encouraged them to "cultivate young talent, take the lead in creating a scientific and democratic academic environment, be prudent in accepting offers of public titles, and be indifferent to fame and wealth." CAE membership is China's highest title in the field of engineering and a lifelong honor. New members are recruited every two years. The CAE has 882 academicians. The CAE and the Chinese Academy of Sciences are the country's two top think tanks to advise the government and industry on scientific and technological issues. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 16:08:13|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close ZHENGZHOU, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Earn 15,000 U.S. dollars for one character! China is offering financial rewards to pool wisdom and help decipher the characters on 3,000-year-old oracle bones. Since the reward was printed in newspapers last year, many people have offered their contributions which are being reviewed be experts. Over the past 100 years, researchers have only been able to decipher around one third of the characters on the animal bones and tortoise shells that have been found so far. The remaining characters are difficult to decipher, according to Guo Xudong, from the oracle bones and Yin-Shang culture research center in Anyang, central China's Henan Province. Yin was the last capital of the Shang Dynasty (1600 - 1046 B.C.) and the official excavation of the Yin Ruins in current day Anyang began as early as 1928. The oracle bone scripts discovered at the ruins are considered to be the oldest Chinese inscriptions. Chinese oracle bone inscriptions were included into the list of UNESCO Memory of the World International Register on Oct. 31 this year. "The inclusion will attract more talent to help with the decoding, and encourage more people to study the ancient Chinese characters," said Guo. Oracle bones from ancient China, hieroglyphs from ancient Egypt, cuneiforms from ancient Babylon, and Mayan glyphs from Mesoamerica are among the world's most famous ancient writing systems. "The other three have been lost throughout history, but the oracle bones are the only one that still survives as they have evolved over time into current Chinese characters," said Guo. Oracle bone inscriptions were first discovered in 1899 by Beijing scholar and antiquarian Wang Yirong, although farmers had been unearthing the relics in Anyang for many years before that. Wang noticed symbols on animal bones and tortoise shells looked like a form of writing. Around 160,000 pieces of oracle bone have been found so far. Among the 4,300 characters inscribed on them, only 1,600 have been decoded. Many of the oracle bones have been scattered across the world over the past century, making it more difficult for researchers to study the actual bones. Since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, Chinese experts have published three books on the ancient scripts, compiling more more than 70,000 oracle bones. The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) is working with public and private collectors around the country to compile details of another 10,000 pieces by cleaning, photographing and making copies of the originals bones for further research. Guo said a digital database will be built in the hope that big data and cloud platforms can help to decipher the characters. Song Zhenhao with the CASS said the study of oracle bones has been comprehensive, delicate and moving with the times. "Protection was put in the first place and it covers every single piece of the oracle bones," he said. While some experts are striving to decipher the over 3,000-year-old mysteries hidden in the script, others are trying to make them more popular with younger Chinese. Yang Junhui, from the Anyang-based National Museum of Chinese Writing, has organized more than 800 classes on Chinese characters for children, which have been attended by around 30,000 families. "We teach them some pictographic characters and their evolution so that they become interested in learning more about our written language," Yang said. Seven-year-old Zhang Jiahui has just learned the oracle bone character for "woman," which looks like a kneeling woman. "It really looks like a graceful lady with her arms crossed," he said. Zhang's mother said the weekly class is very popular and it's often hard to reserve a place online. Most of the oracle bone researchers are now more than 70 years old, Guo said. "We need younger students to pass on knowledge for future generations so it is not forgotten around the world," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 16:28:19|Editor: pengying Video Player Close THE HAGUE, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Syria on Monday deplored that "hostile states" have led international investigation to produce reports on the alleged uses of toxic chemical in Syria, charging that the reports "lack professionalism and reach wrong findings". Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad made this statement at the annual conference of members of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which opened in the Hague on Monday. Mekdad reiterated Syria's denial of such accusations, saying the OPCW Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) reports were "without any tangible evidence" and its work needs to be reviewed. The FFM reported that people were exposed to chemical weapons in conflicts in Syria in recent years. The OPCW-U.N. Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM) claimed that the Islamic State terrorists and the Syrian military were both involved in the use of chemicals as weapons. He said that the JIM's work "was not professional and based solely on information provided by state parties suspected of having a close relationship with terrorist groups." "It is truly laughable that some states parties are helping terrorist groups and avoiding to bring terrorists to accountability and they use the OPCW to their own aims," said the Syrian official. The United States put a resolution to vote to renew the JIM with the same mandate for an additional year on Oct. 24, but Russia vetoed the resolution, arguing that there is a need to evaluate the effectiveness of the JIM. Russia had criticized the JIM for falling short of the standards of the Chemical Weapons Convention. About two weeks ago, the United Nations Security Council failed to pass the resolutions proposed by the United States and Japan on the renewal of the JIM mandate, as Russia, a permanent council member, vetoed. China abstained, and Wu Haitao, the charge d'affaires at China's Permanent Mission to the United Nations, said, "China is firmly opposed to the use of chemical weapons by whichever country, organization or person for whatever purposes and under whatever circumstances." Wu also said that any Security Council action must focus on the overall political process in Syria, which faces important opportunities at the moment. It is imperative for parties to keep calm and exercise restraint and find an appropriate solution acceptable to all through patient consultation, Wu said, noting that there are still significant differences among members over JIM. The Security Council unanimously approved the JIM in 2015 and renewed its mandate for another year in 2016. The current term expired on Nov. 17, 2017. The United States recently has proposed extension of the JIM's mandate for another year. Before Mekdad delivered his speech, Jacek Bylica, special envoy for Non-Proliferation and Disarmament at the EU External Action, on behalf of the European Union (EU) called on Syria "to engage meaningfully with the OPCW to resolve outstanding concerns". "The EU is deeply concerned about state and non-state actors acquiring chemical weapons which has already become a dark reality in Syria and Iraq," said Bylica. "It is unacceptable that four years after joining the Convention Syria's declaration can still not be verified as accurate and complete," he added. Syria became a state party to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) in 2013. Syria submitted its initial declaration of chemical weapon stocks in September 2013. Syria is working with the OPCW in reviewing the declaration by providing further explanations and supplementary information about its chemical weapon stocks, he stated. "We have achieved further progress and we will continue cooperating ... in order to make our declaration accurate and complete." Though almost all declared chemical weapons have been either destroyed or converted for peaceful use, risks of use of chemical weapons remain due to re-emerging uses of such weapons and the threat of chemical terrorism, warned the OPCW as its annual conference opened. On Thursday, the five-day conference will appoint Ambassador Fernando Arias of Spain as the new Director-General of the Technical Secretariat of the OPCW. Arias will start his four year term on July 25, 2018. Emmerson Mnangagwa (L) attends his inauguration ceremony as the new president of Zimbabwe, in Harare, capital of Zimbabwe, Nov. 24, 2017. (Xinhua/Shaun Jusa) HARARE, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe's new president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, dissolved the cabinet on Monday and said he is in the process of assembling a new team of cabinet ministers. In a statement, the chief secretary to the president and cabinet Misheck Sibanda said President Mnangagwa had appointed Patrick Chinamasa as acting finance minister and Simbarashe Mumbengegwi as acting foreign minister to allow for uninterrupted services in critical government ministries until a new cabinet is announced. The two ministers previously occupied the same portfolios before former president Robert Mugabe reshuffled cabinet in October and moved them to new ministries. Sibanda said Mnangagwa would on Tuesday meet all permanent secretaries for deliberations. Mnangagwa was sworn in as president last Friday after Mugabe's resignation following military and public pressure. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 16:38:25|Editor: pengying Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Monday urged all Syrian parties to actively participate in the Geneva political process without preconditions and to support efforts to ensure its success. Sebastiano Cardi, president of the Security Council, told reporters after closed-door consultations on Syria that the council reiterated that a political solution must be forged through the Geneva process. The council members also stressed respect for Syria's sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity, Cardi said. Although the Syrian opposition has formed a unified group for Geneva talks following negotiations among them in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the Syrian government has not confirmed its attendance at the new round of Geneva talks. "The meeting will start tomorrow and we really hope that all parties, including the Syrian government, will be present," Cardi said. "The (Syrian) government did not yet confirm its participation in Geneva, but indicated that we would be hearing from them soon," said UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura, when briefing the UN Security Council via a video conference from Geneva as he was preparing for round eight of the UN-convened Syrian talks on Nov. 28. The previous seven rounds of Geneva peace talks ended with limited results, because the opposition groups failed to reach a consensus on who are eligible to attend the meeting and whether Syrian President Bashar al-Assad should be removed from power. De Mistura said the "moment of truth" has arrived for the Syria talks. Asked by reporters to comment on the Syrian government's failure to confirm its presence at the Geneva talks, chief UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said, "Participation of the Syrian government is very important." Several diplomats at the UN also expressed their hope that the Geneva talks will be able to produce positive outcomes given the fact that the Syrian opposition has formed a unified negotiating committee. French ambassador to the United Nations, Francois Delattre, saw a better chance for the Geneva talks as the Syrian opposition has reached a deal at the auspices of Saudi Arabia. "We very much welcome the great progress achieved in Riyadh by the Syrian opposition to establish a unified, credible and pragmatic group that will be able to negotiate in Geneva," he told reporters before walking into the Security Council chamber for the Syria meeting. The upcoming Geneva talks will take place just days after the leaders of Iran, Turkey, and Russia met in Sochi, where they supported a comprehensive dialogue for Syria. The presidents of Russia, Turkey and Iran agreed at a trilateral summit in Russia's Black Sea resort of Sochi to shift their focus to a political settlement as the Islamic State terrorists are being expelled from Syria by Damascus troops backed by Russian warplanes. The three leaders in a joint statement expressed support for "a broad intra-Syrian dialogue" among all segments of Syrian society, calling on representatives of the Syrian government and the opposition to participate constructively in Sochi in the upcoming Syrian National Dialogue Congress, proposed by Moscow in late October at the Astana talks in Kazakhstan. The Syrian Foreign Ministry said Wednesday Syria welcomed the outcome of the trilateral talks on Syria's crisis solution, according to state news agency SANA In parallel with the UN-backed Geneva process, seven rounds of Astana talks have been held since January, with Russia, Turkey and Iran as the mediators. The most significant outcome was the establishment of four de-escalation zones in Syria. "International players are clearly looking for some common ground based on the implementation of Security Council Resolution 2254, and are urging Syrians to begin to find some common ground too," said De Mistura. China maintains close contact with parties related to the Syrian conflict, works for peace talks and contributes to a political settlement of the Syrian crisis. The Syrian armed conflict broke out in 2011 and quickly turned into a full-fledged war. UN figures show that the Syrian war has killed more than 330,000 people and displaced millions. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 16:38:26|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close TAIPEI, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Just one year after Taiwan authorities allowed Taiwanese to visit their relatives in the Chinese mainland in 1987, Foxconn Founder and Chairman Terry Gou answered the call of Chinese mainland to encourage Taiwanese to invest in its vast market by setting up the company's first factory in the coastal city of Shenzhen. Nearly thirty years later, Foxconn has expanded from the Pearl River Delta region to the Yangtze River Delta, the Bohai Rim and the country's central and western regions, becoming the world's largest contract assembler of consumer electronics, including Apple iPhones and iPads. "At the very beginning of our entry into the mainland market, it was just 'crossing the river by feeling for the stones.'" said Gou, who has become a representative for Taiwanese entrepreneurs investing in the mainland. He divided the development of Taiwanese investment in the mainland into three phases, first making use of cheap labor and land costs to boost exports, then bringing in technology, and now wider and deeper integration along the whole industrial chain. In the 1990s, Foxconn started to transfer its machinery processing, molding and electronics assembling technologies to the mainland. Its investment into the mainland market started to accelerate and diversify after cross-strait relations heated up with the implementation of direct flight, mail and trade policies in 2008. Gou's latest mainland investment was a 50-billion-yuan (7.58 billion U.S. dollars) cooperation agreement, signed in early November with leading mainland commercial conglomerate Suning Holdings Group, which focuses on the knowledge sharing of big data analytics to promote smart retail. "We should work together to tap the opportunities of the emerging industries in the new era," Gou said. By the end of September this year, over 100,000 Taiwanese investment projects had been approved, with actual investment volume topping 66 billion U.S. dollars and bringing 10 million new jobs. The mainland's appeal to Taiwanese investors is gaining traction this year thanks to stable economic growth and emerging business opportunities. Official data showed that Taiwanese investment in the mainland surged 45.9 percent in the first 10 months of this year, topping other overseas investors. The two sides share complementary advantages, Gou pointed out, as the mainland has a large and innovative talent pool, sufficient capital and efficient governance while Taiwan boasts strengths in sectors like semiconductors, medical services and food security. The Chinese mainland is expected to import goods worth 8 trillion U.S. dollars and attract overseas investment of 600 billion U.S. dollars in the next five years, offering a huge market and extensive cooperation opportunities for investors, according to Chiang Pin-kung, president of the Straits Economic and Cultural Interchange Association. Meanwhile, new development initiatives launched Chinese mainland, such as the Belt and Road Initiative, the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei coordinated development strategy, and the Yangtze River Economic Belt will lead cross-strait cooperation to fresh fields, Chiang added. While veteran Taiwanese entrepreneurs like Gou continue digging for gold in the mainland market, young entrepreneurial Taiwanese are also attracted to setting up start-ups to tap the vast market's business opportunities. The son of a Taiwanese businessman in Zhejiang Province, 32-year-old Mike Lee is now the general manager of HuaCan Dreamworks, an incubator in Zhonguancun, Beijing, known as "China's Silicon Valley," to nurture Taiwanese and mainland young entrepreneurs. The maker space plans to help 100 Taiwanese teams set up businesses in the mainland and has already attracted 10 since its establishment in August 2016. Over 50 cross-strait youth entrepreneurship demonstration zones have been set up across the mainland so far and 20-plus policies have been issued to encourage Taiwan youth to study and work in the mainland. "The market is big and the opportunities are abundant. Young Taiwanese should come to the mainland and give their talent full play," Lee said. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a meeting of the ruling Justice and Development Party in Ankara Nov. 17, 2017. (Xinhua/Mustafa Kaya) ANKARA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) are seeking consensus to form electoral alliance to boost their chances in 2019 multiple elections. In 2019, Turkey will hold three polls, local, parliament and presidential elections. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan needs to secure more than 50 percent of votes in the first round of presidential elections. However, the ambitious Turkish leader's narrow victory in a referendum for constitutional change in April that grants sweeping powers to the presidency with 51.4 percent support alarmed Erdogan. Moreover, his victory came with significant loss of votes in Turkey's biggest metropolis Istanbul and the capital Ankara, crucial poll indicators for general trends in Turkey. Erdogan has set his sight on consolidating nationalist, conservative votes for his aspirations to secure an easy victory. The ruling party reinforced nationalist politics, toned up anti-western rhetoric, and "powerful Turkey" narrative, often vow for military intervention in Syria and Iraq or signal drifting away EU membership bid. On the other hand, the MHP needs alliance with the ruling party mainly because its ranks are deeply divided. The nationalist party is on the verge of staying well below the current 10 percent electoral threshold since the party is losing blood after dissidents in November established a new center of attraction for nationalist votes, the Good Party (Iyi Party). A survey by the SONAR polling firm showed the Good Party has nearly 16 percent of the vote, while MHP has 7 percent, which is below the election barrier. The AKP and MHP had already laid the foundations for the constitutional referendum. The nationalist party's support facilitated the passage of the AKP-proposed amendment package in parliament in early 2017. The MHP recently pledged its full support to the ruling party for the 2019 elections. "Our party, together with the AKP, will struggle for the full establishment of the presidential system in 2019," MHP leader Devlet Bahceli told his parliamentary group on Nov. 14. Bahceli, in return, urged the AKP lowering the 10-percent threshold required for any political party to get into parliament. Analysts said that lowering threshold could produce complications for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's aspirations to secure an easy victory and the Kurdish vote might remain with the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) which has nearly 7 percent of votes, according to surveys. On Nov. 15, President Erdogan hinted a legal amendment could be put forth to allow political parties to form alliances before the upcoming parliamentary elections. "Pre-election alliance can be considered," he said. The ruling party has been working for amendment on the Elections and Political Parties Law to make ready for 2019, elections and two right wing parties are discussing possible cooperation formulas through back channels. However, the AKP is not in favor of lowering the threshold objecting a multi-party system at the parliament, instead offers electoral alliance on joint candidate list with the nationalist party, Muharrem Sarikaya, writer and permanent journalist from daily HaberTurk, said. But, the MHP does not want to be in an alliance where it does not take place by its own party identity, with its own candidate list, he added. "They have reached consensus on the possibility of alliance, but not on the methodology yet," Sarikaya noted. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 17:13:41|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close GUANGZHOU, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Police confiscated 10.4 tonnes of drugs during the first 10 months of this year in south China's Guangdong Province, a region plagued with rampant drug production and trafficking. They solved 13,000 drug-related cases and detained more than 16,000 suspects during that period, Zhai Kaixia, head of the provincial drug control bureau, said at a press conference. In a typical case solved in July, police busted a drug production and sales ring, seizing more than 60 kilograms of methamphetamine as well as guns and bullets. In an ongoing crackdown on cross-border drug trafficking, they intercepted more than 20 kilograms of heroin from Vietnam in July, with assistance from police in neighboring Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The same month, they also captured 14 suspects, mainly Taiwanese, and seized more than 250 kilograms of meth. A delivery driver in the provincial capital Guangzhou received a reward of 300,000 yuan (45,493 U.S. dollars) at the press conference for providing key information about the case. Police have continued to fight drug-related crime in Lufeng City and Huilai County, two notorious meth production bases. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 17:18:42|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close The founding ceremony of China Energy Corporation is held in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 28, 2017. Two Chinese state-owned enterprises (SOEs) have merged into an energy conglomerate with total assets worth 1.8 trillion yuan (272.96 billion U.S. dollars). The new company, China Energy Corporation, has become the world's largest in coal mining, thermal power, renewable energy and coal-to-liquid conversion, according to the founding ceremony held Tuesday. (Xinhua) BEIJING, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Two Chinese state-owned enterprises (SOEs) have merged into an energy conglomerate with total assets worth 1.8 trillion yuan (272.96 billion U.S. dollars). The new company, China Energy Corporation, has become the world's largest in coal mining, thermal power, renewable energy and coal-to-liquid conversion, according to the founding ceremony held Tuesday. It was formed by the reorganization of power generator China Guodian Corporation and coal miner Shenhua Group. "It is the biggest consolidation among central SOEs in recent years," said Xiao Yaqing, chairman of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission. Xiao expects the deal to improve corporate profitability and help coordinate coal and electricity markets. The merger is in line with the country's effort to push restructuring in state-owned companies. During the past five years, 34 central SOEs were reorganized to improve competitiveness, according to Xiao. The total number of central SOEs has halved from 196 in 2003. Qiao Baoping, chairman of China Energy, said the company would focus on coal mining and power generation, while making more effort to eliminate excess capacity, and speed up its drive to go global. China Energy signed a memorandum of understanding with the government of West Virginia to cooperate on shale gas exploration at the beginning of the month. The deal, with total investment to reach 83.7 billion U.S. dollars in 20 years, will be the largest ever energy cooperation deal between China and the United States. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 17:23:45|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close DHAKA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Three charred bodies were found after Bangladesh's security forces stormed a militant hideout on Tuesday afternoon in the country's northwestern Chapainawabganj district. Anti-crime elite force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) spokesman Mufti Mahmud Khan confirmed the death of three militants. "Three burned bodies were seen in the tin-shed building where the militants were hiding out," he told journalists. Khan said the suspected militants might have killed themselves in a series of explosions that rocked the militant hideout situated in the middle of a vast river island. The blasts resulted in a big fire visible from far off the area. "So far we understand the deceased militants were active members of banned militant outfit JMB (Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh)," he said after an about 10-hour-long raid that ended at about 1:00 p.m. local time. According to the RAB spokesman, three improvised explosive devices (IEDs), seven detonators, 12 explosive gel packs and two pistols were found in the house. A police official who declined to be named said security forces surrounded the house suspecting it a militant hideout early Tuesday. The suspected militants inside exploded four to five bombs as the law enforcers asked them to surrender, he added. At least three people, including owner of the house, were detained. In the wake of the deadly July 1, 2016 cafe attack, security has been tightened in Bangladesh. Neo-JMB, an offshoot of the banned militant outfit JMB, has been blamed for the attack on the Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka's Gulshan on July 1, 2016 which left 22 people, mostly foreigners, dead. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 17:38:48|Editor: pengying Video Player Close JERUSALEM, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu left for Kenya on Tuesday for a whirlwind visit, which includes meetings with African leaders and an announcement of a new Israeli embassy in Africa, his office said. Netanyahu said the aim of his one-day trip is "to deepen ties with Africa also by forging links with countries that we do not have diplomatic relations with." The visit comes at the occasion of the inauguration ceremony of Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, who was recently re-elected in controversial elections. A statement released by the Israeli Prime Minister's Office said his schedule includes meetings with Kenyatta as well as some 10 other African leaders. The Hebrew-language Walla news site reported that the meetings include one with Rwanda President Paul Kagame to discuss a deal for "voluntary expulsion" of African asylum seekers from Israel to Rwanda. The trip comes amidst Israeli efforts to strengthen the ties with African nations and would be Netanyahu's third visit to the continent over the last six months. Over the past two years, legations from four African countries have been opened in Israel. "I hope that by the end of the day I will be able to announce the opening of a new Israeli embassy in an African country, and the hand is still extended," Netanyahu said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu left for Kenya on Tuesday to meet African leaders and announce a new Israeli embassy in Africa. (AFP Photo) JERUSALEM, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu left for Kenya on Tuesday for a whirlwind visit, which includes meetings with African leaders and an announcement of a new Israeli embassy in Africa, his office said. Netanyahu said the aim of his one-day trip is "to deepen ties with Africa also by forging links with countries that we do not have diplomatic relations with." The visit comes at the occasion of the inauguration ceremony of Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, who was recently re-elected in controversial elections. A statement released by the Israeli Prime Minister's Office said his schedule includes meetings with Kenyatta as well as some 10 other African leaders. The Hebrew-language Walla news site reported that the meetings include one with Rwanda President Paul Kagame to discuss a deal for "voluntary expulsion" of African asylum seekers from Israel to Rwanda. The trip comes amidst Israeli efforts to strengthen the ties with African nations and would be Netanyahu's third visit to the continent over the last six months. Over the past two years, legations from four African countries have been opened in Israel. "I hope that by the end of the day I will be able to announce the opening of a new Israeli embassy in an African country, and the hand is still extended," Netanyahu said. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 18:09:01|Editor: pengying Video Player Close BANGKOK, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- A villager in northwestern Thailand has been infected with an anthrax, said a senior government official on Tuesday. Public Health Ministry Undersecretary Chetsada Chokdamrongsuk confirmed that the unidentified villager in Mae Sot district of Tak province, about 470 km northwest of Bangkok, has contracted the bacterial disease after he had slaughtered a goat believed to have carried bacillus anthracis. Another villager of Mae Sot, across the Thai-Myanmar border from Myawaddy township, is yet to be diagnosed to see whether he may as well have contracted the disease during the slaughtering of the goat, allegedly smuggled from inside Myanmar. The anthrax could possibly be transmitted from infected livestock such as cattle, sheep and goats to humans via the skin and respiratory system, he said. The bacterial disease may cause severe ulceration of the skin and pneumonia. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 18:14:04|Editor: pengying Video Player Close GENEVA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Representatives of the Syrian government will arrive here on Wednesday for the 8th round of Syria peace talks brokered by the United Nations, a UN official said at a routine media briefing on Tuesday. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 18:14:05|Editor: pengying Video Player Close BEIJING, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Nobel laureates Andre K. Geim and James Fraser Stoddart, together with other 14 scientists, have been elected as new foreign academicians at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), one of China's top think tanks. CAS published the list of 77 newly-elected academicians, 61 Chinese and 16 foreigners, on its website Tuesday. The 16 foreign scientists come from eight countries. It is the first time CAS has awarded the title to scientists from Poland, Netherlands and Uzbekistan. There are now 800 Chinese academicians and 92 foreign academicians at CAS. Of the newly-elected 61 Chinese members a total of 58 were men, and all are leading figures from various fields, including Yang Wei, chief designer of fighter jet J-20, and Yang Mengfei, chief designer of the Chang'e-5 lunar probe. The average age is 54, with the eldest being 67 and the youngest 46. CAS membership is China's highest title in the field of science, and a lifelong honor. New members are recruited every two years. CAS and the Chinese Academy of Engineering are the country's top two think tanks to advise government and industry on key scientific and technological issues. The Chinese Academy of Engineering also announced its list of newly-elected academicians Monday, which included Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 18:19:08|Editor: pengying Video Player Close KABUL, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Up to 28 armed militants were killed and nine others wounded when Afghan air force launched airstrikes in eastern province of Paktia on Monday, said the defense ministry Tuesday. "The Afghan air force carried out airstrikes against militants' hideouts in Jani Khil and Zurmat districts of Paktia province, killing 28 armed insurgents and injuring nine others," the ministry said in a statement. Among the killed militants were two local leaders of Haqqani terrorist network and several Taliban militants, according to the statement. Weapons ammunition together with two vehicles and a motorbike were also destroyed by the strikes. As a Taliban-linked group of militants, the Haqqani network mostly operating in eastern provinces and capital Kabul, has been responsible for many high-profile attacks against security forces. The Taliban and Haqqani militants fighting security forces in Paktia and neighboring provinces have yet to make comments. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 18:19:10|Editor: pengying Video Player Close BEIJING, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- China will expand a water resource tax pilot program to more areas in a bid to encourage water conservation, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) said Tuesday. Nine provincial regions, including Beijing, Inner Mongolia, Henan, Sichuan and Ningxia will begin the new tax pilot next month, following 18 months of trials in north China's Hebei Province, according to an official statement. After enough experience has been accumulated in the program, the policy will be promoted nationwide. The water resource tax, which is focused on preventing unreasonable water use, is collected based on the usage of surface and underground water and stems from the country's over-30-year-old resource tax. Water use exceeding quotas or in overexploited areas will be levied with tax rates up to four times higher, while that for agricultural purposes will see a reduction or exemption. The use of water that has come from sewage treatment facilities will also have favorable tax rates. MOF official Wang Jianfan described the tax as a significant step in China's green development strategy, and said it will help prompt environmentally-friendly production and consumption. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 18:29:13|Editor: pengying Video Player Close MOGADISHU, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has started a five-day training program on how to counter violent extremism and reintegrating Al-Shabaab defectors. The training of 20 officials drawn from Defector Rehabilitation Program (DRP) will help participants identify actors and institutions involved in countering violent extremism, AMISOM said Tuesday. AMISOM's Senior Civil Affairs Officer and Head of Stabilization and Recovery Ododa Opiyo said the program will offer the DRP staff with comprehensive understanding of the principles and procedures involved in planning and coordinating the implementation of defectors' reintegration programs. "It is important that we are bringing together all stakeholders involved in this subject from all over the country. We are glad we are all coming together to help defectors," Opiyo said in a statement released in Mogadishu. Somalia's Director of the Defector Rehabilitation Program (DRP) Cabdirashiid Ibrahim Maxamed said the trainees are also expected to interlink defector rehabilitation and countering violent extremism. "You can understand the risk they can cause if not well integrated," he explained during the official opening of the workshop on Tuesday, in reference to former members of Al-Shabaab and other armed groups. The DRP works with AMISOM to screen defectors, and is supported by the country's National Intelligence Service. Moxamed said at least 2,000 defectors have already been successfully reintegrated into society, since the program began six years ago. He said the program had initiated 10 rehabilitation centers in Somalia -- three for adults and seven for children. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 18:29:14|Editor: pengying Video Player Close COLOMBO, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka will modernize its age old railway sector by purchasing over 100 new railway carriages and engines, and developing railway stations, Transport Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva, quoted by state media, said on Tuesday. De Silva said this will also help the government to strengthen the country's public transportation sector as a majority of Sri Lankans depended on public transport on a daily basis. The minister said these plans were part of the Colombo suburban railway project which is to be funded by the Asian Development Bank(ADB). Under this plan, the Transport and Civil Aviation Ministry together with Sri Lanka Railways will construct new parallel railway lines and modernize railway stations. New railway lines will also be put in place to connect the capital Colombo to the Bandaranaike International Airport. Thousands of tourists who visit Sri Lanka per year depend on Sri Lanka's railway sector to explore many areas of the island. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 18:29:15|Editor: pengying Video Player Close HYDERABAD, India, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Round up the beggars, plant trees and repave the streets, for Ivanka is here! That's what the Indian city of Hyderabad has been committed to for the past week ahead of U.S. first daughter Ivanka Trump's visit, Daily Mail reported. U.S. President Donald Trump's 36-year-old daughter arrived in India late Monday night for the annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit. She is expected to give a keynote speech at the summit, dine with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and also attend a women-focused symposium. In spite of her short stay, the Southern Indian city went to great lengths renovating the areas that Ivanka will pass through. The bustling city displaced beggars off the streets, painted and planted trees, and tidied up roadways -- a beautification project criticized by some for its sole purpose to impress Trump's daughter. "I think it's overrated, honestly,' said 18-year-old engineering student Bhavani P., referring to Ivanka's visit. "They are cleaning up roads. They are decorating just because she's coming." However, some local residents say they are "proud" of the fact that Ivanka is visiting Hyderabad over Mumbai or Delhi. In terms of security, authorities have deployed more than 10,000 personnel around the high-profile summit. Reports said during her visit, Ivanka is expected to visit the old city as well as the Charminar, the iconic symbol of Hyderabad. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 18:34:19|Editor: pengying Video Player Close BEIJING, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- A central bank advisor said Tuesday that China should set a moderate economic growth target next year to give more room to structural reform. China's economy maintained steady growth and a positive outlook this year, with many bright spots emerging, including markedly improved corporate profits, said Bai Chongen, a Tsinghua University professor and member of the central bank monetary policy committee, at a forum. While some advocate a higher GDP growth target for 2018, Bai said a slightly lower target is needed to curb inefficient investment and reduce the risk from growing debt. "Personally I support a slightly lower, moderate growth target, so that we have more room to carry out structural reform," he said during a panel discussion at the Caijing Annual Conference. The Chinese government targeted GDP growth of around 6.5 percent for 2017. The 2018 growth target is expected to be unveiled during the annual national legislative session in March next year. "To achieve the official goal of doubling the GDP by 2020 from 2010, the country only needs an average growth rate of 6.3 percent in the coming three years," Bai said. He spoke of fast expansion in low-efficiency investment and increasing debt ratios at local government financing vehicles. Pursuing a higher growth target could encourage upstream industries to continue expansion and lead to new excess capacity, Bai warned. Meanwhile, consumption demand remains subdued, which calls for more measures to increase residents' disposal income and stimulate spending, he said. China's economy expanded 6.8 percent year on year in the third quarter, down from 6.9 percent in the second quarter. Growth in the first three quarters reached 6.9 percent. The government is trying to shift to sustainable economic growth driven more by technology and consumption and less by debt-fueled, low-end investment. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 18:39:21|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close LOS ANGELES, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Los Angeles County in the western U.S. state of California is looking forward to strenthening relationship with China in 2018, a local leader told Xinhua Monday. After the county's annual Chrismas Tree Lighting Ceremony held in Los Angeles downtown, Kathryn Barger, one of the supervisors of Los Angeles County, sent her best wishes to Chinese residents living in the county and visitors from China. "We want to say merry Christmas and happy New Year to Chinese people," she said, "We are looking for 2018 to continue to strengthen relationship." "Here, Los Angeles County, we are the home for many, many Chinese-Americans and Chinese moved over here, so my hope is to continue to grow and work together, recognize we all have something give to each other," she told Xinhua, standing under a giant 32-foot (9.75 meter) sparkling tree. Barger serves the residents of Los Angeles County's 5th Supervisorial District -- the county's largest -- spanning 2,800 square miles (7,251 square km), which includes 22 cities and 70 unincorporated communities. According to the 2011-2015 American Community Survey, in the Supervisorial District, the San Gabriel Valley region has the highest percentage of Chinese-Americans of any region in the country. Moreover, Los Angeles is the United States' top international trade gateway to China, handling over 45 percent of trade between the two countries. Meanwhile, last year Los Angeles became the first ever U.S. city destination to receive more than one million visitors from China in one year, according to official figures. Besides business, Barger emphasized education is "an important component" in cooperation between Los Angeles county and China in the future. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 18:39:21|Editor: pengying Video Player Close SHIBERGHAN, Afghanistan, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- At least two IS militants, one army soldier and one civilian were killed and two civilians wounded, as clash erupted in Darzab district of Afghanistan's Jawzjan province, a local official said Tuesday. "Militants loyal to the IS group launched offensive on police check-posts in Darzab district of the province Monday evening, but faced serious response from security forces, leaving two IS fighters, one national army soldier and one civilian dead and two more civilians wounded," provincial governor spokesman, Reza Ghafoori told Xinhua. According to the source, some 700 IS militants, including 36 foreigners, are still operative in two districts of Qush Tepa and Darzab in the relatively troubled province. The hardliner group has yet to make comment on the report. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 18:54:26|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close NANJING, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Third International Seminar on Human Rights and Museology was opened in east China's Nanjing Tuesday, where scholars discussed the protection of peace and human rights ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre. The two-day seminar was attended by nearly 100 researchers in human rights and representatives of museums from 18 countries and regions, including Britain, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and South Africa. Topics discussed by the attendees included "missions and responsibilities of museums and memorials in engaging in the education on peace and human rights" and "approaches and methods of intensifying international exchanges and cooperation to construct common memories for humanity." "In the face of threats and challenges from human society development and human rights protection, we should learn the lessons of history and firmly safeguard world peace and stability," said Wang Guoqing, vice chairman of China Foundation for Human Rights Development (CFHRD). On Dec. 13, 1937, Japanese troops captured Nanjing, then China's capital, and started a slaughter lasting more than 40 days. About 300,000 civilians and Chinese soldiers, who had laid down their arms, were murdered. The seminar was jointly hosted by the CFHRD, China Museums Association and Jiangsu Provincial Association for International Cultural Exchange. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 19:24:36|Editor: pengying Video Player Close CAPE TOWN, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- An ad hoc committee of the South African parliament on Tuesday approved a bill to regulate funding for political parties. In the Political Party Funding Bill of 2017, the committee recommends that the Represented Political Party Fund and the proposed Multiparty Democracy Fund be managed by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). Under the bill, the two funds should be managed by a separate business unit with its own chief executive. The ad hoc committee, established by the National Assembly in June 2017, was charged with inquiring into and making recommendations on the funding of political parties represented in national and provincial legislatures, with a view to introducing amending legislation, if required. It was to consider a model of public and private funding for political parties and the desirability of regulating private funding in all its forms, including investment entities owned by political parties. Having reviewed the Public Funding of Represented Political Parties Act of 1997 and its regulations, the committee has recommended for a repeal of the existing legislation and has developed a new framework to address the weaknesses identified. The 1997 act is seen as inconsistent with the constitution and invalid as it does not allow for disclosure of private funding information. The committee will table its report to the National Assembly on Nov. 30 for a debate and declarations, said Vincent Smith, the committee's chairman. The new bill is expected to address concerns about over-reliance by political parties on private donations as well as the secrecy that clouds political party financing. These concerns have fueled perceptions that anonymous donations from masked sources subvert democratic processes, lead to a manipulation of public policy positions in favor of those private interests and dilute the voice of citizens. Since the end of apartheid in 1994, political parties in the country have been united in refusing to open their books. Currently political parties are not required to declare sources of their funds or how they use their money. In September, South Africa's Western Cape High Court ruled that political parties must disclose their sources of private funding so as to ensure transparency and accountability. The court gave Parliament 18 months to rectify the "inconsistencies" in the existing act. South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) has voiced its support for the regulation of private financing of political parties. The party says political financing must be transparent in a way that will promote and support democracy. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 19:39:40|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close DUBAI, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- A Saudi senior energy businessman said Tuesday that China's rise to self-sufficiency in relation to petrochemicals poses a challenge to the Gulf Arab industry. "China, along with overall Asia, is the engine of chemical demand. It is expected that China will contribute to around 50 percent of all incremental chemicals growth between 2016 and 2025," said Yousef Al-Banyan, chief executive officer of Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic). He made the remarks during his keynote speech at the ongoing annual Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) forum on Tuesday. "The only chain where China remains insufficient is ethylene," added Al-Benyan, also chairman of GPCA. "But we do not know how long it will remain so." The 22 producers of petrochemicals across the six Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, the GPCA forum's host country the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman, will have to transform themselves and increase productivity, move from basic products to speciality products and embrace sustainability, digitization and partnerships in order to raise global competitiveness, he noted. The way to address the growth driven by Asia, according to Al-Benyan, is to create "win-win partnerships globally." Earlier last week, Sabic signed a memorandum of understanding with the world's biggest energy company Saudi Aramco to jointly develop a crude oil to chemicals complex in the kingdom, which is expected to process 400,000 barrels per day of crude oil. The 75-billion-Saudi-riyal (20 billion U.S. dollars) complex, where Sabic and Aramco will hold equal shares, is expected to start in 2025 and produce approximately 9 million tons of chemicals and base oils annually. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 20:31:57|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close Pupils experience movable-type printing at a printing workshop in Yuquan District of Hohhot, capital of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Nov. 28, 2017. An activity was held on Tuesday for pupils to learn the movable-type printing, one of the world's oldest printing techniques invented in China. (Xinhua/Ding Genhou) Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 19:59:49|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close Berlin, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The German ship industry is defying a global trend of decline in the shipbuilding industry with a growing number of orders. An analysis by the German Shipbuilding and Ocean Industries Association (VSM) in Hamburg, citied by "SPIEGEL" on Monday, shows that large shipbuilders in Europe and Germany in particular were experiencing a backlog in orders due to high demand. The value of European orders has grown continuously to reach 48 billion euros (57 billion U.S. dollars) in June 2017, a third of which was accounted for by German shipyards. More than 40 percent of all global shipbuilding orders are currently placed in Europe. While demand for new freight vessels has plummeted, German and European shipbuilders are hereby benefiting from their close links to the resilient tourism sector by specialising in the construction of cruise ships. "The cruise ship industry remains a magnet for customers with ever-new attractions and passenger records" a statement by the VSM read. Twenty-six new cruise ships are due to be delivered in 2017 alone. German shipbuilders also remain highly popular among defence sector customers. Last week, the Bremen-based Luerssen ship builder was able to secure an order worth 2.6 billion euros from the Australian navy for twelve military patrol boats. The fortunes of German and European shipbuilders stand in stark contrast to worsening conditions across the wider industry. According to VSM, nearly two thirds of all wharfs across the world have closed since 2009. Only 358 shipbuilding companies remain, of which 30 percent are working on their last vessel. "It is to be expected that several of these wharfs will have to close down as well in the coming months." the VSM warned. Aside from cruise ships, the industry has experienced a dramatic dearth of orders since the 2007/08 financial and economic crisis. Wharfs are suffering from an oversupply of vessels which has seen freight and charter rates plummet along with the prices for used ships. Furthermore, shipping companies are going through a phase of industrial consolidation of their own which further stifles demand. As a consequence, the relative strength of German shipbuilding has also attracted attention from competitors. China has announced its desire to achieve a market share of 40 percent for high-tech shipbuilding and recently formed a joint venture with the major Italian wharf Fincantieri to build cruise ships. This development has caused anxiety in German ports that domestic shipbuilders could soon lose their advantage over commercial rivals. "There is no reason for us to rest on our laurels" VSM Director Reinhard Lueken told "SPIEGEL". Lueken added that the pressure of competition experienced by the German industry was "constantly rising." As a consequence, German policymakers would have to take steps to improve the prospects of the country's maritime industry. The VSM voiced concern, however, that such reforms could be hampered by the lack of a stable government in Berlin. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 20:04:54|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close MANILA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte wants to completely rebuild war-torn southern Philippine city of Marawi by 2022, or before he finishes his single, six-year term in office, his spokesman said on Tuesday. Harry Roque told foreign correspondents in a forum that it will take years to rebuild the city ravaged by the five-month intense fighting between the government security forces and the pro-Islamic State (IS) militants. Roque, who has recently visited Marawi, said that the city is completely ruined and needs to be rebuilt from scratch, especially the "ground zero" or the the most affected area. Initial estimates say rebuilding could cost the government from 100 billion pesos (1.95 billion U.S. dollars) to 150 billion pesos (2.92 billion U.S. dollars). Roque said that the government has no plans for rehabilitating buildings or house in the ground zero which consist of 200 to 250 hectares. "The plan is to flatten it and redesign the whole area. There will be four-lane roads, instead of two-lane roads. There will be a promenade along the river. It will be a major tourist attraction," he said. Roque said the government plans to bid the projects, adding that "giant real estate companies from around the world" will be invited to participate in the bidding to rebuild the heavily affected areas. Bidding will start next month, he said. "Timetable is before the president leaves office in 2022 we would have completely rebuilt Marawi," Roque said. Meanwhile, Roque said the government is planning to build nearly 7,000 temporary shelters for the displaced residents whose houses were destroyed in the war. The first 500 temporary shelters are expected to be turned over to some residents by December 15, he said. The bulk of Marawi City is part of a military reservation and the military will carefully sweep the area for unexploded improvised explosive devices or IEDs, he said. More than 1,200 people were killed in the fighting when extremists laid siege to Marawi in May. The war also displaced close to 500,000 city and residents and people in nearby towns. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 20:09:55|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close WELLINGTON, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Scientists at Auckland-based Unitec Institute of Technology have compared historic native leaf samples taken during Captain Cook's first visit to New Zealand nearly 250 years ago with modern day samples to see if they have changed with atmospheric CO2. Unitec Associate Professor Mark Lange said on Tuesday that the tests showed a critical change in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) after the 19th Century, a result reflected in studies of northern hemisphere plants. "However, this has been a unique opportunity to look at some of the oldest herbarium specimens collected in the southern hemisphere," Lange said in a statement. These precious plants which survived the long voyage aboard HMS Endeavour in returning to Britain, provide researchers with a unique record of the New Zealand environment before the rise in atmospheric CO2 levels, he said. Unitec researchers were looking for changes in the density of microscopic pores called stomata, which regulate the intake or release of CO2, oxygen, and water vapor. The higher the CO2 concentration, the lower the number of pores. Links have been shown between the levels of CO2 in the surrounding atmosphere and the density of stomata on certain plants, Lange said. When Captain Cook made his first voyage to the South Pacific during 1769-1770, he was accompanied by two botanists, Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander who gathered samples as they travelled, which were sent to the British Museum in 1828. Sets of these samples numbering 313 species are now held at Auckland War Memorial Museum and the Museum of New Zealand. Of the hundreds of samples collected by Banks and Solander, Unitec researchers found leaves from the Karaka tree were the most suitable, having remained intact and with good sized leaves which clearly showed the stomata. The study showed little variation of stomatal density between the 18th to 19th century leaf samples, but when the modern samples were analyzed, they showed a decrease in stomatal density of up to 53 percent, which corresponds to an increase in atmospheric CO2 over that time, according to Lange. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 20:09:57|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close WELLINGTON, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern paid tribute to the victims of the Erebus tragedy on Tuesday, the 38th anniversary of an air crash disaster, saying that she will meet with families to progress a long overdue national memorial. The Air New Zealand DC-10 crashed into the slopes of Mount Erebus in Antarctica on Nov. 28, 1979, and all 257 people on board the sightseeing flight were killed. The tragedy is the worst in New Zealand's aviation history, Ardern said, adding that it affected all New Zealanders and a national memorial is "appropriate and overdue." "This is a tragedy that touched every corner of New Zealand and understandably remains raw for the families and friends of the crew and passengers who died that day. It was a moment in our history when all New Zealanders paused," the prime minister said, adding that a national memorial should be in place by the 40th anniversary in two years' time. "It's high time we as a nation formally recognized this tragic event," she said, adding that a suitable memorial that honors those who died is a place where all New Zealanders can come to pay their respects and remember this sad event. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 20:09:58|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close Photo taken on June 22, 2017 shows Syrian children in a refugee camp in Kahramanmaras of Turkey. The Turkish Foreign Ministry on Nov. 16 released figures that about 3.3 million Syrian refugees, including 976,000 school-aged children, are living in Turkey. (Xinhua/Qin Yanyang) GENEVA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Representatives of the Syrian government will arrive here on Wednesday for the 8th round of Syria peace talks brokered by the United Nations, a U.N. official said at a routine media briefing on Tuesday. Alessandra Vellucci, director of the U.N. Information Service in Geneva, told the briefing that they have not yet arrived for the talks due to start on Tuesday, but U.N. special envoy for Syria Staffan De Mistuna had received a message that they are planning to arrive on Wednesday. Shortly after the briefing, De Mistuna confirmed that the Syrian opposition delegation had arrived in Geneva for the talks. Earlier on Monday, De Mistuna said that the Syrian government had not committed to attending the talks, though he had called on the parties in the negotiations to "prepare for real talks" and "real diplomacy." The U.N. Security Council also urged all Syrian parties on Monday to actively participate in the Geneva political process without preconditions and to support efforts to ensure its success. The Syrian armed conflict broke out in 2011 and quickly turned into a full-fledged war which, according to U.N. figures, has resulted in more than 330,000 deaths and displacement of millions. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 20:15:00|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close DOHA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Qatar's Advisory (Shura) Council said the country will continue to fight terrorism in collaboration with the international society, Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported Tuesday. "Qatar combats terrorism out of its sound faith, established principles, firm policy, and adherence to human values," QNA quoted the council as saying. Commenting on the ongoing blockade imposed on Qatar, the council said many countries know well Qatar's efforts in fighting terrorism. "All the accusations by its gulf allies are lies and baseless," it noted. During the third regular session of the advisory council on Monday, the advisory council reviewed the Decree No. 11 of 2017 on the amendment to some provisions of Law No. 3 of 2004 on combating terrorism. This decree, which Emir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani issued in July, covers the freezing of funds, the financing of terrorism, the creation of two national lists of individuals and terrorist entities, the identification of procedures for listing individuals and entities involved in terror activities. On June 5, Saudi Arabia, along with its Arab allies including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt and Yemen, severed diplomatic ties with Qatar as well as all air, land and sea links to the Arab Gulf state, a move that has sent shock waves across the Middle East and beyond. The Saudi-led boycotting countries accuse Qatar of supporting terrorist, extremist and sectarian organizations, which Doha has repeatedly denied. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 20:20:04|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close by Jamila Najmuddin COLOMBO, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka has the potential to grow into a regional hub with more Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) from other countries including China, Asian Development Bank (ADB) Vice President Zhang Wencai told Xinhua in a recent interview. Zhang said Sri Lanka's present economic growth was between 4.5 to 5 percent, but the island country had the potential to grow faster with more private sector investments. Zhang said Sri Lanka had great potential but it needed to expand investments in various sectors including its manufacturing and service sectors, and to further improve its business climate. "The country has big potential to be a regional trade and logistic hub with more external investments in sectors such as manufacturing." Zhang said. "The country should not just rely on tea, textile or tourism. Of course, these are very important sectors but the country should also try to develop more sectors and diversify the economy," Zhang added. Zhang further noted the large Chinese investments in the island country such as the development of ports, an economic zone in Hambantota, the construction of Port City in Colombo, and highways would contribute to higher growth for the country. He said such investments from other countries would also help Sri Lanka to develop higher value-added products, and improve the quality of growth and people's livelihoods. Zhang called on Sri Lankan government to improve its business climate by providing a good legal and regulatory framework and simplified procedures for business registration, in order to attract more private investments. "Sri Lanka can further enhance the ease of doing business in the country if more efforts are made on measures such as a one-stop shop. With power, road, ports, telecommunication systems and facilities in place, and with more skilled labor available, Sri Lanka will certainly attract more investments," Zhang explained. He said that with Sri Lanka showing support for the Belt and Road Initiative and other regional initiatives such as South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation, the ADB would explore how it could work with Sri Lanka to highlight the country's position in the regional context. "The Belt and Road Initiative was proposed by China and it has now become an international initiative. So many countries and international agencies are participating in the initiative. The ADB also signed an MoU with the Chinese government last May together with other multilateral development banks on how to work together to support the Belt and Road Initiative. In our member countries, we will see how the programs at the country and regional levels can align with the Belt and Road initiative," Zhang said. Zhang further said the ADB will see how ADB programs and Belt and Road Initiative can complement each other in Sri Lanka, including co-financing. During Zhang's visit to Sri Lanka last week, the Sri Lankan government entered into two loan agreements with the ADB to borrow 150 million U.S. dollars as the first tranche of an investment program to improve 3,400 km of rural roads and 200 million U.S. dollars for a 100-megawatt wind power generation project. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 20:20:05|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close by Eric J. Lyman ROME, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Italy will become the first European Union member state to start taxing online sales, with plans to start collecting a 6-percent levy on such transactions beginning in January 2019. A budget committee of the Italian senate has passed the provision aimed at introducing a tax on digital sales. The proposal was approved on Monday in the form of an amendment to the 2018 budget. According to the provision, a 6 percent levy would be applied on all digital sales (business-to-business and business-to-consumer). The new tax was estimated to produce an extra income of about 114 million euros (135.9 million U.S. dollars) per year for the Italian state. A major goal of the new legislation would be to tackle big multinational digital companies -- such as Google and Facebook, for example -- whose revenues are partly generated by online sales in Italy. The need of such a levy was being discussed at European Union (EU) level as well. The start date is more than a year away, but it will still make Italy the first European country to formalize plans for such a tax, which has drawn strong criticism from online giants like Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google where it has been proposed. The new regulation would be a change from current tax schemes, which tax profits and allow companies to log those profits in countries with low corporate tax rates. Though the measure will add income to Italian government coffers, Paolo Cellini, a professor of Internet economics at Rome's LUISS University, believes the main reasons behind the tax may be political. "You have these giant web companies making millions in profits," Cellini told Xinhua. "It is easy to see some political motives behind the decision to tax them." Tommaso di Tanno, a tax expert and founder of the Di Tanno and Associates Studio, would be applied to "all digital services provided in Italy," though it is not yet clear how and if intangible products -- such as advertisement or intellectual property -- will be taxed. The Italian Ministry of Finance has said it will detail how the tax will work no later than April 2018, though it has said the levy will target large multinationals and not smaller Italy-based companies, which will receive an exemption from the tax. The estimate of the value of the tax that appeared in the Italian press is based on an estimate that taxable services will be worth around 2 billion euros (2.4 billion U.S. dollars), taxed at 6 percent. But di Tanno told Xinhua the size of the market could prove to be much larger over time. "There are no exact figures, but the estimates are that the European digital economy produces 400 billion euros (480 billion U.S. dollars) a year in revenue," he said. "If 10 ercent of that is Italian that works out to 40 billion euros (48 billion U.S. dollars). Now that may be high. But even if it's half that, it is not an insignificant amount of money." Regardless, the tax is unlikely to have a major impact on the digital sector -- in part because other European countries are expected to follow Italy's leads, and in part because the physical presence of these multinationals in Italy is relatively small. "Facebook has around 20 employees based in Italy; Google may have 100," Cellini said. "One of the reasons Italy can be first on this is because Italy gets less from these big tech companies than other countries do." Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 20:35:12|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close BANGKOK, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- A man was killed by a three-meter long python in his house in central Thailand's Sukhothai Province, local media reported on Tuesday. According to Sanook News, the 55-year-old man was trying to get the python out of a jar where he had kept the reptile. With a slip the snake bit him on the hand and coiled around him. His 63-year-old sister heard him crying for help and rushed to the scene. She tried to pull the the snake from her brother all out but failed. As a result, she helplessly watched as the man was crushed to death by the huge snake. Local media said the snake was captured by the man and put kept in an earthen water jar underneath his house. The victim's neighbors arrived in later, recapturing the reptile and put it in a sack. Many parts of Thailand are reportedly under snake threat. Central Thailand's low-lying geography makes it prone to floods during rainy season, which also invites snakes and other reptiles. As snakes are rampant, a municipality even posted a training video for residents instructing them how to catch a snake. People attend a memorial service to mourn the victims of the North Sinai mosque attack in Cairo,Egypt, on Nov. 27, 2017. A group of terrorists killed 305 people, including 27 children, and injured 128 others in a mosque in North Sinai's al-Rawda village on Nov. 24. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) CAIRO, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- At least 14 terrorists were killed and 14 other suspects were arrested in Egyptian police and military raids inside and near North Sinai province, official security statements said on Tuesday. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 20:40:14|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close DUBLIN, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Irish Tanaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) Frances Fitzgerald stepped down on Tuesday hours ahead of no-confidence vote in parliament that threatened to collapse the current minority government. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 20:40:15|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close Delegates from China and Rwanda attend a hand-over ceremony of medical aids in Masaka Hospital, Kigali, capital city of Rwanda, on Nov. 28, 2017. The 18th Chinese Medical Team in Rwanda on Tuesday handed over medical aids to Masaka Hospital, located in the Rwandan capital city Kigali. (Xinhua/Lyu Tianran) KIGALI, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The 18th Chinese Medical Team in Rwanda on Tuesday handed over medical aids to Masaka Hospital, located in the Rwandan capital city Kigali. The aids included anesthesia machine, operating table and monitor among others in line with an agreement between the governments of China and Rwanda. The medical team also provided other medical materials including acupuncture needles, orthopedic steel plates, dental instruments to the hospital, according to the chief of the medical team Lu Jun. China has been providing medical aids to Rwanda on an annual basis and China is one of few countries that dispatch resident medical team to Rwanda, said Zhang Liyong, Economic and Commercial Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Rwanda, at the handing over ceremony. "Members of the Chinese medical team travelled thousands of miles to Rwanda to serve Rwandan people that reflects friendship between China and Rwanda," he said. Masaka Hospital, also built with financing by the Chinese government, is a good example of friendly cooperation between China and Rwanda, said Zhang, adding that the latest aid supplies were another proof of the cooperation between the two countries. Chairman of Board of Directors of Masaka Hospital Subira Eulican, Director of Masaka Hospital Marcel Uwizeye and Vice Mayor of Kigali's Kicukiro District Emmanuel Baingana attended the ceremony. They expressed their gratitude towards China. Eulican said he expected further cooperation with China, adding that the hospital could serve as an example even for Africa-China cooperation. Starting functioning in 2011, Masaka Hospital mainly serves as a district hospital and provides medical service to over 300,000 people living in Kicukiro, according to the hospital director Uwizeye. Most of the equipment used in the hospital are donated by China, he said. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 20:45:16|Editor: pengying Video Player Close MANILA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The personal information of Philippine Uber users was among those exposed in the massive breach last year that affected 57 million Uber clients around the world, the Philippine National Privacy Commission (NCP) said on Tuesday. NPC Chairman Raymund Liboro said in a statement that "Uber confirmed that personal information of Filipinos was exposed in the data breach" that attacked Uber's "third party cloud-based storage accounts" in October last year. "As such, the NPC has jurisdiction over the data breach insofar as it affects these Filipino citizens," Liboro said. Unfortunately, Liboro added that Uber "failed to provide the level of detail that we expect from personal information controllers about data breach notifications, such as the actual number of Filipinos affected, and the scope of their exposure." He said Uber informed the commission that two individuals outside Uber "inappropriately accessed user data stored on a third-party cloud-based service that Uber uses." Moreover, he said the two Uber employees who led the response to the data breach are no longer with Uber. Uber chief executive officer Dara Khosrowshahi acknowledged in a blog post on the company's official website on Nov. 24 that a year ago two hackers broke into a third-party cloud-based system that contained the private information of its customers. Khosrowshahi admitted that sensitive information had been illegally downloaded, including names, email addresses and mobile phone numbers of 57 million Uber users around the world, and the names and license numbers of 600,000 drivers in the United States. Nevertheless, Liboro said under the principle of accountability, the NCP requires personal information controllers within its jurisdiction to provide detailed information on the nature of the incident, the scope of the exposure, and the remedial measures taken. "While Uber has repeatedly asserted that there has been no evidence of fraud or misuse tied to the incident, the concealment of a data breach bears serious consequences under the Data Privacy Act of 2012," Libooro said. If so qualified, Liboro said those responsible for the concealment of the breach and for the exfiltration of the data may face serious civil and criminal liability. "The investigation continues. We are also cooperating with the data privacy authorities of Australia and the United States on this matter," Liboro said. Uber, the ride-hailing giant, has around 66,000 active units in the Philippines. China, Qatar discuss policies on Chinese workers in Qatar Xinhua | Updated: 2017-11-28 10:05 DOHA - An official symposium, sponsored by the Chinese Embassy in Qatar, was held on Monday to discuss policies related to Chinese labor in Qatar and visa permits. Chinese Ambassador to Qatar Li Chen, Qatar's senior officials of major governmental departments and representatives of Chinese companies attended the discussion. The talk covered topics including the new labor law, the cancellation of sponsorship system and the new visa exemption offered by Qatari government to 80 countries including China. They also exchanged opinions on a new system which will allow the Chinese workers to receive medical examination and sign contracts in their home countries before coming to Qatar. Li stressed that it is important to have a regular communication between the Chinese community and Qatari officials. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 20:45:17|Editor: pengying Video Player Close KABUL, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- A housing project with the financial support of Qatar for providing up to 1,000 residential apartments to the Afghan security forces victims' family was opened in Kabul on Tuesday, Presidential Palace said in a statement released here. Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, non-resident Qatari Ambassador Sheikh Ali Bin Abdullah Al-Thani and diplomats of the country attended the ceremony to inaugurate the housing project allocated for the Afghan war victims' families. According to the statement, President Ghani told the ceremony, "The project has been allocated for the families of the country's security and defense forces who lost their lives to defend the country." The statement, however, didn't provide details about the cost of the project and the time stipulated to finish the work. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 20:50:19|Editor: pengying Video Player Close PARIS, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- A group of Greenpeace activists entered a nuclear plant in Ardeche, southeastern France on Tuesday to highlight the danger of atomic power and related security problems, the environmental group said. Earlier on Tuesday morning, about 20 Greenpeace campaigners broke into Cruas-Meysse nuclear power plant in Ardeche "to warn about the extreme vulnerability of spent fuel storage pools." Some of them climbed one of the buildings containing pools used to cool highly radioactive spent fuel rods and set off flares to show that "they are not sufficiently protected against the risk of external attacks." "Greenpeace France demands that Electricite de France (EDF) take charge of this nuclear safety problem and undertake the necessary work to secure the most fragile facilities, in particular spent fuel storage pools," the group said in a statement. EDF, the state-run utility operator which operates the nuclear plan, confirmed the break-in but said that "the intruders remained outside the nuclear zone." "This intrusion had no impact on the safety of the facilities," it added. Operating 58 reactors, France is the most nuclear-reliant country in the world, with more than three quarters of its power coming from nuclear sources. The centrist government said it will take more time to meet a pledge to trim reliance on nuclear energy. As part of its climate plan, the country previously targeted to close up to 17 reactors in order to cut nuclear power generation to 50 percent from 75 percent by 2025. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 20:50:20|Editor: pengying Video Player Close CAIRO, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- At least 14 terrorists were killed and 14 other suspects were arrested in Egyptian police and military raids inside and near North Sinai province, official security statements said on Tuesday. A statement from the Interior Ministry on Tuesday said that a raid on a farm in Ismailia province northeastern the capital Cairo and western North Sinai province killed 11 terrorists who exchanged fire with the police during the raid. The farm was used by the terrorists for shelter, training and storage of weapons and explosives to prepare for their aggressive operations against the state, said the statement. Other raids in the provinces of Ismailia, Sharqiya and North Sinai arrested nine terrorist suspects with a large number of wireless devices and bike spare parts to be smuggled and handed to terrorists in North Sinai. On the other hand, the military spokesman said in a statement on Tuesday that army raids in central Sinai, the southern part of North Sinai, killed three extremists, arrested five others, seized a truck loaded with a large amount of explosive material and destroyed eight hideouts used by the terrorists. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 20:50:22|Editor: pengying Video Player Close ABUJA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian army on Tuesday confirmed that 14 Boko Haram fighters were killed over the weekend in a military operation aimed at clearing remnants of the terror group in the country's northeast region. Army spokesman Sani Usman said 30 civilians held by the terror group were rescued during the operation, in Bama district of the northern state of Borno, last Saturday. Usman said one Boko Haram fighter was captured. The troops cleared some terrorists' hideouts in eight villages in Bama during the operation. Last Wednesday, Nigerian government forces killed an unknown number of Boko Haram fighters and destroyed a bomb-making factory in an airstrike in Borno. Nigeria has made considerable gains against the terror group, dislodging its fighters from the Sambisa Forest, the group's largest training camp in the country, early this year. Boko Haram has been blamed for the death of more than 20,000 people and displacement of 2.3 million others in Nigeria since 2009. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 20:55:24|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close DUBLIN, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Irish Tanaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) Frances Fitzgerald stepped down on Tuesday hours ahead of no-confidence vote in parliament that threatened to collapse the current minority government. At a cabinet meeting, Fitzgerald said she was resigning for the sake of the country and to avoid a general election. She also said she was not forced to resign and was doing so out of choice. In a subsequent statement, Fitzgerald said it is necessary to take this decision "to avoid an unwelcome and potentially destabilizing general election at this historically critical time". "Throughout my career I have always sought to act with integrity and responsibility, and that is why I have decided on this occasion to put the national interest ahead of my own personal reputation," she said. In the statement, Fitzgerald thanked Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo Varakdar for showing the courage and determination to protect her good name. "I decided that my continuation in office risks destabilizing that good work, and so I have decided to step-down so that this work may continue and the country can be spared an unnecessary election," she added. Meanwhile, Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo Varakdar wrote to opposition Fianna Fail (Republican Party) leader Micheal Martin, confirming that Fitzgerald had offered her resignation and that he had accepted it. Fitzgerald's resignation means the planned no-confidence motion tabled by the main opposition has been dropped and the threat of a pre-Christmas election has been averted, analysts here say. Last week, Fianna Fail lodged a motion of no-confidence in Fitzgerald, alleging that she was involved in a conspiracy aimed at smearing police whistleblower Maurice McCabe when she served as minister for justice from 2014 to 2016. But Fitzgerald rejected the allegations, saying that she was not part of any conspiracy to undermine McCabe. Following the 2016 general election, Fine Gael (United Ireland Party) formed a minority government with some non-party members of parliament. The minority government was made possible by a confidence and supply agreement with Fianna Fail, which agreed to abstain in confidence votes. Fianna Fail said the standoff could be resolved if Fitzgerald stepped down. Both Fianna Fail and Fine Gael did not want a snap general election. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 21:15:29|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close NINGBO, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Disposal of illegally produced explosives led to a deadly explosion in east China's Zhejiang Province on Sunday, which killed two and injured 19, authorities said on Tuesday. The explosion occurred at the site of a demolished factory around 8:50 a.m. on Sunday in Jiangbei District of Ningbo City. Police have found that discarding and disposal of illegally manufactured explosives began Saturday night at the site. Disposal operations resumed at 8:40 a.m. on Sunday. Technicians from the local public security department said they believed errors during disposal operations had caused the explosion, and authorities have ruled out the possibility that the explosion was intentional. Police detained the owner of the explosives, Shan, on Monday in Hubei Province. Shan had been earlier wanted by the police on suspicion of illegally manufacturing and selling explosives. Shan confessed to having asked his family members in Ningbo to destroy the explosives he had. Residents affectd by the blast have been relocated to two sites. Maintenance work has started in nearby residential communities. Affected residents are expected to receive subsidies after evaluation. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 21:25:33|Editor: Lifang Video Player Close Kenyan president-elect Uhuru Kenyatta (R) greets the crowd during the sworn-in ceremony in Nairobi, Kenya, on Nov. 28, 2017. Kenyan president-elect Uhuru Kenyatta took the oath of office on Tuesday, promising to prioritize unity in his second and final five-year term. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng) NAIROBI, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan president-elect Uhuru Kenyatta took the oath of office on Tuesday, promising to prioritize unity in his second and final five-year term. Security had been heightened both inside and outside the Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi, venue of the swearing-in ceremony, with heavily armed military officers manning the place. Kenyatta won the Oct. 26 repeat election with 7.48 million votes in 266 out of 291 constituencies where the election took place. This represents about 98.27 percent of valid votes. When addressing the audience at the swearing-in ceremony, Kenyatta pledged to work toward uniting Kenyans who have been divided along ethnic lines, and to respect the rule of law. The 56-year-old Kenyatta, who took the oaths of allegiance and office administered by Registrar of Judiciary Anne Amadi and witnessed by Chief Justice David Maraga, promised to build bridges by reaching out to his adversaries to develop the east African nation. "I have begun reaching out to all leaders, across the political divide, restating my commitment and expressing my willingness to work with them, to achieve this objective of nationhood," Kenyatta said. Over the next five years, Kenyatta said, his government shall invest heavily in securing water towers and river ecosystems to harvest and sustainably exploit the potential of water resources. "We shall take steps to address idle arable land ownership and utilization. We shall take steps to encourage and facilitate large-scale commercial agriculture to help diversify our staples. We shall redesign subsidies to the sector to ensure they target improvements in food yields and production quality," he said. The swearing-in ceremony was punctuated by jubilation, songs and dancing from the mammoth crowd. Kenyatta's swearing-in paved way for him to start his final term in office after a tumultuous electioneering period marked by nullification of his victory in the Aug. 8 polls over irregularities as well as polarization in the country. Both the president and his deputy, William Ruto, swore to protect and uphold the sovereignty, integrity and dignity of the people of Kenya. "I will always truly and diligently serve the people and the Republic of Kenya in the Office of the President," Kenyatta said, and the crowd responded, "Yes sir." Kenyatta vowed to unite the country and promote economic growth after a fractious electioneering season. "I undertake to be the custodian of the dreams of every Kenyan and devote energy to build bridges. The elections are now firmly behind us and now we have an opportunity to build a Kenya that rewards hard work and leaves no one behind," said Kenyatta. Dozens of foreign leaders, diplomats and local dignitaries attended the ceremony. Kenyatta spelt out a new vision for the country anchored on national cohesion, respect to the rule of law, economic vitality and universal access to basic services like housing, education and health. "During my second and final term in office, I have taken on board aspirations of Kenyans and will endeavor to strengthen the ties that bind us as Kenyans at levels of society," Kenyatta said. He promised Kenyans that his government will deliver full health coverage; build half a million homes in the next five years and revitalize the manufacturing sector to unleash new jobs for the youth. "My administration will focus on agro-processing, mining and extractive industries, leather and value addition to create jobs for young people. We shall reach out to key trading partners to open new markets for our products," he added. Kenyatta promised to re-engineer the agriculture sector to boost food security in the country against a backdrop of recurrent droughts linked to climate change. "Over the next five years, we shall invest heavily to protect our water towers, promote water harvesting and diversify food production," Kenyatta said. He pledged to strengthen bilateral and multilateral ties with Kenya's partners in key areas like trade and the fight against terrorism. At the same time, the president announced that Africans visiting Kenya will receive visa at the ports of entry. He reaffirmed his commitment to regional cooperation and announced that citizens from member states of the East African Community will only require a national identification card to visit Kenya. In his speech, Kenyatta also thanked Kenya's international partners and friends for standing with the country during the election period. "Kenya is a proud member of the community of nations, and we will always work hard to remain a force for good. We will continue to strengthen our economic ties and bilateral and multilateral relations," he said. He promised that the country would continue fighting against international terrorism. Opposition National Super Alliance (NASA) leader Raila Odinga had said that he did not recognize the October 2017 elections. On Tuesday, local media reported that Odinga announced that he would be "sworn-in" as "president" on Jamhuri Day, which is celebrated on Dec. 12. There were also reports that at least three people were killed and several others injured on Tuesday in Nairobi as police engaged NASA supporters in running battles at Nairobi's Jacaranda grounds, where opposition leaders had planned to hold a memorial service. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 21:25:34|Editor: pengying Video Player Close ANKARA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Turkish security forces on Tuesday arrested 62 suspects in an operation of anti-drug sales on internet, state-run Anadolu Agency reported. The raids were carried out by the Department of Counter Narcotic Crimes and Department of Counter Cyber Crimes in 29 provinces as part of efforts to crack down on narcotics sales. The suspects were taken into custody over publishing "the contents encouraging the use of drugs on the internet" and "describing the methods of using drugs." Some of the suspects were seized at homes while they were measuring drugs with special scales. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 21:35:38|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close NANNING, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- China and Vietnam have begun a five-month campaign against the smuggling of drugs, firearms, fake notes, endangered animals and plants and illegal food imports. The campaign is run by customs from south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and the Vietnamese provinces of Quang Ninh, Lang Son and Cao Bang. Wang He, deputy director of the anti-smuggling department of China's General Administration of Customs, said customs from the two countries would discuss single-window clearance, Authorized Economic Operator recognition and anti-smuggling intelligence sharing. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 21:40:40|Editor: pengying Video Player Close OSLO, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Somali immigrants are more satisfied than other immigrants in Norway, even though they have the worst financial situation and living conditions, newspaper Aftenposten reported Tuesday. "As long as they have food and roof over their heads, most people are satisfied. Somalis are used to living tight - family is not a burden, but a pleasure," Safia Abdi Haase told Aftenposten. Fresh survey from Statistics Norway (SSB) has shown that individuals with an immigrant background in Norway have poorer conditions in terms of employment, working environment, housing standards, health and social contact than the average of the population. However, immigrants are equally as happy with life, housing and work as others. Although Somalis are the immigrant group with the lowest living standards, they seem to be most satisfied with life -- actually much happier than the average in Norway, the research has showed. Somalis also stand out with fewer mental or physical ailments and claim to be less lonely than other immigrant groups. "One might think that one of the reasons why they are more satisfied may be related to high scores on the more soft values - they have a good social network, are little bothered with loneliness and feel great belonging to Norwegian society," Kjersti Stabell Wiggen, survey project leader in Statistics Norway told Aftenposten. Another reason why immigrants from Somalia are satisfied in Norway can be low material expectations, considering their background from a poor, war-torn country. "Immigrants from Somalia belong to the highest proportion of immigrants that live in cramped conditions. But not everybody thinks that they live in cramped conditions: about half the number of people experience that their home is small," Stabell Wiggen said. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 21:40:41|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close A miner with plain equipment goes down into a mine in Camarines Norte, the Philippines, on Nov. 25, 2017. In the Philippines, artisanal and small-scale gold mining can be found in more than half of the country's provinces, producing 80 percent of the Philippines' gold supply. Furthermore, the industry supports the livelihoods of some 2 million people in the country. (Xinhua/UNEP/Veejay Villafranca) JOSE PANGANIBAN, Philippines, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- On a sunny November day, Domingo Chavez, with a goggle strapped over his eyes and an oxygen hose plugged in his mouth, plunged into a gold mine dug in a paddy field in Jose Panganiban, in central Philippine Camarines Norte. After about 40 minutes of working in the 10-meter deep underwater tunnel, he surfaced with two bags of rocks fished out of the muddied hole. "I know it is dangerous. In the past some people were buried alive when the shaft caved in," Chavez said. Thirty-seven-year old Chavez is an artisanal and small-scale gold miner, one of over 300,000 artisanal gold miners in the country, including over 18,000 women and children, who scraped a hard living by working in ramshackle and dangerous mines. In the Philippines, artisanal and small-scale gold mining can be found in more than half of the country's provinces, producing 80 percent of the Philippines' gold supply. Furthermore, the industry supports the livelihoods of some 2 million people in the country. Often mining illegally, miners rely on unsafe, mobile extraction methods, using mercury to create an amalgam and then burning it off to collect the gold it captures. The industry not only damages the environment but also brings serious health risks to miners and mining communities. Recently, the United Nations Environment Program (UN Environment) organized a media trip to mining communities in Camarines Norte. In a shed beside a mining tunnel, Charito Elcano, a 60-year-old woman told Xinhua that her brother and one nine-year-old boy died of inhaling mercury almost a decade ago. Now she is a strong advocate of mercury-free method. When describing his feelings under the mining tunnel on the top of a mountain, 20-year-old Carlo Ebona said, "not frightened. I can work under the tunnel for eight hours a day. I can work even without light when there is no electricity," with pride in his voice. Besides mining on the mountain, there is underwater mining, which involves the extraction of gold-bearing ores beneath muddy rice fields and underneath the sea or river. Using this method, miners use a hose that is attached to a compressor which provides air, enabling them to breathe underwater for a long time. "We did make a living by the way of mining, but it is difficult and dangerous," Chavaz said, after a process of underwater mining. "I don't expect my children to follow in my steps." For many, mining is not a choice, but a necessity -- one of the few livelihoods available in a context of cross-generational poverty, low levels of education and limited employment opportunities. However, under current Philippine law, all the artisanal and small-scale mining in Camarines Norte and most parts of the country is illegal. As the national government is inclined to support large-scale mining, artisanal and small-scale miners could not get permit from government agencies, even they tried to apply for permits. The country is still discussing whether to legalize them or just close them all. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has recently rejected the recommendation of the interagency Mining Industry Coordinating Council to lift the ban on open-pit mine in the Philippines, imposed by former environment secretary Regina Lopez in April. When Regina Lopez was in the government, she ordered to close all the small-scale mining in the country. This led to boycott from some local governments. As a result, small-scale mining operations are still going on in the country. For now, the fate of artisanal and small-scale gold miners in Camarines Norte is still undecided. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 21:45:43|Editor: pengying Video Player Close ADDIS ABABA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia on Tuesday launched a Comprehensive Refugee Response Program (CRRF) to provide refugees with more employment and educational opportunities. Ethiopia now hosts about 890,000 refugees mainly from South Sudan, Sudan, Eritrea, and Somalia in 26 refugee camps across the country. Commissioner of Ethiopia Investment Commission (EIC) Fitusm Arega said the Ethiopian government is working to create employment opportunities for refugees, especially in industrial parks. "Preparations are being made to build, at a cost of 500 million U.S. dollars, three industrial parks for refugees in Alage, in central Ethiopia, Dire Dawa, in eastern Ethiopia, and Mekelle, in northern Ethiopia," he said. Funding for the project, which is expected to hire about 30,000 refugees, will be secured from Britain, the European Union, and the World Bank, Arega said. The three industrial parks will also employ 70,000 local people, the commissioner said. Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko in Beijing, capital of China, May 16, 2017. (Xinhua/Zhang Duo) MINSK, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko expressed his readiness to support new joint projects with China's Midea Group. "We have always paid great attention to the cooperation between Belarus and China. It is great that the company intends to expand its presence in our country. We are ready to support any of your projects," Lukashenko said on Monday during a meeting with Chairman and President of Midea Group Fang Hongbo. The Belarusian leader said that they will continue to provide all-round support and assistance to the development of partnership relations between Belarus and China. "I am ready to hear out any suggestions on further mutual cooperation and your promising projects in Belarus. You will always find full understanding and support here," Lukashenko said. For his part, Midea Group's Chairman and President Fang Hongbo thanked for the support that the Belarus' government has offered in the past ten years. "We intend to position Belarus as a hub which will cover all the CIS countries, to develop the production of microwave ovens and water heaters", Fang said. Fang Hongbo added that they plan to produce household appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines in Belarus. In 2007, Midea Group came to Belarus with direct investments. It established a joint venture in the Free Economic Zone Minsk with Belarus' Horizont Holding Company to produce microwave ovens and water heaters. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 22:20:50|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close THE HAGUE, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese official Tuesday called on the Organization for the Prohibition of chemical Weapons (OPCW) to give particular and necessary attention to ensuring the destruction of chemical weapons abandoned by Japan (Japanese ACWs)in China. Wu Ken, China's permanent representative to The Hague-based OPCW, made the remarks at the 22nd conference of the State Parties of the OPCW. "Given the fact that the destruction of Japanese ACWs has a direct impact on the realisation of the core objects and purposes of the Convention, the lofty goal of building a world free from CWs will never be truly achieved so long as Japanese ACWs have not been eliminated," Wu said. Japanese ACWs have been discovered at over 90 locations in 17 provinces in China. They are projectiles, mortars, aerial bombs, liquid-filled drums and gas-filled pots containing chemical agents such as sulfur mustards, lewisite and phosgene, etc. They have been found dumped in densely populated areas, in nature reserves and in rivers and lakes, as well as off shore. Due to their age, these munitions are rusty, damaged and often leaking. Some also contain explosives. At Haerbaling in northeast China's Jilin province alone, the largest Japanese ACWs burial site discovered in China up to now, it is estimated that around 330,000 pieces of such weapons remain buried. Due to the fact that Japan has failed to provide any information on their burial, the weapons have been found purely by chance, with consequent human casualties and environmental pollution. "Japan should bear the full responsibility for its failure to complete the destruction according to the timeline specified by the Convention," said Wu. "China urges Japan to show its political will, honour its obligation under the Convention faithfully, implement the relevant decision adopted by the Executive Council of the OPCW, and increase its inputs in the process, so as to ensure the timely completion of the destruction strictly in line with the new destruction plan adopted by the Council," said Wu. "China is pleased to see that in the past two decades, the universality of the Convention, being part and parcel of the international security regime, has been constantly enhanced. And in fostering international and regional peace and security, and promoting chemical disarmament and non-proliferation, the Convention and the OPCW have played an indispensable role, and made remarkable achievements," said Wu. The 1997 convention on chemical weapons now has 192 State Parties covering 98 percent of the global population. Ninety-six percent of the world's declared stockpile of 72,304 metric tonnes of chemical agent have been destroyed under the verification of the OPCW, that implements the provisions of Convention to achieve the vision of a world free of chemical weapons and of the threat of their use. However, "chemical weapons destruction has not fully completed, alleged uses of CWs have occurred, the risk of non-state actors acquiring and using CWs have increased, and there is yet a long and arduous way to go before the goal of a world free from CWs is ever attained," noted the Chinese diplomat. On the pillar of non-proliferation, Wu reiterated that as a victim of CWs itself, China has always stood firmly opposed to the use of CWs by any state, organization or individual under any circumstances and for any purpose. China welcomes the adoption by consensus by the OPCW Executive Council of the decision on "addressing the Threat posed by the Use of CWs by Non-State Actors". China will continue to be actively engaged in the deliberations in the Open-Ended Working Group on Terrorism of the OPCW, he added. With regard to the allegations of the use of CWs in Syria, China supports the relevant OPCW and UN bodies in conducting full, objective and impartial investigations of the incidents, and come to conclusions which are based on solid evidences and will stand the test of time and facts. Wu also noted "The OPCW should continue to play high attention to the legitimate rights and reasonable demands regarding international cooperation of the State Parties which are developing nations, ensure its resources inputs in this field, plan overall and optimise international cooperation programmes, and further explore ways to fully promote international exchanges of chemicals, equipment and scientific and technical information, and to life undue restrictions on the transfer of chemicals." A working group on the future priorities of the OPCW will present its deliberations for consideration by State Parties next year. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 22:35:52|Editor: Lifang Video Player Close The UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura speaks to Xinhua in Geneva, Switzerland, Nov. 28, 2017. The United Nations (UN) special envoy for Syria, Staffan De Mistura, said Tuesday that it is still not sure whether the upcoming new round of Syrian peace talks will take place in the form of a direct dialogue between both sides. (Xinhua/Xu Jinquan) GENEVA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations (UN) special envoy for Syria, Staffan De Mistura, said Tuesday that it is still not sure whether the upcoming new round of Syrian peace talks will take place in the form of a direct dialogue between both sides. "We are always aiming for direct dialogue. The opposition now is unified and said they are ready to have a direct discussion with the government, but I need to ask the government's position tomorrow if they are ready to do the same," the UN Envoy told Xinhua Tuesday. He added that if the time is still not right for a direct negotiation, the new round of the Syrian talks, scheduled to be kicked off later Tuesday, will still take place in an indirect way or the so-called "proximate talks". De Mistura confirmed the Syrian government team "will arrive" on Wednesday. "We have in the past, from the opposition, some delays in talks, but our door is open. We will test everyone by what they actually do, not only the attentions," he said. "The government is coming tomorrow. The Syrian opposition which has been revitalized in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh has already arrived. We will meet them soon and try to help to reduce their differences and remove the obstacles," De Mistura said. The UN envoy expressed his appreciation of the Chinese government "for the support and advice to this very complicated mission." "As we are prepared for going deeper in this round of the talks, it is important for relevant powers like China to persuade each side to engage more in the process," he said, adding that China has "a unique advantage to talk to both sides." While stressing that the political process should take place in Geneva without any preconditions, De Mistura also said that other initiatives were welcome. In parallel with the UN-backed Geneva process, seven rounds of Astana talks have been held since January, with Russia, Turkey and Iran as the mediators. The most significant outcome was the establishment of four de-escalation zones in Syria. The new round of the Geneva talks also follows a meeting of the leaders of Iran, Turkey and Russia in the Russian resort city of Sochi, where they supported a comprehensive dialogue for Syria. Opposition groups agreed on unifying a delegation to the fresh round of UN talks, which marks a first for political opposition groups in internationally-backed talks. The Syrian armed conflict broke out in 2011 and quickly turned into a full-fledged war, now entering into its seventh year. UN figures show the Syria has killed more than 330,000 people and displaced millions so far. The last round of UN-led talks ended on July 14 without going deeper into scheduled topics. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 22:40:56|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BRUSSELS, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- NATO held its biggest cyber defense exercise in Estonia this week, the Alliance said in a press release Tuesday. The 10th Cyber Coalition exercise, involves more than 700 participants from 25 Allies, as well as NATO partner countries and the European Union. The exercise aims to test and train cyber defenders from across the Alliance in their ability to defend NATO and national networks. The three-day exercise is managed from the NATO Cyber Range in Estonia, but the majority of the participants take part from their own work places. In July 2016, NATO Allies agreed to recognize cyberspace as a new operational domain in which NATO must defend itself as effectively as it does in the air, on land and at sea. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 22:45:59|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close Medical personnel treat a crew member rescued from a cargo ship that sank off the coast of south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 28, 2017. Seven crew members have been rescued from a cargo ship that sank off the coast of Guangdong Monday, local authorities said Tuesday. Rescuers are trying to reach another five. Twelve crew members went missing after a bulk ship carrying 5,000 tonnes of sand sank in the sea near the Pearl River estuary following a collision with another ship early Monday. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin) GUANGZHOU, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Seven crew members have been rescued from a cargo ship that sank off the coast of south China's Guangdong Province Monday, local authorities said Tuesday. Rescuers are trying to reach another five. Twelve crew members went missing after a bulk ship carrying 5,000 tonnes of sand sank in the sea near the Pearl River estuary following a collision with another ship early Monday. Huang Mutan, deputy head of Guangzhou maritime safety administration, said the seven were taken to hospital. One person is in the ICU and the other six are stable. Those rescued said the other five are still trapped in the cabin, but rescuers have not yet located them. The rescue work is ongoing, but it has been hampered by the rising tide since 5 p.m. About 300 people, including more than 20 divers, are involved in the rescue operation. The two ships were registered in the eastern provinces of Jiangsu and Fujian. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 22:51:02|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close JUBA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- At least 40 people have been killed and 19 others wounded and dozens of children and women abducted during an attack in a rural village in South Sudan's eastern state of Jonglei. Jacob Akech Dengdit, Jonglei State Information Minister, told Xinhua by phone on Tuesday that armed men suspected to be from neighboring Boma state attacked two villages in Duk county on Monday and Tuesday morning, killing over 40 people, burnt down huts and abducted children and women. "They first attacked the villages of Duk Panyang and Duk Payuel on Monday and took several cattle. Then this morning, the attackers killed over 40 people and wounded 19 others. They also took all cattle and abducted children and women," Dengdit said. The attack came barely six months after the tribal leaders from the oil-rich region signed a peace deal aimed at ending a deadly cycle of inter-ethnic violence. The pact brokered by the country's First Vice President Taban Deng Gai in May brought some calm to the region which has experienced several tribal conflicts, largely caused by rivalry over livestock and grazing land for decades. Similar clashes in late 2016 killed over 50 people. Dengdit urged the central government in Juba to intervene before the latest violence escalated to full scale confrontation between the two communities. "Hundreds of people have been displaced and nothing is currently functioning. Wounded people are still there helpless because all the houses and health centers have been burnt down. The government should intervene to calm down the situation," Dengdit added. Syrian government soldiers celebrate victory against the Islamic State (IS) in the eastern city of al-Bukamal in Syria, Nov. 20, 2017. (Xinhua/Ammar Safarjalani) WASHINGTON, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- The United States plans to reduce military support for groups fighting the Islamic State (IS) group in Iraq and Syria as it continues to crush extremist militants, the White House said Monday. "Once we started winning the campaign against ISIS (IS), the plan and part of the process is to always wind down support for certain groups," said White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders at a daily press briefing. "We're making massive progress on that front," she said. Also, the spokeswoman said that the United States won't withdraw all of its support in the fight against violent militants. "That doesn't mean stopping all support of those individual groups," she added. The self-declared caliphate by the IS is close to becoming history, as the designated terrorist group has been stripped of its major strongholds in Syria and Iraq. The IS lost its de facto capital of Raqqa to the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces in October. Earlier this month, the Iraqi border town of Rawa, the IS' last urban stronghold in the country, was freed, indicating the collapse of the group's self-styled caliphate. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 22:56:04|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close GENEVA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has asked its donors for more than 2 billion Swiss francs (about 2.04 billion U.S. dollars) to fund its field operations in 2018 to assist and protect millions of people affected by conflict and other situations of violence, according to an ICRC press release on Tuesday. The appeal marks an 11.6 percent increase in the ICRC's 2017 field budget, and will allow the organization to continue responding to the most urgent needs of people caught up in conflict in the world's most challenging hotspot such as in Syria, Iraq, South Sudan, DR Congo and Yemen. "The ICRC is deeply concerned by the number and scale of protracted conflicts the world is facing today. Both their immediate and longer-term consequences on the millions of people affected should alarm us all," said ICRC President Peter Maurer. "While some of these conflicts are often in the news, many are overlooked, out of the public spotlight. We are appealing for donors' support to make sure these people are not forgotten," he added. The majority of the ICRC's activities remains focused in increasingly complex conflicts, supporting basic services and support systems that are vital to the lives of the general public. The challenges are particularly acute in cities, where schools, hospitals, water and electricity systems are often damaged and destroyed over years of fighting. "With its privileged access to militaries and armed groups, the ICRC works to prevent violations of international humanitarian law and to protect civilians from the worst impacts of conflict," Maurer said. He also underlined the need for funding to remain flexible and non-earmarked, to ensure the ICRC can continue to deliver aid purely on the basis of need. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 23:06:09|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BEIJING, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Middle-class lifestyle is poised to become more accessible for Chinese consumers with lower prices of imported consumer goods from avocados and whisky to cashmere clothing and ski sets. From December, tariffs on 187 types of consumer goods will be reduced from 17.3 percent to an average of 7.7 percent. Import taxes on coffee makers, smart toilet seat covers and electric toothbrushes will be cut by two-thirds, and that on mineral water and oral cleaning kits will be halved, according to the Ministry of Finance (MOF). Lower taxes allow Chinese middle class, especially young consumers, more affordable access to famous foreign brands and upscale lifestyle. Over three decades, China's population with annual income between 76,600 yuan (11,6090 U.S. dollars) and 286,000 yuan has grown from almost zero to 225 million, according to the Economist. Jiang Zhen with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences said local brands are unable to satisfy demand for upscale food, cosmetics and baby and maternal products. China has overtaken Japan as the largest market in Asia for Perrier Water. Water is a vibrant category as Chinese shoppers pursue a "go healthy path", said Jason Wu, general manager at Kantar Worldpanel in Greater China. While local brands account for 70 percent of the market, in the upscale segment, imported brands have the upper hand. Rosemary Gallagher of the Scotch Whisky Association, said demand for Whisky from China increased by 45 percent in the first six months. The cut in tariffs will give another boost to Scotch and should encourage the premium Scotch whisky market to expand. Affluent residents in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen are major consumers of upscale imported goods. Through e-commerce, consumers in second and third tier cities also have easier and cheaper access to the products. China plans to import 2.4 billion U.S. dollars of goods in the next 15 years to meet domestic demand and balance trade with its partners. Zhao Jinping, a researcher with the Development Research Center of the State Council, said the new tariffs will encourage competition between foreign and local brands. China is never afraid of competition, indeed it thrives on competition. By joining the World Trade Organization, rather than shying away from competition, China joined the global production network and became a major trading nation, a winner in globalization, he said. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 23:06:10|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close TOKYO, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Japanese government maintained its view for the sixth straight month in November that the economy is recovering moderately, according to a report released on Tuesday. In its monthly report for November, Japan's Cabinet Office maintained its view that the economy is "on a moderate recovery," owing to increases in private consumption, capital spending and exports. Private consumption, which accounts for almost 60 percent of Japan's gross domestic product, is "picking up moderately," the Cabinet Office said, adding that business investment, industrial output and exports are all "picking up." The government, however, also noted that attention should be given to uncertainties in overseas economies and the effects of fluctuations in the financial and capital markets. Despite the improving employment and income situation, domestic demand, particularly private consumption, is still far from robust, the report noted. Toshimitsu Motegi, Minister in charge of Economic Revitalization, said that the positive signals showed that the economy was on track of getting rid of deflation, though lukewarm growth in wages and consumption prices in service sector still hamper the economy. Local economists also warned about the negative impacts caused by a series of misconducts of major Japanese manufacturers, including data falsification improprieties involving Mitsubishi Materials Corp. and Kobe Steel Ltd., and uncertified safety checks carried out by Nissan Motor Co. and Subaru Corp. which led to extensive recalls. "We will be watching carefully the longer-term impacts of the scandals," an official at the Cabinet Office was quoted as saying by local media. The government also maintained for the eighth straight month that the global economy has been "moderately recovering." Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 23:21:17|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BEIJING, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) on Tuesday urged local governments of four cities with declining air quality to fully implement the national plan for clean air. The MEP on Tuesday blamed the top local-government officials of four cities in northeast Heilongjiang Province, including the capital Harbin, Hegang, Jiamusi and Shuangyashan, as air quality in these cities worsened last month. The MEP found that major pollutants all increased in October in the cities, especially during the period between Oct. 18 and Oct. 20. It was found that straw burning was not controlled and enterprises in these areas violated regulations by emitting pollutants. Northern farmers traditionally burn straw after harvest and plough in the ashes, which they believe fertilizes farmland. The MEP urged the local governments to raise the awareness of environmental protection, improve their working practices, strengthen pollution treatment and better manage staff. The four cities must submit their plans for rectification to the MEP in 20 working days. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 23:36:23|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close NICOSIA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC) has directed commercial banks to seek more effective measures to reduce non-performing loans which burden their portfolios, a CBC official said on Tuesday. CBC Governor Chrystalla Georghadji told the parliamentary finance committee that restructuring of impaired loans has slowed down, adding that urgent action is needed on the issue. "Non-performing loans are the paramount problem banks are faced with, despite progress made. More radical measures are need to address this situation," Georghadji said. Moody's Investor Services said in their autumn survey of the Cypriot economy that non-performing loans is the main reason they kept unchanged ratings of Cyprus to Ba3 with a positive outlook -- three notches below investment grade. Georghadji said since the end of 2014 non-performing loans declined by 5.5 billion euros, or by 20 percent, to about 22 billion euros, or 45 per cent of their total loans portfolios. Georghadji said CBC is in constant consultation with the banks to devise more effective solution as a prolongation of the problem is damaging to the economy. "The European Central Bank as the direct controller of the banks is analyzing their strategies on impaired loans. CBC is waiting the results of this diligence to set its targets," Georghadji said. She acknowledged that banks have recently transferred about one-half of impaired loans to their legal departments for action, including selling mortgaged properties. The prospect of auctioning residential buildings by banks has led to social unrest and anxiety among people with mortgaged housing. Georghadji said that the Cypriot banks situation has improved after local depositors pumped this year 1 billion euros in fresh deposits, reflecting a restored trust in the banking system The troubles of Cypriot banks are a legacy of the 2013 bailout of Cyprus by the Eurogroup and the International Monetary Fund. Cyprus's lenders set as a condition for a 10-billion-euro assistance package the winding down of the eastern Mediterranean island's second largest bank and the world's first bail-in, the capitalization of its primary lender, Bank of Cyprus by seizing 47.5 percent of deposits over 100,000 euros. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-28 23:41:27|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BEIJING, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- A Lancang-Mekong environmental cooperation center was inaugurated in Beijing Tuesday to promote sustainable development among Lancang-Mekong countries. The center aims to promote coordination on regional environmental protection policies and concrete projects and provide capacity building for regional cooperation, said Chinese Vice Minister of Environmental Protection Huang Runqiu at the launching ceremony. "Addressing environmental challenges, sharing environmental protection experiences and promoting sustainable development are common goals for Lancang-Mekong countries," said Huang. Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, a sub-regional cooperation mechanism jointly established in 2015 by the six countries along the Mekong River (known in China as Lancang River), namely Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. Priority areas under the mechanism include connectivity, production capacity, cross-border economic cooperation, water resources, agriculture, and poverty reduction. | 2017-11-29 00:08:28|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close HONG KONG, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Cultural ministers and senior officials of 10 Asian countries gathered on Tuesday at a cultural cooperation forum hosted by the government of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) to exchange views on the furtherance of cultural cooperation in Asia. As the highlight of the 10th Asia Cultural Cooperation Forum (ACCF), a ministerial panel session was held Tuesday morning under the them of "Cultural Sustainability in a Dynamic World: Connecting Diversity." Chinese Minister of Culture Luo Shugang addressed the panel discussion session while cultural ministers and senior officials from the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, South Korea, Laos, Japan, Republic of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyz Republic also spoke on the theme. Senior cultural representatives from the Chinese Mainland provinces and Macao SAR also attended the session. The ACCF was first launched in 2003 by the Hong Kong SAR government's Home Affairs Bureau with an aim to foster regional cultural cooperation, share good practices and promote culture and arts. Secretary for Home Affairs of the Hong Kong SAR government Lau Kong-wah said in his opening speech at the panel session that since its inception in 2003 the ACCF has become a premier platform in Asia that brings together cultural ministers to share insights and experience in furthering arts and cultural development. "We are living in a more globalized, urbanized and technologically advanced world. With shrinking physical and virtual distance between countries, cultural exchanges are made easier and faster. We see them as driving forces for positive changes," Lau said. The two-day forum also includes plenary sessions relating to youth and cultural development, as well as information technology and cultural development. | 2017-11-29 00:07:33|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close SOFIA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Bulgaria can play a more active role in the deepening of China's ties with Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries and the European Union (EU), a researcher said here on Tuesday. Evgeniy Kandilarov, director of one of the three units of the National Political Institute, the think tank of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), made the remarks to Xinhua a day after it was announced that in 2018 Bulgaria would host the next meeting of the leaders of China and the CEE countries under the 16+1 cooperation mechanism. Kandilarov hoped hosting the summit would enable Bulgaria to be a more active participant in the 16+1 mechanism, and initiate projects and opportunities with regional significance. This cooperation would be beneficial for the EU itself, for countries on its periphery like Bulgaria, and for EU relations not only with China, but also with other countries along the Silk Road, he said. Recently, the EU much more seriously analyzed the Belt and Road Initiative and the 16+1 mechanism, and they "became part of the EU-China dialogue, which is a very positive sign," Kandilarov said. However, the EU and Bulgaria as an EU member need to have a much clearer vision to know what the prospects are, he said. Bulgaria could play an important role to help the EU to have a much clearer vision of the benefits of cooperation with China, he said. Accordingly, Europe should be actively involved in the design, negotiations and everything else related to the Belt and Road Initiative, said Kandilarov, who at the end of this week will represent BSP at the high-level political dialogue conference between the Communist Party of China (CPC) and political parties from other countries. The opportunity to participate in this forum in Beijing in the next few days would enable his party to elevate relations with the CPC to even higher level, said Kandilarov, who is head of the Center for Political Education at the National Political Institute. The leadership of the BSP has repeatedly, especially in recent years, expressed support for the Chinese leadership and welcomed the re-election of Xi Jinping as General Secretary of the CPC, Kandilarov said. According to Kandilarov, since 2012, President Xi has implemented "a new model of globalization" with new principles of regional cooperation and equality, and opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-29 00:06:33|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close MOSCOW, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin Tuesday proposed a series of measures to encourage births as the native population is declining in the world's largest country. "Today we need to take a set of measures that will make it possible to stabilize the situation and prevent a decline in the population in the coming decade," Putin said at a governmental meeting. He warned that the demographic situation in Russia is worsening, mainly due to heavy losses during World War II and economic problems in the mid-1990s following the collapse of the Soviet Union. To improve the situation, he proposed to increase financial support to large families and families with modest incomes, especially young ones, as well as create additional incentives for the birth of a second or third child. Putin suggested the government start monthly cash payments from next year. The money would be provided at the birth of the first child and continued till the child became 18 months old. He also called for extending an existing financial support program for families with a second child or more to the end of 2021. In its present form, the program is to expire in 2018. Other incentives include special mortgage lending programs for families with two or three children, better kindergartens, nurseries and medical care facilities for children. Russia had 146.8 million people as of February 2017, slightly up from 146.5 million a year ago, according to the Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat), the official statistics agency. However, Rosstat data showed that the increase was caused by inflows of migrants, while the number of native people was gradually declining. The number of deaths in Russia exceeded the number of births by 8.3 percent in January-September 2017, it said. The agency forecast that if the current situation continued, the Russian population may remain unchanged by 2036 or decline to 138.4 million in the worst case. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-29 00:11:35|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close CHONGQING, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- About 487,000 drug addicts in China were sent for detoxification and rehabilitation in local communities, according to the China National Narcotic Control Commission (CNNCC) on Tuesday. The community-based rehab programs has covered more than 80 percent of the country's townships and sub-districts, said Liu Yuejin from the CNNCC. China launched a project to promote community drug detoxification and rehabilitation in 2015. The project focused on setting up local institutions and recruiting volunteers. More than 92,000 workstations have been established, with 48,000 staff working for the community-based rehab programs, according to the CNNCC. File Photo: People attend an anti-suicide event in Vilnius, Lithuania, Sept. 22, 2015. (Xinhua/Alfredas Pliadis) SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- U.S. hi-tech giant Facebook said Monday it is using artificial intelligence (AI) technology, including pattern recognition, to detect whether someone is expressing thoughts of suicide in a post or live video. "Facebook is a place where friends and family are already connected and we are able to help connect a person in distress with people who can support them," the company said in a press release. It said it is "using pattern recognition to detect posts or live videos where someone might be expressing thoughts of suicide, and to help respond to reports faster." The world's largest social network also said it now has more workers to review reports of suicide and self-harm. The reports of its users expressing distress or hints of suicide, obtained with the help of AI technology, are escalated to local authorities twice more quickly than others, Facebook noted. Facebook uses signals like the text in the post or comments, such as "Are you ok?" "Can I help?" as a warning that can alert first responders to help anyone who is likely to commit suicide. "We are starting to roll out artificial intelligence outside the U.S. to help identify when someone might be expressing thoughts of suicide, including on Facebook Live. This will eventually be available worldwide, except the EU," Facebook said. Facebook currently has 2 billion users worldwide. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-29 00:16:36|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close ZAGREB, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Croatian experts have expressed hopes the Croatian government will change its policy and be more open-minded towards possible Chinese investments in the country. "China has interest in South-East Europe that could be a bridge to the European Union (EU) market. It already showed its interest in Croatia, but unfortunately, the Croatian side was a bit reserved. I believe that the Croatian government is still closely watching Washington's and Brussels' reaction of a possible closer Croatian-Chinese relation," political analyst Dario Kuntic told Xinhua on Tuesday, a day after Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plankovic attended a meeting of heads of governments of Central and Eastern Europe Countries (CEEC) and China in Budapest. Kuntic said that Croatia and China signed a memorandum of understanding last year in Riga, but almost nothing was done after that. "Now there is a new opportunity to do something," Kuntic said. Ljubo Jurcic, former Croatian economy minister and economics professor, argued that Croatia doesn't have a clear strategy for China. "I don't expect much change because the government still doesn't have a strategy for more productive relations," Jurcic said when speaking to Xinhua. "The former Croatian prime minister didn't attend the 16+1 summit, so at least Andrej Plenkovic traveled to Budapest...Unfortunately, our delegation didn't study Chinese strategy in the region and doesn't know how to fit Croatia in it," Jurcic said. Although the China Road and Bridge Corporation is bidding for the Peljesac bridge, the biggest infrastructure project in the southeastern European country, Jurcic thinks that Croatia doesn't have a plan for other big infrastructure projects, so this could be just a single case of cooperation, a sign of Chinese goodwill. "There is a room for better cooperation and business in electronic and informatics sectors, tourism and food industry," Jurcic said. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-29 00:21:38|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close MADRID, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Work began on Tuesday to limit the traffic on the emblematic Gran Via here in the center of the city during the Christmas season. Workers have begun to place a series of 1,100 kg concrete blocks on the thoroughfare, reducing it from three lanes in each direction to just one, plus a lane for taxis and buses. This means that between Dec. 1 and Jan. 7, there will be 28 days when the street will be closed to all private vehicles with just buses and taxis allowed. In 2016, the Gran Via closed to traffic on weekends in the run-up to Christmas, but only plastic barriers in place. These barriers were then removed to allow traffic to return to normal on weekdays. However, this year's concrete barriers will take up to four days to install and will only be removed at the end of the holiday period. This in turn can be seen as a trial run as Madrid Town Hall recently confirmed that the street would be permanently closed to private vehicles by summer 2018. Although there are worries the measures could lead to traffic jams over the holiday period, they will have the effect of boosting security around one of the Spanish capital's main shopping areas. Vehicles weighing over 3,500 kg are also barred from using the street. Last year, a similar measure was put in place ahead of the traditional Jan. 6 "Three Kings" Parade in Madrid as a result of the lorry attack on the Berlin Christmas market which killed 12 people on Dec. 19 2016. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-29 00:26:41|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close by Xinhua writers Li Binian, Wang Linyuan ZHENGZHOU, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- On a small stage in Dongbeizhuang Village, 30-year-old acrobat Liu Desheng climbs onto a spinning pillar, slowly balances his body and "walks" in the air. "Walking in outer space," is his piece de resistance. Liu is one of hundreds of acrobats in Dongbeizhuang, a village in central China's Henan Province, one of the birthplaces of Chinese acrobatics. Liu's performances are widely applauded and he has won plenty of medals both at home and abroad. Despite his success, Liu has his doubts. "After the third fracture of my arm in 2009, I thought of giving up," said Liu. It was in Dongbeizhuang that he fell in love with acrobatics again. He first came to the village because of his wife, also an acrobat. Having seen the villagers' perform, the idea of giving up was forgotten. "The extensive use of farm tools in the performance gives the audience a sense of familiarity," said Liu. "For me, the village is a paradise." Dongbeizhuang, with a population of only 2,800, used to be very poor village and acrobatics was a means of subsistence. The barren land forced villagers to find other ways to make a living. Most of them chose acrobatics. When there was nothing to do in the land, villagers practiced acrobatics with their tools, such as a straw hat and a hoe. Currently, more than 400 acrobats from the village perform on stages domestic and abroad. Thirty-seven of them are heads of troupes. In 2008, acrobatics in Dongbeizhuang was listed as the Intangible Cultural Heritage of China. With support of local authorities, more acrobats are returning to the village to teach their techniques. Qiao Jinsheng, who is the 6th generation of the renowned "Qiao family acrobatics troupe," is one of the returnees. Over the years, he has taught more 1,200 students. "I will continue to perform and teach acrobatics in the village as long as my health allows," said Qiao, 76. With a successful career and a happy family, Liu Desheng is pretty much satisfied. Now he is recruiting students from neighboring villages. "I will teach kids my acrobatic techniques and tell them the different expectations of people worldwide, so that the ancient art from this small village can go global," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-29 00:26:42|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close DAMASCUS, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian army and allied fighters have besieged the Islamic State (IS) in their last pocket west of the Euphrates River, a monitor group reported on Tuesday. The achievement came as the government and the opposition delegations are bracing for a fresh round of peace talks to end the long-lasting war. It also came after the Syrian army and allied fighters succeeded on Tuesday to capture the town of Qoriyeh west of Euphrates River in eastern countryside of Deir al-Zour province in eastern Syria, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The UK-based watchdog group said besieged pocket includes the town of Hasrat, and the Syal area west of the city of al-Bukamal, which was the last IS stronghold that fell to the Syrian army earlier this month. When the Syrian forces completely capture this IS-held pocket, the IS presence will end west of Euphrates River completely, the Observatory added. Still, the watchdog group noted that the fate of hundreds of IS militants who withdrew recently from near the eastern city of al-Mayadeen in Deir al-Zour is unknown amid information that a group of IS militants moved into the northeastern countryside of the central province of Hama. Meanwhile, the state news agency SANA reported on Tuesday the military forces' capture of the town of Qoriyeh, noting that the victory in that area is part of the military operation to clean the Euphrates Valley from the remnants of the IS group. Following the capture of al-Bukamal earlier this month, the IS militants have lost all of their strongholds in Syria, holding pockets in northeastern Syria and a small area in the Yarmouk Camp for Palestinian refugees near the capital Damascus. Government officials in Damascus, mainly President Bashar al-Assad, made it clear that the war on terrorism would continue in Syria until the full elimination of IS. The progress of the Syrian army in the war on IS comes at a time when the government and the opposition groups are bracing for the fresh round of Syria talks in Geneva, which will start on Wednesday. The Syrian Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that the Syrian government delegation arrived in Geneva to take part in the eighth round of Syrian talks, a day later than scheduled. The government delegation's participation was apparently put on hold, particularly after the head of the opposition delegation, Nasr al-Hariri, told reporters in Geneva upon arriving there on Monday that his group insist on the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad as part of any peace deal. Apparently, Damascus has discussed the issue with its key international ally, Russia, and finally agreed to take part. The Syrian Foreign Ministry said Tuesday the participation of the Syrian government delegation comes following "extensive communication" between the Russian and the Syrian sides, spelling no details on the content of the communication. On Nov. 25, The Deputy of the UN special Envoy to Syria said that the upcoming Syrian talks in Geneva would focus on discussing elections and constitution for Syria. Ramzi Ezzedine Ramzi said four baskets would be under discussion in the eighth round of Syrian talks in Geneva, adding that the focus will be on the second and third baskets, pertaining the elections and constitution. "The stance of the special envoy (Staffan de Mistura) is clear and hasn't changed. There are four baskets that must be dealt with. As de Mistura has said in his latest brief to the UN, there will be a focus on the second and third baskets that are concerned with elections and constitution," Ramzi told reporters. Meanwhile, Ramzi said the political process in Syria won't be an easy task. "The political process is difficult and complicated because the situation in Syria is complicated and we are building our strategy on a step by step process and I hope the next round of Geneva talks be marked with an active participation from the government with the presence of a unified delegation from the opposition, which could be conducive in pushing the political process forward," he added. The upcoming Geneva talks will take place just days after the leaders of Iran, Turkey and Russia met in the Russian resort city of Sochi, where they supported a comprehensive dialogue for Syria. The meeting would also come after the opposition groups agreed on unifying a delegation to the fresh talks, which marks the first time for the political opposition groups to unify a delegation to the internationally-backed talks. But inside Syria, some opposition figurers don't pin much hope on the fresh round of talks. Munther Khadam, a Syrian opposition figure, told Xinhua that even though the political solution for Syria has been put on the right track, there is not enough force to push it forward. "The eight round of talks in Geneva may not yield any results because there are still unripe operations in Syria," he said, attributing his pessimism to the stance of the opposition that demands the departure of Assad from power as a prelude to the solution. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-29 01:01:53|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close TEHRAN, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Iran and Kazakhstan are eager to expand their ties in the field of agricultural production and activities, Iran's Agriculture Minister Mahmoud Hojjati was quoted as saying by Financial Tribune daily on Tuesday. "We are an importer of barley, oilseeds, red meat and light and heavy livestock, and Kazakhstan can supply our demand in these areas," the Iranian minister said in a meeting with the visiting Kazakh Minister of Agriculture Askar Myrzakhmetov. "Also, Iran is among the biggest producers of dairy, milk powder, eggs and poultry, for which there is a demand in Kazakhstan and can be supplied by Iran," Hojjati said. Besides, "Iran is the biggest producer of coldwater fish and trout in the world. We are ready to export these products and cooperate in producing these types of fish in Kazakhstan," he said. For his turn, Myrzakhmetov said his country is ready to meet part of Iran's demand for rice by cultivating the seeds of Iranian rice in Kazakh farmlands. In the meantime, "we are not able to produce oranges and tangerines in Kazakhstan and are willing to import them from Iran as part of long-term contracts," he was quoted as saying. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-29 01:01:54|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close ADDIS ABABA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The World Bank Group on Tuesday unveiled its strategic plan for Ethiopia, which will guide the Bank's operational plan and support to the east African country for the coming five years. The newly launched strategic plan for Ethiopia, which will be implemented from 2018 to 2022, is said to be aligned with the Ethiopian government's second five-year Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP-II), due effective from 2016 to 2020. Carolyn Turk, World Bank Country Director to Ethiopia, said during the launching program that the primary focus area of the bank in Ethiopia is promoting structural and economic transformation through increased productivity. According to Turk, Ethiopia's success in achieving structural and economic transformation would depend on sustaining the economic growth rates of the past decade, which could be realized by boosting productivity and competitiveness through finding sustainable solutions for infrastructure financing. Supporting Ethiopian government's endeavor in building resilience and inclusiveness, enabling institutional accountability and confronting corruption were said to be the major targets of the bank through this strategic plan. Though the government has established several formal feedback mechanisms at local levels and for specific services, additional investment in accountability and transparency mechanisms is needed, she elaborated. Ethiopia, Africa's second most populous nation with close to 104 million people, aspires to reach a lower middle-income economy by 2025. The Ethiopian government hopes the GTP-II will help it reach the target. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-29 01:16:58|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close TRIPOLI, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya, Ghassan Salamae, on Tuesday said that the Mission is trying to bring the Libyan House of Representatives and the Higher Council of State closer in order to hold future elections in the country. Salame, also the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, made his remarks during a meeting with representatives of national associations, civil society and youth organizations of the Libyan city of Misurata, some 200 km east the capital Tripoli. "Despite its limited resources, the UN Mission works on many tracks simultaneously: We try to bring the House of Representatives and the High Council of State closer as much as possible," Salame said during the meeting. "UN Action Plan foresees Libyan parties agreeing on government to govern until the elections and address worsening economic, humanitarian conditions in Libya. If no agreement reached on executive power, we will be going for elections in 2018," Salame added. Salame proposed an action plan for Libya in September that includes amendment of the current UN-sponsored political agreement, holding a UN-sponsored national conference for all of Libya's political factions, adopting a constitution, and finally election of a president and a parliament. Representatives of Libya's eastern-based House of Representatives and the Tripoli-based Higher Council of State have recently held UN-sponsored negotiation meetings in Tunisia to amend the agreement. The House of Representatives last week approved a UN-proposed amendment. However, the rival Higher Council of State rejected the amendment, announcing possibility of holding elections within six months to appoint a government of technocrats. Salame explained that the UN is mainly concerned with ensuring future fair and transparent elections mechanism that "doesn't further impact the unity of Libya." "We work on other matters of equal importance, on many local reconciliation and inclusive national reconciliation to solidify the idea of the nation, hence the signification of the alMultaqa_alWatani (national conference), which won't be held before preparatory work is completed to ensure its success," Salame revealed. Libya has been struggling to make a democratic transition ever since the uprising of 2011 that toppled former leader Gaddafi's regime. The country is plagued with political division and unrest. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-29 01:16:59|Editor: Yang Yi Video Player Close Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev in Budapest, Hungary, Nov. 28, 2017. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng) BUDAPEST, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- China and Macedonia agreed here on Tuesday to advance cooperation on various fields such as infrastructure construction. The pledge came as Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and his Macedonian counterpart Zoran Zaev met on the sidelines of the sixth meeting of the heads of government of China and 16 Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC). Li said China is willing to better dovetail development strategies with Macedonia and push forward cooperation on transportation infrastructure construction. China hopes that Macedonia can give full play of its advantages and take an active part in the construction of the Hungary-Serbia railway, said Li. China also would like to explore cooperation with Macedonia on new industries such as digital economy, he said. Hailing the good friendship and close cooperation between Macedonia and China, Zaev said his country is ready to enhance cooperation with China on trade and economy, culture and people-to-people exchanges. The China-CEEC cooperation, also known as the 16+1 cooperation, is key to the development of Macedonia, he said, adding that his country hopes to intensify cooperation with China under the 16+1 framework. Zaev said Macedonia welcomes Chinese enterprises to participate in the Balkan country's transportation construction. During the meeting, Li also expressed appreciation at Macedonia's firm adherence to the one-China policy. Next year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Macedonia. China will take the opportunity of the 25th anniversary to further forge ahead bilateral ties, Li said. Li arrived on Sunday for an official visit to Hungary and for the sixth meeting of the heads of government of China and 16 Central and Eastern European countries. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-29 01:17:01|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close ADDIS ABABA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian government on Tuesday launched a Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF), which aims to transform the socio-economic condition of refugees presently relocated in the country. The newly introduced CRRF, together with the recently launched civil registration program that was launched by the east African country, is expected to benefit some of the 890,000 refugees that were relocated to Ethiopia mainly from its neighboring countries such as South Sudan, Sudan, Eritrea, and Somalia in 26 refugee camps across the country. The CRRF, which was launched in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa with representatives of UN agencies and other non-governmental organizations, is said to be part of the Ethiopian government's plan that envisages to improve the socio-economic conditions of refugees through the provision of education, trainings and employment opportunities. Fitsum Arega, Commissioner of Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC), said during the launching that one among the initiatives incorporated through the newly introduced framework is the creation of employment opportunities through Ethiopia's industrial parks development projects. According to Arega, the constructions of three industrial parks are currently underway in different parts of Ethiopia, with particular emphasis given to helping significant number of refugees through job creation. The three industrial parks, which are under construction at a cost of 500 million U.S. dollar that was secured from Britain, the EU and the World Bank, are expected to create employment opportunities for close to 100,000 people, of whom 70 percent (30,000) will be drawn from refugee communities in Ethiopia. Prior to the CRRF, the east African country had also launched a civil registration package for refugees, which includes registration of refugees' vital life events, including birth, death, marriage and divorce, directly with national authorities. Civil registration offices were also established in each of the 26 refugee camps, as well as in the seven locations with a high concentration of refugees in the country, so as to accommodate the civil registration package. According to the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR), civil registration package for refugees is a "historic first and a ground-breaking development for refugee protection in Ethiopia, not previously realized over decades." More than 70,000 refugee children born in Ethiopia over the last decade have not had their births registered and will soon be issued with birth certificates, according to UNHCR. Accordingly, children born before the new law came into force can also obtain a birth certificate retroactively, it was noted. According to UNHCR, the civil registration package for refugees is one of the nine pledges made at the Leaders' Summit held in New York in September 2016. Other commitments included to grant work permits to refugees, strengthen access to education, to allow a significant number of refugees to reside outside of refugee camps and to locally integrate long-staying refugees, the statement indicated. The framework, among other things, aims to enhance refugee self-reliance and inclusion, provide refugees with better possibilities for solutions to their plights, and ease pressure on host countries. As the Ethiopian government is presently scrutinizing a draft proclamation which allows refugees to live out of camps, the country has received 103,263 new refugees in the first ten months of 2017, pushing the total number of refugees living in the country to 889,071, according to UNHCR. According to Kisut Gebreegziabher, Assistant Communication Officer at UNHCR, the newly arrived refugees are mainly from South Sudan, Eritreans and Somalia, respectively. The draft proclamation is expected to be presented to the Ethiopian House of People's Representatives for approval in the coming months. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-29 01:17:01|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Tuesday cautiously welcomed the publication of the electoral calendar of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and warned against any delay of the elections. The council noted the publication of the electoral calendar for the combined presidential, legislative and provincial elections for Dec. 23, 2018, said the Security Council in a press statement. Now that the date for elections has been set, the council emphasized the critical importance of ensuring that the elections are not postponed further, said the statement. The Security Council, together with the African Union, has repeatedly called for the timely publication of a credible and consensual electoral calendar as provided for in the Political Agreement of Dec. 31, 2016, said the statement. The New Year's Eve agreement allowed President Joseph Kabila, who has been in power since 2001, to stay on after his term of office expired, on the condition that elections would be held within 2017. The newly declared date is almost a year into overtime. The council stressed that a peaceful and credible electoral cycle is crucial for lasting peace and stability in the DRC. It called upon the Congolese authorities and all the relevant institutions to take all the necessary measures without delay to ensure that this new calendar is scrupulously adhered to, including the publication of a credible budget for the combined elections and the adoption of the required electoral legislation. It also underscored the need to do everything possible to ensure that the planned elections are organized with the requisite conditions of transparency, credibility and inclusivity, and lead to a peaceful transfer of power. The Security Council reiterated their appeal to all Congolese to work for the preservation of the still fragile gains in the path of peace and stability in the DRC. It called upon all political parties, their supporters, and other political actors to remain calm and refrain from violence of any kind. It warned that it will act against all Congolese actors whose actions and statements impede the peace deal and the timely organization of the elections. The Security Council welcomed the offer by the African Union and other international organizations, along with the United Nations to establish a coordinated team of experts to support the preparations of the elections. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-29 01:37:10|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zaev in Budapest, Hungary, Nov. 28, 2017. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng) BUDAPEST, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- China and Macedonia agreed here on Tuesday to advance cooperation on various fields such as infrastructure construction. The pledge came as Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and his Macedonian counterpart Zoran Zaev met on the sidelines of the sixth meeting of the heads of government of China and 16 Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC). Li said China is willing to better dovetail development strategies with Macedonia and push forward cooperation on transportation infrastructure construction. China hopes that Macedonia can give full play of its advantages and take an active part in the construction of the China-Europe land-sea express, said Li. China also would like to explore cooperation with Macedonia on new industries such as digital economy, he said. Hailing the good friendship and close cooperation between Macedonia and China, Zaev said his country is ready to enhance cooperation with China on trade and economy, culture and people-to-people exchanges. The China-CEEC cooperation, also known as the 16+1 cooperation, is key to the development of Macedonia, he said, adding that his country hopes to intensify cooperation with China under the 16+1 framework. Zaev said Macedonia welcomes Chinese enterprises to participate in the Balkan country's transportation construction. During the meeting, Li also expressed appreciation at Macedonia's firm adherence to the one-China policy. Next year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Macedonia. China will take the opportunity of the 25th anniversary to further forge ahead bilateral ties, Li said. Li arrived on Sunday for an official visit to Hungary and for the sixth meeting of the heads of government of China and 16 Central and Eastern European countries. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-29 01:37:11|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close LAMU, Kenya, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Somali militant group Al-Shabaab on Tuesday killed two police officers and injured two others in Kenya's coastal town of Lamu in its latest attack in the tourism resort region. Coast Regional Police Commander Larry Kieng said the officers were escorting a convoy of six buses when they were ambushed along the Malindi Lamu highway. Kieng said a group of heavily armed militants emerged from the forest and sprayed a police escort vehicle with bullets that had four occupants. "During the shootout two officers were killed and two others injured. The officers were evacuated to Lamu hospital with serious bullet wounds," Kieng told Xinhua by phone. The police commander said no passenger was injured during the incident since the majority were Muslim. "The militants demanded for passengers' manifests that indicated that they were Muslims. They were spared after a Somali passenger pleaded with them to let the buses pass," Kieng said. The militants gave the passengers Jihad leaflets/CD cards before letting all the buses to proceed their destinations. The attack came barely three days after police destroyed six Al-Shabaab camps in the vast Boni forest. During the operation weapons and medicine were recovered. Kieng said a combined team of military and police are combing the forest to hunt down the militants. Reports indicate that the militants are targeting both police and civilians within Lamu. The ongoing operation Linda Boni has reduced terrorist attacks in the coastal region. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-29 02:02:21|Editor: Lifang Video Player Close African migrants queue up to get on a bus for being repatriated to their countries at a detention center in Tripoli, Libya, on Nov. 28, 2017. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Tuesday revealed that more than 13,000 migrants have been voluntarily repatriated from Libya this year so far. (Xinhua/Hamza Turkia) TRIPOLI, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Tuesday revealed that more than 13,000 migrants have been voluntarily repatriated from Libya this year so far. "Since the beginning of this year, the program has succeeded in deporting 13,552 illegal immigrants by air," Juma Ben-Hassan, coordinator of IOM's Libya voluntary return program, told Xinhua. Ben-Hassan said this number includes deportation that took place on Tuesday morning of more than 400 African and Asian migrants. The voluntary return program in Libya was set up in 2006 by IOM to arrange for the return of stranded illegal migrants from Libya to their countries of origin. Due to the insecurity and chaos that followed the 2011 uprising, Libya became a hotspot for migrants wanting to cross the Mediterranean towards European shores, many of whom drown on the way. Libyan navy announced earlier this week that 31 migrants drowned off western Libyan coast while attempting to reach Europe. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-29 03:17:40|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close TEHRAN, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday hailed the country's naval achievements and urged the need for the navy to speed up its progress in various fields, Press TV reported. Iran's Navy is "on the frontline" of defending the nation in the important waters in the south of the country, Khamenei made the remarks in a meeting with navy commanders and personnel on the occasion of the National Navy Day. He stressed the necessity of enhancing the navy's combat readiness and military equipment, saying that Iran's maritime force is "today far more advanced and capable than 20 years ago, but this level of progress is not satisfactory." This trend of rapid progress should be pursued in all sectors "with high determination and morale," Khamenei was quoted as saying. On Monday, Navy Commander Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi said that the Iranian Navy is "self-sufficient in manufacturing surface and sub-sea vessels." Khanzadi said that the missile-launching Separ (Shield) warship would be unveiled in the coming days, adding that the vessel is domestically built. The warship is "faster" and "more advanced" than its predecessors, he said. Also, Chiefs of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri on Monday highlighted the achievements made by Iran's naval forces to safeguard national interests as well as their effective role in ensuring the security of trans-regional and international waters, including the Gulf of Aden and the north of the Indian Ocean. Baqeri also said that "convergence" and "coordination" among the naval forces of the Iranian Army and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has helped foil the "adventurist" plots in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and the Strait of Hormuz. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-29 03:32:46|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- UN Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Bintou Keita on Tuesday warned of risk of violence escalation in South Sudan. While telling the Security Council that the deployment of the Regional Protection Force (RPF) in South Sudan "is making good and tangible progress," Keita pointed out that certain operations of the UN Mission in the country (UNMISS) "continue to be impeded" by the national authorities and the security situation in South Sudan "remains precarious." Keita said she was particularly concerned by "the real risk of an escalation in violence with the onset of the dry season," and the government's push to assert military dominance across the country. She also requested the Security Council to press the Sudanese government to uphold its obligations and cease obstructions and restrictions of movement imposed on both UN uniformed personnel patrols and human rights officers. Keita underlined the importance of having "unified and unconditional international support" to the political process. "It will be crucial for the government and all political parties to constructively engage in the peace agreement revitalization process, and start by immediately ceasing all hostilities and taking defensive military position," she concluded. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-29 03:47:50|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- A UN official has stressed the need to protect refugees and migrants in the Mediterranean by highlighting their plight. Briefing the UN Security Council on Tuesday, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said that without legal pathways to safety, refugees and migrants are exposed to torture, rape, sexual exploitation, slavery and other forms of forced labor. The grave abuses perpetrated against migrants and refugees along the central Mediterranean routes can no longer be ignored, and the international community's inability to prevent and resolve conflict is at the root of their plight, he said. Grandi called for a comprehensive approach to protect refugees and migrants that encompasses countries of origin, transit and destination. "Too often, measures pursued in relation to the Mediterranean routes have centred on how to control, deter and exclude," he said. "This can have a dehumanising effect. And more importantly, alone, it does not help refugees and migrants avoid exploitative, deeply harmful situations," he added. Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) William Lacy Swing also briefed the Security Council. The IOM reported that the number of migrants or refugees who have died on Mediterranean Sea routes has surpassed the 3,000 figure so far this year. This makes it the fourth consecutive year that migrant drownings reach that number. Migrants and refugees take the Mediterranean routes to enter Europe. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-29 03:47:51|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Democratic leaders on Tuesday canceled a planned meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House after he tweeted earlier in the day that he didn't see a deal to avoid a federal government shutdown. "Given that the President doesn't see a deal between Democrats and the White House, we believe the best path forward is to continue negotiating with our Republican counterparts in Congress instead," House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer said in a joint statement. "Rather than going to the White House for a show meeting that won't result in an agreement, we've asked Leader McConnell and Speaker Ryan to meet this afternoon," they said, referring to the two Republican congressional leaders. Trump tweeted on Tuesday morning that he would meet with Democratic leaders later in the day to discuss funding the federal government after Dec. 8, when the current funding deal expires. But the president claimed that Democratic leaders want "illegal immigrants flooding into our Country unchecked", and he didn't "see a deal" to avoid a government shutdown. "If the President, who already said earlier this year that 'our country needs a good shutdown,' isn't interested in addressing the difficult year end agenda, we'll work with those Republicans who are, as we did in April," Pelosi and Schumer said in the joint statement. The White House said Tuesday that the meeting would proceed without Pelosi and Schumer, but asked them to change their minds. "The meeting will proceed as scheduled with Speaker Ryan, Leader McConnell and administration officials who are committed to getting things done. If the Democrats believe the American people deserve action on these critical year-end issues as we do, they should attend," White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement. House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell also said in a joint statement that Democrats should attend the meeting scheduled at the White House. "There is a meeting at the White House this afternoon, and if Democrats want to reach an agreement, they will be there," Ryan and McConnell said. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-29 04:02:57|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close VIENNA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Austria has found a creative way to boost security measures at the well-known Christkindlmarkt Christmas market here, as a precaution against any potential terror attacks, Krone newspaper reported on Tuesday. The measures include using concrete blocks disguised as Christmas presents, as well as a massive police presence that covers almost all entrances to the market. Similar measures have also been implemented at the numerous other smaller markets in the Austrian capital. During a visit to the Christkindl market at the Rathausplatz in the city center, Interior Minister Wolfgang Sobotka said that in light of potential threats, "We are well prepared." He added that while it was important to have such measures in place, these things must always be done within reason. Karlheinz Dudek from the Vienna police said the number of police personnel can be quickly adjusted depending on the threat level, saying there were presently no indicators of an increased security risk. The level of alert following the terror attack at a Christmas market in Berlin in December last year has prompted similar security measures across Europe. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-29 04:07:59|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close WASHINGTON, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Two 15-year-old boys have been arrested in connection with the Black Friday night shooting that killed a 12-year-old boy while injuring five others in Cleveland, a major city in the midwestern U.S. state of Ohio, local police said Tuesday. U.S. Marshals and Cleveland police arrested one teenager at a high school on Monday and the second at his mother's home Tuesday morning, police said. Juvenile criminal suspects will not be named unless they're charged as adults, according to a Cleveland.com report. Both face 25 felony charges, including aggravated murder, murder, attempted murder, felonious assault and firing a gun across a roadway. One of the teens also face a charge of possessing weapons despite having a felony conviction. The two teens fired at least 20 gunshots at the six victims, said the report, citing police dispatch records. The dead was a 7th-grade student who was helping his father at his beauty supply store. Five others, all between 14 and 16 years old, were shot but have survived. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-29 04:08:00|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close KIEV, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- A state-owned Chinese company Sinohydro Corporation Ltd on Tuesday signed an agreement with Ukraine's state road agency Ukravtodor to upgrade the Kiev-Chop highway, which connects the capital of Ukraine with the city on the Hungary's border. The contract, worth about 42.3 million euros (about 50.16 million U.S. dollars), was signed in Kiev by Xu Fei, Sinohydro representative in Ukraine, and Slavomir Novak, an acting head of the Ukravtodor. Under the document, the Chinese company will modernize a 22.3-kilometer-long section of the highway near Ukraine's northern city of Zhytomyr, expanding the road from two into four lanes in one direction. Besides, the road upgrading project will cover the construction of four road interchanges, the reconstruction of three overpasses over railway tracks, building two pedestrian bridges over the highway and modernizing another bridge. Once completed, the upgrade works are expected to enhance the capacity of the 821-kilometer-long Kiev-Chop highway, one of the logistic arteries of Ukraine, and reduce the traffic jams on the Zhytomyr section, which serves about 10,000 motorists per day. The project, which will start at the beginning of 2018, is set to be completed within two years. It is financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Investment Bank (EIB). It will be the second project for the Chinese companies on carrying out the modernization of Ukrainian roads. According to Novak, the Ukrainian side is well aware of the vast international experience of the Chinese partners and highly values cooperation with them. "We treat you like Chinese ambassadors in the Ukrainian market and I would like to underline that it is a huge responsibility in your hands," Novak said at the agreements signing ceremony. Meanwhile, Xiong Lixin, the Executive Vice President at the Power China, the parent company of Sinohydro, said the Chinese side is developing other projects related to road construction and energy sector in Ukraine. "We really believe in this market. Therefore, this is not a single project, but only the beginning. We hope that the Ukrainian market will become an important part of our activities abroad," Xiong told Xinhua. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-29 04:08:01|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close ABIDJAN, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- As Cote d'Ivoire counts down to the fifth African Union-European Union (AU-EU) Summit which will start here on Wednesday, there is much fanfare about the benefits of Africa harnessing its young population. With the official theme of "investing in youth for a sustainable future," the summit places youth at the heart of the discussions for the first time in its history, according to EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini. Many have interpreted the theme, despite its stress on both continents, as tilting toward Africa's youth, as the summit takes place at a time when Africa tries to tame high youth unemployment while Europe seeks relief from its migrant crisis. Africa has 60 percent of its population under the age of 25, a demographic asset that has created a huge labor pool yet to be fully utilized due to a lack of industrialization. The ensuing high youth unemployment has fueled protests in some African countries and prompted migration to Europe. Many such immigrants lured by a better prospect in Europe, along with those fleeing conflicts and disasters, made the dangerous trips across the Mediterranean sea. According to the UN migration agency IOM, at least 33,761 migrants have died or gone missing in the Mediterranean between 2000 and 2017, as of June 30. In Cote d'Ivoire, the public is still reeling from the news that hundreds of their compatriots were auctioned off like slaves in Libya on their way to Europe. Responding to the public outcry, the Cote d'Ivoire government has pledged to make the issue into the agenda of the coming summit. Those who reached the destination often found a Europe unwilling to accept them, as host countries see these fresh-off-the-boats as financial burdens posing a threat to local job market and security. The buck passing among migrant-receiving countries has caused a split in the EU and drawn international criticism. Moreover, the legion of unemployed youths has stoked fears of boosting recruitment of terrorist groups, which are in active operations in many parts of Africa, raising concerns in the adjacent Europe plagued by frequent terror attacks. The summit, therefore, comes as the EU is adjusting its African policies to address its own migration and security concerns. In August, several European and African leaders met in Paris over the migration crisis. The meeting concluded with promises by the European side to help African countries strengthen border controls, combat human trafficking and support local communities along the migration route. The so-called Marshall Plan for Africa, proposed by Germany this year, also prioritized reducing poverty and unemployment to persuade young Africans to stay within the continent. Its prescription of investment and trade is also interpreted as heralding a shift of focus from government aids to the private sector. Neven Mimica, European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, said Monday that the EU will team up with Africa and present its new External Investment Plan, which will help unlock 44 billion euros of investment for supporting jobs and sustainable growth. "Improving the conditions for investment in Africa is essential to create jobs for Africa's youth and promote sustainable development," he said at the EU-Africa Business Forum held in Abidjan. Critics, however, have questioned the investment approach, which they say belies Europe's intention to cut official development assistance (ODA), which is still crucial to some least-developed countries that investors find it hard to enter. Some Africans also remain suspicious about Europe's willingness to dig deep into their own pockets to help Africa. "They (Europeans) are not going to invest in Africa's youth, but are here to tell African leaders it is important to invest in youth," said Bamba Abdoulaye, history professor at the University of Felix Houphouet Boigny in Abidjan. Abdoulaye compared Africa's summits with Europe and with China, saying the former are more about declarations and talks, while the latter are often followed by concrete actions. "The key solution lies in Africans taking actions ourselves. We may need Europeans' support, but not their prescriptions," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-29 04:13:03|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close SEOUL, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) fired a ballistic missile into its east waters early Wednesday, South Korea's military said. The "an unidentified ballistic missile" was launched from a site near Pyongsong in South Pyongan Province, at around 3:17 a.m. local time, the Yonhap News Agency cited South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) as saying. The South Korean military conducted a "precision strike" missile launch in response, according to the JCS. File photo provided by Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on May 30, 2017 shows the test-firing of a ballistic missile. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) confirmed it successfully test fired another ballistic missile, the third in one month, according to official Korean Central News Agency. (Xinhua/KCNA) SEOUL, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) fired a ballistic missile into its east waters early Wednesday, South Korea's military said. The "unidentified ballistic missile" was launched from a site near Pyongsong in South Pyongan Province, at around 3:17 a.m. local time, the Yonhap News Agency cited South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) as saying. The South Korean military conducted a "precision strike" missile launch in response, according to the JCS. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-29 04:28:10|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LISBON, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Portuguese port of Sines is primed to become Europe's principal natural gas port, Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa told local reporters here on Tuesday. "European energy security has everything to gain by creating and developing a new terminal that will allow us to take delivery of gas on the Atlantic front," Costa said. Costa was speaking at a business event called "Portugal Strategy 2030" held in Lisbon. Last week, the government pledged to spend 2.5 billion euros (3 billion U.S. dollars) by 2026 on upgrading Portugal's principal ports and related infrastructure. Sines, some 160 km south of Lisbon, is set to become a major component in the Atlantic Corridor, a European Union (EU) infrastructure project. High-speed rail links will connect ports such as Sines to markets and distribution centers at the heart of Europe. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-29 04:28:11|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday reaffirmed UN's commitment to strengthening relationship with Israel at a special event marking the 70th anniversary of Security Council resolution 181. Guterres' Chef de Cabinet, Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, read a message on behalf of the secretary-general at the special event in New York, in which he said that since Israel became a Member State of the United Nations in 1949, "our cooperation has come to encompass many areas, from peacekeeping and sustainable development to humanitarian challenges and disaster relief around the world." The Secretary-General said he is determined to strengthen this relationship and will continue to speak out "against anti-Semitism, Holocaust denial, hate speech and the use of anti-Semitic appeals by violent extremist groups to recruit new followers." He will continue to do his part to help Israelis and Palestinians take the historic steps to achieve a two-state solution and attain the peace that has proven so elusive for so long. In 1947, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 181, which recognized the need to establish a Jewish state and an Arab state in the former British Mandate territory of Palestine. The resolution, which was considered by the Jewish community in Palestine to be a legal basis for the establishment of Israel, and which was rejected by the Arab community, was succeeded almost immediately by violence. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-29 04:33:13|Editor: Lifang Video Player Close File photo taken on May 10, 2017 shows a view of Bujumbura, capital of Burundi. Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza on Nov. 28 launched the master plan of Burundian capital Bujumbura by the year of 2045, calling for investors to prepare projects for a beautiful and big city respecting environmental standards. (Xinhua/Lyu Tianran) BUJUMBURA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza Tuesday launched the master plan of Burundian capital Bujumbura by the year of 2045, calling for investors to prepare projects for a beautiful and big city respecting environmental standards. "By 2045, we need a capital city of Bujumbura that clearly shows where services can be found. It should be a capital city respecting environmental standards," said Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza at the launch of the master plan. Nkurunziza indicated that the master plan shows where plantations and green areas are located and puts an end to chaotic constructions in the perimeter of Bujumbura. According to him, the capital city will be extended to Bujumbura and Bubanza provinces. The northwest of the capital city of Bujumbura will extend up to Bubanza province and will host industries and agricultural and farming areas, while the south of the capital near the shores of Lake Tanganyika will be devoted to tourism, he said. Nkurunziza said the center of the capital city will host administration and trade services. "We call on Burundian citizens to get together and develop projects in the context of the 2045 master plan for Bujumbura capital city. We also invite foreign investors to come and help us extend the capital city," said Nkurunziza. He added that people are encouraged to build story buildings as the space for construction is getting smaller and smaller. A study conducted by the ministry of environment of Burundi shows that a suburb in the outskirts of capital Bujumbura are inhabited by 2,000 people by square kilometers while in 2045 the suburb will host 4,461 people. Burundi is a small landlocked country with the size of 27,830 kilometers and is one of the five poorest countries in the world, according to the Word Bank. It is the second most densely populated country in Africa, it said. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-29 04:33:13|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close KHARTOUM, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- A United Nations (UN) official has said the UN is closely working with Sudanese government to enhance children's rights and ensure children's protection against violation or exploitation in armed conflict. Chairman of the UN Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict, Olof Skoog, on Tuesday held talks with local authorities in Sudan's North Darfur State. Skoog said that the UN working group's visit to Darfur region aims to ensure protection of children against recruitment, abuse, violence and exploitation. He reiterated the UN's keenness to protect children's rights, prevent their recruitment and violation of their rights, and ensure that they receive their rights in the educational, health and service institutions. In March 2016, the Sudanese government signed with the UN the Action Plan for the Protection of Children from Violations in Armed Conflict. The plan sets out a series of measures to enhance the overall protection of children affected by armed conflict, including the cessation and prevention of child recruitment. Sudanese government has been fighting the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM)/northern sector at Blue Nile and South Kordofan areas since 2011. It has also been fighting armed groups in Darfur region since 2003. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-29 04:38:15|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close The United Nations (UN) Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura (3rd L) shakes hands with the head of the Syrian Negotiation Commission (SNC) Nasr al-Hariri during their meeting at Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, on Nov. 28, 2017. Staffan de Mistura met and held bilateral talks with the Syrian opposition delegation Tuesday afternoon, kicking off the new round of the intra-Syrian talks under the aegis of the UN. (Xinhua/Pool/Fabrice COFFRINI) GENEVA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations special envoy for Syria, Staffan De Mistura, met and held bilateral talks with the Syrian opposition delegation Tuesday afternoon, kicking off the new round of the intra-Syrian talks under the aegis of the UN. The Syrian government delegation failed to arrive at Geneva on the opening day of the new talks. The UN said that the government representatives will arrive and attend the talks on Wednesday. Although the details of the first talks between the UN envoy and the Syrian opposition delegation, known as the Syrian Negotiation Commission (SNC), remained unknown yet, the UN had said earlier that the focus for this new round of talks would be on the issue of "elections and constitution". After meeting with the De Mistura, SNC issued a statement calling for "direct negotiations" with the representatives of the Assad regime to the UN-led talks in Geneva. According to De Mistura, it is still not sure that whether or not the just-started new round of the Syrian peace talks will take place in the form of a direct dialogue between both sides. "We are always aiming for a direct dialogue. The opposition now is unified and said they are ready to have a direct discussion with the government, but I need to ask the government's position tomorrow if they are ready to do the same," the UN envoy told Xinhua after meeting with the China 's Special Envoy for Syria Xie Xiaoyan. He added that if the time is still not right for a direct negotiation, the new round of the Intra-Syrian talks will still take place in an indirect way, or the so called "proximate talks". While stressing that the political process should take place in Geneva without any preconditions, the UN official also said that other initiatives, like the Astana talks resulting the establishment of four de-escalation zones in Syria, are also welcome because they have their values and importance. Breaking out in 2011 and then quickly turned into a full-fledged war, the Syrian armed conflict has entered into its seventh year, and so far UN figures showed that the Syria war has killed more than 330,000 people and displaced millions. The last UN-led talks aimed at brokering a political solution between the Syrian government and the major opposition forces ended on July 14 without going deeper into any of the scheduled topics. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-29 04:58:19|Editor: Lifang Video Player Close Photo taken on Nov. 28, 2017 shows a general view of the 28th meeting of the International Energy Charter Conference in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. The 28th meeting of the International Energy Charter Conference, an inter-governmental organization, opened here on Tuesday, with participation of representatives from 49 member and observer countries, 12 international and regional organizations. (Xinhua/Li Ming) ASHGABAT, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The 28th meeting of the International Energy Charter Conference, an inter-governmental organization, opened here on Tuesday, with representatives from 49 member and observer countries, 12 international and regional organizations participating. "The meeting is a good platform to discuss sustainable energy investment, reliable transit and diversification of supply routes in the community of the International Energy Charter," said M. Babayev, Chairman of the Energy Charter Conference at the welcoming ceremony. He added that the election of Turkmenistan as the chairman of this organization is the proof of international acknowledgement of the initiatives from the President of Turkmenistan in the field of energy security. The two-day meeting, titled "mobilizing investment for a sustainable energy future and diversified transportation routes," will also be scheduled to discuss the measures to overcome investment gap and helping the countries ensure the best use of investments for commercial and social purposes. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-29 05:03:22|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close OSLO, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Police have investigated 151 sexual assault cases in one municipality in northern Norway and issued ten charges, public broadcaster NRK reported Tuesday. Out of the 151 cases in Tysfjord municipality in the northern county of Nordland, 43 cases included rape, while 40 cases dealt with sexual intercourse with children under 14 years of age. A total of 106 cases were dropped, mostly because of statute of limitations, the report said. Many of the cases include gross sexual assault, such as rapes of children, and the oldest case originated in 1953. Many of the assaults have been going on for a long time, and they started when the insulted were very young. The youngest was only four years, according to the police. Tone Vangen, police chief in Nordland county where the assaults took place, expressed regret that the police "did not do a good job until June 2016". "On behalf of the police, I deeply apologize because of that," she said in a press release. "According to today's legislation, many cases would have been defined as rape," Police Attorney Oyvind Rengard told NRK. A year and a half ago eleven women and men were interviewed by newspaper VG and reported that they had been subjected to sexual assault in Tysfjord municipality in Nordland. Since then, more than 80 people have been reported as suspicious and in total more than 70 have been reported abused. The assaulted were mainly girls between seven and 16 years old when the sexual assaults were committed. Between 1997 and 2014, the police dropped 82 percent of the cases of sex offence reported in Tysfjord. According to NRK, a former police officer in the municipality has been reported to have failed to investigate the abuse, which is now being investigated by the Special Unit for Police Cases. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-29 05:13:26|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close by Maria Vasileiou THE HAGUE, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The existing disagreements on aspects of the investigations into the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria heated up the general debate of the State Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), whose delegates are attending the one-week annual conference of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) held here. On Monday, Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad reiterated, at the opening of the conference, Syria's denial of such accusations blaming Syria for the use of chemical weapons, saying the investigation reports were "without any tangible evidence" and its work needs to be reviewed. He deplored that "hostile states" have led the international investigation to produce reports "lacking professionalism and reaching wrong findings". The use of chemical weapons in conflicts in Syria in recent years has been confirmed by three reports carried out by the OPCW Fact-Finding Mission (FFM), while the United Nations-OPCW Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM), in its latest report blamed the Syrian air force for a sarin gas attack on the opposition-held village of Khan Sheikhun in April. The finding was rejected by Damascus. Speaking on behalf of the United States, Andrea Hall of the U.S. National Security Council, reiterated Washington's stance that the JIM is an "independent and impartial international body of experts". "We will again seek UN action on the latest JIM conclusions," she pledged. The EU said "it is unacceptable that four years after joining the Convention, Syria's declaration can still not be verified as accurate and complete". Defending Damascus on the second day of the conference, Russian Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Georgy Kalamanov criticized the work of the FFM as "remotely investigating without actually showing on site and seeing evidence collected by Syrian opposition", and taking on "unprofessional and politically biased working methods". Kalamanov added that the Syrian authorities "have been unprecedentedly open" in talking about the history of their military and chemical program, while working together with the OPCW. He underlined that after the OPCW has confirmed the full elimination of Syria's chemical weapon potential, the "so-called chemical dossier on this CWC member state has only heated up". He accused "certain group of countries that are acting in their own political interest". Russia and the United States are at odds on whether to renew the mandate of JIM. Russia last month vetoed a U.S.-sponsored draft resolution at the UN Security Council. After that, the United States and Russia have circulated competing draft resolutions among council members for consideration. Russia demands a modification of JIM's mandate, while the United States and its allies want to maintain the current JIM mandate. The mandate of the JIM expired on Nov. 17. China supports the relevant OPCW and UN bodies in conducting full, objective and impartial investigations of the incidents, and come to conclusions which are based on solid evidences and will stand the test of time and facts, said Wu Ken, China's permanent representative to OPCW on Tuesday. "It is China's hope that the parties concerned will bear in mind the maintenance of the unity of the OPCW, comply with the provisions of the Convention in earnest, hold consultations patiently, work to create favorable conditions for a proper and equitable solution to the issue of the Syrian chemical weapons, and bring about a positive atmosphere for the next phase of a political settlement of the Syrian issue," said Wu, who is also China's Ambassador to The Netherlands. Pakistan's representative called upon "the stakeholders to reach out to each other and achieve a consensus on the composition and mandate of the JIM-FFM to give credence to its works in the future", while also stressing the need for investigations to be "fair and transparent". Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-29 05:13:29|Editor: Lifang Video Player Close Head of the Bank of China (BOC) Paris branch Pan Nuo (2nd L) and Chinese Ambassador to France Zhai Jun (3rd L) ring the bell of the listing of RMB-denominated climate bond in Paris, France, Nov. 28, 2017. The first RMB-denominated climate bond issued by a Chinese bank was listed Tuesday on the Euronext stock exchange here. (Xinhua/Han Bing) PARIS, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The first RMB-denominated climate bond issued by a Chinese bank was listed Tuesday on the Euronext stock exchange here. The bond had been successfully issued on Nov. 15 in three trenches, namely 700 million euros, 500 million U.S. dollars, and one billion Chinese yuan, by the Bank of China (BOC) Paris branch, while the order book had been oversubscribed more than 2.6 times, said Pan Nuo, head of BOC Paris branch. The proceeds are mainly for green projects of wind power stations etc., Pan said. The listing of this bond on Euronext "has a special meaning" as it comes close to the second anniversary of the Paris Agreement and French President Emmanuel Macron's upcoming visit to China, Chinese Ambassador to France Zhai Jun said at the listing ceremony. Zhai added that he was convinced that in the sector of sustainable development and finance, there was huge potential for China and France to strengthen cooperation. (1 euro = 1.19 U.S. dollars) Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-29 05:18:31|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BUDAPEST, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- China and Hungary on Tuesday signed over 10 agreements covering areas of agriculture, e-commerce, finance, telecommunication, tourism and education to further forge ahead bilateral ties. The agreements were signed with the witness of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban following their talks at the Hungarian National Assembly building. "These deals mean that China will further increase its investment in Hungary and help to make more job opportunities in the country," said Li when he and Orban jointly met with the press. "Such cooperation is also a good opportunity for Chinese companies to learn advanced technology and managing experience from the Hungarian side," he said. According to Li, Hungary is the biggest investment destination of China in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) with China's current investment accounting for one third of its total investment in CEE. China's current investment in Hungary has reached 4.1 billion U.S. dollars, creating about 10,000 local jobs. Statistics from the Ministry of Commerce show that the trade volume between China and Hungary increased by 10 percent year-on-year in 2016, while China's import from Hungary increased by 20 percent. Li said that Chinese consumers hope to see more diversified products especially good-quality agricultural produce from Hungary. Li arrived on Sunday in Budapest for an official visit and the sixth meeting of heads of government of China and 16 Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC). He will depart for Russia on Wednesday for the 16th meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization from Thursday to Friday. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-29 05:33:36|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close DOHA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Qatar Airways has partnered with four tour operators from Russia, Italy, the Czech Republic and Ukraine to promote Qatar as an elite destination, Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported Tuesday. There would be multiple flights available weekly from these four countries to Qatar, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar al Baker said, adding that "we are thrilled to sign agreements with these four major tour operators." "The Qatari people openly welcome citizens of these countries to come and learn the peacefulness of the Arabian hospitality," he said. In August, Qatar opened its borders with visa free entry to more than 80 countries worldwide. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-29 06:08:49|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close File photo provided by Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Feb. 13, 2017 shows a test firing of a surface-to-surface medium- and long-range ballistic missile Pukguksong-2 on Feb. 12, 2017. (Xinhua/KCNA) WASHINGTON/SEOUL, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) have launched a ballistic missile, the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK) said. Assessments from both the U.S. Defense Department and the ROK's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) showed that the missile was launched at 1:17 p.m. EDT Tuesday, or 3:17 a.m. Seoul time Wednesday (1817 GMT). There was no official confirmation from the DPRK yet. The U.S. Defense Department said that an initial assessment showed the missile was an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The missile was launched from Sain Ni in the DPRK, and it traveled about 1,000 kilometers before splashing down into the sea of Japan, said Pentagon spokesman Robert Manning in a statement. Meanwhile, the JCS said that "an unidentified ballistic missile" was launched from a site near Pyongsong in the DPRK's South Pyongan Province. The ROK military conducted a "precision strike" missile launch in response, according to the JCS. U.S. President Donald Trump had been briefed about the missile launch, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told reporters. "Diplomatic options remain viable and open, for now," Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said after the reported launch of the missile. The United States remains committed to finding a peaceful path to denuclearization in the Korean Peninsula, he said in a statement. The latest missile launch from the DPRK came a week after the United States redesignated the DPRK as a "state sponsor of terrorism" and slapped a new round of sanctions against the country, which was seen by some experts as likely to escalate the ongoing confrontation between Pyongyang and Washington. Last week, Chinese Foreign Ministry called for more efforts to ease tension on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue and settle the issue through dialogue and consultation. Related: DPRK fires ballistic missile into east waters: S. Korean military SEOUL, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) fired a ballistic missile into its east waters early Wednesday, South Korea's military said. Source: Xinhua| 2017-11-29 06:23:52|Editor: Lifang Video Player Close RABAT, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Delegates have expressed strong will to reach the full potential of China-Africa economic partnership, as the second China-Africa Investment Forum (CAIF) closed on Tuesday in the Moroccan city of Marrakech. This commitment was made during the second CAIF, which gathered some 500 high-level Chinese and African business leaders, and came to facilitate business meetings between the main stakeholders of trade and investment of China and African countries. It dedicated lectures and debates to the financial implications for African economies of the new Silk Road and how to capitalize on this new dynamic aimed at making the continent a true industrial platform. Alongside the conferences, practical workshops provided insights and keys to understanding Chinese and African economic policies and operational environments. "The hosting of this large event is part of a proactive and strategic approach carried out at the highest level of the Moroccan state. It aims to endorse South-South cooperation and realize the full potential of the Morocco-China-Africa partnership," Hafid Elalamy, minister of Industry, Trade, Investment and the Digital Economy of Morocco said during the event. The event discussed means to stepping up investment, encouraging partnerships in new growth-enhancing sectors, fostering co-production and local industrial sourcing, identifying common interests between China's investment strategies and Africa's economic priorities, and creating the financial and legal framework that will promote trade and industrial success. It has taken China less than 20 years to become Africa's main economic partner. With over 10,000 companies active on the continent, the value of its trade with Africa reaches 190 billion U.S. dollars in 2016. It now exceeds that of India, France and the United States combined. Nevertheless, there is still considerable potential for growth in the China-Africa economic partnership. According to McKinsey, revenues generated in Africa by Chinese companies could increase by 144 percent by 2025. North Korea launched what appears to be an intercontinental ballistic missile early Wednesday morning, reaching a higher altitude than previous tests and suggesting one of the longest ranges in the country's arsenal. The missile took flight at around 3:17 a.m. from the vicinity of the city of Pyongsong, north of Pyongyang, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported, citing sources at the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff. It flew for 53 minutes before landing roughly 250km off Japan's coast in the Sea of Japan, Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera told reporters in Tokyo early Wednesday morning. A preliminary analysis by the U.S. Department of Defense indicates the missile was likely an ICBM. President Donald Trump told reporters in Washington that the U.S. "will take care of" the situation. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson issued a statement condemning the launch. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters in Tokyo that "the international community must band together and fully implement sanctions" on North Korea to apply "maximum pressure" regardless of any provocation. The rocket traveled an estimated 960km from its point of origin and reached a maximum altitude of about 4,500km, according to Yonhap -- far higher than past North Korean launches. It appears to have been launched at a lofted trajectory, which sacrifices distance for height. When launched at a more typical angle, the missile could have a range of more than 10,000km, the news service said. Nov 29 (ANNnewsCH) - 29aa318aaaaaeaeaaaaeaYaaaacaaaa1caaEEZiZacscaYYiaaeaaaYaaaaaaaaaaaeaYaaaaaeaeaaacaaaa53aeeeaaYaaecaec250aaaaEEZaaeaaaYaZasaaaaaaa The Nigerian president, Muhammadu Buhari has promised Nigerians that the N18,000 minimum wage will go up. President Buhari inaugurated the Tripartite National Minimum Wage Committee, noting that the last minimum wage instrument had expired. He said the governments move was to ensure a fair and decent living wage for workers. Labour leaders were excited about the development. Buhari said: You are all aware that during the period following the increase in petrol pump price in May 2016, a technical committee was established to examine and make recommendations to government on the measures to be adopted to cushion the envisaged painful effects of the increase on workers and the Nigerian populace at large. During the deliberations of the technical committee, which comprised government and organised labour, the need for the review of the National Minimum Wage was highlighted and recommendation to set up a committee to look into the level of minimum wage was made accordingly. I am glad that the recommendation is being acted upon today and we can all acknowledge that this is in line with our democratic process. I wish to thank all those who participated in that exercise, he said. The President stressed that the scope of the membership of the committee showed that it is all encompassing. He hoped that the outcome of its deliberations would be generally acceptable. Buhari urged the members to consider the National Minimum Wage and all matters that are ancillary to it with thoroughness and concern not only for the welfare of the workforce but the effect on the economy. He said: The subject of a National Minimum Wage for the Federation is within the Exclusive Legislative List of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). Accordingly, we should aim to go above the basic Social Protection Floor for all Nigerian workers based on the ability of each tier of government to pay. I say this because minimum wage is the minimum amount of compensation an employee must receive for putting in his or her labour and, as such, should be anchored on social justice and equity. Governments decision after considering your final recommendation will be sent as an Executive Bill to the National Assembly for it to undergo appropriate legislative scrutiny before passage into law. As is evident by the membership of the committee, state governors and private sector employers are part of this process. This will ensure ease of implementation of a new Minimum Wage nationwide. I am hopeful that the principles of full consultation with Social Partners and their direct participation would be utilized by the Committee, bearing in mind the core provisions of the International Labour Organisation Minimum Wage Fixing Convention No. 131 and Minimum Wage Fixing Machinery Convention No.26 (ratified by Nigeria). Accordingly, conditions of genuine Social Dialogue should prevail in the spirit of Tripartism and Collective Bargaining Agreements. I, therefore, enjoin you all to collectively bargain in good faith, have mutual recognition for each other and always in a spirit of give and take. The Committee is expected to complete its deliberations and submit its report and recommendations as soon as possible to enable other requisite machinery to be set in motion for implementation of a new National Minimum Wage, Buhari said Former Head of Service of the Federation Ama Pepple, is to chair the committee The Federal Government team is led by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, who is deputy chairman. The chairman, National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission,Chief Richard Egbule, is secretary. Others in the federal government team are the minister, Budget and Planning, Udo Udo Udoma; Minister of Finance Kemi Adeosun; head of the Civil Service of the Federation Winifred Oyo-Ita ; permanent secretary, General Services Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr. Roy Ugo. A team from the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) includes Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (South West), Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha (Souh East), Gombe State Governor Hassan Dankwambo (North East), Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike (South South), Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong (North Central), and Kebbi State Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu (North West). The director-general of NGF, A. B. Okauru, will be an observer. On the trade unions side, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) president Ayuba Wabba leads a team that includes comrades Peters Adeyemi, Kiri Mohammed, Amechi Asugwuni, Peter Ozo-Eson . In the Trade Union Congress (TUC) team, led by its president, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama , are Sunday Olusoji Salako, Alade Bashir Lawa and Igwe Achese, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) president. On the employers side are the director-general, Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), Mr Olusegun Oshinowo, Mr Timothy Olawale (NECA), Mr. Chuma Nwankwo (NECA); Mr Olubunmi Adekoje, Director-General, Federation of Construction Industry (FOCI); Alhaji Ahmed Ladan Gobir, chairman, Kaduna East Branch, Manufacturers Association (MAN), Otunba Francis Oluwagbenro (MAN); Hajia Muheeba Dankaka, president, Kano Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and Prince Degun Agboade, president, Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) Ngige said: Today is a remarkable day because this is a journey we started in May 2016. In May 2016, the Federal Government of Nigeria decided to do appropriate pricing for petroleum products and because of that, the pump price of petroleum and kerosene and others had to take their real pricing. Coincidentally, some weeks before then, the Trade Union Congress and National Labour Congress (NLC) served the government a notice that the minimum wage would lapse in the next one month. They made a proposal to Mr. President on what they think will be the realistic national minimum wage. At the time the fuel price was increased, there was disquiet, resulting in industrial dispute between the labour unions on one side and the government on the other side. Those recommendations came to council and council approved them and set up a 30-man minimum wage committee. According to him, the minimum wage is aimed at removing the problem of what the International Labour Organisation (ILO) calls poverty pain. Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, who represented South Africa, has been crowned Miss Universe 2017. The runner-up was Miss Colombia, Laura Gonzalez, while the second runner-up was Miss Jamaica, Davina Bennett. Nel-Peters who is 22 years old recently earned her degree in business management at North-West University. She helped develop a program to train women in self-defence in various situations after she was robbed at gunpoint a month after she was crowned as Miss South Africa. 92 women from around the world participated in the decades-old competition. This years edition had the most contestants ever, including the first representatives in its history of Cambodia, Laos and Nepal. For the final five contestants, fans of the pageant submitted the questions they were asked during the competition. When asked to name the most important issue women face in the workplace, Nel-Peters said the lack of equal pay. In some places, women get paid 75 percent of what men earn for doing the same job, working the same hours, and I do not believe that is right, I think we should have equal work for equal pay for women all over the world. Soon after Sunday nights show began, the 16 semi-finalists; 4 from each continent; Africa & Asia, The Americas and Europe, then 4 wildcards making a total of 16. Africa & Asia Thailand, Sri Lanka, Ghana and South Africa, The Americas Colombia, USA, Brazil, and Canada Europe Spain, Croatia, Great Britain and Ireland Wild Card Venezuela, Jamaica, Philippines and China After which the Top 10 were named: Miss Jamaica Miss Brazil Miss Phillippines Miss Canada Miss Spain Miss Colombia Miss South Africa Miss Thailand Miss USA Miss Venezuela Top 5 Miss South Africa Miss Venezuela Miss Thailand Miss Colombia Miss Jamaica And finally Top 3 Miss South Africa Miss Jamaica Miss Colombia We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. The National Council of the ruling Party for Justice and Development rejected, by a majority of votes, the proposal to amend Articles 16 and 37 of the party statutes. A stinging defeat for the outgoing Secretary General, Abdelilah Benkirane, and those who have all bet on him, as he cannot therefore enter the race for a third term. The National Council, which held an extraordinary session in Sale, Rabats twin-city, over the weekend, voted against the amendment of articles 16 and 37 of the PJD statutes, crushing thus Benkiranes wish to continue sitting at the helm of the PJD as he is no longer eligible for a third term. The Moroccan papers and other media outlets have all commented on the outcome of the National Council extraordinary session that inflicted a bitter defeat to Benkirane, despite the important mobilization and communication campaign conducted for months by Benkirane himself and his allies. In his opening speech before the extraordinary session, the PJD secretary general acknowledged the existence of a crisis within the party and tried to reconcile the two opposing clans. But the party, he said, is major and vaccinated and makes decisions that arrange it independently, according to the mechanism of democracy. After the vote, Benkirane said, The King has dismissed me, the party has put an end to my responsibilities and I am quiet now, reported local paper Akhbar Al Yaoum in his Monday issue. Benkirane had led a coalition government from January 2012 to October 2016, date of the legislative elections. His party came first in these elections winning 125 seats. He was entrusted by King Mohammed VI to form a Government, but he failed in his task to lead negotiations with the other political parties to form a new cabinet. After a deadlock that lasted more than five months, the King dismissed him and designated Saad eddine El Othmani, another leader of the PJD, as new Head of the Government. Thanks to its steady efforts and continental leadership in promoting solar and wind energy, Morocco reaped the award of Best State Strategy in the field of renewable energies at the Africa Investment Forum recently held in Paris. The distinction was awarded ex-aequo to Cote dIvoire, in recognition of the efforts undertaken by the two African countries to promote the share of renewable energies in their overall electricity production. Africa Investments Forum & Awards is an event dedicated to investment opportunities in the African continent. It brings together a large number of European and African decision-makers, as well as eminent African government figures. Renewable energies are key to Moroccos 2016-2030 National Strategy for Sustainable Development adopted recently in consultation with all national stakeholders, including the government, the private sector and civil society. To achieve sustainable economic policy, Morocco banks on renewable energies as the bedrock to strike the sought balance between economic development and environmental protection. In this connection, the solar energy plan will help secure 52% of Moroccos energy needs by 2030. Morocco is a key player in the African-European dialogue in view of its advanced ties with the European Union and its increasing clout in Africa. Morocco will consequently be represented in the 5th African Union-European Union Summit, slated for November 29-30 in Abidjan, at the highest level by King Mohammed VI who is already in Cote dIvoire on a working and friendly visit. Prior to the AU-EU summit, Morocco put its full weight to gather support for its ECOWAS membership, an event that will build on the triumphal return of the Kingdom with an overwhelming majority to the African Union last year. The ECOWAS membership was the main issue discussed during talks between Moroccos foreign minister Nasser Bourita and Chairperson of the commission of the ECOWAS Marcel de Souza on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting preceding the 5th African Union-European Union Summit. The ministerial meeting was also a chance to hold bilateral talks with partner EU countries such as the Netherlands whose foreign minister Halbe Zijlstra discussed with Bourita a set of issues of common concern. Zijlstra told the press following the talks that Morocco is a key partner in Africa notably in the field of fighting illegal immigration. The North African Kingdom is a bridge between the two continents, he said. Bourita is leading a large Moroccan delegation to this ministerial meeting including Moroccos ambassador to the EU Council and the European Commission, Ahmed Reda Chami, Moroccos ambassador to Ethiopia and Djibouti and the Kingdoms representative to the African Union, Nezha Alaoui Mhammdi, and Director General of the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation (AMCI), Ambassador Mohamed Methqal. The 6th EU-Africa Business Forum held Monday in Abidjan, Cote dIvoire, host country of the 5th African Union-European Union Summit, focused on investing in job creation for youth. It also looked at the challenges and opportunities for investment in Africa along four strategic priorities of the EU-Africa cooperation, such as renewable energy, agribusiness, infrastructure and the digital economy, the aim being to provide solutions, particularly for the growing number of young and female entrepreneurs. The exchanges focused in particular on the means of associating the African business community with the financing destined to the socio-economic development of Africa. Fadel Agoumi, managing director of the Moroccan employers association, CGEM, which is participating in the event, said huge funding has been granted to Africa, but the manage-ment of these funds, which falls under the responsibility of the States, is still inadequate. These funds have not created enough jobs or added value, he told the Moroccan news agency MAP. Today, the European and African Unions have reached a turning point, the contract linking the two parties coming to an end in 2020, he said, noting that the challenge is to ensure that the African business community be more involved in the routing, granting and traceability of funding. The CGEM executive said a meeting was scheduled Tuesday between African employers to discuss, among other things, private-private relations within the framework of the Econom-ic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a bloc in which we must build win-win partnerships between private Af-rican operators. In his keynote speech at the forum, European Commission Vice-President Ansip insisted on the need to create decent and sustainable jobs for African youths and involve investors and the business community in the undertaking. This Business Forum will look at areas where the situation could be improved, not only how to create the best conditions for long-term private investment, but also how to support jobs for young people especially women, he noted. He advocated, in this vein, connecting and developing business partnerships: locally, regionally and beyond; going digital as far as possible; and developing the right skills, matching them with market needs. There is a long list of how the private sector can help, he said, mentioning, among others, more access to finance, improving financial and business advisory services, vocational training, and mentorship. By 2035, according to the IMF, sub-Saharan Africa will have more working-age people than the rest of the worlds regions combined. Such a rapid rate of growth should be encouraging for the region, he pointed out. The 6th EU-Africa Business Forum concluded a series of business-related events held in Africa and Europe in the course of 2017 in preparation to the 5th African Union-European Union Summit. The restive Algerian southern town of Ouargla has been rocked by violent clashes between protesters who accuse the government of rigging local elections and security forces who fired tear gas. The protesters have been taking to the streets for three days since the announcement of the preliminary results of the local election on November 23. Security forces resorted to firing tear gas and warning shots in the air to disperse protesters in manifestations that left at least three injured, including a citizen with risk of losing sight after being hit in the face with a tear gas. The protesters call for a probe into the vote rigging involving the authorities leading to the victory of the ruling-partys (FLN) candidate to the detriment of his contender from the PNSD party. The recent violence in Ouargla brings to memory the unrest that shook the city in 2013 after its youth staged protests against the widespread unemployment in a region that has been neglected for decades by the central authorities. The peaceful unemployment protests in the southern towns of Laghouat and Ouargla were met with arrests and intimidation in 2013. The recent manifestations against vote fraud in the south adds to the discontent of Algerias southern population whose main cities were marred by violent confrontations. The coincidence of unrest at In Salah, Ouargla and Ghardaia, demonstrates frustration with a centralized regime as well as the ambition of the locals for more inclusion and voice in the state. Fueling the protest movements in Ouargla and In Salah are demands for greater benefits from the extraction of natural resources as well as environmental concerns on the backdrop of Algerias intent to invest in shale gas. French President, Emmanuel Macron, praised King Mohammed VI for his eminent role in promoting the values of moderation and fighting religious extremism. Speaking at an event attended by 800 students in the University of Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso, the French President paid tribute to Moroccos religious model spearheaded by King Mohammed VI. He said Morocco offers a model in how to counter religious extremism and destructive ideas, sugarcoated in a religious rhetoric. Promoting the values of tolerance, moderation and justice preached by Islam has been a bedrock in Moroccos counter-extremism strategy. Last June, Morocco launched the Mohammed VI Foundation for African Ulemas, an academic institution based in Fez that aims at uniting the efforts of Muslim scholars to promote tolerant Islam and counter extremism and radicalization on the continent. The new institution is also part of Moroccos religious training programs which gained momentum with the launch in March 2015 of the leading Mohammed VI Institute for the Training of Imams in Rabat, providing training to hundreds of Imams from Africa and beyond. Located in Rabat, the institute has been offering training to Imams and preachers from different African countries such as Mali, Cote dIvoire, Nigeria, Chad as well as European countries, including France. Some 50 Frenchman out of a total of 1195 students are currently receiving training on the genuine precepts of Islam. Doug Jones. Photo: Doug Jones for Senate Democrats have seen this movie before: An illiberal demagogue with enough baggage to fill the cargo hold of an Airbus A380 wins a Republican primary, much to the chagrin of GOP pooh-bahs; suffers a world-historic sex (crimes) scandal weeks before Election Day; is loudly disowned by many in his party; plunges in the polls; and then, after Republican voters have a couple of weeks to rationalize/forget the allegations against their standard-bearer, starts creeping back into contention. On November 16, a Change Research survey put Democrat Doug Jones ahead of Roy Moore 46 to 43 percent, in Alabamas special Senate election. Twelve days later, that pollster now has Moore up 49 to 44 with just 9 percent of Trump voters in Alabama saying that they believe that the Republican candidate actually preyed on teenage girls, despite dozens of accounts to the contrary (Moore, himself, has tacitly admitted to dating teenage girls when he was in his early 30s, and wrote in his memoir that he first took notice of his wife when, as a 29-year-old, he attended her junior-high dance recital). Jones has led Moore in three of the last five polls taken of the race, and tied him in another. Whats more, Jones has been gaining ground in Emerson Colleges survey, even as that pollster has consistently found Moore in the lead. Much of the discrepancy between different polls is a product of their turnout models there isnt a whole lot of precedent for a special election held on December 12, in a deep red state, at a time when an unpopular GOP president is in the Oval Office, and the Republican candidate is an alleged, serial sexual predator. Nonetheless, the trend in Change Researchs polling should give Democrats an unpleasant sense of deja vu. Still, liberals can take solace in one distinction between Donald Trumps grab-em-by-the-pussy saga and Roy Moores scandal: The GOP didnt cut off funding to Trumps campaign following the former. Being an alleged molester of 14-year-old girls might not be enough to cost Moore a Senate election in Alabama but being one whose campaign is dirt poor just might. Right now, Jones is outspending Moore roughly seven to one on television ads. As Politico reports: The imbalance is stunning, with just two weeks to go in the campaign: Jones has aired more than 10,000 spots on broadcast TV in Alabama since the primaries, while Moore, the embattled GOP candidate, has run just over 1,000, according to figures compiled by Advertising AnalyticsFueled by millions of online dollars pouring in to defeat Moore, Jones campaign has flooded the airwaves with over $5.6 million of TV ads overall during in the general election campaign. Moore has answered with about $800,000 in ad spending[.] Jones has used his considerable ad budget to inform moderate Republicans in Alabama that hes a pragmatic problem-solver, willing to reach across the aisle to get things done who just so happens to have never been accused of raping teenagers. The Democrat also highlighted the fact that Ivanka Trump and Jeff Sessions said that they had no reason to doubt Moores accusers. In his latest ad, Jones reminds voters that before Moore was accused of being a sex criminal, he was a far-right theocrat whod already alienated a wide swath of GOP voters in Alabama. Roy Moore compares preschool and early childhood education to Nazi indoctrination, Jones says in his new 30-second spot. Folks, were 49th in education because of thinking like that. Its conceivable that Roy Moore has actually benefited from the overwhelming focus on his sexual-assault allegations, as opposed to his policy ideas the vast majority of which are deeply unpopular, even among Republican voters. Moore wants to abolish the progressive income tax, and replace it with a flat tax on goods and services purchased. In other words, the populist insurgent wants to pass an enormous tax cut on the rich, financed by radically increasing the cost of groceries, gas, and appliances for ordinary Americans. He also wants to fully repeal Obamacare, slash federal health spending more generally, and entrust the health care of the poor and working class to churches and charitable organizations. Even on abortion, Moore is out of step with mainstream Republican opinion: The former judge has ruled that the moment a zygote is conceived, it enjoys full rights as a legal person. This doctrine prohibits abortion in all circumstances even when the woman is the victim of rape or incest, or stands a high risk of dying in childbirth. It also likely requires banning in-vitro fertilization clinics and many forms of contraception. Republicans cant win elections on white evangelical zealots alone, and virtually no one else supports fetal personhood heck, even Mississippi voted it down in a referendum. So, Jones has a lot of material and money to work with. Together, that might just be enough to prevent an Access Hollywoodtape redux. On the other hand, while Moore may lack a competitive ad budget, he does have the nations most-watched cable network airing daily infomercials for his campaign and the most-talked-about man in the world tacitly endorsing his candidacy. Oh, and in the fall of 2016, Hillary Clinton was outspending Donald Trump on television ads by a margin of seven to one. James Lankford. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call,Inc. Republicans are ideologically committed to slashing taxes on the wealthy and corporations. And theyre politically prohibited from raising taxes on most middle-class families, cutting defense spending, or reducing entitlement benefits. In practice, this means that radically increasing the national debt is a core pillar of the GOPs economic agenda. Of course, Republicans spent the past decade claiming the very opposite. So, to reconcile their Obama-era rhetoric and Trump-era tax bill, GOP leaders have been forced to claim that their tax cuts will actually pay for themselves by generating higher growth. This premise is absurd: While growth effects could (mildly) ameliorate the bills deficit impact, they couldnt possibly close a $1.5 trillion revenue gap. Most of the partys erstwhile deficit hawks are willing to pretend otherwise. But, at least for the moment, some arent. Oklahoma senator James Lankford is one. As Bloombergs Sahil Kapur reports: Sen. James Lankford says he's concerned the tax cuts won't yield the promised growth and wants a "backstop" built in if revenues plunge. Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) November 27, 2017 Very interesting: Lankford floats a trigger in which tax rates could rise if revenues crash. He declines to say if he'd support bill as written, describing it as "in flux." Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) November 27, 2017 If the GOP leadership believed their own rhetoric, then theyd welcome Lankfords proposal. After all, so long as the bill did what Republicans claim it would, the Oklahoma senators amendment would be moot. The trouble is, the GOP leadership and their corporate benefactors dont actually drink their own supply-side Kool-Aid. Lankford has, essentially, called his partys bluff. Now, in reality, the senators proposal is insane. Eventually, the American economy is going to slip back into recession. When that happens, revenues will fall and, if Lankford gets his way, taxes will soar. At that point, Congress would either override Lankfords amendment, or allow it to plunge the country into an even deeper recession (the last thing you want to do when your economy is suffering from a dearth of consumer spending is take money out of peoples pockets). But Mitch McConnell cant make this point: If you acknowledge that recessions remain an inevitable part of capitalism and that during downturns, governments must run large deficits to stimulate the economy then it becomes even harder to justify passing large tax cuts in the middle of an expansion. The Trump tax cuts are never going to be fiscally responsible. The only question is whether Lankford and his fellow GOP deficit hawks will insist on being so, themselves. Before things went off the rails. Photo: WhiteHouse.gov Standing in front of a portrait of Indian Removal Act architect Andrew Jackson at an event commemorating the achievements of World War II Native American code talkers, President Trump uncorked this gem to his captive audience of nonagenarians: You were here long before any of us were here. Although we have a representative in Congress who they say was here a long time ago. They call her Pocahontas. Pocahontas is Trumps preferred slur for Senator Elizabeth Warren. During her academic career, the Massachusetts lawmaker listed herself as a minority in a law school directory, and was touted as a Native American faculty member at Harvard, revelations that caused controversy during her 2012 senate campaign. Trumps joke landed in dead silence, according to a White House press pool report. One can only imagine that it was accompanied by some silent internal questioning among the code talkers of why the hell they bothered back in the 40s. Senator Warren responded on MSNBC: It is deeply unfortunate that the president of the United States cannot even make it though a ceremony honoring these heroes without having to throw out a racial slur. At the White House press briefing, Sarah Huckabee Sanders said it was ridiculous for the media to call Trumps comments a racial slur. I think what most people find offensive is Senator Warren lying about her heritage to advance her career, she said. John Norwood, general secretary of the Alliance of Colonial Era Tribes, said Trumps nickname for Warren smacks of racism, and that the president should stop using our historical people of significance as a racial slur against one of his opponents. Photo-Illustration: Select All; Photos: Getty Images Companies arent always good at dealing with the torrents of anger frequently unleashed by social media. What risk-averse executives and social-media managers often fail to realize is that the subset of people who use social media do not represent the broader world, and further, that the subset of people who get extremely mad on social media dont even represent the subset of people who use social media. A small group of extremely angry people people who may or may not even be actual customers of a given company can easily flood that companys social-media outposts with white-hot anger that feels like it represents something bigger and broader and more threatening to the companys interests than it actually is. The classic example of this delta between social-media and IRL anger is Gamergate, during which a group of particularly resentful gamers realized that it was possible, through social-media savvy, to manipulate companies into thinking they represented a seething mass of furious consumers, rather than a relatively small group concerned with very niche issues. Thanks to an aggressive social-media campaign (plus direct contact with the company), Gamergaters got Intel to pull its ads from a game-developer website called Gamasutra over an infamous-to-angry-Gamergaters article by Leigh Alexander claiming that gamers are over; a few weeks later, the group repeated the same stunt with a variety of advertisers on the now-defunct gossip website Gawker after a Gawker staffer made a jokey tweet about how society should bring back bullying to deal with Gamergaters. Intel and other major advertisers either didnt realize the truth about Gamergates actual size and scope, or chose to ignore it it was easier to give into the very angry online mob. This dilemma when can online anger be safely ignored or shunted aside, and when does it need to be engaged with? is a tricky one for companies, and an interesting article in the New York Times emphasizes the extent to which online and offline sentiments about a given company, or a given companys latest move, are often wildly divergent. The article runs down a new study conducted by Engagement Labs, a Canadian company that analyzes conversations around brands, which, in examining 170 of them, found that companies often wrongly saw social media as an accurate and sufficient guide for tracking consumer sentiment. Often, though, that social conversation might be much different from what people are saying in private conversations with friends and family, the study said. It basically all boils down to some basic facts about the psychology of social-media participation: The danger is you can make some pretty big mistakes if you assume the conversations happening online are also happening offline, said Brad Fay, chief research officer at Engagement Labs and a co-author of the study. Very often, theyre heading in different directions. The most negative and most outrageous comments often get the most traction on social media. And sometimes, people post comments about a topic just to get a reaction or to reflect an image or appear cool to their social media followers, when their actual views may be the opposite. The article cites multiple examples of instances when companies, bludgeoned by online anger, felt like they were facing a genuine consumer revolt, only to zoom out a bit and find out that they, well, werent. When Donald Trump blasted Nordstrom after it dropped Ivankas clothing line (a totally normal thing for a sitting president to do, of course), for example, it unleashed a fierce online firestorm, but didnt translate, as far as Nordstrom can tell, to any lasting damage to the brand. And when the mattress company Nectar underestimated initial demand for its product, leading to long wait times, it led to a great deal of highly visible online anger but when the CEO reached out to customers through online and phone surveys, he discovered they had no interest in canceling their orders. The more candid he was about the inventory debacle and shipping delays, the more customers seemed to respond. Online attempts to hit back at Chick-fil-A over its chief executives anti-gay-marriage stance were similarly ineffectual. Were all in something of an adolescence when it comes to social media. In a lot of areas, people dont know what to make of certain online conversations simply because so many standard conversational norms and rules and guardrails have been upended (20 years ago, it was much harder to bombard someone with death threats knowing that there was almost zero chance of being held accountable for it). So sometimes they respond similarly to how they would were the conversation in question taking place offline traditionally, if a company got what felt like a flood of complaints, it probably meant something meaningful, because the cost of communicating with a company was higher. Today, I could send 100 angry tweets to a 100 companies in the next hour if I wanted. Whats the answer? Online anger should be seen as a wake-up call, a warning that something is afoot and there is a negative force there, according to Elissa Moses, the chief executive of neuroscience and behavioral science for Ipsos, as shes quoted in the Times article. After that, it requires some actual digging to figure out if offline people normal people feel the same way. If they do, then the company in question might have a legitimate problem on their hands. Oftentimes, though, its likely that even as a conflagration is engulfing a companys social-media presence, offline there will be nothing but the usual chatter. There was drama at Uganda Technical College Lira on Monday when students arrested their principal, Nathan Buchan Talwana and handed him over to Lira central police station for alleged corruption and nepotism. They accuse the principal of dismissing some staff and recruiting his relatives and friends. They also accuse the college governing council and government of failing to take appropriate action on their complaints raised against the principal for maladministration. Enraged by the persistent complaints, more than 500 students picked up the principal from his office and marched him through Lira town up to Lira Central police station on Monday evening. They carried placards denouncing the principal. ''We don't want Talwana here," read one of the placards. "Free UTC Lira; Talwana must go,'' read another. Police fired teargas and live bullets to try and disperse the angry students in vain. The students insisted on handing over the principal to police before they retreated to the college to evict Talwana's family. However, they found a team of police officers strategically deployed around the principal's home to stop the students from evicting his family. Earlier on, police arrested Andrew Odora, the chairperson of Lango Student's Association (LASA) accusing him of mastermind the arrest of the principal but released him. Odora blames the school governing council for ignoring plea pleas by students and tutors to transfer the principal. "We are saying enough is enough, he must go, the principal has to leave," Odora said. According to Odora, students pay huge sums of money in tuition and development fees, but receive inadequate services. He warns that unless something is done, they will be left with no action but act on their own as students. Nurses under their umbrella body, Uganda Nurses and Midwives Union (UNMU) are demanding for a 400 percent salary increment and allowances totalling to Shs 9 million each. The nurses are threatening to lay down their tools if their request is not met within the next seven days. The Union, an independent entity working to safeguard the professional, social and organizational interests of nurses and midwives fronted the demand through a letter to the permanent secretary Ministry of Public Service. The letter is copied to the Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng and Finance Minister Matia Kasaija. Nurses and doctors at a recent meeting at Mulago hospital Paul Henry Bukenya, the union's secretary general says that the 400 percent increment will raise the salary of the lowest paid nurse to Shs 2.5 million. He says that the Shs 9 million allowance will cover the cost of housing, risk, medical, responsibility, transport, transfer, leave, funeral and overtime for each member. "The members noted that salaries for nurses and midwives be increased by 400 percent effective with the lowest cadre in nursing earning 2,500,000," the letter signed by Bukenya reads. He says the position to lay down tools was agreed upon in a consultative meeting held on November 23. "The members, therefore, demanded that government gives its position about increment of nurses and midwives salaries and the implementation of the new schemes of services for nurses and midwifery within seven days. Failure for the government to comply, the nurses and midwives will lay down their tools by December 5, 2017," the letter further says. Bukenya says the salaries of nurses and midwives are inadequate to meet their basic needs such as accommodation, food, transport, medical fee and also their support families. He further notes that government recently pledged to increase salaries of doctors but "nothing was mentioned about nurses and midwives." Medical doctors called off their strike a fortnight ago after the government promised to pay a starting doctors Shs 5 million effective next financial year. The nurses condemned and distanced themselves from doctors' strike. The National Organisation of Trade Unions (NOTU) together with Uganda Medical Workers Union, and Uganda Nurses and Midwives Union sued medical doctors for calling an illegal strike. The nurses' unions later pulled out of the case saying they had not been consulted by NOTU. According to the Ministry of Public Service salary scale releases early this year, nurses classified from salary scale U7 to U4 earn between Uganda Shs 400,000 and Shs 700,000. Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta was sworn-in for his second and final term following a divisive election campaign that included the country's top court throwing out the results of one vote and an opposition boycott. A crowd of 60,000 people packed Nairobi's Kasarani stadium for the ceremony. Before it began, police fired tear gas to try to control the large crowd gathered outside as people attempted to force their way into the venue. Opposition supporters scamper for safety after police fired teargas as they tried to force their way into Kasarani stadium At the same time, police also used tear gas in another part of the capital where supporters of opposition candidate Raila Odinga planned to hold a memorial rally to honor those killed in confrontations with security forces during the election period. Kenyatta initially won an August election, but the Supreme Court threw out the results because of irregularities in the transmission of results. Odinga dropped out of the re-run of the vote held in August and called on his supporters to boycott what he said was a sham election. Kenyatta won about 98 percent of the new vote, and last week the Supreme court validated those results. The re-run was largely boycotted by Kenyans with only 38.84 percent of the registered voters turning up to cast their ballot (7.6 million of the 19.6 million registered voters). Kenyatta said this term has two principal objectives, to strengthen ties that bind Kenyans and that he is reaching out all nationals at every level of society for them to learn to agree to disagree and move forward as a nation. Uhuru Kenyatta takes oath as President of Kenya His second objective, he said over the next five years, is to offer 100% universal healthcare coverage to all households in Kenya. He said this was borne out of interactions from his previous term and observations during campaigns. Tanzania President John Pombe Magufuli was the only East African president not to attend Kenyatta's inauguration with Uganda President Yoweri Museveni, Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Salva Kiir of South Sudan, Edgar Lungu of Zambia, Ian Khama of Botswana among others. Kenyatta full speech Your Excellency Hon.Mwai Kibaki, C.G.H., M.P.; Your Excellency Daniel arap Moi; Your Excellencies, Visiting Heads of State & Government; Chief Justice Willy Mutunga; o All our Invited Guests; o Fellow Kenyans, Fellow Kenyans, Today is yet another historic day for our great motherland. First and foremost, our gratitude is to our Almighty God. The Prophet Isaiah proclaimed: When you pass through the waters, I shall be with you. When you pass through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you. When you walk through fire, the flames will not consume you. Our God is faithful. He heard our voices when we cried out to Him. He listened, and answered our prayers. He has brought us thus far, and He will take us even further. This is the testimony of our country today; and for this we thank Him. President Museveni (R) chats with Rwanda President Paul Kagame Fellow Kenyans, Let us at this point welcome all our friends and partners, from our region and beyond, who have spared their invaluable time to come and celebrate with us. We say to them, Asanteni sana, na Karibuni Kenya! You, the Kenyan voter, have been the most important player in the election. Everyone who voted played a role in strengthening our democracy: indeed, todays celebration is yours. I say: Asanteni sana. You will all agree with me: the task of managing multiple elections is not a simple business. For this reason, I wish to thank the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for managing that process under immense pressure. Our Judiciary particularly the Supreme Court adjudicated our electoral petitions with independence. Let me also thank my friend and Brother, Deputy President William Ruto. Your energy, humour and optimism lifted our campaign every day. I also wish to thank Mrs. Rachel Ruto. You have been the spiritual and prayerful bedrock of our two families; and the Kenyan nation. Thank you, Rachel. To my dear wife Margaret: you have been my pillar of strength; your passion to uplift the well-being of every Kenyan inspires me, as it inspires millions of Kenyans. I thank you, Margaret. Fellow Kenyans, You took the time to listen to the different points of view, and to the leaders who asked for your vote. We may have chosen different candidates, and different visions, but each of us voted for a better life. I too listened carefully to my competitors, and, in the spirit of inclusivity, I will endeavour to incorporate some of their ideas. This is because the election was not a contest between a good dream and a bad dream; it was a contest between two competing visions. I believe that those who voted for me chose the better vision. This, however, does not invalidate the aspirations of those who did not vote for me. I undertake to be the custodian of the dreams of all, and to be the keeper of the aspirations of those who voted for me and those who did not. I will be the President of all. And I will devote my time and energy to build bridges to unite and bring prosperity to all Kenyans. To all our elected leaders, accept my congratulations. You won the confidence of Kenyas voters some of the most discerning anywhere in the world. Today, I ask every leader to join me in serving Kenyans without regard to political affiliation or choice every Kenyan deserves our full attention. The election we have just concluded is probably one of the longest ever held in our continents history. Today is the 123rd day since we began, on August 8th. Todays inauguration, therefore, marks the end of our electoral process. The elections are now firmly behind us. My Fellow Kenyans, It has been a trying time, but once again Kenyans have shown their resilience in calming the passions that accompany political competition. Strength comes from being tested, and Kenyans have been tested as a people since before our independence. The struggle for freedom was long and hard. But we overcame. After independence, our nationhood was once again tested by Shifta separatism. But we overcame. In 1982, Kenya was once again tested by an attempt to overthrow a constitutionally elected government. But we overcame. In 2007, we faced what is probably the greatest political crisis in our countrys history. But we overcame. Not only did we overcome, but, as a people, we gifted ourselves, seven years ago, one of the most progressive constitutions in the world. This is our character: a people who come together in the toughest of times to forge ahead, confident that tomorrow will be better. And that is why Kenya stands tall in the community of nations. This is something we should all be proud of. Fellow Kenyans, The path to a better future is unity. I believe that we can build a nation in which we live in peace with our brothers and sisters whatever part of the country they come from, whichever way we worship God, whatever language we speak. Instead of division, I know that we can build a Kenya which prospers by rewarding hard work, and leaving no one behind. Brothers and sisters: as I see it, you and I together can build a Kenya, which all of us are proud to call home. But, as every Kenyan knows, few good things come for free. There are two significant things that I believe we must address ourselves to, if we are going to build a united, stable, and prosperous Kenya for all. The first one is to muster the courage to embrace the future by freeing ourselves from the baggage of past grievances. The second is to keep to the rule of law. Fellow Kenyans, However serious our grievances, the law must reign supreme. The law should be the refuge for every Kenyan. None of us should break outside the law, or constitutional order, whatever our grievances or protestations. For those in doubt let me remind you. When a foreign court, the ICC demanded compliance of us, despite our serious misgivings about the process, we complied. When the Supreme Court ruled to invalidate our election, despite our having won, and being told that processes mattered more than your votes, we complied. This Administration has demonstrated by its actions, its readiness to live and lead by the rule of law. By extension, we expect nothing less from each and every citizen. In the Constitution, we acknowledge the supremacy of the Almighty God of all creation; we swear to respect our ethnic, cultural and religious diversity; and we have resolved to live in peace and unity as one indivisible sovereign nation. That is the Constitution and the laws of Kenya that today we have sworn to protect and defend. Our Constitution has created three independent, but interdependent, arms of Government. In its spirit and letter, the Constitution has spelled out the functions of each of these arms. And there are no overlaps, and no ambiguities, in the execution of these roles. There are no grey areas. What is true of each arm of government is true also of the two levels of government. As President, I will play my role as constitutionally defined. I expect other arms of government to do the same. Ni lazima kila mtu afanye kazi yake kulingana na katiba. This way, together, we will deliver our promise to the people of Kenya. Prime minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu inspects a guard of honour on arrival in Nairobi for Uhuru's inauguration Ladies and Gentlemen, Human desires know no natural limit. Left unmoderated by faith or law, they can destroy a nation. To live together in peace and prosperity, a people must agree on a common set of rules. Kenya is a community of more than 40 million people, all with their own views and beliefs. We have lived together in peace since independence, proof that even when we disagree, we know how to live under a single set of rules. The greatest challenges to our peace and security have come when we have deviated from these rules. In the last four months we have tested the rules and institutions we established for ourselves. It has not been easy. The IEBC, the courts, our security agencies all our institutions have been stretched, some almost to breaking point, by the cut and thrust of politics. But they have held. When our institutions work properly, all our expectations are delivered, some in our favour, and some against. But that is democracy and the rule of law. We have learnt that our institutions are far more resilient than we might have thought. They needed to be tested for us to discover their strengths and weaknesses. Today, we are a people who can tell the world that we live under a robust constitutional order; and that our constitution is no piece of paper, but rather the living expression of our desire to live under the rule of law. In our pursuit of perfection in our institutions, there is always room for improvement. But we should not destroy our institutions every time they do not deliver the individual outcomes we want. Even if the rule of law does not immediately solve all our problems, its progressive application remains our guaranteed protection. Fellow Kenyans, When I reflect on the last four years, there are a number of things I am proud of. And four of these stand out. Firstly, I am proud that we have entrenched devolution. We have built a Kenya where every county is the centre of the nation; where every county is a centre of economic development. Through devolution, we have delivered government to the people. Secondly, we have built a firm foundation for economic takeoff. Our aggressive reforms to our business environment have made us the fastest-improving business environment anywhere in the world. In three years, we have risen 56 places in the World Banks Ease of Doing Business Index, from 136th to 80th. And we have the new businesses to show for it. We have also embarked on building an entirely new world-class railway system; and thousands of kilometres of access roads to connect producers to markets. We have ensured our children can now study at night, because we have connected thousands of schools and millions of homes to electricity. What does this mean? It means that since June of this year, more than 500,000 Kenyans have travelled the Mombasa-Nairobi route cheaper, faster, and safer than ever before. It means that the children of Kathigiri Primary School a public primary school in Meru had a mean score of 404 this year, to claim sixth position nationwide. They have made the most of this opportunity, and will send many of their seventy-one exam candidates to national schools. Thirdly, we have made investments and reforms that have begun to transform healthcare delivery in Kenya. Through the free maternity programme, our mothers no longer see the delivery of our children as a life-threatening experience. Similarly, the expansion of public hospital infrastructure and the transformation of NHIF have improved access to quality healthcare for millions of Kenyans. Fourthly, we have reformed our education system. We have restored the credibility of our exams. We have made education the great equalizer by removing exam fees; by providing digital learning devices; and by reviving our technical and vocational training. Fellow Kenyans, Let me now define the road ahead. For the last 5 months, I have held over 700 campaign meetings across the entire length and breadth of our country. I have spoken and interacted directly with millions of Kenyans. As we engaged wananchi in small market centres from Kimende to Kimilili, from Bura to Bumala, from El Wak to Elburgon, from Witu to Wundanyi, we took on board their views, hopes and aspirations. Most resonated well with our agenda while some had proposals on issues they felt we should include in our agenda, in order to further positively impact their lives. When the dust settled after the August 8th election, it was abundantly clear that Kenyans had given the Jubilee Party and its affiliates an overwhelming mandate to execute its agenda. You gave us 62 percent of all governors; 61 percent of all Members of the National Assembly, including women representatives; 58 percent of the Senators; and 55 percent of the membership of the county assemblies, from every region of the country. I am greatly humbled by this. These numbers tell us that Kenyans know what they want. And we are determined to fulfill the Jubilee development agenda that they chose. And with such an overwhelming mandate, my Party and I can have no excuses. Fellow Kenyans, This is my second and final term as President. I have taken on board the aspirations of the people of Kenya to move forward, and as I have before, I will dedicate all my energies and that of my Administration towards achieving two principal objectives over the next 5 years. The first is to strengthen the ties that bind us as Kenyans at every level of our society. It is time for us to learn that it is fine for us to agree to disagree, while still strengthening our bonds of unity and nationhood. On my part, I have begun reaching out to all leaders, across the political divide, restating my commitment and expressing my willingness to work with them, to achieve this objective of nationhood. My second priority is borne out of all the interactions I have had during my first term and more so refreshed during the campaigns. Over the next 5 years, my Administration will target 100% Universal Healthcare coverage for all households. And let me explain what this means: you will recall Jackson Wamai, a 28 year old teacher from Muranga, diagnosed with kidney failure, who once had to travel two hours to and from Nairobi for dialysis; threatening his livelihood, today, it takes him twenty minutes to get to a dialysis session in Muranga, and his job is secure. Whats more: he doesnt have to pay for it; the NHIF covers it. But Jackson is only one of 6.8 million beneficiaries of NHIF medical cover. Within five years, my Administration will ensure that 13 million Kenyans and their dependents are beneficiaries of this scheme. This vision will be driven by a complete reconfiguration of the National Hospital Insurance Fund and reform of the laws governing private insurance companies. Furthermore, it is our intention to facilitate affordable housing; and a home ownership programme that will ensure every working family can afford a decent home. That is why, over the next 5 years, my Administration will create 500,000 new home owners. My Administration will focus on attracting from both public and private sources, the injection of patient, low-cost capital into the housing sector. Policy and administrative reforms which are targeted at lowering the cost of construction, and improving accessibility of affordable mortgages will be given first priority. Creating jobs and opportunities for our young population is also a top priority. In this regard, we will target manufacturing. As you know our manufacturing sector is the primary vehicle for the creation of decent jobs. We will build on ongoing efforts, such as the VW and Peugeot motor-vehicle assembly plants; the fertilizer blending factories; and Wrigleys in the confectionery industry. Similarly, we will target the creation of 1,000 small and medium scale enterprises in agro-processing. Over my term, we will grow and sustain this manufacturing sector, and raise its share of the national cake from 9 to 15 percent. To achieve this leap, I have directed that with effect from 1st December 2017, the power tariffs charged to manufacturers will be reduced by 50 per cent between the hours of 10:00pm and 6:00am. This in line with our policy of a 24-hour economy. Further, my Administration will focus on developing the following sub-sectors: agro-processing, textiles and apparel, leather processing, construction materials, innovation and IT, mining and extractives. The underlying theme will be one of value addition, as well as value- and job-creation. Whether it is our vegetables, tea, coffee, oil or gemstones, our policies and actions as a government over the next 5 years will be to ensure that as much value, and as many jobs, as possible are created and retained in Kenya. We shall reach out to our key trading partners to work with us to achieve a win-win outcome that enables Kenyans to get the most out of their products. This will involve negotiations to open new international markets for our products, and to attract even more new investment. The recent prolonged drought has taught us some painful and expensive lessons. We must completely re-engineer our agricultural sector in order to be food secure. Never again should we allow the vagaries of weather to hold us hostage. Over the next 5 years we shall invest heavily in securing our water towers and river ecosystems to harvest and sustainably exploit the potential of our water resources. We shall take steps to address idle arable land ownership and utilization. We shall take steps to encourage and facilitate large scale commercial agriculture to help diversify our staples. We shall redesign subsidies to the sector to ensure they target improvements in food yields and production quality. We shall provide, together with other actors, key enablers within the farming process that will address distribution, wastage, storage and value-addition of agricultural commodities. Fellow Kenyans, These initiatives are achievable. However, I, more than anyone, know that they will not be attained without addressing the institutional failings of governance. I want to put the public service on notice; it is not going to be business as usual. I will not allow faceless bureaucrats and functionaries to deny the public the quality of service they deserve from their government. Secondly, we will engage with the Judiciary to address the protracted delays in our justice system, and the use of the courts to sabotage the delivery of government programmes. This has been at great expense to the Kenyan taxpayer. Thirdly, through Parliament we shall enact legislation to strengthen fiscal discipline and accountability at both the national and county levels. Every shilling of Kenyans tax payer money must be fully accounted for. Ladies and Gentlemen, No one eats politics. For the last fifty years, we have watched as the Asian economies have risen to wealth, while much of Africa has stagnated. The difference is that they used politics to create vibrant economies for their people. In our case, we have pursued politics as an end in itself, rather than as a means to economic prosperity. This must end. Ladies and Gentlemen, I want to thank Kenyas friends in the international community for standing with us. Kenya is a proud member of the community of nations, and we will always work hard to remain a force for good. We will continue to strengthen our economic ties and bilateral and multilateral relations. We have learned that in the fight against international terrorism, free and democratic nations are allies against a common enemy. We will continue to fight together, to share our knowledge, and to support our allies. As we have for half a century, we will work for peace in our region, for that is what a good neighbour does. For my fellow Africans, the free movement of people on our continent has always been a cornerstone of Pan-African brotherhood and fraternity. Today, I am directing that any African wishing to visit Kenya will be eligible to receive a visa at the port of entry. To underscore Kenyas commitment, this shall not be done on the basis of reciprocity. The freer we are to travel and live with one another, the more integrated and appreciative of our diversity, we will become. The political balkanization that risks our mutual security, the negative politics of identity, will recede as our brotherhood expands to embrace more Africans. Finally, to our Brothers and Sisters in the East African Community, you are our closest friends; our fate and yours are joined at the hip; our troubles and triumphs are yours, and yours are ours. I will work with you, my brothers, the leaders of the East African Community, to bring a renewed energy and optimism to our union. Together, we can deliver the peace and prosperity for which our citizens are crying out; divided, we will struggle to realise the full potential of our people. As a mark of our continued commitment to you, our Brothers and Sisters in the East African Community; from today, you will be treated like Kenyans. Like your Kenyan brothers and sisters, you will need only your identity card. You can now work, do business; own property, farm and if you wish, and find a willing partner, you can marry and settle in Kenya. And this commitment we make with no conditions for reciprocity but driven by our desire for deeper regional integration. As l welcome you l remind you that equally you shall be subject to the same rules and laws as your Kenyan brothers and sisters. Fellow citizens, I want to remind every Kenyan that God commands us to love and protect our neighbour, and that the safety and prosperity of our nation also depends on how you treat your neighbour. Your neighbour can be from any community, can worship differently from you, but it is they who will take you to hospital on a late night when an emergency strikes. They will run to your door in response to your cries of alarm. Your children will play with theirs, regardless of the differences adults can be so conscious of. I urge you all to be your brothers keeper. Every day, I will work to bring you closer to your dreams, and to unite our beloved country. This sacred task goes beyond the work of a President or any group of government officials. I call on all peace loving Kenyans to join me in this endeavour. My Fellow Kenyans, As l conclude let me celebrate our children. The greatest joy of my presidency has been my interaction with them. They have and remain my greatest strength and inspiration. They are a clean slate, on which we can write the future. In them, I see the promise of a nation on the rise; in them, I see the promise of a united nation, whose identity is not defined by ethnic markings. We shall overcome our ethnic barriers. And we shall do so by learning from our children. I see this promise in Goldalyn Kakuya, who is here today. She overcame her special needs to emerge top of the nation in her KCPE exams. And all of us together celebrated and loved her for her achievement. If Goldalyn overcame, so too will Kenya. Today I direct that, in line with our promise of free day secondary education, all candidates who sat their KCPE this year will know their Form One placement by Christmas this year. Fellow Kenyans, I ask you to make a pledge today. I ask you to reject pessimism and cynicism in your thought and talk about Kenya; instead, embrace the empowerment that comes from optimism and hope even when times are tough. Pledge that no matter what language you speak, that no matter what part of Kenya you come from you; that no matter your religion, and no matter your social status, you will be your brothers keeper. Pledge, to work as hard as you can to improve your productivity, and to ensure that your children grow up honest and productive Kenyans, and to grow your country to the best of your ability. Finally, brothers and sisters, I ask you to pledge to reject the politics of division, hate and violence, and instead take the higher, more sacred road, of working to build your community and our beloved country Kenya. God bless you, God bless Kenya, God bless Africa A Red Pepper editor who is among those currently on remand at Luzira prison will miss Makerere University end of first semester examinations that kicked off on Monday. Richard Kintu is among the seven Pepper Publications Limited directors and editors who were arrested last week when police raided their premises. Kintu, the deputy chief editor who has been working with The Red Pepper for nearly 10 years, is pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce course at Makerere University. He enrolled for the four-year programme this academic year. According to Makerere University examination rules, a student who misses examination must write to Academic Registrar with justifiable reasons. And when a student misses to sit examinations for justified reasons, the rules say grades obtained after sitting examination shall not be recorded as a retake because the candidate is sitting the examinations for the first attempt. Richard Kintu (2nd right) in court yesterday The five directors and three editors on Monday appeared before Buganda Road chief magistrate James Ereemye Mawanda. They were charged with seven counts including publication of information prejudicial to security, libel and offensive communication. They denied all the charges. Kintu was charged together chief editor Ben Byarabaha, Francis Tumusiime and company directors; Richard Tusiime , Arinaitwe Rugyendo, James Mujuni, Patrick Mugumya and Johnson Byarabaha. They were remanded to Luzira until Tuesday next week after Abdu Salaam Waiswa, the state prosecutor requested that he wanted time to respond to the bail application filed by the accused. Waiswa who was hired from Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) following the state prosecutors' strike, told court that he needed time to scrutinise documents presented by sureties. Waiswa's request came after the bail application by the accused's lawyer Maxim Mutabingwa. Mutabingwa told court that the charges read against his clients are bailable and that since the investigations are not complete, the trial may not kick off soon. He also told court that all the accused are directors or editors who stay in Kampala and are law-abiding citizens. Each of the accused had presented two sureties. I do not care about what has happened in Zimbabwe. The harm was already done and people groaned, wailed and went berserk. They did so from decades of colonial oppression to decades of Mugabe aggression. Anyhow, but unfortunately, kinsman consciousness and broken promises are central to a downtrodden Africans tragedy; the two haunt us, betray us, turn violence songsters into liberators clearly masking haughty monsters in seemingly humane kin and kith. Africa! We are silenced, chained, whipped, tortured, maimed, murdered or a whole generation annihilated in the name of the common good. If you are in doubt, visit Luweero in Uganda, tour Soweto of South Africa, or go to Matebele land is Zimbabwe. No sooner do we rejoice after a fall of a wicked emperor than the curtain unveils another cast and a similar or worse act unfolds. In the 1970s popular Drum magazine, a rather cynic contributor said: Africa has a curse. And so let me ask again: Is there hope in the nature of man? Who will save us lesser mortals from this selfishness? Wilson Bbosa, Kampala. Be a role model to your children As a parent, you are your childrens role model; they look up to you, they learn from you and want to be like you in future. Religiously, parents are said to be their childrens earthly God. Therefore, as parents, you should present yourselves in a way that you would like your children to be. Social scientists have shown that much of learning that occurs during childhood is acquired through observation and imitation. A local kinyankore proverb goes: Koyiba ohekyere, oba noyorekyerera owomu mugongo, loosely translated as for whatever you do in the presence of a child, you are training them to do the same. Children whose parents smoke are more likely to smoke; if parents abuse alcohol or drugs, their children are more likely to do the same. On the flip side, children also repeat positive behaviors they see in their parents. Parents, therefore, need to train their children in a way that will create a desirable next generation a generation of limited crimes, free of corruption, bribery, homosexuality and drug abuse, which are rampant of late. Even if you are not currently raising children, how others do it will affect you. Therefore, we all need to stand up against poor parenting. Some people have left the job of parenting to televisions and house helps since they hardly have time for their children, and this has led to the increased moral decay among children. Children have an obligation too. Dear children, honoring your parents is one of the highest callings and the greatest tasks faced in life. There are two great tasks in life to which most of us are called. The first is the bearing and raising children. The second is caring for our parents in their declining years. Dear children, take care of your parents in whatever way you can. There is not much one can do to pay back for a parents sacrifice and love; we can only do what we can and ask God to bless them for us. Elizabeth Kabibi, lkabibi16@gmail.com. Questions after Amuriat victory My son, Noah Mukhwana, is a delegate at Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), and participated in the foregoing delegates conference where Patrick Oboi Amuriat was elected president. Mukhwana was excited that someone from eastern Uganda was eventually a leader of a big party in Uganda and sought my counsel on the matter. FDC campaigns exposed the partys defiance doctrine that, to me, is counterproductive. What would happen in future when there is nothing to defy? Maj Gen Mugisha Muntu was decampaigned on the basis of being too gentlemanly to offer a challenge and pressure on what is referred to as a harsh regime of President Museveni. Interestingly, Gen Muntu was also accused of weakening FDC. Then this raises a few questions. What now happens to the peoples government and peoples president, Kizza Besigye, who had earlier claimed that the same Mugisha Muntu-led FDC won the 2016 general elections? Must we now conclude that the treason charge against Dr Besigye for conducting an unlawful swearing-in ceremony for himself is valid? Nabendeh Wamoto, 0703-038 510. Thank you Robert Mugabe! Dear Mugabe, bring on that longtime experience earned from generations of rule in Zimbabwe. Surely, we shall need it. After all, didnt one sage say that the longer one stays in power, the more experience they gain? Of course, some cynics laughed this off, thinking that such experience was not needed in heaven! But I strongly disagreed with them, arguing that sometimes God needs some counselling, especially on how to preside over worldly matters. But, nevertheless, I must state that you, Robert, have been a traitor to us all for having had to submit to step down from power at a time when the world needed you most. Imagine what is going to happen to all of us, especially without you at the helm? You tried that frail effort of pushing your wife to take over the mantle. But this boomeranged in your face. Surely, you should have thought better. She was too young for the task. It only required tested and proven men like you the revolutionaries of this world. This is why another sage discovered that, in fact, revolutionaries must not retire. And as usual, the world laughed and scoffed at him. Even though this sage is not here with us today, his words continue acting like roasted-dry meat to the world. This is why those who are intellectually smart have grabbed on them. They too, will not retire; even against all the constitutions of the world. Anyway, to hell with the worlds constitutions! Therefore, my friend Robert, you should rather consider withdrawing that withdrawal, if only for the good of humanity. Thank you. Barongo ba Kafuuzi Ateenyi, 0772858555. letters@observer.ug It seems the Modi government can't make up its mind on the matter of the final deadline for linking Aadhaar with sundry schemes and services. Yesterday, in a second U-turn in the course of one month, Attorney-General KK Venugopal, representing the Union Government, told the Supreme Court that the Centre was willing to extend the deadline for the linkage to March 31 next year. The current deadline for linking Aadhaar card with bank accounts, PAN, insurance policies, small savings schemes like PPF and NSC, mutual fund investments and social security schemes is December 31, 2017. And the deadline for Aadhaar-Mobile SIM linking is February 6 next year. Back on October 25, the centre had told the apex court that it was willing to extend the deadline for linking Aadhaar to various schemes to March 31, 2018, but only for those who were "willing to enrol for Aadhaar", not those who had already signed up. But at the next hearing just five days later, it had changed its stance, saying it was unwilling to extend the deadline. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court said it will set up a Constitution bench next week to hear a batch of petitions seeking stay on the government's push for mandatory Aadhaar linking. According to the Hindustan Times, a bench headed by the Chief Justice of India, Dipak Misra, said only a Constitution bench can pass any interim stay order. According to the court, the Constitution bench will take up the Aadhaar case once the on-going hearing in the Delhi-Centre dispute over administrative control of the national capital is over. Till then, expect to continue getting bombarded with alerts from various financial institutions and your mobile service provider reminding you about the looming Aadhaar linking deadlines. And the government can continue to think up new schemes/services that it can drag under the Aadhaar umbrella. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday cleared the air over the allegation of loan waiver to big NPA defaulters, indirectly attacking the previous UPA regime of relaxing norms for defaulted firms between 2008 and 2014. He said the present government had not waived off any loans of big NPA defaulters, and that "rumour mongers" should know that the previous government - rather than taking firm decision against debtors - had relaxed the loan classification norms to keep defaulters as non-NPA account holders. In a blog post on Tuesday, Jaitley said a rumour was being propagated about the waiver of loans of capitalists by banks. "They should also be asked that when these debtors delayed repayment of their loans and interest thereon to Public Sector Banks, what decision was taken by the then government," the finance minister asked, adding that rather than taking firm decision against debtors, the then government relaxed the loan classification norms. The finance minister also stressed the new Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code would help in addressing cases against such defaulters. "Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code was enacted, and by amending it, in respect of companies whose money was not returned to the banks, a decision was taken that the debtors concerned would not be allowed to participate in the business of such companies," he wrote. The Finance Minister said on the contrary, under the bankruptcy code, cases had been instituted for timebound recovery from 12 largest defaulters in six to nine months in NPA cases of Rs 1,75,000 crore. The government in 2015 had conducted the asset quality review (AQR) for clean and fully provisioned balance-sheets. The AQR revealed the loans of about Rs 4,54,466 crore, which were actually fit to be NPA, were recognised after intensive scrutiny under AQR, said the finance minister. It is the same time, he said, banks were given necessary capital so that Public Sector Banks could become strong and capable of contributing to the nation's development. "The reason for giving capital to banks is that these banks may become mazboot, i.e., strong, rather than mazboor, i.e., hard-pressed. Public Sector Banks have been provided capital in the past as well. During 2010-11 to 2013-14 too, the government provided banks an amount of Rs 44,000 crore for recapitalisation. Was that also for waiving loans of capitalists?" he said. Citing integration of the State Bank of India, Jaitley said that the government policies had not only addressed the problems earlier perceived as legacy but also boosted the strength of Public Sector Banks. He assured honest businesspersons would be able to access loans from strong and reformed banks, and the strict law and the government's clean-up policy would result in a transparent system. The Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code is likely to play an important role in addressing the non-performing assets (NPA) of the banking sector. The banking sector is facing issues due to the bad loans on its books, which have created a risk of capital erosion. NPAs have also constrained the banks' ability to lend. Credit is an important ingredient of economic growth and the lack of credit could lead to economic contraction. It's not just public sector banks that are staring a mountain of NPAs - private sector banks are also taking a hit. The year 2017 has seen its fair share of flagships and it's time to gear-up for all major launches of 2018. Every year, Samsung is one of the first companies to reveal their flagship.The Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ will be the company's next big addition to Samsung's premium segment. Looking at the images, Samsung seems to be making it an incremental update with a similar design and a few additions. There have been various leaks regarding the device that have painted quite the picture of the device. Considering that most of these leaks have only started reaching us since a few days, the launch might be imminent. The Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ is expected to launch early next year. According to popular tipster, @evleaks, Samsung will be showcasing the new Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) next year. The event is scheduled for the second week of January. Unlike the usual launch in March or late February, Samsung might reveal the devices during the CES event and will later start selling them in March. The Samsung Galaxy S9 will come with a screen to body ratio of 90 per cent. If the reports are believed to be true, this new update will take Samsung's new device to almost bezel-less propotions, similar to Xiaomi's Mi Mix 2 and Essential Phone, suggests a recent report by SamMobile. The new Samsung Galaxy will have an almost non-existent bottom bezel and an extremely narrow top bezel, housing all the sensors. Samsung's Galaxy S9 has also been leaked in a render which looks like an image meant to demonstrate a back-cover. The images leaked by BGR, shows a front frame identical to the Galaxy S8 but the cut outs on the back reveal an new device. Though the device is mostly covered on the sides, it does reveal a few major changes in comparison to the Galaxy S8. The device will now feature a dual-lens camera. However, unlike the Note 8, these modules will be placed in a vertical formation. The flash is place below the two sensors and the finger print will be housed in a small rectangle under the flash. The image shows various sensors on the top of the screen. We're still unsure if these sensors also accommodate a dual-lens camera along with the standard set of sensors. It also seems the Bixby button will make comeback on the Samsung Galaxy S9. The overall design of the Samsung Galaxy S9 is not radically different and looks similar to the previous iteration. The pictured device, Galaxy S9+ might be the only one of the two to get a dual-lens setup. The standard Galaxy S9 is expected to feature a single lens setup. The Galaxy S9, codenamed SM-G960 is estimated to sport a 5.8-inch screen whereas the Galaxy S9+, codenamed SM-G965 is expected to come with a 6.2-inch screen. Here are the daily highlights from the world of tech: OnePlus 5T sale OnePlus 5T goes on sale in India. The device is available on Amazon India's website as well as the company's official online store. OnePlus has kept the prices unchanged with the 64GB variant priced at Rs 32,999 and the 128GB variant priced at Rs 37,999. JioPhone sales expected to resume soon. Reliance Jio has sent texts to few customers asking for confirmation if they're interested in the device. On clicking the link in the text the user it redirected to a Jio page promising to start delivering new devices soon. Apple's Highlights Apple's FaceID was introduced with the iPhone X and since then has been subjected to various tests. A Vietnamese security company, Bkav claims to have cracked the iPhone X's faceID using 3D masks. Despite turning on the "required attention"feature, the device was not able to distinguish a mask from a real person. Xioami on top Xiaomi did something unthinkable. In just three years, the Chinese company has overthrown the tech-giant Samsung in terms of market share in the top 50 cities in India for the third quarter of 2017. The company's growth can be attributed to the tremendous sales figures during this festive season. The Chinese company's Redmi Note 4 was the best selling device all over, contributing more than 40 per cent of the total sales of Xiaomi. Xiaomi is closely followed by Samsung with a market share of 24.1 per cent in the Q3 of 2017. Lenovo is a distant third at 10.3 per cent followed by Oppo with 5.2 per cent and Vivo at 5.1 per cent. Shahid Khaqan assured Saudi Arabia of Pakistan support for peace and stability in the region ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Monday endorsed Saudi Arabias policies in the region and assured it of Pakistans support in its efforts for maintaining peace and stability. The prime minister, who was on a day-long visit to Saudi Arabia on the invitation of its leaders, was accompanied by Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif, Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and Director General of Inter-Services Intelligence Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar. The official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Prime Minister Abbasi reviewed bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries and the latest developments in the region. The king was assisted by Interior Minister Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef, the minister of state for foreign affairs Dr Nizar bin Obaid Madani and Trade Minister Dr Majid bin Abdullah Al Qasabi. In Islamabad, the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) said Shahid Khaqan Abbasi assured the monarch of Pakistans support for Saudi Arabia in its endeavour for peace and stability in the region. The prime minister lauded efforts of the Saudi leadership in bringing peace and stability to the region and assured the King of Pakistans full support in this regard, the PMO said, adding that Mr Abbasi later met Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman. The crown prince told the prime minister that Saudi Arabia and other countries of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) looked forward to learning from Pakistans experience in fighting terror. Although the official statement is silent on whether Mr Abbasi made any commitment with regard to the IMCTC, it noted that he offered the crown prince technical and human resource cooperation for his Vision 2030. The PMO statement referred to a 1951 accord between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia as the basis for bilateral cooperation. The agreement provides for wide-ranging strategic, political, military and economic cooperation between the two countries. The prime ministers visit follows closely on the heels of the inauguration of the IMCTC, whose Council of Defence Ministers met on Sunday. Arab analysts believe the Saudi monarch had invited Pakistani leaders for seeking clarifications about warming of ties with Iran and for hearing from them about the extent of their countrys participation in the IMCTC. Pakistan is in return being offered financial assistance, they add. A Saudi delegation, led by the trade minister, is expected to visit Pakistan shortly for signing of agreements. Defence Minister Khurram Dastagir, who represented the country at the IMCTC meeting, said Pakistan would contribute to the activities of the IMCTC in all four areas that the coalition would focus on, including the military component. He underscored the experience Pakistan gained while fighting terrorism. The four areas of counterterrorism cooperation identified by the IMCTC are ideology, communications, counter-terror financing, and military. Speaking at IMCTC Defence Ministers Council meeting, Mr Dastagir assured Saudi Arabia and other countries of Pakistans support and cooperation within the mutually agreed framework of the IMCTC, the defence ministry said in a statement issued in Islamabad. Discussion about wargaming and military history, primarily WWII in North Africa. Also discussion about AFV's and artillery. Vistas de pagina en total Precio del Brent To get the BRENT oil price, please enable Javascript. Precio del WTI To get the oil price, please enable Javascript. 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Por culpa de Chavez Cerveza Polar Algun dia Colombia volvera a la ideologia de Bolivar Translate LOS REVOLUCIONARIOS NO TOMAN CACA-COLA No se trata solamente de un capricho, sino de una sana actitud en todos los sentidos. Desde la solidaridad con el pueblo colombiano donde la empresa Caca-Cola ha cometido los mas grandes abusos contra sus trabajadores incluyendo el presunto secuestro y asesinato de los dirigentes del sindicato, hasta la proteccion de la salud de nuestros hijos, enviciados por ese jarabe de cola y azucar, que les produce obesidad prematura. Pensemos tambien los revolucionarios, que ese dinero que gastamos en los refrescos es utilizado por esas empresas para financiar el terrorismo en nuestro pais. Es cierto, no se trata solo de la Caca-Cola, sino tambien de la cerveza, de los cigarrillos y todos esos articulos innecesarios y mas que eso, daninos para nuestra salud. Podriamos incluso pensar en un dia de parada para cada uno de ellos. Es cuestion de irnos organizando. Pero para empezar, que tal si dejamos de comprar Caca-Cola y sus similares? Cuando lo extraordinario se vuelve cotidiano... Discurso del Acto de Grado en Barinas en 12 de Febrero del 2005 Queridos Graduandos: Mas que un discurso, quiero dirigirles algunas palabras que escribi anoche, despues de visitar en las clinicas, a los estudiantes heridos, a consecuencia de los enfrentamientos con la policia de hace apenas dos dias. Me ha tocado por razones del destino, ser la persona que les otorgue el titulo que bien merecieron con sus estudios. Y me siento sumamente orgulloso de serlo. Me consta que la Universidad de Los Llanos Occidentales Ezequiel Zamora, a pesar de lo dicho por los enemigos de esta universidad, es una universidad de primera. No tendremos la mejor planta fisica, en los salones hace calor. En el comedor hace calor. Pero no es en lo material que las cosas deben valorarse. El mayor capital es el ser humano. Y en eso, nuestra UNELLEZ, lo digo con conocimiento de causa, esta sobrada. Los llaneros venezolanos son nobles, valientes, de coraje. En la UNELLEZ hacen vida, en este momento, aproximadamente 67000 personas. El 97% de ellas son estudiantes. Jovenes que, como Ustedes hasta el dia de hoy, buscan ese titulo, que constata los anos de dedicacion y de estudio. Los jovenes son el rio de la vida, ustedes graduados deben ser los capitanes de esos barcos que naveguen por el rio de la vida. Nuestra Patria atraviesa momentos muy dificiles porque decidio dejar de ser esa matrona de edad vetusta y complaciente, para ser joven, rebelde y altanera. Nuestra imagen ya no es la de una acaudalada ricachona mayamera. En nuestro rostro brilla ahora la sonrisa del Che Guevara, con su diente delantero torcido, su pelo largo y su boina con la estrella. Entender esto, a mi me ha tomado practicamente toda la vida. Tengo 53 anos, y ya perdi mi oportunidad de derramar sangre joven a causa de un ideal. Ustedes son jovenes, estan en la flor de la vida. No cometan por favor el error de renunciar a su instinto de rebelion. El Che Guevara fue Ministro de a Economia en Cuba. Los billetes y las monedas se adornaban con su rostro. Nada de eso le importo. Primero fue a Angola donde paso un penoso ano de combate. Despues se fue a Bolivia, donde encontro la muerte. El Che era el ultimo que comia, el que cargaba la mochila mas pesada. Siempre se sacrificaba por los demas en un estoicismo que mas parecia fervor religioso que ideologia marxista. Si quieren un modelo de vida. Ahi lo tienen. Dije hace unos momentos que el 97% de la poblacion de la UNELLEZ es estudiante. Se imaginan Ustedes la Universidad que podriamos tener si todos los estudiantes tuvieran la abnegacion, la combatividad del Che? Los momentos que se avecinan van a requerir de una gran unidad del pueblo venezolano. La alternativa de continuar siendo libres o regresar a la pobreza se nos planteara en los proximos dias de forma enmascarada, o quizas peor, desenmascarada, vestida con uniforme de soldado del Imperio. Por nuestra parte podemos esperar lo mejor. La macroeconomia no podria ir mejor, la justicia social ha mejorado notablemente. Las misiones ocupan un papel muy importante en el pago de dicha justicia social. Aqui en Barinas ya hemos cumplido con dos de las misiones, la mision Robinson y la mision Sucre. No hay analfabetismo y no hay exclusion en la educacion superior, en estas tierras de Zamora. Pero ay malhaya! Son precisamente estos exitos los que nos hacen mas antipaticos al Imperio. Para ellos, somos inclusive un mal ejemplo que se esta contagiando al resto del continente y cuidado sino al resto del mundo. Nunca venceremos al Imperio. Estara siempre ahi, acechando. Por lo menos hasta que el mismo no se autodestruya. Porque, sepanlo senores, el neoliberalismo es canibal. Cuando le ataque el hambre, se devorara a si mismo. Ustedes, queridos graduandos, a partir de hoy pasan a conformar la elite profesional que debe sostener este pais en los proximos cuarenta o cincuenta anos. Anos decisivos para el logro de nuestra libertad y del rescate de nuestra Soberania. No se dejen comprar. No se dejen corromper. No se dejen gritar. No se dejen pisar. Que nadie les diga que comer, o que vestirse, o que leer. Sean siempre autenticos, rebeldes, contestatarios. Pero eso si, profundamente patriotas, dignos de ser hijos de Bolivar. Muchas gracias y que Dios los bendiga. Alguna duda? Medio siglo de Holocausto Palestino Oscar Zanartu Nacio en Caracas en 1960. Ha realizado exposiciones individuales en las galerias Minotauro, Clave y San Francisco, y en salas de Coro, estado Falcon, y Puerto Ordaz, estado Bolivar. En Paris su obra ha sido exhibida en el Centro Cultural Tanagra, en la Exposicion Cite Internationale des Arts, en las galerias De Mars y Arver Space, al igual que en la Galeria Municipal Levallois, en Levallois Perret (Francia). En muestras colectivas, su obra se ha expuesto en Belgica, Francia, Estados Unidos y Venezuela; en Caracas intervino en la exposicion "Del genesis a la memoria", 1995, organizada por la Fundacion La Previsora. En 1982 obtuvo el Premio Nacional Critven y en 1990 la Mencion de Honor Jose Antonio Paez, en la Embajada de Venezuela en Paris. En 1991 se le concedio el primer premio de Pintura Itinerante, en Levallois Perret, Francia. OZ1 OZ2 OZ3 OZ4 Homenaje a Jason Galarraga La Victoria de Samotracia Odalisca Mas fotos de la nevada del pasado agosto 2008 La Sierra Nevada de Merida Nuestro precioso Churum Meru Homenaje a Picasso Autoretrato Sabes lo que bebes en una Coca-Cola? La formula de la Pepsi tiene una diferencia basica con la de la Coca-Cola y es intencional, para evitar el proceso judicial. La diferencia es a proposito, pero suficientemente parecida como para atraer a los consumidores de Coca-Cola que prefieren un gusto diferente con menos sal y azucar. Mi profesion? Tuve que aprender quimica, entender todo sobre componentes de gaseosas, conservantes, sales, acidos, cafeina, enlatado, produccion, permisos, aprobaciones y muchas otras cosas. Monte mi propio mini-laboratorio de analisis de productos. Sal en la Coca Cola? A patadas. El Cloruro de Sodio no solo refresca sino da mas sed, como para pedir otra gaseosa. Y no resulta desagradable porque la sal mata literalmente la sensibilidad al dulce... del que por cierto tambien tiene mucho: 39 gramos de azucar. De los 350 gramos de producto liquido, mas del 10% es azucar, o sea que en una lata de Coca-Cola mas de un centimetro y medio es puro azucar en polvo. Aproximadamente tres cucharadas soperas llenas de azucar por lata!!La formula de la Coca Cola es muy sencilla: Concentrado de azucar quemado caramelo- para dar color oscuro y gusto Acido fosforito (para darle el sabor acido) azucar (HFCS-jarabe de maiz de alta fructosa) Extracto de hojas de la planta de Coca (Africa e India) y otros pocos aromatizantes naturales de otras plantas Mucha Cafeina Conservante que puede ser Benzoato de Sodio o Potasio Dioxido de Carbono en cantidad para sentir freir la lengua cuando se bebe Sal para dar la sensacion de refrigeracion El uso del acido fosforito y no del acido citrico como en todas las demas gaseosas, es para dar la sensacion de dientes y boca limpia al beber. El acido fosforito literalmente frie todo y dana el esmalte de los dientes, cosa que el acido citrico lo hace en menor grado.Trate de comprar acido fosforito para ver las mil recomendaciones de seguridad que te dan para su manipulacion (quema el cristalino del ojo, quema la piel, etc...). Esta prohibido usar el acido fosforito en cualquier otra gaseosa; solo la Coca Cola tiene permiso. Porque claro, sin el acido fosforico, la Coca Cola sabria a jabon.El extracto de coca y otras hojas casi no cambia en nada el sabor. Es mas bien un efecto cosmetico. El extracto forma parte de la Coca-Cola porque legalmente tiene que ser asi. Pero sin el, no se nota ninguna diferencia en el gusto, que esta dado basicamente por las cantidades diferentes de azucar, azucar quemada, sales, acidos y conservantes.Sabor a que...? ja, ja, ja. Aqui en Bartow, sur de Orlando, hay una empresa quimica que produce aromatizantes y esencias para zumos. Envian diariamente camionadas de sales concentradas y esencias para las fabricas de helados, gaseosas, jugos, enlatados y comida colorida y aromatizada.Cuando visite por primera vez la fabrica, pedi ver el deposito de concentrados de frutas, que deberia ser inmenso, especialmente los de naranja, pina, fresa y tantos otros. El encargado me miro, se rio y me llevo a visitar los depositos inmensos... pero de colorantes y componentes quimicos. Las gaseosa de naranja no contiene naranja. En los zumos dizque de fresa, hasta los puntitos que quedan en suspension estan hechos de goma (una liga quimica que envuelve un semi-polimero). Pina, es un popurri de acidos y goma. La esencia para helado de aguacate usa peroxido de hidrogeno (agua oxigenada) para dar la sensacion espumosa tipica del aguacate. Bebidas Light? Quieres saber la cantidad de basura que tiene un refresco 'light'? Yo ni siquiera los uso para destapar mi lavaplatos pues temo que danen los tubos de PVC. Los productos endulzantes 'ligth' tienen una vida media muy corta. Por ejemplo el Despues de toda mi experiencia con la produccion de bebidas embasadas, puedo afirmar sin dudar un segundo: la mejor bebida es el agua, como tambien los jugos exprimidos de naranja o limon. Nada mas, cero azucar y cero sal. Publicado por loretahur En realidad, la formula secreta de la Coca-Cola se puede detallar en 18 segundos en cualquier espectrometro optico, y basicamente la conocen hasta los perros. Lo que ocurre es que no se puede fabricar igual, a no ser que uno disponga de unos cuantos millones de dolares para ganarle la demanda que te metera la Coca-Cola ante la justicia (ellos no perderian).La formula de la Pepsi tiene una diferencia basica con la de la Coca-Cola y es intencional, para evitar el proceso judicial. La diferencia es a proposito, pero suficientemente parecida como para atraer a los consumidores de Coca-Cola que prefieren un gusto diferente con menos sal y azucar.Tuve que aprender quimica, entender todo sobre componentes de gaseosas, conservantes, sales, acidos, cafeina, enlatado, produccion, permisos, aprobaciones y muchas otras cosas. Monte mi propio mini-laboratorio de analisis de productos.A patadas. El Cloruro de Sodio no solo refresca sino da mas sed, como para pedir otra gaseosa. Y no resulta desagradable porque la sal mata literalmente la sensibilidad al dulce... del que por cierto tambien tiene mucho: 39 gramos de azucar.De los 350 gramos de producto liquido, mas del 10% es azucar, o sea que en una lata de Coca-Cola mas de un centimetro y medio es puro azucar en polvo. Aproximadamente tres cucharadas soperas llenas de azucar por lata!!La formula de la Coca Cola es muy sencilla:Concentrado de azucar quemado caramelo- para dar color oscuro y gustoAcido fosforito (para darle el sabor acido)azucar (HFCS-jarabe de maiz de alta fructosa)Extracto de hojas de la planta de Coca (Africa e India) y otros pocos aromatizantes naturales de otras plantasMucha CafeinaConservante que puede ser Benzoato de Sodio o PotasioDioxido de Carbono en cantidad para sentir freir la lengua cuando se bebeSal para dar la sensacion de refrigeracionEl uso del acido fosforito y no del acido citrico como en todas las demas gaseosas, es para dar la sensacion de dientes y boca limpia al beber. El acido fosforito literalmente frie todo y dana el esmalte de los dientes, cosa que el acido citrico lo hace en menor grado.Trate de comprar acido fosforito para ver las mil recomendaciones de seguridad que te dan para su manipulacion (quema el cristalino del ojo, quema la piel, etc...). Esta prohibido usar el acido fosforito en cualquier otra gaseosa; solo la Coca Cola tiene permiso. Porque claro, sin el acido fosforico, la Coca Cola sabria a jabon.El extracto de coca y otras hojas casi no cambia en nada el sabor. Es mas bien un efecto cosmetico. El extracto forma parte de la Coca-Cola porque legalmente tiene que ser asi. Pero sin el, no se nota ninguna diferencia en el gusto, que esta dado basicamente por las cantidades diferentes de azucar, azucar quemada, sales, acidos y conservantes.Sabor a que...? ja, ja, ja.Aqui en Bartow, sur de Orlando, hay una empresa quimica que produce aromatizantes y esencias para zumos. Envian diariamente camionadas de sales concentradas y esencias para las fabricas de helados, gaseosas, jugos, enlatados y comida colorida y aromatizada.Cuando visite por primera vez la fabrica, pedi ver el deposito de concentrados de frutas, que deberia ser inmenso, especialmente los de naranja, pina, fresa y tantos otros. El encargado me miro, se rio y me llevo a visitar los depositos inmensos... pero de colorantes y componentes quimicos.Las gaseosa de naranja no contiene naranja.En los zumos dizque de fresa, hasta los puntitos que quedan en suspension estan hechos de goma (una liga quimica que envuelve un semi-polimero).Pina, es un popurri de acidos y goma.La esencia para helado de aguacate usa peroxido de hidrogeno (agua oxigenada) para dar la sensacion espumosa tipica del aguacate.Quieres saber la cantidad de basura que tiene un refresco 'light'? Yo ni siquiera los uso para destapar mi lavaplatos pues temo que danen los tubos de PVC. Los productos endulzantes 'ligth' tienen una vida media muy corta. Por ejemplo el aspartamo , despues de tres semanas mojado, pasa a tener gusto de trapo viejo sucio.Para evitar eso, se agregan una infinidad de otros productos quimicos, uno para alargar la vida del aspartamo, otro para neutralizar el color, otro para mantener el tercer quimico en suspension porque sino el fondo de la gaseosa quedaria oscuro, otro para evitar la cristalizacion del aspartamo, otro para realzar el sabor, dar mas intensidad al acido citrico o fosforito que perderia su sabor por el efecto de los cuatro productos quimicos iniciales... y asi sucesivamente.Un consejo final !!Despues de toda mi experiencia con la produccion de bebidas embasadas, puedo afirmar sin dudar un segundo: la mejor bebida es el agua, como tambien los jugos exprimidos de naranja o limon. Nada mas, cero azucar y cero sal.Publicado por loretahur MARGARINA o MANTEQUILLA La margarina fue producida originalmente para engordar a los pavos; cuandolo que hizo en realidad fue matarlos.Las personas que habian puesto el dinero para la investigacion quisieronrecobrarlo asi que empezaron a pensar en una forma de hacerlo.Tenian una sustancia blanca, que no tenia ningun atractivo como comestible,asi que le anadieron el color amarillo, para venderselo a lagente en lugar de la mantequilla.Que tal esa?... Ahora han sacado algunos nuevos sabores para vender mas alos incautos como usted y yo.CONOCE USTED la diferencia entre la margarina y la mantequilla?Siga leyendo hasta el final... porque se pone bastante interesante!Comparacion entre mantequilla y margarina: 1.- Ambas tienen la misma cantidad de calorias. 2.- La mantequilla es ligeramente mas alta en grasas saturadas: 8 gramos,comparada con los 5 gramos que tiene la margarina. 3.- Comer margarina en vez de mantequilla puede aumentar en 53% el riesgo deenfermedades coronarias en las mujeres, de acuerdo con un estudiomedico reciente de la Universidad de Harvard. 4.- Comer mantequilla aumenta la absorcion de gran cantidad de nutrientesque se encuentran en otros alimentos. 5.- La mantequilla provee beneficios nutricionales propios mientras lamargarina tiene solo los que le hayan sido anadidos al fabricarla. 6.- La mantequilla sabe mucho mejor que la margarina y mejora el sabor deotros alimentos.7.- La mantequilla ha existido durante siglos mientras que la margarinatiene menos de 100 anos. Ahora... sobre la margarina: 1.- Es muy alta en acidos grasos trans. (Si, esos que recien ahora loscientificos descubrieron que son malisimos y los gobiernoscomenzaron a prohibirlos) . 2.- Triple riesgo de enfermedades coronarias. 3.- Aumenta el colesterol total y el LDL (el colesterol malo) y disminuye elHDL (el colesterol bueno). 4.- Aumenta en cinco veces el riesgo de cancer. 5.- Disminuye la calidad de la leche materna. 6.- Disminuye la reaccion inmunologica del organismo. 7.- Disminuye la reaccion a la insulina. Y he aqui el factor mas inquietante (AQUI ESTA LA PARTE MAS INTERESANTE! ):A la margarina le falta UNA MOLECULA para ser PLASTICO...!!Solo este hecho es suficiente para evitar el uso de la margarina de porvida, y de cualquier otra cosa que sea hidrogenada (esto significaque se le anade hidrogeno, lo cual cambia la estructura molecular de lassubstancias).Usted puede ensayar lo siguiente:Compre un poco de margarina y dejela en el garaje o en un sitio sombreado.Dentro de unos dias notara dos cosas: * No habra moscas; ni siquiera esos molestos bichos se le acercaran (esto yale debe decir a usted algo). * No se pudre ni huele mal o diferente porque no tiene valor nutritivo; nadacrece en ella. Ni siquiera los diminutos microorganismos puedencrecer en ella.Por que? Porque es casi plastico!! No a la guerra, Si a la Paz Misterios de la ciencia... Los costos de la guerra medicos y capitalismo... Capitalismo... medicos (2) Quien educa a nuestros hijos? Los Medios... Sin Palabras... Chistes feministas - Cual es el problema, Eva? - Se que me has creado, que me has dado este hermoso jardin, todos estos maravillosos animales y esa serpiente con la que me muero de risa... pero no soy del todo feliz... - Como es eso, Eva? - replico Dios desde las alturas. - Me encuentro sola, y ademas estoy harta de comer manzanas... - Bueno Eva, en tal caso, tengo una solucion... creare un hombre para ti. - Que es un hombre? - Un hombre sera una criatura imperfecta, con muchas artimanas. Mentira, hara trampas, sera engreido... vamos, que te va a dar problemas... Pero, va a ser mas fuerte y rapido que tu y le gustara cazar y matar cosas... Tendra un aspecto simple, pero como te estas quejando, le creare de tal forma que satisfaga tus... eh... necesidades fisicas... Y tampoco sera muy listo, y destacara en cosas infantiles como pegarse o dar patadas a un balon... Necesitara tu consejo siempre para actuar cuerdamente. - Suena bien - dijo Eva, mientras levantaba la ceja ironicamente. - Cual es el truco?. - Pues... que lo tendras con una condicion. - Cual? - Como te decia, sera chulo, arrogante y muy narcisista... asi que le tendras que hacer creer que le hice a el primero... recuerda... es nuestro secreto... de mujer a mujer. Por que a los hombres no les puede dar la enfermedad de las vacas locas? Porque todos son unos cerdos Un dia, en el Paraiso, Eva llamo a Dios: Tengo un problema.- Cual es el problema, Eva?- Se que me has creado, que me has dado este hermoso jardin, todos estos maravillosos animales y esa serpiente con la que me muero de risa... pero no soy del todo feliz... - Como es eso, Eva? - replico Dios desde las alturas.- Me encuentro sola, y ademas estoy harta de comer manzanas...- Bueno Eva, en tal caso, tengo una solucion... creare un hombre para ti.- Que es un hombre?- Un hombre sera una criatura imperfecta, con muchas artimanas. Mentira, hara trampas, sera engreido... vamos, que te va a dar problemas... Pero, va a ser mas fuerte y rapido que tu y le gustara cazar y matar cosas... Tendra un aspecto simple, pero como te estas quejando, le creare de tal forma que satisfaga tus... eh... necesidades fisicas... Y tampoco sera muy listo, y destacara en cosas infantiles como pegarse o dar patadas a un balon... Necesitara tu consejo siempre para actuar cuerdamente.- Suena bien - dijo Eva, mientras levantaba la ceja ironicamente.- Cual es el truco?.- Pues... que lo tendras con una condicion.- Cual?- Como te decia, sera chulo, arrogante y muy narcisista... asi que le tendras que hacer creer que le hice a el primero... recuerda... es nuestro secreto... de mujer a mujer.Por que a los hombres no les puede dar la enfermedad de las vacas locas? Porque todos son unos cerdos Ellas... Ellas (2)... Tres venganzas femeninas VENGANZA NUMERO 1 Hoy mi hija cumple 21 anos y estoy muy contento porque es el ultimo pago de pension alimenticia que le doy, asi que llame a mi hijita para que viniera a mi casa y cuando llego le dije: -Hijita, quiero que lleves este cheque a casa de tu mama y que le digas que: Este es el ultimo maldito cheque que va recibir de mi en todo lo que le queda de su puta vida!!! Quiero que me digas la expresion que pone en su rostro. Asi que mi hija fue a entregar el cheque. Yo estaba ansioso por saber lo que la bruja tenia que decir y que cara pondria. Cuando mi hijita entro, le pregunte inmediatamente: -Que fue lo que te dijo tu madre? -Me dijo que justamente estaba esperando este dia para decirte que no eres mi papa! VENGANZA NUMERO 2 Un hombre que siempre molestaba a su mujer, paso un dia por la casa de unos amigos para que lo acompanaran al aeropuerto a dejar a su esposa que viajaba a Paris. A la salida de inmigracion, frente a todo el mundo, el le desea buen viaje y en tono burlon le grita: - Amor, no te olvides de traerme una hermosa francesita Ja ja ja!! Ella bajo la cabeza y se embarco muy molesta. La mujer paso quince dias en Francia. El marido otra vez pidio a sus amigos que lo acompanasen al aeropuerto a recibirla. Al verla llegar, lo primero que le grita a toda voz es: - Y amor me trajiste mi francesita?? - Hice todo lo posible, - contesta ella - ahora solo tenemos que rezar para que nazca nina. VENGANZA NUMERO 3 El marido, en su lecho de muerte, llama a su mujer. Con voz ronca y ya debil, le dice: - Muy bien, llego mi hora, pero antes quiero hacerte una confesion. - No, no, tranquilo, tu no debes hacer ningun esfuerzo. - Pero, mujer, es preciso - insiste el marido - Es preciso morir en paz. Te quiero confesar algo. - Esta bien, esta bien. Habla! - He tenido relaciones con tu hermana, tu mama y tu mejor amiga. - Lo se, lo se Por eso te envenene, hijo de puta!!! machismo y cibernetica Chiste machista La NASA ha enviado al espacio una mision experimental tripulada por dos monos y una mujer.Apenas abandona la atmosfera, se establece comunicacion con Houston. -Atencion, simio 1, verifique sistemas hidraulicos, controle adecuada presion de los propulsores de arranque. A 60.000 pies disminuya un 25% la velocidad. El simio hace la sena de OK. -Atencion, simio 2, nivele al cruzar la estratosfera y active sistemas anticongelantes. No olvide monitorear sistemas de comunicacion e indicadores de presion. Comprendido?. El simio hace la sena de OK. -Atencion, Houston llamando a mujer: no se olvide. -Mujer: Si, si, ya se! -interrumpe enojada- que no me olvide darles de comer a estos monos de mierda y que no se me vaya a ocurrir tocar nada!. .Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti. Un abogado mantiene un romance con su secretaria.Al poco tiempo, esta queda embarazada y el abogado, que no quiere que su esposa se entere, le da a la secretaria una buena suma de dinero y le pide que se vaya a parir a Italia.Esta pregunta: Y como voy a hacerte saber cuando nazca el bebe ? El abogado responde: Para que mi mujer no se entere, tan solo enviame una postal y escribe por detras: Spaghetti. Y no te preocupes mas, que yo me encargare de todos los gastos. Pasan los meses y una manana la esposa del abogado lo llama al bufete, algo exaltada: Querido, acabo de recibir el correo y hay una postal muy extrana viene desde Italia. La verdad, no entiendo que significa.El abogado, tratando de ocultar sus nervios, contesta:Espera a que llegue a casa, a ver si yo entiendoCuando el hombre llega a casa y lee la postal, cae al suelo fulminado por un infarto.Llega una ambulancia y se lo lleva. Ya en el hospital, el jefe de cardiologia se queda consolando a la esposa y le pregunta cual ha sido el evento que precipito tan masivo ataque cardiaco. Entonces la esposa saca la postal y se la muestra diciendole: No me explico, doctor; el solamente leyo esta postal. Vea usted mismo lo que trae escrito.Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti."Tres con salchicha y albondigas y dos con almejas Gol !!!! Chistes de Borrachos Entra un borracho a su casa todo manchado con lapiz labial por todos lados hecho un desastre, y la mujer le pregunta:-Hombre que te paso?Y el borracho le responde:-No me vas a creer, me pelee con un payaso! Este es un borracho que entra en un bar y le dice al camarero:-Me da cinco copas de whisky?Al rato:-Me da cuatro?Al rato:-Me da tres copas?Despues:-Me da dos copas?Luego le dice:-Me da una copa?Y le dice al camarero:-Ves? Cuanto menos bebo, mas borracho estoy! On November 2, 2017, Physicians for Human Rights received the 2017 Thomas J. Dodd Prize in International Justice and Human Rights at the University of Connecticuts Thomas J. Dodd Research Center in Storrs, Connecticut. As part of the formal award ceremony, former U.S. Senator Christopher Dodd and the Centers leadership presented PHR Executive Director Donna McKay and board chairman Kerry Sulkowicz with the award. McKay then delivered the following keynote remarks to the audience: As Senator Dodd said, Im Donna McKay, and Im the executive director of Physicians for Human Rights. On behalf of our founders, our amazing board and staff, and our heroic partners, thank you so much for this honor. To be honored alongside Louise Arbour, the Committee to Project Journalists, Tostan, Bill Clinton, and our good friend and board member Justice Richard Goldstone is really, truly humbling. I want to thank you, Senator Dodd, for your leadership in supporting human rights as a cornerstone of U.S. policy. Its precious to us, and I must say sorely missed right now at this moment in time. I want to thank you, Glenn, the director of the Dodd Center, for the incredible work that you do with students and young people, advisory board member Helena Foulkes, and, of course, University President Herbst. Youve been extraordinarily generous hosts to us today and were looking forward to a full day tomorrow. Its really an honor that Kerry and I are able to accept this award on behalf of Physicians for Human Rights. You know, its funny. Both of my parents were school teachers. And to their immense frustration, I often ended up in the principals office. It wasnt because of my behavior, trust me. But its because I would find injustice everywhere. I was that little kid who challenged the teachers, calling them out for being unfair, standing up against the injustices of elementary and middle school. Today, my job and others at PHR is to make trouble working at a human rights organization that speaks out against injustice wherever we see it. I hope my principal, Mr. Cirangle, would be proud of this. So today Im here with you to share my experiences at PHR; my honest assessment of where the global human rights movement stands; and what you all can do to help us, PHR, build the next generation of human rights advocates. But first a bit about PHR. Physicians for Human Rights is a global advocacy organization. We investigate human rights abuses using the powerful lens of science and medicine. We believe we know that through evidence, change is possible. For the past 30 years, PHR has shined the bright light of medicine and science to reveal human rights violations around the world. We exposed the use of chemical weapons by Saddam Husseins Iraqi forces against the Kurds in the 1980s. We documented genocide in Darfur, making the case before the International Criminal Court. We exhumed the graves of Bosnian men and boys slaughtered at Srebrenica. Just last year, one of the perpetrators of that worst war crime in Europe since World War II, Radovan Karadzic, was convicted on the basis of evidence that PHR experts gathered some two decades ago. The second, Mladic, is scheduled to be sentenced in The Hague later this month. At PHR, we hold fast to facts the cold, hard, unimpeachable truth that result from painstaking investigation and scientific documentation. And we believe that truth matters. Despite some claims to the contrary, there arent any alternatives to facts. In this era of tweets and soundbites and spin, our staff and partners do the meticulous, usually unglamorous, and often traumatic work of careful evidence gathering. As human rights crimes unfold or are unfolding or in their aftermath we work with doctors, crime scene investigators, forensic scientists, and public health professionals to uncover patterns of human rights violations. Identifying patterns of violations enables us to determine, for example, whether crimes against humanity have occurred, since theyre defined as widespread and systematic. Where there are patterns of abuse, there are perpetrators who set them in motion. So we and our partners take the evidence we uncover to courtrooms so the perpetrators will be prosecuted and held to account. Sadly, the need for PHR has never been greater as human rights crises demand our attention on virtually every continent today. Take Myanmar. Six hundred thousand members of the minority Rohingya ethnic group have fled across the Myanmar/Bangladesh border in just a few months. 600,000. Youve seen the haunting images and heard of the traumatic tales of violence: children ripped from the arms of mothers and hurled into fires, entire villages torched to the ground. Burmese attackers call them cockroaches, echoing the kind of hateful language that fueled genocides in Rwanda, in Bosnia, in Germany. And while this madness is being conducted by the countrys military, its all taking place under the watchful eye of the countrys civilian leader, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi. The irony is devastating. So today, a team of PHR experts have rushed to a front line of this catastrophe. They are there to conduct the crucial, painstaking task of documenting evidence of atrocities. Theyll use their medical and public health skills to evaluate physical and psychological injuries. They do this at the request of local human rights groups who hope that PHRs scientific evidence will outweigh the current propaganda. PHRs role in the human rights movement is unique: we ask doctors and health professionals to use the skills they have acquired, their code of ethics, and their innate sense of humanity to become valiant defenders of human rights. Its really part of the simple genius of our organizations founders. They saw a gap in the human rights field that health professionals needed to fill. I think those same founders would agree when I say that today our role couldnt be more crucial. Governments and international institutions are failing the victims of human rights violations. Too many leaders incite fear and even hatred of others. Parties to conflicts systematically flout humanitarian norms with impunity. Im under no illusions that we are winning the struggle for human rights. But Im here today to talk to you about how the movement must pivot, how we have to enlist experts like doctors and other professionals in this campaign for our rights, and how you all can be part of a greater drive toward building a world that is more fair and more just and more humane. Twelve years ago, on this same stage, South African jurist Justice Richard Goldstone explained how the crucible of the Second World War defined our modern conception of human rights. The opening salvo was the 1948 UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, whose 70th anniversary year, by the way, will be launched next month. The Declaration was accompanied by the war crimes tribunals in Tokyo and Nuremberg, further galvanizing the ideas of universal rights and justice. Its at Nuremberg that Thomas J. Dodd, this centers namesake, cross-examined some of the wars greatest war criminals. He would later call the trials an autopsy on historys most horrible catalogue of human crime. Fitting for us that he would use the word autopsy. A decade later, at the height of the Cold War, the human rights movement began to take shape. Large international organizations and civil society movements emerged to expose rights violations and also promote and solidify norms. From the ashes of war emerged the hope of a new global order, institutions that were meant to protect rights and institutions that promised consequences for those who broke the law. In 1986, Physicians for Human Rights was founded in Boston to perform the actual autopsies that the elder Senator Dodd mentioned after Nuremberg. But we werent just focused on investigating violations. We also played a role in helping create new international treaties and norms. In 1991, we sent Dr. James Cobey to Cambodia to document the devastating effects of antipersonnel mines, a legacy of years of war. Using the tools of epidemiology, he concluded that one in every 236 people in Cambodia had stepped on a mine. Think about that number for a minute. Imagine walking in the streets of Manhattan, and every block or so passing someone with a leg or a hand that had been blown off by a mine. Its really unthinkable. That study led to the establishment of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines. As a founding member of that campaign, we organized medical associations around the world to call for a ban on the production, sale, and deployment of these sinister, indiscriminate weapons. A landmine doesnt know if youre a friend or a foe, or child, or an adult. A global mine ban treaty was signed in 1997. It came into force faster than any arms control treaty in modern history. For that work, we shared the Nobel Peace Prize. But the truth is, our victory was and continues to be incomplete. The U.S., Russia, China, and dozens of other states have failed to ratify the treaty. And we fear that with recent deployment of mines in Myanmar, for example, the strong norm against such weapons could be softening. And its not the only international compact thats at risk today. One example of the undoing of norms is happening right now in Syria. According to data, painstakingly collected by PHR, there have been at least 478 intentionalor indiscriminate attacks on medical facilities since 2011. More than 800 medical personnel have been targeted and killed. The vast majority of these attacks have come at the hands of the Syrian government and their Russian allies. This is not collateral damage. This is not a consequence of the fog of war. This is a despicable, efficient strategy to terrorize civilians, murder innocents, and destroy the health system so that those who cant flee die from a lack of health care. Its a war crime, and because it is now both widespread and systematic, it amounts to a crime against humanity, and it needs to stop. And, of course, those who carry out these crimes must be held to account. Since the 19th century, theres been an international consensus that doctors and hospitals are protected in times of warfare. Under the Geneva Conventions, patients, including soldiers or other combatants, are not a legitimate target once theyve entered a hospital and laid down their arms. Its a concept known as medical neutrality, the principle of noninterference in the provision of medical services regardless of ones political affiliations. And yet in recent decades in Bahrain, in Turkey, in Kashmir, in Afghanistan, in Yemen, and Sudan we at PHR have seen those protections steadily wane. In April, we contacted health professionals in the town of Khan Sheikhoun, where the Syrian government had unleashed a terrifying and illegal chemical weapons assault. Instead of running for their lives, medics and nurses ran into the danger. They donned whatever protective gear they could find. And they watched children convulse, foam at the mouth, and then suddenly stop moving. And just as they were rushing patients into an underground clinic, bombs rained down on the clinic itself. At least 83 people were killed that day, one third of them children. Another pillar of international law appeared to crumble into dust. In recent years, polio vaccination teams in Pakistan have been attacked. In Mali, militants have stolen ambulances and destroyed medical clinics. In Turkey, security forces have taken over hospitals and blocked emergency vehicles from reaching clinics. And though many of these attacks are clear violations of international laws and norms, they almost always go unpunished. We dont have to live in these countries for this growing practice to offend every sensibility. At Physicians for Human Rights, we are marshalling a global movement of health professionals and their allies to say: no more. We will not look away. We will not tolerate the murder of one more doctor or the bombing of one more hospital. And we will call out these atrocities wherever and whenever they occur. Because heres the thing. Laws and rights and norms like the prohibition against attacking hospitals or a global ban on landmines arent just won. They have to be defended every day. But how do we do that when we sense that governments are failing us? When international treaties are routinely ignored? When members of UN Security Council are paralyzed by their politics? When I first joined the human rights movement, we were at a similar junction. The Reagan administration was rolling back the implementation of human rights standards globally. And thats exactly when I joined Amnesty International. Because each time the movement has had setbacks, weve rebuilt with greater strength. We dont fully know yet what will rise from the ashes of these times. But its clear that its time for everyone physicians, but also engineers and teachers and lawyers, really everyone who believes in human rights to build a popular movement not just of resistance but of hope. A movement to support human rights that isnt just elite organizations and western leaders but a movement of all, by all, and for all. We alone wont be able to lead a popular movement, but we are optimistic that we can mobilize physicians, nurses, scientists, and others in the health professions to bring their specialized skill set and inherent credibility to the goal of reclaiming lost ground and furthering human rights. In many ways, this group, because of its stature in many communities, has an inherent credibility and thus a disproportionate impact. So we intend to double down. To invest in growing this network. To do that, were becoming force multipliers. We will plant the seeds of humanity in fertile ground. And there is no more fertile ground than in the minds and hearts of health professionals, those who are trained to heal and to protect. Let me give you an example. One of our close friends and dear partners is a man named Dr. Denis Mukwege. At his Panzi Hospital in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, he performs gynecologic surgery to repair the bodies of women and girls whove been brutally raped. But after years of doing this painstaking work, he realized he could no longer just repair the broken bodies of his patients. He needed to become his patients advocate. So we helped train him and his medical staff in best forensic practices. How to collect evidence. Document it. Preserve it. And present it in court. But it takes more than receptive health professionals. We also work with lawyers and police officers and judges to ensure that evidence can be wielded during justice proceedings. Dr. Mukwege is now a leader fighting impunity for sexual violence in Congo and all around the world. The same thing has happened in Kenya, where nurses we trained have become trainers themselves. And, last year, more than 35 years after the bodies of a group of Afghans were dumped into a mass grave, two dozen PHR-trained Afghan forensic scientists carried out their countrys first mass grave exhumation. The women and men of our networks are expanding human rights and acting as agents of change in their own communities. And collectively, they advance human rights more than any one single organization ever could. Think about some of the human rights violations weve experienced here in the United States. Youre familiar with the ongoing lead poisoning of drinking water in Flint, Michigan. What you may not realize is that it was a pediatrician who showed and spoke out about the doubling and sometimes tripling of lead levels in childrens blood. For her efforts, she was accused of whipping up hysteria. And yet, she persisted. And, by the way, this courageous pediatrician, Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, is the daughter of Iraqi immigrants. All of us must be willing to stand up against authority if thats whats required to be on the side of human rights. In the dark years following 9/11, the U.S. torture program was designed and enabled, grotesquely, by a small group of health professionals. Those trained explicitly to do no harm implemented ineffective, illegal, and indeed harmful methods of torture that damaged countless lives. This year, we broke ground with a report showing that health professionals in the U.S. torture program essentially engaged in human experimentation, testing their brutal methods on prisoners in direct violation of the Nuremberg Codes. And you may have heard: two of the psychologists who designed the program just settled a lawsuit in the state of Washington with three former detainees, a major victory for accountability and a day of reckoning for all the torture programs victims. Health professionals should never be co-opted into violations of human rights, and we must support those who are asked to do so and, based on their ethics, must refuse. Thats why we publicly supported a Navy nurse stationed at Guantanamo Bay who, defying orders, refused to violate medical ethics and force feed a hunger-striking detainee. Its why we support health professionals like the Utah nurse who rejected a police officers demand that she draw blood from an unconscious patient. The more health professionals are willing to stand up against injustice, the better able we are to prevent human rights abuses, and the more successful our cause will be. In short, were working to build a movement, led by health professionals but not exclusively limited to them. At a time of isolationism, we wont be isolated. Our colleagues will communicate across borders. They will stand up for one another. And at a time when we face incredible challenges, they will help lead the way toward a better future. In fact, they already are. A few years ago, we trained health professionals from Syria, many who crossed over the borders into Jordan and Turkey, others still working inside Syria. We trained them in the international standards to document torture and ill-treatment standards we helped develop in the 1990s. We did this because they wanted to be a part of the future justice process in their country, should one emerge. But we didnt just supply technical skills. We imparted the language of human rights and shared the common currency of human welfare. These doctors thus become leaders in their own right. Im thinking about Dr. Mohammad who was part of our training program very early on, after the war started. And I can recall him sitting across the room as were doing this training and him saying, Excuse me, but this language is new to us. This concept of human rights is not something we have experience with, and the freedoms you talk about are not something that weve had. Weve stayed good friends. And just recently I saw a post on his Facebook page speaking out against the atrocities being brought upon the Rohingya. A doctor, right now working in a surgical hospital built into a cave for protection, speaking out against the injustices of another. They have become advocates, speaking out for others. And theyve latched onto human rights, and they are not letting go. Now for the interactive part of the talk. So who in this room attended the womens march? Show of hands, please? Yeah, I thought it would be a lot. So youve already enlisted in the movement. The womens march was one of the largest global mobilizations in history. A new generation of leaders is emerging. More voices are speaking out, urging their governments, their companies, and their broader communities to live up to the highest standards of human rights. Its amazing to watch. History has proven that once you start speaking the language of rights and humanity, its nearly impossible to put that good genie back in the bottle. One of the most inspiring figures Ive met during my five years at PHR is Dr. Sebnem Korur Fincanc. A leading light in Turkeys anti-torture movement, shes spent her career fighting for those at the margins of society: the disenfranchised and the dispossessed. She collected evidence for the first successful prosecution of Turkish security forces for torture. But she doesnt limit the struggle to her home country. Shes part of an international group of forensic and torture experts who go around the world, advising governments and policymakers on how to eliminate torture. Instead of being honored as the hero that she is, back home she is facing serious persecution. She took part in a free speech campaign for a Turkish newspaper and was promptly arrested and charged with trumped up terrorism charges. One year ago, I attended Dr. Fincancs first court appearance in Istanbul. Here was a hero of the human rights movement, staring down the real possibility of facing years in prison, and she was beaming. She joked about how after so many years of petitioning the government, she may finally have the chance to investigate Turkish prison conditions from the inside. But mostly, her joy and strength came from the many people who came from several countries to support her case. She actually turned her trial into what she called a celebration of humanity. Its that kind of resilience that I ask you to emulate. I ask you, in our cynical age, to be voices of optimism. In a time when we feel splintered and disconnected, to find purpose in our common humanity. Tyrants and dictators want us to despair. Because they know that despair leads to dejection and dejection leads to giving up. Go search for your heroes and draw your energy and inspiration from them. They are everywhere. One of my heroes is a man named Dr. Jack Geiger. One more story, if youll indulge me. Jack, a founder of PHR and a pioneer in the community health movement, helped start the countrys first rural community health center in Mound Bayou, Mississippi in 1965. As he started working in the community of former sharecroppers, he found that so many of the kids were suffering from malnutrition. So, he started writing prescriptions for food that the local grocer would then bill back to the centers pharmacy. The federal office financing the health center caught wind of this system and dispatched an official to reprimand Jack for using dollars earmarked for medical services on food. When confronted, Jack just replied: The last time I looked in my medical textbooks, the best therapy for malnutrition is food. And the official let him be. I pray for a world in which everyone thinks like Jack. A world in which we all look for solutions in earnest; tell the plain truth to those in power and see the value in every human life; stand up for those who dont have a voice; and work tirelessly to empower every person to become a defender of human rights and human dignity. Because you see, leadership doesnt just come from governments, it comes from each and every one of us. From people like Jack. From you. Thank you so much on behalf of all my colleagues for this honor. And thank you for believing in human rights. Thank you for honoring us and all those health professionals who are ready to stand up for justice and lead us to a brighter future. You may watch a recording of the event here: ARGYLE Russell Finley, who will challenge Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro, in the Republican primary for the 21st Congressional District election next year, will be at the Argyle Free Library from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday. Finley, who owns a beef cattle farm in Lisbon in St. Lawrence County and a real estate brokerage firm that sells farms, land and recreation properties, will meet local residents and answer questions about his views on current issues. Finley is also a former member of the U.S. Bobsled Team. The Argyle library is at 21 Sheridan St. The event is free and open to the public. SCHUYLERVILLE A Cambridge woman was arrested Sunday for allegedly burglarizing a home and violating an order of protection in Schuylerville earlier in the day, police said. Lori L. Ellis, 44, was arrested after State Police were called shortly after 8 a.m. for a reported burglary, the agency's public information website showed. She was charged with second-degree burglary, a felony, and misdemeanor counts of criminal contempt and criminal possession of a weapon, records show. No other details were released. Ellis was released pending prosecution in Saratoga Town Court. BALLSTON SPA A Glens Falls man who was arrested over the summer in a drug sale case was sentenced Monday in Saratoga County Court to 4 years in state prison. Vasco D. Hale, Jr., 41, of Lawrence Street, pleaded guilty last month to attempted third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, a felony. He was arrested in July by the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office for narcotic sales in Moreau in May. Authorities did not say what drug he was accused of selling. Hale, who has a prior felony conviction for selling cocaine in Warren County in 2011, will spend two years on parole after his release, under the sentence imposed by Saratoga County Judge James Murphy. Notorious escapee Joel OKeefe could have been released from state prison as early as Saturday, but he remained behind bars as of Tuesday because state officials say he hasnt found an approved place to live. OKeefe was eligible for conditional release on Nov. 25, but he remained at maximum-security Five Points Correctional Facility in central New York. The state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision issued a statement Monday that read simply, Inmate Joel OKeefe remains in DOCCS custody because he does not yet have approved housing. OKeefe, 57, of Argyle, has served more than 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 in Ballston Spa, which led to a massive, 13-day manhunt around the region that ended when he was caught in Bennington, Vermont. He ultimately pleaded guilty in Washington and Saratoga counties to felony counts of burglary, criminal possession of a weapon and escape. A sodomy charge was dropped as part of a plea deal. He has been repeatedly denied parole, but is being released under the states conditional release program, which gives him time off his sentence despite three convictions for attempted escape or contraband possession in state prison. Washington County Sheriff Jeff Murphy said Monday that police from around the region met before Thanksgiving to discuss OKeefes release and the unsolved crimes he was believed to be linked to before he was jailed. He said that DOCCS had told his office that it would be notified when a decision was made on OKeefes release, but he has not heard any further updates. When we talked to them, they didnt know when he would be released, the sheriff said. DOCCS records had earlier indicated he had planned to return to Argyle when released. Police acknowledged earlier this month that two unsolved homicide cases, in which police in the mid-1990s acknowledged that OKeefe was a person of interest, were among those to be reviewed in light of OKeefes upcoming release. 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. OKeefe lived near the men, and had business dealings with at least one, police said. The new state law that will result in 16- and 17-year-olds who are accused of crimes being prosecuted as juveniles instead of adults takes effect next fall, and will result in counties having more teens to put in juvenile detention centers instead of jails. Warren County leaders are looking into whether the former county jail at the back of the county Municipal Center can be converted to a regional detention center, to save local police trips to and from the closest center in Albany and counties the up to $600 a day to house them there. Warren County Probation Director Robert Iusi said cost and transportation issues aside, the Capital District detention center probably wont have space for local detainees. Iusi said Warren County typically has up to five 16- or 17-year-old inmates at a time. The state Office of Child and Family Services will visit the old jail on Dec. 7 to look at it and let the county know whether it could be converted. Some ask whether the cost will be too high to convert the old asbestos- and lead-laden facility to usable space, particularly if the state favors a dormitory-like setting instead of cells. Were not sure what type of the facility the state is looking for, Queensbury at-Large Supervisor Ron Montesi said. Queensbury at-Large Supervisor Doug Beaty said he doesnt think the jail would be convertible to the type of space needed. He said supervisors will also have to keep in mind that the school district where the facility is located will likely be responsible for the costs of educating the teens who are held there, which can amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars. In my eyes, that is a huge question, Beaty said. He raised that issue again Tuesday at a joint meeting with Washington County, where officials assured him that the local school district would bill each juveniles original school district for their educational costs. At the Tuesday meeting, Washington and Warren counties officials began to make plans for a joint facility for juveniles. They did not decide which county or town they would choose for the facility, but a closed detention center in Queensbury is being considered, as well as the old Warren County jail. Neither county needs much space. Washington County has two to three juveniles a year who would likely be detained. Warren County averages four juveniles, Beaty said. Hebron Supervisor and Budget Officer Brian Campbell wondered if it would be worth it to build a facility. If you hire five people a day to watch someone, thats not cheap either. Thats an awful expense if you have one (juvenile). It might be better to send them out, he said. But the state has only five juvenile facilities. The closest one, in Albany, is full, county Attorney Roger Wickes said. Officials from both counties agreed that, if they create a facility, it would be small perhaps fewer than 10 beds. They dont want it filled with teens from across the state. One thing we might not like is if we build it, they might come, Campbell said. Beaty agreed. We dont build it big enough for others to come, he said, although he suggested working with Essex County. Supervisors decided a three-county proposal would be likely to get state funding and set up a subcommittee to create a plan. So that in two, three, four months, when things start happening, were more prepared than other counties, said Granville Supervisor Matt Hicks. They want to submit a grant request soon so theyre considered before other counties. Queensbury resident Travis Whitehead said supervisors shouldnt hastily reject the jail conversion idea, as the county will have to deal with the old structure at some point and converting it for use as a juvenile detention center may be cheaper than demolition. County leaders found out this week it would cost about $400,000 to demolish the building, including removal of asbestos and 2 inches of soil under the building. Iusi said a lot is still unknown about what will happen with the criminal justice system when the law changes, such as who will prosecute new juvenile cases in Family Court instead of in local and county courts. This will change how kids get arrested and how the county will deal with it, Iusi said. Regulations are still being developed. There are a lot of questions that still have not been answered. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: A 23-year-old East Moline accused of fatally shooting his grandfather earlier this month will be evaluated for his fitness to stand trial. Rock Island County Assistant Public Defender Matthew Durbin, one of the attorneys for Roman P. Knox, said Tuesday that there was a "bona fide" doubt as to his fitness and asked that he be evaluated by Moline-based clinical psychologist Kirk Witherspoon. Judge Frank Fuhr granted the request during a short hearing at the Rock Island County Justice Center and set a status hearing for Dec. 12. The judge's ruling essentially halts the criminal proceedings against Knox until his fitness can be determined. If it is determined that he is unfit for trial, he will be remanded to the custody of the Illinois Department of Human Services for restoration training. Knox, who was not present in court Tuesday, is charged with one count of first-degree murder in the death of his grandfather, Robert E. Neal Sr., 69. At 9:31 p.m. Nov. 17, police were called to the 200 block of 19th Street in East Moline for a battery complaint. A passerby had called police and said there appeared to be two people fighting on the sidewalk and that one of them had a gun. Officers found Neal, who appeared to have a single gunshot wound to the chest, lying on the grass and began administering aid until EMS took over. He was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. Knox was arrested without incident a short time later at the home he and Neal shared, according to police. Knox was armed with a long gun and had blood on him, according to police. Police have not said what the two were arguing about before the shooting but said there was a history of domestic problems. U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Ill., said on Monday that if a member of Congress settles a sexual harassment claim then taxpayers have a right to know about it. The Moline Democrat joins Rep. Dave Loebsack, D-Iowa, who said the week before last that members who are the subject of settlements ought to be identified. Pressure is mounting on lawmakers to support identifying members who settle sexual harassment complaints following the news that the congressional office that handles workplace disputes said it had paid out $17 million in settlements since 1997. The office did not say how much of that related to settlements regarding sexual harassment complaints. I find it unacceptable that members of Congress can use taxpayer funds to settle workplace disputes with virtually no transparency, particularly accusations of sexual harassment or discrimination," Bustos said in a statement Monday. "If a member of Congress is going to settle a sexual harassment claim, taxpayers should have the right to know about it since they're the ones footing the bill." A spokesman, Jared Smith, said that means if a member of Congress is the person accused and there's a settlement, the lawmaker should be identified. Loebsack said on IPTVs Iowa Press earlier this month he was "appalled" by the use of taxpayer dollars to pay the settlements and that members or their staff who commit "egregious acts" ought to be identified. He also said they should pay the costs involved. Elsewhere in the delegation representing the Quad-Cities, Leigh Claffey, a spokesperson for Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, said that Congress needs to take a "closer look at how it handles sexual harassment allegations to make sure that those who have engaged in misconduct are held accountable." A spokesman for Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said that he believes the public has a right to know when taxpayer dollars are used to settle sexual harassment complaints. "He is currently working on legislation to provide greater transparency in the settlement of harassment claims in Congress, including what member offices were involved," Taylor Foy said. Grassley and Ernst co-authored a resolution to make sexual harassment training in the Senate mandatory. In a statement Monday, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said: "Taxpayer funds should not be used for this. I support Senator Gillibrands bill to reform this system. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-New York , has, along with Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., introduced legislation that would reform the process for dealing with complaints and require disclosure of the employing office and the amount of the settlement. If a member of Congress was the harasser, the member would have to repay the treasury for the amount of the award. Attempts to reach Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., were not immediately successful Monday afternoon. One by one, they've all left. All the merchants who operated retail stores in the Village of East Davenport when Connie Scott moved her business there in 1981 have left. New businesses have opened in their places, and now it's Scott's turn. By the end of December, she will close The Soap Box, a small store just west of the corner of Mound and 11th streets. The closing is bittersweet, but at 68, Scott said she wants to retire and "go into the next chapter of my life." That will include spending more time with her husband, Tim, who is retired from the Arsenal, and her two children and five grandchildren. Scott grew up in the Quad-Cities, but got the idea for a soap shop when she saw similar businesses during stints in San Francisco and Boulder, Colorado, in the 1970s. The Quad-Cities didn't have anything like that, and she thought the area could support one. She opened The Soap Box next to Trash Can Annie's when it was on Davenport's Brady Street, but when the Village space became available a year later, she moved. She has remained for 36 years. "Until Isabel Bloom left a year ago, we were the longest," she said of retail businesses in the Village with the original owners. Walking into her shop was an experience. Customers were greeted by the jingle of bells hanging on the door and the sweet, mingled scents of dozens of different soaps, candles and lotions, displayed in old-time oak display cases that Scott purchased specifically for the store. One bears a brass tag stating that it came from the jewelry department of the Marshall Field & Co., Chicago. The Crabtree & Evelyn brand was the first line Scott signed, and at one time she had 15 others. She also was among the first stores in the Quad-Cities to sell locally homemade soaps and candles. Now, they are available in many venues, but in the early '80s, The Soap Box was the place to get them. In that sense, she was a pioneer in "buying local and small," she said. She also stocked shaving, nail and back brushes and fragrance diffusers and house misters when they became popular. Among her favorite memories are of "living windows" she created during the annual Christmas Walk in the Village. Last year, her five grandchildren ranging in age from 14 to 1 and all wearing plaid pajamas, were positioned in the window making gingerbread houses. At one time, Scott thought her daughter might take over the business, but her daughter became a teacher and has three young children, so that is not going to happen. "And it's OK," Scott said. "It's worked out the way it's supposed to be. I started it, and I'm going to end it." After this week, the store will be open Thursdays through Saturdays in December until Christmas "or until the inventory is gone," Scott said. "And from how things are going, it might not last," she said, looking around at several bare shelves. Since she announced her plans to close, "customers have said the most wonderful things to me," she said. "That really has meant a lot. "I will miss this spot," she said. "I will miss the relationships with customers. But it is time to retire." Sitting in a tree stand seemed an ironic setting to internally debate one's masculinity and its role in society. After all, few institutions are more representative of old-school American manliness than deer camp. Yet, there I was, hunkered in a tree last week on a frigid morning in central Wisconsin, contemplating the inherent oppressiveness of my machismo. White House reporter Glenn Thrush had just been suspended from The New York Times after several women said he had a habit of making drunken passes at younger female journalists. Hollywood gatekeeper Harvey Weinstein faces scores of allegations of sexual assault and harassment. Woman after woman has lined up to tell 40-year-old stories about GOP Senate candidate Roy Moore's reported pursuit of underage teenagers. The career of Sen. Al Franken, D-Minnesota, was in jeopardy after a woman said he groped her years before seeking office. And Iowa Senate Republicans were on the verge of releasing a secret, astoundingly brief memo, detailing a culture of cat-calling and sexual comments reinforced by the very power of those accused of the behavior. The brutality of the male libido has long been ensconced in basically every organized society with a written tradition. The pervasiveness was expressed in myths of sexually aggressive gods and hyper-masculine heroes who took what they wanted. To this day, centuries-old fairy tales are steeped in a tradition of the ravenous male libido and its desire to control -- to lord over -- women. Little Red Riding Hood and the wolf hoping to lure her to bed. Dracula and his insatiable appetite for flesh. Every story about a damsel in distress oozes with a sense of female powerlessness in a world where only men hold agency. In the past century, Disney may be the trope's most prominent purveyor. "The Little Mermaid" was released in 1989. In it, Disney's script remained unchanged from previous iterations where placating a man was the fastest route up the social ladder. A woman should remain quiet -- in this case, literally mute -- pretty and submissive. Only then would her prince charming swoop in to control her, if only in a more opulent setting. This history didn't merely rise from the ether. Darwinian biology notes the varied reproductive strategies of the sexes. Selection would favor women who amassed offspring, due to the substantial time and energy involved. Men, able to sire multiple partners at a time, would, instead, genetically benefit from collecting a harem. This dynamic probably accounts for most of human history. Such a state remains well-established among the great apes, with whom human share 98 percent of their genome. And yet, here we are, in an important moment where true equality hinges on acceptance of humanistic maxims that can't exist if that predisposed id, from which men have championed and benefited for eons, lives on as an excuse. Men are not, and cannot be, mere bots programmed by their own genetic history. A few weeks back, a co-worker accused me of sexism in the middle of the newsroom. She had watched for a year as I periodically strolled from my office and conversed with the one man in her quad. She had asked more than once for me to include her in the banter, especially as the structure of the newsroom's editors underwent a reorganization. My hackles immediately went up when she lodged the allegation. Mine was the tone-deaf response befitting of a child staring headlong into a mirror that exposed his own privilege. This past week, I sat in trees and deer blinds. I hunkered down from the wind and did my best to remain quiet. And I thought. I thought about rebuffed drunken advances. I thought about my willingness to crack jokes with male colleagues. I thought about my own buy-in to a system that, for eons, rendered women property to be bought and sold for the enrichment and political gain of the men who dominated them. During dark days of Jewish history, we Jews were the objects of the blood libel, the spurious accusation that we murdered Christian children to extract their blood for ritual purposes. Pogroms ensued. We are now witnesses to a blood libel fostered by President Trump. He has linked the intentional slaughter of Sufi worshipers in Egypts Northern Sinai by terrorists to our need to wall ourselves in against undocumented immigrants from south of our border. About 20 Jonesboro residents met with about a half dozen representatives of Stored Solar LLC at a public meeting November 20 to discuss the future of the former Covanta biomass energy plant, which was idled last March. In 2016 Stored Solar purchased the Covanta plants in both Jonesboro and West Enfield and hopes to sell not only the electricity generated through burning wood but also waste products such as ash, excess heat and carbon dioxide produced from burning. "We can't make money competing with natural gas in a standalone plant," said Bill Harrington, U.S. director of the Parisbased Capergy, parent company of Stored Solar. Harrington and Stored Solar owner Fahim Samaha said they hope to attract other businesses, or "cohosts," to locate on the approximately 140acre Jonesboro property. These cohosts, such as a shrimp farm set to locate at the West Enfield plant, would purchase byproducts such as heat and also benefit from having a significantly less expensive source of electricity. Samaha said the company is looking for ways to market the other byproducts. One idea would be to take the carbon dioxide, process it and sell it to makers of soda and beer. "So every time you have a beer, you think of us," he said, eliciting laughs from the audience. Harrington said the company has encountered considerable obstacles since it began working on the project about 15 months ago. The West Enfield plant is doing much better than the Jonesboro plant because it has access to interstate highways, he said. In contrast, Jonesboro "is far from everything, far from everywhere." This makes it more difficult to recruit cohosts. "I'm constantly marketing Maine even though I'm not from Maine." he said. When questioned by Bob Mercer of Machiasport, Samaha said although Jonesboro is rural, its location has other advantages. For example, it's located close to the sea, only about an hour from Bar Harbor, where 450,000 tourists annually visit via cruise ships. He hopes to lure some of those tourists to Jonesboro. "We want to promote something which is different," he said, suggesting people may be interested in coming to see the plant and what the firm dubs its "biohub ecosystem" that creates renewable resources. "I'm not saying this will happen," Samaha said. "I'm saying this is what we're trying to do." The company aims to be innovative, doing things that have never before been tried, said Harrington. "Had we not come in at the time we did, these two plants would have been leveled," he said. Aaron Bell of Tide Mill Farm in Edmunds said the idea of cheaper power appeals to him. Although he was not committing, he said he could see moving some of his farm's operations to the Jonesboro site in order to realize a significant savings in electricity and heating costs. Mercer said Stored Solar's plans sound good but he wanted to know how likely it is that these plans will materialize. Harrington said the firm has invested a lot of money but can't make money until cohorts get involved. Samaha said unfavorable media reports have further hampered the company's efforts to recruit cohosts. He asked the media present to assist in getting the word out accurately. Jonesboro resident Nancy Oden said the media need something substantial to report. "You get something going and it's a good thing, and we'll be happy to tell people about it," she said. Mercer asked what residents can expect to see and when. Harrington said the company will fire up the Jonesboro plant again in a couple of weeks and generate power throughout the winter with a goal of operating year round. During their presentation, Stored Solar representatives said their firm will be adding to its staff of about 60 people. GILLETTE, Wyo. (AP) | A liberal amount of gray is flecked in the beard and hair of Norman Randall, 54. It's not from the paint the Cheyenne man is applying to signs at the AVA Community Art Center in Gillette, though. It may be more about his age and his business: Hand-painting signs. He bills himself as the Old School Sign Painter. In the 1980s, the advent of vinyl signs spelled the doom of the art of sign painting throughout the United States. Now, though, the practice is coming back, and that brought Randall back to Gillette in September. He wants to teach a workshop on sign painting in Gillette in the future, if others want to learn the art. THE ART OF SIGNS And it is an art, one Randall started at age 8 or 9 in the late 1960s when he helped his brother paint a sign for a Dairy Queen in Dry Prong, Louisiana. That was his first job, one that included misspelling the word "dining" and instead painting "dinning." His mother noticed the error and the family offered to repaint the sign. The business owner didn't want that, however. He told Randall that he wouldn't believe the number of people who came to the Dairy Queen to tell him about the misspelled word and also bought something to eat or drink while they were there. Since then, Randall went on to paint signs in Louisiana and Texas before closing his shop in 1983 when vinyl signs took over the industry. "Everybody was competing for a $10 job. Lately, though, there's been a resurgence," Randall said. BACK IN BUSINESS So he moved to Cheyenne a few years ago and decided to open a new shop. Now his mantra is have paint, will travel. "You've got to be a gypsy," Randall said. That's not such a bad thing. It brought him and his love of sign painting to Gillette, where he applied blue letters and black dots to a white background on a former garage door on the side of the former Wyoming Department of Transportation building that now is a center for art in the community. He was brought to the community by artist Dara Corkery, who was looking for a new sign at AVA and wanted it done old style instead of on vinyl. To demonstrate what he does and promote the sign-painting workshops, Corkery and Randall combined for a movie and popcorn day at AVA on Sunday afternoon. Folks also watched Randall paint, something that drew sign painters in a passing pickup to give him a few whistles and thumbs-up. An AVA supporter donated the money for the signs and to bring Randall to Gillette. The signs face West Second Street in front of the building. "I believe a computer will never replace a human," he said. "I'm not an artist. I couldn't paint a picture of that tree." But he knows how to use negative space to make the words pop out at those driving by in a rush. And he knows a sign painter is, by nature, a counselor and educator who leaves his mark on the world with each sign he paints. That's why people collect them. "Old painted signs are collectors' items now," Randall said. "Like me, they get better looking with age." MEANT TO BE Corkery had seen some hand-painted signs in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and wanted to bring that art to Gillette. She also felt the AVA Community Art Center needed a new sign. Executive Director Sarah Warne agreed. She even had a location for the sign, although a horse stood in the way one of those painted for a fundraiser in years past through AVA. Then a woman who originally had wanted to buy that painted horse who couldn't afford it at the time made another offer. Now the horse is gone and the location for a new sign became available. It was a sign that Randall's work was meant to be. VALUABLE REAL ESTATE He began by designing the signs in his shop in Cheyenne, then using a seamstress tool to outline the lettering, creating small dots. He chalked the letters onto the space of the sign using math to make sure the lines were straight and then began painting. The paint is specially made to withstand the elements, weather and aging. He'll teach all of that to anyone who'd like to learn the trade. "I hope to teach an old-school workshop," Randall said. "I'll teach them what I know." That's something he's never done, although he said there are lettering workshops offered throughout England and Scotland, where hand-painted signs are back in vogue. "A sign is valuable real estate," he added, relating the tale of how a sign painter advised a businessman to cut the words he didn't need in a "Fresh Fish Sold Here" sign to just "Fish." Obviously, he said, the fish had to be fresh or no one would sell it, and just as obvious was where it was sold. The word "sold" also wasn't needed because the businessman wasn't a philanthropist. No matter how you describe it, this is a profession for the ages. "I've always enjoyed it," Randall said. "I get to play with paint." Thousands of signs later, Randall is still doing what he loves. His hand-lettered signs are still on display in Louisiana, Texas, Georgia, Cheyenne, Gordon County, Colorado, California and now Gillette. SIOUX FALLS | A family in southeastern South Dakota says someone stole an urn containing the cremated remains of a relative, and they're asking for its return, without fear of reprisal. The urn holding the ashes of Alice Durham disappeared from the family's home in Sioux Falls sometime between Thanksgiving day and Friday night. Family member LeAne Poile said that Durham passed less than a year ago. The family said they filed a police report but won't press charges if the ashes are returned, KELO-TV reported. "If they want to keep the urn, that's totally fine, we just want the ashes back," said Pamela Brewer, Durham's daughter. Brewer said she doesn't understand why someone would take the urn from her home when there were valuable items like a television and Apple Watch in sight. "The only thing I could think of is just to hurt our family, that's the only thing I could think of, or they thought that it looked valuable because it does," Brewer said. The urn is gold with mother of pearl wrapped around the body. Brewer is asking anyone with information to contact law enforcement. When 25 people were gunned down inside a rural Texas church earlier this month, it became clear to law enforcement and local pastors just how vulnerable these kinds of open buildings are to acts of mass violence. This week, a pastor who holds a black belt in karate is coming to Box Elder to train church leaders on how to respond to intruders and develop a security plan. Organizers say nearly 60 people from churches as far away as North Dakota have signed up to attend the seminar, which will take place Friday and Saturday at Outreach Community Church in Box Elder. The Rev. Barry Young, who will lead the training, is vice president of Church Security Ministries for Strategos International, a Kansas City-based security training and consulting organization. Interest in the seminar surged after the mass shooting in Texas on Nov. 5, said Box Elder Police Department Lt. Chris Misselt, who is helping organize the event. Misselt said he attended a similar seminar in Sioux Falls last year, and after seeing the positive response it received, decided it made sense to offer the training in the Black Hills. Attendees are taught how to identify suspicious people, train security teams, lock down a facility and respond to intruders. Having armed people inside a church to protect against an active shooter is also a part of the conversation, Misselt said, but that's a "component not all will opt for." Around 80 people attend Outreach Community Church, and some who have concealed-weapons licenses already bring guns to services, said the church's pastor, Ernie Nelson. "I'm not opposed to it," Nelson said. "Some people are." The church decided to review its security measures in fall 2013, after an intoxicated driver crashed into a wall in front of the building. The crash occurred overnight, so no one was at the church, but the incident caused more than $65,000 in damages, Nelson said. Outreach Community Church began working with Strategos last year to improve church security and protect property. The mass shooting in Texas reinforced the need to make changes. "It brought to the forefront that we need to look at the security of the facility," Nelson said. "You can't just take things for granted in the day we live in." Misselt said churches are already aware of the need to protect against theft and child abuse, but putting into place measures to respond to an intruder "can frankly be a harder sell." Since the security seminar was launched in 2008, Strategos has trained over 20,000 church personnel from more than 1,000 churches in the United States and overseas, according to a news release from the Box Elder Police Department. The company also consults with businesses, provides tactical training for law enforcement and offers personal protection for CEOs and VIPs. The release said the number of violent incidents at churches in the U.S. has increased significantly in the last 20 years. The good news is that churches dont have to compromise on a welcoming environment, Vaughn Baker, president of Strategos, said in the release. In fact, training volunteers to be alert can have the effect of making them more engaged with people on every level. It allows pastors to be more relaxed and focused, knowing that a team has security in mind. A spokesman for the company could not be reached for comment. The cost of the seminar is $99 for one day or $159 for both days. While the seminar is designed for church leaders, staff and volunteer personnel, it is open to anyone, Nelson said. For more information, visit intruderresponse.com. Dr. F. Clark Elkins, who was the president of Chadron State College for 5 years during time of great growth and improvement, died Saturday, Nov. 24 at his home in Jonesboro, Ark. He was 94. Chadron States enrollment was 807 in the fall of 1961, a couple of months after Elkins became its sixth president. By the fall of 1965, a few months before he resigned to become president at Northeast Missouri State, now Truman State, it had nearly doubled. Five buildings, the Kline Campus Center, the National Guard Armory, Armstrong Gymnasium and Kent and Andrews Residence Halls, were constructed during that period. Funding also had been obtained for a new heating plant, the Reta King Library and the High Rise Dormitory. Elkins also was credited with recruiting professors who had doctorates and encouraging faculty already at the college to earn higher degrees, took steps to strengthen the colleges accreditation status and helped launch the Chadron State Foundation so students could obtain loans and additional scholarships. Elkins also helped convince the Board of Trustees of Nebraska State Colleges and ultimately the Legislature to provide more funding for salaries and benefits and classroom equipment. Prior to coming to Chadron State, Elkins was a history professor at Henderson State College in his native Arkansas. His initial visit to Chadron State was in the fall of 1960, when he was part of a team checking the colleges accreditation. A year later became its president. Following a 2 year tenure as president of Truman State, he was a vice president at Arkansas State at Jonesboro for 11 years and Northern Arizona University at Flagstaff for eight years. He was presented Chadron States Distinguished Service Award in August 1989. He was preceded in death by his wife, Norma, in 2012. Survivors include their daughter, Annette; her husband, Paul Bednar; a grandson; a granddaughter; and a great-grandchild, all of Jonesboro. HOT SPRINGS - The Hot Springs third graders connected with their hometowns architecture and history in a unique way earlier this month. On Nov. 2, the students went on a walking tour of downtown Hot Springs with their teachers and learned about the buildings and their architectural features and also about the towns past. Then, they created their own buildings and displayed them at the Hot Springs History Showcase at their school Nov. 15. The purpose of the history showcase and walk is to fulfill our social studies standard and to help the students connect with the past, said Diane Schroeder, who is one of two third grade teachers with Rebecca Massa. They learn how our community started and about the unique features it has. The students see a slide presentation of the buildings architectural features and have booklets in which they can write and include pictures. Some of the features are diaperwork, which looks like a checkerboard; dentils that look like teeth that are usually at the top of the buildings; battlements that look like the tops of castles; keystones that are wedge-shaped stone at the top of an arch; corbels that support brackets; roundels which are circular windows, Gothic Revival with arches that come to point above the doors and windows; and Richardsonian Romanesque, which features rounded arches above windows and doors. Schroeder said the students also learn about the towns beginning with the Indians, the warm water and Minnekahta and about the Cheyenne and Battle Mountain. They learn about early businessmen and builders Fred Evans and F.O. Butler and the stonecutters at local sandstone quarries. They see the bandshell and gazebo and learn about the early floods. The students point out the architectural features on the buildings and can touch them. The students especially like hearing about Granger, the horse that pulled the fire wagon, Schroeder said. We talk about as much history as we know. The third grade history walk began in the early 1990s with teachers Gail Krah, Pat Coffield, and Patty Schuh. When we taught social studies, the students learned about the importance of communities and that they are in a certain place for a certain reason, Schuh said. In our books we studied a town in Arizona, but it wasnt very interesting, so we thought, why dont we study our own town? All three teachers were trained to conduct Main Street tours, so they started the walking tour for their students. They walked by the buildings and talked about the towns history, then they traveled to Wind Cave National Park on horse-drawn covered wagons, at first, then later on school buses. They went on the candlelight tour that reenacts the 1890s. Then they went to a hill at Wind Cave, where they saw a teepee ring and learned about tools made from buffalo and deer. Weve had students parents say they lived here all their lives and never knew about the town, Schuh said. It gives them pride in their town and its history. Recently, the History Showcase was added to the learning experience. Students are expected to work with their families to construct buildings with at least three of the architectural features that are on the sandstone buildings. The students dont have to make a specific local building, but their projects must have the architectural features. Their material can be everything from yarn, buttons, beads, cereal, crackers, cardboard, etc. Then they are displayed at the Hot Springs History Showcase in the Elementary School Multi-purpose room for all the students to view. Next spring, as part of their social studies, the third grade will go on the Candlelight Tour at Wind Cave, Schroeder said. They will also visit the Pioneer Museum and learn about the old school that was in that building. The case of the South Dakota inmate accused of killing a retired Rapid City teacher in June has been assigned to a new judge after two others disqualified themselves. Judge Jeff Davis, of the 7th Circuit Court, is now presiding over the case of Andrew Eastman, charged with multiple felonies including first-degree murder in the death of Larry Mintzlaff. Eastman made his initial circuit court appearances before Judge Robert Gusinsky until Eastman asked the judge to recuse himself, believing he couldnt receive a fair and impartial trial, according to court documents. The case was handed to Judge Matt Brown, who received a similar request from the prosecution, the Pennington County State's Attorney's Office. Judges who disqualify themselves from a case arent required by South Dakota law to state their reasons. None were provided in Eastman's file. After driving more than 50,000 miles and hiking hundreds more while shooting photographs in 24 national parks, Custer-based photographer Paul Horsted has a new book and conflicting emotions. Im encouraged and a little bit worried, he said. The encouragement derives from the places in the parks that appear largely unchanged from photographs taken 75 to 150 years ago. The worry derives from the negative effects of overcrowding. At Delicate Arch in Utahs Arches National Park, Horsted said, there is virtually never a time during the day or night without visitors. At Zion National Park, also in Utah, Horsted encountered crowds so large that toilets lacked toilet paper and garbage overflowed from receptacles. To lessen the environmental impact from hordes of visitors, controversial ideas such as mandatory reservations are being floated at some parks. It's amid that atmosphere of growing concern about overcrowding that Horsted offers up his new book, Treasures of the National Parks Yesterday & Today. The color, large-format, 240-page coffee-table book available online and in local stores features 170 pairs of images. Each pair consists of a historical image alongside a modern image taken by Horsted from the same vantage point. In the book, Horsted described the photo pairs as a frame of reference against which we can measure the progress of our nations stewardship in caring for and protecting these invaluable places. The photographs also serve as a reminder of the natural beauty that is preserved by the national parks. Page after page, the book delivers breathtaking views of parks stretching from Maui to Maine. Two national parks in South Dakota, Badlands and Wind Cave, are featured in the book. Horsted spent four years traveling to the photo locations by air, vehicle and foot. Another year was spent in production with his wife, Camille Riner, who designed the book. She and the couples daughter, Anna Marie, traveled to some of the locations with Horsted. Horsteds work is part of a genre called re-photography. His four previous re-photography books focused on the Black Hills and Yellowstone National Park. He became interested in the genre 15 years ago while examining glass-plate images from George Armstrong Custers 1874 expedition into the Black Hills. That expedition became the topic of his first re-photography book. Since then, he has used the sales of each new book to fund his work on the next one (for a future project, he is pondering a book of historical and modern images from throughout South Dakota). The thrill he gets from standing in history, as he described it, has never faded. He hopes his new book will give readers a sense of that thrill, and he hopes they will be inspired to help protect the national parks, even if that means considering controversial ideas. Those ideas include a first-of-its-kind, year-round reservation system that will be implemented in January at Muir Woods National Monument in California, and reservation systems under consideration at parks including Zion and Arches. Horsted described such restrictions as painful but potentially necessary. The big challenge for us in our national parks is maybe there are too many people in them, Horsted said. We all want to go, but there may have to be some limitations. STURGIS | A Sturgis junior high student is putting together a benefit for local charities. McKinley Baum is hosting a reader's theater event from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at 2460 Baldwin St. in Sturgis. The evening will include a light meal and a reader's theater of "The Hundred Dresses," a children's book by Eleanor Estes about a poor Polish girl who has trouble fitting in to her new American school. Attendees are asked to bring donations to benefit the Artemis House and Dress for Success charities. Suggested donations include dresses, professional clothing and hygiene items. Baum is a seventh-grader at Sturgis Williams Middle School, according to her teacher, Laura Sandness. Sandness, who is the gifted coordinator for the Meade School District, said Baum is doing the benefit as a project for class, after being issued a challenge "to develop a project that would positively impact the world." "She stepped up and has created an absolutely outstanding project that will entertain, feed and serve!" Sandness wrote in an email to the Journal. Hatchery plans Christmas events SPEARFISH | A host of activities are planned at the D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery & Archives this weekend during its Hatchery Holidays event. The Hatchery Holidays wine and hot chocolate tasting will be from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Historic Booth House at D.C. Booth Fish Hatchery in Spearfish. Short, historical interpretive tours of the Booth House, live music, wine and light tapas will be provided by Prairie Berry Winery. A news release from the hatchery says there will be amateur ice sculpturing at 2 p.m. Saturday, and a candy cane hunt. Santa will make an appearance, and there will be an outdoor holiday movie in the late afternoon on the grounds, as well as marshmallow roasting. Tickets to the wine tasting in the Booth House will be available in the gift shop Saturday for $20. On Sunday, the Booth House will be open for free visits. The gift shop will be open from noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. PIERRE | Members of South Dakotas School Finance Accountability Board gave final approval Monday on recommendations to the Legislatures Joint Committee on Appropriations for school districts that allegedly violated state teacher-pay law. The legislative panels co-chairmen are Rep. David Anderson, R-Hudson, and Sen. Larry Tidemann, R-Brookings. The committee has nine House members and nine senators. School districts face the possible penalty of losing half of the additional funding they were supposed to receive under the 2016 teacher-pay package. Lawmakers increased the state sales tax to 4.5 percent to pay for additional compensation to teachers and to reduce school taxes on local property. The tax had been 4 percent since 1969. The lawmakers will decide whether to accept waivers recommended two weeks ago by the five accountability board members. They are: Governors aide Patrick Weber; Brandon Valley schools superintendent Jarod Larson; Belle Fourche schools business manager Susan Proefrock; Mobridge-Pollock school board member Eric Stroeder; and Huron schools superintendent Terry Nebelsick, the state boards chairman. School districts needed to show they had spent at least 85 percent of the additional aid on teacher compensation from 2016 to 2017 and at least 85 percent of the increase in local need for 2017 went to teacher compensation. Thirty-six of South Dakotas 153 school districts didnt meet one or both of the accountability standards. Lead-Deadwood and Hoven violated the accountability requirements but didnt seek waivers because they dont get state aid. Of the 34 others, five demonstrated to the accountability board they hadnt correctly submitted data to state governments Department of Education. Board members recommended Colome Consolidated, Lemmon, Sanborn Central, Hitchcock-Tulare and Corsica-Stickney to be removed from the penalty list. Fifteen districts received recommendations from the board for outright waivers. They were Edgemont, Kadoka Area, Lyman, Pierre, Rosholt, Highmore-Harrold, Kimball, Henry, Gayville-Volin, Gettysburg, Faulkton Area, Bowdle, Edmunds Central, Summit and Sisseton. Thirteen districts received recommendations of conditional waivers that require them to reopen negotiations with local teachers bargaining units and reinvest additional amounts of money in compensation for the current school year. They face recommended deadlines of Feb. 1 to complete the renegotiation process. Those districts and amounts for additional compensation investment include: Jones County $11,180; White River $30,743; Wall $27,144; New Underwood $22,278; Faith $9,101; Newell $7,631; and McLaughlin $114,730. The board scheduled a teleconference on March 12 to discuss whether the 13 school districts met the Feb. 1 deadline. Next year marks the start of an additional financial accountability regarding cash balances. Beginning July 1, the state aid owed to a school district shall be reduced by subtracting the allowable general fund cash balance from the lowest general fund monthly cash balance. Nebelsick said the purpose of the meeting Monday was to show the boards agreement with the report that state officials would send to lawmakers on the appropriations panel for the Dec. 4 meeting. Nebelsick said the work on the report reflected the diligence shown by the departments four staff members during the boards meetings earlier this month. The accountability board held two days of hearings. I thought it was very well done and very well presented, Proefrock said. Political Incorrectness Paradoxes, and Anything else out of left field. Time was when a mere statement from a secretary of state let alone a US president would have the phones jangling across the Middle East . The Reagans, Clintons, Bushes or Obamas of this world actually did have an effect on the region, albeit often malign, US leaders being poorly briefed and always in awe of Israel (not to mention its power to destroy political lives in Washington). But today, who is calling the shots across the old Ottoman Empire? Well, just take a look at Putin and Assad and Erdogan and Sissi and Macron and Rouhani . These are the men who are currently holding the headlines, either declaring Isis dead or beaten or Syria saved or the Kurds terrorists or rescuing Prime Minister Saad Hariri from his hostage home in Saudi Arabia although now weve all got to believe that he wasnt detained and didnt really intend to resign or did resign but doesnt want to resign any more. And rather oddly, Mohamed bin Salman looks less and less influential, a Gulf Crown Prince whose attempts to destroy Yemen, Assads Syria, Qatar and Al Jazeera and even poor Lebanon look more and more like a child in a tantrum, throwing his toys around in an attempt to frighten the neighbours including the one neighbour he will not fight, the Islamic Republic of Iran. So the Middle East I live in looks less and less like the place I arrived to report on more than four decades ago. Then US policy was real if often delusional, balanced by an ever more crumbling Soviet Union, constantly reassuring a battery of dictators that they would support them at various times, they included Saddam Hussein, Hafez al-Assad, Anwar Sadat, King Hussain of Jordan, Colonel Gaddafi and the Shah of Iran. It was a time, too, when even the PLO and Arafat were terrorists though they were confusingly taken on and off terrorist lists by the US or Israel every few years. In fact, these were the jolly days when the Israelis were encouraging that nice friendly Hamas movement now, of course, back in the terrorist cage to open new mosques in Gaza to counterbalance Arafats statelet in Lebanon. The Israelis have effectively forgotten that dangerous little policy of theirs. And in those far-off days, who could imagine the cults that would emerge to recast all the terrorists of yesterday as moderates and present an entirely new chamber of horrors al-Qaeda and Isis to put the fear of God into us all and to spread their influence around the globe and to force even the dunderheads in the Pentagon to call them apocalyptic? And its interesting that Irans own President announces that Isis is beaten it used to be George W Bush who talked about mission accomplished. And of course, now it is Putin who invites Bashar al-Assad to Sochi, and chats to the presidents of Iran and Turkey, and whose army remains in Syria, and remains a good friend of President-Field Marshal al-Sissi of Egypt. So, please note, does Emmanuel Macron who invited Sissi to Paris this month without once mentioning human rights all this with 60,000 political prisoners in Egypt, thousands of disappeared and many mysterious murders. Yes, its all very well to thank Macron for pulling Hariri out of his glitzy prison in Riyadh and he did that rather well, by the way but do not think that France is going to be a beacon of reform in the Middle East any more than Putin. And if Bashar al-Assad talks again of his preparedness to negotiate with anyone, he did so only after meeting Putin and thanking him for saving Syria (and himself, one might add). Truly, the US has turned into the Cheshire Cat, sometimes quite disappearing from our vision with the exception of various bits and bobs of American special forces who pop up to help Kurds and weirdly named militias all of which appear to have three-letter acronyms who will be abandoned, betrayed or forgotten in the months to come. Perhaps only the Cheshire Cats grin will remain. The Hezbollah, I suspect, is the only armed force in the Middle East which has only one name. And theyre on the terrorist list though not of course in Moscow, where Putin supports the Hezbollahs ally Bashar. What has not changed, however, in all these years, is the pit of injustice, impoverishment, educational ignorance, fear and indignity in which the Arab and Muslim peoples live in the Middle East. And not one of the new leaders who are taking over from the Americans is doing anything to alleviate either the corruption that is the great sickness of the Arab world or the inequality and tribal politics which the Ottoman Empire bequeathed to the Middle East when it collapsed. Humanism has retreated rather than advanced and human and civil rights are now scarcely mentioned in the context of the region. The great Arab revolutions have played themselves out, in some cases in Egypt, for example actually re-infantalising their people to yet again love deep state dictators and brutal cops and generals with governessy eagles on their cap badges. Perhaps Saudi Arabia is a revolution still to come. I have always thought that the day the royal princes started locking each other up might be the beginning of the end of the Kingdom. But there is precious little reason to find any optimism across the smashed and rubbleised landscape of the Middle East. And we should remember that it was from this place of abject sorrow that al-Qaeda emerged, and then Isis and the whole gamut of frightening men with hoods and knives which still exists in the deserts of Iraq and Syria and across Africa from Sinai to Mali. And what new monster is going to arrive next? Those glorious days of the 1970s seem quite tame by comparison. You could almost wish for the return of the corrupt old PLO. Even the return of serious American foreign policy which does not these days even amount to a Cheshire Cat would be a relief. Kiplings Recessional sounds even more geographically appropriate today, when navies melt away and all the pomp of yesterday is one with Nineveh and Tyre! SNc Channels: Search About Salem-News.com Nov-27-2017 15:15 TweetFollow @OregonNews Fentanyl Overdose Death Investigation in Wisconsin Leads to Portland Arrest Selling & buying illegal drugs on the Dark Net is a bad choice. 33-year-old Joseph R. Caruso of Lake Oswego, Oregon. Photo: Multnomah County Sheriff/KATU (PORTLAND, Ore.) - In early November, members of the Portland Police Bureau Drugs and Vice Division's High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Interdiction Taskforce, known as HIT, learned of a Fentanyl overdose death that occurred in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Based on the investigation in Green Bay, law enforcement linked the package to the Portland Metropolitan Area. Investigators in the HDITA Interdiction Taskforce continued to investigate the connection between the parcel that was shipped from the Portland area to Green Bay. During the investigation, the HIDTA Interdiction Taskforce connected the parcel to a location in Lake Oswego. A warrant was requested and issued for a residence, two banks and a vehicle. Members of the HIDTA Interdiction Taskforce served the warrants on Tuesday, November 21 and Wednesday, November 22, 2017. During the investigation and warrants, investigators located evidence of drug sales and arrested 33-year-old Joseph R. Caruso in the 100 block of Kerr Parkway in Lake Oswego. Caruso was lodged in the Multnomah County Jail on Tuesday, November 21, 2017, on a United States Marshal Hold associated to the sale and distribution of illegal narcotics. Caruso will have a second hearing at 1 p.m. at the United States Courthouse in Downtown Portland on Monday, November 27, 2017. This is the third major case this year that the HIDTA Interdiction Taskforce has worked with ties to the Dark Net, Fentanyl and overdose deaths. Officials want to warn the public that Fentanyl and other opioid analogs are extremely potent and have caused accidental overdose deaths in Portland and around the state. Fentanyl is an extremely powerful synthetic opioid similar to morphine, but it crosses the blood-brain barrier faster than more commonly encountered opioids and can be 100 to 10,000 times more potent than morphine or heroin. In Oregon, 80 people have died in accidental overdoses from synthetic opioids since 2014, and the deaths are increasing according to the Oregon State Medical Examiner's Office. "Illegal use of opioids in our community affects everyone and is an epidemic in our country," said Chief Danielle Outlaw. "I am proud of the work that is being done by the members of the Drugs and Vice Division and our partner agencies in regard to these complex investigations, to locate those individuals selling these dangerous drugs and hold them responsible." The Portland Police Bureau Drugs and Vice Division's HIDTA Interdiction Taskforce is comprised of members from the Homeland Security Investigations, United States Postal Inspection Service and Portland Police Bureau. The HIDTA Interdiction Taskforce also works closely with the United States Attorney's Office. Anyone with information about the sale or distribution of illegal narcotics should contact the Portland Police Bureau's Drugs and Vice Division at 503-823-0246. Source: Portland Police Bureau _________________________________________ Pharma | Business | United-states | Fatal | Most Commented on Articles for November 27, 2017 | Articles for November 28, 2017 If you are currently a print subscriber but don't have an online account, select this option. You will need to use your 7 digit subscriber account number (with leading zeros) and your last name (in UPPERCASE). Congrats to new US District Judge (and former US Sentencing Commissioner) Dabney Friedrich | Main | "The Law of Abolition" November 28, 2017 "Has Plea Bargaining Destroyed the Jury Trial?" The question in the title of this post is the headline of this new commentary at The Crime Report authored by Suja Thomas. Here are excerpts: Despite the frequent presence of juries in media coverage of trials, the public is absent from much of the democratic process created by the U.S. Constitution. While citizens elect officials, few participate in important daily criminal and civil justice decisions by serving on juries. Juries decide less than four percent of criminal cases and less than one percent of civil cases. Juries dont determine criminal defendants fates, because defendants plead guilty around 95-97 percent of the time. But why would a defendant plead guilty, when a prosecutor otherwise would be required to convince a jury to convict the defendant? Almost invariably, the defendant pleads guilty because he or she will receive more time in prison if the case went to a jury trial and resulted in conviction. Prosecutors use charge or sentence bargaining to incentivize defendants. Defendants are given less time in prison if they give up their jury trial rights and plead guilty. In fact, even innocent people have pled guilty to avoid a longer sentence, which will be imposed, if they insist on a jury trial and are convicted by a jury. The plea with the better sentence may be available for only a short period of time and only before the defendant has significant information about the prosecutors case against him. The plea may even require the defendant to waive seeing the prosecutions evidence and waive the indictment by a grand jury (in places where grand juries are required). Although this system is widely accepted today, is it constitutional? The statistics tell a disconcerting story. Ten percent of those who have been found innocent pled guilty many times because of the severe difference in the sentence if convicted before a jury versus if pleading guilty. What about those who are guilty? Plea bargaining is equally troublesome in those circumstances.... In the past, the Supreme Court recognized the possible constitutional problem with significant sentence incentives for pleas over jury trials. However, later, the Court sealed the fate of the jury trial and thus criminal defendants. In Bordenkircher v. Hayes, the prosecutor asked the defendant to take a plea offer of five years for an alleged forged check for around $90. He threatened the defendant with a new indictment subjecting him to life in prison, if he would not take the plea. The defendant refused to plead guilty, was subsequently indicted by a grand jury on a new life imprisonment charge, was convicted by a jury, and sentenced to life in prison. The defendant argued this was unfair. His right to due process was violated when the prosecutor punished him for insisting on a jury. But the Supreme Court decided that the defendants constitutional rights were not infringed. Plea bargaining was an important part of the criminal justice system. The Court has laid aside the Constitution and defendants rights in favor of efficiency. However, the jury is enshrined in the Constitution, and defendants do not freely choose pleas over jury trials when facing much stiffer sentences if convicted by juries. I have argued elsewhere for jury reform including the plea offer and sentence requirements. The basic idea is if a prosecutor offers a plea bargain and the defendant decides to go to trial, the plea offer as well as the sentence associated with the plea can be placed into evidence at trial for the jury to consider. The jury then has multiple options. It can convict on the original charge, convict on the plea charge, or not convict. In deciding on what, if any, charge to convict, the jury can consider the sentence associated with the plea charge and the sentence associated with the original charge. This practice of considering the sentences would be consistent with historical convention. English juries knew the sentences and often acquitted or gave partial verdicts for lesser offenses based on the sentence. November 28, 2017 at 10:06 AM | Permalink Comments AND If defendant is paying for counsel , the $ cost is far higher Posted by: Docile the Kind Soul | Nov 28, 2017 10:42:05 AM It was blackmail then and it still is. Plus under all State and Federal law no agreement made under duress us either legal or enforcable Posted by: Rodsmith3510 | Nov 28, 2017 12:28:54 PM All prosecutorial immunity from tort liability should be ended by federal law, making criminal law funding dependent on states' ending the immunity by statute. Then apply professional standards of due care. Plea deals against innocent defendants, stacked against guilty defendants, parole sharking, should be deemed intentional torts. They are already prohibited by the Rules of Conduct, and should therefore be per se torts. Because of malice (knowledge), exemplary damages apply. Nor should the tax payer be held accountable, since ethics violations are not part of the job description. Make the prosecutors carry adequate professional liability insurance. This liability should be separate from lawyer malpractice jurisprudence. That contains not just proof of negligence or deviations, but the trial in a trial. The law should ratify straight professional liability procedure. Posted by: David Behar | Nov 28, 2017 1:45:58 PM Rod. Judges are totally responsible for abuses of plea bargaining, as well as prosecutors. I also support liability of judges for their failures to supervise such abuses better. Posted by: David Behar | Nov 28, 2017 1:49:09 PM This piece reminds me of my history of the common law professor. He was fond of noting how informal the 18th century jury trial was which permitted one jury to hear multiple trials in the same day. The gist of his point is that you can either have a system in which trials are complicated with lots of formalities but only a tiny percent get trials or a system in which trials are relatively informal and most people get one. It's almost impossible to have a system in which you can have both. Posted by: tmm | Nov 29, 2017 10:28:59 PM Post a comment Ohio getting started on Justice Reinvestment 2.0 to confront latest criminal justice challenges | Main | Congrats to new US District Judge (and former US Sentencing Commissioner) Dabney Friedrich November 27, 2017 Record sex-trafficking sentence, 472 years of imprisonment, imposed in Colorado court This local article, headlined "The tough ones are us women:' Colorado pimp gets 472 year sentence," report on a sentencing in Colorado that seems to be record-setting. Here are the details: A man convicted of sexually exploiting women as a pimp will spend the rest of his life and then some in prison. In a sentencing hearing [last] Tuesday afternoon, Arapahoe County Judge Peter F. Michaelson sentenced the man found guilty of running a child prostitution ring to 472 years in prison. That is more than four times the minimum required sentence - and the largest sentence brought down for a human trafficking case in the country. Brock Franklin was indicted in 2015 by a grand jury for allegedly using drugs and violence to control young girls, often forcing them into lewd acts as part of a child sex trafficking ring. Four others have already been sentenced for their involvement in the human trafficking ring. Prosecutors said Franklin preyed on young women and girls who were vulnerable. In his trial, a jury heard from eight of the nine victims in the case. Damage isnt lessened because of where someone came from or where someone did not come from, an attorney for the Arapahoe County District Attorneys Office said in court Tuesday. In a packed courtroom Tuesday afternoon, prosecutors read two letters from Franklins victims. Every morning I wake up I have to remind myself the defendant will no longer be able to hurt me, the first letter began. The victim, identified only as DY, wrote to the court about the PTSD, anxiety, and depression she suffers because of Franklins actions.... In March of this year, Franklin went on trial for 34 counts including pimping a child, patronizing a child prostitute, kidnapping and assault. He was found guilty on 30 counts including human trafficking, sexual exploitation of a child, child prostitution, kidnapping, pimping of a child, and racketeering. He was acquitted of several charges including distributing marijuana and assault with a deadly weapon.... The minimum sentence would have been 96 years in prison, which is what Franklins defense team requested, reminding the judge Franklin had not been convicted of any violent crimes. Janet Drake, with the Attorney Generals Office, asked the judge for a 616 year sentence on behalf of the people of the state of Colorado. This is not a minimum sentence type of case, Drake said. Franklins defense team argued a 616 year sentence would not be appropriate. His attorneys told the judge a 96 year to life sentence would be ample punishment, since Franklin would likely never live to see his parole eligibility even with that sentence. The defense also said Franklins troubled past, including being homeless at age five, should be considered in his sentencing. I am not sure what I find more remarkable, the fact that the judge here imposed a sentence of nearly half a millennium or the fact that this sentence of 472 years was a full 144 years less than the term requested by prosecutors. November 27, 2017 at 09:13 PM | Permalink Comments Pimps should get a lot more punishment generally, particularly those who traffic in minors. Posted by: federalist | Nov 28, 2017 7:20:07 AM Should the guy be punished - absolutely, even though lawmakers and the courts have bastardized the term "sex trafficking" so that a sole prostitute's beneficiary, such as her child, would fall into most legal definitions of it. A sentence of 400+ years shows how out of touch our "Justus" system is with any meaningful reality. Maybe we should abolish it (our laws and courts) and start over. Posted by: albeed | Nov 28, 2017 8:13:15 AM It's absurd of course. Not that the defendant should be severely punished and incarcerated or life but that the law would even contemplate a sentence that is so grossly disproportionate to the life expectancy of any person. It makes the law look foolish. A joke. A process not to be taken seriously by any reasonable person. Posted by: justme | Nov 28, 2017 9:18:00 AM I've long argued that the law needs a general escape for cases like this that any guideline calculated sentence of more than say 75 years automatically gets translated into natural life without parole. I agree both with the statement that the sentence as handed down makes the court look foolish but also with the statement that any sentence that would allow this offender to leave prison alive is insufficient. Posted by: Soronel Haetir | Nov 28, 2017 11:43:52 AM That is true Soronel. Anyone with a brain cell or two knows this sentence is nothing but wasteful and useless showboating. Just like any other follow up criminal prosecutions would be. He's got a life sentence. Any other court actions would be showboating and a major waste of money or as the old saying goes "beating a dead horse" useless Posted by: Rodsmith3510 | Nov 28, 2017 12:34:02 PM Let me call BS not just on the showboating. How I feel about this case depends on the actual age of the "minors". If this child sex ring was a group of ten year olds that is one thing. But if it was a group of 17 year olds I feel very differently about the sentence. I read the article and it never mentioned their ages that makes me very suspicious. One problem with this type of sentence is that what will a court do with an actual sex ring involving ten years olds? A two million year sentence? Posted by: Daniel | Nov 28, 2017 1:23:55 PM Daniel: That is a great point but immaterial to the "law" (heads bowed please, and asses up). I do not know the ages of those "trafficked" (my how the meaning of words has changed, just like the word predator, i.e., WJC, GHWB, BC., JW, etc.), but you can bet if any were under 12 years old, the prosecution and the government would have been beating the drums so loud that every News Organization in the world would announce it. Posted by: albeed | Nov 28, 2017 5:02:29 PM Keep in mind that an offender has been sentenced for 200 years for 20 child pornography images, no possibility of parole. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morton_Berger Posted by: Eric Knight | Nov 28, 2017 6:16:20 PM Daniel, this case was very clearly 17 year olds, 16 minimum. How do I know? Because none of the charging documents or news stories mentioned their ages. Since lower ages are aggravating, if they were lower, they would have been mentioned. This is just a simple pimping case where 2-3 of the guy's hoes were a little underage. The case was blown up and misrepresented to be some kind of ridiculous operation when it was just simple pimping. Posted by: lawguy | Nov 29, 2017 1:09:13 PM Gee, ain't gubermint language great. In my day and age, if this guy was female, they would've been known as "Madam". Gotta make those AUSDAs and federal judges look like they are doing something grand, while we all become more stupid. Posted by: albeed | Nov 29, 2017 5:08:59 PM Post a comment "Has Plea Bargaining Destroyed the Jury Trial?" | Main | "Looking Criminal and the Presumption of Dangerousness: Afrocentric Facial Features, Skin Tone, And Criminal Justice" November 28, 2017 "The Law of Abolition" the title of this post is the title of this new article by Kevin Barry available via SSRN. Here is the abstract: Three themes have characterized death penalty abolition throughout the Western world: a sustained period of de facto abolition; an understanding of those in government that the death penalty implicates human rights; and a willingness of those in government to defy popular support for the death penalty. The first two themes are present in the U.S.; what remains is for the U.S. Supreme Court to manifest a willingness to act against the weight of public opinion and to live up to historys demands. When the Supreme Court abolishes the death penalty, it will be traveling a well-worn road. This Essay gathers, for the first time and all in one place, the opinions of judges who have advocated abolition of the death penalty over the past half-century, and suggests, through this law of abolition, what a Supreme Court decision invalidating the death penalty might look like. Although no one can know for sure how history will judge the death penalty, odds are good that the death penalty will come to be seen as one of the worst indignities our nation has ever known and that a Supreme Court decision abolishing it will, in time, be widely accepted as right. November 28, 2017 at 10:24 AM | Permalink Comments i agree. The death penalty should be abolished by statute in each state. Then the real one, the Italian Death Penalty may begin. The cost to the taxpayer will be a carton of cigarettes, instead of $millions wasted on lawyer employment for pointless, ridiculous, and frivolous claims and procedures. The author does not understand. The current state of death penalty jurisprudence is perfectly tuned Supreme Court rent seeking. Kill almost no murderer. Increase complex legal proceedings to generate lawyer jobs, wasting $billions of hard earned tax payer money. The current condition is the preferred status to the Supreme Court that designed it and carefully tuned it. Posted by: David Behar | Nov 28, 2017 4:13:40 PM vaffanculo DB, vaffanculo stronzo. Posted by: Claudio Giusti | Nov 29, 2017 2:12:03 PM Post a comment On November 4, Damrey made landfall in the central and southern part of the central region of Vietnam, caused serious damages about property and peoples lives in the typhoon- hit- localities.Around 4.33 million people have been affected, including 400,000 victims needed to receive support.Amid to the situation, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) provided US$ 100,000 monetary support on November 15 in order to help the countrys Damrey victims.The CERFs assistance will allow the United Nations agencies strengthening support activities relating to ensure clean water, environmental sanitation and food security as well as helping the local people to quickly repair more than 300,000 destroyed houses after the natural disaster.With the aid, four agencies of the United Nations included Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to help the country in its relief efforts.The United Nations in Vietnam said that that the country needed to be at US$ 60.48 million to overcome consequences of the natural disaster in December. BY ANH PHUONG- Translated by Huyen Huong The meetings were part of the 11th meeting of the Vietnam-Algeria Inter-Governmental Committee in Algiers.Ha, also head of the Vietnamese sub-committee of the Vietnam-Algeria Inter-Governmental Committee, and Algerian Minister of Industry and Mines Youcef Yousfi agreed that the two countries relations have been reinforced through bilateral cooperation and delegation exchanges, including official visits by their leaders.However, bilateral cooperation, particularly in trade, is below potential, they noted.Yousfi proposed that after the inter-governmental committees 11th meeting, Vietnam and Algeria establish a working group for industry and mining to beef up cooperation effectiveness. Through this working group, the two sides can overhaul legal documents, tackle bottlenecks, set cooperation plans, and share information and experience in areas of their strength.Notably, Algeria asked for Vietnams assistance in developing agriculture and tourism, which are considered the strengths of the Southeast Asian nation.He also suggested Vietnamese firms invest in mining and fertiliser production in his country since Algeria is home to many mineral mines.Applauding Algerias initiative to set up a working group for industry and mining, Minister Ha expressed his hope that both sides will step up collaboration to upgrade existing cooperation mechanisms. They should inform each other about respective policy changes early so as to help businesses avoid losses.The countries also need to share more experience in development and reform, he said, adding that Vietnam will send experts to help Algeria negotiate its entry into the World Trade Organisation. The two sides need to strengthen ties in agriculture, urban housing, tourism, health care, and settlement of outstanding debt.Meeting with Algerian Minister of Housing, Urban Planning and the City Abdelwahid Temmar, Minister Ha said he wants the North African country to share its experience in construction with Vietnam. He suggested both sides review signed documents and their implementation outcomes in order to renew cooperation agreements.He asked the Algerian ministry to help Vietnamese companies seek opportunities for investment and business partnerships in the country.He also suggested the establishment of a joint working group between the two ministries to review bilateral cooperation and propose solutions to deepen their ties.For his part, Minister Temmar agreed on most of Vietnams proposals, especially building a roadmap for bilateral cooperation. He noted the two ministries will establish a joint working group in the near future.Ha took this occasion to thank Algeria for supporting Vietnam in various spheres, from politics to economy. He affirmed that Vietnam wants to intensify the friendship and bilateral commitments between the two countries. VNS PRIMGHAR, Iowa | Three men were arrested Nov. 21 following an assault and burglary that occurred in Calumet, Iowa, Nov. 9. According to the O'Brien County Sheriff's Office, a resident called to report that three men entered his residence and assaulted him, causing bodily injury. The victim was treated for his injuries at a local medical facility and later released. Following an investigation, Jesse Christopherson, 21, of Primghar, was charged with burglary in the first degree (class B felony) and assault causing bodily injury (serious misdemeanor). Walker Buck, 19, of Primghar, and Austin Eads, 22, of Primghar, were both charged with assault causing bodily injury. All three men were booked into the O'Brien County Jail. Eads and Buck were released after each posted a $1,000 bond. After making an initial appearance before O'Brien County Magistrate Jeffrey Queck, Christopherson was released after posting an unsecured bond. All three men will make an appearance in district court to answer the charges. The U.S. Marshals Service Northern Iowa Fugitive Task Force is seeking the public's assistance in locating the following person: * Larry Brown, 34. Brown is 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs 170 pounds. He is wanted by the Woodbury County Sheriff's Office for violating his probation. He is on probation for possession of offensive weapons. According to a news release, Brown has several tattoos, including one that reads "My Pain, My Life" on his forearms. STORM LAKE, Iowa | A Washta, Iowa, man was arrested following a traffic stop Friday after a Storm Lake Police officer alleged he had an unloaded handgun behind his driver's seat and an unloaded AR-15 rifle with a magazine and ammunition in the back seat of his vehicle. During the investigation, investigators determined that Cody Ray, 32, was a defendant in a current order of protection issued out of Cherokee County, Iowa, which prohibited him from possessing weapons. Ray was subsequently arrested and charged with two counts of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person (class D felony); and carrying weapons (aggravated misdemeanor). Ray was booked into the Buena Vista County Jail on a $5,000 bond and both weapons were seized. STORM LAKE, Iowa | A 10-year-old boy has been arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a 5-year-old male cousin. Storm Lake police spoke to the mother of the alleged victim Nov. 19 at the Buena Vista Regional Medical Center emergency room in Storm Lake after she reported that her son had told her he was sexually assaulted in the basement of a Storm Lake home while visiting a family member on Nov. 18. The child was referred to a Des Moines hospital for a medical exam and forensic interview. On Monday, police met with the 10-year-old and his parent and charged the boy with second-degree sexual assault, a Class B felony. The juvenile was released to the custody of his parent, and the case has been forwarded to Buena Vista County Juvenile Court. SIOUX CITY | In separate Monday meetings, the Sioux City School Board and Sioux City Council nearly simultaneously approved a sharing agreement that will allow the district to re-purpose unused portions of the downtown public museum for specialty courses. The school district in mid-July approved a purchase agreement with Museum Building Property Inc. to pay $1.5 million for 75,000 square feet of the building at 607 Fourth St. That purchasing-process step necessitated the new lease agreement between the city and the district. The city council voted first on the agreement, passing it 4-0, with Councilman Dan Moore -- who serves as the school district's legal counsel on real estate matters -- abstaining. The school board followed just over an hour later with a 7-0 vote, so the 50-year lease has been set, at $1 per year. The district's plans include constructing new rooms in a portion of the museum building that at one time housed a Delta Air Lines call center before the center closed in 2012, which resulted in 165 lost jobs. A large portion of the building was converted into a more expansive home for the public museum. The lease says common area charges will be split between the museum and the school district based on the square footage used. The museum will be responsible for 45 percent of the costs with the exception of the elevators, where it will be responsible for 20 percent. The move is seen by the district as a more centralized way to offer Life Academy and Career Academy courses, which have previously been spread through all three high schools -- West, North and East -- as well as Western Iowa Tech Community College and the downtown Ho-Chunk Centre. The classrooms could be converted by the 2018-19 school year. The goal is to soon no longer use the high schools for the Life Academy and Career Academy courses. They will then only be held in Ho-Chunk and the museum, which is also where school district administrators are located in the wing called the Education Service Center. The district's growing Career Academy allows students to take specialty courses in 36 so-called pathways, covering business and marketing, family and consumer science, health science and industrial technology. "The Career Academy classes are open to all high school students who elect to participate. The Sioux City Career Academy even offers these classes to students who attend private schools, home school, or from any other area public school districts," said school district spokeswoman Amanda Mayo. Most Sioux City Career Academy courses follow a sequence, offer college credit, and in many cases offer a level of certification toward the workforce or further post-secondary study. Life Academy courses have been held at WIT, but college officials have said they need that space for other uses. The Ho-Chunk Centre space is leased for Career Academy courses at a cost of $75,000 annually through 2024. "Next year, courses will still be held in the Southern Hills Mall and Western Iowa Tech as well as in the Ho-Chunk Centre, at the Harry Hopkins Campus, and at all three of our high schools. However, the long-term goal is to use just the Harry Hopkins Campus for a portion of the Career Academy courses (in Ho-Chunk) while also offering Career Academy and Life Academy courses in the expanded downtown campus at the Education Service Center," Mayo said. DES MOINES Gov. Kim Reynolds said Monday she believes majority GOP senators in the Iowa Senate are taking positive steps to address their workplace culture as it relates to sexual harassment concerns but she was troubled by Fridays report indicating confusion over the chambers zero tolerance policy. It seems pretty self-explanatory that zero tolerance is zero tolerance, Reynolds told reporters. She said the confusion indicates that better training is needed to make certain that state senators, their staff and clerks know what constitutes acceptable conduct in the Iowa Senate. The internal GOP Senate investigation made public Friday followed former staff member Kirsten Andersons successful sexual harassment lawsuit this summer that resulted in a $1.75 million settlement to be paid by taxpayers. The internal review said investigators heard several reports of sexually suggestive comments by Republican caucus staff members and senators, but found no provable incidents of sexual harassment in the state Senate. The three-page report featured staff members recollections of at least seven incidents of sexually suggestive or offensive comments, but no allegations of physical harassment. The report reveals two incidents in which what appears to be senators made offensive comments, but their names are censored. On Monday, Reynolds said the Senates Republican leaders took a positive step by bringing in former Sen. Mary Kramer who worked as a corporate human resources director to provide advice on improving the workplace culture at the Statehouse. After reading the internal review, the governor said evidently its important that were all clear and we all have an understanding of what is expected and what will not be tolerated and so, just from that perspective alone, I think its really important that we take a look at making sure were providing the right training and that people understand what the expectations are. Reynolds said everybody has an obligation and a responsibility to speak up with inappropriate comments are being made, to say Were not going to put up with this, and if we start to hear anything happening, to call them out and say: No. Thats not acceptable. That not acceptable behavior. The culture is going to change,' Reynolds said today. And so we all have a responsibility to do that. During Andersons trial, GOP Senate staff members testified to ongoing sexual harassment, which led to the internal inquiry of allegations from December 2012 to now. Current members of the staffs of the Republican Senate caucus and the Secretary of the Senate were interviewed between July 25 and Aug. 7. When I was a sixth-grader, my teacher, Mrs. Winkler, told me something that I've always tried to do since. It makes perfect sense. She said, "Always vote your pocketbook." I'm reminded of it as I look over this "new" tax cut for the rich. When will we learn? Not during the Reagan years when he cut the top tax brackets, a giant payoff for the rich; not during the H.W. Bush years when we read his lips and he raised our taxes; certainly not during his son's years when he destroyed a balanced budget by starting two unwinnable wars and giving us two gigantic tax cuts for the rich. Now we are poised for yet another "trickle-down" tax break. This time it actually raises taxes on two-thirds of the middle class over the long haul, gets rid of the inheritance tax and gives corporations a giant tax cut. The actual business tax rate of 18 percent (as opposed to the statutory rate, 35 percent) is not the highest in the world, but rather in the middle. Some corporations pay none at all. They don't need it, they are awash in cash, over four trillion. They don't need to create jobs, we're at full employment. It would be better spent training Americans for the six million jobs we can't fill because we lack the skills. President Trump gains over one billion dollars in tax breaks if it passes. Many middle class people will be paying for it. - John Shuck, Sioux City 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. Allen Wayne Smith, Jr., age 24, of La Plata Andrew Robert Maier, age 24, of California Bonnie Lee Tippett, age 51, of Mechanicsville James Ernest Wright, age 53, of Lexington Park James Lionel Medley, age 33, of Mechanicsville Jamey Allen Miller, age 39, of Lexington Park Jerry Aloysius Plater, age 55, of Mechanicsville Jessica Helen Reed, age 22, of Chaptico John Oscar Johnson, age 51, with no fixed address Joshua Michael Baucom, age 37, of Mechanicsville Margaret Ellen Griffin, age 63, of Chesapeake Beach Mark Anthony Morgan, age 30, of Mechanicsville Megan Rebecca Wasniewski, age 29, of Mechanicsville Paul Jason Lucas, age 38, of Mechanicsville Rebecca Rae Wedding, age 30, of Huntington Richard Alan Stone, Sr., age 27, of Park Hall Rosanne Elizabeth Nial, age 39, of Lexington Park Shenandoah Dornell Benton, age 41, of Ridge Previous Next LEONARDTOWN, Md. Disclaimer: In the U.S.A., all persons accused of a crime by the State are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. See: so.md/presumed-innocence. Additionally, all of the information provided above is solely from the perspective of the respective law enforcement agency and does not provide any direct input from the accused or persons otherwise mentioned. You can find additional information about the case by searching the Maryland Judiciary Case Search Database using the accused's name and date of birth. The database is online at so.md/mdcasesearch . Persons named who have been found innocent or not guilty of all charges in the respective case, and/or have had the case ordered expunged by the court can have their name, age, and city redacted by following the process defined at so.md/expungeme. (Nov. 27, 2017)The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office released the following outstanding warrant arrest reports.10/23/2017: Andrew Robert Maier, age 24, of California, was charged with Violation of Probation by Cpl. J. Davis #197. CASE #55970-17.10/23/2017: Jamey Allen Miller, age 39, of Lexington Park, was charged with Theft, and Unlawfully Receiving a Credit Card by Dep. Bowie #317. CASE #55927-17.10/23/2017: Joshua Michael Baucom, age 37, of Mechanicsville, was charged with CDS Possession-Not Marijuana and Violation of Probation by Cpl. J. Davis #197. CASE #55964-17.10/24/2017: James Lionel Medley, age 33, of Mechanicsville, was charged with Violation of Probation by Cpl. Handy #132. CASE #56053-17.10/24/2017: Paul Jason Lucas, age 38, of Mechanicsville, was charged with FTA/Theft by Cpl. Handy #132. CASE #56066-17.11/15/2017: Ernest Lee Sigmon, 3rd, age 40, of Mechanicsville, was arrested on a warrant for Assault 2nd Degree and Trespass-Private Property by Cpl. Handy #132. CASE #57944-17.11/15/2017: James Ernest Wright, age 53, of Lexington Park, was arrested on a District Court FTA warrant by Dep. Budd #325. CASE #60392-17.11/15/2017: Margaret Ellen Griffin, age 63, of Chesapeake Beach, was arrested on a Violation of Probation warrant by Cpl. J. Davis #197. CASE #60386-17.11/16/2017: Allen Wayne Smith, Jr., age 24, of La Plata, was arrested on a warrant for FTA/Driving a Motor Vehicle on a Suspended License by Cpl. Kerby #242. CASE #60552-17.11/16/2017: Mark Anthony Morgan, age 30, of Mechanicsville, was arrested on a DOC/Parole Retake Warrant by Cpl. Knott #234. CASE #60669-17.11/16/2017: Megan Rebecca Wasniewski, age 29, of Mechanicsville, was arrested on a warrant for Theft and Theft Scheme by Cpl. J. Davis #197. CASE #60631-17.11/16/2017: Rosanne Elizabeth Nial, age 39, of Lexington Park, was arrested on a warrant for FTA/Disorderly Conduct by Cpl. J. Davis #197. CASE #60620-17.11/17/2017: Jessica Helen Reed, age 22, of Chaptico, was arrested on two outstanding warrants for FTA/CDS; Possess not Marijuana, CDS Possess-Paraphernalia, CDS: Obtain by Fraud, and Theft by DFC. Schultz #258. CASE #60690-17.11/18/2017: John Oscar Johnson, age 51, with no fixed address, was arrested on a Burglary and Theft Warrant by Dep. Muschette #303. CASE #60973-17.11/18/2017: Richard Alan Stone, Sr., age 27, of Park Hall, was arrested on numerous warrants for Driving Under the Influence of CDS, Driving While Suspended, Theft, and Theft Scheme by Dep. Sidorowicz #328. CASE #60986-17.11/18/2017: Shenandoah Dornell Benton, age 41, of Ridge, was arrested on a warrant for Violation of Probation/Second Degree Assault by Dep. M. Beyer #319. CASE #61023-17.11/19/2017: Rebecca Rae Wedding, age 30, of Huntington, was arrested for Driving an Uninsured Motor Vehicle by Dep. J. Smith #306. CASE #61028-17.11/20/2017: Bonnie Lee Tippett, age 51, of Mechanicsville, was arrested on a Calvert County Warrant for Bad Check by Dep. Ball #315. CASE #61282-17.11/20/2017: Jerry Aloysius Plater, age 55, of Mechanicsville, was arrested for a Violation of Probation Warrant by DFC. Steinbach #268. CASE #61235-17. Angelise Michelle Harley, age 36, of Waldorf Antonio Venari Perkins, age 29, of Lexington Park Carla Rachelle Dyson, age 29, of Lexington Park Christopher Glenn James, Sr., age 28, of Bushwood Corey Robert Woodburn, age 22, of Leonardtown Creighton Shields Perkins, age 34, of Lexington Park Darious Anthony Jones, age 25, of Great Mills Francis Xavier Hill, Jr., age 21, of Lexington Park James Andrew Zalovick, age 31, of Mechanicsville James Perry Bond, age 26, of California Jennifer Lynn Garrison, age 27, of Lexington Park John Andrew Pankake, age 35, of Mechanicsville John Andrew Wilson, age 41, of Hollywood Joseph Derrick Young, age 28, of Lexington Park Kristie Nicole Ridgell, age 20, of Ridge Kyle Wayne Jones, age 24, of Leonardtown Mary Alice Alexander, age 49, of Suitland Michael Page Barnes, age 26, of Drayden Nicholas Deashaun Chase, age 22, of Great Mills Phillip Michael Lux, age 42, of Fredericksburg, Va. Richard Edward Gray, age 40, of Lexington Park Robert Earl Smith, age 50, of Lexington Park Previous Next LEONARDTOWN, Md. Disclaimer: In the U.S.A., all persons accused of a crime by the State are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. See: so.md/presumed-innocence. Additionally, all of the information provided above is solely from the perspective of the respective law enforcement agency and does not provide any direct input from the accused or persons otherwise mentioned. You can find additional information about the case by searching the Maryland Judiciary Case Search Database using the accused's name and date of birth. The database is online at so.md/mdcasesearch . Persons named who have been found innocent or not guilty of all charges in the respective case, and/or have had the case ordered expunged by the court can have their name, age, and city redacted by following the process defined at so.md/expungeme. (Nov. 28, 2017)The St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office released the following outstanding warrant arrest reports.11/06/2017:, was arrested for Failure To Appear (FTA)/Possession of CDS Paraphernalia by Cpl. Kerby# 242. CASE# 58623-17.11/07/2017:, was arrested for Rouge and Vagabound, Theft, Malicious Destruction of Property, and Credit Card Theft by Cpl. Worrey #152. CASE #58762-17.11/07/2017:, was arrested for FTA/Burglary 1st Degree by Cpl. D. Snyder #89. CASE #58801-17.11/07/2017:, was arrested for Assault 1st Degree by Cpl. Worrey #152. CASE #58765-17.11/07/2017:, was arrested on two outstanding indictments for Possession of CDS: Not Marijuana by Cpl. Worrey #152. CASE #58771-17.11/07/2017:, was charged with Escape by DFC. Schultz #258. CASE #58843-17.11/07/2017:, was charged with Robbery by DFC. Pontorno #257. CASE #58858-17.11/07/2017:, was arrested for FTA/Driving While Suspended by Cpl. Worrey #152. CASE #58751-17.11/07/2017:, was charged with four counts of Violate Exparte/Protective Order by Cpl. O'Connor #138. CASE #58864-17.11/07/2017:, was arrested for FTA/Show Cause by Dep. Bowie #317. CASE #58741-17.11/08/2017:, was charged with VOP/Theft Scheme by Dep. Muschette #303. CASE #59031-17.11/08/2017:, was charged with Assault, Violation of Protective Order, and Property Destruction by Dep. Muschette #303. CASE #58952-17.11/09/2017:, was charged with FTA/Fraud, Trespassing, and Hindering by Dep. Edwards #335. CASE #59180-17.11/09/2017:, was charged with FTA/Peace Order Fail to Comply, Assault 2nd Degree by Cpl. Kirkner #133. CASE #59235-17.11/09/2017:, was charged with CDS, Forgery, and Prescription Fraud by Cpl. Kirkner #133. CASE #59195-17.11/09/2017:, was charged with FTA/Theft by Dep. Muschette #303. CASE #59152-17.11/13/2017:, was arrested for FTA/Theft Scheme, and Credit Card Fraud by Dep. Muschette #303. CASE #60077-17.11/13/2017:, was charged with FTA/Burglary 1st Degree by DFC. Roszell #296. CASE #60149-17.11/13/2017:, was arrested for FTA/Driving w/o a License by Dep. Muschette #303. CASE #60069-17.11/13/2017:, was arrested for Theft by Dep. Edwards #335. CASE #60049-17.11/13/2017:, was arrested for FTA/Driving w/o a License by Dep. Edwards #335. CASE #60040-17.11/14/2017:, was arrested for FTA/ Telephone Misuse, Fail to Comply-Peace Order, and Harassment by Dep. Bare #307. CASE #60309-17.11/14/2017:, was arrested for FTA/Driving While Suspended by Cpl. Kirkner #133. CASE #60182-17.11/14/2017:, was arrested for FTA/Child Support by Dep. Edwards #335. CASE #60209-17.11/14/2017:, was arrested for Disorderly Conduct by Cpl. Potter #255. CASE #60152-17. Stars in the Sculptor Dwarf Galaxy STSCI A team of astronomers used data from both the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope and ESAs Gaia satellite to directly measure the 3D motions of individual stars in a nearby galaxy. The achieved accuracy is better than anything previously measured for a galaxy beyond the Milky Way. The motions provide a field test of the currently accepted cosmological model and also measure the trajectory of the galaxy through space. The results are published in Nature Astronomy. Astronomers from the Kapteyn Astronomical Institute and Leiden Observatory, both in the Netherlands, used data from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope and ESAs Gaia space observatory to measure the motions of stars in the Sculptor Dwarf Galaxy . The Sculptor Dwarf is a satellite galaxy orbiting the Milky Way, 300,000 light-years away from Earth. Only by combining the datasets from these two successful ESA missions produced more than 12 years apart could the scientists directly measure the exact 3D motions of stars within the Sculptor Dwarf Galaxy [1]. The is the first time this has been achieved with such accuracy for a galaxy other than the Milky Way [2]. Davide Massari, lead author of the study, describes the precision of the research: With the precision achieved we can measure the yearly motion of a star on the sky which corresponds to less than the size of a pinhead on the Moon as seen from Earth. This kind of precision was only possible due to the extraordinary resolution and accuracy of both instruments. Also the study would not have been possible without the large interval of time between the two datasets which makes it easier to determine the movement of the stars. The Sculptor Dwarf Galaxy is a dwarf spheroidal galaxy (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwarf_spheroidal_galaxy), which are among the most dark matter (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_matter) dominated objects in the universe. This makes them ideal targets for investigating the properties of dark matter. In particular, understanding how dark matter is distributed in these dwarf galaxies allows astronomers to test the validity of the currently accepted cosmological model (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lambda-CDM_model). However, dark matter cannot be studied directly. One of the best ways to infer the presence of dark matter is to examine how objects move within it, explains Amina Helmi, co-author of the paper. In the case of dwarf spheroidals, these objects are stars. The information gathered about the 3D motion of stars in the Sculptor Dwarf Galaxy can be translated directly into knowledge of how its total mass including dark matter is distributed. The new results show that stars in the Sculptor Dwarf Galaxy move preferentially on elongated radial orbits. This indicates that the density of dark matter increases towards the centre instead of flattening out. These findings are in agreement with the established cosmological model and our current understanding of dark matter, taking into account the complexity of Sculptors stellar populations. As a side effect of the study, the team also presented a more accurate trajectory of the Sculptor Dwarf Galaxy as a whole as it orbits the Milky Way. Their results show that it is moving around the Milky Way in a high-inclination elongated orbit that takes it much further away than previously thought. Currently, it is nearly at its closest point to the Milky Way, but its orbit can take it as far as 725,000 light-years away. With these pioneering measurements, we enter an era where measuring 3D motions of stars in other galaxies will become routine and will be possible for larger star samples. This will mostly be thanks to ESAs Gaia mission, concludes Massari. Notes [1] The team measured the proper motions of roughly a hundred stars in the Sculptor Dwarf Galaxy. For a smaller subset of ten stars, chosen among those with the smallest errors, the astronomers could also retrieve from the literature an estimate of the radial velocity, which quantifies the stellar motion along the line of sight. Using the proper motion and radial velocity measurements, they were able to reconstruct how these stars move in three dimensions. [2] The data used contain images taken with Hubbles Advanced Camera for Surveys in 2002. Newer positions of individual stars were taken from the Gaia, which was observed between 2014 and 2015. Reference: 3D Motions in the Sculptor Dwarf Galaxy as a Glimpse of a New Era, D. Massari et al., 2017 Nov. 27, Nature Astronomy [https://www.nature.com/natastron, preprint: https://arxiv.org/abs/1711.08945, preprint (PDF): http://www.spacetelescope.org/static/archives/releases/science_papers/heic1719/heic1719a.pdf]. The international team of astronomers in this study consists of D. Massari (University of Groningen, The Netherlands), M. A. Breddels (University of Groningen, The Netherlands), A. Helmi (University of Groningen, The Netherlands), L. Posti (University of Groningen, The Netherlands), A. G. A. Brown (Leiden University, The Netherlands) and E. Tolstoy (University of Groningen, The Netherlands). Hampton Roads, Virginia NASA A new NASA-led study shows that land in the Hampton Roads, Virginia, metropolitan area is sinking at highly uneven rates, with a few trouble spots subsiding 7 to 10 times faster than the area average. Whereas earlier estimates had suggested the area is subsiding evenly, the new study found that major differences in subsidence rates occur only a few miles apart. Hampton Roads has one of the highest rates of relative sea level rise the combined effects of sinking land and rising seas along the U.S. East Coast, about an inch (23 millimeters) every five years. It has experienced a steady and dramatic increase in high-tide flooding over the last 90 years. Accurate, local subsidence maps are necessary for the area to prepare for increasing flood risks in the future. The region comprises seven Virginia cities, including Norfolk and Virginia Beach, as well as Naval Station Norfolk, the countrys largest naval base. The new study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, found that much-higher-than-average subsidence is occurring at Craney Island, a depository for material dredged from shipping channels, and at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, where the subsidence was most likely related to local construction during the study period. In other areas with similarly high subsidence rates, the causes of the sinking are not known. Researchers from NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, and Old Dominion University (ODU) in Norfolk found the variations in subsidence by analyzing synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images acquired between 2007 and 2011 by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agencys ALOS-1 satellite. Processing the data with state-of-the-art image processing techniques, the researchers were able to document how the land surface had changed from the time of the first ALOS-1 image to 2011. To tie in that relative data set with existing, lower-resolution maps of earlier subsidence, as well as to put the results into a framework already familiar to decision-makers, the researchers developed a new strategy to integrate the processed SAR measurements with Global Positioning System (GPS) observations. The result was the first high-resolution estimates of vertical land motion in Hampton Roads. The new estimates have a spatial resolution of about 100 feet (30 meters), whereas earlier estimates were based on data from GPS stations located 10 to 15 miles apart (about 20 kilometers). The production of the new maps was a pilot project between JPL and ODU to assess the feasibility of using space-borne SAR data to map subsidence in Hampton Roads, according to lead author David Bekaert of JPL. He noted that the techniques developed to make these maps integrating SAR and GPS measurements could be used to map subsidence at other locations. The ALOS-1 data set used in this study is relatively small, with the satellite acquiring an image of the area only once every 46 days at best. Bekaert and coauthors look forward to using data from the future NASA-Indian Space Research Organizaton Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission, scheduled to launch in 2021, and from the European Space Agencys Sentinel-1 constellation, which currently acquires a new image of the Hampton Roads area every 12 days. NISAR will also acquire an image every 12 days, but because of its longer operating wavelength and higher resolution, it is well placed to extend subsidence mapping into more challenging rural areas and wetlands. Continuing, regularly acquired SAR data will allow us to reduce the uncertainty in our subsidence rate estimates, which is important for decision-making, Bekaert said. Coauthor Ben Hamlington (ODU) noted, Information regarding subsidence should be incorporated into land use decisions and taken into consideration for future planning. He has presented preliminary findings from this study to several planning and emergency management committees in Hampton Roads. Hamlington said, We had a need for high-resolution images of subsidence, but we didnt have the expertise and technology to do the analysis ourselves here at ODU. Collaborating with JPL helped us build capacity for the future, and also get immediate results. NASAs associate program manager for disasters, John Murray of NASAs Langley Research Center in Hampton, connected the ODU and JPL scientists. The study was funded by NASAs Earth Science Disasters Program and the Commonwealth Center for Recurrent Flooding Resiliency, jointly operated by ODU and the College of William & Mary, Norfolk. The paper in Scientific Reports is titled Spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radar Survey of Subsidence in Hampton Roads, Virginia (USA). Nouakchott (Mauritania), Nov 27, 2017 (SPS) - The Minister of State, Adviser at the Saharawi Presidency and Member of Polisario Front's National Secretariat, Bashir Mustapha Sayed, praised Sunday the level of cooperation between Mauritania and the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), expressing the determination of the two sides to boost coordination in the fight against terrorism, drug trafficking and organized crime which, he stressed, are real threats to the region. In an interview to the independent Mauritanian news agency, the minister expressed the satisfaction of the two sides, Mauritania and the Saharawi Republic, with the level of bilateral relations, which are distinguished by a mutual trust and a deep willingness to strengthen them. Bashir Mustapha Sayed stressed the socio-cultural links between the two peoples and their common destiny, challenges and threats. He underlined "the high level of cooperation with Mauritania and exchange of information and coordination in the fight against the different threats, including drug trafficking and organized crime groups, which mainly come from Morocco and cross Western Sahara and Mauritania to flood Sahel and North African markets with drugs." The Saharawi official warned against Morocco's plans to "transform the Mauritanian and Western Sahara territories into transit land for illegal drug." Morocco's plans, he added, also include the use of the same territories (Mauritania and Western Sahara) as a transit for some terrorist networks in the north of Mali and even Nigeria." The Saharawi official emphasized the importance of cooperation between the two countries in the field, in order to "curb such risks and foil the schemes of organized crime groups who contribute to Moroccan expansion." The Saharawi minister mentioned his last visit to Mauritania, in which he met Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Abdelaziz and a number of top political officials to inform them of the latest developments of the Saharawi issue. He also raised the visit made by UN chief's personal envoy, Horst Kohler, to the region, SADR's attendance of AU-EU Summit meeting and bilateral cooperation." Bashir Mustapaha Sayed said he noticed "the attachment of Mauritanian people and their president to the sovereignty of their country and a strong determination to put an end to Moroccan interference in Mauritanian affairs." He also said that Mauritania wants to boost its relations with the neighbouring countries, especially Algeria. (SPS) 062/SPS/TRA Algiers, Nov 28. 2017 (SPS) - The South African Ambassador to Algeria, Mr. Delmo Denis, affirmed the responsibility of the United Nations in implementing the resolutions of the international legitimacy regarding the Sahrawi issue during his reception by the Saharawi Ambassador in Algeria, Mr. Bouchraya Hamoudi Bayune at the Saharawi Embassy in Algeria They appreciated the excellent historical relations between the two countries and the prospects of strengthening them in many fields. Bouchraya Hamoudi Bayune has briefed his guest on the latest developments in the Saharawi issue, pointing out the solidarity dimension SADR enjoyed at the level of the African Union. For his part, Delmo Denis renewed his country's support for the Saharawi people in their just cause, stressing the responsibilities and the role of the United Nations in enforcing international legitimacy in order to enable the Saharawi people to determine their destiny for freedom and independence. SPS 125/090/TRA Theyre off! And with that, Matt Jukich is off as well calling the horse races at Northlands Park something he has been doing since November 1, 2013. That means he has another 34 years to go if he wants to catch up to his father, Dan Jukich, who has calling the races at Fraser Downs and Hastings Park in B.C. for what seems like an eternity and who is a member of the B.C. Horse Racing Hall of Fame. The funny thing, however, is that the son never really thought about following in his fathers giant footsteps. It wasnt something I dreamt about. It just kind of happened, said Matt, who is also Northlands assistant racing manager. I used to tag along with my dad from the time I was about five years old. I liked being in the booth with him and trying to pick the winners. I loved horse racing. But I never set my sights on calling the races. I didnt grow up thinking this is all I want to do. I sort of fell into it. Instead, while his dad called the races, Matt did everything else at Hastings. I stuffed coffee cups for giveaways, I served ice cream, I ran the concessions, I worked in the restaurant, I was a bartender There wasnt much I didnt do. Then, after Shannon 'Sugar' Doyle, who was calling the races at Northlands, left for Fort Erie (and now The Raceway at Western Fair District in London, Ont.), Jukich got a call from former Northlands manager Chris Roberts asking if he wanted to come to Edmonton. I was working in the race office at Hastings at the time, but I was also doing some work between races from the paddock. At the same time, Matt was also doing some work from his home for Northlands making the picks in the program and doing a video Pick 4 on who to bet on in those Edmonton races. Still, Matt had never called a race live in his life. I figured I could pick it up and Chris had faith in me; he had always been a big believer in me. And I had also practiced calling the races imitating my dad. Matt arrived in Edmonton on Halloween. The next day he was at Northlands. And, when the 10th race came along, Matt stepped to the microphone. As he recalls, It didnt go well. There were a lot of long pauses where I didnt say a thing and a lot of hums. You can practice all you want, but actually doing it live when everybody is listening was a whole different kind of pressure. I thought to myself, oh geez, did I take a job I couldnt do? Did I just make a big mistake? The answer is obviously no, as Matt has turned himself into one of the top race announcers anywhere. He is bright, funny, quick, crisp, concise and has a great resonating, clear voice. But as much as anything he has an amazing, uncanny, memory. While many people think race callers simply memorize the horses saddle pad number and attach it to the name of a horse, thats not the case at all. Instead, announcers like Matt memorize the colour of a jockeys silks and the colour of their racing caps and then associate it to the horses. The reasoning, especially in Thoroughbred racing, is simple. When you have a group of horses clustered together, you cant see the numbers. Thus, in Thoroughbred racing for example, brown silks with white diamonds on the back is going to be a Bar None Ranches colours; yellow silks with black diamonds on blue sleeves is going to be a Riversedge Racing Stable horse. In harness racing, green white and yellow colours are going to be a horse from Keith Clarks barn and Brandon Campbells colours are always orange, white and blue. In Thoroughbred racing, the jockeys caps are always the same, too. The jockey on the No. 1 horse will have a red cap, the No. 2 horses jockey will be a white cap, a blue cap is the No. 3 horse, and so on. Give Matt five minutes and he will memorize and associate those colours with the horses name. I know all the silks here front, back and upside down. But then Ive always had a good memory for colours and silks. Its kind of a Rain Man thing. Its kind of weird. But give me a program and a race with eight horses and I can do it no problem. Matt also gets to do a lot of prep work because of his other job of working in the racing office where he takes entries, makes the morning line and helps racing secretary Jason Teague with things like putting out the condition books. I talk with the trainers when they are entering their horses; I know who they raced against the last time they ran; I do the morning line; I do the picks for the program. So, by the time the race comes along, Ive probably looked at it in different ways seven or eight times. He also does a little advance scouting of noting who the speed in the race is and which horses especially the favourites will be coming from off the pace. But not too much. I dont try and predict what is going to happen. A speed horse can stumble coming out of the gate and then everything goes out the window and you are swimming up-stream. Every race is also a story for Matt. He sets the race up with a preamble, and then when the harness starting gate truck leaves or the starting gates clang open in Thoroughbred racing, he narrates the action starting out slow, ups the tempo as the race unfolds, and then finishes with a crescendo. He always knows who the favourites are and who the possible upset possibilities are. And, hell know which jockey, trainer or driver is having a big day. With five or six minutes to post time, Matt will also often give his insight into who he thinks will win the race or which horses can post an upset. I do that for the casual fan. I like to give a little insight into things people may not have seen or noticed. Even in short three-and-a-half furlong Thoroughbred races he also makes a point of mentioning every horse in the field at least once. A full field works better for him. If youve got a five-horse field and a 1-9 shot is on the front end, there isnt much to say. You are constantly having to fill air time with something trying not to drone on about the same thing. The more horses the more action there is for Matt to tell his tale. Sometimes those tales can be harrowing. Like the time a horse stumbled leaving the gate, unseated his rider and then started running the wrong way around the track eventually almost colliding with the rest of the field just past the finish line. It was June 7, 2014. Race No. 7. The horse that stumbled was Change of Plan; the jockey was Chris Russell, he says as if it was yesterday. Fortunately, the outrider, Mike Buguead, reached out and grabbed the reins of Change of Plan just in time. It was a desperation grab; Change of Plan probably came within a foot and a half of hitting the two horses that were in front. It was gut wrenching; I was really rattled. Just as that memory is forever indelibly etched in his mind, so is the time last year when he shared the booth with his dad at Hastings and called a race. That was a special moment. My dad wanted me to call one race, so I did. It was May 29. Third race. The No. 2 horse, Wild Rose of Texas, won it. He was sitting fourth and won by a couple of lengths. The jockey was Romario Saunders. The trainer was Jodie Rawson. I dont know why or how I can remember things like that, but I can. One thing he doesnt do is bet on the races he is calling. When we arent racing Ill go to Billy Budds or some other off-track betting location. Sometimes Ill bet on races from home sometimes and make a few wagers. I take my annual beating every Breeders Cup. I like trying to figure out who is going to win. But I dont bet on our racing. If I did I wouldnt be impartial anymore; I always want to be on the up and up. If he were to bet on a race he was calling, Jukich said hed also be watching the horse he wagered on and miss what was really happening in the race. Matt has also had his share of horses with almost unpronounceable names to deal with. There was a horse that came here from Woodbine. The horses name was Uisee Fe Palamh. I asked the trainer how to pronounce it which I do whenever there is a horses name that Im not sure how to pronounce. He told me but after the race he said I had gotten it wrong. Steve Smith had a horse this year named Qvothe. And then there was a Hastings Park owner who named his horses after Mexican gods. Theyd be 15 letters long and consonants where there shouldnt be consonants. When Matt does get a horse with a strange name again after asking the trainer how to pronounce it he will write the horses name down phonetically on the bottom of the program page. But, at least, he didnt have to call a horse which was actually tongue-twistingly named She Sells Seashells or another horse whose actual name was Yakahickamickadola. Why the Jockey Club would allow such a name is a story all by itself. On the other hand there was a race in Monmouth, New Jersey when track announcer Larry Colmus got a chance to call a race with two competing names: Mywifenosevrything and Thewifedoesntknow, who, ironically enough ended up running one-two. The call got so famous that it was even on a segment of the Today Show. Matt would love to have that scenario. (Horse Racing Alberta) Trot Insider has learned that Brenda Boyd passed away peacefully this past Saturday (November 25) at Cambridge Hospital at the age of 67. Brenda loved making food and socializing, and had a wonderful smile that could light up a room. She ran the Classy Lane kitchen where people would come from miles for hearty homemade soup and carrot cake. You always left a few pounds heavier. Brenda is survived by her three sons, Trevor (Joanne), Jeff, Rod (Becky), and grandchildren Bella and Boston. Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Brenda Boyd. New York Christian Radio Station, The Bridge 95.1 FM, Takes on Illegal Radio Pirates, and Wins Contact: Rob Taylor, General Manager, The Bridge Christian Radio Network , 732-588-0861OLD BRIDGE, N.J., Nov. 28, 2017 / Standard Newswire / -- When The Bridge Christian Radio Network, based in Old Bridge, NJ, gained authorization to expand its Christian Bible teaching broadcasts into New York City in November 2013, no one could have anticipated the battle that would ensue before the station could actually begin broadcasting on its own frequency, 95.1FM in the heart of Manhattan.Unauthorized broadcasters, or "pirates," had co-opted over 80 percent of The Bridge's signal on 95.1FM. As a result, listeners tuning into 95.1, expecting The Bridge's signature Bible teaching, could hear anything but that, including a variety of music formats all illegally broadcasting on the signal."We brought the pirate problem to the government's attention," said Lloyd Pulley, CEO of The Bridge and senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Old Bridge, which owns the station."We fought hard, and we won. While the pirates continue to encroach on the signal in some areas, we are delighted that The Bridge is now broadcasting clearly in 70 percent of its own coverage area, which covers from the Bronx to Lower Manhattan."A listener-supported, noncommercial Christian teaching station, The Bridge originally launched in 2004. The station's David v. Goliath battle with radio pirates is not the only unique aspect of the station's expansion into New York. Currently, The Bridge is the ONLY Christian FM radio station broadcasting directly from New York City. The addition of this tower, located near the United Nations Building, makes it possible for The Bridge to reach over four million more potential listeners, in addition to the potentially seven million already reached throughout New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania on the station's other frequencies.One New York listener notes, "We have waited a long time to hear clear, precise, and doctrinally sound, powerfully relevant Bible teaching for some time, and now we have The Bridge."The station's expansion into New York enables The Bridge to share its message of hope in Christ to people from every tribe and tongue, including the approximately 600 language groups residing in New York.As well as being the only Christian FM station broadcasting from Manhattan, The Bridge is also unique in its format. "The Bridge has not followed the trend of many other Christian radio stations to broadcast primarily music, and continues to air some of the finest Bible teaching in the nation," says Rob Taylor, general manager of The Bridge. "With this format, the Word of God is taught without compromise 24 hours a day, 7 days week, 365 days a year."In addition to its New York frequency, 95.1FM, The Bridge can currently be heard on several frequencies throughout the Tri-state area, including 89.7FM in Monmouth and Ocean Counties in NJ, 91.9FM in Southern Middlesex and Northern Monmouth Counties in NJ, 103.1FM in Northern NJ, and nationwide via its mobile app or bridgeradio.org The Bridge Christian Radio, Bridgelight, LLC is a radio ministry of Calvary Chapel Old Bridge, NJ. Learn more about The Bridge 95.1FM by visiting bridgeradio.org Rep. Smith Condemns Terrorist Attack on Muslim Worshipers in Egypt Contact: Jeff Sagnip, D.C. Press Office, U.S. Cong. Chris Smith, 202-225-3765 WASHINGTON, Nov. 27, 2017 /Standard Newswire/ -- Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) today released the following statement on the horrific terror attack on a mosque in Egypt. "I mourn the devastating loss of life that resulted from the recent terrorist attack on a mosque in Egypt. This meticulously planned massacre targeted hundreds of innocents, including dozens of children, peacefully worshipping during Friday prayers. "The terrorists responsible for this atrocity hold in contempt the life and liberty of all Egyptians. The United States should support the Egyptian people in their battle against this threat and support their aspiration to live in freedom, peace, and security." Tuesday, November 28, 2017 The July 2017 New York bar passage rates by school are out. Here are the results for first time test takers for the 15 New York ABA-approved law schools, along with each school's U.S. News ranking (New York and overall). Bar Pass Rank (Rate) School US News Rank NY (Overall) 1 (97.9%) NYU 2 (6) 2 (97.6%) Columbia 1 (5) 3 (95.7%) Cornell 3 (13) 4 (93.4%) Fordham 4 (36) 5 (91.6%) Syracuse 8 (92) 6 (89.2%) St. John's 6 (72) 7 (86.8%) CUNY 14 (127) 86.0% Statewide Average 8 (85.8%) Cardozo 5 (65) 9 (78.6%) Brooklyn 7 (88) 10 (77.5%) Pace 13 (120) 11 (75.8%) SUNY-Buffalo 9 (106) 12 (71.3%) Albany 10 (109) 13 (70.4%) Hofstra 12 (118) 14 (64.8%) Touro 15 (Tier 2) 15 (64.7%) New York Law School 11 (112) New York Law Journal, Vast Majority of NY Law Schools Improve Bar Exam Passing Rates: Graduates of 12 of the states 15 law schools passed the New York bar exam in July 2017 at higher rates than their classmates did a year earlier. For the second year in a row, graduates of NYU, Columbia and Cornell performed the best with a 97.9 percent success rate for NYU graduates and the other two schools not far behind. But it was St. Johns University that saw the most dramatic improvement from 76.5 percent in July 2016 to 89.2 percent in July 2017. It was the second year that New York administered the Uniform Bar Exam. It was one of 27 states to use the test, though a handful of other states have announced that they are switching to the UBE in the next two years. ... Overall, 86 percent of first-time test takers made the grade, an improvement of 4 percentage points from July 2016. .. The three law schools in New York that saw declines in the success rates of first-time test takers in July 2017 were Albany, Brooklyn and New York Law School. Albany Law School graduates had a passing rate of 71.3 percent, a decline of 11.4 percentage points from July 2016. At Brooklyn, 78.6 percent of graduates passed compared to 82.7 percent a year earlier and New York Law School saw 64.7 percent pass, a decline of 5.6 percentage points. ... Syracuse Law School, which came in fifth of the 15 law schools, was proud of its passing rate of 91.6 percent. ... Dean Simons of St. Johns University sees getting more students to pass the bar as a moral imperative. https://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/2017/11/july-2017-new-york-bar-exam-results.html Political persuasion On page 4 of Oct. 26 Wall Street Journal its reported in the run-up to the election of 2012 the IRS did intentionally slow walk Tea Party or Patriot named applications for 5013 non-profit status effectively keeping them unfunded and sidelined in that campaign. The IRS will pay up to $10 million and issue letters of apology to the groups cheated out of participating. Never mind its a pittance, that not one IRS employee was fired, or that U.S. taxpayers will ultimately foot the bill. The findings also mention that the IRS was actively looking at donor lists of those same groups. Thats inauspicious if youre conservative. Simultaneously its reported the Clinton campaign paid a law firm $12 million who hired a smear group called Fusion GPS commissioning Christopher Steele, a respected British spook who turned to the Russians to come up with the content for the now infamous dossier on Trump and Russian collusion. The Clinton campaign expenditure wasnt even reported as opposition research. There may be a small fine. Then, former FBI director Comey used the dossier which reads like a gossip column to justify the formation of the Mueller Investigation into Trump-Russian collusion. Congress must reassert its Constitutional authority over these two agencies and assure citizens they will never be targeted because of their political persuasion. Wayne Mayo Scappoose, Oregon Corporations blameless Fridays (Nov. 24) editorial on the Viewpoint page, Truth on taxes, was an excellent piece of journalism. In this era of instant knowledge, the persistence of misinformation is truly astounding. Articles like this provide essential enlightenment. A personal favorite is corporations dont pay their fair share of taxes. A moments thought concludes, corporations, unlike national governments, cant just print money. Therefore, they have to obtain tax funding in other ways, e.g., by increasing product pricing, by decreasing product cost (employee wages/benefits), or by decreasing shareholders profits (if its a public corporation). If the company is in a competitive business, the corporation cant simply stiff their shareholders, wholl go elsewhere. So, they cut wages/benefits or increase product prices. Who pays the increased prices or suffers lowered wages? Corporations are blameless for the government money collecting scheme called corporate taxes. Federal tax policies in the U.S. are codified by 279 people; they can change it anytime they want, so the conclusion must be Congress wants taxes just as they are. Doug Spittler Kalama Fair and equal Again we see unfair tax and fees directed to the western and rural states residents, with fee increases to National Parks out west. For decades our natural wonders in the west have charged entry fees. But, remain under funded year after year. While the National Mall and memorial parks back east, draw over 25 million visitors per year, more than Yellowstone, Yosemite and the Grand Canyon National Park combined, with no entry fee. The National Mall Park Units are some of the most expensive to operate and maintain, with their added security cost. My recommendation to our elected leaders, step up, introduce entry fees to the National Mall and memorial parks back east. A charge of $1 dollar per person would generate an additional $25 million dollars to the National Park budget. Why should these man made, tax dollar paid for park units be free, and we be charged to visit our natural wonders. All national park units should be fair and equal to access, if fees are going to be charged they should be charge in the east and west, at every location. Mark Smith Toutle This Account has been suspended. The Undead Archives I have finally salvaged my pre-Blogger TDR archives and added them into Blogger. They are almost totally in the form of one giant post for each month. And the formatting strayed from the originals. Sorry. But historians everywhere can rejoice that this treasure trove of my thoughts is restored to the world. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (AFP) Riyadh Sat, November 25, 2017 00:06 1818 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2aa5fff 2 Politics Ayatullah-Khameini,Hitler Free Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has denounced Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as the "new Hitler of the Middle East", as tensions simmer between the regional rivals. Saudi Arabia and Iran have engaged in a bitter war of words after a missile fired from Yemen was intercepted near Riyadh airport on November 4. The missile was claimed by Yemen's Tehran-backed Huthi rebels. Iran's "supreme leader is the new Hitler of the Middle East", Prince Mohammed told The New York Times in an interview published Thursday. "We learned from Europe that appeasement doesn't work. We don't want the new Hitler in Iran to repeat what happened in Europe in the Middle East." Tehran has strongly denied supplying any missiles to the rebels, and President Hassan Rouhani has warned Saudi Arabia of Iran's "might". Iran's foreign ministry spokesman reacted scathingly to the interview, comparing Prince Mohammed to "a dictator" and urging him to "reflect on the fate" of some leaders in the Middle East in recent years. "The immature, unpredictable and senseless behaviour and remarks by the Saudi crown prince result in no one in the world giving the slightest credit to comments of this kind," spokesman Bahram Ghassemi said in a statement. "Errors due to the adventurism of the Saudi crown prince -- the latest being the scandal of (Saudi) interference in Lebanon's internal affairs -- have been the cause of great problems for Saudi Arabia's traditional allies," he said. The spike in Saudi-Iran tensions coincides with Prince Mohammed's new anti-corruption purge, which saw around 200 elites including princes, ministers and business tycoons arrested or sacked earlier this month. The prince described as "ludicrous" reports equating the crackdown to a power grab, saying that many of those detained at Riyadh's opulent Ritz-Carlton hotel had already pledged allegiance to him. "A majority of the royal family" is behind him, the prince said, dismissing longstanding rumours of internal opposition to his meteoric rise. He said 95 percent of those detained agree to a "settlement", or handing over ill-gotten gains to the Saudi state treasury. Saudi Arabia's attorney general estimates at least $100 billion has been misused in embezzlement or corruption over several decades. Authorities have frozen the bank accounts of the accused and warned assets related to the alleged graft cases would be seized as state property, in what they describe as a top-down approach to battling endemic corruption. "About one percent are able to prove they are clean and their case is dropped right there. About four percent say they are not corrupt and with their lawyers want to go to court," the prince said. "We have experts making sure no businesses are bankrupted in the process," he added. The purge has triggered uncertainty among businesses that could lead to capital flight or derail reforms, experts say, at a time when the kingdom is seeking to attract badly needed investments to offset a protracted oil slump. The Online Photographer, which you are reading at this moment, is 12 years old today*. The very first post went up on November 28th, 2005. At that time, blogs were the very latest hip, hoppin', happenin' cool thangand my ambition was to try to keep one going for one whole year. It was a preposterous notion, and I had every expectation of failure: I was a dilettante, and (as I used to say) "constancy was my worst thing." I couldn't do anything once a day, not even the dishes. What were the chances I could write a blog post every day? But I was dead broke, and had no prospects, having just been turned down for a job editing a twice-a-month in-house newsletter for an independent hospital, for barely enough money to keep me and my then-12-year-old son alive. They said I was "overqualified," which, while trueI could have done that job working only on the weekendswas a bitter, bitter pill. I think Wisconsin Electric turned our power off three times that Summer. I had always wanted to write books, and I still cart a bushel full of book ideas lovingly around in my head, where they shall probably still be when I shuffle off to Buffalo. As a countervalence to that, though (have I said this before?), Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes, considered his detective tales to be fluff, pining to become a "serious" writer. He even tried to kill Holmes off, but was forced by public clamor to bring the sleuth back to life again. Short take: Doyle had found his rare good thing, a gig that many writers would kill Moriarty for, but he didn't even appreciate it. I've seen the same thing many times in a number of different fields over the years. So maybe I don't get to write books. But I get to write, and I have readers, yo. Be happy where you hunker. Life happens at home. This is post number 7,714, and if you arbitrarily assign 500 words per post including things like replies to comments and the like (this one's 350 so far), then I've written 3,857,000 words on TOP since 2005. That's the equivalent of 38 full-length novels, by word count at least. Steven King has written 107. Then again, Anna Sewell wrote only one. It is called Black Beauty. Conceived to encourage the ethical treatment of horses but beloved as a children's book, it was published in 1877 and its invalid author lived on long enough to see the early glimmering of its success. It has never been out of print and to date has sold some 50 million copies worldwide. Am I digressing again? I am, I am. Better get back to building that Baker's Dozen post. Seven done and six to go. But happy b'day, old flog. Mike (Thanks to all of my readers then to now) *And fast becoming a difficult adolescent. Original contents copyright 2017 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved. Links in this post may be to our affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit this site. B&H Photo Amazon US Amazon UK Amazon Germany Amazon Canada Adorama (To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below.) Featured Comments from: Dean Forbes: "Happy Birthday to us (it's mine today, too)!" Richard Skoonberg: "Congratulations, Mike. Your blog is the hippest, coolest, and most sublime blog on this here Internet. I am very grateful you have stuck it out for 12 years. I didn't know that about Arthur Conan Doyle, but the same was true for Rod Serling of 'Twilight Zone' fame. He never thought much of his writing for television; he longed for fame on Broadway as a playwright. Congrats, again, for a remarkable milestone!" Edward Taylor: "I feel a little like it's my birthday too. I followed you here from a different website, and I have read every post and every comment on your blog since the beginning. I have even written a few articles for your blog. The Online Photographer was a long shot that worked! Or, maybe not such a long shot since you are so good at what you do. It's been a great run and it's not over! Congratulations Mike!" *****5-Stars on Amazon Kindle and on Goodreads GmCw=s600"/> The best bang for your buck! This option enables you to purchase online 24/7 access and receive the Sunday, Tuesday & Thursday print edition at no additional cost * Print edition only available in our carrier delivery area. Allow up to 72 hours for delivery of your print edition to begin. Print edition not available for Day Pass option. MOUNT VERNON Medical Laboratory Technicians are in great demand nationwide. According to the list 100 Best Jobs in 2017 in U.S. News and World Report, MLT ranked 59 with a projected 29,000 jobs added this year. In 2016, more than 900 MLT and medical technologist positions were open in the state of Illinois and only 200 students graduated from MT or MLT programs in the state. To help meet this growing need, SSM Health has begun an MLT program at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mount Vernon and SSM Health St. Marys Hospital in Centralia. Our hospitals employ MLTs and in recent years have found it increasingly challenging to find certified individuals. This program will help us and our region fill this need while also providing excellent career opportunities, Brenda Alexander, System Vice President of Human Resources at SSM Health in Illinois, said in a news release. Medical laboratory technicians work under the supervision of medical laboratory scientists, performing most of the common laboratory tests in a medical laboratory. Those test results help doctors determine the right treatments for patients and occasionally lead to extraordinary breakthroughs. SSM Healths MLT Program, led by Anh Strow, MPH, MLS, is now seeking accreditation through National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS). The first class of MLT students will begin August 2018 with graduation scheduled for June 2019. Upon successful completion of the MLT program, students from the affiliating colleges will be awarded an Associate in Applied Science degree. Individuals who already hold an associate's or bachelor's degree that includes all prerequisites may apply directly to the program. Directly applying students will pay $5,000 for tuition, while those who attend through an affiliated college will pay tuition at the college's rates. The program will begin with six students and the laboratory setting will accommodate three students at SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital and three at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital. Graduates of the MLT program will be certified as a medical laboratory technician upon passing the National Board of Certification Exam administered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). More information about applying to the MLT Program will be available early in 2018. Portable Magic: The Art of the Book 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!) Voters in Orangeburg County Council District 6 go to the polls today to elect the person who will replace Clyde Livingston, the long-serving councilman who died in July. Orangeburg County Voter Registration Director Aurora Smalls believes there might be low turnout due to the holidays but encourages everyone to make their voices heard. Voters will choose between Democratic candidate Ray Wannamaker Sabalis and Republican candidate Josh Ridley. Sabalis said she wants to help county council address the challenges that face Orangeburg County while continuing to support the countys vital services to its residents. She says she wants to strike a balance between available resources and the countys needs. She has worked as a director of Christian education and a church administrator, in the technology field as a network administrator, in fundraising and in development in a school and seminary. Sabalis said each of these positions required technical expertise, the ability to work as a member of a team and the willingness to consider various points of view. Ridley said he feels the county can improve its competitiveness in attracting businesses, the quality of life for its citizens and more. He wants council to work together to build social capital through civic responsibility and encouraging stronger families, stronger communities and stronger cities. Most recently, he served as chairman of the board of directors with the Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce. He is also involved with various economic development entities and initiatives throughout the state, including SCBIO, S.C. Chamber of Commerce, South Carolina Research Authority and the Southeastern Medical Device Association. Ridley is medical sales and marketing director at Zeus. The District 6 seat has 13 months remaining on the term. Livingston, a certified public accountant, began serving on county council in 1995. As a councilman, he served on the board of the Three Rivers Solid Waste Authority, the board of the S.C. Association of Counties Workmen's Comp Trust and Property and Liability Insurance Trust and the Lower Savannah Council of Governments. To participate in Tuesdays election, voters must live in county council District 6. Voters who are blind, physically disabled or unable to read or write are entitled to assistance in casting their ballot. Voters who are unable to enter their polling place due to physical handicap or are 65 years of age or older may vote from their vehicle. When notified, the polling location will help voters using a curbside voting provision. At the polls, voters will be required to show one of the following forms of photo identification: S.C. drivers license S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles ID card S.C. Voter Registration Card with photo Federal military ID U.S. passport Voters who forget their photo ID may vote using a provisional ballot but must show an ID prior to the certification of the election. People with a reasonable impediment to getting a photo ID can vote if they sign an affidavit stating why. Bring your non-photo voter registration card to the polling place. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Open polling locations will be: Cordova 2: Cordova Town Hall, 105 Flashover Lane, Cordova Limestone 1: Prince of Orange Mall (rear side near food court), 2390 Chestnut St., Orangeburg Suburban 4: Orangeburg Municipal Airport, 1811 Airport Road, Orangeburg Suburban 5: Rivelon Elementary School, 350 Thomas B. Eklund Cir., Orangeburg Suburban 6: Rivelon Elementary School, 350 Thomas B. Eklund Cir., Orangeburg Suburban 7: William J. Clark Middle School, 919 Bennett Ave., Orangeburg Suburban 8: Marshall Elementary School, 1441 Marshall Ave., Orangeburg Ward 1: Orangeburg Arts Center (River Pavilion), 619 Riverside Dr., Orangeburg Ward 2: Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce, 155 Riverside Dr., SW, Orangeburg Ward 3: Mellichamp Elementary School, 350 Murray Road, Orangeburg Ward 6: Youth Canteen, 1620 Middleton St., Orangeburg Ward 7: Sheridan Elementary School, 1139 Hillsboro Road, Orangeburg Ward 8: William J. Clark Middle School, 919 Bennett Ave., Orangeburg Ward 9: Marshall Elementary School, 1441 Marshall Ave., Orangeburg Ward 10: Sheridan Elementary School, 1139 Hillsboro Road, Orangeburg Battle Menu: When you go into battle, you are told to pick an action. Actions are: Fight: Starts the battle right away. Command: Let... By Trend President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has today arrived in Tartar region. The head of state laid flowers at a statue of national leader Heydar Aliyev in the center of Tartar. Head of Tartar District Executive Power Mustagim Mammadov briefed President Aliyev on the carried out activities and implemented projects in the region. It was noted that the social and economic indicators of the district have improved, many social infrastructure facilities have been built and production facilities have been established in the region. Reconstruction and landscaping work were carried out, all conditions for the population have been created and the green zone has been expanded in the park where the statue of the national leader is located. President Aliyev has attended the opening of a new building of Tartar Museum of History and Local Lore. The head of state cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the museum. The president was informed that construction of the new building of the museum started last year. The two-storey museum houses two exhibition halls. The museum features a total of 2,000 exhibits highlighting Azerbaijans rich history, traditions and culture. There is also a photo section here depicting national leader Heydar Aliyevs visits to Tartar district. The museum also has a 40-seat conference hall. Within the visit the head of state attended the inauguration of the Tartar-Seydimli-Garadaghli-Sarov highway Nov. 28. Chairman of Azeravtoyol OJSC Saleh Mammadov informed the president of the technical indicators of the highway. The two-lane Tartar-Seydimli-Garadaghli-Sarov highway is 29.5km in length and 8m in width. Light poles, traffic signs, and informative boards were installed along the highway. A bridge measuring 34.8m in length and 10.5m in width was constructed on the Incachay River over the road. The president cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the newly constructed highway. President Aliyev also viewed conditions created at a newly built residential complex for 1,170 IDP families in Tartar district. The head of state visited IDP Pakiza Mammadovas house. Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister, ?hair of the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs Ali Hasanov informed the President that 1,170 apartments occupy a total area of 88,000 square meters. The four-story buildings have 120 one-room, 504 two-room, 472 three-room and 80 four-room apartments. The new residential complex features all necessary infrastructure facilities, including a school, a kindergarten, a music school, an administrative building, a community club, and medical centers. The head of state viewed the 1,200-seat school at the complex. The school also features information about the Maragha-150 monument which exposes the territorial claims of the Armenians against Azerbaijan. After familiarizing himself with the canteen and library of the school, President Aliyev met with representatives of the district's general public and IDPs, and posed for photographs together with them. The museum has an auditorium, several conference halls, electronic library and other administrative rooms. President of Azerbaijan, Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev also viewed conditions created at military unit in Tartar. Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov reported to President, Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev. The military unit, which occupies a total area of six hectares, features headquarters, three barracks, a 360-seat canteen, different purpose warehouses, and a 100-car parking lot. Hasanov informed President Aliyev of the operational conditions on the frontline. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, having completed his visit to Tartar, has arrived in Aghjabadi region for a visit. The head of state laid flowers at a statue of the national leader in the Heydar Aliyev Park in the center of the city of Aghjabadi. Head of Aghjabadi District Executive Authority Shahin Mammadov informed President Aliyev of the landscaping work carried out around the statue and in the region. Then President Aliyev attended the opening of Flag Museum in Aghjabadi. The head of state cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the museum, and then viewed it. The museum`s collection features the map of the khanate period in Azerbaijan, medieval warriors` clothing, flags of different states that existed in the territory of Azerbaijan, coats of arms of Azerbaijani cities dating back to the 19th century, ancient coins, documents relating to Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, constitutions of Azerbaijan SSR and independent Republic of Azerbaijan, state attributes, photos of President Ilham Aliyev`s inauguration, as well as different postage stamps, orders and medals. President Aliyev has also attended the opening of Museum of History and Local Lore in Aghjabadi after renovation. The head of state viewed conditions created in the museum. The museum was built in 1980. The renovated two-storey building houses administrative rooms, a 60-seat conference hall, and exhibition halls. There are photo sections here depicting national leader Heydar Aliyev`s, and President Ilham Aliyev's visits to Aghjabadi. The museum features a total of 4,782 exhibits, 360 of which are being displayed at the exhibition hall. The President attended the inauguration of a 100-seat orphanage-kindergarten No 4 in Aghjabadi, whose construction was initiated by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. President Ilham Aliyev cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the orphanage-kindergarten. The head of state viewed conditions created here. The three-storey building was supplied with all necessary equipment. All conditions were created here for children. Amusement facilities were installed and green areas laid out in the yard of the orphanage-kindergarten. President Ilham Aliyev attended the inauguration of the Olympic Sport Complex in Aghjabadi district. The head of state cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the complex. Minister of Youth and Sports Azad Rahimov informed President Ilham Aliyev of the conditions created here. The construction of the complex started in June 2012, and ended this November. All necessary infrastructure has been created at the complex which occupies a total area of five hectares. The complex features wrestling and judo, boxing, weightlifting gyms, as well as a 937-seat universal sports halls. The sport complex also includes table tennis and billiard courts, gym and fitness halls, summer cafe, shop, booking office, rooms for supervisors, coaches, and referees, and a number of other rooms. The complex also houses a 810-seat football stadium, as well as mini football, volleyball pitches and tennis courts. The Olympic Sport Complex features a 50-seat state-of-the-art hotel. After touring the complex, President Ilham Aliyev met with representatives of the district's general public and local athletes, and posed for photographs together with them. As part of his visit to Aghjabadi district, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev has viewed the conditions created at a military unit of the Ministry of Defense. Minister of Defense Zakir Hasanov reported to Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev. The headquarters, military hostels, a canteen, medical point and other necessary buildings were built in the military unit. The headquarters has service rooms and a conference hall. All conditions have been created here. President, Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev visited the military hostels and viewed the social and living conditions created for personnel. President Ilham Aliyev was informed about an interactive training and practice system. President Aliyev today attended the inauguration of a bread and flour plant in Aghjabadi district. Minister of Economy Shahin Mustafayev informed the head of state that there are more than 160 bread plants in Azerbaijan with 2,200 tons of daily production capacity. The bread and flour plant in Aghjabadi district covers a total area of six hectares. The facility consists of two production areas. The National Fund for Entrepreneurship Support under the Ministry of Economy allocated a 1.4 million manat preferential loan for the construction of the plant with a total cost of 4 million manats. The daily production capacity of the plant is 20 tons. The plant manufactures 7 types of bread and 20 types of flour products. President Ilham Aliyev launched the facility, watched the production process and viewed ready products. The plant created 50 jobs, with average monthly salary being 400 manats. The UAE government has approved Dh476 million ($130 million) worth of housing aid for Emirati families under its Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme in conjunction with the celebrations of the country's 46th National Day. The board of directors of the programme have given the go-ahead to 737 Emiratis, who are eligible for housing support, reported the state news agency Wam. During a meeting at the Etihad Museum in Dubai, Dr Abdullah bin Mohammed Belhaif Al Nuaimi, the Minister of Infrastructure Development and Programme Board chairman, announced that the housing support was distributed between 553 loans and 184 residential grants, stated the report. Dr Al Nuaimi said the initiative was in line with the directives of President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and the follow up of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, it added. UAE-based Ducab, a leading manufacturer of high-quality cables and cabling products owned equally by Abu Dhabis Senaat and by Investment Corporation Dubai (ICD), celebrated the UAEs 46th National Day at its headquarters in Jebel Ali, Dubai. The celebrations took place in the presence of the companys senior management and employees, commencing with a keynote delivered by Ducab board member, Khaled Nasser Lootah, said a statement. Lootah expressed his sincerest congratulations to HH Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE; HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates on the occasion of the anniversary of the union, it said. He expressed Ducabs pride in the remarkable achievements of the nation, and the wisdom of good leadership, it added. Ducab's National Day celebrations also included several cultural activities and traditional performances that reflect the UAEs history. Lootah said: The Union of the UAE is the cornerstone of the achievements we are all proud of today, and which would not have been achieved during this period of time, which is short in the age of nations, without the strong vision and efforts of our countrys wise leadership and the unity of its people. We are happy to celebrate together on this day, embodying the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, founder of the country, to unite the people and establish the UAE, he added. Mona Mohamed Fekri, Ducab general manager, human resources, said: The National Day is a special moment for locals and expats alike. We are happy to celebrate this day to embody together the vision the founders of the country to unite the will of the people and the establishment of the UAE, he said. TradeArabia News Service Zimbabweans celebrated late into the night after Robert Mugabe resigned as president,a post he held for 37 years. His ally turned rival, former Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa, is expected to return from neighbouring South Africa and could be appointed as the new president, said a BBC report. Mugabe's resignation came in the form of a letter read out by the speaker of parliament as the house began impeachement proceedings against him. Mugabe - who had so far resisted pressure from the public, the army and his own party to step aside - said he was resigning to allow a smooth and peaceful transfer of power, and that his decision was voluntary. The announcement abruptly halted the impeachment hearing. Lawmakers from the ruling party and opposition roared with glee, and spontaneous scenes of joy erupted in the streets with people dancing, singing, honking car horns and waving flags. Bahrain's Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) has implemented a new SIM Card Verification regulation which requires operators to introduce a secure way to verify identities of SIM card holders. The TRA's latest move comes as part of its efforts to ensure consumers can safely enjoy using their telecoms services with peace of mind. There have been instances in the past where a large number of individuals have been taken advantage of because of a security gap when consumers take on SIM enabled services, mainly due to the verification process not being sufficient, said a senior official. "It was brought to our attention that consumers have had multiple SIM cards in their name without their knowledge, and they discovered they had to pay for services they never asked for. This, of course, was unacceptable and TRA had to take action," remarked Mariam Al Mannai, the TRA Consumer Affairs Manager. In light of this development, operators worked together with TRA to stop criminals from getting access to peoples identities. "Operators co-operated fully and recommended biometric scans as the best way to impede this kind of activity and safeguard consumers from being victims of fraud," stated Al Mannai. As per the new TRA rule, all customers must complete the registration of the verification process at the concerned service providers' offices. Those with postpaid lines will have time until June 2, 2018 for completing the formalities. If they miss the deadline, their lines will get suspended and will have until September 2 to lift the suspension. Similarly for those with prepaid lines, the deadline ends on March 2 and they will be given a grace period until June 2 to lift the suspension.-TradeArabia News Service Abu Dhabi Ports has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Food Security Centre in Abu Dhabi, to enhance the development of food industry on both ends, a report said. The MoU was signed between Khalifa Al Ali, managing director of Food Security Centre, and Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports at the inaugural edition of Agriscape 2017, the world's first international exhibition on agricultural investments, reported Wam, the Emirates official news agency. The newly established partnership will see closer collaborations between both parties to enhance the food security sector, in addition to the development of food industry and the establishment of food clusters at ports and industrial zones. In addition to covering the entire spectrum that falls under food security including production, processing, circulation, distribution, import and export of food products. Al Ali said: "Abu Dhabi Ports is one of our key strategic partners and through its world class ports assets as well as KIZAD, they have taken important steps to bolster the food processing and manufacturing in the region with an aim to achieve a sustainable environment, promoting national food security." Al Shamisi said: "The second biggest sector in the UAE is food and there is growing importance of UAE food security, which is why strategic partnerships such as this are essential. Our partnership with the Food Security Centre, is one of the many initiatives we have initiated, as part of our commitment to prioritise food security, which is one of the UAE governments key priorities." Abu Dhabi Ports is the master developer, operator and manager of commercial and community ports within the emirate of Abu Dhabi, as well as Fujairah Terminals and Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad). Current world oil market conditions, returning confidence and optimism in the industry are all evidence of the positive outcome of Declaration of Cooperation, Opec secretary-general Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo said during the Opec and non-Opec Technical Meeting at the Opec Secretariat on Monday. Sanusi Barkindo, during the meeting, congratulated all Opec and non-Opec participants on the first anniversary of the Declaration of Cooperation, reported Wam, the official Emirates news agency. The meeting is part of the lead up to the 3rd Opec and non-Opec Ministerial Meeting, which will be held at the Opec headquarters on 30 November. It also follows on the heels of a complementary workshop on tight oil prospects held on 22 November, which examined recent developments and likely prospects for US tight oil. ''Together with our non-Opec partners, we have co-authored a new chapter in the history of this industry, one that is about cooperation, stability and sustainability. Our work together over the past year has forged new relationships between Opec and non-Opec countries which never existed in the past. This has led to new friendships, new opportunities and laid the groundwork for ongoing future cooperation. We can be very proud of what we have achieved working together,'' he noted. ''The decisions we made were historic and mark the first time in the history of the industry that 24 Opec and non-Opec producers have joined forces to help contribute to improving oil market stability. I am happy to say that we can now firmly put to rest any suggestions that this process we have started and the Declaration of Cooperation could not be successful,'' he stated. ''Our path towards market stability has seen several bumps along the way, and we have suffered occasional setbacks, but our determination and hard work are paying off. The commitment shown by each and every country participating in the Declaration of Cooperation is unprecedented and most remarkable. The fact that average conformity to the supply adjustments has been over 100 percent since the implementation of the decision on January 1 of this year not only warms my heart personally, but has led to a new optimism in the oil market not seen for a very long time,'' he added. After reaching record-high levels of more than 380 million barrels over the five-year average, he continued, OECD commercial oil inventories have steadily fallen to stand 140 million barrels above the five-year average in October. Additionally, excess crude in floating storage has been drawn down considerably, by 50 million barrels since June 2017, supported by the shift in the market structure where for the first time since the summer of 2014, all major crude oil benchmarks have flipped into backwardation, signalling clearly a market that is steadily returning to balance. The 1st Technical Meeting of Opec and non-Opec Producing Countries was held in May 2017. The technical meetings provide an opportunity to enrich and deepen Opec and non-Opec work together and to give shape and structure to a framework under which future cooperation and sharing of perspectives will take place. Iraq plans to build a new pipeline from Baiji to Fishkabur, enabling Kirkuk oil to be exported again from Turkeys Ceyhan port, the countrys Oil Ministry said. Kirkuks oil was previously being exported via the Kurdistan Regional Governments (KRG) pipeline to Ceyhan, but this has been on hold since Baghdad took control of the area, reported Iraq Business News. Plans to restore Baghdads existing oil pipeline to Turkey, which was badly damaged by militants in 2014, have been scrapped, according to the report. More than 350 government representatives from 115 countries including Ministers and high-level officials gathered today (November 28) in Abu Dhabi to attend the 14th Council of the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena). At the outset of the meeting, the Council re-elected China as chair of the meeting and Colombia as vice-chair. The Council of Irena meets twice annually to facilitate cooperation among Members, oversee implementation of the Irena Work Programme and complete substantive preparations for the Agencys annual Assembly, which takes place in January, at the outset of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. We will promote a revolution in energy production and consumption, and build an energy sector that is clean, low-carbon, safe and efficient, said council chair Zhi Guo, chief economist of Chinas National Energy Administration, upon his election. Renewable energy has now become a major part of Chinas additional electricity generation, which highlights the impact of clean energy as a substitute. At the opening of the Council, Irena director-general Adnan Z Amin said: Renewable energy has been the cornerstone of growth in the energy industry over the last five years, during which more than half of global capacity additions in the power sector have been from renewable energy. While great progress is underway in the power sector, attention can be turned to the relatively untapped potential that exists to integrate renewable energy into end-use sectors such as transportation, heating and cooling. As the global energy system is undergoing a rapid transition with larger shares of renewable energy, this Council presents Members with the opportunity to set the Agencys strategic direction towards accelerating this transition to a sustainable energy future, added Amin. During Irenas 14th Council, participants will discuss the Agencys future work as part of the Work Programme and Budget for 2018-2019, and its Medium-term Strategy for 2018-2022. Programmatic discussions will cover increasing the share of renewable energy through Nationally Determined Contributions, and scaling-up renewables deployment through effective project facilitation. Improving information about modern uses of bioenergy in support of energy transformation, enabling higher shares of variable renewable energy through flexibility options including electricity storage, and accessing funding in the sixth cycle of the Irena/Abu Dhabi Fund for Development Project Facility, will also be discussed. Since the last Council meeting in May 2017, Irenas Membership has increased by three to 153, with the addition of Lebanon, El Salvador, and Uzbekistan. Nearly 30 additional countries are in the process of becoming Members. Irena is mandated to be the global hub for renewable energy cooperation and information exchange by 153 members (152 states and the European Union). TradeArabia News Service The Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) in Amman, Jordan welcomed 599,683 passengers in October, registering a significant 12.6 per cent year-on-year leap in comparison to the same month of last year. According to October 2017statistics announced by Airport International Group, QAIA also experienced an impressive 12.6 per cent improvement in cargo figures compared to October 2016 by handling 9,950 tons. Meanwhile, the airport recorded 5,536 aircraft movements (ACM), representing a year-on-year decrease of 1.7 per cent. Additionally, as of the end of October, QAIA had received a total of 6,802,053 passengers in 2017, resulting in a 6.6 per cent year-to-date (YTD) increase in passenger traffic (PAX) in comparison to the same period in 2016.The Airport also registered a minimal 1.4 per cent rise in YTD ACM figures, amounting to 63,445by the end of October. Moreover, QAIA handled 90,433 tons of cargo during the first 10 months of this year, affecting a significant7.5 per cent increase. We are pleased to see that Octobers passenger traffic figures have increased for the fifth consecutive month in 2017, a winning streak by any means. Top destinations contributing to this growth included regional routes such as Cairo, Alexandria, Doha and Kuwait, as well as the ever-popular Turkey and Rome. Moreover, we aspire to see positive results in the winter months, during the upcoming holiday season, said Airport International Group CEO Kjeld Binger. - TradeArabia News Service Oman Air has announced the third winner of its popular quarterly incentive scheme for travel agents in Oman. Tanveer Kazi of Marmul Travel & Tours was rewarded with a brand new Mini Cooper in recognition of his excellent sales in the third quarter of 2017. The car was presented to Kazi at the Oman Air headquarters by the Acting CEO Eng. Abdulaziz Al Raisi. Oman Air Country Manager Jamal Al Azki, who was instrumental in executing this reward scheme, said: This incentive scheme is aimed at encouraging travel agents to achieve higher sales for Oman Air. It was gratifying to see the high levels of sales this quarter and agents have worked hard selling a high number of Oman Air flights. This quarters winning agent can be proud of his excellent achievement in encouraging even more people to fly with our airline. Marmul Travel & Tours is one of the top travel operators in Oman who offers competitive prices, and good customer services. TradeArabia News Service Swiss-Belhotel International (SBI) has appointed Bartlomiej Mart as the hotel manager for Swiss-Belresidences Juffair in Bahrain. Owned by Hassan Lari Property Development & Management, Swiss-Belresidences Juffair is expected to open its doors by April 1, 2018. Bartlomiej brings over 14 years of outstanding experience in the hospitality industry working with some of the most successful hotels in Europe, US and the Middle East. His most recent posting was as Director of Operations at Marriott Executive Apartments & Residence Inn in Bahrain where he spent almost six years. Laurent A Voivenel, Senior Vice President, Operations and Development for the Middle East, Africa and India, Swiss-Belhotel International, said: We have just setup the pre-opening office for Swiss-Belresidences Juffair under the supervision of our Area General Manager Herve Peyre and delighted to welcome Bartlomiej to our team. We are confident his diverse and multi-property management experience with superb pre-opening expertise will prove to be extremely useful in delivering exceptional guest service at Swiss-Belresidences Juffair. A Polish national, Bartlomiej holds a Masters Degree in European Financial Law. He began his career in the hospitality industry as an F&B Shift Leader at Harrisburg Hershey Marriott in US in 2003 before moving to Old Course Hotel & Spa in the UK as HSKP Supervisor in 2005. Bartlomiej continued his progress gaining valuable experience in all aspects of the business. He joined back the Marriott group as Senior HSKP Supervisor at Marriott Executive Apartments in Dubai in 2006 before taking up the role of House-Keeping Manager at JW Marriott Dubai in 2007. Over the years, Bartlomiej won many prestigious awards including 2014 Edge Award. Swiss-Belresidences Juffair an upper midscale hotel apartment complex featuring 129 well-appointed two and three bedroom serviced units each equipped with fabulous facilities including a full-fledged kitchen. Enjoying a prime location in the city, in close proximity to popular shopping and dining attractions, the hotel also boasts outstanding recreation and dining facilities such as a swimming pool, a large spa connected with the health club, a mini theatre, a kids club, an all-day-dining restaurant and a deli corner in the lobby. - TradeArabia News Service The St. Regis Abu Dhabi is marking the 46th UAE National Day with a special offer on its signature St Regis Suite. The urban resort is offering the suite at Dh1971++ per room, per night from November 30 to December 3. Crafted for modern connoisseurs who desire exceptional experiences, The St. Regis Abu Dhabi brings distinctive St. Regis New York legacy to the captivating Arabian address of Nation Towers on the Abu Dhabi Corniche, the social epicentre for royalty, the discerning traveller and luminaries in the art of living. The hotel is directly connected to Nation Galleria Mall and is just minutes from Marina Mall and home to Nation Riveria Beach Club, the citys finest Beach Club with a stretch of 200 m of pristine turquoise waters. Draped in soft golden hues with a view of the stunning Arabian Gulf, the St. Regis suite offers guests 87 sq m of elegant living, dining and relaxation space. Comfort blends with sophistication, from cool Statuario Royal Marble adorned floors to soft hand tufted wool carpets and from leather walk-in closets to mother of pearl headboards. Ideal for guests on a family holiday or those wanting to enjoy their weekend in style the St Regis suite may connect with a Superior King room. All St. Regis suite guests enjoy the signature St. Regis Butler Service. Speaking of the UAE National Day Festivities, General Manager Moustafa Sakr said: Our aim is always to create a truly unique experience that showcases The St. Regis Abu Dhabi at its best. Our signature St Regis Suites are ideal for guests on a family holiday or those wanting to enjoy their weekend in style with service that anticipates and never assumes. We are proud to be located in the heart of city where back in 1971 was an area of the water where the hotel stands today overlooking the Al Bateen Marina in the UAE back in the 1960s before this area was built up. Its a great reminder of our UAE heritage and how far we have come today. We are very proud to be a part of such great vibrant city of culture and heritage. The celebratory rate of Dh1971 pays tribute to the year the United Arab Emirates was founded. TradeArabia News Service Tuesday support meetings Alcoholics Anonymous: 6:30 a.m., 917 N. Beech; 8:30 a.m., 500 S. Wolcott; 10 a.m., 328 E. A; noon, 500 S. Wolcott; 2 p.m., 917 N. Beech; 5:30 p.m., 1124 Elma, Imitate the Image Church; 5:30 p.m., 328 E. A; 7 p.m., 500 S. Wolcott, closed; 7 p.m., 520 CY; 8 p.m., 328-1/2 E. A; 8 p.m., 328 E. A; 8 p.m., 917 N. Beech. Douglas: 7:30 p.m., 628 E. Richards (upstairs in back). Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are open. Casper info: 266-9578; Douglas info: (307) 351-1688. Narcotics Anonymous: Noon, 500 S. Wolcott, 12-24 Club; 7 p.m., 15th and Melrose, at the church. Web site: http://www.urmrna.org. Help Mercer House on Giving Tuesday Mercer Family Resource Center has joined #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide. Mercer FRC will be collecting items to support the free community events they will be hosting throughout 2018 including Family Game Night and the Community Baby Shower. Items needed include new, unused diapers-all sizes, travel size baby wipes, diaper cream, sanitizing bags, travel size hand sanitizer, teething toys, receiving blankets, burp cloths, travel size tissues, night lights, baby toiletries (soap, shampoo, lotion), family board games players and family card games for two or more players. You can also donate funds for these events by visiting www.mercercasper.com. Donations can be dropped off at Mercer Family Resource Center 535 W. Yellowstone Hwy. until January 1. #GivingTuesday trends online to kick off the holiday giving season, inspire people to collaborate in improving their local communities, and to give back in impactful ways to the charities and causes they support. Those who are interested in joining Mercer FRC #GivingTuesday initiative can visit www.mercercasper.com or our Facebook Page Mercer Family Resource Center Giving Tuesday. Giving Tuesday on public radio Join us Wyoming Public Radio for Giving Tuesday. Have your favorite non-profit organization recognized on Wyoming Public Radio. To submit your favorite non-profit organization to be recognized on-air for Giving Tuesday and posted online, call us Tuesday at 1-800-729-5897 or fill out the Google Form, Giving Tuesday Listener Challenge, sponsored by Wyoming Community Foundation. BGCCW holds annual meeting Charged with guiding the operations, development, and vision of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming, two of the organizations board members will be honored for their commitment to the club at the annual meeting at noon at the Lyric. Receiving National Service to Youth Awards from the Boys & Girls Club of America are Mitch Zimmerman for 15 years of service and Kim Devore for five years serving on the BGCCW Foundation Board. The 48th annual meeting of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming is the boards opportunity to review the past fiscal year through year-end reports, install new officers, and launch the strategic plan for the new fiscal year. NARFE meets Casper Chapter #358 of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) will have a business meeting at noon in the meeting room at the Casper Senior Center, 1831 East 4th Street. Rich Wessenberg, BCBS, along with GEHA, will be presenting information on health insurance and long term care insurance. Following the presentation, we will have our business meeting at which time election of officers will be held. All members are urged to attend. AAUW readers meet The AAUW Readers Favorite Book Club will meet at noon at Lilacs and Lavender Tea Room, 242 South Kenwood. After a no-host lunch, Robin Broumley will discuss the memoir At Home in the World, by Joyce Maynard. Open house at Cottonwood In an effort to ensure all parents and students are as informed as possible leading up to the Open Enrollment period for the 2018-19 school year, NCSD has announced the schools open house schedule. The 2018-19 Open Enrollment window is January 3-17, 2018. Tuesday, 4:30 to 6 p.m., Cottonwood Elementary, 1230 W. 15th St. Please contact individual schools with any questions. The schedule (in English and Spanish) can also be found online: http://natronaschools.org/open-house-schedule-2018-19-enrollment/. Caregiver support Rocky Mountain Therapy is offering Caregiver Support Group: This support group is open to anyone caring for someone with a debilitation condition. Meetings are held on the fourth Tuesdays of the month. The next meeting is at 5:30 p.m. at Rocky Mountain Therapy. The guest speaker is Nancy McKenzie, National Family Wyoming Caregiver Support Coordinator. Participants in support groups usually stay well-informed and benefit from information shared among the group. To RSVP or for more information about these support groups, please call 577-5204 and ask for Jerri. Festival of Trees The 29th annual Festival of Trees gala to benefit Special Olympics Wyoming is an auction of fully decorated Christmas trees, wreaths, stockings and items donated by individuals or local businesses. The event begins at 6 p.m. at the Industrial Building with a silent auction, cocktails and hors doeuvres, the live auction begins at 7 p.m. and lasts until approximately 9 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person or $75 per couple. Tickets are available online through www.specialolympicswy.org, or at the Special Olympics Wyoming Office, 239 West First Street. They are also at both Jonah Bank locations, all the First Interstate Bank locations, ANB Bank and at the door. Teen Book Club at Metro A teen book discussion, sponsored by the Natrona County Library, will be held at 6:30 p.m., at Metro Coffee Co. This months novel is The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie. The group is open to teens in grades 9-12. Participants receive a free drink at Metro, courtesy of the Friends of the Library. To participate, pick up a copy of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian in the Librarys Teen Zone. The Teen Book Club meets the last Tuesday of every month and new members are always welcome. Call 577.READ x101 for more information. Family Game Night at library All ages are invited to Family Game Night to play Dutch Blitz at the Natrona County Library at 6:30 p.m. Pizza will be provided by the Friends of the Library at no cost to participants. Dutch Blitz is a fast-paced, real-time, multiplayer card game involving multiple decks of playing cards. Often described as a combination of the card games Speed and Solitaire, it is similar to Nertz and Ligretto. Call 577.READ x2 or email reference@natronacountylibrary.org for more information. Here are some tips on keeping your pets safe on Halloween, how to have a real conversation with your teen, and more videos to improve your life. A hand-picked team of Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials are quickly working to try and design a first-of-its-kind special hunt to determine how widely chronic wasting disease has spread among deer in south-central Montana. Details about how many deer need to be shot for a statistically valid sample and the boundaries of that hunt are still being worked out, but the goal is to have a proposal before the Fish and Wildlife Commission at its next meeting Dec. 7. The disease has been in Wyoming herds for decades, and has spread to more than a dozen states and three Canadian provinces. Its a tight window, said Barb Beck, supervisor for FWPs Region 5, based in Billings, and the leader of the incident command team. But things are coming together, she added. It will be a milestone for how the commission handles this issue. Draft plan Guiding the teams decision-making is a yet-to-be-approved CWD management plan for the state that was released in draft form only earlier this month. In short, FWP is working off a plan that has not yet been approved. With the commissions blessing we are largely following the plan, even though its a draft, Beck said. Were trying to keep track of anything we think may need to be improved. The incident team is still awaiting more test results from hunter-harvested deer taken in the Bridger area south to the Wyoming border in Hunting District 510 before outlining the hunt area. So far, two mule deer bucks have been killed south of Bridger tested positive for CWD, even though they both appeared to be healthy animals. Its not safe for people to assume that because my mule deer buck looks healthy, it is, Beck said. The disease has an incubation period of about 16 months to two years, said Jennifer Ramsey, FWP veterinarian. Its not known within that time span when the deer start showing symptoms, which can include weight loss, listlessness, drooling and lowering of the head. The disease is always fatal. Identifying CWD requires tissue samples from dead animals. Lab tests can take a week-and-a-half to three weeks to confirm infection. Hunt questions Mike Birrer, a deer hunter who lives in the Bridger area, said a Belfry-area landowner told him about seeing a deer that acted strange this fall, with its head laying over. Now that CWD has been confirmed, he thinks that animal may have been infected. Birrer isnt surprised deer have tested positive near his home and where he hunts, considering the disease surrounds Montana on three of its four borders. Its probably been here a while, he said, but stepped-up testing by FWP this fall turned up the sick animals. If, or when, FWP offers a hunt to remove deer for sampling, Birrer said hes not sure if hell take part. The tags must be purchased, although several can be bought, instead of using unfilled tags from the general season. Some bucks, proportionate to the overall number of bucks in the herd, could be shot. One hunter could potentially harvest a number of deer, Beck said, to determine the diseases presence with a high level of confidence. All animals would have to be tested, and hunters would then have to make the choice of whether to consume the meat. Although no case of CWD transference to humans has been confirmed, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises against consumption of meat that has tested positive. It doesnt make sense to hunt them if the hunters cant keep the meat, Birrer said, although he praised FWP for using a hunt as a way to figure out how far the disease has spread. Yet Beck said FWP has already received calls from Montana hunters, as well as from out of state hunters, seeking information about a possible hunt. With two deer already in the freezer from this seasons hunting that his children shot, Birrer is less inclined to buy another tag. Looking ahead, hes also a bit hesitant about how CWD may affect his hunting in the future. I told my wife, Maybe we need to start hunting whitetails, he said, which are less likely to contract CWD. Mobile disease Ramsey said the disease likely moved north from infected animals in Wyoming, where CWD has been confirmed in deer, elk and moose. In that state, the infections are believed to have come from Colorado and slowly marched north. Weve seen it showing up all around our borders, Ramsey said. Those animals dont see our borders like we do. Thats likely the same way that brucellosis-infected elk came to south-central Montana, from animals migrating north from Wyoming along the Beartooth Front. That disease, which can be spread to cattle, is also being monitored by FWP and the Department of Livestock around the edges of Yellowstone National Park. Upon hearing about the two deer testing positive, Beck said Crow tribal members have also been trained on how to take tissue samples from deer for testing, since the infected animals lived close to the reservation. The states of Washington and North Dakota have also taken action, implementing bans on the importation of certain deer body parts, like heads and spines, from animals that were shot in Montana. The concern is that the disease could spread in those states if infected Montana carcasses are dumped. Its not understood how animals contract CWD. It could be from contact with an infected animals feces, saliva or urine, but the infectious agent seems capable of living in the soil for an extended period. Its also not known when the animals shed the disease, but it seems to be more prevalent in animals that are crowded closer together, like on a winter range. Unlike brucellosis, cattle appear to be resistant to CWD infections, but FWP is still encouraging landowners in the region to attend two meetings this week to discuss the outbreak. The meetings are scheduled on Wednesday, Nov. 29, at 5 p.m. at the Bridger Civic Center and at 7:30 p.m. at Mountain View Elementary School in Red Lodge. We really need landowners at the table with us for this to be successful, Beck said. Gay rights advocates will ask city leaders Tuesday to approve an anti-discrimination resolution, contending such a move would help support Caspers LGBT community. Attitudes toward Caspers gay and lesbian community are improving, but support from local officials is still needed, said Ruth Ann Leonard, a member of Caspers chapter of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. When my son was growing up here, there was discrimination, she said. I know that there is now too, and a lot of people just want to let it be. But Leonard is not satisfied with the status quo. She and other members of PFLAG, an organization that advocates for people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender, are asking that Casper City Council approve a resolution affirming the rights of LGBT citizens to live discrimination-free lives. City Council will consider the proposal at its Tuesday work session. The resolution is not an ordinance, but it would set a tone of acceptance, which could benefit the entire city, explained Rob Johnston, the president of PFLAGs local chapter. Many perceive Wyoming as an unwelcoming state towards the LGBT community, he said. This perception leads some residents to leave the area and might also dissuade businesses or potential employees from moving here. Although attempts to pass an anti-discrimination bill through the state Legislature have failed, Johnston said other cities in Wyoming have established resolutions or ordinances to promote equal rights and opportunities for LGBT residents. The Laramie City Council was the first in Wyoming to pass such an ordinance. Complaints about LGBT discrimination there now go to an investigator, and if they are determined to be valid, the accused person may receive sensitivity training. If the accused refuses, the city attorneys office takes over and can issue fines or even jail time. Although a resolution doesnt have the same teeth as an ordinance, Leonard and Johnston agreed that it would be a meaningful show of support to the LGBT community. Gillette recently passed a similar resolution, added Johnston. City Manager Carter Napier expressed support for the resolution in a memo sent to Mayor Kenyne Humphrey last week. LBGT persons have been harassed, rejected and even murdered for being different, it states. It is important that Casper illustrates that compassion, understanding and unity are values that are upheld and promoted. Council is looking forward to discussing the proposal, said Humphrey. We definitely want to show support for all our citizens in the community, she added. While some feel hopeful about the prospect of resolutions that support the LGBT community, others have concerns. When state legislators were debating a non-discrimination bill earlier this year, multiple religious leaders spoke out against it, according to reports by the Wyoming Tribune Eagle. Deacon Mike Leman of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cheyenne said the bill would be a step in the wrong direction. I think theres a tremendous amount of healing that needs to take place on both sides, the newspaper quoted him as saying. We dont believe this new law will help enable that. The Casper Police Department has released a description of the man suspected of robbing a Sinclair gas station at 12th and Melrose streets. The robbery took place shortly before 8 p.m. Saturday. A police spokesman described the suspect as a 5 foot 6 inch, 160 pound white man with a red beard. Police estimated the man to be in his early twenties. He was wearing two hooded sweatshirts -- a maroon one on top of a black one -- jeans with faded knees and black shoes. Police began investigating the incident as an armed robbery on Saturday. The spokesman was unable to provide a description of the weapon on Monday morning. The spokesman asked anyone with information about the incident to call 307-235-8278. Two Natrona County men were arrested in the past week on suspicion of aggravated assault in separate incidents involving makeshift weapons. The Natrona County Sheriffs Office said Wade C. Miller, 45, who lives on Moki Road near Wyoming Highway 220, broke out a mans glass patio door and attacked him with a pick axe and a spade on Saturday. The alleged victim was left with a bloodied hand and head. The sheriffs office also said David Taylor, 28, of Edgerton, on Wednesday night attacked another man with a claw hammer after the man refused to hug Taylor. The alleged victim was hospitalized with a head wound. According to court documents, a resident of Okeepa Road spotted Miller and another man urinating into a gas tank on the residents property. The man told deputies that he opened his patio door and confronted the two micturating men. After a confrontation ensued, the property resident went back into his home and closed the door, according to the documents. Miller then grabbed a pick axe from the property and broke out the glass door, the documents allege. He entered the property and hit the resident, who shielded himself with his arm while the other man watched. Miller dropped or discarded the pick axe and hit the man with a fence post before picking up a spade, according to the documents. After the alleged victim yelled gun! Miller and the other man left. The other man cooperated with the sheriffs department and had not been charged by Monday morning. Miller was arrested and booked into Natrona County Detention Center. He had been bailed out by Monday morning. According to court documents, Taylor was drunk on Wednesday night at another persons house in Edgerton. After another man repeatedly rebuffed Taylors attempts to hug him, the man told Taylor to leave. The two men pushed Taylor toward the door, according to the documents. After one man left the room thinking Taylor would leave, he heard a crash. When the man returned he saw Taylor and the third man wrestling on the floor. The third man was holding a framing hammer and bleeding profusely from his head. The third man later said Taylor had struck him in the head with the hammer, causing the wound. After Taylor fled, the witness called 911. The alleged victim was taken to Wyoming Medical Center where he was interviewed by sheriffs deputies. Sheriffs deputies found Taylor on Thursday morning at another location. He was arrested and booked into Natrona County Detention Center. He was still in jail Monday morning. Both Taylor and Miller were expected to appear in court Monday afternoon for their initial appearances. The University of Wyoming is partnering with an international company to build a drilling simulation lab that officials expect will be one of the leading facilities of its kind. When completed in 2019, the laboratory will operate as a way for students to simulate drilling wells, including what happens after drilling. The deal between UW and Drilling Systems, which is headquartered in Bournemouth, England, has been in the works for about 18 months, according to a university press release. The new program officially titled the Drilling and Completions Simulation Laboratory will be housed in the new Engineering Education and Research Building, which is also expected to be completed in 2019. No other facilities will need to be constructed to accommodate the new lab, university spokesman Chad Baldwin said. Were taking the biggest step to make a supercenter, professor Doug Cuthbertson, who oversees the drilling simulator, said in the press release. This may be rivaled by one such facility in the world. ... This will teach them how to do things and how to plan. Its unclear what facility Cuthbertson was referring to. Baldwin said he was unsure, and the professor did not return an email. Nor is the cost of the lab or who will pay for it clear. Drilling Systems will provide the university with exclusive access to emerging technologies and the ability to influence the development of future products and services that may benefit both parties, the press release states. Baldwin said the partnership will benefit the company by potentially providing it with well-trained graduates, while also giving the firm an opportunity to advance technology. Drilling Systems will support UWs efforts to be recognized as a Tier-1 university, according to the agreement. The Engineering Education and Research Building is part of the schools Tier-1 Engineering Initiative. A Tier-1 college is a nationally recognized institution of academic excellence and world-class research, UW has said. The university will continue to use its current drilling simulator. That equipment will eventually be moved to the new lab space, along with new technology. Along with the new lab will come new masters and Ph.D. programs in drilling and completions. Similar technologies can be found at universities such as Texas A&M, the Colorado School of Mines and Louisiana State. We've collected a few front pages from newspapers.com to give you a look at some Nov. 28 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. PHOENIX Saying 18 is plenty young enough, a Scotts- dale lawmaker wants to repeal Arizona laws that allow children of any age to get married. The proposal by Republican Rep. Michelle Ugenti-Rita would make it illegal for the clerk of superior courts in any of the states 15 counties to issue a marriage license to anyone younger than 18. Specifically, it would undo laws that allow anyone age 16 or 17 to marry with permission of a parent. The measure also addresses the fact that in Arizona there is no minimum age. Minors 15 and younger are allowed to marry with permission of a parent and a Superior Court judge. Why do we need to allow underage marriages to happen? Ugenti-Rita asked. What is the public benefit to that? If she can get her bill heard, Arizona would join a growing number of states looking at whether laws that may date back to territorial days make any sense. While most states set the age of marriage at 18, more than half are like Arizona, allowing exceptions and lacking a floor age, according to the Tahirih Justice Center, which works to stop violence against women. The record on changing that is mixed. New York earlier this year changed its laws to make 17 the minimum, up from 14. Lawmakers in New Jersey voted for a measure similar to Ugenti-Ritas proposal, but it was vetoed by Gov. Chris Christie. And efforts to set the minimum age in California at 18 faltered this year amid opposition from several groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the Childrens Law Center of California. Ugenti-Rita, however, argues that theres no legitimate reason to allow such nuptials. I dont see why waiting 12 months or 24 months interferes with your ability to have a life together or marry, she said. Nor does she believe that the parental consent requirement is meaningful. The exceptions dont make sense anymore, she said. She also pointed out that those younger than 18 cant buy cigarettes, even with a note from mom or dad. And the legal purchase and use of alcohol is reserved to those 21 and older, no matter what a parent says. So we clearly recognize that age is a big factor in being able to comprehend the magnitude of a choice and being mature enough to make a certain choice, Ugenti-Rita said. Rep. Eddie Farnsworth, R-Gilbert, chairs the House Judiciary Committee through which her legislation likely would have to pass. He said simply making marriage off-limits to those younger than 18 raises a series of questions. One is the fact that Arizona law already allows teens 16 and older to become legally emancipated, freeing them from parental oversight and giving them many of the same legal rights as an adult, including the right to contract, incur debts and to sue and be sued. Its also legal for teens to have an abortion with either parental or court permission. And Arizona repealed its laws against cohabitation more than a decade ago. But Ugenti-Rita brushed aside questions of whether her legislation could then lead to teens living together without being married. She said thats no reason for Arizona to provide recognized status to couples where one or both is a minor. I think child marriage lends itself to some real problems, she said. Those who are marrying before they are 18 are at an increased risk of physical or sexual violence, coercion, other economic complications. Nor does she believe a pregnancy should change the equation. Ugenti-Rita said she sees no reason a delay in being wed, even in those situations, would cause more harm than being legally tied to someone else as a teen. There is no statewide figure of how many teens younger than 18 wed each year in Arizona, as these are issued by court clerks in each of the 15 counties. An analysis done for Capitol Media Services by the Maricopa County clerk of Superior Court found that 570 minors received marriage licenses in a five-year period ending June 23. The actual number of licenses is slightly less, at 524, as some went to couples where both were minors. Thats out of about 20,000 licenses issued each year. In all cases examined, all the minors were either 16 or 17 years old, said Aaron Nash, the offices special counsel. As to the political future of the legislation, Ugenti-Rita said shes undeterred by the record elsewhere. I understand Christie vetoed the bill, she said of what happened in New Jersey. But they obviously got it out of the Legislature. The ability to marry younger than 16 in Arizona is not absolute. Before providing authorization, a judge must require both parties to complete premarital counseling. There also needs to be a finding that the minor is entering into the marriage voluntarily and that it is in the best interests of the minor under the circumstances. PHOENIX With no congressional action in sight, state Medicaid officials are preparing to implement a contingency plan to ensure that nearly 24,000 children of Arizonas working poor do not lose their health-care coverage in December. The money the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System has been using to keep the KidsCare program afloat since Congress cut off funding Oct. 1 is running out. Those dollars were left over from the prior federal fiscal year, AHCCCS spokeswoman Heidi Capriotti said Tuesday. So the plan now is to use other cash Arizona gets from the federal government for its separate traditional Medicaid plan to pay the premiums for children in the KidsCare program. She said that will mean no interruption in care. But Capriotti warned this is, at best, a short-term solution. She said there are only enough dollars in that Medicaid account to keep the KidsCare premiums paid into the first quarter of 2018. If Congress does not come through by that point, it will be up to state lawmakers to decide whether to find the money elsewhere Arizonas KidsCare is budgeted at more than $9.3 million a month or simply kill the program and leave the children without health coverage. The reason this is an issue is the failure of Congress to reauthorize the Childrens Health Insurance Program. It provides low-cost health insurance to children whose parents earn less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level, about $40,840 for a family of three. Premiums are no more than $50 a month for a single child and $70 for multiple children. It is designed to aid families who earn too much to qualify for the regular Medicaid program, where income is limited to 138 percent of the federal poverty level, but who may not earn enough to purchase private insurance for their children or dont work for an employer that provides coverage. The program has been around in some form since 1997. But Congress, distracted with debates over the future of the Affordable Care Act, did not meet the Oct. 1 deadline to provide the estimated $15 billion needed to care for the approximately 8.9 million children nationwide who are enrolled. Efforts since then have become enmeshed with discussion of the total federal budget and tax cuts. The House did approve an extension. But that has proven politically unacceptable to the Senate, which has yet to approve its own plan, because the House bill also includes cuts to some programs for the elderly. In the interim, Arizona and other states have been able to use some federal Childrens Health Insurance Program money they did not use in the prior federal fiscal year. The two Democratic contenders to become Arizonas next governor will be in Tucson Thursday for a town hall to discuss public education. The event, which is sponsored by the Arizona Education Association, will happen at Pueblo High School, 3500 S. 12th Ave., from 6 to 7:45 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30. Republican Gov. Doug Ducey was not invited to the event, according to AEA spokesperson Sheenae Shannon. The two Democrats running to unseat Ducey are Sen. Steve Farley, a longtime state lawmaker from Tucson, and David Garcia, the 2014 Democratic nominee for superintendent of public instruction. Topics will include public education funding, school vouchers and Arizonas teacher shortage. The forum will be moderated by the Metropolitan Education Commissions Youth Advisory Council/Tucson Teen Congress. Farley has served in the Legislature since he was first elected in 2006 and currently serves as assistant Democratic leader in the state Senate. Garcia is a university professor who made his political debut in 2014, when he lost the race to become Arizonas superintendent of public instruction to Diane Douglas. Both men have declared public education as their main policy platform. Republicans have a strong voter-registration advantage in Arizona, and political pollsters give Ducey the edge in his 2018 bid for re-election. By the numbers The proposed Rosemont Mine would: Cost $1.9 billion to build. Disturb more than 5,400 acres for its construction, including 1,197 acres of private land, 574 acres of state land, and 3,653 acres of Coronado National Forest land. Cover 955 acres for its open pit, which would be up to 6,500 feet in diameter and a half-mile deep, with a final elevation of 3,050 feet above sea level. Produce about 5.88 billion pounds of copper, 194 million pounds of molybdenum and 80 million ounces of silver over 20 to 25 years. The copper production represents about 11 percent of total U.S. copper production and about 1 percent of the worldwide total. Process an estimated 661.429 million tons of copper sulfide ore and produce 1.249 million tons of waste rock over the same period. Create 400 to 450 permanent jobs directly and another 1,600 jobs indirectly. Use about 100,000 acre feet of groundwater over the mine's life, and replenish that with imported Colorado River water. Source: U.S. Forest Service, final Rosemont decision. Tucson police are asking the public for help identifying two people linked to bank robberies in midtown Nov. 24. A man and woman arrived together at two nearby businesses, and the man entered Arizona Central Credit Union, 787 S. Alvernon Way, said Sgt. Pete Dugan, a Tucson Police Department spokesman. At the same time, the woman walked into OneAZ Credit Union at 777 S. Alvernon Way, Dugan said. Each one indicated that they were armed and robbed the banks simultaneously before leaving the area in the same direction, said Dugan. Both were captured on surveillance cameras. The man is described as white and about 30 to 35 years old. He is about 5 feet 5 inches tall with a slim build. He has a beard and was last seen wearing a tan or gray hat with a "Star" logo, a gray polo shirt and khaki pants. The woman was described as Hispanic and in her 50s. She had a lean build, reddish-blonde hair, glasses and was last seen wearing a long-sleeved red and white striped shirt and blue jeans. Robbery detectives ask that anyone who recognizes the man or woman to call 88-CRIME, an anonymous tipster hotline. Even though Jenna Herder can kick some butt, she has a heart and home that glitters. Herder, a 36-year-old Krav Maga instructor and business owner, spends her evenings teaching adults how to defend themselves against attackers. This is serious stuff. Krav Maga is a self-defense system and form of combat originally designed for the Israeli military. After throwing some elbows and practicing some choke holds, Herder retires to her private space that she shares with five Chihuahua mixes, dangly chandeliers and fairy lights. If she has some spare time, she might fill an order for her homemade nail polish business, Lacquistry. While the Tucson native has made a life of teaching others to protect themselves, Herder was unable to put that into practice when she found herself in an abusive relationship. Herder started learning Krav Maga as a 24-year-old looking for a practical form of self-defense. With its emphasis on survival, not spirituality, Krav Maga gave her what she wanted. Its my longest-term relationship, she says with a laugh. Ive done other stuff, and I always get bored and move on, but every day, theres a fire in me. Girls can do Krav, too In high school, she remembers wrestling with guy friends and boyfriends and their remarks about her strength. But I never thought to do anything with it because Im a girl, and girls dance, she says. So thats what Herder did ballet, belly dance, flamenco, ballroom dance. And track in high school. But when you discover what youre capable of with this body that youre given ... and to be shown that I could be strong and actually be effective at deterring someone from attacking me ... and that I have strength physically and inside, that changes everything, she says. A few years in, Herder started teaching. Flattered at first, she found the shift from student to instructor robbed her of this outlet she had discovered. Burnout ensued, so she took a break. But the real fight was still to come. When shame is your attacker Herders break from Krav Maga coincided with the escalation of an abusive relationship. Her then-boyfriend disliked that she trained with other men. But, she rationalized, he was the love of her life. She stayed with him for about four years. Herder says the abuse started with psychological and emotional manipulation and progressed physically. Although she knew she could defend herself, she didnt. But she continued teaching other people to protect themselves against the violence that characterized her personal life. I was basically a hypocrite and living a lie, and I was very ashamed of it, she says. The shame and burnout forced her out of something that had become a source of both physical and mental health. The breaking point came when her boyfriend called her mother. My mom is my most precious relationship, she says. And for him to try and destroy that, that was my final straw. That was it. I was done. Her mother, JoAnn Herder, knew nothing about her daughters living nightmare until it fell apart, but in the next six years, the mother-daughter duo would tackle Herders shame together. Building a new life As it turned out, the storage containers at the familys Tucson self-storage business became the building blocks for Herders new life. Not long after she ended the relationship, Herder took over managing the family business, I-10 Self Storage, 3273 N. Freeway Road. She and her mom are both owners. Around the same time, she started making and selling nail polish on Esty a side hustle that grew out of her love of nail polish and her boredom with in-store offerings. She estimates that in the last six years she has made at least 100 colors. Shes partial to anything that sparkles. Her return to Krav Maga followed, about a year after the relationship ended. Thats where she worked out the hurt and anger and feelings of weakness and insignificance. Getting back to my roots of Krav Maga reinforced my internal strength by showing me my physical strength, she says. I had forgotten that I could be a strong person ... because I was weak and powerless and victimized. I was proving to myself that that was over and that chapter was closed. Temporarily running an existing Krav Maga studio with a partner set Herder up to pursue her own business when that studio closed. With students wondering if she would move the studio elsewhere, her mom encouraged her to bring it to I-10 Self Storage. In early 2017, Herder began converting several storage units into a 2,000-square-foot studio, removing partitions, taking out bolts and putting up drywall. She installed a climbing wall and punching bags and mats on the floor. She did almost all of the work herself. The conversion took about six months of work on weekends and evenings. When she opened Combat Krav Maga: Unit 545 a few months ago, her students followed. Even with the seriousness of what shes teaching, she still manages to make people feel relaxed, says Larry Cassen, 48, a student who followed Herder to her new studio. She manages to bring the right kind of humor to make people feel welcome and make them want to come back again. Grateful to have peace Most nights of the week, youll find Herder teaching students in her studio. On Fridays, she teaches a self-defense class for women. Ive been the victim, she says. I havent always been the tough girl. You never know what someone struggles with in their private life or what theyre really going through. Her own experiences help her relate with her students. For a woman who wants to learn self-defense, her being a woman opens it up for other women who might not feel as comfortable, says Kelly Amsler, 30. Amsler also followed Herder to the new studio and tries to make it to class three times a week. Notes of encouragement from her mom are scattered around her house, reminding her of all that she has accomplished shes certified by the United States Krav Maga Association and has a second-degree black belt. I have seen her go from somewhat shy to a very powerful woman, JoAnn Herder says. Shell just run on top of the roof to fix a leak. Shell run and clean out a unit. Shell take care of customers with the utmost concern. ... She can handle anything. Rep. Raul Grijalva lashed out Tuesday at the newspaper that published details of a severance package his office paid to an employee who complained of frequent drunkenness and a hostile workplace. "Last week, the Washington Times contacted me seeking comment on what it described as a sexual harassment claim that, in fact, had never been made," Grijalva said in a new statement. "Once the paper realized its original story was provably false, staff regrouped over the holidays and decided to run a misleading article trying to link me to sexual harassment complaints made against other people." Grijalva did not deny the details of the severance package that the Washington Times reported. In 2015, an employee threatened to sue over Grijalva's frequent drunkenness and a hostile work environment, the Times report said. After she made that threat, the report says, Grijalva's office stopped paying her in an effort to force a settlement, which eventually was reached. She received her salary for five more months -- a total of $48,395. The complaint wasn't about sexual harassment, Grijalva noted in two written statements. The woman worked in Grijalva's Washington D.C. office. The news comes amid a growing scandal about how members of Congress are able to use taxpayer money to quietly settle complaints against them. The uproar has been about payouts for sexual harassment paid out through salaries, which are less noticeable than a lump-sum settlement. The Office of Compliance has paid $17.2 million in settlements over the last 20 years, but not all were for sexual harassment, and not all were for problems in congressional offices, the Washington Post reported. In his original statement, Grijalva noted that the Office of Compliance was not involved in the case of his ex-employee, who was not named in the Times story. In the later statement he explained: The fact is that an employee and I, working with the House Employment Counsel, mutually agreed on terms for a severance package, including an agreement that neither of us would talk about it publicly. The terms were consistent with House Ethics Committee guidance. The severance funds came out of my committee operating budget. Every step of the process was handled ethically and appropriately." Grijalva went on to demand an apology from the Washington Times, but he did not specify any facts that were incorrect in the story. Grijalva, 69, got his start in politics as a Tucson activist. He later was elected to the Tucson Unified School District board and the Pima County Board of Supervisors. In 2002, he was elected to Congress from the newly created third congressional district, which includes the western parts of the Tucson area and stretches west to Yuma and north to the western reaches of metro Phoenix. Whoever is in charge of making Tucson acceptable as a beautiful place to live is failing miserably. There are plastic bags and litter all over the place. We have had friends and relatives come to visit, and each and every one of them have said, There is so much litter and plastic bags blowing around here. Why cant we be like California and not use plastic bags, or charge a price for them that would encourage the use of a customers own bag? In Europe, they charge a euro (about $1.25 when we were there) for a plastic bag at a store, and there are no plastic bags blowing around! How about coupling that with a very stiff fine for people who throw stuff from cars? Lets make Tucson clean and beautiful. Arnelle Publicover Southeast side The point missed by columnist Diego Rivera is that Steve Bannon was recognized by the Brian Terry Foundation for assisting Donald Trump in becoming president. Irrespective of Bannons own political compass, the Trump campaign was persuasive enough to speak to centrist Republicans AND the public-at-large who have been disenfranchised by a globalist political agenda. It was no small feat that Trump won the Republican nomination for president among 17 challengers but also defeated the establishment Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton. Brian Terry would have been proud of Mr. Bannon. Tucson is lucky to be home to three very significant national-level trails; the 800-mile long Arizona National Scenic Trail, the 336-mile long Central Arizona Project National Recreation Trail and the 1,200-mile long Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail. These trails, along with the 55-mile Loop, bring many economic and wellness benefits to Pima County residents and visitors. The Arizona National Scenic Trail is the only one fully completed, and it is in the midst of having reroutes and improvements planning done by the U.S. Forest Service. The trails program at Pima County Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation is in the design phase for a new trailhead at Sahuarita Road and State Highway 83. A partnership between Marana and the trails program at Pima County will complete a seven-mile section of the CAP National Recreation Trail, from the Pima-Pinal county line to Tangerine Road, this fiscal year. The Pima County Office of Sustainability and Conservation has recently completed the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail through Green Valley and will soon make the trail and a new trailhead in Sahuarita. Unfortunately, the Anza Trail is facing a significant obstacle that needs to be resolved. The historic path goes through an eight-mile section of the Tohono Oodham Reservation on the San Xavier District west of the Santa Cruz River, but the district has not given permission for the trail to cross its jurisdiction. The district has been petitioned to give permission, but representatives have said only that its not in their interest. Since lots of other routes Interstate 19, Mission Road (a county road), San Xavier Road, the Central Arizona Project Corridor, the El Paso Natural Gas line and an electric power line already go through the San Xavier District, there is no lack of precedent for public access to the district. The Tohono Oodham people benefit a huge amount from their relationship with Tucson and Pima County. They request funding for projects from the locally controlled Regional Transportation Authority, from ADOT for their transportation enhancement projects, and Pima County bond programs. The Oodham are not reclusive; they welcome locals and tourists to their two casinos, the San Xavier Mission and their smoke shop. So why not the Anza Trail? We hope the district will consider the benefits of providing an easement for the Anza Trail where it was historically located more than 240 years ago. The trail could provide interpretive signs displaying Tohono Oodham culture and history. In addition to interpretation opportunities, the Anza National Historic Trail, with its 10-foot natural surface path, could promote wellness for the people of the Tohono Oodham Nation and their neighbors. It could be the backbone of special events and provide business opportunities for the district, including bicycle rentals and guide services. The trail could have a link to the casino and the mission to provide an opportunity for marketing native arts and crafts. Connections to the Tucson Loop and the vast network of paths and trails in the Tucson Metro region would make the Anza Trail very attractive to area residents and visitors. We truly hope that the San Xavier District will partner with Pima County and give permission for the Anza Trail to be on its historic location and thus enjoy the economic and wellness benefits the rest of the county receives. It would be an unfortunate loss of an opportunity for the district if it had to be bypassed when completing this trail. The Tucson Theatre Announcements List is a monitored e-mail list. Notices from Tucson area theatre companies, filmmakers and others are forwarded to the list members. These notices include auditions, casting calls, openings and other announcements of interest to actors, directors, techies and theatre lovers in our community. This Blog contains an archive of recent posts to the list. For more information go to http://tucsonstage.com Help India! By Twocircles.net Staff Reporter Malappuram: On Monday, Malappuram press club witnessed a rare function where the family of Arjunan Athimuthu, a Tamil man, received Rs. 25 lakh from IUML state president Panakkad Syed Hyderali Shihab Thangal. The money was collected from a handful of benefactors in order to save Athimuthu from Thanjavur, who was sentenced to death after a court in Kuwait convicted him for murdering Abdul Wajid from Malappuram in 2013. Both Athimuthu and Wajid were working together in a company and Wajid was killed in September 2013 following a fight between the duo. Support TwoCircles Wajids family demanded Rs 30 lakh as blood money and agreed to forgive Athimuthu if the amount is given. The fund was raised by Muslim Youth League state president Syed Munawwar Ali Shihab Thangal and his friends after Athimuthus wife approached Munawwar Ali for help. Munawwar Alis friends including NRI businessman from Pattarkadavu Khairu Raheem raised the amount within few days after a request was extended by MYL leader. Malati approached Munawwar Ali on November 21, after she managed to raise only Rs 5 lakh after selling her property and receiving help from her husbands friends. Munawwar Ali said the contribution reflects the spirit of Malappuram. He congratulated the kind-hearted contributors, saying, We are saving not only a precious human life from a certain death, but also spreading a message of humanity. As per Kuwait laws, a convict on death row can be released if the family of the victim agrees to it. Help India! By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter Srinagar: Taking cognisance of the deplorable conditions of Kashmiri prisoners inside and outside the state, Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) on Monday, November 27, sought their unconditional release and appealed to the international and local human rights bodies to take immediate notice of their conditions. Support TwoCircles The Jamaat spokesperson said that thousands of innocent Kashmiris are languishing in jails in and outside the valley only for the reason that they wish such a resolution of Kashmir issue which represents the wishes and aspirations of the concerned people. This issue came to fore in 1947 when the accession of J&K was made to India without taking the aspirations of Kashmiri people into account but soon after the accession, the government of India promised the people directly and through the medium of UNO that they would be provided an impartial chance to express their aspirations and their aspirations would also be accepted, said the Jamaat spokesperson. He further said that the jails in Jammu & Kashmir are full of innocent Kashmiri detainees and a good number of them is languishing in Tihar and other jails of India. They are neither provided with suitable food nor given proper medical facilities. They are given beastly treatment in the jails in Jammu and the stringent procedure for meeting them has virtually made it impossible for their family members to meet them, he added. The statement comes in the backdrop of an increase in trend of attacks on Kashmiri prisoners in jails outside the state. On November 21, few Kashmiri inmates including Shahid Yousuf, son of Syed Salahuddin who was arrested by NIA on October 24 over terror funding charges, were thrashed by Tamil Nadu Force inside Tihar Jail. This is the second case in last three months. On September 13, some Kashmiris were badly beaten after a brawl between two groups inside the Tihar jail. According to an IANS report, at least 17 prisoners were injured in March this year when a clash broke out between two groups. Last year, an inmate was killed in a fight between two groups in a moving jail van entering the Tihar Jail from Saket court. In a similar incident in 2015, two inmates were allegedly beaten to death by seven others in a fight that broke out inside a prison van heading from Rohini court to Tihar jail. The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has also expressed serious concern over the thrashing. The woeful tale of miseries and torture of the Kashmiri prisoners in Tihar Jail is a serious concern for us as authorities in Tihar are unnecessarily harassing and thrashing detainees on one pretext or the other, it said. Help India! TCN News Aligarh: Imagine if Aligarh becomes a tourist spot, welcoming visitors from everywhere. Some Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) students have identified spots, which will likely bring Aligarh on Indias tourism map. Support TwoCircles These students of tourism courses in the Department of Commerce, AMU have put forth names of Maulana Azad Library, Teerthdham Mangalaayatan, AMU Jama Masjid, Khereshwar Temple, Sir Syed Academy Museum, Aligarh Fort, Baba Barchi Bahadur Dargah, Shekha Jheel, Dor Fortress and Chacha Nehru Gyan Pushp as potential spots, which will bring tourism to Aligarh. Professor Sheeba Hamid, faculty at department of commerce said that these students have not only discovered tourist spots in Aligarh, but also in other cities. Our students have identified a fort in Etah, which can potentially become a tourist spot, said Prof Hamid during a three-day international conference on New Tourism Paradigms in a Changing World: Innovations, Dynamics and Future Perspectives organised by the Department of Commerce, AMU under the sponsorship of the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. While presiding over the inaugural function of the conference, AMU Vice Chancellor, Professor Tariq Mansoor expressed his happiness and interest in visiting these places. Prof Mansoor pointed out that since Indian tourism industry has a huge potential, developing new places of religious and leisure tourism will do wonders. He further said that employment will be generated with the discovery of new tourist spots. After extending a warm welcome to the dignitaries attending the conference, Prof Nawab Ali Khan, dean at faculty of commerce, expressed the desire of establishing a tourism department in AMUs Faculty of Commerce. Meanwhile, Prof M Mohsin Khan, the chairperson at department of commerce, said that since tourism attracts foreign exchange, conferences, workshops and researches related to it should be done to promote tourism in India. Prof S Husain Ashraf talked about the importance of cross cultural training to help understand tourists better and to make their stay successful. Dr Sandeep Kulshreshtha, Director ya IITM, attended the conference as the chief-guest, and discussed the changing scenario of technology, effect of climate change on tourist destinations, impact of concrete jungles and under-water tourist places. Delivering the keynote address, Mr Imtiaz Muqbil, Executive Editor at Travel-Trade Journalist in the Asia Specific, spoke on new paradigms of tourism. He emphasized that new tourism requires more than the walk-the-talk approach and innovative ideas for sustainable development. The conference will also have deliberations by Prof Tania Hossain (Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan), Prof Khaliq Ahmad (International Islamic University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), Prof Nimit Chowdhary (Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi), Prof Monika Prakash (IITTM, Noida), Dr Shafali Nagpal (Bhagat Phul Singh Mahila Vishwavidyalaya) and Dr Anukrati Sharma (University of Kota, Rajasthan). Dr Mohd Shamim Ansari (Session coordinator), Dr Mohd Taqi, Mohd Asad, Shahrukh Khan, Aaisha Ahmad, Zeenat Fatima and Dr Sheema Tarab were also present, at the event. Prof Sheeba Hamid proposed the vote of thanks. Help India! Agartala, (IANS): The Tripura and West Bengal governments on Tuesday offered government jobs, educational help and financial aid to the kin of a slain Tripura journalist, who was gunned down by a security personnel last week. Journalist Sudip Datta Bhowmik, 50, was shot by a Tripura State Rifle (TSR) rifleman in Radha Kishore Nagar, 25 km from Agartala, on November 21. Support TwoCircles The Council of Ministers in a weekly meeting today (Tuesday) has decided to give Rs 10 lakh to Bhowmiks family. The cost of his teenaged daughters education would be borne by the state government, Tripura Information and Finance Minister Bhanulal Saha told the media. Chief Minister Manik Sarkar presided over the cabinet meeting. On the other hand, Trinamool Congress (TMC)s West Bengal Assembly member Sabyasachi Dutta accompanied by state party leaders on Tuesday visited the home of the slain journalist. Datta later told the media that TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee talked to Bhowmiks mother Putul Rani Datta Bhowmik over the phone and assured her that the Bengal government would provide a government job to the deceaseds son Samik, who is now studying engineering in an Odisha institute. Mamata Banerjee also assured to take the educational responsibility (by her government) of Bhowmiks daughter Samridhi (who is studying in Class VIII in a Tripura school), said Sabyasachi Dutta, who is also the Mayor of Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation. According to police, TSR second battalion rifleman Nandu Kumar Reang, following an altercation, shot dead Sudip Datta Bhowmik at the battalion headquarters in Radha Kishore Nagar. Reang was the bodyguard of battalion Commandant Tapan Debbarma, who is a senior Tripura Police Service (TPS) officer (1998 batch) and waiting for IPS nomination. The slain journalist had gone to meet Debbarma at the battalion headquarters. To probe the sensational killing, the state government earlier constituted a four-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by Deputy Inspector General of police Arindam Nath. The SIT has so far arrested four TSR personnel, including Debbarma, and his bodyguard. More TSR officials are likely to be arrested in connection with the journalists killing, an SIT member said. The Press Council of India (PCI) has taken suo motu cognizance of the killing and sought a report from the Tripura government. Demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the incident, several journalist organisations under a newly-formed platform Forum for Protection of Journalists (FFPJ) are continuing their agitation. FFPJ Convener Pranab Sarkar said a memorandum would be sent to President Ram Nath Kovind demanding a CBI probe into the killing of the journalist and protection to media persons. Bhowmik, who was a reporter with Syandan Patrika and local cable television channel Vanguarda, is survived by his wife, a government teacher, and two children. Earlier, 28-year-old TV reporter Santanu Bhowmik was hacked to death while covering an event of a tribal party in Mandai in western Tripura on September 20. The Congress has demanded a high-level inquiry into the murder. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has demanded a CBI probe and resignation of Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, who also holds the Home portfolio. Both parties observed a state-wide shutdown last week (on Thursday) to protest the killing. The ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) has criticised the BJP for politicising the journalists killing. State government is on the right track in probing the unfortunate killing, CPI-M central committee member Gautam Das told the media. Next spring, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be getting married. After they announced their engagement the other day, they have confessed to being totally unprepared to deal with the media circus thats been following them around ever since they first got together. Their relationship has been going on now for eighteen months, and about the engagement, Harry said he is thrilled to be marrying her. In their first public appearance since announcing their engagement, Harry and Markle gave a 20-minute televised interview from Kensington Palace. Representatives of the Palace are being expected to announce where the venue of the wedding will be, as well as details about the ceremony and all of the processes and royal engagements that Markle will have to go through in order to integrate herself into the Royal Family. Mishal Husain conducted the interview The lengthy TV interview was conducted by Mishal Husain, and during it, Harry and Markle revealed the story of their proposal. The prince proposed to the actress on what was apparently a standard, typical night in for us on the grounds of Kensington Palace in his Nottingham Cottage home, while they were preparing a dinner of roast chicken (because that really matters). Markle said that the proposal was an amazing surprise and that the way he did it spontaneously while they were roasting a chicken (remember that part) was so sweet and natural and very romantic. The actress explained that Harry did the whole to-do with the getting down on one knee and everything, but he took too long with the actual speech of the proposal, and halfway through, she asked him, Can I say yes now? Markle, being mixed-race, has been the subject of scrutiny in the media ever since her relationship with the prince was announced. Harry has publicly noted his disgust at the racial undertones of the British press reporting of their relationship. Markles mother is African-American, while her father is Caucasian, and she herself has described the racially-driven media coverage as disheartening and discriminatory. One example of the racially-based headlines is the Daily Mails Harrys girl is (almost) straight outta Compton, a reference to the city in Los Angeles that is typically known for African-American gang violence. Markle was startled by the media storm The media storm that has been surrounding Harry and Markle throughout their relationship came as something of a surprise to Markle, who despite being a somewhat big name with a supporting role in the TV series Suits, was nowhere near prepared to deal with the intense scrutiny from the British media that the royal family are put under. She said of the learning experience that being so clearly in the public eye has given her, I did not have any understanding of what it would be like. Harry claims that he designed the engagement ring for Markle himself from a stone that he obtained from Botswana, a place where the two of them went camping during the first few weeks of their relationship. The ring also contained two smaller gems that he nabbed from his late mother Princess Dianas jewellery collection. The inclusion of Dianas own jewellery was, according to Harry, to make sure that shes with us on this crazy journey together. On most peoples minds when Prince Harry announced his engagement to be married was the possibility of a new bank holiday being instated to celebrate the wedding. So, Downing Street swooped in nice and early to chuck a bucket of water of everybodys fire by announcing that there are currently no plans for a new bank holiday. They also reminded us that neither Prince Andrews wedding in 1986 nor Prince Edwards in 1999 had a bank holiday. There is no need to speculate any longer about when Prince Harry will propose to American actress Meghan Markle. The royal family and Markle's parents announced on Monday, November 27 that the couple became engaged in London earlier this month. Close family members knew about the engagement before it was officially announced to the public. The announcement The announcement came from Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales. He said he was delighted to announce the engagement of his youngest son, Prince Harry to Meghan Markle. He indicated that the engaged couple will marry in the spring of 2018, and the exact date will be revealed later. He added that Harry's grandmother, Queen Elizabeth has given her blessing for the upcoming marriage. Also, Harry asked Meghan's parents for their blessing as well. The interview The couple posed briefly for photos and a few questions in front of Kensington Palace where they are living. When asked how they felt, Prince Harry, fifth in line to the throne, said he was thrilled. Meghan said they are so very happy. When the newly engaged couple went inside, they talked a little more about their engagement. The 36-year-old actress said that she agreed to marry the 33-year-old prince before he finished asking her to marry him while on his knee during the romantic proposal. Prince Harry wore a blue suit and his fiancee wore a white belted coat, and she held on tightly to Harry's hand. She showed off her diamond engagement ring that was designed by Prince Harry. It has a gold band with two diamonds from his late mother's collection on each side of the center diamond from Botswana, a country where the couple has spent time together during their courtship. The couple's journey The couple met on a blind date that was set up by mutual friends in London in July 2016. Harry said he knew then that he wanted to marry Meghan. They began dating that summer, but it wasn't until November 2016 that the public was made aware of it. It was at that time that Harry released a statement to the media to refrain from harassing his girlfriend. For 16 months, the couple spent a lot of time together even though Meghan was living in Toronto, Canada while filming her television legal drama, "Suits." She has since given it up after seven seasons. During the time they were dating, Prince Harry took her on several vacations, and they have spent holidays and special occasions together. They made their first public appearance as a couple last September at the Invictus Games that were hosted by Prince Harry in Toronto. That was the same month that an exclusive from Meghan was in Vanity Fair magazine. She said at that time that they are two people who are really happy and in love. Now that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are engaged, many more details will be revealed in the coming days. The public is waiting to find out more about them and their plans for the future. Donald Trump is not a fan of the majority of the mainstream media and has made his thoughts known on an almost daily basis. During his latest rant on social media, the president called for contest to be held to see which network promotes the most "Fake News." Trump on Twitter For the better part of two and a half years, Donald Trump has made a habit of clashing with the media. Since the day he announced his campaign for president back in the summer of 2015, the former host of "The Apprentice" has been at odds with the press after he labeled illegal immigrants from Mexico as "rapists" and "murderers." Throughout the rest of the 2016 election cycle, Trump would rip into the news media, often calling out reporters and journalists during his campaign rallies, causing a hostile environment for those in attendance. Following his election win over Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, the president was accused of benefiting from "fake news" on the internet. In an attempt to counter the allegation, Trump used the term "fake news" on a routine basis to describe every news outlet that he disagreed with, which has now become synonyms with the commander in chief. As seen on his Twitter feed on November 27, Trump is now promoting a contest to be held to see which news network should be given the "fake news" trophy. We should have a contest as to which of the Networks, plus CNN and not including Fox, is the most dishonest, corrupt and/or distorted in its political coverage of your favorite President (me). They are all bad. Winner to receive the FAKE NEWS TROPHY! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 27, 2017 Taking to Twitter on Monday morning, Donald Trump went back on the attack against most news outlets, with the exception of Fox News, and promoted a contest to see which network would win the "fake news trophy." "We should have a contest as to which of the Networks, plus CNN and not including Fox, is the most dishonest, corrupt and/or distorted in its political coverage of your favorite President (me)," Trump said while offering praise onto himself. "They are all bad," he continued, before noting, "Winner to receive the FAKE NEWS TROPHY!" The good news is that their ratings are terrible, nobody cares! https://t.co/I7h4Ryin3h Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 27, 2017 Fake News: Morning Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) Caught Pretending Pre-Taped Day After Thanksgiving Show Was Live https://t.co/Dfov3nJ26d Dan Scavino Jr. (@DanScavino) November 27, 2017 In a follow-up post, Donald Trump re-tweeted an article that found that MSNBC's "Morning Joe" pre-taped last Friday morning's program earlier in the week in an attempt to avoid running a live episode after Thanksgiving, with the president mocking the show in the process. "The good news is that their ratings are terrible, nobody cares!" he tweeted. Next up As Donald Trump continues on with his attack on the mainstream media, he has many other issues to worry about as commander in chief. After almost a year in office, the president has gotten little to no legislation passed as predictable clashes with Democrats have taken place, as well as constant in-fighting with his own Republican Party. It's no secret that Donald Trump uses insults to attack those who he considers his political opponents. During an event t the White House honoring Native American leaders, the president decided to call out Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren for allegedly misrepresenting her ancestry as a Native American. Trump on Warren Over the last two and a half years, Donald Trump has made a habit out of lashing out at his critics. Whether it's the Democratic Party, Hollywood celebrities, the mainstream media, world leaders, or even other Republicans, the former host of "The Apprentice" has not held back his thoughts, regardless of how controversial they might be. One politician that Trump has often attacked has been Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who has been accused of playing up her ancestry as a Native American in the past. In response, Trump has labeled Warren as "Pocahontas," which has resulted in many accusing the president of racism and other forms of prejudice and bigotry. A reported by ABC News on November 27, Trump honored Native American code talkers at the White House, but couldn't hold back taking a shot at Warren in the process. Pres. Trump at event honoring Native American code talkers: "We have a representative in Congress who they say was here a long time ago. They call her Pocahontas." https://t.co/opyDjrpBLu pic.twitter.com/7Acmjnzwee ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) November 27, 2017 On Monday afternoon at the White House, Donald Trump honored several Native American code talkers who used their native language to help counter the enemy during times of war. While praising them at the podium, the billionaire real estate mogul took at shot at Elizabeth Warren, all while standing in front of a portrait of former President Andrew Jackson who signed the Indian Removal Act in 1830. Here's the video: Trump calls Elizabeth Warren 'Pocahontas' while honoring Native American code talkers: "You were here long before any of us were here. Although we have a representative in Congress who they say was here a long time ago. They call her Pocahontas." pic.twitter.com/hjZ5MInDDf Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) November 27, 2017 "You were here long before any of us were here," Donald Trump told the three gentleman standing beside him. "Although we have a representative in Congress who they say was here a long time ago," Trump said in reference to Elizabeth Warren, while adding, "They call her Pocahontas." Twitter responds Within seconds of Donald Trump's insult, his remarks went viral on social media. "Seriously. WTF is wrong with this f*cking MORON?" one tweet wondered. Yet more evidence that @realDonaldTrump is completely devoid of insight, common sense, intelligence, & empathy. At an event to honor Native American code talkers he referred to Sen. Warren as Pocahontas. Yeah. Super respectful of veterans. Sam Bacon (@Sambacon25) November 27, 2017 As a Native American I can say that is beyond offensive and the fact that he said that in front of the Navajo Code talkers just down rite PISSES ME OFF !!!!#Scumbaginchief Mueller Time (@joanne_mulenex) November 27, 2017 My mouth is agape. An absolute insult. The code talkers should avoid all future meetings with this person. All Native American groups should MK (@jeahmarsbars) November 27, 2017 "Every day is a new embarrassment... Trump just made a crack about Elizabeth Warren/ Pocahontas to WWII Native American code talkers," another Twitter user added. "As a Native American I can say that is beyond offensive and the fact that he said that in front of the Navajo Code talkers just down rite PISSES ME OFF !!!!" another tweet noted. Our insane, racist, dotard of a "President*" just told a roomful of 90+ year old Native American code talkers from WW2 that "we have a Representative in Congress who has been here longer than any of you. We call her Pocahontas." Seriously. WTF is wrong with this f*cking MORON? Edan Clay (@EdanClay) November 27, 2017 OMG! I'm so digusted with this those native American code talkers helped us win a war! They should be Praised! and Respected! smh / violently sunshine (@jeanlaurienti1) November 27, 2017 "Yet more evidence that @realDonaldTrump is completely devoid of insight, common sense, intelligence, & empathy," yet another tweet stated. The negative reaction continued as the opposition to Donald Trump grows by the day. Earlier this week it was revealed that Donald Trump has been telling people that the infamous "Access Hollywood" tape was not authentic. In response, the show fired back to set the record straight. TRUMP: The "Access Hollywood" tape might be fake ACCESS HOLLYWOOD: What you talkin' 'bout Willis? pic.twitter.com/EOFtO26czr Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) November 28, 2017 "Access Hollywood" on Trump With a month left before voters went to the polls on Election Day last year, Donald Trump was facing an uphill battle as he was trailing Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in nearly all the polling. To make matter worse, the "Access Hollywood" tape was made public and caused even more trouble for the former host of "The Apprentice." On the tape, audio of Trump speaking with then host Billy Bush was recorded where he gloated about being able to use his fame and fortune to touch women at will, stating, "when you're famous, they let you do it." Not stopping there, Trump went on to describe his lust for a married woman but admitted he wasn't able to able to seal the deal, saying, "I moved on her like a bi*ch, but I couldn't get there. And she was married." In the aftermath of the tape's release, Trump was forced to apologize in a video statement, then faced allegations of sexual assault and harassment by a dozen women over the next four weeks. Despite the negative press, Trump was able to shock the world with an upset victory over Hillary Clinton. Fast forward to present day and Trump has recently come out in support of Republican Senate candidate in Alabama, Roy Moore, who has been accused of sexually assaulting underage girls. In addition, reports have circulated and revealed that Trump is now denying that it was actually his voice on the aforementioned tape. As reported by the Hill on November 27, "Access Hollywood" is speaking out. White House refuses to deny Trump claims "Access Hollywood tape is fake https://t.co/a6RvH4Q0Qq pic.twitter.com/5cViMKvUbh The Hill (@thehill) November 28, 2017 During Monday's edition of "Access Hollywood," host Natalie Morales covered the story, including Donald Trump's alleged denial of the tape's validity. "We wanted to clear something up that has been reported across the media landscape," Morales said. "Let us make this perfectly clear. The tape is very real," she added. Double down Not stopping there, Natalie Morales cited Donald Trump's initial apology for the video while doubling down. "Remember his excuse at the time was 'locker-room talk,'" she noted, before adding, "He said every one of those words." As of press time, the commander in chief has not given a public comment on the issue, while White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders deflected from the issue during Monday's press briefing. One of the most dreadful moments for any smartphone manufacturer is when their device experiences a technical difficulty, not only causing inconvenience to the users but potentially threatening their lives as well. Samsung already has a taste of that medicine, thanks to its Galaxy Note 7 fiasco. There were several incidents wherein even several of Apples products caught fire, however; they gradually subsided. More recently, however, a Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 exploded in a users pocket in Andhra Pradesh, India. The reports regarding the explosion quickly went viral, thereby putting Xiaomi in a position of vulnerability. Redmi Note 4 Xiaomi was quick to launch an investigation into this matter. The firm released its preliminary findings last week, and they blamed extreme external force as the reason for the smartphone explosion. The company made an official post, stating that the recent incident of the damaged Redmi Note 4 that took place in East Godavari region of Andhra Pradesh was the cause of extreme external force. The company stated that they were able to procure the device from the user soon after the incident took place. Xiaomi has been in constant touch with the user ever since, the blog post suggested. The Chinese tech-giant further went on to state that following first impressions of the exploded smartphone, they have arrived at the conclusion that external force was applied to it. The device could not withstand the extreme pressure and thus, the back cover bent, leading to stress on the battery. The screen of the smartphone also faced bad consequences. The owner of Xiaomis Redmi Note 4, Mr. Suryakiran was riding his motorbike when the device exploded and caught fire. He stopped his bike and yanked the device away from himself as soon as possible. However, he was too late to do so, and also sustained burns on his thigh. More regarding Xiaomi Xiaomi has also issued an advisory, stating that the customers must avoid getting their smartphones repaired at unauthorized shops, as they may disturb the settings. The company also emphasized their intentions of giving customer safety top priority. All of Xiaomis devices undergo extreme quality-checks, and only then are the products available for sale, according to Xiaomi. The company made a full official statement regarding the matter, which can be found on their website. Stay tuned for more news and updates. The ghost ship had been drifting in the Sea of Japan for ages, and it finally washed up on a beach in Japan. Initial investigation of the contents of the boat has revealed the presence of items that point to links with North Korea, and it is possible that the skeletons were of defectors who tried to escape to freedom. New Zealand Herald reports that the wooden boat contained cigarette packets of a popular North Korean brand apart from life jackets that had Korean lettering. The occupants of the boat did not have an opportunity to use the jackets. Officials believe that the ship was headed for Japan, and the skeletons could be of North Koreans who tried to defect. Defections from North Korea Ships with dead bodies wash up on the coast of Japan regularly. This year there were 40 such instances while the figure last year was 66. Some of these are fishing boat crews died at sea for reasons unknown. However, the latest vessel did not appear to belong to this category, and there are few doubts that the skeletal remains could be of North Korean defectors. It seems hundreds of people defect successfully, and recently one of the security guards of North Korea sprinted across the border to enter South Korea. Rough estimates have put the number of such defections at around 30,000 ever since the 1953 Korean War. The main reason for trying to escape to freedom is the living condition in the country. Those who have defected to nearby countries have narrated their experiences which are shocking. Since it is a secretive state, outsiders do not have easy access to its lifestyle. One has to rely on information released through official channels. North Korea faces a humanitarian crisis Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea, is determined to nuke the United States. He has, therefore, allotted topmost priority to develop nuclear weapons which has brought along global condemnation. The United Nations has slapped economic sanctions on it which has affected the economy of the country. The population is reported to be suffering and, many of them feel defection is the only way out of their miseries. The defectors are aware of the severe consequences of imprisonment or death if they are caught, and many of them die in the process. Still, they make the attempt to escape to South Korea or China or Japan. The Korean War has divided the peninsula, and families have been separated. After Moon Jae-in took over as president of South Korea, he extended an olive branch for peace in the neighborhood. Kim Jong-un has yet to accept the offer. LONDONEconomies along the route of the Belt and Road Initiative can benefit from the initiative by seeking further economic integration, greater investment and better governance. "The continued focus on strengthening institutions, investing in sustainable infrastructure and integration into the global economy should remain the priority for Central Asian economies," said Sergei Guriev, chief economist at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The international development bank has launched its annual transition report at its headquarters in London, a health check for economic and social progress in the EBRD region, which covers emerging economies from the Western Mediterranean, much of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The EBRD this year identified an upturn in the pace of reform in emerging economies, four years after reporting that they were stalling or even being thrown into reverse. In its Transition Report 2017-18: Sustaining Growth, the bank charted progress and setbacks in reforms in the past year and identified remaining challenges. In 2013, the EBRD warned in its annual transition report that a failure to restart a reform process could leave emerging economies trailing behind their more advanced neighbors. The EBRD responded to this challenge by stepping up its own support for policy reforms in 38 economies where it invests to promote sustainable open markets. "Attracting infrastructure investment to these countries will promote accelerated economic growth as well as job creation in their isolated subnational regions," Guriev said. In Azerbaijan, authorities has made progress in the restructuring of the country's largest bank, IBA, in preparation for its eventual privatization, the EBRD reported. Integration has advanced in Southern and Eastern Europe and Central Asia, with Albania, Macedonia, and Montenegro all having made major progress in road-building. But the report noted important road projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina had been delayed by failure to amend the law on fuel excise duties that would allow an increase in prices. "Our research identifies large infrastructure investment gaps in all our countries, including the BRI (Belt and Road Initiative) countries," Guriev said. The EBRD urged reforms aimed at making economies more competitive, and highlighted Uzbekistan, where it has begun investing again after a seven-year pause. Uzbekistan remained low on the list of overall transition successes, but the report pointed to a move to freely convert the Uzbek currency, which is seen as a test for other reforms. Several countries have made important progress in privatization, with projects in Greece covering concessions for Piraeus port, regional airports and the sale of the railway company TrainOSE. BEIJING - China's cabinet has unveiled a guideline for developing the "industrial internet," integration of industry and the internet. By 2025, industrial internet infrastructure covering all regions and sectors should be basically complete, according to the State Council guideline. By 2035, China will lead the world in key sectors of the industrial internet. By the middle of the century, China should be among the top countries in terms of the overall strength of its industrial internet. The development of industrial internet is a must for China's manufacturing sector amid international competition, said Chen Zhaoxiong, vice minister of industry and information technology. The guideline listed major tasks and projects, including increasing the internet speed and reducing costs, setting industrial internet standards, establishing innovation centers and improving network security. Equal market access will be expanded, fiscal support will be strengthened and direct financing will be increased, the guideline said. Priority will be given to the development of advanced manufacturing that is smart and green, according to the guideline. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has selected 206 pilot projects for smart manufacturing, of which 28 are related to industrial internet innovation, said Xie Shaofeng, an official with the ministry. The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said Monday more energy will be channeled into a range of advanced manufacturing sectors including rail transit, automobiles and agricultural machinery during the next three years. Core competitiveness in chosen sectors will be substantially improved, the NDRC said, stressing combined development of the real economy and the internet. Other sectors included high-end medical apparatus and medicine, new materials and robotics. As its advantage in cheap labor fades, China has encouraged domestic manufacturers to move up global value chain. The "Made in China 2025" strategy, equivalent to Germany's Industry 4.0, was announced in 2015. A young woman reads at a book store in Qingdao, Shandong province, Oct 3, 2017. [Photo/VCG] China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) released a white paper to describe China's second-generation inheritors of family business on Saturday. Based on 521 questionnaires collected by the white paper, 44 percent of these inheritors are working for family firms, and expect to take over the family business; only 8 percent of them said they do not want to carry on their parents' business. Most of the inheritors have entrepreneurial zeal and are excited by the policies to encourage startups, and decided to show their abilities on enterprises operation and management, the white paper said. Compared to other people's difficulties in seeking funds at the beginning of startup, 62 percent of these inheritors received angel investments from the families firms. Among all of respondents, 22 percent of them did not receive funds from the families firms; 16 percent of them said they have no plan to start their own business. The inheritors have positive attitude to capital market. According to the white paper, half of these inheritors think their families firms should list on stock markets, and 9 percent of them do not support the idea. Over 80 percent of the inheritors have good education background, with 49 percent having bachelor's degree, 35 percent having master's degree, and 2 percent having doctorate. Among of them, 51 percent inheritors studied abroad. UK, US and Canada are the top three countries where they want to study. 55 percent studied management and economics. Although most of the inheritors are well educated, they stopped reading much after graduation. Over 80 percent of the inheritors read less than two books per month, the white paper said, and nearly half of them read less than a book in a month. Spending on meeting with friends and travelling account for 55 percent of the inheritors' daily consumption. The white paper said the inheritors are cutting demands on material consumption. Less than one-third of their spending is on cars, clothes and electronic products. Moreover, the white paper also showed their family relationship, and their marital status. Among the inheritors, 88 percent were born in 1980s and 1990s, 36 percent of them are single, and they are cautious on marriage. Their parents also have strict rules for their children's marriage. In addition, the male inheritors account for 65 percent, and female inheritors and females for the rest. A court in Central China has sentenced Taiwan resident Lee Ming-che to five years in prison for inciting subversion of State power. Lee, 42, was prosecuted alongside Chinese mainland resident Peng Yuhua, 38, who received a sentence of seven years for the same offense. Both have been deprived of their political rights for two years, according to a ruling by Yueyang Intermediate People's Court in Hunan province. The pair had formed an illegal organization with the ultimate goal to overthrow the Chinese government and its political system, seriously threatening national security and social stability, the court said. Lee and Peng both told the court they would not appeal the verdict. About 30 people including legislators, political advisers, journalists and the defendants' families attended Tuesday's proceedings. Footage of the verdict being read in court was released by the court via Sina Weibo. Vice-Premier Liu Yandong said China is ready to promote the synergy of development strategies with Indonesia and boost mutually beneficial cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road in various fields. Liu made the remarks when meeting with Indonesian Vice-President Jusuf Kalla in Jakarta, Indonesia on Monday. Also, China is ready to strengthen communication and coordination in multilateral affairs and jointly safeguard the interests of developing countries, Liu said. China is willing to further deepen exchanges and cooperation with Indonesia in fields such as education, technology, culture, sports, tourism and youth, and lay a solid foundation of social and public opinion for the development of the bilateral strategic partnership, Liu said. Kalla congratulated Liu on the success of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, saying that the Party congress is of great importance not only for the future development of China, but also for the development of Indonesia and for China-Indonesia relations. Liu said the 19th CPC National Congress has reaffirmed that China will continue to adhere to the neighborly foreign policy of upholding good neighborliness and friendship. Also, the development of China will inject stronger power into China-Indonesia relations, Liu added. Kalla extended appreciation for China's cooperation with Indonesia in giant panda protection. Indonesia hopes that the two countries will further promote cooperation in fields such as economy and trade, investment, infrastructure, education, science and technology, culture and tourism, Kalla said. Strengthening strategic cooperation is in the interests of both sides and helps to promote regional peace and prosperity, Liu said. China attaches great importance to China-Indonesia relations and is willing to work with Indonesia to fully implement important consensus of their top leaders, Liu said. Despite intense pressure from the mayor of Osaka and Japanese Prime Minister Abe, San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee on Nov 22 signed a resolution unanimously passed by the board of supervisors to officially adopt the Comfort Women Memorial as city property. Osaka Mayor Hirofumi Yoshimura has openly threatened to sever his city's 60-year-old sister-city relationship with San Francisco, should it make the memorial an official part of the city. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe joined Yoshimura's plea to Lee to veto the resolution and reject the memorial. The moment the statue was unveiled in late September at the St. Mary Square Annex in downtown San Francisco, Yoshimura pledged to end the sister-city relationship, which was adopted in 1957. "Our relationship of trust was completely destroyed," Yoshimura said. "I will dissolve the sister-city relationship." Japan's foreign ministry echoed the condemnation with a spokesman later saying the erection of the monument was "regrettable and incompatible with the position and efforts of the government of Japan." Fury and denial from Japan's government and its right-wing extremists on the Comfort Women issue are no surprise, according to Ding Yuan, executive vice-president of the Global Alliance for Preserving the History of WWII in Asia. "There is still a lot of work that needs to be done to remember and honor the Comfort Women victims and all women and girls afflicted by sexual violence," he said. According to historians, approximately 200,000 women in the Pacific theater during World War II were forced by the Japanese army to work in brothels as sex slaves, many from occupied countries including Korea, China and the Philippines. The Comfort Woman issue was barely acknowledged in the West until several South Korean survivors of these brothels began to speak publicly in the 1990s, drawing public attention. In August 2015, the Comfort Women Justice Coalition (CWJC) was established in San Francisco to educate the public about Japanese military sexual slavery and the human trafficking system while Japan engaged in its war of aggression. CWJC's aim is to remember history, and help bring justice for the victims and eradicate sexual violence against women around the world, said co-chair Julie Tang, a retired judge in San Francisco. In September 2015, they helped Grandma Yong-soo Lee, a Comfort Women survivor and activist in South Korea, come to San Francisco and testify before the board of supervisors in support of the resolution to establish a Comfort Women memorial in the city's public space and helped the project succeed. Compared to their defiant mayor, Osaka citizens and more than 40 organizations have signed a petition to Mayor Lee, pleading with him to ensure the memorial is formally approved as a municipal monument. The large-scale petition drive reflects the Japanese people's voices, asserting that the vehement opposition to the memorial represents only a minority view in Japan championed by far-right politicians and ultranationalists, and thanks San Francisco for erecting a memorial that stands for human rights, women and peace. Lillian Sing, who co-chairs CWJC with Tang, said, "When we received hundreds of letters of support for the Comfort Women memorial from Japanese citizens of Osaka and beyond, we knew that the people of Japan disagree with their deluded leaders who think a $500 million public relations budget can trick the world into believing their lies. The more they try to deny and suppress the truth, the more our movement will grow." On hearing the good news from San Francisco, grandma Yong-soo Lee said, "Thank you, Mayor Lee, for helping us achieve our goal. I will never forget all your efforts to remember our history. I want to give each one of you a big hug!" Julie Tang said the Abe's policy of denial of the Comfort Women history and fake news has now been defeated. "It's time for Abe and his cronies to own up to the truth and make a sincere and legal apology to all victims throughout the world," she said. "Let the record stand that neither San Francisco's mayor nor board of supervisors nor its citizens will be bullied by the Japanese government when it comes to protecting all women from sexual violence," she said. Contact the writer at junechang@chinadailyusa.com. "OK FLYING HOME LOVE." The four-word telegram came from 22-year-old Walter Huss in 1945 after nine months in solitary confinement in a Japanese POW camp with an untreated broken foot. What Huss also brought back home at the end of World War II was trauma and survivor's guilt that would trouble him for the rest of his life. He never got over the loss of his fellow crew members and he continued to hold onto the identity of a POW until his last days, said Jackie Huss Hallerberg, his daughter. Huss died three years ago at the age of 90 in Santa Rosa, California. Jackie Huss Hallerberg, daughter of Walter Huss, a US POW at the Mukden camp, shares stories about her father's war experiences with media members at the opening ceremony of the exhibition. Linda Deng / China Daily Left: Walter Huss in 1944 before he was captured by the Japanese Army. Right: Walter Huss (first row, second from right) and other B-29 airmen, all part of the 58th bomb wing group, posed in front of the small house where they were held outside the Mukden Allied POW camp, on Sept 1, 1945. Photo courtesy of Jackie Huss Hallerberg "There are many generations of people who have been affected by World War II, the Vietnam War, any war. But it doesn't just end when that war ends or when that person passes away," said Hallerberg, a poet-teacher in Sonoma County, California. At a recently opened exhibition titled "Forgotten Camp" in San Francisco, she showed some of her father's artifacts, including medals, telegrams, historic photos, family letters and his camp number. She said it was her job to tell the stories now. Born and raised on a farm in Ohio, Huss enlisted and became a tail-gunner on a B-29 nicknamed "Humpin' Honey". The airplane and its nine-man crew was hit by a Japanese Kamikaze in December 1944 while on a mission to bomb a Japanese "plant", which was actually an illegally unmarked Allied POW camp run by the Japanese Army in Mukden (today's Shenyang), China. "The last word he heard from the pilot was 'jump' and then he and another gunner in the back were blown from the plane," said Hallerberg. "They didn't open the parachute but somehow they fell to the ground and immediately they were captured and put in the camp." The notorious camp held more than 2,000 Allied prisoners, 1,200 of them Americans, from November 1942 to August 1945 when the Soviet Union liberated them. Huss and another 13 prisoners were held in a separate house next to the main camp because the Japanese thought they might have information that could be useful against the Allied forces. The 14 prisoners never visited the main camp but they managed to communicate with them by exchanging notes hidden in a hollowed-out wooden spoon. "My dad was afraid to write the first message, because they didn't know if the Japanese guards were tricking them. But later they found out there were thousands there," said Hallerberg. The camp was specially built to intern Allied POWs from the Pacific Theater. The Japanese researched each of their prisoners and put the highest-ranking officers and those with technical backgrounds in this camp, according to Gao Jian, a researcher at the "9.18" Historical Museum in Shenyang. All of the prisoners, except those seriously ill, were forced to hike about six miles every day to work at a Japanese military factory, she said. In the small house, Huss and his fellow prisoners suffered more from mental anguish as the Japanese tried continually to intimidate them. "He was young. From my dad's smile in the photos, he looks vibrant, happy and joyous. Because of the experience, especially the confinement, he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)," said Hallerberg. "He was always on hyper alert," she recalled. "He used to listen to the radio all night long - that's characteristic of PTSD because you want to remain vigilant, like you don't know what's going to happen." A lot of times, she was frustrated that he still carried his identity as a prisoner - "1887", his camp number. "He would even have his license plate made with 'POW1887,'" she said. After he got back to the US, Huss went to visit the families of all seven fallen crew members and told them about the last moments with their sons. One crew member he especially mourned was Charles Krueger, a flight engineer. "He had twin sons born while they were overseas, so he never got to meet his sons," said Hallerberg. "'Why not me instead of Charles?' said my dad, because he wasn't married at that time," she said. In the 1990s, Huss reached out to the twin sons who were in their 50s. "My dad never got over that. I can't tell you how many times I heard about the twin sons. I think survivor guilt works that way - it's hard to erase," said Hallerberg. She said her father was able to cross the divide and accept the Japanese people after some 40 years. Once Huss was invited to talk about the war to his grandson's class at school and there he met a Japanese-American boy and talked with him in Japanese. "I'm proud of him," Hallerberg said. "It took him a long time, though." liazhu@chinadailyusa.com Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is off on his second official visit China Dec 3-7. REUTERS Trade and tourism are among the major topics that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau intends to raise during his upcoming visit to China next month. According to a statement released on Sunday by Trudeau's office, he will meet with Chinese government and business leaders, including President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang, to build on the progress that the two countries have made since his first official visit to China in September 2016. During the trip from Dec 3 to 7, Trudeau will promote a progressive trade agenda and tourism initiatives that will "create good, middle class jobs and more opportunities for people in both countries," according to the statement. He will also highlight the considerable potential for Canada and China to "strengthen their cooperation on climate action, and lead the global effort to combat climate change." "A strong relationship with China is essential to creating jobs, strengthening the middle class, and growing the Canadian economy," Trudeau said in the statement. "As we approach the Canada-China Year of Tourism in 2018, I look forward to meeting again with China's leaders to strengthen our relationship and set the stage for even greater trade and investment cooperation." China is Canada's second-largest trading partner. Canada's merchandise exports to China were almost $21 billion in 2016, an increase of 4 per cent over 2015, with top exports being forest and agricultural products, copper and iron ores, and motor vehicles. After meeting with Xi and Li in Beijing, Trudeau will visit Guangzhou to meet with Li Xi, the recently appointed party chief of Guangdong province, where Trudeau will deliver the keynote address at a special session of the Fortune Global Forum, and hold several meetings with global business leaders to discuss ways to increase trade and attract international investments to Canada. Last year in China, Trudeau and Li Keqiang announced that 2018 would be the Canada-China Year of Tourism. Bardish Chagger, Canada's minister of Small Business and Tourism, said at a recent Canada-China travel forum in Ontario that it's "clear that the Chinese government has placed particular emphasis on the potential tourism offers to strengthen people-to-people ties, which also strengthen business-to-business ties." She said that as part of Canada's New Tourism Vision, "we want to double the number of visitors from China by 2021." renali@chinadailyusa.com Jackie Huss Hallerberg, daughter of Walter Huss, a US POW at the Mukden camp, shares stories about her fathers war experiences with media members at the opening ceremony of the exhibition. LINDA DENG / CHINA DAILY "OK FLYING HOME LOVE." The four-word telegram came from 22-year-old Walter Huss in 1945 after nine months in solitary confinement in a Japanese POW camp with an untreated broken foot. What Huss also brought back home at the end of World War II was trauma and survivor's guilt that would trouble him for the rest of his life. He never got over the loss of his fellow crew members and he continued to hold onto the identity of a POW until his last days, said Jackie Huss Hallerberg, his daughter. Huss died three years ago at the age of 90 in Santa Rosa, California. "There are many generations of people who have been affected by World War II, the Vietnam War, any war. But it doesn't just end when that war ends or when that person passes away," said Hallerberg, a poet-teacher in Sonoma County, California. At a recently opened exhibition titled "Forgotten Camp" in San Francisco, she showed some of her father's artifacts, including medals, telegrams, historic photos, family letters and his camp number. She said it was her job to tell the stories now. Born and raised on a farm in Ohio, Huss enlisted and became a tail-gunner on a B-29 nicknamed "Humpin' Honey". The airplane and its nine-man crew was hit by a Japanese Kamikaze in December 1944 while on a mission to bomb a Japanese "plant", which was actually an illegally unmarked Allied POW camp run by the Japanese Army in Mukden (today's Shenyang), China. "The last word he heard from the pilot was 'jump' and then he and another gunner in the back were blown from the plane," said Hallerberg. "They didn't open the parachute but somehow they fell to the ground and immediately they were captured and put in the camp." The notorious camp held more than 2,000 Allied prisoners, 1,200 of them Americans, from November 1942 to August 1945 when the Soviet Union liberated them. Huss and another 13 prisoners were held in a separate house next to the main camp because the Japanese thought they might have information that could be useful against the Allied forces. The 14 prisoners never visited the main camp but they managed to communicate with them by exchanging notes hidden in a hollowed-out wooden spoon. "My dad was afraid to write the first message, because they didn't know if the Japanese guards were tricking them. But later they found out there were thousands there," said Hallerberg. The camp was specially built to intern Allied POWs from the Pacific Theater. The Japanese researched each of their prisoners and put the highest-ranking officers and those with technical backgrounds in this camp, according to Gao Jian, a researcher at the "9.18" Historical Museum in Shenyang. All of the prisoners, except those seriously ill, were forced to hike about six miles every day to work at a Japanese military factory, she said. In the small house, Huss and his fellow prisoners suffered more from mental anguish as the Japanese tried continually to intimidate them. "He was young. From my dad's smile in the photos, he looks vibrant, happy and joyous. Because of the experience, especially the confinement, he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)," said Hallerberg. "He was always on hyper alert," she recalled. "He used to listen to the radio all night long - that's characteristic of PTSD because you want to remain vigilant, like you don't know what's going to happen." A lot of times, she was frustrated that he still carried his identity as a prisoner - "1887", his camp number. "He would even have his license plate made with 'POW1887,'" she said. After he got back to the US, Huss went to visit the families of all seven fallen crew members and told them about the last moments with their sons. One crew member he especially mourned was Charles Krueger, a flight engineer. "He had twin sons born while they were overseas, so he never got to meet his sons," said Hallerberg. "'Why not me instead of Charles?' said my dad, because he wasn't married at that time," she said. In the 1990s, Huss reached out to the twin sons who were in their 50s. "My dad never got over that. I can't tell you how many times I heard about the twin sons. I think survivor guilt works that way - it's hard to erase," said Hallerberg. She said her father was able to cross the divide and accept the Japanese people after some 40 years. Once Huss was invited to talk about the war to his grandson's class at school and there he met a Japanese-American boy and talked with him in Japanese. "I'm proud of him," Hallerberg said. "It took him a long time, though." liazhu@chinadailyusa.com As Canada, Mexico and the US attempt to rework the North American Free Trade Agreement, a Chinese car maker's expansion plans mightlurk in the background of the negotiations,observers said. Last week, State-owned BAIC said it intends to export cars it makes in Mexico to Canada and the US in 2018. The decision comes as the countries concluded a fifth round of talks to overhaul the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) earlier this month with major differences unresolved, casting doubt on whether a deal can be reached by next March as planned. US President Donald Trump has threatened to withdraw from NAFTA unless it can be changed, arguing that the pact has hollowed out American manufacturing and caused a trade deficit of more than $60 billion with Mexico. Gary Hufbauer of the Washington-based Peterson Institute for International Economics said the BAIC announcement "will certainly play into the NAFTA talks. Trump could go ballistic. Depending on the overall framework of US-China relations, he could make a big point of using the BAIC project as an argument for the 50 percent made-in-the US auto rule of origin and possibly other protectionist measures," he wrote in an email. Hufbauer said the established auto companies will not welcome fresh competition from BAIC. "But they have a stronger interest in avoiding new barriers to trade within NAFTA - rules of origin, especially. So I don't think the established companies will lobby for protectionist measures against BAIC," he said. Kristin Dziczek of the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, Michigan, doesn't believe that BAIC selling cars inCanada and the US will be large enough to affect the negotiations. "But a toughening of rules of origin or NAFTA withdrawal or collapse may thwart the automaker's plans to enter the second-largest global automotive market," she said in an email. Yang Nanhua, director general of BAIC in Mexico, said the plan would go into action "unless something drastic happens with NAFTA." Bruce Belzowski of the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute said, "The Chinese are very small players in this game. The US negotiators are much more focused on the US, Japanese, Korean, and EU companies in Mexico. That being said, what happens to the major auto companies in Mexico will also apply to the Chinese." Dziczeknoted that there are Chinese-made imports already in the US, such as the Buick Envision and the Volvo S60. "Consumers seem accepting of these captive imports/legacy brands; it remains to be seen how consumers will react to Chinese-branded vehicles. The distribution network will be challenging without a partner unless BAIC is pursuing only targeted metro areas," she said. Dziczek also said that Chinese-built vehicles currently sold in the US have not been political targets. "Chinese-branded vehicles. especially those manufactured in Mexico, may be a different story," she added. "I don't think any of the existing players in the US market will alter their plans after BAIC comes in. New entrants can take a long time to convince American consumers of their quality and reliability, plus BAIC has to introduce itself to consumers," said David Whiston, industry analyst with Morningstar Inc. paulwelitzkin@chinadailyusa.com Please turn JavaScript on and reload the page. Loading... Checking your browser before accessing the website. This process is automatic. Your browser will redirect to your requested content shortly. Please wait a few seconds. Award-winning documentary filmmaker and fine-art photographer Miguel Gandert shows his work highlighting his mestizaje heritage, and the fusion and tension of the relationship between Spanish Colonial and Native Cultures of the Americas. Runs through 12/29. Querer means to want, to desire, to be in a place, with its people. In folk terminology, querencia is such a place, the center space of desire, the root of belonging and yearning to belong, that vicinity where you first beheld the light. Querencia, in collective terms, is homeland. ~Enrique Lamadrid, Nuevo Mexico Profundo Miguel Gandert tells stories. He tells stories of his homeland, New Mexico (and beyond), its people and the cultural practices that distinguish communities from each other while simultaneously revealing their kinship. You will have to form your own words, however. Ganderts stories are told through penetrating, black and white photos. A primary focus of his work is his own mestizaje heritage and the fusion and tension of the relationship between Spanish Colonial and Native Cultures of the Americas. Miguel Gandert, a native of Espanola, NM, is an award-winning documentary and fine-art photographer and filmmaker. His photographs have been shown in galleries and museums throughout the world and are in numerous public collections including the Smithsonian Museum of American Art, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and the National Museum of American History and Art at the Smithsonian. Querencia: Rituals of the Rio Arriba opens Friday, October 6 at the New Mexico Humanities Council, 4115 Silver Ave SE, Albuquerque. An artists reception will be 6:00 pm 8:00 pm with an artist's discussion at 7:00 pm. The exhibit closes December 29, 2017. HCM CITY VISSAN Joint Stock Company on Tuesday opened a store on Bui Huu Nghia Street in HCM Citys Binh Thanh District, selling fresh and processed foods and other products. It sells items such as pork cuts meant for small traders at traditional markets, restaurants, hotels, schools and companies at wholesale prices from midnight to 6am every day. Regular retailing is from 6am to 9pm. The company sells VietGap-quality and traceable pork as part of HCM Citys technology-based programme to control and trace the origin of pork. The company said pigs are bred at certified breeding farms and slaughtered at the companys modern slaughterhouses under strict supervision by an independent veterinary agency. Its stores are equipped with coolers to preserve meat quality while all workers at fresh meat stalls are equipped with specialised tools and knowledge about hygiene and food safety. To mark the opening the store is offering attractive promotions until December 5. Information about the promotion is available on its website at www.vissan.com.vn. VNS Pham Hong Hai, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications, said at the opening of the Vietnam Internet Forum 2017 that Vietnamese authorities would always promote openness, transparency and ease of information access to everyone. Photo vietnamnet.vn HA NOI The huge advantages and attendant perils of greater internet connectivity were highlighted by officials and experts at a forum held yesterday in Ha Noi. Pham Hong Hai, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications, said at the opening of the Vietnam Internet Forum 2017 that Vietnamese authorities would always promote openness, transparency and ease of information access to everyone. He said the internet had played an important role in propelling Viet Nams progress over the last 20 years. Vietnamese Government agencies, businesses and organisations are constantly innovating and experimenting with the latest technologies, making every effort to keep themselves up-to-date, and exploring different solutions including e-government, digital economy or online consumption, he said. Viet Nam has a higher than world average internet connectivity with 50 million users, or 54 per cent of the population, said Swedish ambassador Pereric Hogberg. In terms of internet connectivity and development, Viet Nam is one of the forefront countries in Southeast Asia, with rapid mobility and growth, there is a high possibility in the country of bringing together networks and entrepreneurs from different fields such as media, IT, or science. Viet Nam is really taking advantage of all these wonderful existing opportunities, Hogberg said. Regulation needed Hai warned that besides the tremendous benefits, the world was increasingly concerned about the downside of greater connectivity, like information security breeches, as well as harmful cultural and social impacts. He noted that in the EU, not only do they keep a tight watch on telecommunications networks and social network service providers, the bloc has also promulgated regulations, accompanied by strict sanctions, to prevent people from using social networks to spread fake and undermining news. Hai went on to say that even developed countries were regulating internet usage to limit negative impacts, protect privacy and prevent vandalism and terrorism, and that Viet Nam has long practiced such safeguards. Vu The Binh, Deputy Chairman and General Secretary of the Vietnam Internet Association, also spoke of the great benefits and risks brought by rapid internet development. The presence of the internet in Viet Nam during the past 20 years has instated a reliable technological and information infrastructures in every aspect of daily life, both socially and economically, said Binh. He said the internets positive impacts were the creation of a series of business innovations and new economic modalities, not to mention helping public agencies become more open, transparent and accountable. Peoples interests Akiko Fujii, Deputy Country Director of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), said the role of technology and digital businesses was particularly important in ensuring the interests of the people. She said the internet was a crucial component of the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0), especially for businesses, alongside its role in promoting freedom of expression and facilitating the exchange of ideas online. Themed "Digital for Good," the forum focused on the internet as a means of providing information, generating digital solutions and opening up opportunities for socioeconomic development. Key issues discussed included e-Government, Open Data, Smart Cities, and Social Media. Organisers said that with its diverse content and multi-dimensional forms of interaction, the forum would contribute to internet development in Viet Nam over the next five to ten years. They said the forum aims to an annual platform for inter-sectoral discussions and interaction where government officials, civil society, academia, business leaders, social entrepreneurs and investors and other stakeholders can come together and discuss ways to achieve an open, sustainable and creative society. -- VNS HCM CITY Provinces in the ong Thap Muoi (Plain of Reeds) region should embrace agricultural technology and modern techniques to reduce costs and improve efficiency, according to the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta Development Research Institute. ong Thap Muoi, the Cuu Long (Mekong) Deltas floodplain, spreads over nearly 700,000ha and comprises Long An, Tien Giang and ong Thap provinces. Speaking at a conference on promoting investment and consumption of agricultural products in ong Thap Muoi held in Long An last Saturday, ang Kieu Nhan of the institute said agriculture in the area, mainly based on intensive farming and exploiting natural resources, is likely to reach its upper limit. Profits and revenues from rice production have not increased, while the socio-economic and environmental challenges are increasing. Besides, demand for agricultural products have become more diverse, with higher quality requirements both in domestic and export markets. Therefore, agriculture in the region needs to change to adapt to the situation. It should focus on developing agricultural services and modern farming to add value, he said. Nguyen Van uoc, deputy chairman of Long An Province, said though the agricultural sector has made remarkable progress in recent years, peoples lives remain difficult. Faced with the situation, Long An has in collaboration with Tien Giang and ong Thap developed a project to develop ong Thap Muoi with a target to create unique and distinctive products with competitive advantages, he said. Long An has also promoted co-operation with other localities and strived to improve the investment environment and infrastructure for agriculture in rural areas. The conference also heard about the benefits of applying technology in agriculture and measures to develop hi-tech agriculture in ong Thap Muoi. Calling for investment At the conference the three provinces solicited investment worth trillions of ong in 16 agricultural projects. Long An sought VN3.52 trillion (US$155 million) in nine, notably a lemon processing project with a growing area of 550ha in Ben Luc District at a cost of VN1 trillion. Tien Giang had four projects worth over VN1.5 trillion ($66.2 million), including a hi-tech agricultural park on 197ha in Chau Thanh and Tan Phuoc districts worth VN1.2 trillion. ong Thap had three projects, a logistics centre and wholesale fruit market and two hi-tech agriculture sub-zones in Sa ec and Cao Lanh cities. It has also sought investment in many other projects, including infrastructure at industrial parks, processing plants, solar energy production, tourism and urban development. uoc, deputy chairman of Long An Province, said the local government would carry out further administrative reform and train workers to meet the requirements of businesses. It is willing to offer incentives to investors, he added. Also at the conference seven memorandums of understanding were signed between co-operatives, producers and distribution firms to promote consumption of the sub-regions farm produce. VNS The business community wants the general departments of Taxation and Customs to carefully consider reforms on tax and customs procedures, so as to create the most favourable business conditions for enterprises. Photo congly.vn HA NOI The business community wants the general departments of Taxation and Customs to carefully consider reforms on tax and customs procedures, so as to create the most favourable business conditions for enterprises. At a dialogue between the Ministry of Finance (MoF) and the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce (VCCI) held in Ha Noi yesterday, VCCI Vice Chairman oan Duy Khuong said although the reform of tax and customs policies has been hastened to help businesses, some provisions in tax and customs laws are being changed so quickly that businesses can hardly keep track. Businesses have even complained that they were unaware of some amended decrees and circulars on tax and customs as they were adjusted too many times and too quickly, Khuong said. This hinders businesses from catching up with changes in tax and customs policies. Regulations and guidelines on tax and customs are out of sync in many different circulars and decrees issued across various years, causing confusion for businesses in the application of tax and customs laws, he said. The large amount in fines for late tax payment was another problem faced by businesses. Tax authorities should consider reducing fines for late payment by evaluating them on a case by case basis. Tax authorities nationwide have applied information technology (IT) to help improve administrative procedures. However, many enterprises said that they were still encountering problems, Khuong said. Several businesses are still reporting issues with online tax payments, and the technical glitches during each transaction are costing them time and money. Although online software has been upgraded to support tax procedures, there are still errors with the online system, decelerating the steps of tax filing, registration and payments, said Khuong. Khuong added that enterprises wish that the tax inspection and examination procedures would be hastened and simplified, creating more favourable conditions for them to develop. Regarding the customs sector, the administrative handling processes are occasionally inefficient. In some cases, there is little coordination between customs authorities and related agencies, affecting the operation of enterprises, he said. The VCCI suggested that the MoF, as well as general departments of customs and taxation, continue to review and amend related legal documents to ensure they are appropriate with global integration trends and the countrys economic development, and contribute to removing difficulties for businesses, coupled with efforts for simplifying tax and customs procedures. The MoF should welcome all comments from businesses which would contribute significantly to improving policies and broadening dialogues with businesses, aimed at providing them with updates to address their difficulties, the VCCI said. MoFs Deputy Minister Vu Thi Mai said that in the future, the MoF will continue to step up measures to restructure the state budget to ensure the safety and sustainability of the national financial system and stabilise the economy. To mobilise and use financial resources efficiently and equitably, the MoF will continue to make further administrative reform efforts to broaden dialogue with businesses, strengthening the support and advice on tax law to raise awareness among the business community. VNS Viet Nam and Slovakia need to hold more trade exchanges, increase multi-channel information dissemination and encourage businesses to establish representative offices in each country, according to participants of the Viet Nam-Slovakia enterprises forum. Photo baodautu.vn HA NOI Viet Nam and Slovakia need to hold more trade exchanges, increase multi-channel information dissemination and encourage businesses to establish representative offices in each country, according to participants of the Viet Nam-Slovakia enterprises forum. The event, held yesterday in Ha Noi, was organised by the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency. According to Viet Nams Ministry of Industry and Commerce, two-way trade between the two countries has jumped 40 times compared to 2004. Last years bilateral turnover increased by 52 per cent compared to 2015, reaching US$449 million. In the first 10 months of 2017, two-way trade has already reached about $630 million, up 80 per cent against the same period last year, making Slovakia one of the most important trade partners of Viet Nam in the Central and East Europe regions. Viet Nams primary exports to Slovakia include footwear, clothing, seafood, industrial machines, and electronics while the country mostly imports mechanical products, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. Speaking at the event, Slovak Deputy Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini said trade opportunities between the two countries remain significant but reality has not yet match potential. He also said Slovakian businesses have expressed interest in investing in Viet Nam in mechanical engineering, energy, construction materials, and environmental works. Currently, Slovakia is investing into nine projects in Viet Nam with total capital of $247 million, making it 36th of 128 countries investing directly into Viet Nam. On the other side, Viet Nam has only one ongoing project in Slovakia by the FPT corporation with total investment of $447,000, in addition, TH True Milk is also exploring investing in projects concerning herbal drinks. Slovak Deputy PM Pellegrini also believed that the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement, once ratified, would open up a new chapter in the two countries relationship. We are ready to support Viet Nam and make Slovakia a gateway for Viet Nam to access the EU market, he said, adding that the Slovakian government is committed to making ideal conditions for Vietnamese businesses investing in Slovakia. Deputy Minister of Trade and Investment, Hoang Quoc Vuong, at the forum, reiterated the two governments dedication to boosting ties. He also hoped businesses from the two countries would find opportunities during this forum to collaborate. VNS SEOUL Lotte Duty Free, the South Korean travel retail company, on Monday announced it would open its second duty-free shop at Cam Ranh International Airport next year. According to the company, it has been granted permission, valid until 2028, to open a duty-free store at Cam Ranh International Airports new terminal in the first half of 2018. It hopes the new store will earn revenue of up to 700 billion Korean won (US$664 million) in the next 10 years. Lotte Duty Free opened a similar store at a Nang International Airport in early November, making it the first South Korean duty-free retailer to enter Viet Nams market. Lotte Duty Free is the travel retail arm of South Korean conglomerate Lotte Group, with six duty-free stores in Viet Nam, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand and Guam. VNS HA NOI The State Bank of Viet Nam (SBV) on Tuesday officially launched the first-ever Fintech Challenge Viet Nam to spur innovation in financial services for greater financial inclusion in the country. Viet Nams financial sector has grown substantially, but financial institutions still find it challenging to provide financial services to underserved customer segments, including small businesses, rural populations and urban migrants. The recent worldwide explosion of financial technology (fintech), including in Viet Nam, promises to fill this gap. The focus of the Fintech Challenge is on fintech solutions that can improve the offer of financial services to the underserved and unbanked. The challenge is an opportunity for Fintech companies from both inside and outside Viet Nam who are interested in collaborating with commercial banks to pilot and scale solutions that improve financial services in the following categories: electronic payments, e-KYC (Know Your Customer)/e-Identification, open APIs, blockchain and peer-to-peer lending to apply. The deadline for application is January 18, 2018, at fintech.mekongbiz.org. Fintech Challenge Viet Nam is being organised with the support of the Mekong Business Initiative, a programme funded by the Government of Australia and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Successful applicants will participate in a two-month long incubation and mentoring programme to fine-tune their business models. Applicants with the best solutions will have the opportunity to demo their products and services at the 2018 Viet Nam Fintech Day. Nguyen Kim Anh, the central banks deputy governor, said: SBV wants to create an enabling ecosystem for financial innovation that improves access to financial services for Viet Nams micro- small- and medium-sized businesses and other underserved populations. According to Eric Sidgwick, ADB country director, the Fintech Challenge Viet Nam programme would create opportunities for Viet Nams commercial banks to engage with fintech, and consider how they might take advantage of the technology and creative new approaches to expand financial services to the unbanked. SBV Fintech Steering Committee was established in March 2017 for enhancing the ecosystem, including a legal framework to facilitate the performance and development of fintech in Viet Nam. VNS HA GIANG An annual festival to honour the buckwheat flowers, the most iconic flowers of the northern province of Ha Giang, and the unique cultural values of the provinces local ethnic people is happening now in ong Van District. The one-month event includes a variety of activities, such as photo exhibitions, buckwheat flower arrangement displays, an exhibition of products from buckwheat flowers, musical performances and recreations of some ethnic peoples festivals. Addressing the opening ceremony, Tran uc Quy, vice chairman of Ha Giang Provinces People Committee and also head of the management board, said that the festival is one of the provinces activities aimed at promoting tourism. Ha Giang has been endowed with many magnificent unspoiled landscapes. With the aim of turning our difficulties into momentum for development, the local authorities and ethnic people have constantly made great efforts and worked together to reduce poverty, Quy said. Together with strengthening agricultural production, the province has chosen tourism as one of the key industries. Beautiful fields of buckwheat flowers, framed by magnificent limestone mountains, have become a highlight attraction for tourists to Ha Giang Province in recent years. The province hopes to draw more tourists by showcasing its natural attractions. First held in 2015, the festival aims to promote and popularise the image of Ha Giang Province among both domestic and international tourists. While promoting tourism in the region, the festival is also expected to improve the livelihoods of the local ethnic people. Thousands of tourists are expected to attend the event, which will run until the end of this year. Buckwheat is cultivated for its grain-like seeds, which are used to make specialty foods by ethnic minorities in the mountainous region. The crop is often planted around September. From late October to early November carpets of buckwheat flowers are in full bloom, making for a spectacular sight. The hills and mountains are covered by the white and pink of the flowers. The flower symbolises love and happiness, so many couples shoot their wedding photos in these fields. VNS BEIJING Chinas president has ordered the country to march on in its "revolution" to clean up notoriously dirty and foul-smelling public bathrooms in a bid to improve quality of life and boost tourism. The so-dubbed "toilet revolution" was launched in 2015 as part of efforts to make restrooms -- often squat toilets with no paper -- more tourist-friendly. President Xi Jinping said the toilet problem "is not a small thing" and cleaning up is necessary to create a "civilised" urban and rural environment, Chinas state news agency Xinhua reported Monday. The country expects to have added or upgraded more than 70,000 toilets by the end of this year. Another 64,000 will be built or enhanced between 2018 and 2020, the National Tourism Administration has said in an action plan. According to Xinhua, since taking office in 2012, Xi has made a point on rural tours to ask villagers whether they did their business in flushable toilets or pits dug into the ground. "In rural areas, some toilets were little more than makeshift shelters surrounded by bunches of corn stalks, and some were open pits next to pigsties," the agency said. "Local authorities are now more aware of the important role toilets play, believing better toilets are not only beneficial for tourism, but can also... enhance the overall level of civilisation of society." Chinas infamous "squatty potties" arouse fear in some would-be tourists, with several tourism blog posts dedicated to the subject. While studies have indicated that squatting may have health benefits over sitting, the position is still hard to accept for those accustomed to porcelain thrones. Public bathrooms in China have also been known to be bereft of toilet paper thanks to enterprising crooks sneaking out entire rolls for their personal use. Facial recognition is now employed in some places to limit individual toilet paper portions. Internet commenters applauded the restroom remodelling movement on Chinese microblogging site Weibo on Monday. "Support the toilet revolution," one user wrote. "Seriously, whether its in a city or the countryside, when nature calls, its always a hassle to find a decent bathroom." AFP Singapore Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan has applauded Singaporean businesses initiatives to boost co-operation with Viet Nam in urban upgrading, infrastructure, education, resort building, airport connections and agriculture. Ngan made the remarks at a meeting yesterday with representatives of Singaporean enterprises which are investing in Viet Nam, as part of her official visit to the country. Singapore is an important partner of Viet Nam, she affirmed, adding that the country is currently the 9th largest trade partner and third biggest foreign investor of Viet Nam. The top legislator said domestic and foreign direct investment businesses drive Viet Nams economic growth, improve its national competitiveness and renovate its growth model. As Viet Nam and Singapore still hold huge potential for co-operation, the Vietnamese NA pledges to promulgate preferential policies for foreign investors, including those from Singapore, she said. The legislature will urge the Prime Minister to order ministries, sectors and localities to tackle issues raised by Singaporean enterprises, helping promote trade and business ties between the two countries, Ngan affirmed. On behalf of the Singaporean business delegation, Wong Kan Seng, Chairman of Ascendas-Singbridge Corporation, welcomed the NA delegation and congratulated Viet Nam on its successful hosting of the APEC 2017 Economic Leaders Week in a Nang. Earlier, NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and the delegation laid flowers in tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his statute in the Asian Civilisation Museum. VNS HA TINH The Peoples Court of the central province Ha Tinh yesterday sentenced Nguyen Van Hoa, born in 1995, to seven years imprisonment for anti-State propaganda. The resident of Ky Khang Commune, Ky Anh District, has also been banned from leaving his residential location for three years after his release. According to the verdict, from 2013 to 2017, Hoa set up a number of social network accounts to post information slandering and defaming the Government and Party. In 2016, Hoa made video clips and took photos on the Formosa-caused maritime environmental incident and floods in Ha Tinh and posted them on social media to incite citizens to gather to protest the Government. Particularly, in October 2016, he and others instigated people to protest at Formosas main gate. He recorded and posted a protest video clip on social media, calling on locals in the region to damage Formosas property and cause social disorder in the area. Later, Hoa moved to HCM City to work but continued using social media to spread documents that contained anti-government information causing disconcertment among the public. On April 6, 2017, Ha Tinh police issued a decision to start legal proceedings against Hoa and detained him for three months. At court, Hoa admitted his wrongdoings and expressed his repentance and wish to redeem his faults. VNS National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan met Singaporean President Halimah Yacob yesterday. VNA/VNS Photo Trong uc SINGAPORE National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan met Singaporean President Halimah Yacob yesterday and suggested the two countries maintain relations at all levels, while joining hands to celebrate the 45th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties in 2018. The top Vietnamese legislator said progress has been made in trade cooperation, investment, national defence and security and cultural and people-to-people exchange. The Viet Nam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) has become a symbol of successful and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries, she said. She described Singapore as Viet Nams leading trade and investment partner and a country which has trained many Vietnamese students. The chief legislator underscored Halimah Yacobs contributions to legislative ties between Viet Nam and Singapore in her capacity as Singapores Parliament Speaker in the past, saying the two sides have regularly exchanged high-level delegations, information and experience. She expressed her hope that President Halimah Yacob will contribute more to the relations between the two parliaments, thus deepening the countries strategic partnership. The NA Chairwoman extended President Tran ai Quangs invitation to President Halimah Yacob to visit Viet Nam on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties in 2018. President Halimah Yacob praised Viet Nams efforts in successfully hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders Week in the central city of a Nang from November 6-11. She also applauded cooperation between Viet Nam and Singapore across spheres. She noted their strong economic ties and said that Singapore is Viet Nams third largest investor. The President used the occasion to call for Viet Nams support for Singapore as the rotating Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2018. Stressing Viet Nams role in advancing the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), formerly known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement, Halimah Yacob said concerned parties should continue to finalise the deal for early approval and implementation. The President noted her hope that Vietnamese and Singaporean firms will seek business opportunities during NA Chairwoman Ngans visit. She called on the two countries to step up cooperation within ASEAN. The theme of ASEAN 2018 will be resilience and innovation. Halimah Yacob also underlined the need for ASEAN to enhance intra-bloc cooperation to deal with common issues and speed up the formation of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC). She said that apart from political, economic and cultural links, people-to-people exchange also plays an important role, adding that many Singaporeans now want to visit Viet Nam. VNS HA NOI President Tran ai Quang hosted a reception for visiting Slovakian Deputy Prime Minister for Investments and Informatization Peter Pellegrini, during which he praised the growing ties between the two countries and mutual support at bilateral and international forums. He noted that the years of 2016 and 2017 marked a breakthrough in the progress of bilateral relations, as Slovak Prime Minister Reobert Fico visited Viet Nam and Deputy Prime Minister Vuong inh Hue visited Slovakia. The President expressed his belief that a series of signed agreements will inaugurate a new stage in the bilateral relationship. As two-way trade has yet to meet expectations, he proposed that the two countries enhance the efficiency of the Inter-Governmental Committee on economic cooperation, while increasing exchanges among ministries, sectors, localities and businesses to promote trade and investment collaboration. Quang also suggested that the two sides work closely to implement the signed agreements, consider the resumption of cooperation in labour and strengthen exchange in education and training. He pledged to create optimal conditions for Slovak firms to invest in Viet Nam, especially in energy, infrastructure, environmental protection and food safety. He also thanked the Slovak Government for supporting the Vietnamese community in the country. He invited President Andrej Kiska to visit Viet Nam. Slovak Deputy PM Pellegrini said that he and his entourage had fruitful working sessions with leaders of the Vietnamese Government, ministries and sectors. The meetings are expected to lay foundation for the growth of Slovakia-Viet Nam relations in the future, not only in politics but also in economic cooperation, trade and investment. Slovakia will provide the safest and most favourable conditions for foreign investors, including those from Viet Nam, he said, expressing his hope that Slovakia will become a gateway for Vietnamese products to enter the European market. He said that in the coming time, Slovakia will appoint Le Hong Quang, who is the current Charge daffaires of Slovakia to Viet Nam, as the ambassador to Viet Nam. Pellegrini also vowed that the Slovak Government will provide the best conditions for Vietnamese citizens living in the country. He told his host that on the occasion of Deputy PM Vuong inh Hue visiting Slovakia in September this year, the Slovak Government built and inaugurated a bronze plate in Horne Saliby town of Trnava province, which President Ho Chi Minh visited 60 years ago. VNS National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan meets with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday as part of her ongoing official visit to Singapore. VNS/VNS Photo Trong uc SINGAPORE National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan met with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday as part of her ongoing official visit to Singapore. The top legislator thanked PM Lee for attending and contributing to the success of the APEC Economic Leaders Week that Viet Nam hosted earlier this month. She praised his support for the progress of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a deal replacing the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). PM Lee said he was pleased with the fruitful outcomes of the APEC Economic Leaders Week and lauded Viet Nams efforts to overcome natural disasters to organise the event successfully. NA Chairwoman Ngan told her host that her visit aims to deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries and the two parliaments in particular. She affirmed Viet Nams consistent policy of developing the strategic partnership with Singapore, proposing that the two sides work harder together to implement ties. She suggested that both sides maintain high-level meetings, while strengthening people-to-people contacts to prepare for the celebration of the 45th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations in 2018. She noted that two-way trade has reached nearly US$10 billion. Singapore is Viet Nams third-largest foreign investor with total investment over $40 billion. She added that the Viet Nam-Singapore Industrial Parks have become the symbol of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries. Meanwhile, collaboration in security, defence, education-training, tourism and labour has also expanded, she said. Highlighting the close coordination and cooperation between the two countries at regional and international forums, especially within the ASEAN framework, the NA leader said that Viet Nam supports Singapore in performing the role of ASEAN Chair in 2018 as well as the role of Coordinator of ASEAN-China relations. Regarding the East Sea issue, Ngan stressed that Viet Nam highly values Singapores stance. She expressed her belief that as the ASEAN Chair in 2018, Singapore will continue raising its voice on the issue and accelerate the building of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC). PM Lee said that Singapore hopes to receive the assistance of Viet Nam in performing the role of ASEAN Chair in 2018, adding that Singapore will do its best to deal with existing problems of ASEAN, including the building of the COC. Singapore will stick to roadmap of building the COC, he said, stressing the need for consensus among members of the association. Now is a good time to start COC negotiations, he added. Asserting that the potential for economic cooperation between the two countries is still high, PM Lee thanked Viet Nam for backing Singaporean enterprises. He proposed that the two sides should open additional direct air routes to boost economic, trade and tourism affiliation and implement signed agreements. VNS HA NOI The success of the APEC Economic Leaders Week 2017 in the central coastal city of a Nang from November 6-11 has turned Viet Nam into a centre of the worlds attention, according to President Tran ai Quang. This is an outstanding external achievement of Viet Nam this year, which contributes to increasing the role of APEC as a leading regional economic cooperation mechanism in a rapidly changing world, as well as marking a new milestone in Viet Nams implementation of external policies of multilateralism and international integration to foster peace, cooperation and development and increase the countrys position in the global arena, he wrote in an article. Such achievements gained in APEC Year 2017 will create momentum for Viet Nam to accomplish major tasks in the years to come, including candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for 2020-2021 and Chair of ASEAN in 2020, he said. It could be said that the recent APEC Economic Leaders Week has turned Viet Nam into a centre of attention of the world, he wrote, adding that all leaders of APEC member economies such as the US, China, Russia and Japan gathered at the event in a Nang along with more than 11,000 delegates, businesspeople, and reporters. Nearly 100 bilateral meetings between APEC leaders took place on this occasion, demonstrating the increasing position of the Asian-Pacific region in the global political-economic map as well as the strong commitments of member economies to APEC cooperation, he noted. It also affirms the position of Viet Nam in the region and the special attention of other APEC member economies and leaders to the Southeast Asian country, he said. A record number of more than 4,000 businesses participating in the events illustrated the entrepreneurial spirit of APEC and affirmed the forum is for people and enterprises, which opens up new prospects for investment, trade and business growth in Viet Nam and Asia-Pacific, he added. With the adoption of eight documents at the APEC Economic Leaders Week 2017, including the a Nang Declaration Creating New Dynamism, Fostering a Shared Future, Viet Nam once again made a milestone in APEC cooperation, the President stressed. The week made significant contributions to deepening relations between member economies and Viet Nam with historical bilateral meetings, including the first State-level visit to Viet Nam by General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and President Xi Jinping after the 19th Congress of the CPC, and the first State visit to Viet Nam by US President Donald Trump. Chilean President Michelle Bachelet Jeria also paid a State visit to Viet Nam while Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made an official visit to Viet Nam. During the week, Vietnamese leaders had nearly 50 bilateral meetings with partners. This is the second time Viet Nam has played the host to the APEC year and fulfilled all set targets. The APEC Economic Leaders Week also brought benefits to the countrys socio-economic development with a total of 121 signed cooperation agreements and contracts worth nearly US$20 billion, 10 times more than in 2006 the first time Viet Nam hosted the forum. This is also an occasion for Viet Nam to introduce to international friends a country with a dynamic economy and hospitable people. Following the success of APEC Year 2017, Viet Nam will continue accompanying other APEC member economies to implement reached commitments in the coming years to build the APEC Vision toward 2020 so that Asia-Pacific will continue to be a driver of growth and economic connectivity for the globe as well as ensure the forum is for people and businesses in order to realise the strategic vision of a sustainable and inclusive Asia-Pacific partnership, the President concluded. VNS VIENTIANE The ministries of justice of Laos and Viet Nam have agreed to continue co-operation and development of the judicial sector, marking the 35th anniversary of the two ministries co-operation. A document on continuing co-operation in the field was signed in Vientiane on Monday. The agreement was signed by Director General of the International Co-operation Department of Laos Ministry of Justice, Ketsana Phommachane, and Deputy Director General of the International Cooperation Department of Viet Nams Ministry of Justice, Duong Thien Huong. The signing ceremony was attended by Lao Minister of Justice Xaysi Santivong and Vietnamese Minister of Justice Le Thanh Long. Speaking at the ceremony, Xaysi said the agreement would run from 2015-20. In 2017, the Lao Ministry of Justice welcomed the leaders of Viet Nams Ministry of Justice on a visit to share experiences and celebrate two historic events between Laos and Viet Nam, he said. Technicians from the International Cooperation Department of the Lao Ministry of Justice also visited and shared experiences with the International Cooperation Department of Viet Nams Ministry of Justice, he added. In 2018, the two ministries will continue to implement the cooperation plan. The Lao Ministry of Justice will host the fourth justice meeting between adjacent provinces along the Laos-Viet Nam border. Laos Ministry of Justice will also host the Asean Senior Law Officials Meeting and Asean Law Ministers Meeting. We will continue to improve the civil law code that was presented at the third ordinary session of the National Assembly. We plan to submit it to the sixth ordinary session of the Assembly in October 2018, Xaysi said. In the meantime, the two ministries will continue to work closely together. Vientiane Times/ANN HCM CITY The HCM City Inland Waterway Port Authority has asked the municipal Transport Department to issue temporary permits for the citys river ports, many of which will see their permits expire due to a Transport Ministry circular. Under Circular 50, which took effect in 2015, operators of riverway ports wont be issued a new license unless they have technical design documents and an investment plan as part of a plan for inland waterway port development. Most enterprises operating riverway ports in the city have not met such requirements for the last 10 years. Currently, HCM City has 370 riverway ports, all of which will become illegal as the Transport Department will stop issuing licenses for them unless they meet the new requirements under the circular. Pham Van Dung, director of Tuan Sang Company, the operator of a riverway port in Binh Chanh Districts Tan Nhat Commune, said the port, which has been operating for 12 years, has become an illegal port as the license has expired. Last month, his company was fined VN7 million (US$310) for illegally operating the port though he had requested to apply for a temporary license but was rejected. Nguyen Thanh Dung, director of Thanh Van Company, the operator of another waterway port in Binh Chanh District, said the ports license will expire today. I have no choice but continue to operate the port. Otherwise, it will affect many workers working at the port, he said. Meanwhile, Pham Ngoc Thanh, director of Thanh Anh Company, the operator of a port in District 12, said the port must stop operation when the license expires as he is afraid of being fined. Around 112 riverway ports in 13 districts will see their license expire by the end of this month. The number will increase to more than 200 by 2018. Ngo inh Quang, director of the HCM City Inland Waterway Port Authority, said some 30 million tonnes of goods are transported a year to the Eastern provinces and Mekong Delta provinces via the riverway ports in the city. Dung, director of Tuan Sang Company, said, Concerned agencies must develop a roadmap for developing the riverway ports so businesses can prepare to improve the ports to meet the requirements. Representatives of other enterprises disagreed with the circular, which requires the riverway ports to meet new requirements under the plan for riverway ports while the city has yet to develop such a plan. Tran Quang Lam, deputy director of the transport department, said the department has asked concerned agencies to develop a plan for developing the riverway ports in the city and be finished by next year. The transport department will ask the city people committee for permission to issue temporary licenses for the ports while waiting for the plan to be completed, Lam said. Most operators of riverway ports are reluctant to invest in improving their ports until the plan is completed, he said. VNS A view of FPT University in Hoa Lac University Town in the western district of Thach That. Photo dantri.com.vn HA NOI A terrible waste of resources is taking place as a grand plan to shift Government offices, schools and hospitals to suburban enclaves in the capital city fails to materialise, almost three years on. Under an official decision issued in 2015 to reduce pressure on Ha Nois public infrastructure, Government agencies, public schools, hospitals and manufacturing facilities would be moved to the suburbs. With the plan struggling to get off the paper, population density and traffic congestion in the city has worsened, local reports say. With 96 universities and colleges, Ha Noi hosts about 40 per cent of Vietnamese tertiary students. The Hoa Lac University Town in the western district of Thach That was expected to become the common home of institutes under the Viet Nam National University, Ha Noi (VNU). The VN7.2 trillion (US$317 million plus) project was planned to be completed in 2015. However, very little implementation has happened. The Duc Tu Mai Lam University Cluster Area in ong Anh District, approved in 2014, has been postponed due to financial issues. The Ha Noi College of Pedagody and Ha Noi Community College in Cau Giay District, which should have moved to the above-mentioned area, are now asking for funds from the city to reconstruct their present facilities. The Chuc Son University Cluster Area in Chuong Mi District is facing a similar problem because a lot of colleges are reluctant to move there. Some universities have been active in their compliance with the governments decision even before it was issued. Nguyen uc Tinh, deputy director of the Trade Union University in ong a District, said they have been allowed to build another campus in Hung Yen Provinces Yen My District. The project has been implemented for six years with investment allocated from the State budget and other resources. In 2018, when its first phase will complete, there will be a bus connecting the two campuses. By then, we will only run advanced training courses for Trade Unions officers at the old campus, Tinh said. Pham uc Vinh, director of the Ha Noi Industrial Vocational College in ong a District, said he highly appreciated the decision to move universities and colleges to the suburbs. He said his institutions present 20,000sq.m facility was too small to meet the requirements of a modern environment to study in. However, the college has asked that it maintains a part of its old campus as the admissions office. Should hospitals move? Although the city has invested in constructing new facilities, several hospitals have been reluctant to move outside the urban area. The National Cancer Hospital (K Hospital) and National Hospital of Endocrinology (NHE) are operating in Thanh Tri District, but they have not still handed over their old buildings to the city. To address overcrowding in centrally-administered hospitals including Viet-uc and Bach Mai, the government has invested in building new branches in Ha Nam Province. Other hospitals like the Central Eye Hospital or the National Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology have had plans to construct new facilities, have are yet to make a detailed proposal. According to the Government plan, medical facilities are to be set up in the suburban districts of Long Bien, Hoa Lac, Soc Son, Phu Xuyen and Son Tay. But nothing has happened in this regard yet. Tran Ngoc Luong, director of NHE, said that it was the first public hospital to apply for a bank loan of VN500 billion (US$22 million) to build its second branch in Thanh Tri Districts Tu Hiep Commnue. While two-thirds of inpatients are now receiving modern care and treatment in the new facility, others still stay at the old hospital due to its favourable location. In April, 2014, the K Hospital launched three branches on Quan Su, Tam Hiep and Tan Trieu streets. In the near future, it is expected that the hospital on Quan Su Street becomes the National Cancer Research Institution under the K Hosptial. However, several city officials are questioning the policy to move hospitals. Nguyen uc Chung, Chairman of the Ha Noi Peoples Committee, said he was worried about the impact of moving on public healthcare quality. A hospital has to be located within 15 minutes reach of a residential area. Moreover, there has to be one hospital for every 25,000 to 30,000 citizens. Therefore, the city is reconsidering some plans to make sure that both people and medical facilities can benefit, he said. Tran Binh Giang, director of the Viet uc Hosptial, stressed the significance of hospital expansion. We will continue operating the old hospital even after the new branch in Ha Nam Province opens. The hospital will also find ways to distribute patients to reduce pressure on surroundings, he said. Nguyen inh Hung, director of the Saint Paul Hospital, said urban hospitals were necessary to guarantee residents healthcare. He said special medical facilities like mental hospitals and rehabilitation centres should be located in the suburbs with larger areas. Ministries stay put Despite investing in spacious headquarters in the suburbs, several ministries have not yet handed over their old offices to the government, delaying planned infrastructure upgrades. In 2013 and 2016, the Ha Noi Peoples Committee decided to save 55ha in a new urban area south of the Thang Long Avenue and 20ha in the Starlake urban area, west of the West Lake for 13 ministries including Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Ministry of Industry and Trade to build their offices. Some of these ministries have already transferred to the new areas, but their old headquarters have not been returned to the city. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, for example, is using its old headquarters on Nguyen Chi Thanh Street as the office of its Administration of Seas and Islands. Meanwhile, the erstwhile HQ of the Home Affairs Ministry is now its Officers Training School. Representatives of the two ministries told the Kinh te va o Thi (Economy and Urban) newspaper that they did not know what the city planned to do with their old headquarters. Nguyen Tan Chinh, head of the Public Assets Management Administration, said that it would tighten management of public constructions in 2018, including withdrawing and rearranging old offices for different purposes. Pham Hong Ha, Construction minister, said that the ministry then was considering all potential plans to meet requirements of governmental agencies and make budget allocations. We encourge ministries to source investment from diverse sources to construct their new headquarters, he said. The VN17 trillion ($750 million) budget proposed by the Finance Ministry for moving 13 ministries headquarters to the suburbs can be raised when bids on their old office buildings are conducted transparently and effectively, the Kinh te va o Thi reported. VNS Some 200 senior officials, business executives, experts, academics and diplomats are participating in the ninth International Conference on the East Sea which opened in HCM City yesterday. VNS Photo Bo Xuan Hiep HCM CITY While the East Sea (South China Sea) situation remains uncertain, nations should build strategic trust to maintain peace, stability and development in the region, a Vietnamese official told an international conference held in HCM City yesterday. Nearly 200 senior officials, business executives, experts, academics and diplomats are participating in the ninth International Conference on the East Sea. Assoc Prof Dr Nguyen Vu Tung, director of the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam, said the East Sea issue remains one of the most difficult and unpredictable questions for international academics and scholars. Since the decision of the Arbitral Tribunal, the East Sea situation has seen positive changes, but in the long run there is still fear of disorder and conflict, he said. This is mainly due to the fact that international law is not fully respected and nations in the region lack strategic trust, he said. The role of the East Sea in the security of the region will continue to grow. He reiterated that sovereignty disputes in the East Sea should be addressed through peaceful means in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC). He called on participants to continue to develop new proposals and contribute to ensuring peace and stability in the East Sea. I hope the conference would put forth initiatives to help concerned Governments co-ordinate with each other to improve security and common development in the East Sea. Speakers said as the East Sea becomes a theatre for big power rivalry, there is a need to explore the strategic policies of related powers and relations between them. It is worth investigating what factors are driving big powers maritime strategies and how they have perceived one anothers actions, they said. In view of rising tensions in the East Sea, it is important to study how ASEAN has handled the maritime affairs and how the East Sea politics affected its claim to centrality in the politics of Asia and the Pacific, they said. Judge Vladimir Golitsyn, president of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, said: As we consider measures to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea (East Sea), the role of international judicial institutions should not be underestimated. However, recourse to international judicial institutions for the settlement of maritime disputes faces certain challenges emanating both from states and from judicial institutions themselves. The contribution of international judicial institutions to peace and stability is dependent on the position taken by the various actors within the system. Prof Carlyle Thayer from the UNSW Canberra at the Australian Defence Force Academy, speaks on the sidelines with local and international reporters at the ninth International Conference on the East Sea. VNS Photo Bo Xuan Hiep There are challenges facing international judicial institutions, including the tribunal, as they strive to fulfill their functions and bring about a peaceful settlement of maritime disputes, he said. There are three emerging global trends, which are, in my personal view, somewhat troubling. First, there is the issue of use of international judicial proceedings by states for political purposes. There have been examples of states having recourse to international dispute settlement mechanisms where the aim is not the immediate settlement of a dispute by means of judicial decision. In such cases, an eventual judicial award is viewed as just one tool among others, to be used in order eventually to achieve a favourable outcome through other means, he said. Second, from the perspective of the institutions themselves, I believe there is a risk that international judicial institutions may at times lose sight of their role as mechanisms to facilitate the settlement of disputes. Other challenges are posed by the existence of multiple international judicial institutions, he noted. Speaking on the sidelines of the meeting, Prof Carlyle Thayer of the UNSW Canberra at the Australian Defence Force Academy, said conferences like this spread knowledge of international laws to the wider international community. Theyve exposed the fact that China, like other major powers, is sometimes refusing to comply. So we now know what their limitations are on international laws yet the major outside maritime powers say the decision is binding in law and they will adhere to it. Youre seeing freedom of navigation operation being conducted in the South China Sea saying China cannot lay claim to maritime space to which its not entitled. So its not a solution in law that we hope for but China has suffered a damage to its reputation and China has internally had to go back and review why they got it so wrong. The pressure is still on China to eventually respond somehow to the international community. There is a long-term future and an intermediate future, and at the moment the intermediate future is on ASEAN-Chinas commencement of negotiations on a legally binding Code of Conduct, he said. In the long term, there would be some elements of co-operation and some elements of confrontation between China and the US, he said. Speakers talk during the break at the ninth International Conference on the East Sea which ended today in HCM City. VNS Photo Bo Xuan Hiep Colin Willett, deputy assistant secretary for strategy and multilateral affairs at the US State Department, said: The situation in the South China Sea (East Sea) at the moment seems to be relatively stable and calm. I still have great concern about what the intentions of the various parties are. As best as I can tell the Trump administrations policies are largely consistent with previous administrations in the sense they would like to see peaceful settlement of disputes. International law is one of the aspects the US and Viet Nam can work together with respect to the South China Sea (East Sea) issue, she told Viet Nam News. Weve seen some co-operation on Coast Guard co-operation and others. I would also like to see Viet Nam and other governments in the region and the US co-operate on some of the environmental issues. Today the conference will continue to discuss sources of conflict and areas for co-operation, legal dimensions in the East Sea, sustainable development and co-operation initiatives, and the substance and process of a Code of Conduct. The conference titled Co-operation for Regional Security and Development is being organised by the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam, the Foundation for East Sea Studies and the Viet Nam Lawyers Association. It aims to assess the recent developments in the East Sea as well as their repercussions while discussing possibilities for further co-operation in the region. It also aims to promote understanding and co-operation in the East Sea in the spirit of the principles of international law. VNS THAI BINH A huge fire at around 10am on Monday destroyed a 340-year-old communal house, recognised as a National Historical Relic Site. Locals discovered a fire had started in the main worship room at inh Luu Communal House in ong Phuong Commune, ong Hung District, in the northern province of Thai Binh. The fire soon spreaded to neighbouring rooms. People inside the House managed to get out in time, therefore there were no casualties. However, most of the wooden architecture collapsed following the incident. Local authorities sent two fire engines to extinguish the fire, but it was only by 2pm on the same day that the fire was completed put out. inh Luu Communal House was built in 1670 in a traditional design with three main rooms and two wings. All its pillars are made of lim (iron) wood. The House worships Nam Hai ai Vuong (Sea God). The architecture has been upgraded several times. It hosts several valuable royal documents dating back to the Nguyen Dynasty (1892-1945). The fire occurred when the architecture was being upgraded, hence all items had been moved to another place. There was no loss of property. The architecture was recognised as a National Historical Relic Site in 1990. VNS JAKARTA Twenty four Vietnamese, part of nine travelling groups, are stranded in Bali due to the closure of Depansar International Airport due to Mount Agung erupting, the Vietnamese Embassy in Indonesia said. The embassy said these groups, mainly comprising families, called the embassy hotline for support. They were instructed to travel by car to Surabaya City, the nearest location with an airport from where flights were allowed to depart. On Monday, a group of seven other Vietnamese tourists who were also stranded in Bali called the embassy. They were directed to travel from the western island of Bali to Surabaya City by ferry and then take a flight to Jakarta, the embassy said, adding that the tourists safely arrived in Jakarta on Monday evening. The Vietnamese Embassy in Indonesia has issued a travel warning for Vietnamese tourists who plan to visit the resort island of Bali as the Indonesian authority has raised the alert for Mount Agungs eruption to the highest level. In case of urgent support, Vietnamese citizens can contact the embassy on its hotline +62811161025. According to the Indonesian government, tourists stranded in Bali will be offered one night free stay at a hotel. Tourists in need of support to leave Bali can contact local tour guide Pak Nyoman at +6285792640918 or +6281338643014, or the Gunung Agung Volcano Crisis Centre at the airport on 081321100319 or hotline 0361 935 1011, ext 5055; or Airport Information on 172. Thousands of tourists are stuck in Bali as many flights have been cancelled following the volcanos eruption. A report from local aviation navigation authorities showed that "aircraft flight channels are covered with volcanic ash", Indonesias transportation ministry said. Denpansar airport, about 60km from the volcano, will be closed until 7 am local time on Wednesday, it said. Ten alternative airports have been prepared for airlines to divert inbound flights, including in neighbouring provinces. Agung rises majestically over eastern Bali to a height of just over 3,000 metres. On Monday, authorities ordered 100,000 residents living near the volcano to evacuate immediately, warning that the first major eruption in 54 years could be "imminent". An 8-10km exclusion zone has been imposed around the summit. Agungs last eruption in 1963 killed more than 1,000 people and razed several villages by hurling out pyroclastic material, hot ash, lava and lahar. The mount experienced unprecedented levels of seismic activity in September, resulting in the evacuation of 140,000 local residents. Mount Agung is one of more than 120 active volcanoes extending the length of Indonesia, which straddles the Pacific Ring of Fire. VNS AK LAK The Peoples Committee of ak Lak Provinces Tan Loi Ward has decided to halt the operation of a night market, until the organising body submits all the papers. Le Anh Tuan, chairman of the Tan Loi Ward Peoples Committee, said that the Street Food Commerce and Service Co. Ltd, the organising body, opened the night market in 38 Ha Huy Tap Street in Buon Ma Thuot City on November 23. An inspection team of the committee conducted a quick inspection at the night market and found that the company had built kiosks on an area of 978 square metres. The total area of the night market was 4,682 square metres. The company failed to show the required papers, such as licences for construction and service trading. Tuan said the committee has received complaints from local residents about the security disorder, since the market began operation. The committee has asked the company to stop operation and get the required licences. A representative of the company told e-newspaper zing.vn that the company had the licence to operate the night market and was only required to ensure security to the area. VNS MELBOURNE An Islamic State sympathiser planned to buy a gun and kill as many revellers as possible on New Years Eve in Melbournes popular Federation Square, police alleged on Tuesday after foiling the plot. The 20-year-old, born in Australia to Somali parents, was detained in a raid on a house in the Melbourne suburb of Werribee on Monday. He is expected to be charged over the coming days. Police claim he accessed a guide book online produced by Al-Qaeda on how to commit terror acts and use firearms, but was arrested before he could purchase an automatic rifle. "What we will be alleging is that he was intending to use a firearm to shoot and kill as many people as he could in the Federation Square area on New Years Eve," said Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton. "It is a tremendous concern to us that (during) the festive season, when people are out enjoying themselves, that there is a potential plot to commit a terrorist act. That is a huge issue for us but that is why we put the resources in." He said the arrest meant the threat "has been removed". Federation Square is in the heart of the city, opposite busy Flinders Street train station and St Pauls Cathedral. It is one of the most popular places to see in the new year and would be packed on December 31. The foiled plot comes a year after police prevented another attack in the same area on Christmas Day, arresting several men who planned to use explosives, knives and guns to target the location. Quiet guy Patton said the man, who lived with his parents, had been on their radar since the beginning of the year, part of a small community of extremists that police have been monitoring. His behaviour had gradually escalated over time, but police believe he was acting alone. "The potential of the attack was catastrophic," said Patton, adding that the man was an "Islamic State sympathiser". Asked if he had been inspired by last years Christmas Day plot, Patton said detectives were still investigating how he became radicalised. "We will be exploring where this person of interest got the idea from," he said. "Certainly, he becomes particularly energised when he sees other activities in the terrorist arena occurring." The man worked part-time at a computer repair business, with police raiding the facility. A person who knows the suspect told the Melbourne Herald Sun: "He is a very quiet guy. This is an absolute shock." Justice Minister Michael Keenan said the fact that the Christmas/New Year period was being targeted again "reminds us of the depravity of terrorists". "They seek to strike fear in the community when Australians are enjoying time over the Christmas period with their families and friends," he said, adding that there would be high-profile policing over the holiday period. Australian officials have grown increasingly concerned over the threat of extremist attacks, raising the national terror alert level to "probable" in September 2014. Since then, 74 people have been arrested in 347 counter-terror investigations. Authorities say 14 attacks have now been prevented in the past few years, including an IS-directed attempt to bring down a plane using poisonous gas or a crude bomb disguised as a meat mincer. Despite this, several attacks have taken place, including a cafe siege in Sydney in 2014 where two hostages were killed. AFP KARANGASEM Plumes of ash from a rumbling volcano forced Indonesian authorities to close Balis airport for a second day Tuesday, as a threatened eruption stranded tourists and forced mass evacuations. Tens of thousands of frightened people have fled their homes near Mount Agung, which looms over the resort island, as experts raised the alert level to maximum and warned it could erupt at any moment. Towering columns of thick grey smoke have been belching from the volcano since last week, and in the last few days have begun shooting into the sky, forcing all flights to be grounded until at least on Wednesday morning. "The Volcanic Ash Advisory shows that the plane routes have been covered by volcanic ash, this is dangerous for the flights," Wisnu Darjono from the air traffic agency AirNav official said, referring to a global network of experts that supplies volcano-related information. Some 40,000 people have abandoned their homes in the danger zone but as many as many as 100,000 will likely be forced to leave, disaster agency officials have said. "Volcanic ash is still spewing. Its thick and rising very high -- up to three or four kilometres from the crater," said I Gede Suantika, an official at Indonesias volcanology agency. "Activity at Mount Agung remains very high. Its still on the highest alert level," he added. The exclusion zone around Agung, which is 75 kilometres away from the beachside tourist hub of Kuta, has also been widened to 10 kilometres. As of Tuesday some 443 flights had been cancelled, affecting more than 120,000 passengers in Bali, a top holiday destination that attracts millions of foreign tourists every year. The airport on nearby Lombok island -- also a popular tourist destination east of Bali -- has opened and closed several times in the past few days. It is currently open but may yet be shuttered again, officials said. Memories of disaster Mount Agung last went off in 1963, killing some 1,600 people in one of the deadliest eruptions ever seen in a country with nearly 130 active volcanoes. Memories of that disaster have helped drive people towards community centres and makeshift camps, including villagers who have to leave precious livestock behind. "I am very worried because I have experienced this before," 67-year-old Dewa Gede Subagia, who was a teenager when Agung last roared, said from one evacuation centre. "I hope this time I wont have to evacuate for too long. In 1963, I left for four months." Experts said however that Agungs recent activity matches the build-up to that disaster, which ejected enough debris - about a billion tonnes - to lower global average temperatures by 0.2 - 0.3 degrees Celsius for about a year. "What we are seeing at the moment are small explosions, throwing out hot gases and fragments of molten rock, or ash," said David Pyle, a volcano expert at Oxford University. "The probability of a large eruption is high, but this may take some days or weeks to unfold." Agung rumbled back to life in September, forcing the evacuation of 140,000 people living nearby. Its activity decreased in late October and many returned to their homes. However, on Saturday the mountain sent smoke up into the air for the second time in a week in what volcanologists call a phreatic eruption - caused by the heating and expansion of groundwater. Then on Monday so-called cold lava flows appeared - similar to mud flows and often a prelude to the blazing orange lava seen in many volcanic eruptions. Indonesia is the worlds most active volcanic region. The archipelago nation with over 17,000 islands lies on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" where tectonic plates collide, causing frequent volcanic and seismic activities. Last year, seven people were killed after Mt. Sinabung on the western island of Sumatra erupted. A 2014 eruption at Sinabung killed 16. AFP Former RAAF Lockheed Orion Officially Handed Over to HARS by Phil Buckley It was a slightly cloudy morning during the official AP-3C Orion handover ceremony at the Historical Aviation Restoration Society (HARS) at Albion Park Airport, South Coast NSW, Australia on Friday, November 3rd, 2017. Gathered within the museums main hangar for the occasion were Australias Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Leo Davies AO CSC; the HARS President and Chief Pilot, Bob De La Hunty; the Mayor of Shellharbour Marianne Saliba; and local Aboriginal spokesperson Aunty Lindy, who all took part in the proceedings which saw HARS take formal ownership of the former Royal Australian Air Force Lockheed AP-3C Orion A9-753. A few hundred HARS volunteers, RAAF personnel, members of the public and assorted national media witnessed the event which saw the worlds first P-3 Orion warbird become a reality. As mentioned in a previous article, HARS is already operating a considerable number of former RAAF aircraft, including 2 x DHC-4 Caribous, 1 x SP-2H Neptune (and 3 static examples) and 2 x C-47 Dakotas. HARS has also acquired over the years a static fleet covering former RAAF jets types including a CAC Sabre Jet, 2 x De Havilland Vampire jet trainers, a GAF Mirage, MB-326 Macchi, GAF Canberra and more. The trust and bond built up with the RAAF from HARS operating warbird aircraft like the Caribous and Dakotas is a positive sign that the P-3 Orion will be operating alongside a well-established and impeccably maintained fleet of historic aircraft. After the ceremony, Air Marshal Leo Davies told Down Under Aviation News that the RAAF sees AP-3C Orion handover to HARS as an important part in helping to preserve and maintain the RAAFs maritime legacy from the past 75 years. This legacy is well established at HARS, with both a Catalina and Neptune flying, soon to be joined by the Orion. Air Marshal Leo Davies told everyone that he knows Orion A9-753 well, having flown 130 hours during the course of 18 flights in the aircraft earlier in his RAAF career. The aircraft itself has a varied and interesting career since joining the RAAF in 1978. It also received an upgrade to AP-3C status in 2011, and has taken part in local and overseas operations. Perhaps the most famous of these actions was searching for the missing Malaysian Boeing 777 airliner MH370 off the Australian coast during March, 2014. She has also taken part in historical fly pasts as well. The AP-3C Orion arrived at Albion Park Airport in December, 2016, and has spent the past year under the care of Airbus personnel to keep it in an operational state. A9-753 also became, for a short time, a static training aid for 292 SQN during 2016-2017, prior to the handover. HARS has not been able to do anything with the aircraft since it landed at Albion Park airport, as it has not had the ownership title. HARS ownership of the Orion required formal approval from the USA due to the terms of the initial RAAF purchase agreement. This necessitated the removal of some restricted military equipment from the airframe, and rendering other interlinked systems nonfunctional in order to demilitarize the aircraft per US restrictions. The Australian Department of Defence recommended the US State Department allow HARS to take up ownership, and after four years of negotiations and the completion of aircraft modifications, approval was forthcoming. The handover demonstrates that HARS is a proven private organization, capable of professionally managing the operation of an AP-3C Orion. This award of US DOD approval is certainly rare, and is apparently the first time that any civilian organization in Australia, besides the Australian War Memorial, has acquired such a significant piece of current military hardware. With the handover now complete, it is encouraging to see that the RAAF is looking to place other retired AP-3C Orions at RAAF Base Point Cook Museum, RAAF Base Edinburgh and other locations which meet the appropriate heritage guidelines. The South Australian Aviation Museum is, so far, the only other private organization slated to display an AP-3C Orion. The HARS Orion is expected to undergo engine runs and taxi tests soon, and eventually to fly. In related news, the RAAF also brought the still-service AP-3C Orion A9-659 to Albion Park Airport for the handover ceremony. She provided a perfect backdrop, parked next to the colorful HARS SP-2H Neptune. Once the formalities came to an end, the Orion started up and performed a quick flyover of the Museum before leaving the area. WarbirdsNews thanks HARS for allowing us to cover this significant event. WATERLOO A Waterloo man who was shot twice and stabbed after allegedly attacking family members with a board on Thanksgiving has been arrested. Waterloo police arrested 58-year-old Darrell Anthony Reasby, of 1910 Plain View St., on Sunday after he was released from the hospital. He was arrested for domestic assault with intent to inflict injury and domestic assault with a weapon. His bond was set at $5,000. Witnesses told police that Reasby attacked his sister, Marina Caradine, and niece, Jaleesa Caradine, with a piece of lumber that had screws jutting out from the wood, records state. Reasbys sister shot him in self defense, a struggle ensued where he attempted to disarm her, and the niece stabbed him in the back while he was fighting with the sister, according to court records. Police and medics were called to the home at about 10:50 p.m., and Reasby, who had two gunshot wounds to a leg and a stab wound, was taken to a hospital for treatment. WATERLOO The Black Hawk County Sheriffs Office Law Enforcement Association is accepting monetary donations from the public for its annual Christmas shopping program. Every year the Law Enforcement Association sponsors 10 area families from Black Hawk County and provides the children with Christmas gifts. The funds used to purchase the gifts come solely from the association budget and not directly from the Sheriffs Office. Association members contact area schools to get a list of names of worthy families. At 9 a.m. Dec. 5, association members will meet at Super Target in Waterloo to purchase the gifts for the families. The gifts will be wrapped and at 6 p.m. Dec. 19 members will meet at the Moose Lodge in Washburn to deliver the gifts to the families. To donate to the Black Hawk County Law Enforcement Association, drop off in person or mail a check/cash to: Black Hawk County Law Enforcement Association, 225 E. Sixth St., Waterloo, IA 50703. All donations are tax exempt. The Black Hawk County Law Enforcement Association is a nonprofit organization. DES MOINES A meteoric rise in deaths by drugs, alcohol and suicide in Iowa is expected to slow during the next 10 years but still increase by more than one-third by 2025. Iowas drug, alcohol and suicide death rate, which increased 177 percent from 1999 to 2015, will rise by 36 percent from 2015 to 2025, according to Pain in the Nation, a report from the Trust for Americas Health and the Well Being Trust. The 200-page report says those three causes could account for 46 per 100,000 deaths in Iowa by 2025 more than 1,400 people. That compares with 33.9 per 100,000 in 2015 and 16.6 per 100,000 in 1999. Iowa is not alone. If trends continue, about 1.6 million people in the United States will die from drugs, alcohol and suicides during the next 10 years a 60 percent increase from the 1999 to 2015 period, according to the report. Well-being crisis The report, based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, was prepared for Trust for Americas Health. The nonprofit, nonpartisan organization works to protect health by making disease prevention a national priority. Data also was taken from the Well Being Trust, a national foundation dedicated to advancing mental, social and spiritual health. The report calls the projections a wake-up call of a serious well-being crisis. In stark terms, they are signals of serious underlying concerns facing too many Americans about pain, despair, disconnection and lack of opportunity and the urgent need to address them, according to the report. The authors also warn their projections might be conservative. Thats because Americas opioid crisis continues, along with a rapid rise in the use of heroin and fentanyl. Although the crises have received considerable attention, actions that have been taken to date are severely inadequate, according to the report. Iowa rankings Heres where Iowa stands in relationship to the rest of the country: Nationally, drug overdose deaths tripled between 2000 and 2015, with a total of 52,400 deaths in 2015. Iowas rate in 2015 was 9.9 per 100,000 people fifth lowest in the nation. State officials reported this month Iowa maintains one of the lowest overall rates of illegal drug use in the nation at 6.27 percent below the national average of 9.77 percent and second only to South Dakotas 5.82 percent. However, overdose deaths caused primarily by opioids totaled 86 in 2016 (70 prescription and 16 heroin), while opioid-related overdose deaths rose to an all-time high of 180, according to Iowa data. Rural communities have been particularly affected by the crises in the past 15 years. Before 2000, rates of drug overdoses in rural communities had been lower than in metro areas of the country. Drug overdose death rates since increased sevenfold in rural America. Nationally, alcohol-induced deaths rose to a 35-year high of 33,200 in 2015. That doesnt include deaths from injury and violence in which alcohol was a factor. Iowas alcohol-induced death rate was 11 per 100,000 in 2015, the 27th highest in the nation. Nationally, the suicide death rate increased 28 percent from 2000 to 2015, when 44,000 Americans took their own lives. The suicide rate in rural areas was 40 percent higher than in metro areas. Iowas rate was 13.9 per 100,000 in 2015, the 15th lowest in the country. Last year, 44.7 million American adults experienced a mental illness, 20.1 million experienced a substance use disorder and 8.2 million experienced both numbers that probably underestimate the scope of the problem, because of issues with stigma. Only about 1 in 10 Americans with substance use disorder receive recommended treatment, the report said. Resilience If there is good news, its that mental health professionals know a lot about what works and what can make a difference. What works is part of a national resilience strategy of 60 research-based policies, practices and programs that could reduce substance misuse and suicide. Iowa has implemented some of the policies, such as substance abuse screening during pregnancy and for newborns. The state also complies with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act that helps provide screening services for children from birth to age 2 for disabilities and helps connect families with early intervention services. Iowa also gives prescribers and dispensers access to Naloxone, which rapidly reverses the effects of an opioid overdose, allows lay people to administer the antidote and does not prosecute individuals for its possession. However, the state falls short of other measures the report recommends, such as prescription drug monitoring. Iowa shares interstate prescription information but doesnt require prescribers or dispensers to monitor prescriptions. Neither does it require suicide prevention training for school personnel. DES MOINES Alec Baldwin rallied Iowa Democrats with a mixture of humor and serious political advice while headlining a party fundraiser in Des Moines on Monday night. The actor, who won an Emmy for his portrayal of Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live, entertained 2,000 party faithful, first posing as a professor of the defunct Trump University, offering courses such as political science fiction. Joking about Democrats annual Jefferson-Jackson banquets, named for past Democratic presidents, Baldwin, in his award-winning impression, said Jefferson-Jackson was a great man. More seriously, Baldwin urged the party in a state under Republican control to work harder than 2016, when Trump carried Iowa. He left the crowd cheering on their feet by tweaking Trumps slogan to, Lets make America America again! They also cheered the seven Democratic candidates who would be governor, all of whom spoke Monday. Baldwin, 59, regaled the crowd with zingers aimed at the president for half of his 30-minute presentation before turning serious. I am ready to fight, Baldwin told the party faithful, citing recent Democratic election victories around the country as they head into 2018. Weve got party building to do on a scale weve never known, said Baldwin. Citing research for his comedy routines, Baldwin told the crowd, Ive studied Donald Trump longer than anyone should be required to. He said he is conflicted about mocking Trump because he worries it normalizes the presidents behavior. I still choke down the words every day President Trump, said Baldwin. He cheered the candidates who spoke and made the crowd pledge they will work to elect candidates who win the partys nominations. His message about unity was really important, said Tom Vilsack, a former Iowa governor and U.S. secretary of state in the Obama administration. All seven of the Democrats running for governor in 2018 Jon Neiderbach, Andy McGuire, John Norris, Fred Hubbell, Cathy Glasson, Nate Boulton and Ross Wilburn spoke during the program, which at times took on the air of a pep rally. This has been a hard year for Democrats. Weve done a lot over the last year to rebuild this party and redefine what our party is out there doing and what our party is out there fighting for, said Troy Price, chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party. Its a night to hang out as a family, Price said of the gala event, but tomorrow we have to get back to work. Carlos Cruz, spokesman for the Republican Party of Iowa, saw the evenings events differently. As Democrats continue to struggle in appealing to rural voters, were glad theyre taking the time to hang out in Des Moines with Hollywood millionaire Alec Baldwin, Cruz said in a statement. WATERLOO City Council members rejected a push to slash the future use of tax-increment financing districts used to attract economic development. Councilmen Tom Lind and Steve Schmitt had proposed releasing 50 percent of the property taxes generated by development in the Northeast Industrial and San Marnan Drive TIF districts. The measure, which arose as council members voted to renew undeveloped land in those TIFS for another 20 years, failed on a 5-2 vote. Waterloo looks to renew two TIF districts WATERLOO The city may renew portions of two tax-increment financing districts to keep them TIF districts allow the city to borrow money for roads, sewers and infrastructure to create industrial parks and offer property tax rebates to lure new business development. Property taxes generated by the development are then used to pay off the citys costs instead of going to the general fund and other local governments. Lind said it was time some of the new taxes helped somebody other than businesses in the districts. My intent is to lower the residential property taxes in the city of Waterloo, he said. The residential property owner needs some payback. But city staff said the change would put Waterloo at a disadvantage when competing with other cities for growth and wouldnt necessarily help lower the citys tax rate. It would mean we have less financial ability to create buildable lots for development, said Community Planning and Development Director Noel Anderson. It would basically hamper the amount of financial ability that we have in these areas to develop for business growth, he added. Were not sure we could meet current debt payments in the TIF areas. The citys standard economic development incentive package includes rebating 50 percent of the taxes a new project pays to the business itself. If the city kicked the other half of those taxes out of the TIF it would have no money left to buy land, install infrastructure or have additional bargaining power for a blue chip prospect. Waterloo TIF burdens high despite tax release WATERLOO The city isnt ready to put one of its sharpest economic development tools back i Chief Financial Officer Michelle Weidner said cutting TIF use alone would not help lower a homeowners tax bill. I think it may actually increase residential taxes unless we also choose not to expand, not to add businesses, not to add jobs, Weidner said. That is a choice you would also be making. You could always choose to not use TIF, she said. We could have all our taxpayers participate in the cost of getting a new business here rather than confining it to the TIF district and having it come out of that business taxes. The city of Waterloo has seven TIF districts throughout the community, which have a combined debt of $66 million as of June 30, 2017, based on reports approved Monday. The districts are generating about $8 million in increment property taxes annually to pay off the existing debt and pay for new projects. The second reading of the ordinance renewing undeveloped land in the Northeast Industrial and San Marnan TIFs is slated for next week. WATERLOO Aftermath from the sale of the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center and a heated campaign spilled into the Waterloo City Council chambers Monday. Councilman Tom Lind called for the city to retain a special counsel to investigate the sale of the building to Leslie Hospitality and said two councilmen endorsed by the developer should abstain from voting. I think, because none of us in this room can be objective anymore, we need a special counsel to simply review the development agreement and all the supporting documents and give us advice on whether this is a good deal or if it needs to be tweaked, Lind said. I just want to make sure this developer can perform, he said. We based our decision on his success in Omaha, which if I understand he lost the hotel and the convention center. Thats not a very good track record. Tom Lind calls for probe into Sullivan sale WATERLOO City Councilman Tom Lind is calling for a review of the downtown convention cente The comments drew rebukes from Mayor Quentin Hart and Chief Financial Officer Michelle Weidner, who said Lind was misrepresenting both the development agreement and the project in Omaha. If he cannot perform, the development agreement protects the city against that, Hart said. Weidner added, Before we accuse our developer of failing we should probably make sure that is accurate information. Lind said his call for an investigation was based on an Omaha World Herald report that Century-Omaha Land of South Dakota had sued Leslie Hospitality over a $40 million renovation of The Hotel RL and adjacent Coco Key Water Resort and Omaha Convention and Conference Center. Century-Omaha Land and Leslie Hospitality had been partners in the project and traded accusations in court documents that each side had failed to perform as required. The matter was settled confidentially out of court and the hotel and convention center remain in business. Sullivans sale OK'd again in Waterloo WATERLOO The full City Council is now behind the sale and renovation of the Five Sullivan Waterloo council members voted Aug. 29 to approve an agreement giving the convention center and $1 million to Leslie Hospitality in return for a $6 million renovation. Leslie Hospitality is acquiring the adjacent Ramada Hotel from a private owner and will receive tax rebates for its renovation. Lind voted for the development agreement but had been critical of the sale process, which prompted Leslie Hospitality president Edwin Leslie to file an open records request seeking Linds correspondence during the process. Lind also was criticized during the campaign about his handling of the convention center deal and was soundly defeated in the Nov. 7 election by Sharon Juon, who will replace him in January. Emails reveal rifts over convention center sale WATERLOO The Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center sale is still being debated in City The meeting turned sour when Lind reiterated his request to vote on hiring a special counsel next week, adding by the way, Mr. Morrissey and Mr. Powers would have to abstain because they have serious conflicts of interest. Leslie posted a Facebook advertisement just before the election that endorsed incumbent Councilmen Pat Morrissey and Tom Powers as well as Juon. It looks like pay to play for me, Lind said. It was rewarding the votes. Morrissey took issue with the characterization. Shame on you for making an accusation that is totally false, Morrissey said. I did not seek out anything from anybody from the Leslie group. If somebody chooses to support me then they choose to support me. It was unclear whether Linds request to hire a special counsel will be on next weeks agenda. Fireworks store set to reopen WATERLOO Northeast Iowans who want fireworks for Christmas will be able to buy them from local outlets soon. Crossroads Fireworks announced it will begin selling fireworks Dec. 10. It is located next IHOP in front of Crossroads Center mall. Hours will be 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sign-up open for holiday program WATERLOO St.Vincent dePaul is accepting applications for the Christmas program. They will be signing up those who are in need of a food box or toys for children age 12 and younger. Signees are to bring a photo ID, Social Security cards for all members in household, proof of income and birth certificates for all children younger than 12. Signees are not allowed to sign up for another agency to be eligible, and they must be from Black Hawk County. Sign up is every day except Fridays at 320 Broadway St. Call the store, 232-3366, for times. The last day to sign up is Dec. 9. The giveaway will be 8 a.m. to 1:39 p.m. Dec. 16 at the Pavilion on the National Cattle Congress grounds. 5 scholarships to be awarded DES MOINES Keep Iowa Beautiful will award five $1,000 scholarships to Iowa high school seniors in 2018. Students who plan to enroll in an Iowa college or university to study environmental science, community development, landscape architecture or architecture (historical emphasis) or community planning and sustainability are eligible to apply. Keep Iowa Beautiful was established in 2000 by Robert D. Ray and Donald F. Lamberti. For more information or to apply go to www.keepiowabeautiful.com/grants/byers. Applications are due Jan. 5. Health care topic of forum CEDAR FALLS A panel will speak on U.S. Health Care on the Edge: Issues and Alternatives to the U.S. Health Care System from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday at University Book and Supply in Cedar Falls. Speakers are Francis Degnin, associate professor at UNI and medical ethics consultant, and family physician Dr. Jim Young. The event is free and open to the public and is sponsored by the bookstore and UNIs American Democracy Project. Reprinted from the Fort Dodge Messenger Nov. 13. Some politicians seek federal office in part so they can live an extravagant lifestyle paid for by American taxpayers. U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst is determined to curtail that type of self-serving behavior. Thats why the Iowa Republican has just introduced legislation that would eliminate a tax break federal lawmakers crafted to benefit themselves. Iowans sent me to Congress to make Washington, D.C. squeal and that includes eliminating handouts to politicians, Ernst said. To achieve the ultimate goal of lowering tax rates for hardworking families and businesses, Congress is going to have to eliminate various loopholes and deductions in our outdated tax code. Congress should lead by example and offer up its own unnecessary tax break. With that in mind, she is promoting the Stop Questionable, Unnecessary, and Excessive Allowances for Legislators Act, also known as the SQUEAL Act. If it becomes law, this proposal would eliminate a provision of the tax code that allows members of Congress to deduct, for income tax purposes, up to $3,000 annually in living expenses while in the Washington, D.C. area. While this part of the tax code isnt hugely expensive, it is typical of the thousands of special provisions that have been added to our nations tax laws to advantage people who have influence with lawmakers. Collectively, they make our tax laws thousands of pages long, waste taxes people pay and produce a tax system that almost no one believes to be fair. Ernsts proposal is a small step in the right direction. Its adoption by the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives would show that the members of these bodies are serious about reforming our tax system to make it both fairer and less wasteful. The Messenger applauds Ernsts initiative. This legislation demonstrates Ernst views the pledges she made during her campaign for office as commitments to be pursued vigorously. Thats an example we wish more of her colleagues in Washington would emulate. UNITED STATES Despite oil prices hovering some $80 a barrel below all-time highs, the push to build new pipelines to bring petroleum to refineries, and then to market continues to make headlines. Most every major pipeline proposed in recent years has been met with some level of resistance by environmentalists, on the ground or in the courts. Two Pagans, each of whom has been engaged on one of those fronts, spoke about what theyre fighting for and the challenges faced in opposing oil pipelines. When attorney Robin Martinez was interviewed in 2015, the future of the Keystone XL Pipeline was uncertain; President Obama announced in November of that year that the pipeline was being rejected for a variety of reasons . Martinez was representing a coalition of groups in South Dakota opposing the pipeline locally. Their case was that the state permit, issued in 2010, had essentially already expired. That local case took on renewed urgency when President Trump cleared the way for the pipeline to be built. Pipeline owner TransCanadas legal team succeeded in convincing regulatory authorities that all the conditions imposed on granting the permit in 2010 were still being complied with, and this determination was upheld by a lower court. Now, that court decision is being appealed. In South Dakota, agricultural and indigenous interests are aligned. Martinez represents Dakota Rural Action in a case that also includes four Sioux tribes. While hes not licensed in Nebraska, he is also advising attorneys in that state, where a new route for the Keystone XL was recently approved. That approval is a lot more complicated for TransCanada, Martinez said. Regulators in Nebraska did provide a path, but not the one being sought. In a 3-2 vote, a longer route, which is farther to the east than the proposed one, was authorized by Nebraska Public Service Commission members. Now, they have to negotiate easements with a new set of landowners, and if some of them dont agree, pursue eminent domain in the courts. I cant imagine [landowners] will be too keen on that, considering the spill from Keystone 1 in South Dakota, Martinez said. Its starting to sink in that land can be at risk. Should some withhold permission, the question becomes whether eminent domain can be used to benefit a private project. Another possible issue with the new route is whether or not it will entail a new environmental impact statement. TransCanada attorneys will likely push to simply update the old one, but thats likely to be opposed under the National Environmental Policy Act, he said. In South Dakota, Martinez and others are arguing that the permit was extended without a thorough review. They also want regulators to be held to the standard of upholding the public trust, under which natural resources are considered jointly owned by members of the public. In the past its been applied to parks, and this would be a novel interpretation of the doctrine. Martinez said in 2015, One thing I never want to lose sight of is that this is a life or death matter for them. . . . Theyre the ones that would bear the brunt if something were to go wrong. Thats the physical nature of pipeline slicing through those states, and what might happen to water resources in that region in the event of a breach. Today, he says his clients are prepared for a long fight, and will never accede to that slicing and dicing of their lands. Pipelines pose far too much danger to land and water to allow more of them to be built. However, Ive got a lot of trepidation, with the current administration trying to criminalize dissent. If [Keystone XL] does get built, youll see protests mobilize across South Dakota and Nebraska in opposition, Martinez speculates. People are still trying to digest the lessons from dealing the DAPL, the Dakota Access Pipeline. Its in the wake of those protests, centered at Standing Rock, that state lawmakers first started trying to limit those rights; Martinez is concerned that the trend is expanding to the federal level. It was, in fact, at Standing Rock that Druid Casey McCarthy provided support to those pipeline protestors, the first of which were, similar to those in South Dakota, members of native tribes. I was aware before a lot of people were, he said, and through contacts he made at the Pine Hill reservation, he was able to distribute needed supplies to protestors. We took a convoy of three vehicles, stuffed to the brim with supplies, he recalled. Some time later, McCarthy came back with more, this time supported by Mountain Ancestors Grove of the ADF, a group he once helped run. This was after media attention began its focuse on the situation in September, 2016, and he found that the changes to the camp were astounding. The camp was a total wreck, he recalls. There had been an influx of white people who totally trashed the camp and land. There was garbage everywhere, they were getting high a lot, and it was so bad natives were saying they were not actually helping, but there to take a selfie. They werent doing their part. In what he called an interesting contrast of realities, McCarthy witnessed native people praying, crying, and holding ceremonies while the newcomers treated it like a festival. They wanted the I partied at Standing Rock t-shirt, while others were being treated for bullet wounds, beaten with batons, getting attacked by dogs, and being horribly traumatized. McCarthy is a mental health professional who has worked with combat veterans, and said that the trauma experienced by front-line protestors at Standing Rock were on par with that caused by war. Considering the protestors, McCarthy did moderate his language somewhat. Not all white people are terrible, and some were allies, but there was a dichotomy. The indigenous people told me that this was nothing new. McCarthy feels that Pagans in particular owe more to Native Americans, since reciprocity is a common value and, as he says, weve taken a lot from their cultures, and were not doing very much in return. Hes mindful that extreme elements of the right wing also draw from the Pagan pool, but added, We need to stop being afraid to rise up. In the long run, economics may be a bigger factor in these battles than politics or religion, but thats not a gamble activists wish to make. Martinez says many believe Keystone XL will never get built, because the price of oil is unlikely to rise high enough to offset the cost of refining bitumen extracted from Alberta tar sands.Theres also more oil in Venezuela than Saudi Arabia, and if turmoil in that nation eases it would be cheaper to put that in tankers than to build pipelines. This development would relieve many of the people he speaks with, including one Nebraska farmer who said to him, This is just plumbing, and plumbing leaks. past daily news Sep 13 (1) Sep 09 (15) Sep 06 (12) Sep 04 (10) Sep 03 (10) Aug 31 (17) Aug 29 (14) Aug 26 (13) Aug 22 (11) Aug 21 (12) Aug 19 (21) Aug 14 (6) Aug 13 (10) Aug 10 (10) Aug 08 (9) Aug 07 (10) Aug 06 (10) Aug 05 (8) Aug 03 (8) Aug 02 (7) Aug 01 (7) Jul 31 (14) Jul 29 (1) Jul 27 (7) Jul 25 (5) Jul 24 (10) Jul 22 (11) Jul 19 (16) Jul 17 (6) Jul 16 (10) Jul 15 (13) Jul 12 (7) Jul 11 (5) Jul 10 (8) Jul 08 (8) Jul 07 (3) Jul 06 (5) Jul 05 (8) Jul 04 (11) Jul 03 (8) Jul 02 (7) Jul 01 (5) Jun 30 (8) Jun 28 (7) Jun 27 (8) Jun 26 (7) Jun 25 (8) Jun 24 (6) Jun 23 (6) Jun 22 (9) Jun 20 (5) Jun 19 (9) Jun 18 (8) Jun 15 (9) Jun 13 (13) Jun 11 (11) Jun 09 (19) Jun 06 (10) Jun 04 (10) Jun 03 (8) Jun 01 (6) May 31 (5) May 30 (5) May 29 (6) May 28 (7) May 27 (7) May 26 (6) May 25 (4) May 23 (6) May 22 (6) May 21 (4) May 20 (7) May 19 (9) 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29 (1) Oct 01 (1) Jul 29 (1) May 11 (1) Jul 11 (1) A UN plane carrying desperately needed vaccines landed in the rebel-held Yemeni capital on Saturday after coalition forces partly lifted the blockade. As UN officials continue to warn about Yemen's famine, the first shipment in three weeks carrying food aid arrived at the rebel-controlled Red Sea port of Saleef in western Yemen located nearly 70 kilometers north of the key port of Hodeida a United Nations official stated, according to AFP. RELATED: UN Compromises on Investigation of War Crimes in Yemen The vessel carried nearly 25,000 tons of wheat, which will be offloaded early on Monday, Abeer Etefa, a spokesperson for the World Food Programme (WFP) for the Middle East and North Africa region, said. Etefa added, "strong winds" were delaying the offloading process by one day. The region heavily depends on imported grains. Hodeida port, which is the main port that receives UN-supervised deliveries of food and medicine, was facing a blockade earlier this month when a Saudi-led coalition fighting Iran-backed Houthi rebels imposed a blockade on Yemeni land and sea ports in response to a missile fired by the Houthis. On Friday, the UN humanitarian affairs office was given clearance to resume flights into Sanaa by the coalition, but the relief shipments to Hodeida port remain blocked. "The ship in Hodeida is for traders. The one in Saleef is for WFP," the deputy head of Hodeida port, Yahya Sharafeddine, told AFP, confirming that a "commercial" vessel had docked on the port. A UN plane carrying desperately needed vaccines landed in the rebel-held Yemeni capital on Saturday after coalition forces partly lifted the blockade, following warnings that thousands of people could die. Amid the crippling blockade, nearly 11 million children in the war-torn country are in desperate need of aid, according to the UN Advocacy groups in the region which warned that the humanitarian aids received can only cover a small amount of the which is needed. Nearly 8,600 people have been killed and 2,000 have died owing to the devastating war. Nov 28, 2017 | By Benedict Defense giant BAE Systems and lifting specialist Asco Industries have signed an agreement to collaborate on additive manufacturing technology as part of the UK government-backed Eurofighter Typhoon offer, which could replace Belgiums fleet of 54 F-16 aircraft. Since making public its decision to replace 54 of its aging F-16 aircraft earlier this year, the European country of Belgium has been fought over by rival bidders looking to become Belgiums new supplier of fighter jets. Back in March, Belgium put out a Request for Government Proposals (RfGP), challenging interested parties to put forward a tempting proposal for a new fleet of jets. The contenders included the Boeing Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale, Lockheed F-35, and Saab Gripen. Of those four, only the Lockheed F-35 remains a serious contender, but another candidate is the Eurofighter Typhoon, a twin-engine multirole fighter developed by Alenia Aermacchi (Leonardo), Airbus, and BAE Systems. The Eurofigher offer is backed by the British government. Initially, it was rumoured that the U.S.-made Lockheed F-35 was the clear favourite to become Belgiums next fighter jet (some even contended that the competition was rigged in Lockheeds favor), but the contest now appears to be wide open, allowing Eurofighter Typhoon to show off its capabilities. Helping the Eurofighters case is a new agreement between BAE and Asco Industries that will see the two companies collaborating on advanced manufacturing and engineering technologies to improve the Typhoon. The agreement, signed at Ascos headquarters in Zaventem, Flanders, concerns the exploration of 3D printing, composite materials and processes, and other areas of advanced manufacturing and engineering technology. What this means for the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft in particular is potential new airframe manufacturing processes and assembliesfactors that could eventually sway Belgiums decision in Eurofighters favor. The signing of the new agreement was overseen by the UKs Minister for Defence Procurement, Harriett Baldwin MP, who outlined the British Governments offer to Belgium. The offer is supported by other Eurofighter nations: Germany, Italy, and Spain. Should the Eurofighter Typhoon offer be selected over the Lockheed F-35, the Eurofighter group would establish two National Innovation Centres in Belgium, a decision that was reached by BAE, Airbus Defence & Space, Leonardo, and MBDA on October 26. With this latest agreement in place, it seems likely that Asco would become another contributor to these centers, one of which would be in Flanders, the other in Wallonia. The centers would become a hub for additive manufacturing research, as well as exploration of other advanced manufacturing technologies. Anthony Gregory, Campaign Director for Belgium at BAE Systems, commented that the Eurofighter nations and partner companies are fully committed to supporting the Essential Security Interests identified by Belgium, including advanced manufacturing. Final offers to the Belgian air force are due by February 2018, with 34 new aircraft expected to be delivered by the winning candidate between 2023 and 2030, at a rate of four or five aircraft per year. Belgiums budget for the F-16 replacement program is around 3.573 billion euros ($4.25 billion). Posted in 3D Printer Company Maybe you also like: Jacob Abolafia in LA Review of Books: At the very center of his mid-career masterpiece The Counterlife, Philip Roth depicts an argument between the novels narrator, Nathan Zuckerman, and its protagonist, his brother Henry, who has ended up living on a hillside in the West Bank, the follower of a Kahane-like radical named Lippman. Henry, furious at his brother over the portrayal of his family in a revealing Portnoy-like novel, exits the novel with the assertion that What matters isnt Momma and Poppa and the kitchen table, it isnt any of that crap you write aboutits who runs Judea! What Roth recognized, and pursued even further in the opera buffa of Operation Shylock, is that parallel to the existence of desire, repression, lust, and fulfillment (painted and repainted in different textures and under different lighting in each his novels) runs a second track of American Jewish experience. Certain solutions to the problems his characters faced, certain urges they might have been asked (and failed) to master, would have led them not to a bedroom in New Jersey, but to a hilltop in Samaria. Roths great breakthrough was to suggest that the Americans in the moonscape of an Israeli settlement were not an alien species (as Israelis in American fiction from Bellow to Joshua Cohen can tend to be) they were the actualization of a potential that every member of their generation shared. By studying the American Jew in Israel, Roth is really studying the nature of the American Jew in America. This is an important point, and one missed by Roths lesser epigones. The move to Israel is not an existential escape it is an existential response to the fundamental forces at work in American Jewish life. Save some very literal coin and stress. San Francisco is notorious for leaving drivers with white knuckles and spent attention spans as they circle the block for tenth or so time, scanning the landscape like turkey vultures, just waiting and hoping and praying for that one SmartCar to finally leave. In fact, the average San Franciscan spends upwards of 20 hours a year in search of that looking for that aforementioned, elusive space of open curbside concrete. So, because we believe sharing is, indeed, caring, we've circled-up some of the best (and cheapest) swaths of parking in San Francisco for your advantage. 30+ Spots Along Azna St., Between 14th and 30th There's a certain bliss that washes over you when you stumble across dozens of (usually) open, easily accessible parking spots. And that's exactly what you'll feel come over you when driving along Azna Street any given early morning of afternoon, courtesy of copious free 2-hour Monday-Friday parking spots, available for the taking. // Azna St., between 14th and 30th (Richmond District), sfmta.com Pro tip: A little birdy told us that the area's parking limit is strictly enforced; weekends are, however, free game. 4 Spots Between King St and 3rd St. A handful of cheap street side parking spots can be found right in the heart of SoMaand at no more than $1.75 an hour during the workday, it's a steal for the neighborhood as a whole. Be sure your parallel parking skills are somewhat dusted off before attempting to slide in; these spots are a bit on top of one another. // King St. and 3rd St. (China Basin), sfmta.com Pro tip: From 6:00pm to 10:00pm, it's only $0.50 per-hour; after that time slot, as well as on the weekends, parking is free. 18 Spots on Sansome St., Between Green St. and Union St. One of the handful of few free spots nestled in Telegraph Hill, these dozen-plus un-metered parking slots are downtown gems, free of charge between 8:00am to 9:00pm. Because they're so sought after, they, without fault, usually fill-up before most 9-to-5s beginso early bird gets the proverbial worm. // Sansome St., between Green St. and Union St. (Telegraph Hill), sfmta.com Pro tip:These spots, while free, are only available for 2-hours max parking endeavours. After that, you may well come out to find your car towed to no-man's land. 47 spots Buena Vista Ave. West, Right Off Haight St. By far one of SF's greatest kept public parking secretes, Buena Vista Avenue West is a bastion for frugal street-side parking, specifically right-off Haigh St. So, if you're looking to enjoy a weekend (or weekday) park lunch, but aren't too keen on dropping a Franklin for leaving your car unattendedthen look no further than this strip of free parking, Monday through Sunday. // Buena Vista Ave. West off Haight St. (Haight-Ashbury), sfmta.com Pro tip: These are quite steep in nature; your parking brake is your best friend here. 20 Spots on Noe St., Between Hill St. and 22nd St. The one of only two free parking areas found anywhere on Noe St., swoop in and claim one of these 20 spots before gallivanting about in Dolores Heights. While these are unmetered, a 2-hour max stay is only allowed between 8:00am and 9:00pm. // Noe St., between Hill St. and 22nd St. (Dolores Heights), sfmta.com Pro tip:When parking, be sure you're not blocking-off any residential or commercial garges; keep a hawk's-eye out for the red painted curb markers. 20 Spots on Noe St., Between Ford St. and 18th St. The second of the two free parking areas along Noe St., the same restriction apply to those we have listed above. Better yet, these marked-off parking spots run in parallel with some of The Castro's foremost popular attractions, such as The Castro Theatre and Reveille Coffee Company. // Noe St., between Ford St. and 18th St. (The Castro), sfmta.com Pro tip:After 9pm, the 2-hour time restriction is lifted, so you can enjoy your late-night dinner without towing or ticketing woes that may loom over your dessert order. 2 Spots Bryant St., Right Off 4th St. $0.50 an hour parking in SoMa? Say no more; we're here for it. // Bryant St., right off 4th St. (SoMa), sfmta.com Pro tip: These two spots are adjacent to the Philz Coffee located on Bryant St., just when you veer off 4th. 12+ Spots Along Beacon St. What are, arguably, the most scenic slices of street parking anywhere in the city, this baker's dozen or so of open parking nooks border Billy Goat hill, offering prepossessing, birds-eye views of the ubiquitous San Francisco Bay. Weekday availability is usually quite good, although weekend findings are notably scarce. // Beacon St. (Noe Valley), sfmta.com Pro tip: After you've engaged the e-brake, feel free to prance around the newly renovated hillside. 15 Spots Along Gorgas Ave. Yes, it's true: you can find free parking in the Presidio. Hidden along Gorgas Ave., shouldering Palace of Fine Arts, there are a handful of these white-sided, curbside unicorns promptly situated within walking distance of the aforementioned theatre. // Gorgas Ave. (Presidio), sfmta.com Pro tip: Between 8am to 6pm, these spots are metered at a nominal rate of $1.75, with a max stay of three hoursbut are completely free and unrestricted after or before that. 2 Spots Between Jackson St. and FIllmore St. Yes, they're may be only two spots available at the intersection of Jackson and Fillmorebut they're, by far, the cheapest metered spots within a mile each way of Pacific Heights. While streetside parking is slotted at $3.75 and $4.25 an hour is common in the area, these two easter eggs only boast $0.75 hour rates. // Jackson St. and Fillmore St. (Pacific Heights), sfmta.com Pro tip:There, too, is no max stay at these spotsso rid your weighted pocket change and stay all day, should you wish. Distribution of company announcements to the professional platforms, finance portals and syndication of important corporate news to a wide variety of news aggregators and financial news systems. Successful Completion of Yangibana DFS and Executive Summary Sydney, Nov 28, 2017 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Hastings Technology Metals Limited ( ASX:HAS ) (Hastings or the Company) is pleased to announce the release of its Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) for the Yangibana Rare Earths Project (the Project) in Western Australia. The Project will produce a Mixed Rare Earths Carbonate (MREC) rich in Neodymium (Nd) and Praseodymium (Pr), critical materials used in the manufacture of permanent magnets, which are found in electrical components of many new technology products, from electric vehicles (EV), renewable energy wind turbines and electronic consumer products. Highlights - The Yangibana resource (21 million tonnes, JORC Code 2012) will support an initial mine life of 8 years on 100% held ground with further scope to expand production and extend the life of mine - The Project has an after-tax net present value of A$466 million at a discount rate of 8%, an internal rate of return of 78% and a payback period of 2.3 years - Probable Reserves (JORC Code 2012) of 5.15 million tonnes on 100% owned ground - The Yangibana Project has one of the highest known Neodymium (Nd) & Praseodymium (Pr) to TREO Ratios of 41% - Nd-Pr metallurgical recovery of 75.6% achieved in metallurgical pilot test plant - Plan to produce up to 15,000 tons per annum of Mixed Rare Earths Carbonate on site in Yangibana - Pre-production capital expenditure of A$335 million and operating costs of A$17.06/kg TREO (US$12.8/kg) - Three off take MoUs signed with customers in China representing 40% of production volume - Native Title Agreement signed for the entire tenement area of 650sqkm covering all rare earths minerals mined and sold The DFS demonstrates attractive economics using conservative price projections for the key rare earths of Nd-Pr which the company anticipates will have solid demand based on the strong trending growth of EV and wind turbines in particular, as well as other technological innovations. The DFS furthermore demonstrated the technical viability of the Yangibana flow sheet. The DFS has made significant improvements against the operating cost estimated during the Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) completed in June 2016, with a total DFS operating cost of A$142 million per annum compared against a PFS operating cost of A$202 million per annum. This represents a reduction of 30% in operating costs from the PFS stage. The capital expenditure (CAPEX) of A$335 million has improved significantly when compared to the PFS, with the DFS CAPEX now approximately 20% lower than at PFS stage. The DFS calculations are based on the Maiden JORC Ore Reserves of 5.15 million tonnes at 1.12% Total Rare Earths Oxide (TREO) for the first six years of operations, along with a Production Target for years 7 and 8 based on additional JORC Measured and Indicated Resources. All the Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources included in the DFS lie within tenements owned 100% by Hastings covering an area of approximately 50sqkm out of a total tenement area of 650sqkm. The Probable Ore Reserves at Bald Hill and Fraser's deposits are based on the JORC Resources shown in Tables 1 and 2 (see link below), that form part of the Total Yangibana Project resources as announced on 22nd November 2017 that total 21.0 million tonnes. Apparent discrepancies might appear due to rounding. The Modifying Factors used to estimate the Ore Reserves are provided in Table 1 (see link below) Section 4 of the JORC Code (2012). 68% of the initial 8-year operating life underpinned by Ore Reserves. The Mining focus is high ore recovery and conventional drill and blasting methods will be employed. The Project is comprised of three main rock types: - The upper horizon is a saprolite, this does not require blasting. - The lower weathered and fresh granite horizons require blasting. - Ironstone (not all of which is ore), RC grade control drilling is required. The ore dips at between 10 and 45 degrees and varies in thickness between 1m and 20m at Frasers and 1m and 30m at Bald Hill, with an average thickness of 4m. The ore zone (ironstone) is visually distinct from the host rock, providing some control for ore identification. RC grade control drilling will be done on a 10m x 10m grid, prior to ore delineation. Selective blasting and mining around the ore zones are designed to remove the hanging-wall as cleanly as possible to expose the ore. The ore is then mined to the footwall contact using selective mining. Due to the high value of the ore, a high ore recovery is the focus of mining. As such, a 50cm skin of dilution is added to the ore mined to enable a 98% ore recovery assumption. The ground water at Frasers has a pre-mining static level at 309 metres reduced level (mRL) is 45m below the mining surface and at Bald Hill the pre-mining static level is at 309 mRL and is 45m below the mining surface. Pits will be dewatered ahead of mining using bores to provide a dewatered rock mass at no more than 8 litres per sec pumped from each pit. Stormwater will be managed in pit using sumps and consider pumping up to 10 litres per sec pumped from sumps in each pit. Waste from each pit is stored in adjacent waste dumps. Some of the Bald Hill pit is backfilled to minimise haulage distances. Ore is transferred either directly to the Run-Of-Mine (ROM) pad, or to a low-grade stockpile, with the mining trucks (as the distance travelled is reasonably low). Pit optimisations were completed to determine the economic mining limits for each deposit. Only Measured and Indicated Resources were considered for processing. Pits were then designed in stages to enable higher grades to be targeted and waste extraction to be deferred. Both Bald Hill and Frasers are approximately 125m deep. The main Bald Hill pit is approximately 1,100m long and 600m wide. The Frasers pit is approximately 600 m long and 250m wide. The waste dumps are located to minimise haulage distances and were constrained by lease boundaries (Bald Hill) and water courses. The Bald Hill dump covers an area of 100 hectares (ha), and the Frasers dump is 86ha. The Company has completed extensive metallurgical testwork culminating in pilot plant tests on a composite sample of material from Bald Hill and Fraser's. This testwork has defined a route entailing crush, grind, flotation, acid bake with water leach and precipitation of a Mixed Rare Earths Concentrate. The key parameters are shown in Table 3 (see link below). All environmental studies and approvals processing are progressing as required. The cut-off grade for the project was determined based on calculating revenue, selling and processing costs on a block-by-block (diluted) basis. Blocks with revenue greater than the sum of the processing and selling costs were considered to be above cut-off. Based on the resources in Tables 1 and 2 (see link below) and the Modifying Factors, Snowden has estimated the Probable Ore Reserves as shown in Table 4 (see link below). Financial evaluation provides the outcome as shown in Table 5 (see link below). The shallow mineralisation at Yangibana is amenable to standard open pit mining consisting of conventional drilling and blasting, operated by mining contractors. The project is designed to bring approximately 1 million tonnes per annum of ore to the Run Of Mine (ROM) pad where the flowsheet process begins. Early stages comprise comminution and beneficiation, resulting in a beneficiated concentrate upgrade by 20 times from the ROM ore, as demonstrated through the DFS, to a 25% TREO concentrate. This concentrate is further processed downstream through a hydrometallurgical process that involves acid bake, water leaching, impurity removal and precipitation to produce up to 15,000 tpa of MREC. The MREC will contain up to 3,400 tpa of neodymium oxide (Nd2O3) + praseodymium oxide (Pr6O11) representing 41% of contained TREO. Hastings will sell this Nd2O3+Pr6O11 rich MREC to rare earths oxides separators or other customers further along the rare earth supply chain. Mr. Charles Lew, Executive Chairman of Hastings, said, "We are very pleased that the DFS demonstrates the Yangibana project to be economically and technically viable and Hastings is focused on becoming the second source of Nd-Pr supply from Australia. We have already signed three MOUs with Chinese customers and we have ongoing discussions to sell our MREC to customers worldwide." He continued, "The DFS has gone a long way to de-risk the Yangibana Project. We have importantly demonstrated to our shareholders and customers that we can produce a Nd-Pr rich MREC in Australia, while at the same time gathering important processing data points to proceed to the next stage with the design and development of the Yangibana Project. We will now turn our focus on some early stage infrastructure work, obtaining the remaining permits and approvals and securing the financing to undertake the Project. With the increasing sales of EV, Hastings is well positioned to capture a piece of this massive market where there is a strong demand for permanent magnets to make electric motors." Recently a number of countries announced policy targets to replace fossil-fuel vehicles with EV over the next decade, and with the innovation in electric motors utilising permanent magnets, the International Energy Agency expects an increase in electric vehicle numbers of between 120 - 200 million by 2030 from 2 million at the end of 2016. Hastings anticipates that these trends will underpin the solid demand for Nd-Pr and its production at Yangibana. DFS Outcomes The Project is estimated to generate annual sales revenue of A$379 million, an NPV of A$466 million (discount rate of 8%), an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 78% and a 2.3-year payback. These project economics provide a compelling case for an economically viable project. Revenue streams are highly dependent on Nd-Pr prices - accounting for 85-90% of projected revenue. Together with Dy-Tb, the Nd-Pr-Dy-Tb contribution accounts for 92% of revenue generation. The Company will continue to work on identifying areas where capital expenditure can be further reduced. Significant gains have been achieved on operating expenses, with a reduction of 30% achieved from the PFS. With estimated annual operating expenses at A$142 million per year, the average operating cost for the project is A$17.0/kg TREO (US$12.8/kg), including all fixed and variable costs. The DFS financial model assumes an average long-term US$/A$ exchange rate of US$0.75 and price forecasts from 2017 to 2027 for rare earths prices from Argus Media, an independent provider of price information, market data and business intelligence for the global resource industry. Hastings anticipates an increase in some of the key rare earths prices, especially Nd-Pr over the next decade. The price rises seen in 2017 demonstrate that the Chinese authorities are having a degree of success in shutting down illegal production in China and Hastings expects the emphasis on sustainable production to continue in China and be supportive of Nd-Pr prices. Next Steps With the conclusion of the DFS, Hastings' management has a number of key focus areas. The company will continue working towards the completion of the remaining permits and approvals, co-ordinating the process by utilising the Lead-Agency Project (LAP) status that the project has been granted by the Western Australian state government. The Yangibana project is not only a high priority for the rare earth and clean energy industries, but also to the local Gascoyne community eagerly anticipating both direct and in-direct work opportunities. Management's objective is to work to ensure a smooth process to commence production by late 2019. Design and procurement activities will also commence in line with the development timeline as outlined in the DFS. Early work on infrastructure and the preparation of the site around Yangibana is expected to commence after the rainy season in March/April 2018. The company will now focus on the remaining fund raising necessary to complete the project. Hastings is confident that following the release of the DFS, it will be able to secure the required funds to commence construction of the production plant. The Project's economics and financials as reported in the DFS are compelling and strong interest is expected from investors and financiers, given that the rare earth products from Yangibana will be used in renewable and clean energy technologies that have been identified as a strong growth sector. Based in Australia, with a AAA/Aaa sovereign credit rating, high corporate governance and a solid history of successful mining projects, Yangibana offers strategic value to downstream customers in the rare earths supply-chain both in China and outside of China. Hastings currently has a market capitalisation of approximately A$230m, with A$18m in the bank and no debt. It has a track record of raising A$46m of equity capital since May 2014 and is confident that it will continue to be able to raise the remaining equity capital needed for the Project's capital costs. The company has also undertaken discussions with financial institutions since the completion of the PFS in June 2016, and these discussions will proceed to more formal levels once these institutions have access to the completed DFS. Presently the DFS anticipates a debt-to-equity split of 65%-35%, however this ratio may change depending on advancing negotiations including terms and conditions of loan facilities. Any change in the debt-to-equity ratio may impact the dilution realised by current and future equity investors and will change the overall cost of capital for the Company. Government agencies in AAA/Aaa sovereign jurisdictions with a mandate to promote renewable and clean energy technologies have indicated interest to provide credit support and/or fund part of the Yangibana Project. Hastings has had discussions with these parties and further progression of these discussions will follow with the release of the DFS. To view tables and figures, please visit: http://abnnewswire.net/lnk/8653834K About Hastings Technology Metals Ltd Hastings Technology Metals Ltd (ASX:HAS) (FRA:5AM) is advancing its Yangibana Rare Earths Project in the Upper Gascoyne Region of Western Australia towards production. The proposed beneficiation and hydro metallurgy processing plant will treat rare earths deposits, predominantly monazite, hosting high neodymium and praseodymium contents to produce a mixed rare earths carbonate that will be further refined into individual rare earth oxides at processing plants overseas. Neodymium and praseodymium are vital components in the manufacture of permanent magnets which is used in a wide and expanding range of advanced and high-tech products including electric vehicles, wind turbines, robotics, medical applications and others. Hastings aims to become the next significant producer of neodymium and praseodymium outside of China. Hastings holds 100% interest in the most significant deposits within the overall project, and 70% interest in additional deposits that will be developed at a later date, all held under Mining Leases. Numerous prospects have been identified warranting detailed exploration to further extend the life of the project. Brockman Project The Brockman deposit, near Halls Creek in Western Australia, contains JORC Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources, estimated using the guidelines of JORC Code (2012 Edition). The Company is also progressing a Mining Lease application over the Brockman Rare Earths and Rare Metals Project. Hastings aims to capitalise on the strong demand for critical rare earths created by the expanding demand for new technology products. Chapman Freeborn Airchartering is pleased to announce the appointment of David De Clercq to the position of charter sales manager for France. In his newly-created position, Paris-based De Clercq will help to oversee the expansion of Chapman Freeborns cargo charter and on board courier (OBC) client base working in close cooperation with the companys long-established team in Belgium and offices worldwide. De Clercq, who has already started in his new role, brings 15 years of aviation experience to the company having previously held positions at companies including CityJet, Flightcare and Jetairfly. His most recent role before joining Chapman Freeborn was as a senior cargo charter account manager with a Paris-based charter company. Chris Vandenplas, regional manager, said: We are delighted David is bringing his expertise to Chapman Freeborn. Our cargo team in Belgium has been serving French clients for a number of years but Davids excellent reputation and knowledge of the local charter market will help us to open new doors. The appointment of David De Clercq represents a further strengthening of Chapman Freeborns offering in the region. Earlier this year Chapman Freeborns business in Belgium celebrated 20 years of charter success. The office which recently relocated to Bruges first opened at Ostend Airport in 1997 and initially served as an operational unit to support the wider groups international cargo charter projects. The team then successfully branched out and developed its own local client portfolio to become a leading aircraft charter specialist serving clients across the Benelux region and France. A grenade attack against French forces late Monday in capital Ouagadougou left three civilians wounded shortly before visiting French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in the West African country, reports say. Two hooded men on a motorbike threw a grenade at a French military vehicle in the capital few hours before the French leader was due to address audience at University of Ouagadougou. Three civilians were wounded in the attack. The attackers managed to flee the scene. No group claimed responsibility for the attack. President Macron picked Burkina Faso as the opening leg of his first African tour to take him to Cote dIvoire and Ghana. Burkina is an emblem of the democratic aspirations of Africas youth, he said on arriving. The French leader is on a seduction mission to try to win over anti-France sentiment that has grown in the country and cross the francophone region because of Pariss support for autocratic regimes and maintenance of CFA franc. A popular uprising uprooted former President Blaise Campaore in 2014 after ruling for 27 years. Citizens believe Paris managed to secure his exile in neighboring Cote dIvoire where he has been, evading demands for trials. Paris is trying to develop new bonds based on mutual respect and cooperation programs in the areas of youth entrepreneurship, security, sports, green energy and education. Today I am invited to deliver a guest lecture at Bharat College of Fine Arts & Culture, Dadar. The topics are all about todays journalism. The subject is vast when it comes to talk or give lecture on but that is a hardly match in todays media. The mainstream mass media (television, magazines, movies, music, and the internet) provides increasingly frequent portrayals of different issues. Art and culture has very less space in it, we still know relatively little about how this content is used. People are forgetting the legacy of traditional arts. Only those prominent are highlighted but those aspiring and famous but away from fame have no mentions. Media do have an impact and it keeps public and personal agendas, broadcasting portrayals reinforce a relatively consistent set of norms. More longitudinal research, especially with early youths is needed to learn more about how media content is attended to, interpreted, and incorporated into developing interest in arts and culture. Well, modern societies could not be imagined without mass communication. Television, newspapers, radio and the internet are the main sources of information for citizens all around the globe. But what does this mean for the functioning of political systems and processes? Few would doubt that mass media in authoritarian regimes which are typically controlled tightly by the state serve to maintain the existing power structure. One only has to think of the pervasive state propaganda circulated by Indian media to keep the countrys citizens in line. There is also a broad agreement that mass media contributes to democratisation processes. One needs to understand that the journalists cannot always guarantee truth, but getting the facts right is the cardinal principle of journalism. We should always strive for accuracy, give all the relevant facts we have and ensure that they have been checked. When we cannot corroborate information we should say so. Journalists must be independent voices; we should not act, formally or informally, on behalf of special interests whether political, corporate or cultural. We should declare to our editors or the audience any of our political affiliations, financial arrangements or other personal information that might constitute a conflict of interest. Most stories have at least two sides. While there is no obligation to present every side in every piece, stories should be balanced and add context. Objectivity is not always possible, and may not always be desirable (in the face for example of brutality or inhumanity), but impartial reporting builds trust and confidence. Far more important factor is that journalists should do no harm. What we publish or broadcast may be hurtful, but we should be aware of the impact of our words and images on the lives of others. A sure sign of professionalism and responsible journalism is the ability to hold ourselves accountable. When we commit errors we must correct them and our expressions of regret must be sincere not cynical. We listen to the concerns of our audience. We may not change what readers write or say but we will always provide remedies when we are unfair. In doing so, journalists and traditional media, will put themselves in a position to provide leadership about what constitutes ethical freedom of expression. What is good for journalism is also good for others who use the internet or online media for public communications. Principles, practice, responsibility of communication and the convergence of print, broadcast and on-line journalism is the innovative era of New Media. Traditional news organisations are feeling the impact of two distinct and powerful trends: Internet news has not only arrived, but it is also attracting key segments of the news audience. Communications systems operate through two pathways. In the direct pathway, they promote changes by informing, enabling, motivating and guiding participants. The Internet has made the greatest inroads among younger and better-educated people. More college graduates under the age of 50 connect to the internet every day than regularly watch one of the network news broadcasts. The digital tide is having less of a direct negative impact on radio and print outlets. But there is no evidence that internet use is driving down regular reading of daily newspapers or watching TV news. However, all news outlets are being affected by the publics slowly declining appetite for news. The internet, with its headline-news format and its capacity for quick updates, is clearly attractive to younger news consumers. The Internets hypertext-based ability to provide more depth on a subject also appeals to those with large news appetites, such as professionals, managers and executives. As a result, the growth of internet news has had a dramatic impact on the way people with access to technology get information on business and financial matters. Journalists main goal is to ensure the right of citizens to truthful and important information, which allows them to form adequate impression about social processes, their essence and importance, about the situation in the modern world. The newscaster bears responsibility before the society in general, before the law and before the professional association. The social responsibility of the journalist requires that he acts in accordance with his personal ethical standards. The ethics of the trade involve permanent responsibility of the journalist for everything he/she does in the framework of his/her professional obligations, rather than sticking to the rules which were established once and for all. The norms of the journalists Ethics Code cannot be used as the ground for holding media employees criminally, administratively, disciplinarily or otherwise responsible, except the responsibility in the framework of media self-regulation. The journalist must defend the freedom of speech; retain independence of their political views and convictions. He/she must resist any efforts to distort information or introduce censorship. Like any other citizen, the journalist has a right to political and other convictions. However, in these professional activities they should remain neutral and objective. (Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@afternoonvoice.com) Why Are the Kurds Joining the Syrian Arab Army? According to Inside Syria Media Center military sources in Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), SDF-Kurds will join the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) as "Northern Syria Protection units" after the establishment of the federal system in Syria. A Rojava official and the joint chief of defense in Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava), Rezan Gilo stated that the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have no problem joining the Syrian army if a federal state is awarded in northern Syria (Kurdish autonomous territories as part of the federal Syria). They are now in process of considering the possibility of joining the SAA. "There is no problem for our forces to join the Syrian army if a new Syrian constitution is drafted on a federal basis and the rights of all the Syrian components are reserved," Gilo stated. Analysts believe if the SDF ever join the national army, it would be under American supervision and guidance. Anyway, unification of SDF and SAA may also become another link in the chain of the U.S.' blunders and failures of strategic planning. Riad Darar of the Syrian Democratic Council confurmed this. He noticed also that If Syria was united, he believes there would be no need to have a separate force because they would join the Syrian Army. To prevent joining the rumors have been circulating online for about a month of a new army created with the U.S. supervision. The U.S. is now allegedly in the process of forming a regular army instead of the SDF and will actually begin distributing military ranks soon to their chosen officers under American supervision. Recent events indicate that the Syrian Kurds are beginning to realize the hopelessness of cooperation with the American side. Apparently, 'the Kurdish card' of Washington is bursting at the seams. Despite the fact that the U.S. plans to extend its presence in the region, the White House's intention will not clearly be directed to help the Kurds and the latter are clearly aware of this. As a matter of fact, the unification of the Kurdish forces with the government troops of B. Assad will probably be the best way to solve the Kurdish problem. The federalization will not only legitimize the rights of the Kurds, but it can also push the people of Syria to unite under the banners of government forces, whose reputation and rating are only gaining momentum day by day. The top secret of the deal between the SDF and the SAA is that it will help expel the U.S. and its allies from the Syrian political arena and complete this so protracted confrontation. For your information: The Democratic Federation of Northern Syria (DFNS), most commonly known as Rojava, is a de facto autonomous region originating in and consisting of three self-governing cantons in northern Syria, namely Afrin Canton, Jazira Canton and Koban Iraqi Assyrian Bishop Urges US Aid for Frontline Community Bashar Warda, the Chaldean Archbishop of Arbil, hopes President Donald Trump's administration will redirect US aid to his persecuted people. ( Eric Baradat/AFP) (AFP) -- With the Islamic State group routed at last, one of the oldest Christian communities in the Middle East has a chance to reoccupy its ancestral towns. But the Chaldean and Syriac people of the Nineveh plain in Iraq need support to rebuild to their homes and are still anxious that fighting will return. Bashar Warda, the Chaldean Archbishop of Arbil, hopes President Donald Trump's administration will redirect US aid to his persecuted people. And, in an interview in Washington with AFP, he suggested Christians could help quell tensions on frontline between Iraqi and Kurdish forces. US Vice President Mike Pence and the ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, have suggested redirecting funds from UN aid agencies to Christian charities. But with almost 20,000 Iraqi Christian families -- around 100,000 people -- driven from their homes, the bishop is calling for urgent action. "This is a just case," he told AFP of his people. "They are persecuted, they are marginalized and they are in need." Iraqis of all religions, of course, suffered greatly under Saddam Hussein's dictatorship and the conflicts that followed his overthrow in 2003. But smaller minorities, like the Christians and their neighbors the Yazidi, were targeted by extremists in the latest round of bloodletting. Frontline diplomacy The Islamic State group, the latest incarnation of Sunni Muslim violent extremism, unleashed what US officials have branded a genocidal campaign. For Warda and his supporters in US-based charity and church movements, it is thus only fair to ask Washington to treat their case differently. Iraq's Kurds have an autonomous region and militia that shielded them and the minority refugees they sheltered from the recent violence. The country's Arab Shiite majority is the focus of the Baghdad government's rebuilding efforts and receives aid from nearby Iran. And even the Sunni Arabs, some of whom fell under the Islamic State's sway, will be able to count on some support from wealthy Gulf countries. But the Christians -- and the Yazidis -- will be on their own, Warda warns, unless foreign donors step up to the plate. Already, Hungary and Poland have contributed to the cause, and the community now has high hopes that Trump's administration will help out. "You are not just helping them because they are Christians, but because they have been persecuted and left behind," he says. And Warda's trip to Washington is not just to tout a collection plate: he will argue that working with his network is a sound investment. Haley and Pence have made clear that they have concerns about the efficiency of US-led efforts -- but the church is hard at work. Ancient communities Already, Warda says, some 4,000 families have returned to rebuild the town they call Qaraqosh, Iraq's largest mainly-Christian community. But smaller villages on what is now the frontline between the forces of the Baghdad government and the Kurdish militia are at greater risk. One village where 60 homes had been rebuilt was abandoned a second time when these forces, once allies against the IS group, clashed. In another, the town of Telekuf-Tesqopa or Tel Eskof, 900 recently returned families live with their bags packed in case trouble flares again. Here again, however, Warda sees hope that with support, the church -- however marginal it is in strategic terms -- can help Iraq. The Baghdad-born cleric is now based in Arbil, capital of the autonomous Kurdish region, and is contact with churchmen in the Iraqi capital, too. On at least one occasion, when tempers frayed between Baghdad-aligned forces and the Kurdish peshmerga, Christians have sought to cool tensions. "So that was because of the church," he said. The Christians are grateful for the shelter they have received in Kurdish territory after the jihadists overran the plains around Mosul. But now they are keen to return home, where security permits, and they have no wish to be drawn into fighting between Arbil and Baghdad. "It's a political issue, and we hope that it will be solved via dialogue," he said. "Everyone knows violence is not the way to settle these issues. "In fact any military act in these areas would damage the whole reputation of the area and this would mean that the Christians would leave." Many Christians have left -- campaigners say the population has fallen from around 1.5 million in pre-war Iraq -- and others have been killed. But hopefully, Warda prays, 2018 will be the year when those left behind will rebuild their homes and centuries-old churches by the Tigris river. Honda says electric cars will charge in 15 minutes Honda says its electric vehicles will be able to charge within 15 minutes by 2022. Nikkei Asian Review is reporting the Japanese automaker will release a selection of fully electric automobiles within five years that can run for 150 miles on a 15-minute charge. Don't Edit 9 most popular items sold on Black Friday Thanksgiving and Black Friday sales were booming, according to retail and online figures. Online shopping particularly done on mobile devices reached record levels during the traditional holiday kickoff period. Don't Edit Cyber Monday 2017: Best deals, online sales Online shopping is booming this holiday season. Retailers posted some $7.9 billion in online sales on Thanksgiving and Black Friday, an 18 percent increase from last year. Now, we're at Cyber Monday, the time when retailers traditionally roll out their best online deals. Don't Edit Davis gets director's post at Lake Homes Realty Birmingham's Karen Davis has been named Lake Homes Realty's new national director of brokerage operations. Lake Homes Realty is the largest lake-focused real estate company in the United States, headquartered in Birmingham, with licensed real estate brokerage operations in 16 states. Don't Edit Onur Genc positioning BBVA Compass for digital future It's been nearly a year since Onur Genc took over as CEO of BBVA Compass, and that year has seen the company position itself both in its traditional bank locations and for the digital future. "It's been fun," Genc said during a phone interview. "These have been exciting times for us." Genc oversees the bank, which reported an 8 percent increase in net income for the third quarter despite the effects of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. BBVA Compass encompasses more than 10,500 employees at 649 branches across seven states. Don't Edit Don't Edit Admiral: Alabama-built ships have big role in Asia The U.S. Navy plans to ramp up cooperative exercises with southeast Asian navies next year, and an admiral says that two ships built in Alabama Austal's Littoral Combat Ship and Expeditionary Fast Transport both will play a role. Rear Adm. Don Gabrielson, commander for Logistics Group Western Pacific/Task Force 73 last week that Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) and Expeditionary Fast Transports (EPF) are particularly well suited to such operations. Don't Edit Trade dispute offers mixed omens for new jet plant Bombardier would like to build jets in Mobile, but it's wrapped up in a trade dispute with Boeing that has generated some mixed omens for the company's Alabama plans. There's no firm timetable for the proposed Alabama assembly line. Boeing has gone so far as to say it'll probably never happen and the jobs it might bring to the Gulf Coast are "pure fiction." Don't Edit Shoals area entrepreneur to appear on Home Shopping Network Ashley Morrow's journey has taken her from the Shoals to Birmingham and back, and she'll get a national audience this week to hear part of her story. The Muscle Shoals entrepreneur is scheduled to appear twice on the Home Shopping Network this Wednesday with her product, Alchemy Jewelry Spray. Don't Edit Honda uses Facebook to find owners of defective airbags Honda is turning to social media as millions of vehicles on the road may still have defective airbags that pose potentially fatal hazards. The company this week started running sponsored, customized Facebook posts using the Custom Audiences feature, targeting people who own affected vehicles. Don't Edit Colbert County being eyed for solar power farm A Texas-based solar power company is eyeing two sites in Colbert County for a solar power farm. The Times Daily is reporting that the farm, which could be operational by 2020, could power 23,000 to 35,000 homes. Two sites are up for consideration: one east of Leighton and one in the Cherokee area. The solar farm could power 150 megawatts to 230 megawatts. Don't Edit Don't Edit Huntsville pegged as 'underdog' in hunt for Amazon HQ2 Birmingham may be the Alabama city getting the lion's share of national attention in its bid for a second Amazon headquarters, but Huntsville's campaign snagged some publicity for the quality of its pitch. Mashable's Marcus Gilmer, a native of Huntsville, wrote about the Rocket City's chances, along with two other underdog cities - Kansas City and Sacramento. "Huntsville likes to punch above its weight," says Harrison Barnes, a business relations officer quoted in the story. Don't Edit File photo Senators consider automatic tax hikes Senate Republicans are considering a trigger that would automatically increase taxes if their sweeping legislation fails to generate as much revenue as they expect. It's an effort to mollify deficit hawks who worry that tax cuts for businesses and individuals will add to the nation's already mounting debt. Don't Edit Many victims still silent on sexual misconduct A spate of recent public revelations, including the spontaneous #metoo discussions on social media, is emboldening many victims of sexual harassment to speak up, but many still remain silent. Up to 85 percent of women have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace and many men as well according to a report released in 2016 by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Don't Edit Report says GOP bill would hurt poorer Americans Congressional analysts find that many low- and middle-income Americans would be left worse off by the Republican tax bill now before the Senate, while the wealthy would get big benefits. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office says in a new report that people earning less than $30,000 a year would lose out by 2019 from the combination of tax cuts and reduced federal benefits. By 2027, those earning less than $75,000 would be worse off, according to the report. Don't Edit Shoppers take to their phones for Cyber Monday deals Weeks of deals didn't stop people from heading online to shop on the Monday after Thanksgiving. Cyber Monday was on track to become the biggest U.S. online shopping day ever, according to Adobe Analytics, the research arm of software maker Adobe. Nearly $3.4 billion had been spent online as of 4:30 p.m. Eastern time, up about 17 percent from a year ago, Adobe said. Don't Edit Don't Edit Bank sector not in ruins, despite Trump beef President Donald Trump's accusation that a federal watchdog has devastated the financial industry is unsupported by the evidence that banks like best: profits. Trump's weekend tweet was aimed against the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, little known by most people until it became the center of a struggle over who's in charge - a Trump-named acting director or a deputy who was given the same title by a departing chief from the Obama era. A Birmingham woman was taken into custody Tuesday after leading lawmen on a brief chase. Authorities said Raquel Welch, 34, entered ALEA's Driver License Examining Office in Birmingham Tuesday morning to obtain a driver's license, said Trooper Sgt. Samuel Pickett. Workers there discovered Welch had an active warrant and was arrested. They didn't provide the nature of the active warrant. After she was placed under arrest, she escaped and fled the office. She got into her vehicle and left the scene. Troopers pursued Welch, who was later stopped and taken back into custody without incident. Welch is charged with escape, reckless endangerment and attempting to elude. She is being held in the Jefferson County Jail with bonds totaling $16,000. The most recent getaway of a two-time Coosa County Jail escapee was the result of an electronic malfunction, not jailer error, the sheriff said Monday. Shane Anthony Vernon, 27, escaped from the lockup on Sunday, Nov. 19. He was recaptured two days later in Georgia. Vernon was originally in jail on charges of burglary and theft. He previously escaped in October, and once captured he was charged with unlawful imprisonment, first-degree robbery, theft of a motor vehicle and second-degree escape. Coosa County Sheriff Terry Wilson said while on the run, Vernon was considered armed and extremely dangerous. On the night of his most recent escape, authorities said Vernon broke into a Rockford home, tied up the homeowners, and stole their Ford Fusion. He dumped that car in a wooded area in Elmore County. The following evening, Elmore County sheriff's authorities said the escapee again broke into a home-- this time in Wetumpka-- and sat in a chair while waiting for the homeowner to arrive. When the victim arrived home from work, he was kidnapped. The kidnapping victim was released early the following morning and his stolen car found not far away. On that Tuesday night, Vernon was recaptured without incident in DeKalb County at approximately 10:17 p.m. He remains in the DeKalb County Jail awaiting extradition back to Alabama. Vernon now faces new charges of escape, burglary theft of property and unlawful imprisonment in Coosa County, and similar charges in Elmore County. The initial review of evidence led authorities to believe that a door was left unsecured, which allowed Vernon to escape from the Coosa County Jail. However, Wilson said Monday, an in-depth investigation of the jail camera system showed that to be false. The corrections officers on duty verified that the door securing Vernon was secure prior to letting him out to use the phone. Shortly after verifying the door was secure, an electronic malfunction occurred in the door lock control panel. That caused the door to the isolation corridor to become unsecure while Vernon was using the inmate phone. The malfunction was observed to happen at least three times during a six-hour period. "There have been malfunctions of this nature in different areas of the jail in the past which were repaired when discovered,'' Wilson said. "This portion of the jail has been taken out of operational use until such repairs can be made." The sheriff said only two officers were working at the time and both actively handling 911 dispatch calls when Vernon escaped. He said the faulty control panel, the unsecure attic, and the lack of personnel to run the dispatch center will soon be addressed with the Coosa County Commission. A 26-year-old Dothan mother has been charged in the August death of her baby boy. The Dothan Police Department on Tuesday announced a murder charge against Ericka Lee Dabney. Her son, 4-month-old Dallas Aranda, died in August, according to police and court records. The investigation revealed that Dabney had multiple drugs in her system while being the sole caregiver for the child, police said. The intoxicants found in Dabney created a grave risk of death to the infant. When Dabney gave birth to Dallas in March, according to police, she tested positive for amphetamines, opiates and benzos, for which she did not have a prescription. At birth, Dallas also tested positive for amphetamines, and the Houston County Department of Human Resources became involved with the family. DHR implemented a safety plan which, in part, called for Dabney, then a mother of three, to be supervised when in the company of any of her three children. On Aug. 6, Houston County sheriff's investigators arrested Dabney on a charge of chemical endangerment of a child which held a $10,000 bond. Dallas was pronounced dead on Aug. 16 at the emergency room. At that time, Dothan police said, Dabney was alone with the child, not in compliance with the safety plan and not being supervised. Dabney's other two children - a 20-month old girl and a 6-year-old girl - have since been placed in the custody of their biological fathers. The two children and their fathers are still receiving support and services of the Houston County Department Human Resources to insure their safety and well-being, police said. Dabney is being held in the Houston County Jail on $60,000 bond. Everyone knows Britain's future princess is American, but not many know she may have roots in North Alabama and across the South. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their engagement Monday, and a release from Kensington Palace on Tuesday showed the royal wedding will take place at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle in May. According to a report by the Daily Mail, one of the future princess' African-American ancestors had ties to the Madison County area and may have fought in the Union Army. According to the report, Markle's great-great-great-great-grandfather was named Joseph Betts. A census report states he was a 51-year-old farmer, who lived near Gurley in 1870. He had a wife Catherine, and five children: Sarah, Thaddeus, Jacob (who was Markle's great-great-great-grandfather) Isaac, and Genesse. All but the youngest were listed as farm workers, and none could read or write. The marriage of Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle will take place at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle in May 2018. pic.twitter.com/lJdtWnbdpB Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) November 28, 2017 "... At least two slave owners with the surname Betts are enumerated in the 1860 Census, and a record at the Freedmen's Bureau mentions 'Betts Plantation,'" the Daily Mail article states. "The records show that a Joseph Betts at Athens, Alabama, enlisted on August 22, 1864, and was transferred to the 40th United States Colored Infantry regiment. The age of the solider is 24, which is far younger than the age the Joseph Betts in the Census of 1870 would have been in 1864, but there are other reasons to believe that it could be the same man." There was no official way for slaves to document their ages, the report said, so many who signed up to fight lied about their ages. The marriage of Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle will take place at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle in May 2018. pic.twitter.com/lJdtWnbdpB Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) November 28, 2017 "The area around Huntsville, Alabama, had been taken by the Union first in April 1862, but that occupation ended before the Emancipation Proclamation, and then in fall 1863, which meant that if Joseph Betts was a slave, he would have been freed by the time of his enlistment," the report said. A full ancestry diagram from the Daily Mail also shows 36-year-old Markle's ancestors were from Georgia and Tennessee. Rebekah Davis, a Limestone County archivist and secretary of the Athens-Limestone Community Association, said the evidence is clear that Betts was one of the soldiers sent to Fort Henderson to reinforce the 110th U.S. Colored Infantry, and she believes Betts was one of the soldiers captured by Nathan Bedford Forrest's troops in September 1864. A memorial has been planned for the Trinity-Fort Henderson Complex to honor the men of the U.S. Colored Troops -- including Betts -- who fought for their freedom and will share other soldiers' stories, Davis told the news outlet. "We are excited about this next community effort that will share the stories of the people whose blood fell on this soil, including one former slave whose descendant likely will soon be princess," she said. French president heads to Africa with the message that days of Paris neocolonialist paternalistic approach are over. Ouagadougou When Emmanuel Macron condemned Frances colonial past during the presidential campaign, many people took it as a sign that if elected he would build a new relationship with Africa, one that would end 60 years of France exerting its influence over its former colonies to favour its interests. Macron heads to Africa as Frances youngest president and he is promising change. His message is that the days of Paris paternalistic approach to Africa, known as Francafrique, are over. Macron is not the first French leader to claim he will finally break with the past, but this president hopes that his own political story may help convince people that he means what he says. Macrons rise to power in France was as impressive as it was swift. In less than two years he has transformed Frances political landscape, broken the dominance of traditional parties and filled parliament with his MPs, half of whom come from civil society. All this has appealed to French voters who were fed up with mainstream politicians. In Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast, Macron hopes to seduce another audience, those disillusioned not by politics but by France. The Elysee Palace says Frances leader is aware that the task will not be easy. Burkina Faso won independence from France in 1960, but the ties have never been completely severed. Many Burkinabes remain angry that France helped former President Blaise Compaore flee the country in 2014. He was forced out after street protests against 27 years of increasingly authoritarian rule. Ouagadougou has also called on France to extradite Compaores brother who is wanted in connection with the killing of a journalist in 1998. Winning back goodwill towards France is also about long-term planning in a continent where China has upped the competition. Different approach Macrons trip is centred on the theme of youth, in the past, he has called Africa the continent of the future. It is why, says the Elysee, he will focus on innovation, jobs and sport rather than development aid. He will make a speech to students at a university, visit schools and tour West Africas largest solar power park to mark his commitment to preserving the planet for future generations. Youth is also the theme for this weeks European Union and African Union summit in Abidjan which Macron will attend. It is an anodyne theme, but it was probably chosen not to ruffle feathers. No self-respecting leader could disagree over the importance of assuring young people the best future possible. But it is taken on a sinister twist as the world absorbs shocking images of young Africans being traded as slaves in Libya. It is mainly the young who migrate in Africa, some within their region to neighbouring countries; others try to reach Europe, taking perilous journeys that many dont survive. They flee conflict, drought, famine, violence, poverty, sometimes a combination of all in search of a better life. Macron arrives at the summit at a time when anger is growing over Europes role in Libya. Last week in Brussels the Malian president blamed NATOs 2011 bombing campaign for sowing chaos in Libya. The EU has poured money into Libya to tighten its borders, but activists say that has created a bottleneck of vulnerable migrants. Macron has called on the UN Security Council to take action against what he calls the crimes against humanity being committed in Libya. Like other European leaders, though, he wants to see illegal immigration stopped. He has supported deals with some African countries which offer them more EU development aid in return for tightening their borders. He once suggested setting up French immigration processing centres on African soil before critics pointed out France was no longer a colonial power. There have been other gaffes. He was accused of a neo-colonial attitude when he said Africas problem was that women were having too many babies. Macron will hope that by the time he reaches his last stop, Ghana, his trip will have changed some minds about French intentions in Africa. In many ways, Ghana is perhaps the best indication that Macron wants to do things differently. It is neither a former French colony nor is it francophone, it is a dynamic, innovative democracy. Macron is visiting Accra because of what it symbolises for the future rather than for its past. Court grants freedom to Hadiya, who was placed under parents custody by a lower court after she married a Muslim man. New Delhi, India From the confines of her parents home to the regulation of a hostel; from the custody of her parents to the guardianship of the college dean: freedom is arriving in instalments for 24-year-old Hadiya. Indias top court on Monday finally heard Hadiya, a woman from a Hindu family whose marriage to a Muslim man had been annulled by a lower court earlier this year. She has been under the custody of her father since then. I want my freedom. I have been in unlawful custody for 11 months. I want to be a good citizen, a good doctor but I want to live true to my faith, the 24-year-old medical student told a three-judge bench at the Supreme Court in New Delhi. {articleGUID} Hadiya, who was previously known by her Hindu name Akhila Asokan, converted to Islam last January and married a Muslim man later that year despite opposition from her family. #HadiyaCase: After the 24-year-old was set free by the SC, she heads for Salem, expects to meet her husband.https://t.co/CmhPs7MlPD PC: PTI pic.twitter.com/bC8P4pAELV Mumbai Mirror (@MumbaiMirror) November 28, 2017 Hadiyas husband, Safin Jahan, approached the Supreme Court to challenge the lower courts order. Last month the Supreme Court said that consent of an adult for marriage is prime. The top court in its earlier hearing in August had reserved its judgement and instead ordered an investigation by the countrys anti-terror agency into whether the marriage was, in fact, a Love Jihad. Rights activists and feminists have accused state institutions of perpetuating a patriarchal and Islamophobic narrative pushed by far-right Hindu groups. Shameful show by the court In recent years, far-right Hindu groups have stepped up a campaign against Love Jihad a term for what they consider to be an alleged Islamist conspiracy to convert Hindu women through seduction, marriage and money. Hadiyas father KM Ashokan has alleged that his daughter converted to Islam as part of a plan to send her to Syria to join the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS). In its latest orders, the apex court sent Hadiya to a college in the southern state of Tamil Nadu to pursue her studies. The state police forces will be responsible for her security for the next 11 months until she completes them. This takes her out of her parents custody, which Hadiya on Monday described as illegal. On her way to New Delhi from her home in Kottayam, she had said that she wanted to stay with her husband. Kapil Sibbal, senior counsel for Shafin, told Al Jazeera that the court order today spells freedom for Hadiya and that no impediments have been placed on her. But Kavita Krishnan, secretary of the All India Progressive Womens Association, says Monday was a weak and shameful show by the court. Its a limited measure of liberty she has got. The Supreme Court has failed to do its duty which is to protect her constitutional liberty. What I would have expected the Supreme Court to tell her is that You are completely free. Why is the court saying that you must study here, and you must live in a hostel? How is this the courts business? Krishnan told Al Jazeera. This day will be remembered for Hadiyas bravery. Her courageous voice shames the Supreme Court. Hadiyas insistence on being heard and her courage ensured she has got some measure of liberty. Hadiyas fathers counsel argued that the court must first examine the probe report submitted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Indias chief justice had summoned Hadiya to New Delhi to testify on whether she was converted forcefully. Religious conversion is legal in India provided it is not done under coercion. Challenge to patriarchy Hadiyas battle has posed a challenge to the patriarchy in India, say activists. Men and women are still murdered across the villages of northern India for marrying outside their caste and religion. Cases of illegal abortions of female foetuses and immolation of young brides by their in-laws for not fulfilling dowry demands are also rampant. Activist Krishnan says Love Jihad is a right-wing concept which has zero respect for womens choice and consent. The BIGGEST threat from #HadiyaCase is to HINDU WOMEN. This threatens their freedom to do marry without parental approval. The closer your family is to Hindutva elements, the greater the risk that they can physically capture you to prevent your freedom. You may call me V (@Vidyut) November 27, 2017 In recent months, I have seen big TV channels try to manufacture traction for this myth. Whats new in the Hadiya case is that the Kerala High Court endorsed and perpetuated this regressive, patriarchal and Islamophobic formulation, Krishnan told Al Jazeera. They see women as the property of communities. Critics of the Narendra Modi-led government say the bogey of Love Jihad was created by affiliated groups to further their majoritarian Hindu agenda. The term Love Jihad was popularised by Hindu supremacist groups such as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its affiliate groups such as Bajrang Dal and Vishva Hindu Parishad. Girls of the coming generation should be told the meaning of Love Jihad and the ways to save themselves from their traps, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said in 2014. Hindu far-right groups allied with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party have run a campaign against Hindu women marrying Muslim men. Demonisation of Muslims This is part of a systematic attempt to drive a deeper rift, a deeper wedge between the two communities, said activist and former civil servant Harsh Mander. Hatred between communities is always built around a set of myths. The idea of Love Jihad, that Muslim men were being used to lure Hindu women, is particularly strange and fanciful. It would be a comical idea if it were not so dangerous, he told Al Jazeera. The fact that the federal terror investigative agency of the country, and the High Court and the former Chief Justice are actually taking this type of an argument seriously I find that intensely worrying. The NIA in its report to the Supreme Court referred to alleged cases in Kerala where Hindu women were lured into converting to Islam, allegedly to recruit them to terror causes. The term Love Jihad should be treated with scepticism, said human rights campaigner Shabnam Hashmi. The phrase is being used to demonise Indias Muslims. This new regime has used this trope very effectively just like the narrative around the holy cow and campaign for the temple for the Hindu God Ram. These are various tools of polarising Indians, she told Al Jazeera. As an absurd citizenship crisis rages on in the Australian Parliament, First Nations people and refugees see the irony. We have apparently imagined the whole thing. So said Greens Senator Scott Ludlam, the first to fall in what many have dubbed the worlds most ridiculous constitutional crisis at his final presser as a member of the Australian Parliament in July. Ludlam had discovered that he held citizenship of New Zealand as well as Australia, and, under Section 44 of the 116-year-old constitution of Australia, it is forbidden for dual citizens to hold public office due to the possibility of treachery or the influence of a foreign power. If it seems curious that (a) an Australian politician would not have checked their constitutional compliance before seeking public office and (b) nobody else did so throughout Ludlams nine-year tenure as an elected member of the federal Parliament, the surprise has continued apace: Up to 30 other parliamentarians have since come under scrutiny for possible breach of the rule against dual citizenship and government. Opposition leaders have given senators until December 1 and members of the House of Representatives until December 5 to declare that they are not a citizen of any country other than Australia. Meanwhile, nine officials have resigned or been ruled ineligible. They include Fiona Nash, deputy party leader in the coalition government, and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, who only last year threatened to have the pet dogs of actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard killed because the dogs entry to the country had breached Australian customs policy. In late October the Australian High Court ruled that Joyce was a dual citizen of the foreign power across the ditch, New Zealand, and was thereby disqualified from parliament. {articleGUID} As Heard also pointed out in a series of tweets, this failure of Australian parliamentarians to manage their own citizenship status is strikingly ironic. It comes amid their own continuing efforts and policies to exclude others from their imagined definition of Australianness. An imagined community The criteria for legally belonging to this country, which is enshrined in the Australian constitution, has always been narrow. Australia was founded in 1788 on the fiction that it was once a terra nullius (nobodys land). First Nations people, who had sovereign belonging to the land for at least 60,000 years prior, were not permitted to become citizens of the nation until 1967, and the country operated with a White Australia migration policy for most of the twentieth century. Under the White Australia policy, marked in particular by the Immigration Restriction Act of 1901, people of non-European descent were systematically deterred from migrating to Australia. This racialised gate-keeping has had a particular character in recent years. Indeed, at the very same time as the dual citizenship palaver was really gathering pace, the Australian government outright rejected a proposal, that they had invited, for substantive recognition in the constitution for Indigenous peoples. The Uluru Statement called for the establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution, to be realised as an assembly of First Nations people that would advise parliament. Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull dismissed the proposal on the grounds that it would give preferential treatment to Indigenous people and thereby would not be agreed to by the Australian public. The deliberative conference of First Nations people at Uluru was widely viewed as the last attempt for meaningful change for Indigenous Australians, as law professor Megan Davis said in August. Its rejection by the government is considered an extraordinary act of hostility towards the nations first people, who continue to face oppression through the 229-year-old settler-colonial Australian state. Barnaby Joyce had been a particularly strident proponent of the nations white settler history, recently demanding, for example, that Sudanese-Australian TV presenter, Yassmin Abdel-Magied, be sacked by the national broadcaster for a social media post perceived to be disrespecting ANZAC Day, originally a commemoration of Australian soldiers fighting for Britain in World War I. The witch-hunt that ensued, led by Joyce and others in the Australian parliament, led Abdel-Mageid to leave the country. To be sure, Joyce and the majority of his parliamentary colleagues have also overseen a regime of immigration detention where refugees have been refused settlement in Australia on the grounds of illegal entry to the country. In recent years, they have been consigned instead to offshore camps that have been sites of unmitigated human rights abuse. This policy, primarily applied to people who arrive by boat and request asylum from Australia, has been used in rallying the Australian people around an essential Australian-ness and cited as necessary to preserve the national culture and character. In the words of former Prime Minister John Howard, we will decide who comes to this country and the circumstances in which they come. The costs of the policy have been high. As I write, Kurdish journalist and refugee Behrouz Boochani reports from one of the camps on Manus Island in Papua New Guinea, where those detained by Australia for the past four years are in their 117th day of peaceful protest, asking for safe resettlement. They have endured prison conditions that have been denounced as cruel and abusive by multiple human rights and humanitarian authorities. Refugees on Manus Island certainly see the irony here the very politicians keeping them from reaching Australia are themselves not Australian enough. The members of parliament falling foul of the Australian constitutions citizenship requirements are doing so on the very terms of belonging through which many of them have aggressively rejected others. With Australian politicians being forced to give themselves the boot, can we say that this particular imagined community even exists? Editors note: A previous version of this piece mistakenly identified the Australian constitution as 166-years-old. The constitution took effect in 1901. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy. Emmerson Mnangagwa, Zimbabwes new president, is expected to form a new cabinet this week, with all eyes on whether he will break with the past and name a broad-based government, or select old guard figures from Robert Mugabes era. Emmerson Mnangagwa, Zimbabwes new president, is expected to form a new cabinet this week, with all eyes on whether he will break with the past and name a broad-based government, or select old guard figures from Robert Mugabes era. But some human rights activists worry the new regime will not be any different from the old one. Al Jazeeras Haru Mutasa reports from Harare. Man accused of masterminding Benghazi attack convicted on four terrorism-related charges but acquitted on 14 others. A federal jury in the United States has cleared a Libyan man of the most serious charges in connection with a deadly attack on a US diplomatic compound in Libyas Benghazi five years ago. Ahmed Abu Khatallah was accused of orchestrating the September 11, 2012, attack that killed Christopher Stevens, the US ambassador to Libya, and three other Americans. On Tuesday, he was acquitted of murder, but convicted on lesser terrorism-related charges. Al Jazeeras Shihab Rattansi, reporting from Washington, DC, said Khatallah had overall been charged with 18 counts but was cleared of all but four of those, including providing material support for terrorism. Yet, he still faces 45 years in prison if he is given the maximum sentence for each of those four convictions, Rattansi noted. The prosecution had presented him as a ringleader for the attack, the defence though had said he was simply a bystander who appeared on the scene after the attack had taken place, said Rattansi, adding that this was a point that the prosecution did have to concede. The defence also tried to poke holes in the prosecutions argument by saying that its star witness was paid $7m for his testimony, he added. In addition, they raised questions about the manner which Khatallah was interrogated he was seized and then kept on a boat at sea for two weeks and interrogated without a lawyer, according to the defence. Political storm Khatallah has been awaiting trial since 2014 when he was captured by a team of US military and FBI officials in Libya and transported on a 13-day journey to the US aboard a navy vessel. Before his capture, he was part of a revolutionary armed group aimed at overthrowing Muammar Gaddafis government. Ambassador Stevens was killed in the attack along with Sean Patrick Smith, a state department information management officer. Nearly eight hours later, at a CIA complex nearby, two more Americans, contract security officers, Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty, died in a mortar attack. The Benghazi attack stirred up a political storm in the US, where Republicans repeatedly accused Hillary Clinton, the then-secretary of state, of failing to adequately protect the diplomatic compound. That debate stretched for years and continued throughout the 2016 presidential election during which Clinton ran unsuccessfully for president against Donald Trump. Anglo-Dutch oil giant was involved in a brutal campaign by Nigerian police to silence Ogoniland protesters, report says. Amnesty International has obtained internal documents pointing to complicity by Royal Dutch Shell in crimes committed by the Nigerian military during the 1990s. The rights group released a report on Tuesday that alleges that the British-Dutch oil giant and the Nigerian government operated as business partners, having regular meetings to discuss the protection of their interests. At the time, protests by the Ogoni people of southeastern Nigeria were taking place in response to years of oil spills at Shell facilities, which devastated their environment. Documents obtained by Amnesty show that on October 29, 1990, Shell requested security protection to subdue peaceful demonstrations. Over the next two days, police attacked an Ogoni village with guns and grenades, killing at least 80 people, and burning almost 600 homes. Nevertheless, Shell continued to ask for military help in the following years, Amnesty said. The allegations have been known for some time, but thus far had not been substantiated with internal documents. {articleGUID} The rights group has gone through thousands of pages of Shells documents and testimony statements. The files show that Shell repeatedly urged the Nigerian army to take action against protests by the Ogoni community. According to the organisation, Shell called for military support from senior officials, even after the military forces had killed, tortured or raped many demonstrators. The directors of Shell in The Hague and London were aware of this, according to Amnesty. In a statement to Al Jazeera, Shell in Nigeria denied it was involved in human rights violations. We have always denied, in the strongest possible terms, the allegations made in this tragic case, the statement read. Amnesty Internationals allegations are false and without merit. Shell did not collude with the authorities to suppress community unrest and in no way encouraged or advocated any act of violence in Nigeria, the statement added. Amnesty has compiled a case to start a lawsuit against Royal Dutch Shell. City council withdraws award given to Burmese leader in 1997 because of her inaction over abuses against the Rohingya. Aung San Suu Kyi has been stripped of the Freedom of Oxford award by the citys council, over her failure to speak out on abuses against Myanmars Rohingya. In a unanimous decision on Monday evening, Oxford City Council voted to strip the Burmese State Counsellor of the award she received in 1997 and collected personally in 2012, after 15 years under house arrest. It was right to give the Freedom of the City to Aung San Suu Kyi in 1997 in recognition of her long struggle for democracy and her personal links to Oxford, the cross-party motion read. But, according to the motion, she had not responded to the councils letter calling on her to do whatever she can to stop the ethnic cleansing in her country. #Oxford City Council votes unanimously- to remove Freedom of the City from Aung San Sun Kyi councillors say with 'heavy hearts and regret' #Rohingya #Myanmar pic.twitter.com/eXcrjJZ5xu Barnaby Phillips (@BarnabyPhillips) November 27, 2017 More than 600,000 members of the largely-Muslim Rohingya ethnic group have fled to Bangladesh, after Myanmars military launched a campaign ostensibly aimed at eradicating Rohingya armed groups. Those who have fled describe a campaign of killing, rape, and destruction, accounts that have been backed by human rights groups and journalists working in the region. Aung San Suu Kyi has yet to recognise that atrocities are taking place and has not spoken out against the Burmese military. Labour party councillor Mary Clarkson said the City of Oxford would not turn a blind eye to the ongoing violence in Myanmar. The burning of [Rohingya] villages has been independently confirmed by satellite images, and the UN has called the situation a textbook example of genocide, yet Aung San Suu Kyi has denied any ethnic cleansing and dismissed numerous claims of sexual violence against Rohingya women as fake rape. Oxford City Council has removed the Freedom of the City of Oxford from Aung San Suu Kyi. The cross-party motion was unanimously supported at a special council meeting moments ago. pic.twitter.com/GXYiJIdxGI Oxford City Council (@OxfordCity) November 27, 2017 The council joins a growing list of institutions which have revoked honours. Students at Aung San Suu Kyis alma mater, St Hughs College at Oxford University, removed her name from its common room, and the college took down her portrait from its entrance. Last week, students at the London School of Economics voted to strip an honourary presidency awarded to Aung San Suu Kyi in 1992. Prior to Oxford, the cities of Sheffield and Glasgow also stripped the Burmese leader of their Freedom of the City awards. Organisations outside the UK have also taken steps to withdraw awards. Canadas largest trade union, Unifor, revoked the honourary membership it had awarded Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel Prize winner, in 2000. Opposition leader and ex-presidential candidate says Sisi is presiding over a failing government that harms Egyptians. One of Egypts leading opposition figures has told Al Jazeera that the country is ruled by an oppressive military regime, which has killed off any chance of political pluralism. Former presidential candidate and leader of the Ghad al-Thawra (Tomorrows Revolution) party, Ayman Nour, said Egypts President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi was presiding over a failing government that was harming Egyptian citizens and the wider region. Nour stood against former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in 2005, was jailed shortly after, and was an outspoken opponent of Mubaraks rule until the president was deposed during the 2011 Egyptian Revolution. Following Mubaraks downfall, Egypt was briefly ruled by the military. Later after its first freely contested presidential election, the Muslim Brotherhood aligned former President Mohamed Morsi took power, but was himself overthrown and imprisoned after a military coup led by Sisi. Were facing an oppressive and tyrannical regime that uses tools of the last century to deal with todays political reality, Nour said of the government, which has ruled Egypt since the coup. This has led to the killing of any chances of political pluralism, and a chance of any alternative to this oppressive military regime which has hijacked the Egyptian revolutionand turned Egypt into a swamp of tyranny. Nour described Sisis rule as one characterised by deviousness, lies, and lack of clarity and accused the Egyptian ruler of acting deviously on the domestic and international levels. Following the 2013 coup, Nour left Egypt, moving first to Lebanon and then to Turkey, and has not returned home since. In April 2017, an Egyptian court sentenced him in absentia to five years in prison for spreading false news, and authorities have threatened to strip the opposition figure of his citizenship. Together with an expired passport that Egyptian consular officials are refusing to renew, Nour is effectively exiled from returning. Revolutionary change In the years since the military coup, Sisi has reneged on his promise to allow political freedom in the country and Egypt has jailed tens of thousands of dissidents. Thousands of others, like Nour, have found refuge outside of the country, chiefly in Europe, the US, and in Turkey. Nour said that peaceful opposition inside Egypt had become impossible under the current political climate. There is no opposition without a parliament. There is no opposition without freedom of the press. There is no opposition without freedom of speech and freedom of assembly, he said, adding: Egypts opposition is currently frozen due to these abnormal circumstances. While the Egyptian governments crackdown on dissent has included activists from many political ideologies, its chief target has been the Muslim Brotherhood. (Sisi) is closing the doors of peaceful change, but is also opening the doors of revolutionary change by Ayman Nour According to Nour, despite the dismantling of its support networks and the imprisonment of its membership, the group would endure the current crackdown. There are primary movements in Egyptian society, whether its the century-old liberal movement or the countrys Islamic movement which the Muslim Brotherhood lies at the heart of.these movements are irreversible. The Muslim Brotherhood has made a lot of mistakes and sins, but in the end, it has a lot of positives as a significant and influential organisationit should be able to participate in a bigger way under a wider national umbrella. By dealing with opponents in the way he had, Nour explained, Sisi was making another uprising, similar to the one that brought Mubarak down, inevitable. (Sisi) is closing the doors of peaceful change, but is also opening the doors of revolutionary change. Nour also lashed out at Western governments for backing Sisis government, which he said was down to their fear of political Islam and their Islamophobia. The hatred present within several Western countries towards Islamic movements has been used as an excuse by some governments to turn a blind eye to crimes committed by Sisi. Elections are expected in the spring of next year and Sisi has promised not to stay in power beyond a second term. Amid tensions between Baghdad and Erbil, Kifah Mahmoud speaks with Al Jazeera about the regions future prospects. Amid rising regional tensions and international opposition, Iraqi Kurds voted in a controversial secession referendum in September, setting off a chain of events that resulted in a military confrontation between Erbil and Baghdad. Central government troops quickly regained control of Kirkuk, home to more than one million people and the hub of a major oil-producing area. Kurdish Peshmerga forces withdrew from the city, which had been in their control since 2014, and government troops also pushed the Peshmerga out of Nineveh and Diyala provinces. Baghdad has since deployed troops along the semi-autonomous regions borders, in a move Kurds describe as unconstitutional. Kifah Mahmoud, an Iraqi Kurdish political analyst and former Kurdish President Masoud Barzanis media adviser, spoke with Al Jazeera about the ongoing conflict and the ultimate fate of Iraqs Kurds. Al Jazeera: What are the difficulties you face as Masoud Barzanis adviser? Kifah Mahmoud: On a personal level, I do not refer to challenging times as difficulties. Rather, I would say my job entails a lot of pressure from the media for several reasons. Were regularly asked to give interviews, and during these media appearances, we have to maintain a certain narrative and level of dialogue. President Barzani is a national leader, and for years he managed to be an influential figure both regionally and internationally. Al Jazeera: Given the recent backlash both locally and internationally do you think that it was too soon to hold a referendum on Kurdish secession? Mahmoud: Quite the contrary. In fact, I think we were very much delayed in our decision to carry out a referendum on secession. Personally, I had been advocating and fighting for this step since the United States toppled [late Iraqi] President Saddam Husseins regime back in 2003. This step should have been taken directly after April 2003, instead of having gone to Baghdad to negotiate. Were still paying the price for opting to negotiate. Al Jazeera: What are the main challenges facing the Kurdish region now that the oil-rich city of Kirkuk has been retaken by the central government? Mahmoud: Kirkuk will not be gone forever. For more than four decades, Saddam Husseins government and his predecessors tried to change the citys demographics, but it was reclaimed by the Kurds in a matter of four hours. Among our biggest challenges at the moment is Baghdads lack of faith in the power of dialogue, and its inclination to deal with the Kurdish question through military force. This has been the case with previous governments as well, but they fell, and we remained. Al Jazeera: What are the main existing internal divisions within the Kurdish parliament that may hinder potential negotiations? Mahmoud: The Kurdish parliament is not divided; it is actually practising democracy by the mere fact that it is facing real opposition. The fact that the majority party has its opinions and views, while other parties also have their opposing positions, reflects a healthy and diverse process adopted by the regional parliament. Al Jazeera: Do you hope to see a successful Kurdish secession in the near future? Mahmoud: Independence is a notion that stems from the minds and hearts of the Kurdish people. Manifesting this on the ground has come in the form of policies pushed by the parliament and the Kurdish judicial body. The notion is a reality that cannot be disputed among any Kurd in the [Iraqi] region. If there is one thing that the Kurdish people and the government are not in sync with I would say it is merely the means of executing this, or perhaps a matter of timing. I am optimistic because the referendum proved the will of the Kurdish people and their determination to make secession a reality. Al Jazeera: In your opinion, what steps should the central government in Baghdad adopt moving forward? Mahmoud: Today, the central government does not have much of a choice, except to speed up the dialogue process and stop its punitive measures against the Kurdish people. It also needs to pull out its armed troops from along the Kurdish regions borders, as their presence has violated various articles of the constitution. Trudeau makes amends for policy that purged thousands of LGBT Canadians from public service between 1950s and 1990s. Canada has apologised to members of the LGBT community for a historical government policy that systematically purged thousands of people from the public service, police and military on the basis of their sexual orientation. Justin Trudeau, prime minister, said the government sought to acknowledge an often overlooked part of Canadas history as he delivered an apology in the House of Commons in Ottawa on Tuesday. It is with shame and sorrow and deep regret at the things we have done that I stand here today and say, we were wrong. We apologise. I am sorry. We are sorry, he said. Trudeau said the policy treated LGBT Canadians like they were criminals, legitimised hatred and violence and brought shame to those targeted, and caused individuals to lose their jobs and in some cases, their lives. A purge that lasted decades will forever remain a tragic act of discrimination suffered by Canadian citizens at the hands of their own government, he said. The government has also earmarked $78m ($100m Canadian) as part of a settlement it reached with claimants in a class-action lawsuit that said they were discriminated against by the policy, known as an LGBT purge, according to the Canadian Press. People have been waiting an awful long time for this apology, said Gary Kinsman, a professor at Laurentian University in Ontario and co-author of the book, The Canadian War on Queers: National Security as Sexual Regulation. A member of the We Demand an Apology network (WDAA), which advocates on behalf of people impacted by the purge, Kinsman told Al Jazeera before the apology was delivered that it needed to be broad ranging and tied to a system of redress. Helen Kennedy, executive director of Egale Canada, an advocacy group that supports the LGBT community and fights homophobia and discrimination, added that she hoped the apology would help people who were directly impacted get a sense of healing and restored dignity and relief. The policy, she said, destroyed families, it destroyed people and I think [the apology] needs to acknowledge these issues. Widespread impact On Tuesday morning, the federal government tabled legislation to expunge the criminal records of Canadians who were convicted for consensual sex with same-sex partners, which the bill describes as historically unjust. Ottawa has set aside about $3.1m ($4m Canadian) over the next two years to destroy the permanent records as part of the legislation, according to CPAC, a cable television channel. {articleGUID} Homosexual acts were partially decriminalised in Canada in 1969. Starting in the 1950s, and into the several decades that followed, the Canadian government directed a purge of members of the LGBT community from public service jobs, including the military, federal police force and government ministries. Ottawa adopted a policy that maintained that homosexuals suffer from a character weakness and are therefore a major security threat, explained Kinsman. It was the height of the Cold War and the government believed members of the LGBT community could be more easily targeted or blackmailed by Soviet spies, Kinsman told Al Jazeera. Thousand of people are purged, lose their jobs, [and] lots of people are put under surveillance, he said, adding that the policy was mandated from the highest levels of the Canadian state. Its a very, very intensive campaign. Lives are destroyed. Careers are destroyed. Thousands of people were removed from the military between the 1960s and 1992, when the Canadian armed forces officially reversed the policy, according to the We Demand An Apology network (WDAA). In the 1960s, Canadas federal police force (RCMP) created a list of more than 9,000 suspected homosexuals in and around the capital, Ottawa, the network reported. {articleGUID} Canadian officials also employed a system they said could detect homosexuality. Known as the fruit machine, it included monitoring the dilation of peoples pupils as they were shown a series of erotic images. Kinsman said members of the LGBT community at large were also affected, as state officials surveilled popular LGBT hangouts and advocacy groups around the country in an effort to get information. It also affects people who are outside the military and the public service because its those people who the RCMP [federal police] and military police try to coerce into giving up the names of their friends, he said. People really are forced underground. People are terrified [that] theyre going to be discovered. According to a study at the University of New Brunswick, the sister of a discharged Canadian soldier said her brothers eventual suicide was tied to the policy. He was traumatised, the woman, known as Fiona, told researchers, according to the WDAA network. They [the Canadian military] made him believe that he was a pervert That he could never be trusted with anything or anyone. Lack of awareness According to Kennedy, Canadians have little knowledge of the type of discrimination members of the LGBT community were subjected to. Kids dont learn about this in schools, she said. Canadians also know very little about the challenges members of the LGBT community continue to face today, including high rates of homelessness and suicide among LGBT youth, Kennedy said. {articleGUID} According to one study, between 25 and 40 percent of homeless youth identify as LGBT in Canada, despite only constituting five to 10 percent of the overall population. In Toronto, Canadas largest city, 23 percent of homeless youth identify as LGBT, Kennedy said. While police-reported hate crimes based on sexual orientation were down nine percent across Canada in 2015 compared with the previous year, they were the most violent in nature. Fifty-nine percent of hate crimes targeting people for their sexual orientation could be classified as violent in 2015, according to Statistics Canada, compared to 45 percent of race or ethnicity-driven hate crimes and 24 percent of religious-based hate crimes. These are some of the systemic issues that need to be addressed and LGBTI voices need to be included in policy, in legislation, in the health conversations, Kennedy said. We still have quite a long way to go. Spanish far right has united to stop Catalonia from gaining independence, causing an increase in political violence. Barcelona As the Catalan independence crisis enters its fourth month in December, the intended outcome of an independent Catalonia remains elusive. But the push for independence has had an unintended consequence; it has invigorated Spains far-right movements unlike any event since the countrys transition to democracy in the 1970s, according to Jordi Borras, a Catalan photojournalist and author who monitors the Spanish far right. In the years before the crisis, the far rights impact has been negligible both on the Spanish streets and in parliament, even as similar movements flourished in France, the Netherlands, Austria, Hungary and elsewhere, Cas Mudde, a professor and scholar at the University of Georgia who specialises in European far-right politics, told Al Jazeera. Scholars say it is a combination of the mainstream conservative ruling Peoples Party capturing the nationalist vote and regionalist division between Spains minority regions that has put the far right in the spotlight, Mudde commented. Their importance is overplayed in the media. They are much more visible than relevant, Mudde said. But the political turmoil that has resulted from Catalonias declaration of independence is bringing these groups, of which there are dozens, together. Borras told Al Jazeera that things have changed quickly in Spain, perhaps faster than many observers can track. {articleGUID} Borras explained that the Spanish far right was previously a constellation of ultranationalist groups. Some are Neo-Nazis, some are Falangists or the remnants of the foremost paramilitary group under the dictatorship of Francisco Franco, who ruled Spain as a right-wing conservative, Catholic nation from 1939 until 1975. Others exist in their own groups. Though these groups have a history of infighting, Catalan independence has given the far right a reason to unite, Borras said. Increased attacks Catalonias police force, the Mossos dEsquadra, finished investigating four incidents of politically motivated violence, spanning from September 22 to October 27, according to a statement delivered to Al Jazeera. All of these attacks are believed to have been committed by the far right. The perpetrators of one attack, which took place on October 8, were identified by photographs wherein the suspects were giving Hitler salutes. The Mossos statement says these attackers were Spanish nationalists. After Catalonia held its disputed independence referendum on October 1, Spanish courts declared the vote illegal and ordered the national police and the Civil Guard, a military unit tasked with domestic policing, to stop the referendum while respecting co-existence. Spanish law enforcement was filmed executing a violent crackdown on voters that rights groups called excessive. The violence bolstered Catalonias resolve for independence. After a month of political back-and-forth where Catalan President Carles Puigdemont called for dialogue and Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy of the centre-right Peoples Party reneged the offer, the Catalan parliament voted for independence On October 27. Spain responded by enacting Article 155, a never-before-used provision of the constitution that allows the central government to dismiss the Catalan government and directly administer the breakaway region. Puigdemont and four of his former ministers fled to Belgium, while nearly a dozen pro-independence legislators and organisers, including former Catalan Vice President Oriol Junqueras, were imprisoned on charges of rebellion and sedition. {articleGUID} While far-right violence is on the rise, the attacks are encouraging a response from the activist community in Catalonia, Borras noted. It was visible at one protest on the evening of Monday, October 30. Roughly 500 anti-fascist protesters dressed in black with covered faces stood directly across from a smaller group of far-right activists. Unlike recent protests in Barcelona, the Antifa group did not take to the streets for the sake of nationalism, but for safety. Holding flags of workers syndicates, a trademark of the anarchist, anti-fascists forces that fought in Spains Civil War, the protesters made it clear to both the police and far-right protesters that these attacks would not go unanswered. Chanting the streets will always be ours, a slogan popular with pro-independence demonstrators, they ran past police barricades to confront members of the Last Bastion, an ultranationalist group active in Catalonia. A chase over several blocks ended with the Catalan police breaking up an altercation between Last Bastion members and an anti-fascist protester. The Mossos statement concluded by saying a further eight cases of political violence were being investigated. Identitarian movement The Catalan situation makes it so that we are more organised [to prevent] Catalan independence from being achieved, a spokesperson of Spains Generation Identity (GI), a movement which doesnt consider itself to be a right-wing movement, but a movement of identity that respects the Christian history of Europe, told Al Jazeera in an email. Spains GI was founded in Barcelona in 2016. It started as a small group of older people, the spokesperson, who did not give their name, said. The group is growing, thanks to Catalonias secessionist bid, and new members are in their late teens early 20s. Spains GI said Francos dictatorial legacy has been an obstacle for the Spanish far right. Though there is no official number, Francos government killed an estimated 50,000 to 125,000 from 1939 to 1950. Franco also attempted to homogenise Spain by outlawing minority languages and public displays of minority cultures. Catalonia, along with other regions with minority cultures, such as Galicia and the Basque country, were most affected by these policies. {articleGUID} Spains GI belongs to a network of ethno-nationalist groups that are gaining prominence throughout Europe and the US under the banner of white identity. These groups wish to preserve the cultural purity of white-majority regions and are sometimes considered Islamophobic. The first goal of Spains GI group is is shining a light on the real problems of massive, uncontrolled immigration and the dangers of Islamic invasion, the spokesperson said. This massive immigration is putting a strain on the Spanish economy, the GI spokesperson said. They want national preference social security and job placement for Spaniards first, to be Spanish policy. According to Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, Spain was 13th in Europe for refugee acceptance. That year, Spain accepted 14,780 refugees, as compared with Germanys 476,510 or Hungarys 177,135 asylum seekers. Borras, the Catalan author and researcher, while it is true they want fewer immigrants, it is not what has united them. Fear of an independent Catalonia has given the far right and mainstream right a greater good for which to fight, he concluded. French diplomat urges Security Council action to identify people and groups behind trafficking through Libyan territory. Frances ambassador to the UN has urged the Security Council to impose sanctions on the people involved in Libyas slave trade of African refugees and migrants. Francois Delattres comments come as human trafficking in Libya has become a burning topic since a CNN investigation produced footage of West Africans being sold at slave markets in November. France will propose to assist the sanctions committee in identifying responsible individuals and entities for trafficking through Libyan territory, he told the council on Tuesday. The UN Security Council held an emergency session to discuss the possibility of sanctions against individuals and entities, and of applying the full range of international law including the use of the international criminal court but the session ended without resolution. The head of the UNHCR has called for funds, in addition to words, to fight the modern-day slave trading. We count upon support of the members of the council to make headway to that end. A sanctions programme set up in 2011, the year of the US-supported invasion of Libya which saw the overthrow of long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi, allows the Security Council to place sanctions on individuals and entities involved in or complicit in ordering, controlling, or otherwise directing, the commission of serious human rights abuses against persons in Libya. Slavery and human trafficking have been present in Libya for years. This has been going for quite some time, Omar Turbi, a Libyan human rights defender, told Al Jazeera. Even under Gaddafi, Libya struggled with arms trafficking, drug trafficking and human trafficking, according to Turbi, who has worked with the US government to save lives in the North African country. Libya descended into a civil war in 2014 and is widely considered a failed state. There are competing governments the National Transition Council recognised by the UN and the Khalifa Haftar government which controls more territory and the presence of groups such as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group and al-Qaeda that control large expanses of territory. Treated like cattle Other members of the Security Council have condemned modern-day slavery in Libya. {articleGUID} To see the pictures of these men being treated like cattle, and to hear the auctioneer describe them as, quote, big strong boys for farm work, should shock the conscience of us all, Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the UN, told the Security Council last week. There are few greater violations of human rights and human dignity than this. Asked if sanctions could help end the sale of human beings in Libya, Turbi, the rights defender, said he was not sure. Its going to be extremely hard to control the borders, he told Al Jazeera. What is really needed is work to institute a viable government in Libya, not a failed state. The government in Libya is helpless. Turbi also pointed to human traffickers in Europe, specifically Italy and Malta, who he said are not being confronted by their governments. Recently released FBI and DHS documents reveal how the US government sees the movement as a potential threat. Black Lives Matter protests have been monitored by the US government and have been seen as a potential threat, according to recently released documents from the FBI and the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The documents, which include internal emails and field reports, were circulated among law enforcement agencies in 2016. They were obtained as the result of a lawsuit filed by the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) and the civil rights group Color of Change (COC) and provided to Al Jazeera. Black Lives Matter (BLM), which started as a response to US police killings of unarmed black individuals in 2014, has grown into a movement fighting to end systemic violence against black people. The language in the files points to the monitoring of Black Lives Matter protests, protected by the First Amendment, based on a presumption of violence. In July 2016, the FBI began warning of attacks against law enforcement after a gunman shot and killed five police officers at a rally against police brutality in Dallas, Texas. According to the FBIs own account, the gunman, Micah Xavier Johnson, acted alone. He had no known ties to Black Lives Matter or any other group. Yet, in a series of emails dated July 8, 2016, the day after the shooting, the agency began using racially-charged language, suggesting Johnsons actions were part a larger threat. Due to sensitivities surrounding recent police shootings, the threat of copycat attacks against law enforcement exists, one email read. It added that there is a threat of black supremacist extremists attempting to violently co-opt the upcoming DNC/RNC, referring to the Democratic and Republican National Conventions. The term black supremacist extremist appears twice in the emails without explanation, potentially conflating two different things. Michael German, a former FBI agent and fellow at the Brennan Center for Justice, told Al Jazeera that the blending of activities of protesters and someone they [the FBI] acknowledge is a lone actor can be misleading in police documents. German added: If Im a police officer on the street trying to address the concerns raised in this report, obviously, Im going to be focusing on black people. The FBI has never publicly used the phrase black supremacist extremists, but a version of the term was used as recently as August, according to an FBI intelligence report obtained by Foreign Policy magazine. The report, which was issued more than a year after the Dallas shootings, warned that Black Identity Extremists were violently targeting police. The FBI assesses it is very likely Black Identity Extremists perceptions of police brutality against African Americans spurred an increase in premeditated retaliatory lethal violence against law enforcement and will likely serve as justification for such violence, the report, dated August 3, read. German said that part of this is searching for terminology that covers all the black people they are concerned about. Brandi Collins, campaign director at Color of Change, said the FBI has been building this narrative over time, adding that the department has been trying to infiltrate organisations, and going to protests, to bolster this claim that black folks, in The Movement for Black Lives, are terrorist threats to this community. Protected activity? Another set of emailsfrom July 2016 reveal how the FBI may use specific language to justify data collection and monitoring, specifically in the case of Black Lives Matter. {articleGUID} While BLM demonstrations are protected by the First Amendment, the emails said that based on known intelligence and/or specific, historical observations, it is possible the protected activity could invite a violent reaction towards the subject individuals or groups, or the activity could be used as a means to target law enforcement. The emails add: In the event no violent reaction occurs, FBI policy and federal law dictates no further record be made of the protected activity. Omar Farah, lead attorney at the Center for Constitutional Rights, which sued to get the emails made public, said the email suggests that the FBI makes bedrock First Amendment protections conditional based on its unchallenged view that BLM protests give rise to violence. But the problem with surveillance and particularly the historic and current surveillance of black-led movements for social change is that the surveillance itself is what does all the work, even if, as the email claims, the FBI later stops recording protected activity, he told Al Jazeera. Surveillance is what chills people from mobilising and organising. The emails also fail to reveal why BLM is being singled out. {articleGUID} What are they actually drawing from as theyre building this narrative about violent reactions that theyre presuming will happen? Collins asked. It definitely feels like to me its thrown in as this after-thought, as theyre going about collecting a breathtaking amount of data and information on people involved in the movement for black lives. Mob mentality A third document, dated July 8, 2016, suggests how misinformation may be playing a role in the governments handling of BLM protests. An advisory titled UPDATE: Day of Rage Protests across America, warned of the potential for violence at several BLM-related events taking place across the US, in the aftermath of the Dallas shooting. This document was first reported in The Washington Times. Being anywhere near these protests greatly increases the chance that you could become a victim of violence, the advisory read. When the mob mentality takes over, normally decent people can commit heinous acts. The Day of Rage event was reportedly a hoax, stemming from a YouTube video that called for a Day of Rage in support of BLM. The BLM movement tweeted that no such plans existed, after the story was picked up by several news sites. The advisory was sent to Army personnel by the US Army North. The document was released to CCR through the DHSs National Protection and Programs Directorate. Does not police ideology Responding to questions about the language included in the documents, the FBI told Al Jazeera that it cannot initiate an investigation based solely on an individuals race. The department added: Our focus is not on membership in particular groups but on individuals who commit violence and other criminal acts. The FBI does not and will not police ideology. When an individual takes violent action based on belief or ideology and breaks the law, the FBI will enforce the rule of law. {articleGUID} DHS declined to comment on specifics, but said that as a general matter, DHS works with federal partners, including the FBI and state and local law enforcement through the National Network of Fusion Centers, to assess threats and analyze trends in activity from all violent extremist groups, regardless of ideology. But civil rights advocates say the reactions to recent events, and the conclusions made by the departments, which have been revealed in the released documents, point to a double standard. Subtext is stunning In 2016, white supremacists emboldened by the rise of Donald Trump held a series of rallies across the US, including two in California that turned violent after white supremacists and anti-racist counterprotesters clashed. A DHS field report from September 2016 emphasised the initial protests were legal, and said counterprotesters were mostly to blame. The report said that during the June 26, 2016 protest in Sacramento, violent anti-fascists, including anarchist extremist elements, attacked a group of white supremacists who gathered for a legally permitted rally. The document also makes a clear distinction between lawfully protesting white supremacists and white supremacist extremists who participated in the violence. Although much of the focus of this paper concerns the threat of anarchist extremists, white supremacist extremists have previously plotted against and attacked violent anti-fascists and anarchist extremists, the report read. Mike German, who studies white supremacist movements, says the report fails to recognise that many of the people who organise and attend these rallies have documented histories of violence. In 2017, violence erupted at a far-right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. James Alex Fields, an avowed white supremacist, allegedly drove his car into a crowd of counterprotesters, killing 32-year old Heather Heyer. Media reports and video recorded that day show police were slow to intervene. They, at least, had warning that these protests were likely to become violent. So you wonder why the police werent prepared for that eventuality, German said. The Color for Changes Collins said the language in the DHS report is especially striking when viewed against the documents on BLM. The subtext here is stunning, Collins said. {articleGUID} It tells us who the government is training to view as threats and the rightful targets of ongoing surveillance and which groups will be offered protection. The Center for Constitutional Rights Farah added: Weve obtained FBI documents that suggest protests against violence specifically, crisis-level police killings of unarmed black people are presumptively threatening. And we have obtained an entire DHS report devoted to the threat posed by groups reacting to demonstrably violent, retrograde white supremacists. Read together, the documents reflect an unsettling blindness to the real challenges our society continues to face. The Center for Constitutional Rights and Color of Change said they continue to receive documents from the FBI and DHS related to the surveillance of Black Lives Matter. Al Jazeeras Fault Lines recently investigated the scope and impact of police and FBI surveillance of black activists in the US in its film: Confidential: Surveilling Black Lives. The deputy prime minister of Ireland has tendered her resignation, a move that is likely to stave off a government shutdown and snap election. Frances Fitzgeralds decision to step down on Tuesday came after mounting pressure over the handling of a whistle-blowing corruption scandal within Irelands Garda police force. Irish members of parliament were slated to vote later on Tuesday on a no-confidence motion, filed by the opposition, in Prime Minister Leo Varadkars minority government. But now, following Fitzgeralds decision to quit as deputy prime minister and minister for business, enterprise and innovation, no such vote is expected to take place. In announcing her resignation, Fitzgerald insisted she had done nothing wrong, but said she was standing down to avoid an unwelcome and potentially destabilising general election at this historically critical time. It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve in government, Fitzgerald said in a statement, shared by the Irish Times newspaper on Tuesday. Throughout my career I have always sought to act with integrity and responsibility, and that is why I have decided on this occasion to put the national interest ahead of my own personal reputation, she said. The political uncertainty came in the run-up to crucial Brexit talks at a European Union summit in mid-December, where Dublin is expected to pressure the UK government to clarify how it can keep the Ireland-Northern Ireland border free of customs posts and other barriers when Britain leaves the bloc. Ireland is a member of the EU, while Northern Ireland is part of the UK. Tbilisi hosts forum on Xi Jinpings development strategy, seeking to secure transit hub role between Europe and Asia. Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has been discussed by more than 1,000 delegates from about 50 countries in Georgias capital Tbilisi, as the former Soviet state aims to become a transit hub of trade between China and Europe. A memorandum on the construction of a free economic zone was signed on Tuesday by Georgian and Chinese economic ministers, among other deals made at the two-day Belt and Road Forum hosted by Tbilisi. The BRI, also known as the One Belt, One Road Initiative (OBOR), is a development strategy proposed by Chinas leader Xi Jinping that focuses on connectivity and cooperation between Eurasian countries. The strategy underlines Chinas push to take a larger role in global affairs, with a China-centred trading network. Georgias government will not spare efforts in close partnership with its international partners to give a new push within the framework of the Silk Road for diversification of transport routes and increasing their efficiency, as well as implementation of projects that will strengthen the economic and civilisational ties between Europe and Asia, said Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Georgias prime minister. New Georgian fin min Bakhtdaze introduces transport corridors. Kazakhstan and Georgia set to be key beneficiaries of middle corridor #TbilisiBRF2017 pic.twitter.com/QlrIoO6AdY Maximilien Lambertson (@maxlambertson) November 28, 2017 A new rail link between Georgia, Turkey and Azerbaijan that came into operation on Tuesday should significantly shorten the time of shipments between China and Europe. Georgia hopes to also add a marine transit route to the new Silk Road, with the Chinese-funded construction of a new deep sea port on the Black Sea, in Anaklia. Series of deals Georgia has a free-trade agreement with the European Union, and a similar deal signed earlier this year with China is expected to come into force on January 1, 2018. In June this year, the two countries also inked another deal that said China would give Georgia about $9.1m worth of grants for improving medical infrastructure. Georgia is also expected to see a Chinese bank with a $1bn capital open in the country, according to another agreement signed this year. China has been investing heavily in the EUs eastern bloc. The Chinese-funded railway line reconstruction between Hungary and Serbia was inaugurated on the outskirts of the Serbian capital, Belgrade, on Tuesday. A day earlier, Hungary hosted the 16+1 summit between China and 16 eastern European countries. In an interview with a French news channel, Hariri says his time in Saudi will remain undisclosed. Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri has said that the events that unfolded over the past three weeks of his time in Saudi Arabia will remain undisclosed, emphasising that he does not wish to discuss the details of what happened to him during that period. In an interview with French channel CNews on Monday, Hariri said he wanted to bring about a positive shock on the Lebanese people through the announcement of his resignation, stressing that there was no pressure on him to resign from Saudi Arabia. Hariri had announced his resignation on November 4 from the Saudi capital Riyadh, but deferred his decision on November 22, when he returned to Lebanon after visiting France and Egypt. In a televised speech, Hariri blamed interference in Lebanon by Iran and its Lebanese ally, the Hezbollah movement, for his decision to resign, adding that he feared an assassination attempt. Referring to Hezbollah, Hariri said: Irans arm has managed to impose a fait accompli on Lebanon through the power of its weapons. They have built a state within a state. Hariris resignation speech echoed frequent rhetoric from Saudi Arabia against Iran and its allies. Iran and Saudi Arabia are fighting proxy wars in the region, from Syria to Yemen. Iran is a predominantly Shia military and economic power, while Saudi Arabia is a Sunni bloc leader. Saudi Arabia blames Iran for backing armed groups throughout the Arab world and has recently pledged to fight them. Hariris resignation spurred a debate over whether he was forced to resign. Officials in Lebanon had alleged that Hariri was being held hostage by Saudi authorities, an allegation Hariri denied in his first public statement following his resignation speech. In his interview with CNews, the premier said he would resign if Hezbollah does not agree to change the status quo in the country. Hariri is part of a unity government that includes members of Hezbollah, which has a strong military wing based in the countrys south. He assumed a second term as prime minister in December 2016, in a power-sharing government headed by President Michel Aoun, a supporter of Hezbollah, whose members have been accused by the International Court of Justice of assassinating Hariris father, Rafik, in a 2005 bombing. The country spent two years in political deadlock, without a president, before Aouns election in October 2016, after Hariri endorsed the latter, a move seen by some analysts as a sign of Irans influence in Lebanon. Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, said he was sure Hariri was forced to resign as part of what he called Saudi Arabias policy of stoking sectarian tensions in Lebanon. Politicians are holding talks in the Lebanese capital Beirut in a bid to decide the countrys role and policies in the region. The sticking point has been Hezbollah, Irans ally in Lebanon. Politicians are holding talks in the Lebanese capital Beirut in a bid to decide the countrys role and policies in the region. The sticking point has been Hezbollah, Irans ally in Lebanon. Another main issue is the political future of Prime Minister Saad Hariri who quit before suspending his resignation last week. Al Jazeeras Zeina Khodr reports from Beirut. President Kenyatta sworn in for a second and final five-year term, after months of unrest that rocked the nation. Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has been sworn in for a second and final five-year term, a month after winning a bitterly disputed election rerun marked by delays and boycott. Several heads of states and tens of thousands of his supporters attended the inauguration at a stadium in the capital, Nairobi, on Tuesday. Kenyatta, 55, won 98 percent of the votes cast in Octobers poll, which was boycotted by the main opposition leader, Raila Odinga, who alleged the poll would not be free and fair. The election was marked by a low turnout with only 38 percent of the registered voters casting their ballot 7.6 million of the 19.6 million registered voters. Last months poll rerun occurred after the countrys supreme court annulled Augusts presidential election results citing illegalities and irregularities in the voting process. Meanwhile, the opposition coalition attempted to gather for a memorial rally to honour the more than 50 people killed, mostly by security forces, in four months of political violence. Police tried to break up the oppositions gathering and opened fire at the crowd, killing three people including a child. Al Jazeeras Fahmida Miller, reporting from Nairobi, said police cordoned off the grounds where the opposition were planning to hold their rally. Police have been out in force to prevent people from gathering and have fired tear gas to disperse people trying to reach the grounds. The local government has said the planned opposition rally is illegal, Miller said. Kenyattas inauguration comes after the Supreme Court validated his victory in last months rerun election. Kenyatta is the son of the East African countrys founding father. North Korea has fired a ballistic missile, the first such launch since mid-September, according to officials in South Korea, Japan and the United States. North Korea launched an unidentified ballistic missile eastward from the vicinity of Pyongsong, South Pyongan Province, at dawn today, South Korean army officials told South Korean news agency Yonhap. North Korean state television, KCNA, said that missile is the most powerful ICBM [intercontinental ballistic missile], which meets the goal of the completion of the rocket weaponry system development set by the DPRK, according to Yonhap. DPRK refers to North Koreas official name, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea. KCNA released photos of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un celebrating the launch, according to AFP news agency. The missile was fired from Pyongsong, a city in South Pyongan Province, at around 3:17am local time (18:17 GMT) on Wednesday, according to South Koreas military. Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera said the missile reached an estimated altitude of around 4,000km and broke up before landing in the countrys exclusive economic zone. His US counterpart, James Mattis, said the missile went higher than ever before, describing it as a step towards Pyongyang building missiles that can threaten everywhere in the world, basically. With these tests, North Korea wants to demonstrate to the world the range its missiles have, Al Jazeeras Kathy Novak, reporting from South Koreas capital, Seoul, said. The U.S. @DeptofDefense detected and tracked a single #NorthKorea missile launch today at about 1:17 p.m. EST. Initial assessment indicates that this missile was an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). More: https://t.co/AjOGOhd6HF U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (@INDOPACOM) November 28, 2017 An initial assessment by the US Department of Defense said North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). This type of missile is capable of carrying nuclear warheads and could reach the mainland of the United States. If the Pentagons first assessment turns out to be correct, it would be the third test of an ICBM by North Korea this year. Following the launch, South Korean President Moon Jae-in was expected to preside a national security meeting with top advisers, while Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. This is being taken very seriously here in the region, said Al Jazeeras Novak, noting that South Korea conducted a live-fire drill five minutes after the firing of the missile. The message that the South wants to send to the North is that it is monitoring actions coming out of North Korea; that it detects these missile launches quickly; and that it is prepared to respond, she added. Commenting on the launch, US President Donald Trump said it is a situation we will handle, adding that the US stance on the North Korea issue would not change. {articleGUID} Last week, Trump re-designated North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism, a move that was described as being part of a maximum pressure campaign to isolate Pyongyang even more. Trump said more economic sanctions were to be expected as a result of his decision. The US president and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un have repeatedly traded barbs Trump has called Kim rocket man, while North Koreas leader described the US president as a dotard. Jens Stoltenberg, secretary-general of NATO, condemned the missile launch. This is a further breach of multiple UN Security Council Resolutions, undermining regional and international security, he said in a statement. His view was echoed by the European Union. This launch represents a further grave provocation, and a serious threat to international security, an EU spokeswoman said. First launch in months The launch in the early hours of Wednesday was the first since September 15, when North Korea fired a ballistic missile over the Japanese island Hokkaido, eventually crashing into the Pacific Ocean. That launch was condemned by leaders around the world. {articleGUID} On September 3, North Korea conducted its most powerful nuclear test ever, detonating a hydrogen bomb northeast of Pyongyang. That test, weeks before the United Nations General Assembly, angered global leaders. The UN Security Council implemented new economic sanctions on North Korea as a result of that nuclear test. Critics call law ministers resignation and signing of agreement with religious group a surrender by the government. The resignation of Pakistans federal law minister and signing of an agreement to end a weeks-long sit-in outside the capital Islamabad has been termed a surrender and a dangerous trend for democracy and the state. Thousands of supporters of a religious party launched a sit-in outside Islamabad earlier this month, demanding the resignation of minister Zahid Hamid for a change in the countrys electoral law that they termed a softening of the states position against the Ahmadi community. Ahmadis are a sect that consider themselves Muslim but whose faith is rejected by the Pakistani state. On Monday, Pakistans Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal from the ruling PML-N party, said the agreement would see the demonstrators in Islamabad, and other cities including Lahore and Karachi, disperse. The agreement would also see all protesters who were arrested during the sit-in, which began on November 8, released within three days. Videos circulating on social media showed a high-ranking official of Pakistan Rangers hand out 1,000 rupees ($9.5) in envelopes to members of the religious party as compensation. Rangers Punjab DG Maj-Gen Azhar Naveed showing unconditional support with the problem who held country hostage for weeks. pic.twitter.com/EA97mDtKLP Nazrana Yousufzai (@NazranaYusufzai) November 27, 2017 We never saw such a trend before, Chairman of the Senate Raza Rabbani, who belongs to the opposition Pakistan Peoples Party, was quoted as saying. The trend which we are witnessing today is not only dangerous for the political class of a teething democracy, it is also quite dangerous for the state. On Tuesday, English daily Dawn, in an editorial titled Capitulation, called the agreement a surrender so abject that the mind is numb and the heart sinks. {articleGUID} The deal negotiated between the state, both civilian and military facets of it, and the Faizabad protesters is a devastating blow to the legitimacy and moral standing of the government and all state institutions, the editorial read. At least five people were killed and more than 217 mostly members of the security forces were wounded in those clashes. The signed agreement ended by crediting army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and his representative team for their special efforts that led to the agreement being signed, according to Dawn. The involvement of the army and the signature of Inter-Services Intelligence officer Major-General Faiz Hameed on the agreement were also a matter of concern. The criticism comes while the Pakistan government has been on the defensive since the courts disqualified its leader, Nawaz Sharif, from continuing as prime minister in July. Sharif has repeatedly suggested that the military establishment is the force behind his removal, an accusation denied by the military. Minister of State for Interior Affairs Talal Chaudhry said while the agreement was acceptable in order to end the protests, its long-term term impact would not be good. You have to surrender sometimes, and on others, you need to have a dialogue with the party, Chaudhry was quoted as saying by BBC Urdu. In such cases presence of uniformed persons can trigger speculations on the impartiality of the institutions. {articleGUID} But, according to Kamal Siddiqi, former editor of the English daily The Express Tribune, the government should have acted on the matter as soon as the protests started and not waited until it got out of hand. If somebody decides to stage a sit-in and occupy a certain city, the government should use whatever force is needed to disperse it on day one, Siddiqi told Al Jazeera. You set a precedence that nobody can block the roads at their whim. The government was cornered into acting like this because it let this go on for too long. It needs to be proactive instead of reactive. The Islamabad Highway, used daily by thousands travelling from the city of Rawalpindi into the capital, was back to normal on Tuesday, with traffic flowing, shops open, and sanitation workers cleaning up the mess left behind by the protesters, according to AFP news agency. Some citizens believed by giving in to the demands of the protesters, the government set a precedent on Monday. Its not a question of setting a precedent. Its more about discontinuing the precedent that has already been set during earlier sit-ins and protests, said Siddiqi. Myanmar is listening closely to see if Francis will use the word Rohingya on Myanmar soil. Pope Francis will hold talks with Myanmars leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Tuesday. Aung San Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, has been ostracised by a global rights community that once adored her but is now outraged at her tepid reaction to the plight of the Rohingya. After the talks in the capital Naypyidaw, the pontiff will address Aung San Suu Kyi and diplomats there his first opportunity to speak publicly about the conflict that looms over his trip. Late Monday, the 80-year-old pontiff received a courtesy visit from the army chief Min Aung Hlaing whose troops, according to the UN and US, have waged a campaign of ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya from Rakhine State. General Min Aung Hlaing has firmly denied allegations of widespread brutality by his forces, despite the flight to Bangladesh since late August of 620,000 Rohingya who have recounted widespread cases of rape, murder and arson. His office said he told the pope there was no discrimination in Myanmar, and praised his military for maintaining the peace and stability of the country. Rohingya The pope has repeatedly spoken out from afar about the crisis, standing up for what he has called his Rohingya brothers and sisters. A similar approach in Myanmar is fraught with danger using the term Rohingya is unacceptable in a mainly Buddhist country where the Muslim minority are denied citizenship and branded illegal Bengali immigrants. The country is listening closely to see if Francis will use the word Rohingya on Myanmar soil, and risk provoking the outrage of Buddhist nationalists. Early Tuesday, day two of his four-day visit, the pontiff met leaders from Buddhist, Muslim, Baptist and Jewish faiths in Yangon. The conversation centred around themes of unity in diversity, with the pope sharing a prayer and giving a very, very beautiful speech, according to Sammy Samuels, a representative from the small Jewish community. Francis flies up to Naypyidaw Tuesday afternoon to meet Aung San Suu Kyi. The Lady, as she is fondly known in Myanmar, finally came to power after elections in 2015 but has fallen from grace internationally for not doing more to stand up to the army in defence of the Rohingya. Rights groups have clamoured for Aung San Suu Kyi to be stripped of her peace prize. Oxford, the English city she once called home, on Monday removed her Freedom of the City award for her inaction in the face of oppression of the Rohingya. Catholics congregate So far, the pontiff has received a warm welcome to the majority Buddhist nation. Myanmars Catholic community numbers just over one percent of the countrys 51 million people. But some 200,000 Catholics are pouring into the commercial capital Yangon from all corners of the country in advance of a huge, open-air mass on Wednesday. Zaw Sai, 52, from Kachin State, found space for himself and his family to camp out in a churchyard. We feel very pleased because we are from different ethnicities but are one in our religion, he told AFP. Just days before the papal visit, Myanmar and Bangladesh signed a deal to start repatriating Rohingya refugees within two months. But details of the agreement including the use of temporary shelters for returnees, many of whose homes have been burned to the ground raise questions for Rohingya fearful of returning without guarantees of basic rights. Francis will travel on to Bangladesh on Thursday. Pontiff alludes to suffering of Rohingya but avoids directly referring to ethnic group in visit to Myanmar. Pope Francis has met Myanmars State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi but avoided directly addressing the ongoing Rohingya crisis. At the meeting in Yangon on Tuesday, the pontiff stressed the importance of Myanmar respecting the identity of all of its ethnic groups, without using the term Rohingya. More than 600,000 Rohingya have fled to neighbouring Bangladesh in fear of abuses by Myanmarese soldiers. The ethnic group is subject to a raft of discriminatory measures by Myanmars government, such as being deprived of citizenship. Having previously spoken against the persecution of our Rohingya brothers and sisters, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church had been advised by Myanmars archbishop not to use the word Rohingya. Tun Khin, the president of the Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK (BROUK), told Al Jazeera that the popes omission of the word Rohingya was very sad. The Burmese government is denying our existence, and our identity, he said. How can the pope raise the issue of the Rohingya crisis if he is not even using the name? Khin said that the pope should use his platform to pressure Aung San Suu Kyi and Myanmars military to stop this genocide and to allow humanitarian aid access to the Rohingya. He should have spoken out against this hate campaign targeting the Rohingya and other minorities in Burma, Khin said. Nevertheless, Al Jazeeras Scott Heidler, reporting from Yangon, said the pontiff did allude to the persecuted minority. Rohingya is a very sensitive topic, it is a very sensitive word here in Myanmar, particularly when it comes to dealing with the government, Heidler explained. He didnt say Rohingya but he alluded to the Rohingya and their plight, and he said that for the future of this country there needs to be acceptance and respect for the identity of all ethnic groups and who they are. The International Rescue Committee expressed hope that the pope will address a number of key aspects regarding the Rohingya crisis. We are talking about a global figure of unity and compassion and hope for the worlds most vulnerable people, Chiara Trincia, an IRC humanitarian expert told Al Jazeera. Among these key aspects, Trincia said, is first and foremost the call for Myanmarese authorities to halt all military operations, and to emphasize that the crux of this crisis rests upon a recognition of and improvement in the basic and equal rights, services and protections long denied to the Rohingya people. Myanmars ruling party has objected to the use of the term Rohingya to identify the mostly Muslim minority, demanding that they are called Bengalis despite the persecuted group living there for generations. The UN, as well as the US, have said the violent actions taken by Myanmars armed forces and local vigilantes amount to ethnic cleansing against its Rohingya minority. In 2012, Myanmars armed forces began to force Rohingya into refugee camps, both in Rakhine state and across the border into Bangladesh. The ongoing crisis is being described as the worlds biggest forced exodus this year. Last week the government of Bangladesh signed a deal with Myanmar on the repatriation of Rohingya, but details of the deal have still not been made public. Attacker being prosecuted for attempted murder after striking Andreas Hollstein of ruling CDU in the neck in a shop. The mayor of the German town of Altena has been stabbed, in what appears to be a political attack. Andreas Hollstein, 57, was struck in the neck while in a kebab shop. Witnesses said the attacker criticised the mayors pro-refugee policy during the stabbing. The attack was stopped by Demir Abdullah, the shop owner, and his son. Hollstein was lightly injured on his neck after the assailant put a large knife on his throat. You let me die of thirst but you bring 200 refugees to Altena, the attacker said, according to Hollstein. I was lucky the shop owners helped me, he said during a press conference. They risked their own lives by doing so. Im sure that if they hadnt reacted like that, I wouldnt be alive. The attacker is being prosecuted for attempted murder. {articleGUID} Altena, a city with about 17,000 inhabitants, has been very welcoming to refugees coming to Germany, taking in more refugees than the quota set and using the slogan: From refugee to fellow citizen as a way to promote its open policy. Hollstein, member of Chancellor Angela Merkels conservative CDU party, has been part of the driving force behind this pro-refugee stance. In May, he received an award from Merkel for his part in integrating refugees into German society. On Twitter, Merkel condemned the attack, saying she was appalled by the event. Im very relieved he can be with his family again. Thank you to those who have helped him. Kanzlerin #Merkel: Ich bin entsetzt uber den Messerangriff auf Burgermeister Andreas Hollstein und sehr erleichtert, dass er schon wieder bei seiner Familie sein kann. Dank auch an die, die ihm geholfen haben. #Altena Steffen Seibert (@RegSprecher) November 28, 2017 During the press conference, Hollstein cautioned against hate in the political discourse, saying: Hate doesnt get us anywhere. Getting this message across is important to me. He said he felt the social climate had hardened but that these risks had to be taken into consideration. However, Hollstein said police protection was out of the question. I cant do my job with police protection, he said. His sentiment was echoed by Germanys justice minister, Heiko Maas. He said on Twitter that attacks on others, especially when they are helping people, should never be accepted. Our country should not tolerate hate and violence, Hollstein added. Schreckliche Nachricht aus Altena. Gute Besserung, BM Andreas Hollstein @Hollstein63. Durfen niemals akzeptieren, dass Menschen attackiert werden, nur weil sie anderen helfen. In unserem Land darf kein Platz sein fur Hass und Gewalt. https://t.co/8GBqqEEjJe Heiko Maas (@HeikoMaas) November 27, 2017 The CDU has drawn a lot of criticism over the last couple of years for its open stance regarding refugees. {articleGUID} It won last Septembers elections, but saw far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party gain many seats in parliament. The AfD is known for its strong anti-refugee stance. In 2015, Colognes mayor, Henriette Reker, was stabbed in a similar incident. She was severely injured, but survived. Last year, her attacker was sentenced to 14 years in jail. Israel is among top weapons suppliers to Myanmar, which is brutally cracking down on Muslim-majority Rohingya. Amid a brutal campaign against Muslim-majority Rohingya in Myanmar, Rabbi Dov Peretz Elkins did something he had never done before, signing a petition against the Israeli government to end arms supplies to the Myanmar military. Rabbis have a moral obligation to make their voice heard in such moral situations, Elkins, who holds Israeli and American citizenship, told Al Jazeera from Jerusalem. More than 620,000 Rohingya have fled Myanmars western Rakhine State in recent months amid a crackdown by the Myanmar military, in a campaign of what the United States and United Nations have called ethnic cleansing. The petition from Truah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, a Jewish human rights organisation, calls on the Israeli and US governments to stop supplying arms to Myanmars government. Israel is among the top weapons suppliers to Myanmar. As American citizens and as Jews, we refuse to accept any involvement by the US or Israel in training or arming a military that is carrying out a brutal ethnic cleansing against a minority population, the petition reads. Hundreds of rabbis have signed. A lot of us feel powerless to do something in the face of what is happening, Rabbi Rachel Kahn-Trosterso, a director at Truah, told Al Jazeera. So the opportunity to be part of this coalition and following a rabbinic moral voice to speak out was very important to us. Pushing for change A number of groups have recently formed to advocate for the Rohingya, including the Jewish Alliance of Concern Over Burma (JACOB), founded jointly by Rabbi Simkha Weintraub and Adem Carroll, who is Muslim. Their work involves raising awareness and pushing for policy changes. Because the Rohingya have so few members in the US, they really need to have their voice be heard here, Carroll told Al Jazeera. Maha Elgenaidi, the founder of the Islamic Networks Group, a US non-profit focused on interfaith engagement, said it was heartening to see members of the Jewish community stand up for the Rohingya. She has worked on improving Jewish-Muslim relations for the past 15 years, and noted that the solidarity between the two communities has been gradually building and strengthened further after the last US election. Both communities suddenly became very vulnerable, Elgenaidi told Al Jazeera. And theres been an awareness of our shared heritage, our shared beliefs, our similar practices, as well as awareness of shared vulnerabilities as two of the largest religious minorities in the country. Both Carroll and Weintraub say they have not faced any resistance from either community for the work they have been doing in support of the Rohingya. Weve let Rwanda happen, and weve let Cambodia happen, weve let Armenia and who knows how many horrible things happen. But now, were in a different place in terms of consciousness, communication and awareness, Weintraub said. There is no pope no one leader either in the Muslim world or in the Jewish world who says what is the order of things, so were all finding our own way. UN envoy says Syria has agreed to Russian proposal for ceasefire in rebel-held Eastern Ghouta after days of bombardment. Shelling has killed at least three people in Syrias Eastern Ghouta, according to a monitoring group, just hours before the UN announced that Syrias government had agreed to a ceasefire in the rebel-held area, after days of intense bombardment. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported the death toll, a day after air raids in the besieged district on the outskirts of Damascus killed at least 19 people. The report came as opposition delegates gathered in Geneva on Tuesday for a new round of UN-sponsored talks. Government representatives were expected to arrive in the Swiss city on Wednesday. However, there is little optimism for progress towards ending the Syrian conflict, now in its seventh year. Russian proposal Staffan de Mistura, the UN envoy for Syria, said in Geneva the government of President Bashar al-Assad had agreed to a Russian plan for a truce in the rebel-controlled enclave. Russia has proposed and the government has accepted a ceasefire in Eastern Ghouta, he said, noting that he learned of the proposal from a Russian ambassador, during an earlier meeting of envoys from the five Security Council permanent representatives: the UK, US, France, China and Russia. Now we need to see whether this [ceasefire] takes place, but it is not coincidental that this was actually proposed and agreed upon just the day of the beginning of this session [in Geneva], he added. Al Jazeeras James Bays, reporting from Geneva, said the opposition delegates there are likely to welcome the ceasefire in Eastern Ghouta. There really is, at the moment, only one side that is involved in military action there, and that is the Syrian government with their onslaught, their aerial bombardment that has been going on for days and days now and causing such agony for the people there, he said. Attacks on Eastern Ghouta over the past two weeks have killed more than 100 people, according to SOHR, which monitors developments in Syrias conflict via a network of sources on the ground. De-escalation zone Eastern Ghouta was hit even though it was listed as a de-escalation zone, where military activity is prohibited under an agreement endorsed by Turkey, Russia, and Iran, in separate talks with Syrian government and opposition delegates in Kazakhstans capital, Astana. Rebels in Eastern Ghouta have managed to keep Syrian military forces at bay during years of war; however, a government siege of the district has led to a humanitarian crisis with severe shortages of food and medicine. After months of stalemate, the eighth round of the Geneva talks is expected to focus primarily on a new constitution and elections, two of the four so-called baskets of reforms laid out by the UN for a political settlement to the Syria crisis. It has been reported that hundreds of people are being auctioned in modern day slave markets in Libya for as little as $400. The worlds most vulnerable, fleeing war and poverty back home, are being abused and auctioned off as slaves a shocking danger facing migrants and refugees in Libya. It has been reported that hundreds of people are being auctioned in modern day slave markets in Libya for as little as $400. Libya is the main transit hub for refugees and migrants attempting to reach southern Europe by sea. They are coming from countries like Nigeria, Eritrea, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Senegal, Sudan and Somalia. The power vacuum in Libya after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi has made human trafficking and people smuggling a booming trade. And the European Unions renewed strategy to stop migrants and refugees travelling across the Mediterranean has led to more people being stuck in the north African country without money or food. Al Jazeeras Bernard Smith reports. Turkish President Recep Erdogan claims the case against Zarrab is politically motivated and ultimately intended to bolster US-based dissident Fethullah Gulen, who seeks to overthrow Erdogans government. A Turkish gold trader charged with conspiring to evade US sanctions against Iran will not go on trial in New York this week. Reza Zarrab dropped out of sight in the two months leading up to his scheduled trial. However, there is widespread speculation that Zarrab has flipped and is now cooperating with the prosecution. He was abruptly released from prison in early November and his whereabouts are publically unknown. The US lawyer says he remains in federal custody. And that has led to speculation that he entered the witness protection programme. This has prompted Turkeys prime minister to suggest Zarrab has reached a plea deal with US authorities. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey maintains this is a politically motivated prosecution intended to discredit and ultimately overthrow his government on behalf of Fethullah Gulen, an Islamic leader who lives in Pennsylvania. Al Jazeeras Shihab Rattansi reports from Washington. The Government of Japan has provided generous funding in an Emergency Grant Aid, to support UNICEFs ongoing lifesaving work for women and children hit by the devastating drought in Somalia. The US$3 million grant will fund essential health, sanitation and hygiene and nutrition services for some of the worst affected communities. The funding will benefit []http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Appa-sourceTheAfric... H.E. Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan James Wani Igga, the University of Juba School of Public Service, and UNDP, will launch a two-week training programme for members of the new Revenue Authority Governing Board under the theme Raising Transformational Leaders for Transparent and Accountable Revenue Diversification in South Sudan. Objectives of the []http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Appa-sourceTheAfric... Minister of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation and Chairperson of the National Planning Commission, Jeff Radebe will deliver a keynote address at the release of the South African Child Gauge 2017 themed Investing in children and tracking progress to drive national development. The South African Child Gauge which is published by the Childrens Institute, University of []http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Appa-sourceTheAfric... By way of full disclosure, I will tell you that I support Roy Moore, I have known him a long time, and have contributed to his campaign. I recommended to then-Governor Robert Bentley that he appoint him to fill the unexpired term of Senator Jeff Sessions when the latter was appointed attorney general. I was in the company of Moore within the last week. With all that said, I will proceed to offer you my opinion on the accusations against him presently jamming the American electromagnetic spectrum. First of all, I think it important to make clear exactly what, true or false, the accusations are. The accusations first came from four middle-age women who claim that Moore dated them when they were at a tender age. Three of the four can be dealt with summarily. Yes, they were young, in their teens, but they only allege that Moore hugged and kissed them, nothing more. Further, these girls, or some of them, had the consent of their parents to date Moore. These three in no way should even be called accusers. They are just telling some innocent reminiscences. The fourth lady, Leigh Corfman, says that Moore took off some of their clothes, but did not engage in sex. She asked him to take her home, and he did. None of this is a crime, even if it happened. But did it? According to the records, the accuser has been divorced three times, has declared bankruptcy more than once, and has accused three ministers of sexual abuse. Now, who are you going to believe? The respected gentleman lawyer in the small town where everyone knows everyone, or this lady with this rough biography? This story has not sold well, so Moores enemies have doubled down. And in doing so they have shot themselves in the foot. They have produced a story so preposterous that Moores supporters should vote them a resolution of thanks. Here is their story: Gloria Allred, the feminist lawyer who champions transgender females, and who frequently pummels Trump, found, or had sent to her, one 57-year-old lady by name of Beverly Young Nelson. Allred brought her to New York -- at what expense and by whom paid unknown -- and before a dozen microphones, with Allred beside her with her arm around her, she told a fabulous story about Moore. She says that one night as she left the restaurant where she worked, Moore offered to take her home, and as soon as she got in the car he swung around to the back of the restaurant, stopped, and immediately attacked her by groping and squeezing her neck. He then put her out of the car. Now, lets just stop right here for a moment. Is this the way a sane, intelligent man, with no record of violence, nor even any misdemeanor, goes about winning the favor of a girl? And a few questions for Ms. Nelson flood the mind. She alleges that this happened 40 years ago. She says that shes still traumatized today by the memory of this horrible act. Why would that be? If it did happen as she alleges, it would amount to no more than a man getting fresh with her. She could have screamed if necessary, and probably been heard by some in the restaurant, or she could simply have walked around to the front of the restaurant and gone in. She was not harmed, so why would a stable lady of 57 years be in emotional trauma after so long a time? The YouTube video of this press conference is well worth viewing. Here is the pitiful Ms. Nelson, oh, so much in pain, dabbing the tears in her eyes with a tissue, convincing perhaps to the naive or unobservant. But where were the tears? Not one was visible. On the very face of it we can see that this is a puerile farce. But there is much more. The Still Report has done an excellent job in analyzing this claim. I will just mention one of his seven points, then hand you off to his video for the others. Allred exhibited an old high-school annual of Ms. Nelsons, which purports to contain a glowing inscription written by Judge Moore. But the writing was in two different color inks, and was written by two different people. The Still Report is devastating, and you must see the whole thing. In sum, by frantically trying to defend their case, the malevolent persons have sailed far out from shore into turbulent water, and are likely to suffer their ruin. The most disappointing aspect of this case, for me and other conservatives of my kind, is the judgmental behavior of Senator Richard Shelby and Attorney General Jeff Sessions, heretofore admired sons of Alabama. Both have abandoned Moore, our duly nominated Republican candidate for the Senate, and joined forces with the infamous Gloria Allred. I can only hypothesize that, through their years in Washington, they have been captured by the enemy, and now are exhibiting the well-known symptoms of Stockholm Syndrome. My longtime friend, and the man who is my congressman, Mo Brooks, deserves special accolades. He alone among the Alabama congressional delegation has resisted the blitzkrieg of Democrats and Republicans accepting the accusations of the infamous Gloria Allred, and pronouncing judgement without any considering of the facts. Bless him! Huntsville, Alabama resident Hugh McInnish is a retired engineer who worked for the Army in the missile business. Send him email. Theres a lot of people wagging their fingers just now at the 1990s. If you want to understand the 2010s and HarveyFrankengate, they say, it all started with Bill Clintons One Free Grope. How do we solve the problem? Lets do an Ike and make the problem bigger, with Hillary Clinton. I havent read Hillary Clintons majestic political thriller What Happened, but I understand that page 114 contains the following gem: This has to be said: sexism and misogyny played a role in the 2016 presidential election. Exhibit A is that the flagrantly sexist candidate won. How could this be, 50 years after the Civil Rights Acts, in a half century where the only thing that liberals cared about was racism, sexism, and homophobia. Now we know. It turns out that the supporters of Hillary Clinton, in Hollywood, in Congress, in broadcasting, are the most sexist and misogynistic people on the planet! So thats what she means by sexism and misogyny played a role! Who knew! Sexism and misogyny are what Harvey Weinstein does. And Al Franken. And Charlie Rose too. Because in my book, sexism is getting a girl into a restaurant for champagne and caviar, hustling her out a side door over to the office, and misogyny is bringing her back much the worse for wear. Or thrusting your tongue into her mouth. Or parading around naked. Talk about the power of the patriarchy, feminist approved, because choice. But this is very bad. If the liberal champions of the rights of women are nothing but gap-toothed sexists and misogynists then what hope is there for a world in which women are safe and respected? It gets worse. If women are being harassed six ways from Sunday in the workplace, maybe that means that women are too fragile and helpless to look after themselves without the protection of fathers and brothers and husbands near at hand, especially considering that the police are too busy killing blacks to lend a hand. It is clear from the actions of the Harveys and the Als and the Charlies that their thing is power. They like power and they like to use it on women. But if this is a problem with liberal notables, imagine how bad the problem must be for poor Julia, faithfully living her Life of Julia consuming government programs. Shes the kind of girl that works in an administrative bureaucracy like a hospital, or a congressional office, or a corporation, in which workers do the will of the organization supervised by administrative power from above. This means that any woman is at risk from any man supervising her. Because power. The message from the campus rape crisis and sexual harassment in the workplace is that women expect, nay demand, to be protected. And they get very angry if they are not protected, like this snowflake at The New Republic who says that the snowflakers were right all along: it isnt safe! Therefore: Really making our spaces safe will require much more, though. It will require a real redistribution of power throughout the workplace, the campus, the economy, the world. Until then, the blathering class is right on one point: There is no such thing as a safe space. Notice the passive voice. To Sarah Jaffe, redistribution of power is something that just gets done, no doubt by governments men with guns, properly supervised by diversity and inclusion administrators. So here we are, with the wages of a century of liberals redistributing power and loot: The sexual revolution has made college women into booty calls. Careers for women has meant subordinating them to the slavering Harveys of the world. Blacks are so pissed off that they believe that the cops are trying to kill them. And the liberal response is to demand more redistribution of power. You know, if Sarah Jaffe got out more she might discover that there is a whole universe of thinkers out there dedicated to the proposition that the problem is power, and the solution is the separation of powers. To these thinkers, the redistribution of power means nothing, just the replacement of one set of thugs by another. But if you separate power, within government and between government and the private sector and religion, then you can set up the bleachers to watch the powerful duke it out with each other. And while the powerful are doing their power thing with each other the rest of us can create safe spaces where people that are not that interested in power can wive and thrive without kowtowing every morning to the local power yokel. Christopher Chantrill @chrischantrill runs the go-to site on US government finances, usgovernmentspending.com. Also get his American Manifesto and his Road to the Middle Class. The study of the liberal arts is increasingly becoming passe. Schools are encouraged by government grants to infiltrate the classrooms with STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and computer science instruction, creating a generation of programmable techies who are proficient at clicking but not at thinking. As a frequent cellphone and computer user, I certainly do appreciate technological advances. What bothers me, however, is that government is involved in persuading schools what to teach and telling students what to study. Im also disturbed by the consistent naysayers who dismiss studying the humanities as some frivolous, artistic venture that contains about as much value as Kim Kardashians views on the Gulf War. As someone who majored in the liberal arts, I can say thats absolutely not true. The James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal just published a very interesting piece titled, Liberal Arts Education Is Not (Necessarily) a Waste of Time. In the article, George Leef points out, The liberal arts can be a practical education, but at too many schools there isnt much education going on in their programs. Leef retells a story of a student who was considering studying history at Harvard, but when the students parents found out, was told the liberal arts are a house of pain. Leef explains there is a prevailing perception that those students who study history, literature, philosophy or anything else that doesnt have a clear occupational path is just throwing away years of school time and a great deal of money. Focus instead, people say, on practical subjects that might at least lead to a job after college. My theory is that the liberal arts is a waste of time rumor was started by a bunch of progressive elites afraid of what might happen when people, especially young ones, started to develop their own conclusions instead of drinking the Kool-Aid served to them at government schools controlled by liberal, big-government types. You may think such a claim is right-wing nonsense, or even silly, but before completely dismissing the idea, consider the following: First, liberals control the overwhelming majority of higher-education institutions in America, and yet many of them are the ones dismissing liberal arts and suggesting its useless. Second, liberals philosophy hinges on everyone working together like little cogs in a giant machine, an idea that fits well with advancing STEM, but doesnt make much sense with the liberal arts. Third, liberal arts hinges on studying the classic thinkers of Western Civilization, most of whom the left has dismissed as racist, misogynistic, greedy, or homophobic. In short, the liberal arts is a giant roadblock on the path to socialism, so why wouldnt the left want to undermine it? What about the claim there isnt much education going on in most liberal arts programs anymore? Whats happened? I attended (shameless plug alert) the University of Dallas (UD), a small liberal arts Catholic college known for its core curriculum. At UD, for about two years students dont choose any of their own classes. Theyre required to complete pretty much all the same courses in literature, theology, philosophy, art, science, history, and language before they can begin to focus on higher-level classes specific to their majors. Our curriculum, UDs website says, is based on a core that emphasizes the pursuit of truth and virtue in the classical Western tradition and the importance of academic rigor. How can the pursuit of truth and virtue have been diluted to such a point that those who make it their focus in college are, upon graduation, considered virtually unemployable? Philosophy is the love of wisdom, theology the study of God, yet these studies -- once considered the purpose of human existence -- are now looked at as mere frippery thats not worth anyones time (unless you went to Stanford). How can someone who has mastered the theories of Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and Aquinas, as well as the history of Gaul, the nuances of Shakespeare, and other similar topics once considered to be essential, be worthless? Surely such a mind is capable of more than a narrow focus, yet such is the predominant and well-crafted misconception about liberal arts majors. The truth is, liberal arts majors are not ill-equipped as employees and doomed to a life on food stamps. Wilson Peden wrote in Fortune magazine in 2015 (and backed his excellent article up with lots of data), For the last time: No, earning a degree in English, philosophy, art history, name-your-humanities-discipline will not condemn you to a lifetime of unemployment and poverty Persistent or not, the myth of the unemployed humanities major is just that: a myth, and an easily disproven one at that. A 2014 report from InsideHigherEd similarly reported, Over the arc of a career, humanities and social science graduates earn as much or more than those in professional fields, new study shows, and are equally employed. The Wall Street Journal agreed. As did Time. And CNN. Fareed Zakaria wrote in the Washington Post in 2015, Americas obsession with STEM education is dangerous, proclaiming, This dismissal of broad-based learning comes from a fundamental misreading of the facts -- and puts America on a dangerously narrow path for the future. Broad-based learning is being dismissed because of an ever-deepening infiltration of left-wing radicals, who, like the public K12 teachers unions folks, see academia as the perfect place to sink their teeth and finagle the future to their evil wills. Liberal professors outnumber conservative ones 12 to one. Even the straightforward, fact-based realm of engineering is not safe from these rabid manipulators. The bottom line is this: The liberal arts are valuable. Theyre beautiful and necessary. They have, however, at many colleges and universities, been perverted by people looking to advance their own ideological agenda -- one that is nihilist at best and fascist at worst. But students drawn to the examination of truth, beauty, and goodness ought not to fear. Youll enjoy college. Youll find a job. Youll make good money. You wont be liberal. And youll be just fine. Teresa Mull (tmull@heartland.org) is a research fellow in education policy at The Heartland Institute. A former Marine colonel who served as General John Kelly's chief of staff says he will run as an independent write-in candidate in the upcoming Alabama Senate contest. Kelly currently serves as Donald Trump's chief of staff. The announcement by retired colonel Lee Busby is just the latest twist in the Alabama Senate race that has been roiled by charges that the GOP candidate, Roy Moore, dated teenage girls. Washington Times: Mr. Busby told the newspaper that he intends to run as an independent and rely on social media to promote himself. "If this were a military operation, the left flank and the right flank are heavily guarded," he explained to The Post. "I think that gives you an opportunity to run straight up the middle," he added. The news comes as Republican candidate Roy Moore continues to face allegations of sexual misconduct while working as a district attorney in Alabama. Mr. Moore has been accused of pursuing relationships with teenage girls while he was in his 30s. He is facing Democratic challenger Doug Jones in a Dec. 12 special election. Although Alabama is a deep red state, Republicans are nervous about potentially losing the seat to Democratic candidate Doug Jones as polls show Mr. Moore slipping. Mr. Trump has praised Mr. Kelly for his military service and has shown a fondness for putting military members in positions of power in his administration. He has not commented about Mr. Busby's possible campaign at this time. Busby's campaign will be just another sideshow in a race that Democrats believe they have a chance to win. But despite all the trouble that the charges of sexual misconduct have caused Moore, the Democrat in the race, Doug Jones, still faces a steep challenge. Jones is not a candidate to generate much excitement. He is a colorless, faceless candidate the Democrats put up as a sacrificial lamb in heavily Republican Alabama. Busby's efforts won't affect the outcome of the race unless regular GOP voters are more inclined to reject Moore than they've shown so far. That isn't likely to happen with Trump behind him even if Trump won't campaign for Moore or mention him by name. Unless Moore's candidacy so disgusts decent Republicans that they stay home in droves on election day, Moore will win narrowly. And Busby's futile effort to find a "middle" in Alabama won't get very far. On Monday morning, I drank a quick coffee and watched Professor Alan Dershowitz argue that Dems have to move center if they want to win! I hope centrist Democrats horrified at the state of their party are watching or listening to the liberal professor in California. We learned a few days ago that some Democrats are after the Little Sisters again: The Little Sisters of the Poor are heading back to court to defend themselves against the Obama administration's Health and Human Services mandate to provide contraception, yet again. In an unusual political move, Pennsylvania and California sued the Little Sisters, demanding the same group who won at the Supreme Court in Zubik v. Burwell provide contraceptives in their state. In early October, HHS issued a new rule that protects religious non-profits like the Little Sisters of the Poor from providing anything like contraception that would violate their religious beliefs. In a press release, Mark Rienzi, senior counsel at Becket and lead attorney for the Little Sisters of the Poor, said: "Sadly Josh Shapiro and Xavier Becerra [attorneys general in Pennsylvania and California, respectively] think attacking nuns is a way to score political points. These men may think their campaign donors want them to sue nuns, but our guess is most taxpayers disagree. No one needs nuns in order to get contraceptives, and no one needs these guys reigniting the last administration's divisive and unnecessary culture war." Crazy, and that's all you can say! As the article points out, there is a lot of political posturing here, with state attorneys general looking for some donations from Planned Parenthood or perhaps Hollywood. Once upon a time, most reasonable people of whatever faith would have applauded a group of religious women taking care of the sick. After all, these sisters are taking care of people and often without insurance. The ladies are not a threat to anyone, unless you are in the pockets of Planned Parenthood and use these frivolous lawsuits to keep the donations coming. PS: You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter. One of the great joys of the Trump presidency is watching the self-immolation of his most vehement critics. Among the nastiest Trump-hating progressives in media is Keith Olbermann, who is capping a multi-year losing streak with a pathetic fantasy-based rationale as a cover for his failure. Readers will be forgiven for not remembering Olbermann, for he has already fallen from the heights of MSNBC, where he once had a reported $30 million four-year contract to continue his nightly Countdown with Keith Olbermann show. That plum position went away after management there got tired of dealing with his legendary temper and demands, so Keith downsized his career. His destination, Current TV, the leftist cable news channel founded by Al Gore, was such a loser that Gore sold it to the jihad-supporting rulers of Qatar to use as a vehicle for distributing Al Jazeera America, which also was so unpopular that it could not be sustained. Once again, Olbermann was out of a job. See a pattern here? What is the opposite of a "Midas touch"? The best alternative Keith could come up with for visibility as a video commentator was a podcast carrying the name of GQ Magazine (infamous most recently for featuring Colin Kaepernick on its cover). His career is imploding, and his former live-in girlfriend, MSNBC's Katy Tur (who is being heavily promoted by the New York Times), is long gone. As the photo below indicates, the attraction was already fading: Gone, too, is Olbermann's luxury apartment in the Trump Palace in Manhattan. With typical bluster, he announced that his downsized lifestyle was due to his hatred of Donald Trump, during the 2016 campaign for the GOP nomination. The video segment on ABC's The View is worth watching for its nastiness ("I ran out of spit" when walking past the building's name) and political cluelessness Olbermann dismissed the possibility of Trump getting the GOP nomination, much less winning the presidency. Watching Olbermann's nemesis Donald Trump in the White House must be the final straw, proving to Olbermann that he is just a loser. So, yesterday, he announced his retirement from political commentary (that nobody is much interested in) by claiming that his job is done and that President Trump's impeachment is "imminent." NEW VIDEO: After "Pocahontas," Trump's an ex-president waiting to happen - imminently. So this will be the last episode of #TheResistanceGQ. If you're a political account and I unfollow you it ain't personal. And I recommend everybody follow @ddale8 pic.twitter.com/NzguN6uvL3 Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) November 27, 2017 So Olbermann's political commentary is over, "not with a bang but a whimper." The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear a case involving the constitutionality of the Confederate flag emblem on Mississippi's state flag. A black lawyer argued that the emblem should be banned because it represented white supremacy. But a lower court refused to hear the suit because the lawyer did not have standing to sue. The Supreme Court issued its ruling without comment. NPR: In his appeal to the Supreme Court, Moore argued that the lower court interpreted the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause too narrowly. He called for the Supreme Court to declare Mississippi statutes on how the flag should be designed and displayed as unconstitutional. He also wanted the justices to deem unconstitutional a statute that called for schoolchildren in the state such as his own daughter to be taught "proper respect" for the flag and for the " 'official pledge of the State of Mississippi,' which reads: I salute the flag of Mississippi and the sovereign state for which it stands with pride in her history and achievements and with confidence in her future under the guidance of Almighty God." "The message in Mississippi's flag has always been one of racial hostility and insult and it is pervasive and unavoidable by both children and adults," Moore's appeal reads. "The state's continued expression of its message of racial disparagement sends a message to African-American citizens of Mississippi that they are second class citizens." Moore said in court documents that for him, exposure to the flag is "painful, threatening, and offensive." He added that seeing the flag at courthouses creates a "hostile work and business environment." In a Facebook post shared by his law firm on Monday, Moore praised his lawyers for "a valiant fight." He wrote: "If the state flag is to change it will be up to the people or the elected representatives. The public sentiment continues to change and I trust the flag will change in due season." He told The Associated Press that he has received five death threats because of the lawsuit. Moore's case was listed as one of dozens of cases that the Supreme Court decided not to take up, as is standard for the top court. Moore's novel approach to banning the Confederate flag failed largely because the Supreme Court hates novelty. His suit was based on talking points, not the law, and certainly not on any recognizable 14th Amendment claim. Activists will claim that the Supreme Court "endorsed" the use of the Confederate flag as an emblem of the state, but that's simply not the case. If a state wants to ban the Confederate flag from its own standard as several Southern states have done that's their business. But the court's decision not to hear Moore's suit reinforces the idea that there are some limits on federal power, and the state's decision to recognize its problematic heritage by including the controversial flag is well within its rights. I think more than anything else, whether or not an individual or a state decides to display the Confederate flag, it is a matter of freedom of expression and up to either the individual or the people of a sovereign state. Does it offend people to display the flag? No doubt. But being offended by a symbol is no reason to ban it. No one, as far as I know, has ever sued to ban the Black Power flag or any other offensive sign indicating black separatism or nationalism. So why should the Confederate flag be singled out for special treatment? #NeverTrumps are having a time trying to force-fit Donald Trump into the usual categories of president. He's ideological, or he's pro-business, or he's pro-military or populist or what have you. They completely miss the central point of Donald Trump's presidency, which is to get rid of all the government blocks; bottlenecks; you-can'ts; oh-buts; restrictions; impediments; and, oh yeah, corruption that get in the way of people getting ahead in their lives. He knows all about it because he has had to deal with these roadblocks in his own businesses. America did not need another politician president bent on attaining ideological ends or pursuing some pie-in-the-sky personal agenda. We needed a president who understood that getting government out of the way is by far the most important thing he can do. Trump has spent his entire adult life meeting the demands of others of homeowners, of politicians, of bureaucrats, of businesses, of little guys, big guys, rich guys, not so rich guys. He understands that he's not the only mover and shaker out there and that he has to deal with the others. That's what successful businessmen do. It's what Trump is doing. His major goal from the beginning has been to drain the swamp to get rid of all those artificial constraints that slow down people and progress for poor reasons: corruption, mostly, in all of its multitudinous forms such as unneeded bureaucrats (by the hundreds of thousands), unnecessary regulations (by the hundreds of thousands of pages), and padded costs (in overruns by the tens of millions of dollars). Pay to play. Slush funds. A weaponized IRS. He is spot-on correct that what's needed is real management, not management by ideology or sinecures for Lois Lerner types on power trips. That is how to understand Donald Trump. (ANSAmed) - CAIRO, NOVEMBER 27 - An exhibit will be held in Viterbo from May until November next year on copies of Egyptian archaeological treasures, the Italian fundraising society Societa Italiana di Beneficienza (SID) has announced. SID is the sponsor of the initiative presented as an unprecedented event in Italy. The exhibit will be held in the Palazzo dei Papi, the president of SIB, Sicilian philanthropist Eugenio Benedetti Gaglio, told ANSAmed. The exhibit will showcase, among others, perfect copies of the entire treasure of Tutankhamun, with the famous golden death mask, the sarcophagus of the Pharaoh who died young and became a symbol of Egyptomania. Now Benedetti Gaglio has said that the exhibition will include some 150 pieces such as ''the eight Sphynxes, a perfect marble copy of those in the triumphal entry to the great temple of Karnak'' in Luxor. The pieces of the treasure of Tutankhamun to be exhibited will also include the ''lid with the canopic jar, the famous little Pharaoh throne, the great 'naos' and the collection of jewels presents''. The reproductions, at the end of the show, will be put on sale and, in particular, there is a ''deluge of requests'' for the sphynxes, said Gaglio. These are very expensive large pieces that can only be afforded by companies, institutions and the wealthy. Visitors will be able to buy ''2-3,000 replicas of objects of small dimension, which are exactly similar to the originals extracted from Egyptian tombs, all with a certificate of authenticity put on sale through us at a special price by the Egyptian ministry of antiquities'', said the former businessman. The economic aspect, the foundation stressed, is only marginal: the spirit of the initiative is to renew relations between Italy and Egypt that are currently damaged, through an archaeology that is accessible to almost everybody, without necessarily needing to go to Cairo to admire it. The choice of setting it up in Etruscan Lazio, with its almost unique parallelism to the Egyptian cult of the dead, gives further meaning to the show that is part of two other initiatives organized by SIB next year in Italy, aimed at promoting cultural and religious dialogue between the two shores of the Mediterranean. They are an exhibition of Coptic art, with the reproduction of rare icons in a holy Italian site still to be defined, and a series of four Egyptian folk music concerts. (ANSAmed). BARCELONA - With half of President Carles Puigdemont's government in jail for promoting Catalanonia's separatist ambitions and the other half living in exile in Belgium, Erc leader Marta Rovira, the potential future Catalan president if her party will win December 21 elections, as expected by polls, risks an indictment. Puigdemont and his ministers risk a 30-year jail term on sedition charges. The Spanish Guardia Civil accuses Rovira of ''giving directives'' to organize the referendum for independence on October 1. TUNIS - Salento's music company Xanty Yaxa is returning to Tunisia for a tour after an eight-year-long absence. The company was created in 1993 in Nardo. Xanti Yaca is performing in Tunisia, the country where the Arab spring kicked off and the starting point for thousands of refugees emigrating to Europe, its latest musical production called 'Migranti - il viaggio dell'Uomo' (Migrants - Man's travels). After seven months of preparation, the performance is debuting in Beja (November 29, Theatre Complexe Culturel), Nabeul (November 30, Theatre Centre Universitaire), Teboulba (December 1, Theatre Centre Culturel) and Monastir (December 2, Theatre Places des Arts) in a tour that will take the group across the north and south of the country. The production, according to a statement, is part of the program 'Programmazione Puglia Sounds Export 2017' REGIONE PUGLIA - FSC 2014/2020 - Pact for Puglia: let's invest in the future. The project is inspired by recent events in the Mediterranean and opens a window into the phenomenon of migrations. Two young artists have joined the production: a video and a music producer for an original style of high emotional impact that opens a window into events occurring today in the Mediterranean Sea, once considered a point of contact for populations and today a place of death and desperation. The story focuses on the contradictions of mankind - populations can be nomadic or sedentary, peaceful or warmongering. 'Migranti' is a voyage across fears, weaknesses, rationality, the unexpected and human folly as told through videos, photography, live music, poetry, literature, songs and instruments. Music: Xanti Yaca, tour in Tunisia with 'Migrants' Performance inspired by recent events in Med (ANSAmed) - TUNIS, NOVEMBER 28 - Salento's music company Xanty Yaxa is returning to Tunisia for a tour after an eight-year-long absence. The company was created in 1993 in Nardo. Xanti Yaca is performing in Tunisia, the country where the Arab spring kicked off and the starting point for thousands of refugees emigrating to Europe, its latest musical production called 'Migranti - il viaggio dell'Uomo' (Migrants - Man's travels). After seven months of preparation, the performance is debuting in Beja (November 29, Theatre Complexe Culturel), Nabeul (November 30, Theatre Centre Universitaire), Teboulba (December 1, Theatre Centre Culturel) and Monastir (December 2, Theatre Places des Arts) in a tour that will take the group across the north and south of the country. The production, according to a statement, is part of the program 'Programmazione Puglia Sounds Export 2017' REGIONE PUGLIA - FSC 2014/2020 - Pact for Puglia: let's invest in the future. The project is inspired by recent events in the Mediterranean and opens a window into the phenomenon of migrations. Two young artists have joined the production: a video and a music producer for an original style of high emotional impact that opens a window into events occurring today in the Mediterranean Sea, once considered a point of contact for populations and today a place of death and desperation. The story focuses on the contradictions of mankind - populations can be nomadic or sedentary, peaceful or warmongering. 'Migranti' is a voyage across fears, weaknesses, rationality, the unexpected and human folly as told through videos, photography, live music, poetry, literature, songs and instruments. (ANSAmed). France: ongoing evacuation in Paris of Roma camp (ANSAmed) - PARIS, NOVEMBER 28 - An operation to evacuate a makeshift camp in Paris' 18th arrondissement has been ongoing since dawn on Tuesday. The evacuation of some 300 people, mostly Roma immigrants, had long been announced. Living conditions at the camp, located close to a former railway between Porte des Poissonniers and boulevard Ney, had become unsustainable. Most of those living there had already abandoned the site over the past few days after a court ordered its evacuation by Tuesday. (ANSAmed). ROME - More than 3,000 migrants and refugees have drowned in the Mediterranean this year in an attempt to reach Europe, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said Tuesday - an average of almost 10 a day. It was the fourth straight year that the number of deaths had risen, the IOM said. Since the beginning of the year, a total of 163, 979 migrants and refugees arrived in Europe via the Mediterranean Sea and a total of 3,033 died trying. ''We've been saying this for years and we'll keep on saying it: It's no longer enough to simply count these tragic statistics. We must also act," said William Lacy Swing, IOM Director General, on Monday. "This latest news, coming on the heels of all we have learned of open slave markets in Libya, the deprivation we see of those held by smugglers en route to the Mediterranean coast, and the difficult conditions of Libyan detention centres, all demand our attention. We must end these practices and manage migration in a way that is safe, regular and secure for all." ''Over the weekend IOM learned of at least eight deaths on the Western Mediterranean route linking North Africa to Spain as well of the death of a 10-year-old Afghan boy off the Greek island of Lesvos. Also this past weekend IOM learned at least 31 migrants perished in an incident off Libya's coastal city of Garabulli in a boat capsizing. It is believed that many migrants went missing,'' am IOM statement noted. Macron to launch EU-Africa initiative on Libya 'Slavery crime against humanity, massive support to evacuation' (ANSAmed) - PARIS, NOVEMBER 28 - French president Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday in Burkina Faso, on the first stop of an Africa tour, that he wants a "European-African initiative" that will be proposed on Wednesday at the EU-Africa summit in Abidjan in the Ivory Coast. The aim will be to fight against groups involved in organized crime and human trafficking that exploit migrants, some of whom are forced into slavery. The French president added that he wants "Africa and Europe to help populations trapped in Libya by providing massive support to the evacuation of endangered people''. He called the trafficking of migrants as slaves a ''crime against humanity''. (ANSAmed). 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 The stamps, which are set to be on sale locally from 30 November 2017, serve as a historic milestone of Qatar Airways world-class achievements throughout the last two decades. Qatar Airways new limited-edition stamp collection consists of four unique designs following a timeline of some of the airlines many accomplishments. The first is in honour of Qatar Airways achieving a 50-strong fleet of aircraft in 2006, with the second stamp celebrating the airline adding its 100th destination to its global route map in 2011. The third design highlights Qatar Airways becoming the Global Launch Customer of the worlds very first Airbus A350-900 in 2015, while the fourth stamp pays tribute to two of the airlines latest successes in 2017: reaching its 20th year anniversary and being awarded Airline of the Year, for the fourth time, by Skytrax. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Akbar Al Baker, said: Qatar Airways is proud to commemorate its 20th anniversary by sharing these symbolic stamps with the people of Qatar. The stamps celebrate Qatar Airways exceptional expansion as the fastest-growing airline in the world. Through these mementos, we express our pride in being Qatars national carrier and in having reached so many major milestones within the airlines short presence in the industry. We cannot think of a more memorable way to present our numerous achievements than through these historic stamps issued by Qatar Post, and we hope they travel as far and as wide as our airlines extensive global network. Qatar Post produced a total of 160,000 stamps which will be sold for QR5 each to the general public. Qatar Post is the national provider of postal services in Qatar, since it was established in 1950. The company operates 29 branches across the country, handling all domestic and international operations, including e-Government postal services. Living bacteria were found on the surface of the International Space Station (ISS), and they might have extraterrestrial origins, Russian cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov said. The microorganisms will be studied further on Earth. Shkaplerov, an ISS expedition flight engineer who will take his third trip to the ISS in December as part of the Expedition 54 crew, said that scientists found living bacteria while they were taking samples from the surface of the station. Speaking to TASS, he said that the microorganisms might have come from outer space.Bacteria that had not been there during the launch of the ISS module were found on the swabs, Shkaplerov said. So they have flew from somewhere in space and settled on the outside hull. The cosmonaut added that the samples are currently being studied and seem to be safe.Shkaplerov said that some microorganisms from Earth also survived in a vacuum and differences in temperature from -150C to 150C.These bacteria accidentally entered outer space during the Test and Biorisk experiments, in which special pads are installed on the ISS hull and left there for several years to determine how the material is affected by the conditions in space.However, traces of bacteria originating on Earth from Madagascar and plankton from the Barents Sea were earlier found during a Test experiment in May. Scientists explained that they got there due to the ionosphere lift phenomenon, in which substances from our planets surface rise to the upper atmospheric layer. Following the discovery, Russian space agency Roscosmos along with other scientists suggested raising the upper border of the biosphere to 400 kilometers from the current altitude of 20 kilometers. Government has transferred Coal India shares worth nearly Rs 507 crore to Bharat 22 ETF. Ministry of Coal... on behalf of the President of India has transferred 1,92,99,613 equity shares to 'Bharat 22 ETF' at a value of Rs 5,06,51,14,597. New Delhi: The government has transferred Coal India shares worth nearly Rs 507 crore to Bharat 22 ETF, says a regulatory filing. "The Ministry of Coal... on behalf of the President of India has transferred 1,92,99,613 equity shares to 'Bharat 22 ETF' at a value of Rs 5,06,51,14,597, which is 0.31 per cent of total equity share capital of the company," Coal India said in a filing to BSE. "Post transfer, holding of President of India is 4,87,56,71,716 equity shares, which is 78.546 per cent of equity share capital of the company," the filing said. The Bharat 22 Exchange Traded Fund (ETF), comprising scrips of 22 blue-chip companies, this month attracted robust bids, with the portion reserved for anchor investors getting subscribed six times to the tune of Rs 12,000 crore on the opening day. The ICICI Prudential MF-managed Bharat 22 ETF's new fund offer (NFO) has a size of over Rs 8,000 crore. Company has not been served any notice of the application filed by China Development Bank with NCLT. At NSE, shares of the company dived 9.36 per cent to Rs 12.10. (Photo: File) New Delhi: Shares of Reliance Communications fell sharply by over 9 per cent in early trade on Tuesday amid reports that China Development Bank has filed insolvency case against the telecom firm, which the company has denied. The stock tanked 8.61 per cent to Rs 12.20 on BSE. At NSE, shares of the company dived 9.36 per cent to Rs 12.10. However, later the stock recovered some of its early losses and was trading 4.12 per cent lower at Rs 12.80 at 1140 hrs on BSE. BSE had sought clarification from Reliance Communications Ltd after market hours on Monday with respect to news that China Development Bank files insolvency case against it. In a clarification to BSE, Reliance Communications spokesperson on Monday said, "The company has not been served any notice of the application filed by China Development Bank with NCLT, as reported in the media." However, in the interest of all stakeholders, the spokesperson said: "The company is engaged through the JLF (joint lenders forum) with all its lenders for a successful resolution of the SDR process. The China Development Bank has also been actively participating in the JLF." The company is therefore, surprised by the untimely and premature action of the China Development Bank of filing an application at NCLT, the spokesperson added. The company continues to remain engaged with all lenders including the China Development Bank and is confident and committed to a full resolution with the support of all the lenders. Around 10 million people had shown interest in JioPhone in July and the message is being sent to all of them. Company has started sending out messages to potential buyers who had shown interest in buying the phone in July. New Delhi: Reliance Retail has restarted the process of booking for JioPhone, but this time it will be open to only those who have earlier expressed interest in buying the phone. The company has started sending out messages to potential buyers who had shown interest in buying the phone in July. Interested buyers can click on the link or make call to the number displayed in the message. "A link will be sent to people who are again showing interest to make payment of Rs 500 on the authorised channel. Once they make payment, they will be informed about the date when JioPhone will be delivered to them," a Reliance Jio channel partner said. Around 10 million people had shown interest in JioPhone in July and the message is being sent to all of them. No immediate comments were received from Jio and Reliance Retail on the development. About six million JioPhones were booked in just three days when the company opened booking for the 4G feature phone from August 24 in the first phase. Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani had announced that the 4G phone will be "effectively free" for users, but to prevent misuse of the scheme, JioPhone buyers will need to pay one-time fully refundable deposit of Rs 1,500. The entire money will be refunded to customers after usage of the phone for 36 months. The company has further relaxed the refund scheme. Under the new condition set by Jio for the users, handset buyers can get a refund of Rs 500 if they return the device in the first year and have made a recharge of Rs 1,500 during the year. Customers have the flexibility to reach the Rs 1,500 per year usage figure according to their convenience by choosing various tariff plans announced by the company. Similarly, on return of the phone in the second year, the customer will get refund of Rs 1,000 and in the third year, the entire amount of Rs 1,500 will be refunded. Reliance Retail started delivery of JioPhones in small towns from the Navratri festival. Trai in its net neutrality recommendations has sought to bar telecom service providers from any discriminatory practice. Trai Chairman R S Sharma on Tuesday called for Internet, an important platform for India, being kept open and free, and not cannibalised. (Photo: Pixabay/Representational) New Delhi: Trai Chairman R S Sharma on Tuesday called for Internet, an important platform for India, being kept open and free, and not cannibalised. "No one owns Internet... so, it should be open and accessible to everyone," Sharma said, suggesting that service providers should not indulge in gate-keeping of this important platform. Trai on Tuesday issued the much-awaited recommendations on net neutrality and has sought to bar telecom service providers from any discriminatory practice on Internet access. Sharma said Internet is an important platform for the country, especially in the context of innovation, startups, online transactions, various government applications, and the Digital India programme. "So, it is important that the platform is kept open and free and not cannibalised," Sharma told reporters. Asked about the Indian regulator upholding principles of net neutrality when, in fact, US Federal Communications Commission hasproposed to roll back net neutrality rules of 2015, Sharma said Trai has kept the Indian context in mind while framing its recommendations. "We have 500 million net subscribers and 1.3 billion population... big things will happen on Internet and it is important to keep it open," Sharma stressed. He observed that networks should be neutral to content being accessed. "Networks should not prefer one content over other... should not block or offer fast lane (to certain content)," he pointed out. Trai, in its recommendations, has however allowed certain exemptions and exclusions, including specialised services and time-critical Internet of Things services (like autonomous cars). These specialised services -- the likes of tele-surgery etc -- will be identified by the telecom department, which will also take a final call on Trai's overall recommendations on net neutrality. Trai has also stated that Content Delivery Networks which enable telecom operators to deliver content within their network without going through public Internet should be exempted. Trai has allowed Internet service providers to take "reasonable measurements for traffic management provided they are proportionate, transient (only for the duration of some emergency event), and transparent". Pending decision by the telecom department on its recommendations, Trai will continue to enforce conditions of licensing that advocates non-discrimination. Sharma declined to comment on the timeframe for making the latest net neutrality framework effective, saying the regulator has sent its recommendations to the telecom department and the latter has to now take a view. Asked about the fine that will be imposed for any violation, Sharma said the penalty for violation of licence conditions will also be applicable in such cases and no separate penalty had been proposed by the regulator for violation of net neutrality rules. The regulator will come out with a consultation paper on Over The Top (OTT) "very soon". The Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial, which was slated to release on December 1, has indefinitely been postponed. Mumbai: After Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh decided to join the fracas surrounding Padmavati, the Bihar government has now decided to ban the film in its state. CM Nitish Kumar issued a statement saying that the film will not be released in Bihar, until the concerned parties issue adequate clarification. The Supreme Court, whilst dismissing a plea to ban the overseas release of the film, also rebuked state governments for their respective bans on the film. When matter is pending for CBFCs consideration, how can persons holding public offices comment on whether CBFC should issue certificate or not? Itll prejudice decision making of CBFCAll concerned people, holding responsible posts must be guided by rule of law and shouldnt venture into passing comments on films which havent been cleared by CBFC. Itll prejudice minds of board members while taking a decision, Indian Express quoted the Apex court as saying. Read Also: SC dismisses plea to stop 'Padmavati' release outside India Earlier, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani had said that the film was hurting sentiments and would not be screened in the poll bound state till issues were resolved. 'Padmavati,' helmed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, has been controversy-ridden, ever since fringe group Karni Sena took offence to the film's purported distortion of Rajput history. It stars Deepika Padukone as the eponymous queen, Shahid Kapoor as Maharawal Ratan Singh, and Ranveer Singh as Alauddin Khilji. Fringe groups had also declared bounties for Sanjay Leela Bhansali and lead actor Deepika Padukone. Initially slated for a December 02 release, the film has now been indefinitely postponed, after a run-in with the CBFC. The Miss World interacted with the media about Bollywood and more after returning to India following her victory. Mumbai: Miss World Manushi Chhillar says she would love to work in an Aamir Khan film as the superstar is known to make socially relevant movies. Manushi was recently crowned Miss World 2017 at a grand event held in Sanya, China. The medical student from Haryana said she finds all the actors in Bollywood beautiful ,but Aamir and former Miss World Priyanka Chopra are her favourites. "I'll definitely want to work in an Aamir Khan film. I think he has some really challenging roles that he gives you. At the same time, his movies have a message and a connect to the society. So it'll be very interesting to do. In the actresses, my favourite is Priyanka Chopra," she told reporters here. Interestingly, the coveted title was last won by Priyanka for India in 2000, just a year after Yukta Mookhey brought the crown home. Manushi, a 20-year-old medical student from Haryana, had won Femina Miss India World 2017 in May this year. When asked if she has Bollywood plans up next, she said the film industry was not on her mind right now. "I am very excited about how this year will turn out. I'll be travelling, visiting continents. We will be spreading awareness about menstrual hygiene where I'll be joined by my other Miss World sisters. That's what I am excited about right now. "Bollywood is something which isn't on my mind as of now. I really can't say anything about it," she added. Manushi said in the initial weeks of the beauty pageant, several contestants thought her to be an actor. "In the first week of the pageant they thought I was a Bollywood actress. But jokes apart, we all are very similar. We didn't have any preconceived notions about each other. We go there with a fresh mind, there's a lot of curiosity to know each other," she said. Actor Prakash Raj opens up about his new rebellious avatar. Prakash Raj has been in the news for his bold tweets he has criticised none other than the Prime Minister. Suddenly, the actor has transformed into an outspoken person, without caring about the consequences. What triggered this? Not bold, Im being honest! When I started my life, I wasnt an actor, but then I got into the industry and found an identity as an actor and later ventured into other art forms. I have been a forthright person throughout my journey, he reveals, adding, Now, because I am politically straight, people are coming to see the other side of me (smiles), but I find it to be a natural transition. At every point in time, something triggers your transformation and thats exactly what happened to me. When you see the death of your dear ones, something affects you. Perhaps Gauri Lankeshs death triggered this transition. The actors association with Gauris family goes a long way. I knew her since 30 years. But more than her, I knew her father, Mr Lankesh. He has been a great source of inspiration. He taught us how to react honestly and question when anything stops us from raising our voices. I used to spend time with him in the evenings. He created a great platform for youngsters like us to write and express opinions. But the fact that people were celebrating Gauris death was disheartening. And those who are supposed to be answerable remained silent too. Whats the agenda behind taking on Modi? I am not questioning any party, I am only questioning the government. And as a citizen, cant I talk to my Prime Minister? One politician says if I raise my voice against Modi, he will chop off my finger. The country is living under fear. I have every right to ask questions. And if I do so, why do you call me anti-Modi? What has the response been to his fiery tweets? The response has been very encouraging and I have found a reason to live now. I feel happy that I am a responsible citizen now. I am not interested in politics. So the more you troll me, I get the better of you. For every person who trolls me, there are 100 people who are happy to see me speak up. So far, nobody has been that strong to issue death threats (smiles), let them come, at least the world will know I am right! Ask him how he wants to take it forward and he says, I am just trying to inspire people to ask questions. Theres silence around, so I want to them to speak up. The national-award winner clarifies that he never said actors should not come into politics. I said actors should not come into politics only because they are actors. Are they socially conscious? I asked people not to vote like fans, but to think and vote because the country needs policymakers. We are not choosing them to rule us, but to govern us. Regarding Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanths entry into politics, he says, Let them come... lets not be judgmental. He further said VIT will offer not only engineering, but also MBA, hospitality and many other courses. 'There are not many outstanding institutes and we are on the way. In the IT sector, AP students are at the best position all over the world,' Chandrababu Naidu said. (Photo: File) Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday inaugurated the Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) campus at Amaravati and said he wanted to make Amaravati a knowledge hub. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, the chief minister said, "When we allotted the land for VIT in Andhra Pradesh, I asked to make it the best in India, better than their mother campus. Now, VIT Andhra Pradesh is on the way of making it to the top." He added the student life was full of fun, enjoyment and career building and claimed Andhra Pradesh had the most hardworking students. "We need the best opportunities. There are not many outstanding institutes and we are on the way. In the IT sector, Andhra Pradesh students are at the best position all over the world. Satya Nadella, the chief executive officer of Microsoft, is one example. I want to make Amaravati a knowledge hub and the VIT is working on that front," the chief minister said. He further said VIT was offering not only engineering, but teaching MBA, hospitality and many other courses. "With premier academic institutes launching their branches, Amaravati will soon become a great knowledge hub. We are providing all infrastructure facilities for the convenience of students. This initiative will make Amaravati an education hub. The VIT is working on social responsibility, by providing free education to poor rural youth," Naidu added. He said students were the future of India and that they would make the nation stronger. More than 5,000 students turned up for the event. Jaising asked the judges to interact with Amrutha who was present in the court so that they could ascertain the facts from her. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday declined to entertain a writ petition from a woman, Amrutha alias Manjula, claiming to be the biological daughter of former Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa, seeking a DNA test to substantiate her claim. A bench of Justices Madan B. Lokur and Neveen Gupta while rejecting the petition gave her liberty to approach the Karnataka high court for relief as she is staying in Bengaluru. The Bengaluru-based woman along with two other elder cousins L.S. Lalitha and Ranjani Ravindranatha sought the Supreme Court intervention as her efforts to meet Jayalalithaa during her lifetime was in vain as Sasikala family prevented such a meeting. She was also not allowed to attend the burial ceremony. Senior counsel Indira Jaising and Bina Madh-avan justified the petitioner directly approac-hing the top court as there is surcharged atm-osphere in Tamil Nadu. It will not be to her wellbeing if Amrutha files a petition in the Madras high court, as she felt threatened in the political atmosphere. Ms Jaising also said that Jayalalithaa was given a state funeral and cremated without involving her family members. She was buried against the Iyengar Brahminical custom under which the body should be cremated. According to the Hindu custom, once a body is buried, it has to be cremated within one year, which is fast approaching as Jayalalitha died on December 5. Ms Jaising asked the judges to interact with Amrutha who was present in the court so that they could ascertain the facts from her. Only the DNA test would prove whether the petitioner is the biological daughter of Jayalalithaa or not. Even if the test goes against the petitioner even then she will be entitled to the property, as she was one of the legal heirs as Jayalalithaas sisters daughter. The bench, however, refused to go into the details and asked her to move the Karnataka high court. Explaining her relationship, Ms. Amrutha in her petition said her adoptive mother Shylaja, sister of Ms. Jayalalithaa died in 2015. Adoptive father Sarathy died on March 20 this year. They adopted her as they did not have a child. Before his death, his father had confessed to her she is the biological daughter of Jayalalithaa and her birth and adoption were kept secret to uphold the familys dignity. She said she was born in Mylapore on August 14, 1980 where Shylaja was residing. According to her she grew up as the daughter of Shylaja and it was only after the death of Jayalalithaa that she came to know through her cousins (co-petitioners in the case) and close family members that she is in fact the biological daughter of the late Chief Minister. She asserted that it was decided by the family members that her birth from unwed mother will be kept as a secret and that they will not disclose the true facts and circumstances. According to Amrutha she had completed her basic school education in Bangalore under the care of Shylaja and Sarathy whom she always assumed as her parents, until Jayalalithaas death. According to Amrutha the late Jayalalithaa had never expressed any desire or wish to be buried after her demise, but was buried under questionable circumstances. Hence, she pleaded that it is necessary to conduct DNA of Jayalalithaa, to determine her claim of being her biological daughter. The issue of her marriage with Mr Jahan, annulled by Kerala high court in May, will be decided by the apex court in January. When the CJI suggested that the Tamil Nadu government would bear the expenses of her studies, Ms Hadiya told the court that she wanted her husband to meet the expenses and not the State. (Photo: Asian Age) New Delhi: After dramatic scenes in the Supreme Court, Keralas Hadiya aka Akhila, the key dramatis personae in the alleged love jihad case, walked free after 11 months confinement in her parental home. Her release followed her impassioned appeal to the court to allow her to meet her Muslim husband Shafin Jahan. I want freedom, I want to remain true to my faith, she said. The issue of her marriage with Mr Jahan, annulled by Kerala high court in May, will be decided by the apex court in January. Ms Hadiyas lawyer claimed that she can now meet Mr Jahan at a college in Salem in Tamil Nadu where she has been told by the apex court to live till she completes her course in homeopathy. After a two-hour-long hearing during which Ms Hadiya, 24, spoke in Malayalam, a bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra sent her to Sivaraj Homoeopathy Medical College to enable her to pursue her studies and appointed colleges dean as her guardian. When Ms Hadiya requested that her husband be made her guardian, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, who was also in the bench, said, No husband can be a guardian of his wife. At least I cant say that I am the guardian for my wife. Ms Hadiya, expressing her desire to be independent and complete the course which she could not as she was confined to her fathers house in Kottayam, said, I want to meet my husband. I want to complete my studies and want to live my life according to my faith and as a good citizen. I want my freedom. I have been in unlawful custody for the last 11 months. When the CJI suggested that the Tamil Nadu government would bear the expenses of her studies, Ms Hadiya told the court that she wanted her husband to meet the expenses and not the State. While hearing the habeas corpus petition filed by Mr Jahan, the bench, which also included Justice A.M. Knawilkar, directed Kerala police to provide Ms Hadiya security and ensure that she went straight to the college from the court. The hearing in the habeas corpus matter was also posted for hearing in January 2018. Outside the court, Mr Jahan said his stand had been vindicated. The courts ruling proves that my stand has been vindicated, he told reporters. Ms Hadiya and Mr Jahans marriage is being investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) after her father alleged that she was one of many vulnerable young Hindu women being recruited by terror groups like ISIS through love jihad or marriage. The NIA told the court earlier that the website through which Ms Hadiya and Mr Jahan married is a sham and forced conversion and terror recruitment was the motive behind the wedlock. Counsel Shyam Divan, appearing for Ms Hadiyas father K.M. Ashokan, urged the court to reconsider its earlier order to have an open court hearing. He said that the matter has acquired a strong communal colour on account of the involvement of a syndicate engaged in the conversion of women to Islam. He produced the transcript of a voice clip featuring alleged ISIS recruiter Abdul Rasheed, in evidence of his association with the Popular Front of India, the Islamic fundamentalist organisation with which Mr Jahan is allegedly associated. Mr Divan maintained that the purpose of the marriage was that the recruiter wanted one more member to pursue the target of indoctrination and conversion. The NIA report should also be considered before the court decides to hear her views, Mr Divan said. Additional solicitor-general Maninder Singh urged the court to go through the NIAs findings, which had demonstrated that Ms Hadiya was radicalised and was not in a proper frame of find to take independent decisions. This was strongly opposed by senior counsel Kapil Sibal and Indira Jaising, appearing for Mr Jahan, who argued that the purpose of the hearing was to ascertain whether she wanted to go free or not. Let her go wherever she wants but the court must speak to her and hear her views. Even if her marriage is a wrong decision, she is entitled to take a decision to go with him or not. There is no need to give communal colour to the whole issue, said Mr Sibal. Justice Chandrachud, referring to the ASGs argument, said, We need to examine whether the Stockholm syndrome (of praising the abductor who kidnaps a person) is true or not. We consider her individual autonomy, which has a cherished constitutional value. But can we ignore other issues, is the question before us? The CJI told Mr Sibal that the court needed to decide whether to examine Ms Hadiya before or after examining the materials placed before it. However, both Mr Sibal and Ms Jaising insisted that the court should ask Ms Hadiya questions as she had been waiting for over 90 minutes to speak. Finally, the bench relented and ascertained Mr Hadiyas views and decided to send her to the college in Salem. Mitra announced the inauguration of the summit, after Modi and Ivanka pressed a button on the robot. Two bots were deployed at the event, but it was Mitra that welcomed the PM and Ivanka Trump on the stage. (Photo: ANI/Twitter) Hyderabad: At the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) 2017 in Hyderabad on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and White House advisor Ivanka Trump were greeted by Made in India robot, named Mitra. Mitra, a robot manufactured by Bengaluru-based Invento Robotics, interacted with Modi and Ivanka at the summit. CEO of Invento Robotics, Balaji Viswanathan, and his team of 14 members deployed two bots at the event, but it was Mitra that welcomed the Prime Minister and daughter of US President Donald Trump on the stage at the summit. Also read: With half labour gender gap, Indian can grow by USD 150 bn: Ivanka It was Mitra, who announced the inauguration of the summit, after Modi and Ivanka pressed a button on the robot. A branch of Canara Bank in Bengaluru had been using the services of Mitra. Ivanka is in India to attend the eighth edition of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit. Modi, who earlier on Tuesday launched the Hyderabad metro rail services, inaugurated the summit, a three-day event, at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre along with Ivanka. Reports said kids were used in the mock drill by the policemen. An MP policeman playfully points a gun at children in the district headquarters town of Mandsaur. Bhopal: Police personnel participating in a mock drill in a Madhya Pradesh district on Monday landed in trouble for playfully pointing guns at kids. The incident occurred in the district headquarters town of Mandsaur, where six farmers were killed in police firing in April this year during the tillers stir in the state. Reports said kids were used in the mock drill by the policemen. The incident has sparked outrage with child rights activists demanding action against the policemen involved in it. Two members of an NGO Empowerment of Women and Child Protection Ravindra Mahajan and Raghavendra Sharma lodged a complaint with the local police in this regard. The police initially tried to underplay the incident saying that the cops were playing with the kids after the mock drill. However, police decided to act on it when the incident kicked up a storm. The matter is serious. We will conduct a probe into it, a senior district police officer told this newspaper. The apex court said the matter has still not been decided by the Censor Board. The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a fresh plea seeking to stall the release of 'Padmavati' outside India. (Photo: File) New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a fresh plea seeking to stall the release of 'Padmavati' outside India. A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra dismissed the petition filed by a lawyer, Manohar Lal Sharma, who sought stay on the release of the film. On the threats given by various groups to director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and actor Deepika Padukone, who plays the role of Rani Padmini, the apex court said, These kind of statements are violative of the principle of Rule of Law as Censor Board is yet to certify the movie. The top court also took serious note of statements made by people holding power or high office about the movie and said it was tantamount to pre-judging it. Lawyer ML Sharma had also sought a direction to the CBI to register a case against director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and others for various offences including defamation and violation of the Cinematography Act. The bench which also comprised of Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud termed as "misconceived", the prayers sought by Sharma in his fresh petition and said that the court cannot pre-judge a movie which is yet to be certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The irked bench, however, did not impose cost on Sharma keeping in view the fact that he has been a practising lawyer of the apex court. With inputs from PTI The Z-plus cover of CRPF commandos has now been withdrawn completely for Jitan Ram Manjhi, who will now be guarded by the Bihar police. New Delhi: The Union home ministry has withdrawn the Black Cat commandos providing security to RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav and downgraded his security from Z-plus to Z after a security audit by a high-level committee. Under Z cover, Mr Yadav will have commandos from the Central Reserve Police Force guarding him instead of the elite Black Cats, who normally protect those with Z-plus cover. The Z-plus cover of CRPF commandos has now been withdrawn completely for former Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi, who will now be guarded by the Bihar police. Reacting sharply to his fathers security cover being downgraded, Lalu Yadavs son Tej Pratap Yadav, a former Bihar minister, said it was a conspiracy to play with the life of his father, and threatened to skin Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said: Our party regularly organises meetings where Laluji participates. The way NSG security has been withdrawn clearly shows a conspiracy is being hatched to kill Laluji... Unko muh tod jawab denge, Narendra Modi ka khaal udhedva lenge. The security cover of Union minister of state for coal and mines Haribhai P. Chaudhary has been scaled down from Z to Y+, which means he will have fewer commandos and no pilot vehicle in his convoy. The incident took place on Sunday, when the policemen were returning from polling duty for Uttar Pradesh local elections. The hotel manager, Ramesh said that the policemen also misbehaved with other customers at the hotel; they went around banging on doors and beat up customers who came out. (Photo: ANI) Lucknow: A video footage that surfaced on Monday has revealed a harrowing incident of policemen thrashing hotel employees in Lucknow after they were told that no room was available. The incident took place on Sunday, when the policemen were returning from polling duty for Uttar Pradesh local elections. The video shows the policemen out of their uniforms, and talking with the hotel staff in the corridor. Within seconds, the situation went downhill, and the policemen started thrashing the staff. #CCTV: Policemen returning from local polls duty thrash hotel employees in Lucknow after being told that no room was available. (26.11.2017) pic.twitter.com/v2Az2tCY06 ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) November 27, 2017 The hotel manager, Ramesh said that the policemen also misbehaved with other customers at the hotel. "They went along banging doors of all rooms from ground floor to second floor, and misbehaved with the customers. They pushed open doors, and beat up any customer who came out," Ramesh said. The customers checked out the very night without paying, he further informed. Alambagh Police have ensured disciplinary action against the concerned policemen. "The matter is being investigated. Once the investigation is complete, disciplinary action will be taken against the people responsible," said Sanjiv Kumar Singh, Alambagh Circle Officer, Lucknow. Three Tejas aircrafts (trainer version) stole the show by performing aerial displays. Singapore defence minister Ng Eng Hen shakes hands after a sortie in the trainer version of the Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA) at the Kalaikunda IAF base in West Bengal on Tuesday. Air Vice Marshal A.P. Singh was the pilot who flew the visiting dignitary in the LCA. (Photo: PTI) West Midnapore (West Bengal): Singapore defence minister Ng Eng Hen has described Tejas, Indias first indigenously-built light combat aircraft (LCA), as excellent and impressive after flying it as a first-ever civilian foreigner. According to him, Tejas is also a very capable aircraft. Sharing his flying experience of around 45 minutes, at a height of 20,000 ft above the Kalaikunda Air Force station, in West Midnapore of West Bengal, he showered lavish praise on Indian Air Force (IAF) Air-vice Marshal A.P. Singh, project director at the National Flight Test Centre of the Aeronautical Development Agency. He arrived in New Delhi on Monday to hold the second Singapore-India defence ministers dialogue with Indian defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The meeting between the two has been scheduled today. Accompanied by senior officials, Dr Hen on Tuesday, visited the Kalaikunda airbase where a contingent of Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) with fighter aircrafts including F-16s is taking part in the routine annual joint military training with the Indian Air Force. He also interacted with the members of the contingent. Air Officer Commanding in Chief (Eastern Air Command) Air Marshal Anil Khosla was present there. Three Tejas aircrafts (trainer version) stole the show by performing aerial displays. Mr Hen said, It was an excellent and impressive experience. That is the reason why our air force gets trained by the IAF. The pilots are superb. The aircrafts are pretty good. We earn measurable value in the training with the IAF. He also tweeted: Privileged to be flown on the #Tejas, Indias own designed and manufactured fighter aircraft. A very good plane. #fighteraircraft @IAF_MCC. Asked if Singapore eyes to buy Tejas, Mr Hen did not rule out the possibilit. However, he said, Our bilateral ties is very strong. It is going stronger. I am scheduled for the dialogue with Ms Sitharaman. Tejas is a very capable aircraft. I am not a pilot who can speak about it. Honestly speaking the flying experience was liking riding in a car. A senior official of Defence Research and Development Organisation indicated on anonymity that the three Tejas aircrafts were flown into the training excercise allow Mr Hen to have a first-hand experience as Singapore has shown signs of a potential buyer among some other nations recently. The famous Hyderabadi biryani has finally got a serious contender, according to Ms Trump. Hyderabad: Ivanka Trump, US President Donald Trumps daughter, on Tuesday said reducing the gender gap in the labour force by half can help boost the Indian economy by over $150 billion in the next three years and reiterated her fathers words that India has a true friend in the White House. Speaking at the 8th annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit here, she said the conference was symbolic of the growing partnership between India and the US. Just consider if India closes the labour force gender gap by half, your economy could grow by over $150 billion in the next three years, she said. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the dais, she congratulated Indians on celebrating 70 years of Independence. You are celebrating it as the worlds largest democracy, and one of the fastest growing economies on the earth, the adviser to the US President added. The famous Hyderabadi biryani has finally got a serious contender, according to Ms Trump. Taking a cue from Telangana CM K. Chandrasekhar Raos remarks about Hyderabadi biryani, Ms Trump said: Its wonderful to be in this ancient city brimming with transformative technology now, your tech centres may even outshine your world-famous biryani. Ms Trump had done her homework on Hyderabad well. She noted that CEOs like Microsofts Satya Nadella went to school right here in Hyderabad. Just a few kilometres away, T-hubs brand new facility is set to open next year and will become the largest incubator in Asia. She used Prime Minister Narendra Modis life trajectory to make a point: From your (Mr Modi) childhood selling tea to your election as Indias Prime Minister, youve proven that transformational change is possible. And now you are bringing that promise to hundreds of millions of people across your country. She added: The people of India inspire us all. Ms Trump said Indian entrepreneurs are rewriting the rules through grit, perseverance and the will to succeed. Each of you started with an idea. Youve worked long days and nights to code the next robot, create the next app, find the next cure, and discover the next breakthrough to improve millions of lives. Some may have tried to convince you that the risk is too great and the reward too small. But you are here today because you are not afraid to fail. You want to own your future. She said for the first time ever women make up the majority of the 1,500 entrepreneurs selected to attend, Women must do more than their male counterparts to prove themselves at work, while also disproportionately caring for their families at home, she said. Only when women are empowered to thrive will our families, our economies, and our societies reach their fullest potential, she added. In a speech that was punctuated by loud cheers from the audience, she lauded Mr Modi for his firm belief that the progress of humanity is incomplete without the empowerment of women. India, Ivanka noted, has opened new universities, its doctors and scientists are discovering medical cures and life-saving technologies, its engineers and architects have built modern wonders that grace the skies, and Indian spacecraft have travelled to the moon and to Mars. Ivanka said Indias hosting the Global Entrepreneurship Summit is a symbol of the strengthened friendship between our two peoples, and the growing economic and security partnership between our two nations. As President Trump said earlier this year, India has a true friend in the White House. Elections in Gujarat are scheduled on December 9 and 14 and results will be out on Dec. 18. New Delhi: National security and foreign policy have become the new rallying call in Gujarat elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who launched the Bharatiya Janata Partys campaign with a series of rallies in the state on Monday, lashed out at the Congress, especially Rahul Gandhi, on what he pitched as a variety of foreign policy faux pas. In line with the saffron partys narrative about the BJP being more nationalist than the Congress, Mr Modi raked up Mr Gandhis meeting with the Chinese ambassador when the Doklam crisis was ongoing, contrasted his governments response to Uri attack with the UPA governments handling of 26/11, and, without specifying where and how, alleged that the Congress celebrated the release of LeT chief Hafiz Sayeed. For the first time ever, the PM directly lashed out at Mr Gandhi for his controversial meeting with the Chinese ambassador at the height of the Doklam crisis, adding that it took place when Indian troops were eyeball-to-eyeball with the Chinese PLA. He also contrasted the NDA governments sharp response to the Uri attack Indian Armys surgical strikes, with the UPA governments handling of 26/11. Gujarat shares a 512-km long border with Pakistan in Kutch and Banaskantha districts. Speaking at the first of his four rallies in Bhuj, PM Modi also hit back at the Congress vice-president for his hugplomacy remarks (a reference to the Modi--Trump bear-hug in the US). A Pakistani court released a Pakistani terrorist (Hafiz Saeed) and the Congress is celebrating. I was surprised why. And this same Congress refused to believe our own Army on surgical strikes and preferred to believe the Chinese ambassador, he said. After the release of Saeed in Pakistan, Mr Gandhi had tweeted, Narendrabhai, nothing clicked. Terror mastermind is free. President Trump just delinked Pak military funding from LeT. Hugplomacy fail. More hugs urgently needed. Though in August this year, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, without naming Mr Gandhi, had criticised him for going to the Chinese instead of approaching the Indian government, this is the first time Mr Modi has directly commented on the matter. You are happy to hug Chinese ambassador, you are clapping on the release of Hafiz Saeed, you cannot respect Indian Armys surgical strike. But why did you speak up about it? You could have just remained silent, Mr Modi said. India and China were locked in a more than two a month-long military face-off at Doklam that ended towards the end of August this year. In July this year, Mr Gandhi had landed in a major political controversy when it turned out that he had secretly met Chinese ambassador Luo Zhaohui on July 8, a day after he had criticised PM Modi for his silence on China amid tensions between the two countries over the Doklam area of Bhutan which China covets. The Congress had not disclosed Mr Gandhis meeting with the Chinese ambassador. The cat was let out of the bag when the Chinese embassy posted a message on its website about the meeting. The Congress was forced to admit that the meeting had taken place, but downplayed it by calling it a courtesy call. On Monday, PM Modi further said, India was attacked on 26/11 and in Uri. You can see how India responded in the wake of both attacks. This explains the difference between their government and ours. AAP backs leader, not to field candidate against him. Ahmedabad: Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani on Monday announced to contest the Guj-arat polls from the Vadagam (SC) seat in Banaskantha district as an Independent candidate with the indirect support of the Congress. Mr Mevani, the face of last years dalit agitation in Gujarat, also received the backing of the AAP. He declared his candidature as sitting MLA Manibhai Vaghela said the state unit of the Congress had asked him not to enter the fray as a part of an agreement with the dalit activist. Mr Vaghela said the Congress had given its indirect support to Mr Mevani for the Vadgam seat, reserved for scheduled caste (SC) candidates. The party has asked me not to contest from the Vadgam seat this time. Though Mevani will contest the poll as an Independent, he will have the Congress support. Thus, there wont be any Congress candidate on this seat, Mr Vaghela told PTI. Mr Mevani has been a vehement critic of the ruling BJP in the state. He shot to fame when he led a massive protest against the Una dalit flogging incident last year. Later in the day, the Aam Admi Party said it will not field any candidate against Mr Mevani. The AAP has decided not to field any candidate from Vadgam from where dalit protest leader Jignesh Mevani is contesting as an Independent candidate. Looking at the appeal made by him, the party believes that the contest should be between the BJP and Jignesh Mevani, the party said in a statement. Delhi CM and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal extended best wishes to the 34-year-old Mevani through Twitter. Mr Mevani also took to the micro-blogging site to announce his candidature. He wrote, Friends, Im contesting from Vadgam-11 seat of Banaskantha district of Gujarat as an independent candidate. We shall fight, we shall win. All political parties opposed to the BJP are saying that Jignesh Mevani is a symbol of struggle against the ruling BJP, and they believe the contest should be between these two people only. We have appealed to all political parties to support me, Mr Mevani told reporters. The AAP has announced candidates for over 30 seats in Gujarat so far. The Delhi-headquartered party has maintained its contest is with the ruling BJP. In a message posted on social media, Mr Mevani claimed that he decided to jump into the poll fray after being persuaded by youths and numerous agitators. Chidambaram said the PM does not talk about issues like joblessness and price rise because he has no answers to the 'hard reality'. 'The Gujarat election is not about Mr Modi, the individual. It is about the promised 'achhe din' that has not come in 42 months,' Chidambaram tweeted. (Photo: PTI/File) New Delhi: Congress leader P Chidambaram on Tuesday hit out at the Prime Minister and said the elections were not about "Mr Modi, the individual" but the promised "achhe din" that had not arrived even after 42 months. In a series of posts on Twitter, the former finance minister also asked if Modi had forgotten he was Prime Minister. "Mr Modi's campaign is about himself, his past and the alleged disdain of Gujarat and Gujaratis. Has he forgotten he is Prime Minister of India?" he questioned. "The Gujarat election is not about Mr Modi, the individual. It is about the promised 'achhe din' that has not come in 42 months," he tweeted. Continuing his attack, Chidambaram said the Prime Minister does not talk about issues like joblessness, lack of investment, collapse of SMEs, stagnant exports and price rise because he has no answers to the "hard reality". According to him, Modi had forgotten that Mahatma Gandhi was an Indian and the son of Gujarat. "Gandhiji was, and is, revered as Father of the Nation; and Gandhiji's chosen instrument to lead the freedom struggle was the Congress party," Chidambaram asserted. The Prime minister and the BJP, he added, may now "desperately embrace" Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, "but the redoubtable Sardar had rejected the BJP's parent RSS and its divisive ideology". Launching a fierce attack against the Congress, Modi said in Gujarat yesterday that the opposition party was "disconnected from the aspirations of people of India and involved only in misleading people and creating an atmosphere of pessimism". Pitching the elections as a contest between trust on development and dynastic politics, he said Congress had never liked Gujarat and liked to see it lag behind others. "Gujarat is my Atma, Bharat is my Parmatma. This land of Gujarat has cared for me, Gujarat has given me strength," he said. He addressed four rallies in the state, which goes to the polls on December 9 and 14, on Monday. The year 2018 has close to 16 long weekends. We got the citys avid travellers to share their favourite places for a quick getaway. Many travel companies have come up with a list, recommending where to go on these long weekends. Ever imagined taking a vacay almost every other month and not worrying about taking leave from work? This coming year, 2018 brings us about 16 long weekends and gives us enough time to travel across the country, from South to North, and East to the West. Many travel companies have come up with a list, recommending where to go on these long weekends. But, we spoke to some travel enthusiasts and asked them one place they would recommend for the long weekends and why? They share some incredible experiences with us. Varanasi, Sarnath, and Bodhgaya Raghuveer Das, a documentary filmmaker talks about Varanasi and says, The first time when I went there, I didnt know if I would have a good time in a place so chaotic. But, the energy there is so vibrant that you will not feel like leaving. Every day is a new day in Varanasi, theres always so much to explore. Surprisingly, there were so many Asians from Japan and Korea because Bodhgaya is just a few hours away. In fact, the first Buddhist shrine is in Sarnath, a few kilometres from Varanasi where Buddha came to preach his message, says Raghuveer. Travel tip: Visit Lalita Ghat and Dungeshwari Cave. There is a two hour direct flight to Varanasi from Bengaluru. Ooty via Bandipur Moeedul Hussain, who is a passionate biker, recommends riders to explore the scenic locales of Ooty. But then, dont just simply ride there. Try to take the longer route that comprises of those 36-enthralling hair-pin bends, he says, adding, The route will also take you through some of the core areas of Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary and Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary as well. Riding through these rugged trails has its own fun and excitement; hit the roads, kick-start your mean machine, and feel the ride! Travel tip: You must visit- Upper Bhavani Lake. Its a mere 88 km away, three hours from Coimbatore Airport and a seven hour journey by road. a Edava, Kerala Silvana Corbani, an expat who has been living in India for 20 years strongly recommends people travelling to Kerala, the land of sea, sun, coconuts, mangoes, and papayas. She says, For me, Kerala is the best place to visit during long weekends. Its a simple place, the weather is always good, the air is clean and people are relaxed. What more would you need in a vacay? I love to sit by the beach near the coconut plantation and enjoy the ocean. Or go with windsurfing in Edava. You can also get Ayurvedic treatment and do some yoga while there, Silvana adds. Travel tip: A visit to the Kappil Beach is a must, it is a 12-hour journey by road and the nearest airport is Trivandrum Airport. UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hampi Deborah Manzoori, who moved to Bengaluru from the UK a couple of years ago says, It is an awesome collection of ancient temples, royal palaces, stables and other ruins rivalling Angkor Wat. The Royal Elephant Stables were truly magnificent. There is so much to see. Its well worth more than a visit, to take it all in. Travel tip: Plan a visit to Tungabhadra River. It is seven hours by road from the city. Roadtrip to Kailash Mansarovar, Tibet Varun Bhoopalam, a real estate developer says he fell in love with the place instantly, Its such a serene and surreal place filled with amazing natural beauty and peace. A place which is absolute peace personified and the trek is so beautiful that I would love to go again and again. I recommend it to all trekkers and nature lovers. This place is not only of religious importance but also for avid trekkers, he adds. Travel tip: Kailash Parikrama is a must-visit. The nearest airport is Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow, 437 km from Kailash Mansarovar. Lahaul, Spiti, and Leh Ladakh Freddie Jazz, who travels around the globe taking pictures for his job, finds Lahaul, Spiti Valley and Ladakh one of his most memorable trips. He says, Ill recommend a Leh and Ladakh road trip any day, as its a different experience altogether. A trip worth taking! The drive on these treacherous roads is risky and dangerous but it teaches one so much more about life, and the struggles people face in the mountains. Id suggest camping throughout the journey to connect with nature and interact with locals. My most memorable moments were the first view of the Indus River, driving on the magnetic roads, through the stark Kargil towards Kashmir, the panoramic views of the mountains and Leh would definitely pull me back. Travel TIP: You must visit Indus Valley. It is a five-hour journey from Kullu-Manali Airport. The accused, Shankar was arrested from the spot while Balbir was rushed to LBS Hospital where he was declared brought dead, police said. According to the police, Balbir asked Shankar for his jacket to which he refused; this led to a quarrel. (Photo: Representational/File) New Delhi: A 29-year-old man was allegedly beaten to death by his friend following a quarrel over a jacket in east Delhi's Anand Vihar, the police said on Tuesday. The accused, Shankar (30), was arrested from the spot. On November 27, Shankar had gone to drop Balbir to Anand Vihar from where the latter was to catch a bus to his village in Uttar Pradesh for attending a wedding, the police said. When they reached the bus stop, they consumed liquor. Balbir then asked Shankar for his jacket to which he refused leading to a quarrel, they said. During the quarrel, Shankar hit Balbir on the head with a stick and the latter lost consciousness. Shankar was nabbed from the spot while Balbir was rushed to LBS Hospital, where he was declared brought dead, the police said. Till last year, the corporation took only the rank holders for their annual picnic. The committee members while discussing this matter with Ms Gudekar highlighted to consider the safety factors of the students while taking them to the picnic. Mumbai: Instead of just 10 per cent of students, now all students of class 4 and 7 enrolled in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)-run schools across the city will be taken for the annual picnic. The move has come after the civic school management, education committee members and the officials felt that taking only selected students is unfair. The picnic season will begin in December. Till last year, the corporation took only the rank holders for their annual picnic. We used to take only the first, second and third rank holders of class 4 and 7, about three to five students from each school, said an official of the BMC education department. However, many people have raised issues saying that it is unfair! Although it is true, taking every student from every school is impossible, the official added. The BMC runs around 1,124 schools in the city. We will be taking all the students of class 4 and 7 irrespective of their rank. We will be fair in letting our students enjoy the picnic to the fullest, said Shubhada Gudekar, chairperson of BMCs education committee. The picnic will be arranged ward-wise to make it easier for the officials to manage the event. The city has 24 wards and the division will be such that students of schools in six wards will be taken in one round. About 70,000 students will be taken for the annual picnic this year under this decision. Funded by the BMC, the picnic will be of free of cost for the students. The committee members while discussing this matter with Ms Gudekar highlighted to consider the safety factors of the students while taking them to the picnic. The corporation should see if the transport is proper. For example the BEST bus in which the students travel should be properly maintained, with a trustable driver at the wheel. Also, a lady assistant should be present in the bus, said Sainath Durge, BMC education committee member. Busting stress Schools take their students to picnic in the month of December and January as from February; the oral and written examinations begin. Hence, in order to let them relax and get refreshed, they are taken for picnics. It works as a short break for them, reducing their stress levels. Maharashtra will become the first state to include the topic in the MBBS curriculum. Mumbai: In the wake of woman constable Lalita Salve seeking a sex-reassignment operation, the state department of medical education and research (DMER) will now introduce in the MBBS curriculum a detailed topic on gender sensitivity, which will cover sex-reassignment surgery (SRS). In doing so, Maharashtra will become the first state in India to include the topic in the MBBS curriculum. The new addition to the curriculum, under the topic Gender Sensitivity, will be introduced in the ongoing academic year itself. Ms Salve (29), attached to Beed citys Majalgaon police station, has sought permission to undergo sex surgery. She has sought government assistance for the surgery and also that she be allowed to keep her job in the police force. Talking to The Asian Age, joint director of DMER Dr T.P. Lahane, said, The issues related to gender sensitivity were there but it was not in detail. It was taught but now students will be given proper assignments in addition to being taught about everything that comes under this topic. Maharashtra is the first state to introduce the topic in the MBBS curriculum. When asked if the move to introduce the topic was made in the wake of Ms Salves plea seeking government permission and assistance for a sex-reassignment surgery at the state-run J.J hospital, Dr Lahane said, Yes, but we should see to it that the students learn all the aspects related to such issues. They should have deep knowledge about all topics because that is what theyll be dealing with after completing their course. He said, The doctors should be able to help such people suffering from such ailments. If doctors are educated about the subject, it will ease things on ground level, he said. Source said that a decision to introduce the topic in the MBBS curriculum was taken after several meetings were held in the DMER on issues related to transgenders, whether they be male or female transgenders, and their problems related to gender identity disorder. The new curriculum on gender sensitivity that includes SRS recently got a green signal from the academic committee of the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences. The topic will be taught to all government and civic-run medical colleges and part of the exercise will be led by the heads of departments and professors from gynaecology, forensic science, internal medicine, community medicine, psychiatry, paediatrics and other surgery departments of government-run medical colleges. Advocate Shivde requested the court to reject her application and ask her to file a fresh application to be decided on merits. Mumbai: Former media baron and accused in the Sheena Bora murder case, Peter Mukerjeas lawyer on Monday requested the CBI court to reject his wife and main accused Indrani Mukerjeas application contending that allegations made against Peter and her prayer in the application are not connected. Advocate Shrikant Shivde argued that the court reject Indranis application and let her file a fresh prayer as per legal procedure, with the court to decide the same on Smerits. Advocate Shivde argued before special judge J.C. Jagdale that the allegations levelled against Peter in Indranis application did not connect with her prayer to seek Peters call data records (CDRs). Indrani in her application alleged that she had reason to believe that Peter, with the help of others, kidnapped her daughter Sheena and caused her disappearance. With these allegations, she has sought Peters CDRs. Advocate Shivde further argued that if Indrani had reason to believe that her husband had a role in her daughters disappearance, she should have told the police the same during investigation. Advocate Shivde said that Indrani was drawing up further strategy to distort the trial. He contended that Indrani was trying to mislead the court and her application could not be treated as confession as it was exculpatory (showing that someone is not guilty of a crime or wrongful act). The lawyer further argued that Indrani was creating an atmosphere that would prejudice the trial by making allegations against the witness (accused-turned-approver Shyamvar Rai) and accused i.e. Peter. He also contended that it was a trap laid by her. According to Peters lawyer, Indrani was using the media and misleading the court and there was a systematic attempt to create prejudice (against Peter). Advocate Shivde requested the court to reject her application and ask her to file a fresh application to be decided on merits. On November 15, Indrani filed an application in court claiming that her husband Peter may have caused her daughters disappearance and along with others, manipulated circumstances to frame her in the case. Questioning the new rules, Ulka Mahajan, who has been fighting for land rights said that it is contradictory to the tribal land rights. Mumbai: The governor of Maharashtra C. Vidyasagar Rao on Tuesday issued a notification that will not require the resolution of gram sabhas for acquiring land for vital projects in tribal zones. This will help in land acquisition for bigger upcoming projects like the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train and the Samruddhi Mahamarg. According to right to land activists, the decision goes against the tribals land rights and will only hamper them. Earlier, it was necessary for the government to seek get a resolution passed from the gram sabha for acquiring land for major infrastructure projects, apart from taking the individuals permission. The notification said, In villages in scheduled areas of the state of Maharashtra, no sanction for purchase of land by mutual agreement shall be necessary, if such land is required in respect of implementation of the vital government projects. Also the amount of compensation to be paid for such purchase is arrived at in a fair and transparent manner. Vital government projects are those undertaken by the centre or state relating to national or state highways, railways or other multi-modal transport projects, electricity transmission lines, roads, gas or water supply pipelines, canals or of similar nature, the notification said. Questioning the new rules, Ulka Mahajan, who has been fighting for land rights said that it is contradictory to the tribal land rights. This is cheating by the government. The rule change will to affect tribals. The new notification will remove constitutional protection given to the tribal for their lands. It is definitely for big projects like Bullet Train and Samruddhi Mahamarg. She also added that Palghar and Thane, the tribal dominated belt would be the most affected after the notification, as lots of development works is happening there. There has been recent opposition for the land acquisition for the state governments ambitious project Samruddhi Mahamarg. Many have refused to give their lands despite huge compensation amount announced by the government. But government officials have refused to comment on the issue as the notification has come directly from the Governor. However, an official said, Development projects need land. Else it is difficult to have required infrastructure for the state. A few months ago, the HC asked the state government to review its police protection policy and draft a new policy. Mumbai: The Bombay high court on Tuesday rapped the state government for making minor changes in the police protection policy and showing it as a new policy. The court also rapped the state government when the latters counsel informed that police protection will not be given to people with a criminal background as any threat to their lives was a consequence of their own actions. A division bench of Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice M.S. Sonak was hearing a petition filed against persons who avail police protection but do not pay money to the government in lieu of the same. A few months ago, the HC asked the state government to review its police protection policy and draft a new policy. The court also noted that the state was following the year 2000 policy and the same needed to be reviewed as 17 years were already over. Accordingly, chief public prosecutor Abhinandan Vagyani informed the court that state authorities had consulted with the advocate general and additional commissioner of police Mumbai and then come up with a proposal revising the police protection policy. He further informed the court that the state was not going to extend security to those with criminal backgrounds. The court was irked hearing this and said that this meant that the state believed that those who had a criminal background did not have a right to a safe life. What nonsense is this? Can anyone come and kill them? the court said. The court rejected the state governments new proposal saying that the authorities had not applied their mind to it. You just changed a few lines in the old 2000 policy. It is vague and absolute nonsense. If this has been done after consulting with senior police and legal officers, if this is the decision of your officers, then God save the public, the court said. The court asked the advocate general to appear at the next hearing. Civic body intends to protect water pipelines in city from encroachment. Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will spend a whopping Rs 73 crore on the construction of retaining walls near the water pipelines to protect them from encroachments. The civic body will construct the wall at four places Powai, Ghatkopar, Kurla and Sion-Dharavi at the total cost of Rs 73 crore. Hearing a public litigation, the high court in 2006 had asked the civic body to remove encroachments around pipelines, stating that they are posing threat to the security and also causing water contamination. Accordingly, the BMC had filed an affidavit promising HC to remove slum encroachments within 10 metres from both sides of water pipelines. In 2009, the HC had again slammed the BMC for its failure to protect the water pipelines from encroachments. Following this, a high-level civic committee had proposed a four-phase programme for removing hutments within 10 metres of the main pipelines. To protect the vacant land after removing the encroachments, the BMC decided to construct a retaining wall near the water pipelines. At some places the wall has already been constructed after removing encroachments, whereas at others, the work of constructing the wall is in progress, said a senior civic official. Accordingly, the BMC has decided to construct a retaining wall near water pipelines at Bhandup (from NITIE Gate Powai to Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road), Ghatkopar (from Parsekar Chowk to Khandoba Tekdi, Katodipada), Kurla and Sion. The works have been allotted to M/s JS Infratech (Rs 7.26 crore), M/s Acute Design (Rs 8 crore), M/s DB Infratech (Rs 35 crore) and M/s Dev Engineers (Rs 22.78 crore) respectively. The work involves construction of a cement concrete retaining wall near the water pipelines on land vacated upon removal of encroachments. The height of wall will also be increased by laying barbed wires on them to further prevent encroachments, said a senior civic official. Hamish Finlayson, at 13, has already developed five apps and is working on rolling out his sixth app. The youngster started coding when he was in his third standard and is now studying in the seventh. (Photo: Naveena Ghanate) The centre of attraction in the ocean of entrepreneurs at Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) being held at Hyderabad is a 13-year old Hamish Finlayson from Australia. The youngest entrepreneur at the summit has developed five apps and is working on rolling out his sixth app. Im working on creating a virtual reality app to help people with Autism, said Hamish. This will have information about disorder along with tips for the patients. The 13-year-old represents the startup Moonshot Industries global Pvt Ltd and is from Queensland. He has attended the GES previously and expressed enthusiasm to be part of the summit again. Speaking to this paper Hamish said, At GES I am planning to meet a lot of people and will be looking for partnerships. Hamish also added that he wants to show the apps he developed to the participants at GES and get to know their product. The youngster started coding when he was in his third standard and is now studying in the seventh. I used to play video games a lot and wanted to know more. I found coding to be interesting, he said, adding, I learnt basics from class and lot from the Internet. Hamish says there is a lot of traction for his trivia app from China. The Supreme Court ruling on the NJAC has been a big blow to the Modi government. Union law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad played it wrong when he asked the Supreme Court why it could not trust the Prime Minister and himself with the appointment of judges to the high courts and Supreme Court. He was speaking at the National Law Day celebrations in New Delhi on Sunday. (The National Law Day, or Constitution Day, was created by the Narendra Modi government in its bid to appropriate the image of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, who was chairman of the drafting committee of the Constituent Assembly, and is deemed the architect of the Constitution.) Mr Prasad was quite justified in indulging in political jousting in the wake of the Supreme Court holding the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act as unconstitutional in its 2015 judgment. Chief Justice Dipak Misra hit back by saying there is need for all branches of the State legislature, executive and judiciary to function within their respective spheres and that constitutional sovereignty is supreme. The Chief Justice had literally ticked off the law minister. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was cautious in the inaugural speech on the occasion when he talked of the balance between the legislature, executive and judiciary. The Supreme Court ruling on the NJAC has been a big blow to the Modi government. The governments case was badly argued by then attorney-general Mukul Rohatgi, though the Constitution is very clear that judges are appointed by the President. As the President in our constitutional system doesnt act on his own but on the advice of the council of ministers headed by the Prime Minister, it always meant that the government of the day was involved in the appointment of judges. The irony lies in the fact that it was the BJP and other Opposition parties which had clamoured for the change in the mode of appointment to the higher judiciary. And they argued the case for the Chief Justice of India and his senior colleagues to appoint the judges. The collegium system is a result of the insistence of the Opposition parties, including the BJP. It was soon recognised by all parties that the collegium system has created problems of its own, and that it had become opaque and even suspect about its ability to choose the right people to be judges. Even the Supreme Court had recognised and acknowledged that there is a need for transparency and accountability in the running of the collegium. The law minister should have avoided reference to the NJAC issue because it is quite evident that the Supreme Court ruling in the NJAC case goes against the spirit of the Constitution. The judges cant be a law unto themselves and they cant be left to make appointments to the high courts and the Supreme Court. The Modi government needs to have constitutional clarity and political courage to pass the NJAC bill again and include an amendment saying the Supreme Court cant invalidate it. This may not be legally outrageous because the jurisprudential principle should be that the Supreme Court cant be a judge in a matter which concerns itself. Mr Prasad has also wrongly framed the issue. Its not a question of trusting the Prime Minister and law minister, who, according to him, are popularly elected. That is an unconstitutional position. The PM and the law minister, per se, shouldnt have any powers to appoint judges. As a matter of fact, the NJAC, does not provide for the discretion of the Prime Minister and law minister. Their presence in the NJAC could be decisive, but it has to be seen to be fair and according to the rules laid down for the functioning of the NJAC. The law minister wanted to turn his leader, Mr Modi, into a knight-in-shining-armour who sets out to do good, and therefore, by implication, the judiciary should surrender its wisdom to him. Constitutional democracies like that of India dont depend on the good intentions of aspiring supreme leaders like Prime Minister Modi. All functionaries of the State, including the President and the Chief Justice of India, are bound by rules and norms. Mr Prasads Modi gambit was both bad politics and bad constitutional theory. Chief Justice Misra has certainly fended off Mr Prasads political assault by invoking the principle of constitutional sovereignty, but the higher judiciary isnt really standing on firm ground over the appointment of judges. The court cant appoint itself. It is done through the Constitution, which was legislated by a democratically elected body. The legislature has the right to make necessary amendments to the Constitution on how judges are to be appointed. It is often forgotten that in the famous Kesavananda Bharati case of 1973, where the Supreme Court had through a very narrow 7-6 margin propounded the basic structure of the Constitution theory, under which any law that is seen to be violating the intent and spirit of the Constitution is held to be null and void. But the theory does not amount to judicial infallibility, and it needs to be questioned and tested time and again as to what constitutes the basic structure. The appointment of judges as envisaged in the Constitution does not fall into the basic structure penumbra. The BJP is in a double bind on the issue of the judiciary. It has been most vocal while in Opposition that there should be no political interference in the appointment of judges, that is a politically naive position at the best of times. It cant now argue that the executive should be given the right to appoint judges. As the party in power, it is not too happy with a fiercely independent judiciary. What the BJP has to recognise is the fact that while the executive can appoint judges, it cant dictate terms to the judiciary on how the Constitution should be interpreted. Invoking Prime Minister Narendra Modis popularity is not the way to settle the issue. Communal poison is spread in such innocuous yet lasting ways. Ye Prataap ka watan pala hai azadi ke naaron pe Kood padi theen yahan hazaaron Padminiyan angaaron pe Bol rahi hai kan kan se qurbani Rajasthan ki Is mitti se tilak karo ye dharti hai balidaan ki. Vande Matram. We were raised on the staple of this and similar film songs and we were studiously unperturbed by their communal appeal or the avowedly pseudo-nationalist historiography. Nehru was the prime minister, not Modi. The lyrics were by Pradeep who also sang the racy patriotic song for the 1954 movie called Jagriti The Awakening. The story, the songs and even the main child actor were bodily lifted by Pakistani filmmakers who turned it into their patriotic version called Bedaari, their awakening. Jagriti itself was based on an earlier Bengali movie with the same theme. In a nutshell, the song harks to Rajput valour against Muslim rulers. Theres a reference to Rana Prataap of Mewaar who fought valiantly against Mughal emperor Akbar. Some Hindutva versions of this history proclaim him the winner. Today, an army of secular storytellers is trying to rationally explain the mythological narrative of Princess Padmavati as falsified history on celluloid. The Jagriti song spoke of thousands of Padminis, not just one, jumping into the sacred fire to save their honour from the supposedly lecherous Muslim rulers. The hero with the Hindu name of Ratan Kumar turned out to be Syed Nazir Ali Rizvi who migrated to Pakistan and featured in a carbon copy role. The Urdu song changed the refrain of Vande Matram into Pakistan Zindabad. The moral of the story is that there was a time when communalism was better camouflaged than it is today. Or should we say that it was not disturbing for us to see bogus historiography with an insidious agenda for what it was. But one thing is clear. Indian cinema is wrongly lauded for shoring up a tryst with the countrys secular legacy. Let me posit that our movies have also spawned communal and obscurantist ideas in a way that escaped detection. Every film industry has taken recourse to religion and mythology as their themes. However, where else but in Indian movies do they begin with a prayer or a citation from the scriptures? B.R. Chopra was a great filmmaker. His banner had a clip with recitation from the Bhagvad Gita. Raj Kapoor, the most cited example of secular cinema, showed his father Prithviraj Kapoor offering a prayer to Lord Shiva before his movie started. There are dozens of examples of prayers kicking off a movie. Mehboob Khan was most intriguing. He invoked God before the titles but with a communist hammer and sickle banner. We scarcely discussed an eerie sociology that was mutating below the elitist radar of a massive audio-visual phenomenon. In the 1960s, I remember well, a prohibition officer with a fondness for the evening tipple would hold screenings of less-discussed movies in our Lucknow neighbourhood: Saakshi Gopal, Kan Kan Mein Bhagwan etc., films resplendent with divine miracles and a perceptibly missionary Hindu slant. That was the governments way of discouraging people from consuming alcohol. During his time as information minister in the 1970s, L.K. Advani slipped in a 1950s movie on Doordarshan, which spewed venom against Indias Christians. That was when the left supported his government, when much of the intelligentsia were riveted to the return of democracy. The black-and-white film was Swayamsiddha. Comm-unal poison is spread in such innocuous yet lasting ways. There are subtle methods to seed prejudice and here the effect can be achieved by manipulating a language. Prithviraj Kapoor spoke fluent Urdu in his roles as emperors Alexander and Akbar, an uncontested suggestion that mediaeval Muslims and ancient Greeks spoke Urdu. When he played King Porus in a subsequent movie, the Hindu ruler who fought Alexander the Great, Kapoor spoke in distilled Hindi, which he again did as the Hindu guru in Anandmath, a wild interpretation of Indian history. Similarly, how many complex and difficult situations, including the dilemma of an atheist protagonist, are resolved at the end of a movie in a temple? The liberal, open-minded moviegoers may delight in the fact that a particular bhajan was composed by a Muslim, written by a Muslim, sung by a Muslim and enacted by a Muslim. But in the end it was a bhajan, and, rightly or wrongly, thats what mattered. By arrangement with Dawn Islamabad sit-in ends after 22-days, 6 deaths as Army brokers deal. Supporters of the radical religious party Tehreek-i-Labaik Ya Rasool Allah celebrate after the countrys law minister Zahid Hamids resignation, during a sit-in protest in Islamabad. (Photo: AP) Islamabad: Pakistan law minister Zahid Hamid resigned on Monday as the military brokered a peace deal between the protesters and the government to end a three-week sit-in. Leaders of Tehrik-e-Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLYR) announced to end their 22-day long protest at Faizabad Interchange in Islamabad. The announcement comes after law minister Zahid Hamid sent his resignation to Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi while an agreement was also signed between the government and the protesting partys leaders. On the assurance of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, we are calling off the sit-in, TLYR chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi told the crowd of around 2,500 demonstrators, who had occupied a main highway leading into the capital. He added: We have given a 12-hour deadline to the government to release all the arrested workers and meanwhile, we are winding up the things to call-off the protest. An official announcement will be made once over demands will be implemented, he added. Interior minister Ahsan Iqbal and federal interior secretary Arshad Mirza signed the agreement from governments side while Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi, Pir Afzal Qadri and Muhammad Waheed Noor signed the agreement on the behalf of the religious parties. TLYR demanded law minister Zahid Hamid should be immediately suspended, but his party will not issue any fatwa (religious decree) against him. PM Abbasi accepted Mr Hamids resignation to end the deadlock. The government has already reinstated amendments to the Election Act 2017 clauses 7A and 7B relating to Khatm-e-Nabuwwat (finality of the Prophethood). The government will release the Raja Zafarul Haqs report within 30 days. It also demanded to release the participants of the sit-in and that the charges against them should be dropped. It also asked for the formation of an inquiry team to investigate the security action against TLYR sit-in on November 25. Those responsible should be prosecuted within 30 days. On Saturday, nearly three weeks after the protests began, around 8,500 armed security personnel finally confronted the protesters, during which at least six people and injuring dozens. by Shafique Khokhar The festival was held at Sts Peter and Paul's Cathedral on 24-26 November. It included paintings, information stands and exhibits. Children played a major role in the initiative. Dialogue with other religions and cultures is necessary to "explore every possibility" to forge new paths". Peace is a gif God entrusted to human beings. Faisalabad (AsiaNews) Mgr Joseph Arshad, bishop of Faisalabad and new president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Pakistan, greeted the conclusion of the Peace Festival held on 24-26 November at Sts Peter's and Paul's Cathedral in Faisalabad by saying that peace is a "gift from God" but also a task entrusted to human beings, as "the highest aspiration and most noble cause of humanity." Many of the dioceses Catholic groups took part in the initiative, including the National Justice and Peace Commission, Wave Studio, Bible Commission, Catholic Khushpur, Caritas Faisalabad, the Catholic Women Organisation and the Women Shelter. All had their own stand with information material, publications and various items like posters and cassettes. The children of the diocese produced posters for peace, posted on the walls of the cathedral together with an exhibition of paintings by Christian painters. Musical bands played peace songs as children played, sang, and drew small sketches and tableaus. Among the illustrious guests, there were Javed Bhola (a Christian painter), Malik Mohammad Razzaq (mayor of Faisalabad), Iffat Bakat (a Christian assistant commissioner), and Shaukat Sandhu (a Faisalabad tehsildar, i.e. tax officer). On Sunday, the last day of the festival, the bishop inaugurated the "Year of the Eucharist" in the presence of hundreds of participants. Announced in early November, the year-long event will come to a close on 25 November 2018, the day of the solemnity of Christ the King. For the occasion, Mgr Arshad said that "Peace is a spiritual value found in all religions and cultures, and for this reason, it should be the highest aspiration and most noble cause of humanity. Noting that Jesus said, Blessed are the peacemakers (Mt. 5:9), the prelate shared his hopes for peace and prosperity for all, especially with our beloved country, Pakistan. Peace is a both Gods gift and a human achievement. As a gift of God, it is entrusted to all men and women, who are called to attain it. For the prelate, dialogue with grassroots groups, other faiths and cultures will continue as "we explore every possibility to "forge new paths of peace, lighting candles of peace amid the darkness of hatred. May Almighty God who cares for the needs of human family grant all men and women the strength to break the walls that divide human beings and help them to strengthen the bonds of mutual love and learn to understand one another. May peace flourish and reign in Pakistan and in this world." Over 400 places of historical and cultural interest could disappear due to abandonment, indifference or impotence. Christian Parliamentarian: Ministry lacking funding, more coordination between institutions is needed. Ministry laments lack of resources and armed guards. The struggle against the traffic of goods and antiquities continues. Baghdad (AsiaNews) - Hundreds of Christian archaeological sites scattered between the governorates of Kerbala and Najaf, Iraq, are progressively deteriorating and are in danger of disappearing due to the lack of interest and impotence of central Baghdad authorities. The alarm has been launched by Christian Parliamentarian Yonadam Kanna, leader of the Assyrian Democratic Movement, and a member of the Parliamentary Labor and Social Affairs Committee, denouncing the new attack on the artistic, historical and cultural heritage of the Iraqi community. The Christian leader points his finger at the federal Ministry for Culture and Tourism, which in spite of the numerous acts of vandalism and corruption has done nothing to save the more than 400 archaeological sites from ruin. These centers, the parliamentarian adds, are to be considered "the center of Christianity of the Middle East" and are now "in danger of disappearing." "These archaeological sites - he continues - hese archaeological sites began to disappear because of the lack of financial allocation by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and local governments to maintain them". To try to respond to the emergency, he assured that " We will increase coordination with the concerned parties to preserve the effects of the Christian religion in those provinces." The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Qais Hussein responded to the appeal launched by the Christian politician stating that the ministry "does not have enough funds" to preserve all the archaeological sites. They require the protection of armed guards in addition to the "protective barriers" to protect them from devastation, at a cost so far that the government and local governments have not been able - or unwilling - to support. Hussein adds, there are "dozens" of situations similar to this and no money so "the ministry cannot fulfil its duties." The Chaldean Patriarch Louis Raphael Sako has intervened on several occasions, launching common appeals to defend what is part of Iraqi cultural heritage, not just Christian heritage. The last of these dates back to December last year, when he addressed the "International Conference on the Safeguarding of Cultural Heritage in Conflict Areas" in Abu Dhabi. On this occasion, he augured the creation of a "safe haven" for the preservation of the cultural heritage at risk, devastated by the Islamic State (IS, former Isis). Earlier, when he was still Archbishop of Kirkuk, he had denounced the dangers of cultural and archaeological legacies in Iraq, a "universal good" to be safeguarded "more than oil". Meanwhile, the Iraqi government has relaunched the fight against the smuggling of artifacts and antiquities, one of the main sources of livelihood - along with oil - used in recent years by the Jihadists of the IS to support and fund their war. In these hours, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the recovery of over 140 pieces sold to the black market, headed for Europe or other Arab countries. Part of this material is the result of the diplomatic work of the executive with the Western Chancelleries and was not delivered to the Iraqi National Museum. by Anna Chiara Filice Dhaka still devoid of signs of welcome for arrival of the pontiff. At the center of the visit: refugees, migrants and rejected people. In Cox's Bazaar camps, the Chittagong diocese thinks of the education of Rohingya children. The displaced risk being moved to Hill Tracts where no rights or development exist. From our envoy on the ground. Dhaka (AsiaNews) - Rohingya and the peripheries: These are the issues on the agenda for Catholics in Dhaka, while the wait for Pope Francis arrival in two days. The issue of Muslim refugees fleeing violence in Myanmar has been reiterated by Card. Patrick D'Rozario, Archbishop of the capital. Yesterday, he took part in the presentation of the visit to journalists, at the archbishop's headquarters. He asked them all, around 60 present, "to collaborate for a successful visit". According to the Cardinal, the focal point of the entire pastoral journey will be "dialogue: with religions, with cultures that make up Bangladesh, with the poor. The Church is poor and works for the poor. " Meanwhile, ahead of the pontiffs arrival, the issue of the Rohingya continues to be the most debated subject. We met Msgr. Moses M. Costa, archbishop of Chittagong, under whose jurisdiction Cox's Bazar falls, the area where 620,000 people are refugees in makeshift camps. "The Bishops' Conference - he says - has given the mandate to Caritas, which works with the consent of the government." He explains that the social arm of the Catholic Church "supplies food every day to 10,000 families. Food stuffs were our immediate response to the emergency. Winter also arrived and we are distributing warm clothes. But that's not enough. In addition to food, our mission is to take care of people, human beings. That is why we are thinking of a child education project in refugee camps. " The bishop reports: "People are destroyed, angry, and there is physical and psychological discomfort. The danger is that the more people feel depressed on one hand, and frustration on the other, this can turn into aggressiveness. They are people who have lost everything and disease and exploitation are widespread. Maybe other groups do not care, but we care about these people." He tells us the story of one little girl in the refugee camp: "She was little over one meter high, maybe about ten years old. She was alone, her family had been exterminated. And she did not speak, she had locked herself up in this mourning and in pain." Another matter that worries him "is that no one knows how this can be solved. What's worse is that in the past these people have agreed to be relocated to other areas, to the detriment of those who already needed help. My fear is that if the government were to allow Rohingya to move to the Hill Tracts area, where 30 minority groups live, and occupy their land, we will face another disaster. There is already desperation there, there are no rights, no land ownership, lack of education and development programs. Pain will be added to pain. " Another topic on the agenda is that of the peripheries. Francis was first was to reaffirm the will to bring Christ "to the periphery of the world". And that's exactly what Catholics now expect. Fr Bulbul Augustine Rebeiro, head of the papal visit media committee, states: "Pope Francis speaks of the peripheries, of small churches. We expect him to become one of us, showing solidarity to the people of this country that is so distant." For Card. D'Rozario, "it is not so much to distinguish between peripheries and the universal Church. We are all part of the same body of the Church. Each organ contributes to the good functioning of the body. So the Church can be universal only by becoming local. Pope Francis will see the local Church, but at the same time he will speak to the universal Church. " The Pope adds Fr. Rebeiro, "is one of the world's greatest leaders, and for this reason everyone is interested in knowing what he will say on three issues: Rohingya, migrants and persecuted or rejected people. And the theme of migrants perfectly suits that of the peripheries. Even here in Bangladesh we have many people migrating abroad in search of work. For the occasion, they will return to their country of origin. " In the capital, everyday life continues as normal and there are still no signs as of yet of the Popes imminent arrival, such as the welcoming billboards. The reason, explains Fr. Rebeiro, is that the government must give its consent to the places where these could be displayed. "But they've already been printed," he assures. According to another Catholic, "the billboards have not yet been erected because the party in power is very self-congratulating. So the banners will only be placed in some specific areas of the city. " Regarding security during the visit, Msgr. Gervas Rozario, president of Caritas Bangladesh, bishop of Rajshahi, and responsible for the system that will guarantee the Pope and pilgrim's safety, says: "Before the Rohingya were under the spotlight, the government's goal was to show the international community Bangladesh as a responsible and reliable country for commerce. Bangladesh is rapidly expanding and needs funding. It is also one of the most peaceful Muslim countries, which strongly believes in the value of harmony. The credibility of the authorities rests on the Pope's security. It is the government's great concern to ensure that everything goes well, to help attract the hoped for investors. " He is accused of subversion for promoting democracy in social media. He was tried in September after he went missing in March as he entered China. Taiwan reacted angrily. Relations between Beijing and Taipei are increasingly difficult. Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies) Taiwanese activist Lee Ming-che will spend the next five years in prison. A court in Hunan Province tried and convicted him in September on subversion charges. According to Chinese authorities, he was working with a Chinese national to attack the Chinese government and promote Western-style democracy on messaging platforms and social media. Lee, 42, is a member of a Taiwanese pro-democracy NGO, and was often in contact with civil society groups in mainland China. He shared with them Taiwans democratic experiences, sending them several books. On 19 March, he went missing after crossing into China at Zhuhai from Macau. Chinese authorities later confirmed his detention on suspicion of subversion. Taiwan reacted angrily to the conviction of one of its citizens. In a statement on Tuesday, the office of Taiwan's president Tsai Ing-wen reiterated her call for his release, and said it could not accept his sentencing as "the idea of spreading democracy is innocent". "It is regrettable that the Lee Ming-che case has seriously damaged cross-strait relations and especially challenged Taiwanese people's persistence and ideals for democracy and freedom," the statement said. Ties between Taiwan and China have soured since Ms Tsai, known for her pro-independence views, took power last year. Beijing considers Taiwan a breakaway province to be reunited with the mainland one day. On several occasions, Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed his opposition to the threat of separatism. An agreement was signed to boost trilateral trade and remove obstacles to the movement of goods. Iranian products exported to the emirate grew by 27 per cent. Doha's goal is to reach US$ 5 billion annually. Qatars foreign exchange reserves drop by 25 per cent. Tehran (AsiaNews) Iran, Turkey and Qatar signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today to boost trilateral trade and reduce related costs. This will enable them to face jointly their common enemy, Saudi Arabia. The three governments want to remove obstacles to the transit of goods from Iran and Turkey to Qatar, which for months has been at the centre of a political, diplomatic and economic dispute with other Gulf countries. Iranian Minister for Industry, Mines and Trade Mohammad Shariatmadari, Turkish Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci, and Qatari Economy Minister Ahmad Bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani signed the agreement on Sunday. The parties also decided to set up a joint working group tasked with meeting three times a year in order to facilitate trade and transport ties as per the agreement. The ties between Qatar and Shia Iran are one of the reasons that led a group of Sunni countries Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UE), as well as Egypt and Yemen to end trade and diplomatic relations with Qatar, which they accuse of supporting extremism. Since the start of the crisis, Ankara and Tehran whose relations have improved in recent months have come to Qatar's rescue, by helping it overcome the isolation imposed by the Arab bloc thanks to greater exports of goods and foodstuffs. According to official sources, the agreement will ensure the expansion of economic and trade cooperation among the three nations and will facilitate the movement of products from Iran and Turkey to Qatar. In the first six months of the Iranian year (from 21 March to 22 September), transit in goods via Iran to the emirate jumped by 27 per cent over the same period last year. Iranian Minister of Mohammad Shariatmadari said that the current level of annual trade between Iran and Qatar was below billion; Dohas proposal would see it increase to as high as billion annually. Meanwhile, international reports have confirmed that Qatars economy has been under pressure for the last five months after the Gulf diplomatic crisis first arose. A study conducted by Coface Company in June 2017 stressed that the prolongation of the diplomatic crisis between Qatar and its neighbours would cause great challenges in the medium term for Qatars economy. In fact, Qatars foreign exchange reserves have declined 25 per cent since September according to official data released by Qatars National Bank this month. The data shows that the foreign exchange reserves declined by US$ 1.6 billion in September. The same month last year they amounted to US$ 47.7 billion. Nguyen Van Hoa will also have to purge three additional years under house arrest. The court convicted him of anti-state propaganda after trying him in camera without a lawyer. International NGOs slam Hanoi for the "disproportionate" punishment. Scores of prisoners of conscience languish in the countrys prisons. Hanoi (AsiaNews/RFA) A court in Vietnam sentenced blogger activist Nguyen Van Hoa to seven years in prison Monday for conducting propaganda against the state, claiming that he had tried to incite protests over the governments handling of the devastating toxic waste spill by the Formosa Plastics Group in Ha Tinh province. The incident, which occurred in April 2016, killed about 115 tonnes of fish and wiped out the fishing and tourism industries in four provinces. The Taiwan-based company offered to pay US $ 500 million to settle the case and compensate people affected by loss; however, the government cracked down harshly on street protest against the amount and the slow pace of compensation. Nguyen Van Hoa, 22, led the protests. He was arrested by police on 11 January along with many other activists before the start of Tet (Vietnamese New Year) but news about his arrest was reported only on 3 February. The Peoples Court in Ha Tinh province found Hoa guilty of violating Article 88 of Vietnams Penal Code in a trial that lasted two-and-a-half hour and ruled that he be placed under house arrest for three years after his jail term is complete. Hoas hearing had initially been scheduled for today, but the proceedings were moved up unexpectedly. No attorney was present to represent him. Attempts to reach Hoas family members for comment after the trial went unanswered. State media reported Monday that Hoa had produced video, photos, and articles about the incident involving Formosa Plastics Group for the purpose of propagating against, distorting and defaming the government. They also claimed that Hoa had received money from extremists and hostile forces to cause public disorder. However, people close to the accused rejected the charges as baseless. Rights lawyer Le Cong Dinh called the ruling against Hoa a predetermined judgment that was completely predictable. He condemned what he said was a secret trial, saying the court had tricked people into thinking that the hearing would take place today when in fact it was held yesterday. Under Vietnamese law, the defendant has the right to refuse a lawyer, he said. The court ruling drew condemnation from many human rights groups, like Reporters Without Borders (RSF), with the head of its Asia-Pacific desk, Daniel Bastard, calling it totally disproportionate. 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. RSF ranked Vietnam 175th out of 180 countries in its 2017 World Press Freedom Index. (esfera/Shutterstock.com) (esfera/Shutterstock.com) Relations between Australia and China have been going from strength to strength with easier access to visas and more people from the Asian country visiting than ever before.Now that has been boosted by trade links which will give businesses and entrepreneurs from both countries even more opportunities.Australian Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said that a new agreement will provide people from both countries with faster and more efficient access for trade and business.Along with the Minister of China Customs Yu Guangzhou, Dutton signed a landmark Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) between Australia and China at Parliament House.The signing of the MRA enables the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) and the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC) to formally recognise each other's Authorized Economic Operator programmes.'China is our largest trading partner and this arrangement is expected to bring a benefit of $440 million to Australia's economy over 10 years,' Dutton said.Je explained that MRAs reduce the regulatory burden on Australian business and promote market access for exporters. In particular the MRA with China will provide faster and more efficient access for Australian Trusted Traders (ATT) into the market of the nation's most important trading partner.'This arrangement will provide Australian and Chinese businesses unprecedented access to trade facilitation benefits and will reduce costs for businesses trading between our two countries, while ensuring the integrity of our border,' Dutton pointed out.'I encourage Australian business of all sizes to participate in the ATT programme in order to make the most of this exciting opportunity,' he added.Australia has existing MRAs with New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Canada and Hong Kong, with negotiations underway with other major trading partners.Dutton also pointed out that these arrangements improve Australia's international trade competitiveness, contribute to economic growth, job creation and investment in the national economy. (coolendelkid/Bigstock.com) (coolendelkid/Bigstock.com) Officials in Australia are again warning backpackers and students working while in the country that they should be aware of unscrupulous employers paying them less than a legal wage.In the latest case to be highlighted by the Fair Work Ombudsman, the owners of a cafe and a shop in Melbourne are accused of paying three overseas workers as little as $11 an hour, resulting in almost $45,000 in underpayments.The minimum wage in Australia is currently $18.29 per hour or $694.90 per 38-hour week before tax. Casual employees covered by the national minimum wage also get at least a 25% casual loading.The Fair Work Ombudsman alleges that two employees at the Photo Plus photography and phone shop and cafe Bread Kingdom were underpaid a total of $45,950 for various periods of work in 2016.A Chinese worker who was on a 417 working holiday visa and an international student from Taiwan were allegedly underpaid $6920 and $12,578 respectively for work at the Photo Plus outlet. The third worker, a Chinese national who was on a 462 work and holiday visa, was allegedly underpaid $25,452 for work at both the Photo Plus and Bread Kingdom outlets.The workers lodged underpayment allegations with the Fair Work Ombudsman after allegedly being paid flat rates of between $11 and $14 for all hours worked. Under the applicable Awards, they were allegedly entitled to receive more than $19 an hour, plus casual loadings, for ordinary hours and higher rates for weekend and public holiday work.The workers have now been back-paid in full but Fair Work Ombudsman Natalie James said that young people from overseas need to be aware of what they are entitled to. A key factor in the decision to commence legal action in these cases was that in 2013 the agency had identified pay slip issues at Photoplus Australia during a proactive audit campaign.'Businesses need to understand that we do come back and check that our advice is being followed. Operators who ignore the agency and continue to operate unlawfully can expect to find themselves in court. Employers should also be aware that we treat exploitation of vulnerable workers particularly seriously,' James explained.The Fair Work Ombudsman recently published an open letter to international students to encourage them to seek free help from the agency if they experience any issues while working in Australia.'We are seeking to raise awareness among international students that in line with an agreement between the Fair Work Ombudsman and the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, you can seek our assistance without fear of your visa being cancelled, even if you've worked more hours than you should have under your visa,' James added. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. On Monday, Nov. 27, 2017 at exactly 3:15 p.m. nearly 60 teachers and staff walked out of Leto High School together. Teachers fighting for raises promised by district About 4,000 teachers were supposed to get raises Administrators claim there's not enough money These teachers said they are "working the contract" this week. That means not staying late. not coming in early, and not taking work home. It's their way to fight for the pay raises they said they were promised by the district. "Teachers get pushed to the back of the line, and we are tired of it," Teacher Simo Prill said. According to the Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association, about 4,000 teachers were supposed to get raises this year. The district took the raises off the table shortly after school started, with administrators saying there was not enough money. "Our teachers in Hillsborough County on average are paid higher than all of our contiguous counties," said Hillsborough School Superintendent Jeff Eakins. "Now, that doesn't mean that we should not do more -- we want to do more when dollars allow us to do more," Meanwhile, teachers are continuing to show their frustration. They said they will strictly follow the contract all week, in the hope the demonstration sparks a change of heart by the district. When will The Hall of Presidents reopen at Walt Disney World? Many wondering when Hall of Presidents will reopen Disney says the attraction will reopen "late 2017" No official announcements have been made since June Thats the question many Disney fans continue to ask as the end of 2017 draws near. When the Magic Kingdom attraction closed in January, it was originally scheduled for a six-month refurbishment. During that time, Disney World Imagineers planned to add an audio-animatronic Donald Trump, who had been elected the 45th president of the U.S. However, as the months passed, the June reopening was abandoned. At the time, Disney gave a new reopening date as late 2017. Disney also confirmed to Spectrum News 13 that Trump would have a speaking role, squashing earlier speculation that the animatronic President Trump would be silent. The same thing that weve done with other presidents is the same plan we have for President Trump, Vice President of Communications Jacquee Wahler said in June. This came on the heels of Disney CEO Bob Iger in May telling CNN that a script had been sent to Trumps team. Around this time, Vice published an article about alleged behind-the-scenes drama between Trump and Imagineers. Vice later retracted the article. Disney called the article inaccurate and released an official statement on its Disney Parks Blog. Despite some media reports to the contrary, President Trump will have a speaking role in The Hall of Presidents, like every president since 1993, the statement said, in part. Disney also used the statement to announce some changes to the attraction, which they said was the reason for pushing back the reopening. In addition to Trump, the attraction would feature a new show and an upgraded theater with new sound, lighting and projection systems. Disney has remained mum in the months since, not posting updates or official announcements. That has again led to rumors and speculation. Most recently, Disney bloggers WDWMagic said the long-delayed attraction will debut before Christmas. The report cites sources familiar with the matter. That certainly fits into the late 2017 time frame Disney previously mentioned. But again, thats not specific. So, will Trumps animatronic soon take center stage, or will we have to wait until next year? Spectrum News 13 contacted Disney on Tuesday, but a representative only reiterated that the attraction will reopen in late 2017. No official opening date has been announced. CHECK OUT ATTRACTIONS INSIDER: Your all-in-one source for news, pictures and video from Floridas theme parks. Just go to our Attractions Insider page. Sign up to get breaking theme park news alerts and subscribe to our newsletter, Theme Park Roundup, delivered to your inbox or mobile phone. On Monday morning, a highly anticipated official statement reported that Prince Harry, fifth in line for the British throne, is engaged to the American actress Meghan Markle. Harry and Meghan are planning to marry next spring and have stated that they plan to live on the grounds of Kensington Palace in London after their wedding. Harry and Meghan became engaged earlier in November, but the couple delayed making an official announcement until Monday morning. Harry and Meghan began dating over a year ago, and local media outlets have been hoping desperately for proof of a proposal for some time. The U.K.s Channel 4 aired a hastily-made documentary called When Harry Met Meghan at the end of October, likely in hopeful anticipation of good news from the couple. Members of both the Markle and the royal family extended their official congratulations to the newly engaged couple. A statement from Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip, said that they are delighted by Harry and Meghans engagement. Harrys older brother, Prince William, and his wife, Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton, also offered their official congratulations and said that they were very excited for Harry and Meghan. It has been wonderful getting to know Meghan and to see how happy she and Harry are together. Thomas Markle and Doria Ragland, parents of the bride-to-be, said that Meghan is a kind and loving person. To see her union with Harry, who shares the same qualities, is a source of great joy for us. Meghan and Harry gave their first joint interview on Monday night just hours after their engagement was confirmed by Clarence House, the office of Harrys father, heir-apparent Prince Charles. During this evening broadcast, the newly engaged couple spoke about Harrys proposal at Kensington Palaces Nottingham Cottage in London. It was just so sweet and natural and very romantic, Meghan said. I could barely let [him] finish proposing. I was like, Can I say yes now? Harry and Meghan also touched on the evolution of their relationship in Monday nights interview. They were introduced by a mutual friend in the summer of 2016 and went on two dates in London during July 2016. A few weeks later, Harry persuaded Meghan to join him on a trip to Botswana, Africa. We camped out with each other under the stars, Harry said. She came and joined me for five days out there, which was absolutely fantastic. Meghan was officially announced as Harrys girlfriend in early November of the same year. While Meghan and Harry are thrilled to be making their engagement official, their union would have been almost unimaginable a generation ago. Meghan is mixed-race, Catholic, American and a divorcee, none of which would have been easily accepted by the royal family. Meghan and Harrys engagement shows that the royal family is modernizing, and the blessings from other royals seem to be sincere. Much of the world is cheerfully joining the United Kingdom in wishing the husband-and-wife-to-be much happiness, and everyone is waiting with baited breath for more details about the upcoming royal wedding. The Bible is full of wisdom, but it is often misquoted and misunderstood. The same goes for Jesus words. While the teachings of Jesus only lasted around three years prior to His death, in that short amount of time a tremendous world of truth, myth, legend and superstition was built around Him. Even though Christians share a certain set of beliefs that they hold as essential to their faith, there are a wide range of interpretations and opinions when studying the Bible. Today, readers and carriers of the message often hear particular verses and passages in ways they were not intended to be heard. While the Bible is often quoted, it is just as often misquoted. The problem comes when people turn Gods word into a collection of quotes and one-liners and dont pay attention to the context of the verse, or the history behind the text. Its important to know facts about this religious text, particularly if you are living by the Word and professing it to others. Its also important to know these facts to understand why this text is so incredible. Here are seven Bible facts every Christian should know and believe. The Bible was written over a 1,500 year period. One of the most fascinating facts about the Bible is that it was written over a 1,500 year period and had 40 different authors. This is not to say that it took 1,500 years to write the Bible, only that it took that long for the complete canon of Scripture to be penned as God progressively revealed His Word. The oldest book of the Bible, according to most scholars, is wither Genesis or Job, both thought to have been written by Moses and completed around 1400 BC, about 3,400 years ago. The newest book, Revelation, was written around 90 AD. While there are a number of religious books, the Bible is unlike any other. Isnt it amazing how 40 unrelated authors over a 1,500 year period could create a book about Gods love for humanity, with a consistent voice and message? Author Tim Chaffey in the article Unity of the Bible: Seven Compelling Evidences writes it perfectly, explaining [the Bibles] words point unerringly to Christ, who works on the cross was ordained by God the true author of the Bible before the world began. God worked through each of these authors from different walks of life to create one of the most beautiful books ever written. The Book of Isaiah was one of Jesus favorite books. The Book of Isaiah was a favorite of Jesus and He quoted it often because it was all about Him. An interesting thing about the Book of Isaiah is that there are 66 chapters in it, just like the Bible. There are 39 chapters about the Law and there are there 39 chapters in the Old Testament. There are 27 chapters about grace and there are 27 books in the New Testament. The Law came before Christ but Christ is the fulfillment of grace. The Law revealed our separation from God (Isaiah 59:2; Romans 7:7-25) but Jesus revealed grace and truth (John 1:14). Even the chapters of Isaiah are divided. First is Gods judgment and coming last, grace. This is in direct proportion to the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. How amazing is that? The shortest book of the Bible is 3 John. You can read this book in about one minute. It is only 219 words long. The book right before it, 2 John, is the second-shortest book of the Bible. This book is only 245 words long. Other short books in the Bible include Philemon (335 words), Obadiah (440 words) and Jude (461 words). The longest book of the Bible is Jeremiah. The prophet has a lot to say. He even wrote in the twentieth chapter of his book. But if I say, I will not mention his word or speak anymore in His name, His word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot. (Jeremiah 20:9). Granted, Jeremiah is the longest book based on how we currently arrange the books of the Bible. If we took the old school approach, the two part book of Kings would be the longest book. And if we really went old school, the five-part Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy) would diminish all other contenders. This megabook alone makes up about one fifth of the whole Bible. The Bible was written by people from diverse occupational backgrounds. Parts of the Bible were written by kings. Half of the Psalms, a good portion of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes seem to be penned by royalty. But other parts of the Bible are written by farmers, fisherman, a tentmaker, homeless prophets, a doctor, a professional scribe, vocational musicians, pastors, etc. If that isnt occupational diversity, I dont what is! The Bible was written on three continents. Most of the Bible was written in what is modern-day Israel (Asia). But some passages of Jeremiah were written in Egypt (Africa) and several New Testament epistles were written from cities in Europe. The authors of the various books also wrote in different places, such as the wilderness (Moses), prison (Paul, exile on the Isle of Patmos (John). The word Trinity is never mentioned in the Bible. Most Christians believe that God eternally exists in three persons: The Father, the Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. However, do a word search and Trinity doesnt come up. The Trinity is a concept that is impossible for any human being to fully understand, let alone explain. God is infinitely greater than we are; therefore, we should not be able to fully understand Him. The Bible teaches that the Father is God, that Jesus is God and that the Holy Spirit is God. The Bible also teaches that there is only one God. Though we can understand some facts about the relationship of the different Persons of the Trinity to one another, ultimately, it is incomprehensible to the human mind. However, this does not mean that the Trinity is not true or that it is not based in the teachings of the Bible. The Bible is the single most important book ever written. It is an eyewitness account of historical events of such magnitude that they have literally shaped the world in which we live. Without this book the Western world and a good deal of the Eastern would be completely different today than if the events of the book had never occurred. The Bible is special. It is unique. No other book has any such credentials. No other book even comes close. Lesli White is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth with a Bachelors degree in Mass Communications and a concentration in print and online journalism. In college, she took a number of religious studies courses and harnessed her talent for storytelling. White has a rich faith background. Her father, a Lutheran pastor and life coach was a big influence in her faith life, helping her to see the value of sharing the message of Christ with others. She has served in the church from an early age. Some of these roles include assisting ministry, mutual ministry, worship and music ministry and church council. Bangladeshs government has approved a plan to build shelters on Bhashan Char (pictured), also known as Thengar Char, a low-lying island in the Bay of Bengal, to accommodate about 100,000 Rohingya refugees who will be moved from mainland Coxs Bazar district, Jan. 1, 2015. Bangladesh on Tuesday greenlighted a controversial plan to spend U.S. $280 million (23.12 billion taka) to move 100,000 Rohingya refugees from the mainland to a low-lying desolate island off its southern coast, where it intends to build shelters for them. The move followed last weeks signing of a bilateral agreement with Myanmar that calls for the voluntary repatriation of some 700,000 Rohingya Muslims who escaped to Bangladesh as they fled outbreaks of violence and brutal military crackdowns in Rakhine state since October 2016. Though we have signed an agreement with Myanmar to repatriate Rohingya refugees, it needs a lot of time to send back this huge amount of refugees. But now many Rohingya people are living just under open sky, which is very inhumane. To make a shelter for them, we passed this project, Planning Minister A.H.M. Mustafa Kamal told reporters in Dhaka. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina chaired Tuesdays session of the National Economic Councils executive committee, which approved the plan to relocate refugees who are sheltering at camps in southeastern Coxs Bazar district to Bhashan Char (also known as Thengar Char), after building new temporary housing facilities for them there. The influx into southeastern Bangladesh of 624,000 Rohingya over the past three months alone has strained resources at overcrowded refugee camps and settlements in southeastern districts that border Myanmar, according to the U.N. and humanitarian agencies. Bhashan Char, which is known for being prone to flooding, is located near Hatiya, a larger Bay of Bengal island that lies near the mouth of the Meghna River. Bhashan Char means floating island in Bengali. In the past, the island was notorious as a hideout for pirates. The island measures 15,000 acres at low tide and 10,000 acres at high tide. The plan calls for the government to develop 120 villages on Bhashan Char, where 1,440 barracks and 120 shelters will be built to house the refugees, officials said. The project, dubbed Ashrayan 3, is to be completed by the end of 2019, they said. In the local language, Ashrayan means to shelter. Rohingya refugees cross the Naf River on a raft made of plastic containers and bamboo as they try to reach Bangladesh, Nov. 17, 2017. [Abdur Rahman/BenarNews] Not rational The government says it will fund the project, but officials including the foreign minister have reached out to other countries to ask for international financial assistance in helping Bangladesh build up infrastructure on the island to make it habitable. The government had come under criticism for talking about reviving the relocation plan, which it first broached in May 2015. The original plan called for moving 34,000 refugees from Coxs Bazar to a 500-acre plot on Bhashan Char, local officials told BenarNews at the time. Nur Khan, the executive director of Ain-O-Salish-Kendra (ASK), a leading Bangladeshi human rights organization, questioned why the government was now moving ahead with the plan so close on the heels of its repatriation deal with Myanmar, which is to be implemented within two months, according to the agreement. After approving this project, we have enough reason to suspect that the home return of Rohingya people is not possible, Khan told BenarNews on Tuesday. And as far we know, this island is uninhabitable. In these conditions, shifting Rohingya refugees to this island is not rational and it is inhumane, too, he said, adding, It requires huge time and money to make this island livable. Within this short time and capacity, I dont think, it will be possible. Pope Francis urged Myanmars leaders Tuesday to respect human rights, in a veiled reference to the countrys persecuted Rohingya Muslims who have been targeted in a violent military crackdown that has forced hundreds of thousands to flee to neighboring Bangladesh. The pontiff refrained from using the term Rohingya in discussions with officials, including State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, on the second day of his visit to Myanmar. On Thursday, Francis will travel on to Bangladesh, where he will to stay for three days and is scheduled to meet with a group of Rohingya refugees in Dhaka. Myanmar views the Rohingya as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and refers to them disparagingly as Bengalis. Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, the Catholic archbishop of Yangon, had cautioned Pope Francis not to use the highly divisive word during his four-day visit to Myanmar. The future of Myanmar must be peace, a peace based on respect for the dignity and rights of each member of society, respect for each ethnic group and its identity, the pope said, addressing Myanmars de factor leader Aung San Suu Kyi and diplomats in the capital Naypyidaw, according to the New York Times. On Monday, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, Myanmars military commander-in-chief, told the pontiff that no religious or ethnic discrimination existed in Myanmar despite evidence and allegations of ethnic cleansing in northern Rakhine where a military crackdown has driven more than 624,000 Rohingya to seek shelter in Bangladesh since late August. Rights groups and some of the refugees who fled to southeastern Bangladesh have accused soldiers of indiscriminate killings, torture, rape, and arson, though both the army and the Myanmar government have denied the allegations. Rights groups also have published satellite images documenting the destruction of villages. The pope spoke publicly in late August about the persecution of the Muslim minority just after the military began its crackdown on the Rohingya in northern Rakhine in response to deadly attacks on police outposts by Arakan Rakhine Salvation Army (ARSA) insurgents. For decades, Myanmar has subjected the Rohingya to systematic discrimination by depriving them of citizenship and access to basic services, though many have lived in the country for generations. After initial reports surfaced in late August of Rohingya fleeing the army crackdown in Rakhine, Pope Francis publicly said he was saddened by the news of the persecution of a religious minority, our Rohingya brothers and sisters. But on Tuesday, his public statements deliberately avoided any mention of the group or the violent campaign recently waged against it in ethnically and religiously divided Rakhine state. Unity is always a product of diversity, the pope told religious leaders representing different faiths in the commercial capital Yangon, the online journal The Irrawaddy reported, citing a briefing by Vatican officials. Everyone has their values, their riches as well as their differences, as each religion has its riches, its traditions, its riches to share, Pope Francis said. And this can only happen if we live in peace, and peace is constructed in a chorus of differences. After the pope leaves Myanmar on Thursday, he will head to Bangladesh where he will meet with a group of Rohingya in the capital Dhaka. Applications to return The pope arrived in Myanmar less than a week after Naypyidaw and Dhaka signed a bilateral agreement for the voluntary repatriation of some 700,000 Rohingya displaced by the August crackdown in northern Rakhine state and an earlier campaign in October 2016. The agreement, however, did not include information about the use of temporary shelters for those who opt to return to Myanmar where their previous homes have been burned down. On Tuesday, Myint Kyaing, a permanent secretary of Myanmars Ministry of Labor, Immigration and Population, told the Myanmar Service of Radio Free Asia, a sister entity of BenarNews, that the new agreement was based primarily on an existing one from 1993. Under that one, Myanmar agreed to accept back refugees from Bangladesh if they could prove previous residency in the country. The agreement does not identify the Rohingya by their ethnic groups name. We are going to check and accept people who really lived in Myanmar, Myint Kyaing said. We gave cards or documents to each of them. If they cant show them, then we have a list of people who lived in the region with numbers in each household and their photos. The immigration ministry collects this list every year. Some rights groups have surmised that many Rohingya refugees failed to take their identification documents with them as they fled their burning villages in northern Rakhine during the two crackdowns. Those who plan to return to Myanmar must complete application forms and submit them with their photos, Myint Kyaing said. We will check their forms against the documents and photos we have, he said. If we find that they really lived in Myanmar and they were not involved with any terrorist group, then they will be accepted. Members of Bangladeshs Rapid Action Battalion check the charred surroundings of a house that caught fire after police said suspects used explosives to kill themselves in northwestern Chapai Nawabganj district, Nov. 28, 2017. Three militants blew themselves up during a Bangladeshi police raid Tuesday near the Indian border, officials said, as authorities arrested two other suspects elsewhere and tightened security in preparation for Pope Franciss highly anticipated visit later this week. The trio most likely died in suicide explosions that caused a fire in a militant hideout in northwestern Chapai Nawabganj district, a police spokesman said. The slain men were believed to be members of Neo-JMB, a faction of homegrown militant group Jamaat-ul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), which Bangladeshi authorities have blamed for a terrorist attack at a Dhaka cafe last year that left 29 people dead, including 17 foreigners. The explosions on Tuesday occurred as members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), the countrys anti-terror police, surrounded the suspected hideout, a tin-and-bamboo house in a rural area of Chapai Nawabganj. We used loudspeakers and repeatedly urged them to surrender. But they rebuffed our call, and threw grenades at our forces, RAB media spokesman Mufti Mahmud Khan told reporters. RAB fired back. After the gun battle, we could hear explosions inside the thatched house, Khan said, adding that authorities found the mangled remains of the suspects after the fire. Police arrested the landlord, his wife and father-in-law, Khan said, adding that jailed militants offered information about the existence of the rented hideout in a remote shoal along the Indian border. The place is an ideal place for operating clandestine activities, Md Alamgir Hossain, the head of the local administration, told BenarNews. He confirmed that the house was in a desolate area. RABs bomb-disposal unit recovered two pistols, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and bomb-making materials among the debris, officials said. Counter-terror officers launched a massive crackdown on suspected militant groups nationwide following the July 2016 attack at the Holey Artisan Bakery cafe in the Bangladeshi capital. More than 300 such raids have been carried out, RAB officials said Tuesday, but they declined to disclose the number of people killed in the operations. According to a BenarNews tally, at least 80 suspected extremists have been killed in 29 raids since July last year. Two ABT suspects caught RAB officers arrested two suspected members of another militant outfit on Monday night in Dhaka, officials said. Mohiuddin Faruki, a RAB police additional superintendent, told BenarNews that members arrested Abdur Razzaq, 28, and Abdul Momin (alias Sohel), 32, on suspicion of involvement with the banned extremist group Ansar-al-Islam. It is also known as Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), which has been blamed for recent killings of bloggers, publishers and gay-rights activists. Faruki said police recovered explosives and books promoting extremist ideology. The police operations took place as the Muslim-majority nation prepared for Pope Franciss arrival on Thursday for a three-day visit. Security in the capital has been tightened, with police officers deployed around churches the pontiff is scheduled to visit, police officials told reporters. Bangladeshi activists in Dhaka place national flags on mock coffins to symbolize the deaths of secular publishers and bloggers, Nov. 5, 2015. Indian security forces on Tuesday arrested a suspected member of a Bangladesh extremist outfit allegedly responsible for killing secular thinkers in that country, just days after claiming to have dismantled an active cell of the group in West Bengal, police sources said. Police in state capital Kolkata last week arrested four alleged members of Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), including three Bangladeshi nationals and an Indian who allegedly arranged for their transportation. ABT is considered an affiliate of al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), according to Indian agencies. Late Tuesday, Mohammed Aftab (alias Omar Farooq), who is alleged to be a core member of the group and a wanted criminal in Bangladesh, was arrested along the India-Nepal border while attempting to flee the country, an official said. Officers were hunting for two other Bangladeshi nationals believed to be part of the same cell that was planning more attacks against bloggers, according to police. Since February 2013, at least 10 writers, bloggers, publishers, activists and intellectuals have been slain in machete attacks by Muslim militants in Bangladesh. We recovered a list of names of Bangladeshi writers from the suspects apart from some al-Qaeda leaflets and literature on bomb-making methods, a senior police officer told BenarNews on condition of anonymity. We have also found contact numbers of some pharmacies in Kolkata that may have been used to buy materials to make explosives, he said. Through interrogations of the four suspects arrested last week, police identified accomplices and determined that ABT sleeper cells were active in southern and eastern India, Muralidhar Sharma, deputy commissioner of Kolkata polices Special Task Force, told BenarNews. One of those arrested confessed that the group was instructed to collect weapons in Kolkata and to arrange money required for it by robbing a bank, another police official said. Analysts said extremist groups from Bangladesh found it convenient to touch base in eastern India because of the porous border and linguistic similarity, especially after a recent crackdown against Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), another extremist group. Shared border Bangladesh and India share a 4,096-km (2,545-mile) border, the fifth-longest land border in the world, including 262 km (162 miles) in Assam, 856 km (532 miles) in Tripura, 180 km (112 miles) in Mizoram, 443 km (275 miles) in Meghalaya, and 2,217 km (1,378 miles) in West Bengal. They know that elections are just around the corner in Bangladesh and security forces will hound them. So they take advantage of the easy border crossing and similarity of language. It is a safe haven for them in West Bengal, G.M. Srivastava, a Guwahati-based security analyst, told BenarNews. There are about 25 ABT members hiding in India, according to Indian intelligence agencies. These members are basically sent to India to recruit members for their sleeper cells, Biplab Mandal, a former intelligence official, told BenarNews. Their main aim is to create problems in Bangladesh. But they find it easier to procure arms and ammunition in India, he added. Rohit Wadhwaney in New Delhi contributed to this report. Malaysian Defense Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein talks about Malaysias efforts to combat terrorism during the Inaugural Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Nov. 26, 2017. The terror group Islamic State (IS) has named six Southeast Asian countries as part of its "East Asia wilayah" or region, Malaysian Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein told senior defense officials from 40 Muslim-majority nations in Riyadh. Hishammuddin spoke Sunday during the kick-off meeting of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC), an alliance of Sunni-dominated governments that claimed to be launching a four-pronged strategy to tackle terrorism at its deepest roots. Their self-declared caliphate spans Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Southern Thailand and Myanmar as they continue to lose territory in Iraq and Syria, Hishammuddin said, according to a transcript of his speech received by BenarNews on Monday. Make no mistake, this development will not hamper our efforts, we will fight them on all fronts, he said. Hishammuddin said members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) had been closely monitoring the movements of IS and other terrorist groups in the region. Malaysia is aware that there is a widespread belief here that Iran has contributed to the instability in the region, he said, without elaborating. IS militants are now fighting from a small stretch of land inside Syria and the desert regions along the Iraq-Syria border, according to reports. Two years ago, Hishammuddin said, he consciously persuaded and convinced all 10 ASEAN Defense Ministers to jointly declare our strong condemnation against IS. However, my fellow colleagues, it seems our biggest fear have become a reality, he said. It pains me to say that this threat has now reached our shores in Southeast Asia. Hishammuddins remarks were a rare public acknowledgement by a senior official of warnings already voiced by security experts about ISs Asian ambitions. In June, Jasminder Singh, a senior analyst at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, flagged the same six countries and Japan as nations that had been pinpointed by IS as part of its East Asia region. "For foreign fighters coming into the region, this gives them an idea of what they will be in for, and what the targets are," Singh told the Straits Times, a Singaporean news outlet. Harrowing Hishammuddin noted a meeting last week between Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who agreed to increase the number of security posts along their shared border. The two nations, he said, had been involved in trilateral patrols with the Philippines as part of a months-old effort to rid the waters between their countries of threats from pro-IS extremists. Hishammuddin said the landmark regional collaboration was needed after the Philippines had declared in late October an end to a harrowing five-month battle with IS-linked militants in the southern city of Marawi, during which 930 militants and 165 soldiers were killed. I believe one thing we can all agree on today is that we have a common enemy, and this has united us in more ways than one, Hishammuddin said. Neither Indonesia nor the Philippines are part of the IMCTC coalition, according to the coalition's website. The group's first meeting, which came in the wake of a terror attack that killed more than 300 people in Egypt on Friday, resolved to stomp out terrorism by combating its ideology, communications and financing, as well as through military efforts. Children watch as Philippine Navy construction crew members use heavy equipment to clear ground to build housing units for residents displaced by the five-month battle in the southern city of Marawi, Nov. 23, 2017. The Philippines will fast-track the reconstruction of Marawi, a southern city destroyed by the five-month battle with pro-Islamic State (IS) militants, a presidential spokesman said Tuesday while warning delays in rebuilding houses could push young Muslims to extremism. The first 500 temporary shelters will be finished by mid-December and more than 6,000 others are being planned in the weeks ahead, said Harry Roque, President Rodrigo Dutertes spokesman. In military parlance that was ground zero, but since there is no more fighting, it is now being referred to as the most-affected area, Roque told reporters, referring to the citys commercial district. They plan to flatten it and redevelop the whole area, he told the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines in Manila. The fighting in Marawi, which began on May 23 and was declared over by the Philippine government in late October, uprooted an estimated 200,000 residents, killed more than 1,000 people and razed houses and other buildings in the lakeshore Islamic city on Mindanao island. An ambitious reconstruction plan aims to transform Marawi into a modern city by the time the president ends his six-year term in 2022, Roque said. Roque said he was shocked by the scale of destruction when he visited the city. What is scary is when I went there, there was not any living creature moving not a dog not a cat, he said. It is as if everything was killed or simply left the area. He said the governments Marawi reconstruction team would invite big-time developers from around the world to a bid in December. But many longtime residents do not hold proper land titles in Marawi, an 8,700 hectare (21,500 acre) military reservation that has stayed under the control of Muslim families for generations. This potential snag in the distribution of property in the reconstruction of Marawi is a touchy issue that could reignite conflict. So the challenge really is to rebuild Marawi as quickly as possible to give hope to the youth that the proper way to move forward is through becoming active participants as citizens of the nation, Roque said. And, of course, we need to create economic opportunities for them, so that they will turn their backs on violent extremism. Radical groups exploited by IS The Marawi clashes underscored how violent extremists could cross borders, security experts say, particularly in this part of Southeast Asia where decades of Muslim rebellion spawned radical Islamic groups exploited by IS. Roque pointed out that those who fought in Marawi were led by Filipino Abu Sayyaf gunman Isnilon Hapilon, who was backed by several members of a radical Muslim family and fighters from Malaysia, Indonesia and the Middle East. I think that the fact that the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia are cooperating closely on the issue of terrorism and violent extremism will show that the problem really has become a regional concern, he said. While IS largely has been defeated in the Middle East, it has spread its tentacles to the region, according to military officials. In particular, the Philippine military has had to rely on help from former Muslim separatist rebels in going after smaller IS-backed groups who sprung up elsewhere on southern Mindanao Island after the Marawi fighting. Roque said Marawi has been pretty much deserted with only a few brave residents allowed to go back in batches to check on their destroyed homes and properties because troops were still scouring the landscape for unexploded bombs planted by fleeing rebels. He said the primordial consideration for not allowing all of Marawis residents back in is that the structures are not worth repairing or rebuilding. They really have to be flattened and built from scratch. Thats pretty much the extent of the damage there, Roque said. A family walks around a 32 acre property in the southern Philippine city of Marawi where about 1,700 housing units have been built for residents displaced, Nov. 23, 2017. (Mark Navales/BenarNews) Risks of further radicalization The regional faction of IS could take advantage of feelings of disgruntlement among residents of Marawi and stage scattered attacks, including revenge bombings in Manila and the southern Philippine cities of Zamboanga and Cotabato, said Sidney Jones, director of the Jakarta-based Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict. The biggest risk lies with further radicalization caused by unhappiness in Marawi reconstruction, she told reporters recently. The children and younger siblings of slain militants also could be the next generation of fighters who Manila should worry about, Jones said. Who is identifying the families and children of the terrorists killed in Marawi? she asked, noting there did not seem to be any program to identify them. Without funding from external sources, militants will now be hard put to keep a militant coalition working together on a regional basis, she said. But no one in the Philippines should ignore the fact that Salafi jihadism the ideology that supports violent extremism may be here to stay, she said. Handcuffed protesters are taken away from the Songkhla police station to appear in provincial court, Nov. 28, 2017. Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha on Tuesday defended a police crackdown and arrest of 16 demonstrators who sought to meet him and deliver a letter of protest against a proposed coal-fired power plant. The arrests took place Monday when Prayuth arrived in Songkhla province to visit the Deep South before chairing an out-of-office cabinet meeting. He told reporters on Tuesday that about 100 demonstrators did not follow the law that restricts public gathering and refused to accept a forum designed for them to voice opinions regarding the proposed 2,200-megawatt project. In fact, no one can blame the government of violating citizens rights because we have the Public Gathering Act they did not follow. We asked them to seek permission, Prayuth said. We sent representatives to meet but they refused and they refused to attend any forum, stubborn all the way." Prayuth accused the protesters of obstructing government officials and said they could be charged with violating the law that bans gatherings of more than five people. I doubt they needed to meet me in person before the media, which could exaggerate the issue, he said, adding that the National Energy Committee will decide the projects fate. The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand plans to build three coal-fired power plants valued at more than 100 billion baht (U.S. $3.1 billion) on beaches in Songkhla, Pattani and Krabi provinces, prompting resistance from locals and environmentalists. Scuffle leads to injuries On Friday, about 100 villagers led by local leaders and environmentalists started walking from the proposed plant site at Bangling beach in Songkhla, hoping to meet Prayuth during a Monday dinner or while he was meeting with his cabinet on Tuesday. When the protesters arrived near the ministerial venues Monday afternoon, they were stopped by about 200 police, volunteers and military security forces, leading to a half-hour scuffle. Three people were injured in the scuffle and 16 were arrested and taken to the police station in Songkhlas Muang district. The rest, mostly women, retreated to Khan Seng mosque, Banjong Nasae, a private fishery conservationist who observed the rally, told BenarNews. They did not instigate violence they just wanted to meet with the prime minister. Demonstrators said their letter to Prayuth pointed out that 1,000 people would be relocated if the project is approved and another 20,000 people within 5 km (3.1 miles) would be affected by pollution. A demonstrator said villagers did not expect any official to honestly listen to their concerns. We villagers who would be affected by the plant and a deep sea port nearby were upbeat as we thought we could see (Prayuth) and submit our complaint without going to Bangkok, UThai To-Lee, a member of opposition group No Coal in Songkhla-Pattani told BenarNews. But our mission is not over yet. We will fight to have those arrested absolved. We will protect to save our homeland from the coal plant and the deep sea port, he said. On Tuesday, police Maj. Gen. Ronasilp Poosara, who has jurisdiction in the region, said 16 protesters, including a 16-year-old boy, were charged with assault which carries a maximum sentence of three years. They could also be charged with violating the 2015 public gathering law. Students at Prince of Songkhla University rally at the Pattani Campus to demand immediate release of those arrested, Nov. 28, 2017. [Mariyam Ahmad/BenarNews] Rights officials demand release of protesters National human rights officials spoke out against the arrests. National Human Rights Commissioner Tuenjai Deetes called on the government to immediately release the 16 suspects, adding that the government must respect and protect human rights. She demanded that people be given the right to address their concerns over public policy. Another commissioner expressed concern about the protest. We saw two contrasting pictures from what happened yesterday. The people who support the project were welcomed while the opposition was thwarted. I am concerned about the discrimination, Angkhana Neelapaijit told BenarNews. Meanwhile, MARA Patani spokesman Abu Hafez Al-Hakim issued a statement Tuesday warning the government about negative repercussions. The government has again failed to demonstrate its openness to listen to the plight of its people. Thailand is a free country, a land of free people. As guaranteed by the constitution, the people has every right to determine what they want or do not want for themselves, Abu Hafez said. MARA Patani is a panel representing Deep South insurgent groups in peace talks with the government. We remind the government that to proceed against the wish of the people and respond with iron fists will not only worsen the situation, but may cause an undesirable outcome, , Abu said. 40 years have passed after the murder of Hanns Martin Schleyer | Von: By N. HARBUSCH, M. HEIDEMANNS, A. KHAN How, where, when, but most of all WHY? These questions have haunted Jorg Schleyer (63) for 40 years. And, for 40 years, he has been searching for answers. Until November 22, 2017. For the first time, since his father was killed by RAF terrorists, he is standing across from the person who participated in his murder. Jorg Schleyer was nervous upon landing at the airport in Skopje, Macedonia, last Wednesday at 10.45 pm. What does the former RAF terrorist, whom he is about to meet, know about his father's last day alive? Did Hanns Martin Schleyer suspect that his execution was scheduled on this October day in 1977? Had he been humiliated during his captivity? And did his father leave a message, his last words, for his wife and three sons before he was going to be killed? Two hours later, Jorg Schleyer is standing across from the woman who was part of the RAF commando, that had kidnapped his father on September 5, 1977, that had held him captive for six weeks and that had executed him with three shots into his head. The former terrorist Silke Maier-Witt (67) called the German Press Agency in Paris after his death and said: "After 43 days, we ended Hanns Martin Schleyer's pathetic and corrupt existence." Maier-Witt and BILD reporters were sitting at a table in the hotel restaurant. The meeting with Jorg Schleyer was originally planned for the following day. However, the son of the Daimler Benz' manager had arrived in Skopje a day earlier than expected. With his hand stretched out, the entrepreneur walked directly toward the table and said: "Schleyer. Good evening, Ms Maier-Witt." She responded in kind. Neither did she seem shocked nor insecure. Auch interessant They agreed to meet the next morning at ten o'clock for a longer conversation (see page 3). During this meeting, the former terrorist was going to ask Jorg Schleyer for forgiveness as if she had been planning this for a long, long time. Germany's President, Frank Walter Steinmeier, invited the sons and other bereaved members of the family, who had suffered from the loss as a result of the bloody terror, committed in blind rage by RAF terrorists, to Bellevue Castle. There, he marked the 40th anniversary of the murder of Hanns Martin Schleyer, the president of the German employer's association, in which he asked the murderers to break their silence, once and for all. And to answer the questions that had been haunting Jorg Schleyer and his family for decades. "I would like to make it perfectly clear to the perpetrators: You are guilty for a second time - morally, not legally. If you really have a backbone, just as you wondered whether it had existed in other people, then talk. Reveal details about the crime," Steinmeier said. Thereafter, BILD began to search for clues. The goal was to find the woman who was the mastermind behind Schleyer's kidnapping. BILD ended up finding Silke Maier-Witt in the Macedonian capital. She lives in an 861-square-foot apartment on the outskirts of town. The former terrorist has retired and tells us that until a few months ago she was still paying off her legal fees. And, she added, she had yet to pay off her student loan to the state that she despised. Initially, Maier-Witt did not react to a text message that BILD had sent to make contact with her. The reporters called her the next day and asked whether she'd be open to meet with Schleyer. Silke Maier-Witt, who had been sentenced to ten years in prison for murder and kidnapping, agreed right away. "I'm finally willing to face up to my responsibility." It's 10 o'clock on Thursday. Jorg Schleyer had a restless night. Silke Maier-Witt arrives at his hotel on time. For seven hours and 40 minutes, they talk about the crime and life afterward. At first in the hotel lobby. Later on, they take a cable car to Skopje's Millenium Cross on Vodno Mountain. Then, they continue the conversation at a pizza place owned by an Albanian. And the questions of how, when, where and why continue to arise. It is dark outside on this late afternoon in November. Jorg Schleyer and Silke Maier-Witt are standing on the bridge that connects and separates the mainly Muslim part of town and the Orthodox one. They shake hands. Both are looking for a way to keep in touch. No hard feelings, Jorg Schleyer says. So they bid farewell to each other. And as they stand on the bridge to say goodbye, Maier-Witt's eyes well up with tears. For Immediate Release, November 28, 2017 Contact: Paulo Lopes, (202) 849-8398, plopes@biologicaldiversity.org House GOP Hearing to Focus on Weakening Law Protecting Environment, Public Participation WASHINGTON The House Committee on Natural Resources, led by Chairman Rob Bishop (R-Utah), will use a hearing Wednesday to justify weakening the National Environmental Policy Act. The Act, often called NEPA, is one of the nations bedrock environmental laws that guarantees public participation in federal agency decision-making and requires that agencies review the environmental impacts of their actions before making a decision. Congressional Republicans this year have introduced more than 45 bills that would weaken NEPA. Laws like NEPA help ensure that we have clean air to breathe and clean water to drink. Its disgraceful that these Republicans want to weaken it, said Paulo Lopes, public lands policy specialist at the Center for Biological Diversity. Polluters and special interests certainly benefit from these kinds of sweetheart deals but people, wildlife and are environment will certainly lose out. NEPA requires that federal agencies take a hard look at the environmental impacts of their proposed projects either through the completion of a concise environmental assessment or a more in-depth environmental impact statement for more complex projects. This process is the primary mechanism to ensure public participation in agency decision-making. NEPA has a history of working well. For instance, more than 192,000 projects, worth about $300 billion, successfully went through the NEPA process as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. NEPA provides lifesaving look before you leap protections for all of us, said Lopes. In the Trump era, where conflict of interest is rampant and industry is firmly in the drivers seat, NEPA is more vital than ever. Recipharm, a contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO), has received recognition for its commitment to its French operations. The award le Prix dExcellence 2017 - Special Sciences de la vie is presented by the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in France. The award is to acknowledge examples of best practice in the Franco-Swedish business community. As part of the application process, Recipharm was assessed on its commercial success, profitability, technological innovation, quality and continued commitment to its operations in France. Over the course of its 10-year history in France, Recipharm has increased its presence significantly and its operations in the country now account for 21% of the companys overall sales, with 73% of those sales being exported across the globe. Recipharm, which established its French operations in 2007, now operates four manufacturing facilities in the country, located in Fontaine-les-Dijon, Pessac, Monts and Kaysersberg. From these facilities, the CDMO provides a broad range of development and manufacturing services across areas including solid dosage formulation, sterile injectables manufacturing and blow-fill seal capabilities to a global customer base. Jean-Francois Hilaire, Executive Vice President Strategy and Global Integration at Recipharm said: We established our French operations ten years ago to cater for demand in Europe and offer easy market access to our customers. Since then we have acquired four sites and made substantial investments into our facilities, including an EUR 18 million investment in 2016 into our blow-fill seal capability in Kaysersberg to meet customer demand in the US, Turkey, Australia and Canada." Our French facilities now serve over 50 of our customers worldwide, including a number of top 20 pharma firms, and employ over 20% of our staff. We have ongoing plans to grow our operations in the country and hope to see this positive trajectory continue for many years to come. Thomas Eldered, CEO at Recipharm added I am honoured that Recipharm has been acknowledged for our decade-long commitment to France. We have been very pleased with the development of our business there and I would like to thank the Swedish Chamber of Commerce in France for recognising this. ABIDJAN - A furore over migrant slave markets in Libya casts a shadow over an AU-EU summit this week that aims to promote Africa's long-term economic growth and stability, spurred by European fears of terrorism and mass migration. Protestors attend a demonstration against slavery in Libya, at Sergels torg in Stockholm, Sweden, on November 25, 2017 | AFP The two-day African Union and European Union summit opening Wednesday in the Ivory Coast economic capital Abidjan is focused mainly on the need to create jobs for Africa's rapidly growing population. The summit marks what Europe sees as a potential turning point for broader and deeper ties with a continent it once colonised widely -- while China, Japan, India and Gulf Arab states also compete for influence. However, outrage over the slave trade in Libya looms over the talks in Abidjan, with the scandal having sparked protests in Dakar as well as in Brussels and other European capitals. AU Commission chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat called for "urgent measures" to stop the abuses of black Africans in Libya, which critics say have been fueled by EU-Libyan cooperation to curb migrant crossings to Europe. "We face an emergency," a grim-faced Faki told reporters in Brussels last week during summit preparations with EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini. Faki called for coordination with Libya, the AU, EU and United Nations to tackle the problem. Mogherini said the summit of 55 AU and 28 EU leaders could take "joint action" on the migrants even if she stressed its aim is to build a broader partnership. Acknowledging how the slavery revelations were "unbearable for both sides", Mogherini said the Europeans and Africans will push the UN-backed government in Libya to prosecute the slave traders. They will also press Libya to give UN humanitarian agencies greater access to migrant detention centres, where she said their work in the last year has improved conditions and led to the voluntary return of some 10,000 migrants to their home countries. But rights activists have asked why it took so long for African and European leaders to condemn abuses that had been known long before US network CNN aired footage two weeks ago of slave markets near Tripoli. Libya became a massive transit hub for sub-Saharan Africans setting sail for Europe after the fall of dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011 tipped the country into chaos. The EU has been desperate to stem the migrant influx via Libya and Turkey, the two main routes, as more than 1.5 million migrants have reached Europe since 2015. EU officials said the influx, which sparked political divisions across the EU, and frequent Islamist attacks in Europe have been a wake-up call to tackle the root causes. The EU has already set up multi-billion euro funds to promote Africa's economic development while deepening counter-terrorism cooperation with African countries where Islamist militant groups are spreading. "What happens in Africa matters for Europe, and what happens in Europe matters for Africa," European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said before leaving for the summit. "Our partnership is an investment in our shared future," he added in a statement. Ahmed Reda Chami, Morocco's ambassador to the EU who will attend the summit, said Europe had a vested long-term interest in Africa whose population is set to double by 2050 to around 2.4 billion people. "If there is no economic development, you will have hundreds of millions of young people who have no future, who will (try to) come to Europe to find work," Chami told AFP at his Brussels mission. Like other leading Africans, Chami called for a "Marshall Plan" for Africa, but linked to anti-corruption measures and tailored to African needs. The multi-billion dollar Marshall Plan launched by the United States after World War II is widely credited for helping Europe achieve its current prosperity and stability. Drvelopments in Zimbabwe will be a key part of such discussions. A senior EU official said "there is a real opportunity for Africa to grasp" and implement political and economic reforms in Zimbabwe following the forced resignation of dictator Robert Mugabe. EU officials argued that the EU, China, Japan, and India can all help Africa but the Europeans were most engaged because they shared a common fate through proximity. But an AU official wondered whether the Europeans were aiming to see an opportunity or rather to contain a threat. "We do not feel an African vision," the official said on condition of anonymity. PARIS - French President Emmanuel Macron will tour Africa this week to try to boost France's flagging influence on the continent and convince young people eyeing Europe's shores they have a future at home. France's President Emmanuel Macron will stress that he wants a partnership of equals with Africa, based on education and entrepreneurship | AFP/Ludovic Marin Macron's first African tour, which begins Tuesday, takes him to Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast, two former French colonies that deposed strongmen leaders in recent years, as well as to Ghana. It comes as Europe tries to find ways to stem the flow of migrants across the Mediterranean without leaving them to the mercy of traffickers in transit countries like Libya, where they face torture, rape, and -- as a CNN report showed recently -- being sold into slavery. Macron will also be seeking international backing for a new, five-nation African counter-terrorism force, which France hopes to see eventually take over the fight against jihadist groups in the Sahel region. Above all, his advisors say, he will stress that he wants a partnership of equals with Africa, based on education and entrepreneurship. France's youngest ever president at 39 has been taking counsel from a group of young French business people of African origin about how to buff his country's image on a continent where for decades it propped up ageing francophile autocrats. He is also on a mission to make amends for his controversial remarks this summer about Africa. In a July speech diagnosing demographic, democratic and security challenges in Africa Macron said the continent had "civilisational" problems and listed women having "seven or eight children" as a challenge. Burkina Faso's new president Roch Marc Christian Kabore has called for a reset in relations, based on "equality, mutual interest and respect". Alain Antil, an Africa specialist at the French Institute for International Relations in Paris, said France appeared out-of-touch with the aspirations of ordinary Africans. "In francophone West Africa the feeling is that France is in tune with the leaders but not with youth or civil society"," he told AFP. Since becoming president in May, Macron has paid two visits to Mali, home to a 4,000-strong French regional counter-terrorism force. The first leg of his tour takes him to Burkina Faso, a country with a proud tradition of independence which ousted its president in a 2014 revolt after he tried to extend his 27-year hold on power. Several Burkinabe organisations have called for protests during Macron's visit over what they call the "looting" of resources by French companies and the continuing use by 14 West African countries of the CFA franc currency. France is also viewed with some suspicion for having helped ousted leader Blaise Compaore avoid justice by fleeing to Ivory Coast and faces growing pressure to extradite his brother Francois, who was arrested last month in Paris. Macron, who has a knack for disarming critics during face-to-face encounters, will deliver a speech Tuesday on his Africa policy to some 800 students in the capital Ouagadougou and take questions. "The president aims to change the perception of France through young people," his advisors said, acknowledging that Burkina Faso's youth "do not necessarily have a good image of France". From there he will continue onto Ivory Coast's commercial capital Abidjan for an African Union-European Union summit. Macron will call for greater efforts to combat the trafficking of migrants up through Africa to Libya, where they pile into rickety boats that often sink en route to Europe. He is expected to stress the importance of education and entrepreneurship in helping young Africans find jobs at home. In an interview with AFP ahead of the summit, the head of the African Union Alpha Conde, who is also Guinea's president, said African countries wanted "more investment than aid". "What we want is the ability to transform our wealth to develop Africa," he said. France's pro-business president will also lay the cornerstone of Abidjan's metro system -- a huge project for which Paris has provided a 1.4-billion-euro ($1.7 billion) loan. His tour will end in the former British colony of Ghana, a beacon of stability in the region that falls outside France's traditional sphere of influence. Macron's advisors say his Ghana visit demonstrates his two-pronged approach to Africa -- improving ties with former colonies while boosting trade with anglophone countries. The former investment banker, who speaks fluent English, will be able to draw on his own experience, having interned for six months at France's embassy in Nigeria as a student. Comparing Macron's Africa credentials with his predecessors, Frederic Lejeal, editor of La Lettre du Continent newsletter on West Africa, said: "The difference is he knows Africa....(he) has a multipolar vision and sees the continent as a tremendous wellspring of economic opportunity." Jambojet is set to start flights to Tanzania and Uganda by February next year, kicking off its regional expansion plan designed to see the low-cost carrier fly to 16 new routes. The Transport Ministry said it had applied for permission for the budget airline, a subsidiary of Kenya Airways, to fly to the countries. peshkova via Fotolia Jambojet was in May granted regulatory approval to fly to 16 routes including Entebbe, Addis Ababa, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Kilimanjaro, Mwanza, Kigali, Juba, Bujumbura, Hargeisa, Mogadishu, Goma, Kisangani, and Moroni. "The government has applied for designations on our behalf to allow us to operate on six regional routes," Willem Hondius, Jambojet's chief executive, told the Business Daily in an interview. "For now, the application covers Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, we intend to begin by flying to Tanzania and Uganda." Jambojet also plans to start flying to Wajir by next February, adding to its existing flights between Nairobi and Mombasa, Eldoret, Kisumu, Lamu, Malindi and Ukunda (Diani). The airline had earlier said it would make its international debut by the end of this year, but delays in receiving two Bombardier Q400 aircraft has seen them push their launch date forward. These two planes are now expected before Christmas. The extended electioneering period took a toll on the business, with total bookings for the four months to October dipping by around 16 per cent, Mr Hondius revealed. The airline flies between 45,000 and 50,000 passengers per month. In the weeks around the two general elections, he added, passenger numbers dropped by a quarter, highlighting the huge toll that the process had on Kenya's aviation sector. Kenya Airways' latest annual report indicates that Jambojet reported a pre-tax loss of Sh25 million for the year to March, reversing a pre-tax profit of Sh126 million recorded the previous year. "The loss was attributable to last year's peak season when insufficient aircraft messed us up. The elections affected us negatively this year. While business has rebounded, we shall assess the full impact with time," said Hondius. PARIS - A man who had suffered burns over 95 percent of his body, putting him on the verge of death, was saved by a skin transplant from his identical twin in a world-first operation. Franck was saved by a skin transplant from his identical twin Eric. Photo:The Times, London The 33-year-old man, identified only as Franck, received skin grafted from his brother Eric's skull, back and thighs. Receiving a transplant from a genetically identical twin eliminates the risk of seeing the recipient's body reject "foreign" material from an unrelated donor. Usually in burn cases, the skin of a deceased donor is used, and the donor skin is typically rejected within weeks. That is usually enough time for new skin to start growing or to be harvested from elsewhere on the patient's body. Twin-on-twin skin transplants have been done before, but this was the first to cover such a large surface area, said Maurice Mimoun, a surgeon at the Saint-Louis Hospital in Paris, where the procedure was done. The previous record for such transplants involved a case where about 68 percent of the victim's body was burned. Franck was admitted to hospital in September last year after being burned in a work accident, and the first graft from his twin was done a week later, followed by about a dozen procedures. Four-and-a-half months after his admission, Franck left hospital for a rehabilitation centre. Today, "he is at home with his partner, he can get on with his activities, his face has healed well," Mimoun told AFP. The skin's epidermis, tough and water-resistant, protects the body from dehydration, injury and infection. Christiaan Groenewald (Eagle's Cliff Wines) and Wade Roger-Lund (Jordan Estate) claimed top honours as the winners of the 2017 Diners Club Winemaker and Young Winemaker of the Year Awards respectively. The winning Winemaker receives R50,000 while the Young Winemaker, R25,000. Both winemakers get two return business class tickets on Delta Airlines to any wine producing region in the USA. Diners Club 2017 Winemaker of the Year Christiaan Groenewald (Eagle's Cliff Wines) and Young Winemaker of the Year Wade Roger-Lund (Jordan Estate) with their trophies. The 2017 Diners Club Winemaker of the Year judges William Predhomme Carrie Adams Debi Van Flymen James Pietersen Michael Crossley Nomonde Kubheka Ntsiki Biyela Winemaker of the Year Groenewald, this years Diners Club Winemaker of the Year (Pinotage category), delighted the judges with his Eagles Cliff Pinotage 2017. This is the second time he has been honoured with this distinguished accolade, having won Winemaker of the Year in 2013 for his Arendskloof Voetspore Tannat Syrah 2011 (Non-Bordeaux Red Blends category). Groenewald is one of only five winemakers to have won this award twice. Groenewald grew up on the family farm in the Breede River Valley where his father grew wine grapes, so he was exposed to the wine business from a young age. He obtained a degree in Agriculture and an MBA in Business Administration at Stellenbosch University, worked as an agricultural economist, a financial planner and managed a wine export company before returning to the farm on the death of his father. He built a cellar in 2005, where he makes the Eagles Cliff range of wines. Young Winemaker of the Year The 2017 Diners Club Young Winemaker of the Year, Roger-Lund, received his award for the Jordan Blanc de Blancs Methode Cap Classique 2015 (White Wines category). Roger-Lund was born in Worcester but grew up in Johannesburg. His passion for wine came through his uncle, John Loubser, cellarmaster at Steenberg and MCC maker of Silverthorn. Roger-Lund studied winemaking at Elsenburg where he excelled. After travelling to France and working harvests in many parts of the Cape, he joined the Jordan winemaking team in December of 2014 and has been a huge asset. He was given a top Chardonnay vineyard to make the first Cap Classique under the Jordan label, which was released in 2017 to great acclaim, winning Roger-Lund the 2017 Young Winemaker of the Year Award. As part of the V&A Waterfront's Ocean Life Festival, taking place during Volvo Ocean Race's Cape Town stopover, five students from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) and five students from Fontys University, join forces to #cocreateDesign functional objects that draw attention to the plight of plastic pollution in the ocean. Image Supplied Co-creating a cleaner future Were thrilled to be able to bring Dutch and South Africans students together to create awareness, change behaviour and leave behind a lasting legacy, said Netherlands Consul General, Bonnie Horbach. Eight million tonnes of plastic pollute the ocean every year and threaten the ecosystem. We have a critical role to play in bringing attention to the preservation of our ocean. Through our long-term campaign #cocreateSA we developed this activation called #cocreateDesign. With #cocreateDesign we would like to empower creative minds from both countries to come up with solutions for a cleaner future. Facilitated by the Craft and Design Institute (CDI), the initiative also aims to show the value of co-creation and the collaborative design process. We are proud to be part of the V&A Waterfronts Ocean Life Festival hosted in association with the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands through #cocreateSA. We support the festivals goal of fostering an appreciation and understanding of our oceans, and look forward to working with the students on the #cocreateDesign project, said Erica Elk, executive director of the CDI. Our facilitators are excited to create the enabling environment for creative ideas to emerge, and to apply our user-driven design processes to help these students. We look forward to seeing what these designers of the future come up with, added Elk. I hope this co-creation project will lead to a valuable improvement for the present and the future. Working on a challenge to conceptualise and build objects out of plastic waste material to highlight the plight of ocean pollution, will be a great experience for me, said Fontys student Martijn Kessel. As designers, we have the power to bring positive change. Awareness and involvement is the first step in doing this, and that is where I want to be involved, said Gabi Allan, CPUT Design student. To ensure the longevity of this initiative, the V&A Waterfront will showcase the designs and welcome #cocreateDesign as part of its annual Ocean Life Festival. The Netherlands Consulate General will co-present this years Volvo Ocean Race stopover. #cocreateDesign will take place 27 November -1 December in the V&A Waterfront at Quay 6. The fisheries of Lake Victoria, the second largest freshwater body in the world, support the livelihoods of around three million people in the countries that border the lake - Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. But there have been widespread concerns, since the early 2000s, that fish stocks and catches of the key commercial fishery of Nile perch are declining. This is largely attributed to pollution overfishing and the widespread use of illegal gear that catch undersized fish. With around 1,500 landing sites, Lake Victoria sustains about 200,000 fishers, referring both to the owners of boats and the crew who undertake the manual work of fishing. There are then the small-scale fish processors (usually women), agents who buy fish for fish processing factories and local traders who buy for local and further markets. These fisherfolk live and work at the fish landing sites where they develop close social and economic ties over time. These ties form social networks that are critical for gaining access to employment, labour for the boat and fish to process and trade. Efforts to address the challenges facing Lake Victoria, particularly of illegal fishing, should, therefore, take into consideration these close community ties as they demonstrate that there are close cooperation and dependence among the fisherfolk. This could be built on to strengthen their involvement in fisheries management. We did research in the three countries bordering the lake to understand the personal networks of the three main occupational groups better: boat crew, boat owners as well as fish processors and traders. We also tried to understand how they benefited from having strong social ties. We found that people rely heavily on others working in the same occupation and living at the same landing site, despite significant migration between landing sites, and that the provision of credit, employment, labour and social support brought people together and secured livelihoods. Our findings are important because social ties influence peoples attitudes to management and their willingness to get involved in managing the fisheries with the government. Understanding the basis of social cohesion can, therefore, inform the design and implementation of fisheries development and management approaches so that they build on connections people already have, and that is critical to their well-being. Understanding social ties The research involved both a quantitative questionnaire and a qualitative interview. Interviews were conducted with a sample of boat owners, boat crew and fish processors/traders at 18 landing sites six in each country. We interviewed 85 men and 19 women. Most of the women were in the fish traders and processors category while the men were mostly boat crew and boat owners. Jen Watson/Shutterstock To find out who mattered most in peoples personal networks related to fisheries, respondents were asked to name up to seven people with whom they had discussed their fishing activity within the previous two weeks. What we found was that the largest group within each personal network came from the same occupation, though this was even more the case for fish traders and processors than for boat crew and boat owners. This was surprising. Wed expected that the networks of fish traders and processors would be more diverse given that they frequently interacted with crew and boat owners to buy fish. Their close relations within the occupational group reflected the high degree of dependence they have on each other. Dependencies included needing to trade onwards, to get access to credit and to get business advice. Around half of their network members lived outside of the landing site, reflecting their wide trading networks. But we found that most of the network members of boat crew and boat owners stayed at the same landing site. The mobility of fishers might suggest that their networks would be more geographically diverse, but boat crew rely on their local friends when they migrate in search of better fish catches and prices, using their networks to help them move. Benefiting from ties So, how do people benefit from these social ties? For boat crew, financial help and provision of advice were the most common benefits stated. Most advice related to fishing grounds, but also included advice on running businesses and how to get into fisheries. Boat crew frequently rely on each other, for example, they may replace a friend who cant go out to fish or share their portion of the catch with crew members who were not able to go out or caught a poor catch. These reciprocal arrangements provide an important safety net. Boat owners reported that they benefit from boat crew through the skill, hard work and knowledge the crew members have. They also benefit from ties with other boat owners through providing financial assistance and advice. In terms of their relationships with fish traders and processors, boat owners gain access to credit and secure a market for their catch. Fellow fish traders/processors also benefit significantly from receiving advice and assistance from each other, such as helping secure access to markets and transport fish. The networks are therefore critical for gaining access to credit and employment, maintaining reliable and skilled labour, and sustaining access to markets. People turn to each other when in need of resources and advice, whether in relation to fisheries, running their business or for personal matters. These networks ensure that fish, income, employment and information flow, at and from the landing sites. They also confirm that there is constant economic and social interaction, with personal and work lives strongly intertwined. These networks, associated with the provision of advice and credit, could be harnessed to use peer communication in tackling illegal fishing. They could also be harnessed to strengthen the case for, and implementation of, co-management of the lakes threatened fisheries. The findings confirm that the cohesive nature of fishing communities is encouraging for community-based and collaborative management as community members have shown themselves to be able to work together effectively. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. As part of efforts to address food shortages as well as make agriculture attractive and beneficial to Nigerians, agricultural technological firm, Farmcrowdy, has unveiled a digital application called Farmcrowdy. The organisation stated that it's also currently empowering more than 2,000 Nigerian farmers across the country. The Chief Executive Officer of Farmcrowdy, Onyeka Akumah, disclosed that the application is an agricultural platform which connects small-scale farmers and sponsor investors who are ready to produce more food for the country, while also focusing on assisting them with the latest farming techniques and funds to make their lives more meaningful. Akumah who spoke at Farmcrowdy first year anniversary and the recent launch of the application in IOS, Windows and Android platform at Four Point Hotel, Lagos, revealed that it all started on 14 September when the organisation came into existence and expanded beyond Oyo State in rice, beans and poultry farming and in February 2017. "We moved to Edo State for rice farming where we had a pool of 300 farmers, then Plateau and Akwa Ibom States with 250 hectares of land for cassava farming. This year, Rockefeller has featured us as one of the Agriculture Innovative Organisations in the world." Empowering thousands of farmers According to him, Farmcrowdy has concluded plans to further empower more than 4,000 farmers in the country by signing them up in their various communities and giving them all the necessary assistance to make farming simple and beneficial in order to feed the country. He told ThisDay that in the last 12 months they have sponsored over 2,000 farmers in eight states in the country, adding that their farms cut across 8,000 acres of land with over 200,000 chickens among other aspects of farming activities. The Farmcrowdy co-founder also stated that they work with the farmers using their different field specialists and partners to ensure that they do what is expected of them to succeed, stressing that they have arranged a ready market to sell the harvest of the farmers and then pay the sponsor 40% profit. Akumah further noted that from the sponsorship, the farmer gets 40% of the profit in addition to all the money he or she gets from lease, training and other activities, adding that on their part, they realise 20% profit. Firsthand information on farming activities Akumah added: "This programme will help farmers even without being on the farm by providing them with the latest farming techniques and investing in them in other areas of farming that will better their lots. On the app, we decided to create a digital platform to get many people on the programme to understand agriculture and its benefits. "When the app is downloaded and registered, it allows you to get firsthand information on farming activities as well as monitoring them. Through it, you share your ideas, techniques and aid you to calculate our inputs and gains as well as get notifications on the latest information. "One of the problems farmers are facing is smart farming education. The second problem is the market to sell their farm produce in order to earn a decent margin. The third problem is that most of them are not into banking. Some don't participate in banking activities. "They don't know how to get subsidies from banks so we provide all of them. We provide them also with the training and fund to expand their farms as well as the market to sell their farm produce. The focus is to take them away from the poverty level to live a better life. Sponsoring farmers to produce the country's food "Our relationship with the farmers has been good. Next year, we want to empower 4,000 farmers, in the next two years, we will empower 10,000. Beyond that, we want to empower 50,000 farmers by the year 2020. The Farmcrowdy model is such that Nigerians are sponsoring farmers to produce the country's food for consumption. We will then replicate this model we have done here in other parts of Africa." One of Farmcrowdy's partners who spoke to ThisDay, Supply Operation Manager of Syngenta Godwin Ejeh, said the partnership is one of the core values of the group. He stated that they partnered people they feel would drive Syngenta's vision. Other partners include Leadway Insurance among others. Universities SA, the body that represents the country's 26 public universities, has decried state funding cuts for research enterprises at universities. The cuts would undermine the research system and compound the strain faced by universities as a result of the uncertainty surrounding funding policy, warned Universities SA. SA's research and higher education system is underfunded by the government, with the country spending less than 1% of its GDP on research, placing it behind most of its peers. The National Research Foundation, which falls under the Department of Science and Technology, announced it would slash funding for rated researchers, citing underfunding by the government. The foundation is part of a number of funding agencies. The Department of Higher Education and Training remains the single, largest state research investment arm through its higher education subsidy system. There is also a considerable amount of research funding derived from industry and international sources. Universities SA says the funding pressure on universities' research functions adds to those flowing from diminishing state subsidies. This would add to pressure on tuition fees. "While we understand the arguments and motivation of the National Research Foundation to move resources away from what it calls the Incentive Funding for Rated Researchers, we are concerned that this will undermine our small but effective research system. "Most of the productive research groups, units, centres and institutes are built around strong individual researchers with substantial track records. "It is these individuals who will be most affected by this change. The myriad research activities undertaken by the universities are a direct contribution to the public good," Universities SA said. As of 2018, funding for newly A-rated researchers will drop from about R100,000 a year to a one-off payment of R50,000 in the first year of their rating. Department of Higher Education deputy director-general Diane Parker said at the weekend the department had not yet cut any funding for research. "The department will continue to work to better support universities to effectively fund their core functions including providing quality higher education programmes, and strengthening teaching, research and engagement," said Parker. The department had consolidated the old research development and the teaching development grants into a single new grant: the university capacity development grant, she said. Source: Business Day The investigation by the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) into the near sinking of the small passenger vessel, Thandi on 15 September 2017 has been completed. Thandi - image via Yacoob Yachts Robben Island Museum (RIM), who charted the ferry to transport passengers to and from the island, has commended SAMSA on their detailed and swift investigation. The report has helped us evaluate our current safety procedures and to provide an even better and safer experience for all the visitors to the Island. Safety is and always has been our main priority. Based on the learnings highlighted in the report and our own internal assessment, we will be implementing a number of additional safety measures to further improve the current safety protocols, says Mava Dada, RIM CEO. Monitoring future weather conditions and warnings One of the key drivers that led to the incident was as a result of the weather conditions. To take further precautions to the current weather assessment, RIM will install additional wind monitoring equipment on the island so that actual wind conditions can be monitored in Cape Town and at Robben Island, and will ensure that all ferries are fitted with wind monitoring equipment, which will frequently be monitored during trips. RIM will also be appointing a Harbour Master for Murrays Bay Harbour at Robben Island. As an additional precaution, RIM has updated its systems and processes for the monitoring of weather conditions and weather warnings. Steps have been taken to improve the frequency and quality of reports as well as the interactions with masters with regard to weather conditions. RIM are engaging with Transet National Port Authority to agree on added reporting processes. Over and above the existing regulatory framework, RIM will carry out additional assessments of all their vessels serving Robben Island; in order to affirm their suitability for continued operations, and to enhance safety measures as well as add to the comfort of passengers and crew. These additional restrictions will apply to both the current vessels and any future vessels that RIM may engage or operate. Improving passenger and crew safety RIM will furthermore carry out investigations into the type of vessels that are sustainable, reliable and comfortable to provide a consistent passenger and crew experience in the unpredictable and sometimes severe weather conditions of Cape Town, so that it is able to provide to the provision of a reliable, safe, comfortable and world-class service to visitors. There are a number of improvements and changes that RIM have already implemented. Visitors to and from the Island are scanned prior to the commencement of every voyage. Each visitor needs to show identification when boarding a ferry, a similar process as to when you board an aeroplane. We recognise and commend the recommendations made by SAMSA with regards to the possible changes to the regulations and legislation relating to passenger ferry operations, which will play a significant role in ensuring both higher quality vessels, as well as improved quality of operations. We assure visitors to Robben Island that the measures already in place, and the updated safety measures now being implemented are such that visitors are assured of the best possible safety standards on all our vessels, concludes Dada. Thandi is currently not in commission. Considered a city of the outdoors, Cape Town brings travellers from far and wide to experience the outdoors in its entirety. Although many people hike up Lion's Head and Table Mountain, not many are aware that there many alternative routes to choose from - some harrowing, while others are simple and enjoyable for the entire family. Here are five lesser-known hiking trails to explore in and around the Mother City: Lions Head Loop This is the perfect afternoon walk/hike for those wanting to be in the midst of natural splendour, but also not wanting to hike for days to achieve this. Lions Head Loop is a noteworthy part of Cape Town. This trail is great for walking dogs through beautiful pine forests, indigenous veld, a protea forest with spellbinding views of the city and ocean below. There is a steep drop at one of the sections nearing the road so it would be advised to behave cautiously when navigating these sections. Table Mountain Contour Path This is a surprisingly low energy hike situated very close to the popular Table Mountain hike. This hike should definitely be on the bucket list when visiting Cape Town to explore the nature of the area, which abundant everywhere. The path joins with the more popular route up Table Mountain, Platteklip alternatively, you may carry on with your journey through the breathtaking Newlands Forest. Devils Peak This hike is fairly close to other more prominent hiking areas; however, it differs due to the fact that one gets views of both sides of the city leading all the way to the Southern Peninsula. The hike has become a popular alternative to hiking the Table Mountain area. India Venster This hike is a bit trickier than Platteklip Gorge and requires a bit of hiking experiences. However, if hikers do decide to use this route they will be treated to some of the most remarkable views in the area. The views at India Venster fails to disappoint, but hikers are warned to be cautious on this root as they will have to navigate some steep sections. Kloof Corner Hike Described by many as hardest route up Table Mountain for so many reasons one has to do adequately prepared to go on this hike. Hiking accidents are a real thing, and its strongly recommended to go on this hike with at least one other experienced hiker who has completed the route before. It does promise to have some of the most breathtaking views you will ever see, however, centrally not for the squeamish or ones scared of heights. Getting there Many of these hiking trails are quite near to each other, however, Cape Town is a big city so if youd like to visit most if not all of these trails it's best to hire a car. If youre new to Cape Town and plan on exploring the City like a local, check out Cape Town Airport Car rental and get out to explore all these hiking trails. While some companies still fear completing their journey to the cloud, the reality is they are probably already operating in a hybrid cloud environment. Buchachon Petthanya 123rf.com Weve all experienced it before one moment youre dreaming peacefully and the next youre plummeting through the air before landing with a heart-stopping jolt back in bed. They say we often dream about falling when we feel overwhelmed or out of control, which is probably why its such a common experience. Its natural for people to fear what they feel they cant control. And its precisely this fear of lack of control which is keeping many South African companies from completing their journeys to the cloud. In fact, around 60% of businesses refrain from using more hosted IT infrastructure because they are concerned about security and compliance. This was what Dimension Data discovered when it surveyed 1,503 of its clients across the world, including South Africa. According to the survey, a further 50% of businesses are put off by the cost of the investment and 48% because of the complexity of managing multiple IT environments. Do you know what you consume? We know realistically that already most companies are operating in the cloud, and in most cases, the CFO or CIO simply doesnt know what their company is consuming. They have no idea about the risks involved or who is accessing their private information. Because they have no visibility, they cant manage their transition to the cloud and if they cant manage it, they cant understand the cost involved and will overshoot their budgets. We know based on our survey, that when it comes to hosted cloud infrastructure, around 38% of businesses services are unmanaged. In short, the very factors that they fear being unable to control, such as cost and security, are already in play. Hybrid cloud is already a reality To complicate the matter further, most companies are already hybrid as opposed to vendor-specific. The majority are using Microsoft Office 365 in some or other format, all are employing a web hosting service provider and every business is looking to move its ERP function to the cloud in some shape or form. And the list of examples could go on. No doubt, it makes sense for companies to want to operate in a hybrid cloud environment. Who wouldnt want to be able to build their ideal IT environment by handpicking the best-of-breed solutions available? But, while 29% of the companies which partook in Dimension Datas research said they use different cloud environments to migrate workloads or data between these different environments, at least 29.81% of organisations also said that there is little to no interoperability between these cloud environments. Silos create complexity As such, a scenario arises in which there are many silos of information - silos which create a lot of complexity. But, what many companies may not realise is that the platforms to help them seamlessly manage all of these silos seen and unseen - already exist and have done so for years. Dimension Data has a platform called Service Layer which has already been on the market for seven years. Essentially it is a collection of reusable software components which serve to develop, integrate, automate and orchestrate the managed services it delivers. This also means it is able to integrate multiple clouds, bringing them together with all of the organisations other service elements in one very secure environment. Bringing together best-of-breed In this way clients can build their IT environment of choice, using whichever cloud provider they want. Coupled together with Service Layer is our Managed Centre offering which gives clients visibility across all of their managed services. While Service Layer is the intelligence, Managed Centre is the display. Because Service Layer is a micro-services architecture, it allows us to onboard clients very quickly and add new features as when and they are needed. With this solution, were also able to drive economies of scale, meaning that operating in a hybrid cloud environment is more affordable than most clients might imagine. In essence, its a platform which enables companies to respond quickly to market demands and changes, and to deploy value at speed. At the end of the day, there is very little reason for companies to fear the transition to cloud and even hybrid cloud environments. Whether youre looking at optimising your operations, lowering costs, or securing your business there is significant value to be found in the cloud. Its simply a matter of ensuring that you implement the right measures to give you back control. Vedanta, a major zinc producer, is making a fresh $200m investment in its Namibian operations, as it plots a strategy to make the plant a regional hub for refining the metal, says Vedanta Zinc International CE Deshnee Naidoo. Photo: Informante The refinery is a pivotal plant in the diversified Indian mining company's base metals strategy in Southern Africa, where it sees itself as a dominant zinc and lead producer from its Gamsberg and Black Mountain mines in the Northern Cape and possibly the Skorpion mine in Namibia, depending on whether another extension to the asset's life can be made. The Gamsberg mine, at which Vedanta is investing 400m, will be a 250,000 tonnes a year of zinc-in-concentrate producer, selling the metal to offshore buyers as the company considers whether to include a refinery in a second phase of the Gamsberg project to increase output to 400,000 tonnes of metal in concentrate. At the 400,000 tonnes a year production level, the logic of shipping 1-million tonnes of concentrate at a 50% metal grade out of SA made little sense and Vedanta was seriously contemplating building a refinery to process it, Naidoo said. However, if no fresh ore could be mined at Skorpion after the $200m investment, which would give the mine another three-and-a-half years of life and would more than double output to 200,000 tonnes of zinc a year, then the refinery there, which processes oxidised material, would be converted to handle concentrate coming from sulphide deposits like Gamsberg and others, generating 150,000 tonnes of finished zinc a year, she said. The third phase could take output to 600,000 tonnes, but this was far in the future. The Black Mountain mine, which generates 70,000 tonnes of lead, copper, zinc and silver a year, would ultimately become a pure lead mine with output of 160,000 tonnes a year. The cost of the second phase of Gamsberg, including the refinery and an extension of the concentrator plant, would be about $500m, which would bring the total bill for the phased development of the mine to nearly $1bn. It was an investment Vedanta group chairman Anil Agarwal was not reluctant to make, Naidoo said. "The chairman of the business is all about growth. We love that.... It's my job to balance what we know what we want to do with phase two and making sure all the learnings in phase one and optimisations we've put in place are carried into the second phase," she said. By the middle of 2018, when the Gamsberg concentrator begins ramping up with half a million tonnes of stockpiled freshly mined ore ready to be processed, Vedanta Zinc wants to be able to make a decision on the second phase, whether to proceed immediately with mobilising a phase two team or to delay the project a while. A key factor would be the availability of power, some 300MW, and this was the best time to begin talking to Eskom, because of new generation coming on line and an oversupply of electricity in a moribund economy, she said. Motion Icon's escalator step branding offers unlimited creative visual opportunities for brands looking to a new advertising channel that delivers ROI and hyper proximity communication. Still from the CNN "slave auction" video The reported auctioning of Africans in a 21st century "slave market" in Libya exposed by CNN and other media should come as no surprise to those who followed the NATO-backed war in Libya in 2011. During the war, abuses against Black people in Libya by the rebels fighting Muammar al-Quathafi's regime were ignored by most of the major corporate media because they normally toe the line set by the political establishment. Since NATO supported the rebels, the establishment media in the U.K., France and the U.S. also endorsed them and abdicated journalistic responsibility. Perhaps the establishment media realized that the public --in the U.K., France and the U.S.-- would have raised the following questions: why was NATO actively supporting rebels that were targeting Black Libyans? Why was there no outcry by the political leadership in the U.K., France and the U.S. against the rebel atrocities? Did opposing Quathafi automatically translate into ignoring racist ethnic-targeting of Black Libyans? Because many Black Libyans served in Quathafi's military did that amount to collective guilt by all Black people Libya including the civilian population? These were some of the many questions we raised in several editorials in The Black Star News; one such article was deleted from our own website on September 4, 2011. We had deplored the targeting of Black Libyans including lynchings and beheadings by the rebels, crimes they then posted on YouTube-- this was long before ISIS came on the scene and adopted this method as its signature (who knows how many of them practiced their skills during the Libya conflict). In the editorial that was deleted we had questioned why national U.S. organizations like the NAACP, and the Urban League did not denounce the targeted killing of Black Libyans. We had also questioned why the White House, the State Department and the United Nations were all mute. We also questioned why The New York Times did not cover the racist killings much earlier. The answer was obvious. It would have undermined the credentials of the rebels fighting to overthrow Quathafi --especially those from the Misrata region-- as "liberators" and possibly eroded some public support in the U.K., France, and the U.S.; these were the key countries spearheading the NATO assault. The Wall Street Journal to its credit was ahead of all other U.S. corporate media outlets and wrote about the targeted killings, including about how the city of Tarwegha whose ethnic composition had been Black was later emptied -- the entire population driven out. Even today, six years after the war officially ended -- and Libya reduced to mostly anarchy-- the people have not been allowed to return. In one Wall Street Journal story that ran under the headline "Libya City Torn by Tribal Feud," on June 21, 2011, Sam Dagher reported that the rebel Brigade leading the attack on the city of Tawergha had slogans such as "the brigade for purging slaves, black skin." In another article under the headline "Revenge Feeds Instability in Libya," on September 13, 2011, after Tawergha was seized (and after our own deleted editorial), the Wall Street Journal's reporter Dagher reported that the homes of the Black Libyans who fled were razed and the words "slaves" scrawled on some of them. The entire population once reported at over 40,000 Black Libyans has been living in refugee camps in other parts of Libya. Many have been attacked in these camps. Human Rights Watch has been covering their plight for years. So, Libya had become hostile to Black people and it's not surprising that we now get a report such as the "slave auction" exposed on the CNN video. Elumelu lobbies African entrepreneurs on inclusive African capitalism philosophy African entrepreneurs hold the key to unlock employment opportunities and grow economies, Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) founder, Tony Elumelu has said. In his message at the TEF forum, in Lagos, Nigeria, Elumelu said growth in Africa is the responsibility and opportunity for Africans themselves. Nobody but us can develop Africa. Africas destiny lies in the hands of a new generation of Africa entrepreneurs, said Elumelu whose organisation has committed $100 million to identify, train and fund 10 000 African entrepreneurs, over a 10 year period, with the goal of realising $10 billion in revenue for the continent and creating a million jobs. Elumelu said everyone is aware of the African continents rapid growth in population. He stated that this demographic explosion and the need to create meaningful employment for the next generation cannot be solved by only government jobs. He said there is a need to democratise job creation. And the surest way to achieve this is by creating and empowering entrepreneurs. Only entrepreneurs will create the millions of jobs, that we need, to lift our economy out of poverty, read part of the statement. He elaborated that entrepreneurship is a bottom up solution to economic growth and development. The businessman said there is a need to focus on empowering the individual, who in turns creates hope and opportunity in his or her community. Everywhere I go on our continent, I meet young Africans, who are leveraging technology to create innovative solutions to address both local and global problems, in sectors as diverse as agriculture, health care, financial service and manufacturing, said Elumelu. He added that these ambitious individuals have the idea, the spark, and see the opportunity but sometimes they lack capital. Against this background, Elumelu said they want to incubate a new generation that can become the catalysts for further entrepreneurial-led growth. It is why we lead in the engagement with government and other policy makers, to ensure that an environment is created that positively supports the entrepreneur, he said. Elumelu also said that the TEF programme is driven by his inclusive economic philosophy of Africa capitalism. He believes that a vibrant Africa-led private sector, with significant participation from entrepreneurs, is the key to unlocking African and social potential. TEF chief executive officer, Parminder Vir OBE, revealed that since 2015, they have supported 3000 African start-ups with training, mentoring, funding and membership to Africas largest network of entrepreneurs.She said they were equipping the entrepreneurs with the skills, networks, mindset and values they need to succeed as the next generation of business titans. Africas successful business entrepreneur and chairman of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, says the challenges facing businesses in Africa are not insurmountable but can be tackled if governments and relevant authorities put their heads together. Addressing the third Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurs (TEF) forum, in Lagos, Nigeria, over the weekend, Dangote said Africa still has a lot of business opportunities but must first remove hurdles that inhibit investments in the continent. The reason why African business fail is because of the inconsistencies in government policies, said Dangote at the event which was attended by more than 1,300 participants from 54 African countries. He said weak rule of law, corruption and low inter-trade rates, standing at 16 percent, are some of the challenges facing African businesses. Dangote also mentioned collapsing commodity prices as well as infrastructure gap and power shortages as impacting economic growth. But we can really overcome some of these problems, said the bullish businessman. Dangote expressed gratitude that there is a new growth story emerging in Africa where African economies are growing at an average 5.5 percent.He added that the African economy has more than trebled since the turn of the century. Several growth drivers exist such as political stability and improved macro-economic environment, he added. Dangote reiterated that the government does not create jobs but it is the privates responsibility to do so. He took the opportunity to teach and mentor budding entrepreneurs across Africa to develop solutions in their mindset that solve the problems or address the needs that people have. Think big but start small. Be diligent and passionate about what you do. Learn to bounce back from setbacks because there will be setbacks. Know what you want and be humble to seek advice, said Dangote. He added: Take risks and see the invisible and be daring to do the impossible and dont be afraid to fail and failure is usually a precursor to success, said the entrepreneur at the TEF forum. Dangote added that in business there are many ups and downs but one should never give up. There are many more failures but that does not mean that you will not succeed and you just have to be determined and focused, said the man with the biggest business empire in Africa. TEF founder and chairman of the United Bank for Africa, Tony Elumelu, told Africas biggest business gathering that a strong African-led private sector is an imperative for unlocking Africas economic potential. During the two day event, entrepreneurs from across Africa had a rare platform to network and connect with business leaders, policymakers and investors from all over the world. The TEF supports innovation across sectors, including agriculture, technology, health-care, fashion and power generation. Its flagship programme, The Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme was borne from a $100 million commitment by the founder to identify, train and invests in 10,000 African entrepreneurs over the course of ten years. The aim of the programme is to have not only empowered 10,000 entrepreneurs but also to have contributed to the creation of 1 million jobs across the continent which in turn will bring $10 billion in revenues. President Ian Khama has started his tour to bid Batswana and members of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) farewell as he prepares to vacate office next year March 31. Botswana Guardian has established that Khama has come up with a schedule that will allow him to bid farewell his fellow democrats as their party leader alongside Batswana. He is currently visiting all the regions and the 57 constituencies to bid the BDP members farewell before addressing Kgotla meetings to bid Batswana farewell. Khama will vacate office on the 31st of March 2018 to pave way for his Vice President Mokgweetsi Masisi. This past weekend he addressed BDP members in Machaneng Village before heading for the Maun region. His Kgotla meetings to bid Batswana farewell are scheduled to start on the 14th of December this year at Moshupa-Manyana Constituency. According to a Savingram from the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration Permanent Secretary Kebonye Moepeng the tour for Kgotla meetings would be concluded in Serowe on the 23rd of March 2018. In his last State of the Nation Address in Parliament early this month President Khama expressed confidence that sooner rather than later, the country shall overcome such challenges as unemployment and poverty amongst affected citizens. He also mentioned that in accordance with the Constitution, five months from now I shall be passing the baton of leadership of this great country into the very capable hands of His Honour the Vice President. I am confident that with support of members of this House (Parliament) and the nation as a whole the next administration will continue to build on the legacy of progress that was begun under my predecessors. Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) Interim National Organising Secretary Freddie Ramodise says the partys three elective congresses will go on as planned. BMD is expected to conduct three elective congresses next weekend in Lobatse. The congresses are for National Executive Committee (NEC), Womens League and Youth League. The BMD decided to have all the three elective congresses following Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) decision ordering for the holding of a fresh congress to elect the BDM leadership. BMD was initially expected to hold only the youth league congress next weekend. BMD which is currently operating under an interim committee will vote for a substantive leadership following the departure of some of the disgruntled party members who have since formed the Alliance for Progressives (AP). Ramodise told this publication that Branches (Constituencies) are conducting congresses and the last batch is expected to hold their congresses this weekend. He revealed that the only area that seemed to have been problematic was Gaborone. In most regions things have been going well since we agreed to heed the UDC call for a fresh congress. The only problem was in Gaborone where we lost most of our members to the new party. What we have been doing is mobilising members and regrouping the structures in Gaborone and so far we are left with two Branches which are Gaborone Bonnington South and Gaborone South. The two would be concluded by this weekend. The good news is that we are even registering new members with satisfying numbers in the Gaborone Region, said Ramodise. The national organising secretary said they expect preparation of voters rolls to begin next week Monday. He said a proposal is expected to be put before the interim NEC and National Working Committee to have the NEC congress held before others. Initially we were to hold the youth league congress followed by the womens league congress. But a proposal has been made and to be shared with the NEC that the mother-body congress be held first followed by the womens league then the youth league. With a determined team of BMD members, we believe by Sunday when we leave Lobatse we would have accomplished our mission which is a united and formidable BMD. One of our teams arrived Tuesday from Kgalagadi where mobilisation and congresses in those Branches were conducted. We want to prove to those who believe that the BMD is no more that we are a force to reckon with. We would be putting our house back in order and move forward to work hard with our counterparts in the UDC to ensure UDC takes power in 2019, Ramodise explained. UDC had requested that the BMD should hold a fresh congress before the end of January next year to formalise things following its July Bobonong congress which was nullified. According to the UDC leader Duma Boko the deadline set for BMD is to ensure that the party is part of the UDC Constitutional congress and launch slated for February 2018. The inaugural Women Entrepreneurship Day (WED) Botswana commemoration held this week has affirmed that more can be done to unleash womens full potential to contribute in the socio-economic fabric of the country. Roche Mamabolo, Founder of an entrepreneurship academy in South Africa called LORA, Centre for Innovation and Entreprenuership Academy told WED participants on Wednesday that if the status quo is left uninterupted, there will be no positive change. According to Mamabolo who is also TEDxGaborone co-curator, there is need to continuosly create revolutionary entrepeneurs who are ready to levarage on innovation to come up with sustainable solutions to current problems, while at the same time creating the much-needed employment. Although the role of women entrepreneurs is recognised, there are still cultural and legal barriers that prevent women entrepreneurs to turn into global businesswomen. Mamabole is quick to state that the biggest problem is not lack of money, as is always assumed, and adds that money cannot always be thrown into problems with the hope that they will be solved. How do we create more women business leaders and entrepreneurs, he quizzes. With a wealth of experience in entrepreneurship and startups, his opinion is that there are two types of innovations that people must be aware of. Between sustaining innovations and disruptive innovations, entrepreneurs need to be able to align themselves with what will yield more positive results, Mamabolo said, adding that contrary to popular belief, innovation is not limited to technology only. Sustaining innovation according to Mamabolo, who is also founder and director of Radipolelo Entrepeneruship Consulting, is focussed on sustaining current solutions by merely improving on them. In addition, this type of innovation does not create new markets, hence limited growth. On the other hand, disruptive innovation is based on creating new markets, coming up with simplier and more convinient and affordable products and services. It is good to put money into sustaining innovation, however this will not give you the maximum impact that is desired, Mamabolo said. According to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest percent of female enterpreneurs in the world, but only a few of these women-owned businesses reach national or global stage. Their rate of failure is also high at 8.4 percent. The failure is attributed to several key constraints including; lack of education, cultural mindset, legal barriers and lack of access to markets, capital and networks. Head of UN Women, Magdeline Madibela, whose responsibility is to come up with concrete programmes that address gender inequality and women empowerment among others, said her oganisation advocates for women who are marginalised, have limited opportunities economically, politically and otherwise. The office that was set up in June 2016 also prioritises strengthening women participation in leadership whether in government or the private sector. Madibelas office is also pre-occupied with development strategies on how to develop womens lifeskills so that they are able to actively participate in socio-economic activities. We are currently developing businesses for women especially in rural areas of Botswana, she said, adding that in partnership with DeBeers they have been working with women in villages and settlements around mining towns of Jwaneng and Orapa, as well as in the Kweneng area. UN Women also works closely with the Gender Affairs department and other stakeholders to effect transformative programmes that are able to sustain the lives of women in rural Botswana. As a coordinating agency, UN Women that is housed in UN House works closely with strategic partners to train women on among others; business enterprise development, capacity building and knowledge management. Agang Ditlhogo of the Clicking Generation, an ICT Academy for children shared her experiences as an entrepreneur in Botswana. She noted that in addition to working hard, women need to have a willingness to bring results despite the odds. Secondly, she believes that packaging ones self is critical. Know that you are a brand, and ensure that you are visible and relevant, and be intentional about it, Ditlhogo said. Thirdly, she says that soft skills are essential in business. I had to train myself to speak well, and present myself the way I wanted to be perceived in business, she added. Lastly, Ditlhogo advised other women entrepreneurs to find mentors that they can always bounce their ideas on and seek advice. WED mission is to empower the four billion women across the globe to be catalysts of change, and uplift the 250 million girls living in poverty globally. Botswana Defence Force (BDF) is expected to spend unconfirmed millions of Pula for maintenance and reconfiguration of its acquired 45 used United Kingdom military ambulances, Botswana Guardian has established. Twenty (20) of the 45 used fleet has already arrived in country via Namibian seaport. Sources at the BDF headquarters - Sir Seretse Khama Barracks (SSKB) - have revealed to this publication that the fleet which was purchased through an auction sometimes in July this year will cost the BDF millions of Pula to maintain. The first cost according to sources would be incurred through the fixing of the engines and modifying the back where patients would be accommodated. Some of the ambulances have four beds at the back compared to our usual two beds ambulances. They are fitted with heaters because of the weather condition in the UK. So we would have to modify them to meet the standard requirements and weather conditions for Botswana. We would have to remove the heaters and replace with air-conditioners given the weather conditions in Botswana, said a source at SSKB. Botswana Guardian can reveal that the ambulances were displayed at the SSKB Parade ground where they are expected to be inspected by senior officials and be briefed on what would be needed to be attended to. Although it could not disclose to this publication the amount to be incurred, BDF confirmed that the ambulances are being inspected by specialists to advise accordingly. The cost for the purchase of the ambulance could also not be established with the authorities. Investigations by this publication also reveal that the military green ambulances would have to be repainted to match the BDF camouflage. The ambulance parked at the clinic still resembles the plain green colour of the UK military ambulance. Local ambulances that we are using use oxygen cylinders assembled standing straight up. But these ones from UK the oxygen cylinders are lying down on the floor and this would also have to be modified to suit us. Even the engine that they use, Lister, is very expensive to maintain, said another senior BDF official who went to the UK. The official said they had initially advised against buying of the vehicles but they had their hand tight to disregard the order to buy the vehicles and all they did was to follow the order and enjoy the per-diem we were given. Responding to a questionnaire, BDP Acting Director of Protocol and Public Affairs Lieutenant Colonel Fikani Machola became economical with details as he could not specify the amount expected to be spent on the modification and maintenance of the fleet. He stated that government through the BDF has been in discussion with several governments, with a view to evaluate the possibility of replacing some of its obsolete equipment. According to Machola the replacement of such equipment ranges from brand new military equipment to excess defence articles such as ambulances recently acquired from the United Kingdom Department of Defence (DoD). As would be expected, the BDF like any other military outfit wishes to acquire new and modern defence equipment in consonance with the ever changing global security landscape. However due to budgetary constraints, militaries (BDF included) may in the process undertake a cost-benefit analysis and settle for excess defence articles as opposed to acquiring new equipment. The ambulances bought from the UK DoD have since arrived in the country and are currently undergoing initial or inception inspection by relevant specialist units as per standard operation procedure, he stated. Machola said BDF in all its procurement processes adheres to set procedures as obtained in the PPADB Act. No prescription exists in this Act where the president is part of the procurement process, added Machola. He indicated that it is unfortunate that some people still attempt to mislead the public into believing that such purchases would benefit the president in his personal capacity when in actual fact the opposite is the case. It has been alleged that the purchase of the motor vehicles was not initiated or authorised by the BDF high command. It is alleged that Office of the President ordered the purchase of the motor vehicles which are currently not in use by the UK military. A local publication, Business Weekly and Review recently reported that the BDF is buying about 500 obsolete Range Rover Defender from the UK. The publication has also indicated that the 500 motor vehicles are in a bad state and would be costly to the BDF. It further reported that President Ian Khama was involved in the buying of the Range Rovers. NEW DELHI (PTI): Indian Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba has embarked on a three-day visit to Bangladesh for a multilateral naval exercise being held under a regional maritime forum set up by India's initiative. His visit was also aimed at consolidating bilateral naval relations and to explore new avenues for maritime cooperation, the defence ministry said on Saturday. It said Indian naval ships Ranvir, Sahyadri, Gharial and Sukanya along with one maritime patrol aircraft P-8I will take part in the International Multilateral Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise (IMMSAREX) which was inaugurated by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday in the port city of Cox's Bazar. The exercise is taking place under the aegis of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) -- an initiative of the Indian Navy that was launched in 2008 to bring together littoral states in the region. The IONS has now grown into a formidable organisation comprising 23 member nations and nine observer countries. The ministry said apart from the exercise, an 'Extraordinary Conclave of Chiefs (ECoC)' meeting of IONS was scheduled on November 28 which will also be attended by Admiral Lanba. The meeting was expected to review the progress made by three IONS Working Groups on maritime security information exchange, interoperability and humanitarian assistance. Lanba will also hold bilateral discussions with Chief of the Naval Staff of Bangladesh Navy on Monday and several other navy chiefs of other participating countries. The defence ministry said Lanba would also be gifting 'War Memorabilia' for the 'Liberation War Museum' of Bangladesh. Defence Minister of Singapore, Ng Eng Hen, during a sortie in the trainer version of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) at the Indian Air Force base at Kalaikunda in West Bengal on Tuesday. A PTI Photo. KALAIKUNDA, WB (PTI): Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen on Tuesday hailed India's indigenously-built multi-role light combat aircraft Tejas as "excellent and very impressive". As the first civilian foreigner, Hen took a half-an-hour flight in Tejas at the Kalaikunda airbase in the eastern-Indian state of West Bengal. "It is an excellent aircraft and it is very impressive," Hen told reporters at Kalaikunda. He praised Air Vice Marshal A P Singh, the pilot who flew the Tejas, saying he felt as if he was riding a car and not flying in a fighter aircraft. Asked whether Singapore is interested in buying the Tejas fighter aircraft, Ng said he is not a pilot and it is for the technical people to take a call on it. Indian defence sources said Singapore has evinced interest in Tejas. During the Bahrain air show where Tejas aircraft was showcased, some countries in the Middle East had also shown interest, the defence sources said. Two Tejas aircraft were flown in Kalaikunda from Bangalore for displaying them to the Singapore Defence Minister. Air Vice Marshal Singh who flew Ng is the project director of the National Flight Test Centre-Aeronautical Development Agency. Tejas aircraft was designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the Indian Air Force and the Navy. The Singapore Defence Minister is scheduled to meet his Indian counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman in Delhi on Wednesday. "Bilateral defence ties between our two countries are strong and it is getting stronger," Ng said. Singapore Air Force is holding joint military training with their Indian counterpart at the Kalaikunda airbase. Asked about the joint military training, Ng said, "I hope this will continue for long". The first joint military training between Indian Air Force and the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) was held at the Gwalior air force station in 2004. Such an exercise was first held in Kalaikunda in 2007 and since then regular joint training has been held at the air force station there. A representational photo. JAIPUR (PTI): The third Indo-UK joint Army training exercise 'Ajeya Warrior' will be conducted in Rajasthan next month, a defence spokesman has said. "A training exercise between the armies of India and the United Kingdom will be held from 1st to 14th December at the Mahajan Field Firing Range. It will be the third joint military exercise between the two countries," defence spokesperson Lt Col Manish Ojha said on Saturday. The first exercise was conducted in 2013 at Belgaum, Karnataka, where as for the second exercise in 2015, an Indian Army contingent had visited the United Kingdom. Approximately 120 personnel from the 20th Battalion of Rajputana Rifles and the 1st Battalion of Royal Anglican Regiment of the Royal British Army will participate in the exercise, Ojha said. "The aim of the exercise is to build and promote bilateral relations and enhance interoperability while sharing experiences between the Royal British army and the Indian Army," he added. 20 Rajputana Rifles has extensive experience in counter- terrorist operations, while the 1st Battalion of Royal Anglican Regiment has been involved in combat operations across Afghanistan and Iraq. A Canadian firm has formally put plans in place to develop a mine in Northern Ireland. Dalradian has located a site in the Sperrins area in west Tyrone to mine for gold. 350 jobs would be created if the site gets approval. Environmental protesters are campaigning against it, but other local people are supportive, citing the job potential. Patrick Anderson, the Chief Executive of Dalradian, says Northern Ireland has a special place in his heart. "My parents both worked in the shipyards here in the 50s and the 60s before emigrating to Canada and I was brought up with the vision that Northern Ireland is a place of industry, of innovation," he said. Italian life assurance firm Intesa Sanpaola has been fined 1m by the Central Bank for breaching money laundering and anti-terrorism laws bringing total fines issued by the watchdog for breaches of money laundering rules this year to more than 6.8m. The Central Bank said Intesa was fined 1m and reprimanded for four breaches of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering & Terrorist Financing) Act, 2010. Intesa admits the four breaches, the watchdog added. There were significant failures in Intesas controls, policies and procedures in respect of anti-money laundering and counter terrorist financing related to risk assessment, customer due diligence and suspicious activities, the Central Bank said. At the time of the breaches, it sold life assurance products in the Italian and Slovakian markets and was authorised to carry on life assurance business in Ireland, the Central Bank added. Head of enforcement investigations, Brenda ONeill said: This case, and the level of fine imposed, reinforces the requirement that firms in all sectors must adopt robust and effective policies and procedures to prevent and detect money laundering and terrorist financing. The Central Bank said it judged the seriousness with which the conduct is viewed, particularly given Intesas status as Irelands largest insurer operating on a cross border basis as a factor in its imposition of a 1m fine. The Central Bank investigation into Intesa is now closed. Bank of Ireland was fined 3.15m in May this year after admitting 12 breaches of the act, while AIB was fined almost 2.3m in April after admitting six breaches. Ulster Bank was fined 3.32m in 2016 for similar breaches. The Central Bank said it has levied 61m in fines since 2006, with 110 fines imposed in total. This brings it to over 6.8m in fines this year. Other fines imposed in recent years include a 4.5m charge against Springboard Mortgages for its failings in relation to the tracker mortgage scandal. Some 15 lenders have been caught up in the scandal which is expected to affect upwards of 30,000 customers wrongly put on more expensive loans when the Central Bank completes its review of two million tracker mortgages. Opec ministers head to Vienna this week for the 173rd meeting of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries. Global benchmark Brent crude prices are up almost 20% since the last meeting on May 25, 2017, while those for West Texas Intermediate the US benchmark (WTI) are up about 10%. Thursdays gathering is likely to have a different tone than the last two Opec meetings because global oil demand has strengthened, inventories have tightened, prices are on the rise and trading technicals appear bullish. Bullish oil price dynamics should please Opec members, but like all large gatherings of colleagues at this time of year, some inter-office drama could spoil the party. Geopolitical tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia are the highest in more than a year. This could spill over into the negotiating room, and dash traders hopes of additional Opec and non-Opec agreements to extend oil production cuts. Without additional an extension of oil production cuts or at least without a significant extension oil prices could come under some short-term pressure. The IMF has revised up its global growth outlook, and eurozone and US manufacturing surveys have been on a tear. There have also been important improvements in China, where the manufacturing survey has shown an impressive rebound from a manufacturing recession between December 2014 and June 2016. Improved Chinese growth and manufacturing have contributed to increased oil demand and higher oil prices. Opec will also be looking at the efficacy of its policy of curtailed oil output. And they are likely to be pleased. The stronger outlook for global demand has been accompanied by a drop in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) inventories, which are now closer to the five-year average. This return to average levels has been what Opec members have euphemistically referred to as the rebalancing of global inventories. And it means that the levels of reduced oil production have been effective. Extending the Opec production agreement and the requisite co-ordination between countries could be threatened by geopolitical tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Just last week, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia called the Supreme Leader of Iran the new Hitler of the Middle East. The choice of comparison just days before heading to Austria the country where Hitler was born may be a coincidence, but it is a bad omen. Bloomberg Dublin has been named one of the National Geographics Best of the World 2018. National Geographic Traveler magazine revealed its annual list of the 21 must-see destinations to visit in the year ahead in their latest issue. The selection process included nominations from the publications worldwide network of writers, editors and explorers. In the feature, Dublin is described as Irelands intimate capital which exudes a friendly, village vibe and the magazine urges readers to stroll around to discover Dublins historic Georgian squares and cozy pubs and high-tech treasures, like the new Irish Emigration Museum and revamped National Gallery of Ireland. Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tousism Ireland says they will take every opportunity to maximise this accolade for Dublin over the coming weeks and months. He said: I am delighted to see Dublin feature in the prestigious National Geographic Traveler Best of the World list for 2018. It is wonderful news and will surely help inspire travellers everywhere to put Dublin and Ireland on their holiday wish-list for next year. "It provides Tourism Ireland with another great hook to continue to promote Dublin around the world as a must see destination. Keelin Fagan, Head of Dublin at Failte Ireland also welcomed Dublins inclusion. He said: "Dublins inclusion on the National Geographic 2018 Best of the World destination list will also help to promote the city and region to over 760 million people worldwide in 172 countries who use and read National Geographics suite of media and publications monthly. Check out the full Best of the World list: Albania Cleveland, Ohio Dublin, Ireland Friesland, the Netherlands Harar, Ethiopia Jordan Trail, Jordan Jujuy Province, Argentina Labrador, Canada Madagascar Malmo, Sweden Oahu, Hawaii Oaxaca, Mexico Phnom Penh, Cambodia Ruaha NP, Tanzania San Antonio, Texas Santiago, Chile Seoraksan National Park, South Korea Sydney, Australia Tbilisi, Georgia Tetouan, Morocco Vienna, Austria By Tom Tuite A Fair City star awaiting sentence for punching and biting his former partner has paid a further 500 in compensation. Patrick Fitzpatrick, 33, who played Carrigstown villain Zumo Bishop for six years in the RTE television soap, is awaiting sentence and has been told to pay a total of 2,000 to his former partner. He appeared at Dublin District Court today when he handed 500 in to court. His solicitor Philip Hannon told Judge David Watters that the case has to be adjourned and needs to go before another judge who had heard the evidence previously. Judge Watters noted the latest instalment lodged in court by Fitzpatrick and adjourned sentencing until a date in January. The actor, who was wearing a grey overcoat, navy trousers, a scarf and black shoes, was remanded on continuing bail. He pleaded guilty in February to assault causing harm to Theresa Gannon at his home at Hollytree Terrace, Ballymun, on Sept. 4, 2015. The charge is under Section Three of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. The offence, at district court level, can carry a sentence of up to one year. At an earlier hearing, Garda Niall Carolan had told Judge John Lindsay that Fitzpatrick bit the womans upper arm but did not break skin. He has also said the actor then punched her twice on the side of her jaw. Photos of her injuries were shown to the court. She suffered bruising and a medical report on her was furnished to the court. Garda Carolan has told the court the victim has made a full recovery. In February, Judge Lindsay had suggested the sum of 2,000 should be paid to Ms Gannon. Before today's hearing, Fitzpatrick had paid 1,000 towards compensation. Earlier, the court also heard that there was a positive probation report on Fitzpatrick. The defence solicitor had said it was comprehensive and made a specific recommendation. The defence has asked for the actor to be given time to come up with all the money. Fitzpatrick played Fair City gangster Zumo Bishop for six years, from 2007-2013, and briefly reprised the role last year. His fictional on-screen hard-man alter ego was at the centre of some of programme's biggest stories in recent years. Fitzpatricks other acting credits include a role in 2013 horror film City of Hate. Latest: Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan has apologised and said questions over the treatment of whistleblower Sergeant Maurice McCabe could have been handled better. "Fundamentally, when everything else is peeled away, the essence of this issue is that Sergeant McCabe and his family must have truth and justice," he said. In a statement to the Dail, Mr Flanagan said he was considering other reforms that he could introduce to protect gardai who are victims of bullying or harassment to complement whistleblower laws. "There are stark lessons to be learned here and I intend to take on board these lessons and do my very best to ensure this does not happen again," he said. The secretary general of the Department of Justice, Noel Waters, who had already told the minister he would be retiring, has brought forward his departure from the job earlier this evening. Questions have been asked over Mr Flanagan's handling of parliamentary over questions over the treatment of Sergeant McCabe, and when he knew about emails from 2015 which outlined the aggressive legal strategy against the whistleblower. The Department of Justice also admitted that three emails with information about the approach had not been transferred to the Disclosures Tribunal, headed by Judge Peter Charleton, which is investigating an alleged smear campaign against Mr McCabe. Sinn Fein's Donnchadh O Laoghaire claimed a criminal offence had been committed by the failure to pass on the documents. Mr Flanagan defended his actions in recent weeks and claimed that he had been advised that if he engaged in issues that are being examined at the tribunal it would "improperly encroach" on its work. "I was shocked and, frankly horrified, that there were records in the Department of Justice that should have been provided to the Disclosures Tribunal," he said. Mr Flanagan said there have been major challenges at every step to obtain complete information in a timely manner. "The fact is, that in recent days it has been clear that information in the possession of journalists and members of the opposition has not been forthcoming to me as minister," he claimed. Mr Flanagan set out a timeline of when and what he knew about emails which should have been sent to the tribunal. On Monday November 13 Mr Waters phoned him in his constituency office in Portlaoise to tell him he was retiring and he referred to an email related to Sergeant McCabe and the 2015 private judge-led inquiry into his allegations of bad policing, the O'Higgins Commission. Mr Flanagan suggested that he did not ask Mr Waters to explain what was in the email. "I responded automatically that anything potentially relevant to the tribunal should be immediately conveyed to Judge Charleton," he said. "I simply missed the significance of the email." Mr Flanagan said he did not see the email until the following Monday November 20. He also highlighted his workload. He said he had received 12,000 emails since he was given the job in the middle of June and about 500 a week as a constituency TD. Mr Flanagan said 1,829 parliamentary questions have been responded to by his department and he has dealt with 341 formal submissions from senior officials and that he has brought 58 memorandums to cabinet. The minister paid tribute to Mrs Fitzgerald and said her record tells us more about her than any emails. "I believe Frances Fitzgerald is a fundamentally good woman and a person of integrity and compassion," he said. Mr Flanagan said Mrs Fitzgerald may have forgotten emails from 2015 about the aggressive strategy because of the shocking contents of leaked transcripts from the O'Higgins Commission that emerged in 2016. "That was a failure of memory for which Frances is now paying a very high price," Mr Flanagan said. "I believe, without question, that she did her very best as minister in very difficult circumstances, and her commitment was, at all times, to making a positive difference to the lives of the people of this country." Update 6.58pm: Charlie Flanagan addressing Dail; Alan Kelly pledges to pursue questions relating to Justice Minister Labour spokesperson Alan Kelly has criticised Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan ahead of the Minister's address to the Dail on the Department's response to the McCabe controversy. "I believe there are serious questions in relation to Charlie Flanagan. I'm certainly going to pursue these issues," Deputy Kelly told RTE He said Leo Varadkar had an opportunity for a "mini-reshuffle" of Cabinet, and suggested that there "possibly should be a new [Justice] Minister" in the next couple of months. Watch Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan's Dail statement here: Update 6.45pm: Martin describes events as victory for accountability Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin has said his party must now focus on working together with Fine Gael. He said the House must now focus on issues such as homelessness, Brexit and the reform of the Department of Justice. "We must work together now because the interests of the country demand that. We're satisfied that we should make every effort to work with everyone in the House to tackle these issues," he told RTE. He again stressed his party's view that Frances Fitzgerald's position as Tanaiste was no longer tenable. "The great lesson here is the need for proper democratic accountability," he added. Meanwhile, the Health Minister Simon Harris has described today as "a difficult day to be a member of the Fine Gael party". Speaking to RTE, he said Taoiseach Leo Vradkar's reputation had "not at all" been damaged. He said the party believed the appropriate place to discuss Ms Fitzgerald's role would have been Tribunal in January. "But Frances took her own decision and we respect that," he said. The Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan is making a Dail statement on his department's response to the McCabe controversy. Update 6.01pm: Justice Department Secretary General resigns as Murphy calls for reform RTE is reporting that the Department of Justice's Secretary General Noel Waters, who had been due to retire in February, has said he is leaving the role today. The announcement comes amid widespread criticism of the workings of the Department. The Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy has described the Department of Justice as dysfunctional and said more needs to be done. On RTE's Drivetime, he said he finds it difficult that Francis Fitzgerald has resigned, saying she acted appropriately "in all of this". Minister Murphy said the difficulty was that things were building to such a crescendo that any document found would be seen as damning to Francis Fitzgerald. He said Minister Charlie Flanagan had to be careful that he wasn't interfering with a tribunal, saying he should be afforded the right to set the record straight in the Dail this evening. He said it is impossible to know when there will be a general election. "[Charlie Flanagan] is taking responsibility in the Dail this evening to answer questions, but Charlie Flanagan has acted appropriately in this," he said. "The key thing is to reform the Department of Justice and we need Ministers and government in place to be able to do that work in the public interest," he added. Update 5.29pm: Her resignation was for the good of the party and the country - former TD Former Fine Gael TD Monica Barnes has said Frances s Fitzgerald had resigned for the good of the party and had "saved the country from a disastrous election and allowed concentration to remain on Brexit." Once described by Frances Fitzgerald as her mentor and role model the former FG stalwart said the former Tanaiste had made the right decision in stepping down. Speaking on RTE's Drivetime the former Fine Gael TD went on to say Ms Fitzgerald always acted "out of the very best of reasons" and that she could "make a comeback" in the future. Earlier:Taoiseach has undermined his authority with handling of Fitzgerald affair A Fine Gael Councillor in Cork has criticised the Taoiseach for the handling of recent events which led to the resignation of Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald. Speaking on RTE's Radio 1's Liveline , Councillor John A Collins from Cork said: "There's a question hanging over his head about how he handled the whole situation from day one. I think what he has done has undermined his authority. " He said Frances Fitzgerald was a "decent politician, a good woman and a good Minister". "[Mr Varadkar] needs to go back to basics and understand what the people on the ground are thinking within Fine Gael and react more quickly to whats happening amongst the ordinary members. "There are questions about how FrancesFitzgerald handled it and the way Leo has handled her as well." He said Simon Coveney should be the next Tanaiste. * Check out how the story unfolded today Read More: Update 10.54pm: Frances Fitzgerald has been selected as a candidate for Fine Gael in the Dublin Mid-West constituency. It comes just hours after she stood down as Tanaiste. The Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe was among those who turned out at the selection convention in Lucan, in support of Deputy Fitzgerald. Earlier: 'I wanted to vindicate my good name' says Fitzgerald as she meets constituents Former Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald says she wants to vindicate her name as she spoke publicly about her resignation over the controversial Maurice McCabe email saga tonight, writes Juno McEnroe. She thanked supporters tonight for attending the Fine Gael Dublin Mid West selection convention at Finnstown House in Lucan, where she is seeking members support to contest the next election. Proposers said, despite events in recent days, she had worked hard for the area and poorest areas of the constituency. She said she had told Taoiseach Leo Varadkar earlier today that her resignation was needed for the good of the country especially with Brexit challenges ahead. But the Tanaiste conceded it was a "tough" time for her and she had found it hard to get to talk about the email issues in recent days with what she described as a "frenzy". She also added: "I wanted to vindicate my good name as well, of course." Ms Fitzgerald called on members attending the hotel event this evening to back her and therefor send out a strong message on behalf of the party. Local councillor Emer Higgins is also seeking election. Ms Fitzgerald also said Mr Varadkar had asked her to continue to play a "full role" in public life and at the "highest level". Earlier, flanked by gardai, Ms Fitzgerald arrived at the hotel but refused to talk to awaiting media. Earlier: Frances Fitzgerald vows to bounce back as she meets local supporters Just hours after announcing her resignation as Tanaiste, a defiant Frances Fitzgerald sent a clear message to her opponents that she was not going away for good. Several people offered hugs and words of support to the woman at the centre of a political crisis that almost collapsed the Government. "I'm not too bad considering all that has happened", she told well-wishers. The selection conventions were convened days ago when a pre-Christmas election looked likely. Although that election was averted earlier in the day by Ms Fitzgerald's resignation the Government has been badly weakened by the controversy. It is thought an election could be called within a matter of months. Despite resigning "for the good of the country" Ms Fitzgerald has remained defiant that her political career was not over. Shortly after announcing she was stepping down as Tanaiste she went on Twitter to announce: "Just to confirm Dublin Mid-West @FineGael Selection Convention is still going ahead this evening in @FinnstownDublin and I will be putting my name forward for Selection. Looking forward to meeting local members." Just to confirm Dublin Mid-West @FineGael Selection Convention is still going ahead this evening in @FinnstownDublin and I will be putting my name forward for Selection. Looking forward to meeting local members. Frances Fitzgerald MEP (@FitzgeraldFrncs) November 28, 2017 The 67-year-old's history with Fine Gael dates back more than 25 years. Ms Fitzgerald has been a TD since 2011, and also served between 1992 and 2002. The Government has received approval to repay 5.5bn in bailout loans early. The European Financial Stability Fund gave the go ahead to the plans, which will see the Exchequer save around 150m in interest. The loans will be repaid in full to the IMF, Sweden and Denmark. Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe welcomed the decision and said it puts Ireland in a stronger financial position for the future. Luke 'Ming' Flanagan has refused to apologise for the manner in which he allegedly criticised the lack of Fine Gael MEPs at a meeting of sexual abuse survivors in Brussels last week. The MEP has been criticised for labelling a parliamentary assistant to Fine Gael's Mairead McGuinness as "a puppy". Ms McGuinness said she is not looking for an apology but confirmed she has contacted the European Parliament committee that deals with harassment on foot of the incident. Flanagan told Shannonside his use of the phrase has been taken out of context. "Fine Gael, who are in Government, couldn't bother and didn't bother to send a single MEP to meet them after they travelled the whole way to Brussels," he said. "Yet, you're asking me to apologise to an assistant for saying 'if you want to win a greyhound derby, don't send a puppy'. Really?" he said. In a statement, MEP McGuinness said:"I wish to confirm that I have written to the relevant body, the Advisory Committee dealing with Harassment Complaints between Accredited Parliamentary Assistants and Members of the European Parliament and its Prevention at the Workplace, about an issue which arose during a meeting in the European Parliament attended by one of my assistants. "I have asked for guidance from the Advisory Committee on this matter. I have not sought, either directly or indirectly, an apology from the MEP involved, Mr. Luke 'Ming' Flanagan, nor do I intend to. I will be making no further comment." A missing student from Tipperary is to be reunited with his family today. Stephen Cullinan was last seen leaving his student accommodation in Castletroy on November 2, before heading to Dublin. Relations between the UK and Ireland are going through a "bumpy period", Europe Minister Sir Alan Duncan acknowledged as the two countries remained at odds over Brexit. Sir Alan suggested that the current difficulties over the status of the border were partly as a result of Taoiseach Leo Varadkars domestic political difficulties, which have resulted in the resignation of Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald. The British Foreign Office minister has told British MPs he wanted a situation at the Northern Ireland border which would preserve "as much of the status quo" in peoples every day lives as possible. Giving evidence to the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee he said relations with Ireland were generally quite strong. "There are is a closeness of personal contacts which is pretty strong," he said. "Its a slightly bumpy period, born, I think, partly as well of their own domestic problems which we hope they will overcome." Sir Alan said the relationship with Ireland is "enormously important" and the "preservation and continuation of the Northern Ireland peace process is absolutely essential". He said the UK wanted a "frictionless border" so that as much as possible "of the status quo in peoples daily life can continue unobstructed". Labour former Europe minister Chris Bryant said legal advice from the Foreign Office had suggested a hard border was inevitable if a country left the EU. He said he had been asked in 2010 what the situation would have been if Scotland had left the UK and EU. "The legal advice from the Foreign Office was extremely clear, namely that there would be a hard border," Mr Bryant said. Concerns have been raised that the issue could make the break-up of the UK more likely, either by splitting Northern Ireland away from Great Britain or showing Scotland that a frictionless border is possible after leaving a single market, removing one of the barriers to independence. Sir Alan said: "I think the union is of the utmost importance to us and it is a strong part of our policy that it will and should endure. "I think there will be a way of, I hope, avoiding any physical infrastructure and thats what I think the discussions will now turn to." He added: "I do not see this as something which will lead to the break-up of the UK." - David Hughes, Press Association A jealous man who attacked a couple with a large kitchen knife after complaining about his best friend's "better life" is facing life behind bars for murder. Bradley Wood (aged 25) knifed Lee Hatley 29 times in the head, neck and chest during an impromptu house party at his new girlfriend's home. Mr Hatley (aged 29) had shouted to neighbours for help, saying he had been stabbed "everywhere" and Wood was responsible. As he lay dying, his last words were "tell my Mum I love her" and "help the girl", jurors heard. Lauren Egan-Perkins (aged 22) had been asleep in bed when she too was stabbed in the neck in the early hours of June 26. Following an Old Bailey trial, Wood was found guilty of murder and wounding Ms Egan-Perkins with intent. The defendant bowed his head and members of the victim's family quietly said "yes" as the unanimous verdicts were delivered. Jurors had heard the couple had only met a few weeks before and Ms Egan-Perkins said they "fancied each other but had not entered into a sexual relationship". During a get-together at her flat in Islington, north London, they had drunk vodka and smoked cannabis when Wood became "paranoid" and "resentful" of Mr Hatley. Murder victim Lee Hatley Prosecutor Duncan Atkinson QC said he had started to talk about how young father Mr Hatley had a "better life" than his. He told jurors: "During the time that they were all together there had been some concerns about the defendant. He had been paranoid that people were after him. "He had also started to talk of how Hatley had enjoyed a better life than his own because he had been in foster care and prison. "Careful assessment will be required of those sources of apparent resentment on the defendant's part against his friend and his paranoid behaviour, given what was to happen in the early hours of that morning." After the attacks, Wood fled to Northampton and allegedly explained: "It got out of hand, I was in the wrong place at the wrong time." Days later he went to Islington police station and said in a prepared statement there had been a struggle and he never meant to hurt Mr Hatley. But Mr Atkinson told jurors that the defendant had attacked his unarmed friend "offensively and in anger". Both victims had been stabbed with a large kitchen knife picked up in the flat. After Mr Hatley died, a chip from the blade was recovered from his brain, jurors heard. Wood had been living with his parents in Islington and was in regular contact with his probation officer, who he was due to meet later on June 26, the court heard. Giving evidence, Wood explained he had gone to prison for biting someone on the cheek, but claimed it had not been his fault. Judge Mark Dennis QC adjourned sentencing until Friday. Hilary Benn has mocked the idea of "tethered zeppelins" monitoring the Irish border after Brexit. The Labour Party MP and Brexit Select Committee chair dismissed a think tank's suggestion that "persistent surveillance of the border region" could be achieved through patrols by unmanned aerial vehicles. Mr Benn said the suggestion stemmed from the British government's "impossible" position of wanting no border and yet to leave the single market and customs union. He added: "Now when it's pointed out to them that's a bit of a problem ministers say 'ah well technology will come to our rescue' even though their ideas are untested. "One organisation actually suggested that maybe airships and drones could hover above a non-existent border. "Now I hate to say this, but I don't think that tethered zeppelins or airships are going to deal with the problem in Northern Ireland. "The truth is whatever the weather, however much the Government spends, it is very hard to see, if not impossible, how the two things can be reconciled if we're going to avoid the return to a hard border. "That is why there's a crisis in the negotiations with EU - that is why the Irish Government is pushing so hard." The Legatum Institute's paper on aerial monitoring is thought to echo the view of Brexit Secretary David Davis, in that a hard border can be avoided through a combination of technology and a comprehensive trade deal. Update 4pm: Ex-Coronation Street star Bruno Langley was given a 12-month community order for sexually molesting women in a club while drunk. Langley pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault at Manchester Magistrates' Court after admitting grabbing the crotch of his victims. But he also grabbed the crotch of a third woman and touched the "boobs and bum" of a fourth woman, but was not charged over those assaults, the court heard. The 34-year-old, from Altrincham, Cheshire, left the ITV soap in the wake of the allegations following the assaults in the early hours of October 1, at the Band On The Wall music venue in Manchester. Langley was sentenced to a 12-month community order, including a 40 days rehabilitation activity, a 12 week, 7am-7pm curfew order, ordered to pay 250 to each of his two victims and must sign the Sex Offenders' Register for the next five years. Passing sentence District Judge Mark Hadfield told him: "On that evening your conduct was quite disgraceful and degrading. "Both of the victims would have been extremely shocked and upset as a result of your conduct. "The fact that you were heavily intoxicated is not mitigation, it is a further aggravating feature. "The consequences are serious for all concerned, the two victims but also for you. "You have lost your good name and I know nothing of showbusiness but I imagine in the current climate I suspect it may be very difficult for you to gain employment in that industry in the future." Langley, the father of a 10-year-old boy, who had played Todd Grimshaw for more than a decade in the soap, had personal issues with alcohol, which explained his "despicable" behaviour that night, his solicitor told the court earlier. Simon Hancock, mitigating, said: "It is clear he has made steps to address his personal issues, that is by attending meetings and seeking counselling. "The impact on his family and those close to him is absolutely devastating. "These two offences happened one evening but they are clearly linked to alcohol and alcohol is the issue that results in despicable behaviour." After the court case, Langley released a statement through his publicist. It said: "I sincerely apologise to the people involved and affected by my disgraceful behaviour on the evening of September 30. "I have absolutely no memory of what happened because of excessive alcohol consumption and it was for this reason that I behaved completely out of character. "However, I take full responsibility for my actions that night. "Since this incident I have been dealing with, and confronting some personal issues that I have never addressed, and I am also getting help for an alcohol problem, so that this does not ever happen again." Earlier: Ex-Coronation Street star Bruno Langley grabbed a woman by the crotch and touched a second victim on her "boobs and bum", a British court heard today as he admitted two counts of sexual assault. Langley, 34, was drunk and in the Band in Wall music venue in Manchester the early hours of October 1, when he touched the two women, Manchester Magistrates' Court was told. The actor who left the ITV soap in the wake of the allegations after playing Todd Grimshaw for more than a decade, the soap's first openly gay character, stood in the dock and pleaded guilty. The court heard he also sexually touched two other women on the same night, but was not charged with offences concerning those women, Karen Saffman, prosecuting, told the court. Langley, whose family members wiped back tears after his guilty pleas were entered, was told he could face a possible jail sentence. But district judge Mark Hadfield asked for a probation report to be prepared today before he decides whether he will sentence Langley or whether the case needs to be sent to Manchester Crown Court where the defendant could face a longer sentence. Ms Saffman, outlining the prosecution case, said Langley was "clearly intoxicated" when the first woman, who was out with her husband, went upstairs to collect their coats from the cloakroom. The prosecutor said: "As she walked back towards the stairs Mr Langley grabbed her in the crotch area over her dress." Ms Saffman, quoting the victim's statement, said: "He grabbed me. Properly grabbed me. It was a rough grab, really right in. Lots of pressure." The prosecutor continued: "Even though it was through her dress and tights she could feel two or three fingers. "She was clearly in shock. She was thinking about hitting him. She said: 'Did you do that on purpose?' But he did not reply." A male with Langley then apologised, the court heard, saying: "Oh my God, I'm really sorry." When the victim then went to go to the toilets she was then approached by another woman who had also been sexually assaulted by Langley. Pope Francis has met Burma's civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and told her the country's future depends on respecting the rights of "each ethnic group". It was an indirect show of support for Rohingya Muslims who have been subject to decades of state-supported discrimination and recently a violent military crackdown in Burma. Francis did not cite the crackdown or even say the contested word "Rohingya" in his speech to Ms Suu Kyi, but he lamented how Burma's people have suffered "and continue to suffer from civil conflict and hostilities", and insisted that everyone who calls Burma home deserves to have basic rights guaranteed. He said Burma's future must be based on "respect for the dignity and rights of each member of society, respect for each ethnic group and its identity". Ms Suu Kyi thanked Francis for his support for what she said are the many "challenges" the country is facing, taking his visit as a sign of encouragement as she faces international criticism for the military crackdown on the Rohingya. In a speech to Francis and Burmese diplomats, she did not refer to the more than 620,000 Rohingya who have been driven out of Rakhine to Bangladesh after the military began what it called "clearance operations" following militant attacks in August. She said she appreciates those who are supporting the government as it address long-standing social, economic and political issues "that have eroded trust and understanding, harmony and co-operation". She added that the government's aim is to protect rights, foster tolerance and ensure security for all. Prince Harry and bride-to-be Meghan Markle are to marry in May at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, Kensington Palace has announced. The American actress, who will become a senior HRH on marrying into the royals, also intends to become a British citizen. As the couple make preparations for their big day, Ms Markle, a protestant who went to a catholic high school, will be both baptised and confirmed, ready for the religious ceremony. The royal family will pay for the wedding, including the church service, the music, the flowers and the reception, the palace said. Harry's communication's secretary Jason Knauf said Windsor was a "very special place" for Harry, and that he and Ms Markle had spent time there together during their 16-month romance. He said the couple were delighted to be holding the wedding in the "beautiful grounds of Windsor". Mr Knauf said the couple, who were grateful for the warm wishes from the public, would be putting their stamp on their wedding day. "They will be making sure it reflects who they are as a couple," he said. Kensington Palace also revealed that Harry and Ms Markle will carry out their first official engagement together in Nottingham on Friday. Mr Knauf revealed that while one of Ms Markle's beloved dogs Guy was legally allowed to stay with her in the UK, the other - Bogart - would not be joining her. "Bogart is now living with friends," Mr Knauf revealed. In Nottingham, the pair will visit the Nottingham Contemporary which is hosting a Terrence Higgins Trust World Aids Day charity fair, and also visit Nottingham Academy to meet headteachers taking part in the Full Effect programme. There will also be a walkabout by the bride and groom-to-be - a royal rite of passage for the future royal. Ms Markle is to become the fourth patron of the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry. The actress will not be continuing her work on gender with the UN or with other organisations, but instead will be starting her charity work as a full-time royal afresh. The exact date of the wedding will be revealed at a later stage. Mr Knauf said Harry and Ms Markle "want the public to feel part of their day" - and are looking at ways to achieve that. Prince George and Princess Charlotte have also been introduced to their soon-to-be new aunt. Mr Knauf said the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's children had met Ms Markle on many occasions. St George's Chapel is a Royal Peculiar, with the Dean of Windsor responsible only to the sovereign. The palace said the Queen has granted permission for the wedding to take place at the chapel. In 2005, the monarch attended the religious blessing of the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall - both divorcees - in St George's, but did not go to their civil ceremony beforehand in the Windsor Guildhall. The palace confirmed the Queen will be a guest at Harry's wedding. Mr Knauf said: "Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are extremely grateful for the warm public response following yesterday's announcement of their engagement. "In a happy moment in their lives, it means a great deal to them that so many people throughout the UK, the Commonwealth and around the world are celebrating with them." He added: "Prince Harry and Ms Markle are delighted that the beautiful grounds of Windsor Castle will be where they begin their lives together as a married couple. "The couple of course want the day to be a special, celebratory moment for their friends and family. "They also want the day to be shaped so as to allow members of the public to feel part of the celebrations too and are currently working through ideas for how this might be achieved. "This wedding, like all weddings, will be a moment of fun and joy that will reflect the characters of the bride and groom. "Prince Harry and Ms Markle are leading the planning process for all aspects of the wedding. "We look forward to sharing these details with you in the months ahead as decisions are made." Mr Knauf said, on the visit to Nottingham, Harry was "looking forward to introducing Ms Markle to a community that has become very special to him". The Full Effect programme, led by Harry and set up by the Royal Foundation, seeks to combat youth violence. "Ms Markle cannot wait to meet many of the young people Prince Harry has told her so much about," Mr Knauf said. He added the away day will begin with a civic welcome at the National Justice Museum followed by a walkabout where they will be able to greet members of the public as a couple for the first time. The event for World Aids Day would be an "upbeat, fun event that will highlight the work to smash the stigma that can still exist around HIV in the Midlands", he said. Prince Harry and Ms Markle will be carrying out a run of joint engagements across the country ahead of the wedding. Mr Knauf said: "Ms Markle's very keen to get around the UK and learn more about what's being done in communities across the country." Official engagement portraits of Harry and his fiancee will also be released at a later date - but it has not yet been decided who will be taking them. "It was an incredibly happy day for them," Mr Knauf said of the engagement announcement. "They've been overwhelmed by the huge outpouring of support they received from people within the UK, the Commonwealth, around the world. "It was a celebratory day at Kensington Palace for all of us. "You can see, that interview, it was a fun day for them as well." Brexit talks between the UK and European Union are continuing as officials played down suggestions that a deal has been reached on the so-called divorce bill. Reports suggested an agreement in principle has been reached which would see Theresa May increase her offer and pay between 45-55billion. But a British source said they did not recognise the figure in the Daily Telegraph and stressed that talks were ongoing in Brussels. The Telegraph report - citing unnamed sources on both sides of the negotiations - said a deal had been reached, removing one of the three stumbling blocks to progress in the Brexit negotiations. The Prime Minister needs progress on the financial settlement, citizens rights and the Irish border within days to keep her hopes of European Union leaders agreeing to start trade talks in December alive. A breakthrough is needed before a December 4 meeting with European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker and the Telegraph said terms on the financial settlement were agreed late last week. The newspaper said the final figure, which is deliberately being left open to interpretation, could be up to 49 billion depending on how each side calculates the output from an agreed methodology. But a British Government source told the Press Association: "I dont recognise it at all. "There are ongoing discussions in Brussels this week." The problem of the Irish border has emerged in recent weeks as a major difficulty in securing sufficient progress before the December 14-15 European Council and the two sides in the Brexit negotiations are still at odds over the role of the European Court of Justice in enforcing citizens rights after Brexit. A Department for Exiting the EU spokesman said: "Intensive talks between the UK and the European Commission continue to take place in Brussels this week as we seek to reach an agreement." Downing Street made no response to the report, while a spokesman for the EUs chief Brexit negotiator said: "We would not have any comment on it." Syria's government delegation will arrive a day late in Geneva to take part in a new round of talks with the opposition, officials have said. The delay appears to reflect the government's displeasure with the opposition's insistence that President Bashar Assad must leave at the start of any transitional period. The United Nations is scheduled to resume the talks between the government and the Syrian opposition in the Swiss city today. The opposition delegation arrived yesterday after publishing a communique last week that said it was ready for talks "without preconditions", meaning its participation was not dependent on the departure of Assad. However, it said it still held its belief that Assad would need to step down at the start of any transitional period for any settlement to the nearly seven-year civil war to succeed. "I can confirm we have received a message from government of Syria indicating that their delegation would arrive tomorrow," said Michael Contet, an adviser to UN special envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura. A Syrian foreign ministry official in Damascus also said the delegation would take part in talks starting tomorrow afternoon, headed by Bashar Ja'afari, Syria's representative at the UN. As in previous talks, a major point of disagreement between the two sides will be the future of Assad. Damascus has refused to negotiate over his future in any talks with the opposition. It says it wants to focus on defeating "terrorism", its word for armed opponents of the Syrian president. The head of the opposition delegation, Nasr Hariri, told reporters yesterday that the opposition was "ready to negotiate", and accused the government of stalling: "The thing the regime is most afraid of is political negotiations. "We assert that a political transition that achieves Assad's departure at the beginning of the transitional period is our goal." The delegation was expanded last week under Saudi Arabian auspices to include opposition groupings seen by Damascus as more palatable for negotiations, including the so-called "Moscow group", which has resisted calling for Assad's departure. Mr Hariri said the reformulation removed any excuse by the government and its chief diplomatic backer, Russia, to circumvent the UN talks. Mr de Mistura stressed he would "not accept any preconditions by any party", and said the talks would be guided by a 2015 Security Council resolution mandating a political transition for Syria. This latest round of Geneva talks, the eighth since 2012, will focus on getting to an "inclusive process" to draft and ratify a new constitution, said Mr de Mistura. He hailed a "useful" meeting with diplomats from the five permanent Security Council members, while calling on the rival sides in the war-torn country to get down to "business". - AP British Ministers have been accused of trying to keep people "in the dark" about their "extreme" Brexit plans in a row in the Lords over the release of economic assessment papers. Liberal Democrat Baroness Ludford branded the British government a "serial offender when it comes to the arrogance of executive power". A volcano gushing towering columns of ash has closed the airport on the Indonesian tourist island of Bali for a second day, disrupting travel for tens of thousands of people. Authorities have also renewed their warnings for villagers to evacuate, as Mount Agung continues hurling clouds of white and dark grey ash about 3,000 metres (9,800 feet) above its cone. Lava is welling in the crater, sometimes reflected as an orange-red glow in the ash plumes. Its explosions can be heard about seven-and-a-half miles away. The local airport authority said on Tuesday that the closure for another 24 hours was required for safety reasons. Volcanic ash poses a deadly threat to aircraft, and ash from Agung is moving south-southwest towards the airport. Ash has reached a height of about 30,000 feet as it drifts across the island. "I don't know, we can't change it," said stranded German tourist Gina Camp, sitting on a bench at the airport. "It's the nature and we have to wait until it's over." She decided to look on the bright side, saying she planned to go back outside to enjoy another day on the island. Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency raised the volcano's alert to the highest level on Monday and expanded an exclusion zone to six miles from the crater in places. It said a larger eruption is possible, but a top government volcanologist has also said the volcano could continue for weeks at its current level of activity and not erupt explosively. Agung's last major eruption in 1963 killed about 1,100 people. Authorities have told 100,000 people to leave homes that are in close proximity to the volcano, but as of Monday tens of thousands had stayed because they felt safe or did not want to abandon livestock. They have also warned people of the danger of mudflows from the volcano as it is now rainy season in Bali. Volcanologist Erik Klemetti at Dennison University in Ohio said Agung's 1963 eruption was big enough to cool the earth slightly but it is unclear whether this time it will have a similar major eruption or simmer for a prolonged period. "A lot of what will happen depends on the magma underneath and what it is doing now," he said. The closure of the airport has stranded tens of thousands of travellers, affecting tourists already on Bali and people who were ready to fly to the island from abroad or within Indonesia. Airport spokesman Ari Ahsanurrohim said more than 440 inward and outward flights were cancelled on Tuesday and about 59,500 travellers were affected, similar numbers to Monday. Indonesia's Directorate General of Land Transportation said 100 buses were deployed to the airport and to ferry terminals to help travellers stranded by the eruption. The agency's chief, Budi, said major ferry crossing points have been advised to prepare for a surge in passengers and vehicles. Stranded tourists could leave Bali by taking a ferry to Java and then travelling by land to the nearest airports. A live 5G-based proof of concept designed to test and validate smart urban applications over next-generation mobile networks will be deployed in Bristol city centre as part of a joint research programme between the University of Bristol, BT and Nokia, it was announced today [Monday 27 November]. Using leading research expertise from the University of Bristol, and cutting-edge 5G network solutions and radio access points from Nokia combined with spectrum from BT, the test network will run over Bristol City Councils dedicated fibre infrastructure around Bristols Millennium square. It will connect to the 'Bristol Is Open' smart city platform and be backed by the "We The Curious" science centre, which will be used for public demonstrations of the technology. The University of Bristols Smart Internet Lab has recently received funding from the '5G Testbeds and Trials Programme' from the UK Government Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to establish the '5GUK Test Networks'. Over the coming months the Test Network will be used to explore and validate the deployment of 5G architecture that integrates existing technologies with innovations such as Massive MIMO radio access solutions, software-defined networking, network slicing and edge computing nodes functionalities. These technologies allow operators to use multiple antennas to boost the capacity of wireless networks, and to split a single physical network into multiple virtual networks, delivering reliable and high-capacity services to several applications and vertical sectors. The initial deployment will examine the optimum models for 5G as part of a future urban dense networks that will maximise coverage and speed, using a combination of research and commercial solutions such as Nokia's AirScale and AirFrame infrastructure. Future activity will focus on the use of 5G as an enabler of 'Internet of Things' technologies, examining areas such as immersive tourism and connected transport. The initial test-bed deployment will focus on Millennium Square in central Bristol, with future plans to expand the trial across the city of Bristol, and also to the region such as Bath city centre. Dimitra Simeonidou, Director of the Smart Internet Lab at the University of Bristol and Chief Scientific Officer of Bristol Is Open, said: "We are delighted to have been selected by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to host one of the 5GUK Test Networks. "Recently announced as the UK's top 'Smart City', Bristol is well placed to conduct this pioneering work that will use innovative network and wireless technologies that will help improve services, businesses and infrastructure in our cities and region. We have long-standing relationships with both the BT Labs and Nokia's Bell Labs Research, and with this new collaboration we are looking forward to demonstrating the very significant advances resulting from introducing 5G mobile technology." Neil J. McRae, Chief Architect, BT, said: "Connecting our customers and communities together is at the heart of BT's purpose and we have demonstrated the power of 5G capabilities in driving our ambition in our labs. Now, we're gaining a real-world understanding of how 5G can be used within dense urban environments. This is crucial to building meaningful use-cases for future macro-scale 5G networks. 5G is teaching us that collaboration is essential and we're pleased to be working with experts from Nokia and the University of Bristol to lead research into technologies such as Massive MIMO and Network Convergence and enhance our understanding of the role 5G networks will play in building the connected cities of the future." Cormac Whelan, the CEO of Nokia UK&I, said: "The importance of applying 5G in the real world and showing what the combination of new and existing technologies can do for people, is not to be underestimated. As with all new technology, we need to explore its capabilities and demonstrate how it could benefit enterprises and consumers." Latest News MFAA elects board members One re-elected, two newcomers welcomed ANZ raises fixed rates Forty other lenders have hiked at least one fixed rate in the last month, data shows Though much attention has been directed towards the housing shortage in some of Australias largest and fastest-growing cities, a new study from the Australian National University (ANU) says the country actually has a significant oversupply of housing. The Regional Housing Supply and Demand in Australia working paper, prepared by associate professor Ben Phillips and researcher Cukkoo Joseph of the ANU Centre for Social Research and Methods (CSRM), analysed 15 years worth of census data and building approvals to draw its conclusions. Between the years 2001 and 2017, we estimate the Australian housing market experienced an oversupply of 164,000 dwellings, the report said. However, there are significant regional differences with some regions experiencing significant undersupply while others have significant housing surpluses. According to the researchers, the majority of Australias housing surplus is in the inner-city areas of the major capitals, with Inner Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney all being oversupplied due to recent growth in unit developments. Many regional areas, especially those in mining-sensitive areas such as North Queensland and Western Australia, also retain housing surpluses. In contrast, regions in the middle and outer rings of the major capitals, particularly Sydney, face modest housing shortages. On a state level, the most oversupplied areas are the two territories: the Northern Territory and the ACT. Queensland has a significant oversupply, NSW has a relatively minor oversupply, and Tasmania has a mild housing shortage. The surplus [of 164,000 dwellings] is not particularly substantial, but certainly suggest that housing supply in and of itself is probably not the primary driver of house-price growth in Australia. There are other factors that are going on, Phillips said. We've looked at factors like changes in household types and dwelling types and unoccupied dwellings which we don't think have been taken into account in other studies in any substantial way in the past, and certainly not at the regional level. The standard line of governments and industry seems to be that housing supply is a big problem in Australia. No doubt there are some areas where it is. But overall we dont see the housing shortage thats often talked about - in fact we see that there is a surplus. latest news October 31, 2022 Buddy TV In November, there are hundreds of new and returning TV showsit can be overwhelming to try and choose what to watch. That's why we've selected some of the best options... The death of a pet is never an easy thing to get over. However, when the death of that pet is combined with the demise of an entire loyal army that grief becomes much more intense. This is the situation that is currently facing Ezekiel as The Walking Dead gets closer to its winter finale. Ezekiel has been destroyed by the death of his tiger Shiva and his loyal subjects, seemingly abdicating his throne in The Kingdom. The Kingdom is a huge part of the war against the Saviors and its currently leaderless. The leadership role in The Kingdom is one that Carol should be stepping into sooner rather than later. Is Visiting Jadis Part of Ricks Plan on The Walking Dead?>>> The Death of the King The Walking Dead left the future of The Kingdom in doubt during The King, The Widow and Rick. While its certainly possible that Ezekiels deep depression is only temporary and hell bounce back with his usual .And I smile speech in the near future, it shouldnt happen. The Walking Dead season 8 has had several problems but one of the big ones is a lack of any real consequences. Theres a war going on but no major characters are dying. Shivas death and the Kingdoms disastrous mission surrounding it has been one of the few examples of The Walking Dead season 8 truly committing to the horrors of this war. The episode with Ezekiels great failure was one of the slower ones in The Walking Dead season 8 but also one of the best because it truly explored the emotional expense of this war and in a way that felt earned. A lot of characters are miserable and depressed on The Walking Dead but Ezekiel is one of the few where that emotion feels justified and palpable. To keep that going, there should continue to be lasting consequences. If the failed mission didnt end in Ezekiels literal death then at least it should end with a metaphorical one. Ezekiels losses should lead to him completely giving up his mantle of king, not only the performance but also the leadership role. Ezekiel faced the consequences of his actions and he couldnt handle it. The Walking Dead should stick to that idea. Its a far more interesting story for Carol to succeed Ezekiel in the leadership role than to have the king get his groove back. Carols Time to Lead Carol is, by far, The Walking Deads best character. The journey that Carol has gone on and the transformation from timid abused housewife to zombie killer extraordinaire has been amazing. Its rare to see any female character be as capable, strong and commanding as Carol on TV. Its even rarer for them to be above the age of 50 like Melissa McBride. Despite all the strength and wonder of Carol, the show has only ever treated her in a supporting role. Carols a utility player for The Walking Dead. Shes not a star on the level of Daryl, Rick or even Maggie. This needs to change. Carol isnt the type of character to take to a leadership role easily. Carol can often be short and downright terrifying at times. Still, thats what makes her the perfect leader as far the show is concerned. The Walking Dead has explored, in a very short time, everything they can with Ezekiel. The possibilities with Carol are much more open and interesting. Being a leader is against Carols nature and that easy conflict can be mined endlessly. Negan and Ezekiel on The Walking Dead Actually Have a Lot in Common>>>> Carol could take to Ezekiels style of leadership, faking it until she makes it, and further this utopian ideal of The Kingdom. This, while not shocking, would still be fascinating because viewers know Carol so well and are aware how against the grain that would be for her personality. Yet even more interesting would be for The Kingdom to morph into a more militaristic or nihilistic camp. Of any of the communities The Kingdom is the most peaceful and harmonious. Having Carol be in charge could really change or even pervert that. It wouldnt make The Kingdom into a villainous force but it would offer a different perspective and make the community feel just as vital and unique as Hiltop and Alexandria, especially with Carol in the lead. At best The Kingdom feels third, if not fourth, in level of importance its so perfect its almost boring. If Carol takes over, there will, at the very least, be more reason to be interested. Ezekiel getting out of his funk is the easiest and most predictable route for The Walking Dead to take in season 8. It continues the status quo for the community and the character. Yet promoting Carol to a leadership role would change things, for the community and certainly for the character. If theres one thing The Walking Dead season 8 needs too, its change. Do you agree? Would you like to see Carol step up into the leadership role in The Kingdom? Do you think Ezekiel will return to his kingly role? Should he return? The Walking Dead season 8 airs Sundays at 9/8c on AMC. Want more news? Like our Walking Dead Facebook page. (Image courtesy of AMC) After a positive summer for housebuilding with more than 7 billion of housing contracts awarded between June and August, the sector experienced a cooler autumn with figures decreasing by 10% and falling for the second month in a row. The latest edition of the Economic and Construction Market Review from industry analysts Barbour ABI, highlights the levels of construction contract values awarded in October across all regions of Great Britain. The overall contract value for October was 7.1 billion based on a three month rolling average, a small increase on September but the highest total monthly construction figure for almost two years. The large HS2 contracts commissioned in September worth 7.2 billion alone are still having a major impact on overall figures, masking the slide in housing construction contract value. Across the industry, project numbers were down in October by almost 10% when compared to the same time last year, indicating that a number of larger projects were awarded within the month rather than a large succession of smaller contracts. It was a mixed bag for various sectors this month with industrial and medical & health construction joining housing as sectors that saw a drop in contract value, at 16.2 and 9.9% respectively. Whereas infrastructure, commercial & retail and education all saw slight increases on the month and hotel, leisure & sport construction saw a major increase in monthly contract value of more than 50%. The highest value project in October was the 1-5 Grosvenor Place - Belgravia valued at 500 million, more than three times the value of the second highest placed project, 340 flats & commercial units on Portugal Street in Manchester. 53 per cent of the value from the top ten biggest projects was located in London (See Figure 1.1) Regionally, London took back the top spot with 25% of the total construction contract value from the West Midlands, which benefited greatly in September thanks to the HS2 contracts. Joint second was the South East which contributed 14%, which included the 40 million McArthurGlen Retail Outlet in Kent, alongside the North West which had the biggest residential project in October, the aforementioned Portugal Street project in Manchester. Commenting on the figures, Michael Dall, Lead Economist at Barbour ABI, said: Its evident that the major HS2 projects commissioned in September are masking an underlying softening of activity in certain sectors of construction such as housebuilding. Housing has been driving overall industry growth across 2016 and parts of 2017 as infrastructure lagged behind but is now flagging. Without the HS2 developments we would be looking at a much bleaker picture in our results for October. Newtown-based MDF profile manufacturer, W.Howard Polyco has appointed Graham Wiblin as its new General Manager. Joining the business with a successful track record in operational management, Graham takes on the role at an exciting time as it continues with expansion and the development of new products. Graham, joins W.Howard Polyco following a successful career with Kronospan in Chirk, replacing John Clarke who has been with the business for over three years. W.Howard Group Managing Director, Graham Williams said: "Graham's experience in industry in a management capacity will bring significant advantages to Polyco as we continue to progress with both our products and our service offering over the coming years. "The business has come a long way under John's leadership and I am confident that Graham will continue to grow our market presence as leading manufacturers of real wood veneered and foil wrapped MDF profiles. "We welcome Graham to the Group and look forward to working with him." Flame Heating Group is celebrating the launch of its 1,500 sq ft bathroom showroom Durhams only 4D bathroom design experience. The heating and plumbing merchant has invested in excess of 100,000 to open the bathroom showroom, after acquiring the adjoining property of its current Durham branch to extend the premises. It was officially launched at an event held at the site, on Dragonville Industrial Estate, by Dr Bill Moir, Deputy Mayor Consort Durham City, as well as attended by customers and suppliers of Flame Heating Group. The showroom is said to be the first 4D bathroom design showroom in Durham, which offers customers the opportunity to view their tailored bathrooms, complete with the products and features they have selected through a virtual reality headset. It also includes whirlpool bath displays, remote showers, as well as log burners among Flames product range. As a result of the expansion, a role has been created, with Graeme Bonas joining the company as Showroom Manager to complement the branchs Investor Director, Simon Mann. Simon said: A lot of hard work, time and dedication has gone into bringing our bathroom design showroom to life, and we are delighted with how it has evolved from concept to the finished article. We are the only firm offering such a bespoke, virtual reality experience in the area, to our knowledge, which allows us to offer even more to our customers. It was nice to welcome a number of colleagues, suppliers and friends of the branch to the event, as we look to build on this period of positivity and grow the site further. John Savage, Managing Director of Flame Heating Group, added: The company has benefited from rapid expansion in a relatively short space of time, and our Durham offering has been enhanced by this official launch. We are continually innovating and embracing new forms of technology, as we develop our product range and overall customer experience. Further openings and expansions are in the pipeline, which I am hoping will lead to more Flame bathroom showrooms rolled out across the region in the not too distant future. Indian banks, which summoned an urgent joint lenders forum this week after China Development Bank moved the National Corporate Law Tribunal (NCLT) for insolvency proceedings against Reliance Communications, will be forced to join the Chinese banks petition if admitted, according to bankers. Unlock 30+ premium stories daily hand-picked by our editors, across devices on browser and app. Full access to our intuitive epaper - clip, save, share articles from any device; newspaper archives from 2006. Curated newsletters on markets, personal finance, policy & politics, start-ups, technology, and more. Pick your 5 favourite companies, get a daily email with all news updates on them. 26 years of website archives. Boeing on Tuesday launched an innovation competition which encourages start-ups to propose solutions to tackle complex challenges in the areas of autonomous and unmanned systems, and artificial intelligence. The US-based aerospace giant launched the 'Boeing HorizonX India Innovation Challenge 1.0' in collaboration with T-Hub, an incubator for start-ups promoted by the Telangana government. The challenge is aimed at attracting the best Indian start-ups to propose disruptive solutions to tackle complex challenges in the areas of autonomous and unmanned systems, advanced manufacturing, industrial IOT and automation, analytics, AI and machine learning (ML), a Boeing said in a statement here. Entrepreneurs will be invited to present ideas on select themes that include drones and data application, factory productivity, supply chain, aircraft maintenance and services, passenger experience, defence, commercial and industrial uses, it said. "The Boeing HorizonX India Innovation Challenge 1.0 is our attempt to channelise India's incredible talent and entrepreneurial energy for the future of innovation in aerospace and related areas," said Pratyush Kumar, president, Boeing India. "The Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) provides a perfect backdrop for us to unleash a wave of innovation, both within and outside of Boeing," Kumar said. The three-day GES is being held here from today. Jay Krishnan, CEO T-Hub, said in the statement, "In today's age, innovation is fostered by collaboration rather than competition, resulting in co-creating possibilities for the future and a win-win partnership between start-ups and industry. "T-Hub is playing an important role in bringing together the best and start-ups to work with each other, resulting in the most innovative and practical solutions." The 22-week-long challenge kicked off today and will be open to start-ups across the country. The winners of the contest will have an opportunity to engage with Boeing on future partnerships. The city-based T-Hub is a public-private partnership between the Telangana government, three of India's premier academic institutes (IIIT-H, ISB and NALSAR) and key private sector leaders. The tech incubator is one of the largest start-up ecosystem builders in India, with over 2,000 start-ups in its database clustered into various stages of growth across sectors of specialisation, the statement added. Hyderabad, the capital of Telangana, is all dressed up to welcome Ivanka Trump, whos leading the US delegation for the eighth edition of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit. From Taj Falaknuma, venue for state dinner to be hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to Hitec City, where the summit is being organised for the next three days, Ivanka is the theme. But thats not the only global attention that the city has been getting. A senior official in the Telangana government pointed out that leading global brands such as Amazon, Walmart and IKEA are investing top dollars here. American retail major Walmart, which set up its first Hyderabad store a few years ago before Telangana happened, is gearing up to open two to three more cash and carry outlets in the city. Hyderabad is a three-to-four-store market for Walmart, a company executive told Business Standard. Theres no other city in India that Walmart has so far identified as a three-to-four-store market. Agra and Bhopal have two Walmart stores each and thats the highest so far for any city. ALSO READ: GES 2017: Ambani, Godrej, Adani to join PM Modi at Ivanka dinner Seattle-based e-commerce giant Amazon, too, has been upbeat on Telangana. The Jeff Bezos-led group set up Indias biggest fulfilment centre in Hyderabad some six months ago, spread over nearly 400,000 sq ft with close to 2.1 million cubic feet of storage space. Along with this, Amazon has five fulfilment centres in Telangana offering around 3.2 million cubic feet of storage. Also, its biggest campus, anywhere outside the US, will be ready at Gachibowli (Hyderabad) in 2019. Company executives at Walmart and Amazon, corporate rivals, attributed the global brands interest in Telangana to transparent industrial policy, single-window clearance and overall ease of doing business. In fact, IT minister in the state K T Rama Rao or KTR as hes popularly known, and son of chief minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, is just one phone call away, an industry representative said. Top bureaucrats in the ministry, too, are readily accessible, he added. Swedish furniture major IKEA, too, recently launched its first experience centre in India in Hyderabad. Its first signature store in the country, spread over around 400,000 sq ft, is also coming up in Hyderabad next year. IKEA has committed the largest single-brand retail investment in India till now at Rs 10,500 crore. Multinationals in IT sector such as Microsoft, Apple and Google have major presence as well in Hyderabad. Amazon set up Indias biggest fulfilment centre, spread over 400,000 sq ft with close to 2.1 million cubic feet of storage space, in Hyderabad some six months ago. Photo: Bloomberg B V P Rao, advisor to the Telangana government, said, while Hyderabad has been known for its information technology and pharmaceuticals prowess, we are consciously developing defence & aerospace as a new pillar. Whether its for manufacturing, servicing or training in defence & aerospace, the Telangana government is on an overdrive to make it big. The states focus on logistics and warehousing is also attracting industry in a significant way, Rao said. The largest incubator in the country, t-hub, located in the Hitec City of Hyderabad, is another example of how Telangana is dealing with industry. In the past two years, since its inception, t-hub has assisted around 350 start-ups. Work has already begun for the second phase of expansion of t-hub which will mean shifting into a building spread over 365,000 sq ft space. According to CEO of t-hub, Jay Krishnan, in the next three years, Hyderabad will be among the top 10 global start-up destinations. While t-hubs current five-storey office is already attracting global investors and start-ups from across the world, Krishnan is clear that e-commerce is kept out of the way at the incubator because that is an over-crowded space already. As the fight for Gujarat intensifies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi will descend on the poll-bound state on Wednesday, with both stepping up their campaign ahead of the first phase elections on December 9. While Prime Minister Modi, campaigning for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), will be once again visiting the Saurashtra region and south Gujarat, Rahul Gandhi will first visit Diu and later Visavadar in Junagadh district and Amreli. Modi will hold four public meetings. He will arrive in the morning at Morbi, and address a large public gathering at Parshuram Pottery on Bhadiyad road at around 9 a.m. He will be accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel. Later he will visit Saurastra region's Prachi area and address a public meeting at Prachi Timdi in Sutrapada Taluka road. Here Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani will greet him and accompany him. In the afternoon, Modi will visit Palitana, a famed pilgrimage centre of the Jain community in Bhavnagar. The Prime Minister will address a public gathering near Palitana Circuit House. Palitana is believed to be the most sacred pilgrimage of the Jain community, the most prosperous community in the state comprising five per cent of the population and from which the Chief Minister hails. Modi's last public address will be at Navsari in south Gujarat in the evening opposite Tighravadi. He will be welcomed by BJP Vice President Parshottam Rupala. After the address, he will fly back to Delhi. Rahul Gandhi is paying a two-day visit to Gujarat and will visit Gir-Somnath, Junagarh and Amreli on the first day of his two-day trip. This will be his sixth visit after the state assembly elections were declared and could be his last before the first phase of the elections. The Congress Vice President will arrive on Wednesday afternoon at Diu. Just like his prior visits to the state, he will begin his day and tour by visiting a Hindu temple, this time the famous Somnath temple and have 'darshan' there. Later, he will be welcomed by local Congress members at the district headquarters. Gandhi then will fly off to Visavadar in Junagadh district by chopper and hold a corner meeting there. From Visavadar, taking a chopper, the Congress leader will go to Amreli district and hold a corner meeting at Savarkundla. From Savarkundla, the Gandhi scion will travel to Amreli city by bus. He will address a public meeting in Amreli at around 7 p.m and stay overnight at Amreli Circuit House. In a move that could impact the outcome of the board exams in 2019, the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) announced on Monday that it has reduced the pass mark for its two board examinations, ICSE (class X) and ISC (class XII). The move is aimed at bringing the pass mark in parity with other boards. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ivanka Trump, US President Donald Trump's daughter and presidential adviser, attended a gala dinner at the Falaknuma Palace here this evening. The dinner was hosted by the Union government as part of the ongoing Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) 2017. Famous for its huge Nizam-era table which can seat 101 guests at a time, the palace-turned-plush hotel is one the key landmarks of the city. Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao was among those present for the dinner. A separate dinner was arranged for around 1,500 delegates of the GES on the lawns of the palace. Modi, on his day-long visit to the city today, inaugurated the first phase of the Hyderabad Metro Rail at Miyapur station here, and the GES at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre. A senior police official said a five-tier security has been provided to Ivanka, who arrived in the city in the early hours today and addressed the eighth edition of the GES. She is scheduled to leave the city tomorrow evening. Telangana DGP M Mahendar Reddy had said earlier that a total of 10,400 security personnel drawn from various wings have been deployed as part of security arrangements for the summit. It includes personnel from Traffic Police, Central Armed Reserve, Telangana State Special Police, Intelligence Security Wing, commandos of Greyhounds anti-Naxal force and the elite OCTOPUS anti-terror force. More than 2,000 police personnel have been deployed around the Falaknuma Palace, the official said, adding the police conducted a door-to-door search at 3,500 houses in surrounding areas and sanitised the areas in the run-up to the summit. The Bhartiya Janata Party-led Rajasthan government has announced that students in 800 government hostels across the state will have to sing the anthem every day, according to media reports. Mumbai attack mastermind has filed a petition in the UN seeking removal of his name from the list of designated terrorists on the ground that none of the allegations against him either related to terrorism or otherwise has been proved in the Pakistani courts. The banned Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) head, who carries a $10 million American bounty on his head for terror activities, walked free on Friday after the Pakistan government decided against detaining him further in any other case. He was under house arrest since January this year. The Lahore-based law firm Mirza and Mirza Law Associates has filed the petition on behalf of Saeed in the UN. Supreme Court Advocate Navid Rasul Mirza, the owner of this law firm, told Press Trust of India today that his law firm had recently filed the petition in the UN. "My law firm has filed the petition on Hafiz Saeed's behalf at the UN seeking removal of his name from its list of designated terrorists. My son Haider Rasul who is director of this firm is looking after this case," he said. Saeed, who is accused of having masterminded the November 2008 Mumbai attack that killed 166 people, was placed on the terrorism blacklist by the United Nations under UN Security Council Resolution 1267 in December 2008. To a question about any progress in the case so far, Mirza said, "We have just filed the petition." Mirza was Additional Advocate General of Punjab Government (1993-1996) and Prosecutor General for the Accountability Bureau, a government anti-graft body (2000-03). This is the first time that Saeed has hired a law firm other than that of his permanent counsel Advocate A K Dogar. "In Pakistan, all cases of the JuD chief are being handled by Dogar. This firm to pursue his case in the UN has been hired in consultation with Dogar," a JuD office-bearer told Press Trust of India. The office-bearer said Saeed has decided to challenge the UN's decision on the basis of different court decisions since 2009 in which no allegation either related to terrorism or otherwise has been proved in the Pakistani courts. He said the UNs decision to place Saeed's name on the list of terrorists had caused harm to his reputation as it appeared that this had been done on international pressure. "We have enough ground to fight our case in the UN. The UN should take up our petition and remove Hafiz Saeed's name from the designated terrorist's list," he said. LeT operations commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi was also placed on the terrorism blacklist along with Saeed. According to the UNSC's sanctions committee, the LeT leaders were "subject to the assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo," set out in Security Council resolution 1822. The UNSC website says: "Saeed is proscribed for being associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba and Al-Qaeda for participating in the financing, planning, facilitating, preparing or perpetrating of acts of activities by, in conjunction with, under the name of, on behalf or in support of both entities." India has repeatedly asked Pakistan to re-investigate the Mumbai terror attack case and also demanded the trial of Saeed and Lakhvi in the light of the evidence it had provided to Islamabad. A Lahore High Courts Judicial Review Board last week unanimously ordered Saeed's release after the Punjab government failed to provide any evidence related to terrorism or otherwise before it. After his release, Saeed said the US, on India's request, pressured Pakistan to detain him. "I was detained on the pressure of the US on the Pakistani government. The US did so on the request of India," he claimed. India had expressed outrage over the decision of the judicial board to release Saeed, calling it an attempt by Pakistan to mainstream proscribed terrorists and a reflection of its continuing support to non-state actors. The JuD is believed to be the front organisation for the banned LeT which is responsible for carrying out the Mumbai terror attack in 2008. Saeed was put under house arrest after the Mumbai attack in November 2008 but he was freed by a court in 2009. Nine of the Mumbai attackers were killed by police while lone survivor Ajmal Kasab was caught and executed after a trial. (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.) In a case of alleged corruption involving Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) officials, the Delhi High Court told an NGO on Tuesday that it would not act as a post office for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). "We will not act as post office for the CBI. Please submit additional evidence directly to the agency," the court said while hearing a plea filed by Telecom Watchdog. The NGO had filed the plea to submit additional information in the case. In its reply, the CBI told the court that preliminary enquiry (PE) was underway. Meanwhile, BSNL objected to the PIL by saying that confidential information was being leaked by someone. The PIL has alleged that officials of BSNL had connived with M/s ZTE Telecom India Pvt Ltd, a Chinese contractor, and forged official records of BSNL to release 'undue payment' of about Rs 1,000 crore to the firm. Getting into the debate over electric vehicles (EVs), Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday said that the introduction of EVs would not mean the end of as its demand would also increase. Pradhan added that the country should work on a multi-source energy model. Ivanka Trump, US President Donald Trump's daughter, on Tuesday said reducing the gender gap in the labour force by half can help boost Indian economy by over $150 billion in the next three years and reiterated her father's words that "India has a true friend in the White House". In her keynote address at the 8th annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES), she showered lavish praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is "doing to build India as a thriving economy a beacon of democracy and a symbol of hope to the world. What you are achieving is truly extraordinary". "What you are achieving is truly extraordinary... from your childhood selling tea to election as India's Prime Minister," she said. "Through your own enterprise, entrepreneurship and hard work, the people of India have lifted more than 130 million citizens out of poverty -- a remarkable improvement, and one I know will continue to grow under the leadership of the Prime Minister," she added. Ivanka, who is the advisor to the White House, said, "Here in India, I want to applaud Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his firm belief that 'the progress of humanity is incomplete without the empowerment of women'," she stressed. India, she said, is one of the fastest growing economies in the world and has a true friend in the White House. President Trump earlier this year said India has a true friend in the White House, Ivanka recalled. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday pitched for women empowerment stressing it is vital for the overall development of the nation. To my entrepreneur friends across the world, I invite them to invest in India and help in creating a new India by 2022. A historic overhaul of the taxation system has been recently undertaken by bringing in the goods and services tax (GST) across the country. The summit not only connects Silicon Valley to Hyderabad but also strengthens the ties between US and India. Unhappy with the 100th credit rank in Ease of Doing Business. Want to grab the 50th rank. We have made Aadhaar, world's largest digital database. Through changes in Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, we have prevented willful defaulters from bidding on stressed assets. Almost 300 million bank accounts have been opened through the Jan Dhan Yojana. In less than a year, BHIM App is processing almost 280 thousand transactions daily. Saubhagya scheme will provide electricity connections to all families by December 2018. Women are an incarnation of Shakti (Goddess of power) and their empowerment vital to our development. More than 60 per cent of workers in our agriculture and allied sectors are women. Indian women continue to lead in different walks of life. Our space programmes, including the Mars Orbiter Mission, have had an immense contribution from women scientists. Kalpana Chawla and Sunita Williams, both of Indian origin, have been part of US space missions. Three out of four oldest High Courts in India are now headed by women judges. Our sportswomen have done the country proud. This very city of Hyderabad is home to Saina Nehwal, PV Sindhu and Sania Mirza, who have brought laurels to India. We are opening Tinkering Labs in more than 900 schools to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among children. Yoga is another ancient Indian innovation. The entire world now comes together to celebrate Yoga Day on 21st June every year. Ancient Indian treatise, Charaka Samhita, introduced the world to Ayurveda. Our many ports and harbours and world's oldest dockyard in Lothal bear evidence of ancient trade linkages. Highlights of Ivanka Trump's speech Ivanka Trump, daughter and adviser to US President Donald Trump, headed the US delegation to the event, co-hosted by the US and India at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC) in Hitec City with the focus on women entrepreneurs. The progress of humanity is incomplete without the empowerment of women. People of India aspire us in US and India has a friend in White House. Indian economy can grow by over $150 billion in the next three years if it was able to close the labour force gender gap by half. What you (Narendra Modi) are achieving is truly extraordinary... from your selling tea in your childhood to being elected as India's Prime Minister. Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is striving to build India as a thriving economy is a beacon of democracy and a symbol of hope to the world. Through your own enterprise, entrepreneurship and hard work, the people of India have lifted more than 130 million citizens out of poverty a remarkable improvement and one I know will continue to grow under the leadership of Prime Minister. Ivanka, who is also a fashion designer and a businesswoman, was invited by Modi during his visit to the White House in June to speak at the Summit. A hoarding with Ivanka Trump's picture and slogan of "When women succeed, we all succeed" was put on the approach road to the venue. Modi will host dinner for her at the famous Falaknuma Palace Hotel this evening. This is the eighth GES which brings together entrepreneurs, investors and eco-system supporters for mentoring, networking and investment matchmaking. It is the first time the event is being held in South Asia. Speaking at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit, the Prime Minister said the theme,has made the edition of GSE stand out.About 1,500 delegates from 150 countries and territories are taking part in the three-day summit. By now, almost everyone in the country knows the one thing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the team around him excel in the art of public relations and media management. This is the reason that the Gujarat model of handling a states economy became such a major talking point in the run-up to the 2014 general elections. This model was widely projected across major media as a huge success in delivering both growth and development, even though that Gujarats performance was at best middling among all states, and in some cases, actually lagged behind in crucial indicators. After tasting success at its inaugural edition, the second conclave of Make in Odisha, the showpiece event for investments is set to get bigger with global participation. For providing healthcare services at affordable rate across Odisha, the state government is planning to develop 19 hospitals having 2,600 beds under public-private-partnership mode. The affordable healthcare project is expected to see an investment of about Rs 1,200 crore for development of hospitals both in greenfield and brownfield mode. International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group (WBG), is the transaction advisor for the project. Tax advisors servicing the 714 Indians named in the vast leak of financial records, dubbed the Paradise Papers, might find themselves in the tax sleuth's cross-hairs. The Union government is considering to award "Institutes of Excellence" status to the top 50 non-IIM business schools to give them autonomy and bring them at par with the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) once the IIM Bill, 2017 is passed in the Lok Sabha. Within days of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposing a plan to dismantle the existing net neutrality regulations in the US, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has recommended upholding the basic principle of keeping the internet free. The proposals of Trai, when accepted by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), would ensure that no service provider can restrict, discriminate or interfere in the treatment of content by blocking, slowing down, degrading or granting preferential speeds while providing internet access. All have welcomed the Telecom Regulatory Authority of Indias (Trais) recommendations on net neutrality but internet activists are not over the moon with this development. They claim its not hard to see this as a lost opportunity for the regulator to bring down transit costs for operators that would have translated into lower data costs for consumers. Morocco born French Director Robin Campillos drama film 120 BPM or 120 Beats Per Minute has won the coveted Golden Peacock Award at the 48th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), which concluded in Goa on November 28. . . The film, set in France in the 1990s deals about homosexuality and the AIDS epidemic. The film, starring Nahuel Perez Biscayart, Arnaud Valois and Adele Haenel, had its world premiere at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival. It had its India premiere at the IFFI 2017. . . The Golden Peacock Award carries a cash prize of Rs 4 million (Rs 40 lakhs)to be shared equally between the Producer and the Director, Trophy and the citation. . . Chinese director Vivian Qu won the Best Director Award for her 2017 film Angels Wear White. The film is about the travails of two teenage girls who are assaulted by a middle aged man in a seaside town in China. Vivians hard hitting social drama provides a social context for violence against women. . . Best Director gets the Silver Peacock Award and a cash prize of Rs 1.5 million (Rs 15 lakhs) . . The Best Actor (Male) Award goes to Nahuel Perez Biscaryat for his portrayal of AIDS activist Sean Dalmazo, an effective member of ACT UP to represent all the horror of the epidemic in the French film 120 BPM . A caring lover and firm in his beliefs, Sean isnt simply an ideologue, but someone who binds his activism to the strongest will to live. . . The Best Actor (Female) goes to Parvathy T K for her portrayal of a nurse who wages a battle for the release of her husband held hostage by the rebel army in the war-torn Iraq in Mahesh Narayanans Malayalam film Take Off. Parvathy, who hails from Kozhikode, Kerala mostly stars in South Indian films. She has won many awards and accolades including the Kerala State Film Award and Filmfare award. . . Both Best Actor Male and Female are honoured with the Silver Peacock Trophy and a cash prize of Rs 1 million (Rs 10 lakhs each) . . Mahesh Narayan also walks away with the Special Jury Award for his directorial debut Take Off which focusses on the dramatic rescue of Indians trapped in Tikrit. Survival films is a genre of cinema in which one or more characters find themselves pitted against seemingly insurmountable odds and have to look within themselves to find the strength to escape/survive. . . Special Jury Award carries a cash prize of Rs 1.5 million (Rs 15 lakhs), a Silver Peacock Award and the citation. . . Bolivian director Kiro Russo has won the Silver Peacock for the Best Feature Film of the Director. Russos debut film Dark Skull offers a darkly beautiful subterranean study in atmosphere and mourning. . . Manouj Kadaamhs Marathi film Kshitij has won the ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal. The criteria for the Gandhi Medal reflect UNESCOs fundamental mandate of building peace in the mind of men and women, particularly human rights, intercultural dialogue, promotion and safeguard of diversity of cultural expressions. . . One of Canadas most celebrated art house directors, Atom Egoyan was honoured with the IFFI 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award. The prestigious award consisting of a cash prize of Rs 1 million (Rs 10 lakhs), Certificate, Shawl and a Scroll is conferred upon a master film maker for his /her outstanding contribution to cinema. . . Egyptian born French Canadian filmmaker Egoyans work often explores themes of alienation and isolation, featuring characters whose interactions are mediated through technology, bureaucracy or other power structures. Egoyan's films often follow non-linear plot structures, in which events are placed out of sequence in order to elicit specific emotional reactions from the audience by withholding key information. His films have been presented in several retrospectives across the globe. Exotica (1994) , The Sweet Hereafter (1997) and Remember (2015) were screened at IFFI 2017. . . The Indian Film Personality of the Year Award was presented to Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan amidst thunderous applause. . . ACC appointments The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the following appointments: 1). Shri Raghvendra Singh, IAS (WB:83), Director General, National Archives as Secretary, Ministry of Culture in the existing vacancy. 2). Shri Ajay Kumar, IAS (KL:85), Additional Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeiTY) as Secretary, Department of Defence Production w.e.f. 01.12.2017 in the existing vacancy. 3). Shri Upendra Prasad Singh, IAS (OR:85), Additional Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation as Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation in the vacancy to be caused on superannuation of the present incumbent Shri Amarjit Singh, IAS (GJ:82) on 30.11.2017. Shri Upendra Prasad Singh will also hold additional charge of CEO, National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG). 4). Shri Pradeep Singh Kharola, IAS (KN:85) presently in the cadre as Chairman and Managing Director, Air India, in the rank and pay of Secretary to Government of India. 5). Shri Badri Narain Sharma, IAS (RJ:85), Additional Secretary, Department of Revenue as Chairman, National Anti-Profiteering Authority (NAA) in the rank and pay of Secretary to Government of India 6). Shri Pritam Singh, IAS (RJ:84), Additional Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs as Director General, National Archives, in the rank and pay of Additional Secretary to Government of India, in the vacancy caused due to appointment of Shri Raghvendra Singh as Secretary, Ministry of Culture. 7). Shri M. M. Kutty, IAS (UT:85), presently in the cadre as Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs in the vacancy to be caused on superannuation of the present incumbent Shri Dinesh Sharma, IAS (KL:83) on 30 11.2017. 8). Shri G. C. Murmu, IAS (GJ:85), Additional Secretary, Department of Financial Services as Additional Secretary, Department of Revenue on lateral shift basis. 9). Shri Apurva Chandra, IAS (MH:88), Additional Secretary, Department of Defence Production as Additional Secretary and Director General Acquisition, Ministry of Defence, on lateral shift basis w.e.f. 01.12.2017, in the vacancy to be caused on relinquishment of charge by the present incumbent Smt Smita Nagraj, consequent to her appointment as Member, UPSC. 10). Extension in the tenure of Shri R. K. Jain, IAS (HP:81) (Retd) presently Member, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) for a further period of 1 year up to 30.11.2018 or until further orders whichever is earlier. 11). In-situ upgradation of the following officers of the 1985 batch to the level of Special Secretary, as a measure personal to them, by temporarily upgrading the posts held by them with effect from the date of assumption of charge of the post of Secretary to Government of India by their immediate inter-se junior in the batch Shri Ajay Kumar, IAS (KL:85): a). Smt. Surina Rajan, IAS (HY :85), Director General, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) b). Shri Arun Goyal, IAS (UT:85), Additional Secretary, Department of Revenue c). Shri R. Subrahmanyam, IAS (AP:85), Additional Secretary, Ministry of Human Resource Development 12). In-situ upgradation of Smt. Pushpa Subrahmanyam, IAS (TG:85), Additional Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, to the level of Special Secretary as a measure personal to her, from the date her immediate inter-se junior in the batch, Shri Upendra Prasad Singh, IAS (OR:85) assumes charge of the post of Secretary to Government of India. Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Shri Nitin Gadkari has called upon Indian business leaders in UK to come forward and cooperate with the Indian Government in its Namami Gange project to clean the river Ganga. Addressing a gathering of business leaders in London yesterday Shri Gadkari said that while Nirmal Ganga is the foremost priority for the Government, peoples participation is also vital for maintaining the rivers pristine glory. . . Shri Gadkari said that there are projects worth more than Rs.10,000 crore for development of ghats, crematoria, waterbodies, parks, sanitation facilities, public amenities and river front development which need additional funding. He informed that projects worth over Rs 2500 crore, available for private funding have been published as a booklet and are also available on the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) website as an e-booklet .The Minister appealed to the business leaders to select projects of their choice for funding. He said the list of projects is only illustrative and will be updated. As of now there are projects in the category of development of ghats and crematoria, modernisation of existing ghats. development of Smriti Vans (tree plantation at select places of choice), in-situ treatment of drains by using innovative technologies such as bioremediation and modular sewage treatment plants. . . Talking about the work being done by the Government for ensuring Nirmal Ganga Shri Gadkari said that more than 119 ghat projects have already been taken up in five states at the cost of Rs.650 Crore. NMCG has taken up the execution of various sewerage infrastructure projects. 97 towns have been identified along the main stream of river Ganga, for generating 3603 Mld (estimated for year 2035) of sewage treatment capacity. The existing sewage treatment capacity in these towns is 1580 Mld. In the first phase, 85 sewerage projects have been taken up in 55 of these 97 towns. These projects will create another 1424 Mld STP capacity at a cost of Rs. 11105 Cr. In the remaining 42 towns, fresh interventions are not required either due to interventions already taken up under other schemes or due to low pollution load / impact. . . Shri Gadkari further informed that the Government is spending more than Rs.20,000 crore on sewage treatment to ensure Nirmal Ganga. Ten major towns contribute almost 64% of present sewage generation of the 97 identified above, The towns are Haridwar, Kanpur, Allahabad, Farrukhabad, Varanasi, Patna, Bhagalpur, Kolkata, Howrah and Bally. All requirements of sewage treatment infrastructure in these 10 towns have been fully addressed. 18 of the 85 projects undertaken have been completed, creating 151 mld STP capacity which is presently in operation. 35 projects are under progress and other 32 projects are under various stages of tendering. This will create an additional sewage treatment capacity of 1273 mld. . . Following Shri Gadkaris appeal some business leaders gave their commitments for projects in Patna and Kanpur. More such commitments and MoUs in this regard are slated to be signed during a Namami Gange Road Show being organized on November 29,2017 in London. A large number of NRIs, PIOs are expected to join this session. Shri Gadkari expressed the hope that he expects commitment of more than Rs. 2000 crores from business leaders during this road show. . . Smt Preeti Sudan, Secretary (HFW) and Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, Secretary, DHR and DG, ICMR, launched the India Hypertension Management Initiative (IHMI) at a function, here today. The IHMI aims to reduce disability and death related to cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of death in India, by improving the control of high blood pressure (hypertension), reducing salt consumption and eliminating artificial trans-fats, leading risk factors for CVD. . . Smt. Preeti Sudan, Secretary (HFW), underlined the various aspects of the non-communicable diseases like prevention, detection and management. She stated that creating awareness about NCDs is vital as it is a silent disease. The Health Secretary further said that there is urgent need to raise awareness about NCDs amongst families regarding packaged food and processed foods with excessive salt and trans-fat. She also highlighted the need for incorporating yoga in ones life for prevention and management of hypertension. . . Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, Secretary, DHR and DG, ICMR highlighted the importance of initiating and managing treatment for hypertension. She emphasized on the need for public education programme on nutrition and training of frontline healthcare workers regarding management of hypertension. She stated that the risk factors have to be managed at a very young age and we need to look into behavioral issues related to food intake, especially salt. . . Dr Henk Bekedam, WHO India Representative, highlighted the importance of awareness and detection of hypertension. He congratulated the Health Ministry and ICMR for this initiative and said that this programme will help with the management of hypertension in the country. . . The India Hypertension Management Initiative (IHMI) is a collaborative project of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), State Governments, World Health Organization (WHO), and Resolve to Save Lives initiative of Vital Strategies. The primary goal of this project is to reduce morbidity and mortality due to CVDs, the leading cause of death in India, by improving the control of high blood pressure, which is a leading risk factor for CVDs among adults in India. . . The IHMI is focused on five essential components of scalable treatment of hypertension. It will support the adoption of standardized simplified treatment plans for managing high blood pressure, ensure the regular and uninterrupted supply of quality-assured medications, task sharing so health workers who are accessible to patients can distribute medications already prescribed by the medical officer, and patient-centered services that reduce the barriers to treatment adherence. Data on hypertension will be improved through streamlined monitoring systems, and the lessons learned and practice-based evidence will inform further interventions to improve cardiovascular care. IHMI will be progressively rolled out in 25 districts in the first two years across districts selected by the Health Ministry for expansion of active screening and intensification of treatment activities for hypertension. . . Around 200 million adults in India have high blood pressure, yet control rates for the condition remain low. Studies suggest that in rural areas in India, only one quarter of people with hypertension are aware of their condition, and only around 10 percent have their blood pressure controlled. In urban areas, around 40 percent of people with hypertension are aware of their condition, and only around 20 percent have their blood pressure controlled. This initiative aims to strengthen the cardiovascular disease component of the Health Ministrys National Program for Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS). It will focus on strengthening hypertension management and monitoring at the primary health care level, within the existing healthcare system, and is aligned with WHOs Global HEARTS Initiative and National Guidelines. . . Also present at the event were Shri Manoj Jhalani (AS&MD, NHM), Dr BD Athani (Special DGHS) and Shri Pawan Aggarwal, CEO, FSSAI and Dr Alka Aggarwal Singh, Country Director, Vital Strategies along with the other senior officers of the Ministry and representatives of international development organizations. . . Shri Rajnath Singh met Secretary, Security Council of Russian Federation Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh held meeting with Secretary, Security Council of Russian Federation, Mr. Nikolai Patrushev in Moscow yesterday. Both sides reinforced their determination to further strengthen their cooperation in the sectors of security and counter-terrorism. They also reviewed the implementation of the Agreement on Information Security signed in October 2016. Both sides also welcomed the ongoing cooperation and the regular exchange of visits between the two National Security Councils. Union Home Minister also met Minister for the Emergency Situations of the Russian Federation, Mr. Vladimir Puchkov and held detailed discussions on cooperation in Disaster Management. They reviewed the progress made on the Agreement on Disaster Management signed in 2010. Both the sides agreed that EMERCOM of Russia would cooperate with India in the establishment of the National Crisis Management Centre (NCMC) in India. They also agreed on a programme of training of specialists and sharing of each others experiences as well as best practices in the field of Disaster Management. The two leaders later signed a Joint Implementation Plan for the years 2018-19 for cooperation in Disaster Management. During his three-day visit to Russia, Shri Rajnath Singh will visit the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB) and hold talks with FSB Director Mr. Alexander Bortnikov today. Later he will attend a reception by the Indian community. Significant improvement in wellbeing in many Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) villages Honble Prime Minister launched the Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) on 11th October, 2014. This was aimed at improving the wellbeing of selected Gram Panchayats (GPs) through convergence of programmes under the overall guidance of Honble Members of Parliament. The Yojana is about improving access to public services and community action for social and economic development so that these villages become role models worth emulation by neighboring Gram Panchayats. A total of 19732 new projects taken up as part of the Village Development Plan in SAGY villages have been completed and another 7204 are under implementation. 703 Honble Members of Parliament selected their GPs and focused on overall development with community participation in these Gram Panchayats. In many States, the support of State Government facilitated convergence in programmes and activities leading to many significant improvements in indicators of social development like Open Defecation Free (ODF), 100% immunization, 100% enrolment in ICDS Centers etc. The implementation was given a thrust by States such as Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. In other States also, initiatives were taken to improve the quality of life in the selected Gram Panchayats. As a result, an overall increase of 13% - 19% has been found in SAGY villages with regard to immunization, farmers with Soil Health Cards, women brought into SHGs and new Jan Dhan accounts. Every Honble Member of Parliament is expected to develop 3 (three) Gram Panchayats by March 2019. Presently, work is going on in 1235 Gram Panchayats. There was no timeline decided regarding selection of third Gram Panchayat. An analysis of performance of 35 development indicators in these villages shows that there has been a significant increase in provision of houses, internal village roads, household electrification, household latrines and piped water supply in many of the villages selected under SAGY. Of the data analyzed for 649 SAGY Gram Panchayats, it was found that 330 of them have reported 100% immunization in 0 to 6 age group, 300 have reported that every child has received ICDS services, 128 Gram Panchayats have become Open Defecation Free, 284 Gram Panchayats have reported no malnutrition in Grade-III or Grade-IV category and 445 Gram Panchayats have reported 100% coverage in provision of mid-day meals. Many social events like health camps, youth mobilization camps, yoga camps, plantation drives, women self-help groups, camps for support for differently abled persons etc. were organized by the initiatives of Honble Members of Parliament. Every SAGY Gram Panchayat has drawn up a Village Development Plan which is under implementation through convergence and additional prioritization by Central and State Governments. As many as 21 central schemes have already amended their guidelines or enabled priority for the SAGY Gram Panchayats. Most SAGY villages now have been taken up by State Governments as a part of Mission Antyodaya for significant improvement in sustainable livelihoods of poor households in these Gram Panchayats. All these Panchayats have been ranked for intervention to remove development gaps through a partnership of Central, State and Local Governments. It is envisaged that all these selected SAGY Gram Panchayats will have much better indicators on parameters ranging from physical infrastructure to human development and economic activities by March, 2019. Anglo-Dutch consumer-goods giant wants to consolidate its headquarters in the UK or the Netherlands, but Brexit is making it harder to choose. Newly-appointed Chinese ambassador to Pakistan, Yao Jing said the $50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a source of prosperity for Pakistan and the rest of the region. He stated this at the third CPEC media forum jointly organised by the Chinese Embassy here and the Pakistan-China Institute (PCI), according to a statement by PCI. Yao said CPEC was a major priority for the Chinese leadership, and he would put in his best efforts to get it implemented in a letter and spirit. The envoy expressed pleasure that CPEC's implementation was being fast-tracked and said he was confident that the people of Pakistan would be the major beneficiary of this initiative. "It is also a source of prosperity and peace for the entire region, CPEC's ownership goes to the people of Pakistan and its other stakeholders," he said. Yao spoke about the important role of the media, noting that Pakistani media has always been positive towards China. He proposed that the media representatives should be invited to visit CPEC projects, enabling them to see themselves its implementation process and socio-economic impact on the local people. He assured that he would have regular interaction with the media to seek support in carrying forward their collaborative socio-economic partnership. The embassy of China, he added, will keep facilitating the media in promoting Sino-Pak friendship. During his long diplomatic career, Yao said Pakistan has always been most important for him, and he will fulfil his new responsibility for the country's well-being with devotion and commitment. He said he was looking forward to contribute in making the CPEC a symbol of Sino-Pak cooperative partnership. PCI said that Yao was delivering his first speech at any public forum after his appointment as new envoy to Pakistan. After presenting his credentials to Pakistan's president in a few days, Yao said he would start his official engagements and wished to maintain close interaction with the media friends, seeking their support to take full advantage of the CPEC's opportunity and keep the people aware of its enormous benefits. Chief Executive of China Economic Net website Wang Xudong in his keynote address hoped that the forum will provide them a good opportunity for promoting media-to-media relationship. CPEC is drawing the world's attention and getting popular among Chinese people, he added. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The bomb-and-gun attack in Egypts north Sinai on Friday November 24 is now known to have killed more than 300 worshippers at a Sufi-affiliated mosque, making it the deadliest attack in modern Egyptian history. Carried out by terrorists claiming links with the so-called Islamic State (IS), the attack exposed just how weak a grip the Egyptian state has in Sinai and by extension, just how dangerous this piece of pivotal territory is for the rest of the region. Though the scale of Fridays attack is unprecedented, Sinai has been unmanageable for years, if not decades. Many security experts agree that large parts of it fit the definition of an ungoverned space: the monopoly of force that the Egyptian state should exercise there is weak or nonexistent, while government services to citizens are extremely poor. This makes Sinai ideal territory for violent jihadist militant groups. France is emerging as a major European tech hub: La French Tech, as it is known, is improbably beating out Germany and rivalling London for funding levels and company valuations. A significant portion of Frances most talented young people now want to work in an innovation ecosystem rather than in secure jobs in government or traditional industries. The reason for the shift is not Emmanuel Macron, the reformer who has become French president. It long predates his rise. Two suicide bombers blew themselves up at a market on Baghdad's outskirts today, leaving 11 people dead, a security official said, in an attack claimed by the Islamic State group. "Five suicide bombers attacked a market and shops in the Nahrawan area" east of the Iraqi capital, a police captain told AFP. "The police killed three of them but the other two blew themselves up" killing 11 civilians and wounding 31, he said. He added that the blasts also wounded two security personnel in the district, 35 kilometres east of the Iraqi capital. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack in a message on its Amaq propaganda channel. IS said the assault had targeted members of the Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary alliance and claimed it had killed 35 people. The mostly Shiite Hashed fighters are at the forefront of the battle against the Sunni jihadists. IS has suffered a string of military defeats in both Syria and Iraq, where in 2014 it proclaimed a "caliphate" after seizing territories the size of Italy. Last week it lost control of the last town it had held in Iraq. (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.) North Korea has fired an intercontinental ballistic missile which flew about 1,000 km before splashing down in the Sea of Japan, the US said on Wednesday. This is the first such launch in two months which comes just a week after the US slapped fresh sanctions on the reclusive nation and declared it a state sponsor of terrorism. The US Department of Defence detected and tracked a North Korean missile launch today at about 1:17 pm EDT. Initial assessment indicates that this missile was an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), Pentagon Spokesman Col Rob Manning said in a statement. "The missile was launched from Sain Ni, North Korea, and travelled about 1000 km before splashing down in the Sea of Japan, within Japan's Economic Exclusion Zone (EEZ)," Manning said, adding that the Pentagon is working with its interagency partners on a more detailed assessment of the launch. He, however, said that the missile launch did not pose any threat to the US or its allies. "The North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) determined the missile launch from North Korea did not pose a threat to North America, our territories or our allies," Manning said. According to the White House, President Donald Trump has been briefed on the issue. White House Press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a tweet that Trump "was briefed, while missile was still in the air, on the situation in North Korea". Reacting to the incident, Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna said in a statement that North Korea's latest missile test highlights the urgent need for the Trump administration to produce a coherent strategy. "Now is the time to learn from what President Bill Clinton achieved in the 1990s and engage in bilateral negotiations. As I've said previously, we must be willing to sit down with North Korea to explore all options to prevent them from developing dangerous capabilities," Khanna said. called for respect for rights and justice in a keenly-watched address in Myanmar today, but refrained from any mention of the Rohingya, or allegations of ethnic cleansing that has driven huge numbers of the Muslim minority from the country. Sharing a stage with Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi in the capital Naypyidaw, he did not address the Rohingya crisis head-on, instead of tip-toeing around the unfolding humanitarian emergency. Peace can only be achieved through "justice and a respect for human rights", he said in a broadly-framed speech that also called for "respect for each ethnic group and its identity". The word "Rohingya", an incendiary term in a mainly Buddhist country where the Muslim minority are denied citizenship and branded illegal "Bengali" immigrants, was entirely absent from his speech. Francis has repeatedly defended the group, some 620,000 of whom have fled to Bangladesh since August. Rights groups had urged him to tackle Myanmar on its treatment of the minority during his four-day visit. Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, has been ostracised by a global rights community that once adored her but is now outraged at her tepid response to the plight of the Rohingya. She spoke of the challenges her country faces as it creeps out of the shadow of five decades of military rule, but also did not reference the Rohingya. Myanmar's government aimed to build the nation by "protecting rights, fostering tolerance, ensuring security for all", she said in a short speech, that gave a nod to global concern over the "situation in the Rakhine." The pope's peace mission is studded with pitfalls in Myanmar, where a monk-led Buddhist nationalist movement has fostered widespread loathing for the Rohingya. Late on Monday, the 80-year-old pontiff received a "courtesy visit" from Myanmar's powerful army chief whose troops, according to the UN and US, have waged a campaign of ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya in Rakhine state. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has firmly denied allegations of widespread brutality by his forces, despite the flight of hundreds of thousands of people who have recounted widespread cases of rape, murder and arson. His office said he told the pope there was "no discrimination" in Myanmar, and feted his military for maintaining "the peace and stability of the country". Early yesterday the pontiff met leaders from Buddhist, Muslim, Baptist and Jewish faiths in Yangon. The conversation centred around themes of unity and diversity, with the pope sharing a prayer and giving a "very, very beautiful speech", according to Sammy Samuels, a representative from the small Jewish community. The Lady, as she is fondly known in Myanmar, finally came to power after elections in 2015 but has fallen from grace internationally for not doing more to stand up to the army in defence of the Rohingya - whose name she will not publicly utter. Rights groups have clamoured for Suu Kyi to be stripped of her peace prize. Oxford, the English city she once called home, on Monday removed her Freedom of the City award for her "inaction" in the face of oppression of the Rohingya. Just days before the papal visit, Myanmar and Bangladesh signed a deal to start repatriating Rohingya refugees within two months. But details of the agreement - including the use of temporary shelters for returnees, many of whose homes have been burned to the ground - raise questions for Rohingya fearful of returning without guarantees of basic rights. Francis will travel on to Bangladesh on Thursday. So far, the pontiff has received a warm welcome in Myanmar, whose Catholic community numbers just over one percent of the country's 51 million people. But some 200,000 Catholics are pouring into the commercial capital Yangon from all corners of the country ahead of a huge, open-air mass tomorrow morning. Zaw Sai, 52, from Kachin state, found space for himself and his family to camp out in a churchyard. "We feel very pleased because we are from different ethnicities but are one in our religion," he told AFP. As the pope made a high profile visit to Myanmar in late November, attention turned to how to help the thousands of Rohingya Muslims who have fled their homes to Bangladesh following violence and what UN officials have described as ethnic cleansing. A deal struck between the two countries to start returning the refugees, has been criticised for going against refugee law. SoftBank Group and a group of investors are trying to buy a stake in Uber Technologies at a sizable discount to the companys $69-billion valuation, seeking to clinch what would be one of the largest purchases of stock in a private company. The US Justice Department charged three Chinese computer security experts on Monday with hacking and stealing materials from Moody's Analytics, Siemens, and Trimple, a GPS technology firm. The three were associated with Guangdong-based Guangzhou Boyu Information Technology Company, known as Boyusec, which some Western security analysts allege has links to the Chinese Ministry of State Security. The indictment named Boyusec co-founder Wu Yingzhuo, executive director Dong Hao, and Xia Lei, an employee. It said they hacked the email server of Moody's Analytics in 2011, obtaining access to the emails of a person described as a high-profile economist who represented the Moody's brand -- a description that matches Moody's chief economist Mark Zandi. Moody's did not confirm or deny that but said it had "worked closely" with the investigation, and had not lost any customer or employee data to the hackers. In 2014 the three Chinese hackers broke into German industrial giant Siemens' computer networks, stealing large amounts of files and data from its energy, technology and transportation businesses, according to the US indictment. It added that in 2015-2016 they stole newly developed hardware and software information from a new global satellite navigation system being developed by Trimble. The three were charged with computer fraud, wire fraud, identity theft, and theft of trade secrets. The indictment did not say what Boyusec did with the information, some of which had clear commercial value. "Once again, the Justice Department and the FBI have demonstrated that hackers around the world who are seeking to steal our companies' most sensitive and valuable information can and will be exposed and held accountable," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Dana Boente. Indonesias transportation ministry said on Tuesday it will extend the closure of Balis I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport for a further 24 hours because of ash from the eruption of the islands Mount Agung volcano. Apparel exporters gained over others in the segment during the September quarter results, the second one (Q2) of this financial year. For instance, KPR Mill, Kitex Garments and Gokaldas Exports, for which external shipment are the bulk of business, has revenue or profit either improving or steady over both the June quarter (Q1), which was just before the rollout of goods and services tax (GST), as well as Q2 a year before. Fabric and garment maker Raymond showed profit of Rs 62 crore as against a net loss of Rs 7 crore in the pre-GST quarter of April-June. Bharat 22 Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) listed at Rs 36.30 per unit on the BSE, a 0.92% premium over its issue price of Rs 35.97 per unit. On the National Stock Exchange (NSE), it was opened 0.39% higher at Rs 36.11 per unit. Shares of tea producing companies have extended their past one week rally, surging by up to 20% on the BSE on back of heavy volumes in otherwise subdued market on expectation that lower production may boost tea prices. The Securities and Exchange Board of Indias (Sebis) plan to recover pending dues from the Vijay Mallya-owned United Breweries Holdings (UBHL) by liquidating its securities market investments may not go as planned. The assets that the capital market regulator is eyeing are already under possession of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), another government agency. At least 11 people were killed and 27 others wounded in a suicide attack in Iraq's capital Baghdad on Monday, the Anadolu Agency reported. According to a source, the suicide bombers targetted a market located in the Nahrawan area. The injured were taken to the hospital. No group has claimed the responsibility for the attack so far. Last week, at least 24 people were killed and over 40 were injured in a suicide car bombing in the northern Iraqi town of Tuz Khurmatu. A truck laden with explosives was detonated in a crowded marketplace. At least 70 people had been admitted with injuries. Tuz Khurmatu is one of the disputed areas between the Iraqi Central Government and the Kurdistan Regional Government. On a related note, the Iraqi forces, backed by the US-led coalition, last Friday, captured the border town of Rawa, the last remaining town under Islamic State control. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Online marketplace and hospitality service provider Airbnb announced that its users can now split payments with their fellow travelers, thus reducing the burden on one traveler. Early on, one traveler was forced to fend the cost of the trip, in the hope that they would be paid back on time. With Airbnb's new option, one need not worry about timely payment, and go Dutch on this front too! Payment splitting will work with up to 16 travelers, offering plenty of flexibility for large groups who travel together, reports TechCrunch. When a trip organiser puts in a request to book a listing, the organiser's portion of the payment is charged on their credit card, bringing up a menu to share the booking with other members of the travel group. Following this, 72 hours time frame will be available to log in to Airbnb and complete the payment. Airbnb, in its blog post, mentioned that this workflow applies to "listings that qualify for split payments". However, no further details are available. Airbnb claimed that during the pilot phase of the feature, 30 percent of reservations booked with the payments splitting tool led to an expansion of its user base, thus helping them garner popularity on their platform. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bharti Airtel on Tuesday announced its partnership with Coursera to equip its employees with advanced skills as part of its vision to build a future ready organisation. This strategic partnership between the companies will give Airtel employees in India access to Coursera's enterprise platform, Coursera for Business, and equip them with relevant emerging skill sets. A wide range of world-class courses on the Coursera for platform have been specially curated for Airtel in order to develop expertise across domains ranging from emerging technologies, network technologies, cloud computing to leadership and softer skills as well. India, which is currently the second largest mobile market globally and has the third highest number of internet users in the world, is going through an enormous digital transformation triggered by emerging technologies. Airtel's partnership with Coursera is an effort to equip its employees to be future ready. To help them achieve this, Coursera will offer a plethora of courses on Machine Learning, Data Science, Digital Technology, Cyber Security, Cloud, IoT along with some soft skill courses like Leadership, HR Skills among others, from its repertoire of more than 2000 courses. Upon completion, the learners will receive certificates from Coursera, which will add to their professional credits and qualifications. "We are delighted to partner with Coursera who will help us provide world-class online certification programs to our workforce. With their help we aim to create a rich pool of talent across verticals to contribute to our vision of building a digital Airtel," said global chief human resources officer Airtel, Srikanth Balachandran. "We are very confident that we can help Airtel drive their learning objectives much like the way we have for prominent IT companies, telecommunication brands across the globe, to provide courses and specializations to address the skill gap through our enterprise platform, Coursera for Business," said India Country Director Coursera, Raghav Gupta. Within a year of launch, Coursera for has been adopted by more than 100 large enterprise and government customers around the world, including brands such as Axis Bank, Tata Communications, Infosys, AXA, L'Oreal, PayPal, Danone, JP Morgan Chase and AIR France-KLM. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Tuesday raked up a 2010 incident in which Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi had termed 'Hindu terror' as a threat to the nation instead of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief and 2008 Mumbai attack mastermind, Hafiz Saeed. Prasad's latest salvo comes in response to Rahul Gandhi's 'hugplomacy' jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "In 2010, then US foreign minister Hillary Clinton came to India. Then prime minister Manmohan Singh invited her for dinner and Rahul Gandhi was also present there. US Ambassador Timothy Roemer, who was also there, asked Rahul's opinion on the Lashkar-e-Taiba. On that note, he said 'leave that, Hindu terror in India is a more crucial issue'," Ravi Shankar Prasad said, at a press briefing. The union minister further said the international media had reported it all over. Prasad further elaborated, "The Guardian', in its news piece wrote, 'According to WikiLeaks, Rahul Gandhi said Hindu groups were more dangerous than Lashkar-e-Taiba. Responding to Ambassador's query about Lashkar-e-Taiba, Rahul said there were evidences of some support for the group amongst certain elements in India's indigenous Muslim community." "However, Rahul warned the bigger threat maybe the growth of radicalised Hindu groups which create religious tensions'," he added. The campaign for the Gujarat Assembly polls is in full swing and both - the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) - are pulling all stops and digging out old issues to ensure victory in the crucial elections, which are being considered as a pre-cursor to 2019 general elections. Ravi Shankar Prasad also noted another incident dating back to 2009, when the then prime minister and Congress leader, Manmohan Singh, at Sharm-El-Sheikh Summit in Egypt, let go of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and instead, expressed concern over the Balochistan issue. "Dr Manmohan Singh and then Pakistan prime minister Ghilani had a talk where they discussed about terrorism as well. Pakistan said they are worried over the Balochistan issue and an embarrassing moment was faced by India when Manmohan Singh accepted Pakistan's concern over Balochistan," Prasad said. He added, "It is so shameful that Pakistan intrudes in PoK and Kashmir and spreads terrorism, attacks on Mumbai in 2008 and an year later, Manmohan Singh accepts that Balochistan issue was more important. He bartered the interest." Prime Minister Modi too, yesterday, tore into the Congress party for criticising the Centre over the recent release of Hafiz Saeed. "A Pakistani court released a Pakistani terrorist and the Congress is celebrating and calling it our failure. I don't know why they are celebrating this," he said. Questioning the leadership of the Congress regime, the prime minister compared the steps taken by his government in the aftermath of the Uri attack with the previous dispensation post 26/11 Mumbai attack. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday yet again prodded the Congress on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel being "sidelined" in the party cadres, and asked the grand old party why it did not bother to honour him with the Bharat Ratna for 41 years. "The Congress now at this crucial juncture remembers that Sardar Patel was also a Congress leader which feels good to hear after so long. We never claimed Sardar Patel as ours; he has always been associated with the Congress. The question is the way this party behaved with him and the way he was treated. Sardar Patel died in 1950 and he received the Bharat Ratna in 1991, which is a huge insult. Nehru ji, Radhakrishnan, Rajendra Prasad, Rajiv Gandhi and Zakir Hussain received the award which is completely acceptable as they deserved it. But why wasn't Sardar Patel given the award for 41 years?" Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, in a press briefing. He added, "There were 555 provinces in India of which 554 were handled by Patel and one was under Jawaharlal Nehru which was Kashmir and we can still witness its condition." "Did he not deserve the award? This question is relevant as these days the Congress is so concerned about the Patidar community," he further said. In the run-up to the Gujarat Assemby polls, the BJP has repeatedly slammed the Congress for not according due respect to Sardar Patel. The fight over Sardar Patel's legacy escalated on October 31, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked the Congress for having tried to "run down and erase" the former's contributions to the unification of the country after Independence. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Textile Ministry has recently announced Solar Energy Scheme for small power loom units, on Grid Solar Photo Voltaic Plant (without battery backup) and Off Grid Solar Photo Voltaic Plant (with battery backup), where the Government will provide Rs. 2.50 lakh subsidy per unit. This will help the unit to pay back bank loans within 3-4 years, after which the unit shall get practically free electricity, stated Textile Commissioner Dr. Kavita Gupta, IAS. She was speaking while inaugurating Buyer-Seller Meet (B2B) and Textile Exhibition organized by The Regional Office of the Textile Commissioner, Navi Mumbai on 26th November 2017. The Fair shall remain open till 28th November 2017 at Kohinoor Mangal Karyalaya, Opp. Swami Narayan Temple, Dadar (E), Mumbai. Dr. Kavita Gupta further stated that Union Textile Ministry and State Government has announced several promotional schemes for power loom textile industry but there is hardly any awareness to the schemes in the industry. The maximum benefit of these schemes has been taken by the entrepreneurs of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. There are 25 lakh power looms in the country out of which 50 percent are in Maharashtra. There are 108 power loom clusters in the country. There are 72 Textile parks. Rahul Mehta, President - The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI), who was the Guest of Honour, stated that apparel export for the year 2016-17 was 16.8 billion dollars and the target for 2017-18 was 20 billion dollars. However, the export target for 2017-18 will not be attainable and likely to remain at the last year's level. Recently, the government has raised the incentive rate from two percent to four percent for garments and made ups under Merchandise Exports From India Scheme (MEIS). In addition, the Government has also increased ROSL rates from 0.9 percent to 1.6 percent. However, duty drawback rates have ended on 30th September 2017 and new rates have not been announced. Supposing if duty drawback rates announced are around two to three percent, the total incentive will be around eight percent, which was 11.50 to 12 percent earlier. Purushottam Vanga, Chairman -Powerloom Development and Export Promotion Council (PDEXCIL) informed that CMAI & PDEXCIL have recently entered into MOU for mutual benefits. Under this MOU, they will jointly organize Buyer Seller Meet in Mumbai in January 2018. Dhiraj Kothari, President -Mumbai Textiles Merchants Mahajan has stated that the government should create a web portal and include the data of Buyer Seller Meet. Vinod Chothani -Convener of Buyer Seller Meet stated that textile businessmen should offer standard quality, timely delivery and reasonable rates to increase their . Naresh Kumar, Director -The Regional Office of The Textile Commissioner, Navi Mumbai gave the welcome address in the beginning of the event and Mr. Sivakumar S., Deputy Director proposed Vote of Thanks. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) member Arjun Gupta wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging for a probe by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into the allegations made by Subramanian Swamy that the film Padmavati was financed from Dubai. He also questioned as to how the film was shown to the British censor board without a CBFC certificate. BJP leader Swamy had earlier said, "Many big budget movies are made these days, we should see if there is conspiracy in it. People from Dubai want Muslim kings to be portrayed as hero; they want to show as if Hindu women wanted relationships (with them)." Earlier on Friday, the Supreme Court rejected the petition filed against the release of Padmavati, saying the CBFC has not yet issued a certificate to the movie. The period drama starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, and Shahid Kapoor has been facing protests from various communal groups, including Shree Rajput Karni Sena, for allegedly tampering with historical facts. The Karni Sena, which demolished the sets of the movie in Jaipur and thrashed Bhansali, had warned the director of dire consequences on showing distorted historical facts. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Tuesday inaugurated a new shelter for three tiger cubs in state's Jungle Safari in Naya Raipur. The tigress Kishori gave birth to the three cubs - Kanha, Bijli and Chendru - six months ago. Speaking to media here, Singh said, "I would like to thank Chhattisgarh Forest Minister Mahesh Gagda for this initiative. He had also come up with the name for the cubs. This proposal has been taken up to increase the tourist attraction in the state". "Chhattisgarh Forest Minister had also released at least five lakh fishes in the Khandawa lake which is around the jungle safari for breeding, attracting foreign birds and also food for the aquatic animals", he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A group of Congress workers on Tuesday took out a rally against Goods and Services Tax (GST) in a filmy-style in Surat. The Congress workers were dressed up as characters from one of the classic Bollywood blockbusters, 'Sholay'. However, they were detained by police for taking out the rally without permission and carrying air guns, which resembled rifles. "They took out the rally without permission and were also carrying air guns. We are taking them with us, we have also informed RO (returning officer)," Salabatpura Inspector V J Chaudhary told ANI "A team is coming to take stock of the situation and take further action," he said. While campaigning for Congress in poll-bound Gujarat state, party's vice-president Rahul Gandhi had taken a jibe at the high GST tax rates by calling the new indirect tax regime as 'Gabbar Singh Tax'. Surat, which has 165 textile trading markets and over 65,000 traders conduct business, saw several protests in the run-up to GST's rollout, and the agitation continued even after it was effected on July 1. At least seven militants belonging to the Islamic State (IS) were killed in a drone strike in eastern Nangarhar province on Monday afternoon. The drone targeted a hideout in Haska Mena district of the province, Afghanistan's news channel Tolo News on Tuesday quoted a spokesperson for the provincial governor Ataullah Khoghyani as saying. Some weapons were also destroyed in the airstrike, he added. Further details are awaited. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi Police's Crime Branch on Tuesday arrested former Congress MLA Rajesh Jain in connection with alleged conversion of demonetised currency. Jain is accused of converting black money into white following demonetisation. Earlier, the Enforcement Directorate had conducted searches at the premises of Jain and others in connection with its probe against Delhi lawyer Rohit Tandon in a money laundering case registered post demonetisation. Jain is said to be a close aide of Tandon. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At the culmination of the first day of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit here on Tuesday, women entrepreneurs hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's political journey as "one that's a testament of attaining what you dream of." Rajlakshmi Borthakur, a woman entrepreneur who found a special mention in Advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump Ivanka Trump's speech told ANI that the Prime Minister's career is an inspiration to entrepreneurs worldwide. Meanwhile, San Francisco-based Dara Dotz, who was also recognised by Ivanka, said that the summit was a great place for entrepreneurs to look for mentorship, as this was a key struggle faced by the budding entrepreneurs. "Ivanka, in her empowering speech, spoke about the importance of mentorship for entrepreneurs. However, this still remains a challenge. The Indian economy is very warm and engaging for us as entrepreneurs. I am hoping to look for mentorship through this summit," she said. Ivanka trump, in her speech, recognised three women- 15-year-old Reyhan Camalova from Azerbaijan, Dara Dotz from San Francisco and Rajlakshmi Borthakur from Bengaluru. Dara spent over a decade working in underserved communities around the world. She witnessed firsthand that many times people need very simple items - a bucket for carrying water, a splint to treat an injury, or a part to fix a generator. Daraco-founded Field Ready to provide life-saving supplies through 3-D printing. Today, Dara's company responds to disasters all over the world and delivers humanitarian aid with cutting-edge technology. Rajalakshmi works in the healthcare sector and owns Terra Blue. She invented a smart glove that predicts, manages, and detects different diseases and disorders using Artificial Intelligence. Now her company aims to make specialty healthcare accessible in even the most remote places in India. Reyhan is the founder of a company that harvests energy from rainwater. "These women represent the vision, ambition, and grit of every entrepreneur here today. You are saving lives, creating jobs, and bringing hope to our communities. You are transforming our societies one business, and one customer, at a time. You prove to the world that we have the power to rise above the challenges of our day - to pioneer new pathways forward - and to leave our mark on this moment in history," Ivanka said while delivering the inaugural address of the GES 2017 earlier in the day. On a related note, the three-day summit is being hosted for the first time in South East Asia by the Governments of India and the United States. With the theme of "Women First, Prosperity for All," the three-day summit will witness majority of women participants, with over ten countries being led by all-female delegation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least two people have been killed after a helicopter crashed in Russia's Tambov region on Tuesday. The Russian news agency, TASS quoted a source in the regional emergency service as saying, "The helicopter went missing yesterday. It turned out that it had crashed, the wreckage was found by locals. Two pilots died in the crash." Rescue teams were dispatched to the crash site. As per the reports, it was a privately-owned helicopter, which went missing on Monday. Further details are awaited. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Australian police on Tuesday detained an alleged Islamic State (IS) sympathiser, suspected of plotting a mass shooting on the New Year's Eve in Melbourne's Victoria state. The Anadolu Agency quoted Victoria police deputy commissioner Shane Patton, as saying, that the police conducted a joint counter-terrorism operation to nab the 20-year-old suspect. The deputy commissioner said that the police was monitoring the man, who is an an Australian citizen with Somalian parents and he was intending to open-fire on people. "We have been monitoring him for a very lengthy period of time. What we will be alleging is that he was intending to use a firearm to shoot and kill as many people as he could," Patton said. "We are alleging that...he is a sympathizer of ISIS [Daesh]," Patton added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria said on Tuesday that if police personnel were found at fault in Jhalawar rape incident for misbehaving with the victim and her family then they would be ousted immediately. Briefing the media here, the minister said, "It is only my department that ousts officers if they are found to be at fault anywhere. About 200-250 officers every year are sent back home after a complaint is received against them. If a defaulter is found then he will be ousted too". Earlier on Monday, the police said a 12-year-old Dalit girl was allegedly abducted and raped by her neighbour on the pretext of taking her to a relative's birthday party in Jhalawar district. The victim narrated the plight to her parents following which they approached the police and lodged a case against the accused. However, they alleged that the police misbehaved with them and did not register the case. Moreover, the police, who was driving the van to take them to a community health centre, was allegedly drunk due to which the vehicle overturned injuring victim's father. Meanhwhile, the rape accused has been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Delhi Court on Tuesday sent an alleged Pakistani Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist to a ten-day custody of the Investigation Agency (NIA). On November 24, the Jammu and Kashmir Police arrested the alleged terrorist along the Line of Control (LoC) in Handwara Magam area of Kupwara district during an intensive search operation. A rifle and two magazines were also recovered from his possession. The accused was reportedly produced before the court, following which the NIA sought his custodial interrogation. The court handed over the matter to the agency which filed a case in this regard and took the terrorist in its custody. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Human Rights Commission on Tuesday has issued notices to the Maharashtra government and Union Defence Secretary after a 15-year-old rape victim was expelled from a school in Latur on grounds of the reputation of the institution being tarnished. The Commission has demanded a factual report from the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, Maharashtra and the Collector and District Magistrate of Latur within four weeks. The Commission has also sent a copy of the proceedings along with the related media reports to the Union Defence Secretary to inform about the departmental action taken against the guilty army official. The response is expected within four weeks, an official release stated. "The Commission by way of its proceedings while considering such complaints and during its other activities has strongly expressed that the victims of sexual assault are to be dealt with utmost care in a sensible manner with an approach to help them overcome the trauma. The concerned police officer has acted in a heartless manner. The school authorities, instead of taking steps to counsel and support the victim, have decided to expel her from the school in the name of the reputation of the institution. This is a case of grave violation of human rights of the victim," it noted. On Monday, a rape victim was expelled from a school in Maharashtra's Latur district in the name of maintaining dignity of the institution. The 15-year-old victim, a Class 11 student, had allegedly been raped by an army man on the pretext of marriage. The victim said, "My school has suspended my admission saying their reputation can be tarnished if I continue to study here." Meanwhile, the victim's uncle alleged that when they went to a police station to lodge an FIR, the police demanded Rs. 50, 000 as bribe to lodge their complaint. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shipping, Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Nitin Gadkari said the ministry had decided to transfer surplus water from the Godavari River to Krishna, to Pennar river (Karnataka) and finally to Cauvery to solve the water scarcity in the south. "My ministry has decided to transfer excess water from Godavari River to Krishna, to Pennar river (Karnataka) and finally to Cauvery and at the end of Cauvery it will go to Tamil Nadu," he said. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari attended an event organised by a UK-based Indian Journalists Association and in his speech, he highlighted efforts being undertaken for rejuvenation of the river, Ganga. "With the cooperation of different stakeholders in the country, I am confident we will succeed in the Clean Ganga Mission," he added. The Union Minister also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his commitment for the development and progress of the nation. "In the Indian scenario, Prime Minister Modi and the government are very much committed for the development and progress. Our ports are making good profits. We are planning to start three major projects within three months," Gadkari further said. Gadkari also held an informal discussion with Chris Grayling MP, Minister of Transport in the UK, and an arch Brexiteer, who has regularly touted a Free Trade Deal with India as one of the main outcomes of "Brexit". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) of the Sea of Japan. The missile "flew eastward from the vicinity of Pyongyang" toward the Sea of Japan, South Korean military officials said. It was fired in the middle of the night (local time) on Wednesday, a US official said to Fox News, which seemed to have landed within exclusive economic zone of Japan. Japan's Prime Minister's Office said: "North Korea launched a missile that has the possibility of arriving in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of our country." This is North Korea's first missile attack since September 15 when it fired an intermediate-range missile, which flew over Hokkaido Island in Japan before and into the Pacific Ocean. "South Korean unification minister Cho Myoung-gyon told foreign correspondents in Seoul on Tuesday that North Korea is on the verge of achieving full nuclear capability with an intercontinental ballistic missile that could carry a nuclear warhead," Fox news quoted a local news agency. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former United States President Barack Obama will meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping and various leaders during an upcoming trip to China, India, and France. Obama will speak at various summits in the three countries he visits. The Obama Foundation will be hosting a town hall on Friday in New Delhi to "expand the conversation about what it means to be an active citizen and make an impact," reported the Washington Post. In a news release, Obama's office said the former president had "forged a close and cooperative partnership with President Xi on issues ranging from growing the global economy to combating climate change." United States President Donald Trump recently concluded his own five-nation tour of Asia, in which he met with both President Xi and Prime Minister Modi during the 12-day trip. In Paris, on Friday and Saturday, Obama will speak at the introductory session of the Les Napoleons Summit and hold private meetings. . (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara has jumped couple of places to move to second spot in the latest ICC Test rankings, after scoring a superb knock of 143 runs during his side's huge victory by an innings and 239 runs in the second Test against Sri Lanka in Nagpur. He had first peaked to second following the Ranchi Test against Australia in March, while the last time he was second was following his 133 against Sri Lanka in Colombo in August. Pujara has been rewarded with 22 points, which have lifted him from fourth to second on a career-high 888 points. The 29-year-old, who plays for Saurashtra in India's domestic competitions, now leads his fifth-ranked captain Virat Kohli by 11 points. Kohli has vaulted from 817 points to 877 points after scoring his fifth career double-century in 62 Tests. India opener Murali Vijay and middle-order batsman Rohit Sharma, who were the other centurions in the just-concluded Tests, have also made impressive gains. Vijay has risen eight places to 28thposition, while Rohit has shot up seven places to 46th spot. Other batsmen making upward movements in the latest rankings include Dinesh Chandimal 17th (up by six places), Moeen Ali 26th (up by three places) and Shaun Marsh 43rd (up by two places), while some of the leading batsmen heading in the wrong direction include Joe Root third (down by one), Lokesh Rahul ninth (down by one), Alaistair Cook 14th (down by four), Ajinkya Rahane 15th (down by two), Dimuth Karunaratne 18th (down by one), Usman Khawaja 23rd (down by four), Shikhar Dhawan 29th (down by one), Angelo Mathews 30th (down by six) and Niroshan Dickwella 42nd (down by five). In the bowlers' rankings, Ravindra Jadeja has reclaimed second position following his match figures of five for 84, while Mitchell Starc has returned to the top 10 in 10th position after his match figures of six for 128 helped him to gain three places. Ravichandran Ashwin, who became the fastest man to 300 wickets in Tests, has consolidated his fourth position by gaining nine points which have put him on 849 points. The India off-spinner is now 42 points behind number-one ranked James Anderson who has dropped five points after claiming two wickets in the Brisbane Test. Other bowlers to improve their rankings include Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ishant Sharma of India, who have moved up one place each to 28th and 30th respectively, and Pat Cummins of Australia, who has jumped six places to claim 45th position. In the all-rounders' rankings, Ashwin has returned to third place in the list which is headed by Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh. Meanwhile, Australia captain Steve Smith has extended his lead at the top of the ICC Player Rankings for Test Batsmen, but the next four batsmen are separated by just 11 points in the latest rankings which were released on Tuesday following the conclusion of the Brisbane and Nagpur Tests. Smith stroked a magnificent unbeaten 141, his 21st century in his 57th Test, which was the cornerstone of Australia's 10-wicket victory over England in Brisbane. For his performance, Smith has gained five points to rise to 941 points, making him joint-fifth in terms of the highest points tally in batting history in Tests behind Sir Don Bradman (961), Len Hutton (945), Jack Hobbs (942) and Ricky Ponting (942), and at par with Peter May (941). If Smith is able to produce another strong performance in the day/night Test at the Adelaide Oval, then he has a solid chance of leapfrogging Hutton, Hobbs, Ponting and May into second place behind Bradman. England captain Joe Root is sitting third and New Zealand captain Kane Williamson is occupying fourth spot, while sixth-ranked David Warner of Australia is another 51 points behind Kohli. Smith, who led Root by 47 points before the start of the Brisbane and Nagpur Tests, now leads Pujara by 53 points. On the other hand, the two-match Test series between New Zealand and the West Indies commences at the Basin Reserve in Wellington from Friday. Fourth-ranked New Zealand (97) lead eighth-ranked Windies (75) by 22 points. This means the hosts will gain one point if they win by 1-0 and three points in case of a 2-0 win. In contrast, the Caribbean side will earn four points for a 1-0 win and six points for a 2-0 win. If the Windies win both the Tests, then New Zealand will drop to as low as sixth on 91 points. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi Crime Branch on Tuesday arrested three most wanted members of dreaded 'Rajesh Kodiya gang' of Rajasthan from Delhi's Dwarka area on Tuesday. During search operation, the crime branch also recovered two country-made pistols, six live cartridges and a verna car which was stolen from Gujarat. The accused have been identified as, Rajesh Kumar Meena, 32, Raj Kumar Meena, 26, Dhara Singh, 24. All hail from Rajasthan. According to police, "these three were wanted in a case of murder where they had shot a gangster of rival 'Anandpal gang' of Rajasthan. They were also accused in a case of forgery and cheating". "Gang leader Rajesh Kodiya and Raj Kumar are real brothers and belong to a wealthy family. Rajesh is a known history-sheeter and previously has been involved in seven cases of murder, threaten, rape and many more. While Raj Kumar is the youngest Sarpanch in Rajasthan," police said. Rajasthan Police had been hunting all three accused for more than two months across the nation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed another petition seeking stay on the release of film Padmavati. "When matter is pending for the Central Board of Film Certification's (CBFC) consideration, how can persons holding public offices comment on whether the CBFC should issue certificate or not? It will prejudice decision making of the CBFC," the apex court observed while dismissing lawyer Manohar Lal Sharma's petition. Sharma, who was the defence lawyer in the December 16 gang-rape case, is seeking direction to delete certain "objectionable" scenes from the Sanjay Leela Bhansali-directed film. Sharma's plea also seeks prosecution of Bhansali. The apex court has already rejected one petition regarding the film's release earlier this month. The film has been embroiled in a spate of controversies ever since its inception. The period drama, starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor, has been facing protests from various groups, especially Rajput Karni Sena, for allegedly tampering historical facts. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court's five-judge Constitution bench will continue hearing the appeal filed by the Delhi government challenging the Delhi High Court order which had said that the Lieutenant Governor (LG) is the 'boss' of Delhi. On November 21, the Centre told the apex court that Delhi is a Union Territory and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government cannot claim privileges of a state government. Earlier on November 2, a five-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court observed that the AAP government in Delhi needs the LG's nod to govern the capital, but the latter cannot sit on files beyond a reasonable period. Gopal Subramanium, representing the Delhi government told the top court that it has limited power and should be given more power. The bench comprises of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A K Sikri, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen on Tuesday flew Indian Air Force's LCA (Light Combat Aircraft) Tejas at Kalaikunda Air Force Station. The HAL Tejas is an Indian single-seat, single-jet engine, multirole light fighter designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the Indian Air Force and Navy. The aircraft has a tail-less compound delta-wing configuration, which provides for high maneuverability. It came from the (LCA) programme, which began in the 1980s to replace India's ageing MiG-21 fighters. LCA was officially named 'Tejas' in 2003, meaning 'Radiant' in Sanskrit by the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. With the successful test-firing of a modified Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) BrahMos from multi-role air superiority fighter Sukhoi SU-30 MKI, Indian Air Force (IAF) is confident of getting the missile configured on Tejas. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Alexander Dworkin, the person who attacked the Bhagavad Gita in Russia six years ago is now attacking a prominent public figure and spiritual Guru Shri Prakash Ji, who has been living in Russia for past twenty-seven years and his spiritual work has always been oriented towards humanity, peace and building a friendly relationship between Russia and India. People who are interested in Hinduism and Indian Culture, visit Shri Prakash Ji's Ashram in huge numbers and his rising popularity has triggered radical elements related to Russian Orthodox Church to attack his figure publicly. Recently, Dworkin crossed all boundaries on November 2, when he, along with a group posing as policemen, conducted unauthorised raids in the Ashram and Shri Prakash Ji's home. Their actions were not sanctioned by any legal procedure or supported by any documents. Later, when Shri Prakash Ji along with his son visited the office of the Police department head, who had expressed his wish to meet Shri Prakash Ji, a very horrifying incident happened. A man who did not introduce himself entered the room and threatened Shri Prakash Ji and said something like, "Russia is a country for Christian people only". Shri Prakash Ji's son was literally pushed out of the meeting by using physical force. The use of psychological intimidation to scare people from other religions in Russia is an extremely dangerous and deplorable practice that Dvorkin and his gang are notorious for. After this incident, Shri Prakash Ji made two video appeals on Youtube. In one he addressed India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and in the other one, he made a video appeal to Russia's premier, Vladimir Putin. The main message contained in both of the video appeals is that Dworkin's actions must be stopped as they harm the friendly relationship between India and Russia. The other important thing is that Dworkin's site should be removed by the government of Russia as it is the constant source of all threats and dangers for Shri Prakash Ji and his family. Shri Prakash Ji's family also filed a complaint in the General Prosecutors office of Russia. The family hopes that Russian authorities take the necessary measures to prevent such things in future. All the radical elements, being headed by Dworkin, understand very well that an attack on the only prominent figure related to Hinduism in Russia is a much better strategy to counter Hinduism's rising popularity among Russians than attacking a holy book whose authors no longer exist. On a tactical level Dworkin and his people use all kinds of dirty schemes in order to inspire fear among followers of minority religions in Russia. It's a point to note that Dworkin also attacks the representatives of other religions like Islam and Buddhism. It is also worth mentioning that Dworkin and his extremists have their people in literally every governmental and non-governmental structure. The cause for main concern is the forum on Dworkin's site where he is openly insulting Hinduism and its deities. This has been going on since the Gita burning incident and when Shri Prakash Ji opposed it by challenging the site in the Russian court, Dworkin started attacking his public image and reputation on the same site. Dworkin has since been regularly targeting Shri Prakash Ji and even his family members. Even in the past, there were widely criticized physical attacks on the Ashram on December 11, 2016 after which a petition on change.org was created with the aim of removing the extremist forum. Shri Prakash Ji even met General V.K. Singh in India who promised to support in this noble cause. It's a point to note that their already were public protests in support of Shri Prakash Ji in front of the Russian Embassy in the beginning of the year 2017. There was also huge support garnered in Russia from representatives of Russian show business and politics. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Patiala House Court on Friday here asked Tihar Jail officials to file a reply on the plea of jailed gangster Neeraj Bawana Neeraj Sehrawat, a.k.a. Neeraj Bawana. Bawana has sought his removal from the solitary confinement and better hygienic conditions for him and other inmates. In his plea, Bawana told the court that he was kept in a high-risk ward of Jail Number 1 along with other 45 inmates. He also said that the cells were stinking and had thousands of insects and plaster dust kept on falling from the wall. According to the petition, Bawana and other prisoners once went on a hunger strike, demanding basic facilities, proper food with lodging, and medical facilities. The strike was called off on the assurance of a jail official but the condition didn't change, said the petition. In October also, the court had asked the Tihar Jail authorities to file reply. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former dean of Chirayu Medical College Virendra Kumar, who was arrested in Ludhiana on Tuesday, has been sent to judicial custody for a day in connection with the Vyapam scam. Earlier in the week, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Indore's Arun Arora with regards to the same case. The Vyapam scam is an admission and recruitment fraudulent scheme, beginning in 1995, involving politicians, senior officials and businessmen in Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board (MPPEB). Arora was the then chairman of admission committee at Index Medical College (IMC). In a hearing that began at 3 pm on November 23 and continued till 2:41 am, the CBI Special Court issued arrest warrants against 592 accused persons in connection with the scam, granted bail to 15 accused who appeared before the court on Rs 1 lakh bond, and rejected 30 interim bail plea applications. Earlier on October 31, the agency had filed a chargesheet against 490 accused in the case relating to alleged irregularities in PMT-2013 Examination conducted by Vyapam, the Madhya Pradesh Professional Examination Board. A CBI investigation discovered that some racketeers, along with their accomplices, allegedly arranged solvers for beneficiary candidates in the said examination. The pairing of respective solvers-beneficiaries was being done by the racketeers by getting the roll numbers of these solvers-beneficiary candidates manipulated through Vyapam officials, such that a beneficiary candidate was seated right behind his solver. This enabled the beneficiary to cheat and copy the answers from solver. It was further alleged that after the PMT 2012 results were declared, solver candidates were encouraged by the middlemen/ racketeer in conspiracy with the accused officials of the four Private Medical Colleges to opt for these four colleges during the counseling for PMT 2012. It was also alleged that after allotment of the MBBS seat from state quota in the four Private Medical Colleges, these solver candidates did not take actual admission in these colleges. The college administration and the college admission committee of these four Private Medical Colleges allegedly gave false information that these students had taken admission in the college. This was done to block the state quota seats so that further counselling of successful candidates, who were next in the waiting list, was not done. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday inaugurated the Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) campus at Amaravati and said he wanted to make Amaravati a knowledge hub. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, the chief minister said, "When we allotted the land for VIT in Andhra Pradesh, I asked to make it the best in India, better than their mother campus. Now, VIT Andhra Pradesh is on the way of making it to the top." He added the student life was full of fun, enjoyment and career building and claimed Andhra Pradesh had the most hardworking students. "We need the best opportunities. There are not many outstanding institutes and we are on the way. In the IT sector, Andhra Pradesh students are at the best position all over the world. Satya Nadella, the chief executive officer of Microsoft, is one example. I want to make Amaravati a knowledge hub and the VIT is working on that front," the chief minister said. He further said VIT was offering not only engineering, but teaching MBA, hospitality and many other courses. "With premier academic institutes launching their branches, Amaravati will soon become a great knowledge hub. We are providing all infrastructure facilities for the convenience of students. This initiative will make Amaravati an education hub. The VIT is working on social responsibility, by providing free education to poor rural youth," Naidu added. He said students were the future of India and that they would make the nation stronger. More than 5,000 students turned up for the event. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bharat Heavy Electricals rose 0.81% to Rs 92.80 at 14:45 IST on BSE after the company said it bagged Rs 64 crore order for setting up decentralised sewage treatment plants. The announcement was made during trading hours today, 28 November 2017. Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was down 129.86 points, or 0.39% to 33,594.58. On the BSE, 5.89 lakh shares were traded in the counter so far, compared with average daily volumes of 9.12 lakh shares in the past one quarter. The stock had hit a high of Rs 93.70 and a low of Rs 92.10 so far during the day. The stock hit a 52-week high of Rs 121.83 on 25 April 2017. The stock hit a 52-week low of Rs 77.47 on 27 December 2016. Bharat Heavy Electricals (Bhel) has won an order for setting up six decentralised sewage treatment plants (STPs) in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. Valued at over Rs 64 crore, the order for the STPs with a cumulative capacity of 25.40 MLD (million liters per day), has been placed on Bhel by Raipur Development Authority (an Urban Development Authority under the Government of Chhattisgarh). The project for construction of the decentralized STPs shall be based on Sequential Batch Reactor (SBR) technology. Bhel's scope of work in the contract broadly includes construction, testing and commissioning of six numbers STPs with raw sewage pumping station, treated sewage effluent pumping system, bio filter, HT substations, transformers and control room building for PLC/SCADA based automation system along with operation & maintenance (O&M) for ten years. Bharat Heavy Electricals' (Bhel) net profit rose 5.9% to Rs 115.42 crore on 3.6% decline in net sales to Rs 6256.22 crore in Q2 September 2017 over Q2 September 2016. Bhel is an integrated power plant equipment manufacturer and one of the largest engineering and manufacturing companies of its kind in India engaged in the design, engineering, manufacture, construction, testing, commissioning and servicing of a wide range of products and services for core sectors of the economy. The Government of India holds 63.06% stake in Bhel (as per the shareholding pattern as on 30 September 2017). Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Trading of Nifty 50 index futures on the Singapore stock exchange indicates that the Nifty could rise 23 points at the opening bell. Overseas, most Asian stocks were trading lower amid uncertainty over the US tax bill. US equities ended yesterday, 27 November 2017 little changed as declining oil prices pulled down energy stocks. US President Donald Trump is scheduled to address Senate Republicans today, 28 November 2017 ahead of a potential vote on a tax overhaul. Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen testifies before the congressional Joint Economic Committee in Washington, and the confirmation hearing is due for her nominated successor, Jerome Powell. Back home,key benchmark indices logged small gains yesterday, 27 November 2017 after languishing in negative zone for most part of the trading session. The Sensex rose 45.20 points or 0.13% to settle at 33,724.44, its highest closing level since 6 November 2017. The trading activity on that day showed that the foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth a net Rs 424.77 crore yesterday, 27 November 2017, as per provisional data released by the stock exchanges. Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought shares worth a net Rs 69.40 crore yesterday, 27 November 2017, as per provisional data. Among corporate news,Infosys announced a partnership with Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) to offer a joint end-to-end mainframe modernization solution, which will provide global enterprise customers robust hardware and advanced software architecture. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 27 November 2017. Separately, Infosys announced a multi-year partnership with the State of Rhode Island to establish an Infosys Design and Innovation hub. Infosys will also hire 500 American workers in Rhode Island over the next five years. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 27 November 2017. Tata Power Company announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Tata Power Solar Systems commissioned a rooftop project in India - a solar carport on the rooftop of the sprawling 70,000 square meter Unity One mall, a Unity Group endeavor in Rohini. The unique rooftop carport is estimated to set off 438 Tons of carbon emission annually. Tata Power Solar won the bid in the open tender process fielded by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for multi-level car parking. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 27 November 2017. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Stocks cut losses in morning trade. At 10:23 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was down 11.95 points or 0.04% at 33,712.49. The Nifty 50 index was down 0.50 points at 10,399.05. Telecom stocks saw mixed trend. Most realty stocks edged higher. Domestic stocks edged lower in early trade on negative Asian stocks. The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index was up 0.37%. The S&P BSE Small-Cap index was up 0.54%. Both these indices outperformed the Sensex. The market breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was strong. On the BSE, 1,368 shares rose and 783 shares fell. A total of 112 shares were unchanged. Overseas, most Asian stocks were trading lower amid uncertainty over the US tax bill. US stocks closed mostly lower yesterday, 27 November 2017 after touching intraday records as an early rally in retail shares largely fizzled. However, the blue-chip Dow bucked the weak trend to eke out a gain. US President Donald Trump is scheduled to address Senate Republicans today, 28 November 2017 ahead of a potential vote on a tax overhaul. Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen testifies before the congressional Joint Economic Committee in Washington, and the confirmation hearing is due for her nominated successor, Jerome Powell. Back home, telecom stocks saw mixed trend. Bharti Airtel (down 0.58%) and Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) (down 2.23%) fell. Idea Cellular (up 0.16%) and MTNL (up 2.35%) rose. Shares of Bharti Infratel fell 0.54%. Bharti Infratel is a provider of tower and related infrastructure and is a unit of Bharti Airtel. Reliance Communications (RCom) lost 4.12%. RCom issued a clarification to the stock exchanges after market hours yesterday, 27 November 2017, with regard to media news titled "China development bank files insolvency case against Reliance communications". RCom said that the company has not been served any notice of the application filed by China Development Bank with NCLT, as reported in the media. RCom is engaged through the joint lenders forum (JLF) with all its lenders for a successful resolution of the strategic debt restructuring (SDR) process. The China Development Bank has also been actively participating in the JLF. RCom said it is therefore, surprised by the untimely and premature action of the China Development Bank of filing an application at NCLT. RCom added that it continues to remain engaged with all lenders including the China Development Bank and is confident and committed to a full resolution with the support of all the lenders. Separately, RCom said it has entered into a binding share purchase agreement with Pantel Technologies and Veecon Media & Television for sale of its subsidiary Reliance BIG TV (RBTV), engaged in the business of direct-to-home (DTH) services across India. Pursuant to this transaction, the buyers will acquire the entire shareholding of RBTV with business on an "as-in, where is" basis, along with existing trade and contingent liabilities. The transaction will help to reduce the liability of unsecured creditors, benefitting all stakeholders, including lenders and shareholders of RCom. The transaction is in consonance with RCom's stated objective to focus on B2B businesses of the new RCom, the company said in a statement. Most realty stocks edged higher. Phoenix Mills (up 1.25%), Indiabulls Real Estate (up 2.4%), Housing Development and Infrastructure (up 0.89%), D B Realty (up 1.53%), Unitech (up 0.16%), Sobha (up 1.08%) and Prestige Estates Projects (up 0.84%) rose. Oberoi Realty (down 0.13%), DLF (down 0.54%) and Godrej Properties (down 0.54%) fell. IDBI Bank rose 1.68% after the bank said that its board of directors at a meeting held on 27 November 2017, granted in-principle approval to divest 74.15 lakh equity shares (1.5% equity) of National Stock Exchange of India. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 27 November 2017. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Developing countries will receive $540 million to continue their work in phasing out ozone-depleting chemicals, according to UN Environment. The funds will be provided by developed countries for three years starting from 2018 through the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol, which has disbursed over $3.7 billion since 1991 to support developing countries to phase out chemicals that destroy the ozone layer. The climate-warming chemicals are hydrochlorofluorocarbons and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) used widely used in refrigerators, air-conditioners and aerosol sprays. Montreal Protocol parties made the funding commitment during the joint 11th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Vienna Convention and the 29th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol that concluded on November 24 in Canada, the UN Environment said in a statement on Monday. The parties also celebrated the 30th anniversary of the ozone-saving treaty during the meeting with high-level participants, including former Prime Minister of Canada Brian Mulroney. Canada's Minister of Environment and Climate Change Catherine McKenna said: "The Montreal Protocol is an example of how we can come together, that we can do what naysayers think is impossible, that we can heal our planet." At the meeting, there was a demand for energy efficiency. The countries requested the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel of the Montreal Protocol to assess the technology options for enhancing energy efficiency of appliances and equipment in the refrigeration and air-conditioning sectors while phasing down HFCs under the 2016 Kigali Amendment. They also requested for regular updates on the safety standards relevant to the use of flammable low-global warming potential alternatives to HFCs, in consultation with relevant standardisation organisations. This is crucial for ensuring the safe market introduction, manufacturing, operation, maintenance and handling of low-global-warming potential refrigerants that are used in many sectors. The meeting also urged parties that have not yet ratified the Kigali Amendment to consider doing so in order to achieve the goals. The Amendment, which has so far been ratified by 22 parties, is set to enter into force on January 1, 2019, requiring nearly 200 nations to gradually phase down HFCs by more than 80 per cent over the next 30 years and replace them with more planet-friendly alternatives. Phasing down HFCs under the Protocol is expected to avoid up to 0.5 degree Celsius of global warming by the end of the century, while continuing to protect the ozone layer. "It is through the widest ratification of the Kigali Amendment that we will deliver on its promise of protecting our planet for future generations," Ozone Secretariat head Tina Birmpili said. For ozone monitoring and observation, the countries also agreed on the need for increased support for research and systematic observations of the ozone layer, as it is through the observations that scientists can monitor the recovery of the ozone layer and the interaction between ozone and climate. The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was endorsed in October 2016 after seven years of negotiations by 197 countries gathered in the Rwandan capital of Kigali and was named the Kigali Amendment. --IANS vg/ksk/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After red wine, beer is believed to be the drink of choice for feeling relaxed. But what makes a perfectly flavoured pint? For some it is the hops, others say it is the water, or yeast. But the science of beer has just added a flavour to the mash -- barley. The study published in the Journal of the American Society of Brewing Chemists showed that barley varieties do contribute to flavours of beer above and beyond the malting process. And in addition to genetics, environment of the place where barley is grown -- what the wine industry calls terroir -- also plays a part, according to the study. The discovery follows a five-year study involving researchers at The Sainsbury Laboratory in Norwich, England alongside colleagues in the US. Until now it was a widely-held brewing trade opinion that it was the malting process not the barley that contributed to the flavour and aroma of beer. "The malting process directly impacts the wider profiles of flavour -- how you get a pale ale, lager, or a porter -- but what this study shows is that subtle flavour profile of the barley variety selected carries through that process," said Matthew Moscou, one of the authors of the study from The Sainsbury Laboratory, Norwich. The researchers set out to test the theory that barley cultivar and the place it is grown can affect beer flavour. First, they selected two barley cultivars -- Full Pint and Golden Promise - which have entirely different flavour profiles when used to brew beer. The cultivars were crossed and modern breeding techniques used to create a population of 200 lines of barley to observe useful field traits. To test the hypothesis that "terroir" applied to barley flavour, they grew populations across three sites in Oregon in the US. The barley was harvested micro-malted and micro-brewed using a customised scientific approach that ensured consistency between batches. Around 150 beers were prepared for sensory testing using a trained panel -- people with sensitive palates employed by the brewing industry who know how to differentiate between a flavour wheel of 10 descriptors. The descriptors were -- cereal, colour, floral, fruit, grass, honey, malt, sweet, toasted and toffee. These qualitative tests on the beers and control beers were used to understand how genes, location, and the malting process influenced flavour. DNA analysis showed genes in varieties associated with flavour and genes associated with malting suitability were in separate parts of the barley genome. The study concluded that barley varieties make different contributions to beer flavour and their growing environment can have an effect. --IANS gb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Border Security Force (BSF) trooper was shot dead by his colleague in Jammu and Kashmir's Bandipora district, police said on Tuesday. Head constable Chanderbhan of Haryana was found dead at a BSF camp in Madar area late Monday. "Preliminary investigation revealed that another BSF trooper identified as Ravinder Singh was involved in the murder. "The accused has been taken into custody," the police added. --IANS sq/ksk/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Landing in TRS-ruled Telangana, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that the Centre was dedicated to cooperative federalism irrespective of whichever party is in power in the state and would not discriminate states on political basis. He promised Telangana that the Centre would not leave any stone unturnedf or its. "Irrespective of which party is in power in the state, we are dedicated to cooperative federalism. Our government is promoting competitive and cooperative federalism. To encourage states to develop, the central government has always supported policies which are in the public interest. For the development of Telangana, the government will not leave any stone unturned," the Prime Minister said in a brief address to BJP workers on arrival at the airport. "The Central government will always walk shoulder to shoulder on the path of development to change the future of Telangana and the nation." Noting that Telangana was a newly-created state, Modi said it had to go very far. "I assure people of Telangana, the BJP government in Delhi does not discriminate on political basis." Maintaining that the BJP was the biggest political party in the world, the Prime Minister said the credit goes to all its workers. "Be it the old Andhra Pradesh or today's Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, or be it Tamil Nadu or Kerala; these are the states where the BJP has not yet got the opportunity to serve people and bring development by forming the government. "But despite being deprieved of power for years, the party workers here have consitently worked to serve the people and solve their problems. They never abandoned the path of service and I congratulate them for that," Modi said. --IANS vv-vsc/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China is offering a financial reward to help decipher inscriptions on 3,000-year-old oracle bones used in ancient China for divination. Since the reward was printed in newspapers last year, many people have offered their contributions which are being reviewed by experts, Xinhua news agency reported. Over the past 100 years, researchers have only been able to decipher around one third of the characters on the animal bones and tortoise shells that have been found so far. The remaining characters are difficult to decipher, according to Guo Xudong, from the oracle bones and Yin-Shang culture research centre in Anyang, Henan province. Yin was the last capital of the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 B.C.) and the excavation of the Yin ruins in present day Anyang began as early as 1928. The oracle bone scripts discovered at the ruins are considered to be the oldest Chinese inscriptions. Chinese oracle bone inscriptions were included in the list of Unesco Memory of the World International Register on October 31. Oracle bones from ancient China, hieroglyphs from ancient Egypt, cuneiforms from ancient Babylon, and Mayan glyphs from Mesoamerica are among the world's most famous ancient writing systems. "The other three have been lost throughout history, but the oracle bones are the only ones that still survive as they have evolved over time into current Chinese characters," said Guo. Oracle bone inscriptions were first discovered in 1899 by Beijing scholar and antiquarian Wang Yirongt. Wang noticed that symbols on animal bones and tortoise shells looked like a form of writing. Around 160,000 pieces of oracle bones have been found so far. Among the 4,300 characters inscribed on them, only 1,600 have been decoded. --IANS ksk/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Chinese court on Tuesday sentenced a Taiwanese activist to five years in prison for subversion of state power, an offence stemming from comments he made outside Chinese territory. The sentence was issued by the appellate court of Yueyang in Hunan province, where Lee Ming-che, 42, said he would not appeal the court's decision, reports Efe news. This case marks the first-ever extraterritorial trial against critics of China and the first Taiwanese dissident charged with subversion of state power as well as the first non-Chinese member of a non-governmental organisation who was tried in China after a new law regarding NGOs in the Asian country was approved in 2016. In Taiwan, Lee's actions are not crimes and China charged him for what he did outside his territory, Eeling Chiu, executive secretary of the Taiwan Association for Human Rights, told Efe. Lee disappeared on March 19, after entering China from Macau on a private trip. On March 29, he was reported to have been arrested but his whereabouts remained unknown until May, when the charges against Lee of subverting state power were made public. On September 11, he was tried in the city of Yueyang,, where his wife and mother were also present, and during the trial he pleaded guilty to charges of subversion. The case has sparked much interest from international organisations, including the UN, the US Congress and the European Parliament. Lee, a former employee of Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party, is a professor at the Wenshan Community College in Taipei and a volunteer at the Covenants Watch NGO. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Yao Jing, has said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was aimed at facilitating friendly regional cooperation and connectivity. The ambassador made the remarks at the third CPEC media forum jointly organised by the Chinese Embassy and the Pakistan-China Institute, Xinhua reported. "CPEC has increasingly showed its impacts and bright future in the region and it will not only bring benefits to the Pakistani people, but will also improve development of the entire region," Yao said. The ambassador said the Chinese Embassy is expecting to enhance its interaction with Pakistani news outlets as media plays an important role in enhancing understanding between the two countries and their peoples, as well as bilateral relations. Yao said that with further cooperation between China and Pakistan on the project, which is a significant part of China-Pakistan friendship, the Pakistani people and media will further understand and be more supportive of CPEC. Chairman of the Pakistan-China Institute, Mushahid Hussain, said the construction of infrastructure, energy supply and development of the Gwadar port under CPEC have already become the new pillars for Pakistan-China friendship in a new era. "CPEC will facilitate the solidarity of Pakistan and will be a major driving force to Pakistan's prosperity," he added. At the day-long forum on Monday, representatives from both Chinese and Pakistani media and academia discussed issues of culture and information exchanges and cooperation between news outlets of the two countries. --IANS umer/ksk/sac (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan on Tuesday inaugurated a Green Waste Reprocessor (GWR) machine here at Nigambodh Ghat that will convert leaves and flowers into reusable religious offerings at the crematorium. The machine installed at the largest crematorium of Delhi will process all the horticulture waste generated or used during the last rites, into Havan Samagri which will be reused at the crematorium itself. The managing committee of Nigambodh Ghat said the Havan Samgri produced will be distributed free of cost to people who perform the Havan or Yajna there. The machine, first of its kind at a crematorium in Delhi, has been funded through MPLADS fund of the Minister. The Minister said the initiative is a step to save river Yamuna from pollution. "GWR is a promising machine which will reprocess flowers and leaves that come to the Ghat. Earlier it was either thrown away into the river, or would pile up as refuse which was removed by municipality trucks. Either way it added to pollution," the Minister said. The machine is produced by Clean India Ventures and can reprocess 100 to four tonnes of green waste per day. "Green waste constitute more than 60 per cent of urban waste... Municipalities can achieve a big relief from managing landfill sites to operating waste-carrying trucks if bulk generators of waste such as residential societies, vegetable mandis, temples, hotels etc installs a GWR machine," said Alok Gupta, Director, Clean India Ventures. --IANS kd/rn (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Seven Islamic State (IS) militants were killed in a drone attack in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province, an official said on Tuesday. "The attack took place on Monday night when a drone strike targeted an IS hideout in Sala Kas area of Haska Mina district killing seven fighters," Xinhua news agency quoted the official as saying. --IANS umer/ksk/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A German Mayor known for his welcoming stance towards refugees has been seriously injured in a knife attack which authorities said was likely politically motivated. Andreas Hollstein, the 54-year-old conservative Mayor of west German town of Altena, was stabbed in the neck at a kebab shop on Monday evening, the Independent reported. The attacker, identified as a 56-year-old German man and described by local media as drunk, approached Hollstein and asked whether he was the town's Mayor before loudly criticizing his migrant policies and slicing his neck with a 30-centimetre blade. The assailant was overpowered by people at the scene. Hollstein was taken to the hospital but discharged the same day. "I was very lucky. I had some hands-on people by my side and am happy that I'm still alive," the Mayor told reporters on Tuesday. Hollstein, a member of Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democratic Union, gained national renown and won an award for his open migrant policies in Altena, often pushing to take in more people than required by official quotas. According to the Mayor, before launching the attack his assailant said: "You're letting me die of thirst, but you bring 200 refugees to Altena." Merkel said: "I am appalled by the knife attack... and very relieved that he is back with his family." The attack against Hollstein bore similar characteristics to a knife assault on Cologne Mayor Henriette Reker in 2015. He also suffered injuries to the neck during an apparent assassination attempt, which the perpetrator later confessed was motivated by xenophobia and his opposition to the influx of refugees. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The holding of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) for the first time in India reflects the growing security and economic partnership between America and India, Ivanka Trump, the daughter of US President Donald Trump and his Advisor, said on Tuesday. The three-day event, being co-hosted here by the US and India, is being attended by 1,500 entrepreneurs, investors and eco-system supporters from 159 countries. "This is the first time India has hosted the Global Entrepreneurship Summit. It is a symbol of the strengthened friendship between our two peoples, and the growing economic and security partnership between our two nations," Trump said in her address at the inaugural session of the GES. "As President Trump said earlier this year: India has a true friend in the White House," she noted, without specifying the recent pronouncements of the US administration favourable to India in the area of security, diplomacy and cooperation. This is the first time that the event is being held in South Asia. Complimenting India for being one of the fastest growing economies globally, lifting millions out of poverty and for the progress acheived in science and technology, Trump said: "The people of India inspire us all." "The people of India have lifted more than 130 million citizens out of poverty. All of you are helping India's middle class reach its goal of becoming 500 million people by 2030." "Its wonderful to be in this ancient city brimming with transformative technology," she said referring to Hyderabad. "Now, your tech centers may even outshine your world famous biryani," she added. Trump noted that Hyderabad-based startups incubator T-Hub's "brand new facility is set to open next year and will become the largest incubator in Asia". Referring to the theme of the the 8th GES -- Women First, Prosperity For All -- Trump said this is the "key to our future". "I am proud that for the first time ever, women make up the majority of the 1,500 entrepreneurs selected to attend," she said. The US State Department and other American agencies in partnership with India's NITI Aayog are organising the GES, which seeks to create an environment that empowers innovators, particularly women, to take their ideas to the next level. A personal initiative of former US President Barack Obama to bring entrepreneurs from across the globe on one platform, the GES made a beginning in 2010 in Washington and thereafter it has been hosted by Turkey, the UAE, Malaysia, Morocco and Kenya. --IANS bc-ag/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Global web-hosting and Cloud company GoDaddy and Singapore-based e-commerce firm Shopmatic on Tuesday announced a strategic partnership where GoDaddy customers will connect their domain names to Shopmatic's webstore to build a global online presence. Similarly, Shopmatic customers will be able to view and purchase .net and .org domain names from GoDaddy, the company said in a statement. "Our strategic partnership with Shopmatic will provide merchants with a unique online address befitting their brand, thereby increasing their visibility with their customers," said Nikhil Arora, Vice President and Managing Director, GoDaddy India. The alliance will allow Shopmatic merchants direct customers to an existing website, blog, marketplace or any social media profile with a single click. "Shopmatic customers will continue enjoying the benefits of being enlisted on our platform on the back of an ecosystem that fosters their business growth," added Anurag Avula, CEO of Shopmatic. Shopmatic has recently signed deals with global online payments giant PayPal and domestic payments solution provider Citrus Pay (PayU) to enable its merchants expand their sales across the globe. On the logistics front, Shopmatic has made strategic partnerships with local and global logistics players like Delhivery and Aramex. GoDaddy has more than 17 million customers worldwide and more than 71 million domain names under management. --IANS na/sac (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri has said that he will resign if the Hezbollah resistance movement refuses to remain neutral in the country. Hariri, in remarks to French broadcaster CNews, said on Monday that he would continue as Prime Minister "if Hezbollah accepted to stick by the state policy of staying out of regional conflicts from Syria to Iraq and Yemen". "They know we have to remain neutral in the region," Hariri was quoted as saying by Press TV. Hezbollah is an opponent of Hariri's Saudi Arabia-backed Future Movement though it is also a member of Hariri's coalition government. Hariri announced his resignation on November 4 in Saudi Arabia, shocking Lebanon and plunging it into political uncertainty. He accused Iran and Hezbollah of sowing strife in the Arab world, an allegation rejected by both sides. Shortly afterwards, Lebanese President Michel Aoun accused Riyadh of kidnapping Hariri. The European Union, France and Germany also called on the Saudis for his return. Hariri then travelled back to Lebanon and put his resignation on hold at Aoun's request in favour of a national dialogue. According to reports, Hariri had been forced to step down by the Kingdom over his failing to "confront" Hezbollah. "Lebanon cannot resolve a question like Hezbollah which is in Syria, Iraq, everywhere because of Iran. It is a regional political solution that needs to be done," Hariri said on Monday. He also rejected claims that he had forcibly resigned. He said he had written his resignation statement himself, countering allegations that it has been handed to him. The Prime Minister said he would keep to himself what happened in Saudi Arabia, implying that he did not feel free to expose what had actually transpired in the Kingdom. --IANS soni/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India plans to have at least one rocket launch every month in 2018 from its spaceport at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh to deploy satellites in orbit, said a top space official on Tuesday. "We are planning to have at least one launch mission a month in 2018 to deploy satellites in the earth's orbit for various applications," said Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman A.S. Kiran Kumar. "For 2018-19 and 2019-20 financial years, we are looking to receive increased budgets from the country in view of the missions," he told media on the sidelines of the inauguration of a Gallery on Space Technology at the Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum here. ISRO was given a budget of about Rs 9,000 crore for 2017-18.A The first of the missions ahead is likely to be the launch of Cartosat-2E remote-sensing spacecraft along with 28 nano and micro-satellites in early January if delayed from December end. On Chandrayan-2 mission, Kiran Kumar said the work onArealising the satellite was in full swing. The launch is likely to take place by the first quarter of 2018. Meanwhile, the state-run ISRO is also expected to fly 600kg spacecraft designed by TeamIndus on its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) before March 31, 2018, for the city-based firm to win the Google Lunar XPRIZE. "There are still a lot of discussions that are going on with TeamIndus regarding the launch," the ISRO chief said. TeamIndus is the only Indian team among the five finalists competing for the $30Amillion Google Lunar XPRIZE, a competition is meant to challenge and inspire engineers and entrepreneurs from around the world to develop low-cost methods of robotic space exploration. Adressing a gathering of students at the opening of the space technology gallery, Kiran Kumar said: "You're at the prime moment where India as a country is surging ahead. India has got every potential to be the number one in the world, for which each of you must put in your best efforts." Astrosat, the country's first space observatory, was one of the the best satellites in the category providingAIndian scientists with access to data about the edge of the universe, he said. "It is never too late to do anything in science and technology. We can always make a mark. When we put in our best efforts, no one can beat us," the ISRO head asserted. Former ISRO Chairman and National Education Policy Committee Chairman K. Kasturirangan, and National Council for Science Museums Director General A.S. Manekar were also present at the event. --IANS bha/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Renewing the call for bringing natural gas under the GST regime, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday said the country needs an overarching policy covering various energy verticals in order to achieve self sufficiency and security in this critical sector. Defending the government's target of doubling Indian oil refinery capacity to 600 million tonnes, Pradhan said at an energy conclave here that all major economies needed multiple sources of energy for growth. "Gas as a clean fuel should come under the GST (Goods and Services Tax) when coal has already been placed in the five per cent slab under the new indirect tax regime," the Minister said at ENRich 2017 here organised by British consulting multinational KPMG in India. Petroleum products, including natural gas, still remain outside the ambit of GST, although the industry is for its inclusion. Reacting to criticism of plans to double refinery capacity at a time when Indian Railways has decided to phase out diesel locomotives and electrify completely and the government's vision of only electric cars -- both by 2022, Pradhan said India continues to import petrochemicals and a roadmap was required for all energy utilisation in future. "What is the real energy road map for India in the next two to three decades. We need a comprehensive policy for all energy verticals...hydrcarbons, coal, renewables, hydro and nuclear power," he said. In this connection, he pointed to the $20 million petrochemical complex being built jointly by Saudi Arabian state-run oil company Aramco and petrochemicals giant Sabic. Pradhan's concern about a comprehensive energy policy comes in the context of record low tariffs discovered via domestic solar and wind auctions, which have raised concerns about the viability of coal-fired thermal plants at a time when bad loans of state-run banks have reached staggering levels. Pradhan later told reporters on the sidelines that current advances in coal technology like for clean coal, as well as for its gasification and liquefaction is turning the fuel into a less polluting source of power than earlier. --IANS bc/in/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Tuesday came out with its much-awaited recommendations on Net Neutrality holding that Internet services should be non-discriminatory and also suggested the government set up a body to monitor activities. "The service providers should be restricted from entering into any arrangement, agreement or contract, by whatever name called, with any person, natural or legal, that has the effect of discriminatory treatment based on content, sender or receiver, protocols or user equipment," a release issued by the sector regulator said. It also said the scope of the proposed principles on non-discriminatory treatment apply specifically to 'Internet Access Services', which are generally available to the public. The TRAI said Internet access services should be governed by a principle that restricts any form of discrimination or interference in the treatment of content, including practices like blocking, degrading, slowing down or granting preferential speeds or treatment to any content. The paper said the Internet Access Service Providers may take reasonable measurements for traffic management, provided the same are proportionate, transient and transparent. "The Telecom Service Providers (TSP) shall be required to declare their Traffic Management Practices, as and when deployed and the impact it may have had on the users. The disclosure requirements shall also include information about specialised services, direct or indirect arrangements entered by them," the regulator recommended. The TSPs and the over-the-top (OTT) players have locked horns over the issue of net neutrality. The regulator was debating the issue for almost two years now. The regulator recommended that for monitoring and enforcement, Department of Telecommunications (DoT) may establish a multi-stakeholder body with framework for collaborative mechanism among the stakeholders. The TRAI said for monitoring and investigation of violations, a collaborative mechanism has been recommended to be established in the form of a multi-stakeholder body comprising members representing different categories of TSPs and Internet Service Providers, large and small content providers, representative from research and academia, civil society organisations and consumer representatives. The Authority in its 55-page recommendations said that the terms of various license agreements governing the provision of Internet services in India be amended in order to incorporate the principles of non-discriminatory treatment of content by Internet Access Services along with the appropriate exclusions and exceptions. Talking about Internet of Things (IoT), the TRAI recommended that the IoT as a class of services, should not be specifically excluded from the scope of the restrictions on nondiscriminatory treatment. "Those critical IoT services, which may be identified by DoT as satisfying the definition of specialised services, would be automatically excluded," it added. --IANS ag/vm (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's daughter and adviser Ivanka Trump arrived in India amid tight security early on Tuesday to attend the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES), beginning here later in the day. US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster, India's Ambassador to US Navtej Sarna, spokesperson of Minister of External Affairs Raveesh Kumar and senior officials of the central and Telangana governments received her at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad around 3 a.m. "Warm welcome to a special guest. Advisor to the President of USA@IvankaTrump arrives in Hyderabad," tweeted Raveesh Kumar. US Consul General in Hyderabad, Katherine Hadda, state's Principal Secretary Information Technology Industry and Commerce Jayesh Ranjan, and senior police officers Anjani Kumar and Shikha Goyal were among those who received her at a simple ceremony. Emerging from the airport terminal, she shook hands with the officials before boarding a vehicle to reach Trident Hotel in Hitec City, about two km from Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC), the venue of GES. State government officials had earlier said that she will stay in Westin Hotel in the same area. Ivanka Trump, who is leading the US delegation, will be attending the inaugural session in the evening along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The three-day event being co-hosted by the US and India will be attended by 1,500 entrepreneurs, investors and eco-system supporters from 150 countries. Ivanka Trump, who is visiting India at the invitation of the Prime Minister, will reach HICC at 3 p.m. and meet External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. After the inaugural session of GES and a panel discussion, Ivanka will return to hotel. Around 8 p.m., she will leave for Taj Falaknuma, a palace hotel in the old city where Modi is hosting a dinner for her and other GES delegates. After the dinner, she will come back to the hotel. On Wednesday she will leave for HICC around 9 a.m. and address another session at GES. She will leave HICC at 12 noon. Security agencies were tight-lipped on her itinerary for the rest of the day. State government officials said the US security authorities had kept her schedule under tight wraps due to high security threat perception. Sources said Ivanka Trump may visit the old city for a sight-seeing tour. She is likely to see Charminar, a globally recognised monument and symbol of Hyderabad, and also shop at nearby Laad Bazar, famous for bangles, bridal wear, semi-precious stones, pearls, jewellery and silverware. Ivanka Trump may also visit historic Makkah Masjid and Chowmohalla Palace, one of the Nizam palaces. Tight security arrangements have been made for Ivanka Trump and Modi's visit and for other delegates. Telangana Director General of Police M. Mahender Reddy said over 10,000 security personnel have been deployed. While US security agencies are taking care of Ivanka Trump's security, the elite Special Protection Group (SPG) is providing security to the Prime Minister. --IANS ms/in (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ivanka Trump, daughter and advisor of US President Donald Trump, who arrived here on Tuesday to attend the GES, will visit the historic Golconda Fort and not the Charminar on Wednesday, police sources told IANS. After visiting a session on Wednesday morning at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES), she will leave for the fort, about 15 km from the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC), the venue of the summit. She was earlier expected to visit the Charminar, a globally recognised monument and symbol of Hyderabad located in the old city. She was also likely to shop at nearby Laad Bazar, famous for bangles and semi-precious stones. The plans, however, were dropped on security grounds as Charminar is located in densely populated area, notorious for congestion and traffic jams. The Telangana government is also hosting a dinner for the GES guests at the Golconda Fort on Wednesday. However, she will not attend that dinner as she would be flying back on Wednesday evening. Since all the security arrangements were already in place at the fort for the dinner, the security agencies cleared the proposal for a sightseeing tour of the fort. The Golconda Fort on the fringes of the city was the capital of the Qutub Shahi kingdom from 1518 to 1687. Ivanka Trump will be attending a dinner to be hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday at Taj Falaknuma, the palace hotel in the old city. She was expected to spend two hours at the famed palace. Besides dining with Modi and top officials and delegates at 101-seater dinning table, she will also go around the palace, which was once the residence of the Nizam, the ruler of erstwhile princely State of Hyderabad. --IANS ms/in/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump's daughter and adviser Ivanka Trump arrived in India early on Tuesday to attend the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES), beginning here later in the day. US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster, India's Ambassador to the US Navteej Sarna and senior officials of the central and Telangana governments welcomed her at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad around 3 a.m. "Warm welcome to a special guest. Advisor to the President of USA@IvankaTrump arrives in Hyderabad," tweeted Raveesh Kumar, spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs. She later drove to Trident Hotel in Hitec City, about two km from Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC), the venue of GES. State government officials had earlier said that she will stay in Westin Hotel in the same area. Ivanka, who is leading the US delegation, will be attending the inaugural session in the evening along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The three-day event being co-hosted by the US and India will be attended by 1,500 entrepreneurs, investors and eco-system supporters from 159 countries. --IANS ms/pgh/in (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Veteran actress Joan Collins has lashed out at her son Alexander Newley for calling her former husband Anthony Newley a "paedophile". Collins says Alexander's claim is "absolutely untrue", reports dailymail.co.uk. "I think that Sacha's (Alexander) being extremely naive and not really knowing the meaning of that word because what Tony (Anthony) admittedly was, is he loved young women and young women of 17, 18, 19 years old. Not children by any means," Collins said on "Good Morning Britain". "Never in a million years would I have been married to somebody like that. Categorically, I can say that it is not true, that I never saw any of that kind of behaviour from Anthony," she added. --IANS sas/rb (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Rajput Karni Sena, an organisation of the Rajput community, on Tuesday urged a nationwide ban on Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Padmavati". "Six states have already announced that they will not release the film in their states. We welcome it. Till the new release dates are announced, we want at least 20 CMs to do it. Nationwide ban is in the jurisdiction of government of India as per a section in the Cinematography Act. The Centre can ban a film even before or after clearance by the censor board," Lokendra Singh Kalvi, founder-patron of the Rajput Karni Sena, said at a press conference here. "We request the Prime Minister to intervene and ban the film," he said. Kalvi also demanded a high-powered and thorough probe into the death of Chetan Saini, whose body was found hanging on the outer walls of the Nahargarh Fort here on Friday morning, with messages against the film "Padmavati" scribbled on nearby rocks. "Whether it was a suicide or a murder, I am not interfering into that... But it was very sad. I want to point out two more points... Who wants to disturb communal harmony of Jaipur and second, a direct threat to Karni Sena that "Hum putle nahin jalate... latkate hain" (We don't burn effigies, we hang them)... All this seems to be an attempt to divert attention from the 'Padmavati' issue," he said. "We want detailed and thorough probe into it... Who wants to disturb communal harmony and who has given threat to Karni Sena," he said, stressing that "the role of the SLB group in Nahargarh Fort issue should be probed," he said. Bhansali's "Padmavati" has been mired in controversy since its shooting started. Activists of the Karni Sena, besides other groups have been protesting against the movie, claiming the film "distorts" historical facts. The release of the movie, earlier scheduled for December 1, has been deferred. --IANS as/rb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday directed the state police chief to register a criminal case against Director General of Police Jacob Thomas, presently posted the director of Institute of Management in Government here. The reason for this action is a violation of service rules as Thomas did not follow the basic process when he released two books recently. After the release of his first book, allegedly in breach of the norms, the state government appointed then Home Secretary Nalini Netto to look into the matter. After she gave an adverse report, a three member committee under the Law Secretary was set up to probe the case and it also confirmed that there were lapses. It was after this that Vijayan issued the orders for registering a criminal case and also for departmental action against Thomas. In his reaction, Thomas told the media he is not aware of any action being taken. Thomas was appointed as head of Vigilance the day Vijayan assumed office last year, but a few months back, he was shifted out and made the director of IMG. --IANS sg/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) For the first time, the Maharashtra government has published a special book highlighting the state as the country's top destination for film shooting for Indian and foreign filmmakers. The 100-page "Spotlight", released here on Tuesday by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, is full of colourful pictures and information on the famed, little known or offbeat locales for outdoor film shootings, along with detailed information on the local facilities and amenities available for the film makers. It has been divided into 13 categories including top seaside locales or beaches, hill and sea forts, hills and caves, waterfalls and waterbodies, forests, sports, adventure, religious, historical sites, monuments-museums, etc. Education Minister Vinod Tawde, Tourism Minister Jayakumar Raval and Managing Director of Dadasaheb Phalke Film City Jasashree Bhoj were also present at the launch. In his address on the occasion, Fadnavis said that Phalke was the pioneer of Indian cinema and even today a majority of the feature films teleserials, documentaries and ad films are created in Mumbai. "Maharashtra is blessed with huge natural beauty, historical and cultural traditions, monuments, but it does not appear to have been fully utilized for shootings. We shall also develop the amenities and facilities for shoots at various places in the state," he said. "Spotlight" has been published under the auspices of the Maharashtra Film, Theatre & Cultural Development Corporation and is expected to serve as an important guide to filmmakers planning for outdoor shootings in the state, officials said. Besides basic details of the locales, the book also offers insight into the local weather, transport and communication facilities, visualization possibilities to make it a "ready reckoner" for the film makers, make Maharashtra truly a "film-friendly" state, and help boost the local tourism industry. --IANS qn/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Australian police have arrested a man they allege was planning to carry out a terror attack during New Year's Eve celebrations in Melbourne. The 20-year-old man will be charged with terrorism offences that carry a maximum penalty of life in prison, authorities said, BBC reported on Tuesday. Police allege the man had planned to shoot people with an automatic gun at Federation Square in the city's centre. There is no ongoing threat to the public, police said. Authorities said the man had not obtained an automatic weapon before his arrest in Werribee, a Melbourne suburb, on Monday. "What we will be alleging is that he was intending to use a firearm to shoot and kill as many people as he could," Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton said on Tuesday. "This is a person who would become particularly energised, for a lack of a better word, when overseas (terrorism) events occurred and would express a great deal of interest in committing an attack himself." Last year, about 500,000 people celebrated New Year's Eve in Melbourne's city centre. Mr Patton said the suspect was born in Australia to Somali parents and had been monitored by police as a "person of interest" since January. He had obtained an Al-Qaeda manual online with instructions for staging a terrorist attack, and was a sympathiser of the Islamic State (IS), according to police. Patton said the man had connections with extremists but was believed to be acting alone. No further arrests were expected. Search warrants were executed at the man's home, a business where he had worked, and a relative's property. The arrest was not linked to previous operations, police said. Last year, police said they had foiled a major terror attack planned for Christmas Day in Melbourne, with Federation Square also among its alleged targets. Australian police have charged 74 people in counter-terrorism investigations since 2014, when the nation's terror threat level was raised to "probable". --IANS pgh/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US First Lady Melania Trump has inaugurated the decoration of the White House for the first Christmas since she and her husband, President Donald Trump, moved into the presidential residence last January. "The president, (our son) Barron, and I are very excited for our first Christmas in the White House," the first lady said in a statement on Monday, Efe news reported. "As with many families across the country, holiday traditions are very important to us. I hope when visiting the People's House this year, visitors will get a sense of being home for the holidays," she added. The former Slovenian model toured each of the decorated rooms and wished the public a Merry Christmas in the name of her husband and family, including Barron, who had received with her the official White House Christmas tree that now stands in the Blue Room of the presidential residence. With this year's theme being "Time-honored Traditions," the State Floor, Grand Foyer and Cross Hall decorations celebrate the first White House Christmas with a specific theme, that of "The Nutcracker Suite" from President John F. Kennedy's 1961 Christmas. The Red Room tree is festooned with cookie ornaments and surrounded by peppermint candies, and in keeping with former first lady Nancy Reagan's favorite holiday decoration, two cranberry trees are mounted on tables there. The White House Green Room contains crafts, paper and classic design, and the mansion's Library features President Franklin D. Roosevelt's 1866 edition of "A Christmas Carol." Tribute is paid to so-called "Gold Star families" who have lost a loved one serving with the military in combat, and the first Christmas card send by a US president - signed by Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953 - is displayed along with that of Trump and earlier cards from the Obamas, among others. On Thursday, President Trump will preside at the traditional lighting of the huge Christmas tree to be installed on the National Mall in Washington. --IANS pgh/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) On the eve of the International Day of Solidarity with Palestinian People, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday reiterated India's support for the Palestinian cause. "On the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people, I reiterate India's steadfast support for the Palestinian cause," Modi said in a statement. "We hope for early realization of a sovereign, independent, united and viable Palestine, co-existing peacefully with Israel," Modi said. In 1977, the UN General Assembly called for the annual observance of November 29 as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. In his message, Modi said India was an active development partner of Palestine, engaged in extending technical and financial assistance to improve the lives of the Palestinian people. "We will continue to support the development and nation-building efforts of Palestine. "To this effect, India has increased training slots for Palestine under our flagship Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation programme from 100 to 150 annual slots. "Separately, educational scholarships have also been doubled in order to contribute to human resource development of Palestine." Modi also expressed hope for an early resumption of dialogue between the Palestinian and Israeli sides to move towards finding a comprehensive negotiated resolution. --IANS ab/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rabat, Nov 28 (IANS/MAP) Moroccan King Mohammed VI on Tuesday congratulated Uhuru Kenyatta on being re-elected as Kenya's President. Kenyatta was officially re-elected with 98 per cent of the vote on October 26. He won the re-run with 7.48 million votes in 266 out of 291 constituencies. King Mohammed VI expressed his keenness to continue working with Kenya, boost cooperation between the countries and expand it to all sectors. "This should help us serve our peoples' shared interests and reflect the brotherly African bonds, mutual esteem and active solidarity between our countries," King Mohammed VI said in his message. --IANS/MAP soni/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ratna Chatterjee, wife of West Bengal Minster and Kolkata Municipal Corporation Mayor Sovan Chatterjee, was interrogated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday as a part of Narada sting footage probe. "She appeared before investigating officers in the morning and was interrogated in the Narada sting case," an ED official said, adding she had skipped interrogation earlier citing "health reasons". While leaving the ED office in Kolkata after the interrogation, Ratna said: "I have given my answers. If they are not satisfied with my answer and if they call me, I will come again." Incidentally, her husband and Trinamool Congress legislator was also quizzed by both the agencies - the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) - in the Narada sting case. A dozen Trinamool leaders were caught on video purportedly receiving money in exchange for a promise to dole out favours to a fictitious company. The clipping was uploaded on the Narada news portal in March last year ahead of Assembly elections. The CBI and the Enforcement Directorate have so far quizzed most of the accused Trinamoool legislators and MPs. --IANS bdc/ssp/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Delhi court on Tuesday granted the National Investigation Agency (NIA) custody of an alleged Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative who was arrested by the army near the Line of Control (LoC) in Handwara area in Jammu and Kashmir last week. A day after taking custody of the LeT operative, identified as Mohammed Amir Awan, the NIA on Tuesday produced him before District Judge Poonam Bamba in Delhi's Patiala House court that sent him to the anti-terror agency's custody for 10 days. Awan was arrested by Indian Army personnel on November 24 from Handwara area of north Kashmir and later handed over to the NIA to file a case against him and start a probe. The NIA registered a FIR on November 26 and then took Awan in its custody. Awan hails from Bardiya town near the port city of Karachi in Pakistan, according to the NIA investigators. He was called by a particular code name after joining the LeT. The terrorist had been asked by his Pakistan-based handlers to carry out attacks on various important installations in Jammu and Kashmir, the NIA added. --IANS akk-rak/nir/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The kin of the Nizam, the ruler of erstwhile princely state of Hyderabad, are disappointed over authorities not inviting them to a reception being hosted at one of his palaces in the city for GES delegates. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is hosting a dinner at Taj Falaknuma for Ivanka Trump, daughter and advisor of US President Donald Trump and other delegates attending Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) on Tuesday. Nawab Najaf Ali Khan, grandson of the 7th and last Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, said: It is highly disappointing and lamentable that the family of the 7th Nizam were not invited for the GES event being held in one of the palaces that represents 'our familial culture and heritage.' "I, being the grandson of the erstwhile Royal Family, deserve an invite as the Palace is an important landmark both in our family's history and also in the history of Hyderabad," he said in a statement. Khan said he had numerous communications over last 10 days with the authorities of Niti Aayog, who are responsible for handling the event but it evoked no response. Falaknuma, one of the grand palaces in Hyderabad, was the residence of the sixth Nizam, Mir Mahboob Ali Khan till his death in 1911. The palace was turned into star hotel about a decade ago after restoration by Taj Group. --IANS ms/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Catania (Italy), Nov 27 (IANS/AKI) A charity rescue ship docked in the Sicilian port of Catania on Monday with 421 people on board including 98 children, who burst into joyful song upon their arrival, Italian officials said. Staff members from the Doctors without Borders charity were also aboard the rescue ship operated by international charity Sos Mediterranee, according to officials. Late on Sunday, when the ship was some 15 nautical miles from the Sicilian coast, a sick three-year-old Eritrean boy, his mother and younger brother were transferred to an Italian coastguard motor launch and the boy was taken to hospital in the northeast Sicilian port city of Messina. --IANS/AKI vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A leading Pakistani daily on Tuesday condemned the State's "capitulation" to Islamists whose street protests forced a cornered Law Minister Zahid Hamid to resign. "It is a surrender so abject that the mind is numb and the heart sinks," the Dawn said in an editorial. "The deal negotiated between the State, both civilian and military facets of it, and the Faizabad protesters is a devastating blow to the legitimacy and moral standing of the government and all state institutions. "In one brief page and six gut-wrenching points, the state of Pakistan has surrendered its authority to a mob that threatened to engulf the country in flames. "The federal Law Minister has been sacked - in return for a promise by the protesters to not issue a fatwa against him," the editorial said. "Whether a decision made out of desperation or fear, the upshot is that the State has accepted that mobs and zealots have a right to issue religious edicts that can endanger lives and upend public order." The Dawn said "something profound changed in the country" on Monday "and the reverberations will be felt for a long time". The Dawn blamed the "devastating incompetence and craven leadership by three sets of actors" -- the government, the opposition and the Army -- for the "capitulation" to Tehreek-i-Labaik Ya Rasool Allah, which was protesting against accusations of blasphemy over a proposed change in parliamentary laws. "The government has been humiliated and the military leadership has further improved its standing with sections of the public for helping end the protests - but at what cost to the country and its people? "Zealots had already demonstrated the power of mob violence and the strength of the of intolerance and hate. Now, a blueprint has been created for holding State and society hostage" --IANS mr/soni (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pope Francis headed to Myanmar's capital city of Nay Pyi Taw on Tuesday, where heads of the government will officially welcome him on the second day of his visit to the country. In the capital, the pontiff will be received by President Htin Kyaw and will also meet de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, reports Efe news. He will then also have a meeting with the diplomatic corps accredited in the country, before returning in the afternoon to Yangon where he had arrived on Monday. Pope Francis began his visit to Myanmar on Monday with a meeting with Army Chief General Min Aung Hlaing, architect of the military operations that caused hundreds of deaths and forced more than 620,000 members of the Rohingya Muslim minority to flee to Bangladesh. During the meeting, the pontiff expressed the need for the authorities to assume their responsibility during this period of ongoing political transition in the country, according to Vatican sources. General Hlaing in a statement said that in Myanmar "there is no religious discrimination" because "the country ensures religious freedom", and that the armed forces were "making efforts to restore and to ensure peace in the nation. Myanmar has no discrimination among the ethnics". The pope is also scheduled to attend a major Mass on Wednesday, after which he will hold a meeting with the Supreme Council of Myanmar's Buddhist monks and another meeting with bishops. The humanitarian crisis of the Rohingya plays a crucial role in Pope Francis' visit to Myanmar. On Thursday he will head to neighbouring Bangladesh in an attempt to mediate the crisis, which the UN has dubbed a "textbook example of ethnic cleansing". The pontiff will become the first Catholic leader to visit Dhaka since 1986. In Bangladesh, Francis is scheduled to meet a small group of Rohingya refugees in a symbolic gesture. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pope Francis, who is on a state visit to Myanmar, met a group of 17 leaders from various religious faiths here on Tuesday, urging them to defend their identities and resist cultural colonialism. The Pope spoke in Spanish during the 40-minute meeting and drew a difference between unity and uniformity, warning that while unity was beautiful, an insistence on uniformity could lead to cultural colonialism, reports Efe news. "Everyone has their values, their wealth and their shortcomings. Each faith has their traditions, their wealth to give, and this can only happen if we live in peace," he said. The meeting was held at the archdiocesan headquarters, where the Pope is staying after he arrived here on Monday. The Bishop of the Pathein Diocese in Myanmar John Hsane Hgyi had opened the meeting, followed by leaders from Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, Anglican and Roman Catholic faiths, according to Vatican spokesperson Greg Burke. During the meeting, the pontiff urged Myanmar's religious leaders to understand the value of ethnic and religious differences they represented, rather than be daunted by them. He also met Buddhist leader Sitagu Sayadaw separately to discuss peaceful coexistence among communities in the country that has been in the spotlight for months over continuing atrocities against the Rohingya Muslim minority. The Pope will travel to capital Nay Pyi Taw later on Tuesday to meet President Htin Kyaw and Nobel Peace Laureate and the de-facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The humanitarian crisis of the Rohingya plays a crucial role in Pope Francis' visit to Myanmar. On Thursday he will head to neighbouring Bangladesh in an attempt to mediate the crisis, which the UN has dubbed a "textbook example of ethnic cleansing". The pontiff will become the first Catholic leader to visit Dhaka since 1986. In Bangladesh, Francis is scheduled to meet a small group of Rohingya refugees in a symbolic gesture. --IANS ksk/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tibetan Prime Minister-in-exile Lobsang Sangay on Tuesday hailed a bill passed by the Taiwanese parliament that dissolved nearly a century old ministry-level Mongolian Tibet Affairs Commission (MTAC), saying it was creating misunderstanding between Tibetans and Taiwanese. "The MTAC has been a sore point and source of misunderstanding between Tibetans and Taiwanese. Personally, I have opposed MTAC since my college days and I am glad to see it shut down," said Sangay in a statement. Taiwan's Yuan on Tuesday approved the bill to dissolve the MTAC. Ruling Democratic Progressive Party legislator Lee Chun-yi, also a member of the committee for dissolving the commission, said: "As things change with time, our concerns for issues regarding Mongolia and Tibet should have changed course much earlier. What we should do is protect the Mongolian and Tibetan community in Taiwan and guarantee that Mongolian and Tibetan culture will continue to be respected in Taiwan." Dating back to the Chinese Empire, the organisation, meant to oversee relations with its Mongolian and Tibetan dominions, was renamed MTAC in 1929 in then Republic of China and continued in Taiwan. --IANS vg/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen on Tuesday flew in India's indigenous fighter aircraft Tejas, and called it a "very good plane". "Privileged to be flown on the Tejas, India's own designed and manufactured fighter aircraft. A very good plane," the Singapore minister said in a tweet. Ng was flown in the plane at the Indian Air Force Station in Kalaikunda (West Bengal), the Defence Ministry said. The flight, around half-an-hour long, was piloted by Air Vice Marshal A.P. Singh, the Project Director, Flight Testing at the Aeronautical Development Agency. Two Tejas aircraft were flown in from Bengalure to Kalaikunda, where a joint training is on between the IAF and Republic of Singapore Air Force, which has flown in six F-16C/Ds. The IAF has fielded its Sukhoi-30 fighter jets. Ng, on a day's visit to Kalaikunda, was received at the air base by Eastern Air Command chief, Air Marshal Anil Khosla. Talking to reporters at the airbase, he called Tejas an "excellent aircraft" and said it is "very impressive". He however did not confirm if Singapore has expressed any interest in buying the fighter. "I am not a pilot... it is for the technical people to take a call on it," he said. Ng, who is on a tour to India, will arrive in New Delhi on Wednesday to hold second Singapore-India Defence Ministers' Dialogue with his Indian counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman. An official statement from the Singapore Defence Ministry said Ng thanked the Indian Government for providing realistic and challenging training opportunities for the RSAF to hone its operational readiness. "(It was) very impressive, and this is the reason why our air force trains with your (Indian) air force. Your pilots are superb, planes (are) equally good, and the RSAF gets immeasurable value from training here with you, and (with) experienced pilots like you. We have been having bilateral air exercises since 2004, and I hope that these bilateral exercises will last very long," he said. The statement added that the bilateral training has grown in scale and complexity over the years to involve advanced aircraft and high-end training missions such as Dissimilar Air Combat Training and Mission-Oriented Training. In January this year, India and Singapore had renewed an agreement for RSAF to continue its joint military training with IAF for another five years. Under the agreement, the RSAF will have regular opportunities to train with the IAF's advanced Su-30 fighters. The agreement between the two air forces was signed first in 2007 and renewed in 2012. --IANS ao-ssp/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Legendary Bengali actor Soumitra Chatterjee would be handed over France's highest civilian award Legion of Honour during the 42nd edition of the International Kolkata Book Fair in January next year. France, which would also be the focal theme of this edition of the world's most attended book fair, is planning to present the award to the octogenarian actor on the inaugural day of the event in the presence of its Minister of Culture Francoise Nyssen, a senior French official said on Tuesday. "Soumitra Chatterjee is not just an actor, he is a legend. The award was announced in June. But we waited for the perfect occasion to hand him the award. The book fair seems to be a perfect backdrop as our Minister of Culture would also be present in the city at that time," Damien Syed, Consul General of France in Kolkata, said during the announcement and logo unveiling event of the book fair here. "It is a befitting occasion to hand him the award as a French minister would be visiting the city after seven years. We felt it would be more prestigious and impactful if he is handed over the award by the minister, who herself is a writer and a noted publisher in France," he pointed out. The upcoming edition of the book fair would be inaugurated by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at a new venue in Central Park Mela Grounds in Salt Lake and would be held from January 31 to February 11. Talking about the French connection to the Kolkata book fair, Syed said the French pavilion in this edition, entitled 'Experience: The Digital Journey of France', would focus on highlighting various aspects of Indo-French relations. "It is wonderful to see France as the main focus country in the Kolkata book fair. The French pavilion in the fair would be uniquely designed to portray different aspects of Indo-French relationships in the past, present and future," the consul general said. The ongoing 'Bonjour India Festival', organised by the cultural wing of the French Embassy in different Indian cities on the occasion of the 70th year of Indo-France diplomatic relationship, would observe its closing ceremony at the Kolkata book fair. --IANS mgr/ssp/rb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Centre has cleared Soumya Swaminathan, Director General (DG) of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), to take up foreign assignment as a Deputy DG at the World Health Organisation (WHO) for about two years. "The Appointment Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved grant of cadre clearance to Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research and Department of Health Research, to take up foreign assignment of the post of Deputy Director General for Programme (DPP), WHO Geneva, for the period from Dec 1, 2017, to Nov 18, 2019," said an order. It also said that the ACC has approved a Search-cum-Selection Committee for identifying the successor of Soumya Swaminathan. Swaminathan, who is widely recognised for her research on tuberculosis, is a well-known paediatrician by profession. --IANS rup/in/sac (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Even in this age of fake news, planting false stories to smear rivals may backfire if you are caught in the act, warn researchers. Companies that spread fake news against their competitors ultimately experience the brunt of negative publicity and reputation damage, said the study published in the Journal of Business Ethics. "Ultimately the truth prevails," study co-author Sungha Jang, Assistant Professor of Marketing at Kansas State University. The researchers examined a real-life case from 2012 in South Korea, when a customer reportedly found a dead rat in a loaf of bread made by one of the country's most popular bakery brands. The company's business plummeted, until a reporter discovered that a rival bakery had whipped up the fake story. Suddenly, the offending franchise found itself in the hot seat, in the and online. "People doubted the credibility of this firm and its management practices," said study co-author Gene Moo Lee, Assistant Professor at University of British Columbia Sauder School of Business in Canada. "What's more, the offender was a franchisee, which ultimately tarnished the reputation of the larger company. This study showed that deceptive marketing just doesn't pay," he said. The researchers examined three years' worth of blog posts, news articles and social exchanges, and counted how many positive and negative words were used in reference to each company. They found that, while the fake story damaged the victim company at first, it caused far more significant and lasting damage to the firm that originally concocted the story. In fact, damage to the victim company lasted one year, while the effects for the offender lingered for more than two years. For businesses that practice these smear tactics, the researchers cautioned that fake news detection technology is becoming increasingly more precise. "Social services like Facebook, Google and Twitter are building very sophisticated fake news detection algorithms now, which means it's increasingly easy to be caught," Jang said. "Practically speaking and also ethically speaking, you don't want to do that," Jang said. -IANS gb/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Damascus, Nov 28 (IANS/AKI) A Syrian government delegation will arrive in Geneva on Wednesday for the latest round of peace talks, state-run Syrian news agency Sana reported on Tuesday. "Following intensive contacts, held during the past two days between the Syrian and Russian sides, the Syrian Arab Republic decided to participate in the eighth round of the intra-Syrian dialogue in Geneva," a source was quoted by Sana as saying. The Syrian government delegation will be headed by Syria's UN ambassador and chief negotiator Bashar al-Jaafari. The delegation delayed its departure for the talks, which begin on Tuesday, due to the newly-unified Syrian opposition's insistence that Syria's President Bashar al-Assad step down. The Syrian government and opposition negotiators will have the chance to hold direct talks for the first time, the UN Special Envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, said on Tuesday. A day earlier, De Mistura said the talks in Geneva should be held without preconditions and claimed the crisis - which began in 2011 - now has the potential to move towards "a genuine political process". A breakthrough in the new round of talks seems improbable as Assad and his allies push for a total military victory in the civil war in Syria. The Swiss city of Geneva has hosted seven rounds of the peace talks, the last round of which ended on July 14. --IANS/AKI mr/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) on Tuesday elected Nobel laureates Andre K. Geim and James Fraser Stoddart along with 14 other scientists as new foreign academicians. The CAS published the list of 77 newly-elected academicians, 61 Chinese and 16 foreigners on its website, Xinhua reported. There are now 800 Chinese and 92 foreign academicians at CAS. The CAS membership is China's highest title in the field of science, and a lifelong honour. New members are recruited every two years. The CAS and the Chinese Academy of Engineering are the country's top two think tanks to advise the government and industry on key scientific and technological issues. The Chinese Academy of Engineering also announced its list of newly-elected academicians Monday, which included Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft. --IANS umer/ksk/sac (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump spoke over phone with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, discussing Syrian situation and other issues, said the White House. The two leaders agreed on the importance of the UN-based Geneva process as the only forum for achieving a political solution in Syria, the White House said in a statement on Monday, Xinhua reported. In the phone call, Trump and Macron also discussed the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, it saide. The UN Security Council on Monday urged all Syrian parties to participate actively in the Geneva political process without preconditions. The Geneva peace talks is scheduled for Tuesday but the Syrian government is yet to confirm its participation in the talks. The Syrian armed conflict broke out in 2011 and quickly turned into a full-fledged civil war. UN figures show that the war has killed more than 330,000 people and displaced millions in the country. --IANS pgh/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two militants were killed on Tuesday in a security raid in Bangladesh's Chapainawabganj district, a police official said. "The militants were most likely killed in suicide explosions causing a fire in a house where they were hiding," the official told Xinhua. He said security forces surrounded the house suspecting it to be a militant hideout. The suspected militants inside exploded four to five bombs as the law enforcers asked them to surrender, he added. At least three people, including owner of the house, were detained. --IANS ksk/sac (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The UN has approved an additional allocation of $4.2 million to assist 150,000 people in Vietnam affected by the devastating typhoon Damrey. The funds will be used to provide life-saving assistance to 150,000 people, including nearly 47,000 children, and support time-critical interventions over the next six months, the UN in Vietnam said on Tuesday. Damrey made landfall on November 4, causing widespread flooding and destruction across the country's central region, reports Xinhua news agency. The UN in Vietnam estimates that nearly $60.5 million will be required over the next 12 months both to address short and medium-term needs, and to strengthen the resilience of communities vulnerable to recurrent disasters. Over 4.3 million people were affected by the typhoon, including 400,000 people who require humanitarian assistance. "Natural disasters, mostly flash floods and landslides in Vietnam, killed or left 245 people missing in the first 10 months of this year," the country's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said. --IANS umer/ksk/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kabul, Nov 28 (IANS/AKI) The head of the UN culture organisation UNESCO on Tuesday deplored the deadly suicide bombing of November 16 in Kabul that killed 20 people, among them an Afghan cameraman Hussain Nazari. "I condemn the attack that killed Nazari and 19 others and wounded reporter Taqi Sadid," said Audrey Azoulay. "We are once again reminded of the risks faced by workers the world over. I call on the authorities to ensure an effective judicial enquiry into this case," Azoulay said. Nazari, a cameraman for the Rah-e-Farda TV station, and his colleague Sadid were covering a political meeting in Kabul at the time of the blast. Nazari was critically injured and succumbed to his injuries in hospital the following day. The Islamic State took credit for the bombing in a statement carried by its Amaq news agency. The Afghan Taliban denied responsibility for the attack. --IANS mr/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The UN Security Council has urged all Syrian parties to actively participate in the Geneva political process without preconditions and to support efforts to ensure its success. Sebastiano Cardi, President of the Security Council, told reporters on Monday after closed-door consultations on Syria that the council reiterated a political solution must be forged through the Geneva process, Xinhua reported. The council members also stressed respect for Syria's sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity, Cardi said. Although the Syrian opposition has formed a unified group for Geneva talks following negotiations among them in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the Syrian government has not confirmed its attendance at the new round of Geneva talks. "The meeting will start tomorrow and we really hope that all parties, including the Syrian government, will be present," Cardi said. Briefing Monday's Security Council open meeting, UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura said the "moment of truth" has arrived for the Syria talks. "The meeting will start tomorrow and we really hope that all parties, including the Syrian government, will be present," he added. Initially, he said, the participants should focus on a work plan, particularly on principles as well as the constitutional and election "baskets." All other initiatives should support the UN mediation process, he said. Asked by reporters to comment on the Syrian government's failure to confirm its presence at the Geneva talks, chief UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said, "participation of the Syrian government is very important." Several diplomats at the UN also expressed their hope that the Geneva talks will be able to produce positive outcomes given the fact that the Syrian opposition has formed a unified negotiating committee. French ambassador to the United Nations, Francois Delattre, saw a better chance for the Geneva talks as the Syrian opposition has reached a deal at the auspices of Saudi Arabia. "We very much welcome the great progress achieved in Riyadh by the Syrian opposition to establish a unified, credible and pragmatic group that will be able to negotiate in Geneva," he told reporters before walking into the Security Council chamber for the Syria meeting. The important outcome in Riyadh helps reinforce the importance of the Geneva process and brings about a new chance and new opportunities, said Delattre. He stressed that any political initiative must be compatible with the Geneva process in order to succeed. --IANS pgh/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An American soldier has been killed in a non-combat-related incident in Iraq, the US Department of Defense has said. The soldier, who was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq, was killed on Saturday in Baghdad as a result of a non-combat-related incident, said the Pentagon in a statement on Monday, Xinhua reported. The soldier was assigned to the 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss in Texas, according to the statement. The incident is still under investigation. The Operation Inherent Resolve is the U.S.-led military campaign against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. --IANS pgh/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A woman passenger and a female staffer of Air India exchanged blows over an argument at the IGI airport on Tuesday morning. According to a senior police official, a call to Police Control Room(PCR) was received at around 4.55 a.m. "regarding a quarrel at a checking counter at Terminal-3". During investigation, it was found that a woman passenger, a resident of Panchkula in Haryana, had to board Air India Flight AI 019 to Ahmedabad at 05.00 hours, he said. "She reported at 04.18 hours for check-in and was denied boarding. Argument started between her and Air India staff and the passenger slapped her. The woman staff also slapped her in retaliation,", the official added. On its part the national carrier said in a statement: "One passenger going to Ahmedabad arrived late at airport and missed her flight. There was an argument with the counter staff and the same has now been resolved amicably." --IANS sp-rv/ag/vsc/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Ivanka Trump, daughter of and adviser to US President Donald Trump, on the sidelines of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Hyderabad on Tuesday. Later, the PM also hosted a dinner for her at the Falaknuma Palace Hotel. Taking a dig at Modi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav tweeted that while the foreign dignitary was welcome, it was a paradox to find those who criticise dynastic politics are standing with folded hands to welcome the daughter of the US president. With reference to End of the road for cheapest car: Dealers stop placing orders for Tata Nano (November 27), during the last 10 years, we have seen the exploitation of the common man and consumers as a class being converted into political propaganda ideas by politicians and business propositions by politicians and traders. A few days ago, thieves stole valuables worth Rs 2.8 crore from the lockers of a Bank of Baroda branch. Usually, individuals keep valuables in bank lockers as they consider it safer than keeping them at home. Around 1200 people from Arakan in Myanmar have taken refuge in Mizoram's southernmost Lawngtlai district after the Myanmarese Army launched a crackdown on Arakan militants, state government officials said here today. The refugees from Arakan area of Myanmar fled and entered Lawngtlai district due to clashes between the Arakan rebels and the Myanmarese Army and the last wave of refugees arrived on Saturday last, the official said. Arakan district in Myanmar is just across the border. The deputy commissioner of Lawngtlai, Arun T and superintendent of police Lalsanglura today visited the four villages in the district where the Arakan people had taken refuge. The Lawngtlai district administration yesterday sent 40 quintals of rice to the four villages where the displaced people were sheltered. Medical team were sent by the district administration and also by the Assam Rifles to ensure that there was no outbreak of diseases, the officials added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The winter session of Maharashtra Legislature will be held for two weeks beginning December 11, wherein 13 new Bills would be tabled, Maharashtra minister Girish Bapat said today. "Thirteen new bills will be introduced in both the Houses during the two weeks of the state Legislature starting December 11. Besides, 11 ordinances will also be tabled for the approval of the House, as decided by the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) today," the Minister for Parliament Affairs told reporters here. Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, Dhananjay Munde, demanded that the session be held for a period of four weeks for discussion over several serious issues concerning Vidarbha. "There should be a debate on the action report of the Kelkar committee, which has been appointed to find out the regional imbalance of development," he said. "This session will be held in the backward Vidarbha region and hence this debate is needed. There was a debate on (Vijay) Kelkar committee report during the winter session in 2014 in Nagpur," he added. Responding to Munde's demand, Bapat said the BAC will meet once again on Demeber 20 and the final decision on the extension of the session will be taken. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A small aircraft today crashed during take-off in north west Nepal's mountainous Humla district, injuring at least 16 people, including thirteen police personnel who were on election duty. The accident at Simikot Airport happened when the aircraft of Tara Air, flying to Surkhet, attempted to take-off from the runway but failed after its tyre burst, police chief AIG Rana Bahadur Chand said. The accident took place at around 9 am. The 9N-ABM aircraft was hurtling down the runway for take-off when the tyre burst. The aircraft finally came to rest at the northern part of the runway. The front part of the aircraft has suffered severe damages, Chand said. Pilot Basanta Lama suffered injuries to his head in the accident. Thirteen passengers suffered minor injuries and two others were seriously injured in the incident. They were receiving treatment at Humla Hospital. The injured were rescued by a Nepal Army chopper, the officer said. The plane was carrying 13 police personnel returning to Surkhet after completing election duty on Sunday in Humla district. Land-locked Nepal is holding provincial and parliamentary elections in two phases on November 26 and December 7. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two persons, including a village head, were today injured in a clash between two groups over a piece of land in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said. The clash took place at Banyari village in the Check Dessa area when the rival parties tried to take over a piece of disputed land, a police official said. Members of the two groups attacked each other with sticks, leading to injuries to two persons, including the village head. The injured were taken to the Government Medical College hospital here, the official said. He said police rushed to the scene and brought the situation under control. An FIR has been lodged in connection with the incident but no arrest has been made so far, the officer said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three militants blew themselves up following a security crackdown at their hideout in Bangladesh's northwestern Chapainawabjag district bordering India, officials said today. The incident took place as security was stepped up ahead of Pope Francis' visit to the country from November 30 to December 2. A fire broke out at the tin-and-bamboo structure after a firefight and explosions, said Mahabub Alam, Rapid Action Battalion-5 Commanding Officer. The bodies of the three suspected militants were found by a bomb disposal unit among the debris after the fire died out, the official said. Two pistols, three grenades, eight detonators and various bomb-making materials were recovered from inside the location, said RAB Media Wing Director Commander Mufti Mahmud Khan. The elite anti-crime RAB has detained the building owner's wife Nazma Begum, her father Khorshed Alam and mother Minara Begum from a village for questioning. "We have wrapped up the operation...three bodies were found at the scene," Mahmud said. He said the three militants blew themselves up that also resulted in burning down of their den, a hay-made hut, defying calls for surrender this morning. Officials said the Islamists rented the house at a remote shoal of the Padma river along the Indian border 15 days ago and identified them as migratory bird watchers. Officials and witnesses said the scene was handed over to police's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for collecting evidence for subsequent legal actions. People in the neighboiurhood said two of the presumed militants were seen roaming around the area for the past several weeks and claimed that they were NGO workers. RAB officials said they located the militant hideout based on information provided by militants captured earlier. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) About 32,000 personnel of the central armed forces such as the CRPF and the BSF along with nearly 60,000 from the state police are likely to be deployed for the upcoming Gujarat Assembly elections, officials said today. Around 320 companies of central armed police forces are being made available to the Election Commission for deployment in election duties in Gujarat. The security personnel will reach Gujarat in batches and all will be deployed as per the recommendations of the poll panel, a home ministry official said on condition of anonymity. A company of central armed police comprises 100 personnel. In addition to the central police personnel, nearly 60,000 state police personnel are also expected to be deployed in Gujarat. Elections to the 182-member Gujarat Assembly will be held on December 9 and 14. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Four militants including two women were arrested and arms and ammunition seized from their possession by police from Manipur's Imphal West district today. The four militants of the People Liberation Army (PLA) were arrested and one AK-rifle with five magazines, one lethod gun with 10 shells, one 9 mm pistol along with a magazine were seized from their possession, a press release issued by the PRO of Manipur Police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Six men died of alleged suffocation in the Cantonment area here after they slept in a huge container, which also had a lit tandoor inside, to keep themselves warm, police said. The men committed a fatal error of judgement when they failed to put out the tandoor and closed the container lid before going to sleep late last night, they said. According to the police, the victims worked with a caterer and had come to the Cantonment area for preparing food at a wedding function. After they finished work last night, they went to sleep in the container in which they had brought the utensils. They also kept the tandoor inside the container to keep themselves warm, police said. Nirmal Singh, their supervisor, woke up late night and tried to wake them up. When they did not respond, he informed the police. The deceased have been identified as Rudrapur residents --Amit, Pankaj, Anil, Nepal resident Kamal-- and Gorakhpur residents --Avadhlal and Deep Chand, a police officer said. The men were rushed to the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital where Amit, Pankaj, Anil and Kamal were declared brought dead. Avadhlal and Deep Chand died this evening during treatment. The police said the deaths might have happened due to absence of ventilation. "Carbon monoxide was formed inside the container. It is suspected that the victims died of suffocation," the officer said. Police have registered a case and have sent the bodies for postmortem to ascertain the cause of the deaths. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Seven of the 12 missing crew members of a Chinese cargo ship have been rescued, a day after it sank off the coast of south China's Guangdong Province, local authorities said today. Rescuers are trying to reach another five missing crew of the ill-fated ship. Twelve crew members went missing early yesterday after a bulk ship carrying 5,000 tonnes of sand sank in the sea near the Pearl River estuary following a collision with another vessel. Huang Mutan, deputy head of Guangzhou Maritime Safety Administration, said that the rescued seven were taken to a hospital, where one person is in the ICU while the condition of other six are said to be stable. Those rescued said that the remaining five crew members were still trapped in the ship's cabin, but rescuers have not yet located them, state-run Xinhua agency reported. The rescue work is ongoing, but it has been hampered by the rising tide since 5 pm (local time), authorities said. About 300 people, including more than 20 divers, are involved in the search and rescue operation. The two ships were registered in the eastern provinces of Jiangsu and Fujian. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Global automation firms ABB and Kawasaki today came together to share knowledge and promote benefits of collaborative robots, particularly those with dual arm designs. "ABB and Kawasaki Heavy Industries will join forces to share knowledge and promote the benefits of collaborative robots, in particular those with dual arm designs," a joint statement, issued in Zurich in Switzerland today, said. According to the statement, the global cooperation will become effective immediately. Under the new framework, which is the world's first to focus on 'cobots' -- short for collaborative robots -- both companies will independently continue manufacturing and marketing their own offerings while working together on joint technical and awareness opportunities, it said. This includes educating policymakers, NGOs and the public about the benefits of collaborative automation, and creating common industry approaches to safety, programming and communications, it added. Collaboration between people and robots, machines and processes is getting increasingly important as production in many industries has shifted from larger lots with little variation to low volumes with a high mix. This means more variability and more human intervention. Collaborative automation allows people and robots to each contribute their unique strengths people offer process knowledge, insight and improvisation for change while robots offer tireless endurance for repetitive tasks. The cooperation also represents collaboration across borders, with ABB as Europe's largest robot supplier and Kawasaki one of Asia's industrial giants. "The scale and pace of change in the robotics industry today is unimaginable," said Per Vegard Nerseth, Managing Director of ABB's Robotics business, in the statement. Nerseth said, "Beyond the technologies behind collaborative automation, there is also a need for innovative new ways of working together and creating common industry approaches to safety, programming and communications." "Collaborative robots, especially those with two arms capable of human interactions, can greatly contribute to society and help the world cope with labour shortages and an ageing workforce. We see high potential in expanding collaborative applications and processes where people and technology work together to create solutions," said Yasuhiko Hashimoto, Managing Executive Officer and General Manager, Kawasaki Robot Division. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Kolkata Police's Special Task Force (STF) today arrested a man for his alleged association with the banned Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) from the India- Nepal border, a senior officer said. Omar Farooq alias Mohammed Aftab Khan was arrested by the STF sleuths from the Nepal border area when he was trying to escape to the neighbouring country, the officer said. With this, the total number of people arrested by the Kolkata Police for their alleged links with the Bangladeshi terrorist group has risen to five. The sleuths had announced a reward for any information on Aftab and two others -- Shopon Biswas alias Tamim and Nayan Gazi alias Zafor. Acting on the information obtained after grilling the four other arrested persons, a police team conducted a raid at a hideout near the India-Nepal border and nabbed Aftab. The accused was attached to the banned terror outfit's explosives wing and was an expert in preparing improvised explosive devices (IEDs), the officer said. Aftab had entered India with the help of Mohammad Sahadat Hossain, who was arrested from central Kolkata last week, he added. The accused, along with Tamim, had stayed at a hotel in Howrah for a couple of days, the officer said. The STF had last week arrested two ABT terrorists, Samsad Mia and Rizaul Islam, along with an arms supplier, Monotosh Dey, from the Kolkata railway station and seized several fake identity cards and arms from their possession. The terrorists were suspected to be behind the killing of secular bloggers and writers in Bangladesh. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Air India Express (AIE), the overseas budget arm of Air India, has secured the Category III-B certification from regulator DGCA, which allows it to operate in dense foggy conditions. Air India Express flights can now land and takeoff in low visibility conditions even up to an RVR (runway visual range) as low as up to 50 meters, the airline said today. The airline is now 100 per cent CAT III B certified and all its pilots have also completed the low visibility training, required for carrying out operations in foggy conditions. Domestic airlines are required to deploy only CAT-III compliant planes and crew trained to fly under low visibility conditions while operating in and out of a CAT-III. At present, only three airports -New Delhi, Jaipur and Lucknow -- are CAT III-B compliant aerodromes. The fog season in the North generally sets in from the first week of December every year. The airline is also qualified for LVTO (low visibility Take-off) of up to 125 meters, which will avoid delays during foggy days, the AI Express said. A wholly-owned subsidiary of the disinvestment-bound national carrier, Air India Express operates around 555 departures a week, connecting 16 cities to 13 destinations in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. The airline has a fleet of 23 Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft, six of which are brand new. As much as 60 per cent of this capacity is deployed from the three airports in Kerala alone. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tourism and Information and Technology Minister Alphons Kannanthanam has cut out his Y- category security, choosing to travel with a personal security officer (PSO) in his car instead. According to sources in the minister's office, Alphons said he did not require additional security and it was an unnecessary waste of resources. "The minister is very particular about these things. He does not avail business class travel, he does not stay anywhere except in government guest houses while travelling and also does not use his official vehicle during private visits. "He has even forgone his Y category security that he is eligible for," said an official close to the minister. Even when Alphons' official bungalow was under repair, the minister did not avail the government-owned Ashoka hotel, choosing to stay in Kerala House instead. On November 25, when the minister visited his ministry at Transport Bhavan in central Delhi, he was driving his private car which was not allowed entry into the building guarded by CISF personnel. Officials also said Alphons, who yesterday took oath as Rajya Sabha MP, also does not call his staff to work when he works on Sundays. During his recent visit to Kerala, the minister sneaked out for private work by auto giving instructions to his staff not to bother the security personnel who were provided to him by the Kerala government. In major embarrassment for his officers a few months ago, Alphons was found travelling economy, while his senior officials travelled business class. Later, the minister said that his officers were "entitled" to it and it was his "choice" to travel economy. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) American online retailer Amazon has launched a new programme Amazon Saheli aimed at empowering and enabling women entrepreneurs across the country to sell their products on its marketplace. Amazon India has collaborated with organisations that work with towards encouraging women entrepreneurship, including Sewa (Self-employed Women's Association) and Impulse Social Enterprise. Women entrepreneurs associated with these partner organisations will be able to offer their products to Amazon.in customers through a dedicated storefront, 'the Saheli Store', Amazon said in a statement today. "As a part of our commitment to transform how India buys and sells by enabling small entrepreneurs to scale up, we've now focused on the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs here to gain visibility and access to resources," Gopal Pillai, director and general manager, seller services, at Amazon India was quoted as saying in a statement. The company had earlier this year conducted a pilot for the store in Nagaland earlier this year in association with NSDC and the state government. Around 50 independent women entrepreneurs attended the workshop for two days. Initially comprising handicrafts, apparel, handbags and home decor items, the Saheli Store will gradually scale up to onboard women entrepreneurs selling in different product categories, it added. Besides offering the registered women entrepreneurs access to customers, the store will help them gain access to logistics and fulfilment facilities as well. "Promoting entrepreneurship among women has become a key focus area for everywhere. E-commerce and specifically the e-marketplace model is a great avenue for women entrepreneurs to benefit from a fast-growing digital economy," Jay Carney, senior vice-president, global corporate affairs at Amazon said. Begging should not be a crime if it is done due to poverty, the Centre today told the Delhi High Court which wondered if anyone begs out of compulsion or by choice. The Centre's stand came on two PILs seeking basic human and fundamental rights for beggars in the national capital and for decriminalising begging. A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and C Hari Shankar asked, "If anybody beg out of compulsion or choice? Have you ever seen somebody begging out of choice?" The central government, in an affidavit, said that at present, 20 states and 2 union territories have either enacted their own anti-beggary legislation or adopted the legislation enacted by the other states. "Therefore, any change in the law related to beggary may require taking the view of the concerned state governments," said the affidavit filed through central government standing counsel Anil Soni. It said that begging should not be a crime if it is done because of poverty, however, in order to ascertain whether it is being done out of poverty or willingly by a person even if he or she is well off or has been forced into begging, it is necessary to detain him or her. "Only after detention of such person and subsequent investigation, the cause of begging by an individual can be ascertained. Hence, the provision of detention as mentioned in the section in the (Bombay Prevention of Begging) Act is warranted," the Centre said and sought dismissal of the petitions saying they were not maintainable. The court listed the matter for January 9 next year. The Centre had earlier said begging will not be decriminalised, changing its stance in the high court, which had termed the move as "unfortunate". Petitioners Harsh Mandar and Karnika Sawhney have also sought basic amenities like proper food and medical facilities at all beggars' homes in the city. The bench had earlier pulled up the Centre for not amending the law to decriminalise begging and rehabilitate the beggars even after an undertaking was given by it a year ago. The Centre and the AAP government had in October last year informed the court that the Ministry of Social Justice had drafted a bill to decriminalise begging and rehabilitate beggars and homeless people. But, later the proposal to amend the legislation was dropped. Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, appearing for one of the petitioners, had earlier said that thousands of poor persons were detained due to operation of the Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, which provides drastic sentences. The law prescribes a penalty of more than three years of jail in case of first conviction for begging and the person can be ordered to be detained for 10 years in subsequent conviction, he had said. Currently, there is no central law on begging and destitution and most states have adopted the Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, 1959, which criminalises beggary, or have modelled their laws on it. The two petitions have challenged the Bombay Prevention of Begging Act. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bharat 22 Exchange Traded Fund (ETF), comprising 22 companies, listed at Rs 36.30 per unit on BSE today, up 0.91 per cent over the issue price of Rs 35.97. During the intra-day trade, the ETF had touched a high of Rs 37.37 and a low of Rs 36.30 on BSE. On National Stock Exchange (NSE), the fund opened at Rs 36.11 and hit a high of Rs 37.40 in the intra-day trade. The government recently raised Rs 14,500 crore through Bharat 22 ETF, which saw bids of nearly Rs 32,000 crore coming in, with foreign portfolio investors bidding for one-third of the money. The portion reserved for retail investors was subscribed 1.45 times; retirement funds - 1.50 times and NIIs and QIBs - 7 times. The issue opened for subscription for retail investors from November 15-17. ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund managed Bharat-22 ETF's new fund offer (NFO) had an initial issue size of over Rs 8,000 crore. The state-owned companies or PSUs that are part of the new Bharat ETF 22 include ONGC, IOC, SBI, BPCL, Coal India and Nalco. Besides, Bharat Electronics, Engineers India, NBCC, NTPC, NHPC, SJVNL, GAIL, PGCIL NLC India, Indian Bank and Bank of Baroda figure in the ETF. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bharat 22 Exchange Traded Fund (ETF), comprising 22 companies, made a modest debut on the bourses today, surging nearly four per cent over the issue price of Rs 35.97. The ETF listed at Rs 36.30 per unit on BSE, up 0.92 per cent over the issue price of Rs 35.97. In the intra-day trade, it had touched a high of Rs 37.38 and a low of Rs 36.30. It closed the session at Rs 37.33, up 3.78 per cent. On National Stock Exchange (NSE), the fund settled 3.7 per cent higher at Rs 37.30. It had opened at Rs 36.11 and hit a high of Rs 37.40 in the intra-day trade. Bharat 22 ETF, managed by ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund, is a unique blend of shares of key CPSEs, Public Sector Banks (PSBs) and also the government-owned shares in blue chip private companies like Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Axis Bank and ITC. The government raised Rs 14,500 crore through Bharat 22 ETF, which opened for subscription for retail investors from November 15-17. It had an initial issue size of Rs 8,000 crore. Bharat 22 ETF saw bids of nearly Rs 32,000 crore coming in, with foreign portfolio investors bidding for one-third of the money. The portion reserved for retail investors was subscribed 1.45 times; retirement funds - 1.50 times and NIIs and QIBs - 7 times. The ETF will help the government meet its ambitious Rs 72,500 crore disinvestment target for the ongoing financial year. Bharat 22 Index has a diversified representation in six BSE sectors industrials, finance, utilities, energy, fast- moving consumer goods and basic materials. The state-owned companies or PSUs that are part of the new Bharat ETF 22 include ONGC, IOC, SBI, BPCL, Coal India and Nalco. Besides, Bharat Electronics, Engineers India, NBCC, NTPC, NHPC, SJVNL, GAIL, PGCIL NLC India, Indian Bank and Bank of Baroda figure in the ETF. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Maharashtra minister and BJP leader Dilip Kamble today said senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal is a "fighter" and he may come out of the jail in the near future as the Supreme Court has recently cancelled a section under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The Minister of State for Social Justice also said that it is important that a man like Bhujbal should be out in the society as he fights for the poor people. Bhujbal, former Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, is currently lodged in Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai in connection with an alleged money laundering case. Kamble was speaking on the death anniversary of social reformer Mahatma Jyotiba Phule at Phule Wada here. The event which was attended by NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development, Upendra Kushwaha, was orgnaised by Akhil Bhartiya Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Samata Parishad, founded by Bhujbal. "Bhujbalji is fighter leader, who fights for the poor people in the society and it is important that a person like him should be out in the society," Kamble said. The minister added that he is hopeful that Bhujbal will win the legal battle and come out soon. "On the legal points, the case will get investigated, but as a worker I feel that a fighter person like Bhujbal, who is in the jail, fighting the legal battle, should be out in the society. "I will pray to God that since a section, which was preventing him from getting bail for last two years, has been cancelled by the Supreme Court, he may come out soon," he said. Kushwaha, who is the chief of Rashtriya Lok Samata Party, too, lamented Bhujbal's absence on the dais and said that he should have been here today. "He is going through a tough phase and I pray that he will be with us soon," he said. The Union minister lauded Samata Parishad's efforts in the spread of thoughts and teachings of Jyotiba Phule, and praised Bhujbal for his contribution. "Now, people outside Maharashtra not only know Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule's work, but they have started adopting their thoughts," Kushwaha added. "And I think because Bhujbal chose to team up with people who work for social jutice, he faced the present condition," he said. Kushwaha also claimed that OBC, SC and ST have "negligible representation" in judiciary and media. "This was rued by none other than the President of India and till the OBCs, STs, SCs don't get representation in such fields, the social justice of Jyotiba Phule is not possible," he added. Kushwaha also demanded reservation in private sector saying that jobs in the public sector are dwindling. Pawar, in his speech, lauded the contribution of Bhujbal and said that through Samata Parishad and its work, he successfully spread the thoughts of Jyotiba and Savitribai Phule across the country. The NCP supremo said that he is ready to host a meeting in Delhi of MPs from OBC and other categories, where issues related to education, jobs and others faced by the people from these categories can be discussed. "Through such forum, we can go to the Prime Minister and present the issues before him," Pawar said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, Vijender Gupta, today demanded that the AAP government presented a "white paper" on the status of school education in the national capital, saying that its data pointed towards various shortcomings in it. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government must come out with a "white paper" on the status of school education in Delhi, in view of the latest comprehensive data released by its education department, he said at a press conference here. The data revealed a "sharp decline" in the number of students appearing as well as the pass percentage in the 10th and 12th board exams, the BJP leader claimed. "This is contrary to the claims of Deputy Chief Minister and Education Minister Manish Sisodia, who talks about a revolutionary progress in the field of education," Gupta said. Referring to the data, he further alleged that school education was "suffering" because of the "27,000 vacant posts of teachers" and deployment of "82 principles and teachers" in the education department on "administrative" work. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today expressed confidence that the BJP would romp home in Gujarat as the people of the state love and respect Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "The BJP will 100 per cent win the Gujarat polls," Chouhan told PTI here on the eve of completing 12 years in office. He is the longest serving chief minister of Madhya Pradesh. "The people of Gujarat not only love Modi, but respect, adore him and take pride in him. He commands all these things even across the country, but this is especially overwhelming in Gujarat," he said. The party has set a target of over 150 seats (out of the 182 seats) in Gujarat. Tremendous progress has taken place in Gujarat. The Sardar Sarovar Dam Project (SSP) has worked wonders, Chouhan added. "The SSP is an example of it. People in far-flung areas, like Saurashtra and Kutch, are getting water, which is unprecedented in history," he added. "When Modi was the Gujarat chief minister, he toiled hard and now the SSP has changed the state...Not only in Gujarat, the chants of 'Modi-Modi' are heard wherever he goes across the globe," he said. When asked about the dissenting voices of some senior BJP leaders, like Yashwant Sinha, over the issue of GST and demonetisation, Chouhan said one thing is clear that no one has doubts about Modi's intentions. "Teething problems do occur. But the initial problems have already been addressed. It will be good for the country's economy in the long run," he said. Asked whether he would prefer moving to the Centre in 2019 -- a year after the MP Assembly polls, Chouhan said, "I am happy working in Madhya Pradesh. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The home of Boko Haram's founder is to be turned into a museum as part of plans to chart the deadly Islamist insurgency in northeast Nigeria, a government official said today. Muhammad Yusuf, a charismatic Muslim preacher, founded the group in 2001 from his base in the Railway suburb of the Borno state capital, Maiduguri. His followers at the time were disgruntled young people, who met at Yusuf's "Markaz" (centre in Arabic), which comprised a mosque and his living quarters. Yusuf conducted fiery sermons from the mosque calling for jihad (holy war) against what he perceived to be a corrupt, secular government. The Borno state information commissioner, Muhammad Bulama, said converting the building into a museum would be a way of "documenting, preserving and archiving our history". "The Boko Haram insurgency is a turning point in the history of Borno state and the northeast. Our history cannot be written without reference to Boko Haram," he told AFP. "We want to document it for posterity to have a clear and correct picture of what happened." The rebuilt "Markaz" would house "all objects related to the insurgency", he added, rejecting the possibility that it would immortalise Yusuf. The building has been in ruins since it was reduced to a pile of rubble in the July 2009 military crackdown against the group that is taken as the start of the insurgency. Yusuf was arrested and killed in police custody after six days of violent clashes between Boko Haram supporters and the military in Maiduguri. Some 800 people were killed, most of them members of the groups. Since Yusuf's deputy, Abubakar Shekau, took over, Boko Haram has developed into one of the world's deadliest jihadist groups. At least 20,000 people have been killed and more than 2.6 million others made homeless in its quest to establish a hardline Islamic state in northeast Nigeria. It achieved global notoriety when fighters kidnapped more than 200 schoolgirls from the town of Chibok in April 2014. Bulama said it was "global practice" to set up museums "wherever violent upheavals" have taken place and it would not be the first such building in Borno state. A fort built by Rabe, a tyrannical Sudanese raider who conquered the former Kanem-Borno empire in 1893, was turned into a national monument, he added. It is situated in the town of Dikwa, some 90 kilometres (nearly 60 miles) from Maiduguri. "Rabe was just like Muhammad Yusuf," said Bulama. Last December, Borno state governor Kashim Shettima, announced plans to convert Boko Haram's "Camp Zairo" enclave in the Sambisa Forest into a museum. Nigerian soldiers overran the base after months of fighting. Shettima said December 22 would be a public holiday in the state to mark the victory. There have since been indications that Boko Haram fighters have returned to the camp, despite denials from the military. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 17-year-old boy allegedly committed suicide in his house near here, due to 'harassment' by his school teacher over poor academic performance, police said today. The family of the class 12 student has alleged harassment by his school teacher. The victim was said to be upset after being allegedly abused by the teacher, over his poor academic performance and not trimming his hair, they said adding the boy hanged himself in his house near Karumathampatti last night, police said. A case under IPC section 306 (abetting suicide) was registered against the teacher and further investigations are on, they said, adding that education department officials are probing into the incident. Four girl students of a government school in Vellore district had on November 24 committed suicide by jumping into a well after being allegedly chided by their teachers for not being attentive in class. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) British High Commissioner to India Sir Dominic Asquith KCMG today called on Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit and Chief Minister K Palaniswami here. During the brief meeting at the Raj Bhavan, the governor presented to him a shawl, memento and replica of the famous Lord Brahadeeshwara Temple in Thanjavur, an official release said. The High Commissioner also called on chief minister K Palaniswami at the Secretariat, official sources said. "The meeting was a courtesy call," they said. State industries minister M C Sampath, British deputy high commissioner in Chennai Bharat Joshi, industries department principal secretary Atulya Mishra were present during his interaction with the chief minister. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has apologised to members of the LGBTQ community for actions taken by the government against thousands of workers in the military and public service during the Cold War. Trudeau said in a speech to Parliament yesterday that from the 1950s to the early 1990s, the federal government employed a campaign of oppression against members and suspected members of the LGBTQ communities. The thinking of the day, he said, was that all non- heterosexual Canadians would automatically be at an increased risk of blackmail by Canada's adversaries. "This is the devastating story of people who were branded criminals by the government -- people who lost their livelihoods, and in some cases, their lives," Trudeau said. "These aren't distant practices of governments long forgotten. This happened systematically, in Canada, with a timeline more recent than any of us would like to admit." Trudeau said the public service, the military, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police spied on their own people, inside and outside of the workplaces. He said Canadians were monitored for anything that could be construed as homosexual behaviour, with community groups, bars, parks, and even people's homes constantly under watch. He said when the government felt that enough evidence had accumulated, some suspects were taken to secret locations in the dark of night to be interrogated. He said those who admitted they were gay were fired, discharged, or intimidated into resignation. The prime minister called it a witch hunt. "It is with shame and sorrow and deep regret for the things we have done that I stand here today and say: We were wrong. We apologise. I am sorry. We are sorry," Trudeau said to a standing ovation. "For state-sponsored, systemic oppression and rejection, we are sorry." The government also introduced legislation that would allow people to apply to have their criminal convictions for consensual sexual activity between same-sex partners erased from public record. It has also earmarked more than $100 million Canadian (USD 78 million) to compensate members of the military and other federal agencies whose careers were sidelined or ended due to their sexual orientation, part of a class-action settlement with employees who were investigated, sanctioned and sometimes fired as part of the so-called "gay purge." "Those arrested and charged were purposefully and vindictively shamed. Their names appeared in newspapers in order to humiliate them, and their families. Lives were destroyed. And tragically, lives were lost," Trudeau said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Madhya Pradesh government today told the state Legislative Assembly that a cell headed by a senior police officer is being constituted to monitor the activities of the non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) in the state. Home Minister Bhupendra Singh made the announcement during a discussion on an adjournment motion about the chit fund companies or NBFCs brought by BJP MLA Yashpal Singh. Informing that 4,500 such companies have been prevented from working in the state, the home minister announced that a cell, to be headed by Additional Director General of Police (ADGP)-level officer at the police headquarters, is being formed to monitor the NBFCs operating in the state. Yashpal Singh, who raised the issue of alleged cheating by the NBFCs, said as many as 19 agents hired by such companies committed suicides in Neemuch and Mandsaur districts. He alleged that the operators of these companies fled after collecting thousands of crores of rupees from people by employing local youths as agents. "Now, these agents are facing criminal cases, while the directors of such companies are roaming scot free," he said. The minister, while claiming that no agent has committed suicide, said several such NBFCs have duped the people across the districts. He said the state police have organised 1,511 public dialogue programmes to create awareness about such companies. According to him, 14 such companies have been booked in Mandsaur and Neemuch districts. MLAs, including Omprakash Sakhlecha, Shankarlal Tiwari, Murlidhar Patidar and others also grilled the government, demanding tough action against such companies working in the state. Earlier, at the start of zero hour, senior Congress MLA Ram Nivas Rawat demanded discussion on his adjournment motion about Bhopal gang-rape incident, saying that women in the state are living in fear and the government has failed to ensure security to them. Speaker Seetasharan Sharma, however, refused to accept the adjournment motion saying that government's reply on this issue is awaited. He said the issue would be taken up later. Since the business listed for the day got over before the lunch break, the House was adjourned for tomorrow. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China is resuming limited tour group travel to South Korea, a sign of warming relations which were strained by Seoul's installation of a US missile defence system. Tour group operators in Beijing said today the city's tourism bureau had told them they could resume booking group visits to South Korea. China halted group travel to the South in March after the country began deploying the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, which Seoul and Washington say is intended to combat missile threats from nuclear-armed North Korea. China sees it as a threat to its own military capabilities and slapped a series of restrictions on South Korea in moves seen as economic retaliation. In addition to the travel curbs it imposed a series of measures on South Korean firms operating in China. The undeclared sanctions have taken a toll on South Korea's economy, with its economic growth slowing this summer amid shrinking exports. "We just received the notice today," said Zhang, an employee at Huanyu Yuntong International Travel Agency, who said the tourism bureau would allow them to resume sending groups to South Korea. "At present, according to the tourism bureau's rules, we still can't cooperate with websites," she said, noting they would resume selling to over-the-counter travel agents. The end of the ban appeared restricted to a few areas. Tour operators in other major Chinese cities told AFP they still could not book group visits to South Korea. Both countries late last month took steps to improve relations, saying they had agreed to address China's concerns over THAAD through future discussions. Earlier this month, Chinese President Xi Jinping and his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in held talks on the sidelines of an Asia-Pacific summit. China has consistently denied putting in place any sanctions on travel to South Korea. Foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said he had no knowledge of the travel ban when asked about it at a press briefing on Tuesday. "We hope the two sides will create a enabling environment and conditions for our friendly exchange," Geng said. South Korea's Moon is expected to visit Beijing in December. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China has completed a key stage in its manned submersible which can carry humans to the deepest oceans by descending as low as 10,000 meters and hopes to begin trials by 2020, a media report said today. Chinese scientists finished the trepanning in the entrance and the cabin's observation window, a local television channel reported yesterday, adding that the cabin is the key part of the submersible as it is where aquanauts stay. The submersible can carry humans to the deepest oceans, which is about 10,000 metres below sea level, and it is set for deep-sea explorations in 2020, state-run Global Times reported. "Descending more than 10,000 metres enables the submersible to dive anywhere undersea and it's significant for our marine research and data collection," said Gao Shu, Dean of the School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences at Nanjing University. Gao said that once the trials were completed, the submersible will be one of the world's most developed and can dive the deepest. It will help Chinese people see the "true bottom of the sea" with the naked eye, Gao said. "The submersible will be used for 30 years, so it has to be rust-resistant," said Wang Dingchun, General Manager of the Baoji Titanium Industry Corporation, the company building a titanium sphere. "The submersible will be used for 30 years, so it has to be rust-resistant. Our company can make a titanium alloy that's almost corrosion-free," Dingchun told CCTV. Noting that the elasticity of the metal was also important, the manager said it offered much better protection against the massive pressure under the sea than steel. China became the third country after Japan and the US to build submersibles capable of reaching depths in excess of 10,000 meters, state-run Xinhua Agency reported. China made several breakthroughs in deep sea exploration as a team sailed 7,929 nautical miles to explore the trenches in the west Pacific Ocean, it said, quoting the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) as saying. The 68-day expedition made China the first to obtain 10,000-meter-deep artificial seismic profile data with a domestic ocean bottom seismograph, at the Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench, the CAS said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China will encourage learning of Chinese in India and provide assistance to institutions imparting courses for it, Chinese Consul General to India Ma Zhanwu said today. Zhanwu inaugurated the first 'Confucius Classroom' in the eastern region which is being run by the School of Chinese Language in its new state-of-the art premises here. "Many people are going to China to do business as Indian companies have partners in business with various Chinese companies. So there can be more people to people exchanges," he told PTI. Zhanwu said the Yunnan Normal University, Kumming is the partner university of the Confucius Classroom imparting training in teaching and culture. "In other parts of the world it is Confucius Institute but here it is called a classroom as being smaller in scale. If it is bigger it can be developed at many more levels," he said. Asked about the Confucius Classroom concept, he said apart from language it is aimed at introducing students to everything related to the culture in China. A spokesperson from the School of Chinese Language said eight to ten teachers from Yunnan University would come here to give lessons to students of leading high schools, colleges and universities on Mandarin language and everything related to culture from dancing, cooking to martial arts. The class room will accomodate 60 students at a time. "We had already successfully developed and implemented 20 student exchange programmes between high schools of India and China," the spokesperson said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Chinese court sentenced Taiwanese democracy activist Lee Ming-cheh to five years in prison today on charges of attempting to subvert state power, further souring cross-strait ties. Lee sat nervously as the three-judge panel read the sentence at the Yueyang intermediate people's court in central Hunan province following a trial denounced by human rights groups as "unfair". The court also deprived him of his political rights for two years. A Chinese co-defendant named Peng Yuhua was sentenced to seven years in prison and he also lost his political rights for two years. The court said both men stated that they would not appeal their sentences. Lee had confessed to the charges during his trial in September, stating that he had written and distributed online articles that criticised China's ruling Communist Party and promoted democracy among other topics. "This is an absolutely outrageous sentence that was handed out today, following on from an unfair trial," said Amnesty International China researcher William Nee. "Lee Ming-cheh should not have to spend a day in jail, since everything he did -- peacefully discuss current events and historical issues on social media -- is expressly protected under international law," Nee told AFP. Taiwan's presidential office and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party called the verdict "unacceptable". "We urged the Beijing authorities to release Lee and allow him to return to Taiwan soon. We regret that Lee's case seriously damaged cross-strait relations," the presidential office said in a statement. China sees self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory waiting to be reunified. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) West Bengal CID has taken up investigation into the killing of Bhadreshwar Municipality chairman Manoj Upadhyay, state secretariat sources said. The CID, which has taken charge of the case yesterday, will be visiting the spot in Hooghly where Upadhyay was shot dead last week, a senior CID official said. A team of CID sleuths has already left for Patna, where they suspect that a few persons involved in the crime are hiding, the official said. In another development, a team from Chandannagar Police Commissionerate arrested seven persons from a lodge at Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh for their alleged involvement in the killing. "All the seven are residents of Bhadreshwar and their involvement in this case seems to be quite prominent," a senior police officer of the Commissionerate said. At least of three of the seven are close aides of Upadhyay, sources in the Commissionerate said. One person had earlier been arrested in this case. Upadhyay, also a Trinamool Congress leader, was shot from point blank range by unknown gunmen last week in Hooghly while he was returning home on a motorbike. Following the killing, the state government transferred Chandannagar Police Commissioner Peeyush Pandey and removed the officer-in-charge of the local police station. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) State-owned Coal India is considering hiking salary of its executives, which may cost the company about Rs 800 crore. "The salary revision of Coal India (CIL) employees is under consideration and it will be done after observing due formalities," a company official privy to the development said. The pay revision of nearly 18,000 executives of the PSU is due from January 1, 2017, the official said. "The annual impact (from the proposed hike) is likely to to be to the tune of about Rs 800 crore," the official said, adding that the board is yet to approve the hike of the salaries of the executives. State-owned Coal India had last month signed a wage pact with workers' unions for five years which, the PSU said, would have an estimated impact of Rs 5,667 crore annually on the miner. Calling the signing of the wage agreement "a really historic day", Coal India CMD Gopal Singh had said they clinched the agreement at 20 per cent hike in salaries against the workers' demand of 50 per cent. Coal India has nearly three lakh employees and the wage agreement was due from July 2016. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Megastar Amitabh Bachchan was today honoured with the Indian film personality of the year award at the 48th edition of IFFI and he chose the occasion to highlight the power of cinema saying it brings people together irrespective of their caste, colour, creed or religion. The 75-year-old actor said cinema is the only medium that offers "poetic justice" in mere three hours and he is proud to be a part of the film fraternity. "I have always felt that my request and regard for the Indian film industry have rested in the presence the film industry has had in our world. When we sit inside a dark hall we never ask the creed, the colour (or) the religion of the person sitting next to us. "We see the same film, we laugh on the same joke, we cry on the same emotion, we sing the same songs. In this fast world of today, where can you find such a wonderful and worthy example of unity and integration as we do in the world of cinema," he said in his acceptance speech. Recalling a conversation he had with his father, eminent poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan, the actor said, "During the last years, my father used to sit in front of the television and see a Hindi film every evening, often it used to be my own film. "One day, I asked him what attracts him towards Hindi cinema and he said 'I get to see poetic justice in three hours.' This is the power of cinema. I am a very proud Indian and also a very proud and small member of this exquisite fraternity." Bachchan was presented with the award by Akshay Kumar and Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Smriti Irani. The actor, in his speech, also said that Goa is very close to his heart and thanked IFFI for the recognition. "Goa is very close to my heart. My first film 'Saat Hindustani' was shot in Goa and therefore I have immense amount of memories and love for people of Goa. The very first fan I had was also from Goa her name is Zareen Fernandez. "I just want to thank IFFI and Smriti ji for this recognition. I have always felt that accolade that come to me are something I do not deserve. I still feel the same but I do respect this award. Thank you so much for having me here tonight and honouring me." Actor Sidharth Malhotra paid tributes to Bachchan with a dance performance on his popular songs such as "Khaike paan Banaras", "Saara zamaana" and "Jumma chumma de de". Akshay, who welcomed the star on stage called him the "father of Indian cinema". The actor recalled meeting Bachchan in Kashmir, as a teenager, and thanked him for inspiring hundreds of people to choose acting. In her speech, Irani said, "You all, who have seen and studied Amitabh Bachchan's career, must be knowing that there was an incident when Amit ji went to audition for All India Radio and he was rejected and now it is ('vidhi ka vidhan') and our honour that the same ministry (Information and Broadcasting) is presenting you with this award. This is our honour and thank you so much. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kenyan police fired tear gas and clashed with both ruling party and opposition supporters today ahead of the swearing in as president of Uhuru Kenyatta after two disputed polls that have left the nation deeply divided. As foreign and local dignitaries poured into the 60,000- seat Kasarani stadium in Nairobi for the ceremony, the opposition attempted to gather for a "memorial rally" honouring the more than 50 people killed, mostly by police, in four months of political upheaval. However police fired volleys of tear gas and beat opposition supporters, prompting running battles in the area, an AFP reporter said. Chaos also erupted at the Kasarani stadium as a crowd of Kenyatta supporters attempted to force their way into the venue, prompting police to fire tear gas. "I just want to see President Uhuru Kenyatta because I voted for him, why are we being beaten like NASA (the opposition coalition)," said Janet Wambua, who was among the angry crowd. Joseph Irungu of the interior ministry planning committee had said there was space for 40,000 people who did not get in to watch the event on big screens outside the stadium. However no such screens were provided, further angering the crowd. Around 13 mostly African heads of state are expected to attend the ceremony where Kenyatta, 56, will be sworn in for his second and final five-year term. These include the presidents of South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia and Somalia -- among others. Prime ministers, foreign ministers and special envoys will represent other African nations, as well as Qatar, Serbia, Ukraine and the United Arab Emirates, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is also attending. Kenyatta's inauguration comes after the Supreme Court validated his victory in last month's rerun poll. However, the swearing-in may not draw a line under the country's political crisis with his defeated rival Raila Odinga vowing to fight on. The NASA coalition has described Tuesday's inauguration as a "despotic coronation". The electoral strife goes back to an August 8 poll that was annulled in September by the Supreme Court, citing "irregularities and illegalities". The court ordered a rerun in October that was boycotted by the opposition, handing Kenyatta a landslide of 98 percent of votes cast by just 39 percent of the electorate. The disputed election season has split the country along ethnic and regional lines, although political violence has not reached the scale of that which followed a 2007 poll when 1,100 were killed. Odinga, denied the presidency for a fourth time this year, believes that he was cheated and the 72-year-old has refused to recognise the result. He has promised to found a "third republic" -- following independence from Britain in 1963 and a new constitution adopted in 2010 -- as well as to continue a programme of protests and economic boycotts aimed at undermining Kenyatta's "dictatorship". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The winter session of the Odisha Assembly began on a stormy note today as members of the opposition Congress and BJP protested over farmers' issues, leading to adjournment of the proceeding till tomorrow. As soon as the House made obituary references, Congress members rushed towards the Speaker's podium and shouted slogans demanding a statement from Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on crop loss and farmers' suicide in the state. Wearing aprons bearing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's caricature and holding paddy straw, Congress MLAs demanded suspension of the question hour and a debate on crop loss and other farmers' issues through a motion. BJP members too rushed to the well of the House and raised slogans against the state government for not being able to protect the interest of farmers who have been suffering due to drought, pest attack and unseasonal rain. The BJP MLAs also held damaged paddy crops. Unable to run the House amid the protest, Speaker Pradip Amat adjourned the Assembly first for an hour, then for 30 minutes and later till tomorrow. After the House was adjourned, the ruling BJD members staged dharna in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue on the Assembly premises demanding hike in the minimum support price of paddy. "The prime minister did not give time to the House Committee formed for hike in paddy MSP. The BJD members today staged dharna near Gandhiji statue protesting against the Centre's attitude towards Odia farmers," government chief whip Amar Prasad Satpathy said outside the House. BJP MLA Pradip Purohit said the farmers have suffered a lot due to drought, crop loss and unexpected rain during the kharif season. "We demand identification of affected sharecroppers like deceased Brunda Sahu and proper assessment of crop loss by the state government," Purohit said. Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra of the Congress said a motion was moved by his party to suspend the Question Hour and hold discussion over the issues of farmers. "Unfortunately, the Speaker did not permit me to say anything in the House and adjourned it. The Speaker should convene an all-party meeting and discuss possible ways to help farmers and stop farmer suicide," Mishra said. Earlier, the House observed a one-minute silence as a mark of respect towards the departed members of the House, including former minister Muralidhar Guru and ex-MLA Samay Kisku. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A court here has issued a non- bailable warrant against Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani for failing to appear for the hearing in a case against him for stopping Delhi-bound Rajdhani Express during a protest in January. Additional chief metropolitan magistrate R S Langa issued non-bailable warrants against Mevani and 12 other people yesterday after they failed to appear before the court. On January 11, Mevani and his supporters were arrested for blocking the Rajdhani Express at the Ahmedabad railway station for several minutes as part of a 'rail roko' protest against the Vibrant Gujarat Summit. They were booked under IPC sections 143 (unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting) and relevant sections of the Indian Railway Act. A charge sheet was also filed in the case. The magistrate yesterday refused to consider the exemption application filed by Mevani's lawyer Samshad Pathan who pleaded that his client was busy filing nomination forms as an independent candidate from the Vadagam Assembly seat. This was the second consecutive time Mevani had failed to appear before the court. Mevani yesterday announced that he would contest the Gujarat Assembly election from Vadagam in Banaskantha district as an independent. The main opposition Congress is supporting him indirectly by not putting up a candidate there. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Delhi court today sought a response from Tihar Jail authorities on a petition filed by imprisoned gangster Neeraj Bawana, seeking to be removed from the solitary confinement in the prison. In the plea filed before the court, the accused claimed that he was being kept under inhuman conditions in the prison and that his fundamental rights were being violated. "The jail authorities have segregated the accused in solitary confinement since the past two weeks and he is deprived of basic necessities like books, which are available to others," the application, moved by advocate M S Khan, said. Khan also claimed that the fundamental rights of the accused were being violated by the jail authorities. A Delhi court had last year acquitted Bawana of the charge of trying to kill a policemen in a 2015 shootout but held him guilty of possessing arms illegally. The Delhi Police's Special Cell had earlier chargesheeted Bawana and nine others, including ex-MLA Rambeer Shokeen, for allegedly running an organised crime syndicate in the Delhi- NCR region. The police had also chargesheeted Bawana's elder brother Pankaj Sehrawat and other arrested members of the syndicate for alleged offences punishable under the provisions of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A South African organisation has announced that an Egyptian rights campaigner won its Nelson Mandela award for individual activism for 2017. Civicus says in a posting on his website late yesterday that Khaled el-Balshy, a former board member of Egypt's Journalists' Union, will receive the Individual Activist award of the Nelson Mandela - Graca Machel Innovation Awards on December 7 in Fiji. It says el-Balshy "has boldly and relentlessly pursued the cause of free speech, despite facing personal judicial and online harassment." El-Balshy was handed a year-long suspended sentence in March, along with the former head of the union and another board member, over charges of "harboring fugitives." Egypt under President Abdel-Fatah el-Sissi is the third- largest jailer of journalists in the world, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A court here has sentenced a former Congress legislator of Madhya Pradesh and 11 other leaders and workers of the party to six-month imprisonment for rioting and unlawful assembly. Virendra Raghuvanshi, who is now in the ruling BJP, and the 11 others, however, were granted bail by the court after their conviction yesterday. Chief Judicial Magistrate Shailesh Bhadoriya convicted them in the 2011 case and awarded them six-month jail term, Assistant Public Prosecutor Nirmal Agrawal said today. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 500 on each of the convicts, he said, adding all of them were later granted bail. The court found them guilty under IPC sections 353 (assault to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 147, 148 (rioting), 149 (unlawful assembly) and 336 (endangering life or personal safety of others). Raghuvanshi, a former MLA from Shivpuri, is said to be one of the claimants for the BJP ticket for contesting bypoll from Kolaras in adjoining Ashok Nagar district. The bypoll is expected to he held by January-end. The incident took place on January 30, 2011 when Congress workers, led by Raghuvanshi, staged a protest over some issue during a programme organised to dedicate a hostel building at village Sesai Sadak under Kolaras tehsil. State minister Narottam Mishra was the chief guest at the programme. On a complaint by police personnel, a case was lodged against the protesters. It was alleged the agitators hurled stones that resulted in injuries to a policeman. The other Congress leaders and workers convicted in the case are Kisan Congress district president Suresh Rathkheda, Youth Congress block chief Irshad Pathan, Rajkumar Raghuvanshi, Amit Sharma, Gaurav Sharma, Abdul Rafique, Keshav Dhakad, Rafique Khan, Matacharan Sharma, Ajay Sharma and Sohail Quazi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Thane Police today arrested five persons for allegedly cheating a number of people to the tune of several lakhs under the pretext of providing them government jobs, the police said today. According to police, the accused had promised jobs for positions like police constable, clerk, peon, driver in various departments of the state government and took money from them. They are identified as Vinay Dalvi, Shankar Kolse-Patil, Ramesh Devre, and Pravin Gupta, Thane City Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Makarand Ranade told reporters. ACP (Crime) Mukund Hatote said the preliminary investigation found that 31 persons have been cheated by the racketeers. Police raided various places of the accused and have seized bio-datas, fake appointment letters, bogus office seals etc. They have been booked under various sections of the IPC and further investigation is on. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Maharashtra Information Technology Principal Secretary V K Gautam was transferred today by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis following reports of bungling in implementing the politically sensitive farm loan waiver scheme. Gautam, a 1987 batch IAS officer, has now been posted as Principal Secretary, Accounts and Treasury, in Finance department, a General Administration Department (GAD) official said tonight. S V R Srinivas, a 1991 batch IAS officer who was OSD for Dharavi Redevelopment Project, has replaced Gautam as the Principal Secretary, Information and Technology. The GAD, headed by Fadnavis, today issued an order to transfer a total of 10 senior bureaucrats. The state government had announced the release of the first installment of waiver amount, which was to be directly deposited into bank accounts of farmers, just days before the Diwali festival in October this year. The government had invited severe flak from the opposition as well as its ruling ally Shiv Sena over reports of anomalies like more than one beneficiaries having the same Aadhar Card number and errors in data entries. Even the online registration for farmers to avail the benefits of the scheme was marred by several technical glitches that had delayed the process, giving a handle to the opposition parties to attack the NDA government. There had been reports that Gautam had been sent on a forced leave. However, Gautam later clarified that he had taken leave as his aged father was sick. Thereafter, Gautam never resumed charge of his office. According to sources, the government effected the transfer in view of the upcoming winter session of the state legislature, beginning in Nagpur on December 11. The issue of alleged bungling in implementation of the loan waiver may be raised in the session by the opposition to corner the BJP-led government. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The hackers' targets: The former head of cybersecurity for the US Air Force. An ex-director at the National Security Council. A former head of the Defense Intelligence Agency. All were caught up in a Russian government-aligned cyberespionage campaign. None was warned by the FBI, despite an agency policy that calls for notification. The bureau repeatedly failed to alert targets of the Russian hacking group known as Fancy Bear despite knowing for more than a year that their personal emails were in the Kremlin's sights, an Associated Press investigation has found. "No one's ever said to me, 'Hey Joe, you've been targeted by this Russian group,'" said former Navy intelligence officer Joe Mazzafro, whose inbox the hackers tried to compromise in 2015. "That our own security services have not gone out and alerted me, that's what I find the most disconcerting as a national security professional." FBI policy calls for notifying victims, whether individuals or groups, to help thwart both ongoing and future hacking attempts. The policy, which was released in a lawsuit filed earlier this year against the FBI by the nonprofit Electronic Privacy Information Center, says that notification should be considered "even when it may interfere with another investigation or (intelligence) operation." The FBI did not immediately respond to requests on the details of its notification policy. Late last week, it declined to discuss its investigation into Fancy Bear's spying campaign, but did provide a statement that said in part: "The FBI routinely notifies individuals and organizations of potential threat information." Three people familiar with the matter including a current and a former government official said the FBI has known the details of Fancy Bear's attempts to break into Gmail inboxes for more than a year. A senior FBI official, who was not authorized to publicly discuss the hacking operation because of its sensitivity, said the bureau had been overwhelmed by an "almost insurmountable problem." The AP conducted its own investigation into Fancy Bear, dedicating two months and a small team of reporters to go through a list of 19,000 phishing links provided by the cybersecurity firm Secureworks. The list showed how Fancy Bear worked in close alignment with Kremlin interests to steal tens of thousands of emails from the Democratic Party , the AP reported this month. But it wasn't just Democrats the hackers were after. The AP identified more than 500 US-based targets in the data, reached out to more than 190 of them and interviewed nearly 80 people, including current or former military personnel, Democratic operatives, diplomats or ex-intelligence workers such as Mazzafro. Many were long-retired, but about one-third were still in government or held security clearances at the time of the hacking attempts. Only two told the AP they learned of the hacking attempts from the FBI. A few more were contacted by the FBI after their emails were published in the torrent of leaks that coursed through last year's electoral contest. To this day, some leak victims have not heard from the bureau. One was retired Maj James Phillips, who was one of the first people exposed by the website DCLeaks in mid-2016. A year later, Philips has yet to hear anything from the FBI. In fact he didn't learn his emails were "flapping in the breeze" until two months after the fact, when a journalist called him to ask for comment. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A high profile Global summit of top business leaders of the knowledge industry will be held in Kochi on March 22 and 23 next year, with the objective of expanding and developing IT brand of Kerala. Releasing the logo of the event, titled '#FUTURE", Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said nearly 2,000 professionals, entrepreneurs, academicians and other stakeholders from across the world are expected to participate at the meet. "One of the main objectives is to promote the IT brand of the state", he said, adding that Kerala has already come to the world's attention as the most suitable place for IT development. The event would discuss emerging trends, ground realities and the way forward to position Kerala as a hub for digital innovation and investment, he added. The chief Minister said the IT industry's potential to transform the socio-economic landscape of the state was huge. It was for this reason that a high power IT Committee was constituted to act as an advisor to the Government, he said. The event in Kochi would be an industry initiative supported by the government, he said. It would not only help project the actual potential Kerala offers in view of Government initiatives like Fibre Optic Network, Public WIFI andSkill Development programme, but also help get inputs on how to leverage these investments for the sector's effective growth and creation of employment,he said. "This will be a wonderful opportunity for Kerala based IT companies,start-ups, aspiring entrepreneurs and individuals to understand directly from some of the brightest minds in the world about emerging trends in the digital space and what the future holds for them," S D Shibulal, Chairman of High Power IT Committee of the state and founder member of Infosys, said. The event is envisaged to be a bi-yearly event that will create and nurture a network of digital achievers and inspire them to participate in the digital ambitions of the state, he said. It will showcase the digital achievements of Kerala and promote it's potential as a consumption ready digital market place. A direct outcome of the event will be the formation of a 'Digital Achievers Network of Kerala Origin', members of which will, on a collective and individual basis, become the brand ambassadors of Kerala. This network will also serve as a platform for championing the cause of Kerala to become a hub for the knowledge industry. The overall theme, 'towards a digital future', has been carefully chosen as it is currently an important point of conversation in businesses in India and globally, V K Mathews, convener of the event and a member of the HPIC, said. Chief Secretary K M Abraham said that with more than 30 million people who are connected and consumption ready, Kerala presents a phenomenal business ecosystem for digital players. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sri Lanka's former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who played a key role defeating the LTTE, today filed a writ petition against an attempt to arrest him for allegedly embezzling Rupees 90 million of government funds. Gotabaya, brother of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, is facing accusations of misappropriating the amount for the construction of a memorial for his parents. He filed the writ petition in the Appeal Court, the second most senior court in the Sri Lankan legal system. The Rajapaksa family have been facing accusations of wrongdoing since 2015 when Mahinda Rajapaksa was defeated in the presidential election. Mahinda Rajapaksa's sons and younger brother Basil who was economic minister have spent time in jail and are currently on bail for different cases of misappropriation. President Maithripala Sirisena has come under pressure from powerful Buddhist monks for not arresting Gotabaya. They claim that Gotabaya was instrumental in defeating the LTTE's three-decade-long armed campaign to create a separate Tamil state. In May 2015, the Supreme Court issued an interim order staying the arrest of Gotabaya until a fundamental rights petition he had filed in the case involving a floating armoury. Sri Lankan troops have been largely accused of committing war crimes during the final battle in May 2009. According to the government figures, around 20,000 people are missing due to various conflicts including the civil war with Lankan Tamils in the north and east which claimed at least 100,000 lives. The LTTE, which led the separatist war for a separate Tamil homeland, was finally crushed by the Lankan military with the death its supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Exuding confidence that a grand Ram temple will be constructed in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya today said it will fulfil the aspirations of devotees of Lord Rama. Maurya also said that Ayodhya has never been a political issue but a matter of faith. "Every Ram bhakt (devotee of Lord Rama) wants to see that Lord Rama does not languish in "taat" (makeshift tent), but resides in "thaat" (grandeur)," he said. "...Lord Rama is still in the same shape, as he was before the disputed structure fell...Everyday he is worshipped as per traditions and rituals. But, he is being worshipped under a taat (tent). Every Rama bhakt (for whom Lord Rama is a symbol of faith and devotion) wants that Lord Rama should not live under a taat. Rather he should live in thaat," he said. Hence a grand Ram temple must be built there, Maurya told PTI in an interview. His remarks come days after RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat made a strong pitch for building the Ram Temple at the disputed site at Ayodhya, saying only the mandir would come up there and not any other structure. Maurya said, "Daily court hearing in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute case will begin on December 5. And, I am confident that after the hearing, the judgement will come soon. In place of tirpal (tent), a grand Ram temple will be built using stones on which carvings have been made by the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas, where devotees will get an opportunity to offer prayers". Maurya asserted that a once a grand Ram temple is built, it will be a "true tribute" to VHP stalwart Ashok Singhal, Mahant Sri Ramchandra Das Paramhans (former head of the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas in Ayodhya) and karsewaks who sacrificed their lives. "...But, since the matter is in court, as a government, we can say that till the time the court delivers its judgement or there is an agreement among the parties (in the case), construction of Ram temple cannot commence. However, the day Supreme Court gives the judgement or an agreement is reached among the parties, the construction work for the Ram temple will start without any delay," he said. On the initiative by Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to find a solution to the Ayodhya dispute, Maurya said, "...If there is any initiative by anyone, then from the government there is no opposition to it. Whether he is a party in the case or whether he could bring an agreement among parties...Those who have started the initiative must be having a roadmap. "But at the level of the government, we are waiting for agreement among the parties or a judgement of the Supreme Court. And we believe that it will be a favourable one." Attacking Samajwadi Party patron Mulayam Singh Yadav, the UP deputy chief minister said, "He is trying to reopen the wounds of Ram bhakts and rake up old memories. No Ram bhakt can ever forget the firing on karsewaks done during the regime of Mulayam Singh Yadav." His reference was to the SP patriarch's remarks in which he justified his order to open fire on kar sevaks marching towards Ayodhya in 1990, saying if even more people were required to be killed for the country's unity and integrity, the security forces would have done it. Maurya observed that Ayodhya is the birthplace of Lord Rama and a "symbol of faith" for crores of Hindus. "Our religious scriptures prove that Ayodhya is the birthplace of Lord Rama and not a symbol of faith for Muslims. When the Mughal invaders came here, they in order to insult Hindus, destroyed many temples," he said. On comments made by Mulayam Singh Yadav and his son Akhilesh Yadav comparing Lord Rama with Lord Krishna, Maurya said, "They have definitely made some temporary gains by dividing society. Hence, now they are eyeing some gains by dividing Gods. However, they can divide society, but not Gods. And, now they have proved they were unsuccessful even in dividing society, as their true colours are now known". "For us, Ayodhya has never been a political issue and it will never so in future. It is a matter of faith. And it is the SP, BSP and Congress to link politics with matter of faith," he said. Taking a dig at Akhilesh Yadav, Maurya said, "My direct question to him is why is he not going to campaign for his party in the urban local bodies polls...There is not even an iota of interest among public vis-a-vis Akhilesh. "In the presen times, he has assumed the role of 'bayaanbeer' (one who only makes statement), as he has no issues against the Centre or state government," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hadiya, a Kerala woman at the centre of an alleged love-jihad case after converting to Islam, arrived here this evening to continue studies at a homeopathy medical college as directed by the Supreme Court. She was brought to the Sivaraj Homeopathy Medical College amid tight security by Kerala police from Coimbatore, about 170 kms from here. College Principal G Kannan said she would continue her course under her Hindu name Akhila Ashokan. The 25-year old will be undergoing a 11-month internship at the institution as directed by the apex court yesterday. The court, after the proceedings, had freed Hadiya from her parents' custody and asked her to pursue her studies. It did not accede to her plea to be allowed to go with her husband. Hadiya was brought to Coimbatore by a flight and then here by road. Wearing a yellow scarf, she was whisked away to the Managing Director's office soon after arrival at the college campus in Salem, a town in Western Tamil Nadu. Later, emerging from the office after about half-an-hour later, Hadiya said she has sought permission to meet her husband. "I think they will allow," she told reporters. Replying to a question, she said security was not necessary for her. But at least for two days security will be there, she added. Later, she was taken in a police vehicle to the college hostel, located about five km away from here. Principal Kannan said her admission process has commenced and she will be attending classes from tomorrow. A Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra had given the direction yesterday after interacting with Hadiya. Kannan said no special treatment will be accorded to Hadiya at the hostel. The apex court has appointed the dean of the college as Hadiya's guardian and granted him liberty to approach it in case of any problem. She was earlier staying at her parental home in Kochi for several weeks. The bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, had directed the college and the university to re-admit Hadiya and grant her hostel facilities. Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Police Subbbulakshmi, who held a meeting with college authorities, told reporters that adequate protection will be given to her. The Kerala High Court had on May 29 annulled the marriage of Hadiya with Shafin Jahan, terming it as an instance of 'love jihad', following which the man approached the apex court. Jahan has also sought recall of the Supreme Court's order directing the NIA to investigate the case under the supervision of retired apex court judge, Justice R V Raveendran. It was alleged that Hadiya was recruited by the Islamic State's mission in Syria and Jahan was only a stooge. She was in the custody of her parents for almost six months after the high court annulled her 'nikah' with Jahan. Ashokan K M, the father of the woman, has alleged that there was a "well-oiled systematic mechanism" for conversion and Islamic radicalisation. Earlier today, Ashokan welcomed the SC decision allowing his daughter to pursue her studies. "Hadiya does not have any idea about Syria, where she wanted to go after converting to Islam... I cannot have a terrorist in the family," he added. Ashokan also said he was sad that his daughter had to undergo such "unpleasant experiences because of which her studies were interrupted." "But now I am happy as the court has allowed her to study further," he told reporters in Delhi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The father of the Kerala woman, at the centre of the alleged love jihad case, today welcomed the Supreme Court decision allowing her to continue her studies. Asked about his stance on inter-religious marriages, Hadiya's father K M Ashokan said he believed in one religion and one god but could not have a terrorist in the family. "Hadiya does not have any idea about Syria, where she wanted to go after converting to Islam," Ashokan said. "I cannot have a terrorist in the family," he added. The Supreme Court yesterday freed Hadiya, 25, alleged to be a victim of 'love jihad', from the custody of her parents and sent her to college to pursue her studies, even as she pleaded that she should be allowed to go with her husband Shafin Jahan. "I was sad that she had to undergo all these unpleasant experiences because of which her studies were interrupted. But now I am happy as the court has allowed her to study further," Ashokan told reporters. He denied allegations that she had been kept under house arrest and added, "She was fully surrounded by police inside and outside the house." Ashokan said he was not worried about her security in Salem, Tamil Nadu, as she was now under the protection and observation of the apex court. "I accept the Supreme Court's decision. She is under the protection of the Supreme Court as it is monitoring the case and so I am not worried about her security," he said. He also said he would go to Salem and meet her as and when necessary as the court had allowed him to do so. "The court has not given anyone guardianship, including Shafin Jahan, of my child," Ashokan said, adding that only close relatives like him were allowed by the court. Hadiya today left for Salem under the protection of Kerala Police and is expected to reach there by evening. The apex court, which yesterday interacted with Hadiya for nearly half-an-hour in the courtroom against the wishes of her father who had sought an in-camera interaction, had directed the Kerala police to provide her security and ensure that she travels at the earliest to Salem to pursue her homoeopathy studies at the Sivaraj Medical College there. Hadiya was in the custody of her parents for almost six months after the Kerala High Court had on May 29 anulled her 'nikah' with Shafin Jahan. Hadiya, a Hindu by birth, had converted to Islam several months before her marriage. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Kerala woman, who is at the centre of an alleged love-jihad case, will pursue her homeopathy studies under her previous Hindu name, the Salem medical college principal said today, a day after the Supreme Court freed her from the custody of her parents. Hadiya, 25, flew to Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu from Delhi and headed to Salem by road this evening to resume her studies as directed by the apex court. A Hindu by birth and named as Akhila Ashokan, she had converted to Islam several months before her marriage. Hadiya, who was accompanied by the Kerala police, is due to undergo a 11-month internship in homeopathy at the Sivaraj Medical College in Salem, about 170 km from Coimbatore. She was not permitted to speak to the media at the airport in Coimbatore. A Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra had given its direction yesterday after interacting with Hadiya even as she pleaded that she should be allowed to go with her husband Shafin Jahan. Salem medical College Principal G Kannan said Hadiya will be treated as one of the inmates of the hostel and that no special treatment will be accorded to her. Hadiya will be registered under her Hindu name Akhila Ashokan in the college, he told reporters in Salem. Hadiya was in the custody of her parents for almost six months after the Kerala High Court had on May 29 anulled her 'nikah' with Shafin Jahan. The apex court has appointed the dean of the college as Hadiya's guardian and granted him liberty to approach it in case of any problem. The bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, had directed the college and the university to re-admit Hadiya and grant her hostel facilities. Deputy Commissioner of Police Subbbulakshmi, who held a meeting with college authorities in Salem, told reporters that adequate protection will be given to the woman. During the court hearing, Hadiya said she wanted to go with her husband and that he will take care of her education expenses. Hadiya's father welcomed the apex court decision allowing her to continue her studies and said he did not want a terrorist in the family Hadiya, K M Ashokan said, wanted to go to Syria after converting to Islam but had no idea about what it entailed. "Hadiya does not have any idea about Syria, where she wanted to go after converting to Islam," he said, adding "I cannot have a terrorist in the family." Ashokan said he was sad that his daughter had to undergo all the unpleasant experiences because of which her studies were interrupted. "But now I am happy as the court has allowed her to study further," Ashokan told reporters in Delhi. He denied allegations that she had been kept under house arrest and added, "She was fully surrounded by police inside and outside the house." Ashokan said he was not worried about her security in Salem as she was now under the protection and observation of the apex court. "I accept the Supreme Court's decision. She is under the protection of the Supreme Court as it is monitoring the case and so I am not worried about her security," he said. He also said he would go to Salem and meet her as and when necessary as the court had allowed him to do so. "The court has not given anyone guardianship, including Shafin Jahan, of my child," Ashokan said, adding that only close relatives like him were allowed by the court. The apex court, which yesterday interacted with Hadiya for nearly half-an-hour in the courtroom against the wishes of her father who had sought an in-camera interaction, had directed the Kerala police to provide her security and ensure that she travels at the earliest to Salem to pursue her homeopathy studies. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union minister Harsh Vardhan today inaugurated a skill development centre in the Jama Masjid police station area, as a part of the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikaas Yojna. In a tweet the environment minister said the main objective of the scheme is to refine the skills of the youth and to provide them employment according to their merit. At the skill development centre, Field Technician Networking and Storage (FTNS) course will be offered for those who have passed class 12 and Retail Management course would be offered for those who have passed class 10, he said. "On this occasion, I told the students that the skill development scheme of our PM Shri Narendra Modi ji is proving very helpful in alleviating the sufferings of the poor of the country," Vardhan tweeted. "By developing our skills, this huge army of our youth can bring the poor out of their sufferings. Modiji has called our country a 'Human Resource Capital', a solution to this problem in itself (sic)" the minister wrote on Twitter. He further said that on his request, the Home Minister has directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to immediately initiate the scheme. "On my request, the Home Minister directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to immediately initiate the scheme. This scheme was started in five police stations of Delhi of which three come under my parliamentary area - in Jama Masjid, Anand Parbat and Paharganj. "I hope this humble step will help the skill development initiatives of our PM Shri @NarendraModi, will help the youth and will be another step towards a #NewIndia (sic)," he said in a series of tweets. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress leader on Tuesday hit out at the prime minister and said the elections were not about "Mr Modi, the individual" but the promised "achhe din" that had not arrived even after 42 months. In a series of posts on Twitter, the former finance minister also asked if Modi had forgotten he was prime minister. "Mr Modi's campaign is about himself, his past and the alleged disdain of Gujarat and Gujaratis. Has he forgotten he is Prime Minister of India? Mr Modi's campaign is about himself, his past and the alleged disdain of Gujarat and Gujaratis. Has he forgotten he is Prime Minister of India? P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) November 28, 2017 "The Gujarat election is not about Mr Modi, the individual. It is about the promised achhe din that has not come in 42 months," he tweeted. The Gujarat election is not about Mr Modi, the individual. It is about the promised achhe din that has not come in 42 months. P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) November 28, 2017 Continuing his attack, Chidambaram said the prime minister does not talk about issues like joblessness, lack of investment, collapse of SMEs, stagnant exports and price rise because he has no answers to the "hard reality". Why does PM not talk about joblessness, lack of investment, collapse of SMEs, stagnant exports and price rise? Because he has no answers to the hard reality. P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) November 28, 2017 According to him, Modi had forgotten that Mahatma Gandhi was an Indian and the son of Gujarat. "Gandhiji was, and is, revered as Father of the Nation; and Gandhiji's chosen instrument to lead the freedom struggle was the Congress party," Chidambaram asserted. Mr Modi has forgotten that Gandhiji was an Indian and son of Gujarat; Gandhiji was, and is, revered as Father of the Nation; and Gandhiji's chosen instrument to lead the freedom struggle was the Congress party. P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) November 28, 2017 The prime minister and the BJP, he added, may now "desperately embrace" Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, "but the redoubtable Sardar had rejected the BJP's parent RSS and its divisive ideology". PM and BJP may now desperately embrace Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, but the redoubtable Sardar had rejected the BJP's parent RSS and its divisive ideology. P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) November 28, 2017 Launching a fierce attack against the Congress, Modi said in Gujarat yesterday that the opposition party was "disconnected from the aspirations of people of India and involved only in misleading people and creating an atmosphere of pessimism". Pitching the elections as a contest between trust on development and dynastic politics, he said Congress had never liked Gujarat and liked to see it lag behind others. "Gujarat is my Atma, Bharat is my Parmatma. This land of Gujarat has cared for me, Gujarat has given me strength," he said. He addressed four rallies in the state, which goes to the polls on December 9 and 14, yesterday. The Delhi High Court today asked the Centre to place before it the guidelines and procedures adopted when a citizen complains of having received threats to his life. A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar sought the information during the hearing of a plea by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Ashish Khetan alleging death threat from right-wing organisations. Khetan also sought framing of guidelines to be adopted by the probe agencies to deal with such complaints. Taking note of the submission, the bench asked the counsel for the Centre whether there were any guidelines in this regard. It directed the authorities to file a report regarding the way they assessed threat perception of an individual and provide security and fixed the matter for further hearing on December 12. Meanwhile, the police told the court that there was no threat perception to AAP leader. It, however, said the leader has been given a personal security officer for his safety. To this, Khetan's counsel sarcastically replied that the PSO stays with him from 8 AM to 8 PM only and takes off on Sundays. "What about threat to my life before 8 AM and after 8 PM and on Sundays. Who will be responsible for it", he asked. The Supreme Court had earlier refused to interfere in the matter and transferred the plea to the high court. The AAP leader's counsel had said neither the police, nor its chief had responded to his complaint despite Khetan holding the rank of a cabinet minister. Nobody has given him a hearing, he had said. "All I am asking is that these threats should be investigated. Such threats are coming due to the atmosphere nowadays," the petition has said. Khetan had moved the apex court on May 24 and sought protection alleging threats. He had said that on May 9, he had received a threat letter written in Hindi at his office stating that his death was imminent. "The language and content of this letter is similar to the threatening article published by Sanatan Prabhat against Narendra Dabholkar, both before and after he was killed. "The threat is a chilling reminder of the growing confidence of the anti-national and fascist forces who want to exterminate all dissenting voices," the plea has alleged. Khetan, who is the vice chairman of the Dialogue and Development Commission of Delhi, had sought a ban on right- wing organisation, Sanatan Sanstha, and a CBI probe monitored by the court into the alleged death threat. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court today asked the AAP government to do mapping of its schools indicating the availability of science and commerce streams after a petition alleged an "alarmingly uneven distribution" of such schools. A bench of Chief Justice Gita Mittal and C Hari Shankar asked the government to also inform it about the schools where science and commerce streams are not available. The court said the government shall place the map of government and government-aided schools in the national capital indicating availability and non-availability of these two streams, and listed the matter for hearing on February 26 next year. The court asked the authorities, including the AAP government and the CBSE, to file their response to the petition which alleged an "alarmingly uneven distribution" of science and commerce streams in the government schools here. The plea claimed that there are 'shadow pockets' in different regions of Delhi where schools do not offer science and commerce streams at all. During the hearing, the Delhi government standing counsel, Ramesh Singh, submitted that not a single complaint has been received from any student or parent that they were not getting admission in a school within the area of three km. The plea, filed by Yusuf Naqi through his counsel G M Akhtar, has alleged issues of "non-uniformity and 'cherry- picking' practice" of the Delhi government in offering science and commerce streams to students at the intermediate level in government schools. It said the allocation of science and commerce streams have been done in an uneven manner which cannot be justified, thus causing grave injustice and prejudice to the pupils here. "There are a total of 41 government schools in central Delhi, wherein only 2 schools offer science stream throughout the entire district, whereas in north east district of Delhi, there are as many as 18 schools out of total 38 which offer science stream at intermediate level," the plea has said. It has alleged that since only two government schools in central Delhi have the science stream in their curriculum, the willing students of this area are required to travel to other districts of the National Capital Territory. "Though there are government educational institutions offering science and commerce streams at intermediate level, the distribution of such schools offering science and commerce streams is alarmingly uneven. "It is evident from the government records that there are 'shadow pockets' in different regions of Delhi that do not offer science and commerce streams at all, in their academic curriculum," the plea has claimed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A little use of technology and collective effort have shown positive results in a remote Gujarat village where farmers have more than doubled the produce and improved income. About 266 km from Gandhinagar, the capital of Gujarat, farmers in this village in southern part of the state, have formed a company to promote farming, increase produce as well as income of growers. "We are inspired by our Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to double farmers' income. Government is doing its part, we also need to come forward with ideas and show enthusiasm," Bauji Sagathiya, a board member of the Saurashtra Swanirbhar Khedut Producers Company (SSKPC), which also has two women member on its board, told PTI. Earlier, the produce from 1 acre land was 500 kg and now it has risen to 1,200 kg. "So, as the produce has gone up our income has gone up. Earlier we were getting Rs 3,500 per quintal as against Rs 4,500 a quintal now," he said. "After setting up the company, We sell our produce to NAFED. Earlier, we used tosell the produce in local mandies. A farmer informs us about the quantity of his produce and then we allot him a date on which he has to bring his produce for sale. He is updated through an alert text," Sagathiya added. The company was registered under Act in 2015. There are six people on its board and over 1,600 farmers of 17 nearby villages are its members. "We have registered phone numbers of all of them and send them an alert when required," he said. The idea of forming a company, he said, came after Reliance Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Reliance Industries Ltd,guided the farmers of the region to identify the issues in the dry Saurashtra region and form a platform to solve it collectively. "Reliance Foundation came to our village four years back. It had been working in the areas of water conservation, food and nutrition, health and education, farm technique etc," Sagathiya said. "We work towards promoting farming. We make sure thatno farmer gives up farming for reasons like climate change, low produce, low market price etc," he said. People in various states like UP, areas adjacent to Delhi NCR have given up farming after selling land. If this goes on there will be fall in India's produce, he said. For better produce, the company has set up a lab at Babra tehsil. Farmers from all the 17 villages bring their seeds for test before sowing. This helps them to plant the right seed which is one of the reasons for good produce. Also, the farmers have moved to growing peanuts which requires less water as compared to cotton. For irrigation, SSKPC has built over 70 check dams. This also resulted in enhancing the water level in the belt. A check dam is a smalltemporary dam constructed across a swale, drainage ditch, or waterway to counteract erosion by reducing water flow velocity. Another board member, Liliben, said this model has given women a recognition and chance to participate in advisory role. "We are not confined to fields now. The entire process has given rise to a new model of farming which has seen a significant rise in women participation over policy matters," she said. Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) today unanimously adopted a resolution endorsing a proposal to makeRahul Gandhi as the party president. The HPCC which met for the first time after the state Assembly polls on November 9. HPCC chief Sukhvinder Singh Sukkhu moved the resolution which was endorsed by all the members. Sukkhu said that Rahul Gandhi would file his nomination for the post of AICC president on December 1 and all members of the Congress were in favour of elevating the AICC vice president to the post of party president. He also claimed that the Congress would emerge victorious in the state polls. Office bearers from block to state level gave feed back about the elections and the general view was that the party would be back in power in the state, Sukkhu said. He asked the Block Congress Committees to give complaints of anti-party activities during the recent assembly elections only on the basis of sold evidence. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia today asserted that AAP receives its donations only from 'aam aadmi' (common man), adding that the I-T notice questioning its funding was sent after Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's appeal to people of poll-bound Gujarat to vote out the BJP. His reaction came a day after the Income Tax department charged the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) with taking "hawala entries" worth Rs 2 crore from a Delhi-based operative even as it revoked the tax exemption, given to it for being a political party, for the assessment year 2015-16. Addressing a press conference here, Sisodia, who had brought voluminous documents containing the donors list, said the charges against the AAP funding were completely "baseless" and that the party would take all necessary steps to demolish the claims made by the Income Tax department. Citing the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) reports, the minister claimed the BJP and the Congress had the highest percentage of unaccounted donations. "This is an attempt to muzzle the voice of the AAP. The notice was sent after Kejriwal's appeal to the people of Gujarat to vote against the BJP in the upcoming state assembly polls," he said. Addressing party volunteers on AAP's 5th Foundation Day on November 26, Kejriwal had appealed to the voters of Gujarat to vote out the BJP, which has been in power in the state for nearly 22 years. Interestingly, the AAP got the I-T notice on November 23. The taxman, according to the penalty notice, had alleged that the Kejriwal-led party "incorrectly disclosed the hawala money as voluntary donations". The department had slapped the charges on the political party in its assessment order issued to it last week. It had determined the total taxable income of the AAP at Rs 68.44 crore, with a corresponding income tax of Rs 30.67 crore for the assessment year 2015-16. "We challenge that there is no other party who maintains the list of its donations as diligently as the Aam Aadmi Party. The donations, it has received, are from the 'aam aadmi' and not from any hawala operator," Sisodia said. Kejriwal had yesterday termed the notice as "height of political vendetta". The AAP is contesting on limited seats in Gujarat, where elections are slated for December 9 and December 14 in two phases. Party sources said it had received Rs 130 crore since its formation, and got the maximum donation of Rs 54.14 crore in 2014-15, the time when the party contested the 2014 Lok Sabha polls and 2015 Delhi Assembly polls. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) IIFL Group has launched a financial knowledge portal www.dhankibaat.co.in which will help investors learn about the nuances of wealth creation through various available and safe investment opportunities. The website www.dhankibaat.co.in would explain multiple ways to create wealth through simple videos, text and expert reply option, a company statement said today. It would explain products and investment options like mutual fund, systematic investment plan, liquid fund, insurance products, loans, mortgages, alternative investments, among others. "Our mission is to bring financial freedom to each Indian. IIFL aims to align its financial knowledge initiative 'DhanKiBaat' with the government's successful Jan Dhan Adhaar- Mobile (JAM) achievements," said Nirmal Jain, Chairman, IIFL Group. Viewers can also post their questions on www.dhankibaat.co.in and experts would provide answers. Any service provided through Dhan Ki Baat is absolutely free of cost and does not need anyone to buy any product, it added. IIFL, which has a market capitalisation of over Rs 20,000 crore, aims to reach 5 crore people by the end of 2018 through its various mediums including website, newspapers, television and on-ground activities. IIFL has over 40 lakh customers and is available across India. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman Ajit Pai has come under a blistering attack of several Indian-American lawmakers for his proposal to repeal the Obama-era policy. Pai is facing backlash for his proposal which seeks to reverse Obama-era net neutrality, which meant that all websites are treated equally by Internet providers. The activists also protested outside Pai's home in Virginia with signs directing at his children. Pai, 44, blasted the activists for "harassing" his family members, saying they "crossed the line". He is facing backlash from his opponents for his proposal which seeks to reverse Obama era's net neutrality, which meant that all websites are treated equally by Internet providers. His proposal would end and give big Internet providers like Comcast and Verizon broad powers to determine what website should reach out to subscribers faster than . The activists not only staged protest outside Pai's home with signs directing at his children, they also reportedly sent pizzas to his home every half-and-hour. Some media reports said the frequency was every 15 minutes. This is the first instance that a senior Indian-American administration official in any of the presidential administration being harassed and threatened by opponents. Signboards and placards placed by protestors outside Pai's house in Virginia mocked him for his views. "I understand that people are passionate about policy, but the one thing in America that should remain sacred is that families, wives and kids, should remain out of it. And stop harassing us at our homes," Pai told 'Fox and Friends'. His proposal is scheduled to come out to vote before FCC on December 14. This is expected to pass as the Republicans have five votes as against three from the Democratic Party. Pai expressed his displeasure when asked about the protest outside his house in Virginia. "It was a little nerve-racking, especially for my wife," he said. "Internet regulation activists have crossed the line by threatening and harassing my family. They should leave my family out of this and focus on debating the merits of the issue," Pai was quoted as saying by The Washington Post. In an interview to PBS News early this month, Pai had said the digital landscape has changed, and the government should stop "micromanaging the Web". Instead, he argued, "companies should be transparent about their policies". Free Press Action, which has been seeking condemned the personal attack against Pai and his family. "If you are sending racist message to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, mocking his name, heritage or family, we do not want you in this new neutrality fight," it said. Pai's proposal would end that net neutrality and give big Internet providers like Comcast and Verizon broad powers to determine what website should reach out to subscribers faster than . The controversial proposal triggered a war of words between Pai (44) and first-term Indian-American Congressman from Silicon Valley Ro Khanna. Khanna in a tweet said, "We need stronger net neutrality laws that ban most forms of zero rating instead of weakening these laws!", as he retweeted an article from the Los Angeles Times according to which "in Portugal, with no net neutrality, Internet providers are starting to split the net into packages". He said The FCC is giving major corporations "even more control over the media, paving the way for megamergers like Sinclair-Tribune". "We have to fight for less consolidation to save our democracy," he added. Pai reacted sharply, saying that Khanna was making a false accusation. "In addition to making the false assertion that Portugal has no net neutrality, Congressman Khanna is pointing to an example that has nothing to do with net neutrality," he said. Senator Kamala Harris said more than 7,00,000 Californians and more than 8 million Americans have already submitted comments in response to the FCC's "misguided" proposal. "Our message has been clear: broadband providers must not be allowed to tilt the playing field by blocking or throttling their competitors, prioritising their offerings, or otherwise unreasonably interfering with lawful content," she said. The FCC, Harris alleged, wants to do is empower broadband service providers the gatekeepers of the Internet to potentially distort the online marketplace and set up a pay- for-play system. "This would be a terrible mistake that would hurt the most vulnerable and voiceless among us. It will imperil our economy while reducing innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity," she said in an email to her supporters. Tulsi Gabbard, the first Hindu lawmaker, alleged that Pai and the FCC were rewarding "pay-to-play politics", ensuring that those with money have a seat at the table and shutting out everyone else. "Net neutrality protections ensure that the Internet remains open, fair, and equal for everyone. By dismantling these protections, we turn our backs on the most fundamental First Amendment rights of our students, entrepreneurs, innovators, small businesses, and working families, and all who rely on an open Internet to level the playing field of opportunity," she said. "The FCC must fulfill their responsibility to all Americans, not just big Internet Service Providers (ISPs)," Gabbard said. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal said with dismantling of net neutrality rules, the competition among new streaming services and content providers will be severely damaged. "If these rules are repealed, your ISP will be able to charge you more to access certain content. Those with more money will get faster Internet service, or be able to access more of the Internet. Competition among new streaming services and content providers will be severely damaged. And we, the consumers, will pay for it," she said. Jayapal said, "The large corporations will have a freehand to charge discriminatory rates to benefit themselves, and limit the free speech and access of their consumers." Pai's proposal to dismantle net neutrality is scheduled to come out to vote before the FCC on December 14. This is expected to pass as the Republicans have five votes as against three from the Democratic Party. Savitribai Phule Pune University is set to receive a T55 battle tank as a gift from the Southern Command of the Indian Army. The Russian battle tank, which played a key role in the 1965 and 1971 India-Pakistan wars, will be installed on the premises of the Defence & Strategic Studies Department of the varsity on Wednesday, said an official release by SPPU. "The tank will be installed on the premises of the Defence & Strategic Department in the presence of General officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Command Lieutenant General P M Hariz on Wednesday," it said. The Defence & Strategic Studies Department of the SPPU has a long association with armed forces, and many senior defence officials have received doctorates from the department. "The Defence has also instituted Chhatrapati Shivaji Policy Chair and senior official from the Army is appointed to the chair for two years," said Dr Vijay Khare, head of the D&S Studies, SPPU. He said that besides the academic exchange, General BC Joshi Lecture is organised every year by the Indian Army and the Defence & Strategic Studies Department jointly. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu today said that the universities in the country should become centres of excellence and produce multi-skilled students of tomorrow. He rued that none of the universities in the country are world-class in terms of excellence and said India has good varsities but it needs excellent ones. "It is very painful to note that not one of our 760 universities is world-class with that excellence. There are good universities in the country but we need excellent universities," Naidu said here. The vice-president was addressing a meeting after inaugurating the Andhra Pradesh campus of the Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) at Inavolu village here. "There is every need for institutes of higher learning to raise standards, improve pedagogy, enhance research activities and form greater linkages with the industry so that students are well-equipped to face the challenges of a globalised world. "Digital technologies are playing a lead role in the world now and universities must produce multi-skilled students of tomorrow," he added. Naidu appealed to the universities, both public and private, to focus on enhancing skills, knowledge and raising the standards and then compete at the world-level. "With proper infrastructure, facilities and opportunities, our universities can excel," he said. The vice president expressed hope that once the Indian economy strengthens, the government will spend more funds on education and higher learning. "The Centre and the states are not able to rise to the expectations of spending 6 per cent of the Gross domestic product(GDP) on education because of competing requests and aspirations from every section of the society. "There is so much pressure for housing, roads, trains, airports, ports, metros...prime minister is doing his best," he said. "India is going for a great transformation and we must all look for the future. I am sure once the economy strengthens, definitely the governments will be able to spend more on education and higher education also," Naidu said. Focus should not only be on education for all but quality education, the vice-president said. "India is emerging as a powerful nation. Everyone will soon have access to quality healthcare and quality education." "Education should become a powerful tool for the social, economic and cultural transformation of the country with strong moral and ethical values," the vice-president remarked. Observing that a 'guru' (teacher) has a special place in the society and the life of a student, Naidu quipped, "Google can never replace guru. Google is important and informative but even to Google something you need a guru." Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and VIT Chancellor G Viswanathan, among others, attended the event. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The 84 km-long Indo-Nepal border has been sealed ahead of the third phase of civic polls tomorrow. The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) is enforcing the sealing of the border, District Magistrate and Electoral Officer Virendra Kumar Singh told reporters. "Only emergency vehicles will be allowed across the border during this period," he said. The threat of Maoists and the porous Indo-Nepal border are the two biggest challenges during the third phase of municipal polls in Maharajganj and the International Border has been sealed to tackle this, the official said. Cameras have been installed on trade and transit points along India's border with Nepal to prevent illegal movement of people. Security along the borders has been stepped up in the wake of reports that anti-social elements could infiltrate into the country and disrupt the polling, according to a top official here. The third phase of polling will be held in 26 districts across the state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Tihar Jail authorities today said they would cooperate with the three-member fact-finding committee, formed by the Delhi High Court to inquire into an incident, in which 18 inmates were allegedly beaten up by the jail staff on November 21. The jail authorities said they would ensure a proper security for the inmates, so that such incidents did not recur. Yesterday, the high court had described the alleged attack on the inmates, who were lodged in a high-risk ward in jail number 1 of the central jail, on the night of November 21 as "very disturbing". The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) petition filed by a lawyer, Chinmay Kanojia, who had alleged that his client Shahid Husuf, currently being investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and undergoing trial, was beaten up without any reason by the Tihar Jail staff. After the incident was brought to its notice on November 22, the court had set up a committee comprising its senior judicial officers to look into the matter. The committee, in its report, had said the inmates were beaten up without any justifiable reason. The court posted the matter for further hearing on December 19 and directed the authorities to ensure the safety and security of the inmates, who were beaten up. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The first international conference and exhibition on traditional Indian systems of medicines to facilitate their worldwide promotion will be held here from December 4 to December 7. The event - International Arogya 2017 - is being organised by the FICCI in collaboration with the Ministry of AYUSH, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and Pharmaexcil. A statement by the FICCI said, the four-day event will showcase the strength and scientific validation of traditional Indian systems of medicine, including Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) in the global context and facilitate their worldwide promotion, development and recognition. Thousands of delegates from India and abroad, as well as over 200 delegates from more than 60 countries, including importers, regulators and government officials, will attend the event. More than 250 manufacturers of alternative medicine will showcase their products and services. The mega event will bring key stakeholders of AYUSH sector under one roof, help boost exports of AYUSH products, and showcase latest research and developments in alternative medicine systems of India. "The National Health Policy, 2017 has strongly advocated mainstreaming the potential of AYUSH within a pluralistic system of Integrative healthcare. It re-emphasises the need for integrating AYUSH in the National Health Mission, research and education," Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Special Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH said. "There is sufficient momentum now through various initiatives and tremendous support from all quarters to bring the traditional medicine systems to a higher pedestal in healthcare," the official said. Vinay Mathur, Deputy Secretary General of FICCI said, "We are witnessing a highly receptive environment where the value of AYUSH systems is widely recognised worldwide, translating into growing global demand." "India is already a major exporter of Ayurvedic and alternative medicines in the world, and the scope of growth is huge. Events like International Arogya will go a long way in enabling India to actualise this potential and take global leadership in alternative medicine systems," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today spoke to Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba about social media reports on the alleged assault of Kashmiri prisoners in Delhi's Tihar jail and urged him to ensure their safety. Mufti spoke to Gauba after photographs of injured Kashmiri undertrials surfaced on social media sites here, officials said. "A prison is considered to be the safest place but the alleged incidents that have come to light put a question mark on it," she said. The photographs of several injured undertrials was circulated by the Separatist Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani which it alleged were beaten in the jail. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The BJP in Jammu and Kashmir today said the state is an integral part of India and those who do not accept it will have to take refugee in Pakistan. Party spokesperson Virender Gupta made the remarks after National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah yesterday dared the Centre to hoist the tricolour at Lal Chowk in Srinagar before unfurling it in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Gupta also asked Abdullah not to make "anti-national and unrealistic statements". "Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and those who challenge it will have to take refuge in Pakistan," he said. Abdullah had yesterday said, "They (Centre and BJP) are talking about raising the flag in PoK. I ask them first you go and raise the tricolour at Lal Chowk in Srinagar. They cannot even do that here and they are talking about PoK." He had also defended his earlier comment that PoK did not belong to India. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With an exciting line-up of eminent personalities including Michael Ondaatje, Rupi Kaur, and Anurag Kashyap, the Jaipur Literature Festival today announced its first list of 60 speakers for its 11th edition scheduled to begin from January 25 next year. Touted as the 'greatest literary show on earth', the festival expects to host over 250 writers, thinkers, politicians, journalists and cultural icons from over 35 different nationalities at the Diggi Palace Hotel in Jaipur. "This is a vintage year for the ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival, with an amazing line up of international and Indian writers and multiple strands of thoughtfully curated sessions. "A space to interrogate our changing times and to encounter poetry and the dreaming mind, the festival returns with its unique brand of magic, whimsy and intellectual rigour," Namita Gokhale, writer, publisher and co-director of the JLF, said. The festival will feature a line-up of speakers representing the major awards including the Nobel, Man Booker, Pulitzer, Padma Vibhusan and the Sahitya Akademi Award. The literary event expects to host speakers representing over 15 Indian and more than 20 international languages. The first list includes English novelist and author of the iconic Bridget Jones Diary, Helen Fielding; Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter from The Boston Globe's Spotlight team Michael Rezendes; Amy Tan, author of the widely adapted book The Joy Luck Club; 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Mohammad Yunus; and former president of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai. Several eminent Indian personalities including Sahitya Akademi Award winner Mridula Garg; award-winning Indian film director-producer Anurag Kashyap; Indian art critic, art historian, Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awardee, BN Goswamy; Indian classical dancer and Padma Vibhushan awardee Sonal Mansingh; Indian philanthropist and writer Sudha Murty. "2018 may be the best Jaipur ever, fielding an unrivalled literary 'First Eleven' made up of star poets and acclaimed novelists, historians and biographers, thinkers and dreamers and scribblers and critics, genii and half the faculty of Harvard. It's an astonishing line up and I can't wait for the 25th of January to see it all become a reality," William Dalrymple, writer, historian and co-director of the Jaipur Literature Festival, said. The literary extravaganza will come to an end on January 29. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Shri Rajput Karni Sena founder Lokendra Singh Kalvi today demanded a probe into the "role" of 'Padmavati' director Sanjay Leela Bhansali's SLB group in the death of a man at Nahargarh Fort. The body of Chetan Kumar Saini (40) was found hanging from the boundary wall of the Nahargarh Fort near the Rajasthan capital on November 24, with messages referring to the Bollywood epic drama 'Padmavati' scribbled on nearby stones. Kalvi said the incident should be probed at the highest level "to ascertain the role of the group (SLB) into the incident", which, he claimed, was a conspiracy against the Karni Sena and to "weaken the movement" against the controversial film. "Two of the messages scribbled on the stones near the boundary wall of the fort were for provoking the Karni Sena and for disturbing the communal harmony in the city. It should be investigated who is behind this," he told reporters here. The police have claimed that Saini had committed suicide by hanging himself with a rope tied to the boundary wall of the fort. 'Padmavati' has been facing the wrath of various Rajput groups and political leaders, who have accused Bhansali of distorting history. Many groups have been protesting amid rumours that there was a romantic dream sequence between queen Padmini and Allauddin Khilji. However, Bhansali said in an appeal that there was no dream sequence and it was all a rumour. On November 22, protesters blocked the entry to the Chittorgarh Fort till 5 pm and burnt effigies of Bhansali. The next day, locals led by the Rajput community blocked entry to the Kumbhalgarh Fort in Rajsamand district "for some time" demanding a ban on the film. However, historians are divided on whether Padmini actually existed. She finds mention in the 16th century epic poem "Padmavat". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A special screening of the controversial Malayalam movie "S Durga" will be held during the upcoming state movie gala, International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), scheduled to begin here next month. The move comes at a time when uncertainty continues over the screening of the Sanal Kumar Sasidharan-directed film in the Indian Panorama of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), which comes to a close in Goa today. Veteran director and Kerala Chalachitra Academy Chairman, Kamal said the special screening of "S Durga" at the festival is a "mark of protest" and "political resistance" against Centre's move to drop the movie from IFFI even after it was selected by an expert jury. Curtains will go up for the 22nd edition of IFFK here on December 8. "There will be a special screening of S Durga as part of IFFK.. We have discussed the plan with its director Sanal and he has agreed to it," Kamal told PTI. The "Perumazhakkalam" director said Kerala had always expressed its resistance to the fascist tendencies of banning art forms and films. "The special screening is part of Kerala government's strong policy against fascism... There was politics behind the Information and Broadcasting Ministry's decision to drop 'S Durga'. And we cannot accept that," he said. The controversy-ridden "S Durga" received a U/A certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification, along with no cuts and 22 mutes. The director had moved the Kerala High Court after the movie was pulled out from the Panorama section by the ministry. Though the high court had directed the ministry to ensure the screening of the movie at IFFI, the centre filed an appeal against the single judge's decision. However, a division bench refused to stay the single judge's order and directed that the film be screened after the jury viewed the certified print of the film while admitting the centre's appeal. The film, a road movie that follows the horrifying experience of two hitchhikers, a man and a woman, at the hands of two men in the dead of the night, won the Hivos Tiger Award in the International Film Festival Rotterdam 2017. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Security agencies have arrested an alleged Lashker-e-Taiba operative and claimed that he was carrying out reconnaissance of vital installations such as Army camps and power projects, officials said today. They said that the accused, identified as Abdul Naeem Sheikh, a resident of Aurangabad in Maharashtra, was arrested from Varanasi recently after being tailed by security agencies for a few months. The case has been handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for further probe, the officials said. It is alleged that Sheikh had visited Kashmir where he had carried out a recce mission involving some vital installations, including Army camps and power projects. The officials claimed that he had also visited some places in Himachal Pradesh, especially Kasol, which is being frequented by Israeli nationals. The security agencies have claimed that Sheikh had been roped in on the same lines as David Headley, a Pakistan- American, who is at present serving a prison sentence of 35 years in a US jail for his involvement in terror activities and the 26/11 Mumbai attacks in 2008. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Auto major Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, a part of the USD 19 billion Mahindra Group, has inaugurated its new office in the Egyptian capital, its first in North Africa. The new facility opened this week and will oversee all of Mahindra's businesses in North Africa, including automotive and farm equipment, power generators, construction equipment and agri business. The office is its first in North Africa and fourth in Africa. "We are happy that Mahindra, one of India's largest companies, with an excellent record of growth, innovation and social responsibility has established its office in Egypt," Indian Ambassador to Egypt Sanjay Bhattacharyya said. "This demonstrates the desire of Mahindra to work with Egypt in securing win-win solutions and provides an opportunity for cooperation with other big Indian companies," he added. "Mahindra has a strong network in Africa and this new office will further consolidate our presence in Egypt. We plan to leverage the local talent in the country, which will enable us to understand our customers better," Arvind Mathew, Chief of International Operations, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, said on the occasion. "Mahindra is a global brand with an endeavour to provide localised solutions. Currently Mahindra vehicles and tractors are being locally assembled in Tunisia and Algeria, with annual capacities of 3,600 and 5,000 units respectively. We plan to follow a similar strategy in Egypt, to further strengthen our commitment towards Africa," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Veteran Malayalam film and theatre actor Thodupuzha Vasanthi died at a private hospital at Vazhakulam near here today following multiple organ failure. She was 65. Vasanthi, who had been battling cancer for some time, was known for character roles in over 400 Malayalam movies in her four-decade-old acting career. According to family sources, she was admitted to the hospital at Vazhakulam in Ernakulam district on November 24 as her condition worsened. Hospital authorities said Vasanthi was also suffering from kidney ailment and one of her legs had been amputated some time back. She breathed her last early in the morning, they said. Vasanthi, who made her debut with 1975 movie "Ente Neelakasham," was better known for her roles in "God Father," "Alolam" and "Karyam Nissaram. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mali's justice minister resigned late Monday following the acquittal of a popular radio presenter and activist who alleged that the president and top military leaders were failing to keep the country secure. No official reason was given for Mamadou Ismael Konate's abrupt departure from the government, but a source close to the minister told AFP his decision was "related to the Ras Bath case". Mohamed Youssouf Bathily, alias Ras Bath, himself a minister's son, regularly broadcast tirades against the administration of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita until his arrest in August 2016. of Bathily's detention led to protests on the streets of the Malian capital Bamako, and one person was killed and dozens injured in the ensuing violence, which also caused widespread damage. He was cleared of all charges yesterday following months of legal wrangling after being sentenced while out of the country to a year in prison for "inciting troop disobedience", a decision overturned on appeal on Monday. Bathily, who as well as being a radio presenter is a major figure in the country's opposition, had accused Keita of being unable to manage the Malian army, and also sharply criticised several senior military figures on his show. Konate will be replaced by Hamidou Younoussa Maiga, a lawyer, according to a decree read out on Malian television. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chinese police has arrested a man, wanted for manufacturing and selling illegal explosives, for his involvement in a powerful blast that rocked port city of Ningbo killing two people and wounding more than 30 others. The man who owned the explosives which had caused the blast last Sunday in Ningbo has been detained, state-run CGTN quoted local police as saying. The police identified the suspect as a 33-year-old man from China's eastern Anhui Province. He was arrested in central Chinas Hunan province yesterday. The suspect admitted that he told his family in Ningbo to dismantle and destroy the explosives to avoid being punished, it said. The suspect was charged with manufacturing and selling illegal explosives, the report said. The Sunday blast was China's worst industrial explosion in three years which also damaged nearby buildings and vehicles. Rescuers were seen trying to pull the people out of the rubble from flats whose roofs were blown off. Ningbo is one of China's major international cargo and container shipping ports. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 45-year-old man was arrested today on the charge of killing a fellow villager who refused to pay Rs 10,000 borrowed money at Raghudeipur in Odisha's Kendrapara district, police said The accused Basant Jena had given the sum as loan to Subodh Mohanty. However, Mohanty did not pay him the sum despite repeated reminders, the police said. Irked over it, Jena who ran a chicken shop in the village had stabbed Mohanty to death at the deserted canal road of the village, they said. The body of the deceased was recovered on November 26 and Jena was arrested. The accused has confessed to the crime, police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hyderabad Mayor Bonthu Rammohan today dismissed social media posts that claimed he has resigned over an alleged violation of protocol pertaining to the Metro Rail inauguration and lodged a police complaint. The Mayor has dismissed the social media posts on his resignation and lodged a complaint with the Cyber Crime Police seeking to identify and to initiate serious action against those who have posted misguiding information regarding his 'resignation', a Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) release said. Rammohan said some persons have posted false claiming that he is upset over his name missing from the Hyderabad Metro Rail inauguration plaque since he belongs to a backward community. "But there is no truth in such social media posts," he said. Police said they are verifying the complaint. The first phase of the 72-km elevated Hyderabad Metro Rail project was inaugurated at the Miyapur station here today by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) All MLAs in Punjab will have to declare their immovable properties on January 1 every year under a new bill passed by the state assembly today. The main opposition Aam Aadmi Party welcomed the Punjab Legislative Assembly (Salaries and Allowances of Members) Amendment Bill, 2017 but demanded that MLAs and ministers should also declare their business interests. The Bill was moved by state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Brahm Mohindra on the second day of the winter session of Punjab Assembly here today. Notably, in its first meeting on March 18 after the Congress government was formed in Punjab, the state cabinet had announced that all MLAs would declare their immovable properties on January 1 every year. Seeking amendment in the bill, AAP MLA Kanwar Sandhu said, "The government should also ensure that business interests of all the MLAs and ministers are declared." He also asked the government to bring the promised the Conflict of Interest Bill. While participating in the discussion, BJP MLA Som Prakash sought amendments in the Bill in connection with the date of declaring the immovable properties. "If somebody cannot declare immovable assets on January one because of some emergency or some urgent work, then what will one do in that case," Prakash said while seeking more clarity on this issue. Meanwhile, Speaker Rana K P Singh directed the parliamentary affairs minister to provide timely copies of the bill to the opposition after AAP MLAs H S Phoolka and Kanwar Sandhu said they they did not get enough time to peruse it to propose amendments. The issue came up when the Speaker told Sandhu he should have informed about the proposed amendments in the Bills two days before its presentation. The AAP MLA replied that they got the copies of the bill only last evening. The House also passed the Indian Stamp (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2017. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress MP Rajeev Shukla today accused Narendra Modi government of "repackaging" as many as 23 welfare schemes which were conceived and introduced by the erstwhile UPA government. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repackaged and renamed 23 welfare schemes which were launched by the previous dispensation, and is fooling the people," Shukla said here. He said the BJP had criticised the Congress government's Aadhaar and MGNREGA schemes when in opposition, but is now implementing them. "Barring demonetisation, which caused hardship to the common people, the Modi government has not conceived anything new. The NDA government inherited 23 schemes on a platter which were already at various stages of implementation, but the government has failed to implement them," Shukla said. He termed as "examples of glaring failures" the schemes like 'Make in India', 'Skill India', affordable housing for the poor etc. "Congress' schemes like 'Indira Awas Yojna' and 'Rajiv Awas Yojna' were renamed as 'Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna' and 'Sardar Patel National Urban Hosing Mission' by the Modi government. "The nomenclature of National Project on Management of Soil Health and Fertility was changed to 'Soil Health Card Scheme', whereas no-frills accounts 'Swabhimaan' was renamed as 'Jan Dhan Yojana', 'Swalambhan' scheme' as 'Atal Pension Yojna', and Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Vidyutikaran Yojna' as 'Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojna'," he claimed. Shukla further claimed the government has renamed the National Manufacturing Policy as 'Make in India', JNNURM as 'AMRUT' and 'Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan' as 'Swachh Bharat Mission'. He said the GST was initially conceived by the Congress, but the BJP bungled in its implementation. He criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for labelling Gandhis as "anti-Gujarat". "I want to ask why there is no Cabinet rank Gujarati minister in the Modi government? Gujaratis in his council of ministers are all ministers of state," he claimed. Shukla said the next month's polls are not a battle of dynasty as being claimed by Modi, but is a fight for "exposing failures" of Modi government. "Modi is raising only emotional issues in Gujarat during campaigning," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has proved that transformational change is possible in rising from a humble tea seller to heading the country, said Ivanka Trump, daughter of and advisor to US President Donald Trump. Showering generous praise on the Prime Minister in her keynote address at the 8th annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) here today, she termed Modi's achievement as "truly extraordinary". "From your childhood selling tea to your election as India's Prime Minister, you've proven that transformational change is possible," she said. "And now, you are bringing that promise to hundreds of millions of people across your country. Thank you." Ivanka, 36, a businesswoman, fashion designer and the eldest daughter of the US President, was invited by Modi during his visit to the White House in June to speak at the Summit. She is leading the US contingent at the Summit themed 'Women First, Prosperity for All'. "And thank you, Prime Minister Modi, for joining us here today -- and for all that you are doing to build India as a thriving economy -- a beacon of democracy -- and a symbol of hope to the world," he said. "What you are achieving is truly extraordinary." She applauded Modi for his firm belief that "the progress of humanity is incomplete without the empowerment of women" and went on to congratulate Indians on celebrating 70 years of Independence. "You are celebrating it as the world's largest democracy and one of the fastest growing economies on the earth," Ivanka said. "Through your own enterprise, entrepreneurship, and hard work, the people of India have lifted more than 130 million citizens out of poverty -- a remarkable improvement, and one I know will continue to grow under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi," she stressed. Ivanka further said people of India inspire globally and went on to cite the example of CEOs like Microsoft's Satya Nadella who went to school right here in Hyderabad. "Today, we come together to celebrate what is happening here in India, what is happening in the United States and all over the world: entrepreneurs are revolutionising our economies, and improving our societies," she said. "You are rewriting the rules. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi will be back in battlefield Gujarat tomorrow to power the electoral campaign of their respective parties in the bitterly-fought Assembly polls. Modi, who launched a campaign blitzkrieg on Monday, addressing four election rallies in different parts of Saurashtra and south Gujarat, will hold four more tomorrow, after a day's break during which he inaugurated the Global Entrepreneurship Summit and the Hyderabad Metro in the Telangana capital. Modi will address rallies in Morbi and Prachi villages near Somnath, Palitana in Bhavnagar and at Navsari in south Gujarat tomorrow. Rahul Gandhi will also be in Gujarat on a two-day campaign tour. He will kick off the current trip with a visit to the famous Somnath temple. He has been repeatedly ridiculed by the BJP for visiting a string of temples in the state during the election campaign. The Congress vice president will visit Gir Somnath, Amreli and Bhavnagar districts where he will interact with people and hold public meetings, party sources said. Gujarat goes to polls in two phases on December 9 and 14, while votes will be counted on December 18. The Congress is seeking to dislodge the BJP from power in the state, which the saffron party has ruled for close to two decades now. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Denouncing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks that the Congress was levelling baseless allegations against "the son of Gujarat", the opposition party today said he was making emotional statements to run away from discussions on failed promises. If he was strong, he should have called the winter session of Parliament and faced questions, senior Congress leader Anand Sharma said. "Why cannot we challenge the prime minister in Gujarat, just because he is from Gujarat?" Sharma sought to know. "He (Modi) visits Uttar Pradesh and abuses (Samajwadi Party leader) Akhilesh Yadav, goes to Bihar and abuses (RJD chief) Lalu Yadav, insults Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi in Uttar Pradesh," he alleged while talking to reporters. "We are not insulting you but should we also not ask any questions?" Sharma said. Modi, during a rally in Gujarat yesterday attacked the Congress, saying the opposition party leaders were hurling baseless allegations at the "son of Gujarat". Sharma claimed that Modi had "no tolerance and democratic mindset", which is why he said so. "Your (Modi's) big promises have turned out to be a lie and you are running away from discussions and only making false emotional statements," the Congress leader charged. He claimed that Modi "hates truth, he often lies. He is loud, but not strong. If he was strong, he should have called the winter session of Parliament and faced questions". Sharma also said that today he sent a book to the prime minister, titled 'Journey of the Nation', which details the 125 years of history of the Congress so that Modi could put history in perspective. In response to Modi's allegations that the Congress insulted Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, he said the 'Iron Man' was among the country's great leaders and freedom fighters. He was a Congress leader and the deputy prime minister. "Both Pandit (Jawaharlal) Nehru and Sardar admired each other," he said. "When Modiji sets up the Statue of Unity, I would request him to put a copper plate with a letter from Sardar Patel, dated February 4, 1939, which he wrote to RSS chief M S Golwalkar on Mahatma Gandhi's murder," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Fidelis Mukonori, the Jesuit priest who mediated Robert Mugabe's exit in what was a seismic moment in Zimbabwe's history, said the 93-year-old appeared relieved after signing his resignation letter. It was the culmination of a chaotic fortnight which began when Mugabe fired his deputy Emmerson Mnangagwa, prompting a military takeover and mass street protests which eventually forced him out, ending a 37-year reign that will best be remembered for its economic ruin. The resignation letter, which was read out in parliament on November 21, was the result of days of mounting pressure and back-and-forth negotiations with the military generals which were chaired by Mukonori. "When the letter was done, he looked at it, read it through and he just gracefully took his pen and signed," Mukonori told AFP in an interview in Harare. "And as soon as he put his signature, (his) face just glowed, really a sign of saying: 'It's done, I have done what I have to do.' "You could see the handsomeness of the man after signing ... that he has completed his job." Close to Mugabe for decades, Mukonori has been involved in mediating nearly all the defining conflicts of Zimbabwean politics, starting in the 1970s when he took part in talks between the guerrillas and colonial ruler Britain that eventually led to independence in 1980. And negotiating the exit of the man who had ruled one country for nearly four decades was "just another job". But most importantly, he too is relieved that the man whom he helped rise to power has finally bowed out. "It was the best thing he could have done, the man has served 37 years... definitely, it was time to rest," said the softly-spoken priest. "I was relieved when he signed," Mukonori admitted, recalling the tension as the nation stood on edge following mass street protests and as MPs gathered to impeach him. Asked if Mugabe's wife Grace was part of the negotiations, he said at times she "would make comments. But we were not negotiating with Grace ... the soldiers were interested in Robert Mugabe." Mukonori has known Mugabe for more than 40 years and says they are candid with each other. Jesuit-taught, Mugabe has always described himself as a devout Catholic. Following the introduction of Mugabe's controversial land reform policy in 2000 which allowed the seizure of white-owned farms, the farmers turned to Mukonori to intervene. He also helped the negotiations for the power-sharing government between Mugabe's ZANU-PF and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, before South Africa's former president Thabo Mbeki and Nigeria's Olusegun Obasanjo stepped in. During the talks to secure Mugabe's exit, the generals were "very calm", said the 70-year-old priest. And when they presented their 11-point list of grievances, Mugabe did not "wink" because he realised the "seriousness of the issues" and "accepted" them, he said. At one point, Mugabe asked to speak to Mnangagwa, who had fled to South Africa after his dismissal in what was the culmination of an increasingly-bitter succession battle between him and the first lady. So Mukonori rang Mnangagwa and put his cellphone on speaker, allowing them to speak. "They discussed for a good 10 minutes - really what I call a heart-to-heart talk," he said, recalling how Mugabe begged Mnangagwa to return home, saying: "Come, come here why did you go to South Africa? I was planning to meet you after the dismissal and talk, just the two of us." Since Mugabe's resignation, Mukonori has spoken to him three times, saying he was doing well and had even offered to "support" Mnangagwa. Long before the crisis, Mukonori said Mugabe had confided in him that he was going to step down after next year's elections. While Mukonori is seen as a tough and trusted mediator in Zimbabwe, he is also regarded by some as "controversial" because of his closeness to Mugabe. That tension was reflected in the preface to a mini biography of Mukonori published in 2006, which says: "There are those who feel that he compromises himself and the church by being too close to the president and his advisers. "There are others who appreciate his intervention and believe Fr Mukonori uses his influence for the benefit of the church and the nation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A city-based social outfit today organised a march to highlight the "inordinate delay" on part of the Central and Maharashtra governments to construct a grand memorial to Dalit icon icon B R Ambedkar here. The Samajik Samata Manch, which propagates the views of Ambedkar, held the "Reminder March" from "Chaityabhoomi" to Indu Mills compound in Dadar, where the memorial is to come up, located a few kilometres away. "Chaityabhoomi", near the Dadar railway station in central Mumbai, is the site where the chief Constitution-maker was cremated. Despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself laying the foundation stone for the memorial in October 2015, the work on the project has not yet started, the manch lamented. Manch president Vijay Kamble said they were fed up with the "empty assurances" by both the governments which is causing "inordinate delay" in starting work on the monument. Addressing a gathering at the end of the march, Kamble said, "Will this national memorial to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar ever be constructed? "Why hasn't the work of the monument started? The state government has taken full possession of the Indu Mills property (where the memorial will come up). The foundation stone was laid by none other than Prime Minister. We are fed up with the empty assurances of the Central and state governments." Kamble, a former NCP leader who later joined the BJP, said his organisation has written a letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis demanding fast-tracking of the memorial work. Kamble, who unsuccessfully contested the 2014 assembly elections on a BJP ticket, said his organisation will not sit idle and will continue to push for the project. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Election Commission (EC) today said the Nagaland Assembly election would be held as per the schedule. This was revealed by an EC delegation, led by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A K Joti, along with election commissioners O P Rawat and Sunil Arora, Deputy Election Commissioner Sudeep Jain and Director General Dilip Sharma, while interacting with reporters here. "The term of the Nagaland Assembly is due to expire in March, 2018 and before that, the elections will be held," Joti said, adding that the dates would be announced after considering all the related aspects. The EC had the mandate to hold the polls six months before the term of the Nagaland Assembly ended, he said, while affirming that "it (the polls) will definitely be held as per the schedule and that is why, the commission is in the state to review the preparedness for a free-and-fair election". Asked if the poll panel was aware of the general perception of the people of Nagaland, whether the state government had informed it that a "solution" was more important than an election and if that solution to the Naga political issue should be arrived at before announcing the polls, the CEC replied in the negative. "We have neither met the chief minister, nor has the government informed us about such issues," Joti said. He added that all the registered political parties of the state, including both the factions of the Naga People's Front (NPF), had met the EC delegation. On the current crisis within the ruling NPF -- two factions, led by Shurhozelie Liezietsu and Neiphiu Rio respectively, claiming the ownership of the party nomenclature and its poll symbol -- Joti said, "We have received applications from both the factions. It is a quasi-judicial matter, on which a decision will be taken only after hearing both the parties." The EC delegation was in Kohima on a two-day official visit since yesterday to review the preparations for the state polls. During the visit, the delegation held closed-door meetings with all the recognised political parties of the state, the chief secretary, deputy commissioners and superintendents of police on various issues pertaining to the election. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jammu and Kashmir Minister Asiea Naqash today termed the appointment of Centre's special representative Dineshwar Sharma as a "step forward" towards resolving the problems of J&K. She also dismissed the controversial statements made by National Conference (NC) chief Farooq Abdullah including that Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) belongs to Pakistan saying he always raked up issues when he is out of power. It is the "best initiative" that Sharma is reaching out to people at the ground unlike in the past, she said. "The appointment of interlocutor in J&K and addressing the agenda of holding talks with all stake holders is a step forward", Minister of State for Health Naqash told reporters here today. She claimed that the withdrawal of FIRs against first time stone-pelters was a positive step, she said. "This step of withdrawal of FIRs against the youth and students is the best step to start with. They might have got misled or done this in emotional outbursts and come to streets and roads. But the cases brings problems for students and educated youth as they cannot get character certificates", she said. We have decided to withdraw all cases during the 2010 unrest, she said adding that Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had announced it in the Assembly. She appreciated Sharma reaching out the people on ground level and talking to all stake holders. "It is the best initiative that Sharma is reaching out the people on the ground. Recently he visited to south Kashmir and met them, she said adding that Sharma had also reached out to displaced Kashmiri Pandits. Hitting out at former Chief Minister Abdullah for his controversial statements, she said he always rakes up issues when he is out of power. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The National Green Tribunal today rapped the AAP government and the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) over illegal borewells in Narela and Bawana industrial areas in the city which has led to serious depletion of water levels. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar took exception to the "abuse" of its interim order to allow borewells in these industrial areas by the Delhi government. The tribunal was hearing petitions filed by the NGT Bar Association and Raj Hans Bansal opposing the illegal use of groundwater in Delhi. The green panel had in 2014 set up committees comprising officials of the DJB, Central Ground Water Authority, city government and other bodies to seal the illegal borewells in these industrial areas and file a comprehensive report. It had also ordered the committees to prepare a comprehensive report on how many borewells were operating in the industrial pockets, including Bawana and Narela, and whether they have the permission from competent authority or were registered with the Delhi administration. The NGT today said that even after the 2014 direction, the Delhi government has failed to submit any action plan and said its order to allow water extraction was interim in nature. "Three years have gone by and till date, you have not proposed a plan as to how you will provide these industries water for their consumption. You can't abuse our interim orders. "Why did you permit these industries to extract water if you cannot provide them water. How can you set up industries if you don't even have basic facility like water," the bench observed. The NGT was apprised that the industrial cluster was being set up by city government's infrastructure development agency Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (DSIIDC). The bench then directed the concerned DSIIDC officer to appear and inform it about the status of these industries with regard to water extraction and other facilities. In 2014, the NGT had directed DJB to collect Rs 50,000 as fee from all water packaging industries in Bawana and Narela for extracting groundwater and said they will have to pay for usage from December 2012. It had also directed the industries to apply for installing borewells and asked other industrial units in the area to pay Rs 20,000 per year per borewell. Taking serious note of the "water scarcity" in Delhi, the tribunal had earlier pulled up the authorities for failing to perform their statutory administrative obligation in ensuring adequate water supply. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today said she would discuss ways to promote women entrepreneurs and increase their participation in defence production and procurement during consultations with startups and industry chambers on December 4. "We have finalised December 4 as the date when I will be working with chambers of commerce and the startups; a huge list has been made to ensure that I interact with them to see women's participation and how they help defence ministry's production and procurement process," she said. The minister was participating in a panel discussion on opening opportunities for women entrepreneurs at the Global Entrepreneur Summit 2017 (GES). The session was moderated by chairman emeritus Cisco John Chambers and panelists include Ivanka Trump, daughter of and advisor to US President Donald Trump. Sitharaman said that Indian startups have made and are making big contribution to the defence industry both in India and abroad. "We want to make sure that we leverage that opportunity ...and ensure that these startups are given equal playing opportunities when tenders are given out by the government asking for people to supply (goods and services)," she added. The minister said that startups face problems as under the existing rules companies cannot take part in the tendering process unless they had been in relevant business for a specified number of years or have achieved certain amount of turnover. The government, she said, was taking steps to remove such kind of rules which restricted the entry of startups in the tendering process. "I feel that startups do have a very big opportunity ...(they can) enter the defence industry, help India to procure and also probably export," she said. Speaking at the discussion, Trump said that the US government has been taking several steps to promote women entrepreneurship. She said governments can help these budding entrepreneurs by creating friendly environment and enhancing access to credit. Trump also asked people to provide mentorship as it was very critical for a startup. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The censor board has ordered a re-examination of Sanal Kumar Sasidharan's controversial film "S Durga", derailing its court-ordered screening at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), which ends on Tuesday. A screening of the censored version of the film was held for the jury last evening here and in a letter dated today, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) wrote to the producers asking them to resubmit the movie, which was earlier given a U/A certificate. The bone of contention seems to be the hashtag that follow the letter "S" in the revised title of the movie, which was earlier named "Sexy Durga". "It appears that you have prima facie, deliberately violated the Rule 33 of the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 1983 and hence invocation of Section 5E(1) (i) of the Cinematograph Act, 1952 may be considered. "In this connection, I am directed to inform you that the above film will be re-examined under the provision of the Cinematograph Act, 1952 and Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 1983, with the date and venue being notified to you soon," said the letter, which was addressed to Shaji Mathew, the producer of the film. The letter stated that the board had "received complaints from the IFFI jury at Goa over the title of the film". According to the letter, the director had shown "S### Durga" on the title card which the board says "has totally different implications and are effectively undermining and attempting to defeat the very basis of the title registration and changes effected thereby". The CBFC said the makers cannot exhibit the film further until the board reexamines it. It said a suitable date and time will be conveyed to the makers soon. Immediately after the CBFC order, IFFI director Sunit Tandon wrote to Sanal, notifying him that the movie will not be showcased due to the CBFC's intervention. "This is to inform you that all steps were taken to ensure compliance with the hon'ble court's order and a screening of the certified version of your film 'S Durga' was arranged last evening for the feature film jury for the Indian Panorama 2017 as duly constituted by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. "Following the screening certain issues related to the certification of the film with reference to the title of the film were raised. This was referred to the CBFC for clarification. In response to the queries, CBFC has issued the orders attached herewith. "As a consequence to the orders of CBFC, the film cannot be exhibited till the issues are resolved," he wrote. The film was dropped from the final IFFI list by the Information and Broadcasting ministry, prompting the director to move to the Kerala High Court. The court ruled in Sanal's favour and directed the ministry to screen the film at the festival and the ministry tried to obtain a stay order on the Kerala High Court's decision but it was denied by the court. Earlier in the day, Sanal said a majority of members of the Indian Panorama jury voted in favour of his film screened after watching its censored version last night. "I got to know that seven of the members were in favour of the screening of 'S Durga', but three new members on the panel as well one of the old members opposed the screening," Sanal claimed. The three new members Sudhir Chaudhary, Satish Kaushik and Vivek Agnihotri -- were inducted in the jury after its chairman Sujoy Ghosh and members Apurva Asrani and Gyan Correa resigned in protest over the exclusion of "S Durga" and "Nude" from the festival. Filmmaker Rahul Rawail was appointed new chairman of the Indian Panorama section. Odisha government today offered a special industrial park for investors from Italy to set up different industries in the state. The offer was made by chief minister Naveen Patnaik while meeting the Consul General of Italy Damiano Francovigh here at the state secretariat. During the meeting, Patnaik proposed creation of a special industrial park for Italian companies where they can set up textile, auto industries and chemical plants, an official said. Patnaik has also proposed a round table meeting with Italy companies CEOs at the Make-In-Odisha Conclave scheduled to be held in November, 2018. The chief minister also through the the Consul General invited a delegation of Italian industries to visit the state. Francovigh, on his part, praised Odisha's growth in industries and trade, an official statement issued by the chief minister's office said adding that Italian companies would be interested to set up their units in the state. He also expressed optimism on the growth of trade and commerce in collaboration with Odisha, it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Afghan official says an intense gun battle has erupted between Taliban and Islamic State affiliate insurgents in eastern Nangarhar province. Attahullah Khogyani, provincial governor's spokesman, said Tuesday that hundreds of families are displaced from villages in Khogyani and Sherzad districts. Khogyani said an operation involving air and ground forces was begun to eliminate both insurgent groups from the area. Six civilians were wounded and there are reports of dozens of casualties among the insurgents, he said. Sherzad, Khogyani and Hasarak districts in Nangarhar are strategic because they link with neighboring Logar province as well as the capital Kabul. In April, the US military used the Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb, or MOAB, against an Islamic State group tunnel complex carved in the mountains in Nangarhar province. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) More than 68.57 lakh tonnes of paddy had arrived in the 'mandis' of Haryana until yesterday as compared to over 69.56 lakh tonnes during the corresponding period that arrived during the last year. Out of the total arrival of paddy until yesterday during the current procurement season which began last month, government agencies had procured over 58.71 lakh tonnes of paddy whereas the remaining over 9.85 lakh tonnes was procured by the millers. More than 27.36 lakh tonnes of paddy has been purchased by the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, over 19.18 lakh tonnes by Hafed, over 6.40 lakh tonnes by the Haryana Warehousing Corporation, over 5.56 lakh tonnes by the Haryana Agro-industries Corporation and 19,667 tonnes by the Food Corporation of India, an official release said here. Giving details of paddy arrival in different districts, it said that maximum quantity of paddy has arrived in Karnal which is over 14.47 lakh tonnes followed by Kurukshetra at over 12.12 lakh tonnes. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) today said it would contest the upcoming assembly elections in the Congress-ruled Karnataka. The city-headquartered AIMIM said in a release that its president Asaduddin Owaisi made an announcement in this regard after a meeting here with the party's Karnataka unit. The Hyderabad Lok Sabha MP criticised the ruling Congress in Karnataka for allegedly not allowing him to address public meetings in the state. "There is no difference between BJP and Congress... Congress speaks about freedom of expression. But, there is no freedom of expression in the Congress-ruled states. They are not allowing me to address a public meeting in Karnataka," the release quoted Owaisi as saying. Elections in Karnataka, which has a 224-member assembly, are likely to be held in the first half of 2018. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said today that he did not favour allowing 'Padmavati' to be released until the filmmakers issued a clarification while a parliamentary panel invited director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, to hear his views on the row over the period drama. In Patna, Kumar joined a long list of chief ministers, especially those from his ally BJP, who have spoken out on the movie that is mired in a massive controversy. "I am not in favour of the movie's release until its producer, director and all those who are associated with it offer a clarification putting the controversy to rest," Kumar told reporters. He did not specify what clarification he was looking for. Meanwhile, the parliamentary panel on Information and Technology took note of the issue and invited Bhansali as well as Information and Broadcasting ministry and censor board officials. "The panel has invited Bhansali to know his views on the controversy," Anurag Thakur, who heads the panel, told PTI. The meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court today took a strong exception to statements made by persons holding high offices against the film, saying the remarks were tantamount to pre- judging the movie yet to be certified by the censor board. "When a matter is pending for consideration before the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), how can persons in public authority comment on whether the CBFC should issue certificate or not? It will prejudice the decision of CBFC," a bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra said. The bench asked the CBFC to take a decision on the certification of the movie with "utmost objectivity". BJP governments in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat have either said that they will ban the film or demanded that "objectionable content" in it be removed. The flick continued to get support from the film fraternity. In Kolkata, the Bengali film industry observed a 15-minute "blackout" in solidarity with the filmmakers. A spokesman of the Eastern India Motion Picture Directors' Association (EIMPA) said all actors, technicians, directors and production unit members came out of the studios, where pre and post-production work of films and serials were taking place, at 12 noon, to register their protest. Actor Indrani Halder, who was shooting for a tv serial, said, "We stopped work at 12 noon and every person of our unit came out to the open compound. Shooting at all the other floors also came to a halt. This marks our solidarity with an acclaimed director like Sanjay Leela Bhansali and our protest against any attempt to curb creative freedom." The EIMPA, the Artist Forum and the Federation of Cine Technicians and Workers had jointly called for the protest. Shri Rajput Karni Sena founder Lokendra Singh Kalvi, however, again demanded the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he pressed for a ban on the film. He said his organisation was willing to move the Supreme Court to get the film banned. In Patna, Bihar Principal Secretary (Home) Amir Subhani, when asked whether any instructions had been issued for a ban on the release of the movie, told PTI that they had received no such information. BJP MLA Neeraj Kumar Singh, however, reached the Bihar Assembly premises with photographs of Bhansali and Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan garlanded with shoes and slippers pasted on his vehicle. Khan had said recently that Muslims never objected to "Mughal-e-Azam" though Anarkali was wrongly shown as Prince Salim's beloved because the community was "large hearted". Singh told reporters that he was a Rajput and could not tolerate any insult to Rajput sentiment. "In the trailer of the movie, queen Padmini has been shown dancing, which is contrary to what history tells us about the legendary figure. I would have no objections if they had changed the name of the character...But they cannot be allowed to portray historical figures in a distorted manner," the BJP MLA said. Singh also displayed a copy of a letter he wrote to Nitish Kumar, praying for a ban on the release of the film in the state. The lavishly mounted film, starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor, has been facing the wrath of various Rajput groups and political leaders, who have accused Bhansali of distorting history. Many groups have been protesting amid rumours that there is a romantic dream sequence between Rajput queen Padmini and Allauddin Khilji. Bhansali has said in an appeal that there is no dream sequence and it is all a rumour. Historians are divided on whether Padmini, who finds mention in the 16th century epic poem "Padmavat", actually existed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan has not taken counter- terrorism steps that it promised the US after President Donald Trump announced his new South Asia strategy in August, a top American and NATO commander said today. Reiterating that the relationship between the Haqqani network and the ISI continues, General John Nicholson, commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, reconfirmed the assessment of top US defence leadership during a video conference with Pentagon reporters from Kabul. He was asked about the ISI and its support for the Haqqani network, and whether it had changed specifically over the past few months. "Well, to bookend that comment, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs and the secretary of defence were asked these questions on recently. I think they affirmed that those relationships still exist. So I'd leave it at that and I concur with their assessment," Nicholson said in response. According to him, the top Taliban leadership still lives in Pakistan, whereas the tactical-level leadership are in Afghanistan. "I think their tactical-level leadership is in Afghanistan in the field. But there's a reason that the two leadership centres of the Taliban are called the Quetta Shura and the Peshawar Shura. Those are cities in Pakistan. So I'd say the senior leadership still resides in Pakistan," he said. Nicholson said Pakistan is yet to take action on counter-terrorism which it had promised to do after Trump announced his new South Asia policy in August. "They (Pakistan) identified certain steps that they were going to take. We've not yet seen those steps play out," he said. "This is very much a dialogue capital-to-capital right now. We'll have other senior-level visits coming up. As far as the timeframe for actions on either side, I'll leave that to our senior leadership to discuss," he said. The American leadership, he said, has been very direct and very clear with the Pakistanis. "I know at the senior level, again, you can read President Trump's statements. So the expectations are out there. Now, we have not seen those changes implemented yet. We're hoping to see those changes. We're hoping to work together with the Pakistanis going forward to eliminate terrorists who are crossing the Durand Line," Nicholson said. "The Pakistanis have many concerns about the border from their side. We also share those concerns. And so, there are some common equities we have: obviously counter-terrorism, border control, refugee returns. All these issues are on the table. But in terms of changes thus far this year, again, policy was announced August 21, it's now a hundred days later. So, no, we haven't seen those changes yet," he said. In his South Asia strategy speech, Trump was harsh on Pakistan. "For its part, Pakistan often gives safe haven to agents of chaos, violence, and terror. The threat is worse because Pakistan and India are two nuclear-armed states whose tense relations threaten to spiral into conflict. And that could happen," he had said in his August speech. Trump had said the US can no longer be silent about Pakistan's safe havens for terrorist organisations, the Taliban, and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond. He also warned Pakistan that it has much to lose by continuing to harbour criminals and terrorists. Trump had accused Pakistan of sheltering terror groups that try every day to kill Americans. "We have been paying Pakistan billions and billions of dollars but at the same time they are housing the very terrorists that we are fighting. But that will have to change, and that will change immediately," he said in a blunt message. "No partnership can survive a country's harbouring of militants and terrorists who target US service members and officials. It is time for Pakistan to demonstrate its commitment to civilisation, order, and to peace," he said. Last week, the White House also issued another warning to Pakistan in the aftermath of the release of 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed from house arrest. "Saeed's release, after Pakistan's failure to prosecute or charge him, sends a deeply troubling message about Pakistan's commitment to combating international terrorism and belies Pakistani claims that it will not provide sanctuary for terrorists on its soil. "If Pakistan does not take action to lawfully detain Saeed and charge him for his crimes, its inaction will have repercussions for bilateral relations and for Pakistan's global reputation," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement on November 25. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Income Tax (IT) department today conducted searches at over 25 locations in Delhi and the National Capital Region in connection with its tax evasion probe into the Panama Papers leak cases, official sources said. The I-T teams swooped down on three business groups, which had interests in metals and food processing, financial services and tyres, they added. The department had recovered about Rs 4 crore cash and jewellery during the ongoing searches in Delhi, Ghaziabad and Faridabad till now, the sources said, adding that a number of documents, computer hard discs and CDs were seized. The names and links of the business groups had featured in the Panama Papers and it was detected that these entities were "highly suppressing" their actual turnover and income, they said. At least 25 locations in Delhi-NCR were covered during today's search-and-survey operations, the sources added. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), which frames the policies of the IT department, had recently said that the probe into the Panama Papers leak cases had led to the detection of undisclosed wealth of Rs 792 crore and that the probe was on in "full swing". Over a year after the Washington-based International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) made the documents public, the CBDT had said it had found 147 of a total of 426 cases "actionable". "The Income Tax department conducted inquiries in all the 426 cases, inter alia, by making 395 references to 28 foreign jurisdictions. "Based on an analysis of the information obtained and the investigation conducted, the outcome so far indicates 147 actionable cases and 279 non-actionable cases (non-residents or no irregularities)," it had said earlier this month. The Panama Papers contained brief particulars of 426 Indians or Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs). The Centre had constituted a multi-agency group (MAG) of investigating agencies in April last year to probe these instances. The MAG has so far submitted seven reports to the Centre. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) "Padmavati" director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and censor board chief Prasoon Joshi have been asked by a parliamentary committee on IT to appear before it and present their views on the controversy surrounding the movie which has been accused of distorting history by fringe groups. The 30-member panel has also asked producers of the movie and officials of the information and broadcasting ministry to appear before it and brief about the controversy relating to the Rs 150 crore film. "The panel has asked Bhansali and Joshi to appear before it and present their views on the movie. They can present their case before the panel. The members have also decided to call the producers of the movie," chairman of the panel Anurag Thakur told PTI. The committee is scheduled to meet on Thursday. Interestingly, actors Paresh Rawal and Raj Babbar, who are members of Parliament, are also part of the panel which will examine the issues relating to the movie. Parliamentary sources said they have reached out to Bhansali, but he appeared to be "shying away" from appearing before the panel. The censor board is yet to clear the film. The film, starring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh, is based on Rajput queen Padmini. As allegations of distorting history in the film triggered protests in various states, the makers of the movie has deferred its release date. The film was scheduled to release on December 1, this year. The Karni Sena, a fringe group, as well as the BJP have been critical of the film and a number of BJP ruled states have already banned it. The set of the movie was vandalised twice -- in Jaipur and Kolhapur -- and director Sanjay Leela Bhansali was roughed up by members of Karni Sena earlier this year. Another parliamentary panel has also called the officials of the ministry and censor board over the controversy. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hoped for early resumption of dialogue between the Palestinian and Israeli sides to move towards finding a comprehensive negotiates resolution. In a message on the occasion of the UN International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, he also reiterated India's steadfast support for the Palestinian cause. "India hopes for early resumption of dialogue between the Palestinian and Israeli sides to move towards finding a comprehensivenegotiated resolution," Modi said. Every year after 1979, November 29 is celebrated as International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. A special meeting is held at the UN headquarters here. "We hope for early realisation of a sovereign, independent, united and viable Palestine co-existing peacefully with Israel," Modi said in his message. IndiaisanactivedevelopmentpartnerofPalestine, engaged in extending technical and financial assistance to improve the lives of the Palestinian people, he said. "We will continue to support the development and nation building effortsof Palestine. To this effect, India has increased training slots for Palestine under our flagship Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme from 1O0 to 150 annual slots," Modi said. "Separately, educational scholarships have also been doubled in order to contribute to human resource development of Palestine," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Four persons arrested for possessing narcotics were found to have allegedly been involved in a kidney racket operated from a private hospital in the city. The four including a couple were arrested from the city's Anandapur area, ACP (Crime) Vishal Garg said at the Kolkata Police headquarters at Lalbazar. "We have arrested four persons on the basis of an information that they were carrying drugs. During search, we recovered documents from them proving their involvement in a kidney racket operated from a private hospital," Garg said. Brown sugar weighing around 316 g with a market value of over Rs 3 lakh was allegedly seized from them yesterday. The hospital, however, denied that any kidney racket was operating from its establishment. "With respect to reports on an alleged kidney racket, we would like to say that our documentation processes and procedures are among the best in the country," a spokesperson of the hospital said. Each kidney transplant is done with government clearances after due diligence, the spokesperson added. The arrested four were identified as Ashfaque Ahmed, the kingpin of the racket, Tehrul Islam, Baidyanath Burman and his wife Joshna. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Opposition AIADMK today urged the territorial government to bring in "administrative reforms" to ensure smooth working of the government. Leader of the legislature wing of the AIADMK, A Anbalagan, said the current tussle between the Lt Governor Kiran Bedi and the government had brought the whole machinery to a halt with most welfare schemes not seeing the light of the day. He urged the government to bring in administrative reforms to ensure smooth working of the government and for the benefit of people. He appealed to the chief minister to release a 'white paper' on the government's fiscal position. Anbalagan said the Lt governor and the chief minister should function in tandem so that the welfare measures meant for the poor could be implemented without any hiccups. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pope Francis begins his first full day in Myanmar traveling to the country's capital today to meet with the civilian leader, Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, a day after hosting the military general in charge of the crackdown on the country's Muslim Rohingya minority. Francis' speech to Suu Kyi, other Myanmar authorities and the diplomatic corps in Naypyitaw is the most anticipated of his visit, given the outcry over the crackdown, which the U.S. and U.N. have described as a campaign of "ethnic cleansing" to drive out the Rohingya from northern Rakhine state. The operation, launched in August after Rohingya militants attacked security posts, has sent more than 620,000 Rohingya into neighboring Bangladesh, where they have reported entire villages were burned and looted, and women and girls were raped. Myanmar's Catholic leaders have stressed that Suu Kyi has no voice to speak out against the military over the operation, and have urged continued support for her efforts to move Myanmar toward a more democratic future that includes all its religious minorities, Christians in particular. How Francis bridges the local Catholic concerns with his legacy of speaking out for oppressed minorities is the key to watch in his speech in Naypyitaw. Francis dove into the crisis hours after arriving yesterday by meeting with the commander responsible for the crackdown, Gen Min Aung Hlaing, and three members of the bureau of special operations. The Vatican didn't provide details of the contents of the 15-minute "courtesy visit," only to say that "They spoke of the great responsibility of the authorities of the country in this moment of transition." Gen Min Aung Hlaing's office said in a statement on Facebook that he is willing to have "interfaith peace, unity and justice." The general added that there was no religious or ethnic persecution or discrimination in Myanmar, and that the government allowed different faith groups to have freedom of worship. Rohingya Muslims have long faced state-supported discrimination in the predominantly Buddhist country and were stripped of citizenship in 1982, denying them almost all rights and rendering them stateless. They cannot travel freely, practice their religion, or work as teachers or doctors, and they have little access to medical care, food or education. Myanmar's Catholic Church has publicly urged Francis to avoid saying "Rohingya," a term shunned by many here because the ethnic group is not a recognized minority in the country. And they have urged him to toe a delicate line in condemning the violence, given the potential for blowback against Myanmar's tiny Catholic community. Francis previously has prayed for "our Rohingya brothers and sisters," lamented their suffering and called for them to enjoy full rights. As a result, much of the debate before his trip focused on whether he would again express solidarity with the Rohingya. Any decision to avoid the term and shy away from the conflict could be viewed as a capitulation to Myanmar's military and a stain on his legacy of standing up for the most oppressed and marginalized of society, no matter how impolitic. Burke didn't say if Francis used the term in his meeting with the general, which ended with an exchange of gifts: Francis gave him a medallion of the trip, while the general gave the pope a harp in the shape of a boat, and an ornate rice bowl. The papal trip was planned before the latest spasm of violence erupted in August, when Myanmar security forces responded to militant attacks with a scorched-earth campaign that has sent many Rohingya fleeing to Bangladesh. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pope Francis urged respect for rights and justice in a keenly-watched address in Myanmar today, but refrained from any mention of the Rohingya or the alleged ethnic cleansing that has driven huge numbers of the Muslim minority from the country. Sharing a stage with Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi in the capital Naypyidaw, the pontiff tip-toed around the humanitarian emergency of the Rohingya. Peace can only be achieved through "justice and a respect for human rights", he said in a broadly-framed speech that also called for "respect for each ethnic group and its identity". The word "Rohingya", an incendiary term in a mainly Buddhist country where the minority are denied citizenship and branded illegal "Bengali" immigrants, was entirely absent from his speech. Francis has repeatedly defended the group, 620,000 of whom have fled from Myanmar's Rakhine state to Bangladesh since August. Rights groups had urged him during his four-day visit to confront Myanmar about its actions, but the local Catholic Church cautioned him against straying into the Rohingya issue. Also today, the UN Human Rights Council announced it will hold a special session next week to discuss the situation facing the Rohingya and other minorities in Rakhine. The December 5 session "is being convened per an official request submitted today by Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia" that has been supported by 73 states, the rights council said in a statement. Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, has been ostracised by a global rights community that once adored her but is now outraged at her tepid response to the crisis. She spoke of the challenges her country faces as it creeps out of the shadow of five decades of military rule, but also did not reference the Rohingya. The government aimed to build the nation by "protecting rights, fostering tolerance, ensuring security for all", she said in a short speech, that gave a nod to the "situation in the Rakhine." The pope's peace mission is strewn with pitfalls in Myanmar, where a monk-led Buddhist nationalist movement has fostered widespread loathing for the Rohingya. In recognition of those tensions his public speech was "very carefully worded", Myanmar-based political analyst Richard Horsey told AFP, speculating "he is likely to have been more forthright in private meetings with Myanmar's leaders." But the pontiff's words were of little comfort to Rohingya stuck in dire conditions in Bangladesh. "We are very much disappointed that he did not mention the Rohingya crisis," said activist Mohammad Zubair from Kutupalong refugee camp, speaking of a religious leader who previously "even held prayers for the Rohingya". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pope Francis will lead an open-air mass today for some 200,000 Catholics in Myanmar, who have poured into Yangon for a papal visit so far framed by his sidestepping of the Rohingya crisis. Excitement has been building for months among the throngs of pilgrims from across the country expected to join the colourful celebration of Myanmar's ethnic diversity in the commercial capital. The pope will wind through the crowds in a white 'popemobile' to greet his followers at close-quarters before conducting a ceremony due to start at 08:30 local time (02:00 GMT) on the third day of his visit. The trip has so far been more political than religious. Francis has held private talks with both civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and the powerful army chief Min Aung Hlaing. It comes as the country feels under siege from the international community over the plight of its Rohingya Muslim community, who are shunned by many of the majority-Buddhist population. The pope avoided mentioning the crisis -- or the Rohingya -- directly at his only public speech so far in the country's capital on Tuesday, where he took the stage with Suu Kyi. He called simply for "respect for rights and justice" while Suu Kyi stated that Myanmar's aims were "protecting rights, fostering tolerance, ensuring security for all." A military crackdown has forced more than 620,000 Rohingya over the last three months to flee their homes in northern Rakhine state to what is now the biggest refugee camp in the world in neighbouring Bangladesh. The army has justified the campaign as a proportionate retaliation for attacks by hardline Rohingya militants in August. But the UN and the US have labelled it ethnic cleansing and rights groups accuse the military of crimes against humanity with refugees recounting consistent reports of murder, rape and arson. This is the first ever papal visit to the country although there have been Catholics in Myanmar for over 500 years. Today they number an estimated 700,000 -- just over one percent of the population -- and generally enjoy good relations with the Buddhist majority. In the last three years, the Vatican has canonised Myanmar's first saint and named its first cardinal before full diplomatic ties were established in May this year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Senior IAS officer Pradeep Singh Kharola has been appointed as the new CMD of disinvestment- bound Air India, the government said today. Kharola would take over as the chairman and managing director of the flagship carrier from Rajiv Bansal, who was given an extension only last week. A 1985-batch Karnataka cadre officer, Kharola would be steering the national airline at a time when the government has started the process for its strategic disinvestment. Kharola has been appointed as the CMD of Air India in the rank and pay of Secretary to Government of India, an official release said. He has been the managing director of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd since February 2015. Among others, Kharola has worked in various posts in Karnataka, including as the chairman of Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation Ltd. He has also served as principal secretary to the Karnataka chief minister. Interestingly, Bansal -- who is also additional secretary and financial adviser at the petroleum ministry -- had got an extension as Air India CMD only last week after his initial three-month tenure ended on November 23. As part of efforts to revive the fortunes of Air India -- which is staying afloat on taxpayers' money -- the government has decided on selling stake in the airline. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) gave its in-principle nod for the strategic disinvestment of Air India in June this year. The carrier, which has a debt burden of more than Rs 50,000 crore, managed to eke out operational profit for the first time in a decade in 2015-16. Under a turnaround plan approved by the previous UPA regime, Air India is to receive up to Rs 30,231 crore from the government subject to meeting certain performance thresholds. The ten-year bailout package began from 2012. So far, the embattled carrier has received around Rs 26,000 crore under the package. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Ram Nath Kovind will arrive here tomorrow on a two-day visit to Mizoram. The president would address the Mizoram Legislative Assembly on Thursday, officials said today. State Protocol department officials said that Kovind would arrive at the Lengpui Airport near here tomorrow. He would fly to the Thuampui helipad in Aizawl by helicopter and would stay at the Raj Bhavan. He would inaugurate the Housing for the Poor Project at a function in the Raj Bhavan, the officials said. Additional secretary of the state Assembly S R Zokhuma said the president would address the session of the state legislature at 11 am on Thursday. "Though Speaker Hiphei adjourned the winter session of the legislature on November 16 sine die, the state Governor Lt General (Retd) Nirbhay Sharma was yet to prorogue the session," he said, adding that the speaker's notification issued yesterday for continuation of the session was enough. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Ram Nath Kovind today hailed the commitment of scientists in nation building and said that they would have to now play a major role towards the realisation of 'New India by 2022'. "I appreciate the commitment of scientists to the nation. You make India proud. I can say without doubt that you are true nation builders and have a major responsibility for the realisation of New India an India that will achieve certain developmental milestones by 2022," Kovind said while addressing the 'Vigyan Chintan - Scientific Ecosystem In Kolkata' -- an interaction with scientific community -- held this evening at the Raj Bhawan here. On the 75th anniversary of the Quit India movement this August, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked the people to take a pledge to free the country of problems like communalism, casteism and corruption and create a 'New India by 2022'. Describing Kolkata as a city that has been "the capital of modern Indian science", the President said that New India would not be achieved without New Bengal, which could not be possible without the contribution of the scientific community. "New India cannot be achieved without New Bengal. And neither New India nor New Bengal can be achieved without the scientific community here contributing in strong measure," he said. The President stressed on the need to harness the scientific talent pool in West Bengal for the good of the state itself and convert the city into a tech hub of India. "It is important to harness that scientific talent pool in Bengal for the good of Bengal itself. And to once more convert Kolkata into the tech hub of India that it was a century ago, or even 50 years ago," he said. Referring to the contribution of scientists like JC Bose, SN Bose and Meghnad Saha and Acharya PC Ray from the state, he lauded the role of present day young scientists from West Bengal "to the furthering of science and of knowledge". "To this day, young students from Bengal, young science graduates and scientists, young engineers and technologists, contribute so much to the furthering of science and knowledge. They do so all over the country and all over the world," the President said. "There is truly something special about Bengal. On this soil, even a Swami devoted to spiritualism can have a sensitive appreciation for and a fascination for modern science," he said. Stating that science has been India's intellectual trigger as well as force multiplier, Kovind said that in modern times, Kolkata and Bengal have played a central role in the process. "Today, the challenge is to widen that culture to other geographies, both within the state and outside. As well as to deepen that culture by incubating a society that understands, encourages and embraces innovation down from our leading scientific institutions to our schools and our educational system," he said. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi, Chief Secretary Moloy De, Home Secretary Atri Bhattacharya, state Finance Minister Amit Mitra, Leader of opposition Abdul Mannan and BJP state president Dilip Ghosh were among the dignitaries present on the occasion. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Britain's Prince Harry will marry his American actress girlfriend Meghan Markle at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle in May next year, Kensington Palace said today. The Royal Family will pay for the wedding, including the service, music, flowers and the reception. The 36-year-old Markle, a protestant Christian, will be baptised and confirmed into the Anglican faith before the wedding, the palace said. The 'Suits' actress also intends to become a British citizen and will work towards it in the coming years. Prince Harry's communications secretary Jason Knauf described Windsor as a "very special place" for the couple, saying they had spent time there together since meeting in July 2016. The announcement has confirmed the speculation that the couple was due to get married in May next year after Prince William and Kate Middleton's third child is born in April. The 33-year-old Harry, fifth in line to Britain's throne, in his first interview to the BBC after announcing his engagement yesterday said that he proposed to Markle over a "standard" dinner of at their Nottingham Cottage home in Kensington Palace in London. The couple said that they had met on a blind date set up by a mutual friend in London last July and got to know each other while camping in Botswana, South Africa. "He went down on one knee. It was just an amazing surprise," Markle said, adding that the experience was " so sweet and natural and very romantic". "The fact that I fell in love with Markle so incredibly quickly was confirmation to me that all the stars were aligned, everything was just perfect," Harry said. Markle is already involved with humanitarian work and is a women's advocate with the United Nations. Earlier, Clarence House, the office of Harry's father Prince Charles, had announced that the pair had sought and received the blessings of Queen Elizabeth II. Harry revealed that during their meeting, his grandmother's corgi dogs had instantly taken to his bride-to- be. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Net Neutrality activists today protested outside Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman Ajit Pai's home in Virginia with signs directing at his children after he proposed dismantling net neutrality rules. Pai blasted the activists for "harassing" his family members, saying they "crossed the line". Pai is facing backlash from his opponents for his proposal which seeks to reverse Obama era's net neutrality, which meant that all websites are treated equally by Internet providers. His proposal would end net neutrality and give big Internet providers like Comcast and Verizon broad powers to determine what website should reach out to subscribers faster than others. Net neutrality activists not only protest outside his home with signs directing at his children, they also reportedly sent pizzas to his home every half-and-hour. Some media reports said the frequency was every 15 minutes. This is the first instance that a senior Indian-American administration official in any of the presidential administration being harassed and threatened by opponents not agreeing to his views. Signboards and placards placed by protestors outside Pai's house in Virginia mocked him for his views. "Is this really the world you want Annabelle and Alexander to inherit? How will they ever look you in the eye again," was written in one of the posters. "They will come to know the truth. Dad murdered democracy in cold blood. And for what? It's not too late for you Chairman Pai. You do not have to be evil," written in another poster. In an interview to Fox and Friends, Pai said that his opponents have "crossed the line". "I understand that people are passionate about policy, but the one thing in America that should remain sacred is that families, wives and kids, should remain out of it. And stop harassing us at our homes," Pai told Fox and Friends. Pai's proposal is scheduled to come out to vote before FCC on December 14. This is expected to pass as the Republicans have five votes as against three from the Democratic Party. Pai expressed his displeasure when asked about the protest outside his house in Virginia. "It was a little nerve-racking, especially for my wife," he said. "Internet regulation activists have crossed the line by threatening and harassing my family. They should leave my family out of this and focus on debating the merits of the issue," Pai said in a statement reported by The Washington Post. "That's one of the things I think is very unfortunate about all the vitriol and hot air that's out there is that if you keep going out there and peddling this misinformation like 'this is the guy who is going to break the Internet and destroy democracy', it's not surprising that some people get alarmed by it," he said. In an interview to PBS early this month, Pai had said the digital landscape has changed, and the government should stop "micromanaging the Web". Instead, he argued, "companies should be transparent about their policies". Free Press Action, which has been seeking net neutrality condemned the personal attack against Pai and his family. "If you are sending racist message to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, mocking his name, heritage or family, we do not want you in this new neutrality fight," it said. According to Brendan Bordelon, a cybers ecurity reporter at National Journal, "Pizzas also reportedly set to his house every half-hour last night," he said, adding that "the racist memes and the hyperbolic social media attacks are bad enough. This is deeply disturbing". The Indian-American community, who are quick in defence of such attacks, have surprisingly been quite on this so far, leaving Pai, 44, to defend himself alone. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Federal Communications Commission chairman, Ajit Pai, has come under a blistering attack by several Indian-American lawmakers and activists for his proposal to repeal the Obama-era net neutrality policy. The activists also protested outside Pai's home in Virginia with signs directing at his children. Pai, 44, blasted the activists for "harassing" his family members, saying they "crossed the line". He is facing backlash from his opponents for his proposal which seeks to reverse Obama era's net neutrality, which meant that all websites are treated equally by Internet providers. His proposal would end net neutrality and give big Internet providers like Comcast and Verizon broad powers to determine what website should reach out to subscribers faster than others. The activists not only staged protest outside Pai's home with signs directing at his children, they also reportedly sent pizzas to his home every half-and-hour. Some media reports said the frequency was every 15 minutes. This is the first instance that a senior Indian-American administration official in any of the presidential administration being harassed and threatened by opponents. Signboards and placards placed by protestors outside Pai's house in Virginia mocked him for his views. "I understand that people are passionate about policy, but the one thing in America that should remain sacred is that families, wives and kids, should remain out of it. And stop harassing us at our homes," Pai told 'Fox and Friends'. His proposal is scheduled to come out to vote before FCC on December 14. This is expected to pass as the Republicans have five votes as against three from the Democratic Party. Pai expressed his displeasure when asked about the protest outside his house in Virginia. "It was a little nerve-racking, especially for my wife," he said. "Internet regulation activists have crossed the line by threatening and harassing my family. They should leave my family out of this and focus on debating the merits of the issue," Pai was quoted as saying by The Washington Post. In an interview to PBS early this month, Pai had said the digital landscape has changed, and the government should stop "micromanaging the Web". Instead, he argued, "companies should be transparent about their policies". Free Press Action, which has been seeking net neutrality condemned the personal attack against Pai and his family. "If you are sending racist message to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, mocking his name, heritage or family, we do not want you in this new neutrality fight," it said. Pai's controversial proposal triggered a war of words between him and Indian-American lawmakers. "We need stronger net neutrality laws that ban most forms of zero rating instead of weakening these laws!", first-term Congressman from Silicon Valley Ro Khanna tweeted. He also shared an article from the Los Angeles Times according to which "in Portugal, with no net neutrality, Internet providers are starting to split the net into packages". He said the FCC is giving major corporations "even more control over the media, paving the way for megamergers like Sinclair-Tribune". "We have to fight for less consolidation to save our democracy," he added. Pai reacted sharply, saying Khanna was making a false accusation. "In addition to making the false assertion that Portugal has no net neutrality, Congressman Khanna is pointing to an example that has nothing to do with net neutrality," he said. Senator Kamala Harris said over 7,00,000 Californians and more than 8 million Americans have already submitted comments in response to the FCC's "misguided" proposal. "Our message has been clear: broadband providers must not be allowed to tilt the playing field by blocking or throttling their competitors, prioritising their offerings, or otherwise unreasonably interfering with lawful content," she said. The FCC, Harris alleged, wants to do is empower broadband service providers the gatekeepers of the Internet to potentially distort the online marketplace and set up a pay- for-play system. "This would be a terrible mistake that would hurt the most vulnerable and voiceless among us. It will imperil our economy while reducing innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity," she said in an email to her supporters. Tulsi Gabbard, the first Hindu lawmaker, alleged that Pai and the FCC were rewarding "pay-to-play politics", ensuring that those with money have a seat at the table and shutting out everyone else. "The FCC must fulfill their responsibility to all Americans, not just big Internet Service Providers (ISPs)," Gabbard said. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal said with dismantling of net neutrality rules, the competition among new streaming services and content providers will be severely damaged. "If these rules are repealed, your ISP will be able to charge you more to access certain content. Those with more money will get faster Internet service, or be able to access more of the Internet," she said. "The large corporations will have a freehand to charge discriminatory rates to benefit themselves, and limit the free speech and access of their consumers," she added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Centre today told the Supreme Court that the process of publication of National Register of Citizens (NRC) could cause unrest in Assam as lakhs of people may lose their citizenship in the exercise. It said that the deadline fixed by the apex court for updating the draft NRC was December 31, 2017, and its publication may result in serious law and order problem in the state. Attorney General K K Venugopal made the submission while arguing in a another case relating to fixing of accountability for damage to life and property during protests. "Large scale work is going on in updating the NRC in Assam. Lakhs of people will be included in the NRC while lakhs of people may lose citizenship. Government of India is apprehensive about large scale agitation on publication of the updated list," he told a bench of Justices Adarsh Kumar Goel and U U Lalit. The AG said the Centre was mobilising forces to check any untoward incident in the state as the date of publication of draft NRC was nearing. The apex court was told that as on November 22, a total of 3.29 crore claims have been made for inclusion in the NRC, which is being prepared to identify illegal migrants. The NRC of 1951 is being updated for Assam in accordance with the tripartite agreement between the state and central governments and All Assam Students Union (AASU) arrived at in 2005 to implement the 1985 Assam Accord. A separate bench of apex court is already supervising the process of updating the draft NRC as per the Assam Accord. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara jumped a couple of rungs to second, while skipper Virat Kohli held on to the fifth spot in the latest ICC rankings for Test batsmen, issued here today. Pujara trails Australian captain Steve Smith, who has extended his lead at the top but the next four batsmen are separated by just 11 points in the latest rankings, the ICC said in a statement. Pujara has returned to number-two ranking after scoring 143 in his side's huge victory by an innings and 239 runs against Sri Lanka in Nagpur. He had first peaked to second following the Ranchi Test against Australia in March, while the last time he was second was following his 133 against Sri Lanka in Colombo in August. Pujara has been rewarded with 22 points, lifting him from fourth to second on a career-high 888 points. The 29-year-old now leads his fifth-ranked captain Kohli by 11 points. Kohli has vaulted from 817 points to 877 points after scoring his fifth career double-century in 62 Tests. Smith, on the other hand, stroked an unbeaten 141, his 21st century in his 57th Test, which was the cornerstone of Australia's 10-wicket victory over England in the first Ashes Test. For his performance, Smith has gained five points to rise to 941 points, making him joint-fifth in terms of the highest points tally in batting history in Tests behind Sir Don Bradman (961), Len Hutton (945), Jack Hobbs (942) and Ricky Ponting (942), and at par with Peter May (941). England captain Joe Root is sitting third and New Zealand captain Kane Williamson is occupying the fourth spot, while sixth-ranked David Warner of Australia is another 51 points behind Kohli. India opener Murali Vijay and middle-order batsman Rohit Sharma, who were the other centurions in the just-concluded Test, have also made impressive gains. Vijay has risen eight places to 28th position, while Rohit has shot up seven places to 46th spot. Some of the leading batsmen heading in the wrong direction include KL Rahul (ninth, down by one), Ajinkya Rahane (15th, down by two), Dimuth Karunaratne (18th, down by one), and Shikhar Dhawan (29th, down by one). In the bowlers' rankings, Ravindra Jadeja has reclaimed the second position following his match figures of five for 84, while Mitchell Starc has returned to the top 10 in 10th position after his match figures of six for 128 helped him to gain three places. Ravichandran Ashwin, who became the fastest man to 300 wickets in Tests, has consolidated his fourth position by gaining nine points, which helped him to be on 849 points. The India off-spinner is now 42 points behind number-one ranked James Anderson, who has dropped five points after claiming two wickets in the Brisbane Test. Other bowlers to improve their rankings include Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ishant Sharma, who have moved up one place each to 28th and 30th respectively. In the all-rounders' rankings, Ashwin has returned to third place in the list which is headed by Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Vladimir Putin today announced a string of reforms aimed at boosting birth rates in Russia as the population continues its long-term decline following a period of improvement. "Today... Russia's demographic situation is once again deteriorating," Putin said at a meeting on child policy in Moscow. "This tendency was predictable and is linked to the consequences of previous, overlapping deep demographic declines," he said. He pointed to the decline of the Russian population as a result of the Second World War and "roughly the same decline in the mid-1990s due to enormous problems in the economy and de facto breakdown of the social sphere." The government would reset its demographic development policy and pay particular attention to low-income families, he said. Putin, who has made improving the country's demography a priority in his three presidential terms, announced new monthly handouts for the birth of a first child that will come into effect from January 1. The Russian leader said his government would allocate USD 2.4 billion (two billion euros) to the scheme, which would give Russian women an allowance of USD 180 for 18 months after the birth of their first child. Russia, home to 146.9 million people, has seen its population decrease by more than five million since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. The country then plunged into a deep demographic crisis due to worsening living standards, an increasing death rate and falling birth rates. After a period of improvement, Moscow's demographic decline now seems to be worsening again. According to the Russian statistics agency, the country lost 106,200 people between January and October 2017. During the same period in 2016, Russia gained 18,200 people. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Rajasthan government has made singing of national anthem mandatory in all government and government-aided hostels in the state. Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Arun Chaturvedi said the move would instill a "sense of nationalism" among students. "Students will sing 'Jana Gana Mana' in the morning meeting at 7 am. Hostel wardens will have to be present during such sessions," he said. The order came into force on November 26, celebrated as the Constitution day. There are close to 40,000 students in nearly 800 state-run hostels in Rajasthan. The Jaipur Municipal Corporation had last month started the daily practice of playing the national anthem at the start of the day and the national song in the evening. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot today accused the Vasundhara Raje government of deceiving farmers in four years of its rule in Rajasthan. The BJP had promised to waive farmers' debt before coming to power, but it forced them to commit suicide and over 80 peasants in state have ended their lives till date, Pilot alleged at a farmers' rally in Suratgarh in Sriganganagar district. Farmers were suffering losses due to non-availability of water, fertilisers and seeds. They were being forced to sell their produce at throw-away prices, he claimed. Pilot alleged that the government did not have any concrete policy to maintain canals and was not able to meet the demand of irrigation water by farmers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ivanka Trump, US President Donald Trump's daughter, today said reducing gender gap in the labour force by half can help boost Indian economy by over USD 150 billion in the next three years and reiterated her father's words that "India has a true friend in the White House". Speaking at the 8th annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit here, she said the conference is symbolic of growing partnership between India and the US. "Just consider if India closes the labour force gender gap by half, your economy could grow by over USD 150 billion dollars in the next three years," she said. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the dais, she congratulated Indians on celebrating 70 years of Independence. "You are celebrating it as the world's largest democracy, and one of the fastest growing economies on the earth," the advisor to the US President added. She also showered lavish praise on Modi who is "doing to build India as a thriving economy -- a beacon of democracy -- and a symbol of hope to the world. What you are achieving is truly extraordinary". "What you are achieving is truly extraordinary... from your childhood selling tea to election as India's Prime Minister," Ivanka said. "Through your own enterprise, entrepreneurship and hard work, the people of India have lifted more than 130 million citizens out of poverty -- a remarkable improvement, and one I know will continue to grow under the leadership of the Prime Minister," she added. In a speech that was punctuated by loud cheers from the audience, she lauded Modi for his firm belief that "the progress of humanity is incomplete without the empowerment of women". India, Ivanka noted, has opened new universities, its doctors and scientists are discovering medical cures and life-saving technologies, its engineers and architects have built modern wonders that grace skies, and Indian spacecraft have travelled to the Moon and the Mars. "The people of India inspire us all," she said. According to Ivanka, India hosting the Global Entrepreneurship Summit is "a symbol of the strengthened friendship between our two peoples, and the growing economic and security partnership between our two nations. As President Trump said earlier this year India has a true friend in the White House". The Summit, she said further, is a celebration of what is happening in India and the US as also all over the world: entrepreneurs are revolutionising our economies and improving our societies. "You are rewriting the rules," she emphasised. India, she said, is one of the fastest growing economies in the world and has a true friend in the White House. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Spiritual guru Jaggi Vasudev today said inter-linking of rivers in the country should be done "scientifically" and not for "political and emotional reasons". "When we talk about inter-linking of rivers, it must be done taking the science into consideration. We should not do it emotionally or for political reasons," Vasudev, the founder of Isha Foundation, said this evening in a press conference held at Mantralaya here. The Isha Foundation today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Chhattisgarh government's Water Resources Department (WRD) as a part of its nationwide campaign for protecting rivers. Vasudev, along with WRD Minister Brijmohan Agrawal, addressed reporters after the agreement was signed. Responding to a query on the concept of river inter-linking, he said the exercise cannot be carried out for all rivers. "There is a science to this (interlinking rivers). There are certain rivers which can be linked, which will be beneficial especially for flood mitigation...It will be very usefulprocess, but all rivers in India are not fit to be linked," he said. He said Indian rivers are not like European or north American rivers. "Because in Europe, for example, the average rainfall is around 225 days in a year and they have at least 10-15 inches of snow that sits there for two to three months. "Our (India's) average rainfall is just 40 to 45 days and this is a tropical land which is thirsty and drinks up a lot of water," he said. Giving details of the MoU, Vasudev said at least 10 crore saplings will be plantedacross the one km radius of water bodies, mainly rivers, in the next one year in Chhattisgarh. "We have signed the MoU towards creating vegetation along water bodies that we have in Chhattisgarh beside major rivers," he said. As a part of the agreement, technical guidance will also be given to the state government on a voluntary basis, he added. "This responsibility--that the way this land and rivers were given to us by our parents---we must be able to hand it over at least in that condition, if not in a better condition, to our children," the spiritual guru said. He also stressed strengthening tributaries of major rivers to protect the mainstream rivers. Brijmohan Agrawal also expressed commitment towork together with the foundation to save and revitalise rivers flowing through Chhattisgarh. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Saudi Arabia today executed six Yemeni men convicted of murder and robbery and a Saudi man for smuggling drugs, the interior ministry said. The Yemenis were convicted of forming a gang that killed two men and a woman in three separate attacks on homes in the southern province of Assir, it said in a statement cited by the SPA agency. In each attack, they also stole cash and other items, the statement added. They were executed at Abha in the southwest of the Gulf kingdom. The seventh convict, a Saudi, was executed in the northern city of Tabuk after being convicted of smuggling pills, the ministry said. Saudi Arabia, where executions are carried out in public by the sword, has one of the world's highest execution rates. The kingdom is governed under a strict form of Islamic law, with suspects convicted of "terrorism", murder, rape, armed robbery and drug trafficking facing the death penalty. Today's executions take the total number of judicial killings in the ultra-conservative country so far this year to 130, according to data compiled by AFP. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court today asked people holding public office to desist from reacting on the Deepika Padukone-starrer Bollywood flick 'Padmavati', saying such statements violated the rule of law and could prejudice the censor board's decision. Politicians of all hues, including some chief ministers, have recently made public statements, mostly against the film based on the saga of the historic battle of 13th century between Maharaja Ratan Singh and his army of Mewar and Sultan Alauddin Khilji of Delhi. "When a matter is pending for consideration before the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), how can persons in public authority comment on whether the CBFC should issue certificate or not? It will prejudice the decision of CBFC," a bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra said. The bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, termed as "misconceived" and dismissed a fresh petition seeking an order to restrain Viacom 18, the maker of the film and others, from releasing it abroad. It said when the courts were not making any observation keeping in mind that the CBFC has to perform its statutory duty, persons holding high offices should desist from making statements. The bench asked the CBFC to take the decision on the certification of the movie with "utmost objectivity". In his plea, lawyer M L Sharma had also sought a direction to the CBI to register a case against director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and others for various offences including defamation and violation of the Cinematography Act. The bench expressed "shock" at certain objectionable contents of the petition and termed them "unwarranted" and "scurrilous" and ordered their deletion. The court said it was not imposing costs on the lawyer for filing such a petition as he was a practising lawyer of the apex court. It took serious note of the statements made by politicians, holding high public offices, on the movie which also stars Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh, saying these tantamounted to pre-judging the movie which is yet to be certified by the CBFC. "This is not done," the bench said, adding, "One thing which we must say is that when the matter is pending and going to be dealt with by the CBFC, no one, who is holding public office, should be saying something which would tantamount to pre-judging and may prejudice the mind of CBFC." "It should be borne in mind that we all are governed by the Rule of Law," it said, adding that when persons holding responsible positions say certain things on the content of the movie, it violated the rule of law. The bench asked Additional Solicitors General Maninder Singh and P S Narasimha to convey their views that such statements should not be made as they violated the principle of Rule of Law. At the outset, senior advocates Harish Salve and Shyam Divan, appearing for the producers, informed the court that there was no intention to release the movie abroad on December 1, as alleged. The petition had alleged that grave damage will be done to social harmony if the movie is allowed to be released outside India. Earlier too, the apex court had dismissed his plea seeking deletion of certain alleged objectionable scenes from movie. Viacom 18, the makers of the film, had said they have deferred the movie's release which was originally slated for December 1. The set of the movie was vandalised twice -- in Jaipur and Kolhapur -- and director Sanjay Leela Bhansali was roughed up by members of Karni Sena earlier this year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Taking strict action against an illegal money-pooling activity, Sebi has directed Sunplant Constructions' three former directors to refund the money that the Kolkata-based firm had raised from the public through issuance of securities. The refund has to be made along "with an interest of 15 per cent per annum", Sebi said in an order. The regulator, through an order passed in December 2015, had already directed Sunplant Constructions and its other directors to jointly and severally refund the money raised by the firm through the issuance of redeemable preference shares (RPS). The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) found that Sunplant Constructions had collected a little over Rs 24 crore by issuing redeemable preference shares (RPS) to over 2,000 investors in 2010-11 and 2011-12. The shares were issued to over 50 people and accordingly, the offer of RPS qualified to be a public issue and required compulsory listing of securities on a recognised stock exchange. However, the firm did not comply with the provision. Among other requirements, the firm was to register a prospectus with the Registrar of Companies (RoC) under the Companies Act, which it failed to do. "I find that Yoganand Prasad, Ameet Singh, Girija Shankar Kumar jointly and severally with SCL (Sunplant Constructions Ltd) and other directors as mentioned in the order dated December 31, 2015, are liable to refund the amounts collected from the investors with interest at the rate of 15 per cent per annum," Sebi Whole Time Member Madhabi Puri Buch said in an order dated November 27. The regulator noted that Singh was a director of SCL in 2010-11, Kumar a director in 2010-11 and 2011-2012 and Prasad was the director only for a day -- October 1 to October 2, 2011, during the time of the issuance of shares. Accordingly, Sebi has asked the firm's three former directors to refund the money collected by the company, during their respective periods of directorship through the issuance of the RPS from investors, with an interest of 15 per cent per annum. After completion of refund, they have been directed to file a report of such completion with Sebi, within three months, certified by two independent chartered accountants. In case they fail to comply with the order, Sebi may recover such amounts in accordance with provisions of securities laws. Further, Sebi has prohibited Singh and Kumar from the securities markets till the refund and a further four years from the date of completion of the refund to investors. Also, they have been restrained from associating themselves with any listed public company during the period under review. However, the regulator has imposed similar restrictions on Prasad, but the quantum is different. He has been barred from the capital markets for at least one year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A separate cadre of teachers would be formed for the border areas in the state to increase the number of teaching staff in schools of those regions, the Punjab Assembly was informed today. Posting of such teachers, transfer and promotion would be in border area schools only, state Education Minister Aruna Chaudhary said during the question hour on the second day of Assembly's winter session. Tarn Taran legislator Dharambir Agnihotri had raised a question regarding formulation of separate education policy for children in border areas. The minister said the proposed cadre would include border districts of Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Ferozepur and Fazilka. Under the proposal, appointment, transfer and promotion of teachers belonging to this cadre would be done in schools of border areas which would lead to meeting of shortfall of the teaching staff in these schools. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Priyanka Chopra has congratulated her friend actor Meghan Markle and Prince Harry after the couple confirmed their royal engagement yesterday. The 35-year-old star took to Instagram to wish the "Suits" actor and her husband-to-be, where she posted the newly-engaged duo's photograph. "Congratulations to my girl @meghanmarkle and Prince Harry!! I'm so happy for you Meg! You deserve the best always... Keep smiling that infectious smile," Priyanka wrote. The "Quantico" star had made Meghan's acquaintance at the annual ELLE Women in Television dinner a few years ago. The duo have constantly been in touch since then, especially through social media. Harry, fifth in line to the British throne, engaged to Meghan, confirming months of rumours that the couple was close to getting hitched. Clarence House issued a statement yesterday on behalf of Harry's father Prince Charles, saying, "The wedding will take place in Spring 2018. Further details about the wedding day will be announced in due course. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Some men tend to interpret a woman's sexual interest as consent to get intimate, even after a direct refusal, according to scientists who identified factors that may predict college student's likelihood to commit sexual crimes. Sexual victimisation of women by men is a growing societal concern that is present in all environments of day- to-day life, researchers said. More specifically, instances of sexual violence are higher than any other crimes amongst college students. In response to this growing epidemic, researchers at Binghamton University and Rush University in the US sought to identify a host of situational and dispositional factors that may predict college men's likelihood to engage in sexual misconduct. The study was comprised of 145 heterosexual male students attending a large university in the southeastern region of the US. The participants were exposed to a series of hypothetical sexual scenarios. Researchers found that most men tended to confuse sexual interest with consent to sex, but that perceptions of consent varied more as a function of situational factors as opposed to personal characteristics of the men. "We found that the way in which the woman communicated her sexual intentions, that is verbal refusal versus passive responding, had the largest effect of men's perceptions," said Richard Mattson, associate professor at the Binghamton University. However, there was also evidence of a precedence effect - which occurs when men equate the occurrence of some past sexual behavior with future consent to high levels of intimacy, in some cases even in the face of direct refusal by the woman. Similarly, the acceptance of rape myths - such as "When a woman says no, she really means yes" - and adherence to hypermasculine beliefs only became stronger when the woman's sexual intentions were ambiguously communicated. "However, our findings also suggest that some men were earnestly attempting to determine whether consent was given, but were nevertheless relying on questionable sexual scripts to disambiguate the situation," said Mattson. Aspects of the college experience also influence students, said Mattson. A sudden decrease in parental supervision and the consumption of alcohol, as examples, underscores an increased risk of involvement in sexually coercive situations among the collegiate setting. However, such a setting can provide a sphere of influence to educate young men and women at a time when patterns of sexual behavior are developing. The study's findings highlight the utility of risk reduction programs that empower women to assertively communicate their sexual desires, educate men on the inferential limits of perceived sexual desire, and reinforce unambiguous affirmative behavior as the standard for consent, Mattson said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been stripped of the Freedom of Oxford award over her "inaction" in handling the raging Rohingya refugee crisis and turning a "blind eye to violence" in the country that forced over 600,000 people to flee to Bangladesh. Oxford City Council voted unanimously last night to permanently remove the honour given to 72-year-old Suu Kyi in 1997. "Today we have taken the unprecedented step of stripping her of her city's highest honour because of her inaction in the face of oppression of the minority Rohingya population," Councillor Mary Clarkson said. "We hope that today we have added our small voice to others calling for human rights and justice for the Rohingya people," she said in a statement. More than 600,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled to Bangladesh following a military crackdown in Myanmar's Rakhine state, creating one of the world's most dire refugee crisis. Last week, Myanmar signed a deal with Bangladesh to allow the refugees to return home. While the United Nations has described the violence and mass exodus as "a textbook example of ethnic cleansing", Suu Kyi has dismissed all allegations. Oxford City Council said that when Suu Kyi had been given the Freedom of the City it was because she reflected the city's values of "tolerance and internationalism" and as a celebration of her opposition to oppression and military rule in Myanmar but now any association with her would tarnish the city's reputation. "The burning of their [Rohingya] villages has been independently confirmed by satellite images, and the UN has called the situation 'a textbook example of genocide' yet Aung San Suu Kyi has denied any ethnic cleansing and dismissed numerous claims of sexual violence against Rohingya women as 'fake rape'," it said. "Oxford has a long tradition of being a diverse and humane city, and our reputation is tarnished by honouring those who turn a blind eye to violence," it added. A series of UK institutions have been distancing themselves from the Nobel Peace laureate in the wake ofthe Rohingya crisis. Aportrait of the leader hanging prominently at the entrance of St Hugh's College, Oxford University, where she studied was moved into storage back in September. In October, under-graduates at the college where she read politics, philosophy and economics between 1964 and 1967 voted to remove the Myanmar leader's name from the title of their junior common room. So far, Oxford University has decided not to reconsider an honorary doctorate bestowed upon Suu Kyi in 2012 but has expressed its "profound concern" over the treatment of the Rohingya minority in Myanmar. At the start of November, musician and Love Aid founder Bob Geldof returned his Freedom of the City of Dublin award because it was also held by Suu Kyi. The City of London Corporation has also been debatingrevokingSuuKyi's Honorary Freedom, bestowed upon her earlier this year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Turkey's Prime Minister said today that the "Astana process" to revive the Syrian peace process, led by Russia, Turkey and Iran, is working alongside the UN's long-running Geneva discussions rather than competing with them. "This process is not competing with the Geneva process," Binali Yildirim said during an address at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in London. "Astana peace talks, trilateral meetings, (are) not an alternative to Geneva, what we try to do is prepare infrastructure for solution(s)... in Geneva," he said Russian President Vladimir Putin, alongside Iran and Turkey, has stepped up diplomatic and military initiatives focused on Syria in recent months, including holding seven meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan. He also hosted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad last week for three hours of talks aimed at laying the groundwork for progress in the long-dormant peace process. The flurry of activity has resulted in the establishment of four "de-escalation" zones inside Syria. This small measure of success contrasts with THE stalled efforts at ending the war in Geneva. The UN said the Syrian government had not yet confirmed that it would attend talks with the opposition due to restart there on today. "We have achieved certain progress in terms of de- escalation and reducing the tensions in the country and moving toward a cease fire," Yildirim added at his IISS talk. But the Turkish prime minister reiterated his country's determination to see Bashar al-Assad leave power. "Look how things evolved in Syria, who caused Syria to be in the situation that it is today -- it all happened because of the regime, because of Assad," he said. He added in the long-term, "Assad cannot possibly survive in Syria, we have to accept this". Yildrim also took the opportunity to reaffirm Turkey's commitment to NATO, but noted the tensions over American alliances in the fight against Islamic State (IS). He reiterated that Ankara views the Kurdish PYD group, and its armed wing the YPG -- part of the US-led coalition fighting IS -- as "terrorist organisations". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen today hailed India's indigenously-built multi-role light combat aircraft Tejas as "very very capable". As the first civilian foreigner to fly on Tejas, Ng took a half-an-hour flight in the two-seater plane piloted by Air Vice Marshal A P Singh at the Kalaikunda airbase here. "It is a very very capable plane," Ng told reporters here after flying on Tejas. Hailing Tejas as "very impressive", Ng said, "This is the reason why our air force trains with your air force. Pilots are superb, planes are pretty good." Praising Air Vice Marshal Singh as a "superbly confident and supremely professional" pilot, Ng said he felt as if he was riding a car and not flying in a fighter aircraft. "In fact the plane ride was so smooth that despite the G-turns and manoeuvres, I managed to even take some selfies," Ng said. Singh, who flew Tejas, is the project director of the National Flight Test Centre -- Aeronautical Development Agency. Asked whether Singapore is interested in buying the Tejas fighter aircraft, the minister said he was not a pilot and it was up to the technical people to take a call on it. Indian defence sources, however, said Singapore has evinced interest in Tejas. During the Bahrain air show where Tejas aircraft was showcased, some Middle Eastern countries had also shown interest, the defence sources said. Two Tejas aircraft were flown in here from Bangalore so that the Singapore defence minister can have a look at the aircraft. Tejas aircraft was designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency and the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the Indian Air Force and the Navy. The Singapore defence minister is scheduled to meet his Indian counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman in Delhi tomorrow. "Bilateral defence ties between our two countries are strong and it is getting stronger," Ng said. Asked whether they would discuss maritime security, Ng answered in the affirmative. This would be Ng's second dialogue with Sitharaman. They had also interacted in Manila during the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting in October. Singapore Air Force is holding joint military training with their Indian counterpart at the Kalaikunda airbase. Asked about the joint military training, Ng said, "I hope this will continue for long." The first joint military training between the Indian Air Force and the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) was held at the Gwalior air force station in 2004. Such an exercise was first held at Kalaikunda in 2007 and since then regular joint training has been held at the air force station here. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Acrimonious exchanges were today witnessed inside the Bihar Legislative Assembly between Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi and leader of the opposition Tejashwi Yadav over the issues of corruption under the present regime and benami property allegedly amassed by the latter. As soon as Speaker Vijay Kumar Choudhary rejected a notice for adjournment motion on various scams served by opposition members, Yadav stood up and said "this is a very important matter. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who was earlier known for good governance, is now regarded as 'Bhishm Pitamah' of corruption". "Not a day passes when people in Bihar do not open newspapers or switch on TV expecting of a new scam", Yadav, younger son of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad, alleged. Sushil Modi reacted angrily to this, saying Yadav "should tell the house about benami property worth about Rs 1,000 crore amassed by him into which CBI was inquiring. At the age of 28, he has become owner of so many properties". Yadav retorted, "at times I am told that I am a child (a reference to a recent remark by the CM) and at the same time I am also accused of corrupt deals". "I was the Deputy CM for a considerable period of time. I want to know whether I was guilty of any corrupt deal during the period. On the other hand, the name of the CM has figured in a murder case and even a fine has been slapped on him by a court in that connection", Yadav alleged. Sushil Modi sarcastically replied "had he explained his position earlier, he would have been sitting even now on the Deputy CM's chair". The senior BJP leader was referring to collapse of Grand Alliance comprising JD(U), RJD and Congress over the issue of graft charge on Yadav. Earlier, proceedings of the House commenced in a surcharged atmosphere with some CPI(ML) MLAs carrying placards and shouting slogans demanding a stop on violence against dalits. This evoked angry outbursts from the ruling side. Later, RJD member Abdul Bari Siddiqui told the Chair "members of the ruling side are behaving in a manner in which the opposition has been known to behave". State Minister Nand Kishore Yadav reacted angrily saying the ruling side "will not allow the opposition to manipulate the proceedings in an arbitrary manner". Later, as members were dispersing after the Speaker announcment adjournment of the House before lunch, Bhai Virendra of the RJD and Virendra Singh of the JD(U) nearly came to blows inside the house over allegations and counter allegations in the trade of sand and stone chips. Bhai Virendra was heard remarking "I only said that people from the ruling side are known to have mafia-like interest in sand and stone chips trade, but to this Virendra Singh reacted in an abusive manner". As angry exchanges continued between them, some members tried to pacify the two MLAs. Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav later told reporters "our party has lodged a complaint against the use of abusive language by the JD(U) MLA and the Speaker has promised that he will look into it". He also alleged "Sushil Modi has tutored his MLAs to provoke us to resort to violence so that they could later defame us before the media". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Telangana attracted USD 17.5 billion worth of investment during the last three years on the back of its new industrial policy, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said today. The investment created over 4 lakh jobs in the state, which came into existence on June 2, 2014, he said. "In the last three years, we have given approvals to 5,469 industries with a total investment of USD 17.5 billion and created over 4,00,000 jobs. "All this achievement was possible without the investors running from pillar to post for various approvals," Rao said during his inaugural address at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit-2017 that got under way here. Rao asserted that Telangana is the most favoured destination for investors and ranked No. 1 in the ease of doing business ranking in the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the GES, which is also being attended by US President Donald Trump's daughter and advisor Ivanka Trump. Ivanka is heading a delegation from her country at the three-day meet, which is being held in India for the first time. Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj gave the vote of thanks while Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, along with Ivanka, participated in a panel discussion moderated by John Chambers, Chairman Emeritus of Cisco. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A large explosion and fire in a building near Tel Aviv killed three people, Israeli police said early today, adding that they were still investigating the cause. The explosion, which occurred in a hardware store in Jaffa late on Monday, caused adjacent structures to collapse. Two men were pronounced dead at the scene, while a third died later of his injuries, police said. Another four people were still being treated for their injuries, medics said. A police spokeswoman said the three men killed had provisionally been identified as a Jaffa resident, a man from the Israeli Arab town of Taibe and a Palestinian from the occupied West Bank. Police were still investigating whether the explosion was accidental or deliberate. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A top Chinese General has committed suicide to escape a probe against him over his alleged links to two corruption-tainted former PLA generals, becoming the first senior army official to have killed himself in the anti-graft campaign of President Xi Jinping. Zhang Yang, 66, a member of the Central Military Commission (CMC) - China's highest military body - hanged himself at his home in Beijing on November 23, state-run Xinhua agency today quoted the CMC as saying. In its first comment on Zhang's death, the Chinese military has termed the suicide as a "shameful" attempt to escape punishment. An article posted on the website today of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Daily, official mouthpiece of the Chinese military, said "Zhang, a paramount and powerful heavyweight, used such a "shameful way to end his life". It described his suicide as a "bad move to escape punishment", the Hong Kong based South China Morning Post quoted the PLA Daily as saying. Since October last year, Zhang was under investigation over his links to Guo Boxiong and Xu Caihou, two former Vice Chairmen of the CMC who were expelled from the ruling Communist Party, the report said. Guo was convicted of corruption and sentenced to life in 2016. Xu died of cancer in 2015 while undergoing a probe. Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post quoted sources as saying that Zhang hanged himself in his home and the of his death had been conveyed to all PLA theatre commands. He is the most senior military officer to have killed himself during ongoing graft investigations targeting the PLA, the report said. Zhang was head of the powerful Political Work Department of the CMC when he along with the then chief of general staff General Fang Fenghui reported to have faced investigations since October last when they were not seen in public. Both Fang and Zhang faced anti-corruption investigations ahead of last month's once-in-a-five-year Congress of the party. The CMC is headed by Chinese President Xi Jinping who was re-elected by the party for a second five-year term. He has also reconstituted the CMC reportedly with men loyal to him. The "ousting" of Fang and Zhang is further proof that Xi is "cementing his control over the military", the Post reported at the time. Fang was replaced by Gen Li Zuocheng, a decorated veteran of the Sino-Vietnamese war, and Admiral Miao Hua, formerly the PLA Navys political commissar, has been appointed as head of the Political Work Department. Over a million Communist Party officials were punished since Xi launched a massive anti-corruption campaign when he took over power in 2015. Over 13,000 Chinese military officials of various ranks including over 40 top Generals have been punished in the anti-graft campaign. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Top stories from the southern states at 1700 hrs today. BOM1 TL-GES-IVANKA Hyderabad: Ivanka Trump, the advisor and daughter of US President Donald Trump, arrives here to attend the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES), a senior official of the Telangana government says. BOM10 TL-PM-METRO Hyderabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the Hyderabad Metro Rail and takes a ride along with Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao in its maiden run. BOM17 TL-PM-STATES Hyderabad: The NDA government promotes "competitive cooperative federalism" without discriminating between states on the basis of the party in power, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says. MDS1 TN-RAIDS Chennai: Income Tax sleuths conducted searches at 33 premises related to business groups for suspected tax evasion and links to shell companies in Tamil Nadu, a senior official says. MES2 TN-BYPOLL-OBSERVERS Chennai: The Election Commission names three officials as the expenditure observers for the December 21 byelection to the RK Nagar assembly constituency here, represented by late chief minister Jayalalithaa twice. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Taliban can now either "reconcile, live in irrelevance or die", the top US and NATO commander said today, asserting that due to sustained pressure the terrorist group can no longer win the war in Afghanistan. However, Gen John Nicholson, in a video conference with Pentagon reporters from Kabul, said reconciliation with the Taliban will take some time. After the announcement of the US' new South Asia strategy by President Donald Trump in August, the Taliban has adopted guerrilla-style warfare, with hit-and-run and suicide attacks. "Each of these shifts represented to us a lowering of ambition by the enemy. Now, reconciliation will take some time. We'll have to continue to apply the three types of pressure, engage within the region and leverage all of the instruments available to meet our goals," he said. "In the face of this pressure, the Taliban cannot win. Their choices are to reconcile, live in irrelevance, or die," Nicholson said. Asserting that Taliban is not a popular insurgency, he said the Afghan people outrightly reject them. Up to 90 per cent of Afghans believe that a return to Taliban rule would be bad for the country, he added. Nicholson said the Taliban, in some ways, have evolved into a criminal or narco-insurgency. "They are fighting to defend their revenue streams. They have increasingly lost whatever ideological anchor they once had. They fight to preserve and expand their sources of revenue. This includes narcotics trafficking, illegal mining, taxing people throughout Afghanistan, kidnapping and murder- for-hire: all criminal endeavours," he said. Observing that the US has tripled the amount of air- delivered munitions it has deployed, he said as assets free up from Iraq and Syria and the successful fight against ISIS in that theatre, he expects to see more assets come to Afghanistan. "The momentum is now with the Afghan security forces and the Taliban cannot win in the face of the pressures that I outlined. Again, their choices are to reconcile, live in irrelevance, or die," Nicholson said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Batting for bringing down electricity rates, Delhi's Power Minister Satyendar Jain today said that lack of transparency in the sector was proving detrimental to the interests of consumers and development of the country. Jain said things are "so opaque" and "intentionally" made complex that they cannot be understood and favoured opening up of the power sector. The minister, who was speaking after inaugurating the 11th India Energy Summit hosted by Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), said that transparency is a "major issue" in the power sector. "The power sector has been made complex intentionally and this is acting as a stumbling block in the development of the country," the minister said referring to varying rates of generation and cost of power in the country. The minister alleged that more power plants were being installed in the country although the peak demand was less than generation because it helped vested interests in making money. "India's capacity is 2.5 lakh MW and our peak demand is not even 1.5 lakh MW and still new plants are being installed. I feel there exists a nexus between politicians and crony capitalists," he charged. He also objected to high rates of power supplied to the industries, saying it will not help them to compete with countries like China. "There should be a price cap on power supplied to the industries at not more than Rs 5 per unit. The costliest power is provided to the industries and still they are expected to compete with countries like China," he said. Power generation should go up but the tariff should also go down, he added. "In three years we have not allowed power tariff to go up in Delhi. I have asked that the tariff should not be increased for ten years," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump today cracked a "Pocahontas" joke against Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren during an event honouring native Americans for their role in the second World War. Warren, said to be the potential Democratic presidential aspirant, accused Trump of using a "racial slur". "You were here long before any of us were here, although we have a representative in Congress who, they say, was here a long time ago. They call her "Pocahontas"," Trump said during an Oval Office event to honour the native American code talkers. The three code talkers did not respond to Trump's remarks, but drew sharp reaction from Warren. "It is deeply unfortunate that the president of the United States cannot even make it through a ceremony honouring these heroes without having to throw out a racial slur," he told MSNBC in an interview. "This was supposed to be an event to honour heroes, people who put it all on the line for our country," Warren said. The White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said Warren's comment was a "ridiculous" response. "I think what most people find offensive is Senator Warren lying about her heritage to advance her career," Sanders said in response to a question at her daily conference. "I think that Senator Warren was very offensive when she lied about something specifically to advance her career. I don't understand why no one is asking about that question and why that isn't constantly covered," she said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Uttarakhand government today sought more funds from companies like ONGC and THDC India Ltd for providing basic facilities like toilets, drinking water supply and furniture in primary and secondary schools, especially those located in remote areas of the state. At a meeting with officials of the state government, education department, the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited and Tehri Hydro Development Corporation India Ltd, Chief Secretary Utpal Kumar Singh said the amount being given by these firms for the purpose is not in accordance with their stature. "Companies like the ONGC and THDC, which are already making their contribution to the creation of basic facilities in schools of the state, are expected to contribute more generously to the cause," he said. Singh asked them to pump in more funds on priority basis for construction of toilets, drinking water facilities and providing furniture in schools, an official release here said. He asked Secretary (Education) Bhupinder Kaur Aulakh to send a detailed proposal in this regard to the ONGC and THDC providing them information about the requirements of schools, especially those located in the remote areas of the state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The United Arab Emirates today accused Gulf rival Qatar of being behind a call for the International Criminal Court to investigate allegations of war crimes by the UAE in Yemen. A group calling itself the Arab Organisation for Human Rights in the UK said yesterday it was taking the UAE to the ICC over "indiscriminate attacks on civilians" in Yemen. The UAE is part of a Saudi-led coalition battling Shiite Huthi rebels in Yemen. UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash accused Qatar of being responsible. "The Arab Organisation for Human Rights with its address in Qatar has filed a media complaint against the UAE to the International Criminal Court," Gargash wrote on his Twitter account. "People with knowledge are aware that this move aims to create noise, which is Qatar's favourite game," he said. The group, which says it is based in London, says the complaint was filed yesterday and also charges that the UAE has used banned cluster bombs and hired mercenaries to carry out torture and executions. Officials at the Hague-based ICC could not be reached to confirm whether the complaint had been filed. Such complaints are common, with some 10,000 received received since the court opened in 2002. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt in June severed diplomatic ties with Qatar and imposed economic sanctions on the tiny gas-rich country. The UAE is a key member of the Saudi-led coalition that has been fighting the Iran-backed Huthi rebels since 2015 after they captured the capital Sanaa and vast areas of northern Yemen. The war has killed some 8,600 people, while a further 2,000 have died of cholera. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The World Health Organization says about 11 per cent of medicines in developing countries are counterfeit and likely responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of children from diseases like malaria and pneumonia. It's the first attempt by the UN health agency to assess the problem. Experts reviewed 100 studies involving more than 48,000 medicines. Drugs for treating malaria and bacterial infections accounted for nearly 65 per cent of fake medicines. Scientists commissioned by WHO at the University of Edinburgh estimate the number of children dying from pneumonia after receiving bad drugs to be between about 72,000 and 169,000. WHO says the cases of fake medicines it found are only "a small fraction" and problems may be going unreported. The reports were released today. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Sudanese civilian employee of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in war-torn Darfur has been arrested and charged with sexually abusing a minor, the mission has said. It said yesterday that the Sudanese police had informed it that the suspect was arrested on Sunday. Both the accused and the alleged victim of the incident in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, are Sudanese nationals, it said. "The mission condemns, in the strongest possible terms, any instance of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse committed by UN personnel in the Darfur region," mission chief Jeremiah Mamabolo said in a statement. "We are guided by a zero tolerant policy on such abhorrent incidents and will not tolerate or condone the perpetration of such acts." Being a civilian employee and a Sudanese national, the suspect does not have the full immunity enjoyed by expatriates working for the UN mission. Sudanese officials claim that the conflict in Darfur has ended, but UN rights experts have regularly highlighted cases of rights abuses including rapes in camps for people displaced by the conflict. War erupted in Darfur in 2003 when ethnic minority rebels mounted an insurgency against the Arab-dominated government of President Omar al-Bashir, which they accused of economic and political discrimination. The UN says the conflict has killed 300,000 people and displaced more than 2.5 million. The joint African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur, also called UNAMID, was deployed in Darfur in 2007 to rein in the conflict. It is currently undergoing a major downsizing of its peacekeeping force. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The United States today stepped up its trade confrontation with China, ordering an investigation into aluminium sheet imports worth hundreds of millions a year. The Commerce Department said it opened the probes into possible dumping and inappropriate subsidies of "common alloy aluminium sheet" from China. For the first time since 1991 it launched the investigation on its own initiative, rather than responding to a request from a US company. "We are self-initiating the first trade case in over a quarter century, showing once again that we stand in constant vigilance in support of free, fair, and reciprocal trade," Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said in a statement. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Secretary of State Rex Tillerson today re-committed the United States to opposing Moscow's "aggression" against its neighbours and vowed to help Europe wean itself off Russian oil and gas. Next week Washington's top diplomat will attend ministerial meetings of the NATO alliance in Brussels and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna. At both sets of talks Russia's intervention in Ukraine will top the agenda and US allies in Europe will be looking for reassurance that President Donald Trump's administration has their back. Trump came to office this year seeking warmer ties with Moscow and has sometimes called into question the value of US alliances, but relations with President Vladimir Putin's Kremlin quickly soured. Now, Tillerson is heading to Europe with a tough message that the Western allies stand shoulder to shoulder to oppose "the enemies that threaten our security and oppose our way of life." In a major speech on US relations with Europe under Trump's "America First" foreign policy, Tillerson pledged that sanctions against Russia will remain in place until it helps restore peace in Ukraine. And he argued that attempts by two previous US administrations to thaw ties with Moscow had only led to Putin seizing the opportunity to invade Georgia in August 2008 and Ukraine in 2014. "Any resolution to the war that does not entail a fully independent, sovereign territorially whole Ukraine is unacceptable," Tillerson told an audience of policy-makers, scholars and reporters. "Russia chose to violate the sovereignty of the largest country in Europe... Our trans-Atlantic unity is meant to convey to the Russian government that we will not stand by this flagrant violation of international norms," he said. And Tillerson warned that the US and European Union economic sanctions which Moscow has lobbied so hard to overturn "will remain in place until Russia reverses the actions that triggered them." Before coming to office as Trump's secretary of state, Tillerson was chairman of US oil giant ExxonMobil, pursuing major investments in Russia, and an influential opponent of economic sanctions. But once in government he was confronted by Putin's intransigence over Ukraine and the Kremlin's determined military support for Syria's brutal strongman Bashar al-Assad and his Iranian allies. US intelligence has also concluded that Russian agencies attempted to interfere in the American presidential election to tilt it in his favour over Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. Trump furiously denies any collusion with Kremlin agents, but Congress and a special prosecutor are investigating meetings between figures in his campaign and Russians lobbying against sanctions. Moscow is also suspected of meddling in politics in several European countries, and authorities are investigating alleged links to populist movements and support for Brexit and Catalan separatism. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The CBI today told the Supreme Court that they were vetting the files in order to challenge the lower court's order discharging Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leader Bimal Gurung in the Madan Tamang murder case. Madan Tamang, who was the All India Gorkha League (AIGL) president, was hacked to death in Darjeeling in broad daylight on May 21, 2010 when he was overseeing preparations for a public meeting. A trial court in Kolkata had in August this year discharged Gurung in the case while rejecting the CBI's claim that he was involved in the conspiracy to murder Tamang, who was one of his political opponents in the Darjeeling hills. The issue cropped up before the apex court today when it was hearing an application filed by Bharati Tamang, wife of Madan Tamang, seeking setting up of a special investigation team (SIT) to conduct a court-monitored probe into certain aspects of the case. Her counsel alleged that Gurung was the one of the prime conspirators, but the CBI has not yet challenged the trial court's order discharging him in the matter. "Files are being vetted by CBI. Appropriate steps will be taken on order of discharge. It will take reasonable time to challenge the discharge order," the counsel for CBI told a bench of Justices Kurian Joseph and Amitava Roy. To this, the petitioner's counsel said they have already challenged the trial court's order in the Calcutta High Court which has admitted their plea that would come up for hearing in the second week of December. CBI's counsel said their probe into the case was complete and 54 accused have been chargesheeted, of which two were absconding, three had expired and the rest were on bail. The bench also issued notices to CBI seeking its response within 10 days on separate applications filed by Bharati seeking a stay on the trial proceedings in the case before the lower court and grant of anticipatory bail to other accused in the case. Referring to telephonic interceptions, her lawyer alleged in the court that Gurung was in touch with the other accused who had attacked Tamang. Seeking a stay on proceedings before the trial court, her counsel said the other accused, including several GJM leaders, would also seek discharge in the case since Gurung has already been discharged by the court. The CBI's counsel opposed the contention seeking a stay on the trial proceedings. The bench, however, said the CBI would have to file a response on the applications and posted the matter for hearing on December 12. The apex court had in October 2013 directed transfer of hearing in the case from a Darjeeling court to the Kolkata sessions court on a petition by Tamang's widow. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Freed by the Supreme Court from the custody of parents and directed to pursue her studies, Hadiya, who is at the centre of a love-jihad case, today said she desired to meet her husband Shafin Jahan. She arrived here in a police vehicle from Coimbatore, about 170 km from here, amid tight security, to pursue her studies at a homeopathy college here. "I have sought permission from the college authorities to meet my husband. I hope they will allow," she told reporters at the college where she will undergo a 11-month internship. During the proceedings yesterday, the apex court refused to allow Hadiya's plea to go with her husband. Earlier, she arrived here in a police vehicle from Coimbatore, about 170 km from here, amid tight security. Hadiya, wearing a yellow scarf, was whisked away to the Managing Director's office at the college soon after arrival. Hadiya's body language appeared to be in contrast to her conduct during her departure from Kochi to New Delhi a few days ago when she shouted she was a Muslim and married on her own will. The woman quietly walked past the big contingent of waiting media persons and went straight to the MD's office accompanied by police and college officials. On her way to hostel, Hadiya said she does not need security at the college. "It is not necessary, but at least for two days I think security will be there," she told reporters in reply to a question. A Police official said they would have to comply with the court's order and adequate security would be provided to her in the college and hostel. On the issue of allowing Hadiya to meet her husband, the official said it could not be done without any order from the court. Expressing solidarity with Hadiya, a small group of persons stood outside the college compound holding placards. It read "Stop judicial terrorism, we stand with you Hadiya, Allow her to live with her husband." The Kerala High Court had on May 29 annulled the marriage of Hadiya with Jahan, terming it as an instance of 'love jihad', following which the man approached the apex court. The Congress would challenge in court the metro rail fare hike, its Delhi unit president Ajay Maken said today and questioned why the AAP government did not do so if it was against raising the ticket rates. The report of the 4th fare fixation committee(FFC) was with the central government and the Kejriwal government for past 15 months but they both did not challenge the fare hike, Maken told reporters. "Is the report so sacrosanct and binding that it cannot be challenged in a court of law?" he asked. The Delhi Congress will approach the court against Delhi metro fare hike, if the Delhi government fails to do so, Maken said. Based on a recommendation of the 4th FFC, the Delhi Metro effected the fare hike, leading to a rise of around Rs 10 for nearly every distance slab last month. This came barely five months of another hike of up to 100 per cent. The FFC pointed that the fare of Airport Express Line is less than the maximum fare recommended by the 3rd FFC, but the DMRC proposed no changes in its fare, Maken claimed. "This means that the 4th FFC report is not binding on the government to implement it in totality," he said. Citing Mumbai Metro fares, he said that the Maharashtra Metropolitan Rail Development Authority (MMRDA) had challenged fare hike recommended by fare fixation committee in the high court and the fare increase was stayed. Maken demanded that the Centre and the Delhi government subsidize the ticket rates. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A woman passenger and an Air India duty manager slapped each other at the Indira Gandhi International Airport on Tuesday morning after she was denied boarding for reporting late, police said. The incident took place after the Ahmedabad-bound woman passenger had an argument with the official. "A lady passenger was told by a counter staff that she will not be able to check-in because she was late for the flight. This led to an argument and the staff directed her to the duty manager who was also a lady and there was an argument and an altercation," an Air India spokesperson said. Sources in the airline said the passenger allegedly slapped the duty manager. The duty manager also hit back, DCP, Airport, Sanjay Bhatia said. "Arguments started between the passenger and Air India lady staff and the passenger slapped her. The lady staff, in retaliation, also slapped her," Bhatia said. The passenger later called the police and went to the police station. Both the passenger and the Air India staff later apologised to each other and the issue was amicably resolved, the spokesperson added. Budget carrier AirAsia India expects revenue to double to 12 billion Indian rupees ($186 million) this calendar year, and triple to 18 billion rupees in 2018, its chief executive said on Tuesday. The airline, a tie-up between Malaysia's AirAsia Bhd and India's Tata Sons conglomerate, made revenue of 6 billion rupees in 2016, Chief Executive Amar Abrol told reporters at an industry conference in Dubai. Air passenger traffic in India, the world's fourth biggest market, is growing at over 20 percent annually. Abrol declined to say when the airline expected to turn a profit, but said it was targeting to launch its first international route in January 2019 which would most likely be to either Malaysia or Thailand. Under new rules, domestic airlines can fly overseas as long as they deploy 20 aircraft or 20 percent of capacity in India, whichever is higher. Airlines previously had to wait five years before they were permitted to fly on foreign routes. AirAsia India's fleet will increase to 21 Airbus A320 jets by the end of next year, up from 13 today, Abrol said. By Arunima Banerjee and Sanjana Shivdas - Industrial-automation systems maker Emerson Electric Co said on Tuesday it abandoned its bid for Rockwell Automation Inc after several rejections, and instead will pursue bolt-on acquisitions as originally planned. "Clearly, the Rockwell opportunity is dead, and we're moving on," Emerson's Chief Executive David Farr said on a call with analysts, after expressing disappointment in a statement that Rockwell's board had refused to discuss a potential merger. Emerson's shares rose 3.1 percent to $63.82, while Rockwell's were up 1.7 percent at $194.22 in midday trading. The move to focus on smaller, bolt-on deals is not new for Emerson. In fact, Farr, who has been at the helm for 17 years, had previously indicated that he would consider only small, bolt-on acquisitions. Farr said on Tuesday that Emerson would be interested in some assets of General Electric Co, if GE looks to sell, and some assets that are now part of GE's Baker Hughes. He said on the call that Emerson would keep trying to strengthen its position in hybrid and discrete automation, but declined to give names of companies it was interested in buying. Farr said the company would seek bolt-on acquisitions valued at $500 million to $1.5 billion over the next couple of years. The $29 billion offer for Rockwell, which would have created an industrial automation giant, was Emerson's bid to diversify its businesses and reduce exposure to volatile energy prices. Emerson first made an offer of $200 per share for Rockwell in August. It then raised its offer twice - to $215 per share and $225 per share, but was rejected. Rockwell argued that the offers undervalued it and that the combined company's industrial customers would be worse off because its products would no longer be available on a single platform. "The Rockwell Automation Board and management team are committed to the execution of our strategy, which we are confident will continue delivering extraordinary shareowner returns," Rockwell said in a statement on Tuesday. With the Rockwell deal falling through, Emerson said it plans to speed up the rate of share repurchases over the next month and buy back up to $1 billion over the next 12 months. Emerson continues to expect more than $2.8 billion in operating cash flow for fiscal 2018. Rockwell's shares have risen 2.2 percent since of the deal first became public on Oct. 31. Emerson's shares have fallen 8.1 percent in the same time. Emerson's strength is in process automation, helping power plants and factories in sectors such as mining and cement operate more efficiently. Rockwell, on the other hand, is a leader in so-called discrete automation, helping assemble component parts to make cars, household appliances and computer systems. (Reporting by Sanjana Shivdas and Arunima Banerjee in Bengaluru; Editing by Bernard Orr and Sayantani Ghosh) (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Gwladys Fouche OSLO (Reuters) - Norway's $1-trillion sovereign wealth fund may take five years to reduce its investments in energy companies even once the policy is adopted, the fund's CEO said on Tuesday. The world's largest sovereign wealth fund this month proposed dropping oil and gas companies from its benchmark equity index, which would mean cutting its investments in such businesses over time. The aim is to lessen the impact of a permanent drop in oil prices on the Norwegian government's wealth, especially when the fund is increasing its exposure to equities to 70 percent of its value from 60 percent. The hit energy stocks when announced.. The proposal, if adopted, would however take time. It must first be reviewed by the finance ministry, which has said it would come back with its opinion in autumn 2018. If the ministry backs the proposal, parliament could vote on it only in June 2019 at the earliest. From that point, there will be another few years before the fund completes the process, said fund CEO Yngve Slyngstad. "Typically our transition period will be two, three, five years, depending on the issue," he told reporters on Tuesday. "The fund will be invested in oil stocks for many years." Still, if it does go ahead, the fund would divest billions of dollars from oil and gas stocks, as defined by the FTSE oil and gas reference index. These stocks represent 6 percent - or around $37 billion - of the fund's benchmark equity index. "It will clearly reduce the exposure to the (oil and gas) sector and we will potentially exit the sector," said Slyngstad. OIL PRICE IMPACT The fund invests Norway's revenues from oil and gas production for future generations, investing in equities, bonds and real estate abroad. Its size is equivalent to $192,000 for every Norwegian man, woman and child. The fund's analysis shows there is a link between the oil price level and the return from oil and gas stocks, a link that is much more pronounced than for any other sector. Slyngstad reiterated on Tuesday the proposal did not reflect a particular view of future movement in oil prices or the profitability or sustainability of the oil and gas sector. It is purely based on financial arguments and as a way to reduce the exposure to oil of the Norwegian state's wealth, which has grown over the past decade, he said. Norway has its own separate exposure to the energy market through untapped offshore hydrocarbon reserves as Western Europe's largest oil and gas producer. In addition, Norway holds a 67-percent stake in the national oil company, Statoil. Slyngstad said there would still be opportunities to invest as companies undergo an "energy transition" to less fossil-fuel-intensive models. "Most investors would say we will be in an energy transition for the next 30 years and that energy transition will have opportunities for investors," he said. (Editing by Terje Solsvik and Keith Weir) (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) By Alex Lawler, Vladimir Soldatkin and Ahmad Ghaddar VIENNA (Reuters) - OPEC and Russia are heading towards prolonging their oil supply cuts for the whole of 2018 but with an option to review the deal in June, OPEC sources said on Tuesday after Moscow expressed concerns the market could overheat. The recommendation was made by a joint committee of OPEC and non-OPEC delegates including Russia but has yet to be approved by the ministers from the committee on Wednesday and then by a full OPEC meeting on Thursday, two OPEC sources said. Oil prices deepened their two-day decline on the news, which the market could perceive as an extension of production cuts by just three months until June 2018 rather than a full year. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Russia and nine other producers are cutting crude output by about 1.8 million barrels per day until March 2018, and on Thursday their oil ministers will discuss extending the deal. "It will not be an easy meeting and we always look at various scenarios," United Arab Emirates Energy Minister Suhail bin Mohammed al-Mazroui said on Tuesday in Dubai. Upon arrival in Vienna, he said cutting output through the whole of 2018 was still the main scenario but not the only one. The market had largely expected OPEC to prolong the cuts until the end of 2018 to prop up prices and clear an excess of global stocks, but doubts have emerged in the last few days. OPEC's leader, Saudi Arabia, has signalled that it wants oil to trade at about $60 a barrel as the kingdom prepares to list shares in national oil champion Aramco and fights a large fiscal deficit. The Russian government also wants high oil prices ahead of a presidential election in March 2018. But officials in Moscow have voiced worries about pricier oil boosting the rouble, which could undermine the competitiveness of Russia's economy. U.S. producers aggressively hedged their future production as oil recently rallied , raising fears of another spike in shale output in the United States, which is not participating in the global production curbs. "Russia is on board for the extension," one of the OPEC sources said following the committee meeting. Goldman Sachs, one of the most active banks in commodity trading and oil producer hedging, said on Tuesday in a note the outcome of the OPEC meeting was uncertain as Brent oil had risen above $63 per barrel. "The push for a nine-month extension, four months before the cuts end and given an accelerating rebalancing further stands in the face of prior comments that the cuts should remain data-dependent to assess their effectiveness," the U.S. bank said. Citi, one of Goldman's main rivals, said it expected major producers to end production cuts sooner rather than later. "OPEC and Russia will both realise they are losing market share and they will be better off going back to a more competitive environment," the head of commodity research at Citi, Ed Morse, told . GRADUAL OUTPUT BOOST Goldman said oil might fall further this week as the market had priced in a nine-month extension. "We continue to expect a gradual ramp up in OPEC and Russian production from April onward," Goldman said, adding "as a result, the announcement of an only six-month extension would still initially appear bullish relative to our expectation". On Friday, Russia said it was ready to support extending the output-cutting deal but had still to decide on the duration. On Monday, reported that a major Russian production project led by Exxon Mobil was preparing to ramp up output by a quarter from next year. The project is not subject to the global output-cutting deal but the development would signal an obstacle to Russia's efforts on production curtailment. The Exxon project involves Rosneft, the Kremlin-owned state producer whose boss Igor Sechin, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, has long been a critic of Moscow's deal with the 14-country OPEC. Sources close to talks between OPEC and Russia told Moscow wanted to fine-tune the language of the deal to include an option to review the agreement if global stocks fell steeply. The supply pact is aimed at reducing oil stocks inindustrialised countries to their five-year average. Thelatest figures suggest OPEC is more than halfway there, with OPEC sources saying the target could be reached after June 2018. (Additional reporting by Rania El Gamal, Shadia Nasrallah and Ernest Scheyder; Writing by Dmitry Zhdannikov; Editing by Dale Hudson) (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.) By Maha El Dahan and Rania El Gamal DUBAI/VIENNA (Reuters) - OPEC is heading for tougher-than-expected policy talks this week amid concern that its efforts to rebalance the oil market might overshoot by creating a global deficit and spurring a further price rally. "It will not be an easy meeting and we always look at various scenarios," United Arab Emirates Energy Minister Suhail bin Mohammed al-Mazroui said on Tuesday in Dubai before leaving for the gathering of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries in Vienna. OPEC, Russia and nine other producers are cutting oil output by about 1.8 million barrels per day until March 2018, and on Thursday will discuss extending the deal. The market had largely expected OPEC to prolong cuts until the end of 2018 but doubts have emerged in the last few days. OPEC's leader Saudi Arabia has signalled that it wants oil to trade at about $60 per barrel as the kingdom prepares to list shares in its national oil champion Aramco and is still fighting a large fiscal deficit. The Russian government also wants high oil prices ahead of a presidential election in March 2018. But officials in Moscow have voiced worries about pricier oil boosting the rouble, which could undermine the competitiveness of Russia's economy. As oil rallied above $60 per barrel, U.S. producers aggressively hedged their future production, raising fears of another spike in shale output in the United States, which is not participating in the global production curbs. Goldman Sachs, one of the most active banks in commodity trading and oil producer hedging, said on Tuesday the outcome of the OPEC meeting was uncertain. "The absence of such a consensus is due to the uncertainty on the progress of the oil market rebalancing as well as Brent oil prices trading at $63 per barrel," the U.S. bank said in a note. "The push for a nine-month extension, four months before the cuts end and given an accelerating rebalancing further stands in the face of prior comments that the cuts should remain data-dependent to assess their effectiveness." GRADUAL OUTPUT BOOST U.S. oil prices fell more than 1 percent on Monday and eased further on Tuesday from a two-year high reached last week. [O/R] Goldman said oil might fall further this week as the market had priced in a nine-month extension. "We continue to expect a gradual ramp up in OPEC and Russian production from April onward," Goldman said, adding "as a result, the announcement of an only six-month extension would still initially appear bullish relative to our expectation". On Friday, Russia said it was ready to support extending the output-cutting deal but had still to decide on the duration. On Monday, reported that a major Russian production project led by Exxon Mobil was preparing to ramp up output by a quarter from next year. The project is not subject to the global output-cutting deal but the development would signal an obstacle to Russia's efforts on production curtailment. The Exxon project involves Rosneft, the Kremlin-owned state producer whose boss Igor Sechin, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, has long been a critic of Moscow's deal with the 14-country OPEC. Sources close to talks between OPEC and Russia told Moscow wanted to fine-tune the language of the deal to include an option to review the agreement if global stocks fell steeply. The supply pact is aimed at reducing oil stocks inindustrialised countries to their five-year average. Thelatest figures suggest OPEC is more than halfway there, with OPEC sources saying the target could be reached after June 2018. (Writing by Dmitry Zhdannikov; Editing by Dale Hudson) (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Pixel 2, global major Googles latest smartphone offering, is no masterpiece when it comes to design. But the smaller sibling of the duo in Pixels next-generation series exceeds expectations in terms of performance and imaging capabilities. Rae Bareli, the parliamentary constituency of Congress president Sonia Gandhi would witness polling on Wednesday in the third and last phase of the ongoing Uttar Pradesh (UP) civic polls. Anil Ambani's Reliance Communications (RCom) had warnings from many quarters when it took loans from Chinese banks. All was well for the seven years since 2010 when Reliance Power (R-Power) and Shanghai Electric Power Co signed in-principle agreements with Chinese banks for up to $12 billion of financing. But defaulting repayments of Chinese loans threw a spanner in RCom's strategic debt restructuring plan. Under the plan, RCom was supposed to sell assets such as wireless spectrum, towers, fiber-optic networks and real estate for a valuation above $4 billion, in addition to a $1 billion debt-to-equity swap in favour of creditors. The Chinese are the first among lenders to take the telecom operator to bankruptcy court. China Development Bank (CDB) filed an insolvency petition on 24 November against RCom to recover its loan of $1.78 billion (Rs 11,460 crore), according to media reports. It accounts for 37.11 per cent of RCom's total secured debt. Indian bankers, who also lent to RCom, fear the petition by the Chinese banker may halt the out of court settlement that they are forging along with the company. RCom, which earlier decided to shut down its wireless operations (mainly 2G), has a December 2017 deadline to complete loan restructuring and sales. The petition against RCom came to the bankruptcy court when the court appointed resolution professionals pursue insolvency proceedings against 12 non-performing assets (NPA) -- which include Essar Steel, Bhushan Steel and Alok Industries among others -- in the country. RCom said in a statement that the company has not been served any notice of the application filed by China Development Bank with NCLT. "The company is engaged through the JLF (Joint Lenders' Forum) with all its lenders for a successful resolution of the SDR process. CDB has also been actively participating in the JLF. The company is therefore, surprised by the untimely and premature action of the CDB of filing an application at NCLT. The company continues to remain engaged with all lenders including CDB and is confident and committed to a full resolution with the support of all the lenders," said the spokesperson. Was the Chinese loan a trap for Anil Ambani? When the younger Ambani's group started engaging with Chinese banks in 2010, Russian and Brazilian companies were struggling in executing the projects funded via Renminbi loans. Russian giants Rosneft and Transeft took a combined loan of $25 billion in 2009 from CDB for supplying oil to China. But China renegotiated the deal after the pipeline work was completed and the Russians had no choice but to reduce the price of the oil being supplied to China. Around the same time, Brazilian iron ore giant Vale took a $1.23 billion Chinese loan to construct 12 'Chinamax' shipping vessels for supplying iron ore to the Asian. But after the delivery was completed, the Chinese blocked the Brazilians from supplying iron ore to China. In 2010, R-Power agreed to buy $10 billion (around Rs 44,500 crore then) worth of boiler, turbine, generator (BTG) packages from Shanghai Electric for coal-based power plants. The company claimed at that time that it was the world's largest such order. The equipment ordered was sufficient to generate 30,000 mega watt, an R-Power statement said. And the supplies was supposed to be completed in three years. R-Power and Shanghai Electric signed in-principle agreements with Chinese banks for up to $12 billion of financing. But it is not clear how much of the approved loan has been drawn so far, especially when the power sector is reeling under surplus scenario in India. Chinese banks also funded R-Power's Sasan project with over $1 billion in debt, earlier reports said. In another deal in 2011, RCom raised Rs 6,000 crore ($1.33 billion at that time) syndicated loan from CDB for refinancing spectrum fees. The telecom player had also signed an additional agreement for raising Rs 2,700 crore ($600 million then) from CDB for financing imports/domestic expenditure of telecom equipment from Chinese vendors Huawei and ZTE. In March 2012, the debt-laden telco again took the Beijing's money when it was facing a huge redemption pressure as its FCCB worth around $1.18 billion was maturing. Finally, the Chinese called the shots in RCom. It will interesting to see how the battle will pan out in the bankruptcy court. The share price of RCom is at around Rs 13 now, compared to its peak of Rs 800 in January 2008. The market value stands at Rs 3,500 crore. With 60 per cent of its $110 million annual revenues coming from outside the UK, and with a presence in a dozen countries, British Medical Journal (BMJ) is no longer a standalone publisher of scientific books. While the core of its product offering continues to be peer viewed medical research articles, it has diversified into an entity that offers learning modules for continuing medical education (CME) for doctors, best practice guidelines for practicing physicians and bestows clinical excellence awards. On a visit to New Delhi to participate in the BMJ Awards South Asia 2017 ceremony, Patrick Spencer, chief operating officer, BMJ, speaks to Business Today about his company's role as an international information provider and its increasing interest in India. Here are the excerpts What is so special about BMJ Awards? We are different from a lot of awards you see because it is meant to be aimed at rewarding and recognising healthcare workers who have done a good job. We have done that in the UK for 10 years now. For this year's award, we had over 2000 entries from all over South Asia. After the initial screening it became 134. Each of them was asked to provide detailed information, which was scrutinised to arrive at a final list of 30 from 10 categories. One of the category is maternal and child health. Another one is the best primary care team in challenging circumstances. The third award goes to the best non-communicable disease initiative of the year. Are you moving away from your core area of publishing? No. We do a whole range of activities in healthcare space. But our core business has always been medical publishing. We do publish core medical research articles. We have a repository of three million articles from more than 60 peer-reviewed journals. What is the revenue share of your publishing business? Of the $110 million annual revenues, biggest chunk comes from the subscription business. Since it is very difficult for a company of our size to have people everywhere, we find partners in many other countries with rights to our content. So subscriptions and licensing fees from such arrangements make up 70 per cent of our income. Another 10% must be advertisements and sponsorships from pharmaceutical companies and medical devices companies. The smallest share is from events. What is the direction in which scientific publishing is moving? We are seeing our subscription income starting to slow down or flatten off, and an alternative, open access system coming up. The trouble with the open model is that if everything is made open, there is no filter on quality. BMJ's open access model is different. We would reject 95% of the papers we receive either because it is not original research, or because it does not have enough of change than what we know before, or since we think it is biased because it was part of some sponsored research. That is why if an article is published in BMJ, it has a stamp of approval. If you go into a totally open system, everybody will just be publishing everything and you can't tell what good research is. So we are in this interesting juncture where we absolutely need the organisation to do the filtering to see what is good and what is not. And how do you get paid for that? In the old way, you give it to the publisher; they own it, lock it up and sell it to people. The new way is that the publisher gets paid for the services they do and it can be opened up. Can you elaborate? Researchers pay directly to the publisher and that research article is made freely available to anybody in the world. It's turning on its head of the old publishing model. But that provides a one-off income to us. The traditional problem with publishing was that one university will pay to do some research and another university will have to pay BMJ to see that research. If you try to find a research paper online, as you try to open it, you will be asked to pay for it. So as a user of this information, you will always have to pay for it. The other model is rather than the publishing companies have the copyright to that, and charges everybody to see it the publishing company gets paid for doing the job of peer review, checking it and getting it in a good position to publish it. How significant is India for BMJ? We have about $2-3 million of income coming from India. It's still relatively small, but growing fast. Like all other businesses, we are also interested in areas of growth and India is one. India's per-capita spend on health is horribly low. So if we stand back and observe, we will realise that the direction India will take now will be to develop it further and further. We want to be present in this growing market. Are we seeing quality publications from India? Yes there are. There have always been very good pockets of research, but its low relative to India's potential. It produces a lot, but not always good enough to get published. We want to assist Indian doctors to design the research and report them in such a manner that it will not get rejected. How do you make money by doing so? We have a lot of learning resources that help doctors to learn how to do something, to treat a particular condition. We also have resources to help doctors publish their clinical skills. The whole ecosystem of healthcare in India has been low profile for a long time. India can generate lot of rich research findings that can be exported to the rest of the world. Earlier we were creating content in UK - like connection between lung cancer and smoking - and exporting to India, now we want to generate content in India and export it to Europe, which has a huge population of South Asians. We have prepared content on diabetes which tells you how to treat diabetes in Indian population. We are finding that there is lot of interest to that content outside of India because the same people with South Asian heritage live elsewhere. Our business is in two parts. One is journals, where we publish research in specialty areas like cardiology and so on and the other part of business is to create resources to doctors to help them do their job better. It also helps in continuing professional development medical education. How many doctors have shown interest? We have seen some states like Delhi and Goa introducing a formalised continuing medical education (CME) for their doctors. The other states are yet to catch up. Meaning, once doctors in these states graduate they are allowed to operate at a level which suits them as individuals and not a level which patients would want them to be at. Why are doctors hesitant? Indian doctors have moved slightly towards the American system where you see doctors going into medicine for making money rather than a vocation. They are partly thinking of the patient, and partially thinking of their pockets. If I send them for a test, will I get a couple of dollars as commission? This is all pushing costs up, and it is coming back to hit the patients. In India, patients pay out of pocket for drugs and tests that they don't really need. How to tackle it? We have to do it state-by-state. You have to deal with state medical councils to make CMEs mandatory. What is needed is a cultural change. It's something BMJ has been very serious about. Some three years ago, we did a piece about corruption in healthcare. This was written by an Australian doctor who worked in Mussoorie for a year. He lived in India and worked as a doctor, and at the end of his term wrote a piece as an insider to reveal what was wrong with the system and that how doctors were incentivised to give the wrong treatment. Almost three months after Rajiv Bansal took the reins of the national carrier, Karnataka cadre IAS officer Pradeep Singh Kharola has been appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director of Air India. Kharola is presently the Managing Director of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. The appointment comes days after Bansal was given an extension for three months. The change of guard at the helm of Air India also comes at a time when the government is in the process of finalising the modalities of the strategic disinvestment of the national carrier. Known for his management skills, Kharola had turned a loss making public transport undertaking into profitable. He rose to the height of his career during Bengaluru's 'Silicon Valley' moment when it emerged as the outsourcing capital of the world. In 2000, Pradeep Singh Kharola joined as the head of Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) and turned it profitable. During his tenure, air-conditioned buses were introduced for the first time in the country. The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation has always been profitable since then. He also played a key role in kick-starting the Bengaluru Metro, though it was not an easy ride considering the rocky terrain of the city; the 42-km Metro line took a decade in completion. The government had earlier moved Ashwani Lohani, hailed as a turnaround specialist, from the now operationally profitable Air India to the Railway Board as its chairman, while giving interim charge of the national carrier to senior IAS officer Rajiv Bansal. Amid the ongoing disinvestment buzz around the government-owned carrier, Bansal had told Air India employees that the national carrier will continue to expand its network as well as fleet. Bansal had also urged his staff to be economical and adopt thrifty work practises without compromising with safety and quality. Bansal, Additional Secretary and Financial Adviser at the petroleum ministry, was appointed Air India's interim CMD. According to the release, Bansal had served as a director in the civil aviation ministry and played a crucial role as a board member of the National Aviation Company of India Ltd (NACIL) during the formative years of the merged national carrier. He has also served as the board member of the Alliance Air, a wholly owned subsidiary of Air India, the release said. A Nagaland cadre IAS officer, Bansal had been a joint secretary in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) where he had handled the areas of digital payments, IT Act, Aadhaar, and internet governance. A civil engineer by profession, Bansal graduated from IIT Delhi in 1986. He also has a Diploma in Finance from ICFAI, Hyderabad and an Executive Masters in International Business from IIFT, Delhi. With PTI inputs Xiaomi was recently reported to be on par with tech-giant Samsung in terms of market share. Now, a new report from International Data Corporation (IDC) claims that Xiaomi has taken over Samsung in terms of sales in 50 major Indian cities. Xiaomi recorded a growth of 120 per cent in Q3 2017. Delhi and Mumbai accounted for one quarter of the sales in the top 50 cities. The Chinese company's Redmi Note 4 was the best selling device all over, contributing more than 40 per cent of the total sales of Xiaomi. Xiaomi is closely followed by Samsung with a market share of 24.1 per cent in the Q3 of 2017. Lenovo is a distant third at 10.3 per cent followed by Oppo with 5.2 per cent and Vivo at 5.1 per cent. Xiaomi's stronghold on online retail platforms and their offline expansion through 'Preferred Partner' programmes and Mi Stores further added to their growth. The festive season sales, during Diwali, gave a tremendous boost to the sales of Xiaomi. Samsung slipped to the second slot with 15 percent quarterly growth in Q32017. However, it continues to dominate in the majority of cities owing to its deep penetration and reach. Galaxy J2, J7 Max, J7 Prime & J7 Nxt together make up to 50 percent volumes for the vendor. Lenovo (including Motorola) remains at the third position growing steadily at 8 percent from the previous quarter. New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru contributed around 40 percent of its volumes with majority sales of K6 Power, Moto E4 Plus & K6 Note. OPPO moved up to the fourth position as its models F3 and F3 Plus gained momentum. Also, the newly launched A71 is gaining positive sentiments at sub $200 price point. Vivo slipped to fifth position as its sales declined marginally from the last quarter. Reduced channel spends were the primary reason for this. However, the vendor is expected to revive at the back of newly-launched V7 Plus and Y69 in the coming quarters. LOGAN The Cache County Sheriffs Office is trying to reassure the public after rumors began circulating on social media sites about two suspicious individuals. The men were allegedly driving a white van through neighborhoods, going door-to-door looking for women or children. Sheriff Chad Jensen said there have been no reports of attempted abductions. On Monday, deputies located the van after receiving several calls about it going door-to-door. One of our patrol deputies actually made contact with the driver of the white box van and had found out it was company out of West Valley who was selling meat, explained Jensen. The van belongs to Intermountain Steak and Seafood. Jensen said even though deputies found no reason for residents to be concerned about the situation, he appreciates the communitys vigilance, watching out in their neighborhoods. We welcome the phone calls and the concern from citizens. We will check out every single one of them. We would rather err on the side of caution than have a problem that didnt get reported or that we didnt respond to. We encourage everybody to call in anything that seems inappropriate or suspicious. The Sheriffs Office also recommends that if you dont feel safe talking to door-to-door sales men, it is best not to open your door.

will@cvradio.com Whistle-blowers: A cry for help in face of a silent Europe Published on November 28, 2017 Story by Pascal Hansens Translation by: Larisa Rusu en fr it es de pl The Clearstream Affair, Luxleaks, Paradise Papers they have revealed the most important scandals of our time, only to end up paying a high price, sometimes as high as their lives. Today, whistle-blowers are sending out a cry for help in face of legal loopholes and a silent EU. Denis Robert and Raphael Halet were the first to do so. The Clearstream Affair, OffshoreLeaks, SwissLeaks, Luxleaks, the Panama Papers, the Monstanto Papers, Snowdens leaks, and now the Paradise Papers and their 13 million leaked files Over the years, more and more sensational revelations come to light, exposing dishonourable multinationals, politicians and other people in power. These revelations put countries whose fiscal regimes are bending the law in a harsh spotlight. But while the world of politics and media is getting tired of the wait-and-see attitude towards fighting tax evasion and fraud, it is less moved by the fate of whistle-blowers who are thrown into disgrace and crushed by judicial machinery that eventually outruns them. "I had to realise that life was elsewhere" In the hysteria of politics and the media that these revelations trigger, its easy to forget that hidden behind every leak (whether massive or modest) there are everyday men and women. Employees, interns, self-employed individuals or simply witnesses who, in order to leak information, put their reputation, careers and sometimes even their lives at risk. The recent assassination of the Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was a brutal reminder of how dangerous whistleblowing can be. Even in Europe, revealing a case or practices that go against the general consensus can cost someone so much as blood. This analysis is something that Denis Robert, the writer and journalist behind the Clearstream Affair in the early 2000s, can attest to. The story was turned into a film in 2015 (The Clearstream Affair, directed by Vincent Garenq, ed.) that, between two filming sessions, responds with bitterness to the vicissitudes of the time. Firstly, he doesnt consider himself a whistle-blower, a term he thinks is symptomatic of the defeat of journalism. His testimony shows the difficulties endured by what some call the sentinels. 63 [legal] procedures have been launched against me over the span of 10 years. I have been the victim of what Canadians call SLAPP suits, recounts the journalist, referring to legal procedures whose aim is not necessarily to sentence someone, but rather to frighten them and push them to self-censorship. Whats even worse than the relentless legal actions taken against Denis is the shameful reactions of journalists who, when they see me nowadays, hug the walls, he says. For Denis, this experience has shown that true power does not lie in the ability to disclose information, but rather in that of suppressing it. I had to resist, stand firmly and especially try not to reply to questions one at a time because they were coming from everywhere. At some point it makes you crazy. I had to realise that life was elsewhere During those 10 years, I wrote novels, theatre pieces, I went fishing, to the cinema, on vacation I continued to live. The journalist, nonetheless, having worked for Actuel and Liberation enjoyed a strong reputation: It was rather difficult to get rid of it. But Clearstream partly managed to do that because they had a lawyer and a service that did the job. Denis Robert has a name that Raphael Halet, along with Antoine Deltour, did not have when they revealed the Luxembourg Leaks, the financial scandal that dismantled the financial tax agreements between large multinationals and Luxembourgs financial administrator. The suffering that the former PricewaterhouseCoopers collaborator felt are not unlike those Denis Robert experienced. In the beginning, I was suffering from the pressure that my ex-employer put on me and my family. He was trying to destroy us, he explains in writing. The indifference shown by the majority of the population was a second blow. 80 billion euros worth of unpaid taxes per year should cause a revolution on the streets and should be the first topic of conversation, concludes Halet, who is still waiting on the court of appeals verdict, which has just been pushed to the 11th of January 2018. He faces paying a 1,000 euro fee. What Im missing is support from mainstream media, he confesses. Media outlets that, according to him, are in the hands of a few millionaires and are the cause of this silence. Luckily there is popular support via social media outlets, in particular luxleaks.fr. Europe, the only way out For the two men, the only viable protection for whistle-blowers would be a law on the European level, which would concern all the Member States and all sectors, both in private and public organisations. Foreign journalists could publish stories about France, and French journalists could also intervene in Belgian or German affairs, etc., explains Denis Robert. There is a need for Europe, I would say automatic rather than national, when it comes to these stories, he continues, explaining that revelations on tax evasion and fiscal fraud are by nature borderless. The journalist suggests several ideas, such as bringing financial and legal support to whistle-blowers. He suggests creating a committee of wise people, that would be in charge of protecting and disseminating the informational revealed through the creation of an online portal. The committee would check the information and ensure a kind of irrefutable label as well as play an intermediary role between whistle-blowers and the media. For Raphael Halet, it is essential to put pressure on the European Commission by using social media and local initiatives, in order to attain the creation of a European law. The European Commission has finally committed to presenting a law in the coming months. The European Parliament has taken the lead by voting on a resolution that will protect whistle-blowers on a European level. Virginie Roziere, the socialist MP behind the drafting of the text, is getting impatient given the inertia of the situation. If you take Sweden, the protection of whistle-blowers dates back to the 18th century, so its nothing new, she explains from Brussels. For the MP, there are plenty of national examples to draw from. She particularly cites the Netherlands, who even has a house of whistle-blowers. Paradoxically, Luxembourg has a system in place that protects whistle-blowers, but which inspired us less, or rather inspired us in what we shouldnt be doing, she adds, explaining that in Luxembourg, a whistle-blower is only protected the moment they speak to the public. Just as Denis Robert, the MP wishes to cut the SLAPP suits short and reverse the burden of proof: to organisation that is being denounced should be the ones to prove that the alert baseless. She highlights the importance of giving a whistle-blower the chance directly address the press and the public opinion, and ultimately hopes to create a European committee of wise people, which has also been brought up by Denis Robert. She equally stresses the importance of establishing a fund to support whistle-blowers financially, psychologically or legally. A whistle-blower is not a superhero A clear definition as to what makes a whistle-blower is also essential for the MP. In her eyes, it should be as broad as possible in order to cover the most number of cases possible. What matters is to confirm the alert. Its the facts revealed that affect the general interest of the public [] The personality of the whistle-blower isnt an issue. And yet, each time a new revelation is unveiled, it is hard to separate the facts from the person behind them. Cinema has also seen this pattern and taken advantage of glorifying whistle-blowers by using Benedict Cumberbatch to play Julian Assange in The Fifth Estate, or Joseph Gordon-Levitt to play Edward Snowden in Snowden. Its a cathartic construction that Virginie Roziere refuses to accept: A whistle-blower is not a superhero. They are human beings who are faced with an interior dilemma, stress, doubts, disorientation, not knowing who to speak to and how. For the MP, the Dutch example of a whistle-blower house is a priority: This would already allow for a safe place to speak, to ensure confidentiality and advise, guide and be the sympathetic first contact point for the whistle-blower. The resolution voted by the European Parliament in October this year contains most of these proposals, with the exception of a European financial fund. The ball is now in the court of the European Commission. However, the institution seems to be playing for time. It committed itself to present a draft law this year, which it has postponed until 2018 due to the complexity of the text. The challenge is whether the text will be examined prior to the 2019 European election campaign, when all the legislative work will be stopped. --- Want to write for Cafebabel? Submit your ideas here. Story by Pascal Hansens Translated from Le cri d'alarme des lanceurs d'alerte face au silence de l'Europe | BY Ricki Green | Straight 8, the APA, and Cinelab London, will hold the straight 8 industry shootout @ ADFEST 2018, where APAC/MENA companies in the advertising industry compete at straight 8 for charity. straight 8 is the global one-super-8-cartridge-no-editing film competition founded in 1999 in London. straight 8 entrants make a film on one roll of super 8mm cine film, with no second takes, no editing and no post-production. Sound must be original and is delivered blind. straight 8 takes care of processing the films so that the first time even the films makers see their work is at its premiere. Any companies working in advertising in APAC & MENA can take one of the 20 places available. They will shoot their film, send it to London, and then see it for the first time at ADFEST 2018 on Thursday 22nd March in Thailand. All films will be shown no matter how they come out. The maximum film length for this competition will be 2 minutes 30 seconds. The entrants will vote for their top three films, not including their own. The winners will donate the prize pot to a charity of their choice. straight 8 industry shootout has been entered by ad agencies, production companies, service companies, edit and post houses, music companies and more. There is no creative brief and entering companies must source all cameras, crews, props, locations and ideas. Entry is on a first come, first served basis. The first 20 companies to enter at 8am on Wednesday December 13th will be the competitors. Only registered and approved companies will receive the entry link at that time. Registration is recommended asap. One super 8 cartridge will be sent to each entered company who must film on that cartridge and send the exposed, but un-processed, film back to London by Monday February 19th. This is a great chance to have some fun, making a film in one of the hardest ways possible, raising money for charity and battling creatively with the rest of the industry. Companies entering recent straight 8 industry shootouts previously include: adam&eveDDB, BBH, Partizan, Mother, Saatchi, Droga5 (New York), Glassworks Productions, Hogarth Worldwide, Iconoclast, iris Amsterdam, iris London, iris Singapore, String and Tins, WK London, 72andSunny, The Lift (Mexico), Framestore Pictures (Los Angeles), TFC Japan, CZAR (Amsterdam), Radical Media (London) and many more. Jimmy Lam, President, ADFEST: Some of the worlds most famous agencies have participated in straight 8 industry shootouts now it is time for creative companies in the APAC and MENA regions to have their chance to participate, too. Its not often you get the opportunity to make a film with no brief, in one of the hardest ways possible, while also raising money for charity, so I encourage creative companies to get involved and show off their talents at ADFEST 2018. Steve Davies, APA Chief Executive: straight 8 is a competition of pure creativity and creates a fantastic screening because no one knows what is coming up even the film makers who have sent their films off to be developed and not seen them since. Its tense and spectacular. The APA is proud to have supported straight 8 since soon after Ed came up with it. With a female artist nominated in nearly every category and some categories dominated by women, it could have been a night of girl power but in the end it was the men who dominated. "These routes already have bus lines on them and some of them may have light rail lines in future. We want to be doing it where we know light rail will be running through in close proximity." The markets were closed for the day but up to three people, believed to be tradesmen, who were in the building at the time left. No injuries have been reported. She said while she did not believe the declaration was intentionally inaccurate at the time it was signed, the Assembly needed to know that its processes were "not subject to contempt" and could not result in potentially misleading the Governor-General. 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. Ferraris latest and most advanced track-only toy, the FXX K Evo, will cross the English Channel in less than 2 months to celebrate its UK premiere. Unveiled at the end of October during the Finali Mondiali event at Mugello, the Ferrari FXX K Evo will be taken to Autosport International, which takes place at the National Exhibition Center (NEC) Birmingham, from January 11 to 14. In order to become an absolute beast on the track, this hypercar has undergone some extensive revisions made to its aero agenda, which help increase downforce and airflow. It also gets more carbon fiber than its predecessor, and uses the brands F1 know-how in various fields, while also benefiting from a new steering wheel and digital monitors to display the telemetry, hybrid assist, and rear view. The Ferrari FXX K Evo is said to produce over 830kg (1,830lbs) of downforce at top speed, a 23 percent increase over the regular FXX K. Meanwhile, its hybrid powertrain continues to deliver in excess of 1,000hp. As youd expect, the Evo is aimed towards a small number of enthusiasts, either as a complete package, or an upgrade to the current FXX K. PHOTO GALLERY A simply breathtaking 1942 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS Spider is heading to RM Sothebys Arizona auction on January 18-19. Set to be offered without a reserve, the classic is expected to sell for between $900,000 and $1.1 million and will be right at home as the centerpiece of any car collection. Alfa Romeo built the 6C from 1927 to 1954 in a plethora of configurations for both the road and racing purposes. Between 1938 and 1952, the 6C 2500 was the final production 6C built for the road and sold in roughly a dozen different flavors, including the SS Spider we have pictured. RM Sothebys has yet to provide a detailed history of this particular car but our research suggests it is powered by the same 2.4-liter inline-six cylinder found across the 6C family. In SS Spider configuration, it delivered roughly 110 hp. While that power figure is outdated by todays standards, the exterior design of the two-seater remains as beautiful as ever. It features two large circular headlights, black wheels, a black and red paint scheme, and a simple interior that appears to be in as-new condition. PHOTO GALLERY Hyundai has big plans for its Genesis brand not only a slate of new models, but a completely new dealer network. And its current dealers are hopping mad over the prospect of being excluded. Genesis models are currently sold out of mainstream Hyundai dealers across America, roughly a third of which (totaling some 352 dealers) have invested in staff and facilities upgrades in order to sell the top-of-the-line G90. The automaker is preparing, however, to slash that number down to about a hundred dedicated showrooms. This means that most of the dealers already selling Genesis models will be cut out of the loop. Automotive News reports that the issue came to a head at a conference of Hyundai dealers in Dallas earlier this month, where several dealership owners got up and left en masse ostensibly in order to discuss privately, later rejoining the meeting. Both the company and the dealers are in complete agreement that this is critical for the success of the Genesis brand and the dealer body, a Hyundai spokesman told Automotive News, declining to comment on the incident. At this particular meeting, during a conversation on the Genesis brand, the dealers asked to have further discussions on the topic, which already are taking place. The automaker is preparing to roll out the new G70 to slot in below the G80 and G90 sedans, along with a coupe and three new crossovers. Photo Gallery Hyundai workers in South Korea have stopped building the Kona SUV as a protest against the company, with the labor union claiming there are plans to lay off people working on the assembly line. This protest comes a week ahead of Hyundais scheduled U.S. launch, with the union warning the carmaker for a wider strike. Hyundai workers are also in annual talks with the management over pay, Reuters reports. Hyundai has been negotiating with its labor union since October over Konas production plans. The Korean companys new sub-compact SUV is a key model to their plans to reverse a U.S. sales slump. The union labor argues that Hyundai wants to add more automation and outsource more of the assembly of key sections. Hyundai on the other hand says that the union is making irrelevant demands, such as adding extra windows in the factory as part of the discussions. Union leader Ha Boo-young said that the carmakers decision to start production of the Kona on a new assembly line was made without consultation from the union and thats unacceptable. He also added that a wider strike is still on the cards should there be another provocation by the management. Hyundai Motor president Yoon Kap-han said that it was regrettable that the labor union is disrupting the production of a high-demand model at a time when most of their plants are suffering from the worst sales slowdown. So far, the assembly line remained closed for two days this week which is equivalent to 1,230 units, according to Hyundai. PHOTO GALLERY Autonomous driving technology is all the rage these days but Hyundai has been pretty quiet on the subject. Thats about to change as Wards Auto is reporting its Highway Driving Assist technology will soon be coming to the United States. Currently available on a handful of models in South Korea, the Highway Driving Assist system is a Level 2 semi-autonomous technology that combines adaptive cruise control with a lane keeping assist function. The system has been around since 2015 and it is slated to arrive in America in 2019 on the next-generation Sonata as well as the updated Genesis G90. The four-year delay is somewhat surprising but Hyundais director of advanced driver assist systems, Woongjung Jang, told the publication this is due to several factors including high demand in South Korea. Jang also noted Theres so much to cover [in the United States] and we need to ensure our information on our map databases are accurate on every highway, so its taking some time to go through and verify all those. While the Highway Driving Assist technology is a step towards full autonomy, the company is working on more advanced systems and expects them to be launched at the fleet level since mobility providers can offset the costs of the technology by not having to pay a driver. However, prices are expected to come down in the future and Jang believes Hyundai could hit an affordable price level in 2025 or later. Speaking of fully autonomous vehicles, Jang says the technology is a bad fit for electric vehicles as the power consumption is really huge and can dramatically decrease a vehicles range. Newer technologies will likely reduce the power draw but, in the meantime, Jang believes autonomous driving systems are better suited for hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or hydrogen fuel cell applications. Photo Gallery Lucid Motors announced its new, bigger headquarters in Newark, California which is twice the size of their existing one. The EV start-up company says its getting ready for expansion, thats why as of late 2017 theyll begin moving into their new facilities into the Pacific Research Center. The new location also happens to be just a few blocks away from Lucids prototype shop, where the Air was first revealed back in late 2016. The next two years will be a defining period for Lucid as we prepare the Lucid Air for production and continue development of future products. With the space secured for our expansion, we can now focus our attention on the task at hand, the company said in its blog. The new HQ features a larger design studio, more lab and office space under a single roof. Lucid showcased the latest version of the Air prototype in Monterey last summer wearing a two-tone paint job. Lucid plans to launch a production version of the Model S-rivaling Air in 2019 and after securing funds for the first phase of a new $700 million factory in Arizona. This will enable them to build between 8,000 and 10,000 cars per year initially, with the number going up to 130,000 vehicles per year when the factorys construction is complete in 2022. Once it enters production, the new Lucid Air will cost from $52,500 (including the $7,500 federal tax credit), featuring 400hp and a 240-mile driving range per charge. The company has also announced a special Launch Edition for the first 255 units that will roll off the production line, which will offer a longer, 400-mile range, a 0-60mph in 2.5 seconds, autonomous driving hardware and more. Price for one of the Air Launch Edition models is expected to be over $100,000 according to the company. VIDEO Shell has reached an agreement with a host of industry-leading automakers to introduce ultra-fast charging stations along European highways. The partnership involves Ionity, a joint venture recently established between BMW, Daimler, Ford, and Volkswagen, and will result in the rollout of high-powered charging outlets at 80 different highway sites across the continent in 2019, giving Shell a leg-up on many of its rivals. In a statement, Shell claims that its fast chargers have a capacity of 350 kW and will be able to charge vehicles in as little as five to eight minutes, Reuters reports. Customers want to go on long journeys in their electric vehicles and feel confident that there are reliable, comfortable and convenient places to charge them quickly, Shells head of retail Istvan Kapitany said. The first 80 charging stations will be built in Belgium, Britain, France, the Netherlands, Hungary, Austria, Czechia, Slovakia, Poland, and Slovenia. When construction of these locations is finished, 20 additional stations will be built in Germany. PHOTO GALLERY This fully-loaded 2017 Porsche Panamera Turbo has been fitted with TopCars Stingray GTR Edition kit, boasting a new custom interior and a hefty 235,000 ($280,000) price tag. According to the Russian tuner, the car recently returned to Moscow after a brief stint in Marbella, Spain, where it met up with none other than free-skier and car enthusiast Jon Olsson. Since were discussing its history, we have to point out that this exact car is #3 of a 25 limited run of Stingray GTR Panameras, and its wearing a whole lot of carbon fiber, both outside as well as in the cabin. For the exterior, you get new front and rear bumpers, custom intakes, redesigned DRLs, new hood, side skirts, rear diffuser and a large rear wing that doesnt retract anymore. As for the interior, theres carbon fiber on the steering wheel, dashboard and door panels, plus plenty of leather and Alcantara. Put it all together and you could say that spending nearly $300k on this car might be justifiable if moneys not an object and a loaded to the gills with carbon Panamera is your thing . PHOTO GALLERY It is not yet clear how or even if the Walt Disney Company intends to address the situation, or whether the company is capable of self-policing sexual misconduct at its top executive levels. What is becoming evident though is that many people at Disney had known about and tolerated Lasseters behavior for years. In one incident, reported by Vanity Fair, Lasseter allegedly French kissed and fondled a female Disney employee against her will, which led to a phone meeting of top Disney execs including Walt Disney Animation Studios (WDAS) and Pixar president Ed Catmull and WDAS production chief Andrew Millstein. The subject of the phone call was, Shit, what are we going to do about John?, a person who was on the call told Vanity Fair. Lasseter is the crazy-horny 13-year-old who you have to keep in check all the time. Theyve known for a long time, an unidentified source told Variety today. It has gone all the way to the top. I know personally that Bob [Iger, Disney CEO] was aware. Everybody was aware. They just didnt do anything about it. Many rank-and-file employees at both Disney and Pixar animation studios were also aware of Lasseters behavior, as confirmed by former Disney animation artist Minkyu Lee on Twitter: Sources have additionally told Cartoon Brew that they believe there has been at least one financial settlement from the Walt Disney Company to a woman, stemming from Lasseters actions. In the Variety piece, authors Gene Maddaus and Ricardo Lopez point out that, In the absence of an internal investigation of Lasseter, much depends on whether Pixar employees come forward with on-the-record allegations. Either way, the company will have to weigh the risks of hanging on to Lasseter against the benefits of allowing him to continue to shepherd films onto the screen. For now, a well-fortified wall of silence remains around Lasseter. The question is: How long will it last? (Photo: Shutterstock) With this film I challenged myself to make viewers feel for small, puny objects, Blanchet explains. I love it when people see so much in her as a character, or even as a representative of girl power. When the viewers start to think of a push pin as a person, when theyre at a point where they feel scared, happy, or excited for it, then Ive succeeded. Throughout the film, Blanchet keeps reminding viewers of the realness of the materials by incorporating many close-ups and making some visual sacrifices. The raw color of the cork isnt really attractive visually, Blanchet acknowledges, but at least people will see its real. Staying true to real materials meant no post-production at all, turning the animation into a time-consuming process. Unfortunately some online viewers couldnt appreciate the effort, commenting things like Get a job or Get a girlfriend. But Blanchet smiles when he reflects: These people only see the work not the imagination. More often than not, the restrictions the director set up for himself resulted in original inventions. The balloons at the end of the film, for example, are really just a bunch of rubber bands put together. Despite this simplicity, or perhaps because of it, its one of the most fantastical and visually sublime shots. Numerous people told me, This is so simple I couldve thought of it myself, the director recalls. In my mind thats actually the best response I could ask for. I love that Elastika is an idea that everybody can have and make. War stories told through paper Womens Letters is a poignant 11-minute short made out of papier-mache. It follows a soldier in World War I delivering his comrades letters from their families. The great amounts of love that the letters express heal the soldiers scars physically, since both the soldiers and the letters are made of paper, but also psychologically. The films metaphor is painful and beautiful. While the ideas for the story and form of Womens Letters were conceived separately, director Augusto Zanovello couldnt unsee the combination after they connected in his head. The metaphor is a little obvious, the director says. Paper is fragile. You can burn it, you can cut it, you can write memories on it, and you can lose a piece of paper very quickly. For me, the human being is like paper. The soldiers in Womens Letters embody this paradox; the form is the story. The papier-mache technique also gives the harsh story a certain softness. War is a painful subject matter that quickly becomes shocking in a realistic style, Zanovello says. For this film, I wanted to bring the story into another dimension a more tender one than reality. Any imperfections that came with the hard to manipulate material were embraced by the director. He zooms in on the soldiers crumpled paper faces quite often, to intensify emotional moments. I love visual imperfections. Similar to papier-mache, life is not very constructed. Imperfection thats us. Its what makes us human. Cruel tales on bubble wrap Arthur Metcalfs Fantaisie in Bubblewrap will surely leave you feeling guilty about ever popping one of those plastic sheets of bubbles. A producer friend of mine would do it all the time, Metcalf says. She wouldnt simply pop them though shed put a face on each of them first. I thought it was a great idea and asked her if I could use it for a film. The films cinematographic quality is low, or shitty in the directors own words, but this imperfection might actually contribute to its humor. Different from the previously discussed films though, for Metcalf it wasnt a conscious choice while making the film he simply never considered a fancier look or technique. I just sort of stumbled onto this technique with my then-really-limited skills out of necessity. Animating it in cg or even using a better camera to record with was never a thing. But I think when theres great jokes, nobody cares about the quality just look at South Park. Regarding the films success, Metcalf thinks people enjoy the film because basically everybody is guilty of popping bubble wrap: The common sentiment in Youtubes comment section seems to be, I will never look at bubble wrap the same way again. Theres that recognition there. In that sense, I do think the actual material, as opposed to a drawn or cg representation, helps the connection in the end. Some people even said they cried at the end people crying about a bubble-wrap baby. That makes me happy. This article is inspired by the thematic program Things Have Feelings Too, which was presented at the 2015 KLIK Amsterdam Animation Festival. I am a Civics 11 student from Summerland Secondary School. We have done a lot of research on the Banks Crescent Development, we have had guest speakers from both sides and we have talked with the mayor and spent many classes researching so we can make an informed decision. Young people are normally disregarded of their voice in a community project as they just don't understand or don't know the facts but we might just know more than most members of our community. Banks crescent is a development presented by the Lark Group. It was proposed to be a 424 room senior home with multi-levels of care depending on your needs. Summerland needs this development; we need the jobs and the tax dollars that it will bring along with it. Our seniors need places to live where they can receive the care they require and deserve. Summerland is in desperate need of more jobs for our community. Building this development will bring in jobs for construction workers, doctors, nurses, care aids among lots of minimum wage paying jobs for the youth and students living in town. There is said to be a movie theatre, restaurants, a spa, a pool along with other amenities that will require workers that Summerland can provide. Do you hate hitting pot holes when you're driving around town? Tax dollars can fix that! As we all know some infrastructure in Summerland need upgrading however, that costs money. Summerland would benefit from the tax dollars this development would bring along with it. Banks Crescent would bring in 600,000 more tax dollars per year. The extra tax dollars could possibly fund to upgrade the roads and/or other amenities for example, the Summerland Fitness and Aquatic Centre. In Summerland we are lucky to have the oldest fish hatchery in British Columbia. Many residents are concerned about what this development could mean for the hatchery, the main concern is the aquifer under the property as increased vibration could cause dust and clay particles to contaminate Shaughnessy Springs. There have been multiple studies done to confirm the safety of the spring. The developer has also mentioned an enhanced protection program that includes permanent water monitoring wells and water quality testing as soon as possible. The Baby Boomer population is aging, approximately one thousand Canadian seniors retire every day and we need places for them to live to get the care they need. There are two main seniors housing options in Summerland, Dr. Andrew Pavilion (Interior Health) and the Summerland Seniors Village. Some folks do get in-home private care but for a lot of seniors it is not an option as they need around the clock supervision. Does someone you know have dementia and you want them in town for easy visitation? Having more assisted living facilities can help with that! There is at least a two year waiting list to get into a seniors home in Summerland, with another option it will decrease the lengthiness of these waiting list. Summerland needs the help this development would provide for all members of the community young or old. It feels like our town is just surviving, we need to grow and change to thrive. Ava Hart All it takes for spring water to change course or quality is a crack the size of a pinhole. (Summerlanders for Sensible Development website) The developers of the Banks Crescent Project are, supposedly, going to drill and dig holes for three underground parking levels, even though it could possibly fracture the bottom of the lot and/or affect the spring water below where they are drilling the holes. Isnt it reasonable for the owners of the trout hatchery to be nervous about having this development approved, considering the fact that the spring underneath the development, Shaughnessy Spring is where they get their water from? I am a student of Summerland Secondary School, who is currently in a Civics 11 course. My class has had a few people visit our class from both points of view on the Banks Crescent Project; some who support it and some who are against it. Each student in my Civics class have each created a pros and cons table, looked through many newspapers and searched websites as forms of research. My class has also visited Mayor Peter Waterman in council chambers. The fish hatchery receives one-hundred million dollars per year in the provinces economy. The water that enters the hatchery is already in a sensitive area but if something goes wrong with the project, that could change from bad to worse. Why take such a large risk like this when there is a pretty good chance that the development will affect this one, small fish hatchery in such a large way? I honestly believe that the people of Summerland and the city council should certainly rethink their decision. The fish hatchery is not the only reason why I believe the Banks Crescent Project should not be approved. In the cold, icy season that we call winter, the roads around the area where they are proposing to build the development are going to be extra icy, plus the road is uphill! There is a much greater chance of people getting into accidents that way. I know they are going to do things to improve the road and make it wider, but I honestly think they should just spare themselves the time and money. It is already going to be lots of money and lots of time to build the actual Banks Crescent Development, but that is going to mean even more money and time spent on improving and rebuilding the road. The developers are going to have to pay one-and-a-half million dollars to redo the roads. Im starting to ask myself if some of the money they are putting towards rebuilding the roads is coming from taxpayers. I personally think that the people wishing to turn this dream into a reality are making a large mistake. I would not take this many risks, all for just building some seniors development. There is too much money and time that is going to be wasted on this development. They should spare themselves the time and money by not building this project. I believe that the council of Summerland should use the money they want to put towards the development towards something more useful; perhaps something more for the youth part of the town. Think about it; this town already has five seniors homes, but practically nothing for the youth of Summerland to do. If the project does get built, the developers are supposedly going to build an indoor gym for working out, a pool, and a movie theatre. Summerland does already have a pool and a sort-of gym, but we havent even attempted building even a small movie theatre. If we let this project go through, it would also mean paving over a beautiful vineyard, and possibly blocking the view of the lake for some people. The fact that they would be paving over such a gorgeous place is definitely a big part of why I am against it as well. In conclusion, I strongly believe that the Banks Crescent Development should not be put through. It could affect the fish hatcherys water and it is, in my opinion, a bad place to build the project because of the view possibly getting blocked and the fact that the road that it would be getting built next to is an uphill road and gets quite icy during winter. I am not asking for you to decline the development just because of just one person or even many people, I am simply asking you to consider the facts and opinions that I have presented for you. Thank you for taking the time to read this letter; it is greatly appreciated. Amber Fusco We all long to live happy and valuable lives and we all urgently desire a world of peace. But if that is true, then why has it been an impossible goal to achieve? We have never seen a world of peace, but every human longs to live there. We live in a society where we have increasing drug problems, terrorist bombings, shootings, home invasions and now many of our Hollywood Heroes are being exposed as sexual predators when we have all but worshiped them and longed to be like them! The Government, the churches, the United Nations, will not solve our problems; if they could have, they would have at least made some progress over the last many decades of untold investment. We spend countless millions of dollars, untold hours of human investment and so much prayer, volunteerism, endless councils, commissions, research, discussion groups, all with no documentable, beneficial results. Our problems are getting worse. Many segments of our society live in fear, squalor and homelessness, and we have been helpless to solve any of these problems. Isnt it possible, that all of these problems are the result of decaying families in our society? As the family has broken down, society has followed; as the family has continued to decay with broken homes, single parents, relaxed morals and self-centered love, society cannot help but follow just as night follows day. Our society good or otherwise, comes on the foundation established by our families, good or otherwise and likewise will follow our Nation. The solution to drug overdoses cannot come from extra police, more anti drug education or Naloxone anti drug overdose availability. It can only come when we become committed to healthy families and make more effort to become the best mothers and fathers we can be, who are willing to sacrifice self focused activities, to invest in healthy marriages and healthy families. The only way we can build a strong, healthy and happy society free from the scourge of drug addiction, suicide, hatred and intolerance, is on the foundation of strong, healthy and happy families. The family is the foundation for good citizens and the foundation of a good society. The family is where we learn to love! The happy family is the only place where we can have hope for our future as individuals, and hope for our society and nation. The only place where we have any hope of overcoming the problems we face is not in more laws and more arrests and not even in more education. It is in supporting and encouraging families, becoming mentors to those who struggle, encouraging couples to engage in marriage support programs. As Parents, It is essential that we commit to loving our children and dedicating our lives to them in such a way that they will be inspired and feel loved and be determined to overcome problems in their own families and not just run away or give up when things become difficult. We must become the example as loving parents and spouses. Our children must know they are loved always and no matter what. To build these healthy families each of us need to learn to have an attitude of living for the sake of others, especially in our own family. The choices are ours as individuals. There is no other way; we have tried them all and failed miserably. John Abelseth How will this new system work to make the Okanagan Lake water quality better, more improved and lasting into the future for our children. First, remember this, if you do not have clean, good quality drinking water your population is in great trouble. Kelowna and IHA want to control the water distribution systems for the central Okanagan. How will they make it better than what is in place before this deal is made? They have taken over SEKID and maintained their staff since they know their system best, this is good. Farmers are now worried about the future availability and price of their irrigation water. Simple enough, install flow meters and charge accordingly not brain surgery. Flow meters will make farmers conserve as much as possible and it is fair, users pay for quantity used. Will the water available from mountain lakes be enough to satisfy the farmers needs into the future? Will this mountain water be in need of treatment i.e. filtering and ultra violet before it is good for irrigation? With the system as is mountain water is also used for domestic systems as it is today, so treatment will be necessary if IHA has their way. Instead of spending millions on a treatment plant for the mountain water maybe the domestic lines to the area should come from existing Kelowna which comes from Okanagan Lake either at Knox Mountain or Cedar Creek pumping stations. Of course, Cedar Creek is on the down stream of the Kelowna KLO sewer plant outfall so they would be consuming spent sewage which has been through the Kelowna sewage treatment plant. Now we can ask, if this sewage treatment plant outfall is good enough quality water for introduction into the Okanagan Lake for the Cedar Creek pumping station to use for their domestic customers, then we have to assume that this sewage plant outfall is good enough for irrigation as well as domestic water for our customers in the Mission area of Kelowna. Kelowna can supply 30,000,000 liters per day every day of the year, of treated sewage water (now going into the Okanagan Lake at KLO) and West Kelowna can supply 10,000,000 liters of treated sewage water every day to the west side irrigation systems which will also come under the Kelowna and IHA control in time. Rose Valley water system is in need of a treatment plant if this water is to meet IHA status. Just $42 million proposal. If west side used only Okanagan Lake water for domestic purposes, then this plant is not needed for irrigation water. The $42 million or part of, could be used for the pumping station and ultra violet system instead. Rose Valley water could still be used for irrigation no treatment needed. It seems needless to treat all Rose Valley water for both domestic and irrigation purposes. The 10,000,000 liters per day of sewage treatment out flow now going into Okanagan Lake on the west side could be used to supplement the existing irrigation supply. No need to add this sewage treatment outfall to the lake. Kelowna could do the same, use the sewage treatment plant out fall to supplement the irrigation supply thus sparing the Okanagan Lake from taking the 30,000,000 liters of sewage treatment outfall every day. So, what is the benefit of this idea? The Okanagan Lake water quality will improve greatly and will be available for domestic consumption. How will this extra irrigation supply affect the mountain lakes? The mountain lakes will thus be able to discharge clean water to the creeks leading into Okanagan Lake improving the water quality of the lake even more. Kelowna city and the water business should look to the future and not make expensive mistakes that will come back to bite the future generations. Do not be afraid to do something different, make this work, make the new system smart and efficient. This new idea should specify that all Okanagan domestic water consumers drink from the lake, only then will everyone think and appreciate our supply of good drinking water. Have a glass of water on me and think also of the fish. Please note, City Of Vernon already does this why cant we? Time for change for the better, work into the future. Jorgen Hansen Photo: CBSA A new study says more than half of the illegal guns seized by police in British Columbia over the past three years were purchased, traded or stolen from within Canada. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says most people might think illegal weapons come from the United States or other countries, but police data indicates almost 60 per cent of the guns come from domestic sources. Farnworth released the findings of a government task force report today, which concludes illegal firearms play an expanding role in criminal activity across the province. In 2015, criminal use of firearms was linked to 2,000 incidents in B.C. ranging from break and enters to homicides. Farnworth says police seized 3,000 illegal weapons during investigations of those incidents. He says the government will create a police unit to tackle weapons trafficking. Photo: West Coast Ferries Forum A death on board a BC Ferries vessel, Monday, has been deemed not suspicious. The man's body was found by staff on the Queen of Oak Bay after it docked in Nanaimo at 8 a.m. Police and the BC Coroners Service were notified, but the death is not considered criminal in nature. The incident resulted in the cancellation of the 8:30 a.m. sailing from Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay, as well as the ferry's 10:30 a.m. return. with files from CTV Vancouver Island Photo: RCMP RCMP are looking for Vernon resident Robert Long who has been missing for weeks. UPDATE 10:46 a.m. RCMP have said Robert Long has been found safe and sound. Vernon RCMP are asking for public help in finding a local man who's been missing for weeks but believed to be in the Vernon area. Robert Long, 53, was last seen on Nov. 8. There is nothing to indicate foul play at this time and police believe he was dropped off by a friend in the Vernon area, said Const. Kelly Brett, RCMP spokesperson. Since Roberts disappearance, police have followed up on several leads and possible sightings, however Robert remains missing. Brett said police were very concerned for Long's health and well-being, and family report that it is out of character for him to be out of contact for this long. Long is described as a Caucasian male standing five-feet-11-inches tall and weighing 170 lbs, with greying hair and blue eyes. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Robert Long is urged to contact their local police, or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, leaving a tip online at www.nokscrimestoppers.com. Photo: Google Maps Vernon council has approved the sale of the old McMechan Reservoir on 39th Avenue. Vernon city council has approved the sale of the old McMechan Reservoir at 901 39th Avenue for $6,492,754. The 19.6 acre portion, situated by Mutrie Road at the far edge of East Hill, has been sold to Vernon Reservoir Developments Ltd. although what it will be used for remains a mystery. It's very good development property and it makes sense for the community, said Coun. Brian Quiring of the sale. Speaking to reporters after a council meeting Monday, Quiring said the old reservoir was surplus to the city's infrastructure requirements. He said there may be some geotechnical issues for the new owners to deal with but he called the land nice property (with) good views of the city. Mayor Akbal Mund said the new owner wants to rezone the land which will explain what the plans are for the property but pointed out there were many homes in the area. It's not being used for anything right now, said Mund. I don't have a problem taking property we have, selling it and using that money for some other property. Mund even suggested money from the sale could be put into social housing closer to the city centre. There's a lot of stuff we could do with the money and that's something we have to consider. Photo: The Canadian Press Spills from TransCanada Corp.'s Keystone pipeline that leaked an estimated 210,000 gallons of oil in South Dakota. TransCanada Corp says it plans to restart operations on its Keystone pipeline on Nov. 28 after making repairs to a leak that spilled about 795,000 litres of crude oil in South Dakota. The company says U.S. regulators have cleared its restart plans, which include restarting the pipeline at a reduced pressure before gradually increasing the volume of crude oil in the system. TransCanada says that as of Nov. 24, it had recovered about 168,000 litres of crude oil from the spill in a farmer's field, and that there are no indications of the spill affecting water sources. The spill on Nov. 16 forced the company to shut the section of the Keystone pipeline system between Hardisty, Alta., and Cushing Okla. and a spur line to Patoka, Ill., while a southern section extending to the Gulf Coast remained in operation. The leak increased scrutiny of the company's pipeline operations just days before Nebraska regulators voted on whether to allow the company's proposed Keystone XL pipeline project to run through the state. Regulators gave the go-ahead for the project on Nov. 20, but approved an alternative route to the one preferred by TransCanada. Photo: Kate Bouey Council has approved big changes to the BC Transit service in Vernon. Efforts will be made to get a bus stop back onsite at the Village Green mall at the north end of Vernon. City council on Monday approved a major expansion of the BC Transit service, including the addition of 7,000 annual service hours and a new north-south route that would run through town every 15 minutes during peak periods. The changes are expected to take effect in April 2018 at a cost of $314,277 for the first nine months. The money will be taken from reserves. Council has also asked city and transit staff to approach the owner of the mall, Bentall Kennedy, to see if the issue of an onsite bus stop can be resolved. It's just not conducive to people using it that have mobility challenges or those with all their kids, said Coun. Juliette Cunningham, who made the motion. Last winter, I saw a woman get stuck in her wheelchair in the snow. It's just crazy. Cunningham is hopeful new negotiations will work, although they failed a year ago, or a bus stop will have to be chosen along 48th Avenue which is the current situation. Council also heard from Okanagan Landing resident James Kanester who requested a return to 35 minute service in his area of Heritage Drive and Allenby Way, near Bella Vista Road. Council liked his argument to reroute the number 8 bus, which travels Bella Vista, to pick up passengers at an Allenby Way stop. They voted in favour of that action. Council has also asked BC Transit to take a look at routes 7 and 8 to see if 35 minute service can be provided to the area. Meanwhile, council's financial watchdog Bob Spiers questioned the big increase in costs to bussing. He said the annual transit bill, including the HandyDart, will increase 30 per cent to $1.365 million. I know we've found a way of using the reserves, which should be done but I don't see an increase in revenue as we were promised, Spiers said. He pointed out that taxpayers would be footing the whole bill once reserves run out in a few years time. Photo: City of Vernon Only four city-owned lake access sites will be developed next year, council has decided. The number of city-owned Okanagan Lake access sites to be developed next year have been halved. Council on Monday approved four access sites along the lake for development. Four other sites pinpointed by staff will now only have new signs and garbage bins. Some lakeside signage will let kayakers and other boaters know they can stop at that area. We did go on a tour of the eight that had been recommended by staff and we've decided not to go ahead on four of them, said Coun. Juliette Cunningham. The monies that we might save by not doing the ones that were on the list, we're going to try to put into existing lakeshore lots and try to expedite the development of those. In March, council supported an ambitious plan to create more public sites where residents and tourists could access Okanagan Lake. The scaled back plan includes two sites on Tronson Road, one on Lakeshore Road next to Kin Beach and another on Okanagan Avenue. Mayor Akbal Mund said one site was rejected for conservation reasons while another was just too narrow and steep. Mund is hopeful some of the money saved could be used to upgrade Camp Hurlburt which is currently in the hands of the North Okanagan Regional District. Photo: Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure The Trans Canada Highway has completely reopened in both directions east of Chilliwack. The highway was closed after three mudslides hit near Bridal Falls Thursday morning. The maintenance contractor continued work this afternoon to rebuild the shoulders of the highway and remove the remainder of debris from the area in order to re-open all four lanes of the highway to traffic. Single lane closures will be put in place as required to complete any remaining work and to monitor the operation of the culverts. Photo: Contributed The Summerland Arts and Cultural Centre is turning to the province for funding from the rural dividend program. Council unanimously agreed to fully support the grant application Monday night. To our surprise the fourth intake of rural dividend has become available, said community development coordinator Angelique Wood. The opportunity to apply for economic development funding in relation to the Arts and Cultural Centre development that were undertaking in seems like a big opportunity. The grant would help fund development and business planning and run workshops and programming at the centre, museum campus, surrounding park and local schools. The report outlines a premise to apply for funding for the full maximum allowable as an individual applicant, which would be a total of $100,000, Wood said. The proposed grant would supplement the $250,000 currently budgeted for the Arts and Cultural Centre renovation project. Last year, Summerland used its $100,000 rural dividend grant on a feasibility study for a large solar array in the community. The rural dividend program is available to communities under 25,000. Photo: DriveBC Screen grab from Rogers Pass Hwy 1, near Parks Headquarters at Glacier National Park. Highway 1, between Eagle Pass and Rogers Pass, is about to get a whole lot of snow. A snowfall warning has been issued by Environment Canada for the Trans-Canada Highway on Monday night. About 20 centimetres is expected to fall overnight and into Tuesday. A frontal system will move across the B.C. interior on Tuesday bringing up to 20 cm of snow to the Trans-Canada Highway - Eagle Pass to Rogers Pass by late Tuesday, stated Environment Canada. The snowfall is expected to ease up by Tuesday evening. Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions. Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow, stated Environment Canada. Snowfall warnings are issued when significant snowfall is expected. For updates on road conditions visit this link. Photo: Contributed A pair of Summerland residents were in front of council Monday to express concerns about their AMR electric meter. The two residents had similar feelings towards the smart meters emitting radiation, with both looking to get rid of their current smart meters for a manual version. All council members agreed they need more information on everything associated with switching from a smart to manual meter. In terms of the rates and so on, I think thats something we perhaps need or want a little more information, Mayor Peter Waterman said, adding they should look into what other municipalities do in similar situations. We need to pursue it a bit more to make sure that we are fair, there is a couple questions we need to get answers to. Only three households have come forward hoping to switch out their electrical meter for a manual meter, according to Tami Rothery, sustainability and alternative energy coordinator. A draft policy suggested charging opt out households $100 to replace the meters and $24 per month for manual reading. The purpose of this report was to bring forward a revenue neutral policy framework for residents wishing to opt out of the electric meters for automated meter reading, said Kris Johnson, director of works and utilities. The District has received a few requests in the past for this, due to perceived concerns of the radiation from electromagnetic frequency from the meters. Council directed staff to further review the proposed monthly opt out fees and report back to council in the future. Photo: The Canadian Press The Bank of Nova Scotia posted a three per cent increase in fourth-quarter net income as it announced a $2.9-billion offer to buy a majority stake in a Chilean bank. Scotiabank said Tuesday that it has submitted a binding offer to acquire Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria's shares in its Chilean banking operation, BBVA Chile. "This transaction is in line with Scotiabank's strategy to increase scale within the Chilean banking sector and the Pacific Alliance countries," the bank said in a statement. "It will double Scotiabank's market share in Chile to approximately 14 per cent, and make Scotiabank the third largest non-state owned bank in the country." The lender added that BBVA is willing to accept the deal if its minority partner, the Said family, does not exercise its right of first refusal under a shareholders agreement. The proposal came hours before it posted fourth-quarter earnings of $2.07 billion in net income or $1.64 diluted earnings per share for the three months ended Oct. 31, up from $2.01 billion or $1.57 during the same time last year. The quarter was helped by Scotiabank's Canadian and international banking business segments, which saw net income attributable to shareholders rise by 12 per cent and 11 per cent, to $1.07 billion and $605 million, respectively. However, this was offset by a 15 per cent drop in fourth-quarter net income in its global banking and markets division to $391 million, the bank said. Photo: RCMP Kamloops RCMP are investigating reports of shots fired Monday night just before 8 p.m. in the Carson Crescent area of the city's north shore. Witnesses saw a male on a bike and a dark-coloured pickup truck in the area at the time of the shooting. No one was injured, but two spent shotgun shell casings were found at the scene. Police are analyzing the casings, and the investigation is ongoing. Photo: Elizabeth Kozub Deer head toward 30th Avenue on Monday, Vernon's main street. A Vernon resident expressed delight and upset over an unusual occurrence in Vernon's downtown area on Monday. Elizabeth Kozub spotted five deer around lunchtime yesterday cruising down the road, heading to the intersection by Justice Park across from the Nixon Wenger law offices on 30th Avenue. I was delighted, Kozub said. But Kozub said after the animals left the park to cross busy 27th Street, cars were driving around them and someone on a motorcycle cut in between the small herd. A couple of the deer that were separated and left behind were very upset and agitated and I was sure I was going to witness a tragedy. Why cant people take a few minutes from their busy day to stop and allow them all to cross together? Are people really in that much of a hurry? Photo: Contributed UPDATE: 3:25 p.m. The northbound lanes of the Coquihalla Highway are now open, after the highway was closed by a semi truck fire Tuesday morning. Southbound travel remains closed near Sowaqua Creek. The truck was hauling phenol formaldehyde resin, a corrosive polymer, which had leaked into a ditch. UPDATE: 1 p.m. A semi on fire on the Coquihalla Highway near Sowaqua Creek is hauling phenol formaldehyde resin. The synthetic polymer is corrosive and is leaking onto the highway and into the ditch, Emergency Management BC reports. Sand is being used to dam the ditch. An 800-metre exclusion zone has been set up around the incident. UPDATE: noon Two Environmental Emergency Response Officers have been deployed to a tractor trailer fire involving corrosive liquid on the Coquihalla, near Carolin Mines. An exclusion zone has been created around the semi fire. The next DriveBC update is expected after 2 p.m. ORIGINAL: 9:54 a.m. As if there weren't enough obstacles on the region's highways, Highway 5 is now closed in both directions between Othello and Merritt, for an incident two kilometres West of the Carolin Mines exit. DriveBC reports semi is on fire, and an assessment is in progress. No detour is available at this time. Highway 1 or 3 could be used as an alternate route for the time being. Photo: The Canadian Press Unifor President Jerry Dias Ottawa is coming under fresh pressure to find a way to save the ailing Canadian newspaper industry, although the Liberals remain steadfast in their argument that the solution lies in the transition to digital platforms and more viable business models. Torstar Corp. and Postmedia Network Inc. announced Monday they will cut nearly 300 jobs as they plan to shutter more than 30 newspapers across the country, with most of the dailies and community weeklies affected based in Ontario. "It's absolutely brutal," Canadian union leader Jerry Dias said Monday as he urged federal Heritage Minister Melanie Joly to protect print journalism. Earlier this year, a major report from the Public Policy Forum called for a sales tax on foreign companies selling digital subscriptions in Canada and a $400-million fund to help finance reliable news and information. The Canadian Press participated in the roundtables and research. And in June, the House of Commons heritage committee also issued recommendations on how to save the industry, including a five-year tax credit to compensate print outlets for a portion of their digital investments. But in September, Joly unveiled a cultural strategy that was criticized by industry experts for lacking measures that could have given a boost to struggling newspapers across Canada. At the time, Joly said Ottawa had no interest in bailing out industry models that are no longer viable, and would instead focus on supporting innovation, experimentation and the transition to digital platforms. Asked Monday if news of the closures had encouraged her to rethink her approach, Joly reiterated that the government would provide support in the coming months for local media as they continue to shift to web-based models. "Of course, I'm sad to hear about these local closures, and my thoughts are with the families affected," she said. She also noted the federal government invests up to $75 million annually in the Canada Periodical Fund, which includes support for local media. The Liberals believe there is still a strong appetite for local news and that there could be a way for other local media companies to begin filling in the gaps Joly's office said the Liberal government is looking at modernizing the Canada Periodical Fund in ways that could help local news outlets, such as by moving away from funding based on paid print circulation, which does not account for a digital audience. Helping print media out of a crisis does not have to be about propping up a failed business model, said Dias, the national president of Unifor and one of several prominent Canadian business leaders who took part in consultations on the future of the industry. "If the government wants to have a thriving industry, if they want to have freedom of expression, if they want to have journalistic integrity, then we're going to have to find a mechanism to deal with it," Dias said. "You put money into journalism. That's what the issue is." Photo: Kate Bouey A new parking lot has opened in Vernon's downtown. It may take a few weeks for downtown workers to notice, but the City of Vernon has opened a new monthly parking lot on 29th Street by 30th Avenue, where the old New Delhi restaurant once stood. "There is a concern we are losing parking," Coun. Juliette Cunningham said to staff during a council meeting on Monday. But she was quickly assured the new lot had finally opened for monthly paid parking. The news may come as a relief for downtown businesses who often complain about a lack of parking for their customers. The 29th Avenue lot is often jammed and the new lot may free up some of those spaces for short-term parkers. The lot was expected to open some months ago but, during demolition of the buildings on that stretch of road, an underground storage tank was discovered with petrochemical contents and contamination of the surrounding soil. Those who are interested in purchasing a pass can go to city hall or call 250-545-1361. Photo: The Canadian Press Exxon Mobil Corp. says first oil has been produced ahead of schedule from the $14-billion Hebron project in the Jeanne D'Arc Basin about 350 kilometres southeast of St. John's. It had been expected to begin production in December. At its peak, it is designed to produce 150,000 barrels of oil per day. The Hebron oilfield off Newfoundland and Labrador was discovered in 1980 and is estimated to contain more than 700 million barrels of recoverable oil. The project had an estimated cost of $5 billion when announced 10 years ago. It has taken about eight years since official sanctioning to complete engineering, construction and startup of Hebron with about 7,500 people working at the peak of construction phase. Hebron is operated by ExxonMobil Canada with a 35.5 per cent stake. Its other partners are Chevron Canada with 29.6 per cent interest, Suncor Energy Inc. with 21 per cent, Statoil Canada with nine per cent and provincial Crown corporation Nalcor Energy with 4.9 per cent. Photo: Getty Images Rental prices in Penticton continued to climb last year, while vacancy rates dwindled. Penticton renters saw their rents go up 6.3 per cent in 2017 on average, according to new data released Tuesday by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The overall vacancy rate in Penticton apartments and rental townhomes dropped slightly to 1.0 per cent, compared to 1.1 per cent the previous year. The vacancy rate for apartment rental units fell to 0.9 per cent. Rental stock in the city of purpose-built rental units increased to 2,284 21 more units than in 2016. City of Penticton director of development services Anthony Haddad said the dip in the vacancy rate reflects challenges communities across BC are facing. We are starting to get a handle on it though, he said, noting another 200 units of rental housing under development or construction at the moment. A bachelor suite cost renters in Penticton $657 per month, while a one-bedroom suite cost $780, a two-bedroom was $951 and a three-bedroom was $1,285. In total, the average renter paid $867 in Penticton, compared to $822 in 2016. In B.C., the average vacancy rate sits at 1.3 per cent, while the average cost of rent is $1,164 per month. Gustavo Durango, CMHC senior market analyst, said the rental demand can be attributed to international migrants arriving in Canada, improved employment conditions and an ongoing aging of the country's population. Blood Water: B.C.s Dirty Salmon Farming Secret from Tavish Campbell on Vimeo. A shocking discovery has been made beneath B.C. coastal waters. Independent filmmaker and diver Tavish Campbell spent six months documenting effluent from salmon farming processing plants near Campbell River and Tofino. What he found is beyond disturbing. Raw, infected effluent from farmed salmon is being released into critical wild salmon migration corridors. This untreated "blood water" is infected with piscine reovirus, according to Campbell, a highly infectious virus that causes heart and skeletal muscle inflammation, a deadly disease for wild salmon. Campbell had the samples tested and found evidence of reovirus. A third of B.C.s salmon migrate past the two processing plants in Clayoquot Sound and Discovery Passage. "We're not trying to vilify these companies. At this point, what they're doing isn't illegal. It's up to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to make the necessary changes to the process," says Campbell. His video shows a pinkish-red cloud being emitted by a pipe outlet. The footage was gathered during April, June and October 2017. Photo: Contributed A Penticton households effort to prevent theft in their backyard was foiled last week. Residents of a townhouse complex on Orchard Ave. installed a security light in the parking area of the back lane of the complex, but the light didnt last long. They had been having some problems there with transients in the area and they discovered their new security light had been stolen off the back fence, said Cpl. Ted Manchulenko. In an attempt to install a new motion light on a taller pole, the owner put up a small step ladder, he then ran into the house to grab some tools and came back to find his ladder gone. He got hit twice. The ladder was stolen on Nov. 23, said police. An investigation continues. Photo: The Canadian Press Alberta Finance Minister Joe Ceci Alberta remains on track to rack up a $10.3-billion deficit this year, but Finance Minister Joe Ceci says there are signs pointing to a continued rebound in the economy. The second-quarter fiscal update predicts the economy will grow by four per cent in 2017 up from the 2.6 per cent forecast in last spring's budget. Ceci says more than 70,000 full-time jobs have been added in the last 1 1/2 years, most of them in the private sector. He also says the government is still committed to belt-tightening and has found $300 million towards its goal of saving $400 million this year through in-house savings. But the government continues to borrow for operating and building, and this year's debt is forecast to rise above $42 billion. Ceci and Premier Rachel Notley have promised to get the budget balanced by 2023, but so far haven't offered any details on how that would be achieved. Photo: CTV Vancouver Police and the BC Coroners Service are on the scene of what they describe as two suspicious deaths. The body of a 77-year-old woman and 79-year-old man were discovered inside their residence near Granville Street and West 5th Avenue just before 5 p.m. on Monday. No further details are being released, but police do not believe the public is at risk. The investigation is ongoing, and police advise there are no further details to share at this time. Photo: Castanet Staff Teneycke exiting the Penticton courthouse May 2017 Ronald Teneycke is too sick and old to continue to criminally terrorize the South Okanagan, his lawyer argued Tuesday. The dangerous offender and sentencing hearing for one of the regions most notorious criminals wrapped in Penticton court today, with Judge Richard Hewson reserving judgement for a later date. Crown prosecutors are looking to lock Teneycke up indefinitely allowed under dangerous offender legislation for his latest 2015 crime spree that saw him rob a gas station at gunpoint and shoot a man who picked him up hitchhiking. Defence lawyer Michael Welsh isnt opposing the dangerous offender tag, but said a 10-12 year sentence with 5-7 years of probation is more appropriate. He said the gas station robbery and shooting should be treated as one transaction, allowing him to serve a sentence for them at the same time. Teneycke has lymphoma, hepatitis C, diabetes and gout, Welsh said, stating the health issues change the circumstances in terms of his physical abilities from what was the situation previously. Welsh outlined the chaotic upbringing 55-year-old Teneycke had, being a child of incest between his mother and uncle, and removed from his Metis heritage. Many of Teneyckes 37 convictions are violent, including sexual assault with a weapon, forcible confinement and uttering threats, in connection to the rape of an Okanagan teenager in 1993. His record dates back to 1981 with convictions in four consecutive decades. The man shot during the 2015 crime spree told reporters outside the courtroom Tuesday he doesnt believe the pitch Teneycke is too sick to be dangerous. He had all of those things when he shot me, nothing has changed, Wayne Belleville said. He actually looks healthier now than he did then. I dont buy that hes less dangerous now because he suffers from gout and depression. If the Crown fails to convince the judge to lock up Teneycke indefinitely, they are asking for a 24-28 year sentence, which appeased Belleville. The judicial system has failed the community at large with regards to past sentencing. It should have never even gotten to this point, he said, noting Teneycke was out on an intermittent (weekend-only) sentence when he shot him. Hes terrorized the South Okanagan for long enough, Belleville said. Photo: CP/file photo A lawyer for a retired RCMP inspector accused of sexually assaulting a civilian employee says the complainant consented to a relationship with his client. David Butcher told provincial court the woman was motivated by financial gain when she said Tim Shields kissed and groped her in a unisex washroom at the department's British Columbia headquarters in 2009. Shields was previously a sergeant at the Kelowna and Lake Country RCMP detachment. He left the Okanagan in 2008. Butcher says there is no basis for the Crown's argument that Shields abused his position of authority to coerce the woman, whose name is under a publication ban. Shields was suspended with pay in May 2015 in the middle of a code of conduct investigation and left the RCMP later that year before being charged with sexual assault in May 2016. Shields, who was the Mounties' media spokesman in B.C., has pleaded not guilty to one count of sexual assault. The complainant testified that Shields led her into a unisex washroom she'd never seen before, locked the door and kissed her. She said he undid her bra, touched her breasts, unbuttoned her pants and put her hand on his genitals. Photo: naramatebench.com Laughing Stock Vineyard in Naramata. Naramata-bench winery Laughing Stock Vineyards has been acquired by Arterra Wines Canada a national wine marketing and distribution company the two sides announced today. Laughing Stock has been owned and operated by David and Cynthia Enns since its inception in 2003. The two will continue to operate the winery as per usual, according to a news release. "We made the decision to partner with Arterra Wines Canada because of their commitment to maintaining the integrity and quality of our wines and their solid history in the Okanagan, David and Cynthia Enns said. AWC is based in Mississauga and owns and distributes more than 100 wines across Canada, including several from wineries in B.C. such as Black Sage Vineyard and See Ya Later Ranch. Laughing Stock Vineyards has earned the distinct reputation of being a well-respected and recognized premium, boutique winery in the Okanagan," AWC president and CEO Jay Wright said. Earlier this year, Laughing Stock received funding from the province to help with marketing. Photo: BC Gov't Firefighting costs and other financial pressures have forced the B.C. government to revise its financial forecast, but Finance Minister Carole James says the province is still on track for a balanced budget. The second quarter financial update shows a projected surplus is now $190 million, $56 million lower than what was projected earlier this year. James says increases in spending to fight wildfires, cost pressures at the Insurance Corporation of B.C., and lower personal and corporate income tax returns are the major reasons behind a $283 million drop in expected revenues. The minister says the forecast continues to call for strong job and economic growth in B.C. with a 9.3 per cent boost in retail sales and 17.3 per cent growth in exports for the period ending in September. James says the results reinforce the importance of a focus on stable, sustainable economic growth. The minority New Democrat government will table its budget in February. This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact The Chanute Tribune office at 620-431-4100 if you have any questions Developer 3L Real Estate announced it has acquired the former headquarters of Johnson Publishing at 820 South Michigan. 3L plans to transform the 46 year old office building into 150 affordably priced rental apartments. (3L Real Estate) The former Johnson Publishing headquarters, the longtime home of Ebony and Jet magazines, is getting a new title: apartment building. Developer 3L Real Estate has paid more than $10 million for the 11-story office building on South Michigan Avenue, with plans to invest about $20 million more converting it into 150 apartments, 3L Real Estate CEO Joe Slezak said. He declined to say the exact price. Advertisement The early 1970s building at 820 S. Michigan Ave., which was recently designated a Chicago landmark, will maintain the iconic Ebony and Jet sign on its top, he said. Those magazine titles made Johnson Publishing the countrys most influential African-American publisher, before the companys struggles in recent years. Advertisement The project will be the latest example of vintage office buildings in Chicago being converted to new uses, including apartments and hotels. Other examples involving Chicago media include the former office building at 360 N. Michigan Ave., formerly home to publisher Crain Communications, being redeveloped into the LondonHouse hotel, and, just to the north of the Chicago River, the planned redevelopment of Tribune Tower. Tribune Towers new owners, CIM Group and Golub & Co., have not publicly unveiled their redevelopment plans, which could include the addition of a second tower on a parking lot east of the landmark tower. The seller of the Johnson Publishing building was Columbia College, which bought it for $10 million in 2010 but never used it. The college considered putting its library there, and later its student center. But after deciding to build a new student center at Wabash Avenue and Eighth Street, where the college recently broke ground, Columbia instead decided to sell the building. The publisher briefly remained in the building as a tenant of the college but moved out in 2012. Redevelopment of the Johnson Publishing building will begin by early 2018, with residents expected to move in by summer 2019, Slezak said. Part of the fun of my job is to look at real estate in great spots and figure out how to bring it back to life with a new use, Slezak said. The history of the building gives it a wonderful story, and its in a great location. The building will be converted mostly into studio and one-bedroom apartments, with a few two-bedroom units, Slezak said. Rents of about $1,200 to $2,700 per month will be lower than those of higher-end towers that have recently opened or are under construction elsewhere in the South Loop, he said. The purchase of the Johnson Publishing building, completed Monday, is one of two the Rosemont-based developer is making from Columbia College. Advertisement Slezaks firm also has a preliminary deal to buy the 343-bed student housing building at 731 S. Plymouth Court, which the developer could eventually convert to traditional apartments, he said. Slezak declined to say how much 3L Real Estate has agreed to pay for the student housing building. Columbia College spokeswoman Cara Birch declined to comment on either propertys sale price. Crains Chicago Business first reported 3L Real Estates plans to buy the Plymouth Court building from the college. 3L Real Estate is also close to completing 21st Street Lofts, a conversion of a former Yellow Cab warehouse at 57 E. 21st St. into 137 apartments, Slezak said. Previously, the developer bought student housing properties from the University of Chicago. rori@chicagotribune.com Twitter @Ryan_Ori A car with an Uber decals in its window near Ogilvie Transportation Center in Chicago. The city of Chicago and Cook County filed a lawsuit against Uber over a 2016 data breach. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune) The city of Chicago and Cook County on Monday filed a lawsuit against Uber Technologies, alleging the ride-hailing companys 2016 data breach harmed tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of area residents. San Francisco-based Uber disclosed last week that the personal data of 57 million customers and drivers globally were exposed last year, and that it had paid hackers $100,000 to keep quiet about stealing the personal information. Advertisement Uber waited more than a year to disclose the data breach, and that delay, in addition to failing to protect consumers personal information, violates city and state laws, according to the lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court. Advertisement Uber also faces lawsuits filed by consumers over the issue, and attorneys general in several states, including Illinois, are investigating the breach. The company also said last week it was contacted by the Federal Trade Commission. In August, Uber agreed to adopt a privacy program to settle an earlier FTC complaint that the company improperly protected consumer data. The hackers in last years attack allegedly exploited virtually the same security flaw attackers had used before, the Chicago-Cook County lawsuit states. Among other requests, the lawsuit asks the court to fine Uber $10,000 for each violation of its ordinance involving a Chicago resident for each day the violation existed. Uber spokeswoman Molly Spaeth said in a statement that the company takes the matter seriously and will answer regulators questions. We are committed to changing the way we do business, putting integrity at the core of every decision we make, and working hard to regain the trust of consumers, she said. Advertisement amarotti@chicagotribune.com Twitter @AllyMarotti RELATED [ Uber is sued over massive data breach after paying hackers to keep quiet ] [ Uber reveals cover-up of hack affecting 57 million riders, drivers ] [ The last straw? Uber loyalists tested by string of scandals ] Fifth-grade tutor Shontel Miller coaches kids in an after-school class at Beveridge Elementary in Gary. ( Kyle Telechan/Post-Tribune ) Beveridge Elementary fifth-graders sat in small groups on a recent day, listening to teacher Shontel Miller talk about a fictional dog named Boots. Miller told them Boots could do a variety of tricks, and she spoke expressively to students about the dog. Advertisement Then the drill began. "I'm looking for the main idea of the paragraph," she said. "Discuss it with your neighbor." Advertisement The story about Boots is similar to many questions that will show up on the state's ISTEP exam in March. It will be an important month for Beveridge, as the school faces state sanctions because of six straight F grades. The Gary Community School Corp., led by a state-appointed emergency manager, has started an extended day program to reinforce English and math skills at Beveridge and Marquette Elementary, which posted five straight years of F's. It's part of several initiatives that emergency manager Peggy Hinckley, of Gary Schools Recovery, hopes will change the academic landscape of the district. The extended day program is offered to students in grades 3 to 5, and they stay after school from 1:40 to 4:40 p.m. three days a week until March. They are taught by tutors who are paid out of the district's federal Title 1 funds. While the program is just beginning, officials say attendance is below expectations, but they are increasing their outreach to parents. About 200 children are taking part so far, said Amy Marsh, assistant chief of staff to Hinckley. Any student is eligible, regardless of academic status. Parents of children who are close to passing are receiving personal phone calls, Marsh said. Parents in both Beveridge and Marquette also have received robocalls. Beveridge Principal Cheryl Ramsey and Marquette Principal Angela Johnson came up with the extended day plan to improve their students' performance in math and English. Ramsey said teachers are using the Pivot assessment platform which is aligned with state standards to track student achievement and pinpoint their weaknesses. Advertisement "It's new so you'll have your hiccups, but it's a good concept with small groups and targeted skills," said Miller, an 18-year teacher. The kids spend one hour on reading and one hour on math. In between, they receive a snack in the cafeteria. "The biggest obstacle is getting them to stay here for the tutoring," said Victoria Hannah, a third-grade teacher. The teachers say they're already seeing dividends as students who are receiving the extra tutoring are stepping up to assist other students during the regular day. In a presentation to the State Board of Education last month, Hinckley blamed outdated instructional resources and inadequate development of teachers. She said data wasn't being used to guide instruction and that led to ineffective teaching. Also, Gary elementary students, on average, have a shorter day than most schools in Northwest Indiana. Hinckley said the time limitations, combined with teacher and student absences, have hindered academic progress. Advertisement Keeping students in school longer and tailoring instruction to their needs should make a difference, officials hope. Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune. To the non-meat eater, "comforting" and "familiar" aren't often used in the same sentence with "diner food." Most vegetarians I know aren't satisfied with most diners' singular menu option of mushy cherry tomatoes on a bed of wilted iceberg lettuce (hold the bacon bits, please). But The Chicago Diner is all about comfort and familiarity, for the carnivorous and vegetarian alike. Chicago Diner's husband and wife co-founders Marshall "Mickey" Hornick and Jo Kaucher opened the first location at 3411 N. Halsted St. in 1983. "Meat free since '83," an appropriate slogan, the diner doesn't need much more of an introduction. But "The New Chicago Diner Cookbook: Meat-free Recipes from America's Veggie Diner" (Agate Midway, $19.95), by chef Kaucher with vegan writer/chef Kat Barry and the diner crew, might. Advertisement The cover itself, featuring restaurant favorite The Radical Reuben, is enough to make any Chicago Diner lover salivate, and other popular dishes and classics are just pages away. The book isn't for everyone, but it might be ideal for those home chefs up for a challenge. Since the '80s, the diner has grown from a small neighborhood establishment to a nationally recognized destination for veggie cuisine, with a second location at 2333 N. Milwaukee Ave. that opened in 2012. The first two decades of menu favorites and classics, like the home-fry potato deluxe and shepherd's pie, were chronicled in the first "Chicago Diner Cookbook," published in 2002. Advertisement This second book offers a slew of mostly new recipes from recent years, like the sweet potato and tofu patty delight that is Buddha's Karma Burger, and "secrets" to re-creating the signature meat substitutes, such as the corned "beef" seitan, which blends perfectly with vegan Thousand Island dressing and sauerkraut between two slices of swirly marble rye. The book begins with a section on these vegan proteins and fillings, including the diner seitan with various marinades. Throughout the book, most recipes do a good job of recommending specific store-bought brands for alternative meat substitutes. But having the option to start from scratch is part of the book's attraction. However, be warned, if you're hoping to whip up some seitan for that Reuben or the "bacun"-wrapped dates in 20 minutes, you're going to need more time than that at least an extra day or two. Eat. Watch. Do. Weekly What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. > Like many recipes in the book, the seitan has a lengthy ingredient list. It makes 2 pounds of the stuff and requires a pot big enough to accommodate a gallon of water and the seitan after it's tripled in size. When it's fully cooked, it must marinate for a day or two in the refrigerator. The recipes might be time-consuming, but keep in mind this is a restaurant cookbook. "Be creative but keep it simple" is part of the book's mantra, but nowhere on the cover does it say "quick and easy." There are less-involved dishes like the quinoa chili and the portobello truffle melt, but what makes this book stand out, not unlike the restaurant, are the vegan/vegetarian variations of those American classics we meat-free diners must pass up. The vegan fried "egg" is pretty easy to prepare, and the recipe even gives ideas on using it in other recipes. Other highlights include a plethora of recipes for dressings, like the Chicago Diner vegan ranch, and condiments, such as raw pumpkin seed mayonnaise. There are also plenty of vegan desserts to try out, such as the raw orange-ginger "cheezecake" or the popular vegan milkshake. And the "Entertaining" section contains signature cocktail recipes, from the Black Rainbow Unicorn with grenadine and house cherries to the Sir Thomas with Earl Grey simple syrup. Advertisement It's The Chicago Diner's tradition to offer typical American comfort food, with twists. "The New Chicago Diner Cookbook" serves that up and then some. hschroering@tribune.com For years, connoisseurs dismissed white chocolate - a confection made with cocoa butter, milk solids and sugar, but with none of the cocoa solids that give darker chocolate its recognizable flavor and color. "White chocolate or white lie?" one online video asks. The host opens with: "If you love white chocolate, I hate to break it to you. You're not eating chocolate." Besides the absence of cocoa solids, the reputation stems from the fact that white chocolate products often contain such additives as palm oil and other fillers, plus an excess of sweeteners. But a growing number of specialty chocolate companies are now giving the same attention to white chocolate as dark or milk chocolate, and trying to highlight the ways it can showcase flavor. A cocoa bean is made up of roughly equal parts cocoa butter and cacao nibs. Cocoa butter is what gives chocolate its rich mouthfeel, and the nibs hold most of the distinctive smell and taste. Absent of nibs, "white chocolate is basically just sweet fat," says Clay Gordon, creator of the Chocolate Life website, "with a melt that is unencumbered by the nonfat cocoa solids, or cocoa powder." For a chocolate to be labeled as chocolate, as opposed to candy, the Food and Drug Administration requires that the bar be made up of at least 10 percent cocoa mass (nibs plus the cocoa fat inherent to the bean), with no specifications about cocoa butter. White chocolate, on the other hand, has to have a cocoa butter content of at least 20 percent and does not require the inclusion of nibs. The FDA established these standards in 2004 in response to petitions filed by the Hershey Company and the Chocolate Manufacturers Association (now part of the National Confectioners Association). Pastry chef and cookbook author David Lebovitz, an avowed white chocolate fan, disputes the idea that it's not really chocolate. "Bickering over the nomenclature becomes tiring," he said in an email. "We still call hamburgers by that name, even though they are not made of ham, and milkshakes actually aren't shaken these days, but blended. So I think it's okay to group white chocolate in with the rest of the variety of things made from cacao beans, since they all have the same base." The history of white chocolate is largely unclear, but "the general consensus," says Eagranie Yuh, author of "The Chocolate Tasting Kit" (Chronicle, 2014), "is that Nestle was the first to develop white chocolate commercially in 1936 in Switzerland. The story is that it was a way to use up excess milk powder that had been produced for World War I and was no longer in demand." White chocolate is also a way to use up extra cocoa butter that is extracted from the cocoa bean when making cocoa powder. This fat is the most highly regarded byproduct of chocolate production, valued not only in chocolate but cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Cocoa butter is typically filtered, bleached with clay minerals that absorb color components and deodorized, through steam distillation or solvents that reduce the volatile compounds that contribute to its aroma. It remains stable at room temperature and is rich in saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. Because of these qualities, the cost of cocoa butter more than doubled between 2005 and 2015, and it's why many large-scale manufacturers substitute a portion of their deodorized cocoa butter with fillers such as vegetable oil that significantly reduce cost. The rise in price also led some makers to expand their efforts to produce quality white chocolate. "We started manufacturing white chocolate ourselves because there is very little white chocolate on the market that is pure and made only with cocoa butter, milk and sugar," says Denise Castronovo, founder of Florida's Castronovo Chocolate. "For us, it's a chance to educate our consumers about what real white chocolate actually is." What it is, Yuh says, is a canvas for other flavors, offering "surprising breadth and utility." That's why Castronovo and other specialty chocolate makers are embracing white chocolate as a new frontier for flavor, creating combinations that push the boundaries. This includes white chocolate made with non-deodorized cocoa butter that retains cocoa aromas (popularized by the Venezuelan company El Rey) and chocolates made with goats' milk and nondairy milks, plus a wide variety of spices and other inclusions: Thai curry shrimp from Taiwan's Fu Wan Chocolate; rosemary and sea salt from Forte in Seattle; mango, chile and lime from Toronto's Soma Chocolatemaker; turmeric and pomegranate from the Violet Chocolate Company in the Canadian province of Alberta; and white chocolate infused with Mosaic beer hops from Somerville Chocolate in Massachusetts. "The hops idea came about because of the glorious, steamy clouds of fruity hops aroma that waft over to my workspace when the brewery [next door] dumps the mash from their tanks," explains Somerville's Eric Parkes. "They use my nibs in their beer, and I wanted to work with something of theirs." Parkes says there's "a little subversive, ironic thrill in making white chocolate at a higher level." This can also be said of German chocolate maker Georgia Ramon, which features such white chocolate combinations as organic kale with mustard and salted Sicilian almonds with broccoli. "Until our release of vegetable bars, there were no chocolates like them in the market," says co-founder Georg Bernardini. "We wanted to try new things." It works, he adds, because "the taste of most fruits and vegetables are too subtle to combine them with a chocolate that contains [nibs]." Castronovo, who includes roasted strawberries, raspberries and blueberries in her white chocolate bars, agrees: "White chocolate is a good medium in which you can play creatively with flavors and texture." So what should curious chocolate lovers look for in the white stuff? First, check the ingredients list, says Yuh, "which should include only sugar, cocoa butter, milk solids or milk powder and, possibly, lecithin and vanilla. If you can, also check the color. If the bar is bright white, it's been bleached and probably deodorized. High-quality white chocolate tends to be slightly yellow because cocoa butter is naturally yellow." Yuh also recommends purchasing chocolates from a specialty grocer or dedicated craft chocolate shop. "Chances are, whoever is buying the dark and milk chocolate will be as discerning with quality when they choose white chocolate." Penne with wilted escarole and crispy pancetta goes with a variety of wines from light and fresh to smoky and earthy. (Chicago Tribune) If you had a hunch that Italian wine was a safe bet with pasta, you were right. Here is a white from Sardinia, as well as reds from Campania and Tuscany. Each offers a different way of pairing from light and fresh, to smoky and earthy, to floral and herbal focusing on various aspects of this complex dish. MAKE THIS Advertisement Penne pasta with wilted escarole Cook 6 ounces pancetta, cut in 1/4-inch cubes, in a large skillet over medium-high heat until fat is rendered. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil, if needed. Add 2 onions, thinly sliced in half-moons; season with salt. Cook, stirring, until completely soft, 12 minutes. Add 2 cloves minced garlic; cook, 1 minute. Sprinkle with crushed red pepper flakes to taste. Stir in leaves from 1 head leafy escarole, sliced into wide ribbons; cover. Allow to wilt briefly. Serve tossed with 1 pound cooked penne, sprinkled with grated Romano cheese. Makes: 4 servings Advertisement Recipe by Joe Gray Eat. Watch. Do. Weekly What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. > DRINK THIS Pairings by sommelier Alan Beasey of The Purple Pig, as told to Michael Austin: 2016 Cantina Giogantinu Vermentino di Gallura, Sardinia, Italy: This light, fresh and complex white has aromas of white peach, grapefruit and lime zest, plus flavors of pear and peach. Its crisp minerality will enhance the escarole, and its almond finish will complement the cheese. Also, the wines body will stand up to the pasta and pancetta. 2013 La Sibilla Piedirosso, Campi Flegrei, Campania, Italy: This piedirosso grows in volcanic soil near Pompeii, imparting a smoky aroma and flinty minerality. The wine is also light and fruity, with notes of dried cherries, raspberries and sweet herbs. The smoky, earthiness of the wine will accentuate the pancetta and cheese, and the savory herbs will bring out the escarole. 2013 Corte alla Flora Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Tuscany, Italy: Soft and velvety, this wine has aromas of dried violets and herbs, plus flavors of ripe cherry and blackberry. The aromas will draw in the escarole, and the medium body and tannins will blend well with the pancetta. Also, the sweet mocha finish will pair well with the salty cheese. food@chicagotribune.com Twitter @pour_man [ Get to know nebbiolo and its royal court of wines ] [ How do you shop for budget wines? We taste test 12 ] [ Chicago's best cheap eats: 30 days of lunch deals, happy hour specials and more ] High in Switzerland, the mighty Alps seem to shout the glory of God. Up here, the Christmas season fills a winter wonderland with good cheer. I'll never forget the holiday I spent in the village of Gimmelwald in mountainous central Switzerland, where old traditions remain strong. In Swiss villages like this, home windows serve as life-size Advent calendars -- and like the paper calendar counterparts, one newly decorated Advent window is lit up every evening in a different house, building excitement as Christmas approaches. Advertisement The debut of an Advent window often comes with a party. Under a cold sky -- brittle stars reflecting off the snow, the moon inside a halo -- the village gathers. Hot mulled wine is ladled from a steaming cauldron over a fire -- serving as a magnet for the gang. Keeping hands warm and conversation flowing, the Gluhwein stokes the party. Local sausages are held like big cigars, or wrapped in fresh bread. Men take logs the size of a four-foot chunk of telephone pole, cut the end into a point, and plant them upright in the snow. Coated with tar, they're set ablaze, torches to light and warm the occasion. In the distance, under flickering torchlight, children ride old-time wooden sleds, going up and down, up and down. This time of year, kids receive a visit from Samichlaus -- that's Swiss German for St. Nicholas -- and his black-clad henchman, Schmutzli. This traditionally happens on St. Nicholas Day, December 6, but the duo can arrive at any time, traveling through villages on a sure-footed donkey. When Samichlaus knocks on the door, frightened but excited kids answer. Samichlaus consults his big book of sins -- co-authored by village parents -- and does some light-hearted moralizing. Schmutzli stands by as a menacing enforcer, his sack handy so he can take away the naughty children and eat them later. Then Samichlaus asks the kids to earn a little forgiveness by reciting a poem. After the poems and assurances that the children will reform, Samichlaus allows them to reach deep into his bag for a smattering of tangerines, nuts, gingerbread, and other treats. Advertisement Another treat for children is the visit to the forest to find the perfect Christmas tree -- traditionally cut and decorated on December 24. My friends Olle, Maria and their children invite me to go along for the ride. We gather our gear and set out, riding the gondola ski lift high above the village. From the top of the lift we take off: the children shrieking with glee on their old-time wooden sleds, me shooshing on my snow bike -- gingerly at first but gradually gaining in confidence -- while Olle follows on the big sleigh. Arriving at a rustic one-room hut, we step into a time-warp 1950s world. While some stay to prepare our meal, those of us on the tree expedition lash on snowshoes and set out dragging the empty sleigh. After a long walk, we begin the search. Olle gives the trunk a good shake. As the snow cascades off, the children debate the tree's merits. Finally, all agree that we had found our tree. It's cut and lashed to the sleigh and then we trudge triumphantly back to the cabin for our hot and tasty reward. The windows are sweating, the fondue is ready and we gather around the table for a meal that exemplifies good living in the Alps. For the Swiss, a communal pot of melted-cheese fondue is purely a winter specialty, served with a sprightly Swiss white wine called Fendant. With bellies full, we light our torches and zip down the mountain with our tree back into Gimmelwald. The tree is decorated with real candles, kept upright by dangling ornamental counterbalances, attached and lit with long tapers. Gimmelwald's pine houses, with open beams, seem ready to go up in flames, but locals are confident. While the candles burn, presents are opened. The tree stays up until after Christmas, as candles are lit all over again on New Year's Eve -- for good luck. A classic Christmas dinner comes with boiled ham, cheesy scalloped potatoes, walnut cake and finely decorated gingerbread cookies. If the family is religious, they'll often have a Bible that has been in the family for generations. Tonight in Switzerland, the grandfather completes the celebration by reading the Gospel story: "And while they were there, she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the inn. And suddenly there was a multitude of angels proclaiming: 'Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace and goodwill to all people.'" Hearing the timeless tale that has brought together so many cultures for so many centuries, I'm struck by the beauty of this remarkably Swiss celebration. Advertisement (Rick Steves ( ) writes European travel guidebooks and hosts travel shows on public television and public radio. Email him at and follow his blog on Facebook.) (c)2017 RICK STEVES DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC. The gun was pointed at Anthony Collins' chest. Holding it was a man he knew from the neighborhood who said Collins owed him money. The gunman pulled the trigger, but the 9mm did not fire. Collins would spend the last moments of his life trying in vain to talk the gunman out of pulling the trigger again, according to court records. This time the gun fired. "Why did you make me do that?" the gunman yelled as Collins collapsed on the floor in his North Austin home on the afternoon of Nov. 19, the records state. Collins was taken to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood with a wound to the groin and died there. George Jernigan, 31, was charged Monday with first-degree murder, authorities said. Assistant State's Attorney Nora Gill said Jernigan is a gang member who barged into Collins' home in the 1600 block of North Mango Avenue around 1:30 p.m. A group of Collins' friends were playing video games on an enclosed front porch when Jernigan walked "up the gangway of the home onto the front porch and then entered the unlocked front door unannounced," Gill said during a bond hearing. He made small talk with Collins, then pulled a handgun from the pocket of his hoodie, according to Gill. When the gun didn't fire, Jernigan "racked the slide on the gun and put it back in his pocket." Collins asked the man not to play with guns, Gill said. Jernigan asked Collins to go outside but Collins said no. He kept sitting on the couch on the porch, according to court documents. Jernigan "began to insist" that Collins owed him money and demanded Collins pay him back. Jernigan allegedly took the gun from his hoodie pocket again and pointed it at Collins. Again, he pulled the trigger. A single bullet struck Collins, officials said. Collins fell from the couch to the floor, moaning in pain, Gill said in court documents. Jernigan stood over Collins "with the handgun still drawn and yelled at him, 'Why did you make me do that?' " according to the court documents. Witness statements and a video confession led to Jernigan's arrest, according to court documents. Jernigan, of the 1800 block of North McVicker Avenue in the Galewood neighborhood, was ordered held without bail. After serving in Congress since 1993, U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez announced Tuesday he is not seeking re-election in 2018. He was Illinois' first latino U.S. representative in the C-shaped 4th District, a contentious map drawn to bring together Hispanic support and ultimately upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. Before Congress, Gutierrez served on the Chicago City Council for seven years. Here are key moments in the Chicago native's political rise and career. 1953 Born Dec. 10 in Chicago and raised in Lincoln Park, the first of two children. His father drove a taxi and his mother worked in a factory. 1968 The family moves back to Puerto Rico after Gutierrez's first year of high school. He begins his college education at the University of Puerto Rico. 1970 Transfers to Northeastern Illinois University. 1974 Graduates from Northeastern Illinois University with a degree in English. Returns to Puerto Rico and marries while starting to teach elementary school. He now has two daughters. Gutierrez and Soraida, now his wife, whlie both were students at Northeastern Illinois University. 1978 Moves back to Chicago and works as a social worker with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. 1983 Runs unsuccessfully for Democratic committeeman in 32nd Ward. Later is hired by Mayor Harold Washington's office to work on infrastructure. Gutierrez whlle running for committeeman. (Chicago Tribune) 1986 After moving to the 26th Ward and building a political organization, Gutierrez runs for City Council backed by Washington. He wins a close and controversial race, giving Washington control of the council. Gutierrez after state appeals court confirmed his election as Chicago alderman. (Chicago Tribune) 1989 Gutierrez controversially backs Richard M. Daley in run for mayor. Gutierrez and Daley in 1989. (Chicago Tribune) 1991 After a contentious redistricting battle that includes an Illinois Supreme Court ruling, newly drawn congressional districts create the C-shaped 4th District that weaves together Latino voters. Illinois 4th Congressional District 90 Chicago 294 290 57 COOK CO. Illinois 4th Congressional District 90 Chicago 294 290 57 COOK CO. 90 Illinois 4th Congressional District Chicago 290 294 57 COOK CO. 1992 Gutierrez wins the U.S. House seat, the first Hispanic from the Midwest elected to Congress. Gutierrez in Washington, D.C., in 1993. (AP) 1998 After up-and-down rulings, the U.S. Supreme Court rules the 4th District can stand, signaling a willingness to accept some districts carefully drawn to favor minorities. 2001 First elected official to sponsor the DREAM Act for immigrants who came to the U.S. illegally with their parents. 2008 Tribune's "Neighborhoods for Sale" investigation details how Gutierrez received a $200,000 loan from a developer and wrote a letter to Mayor Richard M. Daley on U.S House stationery lobbying for the developer's project. Gutierrez says the loan and the lobbying were unconnected. The developer was later convicted of bribing a West Side alderman. 2009 Gutierrez supports the election of Barack Obama as president but quickly becomes an Obama antagonist by complaining that immigration reform is on the back burner. Obama will fully embrace the issue later in his presidency. Gutierrez at an immigration rally in 2009. (AP) 2011 Gutierrez endorses Gery Chico for mayor, but Rahm Emanuel prevails. 2015 Gutierrez serves as campaign co-chair for Emanuel's re-election bid, opposing Latino candidate Jesus "Chuy" Garcia , who mounts a strong challenge but falls short in a runoff. Gutierrez campaigns for Mayor Rahm Emanuel in late 2014. (Armando Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) Ex-Chicago police Detective Joseph Frugoli heads into court in Chicago to be sentenced Nov. 16, 2012, for causing a crash that killed two while he was driving drunk off-duty. (Abel Uribe / Chicago Tribune) Mayor Rahm Emanuels now-famous speech acknowledging a long-standing code of silence within the Chicago Police Department took center stage in a federal courtroom Tuesday in a wrongful death case alleging the code protected former homicide Detective Joseph Frugoli, whose off-duty drunken driving crash killed two young men. This problem is sometimes referred to as the thin blue line, Emanuel said in the December 2015 speech to the City Council that was played for jurors during opening statements in U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendalls packed courtroom. Other times it is referred to as the code of silence. It is the tendency to ignore. It is the tendency to deny. It is the tendency in some cases to cover up the bad actions of a colleague or colleagues. Advertisement The speech, which began the mayors political comeback from the fallout over the release of the Laquan McDonald shooting video, has become a key piece of evidence in the lawsuit filed by the families of Andrew Cazares and Fausto Manzera, who were killed when Frugoli crashed his Lexus SUV into their disabled vehicle on the Dan Ryan Expressway in April 2009. Lawyers for the victims alleged the Police Department's code of silence led Frugoli to believe that he could "drink and drive with impunity" because fellow officers had protected him in the past. Advertisement In fact, Frugoli had managed to escape discipline despite being a longtime alcoholic who was suspected of drunken driving a year earlier when he T-boned a squad car while driving home from a casino, attorney Timothy Cavanagh, who represents Cazares family, told the jury in his opening remarks. Records showed that even though Frugoli appeared to have glassy eyes, he was placed immediately inside a sergeants squad car and never interviewed at the scene or given a sobriety test, Cavanagh said. The sergeant wound up driving Frugoli home, and two tickets issued to him were later dismissed. If a citizen had run a stop sign, struck a squad car and had glassy eyes, the full weight of the law would have come down on them, Cavanagh told the jury. In his opening statement, attorney Harry Arger, who represents the city, said the department takes alcohol-related complaints against officers very seriously and that records will show that up to 90 percent of them are sustained and result in some kind of discipline, including suspension and termination. Arger also discounted Emanuels speech, saying that while it looks good to put the mayor up there on the courtroom monitor, he was not talking specifically about a code of silence involving alcohol-related incidents as is alleged in this case. Frugoli, who joined the department in 1990, had been drinking for nearly five hours at a Greektown bar when he got behind the wheel of his Lexus, entered the southbound Dan Ryan at a high rate of speed and slammed into the back of the victims' car near Roosevelt Road, where they had pulled over because of a flat tire, records show. Frugoli was pulled from the wreckage by a good Samaritan and limped away on a ramp, bleeding from the head as the vehicle he'd struck burst into flames. He was found walking near Clinton Street and Roosevelt by Chicago police officers responding to the call of the crash. On learning Frugoli was a detective, they called for an ambulance and a supervisor but administered no sobriety tests, according to court records. Paramedics who rode with Frugoli in the ambulance, however, noticed he appeared to be drunk, according to court records. His blood alcohol level was later measured at the hospital at 0.328 percent, more than four times the legal limit of 0.08 percent. Advertisement In his opening statement, Arger said the fact that Frugolis fellow police officers were the ones who tracked him down and handed him over to state police which had jurisdiction over the investigation of the expressway crash was proof that he was given no special protection. If there was truly a code of silence, they wouldve said, Hey Joe! Get in the car, well drive you around till you sober up! Arger said. They didnt do that. They handed him right over to (state police). Frugoli was convicted in 2012 of aggravated DUI and leaving the scene of a fatal accident and is serving a sentence of eight years in prison. He's expected to testify later in the trial. Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > On Tuesday, police practices expert Lou Reiter, a former Los Angeles deputy police chief, testified for the plaintiffs that none of the 43 alcohol-related misconduct cases of Chicago police officers he reviewed involved stops by fellow officers. Instead, either a citizen had lodged a complaint or an outside police agency had notified the Chicago Police Department about an officer being pulled over for DUI in their jurisdiction. There were none where it was simply an observation by a patrol car in Chicago where they made a stop and it happened to be a Chicago police officer, Reiter testified. Reiter called it not reasonable for that to never happen in a department with more than 12,000 sworn officers. The only explanation was that officers were covering for one another, he said. Advertisement The code of silence is alive and well in Chicago, Reiter said. jmeisner@chicagotribune.com Twitter @jmetr22b RELATED: [ Judge green-lights lawsuit alleging CPD's 'code of silence' led to deadly DUI crash ] [ Ex-Chicago detective gets 8 years in fatal '09 DUI crash ] [ Family mourns young man with a gift for art ] Days after Chicago police Officer Dina Markham was found dead in her bathtub, a break-in took place at her Northwest Side home while her family attended her wake, police records obtained by the Chicago Tribune show. The disclosure of the still-unsolved criminal trespass to the residence June 2 adds to the mystery surrounding Markhams death as well as that of her husband, also a veteran Chicago police officer, whose gunshot death in the couples bedroom 20 months earlier was ruled a suicide. Advertisement The FBI and county authorities were still investigating the shooting of Sgt. Donald Markham in the couples bed when his widows body was discovered in the bathtub at the residence over the Memorial Day weekend. The Cook County medical examiners office ruled Dina Markham, 47, died May 28 of an accidental drowning after consuming a dangerous mix of alcohol and the powerful anti-anxiety drug alprazolam, commonly sold under the brand name Xanax. Advertisement Police had been called to the home in the Norwood Park neighborhood about 6 p.m. that evening after two of Markhams friends said they discovered her unresponsive in the water-filled bathtub. According to records made public by the medical examiner, Markham had texted a friend Help. Please ... no kidding a little after 4 a.m. that day. Five days after Markhams death, a police officer discovered a sliding door open at the back of the house in the 5900 block of North Newark Avenue while conducting a premise check about 10:30 p.m. June 2, according to the records released through the Freedom of Information Act. Advertisement Officers found the door to the master bedroom locked, but no one was found inside when family members later arrived home. However, the family noticed that the bed as well as two nightstands and a large wooden cabinet had each been moved, the newly released police records show. They knew the bed was moved because one side of the bed was about an inch off the wall while the other side of the bed was about four inches off the wall, the officers reported. They also stated that (a) nightstand was about an inch off the wall while the second one, on the same side as where the bed was off the wall, was about 10 inches off the wall. But all the family members present told police they couldnt determine that anything had been stolen, the records show. The family said that other relatives and at least one neighbor had keys to the house. Two neighbors told police they didnt notice any activity at the house while the family attended Dina Markhams wake, according to the records. Advertisement Someone the name was blacked out later told a detective that she locked the patio door before leaving for the wake about noon, the records show. An evidence technician was unable to recover any fingerprints, according to the records. In July a detective requested that the case be classified as suspended pending any further evidence, the records show. The Tribune has reported that the FBI and prosecutors with the Cook County states attorneys offices special prosecutions bureau which handles cases of police misconduct were investigating whether Donald Markham's death may have been a homicide and if the crime scene had been tampered with. Sources familiar with the investigation said authorities were looking into why a bloody mattress had been discarded. In May, shortly before Dina Markham's death, at least two officers involved in the probe were interviewed at the state's attorney's offices about their roles in the investigation into Donald Markhams death, the Tribune has reported. Advertisement Meanwhile, Joseph Ferguson, the city's inspector general, launched his own probe into how police handled the investigation of Donald Markham's death after he was contacted by the Chicago Police Department's internal affairs division, a spokeswoman for Ferguson's office has said. A subpoena sent from Ferguson's office to the medical examiner's office in May asked for copies of "any video recordings (inside or outside)" of the intake area at the medical examiner's office on the morning that Donald Markham's body was brought to the morgue, the subpoena showed. Records show that Dina Markham told police her husband, 51, had locked her out of their home the night of his death in September 2015 after the couple had been out drinking and argued after leaving a bar about 1 a.m. She said she discovered her husband dead in their bed after one of her children let her in the house, the reports said. She said she then called 911. In the 911 recordings released by the medical examiners office, a distraught Dina Markham told an emergency dispatcher that her husband was unresponsive and bleeding from his head. She pleaded that an ambulance come to the home. Please hurry! she said in her first call made at 3:06 a.m. Hes a PO (police officer). Theres blood all over the bed. Advertisement When police arrived at the scene, Donald Markham's pistol was found in his right hand, with five bullets still in the magazine and one in the chamber, according to supplemental police reports. A spent shell casing was found near the pillows on the bed, and Markham had a "contact" gunshot wound to his right temple, indicating the gun had been pressed to the skin when it was fired, the reports showed. Crime lab tests also showed Donald Markham had gunshot residue on his hand, indicating he'd either fired a gun or was close to a weapon being discharged at the time of his death, according to police records. The records do not indicate whether Dina Markham's hands were ever tested. Blood tests confirmed he had been drinking, the medical examiners office said. The Tribune has previously reported that a Chicago police officer raised questions about Donald Markham's death, raising concern about how evidence was handled at the scene. That led Superintendent Eddie Johnson to contact the FBI. Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > On May 28, about a week after the latest round of interviews by investigators looking into Donald Markhams death, his widow was found unresponsive in the bathtub shortly before 6 p.m. Advertisement Jim Bastian, an attorney and close friend of Dina Markham's family, previously told the Tribune that Markham had "heard rumors" of an investigation but had not been contacted for an interview by any law enforcement agency before her death. One of two friends who discovered her body told police that Dina Markham had called her twice at 3:59 a.m., but the friend didn't answer the phone because she was sleeping, the reports show. Six minutes after the calls, Markham sent the same friend the text asking for help. The friend told investigators she saw the calls and text message later that morning but did not respond because she was scheduled to see Markham at a gathering that afternoon. The friend also said that "the early morning phone calls from Markham were not unusual, often when she was in an intoxicated state," according to the reports. The autopsy found that Dina Markhams blood alcohol level was 0.187 percent, more than double the legal limit for driving, the report said. jgorner@chicagotribune.com jmeisner@chicagotribune.com [ Autopsy finds Chicago cop drowned in bathtub, rules death accidental ] [ 911 calls released in off-duty cop's death: 'Please hurry! There's blood all over the bed' ] [ Chicago officer dies amid probe of her cop husband's suicide in 2015 ] [ Criminal probe of Chicago cop's death was underway when widow cop died: sources ] A man has been charged with stealing a car at gunpoint just a half-mile from where he lived in the Hyde Park neighborhood on the South Side, according to Chicago police. Aseante Armstrong, 23, pointed a gun at a 46-year-old man and demanded his car in the 5300 block of South Cornell Avenue about 3:40 p.m. on Nov. 20, police said. Advertisement The victim identified Armstrong as the attacker and police tracked down Armstrong about 4 p.m. Monday. He was arrested after he ran off into a store. He was carrying a handgun with a 30-round magazine, police said. Armstrong, of the 1300 block of East 53rd Street, was charged with two felony counts of aggravated vehicular hijacking and unlawful use of a weapon. He was due in bond court Tuesday. All votes in the CO-3 election won't be counted until the end of this week By Alexander Chipman Koty and Vasundhara Rastogi Hong Kong recently finalized a series of agreements that, taken together, shift Asias trade and investment landscape. On November 12, Hong Kong and ASEAN signed the ASEAN-Hong Kong, China Free Trade Agreement (AHKFTA), and the ASEAN-Hong Kong Investment Agreement (AHKIA). Prior to this, on November 10, Hong Kong and India agreed to a double taxation avoidance agreement (DTAA) with India. The agreements come amid distress in Hong Kong that the city is losing its traditional advantage as the premier location in Asia for trade and financial services. Businesses that use Hong Kong as a management, trade, and sourcing hub for operations in China, Southeast Asia, and India will benefit greatly from the new agreements, while Hong Kong as a whole stands to gain from freer and more open trade throughout the region. RELATED: Chinas Free Trade Agreements with South Asia ASEAN-Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement and ASEAN-Hong Kong Investment Agreement The AHKFTA and the AHKIA include provisions on trade in goods, trade in services, investment, economic and technical cooperation, dispute settlement mechanisms, and other related areas. It represents an opportunity for trade partners and foreign investors operating in Hong Kong, mainland China, and ASEAN to grow and expand their trade and investment. From January 2018, ASEAN countries will eliminate or reduce customs duties on goods originating from Hong Kong. This will lower operation costs for Hong Kong-based businesses and improve their competitiveness in the international marketplace. Hong Kongs services sector also stands to gain with benefits specified for professional services, business and telecommunication, and construction and related engineering areas. Further, the investment agreement will provide Hong Kong-based enterprises a fair and equitable opportunity to invest in ASEAN member states, offering agreed compensation in case of loss due to war, armed conflict, or other extraneous events. Hong Kong serves as a premier gateway into and out of mainland China for international trade and services across Asia and the world, including ASEAN. Currently, there are over 500 companies from ASEAN member states operating in Hong Kong. The FTA will strengthen Hong Kongs role as a pivot point linking ASEAN countries to mainland China, and help establish foreign investors, as well as small and medium enterprises from ASEAN, who have yet to set a foothold in Hong Kong. Foreign enterprises established in ASEAN can also use the FTA to take advantage from Hong Kongs expertise in the service sector, which includes financial and banking services. Hong Kong-India Double Tax Avoidance Agreement After several years of negotiations, India finally gave its approval for a DTAA with Hong Kong earlier this month. The DTAA will have important tax implications on international businesses with operations in both India and Hong Kong when it comes into force. It will also benefit trading companies that do not have a permanent presence in India, but provide services to an India-based entity. As a general principle, international businesses in Hong Kong are taxed on their territorial income, which is the income generated within the territory of Hong Kong. India, on the other hand, imposes a corporate income tax on the worldwide income of business enterprises that have a permanent presence in India. As a result, India-based multi-national companies deriving income from Hong Kong face the issue of double taxation. That is, they pay tax twice on the same source of earned income. The DTAA will offer double taxation protection to over 1,500 such Indian companies and businesses that have a presence in Hong Kong. It will provide clarity to businesses regarding tax, as they would be taxed in only one of the signatory regions. Other benefits of the DTAA that international businesses can take advantage of include lower withholding tax (tax deducted at source), lower dividend distribution tax an additional tax levied on foreign investors besides the corporate income tax and in certain circumstances, credits for taxes paid on the double-taxed income that can be encashed at a later date. The bilateral agreement will provide legal and fiscal certainty to multinational businesses carrying out international operations, and stimulate the flow of investment, technology, and personnel between the two regions. The detailed provisions of the agreement are yet to be announced. Pre-Investment, Market Entry Strategy Advisory Services from Dezan Shira & Associates Important agreements for Hong Kong Hong Kongs agreements with India and ASEAN are welcome for international investors in the region particularly those based in Hong Kong.Traditionally, Hong Kong has been the access point for foreign businesses entering China and Asia at large. Hong Kong brands itself as Asias World City, and is well-known for its low tax rates, ease of doing business, and robust financial sector. In recent years, however, Hong Kong has faced growing competition throughout the region. The average corporate tax rate in Asia has fallen from 29 percent in 2006 to 21 percent in 2017, thereby reducing the comparative benefits of Hong Kongs lower tax rate, which currently stands at 16.5 percent. The shifting tides of Asias economic landscape is deeply intertwined with Chinas rapid development. During Chinas period of economic reform and opening up, Hong Kong was an ideal location to access the mainland due to its special relationship with the country and its geographic proximity. However, as mainland China has continued to develop and internationalize, Hong Kongs advantages have become less pronounced. For example, Shanghai has become an international financial hub despite restrictions on foreign participation in the sector, and is developing a Free Trade Port to go along with its existing Free Trade Zone. Just across the border from Hong Kong, Shenzhen has a thriving high tech and startup industry as well as a significant financial sector in its own right and its GDP is set to surpass Hong Kongs in 2018. Hong Kong is also facing more intense competition elsewhere in Asia, particularly with Singapore. As costs in China rise, ASEAN member states such as Vietnam and Indonesia have attracted significant foreign investment for low-cost manufacturing. Just as Hong Kong has traditionally been the entry point to China, Singapore has acted similarly as the gateway to ASEAN. Further, Singapore has been more active than Hong Kong in signing DTAAs and FTAs. According to the Asian Development Bank, as of May 2017, Singapore had 22 signed FTAs and nine more under negotiation, while Hong Kong only had four signed and three under negotiation. Additionally, Singapore has concluded DTAAs with 82 jurisdictions, while Hong Kong has DTAAs in effect with just 35 jurisdictions. Finalizing a DTAA with India, a major emerging economy, and an FTA with ASEAN, a vital 10-member bloc for global trade, maintains Hong Kongs competitiveness with both Singapore and mainland China, and boosts its relevance as a managerial and trade hub in Asia. Ironically, before the AHKFTA was signed, mainland China had an FTA with ASEAN but Hong Kong, obviously, did not. The AHKFTA puts Hong Kong in a stronger position to facilitate trade and investment between mainland China and ASEAN, where before there were incentives to bypass Hong Kong. This factor is particularly important given the popularity of China Plus One strategies, where businesses are opening lower cost locations in ASEAN or India to complement existing operations in China. The agreements recently concluded by Hong Kong together re-establish the citys importance for doing business in Asia. Chinas economy is becoming more complex and higher value, which makes the bridge with ASEAN and India more important than ever. And with ongoing regulatory uncertainty regarding the pace of economic liberalization in China, Hong Kong offers a stable and convenient location for managing complex pan-Asia businesses. About Us China Briefing is published by Asia Briefing, a subsidiary of Dezan Shira & Associates. We produce material for foreign investors throughout Asia, including ASEAN, India, Indonesia, Russia, the Silk Road, and Vietnam. For editorial matters please contact us here, and for a complimentary subscription to our products, please click here. Dezan Shira & Associates is a full service practice in China, providing business intelligence, due diligence, legal, tax, IT, HR, payroll, and advisory services throughout the China and Asian region. For assistance with China business issues or investments into China, please contact us at china@dezshira.com or visit us at www.dezshira.com Dezan Shira & Associates Brochure Dezan Shira & Associates is a pan-Asia, multi-disciplinary professional services firm, providing legal, tax and operational advisory to international corporate investors. Operational throughout China, ASEAN and India, our mission is to guide foreign companies through Asias complex regulatory environment and assist them with all aspects of establishing, maintaining and growing their business operations in the region. This brochure provides an overview of the services and expertise Dezan Shira & Associates can provide. An Introduction to Doing Business in China 2017 This Dezan Shira & Associates 2017 China guide provides a comprehensive background and details of all aspects of setting up and operating an American business in China, including due diligence and compliance issues, IP protection, corporate establishment options, calculating tax liabilities, as well as discussing on-going operational issues such as managing bookkeeping, accounts, banking, HR, Payroll, annual license renewals, audit, FCPA compliance and consolidation with US standards and Head Office reporting. Chinas Investment Landscape: Identifying New Opportunities Chinas foreign investment landscape has experienced pivotal changes this year. In this issue of China Briefing magazine, we examine how foreign investors can capitalize on Chinas latest FDI reforms. First, we outline new industry liberalizations in both Chinas FTZs and the country at large. We then consider when an FTZ makes sense as an investment location, and what businesses should consider when entering one. Finally, we give an overview of Chinas latest pro-business reforms that streamline a wide range of administrative and regulatory measures. Dezan Shira & Associates You are here: Russian Defense Ministry on Monday denied a report that Russian air strikes had killed dozens of civilians in airstrikes against terrorist targets in the village of Al-Shafah in Syria's eastern Deir al-Zour province. "The aircraft of the Russian air force were not used against the village of Al-Shafah," the ministry said in a statement, adding that the strikes"are applied outside settlements and exclusively against targets of international terrorist groups." Data on such targets are checked and confirmed in real time via several channels: from the ground and unmanned means of objective control ahead of a strike, the ministry said. France's AFP news agency said earlier Monday that at least 53 civilians, including 21 children, died early Sunday morning when Russian air strikes hit residential buildings in a village held by the Islamic State (IS) group in eastern Syria. It quoted the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights as saying the strikes hit the village of Al-Shafah in Deir al-Zour province, on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River. On Sunday, Russian Defense Ministry said its six long-range TU-22M3 bombers had launched airstrikes on IS targets in the province of Deir al-Zour hitting"terrorists' strongholds and areas with high concentration of militants in the Euphrates valley." It said Russian warplanes made around 530 sorties in Syria, destroying over 1,320 terrorist facilities in the last seven days. So far, 98 percent of the Syrian territory have been liberated from IS militants, the ministry said in a separate statement. You are here: China Beijing on Monday ruled out the possibility of arson in an apartment fire that killed 19 people, announcing that it was caused by an electric wire fault. The fire broke out on the evening of Nov. 18 at a three-story apartment in Xinjian Village in the city's Daxing District. The public security bureau Daxing branch has detained 20 people allegedly liable for the fire. An investigation showed that one of the suspects, surnamed Fan, built the 20,000-square-meter apartment bloc between 2002 and 2006 without approval from authorities. In February this year, Fan started to build an underground cold storage basement, and invited some unqualified workers to equip the freezer with electric wires. The fire broke out from a wall of the freezer, where electric wires buried in polyurethane insulation material had broken down, according to investigators. The freezer had not been put into use and was being tested when the fire occurred. The police are continuing to investigate the case. A child, named Beiyan Yunyi (loosely translated as north-bound wild goose in the clouds), was denied household registration in 2009 by local public security authorities in Jinan, Shandong province, on the grounds that she was not named after her parents. The girl was born in 2009. Her parents Lyv Xiaofeng and Zhang Ruizheng were both poetry aficionados. The father Lyv filed a lawsuit in December 2009 to the Lixia district court of Jinan in the name of his daughter, claiming there should be no interference in her name rights. The case was the country's first administrative case related to name rights. It was later submitted to the Supreme People's Court and the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the country's top legislature. According to the Supreme People's Court, a person should be named in line with social ethics and parents should not create family names for children at their will. Articles in the Marriage Law and the General Provisions of Civil Law stipulate that a person should be named after his parents in principle. Exceptions include situations when one is named after an immediate family member or an adoptive parent, or using another surname other than that of his parents for "justifiable reason which is not against social customs". Based on this principle, in 2015 the Lixia district court of Jinan rejected the appeal of Beiyan Yunyi to be registered. It is not the first time that weird names have made headlines in China. In September, a newborn whose name is Wangzhe Rongyao, or King of Glory, a popular online game, went viral. And a college student in Chongqing became famous because of her name Huangpu Junxiao, or Whampoa Military Academy, the first modern military school in China. There are thousands of surnames in China. And according to the latest national population census in 2010, the top five most commonly seen family names - Li (), Wang (), Zhang (), Liu () and Chen () - make up nearly one-third of the total population. A court has sentenced eight people to jail for looting three ancient tombs in Hunan province. The defendants were sentenced to a maximum of one year and three months, with fines ranging from 3,000 yuan to 10,000 yuan ($450 to $1,500), according to the Youxian County People's Court. The tombs, located in Wangling village of Youxian, were raided between July and September last year and sustained widespread damage. The local cultural heritage department believes the tombs date to the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770-256 BC) and Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220) and are of historical significance. Nine items from the tombs - three bronze rings and six pieces of bronzeware - were retrieved. According to the defendants, they exchanged information and organized themselves through instant-messaging tools. They had local people guide the way and only chose tombs that were not key relics under national protection. "I know that stealing a cultural relic under State-level protection will lead to a sentence of at least several years. If they were not national relics, the sentence would be less severe if I got caught," one of the defendants told Shanghai news website ThePaper.cn. Under the Criminal Law, excavation of historical sites under provincial or State protection will lead to sentences of at least 10 years, with a maximum of life imprisonment. Wang Feng, an official at the cultural heritage bureau in Zhuzhou, told ThePaper that the looted tombs were not on the national cultural heritage list. Ministries responded to a series of recent public concerns, including updates on the reform of State-owned Enterprises. SOEs to go through continued reform China has picked 31 State-owned enterprises for the third round of SOE mixed ownership reform with the aim of attracting more private capital into the State sector. Meng Wei, spokeswoman for the National Development and Reform Commission, said during a news conference in Beijing that the State Council has chosen 31 State enterprises run by regional authorities or the central government. She said the NDRC is working with the pilot enterprises to come up with implementation plans Mixed-ownership reform is designed to further diversify the ownership structure of SOEs, going beyond mergers, acquisitions and reorganization, and has helped improve central SOEs' efficiency and competitiveness. The first two rounds of reform covered 19 SOEs that are implementing their restructuring programs and more than one third of them have completed most of their reforms, including introducing new investors, boosting corporate governance and setting up new internal incentive mechanisms, Meng said. Financial results of 2,041"zombie companies", all subsidiaries of 81 major central SOEs, improved their business performance by cutting annual losses of 88.5 billion yuan ($13.36 billion) in 2016. Ministry urges greater kindergarten checks The Ministry of Education ordered checks in kindergartens across the country Friday following a series of child abuse cases. The ministry said in a statement that the recent child abuse cases in kindergartens have greatly harmed the victims and their families and resulted in serious consequences. And these incidents have exposed problems in the management of kindergartens, it said. Local governments must monitor kindergarten staff in the inspections, rectify wrongdoing and investigate any activities that harm children, according to the ministry. The ministry also urged education authorities nationwide to set up a regular supervision mechanism and improve the accountability system to punish those involved in child abuse. Graduates rewarded for grassroots work The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, together with five other ministries including the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Education, has issued a guideline to further encourage graduates who work in grassroots areas across China with favorable policies. It was made clear in the plan that the government aims to spend approximately 10 years nurturing a large group of young expertise with a good educational background and rich work experiences in grassroots areas in China. The guideline urged governments at all levels to give career development incentives to grassroots young talent and widen their career path. Other incentives in terms of medical care as well as education for their children are also included. According to the guideline, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security will select 5,000 university graduates every year as the country's national backup for grassroots talents. You are here: China More than 100 animals have received traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatments since a TCM consulting room was established at a veterinary clinic in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, 10 months ago. The attending physicians are always fully booked, said Zhang Hong, director of the clinic. "Our TCM clinic primarily treats pets suffering paralysis, nerve damage, diarrhea and some diseases that cannot be cured by Western medicine," Zhang said. TCM therapies such as electric acupuncture and moxibustion can help animals recover, he added. Xu Yanqiu, owner of a five-month-old Golden Retriever, brought her dog Moka to the clinic for treatment after the dog's leg was injured in a car accident one month ago. Xu said Moka had a surgery in a veterinary hospital immediately after the accident, however, the dog became lame and recovered slowly. She decided to give her dog TCM treatment after receiving a recommendation for Zhang's hospital. Moka's doctor diagnosed waist nerve damage resulting in restricted movement of the left leg. The doctor then treated Moka with silver electric acupuncture and moxibustion, as well as laser therapy. "After one day of treatment, Moka's left leg can move slightly," said Xu. TCM has been increasingly applied to pets across the country in recent years. Veterinary hospitals offering TCM treatment in Beijing, Shanghai and other cities have attracted many pet owners. Guo Yang, a doctor at Veterinary Medicine College of Shenyang Agricultural University, said vets usually recommend surgery for damaged nerves. However, acupuncture can decrease the risk for animals, often even has better success As the number of pet owners increases in China, TCM should see a prosperous future in the veterinary industry, Guo said. Some cemeteries in Shanghai yesterday began offering an option that converts cremation ashes into "life crystal." The technology transforms ashes into particulate matters or "life crystal" under high temperatures. Residents are encouraged to convert part of the ashes of beloved ones into "life crystal" with a subsidy offered by authorities and pay their respects at home for the dongzhi, or winter solstice, on December 22. The scheme was launched to reduce the demand for land for burials and to curb the rising prices of tombs because many cemeteries in the city have a shortfall of land. Winter solstice, like Qingming Festival, is a key time for people to pay their respects to the dead by visiting tombs. The visiting peak times usually start on the weekend about three weeks ahead of the actual day. The life crystal subsidy marks the latest effort by local civil affairs authorities to prevent traffic congestion for the winter solstice. The cost of making one "life crystal" is 998 yuan (US$155), and a 400 yuan subsidy is offered as an incentive for families who sign an agreement to visit cemeteries at non-peak times. "'Life crystal' serves as an indication or permanent reminder which allows people to observe traditional mourning at home," said Wei Chao, deputy director of the Shanghai Funeral and Interment Service Center affiliated to the Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau. "In the past, people didn't have a medium if they wanted to pay tribute to the deceased at home, and by using this practice we hope to encourage them to avoid peak times when they visit cemeteries," said Wei. "The crystal is equal to cremation ashes as Chinese people don't want to have urns at home." The service is offered by such cemeteries as Binhaiguyuan, Huilongyuan, Zhuanqiaoqinyuan, Weijiajiaoxiyuan and Xujingxiyuan. It takes one week to 10 days to make one "life crystal." So far, over 1,000 families have chosen the new burial option in Shanghai, according to the center. Last year's dongzhi fell on December 21, and nearly a million residents visited 54 Shanghai cemeteries to pay their respects to their ancestors, causing severe traffic jams on some expressways. A resident surnamed Xie who lost his mother signed an agreement yesterday at Binhaiguyuan Cemetery to convert some of his mother's ashes into a "life crystal" that will be placed at home. "'Life crystal's another kind of company," said Xie. He added he wants to avoid peak visiting times at the cemeteries. "On normal days, people are too busy to visit tombs, while on big days like Qingming and dongzhi, all cemeteries are packed with tomb sweepers and paying tribute is like a mere formality. "But now, we will put flowers by the crystal on big days and I can talk with my mother at home any time I want." Lee Ming-che from Taiwan was sentenced to five years in prison for "subverting state power," by the Intermediate People's Court of Yueyang City in Hunan Province Tuesday. Mainland resident Peng Yuhua was sentenced to seven years in prison on the same charge. The two men were both deprived of their political rights for two years. They said they would not appeal. Prosecutors accused Peng of recruiting dozens of people, including Lee, to establish an organization aimed at subverting state power and overturning the country's political system, using instant messaging services. Peng started spreading ideas on subverting state power, and recruiting group members on instant messaging platform QQ in May 2012, the court said. Lee joined the group in September the same year, gradually becoming a key member. In November that year, after discussing with the others, Peng drafted a plan and established the goal of founding a political party and overthrowing the current political system in China. They aimed to attract a million members by 2017. From 2013, Lee and others set up several QQ groups, with membership reaching 2,000. Peng and Lee wrote articles and books, and made videos online to attack the country's political system. Lee also traveled to other cities on the mainland several times to take part in group gatherings. On March 19, 2017, he was put under coercive measures by the Hunan provincial security organ on suspicion of subverting state power. In September this year, a spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said the investigation and trial of Lee had been conducted in accordance with the law and due process and the rights of Lee and his family had been fully protected. A total of 30 people, including the defendants' close relatives, legislators, political advisors, journalists, and members of the public, attended the sentencing. Videos of the sentence were published on the official Weibo account of the court. The court allowed the defendants to meet with their families after the sentence, as per family requests. Nikola Vasilyevich Dusan checks a patient at the Daqing Ophthalmic Hospital in Daqing City, Heilongjiang Province, on November 23. [Photo by Mi Xingang/China.org.cn] "When you help someone, his or her smile is the biggest reward for you," said Nikola Vasilyevich Dusan, a 70-year-old Russian ophthalmologist who has been working in Daqing City, in China's northeast Heilongjiang Province, for 15 years. Formerly the director of the Ophthalmology Research Center of the People's Friendship University of Russia, Dusan has served as an expert doctor at the Daqing Ophthalmic Hospital since his retirement in 2002. In that time, he has treated nearly 200,000 people and operated on over 2,000 patients in Daqing. "That small eyeball under our scalpel represents the patient's hope for their entire life," Dusan reminds the doctors around him. Apart from normal outpatient services at the hospital, Dusan has often held free clinics in rural areas, explaining that "patients there need more care." To date, his footsteps have covered all five districts and four counties of Daqing City. Two weeks ago, he braved chilly weather and slippery roads to complete a free clinic in a village located a four-hour drive from downtown. Dusan saw over 100 patients that day, not even stopping for lunch. "The happiest thing for me is to bring light to patients through my treatment," he expressed. Many of the rural patients gave him vegetables, fruit and home-made tofu as a token of their gratitude. At the same time, Dusan has nurtured other doctors at the hospital as well. As advanced technologies are increasingly shared around the globe, the Daqing Ophthalmic Hospital has now imported cutting-edge equipment from some of the world's renowned producers, claimed Dusan. "The key element is to foster the talent to make good use of this equipment," he emphasized. He has given twice monthly lectures to the medical staff and mentored seven younger Chinese ophthalmologists, in their 30s and 40s, including thesis writing and clinical supervision. The seven doctors now practice in their own domains and can complete cataract surgery, corneal transplant, and other complex procedures independently. In 2007, an eye bank was established at the hospital owing to Dusan's efforts, and he was the only doctor at that time who could perform the corneal transplant surgery. Under his tutelage, the hospital now has three qualified Chinese doctors who can do the operation. "Dusan has imparted all of his knowledge to us and paid careful attention to the accumulation of cases," said Fu Yanjiang, a student of Dusan's at the hospital who now can do corneal transplant. Since the beginning of this year, nine people in the area have donated 18 corneas, bringing the gift of sight to 17 patients through transplant surgeries. Dusan has also promoted pragmatic cooperation between the Daqing Ophthalmic Hospital and the Ophthalmology Center of the People's Friendship University of Russia. A cooperation agreement was signed on June 23 of this year to further academic research, teaching and personnel exchanges between the two entities. The Daqing hospital has committed to become the talent training base for the Russian center based on a supplemental agreement signed this October. In 2009, Dusan was awarded the Friendship Award by the Chinese government for his significant efforts in medical treatment and education in China. In 2015, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Dusan and 40 other Russian experts who have contributed to China's development, at a series of events in Moscow marking the 70th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War. Recalling the moment, Dusan's excitement still evident as he alluded to President Xi's urge to absorb more talent and technologies for China's development. "I felt greatly honored to receive the recognition but I gave all the credit to the crew of our hospital," he said. "I am not only an ophthalmologist but also an ambassador of friendship between China and Russia." Being an old friend of the Chinese people, Dusan paid close attention to the proceedings of the recently concluded 19th CPC National Congress and expressed his confidence in China's future. Dusan suggested that Chinese research teams develop more innovations in medicine, medical equipment and treatment methods, especially in genetics. As for the theme of the congress--remain true to original aspirations and keep the mission firmly in mind--Dusan restated his own original aspiration: to treat more patients and bring sight to blind people. "Doctor Dusan is like a torch carrier, walking ahead of us in the darkness," said one patient of Dusan at the Daqing Ophthalmic Hospital. "What we see is the burning fire that shows the direction and warms our hearts." A doctor standing aside, one of Dusan's students, nodded her head, saying "Yes, he also blazed the trail for us." You are here: China An express freight train will run regularly between Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province and Moscow, Russia, local authorities said Tuesday. The train is part of the China-Europe freight train service. In 2016, 460 cargo trains left Chengdu bound for Europe, making up 26 percent of the total freight trains leaving China for Europe. In 2017, the number of Europe-bound freight trains from Chengdu will exceed 1,000, according to the city's port and logistics office. The number of China-Europe freight trains reached a new annual record this year since starting operations in 2011, according to China Railway Corporation (CRC). So far this year, more than 3,000 cargo trains have traveled on 57 lines between cities on the two continents, surpassing the past six years combined, and pushing the aggregate to over 6,000. German Chancellor Angela Merkel [Xinhua] When the German election took place approximately two months ago, the result was seen through a double perspective. The first was the fourth consecutive victory of Chancellor Angela Merkel, making her comparable to leaders such as Konrad Adenauer and Helmut Kohl; and the second was the success of the populist right-wing party Alternative for Germany (AfD) ending the countrys immunity to far-right parties. However, almost no one could have predicted the subsequent difficulties in the formation of a new government. The possibility of a coalition between the Conservatives the Christian Democrats and the Christian Socialists of Bavaria the Liberals and the Greens, was clearly gaining ground and in some minds almost a fait accompli. Yet, optimism for the shaping of a so-calledJamaica coalition (based on the party colors) has been proved wrong. The parties failed to come to an agreement before the set deadline. The main reason seems to be the hesitation of the leader of the Liberals, Christian Lindner, to participate in a government that offered a risk of personal and political damage. Lindner is clearly discouraged by the negative experience of the 2009-2013 period. During that period, his party under a different leadership supported a conservative-led government. Public opinion was disenchanted with its performance and as a result the Liberals failed to enter parliament in the September 2013 election. In contrast, the Christian Democrats and the Christian Socialists seemed to get on well with the Greens. German media, including the well-informed Bild newspaper, reportedconstructive consultations between their representatives. The two parties alone do not produce the necessary number of votes to form a government, though. So, where is theJamaica failure leading the country? Three scenarios are discussed for the coming weeks. The first is the formation of a grand coalition between the Conservatives and the Social Democrats, as happened in the last four years. The second is the building of a minority government between the Conservatives and the Greens. Third is the call of a snap election in 2018. Each of the three scenarios is feasible under current circumstances. However, all of them could be problematic. To start with regard to the possibility of a new grand coalition, Social Democrat leader Martin Schulz has repeatedly excluded it. He believes that the German public opinion wants his party to be in opposition based on its decision to give it a percentage only slightly exceeding 20 percent in the recent federal election. Practically speaking, he seeks to gain time in order to reorganize the party, elaborate on new policy ideas, forge an effective opposition line and create conditions for a victory in the 2021 election. Now, Schulz is under pressure. Not only the Conservatives but also some Social Democrats are attempting to convince him to change course. A minority government is constitutionally permitted (Paragraph 4 of Article 63). Nevertheless, this could entail political risks and has never happened since creation of the German Federal Republic in 1949. And a minority government would hardly be stable. Chancellor Angela Merkel has publicly said that she prefers a new election rather than to have a government lacking the required parliamentary majority. She places much emphasis onpolitical stability, which is well-founded in German political culture. As far as early elections are concerned, they will not necessarily function as solution to the problem. Theres no guarantee the Conservatives will receive a mandate to govern alone or in cooperation with the Greens. The interpretation of the recent election is straightforward. The majority of German citizens wants a coalition government with Merkel as Chancellor, but not as powerful as she used to be in the past. They will maybe re-send the same message, should they be asked to vote again. The same difficult political dilemmas will then return in the form of an even worse nightmare. To sum up, Germany is encountering unprecedented political inertia. Obviously, as a well-organized country enjoying efficient governance structures, it has not entered any crisis or unknown adventure yet. Nonetheless, expected policy initiatives such as the Franco-German dialogue on the future of Europe are postponed and this can only hurt. It remains to be seen whether calls for political responsibility including from President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will generate a compromise tendency and sideline the insistence on disagreements. George N. Tzogopoulos is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/GeorgeNTzogopoulos.htm Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. Flash British royal family confirmed Monday that Prince Harry has already been engaged with his girlfriend Meghan Markle earlier this month in London. Prince Harry (L) and Meghan Markle attend an official photocall to announce their engagement in London, Britain, on Nov. 27, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua] The announcement, issued by Clarence House, the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall's official residence, said the wedding will be held in spring next year and details about the wedding day would be "announced in due course". The fifth in line to the British throne said that he has proposed to the American actress following a one year relationship and she's happily accepted. The couple will live at Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace in London after married. In a statement, Prince Charles said he was "delighted to announce" his son's news and that Harry had received the blessing of Markle's parents. It's believed that Harry would have asked his grandmother The Queen's permission before popping the question. Harry first confirmed his relationship with Markle in November 2016, in a statement from Kensington Palace attacking the media for subjecting her to a "wave of abuse and harassment". The two made their first public appearance as a couple in September this year. Markle, who played Rachel Zane in U.S. TV drama Suits, was born on 4 August 1981 and grew up in Los Angeles but now lives in Toronto. You are here: World Flash A cargo train carrying molten sulfur derailed early Monday in central Florida, the southeastern U.S. state, according to rail operator CSX Corporation. "Approximately nine rail cars" derailed near Lakeland, Polk County, Florida, said CSX spokesman Rob Doolittle, describing molten sulfur as"a hazardous material used in making rubber, detergent and fertilizers." The CSX said no injuries have been reported and that it's investigating the cause of the derailment. Several cars were left "rolled over and mangled," said Polk County Fire Rescue. The fire rescue agency warned local residents to stay indoors, close their windows and turn off their air conditioning units. However, "at this time there are no evacuations," said the agency. The derailment occurred near a residential area along a divided four-lane highway that links suburban and rural neighborhoods to Lakeland, according to a National Public Radio report. The train track runs parallel to the road. The train, travelling from Waycross, Georgia, to Winston, Florida, was comprised of three locomotives and nearly 200 rail cars, among them 120 loaded and 70 empty, said the operator. Flash Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy on Monday rejected a suggestion from former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont that the Catalan region should leave the European Union (EU). Puigdemont had made the suggestion in an interview on Israeli television from Belgium, where he is currently staying during the legal process to return him to Spain where he faces charges of rebellion, sedition, disobedience, and misuse of public funds, related to the Catalan independence referendum on Oct. 1 and independence declaration on Oct. 27. Following the lack of support from the EU for the Catalan independence movement, Puigdemont said Catalans should decide if they wanted to remain part of Europe, to which Rajoy responded that the suggestion was"absurd." What the region needed now, said the Spanish leader in a meeting with the press on Monday, was "to return to tranquility and normality," and that the EU was the region with the"highest level of democracy, freedom, and human rights in the world," as well as "the best" in issues such as health care and the welfare state. "Puigdemont can say what he believes to be opportune, but it is the people who have to speak now and not him," Rajoy said in reference to the Dec. 21 regional elections for Catalonia which polls suggest will be a very close race between pro-independence and pro-unity parties. Flash A Melbourne man has been arrested for allegedly planning a terrorist attack on New Year's Eve celebrations. Victoria Police confirmed on Tuesday that the 20-year-old man from Werribee, 30 km southwest of Melbourne, was taken into custody by Special Operations Group (SOG) officers on Monday afternoon. Shane Patton, Victoria police deputy commissioner, confirmed the man was an Australian-born Muslim with Somalian parents. Patton said police believe the man was trying to acquire a firearm to "shoot and kill as many people as he could" around Federation Square in Melbourne's Central Business District (CBD) during New Year's celebrations. "This is a person who expressed an intention to try and kill as many people as he could through shooting them in Federation Square area on New Year's Eve," Patton told reporters on Tuesday. "It is a tremendous concern to us that (during) festive season, when people are out enjoying themselves, that there is a potential plot to commit a terrorist act. That is a huge issue for us but that is why we put the resources in." Police do not expect to make any further arrests relating to the plot, alleging the man was operating alone. Patton confirmed that the man was in possession of an al-Qaeda guidebook on how to carry out terrorist attacks. "He is associated with other persons in the Victorian extremists community... it is a very small community of extremists," he said. Police were interviewing the man on Tuesday morning with charges expected to follow in the afternoon Flash Jose Antonio Meade stepped down as Mexico's finance minister on Monday in order to register as a pre-candidate for the 2018 presidential elections, for the ruling Revolutionary Institutional Party (PRI). Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto embraces Finance Minister Jose Antonio Meade during an event where Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto announced the resignation of Finance Minister Jose Antonio Meade, at Los Pinos presidential residence in Mexico City, Mexico November 27, 2017. [Photo/VCG] The government announced that his post would be replaced by Jose Antonio Gonzalez Anaya, former director general of Mexico's state-owned oil company, Pemex, and the country's social security institute, IMSS. In a press conference, Meade said that he would register as pre-candidate, with the PRI having set a deadline of Nov. 30 for interested parties to do. Meade has been a regular figure in the government of President Enrique Pena Nieto, having served as minister of foreign affairs and of social development before his finance role. During the ceremony, Pena Nieto hailed Meade as "a good man, with a vocation of service and a deep love for Mexico." Local press reports had long expected that Meade would run and he has been widely backed by prominent members of the PRI. Health Minister Jose Narro and Public Education Minister Aurelio Nuno both expressed their support for Meade as president, despite both having been seen as potential candidates. Another leading figure, Miguel Angel Osorio Chong, currently Minister of the Interior, also ruled himself out of the race on Monday. Meade has broad experience in other governments. Prior to Pena Nieto's term in office, he served President Felipe Calderon, of the National Action Party (PAN) as energy and finance minister. Meade has a law degree from the National Autonomous University of Mexico and an economy degree from the Mexico Autonomous Institute of Technology (ITAM). He has a PhD in economics from Yale and has lectured there and at ITAM. You are here: World Flash Zimbabwe's new president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, dissolved the cabinet on Monday and said he is in the process of assembling a new team of cabinet ministers. In a statement, the chief secretary to the president and cabinet Misheck Sibanda said President Mnangagwa had appointed Patrick Chinamasa as acting finance minister and Simbarashe Mumbengegwi as acting foreign minister to allow for uninterrupted services in critical government ministries until a new cabinet is announced. The two ministers previously occupied the same portfolios before former president Robert Mugabe reshuffled cabinet in October and moved them to new ministries. Sibanda said Mnangagwa would on Tuesday meet all permanent secretaries for deliberations. Mnangagwa was sworn in as president last Friday after Mugabe's resignation following military and public pressure. Bulawayo24 | Nov. 28, 2017 Government is targeting to acquire three more MA60 aircraft for Air Zimbabwe at a cost of $6 million as plans to boost the company's fleet gathers momentum. Air Zimbabwe's fleet currently comprises of two Boeing 767s, three B737s, three MA60s and two Airbus A320s. Transport and Infrastructure Development Permanent Secretary Dr Machivenyika Mapuranga, said they are targeting MA60 aircraft for Air Zimbabwe. "What we are looking for is $6 million to buy MA60 aircraft for Air Zimbabwe of which one MA60 will cost $2 million. This is the aircraft we are targeting for Air Zimbabwe," said Dr Mapuranga. Air Zimbabwe is one of the critical parastatals that Cabinet wants revived given its central role in economic turnaround, particularly from the perspective of bringing tourists into the country. Tourism is seen as a low hanging fruit that can help turnaround the economy. Cabinet has since approved the takeover of Air Zimbabwe's $334 million debt as part of grand efforts to clean its balance sheet and resuscitate its operations. It is estimated that Air Zimbabwe's passenger numbers have gone down to about 230 000 per annum in the past few years, from a peak of one million in 1996 with travellers looking for alternative airlines across all the domestic destinations. The national airline is still in the wilderness where it continues to incur losses. In 2011, Air Zimbabwe's Boeing 737-500 was impounded in South Africa after failing to settle a $500 000 debt owed to Bid Air Services for ground handling services. The Boeing 767-200 was also seized by American General Supplies in London over a $1,2 million debt in the same year. It is believed that is the reason why the airline pulled out of flying to London, one of the most lucrative destinations. Air Zimbabwe was suspended from International Air Transport Association (IATA), a situation which has made it difficult for Air Zimbabwe to fly to international destinations. IATA is the trade association for the world's airlines, representing some 275 airlines or 83 percent of total air traffic. It supports many areas of aviation activity and helps formulate industry policy on critical aviation issues. Dr Mapuranga said there was a target that Air Zimbabwe should be re-admitted at IATA by December this year. The target is to make sure Air Zimbabwe begins international flights and boost revenues. If revived, Air Zimbabwe has a potential to make a meaningful contribution to the economic growth of the country. Barely two days after the Communist Party of China's top disciplinary body announced the investigation of Lu Wei, former deputy chief of the Party's Publicity Department, Zhang Yang, a former member of the Central Military Commission, who was also under investigation, committed suicide on Thursday. Lu, the first high-level official, or "tiger", brought down by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection after the Party's 19th National Congress, is under investigation for what are described as serious violations of disciplinary protocols. Zhang was being investigated for his connections with the disgraced former CMC vice-chairmen Guo Boxiong and Xu Caihou, as well as offering and accepting bribes and holding a huge amount of assets whose origin was unclear, in addition to other discipline violations. The investigations of Lu, who was also head of the Cyberspace Administration of China, and Zhang, who was also the former head of the military's Political Work Department, have come as timely reassurance that the graft-busters are not easing up on their endeavors and, as CPC General Secretary Xi Jinping has vowed, there are no no-go zones. With the central leadership's demonstrated resolve to make the fight against corruption never ending and a lasting political legacy, it is evident that the graft-busters are determined to leave no stone unturned. But while pursuing those who seek to escape with impunity for their wrongdoings, it is important at the same time to mend the loose or broken fences that have allowed corruption to breed and spread in the manner it has. The CPC has made impressive progress in this regard by installing new anti-graft protocols and institutionalizing proven remedies, especially over the past five years. More will be achieved as the anti-graft efforts become more systematic. A comprehensive review of existing corruption-prevention mechanisms and their subsequent overhaul, such as the establishment of a national supervisory commission system, and the adoption of national anti-corruption legislation, are indispensable for that to happen. As Xi said in his speech at the 19th CPC National Congress, it takes good blacksmith to make good steel. The efforts to establish the clean, honest, upright working style Xi envisions, and which people are longing for, have to go hand in hand with efforts to rid the People's Liberation Army of the pernicious influence of corruption in order to make it fit for purpose. Only through strengthening deterrence, creating a cage of institutions, and maintaining constant vigilance against corruption will the military be ready to meet the demands of the day and the political environment be clean and free of corruption. Premier Li Keqiang addresses an economic forum attended by 16 Central and Eastern European leaders on Monday in Budapest. Hungarian Prime Minister Orban Viktor (center) and Bulgarian Premier Boyko Borisov also spoke. ATTILA KISBENEDEK / AFP Premier said financing will grow for joint projects with Central, Eastern Europe Premier Li Keqiang said on Monday that China would increase agricultural imports from Central and Eastern European countries and provide greater financial support to China-CEEC cooperative projects. He made the announcement during the seventh China-CEEC Economic and Trade Forum, which attracted more than 1,000 business people to Hungary's capital, Budapest. China wants to import more agricultural goods like meat and dairy products, honey and fruit, Li said. "Next year, an import exposition will be hosted by China, and I hope CEE nations will take part in it and win Chinese consumers," he said. Li said that the financing should be expanded. China supports the financing of cooperative projects by commercial financial institutions and supports enterprises from CEE nations issuing panda bonds in China, he said. A panda bond is a renminbi-denominated bond from a non-Chinese issuer. He said renminbi financing will be supported for cooperative projects. Li also announced the establishment of a China-CEEC bank consortium, to which the China Development Bank will grant loans worth 2 billion euros ($2.4 billion). Li said a second round of the China-Central and Eastern Europe Investment Cooperation Fund, initiated by the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China last year, has been completed to raise $1 billion. The fund will mainly invest in CEE nations. In the past five years, China-CEEC cooperation has registered achievements that benefit people from both sides, Li said on his arrival on Sunday. As part of China-Europe ties, China-CEEC cooperation has promoted the development of countries in the subregion, balanced development for all of Europe and the continent's process of integration, he said. The measures were the latest move in financial cooperation. A financial holding company was established in November 2016 to fund projects that promote Chinese-made equipment and products after the fifth Meeting of Heads of Government of China-Central and Eastern European Countries in Riga, Latvia. Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan said that the first such forum was held in Budapest six years ago and the event has played a vital role in boosting economic ties and promoting cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said at the forum that European countries now need technological and financial support from China and Asia, and the China-CEEC mechanism, also known as "16+1" cooperation, will benefit the EU and all of Europe. Orban said large enterprises in Asia are increasingly participating in the Western market with first-class technologies, which has played a key role in the development of CEE nations. Wang Yiwei, a professor of international studies at Renmin University of China, said CEE countries are still in the process of changing from socialist economies into market economies and they want to attract more investment from China. Investing in the area will also provide opportunity for China to enter the West European market, he said. Also, "16+1" cooperation is a highlight in Belt and Road cooperation, and the initiative will promote level and significant "16 + 1" cooperation, he added. Zhou Jin contributed to this story. huyongqi@chinadaily.com.cn A bank clerk shows a social security card at a branch of China Construction Bank (CCB) in Haian county, Nantong city, East China's Jiangsu province, Oct 30 2014.[Photo/IC] Three to five State firms, two central financial institutions in first batch China's finance ministry will coordinate with other government departments to introduce a policy regime which supervises and evaluates the pilot program that will transfer shares of State-owned enterprises and financial institutions to the country's social security fund. Starting from next year, different groups of SOEs and financial institutions will be approved stage by stage for share transfer, and the whole process is expected to be finished soon, said the Ministry of Finance. Experts expect that the regime may include detailed standards for selecting specific enterprises as the targets, and the methods to assess the value of transferred assets. According to an announcement, which was released on Nov 18 by the country's cabinet, the State Council, 10 percent of the State-owned equity will be transferred to the National Council for Social Security Fund and wholly State-owned enterprises. By the end of this year, three to five SOEs and two central financial institutions in several provinces are planned to be selected as the first batch to start the program, the State Council's statement said. A report from The Economic Observer, a local business newspaper, said on Monday that China Resources Group, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and China Construction Bank may be included in the list of the first batch. It also said that the Ministry of Finance will be in charge of the first round of enterprises' selection, after which it will coordinate with the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission and ask for opinion from the enterprises themselves. The State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission didn't respond on this information. This pilot program is aiming to ease the pressure of pension payments through making up for possible shortfalls as the aging population continues to grow, and it will cut the burden of the working generation by expanding the pension fund scale without raising taxes or pension contribution rates, said the Ministry of Finance. By the end of last year, the total income of China's social security fund has reached 5.01 trillion yuan ($759.1 billion), up by 8.1 percent from a year earlier, according to the ministry. The total expenditure of the social security fund was 4.36 trillion yuan, a year-on-year rise of 11.5 percent, marking a surplus of 650.8 billion yuan, as the official data showed. Su Peike, a researcher with the Public Policy Research Institute at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, said that the ratio of the transferred State-owned equity could possibly be continually increased when the pilot program sees effective results, to better offset the large pension gap. China's bottled water conglomerate, Nongfu Spring, is tapping into the skin care market, the Hangzhou-based company announced on Sunday night. But instead of using aqua, which tops many skin care product ingredients, the company said "there isn't a single drop of water" in three of its newly launched products, which are facial masks and two types of toners. Instead, the company has sourced 400 metric tons of natural birch sap from Finland as the base of its products, which are marketed mainly as strong moisturizers and branded as Yoseido. "It may sound like a crossover for Nongfu Spring, but (it is) actually a back-to-basics approach for my business," said Zhong Shanshan, founder and chairman of Nongfu Spirng. The 63-year-old journalist-turned-businessman made his first bucket of gold by producing nutritional supplements processed from turtle shells around 1993. Three years later, after discovering a reservoir near his hometown in Zhejiang province, he started the bottled water business and steadily expanded the group, Yang Sheng Tang Group Ltd, into a 10-billion-yuan ($1.51 billion) empire with portfolios in beverage, foods, health products and biopharmacy. The venture in the skin care category, which kicked off three years ago for research and development, will be a new arm under the YST Group. Its facial masks have been put on the Tmall store of YST for trial sales, at the price of 168 yuan per pack, containing five pieces, close to the offerings of US brand Olay under P&G. The official time for all of the three products to be put on shelf at departments stores and e-commerce platforms has yet to be decided, according to Zhong. But he confirmed that the products are likely to be exported to Japan, one of the most competitive markets in the world for beauty industry. More than that, he is making no bones about his ambition to turn the brand into the top five sellers in domestic skin care category within five years. "There is no such thing as brand loyalty. It took a little time for all the once die-hard Nokia followers to shift to iPhones when (Steve) Jobs created it," he said, addressing the question of competition against many well-established brands home and abroad. While China's beauty industry is still dominated by foreign brands, there has been a rising interest among young people to try domestic brands. Statistics from Tmall showed that during the latest Singles Day shopping extravaganza, eight out of the 18 brands that consolidated sales over 10 billion yuan within 24 hours are domestic ones. Pechoin and Chando are the two bestsellers followed by Western brands such as Lancome and Estee Lauder. According to consultancy firm Mintel, China's facial skin care and cosmetics industry is likely to exceed $20.5 billion in 2017, up by 12 percent year on year, and far above the 8 percent annual growth rate enjoyed by the general beauty and personal care category. A girl and her mother experience an artificial intelligence piano produced by Guangzhou Pearl River Piano Group Co Ltd during a recent AI forum held in Guangzhou, Guangdong province.[Photo by Tan Qingju/China Daily] Guangzhou Pearl River Piano Group Co Ltd, the world's largest piano producer and seller, is banking on growing bilateral cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and the rest of the world to help further expand its market presence. Yang Weihua, board secretary of Guangzhou Pearl River Piano Group Co Ltd, said Pearl River Piano is planning to participate in a series of international cultural, education and music events and competitions in 2018, in order to help expand exchanges and cooperation with its foreign counterparts and further raise its reputation at home and abroad. "Such exchanges would certainly help Pearl River Piano increase its overseas sales in the future," he said. Yang said he believed that Pearl River Piano would be able to tap opportunities in the Belt and Road Initiative-related countries and regions in tandem with China's growing bilateral engagements across the world. "The Belt and Road Initiative encourages domestic companies to expand their overseas exchanges and such cooperation provides a golden opportunity for Pearl River Piano to go global. We have already produced high quality products that can compete in the global markets," said Yang. "After the purchase of Germany's largest and most famous piano maker Schimmel last year, Pearl River Piano is now expecting to further expand its cooperation and exchanges with foreign counterparts through a series of culture, education, music events and competitions in 2018." Pearl River Piano was set up in 1956 and now holds 90 percent of the shares in Schimmel, which has two piano production facilities in Germany and Poland. "The purchase is a win-win deal for both Pearl River Piano and Schimmel. The German firm has expanded its sales in the mainland while Pearl River Piano is using Schimmel's marketing channels to increase global sales," according to Yang. Li Jianning, vice-chairman and general manager of Pearl River Piano, said he had met Hannes Schimmel-Vogel, general manager of Schimmel, in Guangzhou recently to explore avenues for further cooperation between the two companies. Pearl River Piano has also promised to help accelerate the construction of Schimmel's facility in Kalisz, Poland. The Shenzhen Stock Exchange listed company, which produced and sold more than 136,300 pianos last year, earned 1.47 billion yuan ($22.61 million) from its piano sales in 2016. The company's pianos account for 27.27 percent of the global market and for 38.6 percent of the quantity sold in China. Its products are sold in more than 100 countries and regions around the world. The City of London's new lord mayor will push for the United Kingdom's main financial district to do more business with China. Charles Bowman, who became the 690th lord mayor of the City of London on Nov 10, said he would like to leave two "China legacies" during his year in office. "I'm really keen to grow financial and professional services engagement between China and the UK, and promote London as a natural western hub for the Belt and Road Initiative," Bowman said. His call follows China's decision to provide foreign financial companies with unprecedented access to its markets. The lord mayor of London represents the capital's financial district and is also leader of the City of London Corporation. The role differs from the much more powerful mayor of London, who is elected and oversees the whole of Greater London. Bowman has already felt China's strong presence in the financial district. Three elaborate floats staged by Chinese groups took part in the Lord Mayor's Show on Nov 11 to celebrate the start of his year in office. And, two days later, Prime Minister Theresa May said during the Lord Mayor's Banquet that she was committed to "maintaining the 'golden era' relationship with China". The "golden era" was a phrase coined during President Xi Jinping's 2015 state visit to the UK. It describes the fresh impetus for bilateral investment and trade. So far, $18 billion of Chinese investment has gone into non-financial sectors in the UK, which is more than China has invested in any other European country. Further growth is imminent, especially because many UK banks and asset managers are now making plans to invest in China, in light of announcements by the Chinese government on Nov 10 stating that the country is allowing foreign financial companies to own up to a 51 percent majority stake in financial joint ventures. Bowman said other areas of tremendous opportunity for UK companies include London's continued growth as an offshore renminbi hub and the growing number of Chinese financial institutions establishing subsidiaries in the City of London. He traveled to China three times prior to taking up his role as lord mayor. He supported former Lord Mayor Jeffrey Mountevans' visit to Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin and Hong Kong last year, and attended the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing in May, and the China Wealth Forum in June. "I came back inspired," Bowman said, recalling Xi's talk about his vision for the Belt and Road Initiative. "I recognized all that we in the UK can do to support that vision," he said, adding that he hopes the City's whole spectrum of financial businesses can get involvedincluding law, finance, engineering consulting, accounting, project management and more. Bowman, who has built a successful career as a partner at the accounting firm PwC, has witnessed London's financial center change throughout the decades. He said one major change was the fast expansion of Chinese institutions and the emergence of Chinese talents, both playing an important role in the Square Mile's diversity and international engagement. The City of London now hosts around 30 Chinese companies, including banks, security firms, insurance companies and investment funds. The Bank of China's UK chief executive, Sun Yu, is chairman of the Association of Foreign Banks, which demonstrates the significant role Chinese financial companies play in London, Bowman added. Major foreign yogurt brands such as Japan's Meiji and France's Yoplait are now popular in China.[Photo/Agencies] Supermarket shoppers are being enticed by a new range of yogurts as dairy companies tickle their palates. Sales are expected to jump 18 percent in China to 122 billion yuan ($18.4 billion) this year compared to 2016, data from Euromonitor International highlighted. To underline the surge in demand, yogurt sales will overtake milk purchases for the first time. "China's growing middle-class has more money to spend, particularly on high-end, nutritional dairy items," said Song Liang, a senior independent industry analyst. Apart from domestic products, major foreign brands such as Japan's Meiji and France's Yoplait have rolled out a variety of yogurts here. Even small Chinese labels, New Hope Group and China Shengmu Organic Milk Ltd, are trying to muscle into a highly competitive market. At the top of the pyramid are premium products with distinctive flavors and textures, but they carry expensive price tags. "Now, the growth rate of ordinary temperature milk is slow," Song said. "But low-temperature and ordinary temperature yogurts are proving very popular." Sales of functional and fortified yogurts in China are expected to rise 23 percent to 43 billion yuan this year compared to 2016. By 2022, sales are expected to surge 56 percent to 75 billion yuan, according to Euromonitor International. Functional food products tend to contain biologically active compounds and ingredients, which can improve health or lower the risk of disease. In contrast, fortified items rarely offer specific health benefits. As Chinese consumers look for more sophisticated dairy products, a wider range of yogurts are hitting the shelves. Inner Mongolia Mengniu Dairy (Group) Co Ltd is one of the country's leading dairy producers and has teamed up with Danone to improve its brands. The French conglomerate holds a 10 percent stake in Mengniu and has helped the company with new yogurt-making technologies. "Yogurt has become one of the categories with the most significant growth potential as the high-end dairy product market is expanding," Mengniu Dairy stated in its latest half-year report. Business is so brisk that Mengniu plans to wheel out vending machines to sell yogurts in residential areas. Mengniu, of course, is not alone in forging an international partnership. Yili Dairy Group and the Greek Academy of Agricultural Science co-developed Ambrosial yogurt, with sales increasing by 106.7 percent last year compared to 2015. Ambrosial is also the sponsor of popular domestic TV program Running Man. The variety show has a large number of young fans and this has boosted yogurt sales. In 2016, Yili spent 2.52 billion yuan on a series of ads for TV, print media and radio. This exceeded the advertising budgets of rivals Mengniu and Bright Dairy Group, data from international market research firm Nielsen illustrated. During the past three years, Ambrosial has also launched an array of new products and upgraded existing ones. It also introduced a yellow peach oat flavor brand to cater for the younger generation. Now, it accounts for 37 percent of the room-temperature yogurt industry in China, ahead of a high-end Mengniu label, a report by China Merchants Securities stated. Together with Bright Dairy, the three major domestic producers dominate the sector with an 85 percent market share. Indeed, the yogurt trend has even prompted the world's largest retailer, Walmart Stores Inc, to adjust its structure in China. "About three to four years ago, through consumer research and sales data analysis, we discovered that Chinese consumers' appetite for yogurt was shifting to nutritional and healthy products," said Laurie Chen, dairy director of hypermarket merchandising at Walmart (China) Investment Co Ltd. "We promptly adjusted the structure of sales after we found that trend, and we deepened the cooperation with suppliers in new product development and releases," he added. "Based on customer's purchasing habits, we display the products on the shelves of our supermarkets." Organic yogurts are proving popular for health-conscious office workers and young parents. Discerning shoppers seem willing to pay that little bit more for the right products as supermarkets start stocking an array of upmarket brands. Classy Kiss, a yogurt rolled out from Green's Bioengineering (Shenzhen) Co Ltd, posted significant sales growth in third and fourth-tier markets. It recently launched an organic brand, which sells at around 14 yuan ($2.1), one of the most expensive products from its dairy range. Earlier, it also launched a yogurt designed to help improve the digestive system after a meal. The company hopes it will be able to cash in on the growing demand for healthy products. Data showed that China is the second-largest dairy market in the world after the United States, according to Euromonitor International. By 2022, the country's middle-class is projected to exceed 550 million, so dairy producers are focusing on upgrading their yogurt products. In the past few decades, China's milk industry has grown rapidly with the emergence of major domestic producers, such as Inner Mongolia-based Mengniu and Yili and Shanghai-based Bright Dairy Group. But a saturated market is forcing major brands to move upmarket with their dairy products, including high-end yogurts and milk, Southwest Securities stated in a report on the industry. Zhu Danpeng, a researcher at the China Brand Research Institute specializing in the food and beverage business, predicted that by next year, the top-of-the-range yogurt market would be dominated by three national brands and two regional labels. "Now it is hard to know which two of the regional brands will end up standing out from the rest," Zhu said. "Maybe it will be Classy Kiss or Yantang Milk. The smaller brands are still doing well in the segmented marketplace, and they still have chance to break through." GUIYANG - Two Chinese firms that help truck drivers to find goods to transport merged Monday. Huochebang, China's Uber of the truck industry, and its smaller rival ymm56.com, announced a strategic merger. Wang Gang, chairman and CEO of the new company, said the two brands will continue to operate independently, but data will be shared to improve efficiency. The new company also plans to use new energy vehicles and expand overseas. The two can help people find trucks to transport their goods. Huochebang alone provides information on around 5 million pieces of freight daily. DUBAI - Chinese and US demand for petrochemicals will drive the global demand for oil next year, expert said on Monday at the three-day Gulf Petrochemical and Chemical Association Forum. Demand for oil in China and the US is expected to continue to grow next year, Vice President of Refining and Chemicals at research firm Wood Mackenzie Alan Gelder said, "and globally, we see 3.5 percent growth for petrochemical products in 2018." The growth of oil-related manufacturing like the production of ethane and propane, which are basic materials for plastic, was the main driver for the demand of the "black gold." A dip in demand for oil as seen in the third quarter of 2017 "was a one-off mostly driven by Hurricane Harvey which hit demand for petrochemicals in the United States," Gelder added. Harvey lasted from Aug 17 to Sept 3 in the southwest of the United States and was with $200 billion in damage, the costliest storm on record, topping Katrina from 2005. Gelder also mentioned that the slight slowing down of China's economic growth, saying it "does not mean China's economy is declining, in fact it keeps growing." Asia's oil demand growth remains strong, and more balanced between gasoline and diesel/gas oil, said the analyst. Earlier in October, the International Monetary Fund raised its forecast for China's economic growth in 2017 and 2018, saying the Chinese economy would climb 6.8 percent this year and 6.5 percent next year, both 0.1 percentage point higher than its previous forecast in July, citing the stronger-than-expected performance in the first half of the year and continuous policy support. Nevertheless Wood Mackzenzie does not expect the price of oil to rise sharply, but it anticipates Brent to trade at $65 per barrel by 2020, despite the agreement between OEPC and Russia to cap production to lift the price. "That is because OPEC (the Organization of Oil Exporting Countries) members Libya and Nigeria increase their production levels which mitigate OPEC and Russian production restraints, albeit OPEC adherence to cuts was strong in the first half," Gelder pointed out. Currently, Brent trades around $60 per barrel. On Nov 30, the 14 OPEC members will gather for their 173rd ordinary meeting and their third OPEC and non-OPEC ministerial meeting at the cartel's headquarters in Vienna, Austria. On the top of the agenda is the discussion point whether the 14 OPEC member states and the 11 non-OPEC members led by Russia will extend their pact from January this year to cut oil production by a combined 1.8 million barrels per day in order to squeeze oversupplied global stockpiles and thus to lift prices. The agreed production volume of oil was set at 32 million barrels per day since then. DUISBURG - The city of Duisburg, Germany's biggest inland port, is on one end of the Chongqing-Xinjiang-Europe rail line, which opened in 2011 from the Chinese southwest city of Chongqing. In recent years, more and more trains operated by the China Railway Express (CRE) from Zhengzhou, Wuhan, Suzhou, Yiwu and other Chinese cities are arriving here. It takes only 13 days for goods to arrive in Duisburg from Chongqing by rail, 30 days less than by sea, and at a fifth of the cost of air freight. According to industry experts, the China-Europe freight train services have been providing solutions for the international logistics industry and promoting international trade ties and economic development along the Belt and Road Initiative countries. CRE conducts freight transportation between China and Europe. The trains bring unlimited business opportunity and bring Duisburg and China much closer, Mayor of Duisburg Soeren Link told Xinhua in a written interview. More and more frequently, Duisburg is called as "China City", he added. Thriving city In 2014, Link witnessed the arrival of China-Europe trains at the Duisburg Intermodal Terminal (DIT), together with Chinese leaders. At that time, there were three trains operating to and from Duisburg and Chongqing every week. Today, the number has increased to over 25 per week. Daniel Thomas, of DIT Duisburg Intermodal Terminal, said that among them, 17 trains are westbound (from China to Europe), while another eight are eastbound. According to data from consultants GFW Duisburg, the number of Chinese businesses has grown steadily since 2014. More than 100 Chinese companies have so far settled here. At the same time, around 50,000 import and export containers were transported by CRE trains in 2016, almost four times of the amount in 2014. "These numbers show the Belt and Road Initiative has brought many economic development opportunities to Duisburg," Link said. The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by China in 2013, comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. It aims to build a trade, investment and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes. Changing times As CRE business continues to flourish, DIT management is considering how to improve efficiency as business changes over the years. Eight years ago, DIT terminal were using waterways and trains much more frequently than trucking. Now with CRE, the company needs more trucking services, Thomas said, adding they need to truck 10 containers per week. "Our trucking service has to change. We need more drivers who are willing to drive long distance," Thomas continued. In addition, DIT needs to deal with long-standing empty containers because of the imbalance between eastbound and westbound trains. Shan Jing, business development manager of Far East Land Bridge Ltd (FELB), said that custom clearance has become more efficient and FELB, as a railway operator, has also received support from local Chinese governments because of the Belt and Road Initiative. "The Belt and Road Initiative supplies new development opportunities. It improves transit efficiency and helps to enlarge our service portfolio," Shan added. Improving processes So far, most CRE trains were mainly to and from Germany via the Polish village of Mataszewicze, which could lead to congestion and further affect the punctuality of the trains. All sides are trying their best to overcome the logistical challenges, which sometimes impact clients. Shan advised improving the network and creating direct connections between EU borders and terminals in other countries. He believed this would create new cargo options and reduce congestion in some main terminals. "The issue should be dealt with a development perspective. CRE is always growing and expanding. There are many possibilities considering the change of requirements from customers and the market. CRE will definitely continue developing its potential," Shan said. Thomas is also optimistic about the future. "In general, I think there is a bright future for CRE trains as an alternative for deep-sea transport and air freight." Link said that Chinese investment, and the jobs and economic vitality it brings, are welcome in Duisburg. "I'm very glad to see that Duisburg is marked on the strategic map of the Belt and Road Initiative. The city will be a model for German-Sino cooperation," Link said. BEIJING - The People's Bank of China (PBOC), the country's central bank, said Monday it has extended a currency swap agreement with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. The size of the swap line is 400 billion yuan ($60.6 billion) or HK$470 billion, according to a PBOC statement. The two parties believe the extension will help maintain regional financial stability, support trade and investment between the mainland and Hong Kong, and develop Hong Kong's offshore yuan market, the PBOC said. The pact is valid for three years and can be extended upon mutual consent. A currency swap deal allows two institutions to exchange payments in one currency for equivalent amounts in the other to facilitate bilateral trade settlements and provide liquidity support to financial markets. Volunteers for the fourth World Internet Conference held Dec 3 to 5 in Wuzhen pose in Tongxiang city, East China's Zhejiang province, Nov 27, 2017. [Photo/VCG] More than 1,200 volunteers will serve the fourth World Internet Conference (Wuzhen Summit) to be held in Wuzhen, East China's Zhejiang province, from Dec 3 to 5. Most of them are students coming from local colleges in Zhejiang province. At the launch ceremony for volunteer activities held Monday, the volunteers' uniforms, which feature a bridge as a design element and combine black and blue the colors of Wuzhen with "internet blue", were unveiled. Compared with the uniforms last year, the new versions are more highly saturated with bright colors. The volunteers will provide services such as one-to-one language interpretation, reception and guidance. The summit this year will gather 1,500 guests from around the world, including the heads of international organizations, leading figures in the internet industry, online celebrities and academics, according to Xinhua. The event will focus on the digital economy, openness and sharing to build an online community of a shared future. Leading internet companies, such as Alibaba Group Holding, Baidu Inc, Huawei Technologies and Russia's Kaspersky Lab, will display their latest products. BEIJING Two Chinese State-owned enterprises (SOEs) have merged into an energy conglomerate with total assets worth 1.8 trillion yuan ($272.96 billion). The new company, China Energy Corporation, has become the world's largest in coal mining, thermal power, renewable energy and coal-to-liquid conversion, according to the founding ceremony held Tuesday. It was formed by the reorganization of power generator China Guodian Corporation and coal miner Shenhua Group. "It is the biggest consolidation among central SOEs in recent years," said Xiao Yaqing, chairman of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission. Xiao expects the deal to improve corporate profitability and help coordinate coal and electricity markets. The merger is in line with the country's effort to push restructuring in state-owned companies. During the past five years, 34 central SOEs were reorganized to improve competitiveness, according to Xiao. The total number of central SOEs has halved from 196 in 2003. Qiao Baoping, chairman of China Energy, said the company would focus on coal mining and power generation, while making more effort to eliminate excess capacity, and speed up its drive to go global. China Energy signed a memorandum of understanding with the government of West Virginia to cooperate on shale gas exploration at the beginning of the month. The deal, with total investment to reach $83.7 billion in 20 years, will be the largest ever energy cooperation deal between China and the United States. The Tsuihang New District in Zhongshan of Guangdong province is positioned to become a center of innovative technology, advanced industries and high-tech enterprises for foreign investment, according to the local government. Approved by the Guangdong Provincial Government in December 2012, Tsuiheng New District was set up to become one of the key development areas in Zhongshan with a concentrated construction area of 35 square kilometers. Over 21 consulate generals and foreign chambers of commerce representatives from America, Germany, Switzerland, France and other countries visited Tsuiheng New District during a two-day promotional event in early November, organized by the local departments of foreign and overseas Chinese affairs and industry and commerce. Tsuihang New District is located in the eastern region of Zhongshan as well as in the geographical center of the Pearl River Delta. It is a strategic "bridge" that connects the west and east bank of the Pearl River estuaries. This district is bordered on the north by Nansha District in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, and on the south by Hengqin Free Trade Zone in Zhuhai, east of Qianhai Area in Shenzhen. The delegation visited some of the strategic development projects already completed in the District, including the Sino-Swiss Industrial Park. The park is located in the core region of Tsuiheng New District, covering an area of 7 square kilometers, and positioned to become a Sino-European-American synergetic development platform that is innovation-driven and technology-oriented with high-end industries, cultural integration and ecological demonstrations. By now, the park hosts 24 foreign projects, including from Germany's Fassmer-Marland, Switzerland's SSM and the United States' Poolpak. By hosting this event, the Zhongshan government aims to attract more foreign investment to the district. According to a Market Entity Development Statistical Report released by Zhongshan Industry and Commerce Administration Bureau for the second quarter of 2017, there are 4,017 foreign investment companies registered in Zhongshan. The report also shows that in the first half of 2017, Zhongshan has attracted 163 new foreign investment companies to register and set up their businesses in the city with a new foreign investment capital of $24.14 million. BEIJING - A central bank advisor said Tuesday that China should set a moderate economic growth target next year to give more room to structural reform. China's economy maintained steady growth and a positive outlook this year, with many bright spots emerging, including markedly improved corporate profits, said Bai Chongen, a Tsinghua University professor and member of the central bank monetary policy committee, at a forum. While some advocate a higher GDP growth target for 2018, Bai said a slightly lower target is needed to curb inefficient investment and reduce the risk from growing debt. "Personally I support a slightly lower, moderate growth target, so that we have more room to carry out structural reform," he said during a panel discussion at the Caijing Annual Conference. The Chinese government targeted GDP growth of around 6.5 percent for 2017. The 2018 growth target is expected to be unveiled during the annual national legislative session in March next year. "To achieve the official goal of doubling the GDP by 2020 from 2010, the country only needs an average growth rate of 6.3 percent in the coming three years," Bai said. He spoke of fast expansion in low-efficiency investment and increasing debt ratios at local government financing vehicles. Pursuing a higher growth target could encourage upstream industries to continue expansion and lead to new excess capacity, Bai warned. Meanwhile, consumption demand remains subdued, which calls for more measures to increase residents' disposal income and stimulate spending, he said. China's economy expanded 6.8 percent year on year in the third quarter, down from 6.9 percent in the second quarter. Growth in the first three quarters reached 6.9 percent. The government is trying to shift to sustainable economic growth driven more by technology and consumption and less by debt-fueled, low-end investment. Chinese model Liu Wen [Photo/IC] In the latest release of the Worlds Highest Paid Models of 2017 by Forbes, an American business magazine well-known for its lists and rankings, Chinese model Liu Wen remains at the No. 8 position with an amazing income of 42.94 million yuan ($6.5 million). Liu was still the only Asian model named on the top 10 list. In 2017, in addition to participating in plenty of fashion parties and shows, she also became the first Chinese model to ever appear on the front cover of American Vogue for its 125th anniversary. Its worthwhile noticing that, for the first time since 2002, Brazilian model Gisele Bundchen had not crowned the list, coming in second place with a mammoth $17.5 million this year. The new top-earning model is American Kendall Jenner with $20 million. She has a huge following of 85 million on the social media platform Instagram and was dubbed the "Social Media Model" by Harper's Bazaar. Now, lets take stock of the top 10 income leaders of 2017. No.1 Kendall Jenner, $22 million No.2 Gisele Bundchen,$17.5 million No.3 Chrissy Teigen, $13.5 million No.4 Adriana Lima, $10.5 million No.5 (tie) Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, $9.5 million No.5 (tie) Gigi Hadid, $9.5 million No.7 Karlie Kloss, $9 million No.8 Liu Wen, $6.5 million No.9 Bella Hadid, $6 million No.10 Ashley Graham, $5.5 million People check job postings at a job fair in Xihongmen, Daxing district, in Beijing on Monday. [Zou Hong/China Daily] Beijing's top Party official said the city will help people affected by a sweeping safety campaign in the wake of a deadly fire with jobs and lodging. The fire in the city's Daxing district broke out in a building with over 400 residents in the village of Xinjian in Xihongmen township on Nov 18. Nineteen people were killed and eight injured. After the fire, the city government launched a 40-day citywide campaign aimed primarily at eliminating fire hazards and other safety problems in crowded apartments and warehouses that serve as storage areas, workshops or worker living space. Cai Qi, Party chief of Beijing, said in a Monday meeting that removing all fire hazards takes time and cannot be accomplished within a short period, Beijing Daily reported. He also said it is necessary to draft a three-year plan to fundamentally solve the problem. Cai visited the site of the accident three times in recent days, Beijing Daily said. Calling the accident a "lesson paid with blood", he said it is imperative to carry out a campaign to root out safety hazards. He also visited surrounding companies that were affected, asking them about how workers were resettled. While speaking with local officials in Xihongmen, Cai urged them to care for people affected and try their best to arrange new jobs and places to stay. Cai urged officials to carry out the campaign with more "patience and humanistic care" and "better methods". On Monday, a job fair was held in Xihongmen to offer opportunities to people who lost their jobs when their employers were told to shut down unsafe factories or warehouses. Human resources departments will organize more job fairs in Xihongmen to help workers in the area to find new jobs, he said. Also on Monday, Beijing police announced that the fire was caused by an electrical fault, ruling out arson. Twenty people suspected of having liability for the conditions that led to the fire have been detained, they said. The two-and three-story building with a basement housed workshops and living spaces and was rife with safety hazards, officials say. A person identified only by the surname Fan began building the structure in 2002. Fan began installing a refrigeration facility in the basement in March, and it was undergoing testing. The blaze was traced to a faulty wire in a wall built with flammable material. Fan was among those detained, police said. At Monday's fair, over 508 vacancies including driver, guard and cleaner were offered by 27 companies, the township government said. Many warehouses in Xihongmen failed fire and safety assessments and were closed. The fairs are mainly for those who became unemployed as a result, said Chen Yongqiang, deputy head of the township. "For migrant workers who have decided not to work in Beijing anymore, we will provide temporary accommodation and train or bus tickets to go home," Chen said. "We prefer the employers taking part in the job fair provide accommodation for employees," said Li Hualong, deputy head of the Daxing district human resource and social security bureau. Zhao Chuanxin, 28, who had worked and lived in a small clothing workshop in Xinjian where the fire happened, found a job at the fair. He will start working as a driver soon with meals and accommodation provided. Experts have called for sex education to be promoted in all schools nationwide, warning that younger generations face serious physical and psychological threats from simple lack of knowledge. A taboo subject in China for centuries, sex has been in the spotlight in recent years because of school bullying and child sexual assaults. Speaking on Monday in Beijing at the third National Conference on China Youth Aids Prevention and Education, Zhang Yinjun, director of the AIDS Prevention Education Project for Chinese Youth, said half of China's 13 million annual abortion cases involve women under 25 years old. It's estimated that the country has about 50 million people with fertility problems, and repeated abortions are one of the reasons, she said. According to the National Health and Family Planning Commission, HIV/AIDS has expanded among young people in the past five years, with 35 percent annual growth in new cases in the 18-to-25 age group. Sex education in China is mainly carried out by NGOs and private schools in pilot projectsthe AIDS Prevention Education Project for Chinese Youth, Marie Stopes China and Nurturing Relationships, for example. "Instead of being just an optional course in pilot schools, sex education should be compulsory for all 300 million students in the country," Zhang said, adding that, apart from public awareness about the importance of sex education, promoting it requires support from education departments to train professionals. Only two universitiesChengdu University in Sichuan province and Capital Normal University in Beijingoffer sex education as a minor course. Some city governments encourage sex education in schools by purchasing services from NGOs or private enterprises. In Wenzhou, Zhejiang province, 95 percent of 4,638 HIV/AIDS carriers identified last year were infected through sexual intercourse, according to the Wenzhou Disease Control and Prevention Center. In cooperation with the AIDS Prevention Education Project for Chinese Youth, the city's Disease Control and Prevention Center has launched sex education training centers in every county, and students are required to take a course at least once a semester. It also introduced the country's first online app to test HIV/AIDS knowledge and collect feedback. China is taking steps to break its silence on sex. Last year, the Ministry of Education issued a guideline suggesting that higher education institutions should create courses to teach students about sex and reproductive health. "It has been proved that sex education should start in primary and middle school," said Amakobe Sande, country director and representative for UNAIDS. She said that in many countries, sex education is compulsory and student knowledge is tested. "Sex education should be comprehensive, evidence-based and designed for children in different age groups," Sande said. "Young people won't accept it if they feel they are judged or condemned. Making the courses user-friendly and stigma-free is very important. We should listen to the voices of young people and let them be core leaders of the course." A court has sentenced eight people to jail for looting three ancient tombs in Hunan province. The defendants were sentenced to a maximum of one year and three months, with fines ranging from 3,000 yuan to 10,000 yuan ($450 to $1,500), according to the Youxian County People's Court. The tombs, located in Wangling village of Youxian, were raided between July and September last year and sustained widespread damage. The local cultural heritage department believes the tombs date to the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770-256 BC) and Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220) and are of historical significance. Nine items from the tombs - three bronze rings and six pieces of bronzeware - were retrieved. According to the defendants, they exchanged information and organized themselves through instant-messaging tools. They had local people guide the way and only chose tombs that were not key relics under national protection. "I know that stealing a cultural relic under State-level protection will lead to a sentence of at least several years. If they were not national relics, the sentence would be less severe if I got caught," one of the defendants told Shanghai news website ThePaper.cn. Under the Criminal Law, excavation of historical sites under provincial or State protection will lead to sentences of at least 10 years, with a maximum of life imprisonment. Wang Feng, an official at the cultural heritage bureau in Zhuzhou, told ThePaper that the looted tombs were not on the national cultural heritage list. Nurse Tang Jianhong talks to a patient at an eldercare facility in Jiashan, Zhejiang province, earlier this month. [Photo/Xinhua] HANGZHOU - Lu Yonglin, 79, now has people to help him look after his paralyzed wife, thanks to long-term care insurance introduced in October in Jiashan county, Zhejiang province. An eldercare provider comes to Lu's home minutes after he calls a service company. A one-hour care package, which includes personal hygiene services and clinical care, costs between 20 yuan ($3) and 80 yuan, and will be covered by his wife's insurance. Each month, his wife, Zhu Aiying, who receives home-based care, gets 300 yuan in cash plus electronic coupons worth 300 yuan to cover costs. "We have a low retirement salary. The insurance helps a lot," Lu said. Lu's wife is one of the first 299 beneficiaries since Jiashan introduced long-term care insurance in October. She has been paralyzed and bedridden since 2011, when she was diagnosed with encephalic angioma, a chronic brain condition. Lu takes care of his wife as their children work in distant cities. "It is a heavy burden for me to provide daily care to my wife as I am getting older," said Lu. Jiashan has an aging population, coupled with surging chronic diseases. The county has 108,000 people 60 and older, with at least 4,000 of them partially or fully disabled. "It is the right time to introduce this new social insurance program as a preemptive approach," said Tao Wenzhou, deputy director of the Jiashan Civil Affairs Bureau. Currently, China has five social insurance programs: healthcare, unemployment, work injury, maternity and elderly care. They are run by the government, with compulsory premiums paid by the individual and the employer. Long-term care insurance is expected to become the sixth program. In 2016, Jiashan became one of the pilot cities in Zhejiang to implement long-term care insurance. Urban and rural residents who are recipients of healthcare insurance can participate in the long-term care insurance program. Those who have a difficult time living independently because of age, illness and disability and will not recover after six months of medical treatment can become recipients of the long-term care insurance. Jiashan set up a committee to assess recipients according to various levels of dependency. So far, the committee has completed assessments of 896 people, with 689 of them severely disabled. The insurance premium is 120 yuan annually for each person, with individuals paying 30 yuan and the Jiashan government providing 90 yuan. Currently, Jiashan has collected more than 52.2 million yuan in insurance premiums. "Elderly people who choose to receive care services in their homes or in nursing or medical institutions will be given different subsidies," Tao said. The average age of China's population is rising quickly. By the end of 2016, the country had 230 million people aged 60 or older, with at least 40 million of them partially or fully disabled. Children without siblings face double pressure in terms of manpower and time to take care of their elderly relatives who need long-term care. To cope with ever-increasing needs for long-term care, China released a guideline in July 2016 for a long-term care insurance program in 15 pilot cities, including Shanghai and Guangzhou, Guangdong province. It aims to form a long-term care insurance system adapted to national conditions by 2020. "The program proved helpful in addressing the long-term care demands of the elderly with disabilities," Lu said. "A future scale-up of the program nationwide is expected." Xinhua Cutting costs will give a boost to the real economy, increase competitiveness and raise living standards Approximately 15 billion yuan ($2.3 billion) in costs will be saved by enterprises as China strives to further reduce fees charged on entities and help increase their competitiveness, according to the State Council, China's cabinet. The decision was made at a State Council executive meeting, presided over by Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday. As of last week, new measures carried out by the central and local governments this year have saved 175 billion yuan in costs for enterprises as a way of supporting the real economy, according to a statement released after the meeting. The meeting decided to conduct an inspection on how previous measures have been carried out in cutting fees for enterprises, with no tolerance for any resurgence of unreasonable charges. All regions and departments were required to issue a list of charging fees by the end of this year. The statement said new items for such fees must be scrutinized. A nationally integrated network will be accelerated to set guidance over services that are charged in line with government-designated prices, while a more transparent monitoring system will be set up to curb arbitrary charges, the document added. Wednesday's meeting was the latest move by the central government to reduce burdens on enterprises since 2013 as the economy faced downward pressure in a sluggish world economy. Early this year, value-added tax officially replaced the business tax, which had been in operation for 30 years, to ease costs for enterprises. Meanwhile, clearing arbitrary fees has been another key task for the government. The premier pledged to further lower fees on corporate operations by the end of this year when he met with the media in March following the conclusion of the annual session of the National People's Congress, the country's top legislator. Several State Council executive meetings have been convened to fulfill the target. According to the fourth State Council inspection, the burden on enterprises has been lowered. In the first half of this year, the cost of energy was reduced by 17.6 percent compared with the same period last year. At the meeting, the premier urged departments and regions to optimize their fiscal expenditures and provide funding supports to public services, which used to rely on charges on enterprises. "We should expand fiscal expenditures on public services in exchange for further growth of enterprises and improved welfare for the people," Li said. Feng Qiaobin, a professor of economics at the Chinese Academy of Governance, said there is little space to reduce taxes for enterprises as the value-added tax has replaced the business tax in many sectors. In this case, unreasonable fees can be a priority if the government wants to relax the burden on enterprises, Feng said. She also said negative sentiments that stemmed from these fees charged without clear regulations should be eliminated to boost the enthusiasm of business startups. Hu Yijian, a professor at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, said the meeting focused on the problem that has confronted enterprises for decades while the measures, especially the inspection, will have a great impact on reducing costs and boosting profitability. Wang Huaiyu, a researcher at the Development Research Center of the State Council, said that some fees have been charged randomly because of the unclear boundary of the government's power and therefore the ongoing administrative reform should be further promoted. Wang suggested an information disclosure system be established as early as possible to fully reveal why and how the fees are charged and how they are spent. Wednesday's meeting also decided to build a mechanism for information release, complaint submission and investigation based on gov.cn, the State Council's official website. Hu said a supervision system should also be set up to check and name violators. Punishment should be handed out for arbitrary charges and the people in charge should also be penalized, he said. huyongqi@chinadaily.com.cn A teacher cares for children attending a kindergarten in Shanghai's Jing'an district in September last year. [Photo by ZHANG SUOQING/FOR CHINA DAILY] Shanghai continues to report a severe shortage of preschool teachers despite ongoing efforts to increase education and training in recent years. About 200 graduates majoring in preschool education from East China Normal University and Shanghai Normal University, the two main universities in the city that offer a preschool education major, have all been hired. Hundreds of vacancies remain to be filled. According to the Shanghai Education Commission, about 33 kindergartens were newly established in the fall 2017 alone, and those are expected to enroll up to 14,580 preschool children. Based on a benchmark ratio of one teacher for every 15 students, the city needs nearly 1,000 more preschool teachers, it said. Han Gang, director of the career center at Shanghai Normal University, said more than six job fairs were held at the university in November, but only a few graduates applied to be preschool teachers. "Some graduates accepted job offers at kindergartens during their internships, before the job fairs," Han said. The situation is similar at East China Normal University. According to Ruan Pingzhang, director of the university's career center, more than 200 kindergartens came to compete for about 100 graduates last year. "The competition is even fiercer this year," Ruan said. Shanghai has long expected a surge in demand for preschool education as migrants have continued to pour into the city. It had about 536,000 preschool students citywide at the end of 2015. About 40 percent of them are not registered residents. The number of students enrolled in kindergartens is expected to reach 700,000 by the end of 2019, thanks to migration and China's second-child policy, which was applied to all couples in 2016. According to its Preschool Education Three-Year Action Plan (2015-17), Shanghai plans to build or expand at least 90 kindergartens and recruit an additional 1,700 preschool teachers to meet the increasing demand. But the supply of qualified preschool teachers remains a challenge. According to Wang Congchun, head of the Shanghai Education Commission, the city has expanded university education and professional training for preschool teachers. The city now has four universities recruiting around 600 preschool education majors, as well as nine vocational colleges and schools offer related training. The shortage remains partly because some teachers quit or change jobs as they reach a bottleneck in career development, according to insiders. The second-child policy also has an impact on the supply of preschool teachers, as most of the candidates are women of childbearing age. Many reports said teachers are among the most willing to have a second child, resulting in pressure on schools to find enough backup teachers to cover maternity leaves. As competition for preschool education graduates is fierce, private kindergartens are feeling the pinch. "Graduates usually prefer jobs at the municipal and district level, or at some key kindergartens," said the director of a private kindergarten in Shanghai who asked not to be named. "So we have narrowed the recruitment range even more." Nasal pegs, which push out the nostrils to create a wider nose, have become the new secret weapon for Chinese women in search of the perfect face. But a medical expert at a top Beijing hospital warns that the trend comes with serious health risks. The pegs - which are thin strips of silicone bent into a "U" shape and placed in the nasal cavity - have become big sellers on Taobao, the online marketplace, where they are advertised as a "miracle" solution for women looking for nonsurgical beauty enhancements. One merchant who was selling a set with four different sizes for 168 yuan ($25) said the product was from Germany and could be used for up to two years. "It's quite soft, and comfortable to wear," said the vendor, who notches about 1,500 sales per month. Wu Meng, 25, a kindergarten teacher from Tongliao, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, first tried nasal pegs two years ago. "It was actually very uncomfortable when I wore them the first time," she said, explaining that she uses them to take "more beautiful selfies". "Only the smallest size fit my nose, and it slipped a lot when my nose was runny," she added. Unsatisfied with her "flat" nose, Wu had surgery this year to add a piece of bone to make her nose more straight. She has since gained more than 80,000 followers on Soyoung, a cosmetic surgery social networking app with 20 million users. "It's not a big deal," Wu said. "More and more young Chinese women have tried hard to pursue beauty every day and not be afraid of pain." Zhao Hongyi, chief of plastic surgery at Beijing Hospital who has been in the industry for 22 years, said he has noticed the growing popularity of nasal pegs. "A sense of distinction is necessary for Asian girls, especially those from southern China," he said. "A flat nose needs a complete aesthetic change, but not necessarily to a Western nose." However, he warned, people should not wear the pegs for long periods - "Five to 10 minutes for a date would be OK for a young girl," he said. Bi Qingyun, attending doctor at the ear, nose and throat department of China-Japan Friendship Hospital in Beijing, said the use of small pegs carries potential risks, even life-threatening ones, as it's easy for them to fall into the nasal cavity. "If it were inhaled into the air tube, it could kill the person," Bi said. She strongly recommended against leaving the pegs inserted when falling asleep. "The long-term compression will cause the bone at the nasal tip to become soft and make the nose more flat," she said. Inflammation may also occur when using the pegs for a long time, with the number of nasal hairs decreasing. "The disappearance of nasal hair could affect the nose and eczema might appear," Bi said. The cosmetic medicine market is booming in China. A report by Zero2ipo in 2016 showed a market size of more than 50 billion yuan and 5,000 aesthetic medicine institutions. As the needs continue to grow, sales of the nostril products are skyrocketing - in WeChat groups, for example - with no brands or identifiers. The products have been sold for two years in various parts of China. Nasal pegs got their start two years ago when a popular online talk show from Taiwan introduced the item. In Japan and South Korea, young women began using the devices routinely, in the same way they use color contact lenses to temporarily change the appearance of their eyes. "It's ultimately just a tool," plastic surgeon Zhao said. BEIJING -- President Xi Jinping on Monday called for continued efforts to upgrade the country's toilets as part of an ongoing "toilet revolution" campaign. Why has China started this campaign, and why has China's top leader personally spoken out on this seemingly petty issue? Xi's latest instructions provide some answers. To understand it better, it is necessary to look into what Chinese toilets were in the past and the far-reaching impact of the toilet renovation. RURAL DEVELOPMENT Although China has become the world's second-largest economy, some toilets in poor rural areas are still little more than makeshift shelters surrounded by bunches of cornstalks, while others are open pits next to pigsties, leading to problems such as contamination and pollution from human waste. While the living standards in cities have drastically improved with China's stellar economic growth, more attention is needed to improve the living environment for the country's 600 million rural people. That is why the government has invested big to build new toilets in the poorest parts of the country. From 2004 to 2013, the investment totaled 8.27 billion yuan. By the end of 2015, some 75 percent of rural homes had flush toilets or dry toilets with underground storage tanks that had walls, roofs, doors, windows and were at least two square meters in size. But obviously it's not enough. China launched a "toilet revolution" nationwide in 2015 to make such facilities cleaner and more regulated. As toilets are a part of everyday life and affect quality of life of the Chinese people, the Chinese government, which has promised to dedicate itself to the well-being of all citizens, must squarely face the problem. While visiting rural areas, Xi has asked local residents about the conditions of the toilets they use, and stressed many times that clean toilets for rural residents are important for building a "new countryside." TOURISM AND ECONOMY While China has rich tourism resources, unhygienic toilet facilities at the country's tourist sites have long been a big put-off for visitors. At a time when traditional growth drivers are losing steam, China has pinned hopes on services, including tourism, as a new force to support economic growth, and improving public facilities at tourist sites has become an urgent task. A three-year "toilet revolution" launched in 2015 saw over 20 billion yuan (about $3 billion) invested in installing or renovating 68,000 toilets at tourist sites, exceeding the target of 57,000 toilets. For the coming three years, authorities aim to add 47,000 toilets and renovate 17,000, according to a plan released by the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA). "Compared with the rapid growth of the tourism industry and people's increasing demand for better lives, the development [of toilets] is unbalanced and inadequate. Another three-year program is urgently needed," said Li Jinzao, head of the CNTA. China's domestic tourism industry earned about 3.9 trillion yuan in 2016, and the country plans to raise tourism revenue to 7 trillion yuan by 2020. OPPORTUNITIES FOR MADE-IN-CHINA In recent years, there has a frenzy among middle-class Chinese to buy smart toilets during trips to Japan, even though many of these items are actually made in China. Hoping to ride the wave of China's "toilet revolution," many Chinese companies are making efforts to manufacture and market high-end products on their own. According to a report by China Household Electrical Appliances Association, the market size for China's domestic smart toilet sector has grown by 59 percent year on year to reach 3.1 million units in 2016. But the penetration is as low as 1 percent, meaning there is still an immense potential market in China, according to the report. The ongoing "toilet revolution," against the backdrop of a broader campaign to upgrade Made-in-China products, will hopefully bring changes that reach beyond the industry. A village committee in Chengdu, Sichuan province, announced a prize of 100,000 yuan ($15,000) for a centenarian 16 years ago and this year the award finally found its first winner. A banquet was held at Chongyang Festival on Sunday, to honor Liu Guilin on becoming the first centenarian to win the prize in Langjiaqiao village (now Langjia community), Chengdu Business Daily reported. Chongyang Festival, which falls on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month each year, is a traditional Chinese festival to pay respect and gratitude to seniors, and this year it was celebrated on Nov 26. To raise people's awareness of respecting seniors, Langjiaqiao village committee set up prizes for seniors in 2001: 5,000 yuan for people reaching 90 and 100,000 yuan for those reaching 100. Zhang Lian, head of Langjia community's senior association, said that Liu became the first centenarian in the community to win the award in 16 years, and he hoped some other residents who are in their 90s would reach 100. James helps adjust a veteran's hat. [Photo/screeshot of CCTV] A foreign teacher from the UK has spent much time doing charity work, including years of visiting veterans and funding impoverished students in Changde, Central China's Hunan province. James is from Bristol, UK. He has worked as a foreign teacher at Hunan University of Arts and Science for eight years and is recognized as a "legendary" foreign teacher by students. Since he was a child, he felt like he had a bond with China. And now he's been working on "serving the people wholeheartedly". James is concerned with a group of veterans who fought in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1937-45). He worked as a volunteer in Changde's local aid center for those veterans for over six years. He often goes together with other volunteers to distant villages to visit veterans. "Charity is a civic duty. Veterans shouldn't be neglected. Society should and must help them. It's our duty," James said. In September 2014, James won Hunan's seventh Xiaoxiang Friendship Award, an award granted by the People's Government of Hunan province to foreigners having made contributions to Hunan in certain sectors. James is applying for a Chinese green card. He hopes to be able to become rooted in China and take real actions to achieve his Chinese dream step by step. "A person might be successful if they have enough food to eat and lots of money. But my dream is to help more people to live a better life." Li Nan (right), a neurology doctor from Changsha, takes a picture with the Filipino-American passenger whom Li provides first aid to after they land at LAX.[Photo by Cao Xuanxuan for chinadaily.com.cn] Li Nan, a neurology doctor from Changsha, Hunan province, provided first aid to a Filipino-American passenger on flight CX882 from Hong Kong to Los Angeles on Nov 23, Changsha Evening News reported on Monday. On hearing noises, Li sensed an emergency and came to the aid of the 60-year-old passenger, who had suffered severe diarrhea and was streaming with sweat. After inquiry, Li heard that the patient had just returned from a funeral and had lots of watermelon and tomato juice on the plane. After ruling out the possibility of food poison, Li concluded that the patient was in hypotonic dehydration, which resulted from tiredness of long journey, poor emotional and physical condition, and diarrhea. Although the drugs on the plane were mainly for heart diseases, Li managed to dispense oral rehydration salts with the help of flight attendants. The patient followed the instruction of Li and soon got better. The effectiveness impressed the whole crew members. By the time the patient recovered, they were still more than two hours away from Los Angeles. A senior Chinese military official committed suicide on Thursday morning after coming under investigation from disciplinary watchdogs over bribery allegations, it was reported on Tuesday. General Zhang Yang, 66, hanged himself at home while the investigation was ongoing, according to a report by Xinhua News Agency. Zhang was a member of the Central Military Commission and head of its Political Work Department until he was replaced in September by General Miao Hua. No explanation for the reshuffle was given at the time. The general is believed to be the first member of the Central Military Commission to have died by suicide, as well as the highest-ranking officer with the People's Liberation Army to take their own life. Xinhua's report said Zhang was placed under investigation on Aug 28 and was suspected to be involved in cases related to Guo Boxiong and Xu Caihou, both former vice-chairmen of the commission found guilty of corruption. Investigators later determined the general had "severely violated Party regulations and State laws" and had "given and taken bribes", the report said. Zhang, a native of Hebei province, joined the PLA in 1968. The early part of his career has not been disclosed, but it is known that he became involved in political work for the PLA Ground Force in the mid-1990s. He was appointed political commissar of the former Guangzhou Military Command in 2007, and later that year was elected to the 17th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. In October 2012, he was named head of the former PLA General Political Department, predecessor of the Political Work Department, and a month later was elected to the 18th CPC Central Committee and given a seat on the Central Military Commission. Since Xi Jinping was elected as leader of the Party, nation and military in 2012, a sweeping anti-corruption campaign inside the military has brought down more than 100 officers at the rank of major general or higher, according to the military's disciplinary watchdog. YUEYANG, Hunan -- Lee Ming-che from Taiwan was sentenced to five years in prison for "subverting state power" by the Intermediate People's Court of Yueyang City in Hunan Province Tuesday. Mainland resident Peng Yuhua was sentenced to seven years in prison on the same charge. The two men were both deprived of their political rights for two years. They said they would not appeal. Prosecutors accused Peng of roping in dozens of people, including Lee, to establish an organization aimed at subverting state power and overturning the country's political system, using instant messaging services. On March 19, 2017, Lee was put under coercive measures by the Hunan provincial security organ on suspicion of subverting state power. BEIJING -- Nobel laureates Andre K. Geim and James Fraser Stoddart, together with other 14 scientists, have been elected as new foreign academicians at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), one of China's top think tanks. CAS published the list of 77 newly-elected academicians, 61 Chinese and 16 foreigners, on its website Tuesday. There are now 800 Chinese academicians and 92 foreign academicians at CAS. CAS membership is China's highest title in the field of science, and a lifelong honor. New members are recruited every two years. CAS and the Chinese Academy of Engineering are the country's top two think tanks to advise government and industry on key scientific and technological issues. The Chinese Academy of Engineering also announced its list of newly-elected academicians Monday, which included Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft. BEIJING -- China's social insurance fund had a surplus of 650.8 billion yuan (about $99 billion) in 2016, the Ministry of Finance said in a final accounts report Tuesday. The surplus brought the total balance of the fund to 6.54 trillion yuan at the end of last year. Total revenue of the fund rose 8.1 percent year on year to 5.01 trillion yuan, while expenditure rose 11.5 percent to 4.36 trillion yuan. About 73 percent of revenue came from insurance premiums and another 22 percent was from government subsidies. The remainder could come from interest payments, investment returns or donations. The faster growth of expenditure over revenue reflects the pressure of an aging population. The share of people 60 years old or above stood at 16.7 percent of the total population at the end of last year, and has been rising fast for years. China's social insurance fund covers basic old-age, basic medical care, work-related injury, unemployment and maternity. HARBIN -- Chinese artists plan to create a snow sculpture that is nearly 300 meters long at a snow art expo in Northeast China's Heilongjiang province in December. The sculpture will consist of three parts. The main portion will depict a girl opening her arms, with an arm span of 40 meters, and the sculpture will be 35 meters tall. If completed, it will be the biggest snow sculpture ever created at the expo. "It will be the longest snow sculpture in the expo's history," said Zhang Ningge, a snow sculpture artist. "Bringing the three parts together as a whole will be difficult." China will host the 2022 Winter Olympics, and the theme of the sculpture will reflect that, Zhang said. "Under the radiance of the five rings, the girl opens her arms, and her 'wings' represent the people's dreams," Zhang said. The International Snow Sculpture Art Expo has been held annually in Harbin, Heilongjiang's capital, since 1989. Each year, top artists from around the world take part in snow sculpture competitions held in the city. For Zhang and his team, the challenge is not just the length of the sculpture, but also the details. Their design includes pine trees and snow mountains carved in the sculpture, and a slide is also planned for the top. "It will definitely shock people's minds," Zhang said. QINGDAO -- Seven people have died and another was injured after a driver fell asleep at the wheel in East China's Qingdao on Sunday, according to local traffic police. The 54-year-old driver, surnamed Yang, drove onto the pavement around noon, hitting eight pedestrians, five of whom died at the scene. Another two died later in hospital. All of the victims were workers at a nearby construction site. The police investigation concluded that Yang had only slept six hours the night before and was driving tired when the accident occurred. GUANGZHOU -- Police confiscated 10.4 tonnes of drugs during the first 10 months of this year in South China's Guangdong province, a region plagued with rampant drug production and trafficking. They solved 13,000 drug-related cases and detained more than 16,000 suspects during that period, Zhai Kaixia, head of the provincial drug control bureau, said at a press conference. In a typical case solved in July, police busted a drug production and sales ring, seizing more than 60 kilograms of methamphetamine as well as guns and bullets. In an ongoing crackdown on cross-border drug trafficking, they intercepted more than 20 kilograms of heroin from Vietnam in July, with assistance from police in neighboring Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. The same month, they also captured 14 suspects, mainly Taiwanese, and seized more than 250 kilograms of meth. A delivery driver in the provincial capital Guangzhou received a reward of 300,000 yuan ($45,493) at the press conference for providing key information about the case. Police have continued to fight drug-related crime in Lufeng city and Huilai county, two notorious meth production bases. Rich, cultural country offers raft of intoxicating delights "Liberty and love These two I must have. For my love I'll sacrifice My life. For liberty I'll sacrifice My love." You may have read or even heard these ringing and stirring sentiments and may even know they were penned by poet Petofi Sandor. You may not, however, necessarily know where he came from. Sandor is from a proud and ancient nation which boasts eight UNESCO World Heritage sites and has been inscribed on the UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It is also a country at the crossroads of Europe, but different to the continent in many ways. It has a wealth of culture and history, complemented by a language so different from its neighbors. Petofi, in short, is a national hero and poetic giant from Hungary, a country many people only describe in superlatives. Hungary has 10 million inhabitants within its 93,030-square-kilometer territory. It is landlocked like its neighbors Austria, Slovakia and Serbia. Nevertheless, it deserves its nickname "land of waters" because it is also home to Central Europe's largest lake, Lake Balaton. Additionally, the famed river Danube splits its capital city Budapest into Buda on the western side and Pest on the eastern bank. Centering on the both banks of the Danube, Budapest is a city of full of surprises and wonder, abundant with sightseeing spots and tourist attractions. Some 50 meters above the Danube in the center of Budapest, sits the unmistakable Buda castle hill. It is actually a district itself and comprises multiple attractions, such as the Fisherman's Bastion, the President's Residence as well as the Royal Palace. The Royal Palace, an enormous edifice at the southern end of castle hill, was constructed in the 14th century, then rebuilt 400 years later and had major reconstruction after World War II. It now houses the national gallery and the Budapest history museum. The Fisherman's Bastion is often the first stop for tourists visiting Budapest, the fairy turrets offering an elevated vantage point from which to view the city. The minarets and walls look medieval, but were actually built in 1902 by Frigyes Schulek to complement Matyas Church, a tall and steepled catholic church that is part of the distinctive skyline of Budapest's castle district. On the eastern bank of the Danube is the world's second-biggest parliament building, a postcard favorite, particularly when reflected in the river beneath it. Construction of this 96-meter-high structure took 19 years. More than 40 million kilos of gold were used for decoration; inside there are 27 gates and 29 staircases. Andrassy Avenue, named after the 19th-century prime minister who has did much to make Budapest a true metropolis, is an elegant thoroughfare comparable with Paris's Champs Elysees. One of the special features of Andrassy Avenue are the iron balustrades leading underground. Europe's first sub-surface railway was built under the road, and the more than 125-year-old subway is still carrying passengers today. Particularly worth mentioning are the bridges connecting Buda and Pest, the capital's two halves split by the Danube River, running through the city from north to south. The Chain Bridge is the most popular and oldest one. Its full name is Szechenyi Chain Bridge, referring to Count Istvan Szechenyi, who ordered the building of a permanent bridge on the Danube. The suspension bridge is 375 meters long. The construction lasted from 1840 to 1849. It is on the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites and is the No 1 and most used symbol of Budapest. At night, the old bridge shines brightly like a diamond necklace, with proud guardian lions watching your every step. Margaret is the second oldest bridge of the capital city. It's 607 meters long and was fully renovated between 2009 and 2011. Between this bridge and Arpad Bridge is Margaret Island, a grass-laden recreational oasis on the Danube which features among other things a musical fountain, a small zoo, jogging tracks, thermal spas and swimming pools. Petofi Bridge is named after one of the greatest Hungarian poets, Petofi Sandor. It is 378 meters long and was opened to the public in 1937. From this bridge, visitors can catch an amazing view to the Gellert Hill, the Buda Castle and the Elisabeth Bridge. In sharp contrast to the capital, Lake Balaton is a tranquil destination for tourists to relax and rest. They can indulge in the smooth waters and fresh wines, sand and surf, splashing and sailing, concerts and clubs, elegant castles and sleepy villages, beautiful landscapes and clean air. At the western edge of the lake, visitors can not only find a source of health in the largest natural medicinal thermal water lake in the world, but also one of the three greatest baroque palaces in the country, Festetics Palace. Wine The southern shores of Lake Balaton lull visitors with their quiet, undemonstrative charm. The small towns, living traditions of arts and crafts, spas and wineries, exquisite castle hotels, complete the visitors' trip to the waters. The story of wine is inseparable from the history of nations and Hungary is no exception. Wine was introduced to the country by the Romans, and was renowned for its excellent wines until the devastation of World War II. Today Hungary has 22 designated wine regions. Its Tokaji, famously dubbed the wine of the kings, is one of the world's finest dessert wines with its intense color and distinctive range of flavors. Benefiting from the Belt and Road Initiative, Hungary has been becoming increasingly popular among the countries involved in the initiative. According to the data released by Hungarian government, in August 2017, Hungary's hotel accommodation revenue hit 37 billion forint ($139 million), experiencing year-on-year growth of 16 percent. Total revenue from the catering industry hit 9 billion forint, for year-on-year growth of 13 percent. Chinese tourists pay a visit to a Hungarian nobelman's sumptuous palace in the township of Pecs.Xinhua (China Daily 11/28/2017 page18) Hungary's citizens enjoy reading immensely - so much so that it is universally perceived as a revered activity throughout society. With an average reading level of 50 books per person annually, Hungary's reading per capita ranks No 2 in the world, next only to the Israelis, who are famous for their fondness of reading. Hungary has nearly 20,000 libraries. So in a country with a population of only 10 million, 500 people on average can theoretically access a local library. Naturally, a nation that so advocates reading and learning will reap rich dividends. To date, the country has celebrated 14 Nobel laureates who are Hungarians or have strong relationships with Hungary. Their fields span physics, chemistry, medicine, economics, literature, peace and many other disciplines - more than enough for a small nation to be proud about. The country's scientific and technological achievements have won world acclaim. It has been said that a diploma acquired there is recognized internationally because of the superiority and the integrity of the education system. A landmark law for universal education of all citizens - passed in 1868 by the parliament, two years earlier than Britain - is known locally as the "brilliant" compulsory education system. Compulsory education in Hungary lasts 12 years, resulting in more than 98 percent of the population finishing basic education, and about 67 percent of the workforce completing specialist technical training or a variety of vocational education. In addition, many young people have mastered foreign languages including English, German and French. Due to its high quality of teaching and achievements in the fields of science and technology, Hungary is now one of the most popular EU countries for students for further studies. The education levels in dentistry, nursing, cardiac surgery and veterinary medicine are world class, and the medical education system in Hungary is also renowned throughout Europe, drawing many foreign students to conduct their studies there. In addition, engineering and business studies in Hungary have a first-rate reputation. Moreover, students in Hungary enjoy many opportunities to exchange with EU institutions, which has laid a solid foundation for their future careers. China and Hungary have had close cooperation in the fields of culture and education for a long time. Early in 1997, the countries signed an agreement on mutual recognition of academic degrees and diplomas. In 2006, the first Confucius Institute in Hungary - the Confucius Institute at Eotvos Lornd University - was founded. Later, another three Confucius Institutes were established in Hungary. Among them, the Confucius Institute for Traditional Chinese Medicine at Pecs University was the first Confucius school of traditional Chinese medicine in Europe. Its establishment is widely seen to have strengthened bilateral exchanges and cooperation in the field of traditional Chinese medicine, and helped Hungarians learn Chinese and Chinese culture. Founded in 1367, Pecs University was the first university in Hungary and it is also one of the oldest universities in Europe. Bodis Jozsef, president of Pecs University, recently expressed gratitude for the support of the two governments in establishing the Confucius College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Hungary. He said that it would help enhance China's friendship with Hungary and promote the development of bilateral relations. (China Daily 11/28/2017 page19) ATHENS - A multimedia exhibition that has been traveling the world has arrived in Athens, giving Greeks the chance to immerse themselves in Vincent van Gogh's world, and leave behind the gloom of the seven-year Greek debt crisis. Van Gogh Alive is not an ordinary art exhibition, but a "multisensory experience", visitors and organizers said at the Megaron Concert Hall, which is hosting the event from Nov 7 to March 5. The Greek capital is the 36th city in the world to welcome the exhibition. Visitors can forget about tiptoeing through silent museum galleries. Instead, they are free to dance to the music or touch the floors or the walls that Van Gogh's masterpieces are projected onto. Chen Guotao smiles during an interview. [Photo by Huang Dequan/China Daily] Chen Guotao, born in a Miao ethnic family in the mountains of Yaoyang, Southwest China's Chongqing, successfully made her way to the big cities. But the love for the Miao embroidery made her quit the highly paid job at a State-owned bank and returned home to promote the folk art. "I love Miao embroidery and it is our Miao people's cultural symbol," she said. "Every Miao woman is good at this skill." Chen learned embroidery from her mother at the age of four and when she was eight years old, she could make a skirt by herself. The Miao people live mainly in southern China's mountains, such as in Chongqing and the provinces of Guizhou, Yunnan, Sichuan, Hubei and Hunan. Miao embroidery is a very essential part of Miao culture and a treasure of Chinese costume culture. It was named as China's intangible cultural heritage in 2006. In 2001, Chen returned to Chongqing and started to learn more about the embroidery skills. She paid visits to the Miao villages in Hunan and Guizhou provinces and learned the skills from the masters. She usually worked from six in the morning until 11 in the night. At the same time, she researched the current situation of the Miao embroidery and collected the traditional patterns in order to keep this art form booming. In 2012, she finally set up her company to promote and preserve this folk art. Her artworks have been exhibited at home and abroad. "Every piece of the Miao embroidery is all handmade with all kinds of complicated skills," she said. "A square cloth of one-meter will take at least one year to complete, so it is time-consuming and very hard to make money." To let more Miao women inherit the skills, Chen partnered with local women's association to set up training camps. Crime thriller Explosion is based on a true story about a mine blaster in Shanxi province. [Photo provided to China Daily] Award-winning actor Duan Yihong has recently become a familiar face in crime thrillers. On the heels of The Looming Storm, which was released on Nov 17, his new crime drama, Explosion, arrived in Chinese theaters on Nov 24. Directed by Chang Zheng, who shot to fame for the 2010 movie Mawen's Battle, Explosion centers on a miner. After escaping from an explosion in a mine, the protagonist discovers a huge scheme and embarks on a journey to seek justice. Duan stars as the blaster, and actress Yu Nan, known for Tuya's Marriage, plays a restaurant operator and the hero's romantic interest. The movie is inspired by the true story of a miner in northern China's Shanxi province. "I adapted the story for the movie and wanted to explore more about humanity," Chang said. Director Yang Lei with a famous role model in Avatar. [Photo provided to China Daily] China Filmmaker Summit, a program organized by the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, China's top sectoral regulator, and the Hollywood studio 20th Century Fox, was recently held in the United States where some rising Chinese directors viewed advanced filming technologies. Directors Wu Jing (Wolf Warrior franchise), Kim-ching Luk (Cold War), Zhao Xiaoding (Once Upon a Time), Zhao Tianyu (Love O2O), Lu Zhengyu (The One), Yang Lei (Legend of the Naga Pearls) and Liu Yulin (Someone to Talk to) participated in the program, which consisted of a four-day tour to many studios and filming sets in Los Angeles. They interacted with veteran Hollywood filmmakers such as James Cameron, James Mangold, Jennifer Yuh Nelson, Wes Ball and Shane Blake. "Only with a soul, the movie comes to life," Yang, director of the fantasy movie Legend of the Naga Pearls, says of the interactions where the Hollywood veterans talked about the importance of stories and not just special effects. One of the highlights of the tour was a visit to the filming set of Avatar 2. The program has so far organized two batches of Chinese directors' tours to the US. Last year, ethnic Mongolian director Wuershan, known for the fantasy franchise The Painted Skin, and scriptwriter Yu Baimei who shot to fame for The Breakup Guru, were on the tour. Models walk down the runway in Mongolian costumes during the 14th Mongolian Costume Arts Festival in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, Nov 27. [Photo/VCG] The 14th Mongolian Costume Arts Festival kicked off in Hohhot, North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, on Nov 27. Centering on the fashion design competition, the festival provides a chain of support for participating designers, including seminars, costume exhibitions and spot sales. This year's event highlights the creative designs of school uniforms and projects by university students. Sweden looks for closer partnership with Zhongguancun in innovation ( chinadaily.com.cn ) Updated: 2017-11-27 The China-Sweden Innovation Center inaugurated at the Zhongguancun Science Park in Beijing on Nov 20 provides a pivotal platform for Chinese and Swedish companies to deepen cooperation on innovation. Oscar Stenstrom, State Secretary for the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led a visit to the Haidian district of Beijing accompanied by Anna Lindstedt, Sweden's ambassador to China. The two sides exchanged ideas on joint construction of an innovation system. The center will provide comprehensive and integrated services for the exchange of personnel and scientific and technological information between enterprises of the two countries. The China-Sweden Innovation Center is inaugurated at the Zhongguancun Science Park in Beijing on Nov 20. [Photo/xinhuanet.com] Sweden is a world-renowned innovation hub with leading technology achievements in bio-medicine, new energy and environmental protection, advanced manufacturing and smart cities. Oscar Stenstrom said that trade volume between China and Sweden increased by 30 percent in 2016 and a closer cooperative relationship has been developed. He hoped to see further cooperation with Haidian district on innovation. Li Changping, vice-director of Haidian district, said that Zhongguancun welcomes innovative technologies, companies and talents and will continue to improve its innovation ecosystem to provide strong support for international cooperation. Oscar Stenstrom, State Secretary for the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, leads a visit to the Haidian district of Beijing. [Photo/xinhuanet.com] In addition, the Zhongguancun Street Company signed a strategic cooperation memorandum with China-Sweden Company Accelerator on innovative technology exchanges. Zhongguancun is one of the most energetic entrepreneurial centers in China, with more than 40 unicorn companies -- newly founded companies with more than one billion dollars' market assessment -- as tenants. President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Republic of Korea's President Moon Jae-in in Da Nang, Vietnam, Nov 11, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua] Communication between China and the Republic of Korea has gradually improved, leading to their recent agreement to resolve the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense anti-missile system issue. After the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992, China and the ROK experienced a period of cooperation and friendly exchanges which helped them make great achievements in various fields to the benefit of both countries. But in response to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea testing what it claimed was a "hydrogen bomb" on Jan 6, 2016, the ROK agreed with the United States to deploy THAAD, which soured Beijing-Seoul ties. However, given their close economic, geographic and cultural connections, Beijing and Seoul made sincere efforts to put bilateral relations back on track, especially after ROK President Moon Jae-in took office. The decision of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China last month to initiate a new era of diplomacy, also helped improve Beijing-Seoul ties. After Moon was sworn in as ROK president, the two countries sent out positive signals of easing bilateral tensions by strengthening communication. For instance, Seoul and Beijing agreed to renew their currency swap deal worth about $56 billion for another three years on Oct 13. And after the ROK promised that THAAD will not threaten or compromise China's national security, the two countries' militaries discussed how to resolve the prickly issue. The communication between the two militaries will help correct the structural imbalance in China-ROK cooperation. In addition, ROK Foreign Ministry Kang Kyung-wha said on Oct 30 that Seoul will not be part of the Washington-led missile defense network, allow the trilateral security cooperation among the US, the ROK and Japan to develop into a military alliance, or agree to any additional THAAD deployment. The ROK has even rejected a US-led trilateral military drill with Japan, and ignored Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's "Indo-Pacific" strategy. These developments helped dissipate the cloud of haze over bilateral ties. But many believe the developments could pose a challenge to US-ROK relations and, as a result, the Moon administration could face pressure from both the US and pro-US forces at home. China has been more careful than the ROK about bilateral ties, because THAAD has greatly undermined mutual trust, which could take a long time to mend. Although China-ROK relations have improved, they are still fragile. Moreover, China is paying close attention to what steps the ROK takes to help resolve the sensitive and volatile DPRK nuclear issue. In fact, Beijing and Seoul should use their improving relations to work together to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula, and restore permanent peace and deepen cooperation in the region. They should also keep each other's concerns and benefits in mind while trying to resolve the THAAD issue. And as Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said, the ROK fulfilling its promise will help boost China-ROK relations. The author is a professor in the Department of International Politics of the School of Public Administration at Jilin University, and a researcher at the Co-Innovation Center for Korean Peninsula Studies. The 6th meeting of heads of government between China and Central and Eastern European Countries in Budapest is proof that cooperation between China and the 16 CEE countries has grown from strength to strength and matured over the past five years, marked by a number of early harvests in the areas of trade, investment, infrastructure, finance, education, tourism and people-to-people exchanges. The "16+1" cooperation mechanism has delivered benefits to all the countries involved, highlighting China-Europe cooperation as a whole. Since I arrived in Brussels, the headquarters of the European Unionin fact, even before thatI have heard some concerns expressed about the "16+1" cooperation mechanism. Some have even misunderstood it as China's "divide and rule" tactics against the EU. However, such concerns and misunderstanding are totally unfounded if one looks at why China chose to initiate the "16+1"cooperation mechanism in the first place and how China has gone about it ever since. China has always been a supporter of European integration. Its position has been clear-cut and consistent. To divide the EU is not in China's interest. As President Xi Jinping put it, "16+1"cooperation is an important part of and useful complement to the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership, and can play a role in promoting China-EU partnerships for peace, growth, reform and civilization. The"16+1" cooperation mechanism is transparent, open and inclusive. China welcomes the EU and other relevant economies to participate in regional and global development, and has invited the EU to take part in many such activities under the"16+1" framework as an observer. China respects EU laws and regulations. Also, the EU member states have participated in"16+1" cooperation in accordance with EU laws and policies. China firmly supports the European integration process, and wants to see a united EU, a prosperous Europe, and a stable euro. In fact, these have been backed by China's concrete actions. The"16+1" cooperation mechanism and China-Europe cooperation are interconnected. And China-Europe cooperation provides a solid foundation for the"16+1" cooperation mechanism. As China and Europe work together to synergize the Belt and Road Initiative and the Investment Plan for Europe, as well as development strategies of European countries, the CEE countries will play a more prominent role as a hub connecting Asia and Europe. The"16+1" cooperation mechanism could serve as a new engine of China-Europe cooperation, too. In promoting"16+1"cooperation, we are exploring new areas, approaches and practices in the light of the industrial features and development needs of the CEE countries. In doing so, China-Europe cooperation has been significantly broadened and deepened. Without "16+1"cooperation, China-Europe relations would not have been so productive and successful. The"16+1" cooperation mechanism is conducted on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. It benefits the CEE countries by diversifying and complementing their existing trade routes and sources of investment and financing. It benefits all the participants by promoting economic development and livelihoods through concrete projects. The past years have seen tangible outcomes of "16+1" cooperationthe Budapest-Belgrade railway, the 16+1 financial holding company, the 16+1 inter-bank consortium, to name just a few. The "16+1" cooperation mechanism also benefits the EU, and Europe as a whole, as faster development in the CEE countries contributes to more balanced development across Europe and boosts European integration. I am confident that the"16+1"meeting in Budapest will produce even more fruitful results. The "16+1"cooperation mechanism is a creative framework which enables countries in different regions and with different social systems to work together. It goes hand in hand with China-Europe cooperation and constantly injects new vigor into such cooperation. With that, China, the CEE countries and the EU will become better off together. The author is ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary and head of mission of the People's Republic of China to the European Union. Zhang Ming, China's new ambassador to the EU, submitted his national credentials to European Council President Donald Tusk on 8 Nov, 2017 in Brussels. [Provided to China Daily] The European Union is an economic bloc with disparities among its 28 member states. For example, Luxembourg's per capita GDP last year was roughly 12 times more than Bulgaria's. In addition, Western European countries are better off than their Central and Eastern European counterparts. This is the stark reality that EU policymakers have to keep in mind while trying to find ways to develop a more prosperous and stable economic bloc. In other words, bridging the development and wealth gap among the member states is a pressing task for EU politicians. The EU has set 2020 as the target for optimum employment, investment in research and development, low-carbon economic growth and social inclusion. But these targets are at risk of being missed. The job market is still tough, and many companies are not yet capable of investing enough in R&D. And 118.7 million people, or 23.7 percent of the population of the 28 member states of the EU, were at risk of poverty or social exclusion at the end of 2015. These difficulties are mostly faced by the Central and Eastern European countries. To overcome them, many CEE countries' politicians have decided to increase their connectivity and attract foreign investments, just as China did in the early days of reform and opening-up. Waldemar Pawlak, twice Polish prime minister in the 1990s, was a European pioneer in this regard. In 2009, when Xi Jinping, then vice-president of China, visited Poland, Pawlak, then Poland's deputy prime minister and minister of economy, raised the idea of establishing Poland as a regional hub. This concept was evaluated and developed by Xi. That, according to Pawlak, was the origin of the platform of the 16 CEE countries plus China that we know today as the"16+1" cooperation mechanism. The heads of government of all the 17 countries met in Budapest on Monday for the sixth time, after the first such meeting in Warsaw in 2012. Apart from various economic exchanges, this framework has also served as a mutually-beneficial platform to learn from each other's governance experiences. European countries want to learn from China's infrastructure development and trade-led economic policy to achieve fast and stable economic growth. Several CEE countries have also decided to turn their major cities into regional hubs of aviation, finance, industrial development and/or high-tech zones. Under this framework, China has been helping them to turn their ambition into reality. For example, by the middle of next year, six direct flights are scheduled to link China's big cities and Prague, which can help the Czech Republic capital to turn into an aviation hub linking Europe and China. These are some of the achievements that the EU expects to fulfill as part of its 2020 strategy. But it is still imperative for the EU to remove the regional disparities in order to achieve its 2020 development goals. China's strategy offers some food for thought in this regard. Beijing's Westward development is related to its western China development programand the Belt and Road Initiativeto bridge the national development gap. Recently, China announced that cities including Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing and Chengdu will become its "central mega-cities", or its major economic poles. The southwestern Chinese cities of Chongqing and Chengdu are new entrants to the list, which is an encouraging sign, and the success of this plan will turn China into a better balanced economy. Does the EU have such a planto turn Athens, Warsaw, Budapest, Prague and other cities into real hubs and make them as important as London, Paris and Frankfurt? An incremental development strategy is vital to common prosperity. Brussels is set to move two central EU institutions from London after the United Kingdom leaves the bloc, which is fine. But the fact that Central or Eastern Europe doesn't have such an institution is worrying. The EU has enough reason to learn from some of the economic and development policies of China. The author is deputy chief of China Daily European Bureau. fujing@chinadaily.com.cn A COUPLE IN JINAN, capital of Shandong province, wanted to register their daughter with a surname different from that of either of them. The local police rejected their request and a court also later ruled against their request. Hebnews.cn comments: The Supreme People's Court published the case as a guide to all courts nationwide. The reason it gave was, citizens should follow traditional Chinese culture and ethics when registering a name for their children. That does not mean a child can only have the surname of either his mother or father. Actually, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the nation's top legislature, issued a judicial explanation in November 2014 that made clear three conditions under which another surname was permitted: First, selecting a surname of another immediate family member, such as the maternal grandmother; second, selecting the name of the adopter in case of adoption; third, other conditions not contrary to traditions. According to the Supreme People's Court, the move of the parents does not belong to "other conditions". In China, the surname of a person tells which family a person comes from. More importantly, it is deeply associated with the order of the society. If one's surname could be changed at will, that will not only deal a blow to the family lineage, but also challenge the normal order of the society and the traditional culture. Some say we live in a different age. True, but that only makes holding on to our traditional culture even more important. PARIS AND AMSTERDAM will be the respective locations for the European Banking Authority and the European Medicines Agency from April 2019 as a result of the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union. Beijing News commented on Monday: The departure of the EU's top banking regulator and a key element in the continent's healthcare industry from London deals a hard blow to the post-Brexit UK. That British efforts have failed to keep the two prominent agencies seems to suggest that the Theresa May government is in a disadvantageous position in the ongoing negotiations with the EU. Even more conspicuous and measurable will be the financial losses the UK will have to bear due to the relocation of the two agencies. The two EU agencies along with pharmaceutical enterprises and lobbyist groups have contributed handsomely to the UK's GDP over the past years. And the European Banking Authority and the European Medicines Agency are only two of the institutions that are saying goodbye to the UK following its decision to part ways with the EU. More financial institutions and pharmaceutical companies are now considering leaving the UK, once a bridgehead to the European single market. Goldman Sachs is considering employing more staff in its Paris and Frankfurt branches, and other financial companies have hinted they may do likewise. What is done is done. And despite all the headwinds, the UK will be hoping that the City of London will manage to get by and the negotiating skills of the government team will secure a deal that minimizes the damage. The post-Brexit UK has no good reason to keep the two EU agencies, not least when the May administration has shown its lack of effective negotiation skills. Investors are only trying to avert risks of retreat from the UK market. JAKARTA/AMED, Indonesia - Indonesia's transportation ministry said on Tuesday it will extend the closure of Bali's I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport for a further 24 hours because of ash from the eruption of the island's Mount Agung volcano. Passengers are seen after Ngurah Rai airport closed their operation due to eruption of Mount Agung in Bali resort island, November 27, 2017 in this photo taken by Antara Foto. [Photo/Agencies] A report from local aviation navigation authorities showed that "aircraft flight channels are covered with volcanic ash" the ministry said in a statement. Bali airport, about 60 km (37 miles) from the volcano, will be closed until 7 a.m. local time on November 29, it said. Ten alternative airports have been prepared for airlines to divert inbound flights, including in neighbouring provinces. A separate notice showed Lombok airport had been reopened, after an earlier closure overnight due to the eruption. Agung rises majestically over eastern Bali to a height of just over 3,000 metres (9,800 feet). On Monday, authorities ordered 100,000 residents living near the volcano to evacuate immediately, warning that the first major eruption in 54 years could be "imminent". An 8-10 km (5-6 miles) exclusion zone has been imposed around the summit. Agung's last eruption in 1963 killed more than 1,000 people and razed several villages by hurling out pyroclastic material, hot ash, lava and lahar. Japan's government and businesses should apologize to and compensate all the laborers who were forced to work in Japan during World War II, Chinese survivors of the forced labor and Japanese activists said in Tokyo on Monday. "We went through thick and thin. The cruelty and brutality at a mine in Fukuoka are unforgettable," Yan Yucheng, 90, a survivor of forced labor, said in a choked voice. Yan was kidnapped in a village in Hebei province in April 1942 when he was 15. Along with his uncle and 17 other kidnapped Chinese farmers, he was sent by the Japanese military to southwest Japan's Kyushu. He survived the slave-like conditions and went back to China in December 1945. Having no news about him, Yan's mother suffered mental disorders. Many Chinese laborers did not make it back home. On Nov 27, 1942, Japanese prime minister Hideki Tojo's cabinet decided to forcibly take Chinese people to Japan and make them work. According to a report compiled by Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1946, 38,935 Chinese ages 11 to 78 were forcibly sent to Japan. They toiled at 35 Japanese companies' 135 mines, construction sites and docks from Hokkaido to Kyushu. The report showed that 6,830 workers - more than one in six - died. Some Japanese companies have settled with former Chinese forced laborers. Last year, Mitsubishi Materials apologized to Chinese workers who were forced to work in its predecessor company's mines during WWII and agreed to pay redress to them, including three surviving former laborers. Yan, one of the three survivors, said Mitsubishi Materials acted wisely and he called on other Japanese companies to follow suit. "As the wartime cabinet made the decision to forcibly take Chinese laborers, not only companies, but the Japanese government also should apologize and pay compensation to all the forced laborers," Yan said. Kan Cuihua, daughter of Kan Shun - the 99-year-old former laborer who is now confined to a bed - asked the Japanese government to take responsibility and settle the war-related issue. Taizo Morita, a Japanese lawyer, recommended that the Japanese government and companies that used Chinese laborers forcibly taken to Japan apologize to the victims and set up a fund of 100 billion yen ($898.5 million) to pay redress to Chinese forced laborers in wartime Japan - survivors and families of those who passed away - and for conducting research and education on the issue. Also, the fund could be used, Morita said, to promote exchanges between Japanese and Chinese youngsters, who will determine the future of the bilateral ties. caihong@chinadaily.com.cn By An Baijie and Feng Zhiwei in Changsha | China Daily | Updated: 2017-11-28 07:48 Vice-foreign minister hands over gavel to upcoming leader, S. Africa BRICS countries should try to implement the outcomes and consensus of September's Xiamen Summit to usher in a second "golden decade" of the bloc of emerging markets and developing countries, a senior diplomat said on Monday. Li Baodong, vice-foreign minister, made the remark while chairing the fifth BRICS Sherpa Meeting held in Changsha, in Central China's Hunan province. Senior diplomats from BRICS member countries - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - who are in charge of coordination are called Sherpas. "Friendship and cooperation with BRICS countries and other developing countries and emerging markets is part of China's overall diplomatic endeavor," Li said. He pledged to make an open and inclusive world while working with other BRICS members. Calling the BRICS Summit in coastal Xiamen in early September a "complete success", Li said leaders of the five member countries had in-depth discussions and reached consensus on many important issues. "After 10 years of development, BRICS has turned into an important force in promoting world economic growth, promoting reform of global governance and safeguarding international peace and stability," he said. Noting that 64 high-quality outcomes of documents were produced from some 100 meetings and events throughout the year, Li said BRICS economic cooperation has been further strengthened during China's presidency this year. The leaders have "mapped out new blueprints for strengthening the BRICS partnership and deepening practical cooperation in various fields", he said. Li also introduced the outcomes of the 19th CPC National Congress, which blueprinted China's development in all areas for the next decades. China will strengthen friendship and cooperation with other countries to forge a new form of international relations and build a community of shared future for mankind "in the new era", he said. After the meeting, Li hosted a ceremony to hand over a gavel symbolizing the BRICS presidency to Anil Sooklal, deputy director of Asia and the Middle East at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa. South Africa will hold the presidency of BRICS next year. Wang Xiaolong, China's special envoy to BRICS, said at the meeting that the BRICS agenda for this year has been "successfully accomplished". At the Xiamen Summit, President Xi Jinping pledged to set aside 500 million yuan ($76.61 million) for economic and technological cooperation and exchanges among BRICS countries. China also announced at the summit the injection of $4 million into the project preparation fund of the BRICS-led New Development Bank for the bank's operation and long-term development. Contact the writers at anbaijie@chinadaily.com.cn SYDNEY - Scientists in Australia have successfully bred baby coral on the Great Barrier Reef, offering hope the World Heritage site can survive in the face of increasing environmental threats. The Southern Cross University project raises the prospect of restoring damaged coral populations. Coral eggs and sperm were collected from Heron Island's reef during last November's coral spawning to produce more than a million larvae. The larvae were returned to the wild and placed on to reef patches in underwater mesh tents, with 100 surviving and growing successfully. These methods have brought similar success in the Philippines, where the use of explosives to kill schools of fish has destroyed coral. Peter Harrison, the project's lead researcher and the man who discovered mass coral spawning in the 1980s, described the "results as very promising." "The success of this new research not only applies to the Great Barrier Reef, but has potential global significance," Harrison said on Monday. "It may be one of the answers to some of the problems in the Great Barrier Reef. It's a glimmer of hope." The world's largest coral reef system lies off the coast of Queensland and supports a wide diversity of marine life, but in recent decades it has been threatened by the effects of climate change, water pollution and commercial fishing. The reef has already been subject to several coral bleaching episodes attributed to climate change, when rises in atmospheric temperatures have been followed by increased sea surface temperatures. Seasonal floodwaters bring runoff containing chemicals from mining operations, and agricultural fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides from coastal sugar cane and cattle farms. In June this year, UNESCO expressed serious concern about the impact of coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef. Anna Marsden, managing director of the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, said the results achieved by the Southern Cross team were an important step but should not deflect attention from the need to address climate change and its impact on the reef. "There is much more to be done, but this is definitely a great leap forward for the reef, and for the restoration and repair of reefs worldwide," she said. Xinhua UNICEF says vaccines cargo can't be one-off due to 'immense need' SANAA, Yemen - The UN child agency said it has flown 1.9 million doses of vaccines to war-torn Yemen, its first delivery of humanitarian aid after 20-day military blockade from Saudi-led coalition. Regional UNICEF director Geert Cappelaere described Saturday's shipment as a "very small step" at a time of immense need and warned that it must not be a one-off. The coalition had promised to reopen Yemen's main airport in the capital of Sanaa and the Red Sea port of Hodeida to humanitarian traffic by late last week. Meanwhile, a ship carrying 5,500 tons of flour docked in Hodeidah on Sunday. "It's the first commercial ship docked in the port after 20 days of blockade," Houthi official Khalid Jomaey said. He said "another aid ship carrying wheat from the United Nations World Food Programme is sailing near the port and is set to dock within hours". The delivery is the first commercial shipment to be allowed by the coalition into the rebel-controlled port. On Wednesday, the Saudiled coalition fighting Shiite Houthi rebels said it would allow access of humanitarian supply planes to Sanaa and ships carrying aid to Hodeidah. Jens Laerke, spokesman of the UN humanitarian aid coordination agency OCHA, said on Friday that what really matters is that "we can get the ports in Hodeidah and Saleef open both for humanitarian aid and for commercial imports". The coalition has been facing escalating criticisms from senior UN officials and humanitarian agencies who expressed mounting concerns over already worsening humanitarian catastrophes in the wartorn Arab country which largely depends on humanitarian aid supplies and food imports. The coalition, which intervened in the Yemeni conflict in March 2015 to back the Sunni government of the exiled president Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, said it is planning to give clearance to aid ships only. Around 10,000 Yemeni people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the conflict. In dire need "We hope all will live up to their promises," Cappelaere said. "These supplies are urgently needed." More than 11 million children in Yemen are in dire need of aid, and it is estimated that every 10 minutes a child in Yemen dies of a preventable disease, he said. New alarms were raised by an outbreak of diphtheria, with suspected cases already reported in five governorates, said Cappelaere. Cholera and acute watery diarrhea spread rapidly in recent months, including among children, with close to 1 million suspected cases reported. "The war in Yemen is sadly a war on children," he said. "Yemen is facing the worst humanitarian crisis I have ever seen in my life." Cappelaere said the 1.9 million doses are meant to vaccinate 600,000 children across Yemen against diphtheria, meningitis, whopping cough, pneumonia and tuberculosis. AP - Xinhua - Reuters JERASH CAMP, Jordan - In a small workshop in a refugee camp in Jordan, Halima al-Ankassuri embroiders traditional patterns onto a blue shawl, destined for sale in an upmarket Paris, London or Dubai boutique. The 54-year-old mother of seven describes her work as "modern products with shimmering colors, embroidered with Palestinian and Islamic motifs". "I'm proud to see Europeans wearing what we produce here and to see top fashion magazines take an interest," she said referring to the German online edition of Vogue. The Jerash camp where she lives, in northern Jordan, was established to host more than 11,000 Palestinians who fled the Gaza Strip during the 1967 Middle East War - hence its alternative name, Gaza Camp. Half a century on, more than 29,000 refugees live in the camp amid poverty, unemployment and crumbling infrastructure. In 2013, Roberta Ventura, an Italian with a background in investment banking, decided to set up a social project to help women in the camp after visiting it and seeing their intricate skills close up. SEP Jordan (SEP stands for social enterprise project) aims to "change lives not only of dozens but over time, hundreds, perhaps thousands of women", she said. On the workshop's tables lay traditional kaffiyeh checkered headscarves with inscriptions of different colors, along with cashmere shawls and handbags. "The project started with 10 women and now they are 300," said the program's director, Nawal Aradah. "We make products on request: shawls, handbags, towels, sheets and all kinds of household decor." Every two months, 11 to 14 cartons containing 190 to 270 kilograms of goods are sent to stores in Paris, London or Dubai. They are also sold inside the Palestinian territories - in the Israeli-occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem, said the project's regional manager, Mahmoud al-Haj. In a shop inside a large Amman hotel, prices range from 20 to 300 dinars ($30 to $430), according to Haj, who said "most buyers are foreign tourists". For women in the workshop, embroidery is an important source of income. "We all suffer from poverty in this camp," Ankassuri said. "This work helps us to improve our lives, even if we charge for our products individually at low prices, from 15 to 20 dinars." Own motifs, patterns More than 2 million Palestinian refugees are registered with the United Nations in Jordan, but about half of the country's 6.6 million population is of Palestinian origin. Ankassuri and her colleagues learned the art of embroidery from their mothers and grandmothers. Each region of historic Palestine has its own motifs and patterns. As well as presenting Palestinian history and culture to a new audience, their craftwork "helps promote the cause of our people", Aradah said. Hiba al-Hudari, who was weaving a blue purse with Islamic inscriptions, said the workshop had become "a second home". The 37-year-old mother of six said she earns about 150 dinars a month. "With that, I help my husband, who's a mechanic, provide for our household," she said. Agence France-presse RIYADH - Saudi Arabia's crown prince on Sunday opened the first high-level meeting of a kingdom-led alliance of Muslim nations against terrorism, vowing to "pursue terrorists until they are wiped from the face of the earth". "In past years, terrorism has been functioning in all of our countries... with no coordination" among national authorities, said Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is also Saudi defense minister, in his keynote address to the gathering in Riyadh. "This ends today, with this alliance." The meeting is the first of defense ministers and other senior officials from the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, which officially counts 41 countries and identifies as a "Pan-Islamic unified front" against extremism. The alliance was announced in 2015 under the auspices of Prince Mohammed, whose rapid ascent since his appointment as heir to the throne in June has shaken the political scene across the region. Sunday's meeting came as several military coalitions, including key Saudi ally the United States, battle to push the Islamic State group from its last remaining bastions in Iraq and Syria. The alliance groups largely, although not exclusively, Sunni-majority or Sunniruled countries. It excludes Shiite-dominated Iran as well as Syria and Iraq. Sunday's meeting coincided with an escalation in tensions between Riyadh and Teheran, particularly over wars in Syria and Yemen and the political structure of multi-confessional Lebanon. "The pillar of this coalition is inclusion," said Saudi General Abdulelah al-Saleh, the alliance's acting secretary general, playing down the exclusion of the three countries. "Our common enemy is terrorism, not any religion, sect or race." 'Distorted image' The alliance meeting in Riyadh brings together Muslim or Muslim-majority nations including Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Afghanistan, Uganda, Somalia, Mauritania, Lebanon, Libya, Yemen and Turkey. Retired Pakistani general Raheel Sharif, who has been appointed commander-inchief, also insisted that the coalition was not against any religion or state. The alliance aims to "mobilize and coordinate the use of resources, facilitate the exchange of information and help member countries build their own counterterrorism capacity", Sharif said. While the alliance officially includes Qatar, which is the target of a six-month boycott led by Saudi Arabia, organizers in Riyadh said no Qatari officials were present at the meeting. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain abruptly cut diplomatic and trade ties with Qatar in June, accusing the emirate of being too close to Iran and supporting extremism. Doha denies the allegations. Egypt, which sent a military official and not its defense minister to Sunday's meeting, is reeling from a Friday attack on a mosque that killed more than 300 people during prayer time. While IS has not claimed responsibility, Egyptian authorities say the organization is the main suspect as the mosque is associated with followers of the mystical Sufi branch of Sunni Islam, whom IS has branded heretics. AFP - AP The "dream" continued for Li Yong on Monday after he was reappointed head of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization. Having experienced a tough childhood when China still had a planned economy, the director-general, who will serve a four-year term, said his dream was to change the fate of those who share "similar circumstances in my childhood and empower them to join in global poverty-reduction efforts when they grow up", Li said on Monday. In addition to other leaders, Swiss Federation President Doris Leuthard attended Monday's conference, showcasing her country's support in global poverty reduction and industrial development of the international community. The rotating President of the UN General Assembly Miroslav Lajcak was also in presence supporting Li's reappointment. Together with other initiatives, Li has increased his organization's efforts in coping with poverty in Africa in his previous four years in the role and he has pledged to continue the efforts by boosting industrial development in the continent. The weeklong conference focused on delivering the UN's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and the diplomats and experts will spend this week considering the organization's 2021 targets. China has backed Li's mandate, while various organizations and governments expressed their support at the conference on Monday. Wang Shouwen, China's vice-minister of commerce, announced that the Chinese government will donate $24 million in the coming four years to support UNIDO's operations. After congratulating Li on his achievements during his first mandate, Wang said China will continue to share its experiences of industrial development and economic improvement in the coming years in partnership with UNIDO. A major donor China has already become a major donor to UNIDO after the United States scrapped its membership years ago due to arrears. Under President Donald Trump's administration, it is still unclear whether the US will be returning to the organization, though Li has said the agency is open to the idea. Li, who was former vice-minister of finance in China before he worked as the head of UNIDO, is among a handful of officials who have sat in high positions in international organizations. Among them are Jin Liqun, president of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and Liu Zhenmin, the UN's Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs. Despite China's growing influence and contribution in the international community, the number of staff in international organizations from China is still at a low level and there are also few who work in high positions. fujing@chinadaily.com.cn NEW DELHI - Ivanka Trump, the daughter and adviser of US President Donald Trump, has arrived in India for the annual global entrepreneurship summit, foreign ministry officials said Tuesday. The summit scheduled to held in the southern city of Hyderabad Tuesday is being co-hosted by India and the United States. Ivanka accompanied by several top administration officials reached India late Monday night. The three-day summit, which is being held for the first time in South Asia, will also be attended by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The theme of this year's summit is "Women First, Prosperity for All" and will include 1,200 young entrepreneurs, mostly women. "It is a pre-eminent gathering of entrepreneurs, investors, and supporters from around the world," officials said. "Ivanka Trump leading the US contingent will be addressing the inaugural session and take part in two plenary sessions about women empowerment." Authorities have deployed more than 10,000 security personnel in the city as part of security measures around the high-profile summit. Reports said during her visit, Ivanka is expected to visit the old city as well as the Charminar, the iconic symbol of Hyderabad city. YANGON - The Myanmar government and eight signatory armed groups have agreed on seven points with their continued peace process at the 6th Joint Implementation Coordination Meeting (JICM) held in the capital of Nay Pyi Taw. The JICM meeting agreed to continue implementing a union agreement in accordance with the Nationwide Ceasefire Accord (NCA), said a statement released by the State Counselor's Office late Monday. The meeting decided to hold the third meeting of the 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference in Nay Pyi Taw in January 2018 as well as 7th JICM in February next year. Other agreed points included holding an ethnic-based national-level political dialogue led by the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS)/ Shan State Army (SSA) in Shan state, which will represent the voices of the Shan people at the upcoming third Panglong conference. The meeting agreed to continue efforts to hold national level political dialogue led by Arakan Liberation Party (ALP). A report by a task force of reviewing implementation of NCA was approved at the meeting and the meeting decided to continue working on political framework, Terms of Reference (ToR) and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Services Vice Senior General Soe Win and leaders of eight signatory armed groups to the NCA attended the JICM meeting. Myanmar's previous government and eight armed groups signed the NCA on Oct 15, 2015. The second China-Africa Investment Forum (CAIF) kicked off Monday at Marrakech in Morocco, bringing together 505 high-level Chinese and African economic decision makers and business leaders. The two-day event includes conferences and debates on the financial implications for African economies of the new Silk Road and how to capitalize on the new dynamic, aimed at making the continent a true industrial hub. Speaking during the opening ceremony, Moulay Elalamy, the minister of Industry, Investment, Trade and Digital Economy in Morocco, said the Belt and Road Initiative is destined to strengthen international exchanges between China and the rest of the world. "The infrastructure financed by China through the initiative will help African countries to better connect with the rest of the world. The Silk Road initiative should also radically promote participation of African countries to the world exchanges," Elalamy said. Li Li, the Chinese ambassador to Morocco, said China is committed to supporting Africa's economic growth. "China's new development concept galvanizes the development of Africa through the Belt and Road Initiative," he said. Marwane Yahmed, the Jeune Afrique publication director, said the China-Africa Investment Forum has opened a new chapter of partnership influenced by the massive attention on the Belt and Road Initiative. "We are here to build in a practical manner and gain new market share. That is the spirit of CAIF as we are convinced that the private sector is the engine of growth and job creation needed in Africa. We are thus delighted to be organizers of the event in partnership with the Moroccan Ministry of Industry, Investment, Trade and Digital Economy," he said. Yahmed said CIAF has opened a new chapter influenced by the great potential within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. "In the near future, Chinese companies should play a key role in the development of Africa's key strategic sectors such as agriculture, banking and insurance, housing, information and communication technology, logistics, and transport. This is in addition to the transfer of knowledge and technologies," Yahmed said. Yahmed noted that Morocco was not a random choice for the event but that the kingdom is a bridge between Africa and Europe. It's also a stable economic and financial center selected by Chinese companies to conduct their investments in the region. However, he challenged Chinese entrepreneurs to position themselves as key stakeholders in the local economy instead of individual players. During the event, CIAF is scheduled to be launched as a platform to advance Sino-African business partnerships in sectors of mutual interest to both parties, including industry, infrastructure and renewable energies. The first CIAF was held Nov 26-27, 2015, in Marrakech and was a great success, judging from the strong engagement of leaders from the biggest Chinese and African companies as well as the quality of the debates and exchanges during the conducted panels and the 500 business-to-business meetings. An artist's impression of Orthrozanclus elongata. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] Archaeologists in China have discovered a fossilized sea creature that they describe as "strange beyond measure", with long spines along its worm-like body and a shell that covers its head, like a helmet. The 515-million-year-old specimen was unearthed last year by a fossil collector in the hills of the Maotianshan Shales, an archaeological hotspot in Southwest China's Yunnan province. The collector gave the fossil to Zhao Fangchen, a paleobiologist at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, who studied it, along with researchers from Durham University in the United Kingdom. "The creature is like a mythical beast," Martin Smith, an assistant professor at Durham, told science news website Live Science. He said researchers were surprised by the creature's unusual anatomy, which had "cocktail-stick-like spines that emerge from its sides" and a "head covered by a small shell, almost as if it's wearing a bike helmet". "We don't know much about the animal underneath these mineralized plates whether it had legs or a slug-like foot, and whether it had teeth or tentacles," Smith added. He said the fossil is "incredibly rare" with only two specimens having been found among the tens of thousands of other creatures seen in the same deposits. The 2-centimeter-long sea creature, whose scientific name is Orthrozanclus elongata, lived during the Cambrian period, a time before life had colonized dry land. Microscopic plants, microbial mats and invertebrates with exoskeletons, including trilobites and arthropods, were the dominant forms of marine life. In the study of the creature published in the journal Scientific Reports, authors say Orthrozanclus elongata may provide clues about the evolution of mollusks. The creature, which appeared to be mobile, could be an ancestor to some of today's brachiopods, which live in shells and are largely sedentary. "Whereas many lineages show evolutionary trends towards greater activity and complexity, brachiopods seem to have settled down to a sedentary existence, like a retiree settling down in a favorite armchair," Smith said. Chinese oracle-bone inscription. [Photo/UNESCO] The British Library has unveiled its oldest artifact in an exhibition dedicated to the fictional Harry Potter, and the origins of "magic". The Chinese oracle bones included in the display are more than 3,000 years old and were used in attempts to foretell the future. The bones arrived at the British Library along with the Couling-Chalfant Collection, which was put together in China between 1903 and 1908 by two missionaries, Samuel Couling and Frank Chalfant. The pair, one British and the other from the United States, were working in Shandong province. Questions about crops, the weather, battles, and the ruling family were engraved on the bones and heat was then applied with metal sticks. The heat caused the bones to crack and "diviners" interpreted the patterns of the fractures to determine the answer to the question posed. One bone records a lunar eclipse that has been dated to Dec 27, 1192 BC. The darkness caused by an eclipse was thought to indicate that an ancestral spirit needed to be pacified. Harry Potter: A History of Magic runs until Feb 28 in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. The exhibition comprises some of the British Library's greatest treasures, including a celestial globe from 1693, and items on loan from national and international institutions that include broomsticks, wands, and crystal balls. The exhibition has been structured around subjects taught in the book's Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, including Charms, Herbology, Divination, Care of Magical Creatures, and Defense Against the Dark Arts. Chinese oracle-bone inscriptions were recently included in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. Oracle-bone inscriptions are the earliest documental evidence found in China, with the oldest found so far excavated from Yin ruins in Anyang city, in Central China's Henan province. They provide records of divinations and prayers from people in the late Shang Dynasty (c.16th century-11th century BC). Over time, oracle-bone inscriptions developed into modern-day Chinese characters, helping to show the continuous evolution of Chinese civilization. Oracle bones serve as important materials for the study of Chinese civilization and life in ancient China. Contact the writer at wangmingjie@mail.chinadailyuk.com The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) fired a ballistic missile on Wednesday, news agency Yonhap of the Republic of Korea (ROK) reported, citing the ROK's Joint Chiefs of Staff. The missile flew to the east and the ROK's military is analyzing details of the launch with the US, ROK's joint chiefs said, according to the report. Two authoritative US government sources said earlier that US government experts believed the DPRK could conduct a new missile test within days in what would be its first launch since it fired a missile over Japan in mid-September. Reuters Chinese Premier Li Keqiang attends the sixth meeting of heads of government of China and 16 Central and Eastern European countries in Budapest, Hungary, November 27, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua] BUDAPEST - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Monday announced the establishment of the second phase of China-Central and Eastern Europe (China-CEE) Investment Cooperation Fund in the Hungarian capital of Budapest. The second phase of the fund that totaled 1 billion U.S. dollars will be mainly invested in Central and Eastern Europe, Li said in a keynote speech to the seventh China-Central and Eastern European Countries Economic and Trade Forum. Li arrived in Budapest on Sunday for an official visit to Hungary and will attend the sixth meeting of heads of government of China and 16 Central and Eastern European countries. BUDAPEST - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said Monday that Beijing is ready to work with Warsaw to step up win-win cooperation in various fields. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang meets Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydlo in Budapest on Monday.[Photo/Xinhua] In a meeting here with Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydlo, Li said he hoped that both sides would tap the full potential of the intergovernmental cooperation committee in managing various exchanges and cooperation between the two countries and get more things done.China is willing to enhance communication and coordination on international affairs with Poland, which is elected to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council next year, Li added.Meanwhile, China stands ready to align its development strategies with the Polish side and deepen cooperation in such fields as transportation, logistics and infrastructure, said the Chinese premier.China will open up even wider and create better conditions for the two countries to deepen cooperation in economy, trade and between the enterprises of the two sides, he said.Noting that China will host its first International Import Expo next year, Li said his country welcomes Poland to take it as an opportunity for stronger promotion efforts of its exports to China, and help develop a more balanced two-way trade for win-win results.For her part, Szydlo said Poland attaches great importance to relations with China. Her country hopes to give full play to the intergovernmental cooperation committee, explore cooperation in economy, trade and investment, and strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in infrastructure, logistics and agriculture.The 16+1 cooperation mechanism is a helpful complement to bilateral relations and is beneficial to the development of Poland and other Central and Eastern European countries, she said, vowing to work with the Chinese side to push for greater outcome of the 16+1 cooperation.Li arrived in Budapest Sunday for the sixth meeting of heads of government of China and 16 Central and Eastern European countries and an official visit to Hungary. BUDAPEST - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Latvian Prime Minister Maris Kucinskis on Monday agreed to jointly strengthen cooperation in a wide range of areas. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang meets Latvian Prime Minister Maris Kucinskis in Budapest Monday.[Photo/Xinhua] The two leaders made the pledge during their meeting on the sidelines of an ongoing annual gathering of heads of government of China and 16 Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) scheduled for Nov. 26-29 in Budapest.China is willing to further align the Belt and Road Initiative with Latvia's development strategy, and help Latvia build up its infrastructure, including its ports, so as to revitalize the maritime passage and boost cooperation between China and the Baltic states, as well as the northern European countries, Li said.Noting that China-Latvia people-to-people exchanges enjoy good foundation and positive results, Li said he hopes that the two sides can continue to facilitate personnel exchanges and enhance cooperation in the fields of education, scientific research and sinology.For his part, Kucinskis said the two countries have made progress in logistics and transport cooperation, and have actively conducted third-party cooperation, adding that there are many more ambitious projects for the two sides to cooperate on in the future.Kucinskis said his country will take the advantage of its geographic locations and conduct logistics and freight cooperation with China with an aim to become an important regional gateway for China's exports of goods.Latvia is also willing to work with China to conduct third-party cooperation and promote their cooperation in such areas as education and scientific research, the Latvian prime minister said. Premier Li Keqiang said on Monday he hopes Central and Eastern European countries will have a bigger share in the huge Chinese market when he met the media with his Hungarian counterpart Orban Viktor and Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov in Budapest. China-CEEC cooperation has seen enormous achievements, beyond expectations, in many areas, Li said. For example, the first three quarters has seen bilateral trade up by 14.1 percent. And over the past five years, Chinese investment in the region has doubled and the number of Chinese tourists to CEE nations has tripled to about 1 million. The premier said CEE countries achieved an average of 3 percent economic growth annually, making the sub-region an eye-catching part of Europe. The Chinese economy, which increases by about 7 percent annually on average with consumption as a major driver, will still keep growing at a medium and high speed, he said. That indicates the Chinese market has a growing demand for high-quality and customized products, he added. In the next five years, China is estimated to import goods worth $8 trillion and more than 700 million overseas trips will be made, providing huge opportunities for China-CEEC cooperation, he said. China would like to import more high-quality goods from CEE countries and will encourage the Chinese people to travel to the region, Li added. Premier Li Keqiang said on Monday that cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries can provide a helpful supplement to China-Europe ties and contribute to the healthy and balanced development of globalization. The premier made the remarks when meeting the media with his Hungarian counterpart Orban Viktor and Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov in Budapest. Bulgaria will host the seventh Meeting of the Heads of Government of China-Central and Eastern European Countries next year. China-CEEC cooperation, based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefits, is beneficial to both sides, the region and global community, because this cross-region cooperative mechanism was born against the backdrop of globalization, Li said. China-CEEC cooperation will accelerate promoting trade liberalization and investment facilitation, as well as Europe's process of integration, he said. Li said China always believes that Europe is a vital ingredient to safeguard global peace and development. He said China would like to see a prosperous and stable Europe. China supports some of the CEE countries to join the European Union and respect their joining other international organizations and regional cooperation mechanisms. Premier Li Keqiang and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (center, right) talk with entrepreneurs after the opening of the seventh China and the Central and Eastern European Countries Economic and Trade Forum in Budapest, Hungary, on Monday. JU PENG / XINHUA Estonia, Lithuania and Slovenia sign as Li meets with leaders China has signed memorandums of understanding with Estonia, Lithuania and Slovenia to promote the Belt and Road Initiative, signaling that all 16 Central and Eastern European countries have agreed to align with the initiative. Last November, Latvia signed such a document during the fifth China-CEEC leader's meeting. Hungary became the first in Europe to sign to participate in the initiative in June 2015. The initiative, proposed by President Xi Jinping in 2013, comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. It will create a vast network of trade and infrastructure along the ancient Silk Road routes. The memorandums were among more than 10 agreements signed between China and CEE nations on Monday in Budapest, the Hungarian capital. The signings were witnessed by Premier Li Keqiang and other leaders after the sixth Meeting of Heads of Government of China-Central and Eastern European Countries. The documents covered areas such as connectivity, production capacity cooperation, infrastructure and finance. At the meeting, the premier called for promoting bilateral trade, connectivity, innovation cooperation, financial cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. Li called on all 17 countries to accelerate the process of key projects on connectivity, promoting links on land, sea, air and via the internet. More measures should be released to facilitate customs clearance, and China would like to see more rail lines and direct flights between China and Europe, Li said. A logistics center will be set up in the CEE region, he said. Li also suggested innovation cooperation focusing on production capacity, energy, logistics and agriculture and said enterprises from CEE nations are welcome to participate in the Made in China strategy. According to the General Administration of Customs, bilateral trade between China and CEE nations hit $58.6 billion last year, a year-on-year increase of 4.3 percent. The volume increased to $ 49.1 billion in the first nine months this year, up by 14.1 percent compared with the same period last year. Chinese investment in CEE nations has exceeded $9 billion, while the 16 CEE countries have invested more than $1.4 billion in China, the world's second-largest economy. Bilateral cooperation has made achievements in transport, energy and production capacity. About 20 projects have been completed or are under construction, with the Hungary-Serbia Railway as the most eye-catching one. As the chair of this year's China-CEEC meeting, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said the 16 CEE nations take cooperation with China as an opportunity and will participate in the Belt and Road Initiative. He said a better environment will be created for Chinese enterprises to make their investments and promote a long-term development of China-CEEC exchanges. Feng Zhongping, vice-president of the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, said that all CEE countries are along the route of the Silk Road Economic Belt and their signing of the memorandums marked that the cooperation between the two sides has entered into a new stage and will make more progress. "China-CEEC cooperation mainly focuses on trade and infrastructure, and financing is a key to solving the problem of funding for infrastructure projects," Feng said. "Central and Eastern Europe can also be a gateway for China to enter the larger market of the European Union." Zhou Jin contributed to this story. In Korea, we celebrate Parents Day on May 8th every year, but Americans celebrate Mothers Day and Fathers Day separately. Generally, in the United States, Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of every June. The first Father's Day celebration was held in Spokane, Washington, by Sonora Smart Dodd. Her father, a Civil War veteran, William Jackson Smart, was a single parent who raised his six children. After hearing a sermon about Jarvis' Mother's Day in 1909, Dodd told her pastor that fathers should have a similar holiday honoring them. Although she initially suggested June 5, her father's birthday, the pastors did not have enough time to prepare their sermons, so the celebration was deferred to the third Sunday of June. The day was made a permanent national holiday when President Richard Nixon signed it into law in 1972. While thinking about Dodds father, the thought struck me: what does Luthers father look like? There is little known about Luthers family because when people think of the Reformation or the Protestant Church, they are only interested in Luther himself. In addition, when some Lutheran scholars describe Luthers father, they like to portray him as a very obstinate father. While is it true that Luthers father has only the image of a strict authoritarian father, this is only a half-truth. Martin Luthers father, Hans Luther, was born to farmers in Moorgrund, Germany. Hans was an incredible man in his own right, joining the newly emerging German middle-class. Not being able to inherit the family farm, he moved to Eisleben and then later Mansfeld, where he worked in the local copper mines. He worked his way up and eventually became part owner of at least six mines and two foundries and became a prominent member of the community. Hans wanted Martin to also be able to move up in the world and sent him to school to be a lawyer. At that time, to be a lawyer was a shortcut to gain money, honor, and a high social standing. In accordance with his father's wishes, Luther prepared to enroll in law school at the University of Erfurt as soon as he graduated from the university. However, in July 1505, Luther had a life-changing experience that set him on a new course. Caught in a horrific thunderstorm where he feared for his life, Luther cried out to St. Anne, the patron saint of miners, Save me, St. Anne, and Ill become a monk! The same year on July 17th, Martin Luther entered the Observant Augustinian monastery. Although he was a devout Catholic, Hans was deeply disappointed when Martin left school to join the monastery, as monks were held in very low esteem at that time by many in the laity. By 1507, he was an ordained priest and offered his first mass. Hans came to see Martins first Mass. After Mass, Hans and Martin Luther sat down to meet together. Martin, as if he were still a little child, turned and asked; Dear father, why were you so contrary to my becoming a monk? And perhaps you are not quite satisfied even now. The life is so quiet and godly. Hans flared up before all the doctors and the masters and the guests, You are a learned scholar. Have you never read in the Bible that you should honor your father and your mother? And here you have left me and your dear mother to look after ourselves in our old age. Hans had a deep affection for Martin. He presented Martin with the copy of Roman law and addressed him in polite speech. Martin also respected his father very much, but Hans has been vehemently opposite to Luther entry into monastery. On this account, some Lutheran scholars like to describe Hans as a very obstinate father; it is simply the outcome from the failure to recognize Hans deep heart. In fact, to celebrate Luthers first mass, he made a handsome contribution to the monastery. While at first glance, Hans might look like a obstinate father, he traveled to Wittenberg to celebrate his sons marriage to Katie von Bora and celebrated with Martin and Katie from afar when their children Hans, Elisabeth, and Magdalena were born. Did Martin Luther feel his fathers love? When Martins first son was born in June 7, 1526,. he was named after Martins father, Hans. Even though Luther failed to achieve his fathers wish to be a lawyer, he still loved him. Nowadays, while a mother is thought of as warm, and the giver of love and devotion in the minds of many, the father is only remembered as stubborn and obstinate. The negative image of the father, such as one who abuses the mother and is unkind to the children, still remains in many peoples minds. Although it may seem shallow, the love of father is very deep. It is our father who stays strong for the family, and tries not to show weakness. Moreover, like Luther, some Christians decided they wanted to be pastor, even though the family disapproved. Nowadays, Christianity in Korea is not the religion of love and generosity, but rather the subject of dislike and hate. In spite of this recognition for Christianity, some Christians decided to be a pastor against the parents wishes. Although they may be devout Christians, many parents do not want their sons to become a pastor. This is because the pastor held in very low esteem in the modern day. However, as God called Martin Luther to reform the church and society in the Middle Ages, now God also is calling Christians to reform the church and society. Sometimes, even though it is hard and difficult to live as pastor, and there are many frustrations and failures along the way of following Gods will, the Church will be reformed and recover the lost honor and respect, as long as we hold Gods calling. Lets give special thanks and love to our father. Reverend and Doctor Jin O Jeong is an assistant pastor for the Korean congregation at Zion Lutheran Church, Belleville, IL. He graduated from Luther University and received a Ph.D from Yonsei University. He was also a Research Fellow at Hebrew University and Visiting Scholar at Yale Divinity School. Tel: 618-920-9311 Email : jjeong@zionbelleville.org Franken Must Take His Own Medicine Contact: Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, 212-371-3191, pr@catholicleague.org NEW YORK, Nov. 27, 2017 /Christian Newswire/ -- Catholic League president Bill Donohue (photo) comments on Sen. Al Franken: Yesterday, Sen. Al Franken broke his silence and did a media tour explaining away his sexual offenses. "I'm looking forward to getting back to work tomorrow," he said. He should instead take some of his own medicine and resign. Five years ago, Franken co-sponsored a bill, the End Trafficking in Government Contracting Act, to strengthen federal legislation on human trafficking, which includes sexual exploitation. The bill, which was approved by the Senate in December 2012, was necessitated because of the failure of the existing "zero tolerance" policy. In July 2013, Franken co-sponsored another bill, the Military Justice Improvement Act, to deal with the "epidemic of sexual assault in the military." It was necessitated because of the failure of the existing "zero tolerance" policy. It was noble of Franken to support going beyond "zero tolerance" to combat sexual abuse by government contractors and subcontractors who operate overseas. Similarly, it was noble of him to support going beyond "zero tolerance" to combat sexual molestation in the armed forces. It was ignoble of him to go back to work today. Does he think that his support for legislation combating sexual abuse should not extend to him? He has admitted to one act of sexual abuse, and is accused by three other women of violating them. Ironically, it was the Catholic Church that first instituted a "zero tolerance" policy for abusers. And what did Franken do? He mocked it. Now that Franken has proven that he has no integrity left, it is up to the Senate to show him the door. He is utterly shameless. My Catholic Faith Delivered Names Client Solutions Manager Rapidly growing technology company strengthens resources Contact: Jeremy Foster, , 866-981-8964 KANSAS CITY, Mo., Nov. 28, 2017 / Ryan has a B.A. in History from Benedictine College, Atchison, KS. As the Client Solutions Manager, Ryan will further MCFD's recent success in serving dioceses, parishes, and schools throughout the nation. Ryan comments, "This is the perfect position to combine my excitement for passing on the Catholic Faith with my passion for technology support. My goal is to help clients be more successful in their use of the MCFD platform and to have a better user experience. This will include a focus on additional training and value-added partnership support. Ultimately, the end goal is to help our partners and clients in their quest to provide lifelong formation through technology." Jeremy Foster, Product Manager at MCFD says, "Ryan's unique skill set has already proven to be very useful and made him a great addition to the MCFD family. As more dioceses see the value and need for our platform, we have an increasing need for Catholic professionals to help service this growing number of clients. Ryan has the ability to not only solve client needs, but to anticipate them. His ability to foster relationships, communicate, trouble-shoot, and train even the most self-professed technology beginner is extremely so valuable. I can't overestimate the contribution Ryan will in provide for our Catholic clients." About My Catholic Faith Delivered MyCatholicFaithDelivered.com is technology changing the way people learn and grow in the Faith. My Catholic Faith Delivered provides an online system that can reach the widest possible audience. Rich in resources to help coordinate and manage efforts (Catechist Certification Management), dioceses can connect members from virtually any device or any location. Faith formation programs align with desired outcomes unique to each diocese or apostolate and are generally aligned to learning outcomes from the National Directory of Catechesis supported by the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The finished product is a series of customized courses delivered on your branded website, for learners who want to continue to grow in their faith. www.mycatholicfaithdelivered.com Share Tweet Contact: Jeremy Foster, My Catholic Faith Delivered , 866-981-8964KANSAS CITY, Mo., Nov. 28, 2017 / Christian Newswire / -- My Catholic Faith Delivered announced today that Ryan Johnson has joined the organization as the Client Solutions Manager to further serve national accounts. Ryan brings experience and education in both client service technology and the Catholic faith. Recent experience includes the start-up and creation of a Client Services Desk for the Mission Matters Group. Salesforce Certifications (Admin and Dev).Ryan has a B.A. in History from Benedictine College, Atchison, KS.As the Client Solutions Manager, Ryan will further MCFD's recent success in serving dioceses, parishes, and schools throughout the nation. Ryan comments, "This is the perfect position to combine my excitement for passing on the Catholic Faith with my passion for technology support. My goal is to help clients be more successful in their use of the MCFD platform and to have a better user experience. This will include a focus on additional training and value-added partnership support. Ultimately, the end goal is to help our partners and clients in their quest to provide lifelong formation through technology."Jeremy Foster, Product Manager at MCFD says, "Ryan's unique skill set has already proven to be very useful and made him a great addition to the MCFD family. As more dioceses see the value and need for our platform, we have an increasing need for Catholic professionals to help service this growing number of clients. Ryan has the ability to not only solve client needs, but to anticipate them. His ability to foster relationships, communicate, trouble-shoot, and train even the most self-professed technology beginner is extremely so valuable. I can't overestimate the contribution Ryan will in provide for our Catholic clients."About My Catholic Faith DeliveredMyCatholicFaithDelivered.com is technology changing the way people learn and grow in the Faith. My Catholic Faith Delivered provides an online system that can reach the widest possible audience. Rich in resources to help coordinate and manage efforts (Catechist Certification Management), dioceses can connect members from virtually any device or any location. Faith formation programs align with desired outcomes unique to each diocese or apostolate and are generally aligned to learning outcomes from the National Directory of Catechesis supported by the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The finished product is a series of customized courses delivered on your branded website, for learners who want to continue to grow in their faith. New York Christian Radio Station, The Bridge 95.1 FM, Takes on Illegal Radio Pirates, and Wins OLD BRIDGE, N.J., Nov. 28, 2017 / Unauthorized broadcasters, or "pirates," had co-opted over 80 percent of The Bridge's signal on 95.1FM. As a result, listeners tuning into 95.1, expecting The Bridge's signature Bible teaching, could hear anything but that, including a variety of music formats all illegally broadcasting on the signal. "We brought the pirate problem to the government's attention," said Lloyd Pulley, CEO of The Bridge and senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Old Bridge, which owns the station. "We fought hard, and we won. While the pirates continue to encroach on the signal in some areas, we are delighted that The Bridge is now broadcasting clearly in 70 percent of its own coverage area, which covers from the Bronx to Lower Manhattan." A listener-supported, noncommercial Christian teaching station, The Bridge originally launched in 2004. The station's David v. Goliath battle with radio pirates is not the only unique aspect of the station's expansion into New York. Currently, The Bridge is the ONLY Christian FM radio station broadcasting directly from New York City. The addition of this tower, located near the United Nations Building, makes it possible for The Bridge to reach over four million more potential listeners, in addition to the potentially seven million already reached throughout New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania on the station's other frequencies. One New York listener notes, "We have waited a long time to hear clear, precise, and doctrinally sound, powerfully relevant Bible teaching for some time, and now we have The Bridge." The station's expansion into New York enables The Bridge to share its message of hope in Christ to people from every tribe and tongue, including the approximately 600 language groups residing in New York. As well as being the only Christian FM station broadcasting from Manhattan, The Bridge is also unique in its format. "The Bridge has not followed the trend of many other Christian radio stations to broadcast primarily music, and continues to air some of the finest Bible teaching in the nation," says Rob Taylor, general manager of The Bridge. "With this format, the Word of God is taught without compromise 24 hours a day, 7 days week, 365 days a year." In addition to its New York frequency, 95.1FM, The Bridge can currently be heard on several frequencies throughout the Tri-state area, including 89.7FM in Monmouth and Ocean Counties in NJ, 91.9FM in Southern Middlesex and Northern Monmouth Counties in NJ, 103.1FM in Northern NJ, and nationwide via its mobile app or The Bridge Christian Radio, Bridgelight, LLC is a radio ministry of Calvary Chapel Old Bridge, NJ. Learn more about The Bridge 95.1FM by visiting Share Tweet Contact: Rob Taylor, General Manager, The Bridge Christian Radio Network , 732-588-0861OLD BRIDGE, N.J., Nov. 28, 2017 / Christian Newswire / -- When The Bridge Christian Radio Network, based in Old Bridge, NJ, gained authorization to expand its Christian Bible teaching broadcasts into New York City in November 2013, no one could have anticipated the battle that would ensue before the station could actually begin broadcasting on its own frequency, 95.1FM in the heart of Manhattan.Unauthorized broadcasters, or "pirates," had co-opted over 80 percent of The Bridge's signal on 95.1FM. As a result, listeners tuning into 95.1, expecting The Bridge's signature Bible teaching, could hear anything but that, including a variety of music formats all illegally broadcasting on the signal."We brought the pirate problem to the government's attention," said Lloyd Pulley, CEO of The Bridge and senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Old Bridge, which owns the station."We fought hard, and we won. While the pirates continue to encroach on the signal in some areas, we are delighted that The Bridge is now broadcasting clearly in 70 percent of its own coverage area, which covers from the Bronx to Lower Manhattan."A listener-supported, noncommercial Christian teaching station, The Bridge originally launched in 2004. The station's David v. Goliath battle with radio pirates is not the only unique aspect of the station's expansion into New York. Currently, The Bridge is the ONLY Christian FM radio station broadcasting directly from New York City. The addition of this tower, located near the United Nations Building, makes it possible for The Bridge to reach over four million more potential listeners, in addition to the potentially seven million already reached throughout New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania on the station's other frequencies.One New York listener notes, "We have waited a long time to hear clear, precise, and doctrinally sound, powerfully relevant Bible teaching for some time, and now we have The Bridge."The station's expansion into New York enables The Bridge to share its message of hope in Christ to people from every tribe and tongue, including the approximately 600 language groups residing in New York.As well as being the only Christian FM station broadcasting from Manhattan, The Bridge is also unique in its format. "The Bridge has not followed the trend of many other Christian radio stations to broadcast primarily music, and continues to air some of the finest Bible teaching in the nation," says Rob Taylor, general manager of The Bridge. "With this format, the Word of God is taught without compromise 24 hours a day, 7 days week, 365 days a year."In addition to its New York frequency, 95.1FM, The Bridge can currently be heard on several frequencies throughout the Tri-state area, including 89.7FM in Monmouth and Ocean Counties in NJ, 91.9FM in Southern Middlesex and Northern Monmouth Counties in NJ, 103.1FM in Northern NJ, and nationwide via its mobile app or bridgeradio.org The Bridge Christian Radio, Bridgelight, LLC is a radio ministry of Calvary Chapel Old Bridge, NJ. Learn more about The Bridge 95.1FM by visiting bridgeradio.org home World Pope John Paul II had prophetic vision of Islamic invasion of Europe, says priest A former confidante of the Pope John Paul II has claimed that the late pontiff had a prophetic vision that Europe will be invaded by Islamists. Monsignor Mauro Longhi, who often accompanied the John Paul II on hiking trips before his ordination, told a large group at the hermitage of Saints Peter and Paul this past October that the former pope was a mystic who had prophetic visions and "dialogued" with the Virgin Mary. During his lecture at the hermitage, Longhi recounted a conversation he had with the John Paul II in March 1993, in which the pope warned him about a disturbing vision he had about the future of Europe. "The Pope told me: 'Tell this to those whom you will meet in the Church of the third millennium. I see the Church afflicted by a mortal wound. More profound, more painful than those of this millennium,' referring to Communism and Nazi totalitarianism. 'It is called Islamism. They will invade Europe. I have seen the hordes come from the West to the East,' and then told to me each country one by one: from Morocco to Libya to Egypt, and so on till the East," Longhi recalled, as reported by The Catholic Herald. "The Holy Father added: 'They will invade Europe, Europe will be like a basement, old relics, shadows, cobwebs. Family heirlooms. You, the Church of the third millennium, must contain the invasion. Not with armies, armies will not be enough, but with your faith, lived with integrity," the priest added. Longhi, who was ordained in 1995, told the audience at the hermitage that the late pontiff used to sneak out of Rome in a modest car and stay at an Opus Dei home in the mountains in Abruzzo. The priest recalled that Cardinal Andrzej Deskur, one of John Paul II's closest friends, had revealed to him that the pontiff had the "gift of visions." At night, the pope could be found kneeling before the Tabernacle in the chapel of the house and he heard conversing with God or the Virgin Mary, according to the Longhi. The former pope's visions apparently began during his first Mass on Nov. 2, 1946 in the crypt of St. Leonard in Wawel Cathedral in Krakow, Poland. In the same lecture, Longhi also recounted the time when the pope castigated former U.S. President George W. Bush for sacrificing "all human dignity" for security after he deployed military forces to Afghanistan sometime after 9/11. John Paul II, who was born Karol Wojtyla, had been known for promoting inter-faith dialogue between Catholics and Muslims, and he was the first known pope to have set foot inside a mosque in 2001. The late pontiff had drawn criticism from traditionalists after he was seen in photos kissing the Koran. However, in his 2003 encyclical Ecclesia in Europa, the pope appeared to "beseech" Christians to be trained in "an objective knowledge of Islam." He stressed that Christians should also take into account the "notable gap" between European culture, which he says is rooted in Christianity, and Muslim thought. Digital gold. The new tulip mania. A virtual currency. Whatever you want to call it, bitcoin is on an extraordinary run, with the price of a single bitcoin crossing $10,000 on some exchanges for the first time Monday - less than two months after it crossed $5,000 for the first time. It is a bull market with few precedents in recent investing history. The price has been pushed up by a flood of new buyers from around the world who think they have spotted a new kind of investment that could ultimately compete with gold as a place to store money outside the control of companies and governments. Lots of skeptics The skyrocketing price has brought forth no shortage of skeptics, from Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, to Warren Buffett, who have variously called it a fraud, a bubble and a Ponzi scheme. The untethered price increase has, to a degree, proved their point, suggesting that this is an investment tied to few real-world fundamentals. But each time skeptics have come forward, investors have defied them and bought more bitcoins at higher prices. On Sunday, more than $5 billion was traded on bitcoin exchanges, according to the data site Coinmarketcap.com - a greater volume than what many U.S. stock exchanges see on a normal day. Believers in the bitcoin technology, which is backed by a new kind of computer network, have argued that what we are seeing is the formation of a new asset class that could join stocks, bonds and physical commodities in the investment portfolios of ordinary people. If this is a new digital gold, today's extraordinary prices still leave the total bitcoin supply in the world at a value that is only one-sixtieth of all the real gold in the world. But even aficionados have been dumbstruck by just how quickly the price has gone up in recent months. One trending comment on the Reddit social network put it this way: "This is officially madness. I am going to prepare myself for a large correction." The people who have been pushing up the price have not just been the libertarian-minded programmers who helped bitcoin survive its rocky first seven years, after the mysterious creator Satoshi Nakamoto released it in 2009. South Korea and Japan In recent months, trading among ordinary investors has taken off in South Korea and Japan. It was on Korean exchanges where the bitcoin price first hit $10,000 on Monday. On U.S. exchanges, the price was Monday around $9,700. Hedge funds have also been clamoring to get a piece of the action. More than 100 hedge funds invest only in bitcoin and other virtual currencies. In many places, this trading is happening on exchanges with little regulatory oversight or transparency. This has given rise to fears that a problem at one of the exchanges could trigger a panicked run on bitcoin, something that is not unlikely given the relative inexperience of many new investors. Bitcoins are stored and traded on a decentralized network of computers that is not under the control of any government or company. That has been attractive to people in countries, like China and Zimbabwe, where the government has a history of seizing bank accounts and assets. The growing number of people using it in all these countries, often against the wishes of their governments, has also underscored the degree to which the software that manages Bitcoin has remained impervious to hackers and government control for nearly a decade. In recent weeks, Bitcoin isn't the only virtual currency that has been moving up. Ether, which lives on the Ethereum network, and Bitcoin Cash, another Bitcoin competitor, have also been rising quickly in value as investors look for anything that might have the same durability and upward mobility as the original. A coalition of major oil-producing nations on Thursday is expected to extend a pact to keep some crude off the market to support oil prices and curb a worldwide glut created three years ago by U.S. drillers. At a closely watched gathering in Vienna, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries will consider a nine-month extension for a deal with Russia and other nations to trim output by 1.8 million barrels a day through the end of next year. So far the effort appears on track, analysts say, but even if all goes to plan, OPEC still faces a dilemma: its rivals in West Texas and Oklahoma may still impede the group's efforts and stall the long-anticipated rebalancing of the oil market again if prices rise high enough to tempt U.S. shale producers to abandon their recently adopted mantra of financial discipline. Now Playing: After nine years in the making, TransCanadas $8 billion Keystone XL pipeline has been given the green light by the Nebraska Public Service Commission. However, the five-member commission rejected TransCanadas preferred route, voting to approve an alternative path that would move the pipeline, which is needed to carry thick crude oil from Albertas tar sands to refineries on Texas gulf coast, further east. The alternative route of the new pipeline, which will transport 830,000 barrels of crude a day, is designed to avoid of Nebraskas delicate Sandhills region. However, the approved route will still cross shallow parts of the Olgalala aquifer, the main source of drinking and irrigation water in Nebraska and much of the Great Plains. Approval for Keystone XL was a cornerstone of Donald Trumps presidential campaign, and the leader is likely to latch on to the pipelines approval and claim it as a key political victory. The decision comes just four days after a rupture in the existing Keystone pipeline leaked an estimated 5,000 barrels of oil in rural South Dakota. Video: Euronews Even though several major U.S. oil companies have promised investors they plan to throttle back operational growth and focus more on returning profits to shareholders next year with some going so far as to make financial discipline part of executive compensation high oil prices have historically led to land rushes and drilling surges by companies guided not by national fiat, but profits. This time last year, when OPEC and its partners first announced an agreement to curb supplies, crude prices soared, U.S. oil companies dispatched hundreds of drilling rigs and economic activity surged in Houston for months. But market and industry enthusiasm waned in mid-2017 amid fears a second shale boom would offset OPEC's output reductions and undercut prices. The latest wrinkle is that U.S. oil companies have said they will only drill as long as they can make returns on the crude they pump. Whether they do could determine if Houston's recovery gains momentum or stalls. "It's hard to believe they can keep their fingers off the levers," said Bill Gilmer, director of the Institute for Regional Forecasting at the University of Houston. "Someone is going to be tempted, and as soon as one goes for it, they're all going to." OPEC's production-cut agreement, reached last fall between two dozen countries and renewed over the summer to run through March, has cut deep into bulging crude stockpiles around the world, reducing inventory levels from 338 million barrels above historical norms in January to 138 million barrels in September. Related: Oil prices tank as OPEC deal on cuts disappoints traders But in the United States, at $54 a barrel oil, crude production growth in 2018 could double this year's gains, growing at an annual average of 700,000 barrels a day, compared with 365,000 barrels a day this year, said Mike Wittner, an oil-market analyst at French bank Societe Generale. In the first half of next year, the bank believes global oil inventories could rise by 300,000 barrels a day. U.S. oil prices slid 22 cents in early trading on Tuesday to $57.89 a barrel amid market jitters over whether Russia will play ball with OPEC. But if a deal goes through, as analysts expect, higher crude prices could provide financial cover for U.S. oil companies to drill more. "For most of these guys, $60 oil means they have cash flow for the first time in many years, after cutting and cutting, when most were planning for oil prices around $50," said R.T. Dukes, an analyst at energy research firm Wood Mackenzie. "Does extra cash flow mean they're going to blow out their balance sheets again? Some will. Growth rates will probably grow higher, but I'm not sure they'll spend at all costs." Related: Oil prices rise to highest in more than two years A man has turned himself in to authorities after the shooting death of his boyfriend in Atascocita, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office. Mario Jerrell Williams, 29, is charged with murder in the shooting of 28-year-old Devon Wade Sunday night at a home in the 17000 block of Crestline. The George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts is encouraging all schools impacted by Hurricane Harvey from Texas and Louisiana to apply for a chance to receive $2,000 art kits. The funds will be raised through the re-release of the famous silkscreen print "We Will Rise Again" piece that was first seen post-Katrina. All money raised through the sale of the silkscreen print art pieces, the George's Art Closet program, and funds contributed from other supporters, the foundation was able to raise enough to donate a number of $2,000 art kits. "Dad would be proud to have taken part in this effort to help schools affected by Hurricane Harvey," said Jacques Rodrigue, executive director of GRFA. The kits are geared toward elementary, middle or high school classrooms. Any schools from either Texas or Louisiana are asked to apply through an online form (https://form.jotform.com/72965875069172) to determined which school is in the most need. "These same communities in Houston and elsewhere in Texas helped us get back on our feet after Katrina and it is our turn to do the same," Rodrigue said. The foundation has raised millions in for humanitarian efforts and arts organizations right after Hurricane Katrina struck Louisiana in 2005. The originally Blue Dog print of We Will Rise Again raised $700,000, which the foundation notes were mostly generated by Texans. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Landry's plans to hire 600 people at The Post Oak, a luxury hotel under construction in Uptown. Tilman Fertitta's hospitality company is looking to fill management positions such as catering events manager, front desk manager, director of business travel, director of housekeeping, banquet manager and engineering coordinator. Other positions include accountants, front desk agents, food servers and sous chefs. Employees will receive training from Landry's consultants and benefits. Interested candidates can apply online at ThePostOak.com, or attend career fairs taking place Nov. 27, 28 and 29 at the Downtown Aquarium and Dec. 9 and 10 at Landry's corporate office, 1510 West Loop South. RELATED: The Post Oak called 'luxury destination' Now Playing: FOX 26 news reporter Rashi Vats Video: Fox 26 Houston The Post Oak mixed-use development will feature 250 hotel rooms and suites; 20 residential units; 35,000 square feet of event space; 150,000 square feet of office space; a Mastro's Steakhouse and a Willie G's Seafood restaurants. The 38-story luxury hotel boasts a "presidential suite," a 5,000-square-foot two-bedroom suite with private elevator access, a media room, exercise room and secluded terrace. The restaurants are set to open in December, and the hotel is slated to open in early 2018. TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. - Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and Canadian oil transport company Enbridge announced a timeline Monday for determining the future of twin pipelines beneath the channel where lakes Huron and Michigan converge. Options include shutting down the lines or routing them through a tunnel beneath the lake bed where they now rest. The plan calls for reaching a final agreement by Aug. 15 on the pipes beneath the Straits of Mackinac, a 5-mile-long scenic waterway with high value to the tourist industry and Great Lakes environment. They are part of Enbridge's Line 5, which carries nearly 23 million gallons of oil and liquid natural gas daily across northern Wisconsin and Michigan to refineries in Sarnia, Ontario. The company has repeatedly insisted the underwater segment installed in 1953 is in good condition and has never leaked. However, state officials and environmental groups have expressed alarm over recent disclosures of gaps in its exterior layer of protective enamel coating and unsupported spaces beneath the pipes. "Business as usual by Enbridge is not acceptable and we are going to ensure the highest level of environmental safety standards are implemented to protect one of Michigan's most valuable natural resources," Snyder said. The Republican governor's administration has resisted critics' demands to order the lines decommissioned, but that option "is still on the table," said Valerie Brader, executive director of the Michigan Agency for Energy. Although the federal government regulates oil pipelines, Michigan owns the lake bottom and granted an easement to the company allowing the pipeline to go there. Enbridge officials acknowledged an erosion of public confidence in the safety of Line 5 and apologized for what they described as poor communication with the public about their inspections and studies. Among the steps intended to boost the underwater pipes' safety is a procedure for temporarily halting the flow of oil during storms that produce sustained waves at least 8 feet high for longer than an hour, the level at which Brader said recovery of spilled oil becomes "extraordinarily hard." Enbridge also agreed to evaluate three options by June for routing the underwater segment through a tunnel or trench, on or beneath the lakebed - using the existing pipes or building a new one. Brent crude slipped toward $63 a barrel before OPEC and its allies meet this week to discuss prolonging their output cuts beyond March. Futures dropped as much as 1.2 percent in London, extending Monday's decline. Uncertainty over the outcome of Thursday's meeting is creating the risk of a slide in prices, which have gained on assumptions that the curbs will be prolonged for nine months, according to Goldman Sachs Group Inc. OPEC backs such an extension but is still waiting for commitments from Russia, according to people familiar with the matter. Crude surged earlier this month on signs the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its partners will prolong cuts aimed at shrinking a global glut. Prices, time spreads and hedge-fund positioning all reflect a high probability the group will follow a Saudi proposal to extend the pact to the end of 2018, Goldman said. Yet Saudi Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih said Tuesday that it's too early to talk about the duration. "Optimism has driven prices up quite a bit and now we're seeing some cautiousness being priced in ahead of OPEC," said Hans Van Cleef, senior energy economist at ABN Amro. "Although it's pretty certain that the agreement will be extended, it's more about the details and we know that Russia would prefer to wait a bit longer." Brent for January settlement declined 59 cents to $63.25 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange at 12:24 p.m. local time, after closing down 2 cents on Monday. The global benchmark crude traded at a premium of $5.61 to West Texas Intermediate. WTI for January delivery was at $57.63 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, down 48 cents. Total volume traded was about 6 percent above the 100-day average. Prices fell 84 cents to $58.11 on Monday. See also: Oil Snoozes Through Saudi-Iran Spat and Imminent OPEC Meeting The path toward market stability "has seen several bumps along the way, and we have suffered occasional setbacks, but our determination and hard work are paying off," OPEC Secretary-General Mohammad Barkindo said Monday. The oil market is steadily returning to balance, he said. Oil-market news: U.S. crude stockpiles probably fell by 3.5 million barrels last week, according to a Bloomberg survey before an Energy Information Administration report Wednesday. Citigroup Inc. said OPEC may either defer its decision on output cuts to the first quarter of 2018 or agree on an extension shorter than nine months. Canadian heavy-crude prices strengthened for the first time in two weeks after TransCanada Corp. said its Keystone pipeline will resume service Tuesday, allaying concerns about rising supplies in Alberta. WASHINGTON - After proposing to dismantle net neutrality rules, and setting off a firestorm of criticism, Ajit Pai, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, said his family has become the target of harassment. During an interview Monday on "Fox & Friends," viewers were shown cardboard signs that host Steve Doocy said were put up at Pai's home in suburban Virginia. One sign, appearing to refer to Pai's children, read: "They will come to know the truth. Dad murdered Democracy in cold blood." Pai said those signs crossed a line, even as he noted the charged debate over net neutrality. "I understand that people are passionate about policy, but the one thing in America that should remain sacred is that families, wives and kids, should remain out of it. And stop harassing us at our homes," he said. Last week Pai took aim at the signature Obama-era regulation designed to ensure that all websites are treated equally by internet providers. Under Pai's plan, those rules would be stripped, granting internet providers broad powers to determine what websites and online services their customers see and use. Republicans hold three out of five seats at the FCC. And Pai said he expects the plan to pass at a Dec. 14 meeting on a party-line vote. Pai has said his proposal would restore a "light-touch" regulatory framework for internet services and would stop the government from micromanaging the internet. Broadband and wireless companies such as Comcast and Verizon applauded Pai's move. But internet companies and activists see the undoing of net neutrality as an invitation for corporate abuse, in which service providers block websites they do not like and charge Web companies for speedier delivery of their content. Pai suggested that the intense criticism leveled at him for targeting neutrality rules can lead to the type of harassment his family experienced. "That's one of the things I think is very unfortunate about all the vitriol and hot air that's out there is that if you keep going out there and peddling this misinformation like, 'This is the guy who is going to break the internet and destroy democracy,' it's not surprising that some people get alarmed by it," he said. A spokesman for the FCC did not respond to a request for comment about the incident. Craig Aaron, the president of Free Press, an advocacy group that supports diverse media ownership, told the Washington Post: "We condemn any racist comments or harassing messages sent to the chairman of the FCC. We don't think there is any place for that in the debate." Aaron said his group was not involved in the sign-posting incident at Pai's home. Critics of the Trump-era FCC have scrutinized the agency's handling of public comments submitted to provide feedback on the net neutrality proposal. Some advocates and officials, including New York Attorney Genera Eric Schneiderman, say thousands of fake or automated comments submitted to the FCC have unfairly skewed the policymaking process. The FCC has said that it lacks the resources to review every comment and that automated feedback came from both foes of net neutrality and supporters. While the criticism over fake comments may not alter the commission's upcoming vote to repeal the rules, some experts say it may benefit supporters of the rules in any legal challenge to the FCC's plan. Prominent civil rights activist DeRay Mckesson will speak at the University of Houston on Wednesday on the Black Lives Matter movement and its policy platform. His visit is part of a "social justice solutions" speech series through the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work. The series began in 2016 amid discussion of fatal police shootings of black citizens. AUSTIN - Commissioner George P. Bush recently announced the donation of Carl Flemming's 1844 map of Texas to the Texas General Land Office Archives and Records from Carol and Morris McIntyre of Kerrville. "I am pleased that Carol and Morris McIntyre have donated this historic map of the Republic of Texas to the Texas General Land Office," said Bush. "Mr. and Mrs. McIntyre have helped us save Texas history by donating this rare map. The GLO Archives will be the permanent home for this map, where it will be conserved, digitized, and made available for study and reproduction. On behalf of the GLO, and the people of Texas, I thank the McIntyre's for their generous donation." "My donation of the 'Texas' Flemming map to the Texas General Land Office was made with the desire to share it with others and to have the personal assurance that the map would have a safe, protected and permanent home at the GLO. I acquired this map in the liquidation of a large Dallas law firm where I was employed as a paralegal on the liquidation team," said Carol McIntyre. "As a retired Paralegal, I have acquired expertise in oil & gas litigation and corporate/securities regulation. Throughout my business and legal career, I have seen a 'throw-away' mentality to keep up with the fast pace of changing technology. I have learned that historically significant items should be given the highest level of consideration. It is extremely rewarding to put a historical item in a permanent preservation environment where it belongs." The map shows the northern boundary of Texas extending to the Arkansas River, encompassing territory into the Rocky Mountains and parts of New Mexico, including Santa Fe. The map appeared both as a separate issue, and in some of Flemming's atlases. Flemming issued his 1842 German edition of the famous 1841 Arrowsmith map on a reduced scale for dissemination among the many potential German immigrants to Texas in the mid-1800s. As a result, the map is sometimes referred to as the "German Arrowsmith" because of the similar cartography. The Archives of the Texas General Land Office, home to 36 million documents and over 45,000 maps and sketches detailing the history of the public lands of Texas, is one of the premier cartographic resources for Texas. The agency's goal is to develop the most comprehensive historic Texas map collection in the world, and to make it entirely available online. Lacking a significant acquisitions budget, this ambitious objective is reliant upon partnering with history-loving members of the public to grow the collection. Reproductions of the donated Flemming map of Texas are now available for $20. All funds raised by map reproduction sales are directed toward the conservation of the GLO's archival collection. If you have a map or a collection that you think would fit within the scope of the GLO's Archives, we invite you to donate it so that future generations of Texans will be able to appreciate it, and to ensure future protection. Donating a map is a great way to show generosity and Texan pride, preserve the document, and to leave a lasting contribution to the advancement of Texas history knowledge. Your donation will be forever recognized in the description of the map whenever it is accessed in the GLO's online map database, and in future exhibitions. To donate a map, or for more information, contact Archives staff at archives@glo.texas.gov. It has been a rough couple of weeks for the law enforcement community. On Sunday, Nov. 5, Harris County Precinct 4 Deputy Constable Justin Gay was shot six times in the legs during a call to a domestic disturbance. Gay was taken to Memorial Hermann Red Duke Trauma Institute and is expected to recover. "We are thankful for the many prayers and messages he has received in show of support from our citizens we serve," Precinct 4 wrote in a Facebook post. Constantine Argyrion, 38, has been charged with attempted murder relating to the shooting and is currently jailed under a $250,000 bond. Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Damon Allen, 41, died after being shot around 4 p.m. Thanksgiving Day on Interstate 45 near Fairfield in Freestone County by a man later identified by police as Dabrett Black, 32, who then fled the scene. It was apparently a routine traffic stop that resulted in Allen's death. Black has since been captured and reportedly had served jail time for assaulting a public servant, and was indicted by a grand jury last month for crashing his car into a police vehicle. On Sunday, an empty DPS patrol unit sat in front of the Freestone County Courthouse, serving as a memorial for Trooper Allen, who is survived by his wife and three children. Flowers, balloons and bows were added to the vehicle as token of respect. Meanwhile, Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls has found himself embroiled in controversy over First Amendment rights. It all started when Karen Fonseca allegedly drove around her husband's truck with a large sticker exclaiming "F--- Trump" and a photo posted online went viral. Nehls posted to his personal Facebook account wherein he threatened to bring disorderly conduct charges against the driver of a truck displaying a profane anti-Trump message on its rear window. Fonseca has since been arrested on an outstanding warrant out of Rosenberg on an unrelated charge. The timing couldn't be any worse. Ultimately, there isn't much that anyone can do about the whole "F--- Trump" sticker. The U.S. Supreme Court already addressed this in 1971 in Cohen v. California. In short, Paul Robert Cohen wore a jacket emblazoned with the words "F--- The Draft." He was charged with disturbing the peace and the case ended up in front of the Supreme Court. In a 5-4 decision, the court ruled in Cohen's favor and the epithet, while disturbing to most, is deemed free speech. This statement of law was: "The First Amendment, as applied through the Fourteenth, prohibits states from making the public display of a single four-letter expletive a criminal offense, without a more specific and compelling reason than a general tendency to disturb the peace." The whole Nehls-Fonseca controversy will most likely continue for some time as lawyers are now involved. Law enforcement members are lightning rods for controversy and consternation. They answer calls and step into family disputes, often putting themselves into harm's way, or find themselves in danger by doing something routine. In Nehl's case, depending on who you believe, he stepped into controversy at the behest of people upset by someone else's actions. In the coming days, members of law enforcement will be more visible as the holiday shopping season kicks into high gear. This is the time of year where bad people find opportunity to do even worse things. For the next month, officers will be kept pretty busy. Hopefully they have more boring days than busy ones. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The second of four men accused in a deadly Conroe jewelry store heist pleaded guilty Monday. Coredarian Javonte Bailey, 22, joins Kadarius Krisshawn Royston, 24, as the only two people convicted in the robbery. Four men, including Bailey and Royston, charged into Jeff's Jewelry in the 4800 block of Texas 105 West on Oct. 3, 2016, demanding jewelry and cash while brandishing firearms in a daring midday robbery where customers and workers were going about their business. During the robbery, store owner Jeffrey Turner Jr. shot and killed Javian Jackson, 21, as three other robbers fled. Bailey was set for trial Monday but pleaded to first-degree felony aggravated robbery instead, pledging to provide truthful testimony for prosecutors in the remaining criminal cases against Sedrick Jermaine Townsend, 37, and Santo LaCharles Stephens, 21. Prosecutors believe Townsend and Stephens were the other two accomplices in the botched heist. ARSON IN THE WOODLANDS: Authorities asking for help finding fire starters While a first-degree felony charge normally carries a sentencing range of five to 99 years or life in prison, terms of Bailey's plea make him eligible for probation, according to Chief Major Crimes Prosecutor Jim Prewitt. His possible prison sentence also would be capped at 30 years. He will be sentenced Jan. 26 by 435th state District Court Judge Patty Maginnis. Royston, who pleaded guilty to first-degree aggravated robbery Oct. 23, will be sentenced Jan. 13 by Maginnis as well. He is facing the full first-degree felony punishment range. Townsend is set to face a jury on a first-degree aggravated robbery charge Monday, while Stephens is facing a jury Jan. 16 on the same charge. Robbery Gone Wrong The five men met at Jackson's mother's apartment in Houston on the morning of the robbery before departing to Conroe in two vehicles, according to court documents. After meeting up again at a Conroe gas station, the five allegedly discussed the robbery. Bailey, Jackson, Stephens and Royston reportedly got into a white Dodge Charger and headed to the Conroe West strip center in the 4800 block of Texas 105 West, which is where Jeff's Jewelry is located. Court records show Townsend stayed behind as the four headed to the store. Early that Monday afternoon, police believe Jackson, Stephens and Royston entered the jewelry store as Bailey held open the door. Jackson, armed with a gun, went straight to the register and demanded the cashier fill a duffle bag with cash. As an employee fired shots at the robbers, police say Bailey, Stephens and Royston fled to the Charger parked out front, but Jackson stayed behind waiting for the duffle bag to be filled with cash. Once the bag was full, court records show, Jackson started firing at Turner, who returned fire with his AK-47 rifle. Jackson died on scene. Bailey, Stephens and Royston met up with Townsend at the Walgreens at the corner of FM 3083 and Texas 105 immediately after the robbery, according to court records. The four drove around, and as Townsend learned they did not get the money, he left them on the side of the freeway, detectives said. Townsend made his way back to the crime scene, parking his car at the same Walgreens and walking the roughly 400 feet along Texas 105 to Jeff's Jewelry, according to law enforcement. Conroe police questioned Townsend, who said he knew Jackson was dead before police had identified him. He reportedly told police a friend in Houston called him and told him of Jackson's death, but was not able to substantiate that claim, court records show. The next day, he reportedly told police he was in Houston at that friend's house buying drugs when he heard of Jackson's death and drove straight to the crime scene. Police say witnesses told them they saw Townsend at the Walgreens prior to him arriving at the crime scene. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Katy artists Vanessa Rojas and Samthel Hempel joined Fort Bend County artists Gini Bailey and Farrah Lynch among 200 artists from around the world who came to downtown Houston to participate in through the Houston Via Colori Street Painting Festival. "I like the smiles it brings to people's faces, especially the children," Bailey said. Bailey studied graphic design in college before moving to Sugar Land with her husband in 1992. She put aside her career aspirations to focus on raising their two sons but found numerous outlets over the years for her artistic talents. She served as the chair person for the art program at her sons' elementary school and volunteered in the classroom to teach children about art. She also served as president and vice-president for the Art League of Fort Bend. And, for years she's helped raised donations for nonprofit The Center for Hearing and Speech through the Houston Via Colori Street Painting Festival by creating unique and beautiful sidewalk murals. Now in its 11th year, the theme for the 2017 Houston Via Colori Street Painting Festival was "A Colorful World." Bailey's artistic talents include photography, drawing and painting and her street murals in years past have been drawn from her original creations. However, her inspiration this year took a different route. "I knew it needed to be vibrant and colorful," she said. "But, it also needed a historical element as the festival was celebrating the 70-year anniversary of the Center for Hearing and Speech." Bailey's mural featured vintage and modern images of Mickey Mouse in vivid colors. "I wanted something nostalgic that people could immediately identify and of course, everybody loves Mickey Mouse," she said. "I was able to incorporate how the design has evolved from its earliest days in black-and-white to energetic, bright colors." Richmond artist Farrah Lynch has been creating street murals for Via Colori for the last 10 years. "I really enjoy the back and forth conversations between visitors and artists," Lynch said. "The festival also broadens your scope as an artist because using cement as my canvas is not something I do often and I enjoy that. Overall, I've enjoyed the festival very much every year." Lynch's creation for the festival featured an African American flapper from the 1920s. "I've always found the image of the flapper to be mysterious and also tragic," she said. "The wealth of the early 1920s in contrast to the poverty that followed during the Great Depression was interesting to me." To echo that sense of contrast, Lynch created the mural using black and white pastels tones. "I also used pops on color in her air to make the image stand out," Lynch said. Lynch works on her artwork in her garage-studio in Richmond, where she lives with her husband, Jeremiah and their two teenage sons, Jeremiah Jr. and Isaiah. She has exhibited her work in numerous galleries and group shows in Houston and last year she had her first solo exhibit in Houston. "As an artist, I primarily express myself in abstracts and portraits using oils, acrylics, pastels, spray paint and mixed media," she said. Outside galleries and shows, Lynch sells her artwork through her website at www.arebeleyeart.com. Each year, organizers say Via Colori raises more than $400,000 to fund health and educational services for area children with hearing loss. "The Center for Hearing and Speech relies on the generous support from our community to help children with hearing loss learn to listen, speak and read," Renee Davis, executive director of The Center for Hearing and Speech, said in a news release. "We are so grateful to our sponsors, artists, volunteers, entertainers and attendees for making Via Colori possible. For information about the annual Houston Via Colori Street Painting Festival, visit www.centerhearingandspeech.org/via-colori. More than $440,000 has been delivered back to the city of Sugar Land thanks to its membership in the state's leading municipal electricity buying group, the Texas Coalition for Affordable Power. "These rebates really help - especially at the end of the fiscal year," said Sugar Land Assistant City Manager Christopher Steubing, who also serves as a TCAP board director. "Collecting more than $440,000 over time is great news for our city. This is money that we put to good use. It benefits the city of Sugar Land, and by extension our taxpayers." U.S. Magistrate Judge Miguel Torres denied Monday an unprecedented motion to dismiss criminal charges against four Central American parents and one grandmother for illegally crossing the border and who were separated from their accompanying children as a result. The Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Western District of Texas argued that prosecuting potential asylum seekers and removing their children violates the U.S. Constitution because they are pleading guilty under duress to be reunited with their kids. The government contended that the separations had nothing to do with the criminal accusation at hand of entering the country without authorization. Dismissing such charges could encourage adults to bring minors simply to avoid such prosecutions, it said. Immigrant advocates say criminal prosecutions for crossing the border enable President Donald Trump's administration to bypass a landmark 1997 federal settlement, known as the Flores Agreement, that bars the prolonged detention of migrant children even when they are with their parents. Critics say the settlement has led to a practice of arresting and releasing migrants with no consequence, encouraging illegal immigration. The El Paso judge repeatedly expressed his concern that parents facing such charges are kept in the dark about the whereabouts and well-being of their children, who are put into federal foster care shelters once adults are imprisoned. He worried that such a lack of information about their children could force parents to plead guilty involuntarily. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that immigration consequences can be a critical factor in the nature of a defendant's guilty plea. Torres said parents might similarly think it is in the best interest of their child to plead guilty so that they can more quickly reunite. "At this point, they don't know if they are going to be deported before, after, or at the same time as their kids," the judge said. "If you were in the defendants' shoes, that would be a considerable factor" in pleading guilty. The public defender's office is appealing the decision. A 20-year-old Houston man faces felony charges after police say he threatened parishioners at a Fifth Ward church on Sunday. A police union leader meanwhile criticized the man's $7,000 bond as too light, citing the recent shooting that killed 26 at a Sutherland Springs church as evidence that the crime should be punished more seriously. Yes, you can transfer your domain to any registrar or hosting company once you have purchased it. Since domain transfers are a manual process, it can take up to 5 days to transfer the domain. Domains purchased with payment plans are not eligible to transfer until all payments have been made. Please remember that our 30-day money back guarantee is void once a domain has been transferred. For transfer instructions to GoDaddy, please click here. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The Fallen Warriors Memorial in Champions is undergoing a fundraising campaign to add a new installation - two bronze statues of military service dogs. The life-size bronze sculptures are complete and waiting at a foundry in Bastrop, Texas. The next step is to prepare the site at the Fallen Warriors Memorial with electricity and then lights. The nonprofit hopes to install the statues at the beginning of 2018. The two statues represent the thousands of military service dogs and the search and rescue dogs that serve, said Cheryl Whitfield, of the National Memorial Ladies, a volunteer service formed at the Houston National Cemetery. Military dogs have saved thousands of lives, Whitfield said. "War dogs contribute so much, plus save lives," she said. In addition, she said, "they bring calm to the soldiers." There are about 2,500 military dogs currently in service, including about 700 of them serving overseas, Whitfield said. One of the dogs represented in the statue is Bretagne, a Golden Retriever who was a search and rescue dog with the Texas Task Force One and Cy-Fair Volunteer Fire Department. Bretagne was deployed to Ground Zero in New York after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. She died last June. The other dog represented in the other statue is Eli, a black Labrador that was on deployment in Afghanistan with his handler U.S. Marine Lance corporal Colton Rusk from Orange Grove, Texas. Eli was with Rusk when Rusk was killed in 2010. In the statue, Eli will be lying down and have his head turned to look over at one of the walls at the monument where his handler is memorialized. Eli lives in Orange Grove with his Rusk's family. Architect Michael Murr is designing a wall to be built behind the dog statues to provide information about service dogs and search and rescue dogs and details about Eli and Bretagne. The service dogs are equivalent to Navy Seals, Whitfield said. There was a war dog with the Navy Seals when they came upon Osama bin Laden, she said. Northwest Houston residents can pay their respects to those who have served or for those who are currently serving in the military at the Fallen Warriors Memorial. The Fallen Warriors Memorial is located at 14500 Cutten Road, between FM 1960 and Texas 249, off Cypresswood Drive. The monument is located at the end of the Cy-champ Park nature path and consists of four large granite walls engraved with the names of 634 fallen soldiers. The memorial was complete in 2012. The names are listed in chronological order with date, rank and branch of service. National Memorial Ladies member Lynn Ruoff, who researched the soldiers to be added to the wall, said the names are listed from the soldiers who were killed first to the most recent. To donate or to learn more about the new bronze dog statues, visit http://fallenwarriorstexas.org, or call Cheryl Whitfield at 832-868-9810. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Holiday food and toy drives are in full swing in northwest Houston. Area nonprofits are collecting food and toys to give to area families in need this holiday season. Northwest Assistance Ministries has increased its drive to provide toys and food to 1,000 families in need. Cypress Assistance Ministries has drives underway to provide toys, food and baking baskets to nearly 1,000 children and their families. "Making sure each child has toys to open on Christmas morning not only makes Christmas memorable for that child, but relieves so many stressors on the family," said Janet Ryan, director of development at Cypress Assistance Ministries. "Parents don't have to choose whether to pay the electric bill or buy toys. Or pay the rent or buy toys." The nonprofit relies on the generosity of the community, Ryan said. "Our community makes it possible for so many kids to actually feel the excitement and joy of opening gifts on Christmas morning, bringing smiles we wish you could see," Ryan said. The nonprofit also provides a holiday meal to the families, including a turkey or ham and all of the traditional fixings. Cypress Assistance Ministries additionally provides the families with extra food to help during the two weeks children are out of school on break. "In addition, we strive to give each family a baking basket, filled with everything they need to bake cookies, brownies, cakes and other sweet treats," Ryan said. "When money is tight, baking with your family is something many families never get to experience." This "lets families start a tradition of spending great family time together in the kitchen, enjoying the smells and taste of Christmas," Ryan said. As part of the toy drive, the nonprofit seeks assistance from area churches and businesses to put up an angle tree, with names of different children who are in need. The number of financially unstable households in northwest Harris County continues to grow along with the population. Many of the families helped during the drives are on the poverty level. Cypress Assistance Ministries has seen a huge increase in the need for food this year, Ryan said. "With such a large number of people losing work from Hurricane Harvey, more and more people who've never needed help before find themselves in need now," Ryan said. "And thanks to the kindness of the people in our area, we are able to serve them when they come to CAM." Northwest Assistance Ministries has also seen an increase in clients registering for their holiday program, said Debbie Peterson, director of NAM's assistance program. The nonprofit registered 800 families for its Thanksgiving food drive. NAM is seeking the community's support in donations of food and toys, which can be made directly at NAM or by visiting namonline.org. The nonprofit will distribute toys and food on Saturday, Dec. 16, and Monday, Dec. 18. The organization asks that donated toys be unwrapped. The biggest needs are toys for boys and girls ages 8 to 12. Toys suggestions for that age group includes art and jewelry sets, games such as Uno and Life, Legos, science sets and books including "Diary of a Wimpy Kid." NAM receives much of its donations from its member churches and area businesses. In addition, the nonprofit receives donations from area school drives, including schools in Spring, Klein and Tomball, along with area organizations such as the Boy Scouts. NAM seeks volunteers to help distribute the toys and meals. To donate or help with the holiday drives: Contact Janet Ryan at Cypress Assistance Ministries at janetk@cypressassistance.org or call 281-955-7684. Contact Northwest Assistance Ministries at 281-885-3914 or visit holiday@namonline.org or http://namonline.org. The body of Azerbaijani serviceman that was found near the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan has been handed over to the Azerbaijani side. November 28, 2017, 15:28 Armenia hands over body of Azerbaijani serviceman STEPANAKERT, NOVEMBER 28, ARTSAKHPRESS:The body was handed over at the presence of the representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross in the direction of Nakhchivan, NEWS.am reported. Serviceman from the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia (RA) detected the dead body of an Azerbaijani soldier at the buffer zone across the combat position at the southwestern sector of the Armenian state border on November 23. According to the reports, captain Bahruz Jalilbeyli escaped a military unit after committing a crime. PAUL OATES Australias attempts to stop Papua New Guinea from awarding a contract to a firm it does not trust in the distribution of the medicines to the health centres has taken a new twist. It has now been reported by media in Australia that Australia has withdrawn funding for a $38 million (about K92.7m) program that supplies medicine to PNG health centres, due to concerns about the way PNG has awarded contracts. Previously, Australias aid agency chose the supplier and distributor for the medicines, but this year that process was handled by PNG PNG Post-Courier, 30 December PAPUA NEW GUINEA Health Minister Michael Malabag and Health Secretary Pascoe Kase have responded in the PNG media saying that they were unaware that Australia had ceased to fund the countrys pharmaceutical purchase and distribution scheme. In fact, they claimed that this was a PNG government-funded scheme and therefore didnt involve Australia at all. Well, that answers that, doesnt it? There isnt a problem at all is there? Never was! A Republican-aligned group unveiled a new multi-million dollar ad campaign to thank GOP representatives, including four New Yorkers, who voted for the House tax reform bill earlier this month. American Action Network's $2.5 million campaign will fund digital and television ads in 29 congressional districts. In New York, the ads will target voters in the 22nd, 23rd, 24th and 27 districts. The four Republicans who represent those New York districts U.S. Reps. Claudia Tenney, Tom Reed, John Katko and Chris Collins voted for the House GOP tax plan. The ads feature a Wisconsin couple highlighting the benefits of the House tax proposal, which would reduce the number of income tax brackets, double the standard deduction for individuals and families and reduce the corporate tax rate from 35 to 20 percent. "Too many American families are living paycheck-to-paycheck, struggling to make ends meet," said Corry Bliss, executive director of the American Action Network. "Thankfully, Congress has promised to cut taxes for middle-class families, and as momentum for tax reform continues, relief is on the way." American Action Network has been a major supporter of the tax reform push in Congress. The group has spent more than $22 million on advertising campaigns urging GOP members of Congress to support the plan. Previous efforts have targeted other members of the New York delegation, including U.S. Reps. Elise Stefanik and John Faso. However, five of New York's nine GOP representatives voted against the tax plan. Faso, R-Kinderhook, and Stefanik, R-Willsboro, opposed the bill. U.S. Reps. Dan Donovan, Peter King and Lee Zeldin also voted against the proposal. The tax reform push is far from over. While the House has passed its proposal, the Senate is still working on its own. At least two Republican senators have said they oppose the current Senate proposal. If the Senate passes its tax reform plan, a conference committee will develop a final agreement between the two houses. Once an agreement is reached, the House and Senate must approve the final bill. A progressive group is targeting U.S. Rep. John Katko after he voted for the House Republicans' tax plan earlier this month. Not One Penny, a coalition that includes the Indivisible movement, MoveOn.org and the Working Families Party, unveiled a new television ad campaign that criticizes Katko's vote and the tax proposal. The group cites analyses conducted by two nonpartisan think tanks, the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy and the Tax Policy Center, that found the wealthiest Americans will receive massive tax breaks and millions of New Yorkers will pay higher taxes if Congress approves the plan. The group also referred to the Tax Policy Center's analysis of the Senate GOP bill. The think tank estimates that 87 million families earning less than $200,000 a year would pay higher taxes by 2027. Not One Penny's ad also pans the elimination of several tax credits and deductions, including deductions for medical expenses and state and local taxes. It would also eliminate the ability to deduct student loan interest. "Congressman John Katko has sold out his constituents in order to line the pockets of millionaires, billionaires and wealthy corporations," said Tim Hogan, a spokesman for Not One Penny. "Working families in New York will see tax increases while wealthy corporations making record profits will see their taxes cut. Simply put, Congressman Katko is rigging the system against his constituents." The ad is part of a seven-figure campaign funded by Not One Penny. The exact cost of the effort wasn't disclosed. Katko, R-Camillus, has said he voted for the House tax bill because it would benefit a "vast majority" of his constituents. He reiterated his support for the plan Monday and again said it would benefit most of his constituents, although he couldn't provide exact figures on how many central New Yorkers would receive a tax cut if this bill is adopted. The House GOP bill passed by a vote of 227 to 205. Katko was one of four New York Republicans who voted for the bill. The others were U.S. Reps. Chris Collins, Tom Reed and Claudia Tenney. The Senate is drafting its own proposal, but there are at least two GOP senators who oppose the plan. While the two bills have similarities, the Senate legislation would eliminate a key Affordable Care Act provision requiring individuals to purchase health insurance coverage. If the Senate passes its bill, a joint conference committee will be formed to negotiate a final tax reform measure. Once an agreement is reached, it must be approved by the House and Senate. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The Air Force failed numerous times to take steps that would have prevented Sutherland Springs shooter Devin Patrick Kelley from purchasing the firearm he used to kill 26 people and wound 20 others, according to a claim filed by the Holcombe family, which lost 9 members in the massacre. The claim, filed against the U.S. government Tuesday specifically in the death of Bryan Holcombe, could be the first step to an eventual lawsuit if the Air Force denies responsibility. The family is seeking monetary damages but said they are also hoping to prevent the type of error that allowed Kelley to purchase the tools he needed to carry out the deadliest mass shooting in Texas history. READ MORE: Air Force admits it failed to send Sutherland Springs gunman's records to feds Now Playing: Twenty-six people died in the Sunday massacre at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs on November 5, 2017. Video: San Antonio Express-News "Although the shooter undoubtedly 'pulled the trigger' that resulted in the injuries and death of JB Holcombe and others, failures of the US Air Force, and others, allowed the shooter to purchase, own and/or possess the semiautomatic rifle, ammunition and body armor he used, and it is these failures that were a proximate cause, in whole or in part, of the injuries and death of the decedent," reads the claim. Remembering Nov. 5 Joe Papa Joe Holcombe joined Houston-based attorney Rob Ammons in downtown San Antonio Tuesday afternoon to discuss his claim and tell the story of his nine family members who lost their lives on Nov. 5. He said he returned home from teaching Sunday School at the First Baptist Church in Floresville to do what he and his wife always did those days each lunch and watch church services streamed from San Antonio. The 86-year-old said he noticed his pastor walking up to the house and thought, "What in the world is he doing here?" It was about an hour after the shooting and the pastor arrived to deliver the terrible news. "I said, 'How about my family?'" Holcombe recalled. "'Bryan?'" He's gone, the pastor said. John? He was wounded. Karla? She's gone. "How many are gone?" Holcombe finally asked. And then the pastor named them all. "That's what hit me the hardest," Holcombe said. RELATED: Handwritten lawsuit on behalf of Devin Kelley's family appears to be work of Ohio inmate The family's patriarch lost his son Bryan, daughter-in-law Karla, grandson Marc, granddaughter-in-law Crystal, and great-grandchildren Noah, Emily, Gregory, Megan and an unborn child who was to be named Carlin Brite "Billy Bob" Holcombe. Kelley's history The Air Force found through an internal investigation that it failed to report Kelley's 2012 conviction for spousal and child abuse to the FBIs National Instant Criminal Background Check System. If the agency had followed through on its reporting requirement, that conviction would have followed him and prevented him from purchasing firearms. Instead, he bought four in Colorado and Texas between 2014 and 2017, including the rifle used in Sutherland Springs. Because of his abuse convictions, Kelley received a bad-conduct discharge from the Air Force. The claim also cites threats Kelley made against his superior officers and his attempts to smuggle guns onto base, which landed him in a mental health facility in New Mexico. He escaped that facility and was later apprehended by law enforcement. Ammons said Kelley's case and the Air Force's error is not uncommon, citing a February 2015 Air Force which report found 30 percent of servicemen convicted of crimes were not reported to the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System. RELATED: Apple served with search warrant in Sutherland Springs shooting By failing to report, the Air Force is basically shredding gigantic holes in the safety net that is there to protect all of us in society, Ammons said. Its time that this ends and its time that this problem is corrected. The Air Force admits failures Coincidentally, the Air Force on Tuesday released the results of a review into Kelley's case it launched immediately after the shooting. They found similar reporting lapses at other locations. In a statement the Air Force also said it was implementing a number of corrective measures to ensure reporting compliance. Air Force officials have not yet responded to Holcombe's claim. Holcombe, a devout Christian, said he believes his lost loved ones are in a better place. And someday soon, hell get to join them. Theyre just in a much better place now because its never going to happen to em again, he said. Staff writers Guillermo Contreras, Sig Christenson and John Tedesco contributed to this report. | Kelsey Bradshaw is a digital reporter for mySA.com. Read more of her stories here.| kbradshaw@express-news.net | Twitter: @Kbrad5 AUSTIN -- Houston entrepreneur Andrew White, a conservative Democrat and son of the late former Gov. Mark White, is close to announcing he will become a candidate for Texas governor. Supporters and allies said Tuesday they expect White, 45, has all but decided to run against Republican Greg Abbott. They said they expect an announcement on his decision in early December. Reached by phone, White told the Houston Chronicle he "is moving from contemplating to executing and preparing." He said he would discuss further details in coming days. White has not yet filed. The filing period closes on Dec. 11. White in October launched a Facebook page and a website AndrewWhite.com as he explored formally filing as a candidate, a move that immediately drew backlash from liberal Democrats like former state Sen. Wendy Davis who said he was too conservative for Democrat's' political base. White had said he planned to decide by sometime around Thanksgiving. Even so, on his exploratory Web site, White sounds more like a full-fledged candidate: "I've never been elected to anything. So I thought I'd start with governor." "I've made a bunch of friends Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, and Independents. I'm running as a Democrat, but I agree with Republicans and Libertarians on some issues, Independents on others, and Democrats on many. "Let's forget the labels. I'll work everyday with all parties to make real progress. All credit will go to the Legislators who do right and risk consequences. I'll take the blame for failures." In October, White said he wanted to see if there was enough support for him to launch a formal campaign. "I don't know what success looks like, but I definitely know what failure looks like -- and that's what we have now," White said at that time. "Our state is being run by a very fringe element of the Republican party." White would be the first Democrat with at least some street cred to run in a year when Democratic officials have, so far, failed to announce a banner-carrier to run against Abbott. Two other Democrats have announced -- Dallas gay bar owner Jeffrey Payne and San Antonio businessman Tom Wakely -- but they are both considered long shots with not enough name ID or funding support to win. White would be a "next gen" candidate, younger than Abbott and most other gubernatorial candidates, with hopes that he could coalesce support from Democrats and moderate Republicans disgusted with the GOP leadership's push to enact a bathroom bill, a ban on sanctuary cities and other controversial proposals that have drawn widespread protests -- even from the business community that traditionally supports Republicans. Growing up in a political family, White, the president of Houston-based Sweat Equity Partners LP, has said he never considered getting into politics. But after his father died in August, he said "hundreds of people were coming up to me talking about all the things that dad did. White's father, a lifelong Democrat, served as governor from 1983 to 1987. He previously served as attorney general and secretary of state. After Texas Monthly in October broke the story of White's possible candidacy, he said he has been inundated with calls of support -- from both Democrats and Republicans. Democratic Party officials reportedly were not enthusiastic ab his candidacy. Facing a Republican incumbent with well over $40 million in his campaign war chest, White acknowledged that funding a campaign will be a challenge, "but we'll get there . . . I'm going to spend every dollar I raise." If he runs, White would be the sixth candidate with Houston ties to be running for statewide office in 2018. Houston energy lawyer Stefano de Stefano is running as a Republican against Ted Cruz, who has a Houston home; Abbott is a former Houston judge who last lived in the Bayou City before coming to Austin as a Texas Supreme Court justice, and Houston accountant Mike Collier is running against Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a fellow Houstonian, as a Democrat. Democrats have not won an election for statewide office in 20 years in Texas. 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. Five things you probably dont know about recovery unless youre in it: 1. Its fun. Really! Sure, there are the withdrawals and other issues related to getting clean you wouldnt shake a stick at, or wish upon your worst enemy, but beyond that: fun. Recovery is a journey of self-growth and empowerment. Learning new skills, developing new hobbies and creating new relationships are just the beginning of having that fun. 2. It's freeing. Step four of Alcoholics Anonymous states, Made a fearless and searching moral inventory. For some this is terrifying, and in many ways it should be. But when this step can be accomplished, it is called the freedom step. Alcoholic.org educates, Alcoholics Anonymous step four requires a clear and frank understanding of one's self. Through the process of discovering the true nature of personal character, a participant learns to understand identify the weaknesses that may have helped contribute to alcoholism. This also leads you to understand personal strengths that may compensate for the weaknesses and focus on those areas that need the most support in order to continue the 12-step program. This step in the process provides a foundation for future steps. 3. Its challenging. Many clients have been told over and over by well-meaning loved ones to just stop using, or get a job and youll get better. If recovery were as easy as abstaining from chemicals, no one would continue to use when theyve faced significant consequences and losses because of it. For most, they continue to use long after getting high was any fun. The disease of addiction/alcoholism is cunning, baffling and powerful (to take a phrase from AA), and it will not go away or be dampened without a fight. 4. It only happens one day at a time. Recovery cannot be rushed, and patience is a virtue. Not one of us can change the past, so focusing on it with guilt and shame is not productive in recovery. Similarly, not one of us can control the future. Focusing on any day except for the one at hand is ripe for distraction and relapse risk. The Rev. Rick Warren said something like this in a sermon I heard via podcast: Today is the tomorrow you were agonizing over yesterday. 5. There isnt only one right way. When an individual has the spiritual awakening described in AA's "The Big Book," they may be prone to evangelizing the path that has brought them so much serenity. While the 12 steps are clear and concise, they dont dictate the every movement of a person in recovery. One person may find recovery through religion, another through secular routes. One person may find recovery through a sponsor, another through holistic approaches. All paths to recovery are valuable and valid. Recovery is fun, freeing, challenging, gradual and individual. Most of all, recovery is possible. We attempted to send a notification to your email address but we were unable to verify that you provided a valid email address. Please click here to update your email address if you wish to receive notifications. Otherwise, you may click here to disable notifications and hide this message. Primeste notificari pe email Nota bene: Adresele email cu extensia .ru nu sunt acceptate. Contractare si Achizitie Bunuri Anunturi de Angajare Granturi - Finantari Burse de studiu Stagii Profesionale Oportunitati de voluntariat Toate Articolele CLEVELAND, Ohio - For the second time in two years, University Hospitals has a new chief information officer at the helm. On Monday, the health system named Robert K. Eardley its new CIO. He currently serves as senior vice president, chief information officer and chief information security officer at Houston Methodist Hospital in Texas. Eardley will start his new job in Cleveland on Feb. 19. Robert Eardley "The chief information officer role at any organization of our size is clearly a very important role," said Mike Szubski, UH's chief financial officer. "There's a lot going on in healthcare and especially IT. Based on some of [Eardley's] interviews, he really made a big immediate impression about his philosophy around the future of where IT is going. I think he's a visionary in thinking about the future." Eardley will be responsible for guiding UH's direction in managing electronic medical records, expanding telehealth services, streamlining the billing system and handling cybersecurity, among other things. "EMR and everything that it can be is really a top priority for our CIO," Szubski said of electronic medical records. Eardley worked at UH for five years, from 2006 to 2011. He started out there as the ambulatory and business systems division information officer and later became vice president and associate chief information officer. "He certainly knows our environment," Szubski said. "He knows our culture. He's familiar with many of the key leaders. I think there's a familiarity that will be an advantage." University Hospitals conducted a national search, using an external search firm, to identify its new CIO. "Robert rose to the top of that list," Szubski said. Eardley replaces Joy Grosser, who became chief information officer at UW Medicine in Seattle on Nov. 1. Grosser held UH's top information job for a little more than a year, after working as vice president at UnityPoint Health in Iowa. Since Grosser left in October, Jennifer Carpenter, UH's vice president of IT clinical systems, has been acting as interim chief information officer. Eardley has 24 years of experience in healthcare information technology. At Houston Methodist, he led the adoption of an electronic health-record system and oversaw consolidation of clinical imaging, installation of Oracle enterprise resource planning and a redesign of the system's digital presence, according to a news release. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Florida and a master's degree in business administration from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business. LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- The body pulled from the Rocky River Sunday afternoon, following an extensive water search was that of a former Cleveland firefighter, officials said. Terrence P. Hopkins was found about 12:30 p.m. near the boat ramps in the Rocky River Reservation, Cleveland Metroparks spokesman Jeff Tolman told cleveland.com. The Metroparks Rangers Dive Team retrieved the body from the river. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office identified Hopkins Sunday afternoon. Cleveland fire department spokesman Mike Norman said Hopkins joined the department on April 1, 1997. He retired from the department on Sept. 7, he said. Hopkins was pulled from the river after a man ran from police Saturday night. A Rocky River police officer spotted a man, who he knew to be a wanted person, about 9 p.m. Saturday outside of an apartment complex near the corner of Malvern and Wooster roads, a Rocky River police said in a weekend news release. After briefly interacting with the officer, the man ran and hopped over a fence, escaping police. The man then slid underneath a second fence, which "led directly to a cliff, at the bottom of which is the Rocky River," the news release says. The body was recovered by crews after a 15-hour search. To comment on this story, please visit Monday's crime and courts comments page. ASHTABULA, Ohio - The first two wines produced by Kent State University students in partnership with an Ashtabula County winery will be released next month. Sunburst, a Grand River riesling, and Sunset, a vinifera blend of cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc, are the result of innovative grape growing and winemaking degree programs at the campus in Ashtabula. The wines will be available at Laurello Vineyards, which is working with the university to provide students with experience in all aspects of the craft. Kent State Ashtabula established the state's only wine-degree programs in the fall of 2011. Two year programs are offered in viticulture (the study of vine growing and grape harvesting) and enology (the study of wine and winemaking). The hybrid study program combines online courses with in-person experience in laboratories, vineyards and wineries. The students have ranged in age from their early 20s to late 50s and include those already working in a winery who want to improve their skills or others looking to break into the field, Kent State officials have said. Laurello, a boutique winery in the Grand River Valley, was established in 2002 by Kim and Larry Laurello Jr. They operate and maintain 10 acres of estate grown vineyards, the university said. Under the new agreement, students will actively learn in the vineyards and in the cellar at Laurello's winery in Harpersfield Township, the college said. Ed Trebets, an award-winning winemaker who serves as director of Kent State's degree programs, will oversee the program. "This is an exciting partnership for our students for two main reasons," Susan Stocker, dean and chief administrative officer at Kent State Ashtabula, said in a news release. "Most importantly, it helps us provide an atmosphere of a teaching winery where our students can learn and share. And secondly, it will be rewarding for students to see the finished product, a Kent State Ashtabula labeled wine, on store shelves, in people's homes and on tables across the region." Providing a hands-on learning atmosphere will help the students learn the journey from the "vineyard to the bottle," the Laurellos said in the news release. For more information about the viticulture and enology programs, visit kent.edu/ashtabula/wine. CLEVELAND, Ohio - Automatic recounts will be required to decide two Cleveland City Council races, though official tallies in both races left the challengers in the lead, the Cuyahoga County Elections Board reported Tuesday. The official results, which include scores of late-counted provisional ballots, tightened the races in Cleveland's Ward 1 and Ward 7, where councilmen Terrell Pruitt and TJ Dow are the respective incumbents, according to a board news release. Recounts also will be required to decide a Brooklyn City School District tax issue, a Lakewood City Council at-large race, Cuyahoga Heights Village Council race and an East Cleveland Board of Education race, the board also reported. The recounts will be conducted next week. Unofficial vote tallies from Cleveland showed Pruitt and Dow losing by narrow margins. Former Councilman Joe Jones led Pruitt by nine votes in Ward 1. Activist Basheer Jones led Dow by 19 votes in Ward 7. Official totals show Joe Jones ahead of Pruitt by just eight votes, and Basheer Jones ahead of Dow by 13 votes. A hotly contested race in Ward 14 between incumbent Brian Cummins and Jasmin Santana also was close after unofficial vote totals were posted election night. The outcome of that race remained unchanged in the official count. Santana defeated Cummins to become the first Hispanic woman elected to Cleveland City Council. Official tallies showed she won by 77 votes. The outcomes in Wards 1 and 7 had remained in doubt because in each case there were scores of provisional ballots to be sorted out. Provisional ballots are cast when there is a problem with a voter's registration at a polling location. Often that can be because a voter moved or changed their legal name since the last election, but didn't update their registration information. Another common scenario is when people arrive at the polls without a valid form of identification. Those people can still vote, but their provisional ballots are kept separate to allow elections officials to sort out whether the voters are properly registered. As a result, the provisional ballots are not part of the unofficial count on election night. Cuyahoga County Elections Director Pat McDonald told cleveland.com after the election that typically about 90 percent of the provisional ballots end up being verified as coming from registered voters and counted in the official count. In Ward 1 there were 70 provisional ballots. In Ward 7 there were more than 151. Also added into the official count are absentee ballots that arrive via mail within 10 days after election day. So long as the postmark on the ballot is no later than the Monday before voting, those ballots can be counted. Ohio law allows for automatic recounts if the margin in an election is less than 0.5 percent. That is the case in both Wards 1 and 7. BUTLER COUNTY, Ohio -- A corrections officer at the Butler County Jail has been fired and is facing charges after she was accused of having sex with at least one inmate, reports say. Nakisha Newell, 28, is charged with two third-degree felony counts of sexual battery and two misdemeanor counts of illegal conveyance, according to jail records. Newell currently is in custody at another jail. WLWT Channel 5 reports Newell had been working at the jail for the past 18 months. According to the Dayton Daily News, a sergeant at the jail became suspicious of Newell and notified superiors. "He had seen some things that he didn't think were right. He did a great job bring the information to us," Sheriff's Department Major Mike Craft tells the Daily News. Newell was accused of bringing a cell phone and cigarettes into the jail, but a further investigation revealed she had sex with at least one inmate, Sheriff Richard K. Jones said in a news release. "Being a corrections officer is a noble but tough job," Jones said in the news release. "These men and women work hard and always have to be on their guard. "My employees take pride in their work and strive to ensure this facility maintains a great reputation. She has tarnished that and I do not want people like that working for me." Jone said more charges against Newell are likely. To comment on this story, please visit Monday's crime and courts comments page. COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Efforts to give Ohioans more power to pass and enforce local laws that might conflict with state laws gained initial approval Monday. Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine on Monday certified petitions for two proposed amendments to the state constitution: the Ohio Community Rights Amendment and the Initiative and Referendum Amendment for Counties and Townships. DeWine's certification is the first in a long series of steps for the measures to appear on a statewide ballot. The community rights amendment would establish a constitutional right to local community self-government for the "health, safety and welfare of community members." The county and township amendment would extend Ohio's constitutional right to initiative and referendum on state and city laws to county and township laws. The amendments were drafted to address what supporters say is growing influence from the Ohio Statehouse on local, community decisions. The amendment is backed by the Ohio Community Rights Network and the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund. Tish O'Dell, the legal defense fund's Ohio organizer, said communities should be able to pass local laws to regarding the environment, predatory lending, minimum wage, puppy mills and other issues without being preempted by state legislators. "We believe people locally have the right to certain things," O'Dell said. "Just because it isn't in our federal constitution doesn't mean we don't have the right to expand our rights locally." Colorado and Oregon have passed community rights measures in recent years, according to amendment backers. The amendments now go to the Ohio Ballot Board to determine whether each amendment is one or multiple issues. Once approved by the board, the group has to collect at least at least 305,591 signatures of registered Ohio voters, including a certain number in 44 of Ohio's 88 counties, to qualify each measure for a statewide ballot. NEW YORK (AP) Long before cats became the darlings of Facebook and YouTube, they spread through the ancient human world. A DNA study reached back thousands of years to track that conquest and found evidence of two major dispersals from the Middle East, in which people evidently took cats with them. Genetic signatures the felines had on those journeys are still seen in most modern-day breeds. Researchers analyzed DNA from 209 ancient cats as old as 9,000 years from Europe, Africa and Asia, including some ancient Egyptian cat mummies. "They are direct witnesses of the situation in the past," said Eva-Maria Geigl of the Jacques Monod Institute in Paris. She and colleagues also looked at 28 modern feral cats from Bulgaria and east Africa. It's the latest glimpse into the complicated story of domesticated cats. They are descendants of wild ancestors that learned to live with people and became relatively tame though some cat owners would say that nowadays, they don't always seem enthusiastic about our company. The domestication process may have begun around 10,000 years ago when people settled in the Fertile Crescent, the arch-shaped region that includes the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and land around the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. They stored grain, which drew rodents, which in turn attracted wild cats. Animal remains in trash heaps might have attracted them too. Over time, these wild felines adapted to this man-made environment and got used to hanging around people. Previous study had found a cat buried alongside a human some 9,500 years ago in Cyprus, an island without any native population of felines. That indicates the cat was brought by boat and it had some special relationship to that person, researchers say. Cats were clearly tame by about 3,500 years ago in Egypt, where paintings often placed them beneath chairs. That shows by that time, "the cat makes its way to the household," said Geigl. But the overall domestication process has been hard for scientists to track, in part because fossils skeletons don't reveal whether a cat was wild or domesticated. It's easier to distinguish dogs, our first domesticated animal, from their wolf ancestors. Dogs evolved from wolves that had begun to associate with people even before farming began, perhaps drawn by the food the humans left behind. The new study tracked the spread of specific cat DNA markers over long distances through time, a sign that people had taken cats with them. Results were released Monday by the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution. The study "strengthens and refines previous work," said Carlos Driscoll of the Wildlife Institute of India. The extensive sampling of cat DNA going back so far in time is unprecedented, he said. Researchers also looked for a genetic variant that produces the blotchy coat pattern typical of modern-day domestic cats, rather than the tiger-like stripes seen in their wild cousins. It showed up more often in samples from after the year 1300 than earlier ones, which fits with other evidence that the tabby cat markings became common by the 1700s and that people started breeding cats for their appearance in the 1800s. That's late in the domestication of cats, in contrast to horses, which were bred for their appearance early on, Geigl said. Most of the study focused on the ancient dispersals of cats. In the DNA samples analyzed, one genetic signature found first in the Asian portion of Turkey and perhaps once carried by some Fertile Crescent cats showed up more than 6,000 years ago in Bulgaria. That indicates cats had been taken there by boat with the first farmers colonizing Europe, Geigl said. It also appeared more than 5,000 years ago in Romania, as well as around 3,000 years ago in Greece. A second genetic signature, first seen in Egypt, had reached Europe between the first and fifth centuries, as shown by a sample from Bulgaria. It was found in a seventh-century sample from a Viking trading port in northern Europe, and an eighth-century sample from Iran. The dispersal of the cats across the Mediterranean was probably encouraged by their usefulness in controlling rodents and other pests on ships, the researchers said. ___ This Associated Press series was produced in partnership with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Vice president Mike Pence supports Bill Schuette for governor Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette has gained support from the vice president in his bid to become the states next governor. Mike Pence said in a statement that he believes Schuette is the right person for the job. As a former Midwest governor, (Pence) understands the type of leadership that is needed and believes Schuette can help to continue reviving the Michigan economy, Marc Lotter, spokesman for Pences Great America Committee, told The Detroit News. Pences newly formed political action committee, the Great America Committee, contributed $6,800 to Schuettes campaign for governor. According to The Detroit News, Pence has donated more than $200,000, within the last week, to Republicans across the country who are supportive of the presidents agenda. Pence visited with Schuette in late September while in Oakland County touting President Donald Trumps plan for tax reform. Schuette announced his candidacy on Sept. 12 in Midland. I am grateful for the support of Vice President Mike Pence, said Schuette. He was an outstanding leader as governor of Indiana and is now an outstanding leader for our nation. According to Schuettes Nov. 6 campaign finance summary, he has $2 million in the bank while Democratic frontrunner Gretchen Whitmer has $1.5 million. Schuette is endorsed by a host of Republicans from across the state, including Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard and Congressman Dave Trott. RELATED: Vice President Mike Pence visits Oakland County in September RELATED: Bouchard and Patterson support Schuette for governor RELATED: Gubernatorial candidate campaign finance information Jika Anda mencari situs web sbobet88 login yang andal dan aman untuk bermain poker online, permainan kasino, dan bentuk perjudian lainnya, Anda telah datang ke tempat yang tepat. Situs web kami menampilkan daftar lengkap permainan, opsi pembayaran, dan lainnya untuk memastikan Anda bersenang-senang saat bermain. Agen Judi judi adalah salah satu permainan poker online yang paling populer. 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Another comprehensive testing zone with an area of 2.33 million square meters will also be built during phase two to test intelligent-connected vehicles relative performances under closed urban traffic environment and comprehensive traffic environment. An open road testing zone covering urban cities, mountain zones, highways, tunnels and bridges is also planned to be built in 2019 in Chongqing Liangjiang New District and Yubei District. The demonstration testing zone will not only test vehicles performances but also test performances of communication infrastructure and road equipment. Currently, 4G and LTE-V communication infrastructure is built in the testing zone, which will be updated to 5G communication infrastructure. By the year 2019, Chongqing will build the first domestic whole-phase intelligent-connected auto testing zone covering 90% of road scenes in Western China and 85% of traffic scenes across the nation. Beamlog follows developments in the field of; - projection techniques - projection screens - Content creation - Digital Signage screens Our SUN is the greatest beamer. ~~~ You need some inspirations ?? This blog started in February 2008 Here >> more than 3.375 posts. Enjoy ! RSS Linktip Brantley GutierrezFoo Fighters have been booked as the musical guest on the December 16 installment of Saturday Night Live, but the band and Dave Grohl have been on so many times that they might as well be regular cast members. According to NBC, this will be Foo Fighters' seventh time on SNL as a musical guest. The only other rock band that's been on the show more often as a musical guest has been Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers. But the December 16th episode will mark Grohl's 13th appearance overall, according to NBC. That counts his appearances with Foo Fighters, with Nirvana, and as a special guest playing with Mick Jagger and, coincidentally, Tom Petty. Kevin Hart will host the episode with Foo Fighters. In other SNL news, U2 is the musical guest for this weekend's edition of the show. It's only their fourth time performing on the show, which is surprising given their long history. By the way, the music act who's appeared the most on Saturday Night Live is Paul Simon. He's been on 18 times, according to NBC, including hosting, performing and making special cameo appearances. No doubt part of the reason is because he and SNL creator and executive producer, Lorne Michaels, are longtime friends. Copyright 2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Continue Reading Below Advertisement That would be the World Health Organization, and by extension, its International Obesity Task Force, headed up by one Professor Philip James. In 1997, following two years of study, the IOTF lowered the "overweight" cutoff to 25 from its previous value of 27. And do you know who financially backed the IOTF's study? Pharmaceutical companies Hoffmann-La Roche and Abbott Laboratories, producers of the weight loss drugs Xenical and Meridia, respectively. Now, for his part, James maintains that the drug companies didn't push any sort of agenda on him (they merely pushed him lots of checks for $200,000 apiece). Still, there's no denying that by shifting an arbitrary dot on an arbitrary scale, James expanded said companies' markets by millions of instantly overweight people. Continue Reading Below Advertisement Of course, none of this is saying that it's cool to burst right through the top of the body mass index like some sort of French-fry-powered rocket-person. We're simply saying that as a general rule, anyone attempting to define a human being in two digits or fewer probably has some ill intentions. Dr. Claudio Buttice, Pharm.D., is a former hospital pharmacist who eventually grew bored being just a doctor and became a freelance medical writer. He's also a screenwriter and journalist who contributed to several magazines, such as The Ring of Fire, Digital Journal, Techopedia, and Business Insider -- and he managed to look cool every time. If you want to offer Dr. Buttice a writing gig or just want to throw money in his general direction, feel free to contact him at tyresia2@gmail.com or on LinkedIn. Continue Reading Below Advertisement The Overworked Person's Guide to Better Nutrition can help you by starting to sort all this craziness out. If you loved this article and want more content like this, support our site with a visit to our Contribution Page. Or sign up for our Subscription Service for exclusive content, an ad-free experience, and more. For more check out 6 Trendy Health Foods (That Are Being Sold To Idiots) and 9 Horrifying Foods You Won't Believe People Actually Eat. Subscribe to our YouTube channel and check out good movies gone bad in 6 Ways the Food Industry Tricks You Into Eating Garbage - The Spit Take, and watch other videos you won't see on the site! Also follow us on Facebook. Nom nom nom. And to further expand your noggin, check out Cracked's De-Textbook: The Stuff You Didn't Know About the Stuff You Thought You Knew. It's loaded with facts about history, your body, and the world around you that your teachers didn't want you to know. And as a bonus? We've also included the kinkiest sex acts ever described in the Bible. CRN brings readers coverage of AWS re:Invent 2017, happening this week in Las Vegas. 10 Red-Hot Products From AWS re:Invent 2017 From new integrations for Amazon Web Services environments, to brand-new products and services, Amazon's technology partners and vendors came to AWS re:Invent with a plethora of new offerings. CRN rounds up 10 of the hottest from the conference. AWS CEO Unleashes Several New AI, Container And Database Services, Including Amazon's First Managed Kubernetes Platform Andy Jassy's keynote at the re:Invent conference revealed major new products making it easier to scale databases, and make AI accessible to everday developers. AWS Bare-Metal EC2 Servers Will Help Some Customers Accelerate Solutions Built On Amazon, Others Achieve Greater Cloud Interoperability AWS never offered direct access to hardware until it struck its deal with VMware. Now other customers have won access to those non-virtualized environments. Amazon Web Services CEO Jassy On Not Building Technology For The Sake Of Being 'Cool' Following his re:Invent keynote, Amazon Web Services CEO Andy Jassy talked with reporters about hybrid cloud strategies, emerging technologies, and where the opportunities lie for AWS partners in a private Q&A session. Here's what solution providers should know. Accenture Boosts AWS Capabilities To Include Applied Intelligence, Data Analytics, Cloud-Native Offerings The consulting giant is launching applied intelligence, cloud-native development, and data centricity and analytics offerings through its dedicated Accenture AWS Business Group. AWS Adds New IoT Core Platform Analytics Capabilities, Security Services AWS announced an array of new IoT services at its re:Invent conference, including AWS IoT Device Management, AWS IoT Analytics and AWS IoT Device Defender. AWS CEO Jassy: The Most Committed Partners Will Have The Biggest Cloud Opportunities He also told the audience to pick a side when it comes to working with AWS or Oracle and challenged partners to find customers "using Oracle who are actually happy about it." 10 Red-Hot Products From AWS re:Invent 2017 From new integrations for Amazon Web Services environments, to brand-new products and services, Amazon's technology partners and vendors came to AWS re:Invent with a plethora of new offerings. CRN rounds up 10 of the hottest from the conference. AWS Rebrands Partner Program, Unveils New Competencies As Cloud Giant Deepens Its Commitment To The Channel At re:Invent, AWS channel chief Terry Wise revealed brand-new resources, as well as a rebranded reseller partner program that acknowledges the evolution of channel partners who are looking to expand their profitability with Amazon. As Amazon Approaches $1 Trillion Market Cap, Solution Providers Place Their Bets A few solution providers want to be the perfect Amazon partner to help companies move to the cloud, but some fear a $1 trillion company doesnt need partners as much as it once did. Will a bigger Amazon be better to the channel? VMware, AWS Expand Hybrid Cloud Partnership With New Migration, Disaster Recovery Services The new capabilities and discounts are being introduced just one quarter after VMware Cloud on AWS became available. AWS re:Invent: Cloud Migration Services A 'Massive' Opportunity For Solution Providers At its 6th annual AWS re:Invent conference, Amazon told channel partners that businesses need cloud migration services. AWS Service Broker 'Supercharges' Red Hat, Pivotal Application Platforms Later this week, AWS will open-source the solution for accessing native AWS services from two popular development platforms, Pivotal Cloud Foundry and Red Hat OpenShift. Channel programs News Dell Partners Say The New Mullen-Byrne Channel Duo Is A 'Win-Win' For Partners Mark Haranas Share this Partners are bullish about the future of Dell EMC with the new duo of Joyce Mullen at the global channel helm and John Byrne leading the North America commercial sales charge. Dan Serpico, CEO of San Francisco-based FusionStorm, ranked No. 46 on the CRN Solution Provider 500 list and one of the ultra-exclusive Dell Titanium Black partners, said he sees the Byrne and Mullen appointments as a "win-win" for partners. "This is a total win-win for the channel," he said after learning of the executive lineup change. "We now have two strong channel leaders where before we had one. Our Dell business is up double digits, and we are looking forward to another great year working with John and Joyce." [Related: CRN Exclusive: Dell Global Channels President Byrne Moves To Top North America Sales Job; Dell Veteran Taking Global Channel Chief Post] CRN was first to report on Monday that Dell EMC President of Global Channel Byrne will now run Dell's North America commercial sales, being replaced by 18-year Dell veteran Mullen (pictured). Mullen, currently senior vice president of OEM and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, will now run the combined EOM, IoT and Global Channels organization. "I'm excited that we're going to have someone in that commercial position that is channel friendly and understands the value that the channel can bring like John does," said Scott Winslow, president of Winslow Technology Group, a Waltham, Mass. solution provider and Dell Titanium partner. "The commercial segment is a sweet spot for us and for a lot of the partners out there. It's one of the most important divisions at Dell. The partner community believes strongly in John's abilities." Byrne, who took the global channel job in July 2016, is credited by partners with playing a crucial role in integrating Dell's and EMC's partner programs in the wake of Round Rock, Texas-based Dell's $58 billion acquisition of EMC. Several channel partners said Byrne is a "great friend to partners." "I can't think of anyone that would be better to run that business than John. He is an excellent sales executive who has been a strong partner advocate and has put together a fantastic channel program with tremendous incentives for partners," said FusionStorm's Serpico. Partners said the move would boost Dell's commercial sales which some report have not been performing up to par lately. Dell confirmed to CRN that David Schmoock, President of North America Commercial Sales for Dell EMC, left the company earlier this year after replacing sales veteran Bill Rodrigues in April. "The commercial division is not performing the way they anticipated, and they're looking for new leadership," said one top executive from a solution provider who partners with Dell EMC that did not wish to be identified. "[Dell Technologies CEO] Michael [Dell] is not happy with how the commercial division is running. He's been super impressed in the way John just came in and took command of the channel program, and he's now saying, 'I need John over here in commercial; Let's give him another problem to fix.'" As for Mullen, partners said she has a proven channel track record as the head of the Dell OEM business. Bob Venero, CEO of Holbrook, N.Y.-based solution provider Future Tech, one of Dell's top enterprise Fortune 1000 partners, said Mullen had done an "amazing job" in the OEM market working with channel partners like Future Tech. "Joyce understands Michael Dell's vision and (Dell President and Chief Commercial Officer) Marius Haas' channel sales direction. I am sure she will bring an aggressive approach to helping accomplish their vision and goals as she has done in the OEM space," said Venero. "It will be interesting to see the combined OEM and partner business come together in one organization which should relieve any channel conflict." Serpico said FusionStorm has a "fantastic OEM business up and down the entire Dell line" thanks to Mullen. "I love the fact that Joyce is taking the channel job," Serpico said. "We have found her to be a great partner in the OEM business with us. She has enormous integrity. She is the kind of person you can count on as a channel friend. Now Dell has another strong women executive in senior leadership alongside Cheryl Cook and others. Dell is getting more diversity in their senior leadership ranks. That is forward thinking and very compelling and great for Dell." Mullen has been with Dell since 1999 in various executive positions and had lead the OEM channel partner program that supports thousands of OEM customers since its conception in 2012. Partners said one of the biggest things on Mullen's plate is shaping the Dell EMC partner program in the next fiscal year, which starts Feb. 2. "Joyce and the team will now be putting together the program in for next year, so what the rebates look like, what MDF looks like all of that will be in her purview now. That will be a big, huge responsibility. We'll be watching how that evolves," said Winslow. In a letter sent Monday morning addressed to Dell EMC's global partner community, the company explained the executive change and touted channel growth. Dell said half of Dell EMC's global channel partners are growing year-over-year with 70 percent earning more payout and 33 percent selling more lines of business. In an interview with CRN, Byrne said one of his top priorities would be aggressively driving partners to grow Dell storage sales, which experienced a mid-single digit decline in orders in the most recent quarter. "We will aggressively attack the market, gain share, drive improvements and attack services like crazy across all routes to markets. We're going to attack the living daylights out of all things storage from hyper-converged to arrays," said Byrne. "Expect all those foundational things we built in the channel organizations to be a 'rinse and repeat' into the North America organization. It is the biggest region within our partner community. It's the biggest opportunity around the globe." Data center News HPE President Neri: OneSphere Will Result In Up To 40 Percent Cost Savings Through Multi-Cloud Management Steven Burke Share this Hewlett Packard Enterprise President Antonio Neri says the company's breakthrough OneSphere multi-cloud management product will result in cost savings of 20 to 40 percent for customers grappling with where to get the biggest bang for their buck from both private and public cloud. Neri said the Software as a Service (SaaS) platform unveiled at the company's Discover conference Tuesday for the first time brings "financial transparency" to the perennial problem of determining where customers should move workloads to either on-premise private, or off-premise public cloud to get the best performance at the lowest cost. "We know when we go to an on-prem infrastructure you can save 30 to 40 percent," said Neri, who will take the CEO job effective Feb. 1, succeeding HPE CEO Meg Whitman. "We believe with the full automation of this platform we actually can save customers between 20 to 40 percent depending on what the infrastructure is and what the workload is." [Related: CRN Exclusive: Incoming HPE CEO Neri On Delivering Public Cloud Economics On-Prem, 'Everything As-A-Service' And Why HPE's 'Channel First' Model Will Never Change] Neri, who takes the HPE CEO post effective Feb. 1, says the lack of a hybrid IT platform like OneSphere has resulted in customers "over-provisioning" virtual machines in cloud deployments. Through the Software as a Service (SaaS) portal HPE OneSphere will allow customers to optimize workloads based on cost and performance in both on-premise private cloud and public clouds, said Neri. "One of the things that we know is customers are over-provisioning their infrastructure off-prem, and they are over-provisioning the size of the VM," he said. "Now we can give them the true understanding of what that needs to be, and that adds up to cost benefits they can realize." HPE said OneSphere which will work with both Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure and private clouds brings much-needed analytics to multi-cloud management so customers and partners can optimize on-prem and off-prem workloads. The product works with VMware virtual machines, containers and bare metal servers. OneSphere begins shipping in January. HPE expects to add artificial intelligence capabilities (AI) to OneSphere in the future, said Neri. "My vision of this platform for the future is you can put artificial intelligence in it, and then you can automate tasks in real time," he said. "For example, if you had under-utilized infrastructure on-prem it would look to run that on-prem versus renting another VM off-prem." The new platform also opens the door to "business model innovation" for partners to dramatically increase sales and profits in the hybrid IT era, said Neri. "For us, it is not only making the customer environment simple to manage but making it easy for partners to add their own value and services on top of the platform," said Neri. "This is a SaaS platform. They can add it on the go and continue to add services in the catalog for whatever customer needs they want to meet. This is a game changer of many dimensions for partners. They can be the trusted advisor to create hybrid IT for customers, and they can make more money because they are adding more services on top of the platform." Neri said the business model innovation of OneSphere combined with the HPE GreenLake pay-per-use workload model opens the door for partners to make money with both on-premise hardware and the subscription-based services, What's more, he said, partners, can even offer their own managed services on the platform. Partners, for their part, said they see the long-awaited OneSphere as a much needed competitive weapon to drive sales growth as customers grapple with where to put workloads to get the best performance at the lowest cost. Dan Molina, chief technology officer at Nth Generation Computing, one of HPE's top enterprise partners headquartered in San Diego, No. 359 on the 2017 CRN SP500, said OneSphere is guaranteed to provide better economics in a cloud sprawl world. "This provides customers a much need management platform to provision on-premise and public clouds and then manage the consumption across all of the multiple cloud vendors," said Molina. "We used to have VM sprawl. Now it is cloud sprawl. What customers are finding is public cloud bills start out reasonable and then grow over time. Customers need a solid way to monitor and to see if a different landing zone whether on-premise or a different public cloud is a better fit for those workloads. I see tremendous benefits with this platform. This is one of the HPE product releases that has got me the most excited." Molina said he expects OneSphere to help drive significant hybrid IT sales growth for HPE partners. "This is a significant breakthrough," he said. "Customers are looking for a management platform that provides visibility across multiple clouds. It is going to be a very attractive new offering to many of our customers. I expect very strong sales potential." HPE's ability to provide effective metering of both public and on-premise workloads as a result of its acquisition earlier this year of Cloud Cruiser is a huge competitive advantage for partners, said Molina. "Integrating that software into a comprehensive platform like OneSphere to manage on-premise clouds and public clouds is brilliant," he said. "This is going to help customers make that multi-cloud journey." Erik Krucker, CTO at Comport Consulting, an HPE Platinum partner and No. 379 on the CRN Solution Provider 500, one of the top health care solution providers in the country, called OneSphere a "big game changer that is going to get a lot of customers to take a second look at HPE." The Cloud Cruiser capabilities in OneSphere are key to helping customers manage the spend in an era when customers are increasingly finding themselves surprised month to month by public cloud bills, said Krucker. "This is going to prevent customers from being surprised one month to the next on cloud workload costs," he said. "A lot of customers aren't even thinking about the variable cost of clouds. The reality is there is variable spend in every single one of the public clouds. You can be very easily surprised by your AWS or Azure bill month to month. To be able to control provisioning on-premise private and public cloud has huge implications. This shows customers that HPE is not just an infrastructure company but a company that will help manage IT from soup to nuts on both public and private clouds." The benefits of the hybrid cloud provisioning in OneSphere are only going to increase with hybrid IT accelerating, said Krucker. "With everything going hybrid these are the kind of tools we need," he said. "I have been looking at a bunch of products that have been doing this for a while and they are good on the public cloud side, but they have no capabilities on the private cloud." Ric Lewis, senior vice president and general manager of HPEs Software-Defined and Cloud Group, called OneSphere's ability to do multi-cloud management both on premise and off premise public clouds an "industry first." It is truly groundbreaking in that it covers all kinds of workloads and covers on-prem and off-prem assets like no one else has in the industry to date," said Lewis. Bryan Jacquot, an HPE architect, said the platform enables customers to roll up multi-cloud usage and cost-based "in any way the users want" based on their custom tags. Customers can look at the "costs on a per line of business basis, by the environment or by a service tier," he said. In fact, Jacquot said a line-of-business executive could drill down on costs associated with multiple clouds. "They can drill down to understand what is happening and see the actual costs incurred in the various cloud services both on-premises and in public clouds," he said. "Using these insights and analytics customers can identify under-utilized resources and take the appropriate steps to remediate those opportunities to lower costs and increase utilization." Lewis, for his part, said the OneSphere dashboard provides cost, utilization and performance all in one space for customers and partners. "In the end, they can optimize their ROI (return on investment) in all of their assets not just their public cloud assets but they're on-prem assets and really have no surprises around op-ex (operating expenditure) costs," he said. A Fortune 100 global manufacturer headquartered in the Midwest is using OneSphere to gain "control of the utilization and spend" of its silos of clouds across multiple geographies, said Lewis. "They can now discover all of those clouds and all that on-prem infrastructure, show it in one common pane of glass with one common language of cost, break down those costs and utilization and manage the disparate systems," said Lewis. "They are really happy with where we are at." Another OneSphere flagship customer testing the product is using it to do workload deployment in both on-premise private and off-premise public cloud including bare metal, containers and virtual machines - with the ability to "control" costs and do lifecycle management, said Lewis. "The benefits they are already seeing is speed of development through accelerated DevOps," he said. The customer is seeing increased application portability moving containers back and forth between on-prem and off premise as a result of the multi-cloud cost "insights" gained from OneSphere, said Lewis. "They can move those and see the cost of running here versus there so they can optimize," he said. That beta tester customer is already "very happy with OneSphere, and we haven't even officially shipped it yet," said Lewis. Data center News Michael Dell: New Channel Leader Joyce Mullen Will Be A 'Great Leader' And 'Channel Champion' Mark Haranas Share this Dell Technologies founder and CEO Michael Dell has high praise for the company's new global channel leader Joyce Mullen. "She is a channel champion," Michael Dell told CRN in an interview at Boston College's Chief Executives Club business forum Tuesday in Boston. The Round Rock, Texas-based company revealed Monday that Mullen, an 18-year Dell veteran, is taking on the global channel chief job running Dell's $43 billion global channels business, replacing President of Global Channels John Byrne. Byrne is taking a new job as the head of Dell's North America commercial sales. [Related: CRN Exclusive: 5 Questions For New Dell EMC Global Channel Chief Joyce Mullen] "She'll be a great leader for the channel. Partners should be excited to have her on their team," said Michael Dell. "She's grown her career [at Dell] and many in the channel already know her because she was running out OEM business." Mullen is adding the global channels duties to her current role as senior vice president of OEM and Internet of Things solutions. "Joyce is a great executive. Certainly, our channel continues to be very important to us," he said. In an interview with CRN Monday, Mullen said partners should expect no change of channel priories as she replaces Byrne. "We're going to continue to build on the great foundation that John Byrne and his team have built. We need to execute on our priorities that are all trending in the right direction. We're going to figure out how to get in the middle of that and how to understand exactly what we can do to accelerate those trends. We need to finish this year really strong. We dont want to disrupt the momentum going on right now," Mullen said. Michael Dell was the honorary speaker during Tuesday's event at the Boston Harbor Hotel which hosted more than 150 people, including former EMC CEO Joe Tucci and many other prominent Boston business leaders. Tucci left EMC after the Hopkinton, Mass.-based company merged with Dell in September, 2016. Michael Dell has been attending a number of events in the Boston area of late, joining New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft in his box seats during Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins, as well as sitting courtside with Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge at a game earlier this month. He also is reportedly under contact to buy a penthouse in Boston's tony Back Bay neighborhood. The real-estate buy would be Dell's second in Boston. "We've been a little bit more engaged in the community here, and you'll start to see us doing a few more things here," said Dell. Internet of things News HPE President Neri: New ABB Global Partnership Deepens HPE's Focus On Industrial IoT Lindsey O'Donnell Share this A new strategic global partnership with industrial digital company ABB will tighten Hewlett Packard Enterprises focus around the Internet of Things in the manufacturing space, said HPE President Antonio Neri. At the HPE Discover Conference Tuesday, behing held in Madrid, the companies said the partnership will help industrial customers merge operational technology and IT so they can better turn industrial data into insight and automatic action. We are very proud to partner with ABB on this global alliance because that is a space that is exploding, whether it is predictive maintenance or other types of solutions for environments that require unique expertise, Neri said in an interview with CRN. The power of their expertise and our expertise and IT can deliver on that promise. [Related: HPE Partners: Neri's Technology Vision, Proven Channel Track Record Make Him 'Perfect Choice' For Next CEO] At the heart of the partnership is ABBs offering, ABB Ability, which is a set of performance management solutions, remote monitoring services and control solutions for buildings. These solutions are designed to help customers in industrial verticals like utilities, transport and manufacturing. While ABB has a deep understanding of industrial processes and operational technology, HPE brings its IT software, solutions and platform offerings to the partnership. For instance, the partnership will enable ABB Ability solutions to run on hybrid platforms like HPE ProLiant for Microsoft Azure Stack so customers have the flexibility to deploy applications on HPE infrastructure in industrial plants, in data centers or in the Azure cloud. That is a great example of what I call a 'digital industrial solution' in terms of edge to core to cloud, said Neri. [Key is] our focus on hyper-connectivity, industrial IoT with compute storage with analytics and security, our focus on the ability to deliver on critical applications for specific vertical markets at the core. For me ABB is an awesome use case that shows the power of our portfolio coming together and delivering on that digital transformation that customers are looking for. HPE and ABB will deliver joint offerings for data centers, including data center automation to help control, monitor and optimize data center facilities infrastructure, as well as secure edge data center capabilities. The two companies said they will also jointly develop industrial offerings to help customers create insight and automatic action from data and manage and control industrial processes across the supply chain. Jim Gillespie, CEO of Pittsburgh-based GrayMatter, an operational technology-focused solution provider, said that deriving insight from data on the manufacturing floor is critical for industrial customers who invest in IoT. Industrial IoT is a conversation around the outcomes you have to understand the right questions to ask when youre designing and deploying applications, he said. The first steps are connecting the products and transforming the services this wasnt possible five years ago. Internet of things News CRN Exclusive: Siemens Goes On The Channel Offensive With New IoT Mindsphere Partner Program Lindsey O'Donnell Share this Siemens Tuesday launched its Mindsphere partner program as the company ramps up channel efforts around the industrial Internet of Things. Paul Kaeley, senior vice president of Siemens partner ecosystem, said the program strengthens the Washington, D.C-based company's commitment to IoT and equips partners with the sales, marketing and technical acumen necessary to bring the companys Mindsphere cloud-based IoT platform to market. Partners are well positioned to drive IoT, he said. IoT is the biggest opportunity right now in terms of whats happening in the industrial space. Our partners are positioned to bring our IoT solutions to existing customers but also to new areas and new use cases. [Related: The 10 Coolest IoT Startups Of 2017] The Mindsphere partner program targets a host of partners, said Kaeley including systems integrators, app developers, software companies, consulting companies, operational technology hybrid partners and technology partners. The program is based on a three-tier model, including Platinum, Gold and Silver levels, and provides partners with sales and technical training, marketing investment and resources, deeper access to developer kits, and a partner portal that will be launched in the future. Siemens also is giving Gold and Platinum members access to its Business Development Fund, which offers a joint funding pool to invest in digital transformation business plans as an incentive for partners to take Mindsphere to market. A MindSphere partner manager will work with such partners to define a joint business plan to align resources for joint success. We want to help partners get to production as quickly as possible. IoT is really about the use cases that will drive productions, and we want to identify new opportunities through joint engagement, said Kaeley. Kaeley said he hopes to grow the program so that 40 percent to 50 percent of Mindsphere revenue is being delivered through partners in the next year. As part of the program, Kaeley said he has also been aggressively hiring a channel team to spearhead program initiatives and strategies including Dan Smith, a former Hewlett Packard Enterprise director of global partner programs who is now vice president of ecosystem management program development at the Siemens PLM Software business. We know the industries well we bring our vertical knowledge to the solution, while partners bring their expertise around cloud transformation and IoT solutions, and deploying solutions in manufacturing environments, Kaeley said. The combination is compelling, and our partner program will make it easy for partners to deploy IoT solutions to market. Ettore Soldi, president and managing director at Siemens partner Hyla Soft, a Chicago-based systems integrator, said the Mindsphere partner program gives his company the opportunity to cover the entire spectrum of Siemens offering and dive deeper into IoT. A lot of companies can collect the data through IoT, but Siemens has the full vision of using the data because they have PLM and automation, they can leverage that to take advantage of the data, he said. Being able to provide an IoT platform for our customers is key to us we already have expertise in IoT in terms of functionality, and we are now aggressively training and aligning our internal resources to deliver on the Mindsphere platform. The Solomon Islands held a 'Policy Setting Workshop', organised by the government of the Solomon Islands, CTA, the Pacific Island Private Sector Organisation (PIPSO), the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the Pacific Community (SPC), in Honiara, 21-22 November, to establish the main elements for a national agritourism policy. Over 40 representatives discussed the opportunities for linkages between the agriculture, tourism and trade sectors. The Solomon Islands population depends so much on agriculture for their livelihood and particularly those living in the rural area, said the Minister of Agriculture and Tourism, Honourable Bartholomew Parapolo in his opening remarks. Tourism also has huge potential in the country to enhance rural participation in economic activities." The two day workshop considered the status of agriculture and tourism in the country, and looked at the priority areas where agriculture and tourism sectors could deliver mutual benefits, notably in terms of local sourcing, value addition, product diversification, and the culinary industry. Speakers from government, the private sector, and experts in agriculture, tourism and trade made contributions highlighting the key factors needed to drive stronger linkages between the sectors. More funding for agriculture and tourism Increasing budgetary allocation in favour of agriculture and tourism should be a priority, argued the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Jimi Saelea. Agriculture has relatively less than 2% of the national budget, whilst tourism has less than 1% of the national budget, he pointed out. It is about time that we need to support these two sectors. Notwithstanding the small funding it receives, tourism in the Solomon Islands is growing at a healthy rate. In 2016, there were over 22,000 visitors to the Solomon Islands, who contributed $233 million in revenues, and visitor number are expected to rise by 9% for 2017. For Saelea, it is important that the agritourism policy is inclusive, and delivers gains for rural communities and farmers. Big demand for professional chefs An area of particular interest for the workshop was the role of chefs in linking agriculture and tourism through cuisine. Chef Colin Chung, renowned across the Pacific for his skills and advocacy for local sourcing, spoke about the opportunities for food tourism in the Solomon Islands and highlighted successes in Fiji and across the region. In addition to supporting the diversification of the tourism offering of the country, culinary tourism can also stimulate demand for local foods and products from farmers. One big challenge that the Solomon Islands will have to address is the capacity gap in the food service industry, as the country currently has just a few professional Chefs. Speaking to the Workshop, Freda Unisi of the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau (SIVB) lamented that tourists want a taste of our local organic foods in their short visits, but with our lack of professional chefs, theres no local set menus to be marketed to our visitors''. She hoped that the Agritourism Policy would take this into account. CTA, SPTO and PIPSO are supporting capacity development of chefs across the region and promoting the exchange of experiences and best practices through their Chefs for Development platform. We believe that professional chefs can be great promoters of local food and cuisine, and also work with farmers to improve the quality of food needed by hotels and restaurants, says Isolina Boto, Manager at CTA and coordinator of the agritourism project. Setting the course for agritourism development in the Pacific Solomon Islands is the third South Pacific Island to organise an Agritourism Policy Setting Workshop, following the successful format developed first in Vanuatu in October 2016 and then advanced by Samoa in November 2016. The region achieved an important milestone last month, when Pacific Ministers of Agriculture and Tourism endorsed recommendations for the development of agritourism throughout the region. Another eagerly anticipated agritourism exchange workshop is expected to take place in Fiji in December, and discussions are underway for similar events in other Pacific islands. The countries in the Pacific are seeing the benefits of connecting and linking these two important industries with a multi-sectoral approach to ensure the participation of all players in the industries which is quite innovative in the Pacific, says Mereia Volavola, agribusiness expert and former CEO of PIPSO. CTA continues to mobilise key partnerships supporting innovations in agricultural development through its partnerships in the Pacific and Caribbean and fostering of intra-regional knowledge sharing and experience capitalisation, from which the agritourism policy development agenda has emerged. Find out more: This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 Moscow Ballet / Contributed photo Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Moscow Ballet / Contributed photo Show More Show Less 3 of 3 Other versions of The Nutcracker are coming to state theaters this holiday season, but this one deserves special mention. The 25th North American Anniversary Tour of the Great Russian Nutcracker (celebrating that and other ballets) is marked by a supersized show in Connecticut this weekend, say Moscow Ballet producers Akiva and Dan Talmi. WASHINGTON Congress faces a jam-packed sprint to Christmas break, including Senate consideration of GOP tax legislation, a fix to keep DACA recipients out of deportation dragnets and reauthorizing the CHIP health insurance program for low-income children. And if thats not enough, lawmakers and President Donald Trump also must agree on a spending package to keep the government up and running. Absent action by Congress, the government is due to shut down Dec. 8. Im worried December is going to end up costing my constituents a lot of money, said Sen. Chris Murphy. This could be a pretty apocalyptic December in Connecticut if this goes wrong. Trump said Monday if approved, the GOP bill would render the biggest tax reduction in the history of our country. But Connecticut Democrats argue that its elements, including elimination of the state and local tax deduction, would mean higher federal taxes for many in the state. I think the bill is a disaster, but Republicans have deluded themselves into thinking the answer to the election defeat (earlier this month) is do more unpopular legislation, not less, Murphy said. On Tuesday, Congressional leaders meet with Trump in the White House in an effort to reach agreement on crucial budgetary details. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and other Democrats are expected to bring up a fix on DACA that will permit young undocumented immigrants brought to this country illegally by their parents to maintain legal status. The Trump administration rescinded the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program in September. Then-President Barack Obama issued the DACA order in 2012 after Congress failed to pass the DREAM Act, a 2001 piece of legislation that would have made Dreamers legal. Trump has conditioned an extension of DACA on greater investment in border security, including construction of his signature campaign pledge: Construction of a U.S.-Mexico border wall. DACA advocates in Connecticut remain hopeful an agreement can be reached. But they are not holding their collective breath. We need Congress to act on a clean DREAM Act by December, said Camila Bortolleto, campaign manager of CT Students for a Dream and herself a Dreamer from Brazil. Our lives are on the line and we can no longer wait. Murphy and other Connecticut Democrats also are looking for agreement on reinstituting the Child Health Insurance Program CHIP which expired Sept. 30. CHIP provides health insurance to children from low-income families not already covered by either Medicaid or private insurance. Connecticuts CHIP/HUSKY B program covers about 17,000 children. It has enough funding to last through January, according to Connecticut Department of Social Services spokesman David Dearborn. But without Congressional action, Dearborn said, Connecticut stands to lose about $37 million annually in regular CHIP funding, as well as about $40 million annually for SCHIP Fix, which gives extra federal aid for a portion of children who get insurance via Medicaid. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate HARTFORD Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim claims that a 2013 law barring felons from the states public-financing program violates his constitutional rights and creates a competitive disadvantage in his nascent gubernatorial campaign. If Ganim, 58, fails in his request Wednesday before United States District Court Judge Michael P. Shea, he could possibly blame Ernest E. Newton II, the former state lawmaker - a fellow Bridgeporter - whose pending 2012 campaign-corruption case was cited by state lawmakers in prohibiting corrupt public officials from accessing the voluntary Citizens Election Program (CEP). Lawyers for Ganim - re-elected mayor in 2015 following a federal prison sentence for public corruption - say that since he served his prison time and has again become a voter and public official, he should have full access to the public financing. Mr. Ganim believes that the resistance he has met in attempting to obtain political support and endorsements from state and local political figures is due to the uncertainty of whether he will be able to participate in the CEP Program, wrote his attorneys Louis N. George, Raymond M. Hassett and David C. Yale. The CEP has allowed candidates to spend less time raising private contributions and dialing for dollars from wealthy special interests. It has made politicians in the state more accountable to the people they are elected to representtheir constituents. More Information Joe Ganim File First elected Mayor of Bridgeport in 1991. Served five terms, more than 11 years. Ran for lieutenant governor in 1994. Convicted of multiple federal felonies and setnenced to nine years in prison in 2003. Released from prison in 2010. Three years later his supervised release ends. He fails in battle to regain his law license. Re-elected Bridgeport mayor in 2015. See More Collapse But Assistant Attorneys General Michael K. Skold and Maura Murphy Osborne, representing the State Elections Enforcement Commission, said in court documents that the funding prohibition does not affect Ganims freedom of speech. The statute also does not limit how much individuals can contribute to Plaintiffs campaign, or how much Plaintiff can spend on his campaign, they wrote. This restriction impedes Mr. Ganims right to free speech, will artificially enhance Mr. Ganims opponents speech, actually hurts the goals of the Citizens Election Program and fails to serve a compelling government interest, Ganims attorneys countered. Additionally, the restriction fails to protect the Plaintiffs due process rights and deprives Mr. Ganim of equal political opportunity. But the attorneys general noted that outside the public-funding program, Ganim, a Democrat, can raise unlimited amounts of money. While the CEP was part of the landmark 2005 state campaign reforms that were written following the 2003 conviction of Ganim and the 2004 guilty plea of John G. Rowland, the disgraced former Republican governor, it did not take effect for top-of-the-ticket races until 2010. Under the program, gubernatorial candidates raising $250,000 in small contributions of $100 or less, are eligible for up to $6.5 million for the general election. The $100 maximum will rise to $250 for the 2018 campaigns for General Assembly and top-of-the-ticket races. It takes no imagination to realize that if Mr. Ganim runs for Governor without CEP funding against a candidate who is CEP-funded, part of his opponents message will be that CEP funding assures first loyalty to the voters, not high dollar contributors, a message that will only be available because of the States action in denying Mr. Ganim funding, the mayors attorneys contend. Plaintiff asserts that, by excluding him from the CEP, the State somehow has taken away his right to speak and thereby engaged in censorship and deprived the public of their ability to hear differing viewpoints, the SEEC lawyers replied in court documents. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The Supreme Court and Second Circuit both have held that programs like the CEP are legislative efforts not to abridge, restrict, or censor speech, but rather to use public money to facilitate and enlarge public discussion and participation in the electoral process. In 2005, Newton pleaded guilty to felonies including extortion. He was released from prison in 2010 and in 2012 was arrested on election-related charges, most of which resulted in a hung jury and a retrial scheduled for mid-June. If found guilty, Newtown could end up back in federal prison for violating his terms of release. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BRIDGEPORT - A Superior Court judge on Tuesday said she has serious concerns about the way absentee ballots were handled for the special primary for the citys North End council seat. But Judge Barbara Bellis said she doesnt expect to rule on whether to overturn the results and possible order a third primary for the seat until Friday. Robert Keeley, who lost the primary on Nov. 14 by 18 votes for the seat in the 133rd district against a Democratic Party-endorsed candidate, is again seeking to have the judge over turn the results. During the hearing on Monday police officer Paul Nikola testified he was ordered by Police Chief Armando Perez to report to Democratic Party Chairman Mario Testa on the day before the primary. Nikola said Testa introduced him to Michael DeFilippo, who worked for Testa as a bartender and was a candidate for the 133rd seat, who provided Nikola with addresses to go to pick up absentee ballots. Nikola said he then drove around the citys North End in his police car picking up absentee ballots from those addresses, including from a mailbox. During arguments Tuesday afternoon, Deputy City Attorney John Bohannon told the judge that what Nikola did was not wrong and was not illegal. He said it is only illegal for a candidate to take the ballot or be there when it is filled out. The police chief directed the officer to act as an agent of Mr. DeFillippo, there was no opportunity for the town clerk or anyone to find out if they were legitimate absentee ballots here, the judge retorted. There is no evidence in this case there is a legitimacy to it, I didnt hear from Mr. Testa and I didnt hear from Mr. DeFillippo. Despite a request from the judge neither Testa nor DeFillippo appeared to testify. Keeleys lawyer, M. Leonard Caine III, asked the judge to take an adverse inference from their refusal to testify. Last month Bellis ordered a new primary and continued the election for the district seat to Dec. 12. Keeley had lost that primary by a single vote which turned out to be in an absentee ballot that turned up during a recount. During the second primary on Nov. 14, Keeley lost by 18 votes. Keeley got 212 votes while the endorsed candidates DeFilippo got 240 votes and Jeannette Herron got 230 votes. The top two candidates are the partys nominees. Caine is basing his case for a new, third primary, on the incident involving Nikola, the fact that 12 absentee ballots that appeared in the city hall mailroom had no post marks despite the claim they came from the post office and the fact that no one voted in the primary from the Northbridge Health Care Facility on Main Street where mandated supervised balloting by the registrars office was supposed to be held. Democratic Registrar of Voters Santa Ayala testified Monday that voters at Northbridge refused to cast ballots. Local lawyer Maximino Medina Jr., who had been appointed to monitor the primary by the judge, testified at the hearing that he went to Northbridge on the day of the primary and did not see any signs specifically about the primary vote. He said two members of the registrars office were in a community room at the center but were not approached by any residents. I am just trying to figure out that if I was in the facility how would I know to vote and who would be responsible for that, the judge said. But Bohannon argued that Caine had not made his case. Its not the duty of election officials to disqualify ballots based on speculation, he argued. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Had Democrats chosen differently at the start of the decade, he would have been the partys nominee for governor. Now, after seven years of biding his time as a pundit and professor, Democrat Ned Lamont is gauging interest in a comeback bid for the states top office. The wealthy Greenwich cable entrepreneur, who was upset by Malloy in the 2010 gubernatorial primary, confirmed his interest in the race in an interview Tuesday with Hearst Connecticut Media. Im thinking about it, Lamont said. Ive got a lot vested in this state for a long time. Its a great state and we just dont have a great government. The Democratic insurgent, who toppled Joe Lieberman in a Senate primary more than a decade ago but was ultimately thwarted by the incumbent in the general election, is expected to hire a pollster to determine his gubernatorial prospects, Hearst has learned. Given the number of candidates, if you walk into the race with a following even at the 15 percent level, you immediately become a significant contender, said Ronald Schurin, an associate professor of political science at the University of Connecticut. Hes got now what he didnt have in 2006 in the Democratic Party, which is broad name recognition. Year-end decision In the 2006 clash, Lieberman resorted to running as an independent petition candidate to save his seat in the Senate and further infuriated the political left with his cameo at John McCains nominating convention against Barack Obama in 2008. Lieberman did not seek re-election in 2012. There will be people eternally grateful to Ned Lamont for eventually pushing Joe Lieberman out of the Senate after that one term when he won as an independent, Schurin said. Lamont, 63, said he plans to make a decision on whether to enter the wide open race by years end. Malloy, who was rated the least popular Democratic governor in an October poll by Morning Consult, is not seeking a third term. I just care about whether I think I can make a difference and get this state back and track, Lamont said. Weve got so many amazing assets. Were just not making the best out of our potential. A record number of Republicans and Democrats are vying to take over for Malloy, whose job approval ratings have cratered as a result of budget deficits, tax increases and the loss of corporate headquarters such as General Electric and Aetna. None of the Democrats a group that includes Middletown Mayor Dan Drew, former Consumer Protection Commissioner Jonathan Harris and John Rowland prosecutor Chris Mattei have run for statewide office. Each is participating in the states public campaign financing program, which Lamont opted out of in 2010 against Malloy. The lone exception is Joe Ganim, who was the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor during his first stint as Bridgeport mayor. Ganim, who overcame a corruption scandal that sent him to prison for seven years, is expected to transition from testing the waters to a candidacy for governor in January. Big spender Lamont spent $26 million of his cable television fortune on his run for the Senate and for governor. He is the great-grandson of Thomas W. Lamont, the chairman of J.P. Morgan & Co. Publicly funded candidates can get up to $8 million for the primary and general election in Connecticut. It was in 2006 that Lamont, a former Greenwich selectman, vaulted to national prominence with his primary challenge of Lieberman. The incumbents support of the war in Iraq and closeness to President George W. Bush, who kissed Lieberman on the cheek after his 2005 State of the Union address, became a rallying point for the liberal wing of the party. The beneficiary of that angst was Lamont, who campaigned with the Revs. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson. The manager of Lamonts campaign was Tom Swan, who is the executive director of the Connecticut Citizen Action Group, a good-government organization. Swan said Tuesday that hes heard the rumblings about a Lamont comeback. I think hes shown a commitment to public service, Swan said. Id be open to hearing more. I think if he gets in, hell be taken seriously by a bunch of people. Lamont, who is a faculty member at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain and has frequently organized Lincoln-Douglas-style debates on pressing issues facing the state, seems to be warming up to a run. Less than a month ago, he played down the possibility in an interview with Hearst. Not hell no, but no, Lamont said then. http://twitter.com/gettinviggy; nvigdor@hearstmediact.com; 203-625-4436 This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Nightclubs have been the scenes of devastating tragedies time and time again. Whenever large numbers of people pack into confined spaces, the opportunity for catastrophe snowballs. On the 75th anniversary of the Cocoanut Grove nightclub fire in Boston, we look back at how common such disasters are. Related: Worst US nightclub fire influences safety codes, burn care Since April 1928, when an explosion and fire killed 40 people packed into a dance hall in West Plains, Mo., there have been nine major nightclub fires in the United States, including Cocoanut Grove, The Station in Rhode Island in 2003, and most recently, the fire at the Ghost Ship warehouse in Oakland, Calif. Cocoanut Grove remains the worst nightclub fire in U.S. history, killing 492 people and injuring 166 others in the shadow of WWII. Now Playing: An estimated 1,000 people were in the building at the time and 492 people perished in the blaze. Video: WCVB In 1974, 24 people were killed in a fire at Gulliver's, a night club in Port Chester, N.Y., just over the Greenwich border. The fire began in an adjacent bowling alley. The blaze was later determined to be arson, set intentionally to cover up a burglary at the bowling alley. A pyrotechnics display got out of hand at The Station Nightclub in Warwick, R.I. in the winter of 2003. One hundred people died and over 200 were injured. Unsafe building conditions played a role in the deadly blaze that broke out during an electronic dance music party at the Ghost Ship warehouse in December 2016 in Oakland. Thirty-six people were killed. Related: AP Was There Cocoanut Grove nightclub fire kills 492 Fires that can quickly grow out of control are not the only hazards when it comes to packed nightclubs. Twenty-one people were killed at E2 Nightclub in Chicago in 2003 when police used pepper spray to break up a fight, causing panic and a stampede toward the exits. Two gunmen denied entrance to a nightclub in Fresno, Calif. in May 1993 returned just after closing and opened fire, killing seven people. The Bataclan, a concert venue in Paris, was the site of a terrorist attack in November 2015. Months later, a man gunned down 49 people at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla. in one of the worst terror attacks on American soil since 9/11. Browse the gallery above for perspective on the dangers at nightclubs. Note: This article was updated on Dec. 7, 2017 to include details about the fire at Gulliver's night club in Port Chester, N.Y. Silicon Valley isn't only a place -- it's a mindset. It's optimistic, it's idealistic and everyone is there to make the world a better place, even if what they are building is just (yet another!) photo filter app. Related: 5 U.S. Cities Luring Tech Talent Away From Silicon Valley Even as Silicon Valley is being exposed for its dark sides -- everything from its diversity shortcomings, to its focus on money, to scandals around sexual harassment, ageism and the cost of living -- it's provided a playbook for growth and innovation for the rest of the world. The key is for entrepreneurs in places like Kansas City and Nashville and Cincinnati to take the right lessons from the Bay Area, by focusing on the mindset: the idea that innovation comes through iteration, that failure should be embraced for what you can learn from it and that every business can be transformed by technology. These concepts can do much to accelerate business cultures everywhere. Now is the time, when entire traditional industries are suffering and business leaders are under pressure to defend against disruptive forces, to ensure that this mindset is switched on to create prosperity and growth. Technology will continue to reshape economies across America. The question is if Middle America can learn this new game and build a new prosperity in old economy strongholds. I believe we can. Related: 4 Benefits and 2 Challenges to Running a Tech Startup in the Heartland The next industrial revolution Klaus Schwab, the founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum, argues we are in a great equalizing moment. He popularized the idea of the "Fourth Industrial Revolution," where the true disruption in today's world is about speed, scope and systems as technology is evolving into something that permeates every aspect of our daily lives. Steve Case sees this time as the "Third Wave" of innovation. The first wave was the creation of the basic infrastructure of the internet to make it navigable by consumers, and the second was building the structures on top of that internet that allow for everything from search to customer relationship management. The third, he believes, is real-world industries becoming entirely transformed. There remains a lot of market cap located in the middle of the country, and those corporations that are going to survive the next couple of decades are those that are proactive and creative in embracing technology to disrupt themselves. Old economy industry leaders need to learn from the legacy of Silicon Valley, but bring their own strengths and specialized know-how. Related: The Majority of Startup Tech Companies Should Not Be in the Bay Area Gartner predicts that "By 2020, five of the top seven digital giants will willfully 'self-disrupt' to create their next leadership opportunity." It cites Amazon organizing itself around AWS Lambda rather than traditional cloud configurations, and pushing Alexa rather than all of the screen based ecommerce they've built for years. If big tech finds it needs to upend its own game to keep up, think about what traditional industries such as mining or transportation should be doing. Fortunately, Silicon Valley has provided a roadmap: 1. Focus on growth. The tech industry has taught us the importance of thinking big, as opposed to growing incrementally. When I was involved with DotLoop, the founder, Austin Allison, thought big about changing how we buy and sell homes on our mobile devices, signing up eight of the top 10 real estate companies. Then Zillow swooped in and bought the company. The vision was big enough to matter and big enough to get noticed. Entrepreneurs need to be finding mentors, advisors and investors from Day One who have experience building companies from $0 to $10 million to $100 million-plus. Related: Starting Up Outside of Silicon Valley May Be Tough, But It Lays the Groundwork for Generations of Entrepreneurs 2. Don't be cheap. It's no secret that it can be expensive to start a company in the Bay Area. Silicon Valley office space is famously pricey, reaching beyond $120 per square foot, compared to less than $20 in Cincinnati. Entrepreneurs should take advantage of the lower costs of doing business here, but don't take it too far. I've heard from too many tech recruiters that Midwest startups think they can hire great talent away from big companies for a "startup salary." That's not going happen. Venture-backed companies in Silicon Valley pay up for talent, not because they want to but because they know they are worth it. Entrepreneurs can't afford to be cheap. Outside of Silicon Valley the relative cost to operate is low, but you still need top talent and at a startup time is your enemy. 3. Find the experts. As technology moves beyond silicon and infrastructure, tomorrow's most valuable companies will be innovating within massive verticals like healthcare, finance, manufacturing and logistics. There is a premium for vertical domain knowledge in these industries, which exists in abundance in the middle of the country. Snag the top thinkers in your industry. Create customer advisory boards of the top executives. Leverage your industry insights to exploit new, emerging categories. Related: No One Can Match Silicon Valley, But Other Cities Benefit From Fostering Startups 4. Create the networks you want. We have to overcome the geographical barriers that separate cities in the middle of the country, versus the density of startups in Silicon Valley, and to do that we must be intentional about connecting with others. When we were just starting out at Cintrifuse, which is a fund of funds that leads investments in early stage venture funds around the country, we connected with the Renaissance Venture Capital Fund, a Michigan-based fund that supports the growth of venture capital in the state, to compare notes, serve on each other's advisory boards, etc. We didn't see ourselves as competitors; we were both in it together, competing against a global economy. We probably talked a couple of times a week for three years as we were starting up. Entrepreneurs should create networks of partners and friends who are willing to openly share success and failures. We are facing a truly unique opportunity for corporations and entrepreneurs alike to help the U.S. economy step up and thrive as a leader in the new global economy. We have learned a lot from Silicon Valley's startup culture and I am excited to see those lessons applied to benefit the rest of the country. Related Video: You Don't Need to Be in Silicon Valley to Grow Your Business Related: There's a Lot You Can Learn From Silicon Valley, but Don't Imitate It 4 Benefits and 2 Challenges to Running a Tech Startup in the Heartland Are we Living The Golden Age of Indian Entrepreneurship? Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com You might settle for Christopher Biggins in panto but there's a good chance you will end up with Peter Andre You Want A White Christmas. Youd Settle for An Off-White Christmas. You Get A grey Christmas with slush and black ice, 80mph winds, the TV on the blink and bus replacement services operating on all train lines north of Lands End. You Want An office party where everyone bonds. Youd Settle for An office party where no one fights. You Get Janine from Accounts in tears because Rob from HR has been rude about her bum. Jeff from Production head-butting Steve from R&D, whos now threatening him with legal action. The deputy managers PA, Sue, claiming that her boss has been behaving inappropriately and Glenda from Finance lashing out at the entire office because no ones bothered to talk to her. You Want Everyone standing in respectful silence for the Queens Speech. Youd Settle for Everyone sitting in respectful silence for the Queens Speech. You Get The teenagers switching channels halfway through Her Majestys second sentence because a repeat of TOWIE is about to begin on the other side with Dad saying Show some respect! and Granny saying Thats ruined my Christmas. You Want A Luxury Swiss Chocolate Assortment thats beautifully wrapped. Youd Settle for Ferrero Rocher in tissue paper. You Get A half-chewed Curly Wurly in a Londis carrier bag. You want a white Christmas, youd settle for an off-white Christmas but you'll get a grey Christmas with slush and black ice You Want Fairytale Of New York by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl. Youd Settle For I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day by Wizzard. You Get Christmas In Smurfland by Father Abraham and The Smurfs. You Want Peace and Goodwill to All Mankind. Youd Settle for Peace and Goodwill in this house. You Get Sally and Simon falling out over whether you have to build four houses on each property in Monopoly before you can build a hotel and Margaret saying shell never speak to Mike again after what he said about her mother, while on Any Questions four MPs youve never heard of bicker about post-Brexit trade deals. You want everyone standing in respectful silence for the Queens Speech but you'll be lucky if you get it You Want A cracker joke to make you roar with laughter. Youd Settle For A cracker joke to make you titter. You Get Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the other side. You Want Lily James as Cinderella, James Norton as Buttons, and Simon Russell Beale and Mark Rylance as Ugly Sisters. If you are unlucky this Christmas your turkey will still be spouting blood at 4.15pm, and the bread sauce will be burnt to a frazzle Youd Settle for Michelle Dockery as Cinderella, Ed Sheeran as Buttons and Christopher Biggins and Lionel Blair as Ugly Sisters. You Get Jodie Marsh as Cinderella, Peter Andre as Buttons and Neil and Christine Hamilton as Ugly Sisters. You Want Champagne. Youd Settle For Prosecco. You Get A choice of tea or coffee. You Want Little Gemma to play the part of The Virgin Mary. Youd Settle for Little Gemma playing the part of the Innkeepers Wife. You Get Little Gemma as sixth sheep from the left for the third year running. You Want The turkey to be cooked by 1pm. Youd settle for The turkey cooked by 1.45pm. You Get The turkey still spouting blood at 4.15pm, and the bread sauce burnt to a frazzle. Advertisement When building your own home it's easy to be overcome with ideas and create a property packed with clashing aesthetics. But these properties prove that sometimes less really is more. The houses have all been shortlisted in the minimalist category of the 2017 RIBA House of the Year Award, the country's most prestigious award for a new house or extension. They are the last crop of contenders to be explored by Kevin McCloud on Channel 4's Grand Designs, before the overall winner of the competition is revealed. On tonight's episode, McCloud wanders the tiny halls of a house without a single outward facing window, and takes a look inside a stunning geometric brick block that sits on a north London street lined with traditional Edwardian houses. Here, FEMAIL takes a look inside the properties that are pushing the boundaries of minimalist design... HIGHGATE HOUSE The striking design of Highgate House caught the eye of RIBA judges for its use of red brick and minimalist structure and sleek appearance Inside is a sleek wood and brick finish. The first floor gallery, pictured, leads to five large bedrooms and three bathrooms Presenter Kevin McCloud gushed over this 'momentous' north London property which he said had reinvented the suburban house. Judges praised the designers for creating an exterior entirely of brick and keeping features like drain pipes and window frames out of sight. Kevin, who compared the building to an 'Assyrian temple', entered the home to find it was minimalist and pared back - using warm reddish brick and dark smoked oak as the main palette. The double height hall leads to a luxurious swimming pool, along with a kitchen and family room and a separate dining room. The first floor gallery features floor to ceiling wood panelling and leads to five generous bedrooms and three bathrooms. Kevin was surprised by the lack of a 'family feel', but the owners Paul and Susanna reveal hidden cupboards that contain a television, family photos and plenty of recipe books. 'It's like Narnia isn't it,' Susanna said. The block-shaped house's only exterior features are perforated brick walls, enormous windows and a gravel drive The double height hall is at the centre of the property, leading off it are a swimming pool and a kitchen and dining room WHOLE HOUSE 'Whole House' is built on a 70sqm scrap of land with neighbours tightly packed on every side, meaning there could be no outward-facing windows. The architect Nick Hayhurst solved the problem of getting light into a house with no windows by building a courtyard in the centre of the property and adding skylights in each corner of the house. RIBA were impressed with its perfectly executed detailing and its adherence to the 'minimalist mantra of less is more'. There are no skirting boards in view and cupboards are hidden in the walls. Whole House has no outward facing windows and with just one access point via gate in the side of the wall it proved difficult to build The only way to bring light in to the small 70sqm property was to create a central courtyard with glass windows that make the house seem more spacious The house, which developer Ben intends to rent out rather than live in himself, was extremely difficult to build as there was only one small access point. They had to dig out 100 skips of soil from the ground to create the underground floor which houses an extra bedroom and bathroom and is lit by glass insets from the courtyard floor. On the first floor the living room and kitchen, bathroom, bedroom all benefit from extra lighting via sky lights. The courtyard is the only point of light for most of the house which is kept sleek and minimal in design. The stairs (seen left and right) lead down to the second floor, which boasts another bedroom HIDDEN HOUSE Hidden House was created from a former caretaker's house tucked away in the grounds of a converted Victorian school in the centre of London. The single storey home is flooded with light thanks to cleverly placed floor-to-ceiling windows and skylights. It is just 72sqm but the owners Saleem and Iran, who moved to the city from Istanbul, have managed to squeeze in two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a large living, kitchen, and dining room. Hidden House, centre, was formerly a caretaker's home located on the grounds of a converted Victorian school The RIBA judges were impressed with the amount of light that flooded in to the property despite its small size and the enormous buildings that overlooked it The unique property was praised for the design by RIBA judges for its expert craftsmanship and they remarked that the 'quality of the polished concrete was some of the best theyd ever seen'. The 'background building' in a crowded corner of London shows off a truly minimal style, as the interior is covered in oak panelling and all necessities of life are carefully hidden away. And what is quite striking is the 'commitment and coordination' the architects Phil Coffey and Ella Wright have achieved by matching the lines in the concrete floor along to the wooden panelling and to the ceiling. 'If [a] Swiss Army pen knife built a home it would be this,' comments Kevin McCloud. The lines of the polished concrete floor match perfectly to the wall panels which flows up to the ceiling skylights PEACOCK HOUSE The single-storey Peacock House on the Suffolk coast is made up of three separate buildings that are centred around a beautiful hidden courtyard and pond. The owners of the property, Professor of Medicine Andrew Peacock and artist wife Gila, were inspired by her Iranian heritage and based the design on traditional Iranian homes, which have a water basin at their centre. But rather than follow the symmetry that is typical of Persian design, the couple choose to keep the water feature off-centre to make room for a table and chairs outdoors. The house is made up of three separate buildings which are centred around a hidden courtyard, inspired by traditional Iranian houses The interior decor is kept clean and all white with wooden flooring running throughout with a collection of mismatched furniture dotted about The largest of the buildings contains an open plan kitchen, living and dining room, as well as a master bedroom, second bedroom and secret snug. Two other buildings are an artists studio and a garage and study but both can double up as bedrooms should the couple need. The architect behind the property was their daughter's new boyfriend, with friends and family warning it was 'the worst idea they had ever had'. But they proved everyone wrong with the end result which they say has worked out to be a dream: 'It hasnt changed our life but it has enriched our life,' the couple said. Artist owner Gila has her own studio in one of the buildings and her artwork adorns the walls of their home The exterior of the walls is clad in larch timber - individually burnt which makes it fireproof. The locally sourced flint makes up the rest of the exterior walls Grand Designs: House of the Year airs tonight at 9pm on Channel 4 when the winner of the RIBA competition will be announced A YouTube star famed for her nail art tutorials and viral beauty videos has shared her love of the artistic outlet with a rather unlikely budding manicurist: her father. Cristine Rotenberg, 29, from Richmond Hill, Canada, who is known as Simply Nailogical on YoUTube, put her dad's skills to the test in a hilarious new video which sees him attempting - and failing rather spectacularly - to do some intricate nail art on her long talons. Sitting down together in their living room, the hilarious video sees Cristine's dad, introduced as 'the holofather', attempt an unusual mani, complete with nail art, despite never painting someone's nails before. Scroll down for video Beauty fail: YouTube star Simply Nailogical has filmed her dad attempting intricate nail art and the result is hilariously bad Rough around the edges: Despite introducing her dad as 'the holofather', the vlogger's dad's efforts aren't the best Expert: Christine Rotenberg who blogs under the name Simply Nailogical explained to viewers that her dad paints cars for a living so would be able to paint her nails Posted under the title, 'My Dad Paints My Nails (he doesn't know what YouTube is)', the video first sees Cristine ask her dad if he understands her slang words, and the unlikely duo laugh and joke as she lists a series of phrases. When she tells him he's the 'OG holosexual', explaining this means the original holosexual, he responds with, 'I thought it was OMG, no?' Rotenberg previously coined the term 'holosexual' to describe someone who is obsessed with holographic nail polish, and has since created her own line of polishes and merchandise. Her dad then asks what YouTube is and Cristine starts off by giving her dad a brief synopsis, before sharing with viewers that he has never watched any of her videos, despite the fact she has over four million subscribers to her channel. A former child actress, Cristine's acting chops come in handy in places as she tries to pretend she's inherited her nail art talent from her dad, but her father jokes that what she really gets from him is her humor and good looks. As Cristine peels off her existing nail polish, she tells her dad this is known as 'peel porn' and also jokes that someone has uploaded a compilation of her removing her nail polish this way onto a porn website. Instead of being horrified, her dad jokes that 'a little nail porn never hurt'. Cristine also tells her dad that because he worked in a body shop painting cars, she feels he has the skills necessary to paint her nails. Quizzing him on the steps he uses to paint cars, she tells him to follow this formula, starting with a primer. While he seems equipped to handle primer, calamity ensues when her dad starts reading the names of different polishes from Cristine's own Holo range. He then clumsily applies polish her nails in alternate shades of deep burgundy and bright red. Shining star: Christine has over four million subscribers on YouTube and coined the phrase 'holosexual' to describe her love of holographic polish Abstract: Christine's dad attempted some nail art but couldn't get the hang of it Finished result: Despite adopting a messy approach, Cristine's dad was happy with the final result, despite his clumsy first attempt And things go from bad to worse when Mr. Rotenberg attempts intricate nail art using a stencil, gossiping to his daughter that he thinks the Kardashians have 'no talent'. Gaining confidence in his technique, Cristine's dad then mixes things up, adding oversized dots and glitter stars to her nails, calling his creation 'beautiful' and explaining her nails 'need a little more glamour' as he applies even more polish. When her mani has been completed, Cristine's boyfriend, Ben, appears on camera to judge the finished result, and Cristine asks her viewers if her dad's attempt is better than a manicure Ben did in a separate video. However, her dad seems to think he's the clear winner, telling viewers his nail art should be in the 'nail museum of the world'. Cristine then mocks her dad, playfully telling him in 200 years, people will be watching his work. When asked how that makes him feel, he shrugs his shoulders and says Ill be dead before the pair erupt into giggles again. He then says he might start his own YouTube channel giving life advice, and charge people $14.95 to watch it. However, Cristine has to explain that this is not how YouTube works. The video concludes with a funny blooper reel of her dad trying and failing to complete the outro section where they thank people for watching. Since being posted on YouTube two days ago, the video has been watched over one million times. For many people, Christmas is all about traditions - from the food to the family fun, everyone has their preferred way of celebrating the holiday season. But one fun new festive trend is taking a much-loved tradition and turning it on its head, quite literally. Enter upside down Christmas trees, a popular new decoration that has taken the world by storm ahead of this year's holiday, with everywhere from hotels and shopping malls to supermarkets and homes being decked with the topsy turvy trees. Chic Christmas: Designer, Karl Lagerfeld, designed the 2017 upside down Christmas Tree for Claridge's Hotel in London Stunning: This breathtaking tree hanging from the ceiling in the Westfield San Francisco Centre shopping mall takes the place of a chandelier and is covered in crystals Even designer Karl Lagerfeld has joined in the fun, creating an incredibly ornate upside down tree that is currently situated in the lobby of London-based hotel Claridge's. The venue enlists a different designer to create their tree each year, and 84-year-old Karl's version highlights the gnarled trunk and roots, which are covered with a large silver star. Underneath the topper and trunk, the traditional tree is covered in a variety of lights and tinsel, all of which hang beautifully from the upside down branches. 'Christmas trees are the strongest souvenir of my happy childhood,' the designer said of the festive tradition - giving little else away about why he had chosen to flip the holiday favorite on its head. 'The festive installation is inspired by Lagerfelds childhood memories of Christmas, with a series of inverted spruce Christmas Trees placed around the hotel lobby,' a hotel spokesperson said of the design. Whimsy Winter! Hotel del Coronado in San Diego has an upside down tree in its lobby At home: Target released five different styles of artificial upside down trees, with prices ranging from $280 to a whopping $1,000 Deck the halls: Chatsworth House, the home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire located in Baslow, England, has a very elaborate upside down tree 'The centerpiece is a sixteen foot high inverted tree with silver gilded roots topped with a multi-faceted mirrored star which reflects rays of magical light across the art deco lobby. 'Reminiscent of a silver stalactite, the tree is hung with traditional silver lametta decorations, silver butter leather feathers and snowflakes handmade by craftsmen in Germany with tree candles giving a warm, inviting glow. 'Under the tree sit hand sewn white Icelandic sheepskin rugs to reflect a recent snowfall.' But while Karl's is perhaps the most lavish and celebrated, it is by no means the only inverted tree being decked this holiday season - quite the opposite in fact. Even Target is offering a range of upside down trees as part of its holiday store this season, selling five different designs, ranging in price from $280 to a whopping $1,000. Themed Christmas: People are trying out the unique new tree in their homes, flipping their trees upside down and then decorating them with the traditional ornaments Something a bit different: The upside down trees have much more room at the top, meaning Christmas fans can be a bit more creative with their tree toppers Describing them as a way to bring an age-old tradition to your living space', the retail giant even went so far to say that they have a lush, lifelike look. Although the upside down tree has seen a huge rise in popularity this year, undoubtedly due to the ever-increasing demand for quirky social media content, it is certainly not a new notion. The flipped over tree was actually first created in the Middle Ages as a religious symbol used by the Eastern Europeans to represent the Trinity. In any case, many have been quick to embrace it as a hot new trend with many clamoring to show off their content-worthy trees all over social media. Many people are going as far as to flip the whole set-up, putting beautifully-wrapped gifts on top of the tree, while others have opted to keep the decorations slightly more simple in order to better highlight the quirkiness of their tree design. It is not uncommon in the fashion industry for rare, limited edition pieces to fly off the shelves, selling out quicker than brands would ever be able to produce them. But the latest must-have sell-out success story involves a much more basic piece: a cardigan. Despite its very basic design however, the $120 design from French retailer Sezane has racked up a waiting list of more than 30,000 people desperate to get their hands on one of the four available shades - all of which have sold out multiple times. Shades of gray: A seemingly-simple cardigan from French fashion retailer Sezane's has a waiting list of 30,000 people Popular piece: The $120 design, which comes in four shades, has sold out multiple times Available in a variety of neutral colors - light grey marl, ecru, nude and black - and named the Barry Jumper, the only remarkable aspect of the cardigan's design is that it is intended to be worn both frontwards and backwards. According to the retailer's website, which gives very little detail about the fabrics used to make the cardigan, the 'style is designed to be a relaxed cardigan that can be worn frontwards or backwards'. It then goes on to warn: 'If worn as a true cardigan frontwards, the cut of the neck is quite low and you may want to wear a tank or camisole underneath. 'If worn backwards, it will appear as a boatneck with the V-cut and buttons in the back adding a touch of intrigue, and can slip off the shoulder for a sexy, tousled look.' The website description concludes: 'The sides fall in a straight, loose cut, just grazing the hips, but can be tucked in for a bit more polished look. 'This style runs large and is meant to be oversized. Order one size down if you are unsure.' Basic black: The cardigan is designed to be worn either frontwards (as pictured) or backwards Despite its rather simple design, the wardrobe staple has quickly become a must-have for the colder winter months, with would-be fashionistas falling over themselves to lay their hands on one (or all) of the four colors - which are available in sizes XS to XL. It's magic! Disney Parks released these rose gold Minnie Mouse ears in August 2017 for $24.99 before they magically sold out Indeed, so popular is the style that it has sold out on numerous occasions, despite the Sezane website promising regular restocks. According to Refinery 29, the next supply of Barry Jumpers will be made available on November 29 - in the ecru and nude - and then again on December 13 - in the black and grey. But while the Barry Jumper is certainly one of the style world's most sought after pieces at the moment, it is by no means the only popular item to have flown off the shelves in recent months. Speaking of insane waiting lists and sell outs, how can we ever forget the 30,000 person wait list for the Avon ANEW Reversalist Infinite Effects Night Treatment Cream, before it even hit stores! Or what about when Disney Parks innocently released a set of $24.99 rose gold Minnie Mouse ears? Demand for the product was so high that some savvy buyers decided to put theirs on eBay for up to $140 - more than five times the original price. Advertisement The news that millions of people have been waiting for has finally been announced - we are due for another royal wedding. After the vows have been made and the kiss that everyone waits for with bated breath has been aired on television screens around the world, it will be time for the honeymoon. It is no secret the royals enjoy coming to Australia, with Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge, Diana and Charles and the Queen herself all holidaying here in the past. FEMAIL takes a look at the hotels and destinations the newly loved up duo could and should stay at if they choose to honeymoon Down Under. The news that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (pictured) are finally engaged has delighted the world after the pair kept tight-lipped about it for a month Here, FEMAIL takes at the hotels and destinations Down Under the newly loved up duo could and should stay at if they choose to honeymoon in Australia LONGITUDE 131 Longitude 131 is a luxe tented resort with 15 exclusive pavilions, each with a stunning view of Uluru. This is where William and Kate stayed in 2014 as they holidayed in Australia, a week before their third wedding anniversary. The accommodation takes glamping to the next level - incredibly stylish, yet welcoming and relaxed. Red desert surrounds the location as far as the eye can see, leaving it isolated but magical as the stars light up the sky at night. During their visit the Duke and Duchess walked around part of Uluru, just as Prince William's parents did 31 years ago. During their visit the Duke and Duchess walked around part of Uluru, just as Prince William's parents (pictured) did 31 years ago This is where William and Kate (pictured) stayed in 2014 as they holidayed in Australia, a week before their third wedding anniversary. Red dessert surrounds the location as far as the eye can see, leaving it isolated but magical as the stars light up the sky at night Longitude 131 offers an unmatched experience of Australia's outback which would suit Prince Harry and Meghan's shared taste for adventure The accommodation takes glamping to the next level - incredibly stylish, yet welcoming and relaxed (Pictured is a bird's eye view) QUALIA It's a piece of paradise, which has been voted among the best resorts in the world, at number 17 in fact. Hamilton Island's luxury resort, Qualia, is a unique Australian expression of world class luxury, offering award winning cuisine, some of the best leisure facilities in the world and has the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef at its door. Australia's elite, including Toni Collette, Miranda Kerr, Jess Hart, Naomi Watts and Cate Blachett have all made a visit to the stunning resort. Then there's celebrities like talk show queen Oprah, actor Leonardo DiCaprio and even famous British chef Gordon Ramsay indulging at the accommodation for a getaway. Hamilton Island's luxury resort, Qualia, is a unique Australian expression of world class luxury, offering award winning cuisine, some of the best leisure facilities in the world and has the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef at its door. Australia's elite, including Toni Collette, Miranda Kerr, Jess Hart, Naomi Watts and Cate Blachett have all made a visit to the stunning resort Qualia might just be the perfect spot for a royal summer honeymoon - it is secluded, stylish and offers breathtaking views of Australia's most crystal-clear waters SAL SALIS Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef is a beach-side safari camp nestled in the dunes of the Cape Range National Park. Each of the sixteen wilderness tents offers views of the surrounding bush & beach. It offers the discreet yet luxurious safari vibes which both Prince Harry and Meghan have come to love after their very first trip together in 2016 to Botswana. Pippa Middleton, the younger sister of Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, and her billionaire husband James Matthews honeymooned at the five-star Sal Salis resort, which includes eco-luxe wilderness tents. It is every bit the magical honeymoon destination fit for a Prince and Princess which perfectly encapsulates Australia's ethereal beauty. Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef is a beach-side safari camp nestled in the dunes of the Cape Range National Park. Each of the sixteen wilderness tents offers views of the surrounding bush & beach Pippa Middleton, the younger sister of Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, and her billionaire husband James Matthews honeymooned at the five-star Sal Salis resort, which includes eco-luxe wilderness tents It is every bit the magical honeymoon destination fit for a Prince and Princess which perfectly encapsulates Australia's ethereal beauty WOLGAN VALLEY Wolgan Valley is formed by the Wolgan River in rugged mountainous country west of Sydney. Nestled in a private corner of the resort, the Wolgan Villa is the ultimate in privacy and privilege. When it comes to accommodation Prince Harry and Meghan have a few to choose from as each option offers privacy for the new husband and wife. 'With wide open grandeur and a commitment to sustainability, the beauty of Wolgan Valley is enjoyed in magnificent seclusion and splendour,' the website reads. Wolgan Valley is formed by the Wolgan River in rugged mountainous country west of Sydney - with secluded accommodation which would provide privacy for the royals When it comes to accommodation Prince Harry and Meghan have a few to choose from as each option offers privacy for the new husband and wife 'With wide open grandeur and a commitment to sustainability, the beauty of Wolgan Valley is enjoyed in magnificent seclusion and splendour,' the website reads Set in the grounds of the World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park, this camping experience is sure to give the couple an intimate getaway GLAMPING IN KAKADU Prince Harry whisked Meghan away for a glamorous and spontaneous camping trip in Bostwana only weeks after meeting - so it would only be fitting that the royal coupe choose camping for their Australian honeymoon. Set in the grounds of the World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park, this upgraded camping experience is sure to give the couple an intimate getaway. The tents are decked out with double and twin bed, with spring-foam mattresses on pallet bases, quality bed linen, fresh towels, bamboo furniture, toiletries and Armadillo & Co rugs. All of the tents have power, lighting, and a fan, although the nighttime temperature is much warmer in the north than in Sydney, sitting at 20 degrees Celsius. It mimics the royal safari vibe adored by the rest of Prince Harry's family. Even the Queen enjoys a camping holiday - she was staying at a Kenyan Treetops hotel when she learnt her father had passed and she was due to take his place. All of the tents have power, lighting, and a fan, although the nighttime temperature is much warmer in the north than in Sydney, sitting at 20 degrees Celsius Bamurru Plains is where Pippa Middleton and James Matthews honeymooned when they were in the Northern Territory earlier this year PARK HYATT IN SYDNEY The royal lovers again may follow in the footsteps of Prince Harry's sister-in-law Pippa by opting for the luxurious $19,000-a-night Park Hyatt suite in Sydney. The Park Hyatt offers rooms so exclusive it does not advertise prices on their site, but instead sends information out to potential guests on request. Nestled in the historic Rocks of Sydney, the hotel sits in the middle of the world famous Harbour Bridge and Opera House with breathtaking views of both. The top-class suite boasts a private outdoor terrace with near 360 degree panoramic views of the city. The master bathroom also features a spa bath, sauna and steam room, while the living room is designed around a central gas fireplace should the royal couple choose to holiday in Winter. The Park Hyatt offers rooms so exclusive it does not advertise prices on their site, but instead sends information out to potential guests on request An Australian jewellery designer, much-loved by Meghan Markle, has revealed her priceless engagement ring captures the essence of the American star perfectly. The designer, Sydney-based Natalie Marie is a firm favourite of Ms Markle. Ms Markle's engagement ring, reportedly designed by Prince Harry, features three diamonds - one a single solitaire from Botswana and two from his mother Diana's personal collection - set on a yellow gold band. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their engagement at Kensington Palace today Ms Markle's favourite Australian jeweller, Sydney-based Natalie Marie (pictured) The ring - created by the royal's preferred jeweller Cleave and Company, Court Jewellers - is estimated to be worth 199,475, close to AUD $350,000. Natalie Marie, who creates bespoke wedding jewellery from her Sydney-based store and who has personally supplied jewellery to the former Suits star, has some insight and understanding of Ms Markle's taste. Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, the designer behind NMJ said the Ms Markle's engagement ring 'has an element of story behind it' and taps into current trends for original and unique pieces that are an expression of style and personality. 'An engagement ring is something that really needs to stand the test of time,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'I believe our generation is full of couples who are in love and just want to celebrate that - and there has been such a strong move a way from the traditional picture of what that needs to look like.' Ms Markle's engagement ring features a single solitaire from Botswana and is flanked by to heirloom diamonds belonging to Princess Diana Ms Markle, 36, has been a fan of the brand since last year after she began following the designer on Instagram. The two forged a connection after the actress reached out to say how much she loved the brand hoped to wear some pieces on Suits for her character Rachel. 'Meghan has been a wonderful support to NMJ. It's invaluable to have someone that truly loves and supports the brand wearing our pieces,' Natalie Marie said. 'I think Meghan's appeal is that she is a very genuine and open individual, who speaks very truthfully and sincerely whether the conversation is around her style choices or her extensive charity work.' The designer confirmed she sent Ms Markle several pieces, including a morganite and diamond ring in rose gold. In response, Ms Markle shared several images of herself wearing the jewellery, captioning the post: 'When you get the package of jewelry that makes your heart go pitter pat', adding that the brand was her 'very favorite'. 'When you get the package of jewelry that makes your heart go pitter pat', Ms Markle wrote, adding that the brand was her 'very favorite' The Australian jewellery designer also sent the Suits star this morganite and diamond ring in rose gold Natalie Marie, whose brand focuses on creating jewellery which offer an amalgam of modern and classic ideas, offers her clients a bespoke wedding service, should they wish to create the ring of their dreams. She explained this service, which is booked out for the next six months, helps couples create rings that weave together ideas of connection, sentiment and originality. After a consultation, the master jeweller, whose background is in fashion and fine arts, and her team can spend close to four months hand-crafting each piece. The designer, who also creates bespoke wedding rings said there seems to be a trend towards creating individual pieces that feature a range of stones Similarly to Prince Harry's choice to bring together heirloom stones from Princess Diana's personal collection, Natalie Marie said her clients also want her to work with a range of stones, some of which are a departure from traditional clear diamonds. 'I work increasingly with natural stones; natural grey and black diamonds, local sapphires of all colours as well as an array of semi-precious stones,' she said. 'Clients are keen to experience the process from start to finish rather than picking a product 'off the shelf.' The ring - created by the royal's preferred jeweller Cleave and Company, Court Jewellers - is estimated to be worth 199,475, close to AUD $350,000 Ms Marie said her bespoke wedding service helps couples create rings that weave together ideas of connection, sentiment and originality Natalie Marie said brides-to-be considering a bespoke wedding piece should think about several factors from lifestyle through to personal aesthetic. 'When I meet with brides who are designing their own ring, I always advise them to factor in their lifestyle, taste and long term factors. 'Your engagement ring should be perfectly you,' she concluded, 'without influence from outside factors.' TV adventurer Ben Fogle has the perfect excuse to put up his Christmas tree in November. Fogle, 44, is spending a month in the Bahamas over Christmas with his wife, Marina, and two children, Iona and Ludo. 'When you're going to be away for Christmas, the tree has to go up a little early,' he captions this snap. However, most of his social media followers were more excited about his colour-coded bookshelves than his festive decorations... TV adventurer Ben Fogle , 44, is spending a month in the Bahamas over Christmas with his wife, Marina (left, with Ben), and two children, Iona and Ludo. While he put up his Christmas tree a little early, most of his social media followers were more excited about his colour-coded bookshelves than his festive decorations Lord Patten blames men's love of white wine for the Westminster sexual harassment scandal. 'It's partly because of testosterone, partly because there are a lot of men who don't understand that white wine is alcoholic. 'Who, given a few drinks, start to grope politicians whom you couldn't refer to as being a safe pair of hands because they were clearly very unsafe pairs of hands.' Proving what a very modern woman she is, Oscar-winner Gwyneth Paltrow enjoyed Sunday brunch in America with her ex-husband, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, and her current boyfriend, TV producer Brad Falchuk. She posted this picture on social media of Martin, from whom she 'consciously uncoupled' three years ago, and Brad, 46, whom Gwyneth met on the set of U.S. TV series Glee, posing in front of a jar of Israeli chocolate spread. 'Modern family,' she captions the snap. Since their divorce, she and Chris remain close and have taken holidays together and co-hosted parties for their children Apple, 13, and Moses, 11. Gwyneth and Brad are said to be on the verge of announcing their engagement. Did she have something to tell her ex? Proving what a very modern woman she is, Oscar-winner Gwyneth Paltrow enjoyed Sunday brunch in America with her ex-husband, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin (left), and her current boyfriend, TV producer Brad Falchuk (right) Gwyneth and Brad are said to be on the verge of announcing their engagement, writes Sebastian Shakespeare ROLY-POLY sex pest Harvey Weinstein's modus operandi was to invite aspiring young actresses to his hotel suite where he would greet them wearing only a dressing gown. And Eighties heart-throb Nigel Havers has revealed it's not just the men in Hollywood who use that technique. 'A woman did make a pass at me in my 20s,' says the Chariots Of Fire star, 66. 'She was going to interview me, and said: 'Come to my hotel room.' When I got there, she was in a dressing gown and it was like something out of a movie. 'One had a sixth sense it was pretty obvious.' However, he insists: 'Anyway, nothing happened.' Supermodel Kate Moss, 43, looked out of sorts at the weekend when she attended Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland. After enjoying a ride on the rollercoaster in a stylish leopard-print fur coat and black beanie hat, she seemed to come over all queasy. Perhaps Kate, who is dating 30-year-old Nikolai von Bismarck, should stop trying to keep up with the kids. She's the stunning Miss Universe Australia who was among 92 women vying for the crown in the beauty pageant on the world stage. But despite missing out on a place in the final of the Miss Universe contest, model Olivia Rogers was all smiles about the end results. Appearing on The Morning Show, the 25-year-old speech pathologist lifted the lid on what really happened backstage after she was eliminated. Scroll down for video Miss Universe Australia Olivia Rogers (pictured) lifted the lid on what really happened backstage after she was eliminated And while she was competing on the world stage, her doting father (pictured right) wore a sash backstage that read 'Father of Miss Universe Australia' as he cheered her on 'There were definitely tears,' she told hosts Larry Emdur and Kylie Gillies. 'A lot of the girls after the pick 16 - so when they pick the top 16 - there were a lot of girls who we all expected to make it but didn't, so they were pretty upset. 'But a lot of the rest of us were really happy because we got to go backstage and eat so much food,' Olivia added, prompting laughter from everyone. The blonde beauty weighed in on the top 16 after she missed out in the final of Miss Universe, which was won by winner South Africa's Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters. Despite missing out on a place in the final of the Miss Universe contest, Olivia has walked away with fond memories of the beauty pageant The blonde beauty weighed in on the top 16 after she missed out in the final of Miss Universe, which was won by winner South Africa's Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters 'I couldn't have guessed that top 16 in a million years, it was quite random. It was nerve-wracking but it was so exciting as well,' Olivia said. And while she was competing on the world stage, one of her biggest fans - her doting father wore a sash backstage that read 'Father of Miss Universe Australia' as he cheered her on. 'I actually had 13 family members here in the audience and they were in the golden circle, which was right up near the stage,' she said. 'From the beginning, I can see them, so I felt like I was at home with my family the whole time, they were so close to me - doing the Aussie cheer, they had a big sign. 'I've spoken to dad and they were very excited. My step mum said she dropped her champagne glass when it all came on the screen because she was so excited.' After being eliminated from the competition, Olivia said she got to enjoy eating 'so much food' Olivia Rogers competing at the Miss Universe Pageant at Planet Hollywood over the weekend Roomies: The blonde beauty - who shared a room with Miss Ireland during their stay in Las Vegas - spoke fondly of Cailin Toibin after she made it into the final 16 (pictured together) The blonde beauty - who shared a room with Miss Ireland during their stay in Las Vegas - spoke fondly of Cailin Toibin after she made it into the final 16. 'She was an absolute legend,' Olivia said. 'I was very lucky to be roomed with her. We have really similar sense of humour so there were a lot of laughs in our room constantly... not a lot of sleep. 'But she was so much fun. I was really happy for her when she made top 16.' Sunscreen today is now mixed with a tantalising blend of ingredients which often smells so good you want to eat it. And now, you almost can, with a new summer gelato flavour released by Australian ice-cream brand Gelatissimo. Teaming up with suntan label Reef Oil, Gelatissimo has released its new sweet sorbet named 'Sunkissed Coconut' which has frozen the quintessential sunscreen fragrance and turned it into food. In partnership with suntan label Reef Oil, Gelatissimo has released its new sweet sorbet named 'Sunkissed Coconut' which has frozen the quintessential sunscreen fragrance and turned it into food The ice cream product team at Gelatissimo actually based their new flavour off Reef Oil's signature coconut cream scent The refreshing limited-edition flavour is made from coconut water and is 100 per cent plant-based and vegan. The ice cream product team at Gelatissimo actually based their new flavour off Reef Oil's signature coconut cream scent. While it doesn't actually contain tanning oil or sunscreen as an ingredient, the sorbet is the closest to edible sunscreen as you can get. 'Reef Oil Tanning Oil smells so good you want to taste it so we were delighted to have the opportunity to create an edible experience of what summer represents. It's the perfect summer flavour to enjoy outside in the hot weather,' said Gelatissimo's Product Development Manager, Filiz Kaya. While it doesn't actually contain tanning oil or sunscreen as an ingredient, the sorbet is the closest to edible sunscreen as you can get (Pictured are Gelatissimo flavours) 'Reef Oil Tanning Oil smells so good you want to taste it so we were delighted to have the opportunity to create an edible experience of what summer represents,' said Gelatissimo's Product Development Manager, Filiz Kaya The refreshing limited-edition flavour is made from coconut water and is 100 per cent plant-based and vegan The 'Sunkissed Coconut' flavour will be made available on December 2 across the country to celebrate National Gelatissimo Day. To mark the beginning of summer in Australia, Gelatissimo will also be giving away free scoops in selected food trucks around Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide. The free ice cream will be given away at Sydney's West Circular Quay, OPT forecourt, from 1-4pm, in Brisbane's Queen Street Mall from 3-5pm and Adelaide's Rundle Street Mall from 1-3pm. To mark the beginning of summer in Australia, Gelatissimo will also be giving away free scoops in its Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide stores A kind-hearted woman has given a home to her friend's son, after she lost her battle with ovarian cancer a disease she had also fought and beaten herself 12 years earlier. Ellen McNulty, 52, used her knowledge of the illness to help fellow mother, Sharon Stokle - whose boy, Lewis Train, 10, was at school with her son - after she was diagnosed, aged 50. Bridal shop owner Ellen, of Middlesbrough, Teeside, who, with her IT consultant husband, Keith, 53, adopted her two children, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said: 'Sharon didn't want to die. She was so worried about Lewis, especially once she knew she would not recover, as he was an only child. She knew that I had had ovarian cancer 12 years ago and she turned to me for advice.' But the couple, who had already looked after Lewis if Sharon was too ill to cope, or needed hospital treatment, offered to take him in if she passed away, promising to treat him like family. Ellen McNulty, 52, pictured with husband Keith, took in Lewis Train, 10, who was at school with her son - after his mother died of cancer age 50 The couple had already looked after Lewis if Sharon, right, was too ill to cope, or needed hospital treatment 'I didn't want Sharon to be worried,' Ellen continued. 'Lewis was her world. She had so much to be worried about and I just wanted to allay her fears, so she knew he would be looked after, alongside other children. 'It's not always easy, but I have no regrets, I was with her and Lewis through the illness and they became such a big part of our lives. Lewis is like part of our family now.' Ellen, who adopted her children three-and-a-half years ago after her own ovarian cancer battle meant she needed a hysterectomy, befriended Sharon after her own son and Lewis joined the same school class and became pals. Sharon had split up with Lewis' dad, warehouse operative Stewart Train, 43, but they remained great friends. 'As Lewis was an only child, she liked him to have pals over, or to have someone with him on days out, so we soon became friends,' Ellen said. 'Sharon was a lovely, humble woman and a fantastic mum to Lewis and we just enjoyed having a chat while the boys played.' Clerical assistant Sharon first discovered she was ill in June this year when, after years of saving, she took Lewis on a dream holiday to Florida Clerical assistant Sharon first discovered she was ill in June this year when, after years of saving, she took Lewis on a dream holiday to Florida. She felt unwell but, not wanting to ruin his holiday, did not seek help while they were there. 'I think she knew it was something serious, but she didn't want Lewis to see her upset, or to spoil the holiday they had waited so long for,' Ellen continued. But, as soon as they returned to the UK, Sharon went to Middlesbrough's James Cook Hospital, where she was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer. 'She was devastated,' said Ellen. 'Immediately, I told her we would look after Lewis. Initially, it was just while she was in hospital, but it soon became clear her illness was terminal. 'I don't think we realised how quickly she would deteriorate and she never talked about it, but we knew Lewis could live with us for as long as he needed to. 'He may be staying with us, but Stewart is still a great dad to Lewis and sees him regularly. He is helping him hugely to come to terms with losing Sharon.' Since the family moved to a new house in August, Lewis has been sharing a bedroom, but they are planning to turn their spare room into his own personal space. Ellen, who also helped care for Sharon, who was back and forth to hospital throughout her illness, recalled: 'Knowing Lewis would be cared for brought a lot of comfort to her. 'She spent the week before she died at home and the day before she passed, I went to see her. She was struggling to breathe, but she grabbed my arm and said, 'Ellen, thank you for everything you have done.' That was really the last thing she said to me. It meant a lot to me.' When Sharon took her last breath on October 20, she was at home with Lewis and her dad. Since then, Stewart and Ellen and Keith have all helped the grieving boy to cope with her funeral and with returning to school, without his mum by his side. Ellen also helped care for Sharon, who was back and forth to hospital throughout her illness Sharon, left, left him a memory box of stuff she'd kept as Lewis grew up. He has that to look through to remember his mother Sharon and Lewis are pictured in Florida on their final holiday together before she passed 'It has been hard for him, but he has fitted into our family amazingly,' said Ellen. 'Going from living with Sharon and regularly seeing his dad, to living with two adults and two other children is a big change for him, but I think having people around all the time helps keep him busy at the moment. 'We talk about his mum all the time and she is very much part of his life. He collected the Christmas decorations from their house and we're going to put some of them up at ours. 'Sharon left him a memory box of stuff she'd kept as he grew up, too, and he has that to look through. We've put pictures of her up for him as well.' To help with the added cost of keeping another child, Ellen has launched a crowdfunding page. Lewis is now living with Ellen's family but she is crowdfunding to save money to feed an extra head She said: 'Having another mouth to feed can be stressful and sometimes we do worry about it. 'We want to have some money set aside for Lewis, so set up the GoFundMe page just to have a little bit extra for him. The response has been amazing and Lewis is overwhelmed. 'Lewis will be with us for as long as he wants to be and there will always be a space for him in our home.' Meanwhile, Stewart is working hard to help him deal with his devastating grief and hopes to provide a home for him in the future. He said: 'I adore everything about my son and would do anything for him.' To donate to the page, visit https://www.gofundme.com/looking-after-lewis Advertisement The Duchess of Cambridge said she's 'absolutely thrilled' for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as she stepped out in London a day after her brother-in-law's engagement announcement. The pregnant mother-of-two displayed her neat baby bump in a figure-skimming Kate Spade dress, which she offset with burgundy accessories, as she arrived at the Foundling Museum in London. Discussing Monday's happy news, the Duchess said: 'William and I are absolutely thrilled. It's such exciting news. 'It's a really happy time for any couple and we wish them all the best and hope they enjoy this happy moment.' Her appearance comes just hours after Meghan Markle hailed her 'wonderful'. Miss Markle said the Duchess of Cambridge had been 'wonderful' to her, while Harry said both William and Kate had been 'amazing'. The Duchess of Cambridge displayed her neat baby bump in a Kate Spade dress as she stepped out at an art gallery in London just hours after Meghan Markle hailed her 'amazing' Kate was in high spirits as she joined in with some arts and crafts during a visit to the Foundling Museum in London Harry talked about how he kept the relationship secret before introducing Miss Markle to his brother and sister-in-law. 'It was exciting, I mean I've - you know, I'd been seeing her for a period of time when I literally didn't tell anybody at all. 'And then William was longing to meet her and so was Catherine, so you know, being our neighbours, we managed to get that in a couple of, well, quite a few times now, and Catherine has been absolutely amazing, as has William as well, you know, fantastic support.' 'The family together have been absolutely, you know, a solid support, and my grandparents as well have been, have been wonderful throughout this whole process, and they've known for quite some time,' he said. The Duchess of Cambridge was today at the Foundling Hospital, the UK's first children's charity and first public art gallery where she learned more about the museum's history and the way it continues to focus on its founding principles to use art and creativity as a means to support and engage children and vulnerable families. During her visit, Kate received a briefing on the history of the hospital and how the museum continues to engage vulnerable and marginalised young people. The 35-year-old met families and children who have benefited from the museum's education and outreach programmes, including pre-school children from a local nursery who regularly visit the museum and young care leavers who are being trained to run their own creative workshops. Kate was presented with a posy of flowers by the little ones she met at the Foundling Museum The Duchess is expecting her third child in the spring and showed off her neat figure in a printed pleat dress Kate looked radiant as she arrived at the Foundling Museum in London, which explores the history of the Foundling Hospital, the UK's first children's charity and first public art gallery Kate proved she was a good sport as she got stuck into an arts and craft session at the museum with two youngsters Kate, who spoke out about how happy she and William were for Prince Harry, was jubilant during her trip to the museum The Duchess of Cambridge, who is expecting her third child in the spring, helped the little ones with their crafts Kate, who has been sporting a shorter hairstyle in recent weeks, showcased her glossy locks at the event. She gave the little ones the seal of approval after completing their artwork, right The Duchess looked chic in a pleated Kate Spade dress, which she offset with burgundy accessories for the occasion Kate opted for a glossy blow-dry for the occasion and donned vertiginous heels. She was greeted by the charity's founders as she arrived on Tuesday morning Once inside, Kate met young children who had made their own lanterns and she was keen to hear all about them Kate looked resplendent as she left the centre armed with a chic collection of flowers from one of her admirers Kate was in high spirits as she chatted to the young children inside the museum and art gallery Her visit comes after Harry, 33, and Miss Markle, 36, appeared at a photocall at Kensington Palace in London yesterday Meghan Markle said 'yes' immediately to Prince Harry after he proposed on one knee while they were cooking dinner, the couple said today in their first joint interview. She also spoke of how amazing Kate and William had been with her Kate displayed a hint of a baby bump in her designer dress as she arrived at the museum in a chauffeur-driven car On arriving at the museum, Kate told her hosts that she was 'excited' to be there Meghan yesterday revealed that it's been great getting to know her future sister-in-law. Harry and Meghan's 16-month whirlwind romance blossomed when they met through mutual friends in London, and the pair have been almost inseparable in recent months Kate was visiting The Foundling Hospital, which was established in 1739 by the philanthropist Thomas Coram Kate displayed her flawless skin and signature smokey eye as she stepped out at a charity in central London. The centre was set up to care for babies at risk of abandonment Discussing Monday's happy news, the Duchess said: 'William and I are absolutely thrilled. It's such exciting news' The Duchess of Cambridge visited the Foundling Museum where she learned more about the museum's history and the way it continues to focus on its founding principles to use art and creativity as a means to support and engage children and vulnerable families The Duchess of Cambridge was treated to a tour of the Foundling Museum in London on a chilly Tuesday The Foundling Museum explores the history of the Foundling Hospital, the UK's first children's charity and first public art gallery The Foundling Museum explores the history of the Foundling Hospital, the UK's first children's charity and first public art gallery. The Foundling Hospital, which continues today as the children's charity Coram, was established in 1739 by the philanthropist Thomas Coram to care for babies at risk of abandonment. After 17 years of tireless campaigning, Thomas Coram finally received a Royal Charter from King George II in 1739, enabling him to establish his Foundling Hospital. From 1741 when the first babies were admitted, to 1954 when the last pupil was placed in foster care, the Foundling Hospital cared for and educated around 25,000 children. Instrumental in helping Coram realise his vision was the artist William Hogarth, who encouraged leading artists of the day to donate work, and George Frideric Handel, who conducted annual benefit concerts in the Hospital's chapel. Their creative generosity set the template for the ways in which the arts can support philanthropy. Today artists continue to be central to the Foundling Museum's work; through a dynamic programme of exhibitions and events the Museum celebrates the ways in which the arts have helped improve children's lives for over 275 years and aims to inspire everyone to make a positive contribution to society. Kate showcased her pregnancy glow as she stepped out in London on Tuesday. She wore her hair in its signature bouncy style and added a subtle blush to her cheeks Her visit comes after Harry, 33, and Miss Markle, 36, appeared at a photocall at Kensington Palace in London yesterday. Fifth in line to the throne Harry has been dating the American actress - who found fame in the US legal drama Suits - since the summer of last year. Their 16-month whirlwind romance blossomed when they met through mutual friends in London, and the pair have been almost inseparable in recent months. The couple will live together in Harry's current home, Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace, and Miss Markle will become an HRH and a senior royal. She is expected to become a duchess - just like Kate Middleton did when she became the Duchess of Cambridge after saying her vows in 2011. Miss Markle will most probably become HRH the Duchess of Sussex, if Harry is made the Duke of Sussex by the Queen on the morning of his wedding. The pair were secretly engaged earlier this month, and Harry took Miss Markle to meet his grandmother the Queen for tea at Buckingham Palace in October. Their 16-month whirlwind romance blossomed when they met through mutual friends and Meghan said the Duchess had been 'wonderful' to her The royal looked nervous but happy and his fiancee stroked his arm lovingly as they spoke to reporters, who asked him: 'When did you know she was the one?' and he replied: 'From the very first time we met' The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were the surprise stars of Friday night's Royal Variety Performance show, when Will was cajoled into taking part in a comedy sketch by the show's host, Miranda Hart. Kate burst into fits of giggles when the Duke gamely took part in a comedy skit, obligingly shouting the catch-phrase 'such fun' whenever Hart requested him to from the stage at the London Palladium. Sitting in the royal box under a spotlight, the Duke performed his part enthusiastically while the Duchess dissolved into fits of laughter. Hart said that compelling Prince William to participate in the show was on her to-do list for the Royal Variety duties. Kate, who is four months pregnant with the couple's third child, looked stunning in a bespoke Jenny Packham crystal-embellished, full-length blue gown. After their unexpected participation in the show, the couple enjoyed performances by Paloma Faith, The Killers, Louis Tomlinson, Seal and The Script at the London Palladium. Advertisement The world might already be excited for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding next spring, but the British monarchy isn't the only royal family celebrating a love match this week. Prince Christian of Hanover, 32, the stepson of Princess Caroline of Monaco, tied the knot with fiancee Alessandra de Osma, 25, in a low-key civil ceremony at the Chelsea and Westminster registry office in London on Sunday. The couple, who will also marry in a more lavish ceremony in Alessandra's native Peru in March next year, were joined by members of Monaco society for the service, which was followed by a wedding breakfast at the Ritz hotel. Guests included Princess Caroline's daughter, Charlotte Casiraghi, 31, who attended with her film producer boyfriend Dimitri Rassam, and her sons Pierre and Andrea Pierre and Andrea Casiraghil, who were joined by their glamorous wives. Prince Christian and Alessandra have lived in Madrid for several years but are understood to have selected London for their nuptials as it is where his mother, Chantal Hochuli, is based. Spliced! Prince Christian of Hanover, 32, stands next to his fashion designer bride Alessandra de Osma after the couple were married in a low-key civil union at the Chelsea and Westminster register office. Guests included Charlotte Casiraghi and her boyfriend Dimitri Rassam (pictured second from far left and far left) Pierre Casiraghi and his wife Beatrice Borromeo (top row, second from left, second row from top, second from left) and Andrea Casiraghi (top row, far right) and his wife Tatiana Santa Domingo (middle row, far right). The groom's mother (middle row, third from left), Chantal Hochuli, was also in attendance, wearing a deep emerald frock coat Sealed with a kiss: Prince Christian offers a kiss to his new wife as well-wishers - many from Monaco society - look on. Right: It's official! Designer Alessandra looked elegant in a tweed cream coat with pearl buttons. She wore her brunette locks loose Bridal shoes! Alessandra opted for a beautiful pair of Aquazzura heart breaker suede pumps, priced at 420...and just one day later, Meghan Markle sported a very similar version of the on-point heel as she stood by Prince Harry's side as the couple announced their engagement to the world Fashion designer and model Alessandra, who first met Prince Christian in 2005 when she was just 14, looked the picture of elegance in a 1950s style cream tweed coat with textured sleeves from Chanel's autumn winter 2017 collection. On her feet, she opted for a simple pair of Aquazzura heart breaker suede pumps, priced at 420, and carried a spray of delicate white flowers. Meghan Markle had stepped out just a day later in a very similar pair while announcing her engagement to Prince Harry on the steps of Kensington Palace. Meanwhile the groom, who is the second son of Ernst of Hanover and his ex-wife Ms Hochuli, 62, wore a navy blue suit with pale blue shirt and a sky-blue tie. Hochuli, wearing a deep emerald frock coat, smiled as she threw a plume of rose petal confetti over the bride and groom and looked delighted to be celebrating her youngest son's wedding. The prince's step-brother Pierre Casiraghi, the grandson of Grace Kelly, was in attendance with his wife, royal style icon Beatrice Borromeo. Charlotte Casiraghi showcased her effortlessly cool style, opting for a masculine suit, oversized navy coat and chunky burgundy brogues for the occasion. She wore her brunette locks in a low-maintenance down do. While the groom opted for a relaxed fit navy blue suit with pale blue shirt and a mid-blue tie, Alessandra's show-stealing cream Chanel coat was complemented by a pair of nude suede heels with strap detail around the ankle. The South American designer carried a spray of delicate white flowers in a simple bouquet. To the far right of the couple is Princess Alexandra, the only child of Princess Caroline and Prince Ernst August; the 18-year-old wore an eye-catching pair of sparkly gold boots with a grey wool coat Guests included Charlotte Casiraghi, pictured, the granddaughter of Princess Grace Kelly, and her boyfriend Dimitri Rassam The couple, who first met when Alessandra was just 14 and acting as Christian's tour guide in Peru in 2005, will celebrate with a lavish religious ceremony in Peru on March 15th next year Welcome to the family! On a chilly Sunday morning in West London, the couple's guests were wrapped up warm as they gathered to throw confetti on the newlyweds. Wearing an emerald green coat over a cerise dress, Chantal Hochuli, the groom's mother, led the confetti-throwing Just married: Alessandra has become one of the world's most fashionable members of the royal set in recent years; the designer is a regular on the global couture circuit Members of the Hanover family look on as the couple pose for images. Right: Chantal Hochuli plumes rose petals over her son and new daughter-in-law Eighteen-year-old Princess Alexandra, the only child of Princess Caroline and Prince Ernst August, chatted to a male companion outside the Ritz. The teenager looked chic - and warm - in a belted wool grey coat and eye-catching sparkling gold boots with a delicate piece of blue net fascinator covering her eyes. As the couple posed for photographs on the steps of the register office, other key figures in the Monaco royal family stood by their side including Andrea Casiraghi with his wife Tatiana and Charlotte Casiraghi and her boyfriend Dimitri Rassam. The couple announced their plans to marry earlier this year after dating for six years; they first met when De Osma was Christian's teenage tour guide on a visit to Peru in 2005. The Latin beauty has become known for her couture-heavy wardrobe and is regularly seen on the global fashion circuit. Alessandra has been dubbed 'Princess of the Andes' since she and Prince Christian went public with their relationship six years ago Prince Ernst-August Junior of Hanover, far left, was seen with his pregnant Czech-raised wife Ekaterina Malysheva, far right. Right: Brothers Pierre and Andrea Casiraghi make their way from the registry office to the Ritz Time for a sneaky cigarette: Andrea Casiraghi takes the air outside the Ritz: Right: a doorman at the luxury hotel chats with the guests as they arrive for the reception at the Piccadilly hotel Princess Alexandra, 18, daughter of Princess Caroline of Hanover and Prince Ernst August of Hanover, looked stylish in a warm grey belted coat as she checked her phone outside the Ritz. The young Monaco royal then compared phone screens with her male companion An American hunter whose nose was ripped off by a bear is having it regrown on his arm in a pioneering new treatment. Lee Brooke, 60, from Pennsylvania, was on a hunting trip in Wyoming in October 2016 when he was attacked by a bear, who took off both his nose and lips. His brother-in-law later found his nose and doctors were able to attach it to his arm to keep the cells alive. The nose is now regrowing above his right wrist and will later be reattached to Mr Brooke's face. Speaking on This Morning today, Mr Brooke spoke of his 'miracle' recovery - and revealed that he has continued to hunt since the accident. Scroll down for video Lee Brooke, 60, was on a hunting trip in Wyoming in the US in October 2016 when a bear took off his nose. He appeared on This Morning with his wife Martha, pictured, to share his story Doctors attached Brooke's nose to his arm, pictured, with the help of leeches and it is expected to be reattached to his face in the next couple of years A tearful Brooke said it was an 'amazing process' to reconstruct his face, admitting he is lucky to be alive. It will take doctors another couple of years to complete the reconstruction on Brooke's nose. Medics used leeches to keep the blood in the nose flowing so they could reattach it just above his wrist on his right arm. The nose will only have one nostril as the left one died when he was left for seven hours without medical assistance. He said: 'It's an amazing process, they reattached it [my nose] to my arm the next day. The used leeches to keep it alive. It didn't all survive but they have enough to work with. It will take a year or two years to reattach. My lip died so I lost my moustache. My left nostril died. It's going to take a year of surgeries.' Brooke, who is a keen hunter, before the accident took place with his wife Megan Holly Willoughby called the treatment 'unbelievable' as his wife Martha admitted he'd had a 'miracle escape'. Mr Brooke became separated from his hunting group when he an approached an elk he had shot in the mountains of Wyoming. Suddenly a 420lbs female bear attacked him from behind, ripping off half his face and knocking him unconscious. He woke to feel her sniffing at his cheek and could even feel her whiskers. It took seven hours for Brooke to be found before he was rushed to hospital and put in a medically induced coma for one month Brooke became emotional on This Morning as he admitted he was lucky to be alive Blinded by blood soaking his eyes, Lee managed to grab a steak knife from his pocket and stab the bear in the head, just inches from her deadly jaws. She retreated which gave Lee the chance to escape. Badly mutilated and bleeding heavily, he screamed into the woods for help. He said that he did not know if he would survive the attack, but was determined to live to see his wife Martha again. He said it was an 'amazing' process to reconstruct his face as he recounted his story Brooke said what got him through the ordeal was his determination to see his wife Martha again He had been separated from his hunting party, but hearing his cries, his brother-in-law George Neal found him. He also retrieved his severed nose and upper lip before helping him down the mountain where they could find phone reception and called for help. He was rushed to hospital where he was put in a medically induced coma for one month at the Swedish Burn and Reconstructive Unit in Colorado. Hours of surgery kept him alive and preserved part of his nose. The Duchess of Cornwall has expressed her delight over Prince Harry's engagement to her soon-to-be stepdaughter-in-law Meghan Markle saying today 'America's loss is our gain'. Camilla, 70, joined Prince Charles, 69, on a visit to Stoke-on-Trent on Tuesday where they met with pantomime actors and viewed some of Britain's other cultural treasures. During a visit to Poundbury on Monday Prince Charles revealed that he was delighted about the upcoming nuptials of his son to the US actress and it seems Camilla shares his sentiment. Camilla said 'America's loss is our gain' following the announcement American Meghan will be taking British citizenship to become a dual national. Scroll down for video The Duchess of Cornwall has described her stepdaughter-in-law to be, Meghan Markle as 'a star' during a visit to Stoke-on-Trent on Tuesday Speaking during a visit with the Prince of Wales to Stoke-on-Trent on Tuesday, Camilla said the royal family was 'absolutely thrilled' by the news, formally unveiled on Monday, of the forthcoming wedding. She said: 'It's brilliant (news) and as I said, America's loss is our gain. We are all absolutely delighted. 'As you can see, they are so happy. 'Sometimes, you know, in a climate where we are surrounded by a lot of bad news, it's a real joy to have a bit of good news for once. As I said before, we are delighted.' When asked by the Daily Mail's royal correspondent Rebecca English, about Meghan Markle Prince Harry's stepmother said she was 'a star'. She tweeted from Stoke: 'Ah, sweet: asked about her new step-daughter-in-law #MeghanMarkle today, the Duchess of Cornwall said: 'She's a star'. How nice!' English also reported that Camilla was presented with an engagement card by a young girl. She thanked her and assured her 'I'll make sure they get it.' Camilla joined Prince Charles in the town of Stoke where they were greeted by the Mow Cop Players, who are currently performing Snow White at a nearby theatre Charles and Camilla were visiting the Potteries Museum to see a project to create a free online bank of pre-1900 watercolours from around the world, and catch a glimpse of recently-uncovered priceless Iron Age relics. The Duchess of Cornwall looked her elegant best as she wrapped up from the cold in a blue wool coat featuring navy embroidery on the sleeve. The royal couple, who are both patrons of the Watercolour World, had earlier been greeted by the Mow Cop Players, who are currently performing Snow White at a nearby theatre. The prince shook hands with 21-year-old actor Cameron Hancock, who is playing the panto's own Prince Charming. Charles and Camilla also paid a visit to the Potteries Museum to see a project to create a free online bank of pre-1900 watercolours from around the world and admire ancient artefacts The royal couple, who are both patrons of the Watercolour World, could be seen admiring paintings on display at the musuem The visit came a day after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle formally announced their engagement, in what has been billed as a real fairytale romance. They were met at the start of a day of engagements in Stoke by a cheering crowd of about 100 people who had turned out in the bright winter sunshine, as Charles quipped: 'Are you all here to see the pantomime?' Inside the couple took a closer look at part of the famous Staffordshire Hoard, and donned white gloves to handle the gold Leekfrith torcs, dug up in a field by metal detectorists, with Charles describing the find as 'amazing'. The Prince of Wales and thee Duchess of Cornwall look at Queen Victoria wedding dress that was used in the TV drama that was also on display at the museum The royal couple took time to sign a visitors book during their visit to the Potteries museum They were also shown the First Day Vase, thrown by Josiah Wedgwood in 1769 to mark his founding of the Etruria manufactory, and recently secured for the public and future generations after 485,200 was raised for its purchase. Afterwards, the royal party split up, as the Duchess headed across town to Stoke City FC stadium where, as patron of the National Literacy Trust, she was meeting more than 200 schoolchildren taking part in reading activities. Meanwhile, Charles visited the nearby Bethesda Chapel, once known as the Cathedral of Methodism, where restoration of the late 18th century church is ongoing. Parishioner Doris Askey, 87, told him she had been coming to the church since she was 16, but apologised for being hard of hearing. Later the royals split up and Camilla headed across town to Stoke City FC stadium where she was meeting more than 200 schoolchildren taking part in reading activities She said: 'I explained that I was deaf and he said he understood because his great-grandmother was deaf and he used to have to shout at her, to make her hear him.' Afterwards the Prince listened to a short organ recital of Elgar's Imperial March by chapel organist Michael Rhodes. Charles, applauding the playing, joked 'good job the organ worked'. Their visit comes after Harry, 33, and Miss Markle, 36, appeared at a photocall at Kensington Palace in London yesterday. American Meghan, a protestant who went to a catholic high school, will be baptised and confirmed before the spring church wedding at Windsor Castle and is also said to be taking British citizenship to become a dual national. Fifth in line to the throne Harry has been dating the actress - who found fame in the US legal drama Suits - since the summer of last year. Their 16-month whirlwind romance blossomed when they met through mutual friends in London, and the pair have been almost inseparable in recent months. The couple will live together in Harry's current home, Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace, and Miss Markle will become an HRH and a senior royal. She is expected to become a duchess - just like Kate Middleton did when she became the Duchess of Cambridge after saying her vows in 2011. Miss Markle will most probably become HRH the Duchess of Sussex, if Harry is made the Duke of Sussex by the Queen on the morning of his wedding. The pair were secretly engaged earlier this month, and Harry took Miss Markle to meet his grandmother the Queen for tea at Buckingham Palace in October. It was Jared Kushner's turn to take on the school run this morning, as he dutifully escorted his children from their home in D.C. while his wife Ivanka Trump was in India speaking at a business summit. The father-of-three, 36, was seen leaving the family home a little before 7 am today, along with his two eldest children daughter Arabella, six, and Joseph, four. He walked out of the property, which is in the upscale neighborhood of Kalorama, smiling as he guided his little ones towards a parked Secret Service SUV. Doting dad: Jared Kushner took his children to school (including Arabella, six, donning an angel costume) this morning while Ivanka Trump traveled to India Trio: The dad, 36, was seen leaving his home in Washington, D.C. a little before 7 am today with his two eldest childrendaughter Arabella, six, and Joseph, four Greeting the day: Jared was ready for work as he completed the school run, sticking to his classics in a dark suit and tie with a white shirt Jared stood by as Arabella, donning an angel costume, hopped inside the vehicle, followed by Joseph. Arabella at one point looked up at her father, clearly showcasing the angel halo affixed to her head thanks to a headband, which might be related to a performance at school. Ivanka and Jared's youngest child, one-year-old Theodore, wasn't seen, likely owing to the fact that he hasn't started school yet and thus can afford a later start to his day. Jared was ready for work as he completed the school run, sticking to his classics in a dark suit and tie with a white shirt. His fellow senior White House adviser, Ivanka, 36, traveled to Hyderabad, India, today, to give the opening speech at the 2017 Global Entrepreneurship Summit, which she is headlining. Family time: The dad walked out of his home in the upscale neighborhood of Kalorama, smiling as he guided his little ones towards a parked Secret Service SUV A helping hand: Jared rested his hand close to Joseph as the little boy hopped onto the SUV His turn: With his two little ones having boarded the car safely, Jared stepped inside as well India rolled out the red carpet ahead of her visit on Tuesday, with thousands of policemen standing on guard in the southern tech hub of Hyderabad, where the summit is taking place. Billboards with pictures of Ivanka dotted many parts of the city, which is home to major U.S. firms such as Microsoft. The city has also cleared away beggars and filled potholes ahead of the visit. During her speech, Ivanka urged India to close its yawning gender gap in the job market, telling the summit in her biggest foreign mission yet that this would bring huge economic benefits. President Donald Trump's eldest daughter urged India to seize the untapped potential in women in a speech before Prime Minister Narendra Modi and business leaders in Hyderabad. India is one of the world's fastest growing major economies but also has one of the lowest rates of female employment, a trend that has worsened over the last decade. The World Bank has warned that the country must reverse a trend of falling women's participation in jobs if it is to achieve its ambition of double-digit growth. 'Just consider, if India closes the labour force gender gap by half, your economy could grow by over $150 billion dollars in the next three years,' Ivanka told the Global Entrepreneurship Summit. 'I encourage everyone here today to come together, to learn from each other, and to find new ways to lift the barriers in our societies so that women are free to innovate.' Female participation in India's workforce has declined since 2007, particularly in rural areas. Duties: Ivanka, 36, traveled to Hyderabad, India, today, to give the opening speech at the 2017 Global Entrepreneurship Summit, which she is headlining Message: President Donald Trump's eldest daughter urged India to seize the untapped potential in women in a speech before Prime Minister Narendra Modi and business leaders Women remain in education for longer, but even college-educated women are staying out of the workplacejust 34 per cent of those with a degree are working, the World Bank reported in May. It said Indias female labour force participation rate was 'uniquely low' for all levels of education. Ivanka, without directly referring to India, lamented inequitable laws and cultural pressures that in some countries prevent women from working or travelling freely. The White House adviser is scheduled to attend a gala dinner today with Modi, who referenced ancient Hindu philosophy, high court judges and India's space program when touting the contribution of women to the nation of 1.25 billion. 'Indian women continue to lead in different walks of life,' he told delegates gathering for the three-day summit. 'We have provided for not less than one third of women representation in rural and urban local bodies, ensuring women's participation in grassroot-level decision-making. More than sixty per cent of workers in our agriculture and allied sectors are women.' More than 1,200 people are expected to attend the three-day conference, although not everyone is thrilled about Ivanka's presence. 'It's now being called Ivanka Trump's summit. It totally overshadows all our work,' said Sangeeta Agarawal, the chief executive of U.S. startup Helpsy Health. 'We feel that's it become more about her.' Speech: Ivanka, without directly referring to India, lamented inequitable laws and cultural pressures that in some countries prevent women from working or travelling freely Meeting: The first daughter was photographed with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (front) and Telangana state Chief Minister K. Chandrashekara Rao (left) And the conference's focus on female entrepreneurs raises questions about some of the commercial decisions made by Ivanka and her famous namesake brand. Critics have faulted her for failing to use her leadership role to call out labor and human rights abuses, particularly in China, where the bulk of her U.S. merchandise ships from. And they point out that she has failed to take a public stand on alleged abuses in her brand's own supply chain. Ivanka stepped back from day-to-day management of her brand before taking on an official role as White House adviser, but still retains an ownership interest. Abigail Klem, president of the Ivanka Trump brand, has called supply chain integrity 'a top priority,' but the brand has not joined the growing number of companies that publicly identify their manufacturers. A September investigation by The Associated Press showed that Ivanka's supply chain has become more opaque than ever since she took on her White House role, making it impossible to know who her company is doing business with around the world. The brand has said supply chains are the responsibility of its licensees. Earlier this month, 23 rights groups signed a letter urging Ivanka, her brand and two licensees to publish the names and addresses of suppliers. They also urged Ivanka and her brand to publicly demand that the Chinese government not prosecute three activists detained this past summer while investigating the brand's supply chain, and allow independent monitoring of factories. She rarely puts a foot wrong in the sartorial stakes. And Queen Letizia looked typically chic as she joined husband King Felipe in Caravaca de la Cruz, Murcia, to mark the town's Jubilee Year. The mother-of-two wrapped up in a sophisticated grey coat featuring voluminous sleeves, which she teamed with a pair of snakeskin print heels. The Spanish royal, 45, accessorised the look with pear-drop diamond earrings, while adding a touch of colour with a berry lipstick. Queen Letizia looked typically chic in a grey coat and snakeskin print heels as she joined King Felipe in Caravaca De la Cruz, Murcia Her husband Felipe, 49, meanwhile looked smart as they attended a ceremony at the Basilica Santuario de la Vera Cruz, where the town's famous Holy Cross relic is kept. The royal couple took time to shake hands well-wishers who lined the streets in anticipation of their arrival. Their visit coincides with Caravaca De la Cruz's Jubilee Year, which sees pilgrims making their way to the town in south-west Spain. The first Jubilee Year was held in 2003, with thousands of visitors now travelling to the town every seven years. The mother-of-two greeted well-wishers who lined the streets in anticipation for their arrival The royal couple's visit to the town in south-west Spain coincides with its Jubilee Year Felipe looked smart in a suit and yellow tie as they visited the Basilica Santuario de la Vera Cruz Felipe has been forced to cancel a number of engagements in recent months due to the crisis in Catalonia. However, it has been largely been business as usual for Letizia, who attended a journalism awards ceremony in Madrid on Wednesday. The royal dazzled in a sparkling 1920s inspired mini dress at the event, which she wore with a black stiletto heels. The event no doubt brought back some memories for the former journalist, who enjoyed a lengthy career in TV and newspapers before marrying Felipe in 2004. Letizia was seen taking part in a ceremony at the church, where the town's famous Holy Cross relic is kept The first Jubilee Year in Caravaca De la Cruz was held in 2003, with thousands of visitors now travelling to the town every seven years Prince William played the doting grandson as he joined his grandmother to host the President of Germany and his wife at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday. The Queen beamed with pride at her eldest grandson as they greeted the President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and his wife Elke Budenbender outside the Grand Entrance before a private lunch at Buckingham Palace. It was little surprise that the Queen, who looked resplendent in a pink suit, was in such high spirits after Prince Harry announced he is engaged to Meghan Markle yesterday. The Queen beamed with pride as she and William greeted the President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and his wife Elke Budenbender at Buckingham Palace The Queen was all smiles as she beamed at the Duke of Cambridge following news of Prince Harry's engagement Newly-engaged Meghan yesterday recalled the first meeting she had with the Queen and revealed the love Prince Harry has for his beloved grandmother. In a touching interview, the 36-year-old actress spoke warmly about Her Majesty - and how she instantly bonded with her famous Corgis. The American suits star praised the 91-year-old monarch, who she said was 'an incredible woman.' Ms Markle revealed she had met the Queen 'a couple of times' for tea. And when she moved one of her dogs over to the UK, it was perhaps the clearest indication that she was serious about Prince Harry. The actress brought her beagle Guy to live at Kensington Palace as her romance with the royal got serious. Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Cambridge greeted the President of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Prince William has stepped in to carry out more engagements with his grandmother after Prince Philip retired Her second dog, labrador-shepherd Bogart, is currently staying with friends in Canada. Miss Markle has described the pair, which were rescued from a shelter in Los Angeles, as 'my loves', 'my boys' and said they 'mean the absolute world' to her. And Prince Harry joked at his annoyance that the Queen's corgis, who have barked at him all his life, took to his fiancee 'straight away.' She described how when she met the monarch, they 'sweetly lay on my feet during tea, it was very sweet.' Prince Harry added: 'Just wagging tails and I was just like argh!' Meghan Markle said 'yes' immediately to Prince Harry after he proposed on one knee while they were cooking dinner, the couple said today in their first joint interview. She also spoke of how amazing Kate and William had been with her The royal looked nervous but happy and his fiancee stroked his arm lovingly as they spoke to reporters, who asked him: 'When did you know she was the one?' and he replied: 'From the very first time we met' Meanwhile, across town, the Duchess of Cambridge said she's 'absolutely thrilled' for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as she stepped out in London a day after her brother-in-law's engagement announcement. The pregnant mother-of-two displayed her neat baby bump in a figure-skimming Kate Spade dress, which she offset with burgundy accessories, as she arrived at the Foundling Museum in London. Discussing Monday's happy news, the Duchess said: 'William and I are absolutely thrilled. It's such exciting news. 'It's a really happy time for any couple and we wish them all the best and hope they enjoy this happy moment.' Her appearance comes just hours after Meghan Markle hailed her 'wonderful'. Miss Markle said the Duchess of Cambridge had been 'wonderful' to her, while Harry said both William and Kate had been 'amazing'. Harry talked about how he kept the relationship secret before introducing Miss Markle to his brother and sister-in-law. 'It was exciting, I mean I've - you know, I'd been seeing her for a period of time when I literally didn't tell anybody at all. 'And then William was longing to meet her and so was Catherine, so you know, being our neighbours, we managed to get that in a couple of, well, quite a few times now, and Catherine has been absolutely amazing, as has William as well, you know, fantastic support.' The Duchess of Cambridge displayed her neat baby bump in a Kate Spade dress as she stepped out at an art gallery in London just hours after Meghan Markle hailed her 'amazing' 'The family together have been absolutely, you know, a solid support, and my grandparents as well have been, have been wonderful throughout this whole process, and they've known for quite some time,' he said. Harry, 33, and Miss Markle, 36, appeared at a photocall at Kensington Palace in London yesterday. Fifth in line to the throne Harry has been dating the American actress - who found fame in the US legal drama Suits - since the summer of last year. Their 16-month whirlwind romance blossomed when they met through mutual friends in London, and the pair have been almost inseparable in recent months. Kate was in high spirits as she joined in with some arts and crafts during a visit to the Foundling Museum in London The couple will live together in Harry's current home, Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace, and Miss Markle will become an HRH and a senior royal. She is expected to become a duchess - just like Kate Middleton did when she became the Duchess of Cambridge after saying her vows in 2011. Miss Markle will most probably become HRH the Duchess of Sussex, if Harry is made the Duke of Sussex by the Queen on the morning of his wedding. The pair were secretly engaged earlier this month, and Harry took Miss Markle to meet his grandmother the Queen for tea at Buckingham Palace in October. She has been incredibly vocal about how frequently people say her name incorrectly, so you might think Irish actress Saoirse Ronan has made it her business to never mispronounce the name of another celebrity. But as it turns out, the Oscar nominated actress has just as much of a hard time pronouncing certain A-list names as others do with her moniker, and she isn't afraid to admit it. Sitting down for an interview with Popsugar, the 23-year-old was asked to try and pronounce other unusual names of her fellow Hollywood stars. Scroll down for video Say my name: Actress Saoirse Ronan was asked by Popsugar to try and pronounce several unusual celebrity names Getting it right: The 23-year-old has made it her business to get people to pronounce her Irish name correctly Mouthful: Saoirse started the video giving the correct pronunciation of her own name and gave examples of how not to say it She was given cue cards with the names of celebrities written on them and was then asked to read out the names on camera. Those featured included Wonderwoman star Gal Godot, This Is Us actor, Milo Ventimiglia and Girls actress, Zosia Mamet. Starting off, Saoirse gives viewers the correct pronunciation of her own name, which is the Irish word for 'freedom'. 'Most people don't know how to pronounce my name,' she says with a smile. 'They'll say "Soarsay", "Sheershay", "Smearshay", you know, all sorts.' Next up, she is asked to pronounce Gal Godot. Believing she knows the correct way to say it, Saoirse pronounces the last name without the 't', however, she is corrected that Godot is actually pronounced 'Gah-DOTE'. Saoirse cannot comprehend this and tells the producer who is sitting off camera, 'the people who work with her call her Gal Gah-DOH so they're all wrong.' However, she does earn some brownie points back when she correctly says Mia Wasikowska's name, emphasizing that phonetically it is pronounced, 'Mee-uh Va-shee-KOV-ska'. Magic Mike actor Joe Manganiello is the third name on the list, however Saoirse struggles to get her head around the Italian surname, initially saying, 'Joe MAN-jello', before admitting she doesn't know how to say it. Gal pals: Saoirse thought she could pronounce Gal Gadot but mispronounced her last name All about Mia: Saoirse got Mia Wasikowska's name in one Magic Manganiello: Saoirse couldn't wrap her tongue around this Italian surname Just fine: The Brooklyn star had no problem with this tricky name The producer then tells her the correct pronunciation is 'MAN-guh-nello'. Fourth on the list is Games of Thrones actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau. While Saoirse nails his first name - 'NEE-ko-ly' - and last name - Waldo - the Coster part gives her trouble as she incorrectly says Coster (as in Kevin) instead of 'Coaster'. However, when Irish actor Domhnall Gleeson's name pops up, Saoirse confidently pronounces his name with ease, telling the camera, 'Oh, I know this one! DO-nal Gleeson!' She then tells viewers, 'Not DOM-nell'. English actor Ralph Fiennes follows and Saoirse knows straight away to pronounce his first name 'RAY-ff', before telling viewers his surname is pronounced, 'FINE-z'. She also correctly says Zosia Mamet - 'ZAH-sha mamet'. However her winning streak is quickly over when the name Tea Leoni pops up, not realising Tea is pronounced 'TAY-ah' and not tea which Saoirse says is her 'favourite thing'. She is also completely thrown by Dancing with the Stars alumni, Maksim Chmerkovskiy but makes a brave attempt, saying, 'MAK-sim Shmer-KOV-sky'. Luck of the Irish: Saoirse smiled as she pronounced Irish actor Domhnall Gleeson's name Miles to go: The This Is Us actor's surname was a little bit more difficult to master Tea time: Saoirse thought Tea was pronounced like tea, her 'favourite thing' Go with the chlo: While Chloe Sevigny might throw some people, Saoirse knew how to say it When the producer tells her it is 'Shmer-KOVE-sky', they agree to give her the point as it is so close. And The Good Wife actor, Matt Czuchry doesn't fare any better with Saoirse admitting straight away, 'I always have trouble with this one'. Czuchry is pronounced 'ZOO-krie'. Chloe Sevigny is next on the list and her name rolls off Saoirse's tongue - 'KLOH-ee SE-ven-yee', however Milo Ventimiglia isn't afforded the same honor as Saoirse opts for 'Ven-ti-MIG-lia' instead of 'Ven-tih-MEE-lee-uh'. She is then told she has answered seven out of 13 names correctly before bursting into laughter. Saoirse made the headlines in 2016 when she famously wore a sign on the The Ellen Show to help people learn how to pronounce her name. It read: 'Hello, my name is Sur-sha'. Ryan Gosling also set the record straight for people while presenting the Oscar nominee with the New Hollywood Award at the Hollywood Film Awards in 2016. Gosling told the audience: 'Its Ser-sha, like inertia'. Forget fillet steak and pork chops... sales of pigs' trotters are soaring thanks to a revival of old-fashioned cheaper cuts of meat. The nation's appetite for pork cheeks, shanks and beef brisket has also grown. Supermarkets have been increasingly stocking ranges of so-called 'forgotten' cuts, while celebrity chefs have encouraged shoppers to think about using recipes that were popular in more austere times. Cheap and delicious: Waitrose has now seen sales of pigs' trotters, pictured in file image, jump by more than a third - 36 per cent - from last year as the nation rediscovers chepear cuts Michel Roux Jr and the restaurant Hawksmoor both even have recipes for a whole pig's head. Trotters which are still popular in France, China and southern US states were commonly eaten in the UK until the 1950s. But after decades of being out of fashion, Waitrose has now seen sales of trotters jump by more than a third 36 per cent from last year. Sales of pork cheeks and shanks are up by 30 per cent and beef brisket rose by 20 per cent. The store introduced forgotten meat cuts nine years ago in the wake of the financial crisis. Since then other supermarkets have brought out their own ranges of cuts, including beef skirt, ox cheek and offal. Versatile: Trotters are usually simmered for two to three hours in a stock until the meat falls away from the bone. They can also be deep-fried or barbecued. Pictured, braised trotters Recipe: Sticky Chinese Pig Trotters Ingredients (serves two) 4 pigs trotters 1tbsp Chinese five spice 4tbsp dark soy sauce 2tbsp rice wine vinegar 5 garlic cloves 2 inches of ginger Sticky Chinese Glaze: 2tbsp light soy sauce 1tbsp dark soy sauce 1tbsp honey inch of ginger, grated 1tbsp rice wine vinegar Sprinkle of star anise and cloves (or Chinese five spice) Method 1. Preheat oven at 200C/Gas 6 2. Soak the trotters in cold water for a few hours and pat down dry before cooking 3. Place the trotters in a pan of water and simmer for 2 hours with the other ingredients 4. Carefully remove the trotters and place in a small roasting tray 5. Mix the Chinese glaze ingredients together and add to the pork trotters in the roasting dish 6. Place the roasting dish into the oven and cook for 25 minutes 7. Remove the trotters from the oven and leave to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Source: Field & Flower Advertisement Trotters are usually simmered for two to three hours in a stock until the meat falls away from the bone. Boiled trotters can be coated in butter and breadcrumbs and then baked for 20 minutes. They can also be deep-fried or barbecued. They are generally sold from a fresh meat counter at 1.99 per kilo, which means one, typically weighing 440g, would cost 88p. But they are not just a bargain. Advocates of the revival of 1950s recipes argue the food tastes better. Trotters have even been hailed as a health food as they are rich in collagen, the protein responsible for skin and muscle tone. Waitrose said a survey found shoppers are increasingly looking for cheaper cuts that don't compromise on taste or quality. Food trend: Recipes on the Waitrose website for forgotten cuts of meat have also been more popular with searches for Sichuan Smoked Pig Cheeks With Plum Ketchup up by 33 per cent Recipes on their website for forgotten cuts of meat have also been more popular, with searches for Sichuan Smoked Pig Cheeks With Plum Ketchup up by 33 per cent on last year, Slow-Cooked Pig Cheeks with Pea Tops and Seared Scallops up by 140 per cent and American-style Roast Beef Brisket up by 350 per cent. Waitrose buyer Andy Boulton said: 'Our customers now buy thousands of these once forgotten cuts each week. 'Many chefs and restaurants are championing the cuts. The growing use of them in the mainstream is giving shoppers more confidence about trying recipes using these cuts at home. We have a policy to buy the whole animal from farmers, so the growing trend is great to ensure we make the best use of every cut.' Karlie Kloss shared the last-minute beauty tricks she used to make her skin glow for the Victoria's Secret Fashion show. On Monday, the 25-year-old supermodel shared a video on her YouTube channel with celebrity facialist Georgia Louise, who flew to Shanghai to take care of some of the Angels' skin before the big event. Gushing that Georgia has 'hands of magic,' she introduced her to share four 'amazing hacks' to improve your skin in just a few minutes. Scroll down for video Strutting her stuff! Karlie Kloss walked in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show this year in Shanghai See it: The show took place on November 20 but airs tonight on CBS Gorgeous The stunning 25-year-old looked flawless and had glowing skin Just a few minutes... In a new video, she shares the last-minute skincare tricks she used that morning Freezing! She starts off by splashing her face with ice water for 20 seconds Brr! The technique tightens skin and helped wake Karlie up When the video starts, it is 7:40am on the day of the big show, and Karlie says she has to be in the lobby to get working in 20 minutes so their routine will have to be fast. Georgia starts by placing a big bowl of ice water on Karlie lap, explaining that submerging one's face in it for 20 seconds can do wonders. 'It may sound really horrible, but trust me, it's gonna tighten and brighten your skin,' she says, demonstrating by holding her face close to the bowl and repeatedly bring the cubes up to rub on her face. Karlie cringes but follows instructions, proclaiming when she's done: 'I'm up! There's no question about that.' For the second step, Georgia says that they don't have time to cleanse Karlie's face, and instead will do a mask. She pulls out a bowl with a white cream in it, which she says is brightening and hydrating. Circulation: Celebrity facialist Georgia Louise appeared in the video to share her tricks, which also including using a face mask and massaging it in Speedy skin: She demonstrated the tricks that can be used in a hurry Moisturized: Georgia also likes using a serum after the face mask Rub it: Finally, she whipped out two metal freeze sticks Cold: Georgia used them to massage Karlie's face but said spoons kept in the freezer would do 'Any cream mask is a really good choice,' she says, claiming that it is more effective than a cleanser. Dropping a dime-sized dollop into Karlie's palms, she demonstrates warming the cream between her hands before the two start rubbing it on their faces, massaging it in for a few moments. Showing off her go-to techniques, she moves her hands over her forehead toward her hair line, then over her brows, and around the bridge of her nose. Finally, she moves over her cheeks and chin. 'We're gonna have a lot of make-up on today for the show, so we want to have a good foundation,' Karlie says. Georgia, who has worked with skin for 22 years, then shows how to wipe the mask off before moving onto the third step, a hydrating serum. Ooh-la-la! The video was filmed just hours before Karlie hit the runway Clean slate: She wanted to get her face ready for the make-up artists to work Perfect palette: She looked gorgeous at the big event that evening Working it: Karlie modeled two looks at the show, including this one with floral wings Sporty: She also wore this more casual ensemble of plaid lingerie As we age... The star admitted that she always had good skin but recently has been having more trouble with it Explaining why this is important, she notes that women don't want to put something heavy on their skin before applying make-up, but at the same time Karlie doesn't want to present a cracked, peeling face to make-up artist. Karlie admits she has been having trouble with her skin lately and is just now learning to take better care of it, saying, 'I really took for granted having good skin.' With the serum on, they demonstrate tapotment, a Swedish massage technique that stimulates skin. They each dot their fingers all over their faces Finally, for the last step, Georgia takes out a pair of freeze sticks, metal tools that are kept in the freezer and look like clunky spoons. She says actual metal spoons can work in the absence of these freeze sticks and massages Karlie's face with them. Clearly, Georgia's tricks work well, as images from the show depict a glowing Karlie on the catwalk. Sufferer: Kath Sansom was given a vaginal mesh implant, leaving her in terrible pain For years women have complained about damage caused by the plastic mesh inserted to treat their post childbirth damage complaints that seemed to fall on deaf ears, until now. For it was reported yesterday that the government healthcare adviser, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), is going to recommend the controversial implant should no longer be routinely used because of serious safety concerns. A NICE guidance document, due to be published on December 22nd but leaked yesterday, says using the mesh for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) operations, where the material is inserted through the vagina to support the womb, should no longer be offered as a routine op and should be available for research only. Further guidance is due in 2019, but after pressure from MPs and Sling The Mesh, a group representing 4,400 injured women, it is expected the final guidance will be brought forward and recommend a complete ban. An estimated 200,000 women across the UK have had the implants since they were introduced in the late Nineties to treat incontinence, or repair damage where ligaments supporting the womb have collapsed. A large proportion of women given the mesh have not had problems, but as Good Health has highlighted, in some women it has fragmented and migrated, cutting through tissue and causing nerve damage, chronic pain and infection, leaving them unable to walk properly, work or have sex. The safety admission has opened the floodgates to one of the biggest compensation claims in NHS history. David Golten, a London lawyer representing more than 500 women, believes hundreds more will come forward and the damages could run into billions. It is the first time any of the medical authorities have admitted this procedure is dangerous, he told Good Health. Campaining: Kath has now turned her hand to activism and started Sling The Mesh, a group representing 4,400 injured women For the women affected its a vindication of sorts, says Kath Sansom, who set up Sling The Mesh, and has suffered permanent damage to her coccyx as a result of the procedure. Doctors tried to make us feel we were making a fuss about nothing. The latest publication in a scientific journal in September, using the NHSs data, showed at least 10 per cent of women implanted with this mesh suffer complications requiring overnight hospital treatment, and we know the real figure is much higher. Grandmother Jemima Williams, 57, from Barry, South Wales, has had 18 operations to remove fragments of the mesh since 2002, when it was implanted in her to treat post-childbirth incontinence. Jemima, who is married to a GP, suffers chronic pain, walks with a stick and has been told she will need a colostomy bag because of permanent nerve damage. There are many of us who have been told we cant take legal action because it is too long after surgery, she says. We are going to start pressuring the Government to lift the ten-year bar on litigation. The claims will centre on whether women were warned of the risks and therefore gave informed consent to the operation, whether the surgeons botched the implants, and, most importantly, whether the mesh was suitable for use in the first place. Doctors tried to make us feel we were making a fuss about nothing. Lots of women, including those who dont have problems, must now be very worried Kath Sansom Although the mesh starts off flexible it appears to become brittle once implanted. Once it has broken up and begun to migrate, removal becomes almost impossible without causing further damage. Jemima has been on a long waiting list to see Sohier Elneil, a consultant urogynaecologist at University College Hospital in London, who has developed a rare expertise in treating women whose meshes have disintegrated. Removing this material is a real problem and has now become a major part of my clinical practice, Miss Elneil says. These women are suffering terribly. Carl Heneghan, a professor of evidence-based medicine at Oxford University and a campaigner for better regulation for medical devices, says the use of the tape for pelvic prolapse was accepted by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in 2005, after what he says was minimal testing of one year. Why in the first place didnt they say the mesh should only be used in the context of research? he told Good Health. Why has the MHRA spent 12 years ignoring the evidence this mesh is dangerous? We apparently allowed a device on to the market even though we didnt know what happened to it beyond one year in the human body. It should have been tested for a minimum of five years. Kath Sansom says there has been no guidance on what women who already have the mesh should now do. Should they be demanding to have it removed or what, she says. We know it can break up more than ten years after its been implanted. Lots of women, including those who dont have problems, must now be very worried. Meanwhile, women with incontinence or prolapse are in the dark about whether or not they should accept a mesh implant, or insist on being referred to a consultant with the skills to do a native tissue repair. This procedure, which involves complex internal stitching, has fallen out of favour since the introduction of the mesh, which seemed to offer a quicker, cheaper alternative. Wael Agur, a urogynaecologist surgeon from the university of Glasgow, said this week that there has been a resurgence of interest in the traditional repair technique since the problems of mesh have become widely known. So far the MHRA and NHS England, which jointly approved the use of the mesh, have declined to comment. Both said they would not make a statement on the leaked draft of the NICE guidance because they have not seen it. A spokesman for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) told us: We are aware that some women experience complications following mesh surgery many years after the procedure. We are pleased that a learning resource for GPs has been created so that women with mesh complications receive the appropriate support and can be swiftly referred to specialist centres that have a multi-disciplinary team of professionals who can listen, advise and support them. The RCOG website has a special section to help worried patients. Go to rcog.org.uk and search for mesh information for the public. Millions more Americans are suffering from arthritis than their doctors realize, a new study reports. Affecting more than one third of adults, rates of arthritis have even outpaced the obesity epidemic, which may in part be fueling the surge in arthritis symptoms. Depending on age and gender, between 13 and 20 percent of adults report symptoms of arthritis, but have never been diagnosed by their doctors, according to the new study from Boston University. The study found that arthritis was 68 percent more common than previous estimates, suggesting that evaluations for the condition may be insufficient. Arthritis, which causes inflammation of the joints, may be as much as 68 percent more common than previous estimates have suggested, a new study found Arthritis, in its various forms, most commonly affects adults 65 and older, but can strike anyone. Doctors diagnose arthritis by assessing joints for swelling, redness and warmth to the touch. They also may examine joints for range of motion, and how painful movement is. Tests of blood, urine and spinal fluid, accompanied by images of the joints can confirm a diagnosis, but, the new study's findings suggest, many patients may not even get to this stage. The most common form, osteoarthritis (OA), usually develops slowly over a lifetime, as use wears down the cartilage that coats the ends of bones to keep them from grinding painfully against one another. Both it and the disease's autoimmune form, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), cause joint inflammation that can limit mobility and dexterity. Injuries, age, infections, being a woman and family history all make us increasingly prone to arthritis, and are out of our control. But obesity is a significant risk factor, and the rise of arthritis runs tandem to the obesity epidemic in the US. 'Studies have reported a rising rate of surgeries such as total knee replacement that outpaced obesity rates in recent years, especially among younger adults affected by arthritis,' said study co-author Dr S Reza Jafarzadeh. Between 2012 and 2015, there has been a more than 100 percent increase in joint replacement surgeries, according to data from the American Joint Replacement Registry. Every pound of body weight exerts an additional four pounds of pressure on the knees, according to the Arthritis Foundation. The extra force, unsurprisingly, accelerates the process of wear and tear on the joints, making arthritis more likely. About 36.8 percent of the US population suffers from arthritis, based on the new study's analysis of 2015 National Institutes of Health data. That's only 1.1 percent less than the portion of the country that is obese. The data suggest that if fewer Americans were obese, fewer would suffer from arthritis, particularly considering that the researchers found that far more adults under 64 are affected by arthritis than previously thought. 'Our findings are important because of underestimated, yet enormous, economic and public health impacts of arthritis including healthcare costs and costs from loss of productivity and disability, including in adults younger than 65 years of age,' said Dr Jafarzadeh. More than 4,000 babies will be saved by 2025 under major plans to make childbirth safer, Jeremy Hunt has pledged. The Health Secretary has announced a package of measures to improve the care of pregnant women and ensure healthcare staff learn from mistakes. These proposals coincide with an in-depth report which found that as many as 80 per cent of the babies who died in childbirth in 2015 could have been saved. Although the safety of childbirth has improved dramatically since the 1990s, the number of babies who die is still significantly higher than in other Western countries. More than 4,000 babies will be saved by 2025 under major plans to make childbirth safer, Jeremy Hunt has pledged There were 3,112 stillbirths in 2016, one in every 224 births, worse than in Norway, Denmark, Germany, Spain, and even Croatia, Poland and Estonia. NHS maternity wards are struggling to cope with the rising birthrate as well as higher numbers of complex labours due to obesity and an increase in older mothers. The number of midwives and specialist labour doctors has not kept pace with this demand and many units are very understaffed. Mr Hunt has set an ambitious target of reducing the number of babies born prematurely who are more likely to die or suffer lifelong complications. Women at high risk of having a premature birth, including those who are obese, have diabetes or high blood pressure, will be closely monitored throughout their pregnancy. If necessary they can be offered medication or stitches to stop them going into labour too early. Mr Hunt wants to train 12 very senior doctors to specialise in caring for women with underlying medical conditions which make childbirth high risk. These include epilepsy, heart conditions and kidney disease, and these patients would be referred for specialist appointments at a top teaching hospital. The Health Secretary has announced a package of measures to improve the care of pregnant women and ensure healthcare staff learn from mistakes (file photo) The Health Secretary will also start recording data for the number of babies who suffer brain injuries during birth, to flag up poorly performing maternity units. He will announce the measures today at a conference in London hosted by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Mr Hunt also wants to ensure that all baby deaths are investigated by the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch so that lessons can be learned to prevent future tragedies. He is also expected to call for a more honest culture whereby staff are quick to own up to their mistakes, and he will stress the importance of explaining to grieving parents what went wrong with a birth. Meanwhile a report by Oxford and Leicester universities uncovered preventable errors in 80 per cent of babies who died in childbirth in 2015. Researchers carried out a detailed review of 78 deaths and highlighted unsafe staffing levels, a lack of monitoring of the baby and delays to interventions such as caesareans. A mother-of-two has been left with a hole the size of a five-cent nickel in her face after dismissing the sign of skin cancer as a 'stubborn spot.' Keely Jones, 40, was advised by a beautician to get a red blemish on her face seen to. Yet, Ms Jones, from North Carolina, was convinced the bump on her temple was just a spot as she rarely exposed her skin to the sun. After eventually seeing a doctor in September, Ms Jones was finally diagnosed with a form of skin cancer, known as basal cell carcinoma, and required more than 20 stitches after the growth was removed on November 21. Ms Jones, who owns a beauty company, is sharing her story to warn others of the risks of skin cancer. She said: 'Skin cancer can happen to anyone - I hardly used tanning beds and always avoided the sun, and I still managed to end up with skin cancer.' Keely Jones dismissed a red blemish on her face as a 'stubborn spot', but actually had cancer After the growth was removed, the mother had a hole the size of a five-cent nickel on her face Ms Jones (pictured with her daughter) required 20 stitches and three surgeries on the wound WHAT IS BASAL CELL CARCINOMA? Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer, affecting around 80 percent of sufferers. The most common cause is overexposure to UV rays from sunlight or sunbeds. BCC can occur anywhere on the body but is most common on the face, neck and ears. At-risk people include those who work outdoors, people with a family or personal history of BCC, and those with fair hair or skin. BCC often appears as a red, flat mark that scabs and bleeds without healing. If left for years, the scab can erode into an ulcer. Treatment depends on the size, type, location and penetration of the growth but may include surgery, radiation and topical or oral medications. Source: British Skin Foundation Advertisement 'I had to have over 20 stitches' Ms Jones said: 'I only ever used tanning beds when I was in my teens and I hardly went in the sun anymore, and when I was in the sun my face would always be covered. 'I'm lucky that I got the lump removed when it did or it's likely that the cancer would've spread across my face. 'Despite the spot being so small I had to have removals three times to make sure all of the cancer was gone. 'I had to have over 20 stitches to close up the hole. Last week I had them taken out, so now I am just left with a small scar.' 'It was unusual for me to get a spot' Ms Jones visited her dermatologist in September after concerns were raised about her skin. She said: 'I don't usually have blemishes on my face, so it was unusual for me to get a spot. 'I thought it was just a stubborn one, so I just continued to pick it and every time it would just scab over and bleed. 'After going for a facial I was advised to go and see a dermatologist after the beautician noticed the spot, but it took months to get referred to a clinic. 'After seeing the dermatologist, they decided to do a biopsy on my temple as it looked concerning. 'A week later I received a call and was told that I had cancer.' Ms Jones had the growth removed on November 21. She said: 'I had to have three more surgeries to remove the spot from my temple and to get all of the cancer out. 'When it was removed and I saw the massive hole on my temple I was so shocked - the spot was so little, but they needed to remove so much more skin. 'The hole was then stitched together, but luckily I had these stiches removed just last week and it's unlikely that I will need any more surgery. 'I'll still have to go for checkups though because the chance of having another cancerous spot is now higher.' Ms Jones claims she only occasionally used tanning beds in her teens and is otherwise sun safe Despite being left with a prominent scar, Ms Jones feels lucky the cancer did not spread Ms Jones, who normally has clear skin, used to pick at the cancerous scab that never healed A beautician advised she see a doctor, who performed a biopsy and told her she had cancer 'Skin cancer can happen to anyone' Ms Jones is using her story to raise awareness of the risks of skin cancer. She said: 'For the next few weeks I can't exercise, pick up the children or sleep on my right-hand side. 'These photographs of me are more than unflattering and as someone who works in beauty I found it quite hard to share them. 'But hopefully it will help at least one person learn the importance of looking after their skin. 'Skin cancer can happen to anyone - I hardly used tanning beds and always avoided the sun, and I still managed to end up with skin cancer.' Despite the cancer being small, Ms Jones had a lot of skin removed to ensure it was all gone She is more at-risk of cancer and needs regular check-ups (pictured with ice on the wound) As she works in the beauty industry, Ms Jones is struggling to accept her scarred apperance For the next few weeks, she is unable to pick up her children, exercise or sleep on her side Hospital staff were astonished after a man was admitted with a metal cup lodged up his bottom. A 60-year-old Indian farmer apparently agreed to have the 21cm tall object inserted there by local 'quack' doctors as a cure for his stomach ache. After realising he was still in pain despite the 'treatment' and his family arranged for him to see genuine medics at a private clinic. They performed an endoscopy and an x-ray and were horrified to find the obstruction high up in his digestive system. A video shows them removing the object during surgery at Sarthak Hospital in Satna, in the Madhya Pradesh state in India. Scroll down for video Doctors in India were astonished when this x-ray revealed the cause of a man's stomach ache a metal cup up his backside The 21cm tall object inserted there by local 'quack' doctors as a cure for his stomach ache The man, who is now in recovery, said: 'I have learnt the lesson of my life. 'I will never go to a quack doctor again. I was a regular to the village doctors so I still can not imagine as to why they did something like this with me. 'One should never go to a quack. Go to a qualified doctor even if you have a very minor ailment of any kind.. In a bid to save some money, it is not wise to risk your life.' Months of pain The poorly man had been suffering months of vomiting and stomach pain before he was sedated by his village doctors, he claims. Dr Sunil Agarwal, who led the operating team, said: 'The patient came to us with a complaint that he was having pain while passing story. 'We checked his anal cavity and found some solid substance was lodged there. It was then we decided to do an endoscopy on him. Surgeons operated on the unnamed patient for one and a half hours to remove the obstruction 'Much to our shock and surprise, the report showed a steel glass lodged inside his stomach. 'When we showed the report to the patient and his family members they too couldn't believe what they saw. 'We then decided to operate on him. 'The operation took one and a half hour during which we managed to successfully extract the foreign body from the patient's stomach.' A woman who suffered third-degree burns on nearly half her face has revolutionized the way to cover up scars, burns and birth marks by tattooing them away. Basma Hameed, 31, was severely burned with hot oil during a horrific cooking accident when she was a toddler living in Iraq that left her with discolored facial scars and just one eyebrow. She moved to Toronto where for the next 15 years she received hair transplants, skin graphs and laser treatments that didn't work. So when doctors told her there was nothing more they could do, she experimented by tattooing her own face with pigment. Now Basma is a certified micro-pigment implantation specialist with clinics that use her procedure to camouflage scars while donating treatments to others who have experienced tragedy. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Basma Hameed, 31, was burned in a horrific cooking accident when she was a toddler in Iraq (left). Now she is a certified micro-pigment implantation specialist who runs her own clinics Basma is pictured before and after tattooing her own face to cover the severe burn marks she sustained when she was two The Basma Hameed Clinic has covered thousands of burns, scars, Vitiligo and has even done nipple reconstruction for those who have had mastectomies from breast cancer. The procedure is similar to tattooing except for two main distinguishers: she uses a proprietary blend of minerals instead of ink, and goes to the middle layer of skin (dermis) which is shallower than the fatty layer (hypodermis) that tattoo needles penetrate. Basma sustained third-degree burns on 40 percent of her face when her brother accidentally spilled hot oil on her while cooking When the skin is damaged with a cut, burn or puncture, it develops scar tissue that may or may not be noticeable. Scar tissue is thicker than normal skin and as it heals it typically turns white due to melanocytes that have been destroyed making the body unable to produce melanin. Basma's process re-pigments the skin with natural color to blend in with the rest of the body with a minimum of six treatments. 'Think of black walls trying to paint white- you'll need a couple of coats to change the colors,' said Basma. She worked with chemists to develop the mineral formula before opening her first clinic ten years ago in Toronto. Since then, Basma has opened another clinic in Los Angeles and donated at least 15 procedures a year to those who experience low-self esteem due to their marks, including victims of domestic violence and those born with large facial birthmarks. Basma told Daily Mail Online that this stemmed from her personal tragedy which left a large red scar covering half of her face making her the victim of bullying. A patient with a port-wine stain (left) underwent Basma's treatment and appears to be without the mark Basma used her process to re-pigment the skin with natural color to cover one client's forehead scar At the age of two, Basma suffered third degree burns in a tragic cooking accident when her then seven-year-old brother tripped over her spilling hot oil on her face at their home in Baghdad, Iraq. HOW MICRO-PIGMENT IMPLANTATION WORKS This process re-pigments the skin with natural color to blend in with the rest of the body that has been damaged with a cut or burn that develops discolored scar tissue. The procedure is similar to tattooing except for two main distinguishers: Basma's technique uses a proprietary blend of minerals instead of ink She uses a series of treatment and goes to the middle layer (dermis) of the skin instead of the deep fatty layer (hypodermis) that tattooing reaches Full results take a minimum of six sessions depending on the size of the area. Basma Hameed says: 'Think of black walls trying to paint white- you'll need a couple of coats to change the colors.' Advertisement Doctors were able to save her vision, but for the next 15 years she underwent surgeries in an attempt to reconstruct her face. After moving to Toronto, she began an apprenticeship under a permanent make up artist where she learned how to properly tattoo makeup. When she had the idea to tattoo over her own scars, doctors told her the scar tissue would not hold the ink. Her mentor at the permanent cosmetic studio was also doubtful and refused to try it on her. 'Everyone was scared to make it worse - for me I had nothing to lose,' she said. She started practicing on her own face by diluting ink with water and testing out a small area. Basma observed the area everyday and once she saw the pigment surviving in her skin tissue, she said she knew it was going to work. Basma continued practicing on herself for two years until she perfected the procedure. She said: 'Permanent make up was not new, but instead of using black and brown I thought ''why not use skin color pigment.''' Basma shared her procedure with clients who jumped at the opportunity. She attended a two-year medical aesthetics certificate program to learn more about the skin and how it heals. The then 21-year-old opened her own clinic and now trains her team on how to properly conduct the treatments. One woman, Annette White, 52, has been the recipient of Basma's donation for the past three years to camouflage a large port-wine birth mark covering her face. After nine treatments, physical changes were apparent but what changed the most was Annette's self-esteem. Annette White, 52, was donated the procedure and said she now has the courage to face the world after the treatment covered her port-wine stain that consumed nearly half her face A client who underwent surgery due to breast cancer had a large scar on her stomach and underwent at least six treatments to cover them Annette said: 'Without her help I would still be locking myself away in my house, but with her help I now have the courage to face the world. Now I have something I never had before - hope.' In the clinic's ten years of operation, tattoo shops have caught wind of the procedure and advertised similar treatments. But Basma warns that most tattoo artists don't have enough experience and can create problems within the skin including more scarring. This is due to the techniques used by tattoo artists that are more aggressive causing color to bleed into the skin which can look like a bruise. She recommends to all of her clients and anyone interested to test out the skin's reaction with just a patch before going all the way. Depending on the size of the area, Basma's packages of six sessions are priced at $2,000 to $4,000 but more sessions may be needed. Men seeking Viagra will no longer need a prescription from their GP after health officials reclassified the drug. For the first time, they will instead be able to buy it over the counter at chemists, as long as a pharmacist approves the little blue pills as safe for them to use. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) announced that it is reclassifying Viagra Connect tablets following a public consultation. Manufacturer Pfizer plans to get stocks of the medication into UK pharmacies by spring 2018. Experts say making the tablets more widely available will help sufferers of erectile dysfunction (ED) who might not feel able to visit their GP. Officials hope the move will also help steer people away from buying drugs from websites operating illegally and selling unlicensed or counterfeit impotency medicines. Manufacturer Pfizer plans to get stocks of the medication into UK pharmacies by spring 2018 (stock image) Pharmacists will be able to determine whether treatment is appropriate for the patient and can give advice on ED, usage of the medicine, potential side effects and assess if further consultation with a GP is required. But some men, including those with severe heart problems, those at high risk of heart problems, liver failure, kidney failure or those taking certain 'interacting medicines', will still need to be prescribed the drug under the supervision of a doctor. Tackling counterfeit drugs Officials hope the move will also help steer people away from buying drugs websites operating illegally. The MHRA said that ED medicines are a 'popular target' for criminals selling unlicensed and counterfeit medicines. Over the past five years the agency has seized more than 50 million of unlicensed and counterfeit impotency medicines. Viagra Connect will be made more widely accessible which experts say will encourage men with ED (stock image) 'This decision is good news for men's health,' said Mick Foy, MHRA's group manager in vigilance and risk management of medicines. 'The move to make Viagra Connect more widely accessible will encourage men to seek help within the healthcare system and increase awareness of erectile dysfunction. 'Erectile dysfunction can be a debilitating condition, so it's important men feel they have fast access to quality and legitimate care, and do not feel they need to turn to counterfeit online supplies which could have potentially serious side effects.' Protecting men's health Manufacturer Pfizer said Viagra Connect which contains the ingredient sildenafil at 50mg said the move should protect men by limiting the likelihood of them turning to dodgy websites. UK medical director Dr Berkeley Phillips said: 'The availability of Viagra Connect in pharmacies from next year will offer men who are eligible for the product a new and convenient way to access sildenafil, a commonly prescribed treatment for erectile dysfunction. 'We understand some men may avoid seeking support and treatment for this condition, so we believe giving them the option to talk to a pharmacist and buy Viagra Connect could be a real step forward in encouraging more men into the healthcare system. 'As erectile dysfunction may be a sign of an underlying condition such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease, there could also be a wider benefit to public health in the long term. 'We hope that this forthcoming new opportunity to purchase a genuine treatment via pharmacy will also reduce the likelihood of men turning to potentially ineffective and dangerous counterfeits from illicit sources.' Men have unwanted sex with women in order to avoid uncomfortable interactions and to conform to gender expectations, a new study claims. A New York University sociologist interviewed 39 college men who said social pressure on men to want sex, force them to have unwanted sex with women because they will be deemed 'unmanly'. Another study published today from Binghamton University in New York also attempted to delve into the 'reasons' behind nonconsensual sex, finding that most men confuse sexual interest with consent because of a 'no means yes' complex. These studies come in the wake of high-profile sexual harassment scandals which many of the accused men deem a 'confusion' rather than misconduct. Men have unwanted sex with women to conform to gender expectations and to avoid uncomfortable situations, according to a study from New York University In the NYU study, the men interviewed explained that their reasoning for unwanted sex was based on their broader ideas about gender which revealed: how they felt men were expected to act; what men were expected to want; and what actions might make men lose respect with their partner or others. One participant said: 'I think it's an undercurrent to my thought-makingthat guys are supposed to enjoy sexual intercourse under any circumstances.' While another described that men can't say no to women if she shows any interest. He said: '(T)here is this social pressure that men like sex a lot and women can choose yes or no. So I guess it makes you unmanly if you don't want to have sex.' However, the second study reinforced the issue with the idea that women are the only ones who can decide whether or not they want sex. The results published in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence showed most of the 145 college men involved in the study tended to 'confuse sexual interest with consent to sex,' said the researchers. The NYU study's author, Jessie Ford, said: 'There is also a tendencyone that likely applies to women as well as to menthat once a sexual interaction starts with a partner who seems to want sex, the desire to keep the exchange on an even keel eventually facilitates unwanted sex.' These studies come in the wake of an onslaught of sexual harassment accusations of movie mogul Harvey Weinstein (left) and actor Kevin Spacey (right) This adds to the growing concern that women in subordinate roles feel it is 'too late' to say no to men in power who come on to them, as seen in case of Harvey Weinstein who held his victim's career as bait. In recent months, more women have spoken out against their sexual abusers than ever before, fueling an online campaign where women post the words '#MeToo' to show the vast number that have been victims of sexual misconduct that goes unreported. Professor Richard Mattson of Binghamton University said sexual victimization of women is a growing concern in all environments of day to day life. More specifically, instances of sexual violence are higher than any other crimes among college students. 'We found the way in which the woman communicated her sexual intentions, that is verbal refusal versus passive responding, had the largest effect of men's perceptions.' But he added: 'However, there was also evidence of a precedence effect.' This occurs when men equate past sexual behavior to future consent of intimacy even in the face of direct refusal by the woman. Ford says: 'Although women experience a higher burden of sexual assault and harassment, heterosexual men also report unwanted sex.' One out of every six American women has been the victim of sexual violence and one in 33 men have experienced sexual abuse. And though the study said the sex men have is 'unwanted', it does not refer to it as nonconsensual or forced. Chalfonte LeNee Queen thought she was dying as she retched for the thousandth time and collapsed in pain. For almost 20 years, Queen made periodic trips to the emergency room, but none of the doctors that she saw could find a cause for her agony. Queen suffers from cannabinoid hypermesis syndrome, a condition that affects a small subset of long-term cannabis users. But even with the paralyzing pain and relentless vomiting, cannabis is the best option for her to treat her pain and anxiety while holding down a job and caring for the youngest of her four children, who suffers from cerebral palsy. Queen (second from left) says that her CHS cost her time with her children, including (from left to right) Nicole, Jas and Donald. The family is pictured here at Donald's wedding in 2016 'I've had four kids and I would rank it with labor; it's extremely severe. I've screamed out in pain, I've not been myself and calling for dead people who aren't here any more,' she says. Queen recalls trying to drive herself to the hospital on multiple occasions while her vision was blurred so badly from pain that she 'couldn't even read the street signs.' The relentless bouts of vomiting caused her to lose weight. 'Being thin does mean more fashion show bookings,' says the former model, 'it's not worth it though.' 'I lost jobs, relationships, money and time with my children,' she says. Finally, after 17 years of suffering, a San Diego doctor told Queen that she had CHS. The condition causes intense nausea and abdominal pain, just like Queen experienced, and seems to be best treated with a hot shower. Cannabinoid hypermesis syndrome (CHS) has only been documented and recognized as a medical condition in recent years as cannabis has become more widely legal and studied, in places like California, where Queen lives. The first time Queen went to the emergency room, she woke up in a panic. A former nurse, she was horrified to find herself in a familiar place. 'I woke up on the oncology floor! I'm like, what? Why am I in oncology?' Queen says that after cancer was ruled out, the doctors tried to match a series of other conditions to her symptoms, including acute prophyria, a rare genetic disorder. Queen, now 48, is able to manage her CHS and lead a normal life by cutting back on her marijuana intake and taking medication for the periodic pain and nausea She was in the hospital for three days, spending every waking moment retching. Finally, she asked if she could take a shower. When she got out, Queen felt far better. In fact, her symptoms were so relieved by the apparent curative properties of hot water that she went home later that day. This is one of the bizarre, distinguishing features of CHS. A German study of the syndrome and a similar one, called cyclical vomiting syndrome, found that about half of those suffering from either 'exhibited compulsive showering.' 'That hot water, it's like it scrambles the message from the brain that's causing the pain in the stomach,' Queen says. The curious symptoms of CHS were only first documented in an Australian study in 2011. Little is understood about CHS, which appears to only affect chronic cannabis users, but not necessarily every time or immediately after they use the herbal derivative. Queen says often she feels fine after smoking marijuana - her preferred way of ingesting - but then will wake up in pain in the middle of the night or start feeling sick one or more days later. Though explicitly linked to cannabis-users, Queen says that CHS rears its head when she drinks alcohol, gets her period, is stressed, or, it seems, eats certain foods. 'For those past 17 years, it pretty much destroyed my life,' she says. Queen kept smoking cannabis, and kept making periodic trips to the emergency room. Chalfonte LeNee Queen (right) suffers from cannabinoid hypermesis syndrome, which means that her long term cannabis use sometimes causes her vomiting and pain. But marijuana still disrupts her ability to work and care for her disabled 24-year-old daughter, Jas (left) less than any prescription drug she has tried 'I went to the ER three times after eating corn cakes at IHOP,' she says. 'My kids were looking at me like "why do we keep eating here?"' But for the most part, 'there's just no rhyme or reason to when you get an episode,' she says. 'When you see it's a recurring trend, and it happens so haphazardly, you worry maybe you have something so rare, and you don't know what it is.' Now that she knows what's happening, 'I don't get in that type of panic mode any more. I'm just stuck here in the shower until someone can get me to the ER or call 911.' After being loyal to marijuana for most of her adult life, she gave it up for more than six months. 'That made a huge difference, my last major episode was October 3 of last year,' she says. Queen lost weight because of her CHS. She was 109 lbs here, at Christmas last year But solving one problem just brought back an old one that marijuana helped her with. 'I've always had anxiety and was diagnosed bipolar many years ago. If I feel like if my head is going to explode, a couple of puffs [help], at least in the short term,' she says. Queen also has sciatica and a herniated disk. She says that doctors have prescribed her various psychiatric and pain medications. She is a full-time caretaker to her 24-year-old daughter, Jas, who suffers from cerebral palsy, as well as a brand ambassador, and says that other pain and psychiatric medications put her out of commission. 'I took so much Tylenol one time, my stomach started bleeding,' she says. And for her anxiety and bipolar disorder, 'you're more like a guinea pig...the stuff they prescribe, I feel horrible on it. Once, I couldn't sleep for three days, and I have an adult in a diaper to care for. [On them,] if I wasn't anxious enough, I'm a nutcase now.' So weed is the lesser evil, and Queen still supports the movement toward widespread legalization. Now she smokes less, and has prescription medications that help to alleviate her CHS symptoms. 'I dont have a choice to completely abstain, I have to get through this day, and the next one, and the next...and I have to put a roof over my and my daughter's heads,' she says. She hopes eventually to find another remedy, so relief doesn't come along with CHS. 'I'm trying to find some natural remedies so I don't have to worry about the nut-pills or the weed,' she says. 'Before we had these pharmaceuticals, people dealt with things from the earth, even though marijuana is from the earth, it doesnt work so well for me, I just need to find another way.' As security personnel prepare to further intensify their operations in the winter to break the backbone of terror infrastructure, forces have received intelligence that alleged 26/11 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed could revive terror activities in the Valley. Senior Army sources said the next two to three months of harsh winter would be crucial for security agencies because, if they are able to further eliminate the top terror leadership, it would make it difficult for the groups to sustain their operations in the state. In 2017, after Gen Bipin Rawat took over as Army chief, the Army, local police and other paramilitary forces have killed 202 terrorists, including 25 commanders, some of whom had been in the business of terrorism for over a decade. The military are preparing for harsh winter in Jammu and Kashmir 'The terrorist leadership is in disarray due to the relentless operations and terror groups that have become almost leaderless due to the kills. We will keep the tempo going in the winter as well to make it difficult for them to survive,' a source said. Sources said in recent months the number of killings by security forces has been more than the number of recruits taken in by terror groups and most terrorists operating now are relatively new. Sources said Pakistan-based groups would try to send in more terrorists in Kashmir in the coming months, but their chances of succeeding would be very slim due to snow and extra vigilance along the LoC. Hafiz Saeed is a designated a global terrorist by the US and who has a $10 million bounty on his head 'The focus of operations would be to eliminate as many terrorists as possible during the winter,' a source said. Meanwhile, security sources said inputs have been received that very soon, Hafiz Saeed would be in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir to push terrorists into India in view of frequent elimination of terror commanders. Top security sources said Saeed's release from jail in Pakistan had raised fears that he would rejuvenate terrorism in Kashmir. Sunday marked the ninth anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack in which the iconic Taj Mahal Palace was one of the targets 'Though he has been active in jail as well but now, he will be sent to forward areas in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir to motivate terrorists sitting in launch pads to carry out attacks on security forces,' said the source. Saeed was in jail for almost eight months but was released last week as Pakistani authorities didn't produce any evidence against him, after which a Pakistani court released him. In 2017, the number of attacks being carried out by terrorists on security forces has come down drastically since the troops are now going all out for search and destroy operations as could been seen from the recent mission in Hajin of Bandipora district, where they went to the terrorists' hideout and killed them. About the role of Pakistan in J&K, sources said infiltration attempts were at an all-time high with 291 bids by jihadis to sneak in along the LoC till September 30 against 165 attempts in the corresponding period last year. The push from Pakistan is far greater than ever as they are getting frustrated in their attempts to change the atmosphere in the Valley which was visited by around 12 lakh domestic tourists this year. Violation of fundamental, human and legal rights of prisoners, who have alleged they were subjected to severe physical torture at Tihar Jail, on Monday came under the Delhi High Courts scanner as it ordered further enquiry into the matter. The inmates lodged in Tihars high-risk ward were mercilessly beaten and injured on the night of November 21 - with no provocation by the jail staff, says an inspection committee report. The body was formed after one of the injured inmates handed over a blood-soaked vest to his counsel that he had used to wipe his wounds - as evidence. The claims are now under the scanner of Delhi's High Court which ordered a probe into the allegations from prisoners Based on the petition from the counsel of the inmate, the Delhi High Court on November 23 formed the committee of judicial officers for an immediate inspection. The incident took place in wards C and F. CCTV footage of these wards show that there was no visible retaliation from the inmates and also that few were beaten selectively. The committee also found that the jail staff could not justify the violence against the inmates post a routine search. According to the findings, 18 inmates were injured and only one of them was taken to the hospital. Based on the committees report, the high court on Monday formed another fact-finding three-member committee to further probe the incident and directed jail authorities to take the inmates to AIIMS for medical examination in batches. The committee added that the incident has harboured into the inmates a fear of dying inside the jail. The footage that the CCTV at ward C recorded showed a closed main door with no inmates outside. TSP officials could suddenly be seen throwing three pillows out. According to the report, as an alarm rings at 9:21pm, followed by which, several TSP personnel can be seen entering the ward and beating inmates mercilessly using batons, buckets and lathis with no resistance from the prisoners. At 9:36pm they left the inmates bleeding and bruised. In the ward F, some prisoners were seen arguing with the in-charge of search operation. However, nothing was found in the footage that could justify the violence against the prisoners. According to the report, during the routine searches, the inmates had objected to the removal of the pillow covers. The routine search had begun around 8:30pm - supervised by the search operation head. After carrying out searches in C-9 ward the team locked the cell from outside. Fifteen minutes later, sounds were heard that suggested people were being beaten. The inmates told the committee that such an incident had occurred for the first time. They also informed that for the previous 15-20 days, under the current search operation in charge, staff had been very aggressive in their approach during the routine searches. The committee found out that the QRT staff had entered their cell with lathis and even used buckets to beat them. Except for one inmate, who was hospitalised, none were even treated inside the jail, it's claimed. The jail authorities in their replies to judicial officers said that the inmates had abused the jail staff, tried to hinder the search operation, passed incendiary remark and created a mutiny-like situation. The committee has however, concluded that the reason put forth was baseless and that it was nothing but a blatant effort by the jail authority to conceal the facts. Mohamad Tahir, a 24-year-old Rohingya Muslim man who left Myanmar's violence-wracked Rakhine province in 2012, considers himself lucky to be living in the backyard of Delhi. Tahir, his wife and their year-old daughter are in a special camp at Siddiq Nagar in Haryana's Nuh town, about 100km from the city. They, like hundreds of refugees from the community settled in the National Capital Region, do not want to return to their native country. There are 40,000 Rohingyas believed to have fled to India through Bangladesh with many more in refugee camps on the border The Supreme Court will next month hear the plea of two Rohingya refugees who have approached it against the Centre's decision to deport Rohingya Muslims to Myanmar. 'We would not even dream of going back to Myanmar. We are not treated as human in a state ruled by Buddhist people. We did not know what freedom is since childhood. We have experienced it only after reaching the soil of India,' Tahir said. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingyas have fled from Myanmar following a military crackdown, which the UN has described as ethnic cleansing, with many taking refuge in Bangladesh and some then crossing a porous border into India. Mohamad Tahir, a 24-year-old Rohingya Muslim man who left Myanmar's violence-wracked Rakhine province in 2012, considers himself lucky to be living in the backyard of Delhi. Myanmar says its forces are carrying out their legitimate duty to restore order after guerrilla attacks in August on security posts and an army camp in which about a dozen people were killed. There are 63 families at the Siddiq Nagar camp and all of them echo the same view. Mohamad Shadik, head of the shelter, said the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar has been simmering for years but it boiled over in 2010 and later. 'The number of people from our community in Bangladesh went up to over 10 lakhs, and many crossed the border to reach Kolkata,' Shadik said. Mohamad Shadik, head of the shelter, said the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar has been simmering for years The Centre sees the Rohingya refugees as a security threat, arguing that the illegal migrants are vulnerable to getting recruited by terrorist organisations and are also a burden on the country's limited resources. According to government data, there are 1,360 Rohingya Muslims, or 400 families, living in Mewat, which is a cultural region that spans Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. The Siddiq Nagar area has two camps: the second one called Nangli 2 or Siddiq Nagar 2 where 100 families live in hutments. Besides, 55 families live in Ferozepur Namak, 60 in Chandni village and 23 families in Punhana area. Police officials say they cannot allow Rohingyas to live in the camps without a UNHCR card 'Buddhist people along with local police and military (in Myanmar) gang-rape our women and girls, behead youths, torch our houses and madrasas, and throw our children in the fire,' Shadik said. 'The laws of human rights do not apply there, so how can we live in such a situation?' Shadik told Mail Today that members of the community living in Delhi's Uttam Nagar, Faridabad in Haryana and Rajasthan's Jaipur city have also contacted him. The refugees in Mewat claimed that 15,500 Rohingyas are registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in India and have obtained smart cards. Sources say over 40,000 Rohingyas are living in various parts of India. 'Two hundred thousand Rohingya children are in refugee camps': Pope Francis has said Taiyab Mohammad, who owns a small grocery shop at the Siddiq Nagar camp, said the Buddhists do not consider the Rohingyas Myanmar nationals. 'I crossed the border (into Bangladesh) alone and sent a message to my family members to come over due to the threat to their lives,' he said. 'My wife, three sons and two daughters crossed the border a day later to reach Chittagong. After living there for four months and earning some money, we were forced by local police to leave Bangladesh too. 'We finally decided to cross into India. Crossing India- Bangladesh border is not easy in daylight and therefore we did it in the night as there is hardly any patrolling of border security personnel then.' His daughter, Rashida, said they do not have any passport or other documents to be identified as Myanmar nationals. 'We just have the UNHCR card issued from New Delhi,' she said. Experts say India is not a signatory to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and is therefore not bound by the principle of 'nonrefoulment'. Non-refoulment, a principle in international law, stops a country from returning refugees to a place where they could be at risk of persecution. 'We are continuously monitoring activities of Rohingyas in the camps of Nuh,' Vipin Kumar, the SHO of Nuh police station, told Mail Today. 'The police personnel along with CID visit camps every 10 to 15 days and check with the camp heads about who left the place and if any new people came in. We cannot allow any Rohingyas to live in the camp without having a UNHCR card.' Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone Fuming at several reckless statements made by 'people holding public office' about Deepika Padukone-starrer Padmavati, the Supreme Court on Tuesday said it could prejudice the censor board's decision ahead of the movie's release. 'These statements are tantamount to pre-judging the movie which is yet to be certified by the CBFC,' said the apex court. The bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra asked additional solicitors general Maninder Singh who represented the central government to convey the court's views that such statements should not be made as they violated the principle of 'Rule of Law'. Politicians of all hues, including some chief ministers, have recently made public statements, mostly against the film based on the saga of the historic battle of 13th century between Maharaja Ratan Singh and his army of Mewar and Sultan Alauddin Khilji of Delhi. Deepika Padukone was upset by the attack on artist Karan and his artwork 'When a matter is pending for consideration before CBFC, how can persons in public authority comment on whether the CBFC should issue certificate or not? It will prejudice the decision of CBFC,' said a bench headed by Misra. The judges termed as 'misconceived' and dismissed a fresh petition seeking an order to restrain Viacom 18, the maker of the film and others, from releasing it abroad. The producers informed the court that there was no intention to release the movie abroad on December 1, as alleged. Hindu right-wing organisations are angry about an alleged romantic scene begin filmed between Padmavati and Allauddin Khilji The petition had alleged that grave damage will be done to social harmony if the movie is allowed to be released outside India. The SC said when the courts were not making any observation, keeping in mind that the CBFC has to perform its statutory duty, persons holding high offices should desist from making statements. It asked the CBFC to take the decision on the certification of the movie with utmost objectivity. In his plea, lawyer ML Sharma had also sought a direction to the CBI to register a case against director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and others for various offences, including defamation and violation of the Cinematography Act. The bench expressed shock at certain objectionable contents of the petition and termed them unwarranted and scurrilous and ordered their deletion. It took serious note of the statements made by politicians, holding high public offices, on the movie which also stars Shahid Kapoor and Ranveer Singh, saying these tantamounted to prejudging it which is yet to be certified by the CBFC. 'When the matter is pending and going to be dealt with by the CBFC, no one, who is holding public office, should be saying something which would tantamount to pre-judging and may prejudice the mind of CBFC. It should be borne in mind that we all are governed by the Rule of Law', it said. A major goal of our foreign policy is to safeguard our security. We are not members of any military alliance, which means that we have to essentially rely on ourselves to deal with day-to-day threats to our security. This requires us to be as self-reliant as possible for our defence needs. So long as we are dependent on foreign defence suppliers we cannot have full elbow room to conduct an independent foreign policy, despite success in developing our strategic capabilities on our own. That we are one of the worlds largest arms importers shows how we have mismanaged vital aspects of our defence preparedness. Russia has been our biggest defence partner and has contributed in significant ways to make us more secure, but we have not been able to leverage that relationship to build a genuine domestic defence manufacturing base, one going beyond license manufacturing. India needs to be 'self reliant' in arms. Pictured is Dassaults Rafale fighter jet at the Dubai Air Show The almost $15 billion (Rs 96.7 thousand crore) worth of arms we have bought from the US in the last few years has given us tools to defend ourselves better against threats to our security, but this has created another external dependency. Partner That we have been declared a major defence partner by the US should ideally mean that we will be assisted to develop an indigenous defence manufacturing base and not merely have easier access to high quality American arms on a par with US allies. So far, it does not appear that Trumps remark, that India and the US as the worlds largest democracies should also have the strongest militaries, means anything more than expectations that India will buy more US weapons. We have had a long-standing defence relationship with major European countries such as France, UK and Germany, but this has not resulted in the establishment of our own capacity to produce the weapons we need. Technology transfer remains a big hurdle, not to mention our own inadequate industrial capacity and R&D as well as lack of skilled manpower. We ourselves are to blame for this highly unsatisfactory state of affairs. Leaving aside the failure of policy all these years to develop an indigenous defence manufacturing base, even our polices to procure defence equipment from abroad have been in shambles. The many scandals associated with defence acquisitions in the past continue to cast a shadow on new contracts that we enter into. Since we are one of the largest market in the world for arms, competition among defence equipment suppliers is intense and all means, fair or foul, are used either to win contracts or deny them to rivals. Controversies are generated around contracts by alleging irregularities in processing them and often the political class is used to channel such accusations which, however motivated they may appear to be, compel the bureaucrats and their political superiors to repeatedly review them, if only to protect themselves from investigations later on for complicity in some form when governments change. It is already well known how acquisitions of needed equipment have been inordinately delayed because of these infirmities in our defence procurement system. Controversy All this is relevant to the controversy being generated around the Rafale deal, which is unfortunate for many reasons. Our Air Force has been clamouring for urgent action to address the issue of its depleting squadron strength which could no longer be ignored. Dassault had won the tender for 126 combat aircraft, out-competing international rivals on both technology and price counts, but the contract could not be concluded despite prolonged negotiations. The Modi government had to make the difficult choice of scrapping the contract altogether - at the cost of our strategic partnership with France - and ignoring the distress of the Air Force or meet its urgent requirements partially by purchasing only 36 aircraft off the shelf on condition that the overall terms would be improved and delivery would be accelerated, for which an intergovernmental agreement was signed. These facts are on public record. If purchases from the US under governmental agreements have avoided controversies over possibly inflated costs, etc, the Rafale contract under a similar agreement with France should preclude any such controversy too. Private The involvement of the private sector in fulfiling some aspects of the Rafale contract is consistent with the Modi governments declared policy of involving the private sector in defence manufacturing as part of the Make in India programme. Broadening the base of defence manufacturing in the country will require reducing the already overloaded public sector units and increasing the participation of the Indian private sector, which is why foreign defence firms are being asked to build partnerships with them. Lockheed Martin and Boeing have tied up with Indian private firms and so has Airbus to demonstrate their commitment to the Make in India programme. Dassaults tie up with an Indian company is within this policy framework too. Opposition parties should therefore avoid generating controversies over defence procurement where facts do not justify this, and consider the adverse impact of such politicking on our relations with our strategic partners. The French have been forced to counter the allegations being made as it affects the countrys reputation, besides unnecessarily affecting potential follow-on orders. It is also against national security and the commercial interests of foreign companies as well to reveal the details of defence contracts beyond a point. Our political actors should be cautious in wanting to make electoral capital out of sensitive defence issues Smoking kills an average 1,200 Americans daily, US tobacco companies admitted Sunday in court-ordered 'corrective statements' published in newspapers. The ads have begun appearing 11 years after District Judge Gladys Kessler, in a 1,682-page opinion, ruled in 2006 that the companies violated racketeering laws by deceiving the public for decades on the health dangers of smoking. One such ad shows a graph of smoking-related deaths in the United States between 2005 and 2009. And television ads are appearing as well. One ad features black text over a white background that lists the dangers of smoking. US tobacco companies have been ordered to run television and newspapers advertisements to correct lies they told over the course of the 20th century (Pictured, packs of RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company cigarette brands Pall Mall, Winston, Camel, Doral, and Kool) One of the ads shows a graph that charts annual smoking related deaths in the United States between 2005 and 2009. The graph uses data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Kessler ordered them to publish corrective statements on five health topics, but the exact wording of those statements was held up pending tobacco company litigation. In 2014 the companies and the government reportedly reached agreement that the ads would be published in major Sunday newspapers as well as on prime-time television for a year, and elsewhere including on cigarette packages. 'A Federal Court has ordered R.J. Reynolds Tobacco, Philip Morris USA, Altria and Lorillard to make this statement about the health effects of smoking,' said the full-page Sunday newspaper ad, consisting simply of plain black type on an otherwise bare newspaper page. 'Smoking kills, on average, 1,200 Americans. Every day,' it said. The ad continued that 'more people die every year from smoking than from murder, AIDS, suicide, drugs, car crashes and alcohol, combined,' with the last word highlighted. It also listed various diseases and health conditions that 'smoking also causes'. An advertisement shown on television displays black text describing the dangers of smoking over a plain white background The tobacco companies will not be required to publish the corrections online or on social media. Kessler's ruling was part of a government racketeering case against major cigarette companies originally brought in September 1999. Further court-ordered ads with additional health messages will continue appearing in the newspapers of more than 50 major cities through April, said the American Cancer Society. Along with other health groups, the Cancer Society intervened in the case and made recommendations about the corrective statements. Their publication is 'a significant victory for public health,' the Cancer Society said on its website. 'What this case has succeeded in doing is to finally force the tobacco industry to fess up to what it has known and done for the past 50 years,' said Cliff Douglas, director of the Cancer Society's Center for Tobacco Control. 'The industry has deliberately addicted millions of people with a product it knew would kill as many as half of them years before their time.' In 2015, $8.9billion was spent on advertising and promotion of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco combined. According to the CDC, more than 16 million Americans are living with a disease caused by smoking and cigarette smoking is responsible for more than 480,000 deaths per year in the US. 'The tobacco companies' basic strategy for everything, whether it's science or regulation or litigation, is delay,' Stan Glantz, an expert on tobacco company strategy at the University of California, San Francisco, told The Guardian. 'They have used a lot of arguing about what in terms of the real world are trivial issues, to delay having to make these statements for 11 years but it is what the tobacco companies do. 'The problem is the technology has moved on, and the statements are not in social media because it didn't really exist back then. But better late than never.' A joke about a toy dinosaur got two men beaten up by police and taxpayers handed a $500,000 legal and compensation bill. NSW Police agreed to pay Rickey Caton and Adam Antram $45,000 each plus their hefty legal fees in a settlement, without admitting liability,. The pair were charged with resisting arrest and assaulting police after a bizarre December 2013 traffic stop now known as the 'dinosaur incident'. The protracted case led to the charges being dropped but both officers involved being promoted while their colleague who blew the whistle resigned. NSW Police agreed to pay Rickey Caton (L) and Adam Antram (R) $45,000 each plus their hefty legal fees in a settlement after they were beaten over a toy dinosaur joke Officers Todd Finnigan, Patrick Hicks, and Lucie Litchfield pulled their car over in Jerrabomberra, near Canberra on suspicion of being in an armed robbery. Mr Caton and Mr Antram, along with two friends, were just getting more alcohol for their work Christmas party for a removalist firm. Police asked if they had any weapons, according to court documents seen by the Canberra Times. The court heard that Caton jokingly responded: 'No weapons, but I've got a big dinosaur, roar,' and held his daughter's toy dinosaur out the window. Senior constable Finnigan was then said to have responded by opening the back passenger door where he was sitting, pulling him out of the car, kicking his legs out from under him, smashing his sunglasses and handcuffing him. Constable Litchfield ordered Mr Antram out of the car and told him to stand next to a retaining wall, before Constable Hicks suddenly tackled him from behind, according to the claim filed in court. Mr Antram's head collided with a wall, knocking him unconscious, but Constable Hicks claimed he was the one who charged at police, the documents claimed. The pair only avoided jail when Constable Litchfield testified against her colleagues' version of events and all charges were dropped in October 2015. They were paid $110,000 for legal costs and immediately sued for malicious prosecution after a magistrate ruled the case should never have been brought. Constable Litchfield claimed she was forced to resign from the force after a campaign of workplace bullying after she told the truth in court. 'If it wasn't for Lucie we probably would be in jail,' Caton said. The pair were charged with resisting arrest and assaulting police but charges were thrown out in the Kiama Local Court (pictured) in October 2015 Instead of being reprimanded for their actions, Finnigan and Hicks were promoted to detective and senior constable respectively and cleared by an internal investigation. 'Those two officers remain in the workplace with the full confidence of the commander,' a NSW police spokeswoman said. Peter Bevan, lawyer for Mr Caton and Mr Antram, complained about the investigation's outcome to the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission, which is now reviewing it. The pair claim Finnigan and Hicks got them fired from their jobs by talking to their boss and harassed him on other occasions. Mr Antram's partner left him and he moved to Cooma where he still struggles to find work, while Mr Caton ended up as a concreter in Canberra. They now never return to Queanbeyan after harassment by police who made comments like 'this is the guy who's taking us to court' when they brought sniffer dogs to a pub Mr Antram was at. 'It wasn't even about the money for me, I would have rather seen them lose their jobs,' Mr Caton said. A Chinese airline boss has flown 186 passengers and 15 crew members from Beijing to Chicago with the help of recycled cooking oil. Sun Jianfeng, the President of China's largest private air carrier Hainan Airlines, was the captain of the 11-hour flight which flew across the Pacific on November 21. This is the first time a Chinese airline has conducted an international flight with biofuel. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, powered partially by cooking oil, arrived in Chicago from Beijing Sun Jianfeng (pictured), the President of Hainan Airlines, was the captain of the 11-hour flight Biofuel is being added to the aeroplane in Beijing before it took off on November 21 The Boeing 787 Dreamliner took off at the Beijing Capital International Airport at 2:15pm local time on November 21. After flying 6,100 nautical miles (7,019 miles), it arrived at the Chicago's O'Hare International Airport at 12:12pm local time on the same day. The unprecedented flight was a part of a cooperation on 'green aviation' between China and the United States. The Beijing-Chicago route is chosen to be one of the 'green air routes' between the two countries. The aircraft used a type of made-in-China biofuel. The 'No. 1 Biofuel' blended by Sinopec is made with 15 per cent waste cooking oil and 85 per cent normal jet fuel. A Chinese ground crew member shows cooking oil-blended aviation fuel used during the flight Chinese scientists from SINOPEC Research Institute of Petroleum Processing (RIPP) check the cooking oil-blended aviation fuel at a research base in Beijing, China, 20 November A Chinese ground crew member refuels a jet plane Boeing 787 Dreamliner of Hainan Airlines of HNA Group with cooking oil-blended aviation fuel at the Beijing Capital International Airport A bottle of cooking oil-blended biofuel (right) is place next to two bottles of used cooking fuel Sun Jianfeng told China Central Television Station that the flight was 'smooth' and 'successful', and that the aircraft reached a maximum altitude of 41,000 feet. Lv Dapeng, the spokesperson at Sinopec, said cooking oil-based biofuel could not only reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, but also prevent waste cooking oil from being reused by illegal vendors - which has been a serious problem in China. Compared to traditional aviation fuel, biofuel can cut a plane's carbon footprint by 30 per cent. China consumes around 30 million tonnes of jet fuel every year, according to Xinhua, and if all of it were replaced by biofuel, 33 million tonnes of carbon dioxide could be saved. This is the equivalent to planting 300 million trees or pulling 20 million cars off the road for an entire year. Hainan Airlines, China's biggest private airline, is also the first air carrier in the country to conduct the first domestic flight using biofuel. In March, 2015, Hainan Airlines flew a biofuel-powered Boeing 737 from Shanghai to Beijing. A Boeing 787 Dreamliner of Hainan Airlines is checked by a ground crew member after being refueled with cooking oil-blended biofuel at the Beijing Capital International Airport A flight attendant interacts with a passenger on the biofuel-powered plane bound for Chicago After flying 6,100 nautical miles (7,019 miles), the Boeing 787 aircraft arrived at the Chicago's O'Hare International Airport at 12:12pm local time on November 21 Biofuels seem to be popular among major air carriers. Several airlines have been operating commercial fights using sustainable aviation diesels in the past few years. In March 2013, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines announced it would use cooking oil-based biofuel to power transatlantic flights between New York and Amsterdam for six months. Finnair flew an Airbus A330 on a nine-hour demonstration flight from Helsinki to New York, also using fuel partially made from cooking oil, in September 2014. In May this year, Singapore Airlines launched 'green package' flights on its San Francisco-Singapore route with the help of cooking oil as well. In January, Cathay Pacific, the flagship carrier of Hong Kong, announced it would switch to biofuels made from landfill rubbish on select long haul flights starting in 2019. John Ibrahim's feared enforcer Semi 'Tongan Sam' Ngata (pictured) has been released from hospital John Ibrahim's feared enforcer has been released from hospital following a 'brazen and targeted' shooting on the eve of the Ibrahim-Mehajer wedding. Semi 'Tongan Sam' Ngata was shot at the home of Ibrahim's mother just hours before the Kings Cross identity's nephew married Salim Mehajer's sister at the same address. The 59-year-old bodyguard was said to be protecting the bride when he was struck by a single bullet at the western Sydney property on November 17. Ngata is refusing to break the code of silence and has not provided police with any information relating to the shooting, according to previous reports. Ngata (pictured centre back) was shot at the home of Ibrahim's (centre front) mother on November 17 The shooting unfolded the night before John Ibrahim's nephew Sam Sayour (left) married Salim Mehajer's sister Aisha (right) Police initially believed he was shot in the back but later discovered the bullet was in his torso. Investigators are probing whether the attack was related to drug shipments worth $1billion that were intercepted earlier this year, The Daily Telegraph reported. The seizures and subsequent raids resulted in the arrest of more than a dozen people including John Ibrahim's son, as well as his brothers Fadi and Michael. The brothers were detained in a dramatic police sting in Dubai and extradited back to Australia over a drug and tobacco syndicate. Tongan Sam has worked as a bodyguard for nightclub boss John (pictured) for more than a decade Tongan Sam (left with Fadi Ibrahim and Salim Mehajer) is reportedly still refusing to speak to police Fadi was released from jail on strict bail conditions after a $2.2million surety was put up. The Merrylands home belonging to John's mother was searched by police during the raids, and a loaded 9mm handgun was seized from the property. John Ibrahim's home was also raided as part of the investigation in August - but he was not arrested or charged with any offences. Daily Mail Australia does not suggest John Ibrahim had any involvement in the shooting or the alleged drug syndicate. John Ibrahim's home was raided as part of the investigation in August - but he was not arrested or charged with any offences Sam Sayour and Aisha Mehajer married on Saturday at the same home where John Ibrahim's bodyguard was shot hours earlier Guests were seen around the house all afternoon as they helped organise the impending wedding The wedding went ahead as planned less than 24 hours after the attack, with police vehicles patrolling the area for fear of further violence during the nuptials. Luxury cars lined the streets surrounding the houses during what appeared to be a low-key event. A photo of the happy couple smiling adoringly was released by Salim Mehajer's sister Kat Sakalaki, as the newlyweds were seen signing their marriage certificate. Tongan Sam has worked as a bodyguard for nightclub boss John for more than a decade after the pair met in Kings Cross in the 1990s. Tongan Sam is pictured centre, with Sam Ibrahim, left, and lawyer Stephen Alexander, right, outside court in 2009 A photo of the happy couple smiling adoringly has been released by the former Auburn deputy mayor's sister Kat Sakalaki, as Aisha and Sam sign their marriage certificate John and his three brothers - Sam, Michael and Fadi - have all been either shot or stabbed over recent years. Michael - the most recent victim - was gunned down on Macquarie Street in Sydney's CBD in 2015, while Fadi was shot five times as he sat in his Lamborghini. Sam was also hit in the legs in a 2011 drive-by shooting, and John was stabbed in Kings Cross as a teenager. Burma's leader Aung San Suu Kyi was last night stripped of her Freedom of Oxford award amid allegations pf genocide. Councillors on the city council took the 'unprecedented' step amid widespread concern about her lack of action in dealing with the suffering of the Muslim Rohingya population in Burma. Despite global calls for action, Ms Suu Kyi has denied ethnic cleansing and dismissed claims of brutal treatment by the Burmese armed forces. Pressure was growing on Ms Suu Kyi as she met Pope Francis today in her most high profile appearance since the crisis began. Burma's leader Aung San Suu Kyi (pictured today with the Pope in Naypyitaw) was last night stripped of her Freedom of Oxford award amid allegations of genocide The council vote is the latest snub from Oxford for Ms Suu Kyi after her portrait was removed from her alma mater of St Hugh's College. She studied in the city for a degree in philosophy, politics and economics between 1964 and 1967. In a statement following a special council meeting on Monday, councillor Mary Clarkson said: 'When Aung San Suu Kyi was given the Freedom of the City in 1997 it was because she reflected Oxford's values of tolerance and internationalism. 'We celebrated her for her opposition to oppression and military rule in Burma. 'Today we have taken the unprecedented step of stripping her of her city's highest honour because of her inaction in the face of oppression of the minority Rohingya population. 'The burning of their villages has been independently confirmed by satellite images, and the UN has called the situation 'a textbook example of genocide'. 'Yet Aung San Suu Kyi has denied any ethnic cleansing and dismissed numerous claims of sexual violence against Rohingya women as ''fake rape''. 'Oxford has a long tradition of being a diverse and humane city, and our reputation is tarnished by honouring those who turn a blind eye to violence. 'We hope that today we have added our small voice to others calling for human rights and justice for the Rohingya people.' Oxford's decision comes after Live Aid founder Bob Geldof handed back his freedom of the city of Dublin in protest at the same honour being held by the Burmese leader Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya people have fled to Bangladesh amid reports of atrocities in Rakhine at the hands of the Burmese military. Earlier this month Prime Minister Theresa May said Burma's treatment of its Rohingya Muslim minority 'looks like ethnic cleansing' and the country's military and governing authorities 'must take full responsibility'. Her comments came after Live Aid founder Bob Geldof handed back his freedom of the city of Dublin in protest at the same honour being held by the Burmese leader. A former deputy chief of staff to Rep. John Conyers claimed in an interview published Tuesday that he invited her to his hotel room for sex and groped her twice. Deanna Maher, who ran a Michigan office for the Democrats' most senior legislator from 1997 to 2005, said she never reported the three incidents because Conyers 'is a powerful man' and she didn't think she would be taken seriously. She said the first was in 1997 during an event with the Congressional Black Caucus, when she rejected his offer to share his hotel room at the Grand Hyatt in Washington. 'I didn't have a room, and he had me put in his hotel suite,' Maher, 77, told The Detroit News. She rejected his offer of sharing a room and having sex, she said. A former deputy chief of staff for Rep. John Conyers says the veteran politician made unwanted sexual advances toward her, including groping her on two separate occasions The other alleged incidents involved unwanted touching in a car in 1998 and unwanted touching of her legs under her dress in 1999. In the 1998 incident, Maher says, Conyers groped her while he was driving the pair to Detroit's airport. 'He was trying to feel me up with his right hand,' she told the Detroit News. 'I kept pushing his hand away.' Maher (pictured) said she never blew the whistle on Conyers because she couldn't affors to lose her job in middle age 'Then he put his hand on my neck and started trying to tickle me. We were on I-75, and he was driving erratically. I was saved by the bell because we got pulled over by the police for the way he was driving.' Conyers' attorney Arnold Reed told the newspaper that he questioned why Maher continued to work for him after the alleged incidents. Maher said: 'I needed to earn a living, and I was 57. How many people are going to hire you at that age?' Reed said the allegations are unproven. Conyers, 88, the longest serving member of the House, denies wrongdoing. 'At best, they are uncorroborated. At worst, theyre just not believable,' he said. 'When you consider that theyre flying down I-75, he is driving and has time to do all of that, they get pulled over by a police officer, and she doesnt tell him whats going on?' he asked. 'Any female or male that comes forward and says anybody harasses them, that is serious. Those things are not to be taken lightly. But we have to be able to at least have some corroboration if were going to be saying my client did something wrong.' Former Detroit Free Press reporter Joel Thurtell said Monday that Maher told him about the alleged misconduct at the time but feared retaliation and didn't want to go on the record. He didn't report her story. Maher also discussed the incidents with a Detroit News reporter in 2013 but again didn't want to go on the record. Maher says that during a Congressional Black Caucus event in 1997, she rejected Conyers' offer to share his hotel room at the Grand Hyatt in Washington She told the newspaper: 'I didn't report the harassment because it was clear nobody wanted to take it seriously. 'John Conyers is a powerful man in Washington, and nobody wanted to cross him.' The House Ethics Committee has launched an investigation of Conyers and he said Sunday he would step aside as the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee. It comes after a report last week that Conyers settled a complaint in 2015 from a female staffer who alleged she was fired because she rejected his sexual advances. BuzzFeed reported that Conyers' office paid the woman over $27,000 to settle the complaint under a confidentiality agreement. The website also published affidavits from former staff members who said they had witnessed Conyers touching female staffers inappropriately or requesting sexual favors. In one particularly serious charge, the woman claims that Conyers asked her to work out of his hotel room, when the Michigan congressman began talking about his sexual desires, according to the report. Conyers is facing pressure to resign and has already stepped down from his senior position on the House Judiciary Committee She says Conyers then told her to 'touch it' meaning his penis or find him a woman who would meet his sexual demands, according to Buzzfeed. The website reported that Conyers' office paid the woman over $27,000 to settle the complaint under a confidentiality agreement, after filing a complaint in 2014. BuzzFeed also published affidavits from former staff members who said they had witnessed Conyers touching female staffers inappropriately - rubbing their legs and backs - or requesting sex. Another ex-staffer sued Conyers for harassment but then withdrew the suit after failing to have the case sealed. A firearms dealer and feral animal killer is set to become One Nation's only Queensland MP. Pauline Hanson's party has won the central Queensland seat of Mirani, with candidate Stephen Andrew ousting Labor stalwart Jim Pearce. With over 75 per cent of the vote counted early on Tuesday, Mr Andrew had 54.57 per cent of the first preference vote. Feral animal killer Stephen Andrew (pictured) is tipped to lead One Nation in Queensland Pauline Hanson's party has likely won the central Queensland seat of Mirani (pictured: Pauline Hanson) It means Mr Andrew looms as the only One Nation candidate to win a seat despite pre-election hopes by Senator Hanson that her party could win as many as 10 seats. Mr Andrew describes himself as a family man and '4th generation South Sea islander/local Mackay person' in his candidate profile on One Nations website, 'The reason I joined One Nation ... is to help restructure what big business and poor government decisions has done to our farmers/graziers, industries and jobs in the Mirani electorate, the suffering needs to stop and growth needs to start,' his profile says. Mr Andrew is currently a licenced weapons dealer running his own business Western Action Firearms. He also owns CQ Feral - a pest control business and also has a mining services business, the Daily Telegraph reported. With over 75 per cent of the vote counted early, Mr Andrew had 54.57 per cent With Labor candidate Cynthia Lui set to win the far north Queensland seat of Cook, Labor has now won 44 of the 47 seats it needs to form a majority government. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk remains confident she will win enough seats to form a majority government, with Labor expected to win 47 or 48 with nine seats remaining in doubt. The LNP has secured 36 seats and is expected to win a total of 40. He may be the only One Nation candidate to win a seat despite Hanson's hopes for the state (pictured: Queensland) Of the seats still in the balance, Rockhampton looks like it'll be won by independent candidate Margaret Strelow meaning two independents will be in parliament following Sandra Bolton's win in the seat of Noosa. A definitive result could be several days away, with postal and pre-poll votes yet to be counted. The Queensland Electoral Commission confirmed 800,000 people voted before election day on November 25. A search has been launched along the south coast of Western Australia for traces of missing flight MH370. Amateur wreck hunter Blaine Gibson claims he has found almost 20 pieces of debris on the western side of the Indian Ocean from the Boeing 777 that vanished with 239 people aboard three years ago. Mr Gibson is now working with Charitha Pattiaratchi, a professor at the University of WA, who told about the location of possible debris in Australia. Amateur wreck hunter Blaine Gibson claims to have found almost 20 pieces of debris on the western side of the Indian Ocean from the Boeing 777 'Professor Pattiaratchi tells me that the current that swept the debris from MH370s probable crash location could bring it back towards the southern coast of Australia because it merges with the southern Indian Ocean current near South Africa,' Mr Gibson told the West Australian. Mr Gibson said debris should come ashore anywhere from Cape Leeuwin around to Walpole, Denmark and Albany. 'I urge everyone on holidays this Christmas to keep an eye out for debris,' he added. Flight MH370 disappeared in March 2014, en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, with 239 passengers and crew on board. A Boeing 777 flaperon cut down to match the one from flight MH370 found on Reunion island off the coast of Africa in 2015, is lowered into water to discover its drift characteristics by researchers in Tasmania French gendarmes and police inspect a large piece of plane debris which was found on the beach in Saint-Andre, on the French Indian Ocean island of La Reunion in July 2015 A piece of debris believed to be an outboard wing flap belonging to missing flight MH370 Scientists potentially narrowed the search area for the missing airliner to three specific locations in the southern Indian Ocean through new satellite and drift analysis of the crash released last month. Malaysia, China and Australia agreed to suspend the deep-sea sonar search in January after 120,000 square kilometres of seabed were combed without finding any trace of the plane. But the drift analysis by Australian science agency CSIRO suggests the wreckage is just north of that area. A 25,000 square kilometre expanse was identified by a panel of experts as the most likely resting place of the Boeing 777 and the 239 people aboard. Flight MH370 disappeared in March 2014, en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, with 239 people on board. A file photo shows a Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777-200 in July of that year That expanse adjoins the original search zone far southwest of Australia that was identified through satellite analysis of the final hours of the flight, which apparently ended when the plane ran out of fuel. The findings will provide the basis of a new search to be conducted by seabed exploration company Ocean Infinity, based in the US, that is due to begin at the start of 2018. Concerns over whether or not Meghan Markle will bestowed the title of Her Royal Highness were scotched amid speculation surrounding her citizenship. Royal commentators had suggested that the American actress would not be permitted to use the style of HRH due to her status as a non-British national. However it is now thought the Queen will give Harry the title of the Duke of Sussex, meaning Miss Markle would become Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Sussex. She will also automatically become Her Royal Highness, Princess Henry of Wales on the wedding day. Concerns over whether or not Meghan Markle will bestowed the title of Her Royal Highness were scotched amid speculation surrounding her citizenship It is likely that the Queen will grant the couple a dukedom and Sussex is a likely title for the pair having not been in the royal family since 1843 Miss Markle, a divorcee, is believed to be visiting Prince Harry in the UK on a tourist visa, and so would eventually need to apply for permanent citizenship. Those wishing to gain a British passport through marriage are usually required to have lived in the UK for at least three years before applying. However this could be bypassed by the British Government, which could speed through the process of naturalisation on the request of the Queen. Former Buckingham Palace press secretary Dickie Arbiter told News Corp said the citizenship issue surrounding Miss Markle was 'an interesting one'. The Queen is expected to bestow a dukedom on her grandson and his bride on their wedding day. She did this for William and Kate, who became the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge As it stands, the children of Prince Harry and Miss Markle would be a lord or lady, not a prince or princess, unless the Queen steps in. She did this for William and Kates children, allowing all of them to have the title HRH 'Meghan can marry Harry but it would be in her interest to become a British citizen,' he said. 'The problem arises when there are people waiting to become British citizens already. The Queen is expected to bestow a dukedom on her grandson and his bride on their wedding day 'It would hit the royal family and the government if she was fast tracked above everyone else.' Mr Arbiter added: 'The only way around that is if she has become a Canadian citizen in the five years she has lived and worked there. 'If she has applied to become a Canadian citizen it would be easier for her because Queen Elizabeth is, like Australia, the Queen of Canada. 'It wouldn't be as big a problem as her being a US citizen.' Miss Markle was last night tipped to become Duchess of Sussex however, she will not receive the official title of Princess Meghan because she is not of royal blood. The Queen is expected to bestow a dukedom on her grandson and his bride on their wedding day. She did this for William and Kate, who became the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. As it stands, the children of Prince Harry and Miss Markle would be a lord or lady, not a prince or princess, unless the Queen steps in. She did this for William and Kates children, allowing all of them to have the title HRH not just Prince George, who qualified automatically. A Canadian school board is making progressive steps by having teachers participate in extensive inclusiveness training, but the title of the session has left some perplexed. The Canadian Elementary Teachers Federation (ETFO) of Ontario hosted a LGGBDTTTIQQAAPP inclusiveness training session on June 6. The acronym stands for Lesbian, Gay, Genderqueer, Bisexual, Demisexual, Transgender, Transsexual, Twospirit, Intersex, Queer, Questioning, Asexual, Allies, Pansexual and Polyamorous. The Canadian Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario hosted a LGGBDTTTIQQAAPP inclusiveness training on June 6 Conducted for the Durham ETFO Executive, Stewards and other interested folks, the session included a presentation from Dr Barb Perry of UOIT & Durham PFLAG. While inclusivity is generally applauded, some on social media were more than a little baffled by the title. And it attracted plenty of hate from the Right. One user wrote: 'ETFO is learning about the LGGBDTTTIQQAAPP. I wonder if they feel insignificant or perhaps inadequate with their piddly little acronym?' Another said: 'LGGBDTTTIQQAAPP just rolls off the tongue.' While terms like Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Allies, Transgender, Transexual and Questioning may be familiar to the common person, others may seem confusing to those that aren't used to the terms. A person who identifies as Genderqueer or Nonbinary does not feel like terms such as 'male' or 'female' adequately designate how they identify or choose to present themselves. Aexuality.org defines a Demisexual as someone who does not experience sexual attraction unless they form a strong emotional connection with someone. Accounting for Native Peoples, the training also is inclusive of those who identify as Two-Spirit or those who possess both masculine and feminine spirits. Conducted for the Durham ETFO Executive, stewards and other folks, the session included a presentation from Dr Barb Perry of UOIT & Durham PFLAG. School children are taught inclusiveness in elementary school (pictured) (stock) Someone who is intersex has been born in the middle of the spectrum for both male and female. An intersex person may be born with genital ambiguity. Asexuality accounts for those who do not feel any sexual feeling or desire at all. Pansexual is the open sexuality of another person no matter their sex or gender identify. And someone who is Polyamorous seeks intimate relationships with more than one partner. 'There are other terms you can use to explain your "unique" situation: you could go back to using #LGBT/#LGBTQ instead of #LGGBDTTTIQQAAPP (silent F?): #nonstraight, #colorfulsnowflake, etc. All I know is that this new acronym is totally killing the purpose of one,' said one user Another user pointed out how many iterations of the acronym they had heard The sessions goal was 'to become more familiar with current language, sensitive to current issues, and to share best practices in supporting our LGGBDITTTIQQAAPP peers and students.' According to the flier, fewer than one per cent of ETFO members were open with their identities, even though half of the public 'secretly identities as LGBT to some extent. 'If we want students to succeed, if we want to educe staff anxiety and stress, we need to create a much more welcoming and accepting environment,' the flier added. John Profumo had a long-running affair with a glamorous Nazi spy who may have later tried to blackmail him, according to security service files released today. Long before the high-society sex scandal in the Swinging Sixties which now bears his name, Profumo met Gisela Winegard, a German model, at Oxford in 1930s and got to know her well, the previously top secret dossier reveals. Diplomats son Profumo was then an undergraduate studying law at Brasenose College. Gisela, 16 months older and known by her maiden name Klein, made several visits to this country between 1933 the year Adolf Hitler made himself absolute ruler of Germany and 1938. John Profumo (left) met Gisela Winegard (right), a German model, at Oxford in 1930s On the first occasion, she went to Oxford, ostensibly to learn English, and professed to be anti-Nazi, the newly declassified documents say. Photographs of Gisela in the files portray her as a haughty, Teutonic beauty. Intelligence reports described her as a young woman of striking appearance who was known to have made friends with a number of well-known young men in this country. Whether or not she was working for German intelligence services when Profumo first met her is not clear. But National Archive files show she was ordered to leave Britain in 1935 and 1936 for working as a model while on non-working visas, and was reported as being on intimate terms with the German Military Attache in Paris in 1938. This led the Home Office to recommend she be barred from entering this country altogether. She remained in Paris during the occupation of France. There, she was a German intelligence officers mistress, having a child with him, and also became close to a German general. After the Allies liberated Paris in 1944, Gisela was imprisoned along with other German agents and collaborators. Photographs of Gisela in the secret files portray her as a haughty, Teutonic beauty Meanwhile Profumo, who was known as Jack, had been commissioned into the Army in 1939 as a second lieutenant. The following year, while still serving, he was elected Tory MP for Kettering in Northamptonshire at the age of 25 making him the youngest MP at the time. He went on to serve with distinction in the Second World War. The files show that he remained in touch with Gisela until at least 1950. In 1942 she wrote to him the letter was intercepted by MI5 from Switzerland, where she had apparently gone for modelling work. She said: Jack darling, I find it very difficult to write this letter as I cannot get used to the idea that Im free to write to you without a censor. She was able to do so because Switzerland remained neutral and unoccupied throughout the war. She added: Though Im not nearly as happy as I used to be at 88 Seymour Street [where she had lived in Oxford]. After her capture during the liberation of Paris she was held in Fresnes Prison but was later transferred to a jail in a basement in Pariss Rue Suchet which Edward Winegard was in charge of. He was an American citizen of German origin serving in the US forces. The files say he obtained her release and shortly afterwards took her to Hamburg where they married. Sometime in 1947-8, while they were living in the south of France, the Winegards fell foul of the American Intelligence Service for having harboured one of the Chiefs of a German spy ring. They moved to Tangier in Morocco, where they worked for the Voice of America radio station. But in April 1950, she was dismissed from her filing clerk job when it was discovered that she had worked for the Germans during the war and was 100 per cent pro-German. Left, Profumo's relationship with dancer Christine Keeler (right) became the centre of a public scandal The marriage came under stress with Edward stating in September 1950 that his wife had left him because he had discovered that she had been receiving endearing letters from Profumo. These letters were written on House of Commons notepaper, the files, from the National Archives at Kew in South-West London, state. Profumo had told MI5 about his relationship with Winegard, the archives reveal. A memo states that in 1941 he admitted meeting her in 1936 and got to know her well. That was information he gave to one Major J J Astor who, in a remarkable coincidence, was the younger brother of William, 3rd Viscount Astor. The Astor family home, Cliveden in Buckinghamshire, was where the Profumo scandal would later play out. A letter containing information from Major Astor in 1945 said: Gisela Klein is described as exceedingly clever, witty and companionable and notes that she had spent some time in Cairo and Alexandria where she was said to have known every officer in both places. The Major also said his mother, Lady Astor, expressed the opinion that she [Gisela] was a spy. Profumo lost his seat in the 1945 Labour landslide, but was elected in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1950. It was in the swimming pool at Cliveden that Profumo first laid eyes on Christine Keeler. Their affair was at the centre of the scandal that took his name. After his affair with dancer Keeler became public, it emerged she was also in a relationship with a Russian military attache. Profumo lied about the relationship to Parliament but was forced to quit when the truth emerged. The scandal helped the government. The newly released files reveal that at the height of that scandal in 1963, MI6 sent files to MI5 investigations head Arthur Martin about Profumo and Mrs Winegard. The 1963 letter discusses a rejected 1951 application by Mrs Winegard, by then reunited with her husband, for a UK visa. At the time, the authorities believed the Winegards had recently engaged in blackmail activities and now think it possible their intended visit to the UK may be connected with this. The papers do not say who the target might be. But the visa application listed Jack Profumo, MP for South Cattering (sic) as a reference. Yesterday Richard Dunley, of the National Archives, said the revelation that Profumo was involved with a Nazi spy came as a huge surprise, thought it was widely known that he was a bit of a ladies man. The things that come out most clearly are the extraordinary parallels between this and the later scandal the connections with the Astors and Profumo writing to Gisela on Commons notepaper, he said. In the later scandal, a note written by Profumo to Keeler on Ministry paper was key and there was a big concern about whether he could be blackmailed because of this letter. After the 1963 scandal, Profumo quit politics and devoted himself to charity work, going on to receive the CBE. He died aged 91 in 2006. A New Zealand mother who suffocated her newborn son and fed him a button battery will spend more than seven years behind bars. The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was found guilty of six counts of ill-treating a child in September before being sentenced in Auckland's High Court on Tuesday. The charges relate to incidents involving the woman's son, who was just nine-months-old during one incident, as well as a daughter who was intentionally overdosed on prescription pills to induce ataxia, according to Fairfax. A New Zealand mother who suffocated her newborn son and fed him a button battery will spend more than seven years behind bars (stock image) The mother reportedly suffers from factitious disorder imposed on another, which was previously known as Munchausen Syndrome by proxy. The mental illness causes someone to intentionally harm or make-up non-existent symptoms about someone under their care to receive attention. The woman is believed to have taken her children to see medical professionals more than 100 times, where they underwent unnecessary invasive procedures including a lumbar puncture. Police were alerted to the behaviour in October 2015, after the mother suffocated her newborn son and called emergency services when he stopped breathing. The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was found guilty of six counts of ill-treating a child in September before being sentenced in Auckland's High Court (pictured) on Tuesday The mother reportedly suffers from factitious disorder imposed on another, which was previously known as Munchausen Syndrome by proxy, and also overdosed her daughter on prescription pills (stock image) The woman was said to have thrived on 'the buzz of the emergency', and had appeared 'cheerful and happy' when taking the children to visit medical staff, the NZ Herald reported. The offences, which took place over five years, were labelled extremely 'serious' and 'harmful' by the prosecution, who claimed the young boy 'very nearly died' due to the mother's actions. Justice Mary Peters sentenced the woman to seven years and one month in jail over the 'extremely dangerous' offences and did not impose a minimum period of imprisonment. She called the offending 'unusual' but was confident the incidents would not have occurred had she not been sick. The young boy is now believed to be in the care of his father, while the woman's daughter is being looked after by a grandparent. Horrifying footage of Japanese whalers hunting in an Australian sanctuary has been released, with the government saying they kept quiet about it to maintain international relations. After a five year battle to have all information disclosed to the public conservation group Sea Shepherd have been handed a video taken by Australian customs officers of a Japanese 'research' vessel slaying minke whales. The video was shot on January 31, 2008, but wasn't released in fear it would 'harm international relations' with Japan. Scroll down for video After a five year battle to have all information disclosed to the public conservation group Sea Shepherd 'Back in 2008 the Australian government sent a custom vessel down to document Japan's whaling in Australia's Antarctic territory,' Sea Shepherd's director Jeff Hansen. The footage is graphic in its detail, showing the exact moment a whale is harpooned, dragged to the side of the ship with a spear in its side and held in place until it dies. 'This was taken in the Southern Ocean whale sanctuary and yet they are being chased by harpoon ships. These whales are swimming away in an attempt to outrun them. But eventually they have to come up - exhausted,' Mr Hansen continued. The footage is graphic in its detail, showing the exact moment a whale is harpooned, dragged to the side of the ship with a spear in its side and held in place until it dies Sea Shepherd reports it takes 'a long time for these whales to die' before they are brought onto the ship and 'diced up for the markets in Tokyo' 'They are hit with an explosive harpoon that sends shrapnel through their bodies, while prongs come out so that the whale cannot escape.' Sea Shepherd reports it takes 'a long time for these whales to die' before they are brought onto the ship and 'diced up for the markets in Tokyo.' Although the video is from almost a decade ago, these practices are still happening Mr Hansen confirms. Sea Shepherd said they don't have the resources to send fleets of boats to the area and prevent the killings, so is asking the Australian government to 'step up' Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg said the government was 'deeply disappointed' Sea Shepherd said they don't have the resources to send fleets of boats to the area and prevent the killings, so is asking the Australian government to 'step up.' Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg said the government was 'deeply disappointed that Japan has decided to return to the Southern Ocean this summer to undertake so-called 'scientific' whaling as it is not necessary to kill whales in order to study them', Sydney Morning Herald reports. 'The government will continue to advocate for Japan to comply with its international obligations and the principles set out in the International Court of Justice's judgment,' he said. The Obama family took a moment on Monday to congratulate Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on their engagement while President Donald Trump hasn't said anything publicly to the couple. Former US President Barack Obama tweeted a sweet message to the couple wishing them a 'lifetime of happiness' together. 'Michelle and I are delighted to congratulate Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on their engagement. We wish you a lifetime of joy and happiness together,' the 56-year-old wrote on the social media site to his more than 97million followers. His congratulation's tweet comes after it was formally announced earlier Monday that the British prince, whos fifth in line to the throne, was engaged to the actress. Current US President Donald Trump has yet to publicly congratulate Prince Harry and Meghan on their engagement. Scroll down for video The Obama family took a moment on Monday to congratulate Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on their engagement. Former US President Barack Obama tweeted out a sweet message (above) to the couple wishing them a 'lifetime of happiness' together Princess wave: Obama's congratulation's tweet comes after it was formally announced earlier Monday that the British prince, whos fifth in line to the throne, was engaged to the actress The former first family have somewhat frequently appeared alongside Prince Harry. Just last month, the 33-year-old royal was on hand for the Obama Foundation Summit in Chicago. Then, in September the father-of-two sat alongside Prince Harry at the Invictus Games in Toronto, where Meghan also attended. It's unclear if the Obamas will be invited to the couple's exclusive spring 2018 wedding as planning is likely to now get fully underway. Earlier Monday, the newly engaged couple revealed how she immediately said 'yes' to Prince Harry after he proposed on one knee while they were cooking a roast dinner during a 'cosy night' in. The former first family have somewhat frequently appeared alongside Prince Harry. Just last month, the 33-year-old royal was on hand for the Obama Foundation Summit in Chicago. Then, in September tthe former president sat alongside Prince Harry at the Invictus Games in Toronto (above) In their first joint interview, the 36-year-old actress said she did not even wait for the 33-year-old royal to finish the sentence before she said 'yes' - and it was 'so sweet and natural and very romantic'. The couple, who had been in Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace when the proposal happened, revealed that they first met on a blind date after being set up by a female friend - and have tried to see each other every two weeks. Prince Harry added: 'I fell in love with Meghan so incredibly quickly... All the stars were aligned - everything was just perfect. It was this beautiful woman just sort of literally tripped and fell into my life - I fell into her life.' Earlier Monday, the newly engaged couple revealed how she immediately said 'yes' to Prince Harry after he proposed on one knee while they were cooking a roast dinner during a 'cosy night' in The pair inspect Meghan's engagement ring, which includes a large diamond from Botswana, where they had one of their first dates together camping out under the stars Four weeks after they met, Harry persuaded her to join him on a five-day break in Botswana. He said: 'We camped out with each other under the stars... which was absolutely fantastic.' The couple - who spoke to BBC presenter Mishal Husain - said that the actress has already met the Queen 'a couple of times'. She described the monarch as an 'incredible woman'. It was also revealed that Prince Harry had sought the permission of both of Meghan's parents, but that he had not yet met her father Thomas, having only spoken to him on the phone. Advertisement From Carla Bruni, Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford and Helena Christensen defying age with their stunning looks to worshippers taking part in a Naked Man Festival, these are news agency AFP's pictures of 2017. Thousands of men brave freezing temperatures to fight for lucky charms thrown by a priest at Japan's annual nude festival in the collection of photos the new provider believes best sum up the past year. Also pictured are 10,000 male dancers taking part in the rehearsal of a mass Saman dance performance in the Gayo Lues highland district of Indonesia's Sumatra island. The first year of Donald Trump's US presidency is also charted, as are the conflicts and disasters that have dogged the planet during the past 12 months. American firefighters are pictured removing their country's flag from a luxury home in California as as flames from a wildfire close in on the property during this year's record-breaking heatwave. Top models (from left) Carla Bruni, Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford and Helena Christensen pose at the end of the show for fashion house Versace during the Women's Spring/Summer 2018 fashion shows in Milan, on September 22 In this picture taken on February 18, 2017, worshippers wait for the priest to throw the sacred batons during the annual Naked Man Festival or 'Hadaka Matsuri' at Saidaiji Temple in Okayama, western Japan. With only a skimpy loincloth to protect their modesty, thousands of men brave freezing temperatures to fight for lucky charms thrown by a priest at Japan's annual Naked Man Festival Men take part in a rehearsal of a mass traditional Saman dance performance in the Gayo Lues highland district in Aceh on Indonesia's Sumatra island on August 12 Firefighters remove a US flag as flames from the 'Wall Fire' close in on a luxury home in Oroville, California on July 8 People watch as competitors pass by during the 2017 Dakar Rally Stage 1 between Asuncion and Resistencia, in Argentina, on January 2 US President-elect Donald Trump boards the elevator after escorting Martin Luther King III to the lobby after meetings at Trump Tower in New York City on January 16 A member of the Iraqi special forces' Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) holds a sword while guarding a position at Mosul's university on January 15, 2017, during an ongoing military operation against Islamic State (IS) group jihadists New York US surfer Balaram Stack wipes out during the 2017 Backdoor Shootout surfing contest at Pipeline on the North shore of Oahu in Hawai on January 13 A picture taken on January 20, 2017, shows a dead body hanging from an electricity post in eastern Mosul during an ongoing military operation against Islamic State US President Donald Trump takes the cap off a pen to sign an executive order to start the Mexico border wall project at the Department of Homeland Security facility in Washington, DC, on January 25 Tents set up for the participants in the Campus Party Brazil, a technological event that reaches its tenth edition, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on February 1 Palestinians run for cover as smoke rises following an Israeli air strike on a Hamas post, in the northern Gaza Strip on February 6 Elementary school children play outside of their classrooms as mount Sinabung volcano spews thick volcanic ash as seen from Karo, North Sumatra province, on February 10 This aerial picture taken on February 10, 2017 shows a woman cleaning the village square after firecrackers were set off as part of the 'beat the Buddha' celebration in Yuxi village, China Olive Ridley Turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) return to the sea after laying their eggs in the sand at Rushikulya Beach, some 140 kilometres (88 miles) south-west of Bhubaneswar, early February 16 A section of the US/Mexico border fence is seen at San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora state, on February 15, 2017 in northwestern Mexico In a photo taken on February 15, 2017 swimmers perform in a synchronized swimming gala event in Pyongyang. The gala was part of a series of events being held to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the birth of late North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il This picture taken on February 16, 2017 in Fangshan village in China's coastal province Fujians, shows Zheng Yinquan performing the 'eating flowers' ritual. Villagers in eastern China have a unique way of washing away the taint of evil spirits -- by bathing in a shower of scorching sparks A young Syrian man carries a wounded child following reported government airstrike on the rebel-held town of Douma, on the eastern outskirts of the capital Damascus, on February 25 Kellyanne Conway takes a photo as US President Donald Trump and leaders of historically black universities and colleges talk before a group photo in the Oval Office of the White House before a meeting with US Vice President Mike Pence on February 27 A Syrian man waters herbs on the roof of his damaged building in the Syrian rebel-held town of Arbin, in the eastern Ghouta region on the outskirts of the capital Damascus on March 3 An Iraqi woman lies on the ground as civilians flee Mosul while Iraqi forces advance inside the city during fighting against Islamic State group's fighters on March 8 A Syrian man drives a home-made toy car in the rebel-held town of Beit Naim, in the eastern Ghouta region on the outskirts of the capital Damascus, on March 7 President Donald Trump participates in a roundtable with women small business owners at the White House in Washington, DC, March 27 Mohammed Mohiedin Anis, or Abu Omar, 70, smokes his pipe as he sits in his destroyed bedroom listening to music on his vinyl player, gramophone, in Aleppo's formerly rebel-held al-Shaar neighbourhood Donald Trump sits in the drivers seat of a semi-truck as he welcomes truckers and CEOs to the White House in Washington DC, March 23 A picture taken on April 3, 2017, shows a man walking amidst wrecked vehicles, some had been previously used as barricades, piled in a junkyard in Western Mosul A relocated rhino charges a Nepalese forestry and technical team after being released as part of a relocation project in Shuklaphanta National Park, some 510 kms from Kathmandu on April 4 Korean People's Army (KPA) soldiers watch a military parade marking the 105th anniversary of the birth of late North Korean leader Kim Il-Sung, in Pyongyang on April 15 Two suspected men sit restrained in a Humvee, awaiting to be interogated on the front line in west Mosul on 21 April French presidential election candidate for the En Marche ! movement Emmanuel Macron (R) and his wife Brigitte Trogneux pose for the photograph, on April 22, 2017, in Le Touquet, northern France, on the eve of the first round of presidential election Relatives mourn the death of a family member due to the cholera crisis at the temporary hospital in Mingkaman, a camp for the Internally displaced people (IDPs) on April 26, 2017, in the Eastern Lakes States French CRS anti-riot police officers are engulfed in flames as they face protesters during a march for the annual May Day workers' rally in Paris on May 1 French president-elect Emmanuel Macron arrives to deliver a speech at the Pyramid at the Louvre Museum in Paris on May 7, 2017, after the second round of the French presidential election This photo taken on March 7, 2017, shows the dead body of Valien Mendoza, a suspected drug dealer, gunned down by unidentified assailants in Manila Iraqi children sit amidst the rubble of a street in Mosul's Nablus neighbourhood infront of a billboard bearing the logo of the Islamic State (IS) group on March 12 A demonstrator catches fire during clashes with riot police within a protest against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas on May 3 A Humvee passes over the body of a jihadist in west Mosul on March 10, 2017 as Iraqi forces advance in the city in the ongoing battle to seize it from the jihadists of the Islamic State (IS) group A recently painted mural by British graffiti artist Banksy, depicting a workman chipping away at one of the stars on a European Union (EU) themed flag, is pictured in Dover, south east England on May 8 A Venezuelan opposition activist receives assistance during a rally against the government of President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, on May 18 A man watches the race at Ace Speedway in Alamance County on May 19, 2017 in Altamahaw, North Carolina ndian actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan arrives on May 19, 2017 for the screening of the film 'Okja' at the 70th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France Opposition activists clash with riot police during a protest against the government of President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas on May 20 US film producer Harvey Weinstein poses during a photocall as he arrives to attend the De Grisogono Party on the sidelines of the 70th Cannes Film Festival, at the Cap-Eden-Roc hotel in Antibes, near Cannes, southeastern France, on May 23 Venezuelan opposition activists attempt to defilade behind a wall from a National Guard riot policeman shooting rubber bullets at them during clashes in Caracas on May 31 This picture taken on May 29, 2017 shows a man in an excavator digging in the debris of partially demolished houses at the Larung Gar Buddhist Institute in Sertar county in southwest China's Sichuan province An opposition activist hides behind a shield during clashes with riot police in Caracas, Venezuela, on June 7 Ousted FBI director James Comey is sworn in during a hearing before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence on Capitol Hill June 8 Donald Trump pauses during a press conference with Romania's President Klaus Iohannis in the Rose Garden of the White House June 9, 2017 in Washington In this picture taken late on June 13, 2017, physiotherapist Masayuki Ozaki takes a bath with his silicone sex doll Mayu at a love hotel in Yachimata Illegal immigrants are seen at a detention centre in Zawiyah, 45 kilometres west of the Libyan capital Tripoli, on June 17 A wildfire is reflected in a stream at Penela, Coimbra, central Portugal, on June 18 A policeman stands by a dead body of a victim of a wildfire in Pedrogao, on June 18 Iraqis flee from the Old City of Mosul on June 20, 2017, during the ongoing offensive by Iraqi forces to retake the last district still held by the Islamic State A road meanders amongst burnt forest areas affected by a wildfire in Vale do Cambra, some 30 km to Pedrograo Grande, on June 20, 2017. The huge forest fire that erupted on June 17, 2017 in central Portugal killed at least 64 people and injured 135 more Devotees wear costumes made of banana leaves as they head to church to attend mass as part of a religious festival, in honor of St. John the Baptist, also known locally as the 'mud people' festival, in Aliaga town, Nueva Ecija province, north of Manila, on June 24 A Libyan coast guardsman stands on a boat during the rescue of 147 illegal immigrants attempting to reach Europe off the coastal town of Zawiyah, 45 kilometres west of the capital Tripoli, on June 27 A picture taken on July 4, 2017 shows a replica of the Eiffel Tower as part of the set for the Chanel 2017-2018 fall/winter Haute Couture collection at the Grand Palais in Paris An Iraqi woman, carrying an infant, walks by the destroyed Al-Nuri Mosque as she flees from the Old City of Mosul on July 5 A man on his bike looks at a masked protester throwning a stone at riot police using water cannon on July 7 A picture taken on July 9, 2017, shows a general view of the destruction in Mosul's Old City Police man a security cordon as a huge fire engulfs the Grenfell Tower early June 14 This picture taken with an underwater camera shows Italy's Linda Cerruti and Italy's Costanza Ferro competing in the Women Duet technical final during the synchronised swimming competition at the 2017 FINA World Championships in Budapest, on July 16 An air tanker drops fire retardant on flames as firefighters continue to battle against the Detwiler fire in Mariposa, California on July 19 Italy's Eugenio Amos and his co-driver Sebastien Delaunay of France ride over sand dunes while competing during the Stage 12 of the Silk Way 2017 between Jiayuguan and Alxa Youqi, China on July 20 Riot police arrest an opposition activists during clashes following a march towards the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ) in an offensive against President Maduro and his call for Constituent Assembly in Caracas on July 22 In this photo taken on July 29, 2017, people walk up stairs before a propaganda poster showing Korean People's Army (KPA) soldiers at a museum in Sinchon, south of Pyongyang People enjoy the beach as they look at a forest fire in La Croix-Valmer, near Saint-Tropez, on July 25 Students clean the steps in front of the statues of late North Korean leaders Kim Il-Sung and Kim Jong-Il at Mansu hill as the country marks 'Victory Day' in Pyongyang on July 27 US athlete Justin Gatlin kneels in front of Jamaica's Usain Bolt after Gatlin won the final of the men's 100m athletics event at the 2017 IAAF World Championships at the London Stadium in London on August 5 The mother of a man shot in the head allegedly by Kenyan police uses a blanket to cover her son's body in an alley of Mathare slum in Nairobi, on August 9 The mother of a man allegedly shot in the head by a Kenya Administration Police officer in Nairobi, on August 9 A propaganda poster is displayed during a rally in support of North Korea's stance against the US, on Kim Il-Sung square in Pyongyang on August 9 Monaco's freediver Pierre Frolla wearing a prototype of an ''Oceanwings' wetsuit glides through the water on August 13 A woman is received first-aid after a car accident ran into a crowd of protesters in Charlottesville, VA on August 12 People make their way onto an I-610 overpass after being rescued from flooded homes during the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey August 27 A lies abandoned after heavy damage when Hurricane Harvey hit Rockport, Texas on August 26 Lights of ultra-trailers competing illuminate the way on September 1 People walk through the flooded waters of Telephone Rd. in Houston on August 27, 2017 as the US fourth city city battles with tropical storm Harvey and resulting floods A North Korean soldier stands on the bank of the Yalu river near the North Korean town of Sinuiju, opposite the Chinese border city of Dandong, in China's northeast Liaoning province on September 4 A photo taken on September 6, 2017 shows the Hotel Mercure in Marigot, near the Bay of Nettle, on the French Collectivity of Saint Martin, during the passage of Hurricane Irma oldiers stand guard a few metres away from the Sensacion hotel which collapsed with the powerful earthquake that struck Mexico overnight, in Matias Romero, Oaxaca State, on September 8 This undated picture released from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on September 16 Palestinian children do their homeworks during a power cut in an impoverished area in Gaza City, on September 11 The car of Ferrari's Finnish driver Kimi Raikkonen (R) is seen after a crash as Ferrari's German driver Sebastian Vettel (C) leads during the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix in Singapore on September 17 A picture shows rocks swept by strong waves onto a road in Le Carbet, on the French Caribbean island of Martinique, after it was hit by Hurricane Maria, on September 19 A picture shows rocks swept by strong waves onto a road in Le Carbet, on the French Caribbean island of Martinique, after it was hit by Hurricane Maria, on September 19 Spectators listen to a television news brodcast of a statment by North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, before a public television screen outside the central railway station in Pyongyang on September 22 A man rides his bicycle through a damaged road in Toa Alta, west of San Juan, Puerto Rico, on September 24 Rescuers, firefighters, policemen, soldiers and volunteers desperately remove rubble and debris from a flattened building in search of survivors after a powerful quake in Mexico City on September 19 Kadri Gursel kisses his wife after his release from Silivri prison on September 26, 2017 in Istanbul, following a Turkish court order to free the columnist and editorial director of Turkey's opposition newspaper Cumhuriyet Dead bodies of Rohingya Muslim refugees lay on the shore of Inani beach, near Cox's Bazar on September 28, 2017. On September 28 A Rohingya Muslim refugee walks by night after crossing the border from Myanmar, on the Bangladeshi shores of the Naf river in Teknaf on September 29 Protestors hold Spanish flags during a demonstration against independence in Catalonia called by the xenophobic far-right party 'Platform for Catalonia' (PXC) in front of the Spanish National Police headquarters in Barcelona, on September 30 A Rohingya refugee girl looks next to newly arrived refugees who fled to Bangladesh from Myanmar in Ukhiya on September 6 A Bangladeshi man helps Rohingya Muslim refugees to disembark from a boat on the Bangladeshi shoreline of the Naf river after crossing the border from Myanmar in Teknaf on September 30 A member of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) runs to take cover from sniper shots near the central hospital of Raqa on October 1 Solar panel debris is seen scattered in a solar panel field in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in Humacao, Puerto Rico on October 2 A man is pulled out of the rubble alive following a quake in Mexico City on September 19 Protester comedian Simon Brodkin (R) gives a piece of paper written as a mock P45 (employee leaving form) to Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May (L) as she was delivering her speech on the final day of the Conservative Party annual conference at the Manchester Central Convention Centre in Manchester, northwest England, on October 4 Boats sail during the 49th Barcolana regatta in the Gulf of Trieste on October 8 Supporters of an independence for Catalonia listen to Catalan president Carles Puigdemont's speech broadcasted on a television screen at the Arc de Triomf (Triumphal Arch) in Barcelona on October 10 A Syrian woman looks back as civilians gather on the western front after fleeing the centre of Raqa on October 12 Fire damage is seen from the air in the Coffey Park neighborhood October 11 A Somali man reacts next to a dead body on the site where a car bomb exploded at the center of Mogadishu, on October 14 Rojda Felat, a Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander, waves her group's flag at the iconic Al-Naim square in Raqa on October 17 A woman cries as she looks at her house in Raqa on October 20 A Syrian infant suffering from severe malnutrition is seen at a clinic in the rebel-controlled town of Hamouria, in the eastern Ghouta region on the outskirts of the capital Damascus, on October 21 A woman on a bike gestures with her middle finger as a motorcade with US President Donald Trump departs Trump National Golf Course October 28 Mourners pray for the late Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej during the procession transferring the relics and his ashes from the Grand Palace to a local temple in Bangkok on October 29 Supporters of National Super Alliance (NASA) presidential candidate Raila Odinga react after the result of re-elections as the incumbent President declared his victory in Kisumu, on October 30 A crowd releases lanterns into the air as they celebrate the Yee Peng festival, also known as the festival of lights, in Chiang Mai on November 3 A man believed to be Carles Puigdemont gestures inside the public prosecutor's office in Brussels, on November 5 A migrant tries to board a boat of the German NGO Sea-Watch in the Mediterranean Sea on November 6 Emirati visitors look at exhibits during the opening of the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum on November 11 People hold Catalan pro-independence Estelada flags during a demonstration in Barcelona on November 11 A protester brandishing a machete and a knife prepares to take cover from incoming tear gas canisters during clashes with police forces in Kibera, Nairobi, on October 26 Italy's goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualification football match between Italy and Sweden, on November 13 An Iranian man rests as he lies atop salvaged mattresses and items outside damaged buildings in the town of Sarpol-e Zahab in the western Kermanshah province near the border with Iraq, on November 14 Young women walk past an armoured personnel carrier that stations by an intersection as Zimbabwean soldiers regulate traffic in Harare on November 15 A man looks at a television set broadcasting a state address by Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe in Mbare, Harare on November 19 A Zimbabwean soldier sitting in tank gestures as people greet and celebrate after the resignation of President Mugabe in Harare on November 21 Zimbabwe's members of parliament celebrate after Mugabe's resignation on November 21 People remove, from the wall at the International Conference centre, where parliament had their sitting, the portrait of former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe after his resignation on November 21 Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian striker Neymar celebrates his second goal during the UEFA Champions League Group B football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Glasgow Celtic at Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris on November 22 In the past, Mishal Husain has railed against programmes where female presenters are handed lightweight interviews while the male anchors get the meat. But the BBC's golden girl certainly doesn't have to worry on her own account. The 44-year-old Today programme host was handpicked by Prince Harry to host what will become a historic interview. Presumably he was drawn to Miss Husain's ability to combine the gravitas required by this sort of occasion with a very human touch. BBC insiders speak highly of the married mother-of-three as being down to earth and unstarry. Forty-four-year-old Today programme host Mishal Husain was handpicked by Prince Harry (pictured with fiancee Meghan Markle) to host what will become a historic interview Presumably he was drawn to Miss Husain's (pictured) ability to combine the gravitas required by this sort of occasion with a very human touch BBC insiders speak highly of the married mother-of-three (pictured) as being down to earth and unstarry Her colleague Justin Webb has also praised her for being highly organised perhaps a necessary attribute for a woman who juggles bringing up three boys including twins with fronting the BBC's highest profile current affairs programme. Even before Prince Harry's endorsement, Miss Husain had become the Corporation's de facto default presenter for major news events especially those where delicacy is key. She first became a household name in 2012, as one of the anchors of the BBC's coverage of the London Olympics. Later, she would go on to moderate one of the key debates in the European referendum, the leaders' debate in the last general election, and front the BBC's coverage on results night. The Corporation also chose her to grill director general Lord Tony Hall on air at the height of the row over the gender pay gap. It was a memorable episode not least because the subject was so close to Miss Husain's heart. She first became a household name in 2012, as one of the anchors of the BBC's coverage of the London Olympics. Later, she would go on to moderate one of the key debates in the European referendum, the leaders' debate in the last general election, and front the BBC's coverage on results night The television and radio presenter earned between 200,000 and 250,000 last year, whilst her male co-hosts Nick Robinson and John Humphrys were paid up to 300,000 and 650,000 respectively. The disparity must have been all the more galling for Miss Husain given she beat Mr Robinson to the job when she was first appointed to Today in 2013. He followed some years after. Perhaps unsurprisingly, then, Miss Husain was one of the 40 high-profile women presenters who signed an open letter to Lord Hall demanding immediate action. It was an unusually insubordinate move from a woman who appears to be as skilled at diplomacy behind the scenes of the BBC as she is at prising answers out of people on air. She was born in Northampton to Pakistani parents, but grew up in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia where her father was a doctor It was not her first brush with controversy, however. Earlier this year, Tory HQ telephoned BBC News boss James Harding to complain after a particularly prickly interview with Boris Johnson on the Today programme shortly after the London Bridge attack. Her critics accused her of parroting Jeremy Corbyn's line under the guise of 'setting the record straight', and of rudely silencing Mr Johnson by saying: 'No, no, please stop talking'. She also raised her head above the parapet in 2014, using her position as the BBC's most prominent Muslim presenter to urge other 'British Muslims' to speak out and condemn the Islamic State terror. 'I would really like to see...scholars taking to social media to refute the awful arguments we see put forward in those videos,' she said. Miss Husain comes to the subject from an interesting perspective. After cutting her teeth behind the scenes at Bloomberg, Miss Husain (pictured) quickly moved in front of the camera at the BBC World News - where producers no doubt appreciated her glossy good looks as much as her ability to speak Urdu and a small amount of Arabic She was born in Northampton to Pakistani parents, but grew up in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia where her father was a doctor. There her mother a former TV producer turned teacher - was forced to cover herself completely, whilst Miss Husain wore a black, floor-length 'abaya'. Miss Husain's parents objected to the lack of religious freedom and sent her to the 33,000-a-year Cobham Hall boarding school in Kent from the age of 12. Later, she read law at Cambridge, choosing a safe, solid subject to please her family before embarking on a more precarious career in broadcasting. Her parents were alarmed at the move but they needn't have been. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are pictured outside Kensington Palace yesterday ahead of their interview with Miss Husain After cutting her teeth behind the scenes at Bloomberg, Miss Husain quickly moved in front of the camera at the BBC World News - where producers no doubt appreciated her glossy good looks as much as her ability to speak Urdu and a small amount of Arabic. The shift of world politics towards the East worked in her favour, and she got her lucky break working in New York just after September 11. She was also on air from Washington the night to that the Iraq war was announced and quickly became one of the key faces of that conflict, before eventually moving to Newsnight and Today. At the same time as charting an impressive career, she got married to Meekal Hasmi, a lawyer whom she had known as a child. Their mothers were at college together in Lahore and remained family friends. Mr Hasmi has joked in the past that it was an arranged marriage - arranged by his wife - but Miss Husain insists that they were never childhood sweethearts and it just panned out that way. Writer Sir Kingsley Amis was suspected to be a Communist by MI5 who monitored him during the Second World War, declassified files reveal. MI5 kept a file marked 'Top Secret' which refers to 'Comrade Kingsley Amis' and his 'communist activities' which is released today by the National Archives at Kew, West London. The father of novelist Martin Amis came under suspicion just days after VE Day, while a lieutenant in the Royal Corps of Signals. As the war came to an end, intelligence services focused on the threat from former ally the Soviet Union and Communist activity in Britain. Writer Sir Kingsley Amis (pictured) was suspected to be a Communist by MI5 who monitored him during the Second World War, declassified files reveal. As a young man, he was a member of the Communist Party while at Oxford and received 'regular supplies' of The Daily Worker, the files noted. Socialist newspaper the Daily Worker, now the Morning Star, even reviewed a pamphlet he wrote entitled 'Socialism and the Intellectual'. A memo from May 1945 notes: 'This officer came to notice in 1942 (as) a student at Oxford University when he was reported to be a very promising member of the Oxford Branch of the Communist Party. 'Since being in the Army and in BLA (British Liberation Army) he is known to have been in touch with the Headquarters of (Communist party newspaper) the Daily Worker and it is therefore reasonable to suppose that his political views have not changed in any way.' In 1942, MI5's Lt Col John Baskervyle-Glegg noted that there was 'little doubt that his Left-wing opinions have not changed to any extent since he first came to notice and I accordingly think that he should remain under observation for the time being'. He noted that Sir Kingsley's commanding officer described him as taking 'extremist views towards most aspects of life' and making 'extreme and controversial statements'. MI5 kept a file marked 'Top Secret' which refers to 'Comrade Kingsley Amis' and his 'communist activities' which is released today by the National Archives at Kew, West London But he noted: 'My own view is that if he tried to there are few people who would take him seriously.' A letter intercepted by MI5 between Communist Party members described him as 'a very promising new member of the Oxford branch of the Communist Party'. The file notes that Sir Kingsley was demobilised from the Army the following October. When he returned to Oxford after the war, he worked as an academic, writing pieces on socialism and unashamed of his Left-wing views. Because of his activities, he lost a position on a lecture tour in 1955, organised by the German Information department at the Foreign Office, the files reveal. Despite Sir Kingsley's later insistence that he Communism was an 'ailment' from which he was 'immune', officials worried about his Left-wing views. In February 1957 he wrote in the Daily Worker that he had 'utterly rejected' Marxism. When he later applied for a visa to travel to the US, files reveal that there was 'good evidence' that he was an 'enthusiastic new recruit' of the Party while at Oxford in the early 1940s. 'it will be necessary for the Consulate to reinterview Amis with particular reference to his signed affidavit to the effect that he has never been a member of the Communist Party,' one document notes. Amis came under suspicion just days after VE Day, while a lieutenant in the Royal Corps of Signals 'They will do this on the basis of published press material only - and in particular Amis' denial (in the Daily Worker of 14th February 1957) of Marxist sympathies.' In a Foreign Office letter, officials noted: 'Amis claimed to have utterly rejected Marxism, and stated that he had felt obliged, after the Hungarian revolution in 1956, to break off contact with those of his friends who were Communists.' In a letter to the American Embassy in 1957, officials wrote: 'Kingsley Amis was reported, when at his University in 1942, to be a member of the Communist party. 'In 1944, when in the Army, he again attracted notice as a recipient of the Daily Worker. He has not come to adverse notice since 1944. 'On 12 February this year the Daily Worker published a review of his pamphlet on 'Socialism and the Intellectual'. 'Two days later, in his reply to the review, Amis claimed to have rejected Marxism, stating: 'I have experienced the ailment and so am immune. And I have also utterly rejected it.' While they decided they were grounds to block the visa, they worried that Sir Kingsley would make a public protest. They allowed him to travel after giving 'assurances about his dissociation from the Party' and considered the matter 'satisfactorily settled'. The novelist, whose literary breakthrough came in 1954 with Lucky Jim, had a successful career as an academic in Cambridge and Swansea. He was knighted in 1990 and died in 1995 at the age of 73. These terrifying photos show massive lava flows surging down the rivers surrounding Bali's erupting Mount Agung, as fears grow the volcano is set to blow. The mountain has been hurling clouds of volcanic ash 3km into the atmosphere since the weekend and red hot lava is welling up in the crater. Cold lava flows, also known as lahar, have already flooded the rivers and canals of nearby villages, with many locals ignoring warnings to steer clear. 'Watch out for lahar floods around Mt Agung,' agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho wrote on Twitter on Monday. Terrifying photos show massive cold lava flows surging down rivers surrounding Bali's erupting Mount Agung Cold lava flows, also known as lahar, have flooded the rivers and canals of villages close to the erupting mountain People are pictured watching cold lava from Mount Agung eruption flowing at Karangasem 'Lahar floods have already occurred in several places on the slopes,' he added, urging people to avoid nearby river areas. Extraordinary photos show masses of volcanic sludge surging through riverbeds as locals film the frightening scenes. Indonesia has raised the volcano to the highest level, as locals are told to flee for their lives and thousands of travellers are left stranded at the airport. Some locals have ignored warnings to steer clear rivers sorrounding Mt Agung Australian travellers heading to and from Bali will face another day of disruption on Tuesday as airlines closely monitor the ash cloud. More than 400 flights to and from Bali were cancelled and nearly 60,000 travellers have been stranded. The normally bustling airport on the Indonesian resort island of Bali is a near-ghost town, dotted by anxious Australian tourists desperate to get home. The airport's initial closure was for 24 hours until early Tuesday, but it is expected to stay closed for another day. On Monday night, tourists settled down for the night on makeshift beds on the airport's dusty floors. Some were considering making the more than 10-hour journey to Surabaya and catching a series of flights across Indonesia back to Australia. All are frustrated by what they say is a lack of updated information from their airlines about what happens next. A general view is pictured of Mount Agung during an eruption seen from Kubu sub-district Extraordinary photos show masses of volcanic sludge surging through riverbeds as locals film the frightening scenes Passengers gather at the Gusti Ngurah Rai International airport in Denpasar as all flights were cancelled The first Janeen McKay heard about flight cancellations was in a text from her brother back in Australia as she was on her way to Bali's airport. 'I had nothing from Jetstar, they had my mobile number,' the West Australian told AAP. After a 12-hour wait at the airport, she's now been told she won't be able to get home until Saturday at the earliest. 'We had a really nice time in Bali but then we get here and this has just ruined it,' Ms McKay said. 'Why does it take five days to get us out of here? Not very happy.' Ms McKay, an office manager, is keen to get back to Geraldton, north of Perth, to take over the care of her elderly mother from her sister, a nurse, who's needed back at work on Thursday. Veronika Naberezhnova is also non-plussed. 'It's a bit annoying,' the Department of Human Services worker said. 'My family's waiting there (in Sydney) as well, they're all waiting, they're all stressed.' On the other side of Bali, at Sanur beach, the distant crackle of lightning and an afternoon rain shower were the only annoyances for tourists lounging on sun beds and sipping cocktails. The airport's initial closure was for 24 hours until early Tuesday, but it is expected to stay closed for another day Mount Agung belched smoke as high as 1,500 metres above its summit, sparking an exodus from settlements near the mountain Passengers gather at the Gusti Ngurah Rai International airport in Denpasar after flights were cancelled Jetstar has cancelled all flights to and from Bali and will reassess the situation on Tuesday For them, the airport's closure means an extended holiday. 'What's to be annoyed about, getting stuck here,' said Simon Allan, whose flight to Perth was cancelled because of the ash cloud. 'We have no control of nature and we'll just go with the moment and see what happens tomorrow,' his partner Deborah Flynn told AAP. Scientists say Mount Agung's volcanic activity could escalate further over the coming days meaning planes could stay grounded with thousands unable to fly in or out of Bali. Carriers Jetstar and Virgin Australia will reassess the situation later on Tuesday. An empty Bali International Airport is seen after volcanic ash forced its closure on Monday Jetstar has cancelled all flights to and from Bali, as has Virgin Australia. Jetstar acknowledged 'further disruptions are possible this week depending on weather conditions'. Affected Jetstar customers have been given the option of flying to destinations including Phuket, Singapore, Fiji or Tokyo at no additional cost. Other major airlines are all monitoring the situation but are unable to fly until the massive ash cloud dissipates. Flights from other Indonesian airports were experiencing delays on Monday because Bali's Gusti Ngurah Rai airport is a national hub with many transiting flights. The airport's initial closure was for 24 hours until early Tuesday, but there could be prolonged or repeated disruptions More than 400 flights to and from Bali were cancelled and nearly 60,000 travelers have been stranded Thick clouds hide the volcanic ash billowing out of Mount Agung at Sanur Beach on the island The travel disruptions will ripple around the globe as the island is one of Asia's top destinations, attracting five million visitors a year. December through the first week of January is one of the island's busy periods. But the popular tourist areas of Kuta and Seminyak and the airport are about 70 kilometers (43 miles) from the volcano and largely safe even with a major eruption though masks and goggles could prove necessary if there's significant ash fall. Activity at the mountain has ramped up in recent weeks culminating with the cancellation of flights in and out of Bali this week due to a large ash cloud thrown up by the volcano. Indonesia has raised its alert for Mt Agung to the highest level, warning of the risk of a lava eruption is 'imminent'. Mount Agung, which sits more than 3,000 metres high over eastern Bali, last erupted in 1963 killing more than 1000 people and razing several villages. Authorities have ordered up to 150,000 people to leave a danger zone that extends 10 kilometers from the crater in places and tourists shouldn't enter it. Up to 150,000 people have been urged to evacuate areas within a 10 kilometre radius of Bali's Mt Agung amid the issuing of its highest danger alert on Monday The area, which includes a much-visited Hindu temple on the slopes of the volcano, will be prone to deadly mudflows and lava. A danger zone was expanded Monday morning amid issuing of the volcano's highest alert, with heavy rain sending ash and magma towards nearby villages. As authorities attempt to urge people to evacuate, only 40,000 have chosen to leave with many 'feeling safe' or staying to protect livestock, Bloomberg reports. Some governments are advising citizens to defer travel to the island. Malaysia's foreign ministry said all but non-urgent travel should be delayed while Australia, a big source of tourists for Bali, said people should be aware that ash clouds could also close other airports in Indonesia depending on weather conditions. Heavy rain in Bali sent ash and magma (pictured) surging towards nearby villages Magma has now reached the surface of the volcano, which threatens to produce a 'strong, explosive eruption,' authorities warned Travellers are stranded in Bali as authorities issue a 'red alert' warning and Mount Agung continues to erupt. The volcano is pictured on Sunday Maureen Steele and Jackie Calabretta were scheduled to fly on a Garuda Indonesia flight from Sydney via Bali to Jakarta on Monday for an orangutan tour. They were up at 4am to travel from Gosford and Wollongong to make the 10am flight which cost $700 return. 'We were on the plane, all strapped in ready for departure, when the cabin crew announced they needed to wait 10 minutes to get clearance,' Ms Steele said at Sydney Airport. 'They told us they didn't get clearance so we all had to get off again.' As they passed back through customs, Ms Calabretta contacted Malaysia Airlines and booked a new flight costing $600 one-way to Jakarta via Kuala Lumpur. 'We have to go - we've paid hundreds of dollars on the vaccinations and there have been lots of preparations,' Ms Steele said as they settled in for a 10-hour wait. A massive 22 villagers were affected and at least 100,000 people when Bali's Mount Agung volcano erupted over the weekend Flight cancellations have forced travellers to sleep at Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport Some of their frustrations were aired on Facebook, with customers either very pleased they had been moved to temporary accommodation or livid they had been left out All flights were cancelled at 7am local time and the airport will remain closed until further notice Customers have spent hours lining up for information about their flights. This traveller is seen at Ngurah Rai International Airport on Saturday A group of eight surfers are hoping they'll be able to fly to Bali on Tuesday. James Hall, 18, said the Sydney friends had been planning their Sumatra surf trip for more than a year. 'It's frustrating, we've been told we might be able to fly tomorrow, so we just have to wait it out,' Mr Hall told AAP at Sydney's international terminal. 'There's not much we can do - it's a volcano.' The latest data from Agoda shows Bali is the number one destination for Australians travelling in December. University of Adelaide geologist Mark Tingay says the eruptions from Mount Agung have sent plumes of ash 3000 metres into the air. 'The volcanic eruption has moved on to the next, more severe, magmatic eruption phase, where highly viscous lava can trap gasses under pressure, potentially leading to an explosion,' he said in a statement. Balinese Hindus take part in a ceremony on Sunday, where they pray near Mount Agung in hope of preventing a volcanic eruption The Mount Agung volcano spews hot volcanic ash as a local chops wood in the foreground On Saturday Jetstar diverted three flights heading to Bali and cancelled six flights ready to leave the island Jetstar was forced to cancel numerous flights on Saturday and the following morning but was back on schedule by Sunday evening (stock image) Mount Agung volcano is seen spewing smoke and ash in Bali on Sunday. The ash has thrown holiday plans into disarray Tourists watch the Mount Agung volcano erupting as they visit a temple in Karangasem, Indonesia Mt Agung erupted on Saturday evening and three times on Sunday, throwing holiday plans into disarray. Indonesia's Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation raised its aviation colour code from orange to red, indicating a further eruption with significant emission of volcanic ash into the atmosphere was imminent. Australia's Bureau of Meteorology's Volanic Ash Advisory Centre in Darwin issued maps showing an ash cloud heading southeast over the neighbouring island of Lombok away from Bali's capital Denpasar, where the international airport is located. RUMBLES FROM BALI'S MOUNT AGUNG WHERE IS THE VOLCANO? - Mount Agung rises about 3,000m above Bali's Karangasem district, in the holiday island's east - Bali lies within the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, an area of high seismic and volcanic activity where thousands of tremors occur each year WHAT IS THE VOLCANO'S HISTORY OF ERUPTIONS? - Its last major eruption in 1963 killed over 1,000 people and razed many villages - More than 50,000 Indonesians were evacuated in September this year when experts warned an eruption was imminent - Some 25,000 people have been unable to return to their homes Advertisement AirAsia and Virgin Australia flights between Denpasar and Australia remained grounded on Sunday night 'The volcano and movement of ash cloud are highly unpredictable which means we may need to cancel flights at short notice,' Jetstar warned on its website (stick image) Passengers wait for their flight schedule at Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport on Sunday David Davis (pictured) refused to hand over unredacted papers showing the impact Brexit will have on British industries David Davis last night provoked a row with MPs after he refused to hand over unredacted papers showing the impact Brexit will have on British industries because of fears they would leak Britains negotiating strategy. The Brexit Secretary was accused of keeping Parliament in the dark because he would only give edited versions of the reports analysing the effect on 58 sectors of the UK economy. But in a letter to Brexit committee chairman Hilary Benn, Mr Davis said the papers had been redacted because there was no guarantee the MPs would keep them secret. He said: Given that we have received no assurances from the committee regarding how any information passed will be used, we have sought not to include commercially, market and negotiation sensitive information. Delivering a successful outcome to our EU exit negotiations for the whole country requires keeping some information confidential for the purposes of the negotiations. In the letter, also delivered to Lord Jay, chair of the Lords Brexit committee, Mr Davis called for a meeting before any decision to publish the information. I am sure you recognise that there are aspects of the analyses which may still be sensitive to the negotiations especially in the context of this particular point in time, he wrote. I would therefore appreciate the opportunity to discuss these sectoral analyses further before any decision is taken to share the information more widely. Labour committee member Seema Malhotra, who has led efforts to examine the sectoral papers, said MPs must be given the full documents and nothing less. Labour MP Seema Malhotra (left) has told Mr Davis (right) MPs must be given the full documents and nothing less It seems like the Government have already decided what should and should not be seen by editing them before sending the impact studies to the select committee, she said. British businesses and families deserve better than this. They need certainty for their futures. The select committee must be given the full analyses which were completed and nothing less. We cannot and should not be short-changed. This will not be in the national interest. The public and Parliament must no longer be kept in the dark. The public and Parliament must no longer be kept in the dark Seema Malhotra Mr Davis agreed to release the documents after Labour won a Commons vote on November 1 on a humble address to the Queen asking for what it termed the impact assessments to be provided to the committee. Labours motion was passed without a vote earlier this month after ministers indicated the Government would not oppose it. A spokesman for the Department said: The Government has satisfied the motion, providing the House of Commons Exiting the EU Committee with information covering 58 sectors of the economy. We have also shared the information with the Lords EU Committee. We have always been clear that our analysis does not exist in the form Parliament requested. We have taken time to bring together the analysis we do have in a way that meets Parliaments specific ask. Our overall programme of work is comprehensive, thorough and is continuously updated. This sectoral analysis is simply one part of it. Four masked offenders have broken into a man's home and bashed him with a shovel before stealing his housemate's car. Two of the men kicked in the front door at the Moorhen Drive home in Yangebup, south of Perth at about 9.30pm on Sunday, as two others hid in the backyard, 7 News reported. Sam was bashed over the head with a shovel and his housemate Shaun Dalton had his black Holden Commodore stolen. Scroll down for video Sam needed eight staples in the back of his head after he was belted with a shovel The men stole a black Holden Commodore with the registration 1ENA 304 'They'd obviously been round the house and seen through the back windows that the keys were hanging right near the door,' Mr Dalton said. Mr Dalton tried to chase the thugs, but realised he was outnumbered. The men were able to escape with his car. 'There were the three of them herding (housemate) Sam back towards me and when he turned around, I saw he had blood all down his face,' Mr Dalton said. Sam needed eight staples in the back of his head after he was belted with a shovel. The men stole a black Holden Commodore with the registration 1ENA 304. Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Sam was bashed over the head with a shovel and his housemate Shaun Dalton (pictured) had his black Holden Commodore stolen Jeremy Piven's CBS TV series Wisdom of the Crowd has been canceled after just 13 episodes. The network has decided to wrap up Piven's drama series after the original 13 episodes are aired. There are currently four new episodes still to air. It comes after allegations surfaced that Piven had sexually abused or harassed multiple women, which the Entourage star has denied. Jeremy Piven's CBS TV series Wisdom of the Crowd has been canceled after just 13 episodes Piven - who portrays Silicon Valley tech entrepreneur Jeffrey Tanner in the CBS drama - thanked the show's viewers via Twitter on Monday. 'Wanted to thanks all of you guys for supporting us at #WisdomoftheCrowd,' he tweeted. 'Sorry we don't get to continue with this great family we have created. Proud of the work we did and we will Finish out our 13 episodes with full hearts!' An industry insider told DailyMail.com earlier this month that Piven had been an 'emotional wreck' since the allegations surfaced and that he broke down in tears while filming his series. He then walked off set in front of stunned production staff, according to the source. 'Jeremy is a mess, he broke down in tears as we were working on a scene and he left the set. Filming was stopped. He has become an emotional wreck within the last week as these allegations mount against him,' the source said. 'Everything appears to be getting on top of him. The set has been increasingly tense.' The source said Piven has kept 'himself to himself' since the allegations emerged with producers asking production crew to be 'sensitive' when dealing with the actor. Piven - who portrays Silicon Valley tech entrepreneur Jeffrey Tanner in the CBS drama - thanked the show's viewers via Twitter on Monday An industry insider said Piven was filming scenes for his new CBS series Wisdom of the Crowd at the TV network's studio in Los Angeles when he broke down in tears earlier this month Piven was accused on Twitter of sexual harassment and assault by 38-year-old actress Ariane Bellamar at the end of October who claimed the star groped her twice, once in his trailer on the Entourage set and the other at the Playboy mansion. That was followed by actress Cassidy Freeman who said on her Instagram page that Piven engaged in 'predatory behavior' towards her when she was 'far too young.' And then two more women have since come forward accusing the Emmy winning actor of sexual assault and harassment. Washington-based advertising executive Tiffany Bacon Scourby, 39, and Hawaii-based porn star Isis Taylor both say Piven attacked or harassed them. Anastasia Taneie has also come forward saying she was working as a 23-year-old background actress on Entourage in 2009 when Piven, then 44, cornered her in a darkened corridor and groped her breasts and genitals. Piven has denied all allegations of sexual assault saying they 'are absolutely false and completely fabricated.' Actress Ariane Bellamar, (left) 38, accused the actor of groping her breasts on the Entourage set last month. Porn star Isis Taylor (right) said he harassed her in 2011 at a Los Angeles party William Paul Dodd, 21, who is suspected of shoplifting and pulling a fake gun on a cop A shoplifting suspect who was shot when he pointed a pellet gun at an officer inside a Dallas-area mall had earlier dialed 911 threatening to kill cops. An Arlington police spokesman says 21-year-old William Paul Dodd is a known offender who may have been suicidal. After Dodd made the 911 call, Police Lieutenant Christopher Cook says officers tracked the man inside The Parks at Arlington on Sunday after he was accused of stealing sunglasses at a store inside the mall. Cook says the man pulled a replica handgun from his waistband and was shot by an officer. The male suspect was thought to have been stealing sunglasses at the mall in Arlington, Texas, when an officer opened fire, believing the replica gun to be real. Police said the man fled from security and got on the escalator to the second floor, near the food court, the NYDailyNews reports. He pulled out what police said was later found to be a fake gun, pointing it at the police officer on the first floor. A suspected shoplifter was shot by a police officer at an Arlington mall after allegedly reaching for a replica handgun. The male suspect was thought to have been stealing sunglasses at the mall Texas, when an officer opened fire, believing the replica gun to be real Lieutenant Cook says the incident occurred on Sunday afternoon after a theft was reported at a store inside The Parks at Arlington mall. The suspect tried to flee from security before going up an escalator toward the food court, police said. Footage captures the immediate aftermath of the shooting as a police officer stands over the man on a halted escalator. A separate video caught by a passerby was captioned with: 'Dude got shot right in front of me, I'm done'. Cook said the male suspect then pulled a replica handgun from his waistband and was shot by an officer who thought the weapon was real. The male suspect was thought to have been stealing sunglasses at the mall in Arlington, Texas, when an officer opened fire, believing the replica gun to be real Following the shooting, Arlington Police Chief Will Johnson tweeted: 'It is nearly impossible to determine the authenticity of a real versus fake gun.' Sharing the photo of the fake weapon, he added: 'There is no training that would allow officers to distinguish between what's real and what's fake in a matter of seconds. 'Replica imitation firearms or BB guns have no place in society when used in criminal endeavors.' Following the shooting, Arlington Police Chief Will Johnson tweeted: 'It is nearly impossible to determine the authenticity of a real versus fake gun,' Dodd was taken to an area hospital and has been put under sedation. He is in a critical condition. Police said no one else was injured. The mall closed early as police evacuated the remaining shoppers. Pupils at Roman Catholic schools could still be at risk of sexual abuse despite years of efforts to remove predators and improve child safeguarding, an inquiry heard yesterday. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) has begun examining the prevalence of paedophilia among Benedictine monks and failures to protect young people. It is focusing on offenders who targeted children at two famous Catholic public schools, Ampleforth in North Yorkshire and Downside in Somerset, over many decades. The inquiry is focusing on offenders who targeted children at two famous Catholic public schools, including Ampleforth in North Yorkshire (pictured) But although numerous inquiries have exposed the problem of child abuse within church institutions and a string of offenders have been convicted, safety concerns are said to remain. Yesterday, counsel to the inquiry Riel Karmy-Jones QC told a hearing in London the recorded allegations go back many years... and they continue into the present day. She added: In considering the evidence and assessing the extent of abuse, it must be remembered that we have to rely on that which has been reported, and the extent and accuracy with which those reports have been recorded, if at all. In that time we have moved from scant records, little more than a handwritten notes on scraps of paper being kept, to electronic records. So some of the records that remain are old and illegible, some incomplete, some lost or destroyed. Miss Karmy-Jones listed some of the notorious offenders to have blighted the two schools. Lawyers for both institutions later apologised to all the victims they failed. A wide spectrum of behaviour, ranging from rape to voyeuristic beatings, was inflicted on school pupils over many years, the inquiry heard. There were a number of reasons for cover-ups, including families being pressured not to report assaults, offenders getting shifted to different establishments but not punished, and complaints simply being ignored. The other high profile Catholic school scrutinised by the probe, is Downside in Somerset Convicted predators at the two schools include David Lowe, who taught at Ampleforth and was jailed for 10 years in 2015 for 15 indecent assaults on boys aged under 14. Lowes offences, which were also committed at Westminster Cathedral School, dated back to the 1980s. Miss Karmy-Jones told the hearing: It may be that during the course of evidence and the submissions to come (that) there is some acceptance of failings, but reliance will be placed on changes that have been made over the years. But, as you will hear, concerns remain and you are likely to hear evidence that suggests safeguarding problems are still ongoing, in some instances, and with the inevitable result that children may remain at risk. Lawyers for those who suffered abuse called for turning a blind eye to paedophilia to be made a criminal offence so Church institutions are discouraged from hushing up scandals. Richard Scorer, who represents 27 victims, said some Catholic Church schools concealed offending out of concerns for their reputation. Many rely on private school fees to survive and cannot risk exposing misconduct, turning schools into honeypots where multiple offenders operate, he said. The reputational pressures, the cultural and theological factors which led to abuse being covered up in Catholic institutions have not gone away Richard Scorer The reputational pressures, the cultural and theological factors which led to abuse being covered up in Catholic institutions have not gone away, he told the hearing. They remain as powerful as ever. Addressing the inquirys chairwoman, Professor Alexis Jay, Mr Scorer continued: Madam, because we have no mandatory reporting law, that temptation to cover up, in our view, remains undiminished today. The Catholic Church and the institutions you hear from in these hearings will tell you that things are different now. But the question you have to ask is this: when all the fuss from this inquiry has died down, can we really rely on these institutions voluntarily to ensure that they never slip back into old habits, even though the old temptations exist today as they surely did before? Another lawyer acting for victims, David Enright, hinted at the idea of priests being told to break the confidentiality of the confessional - a key tenet of Catholicism - in cases involving child abuse. Matters revealed in confession, including child abuse, cannot be used in governance. One cant think of a more serious obstacle embedded in the law of the Catholic church to achieving child protection, he said. The inquirys investigation into the Catholic Church will continue until mid-December. The church is one of 13 strands involved in British public life being scrutinised for child safety failings by IICSA. Today, the hearing will receive evidence from senior monks, including Dom Richard Yeo, the current head of the Benedictines. Whatever you think of our Royal Family, you cannot deny that they have a great sense of timing. With the economic forecasts gloomy, the headlines dominated by the Brexit stalemate and even the weather taking an Arctic turn, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle picked precisely the right moment to give everyone a lift with the news of their engagement. It is, of course, obligatory among the chattering classes to roll ones eyes at the prospect of a royal wedding. But the great majority of ordinary British people love them. No wonder, then, that on a grey, dreary Monday morning, the news of Prince Harrys engagement felt like such a tonic. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle officially announced their engagement at Kensington Palace in London, on Monday And who could argue with his choice? After all, the Royal Familys new recruit could hardly be accused of lacking star quality. A former actress in the U.S. TV series Suits, Ms Markle brings the kind of media-friendly showbiz appeal that should ensure a gigantic worldwide TV audience. Spectacle And if that sounds a little cynical, we ought to remember that monarchy is nothing if not a spectacle. Its magic has always resided in a unique blend of domesticity and pageantry, the everyday and the extraordinary which is why weddings capture it better than almost any other occasion. Indeed, it is only a slight stretch to argue that you could write the history of modern Britain entirely through royal weddings. First there was the marriage of the current Queen then Princess Elizabeth to Prince Philip in November 1947, at a time when a victorious but exhausted nation was struggling with the rigours of post-war austerity. In a sign of the times, the brides satin white dress had to be paid for with ration coupons. Yet even though the event took place on a freezing, foggy day in November, thousands camped out overnight to ensure ringside seats a sign of the patriotic solidarity that had carried the nation to victory only two years earlier. Of the three major royal weddings that followed, each coincided with a particularly grim period in Britains fortunes. When Princess Anne married Captain Mark Phillips in November 1973, the mood could hardly have been bleaker. Only days earlier, with the miners preparing to strike, the government had declared a state of emergency, including severe curbs on heating and light. Similarly, when Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer in July 1981, the wedding took place only weeks after the worst inner-city riots in modern British history, with unemployment soaring and the Thatcher government struggling to stay afloat. When Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer in July 1981, the wedding took place only weeks after the worst inner-city riots in modern British history Even the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in April 2011, which lingers in the memory as a glorious patriotic party, took place against a troubled political and economic background, with Britain struggling out of recession and the coalition government pushing for deep spending cuts to tackle our yawning deficit. In each case, the circumstances could hardly have been less propitious. In each case, more cynical commentators, especially on the Left, predicted public apathy and a wretched turnout. And on each occasion, hundreds of thousands, even millions of people defied the forecasts by pouring into Central London. More than 25 million watched William and Kates union on television. So much, then, for the naysayers. To outside observers, I suppose it must seem odd for a supposedly stoical, serious people to get so carried away about the prospect of a royal wedding. But a nation is, at heart, an extended family, and at the centre of any family is the union between husband and wife. Prince Harry and Miss Markle's 16-month whirlwind romance blossomed when they met through mutual friends Miss Markle showed off her sparkling engagement ring, which Harry designed himself, made from two diamonds which belonged to his late beloved mother Diana, Princess of Wales Even at a time when the traditional family seems so embattled by social and cultural change, it would take extraordinary churlishness not to be moved by the spectacle of two young people committing themselves to a shared future. And since the monarchy itself is the supreme symbol of our own shared past, present and future, Prince Harrys wedding will be a chance for the United Kingdoms four nations to remember the ties of history and culture that still bind us. But there is, of course, a very distinctive element to the engagement of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. It is not just the fact that she is an actress, an American and a divorcee all of which would effectively have disbarred her only a few decades ago. As the child of a white father and black mother, Ms Markle has never been shy of proclaiming her pride in her mixed-race heritage. Indeed, her background could hardly be more different from the blue-blooded princesses who were once hand-picked from the courts of Europe to marry British princes. For Ms Markle traces her descent not from dukes or countesses, but from slaves. In fact, one of her ancestors was liberated from his Georgia plantation only in 1865, at the end of the American Civil War, when according to family lore he took the name Wisdom. Prince Harry and Miss Markle share a tender moment after announcing their engagement Fusty As an investigation by the Mail found a few weeks ago, some of Ms Markles forebears worked as maids, janitors, tailors and factory workers, toiling in an atmosphere of poverty and segregation that would have been unimaginable to Prince Harrys forebears. Given her background, Ms Markle could hardly make a more obviously modern royal bride. And that, I think, makes it all the more striking that she has been accepted so smoothly into the bosom of the British royal establishment. Satirists often like to present the British court as the quintessence of fusty, reactionary traditionalism. Yet the fact that the Royal Family has made so little fuss about her background is, I think, immensely revealing. We live in an age of ludicrous hysteria about racial matters, with even our great universities having been infected with absurd nonsense about decolonising the curriculum to boot off white authors. Indeed, if the royal household were run by the people in charge of our universities, or indeed by executives at the BBC, then Prince Harrys wedding would probably be the occasion for all sorts of breast-beating about the supposed crimes of the British Empire. Thank goodness it isnt. As so often, the Queen and her advisers are far more sensible than the high-minded intellectuals who love to sneer at them. Indeed, the monarchy as an institution has always been far more flexible and forward-thinking than its critics realise. Miss Markle, pictured, with Prince Harry after announcing their engagement, is expected to become a duchess Tolerance In this respect, its the overexcited, doom-mongering metropolitan elite that is out of touch. By contrast, the monarchy, with its quiet tolerance and gentle adaptability, allied to its respect for tradition, is much more in tune with the great majority of the British people. Still, I expect there will be plenty of whingeing from the chattering classes as Prince Harrys wedding approaches. No doubt some Guardian columnist will demand that Prince Harry snap his sword in two in repentance for Britains role in Afghanistan. Most sane, patriotic people, though, will simply get on with enjoying the party. For although historians are often atrociously bad at predicting the future, I think its a safe bet that the big day will see vast flag-waving crowds, massive worldwide coverage, torrents of merchandise and more than a few tears in the spectators eyes. Nothing rouses the nation like a royal wedding, for we are, at heart, a sentimental, even romantic people. And despite the hand-wringing of the Left, we remain what we have always been: a phlegmatic country keenly aware of tradition, yet tolerant of outsiders, at ease with the modern world and brought together by the magic of monarchy. Defence Secretary Williamson, reporting for duty, sah! Gavin Williamson, aged not much more than 30 (so youd think from looking at him), is indeed our new Secretary of State for Defence and made his despatch box debut yesterday. It was the first time the 41-year old had spoken from the front bench, for in his past governmental duties as David Camerons parliamentary bag-carrier and as Mrs Mays Chief Whip he did not have to answer MPs questions in public. This was quite a test, in other words. Could he project authority and bottom? Would he be any good? Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson spoke at the front bench for the first time, with echoes of former Tory leader William Hague He is slender, a hint of pepper-and-salt at the temples of his tight-mown hair, the toecaps of his black shoes shiny. He stood at the box with a stoop, his shoulders slight. The eyes were steady but the voice was more striking. It was nasal, a Yorkshire monotone, echoes of William Hague or maybe the young Alan Bennett. He pronounced discuss as discoos, for instance. The accent manifested itself with only a few vowels. More of the time he was Midlands-managerial; yet he is the first Tory Defence Secretary I can recall who pronounces the first letter of HMS as Haitch. The Queen will no doubt mask her reflexes but we must hope it does not become a Buckingham Palace game to get the new Defence Secretary to say his haitches. The Commons day began with congratulations for Prince Harry and his fiancee Meghan. These were uttered with Heepish unction by Speaker Bercow, juddering his consonants. The Commons day began with congratulations for Prince Harry and Meghan, who announced their engagement Labour MPs managed not to join the hear hears which resounded from the Tory benches. Mr Williamsons first question came from a Scots Nat, Gavin Newlands (Paisley & Renfrewshire N) who is hard to understand because he barely moves his upper lip when talking. Was he a ventriloquist in earlier life? I did catch the words Russian submarines in his question, so it must have been about the Red Peril. There is such fever about the Ruskies at present, some media types will no doubt be soon suggesting that Moscows subs are lying off the Pool of London waiting to whisk Agents Gove and Boris to safety, should it all become too hot for em here. Mr Williamson, in his reply, spoke about the nuclear deterrent. Alan Titchmarsh on next years aspidistras might have sounded more frightening. He was soon compensating for any shortfall in dramatic delivery by attacking Jeremy Corbyn as a Labour leader who does not believe in the British Army. Mr Williamson attacked Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, saying he 'does not believe in the British Army' But does the May Government believe in our Army? Or does it want to reduce its numbers? Conservative backbenchers made plain that they hated that idea. The likes of James Gray (Con, N Wilts) and Mark Francois (Rayleigh & Wickford) harrumphed impressively on that matter. Sir Hugo Swire (Con, E Devon) suggested taking the nuclear deterrent off the MoDs annual budget, as used to be the case. Not a bad thought, though of course Trident would still have to be paid for. Perhaps it can be stuck down as an item of expenditure for International Aid. Keeping all those US munitions workers in jobs, etc. Mr Williamson was noticeably warm towards Conservatives who wanted the Treasury to spend more on Defence. That will do him no harm until the time the Treasury swings the axe, as it invariably does. One Defence minister who has reportedly threatened to quit if there are heavy cuts is Tobias Ellwood. He was on the front bench yesterday. Defence Minister Tobias Ellwood has threatened to quit if there are heavy cuts and appeared on the front bench yesterday When he and Mr Williamson were beside one another, any untutored outsider might have had trouble telling which of them was the more senior. Mr Ellwood oozes command. He has the bearing of a military commander. He does not say the word everything with a final k, as Mr Williamson does. Such things may count for little in Whitehall but they do matter a bit on the Commons parade ground. Should she perhaps have made Tobias Secretary of State? A group of former British soldiers who have been freed from an Indian prison for four years wept with joy as they exclaimed: 'We'll be home for Christmas'. The British ex-servicemen - called the Chennai Six - were arrested in October 2013 while working as mercenaries on an anti-piracy ship. The men were subsequently jailed on charges of smuggling weapons for terrorists, but will now be freed after being acquitted by judges at the Madras High Court. The six - Nick Dunn, 31, of Northumberland, Billy Irving, 37, from Argyll and Bute, John Armstrong, 30, of Cumbria, Nicholas Simpson, 47, of North Yorkshire, Ray Tindall, 42, of Chester, and Paul Towers, 54, of East Yorkshire - now believe that they will be back in the UK by the end of December. Mr Dunn, who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, had begged the British government to secure his release. He is pictured with his older sister Lisa, 37 The family of Nick Dunn, 31, a former paratrooper locked up in India for four years,celebrated after learning he would be freed on Monday (pictured from left, brother Paul, mother Margaret, father Jim and sister Lisa) Former para Nick Dunn told The Sun: 'We want to say a big thank you to everyone who has campaigned for us. 'We are coming home for Christmas and can't wait to be back with loved ones.' Mr Dunn's family were filmed by the BBC receiving the news as they shared a hug before sobbing with joy. Sipping champagne his sister, Lisa, said: 'This is the best champagne in the world, it tastes like the best drink. 'The longer it went on, as much as you still have an element of hope, it does dwindle after having so many delays and setbacks. 'But that hasn't happened today and we've had the best news ever. 'It will make all of our Christmases, all of our dreams have come true today.' Mr Dunn's father, Jim, said: 'Absolutely fantastic, the best news in the world. 'We haven't been a full family for a long time now. Nick won't fully realise it's over until his feet touch down in Newcastle.' Lisa said that 'all of our dreams have come true' after receiving the news that her brother will be coming home for Christmas Yvonne MacHugh , fiancee of Billy Irving, said she was 'over the moon' after hearing the news. 'I am just so relieved. I can't believe it. I really didn't think it was going to go our way after everything,' she added. She now hopes her partner will be home in time for Christmas, to spend it with his son, who has only ever seen him in the Indian prison. She said: 'It's finally all over. All 35 men have been acquitted of all charges and should be coming home as soon as possible. 'The hope is now they will get home for Christmas. Ideally, I want him home tomorrow. After four years and all the hard work, it's all paid off. 'William is at nursery just now, so as soon as he is finished I am going to get him on Facetime and tell him the good news. 'I just can't wait to get home and give him the biggest hug ever.' The 29-year-old mother returned from a six-day trip to India on November 19. A statement on the Chennai 6 Facebook page said: 'The Appeal Court has today found all 35 men NOT GUILTY we now wait to hear as and when the men will be allowed home to their families. 'This may take some time whilst the authorities decide whether they agree with the outcome or wish to appeal. 'If they wish to appeal the men might be released from prison but not allowed back to the UK. (From left) Mr Simpson, Paul Towers, 52, Mr Tindall and Billy Irving were all working for US marine company AdvanFort when they were arrested in 2013 They were all sentenced to serve five years in Puzhal Central Prison, Chennai, (pictured), where they are said to have to go to the toilet 'in a hole in the ground' 'But the families are understandable delighted that finally common sense and justice has prevailed.' The Madurai bench of Madras High Court directed the men to apply to the authorities to get back their passports back. The men were also told they will be entitled to get back fines they have paid so far. Theresa May's official spokesman said: 'The Government, from the Prime Minister down, has worked hard for over four years to support the men and their families and we share their happiness at the court's decision to give a full acquittal to each of the men. 'We are now working with the Indian authorities to discuss the next steps. We will continue to offer the men and their families consular assistance for as long as it is needed.' Paul Towers (pictured, in Afghanistan) spent 12 years in the Paras and 20 as a prison officer Billy Irving, 35, left, and Ray Tindall, 41, were also among the veterans jailed in India The Indian authorities accused them of 'importing guns for jihadists' although the punishment was branded a 'miscarriage of justice' by their families and politicians in Britain. Speaking last year, Mr Armstrong's brother, Joanne Thomlinson, said: 'Christmas and birthdays, you would normally be with your family. These days are a bit harder for John and the others to get through. The whole thing is an absolute tragedy. 'It is incredible to think what impact this has had on so many lives. So many parents, children, brothers and sisters, wives - just completely lost while their loved one suffers in prison.' Indian coastguards first boarded their vessel, the MV Seaman Guard Ohio, and arrested them for bringing weapons into India's territorial waters in October 2013. The charges were initially quashed when the men argued the weapons were lawfully held for anti-piracy purposes and their paperwork, issued by the UK Government, was in order. But a lower court reinstated the prosecution and they were sentenced to five years in jail. John Armstrong (pictured, with his mother Helen and father John) was one of the Chennai Six freed on Monday after being held for four years in India Nicholas Simpson, 46, pictured with wife Tracy, 45, served in the army for 24 years and had been separated from his two young sons Their families say the 'Chennai Six' have been held in 'horrendous' conditions, sleeping on concrete floors, in sweltering heat with inadequate water, prison meals of 'curried slop and rice' and poor sanitation, with toilets being a hole in the floor. The smell 'just hits you' on entering the prison, say relatives who have visited to take supplies including teabags, sweets and toilet paper. None of the men were allowed telephone calls home. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said: 'Since I became Foreign Secretary, this case has been a top priority for everybody at the Foreign Office (FCO) and today's verdict is fantastic news. 'The FCO has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to reunite these men with their families. The importance the UK Government places on their case cannot be understated. 'The men, their families and their supporters, who have campaigned unrelentingly, must be overjoyed. 'I share their delight and I hope they can return home as soon as possible.' The Washington Post has said it busted a woman offering them fake allegations against Roy Moore as part of an intentional scheme to discredit the newspaper by the conservative group Project Veritas. The newspaper on Monday revealed hidden-camera video of would-be accuser Jamie Phillips struggling to hold her story together when a Post reporter confronted her last week. Phillip's dramatic - and unsubstantiated - claim was that Moore, the Republican candidate for Senate in Alabama, impregnated her when she was 15 and pressured her into an abortion. The web of deceit came crashing down thanks to a major slip-up by Phillips, who left online footprints that tied her to a group working to 'combat the lies' of the 'liberal MSM (mainstream media)'. Then on Monday morning, the Post spotted Phillips entering the New York offices of Project Veritas, a conservative group that uses bogus identities and hidden cameras to trick and embarrass its targets. Washington Post reporter Stephanie McCrummen (left) confronts would-be Moore accuser Jaime Phillips (right) after telling her they are being recorded on video Phillips claimed, without substantiation, that Moore (pictured at a rally Monday) got her pregnant in 1992, when she was 15, and then drove her to get an abortion Phillips first contacted Post reporter Beth Reinhard by email on November 10, the day after a bombshell report co-authored by Reinhard revealed claims that Moore sexually touched a 14-year-old girl in the 1970s. Other allegations that he preyed on teen girls in his 30s have emerged in the weeks since. On Monday, Moore lashed out at the allegations as false but would not take questions from reporters following a campaign speech in Alabama. Post reporter McCrummen co-authored a previous report with allegations against Moore, but did not believe the new accuser The insurgent candidate said 'dirty politics' are behind the allegations of sexual misconduct against him. As the controversy first unfolded, Phillip's opening communication to the Post read: 'Roy Moore in Alabama... I might know something but I need to keep myself safe. How do we do this?' The would-be tipster continued communicating with Reinhard and her colleague reporter Stephanie McCrummen for several days, leading to in-person meetings. Her wild story was that she met Moore when she was 15 in 1992, the year he became a county judge, through a church group in Talladega, Alabama. She told the reporters that Moore got her pregnant and then drove her get an abortion. During interviews, Phillips repeatedly pressed Post reporters to say whether they thought her allegations could derail Moore's campaign and asked for their assurances that her story would prevent his election - a red flag that raised suspicions for them. James O'Keefe, the founder of Project Veritas, was convicted of a misdemeanor in 2010 for entering a federal building under false pretenses during a previous 'sting' Project Veritas, which has been criticized for presenting deceptively edited undercover videos to smear its targets, has been on a recent crusade against the so-called liberal mainstream media. The group has crowed over hidden camera footage of employees at the New York Times and CNN expressing liberal opinions or dislike of President Donald Trump. As Phillips advanced her teen pregnancy story to the reporters at the Post, the newspaper's team of researchers began to notice inconsistencies. Her cell phone area code was from Alabama, though the 41-year-old claimed she only lived there briefly as a teenager. The mortgage company that Phillips claimed to work for told the Post that she had never been an employee there. Then came the smoking gun: Post researchers discovered a fundraising page made by Phillips seeking financial support for a move to New York. 'I've accepted a job to work in the conservative media movement to combat the lies and deceipt [sic] of the liberal MSM. I'll be using my skills as a researcher and fact-checker to help our movement,' the post from May read. This fundraising page, which has since been deleted, was the smoking gun that led Post reporters to believe Phillips was part of a Project Veritas sting attempt against them In a March posting on its Facebook page, New York-based Project Veritas said it was seeking 12 new 'undercover reporters'. The group uses tactics that most journalists consider unethical, including assuming false identities to trick subjects. James O'Keefe, the founder of Project Veritas, was convicted of a misdemeanor in 2010 for entering a federal building under false pretenses during a previous 'sting'. Another top official at the group is former television producer Robert J. Halderman, who was sentenced to six months in jail in 2010 after he was accused of trying to blackmail late-night host David Letterman. O'Keefe declined to comment when confronted outside his office by Post reporters about the latest alleged 'sting' plot. On Twitter Monday, he appeared to tacitly acknowledge that Project Veritas was behind the failed sting operation, re-tweeting several allies who congratulated him on the attempt. Armed with their research, Post reporter McCrummen and a video team from the newspaper met with Phillips in an Alexandria, Virginia restaurant on November 22. Giving Phillips the benefit that Project Veritas does not, McCrummen informed the woman that they were being filmed before producing a print-out of the fundraising page and asking Phillips to explain herself. Phillips admitted she had created the post and said it was for a job with the Daily Caller that had since fallen through. That publication told the Post it had no knowledge or record of Phillips interviewing for a job there. Phillips (right) stormed away from the meeting with the Post's McCrummen after the reporter confronted her with evidence of her attempted deception Phillips denied being in contact with the Moore campaign, and denied recording the meeting with McCrummen before abruptly cutting off the meeting. 'I'm not going to answer any more questions,' she said. 'I think I'm just going to go.' The newspaper's editors made the extraordinary decision to publish and expose Phillip's off-the-record communications once they were confident she was part of an intentional scam targeting their reporters. 'We always honor "off-the-record" agreements when they're entered into in good faith,' Martin Baron, The Post's executive editor, told his team of reporters that exposed the plot. 'But this so-called off-the-record conversation was the essence of a scheme to deceive and embarrass us. The intent by Project Veritas clearly was to publicize the conversation if we fell for the trap,' Baron continued. 'Because of our customary journalistic rigor, we weren't fooled, and we can't honor an "off-the-record" agreement that was solicited in maliciously bad faith.' Firms must adapt their workplaces so they can take on more older workers, ministers have said. The government's long-awaited industrial strategy called on British companies to meet the challenges of an ageing society by helping people work well beyond the traditional retirement age. And it also called on business to allow people to work more flexibly to enable them to look after elderly relatives. The industrial strategy, published yesterday, sets out the government's long-term vision on how to tackle the UK's poor productivity, embrace technological change and boost wages. Business Secretary Greg Clark said that Britain's productivity 'has not been good enough'. The industrial strategy, published yesterday, sets out the government's long-term vision on how to tackle the UK's poor productivity, embrace technological change and boost wages It includes plans aimed at making the UK the world's most innovative nation by 2030 by investing 725million to 'transform' industries. The money includes 170million towards building houses that are more affordable and use less energy, and 210million to improve early diagnosis of illnesses and development of 'precision medicine' for patients. Business Secretary Greg Clark said: 'Any serious strategy should address the weaknesses that stop us achieving our potential, as well as our strengths, and this Industrial Strategy does that. 'Britain's productivity performance has not been good enough, and is holding back our earning power as a country.' The strategy includes a section on supporting the government to 'adapt to a changing and ageing workforce'. The white paper said: 'As people lead longer, healthier lives, they will need to save and work for longer to ensure they have a secure retirement. 'With an ageing workforce and fewer people entering the labour market from education and training, employers will need a more flexible labour market that can accommodate older workers.' The document pointed out that the government has already appointed a business champion for older workers. 'This signals our commitment to work with employers to promote the benefits of older workers to employers across England in terms of their strategic approach and practical advice. 'We will also encourage industries to lead in adapting their workplaces to the requirements of an ageing workforce. The move aims to build on an announcement by Theresa May last week that the Government's ambition is to boost the level of investment in research and development, rising to 2.4 per cent of GDP by 2027 'To help realise the potential in the labour market, including amongst women, older workers, carers and disabled people, we will work with business to make flexible working a reality for all employees across Britain and to inform the evaluation of the right to request flexible working regulations.' To mark the launch of the industrial strategy, US pharmaceutical giant Merck pledged to establish a new hi-tech hub in Britain, creating 950 jobs. And diagnostics firm Qiagen said it would expand its current operations in Manchester, bringing up to 800 new skilled jobs to the city. The government said it will press ahead with a series of so-called sector deals covering life sciences, construction, artificial intelligence and automotive. Ministers said they represented a new strategic and long-term partnership with Government, backed by private sector co-investment. The move aims to build on an announcement by Theresa May last week that the Government's ambition is to boost the level of investment in research and development, rising to 2.4 per cent of GDP by 2027. The Prime Minister said: 'Our modern Industrial Strategy will shape a stronger and fairer economy for decades to come. 'It will help create the conditions where successful businesses can emerge and grow, and support these businesses in seizing the big opportunities of our time, such as artificial intelligence and big data, whilst also making sure our young people have the skills to take on the high-paid, high-skilled jobs this creates. 'As we leave the European Union and forge a new path for ourselves, we need to focus on building a better future for our country and all the people who live in it. With the Budget last week, and our Industrial Strategy in the years ahead, we will build a Britain fit for the future.' Terry Scuoler, chief executive of the manufacturers' organisation EEF, commented: 'The White Paper acts as a good foundation for a new partnership with industry where Government and business can ensure consistency in policy thinking and implementation to ensure the UK is a world leader in these new technologies.' An armed driver has led police on a wild high-speed chase through the Gold Coast in a stolen car. The 21-year-old man will face Southport Court on Tuesday charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and armed robbery, 9 News reported. The man went to the home of a woman he knew in Pacific Pines armed with a gun, police will allege. Scroll down for video The 21-year-old man will face Southport Court on Tuesday charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and armed robbery The man was arrested on the side of the road and police allegedly found a loaded gun in the car He then stole the woman's car and led officers on a high-speed chase. But when the car broke down, he allegedly carjacked an 18-year-old's vehicle at Oxenford. The chase came to an end after about an hour after the man ran over a set of police spikes. 'They were successful at deflating the tyres at the causeway in Upper Coomera,' Queensland police's Brett MacGibbon said. 'The vehicle continued for another few kilometres where it was blocked in.' The man was arrested on the side of the road and police allegedly found a loaded gun in the car. An armed driver has led police on a wild high-speed chase through the Gold Coast in a stolen car An armed driver has led police on a wild high-speed chase through the Gold Coast in a stolen car Three schools in a small Colorado town were forced to close on Monday after authorities learned of a 'Columbine-style' threat being discussed on Snapchat. Law enforcement officials learned that the threat on the social media application reportedly involved placing explosives around Telluride High School and shooting students on Monday, ABC News reported. San Miguel County Sheriff spokesperson Susan Lilly told ABC News that one male student was taken into protective custody for allegedly making a threat to place explosives on the campus at the high school. In addition, the Telluride Marshal's Department said that at least five other students are being questioned. 'Even though this is a quiet little ski resort we're not immune from threats like this,' Lilly told the Denver Post. Three schools in Telluride, Colorado were forced to close Monday after authorities learned of a 'Columbine-style' threat being discussed on Snapchat. Telluride law enforcement officials searched the town's high school, junior high school and elementary school Monday (above) Law enforcement officials learned that the threat reportedly involved placing explosives around Telluride High School and shooting students. Above investigators gather at the high school The investigation was launched around 3pm on Sunday when a student told a staff member about the possible threat, the Marshal's Department said. Staff members then contacted authorities and the male student was then taken into protective custody. The Marshal's Department said that both a handgun and a rifle were recovered from inside the student's home in Telluride, which is located about 330 miles southwest of Denver and has a population of just 2,444 people. The Telluride superintendent decided to close schools - including Telluride Elementary School, Telluride Middle School and Telluride High School - on Monday 'to allow for a more thorough investigation,' the Marshal's Department said. Luckily, no explosives were found on Monday. But authorities are reviewing video surveillance and will likely have increased security on campuses when they reopen on Tuesday Lilly added that roughly 900 students total attend the three schools. No explosives were found on Monday, Lilly said. But authorities are reviewing video surveillance and will likely have increased security on campuses when they reopen on Tuesday. Roughly 18 years ago two students at Columbine High School in Colorado killed 13 people after opening fire on campus. Any students or parents with information are asked to call the Telluride Marshal's Office at 970-728-3818. The police aren't happy with five men who did a nudie run through a Newcastle McDonald's, disturbing families dining with young children. CCTV footage shows the five mates racing into the fast-food restaurant in Newcastle's CBD before 7pm on Friday November 10. Two of the men covered their genitals, police said, while the other three went free and easy. Five men did a nudie run through a Newcastle McDonald's, disturbing families with children The incident may appear amusing to some but there were several families with small children in the restaurant at the time, Detective Chief Inspector Peter Mahon said in a statement on Tuesday. 'Police are investigating this display of offensive behaviour and are seeking assistance from the public to identify the males'. Anyone with information is urged to contact NSW Police or Crime Stoppers. CCTV footage shows the five mates racing into the fast-food restaurant in Newcastle's CBD Two of the men covered their genitals, police said, while the other three went free and easy A Somali-Australian 'ISIS sympathiser', 20, has been charged with terrorism offences for allegedly planning to shoot 'as many people as he could' in Melbourne's packed Federation Square on New Year's Eve. The young Muslim has been named as Ali Shire by the Herald Sun, and is due to appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court before 3pm on Tuesday. Police allege Shire tried to obtain an automatic rifle to carry out the horrific act, inspired by radical Islamist propaganda produced by terrorist group al-Qaeda. Scroll down for video Ali Shire, a Muslim Somali-Australian, 20, has been charged with terrorism offences for allegedly planning to shoot 'as many people as he could' in Melbourne on New Year's Eve The arrest followed raids on his home in Werribee, a relative's house in Meadow Heights and a computer business in nearby Footscray where he worked part-time. Officers returned to the home on Tuesday Investigators returned to the suburban home in Werribee where Shire lived with his parents and brothers on Tuesday morning and remained there throughout the day He was arrested by specialist officers at Werribee, in Melbourne's west, on Monday afternoon and taken into police custody for questioning. The arrest followed raids on his home in Werribee, a relative's house in Meadow Heights and a computer business in nearby Footscray where he worked part-time. Investigators returned to the suburban home in Werribee where Shire lived with his parents and brothers on Tuesday morning and remained there throughout the day. Detectives were seen hauling bags of evidence out of the home. The practising Muslim was born in Australia, is an Australian citizen and his parents were from Somalia, Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton said on Tuesday. 'The male is one of our high-risk persons of interest. We have been monitoring him for a very lengthy period of time,' he told reporters on Tuesday. Shire allegedly accessed a guidebook produced by al-Qaeda containing information on how to commit a terrorist act (Federation Square pictured on New Year's Eve in 2015) Police allege the young Muslim terror suspect had tried to obtain an automatic rifle to carry out the act and was inspired by radical Islamist group Al-Qaeda (fighters pictured in 2014) Following the arrest federal Justice Minister Michael Keenan said the government does not target a specific ethnic group as part of its terror investigations. 'The Muslim community is not being targeted by the government,' he said. 'We'll go after individuals, we don't target a specific community, and we require the Muslim community to work with us.' Described as an 'ISIL-sympathiser' by Mr Keenan, the alleged terrorist is being interviewed in relation to the offences of preparing to commit a terrorist attack and collecting documents to facilitate a terrorist act. It's alleged the man accessed a guidebook produced by al-Qaeda containing information on how to commit a terrorist act and use firearms, guns and handguns and rifles. Authorities were keen to stress that no firearm was obtained. But if the attack had been successful the human cost would have been 'catastrophic ... horrendous', Mr Patton said. Police said the man was a 'high-risk' person of interest who they had been monitoring since January He is also believed to be associated with a group of Victorian extremists, and could face a maximum penalty of prison in life when he is formally charged on Tuesday The practising Muslim was born in Australia, is an Australian citizen and his parents were from Somalia, Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton said on Tuesday WHAT WE KNOW * He's an Australian-born, 20-year-old man. * Allegedly plotted to obtain a firearm to 'shoot and kill as many people as he could' at Melbourne's Federation Square on New Year's Eve. * Lives with his Somalia-born parents in Werribee, is a Muslim but not linked to any specific mosque. * Police said he'd been 'high-risk person of interest' since early 2016 and claimed he would become 'energised' online when learning of overseas terrorist attacks. * Allegedly obtained Al-Qaeda material through the internet and was an Islamic State sympathiser. * Arrested on Monday by Victoria Police, Australian Federal Police and ASIO officers. * Charged on Tuesday with planning to commit a terrorist attack and collecting documents to facilitate a terrorist act. Source: Victoria Police, Australian Federal Police Advertisement Melbourne woman Jessica Karasmanis witnessed the dramatic moment Shire was arrested by police. Ms Karasmanis told Daily Mail Australia she was stopped at a set of traffic lights when she spotted 'at least five men' dressed in heavy body armour holding down a man. 'They had his hands tied behind his backs and on the ground,' she said. 'They stood him up and placed him behind the building.' The man is also believed to be associated with a group of Victorian extremists. 'We won't identify who they are. It is a very small community of extremist,' Mr Patton said. 'There is no ongoing threat posed in respect to New Year's Eve, Christmas or any other area.' AFP Acting Deputy Commissioner Ian McCartney said the charges laid were 'serious'. 'One of the charges carries a maximum penalty of life in prison,' he said. Since September 2014, when the national threat terrorism level was raised to 'probable', the AFP has worked with its state and territory partners to thwart a number of plots. So far, 74 people have been charged as a result of 347 counter-terrorist investigations. 'I would like to reassure the people of Victoria that the teams in Victoria, but also around Australia, are working day and night. They are working 24/7 to keep Australia safe,' Mr McCartney said. In 2016, more than 500,000 revellers flocked to Melbourne's CBD to ring in the new year as tonnes of fireworks were shot from 22 city buildings. In 2016, more than 500,000 revellers flocked to Melbourne's CBD to ring in the new year as tonnes of fireworks were shot from 22 city buildings (pictured, 2015 celebrations) Two children are fighting for life and up to seven other people are injured following a horror head-on crash between two vans at Kemps Creek, an hour west of Sydney. Three children were involved in the accident, while emergency crews were forced to work for close to an hour to free a man trapped in the wreckage on Mamre Road. Up to 12 ambulances and two helicopters rushed to the scene, with the injured being transported to Liverpool and Westmead hospitals. It's understood the two vans - one a commercial vehicle and the other a passenger van - collided around 1.30pm on Tuesday. Scroll down for video Two children are in a critical condition and up to seven other people injured after a head-on car crash (pictured) at Kemps Creek, an hour west of Sydney, on Tuesday afternoon All those involved in the accident have now been freed, with police currently setting up a crime scene. The impact of the crash pushed the passenger van into a roadside ditch, with crews of emergency workers seen dragging a woman from the vehicle. A NSW Ambulance chaplain was also reportedly at the scene. Mamre Road, which is a major road in the regional area, is closed in both directions. More to come Communications companies are looking to bring the traditional payphone into the 21st century by modernising the outdated technology. Telco giants Telstra have combined forces with French advertising behemoth JCDecaux to revolutionise the machines by adding services relevant to current societal advancements. The new outlets will now feature WiFi, USB charging docks, touch screens and public information on digitalised boards. Telstra and JCDecaux have combined to revolutionalise traditional payphones The payphones were rolled out across 12 high-pedestrian locations across Perth on Tuesday, and the co-op kiosks are set to be introduced across the country. Telstra and JCDecaux plan to release 1,800 payphones across five Australian major cities within two years. Each kiosk features 72-inch digital advertising panels which rotate between as many as six marketers. Westpac, Gucci, H&M and Schweppes are believed to be some of the early clients. The touchscreens will include local government news and information, community polling, disability services and multilingual help. New payphone outlets will now feature WiFi, USB charging docks, touch screens and public information on digitalised boards (pictured) 'The new generation Telstra digital kiosks are located in the malls and high pedestrian areas of Perth's CBD, providing advertisers with a very powerful digital solution in the heart of the city,' JCDecaux national sales director Oliver Newton said. 'We will be introducing a brand new format across Australia with unprecedented scale, built for today and primed for the future a network that we believe will become the most sophisticated digital out-of-home ecosystem in Australia.' The Telstra-JCDecaux venture will form the the largest national digital out-of-home contract in Australia. Barnaby Joyce has claimed he is being stalked as part of 'dirty' campaign tactics in the final days of the by-election to retain his NSW seat of New England. The former deputy Prime Minister admitted he became embroiled in a heated clash with an individual Monday night, even knocking the man's hat from his head. The exchange took place at the Graman Hotel near Inverell when Mr Joyce was confronted with accusations about family matters, according to The Northern Daily Leader. Barnaby Joyce (pictured) has claimed he is being stalked as part of 'dirty' campaign tactics in the final days of the by-election to retain his NSW seat of New England. 'We had a discussion but I mean, Im not going to go into it because theres a whole lot of issues behind that individual,' Mr Joyce told Fairfax. 'The campaign is becoming dirty and people are sending people around to stalk you.' He claimed that the pressure was not coming from the Labor party, but from 'other people', with Monday not the only time the man had pursued him. 'Weve had death threats and now weve got stalkers,' Mr Joyce said. An exchange took place at the Graman Hotel near Inverell (pictured) when Mr Joyce was confronted with accusations about family matters and knocked the man's hat off The man, who is understood to be linked to a website featuring scandalous material about Mr Joyce, also confronted the Nationals leader in Glenn Innes. An AFP spokesman told AAP on Tuesday the agency was aware of an incident involving Mr Joyce. 'The AFP is currently evaluating this matter and, as such, it would not be appropriate to comment further,' the spokesman said. The altercation follows an alarming incident where a note and bullet were sent to the politician's former electorate office in Tamworth. Mr Joyce (pictured) was also confronted by the man in Glenn Innes, with the matter referred to the Australian Federal Police The package reportedly came from someone protesting a billion dollar loan the government is looking at granting Adani. The New England by-election is scheduled to take place Saturday, following a High Court ruling about Mr Joyce's citizenship status. The former minister was forced to resign from parliament over his dual New Zealand citizenship and told constituents in a letter last month they would hear 'a lot of other people -- many of whom have nothing to do with our electorate -- making all sorts of misleading claims for political purposes'. 'I don't care what they say. My job is to look after you first and foremost,' he wrote. Alec Baldwin mixed his Emmy-winning impression of President Donald Trump and the advocacy of a serious Democratic activist Monday, headlining a state party banquet in Des Moines. The actor known lately for his recurring role on Saturday Night Live wowed more than 2,000 party faithful, at times slipping into the Trump spoof but urging them to work harder than they did in 2016, when Trump carried the state. 'Let's make America America again,' he instructed the crowd at one point. Scroll down for video Actor Alec Baldwin speaks during the Iowa Democratic Party's Fall Gala on Monday, where he utilized his President Trump impression 'Let's make America America again,' Baldwin instructed the crowd attending the Iowa Democratic Party's Fall Gala The actor wowed more than 2,000 party faithful, at times slipping into the Trump spoof but urging them to work harder than they did in 2016 Alec Baldwin donned his contorted faux-Trump scowl and joked about Democrats' annual Jefferson-Jackson banquets: 'Jefferson Jackson was a great man,' Baldwin blurted In a nod to Iowa's renewable energy scene, Baldwin's Trump gave a shout out to corn-based fuel additive producers by noting 'all the ethanol miners out there' Alec Baldwin also got serious, talking abut his Democratic activism including traveling with Sen. Ted Kennedy during his 1994 Senate campaign against Republican Mitt Romney Actor Alec Baldwin, left, speaks with former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, right, and his wife Christie during the Iowa Democratic Party's Fall Gala Actor Alec Baldwin waits to speak during the Iowa Democratic Party's Fall Gala It was much-needed humor for a party, still licking its wounds from the presidential election, and locked out of the governor's mansion and in the legislative minority after controlling both just 10 years ago. Baldwin donned his contorted faux-Trump scowl and joked about Democrats' annual Jefferson-Jackson banquets, named for past Democratic presidents, but which his character confused. 'Jefferson Jackson was a great man,' Baldwin blurted. In a nod to Iowa's renewable energy scene, Baldwin's Trump gave a shout out to corn-based fuel additive producers by noting 'all the ethanol miners out there.' That was after he took the stage, posing first as a professor at the defunct Trump University, touting course listings such as 'political science fiction,' and featuring members of Trump's cabinet as the faculty. 'Jeff Sessions will be teaching a class. He just can't remember which one,' Baldwin quipped, in a reference to Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who testified this month he had forgotten about a Trump campaign meeting where an aide suggested a Trump meeting in Russia. But Baldwin, a Democratic activist for years behind the scenes, talked about his experience traveling through Massachusetts with Sen. Ted Kennedy during his 1994 Senate campaign against Republican Mitt Romney. More recently, Baldwin campaigned this fall for winning Virginia governor candidate Ralph Northam ahead of the Nov. 7 election. Baldwin impersonated former President Bill Clinton, less for laughs than to remind the audience of the former president's advice that the investigation into Russian connections with the Trump campaign is less advisable for the party than persuading voters to support Democrats. Baldwin called on Iowa Democrats, also still smarting over the bitter 2016 presidential caucus fight between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, to unite after the 2018 gubernatorial primary, now featuring seven candidates. 'I want you to take the pledge right now and come together,' Baldwin said. With one last joke, he implored Americans to 'send Trump to a retirement home in Moscow where he belongs.' Baldwin, on book tour for his new tome, 'You Can't Spell America Without Me,' a spoof Trump memoir, has acknowledged that he has an interest in running for public office, but that ambition may never work out. 'To run for office is something that I want to do, but it A. doesn't seem practical with my lifestyle and my children and No. 2 I'm not quite sure that Trump has left it open for non-traditional candidates to [win],' Baldwin said earlier this month at an appearance at George Washington University. 'I think the pendulum may swing the other way and people are going to want real, bona fide credentials the state house, the governor,' he continued. Baldwin suggested in a post-Trump world, Americans may not want someone who's never held elected office. 'Do I think I'd be a good president?' the actor mused. 'Yeah, I think I'd be a good president.' The White House is considering a ban on employees using personal cell phones, according to a new report. The proposal to ban personal devices comes amid cybersecurity concerns, reports Bloomberg, with one official saying that personal phones are not as secure as government-issued devices. It has not yet been decided whether the proposed ban would apply to all staff in the executive office of President Donald Trump - and the potential effect on Trump's own devices is unclear. After assuming the presidency, Trump was forced by security officials to hand in his Android phone, and has been issued an iPhone loaded with the Twitter app and nothing else, according to Axios. A proposed White House ban on personal devices could impact President Donald Trump's favored communication tool - a special iPhone loaded with the Twitter app and nothing else Kellyanne Conway (left) checks her phone in the Oval Office in an infamous incident in February. The White House is considering banning staff from bringing personal phones Trump and his top aides all have government-issued phones that are highly secure, of course, but those devices are severely curtailed in their capabilities. They can't send or receive text messages, for example, prompting concerns that White House staff would be cut off from contact with their families while at work if personal devices are banned. Making matters worse, the White House computer network blocks devices from accessing certain popular websites such as Gmail. Some officials have also privately expressed concerns that having only a government-issued phone would mean their personal calls would be logged in accordance with public records requirements, according to Bloomberg. White House Chief of Staff John Kelly is said to be leading the push for the ban. Kelly himself was hit by hackers earlier this year, when his personal phone was compromised. The White House already takes certain precautions with personal devices, requiring that they be left outside of the room when classified material is being discussed. The actress who greeted Donald Trump after he made the now infamous 'grab them by the p****' remarks on the Access Hollywood tape says it is 'puzzling' how he can now doubt the recording's authenticity. Arianne Zucker told CNN's Anderson Cooper on Monday that she couldn't see how the 2005 tape could be fake after Trump reportedly told aides that is not an authentic recording. 'I don't know how else that could be fake unless someone's planting words in your mouth,' she said. 'How do you apologize for something and renege on it? It's puzzling to me.' Actress Arianne Zucker said she couldn't see how the infamous Access Hollywood tape could be fake after Donald Trump reportedly told aides that was not an authentic recording How do you apologize for something and then renege on it? - Arianne Zucker, who appeared in the "Access Hollywood" tape reacts to reports of Trump questioning its authenticity https://t.co/hXLaGiktCa https://t.co/VARP7ztrbR Anderson Cooper 360 (@AC360) November 28, 2017 Zucker had been filming the Access Hollywood segment in 2005 with Trump and Billy Bush. The pair had left their mics on when Trump started boasting about grabbing women's genitalia. 'When you're a star, they let you do it. You can do anything... Grab them by the p****. You can do anything,' Trump was recorded saying. Trump had acknowledged it was him on the tape and apologized for his actions in the hours after it surfaced in October 2016 during the election campaign. He described the comments as 'locker-room talk' between men. The New York Times reported over the weekend that Trump had suggested to a senator earlier this year the tape was not authentic and repeated the claim to an adviser more recently. Access Hollywood hosts Natalie Morales and Kit Hoover also spoke out on Monday to insist the Donald Trump tape is real Zucker greeted Donald Trump and Billy Bush after he made the now infamous 'grab them by the p****' remarks on the Access Hollywood tape in 2005 It prompted Access Hollywood to speak out on Monday to insist the tape is real. 'We wanted to clear something up that has been reported across the media landscape,' host Natalie Morales said on air. 'Let us make this perfectly clear - the tape is very real,' she said. 'Remember his excuse at the time was "locker-room talk." He said every one of those words.' White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders refused to confirm if Trump thought the tape was fake during a press briefing on Monday. 'The president addressed this, this was litigated and certainly answered during the election by the overwhelming support for the president and the fact he's sitting here in the Oval Office today,' Sanders told reporters. His ultra-controversial views have seen him banned from Twitter, Western Australian government buildings and a string of high-rating television programs. Now, the Australian Greens have officially requested that Parliament House be added to Milo Yiannopoulos' growing list of exclusion zones. Yiannopoulos - a British right-wing provocateur whose opponents label a 'white supremacist' and a 'paedophilia apologist' - was invited to speak in Canberra as a guest of Liberal Democrats Senator David Leyonjhelm. Greens leader Richard Di Natale on Tuesday took the rare step of writing to the Presiding Officers of the House of Representatives and the Senate to have the invitation revoked. Greens leader Richard Di Natale (pictured right) has officially requested Milo Yiannopoulos (left) be banned from speaking at Parliament House Yiannopoulos was invited to speak in Canberra as a guest of Liberal Democrats Senator David Leyonjhelm Senator Di Natale posted the letter he wrote to the Presiding Officers of the House of Representatives and the Senate along with this caption on Twitter Senator Di Natale wrote that Yiannopoulos is 'an individual who has become notorious for his racist, sexist and abusive behaviour'. 'I write with regards to the upcoming visit to Parliament by alt-right figure Milo Yiannopoulos,' the one-page letter began. 'The Australian Greens are concerned that Senator David Leyonjhelm is hosting Milo Yiannopoulos for a conversation and an audience Q&A on Tuesday December 5. 'The global reputation of our National Parliament... is at serious risk if we provide a space for those who preach hate and incite abuse and harassment of women, Jews as well as members of the LGBTIQ and multicultural communities.' Yiannopoulos is 'an individual who has become notorious for his racist, sexist and abusive behaviour', according to Senator Di Natale The Australian Greens have officially requested that Parliament House be added to Milo Yiannopoulos' growing list of exclusion zones 'I am requesting that... you revoke permission that has for Mr Yiannopoulos to attend and speak at Parliament House.' Mr Di Natale accompanied the letter he posted on Twitter with the caption: 'We should not be granting a forum to someone who makes a living by peddling racist, sexist and abusive views.' The request comes after Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young emailed Senator Leyonjhelm to complain about his invitation to the right-wing firebrand. 'It astounds me that a member of our Parliament would roll out the red carpet to a white supremacist and paedophilia apologist,' she said last week in an exchange obtained by Daily Mail Australia. 'A man who travels the world spreading racist and sexist drivel, who believes there's no such thing as rape culture is not welcome in our safe and respectful house of democracy.' Yiannoloulos' views have already seen him banned from Twitter, Western Australian government buildings and a string of high-rating television programs Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young previously said Yiannopoulos shoudn't be welcome at Parliament House in Canberra Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young emailed Senator Leyonjhelm to protest about alt-right author Milo Yiannopoulos getting a platform to speak at Parliament House in Canberra Senator David Leyonjhelm emailed his Greens colleague to accuse her of censoring views she didn't agree with Senator Leyonjhelm, a libertarian who lives in Sydney, told his Greens Senate colleague she had little regard for free speech. 'This highlights the difference between you and me... Milo has the same right to speak as you. It's not compulsory for you to listen or to agree. Get over it,' he replied. The publisher of Australian Penthouse Magazine Damien Costas, who is organising Yiannopoulos' Australian tour, said Senator Hanson-Young demonstrated how the political left censored those who they disagreed with. 'No one's going to put her on a leash and drag her there like a little sun bear at a Russian circus. She doesn't have to go,' he told Daily Mail Australia. Australian Penthouse Magazine says the political left sought to censor those it disagree with like Milo Yiannopoulos Yiannopoulos holds a press conference down the street from the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando in 2016 Yiannopoulos has previously likened feminism to cancer, Islam to AIDS and has spoken out against gay rights and the Black Lives Matter movement 'This is the problem with the modern left: If you don't agree with them, you're either a bigot or a Nazi or a hate monger or whatever other delicious word conjured up.' Mr Costas rejected the notion Yiannopoulos is a white supremacist. 'He's not, he's a Western supremacist,' he said. 'He's not a racist. 'The only thing he speaks out against is extreme Islam and last time I checked, Islam is not a race, it's an ideology.' Yiannopoulos has previously likened feminism to cancer, Islam to AIDS and has spoken out against gay rights and the Black Lives Matter movement despite being openly homosexual and married to an African American. The right-wing provocateur will start his first ever speaking tour in Australia this week Dramatic images have emerged of the moment a tactical counter-terrorism unit apprehend a Somali-Australian 'ISIS sympathiser' who was allegedly planning to execute a major terrorist attack. The 20-year-old Muslim man can be seen being restrained by officers in front of shocked onlookers outside a restaurant on a busy street moments after his arrest. The Somali-Australian man, known as Ali Shire but believed to have changed his name to Ali Ali, was allegedly coordinating an attack where he would shoot 'as many people as he could' in Melbourne's packed Federation Square on New Year's Eve. Police allege Ali tried to obtain an automatic rifle to carry out the horrific act, inspired by radical Islamist propaganda produced by terrorist group al-Qaeda. The young man is due to appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court before 3pm on Tuesday. Scroll down for video Dramatic images have emerged of the moment a tactical counter-terrorism unit apprehend an 'ISIS sympathiser' who was allegedly planning to execute a major terrorist attack Police allege Ali tried to obtain an automatic rifle to carry out the horrific act, inspired by radical Islamist propaganda produced by terrorist group al-Qaeda Ali Ali, a Muslim Somali-Australian, 20, has been charged with terrorism offences for allegedly planning to shoot 'as many people as he could' in Melbourne on New Year's Eve Ali, who reportedly no longer has a formal name, was described by his boss at a local computer business as 'a very quiet guy'. 'It's very sad, it's a shock,' Warsame Hassan told the Herald Sun. 'If I had (noticed suspicious behaviour) then I would have told the police.' The business has been raided and the computer Ali used has been seized by police. It is believe they had been monitoring Ali for months, but his alleged radicalism has increased over time and police believe he was seeking out obtaining an automatic weapon. He had recently dropped out of Swinburne University in Hawthorn, and was a regular visitor at the Virgin Mary mosque near his family home in Melbourne's west. Members of the mosque described Ali's family as good members of the community. Ali, who reportedly does no longer have a formal name, was described by his boss at a local computer business as 'a very quiet guy' The 20-year-old Muslim man can be seen being held down by the officers in front of shocked onlookers and outside a restaurant on a busy street moments after his arrest It is believe they had been monitoring Ali for months, but his alleged radicalism has increased over time and police believe he was seeking out obtaining an automatic weapon Melbourne woman Jessica Karasmanis witnessed the dramatic moment Shire was arrested in Werribee, west of the CBD. Ms Karasmanis told Daily Mail Australia she was stopped at a set of traffic lights when she spotted 'at least five men' dressed in heavy body armour holding down a man. 'They had his hands tied behind his backs and on the ground,' she said. 'They stood him up and placed him behind the building.' The arrest followed raids on his home in Werribee, a relative's house in Meadow Heights and a computer business in nearby Footscray where he worked part-time. Officers returned to the home on Tuesday Investigators returned to the suburban home in Werribee where Shire lived with his parents and brothers on Tuesday morning and remained there throughout the day The arrest followed raids on his home in Werribee, a relative's house in Meadow Heights and a computer business in nearby Footscray where he worked part-time. Investigators returned to the suburban home in Werribee where Shire lived with his parents and brothers on Tuesday morning and remained there throughout the day. Detectives were seen hauling bags of evidence out of the home. The practising Muslim was born in Australia, is an Australian citizen and his parents were from Somalia, Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton said on Tuesday. 'The male is one of our high-risk persons of interest. We have been monitoring him for a very lengthy period of time,' he told reporters on Tuesday. Shire allegedly accessed a guidebook produced by al-Qaeda containing information on how to commit a terrorist act (Federation Square pictured on New Year's Eve in 2015) Police allege the young Muslim terror suspect had tried to obtain an automatic rifle to carry out the act and was inspired by radical Islamist group Al-Qaeda (fighters pictured in 2014) Following the arrest federal Justice Minister Michael Keenan said the government does not target a specific ethnic group as part of its terror investigations. 'The Muslim community is not being targeted by the government,' he said. 'We'll go after individuals, we don't target a specific community, and we require the Muslim community to work with us.' Described as an 'ISIL-sympathiser' by Mr Keenan, the alleged terrorist is being interviewed in relation to the offences of preparing to commit a terrorist attack and collecting documents to facilitate a terrorist act. It's alleged the man accessed a guidebook produced by al-Qaeda containing information on how to commit a terrorist act and use firearms, guns and handguns and rifles. Authorities were keen to stress that no firearm was obtained. But if the attack had been successful the human cost would have been 'catastrophic ... horrendous', Mr Patton said. The practising Muslim was born in Australia, is an Australian citizen and his parents were from Somalia, Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton said on Tuesday WHAT WE KNOW * He's an Australian-born, 20-year-old man. * Allegedly plotted to obtain a firearm to 'shoot and kill as many people as he could' at Melbourne's Federation Square on New Year's Eve. * Lives with his Somalia-born parents in Werribee, is a Muslim but not linked to any specific mosque. * Police said he'd been 'high-risk person of interest' since early 2016 and claimed he would become 'energised' online when learning of overseas terrorist attacks. * Allegedly obtained Al-Qaeda material through the internet and was an Islamic State sympathiser. * Arrested on Monday by Victoria Police, Australian Federal Police and ASIO officers. * Charged on Tuesday with planning to commit a terrorist attack and collecting documents to facilitate a terrorist act. Source: Victoria Police, Australian Federal Police Advertisement The man is also believed to be associated with a group of Victorian extremists. 'We won't identify who they are. It is a very small community of extremist,' Mr Patton said. 'There is no ongoing threat posed in respect to New Year's Eve, Christmas or any other area.' AFP Acting Deputy Commissioner Ian McCartney said the charges laid were 'serious'. 'One of the charges carries a maximum penalty of life in prison,' he said. Since September 2014, when the national threat terrorism level was raised to 'probable', the AFP has worked with its state and territory partners to thwart a number of plots. So far, 74 people have been charged as a result of 347 counter-terrorist investigations. 'I would like to reassure the people of Victoria that the teams in Victoria, but also around Australia, are working day and night. They are working 24/7 to keep Australia safe,' Mr McCartney said. In 2016, more than 500,000 revellers flocked to Melbourne's CBD to ring in the new year as tonnes of fireworks were shot from 22 city buildings. In 2016, more than 500,000 revellers flocked to Melbourne's CBD to ring in the new year as tonnes of fireworks were shot from 22 city buildings (pictured, 2015 celebrations) A prominent Chinese general under investigation for corruption has committed suicide, China's state media said on Tuesday. Zhang Yang, 66, had been investigated by the anti-corruption officers of the Chinese armies since August, the official Xinhua news agency said. The suicide of the once high-ranking military officer was the latest development in a sweeping anti-graft campaign enforced by President Xi Jinping that has shaken the armed forces in China. General Zhang Yang committed suicide as he was put under corruption investigation. He was pictured inspecting the paramilitary police force in Beijing, China, in 2014 as the director of the Political Work Department of Chinese People's Liberation Army In this March 8, 2017, photo, Zhang Yang (left), the then-head of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) political affairs department, and Fang Fenghui (right), the then-chief of the general staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, attend the China's National People's Congress The investigation into Zhang, 66, had verified that he 'gravely violated discipline', was 'suspected of giving and taking bribes' and the origin of a huge amount of assets was unclear, Xinhua said. 'On the afternoon of Nov. 23, Zhang Yang hanged himself at home,' the agency said. Zhang was a former member of the powerful Central Military Commission and a former director at the The Political Work Department of the Central Military Commission. He was investigated over links to disgraced generals Guo Boxiong and Xu Caihou, both of whom had been jailed for corruption. Xinhua said Xu had been resting at home while being questioned by Central Military Commission for nearly three months. Overseas-based Chinese media, including NTDTV, reported Zhang killed himself while being visited by the officers from the Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Central Military Commission. The reports also claimed he told the officers he wanted to change his clothes and then committed suicide. The above accounts have not been confirmed by Chinese official media. Zhang was investigated over links to disgraced Xu Caihou (file photo), who was expelled from the Communist Party of China and accused of accepting bribes in 2014 Zhang was also thought to be related to Guo Boxiong (file photo) who was sentenced to life in prison for accepting bribes last year A suicide by an officer who held such a senior post is rare. However, experts have said the frequency of officials from various levels of government taking their own lives may have increased as a result of the intensity of the corruption crackdown since President Xi Jinping took power five years ago. A commentary carried on both the Defense Ministry and military's official websites said the Central Military Commission decided on Aug. 28 to investigate Zhang. The commentary said Zhang had 'lost his moral bottom line' and used suicide as a means to 'escape punishment from the party and country'. It also referred to the suicide as an 'extremely abominable act'. Generals of Chinese People's Liberation Army (from left to right) Chang Wanquan, Fang Fenghui, Zhang Yang, Zhao Keshi and Zhang Youxia line up to cast their votes into a box during the fifth plenary meeting of the National People's Congress on March 15, 2013 in Beijing 'This former general of high position and great power used this shameful way to end his own life,' the commentary said. 'He would exhort loyalty but be corrupt behind others' backs, a typical 'two-faced person',' it said. Sources had told Reuters that Zhang, who had served as director of the military's Political Work Department, had been subject to an investigation, but the government had not announced it. Zhang's downfall was foreshadowed in September when he failed to make a list of 303 military delegates to the ruling Communist Party's key five-yearly congress, along with fellow CMC member Fang Fenghui. Both men were replaced at the congress, held last month, as part of a sweeping military leadership reshuffle in which Xi install trusted allies in key positions. A shark warning has been issued for a popular beach on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula after a whale carcass was spotted in nearby waters. Victoria's fishery authority warned the carcass at Jubilee Point, Sorrento could attract hungry sharks. The 14m whale is believed to be a young or juvenile male and has washed up into a rock pool as the tide went out. The whale carcass has washed up on Jubilee Point in Victoria's stunning Mornington Peninsula Beachgoers are being warned not to swim, especially if they have any bleeding wounds Beachgoers are being warned not to swim, especially if they have any open wounds. The carcass itself is still intact but is bleeding from the mouth, possibly from shark scavenging. DELWP incident spokesperson Dan White said: 'Moving a whale of this size is a complex task and we are weighing up all the available options.' 'An event like this does not happen every day and there has been a lot of interest in the whale with many people attempting to reach the edge of the Point Jubilee cliff to try and catch a glimpse.' 'We have closed the walking track at Point Jubilee and the nearby Diamond Bay beach, to swimmers, to make sure the public is safe. The whale is not actually visible from the cliff.' 'The whale will remain at the base of the cliffs over the next 24 hours while we work with Parks Victoria to manage the situation. 'We have also not yet identified the whale species and are working with Museum Victoria to establish this. We know it is not a Southern right or Humpback whale.' Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore says 'dirty politics' are behind the allegations of sexual misconduct against him. While speaking Monday night to a friendly crowd in northeast Alabama, Moore lashed out at the allegations as false but would not take questions from reporters. Moore has been accused of sexually assaulting or molesting two women decades ago, when he was in his 30s and they were teenagers. At least five others have said he pursued romantic relationships when they were teenagers. Scroll down for video Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore said on Monday night at a campaign rally that 'dirty politics' are behind the allegations of sexual misconduct against him The Republican told his supporters that establishment leaders of both parties oppose him because he is 'hard to manage' or they want to stop his religious-themed politics. Moore said he hopes to one day outlaw abortion. It comes after President Trump made it known Monday he won't set foot in the state on behalf of Moore, even as he intensified his insistence that voters must never elect his Democratic foe. In search of safe political ground, Trump is embracing a tried-and-true tactic before the December 12 special election. Weighing political needs, loyalty to his base supporters and his own struggles against allegations of sexual impropriety, the president is staking out a position that should bring him the least political exposure. Trump has repeatedly assailed Democratic candidate Doug Jones, has publicly defended Moore against allegations of child molestation and has broken with other GOP leaders calling on Moore to get out of the race. On the other hand, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Monday the president has no plans for an in-person appearance on Moore's behalf and in fact is too busy to 'do anything between now and Election Day' for the candidate. After speaking Monday night to a friendly crowd in northeast Alabama (above), Moore lashed out at the allegations as false but would not take questions from reporters In addition, the president previously signed off on a decision by the Republican National Committee to cut off support for Moore's campaign. Still, Trump had held the door open to personal campaigning for Moore last week, when he all but endorsed the pugnacious conservative's candidacy while criticizing Jones. But he's carefully stopping short of that actual endorsement. For weeks the center state in the Alabama race has been held by accusations that Moore, now 70, sexually molested or initiated sexual contact with two teens, ages 14 and 16 and tried to date several others while he was in his 30s. Moore has denied the allegations of misconduct and has said he never dated 'underage' women. The president is determined not to alienate his core supporters - many of whom continue to defend Moore - at a time when his presidential popularity is lagging and his agenda faces headwinds in Congress. The outcome in Alabama could be crucial in the ongoing GOP fight for a tax overhaul, since a victory by Democrat Jones would narrow the Republicans' Senate majority to a mere two seats. Donald Trump, pictured returning to the White House Sunday evening with First Lady Melania Trump, will not campaign for embattled Alabama Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore Trump suggested Democrat Doug Jones would raise 'taxes to the sky' if he won the Alabama Senate seat over embattled Republican Roy Moore He also reminded Americans that he didn't support Roy Moore in the special election's GOP primary, instead backing Alabama incumbent Sen. Luther Strange Trump bashed Jones repeatedly on Twitter over the weekend. 'The last thing we need in Alabama and the U.S. Senate is a Schumer/Pelosi puppet who is WEAK on Crime, WEAK on the Border, Bad for our Military and our great Vets, Bad for our 2nd Amendment, AND WANTS TO RAISES TAXES TO THE SKY,' Trump wrote from Florida, referring to Democrats' congressional leaders Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi. Moore's campaign quickly highlighted Trump's comments on social media and in a fundraising email. 'President Trump calls them like he sees them. And, he's got my opponents in D.C. scrambling,' Moore wrote Jones, speaking to reporters in Birmingham, shrugged off Trump's criticisms, saying his vote in the Senate would not be a partisan one. He said Alabama residents are focused on issues such as the economy, education and health care. 'My record speaks for itself,' Jones said. 'I think I am very strong on the issues that the people of Alabama care for.' Earlier in the month, the Republican National Committee pulled roughly a dozen paid staffers out of Alabama as the allegations of sexual misconduct against Moore piled up. Republicans involved in that decision said Monday they would be angry if Trump ordered the committee to re-engage, although there was no such discussion underway as of Monday afternoon. A would-be burglar has been stopped in his tracks after a patron took justice into his own hands smacking the assailant in the head with a stool. Queensland Police are investigating after two men armed with a firearm and a machete barged in to the Lord Stanley Hotel in East Brisbane at 11.30pm on Monday. CCTV footage captured the dramatic scene as the thieves entered the bar before one of them is hit in the head with a bar stool. A would-be burglar has been stopped in his tracks after a patron took justice into his own hands smacking the assailant in the head with a stool Queensland Police are investigating after two men armed with a firearm and a machete barged in to The Lord Stanley Hotel in East Brisbane at 11.30pm on Monday Video footage shows the man stumbling around after the devastating blow, before the men stagger out of the bar. One of the men threatened two employees behind the bar, demanding one of them fill up a bag with money from the till. The second offender, armed with a machete, demanded three patrons move from an outside smoking area into the bar and made them lay on the floor. A fourth patron then emerged from the gaming area and smacked one of the thieves in head, knocking him to the ground. The first offender then dropped his bag of cash and the pair took off with a small amount of cash. No staff or patrons were injured during the incident. The second offender, armed with a machete, demanded three patrons move from an outside smoking area into the bar and made them lay on the floor One of the men threatened two employees behind the bar, demanding one of them fill up a bag with money from the till Hawke's girlfriend had revealed she engaged in a threesome while he was away Ryan Christopher Hawke, 36, was found guilty of murder for the second time A West Australian fly-in fly-out worker has been found guilty, for a second time, of murdering a man who had a threesome with his girlfriend while he was away. Ryan Christopher Hawke, 36, has been on trial in the WA Supreme Court for the past fortnight, accused of repeatedly stabbing Mark Colin Koller, 50, at the Crystal Brook Caravan Park in Orange Grove in April 2014. The court heard Hawke found out his girlfriend had engaged in a threesome with Mr Koller and his partner. A bystander filmed the moment Ryan Christopher Hawke, 36, repeatedly stabbed Mark Colin Koller, 50, at the Crystal Brook Caravan Park in Western Australia in 2014 Hawke found out his girlfriend had engaged in a threesome with Mr Koller and his partner before going on a violent rampage Hawke stabbed the victim six times with a knife during a confrontation outside Mr Koller's caravan. 'He was very annoyed someone had done this with his woman,' Prosecutor Sean O'Sullivan said during his opening address. Hawke had argued self-defence, with his lawyer Justine Fisher saying some witnesses described Mr Koller as being the aggressor. It is the second time Hawke has been found guilty of the murder, having previously successfully appealed against his original conviction The prosecutor said Mr Koller tried to fend Hawke off with a gas bottle but he either dropped it or it was knocked out of his hands, and rejected the suggestion the victim was also swinging a screwdriver. It is the second time Hawke has been found guilty of the murder, having previously successfully appealed against his original conviction. He will face a sentencing hearing on March 28. More than 100 passengers have been rescued from a ferry that ran aground in New York's East River. Police say the rescue happened Monday evening just off a pier near the South Street Seaport in lower Manhattan. The U.S. Coast Guard says the ferry was heading to the Rockaways area of Queens when it became stuck. A ferry bound for the Rockaways area of Queens became stuck on a sandbar near Manhattan's South Street Seaport on Monday evening The roughly 120 people on board were stranded for about 45 minutes before help came The boat, called the 'Zelinsky', was rescued by police and fire rescue units The New York Daily News reports that the boat became stuck on a sandbar. Police and fire rescue units responded to the scene and rescued the at least 120 people on board. The boat, called the 'Zelinsky,' was stuck for about 45 minutes before the rescue came. 'We were crowded. We were hungry. It was wonderful. This is New York,' resident Leslie Mahoney told the Daily News. There are no reports of any injuries, NBC New York reports. The cause of the grounding remains under investigation. 'There was a slight hole in the hull, nothing major,' FDNY Chief John Sarrocco told CBS Local. Ferries are expected to run normally on Tuesday, the New York City mayor's office said. As many as 120,000 tourists have been stranded in Bali by the ongoing eruption of Mount Agung, with some put on flights leaving after Christmas. The holiday island's airport remains shut for at least another 24 hours due to clouds of ash billowing from the volcano. Today's extension of the airport closure means more than 900 flights have now been cancelled, leaving tens of thousands of travellers unable to leave Bali. Scroll down for video As many as 120,000 tourists have been stranded in Bali by the ongoing eruption of Mount Agung (pictured), with some flights rescheduled until after Christmas The holiday island's airport (pictured) remains shut for at least another 24 hours due to clouds of ash billowing from the volcano Today's extension of the airport closure means more than 900 flights have now been cancelled, leaving tens of thousands of travellers unable to leave Bali (pictured is Mt Agung) Qantas passengers are among those stranded, and some reported being told their flights had been rescheduled to December 27, The Australian reported. 'I thought Qantas would be a bit more organised but we can't find them here, they haven't sent one email out,' said Pagan Raston, who was due to fly on on Monday. 'Quite a few people have had their flights rescheduled to December 27.' A Qantas spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia no flights have been rescheduled, but passengers may have been put on other flights, which could be weeks away. Qantas passengers are among those stranded, and some reported being told their flights had been rescheduled to December 27 (pictured is the ongoing volcanic eruption) A Qantas spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia no flights have been rescheduled, but passengers may have been put on other flights, which could be weeks away (pictured is Mount Agung) When the Denpasar airport reopens Qantas will put on extra flights, allowing those passengers to leave much earlier, the spokesperson said (pictured is the volcano early on Tuesday morning) When the Denpasar airport reopens Qantas will put on extra flights, allowing those passengers to leave much earlier, the spokesperson said. 'Any customers on cancelled Bali flights have been proactively moved to our next available scheduled services for now, where there is limited availability over the peak travel period,' they said in a statement. 'As has been the case in previous disruptions of this nature, when it is safe to resume flying, we plan to get our customers moving quickly by operating additional services where possible.' Passengers on other airlines complained they had been given no information at all, leaving them frustrated. 'My kids are really upset. They've been crying on the phone because they've seen reports on the TV news and are worried about us,' said David Plowman of Perth. Passengers on other airlines complained they had been given no information at all, leaving them frustrated (pictured are stranded travellers) With tourists lined up at the airport Bali authorities issued a warning to residents to leave the 10km evacuation zone around the volcano (pictured) One group of Australians was even considering travelling to Surabaya by bus and ferry in order to get home. With tourists lined up at the airport Bali authorities issued a warning to residents to leave the 10km evacuation zone around the volcano. Up to 100,000 locals were told to move into evacuation shelters as a cloud of volcanic ash reached three kilometres into the air. Up to 100,000 locals were told to move into evacuation shelters as a cloud of volcanic ash (pictured) reached three kilometres into the air Evacuees stay in a temporary shelter as they evacuate after the Mount Agung volcano spewed hot volcanic ash Indonesian volcanologist Gede Suantika said lava was building up inside Mount Agung and would spill over when it reached the edge. That would result in a slow flow of red hot lava, but the volcano's steepness could lead to a more powerful eruption. The pyroclastic flow from the 1963 eruption killed 1600, and authorities in Bali are preparing for the worst. Cold lava flows, known as lahar, have already flooded the rivers and canals of nearby villages, but many locals ignoring warnings to leave the area. Cold lava flows, known as lahar, have already flooded the rivers and canals of nearby villages, but many locals ignoring warnings to leave the area (pictured are evacuees) A seven-year-old girl died on a trip to another school after suffering a 'medical episode'. Aiman Abdullah was taken seriously ill during an off-site visit yesterday at North Huddersfield Trust School, West Yorkshire. The Year Three pupil was taken to hospital, where she later died. Aiman Abdullah was taken seriously ill during an off-site visit yesterday at North Huddersfield Trust School (pictured), West Yorkshire Aiman's school, Birkby Junior School in Huddersfield, is closed today 'as a mark of respect'. A letter written by headteacher Susan Davis and posted on the website of the school, read: 'It is with tremendous sadness that I must inform you that one of our Year 3 pupils, Aiman Abdullah, has passed away. 'Aiman was taken suddenly and seriously ill during an off-site visit. Headteacher Susan Davis announced the tragic news on the school's website 'She was treated at the scene and transferred to hospital, where she died shortly afterwards. 'We are all, of course, shocked and incredibly saddened by this tragic news.. 'The welfare of pupils is our highest priority and we know that many of the children are very upset. 'We will continue to provide support to anyone who needs it and all the children will be able to talk to a trained adult if they wish to do so. 'As a mark of respect to Aiman's family, school will be closed to pupils tomorrow - 28/11/17. 'I'm sure you will understand our reasons for making this decision. 'When the children return to school there will be professional support, for the children, throughout the day. 'Our thoughts are with Aiman's family at this time of tragic loss and I am certain you will join me in offering deepest condolences. 'Aiman will be greatly missed by the whole community.' Yorkshire Ambulance Service said they were called to the school before lunchtime. Aiman's school, Birkby Junior School (pictured) in Huddersfield, is closed today 'as a mark of respect' West Yorkshire Police said: 'We were called to a concern for safety at North Huddersfield Trust School where a seven-year-old girl had suffered a medical episode. 'She was taken to hospital, where she died a short time later. 'The incident was not being treated as suspicious.' Sociology professor Ted Thornhill will teach the course starting in January 2018 A new course titled White Racism has sparked controversy and debate at a Florida University. Sociology professor Ted Thornhill will teach the course at Florida Gulf Coast University starting in January, and has defended its premise against critics who say it targets white students. 'Much evidence, both historical and sociological, shows the U.S. has been and remains a white supremacist society,' Thornhill said in a statement regarding the course. 'That is, a racially stratified society where whiteness is more highly valued and therefore associated with greater life chances.' Thornhill said the course would cover scholarship documenting that state of affairs. 'My White Racism course is not anti-white; it is anti-white racism. Clearly, not all white people are racists; some are even anti-racist,' he said. The course name has sparked debate at Florida Gulf Coast University, but Thornhill has defended the premise against critics who say it singles out white students for scorn 'However, all people racialized as white derive, in some measure, material and psychological benefits by virtue of being racialized as white.' Though many students came forward to praise Thornhill as a professor, some were uneasy with the title of the course. 'I would have preferred a name more like 'Systemic Racism' because giving it 'White Racism' as the name of the class I feel like it's intentional that you are trying to make white people look at the class a certain way,' Alex Pilkington, an accounting major who is treasurer for the FGCU College Republicans, told the News Press. The course is not the first to bear the name - at the University of Connecticut, a White Racism course has been taught since the mid-1990s. Sociology professor Noel Cazenave, who teaches that course, argues that the name can't be offensive because 'the concept of race is bogus, so there are no white people to offend'. At the Florida school, Thornhill argued that white students, inasmuch as they exist, stood especially to benefit from his course. 'Too many Americans, especially whites, are cocooned in a bubble of unreality as it concerns racial matters,' he said. 'My job as a sociology professor is, in part, to facilitate students learning toward a data-informed understanding of the social world. And that it the goal of my White Racism course.' Australia's most senior Catholic archbishop accused of covering up child sexual abuse has failed to turn up to court because he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's on the eve of his trial. Adelaide Archbishop Philip Wilson, 67, was meant to be fronting Newcastle Local Court, north of Sydney, on Tuesday. However, his legal team told Magistrate Caleb Franklin he was still in South Australia because he had a pacemaker fitted six days ago, the ABC reported. The court heard he was also diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's on Monday. Adelaide Archbishop Philip Wilson failed to appear in court because he has Alzheimer's This was on the eve of his trial for allegedly concealing child sex abuse by paedophile priest James Fletcher, in the Newcastle-Maitland diocese, during the 1970s, the Adelaide Advertiser reported. Wilson, Australia's most senior Catholic Archbishop accused of covering up historic child sex abuse, was arrested in 2015 and has tried to obtain an permanent stay of the delay legal proceedings three times, without success. However, Archbishop Wilson's barrister Stephen Odgers told the court his client wanted to answer the charges before a magistrate. 'I'm confident that the advice I've received is that one week is OK and he will be able to fly up here on Wednesday afternoon,' the ABC reported him as saying. Archbishop Wilson is accused of covering up the activities of paedophile priest James Fletcher Adelaide Archbishop Philip Wilson was a no show at Newcastle Local Court on Tuesday Mr Odgers said the Archbishop's medication could take several months to work, which meant his cognitive abilities would be impaired until then. 'There are serious problems with respect to the defendant participating in the trial with the possibility of him giving evidence,' he said. Magistrate Franklin is considering an application to delay the trial because of the senior Catholic leader's cognitive state. The trial is regarded as a landmark test case, following a series of cover-up allegations made at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Islamist terrorists are threatening an attack on London and the Queen in their latest ISIS propaganda posters shared online. One image, released on encrypted social media channels, shows an ISIS fighter firing an assault rifle next to a burning Union Flag. An ISIS flag flies from the top of a burning Big Ben, which also has a large crack running across the building. Threatening: The poster was released on encrypted social media channels and has a clear message of a threat - empty or not - of an attack on London and the UK Running down the side of the image is a message, reading: 'We will destroy your country, as you destroyed our country'. The other shows a bloody knife over an image of Queen Elizabeth II, with the message; 'Under observation... soon'. ISIS appears to be revving up their propaganda machine ahead of the holidays, producing a series of graphic posters threatening attacks on Christmas shoppers in Europe and the United States. Yesterday, an image was shared showing Santa Claus standing on a low roof next to a box of dynamite looking out over a crowd of shoppers in New York's Times Square. The poster has the words 'We meet at Christmas in New York... soon,' written across it in black on white. Another showed a terrorist standing next to a rocket launcher looking down at St Peter's Square in the Vatican. Warning: The propaganda poster shows Santa Claus looking out over a crowd of shoppers with the words; 'we meet at Christmas in New York... soon'. Chilling: Another poster shared on encrypted channels show Santa kneeling in front of a terrorist with London's Regent Street in the background One poster shows a jihadi with a bloody knife looking out over a Christmas market with the Eiffel Tower in the background and the message 'soon in your holidays' The message warned that 'the crusaders' feast is approaching', alluding to a Christmas attack the Catholic church's holy city. 'Their convoys will crowd itself in front of you prepare and plan for them show them the meaning of terrorism.' At the weekend, posters of Santa Claus kneeling before an ISIS executioner on London's Regent Street, and a jihadi with a bloody knife looking out over a Paris Christmas market with the Eiffel Tower in the background were shared online. Both images carried the message 'Soon on your holidays' in English, French, and German. Further threats: ISIS fanatics have also urged jihadists to attack Rome in an online poster showing a wolf overlooking St Peter's Square The propaganda images are a chilling reminder of the terror attack on a Berlin Christmas Market last year. Instructed by ISIS, Tunisian asylum seeker Anis Amri drove a truck into the crowds at the Christmas Market at Breitscheidplatz in Berlin on December 19. A dozen people died, including the original driver of the truck who was shot by Amri when he hijacked the vehicle, and 56 others were injured. Christmas markets across Germany are seeing upped security this year, with security staff on hand and concrete barriers to protect shoppers. Some 2,600 markets, known for their sparkling Christmas trees and wooden stalls serving candied nuts, sausages, mulled wine and handicrafts, opened across Germany on Monday under tighter than usual security. Tighter security: Armed police forces stand in front of the world's largest Christmas tree, at the Christmas market in Dortmund, Germany Protection: Workers install concrete barriers at the Christmas Market on Schloss Chartottenburg in Berlin, Germany In the city of Bochum in Western Germany, organisers decorate concrete bollards, wrapping them up as Christmas presents with bows to make them appear festive. An interior ministry spokesman said the risk of an attack in Europe and Germany is 'continuously high'. Organisers and business owners had complained that the government was reluctant to share the cost of extra security measures. 'What could be done was done,' said Berlin's Mayor, Michael Mueller on Monday, noting that those measures still could not guarantee absolute security. A father-of-two has died days after he was stabbed multiple times in a horrific road rage attack on an Adelaide street. Troy James McLean, 34, tried to drive himself to hospital while bleeding profusely, but crashed into a parked car just metres before he got there. The owner of the car he drove into found him slumped behind the wheel when he went to confront him soon after the stabbing at 10.40am on Saturday. Benjamin Joshua George, 25, allegedly stabbed Troy James McLean to death in a horrific road rage attack on an Adelaide street McLean tried to drive himself to hospital while bleeding profusely, but crashed into a parked car just metres before he got there Mr McLean was rushed to Royal Adelaide Hospital in a serious condition and had emergency surgery while clinging to life, but died on Tuesday. Charges against Benjamin Joshua George who allegedly stabbed him during a roadside argument will be upgraded to murder. The 25-year-old allegedly stabbed him before driving off and leaving Mr McLean badly injured at a busy intersection. George begged the victim's family for forgiveness as he appeared in court on Monday, saying 'can I just say I'm sorry to everyone' Mr McLean's bloodstained car that he tried to drive to the hospital after he was stabbed He begged the victim's family for forgiveness as he appeared in court on Monday, saying 'can I just say I'm sorry to everyone', according to the Adelaide Advertiser. George was remanded in custody to face court again in January, causing his family to burst into tears as they watched from the gallery. Magistrate Yoong Fee Chin said George could apply for bail at a future court date. This is the shocking moment a woman picks up a pushchair with an eight-month-old baby inside and hurls it into the road during a deadly knife fight with the infant's parents. Yohanna Pinones Iter, 38, and her husband Jorge Huerta, 40, had started a fight with a kiosk owner in Antofagasta, Chile, accusing him of puncturing their tyres. CCTV footage shows the owner's infant son is sat in a stroller next to the kiosk, and during the fight, Pinones Iter grabs the buggy and throws it into the road as the baby's mother rushes to save him. Scroll down for video Shocking: Yohanna Pinones Iter, pictured in pink, is seen throwing a buggy with an eight-month-old baby into the road during a fight with the baby's father Pinones Iter and Huerta is reported to have had a longstanding feud with the kiosk owner and his wife, and they had turned up at the little stall with their 18-year-old daughter to accuse him of sabotaging their work vehicle. CCTV footage starts with the the 36-year-old kiosk owner's wife waiting patiently beside their baby son's pushchair while her husband served his last customer before shutting up shop for the night. Pinones Iter and Huerta and their daughter, as well as a fourth person suddenly appeared on the scene with sticks, approaching the owner. A woman thought to be the daughter can be seen pulling the baby's mum back by the hair as she tries to protect her husband. The kiosk owner comes out with a large knife in his hand, appearing to injure Pinones Iter in the chest, before fatally stabbing Huerta during an ensuing brief struggle. Killed: Jorge Huerta and wife Yohanna Pinones Iter were stabbed to death during the fight with the kiosk owner in Antofagasta, Chile The CCTV footage shows Pinones Iter reacting to her husband's stabbing by picking up the pushchair with the tot inside and hurling it with all her might onto the road as his horrified mum ran towards her in a failed attempt to stop her. Pinones Iter, who appears to be knifed again as the baby lay on the ground, then collapses off camera. Pinones Iter and Huerta both died at the scene before paramedics arrived. The couple's 18-year-old daughter was also hospitalised after the late-night street battle, just before 11pm local time on Saturday. There was no immediate news about the baby's condition, although he is not thought to have been seriously hurt. Last night friends and relatives of the dead couple took to Facebook to pay tribute to them. Yohanna's sister Aida demanded respect for her family and said people were 'writing rubbish' after viewing the sickening video. Fight: Pinones Iter, left, and Huerta, in the white t-shirt, arrive at the kiosk to start a fight with the owner as he closes up at around 11pm on Saturday evening Violent: Huerta lies bleeding in the street as Pinones Iter and their daughter continue to fight with the owner and his wife after she has thrown the buggy into the road Deaths: The kiosk owner, 36, is thought to be claiming that he acted out of self defence Her cousin Marisa posted pictures of Margarita and her husband on Facebook under a black ribbon and wrote: 'My soul is sad. My cousin Yohanna Pinones Iter and her husband Jorge Huerta are now in heaven. 'I cannot believe what that man did to them. He left my nephews without their parents and I cannot believe I will never see them again. 'I will always remember you the way you were. Rest in peace my cousin.' Local Constanza Rozas Morales showed she clearly had no sympathy for the dead woman by claiming on social media: 'Anyone who is capable of throwing a pushchair with a baby inside like that doesn't deserve to live.' Jose Espejo added: 'What a miracle no cars were passing at the time. They went looking for their own deaths.' The warring couples are said to have had a long-running rivalry over a debt, although the double homicide is said to have happened after the dead couple discovered the tyres on a vehicle they used for work had been punctured. Gruesome footage from the scene in Antofagasta city centre showed the two corpses lying in the street under bright orange blankets next to pools of blood and alongside police cars with their sirens flashing. Police chief Sergio Cornejo confirmed a man and a woman were already dead when officers reached the scene - and said the third person involved in the fracas, their 18-year-old daughter, was in hospital but was not seriously injured. The alleged killer, who has not been named and is expected to be remanded in custody, is believed to be claiming that he acted out of self-defence. The British ex-servicemen - known as the Chennai Six - were arrested in October 2013 while working on an anti-piracy ship. Pictured: Billy Irving leaving prison today Six former British soldiers who were held for four years over weapons charges have finally left their Indian prison. The British ex-servicemen - known as the Chennai Six - were arrested in October 2013 while working on an anti-piracy ship. They were then jailed on charges of smuggling weapons for terrorists, but have been freed today after being acquitted by Madras High Court judges. The group was collected from the prison by British embassy officials and was later seen being driven away. 'Officials from the UK embassy came and took them after completing their paperwork,' Murugesan, deputy inspector general of prisons in the southeastern city of Chennai, said. The six - Nick Dunn, 31, from Northumberland, Billy Irving, 37, from Argyll and Bute, John Armstrong, 30, of Cumbria, Nicholas Simpson, 47, of North Yorkshire, Ray Tindall, 42, of Chester, and Paul Towers, 54, of East Yorkshire - will now be back in Britain for Christmas. Scroll down for video The group was collected from the prison by British embassy officials and was later seen being driven away. British anti-piracy crew member John Armstrong (left) sticks his thumb up next to colleague Nick Simpson (right) as they leave prison in Chennai The men were among 35 crew on a US-operated anti-piracy ship serving jail terms for illegal weapons possession. Pictured: The former servicemen drive away to freedom - and Christmas with their families in the UK Freedom: Vehicles carrying the British anti-piracy crew members leave prison in Chennai after a four-year ordeal Billy Irving leaves Chennai prison after spending four years with his fellow crew members in the jail The six - Nick Dunn, 31, from Northumberland, Billy Irving, 37, from Argyll and Bute, John Armstrong, 30, of Cumbria, Nicholas Simpson, 47, of North Yorkshire, Ray Tindall, 42, of Chester, and Paul Towers, 54, of East Yorkshire - will now be back in Britain for Christmas A high court on Monday overturned five-year jail terms passed on the six Britons, three Ukrainians, 14 Estonians and 12 Indians in January 2016. Pictured: Billy Irving and John Armstrong leaving the prison Picture: The detained foreigners - including the six Britons - are seen leaving Puzhal Central Prison in Chennai after their four-year ordeal Their families say the Chennai Six have been held in 'horrendous' conditions, sleeping on concrete floors, in sweltering heat with inadequate water, prison meals of 'curried slop and rice' and poor sanitation, with toilets being a hole in the floor. Pictured: Guards near the released prisoners in Chennai The MV Seaman Guard Ohio was chartered to protect ships crossing the Indian Ocean at a time of increased risk from pirate attacks. Pictured: The crew being released They were among 35 crew on a US-operated anti-piracy ship serving jail terms for illegal weapons possession. The men were escorted out of Puzhal Central Prison by British consular officials and were taken by car to the Deputy High Commission. They were all allowed to make phone calls home and are now dealing with the logistics of where they will be staying. Yvonne McHugh, partner of Billy Irving from Argyll and Bute, celebrated the release. Ms McHugh said: 'They were released about two hours ago and are now at the British Embassy with consular staff. 'They will just go to a hotel in Chennai and will be able to sleep in a bed and have a proper shower for the first time in about two years.' She added: 'Billy called straight away, he couldn't quite believe it had happened. 'He's just over the moon and didn't think they would be released. He took everything that was said with a pinch of salt and didn't believe it. 'We are hoping they could be home in two weeks. If it's less than that it will be a miracle.' Speaking on the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme on Tuesday, Joanne Tomlinson, sister of Mr Armstrong, said: 'He called me a couple of hours ago from the embassy. 'It was a very quick conversation and he spoke to my mum and dad as well. 'We were talking about where they are going to be staying and how he gets his belongings back which are being held by his friend in India. 'I'm hoping once he gets a proper meal into him we will be able to have a proper conversation.' (From left) Mr Simpson, Paul Towers, 52, Mr Tindall and Billy Irving were all working for US marine company AdvanFort when they were arrested in 2013 The family of Nick Dunn, 31, a former paratrooper locked up in India for four years, celebrated after learning he would be freed (pictured from left, brother Paul, mother Margaret, father Jim and sister Lisa) Mr Dunn's family were filmed by the BBC receiving the news of the acquittal yesterday as they shared a hug before sobbing with joy. Sipping champagne his sister, Lisa, said: 'This is the best champagne in the world, it tastes like the best drink. 'The longer it went on, as much as you still have an element of hope, it does dwindle after having so many delays and setbacks. 'But that hasn't happened today and we've had the best news ever. 'It will make all of our Christmases, all of our dreams have come true today.' They were all sentenced to serve five years in Puzhal Central Prison, Chennai, (pictured), where they are said to have to go to the toilet 'in a hole in the ground' Mr Dunn's father, Jim, said: 'Absolutely fantastic, the best news in the world. 'We haven't been a full family for a long time now. Nick won't fully realise it's over until his feet touch down in Newcastle.' Yvonne MacHugh , fiancee of Billy Irving, said she was 'over the moon' after hearing the news. 'I am just so relieved. I can't believe it. I really didn't think it was going to go our way after everything,' she added. A high court on Monday overturned five-year jail terms passed on the six Britons, as well as three Ukrainians, 14 Estonians and 12 Indians. The crew were charged with not having proper paperwork to carry weapons in Indian waters, but India has faced intense diplomatic pressure over the case ever since the sentences were passed in January 2016. Their families say the Chennai Six have been held in 'horrendous' conditions, sleeping on concrete floors, in sweltering heat with inadequate water, prison meals of 'curried slop and rice' and poor sanitation, with toilets being a hole in the floor. Lisa said that 'all of our dreams have come true' after receiving the news that her brother will be coming home for Christmas The smell 'just hits you' on entering the prison, say relatives who have visited to take supplies including teabags, sweets and toilet paper. None of the men was allowed telephone calls home. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said yesterday: 'Since I became Foreign Secretary, this case has been a top priority for everybody at the Foreign Office (FCO) and today's verdict is fantastic news. 'The FCO has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to reunite these men with their families. The importance the UK Government places on their case cannot be understated. 'The men, their families and their supporters, who have campaigned unrelentingly, must be overjoyed. 'I share their delight and I hope they can return home as soon as possible.' The 23 foreigners were detained in Chennai's Puzhal prison, while the 12 Indians were at Palayamkottai Central Prison in Tirunelveli. The southern tip of India is close to major trading routes from Asia to Europe. The MV Seaman Guard Ohio was chartered to protect ships crossing the Indian Ocean at a time of increased risk from pirate attacks. The six Britons were working as guards on the vessels. 'Officials from [the] Estonian embassy are still inside the prison. Once the process is completed, 14 Estonians and three Ukrainians will also be released,' Murugesan added. The Indian coast guard intercepted the privately run MV Seaman Guard Ohio off the coast of Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu state in October 2013. Semi-automatic weapons and thousands of rounds of ammunition were found. Ministers were accused of holding Parliament and the public in contempt today as they refused to release un-redacted copies of Brexit impact assessments. Brexit Secretary David Davis swerved a summons to the Commons to answer furious MPs' questions about the 58 reports, sending his deputy Robin Walker instead. Amid furious scenes in the Commons, even leading Brexiteers warned the Government was 'skating on very thin Parliamentary ice' by refusing to publish the papers in full in defiance of a motion passed by MPs. Commons Speaker John Bercow today warned Mr Davis 'I will do my duty' if a formal complaint of contempt is made to his office over the affair. Arcane rules that have not been used in centuries outline punishments, including suspension or even being locked in the Big Ben clock tower, that can be imposed on MPs for a contempt of Parliament offence. In practice, Mr Davis faces the political humiliation of censure by MPs. Brexit Secretary David Davis (file image in Downing Street) swerved a summons to the Commons to answer furious MPs' questions about the 58 reports Junior Brexit Minister Robin Walker was sent to face furious MPs in Parliament today (pictured) amid demands for the Government to deliver on a Commons motion Even leading Brexiteers Jacob Rees-Mogg (left) and Philip Hollobone (right) warned the Government was 'skating on very thin Parliamentary ice' by refusing to publish the papers in full Parliament voted last month to demand the research be handed to the Brexit Committee after Labour used an arcane Commons motion to trip up the Tory whips. Last night, Mr Davis infuriated the committee by handing over a heavily edited version of the reports that ran to 850 pages. The Brexit department only made one copy available on paper rather than sending it digitally. All 'commercially sensitive' content was stripped from the documents in advance so MPs on the committee have no idea what is missing. Downing Street insisted today the single, edited copy of the reports fulfils the Commons motion despite critics demands. Mr Walker told MPs the reports do not exist as 58 individual documents, despite Mr Davis itemising them to a Lords select committee and earlier describing them as 'exhaustive'. Prominent Tory Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg, a member of the Brexit Committee, urged the Government to release all the information or seek a new vote in the House of Commons. He told MPs today: 'To meet this motion it is not at the discretion of the Government to decide what to take out. It is now at the discretion of the select committee. 'I therefore urge the Government either to meet the terms of the motion in full or to seek to put down a new motion.' Philip Hollobone, Tory MP for Kettering, said it was a 'mistake' by the Government not to amend the original motion. He said: 'As a result, the Government is now skating on very thin parliamentary ice.' Earlier, shadow Brexit Secretary Keir Starmer set the stage for the showdown in the Commons on the issue by suggesting Mr Davis could be in contempt of parliament. Commons Speaker John Bercow (pictured in the Chamber today) warned Mr Davis 'I will do my duty' if a formal complaint of contempt is made to his office over the affair Brexit Committee chairman Hilary Benn (left today) and veteran Tory Ken Clarke (right today) joined demands for the Government to produce the papers in full But Mr Davis did not come to the House to answer an urgent question tabled by Labour this afternoon. Instead he sent deputy Robin Walker, having apparently been detained at a Cabinet meeting. In a letter to Mr Benn last night, Mr Davis said the papers had been redacted because there was no guarantee the MPs would keep them secret. He said: 'Given that we have received no assurances from the committee regarding how any information passed will be used, we have sought not to include commercially, market and negotiation sensitive information. 'Delivering a successful outcome to our EU exit negotiations for the whole country requires keeping some information confidential for the purposes of the negotiations.' Speaking to reporters after the committee met this morning, Mr Benn said it needed to consider whether Mr Davis had broken the rules - potentially putting him in contempt of Parliament - by not complying with the Commons decision. 'The committee will need to consider whether this is potentially a breach of privilege but we haven't reached any view on that yet,' he said. Boris Johnson and Amber Rudd were among the senior ministers gathering for the regular Cabinet meeting in Downing Street today Environment Secretary Michael Gove was also at the Cabinet meeting this morning Mr Benn said he had been clear that the material should all be passed to the committee and the MPs would then judge what should be put in the public domain. He said the committee 'takes its responsibilities very seriously' and would not publish anything that 'undermines the negotiation'. 'But I was also clear the judgment would be for the committee, not for the Government,' he said. 'We need to do our job.' In the letter, also delivered to Lord Jay, chair of the Lords Brexit committee, Mr Davis called for a meeting before any decision to publish the information. 'I am sure you recognise that there are aspects of the analyses which may still be sensitive to the negotiations especially in the context of this particular point in time,' he wrote. 'I would therefore appreciate the opportunity to discuss these sectoral analyses further before any decision is taken to share the information more widely.' Labour committee member Seema Malhotra, who has led efforts to examine the sectoral papers, said MPs must be given the full documents 'and nothing less'. Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer (right) and Labour MP Seema Malhotra (left) have demanded the documents be released in full 'It seems like the Government have already decided what should and should not be seen by editing them before sending the impact studies to the select committee,' she said. HOW THE EU PROTECT ITS NEGOTIATION DOCUMENTS The EU publishes material about the Brexit negotiations. But it is clear that there must be lines about what can be released to the public. According to the EU's commission's guidelines it wants to 'facilitate effective public scrutiny and provide a steady flow of public information throughout the negotiations'. But it adds that must be done 'whilst preserving the space to form EU positions and negotiate with the UK'. Most documents 'will in principle be marked as "LIMITE"' - meaning that they can only be disclosed publicly by order of the authorities in Brussels. Advertisement 'British businesses and families deserve better than this. They need certainty for their futures. 'The select committee must be given the full analyses which were completed and nothing less. We cannot and should not be short-changed. This will not be in the national interest. 'The public and Parliament must no longer be kept in the dark.' Mr Davis agreed to release the documents after Labour won a Commons vote on November 1 on an 'humble address' to the Queen asking for what it termed the 'impact assessments' to be provided to the committee. Labour's motion was passed without a vote earlier this month after ministers indicated the Government would not oppose it. A spokesman for the Department said: 'The Government has satisfied the motion, providing the House of Commons Exiting the EU Committee with information covering 58 sectors of the economy. 'We have also shared the information with the Lords EU Committee. 'We have always been clear that our analysis does not exist in the form Parliament requested. 'We have taken time to bring together the analysis we do have in a way that meets Parliament's specific ask. 'Our overall programme of work is comprehensive, thorough and is continuously updated. 'This sectoral analysis is simply one part of it.' Bruno Langley has admitted two sexual assaults after drunkenly groping a series of women on a night out in Manchester Ex-Coronation Street star Bruno Langley wept as he avoided jail for grabbing women by the breasts, crotch and bottom during a drunken night out. The actor molested four women at a Manchester music venue last month, but was only charged with sexually assaulting two of them. He wept in the dock today as he avoided jail after admitting both offences. Langley was in the Band on the Wall club in the early hours of October 1 when he touched the two women. Instead of a jail term, the 34-year-old was ordered to complete a 12-month community order and submit to a curfew. He was also ordered to pay 250 to each of his two victims. He must also sign the sex offenders' register for the next five years. Langley, who is split from the ex-girlfriend with whom he has a son, apologised to his victims after the case and revealed he is getting help for a drinking problem. Passing sentence the judge told him: 'On that evening your conduct was quite disgraceful and degrading. Both of the victims would have been extremely shocked and upset as a result of your conduct. 'The fact that you were heavily intoxicated is not mitigation, it is a further aggravating feature.' The judge said the convictions mean Langley will probably not work in the TV industry again. Langley was accompanied by his mother and sisters family as he left Manchester Magistrates Court this afternoon The court heard Langley was 'clearly intoxicated' when the first woman, who was out with her husband, went upstairs to collect their coats from the cloakroom. The prosecutor said: 'As she walked back towards the stairs Mr Langley grabbed her in the crotch area over her dress.' Prosecutor Karen Saffman, quoting the victim's statement, said: 'He grabbed me. Properly grabbed me. It was a rough grab. Lots of pressure... even though it was through a dress and tights.' The prosecutor added: 'She was clearly in shock. She was thinking about hitting him. She said, "Did you do that on purpose?" But he did not reply.' A friend of Langley's then apologised, the court heard, saying: 'Oh my God, I'm really sorry'. When the victim then went to go to the toilets she was then approached by another woman who had also been sexually assaulted by Langley. Ms Saffman said the second woman told the first victim Langley had groped her 'boobs and her bum'. Actor apologises to groping victims and says he has a drinking problem A statement issued by Langley after today's court hearing said: 'I sincerely apologise to the people involved and affected by my disgraceful behaviour on the evening of 30th September. 'I have absolutely no memory of what happened because of excessive alcohol consumption and it was for this reason that I behaved completely out of character. 'However, I take full responsibility for my actions that night. 'Since this incident I have been dealing with, and confronting, some personal issues that I have never addressed, and I am also getting help for an alcohol problem, so that this does not ever happen again.' Langley (right in 2004) has played Todd Grimshaw in the ITV soap off and on since 2001. He left the soap after an internal investigation into the sex attacks Advertisement Langley was also seen to go up to another woman, again a complete stranger, and 'grabbed her boobs and bum' and grabbed a fourth woman. Ms Saffman said he had not been charged with offences against two of the woman but the two incidents were 'indicative of his behaviour' on the night. Langley, who has no previous convictions, looked down at the floor of the dock, as the case was outlined. Langley, pictured leaving his home this morning, could face jail when the case comes back before the court His lawyer, Simon Hancock, told the court: 'Clearly, this is an isolated incident, something that happened on that evening. It is alcohol fuelled. 'The court could see it in isolation, rather than a serial predatory groper. 'The issue being, this is clearly a man who has alcohol issues, his behaviour clearly crosses a barrier where he touches females. 'He did not target these females, and he did not fuel them with alcohol.' Mr Hancock said Langley was now not employed and may have difficulty finding gainful employment because of the conviction. Distict Judge Hadfield told him: "The victims were shocked and upset by your conduct. 'You have lost your good name and employment and it may well be difficult to gain employment in the entertainment in future.' He made his Corrie debut as Todd Grimshaw in 2001. He has also had roles in Doctor Who, Dalziel And Pascoe and in several theatrical productions, including Calendar Girls and The Mousetrap. The two sexual assaults took place in the Band On The Wall venue in Manchester last month In a statement released before he was charged, the actor said: 'Sadly, I will no longer be working on Coronation Street. Acting on the show has been the fulfilment of a personal dream. 'Playing the role of Todd Grimshaw since I was 17 years old has been a huge part of my life, and an absolute honour. 'I would like to thank all of my friends who work on the show for their love, friendship and support during this extremely difficult period.' His contract is understood to have ended on October 26 following an internal inquiry into the assault allegation. North Korea has fired a ballistic missile powerful enough to hit America, Europe or Australia into Japanese waters. The Hwasong-14 intercontinental ballistic missile was launched eastward from Pyongsong in North Korea's South Pyongan Province at around 3.30am local time (6.30pm GMT). It flew for around 50 minutes, travelling 1,000km (620 miles), reaching an unprecedented altitude of 2,800 miles, before splashing down in the Sea of Japan. Hours after the launch President Donald Trump promised 'we will take care of it' and 'it is a situation we will handle'. The South Korean military says it responded with a missile exercise of its own just minutes after. This is the first missile launched since one was fired across Japan and into the Pacific Ocean on September 15. Scroll down for video North Korea has fired another ballistic missile, the US military has confirmed today. Image from September 2017 The missile was launched eastward from Pyongsong in North Korea's South Pyongan Province in the direction of the Sea of Japan at around 3.30am local time (6.30pm GMT) South Korean television shows the course of the missile fired from North Korea Pictures released by the South Korean Navy show the country's ship-to-surface missile Haesong-II being fired from the Aegis ship in response to North Korea's missile test Guam's Homeland Security said the missile launch posed no threat to the US island territory or its mainland. The Pentagon confirmed the missile 'travelled for around 1,000km (620 miles) before splashing down in the Sea of Japan'. Its initial assessment was that the 'intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from Sain Ni in Pyongsong and flew 1,000km (620 miles) before landing within Japan's Economic Exclusion Zone - the Sea of Japan'. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders tweeted to say President Trump was 'briefed while missile was still in the air, on the situation with North Korea'. Speaking in a broadcast from the White House Trump said: 'A missile was launched a little while ago from North Korea. 'Let me tell you that we will take care of it. We have had a long discussion on it. It is a situation we will handle.' Trump's defence secretary Jim Mattis accused North Korea of endangering world peace, regional peace and 'certainly the United States'. Shortly afterwards the US, Japan and South Korea requested an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council. Speaking hours after the launch, President Donald Trump (pictured) said: 'A missile was launched a little while ago from North Korea. Let me tell you that we will take care of it. We have had a long discussion on it. It is a situation we will handle.' It comes just days after President Trump added North Korea to America's list of 'state sponsors of terror' and announced further sanctions targeting the country's shipping. Pyongyang branded the move 'a serious provocation and violent infringement'. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is pictured speaking to reports about the missile that landed in the Sea of Japan Meanwhile, the international community has strongly condemned the missile launch. Japan said it would 'never accept North Korea's continuous provocative behaviour', with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe calling for an emergency cabinet meeting. UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson tweeted: 'Another illegal missile launch from DPRK. 'This is not the path to security and prosperity for the North Korean people. DPRK regime must change course.' The EU branded it a 'further unacceptable violation' of North Korea's international obligations, while Britain's ambassador to the UN called it a 'reckless act'. Officials in Seoul announced yesterday that a rocket-tracking radar was turned on at a missile base in the North of the region, followed by a large amount of radio chatter, the Yonhap news agency reported. UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson took to Twitter to condemn the missile launch Guam's Homeland Security confirmed the missile launch but said it posed no threat to the US island territory White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders tweeted to say President Donald Trump was 'briefed while missile was still in the air, on the situation with North Korea' Tokyo and Washington had also placed on alert after radio signals were picked up, with one Japanese official telling the Kyodo news agency that a test could take place 'within the next few days.' Cho Myoung-gyon, South Korea's unification minister, confirmed the activity at an event in Seoul today as he warned that Kim Jong Un may complete his nuclear programme much sooner than previously thought. Mr Cho said there had been 'noteworthy activity in the North recently', but said the world would have to 'wait and see whether it leads to an actual missile test'. Speaking about Kim's efforts to develop a viable long-range nuclear weapon, he added: 'Experts think North Korea will take two to three more years but they are developing their nuclear capabilities faster than expected. South Korean President Moon Jae-In (pictured second left) is pictured at a meeting of the National Security Council in Seoul A Japanese television broadcast (pictured) shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un in a news report about the missile test 'We cannot rule out the possibility Pyongyang may declare the completion of their nuclear programme in a year.' Japan said the latest signals from North Korea might have come to nothing, saying they could have been from military exercises which the North routinely carries out each winter. Cho had said the frequency of North Korean activity tends to decline noticeably during the winter. 'If it launched a provocation, North Korea has to put its military on alert, but most of its troops are needed for manual labour for preparation of winter,' he said. Other reasons behind the lull could be that Pyongyang simply needs more time to advance its missile programme such as perfecting its re-entry technology, Cho said, or the North Korean leader could be focusing on boosting the economy. The Pentagon has now confirmed the missile 'travelled for around 1,000km (620 miles) before splashing down in the Sea of Japan'. Pictured: Leader Kim Jong-Un (pictured second right) provides guidance on a nuclear weapons programme North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (second left) is pictured in South Pyongan Province, where the missile was launched from at 3.30am local time today North Korea has already carried out a record 15 missile tests this year which showed it has developed an ICBM which can likely strike most of mainland America Kim has already carried out a record 15 missile tests this year, including two which were fired over the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido. The tests also confirmed that North Korea has developed a functioning ICBM, a key step toward creating a nuke that can strike mainland America. News of another launch would come as a blow to North Korea's opponents who had hoped that increased sanctions were at least slowing the country's progress. After a flurry of missile tests over the summer, Kim last fired a weapon on September 15, despite widely-anticipated launches in October around Labor Day in the US and the Chinese 19th Party Congress. Brussels should be told to 's** off' over its Brexit divorce bill demands, former Cabinet minister Priti Patel has said. The leading Brexiteer urged a tougher line in negotiations as she said the way they had been handled so far was 'not ideal'. In her most significant intervention since being forced to resign by Theresa May over secret meetings with Israeli politicians, Miss Patel said government had been 'ill equipped' for the challenge and should be more optimistic about the UK's prospects. Priti Patel, pictured at the Conservative Party conference in September, urged a tough line with the EU on the divorce bill The comments came at an event in London hosted by The Spectator magazine, following her resignation earlier this month. Ms Patel said one of the Government's failings had been not setting out the economic opportunities that Brexit presented. 'The Government has been ill-equipped in terms of preparations for the negotiations,' she said. 'It's not an ideal state at all.' Addressing the issue of the divorce bill offer - which Theresa May is expected to double to around 40billion in the coming weeks - The Tory MP said the figures were 'excessive'. 'My views on money are pretty clear, I don't like spending money so I would have told the EU in particular to s** off with their excessive financial demands,' she said. She insisted Mrs May was leading in 'very challenging circumstances' and was 'struggling now with a difficult set of cards post the election'. But she said: 'One of the failings is we have not set out that vision, what is that vision of Britain going to look like post-Brexit? 'What are the economic opportunities for the City of London and for many other businesses and sectors in terms of leading out in the world and potentially trading with countries we have simply not been engaged with for not just years but for decades. 'And also reflecting that the world is changing, the labour market is changing.' Miss Patel went on: 'We should have had conviction and clarity in terms of our end state and destination and presented that and been pretty forthright about it as well. The MP, who has been tipped as a potential leadership candidate in any future contest, said the Tory grassroots should be given a greater role in the party, including at the annual conference. Investors scooped up one of the toniest private streets in San Francisco after wealthy residents didn't pay property taxes for years, a sale homeowners want city leaders to reverse. By taking up the issue Tuesday, officials sparked criticism that the city is not as fair and equitable as it claims - but a playground for the rich who don't have to play by the same rules as everyone else. San Francisco has some of the most exorbitant property prices in the country and has become increasingly unaffordable for many people. Those who live on Presidio Terrace, once home to U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi and U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, paid an average of $5.1 million for the sought-after properties. But as of April 2015, the median value of the homes declined and the private street went up for a city auction after homeowners failed to pay the $14 county property tax for a period of over 30 years. Those who live on Presidio Terrace say the city should never have sold their street without properly notifying them. They claim the $14 annual tax bill and auction notice had been sent to an outdated address. Tina Lam and Michael Cheng (both pictured) bought SF's Presidio Terrace for just $90,100 in 2015 after it was put up for city auction due to $991 in unpaid county taxes The Presidio Terrace neighborhood in San Francisco is seen above in this snap taken earlier in the fall The investors, originally from Hong Kong, came across the deal in April 2015 when looking for property bargains in San Francisco, where the median home value is now $1.2 million, according to Zillow City Treasurer Jose Cisneros says the association representing some three dozen homeowners was responsible for updating its address and should have paid its taxes on time. He backs investors, Tina Lam and Michael Cheng, who bought the street, sidewalks and common areas for a $90,000 deal in 2015. Previous residents of the gated neighborhood including Pelosi and Feinstein, wrote a letter that accused the city of bureaucratic bungling. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors is scheduled to hear the case and decide whether to rescind the sale or leave it alone. The issue is unprecedented in San Francisco, although supervisors in other California counties have reversed sales as allowed under state law. Homeowners learned about the sale earlier this year and petitioned the board for a hearing. The issue is giving at least one supervisor voting pains. Aaron Peskin said he would side with the new owner in a 'hot second' if he could because of the way the association has behaved. However, he said that the homeowners make a reasonable argument that government should not take property without better notice. House minority leader Nancy Pelosi (seen with husband Paul in February) is one notable former resident of the street Homes on the street cost an average of $5.1m. The homeowner's association didn't pay the taxes because the bills had been sent to an accountant they hadn't used since the 1980s The cul-de-sac's asphalt, sidewalk and manicured lawns now belong to the couple. Residents only found out this May when they were asked if they wanted to buy it back Still, he was annoyed by Feinstein's letter. 'That was another damning piece of evidence to vote with the buyer, who bought it fair and square,' Peskin said. It marks the second time the association has defaulted, but it won back the street in 1985 after paying up. Amanda Fried, a spokeswoman for the treasurer, said the group has not paid taxes since 2000, which is as far back as records go. In 2015, the office posted for auction a lot that owed less than $1,000 in back taxes, penalties and other charges. Fried said the office sent certified notices to nearly 1,500 addresses that properties were being auctioned off and more than half were returned as undeliverable, including for Presidio Terrace. Homeowners say at that point, the treasurer's office was required to do more to notify them that their property was for sale. 'It's a constitutional issue,' said Matt Dorsey, spokesman for the homeowners association. Presidio Terrace, the most prestigious street in the city, was for sale because of a mere $994 in back-taxes, fines and interest The map above shows where the neighborhood is located in San Francisco Lam and Cheng are now planning to charge for parking on the road, which is upsetting residents. The homeowners are now trying to get control of the street back 'If the process of that sale was constitutionally impermissible, it settles the question. It should not have been sold.' Michael Kirkpatrick, an attorney with national consumer-rights organization Public Citizen who won a similar case before the U.S. Supreme Court in 2006, supported the homeowners. The court held that when a notice of a sale is returned undelivered, the government needs to strive further to alert property owners before selling. 'The government has to do more if there are reasonable alternative efforts available, and here, I think there are,' he said. Shepard Kopp, attorney for the new owner, argued in a scathing court brief that San Francisco should not give politically connected homeowners an out for failing to do what is expected of every other property owner in the city: pay their taxes on time. He said the Supreme Court case might not apply because it involved a house and not vacant land. 'When people learn that this isn't the first time the homeowners association didn't pay taxes and lost title to the street, there's not a whole lot of sympathy for them after that,' Kopp said. Reverend Al Sharpton yesterday visited Meek Mill in prison to protest the 'abusive' criminal justice system and demand his release. The civil rights activist spoke to the rapper for an hour in the low-security prison in Chester, Pennsylvania before addressing reporters outside. He blamed a broken system for Mill's imprisonment and called for the judge who jailed him for parole violation to reconsider or step aside. Sharpton said Mill, 30, has become a symbol for the thousands of people who have been 'victimized by abusive probationary and parole systems.' Reverend Al Sharpton (pictured Monday) visited Meek Mill in prison to protest the 'abusive' criminal justice system and demand his release The Civil Rights activist (picutred Monday) spoke to the rapper for about an a hour in the low-security prison in Chester, Pennsylvania before addressing reporters outside He said: 'If you can do this to a successful artist like Meek Mill, you can do this to many around the country.' 'He is representative of far more than his stardom, he is a symbol of the abuse of the system that will violate you over nothing and end up ruining the potential and the ability to move forward in life.' 'He's representative of many people in institutions like this that do little or nothing, they're violated and their lives, their businesses are ruined,' Sharpton said. Mill - real name Robert Rihmeek Williams - was sentenced this month to two to four years in prison for violating probation on a roughly decade-old gun and drug case. The ruling came after both Mill's probation officer and a prosecutor recommended that the Philadelphia-native not be jailed. Before sentencing Mill, Common Pleas Judge Genece Brinkley said he wasted several chances to clean up his act after his original conviction. Rapper Meek Mill, center, accompanied by his defense attorney, arrives at the criminal justice center in Philadelphia earlier this month Civil rights activist Al Sharpton and Meek Mill's lawyer Joe Tacopina arriving to a press conference after they visited Meek Mill at Chester State Correctional Institution She cited a failed drug test, his failure to comply with a court order restricting his travel and two unrelated arrests before giving her ruling. 'You basically thumbed your nose at me,' she said. The decision to imprison Mill has been criticized as heavy handed and has attracted attention through rallies, newspaper opinion pieces, billboards and buses in Philadelphia carrying the message 'Stand With Meek Mill.' Mill's legal team has asked for his release and for the judge who sentenced him to be recused from the case. Sharpton also helped Tupac Shakur get released from solitary confinement in the 1990s after negotiating with the warden at the Clinton Correctional Facility in New York. Two weeks ago Jay-Z wrote an op-ed piece for The New York Times claiming Mill's jailing comes from a racist criminal justice system. 'For about a decade, (Mill's) been stalked by a system that considers the slightest infraction a justification for locking him back inside,' the 21-time Grammy winner wrote in his piece, titled 'The Criminal Justice System Stalks Black People Like Meek Mill'. 'What's happening to Meek Mill is just one example of how our criminal justice system entraps and harasses hundreds of thousands of black people every day.' The Philadelphia native was sentenced by Common Pleas Court Judge Genece Brinkley (right) earlier this month to serve between two to four years in prison for a probation violation stemming from a 2008 gun case. The Brooklyn native noted how Mill, who is currently signed to his management company Roc Nation, was convicted for drug and gun possession when he was 19 years old and served an eight-month prison sentence for the crime. 'Now he's 30, so he has been on probation for basically his entire adult life,' Jay-Z wrote. 'For about a decade, he's been stalked by a system that considers the slightest infraction a justification for locking him back inside.' The father-of-three rapper then took special aim at the probation system. 'Probation is a trap and we must fight for Meek and everyone else unjustly sent to prison,' Jay-Z wrote. 'It's time we highlight the random ways people trapped in the criminal justice system are punished every day. 'The system treats them as a danger to society, consistently monitors and follows them for any minor infraction with the goal of putting them back in prison.' He added, 'Instead of a second chance, probation ends up being a land mine, with a random misstep bringing consequences great than the crime. 'A person on probation can end up in jail over a technical violation like missing a curfew.' The 47-year-old also asserted that Mill's prison sentence is going to cost taxpayers in the City of Brotherly Love without providing them a service. Rapper Meek Mill attends the Boston Celtics game against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 20, 2017 The Rev. Al Sharpton during a news conference after visiting with rapper Meek Mill at the state correctional institution in Chester, Pa 'I bet none of them would tell you his imprisonment is helping to keep them safer,' Jay-Z wrote. Hundreds of protesters gathered earlier this week outside of Philadelphia's Criminal Justice Center to call for Mill's sentence to be overturned. Fellow rapper Rick Ross and Philadelphia 76ers legend Julius Erving both were in attendance for the protest. Mill said he was badly beaten by police when they arrested him in 2008 and used a bloodied mugshot of himself as the cover of his 'DC4' mixtape. His most recent album, 'Wins and Losses,' went to number three on the US chart earlier this year. Probation, which dates from English common law, was initially seen as a compassionate way for courts to grant freedom to people who pose little risk. But a recent survey by The Marshall Project, a non-profit news organization that covers the US judicial system, found that at least 61,250 people and probably far more are in prison across the United States for minor parole violations such as missing appointments, failing drug tests or staying out past curfew. 'The system treats them as a danger to society, consistently monitors and follows them for any minor infraction -- with the goal of putting them back in prison,' Jay-Z wrote. Of the 4.65 million people on probation, parole or supervised release across the United States in 2015, 30 percent were African American, according to Justice Department figures. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's royal wedding has only just been announced but already the souvenirs are in production. British firm Emma Bridgewater revealed details of a commemorative mug celebrating the loved-up couple's engagement. Within minutes of the impending nuptials being announced, the brand began making the handmade china in its Stoke-on-Trent factory to mark the occasion. British firm Emma Bridgewater revealed details of a commemorative mug with the words 'Harry & Meghan are engaged' celebrating the loved-up couple's engagement The half-pint mug features a classic spongeware design applied by hand, with the words 'Harry & Meghan are engaged' in pale blue surrounded by two red scrolls. The other side of the 19.95 piece displays the engagement announcement date '27th November 2017'. The mug is edged in small pale blue hearts and tiny red dots. Designer Emma Bridgewater said: 'We have been creating commemorative ware for nearly every royal occasion for the past 30 years. 'Britain has marked its national rites of passage in china for two centuries, mostly made in Stoke-on-Trent. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had a photocall at Kensington Palace in London yesterday 'We are proud to be part of that tradition and celebrate the most recent happy news.' The mug is available for pre-order at emmabridgewater.co.uk from December 8. The much-anticipated news of the engagement was confirmed by the Prince of Wales at 10am, with the wedding expected to take place at a church next spring. Last night, the newly-engaged pair shared their love story, with Harry declaring the 'the stars were aligned' when he fell for the actress. This is the hilarious moment that a very impatient dog honked its owner's car horn in a bid to get attention after being locked inside. The persistent pooch appears unamused as it rests its paw on the steering wheel in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada. But rather than halting his honking, when a passerby approaches the window the hungry dog merely turns around and dispiritedly looks at the camera. The persistent pooch appears unamused as it rests its paw on the steering wheel The hilarious video was uploaded to Facebook by Elizabeth Herman who explained that her exasperated husband had to distract the dog in a bid to stop the din. He can be heard saying 'you've got to be kidding me' as he approaches the car. Elizabeth explains: 'My husband was leaving the pool and heard a really loud and continuous car horn coming from the parking lot. The dog's paw can be seen resting on the horn in the hilarious clip which has gone viral Rather than halting his honking, when a passerby approaches the window the hungry dog merely turns around and dispiritedly looks at the camera 'At first he though there was a person sitting in the front seat of the car leaning on the horn, but as he got closer he realised it was a dog. 'He started filming and as he got closer he could see the dog's paw pushing on the horn. 'He stopped filming and tried to distract the dog to get him to take his paw off the horn, which the dog eventually did.' The hilarious video was uploaded to Facebook by Elizabeth Herman who explained that her exasperated husband had to distract the dog in a bid to stop the din The video has racked up tens of thousands of views and has been viewed across the globe. One commenter said 'he looks like a boss' while another added: 'This is hilarious!' Another joked that the dog might have been thinking: 'Hurry your a** up Barbara we've got places to go, people to see.' A high school teacher had to fight back the tears after his students clubbed together to give him a $300 video game. Nathan Neidigk was left devastated by the loss of his wife a few years ago and recently discovered his two-year-old son is fighting leukemia. Despite his heartbreaking loss, his 12th-grade Math students at Volcano Vista High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, say that Mr Neidigk still comes into class with a smile on his face every day. Nathan Neidigk had to fight back the tears after his students clubbed together to give him a $300 video game And as he is paying thousands of dollars for medical bills, Mr Neidigk was unable to purchase a Nintendo Switch that he had his eye on. So his generous students decided to club together and purchase it for him. It was initially planned to be a Christmas present but after revealing the plight of his son, his students handed him the present earlier. Touching footage posted on Facebook by Rick Sherwood shows the students gathering in a classroom and presenting the teacher with a large box. While handing over the gift, one of his students says: 'So we're aware of your situation and we really wanted to help you out. So we all got together and we got you this.' One of the sentences in the card reads: 'You have been our guidance through this unknown land called calculus, you are the strongest man we know! Everything will be OK.' As he is paying thousands of dollars for medical bills, Mr Neidigk was unable to purchase the console Mr Neidigk firstly reads the card from his class, which contains a long message. One of the sentences reads: 'You have been our guidance through this unknown land called calculus, you are the strongest man we know! Everything will be OK.' He begins opening the package, which is wrapped on the outside and each item is wrapped on the inside as well. The class all laugh about how well wrapped it is before the teacher realizes what they have bought him. 'I wasn't expecting presents,' he says, 'Oh my God, you did not.' Mr Neidigk's students then begin to clap as he grins. 'How? Seriously? Oh my word...' the teacher adds. He begins opening the package, which is wrapped on the outside and each item is wrapped on the inside as well Blinking back tears, he continues to open further three packages, consisting of two games and a case for his new device Blinking back tears, he continues to open further three packages, consisting of two games and a case for his new device. He adds: 'You know I just walk by the Switches at Target every time I'm there? 'Thank you, thank you so much.' Referring to him using it at the hospital while his son is being treated, Mr Neidigk says: 'There are many more scheduled days and they have plug in TVs so I'll take this.' Cory Dalton, a Volcano Vista student told Kob4: 'Mr. Neidigk is, like, one of the best teachers I've ever had, He's just a straight up good guy.' Mr Neidigk also spoke to the news station and said: 'These guys are awesome. Im just incredibly overwhelmed with their generosity and support. Its the guys and gals in my class that are the big reason that keeps me going during tough times.' To contribute to his medical bills, click here Ivanka Trump's appearance at an international conference where she'll encourage women to 'Be the Change' they want to see in their workplaces is coming under scrutiny. The president's 36-year-old daughter is the face of the 350-strong delegation of American business owners in Hyderabad, India this week at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit. An entrepreneur in her own right, Trump will speak on panels on workforce development and leadership and deliver the summit's keynote address early Tuesday evening. Her visit has been complicated, however, by sex harassment allegations against her father, President Donald Trump, and a Republican politician competing for a seat in the U.S. Senate. Scroll down for video Ivanka Trump's appearance at an international conference where she'll encourage women to 'Be the Change' they want to see in their workplaces is coming under scrutiny Ivanka is President Donald Trump's 36-year-old daughter and the face of the 350-strong delegation of American business owners in Hyderabad, India this week Sangeeta Agarawal, a GES delegate and the developer of the application Helpsy, a California start-up, told DailyMail.com that Ivanka should look no further than 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue if she wants help working women. 'I would have like to see her stand up to her father and manage the message that her father is putting out better,' said Agarawal, a sex assault survivor who has openly talked about the way she was violently raped by one of her own family members. Allegations that President Trump assaulted more than a dozen women, including some who worked with him, resurfaced this week after the former reality TV star reportedly questioned the authenticity of a hot mic recording that caught him boasting that he could grab women 'by the p****' because he's famous. The tape emerged last fall at the height of the presidential election. Donald Trump apologized for his language in the Access Hollywood recording but said it was all 'locker room' talk, and he did commit the acts he'd claimed he did. White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Monday that Trump 'hasn't changed his position' and 'addressed this' last year. Sanders has deflected numerous questions in briefings over the past month about accusations of misconduct from a host of women, including former Apprentice contestant Summer Zervos, who's suing Trump, in the shadow of sexual harassment allegations against other high-profile figures. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, second left, arrived with Ivanka for the opening of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit The president's 36-year-old daughter is the face of the 350-strong delegation of American business owners in Hyderabad Ivanka, an entrepreneur herself, delivered a speech at the conference More recently, President Trump's alleged behavior has come up in the context of Roy Moore, the Alabama Republican who's been accused of inappropriately touching teenagers when he was in his 30s. The president has refused to disavow Moore, even as Ivanka, a senior adviser in his White House, said she believed the conservative candidate's accusers. Ivanka Trump pointedly said there's a 'special place in hell for people who prey on children' when she was asked about Moore in an interview. Agarawal said Ivanka's indirect reference to Moore isn't enough, though. Her father's remark to reporters last week that Moore says he did not do it was met with frustration, as well. 'That's not the way that we hold people accountable,' the Indian-born businesswoman and cancer nurse said. In her conversation with DailyMail.com, Agarawal spoke of a years-long recovery after her extreme assault and the difficulty that women have proving sexual harassment in the workplace. 'I personally feel quite uncomfortable having to call Donald Trump as my president when he has been accused of these things from so many women, when I know I have been one of those women and those scars still haunt me,' she said. Trump's daughter has emerged as the premiere purveyor of women's prosperity in her father's administration. She's seen here on a billboard near the conference she's headlining in Hyderabad The government of Hyderabad pulled out all the stops for Ivanka's visit, painting the medians and planting ornately decorated trees Ivanka Trump will attend a dinner this evening with India's prime minister at Falaknuma Palace, a royal residence-turned-hotel, before she ends her first day in Hyderabad Kimberly Moore, CEO of GoTogether, a carpooling application for parents, said that Ivanka has to get tough with her father on the topic of sexual assault. 'She has to talk to him. She has to face that. I feel like everybody makes a decision whether or not they maintain their own integrity or they give it away,' Moore said. 'And I think we can't give it away. She's gotta do that.' Delegates hailed Ivanka Trump, a mother of three small children, as a success on Tuesday, with entrepreneur Ramon Ray saying she 'more than anyone else' deserved to represent the United States at the conference former U.S. President Barack Obama founded in 2010. Ray, a New York resident with two businesses to his name, including Smart Hustle magazine, said Trump has earned her place at the head of the conference, having started her own business, in addition to working at the top of the Trump Organization and appearing on 'The Apprentice.' 'I think clearly has her own personal brand, her own style and the way she wants to do things,' Ray told DailyMail.com. 'She's in a box. She's not the president, and I think she has to influence policy as best she can. 'Which is better than nothing,' the self-proclaimed independent added. Mansoor Syed, a creator of the not-yet-released virtual reality shopping application Window Shopper, said Ivanka Trump was 'the best fit' within the administration to headline GES, drawing on her business background. But he also said, 'There is an aura of responsibility that when you're coming to the event as the official White House delegate that yes, you will probably have to answer questions on this and you will have to address these issues.' Syed's sister Unmamah, creator of a separate company, SIY, See It Yourself, a relocation service, agreed that Trump is 'absolutely' responsible for her father's checkered reputation when it comes to women. 'She's coming here representing the White House, so that definitely goes hand in hand,' the 23-year-old resident of California said. Chiming in on the subject, Mansoor asserted, 'The American people do not stand for such things, at least I'd like to hope not, and I do not stand for such things.' Trump's daughter has emerged as the premiere purveyor of women's prosperity in her father's administration, having made the elevation of working women the top line of her White House portfolio. GES is the third international gathering this year she has spoken to about women's empowerment. In an interview that ran Tuesday in the Times of India, Trump said she wants the conference 'to be a global celebration' of women. Aside from her keynote today at GES, Trump is appearing on a panel titled 'Be the Change: Womens Entrepreneurial Leadership.' She'll attend a dinner this evening with India's prime minister at a palace-turned-hotel before she ends her first day in Hyderabad. Tomorrow she's slated to speak on another panel, 'We Can Do It! Innovations in Workforce Development and Skills Training,' before she participates in a cultural event that a local paper has said is a visit to Golconda Fort. U.S. officials have not said what she is doing Wednesday after she finishes at the conference, only that she would like to explore the area before her flight leaves. Australian euthanasia advocate Dr Philip Nitschke has launched the world's first 3D-printed machine for committing suicide. The machine - named the Sarco - contains a capsule which can then be detached from the base and used as a coffin. Dr Nitschke, nicknamed 'Dr Death', developed the Sarco with engineer Alexander Bannick in the Netherlands, with the aim of making it available worldwide. Australian euthanasia advocate Dr Philip Nitschke has launched the world's first 3D-printed machine for committing suicide (pictured) Exit International has placed the free open-source design of the machine on the internet after unveiling it at a euthanasia conference in Canada in late October. The Sarco has been designed so it can be 3D-printed and assembled anywhere in the world, and allows users to commit suicide with the press of a button. Users need to complete an online mental questionnaire in order to get a 4-digit access code for the capsule. Liquid nitrogen then fills the capsule after the user activates the machine, causing a peaceful death within minutes as oxygen drops. The machine - named the Sarco - contains a capsule which can then be detached from the base and used as a coffin (pictured is Dr Nitschke) Dr Nitschke said his ultimate goal is to help rational people around the globe end their lives peacefully and reliably at times of their choosing. 'Sarco does not use any restricted drugs, or require any special expertise such as the insertion of an intravenous needle,' he said. 'Anyone who can pass the entry test, can enter the machine and legally end their life.' Dr Nitschke, director of Exit International, said the Sarco was developed in response to issues accessing euthanasia drugs, and a growing demand among the elderly. The machine is made up of a reusable base, and a capsule which doubles as a coffin if the user desires. Jozef Lakatos, pictured arriving at Manchester Magistrates' Court was caught by police driving with his two children in the front seat, without insurance and without a licence A migrant caught driving without a licence or insurance and with his two children in the front seat tried dodging a ban by claiming the law was 'not the same' in his country. Factory worker Jozef Lakatos, 27, from Hungary, was pulled over after a police patrol spotted the youngsters sat in the front passenger seat of his Audi A3 last June near his home in Bolton, Greater Manchester. Inquiries revealed Lakatos had no driving licence or insurance to drive the car - and had previous convictions for similar matters. But the father of two urged magistrates in Manchester not to ban him claiming he was 'unsure' of how the driving licence system worked in Britain and insisting he 'did not hit anything or anyone.' Arguing he would suffer 'exceptional hardship' if he was banned from the roads, Lakatos admitted he would not lose his job if he was disqualified. But he told the hearing: 'I have been thinking about it and it would be hard for me to carry on as normal if I didn't have the car or my license. 'I am unsure of how the license works because it is not the same as in my country. I don't know exactly how it works. Lakatos, a Hungarian migrant, appear at Manchester Magistrates' Court where he urged the magistrates not to ban him from the road because he was 'unsure' of UK driving laws 'There was no accident when I was driving, I didn't hit anything or anyone. I was just stopped. 'I have my children and my family I have to look after. I work in a factory and I earn 8.60 an hour. My income depends on my hours. I earn a maximum of 300 a week and 250 minimum.' He added: 'I am guilty, I know what has happened in this case. My work is 10 miles from me and I was using the car that evening with my children in the car. I usually use a pedal bike to get to work. 'I was in the car with the engine off and then I turned it on and was driving towards my home. I was not far from my home when I was stopped by the police. I won't lose my job if I cannot drive.' The court heard Lakatos had previously got six points on his licence in February 2016 after he was caught driving without a licence of insruance Lakatos admitted driving a car without a licence or insurance and also pleaded guilty to driving a car in manner carried likely to cause danger by having two young children travelling in the front passenger seat. The court heard he had previously got six points on his licence in February 2016 after he was caught driving without a licence or insurance. Rejecting his plea to carry on driving, JP Sheila Lever told Lakatos: 'Exceptional hardship is not met in this case and it is not going to be granted. 'All three of the offences that you appear before the court for are serious. 'Driving without a licence puts other people at danger, and without insurance too. 'The people at risk of being injured by you could end up in a wheelchair with severe injuries and they would not be able to claim any help for this even if it isn't their fault because you don't have a licence. 'I hope you understand now how serious these matters are. It is also of concern to us that you were driving in this way with two young children in the vehicle. I hope the ramifications that you could cause to somebody are clear to you now.' Latkos was fined 750 and was banned from the roads for nine months. He will have to re-apply for a provisional licence. According to an EU website, drivers in Hungary have to pass a theory test, practical driving test and basic first aid test - with the minimum age for driving a car being 18. Drivers in the UK can be as young as 17 but have to apply for a provisional licence before passing a theory and practical driving test. Australian music stars on the ARIAs red carpet have slammed Australia Day as 'dumb, stupid and trash', after Triple J moved its annual Hottest 100 countdown from January 26. The personalities used the annual Australian Recording Industry Association music awards to declare the national day as an affront to indigenous people. Indigenous hip-hop group A.B. Original's Briggs got stuck into the long-time practice of commemorating the arrival of the British First Fleet in 1788, before being awarded the prize for Best Urban Release. Scroll down for video Indigenous hip hop group A.B. Original have slammed Australia with Briggs (pictured left) slammed the national day as 'a dumb day, it's stupid' before describing Australia Day as 'trash' Briggs (left) from hip hop duo A.B. Original said 'Australia Day is trash' at the ARIA awards 'It's a dumb day, it's stupid. Australia Day is trash... You've got 80,000 years of history here and you want to celebrate Australia Day? That's trash,' he told AAP on the red carpet ahead of the Tuesday night gala event. His rapper duo mate Trials was more diplomatic, praising the ABC youth station Triple-J's decision. 'It's a beautiful tip of the hat and a beautiful baby step towards a very big race, and a very long journey that we're all a part of, and it's beautiful that we've got ears up there that wanna talk and listen and communicate with us,' he said. With eight nominations, Gang Of Youths frontman David Le'aupepe said the ABC was doing the politically-correct thing. Gang Of Youths frontman David Le'aupepe praised the ABC's political correctness 'We want to remove the associations with difficult sociopolitical issues away from something that should be about the music. I want to be able to look friends of mine in the eyes and stand by them as a person of colour, I'm Samoan,' he said. The stars of the Australian music industry are at odds with federal Communications Minister Mitch Fifield, who is pleading with the ABC to reconsider its decision to move the Hottest 100 because 'relatively few people have a problem with it.' The ABC's youth station announced on Monday they would move their hugely popular countdown from January 26 after a survey revealed 60 percent of listeners supported changing it. Senator Fifield, a Liberal politician from Melbourne, called the decision 'dumb' and 'an attempt to de-legitimise Australia Day'. Mitch Fifield (pictured) called the decision 'dumb' and 'an attempt to de-legitimise Australia Day' Triple J's Hottest 100 countdown has been moved from its January 26th slot following increasing debate around the celebration of Australia Day 'And what Triple J and the ABC have done is to respond to a petition which has said it's not appropriate to have the Hottest 100 on the controversial Australia Day. There's nothing controversial about Australia Day,' he said. Meanwhile Greens senator Rachel Siewert said the change means 'everyone in Australia can now enjoy the countdown on a date that doesn't cause harm and hurt to our First Peoples'. The announcement was made by the ABC on Monday, with the musical tradition now taking place on the fourth weekend of January. Voting will open six weeks before the day. 'It should be an event that everyone can enjoy together for both the musicians whose songs make it in and for everyone listening in Australia and around the world,' the ABC said. The announcement was made by the ABC on Monday, following a series of surveys stating that as many as 60 per cent of people were in favour of a change in date It will now be held on the fourth Saturday of January, after careful consideration to the significance of Australia Day to Aboriginal people Nearly 65,000 people voted in the first survey issued by the station, which showed three in five people preferred a new date. While a second online poll of 18 to 30-year-old's revealed more than half supported the idea. The new date was chosen after careful consideration to retain the event's summer history and 'keep all the best bits you love about the Hottest 100'. Nearly 65,000 people voted in the first survey issued by the station, which showed three in five people preferred a new date It will also include a second countdown of the 200-101 votes, with those to be aired on the following Sunday. Despite celebrating on January 26th since 1998, there have been times in the event's history where the date has changed. The first countdown in 1989 was held at the beginning of March, while January 25th was trialled as an alternate in 2004. As for Australia Day, special programming and homegrown music will form a large part of the station's scheduled broadcast. It is unsure whether future Hottest 100 events will be held on the Saturday or Sunday however, with the station asserting it will 'again be on the fourth weekend of January' in 2019, despite Australia Day falling then. It is unsure whether future Hottest 100 events will be held on the Saturday or Sunday however, with the station asserting it will 'again be on the fourth weekend of January' in 2019, despite Australia Day falling then People flocked to social media following the announcement, with some slamming the decision to move (top) and others praising the decision to alter the date People flocked to social media following the announcement, with some slamming the decision to move. 'Damn. Has been a huge tradition to have an Australia day Hottest 100 party. Don't know what to do now,' one person wrote. While another annoyed user said: 'It's tradition to have #Hottest100 on Australia Day, stop pandering to minorities'. Others firmly supported the decision and revealed they would continue to celebrate the countdown on its new date. One person stated: 'So great Triple J is moving #Hottest100. Wish it was done earlier - Aboriginal artists and listeners have been pushing the move for YEARS!' 'It's not about left or right. It's about compassion. If you're proud to be Australian, you cant be proud to celebrate the nation on a day our Indigenous people mourn,' another added. A second online poll of 18 to 30-year-old's revealed more than half supported the idea of changing the countdown's date A Vietnamese woman was caught on camera repeatedly hitting an eight-week-old baby girl because she would not stop crying. Nguyen Thi Han, 51, was working as a maid and babysitter with a family in the city of Phy Ly in northern Vietnam's Ha Nam Province. Security cameras, installed by the baby's suspicious parents, caught her smacking the baby on her head, face, back and bottom. Scroll down for video Horrific: CCTV footage shows babysitter Nguyen Thi Han, 51, smacking an eight-month-old baby because it was crying The shocking footage shows Han grabbing the baby by the neck as well as violently shaking her, while her parents were out. At one point she is seen roughly throwing the frightened little girl into the air and catching her, again and again, and screaming at her to stop crying. Han had been hired two months earlier by the family, but the parents had installed the cameras after noticing the baby's face was unusually red and she was sobbing in her sleep. Ngoc Phuong, the baby's shocked mother, contacted police as soon as she saw the footage and officers arrested Han. Abuse: Despite the poor quality of the video, the baby can be clearly made out, as can the babysitter raising her hand and repeatedly hitting her all over her small body Appalling: She is also seen leaning in over the baby and screaming in the baby's face Arrest: The parents had become suspicious after noticing a redness on their daughter's face and that she was crying at night, and installed the cameras Lieutenant Colonel Le Duc Tung, chief of police in Phu Ly, confirmed that she was in police custody. Ms Phuong also uploaded three videos of Ham mistreating her baby on social media where they shocked viewers. Up to 4,000 Vietnamese children are believed to suffer from abuse or maltreatment every year, according to the humanitarian organisation World Vision Vietnam. Babysitters are often reported for abusing young children in Vietnam but criminal charges are rarely brought against the culprits. Disgraced television presenter Don Burke was banned from flying with Qantas during the peak of his career due to his inappropriate conduct. Burke was banned from flying with the airline during the 1990s due to his behaviour. Qantas banned him from flying with the airline after he behaved inappropriately towards staff members, which was then reported to management, according to A Current Affair. Scroll down for video Disgraced television presenter Don Burke was banned from flying with Qantas during the peak of his career due to his inappropriate conduct Qantas banned him from flying with the airline after he behaved inappropriately towards staff members, which was then reported to management The ban wasn't permanent, but lasted for a period of time during the 1990s while Burke was at the peak of his career, hosting Burke's Backyard on Channel Nine. In claims published by the ABC and Fairfax on Monday, dozens of accusers have come forward accusing Burke of sexually harassing, indecently assaulting and bullying female colleagues over a number of years. Burke has denied all allegations of sexual harassment and indecent assault against him. Channel Nine reporter Alison Piotrowski worked with Burke at radio station 2UE in the mid to late 2000s. Ms Piotrowski was working as a producer at the radio station with Burke, and said she was berated by him when she turned up late to an outside broadcast. 'But then half an hour later he came up to me and said that all was forgiven because I had a great a**,' she claimed. Ms Piotrowski claimed she reported his behaviour to management, and was told she would no longer have to work with Burke. Channel Nine reporter Alison Piotrowski claimed Burke made an inappropriate comment to her while she was working with him at radio station 2UE Burke was banned from flying with Qantas during the 1990s due to his behaviour, according to A Current Affair 'I certainly wasn't the only young female producer that was put in a position like this and there were plenty of other girls that went through far more confronting experiences at 2UE compared to what I experienced,' she said. 'A practice actually developed where if you were a young female producer and you didn't feel comfortable working around Don you wouldn't be forced to work with him.' She claimed she never saw Burke disciplined by station management for his behaviour. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Talking Lifestyle - formerly known as 2UE - for comment. A two-year-old girl has died from injuries suffered in a horrific van crash which has left eight others in hospital, including one man, 59, fighting for his life. Two vans - one passenger van carrying nine people and one commercial van with two occupants - were involved in the collision at Kemps Creek in Sydney's west. Police and emergency services were called to the scene of the crash on Mamre Road near Abbotts Road at 1:30pm on Tuesday. Scroll down for video A two-year-old girl has died from injuries suffered in a horrific van crash (pictured) which has left eight others in hospital Emergency crews were forced to work for close to an hour to free a man trapped in the wreckage and up to 12 ambulances and two helicopters attended the scene. The impact of the crash pushed the passenger van into a roadside ditch, with crews of emergency workers seen dragging a woman from the vehicle. Among the injured were three children, the two-year-old girl, and two boys aged nine months and three years. The children were rushed to Westmead hospital but the two-year-old girl died after arrival. Two vans - one passenger van (pictured) carrying nine people and one commercial van with two occupants - were involved in the collision at Kemps Creek in Sydney's west The young boys remain in hospital in a stable condition, but a man taken to Liverpool Hospital with critical injuries is still fighting for his life. They include a 59-year-old man with critical injuries, a 23-year-old woman with leg injuries, and a 20-year-old woman, a 16-year-old boy and two girls aged 16 and 10 who suffered minor injuries. The two occupants of the commercial van were not injured in the crash. Officers from the Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit are investigating and examined the scene on Tuesday afternoon. Police urge anyone who witnessed the crash to come forward. China's state broadcaster has revealed video footage of its armies testing the nation's most powerful nuclear missile. Dongfeng-41, or DF-41, is Beijing's next-generation intercontinental ballistic missile that could strike anywhere in the world with nuclear warheads and is expected to be ready during the first half of next year. The footage, aired on China Central Television Station on November 26, shows the powerful weapon being transported and launched in disclosed desert-like locations. A programme on China's state TV appears to show multiple DF-41 missiles being displayed A Chinese military expert said the missile can be transported across 'complicated terrains' Reports claimed DF-41 has a range of at least 7,500 miles and could carry up to 10 warheads. An animation released by China's state TV showed the apparent structure inside the missile DF-41 (pictured), China's next-generation intercontinental ballistic missile, could strike anywhere in the world and is expected to be ready during the first half of next year DF-41 is said to have the longest range of any ballistic rockets in the world, has undergone its eighth test and is now near completion, according to China's state-run Global Times. DF-41: WHAT WE KNOW Dongfeng-41 missile, or DF-41, is said to have the longest range of any ballistic rockets in the world. It has undergone its eighth test and is now near completion, according to state-run media. The missile is 16.5 meters (54 feet) long with a diameter of 2.78 meters (9.1 feet). Previous reports have claimed that the missile has a range of at least 7,500 miles (12,000km) and could carry up to 10 nuclear warheads. The warhead is set to be inducted by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in 2018 after first being introduced in 2012, the report from China's state-run Global Times suggests. Reports suggest the missile's most recent test took place this month. State-run media claim the tests took place in its Western desert area but the exact location of these tests has not been revealed. Advertisement The missile is 16.5 meters (54 feet) long with a diameter of 2.78 meters (9.1 feet). It's been developed to rival the 6th-generation missiles from the West, such as the American LGM-30 Minuteman and the Russian RT-2PM2, reported People's Daily Online. The report also claimed that the missile has a range of at least 7,500 miles (12,000km) and its striking accuracy is with 100 metres (328 feet). It could carry up to 10 nuclear warheads, making it difficult to be intercepted. The new missile also has a speed of more than Mach 10 (7,672mph) and can use decoy devices to find it way through the enemy's missile defence systems. Yang Chengjun, a Chinese expert on missile technologies and nuclear warfare strategy, told China Central Television Station during Sunday's programme that the DF-41 missile is reliable, quick and easy to transport. 'The missile can hit every corner of the earth, allowing China to counter a nuclear strike on the country,' Yang said in the programme. Mr Yang claimed that all of the DF-41 tests have been successful so far while the success rates of similar tests in the United States and Russia are around 90 per cent and 80 per cent respectively. The missile is said to boast a range of at least 7,500 miles (12,000km), which comfortably puts the US and the UK within range. Its striking accuracy is said to be with 100 metres (328 feet) One DF-41 is getting read to be launched in the footage revealed by China's state TV this week DF-41 is said to have the longest range of any ballistic rockets and has undergone eight tests Super powerful DF-41 has been developed to rival the 6th-generation missiles from the West, such as the American LGM-30 Minuteman (pictured), Chinese media claimed DF-41 could also rival the RT-2PM2 (pictured), an intercontinental ballistic missiles from Russia Apparently, DF-41 also requires less soldiers to operate and can be transported across 'a variety of complicated terrains'. It's said to be able to launch from road and rail mobile launcher platforms, as well as silo-based launchers. Mr Yang also said that it only took China a bit more than 10 years to design and produce the missile from scratch, while it would take the United States and Russia 25 years to complete a similar task. He finally added that it would be up to the Communist Party of China to decide when to put the missile into service. According to previous reports, DF-41 would be inducted by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in 2018 after first being introduced in 2012. 'It can carry up to 10 nuclear warheads, each of which can target separately,' Xu Guangyu, a senior adviser of the China Arms Control and Disarmament Association told Global Times. 'The missile can hit every corner of the earth, allowing China to counter a nuclear strike on the country,' said Yang Chengjun, a Chinese expert on missile technologies and nuclear warfare Mr Yang claimed that all of the DF-41 tests have been successful so far while the success rates of similar tests in the United States and Russia are around 90 per cent and 80 per cent The footage aired on China Central Television Station apparently shows a DF-41 being tested The missile must have 'matured considerably' if it is to be operational in 2018, Mr Xu said. 'Once the Dongfeng-41 goes into service, China's ability to protect its own safety and to prevent wars would greatly increase', he said. Reports suggest the missile's most recent test took place this month. State-run media claim tests took place in its Western desert area but the exact location has not been revealed. In July, a propaganda video from China claimed that Beijing owns about 2,500 ballistic missiles. In the video, Dongfeng-41 is highlighted as one of the 'world's top five intercontinental missiles'. State-run media claim the tests took place in its Western desert area but the exact location of these tests has not been revealed. Pictured is a Dongfeng-31 missile in the Military Museum The same video, however, also said that other countries shouldn't be afraid of China's 'advanced artillery force' because Beijing wouldn't deploy the weapons unless it's provoked. The two-minute-long propaganda video described China's astonishing arsenal through cartoon. It started by explaining why China needs powerful weapons by drawing comparisons to animals living in the wild. Dongfeng-41 missile, which is said to have the longest range of any ballistic rockets in the world, has undergone its eighth test and is now near completion, according to state-run media. Pictured is a previous missile - Dongfeng-2 - at the Chinese Military Museum in Beijing The anchor said: 'What would happen if tigers have no fangs and lions have no paws? The probably end up living with no food or even killed. 'That's why living creatures need defenses.' CHINA'S OTHER MISSILES China's DF-21 missile boasts a firing distance of up to 1,926 miles (3,100km) and has been dubbed 'the killer of aircraft carrier'. The missile is potentially capable of sinking a U.S. Nimitz-class aircraft carrier in a single strike, media have claimed. The DF-10 missile, on the other hand, is the best performing long-range cruise missile in the world, according to Chinese news site Sina.com. Sina said the 990-pound (450kg) weapon could strike a maximum distance of 1,242 miles (2,000km) and could reach Japan and Taiwan if it's fired from inland China. Advertisement The video also claimed that China was the first country in the world to use tubular artillery. The video then started listing some of the most powerful weapons Beijing has. The country is said to have around 68 submarines, one home-made aircraft carrier, and the impressive J-20 stealth fighter. In addition, the J-20 fighter jet is equipped with 'cutting-edge supersonic and stealth technologies', according to the video. The J-20 jet made its first public flight in November 2016. Some suggested that the aircraft was built in part from plans of US war planes, obtained by Chinese hackers jailed earlier last year. However, Beijing firmly denied the claims. Military analysts said it was too early to tell if the jet matches the capabilities of America's F-22, which was thought to be the original model. The report said Beijing has 270 nuclear warheads as of July 2017. In comparison, Russia has 7,000, the United States has 6,800 and France has 300. Pope Francis refrained from mentioning the alleged ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya people in Myanmar during a speech alongside the country's leader Aung San Suu Kyi today, despite calls for him to take a stand for the persecuted minority. Human rights groups had urged the Pope to speak up for the Rohingya, some 620,000 of whom have fled to Bangladesh since August, during his four-day visit to Myanmar. But the Pope did not address the Rohingya crisis in his speech, instead tip-toeing around the unfolding humanitarian emergency and calling for 'respect for rights and justice of each ethnic group'. Elephant in the room: Sharing a stage with Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Pope Francis steered clear of mentioning the word 'Rohingya' or single out any minority He said that peace can only be achieved through 'justice and a respect for human rights', he said in a broadly-framed speech that also called for 'respect for each ethnic group and its identity'. The word 'Rohingya', an incendiary term in a mainly Buddhist country where the Muslim minority are denied citizenship and branded illegal 'Bengali' immigrants, was entirely absent from his speech. Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, has been ostracised by a global rights community that once adored her but is now outraged at her tepid response to the plight of the Rohingya. She spoke of the challenges her country faces as it creeps out of the shadow of five decades of military rule, but also did not reference the Rohingya. Myanmar's government aimed to build the nation by 'protecting rights, fostering tolerance, ensuring security for all', she said in a short speech, that gave a nod to global concern over the 'situation in the Rakhine.' United front: Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and Pope Francis arrive to the Myanmar International Convention Center (MICC) in Naypyitaw, Myanmar Losing friends: The city of Oxford removed Suu Kyi's Freedom of the City award for her 'inaction' in the face of oppression of the Rohingya No mention: Some 620,000 Rohingya have fled persecution in Myanmar since August The pope's peace mission is studded with pitfalls in Myanmar, where a monk-led Buddhist nationalist movement has fostered widespread loathing for the Rohingya. BANGLADESH POLICE KILL JIHADISTS IN RAID BEFORE POPE VISIT Three suspected Islamist extremists were killed in a raid by Bangladesh police just days before the Pope is due to arrive in the country. The suspects opened fire and threw bombs at Rapid Action Battalion police who cordoned off a house where they were hiding near the border with India, officials said. 'We called on them to surrender. But they responded by opening fire and throwing bombs. Moments later we heard loud explosions inside the house,' Major Ashraf, an RAB officer, told AFP. The officer said a search of the tin-roofed house in Chapai Nawabganj district in the northwest of the country was being completed. RAB deputy head Colonel Anwar Latif Khan told AFP that 'three people who were involved in Islamist militancy were killed' in the explosions. RAB officials said the house was raided following a tip-off. Pope Francis arrives in Bangladesh on Thursday for a three-day visit, the first by a Vatican leader in 31 years. Advertisement Late on Monday the 80-year-old pontiff received a 'courtesy visit' from Myanmar's powerful army chief - whose troops, according to the UN and US, have waged a campaign of ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya in Rakhine state. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has firmly denied allegations of widespread brutality by his forces, despite the flight of hundreds of thousands of people who have recounted widespread cases of rape, murder and arson. His office said he told the pope there was 'no discrimination' in Myanmar, and feted his military for maintaining 'the peace and stability of the country'. Early Tuesday the pontiff met leaders from Buddhist, Muslim, Baptist and Jewish faiths in Yangon. The conversation centred around themes of unity and diversity, with the pope sharing a prayer and giving a 'very, very beautiful speech', according to Sammy Samuels, a representative from the small Jewish community. The Lady, as she is fondly known in Myanmar, finally came to power after elections in 2015 but has fallen from grace internationally for not doing more to stand up to the army in defence of the Rohingya - whose name she will not publicly utter. Rights groups have clamoured for Suu Kyi to be stripped of her peace prize. Oxford, the English city she once called home, on Monday removed her Freedom of the City award for her 'inaction' in the face of oppression of the Rohingya. Just days before the papal visit, Myanmar and Bangladesh signed a deal to start repatriating Rohingya refugees within two months. Staying silent: Human rights groups had urged the Pope to speak up for the Rohingya during his four-day visit to Myanmar But details of the agreement -- including the use of temporary shelters for returnees, many of whose homes have been burned to the ground -- raise questions for Rohingya fearful of returning without guarantees of basic rights. Francis will travel on to Bangladesh on Thursday. So far, the pontiff has received a warm welcome in Myanmar, whose Catholic community numbers just over one percent of the country's 51 million people. But some 200,000 Catholics are pouring into the commercial capital Yangon from all corners of the country ahead of a huge, open-air mass on Wednesday morning. Zaw Sai, 52, from Kachin state, found space for himself and his family to camp out in a churchyard. 'We feel very pleased because we are from different ethnicities but are one in our religion.' A mother-of-two who was raped as a teenager was left almost completely paralysed by a rare neurological condition triggered by the trauma of the assault. Mandi Benson, 36, has Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) - a condition where the brain malfunctions, often caused by repressed trauma. The 36-year-old from Heywood in Greater Manchester, began suffering ticks, double vision, lost her balance and became convinced she had early onset Parkinson's. After ruling out other diseases doctors told her she had FND, likely caused by a severe trauma - and she recalled the sexual assault which had haunted her since 1995. Mandi Benson, 36, has Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) - a condition where the brain malfunctions, often caused by repressed trauma. It was triggered by a sex attack when she was just 14 (right) Ms Benson, who is now learning to walk again after intensive therapy, said: 'I was raped when I was 14 and I didn't tell a soul about it until I was 31. I kept it locked in a box for many, many years. 'I'd never talk about feelings. I was this hard girl who seemed to have no emotions, but in fact I was very sensitive underneath, it was a pretence. 'I was covering up how upset I was all these years and it's come out in FND. 'There's a warning there to people - deal with things before they affect you. Don't lock anything away. 'You think you are coping with something like that, but I wasn't and I'm disabled now.' Ms Benson was attacked as a 14-year-old. She had been sitting on a wall with some friends at the time of the attack in 1995 when a group of older boys began chatting to them. She walked off with one of the boys, who took her to a secluded spot and raped her. Ms Benson started having eye problems earlier this year, seeing spots and getting vibrating vision. She was sent to an eye hospital which diagnosed a rare condition, but her symptoms continued to get worse and a day after she came out of the eye hospital, she started losing her balance. Ms Benson started having eye problems and was sent to an eye hospital which diagnosed a rare condition, but things kept getting worse. A day after she came out of the eye hospital, she started losing her balance Mandi was attacked as a 14-year-old. She had been sitting on a wall with some friends when a group of older lads began chatting to them. She walked off with one of the boys, who then took her to a secluded spot and raped her. Pictured, Mandi as a teenager FUNCTIONAL NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS Functional neurological disorders (FND's) is the name given for symptoms in the body which appear to be caused by problems in the nervous system but are not caused by a physical neurological disease. Health professionals sometimes call these disorders medically unexplained, psychosomatic or somatisation. They prefer the term functional which just means that the body is not functioning quite as it should. FNDs are quite common, occurring in about one quarter of the patients we see in our neurology clinics. For most people these symptoms are short-lived, but for others they persist for months or years and are very disabling. Symptoms tend to change with time, and as a result patients may often repeatedly consult their doctors. Many doctors also find these conditions puzzling, and patients may become frustrated by the shortage of information about why these symptoms occur. Source: Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Advertisement She said: 'I initially thought it was just me being clumsy but as the days progressed I kept going into work and falling. 'It got to a stage where my body started having spasms. 'It felt like I was being punched in the back and I'd fall backwards. 'I went to the doctors and he didn't have a clue what was going on so he referred me to the hospital straight away. I had a CT scan which came back fine. 'Then I had an MRI and that was fine too. I said 'It can't be fine, I keep falling over! 'I had MS, Parkinson's, brain tumours, running through my mind. 'I'd stayed in hospital for tests and the neurologist came to see me and asked me if I'd ever suffered any traumatic events in my life and I thought 'what is he on about?' 'He reeled off a list of things, and then I thought of the rape.' 'I was ashamed of myself so I never told anyone,' said the mother-of-two, who could never bring herself to report it to the police. 'I blamed myself because I knew I shouldn't have gone off with him and I thought I should have fought harder. 'I used to think it was my problem and I was a little tart. 'I just blocked it all out.' When Ms Benson told the neurologist of her ordeal, he became certain it was FND caused by constant stress and repressed upset. Mandi with her husband. She now has to have physiotherapy and counselling in which she hopes to finally confront her buried emotions Some people go completely blind and are permanently paralysed by the disorder. It is believed trauma can affect how the central nervous system functions. Ms Benson now has to have physiotherapy and counselling in which she hopes to finally confront her buried emotions. 'FND is quite a common thing and I'd never even heard of it before,' she added. Mandi has now learnt to walk again 'It's amazing the power the mind has over the body. It can be anyone. 'I wish now I'd done things differently when I was younger and tackled those unpleasant memories head on.' Professor Mark Edwards, Movement Specialist at the Atkinson Morley Regional Neuroscience Centre at St George's Hospital, London, said FND was a 'common and disabling' cause of neurological symptoms. 'Whilst the symptoms may appear similar to neurological diseases including those of Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's and Epilepsy, and can be just as disabling, they are not caused by structural disease of the nervous system, but instead are a problem with the 'functioning' of the nervous system,' he said. 'People with FND appear to lose the ability to control or access their body normally. 'Historically, past trauma was thought to be the only factor that influenced the development of functional neurological symptoms, but research findings indicated this is not the case for everyone with an FND diagnosis. 'It seems that a number of factors, different between different people, can be involved in making people more vulnerable to developing FND and for triggering and maintaining the condition.' Ms Benson now has to have physiotherapy and counselling in which she hopes to finally confront her buried emotions A spokeswoman for charity Rape Crisis said sexual assault left serious and long lasting side effects. She said: 'We're really sorry to hear what Mandi's been through and pleased that she's now receiving support. 'Through our frontline work at Rape Crisis with victims and survivors, we know that rape and other forms of sexual violence can have a wide range of often very serious and long-lasting physical, emotional and mental health impacts. 'Being able to talk about an experience of sexual violence to someone who understands, to be believed, listened to and really heard, can make a genuine, positive and lasting difference to a survivor's life.' Eight donkey convicts have enjoyed a proud trot to freedom after they were released from prison. The 'criminals' were jailed for four days after being found guilty of destroying 'very expensive plants' outside a prison in Uttar Pradesh, India. As they left Orai jail yesterday, their concerned owner Kamlesh - who had been frantically searching for his livestock after they were locked up - was waiting to meet them. Scroll down for video The criminal herd was jailed for four days after being found guilty of destroying 'very expensive plants' outside a prison in Uttar Pradesh, India. Pictured: The big day the eight donkey cons were freed As they left Orai jail yesterday, their concerned owner Kamlesh - who had been frantically searching for his livestock after they were locked up - was waiting to meet them Their bail had been paid by a local politician from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), according to NDTV. RK Mishra, head of the jail, said: 'These donkeys had destroyed some very expensive plants which our senior officer had arranged for planting inside jail and despite warnings the owner let loose his animals here so we detained the donkeys.' The plants reportedly cost 60,000 rupees (700). When Kamlesh found out his donkeys were being held in prison, he pleaded for their release - but was denied. He then appealed to the politician to intervene on his asses' behalf. Jail superintendent Sita Ram Sharma, however, revealed that the story was more complex. RK Mishra, head of the jail, said: 'These donkeys had destroyed some very expensive plants which our senior officer had arranged for planting inside jail and despite warnings the owner let loose his animals here so we detained the donkeys' He said: 'There is no such law wherein we can arrest donkeys. They were confined for four days to teach a lesson to their owner who did not pay attention to our warnings. 'We let go of the animals on Monday only after Kamlesh gave us a written affidavit that from now on he will not allow his animals to roam in residential areas or places of public importance.' Sharma also said the animals were well known as mischief-makers in the area, the Times of India reports. Jeremy Corbyn winning power is a bigger risk to the economy than a bad Brexit deal, a leading investment bank has warned. Morgan Stanley said the 'double whammy' of a hard-Left Labour PM as the UK struggled to leave the EU could prove devastating. It said another general election was likely towards the end of next year and raised concerns that Conservative infighting could hand victory to Mr Corbyn. His programme of mass nationalisation and higher taxes could wreak havoc on values of UK companies, the US bank warned in a report. Morgan Stanley said the 'double whammy' of Jeremy Corbyn (pictured in Glasgow yesterday) becoming PM as the UK struggled to leave the EU could prove devastating Water and energy companies were most at risk but postal services, telecommunications and travel companies could also be hit. Across the board hikes in taxes and in particular an increase in corporation tax to 26 per cent would also be damaging. 'The UK is in the midst of a double whammy of uncertainty in the shape of Brexit and a fragile domestic political situation,' the report said. 'Taken together, these two factors - which are inter-related to some degree - cast a long shadow over the policy backdrop and economic outlook of the UK. 'For the UK market, domestic politics may be perceived as a bigger risk than Brexit,' the bank told clients. 'From a UK investor perspective, we believe that the domestic political situation is at least as significant as Brexit, given the fragile state of the current government and the perceived risks of an incoming Labour administration that could potentially embark on a radical change in policy direction. 'Against this backdrop, even if we see good progress in the Brexit negotiations, the scope for UK sensitive assets to rally may be muted, unless we also see an improvement in the government's position in opinion polls.' The bank suggested a shift in government investment away from defence and higher benefits would be a risk. 'Higher low-end wage growth could also impact service-oriented companies with low margins, such as retailers,' the report said. The US bank said the programme of mass nationalisation and higher taxes being proposed by Mr Corbyn (pictured yesterday) could wreak havoc on values of UK companies The report raised fears that the Tory government led by Theresa May, pictured in Downing Street yesterday, could collapse next year Morgan Stanley said the situation was different from recent decades, when a shift in government did not mean 'dramatic' upheaval. 'For much of the past 30 years and more, a change of government ultimately had a relatively limited impact on the UK equity market, as policy settings didn't change too dramatically,' the bank said. 'However, this may not be the case if we see a Labour government take power under its current leadership, given its very different policy approach,' the bank told investors. 'It is certainly plausible that the Labour party could ultimately moderate some of its more radical policy ideas; the alternative could be the most significant political shift in the UK since the end of the 1970s.' Private Geoff Gray, 17, was found with two gunshot wounds to his head at the barracks The family of a teenage soldier who died at Deepcut barracks today won a High Court action for a fresh inquest. Private Geoff Gray, 17, of Hackney, East London, was found with two gunshot wounds to his head in September 2001. A coroner recorded an open verdict, which did not include a narrative conclusion, following an inquest in March 2002. His family won the right to apply to the High Court for a new inquest after Attorney General Jeremy Wright QC said he was satisfied fresh evidence had come to light. Lord Justice Bean, Mrs Justice Carr and Judge Mark Lucraft today granted the application at a hearing in London. His mother Diane Gray, who was at the hearing with her husband Geoffrey, said: 'It's time his country served him and the truth be told.' Geoffrey and Diane Gray, parents of Pte Gray, stand outside the High Court in London today after winning the right to a fresh inquest into the young soldier's death The judges ruled it was 'necessary or desirable in the interests of justice' for a fresh inquest to he held. They ordered the quashing of the 2002 inquest 'together with the verdict and findings of that inquest'. Lord Justice Bean, announcing the decision of the court, said: 'We will order that Her Majesty's senior coroner for Surrey, or such other coroner as the Lord Chief Justice shall appoint at the request of the chief coroner, is to conduct an investigation ... into the death of Private Gray.' He said: 'The scope of that inquest, and the issue of whether the coroner should, or should not, sit with a jury, should be a matter for the coroner.' Lord Justice Bean said the coroner had taken no active part in the application, and correspondence indicated that the Ministry of Defence 'do not wish to contest an order for a fresh inquest'. Mr and Mrs Gray are pictured with a photograph of their son in 2002, following an inquest that saw a coroner record an open verdict that did not include a narrative conclusion He added that 'nevertheless, we have to be satisfied ourselves that a fresh inquest should take place'. Three possible grounds for a fresh inquest had been put forward - 'insufficiency of inquiry', procedural irregularity, and 'the fact that a substantial volume of new evidence has become available'. During the hearing, John Cooper QC, for the parents, told the court there were more than 22,000 pages of fresh evidence, some of which he submitted was 'highly relevant'. Mrs Gray said afterwards: 'We would like to thank the judges for their consideration and for the verdict we have been waiting on for so long.' (From left) Yvonne Collinson, Diane Gray, Deveen Clarke, Glasme Davis and Geoffrey Gray (top) hold picture boards of soldiers (from elft) Sean Benton, Pte Gray, Cheryl James and James Collinson who died while serving at Deepcut barracks, in May 2003 With her husband standing next to her she thanked their legal team, led by Mr Cooper, who she said had waded through thousands of pages of evidence 'and pieced together new and compelling evidence to put before the court'. She said: 'Our son died in Deepcut in 2001 and there was at best a cursory inquest in 2002. This time we hope there will be a full and meaningful inquest into his death. 'He was 17 years old and died serving his country. It's time his country served him and the truth be told.' Last year a judge gave the go-ahead for a fresh inquest into the death of Private Sean Benton, from Hastings, East Sussex, which is expected to take place at Surrey Coroner's Court in Woking from January 24 next year. Private Cheryl James (left), 18, from Llangollen, North Wales, shot herself in November 1995, according to an inquest. Following Pte Gray's death in 2001, Private James Collinson (right), 17, from Perth, was found dead with a single gunshot wound through his chin in March 2002. The 20-year-old was found with five bullet wounds to his chest in June 1995 while undergoing training at the Surrey base. He was the first of four young soldiers to die of gunshot wounds at the barracks between 1995 and 2002. Private Cheryl James, 18, from Llangollen, North Wales, shot herself in November 1995, according to a second inquest into her death which concluded in June. Following Pte Gray's death in 2001, Private James Collinson, 17, from Perth, was found dead with a single gunshot wound through his chin on March 23 2002. Today, Rhicha Kapila, partner and head of the military department at law firm Bolt Burdon Kemp, said: 'Let's hope that the scope of the fresh inquests into the deaths of Pte Geoff Gray and Pte Sean Benton are widened so that we finally get to hear the truth, several years on, and lessons can be learned.' Don Burke is accused of humiliating a freelance sound recordist by offering him $100,000 to eat dog faeces. The man, known by the pseudonym 'Steve', told the ABC that the former Burke's Backyard host enjoyed playing mind games with his crew when he worked for him during the late 1990s. He alleges Burke humiliated him on set at the Nine Network star's home in Sydney's north-west. Scroll down for video A freelance sound recordist 'Steve' alleges Don Burke offered him $100,000 to eat dog faeces Don Burke is accused of humiliating a sound recordist on the program set during the 1990s 'He noticed that there was some faeces hanging out of his dog's bottom and he asked me if I would lick that,' Steve told the 7.30 program. 'I was completely gobsmacked that he would say such a thing but he went on for another 10 minutes offering me inducements of $1,000, $10,000 at a time. 'It got up to $100,000 and at that point of time, I just had to try and figure out a way to stop it so I said, "It would have to be US of course, Don".' Steve said Burke used his answer to further humiliate him. 'He said to everyone, "This guy would lick my dog's a***" and that was just so humiliating,' he said. 'He showed the sort of man he was to me.' Amanda Pepe alleges Burke demanded sexual favours from her in 1987 when she was a 20-year-old TV journalist at Broken Hill, in outback New South Wales. Amanda Pepe alleges Don Burke demanded sexual favour from her when she was 20 in 1987 Burke, then a radio host on Sydney's 2UE, was visiting the mining town and told her she could be a presenter on his new television program Burke's Backyard. She resigned from the local TV station and flew to Sydney, where Burke allegedly demanded sexual favours from her after driving her to a hotel. 'The intent was very clear that he expected to have sex and that he had paid for the room, that I more or less owed it to him,' Ms Pepe told 7.30. 'It was very uncomfortable. I think he tried to more or less tried to guilt me into it, "We've got this far, why wouldn't you finish it off?". 'I was feeling extremely unsure of myself at this stage.' Ms Pepe didn't consent to any sexual activity. Burke declined to address the claims made in the ABC story and has so far denied a series of accusations from women about sexual harassment and indecent assault. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Burke's lawyers. A Somali-Australian accused of planning a New Year's Eve terror attack on Melbourne claimed two years ago that ASIO tried to recruit him as an informant. Ali Khalif Shire Ali claimed agents offered him $200 for every tip he gave them about extremist activity in his community, but he refused to dob in Muslims. The 20-year-old was well-connected to Australian jihadist circles including multiple other terror suspects and extremist preacher Junaid Thorne. Ali Khalif Shire Ali was dramatically arrested on Tuesday for trying to obtain a semi-automatic rifle to gun down New Year's Eve revellers in Federation Square Two years later he was dramatically arrested and charged with trying to obtain a semi-automatic rifle to gun down revellers in Federation Square. Ali made his ASIO claims at the Government Intervention in the Muslim Community (GIMC) conference on November 14, 2015. GIMC is run by fundamentalist Islamist group Hizb Ut Tahrir, which advocates for a global caliphate based on Sharia law and is banned in dozens of countries but not Australia. Ali said they came to his house multiple times where his sister, who also spoke at the conference, lied and told them he wasn't there. He said ASIO then called him on the phone and he met with agents twice at a local Nando's where they asked about his friends. Ali (in blue jacket) two years earlier claimed ASIO offered him $200 for every tip he gave them about extremist activity in his community, but he refused to dob in Muslims Ali made his ASIO claims at the Government Intervention in the Muslim Community conference on November 14, 2015, run by fundamentalist Islamist group Hizb Ut Tahrir They were particularly looking for information about Farhad Jabar, 15, who shot dead NSW police worker Curtis Cheng outside the police centre in Parramatta. 'I know their tricks and whatever you say to them they will use as evidence against you,' Ali said. 'They start to get to the real questions, like who are your friends with, what do you think about ISIS, what are your thoughts about those groups. 'I stayed quiet, I didn't want to get my friends in trouble.' The then-18-year-old told the conference agents followed him to Swinburne University, where he used to study, and he got a text saying 'look to you left'. 'He was standing there a couple of meters away. I thought I was in a 007 movie. He called again and I had to pick up cos he was looking at me,' he said. Six months later in May 2016, Ali (R) was one of several Muslims led by Junaid Thorne (C) who refused to stand for a magistrate saying they 'stand for no one but Allah' Ali (back with hood up) was at the hearing for five men accused of trying to flee Australia by boat to fight with terrorists overseas Ali claimed the agent then told him: 'Ali, we know you are a good guy. We know you have knowledge of things that are happening. 'You know the thing happening in Parramatta... the shooting... and you're friends with certain people. We want you to get out in the community'. 'I knew then they wanted me to be an informant and I said "no, get lost".' Ali said he told them informing on other Muslims was 'haram', meaning forbidden, and the agents said they would 'stop harassing him'. ASIO were particularly looking for information about Farhad Jabar, 15, (pictured) who shot dead NSW police worker Curtis Cheng outside the police centre in Parramatta The teenager claimed he was targeted because ASIO thought he was 'young and naive' and 'this is the new tactic they use for youngsters'. Six months later in May 2016, Ali was one of several Muslims led by Junaid Thorne who refused to stand for a magistrate saying they 'stand for no one but Allah'. The hearing was for five men accused of trying to flee Australia by boat to fight with terrorists overseas. In December 2016 he was caught driving without his L-Plates or a supervising driver and provided a false name to police. Officers made him empty pockets and found a credit card with his real name, which he initially tried to pass off as his brother's, leading to his arrest. Magistrate Geraldine Beattie fined him $1,900 and disqualified him from driving for three months in Yass Local Court in March. Then on Tuesday he was dramatically arrested by counter-terrorism police in tactical gear in front of shocked onlookers outside a restaurant on a busy Melbourne street. Police allege Ali tried to obtain an automatic rifle to carry out the horrific act, inspired by radical Islamist propaganda produced by terrorist group al-Qaeda. The 'ISIS sympathiser' is due to appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court before 3pm on Tuesday. Police allege Ali tried to obtain an automatic rifle to carry out the horrific act, inspired by radical Islamist propaganda produced by terrorist group al-Qaeda Ali Ali, a Muslim Somali-Australian, 20, has been charged with terrorism offences for allegedly planning to shoot 'as many people as he could' in Melbourne on New Year's Eve Ali, who reportedly no longer has a formal name, was described by his boss at a local computer business as 'a very quiet guy'. 'It's very sad, it's a shock,' Warsame Hassan told the Herald Sun. 'If I had (noticed suspicious behaviour) then I would have told the police.' The business has been raided and the computer Ali used has been seized by police. It is believe they had been monitoring Ali for months, but his alleged radicalism has increased over time and police believe he was seeking out obtaining an automatic weapon. He had recently dropped out of Swinburne University in Hawthorn, and was a regular visitor at the Virgin Mary mosque near his family home in Melbourne's west. Members of the mosque described Ali's family as good members of the community. Ali, who reportedly does no longer have a formal name, was described by his boss at a local computer business as 'a very quiet guy' The 20-year-old Muslim man can be seen being held down by the officers in front of shocked onlookers and outside a restaurant on a busy street moments after his arrest It is believe they had been monitoring Ali for months, but his alleged radicalism has increased over time and police believe he was seeking out obtaining an automatic weapon Melbourne woman Jessica Karasmanis witnessed the dramatic moment Shire was arrested in Werribee, west of the CBD. Ms Karasmanis told Daily Mail Australia she was stopped at a set of traffic lights when she spotted 'at least five men' dressed in heavy body armour holding down a man. 'They had his hands tied behind his backs and on the ground,' she said. 'They stood him up and placed him behind the building.' The arrest followed raids on his home in Werribee, a relative's house in Meadow Heights and a computer business in nearby Footscray where he worked part-time. Officers returned to the home on Tuesday Investigators returned to the suburban home in Werribee where Shire lived with his parents and brothers on Tuesday morning and remained there throughout the day The arrest followed raids on his home in Werribee, a relative's house in Meadow Heights and a computer business in nearby Footscray where he worked part-time. Investigators returned to the suburban home in Werribee where Shire lived with his parents and brothers on Tuesday morning and remained there throughout the day. Detectives were seen hauling bags of evidence out of the home. The practising Muslim was born in Australia, is an Australian citizen and his parents were from Somalia, Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton said on Tuesday. 'The male is one of our high-risk persons of interest. We have been monitoring him for a very lengthy period of time,' he told reporters on Tuesday. Shire allegedly accessed a guidebook produced by al-Qaeda containing information on how to commit a terrorist act (Federation Square pictured on New Year's Eve in 2015) Police allege the young Muslim terror suspect had tried to obtain an automatic rifle to carry out the act and was inspired by radical Islamist group Al-Qaeda (fighters pictured in 2014) Following the arrest federal Justice Minister Michael Keenan said the government does not target a specific ethnic group as part of its terror investigations. 'The Muslim community is not being targeted by the government,' he said. 'We'll go after individuals, we don't target a specific community, and we require the Muslim community to work with us.' Described as an 'ISIL-sympathiser' by Mr Keenan, the alleged terrorist is being interviewed in relation to the offences of preparing to commit a terrorist attack and collecting documents to facilitate a terrorist act. It's alleged the man accessed a guidebook produced by al-Qaeda containing information on how to commit a terrorist act and use firearms, guns and handguns and rifles. Authorities were keen to stress that no firearm was obtained. But if the attack had been successful the human cost would have been 'catastrophic ... horrendous', Mr Patton said. The practising Muslim was born in Australia, is an Australian citizen and his parents were from Somalia, Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton said on Tuesday WHAT WE KNOW * He's an Australian-born, 20-year-old man. * Allegedly plotted to obtain a firearm to 'shoot and kill as many people as he could' at Melbourne's Federation Square on New Year's Eve. * Lives with his Somalia-born parents in Werribee, is a Muslim but not linked to any specific mosque. * Police said he'd been 'high-risk person of interest' since early 2016 and claimed he would become 'energised' online when learning of overseas terrorist attacks. * Allegedly obtained Al-Qaeda material through the internet and was an Islamic State sympathiser. * Arrested on Monday by Victoria Police, Australian Federal Police and ASIO officers. * Charged on Tuesday with planning to commit a terrorist attack and collecting documents to facilitate a terrorist act. Source: Victoria Police, Australian Federal Police Advertisement The man is also believed to be associated with a group of Victorian extremists. 'We won't identify who they are. It is a very small community of extremist,' Mr Patton said. 'There is no ongoing threat posed in respect to New Year's Eve, Christmas or any other area.' AFP Acting Deputy Commissioner Ian McCartney said the charges laid were 'serious'. 'One of the charges carries a maximum penalty of life in prison,' he said. Since September 2014, when the national threat terrorism level was raised to 'probable', the AFP has worked with its state and territory partners to thwart a number of plots. So far, 74 people have been charged as a result of 347 counter-terrorist investigations. 'I would like to reassure the people of Victoria that the teams in Victoria, but also around Australia, are working day and night. They are working 24/7 to keep Australia safe,' Mr McCartney said. In 2016, more than 500,000 revellers flocked to Melbourne's CBD to ring in the new year as tonnes of fireworks were shot from 22 city buildings. In 2016, more than 500,000 revellers flocked to Melbourne's CBD to ring in the new year as tonnes of fireworks were shot from 22 city buildings (pictured, 2015 celebrations) Advertisement It was once the most sophisticated and technologically advanced air force anywhere in the world - and these rare colour images capture the might of the German Luftwaffe at its height. Six Stuka dive-bombers are shown returning to base in formation following a raid, two Messerschmitt heavy fighters bank in the skies above Sicily and a formation of Focke-Wulf fighters patrol over the Eastern Front. These are just some of the 400 pictures brought together for a new book which documents the rise and fall of the Luftwaffe from its founding in 1935 until it was disbanded after the Nazis surrendered at the end of the Second World War. Two Messerschmitt Bf 110 heavy fighters are pictured over the coast of Sicily in 1942. This image is one of 400 brought together for a new book documenting the rise and fall of the Luftwaffe A squadron of Focke-Wolf 190 fighter aircraft patrol over the Eastern Front in 1943. Though Germany still occupied territory deep inside the Soviet Union, by this point Operation Barbarossa had stalled and the Nazis were on the defensive Heinkel He 111z bombers are repaired by ground crew at an airfield in Russia (left) while a squadron of Stuka dive-bombers returns to base after a successful run against the Soviets in 1942 (right) A Messerschmitt Me 323 Gigant shares its landing strip with cows somewhere in Russia in 1942. The Gignat was the largest land-based transport plane used during the war, and designed to carry vehicles during the planned invasion of the UK A pilot takes a moment to shave as he camps next to his Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter plane, somewhere in Italy, in 1943. It was during this year that the Allies launched their Italian Campaign with the invasion of Sicily As well as photos which capture the might of the Luftwaffe in the theatre of war, there are images of air crews away from the heat of battle. One pilot takes advantage of a few minutes quiet time to have a shave with his plane and the Italian mountains in the background. There is also the bizarre sight of the Luftwaffe having to share a field in Romania with the local farmer's cows. The Luftwaffe was officially established in 1935 and the Condor Legion was sent to aid General Franco, which they did with devastating effect, in the Spanish Civil War. By the time the Second World War broke out, they were the most sophisticated, technologically advanced air force in the world. The Luftwaffe were instrumental in the German victories across Poland and Western Europe in 1939 and 1940 as the countries in their way fell victim to the Blitzkreig. Adolf Hitler visits an airfield somewhere on the Eastern Front early in 1942. The Nazi leader wanted to boost morale after Operation Barbarossa, the Biltzkreig against the Soviets, was pushed back following the Battle for Stalingrad in 1941 American troops examine a Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter plane after it was abandoned near Nuremberg, in Germany, in 1945. The plane formed the backbone of the Luftwaffe's fighting force, and was one of the most advanced of its age A downed Messerschmitt 262 is discovered by American troops in a forest south east of Munich, date unknown. The Me 262 was the world's first jet-powered fighter aircraft and ushered in a new age of plane design Hitler greeting Luftwaffe commanders to his Berghof retreat in April 1944. By this point in the war - facing a crippling fuel shortage and a lack of production facilities - the air force had largely been reduced to operating anti-aircraft flak batteries After the surrender of France, Hitler turned the Luftwaffe against Britain, hoping to destroy the RAF ahead of a German invasion. But during the the Battle of Britain, outnumbered RAF pilots successfully resisted their German foes. Meanwhile on the other side of Europe, a costly invasion of Russia was also sapping the strength of Hitler's forces. As a result the Luftwaffe steadily lost air superiority over Europe and by the time of the D-Day invasion, it was losing up to a quarter of its fighter pilots each month. One last attempt to cripple the Allied air forces, Operation Bodenplate, was launched on New Year's Day in 1945. But this ended in failure and four months later Germany surrendered, with the Luftwaffe disbanded in 1946. Author Christophe Cony said: 'The Luftwaffe were the first in the world to use jet engines, therefore ushering in a new era of modern aviation. 'They were a force to be reckoned with during the early years of the Second World War. 'But the British and Americans were able to break the back of their adversary with large, extended raids paralysing Germany's economy and reducing the Luftwaffe's available resources to negligible proportions. 'But its airmen fought on regardless, with a dignified courage that was worthy of their beginnings.' Luftwaffe in Colour - From Glory to Defeat 1942-1945, by Jean-Louis Roba and Christophe Cony, is published by Casemate and costs 19.99 A notorious Chilean jewellery thief alleged to be involved in a number of armed robberies across Barcelona jewellery stores has been arrested at Heathrow after months on the run. Catalan Police say the unnamed man is a suspected member of a well-known gang who took part used guns to hold up stores in the Catalonian city. The gang are said to have targeted jewellery shops specifically around the Christmas period in 2015. Catalan Police say the unnamed man is a suspected member of a well known Chilean gang who took part in gun-toting jewellery thefts in Barcelona, in Spain The gang are said to have targeted jewellery shops specifically around the Christmas period in 2015 They wielded guns and used stolen luxury cars to organise their getaways. One of the attackers, a 38-year-old man, went on the run but earlier this month Catalan Police received a tip off that he was going to be travelling from Santiago de Chile to Heathrow. They asked for assistance and the man was arrested upon arrival at Heathrow Airport. They wielded guns and used stolen luxury cars to organise their getaways One of the attackers, a 38-year-old man, went on the run but in November this year Catalan Police received a tip off that he was going to be travelling from Santiago de Chile to the UK capital Officers say he has since been extradited to Spain and is currently in custody. He is the third member of the gang that has been arrested so far, although police say the investigation is still ongoing. Officers say the latest man and the other arrested suspects had criminal reports in Chile for violent robberies to armoured cars. The case is ongoing. Advertisement Harrowing photographs capture the purgatory endured by disabled people forced to live a life of solitude and hardship in Victorian era Britain. Rare images show disabled men, women and children posing for the camera in nineteenth century England at a time when the handicapped would be kept segregated from the rest of society. The photographs, released to mark the beginning of Disability History Month in the UK, show children with Down's syndrome, visually impaired people and individuals in wheelchairs who would often be kept a secret by their families. John Tremayne, a member of parliament for a number of constituencies in the South West of England, pictured here in 1860. In his teenage years, he contracted a crippling bone disease that left him reliant on crutches for the rest of his life. As convalescence, he was consigned to the care of a Charlestown mariner, with instructions to take him to sea every day, irrespective of the weather Blind Tom Wiggins, an African American pianist, circa 1880. Mr Wiggins was born blind and into slavery. Although not diagnosed at the time it is thought he was an autistic savant, which gave him an incredible talent for mimicry. He produced numerous original musical compositions in his life A carte-de-visite portrait of two disabled street musicians. One has a sign that reads: 'Born blind / have been [illegible] for years.' They are posed in a photographer's studio posing as they would when begging on the streets in Yorkshire, in the 1860s Julia Higinbotham from Oneida, Madison County in New York who is thought to have had polio. She is pictured with her sister Lily Higinbotham (far left standing), and Edith Goodwin Baker (far right standing). Individuals such as Julia are likely to have been hidden by their families, who were often said to be ashamed It was common for authorities at the time to segregate the disabled and mentally handicapped and many were put away in institutions on the grounds that it was for their own good and the good of society. In the early 1800s disabled individuals were the responsibility of the workhouse, which became their only refuge. But by the 1840s, institutions were set up in order to segregate them - including The Royal Earlswood Asylum for Idiots in Redhill, Surrey. And in 1886, the Idiots Act was passed by Parliament which was intended to give 'facilities for the care, education and training of Idiots and Imbeciles' and make entry into registered asylums easier. In the latter part of the nineteenth century a growing number of scientists, writers and politicians began to interpret Charles Darwin's theories of evolution and natural selection. Advocates of Eugenics argued that people with impairments, particularly those born with one, would 'weaken the gene pool of the nation'. A portrait of a blind shoeblack with his dogs, from Yorkshire, circa 1860. It was common for authorities at the time to segregate the disabled and mentally handicapped and many were put away in institutions on the grounds that it was for their own good and the good of society Three nonagenarians photographed in Lincolnshire, circa 1864. One off the men is in a wheelchair. In the early 1800s disabled individuals were the responsibility of the workhouse, which became their only refuge An unidentified man in a wheelchair, circa 1870. In 1886, the Idiots Act was passed by Parliament which was intended to give 'facilities for the care, education and training of Idiots and Imbeciles' and make entry into registered asylums easier A child with Down's syndrome from Sussex in the 1860. The photographs, released to mark the beginning of Disability History Month in the UK, show children with Down's syndrome - many of whom were treated poorly A young girl with Down's syndrome is photographed in Illinois, USA, in the 1860s A man in a wooden wheelchair in New York, circa 1885. In the latter part of the nineteenth century a growing number of scientists, writers and politicians began to interpret Charles Darwin's theories of evolution and natural selection. Advocates of Eugenics argued that people with impairments, particularly those born with one, would 'weaken the gene pool of the nation' A young girl with Down's syndrome, photographed inside an asylum in England in the 1890s. Royal Earlswood Asylum's chief physician John Langdon Down became the first person to describe Down's syndrome - which was named after him A boy with Down's syndrome in St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, in 1900. John Down believed that people with Down's syndrome were a throwback to a more primitive racial type (which led to them become cruelly known as 'Mongoloids') and it was possible to classify different disabilities by ethnic characteristics Royal Earlswood Asylum's chief physician John Langdon Down became the first person to describe Down's syndrome - which was named after him. He believed that people with Down's syndrome were a throwback to a more primitive racial type (which led to them become cruelly known as 'Mongoloids') and it was possible to classify different disabilities by ethnic characteristics. In 1907, the Eugenics Education Society was founded in Britain to campaign for sterilisation and marriage restrictions for the 'weak' to prevent the degeneration of Britain's population. A year later, Sir James Crichton-Brown, giving evidence before the 1908 Royal Commission on the Care and Control of the Feeble-Minded, recommended the compulsory sterilisation of those with learning disabilities and mental illness - an act which Sir Winston Churchill supported. Increasingly disabled people were shut away in single-sex institutions for life. In 1913, the Mental Deficiency Act led to around 40,000 men and women being banished to separate special schools or asylums, having been deemed 'feeble-minded' or 'morally defective'. It would be another 46 years until the act was repealed. UK Disability History Month (UKDHM) is an annual event creating a platform to focus on the history of the struggle for equality and human rights. Disability History Month runs from 22nd November to 22nd December every year. London's West End bosses are calling on Tokyo-style loudspeakers after the outbreak of panic at Oxford Circus last week. A tube gang fight sparked a stampede of shoppers in the British capital on Black Friday, with many fearing a terrorist attack and social media flooded with reports of gunshots. A full-scale terror response from the police was launched and a huge area around the station and Selfridges was sealed off. A tube gang fight sparked a stampede of shoppers in the British capital on Black Friday, with many fearing a terrorist attack and social media flooded with reports of gunshots In Japan, a loudspeaker and text message system, called a J-Alert, is used to warn people of potential danger and was used when North Korea sent a missile strikes over the country this year Popstar Olly Murs, who has 7.8 million Twitter followers tweeted from Selfridges department store: 'F**k everyone get out of @selfridges now gun shots!! I'm inside.' But it turned out to be an altercation between two men on the platform. Now the chief executive of the New West End Company, which represents around 600 shops, restaurants and other businesses, said a public address network would allow authorities to provide advice and information 'in real time' in an emergency. In Japan, a loudspeaker and text message system, called a J-Alert, is used to warn people of potential danger and was used when North Korea sent a missile strikes over the country this year. Jace Tyrrell told theEvening Standard he would be raising the idea of a loudspeaker network for the West End in meetings over the next two weeks with Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime Sophie Linden and the Metropolitan Police's Borough Commander for Westminster. Two men who were questioned by British Transport Police following the altercation which sparked chaos in the heart of London's West End. British Transport Police had earlier released these images of two men after reports of 'gun shots' led to a stampede and several people being injured Crowds were seen running from Oxford Street after gunfire was reportedly heard in or around the Underground station shortly before 5pm last night Armed police were seen entering Oxford Circus and shouting out to people passing by as they evacuate the premises Police quizzed the pair, aged 21 and 40, on Saturday after they voluntarily attended a police station following an appeal by British Transport Police. Witnesses said two men 'bumped' into each other before 'several punches' were thrown on the westbound platform at Oxford Circus. It sparked a major panic with gun shots mistakenly reported to police who declared a terror response and stormed the station on the busiest shopping day of the year. Bali's Mount Agung volcano is set to erupt within hours, with one expert warning of a 'big explosion'. Indonesian volcanologist Gede Suantika said a tremor which lasted for half an hour earlier today indicated the mountain was filling up with lava. Bali's Denpasar Airport remains closed, residents living within a 10 kilometre exclusion zone have been urged to leave, and a observatory post may be evacuated. Scroll down for video Bali's Mount Agung (pictured) volcano is set to erupt within hours, with one expert warning of a 'big explosion' Indonesian volcanologist Gede Suantika said a tremor which lasted for half an hour earlier today indicated the mountain was filling up with lava (pictured) Bali's Denpasar Airport remains closed, residents living within a 10 kilometre exclusion zone have been urged to leave, and a observatory post may be evacuated (pictured is Mt Agung) 'There are two possibilities of , how it will come out. First, the magma will fill the crater and flow out or it will come out as an explosion,' he said, The Herald Sun reported. 'Now the magma flow is continuous. I am just scare [sic] that this will happen soon and come out at once in a big explosion.' Mr Suantika said he expected Mount Agung to erupt within hours rather than days, although he could not be sure. As many as 120,000 tourists have been stranded in Bali by the ongoing eruption of Mount Agung, with some put on flights leaving after Christmas. Mr Suantika said he expected Mount Agung (pictured) to erupt within hours rather than days, although he could not be sure 'Now the magma flow is continuous. I am just scare [sic] that this will happen soon and come out at once in a big explosion,' said the volcanologist (pictured is Mt Agung) 'There are two possibilities of , how it will come out. First, the magma will fill the crater and flow out or it will come out as an explosion,' said Mr Suantika (pictured is Mount Agung) The holiday island's airport will be closed for at least another 24 hours due to clouds of ash billowing from the volcano. Today's extension of the airport closure means more than 900 flights have now been cancelled, leaving tens of thousands of travellers unable to leave Bali. Qantas passengers are among those stranded, and some reported being told their flights had been rescheduled to December 27, The Australian reported. The holiday island's airport (pictured) remains shut for at least another 24 hours due to clouds of ash billowing from the volcano Today's extension of the airport closure means more than 900 flights have now been cancelled, leaving tens of thousands of travellers unable to leave Bali (pictured is Mt Agung) 'I thought Qantas would be a bit more organised but we can't find them here, they haven't sent one email out,' said Pagan Raston, who was due to fly on on Monday. 'Quite a few people have had their flights rescheduled to December 27.' A Qantas spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia no flights have been rescheduled, but passengers may have been put on other flights, which could be weeks away. When the Denpasar airport reopens Qantas will put on extra flights, allowing those passengers to leave much earlier, the spokesperson said. Qantas passengers are among those stranded, and some reported being told their flights had been rescheduled to December 27 (pictured is the ongoing volcanic eruption) A Qantas spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia no flights have been rescheduled, but passengers may have been put on other flights, which could be weeks away (pictured is Mount Agung) When the Denpasar airport reopens Qantas will put on extra flights, allowing those passengers to leave much earlier, the spokesperson said (pictured is the volcano early on Tuesday morning) 'Any customers on cancelled Bali flights have been proactively moved to our next available scheduled services for now, where there is limited availability over the peak travel period,' they said in a statement. 'As has been the case in previous disruptions of this nature, when it is safe to resume flying, we plan to get our customers moving quickly by operating additional services where possible.' Passengers on other airlines complained they had been given no information at all, leaving them frustrated. 'My kids are really upset. They've been crying on the phone because they've seen reports on the TV news and are worried about us,' said David Plowman of Perth. Passengers on other airlines complained they had been given no information at all, leaving them frustrated (pictured are stranded travellers) With tourists lined up at the airport Bali authorities issued a warning to residents to leave the 10km evacuation zone around the volcano (pictured) Indonesian authorities extended the closure of the international airport on the resort island of Bali for a second day over fears of a volcanic eruption One group of Australians was even considering travelling to Surabaya by bus and ferry in order to get home. With tourists lined up at the airport Bali authorities issued a warning to residents to leave the 10km evacuation zone around the volcano. Up to 100,000 locals were told to move into evacuation shelters as a cloud of volcanic ash reached three kilometres into the air. The Mount Agung volcano spews hot volcanic ash, as seen from Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia Up to 100,000 locals were told to move into evacuation shelters as a cloud of volcanic ash (pictured) reached three kilometres into the air Evacuees stay in a temporary shelter as they evacuate after the Mount Agung volcano spewed hot volcanic ash Indonesian volcanologist Gede Suantika said lava was building up inside Mount Agung and would spill over when it reached the edge. That would result in a slow flow of red hot lava, but the volcano's steepness could lead to a more powerful eruption. The pyroclastic flow from the 1963 eruption killed 1600, and authorities in Bali are preparing for the worst. Cold lava flows, known as lahar, have already flooded the rivers and canals of nearby villages, but many locals ignoring warnings to leave the area. Cold lava flows, known as lahar, have already flooded the rivers and canals of nearby villages, but many locals ignoring warnings to leave the area (pictured are evacuees) Frances Fitzgerald has told her Cabinet colleagues she will step down in a last-ditch bid to avoid a Christmas snap election Ireland's deputy prime minister has today resigned over the handling of a police whistleblower, according to reports. Frances Fitzgerald has told her Cabinet colleagues she will step down in a last-ditch bid to avoid a Christmas snap election. She had come under mounting pressure to quit after claims surfaced about her knowledge of an aggressive legal strategy against a respected Garda sergeant during a private inquiry. Announcing her resignation she said she has decided to 'put the national interest ahead of my own personal reputation'. The Irish Parliament was tonight due to debate a motion of no confidence in her over the issue. There were renewed calls today for Mrs Fitzgerald to resign or be sacked over emails dating back to 2015 when she was Justice Secretary. The messages showed she was aware of the strategy to target Sgt Maurice McCabe at a private judge-led inquiry into his claims of wrongdoing in the force. The emergence of the cache of emails had knocked efforts by The Irish Prime Minister (Taoiseach) Leo Varadkar and Micheal Martin, leader of opposition party Fianna Fail to reach a compromise. The scandal had threatened to undermine the confidence and supply deal which is propping Mr Varadkar up in power. Mr Varadkar has phoned the leader of the opposition, Fianna Fail's Micheal Martin, to confirm the resignation. And it had raised the spectre that a new snap election would have to be held around Christmas time. Announcing her resignation today, she said: 'Today I made the decision to tender my resignation to the Taoiseach, stepping-down with immediate effect as Tanaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation. 'It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve in Government, but I believe it is necessary to take this decision to avoid an unwelcome and potentially destabilising general election at this historically critical time. 'Throughout my career I have always sought to act with integrity and responsibility, and that is why I have decided on this occasion to put the national interest ahead of my own personal reputation.' She added: 'I decided that my continuation in office risks destabilising that good work, and so I have decided to step-down so that this work may continue and the country can be spared an unnecessary election.' Leo Varadkar, pictured in the Dail in Dublin today, paid tribute to his outgoing deputy saying a 'good woman is leaving office without getting a full and fair hearing' The Parliament in Dublin was full to hear the Taoiseach discuss the resignation. Speaking of the scandal, Mr Varadkar said: 'There was a feeding frenzy, and it became impossible for her to get a fair hearing based on the full facts' The Taoiseach appeared in the Dail parliament in Dublin today where he paid tribute to his outgoing deputy. He said: 'It's my strong view that a good woman is leaving office without getting a full and fair hearing. 'She always supported whistleblowers and enshrined a code of ethics in An Garda Siochana to protect them,' he said. 'In the past few days a drip-drip of information may have made certain things seem greater than they are. 'There was a feeding frenzy, and it became impossible for her to get a fair hearing based on the full facts. I hope that will change in the period ahead.' Sinn Fein deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald attacked Mrs Fitzgerald over her approach to information about how Sgt McCabe was to be targeted at the private inquiry. She told RTE Radio: 'What is at play here is an absolute and utter dereliction of duty. 'If she won't go then the Taoiseach needs to measure up and demonstrate some level of leadership and judgment and he needs to relieve her of her duties.' Mrs Fitzgerald said last week that she only learned in 2016 of the approach being taken by lawyers for the then Garda commissioner. The fallout from the saga threatened to cast a long shadow over December's key Brexit summit, where the future of the border between the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland could be determined. Authorities in North Carolina are desperately searching for a three-year-old girl who was snatched from her bed early Monday morning. Kristy Woods says the last time she saw her daughter Mariah was at 11pm on Sunday night, when she put the girl to bed. She says her live-in boyfriend saw the girl about an hour later, when she came out of her room and he told her to go back to bed. When they went to check on her in the morning, she was gone. Scroll down for video Police in North Carolina are desperately searching for missing three-year-old Mariah Kay Woods Video Courtesy WNCT A statewide Amber Alert was issued for the girl on Monday, but so far there have been no clues as to why she disappeared. In a tearful address to reporters on Monday, the girl's mother seemed to believe someone had abducted her girl. 'Please, bring her back ... She's my baby, she's my everything,' the mother of three said. 'Just to be able to touch her and hold her and not let her go again. I'd give anything.' Kristy Woods says that her daughter usually wears orthopedic braces on both of her legs and has trouble walking without them. On Monday, Mariah's mother Kristy Woods issued a tearful statement to reporters, asking whoever is responsible for her daughter's disappearance to return the girl Woods' live-in boyfriend Earl Kimrey (left, with Woods) was the last to see the girl alive Kimrey and Woods are pictured above with Woods' three children (including Mariah, being held by Woods) She says she calls Mariah 'an angel' because she unexpectedly got pregnant with her after she got her tubes tied. 'This is my world, this is my angel,' said Woods. 'She was sent to me for a reason. This is my everything besides my boys, the love that I have for this girl. The bond that I have ..is my life. please, just don't take that.' Woods' boyfriend has not been officially identified, but her Facebook profile says she's in a relationship with a man named Earl Kimrey. A photo on his profile shows him posing with his girlfriend and her children. The profile also says they started dating in July 2015. On Monday, police searched the woods surrounding the couple's home in a mobile home park. They say there was no sign of a forced entry, but the back door of the home was left unlocked overnight. Kristy Woods says she last saw her daughter Sunday night at 11pm, when she tucked her into bed at the home she lives in with her boyfriend and children Kristy Woods said her boyfriend saw the girl once more, at midnight, when she came out of her room and he told her to go back to bed. Above, search crews on Monday Mariah was officially reported missing Monday morning around 6am, when her mother went into the room and saw she was gone Investigators searched the home, the family's car and the woods around the home on Monday. Above, an investigator packages evidence on Monday Sheriff Hans Miller says it's too soon to know what happened to the girl Law enforcement officials also searched the home and the family's car for evidence. They say they found some items of interest in the woods behind the home, but are unsure if it's connected to the girl's disappearance yet. The FBI is now assisting local and state law enforcement in the case. Mariah is described as a white female with brown hair and blue eyes. She stands at about two-feet-nine and weighs 30 pounds. Sheriff Hans Miller said his officers are 'working everything that can be worked to find this little girl.' 'We dont know what happened. Its entirely premature to try to determine what happened,' Sheriff Miller said. Anyone with information on Mariah's disappearance are being asked to call the Onslow County Sheriff at 910-455-3113 or 911 locally. Advertisement A couple bored of city life built a 28ft trailer and traveled 11,000 miles across America. Duff Bangs and Ashley Rodgers grew tired of living in Seattle so decided to set about making a house they could move from one place to another. Architect Duff designed the portable home to include a full size bathtub, a yoga space and loft for sleeping. Life on the road: A couple bored of city life built a 28-foot trailer (pictured) and traveled 11,000 miles across America The couple built their first home trailer - the Adventure Wagon 28 - in Spring this year before they set off on their travels Clever design: Architect Duff designed the portable home to include a full size bathtub, a yoga space and loft for sleeping The couple say they now plan to build more of the homes and donate some of their profits to housing for the homeless. Duff, 35, said: 'We were living in Seattle and we grew tired of city life. I am an architect and always wanted to design and build my own home. 'After we built it we went travelling around America. This is just the prototype. We hope to now build more. 'The home has all the utilities that you would need and even has a full sized tub. The home looks likely to set you back around $110,000. Writing on their website social worker Ashley, 32, said: 'We lived the typical 8-5 lifestyle in a busy city which ultimately drained us of energy. 'It left us questioning how we can live a more simplified existence and a higher quality of life. The couple say they now plan to build more of the homes and donate some of their profits to housing for the homeless Duff, 35, said: 'We were living in Seattle and we grew tired of city life. I am an architect and always wanted to design and build my own home. He added: 'After we built it we went travelling around America. This is just the prototype. We hope to now build more.' The home has all the utilities that you would need and even has a full sized tub. Pictured: The couple's home under the stars 'We both have the traveling bug journeying and living in the Pacific Northwest. 'After driving From Seattle to Alaska and back summer of 2016 we knew we couldn't go back to our everyday life styles any longer. 'Duff's dream since college has been to build modular, affordable, homes on wheels for the common person. 'My dream has been to help the poorest people in our society to live with dignity and hope. 'So together we created Modern Wagon to offer an alternative lifestyle for people like us to choose a higher quality of life.' The couple were traveling for three months from June this year. Harvey Weinstein has terminated his membership in the Director's Guild of America. A representative for the group announced the news late Monday, revealing that it was Weinstein who chose to resign one month after being informed he was facing possible expulsion from the group. Weinstein, 65, was previously expelled from both the Producer's Guild of America and the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences after being accused of sexual harassment and assault by multiple women. Next week will mark two months since Weinstein's predatory ways were exposed by The New York Times and New Yorker, and there are currently more than 100 women who have publicly accused him of sexual misconduct. Therw will be blood: Harvey Weinstein (above) has stepped down from the Director's Guild of America, where he was facing possible expulsion Weinstein's decision to step down seems to suggest that he has now accepted the fact that there is no hope of reviving his career in the wake of these allegations. He is also under criminal investigation in London, Los Angeles and New York, with NYPD officers revealing a few weeks ago that they have put together a solid case for the district attorney to press charges against Weinstein for his alleged rapes of actress Paz de la Huerta in 2010. At the same time, Weinstein is also now facing his first civil suit. That claim was filed in a London court by a woman who accuses the Hollywood heavyweight of sexual assault. Jill Greenfield, who is representing the plaintiff, says her client is seeking damages for 'personal injury' and 'consequential loss' resulting from these alleged assaults. The complaint was filed at the High Court but no date has been set for a hearing and the plaintiff's identity has not been revealed. Weinstein was also hit with a lawsuit accusing him of sex trafficking on Monday, filed in US District Court by Kadian Noble. In a statement (bottom) shared to Instagram on Tuesday, the former TOWIE star (top left), 32, admitted she was the voice in the shocking audio files, but claimed she only recorded them because she feared 'serious harm and in the face of significant threats'. She wrote in full: 'I am aware that people will have a number of questions about the voice messages being put into the public domain and purportedly sent by me. 'I feel I have no choice but to address these (to the extent that I can as there are restrictions on me which I explain below). Most importantly I want to apologise to all the victims of Arthur Collins (inset) abhorrent actions in 2017 that they have to relive that night and the pain that followed because this matter is again in the public domain. In particular I want to apologise to Sophie Hall (top right). I do not believe her to be ugly or stupid. She has been brave beyond belief.' It comes after her fiance Lorri Haines shared a series of cryptic posts with his 170k followers, amid the ongoing conflict surrounding his partner. His posts come following claims that Ferne made derogatory comments about ex-partner Arthur 's acid attack victims in a series of leaked voice notes, claiming to be of her voice. Dramatic bodycam footage shows the moment an NYPD cop shot a man in the leg after he had charged at him carrying two knives. Responding to reports of a man trying to kill himself, two police officers were faced with a man carrying two blades who charged at them. Paris Cummings, 27, stalked the two cops with the knives before one of the officers opened fire, shooting him in the leg. Scroll down for video Dramatic bodycam footage shows the moment an NYPD cop shot a man in the leg after he charged at him carrying two knives at an apartment block in Harlem, New York. The officer opened fire on Paris Cummings, 27, shooting him in the leg The New York Police Department had been called to his sixth-floor apartment in Harlem, New York, following reports that he was trying to commit suicide. Dramatic footage recorded on a body-worn camera at around 5.30pm on October 22 by one of the two officers shows them banging on the door and Cummings opening it. He then runs back down the hallway as one of the officers exclaims: 'Woah woah woah woah woah, put the knife down, put the f***ing knife down.' The 33-second clip then shows Cummings pacing towards the officer, who backs out of the apartment and draws his gun. He then fires off one shot as Cummings runs towards them and he falls to the ground, dropping his weapons. Cummings was carried out on a stretcher with a single bullet in his leg. The 33-second clip then shows Cummings pacing towards the officer, who backs out of the apartment and draws his gun. He then fires off one shot as Cummings runs towards them and he falls to the ground, dropping his weapons He had already stabbed himself in the neck before officers arrived, CBSLocal reports. He has since been charged with attempted murder of a police officer. An NYPD spokesman said: ' Two officers initially responded to a call for a male who attempted suicide at 610 West 143 Street, 6th floor at approximately 5:30 PM. Cummings was carried out on a stretcher with a single bullet in his leg. He has since been charged with attempted murder of a police officer 'During their response to this call, the officers encountered Paris Cummings, a 27 year old male, who was armed with two knives. 'After repeated commands, one officer discharged his firearm one time, striking Mr. Cummings in the leg, who sustained a non-fatal injury.' Cummings suffered a gunshot wound to his leg and was taken to St Luke's Hospital, New York. The president's daughter opened a U.S. sponsored tech summit on Tuesday afternoon in India with a message of 'greater opportunity for women around the world.' Speaking at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit near Hyderabad's IT hub, Ivanka Trump charmed an audience of more than 1,200 people. Trump, 36, delightedly told area attendees, 'In this "City of Pearls" the greatest treasure is you!' 'Now your tech centers may - may - even outshine your world famous biryani,' she said, eliciting laughter as she name-checked a local rice and meat dish. Scroll down for video Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, second left, arrived with Ivanka for the opening of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit The president's daughter opened a U.S. sponsored tech summit on Tuesday afternoon in India with a message of 'greater opportunity for women around the world' Prime Minister Modi and Ivanka shook hands after they pressed the button on a robot The talks were proceeded by a festive dance performance, where four women were perched atop giant Christmas Tree-shaped installations that broadcast digital scenes while four more women in traditional Indian garb performed on either side of the long stage The Indian folk dance performers are seen here during the inaugural ceremony of the eighth annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) Ivanka Trump is in India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She arrived early Tuesday morning and leaves on Wednesday. She was a keynote speaker at the conference on Tuesday, giving 20 minutes of remarks before Modi took the stage. The first daughter also appeared on a panel, where she encouraged women to seek out and mentor other women who would benefit from their knowledge. Ivanka, who wore a green and floral patterned dress, shared a handshake with Modi on stage at the summit as the plenary session began, coming together to operate a robot that was said to be in control of the room's video display. Their talks were proceeded by a festive dance performance, where four women were perched atop giant Christmas Tree-shaped installations that broadcast digital scenes while four more women in traditional Indian garb performed a choreographed dance on either side of the long platform. In her remarks, Ivanka said the conference's location this year is 'a symbol of the strengthened friendship between our two peoples, and the growing economic and security partnership between our two nations.' 'As President Trump said earlier this year: India has a true friend in the White House,' the first daughter stated. The president's 36-year-old daughter is the face of the 350-strong delegation of American business owners in Hyderabad Ivanka takes a selfie with an attendee of the summit this afternoon in Hyderabad Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi (L) and Ivanka Trump (R) visit the Virtual Exhibition at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit They were wowed later during the opening ceremony by Indian dancers The founder of a fashion company, Ivanka said she has seen 'firsthand that all too often, women must do more than their male counterparts to prove themselves at work, while also disproportionately caring for their families at home.' 'In some countries, women are not allowed to own property, travel freely, or work without the consent of their husbands,' she noted. 'In even more countries, the cultural and family pressure is so great that women do not feel the freedom to work outside the home.' Trump, a special adviser to the president, referred to her father's government as 'our administration' as she highlighted her work 'advancing policies that enable women to pursue their careers and care for their families.' Despite complaints in advance of the conference over her company's labor practices in India and concerns in the U.S. about the sexual harassment allegations plaguing her father, Trump was warmly received in Hyderabad, where 52.5 percent of this year's delegates to GES are women. Twice participants shouted out to Ivanka, causing her to smile and giggle. Twice participants shouted out to Ivanka, causing her to smile and giggle. Trump told attendees that she was proud that a majority of the summit's attendees were women for the first time eve And when she mentioned the 350 American, business owners at the summit, eliciting shouts and woo hoos, Trump when she said they 'represent America's greatest talent,' the first daughter laughed and said, 'I think I found your section!' Still the owner of her company, although she has stepped away from the day-to-day operations, Trump told GES delegates that like them, she has started her own enterprise. 'After my fathers election, I saw an opportunity to leave my businesses for the privilege of serving our country and empowering all Americans including women to succeed,' she said. Trump told attendees in her speech that she was proud that a majority of the summit's attendees were women for the first time ever, truly embodying this year's them of 'Women First, Prosperity For All.' 'Only when women are empowered to thrive; will our families, our economies, and our societies reach their fullest potential,' she said. Gable Tostee is seeking $300,000 in damages over a 2014 arrest during which he claims police arrested him for 'being a d***head'. Tostee - acquitted of murdering his Tinder date Warriena Wright - is suing the state of Queensland over the arrest, which took place outside the Lucky 7 convenience store in Ferny Ave, Surfers Paradise. In court documents, filed in the District Court, he claims Constable Leigh Hurley and Sergeant Stephen Wright arrested him as he was at the store getting cash to pay a tuktuk driver and buy chocolate bars. Gable Tostee (pictured) is seeking $300,000 in damages over a 2014 arrest during which he claims police arrested him for 'being a d***head' Mr Tostee - acquitted of murdering his Tinder date Warriena Wright (pictured) - is suing the state of Queensland over the arrest, which took place outside the Lucky 7 convenience store in Ferny Ave, Surfers Paradise According to Tostee's District Court claim, Constable Hurley told him he was 'being a d***head' and told him he was being arrested on a charge of 'being a f***wit'. Tostee claims he was punched, sprayed in the face with capsicum spray and wrestled to the ground by the officers, The Courier Mail reported. After the arrest he was allegedly held in a watchhouse from 3:10am to 8:14am, which he claims amounted to false imprisonment and deprivation of liberty. Charges of public nuisance and obstructing a police officer were discontinued after Tostee disputed the charges and police failed to provide evidence. Tostee (pictured) claims Constable Leigh Hurley and Sergeant Stephen Wright arrested him as he was at the store getting cash to pay a tuktuk driver and buy chocolate bars In October 2016 a Supreme Court jury in Brisbane found Tostee (pictured, right) not guilty of killing Warriena Wright (pictured, left), who died after falling from his 14th-floor balcony in 2014 He is suing the state, under the name Eric Thomas, for $150,000 for personal injuries and aggravated damages of $150,000, plus costs. Tostee claims he suffered injuries including a fractured toe, jaw, wrist, neck and thumb damage, and dental injuries. He claims he suffered mild to moderate post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as humiliation, indignity, distress and discomfort. Tostee also alleges loss of income and earning capacity, and claims to require ongoing treatment due to injuries suffered during the arrest. The claim was filed on November 23, but the state of Queensland is yet to respond. In October 2016 a Supreme Court jury in Brisbane found Tostee not guilty of killing Warriena Wright, who died after falling from his 14th-floor balcony in 2014. Sun Tamang, from Aldershot, faces jail after she killed Man Limbu (pictured) and attacked his 48-year-old wife Gayatri on March 10 A 50-year-old woman has been convicted of strangling an elderly ex-Gurkha to death before assaulting his wife with a traditional Nepalese knife and a rolling pin. Sun Tamang, from Aldershot, faces jail after she killed Man Limbu and attacked his 48-year-old wife Gayatri on March 10 this year. Tamang was convicted of manslaughter after a court heard she used Mr Limbu's snood to strangle him following a dispute at her flat. While he lay dying on her floor, she went to Mr Limbu's home armed with a traditional machete-like Nepalese kukri knife and a rolling pin, and let herself in with his keys. When Mr Limbu's wife, Gayatri Devi Limbu, returned home, she attacked her with the weapons and bit her on the cheek. Tamang denied murdering Mr Limbu, who served with the British Gurkhas as part of the 7th Gurkha Rifles. She was cleared of the charge but convicted of manslaughter following a trial at Winchester Crown Court. She was also convicted of assault causing actual bodily harm against Mr Limbu's wife. The trial was told Mr Limbu was found dead by Tamang's children on the kitchen floor of their home after their mother had killed him. Stephen Harvey QC, prosecuting, told the jury: 'Precisely why she did so may never become absolutely clear, that she did so is beyond any doubt. 'He was found there, where she left him, on the kitchen floor by her daughter and son when they arrived home from work.' Their mother had left a note which said in Nepalese: 'This person came to the door, knocked on the door and this person attacked me and then I retaliated. My children are not to be blamed.' Mr Harvey added: 'What is clear, however, from documents served by her solicitors is, firstly, she accepts that Mr Limbu died as a result of strangulation and, secondly, no other person was involved in his death.' He said that any other motive for the killing was unknown as Tamang answered 'no comment' in police interview. Mr Harvey QC added: 'What happened after the killing was the defendant left home and went to see the dead man's wife in a nearby road. 'In doing so, her intentions appear clear because she took with her a khukuri knife - a Nepalese traditional knife. She also took a rolling pin. 'When she arrived at Gayatri's flat, she was out and the flat was empty. She was able to let herself in through the front door because she had taken Mr Limbu's keys. Tamang denied murdering Mr Limbu, who served with the British Gurkhas as part of the 7th Gurkha Rifles. She was cleared of the charge but convicted of manslaughter following a trial at Winchester Crown Court (pictured) 'Mrs Limbu went in and was grabbed by the neck from behind. Initially, she could not see who it was and she was pulled by her hair into the kitchen. 'Tamang pulled the khukuri knife and pointed it at her. Very bravely, she grabbed her hands and managed to disarm her. 'She then took the rolling pin and hit Gayatri with it. She managed to disarm her again. 'Mrs Limbu was repeatedly threatened with a knife. When she tried to shout for help, Tamang covered her mouth to silence her. 'She pushed her to the floor, hit her and repeatedly threatened she was going to kill her. She said she would bite her to death. She then did bite her on the cheek.' Mr Harvey QC said police had initially visited the address to inform Mrs Limbu of her husband's death, but arrested Tamang when she answered the door. Giving evidence in court, Tamang said Mr Limbu 'grabbed her hair' following a row over her children and she was able to reach out and grab his snood. She said: 'He got angry and he grabbed my hair with his right hand. 'It hurt very much and I had to bend down. I kept on saying 'release me' and I asked him to let go of me. He heard me say that, but he did not let go. 'First, I reached for his face and he avoided it. When he avoided it, my hand landed on his neck and his neck warmer. 'I had asked him to let go of me, but he didn't, so I moved my hand to the left and to the right. I was in serious pain.' The jury acquitted Tamang of an allegation that she had then falsely imprisoned Mrs Limbu in her own home until police arrived. She was remanded in custody until she is sentenced on December 21 and the judge, Mr Justice Lavender, ordered reports to be prepared on her. Primary school children were delighted after they sent a cut out of their favourite book character to the Palace and received a touching response from Prince Harry. The boys and girls of Leybourne School sent their class mascot, Flat Stanley, to the Royal household. But the youngsters at the Kent school were thrilled to receive a letter back from the recently-engaged prince, who detailed all the beloved children's character's adventures. The note said Flat Stanley he stayed at Kensington Palace and met both the newly engaged Prince as well as the Duke of Cambridge. Year 2 pupils at Leybourne Primary School in Kent were over the moon to see that newly-engaged Prince Harry had responded thanking them for sending Flat Stanley on the trip to Kensington Palace Whilst Flat Stanley was staying with newly-engaged Prince Harry (pictured with his fiance Meghan Markle yesterday), he got the chance to visit His Royal Highness's brother, The Duke of Cambridge During his stay earlier this month the hand sized character played with Prince George (left) and Princess Charlotte (right), according to a letter from Kensington Palace Flat Harry also met Prince George and Princess Charlotte's adorable spaniel, Lupa, pictured cooling off this summer with some of the young prince's ice cream During his stay earlier this month the hand sized character played with Prince George and Princess Charlotte as well as their dog Lupo, according to a letter from Kensington Palace. Flat Stanley is a fictional boy who travels the world after a bulletin board fell on him and left him an inch thick. The letter from Claudia Spens, head of correspondence at the palace, said: 'It was so kind of you to take the trouble to write as you did. 'His Royal Highness has taken care of Flat Stanley and has now asked me to return him to you. 'I thought you might be interested to learn a bit about Flat Stanley's visit to London. 'Flat Stanley stayed at Kensington Palace, where Prince Harry lives when he is in London. 'Kensington Palace is not far from Buckingham Palace where His Royal Highness's Grandparents, The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, live. Year two pupils at the Leybourne School in West Malling, Kent, has sent the character around the world to see where he may end up 'I thought you might be interested to learn a bit about Flat Stanley's visit to London. 'Flat Stanley stayed at Kensington Palace, where Prince Harry lives when he is in London. 'Kensington Palace is not far from Buckingham Palace where His Royal Highness's Grandparents, The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, live. 'Whilst Flat Stanley was staying with Prince Harry, he got the chance to visit His Royal Highness's brother, The Duke of Cambridge and even got to play with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and their pet dog Lupo too. 'Prince Harry was immensely touched that you should take the trouble to write as you did. 'It really was most thoughtful of you and His Royal Highness has asked me to send you all his warmest thanks and best wishes.' Year two pupils at the Leybourne School in West Malling, Kent, has sent the character around the world to see where he may end up. Previously the paper character has been photographed visiting the Eiffel Tower in Paris, has met Sir Michael Gambon and former prima ballerina and now Strictly Come Dancing judge Darcey Bussell. Stephen Port was jailed for life for the murders of four men he drugged at his flat after meeting them on a gay hook-up app Fresh inquests will be held into the deaths of two of serial killer Stephen Port's victims after police were slammed over the investigation into his murders. Serial rapist Port, 42, was convicted of the murders of Anthony Walgate, 25, Gabriel Kovari, 22, Daniel Whitworth, 21, and Jack Taylor 25. He drugged them so he could have sex with them before they died. Open verdicts were returned following inquests into two of his victims, Mr Kovari and Mr Whitworth, before Port eventually caught and his crimes uncovered. A senior judge today said it was 'surprising' that initial police inquiries did not uncover evidence of murder or put Port in the frame. High Court judges Lord Justice Holroyde and Mr Justice Green today quashed the original inquest conclusions, paving the way for all four victims to have their inquests heard at the same time. Following Port's conviction, Scotland Yard admitted it had 'potentially missed opportunities' to catch the killer and investigators failed to notice 'striking similarities' between the deaths. The inquests into the deaths of Daniel Whitworth and Gabriel Kovari have been reopened after a lack of evidence they had been killed was put before the coroner Mandy Pearson, step-mother of Daniel Whitworth, said after the ruling: 'This is an important start to getting some of the many wrongs concerning Daniel's death corrected. 'The very least we can do for Daniel is to get the facts about his death recorded correctly and, with a new inquest we are hopeful we can do that for him and for Gabriel, Anthony and Jack.' Mr Walgate, a fashion student originally from Hull, died at Port's hands in June 2014. Port told police he had found him collapsed outside his flat. He was later prosecuted for perverting the course of justice, but police did not believe Mr Walgate's death was suspicious. Between August and September 2014, Port murdered his three other victims with both Mr Kovari's and Mr Whitworth's bodies found in the grounds of St Mary's Church, Barking. Discovered on Mr Whitworth's body was a note, penned by Port, which suggested that he had killed Mr Kovari before taking his own life. Jack Taylor (left) and Anthony Walgate (right) were also victims of the serial killer. The inquests into the deaths of all four victims will now be held together At an inquest, a coroner was told that Mr Whitworth's family had indentified his handwriting, although his family deny having done so. An open verdict was returned on Mr Kovari by an east London coroner after his cause of death was given as a drugs overdose. And, after high concentrations of GHB were found in Mr Whitworth's system, an open verdict was also recorded in his case. The coroner, however, expressed concern about the case and 'was not satisfied that he had taken his own life', said the judge. Overturning the open verdicts in the cases of Mr Whitworth and Mr Kovari, the High Court judge said it was 'necessary and desirable' to hold fresh inquests. The lack of evidence at the original inquests meant there had been 'insufficient inquiries' into the circumstances of their deaths. The judge said it was 'surprising' that evidence of foul play had not been uncovered by police until after the inquests. But he emphasised that he was expressing no views about the case and the scope of the fresh inquest would be a matter for the coroner. Inquests into the deaths of Mr Taylor and Mr Walgate had been adjourned pending the murder trial verdict. And Lord Justice Holroyde said it was now planned, 'eminently sensibly', to hold a consolidated inquest into all four deaths. No date was set for the inquest, at which the judge said the full facts behind the murders would now be heard. Sioux Blair-Jordan, 61, was taken to A&E after collapsing during the BBC's Question Time programme following an asthma attack An episode of the BBC's Question Time was cut short after an audience member suffered an asthma attack brought on by pungent aftershave, it emerged today. The show was airing live from Colchester Town Hall in Essex when host David Dimbleby suddenly announced it was finishing early after an audience member collapsed and could not be moved. The BBC Two programme last Thursday was cut 20 minutes short - instead of running to an hour as normal - as an ambulance was called to the studio. Now the audience member who suffered the collapse has revealed she suffered an asthma attack, which she claimed was brought on by a reaction to the aftershave of the man sat next to her. Sioux Blair-Jordan said: 'My friend did not like sitting in the front row, so the man behind her swapped. 'Unfortunately the aftershave he was wearing affected my asthma - my airways just closed off. The aftershave was quite pungent, to me. 'It depends how it is chemically made as it is the chemicals that set me off. I don't know what he was wearing but it must have had the chemicals that upset me. 'I actually said to him "oh, I feel faint" and then the next thing I knew I was screaming in pain.' Ms Blair-Jordan, pictured on set of the show, has revealed she suffered an asthma attack, which she claimed was brought on by a reaction to the aftershave of the man sat next to her Ms Blair-Jordan, who suffers from a degenerative spinal disease, revealed her back had been damaged during efforts to give her first aid at the venue. She said: 'From what I understand from other people, I was not moved in the correct way - I don't know who did it. 'I am grateful for their efforts to save my life but by not doing it correctly they actually have damaged my spine - I have soft tissue damage and I ended up in A&E all night.' She does not know the name of the aftershave wearer, but understands he was a former serviceman. He said: 'The man wearing the aftershave was not to know. 'It was quite pungent. I don't know what aftershave it was. All I know is the chap was ex-RAF, he was quite chatty and quite pleasant. I'd never met him before. 'I am thankful for everybody for what they did, particularly the ambulance people who were amazing.' Ms Blair-Jordan, who is unable to work due to her disability, had been sat in the front row when the drama unfolded. 'Some people thought it was a conspiracy to halt the show because it was more pro-Labour than normal but it was not manufactured, it was absolutely genuine. 'If anyone else had sat next to me who had not got perfume or an aftershave on, it would not have happened.' The mother-of-two, who lives in Colchester, said she had been looking forward to quizzing the panel about the issue of Universal Credit before her collapse. Question Time was airing live on BBC Two from Colchester Town Hall in Essex when host David Dimbleby (pictured) suddenly announced it was finishing early Ms Blair-Jordan thanked the ambulance workers for helping get her to Colchester General Hospital from the venue, which normally hosts Colchester council meetings. She previously hit the headlines when she told members at the Labour party conference disabled people might as well 'walk into the gas chamber' if the Government was to bring in a British Bill of Rights. The party activist said during her 2015 speech on the main conference stage, she said: 'Not all health issues are visible. I am sick of being demonised. I am sick of being blamed for all that is wrong with this country. 'We need the disabled and the sick to be seen as human beings - we have our right to have our rights upheld and we need the NHS. 'We also need the EU to uphold our human rights because if Cameron does his Bill of Rights we might as well walk into the gas chamber today.' Ms Blair-Jordan previously met Mr Corbyn when he visited the University of Essex during the leadership election campaign. Explaining the early finish, Mr Dimbleby apologised, saying: 'I am afraid at this point we have to curtail this edition of Question Time. 'A member of the audience was taken ill and couldn't safely be moved, so we had to bring the programme to a close.' Business Secretary Greg Clark, Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott, former Metropolitan Police chief Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, former Marks and Spencer boss Lord Stuart Rose and crime writer Dreda Say Mitchell made up the panel. Andrew Neil's political show This Week, which was scheduled to begin at 11.45pm, was moved forward to fill the gap in the schedules. Texas Rep. Al Green has released a bizarre, unprompted statement, to get ahead of his decade-old sexual misconduct allegations. The congressman was accused of assaulting Lucinda Daniels, his onetime district director, in 2007. He filed a lawsuit against her the following year, arguing they'd had a consensual 'romantic encounter' and she was simply trying to shake him down for $1.8 million with the false allegations. Green then withdrew his lawsuit after Daniels dropped her claims he assaulted her. Texas Rep. Al Green has released a bizarre, unprompted statement, to get ahead of his decade-old sexual misconduct allegations They released a joint statement in 2008, which said that they had resolved the issue 'without payment, promise or receipt of any money' and stated 'they regret any circumstances that created this dispute,' the Houston Chronicle reported. But as the #MeToo campaign unearths allegations of sexual misconduct by celebrities and high profile politicians, including Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) and Republican Senate nominee Roy Moore, Green has decided to release a joint statement with Daniels to address those old allegations. 'In the present climate, we wish to jointly quiet any curious minds about our former and present relationship with one another,' the statement read. Green released a joint statement with Daniels saying that the issue had been resolved He also repeatedly referred to Daniels as a 'friend', adding that they were 'consenting friends' at the time of the alleged incident 'At an unfortunate time in our lives, when both of our feelings were hurt, we hastily made allegations and charges against one another that have been absolutely resolved,' continued the statement, which repeatedly insists that Daniels and Green are 'friends.' 'As consenting friends, we both regret our former claims and have since maintained our respectful friendship. We are friends.' Once again, the statement makes clear the issue was resolved 'without payment of any money or transfer of any consideration of any kind by either of us to the other. As friends, we have both agreed that we see no need to make further statements regarding this absolutely resolved matter.' The trouble between the pair began after their 'romantic encounter' in May 2007, according to court documents filed by Green, an outspoken Donald Trump critic who has called for his impeachment, in 2008. The lawsuit claims that 'Daniels has threatened to go public with her complaints if the Congressman does not per her money. Green has done nothing wrong and refuses to pay 'hush money' just for political expediency. 'Green will not be extorted or blackmailed by Daniels.' It goes onto say Green is suing Daniels for 'declaratory judgment relief relating to her workplace allegations and her quest for money.' Green's statement comes amid the #MeToo campaign which has unearthed allegations of sexual misconduct by celebrities and high profile politicians, including Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) (left) and Republican Senate nominee Roy Moore (right) Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore said on Monday night at a campaign rally that 'dirty politics' are behind the allegations of sexual misconduct against him It also brings up allegations that Daniels was reportedly taking cocaine and Green submitted a voicemail, which Daniels appeared to have sent accidentally, which recorded her asking whether it was 'cut' with some other substance and being assured that it was 'straight off the ki[lo].' A short time after the recording Green had confronted Daniels about the alleged drug use and suggested she seek treatment, according to court documents. Meanwhile, Daniels claimed she suffered a hostile work environment 'because she refused additional romantic requests.' Her then-lawyer Chip Lewis told the Chronicle at the time that Green had forced his client to have sex and had only filed the lawsuit because he didn't want to pay to keep her quiet. Bill Miller, a spokesman for the congressman, said the claim of sexual assault was 'desperate and totally false'. Daniels agreed to drop the allegations and Green withdrew the lawsuit in December 2008, two months after it was filed. The case, while covered by local press at the time, appears to have gone largely forgotten by the wider public until his new statement this week. President Donald Trump mocked Democratic leaders Charles Schumer and Nancy Pelosi by addressing reporters while seated next to two empty chairs after the Democrats skipped a White House meeting with him. Trump staged a photo-opportunity designed to humiliate the Democratic leadership after they snubbed a White House meeting where a looming government shutdown was on the table. The two leaders announced they would skip it after Trump went after them in a morning tweet. Trump then met with Republican leaders Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan. When he spoke to the press afterward, the president was seated between two large, leather chairs each in front of a nameplate of the Democratic leader to signify their absence. 'We are very far apart,' he said at one point. 'So they decided not to show up. Theyve been all talk and theyve been no action ... Now its not even talk.' Scroll down for video President Donald Trump, surrounded by empty chairs marked for U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), who chose not to meet with Trump, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI), speaks with reporters at the White House in Washington The president then tore into the no-show Democrats. 'Im not really that surprised,' he said. 'I'm not really that surprised, we have a lot of differences. They are weak on crime, they're weak on illegal immigration, they want the illegal folks to come pouring into a border and a lot of problems are being caused, although we've stopped it to a large extent without the wall, which we're going to get,' Trump said. He repeatedly stressed national security, and brought up a Tuesday missile launch by North Korea. 'They, before this meeting and before this missile launch, have been weak on military in terms of spending. They're very hard to get for military. They want it for a lot of other things, but the military is always secondary to them,' Trump said. 'And the other thing, they want tax increases and we want major tax decreases. So they decided not to show up. They've been all talk and they've been no action. And now it's even worse. And now it's not even talk. So they're not showing up for the meeting. 'I will say this, in light of the missile launch, probably they'll be here fairly quickly, or at least discussions will start taking place fairly quickly,' Trump added, without explanation. 'We have a lot of differences. Theyre weak on crime, theyre weak on illegal immigration,' Trump said. 'Theyve been weak on military in terms of spending,' Trump said. The two top Democrats in Congress abruptly canceled a planned White House meeting with Donald Trump on Tuesday in response to the president's angry tweet expressing pessimism about their willingness to cut a deal that would keep the government running. YOU NEVER VISIT: Trump blasted the Democratic leaders for snubbing a White House meeting IT'S NOT THE SAME WITHOUT YOU: Trump glances at an empty chair marked 'Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi' EVERYONE ELSE CAME: The meeting included staff aides to McConnell and Ryan YOU COULD HAVE BEEN MY RIGHT HAND: Donald Trump looks at the empty chair of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (L), D-New York, after Schumer cancelled their meeting at UNCOMFORTABLE: Schumer and Pelosi skipped the meeting after Trump called them 'weak on Crime' THERE WAS GOOD COMPANY, GLASSES OF WATER ... The lawmakers skipped the meeting after Trump went after them in a morning tweet President Donald Trump, center, escorted by Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee, left, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., right, arrives at the Capitol to meet with GOP lawmakers about moving his agenda and passing the Republican tax bill, in Washington Trump threw shade at Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Nancy Pelosi hours earlier, calling them tax-hikers who are 'weak' on crime and favor the 'unchecked' admission of illegal immigrants into the United States. And he wrote that he doesn't 'see a deal' in the making. Pelosi and Schumer effectively cut the president out of the conversation late on Tuesday morning, saying in a joint statement that '[g]iven that the President doesn't see a deal between Democrats and the White House, we believe the best path forward is to continue negotiating with our Republican counterparts in Congress instead.' House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi abruptly canceled a budget- and tax-related meeting with Donald Trump on Tuesday, saying she won't go to the White House after the president tweeted that he was pessimistic about cutting a deal across the aisle Chuck Schumer (center), the Senate's leading Democrat, is also boycotting Trump, essentially cutting the president out of buget negotiations 'Rather than going to the White House for a show meeting that won't result in an agreement, we've asked Leader McConnell and Speaker Ryan to meet this afternoon. We don't have any time to waste in addressing the issues that confront us, so we're going to continue to negotiate with Republican leaders who may be interested in reaching a bipartisan agreement.' Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell who has also been on the receiving end of Trump twitter attacks and House Speaker Paul Ryan hit back with their own statement bashing the 'new excuses' not to meet with the administration. 'We have important work to do, and Democratic leaders have continually found new excuses not to meet with the administration to discuss these issues,' the two leaders said. 'Democrats are putting government operations, particularly resources for our men and women on the battlefield, at great risk by pulling these antics. There is a meeting at the White House this afternoon, and if Democrats want to reach an agreement, they will be there.' President Donald Trump shouts to reporters as he leaves the weekly Senate Republican Policy Committee luncheon in the U.S. Capitol November 28, 2017 in Washington The back-and-forth on the budget came as Trump visited Republican senators as they rush to take up a $1.4 trillion tax cut bill. The Senate Budget Committee reported the legislation on a party-line vote of 12 to 11. It included the votes of two Republicans who had raised doubts, Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee, who raised concerns about the bill's effect on the debt, and Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson, who complained about the impact on smaller businesses. As the bill heads toward the floor, leaders are continuing to adopt changes to lock down votes. President Trump tweeted about an upcoming meeting with Sen. Charles Schumer and House minority leader Nancy Pelosi 'It's a challenging exercise,' admitted McConnell. 'I think I'm sitting there with a Rubik's cube trying to get 50 [votes]. We have a few members who have concerns and we are trying to address them. We know we are not able to go forward until we get 50 people satisfied, he said. Maine Sen. Susan Collins blasted the inclusion of the repeal of Obamacare's individual mandate. 'I continue to believe that it was a big mistake to combine that provision with tax reform,' she said, but indicated her concerns had been met through the guarantee that Trump would sign legislation to prop up the market before any final tax bill conference report comes to a vote. 'A lot of my concerns, it appears, are going to be addressed,' she said. Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) said he raised concerns about debt issues during the meeting with Trump, which he said was mostly questions and answers from the president. 'The challenge is the what-if. If you have other situations come in you've got to be able to also prepare for the future,' he said. Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) indicated that his desire to have a 'trigger' put in place to hold back tax cuts if they don't cause the desired economic growth. 'I think we've gotten a commitment that puts us in a pretty good place,' he said, TalkingPointsMemo reported, citing a 'verbal agreement' he said he got from the president. The White House told reporters late on Monday that Trump would meet with congressional leadership at 3:00 p.m. On Tuesday afternoon press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement that [i]t's disappointing that Senator Schumer and Leader Pelosi are refusing to come to the table and discuss urgent issues.' 'The President's invitation to the Democrat leaders still stands and he encourages them to put aside their pettiness, stop the political grandstanding, show up and get to work. These issues are too important,' Sanders said. 'The meeting will proceed as scheduled with Speaker Ryan, Leader McConnell and administration officials who are committed to getting things done,' Sanders added. 'If the Democrats believe the American people deserve action on these critical year-end issues as we do, they should attend.' NO THANKS: Pelosi tweeted that she and Schumer plan to 'continue negotiating with our Republican counterparts in Congress' Trump is also scheduled to speak with the Republican Senate Caucus at lunchtime. Republicans have unified control of government, but leaders may need to rely on some Democratic votes to get a funding resolution passed. Some Democrats are demanding a fix to help DREAMers who came to the U.S. illegally as immigrant children. The president rescinded their status but set a six-month deadline that ends in March to find a solution. 'Meeting with 'Chuck and Nancy' today about keeping government open and working,' Trump tweeted. 'Problem is they want illegal immigrants flooding into our Country unchecked, are weak on Crime and want to substantially RAISE Taxes. I don't see a deal!' Pelosi wrote that she and Schumer will negotiate 'in good faith' Trump may need help from 'Chuck and Nancy,' as he calls them, to bring a spending bill across the finish line and avoid a government shutdown for which Republicans would likely catch most of the blame Schumer responded on the Senate floor Monday. 'Instead of leading, the president tweeted a blatantly inaccurate statement and then concluded: I don't see a deal,' Schumer said. Trump used a similar attack on Doug Jones, the Alabama Senate candidate who is a former prosecutor and who helped put away two Ku Klux Klansmen who were charged with blowing up a Birmingham Baptist church in 1963. 'The last thing we need in Alabama and the U.S. Senate is a Schumer/Pelosi puppet who is WEAK on Crime, WEAK on the Border, Bad for our Military and our great Vets, Bad for our 2nd Amendment, AND WANTS TO RAISES TAXES TO THE SKY. Jones would be a disaster!' Trump tweeted this past weekend. 'I don't see a deal!' with Democrats to keep the government running, President Donald Trump tweeted Typically in recent years, even as government funding deadlines approach, presidents reassure financial markets and investors that the U.S. government will ultimately remain open and running. The president may be trying to use the threat of a shutdown to try to gain negotiating leverage, although usually it is a minority party seeking concessions from the White House who is able to threaten to hold up government funding, rather than the head of the government. Neither Pelosi nor Schumer are calling for tax hikes, though Democrats are resisting the $1.4 trillion tax cut that Trump called 'tremendous' on Monday. Not happening again: Pelosi sat in the Oval Office in September as the White House negotiated hurricane relief funds and a hike in the nation's borrowing limit Republican leaders trying to reach majority support for their tax cut must contend with another conservative who is raising objections, after Montana Sen. Steve Daines raised concerns about how it would affect 'Main Street.' With just a 52 seat majority, they can only afford three defections from their ranks. Trump heads to the Capitol Tuesday afternoon to meet with the Republican conference about the tax cut, which could come to the floor for a vote as soon as Thursday. One Republican senator, Ron Johnson of Ohio, has already said he is a 'no' on the bill because of the way it advantages corporations over so-called 'pass-throughs,' business who file as individuals and miss off on some of the savings in the bill. Trump has promised to 'give the American people a huge tax cut for Christmas' but the politics are getting tough on Capitol Hill as Republicans defect NOT THERE YET: Conservative Sen. Steve Daines has voiced concerns about the bill Senate Finance Committee chairman Orrin Hatch (center-right) told reporters that he 'hopes' to have a tax relief plan on Trump's desk by Christmas, and that he's confident the GOP can find 50 votes to pass it 'Sen. Daines has concerns with how the tax bill looks at main street versus large corporations,' an aide to the senator said, The Hill reported. 'The Senator wants changes to the tax cut bill that ensure main street businesses are not put at a competitive disadvantage against large corporations.' Daines, a Budget Committee member, linked his support to the issue. 'Before I can support this bill, this improvement needs to be made.' A new Congressional Budget Office score estimates that '(t)he number of people with health insurance would decrease by 4 million in 2019 and 13 million in 2027' under the bill due to its removal of an Obamacare individual mandate. That provision has drawn criticism from Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, although it could get removed if needed to lock down enough votes. Trump hailed the bill as 'a tremendous tax cut' and 'the biggest tax reduction in the history of our country' on Monday. 'I think we're going to have great receptivity. We've had great spirit,' the president said. 'And I can tell you, the Republican senators who are up, if we win we are going to get some Democratic senators who are joining us. If we don't win they wont be joining us,' he predicted. Hashem Ramezanpour, 40 (pictured), is wanted for sexually assaulting a 77-year-old woman he drove home from church for Uber last month Police in the Dallas-Forth Worth area are searching for an Uber driver who allegedly sexually assaulted a 77-year-old passenger during a ride last month. The incident happened in the early evening of October 22, when 40-year-old driver Hashem Ramezanpour picked up a 77-year-old woman at a church in Dallas and drove her home to North Fort Worth. About five to 10 minutes from the woman's home, she says the driver stopped the car in a dark-wooded area, ordered her to get out, and then sexually assaulted her. He then got back in the car and drove her to her final destination. Lab work confirmed that Ramezanpour was the assailant in the crime. However, police have not been able to track down the suspect, and believe he may have fled the country. He faces a charge of aggravated sexual assault of an elderly victim. While police have not specified which ride-hailing app Ramezanpour worked for, he Star-Telegram reports that it was Uber. An Uber spokesman said that Ramezanpour's access to the app has been 'immediately removed' and he is now permanently banned. They also explained that drivers have to pass a criminal background test before being allowed to drive for the company. 'What has been described and reported to police is a violent act no person should ever have to go through. We are working with law enforcement officials to fully support their investigation. This former driver's access was immediately removed from the app and he has been permanently banned,' the spokesman said. Ramezanpour was driving a white 2016 Honda Civic during the assault with the Texas license plate number JBY 3214. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is being asked to call the Fort Worth Police's sex crimes unit at 817-392-4350 or 817-392-4350. Anonymous tips can be made to Crime Stoppers which is offering a $1,000 reward. Crime Stoppers can be reached at 817-469-TIPS or www.469tips.com. A female postal worker was shot and killed on Monday evening after sustaining a gunshot wound to her head near Atlanta, Georgia. Postal inspectors and federal law enforcement have opened an investigation into the Monday night shooting, U.S. Postal Service spokesman Rick Badie told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The incident occurred behind a DeKalb County post office branch located at the intersection of Wesley Chapel and Snapfinger roads near the docking area. The incident occurred behind a DeKalb County post office branch (pictured) located at the intersection of Wesley Chapel and Snapfinger roads near the docking area An eyewitness told Channel 2 Action News that he saw a man lingering around a nearby laundromat before approaching the victim and opening fire. Eyewitness Michael Grogan (pictured) said he saw a man loitering around a laundromat before the shooting 'It's hard to understand,' said the eyewitness Michael Grogan . 'He turned around and came back. Then two shots went off, then two more.' Investigators said that the motive for the shooting remains unclear and are searching for a suspect. 'It's terrible, it's very terrible. She's young, her career trying to do something for herself at the post office,' Grogan said. The female postal worker, whose identity has not yet been released, was a new employee and had worked at the Wesley Chapel for only a month before Monday's shooting. The victim's Wesley Chapel post office colleagues described her as a sweet, young woman and were grief stricken over her killing, CBS affiliate WGCL reported. Armed police officers will be present in shopping centres, supermarkets and festivals in Victoria in order to stop terrorist attacks. Protective Services Officers will be deployed in popular places in the state in a bid to foil terrorism, according to the Herald Sun. The move comes after a man was arrested and accused of planning a New Year's Eve terror attack in Melbourne. Ali Khalif Shire Ali is accused of planning a terror attack on New Year's Eve in Melbourne (Federation Square pictured in 2015) Mr Shire faced Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Tuesday charged with preparing to commit a terrorist attack and collecting documents to facilitate a terrorist attack Victoria and Australian Federal Police tracked Ali Khalif Shire Ali and said he planned to shoot 'as many people as he could' in an attack in Melbourne's CBD. Mr Shire faced Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Tuesday charged with preparing to commit a terrorist attack and collecting documents to facilitate a terrorist attack. According to charge sheets Mr Shire acted 'in preparation for, or planning a terrorist act' between March 31 and April 6. He was dramatically arrested on Tuesday and charged with trying to obtain a semi-automatic rifle to gun down revellers in Federation Square. The 20-year-old was allegedly connected to Australian jihadist circles including other terror suspects and extremist preacher Junaid Thorne. Stunning footage of what looks like three suns appearing in the sky has stunned people in China. Two small coloured patches, or 'phantom suns', can be seen positioned at the left and right side of the actual sun in the sky. Such phenomenon is known as 'sun dog' and is an optical illusion. Footage uploaded shows natural phenomenon known as 'sun dog' appearing in China Sun dog happens when a luminous halo ring appears around the sun and when light interacts with ice crystals in the atmosphere. The footage was taken in Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia, on November 28. A man who filmed the video can be heard saying: 'Look, there are three suns' in the background. Residents in Yakeshi, Hulunbuir, reported seeing the phenomenon twice on the day, and the occurrence in the morning lasted for about two hours, according to Pear Video. Zhao Kexin, who works at the Hulunbuir Meteorological Station, said 'sun dog' occurs often in Hulunbuir in winter. Sun dog creates two light patches around the sun. The phenomenon happens when a luminous halo ring appears around the sun and when light interacts with ice crystals in the atmosphere The phenomenon is more visible when the sun is lower on the horizon during certain months According to Nasa, sun dogs are like a new form of ice halos and are formed by plate-shaped ice crystals drifting down from the sky like leaves fluttering from trees.An article from LiveScience stated that sun dog can occur at any time of the year and from any place, although they are most visible when the sun is lower on the horizon in January, April, August and October. It also occurs when ice crystals in the atmosphere are more common, but can be seen whenever and wherever there are cirrus clouds. A high school English teacher has been charged a week after her students filmed her snorting what appeared to be cocaine in her classroom. Samantha Cox of Lake Central in St. John, Indiana, was slapped with felony drug possession and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia after the teens caught her in the act last Wednesday. The 24-year-old was arrested after students secretly filmed her through the locked door cutting up the white, powdery substance on a binder at around 10:20 a.m. during a break in between classes. In the video, Cox is shown turning her back to the door, leaning over, and seemingly snorting the substance. Aside from posting the video to social media, the teens showed the footage to staff members, who called police. When St. John police arrived, they requested assistance from Dyer police and their detection dog, CBS reported. The detection dog sniffed the leftover substance and paraphernalia stashed in her locked desk drawer. During questioning, Cox told police she fell early that morning before she purchased the 'dope cocaine' for $160 from a dealer. The teacher told authorities she had been using drugs since she first started college. Cox was released from Lake County Jail the same day after posting $1,000 bond. Samantha Cox (seen above in her mugshot) was charged with felony drug possession after telling police she purchased the 'dope cocaine' after falling ill early morning last Wednesday Cox is shown cutting up a white powdery substance on what appears to be a binder then standing up to lean over it as if to snort it as students film her through the window of her classroom at Lake Central High School in St. John, Indiana It is not clear how long she had been working at the school when the video was filmed last week. Some students were outraged by the display. 'She tried to hide herself. She wasn't at her desk where we could see her. 'She was all the way in the corner where she thought we can't see her,' John Rogers told CBS. He is one of Cox's students. Others were more concerned about her well-being. 'It is like a serious thing. A lot of people can get addicted to a lot of things, and something like this is, it's very heartbreaking,' student Michael Sanchez said. The school said it was grateful for the students who brought the video to their attention. It is not known when Cox is next due in court. Cox was handcuffed and marched out of the school by police officers shortly after the video was taken A father killed his son by chopping off his penis with an axe to rid his house of 'evil spirits'. Ram Gopal Patel, 39, castrated his 13-year-old son Rupesh before leaving him to bleed to death in their home in Baloda Bazaar, central India on Saturday. He claimed witch doctor Rajesh Yadav, 19, had told him to sacrifice the teenager. Ram Gopal Patel (pictured), 39, castrated his 13-year-old son Rupesh before leaving him to bleed to death in their home in Baloda Bazaar, central India on Saturday The father and the witch doctor hit the boy on the head before castrating him. When the boy's 35-year-old mother Sunita returned from working in the fields, she found her son lying on the floor and began screaming as neighbours rushed to help. Neighbours said the family had been complaining of evil spirits in the house for some time before consulting the local witch doctor. Local inspector Ram Gopal Soni said: 'The accused Ram Gopal Patel and Rajesh Yadav sacrificed 13-year-old Rupesh Patel before he bled to death. 'They hit Rupesh hard on his head and then chopped off his genitals with an axe and left him lying on the floor in a pool of blood. 'The mother reached home and found Rupesh lying on the floor. She reported the incident and we arrested both men yesterday. 'The father has since confessed his crime but is in a state of shock and probably repenting for his acts. He claimed Rajesh told him that in order to get rid of the evil spirits, he had to sacrifice his son, and all his problems would be solved once he sacrifices his son. He claimed witch doctor Rajesh Yadav (pictured), 19, had told him to sacrifice the teenager He added that strange things had been happening in the house for some time such as utensils buzzing and windows making noise. The boy's father said he was desperate to get rid of the evil. The mother said her husband might have been possessed by evil spirits before he killed his own son. Both men accused have been arrested for murder, conspiracy and covering up evidence and will remain in custody until their trial. Witch doctors in India are rife in rural areas and among the illiterate communities. India continues to see a rise in witch doctor crimes nationwide, mostly in remote tribal pockets. According to the National Crime Records Bureau, 135 people were killed for practising witchcraft in 2015, the equivalent of one person every three days. But few witnesses come forward, so many crimes go unreported. A council paid 43,000 in compensation after a child got a splinter from sitting on a park bench. Croydon Council made the big payout after the youngster got injured on a playground bench in one its parks in south London. The child needed surgery after the incident and the local authority paid out the whopping sum. Croydon Council made the big payout after the youngster got injured on a playground bench in one its parks in south London. File photo The claim is one of 1,600 made against Croydon Council since 2014, and according figures obtained by the London Evening Standard, total 6million. The largest payout in compensation was 181,000 to someone who tripped on a pavement which was damaged during council improvement works. The local authority also dished out 81,000 to a man who jumped over gates of a car park because he thought they were locked - and broke his leg. The list of compensation pay-outs was released under the Freedom of Information Act. Legal fees for the council and claimant were included in the overall total for each case. A spokeswoman for Croydon Council told the newspaper: 'Where appropriate the council will robustly defend claims against it. 'In this case (of the child's splinter) it was deemed by the court the claimant should receive damages of 2,760, and we abided by this decision.' A Columbia PhD student has been killed by his boyfriend who shot him in the head after an argument. Devon Wade, a promising 28-year-old student whose mentors said he would 'change the world', died after being shot at his home in Houston, Texas, on Sunday night. His boyfriend Mario Jerrell Williams, 29, turned himself in to police shortly afterwards and admitted shooting him. Williams is being held on $100,000 bond and is charged with first degree murder. On Sunday night, he went to the home which Wade shared with twin brother but was asked to leave. Devon Wade, 28, (left) died on Sunday after being shot in the head by 29-year-old Mario Jerrell Williams, 29, (right) who told police he was his boyfriend when he turned himself in for his killing He says he returned a short time afterwards and began fighting with Wade, who he said punched him in the face and chased him downstairs. Once downstairs, he shot him and then fled. When he turned himself in to police later, he said he was his boyfriend, Click 2 Houston reports. Wade's twin brother, who was asleep upstairs, then found his brother lying on the ground bleeding. He said he saw Williams fleeing the scene on security cameras installed around the home. It is not clear what the pair were arguing about or how long they had been together. Wade was known locally for his community efforts and had already been praised for overcoming a difficult start in life to pursue academia. The shooting happened at Wade's home in Houston, Texas, on Sunday night Wade, 29, had already graduated from the Louisiana State University and had almost completed his PhD when he died. He was a well known member of the community who was passionate about charity and youth programs (seen right running a triathlon recently) He was in the middle of a PhD in sociology at Columbia University in New York and had already graduated from Louisiana State University after being given a scholarship from a local law firm in Houston. He had not long returned to Houston to complete his dissertation on the poverty and incarceration among the black community. As news of his death spread on Tuesday, friends took to social media to eulogize him in disbelief. 'Great inspiration and a bright light now dimmed with sadness. 'To some he initially seemed destined for failure, however beat all odds and made outstanding accomplishments,' said one friend. Devon's twin brother Stevon (right) was at the home on Sunday night when he died. He said he woke up to the sound if gunshots and then found his brother on the floor downstairs bleeding 'Statistically, Devon wasnt expected to graduate high school. Devons parents were incarcerated [but] he overcame his unfortunate circumstances, graduated with Honors from LSU with a degree in Criminology, and was completing a PhD program at Columbia University. 'Devon dedicated his life to serving and encouraging others. 'He was committed to making society and the justice system better,' said another friend. Devon and his brother were raised by his grandparents in Houston. Columbia University said it will award him his doctorate posthumously. A New York grandmother was stabbed and killed during a random attack in broad daylight while on her way home. Geetha Howie, 63, was leaving a bank at around 2.15pm on Monday in Staten Island when she was attacked about two blocks away from her home. She was stabbed more than a dozen times in the face and chest. The suspect, identified as 27-year-old Dantey Moore, then stabbed neighbor Mark Long, 56, in the arm as he ran to help after he heard screaming. By the time police and paramedics arrived at the scene, Moore had dropped his knife and was cradling the victim in his arms, investigators said. Scroll down for video. Grandmother Geetha Howie, 63 (pictured), was leaving a bank around 2.15pm on Monday in Staten Island, New York, when she was attacked about two blocks away from her home The suspect, Dantey Moore, 27 (pictured), stabbed Howie more than a dozen times in the face and chest. He's been arrested and faces charges of murder, criminal possession of a weapon and four counts of assault, police said Howie's screams drew 56-year-old neighbor Mark Long, who didn't know Howie, out of his house. He confronted Moore in an attempt to get him to drop the knife (Pictured, Howie's home) Relatives believe the stabbing may have started as a robbery that went wrong. Howie's screams drew Mark Long, who didn't know Howie, out of his house. 'His hand was holding a knife and that's when I realized he's stabbing and I said: "Hey, stop!"' Long told the New York Daily News. 'The guy stood up, he lunged at me, swung his knife out. He scored me in the arm.' Long and the attacker backed up and faced each other. The father-of-one said he focused on trying to get Moore to drop his knife. 'All I could think about is keeping his attention away from the woman. I just kept asking him: "What's going on? What are you doing? Why are you hurting her?"' Long said. 'He didn't really say anything to me at first and finally he said: "She cheated, she cheated with everyone" and I didn't really know what that meant.' That's when Moore dropped his knife and fell to the ground, and began to cradle Howie. Paramedics took Howie to Richmond University Medical Center, where she died about an hour later. Moore slashed Long (pictured) in the arm, causing a laceration. Long was finally able to talk Moore down and get him to drop the knife By the time police arrived at the scene, Moore had dropped his knife and was cradling Howie (pictured) in his arms, investigators said. She died at Richmond University Medical Center an hour later Howie's son-in-law, Daniel Fazzina, said she had been at the bank to withdraw money to travel to Sri Lanka for a relatives wedding, and believes the attack may have been a robbery gone wrong (Pictured, crime scene) Her son-in-law, Daniel Fazzina, said she had been at the bank to withdraw money to travel to Sri Lanka for a relatives wedding, and that she was very loved. 'She loved her family. We have a three-year-old daughter, her granddaughter, who she absolutely loved,' Fazzina told CBS 2. 'They were inseparable. This is a senseless tragedy.' Fazzina added that he later visited Long to thank him for his help. Moore, who didn't know Howie, was arrested, and faces charges of murder, criminal possession of a weapon and four counts of assault, police said. His motive remains unclear, but sources say they are investigating attempted robbery, and if he was on drugs. One of Moore's two sisters, Cynthia Toye, 23, told the Daily News that her brother suffered from bouts of rage and that he had been hospitalized for abusing the drug angel dust (Pictured, crime scene) Moore's motive remains unclear, but sources say they are investigating attempted robbery, and if he was on drug (Pictured, crime scene) Prior to this incident, Moore had 34 arrests since 2007 for a wide range of alleged offenses including burglary, robbery, assault, criminal possession of drugs, criminal mischief and resisting arrest (Pictured, crime scene) One of his two sisters, Cynthia Toye, 23, told the Daily News that her brother suffered from bouts of rage and that he had been hospitalized for abusing the drug angel dust 'His anger was just building, building,' she said, adding that recently hed been fighting with his girlfriend. Prior to this incident, Moore had 34 arrests since 2007 for a wide range of alleged offenses including burglary, robbery, assault, criminal possession of drugs, criminal mischief and resisting arrest. A retired NYPD detective who lived next door to Howie told News 4 that Moore is a known nuisance and drug user in the neighborhood, and has broken into cars to try and get money. A Somali refugee who raped two Utah women when he was 14, has been spared adult prison - despite pleas from one of his victims. Mohammed Ali Mohammed, 20, has spent almost six years at a Salt Lake Valley juvenile detention center after pleading guilty rape, sexual assault and kidnapping charges in 2012, the Salt Lake Tribune reports. He was due to age out of the juvenile system when he turns 21 next month, leaving Judge Vernice Trease with a choice; sentence him to serve time in an adult prison for his crimes, or release him on five year's probation. She chose the latter. The sentence comes as a bitter blow to his victims and prosecutors who sought to keep him behind bars. Mohammed Ali Mohammed, 20, has spent almost six years at the Salt Lake Valley Detention Center (pictured) after pleading guilty rape, sexual assault and kidnapping charges in 2012 One woman, who was attacked and raped in her own Salt Lake City home by Mohammed, who then forced her at knife point to take money out at the ATM, said she is 'terrified' at the thought her rapist will be free to walk the streets where she lives. Breaking down in tears in court, she told the judge: 'He did adult crimes and should have an adult sentence to match what he did.' She says she still lives with the flashbacks and fear from that day and had asked for the strictest sentence for Mohammed. His other victim, who he grabbed outside her home and raped her with a four-inch switchblade to her throat, was not in court but prosecutors said her life had fallen apart shortly after the assault. Then a promising college student in 2011, prosecutor Coral Sanchez-Rose said she fell into drug use and got in trouble with the law after the assault. 'We just lost track of her,' Sanchez-Rose said. 'I don't know if she's homeless, I don't know where she's staying at; we're unable to contact her. Clearly, this has had a great impact in her life.' But in 2012, when he was sentenced to juvenile detention, she told the court he was 'getting away with less than he deserves.' 'I want him in prison. ... I want to have him feel what I felt.' His mother, Zahra Mohammed, (pictured in 2012 ) refused to believe the crimes he'd pleaded guilty to and even blamed his victims, saying her son was set up or taken advantage of by older women Mohammed moved to the US in 2010 with his family. Less than 12 months later he committed the first heinous rape. On August 14, 2011, then then-14-year-old came up behind a woman, who was outside her home with her dog and put a knife to her throat, threatening it to cut it if she screamed. He then raped her behind her own house. The next night, he broke into a second woman's home, and went through her belongings before raping her, court documents show. He then forced her to go to an ATM and withdraw $400 which he later told prosecutors was for him to buy new clothes for the first day of ninth grade school. It was the ATM camera that allowed police to track down and arrest the teen. But on Monday, the Salt Lake City court heard how Mohammed had turned his life around during the past six years and was now repentant for his crimes. 'I was a monster,' he told Judge Trease, adding he did 'very, very horrible things' six years ago. 'There is nothing that I could say or do that could restore what I did to them,' he said. 'The only way I can show them I've changed is how I live my life.' Volunteers at Wasatch Youth Center also claimed he'd changed, and was a kind person and a leader to his unit. The court also heard about Mohammed's troubled childhood, where he was born in a 'lawless' Somali refugee camp in Yemen (file image of the refugee camp in Yemen in 2006) While in the camp, his brother was murdered before his eyes, his defense attorney Andrea Martinez-Griffin said (file image of the Somali refugee camp in Yemen) The court also heard about Mohammed's troubled childhood. Born in a 'lawless' Somali refugee camp in Yemen, his brother was murdered before his eyes, his defense attorney Andrea Martinez-Griffin said. He also witnessed his mother's friend get raped and was himself, sexually abused, he added. His mother, Zahra Mohammed, told the Salt Lake Tribune in 2012 she refused to believe the crimes he'd pleaded guilty to and even blamed his victims, saying her son was set up or taken advantage of by older women. She claimed he'd pleaded guilty because he believed it would be easier for him in the long run. On Monday, he was sentenced to five years of strict probation which includes wearing an ankle monitor bracelet, weekly check-ins with the court and his probation office, and more. And he puts a toe out of line, he'll be back in court and off to jail to serve a lengthy sentence. 'I won't let you down,' Mohammed replied. A furious wife has dumped her husband after spotting the view from her bedroom window among the Instagram pictures of another woman. Yulia Agranovych, from Russia, discovered the familiar sight among images uploaded to the social media app by Vlada Abramovich. When she began going through Vlada's other pictures she also discovered images of her husband, Nazar Grynko, and decided to confront him. Yulia Agranovych (left), from St Petersburg, is divorcing husband Nazar Grynko after discovering he was having an affair with Vlada Abramovich Yulia discovered the infidelity after spotting this image, taken from her bedroom window, on the Instagram account of Abramovich 'I wasn't searching for anything, it was a normal morning,' said Yulia, from St Petersburg, who worked as a model before qualifying as an orthodontist and children's dentist. 'Like any other person in the 21st century I began my day browsing through my Instagram timeline, and suddenly I saw this photograph. 'It turned out that this woman and I have a large number of the same subscribers. 'Having visited her account, I found many other interesting photographs, including those of my husband.' The distressed wife, in her late 20s, immediately challenged both her husband and the woman. 'Beautiful view from my husband's bedroom,' she posted to Vlada. Grynko denied the affair but Yulia discovered that Abramovich (right) had been bragging about it elsewhere on social media Yulia says she will now been divorcing her unfaithful husband, saying she is glad she found out about his cheating ways before the pair started a family At first her husband denied anything was going on, telling her that when she was away he invited some friends over for a drink before they went to the cinema. Vlada was not his mistress but the girlfriend of his friend, he claimed. 'When the guests came, they would have headed to the kitchen to drink tea - not to the bedroom,' she told him. Vlada closed her account after being confronted by the angry wife but later openly admitted on another social media to sleeping with Yulia's husband. Asked if she had qualms about having sex with a married man she was unapologetic saying: 'She is his wife, not mine, what's the problem? 'Is he just a vegetable without free will? Don't make me laugh.' She said her critics were 'living in the 18th century', adding: 'If I want to have sex, I'll have it.' Yulia's husband later acknowledged having had several lovers when they were apart but claimed 'he was never mentally unfaithful to me - and told every girl he was married', she said. 'I loved this phrase about being mentally faithful.' Having uncovered multiple other women, Yulia began contacting them. Yulia is now encouraging other women to ditch their unfaithful husbands after talking to a Russian TV network about her experience In the course of her investigation, Yulia said she uncovered multiple other women who Grynko had slept with, including several who did not know he was married 'The other girls were much more pleasant, one even crying on the phone to me, saying she had no idea he was married. So he was successful in his sorcery, ' she said. Yulia eventually took her discoveries to Russian news station Ren-TV, which led to other women saying they have suffered the same way. 'Many women supported me, posting that they were proud of my bravery, that I openly discussed it with irony and sarcasm, so now they are ready to get rid of their unfaithful men too.' She said that for her 'it will be divorce'. 'I hope to do it quickly...such people never change. If he finds a woman who is ready to be with him, and to accept it, let them be happy together. 'I'm so glad I got to know about it now and not when I became pregnant, for example, because we were planning to have a family. 'Or when I was 40 and we have three kids.' She posted: 'Thank you, Vlada Abramovich - you are an experienced woman who taught me a good lesson.' Her husband has not so far responded to requests to comment on Yulia's claims. The late Labour MP Jo Cox has had a street named after her in a town in central France in honour of her work. The town of Avallon in the Burgundy region asked the permission of Cox's family earlier this year before unveiling 'rue Jo Cox' in a working-class area that has been redeveloped by the council. The 41-year-old MP and mother-of-two was murdered by a far-Right activist in the run up to the Brexit referendum in 2016 for her pro-EU beliefs. In memoriam: The street sign for Rue Jo Cox, named in honour of the murdered British MP, reads: 'murdered for her convictions' Deputy mayor Gerard Delorme said that Cox's views in defence of the European Union - 'which weren't always appreciated by her compatriots' - had played a role in the town's choice. 'We needed to find a name for the street. We wanted it to be a woman and she stood for values which we share as well,' the deputy mayor said. Cox's name was proposed along with several others but quickly won unanimous backing on the council, which is headed by mayor Jean-Yves Caullet, a member of President Emmanuel Macron's Republic on the Move (LREM) party. Announced with little fanfare in May and largely unnoticed until a photo began circulating on social media. The street name is inscribed on a typical dark blue sign which explains that Cox was a British MP 'murdered for her convictions'. Inspirational: The 41-year-old MP and mother-of-two was murdered by a far-Right activist in the run up to the Brexit referendum in 2016 for her pro-EU beliefs Honoured: The town of Avallon in the Burgundy region asked the permission of the late Labour MP's family earlier this year, before unveiling 'rue Jo Cox' France's streets are used to honour deceased personalities and important figures, mostly men from French history but with a few notable exceptions. Paris hosts an Avenue Winston Churchill in tribute to the British war-time leader and there are numerous streets countrywide named after famed English scientist Isaac Newton. In December last year, eurosceptic councillors in the town of Beaucaire in southern France voted to name a street after Britain's decision to leave the 28-member bloc. Critics mocked the decision afterwards, noting that 'Rue de Brexit' was a dead-end. The US has slammed what it described as an unsafe intercept on one of its next-generation planes after a Russian fighter jet came within a mere 15 metres of it. The Pentagon reported one of its Boeing P-8 Poseidon patrol aircraft was flying low above the Black Sea on Saturday. The American plane has been described as a next-generation long-range maritime patrol aircraft, and it's understood it was in the area on an evidence gathering mission on Vladimir Putin's new submarines. The Pentagon reported one of its Boeing P-8 Poseidon (pictured) patrol aircraft was flying low above the Black Sea on Saturday The US has slammed what it described as an unsafe intercept on one of its next-generation planes after a Russian Su-30 fighter jet came within a mere 15m of it Lieutenant Colonel Michelle Baldanza, a spokeswoman for the Pentagon described the Russian jet's maneuver as unsafe and she told the Defence Blog it came as close as 50 feet from the US aircraft in international airspace. The plane is designed to improve anti-submarine warfare and it also has anti-surface missile capabilities. It is described as an anti-submarine warfare, anti-shipping, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft and was intercepted by a Russian Su-30 fighter jet. It is not clear what it was doing over the Black Sea, but experts believe it might have been on an intelligence-gathering mission to gather intelligence on the new Russian Varshavyanka submarines. The new subs - called Project 636.3 - is an improved version of the country's Kilo-class vessels. Commissioned in late December 2014, the submarine is deemed to be one of the quietest in the world. The stealth submarine is so advanced it is dubbed the 'black hole' because it is so hard to detect. It has the capability to strike land, surface and underwater targets and Vladimir Putin has already constructed six of them. Advertisement A U.S. destroyer that was significantly damaged in a fatal collision with a merchant vessel off the coast of Japan this summer has suffered a further blow. After the initial accident, the USS Fitzgerald, an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, was taken to its home port in Yokosuka, Japan to be patched up so that it could be hauled to Huntington Ingalls Industries in Pascagoula, Mississippi for extensive repairs. Those repairs were recently completed and the plan was to load the Fitzgerald onto a heavy lift vessel that would transport it to Mississippi. Scroll down for video The USS Fitzgerald suffered two more punctures to its hull on Sunday as it was being loaded onto the heavy lift vessel Transshelf (the Fitzgerald pictured on the Transshelf on Monday) The Fitzgerald was taken back to Yokosuka after the incident so that it could undergo more temporary repairs. After those are done, Transshelf will take the Fitzgerald to Mississippi for extensive repairs A U.S. destroyer was significantly damaged in a fatal collision with a merchant vessel off the coast of Japan this summer. Above, the USS Fitzgerald in port at Yokosuka, Japan on July 11, about a month after the first incident Seven sailors died and three others were injured when the Fitzgerald was struck by a merchant vessel off the coast of Japan on June 17 (above the damage seen on June 18) The 8,315-ton ship was towed out to deep water on Friday to start the loading process, which typically takes several days. The loading process involved the heavy-lift vessel Transshelf partially submerging its hull so that its cargo rests above it. The hull is then slowly raised so that its cargo is no longer sitting in water. But during the process on Sunday, the Transshelf's steel support structure punctured two holes in Fitzgerald's hull. That damage meant Fitzgerald needed to be taken back to Yokosuka for yet even more temporary repairs. Those repairs are only expected to delay its journey back to the U.S. by a few days, but it's another embarrassing blow to the U.S. Navy, which has suffered multiple expensive and deadly mishaps this year. The Fitzgerald accident was the first of two collisions involving U.S. Navy destroyers in Asian waters this summer. It happened on June 17, when the Philippine-flagged ACX Crystal plowed into the starboard side of the Fitzgerald near Japan's Izu Peninsula, resulting in the death of seven sailors. A combination photo of the dead sailors identified by the U.S. Navy in the collision incident between U.S. Navy destroyer USS Fitzgerald and Philippine-flagged merchant vessel south of Tokyo Bay on June 17, 2017. Top row (L-R) Fire Controlman 2nd Class Carlos Victor Ganzon Sibayan, 23, from Chula Vista, CA; Gunner's Mate Seaman Dakota Kyle Rigsby, 19, from Palmyra, VA; Sonar Technician 3rd Class Ngoc T Truong Huynh, 25, from Oakville, CT; and Yeoman 3rd Class Shingo Alexander Douglass, 25, from San Diego, CA. Bottom row (L-R) Fire Controlman 1st Class Gary Leo Rehm Jr., from Elyria, OH; Personnel Specialist 1st Class Xavier Alec Martin, 24, from Halethorpe, MD; and Gunner's Mate 2nd Class Noe Hernandez, 26, from Weslaco, TX. The collision between the Fitzgerald and the Philippine vessel happened early in the morning on June 17 The collision happened off the coast of Japan's Izu Penninsula, as seen in the map above Seen above is the minimal damage sustained by the ACX Crystal in the collision with the Fitzgerald The Fitzgerald is seen the morning of November 24, as it was being tugged out to deep water to be loaded onto the Transshelf The Fitzgerald is seen being loaded onto Transshelf in deep waters on November 24 Just two moths later, a similar incident happened off Singapore, and 10 sailors on the USS John McCain were killed. In the wake of the two accidents, the commanders of both ships were fired, in addition to other high-ranking officers blamed for the mishaps. As of Monday, the John McCain was on a heavy lift vessel of its own, on its way from the Philippines to Yokosuka to undergo repairs. USNI reports that the Navy is set to pay $367million to fix the damage to the Fitzgerald. The Navy's initial report on the two collisions said that crew on long deployments in Asia were not getting the training they needed because of demands on the ship. The world-famous paleontologist who died unexpectedly in September had a social history of cigarette smoking, using vapor pens, social drinking and marijuana use, DailyMail.com can reveal. Although friends said at the time of his death that he had no bad habits, an autopsy revealed Mike Getty died of a heart attack and listed those as contributing factors. Outwardly fit and healthy, Getty was working on a dinosaur dig in Thornton, Colorado, on September 11 when he complained of feeling unwell and collapsed unexpectedly. The 50-year-old was rushed to nearby Westminster Hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at around 3pm the same day. In the wake of his death, a number of bizarre explanations were put forward, including that he succumbed to an ancient virus hidden in the fossils he was working on. But the autopsy report, exclusively obtained by DailyMail.com, shows that the real cause of Getty's early death was an 'acute myocardial infarction' or heart attack. World-renowned paleontologist Mike Getty (pictured) died suddenly while working in an excavation site after he had complained about feeling ill on September 11 Getty's autopsy has revealed he died of a heart attack. His sudden death prompted a slew of bizarre theories including one suggestion that he succumbed to an ancient virus hidden in the fossils he was working on According to the document, which was put together by the Adams County Coroner, the heart attack occurred due to underlying coronary artery disease. Typical symptoms include shortness of breath and chest pain, although for many, the first indication that the disease is present comes when the patient suffers a heart attack in Getty's case, fatally. Along with hypertension, the report notes that Getty had a 'social history' of 'cigarette smoking, use of vapor pens, social drinking, and marijuana use' which also contributed to his death. He was also found to have sustained cracked ribs while being given CPR, as medics battled to save his life. Getty, who was the chief fossil preparator at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science at the time of his death, was born in Canada but spent most of his adult life in Arizona and Utah. While still living in Canada, he worked for the Royal Tyrell Museum in Drumheller, Alberta, and led expeditions into the Dinosaur Provincial Park where he helped uncover the remains of huge herds of Centrosaur dinosaurs a member of the horned Triceratops family. Later, he moved to US to take up a position at the Natural History Museum of Utah where he spent 13 years running the fossil lab and had an entire species of dinosaur named after him the Utahceratops gettyi. Getty was the chief preparator at Denver Museum of Nature and Science at the time of his death and previously spent spent 13 years running the fossil lab and had an entire species of dinosaur named after him the Utahceratops gettyi The Utahcertops: Getty discovered this specimen during a dig at the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in 2010. It was believed to measure up to 25ft long The herbivorous animals, whose name means 'horned face from Utah', occupied the southern part of the state during the Late Cretaceous Period, roughly 76.4 to 75.5 million years ago. Utahceratops, which are a relation of the more famous Triceratops, had skulls that measured up to 7ft in length and, in total, were up to 25ft long. Getty discovered the holotype or initial specimen during a dig at the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in 2010. The discovery was his second major find, having unearthed a new species of oviraptorosaur a parrot-beaked omnivorous dinosaur in the same area in 2002. Named the Hagryphus giganteus, the feathered beast lived in Utah during the Late Cretaceous Period, walked on two legs and could weigh up to 110lb. In 2013, Getty took up a new position at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, where he was still working at the time of his death. On the day of his demise, he was overseeing a dig in the Denver suburb of Thornton; located on a building site where the remains of a triceratops dinosaur were uncovered late last August. This is the excavation site in Thornton, Colorado, where Getty died during a dinosaur dig Discoveries so far include most of the skull, as well as a rib, shoulder blade and vertebrae. A tooth, thought to be from a scavenging Tyrannosaurus Rex, has also been found. According to close friend Lisa Holowinski, 37, who was at the hospital when Getty passed away, the paleontologist had complained of feeling unwell at around 2.30pm that day. Colleagues initially thought that the 50-year-old was suffering from heat exhaustion but 15 minutes later, he collapsed and was pronounced dead at 3pm just 30 minutes after first becoming ill. 'He basically just stopped in his tracks,' Holowinski told DailyMail.com in September. 'His co-worker who is a lab assistant [and who was also at the hospital], she just said during the dig on Monday, Mike had come up to her and said he wasn't feeling well. 'So she said 'why don't you go sit in the truck, turn on the engine and turn on the air conditioning and you'll be better off'. 'She thought maybe it was getting too hot outside and he was suffering from heat exhaustion. She turned around and Mike had sat down on the cooler but then shortly after, he slumped over and he was unconscious. 'By the time the EMT arrived, he had no pulse and so he went very, very quickly. He said he wasn't feeling well and the next thing you know, he was dead.' Retired mechanical engineer Bob Buck, 71, was volunteering at the dig on the day and said Getty had been lifting heavy equipment shortly before he collapsed but noted that was not unusual. Getty's close friend Lisa Holowinski (right) 37, was at the hospital when Getty passed away. She initially believed he was suffering from heat exhaustion Friends described the fossil hunter as a man with a 'quirky'personality' and as an energetic excavator also traversed the world doing what he loved Fellow paleontologists were also quick to shut down some of the more outlandish theories put forward in the wake of his death, such as Getty being exposed to ancient bacteria present at the site He added: 'Maybe he didn't know anything until the last moment. It was just one of those things I guess. 'He had just finished helping lifting some heavy things which Mike always does and he just sat down and said he didn't feel very good. The only good thing is Mike died doing what he loved.' Fellow paleontologists were also quick to rubbish some of the more outlandish theories put forward in the wake of his death; claims now borne out by the autopsy report. Discussing that Getty could have died as a result of being exposed to ancient bacteria present at the site, fossil preparator Hillary McLean, 26, said: 'There is no bacteria out there that would be able to last that long, that would still be viable.' A construction accident was ruled out immediately after Getty died by his final employer, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. On the autopsy report, the paleontologist's death was officially recorded as being the result of natural causes. The Museum is now hoping to construct an art wall in Getty's memory which will be housed inside the Volunteer Engagement Center in downtown Denver. To be named the Volunteer Inspiration Art Wall, the installation will eventually include 205 unique images of fossils and other artifacts, along with an inscription honoring the late paleontologist. An Italian man imprisoned a Romanian woman in a sex dungeon for a decade where she was tortured, raped, and forced to give birth to two of his children, police say. Aloisio Francesco Rosario Giordano, 52, was arrested at the weekend and accused of kidnapping the 29-year-old woman before carrying out a sick campaign of abuse. Incredibly it is not the first time Giordano has been accused of such crimes, as he was jailed in 1995 for kidnapping, raping and torturing another woman. Aloisio Francesco Rosario Giordano, 52, was arrested in southern Italy at the weekend after discovering a dungeon where police say he kept a 29-year-old Romanian woman prisoner Officers discovered the squalid basement after Giordano was stopped for a traffic violation before they noticed the disheveled condition of his son and demanded to see the boy's mother On that occasion he was locked up for just five years before being released early in 1999 for good behaviour. After regaining his freedom returned home to care for his terminally ill wife and two children, recruiting the help of a then-19-year-old Romanian who would become his second victim. When his wife passed away police say Giordano offered the carer support and a place to stay - before locking her in a basement under a shed. Giordano was jailed in 1995 for kidnap, torture and rape but was released in 1999 on good behaviour There she spent the next 10 years chained to a metal bar in a filthy, rat and insect-infested room without running water or electricity. All the while she was beaten, tortured, and repeatedly raped, she said. During that time she gave birth to two children by Giordano, a boy now aged nine and a girl now aged three. The children were forced to watch as Giordano abused their mother, police said, with the young boy made to participate in torturing her - or face a beating himself. Police footage of the place where the woman was held show a dark and filthy basemen made of corrugated iron, wood and cardboard boxes. The toilet is a plastic bucket placed underneath a wooden chair. The woman, together with her two children, had to sleep on beds made of cardboard. Next to the bed is a metal bar that the woman was constantly chained to. The police found wounds all over here body, including to her breasts and crotch, many of which were treated by Giordano himself. Officers said he attempted to close some of the deeper wounds with fishing wire. Video from inside the basement where the woman was kept show it has no running water or electricity and was covered with filth. The toilet was little more than a bucket in the corner Police say the woman was forced to give birth to two children, a boy now aged eight and a girl now aged three, during her time in this basement All of this took place in the tiny village of Gizzeria, in southern Italy, but went entirely unnoticed until police discovered the house of horrors by accident. Police picked Giordano up during a routine traffic stop because of the bad condition of his vehicle, when they noticed the nine-year-old boy in his back seat. The disheveled appearance of the boy, who was described as dirty and malnourished, raised their suspicions and they demanded to see Giordano's home and speak with the boy's mother. When they arrived they discovered the woman, who was also filthy, holding a second malnourished child and decided to investigate. It was only then that they discovered the conditions she had been kept in. Footage also shows a bin in one corner where it appears the woman's food was kept which is covered with flies One officer can be seen lifting a rotting package of cheese from the container which has a long-expired date on the back The woman declared to the police she hadn't had any contact with the outside world and that she hasnt washed herself for a year. She has subsequently been taken to a secret location along with her children, and is not being named for her protection. Giordano was arrested on charges of aggravated sexual abuse and mistreatment. In 1995 Giordano was arrested in a shockingly similar case when he kidnapped, tortured and repeatedly raped 23-year-old Maria Rosa. According to newspaper articles from the time he held Maria hostage in similar conditions, and also made her pregnant twice. But on that occasion he decided to abort the children himself - the first by kicking her in the stomach and the second time using rudimentary scalpel and a spoon. After the arrest in 1995, the police found the scalpel used in the second abortion and a wooden stick with which he apparently sodomized Maria. When an officer pries at the ceiling with a crowbar a large section crumbles away. Police said the basement was filled with insects and rats Advertisement Meghan Markle has finally found her Prince Charming - but it has come at a huge cost, with the American actress forced to give up on many of her passions. Prince Harry's fiancee had to make the heartbreaking decision to leave behind her dog Bogart after moving to the UK to start her new life, as the pet is thought to be too old to fly overseas. The 36-year-old has also given up on her career as an actress so she can take up full royal commitments in Britain, bringing an end to her run as Rachel Zane in the hit series Suits, the show which brought her to prominence. While set in New York, Suits was filmed in Toronto and it is believed Miss Markle was finding it hard to juggle her relationship with Harry and her demanding schedule on the show. Kensington Palace confirmed that Miss Markle's new role would also force her to give up her charity work with the United Nations, plus her role as patron at organisations including World Vision Canada and One Young World. She has already moved out of her two-bedroom home in Toronto according to reports, as she prepares to settle down with Prince Harry in his Nottingham Cottage, within the grounds of Kensington Palace. Scroll down for video Meghan Markle is separating from one of her beloved rescue dogs after Kensington Palace confirmed Labrador-shepherd cross Bogart, pictured top, would not be coming to the UK It was revealed that Miss Markle (right) will have to become a British citizen when she marries Prince Harry (left), meaning she will lose her status as simply a US national Kensington Palace confirmed that Miss Markle's new role would also force her to give up her charity work with the United Nations, plus her role as patron at organisations including World Vision Canada (pictured) and One Young World Miss Markle has already moved out of her two-bedroom home (centre) in Toronto according to reports, as she prepares to settle down with Prince Harry in his Nottingham Cottage, within the grounds of Kensington Palace A spokesman said Miss Markle remains fond of both dogs and the decision was 'complex' It comes after it was revealed that Miss Markle will have to become a British citizen when she marries Prince Harry, meaning she will lose her status as simply a US national. She will go through the lengthy application process just like a normal citizen, despite plans to marry Harry, 33, in May at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. Royal Sources are keen for the application process to be done 'properly and officially', meaning that she will not be able to cut corners. Harry's communication's secretary Jason Knauf said Ms Markle, who has relocated to London from her home in Toronto, would be 'compliant with immigration requirements at all times'. He added: 'I can also say she intends to become a UK citizen and will go through the process of that, which some of you may know takes a number of years. 'She will retain her US citizenship through that process.' Mr Knauf would not comment on whether Ms Markle would retain her US citizenship and become a dual national in the future. Since 2014, the American actress has helped put a global spotlight on the need for equality between women and men as an 'Advocate for Political Participation and Leadership' for the women's agency of the United Nations. In her role for UN Women, Markle spent time at the World Bank and with the team of then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton learning more about the issue. She also visited Rwanda, which has the highest percentage of women in parliament and where she also met with female refugees. The 36-year-old has also given up on her career as an actress so she can take up full royal commitments in Britain, bringing an end to her run as Rachel Zane in the hit series Suits, the show which brought her to prominence Since 2014, the American actress has helped put a global spotlight on the need for equality between women and men as an 'Advocate for Political Participation and Leadership' for the women's agency of the United Nations The pair inspect Meghan's engagement ring, which includes a large diamond from Botswana, where they had one of their first dates together camping out under the stars Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding will take place at St George's Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle in May because it is a place 'close to the couple's hearts', as is their charity work (right) While set in New York, Suits was filmed in Toronto and it is believed Miss Markle was finding it hard to juggle her relationship with Harry and her demanding schedule on the show The American actress has two rescue dogs - a beagle, Guy, and a Labrador-shepherd cross, Bogart - who she would keep in touch with via FaceTime during her long stints away. Kensington Palace confirmed Guy has come to the UK and has legal permission to stay here, but Bogart has been left behind. It has prompted speculation from fans on social media that Bogart may have been left behind because he is 'too big or too old' to fly to the UK. Many animal lovers have expressed their sadness online at the pet being separated from Miss Markle. The Prince's communication secretary Jason Knauf said: 'Bogart is now living with friends.' The Palace refused to speculate as to why Bogart was not brought to the UK and added the decision 'would have lots of complexity to it' while confirming Miss Markle remains 'fond of her dogs'. To be able to come to the UK, Guy had to be subjected to several vaccinations and bloodtests, as well as being microchipped. It is understood he is 'living very happily' at Kensington Palace with the couple. Speaking yesterday in the couple's first interview following their engagement, Miss Markle told told the BBC's Mishal Husain: 'I have two dogs that I've had for quite a long time, both my rescue pups. 'And one is now staying with very close friends and my other little guy is, yes he's in the UK, he's been here for a while. I think he's doing just fine.' The palace confirmed Bogart would be staying in Canada 'with friends' of Miss Markle while beagle Guy, bottom, would come to stay with the newly-engaged couple The decision to leave Bogart at home has prompted an outcry of sadness on social media with some speculating whether he is too old or big to travel Miss Markle has frequently featured her dogs on social media over the years, pictured She even dressed up Guy the beagle in a Union Jack dog jumper after she started dating the Prince Miss Markle is a keen advocate of adopting dogs and has been vocal on social media about the issue Ms Markle has said the pair 'mean the absolute world' to her and she refers to them as 'my loves' and 'my boys'. Guy and Bogart have regularly featured on her Instagram account, with Guy even appearing in a patriotic knitted union flag jumper. It was American comedian and chat show host Ellen DeGeneres who convinced Ms Markle to adopt Bogart, her first pet, after she bumped into her in a shelter. 'She turns around and comes and taps on the window glass and she yells 'take the dog!' And so I brought him home. Because Ellen told me to,' she said. Meanwhile Prince Harry has revealed the Queen's corgi and dorgis took to his fiancee 'straight away'. The prince revealed the dog loving Suits star had charmed his grandmother's pets far easier than even he had ever managed. In their first interview since announcing their engagement, Harry said: 'And the corgis took to you straight away.' 'I've spent the last 33 years being barked at; this one walks in, absolutely nothing ...' Describing the moment, Ms Markle, who has two rescue dogs, a beagle named Guy and a labrador-shepherd mix called Bogart, said: 'Just laying on my feet during tea, it was very sweet.' And Prince Harry added: '... just wagging tails and I was just like argh.' The couple are to marry in May at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, Kensington Palace has announced. The American actress, who will become a senior HRH on marrying into the royals, also intends to become a British citizen. As the couple make preparations for their big day, Ms Markle, a protestant who went to a catholic high school, will be both baptised and confirmed, ready for the religious ceremony. The royal family will pay for the wedding, including the church service, the music, the flowers and the reception, the palace said. A speeding driver has been jailed for killing his girlfriend when he crashed and flipped his car at 110mph. Nick Tay, 25, was speeding down a dual-carriageway in south west London at more than double the limit when he veered across two lanes, hit the central reservation and flew off towards a verge. The crash, which happened on the A3 near Tolworth, killed his 24-year-old girlfriend Maria Jimenez Montero. Shocking video shows the moment the car skidded out of control on the two-lane road and slams into crash barrier. CCTV footage shows the moment a young driver skidded off the A3, killing his girlfriend Maria was not wearing a seatbelt and was thrown from the Peugeot 206 when Tay crashed it in the early hours of March 22. Witnesses told police that the Peugeot had driven past them at high speed before the collision. Tay, from Guildford, Surrey, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and causing death by driving an uninsured vehicle. Nick Tay was jailed for five years for causing death by dangerous driving He was jailed for five years and disqualified from driving for four and a half years. He will need to take an extended re-test at Kingston Crown Court on Monday. Sergeant Eddie Ryan from Surrey Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: 'This was a tragic collision that has left a family without their daughter and was an incident that was entirely preventable. 'Nick Tay chose to drive at a catastrophically dangerous speed that was more than twice the limit for that area of the road. 'Evidence gathered by officers also show that sadly Ms Montero wasn't wearing a seatbelt which is likely to have led to her being thrown from the vehicle as it rolled. 'The driver was wearing his seatbelt and was able to crawl out of the car with only a scratch. 'Speed limits are exactly that, limits. They are not a target to overcome and the measures in place on roads are there for a reason - to keep motorists and those around them safe.' Russia is launching an investigation into whether Tsar Nicholas II and his family were killed by Jews as part of a 'ritual murder' in a move that has infuriated anti-Semitism campaigners. Father Tikhon Shevkunov, the Orthodox bishop heading an investigatory panel, is among hardcore members of the church who claim the final Russian emperor was murdered in a Jewish ritual. Tsar Nicholas was shot with his wife and five children by Communist Bolsheviks in 1918 after Vladimir Lenin came to power, and wild rumours about the circumstances surrounding his death have circulated ever since. Russia is launching an investigation into whether Tsar Nicholas II and his family (pictured) were killed by Jews in a 'ritual murder' The country's final emperor was shot with his wife and five children by Communist revolutionaries in 1918 after Vladimir Lenin came to power. Pictured: Romanov family in Tobolsk Boruch Gorin, a spokesman for the Federation of Jewish Communities, Russia's largest Jewish group, expressed a strong concern about the claims, which he described as a 'throwback to the darkest ages'. Some Christians in medieval Europe believed Jews murdered Christians to use their blood for ritual purposes, something which historians say has no basis in Jewish religious law or historical fact. The tsar and his family were executed by a Bolshevik firing squad on July 17, 1918, in a basement room of a merchant's house where they were held in the Ural Mountains city of Yekaterinburg. The Russian Orthodox Church made them saints in 2000. Conspiracy theories blaming the Jews for spearheading the Bolshevik revolution were popular among the post-revolution Russian emigres and the Russian Orthodox Church abroad, and were later picked up by some hard-line nationalists. Mr Gorin said his group was shocked and angered by the statements from both the bishop and the Investigative Committee, which he said sounded like a revival of the century-old 'anti-Semitic myth' about the killing of the imperial family. Discussing the Tsar's murder, Father Shevkunov claimed the 'Bolsheviks and their allies engaged in the most unexpected and diverse ritual symbolism'. This is the room where the tsar was shot. Nicholas and his family were canonised as passion bearers, a title commemorating believers who face death in a Christ-like manner, by the Russian Orthodox Church in 2000 How claims of 'ritual murder' are just the latest slur against Jews in Russia Jews in Russia have long struggled against anti-Semitism both before, during and after the days of the Soviet Union. Under the Tsars, the country's five million Jews mostly lived in poverty and were confined to a Pale of Settlement in the west of the empire. They faced discriminatory laws and were often the victims of anti-Jewish riots known as Pogroms, which were often organised by the royal family. After the 1917 Russian Revolution, the new Bolshevik government abolished all restrictions on Jews and proclaimed their opposition to all forms of anti-Semitism. Yet persecution soon began afresh, with synagogues and other Jewish properties confiscated by the state in 1919 under anti-religion laws. Stalin, who took power in 1924, was known for his anti-Jewish outbursts, and used anti-Semitic tropes in his power struggle with Trotsky, who was of Jewish heritage. By the 1940s, Soviet campaigns against 'rootless cosmopolitans' - which many took as a supposed euphemism for Jews - led to the deaths of several leading Jewish intellectuals. After the Second World War, Nazi persecution of the Jews on Soviet soil was denied, and people of Jewish heritage accused of kowtowing to the Americans and influencing policy in Washington. Thousands of Jews have emigrated to Israel over concerns about anti-Semitism in a phenomenon that has continued under the Putin regime. Advertisement He claimed that 'quite a few people involved in the execution - in Moscow or Yekaterinburg - saw the killing of the deposed Russian emperor as a special ritual of revenge'. And he alleged that Yakov Yurovsky, the organizer of the execution who was Jewish, later boasted about his 'sacral historic mission.' He put forward as evidence the claim that a bullet was assigned to eat royal but the majority of the bullets hit the tsar because 'everybody wanted to be part of the regicide' and 'it was a special ritual for many'. The 'ritual' claims were dismissed by the Prosecutor General's Office in the 1990s but will be explored again as part of a new criminal investigation into the killing. But Bishop Tikhon's said his panel were taking the claims 'very seriously'. His claims carry particular weight given his reported close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin and influence within the church. An investigative committee has now launched a 'psychological and historical evaluation' into the matter as part of the on-going criminal case into the slaying of the Romanovs. Marina Molodtsova, a senior Investigative Committee official, said the probe would 'resolve issues of whether the Romanov family murder had a possible ritual component'. Key members of a church commission linked to the criminal investigation 'do not have any doubts' the shooting was 'ritualistic', he said. A staunchly pro-Putin MP, Natalia Poklonskaya, 37, has also claimed the tsar's killing had 'evil' religious motives. 'They murdered the entire royal family, they killed the children in front of their father, they killed the mother in front of the children,' said the politician, formerly the chief prosecutor in Crimea. This is a crime, a frightening ritual murder.' The 'ritual' claims were dismissed by the Prosecutor General's Office in the 1990s but will be explored again as part of a new criminal investigation into the killing Left: Empress Alexandra with son Alexei. Right: Yakov Yurovsky who executed the Romanovs 'Many people are afraid to talk about it - but everyone understands that it happened. It is evil.' Top Bolshevik Yakov Sverdlov - who specifically ordered the killing of the last tsar - was also Jewish, say supporters of this theory. Alexander Boroda, president of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia, said the accusations - tantamount to a conspiracy theory - were plainly aimed at Jews, and risked stirring up hatred. 'Accusing Jews of a ritual murder is one of the most ancient anti-Semitist slanders,' he said. 'It repeatedly causes persecutions resulting in deaths of hundreds and thousands of people. 'But each time those accusations were considered by people free of anti-Semitic prejudices, it emerged that this slander is false.' Alexander Boroda, president of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia, said the accusations - tantamount to a conspiracy theory - were plainly aimed at Jews, and risked stirring up hatred. Pictured: Romanov family in Tobolsk Top Bolshevik Yakov Sverdlov - who specifically ordered the killing of the last tsar - was also Jewish, say supporters of the theory. Pictured: Romanov family in Tobolsk 'It's regrettable that it is being advanced again, presenting libelous slander as a theory worthy of an inquiry,' he said. Judaism was the first religion to abolish human sacrifices and does not know the concept of a 'ritual murder', he said. Tikhon is widely seen as Putin's personal confessor and spiritual adviser. The ultra-conservative churchman once said: 'You can believe those rumours if you want, but they certainly are not spread by me.' The pair were introduced to one another by exiled Russian banker Sergei Pugachev, estranged lover of British socialite and former BBC Horse People presenter, Alexandra Tolstoy. Bishop Tikhon demanded that the claims of a ritual killing of the imperial family should be 'substantiated and proven'. Pictured: Nicholas and Alexei in Tobolsk exile British mother Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has post-traumatic stress disorder, doctors in the Iranian jail where she is being held have confirmed. The mother of one - being held on spying charges - was assessed by medics at the prison this week. She told doctors she has uncontrollable moods, particularly panic and anger, her repeated insomnia, and bouts of severe depression. She mentioned having periods of feeling suicidal and having panic attacks. British mother Nazanin Ratcliffe has post traumatic stress disorder, doctors in the Iranian jail where she is being held have confirmed Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe (pictured with husband Richard Ratcliffe) told doctors that she suffers uncontrollable moods, particularly panic and anger, insomnia, and severe depression The prison doctor also noted that she had a PTSD attack on Thursday following the latest TV broadcast when Iranian television aired pictures of a BBC pay stub and an email from 2010 showing she once worked to train Iranian journalists. The report was intended to increase pressure on the British government which is working to secure her release, her husband said. She had to be taken to the prison clinic with shock when she saw the report, which also included close-ups of an April 2010 pay stub from her previous employer, the BBC World Service Trust. After watching the report, she told her husband: 'After 20 months they put out these false stories why are they doing this to me and my family? I dont watch the news, or read the papers anymore. I cant stand it anymore. I sometimes wonder if I will ever be normal again. I wonder how far can they go? How far can their stupidity and injustice stretch? They have ruined my life. Why these stories now? Why after all this time? Why are they torturing me? 'If they want to pick a fight with the government, they should just pick a fight with the government. I am just a normal human being and mother. Why do I pay the price when this is a fight between two governments? Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe admitted having periods of feeling suicidal and panic attacks. She said the way that she is being shown on TV had induced particular agitation A prison doctor who assessed Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe (pictured with her husband) noted that she had a PTSD attack on Thursday after a TV broadcast when Iranian television aired pictures of a BBC pay stub and an email from 2010 showing she once worked to train Iranian journalists When Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe (pictured) saw the claims while sitting with the other women prisoners watching the evening news, she fell off her chair, she told her husband this weekend 'I was so worried about my mum and whether she had seen it I kept calling out.' She went on: 'I felt like I am drowning, deep in the sea, and no one can help me. I cannot see the light. My pot of waiting is full.' 'I have worked so hard not to be damaged when I speak to Gabriella each time after I saw her I used to cry so much at what I was missing. It used to break my heart. I am trying to think positive thoughts, and to distract myself. But they keep pushing these stories.' 'I have paid a huge price. I have been deprived of my life for what they say I have done. What they say is ridiculous. They have turned it all round to make me into a dangerous person.' 'I was calm yesterday, but I am really angry inside, and I worry because the scars are so deep. Life will never be as normal as before. I worry about what Gabriella will remember. No one knows.' The case of Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe has gained momentum in recent weeks as British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson faces tremendous criticism at home over his handling of it. She now faces new charges that could add 16 years to her prison term. Actor Emma Thompson and Richard Ratcliffe pose for cameras in London before a march in support of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, the British-Iranian mother who is in jail in Iran A programme aired by state TV in Iran focused on Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe (pictured), who is serving a five-year jail term for allegedly planning the 'soft toppling' of Iran's government When she saw the claims while sitting with the other women prisoners watching the evening news, she fell off her chair, she told her husband this weekend. She collapsed onto one of the prisoners beds, eyes closed. She started to sob, but she could not. No sound came out. It took her more than a minute before she was able to breathe properly and cry. She lay completely white, coughing as she couldnt call out. Both her husband and her employer Thomson Reuters repeatedly have stressed she was not training journalists or involved in any work regarding Iran while there. Belgian former SAS pilot Rudi Sels has been jailed for 14 years A Belgian former SAS pilot who threw barrels loaded with 2.5million worth of cocaine over a Kent airfield has been jailed for 14 years. Rudi Sels, 65, piloted a light aircraft from Belgium before dropping the Class A drugs stuffed into barrels wrapped in black duct tape last June. Waiting on the ground were Jonathan Hart, 61, Michael Mealing, 42, and Andrew Barrett, 42, who used a map to plan landing and drop-off sites for the packages. But the gang were being watched by detectives from the National Crime Agency. Hart, Barrett and Mealing admitted their parts in the operation and were jailed for a total of 38 years in January. The packets of cocaine had a purity of between 62 and 84 per cent, and Sels was to be paid 500 euros per kilo - which would have earned him about 16,000 euros or 14,500. He was arrested on October 20 this year at his home in Balen, near Antwerp in Belgium and extradited to the UK on October 31. At the Old Bailey today Sels admitted conspiracy to import Class A drugs, and was jailed for 14 years. Judge Mark Dennis told Sels: 'You plainly played a central role in the importation of 31 kilos of cocaine. The plane that Sels piloted a light aircraft from Belgium before dropping the Class A drugs over Kent The National Crime Agency also found the trio's ordinance survey map they used to plot the drop-off points 'This was a very sophisticated importation, carried out with obviously considerable planning and care, and also carried out swiftly and very efficiently from the point of view of the drug traffickers. 'This would have been a wholly successful importation releasing in truth far more than 31kg of powder, given the purity and the street level cutting that takes place. 'And doing so for considerable gain for the drug traffickers involved. The estimated street value is somewhere around 2.5million.' He added: 'There was an expectation of substantial financial gain for you, as would be on the face of it inevitable given the nature of your contribution to this importation. 'You should be regarded as having a leading role. 'It's very sad to read your character references, which speak so well of you otherwise, and obviously harm done to those people, in particular immediate family. 'This was a sophisticated, carefully planned importation on a commercial scale.' Detectives from the National Crime Agency watched as they saw Sels fly low over one of the sites, an airfield near Faversham, Kent. The Class A drugs had been stuffed into drums wrapped in black duct tape before being dropped from the plane Mealing and Barrett were seen driving away in a Land Rover and were followed to a builder's site where they were arrested. In the boot of the 4x4 were three large fuel containers which had been packaged with heavy-duty tape so it could withstand the impact of a drop from the air. They contained 31kg of high-purity cocaine with an estimated street value of 2.5million. They also found the trio's ordinance survey map they used to plot the drop-off points. Barrett was later arrested at the wheel of a white transit van as he left an address in Watford and a bag containing 18kg of cocaine, nearly 1kg of MDMA, and 15kg of cannabis was found. Together these drugs had a wholesale value of 650,000, and a street value of more than 1.5million. Waiting on the ground were (left to right) Jonathan Hart, 61, Michael Mealing, 42, and Andrew Barrett, 42, who used a map to plan landing and drop-off sites for the packages Barrett, Mealing and Hart admitted importing cocaine, while Barrett also admitted possessing cocaine, MDMA and cannabis and money laundering. Mealing also pleaded guilty to money laundering 7,000 in cash. Barrett, Cheddington, Bedfordshire, was jailed for 16 years, Mealing, of Corsham, Wiltshire, for 12-and-a-half years, and Hart, of no fixed abode, for ten years and nine months. Adrian Flasher, from the CPS, said: 'Three men are already serving significant prison sentences for their roles in this international conspiracy to import cocaine into the UK. 'The CPS worked closely with the Belgian authorities and the National Crime Agency in order to extradite Rudi Sels back to this country to face justice for his role in the scheme. 'Faced with the compelling evidence gathered by the prosecution and investigators, Sels has today admitted his guilt and received a significant prison sentence.' Prince Miteb was one of the many senior figures who were rounded up in a corruption inquiry aimed at strengthening the power of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Saudi Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, a former leader of the National Guard who was once seen as a contender to the throne, has been freed after more than three weeks in detention, according to family members. Miteb was among dozens of royal family members, ministers and current and former senior officials who were rounded up in a corruption inquiry at least partly aimed at strengthening the power of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The prince is believed to have been one of the men imprisoned inside the five-star Ritz-Carlton hotel in Riyadh. It was not immediately possible to confirm the reports of his release and Saudi officials had no immediate comment. 'Almighty, thanks be to you ...' wrote Abeer bint Khaled bin Abdullah, a royal family member, in a posting on her Twitter account. Posting an apparent file photo of Prince Miteb, she added: 'May God give you long life, long life full of health, and keep you for us.' Writing on his Twitter account, Moaid Mahjoob, who identifies himself as director of external relations for Princess Jawahar Al-Saud, another Saudi royal family member, said Prince Miteb 'had been released and that he was at his home in Riyadh'. Another royal family member, Princess Nouf bint Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud, also posted a similar message on Twitter, writing over a photo of Prince Miteb: 'May you be safe for us, Abu Abdullah.' The posting of a photo and thanksgiving to God indicates the author of the Tweet believes Miteb has been freed. It was not immediately clear how his release had come about but sources familiar with the matter have said that Saudi authorities were striking agreements with some of those in detention asking them to hand over assets and cash in return for their freedom. In an interview with the New York Times published last week, Prince Mohammed bin Salman was quoted as saying that the vast majority of about 200 businessmen and officials implicated in crackdown are agreeing to settlements under which they hand over assets to the government. Prince Miteb is believed to have been one of the men imprisoned inside the five-star Ritz-Carlton hotel in Riyadh As the Sandhurst-trained preferred son of the late King Abdullah, Miteb was once thought to be a leading contender for the throne. Before he was sacked by a royal decree on Nov. 4, he headed the Saudi National Guard, an elite internal security force originally based on traditional tribal units that was run by his father for five decades. He was also the last remaining member of Abdullah's Shammar branch of the family to retain a key position at the top of the Saudi power structure, after brothers Mishaal and Turki were relieved of their posts as governors in 2015. A model and former pop star was given a suspended prison sentence today for framing an innocent motorist when she was caught speeding. Glamorous Hannah Lewis, who previously toured the UK as a model and had three top 20 singles in the band POP!, was caught doing 82mph in a 70 zone. But after getting notice of the conviction she nominated another driver - using a real person's name but falsifying the address. Glamorous Hannah Lewis was caught doing 82mph in a 70 zone. She is pictured with her mother outside Truro Magistrates' Court today As a result an innocent motorist called Anna Amos, 38, was convicted of the speeding in her absence and given penalty points by magistrates in Bodmin, Cornwall. Lewis, 38, who is also a former MTV presenter, was eventually identified as the driver when mobile phone records put her at the speeding scene on the A30 in Cornwall. She admitted perverting the course of justice and was given a suspended sentence at Truro Crown Court plus penalty points. It was not revealed in court why Lewis, of Windsor, Berkshire picked on Ms Amos, who lives in Whitstable, Kent. Lewis, who is pregnant, refused to comment and Ms Amos refused to say whether the two women knew each other or why her name was used. After the case Ms Amos said: 'I don't want to talk to anyone about that.' Lewis, who has also appeared on many TV as well as featuring in adverts, magazine shoots and music videos during her 15-year career, had a clean licence at the time. Prosecuting, Philip Lee said she was finally brought to justice when Ms Amos received a letter notifying her of her punishment. Judge Simon Carr said the circumstances of the offence 'are as mystifying as they are depressing' and it is not known why Lewis decided to blame Ms Amos He said the letter left her 'in complete shock' and she had never driven the vehicle in question. Mr Lee said: 'Police contacted the defendant and at first she maintained that her partner had borrowed the car for an employee but her partner was unable to assist officers with their enquiries. 'Further enquiries showed the defendant had a connection to Cornwall, with her mother having an address in Newquay and her phone's location placed her at the speeding offence at the relevant time. Lewis, 38, who is also a former MTV presenter, was eventually identified as the driver when mobile phone records put her at the speeding scene on the A30 in Cornwall 'When confronted with the phone evidence she said 'it must have been me'. 'It was persistent deception and she was still lying more than a year later until confronted with the evidence. 'Miss Lewis' actions resulted in the prosecution and imposition of penalty points on an innocent person.' In defence it was heard that Lewis was a working mum and a sole carer of her 10-year-old son, with another child on the way due in February. Judge Simon Carr said the circumstances of the offence 'are as mystifying as they are depressing'. He said: 'You were caught, as many drivers are, by a speed camera and notified of the plans to prosecute you. 'You had the opportunity to plead guilty and accept a small fine but instead tried to frame someone who was completely innocent. 'You took some care to do so and selected someone who was a real person but created an address that wouldn't come up. 'It was partly by chance that you were caught when the person found out about a motoring offence they had nothing to do with. You then attempted to lie your way out of it. Lewis is pictured second from right with Jamie Tinkler, Glenn Ball and Jade McGuire 'I accept you have shown genuine remorse but any offence where an innocent person is convicted strikes at the very base of the justice system.' Judge Carr went onto note how Lewis was heavily pregnant and effectively the sole carer of her son, describing the circumstances as exceptional. Lewis was handed an eight month prison sentence, suspended for two years and told to pay Ms Amos 500 plus 500 court costs. Viewers have criticised ITV's This Morning after it shelved an interview with mental health campaigners to instead focus on royal engagement coverage. Brian Wilkie, 48, and his 19-year-old daughter Ellie had travelled down to London from Prestonpans near Edinburgh to appear on the programme yesterday. They were due to tell the daytime show how he recovered from depression and a suicide attempt earlier this year to become a recovery support worker. Ellie Wilkie's post about the ITV interview with her father being cancelled has now gone viral The 19-year-old had previously tweeted about being in London with her father Brian, 48 They were due to tell the programme how he recovered from depression and a suicide attempt Miss Wilkie had previously tweeted of her excitement at being in London for the interview But producers had to postpone the segment after news of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's engagement was revealed by Clarence House at 10am. They offered Mr Wilkie and his daughter a hotel stay overnight and the chance to go on the show today instead, but they could not due to prior commitments. Miss Wilkie tweeted: 'Unfortunately today was not the day for our story to be heard. Due to breaking news our story was cut off live TV. 'The royal wedding will go ahead however mental health issues will always remain. Until next time, dad. #breakthestigma.' The decision to cancel the segment left many viewers angered, with some pointing out how Harry has become a mental health campaigner himself in recent months. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Harry have been spearheading a new campaign called Heads Together to end stigma around mental health. The decision to cancel the segment left many viewers angered, with some pointing out how Harry has become a mental health campaigner himself in recent months Hayley Blakelock tweeted: 'Mental health is affecting so many people in this country and so many need help, yet people get their story cut short because Prince Harry got engaged. 'Royal family will never care about working class people, so why are people buzzing about an engagement? Should be ashamed, This Morning.' Leanne Neil added: 'Absolutely disgusting, This Morning get two people who cancelled two days' plans to travel to London from Scotland as youse wanted to hear their story. 'The whole show didn't need to be about the engagement - surely mental health is more important. #breakthestigma, it's okay not to be okay.' Another viewer tweeted: 'Did you get your priorities wrong and cancelled a very important mental health feature over an engagement?' And a further viewer said: 'And yet mental health is so important to Prince Harry. This morning should be ashamed.' Other viewers added how they were unimpressed by the decision from ITV's This Morning Miss Wilkie's post about the segment being cancelled has gone viral since being posted at about 2pm yesterday, with more than 20,000 retweets and 63,000 likes. She had initially posted about her father on November 22, saying: 'This year began with my dad mentally suffering depression and suicide attempt. 'Today he ends the year starting his new career in becoming a recovery support worker. Words can't describe how proud we are. #breakthestigma.' Four days later she wrote: 'Me and my dad have now arrived in London. Ready to tell our story tomorrow on This Morning, eek! My heart beams with pride.' Miss Wilkie also posted a photo of her with her father outside Harrods yesterday. But the trip to London ended in disappointment when the interview was cancelled. A This Morning spokesman tweeted today: 'Unfortunately due to yesterday's breaking news, we had to reschedule some of our planned features. Harry and Miss Markle have a photocall at Kensington Palace in London today after their engagement was announced This Morning presenters Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield on the ITV show yesterday 'Ellie and Brian had prior commitments this week, but we have extended an open invitation so they can share their story with us when they next become available.' And a spokesman added: 'The guests in question have been given an open invitation to come back on the show and tell their story. 'They were offered a hotel stay overnight and asked if they would like to be on today's show, but couldn't make it due to prior commitments. 'We are keeping in contact throughout this week in a bid to find another date. Mental health matters are an issue This Morning take very seriously. 'It's one of the reasons we were nominated in the Mind Mental Health Award earlier this year.' A Flybe captain left his passengers laughing out loud with a bizarre pre-flight speech that was full of jokes. David-Joe Williams from Ilfracombe, Devon, was returning from Jersey to Exeter when the pilot's amusing announcement began. He captured the speech on his phone which had passengers on the plane laughing out loud. David-Joe Williams, who recorded the video, described the speech as the 'best pilot announcement ever' and said he 'really enjoyed it' The pilot said: 'We've been looking at the maps, we think we've got them the right way round. We think we should head right after take off. 'Hopefully somewhere along that route there will be an airport called Exeter. 'Luckily for you lot I've done my flying for the day. It wasn't pretty so I'm going to refrain from that for the rest of the evening.' Before handing over to his co-pilot, the captain went on to announce: 'At Flybe we pride ourselves in employing some of the very finest cabin crew this industry has to offer, but I'm sorry to say they're all on annual leave.' David-Joe described it as the 'best pilot announcement ever' and said he 'really enjoyed it'. The passenger added: 'I think all announcements should be like that. It's makes the pilot human and helps anyone on the flight who has had a bad day to feel better.' Amanda Spielman, the chief inspector, has said she wants to ensure that children at religious schools are prepared for 'life in modern Britain' Library books claiming hell is mostly full of women because they are 'ungrateful to their husbands' have been found in Islamic schools, it has emerged. Ofsted has put together a file of the worst examples of discrimination and sexism its inspectors found in schools. Among the library books they found was one titled 'women who deserve to go hell' which claimed it was wrong for wives to show 'ingratitude to their husband' or have 'tall ambitions'. And it advises pupils: 'In the beginning of the 20th century, a movement for the freedom of women was launched with the basic objective of driving women towards aberrant ways.' The book was written by Egyptian preacher Mansoor Abdul Hakim. Other books said in a Muslim marriage 'the wife is not allowed to refuse sex to her husband' or 'leave the house where she lives without his permission' while boys and girls were taught the 'man by way of correction can also beat her'. One school Ofsted visited encouraged children to read a text that contrasted the 'noble women of the East' with the 'internally torn woman of the West'. It claimed western women attract men and hang around aimlessly in cinemas and cafes. The materials came from state-funded schools as well as private faith schools and those running illegally as under-the-radar madrassas without registering with the government. Inspectors also claimed teachers said that women had a responsibility 'only to bear children and bring them up as Muslims', The Times reported. In a box entitled 'daily life and relationships', a pupil had written that men are 'physically stronger' and women are 'emotionally weaker'. The worksheet was covered in approving red ticks from the teacher. Ofsted insiders said the discovery of the books made for 'uncomfortable reading'. There are 177 Muslim schools in England, of which 148 are independent, and the rest state-funded. The Department for Education has been contacted for comment. The findings comes as Muslims girls wearing the hijab in primary schools will be quizzed as to why by inspectors. The findings by Ofsted comes as Muslims girls wearing the hijab in primary schools will be quizzed as to why by inspectors (file picture) Head of Ofsted Amanda Spielman said creating an environment where Muslim children are expected to wear the headscarf 'could be interpreted as sexualisation of young girls'. It comes after it was revealed a fifth of 800 primary schools now list the headscarf in their uniform policy. This is despite the fact a hijab is usually only worn by young women after puberty and in front of men for modesty reasons - not by primary school children. Campaigners have said it should be 'fiercely resisted' and claimed it could 'sexualise' young children. Aisha Ali-Khan, a Muslim feminist campaigner and a teacher for 13 years, told MailOnline: 'The hijab should be banned from primary schools but local authorities are afraid of causing offence to the Muslim community and afraid of being branded as racist. 'A headscarf or hijab, is usually worn by girls who have reached puberty, to prevent unwanted sexual advances from men. 'How can a four or five year old child make an informed choice? It's not allowed in Islam so why is it being allowed in schools? You should only do something if you want to and understand the concept behind it. 'But the local authorities are too scared to go back and our government has allowed this to be part of the school policy and that's wrong. They are allowing decisions to be made by schools and local authorities which is worrying and they are trying to wash their hands of all responsibility.' Gina Khan, a children's rights campaigner in Birmingham, added: 'Schools are allowing it because they are afraid of being called Islamophobic and they have been told that this is a religious garment - but they need to support Muslim girls to have free choices, not to be set apart from other children.' But the Muslim Council of Britain said Ofsted's policy was 'deeply worrying'. Secretary general Harun Khan said: 'It is deeply worrying that Ofsted has announced it will be specifically targeting and quizzing young Muslim girls who choose to wear the headscarf. 'It sends a clear message to all British women who adopt this that they are second-class citizens, that while they are free to wear the headscarf, the establishment would prefer that they do not.' He added that many British Muslims who wear the headscarf have done 'extremely well' in education. Hillary Clinton pointedly undermined President Donald Trump's approach to North Korea on Monday during a videoconferenced speech to a conference in Beijing. During her hour-long appearance, the 2016 Democratic nominee for president blasted both the White House and the Chinese government for their increasingly hard-line plan of attack as Pyongyang tries to complete a long-range nuclear missile. She said Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping need to soften their posture instead of relying on 'bluster' and 'personal taunts' to motivate North Korean despot Kim Jong-Un, according to Bloomberg. In her keynote remarks during Caijing magazine's annual conference, Clinton warned of the possibility of all-out nuclear war if the U.S. doesn't pursue gentler diplomacy. Hillary Clinton, pictured during a Nov.e 9 speech in Washington, told a Chinese audience on Monday that the Trump administration should go easier on North Korea and practice more patient diplomacy President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping have both adopted hard-line strategies to derail North Korea's nuclear weapons ambitions 'Beijing should remember that inaction is a choice,' she said. The Trump administration has said repeatedly that 'the era of strategic patience is over.' Trump has mocked Kim as 'Little Rocket Man' and warned him during a speech this month to South Korea's National Assembly that he shouldn't 'try' or 'underestimate' the United States. Kim in September labeled Trump a 'mentally deranged U.S. dotard.' Days later the president tweeted that '[b]eing nice to Rocket Man hasn't worked in 25 years, why would it work now? Clinton failed, Bush failed, and Obama failed. I won't fail.' Both Trump and Xi have avoided direct talks with Pyongyang, instead tightening a noose of economic sanctions designed to force Kim's dictatorship to come to heel. Clinton said she hopes Beijing won't follow the path Trump has set out, replacing subtle diplomatic pressure with ultimatums. And she wants to see the resumption of denuclearization talks among six-nations China, Japan, North Korea, Russia, South Korea and the U.S. discussions that were shelved as she took over the State Department under President Barack Obama. 'The Trump administration came in and retreated from diplomacy,' she said. 'It appears they have withdrawn their global responsibility and leadership, which has raised question about stability in Asia-Pacific as well as the state power of the U.S.' Donald Trump has staked his foreign policy on the idea of brow-beating Kim Jong-Un into submission Trump blasted Kim in October and said his predecessors had failed to contain him Clinton also complained about China's aggressive stance regionally as Xi has consolidated his power at the top of the Communist Party structure. Xi's elevation to the same status of Mao Zedong in China's historical pantheon hsa created 'anxiety about a more assertive Beijing,' she said, 'and worries your neighbors as well as the U.S.' 'The path to legitimacy and leadership runs through responsible cooperation, not through secret military build-ups on contested islands or bullying smaller neighbors,' Clinton added. That's a reference to China's effort to build artificial islands in South China Sea waters that are claimed by multiple other nations. Overall the Democrat framed her losing battle with Trump as a clash between fact and fiction. 'I was the candidate of reality,' she said. It just wasn't as entertaining as the reality TV candidate.' Twitter has gone into meltdown over the White House's 'creepy' Christmas decorations which many say would not look out of place in a horror movie. Melania Trump was said so have 'personally selected' most of the Christmas decor for this year's 'time honored traditions' theme, according to Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. But while most rooms featured, warm and welcoming displays, one room looked more frightening than festive. The eerie, twig-lined hallway has been compared to everything from The Shining to the Adam's Family after Stephanie Grisham, one of White House communications team for Melania, shared a photo of the room on Sunday. Now hundreds of people have flocked social media to mock the first lady's unusual artistic choice. Twitter is mocking Melania over her 'creepy' Christmas White House decorations after White House communications director Stephanie Grisham shared this image Twitter has gone into meltdown over Melania's 'creepy' Christmas decorations 'This year's theme: A Blair Witch Christmas,' one Twitter user wrote under a picture of the hallway. 'It looks straight out of a scene from "The Shining" very creepy!!!' another added. While Barbara Wortman joked it reminded her of The Adams Family, tweeting lyrics from the theme song: 'Theyre creepy and theyre cooky(sic). #MelaniasWorld.' Others pointed out the eerie hall looked better suited to Narnia's evil White Witch. 'Make Narnia Great Again,' one Twitter user wrote, echoing the president's Make America Great Again slogan, with pictures of Melania and Tilda Swinton's White Witch alongside the picture of the hallway. The eerie, twig-lined hallway has been compared to everything from The Shining to the Blair Witch Project 'The White House at Christmas, or the entry to the Evil Queens castle? Creepy AF,' one Twitter user wrote. 'Not saying the White House Christmas decorations are creepy, but if an evil queen turns up in a sleigh and offers you Turkish Delight, you should politely and firmly decline,' Alistair Coleman added. The 'creepy' decor has even led some to ask whether Melania has got her holidays mixed up. 'Bunches of leafless branches in plain boxes , casting creepy shadows, 'Irene Morris tweeted. 'It's Christmas not Halloween.' The style choice is even more baffling as Donald Trump has made a point of saying he plans to return to more traditional festive celebrations and even declared he was going to 'end the war on Christmas' Unfortunately, it seems Melania may have missed the memo. 'And they say its the liberals that have a war on Christmas?!?' one Twitter user wrote. 'Jeez.. Apparently @FLOTUS wants the whole holiday dead and buried... in a creepy Romanian graveyard. I guess those with dark hearts prefer dark decor.' The long chamber was decorated with a line of white twig bundles on either side, lit from the bottom, to create shadowy 'forests' above. A lonely Christmas tree sits in the distance, under the arch of a doorway. Grisham shared the photo of the hallway on Sunday, adding that Melania was 'seeing to every detail' First lady Melania Trump walked through the twig forest - which does look less terrifying by day - during the White House Christmas decor reveal on Monday The decor in the White House Grand Foyer was simple and natural, with a forest of Christmas trees looking like they had just been covered by a winter snow Of course, Melania has something of a history when it comes to choosing non-traditional Christmas displays and in the past has posted photos of a Christmas dinosaur and a Gothic fireplace to wish her followers a Merry Christmas. And the more creative Twitter users have been making their own little additions to the photo, with characters they think would feel right at home. The include It's Pennywise, the creepy twins from The Shining and the White Witch. Others joked it reminded them of Tim Burton's A Nightmare Before Christmas, the White Walkers of Game of Thrones and the creepy Upside Down from Stranger Things. Michal Story added that even 'Christ wouldve fled this scene.' Of course, Melania has something of a history when it comes to choosing non-traditional Christmas displays and in the past has posted photos of a Christmas dinosaur and a Gothic fireplace to wish her followers a Merry Christmas. John McCain attacked Donald Trump's use of the slur 'Pocahontas' an 'insult to genuine American heroes' Tuesday as its target, Democratic senator Elizabeth Warren, said it was 'a disgusting low'. The Arizona Republican tweeted - without mentioning the president - after Trump used a reception on Monday for surviving Navajo code-talkers to insult Warren over her Trump hailed the strength and bravery of World War II Navajo 'code-talkers' at the White House where he also mocked Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren as 'Pocahontas.' Trump regularly ripped Warren, a leading liberal adversary, as 'Pocahontas' on the campaign trail for having previously claimed Native American ancestry. On Monday, the president decided to air the attack one more time alongside aging Native American veterans who helped fight fascism, in a White House ceremony attended by White House chief of staff John Kelly and other officials. 'You were here long before any of us were here,' Trump told the honorees. 'Although we have a representative in Congress who they say was here a long time ago. They call her Pocahontas,' Trump said. Scroll down for video President Trump hailed World War II Navajo code-talkers in the Oval Office on Monday in front of a portrait of Sen. Andrew Jackson, led violent campaigns against Native Americans Intervention: John McCain, seen on Capitol Hill on Monday evening, used his twitter account to attack the president During his remarks, Trump recalled a time when Kelly asked him: 'How good were these code talkers?' 'He said sir, you have no idea. You have no idea what they've done for this country. And the strength and the bravery and the love that they have for the country. That was the ultimate statement from General Kelly on the importance.' The president spoke as code-talkers stood by him at a podium, while another was seated in a wheelchair. McCain waited until Tuesday morning to deliver his condemnation on Twitter. 'Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to the Navajo Code Talkers, whose bravery, skill & tenacity helped secure our decisive victory over tyranny & oppression during WWII. Politicizing these genuine American heroes is an insult to their sacrifice,' said the senator, who is chairman of the Armed Services Committee. His intervention came after the Russell Begaye, president of the Navajo Nation rebuked Trump, telling CNN: 'This was a day to honor them, and to insert something like that, the word Pocahontas as a jab to a senator, you know, that belongs on the campaign trail. 'That doesnt belong in the room when our war heroes are being honored. Warren herself appeared on a series of television shows to respond to Trump and used her Facebook account to call it 'a disgusting low'. Shortly before midnight on Monday she posted: 'This afternoon, in the Oval Office, Donald Trump was supposed to be honoring Navajo code talkers American heroes who helped save the world from fascism and hate during World War II. 'Instead, Trump stood right next to those Native American war heroes and came after me with another racist slur. He did this because he thinks that he can bully me and shut me up. He thinks he can bully and silence anybody he wants. 'Just to be clear: I learned about my familys heritage the same way everyone else does from my parents and grandparents. I never asked for and never got any benefit from it. Whether she 'got any benefit' has been the subject of political controversy with some Republicans claiming Harvard Law listed Warren as Native American after she listed herself as a minority in a Association of American Law Schools directory. It became a campaign issue in her 2012 Senate race when opponent Scott Brown accused her of falsely claiming to be Native American. Peter MacDonald, a WWII veteran and former chairman of the Navajo tribe, gave introductory remarks by going through the history of the code talkers in the Pacific theater, including at the battles at Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima. Warren immediately shot back at the president for making a 'racial slur.' President Donald Trump reacts as he honours Navajo Code Talkers for their contributions during World War Two at the White House in Washington, U.S., November 27, 2017 President Donald Trump greets Navajo Code Talkers as he honours their contributions during World War Two as they take part in an event at the White House in Washington, U.S., November 27, 2017 President Donald Trump mocked Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) as 'Pocahontas' at a ceremony honoring Native Americans Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts shot back on Twitter. 'What @RealDonaldTrump said about my partner @SenWarren is a slur. It disparages the Native American war heroes, standing right beside the President, who risked their lives to protect his right to make such a disgusting comment,' Markey wrote. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, asked why Trump felt the need to make the point at the ceremony, said: 'I think what most people find offensive is Sen. Warren lying about her heritage to advance her career.' She said Trump had an 'extreme amount of value and respect for these individuals.' 'I don't think that it is' a racial slur to use the term Pocahontas, she said. The remark got met with silence when the president made it. Sen. Elizabeth Warren blasted Trump for using a 'racial slur,' something his press secretary said he didn't do During the war, the code-talkers radioed messages using a code derived from their native language. They used words for war chief, braided hair, and hummingbird that was the only unbroken military code in history, the Associated Press reported. Warren also told MSNBC: 'This was supposed to be an event to honor heroes. People who put it all on the line for our country. And people who because of their incredible work saved the lives of countless Americans and our allies. It is deeply unfortunate that the president of the United States cannot make it through a ceremony honoring these heroes without having to throw out a racial slur.' She added: 'Donald Trump does this over and over thinking somehow he's going to shut me up with it, it hadn't worked in the past it is not going to work in the future.' Attending the event were Marine code talkers Fleming Begay Sr., who is designated an honorary chair of Native Americans for Trump, Thomas H. Begay, Roy Hawthorne, Samuel Holiday, and Alfred Newman. The countrys highest-paid university chief announced last night that she will retire following months of calls for her to resign. Dame Glynis Breakwell said she will leave her 468,000-a-year post in February 2019 but the last six months will be spent on paid sabbatical. As she will take her full salary until retiring, this means she will pocket 234,000 after stepping down from her official duties. Dame Glynis Breakwell's resignation came after it was revealed that she was earning 450,000 a year and living rent-free in a 1.6million townhouse Dame Glynis announced she will step down from her position at the University of Bath (pictured) in August after 17 years The vice chancellor who earns three times more than the Prime Minister was accused of milking the University of Bath by ex-Labour education minister Lord Adonis. Dame Glynis will also have a 31,489 car loan written off by the university she has headed for 17 years. She lives in a 2million grace-and-favour townhouse and last year claimed 20,000 in expenses. Critics have said it is wrong to enjoy such largesse when student fees have risen again to 9,250 a year and staff wages have been stagnant. Lord Adonis said: Right to the very end, she is milking the University of Bath for everything she can. The arrangements for her departure are scandalous and demonstrate the underlying problem of greed and lack of governance at Bath University. It is absolutely unacceptable that the vice chancellor should be paid for six months for doing nothing after her retirement. She should leave immediately and not hang around for another nine months during which the university will be able to make no reforms and do nothing to restore its reputation. Last week Dame Glynis, pictured with Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, in 2013, narrowly survived a no confidence vote, in a secret ballot of the university's senate, which oversees the institution's academic work Dame Glynis will step down as vice chancellor at the end of next August and further her academic research during her sabbatical, the university said. She will move out of her university-funded home for her sabbatical and formally retire in February 2019 in a deal agreed by the council of trustees. The higher education funding watchdog HEFCE has previously criticised Bath over its handling of complaints over her pay. It also emerged two weeks ago that Dame Glynis was given a pay rise of 18,000 this year, taking her salary to 468,000. On top of her salary, Dame Glynis also claimed more than 18,000 in expenses over the last year, including 8,000 on laundry and housekeeping Last week she narrowly survived a no confidence vote by the universitys senate. There have been student protests and four MPs quit a university advisory board over the scandal. In a statement, Dame Glynis said: I have served the university to the best of my ability and will continue to do so until the day I leave office. Since 2001, the university has changed dramatically. It has almost tripled in size and is now among the top universities in the UK. Tory MP Andrew Murrison, one of those who quit the advisory board, said: The decision is the correct one. It had the whiff of inevitability about it but I am pleased nevertheless. I hope the structure that is put in place at Bath University going forward is independent and capable of exercising restraint in remuneration of the senior leadership team. Sally Hunt, general secretary of the University and College Union of lecturers, said: The vice chancellors position had become untenable. This whole episode has shone an important light on the murky world of senior pay in our universities and it would be wrong to think a change at the top of one institution solves that problem. There must be much more transparency surrounding senior pay and perks. As many as 2,500 staff are being made redundant by Britain's largest tobacco supplier just four weeks before Christmas after the firm went into administration. Palmer & Harvey is preparing itself for collapse after last-ditch talks to save the company failed. The firm employ a total of 3,400 people and supply more than 90,000 shops, including all Tesco stores and several Sainsbury's with tobacco. Administrators PwC have confirmed 2,500 jobs will be lost with immediate effect and takeover talks with private equity firm Carlyle have fallen through. Only 450 jobs are being kept to ensure an 'orderly closure', but November salaries will be paid to all staff, PwC has said. The collapse could mean chaos for the UK retail industry with the crucial Christmas trading period getting underway in the coming days. Palmer & Harvey is preparing itself for collapse after last-ditch talks to save the company failed A spokesman for the P&H Group told the BBC: 'Unfortunately been necessary to make about 2,500 immediate redundancies at head office and the branch network. 'The remaining employees will assist the joint administrators in managing the activities of the business to an orderly closure. 'Currently 450 employees have been retained within the wholesale business.' Joint administrator Matthew Callaghan described it as a 'devastating blow for everyone involved in the business'. Palmer & Harvey is the UK's fifth-largest privately-owned firm and supplies 12,000 products from 63 depots across the country. It was founded in 1925 as a tobacco and confectionery supplier. 'Access Hollywood' is adamant that a recording of Donald Trump boasting about grabbing women by the genitals is real after the President reportedly expressed doubts over the tape's authenticity. 'Let us make this perfectly clear. The tape is very real,' host Natalie Morales said alongside Kit Hoover on the show Monday. 'Remember his excuse at the time was 'locker-room talk.' He said every one of those words.' Natalie Morales (left) said alongside Kit Hoover that the infamous Access Hollywood tape is authentic The comments were in response to reported denials by the President that it was not him on the tape (Pictured: President Trump November 21, 2017) The response came after The New York Times reported over the weekend that Trump told a senator earlier this year that the voice on the infamous 2005 recording wasn't his and repeated the claim to an adviser more recently. Just weeks before the 2016 election, an audio recording of Trump surfaced where he is heard telling 'Access Hollywood' host Billy Bush: 'When you're a star ... you can do anything ... grab them by the p***y.' Trump admitted to making the crude comments after the surfaced shortly before the 2016 presidential election (Pictured: Billy Bush February 11, 2016) Trump had acknowledged it was him on the tape and apologized for his actions in the hours after the comments were made public in October 2016 during the election campaign. He described the comments as 'locker-room talk' between men. Meanwhile, the actress who greeted Donald Trump after he made the now infamous remarks said it is 'puzzling' how he can now doubt the recording's authenticity. Arianne Zucker told CNN's Anderson Cooper on Monday that she couldn't see how the 2005 tape could be fake after Trump reportedly told aides that is not an authentic recording. 'I don't know how else that could be fake unless someone's planting words in your mouth,' she said. 'How do you apologize for something and renege on it? It's puzzling to me.' Zucker had been filming the Access Hollywood segment in 2005 with Trump and Billy Bush. The pair had left their mics on when Trump started boasting about sexually assaulting women. The White House clarified Monday that Trump isn't contesting the authenticity of the 'Access Hollywood' tape, saying 'The president hasn't changed his position.' 'The president addressed this, this was litigated and certainly answered during the election by the overwhelming support for the president and the fact he's sitting here in the Oval Office today,' White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters. Arianne Zucker, who greeted Donald Trump after he made the now infamous remarks, was 'puzzled how he can now doubt the recording's authenticity (pictured: September 10, 2017) Theresa Mays Brexit bill gamble appeared to have paid off last night as EU sources indicated they were ready to strike a deal over money. The Prime Ministers Brexit war cabinet agreed to raise the UKs divorce offer last week in a bid to break the deadlock preventing the start of trade talks next month. The markets rallied following the news last night as sterling bounced back. Theresa May is welcomed by European Union Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker before their meeting at the European Union Commission headquarter in Brussels, on October 21 Mrs Mays divorce offer was controversial, with some Conservative MPs urging Mrs May to walk away rather than pay a bill that could top 40 billion. But last night Brussels sources hinted that the offer would be enough to persuade the EU to sanction the start of trade talks at a crunch summit next month, provided agreement is also reached on citizens rights and the Northern Ireland border. The deal on the money is there, said one source. Reports last night claimed there had been an agreement in principle on the divorce bill following a private presentation on the Cabinet agreement by the UKs top Brexit official Oliver Robbins last week. Government sources denied a deal on the money had been struck and stressed that no figures had been discussed with Brussels. David Davis (pictured tonight in Downing Street) has been working to secure agreement from Brussels that 'sufficient progress' has been made on striking a divorce deal The UKs improved offer is also contingent on the EU agreeing to a comprehensive trade deal. A final cash settlement will only be agreed at the end of the process when both sides can see the shape of the future relationship. Mrs May is hoping the offer will trigger a breakthrough next month when EU leaders gather in Brussels to decide whether sufficient progress has been made on divorce issues to allow talks to turn to trade. Sleaze probe as Green stands in at PMQs Damian Green will stand in for Theresa May at Prime Ministers Questions today despite an ongoing sleaze inquiry. No 10 last night confirmed the First Secretary of State, effectively Mrs Mays deputy, will take her place as she tours Jordan and Saudi Arabia. The move will raise eyebrows as Mr Green remains the subject of a Cabinet Office inquiry after he was accused of making unwanted advances towards Tory activist Kate Maltby a claim he denies. He is also being investigated over claims pornography was found on a computer in his office nine years ago which he says he has no knowledge of. Mrs May said last night: He is First Secretary of State. He has done PMQs before and Im sure hell do a good job. Advertisement But ministers remain concerned about progress on what will happen to the border in Ireland, where Dublin is making increasingly belligerent demands. A breakthrough on trade talks would ease Tory concern about the size of the divorce bill. Former international development secretary Priti Patel this week said the PM should have told Brussels to s** off rather than pay up. But former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith, who was also critical of increasing the offer, last night struck a conciliatory tone, saying: I would be very happy if they get to a point where they have agreed and can get on to trade negotiations. Speaking in Australia yesterday, the International Trade Secretary Liam Fox also struck an upbeat note, saying: We believe that weve gone far enough to be able to get into this second stage. The apparent breakthrough follows a lengthy stalemate in negotiations. EU sources last night claimed the UK had agreed to a formula that could see the final bill hit 53 billion. But British sources suggested the settlement could be below 40 billion. A final offer on the payment will be presented by the PM during a key lunch with European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker next week. It was claimed tonight that the 'agreement in principle' had been struck following intensive work by Ollie Robbins (left with Brexit Secretary David Davis), a senior civil servant and Britain's lead negotiator After Mr Juncker and the EUs chief negotiator Michel Barnier consider the offer, EU leaders will then decide whether to give the green light to trade talks at a summit in Brussels on December 14. Mr Barnier hinted at the breakthrough earlier this week when he said: The moment of truth is approaching. In an attempt to obscure the exact size of the bill, British officials are understood to have presented a complex payment method that will ensure the money is not paid off in one large sum. Although the agreed methodology does not produce a specific figure, British sources last night said that it could result in a final payment in line with the 40billion (45billion) offer that has been signed off by the Cabinet. Priti Patel, pictured at the Conservative Party conference in September, urged a tough line with the EU on the divorce bill Responding to the move, one EU diplomat said: As long as they agree to pay it, it does not matter whether there is a figure attached. Another told the Financial Times: They have promised to cover it all, we dont care what they say their estimate is. But a UK source close to the negotiations insisted that nothing has been agreed even though the UK team had presented their proposals. They said: These talks are ongoing and the idea that there is a number or an agreement is not right. Intense under-the-radar talks will continue between UK and EU officials over the coming days. Soon after the breakthrough was announced, the pound recovered on currency markets. Sterling spiked $1.33 against the dollar as traders piled into the currency. It also closed above 1.12 against the euro. An off-duty Arizona cop pleaded not guilty on Monday to sexually assaulting a woman who was 'too drunk' to consent to sex. Jared Elkins, 33, was arrested on September 14 while he was in San Diego after the San Diego Police Department responded to an emergency call from the victim's mother 4.23am that morning. The woman's mother called 911 and reported that the off-duty officer had forcibly raped her daughter at a home in the Kensington neigborhood, according to ABC 10. Off-duty Arizona cop, Jared Elkins (pictured), 33, pleaded not guilty on Monday to sexually assaulting a woman while he was in San Diego. Officials said the woman was 'too drunk' to consent The woman's mother called San Diego police and reported that the off-duty officer had forcibly raped her daughter. Elkins is pictured on the night of his arrest According to court documents the victim was intoxicated and Elkins should have known she was not able to give sexual consent. Elkins was charged with forcible rape, rape of an intoxicated person, two counts each of forcible oral copulation and oral copulation of an intoxicated person, forcible sexual penetration and sexual penetration of an intoxicated person. He is a seven-year veteran with the Yuma Police Department and has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the trial. Authorities have not released information regarding the relationship between the victim and Elkins, who married his wife in 2013. A criminal protective order was issued for the victim. Elkins posted $250,000 bail, but faces 16 years in prison if convicted, Deputy District Attorney Lisa Fox told KUSI. He will return to court in March for a readiness conference and a preliminary hearing. According to court documents the victim was intoxicated and Elkins should have known she was not able to give sexual consent. Elkins is pictured in the back of a San Diego police car on the night of his arrest As a college student, Holly K Dunn survived a savage attack by a rail-riding serial killer who left her for dead after her boyfriend was beaten to death. Twenty years later, Dunn is a wife, mother and author of a book retelling her tragedy in hopes of inspiring resilience in others. Dunn's life changed forever in August 1997 when Dunn, then 20 years old, and her then-boyfriend Chris Maier were attacked by Angel Maturino Resendiz - the notorious 'Railroad Killer' linked to at least 15 murders and executed in Texas in 2006. Dunn and Maier were students at the University of Kentucky and the two were on walking along railroad tracks their way home from a party in Lexington, Kentucky. Holly K Dunn (pictured now) survived a savage attack by a rail-riding serial killer who left her for dead after her boyfriend was beaten to death. On the twentieth anniversary of her survival she has written a book retelling her tragedy in hopes of inspiring resilience in others In August 1997, Dunn, then 20 years old (left), and her then-boyfriend Chris Maier (right) - students at the University of Kentucky - were attacked by Angel Maturino Resendiz - the notorious 'Railroad Killer'. Maier was killed with a rock while Dunn was raped, stabbed and left for dead Although Dunn said she shut down after the attack, she overcame and became an advocate for victims of sexual assault and other violent crimes. Dunn said even she forgave her attacker (pictured, January 2006). 'I did that for myself. So I let all those bad feelings go with him' Resendiz tied up the couple, picked up a rock and smashed it against Maier's skull, killing him. He then raped Dunn and bludgeoned her with a wooden board, breaking her jaw and eye socket, and left her for dead. But she managed to survive. After the attack, Dunn spent five days in the hospital. Although her physical ailments healed, the emotional healing took much longer. 'For a long time, I avoided railroad tracks any way I could,' she said. 'And anytime I heard the sound of a train, I just kind of shut down.' Dunn overcame the attack to graduate from University of Kentucky in 2000, but instead of joining her family's hotel business, she became an advocate for victims of sexual assault and other violent crimes. Now her story of survival and healing is recounted in 'Sole Survivor'. Dunn said the book's title has special meaning since she's the only known survivor of an attack by Resendiz. Now her story of survival and healing is recounted in 'Sole Survivor'. Dunn, now 40, said the book's title has special meaning since she's the only known survivor of an attack by Resendiz Her message to other victims: 'Don't let this destroy you. You can get through this, and there can be life after it does. You can have a happy life. But it does take work.' Dunn, now 40, is in Kentucky this week to promote the book and talk about how she overcame the trauma of being stabbed and raped and having her boyfriend murdered. 'I hope it's inspirational to them,' Dunn told The Associated Press on Tuesday. 'Everybody's been through something. Yes, my story is very unique. But everybody's been through brokenness. 'If you know that you can go through that brokenness but you can be OK and you can live a happy life, that's what my book's trying to tell them. If you're happy in your life, then you've survived, you've thrived.' Dunn, the mother of two boys, ages one and five, said she reached 'an emotional point' where she was able to write the book with Heather Ebert, a friend and writer. But there were many tears along the way, she said. As part of her healing, she sought out books from survivors of attacks. Dunn wanted to do the same for other victims by telling her own story. 'When I was going through my healing, I needed to know that I was normal,' she said. 'I needed to hear that everything you're going through is OK. It's OK to feel that way.' In July 1999, aware the authorities were closing in on him, Resendiz (pictured, May 2000) surrendered to Texas police. Most of the murders he confessed to happened near train tracks. Resendiz was convicted of killing a physician and put to death by lethal injection in June 2006 Dunn became a motivational speaker and activist. She co-founded Holly's House, an advocacy center for victims in her hometown of Evansville, Indiana. In July 1999, aware the authorities were closing in on him, Resendiz surrendered to Texas police. Most of the murders he confessed to happened near train tracks. He went on trial for the slaying of a physician during the deadly spree that earned him a spot on the FBI's Most Wanted list. Resendiz was convicted and put to death by lethal injection in June 2006. Dunn said she forgave her attacker. 'I did that for myself. So I let all those bad feelings go with him,' she said. Two brothers from Georgia were killed when a wrong-way driver crashed head on into their car early Sunday, Jack 'Deacon' Harris, 20, and his brother, Garrett, 18, were heading east on Interstate 16 in Laurens County around 1.15am when a Toyota Avalon driving in the wrong direction smashed into their Saturn L200. According to Georgia State Patrol, 'the Saturn was engulfed in flames' and both brothers died at the scene. Brothers Jack 'Deacon' Harris, 20 (right), and his brother, Garrett, 18 (left), were killed when a wrong-way driver crashed head on into their car early Sunday Deacon and Garrett were heading east on Interstate 16 in Laurens County around 1.15am when a Toyota Avalon driving in the wrong direction smashed into their Saturn L200. (Pictured, right, Dennis Piecuch hugs Garrett at his Allatoona High School graduation and, left, Deacon and Piecuch pose) According to Georgia State Patrol, 'the Saturn was engulfed in flames' and both brothers died at the scene. The brothers, both students at Georgia Southern University, were returning to campus after having spent Thanksgiving break at their home in metro Atlanta The brothers, both students at Georgia Southern University, were returning to campus after having spent Thanksgiving break at their home in metro Atlanta. 'They had a little bit of homework to finish up [and] wanted to spend time with their friends before classes started Monday,' their father, Jack Harris, told the student newspaper The George-Anne. 'So they left to drive at night thinking traffic would be better and this accident happened.' Deacon was a junior at Georgia Southern, the university newspaper reported. Garrett was a freshman. The university released a statement following the fatal crash that read: 'The Georgia Southern University community is saddened to learn of the accident that resulted in the loss of two of our students, Garrett Harris and Jack Deacon Harris. GSP officials said the driver of the Toyota, Jared Adler, 27 (pictured), of Sandy Springs, was taken to Navicent Health Medical Center in Macon with injuries Adlier's (pictured) condition is unknown at this time. Authorities have not yet released details on how the wrong-way driver ended up on the wrong side of the highway 'Our deepest sympathies go out to their family and friends and our thoughts are with them during this time. Counseling is available for our students as we all grieve this tragedy. GSP officials said the driver of the Toyota, Jared Adler, 27, of Sandy Springs, was taken to Navicent Health Medical Center in Macon with injuries. His condition is unknown at this time. Authorities have not yet released details on how the wrong-way driver ended up on the wrong side of the highway. A GoFundMe account has been created by friends of the family to help for the funeral arrangements. So far, $17,668 has been reaised out of $24,000 goal The progress that Yellowstone National Park is making in removing lake trout from Yellowstone Lake in order to protect native Yellowstone cutthroat trout will be the topic of a talk by Dave Sweet at the Dec. 5 meeting of Billings' Magic City Fly Fishers. Sweet is the Yellowstone Lake project manager for the Wyoming Council of Trout Unlimited. When he first met with Magic City Fly Fishers the long-term viability of cutthroat trout in Yellowstone Lake was in question. Sweet will explain the progress made in recent years resulting in a viable and growing Yellowstone cutthroat fishery. Sweet was awarded the 2013 Field and Stream magazine "Conservationist of the Year" for his work on protecting Yellowstone cutthroat trout. His presentation starts at 7 p.m. at the Billings Rod and Gun Club, west of the airport. The meeting is free and open to the public. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will wed in May at St George's Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle - but the American actress might have to brush up on her knowledge of British culture before then. The 36-year-old floundered when she was quizzed on 'Britishisms' last year by TV Channel Dave, answering just four out of 15 questions correctly. After the test the star said: 'I think I lost. I think I was the worst at this game.' Meghan Markle, who announced her engagement to Prince Harry on Monday, floundered when she was quizzed on 'Britishisms' last year by TV Channel Dave She answered just four out of 15 questions correctly. After the test the star said: 'I think I lost. I think I was the worst at this game' The test started on a positive note with the actress correctly picking out the name of an obscure real ale - but went downhill soon after The clip was filmed for TV channel Dave while Miss Markle was in Britain promoting Suits last year before her romance with Prince Harry became public. The test started on a positive note with the actress correctly picking out the name of an obscure real ale - but went downhill soon after. Miss Markle wrongly chose Vegemite over Marmite and couldn't translate 'apples and pears' from Cockney rhyming slang. The actress also couldn't name the national animal of England, even though the lion appears on the royal coat of arms. On learning the unicorn is the national animal of Scotland, Miss Markle declared 'we should all move' north of the border. Asked to give the British versions of Americanisms, Miss Markle said she didn't know another word for 'sidewalk' or 'highway' - but she did know that 'pants' are known as 'trousers' on this side of the Atlantic. Miss Markle wrongly chose Vegemite over Marmite and couldn't translate 'apples and pears' from Cockney rhyming slang. She was also asked about the names of British places Asked to give the British versions of Americanisms, Miss Markle said she didn't know another word for 'sidewalk' or 'highway' - but she did know that 'pants' are known as 'trousers' on this side of the Atlantic The video was filmed last year, before Miss Markle's relationship with Prince Harry was public The video re-emerged online just hours Miss Markle and Prince Harry announced their engagement on Monday. The couple have decided to hold their wedded at St George's Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle in May because it is a place 'close to the couple's hearts', it was revealed on Tuesday. The couple chose the 'very special' venue because the prince and his fiancee spent time there together during their 16-month romance and Harry was based in the town with his Army regiment, the Blues and Royals. They have not given the date for their 'fun and joyful' wedding, which is likely to be on TV, but thanked millions of people around the world 'celebrating with them' since their engagement was announced yesterday. Divorcee Miss Markle, a protestant who went to a catholic high school, will be baptised and confirmed before the spring ceremony to comply with the royal family's beliefs that they should all join the Church of England. The clip was filmed for TV channel Dave while Miss Markle was in Britain promoting Suits (pictured) last year before her romance with Prince Harry became public Miss Markle who has relocated from her home in Toronto, Canada, will also be taking British citizenship to become a dual national before May, a process that usually takes years. It is not clear whether the actress will retain her US citizenship and become a dual national in the future. The couple have shunned a larger wedding at Westminster Abbey or St Paul's for a more intimate church service at St George's, where his father Charles had a blessing after marrying Camilla in the nearby Guildhall in 2005. It also means Queen and Prince Philip can easily travel to the wedding of the year as it was revealed that the royal family will pay for the event, the music, the flowers and the reception. The actress' divorced parents Thomas Markle and Doria Ragland will both be there but it's not known if her father will walk her down the aisle. It has also emerged today Meghan will not be continuing her work with the UN or other organisations, but instead will starting her charity work as a full-time royal afresh and begin touring the country with Harry. The couple's first public engagement will be on Friday at the National Justice Museum in Nottingham. Illinois Democratic Rep. Luis Guttierez, who just before Thanksgiving filed articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump, is ending his own career in Congress. Guttierez, who represents part of Chicago, was set to address supporters at a restaurant there Tuesday. He plans to resign after more spending 25 years in Congress, the Chicago Sun-Times and Politico reported, citing Democratic sources. Just before the holiday, Guttierez was one of five Democrats filing the impeachment articles. 'It is clear to us that he is unfit to be president of the United States of America,' he said. Gittierez has also been an outspoken advocate for addressing the legal status of DREAMers brought to the country illegally as children. Rep. Luis Guttierez, who just before Thanksgiving filed articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump, is ending his own career in Congress Representative Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) warms up the crowd for Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel at an election night rally February 24, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. Sources told the Chicago Sun-Times he is retiring Cook County Commissioner Jesus Chuy Garcia, is expected to run to succeed him. He filed papers to run for reelection again just Monday. Garcia, who forced Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel into a runoff in 2015, would run for the congressional seat and no longer run again for mayor, Politico reported. Meghan Markle's mother Doria Ragland said Tuesday that news of her 36-year-old daughter's engagement to Prince Harry had made her 'very happy'. She spoke out as she headed to work at a low-income apartment complex in Marina del Rey, California. The mother-of-one had spent Monday at her Windsor Hills bungalow as the world learned of her daughter's joyful engagement. But on Tuesday Ragland went back to work as a wellness counselor for Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services a Los Angeles-based organization specializing in treating substance abuse - heading for a low-income housing complex in Marina del Ray. Dressed in a loose black dress, a patterned headscarf and stacked wedge heels, the therapist strode past waiting photographers with her head down but did briefly say that she was pleased with the engagement news. Ragland had spent time with the couple before they were engaged, appearing in public at the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games in Toronto at the end of September. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO So happy: Doria Ragland got back to work as the joyful news of her daughter's engagement Very happy: Doria Ragland made public what she feels about her daughter's engagement to Prince Harry as she got back to work in Los Angeles Back to business: Doria Ragland spent time at a low-income housing complex as she got back to work after her daughter's engagement Watchful eye: Meghan's mother is being accompanied by security - just like her daughter who now has a Scotland Yard bodyguard Work as usual: The wellness counselor, who is also a yoga teacher, went back to her normal life as her family prepares for what iwll be the most high-profile wedding of 2018 Back to the old routine: Doria Ragland confirmed her normal routine will be unaffected by becoming mother-in-law to a royal as she got back to work in Los Angeles on Tuesday Back to normal: Doria Ragland got ready to head for work in Los Angeles the day after her daughter Meghan Markle revealed her joyful engagement to Prince Harry The pair inspect Meghan's engagement ring, which includes a large diamond from Botswana, during their first TV interview last night Choosing Windsor Castle means the Queen and Prince Philip can easily travel to the wedding of the year and the royal family will pay for it They will shun a large wedding at Westminster Abbey or St Paul's for a more intimate church service at St George's where his father married Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, in 2005, and Prince Edward married bride Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1999 (pictured) On Tuesday, Doria was seen paying a home visit to a low-income apartment complex in Marina del Rey, accompanied by her security officer and a co-worker. Dressed in a loose black dress, a patterned headscarf and stacked wedge heels, the therapist refused to comment on her daughter's engagement and strode past waiting photographers with her head down. Doria has never commented publicly on her daughter's relationship with Prince Harry but was photographed with the newly engaged couple at the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games in Toronto at the end of September. On Monday, she released a statement along with ex-husband Thomas Markle Sr, 73, declaring herself 'incredibly happy for Meghan and Harry'. It continued: 'Our daughter has always been a kind and loving person. To see her union with Harry, who shares the same qualities, is a source of great joy for both parents. 'We wish them a lifetime of happiness and are very excited for their future.' Kensington palace confirmed that both Meghan Markle's parents will be present at the wedding, but will not have to pay for the costly affair. It is unclear of Thomas Markle will walk his daughter down the aisle. Part of the family: Prince Harry asked Doria Ragland for permission to marry her daughter and the three are clearly at ease together as was demonstrated at the Invictus Games closing ceremony in Toronto in September So proud: Meghan Markle used her instagram account to show her and her mother as Doria Ragland graduated with a master's degree in social work Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding will take place at St George's Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle in May because it is a place 'close to the couple's hearts' Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding will take place at St George's Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle in May because it is a place 'close to the couple's hearts' 'It's such exciting news!': Pregnant Kate reveals her joy at royal engagement The Duchess of Cambridge displayed her neat baby bump in a Kate Spade dress as she stepped out at an art gallery in London just hours after Meghan Markle hailed her 'amazing' The Duchess of Cambridge said she's 'absolutely thrilled' for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as she stepped out in London a day after her brother-in-law's engagement announcement. The pregnant mother-of-two displayed her neat baby bump in a figure-skimming Kate Spade dress, which she offset with burgundy accessories, as she arrived at the Foundling Museum in London. Discussing Monday's happy news, the Duchess said: 'William and I are absolutely thrilled. It's such exciting news. 'It's a really happy time for any couple and we wish them all the best and hope they enjoy this happy moment.' Her appearance comes just hours after Meghan Markle hailed her 'wonderful'. Miss Markle said the Duchess of Cambridge had been 'wonderful' to her, while Harry said both William and Kate had been 'amazing'. Advertisement The mother-of-one spent most of Monday inside her home, with a friend arriving around midday to walk her dog, Sam. Meghan is the only child of Doria Ragland and Thomas Markle, although the latter has two older children with his first wife Roslyn Loveless, now 72: Samantha Grant, 53, and Thomas Jr, 51. Tom Jr is yet to comment on news of his sister's engagement but in September told DailyMailTV that his sister is a 'hot commodity' and that Harry needed to hurry up and propose advice he appears to have heeded. The 51-year-old also extended an invitation to his own upcoming wedding to Darlene Blount, 37, to Meghan and Harry and has previously offered to throw the royal a bachelor party in Las Vegas. His mother Roslyn has also reacted to the news, telling DailyMail.com that she thinks the engagement is 'absolutely wonderful news.' She added: 'I'm really happy for them and I hope they'll be happy together and have a great life.' Asked how she thinks Meghan will cope with the transition from actress to princess, the mother-of-two added: 'You and I both know that Meghan is very well educated. 'She's worked in a professional, public life forever. She's been in the TV industry forever. She's very well educated and she's had a lot of exposure to the public. She's going to be just fine.' Her daughter Samantha has also opened up on the engagement, speaking to Good Morning Britain from her Florida home and telling them the news is 'lovely'. Of her father, Tom Sr's reaction, she said: 'I can say that he's excited and very proud and naturally, as you can imagine, very happy because doesn't every father want his daughter's happiness? 'He knows that she's happy and moving forward I can say that he's elated, as we all are. We really want her to be happy and we are.' Eight Eton teachers set seven public exams for the elite school's own pupils, headmaster Simon Henderson told Parliament's education select committee today. Mr Henderson admitted that out of the 10 papers his staff set, seven were for boys attending the institution, as he attended the inquiry into exam integrity in Westminster. His admission comes months after a member of staff left the school, after it emerged pupils were able to access material which would later come up in their exams. Cambridge graduate Mo Tanweer, the college's head of Economics and Politics, was a principal examiner, who sent 'practice questions' to three colleagues for a revision programme and some boys received them 'inadvertently' according to a letter sent to the pupils. Eight teachers at Eton set seven public exams for pupils at their own school, a select committee heard today The exam watchdog for England, Ofqual, told the scrutiny meeting it may begin cracking down on classroom teachers setting public exams (such as GCSEs) in subjects they teach, according to the Guardian. The potential crack down follows concerns that tests may be manipulated by examiners. Pupils at the Berkshire school joined those who attend Winchester in having their marks annulled in economics and art history exams this summer. Teachers who leaked material to the school pupils left. The papers were sat at Pre-U level, which is an alternative to the A-level also favoured by Charterhouse, Westminster and Marlborough colleges. The controversy raised fears that Pre-U results are open to being easily distorted by examiners, due to it only being a small group of private schools that take the exams in significant numbers. Mo Tanweer left Eton in the summer after he was found to have leaked exam questions to pupils at the elite school Conservative MP Robert Halfron, who chairs the select committee, asked Mr Henderson whether this summer's incidents were a one-off, as the headmaster made his most significant public appearance since the affair. Mr Henderson said some of his own staff has exposed the leaking in the economics Pre-U, adding: 'We have no evidence that this was going on previously. 'In this particular case it was our own teachers in the economics department who had concerns about the activity, the behaviour, of their head of department. 'They reported it to me. I reported it to the examination board. It had been dealt with, the teacher had been dealt with and dismissed three weeks before the matter hit the public domain.' Eton teachers are now prohibited from telling pupils if they are examiners, but their colleagues are informed for greater transparency. Mr Henderson added that students and staff are urged to report exam malpractice. Mr Henderson told the select committee that his own staff reported the cheating to him when they found out Ofqual's executive director Michelle Meadows told MPs the regulator had conducted a consultation on whether active teachers should remain involved in exam preparation. She said 'virtually everybody' who responded backed them remaining involved in the process. 'One possibility, of course, is that teachers continue but they are not allowed to teach the specification for which they are writing [exams],' she said. 'We havent ruled that out but there are some really thorny issues associated with that which would need working through. 'Much more likely, we might consult on the proposition that teachers can continue to be involved and teach the specification they are writing papers for. 'But they wont know with certainty when the questions or papers they have been working on will come up.' The Pre-U exams was created by Cambridge Assessment International Education, which also hires the examiners. Its chief executive, Michael OSullivan, told the committee that the type of cheating that had been seen this summer at Eton was rare. 'We are currently taking steps to further strengthen the supervision and training of any examiner who has this conflict of interest,' he said. He reported recent years had seen a spike in the number of exam malpractice cases involving his exam board. In 2013 there were 269 cases, but this year it rose to 719. Mr OSullivan said the rise might be due to better policing and the encouragement of whistle-blowing. His board is part of Cambridge University, as is the OCR, which is one of the four main exam boards to offer GCSEs and A-levels in England. Oxford University's department of education director, Professor Jo-Anne Baird, told the committee England's exam system was on the most robust of its king in the world, saying it has stronger oversight than those of other nations. A young Somali-Australian accused of plotting an ISIS-inspired New Year's Eve attack on Melbourne was reportedly targeted by ASIO because of his links to a radicalised 15-year-old boy who killed Curtis Cheng. Ali Khalif Shire Ali was dramatically arrested on Monday and charged with trying to obtain a semi-automatic rifle to gun down revellers in Federation Square. The 20-year-old was well-connected to Australian jihadist circles including multiple other terror suspects and extremist preacher Junaid Thorne. Ali was also friends with Farhad Jabar, 15, who shot dead NSW police accountant Curtis Cheng outside the police centre in Parramatta in 2015. He once boasted to a group of Islamic extremists about how he had refused to speak to ASIO agents who offered him money for information about his links to Jabar. Scroll down for video Ali Khalif Shire Ali (right) is accused of planning a New Year's Eve terror attack in Melbourne. He was targeted by police after boasting about his friendship with Farhad Jabar, 15, (left) who shot dead NSW police worker Curtis Cheng in Parramatta in 2015 Ali was dramatically arrested on Monday for trying to obtain a semi-automatic rifle to gun down New Year's Eve revellers in Federation Square Ali (in blue jacket) two years earlier claimed ASIO offered him $200 for every tip he gave them about extremist activity in his community, but he refused to dob in Muslims Ali claimed agents offered him $200 for every tip he gave them about extremist activity in his community, but he refused to dob in Muslims because it was 'haram'. 'I know their tricks and whatever you say to them they will use as evidence against you,' Ali said. 'They start to get to the real questions, like who are your friends with, what do you think about ISIS, what are your thoughts about those groups. 'I stayed quiet, I didn't want to get my friends in trouble.' Ali made his ASIO claims at the Government Intervention in the Muslim Community (GIMC) conference on November 14, 2015. GIMC is run by fundamentalist Islamist group Hizb Ut Tahrir, which advocates for a global caliphate based on Sharia law and is banned in dozens of countries but not Australia. Ali made his ASIO claims at the Government Intervention in the Muslim Community conference on November 14, 2015, run by fundamentalist Islamist group Hizb Ut Tahrir Ali (back with hood up) was at the hearing for five men accused of trying to flee Australia by boat to fight with terrorists overseas Ali said they came to his house multiple times where his sister, who also spoke at the conference, lied and told them he wasn't there. He said ASIO then called him on the phone and he met with agents twice at a local Nando's where they asked about his friends. The then-18-year-old told the conference agents followed him to Swinburne University, where he used to study, and he got a text saying 'look to you left'. 'He was standing there a couple of meters away. I thought I was in a 007 movie. He called again and I had to pick up cos he was looking at me,' he said. Ali claimed the agent then told him: 'Ali, we know you are a good guy. We know you have knowledge of things that are happening. 'You know the thing happening in Parramatta... the shooting... and you're friends with certain people. We want you to get out in the community'. 'I knew then they wanted me to be an informant and I said 'no, get lost'.' Ali said he told them informing on other Muslims was 'haram', meaning forbidden, and the agents said they would 'stop harassing him'. The teenager claimed he was targeted because ASIO thought he was 'young and naive' and 'this is the new tactic they use for youngsters'. Police allege Ali tried to obtain an automatic rifle to carry out the horrific act, inspired by radical Islamist propaganda produced by terrorist group al-Qaeda The 20-year-old was charged with terrorism offences for allegedly planning to shoot 'as many people as he could' in Melbourne on New Year's Eve Six months later in May 2016, Ali was one of several Muslims led by Junaid Thorne who refused to stand for a magistrate saying they 'stand for no one but Allah'. The hearing was for five men accused of trying to flee Australia by boat to fight with terrorists overseas. In December 2016 he was caught driving without his L-Plates or a supervising driver and provided a false name to police. Officers made him empty pockets and found a credit card with his real name, which he initially tried to pass off as his brother's, leading to his arrest. Magistrate Geraldine Beattie fined him $1,900 and disqualified him from driving for three months in Yass Local Court in March. According to the Daily Telegraph, Ali is also believed to be friends with the son of convicted Islamic State terrorist Abdul Nacer Benbrika, as well as having links to the friends of teen terrorist Numan Haider. Haider was killed with a single shot to the head after pulling a knife from his jacket and started stabbing two counter-terrorist police officers in a Melbourne station. On Tuesday, Ali was dramatically arrested by counter-terrorism police in tactical gear in front of shocked onlookers outside a restaurant on a busy Melbourne street. Police allege Ali tried to obtain an automatic rifle to carry out the horrific act, inspired by radical Islamist propaganda produced by terrorist group al-Qaeda. The 'ISIS sympathiser' did not enter a bail when he appeared briefly in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday. Ali, who reportedly no longer has a formal name, was described by his boss at a local computer business as 'a very quiet guy' The 20-year-old Muslim man can be seen being held down by the officers in front of shocked onlookers and outside a restaurant on a busy street moments after his arrest Ali, who reportedly no longer has a formal name, was described by his boss at a local computer business as 'a very quiet guy'. 'It's very sad, it's a shock,' Warsame Hassan told the Herald Sun. 'If I had (noticed suspicious behaviour) then I would have told the police.' The business has been raided and the computer Ali used has been seized by police. It is believe they had been monitoring Ali for months, but his alleged radicalism has increased over time and police believe he was seeking out obtaining an automatic weapon. He had recently dropped out of Swinburne University in Hawthorn, and was a regular visitor at the Virgin Mary mosque near his family home in Melbourne's west. Members of the mosque described Ali's family as good members of the community. It is believe they had been monitoring Ali for months, but his alleged radicalism has increased over time and police believe he was seeking out obtaining an automatic weapon The arrest followed raids on his home in Werribee, a relative's house in Meadow Heights and a computer business in nearby Footscray where he worked part-time. Officers returned to the home on Tuesday Melbourne woman Jessica Karasmanis witnessed the dramatic moment Shire was arrested in Werribee, west of the CBD. Ms Karasmanis told Daily Mail Australia she was stopped at a set of traffic lights when she spotted 'at least five men' dressed in heavy body armour holding down a man. 'They had his hands tied behind his backs and on the ground,' she said. 'They stood him up and placed him behind the building.' Investigators returned to the suburban home in Werribee where Shire lived with his parents and brothers on Tuesday morning and remained there throughout the day The arrest followed raids on his home in Werribee, a relative's house in Meadow Heights and a computer business in nearby Footscray where he worked part-time. Investigators returned to the suburban home in Werribee where Shire lived with his parents and brothers on Tuesday morning and remained there throughout the day. Detectives were seen hauling bags of evidence out of the home. The practising Muslim was born in Australia, is an Australian citizen and his parents were from Somalia, Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton said on Tuesday. 'The male is one of our high-risk persons of interest. We have been monitoring him for a very lengthy period of time,' he told reporters on Tuesday. Shire allegedly accessed a guidebook produced by al-Qaeda containing information on how to commit a terrorist act (Federation Square pictured on New Year's Eve in 2015) Police allege the young Muslim terror suspect had tried to obtain an automatic rifle to carry out the act and was inspired by radical Islamist group Al-Qaeda (fighters pictured in 2014) Following the arrest federal Justice Minister Michael Keenan said the government does not target a specific ethnic group as part of its terror investigations. 'The Muslim community is not being targeted by the government,' he said. 'We'll go after individuals, we don't target a specific community, and we require the Muslim community to work with us.' Described as an 'ISIL-sympathiser' by Mr Keenan, the alleged terrorist is being interviewed in relation to the offences of preparing to commit a terrorist attack and collecting documents to facilitate a terrorist act. It's alleged the man accessed a guidebook produced by al-Qaeda containing information on how to commit a terrorist act and use firearms, guns and handguns and rifles. Authorities were keen to stress that no firearm was obtained. But if the attack had been successful the human cost would have been 'catastrophic ... horrendous', Mr Patton said. The practising Muslim was born in Australia, is an Australian citizen and his parents were from Somalia, Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton said on Tuesday WHAT WE KNOW * He's an Australian-born, 20-year-old man. * Allegedly plotted to obtain a firearm to 'shoot and kill as many people as he could' at Melbourne's Federation Square on New Year's Eve. * Lives with his Somalia-born parents in Werribee, is a Muslim but not linked to any specific mosque. * Police said he'd been 'high-risk person of interest' since early 2016 and claimed he would become 'energised' online when learning of overseas terrorist attacks. * Allegedly obtained Al-Qaeda material through the internet and was an Islamic State sympathiser. * Arrested on Monday by Victoria Police, Australian Federal Police and ASIO officers. * Charged on Tuesday with planning to commit a terrorist attack and collecting documents to facilitate a terrorist act. Source: Victoria Police, Australian Federal Police Advertisement The man is also believed to be associated with a group of Victorian extremists. 'We won't identify who they are. It is a very small community of extremist,' Mr Patton said. 'There is no ongoing threat posed in respect to New Year's Eve, Christmas or any other area.' AFP Acting Deputy Commissioner Ian McCartney said the charges laid were 'serious'. 'One of the charges carries a maximum penalty of life in prison,' he said. Since September 2014, when the national threat terrorism level was raised to 'probable', the AFP has worked with its state and territory partners to thwart a number of plots. So far, 74 people have been charged as a result of 347 counter-terrorist investigations. 'I would like to reassure the people of Victoria that the teams in Victoria, but also around Australia, are working day and night. They are working 24/7 to keep Australia safe,' Mr McCartney said. In 2016, more than 500,000 revellers flocked to Melbourne's CBD to ring in the new year as tonnes of fireworks were shot from 22 city buildings. In 2016, more than 500,000 revellers flocked to Melbourne's CBD to ring in the new year as tonnes of fireworks were shot from 22 city buildings (pictured, 2015 celebrations) Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding will take place at St George's Chapel Speculation is rife over the date of the royal wedding after it was revealed that it will take place in May. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding will take place at St George's Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle next spring, according to Kensington Palace. They have not given the date for their 'fun and joyful' wedding, which is likely to be on TV, forcing royal commentators to try and work out when it will be held. It comes after Theresa May announced that there would not be an additional bank holiday to commemorate the wedding. This has led some to suggest that the ceremony could be held on one of the two scheduled bank holiday dates in May. The early May bank holiday falls on May 7, while the spring bank holiday is set for May 28. The later bank holiday is thought to be the preferred option for the royals, with May 7 falling closer to the Duchess of Cambridge's due date in April. She and the Duke of Cambridge are expecting their third child at some point during that month, potentially ruling out early May as a suitable date for the wedding. A Bank Holiday was declared throughout the UK in 2011 for the wedding day of Harrys older brother Prince William to Kate Middleton, and the nation was also given a day off for the Prince of Waless marriage to Diana Spencer in 1981. But Theresa Mays official spokesman said: There are no plans for a Bank Holiday. There isnt a precedent in this area. Kate displayed a hint of a baby bump in her designer dress as she arrived at the museum in a chauffeur-driven car The spokesman pointed out that there was no Bank Holiday to mark the weddings of Prince Andrew in 1986 or Prince Edward in 1999. However, a Bank Holiday was held for the wedding of Princess Anne in 1973, suggesting that the move has not always been restricted only to those who are in the direct line of succession to the throne. Social media was awash with comments from British workers hoping there will be a bank holiday on the day, but this was always down to the Prime Minister to decide. One was ordered for when Prince William married Kate Middleton in 2011 but he is a future king and Harry will be sixth in line once their third child is born next year. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding will take place at St George's Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle in May because it is a place 'close to the couple's hearts' But Harry is considered too far down the line of succession to warrant one, especially as his brother's children are also above him. Reacting to the news today workers were already getting excited about the possibility of an extra day's holiday in 2018. Ellis King tweeted: 'Yaaas Prince Harry engaged so another Bank Holiday on the calendar next year oooh ya belter. Kevin Ashcroft wrote: 'Prince Harry getting married... perhaps an extra Bank Holiday????' Cristina Rodriguez said: 'So if Prince Harry is getting married, does that mean we get a bank holiday? Cos I could totally do with a bank holiday'. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has bragged that his country has achieved full nuclear statehood after successfully testing a new missile capable of hitting virtually anywhere in the world. The country ended a 10-week pause in its weapons testing on Tuesday when it fired off a Hwasong-15 rocket - its most powerful intercontinental ballistic missile yet which the regime claimed could be fitted with a 'super heavy nuclear warhead'. It poses a new challenge for President Donald Trump who has vowed not to let North Korea develop nuclear missiles that can hit the US mainland. After watching the launch, Kim Jong-un boasted about its success, according to state television presenter Ri Chun-Hee. 'Kim Jong-un declared with pride that now we have finally realized the great historic cause of completing the state nuclear force, the cause of building a rocket power,' the presenter said. 'The great success in the test-fire of ICBM Hwasong-15 is a priceless victory won by the great and heroic people of the DPRK,' she added, using the abbreviated name for North Korea. US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis warned on Tuesday that North Korea now has the ability to hit 'everywhere in the world' and that the latest missile test went 'higher, frankly, than any previous shot they have taken.' Scroll down for video North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un is pictured above signing what is said to be a document authorizing the intercontinental ballistic missile test President Trump vowed 'we will take care of it' following the launch, but gave no further details of his plan and said the test will not prompt a change of strategy in the region Pyongyang residents react at the Pyongyang Railway Station after the news of the successful launch of the new intercontinental ballistic missile One physicist said that the missile appeared to have a realistic range of just over 8,000 miles, which means Washington D.C. is now in range of Kim's attacks A map showing the estimated maximum range of North Korea's new Hwasong-15 ICBM which is capable of hitting virtually anywhere in the world with the exception of South America and parts of southern Africa Today's DPRK Missile test, launched out of Pyongsong and according to these numbers: https://t.co/1iTF0qfAnJ Note: impact location, acceleration, speed, etc. are all notional and for demonstrative purposes only. dat apogee doe pic.twitter.com/2Imcp7BLQm Scott LaFoy (@wslafoy) November 28, 2017 An animation of the Hwasong-15 missile path. It reached ten times the height of the International Space Station before falling back to Earth The Pentagon said the test missile traveled about 620 miles and landed within 200 nautical miles of Japan's coast. In a broadcast on state TV, North Korea said the missile reached an altitude of around 2,780 miles - more than 10 times the height of the international space station - and flew 600 miles during its 53 minute flight. North Korea deliberately fires its missile on a near-vertical trajectory to artificially limit the range. If the Hwasong-15 had been fired on a typical trajectory, analysts believe it would have a maximum range of around 8,000 miles (13,000km) - leaving only South America and a small part of Africa beyond it's reach. President Trump vowed on Tuesday to 'handle the situation' in a brief interview with reporters, but gave no further details. 'A missile was launched a little while ago from North Korea. I will only tell you that we will take care of it,' Trump told reporters in the Roosevelt Room of the White House a few hours after the missile streaked across Korean and Japanese skies at 745 miles per hour. Asked if Tuesday's provocation by despot Kim Jong-un had changed his strategy in the region, he said: 'Nothing changed. We have a very serious approach and nothing changed. We take it very seriously.' China expressed 'grave concern' over the new test, with foreign ministry spokesman calling on the US to suspend military drills in the region in return for North Korea freezing its missile programme. Washington has previously rejected that approach. China hopes all sides will work on the 'peaceful settlement' of the issue as a military option is not the solution to resolve the crisis, Geng told a regular news briefing. North Korean state television brought out Ri Chun-Hee, a senior broadcaster who only appears for significant developments, to announce the landmark missile launch North Koreans were spotted celebrating on the street after hearing the news of the successful launch of the new intercontinental ballistic missile People cheer as they watch the news broadcast announcing North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's order to test-fire the newly developed intercontinental ballisti President Trump said on Tuesday that an ballistic missile launch by North Korea 'is a situation that we will handle' before Kim Jong-un bragged that his country achieved nuclear statehood US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis warned on Tuesday that North Korea now has the ability to hit 'everywhere in the world' and that the latest missile test went 'higher, frankly, than any previous shot they have taken' North Korea has already carried out a record 15 missile tests this year which showed it has developed an ICBM that can likely strike most of mainland America Beijing 'strongly urges' North Korea to observe UN resolutions and 'stop actions that heighten tensions on the Korean peninsula,' Geng said. 'At the same time we also hope the relevant parties will act cautiously to work together for the peace and stability of this region.' Meanwhile the Kremlin also described the launch as a 'provocative action' and called for calm on all sides. North Korea's immediate neighbors were less restrained with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe calling the test an intolerable and 'violent' act and South Korean President Moon Jae-In condemning Pyongyang's 'reckless' behavior. UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson also condemned the launch, tweeting: 'Another illegal missile launch from DPRK. This is not the path to security and prosperity for the North Korean people. DPRK regime must change course.' The EU branded it a 'further unacceptable violation' of North Korea's international obligations, while Britain's ambassador to the UN called it a 'reckless act'. The White House said Trump was notified immediately after the missile was fired, suggesting that the news interrupted a meeting with Republican senators on Capitol Hill. '@POTUS was briefed, while missile was still in the air, on the situation in North Korea,' press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a tweet. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley and her counterparts from Japan and South Korea will hold an emergency Security Council meeting on Wednesday afternoon. Trump, in the midst of tense budget negotiations with Congress, stressed the need for improved military readiness - tying Tuesday's missile launch to his request for more defense spending. The missile was launched eastward from Pyongsong in North Korea's South Pyongan Province at around 3:30 a.m local time before landing in the Sea of Japan A South Korean Navy destroyer launching a missile at South Korea's east sea during a precision-strike missile exercise aimed to counter North Korea's missile test 'A lot of things have happened, even over the last two hours, with respect to the missile launch. We want our military funded, and we want it funded now,' he said. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is pictured speaking to reports about the missile that landed in the Sea of Japan It comes as Hawaii has begun renewed tests of its a Cold War-era nuclear early-warning system. The warning tone is set to be tested on the first business day of every month starting from December. The missile was launched eastward from Pyongsong in North Korea's South Pyongan Province in the middle of the night local time, according to a statement issued by the South Korean Military's joint chiefs of staff. Pentagon Spokesman Col. Robert Manning said in a statement that the launch, at about 1.17pm, was an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), according to the Defense Department's initial analysis. 'The missile was launched from Sain Ni, North Korea, and traveled about 1000 km before splashing down in the Sea of Japan, within Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone,' Maness said. UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson took to Twitter to condemn the missile launch Trump had said earlier on Capitol Hill that he would talk 'soon' about the launch, which occurred while he was meeting with senators about tax-cut and budget proposals The missile launch was dictator Kim Jong-Un's first such provocation since September 15 TRUMP'S HANDWRITTEN NORTH KOREA NOTES: President Donald Trump had handwritten notes in black marker and all capital letters in front of him on Tuesday when he revealed news of North Korea's latest missile launch. The piece of paper was spotted on the table in front of Trump as he addressed reporters in the Roosevelt Room of the White House a few hours after the missile streaked across Korean and Japanese skies. 'MISSILE WAS LAUNCHED FROM NORTH KOREA - WILL TAKE CARE OF IT,' the note read. Not straying far from his notes, Trump then told reporters: 'A missile was launched a little while ago from North Korea. I will only tell you that we will take care of it. It is a situation that we will handle.' The piece of paper was spotted on the table in front of Trump as he addressed reporters in the Roosevelt Room of the White House a few hours after the missile launch Advertisement 'The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) determined the missile launch from North Korea did not pose a threat to North America, our territories or our allies,' he added. South Korea and the US worked together to determine the missile's trajectory and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ordered an emergency cabinet meeting. Officials in Seoul said a rocket-tracking radar was turned on at a missile base in the North of the region yesterday followed by a large amount of radio chatter, the Yonhap news agency reported. Tokyo and Washington were also placed on alert after radio signals were picked up, with one Japanese official telling the Kyodo news agency that a test could take place 'within the next few days.' Cho Myoung-gyon, South Korea's unification minister, confirmed the activity at an event in Seoul as he warned that Kim might complete his nuclear program much sooner than previously thought. Cho said there had been 'noteworthy activity in the North recently', but said the world would have to 'wait and see whether it leads to an actual missile test'. Speaking about Kim's efforts to develop a viable long-range nuclear weapon, he added: 'Experts think North Korea will take two to three more years but they are developing their nuclear capabilities faster than expected. 'We cannot rule out the possibility Pyongyang may declare the completion of their nuclear program in a year.' Trump was flanked by empty chairs on Tuesday afternoon, trolling Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Nancy Pelosi, two key congressional Democrats who refused to negotiate on spending with him Japan said the latest signals from North Korea might have come to nothing, saying they could have been from military exercises which the North routinely carries out each winter. Cho said the frequency of North Korean activity tends to decline noticeably during the winter. 'If it launched a provocation, North Korea has to put its military on alert, but most of its troops are needed for manual labour for preparation of winter,' he said. Other reasons behind the lull could be that Pyongyang simply needs more time to advance its missile program such as perfecting its re-entry technology, Cho said, or the North Korean leader could be focusing on boosting the economy. Kim has already carried out a record 15 missile tests this year, including two which were fired over the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido. The tests also confirmed that North Korea has developed a functioning ICBM, a key step toward creating a nuke that can strike mainland America. News of another launch would come as a blow to North Korea's opponents who had hoped that increased sanctions were at least slowing the country's progress. After a flurry of missile tests over the summer, Kim last fired a weapon on September 15, despite widely-anticipated launches in October around Labor Day in the US and the Chinese 19th Party Congress. A Southern California woman convicted of conspiring to kill her identical twin sister in the 1990s has been recommended for parole after spending nearly two decades in prison, according to a report published Tuesday. In a case that made international headlines, Jeen 'Gina' Han dubbed the 'evil twin' by police was sentenced to 26 years to life in May 1998. Han and two others were found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder, burglary and false imprisonment. Jeen 'Gina' Han in Orange County Superior Court break down after being sentenced to 26 years to life for plotting the murder of her twin sister Sunny (pictured: May 8, 1998) Jeen Young Han is photographed at her arraignment at Harbor Municipal Court in Newport Beach on charges she conspired to kill her twin sister (pictured 1998) John Sararath and Archie Bryant were found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder on Sunny Han in November of 1998 following a separate trial. 'Gina' Han was also found guilty of burglary and false imprisonment along with two conspirators Prosecutors said the trio conspired in a failed plan to murder Sunny Han, who was bound and gagged along with her roommate before police rescued them. The Korean-born twins were co-valedictorians at their San Diego County high school, were once close but had a history of fighting, authorities have said. Their relationship deteriorated after Sunny Han accused her sister of stealing her BMW. The state Board of Parole recommended the release of Gina Han, now 43, after a hearing on Oct. 31, the Orange County Register reported. Under California law, the decision includes a 120-day review period so Gov. Jerry Brown can decide whether to approve or reject the parole recommendation. Sunny Han, then 22, leaves Harbor Municipal Court for a break after giving testimony in the case against her twin sister Jeen Young Han in 1998 John Sararath (L) and Archie Bryant hang their heads after being found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder on Sunny Han The Orange County District Attorney's Office in a letter Monday asked Brown to reject the parole recommendation, saying that Gina Han failed to address her alleged mental disorder and still poses a risk to society. 'At the parole hearing, Gina Han at first blush appeared to have attempted introspection; however, she is very intelligent and still manipulative,' Deputy District Attorney Nikki Chambers wrote in the letter to Brown. California Gov. Jerry Brown (pictured) can decide whether to approve or reject the parole recommendation Chambers said Gina Han, as an example of her plans for parole, gave the board letters from a men with whom she is corresponding. Her pen pals from abroad and across the country have offered her money, jobs and lodging, including a man from Britain who gave her money after corresponding for a year, the prosecutor said. 'This manipulative ability is not surprising, given her extreme intelligence coupled with an untreated personality disorder,' Chambers wrote. 'The fact remains that she is still flexing the manipulation muscles that she used when she recruited two young men to murder her sister, and they appear to be as keen as they were in 1996,' Chambers wrote. Gina Han maintained she never intended to kill her sister. Meghan Markle will be baptised into the Church of England to please the Queen, despite her Catholic schooling and 'Jewish first wedding' Meghan Markle will be baptised into the Church of England to please the Queen, despite her Catholic schooling and 'Jewish first wedding'. Miss Markle, from Los Angeles, will be both baptised and confirmed as she prepares for her church wedding with Prince Harry, in May. The bride-to-be is Christian, a member of the Protestant faith who went to a Catholic high school. Her mother Doria Ragland is Protestant while her father Thomas Markle is Episcopalian. However, her first husband, US TV producer Trevor Engelson, was Jewish and the couple tied the knot in a Bohemian ceremony at the Jamaica Inn in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. The wedding lasted four days and in keeping with Jewish traditions, the couple were lifted on chairs as the guests danced in celebration at their reception. However, their marriage ended in divorce two years later with the couple citing 'irreconcilable differences'. Before Miss Markle walks down the aisle with Prince Harry at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, she must become a member of the Church of England, of which the Queen is head. A person wishing to marry in a church is not required to be christened or confirmed but will usually have a link to that church in some way. Miss Markle with her ex husband US TV producer Trevor Engleson, during their wedding in Jamaica, during 2011 Miss Markle and her husband are lifted in the air on chairs as loved ones dance in celebration at their wedding reception In the case of St George's Chapel, this is where Harry was christened. The decision for Ms Markle to be baptised and confirmed before the wedding will be seen as a nod to the Queen's strong faith and traditions within the monarchy. Shortly before her wedding, the Duchess of Cambridge was confirmed. Kate's husband the Duke of Cambridge, as a future king, will one day be Supreme Governor of the Church of England. Both baptism and confirmation are important parts of the 'journey of faith', according to the church's website. St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, is often at the heart of royal events, with the Royal family gathering there each year for Easter services While many people brought up in the faith are baptised as children, adults can undergo the religious ceremony too. 'You are never too old to take this step, and being baptised as an adult is a wonderful experience,' the church's website states. During the ceremony water is usually either poured on the person's head at the font or they may be fully immersed in a special pool within the church. The service of confirmation can only take place if a person has been baptised, and is about confirming the promises about their faith that were made at the baptism. Ms Markle could be baptised and confirmed in the same ceremony. A man who skipped out on a court hearing on a hate crime charge in August 2012 has been rearrested in Oregon after disappearing for five years. The East Oregonian reported Tuesday that 28-year-old Joshua Edward Teel has been in the Umatilla County Jail since last month on $100,000 bail. The newspaper says Teel was part of a white supremacist group in Pendleton and was facing hate crime charges for assaulting a black man at a park. Joshua Edward Teel, 28 (left in 2017 and right in 2012), who skipped out on a court hearing on a hate crime charge in August 2012 has been rearrested in Oregon after disappearing for five years. Teel was allegedly part of a white supremacist group in Pendleton and was facing hate crime charges for assaulting a black man at a park Authorities said Teel (pictured) was involved with the European Kindred, a hate group formed by two Oregon inmates in 1988. Teel had pleaded not guilty to charges of intimidation, harassment, robbery, tampering with evidence, criminal mischief and riot in the case Authorities said Teel was involved with the European Kindred, a hate group formed by two Oregon inmates in 1988. They are affiliated with the white supremacist groups the Aryan Brotherhood and the Ku Klux Klan. Members see themselves as Viking warriors with freedom to pillage, according to the Portland Tribune. Teel had pleaded not guilty to charges of intimidation, harassment, robbery, tampering with evidence, criminal mischief and riot in the case, where authorities allege the group harassed and assaulted an African-American man. According to Umatilla County Circuirt Court records, Teel did appear at a hearing for that case in December 2012, and Circuit Judge Christopher Brauer issued a warrant for his arrest. Pendleton Police Chief Stuart Roberts said Teel was 'living/imprisoned' in Florida. 'Recently, we received information that Teel was in route to Oregon,' Roberts told The East Oregonian. 'We followed up on information provided, located, arrested and lodged Teel.' According to Teel's Facebook page, the 28-year-old was living in Jacksonville, Florida, and was in a relationship with a woman and has two young boys (pictured) Many of his posts espouse his white supremacists beliefs including referring to his children as 'my little Vikings' and leaving comments such as 'Hailsa!' - an Old Norse verb meaning to hail or greet (Pictured, Teel, second from the right, with friends) According to Teel's Facebook page, the 28-year-old was living in Jacksonville, Florida, and was in a relationship with a woman and has two young boys. Many of his posts espouse his white supremacists beliefs including referring to his children as 'my little Vikings' and leaving comments such as 'Hailsa!' - an Old Norse verb meaning to hail or greet. Pictures also show swastika tattoos on the front and back of his neck, as well as on his elbow. Teel has been in the Umatilla County Jail, Pendleton, since October 26. His next court appearance is on December 4. HELENA The Montana State Fund board of directors is scheduled to meet Wednesday to inform two new board members about a lawsuit the state fund filed against the state the same day the new board members were appointed, fund president and CEO Laurence Hubbard said Monday. The lawsuit, filed on Nov. 17, argues a measure that allows the Montana Board of Investments to charge a temporary 3 percent management fee on state fund assets above $1 billion is unconstitutional. The bill, which would raise about $15 million over two years, was among several passed during the recent special session of the legislature to address a projected $227 million state budget deficit. The state fund, which sells workers' compensation insurance, has about $1.5 billion in assets. Board chairman Lance Zanto requested Wednesday's special meeting, Hubbard said. An attorney will be available to answer questions about the lawsuit. If the board decided to reconsider the lawsuit, that's their prerogative, Hubbard said. The board voted 6-0 on Nov. 10 in favor of lobbying against the legislation and to take any legal action necessary to prevent the transfer of state fund assets, Hubbard said. One member attending via phone call was not on the line when the vote took place. The board also will take public comment at Wednesday's meeting. Hubbard said they anticipate hearing from a number of people "encouraging the board to continue with the action." The day the lawsuit was filed, Gov. Steve Bullock appointed two new members to the seven-member board - former Democratic Sen. Cliff Larsen of Missoula and Jim Molloy, a former senior policy adviser to Bullock. They replace Bruce Mihelish and Richard Miltenberger, whose terms had expired in April. The governor's spokeswoman, Ronja Abel, said Monday the governor's office was not aware of the lawsuit when the appointments were made. She acknowledged representatives of the governor's office have been talking with state fund officials about their concerns with the complaint. Bullock on Monday pointed out he did hold over two previous board appointments. "I have the discretion to appoint board members," he said. "I think that both the new members as well as the reappointed (members) will work to fulfill their responsibility as board members and follow the law." The complaint argues state law requires premiums collected by the state fund and the interest and dividends on investments to only be used for the operations and obligations of the state fund. Supporters of the legislation argued asset management fees are a normal cost of doing business. District Judge Mike McMahon has denied the state fund's request for a temporary restraining order to prevent assessment of the management fees and McMahon also questioned whether the state fund "has established a legitimate cause of action or that it is likely to succeed on the merits of its claims." McMahon set a Dec. 4 hearing on the state fund's request for a preliminary restraining order. Reporter Holly Michels contributed to this story. Same-sex marriage legislation is closing in on passing the Senate after conservative MPs slapped down a range of amendments to the bill. The upper house will continue to consider changes to a bill to legalise same-sex marriage on Wednesday after all proposed amendments were comprehensively defeated as parliament sat late on Tuesday. Attorney-General George Brandis, who made an impassioned speech about the historic bill, co-authored an amendment with same-sex marriage opponent Matt Canavan which was voted down. Same-sex marriage legislation is closing in on passing the Senate after conservative MPs slapped down a range of amendments to the bill on Tuesday in Canberra (pictured is Senator George Brandis) The upper house will continue to consider changes to a bill to legalise same-sex marriage on Wednesday after all proposed amendments were comprehensively defeated as parliament sat late on Tuesday Their proposal would have protected religious freedoms and allowed marriage celebrants to refuse to marry gay couples on religious grounds. Senator Brandis is confident the bill will pass the Senate on Wednesday. Amendments from Liberal Democrats senator David Leyonhjelm, Pauline Hanson's One Nation and the Greens are still to be debated. One Nation's amendments also cover celebrants, as do Senator Leyonhjelm's. He also wants to give businesses the right to refuse to service same-sex weddings. The Greens amendments, set to be opposed by Labor, include a provision to ensure state and territory anti-discrimination laws will be limited, as well as make it harder for civil celebrants to refuse to marry same-sex couples. On Tuesday, the upper house blocked a move to create two definitions of marriage - one between a man and a woman and the other as between two people. That was included in one of five amendments proposed by conservative Liberal senators James Paterson and David Fawcett, which were comfortably defeated. An amendment allowing marriage celebrants to refuse to marry gay couples, which was co-authored by Attorney-General George Brandis (pictured with Coalition Senator Dean Smith) and same-sex marriage opponent Matt Canavan, was voted down The upper house blocked a move to create two definitions of marriage - one between a man and a woman and the other as between two people (pictured is conservative Liberal MP James Paterson who proposed the move) Other measures they proposed sought to: * Allow parents to pull their children from classes if they don't agree with their teachings on marriage * Protect 'relevant beliefs' around marriage * Prevent governments and agencies from taking action against people with a traditional view of marriage. * Allow chaplains and authorised officers in the defence force to refuse to marry same-sex couples. Senators Paterson and Fawcett also tried to ensure charities retain their existing tax and government funding status even if they oppose same-sex marriage. But the bill's author, Liberal senator Dean Smith, tabled advice from the tax office and charities commissioner which said those fears were baseless. Advertisement Authorities have said Bali's Mount Agung volcano could erupt again within hours as Australian travellers face another day of disruptions because of it. Officials extended the closure of Bali's international airport for another 24 hours due to concerns that jet engines could choke on the thick volcanic ash, which was moving across the island, leaving 120,000 stranded visitors in need of shelter. Senior Indonesian volcanologist Gede Swantika said a NASA satellite detected a thermal anomaly at the crater. That means a pathway from the storage chamber in the volcano's crust has opened, giving magma easier access to the surface. Scroll down for video Indonesian authorities have said Bali's Mount Agung volcano (pictured) could erupt again within hours, not days Mount Agung is seen erupting from the Kubu sub-district in Karangasem Regency on Indonesia's resort island of Bali on Monday A villager leads his cows to a filed with Mount Agung volcano erupting in the background in Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia He said the activity of the volcano is entering a critical phase for a bigger eruption, according to the Daily Telegraph. Asked when it would happen, he said: 'Soon I cannot be sure. 'But maybe in hours, not days, because it's already erupting. We are just waiting for the big one.' Meanwhile, Wednesday's Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin flights to and from Bali have been cancelled due to an ash cloud created by the volcano, which scientists have predicted could become more active over coming days. Passengers have been given the option of flying to other destinations including Phuket, Singapore, Fiji or Tokyo. Other airlines are monitoring the situation. Brits Sarah Murphy (left) and her friend Tina Lucke (right) were due to leave on Monday but their Emirates flight was cancelled A flight information board shows cancelled flights at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali, Indonesia, on Tuesday Passengers are seen waiting for flight information following the eruption of Mount Agung volcano at Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali Passengers talk to ground crew as their flights are cancelled at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali, Indonesia, on Tuesday Stranded passengers gather at the Gusti Ngurah Rai International airport in Denpasar, Bali, on Monday Lahar, a type of mudflow produced from a volcanic eruption, flows down the Yeh Sah River in the Karangasem Regency of Bali Airport spokesman Ari Ahsanurrohim said more than 440 flights were canceled Tuesday, affecting nearly 60,000 passengers, about the same as Monday. Without aircraft, getting in or out of Bali requires traveling hours by land and boat to an airport on another island. Australian travel insurance companies have also warned customers would only be covered if they bought policies up to nine weeks ago - before warnings were issued by the Indonesian government. Authorities have raised the alert for Mount Agung to the highest level and told 100,000 people to leave an area extending 10 kilometers (6 miles) from its crater as it belches grey and white plumes into the sky. Mount Agung's last major eruption in 1963 killed about 1,100 people. Balinese Hindus take part in a ceremony, where they pray near Mount Agung in hope of preventing an eruption, on Sunday Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency says the airport on the island of Bali remains closed due to the threat from volcanic ash Mount Agung volcano spews smoke and ash in Karangasem, Bali. The volcano erupted for the first time in more than half a century, forcing closure of the tourist island's busy airport Experts said a larger, explosive eruption is possible or Agung could stay at its current level of activity for weeks. 'If it got much worse, it would be really hard to think of. You've got a huge population center, nearly a million people in Denpasar and surroundings, and it's very difficult to envision moving those people further away,' said Richard Arculus, a volcano expert at Australian National University. He added that an eruption in 1843 was even more explosive than the one in 1963. 'There are many examples in history where you have this kind of seismic buildup - steam ejections of a little bit of ash, growing eruptions of ash to a full-scale stratosphere-reaching column of ash, which can presage a major volcanic event,' he said. A tourist poses for a photo with Mount Agung volcano erupting as they visit a temple in Karangasem, Indonesia Villagers sit on a truck during an evacuation following the eruption of Mount Agung, seen in the background, in Karangasem School children ride on the back of a truck on their way to school as Mount Agung volcano erupts in the background Balinese people ride on an open car past Mount Agung erupting, seen from the Kubu sub-district on the Indonesian island People watch as muddy waters flow down a river near Mount Agung, in Bali, Indonesia, on Monday Indonesian officials first raised the highest alert two months ago when a rash of seismic activity was detected at the mountain. More than 100,000 people living near the volcano fled their homes, many abandoning their livestock or selling them for a fraction of the normal price. The seismic activity decreased by the end of October, causing authorities to lower the alert level. But tremors increased again last week and officials upped the alert and ordered another large-scale evacuation, with nearly 40,000 people now staying in 225 shelters, according to the Disaster Mitigation Agency in Karangasem. The Indonesian national board for disaster management raised the alert for the Mount Agung volcano to the highest status However, tens of thousands of villagers have remained in their homes because they feel safe or don't want to abandon their farms and livestock. Wayan Lanus, who fled his village in Buana Giri with his wife and daughter, said: 'Ash has covered my house on the floor, walls, banana trees outside, everywhere.' Flows of volcanic mud have been spotted on Agung's slopes, and Arculus warned more are possible since it's the rainy season on Bali. 'They're not making a lot of noise. It's just suddenly coming like a flash flood out of nowhere,' he said. 'You do not want to be near them. Stay out of the valleys.' Indonesia sits on the Pacific 'Ring of Fire' and has more than 120 active volcanoes. A biology teacher pleaded no contest on Monday to an alleged six-month sexual relationship with a teen student. Gabrielle Bauman, 25, was arrested in August after being accused of having sexual relations with one of her students between November 2016 and May 2017. The Hiawatha Police Department conducted an investigation after a report was made to school administrators in mid-June. Gabrielle Bauman, 25 (pictured), pleaded no contest on Monday to an alleged six-month sexual relationship with a teen student Bauman, 25, was arrested in August after being accused of having sexual relations with one of her students between Nov 2016 and May 2017. (Pictured, left, Bauman with former science teacher Chris Vitt) Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill told Hiawatha World Online that the criminal complaint alleges the conduct occurred while Bauman was employed as a high school teacher at Hiawatha High School. The criminal complaint indicates that the alleged victim was a 'person 16 years or older who was a student enrolled at Hiawatha High School where the offender was employed'. According to WIBW, Bauman resigned in July after teaching anatomy and biology at Hiawatha High School in Hiawatha, Kansas, for just one year. Hill said that by entering her plea, she will potentially have to register as a sex offender for a period of 25 years. Bauman was freed on a $5,000 surety bond. She'll return to court for sentencing on January 22. She was a student teacher for one semester and then was hired by the district as an instructor for the 2016-2017 school year. Bauman was arrested on August 29 on charges of one count of unlawful sexual relations, a level 5 person felony. The school board accepted Bauman's (pictured, center, in green) resignation at the regular July board meeting Mika is mad as hell, and she is not taking it any more. The Morning Joe host erupted with a mix of rage, contempt and disbelief on Tuesday as she responded to White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders' defending her boss' decision to refer to Senator Elizabeth Warren as Pocahontas the previous day. 'When is there going to be a moment when she actually says the president misspoke? Whats wrong with her? Why does she do that job?' asked an animated Brzezinski. 'How can she look in the mirror every day and say I am doing the right thing for the American people? You are not.' Then, in a move that very clearly conveyed how incensed she was, Brzezinski compared Sanders to her least favorite member of the Trump administration. 'This is Kellyanne Conway territory. This is horrible. Im not sorry. Go ahead Joe.' Scroll down for video Mika-ing me crazy: Mika Brzezinski (above) took aim at Sarah Sanders on Tuesday while discussing the White House Press Secretary's response to Trump's Pocahontas remark Her co-host and companion Joe Scarborough, who had remained silent but smiling during Brzezinski's diatribe, then tried to start speaking but was cut off before he could get out a word. 'That is unbelievable. This is our president and that is the spokesperson for the president of the United States, sitting there defending his racism, his bigoted language, his stupidity This is where we are,' declared Brzezinski. Scarborough, who seemed to be agreement with Brzezisnki, was red in the face by that point and unable to control his laughter. Brzezinski was still not done however, and next took things a step further by stating: 'Sick. Its sick. The whole thing is sick. The whole relationship is sick. Shes taken the oath.' To close out she added: 'I dont know how you do it. Youre raising three children. Stop.' President Trump has made a habit of doing this countless times in the past, but it was different on Monday as he made the remark during a ceremony honoring three elderly 'code talkers' from the Navajo tribe. The men, and many other Native Americans, played a vital role in keeping allied communications secret during World War II. In honor of that accomplishment President Trump honored them at a White House ceremony where he elected to focus more on one of his many trivial feuds rather than the accomplishments of these three war heroes. 'You were here long before any of us were here,' said President Trump during his remarks, lighting up as he neared his punch line. 'Although we have a representative in Congress who they say was here a long time ago. They call her Pocahontas.' The three honorees showed no emotion, but President Trump made a point of guffawing at his remark, which was later deemed as both racist and bigoted by Native American groups. That in turn led to the press questioning Sanders about the remark. Hucka-beat: The Morning Joe host asked: ''How can she look in the mirror every day and say I am doing the right thing for the American people? You are not' (Sanders above on Monday) No laughing matter: Her fiance and co-host Joe Scarborough was silent but in near hysterics as he listened to Brzezinski's very passionate diatribe When asked why President Trump found it necessary to say 'something offensive to many people while honoring the Navajo Code Talkers,' Sanders responded: 'I think what most people find offensive is Senator Warren lying about her heritage to advance her career.' When pressed on the fact that it was a racial slur and asked what her response was, a disinterested Sanders muttered: 'I think that's a ridiculous response.' She then moved on to the next questions, which again had to do with why President Trump and his 'decency' in using this phrase in front of Native American war heroes. 'Look, I think the President certainly finds an extreme amount of value and respect for these individuals, which is why he brought them and invited them to come to the White House and spend time with them, recognizing them, and honoring them today,' said Sanders. 'So I think he is constantly showing ways to honor those individuals, and he invited them here at the White House today to meet with them and to also remind everybody about what the historic role that they played many years ago.' She then found herself backed into a corner however when Kristen Welker of NBC News quickly got out one more question despite Sanders' desperate attempt to move on, asking: 'Why is it appropriate for the President to use a racial slur in any context?' Sanders began to stammer a bit as she stated: 'I don't believe that it is appropriate for him to make a racial slur or anybody else.' Trumped: On Monday, President Trump used a ceremony honoring three Navajo code breakers (above) to poke fun at Senator Elizabeth Warren Welker then followed that up, saying: 'Well, a lot of people feel as though this is a racial slur. So why is it appropriate for him to use that?' Sanders responded: 'Like I said, I don't think that it is, and I don't think that was -- certainly not the President's intent - I think, like I said, I think the more offensive -- the most offensive thing...' Welker then cut her off to ask: 'Does he see political value in calling people out racially?' Sanders, in a last ditch effort to try and flip the script, said: 'Look, I think that Senator Warren was very offensive when she lied about something specifically to advance her career. I don't understand why no one is asking about that question and why that isn't constantly covered.' Senator Warren was attacked when she ran for Senate back in 2012 after it was discovered that the then-Harvard Law professor had listed her ethnicity as Native American in the director for the American Association of Law Schools. She later explained that she only did this to try and meet others who might have native backgrounds, claiming she had been told that she was a descendant of members from both the Cherokee and Delaware tribes as a child. Pocahantas was a member of the Powhatan tribe. The Archdiocese of Washington, DC filed a lawsuit against the city's Metro system on Tuesday, after their Christmas ads were banned. The church planned to roll out a series of ads on the sides of buses and on bus kiosks promoting Christmas mass schedules and ways to help the needy during the holiday season. The graphics for the ads show the silhouette of what appear to be the Three Wise Men and a couple of sheep, staring up at the star announcing Christ's birth. The ads were rejected by Metro for being religious in nature. The Archdiocese of Washington, DC says their Christmas ad campaign (pictured above) was denied by the city's Metro system for being religious The Archdiocese is now suing Metro over the banning. They planned to plaster buses and bus kiosks with the ad campaign (above, a picture of a Metro bus) 'The rejected ad conveys a simple message of hope, and an invitation to participate in the Christmas season. Yet citing its guidelines, WMATA's legal counsel said the ad "depicts a religious scene and thus seeks to promote religion,"' said Ed McFadden, secretary for communications for the Archdiocese of Washington, said in a statement. 'To borrow from a favorite Christmas story, under WMATA's guidelines, if the ads are about packages, boxes or bags if Christmas comes from a store -- then it seems WMATA approves. But if Christmas means a little bit more, WMATA plays Grinch,' he added. A Metro spokesman says that religious advertisements have been banned since 2015. 'In 2015, WMATA changed its advertising policy to prohibit issue-oriented advertising, including political, religious and advocacy advertising. The ad in question was declined because it is prohibited by WMATA's current advertising guidelines,' said Sherri Ly, manager of media relations. But the church says that Metro has been inconsistent in the way it enforces the rule, such as allowing the Salvation Army, a Christian group, to advertise and allowing Christmas advertisements that play into the commercial side of the holiday. They also say that the imagery on their ad isn't even very religious - since it doesn't show Jesus, the manger or a cross. By refusing to run the ads, the church says their Constitutional rights to free speech and freedom to practice religion are being infringed. 'WMATA's rejection of the Archdiocese's speech amounts to a violation of the First Amendment, plain and simple. We are bringing this complaint to vindicate the basic principle that the government may not allow a wide variety of speech in a forum and then turn around and deny the Archdiocese access because of the religious nature of its speech,' attorney Paul Clement of Kirkland & Ellis LLP said. They aren't the first to sue Metro over the rule, which was put in place after an anti-Islam campaign meant to infuriate Muslims by showing depictions of the prophet Muhammad. A women's health clinic, the controversial former Breitbart editor Milo Yiannopoulos and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals have all had their ads banned by the third party who sells Metro's ads. All three have joined an ACLU lawsuit against the transportation bureau. Former Intelligence Community Inspector General Charles McCullough III said his job security had been threatened after he exposed Hillary Clinton for having 'Top Secret' emails on her unsecured server. 'I was told that we would be the first two to be fired with her administration,' McCullough said of himself and a colleague to Fox News, in an interview that aired Monday. 'That, that was definitely doing to happen.' McCullough, an Obama appointee, had told Republican leadership of both the Senate Intelligence and Foreign Affairs committees that some of Clinton's messages had surpassed the 'Top Secret' distinction and in January 2016, as Democratic primary voting was beginning, he faced an escalating backlash. Former Intelligence Community Inspector General Charles McCullough III said his job security had been threatened after he exposed Hillary Clinton for having 'Top Secret' emails on her unsecured server 'I was told that we would be the first two to be fired with her administration,' Ex-Intelligence Community Inspector General Charles McCullough told Fox News Channel in an interview that aired Monday night Photographed in April 2013, National Intelligence Community Inspector General Charles McCullough said there was an effort by Hillary Clinton's campaign to 'mislead people into thinking there is nothing to see here' when it came to her secret server and emails 'All of a sudden I became a shill of the right. I was told by members of Congress, "Be careful, you're losing your credibility. There are people out to get you,"' McCullough recalled. As the inspector general, McCullough was charged with overseeing 17 agencies and worked under then Director of National Intelligence James Clapper. Clapper, McCullough told Fox, had seen the information and was also very concerned with Clinton's careless manner of handling government secrets. 'He read through these affidavits very thoroughly and he said, "This is extremely reckless," and he mentioned something about the campaign will have heartburn about that, or something,' McCullough recalled, stating the meeting occurred in either late December of 2015 or the early weeks of 2016. 'He was put-off as the rest of us were,' McCullough added. After meeting with the DNI chief, McCullough said his team was marginalized, Fox reported. 'I was totally alone and I was told by senior official, keep the director out of it,' McCullough said. Meanwhile, the Clinton campaign's strategy was to say there was nothing classified on her private server. And later, when classified emails were revealed, that they had been retroactively classified and weren't designated as such when they passed through her server. 'There was an effort, certainly, on the part of the campaign to mislead people into thinking there is nothing to see here,' McCullough charged. He saw it as a 'coordinated strategy' as Democrats on the Hill questioned the impartiality of the email review, while the Obama White House muddied the waters. 'Frankly the thing that disappointed me the most was the president saying, "There's classified and then there's classified,"' McCullough said quoting former President Obama. Obama made the remark in April 2016, as Clinton was two months away from winning the Democratic nomination. 'Theres stuff that is really top-secret, top-secret, and theres stuff that is being presented to the president or the secretary of state, that you might not want on the transom, or going out over the wire, but is basically stuff that you could get in open-source,' Obama told Fox News at the time. McCullough noted how 'a lot of people in the intel community spend a lot of time keeping secrets, secret.' 'And to sort of inject that sense of confusion into people I don't think was, was altogether responsible,' he said. Having seen the content, McCullough also disagreed with the ex-president's assessment. 'I've heard people say this is overblown. I've heard people say this is much ado about nothing. Had the information been released it would have been harm to national security,' McCullough told Fox. When Herridge asked if lives would have been put at risk, McCullough said yes. 'Absolutely,' he responded. 'Sources and methods. Lives, operations.' McCullough told Fox that he felt he had played the role of 'whistleblower' in this situation and, 'all of the sudden I was the enemy.' 'There was personal blowback,' he said. 'To me, to my family, to my office.' Asked by Herridge what would have happened to him if he would have done the same thing as Clinton, the ex-inspector general gave a frank response. 'I'd be sitting in Leavenworth right now,' the former official stated. American embassy workers in Uzbekistan were targeted in sonic attack similar to the one in Cuba, sources have claimed. An officer for the United States Agency for International Development, USAID, who is based in the US Embassy in the capital of Tashkent reported that he and his wife were experiencing a suspected acoustic attack, sources told CBS News. The incident has raised suspicions that Russia may be behind it - and could have been involved in the bizarre attacks on Cuba that has left 22 with hearing loss and brain injuries. American embassy workers in Uzbekistan were targeted in sonic attack similar to Cuba incident, sources claim The source said two people, thought to be the officer and his wife, suffering similar symptoms were flown out of Tashkent by the State Department for testing and treatment. But the State Department denies that anyone on its U.S. staff reported symptoms similar to those in the Cuban attack. 'We can confirm that there was no incident in Uzbekistan and that no personnel at the U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan have been diagnosed with the conditions that have been observed in Cuba,' State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert. USAID, which provides foreign assistance in more than 100 countries, declined to comment. The State Department denies that anyone on its U.S. staff reported symptoms similar to those in the Cuban attack However, U.S. security sources insist the September incident in Tashkent occurred, and said it raises concerns Russia may be involved in the attack as the two countries have strong ties. They suggest Russia could also have had a hand in the Cuban attacks on US diplomats, as Cuba is another ally. 'The Russians have been rebuilding their relationshipit deteriorated dramatically after the end of the Cold War,' according to William Leogrande, a foreign policy professor at American University. 'They have a strong presence in Cuba and an historic relationship with Cuban intelligence that might give them the kind of freedom to operate that would provide an opportunity.' Russia has denied any role in the attacks. In December 2016, a number of US Embassy staff and one Canadian diplomat in Havana, Cuba, began to complain of symptoms such as hearing loss, severe headaches, loss of balance, and other forms of cognitive impairment. The issue was thought to have died down in the spring when no new incidents were reported. In August, however, a new incident came to light. One diplomat in Cuba described being jolted awake in a Havana hotel room by a grinding, blaring cacophony. When he moved a few feet across the room, the noise stopped (stock photo) At least 22 American diplomats have now reported the symptoms, which has been blamed by a mysterious sonic device to which they were exposed. One diplomat in Cuba described being jolted awake in a Havana hotel room by a grinding, blaring cacophony. When he moved a few feet across the room, the noise stopped. The US government in August first officially confirmed they were investigating the incidents which also affected several Canadians. Some of those had returned home for testing and treatment, the US official said, while others had been tested in Cuba, where the embassy has a full-time medical officer. Investigations by Cuba, the United States and Canada have yet to come up with any answers. Experts agree it is hard to see how any attacks could have been carried out or what the motivation could be. The Associated Press released a recording of what some U.S. Embassy workers heard in Havana, part of the series of unnerving incidents later deemed to be deliberate attacks. Above, the U.S. Embassy in Havana on August 14, 2015 Theories abound, from surveillance technology gone awry to a sophisticated acoustic weapon in the hands of Cuban-American exiles or third-party state actors such as Russia, Iran or North Korea, but most flounder. Audiologists for example have raised doubt over the possibility of whether any sonic weapon exists that can be used covertly to bring about the range of symptoms mentioned by diplomats. The Associated Press released a recording of what some U.S. Embassy workers heard in Havana in October , part of the series of unnerving incidents later deemed to be deliberate attacks. In September, the US State Department removed its non-emergency staff from the US embassy, and warned US citizens not to travel to Cuba. President Trump laid the blame at the feet of Cuba. 'I do believe Cuba's responsible. I do believe that,' he said in October. 'And it's a very unusual attack, as you know. But I do believe Cuba is responsible.' Australia Federal Police raided up to nine homes in Sydney's west early on Wednesday morning. Officers have not confirmed why they searched properties, including homes in Guilford and Blacktown, but it comes just a day after a young Solami-Australian man was arrested for allegedly plotting an ISIS-inspired New Year's Eve attack. Ali Khalif Shire Ali was dramatically arrested on Monday and charged with trying to obtain a semi-automatic rifle to gun down revellers in Melbourne's Federation Square. Scroll down for video Australia Federal Police raided up to nine homes in Sydney's west early on Wednesday morning Officers have not confirmed why they searched properties, including homes in Guilford and Blacktown It is understood the raids in Sydney are not terror related but are in connection to identity theft and fraud, according to 9News. A woman was arrested by Australian Federal Police at the Blacktown property. Ali, 20, was reportedly targeted by ASIO because of his links to a radicalised 15-year-old boy who killed Curtis Cheng. He was well-connected to Australian jihadist circles including multiple other terror suspects and extremist preacher Junaid Thorne. Ali was also friends with Farhad Jabar, 15, who shot dead NSW police accountant Curtis Cheng outside the police centre in Parramatta in 2015. A woman was arrested by Australian Federal Police at a Blacktown property It is understood the raids in Sydney are not terror related but are in connection to identity theft and fraud Police are seen taking evidence from the Guilford property during the raid NSW Police and the Australian Federal Police carried out the raids He once boasted to a group of Islamic extremists about how he had refused to speak to ASIO agents who offered him money for information about his links to Jabar. Ali claimed agents offered him $200 for every tip he gave them about extremist activity in his community, but he refused to dob in Muslims because it was 'haram'. 'I know their tricks and whatever you say to them they will use as evidence against you,' Ali said. 'They start to get to the real questions, like who are your friends with, what do you think about ISIS, what are your thoughts about those groups. A jury on Tuesday acquitted a Libyan militant of murder charges in connection with a 2012 attack on a U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya which left four Americans dead. Ahmed Abu Khatallah was accused of being a ringleader in the September 11, 2012 attack which killed Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other US nationals. He was charged with 18 counts ranging from murder and conspiring to provide material support to terrorists, and maliciously damaging and destroying U.S. property. He was facing multiple death penalty charges for the 2012 attack. Ahmed Abu Khatalla (left, on his arrest, and right) was acquitted on the most serious charges in connection with a 2012 attack on a U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya But on Tuesday he was acquitted on all but four of those charges, according to media reports. He still faces up to 60 years in prison after being found guilty of terrorism charges including conspiracy to provide material support for terrorism, he was not found responsible for the deaths of Ambassador Chris Stevens, Sean Smith, Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty. Khatalla, 46, was captured by US special forces in June 2014 and shipped to the US on a naval vessel, where he was held in Alexandra, Virginia. According to prosecutors, Khattala drove to the diplomatic mission with other militants and a group of about 20 breached the main gate and later launched an attack with assault rifles, grenades and other weapons. Ahmed Abu Khatallah was accused of being a ringleader in the September 11, 2012 attack which killed Ambassador Chris Stevens (pictured) and three other US nationals. A courtroom sketch depicts Ahmed Abu Khattala listening to a interpreter through earphones during the opening statement by assistant U.S. attorney John Crabb, second from left, at his trial in October That initial attack killed Stevens and communications specialist Sean Smith and set the mission ablaze. Prosecutors say Khattala supervised the plunder of sensitive information from that building, then returned to a camp in Benghazi where a large group began assembling for an attack on a second building known as the annex. The attack on that facility, including a precision mortar barrage, resulted in the deaths of security officers Tyrone Snowden Woods and Glen Anthony Doherty, authorities say. During his trial over the past two months, the government introduced evidence, from phone records showing that the defendant made calls to his associates right before they were captured on grainy videos participating in the attack, to testimony from a variety of witnesses. One witness who testified was a man identified by the pseudonym Ali Majrisi. Majrisi was paid $7 million by the government to befriend Khatallah, gather evidence against him and eventually lure him to the place where he was captured by U.S. forces. An armed man waves his rifle as buildings and cars are engulfed in flames after being set on fire inside the US consulate compound in Benghazi late on September 11, 2012 Ahmed Abu Khatallah faced the death penalty and 18 charges for the attack. Pictured, a vehicle sits smoldering in flames after being set on fire inside the US consulate compound in Benghazi late on September 11, 2012 The jury at the trial in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia also heard emotional testimony from State Department and CIA officials, who spoke in detail about how Stevens and the other three Americans died. 'You have not heard that he lit the match,' prosecutor Michael DiLorenzo said Thursday. 'You have not heard that he fired the mortars.' But he is 'equally as guilty,' he said, because a co-conspirator is liable for any crimes deemed to be a 'reasonable, foreseeable consequence' of a conspiracy. Khatallah's lawyer, Michelle Peterson, told jury members on Thursday that the government was trying to play on their emotions to win a conviction, when in fact the evidence of the case did not prove his guilt. She suggested that the witnesses paid by the government with a 'bag of cash' were not credible. 'They want you to hate him,' she said. 'Mr. Abu Khatallah is not guilty of these charges.' In the attack's immediate aftermath, then-president Barack Obama and his administration officials, said initially that the attack was a spontaneous protest against an anti-Muslim video that had surfaced in the United States. Evidence later emerged that U.S. agencies had been warning for months about weak security and possible attacks against U.S. facilities in Libya. Evidence also emerged that soon after the attack, the United States had strong reason to believe that organized militant groups had been involved. In media interviews before his capture by U.S. forces, Khatallah denied involvement in the attacks against a compound used by the State Department as a consular office and a nearby compound used by the CIA as its Benghazi base. The new U.S. indictment alleges Khatallah had been the commander of an militant Islamist militia called Ubaydah bin Jarrah. That group later merged with another Libyan group called Ansar al Sharia, and Khatallah became one of its Benghazi-based leaders, U.S. authorities said. A couple whose son was among eight members of one family killed in a Texas church shooting has filed a legal claim with the US Air Force, saying the military branch is partly to blame. Joe Holcombe and his wife Claryce say the Air Force's failure to report the gunman's criminal history to an FBI database used to check backgrounds of gun buyers helped cause the November 5 shooting in Sutherland Springs that left more than two dozen dead. They filed the claim Tuesday in their 60-year-old son Bryan Holcombe's death. It could lead to a lawsuit if the Air Force denies it was at fault. Joe Holcombe says the Air Force made a 'very serious mistake' and he doesn't want it to happen again. An Air Force spokeswoman didn't immediately reply to an email seeking comment. Joe Holcombe (left) says the Air Force's failure to report gunman Devin Patrick Kelley's (right) criminal history to an FBI database used to check backgrounds of gun buyers helped cause the November 5 shooting in Sutherland Springs that left more than two dozen dead Joe Holcombe and his wife Claryce filed a legal claim against the Air Force on Tuesday. Their son, Bryan (seen left), and his wife, Karla (right), were also gunned down in the church. Bryan had been standing in for pastor for Frank Pomeroy, and witnesses say he was the first victim to be struck by the shooter's gunfire Bryan and Karla's daughter-in-law, Crystal Holcombe (center), who was eight months pregnant, died in the church shooting 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, and his mother and sister Emily also joined him in the activity Bryan and Karla's other son, and Crystal's brother-in-law, Marc Daniel 'Danny' Holcombe (above), died with his infant daughter Noah Holcombe Devin Patrick Kelley, the gunman, had a history of domestic violence: He was given a bad conduct discharge from the Air Force after pleading guilty to assaulting his first wife and stepson. Under federal law, anyone convicted of domestic violence cannot purchase a firearm. But the Air Force failed to inform federal law enforcement authorities that Kelley had been court-martialed. When he tried to buy guns after his release from a military prison, his conviction was not in the database used to conduct background checks, and the purchases went through. On November 15, three thousand people mourned the eight members of the Holcombe family who were among the more than two dozen killed in the shooting before the funeral procession headed to a cemetery near the site of the massacre. Surrounding the multicolored caskets, mourners released light pink and blue balloons at a graveside service for the Holcombe family in rural Wilson County. Church member and survivor John Holcombe had invited the public to attend the funeral of his pregnant wife, Crystal, 36, and three of her children from a previous marriage, Greg Hill, 13, Emily Hill, 11, and Megan Hill, 9; his parents, 60-year-old Bryan and Karla Holcombe, 58; a brother, 36-year-old Marc Holcombe, and Marc's 18-month-old daughter, Noah. Fire marshals had to turn hundreds more people away from the services at an events center in Floresville, Texas, about 12 miles from the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, where the November 5 shooting occurred. News reporters were barred from entering the event center and were being held in a pen with two trucks obscuring the view inside. The gunman, Devin Patrick Kelley, began firing into First Baptist Church (above) of Sutherland Springs as Bryan Holcombe, an assistant pastor, ascended to the pulpit. Walking up and down the center aisle, Kelley killed 25 people at the church, including crying babies at point-blank range, according to witness accounts In an earlier Facebook post, John Holcombe thanked friends and well-wishers for their support, adding: 'Please continue to pray for us.' Kelley began firing into First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs as Bryan Holcombe, an assistant pastor, ascended to the pulpit. Walking up and down the center aisle, Kelley killed 25 people at the church, including crying babies at point-blank range, according to witness accounts. Balloons are released at a graveside service on November 15 for members of the Holcombe family who were killed in the Sutherland Springs Baptist Church shooting Authorities have put the official toll at 26, because Crystal Holcombe was pregnant. John Holcombe was managing the church's audio-visual operations at the back of the building when gunfire erupted. He and Crystal's 7-year-old daughter Evelyn escaped the barrage. Crystal's eldest child, 14-year-old Philip, had stayed home from church services that day. After his rampage, Kelley fled in a vehicle parked near the church, pursued by a barefoot observer with an AR assault rifle and another man in a pick-up truck. The man with the rifle shot and struck Kelley but authorities say the gunman died of what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Investigators have said the attack appeared to stem from a domestic dispute Kelley was having with his mother-in-law, a member of the church who wasn't present that day. However, among the victims was Lula White, the gunman's wife's 71-year-old grandmother. In addition to those killed, another 20 people were injured in the shooting. School District 2 trustees decided to work toward signing a contract with the same national search firm Helena's school board is using to hire a new superintendent. Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates is based in Illinois but has worked with large and small school districts across the nation. Trustees moved to set a $27,500 cap on basic services and advertising and pursue additional information before officially signing on with the firm. Trustees also considered a proposal from Northwest Leadership Associates, a regional firm that primarily works in Washington and Oregon. Only board chairwoman Greta Besch Moen was a trustee during current superintendent Terry Bouck's hiring in 2012, and she was not a part of hiring Keith Beeman in 2010. Beeman's tenure was controversial and short-lived. Trustee Russ Hall suggested tapping district administrators' knowledge of that search. "I realize it didn't got well with the previous (superintendent)," he said. "How did that search go?" Trustees emphasized a thorough vetting of finalists, opting to pursue background checks that include online and social media searches. Board chairwoman Greta Besch Moen cited the 2012 search that ended with Bouck's hiring, when the Gazette uncovered criticism of the fiscal management skills of a different candidate at a previous job. Trustees also wanted a firm that would identify and pursue candidates selected as a good fit for Billings, whether they were looking for a job or not. "That's really what Northwest hangs their hat on," said executive director of human resources Katie Nordstrom. Trustees added a note to ask HYA about aggressive recruiting before signing a deal. They also mentioned prioritizing candidates from larger school districts; Besch Moen cited the selection of two finalists from small school districts in 2012 as unsatisfactory. Bouck had previously been an assistant superintendent in the 29,000-student Tacoma school district. Trustees also debated search costs, charging Nordstrom with trying to find wiggle room in HYA search options to mininimize the bill. "I want to get the best group," said trustee Gordon Klasna, "but I want to get them as cheap as possible." Both groups had base prices of about $23,000, but HYA's advertising pricing included add-on costs. HYA's background check would also be more expensive, but included online sleuthing that Northwest's didn't appear to. HYA also provided more thorough pre-finalist services. "By the time the applicants came to us, we would be seeing the cream of the crop," Nordstrom said. Neither firm has deep Montana roots, but HYA's president worked in Billings for about 20 years as a teacher and administrator. The timeline for both firms' proposals end with a new superintendent's first day on the job in July. An American academic has been 'held hostage' in the Middle Eastern city state of Dubai over an unpaid debt for more than a year and suffered a stroke while behind bars, his family revealed Tuesday. David Oliver, 62, from Cincinnati, Ohio, was stripped of his passport and thrown in a prison cell by airport guards who allegedly bragged: 'Look, we got an American.' The creative writing lecturer had been living in Dubai with his ex-wife, working at the American University in the emirate. But after 20 years in the region he was locked up when he lost his job and failed to repay a $70,000 debt. The country criminalizes debt and banks and landlords can send someone to jail with a document showing a check bounced. Oliver's nightmare stemmed from a $70,000 debt he incurred when living in Dubai with his then wife. He took a loan out with the Sharjah Islamic Bank in 2014, but after he lost his job following a dispute with an Emirati co-worker and his then-wife, who is originally from Iran, flew back to the U.S. David Oliver, 62, has been 'held hostage' in Dubai for more than a year stemming from an unpaid debt of $70,000 for a house Oliver was thrown in the notorious Sharjah Jail for two months (pictured), where he suffered a stroke. He was put in the care of a mental hospital for the next seven months Shortly after they were back on U.S. soil she asked for a divorce so he boarded a plane back to the Middle East to seek work in Bahrain. But he was detained during a layover in Dubai as he flew from Bahrain to Kathmandu and ordered to repay the debt which has now reached $100,000 thanks to charges - immediately. Oliver claims he thought his ex-wife had been paying it off through their joint bank account, but says she had stopped. He is banned from leaving the country until he repays the loan but has been stripped of his passport and visa so he can't get a job. The professor was put behind bars for two months at the notorious Sharjah Jail, where he suffered a mini stroke. He was freed to a mental hospital where he lived for seven months. Oliver was previously diagnosed with bipolar disorder and has suffered from depression. His family say that he is desperately in need of healthcare and is not getting help from the U.S. government, they told DailyMail.com His sister Beverly Thornton, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, told DailyMail.com: 'David has already been jailed for two months, then held for another seven months in a primitive mental hospital.' The creative writing lecturer had his passport stripped away and was jailed. Oliver had been living in Dubai with his ex-wife, working at the American University in the emirate When Oliver lost his job at the university, he was unable to pay the debt, which has since swelled to 100,000 Oliver was previously diagnosed with bipolar disorder and has suffered from depression. His family say that he is desperately in need of healthcare and is not getting help from the U.S. government Oliver's sister said: 'During the time in prison he was subjected to awful violence. Another prisoner even stole his front teeth implants. 'He is mentally ill anyway and now trying to deal with the effects of a stroke. 'He has been told he cannot return to the USA until his debt is paid. With the crazy interest and collection agency fees, the amount claimed has risen to USD $100,000. 'Our family doesn't have anything like that kind of money and we have been told David will soon be sent back to prison and stay there for good, or until the debt is paid in full. 'We miss him terribly. This is a death sentence for a mentally ill man and stroke victim. 'I just wish our government would do something to help, but all the embassy has done is give contact details for lawyers we can't afford. 'It's as though the US government was more interested in trade deals than the safety of its citizens in Dubai.' The family has set up a Go Fund Me in the hope of being able to help. She added: 'He was doing very well. He was married, working hard in a good job. But the stress of all these misfortunes at once has hit him hard. 'David has tried to take his own life before and he sounds so down that I fear for his safety again.' According to criminal justice campaigners Oliver has had three court hearings and each time was ordered to, 'pay the banks or go to jail.' Radha Stirling, CEO of the British-based NGO Detained In Dubai who is representing Oliver, called for the UAE to reform its financial laws. She said Oliver has 'zero chance' of repaying his loan, adding: 'He took the loan in good faith, but his circumstances changed beyond his control. 'If the UAE had operational bankruptcy laws, David would likely be home already. 'While there has been a lot of discussion over the past few years about implementing modern bankruptcy regulations, movement so far has been ineffective. 'Unfortunately we have many similar cases in the UAE with people who can neither pay their debts nor leave Dubai to seek employment elsewhere.' Stirling continued: 'We are dealing with a number of people who are looking at spending the remainder of their lives in prison. 'Even the people currently outside of prison are not allowed to work and when whatever money they had runs out, they are forced to beg for food or rely on charity. 'Holding a debtor hostage in the hope they have a wealthy relative to bail them out is both immoral and unfair.' She added: 'When I spoke to David, he had clearly been emotionally damaged by the time in prison and the separation from his family. 'He could not see any way out but holds hope that he will be reunited with his family again soon.' The US embassy in the UAE is yet to respond to requests for a comment. Armed police officers have arrested two men in London and Birmingham who are suspected of being part of an ongoing terror plot. Officers from the Met Police's Counter Terrorism Command, supported by officers from the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit and the Met Police Firearms Command, arrested the men in two separate raids. At 2.50pm a 20-year-old man from London was arrested followed by the arrest of a 21-year-old man in south-east Birmingham at 4.30pm. Armed police have arrested two men following anti-terror raids in London and Birmingham The men are being detained under the Terrorism Act in an unidentified police station in the south-east of London. Officers are continuing to search addresses in south-east Birmingham and north London. The two men were arrested on suspicion of being involved 'in the commission, preparation and instigation of terrorism'. More to follow. A TV reporter has come forward with claims of inappropriate behaviour by Don Burke when they worked together at a radio station. A Current Affair journalist Alison Piotrowski worked with Burke at 2UE in Sydney in the mid to late 2000s. Ms Piotrowski said she was working on a shift with Burke and was berated by him for turning up late to an outside broadcast because she was caught up by security. 'But then half an hour later he came up to me and said that all was forgiven because I had a great a***,' she told Tracy Grimshaw on Tuesday night. Scroll down for video Channel Nine journalist Alison Piotrowski claimed Burke made an inappropriate comment to her while she was working with him at radio station 2UE Ms Piotrowski said she was berated by him when she turned up late to an outside broadcast Ms Piotrowski claimed she reported his behaviour to management, and was told she would no longer have to work with Burke. 'I certainly wasn't the only young female producer that was put in a position like this and there were plenty of other girls that went through far more confronting experiences at 2UE compared to what I experienced,' she said. 'A practice actually developed where if you were a young female producer and you didn't feel comfortable working around Don you wouldn't be forced to work with him.' She claimed she never saw Burke disciplined by station management for his behaviour. Ms Piotrowski claimed she reported his behaviour to management, and was told she would no longer have to work with Burke Disgraced television presenter Don Burke was banned from flying with Qantas during the peak of his career due to his inappropriate conduct 'I later reported it to management and was told I didn't have to work with him anymore,' she said. She added that since the allegations against Burke made headlines this week, she's been in touch with a number of her former female colleagues. 'We were all young, in our early to mid 20s, and for most of us it was our first workplace,' she wrote. Ms Piotrowski said the former workers were angry. 'Anger that during a vulnerable stage of their career they were put in a position of having to navigate this, with no real guidance,' she explained. Qantas banned him from flying with the airline after he behaved inappropriately towards staff members, which was then reported to management Daily Mail Australia has contacted 2UE, now known as Talking Lifestyle, for comment. In claims published by the ABC and Fairfax on Monday, dozens of accusers came alleging Burke sexually harassed, indecently assaulted and bullied female colleagues over a number of years. Burke has denied all allegations of sexual harassment and indecent assault against him. Burke was banned from flying with Qantas during the 1990s due to his behaviour, according to A Current Affair A Current Affair also alleged the disgraced television presenter was banned from flying with Qantas during the peak of his career in the 1990s due to his inappropriate conduct. The program said Qantas banned him from flying with the airline after he behaved inappropriately towards staff members, which was then reported to management. The ban wasn't permanent, but lasted for a period of time during the 1990s while Burke was at the peak of his career, hosting Burke's Backyard on Channel Nine. Penguins on beach in Melbourne are under threat from tourists with selfie sticks, trying to get the perfect picture. Wildlife officers have started a summer of controls at St Kilda's pier to try and protect a colony of Little Penguins from thoughtless tourists who harass the creatures. Some have even been killed by snap-happy visitors willing to go to extreme lengths for their Instagram feeds. Little penguins are under threat from tourists taking photographs at St Kilda pier (pictured) Tourists pack out the pier (pictured) and some use selfie sticks to reach over to the pengiuns The department of Environment, Land, Planning and Water (DELWP) officer Suriya Vij told the Herald Sun: 'While the vast majority of visitors are well behaved and respect the Little penguins, unfortunately some people try to pick up the birds or put selfie sticks into their burrows. 'Sadly, last year two penguins were fatally injured when picked up. 'We are educating the public that it is illegal to disturb, harm or harass wildlife under the Wildlife Act, which includes touching them or picking up the penguins,' she said. Some penguins (pictured) have been killed after tourists tried to pick them up for photographs The small colony of penguins at St Kilda live in a breakwater built at the end of the pier. Parks Victoria staff are carrying out the patrols as it's expected around 4000 visitors will head to see them on weekends during the summer, and even 2000 on a weekday. Parks Victoria West Port Phillip area chief ranger Stephen McPhee told the publication: 'We encourage visitors to do the right thing and watch the penguins from the human side of the fence. 'It's such a privilege to have these Little penguins in St Kilda and it's really important that we protect them.' The DELWP and Parks Victoria patrols will run until just after summer - March 2018 - and may run longer if their efforts are deemed a success. A maximum-security prison is in lockdown and staff have been evacuated after a huge fire ripped through the facility. Up to 25 staff were evacuated from Port Phillip Prison, the largest jail in Victoria, after a blaze broke out in the control room. Fire crews spotted smoke and flames from a distance and called for additional help including an aerial appliance. Over fifty firefighters worked for two-and-a-half hours to control the blaze, which started at about 1.30am on Wednesday and continued till daylight. Port Phillip maximum-security prison (pictured) is in lockdown and staff have been evacuated after a huge fire ripped through the facility Port Phillip Prison is widely considered to be one of Australia's toughest jails Firefighters are still at the prison dealing with the aftermath of the fire. A Victoria Police spokeswoman said they were not treating the fire as suspicious. Port Phillip Prison is widely considered to be one of Australia's toughest jails, able to accommodate over 1,000 prisoners and housing a number of notorious criminals. Mass murderer Julian Knight, who shot dead 7 people and injured 19 more in 1987, is currently serving out seven concurrent life sentences at the prison. Jason Roberts, one of two men responsible for gunning down two police officers who were staking out a Chinese restaurant in Moorabbin in 1998, is also serving out a life sentence at the prison. A woman has slammed Hungry Jack's after she was served a chicken burger without any meat. Kellie Taeiloa ordered a Chicken Royale burger from Hungry Jack's Marketplace in Campbelltown, south-west of Sydney on Tuesday. But she was shocked to find only a thick layer of mayonnaise and a few lettuce leaves in a bun. A woman was shocked to find only a thick layer of mayonnaise and a few lettuce leaves in a bun The image quickly attracted a number of comments One person thought Hungry Jack's may be heading in a different direction Ms Taeiloa posted an image of the half-finished burger to Facebook. 'Good one Hungry Jack's Marketplace Campbelltown,' she wrote. The image quickly attracted a number of comments. One social media user wrote: 'A bun with a bit of lettuce and mayo how much did they charge for that?' 'The chicken is gone lol,' said another. One person thought Hungry Jack's may be heading in a different direction. 'Maybe Hungry Jack's has gone vegan,' they said. Hungry Jack's has been contacted for comment. A federal judge ruled in favor of President Trump on Tuesday in his effort to appoint an acting head of the nation's top financial watchdog agency, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. In a ruling from the bench, Judge Timothy Kelly declined to stop on an emergency basis the president from putting in place Mick Mulvaney, currently the White House's budget director, as the acting director of the CFPB. In doing so, Kelly ruled against Leandra English, the CFPB's deputy director, who had requested an emergency restraining order to stop Mulvaney from becoming the acting director. The leadership of the bureau had been thrown into chaos over the weekend after its permanent director, Richard Cordray, resigned and appointed English as his successor. Both Mulvaney and English claimed to be the rightful acting director, with each citing different federal laws. Mick Mulvaney speaks during a news conference after his first day as acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in Washington, Monday, Nov. 27, 2017 'The Administration applauds the Court's decision, which provides further support for the President's rightful authority to designate Director Mulvaney as Acting Director of the CFPB,' White House spokesman Raj Shah said in a statement. 'Its time for the Democrats to stop enabling this brazen political stunt by a rogue employee and allow Acting Director Mulvaney to continue the Bureaus smooth transition into an agency that truly serves to help consumers,' Shah said. Kelly was nominated by President Trump and was confirmed by the Senate just a couple months ago in September. An ugly row over who leads the agency lurched towards farce on Monday as Trump's pick for the job turned up with a donut-fueled charm offensive, while his rival went to court to claim she was in charge. Mulvaney, the White House's budget director, went early to the office of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in Washington D.C. after he was named acting director by the president last week. He brought donuts and sent an email to all its staff to tell them to come get them. But at the same time its deputy director, Obama-appointee, Leandra English, filed a suit saying she is the one with the authority to run the bureau until the Senate confirms a temperament director. The farce played out in D.C. on Monday morning because the previous director Richard Cordray quit on Friday, and named English deputy director on his way out the door of the agency, which has been a target for Republican ire since it was established under Obama and labeled 'a joke' by Trump. The law setting up the watchdog says that would make her interim director, but Trump quickly named Mulvaney as interim director. Scroll down for video It's in the bag: Mick Mulvaney arrived with donuts for the staff as he appeared to be winning the bizarre battle over who runs the CFPB Making a point: Mulvaney's communications director tweeted this image before 8am, but shortly after the rival director filed her lawsuit I'm in charge: Mick Mulvaney left for the White House after telling staff to ignore any instructions from his rival, the agency's Obama-appointed chief of staff Off to see the senator: Leandra English went for talks with Elizabeth Warren, the ultra-liberal senator who was a champion of creating the CFPB The office of CFPB General Counsel Mary McLeod has prepared a memo concurring with the opinion of the U.S. Justice Department that Trump has the power to appoint Mulvaney, according to Reuters. English sent an email in which she welcomed staff back from the Thanksgiving holiday and signed off as 'acting director,' according to a source. But Mulvaney quickly installed himself in Cordray's former office and stood his ground, writing in a staff email an hour later: 'Please disregard any instructions you receive from Ms. English in her presumed capacity as Acting Director,' he said in a memo seen by Reuters. 'If you receive additional communications from her today ... please inform the General Counsel.' Mulvaney also signed off as 'acting director' and invited staff to pop by his office on the fourth floor to 'grab a donut.' The Republican Trump campaigned for president saying Wall Street 'gets away with murder,' but at the same time promised to defang or abolish the CFPB, the brainchild of progressive U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren that was championed by President Barack Obama. The day before the suit was filed, Trump himself unsurprisingly took to Twitter to criticize the bureau. 'The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or CFPB, has been a total disaster as run by the previous Administrations pick. Financial Institutions have been devastated and unable to properly serve the public. We will bring it back to life!' Mulvaney's communications director tweeted a picture of him 'hard at work as acting director' with the bureau's transition briefing handbook on his desk. It was not clear if English was in the building. She was due to meet later on Monday with Warren, an aide to the lawmaker said. As Mulvaney was getting settled in, the source told Reuters, CFPB general counsel Mary McLeod sent a memo to the CFPB's legal division agreeing with the U.S. Justice Department that Trump had the power to appoint Mulvaney as temporary leader of the watchdog. The suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia asked for a declaratory judgment and a temporary restraining order to block Mulvaney from taking over the bureau. It was not clear when the court would rule. English was chief of staff to bureau director Richard Cordray when he named her deputy director as he prepared to resign last Friday. Cordray was appointed to the position by President Barack Obama and has been long criticized by congressional Republicans as overzealous. Mulvaney, a former congressman, has called the agency an example of bureaucracy run amok, and is expected to dismantle much of what the bureau has done. English cited the Dodd-Frank Act, which created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, saying that as deputy director, she became the acting director under the law. She argues that the federal law the White House contends supports Trump's appointment of Mulvaney doesn't apply when another statute designates a successor. The White House, with the support of an opinion issued Saturday by the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel, maintained that the president has the power to appoint an acting director. Steven A. Engel, newly confirmed head of the office, wrote that, while the deputy director may serve as acting director under the statute, the president still has authority under the Vacancies Reform Act. The White House maintained that President Trump has the power to appoint an acting director A new director must be confirmed by the Senate. Earlier Sunday, Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the third-ranking GOP leader, pledged swift action whenever Trump nominates a successor to Cordray. WHAT IS THE CFPB? The U.S. consumer watchdog agency, was proposed by now-Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., in her previous job at Harvard Law School, and it was created as part of the laws passed following the 2008 financial crisis and subsequent recession. It was given a broad mandate to be a watchdog for consumers when they deal with banks and credit card, student loan and mortgage companies, as well as debt collectors and payday lenders. The idea was to prevent financial companies, such as mortgage servicers, from exploiting consumers. Critics had said those kinds of companies had been subject to weak oversight before the financial crisis. Under the leadership of its first director, Richard Cordray, the CFPB implemented or proposed a myriad of new rules and regulations for the banking industry. Nearly every American who deals with banks or a credit card company or has a mortgage has been affected by rules the agency put in place. The agency has also taken legal action against banks, mortgage companies, credit card issuers, payday lenders, debt collectors and others, and extracted billions of dollars in settlements. When Wells Fargo was found to have opened millions of phony accounts for its customers, the CFPB fined the bank $100 million, the agency's largest penalty to date. The banking industry has viewed CFPB as a thorn in its side, and accused it of overreaching in its regulation of consumer financial activities. Cordray lost some notable battles, such as when the GOP-led Congress overturned a regulation that would have ensured that customers could band together to sue their banks in a class action. Advertisement Meanwhile, Thune said he expected that Mulvaney 'will be on the job and he'll be calling the shots over there,' but acknowledged the issue could end up in court. Beyond the fight over who's in charge is the future direction of the bureau, created after the 2008 financial crisis and given a broad mandate as a watchdog for consumers when they deal with banks and credit card, student loan and mortgage companies, as well as debt collectors and payday lenders. 'All Americans should be deeply concerned about the White House's cynical decision to flout the law and attempt to put the ringleader of its dangerous, anti-consumer protection policies in charge,' House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California said in a statement issued before the lawsuit was filed. Taking aim at Mulvaney, she said the public deserves 'a champion that protects them from predatory bankers and lenders, not the leadership of a Wall Street pawn who denigrates consumer protection as a 'sick, sad joke.'' Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer joined Pelosi in arguing that English was the rightful acting director. He accused Trump of ignoring the law 'in order to put a fox in charge of a hen house.' Thune said he hoped eventually to see 'reforms to that agency, which has essentially very little accountability to the Congress or anybody else.' Another Republican, Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, said he thinks Trump was on 'good ground' to pick Mulvaney for the job and hopes Mulvaney 'will ride herd on these folks.' Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate, said putting Mulvaney in charge was part of an effort to destroy the bureau. 'Wall Street hates it like the devil hates holy water,' Durbin said. 'And they're trying to put an end to it with ... Mulvaney stepping into Cordray's spot. But the statute is specific, it's clear, and it says that the deputy shall take over.' Thune appeared on 'Fox News Sunday' while Durbin and Graham spoke on CNN's 'State of the Union.' Before he was nine years old, Charles Dickens had experienced six white Christmases. So its no surprise that the man credited with inventing some of the festive periods best-loved traditions most famously in A Christmas Carol did so against a backdrop of snowy landscapes, frosted window panes and frozen lakes. The winters of Dickenss boyhood in the early 19th century were indeed exceptionally cold which meteorologists speculate was due to the periodic global weather phenomenon we now know as La Nina. Earlier this month, forecasters said that following an unusually warm October, Novembers cold weather some parts of the country had their first snowfall weeks ago could lead to a full La Nina event over the next few months. Sheep in the snow along the Newby Head pass in Gearstones this morning after a night of snow fall in the Yorkshire Dales As a result, bookies are reporting an avalanche of bets on a white Christmas. Now, there would appear to be further evidence of the La Nina influence, with some areas of Britain facing up to 4in of snow and temperatures as low as -8c this week as a precursor of a month-long cold snap. So what, you may ask, is a full La Nina event and, after a succession of grey, mild, wet winters, will it really bring with it the Dickensian wonderland of our childhood dreams? The answer is . . . maybe. We have all heard of the weather phenomenon known as El Nino, which describes the irregular but periodic warming of the surface waters of the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean. El Nino Spanish for the little boy was first noted several centuries ago. South American fishermen observed that warmer coastal waters occurring around the end or start of the year led to an explosion in the growth of plankton, and in the marine life fish and shellfish feeding on it. In gratitude, they christened this El Nino because it coincided with festivities marking the birth of Jesus. The northern most parts of the UK are already being hit by snow, as Ladbrokes cuts odds on a white Christmas for Glasgow As so often in Nature, the pendulum swings both ways: El Ninos warm currents are balanced by periods when the waters of the eastern Pacific are abnormally cold a counter-phenomenon christened La Nina (the little girl) by scientists. Over the decades, experts have monitored the impact of these fluctuating oceanic temperatures on weather patterns and have attributed to them periods of drought, plunging temperatures, heavy rainfall and powerful storms in various parts of the globe. British winters are usually quite mild because of the relatively warm seas around us and south-westerly winds bringing warm air from the south. El Nino tends to bring wetter conditions to our shores, more violent storms and higher than average seasonal temperatures. However, when La Nina is brewing as is the case now these warmer winds are blocked. As a result, bitter northerlies can come blasting in, bringing the kind of weather expected this week. They also create the potential for it to get a lot colder. La Nina was blamed for the big freeze of winter 2010 and the coldest December on record, with lows of -13c, snow on the ground for weeks and blizzards that deposited 2ft drifts, bringing parts of the country to a standstill. Compared with other countries, Britain got off lightly. The north west is also earmarked for a snowy season this Christmas, as Manchester could follow the lead of Cumbria There was disastrous flooding in Australia, with an inland tsunami that forced hundreds of thousands of people living in Brisbane on the east coast to leave their homes. La Nina had pushed tropical rain that normally falls in the Pacific eastwards over Australia. Meanwhile, storms wreaked havoc in the American Midwest. An unprecedented 875 tornadoes had already torn across the country before a monster twister in Missouri killed 116 people, making it the deadliest tornado since records began in 1950. American weather experts blamed La Nina for pushing the jet stream a river of cool air high in the atmosphere northwards out of its customary seasonal position. This pulled warm, humid air up from the ground in the Midwest, enabling huge thunderstorms to form. The shifted jet stream made it unseasonably warm in the northern U.S. and Alaska, accelerating the melting of glaciers, while southern American states baked in unusually hot and dry conditions. Elsewhere, there were killer droughts in Peru and Ecuador, and parts of the Horn of Africa experienced their driest periods in 60 years, with ten million people needing food aid. La Nina is not just about the weather but also its unexpected consequences. The flu can originate in pugs, as well as poultry and birds, rapidly mutating into the form that affects humans Most worryingly, it is feared that low winter temperatures may result in the development of a particularly powerful strain of flu virus or worse, a flu pandemic that could wreak havoc among the elderly and those of all ages with existing health problems. The flu virus originates in animals poultry, pigs and birds, for example and can rapidly mutate into a form that infects humans. A change in weather patterns may force migrating birds to alter their routes, flying over land rather than open water. If they rest near populated areas, the birds may come into contact with livestock that harbour their own flu viruses. The mingling of wild and farm-animal flu viruses increases the chances of the microbes swapping parts of their DNA (a process called recombination) to create lethal new flu strains that could infect millions of us worldwide. Climatologists at Columbia University in New York concluded that the last four global flu pandemics all occurred after periods of similar weather patterns to those caused by La Nina. In 1918, so-called Spanish Flu killed an estimated 25 million people globally in its first six months and up to 100 million by December 1920; the Asian Flu of 1957 claimed one to two million lives; the Hong Kong Flu of 1968, one million; and swine flu, in 2009, more than half a million. These pandemics proved particularly deadly because they all involved novel strains of the virus to which people had little inbuilt immunity. Scientists also fear that the warmer, wetter conditions La Nina causes in parts of the world such as southern Africa, South-East Asia and northern South America will encourage mosquitoes to thrive and, along with them, lethal infections such as Zika and the West Nile virus. Adding to scientists concern is the fact that while El Nino rarely lasts longer than a year, La Nina can persist for two years or more. The record is 33 months between 1973 and 1976, when Australia again bore the brunt, with floods hitting coastal areas of Queensland and New South Wales in January 1974. That year remains the wettest in Australian records. Before the flu turns into the form that affects humans, it can originate in livestock including poultry Of course, La Nina is not the only driver of our weather. There are competing influences, such as strong winter winds, that will contend with it. These are determined by other factors, too. High-altitude winds in the faraway tropics particularly influence the pattern of high and low-pressure areas in the Atlantic. In turn, these can bring us mild but stormy weather in winter, rather than icy cold snaps. Professor Adam Scaife, at the Met Office, says La Nina on its own is not enough to make a very skilful forecast (though that may just be a weatherman wary of over-committing himself in what is still a notoriously inexact science). For their part, bookmakers feel more confident about La Ninas power to affect our lives. Responding to recent forecasts, Ladbrokes has cut the odds on a white Christmas to 2/1 for Glasgow, 3/1 for Newcastle, 5/1 for Manchester and 6/1 for London. In the meantime, all we can do is turn up the central heating, pull on a thicker jumper and wait to see whether the Ice Girl cometh. A unique collection of Iron Age metal artefacts has shed new light on the feasting rituals of prehistoric communities near Leicester around 2,300 years ago. Experts uncovered a trove of ancient buried treasures during excavation works for a warehouse development project. Rare objects, including cauldrons, pins, a brooch and a copper 'horn-cap' which may have been used in a ceremonial staff, suggest the importance of ceremony at the site. Researchers believe the wide range of dates for the burial of the items hint at repeated use of the village to host lavish gatherings. Scroll down for video A unique collection of Iron Age metal artefacts has shed new light on the feasting rituals of prehistoric communities in the UK around 2,300 years ago. Experts uncovered a trove of ancient treasures, including this rare cooking cauldron FEASTING RITUALS Cauldrons are an iconic, if poorly understood class of artefact, according to the British Museum. They are substantial vessels capable of containing large quantities of food or liquid and it is probable that they were not used for everyday purposes. Instead, they were likely used for boiling meat or heating alcoholic drinks, such as beer or mead, in communal feasting ceremonies. In the Iron Age, feasts were extremely important social events, used to celebrate religious festivals, mark rites of passage or even just to show off. Communal drinking and feasting, particularly the regulated distribution of alcoholic beverages, were central to establishing and maintaining social relationships. Sharing food and drink simultaneously communicated messages of membership and exclusion and served to rank individuals in relation to one another. The cauldrons found had been placed in either upright or inverted positions, before the ditch was filled in, suggesting that they were buried to mark the cessation of activities associated with this part of the site. Advertisement A team of scientists from the University of Leicester's Archaeological Services (ULAS) made the discovery, at a site called Glenfield Park, on the outskirts of Leicester. Early settlement of the village took place from around the 5th and 4th century BC, and radiocarbon dating shows that, by the 4th or 3rd century BC, the settlement underwent striking changes in character. Individual roundhouses became enclosed and settlers began deliberately burying metallic items in a ritualistic fashion. The cauldrons and other finds at Glenfield Park are the result of a series of events that took place over a considerable length of time, resulting in multiple burials across the history of the settlement. These repeated acts mark the site out as a potential ritual and ceremonial centre that played host to large feasts. John Thomas, director of the excavation and Project Officer for ULAS, said: 'Glenfield Park is an exceptional archaeological site, with a fantastic array of finds that highlight this as one of the more important discoveries of recent years. 'It is the metalwork assemblage that really sets this settlement apart. 'The quantity and quality of the finds far outshines most of the other contemporary assemblages from the area, and its composition is almost unparalleled. Most of the cauldrons appear to have been deliberately laid in a large circular enclosure ditch that surrounded a building. They are made from several separate parts, comprising iron rims (pictured) and upper bands, hemispherical copper alloy bowls and two iron ring handles IRON AGE CAULDRONS Most of the cauldrons appear to have been deliberately laid in a large circular enclosure ditch that surrounded a building. They had been placed in either upright or inverted positions, before the ditch was filled in, suggesting that they were buried to mark the cessation of activities associated with this part of the site. Other cauldrons were found buried across the site, suggesting that significant events were being marked over a long period of time as the settlement developed. The cauldrons are made from several separate parts, comprising iron rims and upper bands, hemispherical copper alloy bowls and two iron ring handles attached to the upper band. They appear to have been a variety of sizes, with rims ranging between 14 inches (360mm) and 22 inches (560mm) in diameter. The total capacity of all of the cauldrons is approximately 120 gallons (550 litres). This illustrates their potential to provide for large groups of people that may have gathered at the settlement from the wider Iron Age community of the area. Advertisement 'The cauldron assemblage in particular makes this a nationally important discovery. 'They represent the most northerly discovery of such objects on mainland Britain and the only find of this type of cauldron in the East Midlands.' Most of the cauldrons appear to have been deliberately laid in a large circular enclosure ditch that surrounded a building. CT scans (pictured) revealed exceptionally rare evidence for decoration from the period, further highlighting the significance of the site The cauldrons appear to have been a variety of sizes, with rims ranging between 14 inches (360mm) and 22 inches (560mm) in diameter. The total capacity of all of the cauldrons is approximately 120 gallons (550 litres) CT SCANS OF THE CAULDRONS The cauldrons are extremely fragile and were lifted from site in soil blocks for later analysis. They were initially investigated at Paul Strickland Scanner Centre in Middlesex, a leading medical imaging centre specialising in cancer which had CT-scanning equipment large enough to accommodate the soil blocks. The scans provided useful information in terms of the cauldron orientation, approximate dimensions and profiles, as well as tantalising glimpses of manufacturing methods. Most excitingly the scans also revealed exceptionally rare evidence for decoration from the period, further highlighting the significance of the site. One example is on a complete cauldron, which has raised stem and leaf motifs on the vessels iron band, close to the handle locations, which are similar to the so-called 'Vegetal Style' of Celtic art, generally dated to the 4th century BC. Another example of decoration has been identified on a small copper alloy bowl fragment, which has a domed rivet or raised boss decoration, suggesting that some of the bowls carried decoration too. Advertisement They had been placed in either upright or inverted positions, before the ditch was filled in, suggesting that they were buried to mark the cessation of activities associated with this part of the site. Other cauldrons were found buried across the site, suggesting that significant events were being marked over a long period of time as the settlement developed. The cauldrons are made from several separate parts, comprising iron rims and upper bands, hemispherical copper alloy bowls and two iron ring handles attached to the upper band. They appear to have been a variety of sizes, with rims ranging between 14 inches (360mm) and 22 inches (560mm) in diameter. The total capacity of all of the cauldrons is approximately 120 gallons (550 litres). This illustrates their potential to provide for large groups of people that may have gathered at the settlement from the wider Iron Age community of the area. Dr Thomas added: 'Due to their large capacity it is thought that Iron Age cauldrons were reserved for special occasions and would have been important social objects, forming the centrepiece of major feasts, perhaps in association with large gatherings and events. 'The importance of cauldrons as symbolic objects is reflected in their frequent appearance in early medieval Irish and Welsh literature, which has been drawn upon in studies of Iron Age society. 'They are rarely found in large numbers and, with the exception of a discovery in Chiseldon, where 17 cauldrons were found in a pit, there have been few excavated examples in recent years.' The cauldrons are extremely fragile and were lifted from site in soil blocks for later analysis. The cauldrons and other finds at Glenfield Park are the result of a series of events that took place over a considerable length of time, resulting in multiple burials across the history of the settlement. This image shows an iron spearhead just after it was discovered The repeated burial acts mark the site out as a potential ritual and ceremonial centre that played host to large feasts. This image shows a copper alloy horn-cap, which may have been part of a ceremonial staff Experts say the quantity and quality of the finds far outshines most of the other sites dating from the time in the area. This images shows a complex iron brooch The finds also represent the most northerly discovery of the type of objects uncovered on mainland Britain and the only find of this type of cauldron in the East Midlands. This image shows a copper alloy ring-headed dress pin They were initially investigated at Paul Strickland Scanner Centre in Middlesex, a leading medical imaging centre specialising in cancer which had CT-scanning equipment large enough to accommodate the soil blocks. The scans provided useful information in terms of the cauldron orientation, approximate dimensions and profiles, as well as tantalising glimpses of manufacturing methods. Most excitingly, the scans also revealed exceptionally rare evidence for decoration from the period, further highlighting the significance of the site. One example is on a complete cauldron, which has raised stem and leaf motifs on the vessels iron band, close to the handle locations, which are similar to the so-called 'Vegetal Style' of Celtic art, generally dated to the 4th century BC. The cauldrons are extremely fragile and were lifted from site in soil blocks for later analysis at Paul Strickland Scanner Centre in Middlesex This image shows another CT scan taken at the leading medical imaging centre, which specialises in cancer and had CT-scanning equipment large enough to accommodate the soil blocks containing the cauldrons Further detail from the cauldrons will only be possible from excavation and conservation, which is being undertaken by Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA). This image shows a circular repair patch on the base of a cauldron revealed during conservation by MOLA Another example of decoration has been identified on a small copper alloy bowl fragment, which has a domed rivet or raised boss decoration, suggesting that some of the bowls carried decoration too. Further detail from the cauldrons will only be possible from excavation and conservation, which is being undertaken by Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA). Liz Barham, Senior Conservator at MOLA said: 'Already we have been able to uncover glimpses of the detailed histories of these cauldrons through CT scanning, including evidence of their manufacture and repair, and have identified sooty residues still clinging to the base of one of the cauldrons from the last time it was suspended over a fire. 'During the upcoming conservation we hope to discover much more about the entire assemblage. 'If we're lucky, we may even find food residues from the last time they were used , over 2,000 years ago.' A team of scientists from the University of Leicester's Archaeological Services made the discovery on the outskirts of Leicester In the hopes of staying ahead of the enemy, the US army is testing a futuristic exoskeleton that gives soldiers superhuman abilities. The exoskeleton uses artificial intelligence to provide additional power and mobility to soldiers, and allows them to carry heavier loads. Early tests show that the exoskeleton has increased productivity anywhere from two to 27 times. It is unclear when, or if, the US Army plans to roll out the exoskeletons to all soldiers. Scroll down for video The US army is testing a futuristic exoskeleton that gives soldiers superhuman abilities. The frame fits around the soldier's legs (shown on the left leg on this soldier) and is attached to a belt worn around the waist THE EXOSKELETON The frame fits around the soldier's legs, and is attached to a belt worn around the waist. The belt connects to flexible hip sensors, which tell a computer where the soldier is in space, as well as the speed and direction of the movements. It uses independent actuators, motors and lightweight structures, powered by a three pound rechargeable lithium ion battery. During initial tests, engineers reported that Fortis reduced the amount of energy needed to perform a task by nine per cent, using AI to learn the gait of each soldier. Mr Maxwell explained: 'It knows what you are trying to do when you are trying to do it. 'It locks and gives you a forward torque-twist that causes the lower leg to move toward the back, then it reverses direction to bring your leg forward.' Advertisement The exoskeleton, called Fortis, has been developed by experts at Lockheed Martin, was tested with soldiers at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia. The frame uses independent actuators, motors and lightweight structures, powered by a three pound rechargeable lithium ion battery. This allows soldiers to carry 180 pounds (82 kg) up five flights of stairs, using minimal energy. Keith Maxwell, senior programme manager of exoskeleton technology at Lockheed Martin, said: 'We've had this on some of the Army's elite forces, and they were able to run with high agility carrying full loads.' Fortis could prove particularly useful in urban combat, because it enhances soldier mobility, power and speed, according to the engineers. The frame fits round the soldier's legs, and is attached to a belt worn around the waist. The belt connects to flexible hip sensors, which tell a computer where the soldier is in space, as well as the speed and direction of the movements. The 'superhero suit' uses independent actuators, motors and lightweight structures, powered by a three pound rechargeable lithium ion battery. To put Fortis to the test, researchers recently tested soldiers' fatigue when walking and climbing stairs PUTTING FORTIS TO THE TEST To put Fortis to the test, researchers recently tested soldiers' fatigue when walking and climbing stairs, both with and without the exoskeleton. In the study, four soldiers wore the exoskeleton and carried a 40 pound (18 kg) backpack, while walking at various speed on a treadmill inclined to 15 degrees. Results showed that all four participants were less fatigued when wearing the exoskeleton. Advertisement Mr Maxwell explained: 'We were showing a decrease in the metabolic cost of transport, the measure of how much energy is required to climb uphill.' During initial tests, engineers reported that Fortis reduced the amount of energy needed to perform a task by nine per cent, using AI to learn the gait of each soldier. An earlier test by the US Navy found The Fortis exoskeleton increased productivity anywhere from two to 27 times, depending on the task. The team measured the amount of time a worker could hold a 16-pound grinder overhead without having to rest his arms. The longest operators could work continuously without a break was three minutes. Using the Fortis, operators could work for longer the 30 minutes. Mr Maxwell explained: 'It knows what you are trying to do when you are trying to do it. 'It locks and gives you a forward torque-twist that causes the lower leg to move toward the back, then it reverses direction to bring your leg forward.' To put Fortis to the test, researchers from the University of Michigan recently tested people's fatigue when walking and climbing stairs, both with and without the exoskeleton. The belt connects to flexible hip sensors, which tell a computer where the soldier is in space, as well as the speed and direction of the movements. Shown here is a solider testing the device Fortis could prove particularly uses in urban combat, because it enhances soldier mobility, power and speed, according to the engineers In the study, four participants wore the exoskeleton and carried a 40 pound (18 kg) backpack, while walking at various speed on a treadmill inclined to 15 degrees. Results showed that all four participants were less fatigued when wearing the exoskeleton. Mr Maxwell said: 'By reducing the effort in walking and climbing, there's less fatigue. 'This technology can literally help our fighting men and women go the extra mile while carrying mission-essential equipment.' Six-year-old Elijah Salley is an aspiring artist who loves math, enjoys putting together Legos or playing Minecraft, is outgoing and has a great sense of humor. But for the past eight months, much of the Billings boy's focus has been on cancer. Diagnosed in early March with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Elijah and his mother, Tara Salley, who live in Billings, flew to Children's Hospital Colorado for his initial treatment. Since then, however, he has undergone subsequent rounds of inpatient chemotherapy at Billings Clinic. Elijah is the first pediatric patient to receive the inpatient treatment at the Billings hospital, thanks to a care alliance agreement signed in February with CHC. Through the formal alliance, the Aurora, Colorado-based hospital provides training to the medical professionals at the Billings Clinic, as well as support, expert advice and ongoing coordination in cases like Elijahs. CHC physicians and others visit Billings quarterly for case reviews, for updating protocols and for training. It also includes collaboration via telemedicine. And when a more specialized type of care is needed, the alliance can streamline coordination between the two hospitals. It accelerated our ability of achieving the goal of doing inpatient chemo, Billings Clinic pediatric nurse Tammy Johnson said. It would have been more challenging than without it. There has been an informal arrangement between the two hospitals for years, said Dr. Jack Staddon, pediatric oncologist/hematologist at the Billings hospital. The care alliance was a formalization and deepening of longstanding relationships between pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists at Childrens Hospital Colorado and those here in Billings, he said. That has made all the difference for the Salley family. Tara, a physician assistant, and her husband, Gabriel, a real estate broker, have three children, Elijah; Alexis, 17; and Robert, 20. On Feb. 27, after the family had returned from a vacation, Gabriel noticed a lump in Elijahs groin and thought maybe it was a hernia. We took him to a walk-in clinic to see, and they discovered it was a very large lymph node and he had enlarged lymph nodes everywhere, Tara Salley said. A day later, Staddon examined him, and by March 1 Elijah was diagnosed with leukemia. Salley and her son flew to Denver the next day to start treatment at CHC. They stayed in Denver for about six weeks, with Elijah in the hospital for 11 days during that time. Were fortunate enough that our closest friends live in Golden, so we were able to live with them when we were down there, which lifted a big financial burden, Salley said. But not every family is that lucky. Elijah responded well to treatment, Staddon said. He went into remission and has done actually very, very well in his treatment course, he said. In the meantime, Johnson said, the wheels were set in motion for pediatric patients to receive inpatient chemotherapy at Billings Clinic. When our floor opened in January 2016, our goal was to do inpatient pediatric chemotherapy within 18 months, she said. Two certified pediatric hematology/oncology nurses from CHC traveled to Billings for two days in April to teach pediatric charge nurses how to deliver chemotherapy. The staff did some further hands-on training in the clinics adult infusion center and the pediatric outpatient infusion center. Then Johnson spent a week at CHC to learn hands-on processes, such as charting, and safety measures. It also included working with nurses at the bedside to see how they interact with patients and administer the chemotherapy, as well as time at the outpatient clinic. Our goal was to have everybody ready to go by June first, she said. By the time Elijah was ready for his first inpatient chemotherapy session in Billings in mid-June, the clinic was ready for him. Most of his treatment will be outpatient, Staddon said, but Elijah will require two months of inpatient chemotherapy clustered into in three- to four-day stays. Expected complications, including fever and low white and red blood cell and platelet counts, have also required additional hospital stays. Throughout the entire process, Staddon has worked closely with the physician team in Denver so their experience is able to inform our care. Its helpful to dip into the experience of a large center that has several cases like Elijahs instead of just the one, he said. Hes really been able to get the best of both worlds, Staddon said. He gets subspecialized care and knowledge from Denver and the individualized care Ive been able to do here as more of a general pediatric oncologist and hematologist. Salley also has been grateful to stay close to home for the extended treatment. It allows her to work, keeps her close to her husband and other children and lets family and friends visit Elijah. Childrens Hospital Colorado is an amazing facility, but its very big, she said. It was difficult to get to know the large staff of nurses and doctors. Here, she knows all of the nurses by name, and Elijah has bonded with Staddon. This is much more personalized, and it just feels more like family, Salley said. Academics from an anti-Brexit university have portrayed people who voted to leave the EU as 'narcissists' who dislike foreigners. The Goldsmiths College researchers suggested the 17 million people who voted Leave were motivated by xenophobia and were similar to Donald Trump supporters. The findings were based on just 161 leave voters and 345 remain voters paid to participate in an online survey. Scroll down for video Academics from an anti-Brexit university have portrayed people who voted to leave the EU as 'narcissists' who dislike foreigners. Pictured is a member of the English Defence League (EDL) WHAT DID THE STUDY FIND? Researchers from Goldsmiths University, London, measured the effect of xenophobia - the belief that immigrants to the UK threaten the country - on voting behaviour. The researchers then tried to establish what kind of people believe that immigrants threaten the UK. They found three distinct groups. Firstly, authoritarians - those who fear other groups will threaten the traditional status quo in their country. Next, people high in social dominance orientation, who compete for their group's dominance over immigrants. And finally, collective narcissists, who believe the UK is so great it is entitled to privileged treatment but complain this 'true importance and value' is not recognised by other countries. Previous studies have linked right wing authoritarianism and social dominance orientation with voting for radical right-wing parties. But this study is the first to link collective narcissism with this voting behaviour. Advertisement Goldsmith's College lecturers made the claims in a research paper investigating the roots of prejudice. Goldsmiths' most recent annual report declares that Britain's EU departure is a 'significant risk' to the university's funds which could cost it millions of pounds and lead to reduced student numbers. 'The vote to leave the EU represents one of the biggest changes to Britain in a generation and as such will inevitably be a considerable focus of research', a spokesperson from Goldsmiths said. 'This work shows that our academics are prepared to engage with such important issues to help further robust debate and critical thinking - while upholding the right to freedom of speech.' The college said in the 2015/16 report: 'The UK's decision to leave the European Union and the related tightening of UK immigration policy (with no sign of any leniency for international students) together present a significant risk to Goldsmiths.' The university in south London's edgy New Cross area gets 10 per cent of its funding - 10million ($13m) - from some 1,200 EU students and 2.3 million ($3.5m) in EU research group income. Around 300 of the university's 1,100 academic staff are also EU citizens from outside of Britain. However, critics said Goldsmiths anti-Brexit stance as an institution and the research it produced was 'denigrating good people'. Chris McGovern, of the Campaign for Real Education said he was not surprised that Goldsmiths college had produced research critical of Brexit as universities were all about making money by having the highest number of students. He said: 'Universities in the UK are a racket. They have a vested interest of universities to preserve the status quo and to maximise student numbers. 'They are denigrating good people. There is an institutional bias against Brexit. It's incredible to them. They are very happy to impose restraints on freedom of speech - universities are no-go areas for freedom of speech if your views don't coincide with Remain. Fear of immigrants and foreigners is associated with support for Brexit, according to studies from a team of international researchers 'There's a form of fascism on campus people aren't able to speak freely. Ninety per cent of university lecturers are pro remain, and they are trying to obliterate this country's national identity', he said. Mr McGovern claimed schools are brain washing people into thinking the only future we can have is in the European Union with unelected bureaucrats in Brussels. In the study, funded by the Portuguese government Lead researcher Dr Agnieszka Golec de Zavala, from Goldsmiths and colleagues investigated the role of xenophobia in the referendum. They found 'predictors of prejudice' were linked to a tendency to back Brexit and be happy with the referendum's outcome, regardless of age, gender or education. The study shows that xenophobia, or a fear of other groups, was a strong predictor of a Brexit vote regardless of people's age, gender or education ONLY A THIRD OF AMERICANS HAVE A MIX OF CONSERVATIVE AND LIBERAL VIEWS A recent Pew Research Center study found that Americans are now less likely to hold a mix of conservative and liberal views than they were in the past. Overall, 32% of Americans now take a roughly equal number of conservative and liberal viewpoints on a scale based on 10 questions asked together in seven surveys since 1994. In 2015, 38% of Americans had mixed values, and in 1994 and 2004, 49% did. Reflecting growing partisan gaps, Republicans and Democrats are further apart ideologically than any point in the last two decades. Advertisement A further assessment of personality types showed people who felt threatened by immigrants fell into three distinct groups. Some were 'authoritarian' or 'socially dominant' while others were described as 'collective narcissists' people who believe that the UK's 'unique greatness'. Dr Golec de Zavala said: 'Collective narcissism is not a good attitude to have. We should study how this becomes a group norm and find ways of preventing it from happening and spreading. 'From Brexit, Trump and support for Vladimir Putin in Russia to the nationalist, ultra-conservative government in Poland, studies from ours and other labs show that collective narcissism systematically predicts prejudice, aggression and a tendency to interpret innocent behaviours as provocation to the national group.' Writing in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, the authors said the Brexit vote was motivated by different concerns instigating prejudice.' Goldsmiths attracted controversy recently when the Student's Union's diversity officer, Mustafa Bahar tweeted 'kill all white men' in 2015 although race hate charges against her were later dropped and that white people and all men were banned from attending a political meeting. A chameleon breeder in South Africa has shared an incredible video showing the moment a female chameleon gave birth to her tiny babies on his hand. The tiny lizards, which are just a centimetre long, can be seen calmly crawling down Aldo Kleyn's palm just seconds after their mother has given birth. These Knysna Dwarf chameleon babies form part of a giant litter of 26 lizards with their mum taking a grand total of just one hour and 13 minutes to pop them all out. A chameleon breeder in South Africa has shared an incredible video showing the moment a female chameleon gave birth to her tiny babies on his hand WHY DID SHE GIVE BIRTH ON HIS HAND? Mr Kleyn, says the female chameleon was keen to give birth on his hand, away from hungry males. He said: 'When the females give birth, the males will try to eat some of the young ones. They are quite ferocious. 'This female was reaching out to me and I realised she didn't want to give birth on the tree with the males. 'To begin with I put her on another plant and she gave birth to three babies, but she wanted to get back on my hand.' Advertisement Mr Kleyn, 54, says the female chameleon was keen to give birth on his hand, away from hungry males. He said: 'I was completely blown away. Lots of people have been asking me questions about the video and asking why did I have her giving birth on my hand and not on a plant. 'When the females give birth, the males will try to eat some of the young ones. They are quite ferocious. 'This female was reaching out to me and I realised she didn't want to give birth on the tree with the males. 'To begin with I put her on another plant and she gave birth to three babies, but she wanted to get back on my hand. 'It's amazing to see that. The babies are perfectly formed when they come out. Some people have asked how does she feed them all, but the babies fend for themselves from the moment of birth. These Knysna Dwarf chameleon babies form part of a giant litter of 26 lizards with their mum taking a grand total of just one hour and 13 minutes to pop them all out The tiny lizards, which are just a centimetre long, can be seen calmly crawling down Aldo Kleyn's palm just seconds after their mother has given birth 'I'm not sure what kind of pain she would have experienced. The females have babies once a year.' Mr Kleyn says he has a special incubator set aside for the babies from the moment they are born. The babies can shoot out their famous tongues, which he says are three times the length of the chameleon's body, and feed on fruit and tiny flies within minutes after birth. The babies can shoot out their famous tongues, which are three times the length of the chameleon's body, and feed on fruit and tiny flies within minutes after birth Mr Kleyn says he has bred and cared for chameleons ever since he witnessed a chameleon being crushed by a vehicle 12 years ago CHAMELEON'S BALLISTIC TONGUE Researchers at the University of Oxford focusing on how the chameleon strikes out at its lunch have broken the process into the three parts. The chameleon's tongue is made up of the sticky pad at the end, accelerator muscles which launch it, and the retractor muscles with the structure coiled around a small horn of bone in the mouth called the hyoid, like a sock. In the resting state, the concentric circles of muscle are coiled around the hyoid, on top of layers of elastic collagen tissue called the intralingual sheaths. When the accelerator muscles contract, the tongue is launched off the bone. According to the team, the whole firing mechanism involves the fine balance between how the sheaths and muscles are organised, how collagen fibres are orientated, and the mechanics of the contraction and extension of the tongue itself. Their mathematical modelling revealed that tweaking the angle of the fibres, or the width of the sheaths can alter the force of the firing mechanism. Advertisement Mr Kleyn said: 'I'd say within three minutes they can start feeding. They are very fragile for the first month especially. You have to be really careful with them. 'When they are born they are a black-brown colour, then they are a beige colour for five to six months. 'From six or seven months, they show they can change colour. Then you start to see shots of green, a little bit of orange. They get their full colour at about a year.' Mr Kleyn says he has bred and cared for chameleons ever since he witnessed a chameleon being crushed by a vehicle 12 years ago. The quirky lizards live in trees at his home with one male able to partner with up to 100 females at a time. The birth of this particularly large litter holds a special meaning for Mr Kleyn, who lost his home in the devastating fires that hit Kynsna in the Cape Storm in June this year. The tragedy took scores of his beloved chameleons who were unable to be rescued from the flames. Mr Kleyn said: 'I still wake up and think about them in the flames, I feel terrible about it. I managed to rescue one of the males, he had been with me for nine years. Mr Kleyn says he has a special incubator set aside for the babies from the moment they are born The quirky lizards live in trees at Mr Kleyn's home with one male able to partner with up to 100 females at a time 'It was too dangerous to save them all because we had to get out. 'With this one having so many babies, I must have done something right. I was really surprised to see so many. 'You have to really take care of them 24/7. It's a full-time job.' Mr Kleyn says these little babies (one pictured on its mother's back) are destined for a life in the wild, hidden away from humans Mr Kleyn said: 'When the females give birth, the males will try to eat some of the young ones. They are quite ferocious' And Mr Kleyn says these little babies are destined for a life in the wild, hidden away from humans. Mr Kleyn said: 'I take them out into the forest when they are old enough and set them free. So far I have released 360 chameleons that I've bred out into the forest. 'I do it with a great passion and love. I'm happy that people can learn about them. I've had people get in touch with me to say they have found one and asking what to do. 'It's just a great thing to make people more aware about them and of how to take care of them. It's a really good feeling.' Mr Kleyn said: 'This female was reaching out to me and I realised she didn't want to give birth on the tree with the males' Advertisement Believers say it is the tomb where Jesus was buried and resurrected. Now, for the first time, experts appear to have confirmed at least one element of the Christian narrative of its history. Researchers sampled mortar taken from between the original limestone surface of the burial bed, where religious followers say Christ was laid to rest, and a marble slab that covers it. They believe the marble dates to around 345 AD, which ties in to historical accounts that the first Christian Roman emperor, Constantine, ordered the tomb be enshrined in a new church. Constantine took this decision after his envoys discovered the tomb beneath an older temple, dedicated to the goddess Venus, in around 326 AD. Scroll down for video Believers say it is the tomb where Jesus was buried and resurrected. Now, for the first time, experts appear to have confirmed at least one element of the Christian narrative of its history. Researchers sampled mortar from the burial bed, where religious followers say Christ was laid to rest, and found it dates to around 345 AD DATING THE TOMB Scientists dated the age of the tomb using two brick samples taken from the structure. Mortar samples from remains of the cave's southern wall were dated to 335 and 1570 AD. Researchers used a technique known as optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) to make their finding. The method allows scientists to date ancient stone by measuring when sediment was most recently exposed to light. When sediments are buried or blocked from sunlight, natural background radiation results in energy being stored in minerals such as quartz. If the mineral grains are not exposed to light the energy builds up and represents the amount of time since their burial. Scientists can then measure the stored energy in the laboratory and pinpoint when the layers of mortar last saw sunlight. Advertisement The discovery was made by researchers from the National Technical University of Athens who worked to restore the Edicule shrine, which houses the tomb, at Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Experts took samples of mortar from various locations within the Edicule back in 2016 with the results, as first reported by National Geographic, only now becoming public. The earliest architectural evidence found in and around the tomb complex until now dates to the era of the Crusades. This would make it no older than 1,000 years, aligning with the church's total destruction and subsequent rebuilding in 1009 AD. But the Athens' teams dating suggests that the Edicule is a much older structure. Speaking to National Geographic, Antonia Moropoulou, who directed the Edicule restoration project, said: 'It is interesting how [these] mortars not only provide evidence for the earliest shrine on the site, but also confirm the historical construction sequence of the Edicule.' When the first Holy Roman Emperor Constantine sent representatives of the church to Jerusalem to locate the tomb in around 325 AD, they were directed by people in the region to a Roman temple built 200 years previously. This was destroyed and the tomb was discovered beneath, carved into a limestone cave. Constantine ordered that the interior of the tomb be revealed and the Edicule was built around it. The tomb itself features a long shelf, or burial bed, which Christian tradition says is where Jesus was laid to rest, following his crucifixion. This is surrounded by a marble covering, thought to have been installed at a much later date, potentially as late as 1555 AD. The finding ties in to historical accounts that the first Christian Roman emperor, Constantine, ordered the tomb be enshrined in a new church. Constantine took this decision after his envoys discovered the tomb beneath an older temple, dedicated to the goddess Venus, in around 326 AD. This image shows worshippers at the church The tomb is surrounded by a marble covering, thought to have been installed at a much later date, potentially as late as 1555 AD. When the marble cladding was opened on October 26, 2016, an older slab of marble was found resting on top of the original limestone surface of the burial bed (pictured) The mortar tested was taken from between this limestone surface and the slab of marble on top of it, which is marked with a cross cut into it. Experts determined that this older marble was installed around the 4th Century AD, lending credence to the Christian timeline of events But when the marble cladding was opened on October 26, 2016, during restoration work to the Edicule, an older slab of marble was found resting on top of the original limestone surface of the burial bed. The mortar tested was taken from between this limestone surface and the slab of marble on top of it, which is marked with a cross cut into it. Experts determined that this older marble was installed around the 4th Century AD, lending credence to the Christian timeline of events. DOES THIS PROVE THE TOMB BELONGED TO JESUS? The new dating of the mortar does tie in with Christian accounts of the discovery of the tomb by representatives of the first Holy Roman Emperor Constantine It is impossible to tell from dating methods alone whether the tomb contained the body of the Jewish man known as Jesus of Nazareth. The presence of a burial bed does fit with the funeral traditions of wealthy Jews in Jerusalem during the 1st Century AD. The New Testament places the death of Jesus around 30 to 33 AD. The new dating of the mortar does tie in with Christian accounts of the discovery of the tomb by representatives of the first Holy Roman Emperor Constantine. Mortar found between the burial bed and its marble slab covering being aged to the 4th Century matches up with this timeframe. Removing the cover from the burial bed could theoretically provide more clues as to its occupant, but this would be seen as sacrilegious by many Christians. The New Testament also states that the body of Jesus disappeared from its final resting place, resurrected to heaven to be by God's side. Women who came to anoint his body three days after the burial reported that no remains were present. Advertisement Scientists also dated the surrounding limestone tomb using two brick samples taken from the structure. Mortar samples from remains of the cave's southern wall were dated to 335 and 1570 AD. Researchers used a technique known as optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) to make their finding. The method allows scientists to date ancient stone by measuring when sediment was most recently exposed to light. Some believed the tomb was no older than 1,000 years, aligning with the church's total destruction and subsequent rebuilding in 1009 AD. But the Athens' teams dating suggests that the Edicule is a much older structure. A Greek priest stands inside the renovated Edicule on Monday, Mar 20, 2017 Scientists also dated the surrounding limestone tomb using two brick samples taken from the structure. Mortar samples from remains of the cave's southern wall were dated to 335 and 1570 AD. A Greek priest stands by a window into the burial chamber of Jesus' tomb for pilgrims to see what is believed to be the original stone wall of the burial cave Researchers used a technique known as optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) to make their finding. The method allows scientists to date ancient stone by measuring when sediment was most recently exposed to light. The faithful visit the renovated Edicule When sediments are buried or blocked from sunlight, natural background radiation results in energy being stored in minerals such as quartz. If the mineral grains are not exposed to light the energy builds up and represents the amount of time since their burial. Scientists can then measure the stored energy in the laboratory and pinpoint when the layers of mortar last saw sunlight. The full findings will be explored in the documentary Secrets of Christs Tomb, which will be shown on the National Geographic Channel in the UK on December 25th at 9pm. Earlier this year, further work was undertaken to restore the historic site. HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE Christian tradition says Christ's body was laid on a slab cut from a limestone cave after his crucifixion by the Romans more than two thousand years ago, shown in this painting by Friedrich Overbeck Christian tradition says Christ's body was laid on a slab cut from a limestone cave after his crucifixion by the Romans. The burial slab was enclosed in a structure known as the Edicule a word derived from the Latin term aedicule meaning 'little house'. An ornate structure with hanging oil lamps, columns and oversize candlesticks, the Edicule was erected above the spot where Christian tradition says Jesus' body was anointed, wrapped in cloth and buried before his resurrection. Jewish tradition forbade burial within the walls of a city, and the Gospels specify that Jesus was buried outside of Jerusalem, near the site of his crucifixion on Golgotha, also known as 'the place of skulls'. However, soon after the burial, the walls of Jerusalem were expanded, putting Golgotha and the nearby tomb within the city itself. According to Eusebius of Caesarea, the Roman emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD built a temple dedicated to the goddess Aphrodite in order to bury the cave in which Jesus had been buried, and assert the dominance of Roman state religion. The first Christian emperor, Constantine the Great, ordered in 325 that the temple be replaced by a church. When his representatives arrived in Jerusalem to attempt to locate the tomb, they were sent to the temple built by Hadrian 200 years earlier. The Roman temple was razed and excavations beneath it revealed a rock-cut tomb. The top of the cave was sheared off to expose the interior, and a church was built around it to enclose the tomb. During the building of the Church, Constantine's mother Helena claimed to have rediscovered the 'true cross'. It is claimed that she found three crosses she tested each by having it held over a corpse and when the corpse rose up under one, that was the true cross. The church was then completely destroyed by in 1009 by the Fatmid Caliph Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, known as the 'mad Caliph' or 'Nero of Islam' in a bid to destroy Christian sites. What and where: A floor plan of Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre, with the Edicule chamber marked in red on the left It was then rebuilt once again in the mid-11th century, when an agreement was reached between the Fatimids and the Byzantine Empire in 10278. The rebuilding was finally completed with the financing at a huge expense by Emperor Constantine IX Monomachos and Patriarch Nicephorus of Constantinople in 1048. The rebuilt church site consisted of 'a court open to the sky, with five small chapels attached to it'. A 12th-century restoration by the Crusaders gave the Holy Sepulchre its current appearance, while in 1808 a fire all but destroyed the Edicule. In 1852, the Ottoman authorities then governing the Holy Land provided a framework for resolving disputes inside the church. This picture shows workers removing the top of the tomb of Jesus Christ in the Church of Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. The burial slab was enclosed in a structure known as the Edicule a word derived from the Latin term aedicule meaning 'little house This picture shows the restored tomb after renovation work was completed It was last reconstructed in the early 19th century after a fire destroyed it but repairs are long overdue as the structure was damaged in an earthquake in 1927. Excavations inside of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre during the 20th century revealed remains of what is believed to be Hadrian's temple and walls from Constantine's original church. Archaeologists also found an ancient limestone quarry and at least half a dozen other rock-cut tombs, some of which can be seen today. Advertisement Just in time for Easter, a Greek team completed a renovation of the Edicule. Restorers cut a small window from the shrine's marble walls for pilgrims to see - for the first time - the bare stone of the ancient burial cave. Gone was the unsightly iron cage built around the shrine by British authorities in 1947 to shore up the walls and the black soot on the shrine's stone facade from decades of pilgrims lighting candles. And gone were fears about the stability of the old shrine, which hadn't been restored in more than 200 years. 'If this intervention hadn't happened now, there is a very great risk that there could have been a collapse,' Bonnie Burnham of the World Monuments Fund said. 'This is a complete transformation of the monument.' The fund provided an initial $1.4 million (1 million) for the $4 million (3 million) restoration, thanks to a donation by the widow of the founder of Atlantic Records. The discovery was made by researchers from the National Technical University of Athens who worked to restore the Edicule shrine, which houses the tomb, gazed at here by worshippers Christian tradition says Christ's body was laid on a slab cut from a limestone cave after his crucifixion by the Romans. The burial slab was enclosed in a structure known as the Edicule a word derived from the Latin term aedicule meaning 'little house'. This image shows the church packed for an Easter Orthodox ceremony on April 15, 2017 Christian pilgrims pray inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalems Old City during the Good Friday celebrations on April 14, 2017 Scaffolding inside the Edicule of the TombRestoration Of The Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem, Israel in an image capture in 2016 Construction materials date to Roman times, suggesting the original holy site's legacy has survived despite its destruction 1,000 years ago Speaking to National Geographic, Antonia Moropoulou, who directed the Edicule restoration project, said: 'It is interesting how [these] mortars not only provide evidence for the earliest shrine on the site, but also confirm the historical construction sequence of the Edicule' The Romans are said to have torn down a temple in Jerusalem where they found the cave that they believed to be his burial site. They then built a shrine (pictured are images inside the shrine) Scientists dated the age of the tomb using two brick samples taken from the structure. Shown here are builders restoring the site The Today show went inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The tomb is the size of a coat closet, and was open for just 60 hours while restoration work was also carried out The shrine that is believed to house the burial place of Jesus Christ underwent restoration inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre To date the tomb, from the National Technical University of Athens looked at radioactive elements in the architectural glue that fit it together. Shown hereis scaffolding inside the Edicule of the Tomb Restoration Of The Holy Sepulchre Shown here is scaffolding inside the Edicule of the TombRestoration Of The Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem, Israel in 2016. The limestone and marble structure stands at the centre of the Church Jordan's King Abdullah II and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also chipped in about 150,000 euros (135,000 / $178,000) each, along with other private and church donations. The limestone and marble structure stands at the centre of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, one of the world's oldest churches - a 12th-century building standing on 4th-century remains. The shrine needed urgent attention after years of exposure to environmental factors like water, humidity and candle smoke. Three main Christian denominations jealously guard separate sections of the church, but they put aside their longstanding religious rivalries to give their blessing for the restoration. In 2015, Israeli police briefly shut down the building after Israel's Antiquities Authority deemed it unsafe, and repairs began in June 2016. A restoration team from the National Technical University of Athens stripped the stone slabs from the shrine's facade and patched up the internal masonry of the shrine, injecting it with tubes of grout for reinforcement. THE BURIAL SLAB WHERE CHRIST'S BODY WAS LAID Christian tradition says Christ's body was laid on a slab cut from a limestone cave after his crucifixion by the Romans more than two thousand years ago. The burial slab was enclosed in a structure known as the Edicule a word derived from the Latin term aedicule meaning 'little house.' The burial slab (pictured being revealed from its marble case) many Christians believe once held the body of Jesus Christ has been uncovered by scientists for the first time in centuries. The original surface, partially shown in this picture, was exposed during restoration work at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem An ornate structure with hanging oil lamps, columns and oversize candlesticks, the Edicule was erected above the spot where Christian tradition says Jesus' body was anointed, wrapped in cloth and buried before his resurrection. It stands a few hundred yards from the site of Jesus' crucifixion. With its stone staircases, gilded ornamentation and many dark chambers, the church is one of Christianity's holiest shrines. Advertisement Each stone slab was cleaned of candle soot and pigeon droppings, then put back in place. Titanium bolts were inserted into the structure for reinforcement, and frescos and the shrine's painted dome were given a face-lift. The restorers also made some discoveries. On October 26, the team entered the inner sanctum of the shrine, the burial chamber of Jesus, and temporarily slid open an old marble layer covering the bedrock where Jesus' body is said to have been placed. Below the outer marble layer was a white rose marble slab engraved with a cross, which the team dated to the late Crusader period of the 14th century. Beneath that marble slab was an even older, grey marble slab protecting the bedrock, and mortar on the slab dates to the 4th century, when Roman Emperor Constantine ordered the Church of the Holy Sepulcher built. The restorers cut a small window from the shrine's marble walls for pilgrims to see - for the first time - the bare stone of the ancient burial cave. 'It seems we are in front of levels of history that are validated,' said Antonia Moropoulou, who supervised the renovation. The shrine needed urgent attention after years of exposure to environmental factors like water, humidity and candle smoke. Three main Christian denominations jealously guard separate sections of the church, but they put aside their longstanding religious rivalries to give their blessing for the restoration. The renovated Edicule is seen in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, traditionally believed to be the site of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, in Jerusalem's old city Monday, Mar. 20, 2017. A Greek restoration team has completed a historic renovation of the Edicule Concern for the church's stability brought Christian denominations together, and Moropoulou hopes it ushers in a 'new era' of cooperation. She hopes the communities will make some changes in longstanding customs inside the church, like pilgrims smashing their lit candles onto the Edicule's stone wall, so the structure is not compromised. Now, money is being raised for another round of restorations - consolidating drainage and sewage pipes underground, around the tomb, to stabilize its foundations - so renovations won't be needed for years to come. 'Here is a monument that has been worshipped through the centuries, and will be worshipped forever,' said Moropoulou. Researchers have discovered a previously unrecognized genus of extinct horses that roamed North America during the last ice age. The study on the thin-limbed, lightly built horses was based on an analysis of ancient DNA from fossils. Before the study, the researchers thought the horse was related to the Asiatic wild ass, or another separate species belonging to the same genus as horses However, the new results reveal that these horses were not closely related to any living population of horses. The study on the thin-limbed, lightly built horses was based on an analysis of ancient DNA from fossils. This illustration depicts a family of stilt-legged horses (Haringtonhippus francisci) in Yukon, Canada, during the last ice age THE STILT-LEGGED HORSE - NOT REALLY A HORSE AFTER ALL The extinct stilt-legged horse was first described by paleontologist Richard Harrington in the early 1970s. The species, recently named Haringtonhippus francisci, was thin-limbed, lightly built and had narrow hooves. Researchers thought the horse was related to the Asiatic wild ass, or another separate species belonging to the same genus as horses. However, a new study revealed that these horses were not closely related to any living population of horses. An analysis of ancient DNA from Haringtonhippus francisci fossils showed that the stilt-legged horses were much more distinct than previously thought and don't belong to the genus Equus, so a new genus was named for it - Haringtonhippus. Advertisement The study, conducted by an international team of researchers, involved analyzing the DNA from fossils of the 'New World stilt-legged horse.' The fossils were excavated from sites including the Natural Trap Cave in Wyoming, Gypsum Cave in Nevada, and the Klondlike goldfields of Canada's Yukon territory. The stilt-legged horses were though to be a species within the genus Equus, which includes living horses, asses, and zebras. The new study however showed that these extinct horses with narrow hooves, named Haringtonhippus francisci, are not closely related to any horses living today. The researchers say that the extinct North American horse seems to have diverged from the main trunk of the family tree leading to the Equus genus some 4 to 6 million years ago. 'The horse family, thanks to its rich and deep fossil record, has been a model system for understanding and teaching evolution,' said first author of the study Peter Heintzman, who led the study as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California, Santa Cruz. 'Now ancient DNA has rewritten the evolutionary history of this iconic group,' 'The evolutionary distance between the extinct stilt-legged horses and all living horses took us by surprise, but it presented us with an exciting opportunity to name a new genus of horse,' said senior author Beth Shapiro, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at UC Santa Cruz. Two skulls of the new genus Haringtonhippus from Nevada (upper) and Texas (lower). Coauthor Eric Scott, a paleontologist at California State University San Bernardino, said that morphologically, the fossils of Haringtonhippus are not all that different from those of Equus Coauthor Eric Scott, a paleontologist at California State University San Bernardino, said that morphologically, the fossils of Haringtonhippus are not all that different from those of Equus. 'But the DNA tells a fascinatingly different story altogether' he said. 'That's what is so impressive about these findings. 'It took getting down to the molecular level to discern this new genus.' The findings show that the species was widespread and successful throughout much of North America, living alongside populations of Equus, but not interbreeding with them. In the North of Canada, Haringtonhippus survived until about 17,000 years ago - more than 19,000 years later than previously thought for this region. The geographic distribution of Haringtonhippus francisci. Blue circles are east Beringian localities. Red circles are contiguous USA localities. Orange circles are localities with tentatively assigned Haringtonhippus specimens only. The green-star-labeled HT is the locality of the francisci holotype - a single specimen upon which the description of a species is based - in Wharton County, Texas, USA At the end of the last ice age, both horse groups became extinct in Northern America, along with other large animals like woolly mammoths and saber-toothed cats. Although the Equus survived in Eurasia after the last ice age which eventually led to domestic horses, the stilt-legged Haringtonhippus was an evolutionary dead end. The research team named the horse after Richard Harrington, emeritus curator of Quaternary Paleontology at the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa. Harrington, who was not involved with the study, studied the ice age fossils of Canada's North and first described the stilt-legged horses in the early 1970s. 'I had been curious for many years concerning the identity of two horse metatarsal bones I collected, one from Klondike, Yukon, and the other from Lock Chicken Creek, Alaska,' said Harrington. Before the study, the researchers thought the horse was related to the Asiatic wild ass, or another separate species belonging to the same genus as horses. However, the new results reveal that these horses were not closely related to any living population of horses 'They looked like those of modern Asiatic kiangs (wild ass), but thanks to the research of my esteemed colleagues they are now known to belong to a new genus. 'I am delighted to have this new genus named after me.' 'We are very pleased to name this new horse genus after our friend and colleague Dick Harington,' said coauthor Grant Zazula, a Government of Yukon paleontologist. 'There is no other scientist who has had greater impact in the field of ice age paleontology in Canada than Dick. 'Our research on fossils such as these horses would not be possible without Dick's life-long dedication to working closely with the Klondike gold miners and local First Nations communities in Canada's North.' Advertisement ESA is looking to harness new high-altitude aircraft that bridge the gap between drones and satellites, to observe Earth from miles above the surface without leaving our atmosphere. These pseudo-satellites could maintain their position for weeks on end, allowing for continuous coverage from above the cloud tops. Aerospace firms are working on diverse concepts to bring the idea to life, including Airbuss solar-powered Zephyr craft, which broke world records after a 14-day flight in 2010, and Thales Alenia Spaces blimp-like Stratobus. Scroll down for video ESA is looking to harness new high-altitude aircraft that bridge the gap between drones and satellites, to observe Earth from miles above the surface without leaving our atmosphere. These pseudo-satellites could maintain their position for weeks on end. A concept photo is pictured AIRBUS' ZEPHYR-S The Zephyr S has been built by Airbus Defence and Space engineers. It is powered by the sun during the day, which also recharges its lithium-sulphur batteries to power it by night. Its huge 22.5m wingspan means it can be launched by four military personnel on their shoulders. The psuedo-satellite can fly at more than 70,000ft twice the altitude of a commercial airliner. British military forces will use the high-tech aircraft to monitor targets on the ground from anywhere in the world. Advertisement High Altitude Pseudo-Satellites (HAPS) would work best at an altitude of roughly 20 km (12.4 miles). This region is about 10 km above where commercial airliners fly, and leaves clouds and jet streams below, and out of the way. According to ESA, the craft could monitor the surface from the ground to the horizon 500 km away. As they would not be subjected to high wind speeds, the HAPS could maintain their position for weeks or months at a time. For Earth observation, they could provide prolonged high-resolution coverage for priority regions, while for navigation and telecoms they could shrink blind spots in coverage and combine wide bandwidth with negligible signal delay, said future-systems specialist Antonio Ciccolella. ESA is looking into how these various domains can be best brought together. Several European companies have been working on their own HAPS systems. High Altitude Pseudo-Satellites (HAPS) would work best at an altitude of roughly 20 km (12.4 miles). Airbus Zephyr-S could carry small payloads for three months at a time, while the larger Zephyr-T could carry bigger payloads. The firm broke a record in 2010 after the Zephyr achieved 14-day continuous flight Aerospace firms are working on diverse concepts to bring the idea to life, including Airbuss solar-powered Zephyr craft and Thales Alenia Spaces blimp-like Stratobus (pictured above, in an artist's impression) And, ESA is working to investigate the potential of these types of craft. Airbus Zephyr-S could carry small payloads for three months at a time, while the larger Zephyr-T could carry bigger payloads. Thales Alenia Spaces Stratobus, which is set to take its first flight in 2021, can carry payloads up to 250 kg, and uses electric engines to fly against the breeze. Just last month, over 200 HAPS experts met in Europe to discuss the technology. As they would not be subjected to high wind speeds, ESA says the HAPS could maintain their position for weeks or months at a time. The record-breaking Zephyr is pictured Weve been looking into the concept for the last 20 years but now finally its becoming, said Earth observation specialist Thorsten Fehr. Thats come about through the maturing of key technologies: miniaturized avionics, high-performance solar cells, lightweight batteries and harness, miniaturization of Earth observation sensors and high-bandwidth communication links that can deliver competitively priced services. The craft could be used for precise monitoring and even surveillance, according to ESA. Theres obvious potential for emergency response, said navigation engineer Roberto Prieto Cerderia. Thales Alenia Spaces Stratobus, which is set to take its first flight in 2021, can carry payloads up to 250 kg, and uses electric engines to fly against the breeze 'STRATOBUS,' THE DRONE-SATELLITE HYBRID Thales recently announced the kick-off of its Stratobus researcher and development project, in which they received 17 million euros to cover a 24-development phase Called Stratobus, this 100-meter-long autonomous blimp is describes as a mix 'between a drone and a satellite'. Thales Alenia Space is designing this ship for both civil and military applications, with a focus on surveillance and environmental management. Solar panels are spread over the top of this high-tech autonomous blimp, which generate power for the electric propulsion system, reports RT.com. This system will allow the ship to maintain a stable position in wind gusts up to 90 km/h, in which it uses two electric motors on either side to keep it in position. Stratobus can hover 20 kilometres in the air, which allows for a view range of about 500 kilometres, over its theater of operations and in the lower layer of the stratosphere, which offers sufficient density to provide lift for the balloon. It will also soar high into the stratosphere, reaching altitudes of 20,000 meters. The plan is for this ship to carry out arrange of missions including surveillance of borders or high-value sites, on land or at sea, security, environmental monitoring and telecommunications. Stratobus has an operational lifespan of five-years and only needs ground maintenance just a few days a year. The ship can hold up into a 40-foot container for easy storage and transportation. Advertisement They could also be employed semi-permanently, perhaps extending satnav coverage into high, narrow valleys and cities. HAPS could work in support of existing satellites, and pave the way for other space technologies through high-altitude flight tests. Once demonstrated, the experts say they could be efficient and cost effective. We have to fly them, said Alvaro Rodriguez of the EUs Satellite Center. The technology is there, all the ingredients are there, now its time to mix them into a nice recipe. From Day of the Dead celebrations to everyday experiences, this is the Mexico you don't see on TV Sweet Dreams is an insightful new photobook from the London photography collective Tripod City Advertisement A toddler in a wrestling mask. A dog in a skeleton outfit. A scary demon. It would be easy to dismiss Mexican photobook Sweet Dreams as just another look at the Day of the Dead festival. But the images, taken by a trio of photographers, cut a lot deeper than just people in funny costumes. They capture the everyday experiences, love and death of regular people living and working in Mexico with sensitivity and style. A woman in Guadalajara takes time out to make a phone call and is captured by Chris Lee of Tripod City Tripod City captured both the everyday and the extraordinary in their month long shoot in Mexico. On the left, a man stops for a portrait shot in Mexico City. On the right, a more traditional Day of the Dead celebration in the village of Soledad Etla in Oaxaca British photographers Charlie Kwai, Chris Lee and Paul Storrie are otherwise known as Tripod City, a trio who travel the world to document different cultures. Their work explores the difference between cultural stereotypes and reality. After projects in Asia and India, the photographers headed to Mexico to explore beyond the preconceptions that many have about the country. Charlie Kwai said: 'We found Mexico to be a truly welcoming, charismatic and passionate country, based on the people we met and photographed. Any place weve visited has almost certainly been different to what was expected. 'There is no amount of research or planning that can be done to preempt this experience of a place. Our work is about challenging this, which is why we try to visit a place without preconceived ideas.' The trio, who are all based in London, spent most of their time in Mexico City in the lead up to the Day of the Dead ceremony in October 2016. This Mexican City street shot could almost be a scene posed for a modern day painting The photographers struck up conversations with people they stopped for portraits in Mexico City. On the right is a stunning monument to the Day of the Dead celebration This scene is Chris Lee's favourite shot of the shoot. He said: 'For me it encapsulates the passing on of tradition and Mexican identity' Batman waits with his child during San Andres Mixquic's Day of the Dead celebrations The trio focused on love and death in the city, snapping intimate moments between couples and parents and children as everyday life swirled around them. Kwai said: 'Street photography is spontaneous and unexpected, all about embracing the moment as and when it presents itself. We focus on photographing people across as much of the country as we can, capturing an honest, diverse representation of daily life. 'Sweet Dreams explores themes of love, life and death, inspired by the warmth and compassion that we experienced everywhere we went. We purposefully wanted a title that left things open to the imagination, but for us, Sweet Dreams represents affection, desire and sentimentality.' The photography trio captured everyday moments on the streets of Xalapa in Mexico Young love: Sweet Dreams is about love as well as death in Mexico and the team saw no shortage of tender moments on their travels Love is in the air everywhere in Mexico City. These ladies stopped for a quick pose for Sweet Dreams Kwai said: 'I get up close and personal to capture fleeting moments with energy and drama' Everyone gets in on the dressing up in Mexico City Tripod City mix shots captured on the fly with careful portrait shots. Each of the photographers shoots in a different style. Kwai said: 'I get up close and personal to capture fleeting moments with energy and drama. Chris keeps a distance between himself and his subjects, framing people in their natural environment, like characters on a stage. 'Paul engages directly with people, composing portraits that give his subjects a platform to present themselves to the camera.' Kwai and his partners found no end of willing subjects in their travels. He said: 'People were generally very relaxed and easy-going about having their picture taken. The candid moments either went unnoticed or sparked up interesting conversations about who we were and why we were in Mexico.' After spending time in Mexico City, the trio headed out to smaller villages to capture a more rural side of Mexico. Kwai said: 'We were initially in Mexico City in the lead up to Day of the Dead festival and regularly visited the Zocalo where festivities were brewing. 'On the the day itself, there was a huge parade, where hundreds of people were dressed up in some really inventive costumes. It was clear to us at the time that Mexico takes dressing up to a whole new level, however this was apparently their first ever major parade in the centre of Mexico City, which we assumed had been happening for years. 'Following that, we went to a village called San Andres Mixquic where in contrast we got to witness more of the traditional, sentimental and sombre side to Day of the Dead, visiting the local cemetery and people's homes to see their private altars or "Ofrendas" that commemorate the deceased. 'In another village called Soledad Etla in Oaxaca we happened to arrive at a time when there was a big party that evening where the whole village dress up in some crazy outfits and parade around town with a big brass band.' This skeleton dog shot from Mexico City is Charlie Kwai's favourite shot. He said: 'The skeleton dog embodies everything that is Sweet Dreams for me. Hes dead and alive at the same time and clearly living the dream doing it' The photographers kept an eye out for stunning street style across the country to challenge preconceived ideas about Mexicans. Storrie found this snappily dressed gentleman on the streets of Mexico City (left). On the right is an example of colourful street fashion on the streets of Guadalajara Monsters Inc: Dressing up takes all forms as Mexico City celebrated the Day of the Dead on October 2016 Sticking to the streets and taking in the variety of life around you is certainly Tripod City's magic formula when it comes to captivating shoots and Kwai recommends doing the same as a tourist Here Tripod City has captured two love-struck youngsters by a tree - with a young woman nearby looking across at them Paul Storrie 'engages directly with people, composing portraits that give his subjects a platform to present themselves to the camera'. The book, says Tripod City, is an 'optimistic fairy tale' The month long shoot certainly threw up plenty for the team to photograph. Kwai said: 'Sweet Dreams is an optimistic fairy tale that embraces love and death simultaneously. The skeleton dog embodies everything that is Sweet Dreams for me. Hes dead and alive at the same time and clearly living the dream doing it. Photographs that leave enough room to wonder why is what I love the most. I think this one does that.' His partner Chris Lee said: 'My favourite photograph is of the little girl dressed as a skeleton in a pink dress surround by her family. It was taken on Day of the Dead at the main Zocalo in Mexico City, and for me it encapsulates the passing on of tradition and Mexican identity. I was particularly attracted to how the truck behind them removes context from the situation, focusing on the people and what they are doing.' Sticking to the streets and taking in the variety of life around you is certainly Tripod City's magic formula when it comes to captivating shoots and Kwai recommends doing the same as a tourist. He said: 'Immerse yourself in the culture, learn a bit of Spanish and experience life among the locals on the streets. There is so much to see and experience beyond the usual tourist attractions.' Sweet Dreams by Tripod City will be available to buy from the end of the year. It costs 40 (+P&P) and is available to pre-order at www.tripodcity.co.uk . Tripod City mix street scenes with posed shots to reveal a multifaceted Mexico full of character. In Soledad Etla in Oaxaca the team found that the whole village dressed up for the annual celebration of death (right) The photography team captured the first big Day of the Dead parade in Mexico City Outside of the capital, Tripod City captured an older way of life. In San Andres Mixquic Charlie Kwai shot some of the Ofrendas that commemorate the deceased A colourful shrine in Veracruz City was shot by Tripod City's Chris Lee Getting it to go: Mexico City was full of beautiful fleeting moments for Charlie Kwai A man stares down the London team's camera in Guanajuato, Mexico Tripod City spot everyday scenes that make stunning photographs. This woman was snapped by Chris Lee in Mexico City Pretty in pink: This young girl was discovered in Oaxaca City by the Sweet Dreams team Once the doors are shut and the aircraft takes off, airline passengers have no option - obviously - but to stay on the plane until it lands at its destination. And for most people, the destination where they land is exactly the place they were hoping to travel to. But sometimes technical errors, not listening to airport announcements and even being plagued with jetlag can lead to passengers boarding the wrong plane. And internet users have been revealing the horrifying moment they realised they had got on a flight to the wrong destination - with some noticing with just minutes to spare, while others had to take a massive detour. Air passengers have been revealing in a thread on Quora the moment they realised they were on the wrong flight The revelations came after a thread was started on Quora asking frequent flyers if they had ever boarded the wrong plane. And one man replying to the discussion revealed how he only realised he was on the wrong flight when the aircraft started descending earlier than was expected. Christopher Willis wrote: 'I'm not hard of hearing but just don't understand words too well. 'They were boarding two United regional jets at the same time from the same gate in O'Hare. I handed my pass to the gate agent on the tarmac and he pointed to the left plane. 'I got onboard and promptly zoned out- it was my fourth transcontinental in five days. I never understand what the flight attendants say on the overhead announcements and didn't realise anything was wrong until we began descending WAY too early. 'Instead of Greensboro, North Carolina, I landed in Moline, Illinois' While another passenger Mikkel Duif revealed he only discovered something was amiss when he ended up at the wrong destination. He wanted to go to Bahrain, but ended up in Kuwait. He said: 'After a bit of confusion when suddenly landing in Kuwait, I found out that I actually boarded the right plane, it just went to the wrong destination! 'Ten hours later I was at my correct destination in Bahrain. But missed my connection.' While Jonathan Lamberton revealed a gate mix-up meant he ended up at the wrong destination. Some passengers were able to realise their error and grab their bags before the plane took off (file picture) He wrote: 'Happened to me! Boarded the wrong flight at St Louis airport. 'This was in the commuter flights area where there were A and B gates at each gate. I ended up in Iowa instead of Alabama.' But luckily for the other passengers replying to the thread, they realised their mistake before the plane doors were closed. Nicholas Corwin nearly ended up communist Russia rather than London on a flight from Athens. He explained: 'We boarded the plane and took our seats. My mother, who had been quarreling badly with my father, was rather upset and distracted and hence didnt have any situational awareness. 'While she busied herself with a book, I was looking around, and since even at this tender age I was already a fairly experienced air traveler, I soon noticed that a number of details were amiss. 'Finally, I caught the attention of one of the flight attendants. In very broken English, she managed to convey that the plane was most definitely not flying to England, but rather to some communist bloc destination. 'She hustled us off the plane right before the doors closed. The correct flight was a couple of gates away.' A mix-up with the name of the destination, meanwhile, meant that Jeff Coveney almost ended up in Austin rather than Boston. Even pilots replied to the thread, with one admitting he only realised he was on the wrong plane during pre-flight checks He said: 'A few years ago, I was taking a red eye United flight from Las Vegas to Boston via Newark. Upon arrival in Newark about 6am, I was a little foggy and walked to the area with the flight leaving to Boston and boarded. 'About 10 or 15 minutes later, I was woken up by the the flight attendant calling me by name. She said the flight I was on was going to Austin not Boston. 'I got off the plane just in time but had missed my connection. I had to wait another few hours to catch another flight to Boston but at least I didnt have to take a trip across the country and back again.' But it's not just passengers who have made the mistake. Pilots have done it, too. Pilot Jimmy K. Walton admitted boarding the wrong flight several times. He said: 'I had done the preflight and sat down to fly somewhere when I noticed the flight plan had a different tail number than the aircraft. 'But the most embarrassing one was when I got my flight plan paperwork (its all iPad now), strolled passed the gate agents, into the plane, passed the number one flight attendant into the cockpit to see two other pilots looking back at me from the pilot seats. 'My flight was one gate over well, you know, they all look the same from the outside!' Some destinations have so much hype around them, that you can be convinced that you will enjoy the place - before you even get there. However, dozens of tourists have taken to a forum to complain about the times when the hype, for them, was not justified. In the slightest. One has described Los Angeles as a 'pit', another said Paris is a 'dirty tourist trap' and Stone Henge, considered by some to be one of the world's most archaeologically important structures, was simply 'just some rocks' for one visitor. The view over downtown Los Angeles, which has been described by one traveller as a 'pit' The discussion came after Reddit user ILikeNiceDiscussions posted on the forum asking: 'Travellers of Reddit, what place did NOT live up to the hype?' And the question got hundreds of responses from disappointed people who had bad travelling experiences. One of the first places mentioned was Jamaica, with cyborgratchet saying the resort of Montego Bay did not live up to the hype. They wrote: 'Everything looked like it was about to fall apart, and there was garbage everywhere. One traveller said that The Bahamas, pictured, was dirty and that everyone 'just got drunk' 'People who say they enjoy Jamaica only do so because they stay in a resort. I drove by one of those resorts and it looks like a military compound from the outside.' The Bahamas was also panned by travellers, especially catching_signals, who said the islands weren't what he was expecting when he visited on a cruise. He wrote: 'When I visited, they dropped us off in an industrial area where there were just some shops and the beach was dirty. Everyone just goes to the Senor Frog's and gets drunk. 'You're pressured to buy trinkets and s** you don't want. There are a lot of con artists looking for money from cruise passengers; we had one follow us around asking for a "donation for the school" which was surely bulls***.' Los Angeles also got a bad rap from travellers with Mace55555 branding it a 'f***ing pit'. Some tourists were left unimpressed by French capital Paris, with one calling it a 'tourist trap' While another traveller added: 'Los Angeles is like someone took a can of New York City and shook it up and dumped it out all over a shag rug. 'In New York you'd just hop in the can and be surrounded by awesome. In Los Angeles you have to pick the fun out of the rug and piece it together.' Fellow US city Memphis also rated badly, with good_at_life saying his visit left him wondering about the hype. He wrote: 'I went for the blues music and southern food. Crime ridden, s*** hole of a city. It was very disappointing.' For many, meanwhile, Fiji is the ultimate paradise - but dingu-malingu did not agree. He told the forum: 'I'm not a resort kind of person, I like hostels and restaurants that actually feature the local food. This was a huge mistake in Fiji.' A visitor to Stonehenge was left distinctly unimpressed and could only describe it as 'some rocks in a field' And in Europe, Paris was slated by many travellers, including NotRlyMrD, who was left unimpressed by the French capital. They explained: 'It's a tourist trap, overpriced, overlightened, dirty, and not safe. Not to mention I got there straight from Amsterdam and that was amazing.' But it wasn't just countries and cities that were mentioned in the thread, with some tourist attractions also criticised. ActuallyJack wrote: 'The White House is honestly just really underwhelming.' While Jlapp added: 'Stonehenge - It's just some rocks in a field. Even the audio tour was a lot of "we don't really know much about this but here it is". 'Don't bother, just look at a picture on the Internet and you've accomplished everything you can seeing it in real life.' Many a drunken reveller has fallen asleep on the train forcing them into a lengthy and expensive journey home after missing their stop. But help is at hand. For those who live in Tokyo, anyway. Transport bosses there have decided to help party-goers who nod off by chartering buses to take worse-for-wear passengers who find themselves stranded at the end of a train line back towards the city. The 'oversleeping rescue bus' that will take drunken revellers who have missed their train stop back into the city For the fourth year running, the 'oversleeping rescue bus' is being organised by Nishi Tokyo Bus to coincide with the height of end-of-year drinking parties in Japan. The bus will be waiting at the end of the JR Chuo train line, which connects the centre of the Japanese capital with the western suburbs, for those who have snoozed on the last train. That's because the station at the end of the line is Takao, which is in the foothills of a mountainous region, and has few transport links. There, the rescue bus will pick up sleepy passengers and take them to Hachioji, a more developed neighbourhood, with places where workers can pay for a hotel until morning, according to Rocket News. The bus is set to run in the early hours of December 9, 16 and 23 and costs passengers 880 yen (6). Passengers wait for trains at a Tokyo station. It is coming up to the height of Japan's end-of-year drinking parties Last year, the bus carried a total of 75 passengers on its three days in operation and even took 32 people back to Hachioji on its busiest night. But one thing is for sure, anybody wanting to catch the rescue bus can pretty much guarantee it will leave on time - as Japan is renowned for its punctuality. Earlier this month, a Japanese railway operator issued a deep apology for the 'tremendous nuisance' caused by a train departing 20 seconds late - despite having received no complaints. She was formerly known as a Strictly siren - but Ola Jordan hasn't lost any of her sizzling star quality. The professional dancer turns up the heat for a new topless beach picture that certainly sets the tone for the rest of her 2018 calendar. Dressed in little more than a wet vest, the 35-year-old highlights her sensationally slender dancer's frame as she smolders into the distance on a picturesque beach. Scroll down for video Sizzling! Ola Jordan, 35, highlighted her sensationally slender dancer's frame for a revealing ensemble in her 2018 calendar shoot The scantily-clad dance professional showcased her ample chest in a see-through tank vest, which is wrapped against her midsection - showing off her taut abs. While Ola's leggy pins were hidden in an ocean, she appeared to display her natural beauty in minimal makeup - merely enhanced with sultry lashes and a hint of bronzer. This image joins a host of sexy images taken from the calendar - which will undoubtedly prove to be a fan favourite. Ola has always been candid about showing off her body, as well as discussing her figure and her sex life with fellow former Strictly star husband James Jordan. In her element: In another image, released last month from her 2018 calendar, the blonde bombshell poses completely naked The images were released shortly before the star prepares for her dance tour with husband James, 39, set to take place from March until April next year. The tour, James And Ola: Uncensored, will centre on their romantic story, as they celebrate 18 years as dance partners. Due to kick off in Blackpool, the couple will hit the stage in a number of cities, including Birmingham, Manchester and London, before ending their tour in Liverpool the following month. Loved-up: Ola is soon to go on tour with an 'uncensored' show with her husband James Jordan (right) When it comes to keeping the spark alive James and Ola previously explained brutal honesty is the best policy - revealing the truth has provided their marriage with a solid foundation for success. Speaking to new! magazine, the former Strictly professional explained the secret to her happy relationship was simple, saying: 'We're not afraid to say things to each other. We're honest.' And the honesty that Ola and her husband abide by appears to have helped them no end - even with the prickly subject of weight. Hot: Speaking to new! magazine, the former Strictly professional explained the secret to her happy relationship was simple, saying: 'We're not afraid to say things to each other. We're honest' Following her exit from Strictly and a nasty accident on series two of The Jump, Ola was forced to rest and recuperate, but had to dismiss pregnancy rumours after piling on the pounds. But following ten years on Strictly, putting her body firmly in the limelight, the dancer admitted she was used to the 'criticism' over her looks. Speaking of the attention her fuller figure recevied, Ola explained: 'I had to tell people I wasn't pregnant, I was fat!' Smouldering: Following her exit from Strictly and a nasty accident on series two of The Jump, Ola was forced to rest and recuperate, but had to dismiss pregnancy rumours after piling on the pounds However she admitted although she's used to her weight and looks coming under scrutiny, she found it difficult to to deal with the scrutiny following her accident. And James was no exception, as he explained he was the first to encourage his wife to lose weight before her last appearance on Strictly - with the outspoken dancer referring to Ola as a 'chunky monkey'. However the pokes and prods about her extra pounds came from a good place, as Ola explained her husband knows she is always happier when she cuts a 'trimmer' figure. Strictly siren: Ola was always best known for her time on Strictly Come Dancing (seen here winning the competition with Chris Hollins in 2009) MetraPark will be holding a reception to celebrate 30 years of service by retiring assistant manager Sue DeVries. General Manager Bill Dutcher said the reception will be from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Dec. 14 at the Montana Pavilion. Sue has been an integral part of the operation of MetraPark for many years, Dutcher said. We wanted to let all the community wish her well as she moves to this next chapter in her life." The public event is being sponsored by the MetraPark Advisory Board and the Billings Exchange Club. No RSVP is required. They teased Doctor Who fans earlier this month with a sneak preview of the upcoming Christmas special. And with less than a month until the Twice Upon A Time episode, BBC bosses have revealed more about Peter Capaldi's final adventure. The show will feature Calpadi's much-anticipated regeneration into the Thirteenth Doctor (Jodie Whittaker), who was spotted for the first time filming scenes for the hit show last week. Scroll down for video Christmas special: With less than a month until the Twice Upon A Time episode, BBC bosses have revealed more about Peter Capaldi's final adventure The 59-year-old will embark on his last chapter of the Twelfth Doctor's journey for the Christmas special, teaming up with David Bradley, who portrays William Hartnell's First Doctor. The pair are stranded in an Artic snowscape, attempting to ward off impending regenerations, as they come face-to-face in the minimalist but sizable TARDIS. The two Doctors will have to face enchanted glass people, stealing their victims from frozen time as well as encountering a World War One soldier (played by Sherlock's Mark Gatiss). The Doctor will see you now! The show will feature Calpadi's much-anticipated regeneration into the Thirteenth Doctor, played by Jodie Whittaker In first-look images of the up-coming episode, the Scotsman looked cautious to find himself in the snowy surroundings, with Bradley and Bill Potts (Pearl Mackie) also sporting shocked expressions. Dressed in his signature black tailcoat and waistcoat, Capaldi looked well kitted out as he negotiated the chilly Artic landscape. Meanwhile, the Time Lord's companion Bill, looked effortlessly modern in a stripy top and black bomber jacket as she made a brief return for the Doctor's final goodbye. End of an era: The 59-year-old will embark on his last chapter of the Twelfth Doctor's journey for the Christmas special as he teams up with the First Doctor, David Bradley (far right) and Mark Gatiss (left) In another shot, Capaldi was joined by the First Doctor and The Captain as he stared directly into the camera with his supersonic screwdriver. Speaking about the upcoming Christmas special, the BBC said: 'An uplifting new tale about the power of hope in humanitys darkest hours, Twice Upon A Time marks the end of an era. 'But as the Doctor must face his past to decide his future, his journey is only just beginning...' The Christmas special will make history as it Peter Capaldis Doctor regenerates into the first female Doctor, played by Jodie Whittaker. First look: Jodie is due to take over the role in 2018 New look: Here in Broadchurch, anticipation is growing for how the Yorkshire beauty will tackle the role Just last week, the 35-year-old was pictured for the first time filming alongside her co-star Bradley Walsh, who plays her new sidekick Graham. The Broadchurch actress was spotted taking her new role as the Doctor in her stride as she climbed her way through a narrow hole in a fence which surrounded an industrial yard. Anticipation is growing for how the Yorkshire beauty will tackle the role, with the BBC recently unveiling a teaser image of the new Time Lord strutting out of the famous TARDIS. The image shows Jodie stepping across a meadow of flowers, the time machine in the backdrop, with the sun rising slowly from the hills in the background. Guess who's back: Peter is once again joined by his assistant Pearl Mackie The acclaimed actress looks edgy in The Doctor's trademark trench coat, sporting an ensemble beneath seemingly inspired by past Doctors Colin Baker and Tom Baker. Jodie - who has starred in recent years in ITV's Broadchurch as grieving mother Beth Latimer and the BBC's unnerving medical drama Trust Me - is the 13th incarnation of the Time Lord. The news that Jodie had been cast in the role, was announced in July - which she remarked was 'overwhelming, as a feminist'. She said: 'It's more than an honour to play the Doctor. It means remembering everyone I used to be, while stepping forward to embrace everything the Doctor stands for: hope.' She will be joined in the cast by Tosin Cole, Mandip Gill and Sharon D Clarke when the new season airs next autumn. Shock jock Kyle Sandilands put his foot in it as he discussed the royal engagement of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on Tuesday. Discussing the occasion on his KIIS FM Kyle & Jackie O Show, the subject of Meghan's background came up. In the awkward segment, the 46-year-old denied that the US actress was part African-American, insisting that both her parents were Caucasian. 'They're both white': In an awkward segment on KIIS FM's Kyle & Jackie O Show on Tuesday, Kyle Sandilands (left) refused to believe that Meghan Markle's heritage When one of Kyle's colleagues informed him that 'one of her parents is black', the radio star denied this was the case. 'No they're not, I've looked at her parents, they're both white,' Kyle responded. There also seemed to be some confusion identifying the difference between Meghan's real-life father, Tom, and Wendall Pierce, who plays the star's dad on Suits, with another of Kyle's co-workers stating, 'I think her dad is black.' This comment prompted Kyle to double-down on his earlier statements, saying: 'I saw a picture of her father, he looks white.' He added: 'I can't tell the difference. In real life, her parents are white.' Mix-up: One of Kyle's colleagues seemingly confused Meghan's real-life father with her Suits co-star Wendall Pierce (pictured) However, co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson clarified. 'The producers are saying her mother is African-American and her dad is German, Dutch and Scottish,' she said. Speaking with the BBC after the couple announced their engagement this week, Meghan opened up about being targeted by trolls due to her ethnicity. Real-life mother: Jackie 'O' Henderson clarified the reality, explaining: 'The producers are saying her mother is African-American' (Pictured: Meghan with her mother Doria Radlan) Meghan's father is German, Dutch and Scottish (Pictured: Meghan with her father Tom Markle) 'Of course it's disheartening. It's a shame that that is the climate in this world, to focus that much on that, to be discriminatory in that sense,' she said. 'I think, you know, at the end of the day, I'm really just proud of who I am and where I've come from and we have never put any focus on that. We've just focused on who we are as a couple. And so when you take all those extra layers away and all of that noise, I think it makes it really easy to just enjoy being together.' On A Current Affair Monday, Tracy Grimshaw grilled Don Burke on sexual assault and harassment allegations spanning his 20-year TV career. But it's what the 70-year-old said, and how he acted while the cameras were off that's truly stuck in Tracy's memory. Speaking to KIIS FM's Kyle and Jackie O Show on Tuesday, the journalist spoke candidly of the awkward, private exchange she had with her former colleague. Scroll down for video 'He was shell-shocked': Tracy Grimshaw has revealed what Don Burke told her when the cameras were off, following their A Current Affair interview on his sexual assault allegations 'At the end, you sort of let it hang there, and Don just looked kind of uncomfortable - how did it finish when the cameras stopped rolling?' Jackie O Henderson asked. 'Look. It was polite, we were polite with each other all the way through,' Tracy said. '[But] I just think he was a bit shell-shocked.' The journalist has worked in the same circles as the Burke's Backyard host for years, citing their working relationship as his reason for agreeing to the interview. Face-to-face: Speaking to KIIS FM's Kyle and Jackie O Show on Tuesday, the journalist spoke candidly of the awkward, private exchange she had with her former colleague After the tense interview wrapped, and they sat there awkwardly, Tracy revealed: 'I think he probably thought [the interview] would have been more sympathetic.' 'I think he probably would have expected that... But it couldn't be more sympathetic. We had to go to the core of unpleasantries.' No sympathy: 'I just think he was a bit shell-shocked,' Tracy admitted, 'I think he probably thought [the interview] would have been more sympathetic' 'He would have expected that': 'I think he probably would have expected that... But it couldn't be more sympathetic. We had to go to the core of unpleasantries,' she insisted It's clear Tracy's conviction and commitment to getting the truth came as a bit of a surprise to Don. 'You know, that's just what we had to do and I think he's enough of a realist that he should have understood that,' Tracy insisted. And when the cameras turned off: 'there wasn't a lot to see that didn't go to air, although he did speak to me privately,' she revealed. 'He should have understood that': 'You know, that's just what we had to do and I think he's enough of a realist that he should have understood that,' she added 'He alluded to grudges [in the interview] and he did give me more information privately about the alleged 'grudges'.' 'And I said to him: 'Don, if you have a defense [against these claims] you need to mount your defence now, now's the opportunity to do it.' 'And he said no, no I won't do it publicly, and because he won't do it publicly, all that stuff stayed off the record.' Grudges: When the cameras were off: 'He alluded to grudges [in the interview] and he did give me more information privately about the alleged 'grudges'' 'You need to mount your defense': 'And I said to him: 'Don, if you have a defense [against these claims] you need to mount your defense now, now's the opportunity to do it' - but he declined She concluded: 'You can read into that what you will, really.' In Monday's interview, Don admitted to an extraordinary list of personal failings but denied numerous sexual harassment allegations against him. 'You can read into that what you will, really': She concluded: 'And he said no, no I won't do it publicly, and because he won't do it publicly, all that stuff stayed off the record' The former host of Burke's Backyard is accused by dozens of women of indecent assault and making lewd comments over his program's 17-year run. The 70-year-old admitted he was a terrifying boss, had multiple affairs, and claimed to suffer from Asperger's. However, he strenuously denied 'all that sleazy sexual stuff' and described his accusers as 'malcontents' who 'bear grudges against me'. Accusations: The former host of Burke's Backyard is accused by dozens of women of indecent assault and making lewd comments over his program's 17-year run Suits star Meghan Markle proudly flashed her engagement ring to the world on Monday, afterPrince Harry proposed during a 'cosy night' in. And with a glamorous wedding no doubt set for the happy couple next year, speculation has turned to who will accessorise the bride-to-be on her special day. Among the top contenders is Sydney-based jewellery designer Natalie Marie, who Meghan, 36, has praised as being her 'very favourite' in the past. Will she design the wedding jewels? Meghan Markle's favourite jewellery designer from Australia could be set for royal acclaim as the Suits star begins planning her nuptials to Prince Harry Prince Harry said today he is 'thrilled' to be marrying Meghan, who showed the world her engagement ring designed by the Royal himself, containing two diamonds from Princess Diana's own personal collection and set in a gold band. Meghan revealed how she said 'yes' immediately to Prince Harry after he got down on one knee while they were cooking a roast chicken dinner during a 'cosy night' in. In their first joint interview, Meghan said she did not even wait for the 33-year-old royal to finish the sentence before she said 'yes' - and it was 'so sweet and natural and very romantic'. The couple, who had been in Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace when the proposal happened, revealed that they first met on a blind date after being set up by a female friend - and have tried to see each other every two weeks. Stunning! Prince Harry said today he is 'thrilled' to be marrying Meghan, who showed the world her engagement ring designed by the Royal himself, containing two diamonds from Princess Diana's own personal collection and set in a gold band Meghan has loved the jewellery designer's work before she met Prince Harry at the Invictus Games last year. The Hollywood actress gushed about the label via an Instagram selfie showing off an elegant necklace and rings. She captioned the shot: 'When you get the package of jewelry that makes your heart go pitter pat', adding that the brand was her 'very favorite'. 'Very favourite': Meghan has loved the jewellery designer's work before she met Prince Harry at the Invictus Games last year, taking to social media to show off her wears 'I always encourage brides to opt for stones and materials that complement their skin tone and aesthetic': Natalie Marie previously opened up to Vogue on how exciting it was to have a potential princess see value in her collections, that include bespoke options for discerning brides The designer previously opened up to Vogue on how exciting it was to have a potential princess see value in her collections: 'Its invaluable to have someone that truly loves and supports the brand wearing our pieces.' Natalie Marie's line including bespoke options for discerning brides, including delicate rings, modern earrings and a simply chic design with stones and glittering jewels. 'I always encourage brides to opt for stones and materials that complement their skin tone and aesthetic, rather than selecting something thats particularly on trend,' she added. It was three years ago to the date that actress Zoe Saldana and husband Marco Perego welcomed premature twin boys into the world. On Monday the actress of Dominican and Puerto Rican descent shared the joy that Bowie and Cy have brought into their lives via a special message on her official Instagram. In the message she posted to her nearly two million followers, the Guardians of the Galaxy star touched on the complications she endured when becoming a first-time mom. Scroll down for video Her guys: It was three years ago to the date that actress Zoe Saldana and husband Marco Perego welcomed premature twin boys into the world Glad: On Monday the actress of Dominican and Puerto Rican descent shared the joy that Bowie and Cy have brought into their lives via a special message on her official Instagram. Here she is seen with her husband on Thursday 'Happy Birthday Bowie and Cy! Today, November 27th will always be the happiest and scariest day of our lives,' Saldana said. 'On a day like today, three years ago our lives changed forever. 'We went from being two to four in just 2 minutes. Cool look: 'Happy Birthday Bowie and Cy! Today, November 27th will always be the happiest and scariest day of our lives,' Saldana said 'Even though your arrival was early and with a couple of scary hiccups you have been the light of our lives ever since we learned of your presence within us.' The star further commemorated her twins in the post by telling her followers just how much it has meant to her to get to know these young lives and to help shape them. 'Thank You for choosing us to guide you through the first stages of your purposeful path in life,' she continued. 'You are both meant for greatness and by the grace of God your father and I will make sure you grow up to be exceptional men that will bring healing , wisdom, happiness, and change into this world. We have a big task ahead us, and that is to raise healthy, empathetic and selfless men. At work: She wore green to shoot scenes for Guardians Of The Galaxy First one: She starred in the 2014 film with Chris Pratt and Vin Diesel 'We hope to never let you down. And please continue to teach us how you need to be loved, seen, spoken to, taught, encouraged, protected- all the things you need to thrive and make your life meaningful.' Saldana opened up to Allure Magazine about the emergency cesarean section she underwent when she was just 32 weeks pregnant. 'The boys came at 32 weeks, she explained to the publication. 'They found protein in my urine,' my platelets crashed. I didn't qualify for an epidural, so I delivered under general anesthetic. I didn't even meet them until a day later.' The Avatar star shares photos of her growing boys via the social media app often, although she rarely ever shows much of their faces. Zoe and Marco became parents to another son, Zen, born February of this year. She previously admitted to concealing Oliver Curtis' imprisonment from their two small children. But Roxy Jacenko has revealed she is now gearing up to tell daughter Pixie after the six-year-old was 'confronted' at school over Oliver's 12 month jail sentence. 'Someone had said that her father had broken out of jail,' Roxy told Studio 10 on Tuesday. 'Someone had said that her father had broken out of jail': Roxy Jacenko reveals daughter Pixie, six, was 'confronted' at school over Oliver Curtis' imprisonment In 2016, Oliver was sentenced to a 12 month prison sentence for insider trading and was released from Cooma Correctional Facility in June of this year. During his imprisonment, Roxy revealed she had lied to Pixie and son Hunter, three, telling them Oliver was in China on business. Speaking to Studio 10 on Tuesday, Roxy revealed Pixie had been told at school about Oliver's imprisonment. Convicted: Oliver was sentenced to a 12 month prison sentence for insider trading and was released from Cooma Correctional Facility in June of this year 'Pixie has been confronted': Speaking to Studio 10 on Tuesday, Roxy revealed Pixie had been told at school about Oliver's imprisonment 'Pixie has been confronted by someone at school,' Roxy revealed. 'She was upset when she got home and someone had said that her father had broken out of jail.' But Roxy was holding off on telling Pixie until she had completely settled into normal life with Oliver out of prison. 'The reality is, we will tell her. I don't believe I can keep it a secret forever but for now she is young,' Roxy said. Protecting them: Roxy revealed how she had told Hunter and Pixie that Oliver was on a business trip when he was in fact behind bars 'She is getting into the groove of having her father home and it is not something that needs to come up': Roxy was holding off on telling Pixie until she had completely settled into normal life 'She is getting into the groove of having her father home and it is not something that needs to come up.' In a 2016 interview with 60 Minutes, Roxy revealed how she had told Hunter and Pixie that Oliver was on a business trip when he was in fact behind bars. 'If you watch a cartoon these days, the baddie always goes to jail. And I don't want them to think that of their father. I don't want that to be instilled in their mind,' she explained. 'I've said he's in China. I think there's certain things you choose to tell a child.' Though the sun is still shining brightly in Los Angeles, Alessandra Ambrosio was more than ready to get into the Christmas spirit Monday. The mommy/model, 36, was spotted searching for the perfect Yule tree besides partner Jamie Mazur, also 36, their two darling kids in Los Angeles. The Brazilian bombshell paraded her long, toned legs in a pair of cut-off jean shorts and a drapey white top during the holly-jolly family outing. Scroll down for video Tis the season! While LA was still sunny and warm Alessandra Ambrosio was more than ready to get into the Christmas spirit while hunting down a tree on Monday in SoCal The veteran Victoria's Secret Angel, who will officially retire her wings after this year's show, matched her simple layers with charcoal colored kicks. Ale glitzed up her simple outfit with two exquisite necklaces with precious metals and multi-carat stones. The statuesque stunner pulled her warm brown locks into a slick ponytail as she focused on finding the perfect tree. Besides the model her partner-of-nine-years was dressed to match, sporting a pair of dark denim trousers with a well-fitted white tee shirt. Holiday spirit! The 36-year-old beauty searched for the perfect holiday tree along with partner Jamie Mazur and their two kids Short and sweet! The Brazilian bombshell paraded her long, toned legs in a pair of cut-off jean shorts and a drapey white top during the holly-jolly family outing Jamie let a hearty amount of stubble grace his chisled chin while covering his feet with well-worn white Nikes. The couple's younger child Noah, five, frolicked around the tree-lot donning yellow swim trunks with a graphic dog design. Daughter Anja, nine, already appeared to be taking after her picture-perfect mom, seen wearing jean shorts, a ringer tee and Adidas Superstar sneakers. A perfect match! Besides the model her partner-of-nine-years was dressed to match, sporting a pair of dark denim trousers with a well-fitted white tee shirt Grande finale! Last week the Brazilian-born bombshell walked her final Victoria's Secret show; the annual event took place in Shanghai, China, seen stunning above Last week, the Brazilian-born bombshell walked her final Victoria's Secret show; the annual event took place in Shanghai, China. After strutting down the runway, the model announced that after doing 17 shows for the brand, she is retiring from Victoria's Secret. She wrote a lengthy note on Instagram about her experience with the company: 'Last night was so emotional to say goodbye to my #angel sisters but we put on the biggest and best show ever.' The 2017 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show will be broadcast Tuesday, November 28 at 10pm/9(c) on CBS. Last hurrah! Last week, the Brazilian-born bombshell (above with daughter Anja) walked her final Victoria's Secret show; the annual event took place in Shanghai, China Alessandra continued to flaunt her incredibly toned physique on Monday as she was spotted indulging in some tacos after a morning workout. Heading to her car at the Brentwood Country Mart, the star flashed a hint of her toned abs in a cropped white hoodie, teaming it with diamante studded hum leggings. Keeping her look comfy and easy, the fashion star rocked round-framed sunglasses as she jumped into her car. Fitness Queen: Alessandra continued to flaunt her incredible physique, indulging in some tacos after a morning workout on Monday Former Australian Idol star Paulini Curuenavuli faces up to seven years in prison for bribing an RMS official $850 for an unrestricted licence after pleading guilty. An on Monday, the embattled star didn't quite see the funny side on Have You Been Paying Attention? and looked visibly awkward as hosts roasted her on the ongoing saga. 'That's so not cool,' she gasped, as comedians poked fun at her alleged bribery, and charges of speeding and driving on a cancelled licence. 'That's so not cool!': Paulini Curuenavuli went bright red after Have You Been Paying Attention hosts ROASTED her 'bribing an RMS official' allegations that could see her face jail time In a September sentencing hearing, Paulini pleaded guilty to the charges, and is currently awaiting sentencing. And before the songstress had finished walking over to her podium, comedian Sam Pang slammed his buzzer and joked: 'I wanted to say - thanks for the lift in!' When host Tom Gleisner attempted to establish a bit of calm, admitting the star was having a 'troubled year,' Urzila Carlson chimed-in: 'but she's still really driven!' 'Guilty': Former Australian Idol star Paulini Curuenavuli faces up to seven years in prison for allegedly bribing an RMS official $850 for an unrestricted licence - she's pleaded guilty To make matters worse, Tom was merely feigning sympathy to set up his own grilling, confirming with Paulini that she was currently learning to drive. 'We've got some footage of you arriving tonight' he said with an excited grin. He then cheekily played a recent viral video of a 96-year-old driver's airborne, out-of-control car, as it crashed into a private hospital in Melbourne. 'Thanks for the lift!': And before the songstress had finished walking over to her podium, comedian Sam Pang slammed his buzzer and joked: 'I wanted to say - thanks for the lift in!' 'She's driven': When host Tom Gleisner attempted to establish a bit of calm, admitting the star was having a 'troubled year,' Urzila Carlson chimed-in: 'but she's still really driven!' Despite her ongoing legal battle, Paulini managed to smile awkwardly as the studio audience burst into rapturous laughter. 'That's so not cool! she said with a smile, going bright red with embarrassment. Police alleged Paulini entered Mt Druitt Roads and Maritime Services offices in July 2016 and lied on a form claiming she had a US driver's licence. 'We've got some footage of you arriving tonight': Host Tom Gleisner went the furthest, claiming he had footage of Paulini 'arriving at the studio' that night Out of control! He then played a recent viral video of a 96-year-old driver's airborne, out-of-control car, as it crashed into a private hospital in Melbourne (pictured) She allegedly posed for a photograph and was handed an unrestricted NSW driver's licence. It is then alleged she put $800 into the account of 27-year-old Faletausala Vaifale, who was given a one-year home detention sentence for her role. 'Not cool!' 'That's so not cool! she said with a smile, going bright red with embarrassment Last Monday they hit the runway at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in Shanghai. But by this Monday, Martha Hunt and Josephine Skriver - both of whom are Angels for the brand - were oozing chic stateside. The pair were photographed stepping out in New York City, 28-year-old Martha hinting at her cleavage in a plunging black top. Gals on the go: This Monday, Martha Hunt and Josephine Skriver - both of whom are Victoria's Secret Angels - were oozing chic in New York City She matched the blouse with a sleek overcoat and glinting trousers, which were cut high enough to give a full view of her precipitous ankle-strap heels. Accentuating her model features with makeup, Martha - who hails from North Carolina and became an Angel in 2015 - wore her wavy blonde hair down. Meanwhile, Josephine, a 24-year-old from Copenhagen, had slipped into a gleaming silver top that fell open over a bit of lace-trimmed corsetry. Aglow: The pair were photographed stepping out in New York, 28-year-old Martha hinting at her cleavage in a plunging black top She draped her enviably taut legs in a pair of high-waisted powder pink trousers, warding off the northeastern chill with a fuzzy white coat. Josephine has officially been a Victoria's Secret Angel since last year. Monday was the first time the much-vaunted annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was held in Shanghai, or indeed anywhere in China. Swank: Meanwhile, Josephine, a 24-year-old from Copenhagen, had slipped into a gleaming silver top that fell open over a bit of lace-trimmed corsetry Its past locations have included such cities as New York, Paris, London, Cannes, Miami, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. After the show last week, Josephine joined some other fellow Angels - Jasmine Tookes, Sara Sampaio and Lais Ribeiro - on holiday in Thailand. They were joined by male pals including Josephine's Bohnes frontman boyfriend Alexander DeLeon and Jasmine's beau John David Borrero, who works at Snapchat. Angel abroad: Last Monday they hit the runway at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in Shanghai; Martha is pictured during the much-vaunted extravaganza Their secret friendship was revealed last year after Meghan Markle gushed over soap star Pia Miller in an Instagram post. And on Tuesday, the former Home And Away star returned the favour, offering nothing but love for her actress pal and her new fiance Prince Harry. Taking to her Instagram Story, the 34-year-old shared a photo of the royal couple, alongside a love heart graphic. Scroll down for video Nothing but love! Pia Miller, 34, gushed over newly-engaged royal couple Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, in a sweet Instagram post on Tuesday, after their 'secret friendship' was revealed The image of Meghan, 36, and Prince Harry, 33, was taken from their televised engagement announcement on Monday. Meghan stunned in a chic sleeveless black frock, beaming for the cameras as she held tightly onto Harry's hand, also displaying her sparkling ring. Prince Harry looked dapper in a crisp white dress shirt, tailored suit and narrow black tie. Pia, who is also newly-engaged, captioned the graphic with a love heart graphic. Sweet gesture: The image of Meghan, 36, and Prince Harry, 33, was taken from their televised engagement announcement on Monday. Meghan stunned in a chic sleeveless black frock, beaming for the cameras as she held tightly onto Harry's hand, also displaying her sparkling ring The brunette beauty, who confirmed her departure from Channel Seven soap Home And Away, received high praise from Meghan in a gushing Instagram post, last year. And Pia's secret friendship with the American actress could score her an invite to Meghan's royal wedding with Prince Harry next year. The Suits star previously hailed mother-of-two Pia as 'impressive' and 'entertaining' in a heartfelt post, ultimately revealing her secret friendship with the model. Wedding bells! Prince Harry and Meghan announced their engagement on Monday and fans have begun speculating who will attend their royal wedding 'When @piamiller sends you some #foodforthought. Brilliant one, my friend - thanks for sharing. You are both entertaining and impressive. Xx,' Meghan captioned alongside the words: 'Beauty is entertaiing. Depth is impressive.' No doubt flattered by Meghan's words, Pia swiftly replied: 'word' alongside a heart emoji. The Logie award-nominee, who recently travelled to Meghan's native Los Angeles, previously collaborated with the Hollywood beauty on The Tig - a former lifestyle website founded by Meghan. The Aussie connection: Meghan previously hailed actress Pia as 'impressive' in a gushing Instagram post Secret friends: No doubt flattered by Meghan's words, Pia, who also announced her own engagement to Tyson Mullane this month, swiftly replied: 'word' alongside a heart emoji On Monday, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced their engagement after 18 months of dating and the highly-anticipated royal wedding is set to take place early next year. Pia is not the only Australian connection to the future royal couple, with Hollywood starlet Margot Robbie previously revealing she knows Prince Harry. The Wold of Wall Street star, who was once pictured partying with the fifth-in-line to the British throne, once told E! News that she met him through British model Cara Delevingne and they've exchanged text messages. She said 'yes'! On Monday, Prince Harry and Meghan announced their engagement after 18 months of dating and the highly-anticipated royal wedding is set to take place early next year 'He's pretty quick on text actually,' she said. 'Unlike meI write back four days later, weeks later sometimes.' Last year, Margot attended Suki Waterhouse's Ciroc vodka bash along with Prince Harry and admitted that she initially didn't realise who he was. 'I didn't know it was him for about half an hour talking to him,' she told ET. Will she be invited? Pia is not the only Australian connection to the future royal couple, with Hollywood starlet Margot Robbie previously revealing she knows Prince Harry 'Suki was having a housewarming party. I was like, 'I'll pop in for 10 minutes.' About six hours later the photo booth happened.' Prince Harry and Meghan are expected to wed in the spring of 2018. In a statement released by Kensington Palace, Prince Charles said he was 'delighted' for his son and his future bride. Star-studded bach: Last year, Margot (centre) attended Suki Waterhouse's Ciroc vodka bash along with Prince Harry (bottom-left) and admitted that she initially didn't realise who he was. Also pictured Princess Beatrice (L), Sienna Miller (2-L), Cara Delevingne (R) 'His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales is delighted to announce the engagement of Prince Harry to Ms. Meghan Markle,' the statement read. 'His Royal Highness and Ms. Markle became engaged in London earlier this month. It continued: 'Prince Harry has informed Her Majesty the Queen and other close members of his family. Prince Harry has also sought and received the blessing of Ms. Markle's parents.' Prince Harry and Meghan's royal titles are expected to become the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Mischa Bartons ex-boyfriend Adam Spaw has agreed not to release an alleged sex tape of the actress...if he has one. Spaw has also agreed to a five-year restraining order in which the former couple will stay 100 yards away from one another, according to court documents cited by The Blast on Monday. As part of the agreement, signed on November 19, 'Adam agrees not to directly or indirectly, or through any agent, sell, distribute, show, give away or assign in any way any intimate photos or videos of Mischa Barton. Settled: Mischa Bartons ex-boyfriend Adam Spaw has agreed not to release an alleged sex tape of the actress (the actress pictured in NYC in early November) 'He further agrees that he has not to date done so nor attempted to do any of the foregoing.' However, the documents also state that 'signing this agreement is not an admission by [Spaw] that he possesses or attempted to sell any intimate photos or videos of Mischa.' The actress, 31, says the sex videos were recorded by a different ex-boyfriend, Jon Zacharias, without her consent. She went public with her revenge porn case back in March after she learned from a British tabloid that someone was trying to sell intimate videos for a reported $500,000. Meanwhile: Mischa has been finding comfort in the arms of her new beau Australian model James Abercrombie In May, DailyMail.com revealed that the former OC star had been granted an extension to restraining orders against both men. The footage was allegedly being touted to online porn companies, with a number of industry giants considering the offer. Meanwhile, Mischa has been finding comfort in the arms of her new beau Australian model James Abercrombie. The hunk is the son of Australia's richest businessman Andrew Abercrombie, who this year was reported to be worth $574m according to the AFR Rich List. The couple reportedly met at a party in Los Angeles in May and have been constant companions ever since. He was told by doctors in August to kick his unhealthy booze and cigarette habits, after falling ill with pneumonia. But Jeremy Clarkson seems to have defied medical advice to give up alcohol for good. The 57-year-old Grand Tour host spent six days in hospital after being diagnosed with the inflammatory condition in the midst of his summer getaway to the Balearic island of Majorca. Scroll down for video Fan of the booze: Jeremy Clarkson has defied medical advice to give up alcohol for good after the host spent six days in hospital with pneumonia in summer Reflecting on the health scare, Jeremy told Radio Times this week: 'I was just cross because I only get two weeks' holiday a year and I had to spend 10 days of that in hospital well, six days. 'And then my daughter came out to make sure I didn't drink or smoke. They said, "You must never smoke again." And she went, "What about drinking?" 'When we're filming we don't actually get trollied. We used to on Top Gear Live I don't remember any of that. 'We might have a glass of wine with dinner but you have your mind on the job. Fatally ill: The Grand Tour host was advised to overhaul his lifestyle by doctors after he nearly died from the inflammatory condition Old habits die hard: Jeremy (seen here with girlfriend Lisa Hogan, right, in September) has not curbed his habit just yet Healthier lifestyle: Jeremy quit smoking after spending 43 years of his life addicted to cigarettes but after his health scare his daughter told him to stop immediately 'However, when filming is over and on the plane on the way home, we may have a few buckets of wine.' The former Top Gear presenter gave up cigarettes for good this summer after revealing he smoked nearly 630,000 cigarettes over a 43-year period. 'I was told, by everyone, that I had to stop. Immediately,' he wrote in his Sunday Times column earlier this year. Lavish lifestyle: The father-of-three has previously painted himself as a man unable to shy away from indulgence Celebrations: Clarkson said when filming is over both he, Richard Hammond (left) and James May (far right) have a 'few buckets of wine' on the plane home Read the full interview in the new issue of Radio Times magazine, on newsstands now 'I had no choice at the time because the blood poisoning was so bad and I was so racked with the resultant rigors that I couldnt work a cigarette lighter.' He advised others trying to quit to go places where it's near-impossible to smoke, like the cinema, or Australia, where cigarettes are highly priced and banned in many public spaces. He said that it's helpful to have a friend willing to quit with you, and the key to staying away from the cigarettes is 'willpower'. He added: 'So now it's been a month. I've pushed it. I've got drunk. I've stayed up late. I've been to bars with smokers and sat outside in a cloud of their exhalations. 'And so far I haven't cracked.' After his bout of pneumonia, Clarkson said lung tests showed he still had 96 per cent capacity for a person his age and he could 'breathe out harder and for longer than a non-smoking 40-year-old'. 'In short, getting on for three-quarters of a million fags have not harmed me in any way. I have quite literally defied medical science,' he wrote. Read the full interview in the new issue of Radio Times magazine, on newsstands now. They're record makers, all too familiar with the red carpet. And Jessica Mauboy and Samantha Jade brought their A-game as they prepared for their glamorous arrivals at Tuesday's ARIA Awards in Sydney. Both singers were pictured getting attended to by celebrity makeup artists. In profile: Songstress Jessica Mauboy, 28, was pictured getting her makeup done by celebrity artist Rae Morris, ahead of the ARIA Awards, in a snap shared to her Instagram Story on Tuesday Jessica, 28, was pictured getting her makeup done by celebrity artist Rae Morris. Dressed casually in a zip-up jacket and skinny-leg jeans, the Pop A Bottle record maker looked primped to perfection with a flawless complexion, a false set of lashes and winged liner. Samantha, 30, also shared the process of getting ready to her Instagram Story. Makeup palettes were splayed over a large table while in the background stylist Jules Sebastian was seen flashing the peace sign for the camera. Primped: The Pop A Bottle record maker dressed casually in a zip-up jacket and skinny-leg jeans, looked primped to perfection with a flawless complexion, a false set of lashes and winged liner Familiar face: Samantha Jade, 30, also shared the process of getting ready to her Instagram Story. Pictured at last year's ARIA Awards Method in the madness: Makeup palettes were splayed over a large table, while in the background stylist Jules Sebastian was seen flashing the peace sign for the camera Taking to her Instagram Story, Mel Greig, 35, meanwhile appeared carefree and relaxed in her chauffeur-driven car. Clutching onto a glass of champagne, the bubbly blonde drew attention to her curves in a very low-cut black jumpsuit that also highlighted her toned legs. Mel accessorised with a black faux-fur vest, aviator sunglasses strategically hooked onto the neckline of her attire and statement jewels. The columnist's long blonde locks were styled in soft waves and her makeup palette consisted of a matte complexion, defined brows, kohl-rimmed eyes and a glossy nude lip. Ready for her close-up! Mel Greig, 35, showed off her assets, as she prepared for her red carpet arrival, at the ARIA Awards in Sydney on Tuesday Making a statement: Prince Christian opted to go as Cher Horowitz from the film Clueless Red carpet regular: Christian (pictured) is no stranger to red carpet appearances High spirits: Actress Olympia Valance, 24, was certainly in a jovial mood as she had her makeup applied by artist to the stars, Max May Meanwhile, Olympia Valance was certainly in a jovial mood as she had her makeup applied by artist to the stars, Max May. The 24-year-old Neighbours actress pulled a number of animated expressions in a series of snaps shared to her Instagram Story. Max opted for a dewy complexion, bold brows and a bronze smoky eye for the soap star. Close-up: Max opted for a dewy complexion, bold brows and a bronze smoky eye Dapper: Comedian Joel Creasey, 27, looked his polished best on the red carpet prior to the Awards ceremony Pulling out all the stops: Cody Simpson's younger sister Alli, 19, drew attention to a sleek hairstyle, a false set of lashes, a metallic eye shadow and gloss over her plump pout She's not shy: While E! Australia host Ksenija Lukich, 27, drew attention to her cleavage in a plunging frock with frill detailing Svelte: The presenter also drew the eye to her long and lean legs in another clip shared to her Instagram Story Prince Christian Wilkins, 21, opted to channel Cher Horowitz from the film Clueless. A snap shared to his Instagram Story saw the fashionista seated on a wooden floor, wearing a kilt-like skirt similar to the signature yellow plaid mini Cher wore in the movie. Comedian Joel Creasey, 27, looked dapper in a tailored black suit, crisp white dress shirt, black bow tie, statement sunglasses and embellished loafers. International talent: American singer-songwriter Julia Michaels, 24, gave a close-up look at her glamorous complexion Cody Simpson's younger sister Alli, 19, drew attention to a sleek hairstyle, a false set of lashes, a metallic eye shadow and a glossy colour over her plump pout. While E! Australia host Ksenija Lukich, 27, drew attention to her cleavage in a plunging frock with frill detailing. Banter: Pop duo Polish Club hilariously captioned a photo, explaining they were simply attending the ARIA Awards for the free booze Humble: Rock band Dune Rats, pictured sipping beverages on the back seat of a car, remained humble, stating in their Instagram caption: 'Arias awards today! Probably not gonna win but we gonna have a blast' She's liking her look! Sydney-based singer-songwriter Vera Blue, 23, made a statement in white-rimmed sunglasses and pearl drop earrings as she left a hair salon She has exposed her enviable figure in a number of revealing bathing suits while in the Australian jungle. And Georgia Toffolo has continued to showcase her toned physique in a blue swimsuit, adorned with a multi-coloured striped belt in scenes set to air on I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here on Tuesday. While in the jungle, the Made In Chelsea star is blissfully unaware that her ex Sam Prince has come forward to say he is 'not proud' of how he treated the 23-year-old while they were in a relationship. Scroll down for video Jungle babe: Georgia Toffolo, 23, has continued to showcase her toned physique in a blue swimsuit, adorned with a multi-coloured striped belt while in I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here In new jungle scenes, Georgia shows off her natural beauty in a one piece, which is set to give viewers a peek at her lithe legs. Adhering to the effortlessly relaxed appearance, the reality TV personality looks fresh-faced as her lengthy golden locks run along her back. This follows an interview with her former MIC flame Sam Prince, who revealed he is disappointed about how he treated Georgia during their short-lived fling. Former flames: MIC's Sam Prince revealed on Tuesday that he is disappointed about how he treated Georgia during their short-lived fling (pictured together on the show) Slender: Adhering to the effortlessly relaxed appearance, the reality TV personality looks fresh-faced as her lengthy golden locks run along her back Relaxed: In scenes set to appear on Tuesday's show, Georgia shows off her natural beauty in the complementing number, which is set to give viewers a peek at her leggy pins The 19-year-old previously slept with another love interest in Georgia's holiday bed in Ibiza while they were dating. In this week's OK! magazine, he said: 'Im not proud of how I treated Toff. It probably wasnt my finest moment. It wasnt the best thing to do.' Out now: Out now: The full interview with Gemma Collins in OK! Magazine is out now Despite their rocky past, he insists that the pair are now on good terms: 'At the minute were just friends, but shes one of my closest friends. We spend a lot of time together and we always have fun.' He made known his support for the law graduate in the jungle: She is the same person on TV shes always happy, smiley and bubbly.' 'She brings light and happiness. Shes never down I love that. People are going to fall in love with her. The blonde bombshell recently came under fire when fans accused the naturally beautiful reality star of smuggling make-up into the jungle. A source told MailOnline that she was granted permission to bring concealer on the show. The insider said: 'Georgia has always had problems with her skin, but her treatment is sun sensitive so she's unable to use it in the jungle. She's been allowed access to concealer on medical grounds.' Toff has been branching out from Made In Chelsea, as she made a recent appearance on Celebs Go Dating but failed to find love. However, the Chelsea born beauty has since confessed she has been dating James Middleton in secret for a string of months. A source now tells The Sun that friends consider the pair to still be together and she plans to go public with James after her stint in the jungle, after which he may also join her reality show Made In Chelsea. Advertisement They became friends after working together on HBO's Big Little Lies, alongside Laura Dern, Zoe Kravitz and Shailene Woodley. And Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman proved their close bond once again on Monday, as they made a glamorous joint arrival at the IFP's 27th Annual Gotham Independent Film Awards. The 41-year-old American, who stands at 5ft1, was dwarfed by the 50-year-old Australian (5ft11) as they beamed widely for cameras at the red carpet event in New York City. Scroll down for video BFFs! Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman proved their close bond once again on Monday, as they made a glamorous joint arrival at the IFP's 27th Annual Gotham Independent Film Awards in NYC The Legally Blonde actress was sophisticated chic as she rocked a simple yet elegant black mini dress, which pulled into a simple round neck and fell to just above her knee. Just in time for the holidays however, a cavalcade of gold sequins cascaded over her right shoulder - adding a subtle amount of bling to the simple ensemble. Keeping co-ordinated from head to toe, she paired the dress with matching gold high heels and a pair of dangling metallic earrings that sparkled under the lights as she posed. Throwing caution to the wind, the petite beauty went virtually makeup free, with just mascara and a dab of nude lip, to draw attention to her enviably radiant complexion. History: They became fast friends after working on HBO's Big Little Lies, alongside Laura Dern, Zoe Kravitz and Shailene Woodley Sweet: The pair shared a warm hug as they greeted each other on the carpet Chic: The Legally Blonde actress was sophisticated chic as she rocked a simple yet elegant black mini dress, which pulled into a simple round neck and fell to just above her knee Finishing touches: Keeping co-ordinated from head to toe, she paired the dress with matching gold high heels and a pair of dangling metallic earrings Meanwhile Nicole looked every inch the glamorous movie star in a plunging silver gown, embellished with sequins all over as she posed. Her enviable figure took centre stage in the frock, which plunged into a daring V neckline to tease at her cleavage, before tightly skimming her svelte frame to its demure knee-length hem. Daring to impress, the midi number then cut into a saucy split on one side, to give a glimpse of her long legs underneath - which she elongated further with strappy black stilettos. The wife of Keith Urban proved her youthful and glowing complexion with a sweeping of blusher, as well as a thick slick of eyeliner and hot pink lip for added drama. Sterling effort: Meanwhile Nicole looked every inch the glamorous movie star in a plunging silver gown, embellished with sequins all over as she posed Slinky: Her enviable figure took centre stage in the frock, which plunged into a daring V neckline to tease at her cleavage, before tightly skimming her svelte frame to its demure knee-length hem Leggy lady: Daring to impress, the midi number then cut into a saucy split on one side, to give a glimpse of her long legs underneath - which she elongated further with strappy black stilettos Stunning: The wife of Keith Urban proved her youthful and glowing complexion with a sweeping of blusher, as well as a thick slick of eyeliner and hot pink lip for added drama Not holding back on the glitz however, Nicole tied her look together with a long beaded necklace, and a pair of bejeweled earrings as she posed effortlessly for cameras. The IFA - hosted by the Independent Filmmaker Project and emceed by John Cameron Mitchell - brought a bevy of celebrities. Actors Dustin Hoffman and Nicole Kidman, director Sofia Coppola, producer Jason Blum, cinematographer Ed Lachman and politician/environmentalist Al Gore all received tribute awards at the bash. Margot Robbie also attended the event - matching Nicole and Reese in an all-over sequin black gown, which pulled into one chic ruched shoulder. Hint of glitz: Not holding back on the glitz however, Nicole tied her look together with a long beaded necklace, and a pair of bejeweled earrings as she posed effortlessly for cameras Having a ball: Reese and Nicole happily caught up once inside, and were seen laughing and joking with actor James Franco The Australian actress showed off her famously toned figure in the frock, which cinched in at her slim waist and fell into a shorter hemline on one side, to flash of her pins underneath. She offset the dress' glamour with simple black heeled sandals, and accessorised with a burgundy velvet handbag and matching lipstick, in Gothic finishing touches. Maintaining the vixen feel throughout, she styled her hair into loose, tousled waves and sported a perfectly contoured make-up look as she smouldered for cameras. Meanwhile, Carla Gugino stunned in a black sleeveless jumpsuit, which skimmed her slender figure from head to toe, and was adorned with glitzy silver lining. All black everything: Margot Robbie also attended the event - matching Nicole and Reese in an all-over sequin black gown, which pulled into one chic ruched shoulder Flash of skin: The Australian actress showed off her famously toned figure in the frock, which cinched in at her slim waist and fell into a shorter hemline on one side, to flash of her pins underneath Vampy: She offset the dress' glamour with simple black heeled sandals, and accessorised with a burgundy velvet handbag and matching lipstick, in Gothic finishing touches Carey Mulligan showed off her impressive post-baby body in a form-fitting charcoal grey lace gown, styled with simply curls and a girly pink lip. Alia Shawcat and Bria Vinaite co-ordinated in purple - with the former slipping into a slinky shirt dress and chunky leather boots, while the latter stood out in a black shift dress, embellished with sequins and gems. Orange Is The New Black's Alysia Reiner looked fierce in a stunning black dress, which followed a classic A-line shape but was made more striking by semi-sheer mesh sleeves. Kumail Nanjiani and Emily Gordon looked as besotted as ever as they cosied up for cameras, in matching velvet ensembles. Oh mama: Carey Mulligan showed off her impressive post-baby body in a form-fitting charcoal grey lace gown, styled with simply curls and a girly pink lip Chic: Carla Gugino (left) stunned in a black sleeveless jumpsuit lined with glittering silver, while Alia Shawcat (centre) and Bria Vinaite (right) co-ordinated in purple All eyes on me: Orange Is The New Black's Alysia Reiner looked fierce in a stunning black dress, which followed a classic A-line shape but was made more striking by semi-sheer mesh sleeves Direct this: Sofia Coppola looked adorable as ever Loved up: Kumail Nanjiani and Emily Gordon made an adorable couple Daring duo: And Cynthia Nixon made a dramatic entrance as Al Gore wore a youthful glow Fierce and fabulous: Actress Rachel Weisz flaunted her trim physique in a stylish diamante studded velvet dress as she posed on the red carpet, styling her brunette tresses into relaxed waves Stunning: Rachel's also wowed inside the ceremony as she presented the biggest award of the night, Best Feature The Big One: Rachel appeared delighted to be presenting the award to Call Me By Your Name, beating out rivals Get Out and I, Tonya Delighted: Rachel posed with the direction and cast of the film backstage after they accepted their award, as the film gathers awards momentum ahead of the Oscars in March Cynthia Nixon next made a dramatic entrance in a bold black ribbed gown, while Al Gore cut a youthful figure in a classic suit, layered atop a comfortable blue jumper. Lady Bird's Saoirse Ronan dazzled in a Rodarte gown for the special event, formed of delicate white lace and embroidered with black and pink flowers. Mary J Blige stood out from the crowds in a simple black gown jazzed up by the embellishment of a gold snake across the front, while newcomer Zoe Kazan was effortlessly feminine in a red frilled mini dress. The annual event celebrated the best in independent film and television - with Get Out receiving the most nominations of the evening. Lace dream: Lady Bird's Saoirse Ronan dazzled in a Rodarte gown for the special event, formed of delicate white lace and embroidered with black and pink flowers Leading ladies: Mary J Blige stood out from the crowds in a simple black gown jazzed up by the embellishment of a gold snake across the front, while newcomer Zoe Kazan was effortlessly feminine in a red frilled mini dress Hunks: Robert Pattinson, James Franco and John Leguizamo all looked dapper in their suits (L-R) Get Out was Jordan Peele's feature film directing debut - which he also wrote - and took home trophies for Best Director and Screenplay and the Audience Award. Call Me By Your Name also topped the nominations list and took home the coveted award for Best Feature. Special honours were also given to the cast of Mudbound as well as Nicole Kidman, Dustin Hoffman, Sofia Coppola, Jason Blum and Al Gore. Up-and-coming actor Timothee Chalamet won a gong for his role in Call Me By Your Name, while Saoirse Ronan walked away with the trophy for Best Actress for her role in Lady Bird. Bosses: Garrett Hedlund and Adam Sandler were also in attendance Together: Dustin and Lisa Hoffman made a cute couple as they cuddled up on the red carpet All that glitters: Rachel Weisz truly dazzled in a sequin studded mini dress and leather court shoes Get in! Get Out co-stars Allison and Daniel Kaluuya sweetly posed together for cameras Famous friends: Ben Stiller posed with Dustin Hoffman once inside (L) as well as Adam Sandler (R) Bubbly: Reese beamed widely at the podium as she addressed the star-studded crowds Besties: Reese presented best pal Nicole with her special honour Animated: Nicole Kidman put on a playful display during her speech Girl power: The two friends dined next to each other Say cheese! The duo later posed together after the ceremony Winners: Zoe and Timothe Chalamet (L) and John and horror maestro Jason Blum posed together (R) after the event Remember HER name: Saoirse took home the Best Actress award, which she was presented by Armie Hammer Irish eyes: Saoirse was ebullient to win her award What a pair: Lucy Lui congratulated James on his big win for Best Actor Talking legends: Ed Lachman and David Byrne smiled on the red carpet Old school: Ethan Hawke and Elizabeth Marvel presented at the event as well She is an wildly successful actress who is known for her glamorous and dazzling ensembles. But Margot Robbie turned heads for an altogether different reason as she made an animated entrance into the 27th IFP Gotham Awards at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on Monday. The Wolf of Wall Street star, 27, looked impossibly glamorous as she arrived in a dark green glittery one-shoulder gown and vertiginous stiletto heels, but appeared to lose her balance as she was greeting fans, causing one toned leg to buckle awkwardly. Scroll down for video Turning heads: Margot Robbie turned heads for an altogether different reason as she appeared to lose her balance on her way into the 27th IFP Gotham Awards at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on Monday Pulling a shocked expression as she felt herself falling backwards, the blonde beauty seemed to call out in horror. Recovering her balance, Margot pulled a downcast expression as she covered her face with her hand and quickly walked into the venue. The Suicide Squad star could at least take comfort in the fact that her ensemble for the evening was undoubtedly a style hit. Her glittery gown hugged her trim physique while a daring thigh-high split showed off her toned legs. Oh no: Recovering her balance, Margot pulled a downcast expression as she covered her face with her hand and quickly walked into the venue Tottering: The Suicide Squad star could at least take comfort in the fact that her ensemble for the evening was undoubtedly a style hit Careful steps: Margot kept her eyes firmly fixed on the pavement as she negotiated her way in Sparkling: Her glittery gown hugged her trim physique while a daring thigh-high split showed off her toned legs Margot's sparkling dress showed off her slender midriff and was cinched at the waist by a skinny black belt. The Goodbye, Christopher Robin star opted for gothic glam, choosing a bold burgundy lip to complement her attire. She kept the rest of her makeup palette relatively subtle, with a swipe of mascara and natural tone for her eyeshadow. Racy:Margot's sparkling dress showed off her slender midriff and was cinched at the waist by a skinny black belt Slender star:The Goodbye, Christopher Robin star opted for gothic glam, choosing a bold burgundy lip to complement her attire Gothic glam:She kept the rest of her makeup palette relatively subtle, with a swipe of mascara and natural tone for her eyeshadow Accessorising the look, Margot went for strappy black heels and a black clutch with a gold chain. Her signature blonde locks were styled in a messy loose waves and parted down the middle. Posing on the red carpet of the event, Margot showed off her stunning style, happily laughing in some images and sporting a more subdued expression in others. Glamorous: Accessorising the look, Margot opted for strappy black heels and a black clutch with a gold chain as she posed on the red carpet Earlier this month, the actress opened up to Vogue Australia about her relationship with British film director husband Tom Ackerley. 'That's the thing, we were best friends and roommates before and now we're like best friends and roommates still, so nothing's really changed at all,' she told the publication. Referring to her wedding ring she added: 'Other than the fact that I get to wear this on the weekends. I can't obviously wear it during the week when I'm working I don't want to lose it on set.' Carey Mulligan looked lovely in a high-neck black embellished gown at the Gotham Independent Film Awards in New York on Monday night. The British actress, 32, stepped out to support her Netflix film Mudbound that earned her co-star Mary J. Blige a Breakthrough Actor award. She and the rest of the cast will also be presented with a special Gotham Jury Award for ensemble performance. Stunner: Carey Mulligan, 32, looked lovely in a high-neck black embellished gown at the Gotham Independent Film Awards in New York on Monday night. Carey's dress with ruffled collar was sleeveless and featured extensive brocade patterns from top to toe. The full-length number was cinched slightly at the waist and the very bottom of the hem was see-through. The mother-of-two, who is married to musician Marcus Mumford, wore her golden blonde hair loose and wavy. She wore black mascara, rosy pink blush and fuschia lip color to complete her look. Lovely look: The mother-of-two, who is married to musician Marcus Mumford, wore her golden blonde hair loose and wavy with the high-neck number Star power: Carey's dress was sleeveless and featured extensive brocade patterns from top to toe. The full-length number was cinched slightly at the waist Glamorous: The pretty star wore black mascara, rosy pink blush and fuschia lip color to complete her look Blige, 46, put on quite a show for her big night. The actress and recording artist dared to bare in a black Temraza dress slit to the hip and embroidered with a dramatic gold snake. The long-sleeved black gown had a high gold collar and she wore her blonde hair up in a high bun. Blige added smoky eye shadow and dark pink lipstick and accessorized with chandelier diamond earrings. Headturner: Blige, 46, put on quite a show, daring to bare in a black dress slit to the hip and decorated with a large gold embroidered snake Made-up: The long-sleeved black gown had a high gold collar and she wore her blonde hair up in a high bun with smoky eye shadow and dark pink lipstick Bella Hadid and Hailey Baldwin both had bruises on their legs as they stepped out in Miami on Monday. Just one day earlier, Hailey took to Snapchat to share a video of herself playing around on a friend's bike before accidentally falling, though it's not certain if the scrape led to her bruise. Bella, 21, had marks on both her left and right leg, which could clearly be seen as she stepped out for some shopping that day. Ouch! Bella Hadid and Hailey Baldwin both had bruises on their legs as they stepped out in Miami on Monday Wound: Hailey, meanwhile, wore a playful pink mini dress that also displayed the marking as she stepped out The model tugged at her beige mini dress as she strolled by some shops after setting sail off the coast of Florida. Bella's bruise could also be seen as she stepped onto the yacht. The cause of the bruises remain a mystery. Hailey, meanwhile, wore a playful pink mini dress that also displayed the marking. Oh no! Just one day earlier, Hailey took to Snapchat to share a video of herself playing around on a friend's bike before accidentally falling, though it's not certain if the scrape led to her bruise Stepping up: One of Baldwin's bruises could be clearly seen as she headed onto the yacht The model posted a video of herself on Monday as she headed to the doctor's office, though she didn't specify the reason for her visit. Hailey was taken to the doctor by nightclub owner David Grutman, who she referred to as 'dad.' 'Dad Grutman is taking me to the doctor,' she wrote. 'Thanks @davegrutman.' Birthday girl: The ladies have just returned from the Bahamas as part of Hailey's 21st birthday Support: Hailey was taken to the doctor by nightclub owner David Grutman, who she referred to as 'dad' Taking a look: Baldwin gazed down towards her leg Birthday girl Hailey just turned 21, and had a girls getaway with Bella and Kendall Jenner to the Bahamas to celebrate. From relaxing on the beach to boating along the crystal clear waters, the girls had plenty of fun in the sun these last few days. The chance to catch some rays was a much needed one for Bella, who last week walked in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in Shanghai, China. Mending: The model posted a video of herself on Monday as she headed to the doctor's office, though she didn't specify the reason for her visit Kicking back! From relaxing on the beach to boating along the crystal clear waters, the girls had plenty of fun in the sun these last few days Interesting: Hailey later showed off her toned legs in a pair of quirky fringed orange joggers as she arrived at the airport Everywhere's a runway: Hailey appeared to go make-up free for the occasion and partially covered her face beneath a baseball cap Trendy: Hailey rocked a cropped slate grey bomber jacket and cream and white trainers Tamra Judge and Vicki Gunvalson after an extremely protracted and bitter breakup were 'back' with BBF bracelets and 'friendship cake'. The tearful reconciliation took place on Monday night during the second and final part of The Real Housewives of Orange County Reunion. Tamra, 50, initially was furious with Vicki for spreading rumors about her husband Eddie being gay. Making up: Tamra Judge had a final confrontation with Vicki Gunvalson before they made up on Monday during the second and final part of The Real Housewives Of Orange County reunion Vicki meanwhile remained incensed that Tamra thought she was complicit in her ex-boyfriend's 'cancer scam'. 'You lied, I got conned!' yelled the self-declared 'OG of the OC' who was also cross because Tamra had accused her of being 'homophobic'. 'Liar, liar, liar, liar,' chanted Tamra. Vicki warned Tamra that her behavior was not a good look. Getting emotional: Vicki and Tambra both got emotional before deciding to be friends again Together again: Andy Cohen hosted the reunion featuring Peggy Sulahian, Lydia McLaughlin, Kelly Dodd, Vicki, Tamra, Shannon Beador and Meghan King Edmonds 'Nothing looks good on you,' Tamra retorted. Vicki, 55, then stormed off the set, saying: 'I'm out, I'm off the show. I'm not going back out there'. Lydia McLaughlin tried to comfort Vicki, and persuaded her to reenter the fray. Early exit: Vicki left the set after being insulted by Tamra 'Why can't you just apologize and mean it,' sobbed Tamra. 'I'm sorry, I won't talk about it ever again, as God as my witness,' said Vicki. Tamra then vowed to never again imply that Vicki was a 'con artist' and agreed to stop saying that she was in on the cancer scam with her ex Brooks Ayers. Apology offered: Vicki finally gave Tamra a sincere apology and promised to never talk about the gay rumor she spread about Tamra's husband Eddie Unbelievably they hugged, with Shannon Beador also joining in for a group embrace. 'Vicki and I are good together, and that's the truth,' cried Tamra, who symbolically invited Vicki to sit on the same couch as her and Shannon. 'We haven't sat on the same couch for, like, two years,' Tamra sobbed. Same side: Tamra and Shannon eventually welcomed Vicki to their side and the same couch They even shared some 'friendship cake' and dug out their old BFF bracelets. 'Are we back?' asked Vicki backstage. 'We're back!' exclaimed Tamra. Big hug: Vicki and Tamra hugged it out as they resumed their friendship Meghan King Edmonds earlier in the show announced that she was just 'one month' pregnant with her second child. 'I'm so happy,' she squealed. The former model also demanded an apology from Peggy Sulahian, for 'clipping' her lips shut with her fingers 'three times'. Second child: Meghan announced that she was 'one month' pregnant with her second child 'Don't you think you needed your lips clipped?' asked Peggy nonchalantly. Shannon endured a stormy season due to the breakdown of her marriage to David. She accused Lydia of repeatedly goading her to 'get a reaction'. Stormy season: Shannon accused Lydia of goading her to 'get a reaction' in a desperate bid to stay relevant on the show 'Make yourself relevant Lydia, mission accomplished,' barked the 53-year-old. 'She didn't want to admit that her marriage was falling apart,' commented Tamra. Meghan and Kelly Dodd then feuded about how Kelly had questioned Meghan's mothering skills. Bravo honcho: Andy is an executive producer of The Real Housewives franchise 'Why are you so damaged?' asked Meghan bitterly. 'I'm not damaged,' snapped Kelly, who had previously admitted she was wrong to say those things. Kelly also asked if Meghan's husband Jim had been having affairs. Damaged goods: Meghan accused Kelly of being damaged but she refuted it 'I got information,' she insisted. Peggy, aka 'resting b**** face', according to host Andy Cohen, was confronted about her relationship with her husband Diko. She said Diko seemed 'controlling' at first, but later she decided it was 'protection'. Relationship question: Peggy said her husband Diko was more protective than controlling Peggy then started crying about her health and her father's recent death. 'I didn't want sympathyI was in denial that I had cancer,' she claimed. Kelly then admitted that she gave Adderall and Xanax to Vicki while they were in Iceland during the trip where Vicki went to hospital with heart palpitations. Iceland trip: The ladies recounted their arguments during the Iceland trip 'Then somebody gave me a NyQuil,' said Vicki. 'Now we know what was wrong!' exclaimed Andy. Adding: 'You were high'. On drugs: Vicki admitted taking Xanax and Adderall from Kelly while in Iceland They discussed the blow-up during the last night in Iceland. Peggy left the vacation early after a row with Meghan and Kelly. She said she was 'in pain' from the breast expanders she was wearing at the time. 'Can you imagine opening up your robe and not seeing breasts there?' she asked tearfully. The reunion ended with the RHOC cast and Andy doing a group shot together. In pain: Peggy revealed that she was 'in pain' during the Iceland trip from her breast expanders She stars in the film, Lady Bird, which became Rotten Tomatoes' most universally well-reviewed film in the site's history. And hours after the achievement was announced, Saoirse Ronan stepped out in a floral Rodarte gown for IFP's 27th Annual Gotham Independent Film Awards in New York City. The 23-year-old actress wowed in her lacy cream dress, which featuring bold flowers emblazoned along the torso and skirt. Scroll down for video Star power: Saoirse Ronan stepped out in a floral gown for IFP's 27th Annual Gotham Independent Film Awards in New York City on Monday The New York-born star's frock was slightly see-through, with a mermaid skirt, v-neckline and poofy sleeves. Saoirse's dress had black and white flowers with just a handful featuring pink ones. The screen star rocked Tiffany & Company earrings for a pop of sparkle. The actress, who grew up in Ireland, styled her blonde locks pulled back into a bun, opting for a deep side part. Stunning: The 23-year-old actress wowed in her lacy cream dress, which featuring bold flowers emblazoned along the torso and skirt Fancy: The New York-born star's frock was slightly see-through, with a mermaid skirt, v-neckline and poofy sleeves Saoirse painted her lips a nude pink hue, adding smoky eye makeup beneath her defined brows. The blonde movie star is nominated for Best Actress for her work in the movie, Lady Bird, at this year's Gotham Independent Awards. The film's director, Greta Gerwig, is nominated for both Best Screenplay and Best Director. Making a statement: Saoirse's dress had black and white flowers with just a handful featuring pink tones A visionary: The film's director, Greta Gerwig (pictured), is nominated for both Best Screenplay and Best Director; she slipped on a Gucci gown As of Monday, Greta and Saoirse's film Lady Bird had a 100% 'tomatometer' score on Rotten Tomatoes. It is now the most universally well-received film in the history of the website after receiving 170 fresh reviews. It surpassed Toy Story 2's record of 163 fresh reviews, which it received after it debuted in 1999. Lady Bird is a comedy about high schooler Christine 'Lady Bird' McPherson, played by Saoirse. An attorney for the reporter who was assaulted by Rep. Greg Gianforte on the eve of his election last May has sent a cease-and-desist letter to the congressman and his spokesman asking them to stop falsely saying the reporter initiated the physical attack. Gianforte admitted in court in June to assaulting Ben Jacobs, a reporter for The Guardian, when Jacobs tried to ask Gianforte his views about a health care bill before Congress. When pleading guilty to the misdemeanor assault in Gallatin County District Court, Gianforte said Jacobs "did not initiate any physical contact with me." He also wrote a letter to Jacobs saying the reporter did not start the physical altercation. A press release sent out by Gianforte's campaign in the hours after the assault falsely blamed the attack on Jacobs, saying the reporter grabbed the candidate's wrists. Gianforte apologized to Jacobs and as a part of his sentence performed community service, completed anger management and paid a fine and restitution. He also donated $50,000 to the Committee to Protect Journalists to avoid a civil case. Earlier this month, Gallatin County District Court released hundreds of pages of records of the investigation into the assault. The records show Gianforte misled investigators, saying it was an attempt by the "liberal media" that was "trying to make a story" of what happened. In the letter posted online by the Independent Journalism Review, Geoffrey Genth, Jacobs' attorney, asked Gianforte and his spokesman Travis Hall to "immediately cease and desist from making any further false and defamatory statements about Mr. Jacobs." Genth wrote that the letter was prompted by recent news quoting a statement from Hall that "no one was misled, and anyone who says otherwise was mistaken." That statement was in response to coverage of the documents released by the Bozeman court. "It is unacceptable and actionable for Rep. Gianforte, Mr. Hall, or any other persons working for or affiliated with Rep. Gianforte or his campaign to make false and defamatory statements about the May 24 assault," Genth wrote. The letter was sent to Bill Mercer of Holland and Hart, the Billings law firm that represented Gianforte in the assault case. Mercer and Hall were contacted for comment and to confirm they have received the letter, but did not otherwise respond. Gianforte has announced he will run to keep his seat in Congress in 2018. Six Democrats have announced they will run in the primary for that race. In 2016, when Gianforte was running for governor, he sent cease-and-desist letters to television stations around the state saying they broadcast false advertising that claimed he is a "millionaire from New Jersey." The letter said Gianforte had lived in Montana two decades. It also disputed the ad's claim that "Gianforte sued to eliminate a popular access spot." Ariel Winter kept it casual while running errands on Monday in Los Angeles. The 19-year-old actress wore a short beige dress while out and about in the Sherman Oaks area. The Modern Family star covered up with a faded denim jacket and completed her outfit with maroon platform boots. TV star: Ariel Winter was spotted out and about on Monday in Los Angeles in a beige dress and denim jacket Ariel had her jet-black hair parted down the middle and straight down around her shoulders. She stepped out with just a hint of makeup and large round glasses. Ariel and her boyfriend Levi Meaden, 30, earlier this month celebrated their one-year dating anniversary. They were spotted looking loved-up on Sunday as they headed out hand-in-hand to a friend's birthday party in Los Angeles. Casual chic: The 19-year-old Modern Family star also wore maroon platform boots The Canadian actor and Ariel celebrated their anniversary earlier this month on November 11. The couple have been nearly inseparable and live together at Ariel's home in Los Angeles. Levi can be seen next year in the highly anticipated sci-fi sequel Pacific Rim: Uprising. Going strong: Ariel and 30-year-old boyfriend Levi Meaden, shown earlier this month in Los Angeles, celebrated their one-year dating anniversary on November 11 He portrays offbeat cadet Ilya in the sequel directed by Steven S. DeKnight who also co-wrote the screenplay. Pacific Rim: Uprising starring John Boyega, Scott Eastwood, Cailee Spaeny, Jing Tian and Charlie Day is scheduled for release on March 23, 2018. Ariel also has been providing the voice of Sofia in the Disney Channel series Sofia The First since its premiere in November 2012. She's the busy mother who juggles raising four kids with her burgeoning radio career. And on Tuesday, Rebecca Judd found time for another project, launching new brand Spray Aus in Melbourne. The 34-year-old showed off her slender frame in a form-fitting jumpsuit as she posed for photos alongside pal Nadia Bartel. A wonder in white! Rebecca Judd shows off her slender frame in a form- fitting jumpsuit as she attends Spray Aus launch with Nadia Bartel In photos shared to social media, Bec wore an eye-catching white jumpsuit which showed off her endless legs. The halterneck style also featured a keyhole cutout over her chest and flaunted her golden tan. Wearing her brunette locks out in tousled waves, Bec sported smoky eye makeup and pink lipstick. The AFL WAG posed for photos alongside her friend Nadia, who had also worn white to the spray tanning event All white! Matching Bec, Nadia also wore a breezy all white ensemble The AFL WAG posed for photos alongside her friend Nadia, who had also worn white to the spray tanning event. The blogger flashed her midriff in a cropped blouse and matching high waisted pants. Bec's appearance at the event comes as she says there is 'no way' she will have more kids. Parents of four: The model shares four children with her husband Chris Judd - six-year-old son Oscar, three-year-old daughter Billie and one-year-old twin sons Tom and Darcy The model shares four children with her husband Chris Judd - six-year-old son Oscar, three-year-old daughter Billie and one-year-old twin sons Tom and Darcy. Bec told Daily Mail Australia earlier this month that the secret to raising her large brood was always being prepared. 'It's just about having a balance and being organised. I'm really organised,' Bec said. 'My kids are amazing and I'm very much a routine mum. I have been on a routine from day one, so that's how I do it.' They just returned from a romantic weekend in Mexico. And Emmy Rossum and husband Sam Esmail looked every inch the loved up couple as they were spotted at LAX on Monday. The 31-year-old actress rocked a bohemian chic vibe as the Mr. Robot creator, 40, cut a casual figure. Loved up: Emmy Rossum, 31, and husband Sam Esmail, 40, looked every inch the loved up couple as they were spotted at LAX on Monday The Shameless star covered her enviable figure in a loose grey shirt and baggy navy leggings that left all to the imagination. With a light denim coat and patterned scarf, the brunette beauty looked comfy returning from her quick Los Cabo get-a-way. She paired the simple look with a pair of orange slice loafers and retro sunglasses as she went virtually makeup free. Her husband donned a dark ensemble replete with black hoodie, denim pants, and dark Adidas sneakers. Casual: The actress rocked a bohemian chic vibe as the Mr. Robot creator cut a casual figure Covered up: The Shameless star covered her enviable figure in a loose grey shirt and baggy navy leggings that left all to the imagination Emmy married her first husband, music executive Justin Siegel, in 2008, but he filed for divorce the next year. Their split was legally finalized in 2010. Mr. Robot creator Sam had never been married before he and Emmy went down the aisle this May - she wearing a custom-made Carolina Herrera dress. Emmy, Sam and The Hollywood Reporter are creating a mini-series about Angelyne, with Emmy playing the title role, THR reported. Angelyne - she of the massive blonde hairdo and pink Cadillac - gained attention in the 1980s when billboards of her appeared around Los Angeles. Dark attire: Her husband donned a dark ensemble replete with black hoodie, denim pants, and dark Adidas sneakers She promoted herself to fame for its own sake, but guarded the secret of her real identity - until The Hollywood Reporter writer Gary Baum exposed it this August. According to his report, her given name is Renee Goldberg and she immigrated to America from Poland with her parents, who survived the Holocaust. Emmy gave a statement reading: 'I have always been fascinated by the enigma that is Angelyne. At a young age, I can vividly remember staring up at her on a billboard above me and wondering: "Who is that woman?" 'Gary Baum's investigative journalism has finally unearthed the true, complex identity of the infamous woman who has fascinated Los Angeles for over 30 years. 'From the moment I read Gary's recent piece, I knew I had to tell this story. It's a poignant and bizarre tale about the hunger for fame, the sexualization of women and the erasing of past traumas.' They've been dating for the last few months after revealing their romance at Lisa Wilkinson's vow renewal ceremony in October. And Today show's Richard Wilkins and his new girlfriend Virginia Burmeister looked as smitten as ever as they attended the ARIA Awards in Sydney on Tuesday evening. Virginia, who is the estranged wife of wealthy Morgan Stanley investment banker Mark Burmeister, turned heads in a very sheer gown, which showed off her pert derriere. No wonder his smitten! Richard Wilkins' new girlfriend Virginia Burmeister shows off her pert derriere in a VERY risque sheer at the ARIAs Bottoms up! Virginia, who is the estranged wife of wealthy Morgan Stanley investment banker Mark Burmeister, turned heads in a very sheer gown, which showed off her pert derriere The dress featured strategically placed lace detail that just managed to conceal her modesty. The fabric also had a floral motif throughout while the halterneck design flaunted her toned back. Meanwhile, Dickie looked dapper in a black tuxedo and a pair of polished dress shoes. Strategic! The dress featured strategically placed lace detail that just managed to conceal her modesty Deep in conversation: The pair appeared deep in conversation as they hit the red carpet The pair's relationship had been rumoured for some time, but was confirmed earlier in the year. They were pictured cuddling and holding hands throughout the night, which celebrated Lisa's 25-year marriage to Peter FitzSimons. Richard is said to be 'head over heels' for Virginia, who was a dancer at Le Lido Paris in the 1980s. Virginia, a mother of three young children, has previously interacted with Richard on Twitter, with message exchanges dating back as far as February. Beth Chapman is not just fighting for her life, but the lives of others. The 50-year-old wife of Duane Dog Chapman, of Dog the Bounty Hunter fame, spoke candidly about why she's hoping her valiant fight against stage two throat cancer will shed light on the disease and prompt others to take preventative action, in an interview with TooFab on Monday The blonde beauty's health battle was chronicled in the two-hour A&E special Dog and Beth: Fight of Their Lives, with cameras rolling for her numerous trips to the doctor's office, and during a 13-hour operation she underwent in hopes of removing the tumor. Scroll below for video Courageous: Beth Chapman, the 50-year-old wife of Dog 'The Bounty Hunter' Chapman, says she's been open about her battle with cancer to help educate her fans on preventative tactics and shed light on the disease 'It was a real reality check for me,' Beth told the website, adding that she sacrificed her own privacy for the sake - and safety - of viewers. 'I felt like to be an honest person, I'm going to share this with my fans as honestly as I can,' Beth said. 'Hopefully, one or two people will go and get early detection and their lives will be saved because of us.' The mother-of-four said that the fight of her life has also had her feeling thankful for the good fortune she's experienced as a reality TV star, and the impact her show had on others during their own trying times. 'It puts a real reality on you that your life could be gone in an instant,' Beth said. 'You come to a place where you start to appreciate all of these fans that are watching your show while they're sitting there being pumped full of chemo, hoping for you to make them laugh, if only for a second.' Happy couple: The reality star said: 'I felt like to be an honest person, I'm going to share this with my fans as honestly as I can,' Beth said. 'Hopefully, one or two people will go and get early detection and their lives will be saved because of us' (pictured with loving husband Dog in November) Inspiration:The mother-of-four said that the fight of her life has also had her feeling thankful for the good fortune she's experienced as a reality TV star, and the impact her show had on others during their own trying times Dog, 64, said his wife had a selfless reaction upon receiving her diagnosis, immediately seeking to use her treatment journey as a vehicle to help and educate others. 'At the very beginning, once they told us, she was devastated, we all were, but she went, "Honey, we're gonna film this and we're gonna show everybody how to beat this,"' the TV bounty hunter said, noting that 'a lot of her fans have gone through this.' Beth gave an example of such, referencing a visit she had with an eight-year-old girl battling leukemia. Celebrity glitz:Dog, 64, said his wife had a selfless reaction upon receiving her diagnosis, immediately seeking to use her treatment journey as a vehicle to help and educate others 'For her, it was encouraging to see someone like me,' she said. 'Not only did she see me on TV, but then she saw me show up on her doorstep when she was clearly at her sickest. 'It just means to much to people. You have to take a breath, you have to stop and smell the roses because life is precious and you can't mess around with your health.' Dog added that Beth's visit gave the little girl confidence and determination that she would beat leukaemia, saying the child 'looked up at Beth, and Beth showed her battle wound and she said, "Beth you made it, I'm gonna make it."' Kendall Jenner was spotted in Miami on Monday after enjoying a Bahamas getaway with her pals Hailey Baldwin and Bella Hadid. But the 22-year-old, whom Forbes recently listed as the highest paid model of 2017, looked all partied out after her girls' trip. The reality star, whose Keeping Up With The Kardashians payments helped catapult her to the top of the Forbes list, couldn't hide her breakout as she stepped out in the city. All partied out: Kendall Jenner went make-up free as she stepped out in Miami, Flordia, on Monday after her girls' trip to the Bahamas with gal pals Bella Hadid and Hailey Baldwin Kendall was snapped chatting on her phone in the Florida resort town and appeared to be without make-up. The younger half-sister of Kim Kardashian wore her dark hair tied back into a ponytail. She was dressed in a black t-shirt and black leggings with white trainers and walked with one hand tucked into the waistband of her skintight pants. Fresh-faced: The supermodel was snapped chatting on her phone in the Florida resort town and appeared to be without make-up Odd: The 22-year-old walked with one hand tucked into the waistband of her skintight pants Au naturel: The reality star was dressed in a black t-shirt and black leggings with white trainers Not so model perfect: Kendall looked a far cry from the catwalk queen image she likes to project Kendall had been in The Bahamas to celebrate Hailey's 21st birthday. They were joined by their mutual BFF Bella. The gals shared pictures of themselves partying in bikinis on social media. Last year, Kendall and Bella were involved in promoting the ultimately doomed Fyre Festival scheduled to take place on a Bahamas island. But the fiasco that unfolded clearly hasn't dampened their enthusiasm for the Caribbean destination. She's the Instagram glamour model with a penchant for shocking fans with her boundary-pushing style. And Imogen Anthony, 26, was up to her old tricks again as she attended the ARIA Awards in Sydney on the arm of her boyfriend Kyle Sandilands, 46, this Tuesday. Donning an ice-bonde wig for the occasion, Imogen made every effort to steal the spotlight by slipping her slender frame into a netted maxi dress by Sarah Joseph Couture. Imogen Anthony, 26, was up to her old tricks again as she attended the ARIA Awards in Sydney on the arm of her boyfriend Kyle Sandilands, 46, this Tuesday The racy gown left little to the imagination, with Imogen's modesty strategically covered by sprawling applique detailing. Imogen also opted for a makeup-heavy look with very dark eye-shadowing and a nude lip. Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail Australia on the red carpet, Imogen took the opportunity to boast about her extremely expensive diamond choker necklace by House Of K'Dor. Roll on down! At one stage, the eccentrically-clad Instagram star was spotted rolling down the red carpet on a skateboard while being held steady by a male assistant Striking: Donning an ice-bonde wig for the occasion, Imogen made every effort to steal the spotlight by slipping her slender frame into a netted maxi dress by Sarah Joseph Couture Careful! Kyle, who was dressed to impress in a blue suit jacket, black T-shirt and matching jeans, decided to take the skateboard for a spin but appeared to momentarily lose his balance 'Two million dollars worth of diamonds on my neck. Oh yeah, there's a guard around somewhere with a gun, so we're good,' she beamed. At one stage, the eccentrically-clad Instagram star was spotted rolling down the red carpet on a skateboard while being held steady by a male assistant. Kyle, who was dressed to impress in a blue suit jacket, black T-shirt and matching jeans, decided to take the skateboard for a spin but appeared to momentarily lose his balance. Stealing the spotlight! The racy gown left little to the imagination, with Imogen's modesty strategically covered by sprawling applique detailing After swanning down the media wall for photos alongside her beau, Imogen spoke to Daily Mail Australia about rumours that she and Kyle are planning a wedding. 'I don't think it's too far off,' said the social media star. However, Imogen insisted that wedding or not, she and Kyle are more than happy to live as an unmarried couple. 'We're happy as we are,' she explained. 'We don't need that bit of paper to say we're in love.' He attended the ARIA Awards in a wheelchair last year following a series of health scares. But Molly Meldrum, 74, was back on his feet again briefly as he mingled at this year's award ceremony on Tuesday. Clad in his usual cowboy hat and a purple-and-black tuxedo, the music legend was seen ordering a drink ahead of the official ceremony. Scroll down for video Cheers to good health! Molly Meldrum, 74, went without his wheelchair at the ARIA Awards this Tuesday as he mingled with guests and ordered a drink at the bar Smiling from ear-to-ear, Molly appeared to be in good spirits as he mingled with fellow industry professionals. Earlier in the evening, he was seen arriving at the event in his wheelchair. Later, he was spotted sitting in the audience with a champagne flute in hand. Just months earlier, Molly left fans concerned after he delivered a rambling speech at the 2017 Logies. Kicking back: At one stage, the music icon was spotted sitting in the audience with a champagne flute in hand This time last year: Molly was spotted at the ARIA Awards in a wheelchair last year following a series of health scares (pictured) The former Countdown host appeared on stage when Samuel Johnson was awarded the Gold Logie, before interrupting the winner's speech and providing his own address. His drawn-out speech was expletive-laden and at many times he was incoherent, leading viewers to take to social media saying they need 'subtitles' to understand what he was talking about. Molly has been involved in a series of serious falls in recent years. Sparking concern: Just months earlier, Molly left fans concerned after he delivered a rambling speech at the 2017 Logies In December 2011, he suffered life-threatening injuries after he fell from a ladder at his home in Richmond, inner Melbourne. He fractured his skull, punctured his lungs and broke his ribs in the shocking accident. Then in January 2016 while in Bangkok, Thailand, he fell outside a hotel and dislodged a vertebrae, requiring emergency surgery. Six months later, he was taken to hospital after attending a birthday cruise for trucking magnate Lindsay Fox after the injuries he suffered in Bangkok flared up. Robin Williams' daughter Zelda Williams, 28, has paid tribute to her late father in a sweet Twitter post marking the 25th anniversary of Disney movie Aladdin. The actor, who passed away in August 2014, had voiced the character of Genie in the much-loved animation and sharing a GIF of Genie playfully interacting with Aladdin, Zelda appeared to pay reference to her father's death. She tweeted alongside her post: 'Genie turned 25 yesterday. Little brother turns 26 today. Life is full of reminders that time passes so very fast.' Scroll down for video Heartfelt: Robin Williams' daughter Zelda Williams, 28, has paid tribute to her late father in a sweet Twitter post marking the 25th anniversary of Disney movie Aladdin Ensuring to keep her tribute light-hearted, however, Zelda then added: 'Now, excuse me while I go reenact this with my baby brothers face.' Her post sparked a slew of well-wishes from fans, with many paying their own respects to Robin. One follower penned: 'There will always be one genie forever <3,' while another said: 'Boy I miss Robin Williams!' Others, meanwhile, penned: 'Happy Birthday to your little brother! You are right time goes too fast. Miss your dad very much. Remembered: Robin (pictured above in 2011) had passed away in August 2014, after committing suicide at his home in Califronia Sweet: The actor had voiced the character of Genie in the much-loved animation and sharing a GIF of Genie playfully interacting with Aladdin, Zelda appeared to pay reference to her father's death 'This movie is the main reason for my love of your father. Easily. 'I cannot believe it's been 25 years , god how time flys when ur having fun!!! Aladdin was such a magical film I loved every single minute of it and still do till this day (31 almost 32 now!!! Arrgh##!!! Ur dad will always be as one of a kind beautiful souls that ever lived. (sic) 'This movie reminds me of your dad everyday and I know how much we still miss our hero. Hes one of the best! HBd to your little bro. Happy anniversary #Aladdin25 'What a wonderful Genie he is too x Robin was just magical. Good Will Hunting star Robin had passed away in August 2014. He had committed suicide at his home and was pronounced dead shortly after officials had responded to an emergency call. Milestone: Aladdin was first released 25 years ago on 25 November 1992 Paying their respects: Zelda's post prompted many fans to share their own tributes to her dad His publicist had revealed he had been battling 'severe depression' at the time. Robin's wife Susan Schneider later revealed the star had been suffering with a brain disease called Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB). In an interview with People magazine, Susan explained that her husband Williams had been suffering with the disease a year before his death, with his symptoms worsening in the months prior to his passing. Speaking about her husband in an interview with Good Morning America, an emotional Susan said: 'Its the best love I ever dreamed of.' She released a statement at the time of his death that read: 'This morning, I lost my husband and my best friend, while the wold lost one of its most beloved artists and beautiful human beings. I am utterly heartbroken. Family man: Robin's last tweet before his passing had been a heart-felt post about his daughter Zelda to mark her 25th birthday, as he penned on social media: 'Quarter of a century old today but always my baby girl' 'On behalf of Robin's family, we are asking for privacy during out time of profound grief. As he is remembered, it is our hope the focus will not be on Robin's death, but on the countless moments of joy and laughter he gave to millions.' Zelda, meanwhile, had remembered her father on Twitter following his death. She shared a moving quote that read: 'You - you along will have the stars as no one else has them... in one of the stars I shall be living. In one of them I shall be laughing. And so it will be as if all the stars were laughing, when you look at the sky at night... You - only you - will have stars that can laugh.' She added the tweet: 'I love you. I miss you. I'll try to keep looking up. Z.' Robin's last tweet before his passing had been a heart-felt post about his daughter Zelda to mark her 25th birthday. He shared an old black and white photo of the pair together, along with the caption: '#tbt and Happy Birthday to Ms. Zelda Rae Williams. Quarter of a century old today but always my baby girl. Happy Birthday @zeldawilliams Love you!' Doting dad: Robin is also father to two other children; son Zachary Williams from his first marriage to Valerie Velardi in June 1978 and Cody Alan Williams, Zelda's younger brother Love: Robin went on to marry third wife Susan Schneider in 2011 - Susan had said in a statement that she was 'utterly heartbroken' following his death Robin is also father to two other children; son Zachary Williams from his first marriage to Valerie Velardi in June 1978 and Cody Alan Williams, Zelda's younger brother. He shares Cody and Zelda with Marsha Garces, his second wife. They had split in 2008 and their divorce was finalised in 2010. Robin went on to marry third wife Susan in 2011. Speaking of his children, the Hollywood movie talent had said: 'My children give me a great sense of wonder. Just to see them develop into these extraordinary human beings.' He was famed for his work in a number of films, including the likes of Mrs Doubtfire, Flubber, Good Morning, Vietnam, Hook, Jumanji and Hook. Throughout his career, Robin had won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in Good Will Hunting, seven Golden Globes and four Grammy Awards. For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details. She's an aspiring model who has been carving herself a career in the fashion industry with her sister Delilah, with comparisons already being drawn to model siblings Bella and Gigi Hadid. But Amelia Grey Hamlin took some time out from her busy schedule to enjoy a trip to the salon in Beverly Hills on Monday, rocking an equally casual ensemble. The 16-year-old fashion star rocked a Junk Food Clothing crop top and leggings combo as she headed out and about in the 90210 area. Scroll down for video Fabulous: Model Amelia Grey Hamlin, 16, kept it casual on Monday as she headed to a salon in Beverly Hills for a spot of pampering Amelia donned the Coca Cola logo t-shirt with classic black leggings for a simple and relaxed look, and finished the ensemble with a Balenciaga cap and Yeezy trainers. Carrying her essentials in a leather backpack, the IMG Model covered her eyes from the California sunshine in oversized sunglasses. The Dennis Basso runway star has been carving herself a career in the fashion industry, and she certainly has strong genes as the daughter of actors Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin. Style Queen: The aspiring fashion star rocked a Junk Food Clothing crop top and leggings combo as she headed out and about in the 90210 On point: Amelia accessorised her look with a Balenciaga cap and Yeezy trainers, keeping her essentials in a leather backpack The fashion star was recently left star-struck over meeting a Hollywood superstar, when Jennifer Lawrence met and her mother Lisa. But despite her Oscar-winning pedigree, it was Jennifer who appeared to be in awe of Lisa, fangirling excitedly in photos posted to Amelia's Instagram. Amelia captioned one of the snaps: 'This is iconic. Jennifer Lawrence looks like she's seen a ghost. I'm Done. Goodnight. Tuck. Me. In.' Meet your heroes: Amelia was left starstruck when actress Jennifer Lawrence met her and mother Lisa Rinna, posting the hilarious encounter on Instagram Model siblings: Amelia has been on the rise in the fashion industry as a model with sister Delilah, 18, and the pair are already being compared to Bella and Gigi Hadid Despite Amelia and her sister Delilah being compared to model sisters Bella and Gigi Hadid, the duo recently revealed they don't find any rivalry with them for modelling contracts. Speaking to The New York Post, Amelia said: 'We really respect and look up to [Gigi and Bella] they're such hard workers.' Amelia's modelling dreams came true in September, when she conquered New York Fashion Week and walked the catwalk for the first time at the Dennis Basso show. Family ties: Amelia is the daughter of Real Housewives star Lisa Rinna and actor Harry Hamlin Rebel Wilson took to the stage on Tuesday night alongside Ruby Rose to present Harry Styles the Best International Artist. Rebel stunned in a sparkly gold frock as she stood alongside Ruby to make a short speech, joking she was accepting the award rather than presenting it to Harry. 'I'm so excited to be here to accept the award for Best International Act,' she began. Scroll down for video Pitch perfect! Rebel Wilson makes a statement in a sparkly gold frock at the ARIA awards... after slamming critics who say she doesn't deserve $4.5 million defamation settlement 'I've never won an award in Australia before,' she continued, before she was told she hadn't won an award. 'What do you mean we flew from Los Angeles. I ate plane food for this!' Rebel joked to a chorus of laughter from the audience. She later presented Harry with the statuette. 'Hello, thank you ... everyone here has always been so wonderful to me,' Harry told the crowd. 'Thank you for having me here and having me back. I obviously wouldn't be here [if it wasn't] for the fans who voted.' Castmates: Rebel appeared on stage with her Pitch Perfect castmates Ruby Rose, Brittany Snow and Anna Camp 'I've never won an award in Australia before,' she continued before she was told she hadn't won an award. Meanwhile, it's certainly been a busy time of late for The Bridesmaids star. Rebel, who was born Melanie Elizabeth Bownds, secured a hefty $4.5million settlement after she was accused of being a serial liar in a series of articles published by Bauer Media. Rebel, who was born Melanie Elizabeth Bownds, secured a hefty $4.5million settlement after she was accused of being a serial liar in a series of articles published by Bauer Media Rebel made history in September when Victorian Supreme Court justice John Dixon awarded her damages against Bauer Media, the German publisher of Woman's Day, Australian Women's Weekly, OK! and NW magazine. An all-female jury in June reached a unanimous verdict that Woman's Day, Australian Women's Weekly, OK! and NW magazine publisher defamed her in eight articles published in May 2015. The articles claimed she was a serial liar about her real name, age and childhood so she could make it in Hollywood. Rebel won $650,000 in general damages and $3,917,472 in special damages for opportunities in movie roles she lost because of the articles. Rebel won $650,000 in general damages and $3,917,472 in special damages for opportunities in movie roles she lost because of the articles. She described that verdict in Melbourne as 'awesome'. 'It was so, so satisfying that the jury voted with me. It was such an overwhelming, comprehensive victory that it was just amazing,' she said. It became a pop culture sensation, spawning catchphrases such as 'grenade' and 'gym, tan, laundry'. And Jersey Shore fans can now rejoice at the news that MTV is bringing back the popular reality show in 2018, announcing a 'family vacation' reunion series. The main castmates from the fly-on-the-wall series, which aired from 2009 to 2012, will all be returning - with the exception of Sammi 'Sweetheart' Giancola. Scroll down for video Reunion: Jersey Shore fans can now rejoice at the news that MTV is bringing back the popular reality show in 2018, announcing a 'family vacation' reunion series Paul 'Pauly D' Delvecchio, Jenni 'JWOWW' Farley, Vinny Guadagnino, Ronnie Ortiz-Magro, Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi, and Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino and Deena Nicole Cortese are all confirmed. Little is known about what the new series of Jersey Shore Family Vacation will entail, but viewers can expect plenty of alcohol-fuelled parties and bust-ups, despite several members of the cast starting families and getting married. The original MTV reality series - which lasted six series - surrounded hard-partying roommates sharing a New Jersey beach house as well as the mantra 'gym, tan, laundry.' The gang teased their excitement on social media, with Vinny sharing: 'Hide yo wife, hide yo kids.. Did someone say theres a new #JerseyShore series coming out in 2018 on @mtv ?! Missing out: Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino, Jenni 'JWOWW' Farley, Paul 'Pauly D' Delvecchio, Deena Nicole Cortese, Vinny Guadagnino, Ronnie Ortiz-Magro (from left to right) and Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi (far left) are all confirmed - but Sammi 'Sweetheart' Giancola (second from right) isn't returning Lasted six seasons (2009-2012): The original MTV reality series surrounded hard-partying roommates sharing a New Jersey beach house as well as the mantra 'gym, tan, laundry' 'The people have spoken and We finna #MakeRealityTvGreatAgain. 'Cant wait to be back on your tv screen wit my roomates!!!!!' JWOWW shared, 'Gotta teach these young ones', while Snooki filmed the promo announcement airing on MTV. The news comes shortly after Deena married her boyfriend Christopher Buckner in October, which reunited the gang. The brunette beauty is yet to address the reasons for not taking part, but it seems her new relationship could be the reason. Moving on: Sammi, who was in an off/off, dysfunctional relationship with co-star Ronnie for years, has found love again and her social media account is filled with couple snaps Sammi, who was in an off/off, dysfunctional relationship with co-star Ronnie for years, has found love again and her social media account is filled with couple snaps. Jersey Shore spawned a legion of copycat series, including the UK's long-running series Geordie Shore, set in Newcastle. News of a reunion series has been teased for months. This summer, Snooki confirmed that her Jersey Shore castmates were definitely 'down to' do a full season together. 'We want to do reunion, a full season of it, and I feel the fans want it too,' the 29-year-old reality star told Extra. 'I feel the fans want it too': Following E!'s 30-minute Reunion Road Trip this summer, Snooki confirmed her Jersey Shore castmates were definitely 'down to' do a full season The 29-year-old reality star told Extra: 'We really miss each other...I think it was nice to look back and say we were hot messes and then we were doing shots to us being hot messes, so we are still hot messes' 'We really miss each other...I think it was nice to look back and say we were hot messes and then we were doing shots to us being hot messes, so we are still hot messes.' 'It's literally like shots! "Let's go out, have fun!"' the married mother-of-two said of the reunion. 'The fact that we all got together six years later and we're still the same roomies and people... that's dangerous.' Snooki continued: 'We realize when we were all together, we didnt skip a beat. I have two kids; Im a mom. Im married. That's a big difference.' The married mother-of-two said of the reunion: 'It's literally like shots! "Let's go out, have fun!" The fact that we all got together six years later and we're still the same roomies and people... that's dangerous' Snooki continued: 'We realize when we were all together, we didnt skip a beat. I have two kids; Im a mom. Im married. That's a big difference' In the hot seat: Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino has remained sober despite facing 'decades' in prison for 'tax evasion and structuring/falsifying records to avoid detection of assets' Polizzi gushed: 'We were so proud of Mike (R) being sober that we did a shot to him being sober. Does that make sense?' Mike has remained sober despite facing 'decades' in prison for 'tax evasion and structuring/falsifying records to avoid detection of assets' - according toTMZ. Polizzi gushed: 'We were so proud of Mike being sober that we did a shot to him being sober. Does that make sense?' Regardless if there's more Jersey Shore, the New Celebrity Apprentice star and her BFF JWoww will soon join forces with Mob Wives' Drita D'Avanzo for VH1's Celebrity Shore. 'If u don't know...now u know!' the 41-year-old married mother-of-two confirmed on Instagram on Tuesday. More to come! Regardless if there's more Jersey Shore, the New Celebrity Apprentice star and her BFF Jenni 'JWoww' Farley (R) will soon join forces with Mob Wives' Drita D'Avanzo for VH1's Celebrity Shore The 41-year-old married mother-of-two confirmed on Instagram on Tuesday: 'If u don't know...now u know! Heading back home to @vh1 @snooki @jwoww can't wait! #epic' Inseparable: Following the 2015 cancellation of their MTV reality spin-off, Snooki and 31-year-old JWoww have remained busy on their weekly Awestruck webseries Moms With Attitude 'Heading back home to @vh1 @snooki @jwoww can't wait! #epic.' Following the 2015 cancellation of their MTV reality spin-off, Snooki and 31-year-old JWoww have remained busy on their weekly Awestruck webseries Moms With Attitude. The Chile-born podcaster also told Extra that she and husband Jionni LaValle plan on giving siblings to their son Lorenzo (turning 5 on Saturday), and daughter Giovanna, 2. 'I love to do a lot of strength workouts, because I want to be strong to hold all of the babies I got, and I want more,' Polizzi revealed. 'I want two more kids.' Birthday boy: The Chile-born podcaster also told Extra that she and husband Jionni LaValle plan on giving siblings to their son Lorenzo (turning 5 on Saturday), and daughter Giovanna, 2 Her world was turned upside down when she was framed by murderous Pat Phelan for pushing Seb Franklin off a ladder. And Coronation Street's Anna Windass is set for more heartbreak when she finds out her beloved son Gary has been killed in an explosion in Ukraine, causing her to collapse in prison. Gary's girlfriend Sarah Platt receives the devastating news that her love has died but refuses to believe he could be dead, until his St Christopher necklace is found in the rubble. Scroll down for video Grief-stricken: Coronation Street's Anna Windass is set for more heartbreak when she finds out her beloved son Gary has been killed in an explosion in Ukraine, causing her to collapse in prison Heartbreak: Gary's girlfriend Sarah Platt receives the devastating news that her love has died but refuses to believe he could be dead, until his St Christopher necklace is found in the rubble A distraught Sarah (Tina O'Brien), joined by Tim Metcalfe (Joe Duttine) goes to tell Anna (Debbie Rush) who is currently behind bars due to Pat's devious actions As the news of her son's death is broken to her Anna breaks down with grief and is restrained by two prison guards. Sarah's suspicious brother David Platt (Jack P Shepherd) notices Pat's reaction to Gary's death and follows him to daughter Nicola's house. Nicola is pregnant with Gary's baby. As he watches Pat from inside his car he is confused when he sees Nicola become emotional by what Pat tells her. Pain: A distraught Sarah (Tina O'Brien), joined by Tim Metcalfe (Joe Duttine) goes to tell Anna (Debbie Rush) who is currently behind bars due to Pat's devious actions, with Anna breaking down as she is told Shock: Sarah's suspicious brother David (Jack P Shepherd) notices Pat's reaction to Gary's death and follows him to daughter Nicola's house. Nicola is pregnant with Gary's baby. As he watches Pat from inside his car he is confused when he sees Nicola become emotional by what Pat tells her After Pat leaves, David confronts Nicola and she admits to the one-night with Gary (Mikey North) but when he spots pregnancy tablets, she also confesses she is expecting his baby. Fans will be glued to their screens as they wonder whether David will tell his grief-stricken sister or keep the jaw-dropping revelation a secret. As Sarah is so consumed with grief, David has to decide whether to keep the shocking revelation to himself - or tell his sister. Debbie Rush, who has played Anna for nearly a decade, is leaving the show 'I have had an amazing nine years on Coronation Street and the decision to leave was not made lightly,' she said. What to do? After Pat leaves, David confronts Nicola and she admits to the one-night with Gary (Mikey North) but when he spots pregnancy tablets, she also confesses she is expecting his baby 'I love playing Anna and will miss working with the fantastic cast and crew. "I don't know what the future holds but I am excited to explore what other acting opportunities are out there. 'I am very grateful for all the brilliant story lines I have been given during my time on Coronation Street and am very much looking forward to what is in store for Anna in the run up to my departure next year.' A representative for the show said: 'Debbie will leave Coronation Street at the end of the year. Shock exit: Mikey North who plays Gary, joined Coronation Street in 2008 On-screen family: Debbie Rush, who has played Anna for nearly a decade, is leaving the show 'I have had an amazing nine years on Coronation Street and the decision to leave was not made lightly,' she said 'Anna Windass will be on-screen until early 2018, with plenty more drama and twists in the tale before she leaves Weatherfield. We wish Debbie every success for the future.' Producer Kate Oates said: 'It's always sad when a huge talent like Debbie Rush decides to move to pastures new. 'But Debbie's decision to pursue other roles will allow us to play an exciting exit story for Anna, which will see her fighting for her family and tackling old enemies head-on.' It was meant to be the Australian music industry's night of nights. But the ARIA Awards proved to be a lacklustre affair for many fans, with disgruntled viewers taking to Twitter to slam the ceremony for being 'boring' and flooded with unknown artists. 'No thank you to watching the mind-numbingly boring ARIAs... the night reads like a stint down at the local watering hole,' one disgruntled viewer Tweeted on Tuesday night during the ceremony. Past it's used-by date? The ARIA Awards proved to be a lacklustre affair for many fans, with disgruntled viewers taking to Twitter to slam the ceremony for being 'boring' and flooded with unknown artists (A.B Original accepting the ARIA for Best Urban band) Not interested: 'No thank you to watching the mind-numbingly boring ARIAs... the night reads like a stint down at the local watering hole,' one disgruntled viewer Tweeted on Tuesday night during the ceremony Other fans complained that they felt 'old' because they couldn't recognise any of the so-called stars that were swarming the red carpet. 'The ARIAs is such a load of s**t. You don't hear any of these 'musicians' and then all of a sudden they're winning awards?!' Tweeted one fan. Another concurred: 'So I listen to a LOT of music. But every year I have no clue who half the artists are at the ARIAs (and I'm not even old!!).' Mature taste? Daryl Braithwaite delivered a speech after being inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame And the award goes to...who? 'The ARIAs is such a load of s**t. You don't hear any of these 'musicians' and then all of a sudden they're winning awards?!' Tweeted one fan Confused: One fan appeared to suffer an existential crisis during the proceedings Need a facelift? Fans complained that they felt 'old' because they couldn't recognise any of the so-called stars that were swarming the red carpet Not up to speed? 'Feeling so out of touch watching the ARIAs2017 #whoareallthesepeople #whendidigetsoold', agreed another 'Feeling so out of touch watching the ARIAs2017 #whoareallthesepeople #whendidigetsoold', agreed another. Meanwhile, one fan decided to summarise the premise of the awards ceremony rather harshly. 'ARIAs: where a bunch of people you've never heard of, award another bunch of people you've never heard of a bunch of awards for a bunch of s**t you've never heard,' they Tweeted. Ouch! eanwhile, one fan decided to summarise the premise of the awards ceremony rather harshly Finally familiar faces! The likes of Australian A-listers Ruby Rose and Rebel Wilson both made an appearance, while British crooner Harry Styles rounded out the evening with a performance of his latest tunes Despite the negative feedback, the ARIAs did deliver in terms of bringing big names to the red carpet this year. The likes of Australian A-listers Ruby Rose and Rebel Wilson both made an appearance, while British crooner Harry Styles rounded out the evening with a performance of his latest tunes. New Zealand songstress Lorde also graced the stage for an electric performance and dance routine. She's a successful businesswoman, actress, recording artist, designer, perfumer, author, reality star, and the world's highest-paid female DJ. So it was no surprise to see Paris Hilton behaving like the A-list star that she is as she arrived in Sydney, Australia on Tuesday. The 36-year-old pop culture icon gave a twirl for the cameras at Sydney's Airport, before striking several glamorous poses. Scroll down for video Work it! Paris Hilton soaked up the spotlight as she arrived in Australia on Tuesday to a throng of fans and photographers Paris looked fun and flirty in a chiffon fairy dress with a blue cardigan on top, no doubt to keep her warm from the airplane's air-conditioning. The Stars Are Blind hitmaker wore her blonde locks in girlish pigtails. The musician was joined at the airport by her model boyfriend Chris Zylka, who recently had Paris' name tattooed on his forearm in Disney font. Yass queen! The 36-year-old pop culture icon gave a twirl for the cameras at Sydney's Airport, before striking several glamorous poses Can I get a photo? Paris was mobbed by fans at the airport, some of whom serenaded her by singing her hits 'Good Time' and 'Stars Are Blind' on the spot Say cheese! Paris worked the cell phone cameras like an absolute professional Paris was mobbed by fans at the airport, some of whom serenaded her by singing her hits 'Good Time' and 'Stars Are Blind' on the spot. Paris is currently Down Under to launch her 23rd fragrance, Rose Rush. The launch event will be held at Chemist Warehouse, and will also double as a meet-and-greet where fans will get the chance to meet the legendary star in the flesh. Lovers: The musician was joined at the airport by her model boyfriend Chris Zylka, who recently had Paris' name tattooed on his forearm in Disney font Smelling good! Paris is currently Down Under to launch her 23rd fragrance, Rose Rush This is my good side! Paris twirled around and flashed her legendary smile for the cameras Launching back in 2004 with the signature self-titled scent, Hilton's fragrance empire is now one of the world's longest-running and most successful celebrity perfume lines. In 2013, it was valued at $1.5 billion. Speaking about her first fragrance to The Cut last month, Paris said: 'When that first came out I was so excited, and so proud and its still one of our number one sellers to this day. 'Girls have it in their purse, little mini ones that they carry around. So many people wear that around the world, I always get compliments on it.' It's the music industry's night of nights. And at the ARIA Awards on Tuesday, Guy Sebastian admitted he gets 'loose' at award nights. The 36-year-old recalled getting 'drunk' at the ARIAs two years ago, before calling some of his peers 'massive d**ks.' 'I'm a terrible drunk!' Guy Sebastian admits to getting 'loose' at award ceremonies and calls some of his peers 'massive d**ks' as he attends the ARIA Awards 'I have been pretty loose at the ARIAs in the past especially at the Sony afterparty,' Guy told The Daily Telegraph. Speaking about the awards two years ago, he added: 'I most definitely would have spewed that night. I am a terrible drunk.' At the ARIAs on Tuesday, Guy and wife Jules showcased their incredible body transformations. Looking good: At the ARIAs on Tuesday, Guy and wife Jules showcased their incredible body transformations Jules flaunted her weight loss in a silver sheer mini dress. Guy meanwhile, looked stylish in a velvet suit jacket. In September, the father-of-two debuted his ripped new body in Men's Health. The Like a Drum hit maker told Fitzy and Wippa shortly after how he and Jules have embraced a healthier lifestyle. Back in the day: The couple are seen in 2004 Shaping up! In September, the father-of-two debuted his ripped new body in Men's Health He said he shaped up in a matter of months for Men's Health. 'Mate, it was brutal. I literally went cold turkey on carbs, didn't have a grain of rice. No pasta, no bread, no booze - I didn't get on that for 10 weeks,' he explained. Guy also described his fitness routine with husband-and-wife trainers Chief Brabon and Em Brabon-Hame as 'full-on'. 'The trainers taught me how to train, I didn't realise how lazy I was in the gym. Now I want to get in and get out, and go hard,' he said. She's known for her love of all creatures great and small. So it was no surprise to see Elsa Pataky enjoying an afternoon of horseback riding with some friends in the bush near Byron Bay on Tuesday. The blonde beauty was riding her new horse, Dolly, whom she called a 'new member of the family' in a post on Instagram. Hello Dolly! Elsa Pataky introduced fans to her new horse Dolly through an Instagram post on Tuesday The 41-year-old actress lives in Byron Bay with her husband Chris Hemsworth and their three children. Earlier this month, Chris and Elsa shared a sweet pre-workout selfie to social media. The Spanish actress uploaded the happy snap with her husband to Instagram as they prepared to work up a sweat together. Friends: The blonde beauty enjoyed a horseback ride with a friend in Byron Bay The golden couple appeared to be in high spirits as they posed in their activewear in front of World Gym. Chris, who is known for playing superstar Thor, showed off his bulging biceps in a black singlet as he leaned in for the photo. Elsa, who wore a green camouflage hooded jacket, captioned the sweet post: 'Morning training session, like old times!' 'Like old times': Elsa and husband Chris Hemsworth looked loved-up as they head to training session at gym together in Byron Bay earlier this month The star looked stunning makeup-free as she smiled for the camera, with her husband Chris quick to 'heart' the post. Other fans gushed over the duo's display, writing: 'Y'all are too cute!', 'beautiful couple' and 'relationship goals!' As a mother of three young children, users also praised Elsa's dedication to staying fit: 'Amazing. Very proud of you', 'Awesome! Nothing better than morning workouts', 'Whip him good, you're the boss...' and 'Good job. You've motivated me.' 'Whip him good, you're the boss': Elsa's fans gushed over Chris' large muscular arms in the selfie, but praised the mother of three for her motivation towards keeping fit (PICTURED 2015) The former Home And Away actor started dating Spanish actress Elsa in early 2010, and they tied the knot in low-key ceremony in December that year. Two years after their wedding, Elsa gave birth to the couples first child, a daughter called India - who is now five years old before welcoming twins boys Sasha and Tristan (now three years old) in 2014. The loved-up couple are often traveling between the US and Australia for work, with the family residing in a lavish beach abode in Byron Bay Loose Women viewers have lashed out at Saira Khan for referring to Meghan Markle as a 'brown princess' live on air. On Tuesday's episode, the 47-year-old claimed the actress' engagement to Prince Harry was 'fantastic news for diversity', and proceeded to sing: 'There's a brown girl in da house!' to her fellow panelists. However, viewers immediately took to Twitter to blast the TV presenter - and question why it was 'acceptable' for her to refer to Meghan's race at all. 'Unacceptable': Loose Women viewers have lashed out at Saira Khan for referring to Meghan Markle as a 'brown princess' live on Loose Women Engaged: The 47-year-old claimed the actress' engagement to Prince Harry (pictured together this week) was 'fantastic for diversity', and went on to sing: 'There's a brown girl in da house!' Saira, alongside Coleen Nolan, Janet Street-Porter and Jane Moore, had been addressing the recent royal engagement when the incident occurred. After discussing how in love Harry and Meghan had looked during their first interview, Saira went on to confess her delight at the fact there was going to be a mixed race member of the Royal family. Referring to Meghan, she kicked things off by singing: 'There's a brown girl in da house, la la la la!' Royal engagement: Saira, alongside Coleen Nolan, Janet Street-Porter and Jane Moore, had been addressing the recent royal engagement when the incident occurred Controversial: Saira confessed her delight at the fact there was going to be a mixed race member of the Royal family by singing: 'There's a brown girl in da house, la la la la!' Met with laughter from the audience, she then elaborated: 'You know what, for me and my little girl, there's going to a brown princess going into Buckingham Palace. 'For me, I think this is just fantastic news for diversity, and will show people that love sees no religion.' However, her comments were met with huge backlash from viewers - who took to Twitter to question why Saira had mentioned Meghan's race at all. Proud: She then elaborated: 'There's going to a brown princess in Buckingham Palace. For me, I think this is just fantastic news for diversity, and will show people that love sees no religion' Furious: However, her comments were met with huge backlash from viewers - who took to Twitter to question why Saira had mentioned Meghan's race at all One disgruntled fan began: 'Why did that stupid woman have to mention race? If anyone else resorted to that behaviour it wouldn't be seen as acceptable. Horrible woman who seems to think it's the Saira Show' As others agreed: 'Saira is vile...tbh I never even registered that Meghan was of mixed race...perhaps programmes like this should stop trying to make an issue out of nothing....' And: 'The only person bringing up racism is you Saira Khan! Nobody has mentioned Meghans skin colour except you. Because no one is bothered! Theyre in love.' Further fans claimed her comments would be deemed unacceptable if said by a white host, adding: 'Saira should not of noticed Meghan isn't white, if a white person would of sang brown girl in the house, they would have been fired' (sic) Clash: Yet, Janet Street Porter soon disagreed - acknowledging the Duchess of Cambridge had been deemed as 'working class' upon her engagement but is now considered a Royal Here here: Many viewers agreed with Janet's view (above) 'You're a woman of colour so you say Saira. But you would go off like a rocket if someone referred to you as coloured' and 'Why the hell did saira have to make it all about race its pathetic.' One viewer even called for the TV presenter to be punished, writing: 'Why is that OK Saira? I sincerely hope you are taken to task by your bosses for that little ditty.' However, Janet Street Porter soon opposed her comments herself - acknowledging the Duchess of Cambridge had been deemed as 'working class' upon her engagement to Prince William, but is now considered part of the Royal family. Many viewers agreed with Janet's view, writing: 'Saira is the one living in the dark ages, there's absolutely no need to emphasise she's a 'brown woman'!' and 'Totally agree with Janet!! We have ignored it Saira so no reason to make the engagement about race.' Animated: The hosts discussed the royal engagement at length on the show Difference of opinion: The two hosts both voiced their opinions about the engagement on the show Different viewpoints: Some viewers were a little more defensive about Saira's choice of song MailOnline has contacted Saira's representatives for comment. Prince Harry, 33, and Meghan, 36, confirmed their engagement on Monday morning, and their first interview as a couple was aired later that evening. It was revealed on Tuesday afternoon that the pair would marry at St George's Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle in May, because it is a place 'close to the couple's hearts'. Fifth in line to the throne Harry has been dating the American actress, who found fame in the US legal drama Suits, since the summer of last year. She's thrown herself into work since breaking her silence against disgraced Harvey Weinstein last week. And Uma Thurman shared a poignant black and white Instagram image as she applied her make-up backstage at the Hudson Theater in New York on Monday evening. The actress, 47, thanked fans 'for hearing me' ahead of her Broadway performance of The Parisian Woman and said it is 'so much better not to sit alone'. 'It's so much better not to sit alone': Uma Thurman shared a poignant black and white image as she applied her make-up backstage at the Hudson Theater in New York on Monday evening The post came just days after Thurman shared a somber post on social media speaking out against the shamed producer, who is accused of sexual harassment by scores of women in the industry. In the new shot, the Pulp Fiction star sat in front of a large mirror with make-up strewn about the counter of her dressing room. 'Sitting alone in the hudson theater, painting my face,' Thurman captioned the simple photo. 'Thank you for hearing me, it's so much better not to sit alone. a new feeling. I am so grateful.' Strong: The actress, 47, thanked fans 'for hearing me' ahead of her Broadway performance of The Parisian Woman and said it is 'so much better not to sit alone' The mother-of-three had been relatively quiet about the allegations against the infamous producer during the last few months, until she showed her cards in a brave Thanksgiving Day post. 'I am grateful today, to be alive, for all those I love, and for all those who have the courage to stand up for others,' she wrote underneath a black-and-white image of herself portraying The Bride in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill: Vol. 1. 'I said I was angry recently, and I have a few reasons, #metoo, in case you couldnt tell by the look on my face.' 'I am grateful today, to be alive': Thurman shared a lengthy post on Thanksgiving with a dig at shamed Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein at the end Love lost: Harvey and Uma worked on many movies together, including a host of Quentin Tarantino films (pictured in New York in February 2016) She then wrote: 'I feel its important to take your time, be fair, be exact, so... Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! (Except you Harvey, and all your wicked conspirators - Im glad its going slowly - you dont deserve a bullet)' The actress then signed off by telling everyone to 'stay tuned.' Thurman has worked alongside Tarantino and Weinstein in at least three of their films - Kill Bill: Vol. 1, Kill Bill: Vol. 2 and Pulp Fiction. That film starred another woman who came forward to revealed she was a victim of Weinstein, Daryl Hannah. Just days before Thurman's post went live, Deadline reported that the actress had parted ways with Creative Artists Agency after two years with the firm. Trouble: Kill Bill starred another woman who came forward to revealed she was a victim of Weinstein, Daryl Hannah (Thurman and Weinstein pictured in Los Angeles in 2004) Star power: Uma portrayed a sword-wielding assassin, The Bride, in Quentin Tarantino's 2003 film Kill Bill: Vol. 1, which was produced by Harvey Weinstein's Miramax No reason was given for the actress' unceremonious split, and Thurman has yet to sign with another agency. Darryl Hannah noted that it was while promoting Kill Bill Vol. 2 that the alleged misconduct occurred with Weinstein, saying when she refused his advances while they were in Rome she was booted from the press trip as the cast traveled to Cannes. Hannah said that Weinstein at one point burst into her hotel room in Rome, telling the New Yorker in an interview: 'And I know with every fibre of my being that if my male makeup artist was not in that room, things would not have gone well. 'It was scary.' Later that night he asked to feel or at least see one of her breasts, which she refused over and over again claims Hannah. The next morning she said she found out she had been kicked off the trip, and said she called Tarantino personally to complain. Tarantino has since said he regrets not speaking out earlier about Weinstein, adding that while he did not know the full extent of his offenses that is no excuse. Meghan Markle is now a fur parent because Ellen DeGeneres told her to become one year ago. That is what the talk-show host pointed out on Monday on Ellen Tube with an old clip soon after it was announced that the Suits actress had become engaged to Prince Harry. The LA born beauty, 36, is now the mother to two canines: Bogart, a Lab/Shepherd mix, and Guy, a Beagle. She has already moved her animals to London where she will reside with her fiance. The couple will wed in May at Windsor Castle in front of the Queen, it was revealed on Tuesday. Hollywood influence: Meghan Markle is now a fur parent because Ellen DeGeneres told to become one; here she is seen with Prince Harry on Monday What's old is new: In an old video posted to her Ellen Tube channel she said, 'She adopted a dog because I told her to! Thats amazing!' Ellen is seen here in early November In an old video posted to her Ellen Tube channel the funny lady said, 'She adopted a dog because I told her to! Thats amazing!' The incident occurred several years ago in LA. Meghan had already confessed in Best Health magazine that Ellen pushed her to adopt a pooch she was looking at. The one: The first dog the LA born beauty, 36, adopted is Bogart, a Lab/Shepherd mix Another: She also adopted this Beagle named Guy so Bogart could have a friend Meghan said she was at an animal shelter at the same time as Ellen and Portia when the comedienne offered her two cents. 'Ellen goes "Is that your dog?" And I said, "No," and shes like, "You have to take that dog." And I said, "Well, Im deciding." And shes like, "Rescue the dog!" the beauty recounted. Ellen also told Meghan, 'You're taking that dog home' and asked if she had a name yet. 'And so I brought him home! Because Ellen told me to.' Her guys: Here the TV star is seen with Bogart and Guy in a shot shared to Instagram At home with her fur kids: The beauty often shared touching images of the dogs; here she is holding Guy as Bogart sleeps in the background The dog Meghan is referring to is her first rescue, Bogart, who was found in the Southern California neighborhood of Downey when he was still a puppy. After she had Bogart she felt like he needed a 'buddy' so she then rescues Guy. Meghan has often featured her dogs on her Instagram account with the hashtags #puppylove #adoptdontshop and #reducereuserecycle. This comes just before it was announced on Tuesday that Meghan and Harry will wed at Windsor Castle in May and that the royal family will pay for the ceremony. She was there too: Markle said that Ellen was with Portia during their meeting at an animal shelter in LA; pictured in January It was also added that the Queen will attend the nuptials. The couple announced their engagement on Monday as the star flashed a diamond ring designed by Harry. It included stones that once belonged to Harry's mother Princess Diana. And on Monday evening the two were seen in their first joint TV interview. Markle revealed how she said 'yes' immediately to Harry after he proposed on one knee while they were cooking a roast dinner during a 'cozy night' in. Markle said she did not even wait for the 33-year-old royal to finish the sentence before she said 'yes' - and it was 'so sweet and natural and very romantic.' This will be his first marriage and her second. Mad about dogs: The funny lady has several pups wit her wife The couple, who had been in Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace when the proposal happened, revealed that they first met on a blind date after being set up by a female friend - and have tried to see each other every two weeks. Harry added: 'I fell in love with Meghan so incredibly quickly... All the stars were aligned - everything was just perfect. It was this beautiful woman just sort of literally tripped and fell into my life - I fell into her life.' Four weeks after they met, Harry persuaded Markle to join him on a five-day break in Botswana. He said: 'We camped out with each other under the stars... which was absolutely fantastic.' The couple - who spoke to BBC presenter Mishal Husain - said that Miss Markle has already met the Queen 'a couple of times', and the actress described the monarch as an 'incredible woman'. It was also revealed that Prince Harry had sought the permission of both of Miss Markle's parents, but that he had not yet met her father Thomas, having only spoken to him on the phone. Their first joint interview: The couple - who spoke to BBC presenter Mishal Husain - said that Miss Markle has already met the Queen 'a couple of times', and the actress described the monarch as an 'incredible woman' They talked about their 16-month relationship and how they never went more than two weeks without seeing one another. Miss Markle said: 'I don't think that I would call it a whirlwind in terms of our relationship, obviously there have been layers attached to how public it has become after we had a good five, six months almost with just privacy, which was amazing. 'But no, I think we were able to really have so much time just to connect and we never went longer than two weeks without seeing each other, even though we were obviously doing a long distance relationship. So it's - we made it work.' The pair said they were introduced by a mutual female friend in July 2016, but declined to reveal her name. It was also claimed on Tuesday that Meghan will now be retiring from acting. She has already left her show Suits after seven years. The Natrona County High School educator who allegedly hit a 14-year-old autistic student is no longer employed with the district. It's unclear whether Mark Brattis, an assistant teacher at NCHS, left voluntarily or was fired. A personnel report shows only that he no longer worked for the Natrona County School District as of Nov. 13, two weeks after the alleged incident. "The person is no longer employed with the Natrona County School District," spokeswoman Tanya Southerland wrote in a statement to the Star-Tribune. "As this is a personnel matter, I cannot provide further details." She did not immediately respond to follow-up questions about whether the district is still investigating or if the incident has prompted any changes. Marisol Villescas told the Star-Tribune in late October that her 14-year-old brother, Gabriel, had gotten out of the NC building on Oct. 30 and had fallen off of some construction equipment when staff found him. They tried to help him up, at which point the student began throwing rocks at them, Villescas said. After Gabriel was taken back inside, he apparently hit Brattis, who then open-hand smacked the teen in the face, the sister said. Brattis, who did not respond to an email seeking comment at the time, was suspended after the incident. Other teachers saw what happened, Villescas said, and they -- with Brattis -- went to tell high school administrators what happened. Villescas did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday. But she told the Star-Tribune in October that her family planned to file a police report once the district had completed its investigation. Disgraced social media sensation Jack Maynard has come under fire for making light about sexual assault in a series of deleted tweets. The 23-year-old YouTube star was axed from I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! earlier this month amid claims of inappropriate behaviour towards an underage girl when he was 16-years old. Now adding to the furore, it has been reported by The Sun that Jack posted on Twitter in 2011 that he would 'rape' anyone who helped him grow his online audience on the micro-blogging site. Scroll down for video Disgraced: Disgraced social media sensation Jack Maynard has come under fire for making light about sexual assault in a series of deleted tweets Shared when the vlogger was 16 on November 11 2001, the post read: 'If you get me to 1500 followers by tomorrow I will kiss you. Most likely rape you though.' Earlier the same year, the younger brother of singer Conor Maynard posted another tweet which referenced sexual assault again when he replied to a fan with: 'I raped her... haha.' MailOnline have contacted Jack Maynard's rep for comment. According to the publication, Jack - who boasts more than 1.2million subscribers on his YouTube channel - only deleted the upsetting posts after an eight-year-old messaged him. An insider said: 'These tweets really are unforgivable from Jack. To joke about such a serious subject shows a real lack of awareness from him, particularly given the fact so many of his fans are impressionable young girls. Former flames? It comes after it was reported that Jack's romance with Danielle Seller is already over, amid claims the blogger 'didn't see his as girlfriend material' Shocking: Now adding to the furore, it has been reported by The Sun that Jack posted on Twitter in 2011 that he would 'rape' anyone who helped him grow his online audience on the micro-blogging site 'He cannot use age as an excuse either. It doesnt matter how old you are when it comes to joking about rape. The sourced added: 'He only deleted the tweets after a young girl, who was aged just eight at the time, messaged her hero asking him to take them down.' Jack Maynard's latest statement in full I have taken some time to reflect on the comments, tweets and ultimately my behaviour in the past, including a tweet sent in 2011 that is the subject of a story today. I was young, naive and stupid but as I said previously, age is no excuse. My immaturity meant that I didn't stop for a second to think whether these comments would hurt or harm anyone - something I have learnt is entirely wrong. If I had just thought for a moment, about how stupid they were, then I would never have sent them. Nothing can justify the language I used, there is no defence I am truly sorry. My childish attitude back then is not a representation of my thoughts and feelings now. I take full responsibility and regret my mistakes. As an adult, I understand the effect my words have on people, whether I have a big or small platform to speak from. Again, I am so sorry to anyone I have offended or disappointed. Advertisement Since hitting the headlines again, Jack released another statement about his latest Twitter furore and insisted that 'nothing can justify the language' he used. He added that his 'childish attitude back then' isn't a reflection of his thoughts now. He told MailOnline: 'I have taken some time to reflect on the comments, tweets and ultimately my behaviour in the past, including a tweet sent in 2011 that is the subject of a story today. 'I was young, naive and stupid but as I said previously, age is no excuse. My immaturity meant that I didn't stop for a second to think whether these comments would hurt or harm anyone - something I have learnt is entirely wrong. Adding: 'If I had just thought for a moment, about how stupid they were, then I would never have sent them. Nothing can justify the language I used, there is no defence I am truly sorry. 'My childish attitude back then is not a representation of my thoughts and feelings now. I take full responsibility and regret my mistakes. As an adult, I understand the effect my words have on people, whether I have a big or small platform to speak from. Apologies: Since hitting the headlines again, Jack released another statement about his latest Twitter furore and insisted that 'nothing can justify the language' he used 'Again, I am so sorry to anyone I have offended or disappointed.' Jack was sent home to the UK from Australia last week, after being pulled out of the show when his online history came back to haunt him. Boasting an online following of 1,195,687, Jack was found to have sent out a string of offensive messages on Twitter - featuring the use of homophobic and racist language - between 2011-2013. He was subsequently accused of sending inappropriate messages to a 14-year-old girl when he was 16, persistently asking her to send pictures in her bra. Tearful: The YouTuber then became emotional as he said, 'Im so gutted and Im embarrassed, Im so embarrassed that all of this has happened now' The younger brother of popstar Conor Maynard apologised for the 'disgusting things' he had done on Thursday in a new YouTube video, and said he felt 'ashamed'. Jack's agent made the decision to pull him out of the show this week after a number of tweets posted online five years ago containing racist remarks resurfaced. It has now been claimed by The Sun that Jack could lose up to 20,000 a month in lucrative sponsored deals from high street brands. Big companies including The Body Shop, Walkers and Snickers are said to be cutting off support for the viral star, while his contracts with Cadbury, Puma, Nike, Schwarzkopf and LG are reported to be under threat. A spokesperson previously explained in a statement: 'In the last few days Jack has been the subject of a succession of media stories which, given his position as a contestant on I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here - filmed in the Australian jungle, with no contact with the outside world, he has been unable to respond to. Controversial: Shamed social media sensation Jack faced further criticism after video footage of the star attempting to guess the age of a teenage girl resurfaced 'Since it is only fair that everyone should be aware of any allegations made against them and should also have the right to defend themselves, it was agreed that it would be better to bring him out of the show. 'Jack agrees with this decision which was made by his representatives and ITV and thanks everyone who has supported him in the show this far.' The social media star faced further criticism after video footage of the star attempting to guess the age of a teenage girl resurfaced. The viral clip, filmed for his YouTube channel in September shortly before his short-lived appearance on Im A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! captures Jack as he engages in the guessing game with pop star brother Conor, 25, and fellow vlogger Mikey Pearce. YouTube challenge: The viral clip captures the 23-year old as he engages in the guessing game with pop star brother Conor, 25, and fellow vlogger Mikey Pearce Guessing game: After checking a photo of a young female fan, all three attempt to guess her age, with Mikey playing the game for laughs by telling the brothers shes six, before Conor opts for 15 After checking a photo of a young female fan, all three attempt to guess her age, with Mikey playing the game for laughs by telling the brothers shes six, before Conor opts for 15. But it is Jack, whose appearance on the ITV reality show been cut short amid claims of inappropriate behaviour towards a young girl, who guesses correctly, telling the group: I think shes literally 14-years old. Upon hearing he has won the game, the social media star raises his arm in triumph before they move on to another girl's picture. Jack - who has an online following of 1,195,687 - faces claims he called a 14-year-old Facebook user an 'an ugly freak' when she repeatedly declined, in 2011. Winner: But it is Jack, whose appearance on the ITV reality show been cut short amid claims of inappropriate behaviour towards a young girl, who guesses correctly The accusations have been made by The Mirror on Wednesday, one day after he was ejected from the Australian jungle and sent back to the UK without a televised goodbye, or his 25,000 fee - where he is said to have 'sneaked back home on his 23rd birthday' after going into 'hiding' - The Sun reports. Screengrabs from the private messaging service published by the newspaper appear to show online sensation Jack hounding the teen - whose age may not have been known to the YouTuber at the time. A representative for Jack Maynard has been contacted for clarification. Jack, who has since deleted his Facebook account, is accused of writing to the girl: 'Your boobs are so nice! would look good in a bra shot! ever taken one?' Online following: Following his surprise removal from I'm A Celebrity, YouTube sensation Jack Maynard has been accused of asking a 14-year-old fan for pictures in her bra in a resurfaced messaging exchange from when he was 17 years old She responds: 'Secrets are kept secrets...' but he persists, saying: 'You can tell me babe...' He tries to convince the user that he works as a 'stylist', but when she refuses twice more, he replies: 'You're a bore'. She then seemed to insult the vlogger by saying: 'You're like... A guy's brother from YouTube'. Closing the conversation, jilted Jack is seen to reply: 'Who the f*** even are you? You're an ugly freak.' The first suggestion of 'inappropriate messages' Jack sent to a fan were revealed on Tuesday, just hours after his immediate exit from the ITV show was confirmed. Pictured: An illustration (above) shows the conversation believed to have been shared between Jack and the Facebook user Persistent: The Mirror published screengrabs of the messages they claim originally came from Jack (as illustrated above) and show him persistently asking for private pictures The woman, who wants to remain unidentified and is now aged 20, has spoken out about the messages she exchanged with Jack and claimed the star had been 'harmlessly flirting' with her, but she found his persistence 'rude and annoying'. The woman, who wants to remain unidentified and is now aged 20, has spoken out about the messages she exchanged with Jack and claimed the star had been 'harmlessly flirting' with her, but she found his persistence 'rude and annoying'. She told the publication: 'I saw it as relatively harmless flirting given the small age gap. He was very immature then, very rude. 'I don't think he was aware I was younger than him. He was just a bit of a d**khead back then... The thing that most upset me about the messages was when he turned on me - I didn't see any need for that at all. I'm glad I didn't send anything.' Shame: Jack (centre) previously apologised for repeatedly using the n-word and homophobic slurs in historic tweets (pictured above on I'm A Celebrity) News of their romance broke shortly after his abrupt exit from the jungle, amid reports he had sent inappropriate messages to a female fan. But according to reports Jack Maynard's romance with Danielle Seller is already over, amid claims the blogger 'didn't see his as girlfriend material'. The brief I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Outta Here contestant, 23, and the former Love Island star, were said to be quietly dating over the last seven months, although this was not something Jack made common knowledge. A source told The Sun: 'Jack and Danielle are no longer together, he said he didn't see her as girlfriend material and never introduced her to his parents. Three's a crowd: The duo are believed to have attended many parties together over the summer (pictured together in September) Explaining that they did not part on bad terms, the source added: 'He only saw her as casual and he was just enjoying his time with her. Danielle wanted more and told everyone, but Jack didn't realise, and when he did he told her that they couldn't continue. Last week reports surfaced claiming that axed I'm A Celebrity star Jack and one-time Love Island contestant Danielle had been in a secret relationship throughout, with their last sighting together being just weeks before Jack entered the jungle. The reports came despite Jack giving the impression that he was single on the ITV reality show, from which he was removed last Tuesday for misconduct online. Sent packing: Jack was removed from this year's I'm A Celebrity (pictured) after three days when it was discovered that he had sent inappropriate and offensive messages online In pictures obtained by MailOnline, Jack and Danielle were seen on a cosy night out London's Radio Rooftop bar in September. 'Jack and Danielle have spent a lot of time together over the past seven months,' a source disclosed. 'They'd quietly attended industry events together and made no secret among pals of how close they were. 'Jack has been making it sound like he's single since he's been on the show but he's been saying different things around Danielle.' A representative for Jack Maynard and Danielle Sellers was been contacted by MailOnline for comment. Gone too soon: Similarly, beauty Danielle was booted off Love Island this summer after a mere few days Smash hit: Here with Love Island contestants Chyna, Jonny Mitchell and Dom Lever, Danielle said she was 'so gutted' to have been 'dumped' from the show too soon Racy: Aside from her raunchy modelling work, Danielle is best known for her fleeting reality TV appearance Jack is believed to have met model Danielle through his older brother Conor. Aside from her raunchy modelling work, Danielle enjoyed her 'five minutes' on this summer's smash hit reality show Love Island. She was similarly 'dumped' from the show in the early stages, saying she 'so gutted to be home so soon'. Despite claims of a relationship with Jack, Danielle went into the dating show as a single lady. She briefly dated contestant Nathan Joseph and it was believed that they would continue to see each other after their time on the show. Close bond: Jack is the younger brother of pop sensation Conor Maynard - who also began his career online She rose to fame as the scrappy scavenger-turned-Resistance hero Rey in the Star Wars reboot The Force Awakens. But Daisy Ridley appeared polished-as-can-be as she arrived for an appearance on Good Morning America in New York in an ultra chic pantsuit on Tuesday. The actress, 25, turned heads in plunging plaid double-breasted blazer worn without an undershirt as she strutted into at the show's Times Square studios. Scroll down for video Suits you! Star Wars' Daisy Ridley appeared polished-as-can-be as she arrived for an appearance on Good Morning America in New York in an ultra chic pantsuit on Tuesday The powder blue number, designed by Gabriela Hears, cinched at the center to exaggerate Daisy's slim waist while matching trousers were cut in a flare style. The beautiful brunette teamed her look with royal blue silk shoes with pointed toes. Daisy styled her warm brown bob in textured waves, while accentuating her English rose beauty with a bright pink pout. Before heading inside, the sci-fi ingenue chatted with fans and signed autographs. Rad in plaid! The actress, 25, turned heads in plunging plaid double-breasted blazer worn without an undershirt as she strutted into at the show's Times Square studios Dressed to impress: The powder blue number, design by Gabriela Hears, cinched at the center to exaggerate Daisy's slim waist while matching trousers were cut in a flare style Promotional trail: The star was later seen at The Tonight Show for another interview The London-born starlet was animated as she rubbed elbows with the frantic crowd, patiently visiting as many people as possible before being whisked away. The starlet sat down to talk about Star Wars: The Last Jedi, which hits theaters Friday December 15. During her chat, Daisy revealed that she's much more confident in her light-saber skills since shooting her first film, The Force Awakens, in 2015. 'I never really trained before the first one and the second one I was training for like [a] year. So I had more stamina and I felt really strong,' the actress said. Feeling the force! Daisy donned a set of headphones to play a lip reading game Having a ball: The actress goofed around with jokester Jimmy Fallon English rose: Daisy styled her warm brown bob in textured waves, while accentuating her English rose beauty with a bright pink pout Meet and greet: Before heading inside, the sci-fi ingenue chatted with fans and signed autographs outside the studios Daisy also explained that the film reveals much more about her mysterious character Rey. She explained: 'Rey is trying to find out about herself and about the universe and those questions don't entirely fall to the good nor do they fall entirely to the bad.' 'She's trying to do her own personal growth,' Ridley said. In high demand! The London-born star was animated as she rubbed elbows with the frantic crowd, patiently visiting as many people as possible before being whisked away Back in action! In addition to Daisy's character, The Last Jedi sees the return of Oscar Isaac's Poe Dameron and Adam Driver as Kylo Ren Star Wars: The Last Jedi will see the return of Oscar Isaac's Poe Dameron and Adam Driver as Kylo Ren while Laura Dern joins the cast as Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo. Series veterans Mark Hamil reprises his role as Jedi Luke Skywalker and the film also includes scenes of Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia which were shot before her death late 2016. The franchise's eighth episode hits theaters December 15 in the US, with advance screenings in select locations. She's expecting her third child in a mere matter of weeks. But Jessica Alba proved she isn't slowing down her hectic schedule as she headed to a business meeting in Los Angeles on Tuesday morning. The pregnant actress, 36, covered up her baby bump in a loose black dress, teamed with a black and red plaid flowing shirt. Baby on board: Jessica Alba proved she isn't slowing down her hectic schedule as she headed to a business meeting in Los Angeles on Tuesday morning The Sin City star teamed her punky ensemble with a pair of rock chick-style black leather Doc Marten boots for her busy day at work. Jessica kept the winter chill at bay with black opaque tights, and slung a large leather satchel bag over one shoulder. The mother-of-two wore her caramel locks loose and opted for minimal make-up to showcase her naturally beautiful features. In addition to a small coffee cup carried in one hand, the Honest Company entrepreneur perfectly positioned a plastic mug in one arm which had 'Very Busy' plastered across the front. Bump about town: The pregnant actress, 36, covered up her baby bump in a loose black dress, teamed with a black and red plaid flowing shirt Working mom: The Sin City star teamed her punky ensemble with a pair of rock chick-style black leather Doc Marten boots for her busy day at work Busy bee: Jessica kept the winter chill at bay with black opaque tights, and slung a large leather satchel bag over one shoulder The co-founder of consumer goods business The Honest Company took to social media on Sunday to show husband Cash Warren, 38, decorating their Christmas tree. The producer - who is the son of actor Michael Warren - was seen tinkering with the already decorated tree in his wife's Instagram story. Jessica captioned the post: 'Kids will def cry if they see him rearranging their work'. In another image, the starlet wrote: 'This guy w his damn 'fashion' story- I can't.' 'Tis the season: Jessica took to social media on Sunday to show husband Cash Warren, 38, decorating their Christmas tree Traditions! he producer - who is the son of actor Michael Warren - was seen tinkering with the already decorated tree in his wife's Instagram story Jessica and Cash enlisted the help of their two daughters, Honor, nine, and Haven, six, to reveal they were expecting their first son last month. With a shower of blue streamers and balloons raining down on them in an adorable Instagram video, Jessica announced: '@cash_warren and I couldnt be more thrilled to announce #officiallyoutnumbered #babyboy#cantwaittospoilhim #hugsandkissesforlife#soontobemamaofthree.' The couple met in 2004 on the set of Fantastic Four, and married four years later in Los Angeles in May 2008 - before welcoming Honor one month later. Amanda Seyfried was looking fresh faced during her arrival into Los Angeles. The 31-year-old was with her mom Ann and daughter, whose name has never been officially released. The Mean Girls vet, who married Life In Pieces star Thomas Sadoski in March, has been extremely busy as of late with the shooting of Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again in full swing since August. Scroll down for video Happy to be home! Amanda Seyfried was spotted at LAX on Monday looking fresh-faced and make-up free Hands-free: Seyfried was helped throughout the flight by her mother Ann, who was spotted pushing the baby stroller though arrivals As a new mom, it must have been of great comfort to have her mother on the flight to assist with the eight-month-old. Especially if it was a long-haul flight from Croatia, where Mamma Mia has been shooting for months. Ann gladly helped push her granddaughter as the trio headed through arrivals. The Twin Peaks beauty kept her look casual for the flight wearing a baggy black jacket, T-shirt and black jeans which she paired with black boots. Easy style: The Twin Peaks beauty kept her look casual for the flight wearing a baggy black jacket, t-shirt and black jeans which she paired with black boots She later threw on a bright green backpack that gave her monochromatic look a nice pop of color. Both the Pennsylvania native and her husband agreed to keep their daughter's name private, with only family and friends let in on the secret. 'Im a parent now and I appreciate things in a way I never have,' Amanda said during an interview on Dr Berlin's Informed pregnancy podcast in July. 'I wouldnt want you to ask me what her name is, because I wouldnt tell you. Its about us as a family. 'Our friends [know] and you know what that caused? A lot of embroidery. A lot of embroidered towels.' A long flight won't mess with her golden locks! The 31-year-old beauty kept her hair free during flight She has baggage: Amanda's bright green backpack provides her monochromatic ensemble a pop of color Amanda is set to celebrate her 32nd birthday on December 3, though there's no word as to whether she will do so in Los Angeles or somewhere more rural like her farm in upstate New York. The low-key couple enjoys spending time away from the big city, so there's no telling what they could have planned for her special day. Oh baby: Amanda seen with husband Thomas Sadoski while pregnant in March Fans are thrilled she is doing Mamma Mia 2. The highly anticipated sequel to the 2008 musical will welcome back many of the talented cast from the original film as well as add on many new faces. Downton Abbey's Lily James was among the cast spotted shooting scenes on the island of Vis alongside co-star Jeremy Irvine in October. Many others, including Seyfried's ex-boyfriend Dominic Cooper, Christine Baranski, Colin Firth and Stellan Skarsgard, have been spotted shooting in candid photographs in exotic locations since filming starting in August. The film will step back in time giving us a look at younger versions of many fan favorite characters including Meryl Streep's Donna (played by James), Pierce Brosnan's Sam (played by Irvine), Colin Firth's Harry (played by Hugh Skinner) and Julie Walters' Rosie (played by Alexa Davies). Turn on TV: The new mom got close to co-star Caleb Landry Jones on the set of Twin Peaks She made 'fierce' a household phrase while hosting her hit America's Next Top Model. And Tyra Banks looked sexy and strong as she transformed into a smoldering tiger for a sizzling new shoot with PAPER magazine's Break The Internet Issue, released on Tuesday. The statuesque beauty, 43, looked almost unrecognizable as she slipped into an ultra-sheer leotard, while painting her face and body with wildcat stripes. Positively purr-fect! yra Banks looked sexy and strong as she transformed into a tiger for a sizzling new shoot with PAPER magazine's Break The Internet Issue, released on Tuesday The model turned TV presenter went all out for the look, even adding a prosthetic nose to make her look as feline as possible in the shots snapped by photographer Vijat Mohindra. Ty-gra, as she was calling her inner animal, let a long, blonde mane from from her crown while wearing a solid gold collar around her neck. The America's Got Talent host embraced her natural instincts a going bare save for, an ornate gold thong covering her essentials, while a nude bra blended with her striped-adorned figure. Black patent leather boots climbed up the starlet's long legs to add another level of sex appeal to Tyra's wild look, styled by B. Akerlund. The cat's miaow! The statuesque beauty, 43, looked almost unrecognizable as she slipped into an ultra-sheer leotard, while painting her face and body with wildcat stripes The mane event! Ty-gra, as she was calling her inner animal, let a long, blonde mane from from her crown while wearing a solid gold collar around her neck Sharp as can be gold claws made it clear that Ty-gra was not to be trifled with. The Life Size actress looked more like herself in another look where she sported a hardware heavy bodysuit that showcased her ample cleavage. Instead of realistic ears, Tyra donned a shiny cat-ear headband while keeping on the same kitty-collar seen in the other looks. Her striking green eyes were framed with sharp feline-inspired shadow with a jewel-toned glimmer along her lashes. Nude ambition: The model turned TV presenter went all out for the look, even adding a prosthetic nose to make her look as feline as possible Tyra's hair was done by Kim Kimble, while her make-up look came from Valente Frazier and her manicure was perfected by Yoko Sakurakura. In the accompanying interview, Tyra discussed leaving her role on America's Next Top Model and subsequently returning. She said: 'I stepped away, but social media was calling my name in my sleep, screaming they were p****d off at me that I deserted [the show]. 'I needed to bring my butt back, so I did. One thing I know is from studying business, they say your brand is not what you say it is, it's what they say it is. 'I thought Top Model would be fine without me hosting, but the social media sphere let me know that was not the case.' The 911 call that Naya Rivera's husband Ryan Dorsey placed on Saturday before she was was arrested and charged with domestic battery in West Virginia has been released. TMZ shared an audio copy of the call on Tuesday. Ryan sounds frightened of his spouse as he says, 'There's a domestic dispute. I just need a police officer. My wife's out of control. She's getting physical.' The 34-year-old actor - who wed the TV beauty, 30, over two years ago - was out of breath on the call and came off as frantic before telling police she had been drinking and they were fighting over their son, Josey, when she hit him twice causing his lip to tear. Also on Tuesday Ryan broke his silence as he tweeted a statement telling fans this was 'not some reality show' and that deserve 'kindness, respect, without judgment.' Public information: The 911 call that Naya Rivera's husband Ryan Dorsey placed on Saturday before she was was arrested and charged with domestic battery in West Virginia has been released. Seen in January 2016 Her mugshot: TMZ shared an audio copy of the call on Tuesday. Ryan sounds frightened of his spouse as he details how she hit him in the face causing his lip to split His full statement read: 'This is a difficult time for everyone in the family especially for Naya and I. 'This isnt some reality show, this is our life, and I ask that everyone especially "the media" please respect our privacy and treat us/this situation how you would want a loved one to be treated. 'Perhaps with kindness, respect, without judgement, and as negative a situation like this is, with positivity and love. Thanks.' His 911 call was alarming. Sad situation: The actor - who wed the TV beauty, 30, over two years ago - added that she had been drinking and they were fighting over their son, Josey. Seen in May 2016 RYAN'S STATEMENT 'This is a difficult time for everyone in the family especially for Naya and I,' he began his tweet. 'This isnt some reality show, this is our life, and I ask that everyone especially "the media" please respect our privacy and treat us/this situation how you would want a loved one to be treated. 'Perhaps with kindness, respect, without judgement, and as negative a situation like this is, with positivity and love. Thanks.' Advertisement He sounded like he was out of breath and panicked as he asked for police to come help him. Dorsey told the Chesapeake dispatcher that there were no weapons in the house and that he was able to get away from her temporarily. It was added his father was there but Ryan said his dad was not attacked. He does not mention their child Josey, aged two, even though the officer asks if there were children on the scene. The call ends before the operator can get more information, the site added. She was arraigned and released on $1,000 bond. Ryan did not require medical attention. Her mugshot was release over the weekend. The makeup-free star does not look at the camera. The Kanawha County Sheriff's Office tweeted Sunday that Rivera was arrested overnight for domestic battery. Trouble: A sheriff's office statement says Dorsey told a deputy that Rivera struck him in the head and face with subsequent minor injuries; seen in December 2015 A sheriff's office statement says Dorsey told a deputy that Rivera struck him in the head and face with subsequent minor injuries, and showed deputies a video that supported his account of the incident. Agency spokesman Sgt Brian Humphreys said the two were arguing over their child and Dorsey didn't require medical attention. He declined to release further details. Deputy T Dubiel was dispatched to an address in Chesapeake, WV for a domestic violence complaint around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday evening. Upon arrival, he spoke with Dorsey who said his wife struck him in the head and face. The Deputy saw minor injuries consistent with his statement and was then shown a video made during the incident, which also supported Mr Dorseys account of the incident. Booked: Deputy T Dubiel was dispatched to an address in Chesapeake, WV for a domestic violence complaint around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday evening. Handcuffed: Naya was arrested and charged with domestic battery, and then taken to Kanawha County Magistrate Court where she was arraigned and a bond was set Naya was arrested and charged with domestic battery, and then taken to Kanawha County Magistrate Court where she was arraigned and a bond was set. She was then released from custody. After being released on a $1,000 bond, local TV reporter Jatara McGee said on Twitter that her father-in-law had been the one to pick her up. Argument: Agency spokesman Sgt Brian Humphreys said the two were arguing over their child and Dorsey didn't require medical attention. He declined to release further details Rivera filed for divorce from Dorsey in 2016 after two years of marriage. She then allegedly went on to date comedian David Spade. But in October she ended legal proceedings with Dorsey. The couple share a two-year-old son, Josey. She is known for playing Santana Lopez on Glee. Dorsey is also an actor and has appeared on shows including Pitch and Nashville. Advertisement They are all well-known for their sizzling curves and never fail to display their ample physiques. So curvaceous queens Demi Rose, Lauren Goodger and Jess Shears were a force to be reckoned with on Tuesday evening as they each dared to bare in super saucy ensembles while leading the stars at the OK! Magazine Beauty Awards 2017 at the Pavilion in the Tower of London - as they joined a sea of sexy red carpet looks. The 22-year-old rumoured ex-girlfriend of Tyga opted for out-and-out glamour in a Jessica Rabbit-style gown which displayed her eye-popping assets to perfection while the former TOWIE beauty sizzled in a sheer look and Jess opted to leave her bra at home for the affair. Scroll down for video Hot stuff! Demi Rose (centre), Lauren Goodger and Jess Shears (left-right) were a force to be reckoned with on Tuesday evening as they each dared to bare in super saucy ensembles while leading the stars at the OK! Magazine Beauty Awards 2017 Demi was smouldering in a satin gown with a deeply plunging neckline and a sexy thigh split a she shunned the cardinal legs-or-cleavage rule in favour of pure sex appeal. She boosted her height with staggering diamante heels while adding a quirky edge to the look with the addition of a sky-high bun which gave her chestnut tresses the perfect frame for her dewy make-up look. Lauren joined the stunners at the event as she went extremely risque in a saucy sheer gown under which she sported a black body. As a beauty entrepreneur - thanks to her tanning and make-up empire - the former TOWIE star was keen to show off her cosmetic prowess as she ensured her make-up and hair were flawless. Rubbing shoulders with a host of her former co-stars, Lauren was sure to stand out in the dress under which the thong body displayed the entirety of her peachy posterior at the event which was sponsored by Gancia Leggero Prosecco and Zubrowka Bison Grass Vodka. Oh my! The 22-year-old ex-girlfriend of Tyga opted for out and out glamour in a Jessica Rabbit-style ensemble which displayed her eye-popping assets to perfection while the former TOWIE beauty sizzled in a sheer gown and Jess opted to leave her bra at home for the affair Eye-popping: Curvaceous queen Demi was smouldering in a satin gown with a deeply plunging neckline and a sexy thigh split a she shunned the cardinal legs-or-cleavage rule in favour of pure sex appeal Meeting the fans: The stunner obligingly posed with a fan when she left the event - while holding on to his crutches Eye-popping: Lauren joined the stunners at the event as she went extremely risque in a saucy sheer gown under which she sported a black body. As a beauty entrepreneur - thanks to her tanning and make-up empire - the former TOWIE star was keen to show off her cosmetic prowess as she ensured her make-up and hair were flawless Sheer delight: The stunning star was looking chic in her gown which made the most of her eye-popping curves Jess was sure not to be beaten as she opted for a similarly sexy - albeit slightly less saucy - take on the incredibly glamorous ballgown. The brunette beauty could not resist her fiance Dom Lever, who she met on the ITV2 show earlier this year, as they put on a loved-up display on the red carpet. Flying the flag for the talent shows was Amanda Holden who opted for a Gothic all-black ensemble with a billowing skirt and extremely fine straps which made the most of her toned frame. Turning her back on her usual tried-and-tested styles, she scraped her hair into a severe ponytail with deep black eyeshadow. Megan McKenna was sizzling in a dramatic Bardot gown with a deeply plunging neckline and a sexy split while she rocked an untied chignon with loose curls tumbling over her shoulders. Sexy stuff: Rubbing shoulders with a host of her former co-stars, Lauren was sure to stand out in the dress under which the thong body displayed the entirety of her peachy posterior Posing up a storm: Jess was sure not to be beaten as she opted for a similar - albeit slightly less saucy - take on the incredibly glamorous ballgown. While Danielle's romantic fortunes have been less than fruitful, her one-time co-star is still in the throes of love Bethrothed: The brunette beauty could not resist her fiance Dom Lever, who she met on the ITV2 show earlier this year, as they put on a loved-up display on the red carpet A vision... in black: Flying the flag for the talent shows was Amanda Holden who opted for a Gothic all-black ensemble with a billowing skirt and extremely fine straps which made the most of her toned frame Blonde beauty: Turning her back on her usual tried-and-tested styles, she scraped her hair into a severe ponytail with deep black eyeshadow Elegant: Megan McKenna was sizzling in a dramatic Bardot gown with a deeply plunging neckline and a sexy split Chic: Megan also rocked an untied chignon with loose curls tumbling over her shoulders Silver sensation: Girls Aloud star and Big Brother favourite Sarah Harding hit the red carpet in a risque grey gown which featured a raunchy sheer top and a dazzling skirt to up the glam factor to full Girls Aloud star and Big Brother favourite Sarah Harding hit the red carpet in a risque grey gown which featured a raunchy sheer top and a dazzling skirt to up the glam factor to full. Yet more Love Island stars came in the form of last year's stars Olivia Buckland and her fiance Alex Bowen who looked sensational while taking a break from moving into their first home to hit the bash. Their co-star Kady McDermott joined them at the event - as she opted for an over-the-top ball gown. This year's winner, Amber Davies, left beau Kem Cetinay at home as she dazzled in a super scanty white mini-dress with racy sheer panels to make the most of her petite frame. Her co-star Georgia Harrison borrowed from her look although she went for a full-length version of the chic style. Golden girl: Yet more Love Island stars came in the form of last year's stars Olivia Buckland and her fiance Alex Bowen who looked sensational while taking a break from moving into their first home to hit the bash Dolled up: Their co-star Kady McDermott joined them at the event - as she opted for an over-the-top ball gown Brunette beauty: Reigning Love Island champion Amber Davies ensured her hair and make-up were perfect Looking as loved-up as ever, was Gabby Allen and Marcel Somerville who were putting on a playful display as she sported a scanty sequinned shirt dress and he opted for a slick tuxedo. Just hours before, it was claimed Peter Andre had been left furious after Rebekah Vardys disparaging comments about his manhood re-emerged following her appearance on Im A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! Yet he left his troubles behind as he hit the red carpet with his doctor wife Emily MacDonagh, where the couple looked unfazed by the headlines. The 42-year old Mysterious Girl hitmaker looked dashing in a tuxedo as he joined his stunning spouse, 28, who was cutting a chic figure in a skin-tight gown with a demure midi hemline. Who's who? Amber (left-right), left beau Kem Cetinay at home as she dazzled in a super scanty white mini-dress with racy sheer panels to make the most of her petite frame. Her co-star Georgia Harrison (centre) borrowed from her look although she went for a full-length version of the chic style Sparkling sensation: Looking as loved-up as ever, was Gabby Allen and Marcel Somerville who were putting on a playful display as she sported a scanty sequinned shirt dress and he opted for a slick tuxedo The happy couple: Peter Andre left his troubles behind as he hit the red carpet with his doctor wife Emily MacDonagh at Tuesday evening's glitzy OK! Magazine Beauty Awards 2017, where the couple looked unfazed by the headlines Sharp: The 42-year old Mysterious Girl hitmaker looked dashing in a tuxedo as he joined his stunning spouse, 28, who was cutting a chic figure in a skin-tight gown with a demure midi hemline and staggering heels A velvet dream: Slipping into her skin-tight midi, the stunning brunette smouldered as the midnight blue shade of the gown made the most of her glowing good looks Hold me close: As they departed the bash, Emily and Pete got up close and personal Busty babe: Busty Helen Flanagan looked incredibly sexy in a plunging black jumpsuit paired with an Yves Saint Laurent handbag and a flawlessly styled hair and make-up look Brave face: Stephanie Pratt stepped out amid her split from Love Island's Jonny Mitchell Striking: Stephanie looked glam even when departing the event and heading to the after party Worrying claims: It has emerged that Stephanie 'called the police' on Monday night Cool characters! Vanessa Feltz was joined by her dashing partner Ben Ofoedu who opted to sport glasses inside Changing faces Fresh from hinting she has undergone a nose job, Georgia Kousoulou headed out among her fellow reality beauties Confident: The 25-year-old TOWIE star looked sensational in a busty ensemble comprising of a bra-flashing blazer paired with a scanty mini while she kept her make-up flawless with a red lip and strong brow to round out the chic getup Kristina Rihanoff was looking sensational in a sizzling crimson ensemble which made the most of every inch of her dancer's physique. Her bold blonde locks were worn in Hollywood-worthy waves. Busty Helen Flanagan looked incredibly sexy in a plunging black jumpsuit paired with an Yves Saint Laurent handbag and a flawlessly styled hair and make-up look. TOWIE rivals Danielle Armstrong and Yzmin Oukhellou looked equally sensational yet were undoubtedly keen to avoid one another following their long-standing beef over shared love interest James Lock. Lady in red: Kristina Rihanoff was looking sensational in a sizzling crimson ensemble which made the most of every inch of her dancer's physique Blonde bombshell: Her bold blonde locks were worn in Hollywood-worthy waves Stunning: Courtney Green looked stunning in all-black as she flaunted her svelte frame while adding in a designer Gucci belt Fresh from hinting she had a nose job, Georgia Kousoulou headed out on Tuesday among her fellow reality beauties. The 25-year-old TOWIE star looked sensational in a busty ensemble comprising of a bra-flashing blazer paired with a scanty mini. Flying the flag for the TOWIE boys both past and present was Joey Essex and James 'Diags' Bennewith who put on a playful display as they hit the red carpet and later the after party together. Just hours before the event, it was claimed Danielle Sellers had split from disgraced YouTuber and I'm A Celebrity star Jack Maynard. Yet the fleeting Love Island star put her love woes behind her as she joined the star-studded attendees during which she let her body rather than love life do the talking. The stunner opted to go lingerie free beneath a sizzling gown with a deeply slashed side and perilously high-cut top as she left little to the imagination in the sizzling gown under which she went lingerie-free. Glam girls: Courtney was joined by her best pals and co-stars Chloe Meadows and Chloe Lewis Hot stuff: TOWIE rivals Danielle Armstrong and Yzmin Oukhellou looked equally sensational yet were undoubtedly keen to avoid one another following their long-standing beef over shared love interest James Lock Sexy stuff: Just hours before the event, it was claimed Danielle Sellers had split from disgraced YouTuber and I'm A Celebrity star Jack Maynard. Yet the fleeting Love Island star put her love woes behind her as she joined the star-studded attendees during which she let her body rather than love life do the talking Lost love: Just hours before the event, it was claimed she has split from disgraced YouTuber and I'm A Celebrity star Jack Maynard (pictured together in September) Looking good: Elliott Wright and his new wife Sadie looked smitten as they posed on the red carpet Advertisement They're back stateside after parading their pins on the catwalk during the famous Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in Shanghai, China. Romee Strijd, Adriana Lima, Josephine Skriver and Jasmine Tookes showed off their killer curves during a press day for the famed lingerie house in New York on Monday afternoon. The stunning Angels dressed to impress in a series of flirty fashions and shared their favorite looks from the runway for the VS x BALMAIN event at Saks Fifth Avenue ahead of the premier of the show airing tonight at 10 p.m. on CBS. Scroll down for video Gorgeous: Romee Strijd dressed to impress and shared favorite looks from the runway for the VS x BALMAIN event at Saks Fifth Avenue on Monday Legs for days: Romee looked gorgeous in a red and black plaid bralette with a thick black elastic band which showed off her toned tummy. Romee looked gorgeous in a red and black plaid bralette with a thick black elastic band which showed off her toned tummy. Her sexy ensemble included a tiny black leather skirt which showed off her endlessly long legs. She added a black blazer to cover her shoulders and pointy black heels with straps around her ankles. Lovely: Romee Strijd, Adriana Lima, Josephine Skriver and Jasmine Tookes showed off their killer curves during a press day for the famed lingerie house in New York on Monday afternoon Hanging out! The exclusive VS x BALMAIN capsule collection features looks from the runway and will be carried in select Victorias Secret stores and on VictoriasSecret.com, beginning November 29 Lovely ladies: The Angels made sure to play around the showroom inspired by their favorite looks from the show Her long blonde hair was worn in loose waves and cascaded past her shoulders with just a hint of makeup on her face. Adriana Lima's chiseled stomach was on display as she donned a black bra with mesh paneling covering her chest. She added a pair of tight shiny black pants to her long and lean legs in addition to black leather pointy-toed booties. Lima covered her shoulders with a fabulous silver coat embellished with studs, metallic feathers and rhinestones. Ripped! Adriana Lima's chiseled stomach was on display as she donned a black bra with mesh paneling covering her chest Wow! Lima covered her shoulders with a fabulous silver coat embellished with studs, metallic feathers and rhinestones Skin was definitely in as Josephine Skriver wore a small black bustier encrusted with silver rhinestones over her ample assets. She showed off her slender waistline in a pair of black denim pants as her golden locks slid down her shoulders. Skriver tried to keep her look a bit more subdued as she wrapped a long black coat around her arms. Bling: Skin was definitely in as Josephine Skriver wore a small black bustier encrusted with silver rhinestones over her ample assets Dark angel: She showed off her slender waistline in a pair of black denim pants as her golden locks slid down her shoulders Jasmine Tookes pulled out all the stops in a skin-tight leather pencil skirt with a golden chain belt wrapped around her tiny waist. She showed off her muscular arms in a sleeveless white shirt with black graphics spray painted across the front. The Angels made sure to play around the showroom inspired by their favorite looks from the show. The exclusive VS x BALMAIN capsule collection features looks from the runway and will be carried in select Victorias Secret stores and on VictoriasSecret.com, beginning November 29. The world was sent into overdrive when Prince Harry and US actress Meghan Markle announced their engagement this week. A little closer to home, Australian star Rebel Wilson had her eyes set on a star who shared the prince's namesake. Taking to her Instagram on Tuesday, the actress shared a photo of herself with Harry Styles in Sydney, joking that the pair could be about to tie the knot. 'One Harry got engaged today and now maybe two??' On Tuesday, Rebel Wilson (left) took to Instagram to joke she and pop star Harry Styles (right) were heading down the aisle The photo, taken on-stage at the 2017 ARIAs, showed Rebel about to be embraced by the One Direction heartthrob. 'One Harry got engaged today and now maybe two??' The Pitch Perfect star captioned the photo. The tongue-in-cheek comment appeared to draw laughs from her followers, with some congratulating the 'couple' in jest. Wedding bells? Rebel made the joke that she was marrying Harry Styles (pictured) after Prince Harry's engagement to Meghan Markle was announced At the awards ceremony, Rebel was joined by her Pitch Perfect co-stars Ruby Rose, Brittany Snow and Anna Camp to present Harry with the Best International Act accolade. In her trademark hilarious style, Rebel joked that she thought it was her who had nabbed the coveted gong. 'I'm so excited to be here to accept the award for Best International Act,' she began in a short speech. 'I've never won an award in Australia before,' she continued, before she was told she hadn't actually scored anything. 'I've never won an award in Australia before': Rebel, who was joined by her Pitch Perfect co-stars Anna Camp, Ruby Rose and Brittany Snow (pictured from left), joked that she was the one winning the award 'What do you mean we flew from Los Angeles. I ate plane food for this!' Rebel joked to a chorus of laughter from the audience. She later presented Harry with the statuette. 'Hello, thank you ... everyone here has always been so wonderful to me,' Harry told the crowd. 'Thank you for having me here and having me back. I obviously wouldn't be here [if it wasn't] for the fans who voted.' She's been enjoying a new lease of life after striking up a romance with her ex-boyfriend Jamie Laing's arch rival Harry Baron on the latest series of Made In Chelsea. And Frankie Gaff certainly seemed in high spirits at the launch of Madison Makeup in Dublin on Monday. The 23-year-old showed off her toned pins in a metallic silver mini-dress as she posed outside the City Hall. Scroll down for video Leggy: Made In Chelsea's Frankie Gaff certainly seemed to be in high spirits at the launch of Madison Makeup in Dublin on Monday The reality starlet made quite the entrance in the stunning ensemble, which featured billowing sleeves and a plunging neckline. Frankie accentuated her long limbs with pale pink platforms and opted for minimal jewellery with just a pair of hoop earrings, showcasing the statement of the metallic dress. She styled her long blonde tresses into tousled waves and showed off her glowing complexion with a soft brown smoky eye and raspberry pink lip. Stunner: The 23-year-old showed off her lean legs in a metallic silver mini-dress as she posed outside the venue In the party season: The reality starlet made quite the entrance in the stunning dress, which featured billowing sleeves and a plunging neckline Whistle-stop tour: The blonde beauty wasn't in the Irish capital for long, attending the make-up launch before catching a flight to London just four hours later The blonde beauty was in the Irish capital for a whistle-stop tour, attending the make-up launch before catching a flight to London just four hours later. Frankie has been enjoying single life, much to the disappointment of her ex-boyfriend Jamie. The 23-year-old was whisked off on a romantic date with Jamie's arch-rival Harry while holidaying in Tuscany before embarking on a double date with the star on Made In Chelsea. The demise of Jamie and Frankie's relationship came to a bitter end earlier this year, after endless arguments between the pair began over her flirty behaviour towards club promoter Harry in the summer. The blonde beauty at the time insisted there was nothing going on between them. Mingling: Frankie posed with Madison Make-up founder Paul Mooney at the bash Relationship woes: The demise of Jamie and Frankie's relationship came to a bitter end earlier this year However, it was revealed earlier this year that Frankie had slept with someone else, while Jamie had been 'inappropriate' with another girl, putting a heavy strain on their relationship. In April, Frankie discussed the problems the couple were experiencing in an interview with Heat magazine. 'Things with Jamie aren't great,' she explained. 'Everything is up and down with us at the moment. But we're together for now.' Moving on: Frankie has been enjoying single life, much to the displeasure of her ex-boyfriend Jamie Laing Glam: She styled her long blonde tresses into tousled waves and showed off her glowing complexion with a soft brown smoky eye and raspberry pink lip Happier times: Despite breaking it off with Frankie, the McVitie's heir told the reality starlet he 'still loved her' in the latest series of the hit E4 show She's one of the hottest names in Hollywood, set to star in the highly anticipated biopic I, Tonya. But being an A list star means Margot Robbie spends more and more time away from her home town of Australia, a 'bittersweet' reality she has been forced to accept. 'I miss everyone so much,' the 27-year-old told Variety's Actors on Actors issue. 'I miss everyone so much': Margot Robbie reflects on 'bittersweet' reality of living away from family and friends in Australia as she graces cover of Variety magazine Margot appears alongside Jake Gyllenhaal on a special front cover of Variety magazine. In an accompanying interview, Margot opened up about how her acting career has impacted her personal life. 'Its bittersweet living outside of Australia, because I miss everyone so much, but the fact that they are so removed from it helps me keep my life and my work separate even though they are intrinsically linked, because all I want to do is work all the time,' she told Variety. 'Its bittersweet living outside of Australia': Margot opened up about how her acting career has impacted her personal life 'But becoming famous at [Tonyas] age without a support network around her, and without a clear distinction, I think would have been incredibly difficult.' Playing Tonya Harding on the big screen, Margot purposefully avoided meeting infamous American ice skater in real life. 'I actually wanted to keep a bit of distance. I knew that if I met her and liked her, I would never play this character properly. I would be sugarcoating her flaws; Id be trying to justify the bad things that she may do or say in a situation,' Margot said. 'I knew that if I met her and liked her, I would never play this character properly': Tonya Harding on the big screen, Margot purposefully avoided meeting infamous American ice skater in real life Tied the knot: Margot returned to Australia last December to marry her longtime English partner Tom Ackerley Born and raised on the Gold Coast, Margot returned to Australia last December to marry her longtime English partner Tom Ackerley. Speaking to The Project in 2016, the blonde beauty said she planned to return Down Under to raise her children. 'Yes, yes, the kids will be in Australia,' Margot said. Revealing Tom shares her feelings about starting a family Down Under, she added: 'He loves Australia. He's like, "I don't know why anyone leaves Australia!"' Show fans were surprised when Farrah Abraham revealed she had been fired from Teen Mom OG last month. And it appears the reality persona, 26, was just as shocked as anyone, as a new teaser for the series, released on Tuesday, captured her explosive reaction to being let go. The mother-of-one fumes at one of the show's producers, telling the behind-the-scenes pro: 'Shoot me for being who I am!' after being given the choice between staying on the show or continuing to make adult films. Scroll down for video Emotional: A new teaser for Teen Mom OG captures Farrah Abraham's explosive reaction to being fired from the MTV reality show Teen Mom OG's executive producer explained that they would have to cut ties with Farrah if she continued down her X-rated career path. 'If you choose to work in the adult industry, we cant continue to film,' Morgan J Freeman told the scarlet-tressed TV personality. Farrah seethed at MTV's ultimatum, telling the producer: 'Who are you to tell someone to choose one thing?' Things got even more heated as the starlet curses and yells: 'Shoot me for being who I am!' Gotta choose: The reality star, 26, was let go from the show after being given the choice between filming or continuing to work in the adult industry On or the other: Teen Mom OG's executive producer explained 'If you choose to work in the adult industry, we cant continue to film' Don't tell me what to do! Farrah seethed at MTV's ultimatum, telling Teen Mom OG's executive producer 'Who are you to tell someone to choose one thing?' Farrah's firing came after she made two appearances on the adult webcam site Camsoda. The star is the mother of Sophia, aged eight, whose father died in a car accident in 2008. She first made her mark in the reality world during the first season of 16 And Pregnant, all the way back in 2009. News of her firing went public after the Nebraska native opened up about incident on Facebook at the end of October but later claimed that she was only 'fake fired' for the sake of the show drama. Not gonna change: The scene got got even more heated as the starlet cursed and yelled 'Shoot me for being who I am!' Doting mom: The star first made her mark in the reality world during the first season of 16 And Pregnant in 2009 and is now a single mother to daughter Sophia, eight (pictured in August) Back on Halloween, the TV star wrote a lengthy Facebook post where she said it's a shame MTV lost its 'biggest talent' because of her ties to the adult film industry. It was days after the star had released a pornographic Halloween-themed web cam show. During her October announcement, Farrah explained MTV 'let me go because as a Business Mogul I act like an adult and part take in adult promotions and activities that other adults do for FREE or in private!' The starlet then sang her own praises, dissing co-stars Maci Bookout and Amber Portwood while calling herself the show's 'biggest talent.' A lot of words: The mother-of-one went on for several paragraphs, clearly upset, when she revealed she had been fired from the show in October 'Sad such a phenomenal show will no longer have its biggest talent on the show because of women hating, sex shaming, hate crimes, selfish, Weinstein company power trip behavior against a professional hard working, honest mother,' she said. The trailer also show Farrah exchanging tense words with her mom. 'I wish that you would not date somebody that is so narrow-minded and horrible,' the cosmetically enhanced celeb told mom Debra Danielsen, continuing: 'So when we're not at your wedding, you know why.' Teen Mom OG returns next Monday, December 4 at 9pm on MTV. She went public with her romance to American model and actor Chris Zylka in February. And on Wednesday's the Today show, Paris Hilton revealed that the couple are almost inseparable. 'We're together every second,' the 36-year-old said on-air. Scroll down for video 'We're together every second': Paris Hilton, 36, revealed on Wednesday's the Today show that she never spends more than 'three hours apart' from boyfriend Chris Zylka, 32 Gushing over her partner, Paris told presenters Deborah Knight and Sylvia Jeffreys: 'We've actually have not spent more than three hours apart. 'We're together every second. He's so supportive and amazing.' 'I feel like God sent me an angel,' the entrepreneur and former reality star added of Chris. Smitten: Gushing over her partner, the entrepreneur told presenters Deborah Knight and Sylvia Jeffreys: 'We've actually have not spent more than three hours apart. We're together every second' Paris added of Chris: 'He's so supportive and amazing. I feel like God sent me an angel' The comments come shortly after Chris got Paris' name inked on his arm in Disney font. Proudly taking to Instagram on Sunday, the blonde beauty couldn't contain her excitement over her fairy tale romance, declaring the inking a 'dedication' to her and showing that 'true love really does exist.' The close-up snap showcased the tattoo, which read 'Paris' and was inscribed in the iconic typography on the inside of his arm. 'Now this is what I call real love & dedication! I love you so much baby! Thank you for showing me that true love really does exist!' the DJ captioned the photo, alongside the hash-tags #Goals, #BrandedbyPH and #Mine. Tatt's nice: The comments come shortly after Chris got Paris' name inked on his arm in Disney font. The close-up snap showcased the tattoo, which read 'Paris' and was inscribed in the iconic typography on the inside of his arm Forever: Paris, who went public with her romance in February revealed in April that she knew Chris was 'The One'. She told E! News at the time: 'I've never been surer of anything in my life. He's so incredible in every way' Paris, who went public with her romance in February revealed in April that she knew Chris was 'The One'. She told E! News at the time: 'I've never been surer of anything in my life. He's so incredible in every way. 'We've actually been friends for a really long time, like the past six years. We just now started being serious in the past few months and it's really just changed my life in so many ways and brought so much happiness to my life.' Paris is currently in Australia to launch her 23rd fragrance, Rose Rush. She reportedly split from her new beau Harry Eden earlier this week, after a fleeting romance. But Megan McKenna put her heartbreak aside as she smouldered in a deep crimson gown at the Ok! Magazine Beauty Awards on Tuesday. The 25-year-old sizzled in the off-the-shoulder dress, which featured a daring thigh-split as she posed on the red carpet ahead of fellow TOWIE babes. Scroll down for video Glam: Megan McKenna put her heartbreak aside as she smoldered in a deep crimson gown at the Ok! Magazine Beauty Awards on Tuesday In keeping with her glamorous style, the reality starlet opted to forego the legs-or-cleavage rule, in favour of highlighting both in the stunning satin gown. The High Heeled shoes hitmaker paired the ensemble with her favourite nude Louboutin heels and completed the look with a simple gold watch. Megan, who has a hair extension line and beauty range, showed off her cosmetic prowess with a plum smoky eye and pink glossy lip. Flaunting her figure: In keeping with her glamorous style, the reality starlet opted to forego the legs or cleavage rule, in favour of highlighting both in the stunning satin gown Stunner: Danielle Armstrong joined Megan McKenna on the red carpet and wowed in a red velvet mini-dress She swept her balayage tresses to the side in a loosely tousled bun, allowing the statement of the dress to shine through. Megan's appearance at the star-studded bash comes after she 'cooled off her relationship' with 27-year-old Harry Eden. The couple first sparked rumours of a split when they unfollowed each other on social media earlier this week, with Megan's rep later telling The Sun newspaper: 'Megan is single.' The reality star will no doubt be supported by a host of TOWIE stars who turned out to the star-studded bash. Split? Megan and her on/off flame Harry Eden are said to have called time on their relationship this week Gorgeous: Megan's frock skimmed over her slender frame, nipping in at the waist Playful! Megan made sure to ham it up for the cameras on her arrival to the bash Megan was joined by former TOWIE star Danielle Armstrong, who put on a leggy display in a red velvet mini-dress. The ensemble featured a risque thigh-spit and cinched in the 29-year-old's slim waist with a thick belt. She accessorized the look with pointed pumps and a black shoulder bag and wore her blonde locks in her signature straight style. Stunning: She sported a glamorous make-up look with her tresses pulled into a voluminous side style Striking: The ensemble was intricately detailed with a floral applique design which showed off her hourglass figure to perfection Strike a pose: James Lock's girlfriend Yazmin Oukhellou was also spotted at the event and cut a fashionable figure in a navy lace dress Meanwhile, Amber Turner from the hit ITVBe show also turned out for the occasion in a striking red gown. The reality starlet, who has had an on-off relationship with TOWIE's Dan Edgar, flaunted her killer curves in the fishtail dress. The ensemble was intricately detailed with a floral applique design which showed off her hourglass figure to perfection. She opted for dramatic make-up with fluttery eyelashes and a glossy pink lip for the beauty event and sported Hollywood glam with her voluminous hairstyle. Star-studded: Both Yazmin and Danielle have been seen in each others presence in recent weeks, having both been spotted at Faces Nightclub in Essex High spirits: Amber and Yazmin were seen tending to their locks as they arrived at the bash Glam duo! The girls clutched onto each other's hands as they strutted along in their heels Beaming: Both Yazmin and her co-star Amber Dowding (L) flashed huge smiles as they later left the awards party James Lock's girlfriend Yazmin Oukhellou was also spotted at the event and cut a fashionable figure in a navy lace dress. The brunette beauty showed off her ample assets in the figure-hugging gown. Both Yazmin and Danielle have been seen in each others presence in recent weeks, having both been spotted at Faces Nightclub in Essex last week. It appears the duo have smoothed things over after their talk at TOWIE's Halloween bash, after months of rowing over Lockie. Leggy: Danielle made sure to flaunt her pins as she arrived in her velvet mini dress Perfectly poised: Megan looked like a dream as she stopped for a snap outside the venue She was recently dismissed as a 'liar' by fans, after boldly claiming she and Britney Spears invented selfies. And Paris Hilton, 36, has now backtracked on her controversial comments during an appearance on the Today show on Wednesday. The self-described 'selfie queen' claimed she was 'just joking' in a recent tweet that claimed she, along with pop star Britney, invented selfies '11 years ago.' Just joking: Paris Hilton, 36, has now backtracked on recent comments about inventing the selfie, during an appearance on the Today show on Wednesday 'I didn't mean I invented it,' she said. 'When I say things, I'm very tongue in cheek. I love to joke around and have fun with it. But that's one of the first selfies I took, yeah. She said of a throwback photo she shared with Britney: 'We were in Las Vegas and at the Palms Hotel at the Playboy Club and we had bunny ears on and we thought, 'Let's take a selfie.'' Throwback: Paris sparked an uproar this month after tweeting:'11 years ago today, Me & Britney invented the selfie!' Earlier this month, the reality TV star-turned-entrepreneur sparked an uproar after tweeting:'11 years ago today, Me & Britney invented the selfie!' Fans flocked to social media to refute her claims by sharing a series of hilarious memes. One Twitter user shared a dated black and white image of a man taking a mirror selfie and it was captioned: '1910 one of the first mirror selfies.' Hilarious: One Twitter user shared a dated black and white image of a man taking a mirror selfie and it was captioned: '1910 one of the first mirror selfies' Sabrina's selfie: Another tweet showed Sabrina the Teenage Witch star, Melissa Joan Hart, taking a selfie back in the nineties: 'Sabrina the teenage witch joins the craze in 96' 'Liar': One fan called the celebrity DJ a 'liar' while sharing an old photo of Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon taking a selfie in the 1991 film Thema & Louise Another tweet showed Sabrina the Teenage Witch star, Melissa Joan Hart, taking a selfie back in the nineties: 'Sabrina the teenage witch joins the craze in 96.' One fan called the celebrity DJ a 'liar' while sharing an old photo of Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon taking a selfie in the 1991 film Thema & Louise. Since her rise into reality TV stardom in 1997, the former Simple Life star has built a beauty empire, said to be worth nearly $2billion. Her celebrity fragrance is said to be the second largest in the world behind the late Hollywood icon Elizabeth Taylor. Jodie Sweetin is fighting her ex-husband's request for more child support in on-going legal battle since their 2013 split. The 35-year-old actress is taking on her third husband Morty Coyle in court once again according to documents obtained by People magazine on Tuesday. The weekly reports that the Fuller House actress filed an income and expense declaration earlier this month at the Superior Court of Los Angeles. Tough times: Jodie Sweetin is taking on her ex-husband Morty Coyle in court once again due to his request for more child support according to documents obtained by People magazine on Tuesday, as they are pictured together in April 2011 Sweetin and Coyle share a seven-year-old daughter named Beatrix as the father had petitioned a judge to force Sweetin to pay more for childcare. According to People, the documents detailed her finances which showed that she earned a little more than $40K a month. Coyle had claimed that she makes $700K a year, however, according to the filing Sweetin's adjusted gross income in 2016 was just over $437K. According to the records, Sweetin averages a monthly income of $43,614 including $12K in wages and $31,614 in income from self-employment. Making it clear: According to People, the documents detailed her finances which showed that the 35-year-old actress earned a little more than $40K a month The actress had listed her monthly expenses totaling $15, 262 which leaves $28,352 according to People. The Los Angeles judge has not ruled on Coyle's plea for more child support as the November 16 hearing was postponed until December 15. In September 2016, the former couple's divorce had been finalized as DailyMail.com had exclusively obtained the court documents. Signature role: She is best known for starring as Stephanie Tanner in Full House and the recently revived Fuller House (pictured here) Through the records it was revealed that the exes will be sharing joint custody of daughter Beatrix. Additionally, Sweetin will have to pay Coyle $10,000 as part of a division of shared property debts. Sweetin filed for legal separation from Coyle in June 2013 citing 'irreconcilable differences', after only being married for one year. She is starring as Stephanie Tanner in the sequel to the long-running series Full House. The Full House star also has a nine-year-old daughter named Zoie with ex Cody Herpin. Dispute: Sweetin and Coyle share a seven-year-old daughter named Beatrix as the father had petitioned a judge to force Sweetin to pay more for childcare, the family is pictured in February 2011 It seems to have been quite a tumultuous time in Jodie's life as she had split from fiance Justin Hodak in March following a massive argument during which Hodak knocked over a seven foot shelving unit in a first of rage. He was then arrested three times within a nine-day period. On May 5 a judge handed Hodak a suspended sentence of six years, eight months in prison - a devastating blow. He was ordered to serve 120 days in L.A. County Jail, complete a 52 week domestic violence course, and stay away from Sweetin for five years as part of a plea deal. Hodak, 40, was released from prison on May 22 after being charged with illegal possession of a gun and falsifying evidence by threatening a witness. In the two months following Rebel Wilson's defamation court case victory over Bauer media, her fortunes have already 'turned drastically around.' But the 37-year-old has insisted the taxing one month experience was one of the worst of her life. Speaking to Sunrise on Wednesday, the Pitch Perfect star said: '[It] was just horrific, I wouldn't wish it on anybody.' Scroll down for video 'Horrific': Rebel Wilson's fortunes have turned 'drastically' following her court case win against Bauer, but speaking to Sunrise on Wednesday, the actress insisted 'it was just horrific' Despite having a powerful legal team and the support of her adoring fans, Rebel revealed she still often felt as if it was her versus the world. 'It was really scary,' the actress claimed. 'For me it often felt like it was just me going against an entire company of German billionaires.' 'But all the public support was really amazing.' Bauer have appealed the case, with their argument to be heard back in Melbourne shortly - luckily, it's not expected to drag on. 'Scary': 'It was really scary,' the actress claimed, 'for me it often felt like it was just me going against an entire company of German billionaires' 'It's really different,' Rebel explained. 'It's just a one day thing where they give a legal rationale.' 'Obviously, the case is concluded and we won comprehensively.' Rebel insists she's already reaping the benefits from the victory over Bauer, who were found to have damaged her career by falsely claiming she lied about her age. On the up and up! Rebel insists she's already reaping the benefits from the victory over Bauer, who were found to have damaged her career by falsely claiming she lied about her age 'To suddenly have my fortunes turn drastically around - I've just done two other feature films following the court case.' Sitting alongside her, fellow Australian and Pitch Perfect 3 star Ruby Rose couldn't hold back her praise, exclaiming: 'not all superheroes wear capes.' She then complimented her co-star on the glamorous outfits she was often seen in when leaving the courthouse back in September. 'I've just done two other films': 'To suddenly have my fortunes turn drastically around - I've just done two other feature films following the court case,' she revealed Rebel quipped back: '[It's called] Court couture, that will be my new fashion line coming out,' the studio suddenly bursting into laughter. 'If you're working a court case, I got you covered!' In September, Rebel proved to an all-female jury in June that the Woman's Day, Australian Women's Weekly, OK! and NW magazine publisher defamed her in eight articles published in May 2015. A Victorian Supreme Court judge awarded her more than $4.5million, which she previously said she will give to charity. No objections here! After Pitch Perfect 3 co-star Ruby Rose complimented her on her glamorous outfits during the case, Rebel joked she had a new fashion line on the way She's staring as the titular character in the highly-anticipated biopic, I, Tonya. And Margot Robbie took the time to greet her fans as she arrived at The Crosby Hotel in New York City ahead of the movie's premier on Tuesday evening. The actress, 27, looked leggy as she sported a unique navy blue plaid blazer with matching shorts while signing autographs on her way back to her hotel. Scroll down for video Leggy lady: Margot Robbie put on a chic display as she arrived at The Crosby Hotel in New York City ahead of the premier of her new movie I, Tonya on Tuesday evening The Wolf of Wall Street starlet showed off her golden tan in a pair of tailored shorts that hugged her svelte waistline. A long-sleeved white and red plaid shirt was tucked into her waistband, with cuffs peeking through the sleeves of her smart blazer. The Australian bombshell's blonde hair was worn in loose waves, and she injected a bolt of color to her look with bright red lipstick. Margot kept her eyes shielded from the afternoon glow in a pair of dark Jimmy Choo sunglasses and she slipped on delicate black flats. Plaid's the way to do it: The actress, 27, looked leggy as she sported a unique navy blue plaid blazer with matching shorts while signing autographs on her way back to her hotel Sign here! A long-sleeved white and red plaid shirt was tucked into her waistband, with cuffs peeking through the sleeves of her smart blazer as she signed autographs In an interview with the Actors On Actors issue Variety, released on Tuesday, the talented actress discussed the 'bittersweet' reality of living away from her friends and family in Australia. Speaking to Jake Gyllenhaal, she explained: 'Its bittersweet living outside of Australia, because I miss everyone so much. 'But the fact that they are so removed from it helps me keep my life and my work separate - even though they are intrinsically linked, because all I want to do is work all the time.' Natural beauty: The Australian bombshell's blonde hair was worn in loose waves, and she injected a bolt of color to her look with bright red lipstick Girl about town: Margot kept her eyes shielded from the afternoon glow in a pair of dark sunglasses and she slipped on delicate black flats Latest role: Playing Tonya Harding on the big screen in I, Tonya, Margot revealed she purposefully avoided meeting infamous American ice skater in real life Playing Tonya Harding on the big screen, Margot purposefully avoided meeting infamous American ice skater in real life. She said: 'I actually wanted to keep a bit of distance. I knew that if I met her and liked her, I would never play this character properly. 'I would be sugarcoating her flaws; Id be trying to justify the bad things that she may do or say in a situation.' Born and raised on the Gold Coast, Margot returned to Australia in December 2016 to marry her longtime English partner Tom Ackerley. She's the stunning Australian model who's made a living out of her good looks. And on Wednesday, Megan Gale spoke candidly about the physical marks on her body from being pregnant with two-month-old daughter Rosie May Dee. In a refreshing post shared to Instagram, the 42-year-old said she was 'sad' to lose the black lines (linea nigra) on her stomach. 'I love this little badge of honour': On Wednesday, Megan Gale (pictured) revealed she was sad about losing her pregnancy body marks after giving birth to daughter Rosie May Dee 'I'm a bit sad my linea nigra (Latin for black line) on my tummy is almost gone,' she wrote alongside an image of herself showing off the marks while dressed in a bikini. 'I love this little badge of honour as it's one of my last little physical reminders of my pregnancy with Rosie,' the star explained. 'I LOVE that she's out and with us but I'm missing being pregnant as well' 'It's one of my last little physical reminders of my pregnancy with Rosie': Megan explained she was happy Rosie was now in the world but also missed being pregnant Megan looked stunning in the snap, which featured the Mad Max: Fury Road actress relaxing poolside while holidaying in Fiji. The white two-piece accentuated her stunning post-pregnancy body while Megan's round-framed sunglasses and patterned bandana added a casual-chic touch. Little Rosie isn't the only child belonging to the brunette beauty - she also shares three-year-old son River Alan with her AFL star fiance Shaun Hampson, 29. Cute: Megan has shared a number of intimate snaps documenting her motherhood journey Megan has shared a number of images of her adorable bundle of joy to Instagram. On Tuesday, she posted an intimate image of Rosie taken seconds after she breastfed the baby while en-route to Fiji. 'This little star did pretty well too, fed and slept the entire flight,' Megan captioned the snap. She's riding high after her recent big win with boyfriend Josh Barker on The Block. And Elyse Knowles was luminous as she stepped out to attend the Spray Australia VIP luncheon at the Ripponlea Estate on Tuesday. The 25-year-old, who recently revealed filming the Channel Nine reality show with Josh left them both 'mentally drained', was all smiles at the ladies-only event. Scroll down for video Glowing: Elyse Knowles was luminous as she stepped out to attend the Spray Australia VIP luncheon at the Ripponlea Estate on Tuesday The stunning model dazzled in a blush-pink, off-shoulder dress that cinched in her tiny waist. She wore her straight blonde locks with a middle part and accentuated her natural beauty with a neutral makeup palette. The petite knockout was joined by her fellow socialites to celebrate Spray Australia's new range of products, which include a Face Tan Mist and Tanning Mousse. Knockout: The stunning model dazzled in a blush-pink, off-shoulder dress that cinched in her tiny waist VIP: The petite knockout was joined by her fellow socialites to celebrate Spray Australia's new range of products, which include a Face Tan Mist and Tanning Mousse Elyse recently told The Daily Telegraph taping The Block wasn't all smooth sailing for her and Josh. 'We do have to try and separate work away from home, which is pretty hard when you're living in your renovation and that was a struggle for us,' she explained. 'If we were stuck in the house for too long, we would get mentally drained. That's what The Block does because you're there 24/7. You can never escape,'she added. Dazzling: Elyse was joined by co-host Bec Judd, who was aglow in a white mini-dress and was paired with media personality Zoe Foster-Blake for a snap during the daytime event Booming business: Bec Judd and her fellow WAG Nadia Bartel are co-owners of the burgeoning tanning line, alongside Emily McKay and Ellie Pearson Elyse was joined by co-host Bec Judd, who was aglow in a white mini-dress and was paired with media personality Zoe Foster-Blake for a snap during the daytime event. Bec, 34, and her fellow WAG Nadia Bartel are co-owners of the burgeoning tanning line, alongside Emily McKay and Ellie Pearson. The event theme and design was from Creating Beautiful, while guests dined at a sit-down lunch with cocktails by Mr. Miyagi (frose) and Nectar & Stone. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos saw his fortune swell to over $100 billion thanks to an online holiday shopping spree Amazon founder Jeff Bezos was a $100-billion man on Monday as the online retail colossus raked in cash from the holiday weekend's cyber shopping spree. Forbes magazine's real-time ranking of the richest people had Bezos on top, with a personal net worth of $100.3 billion. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates saw his net worth climb to a dizzying $89.4 billion but was relegated to being the second most affluent person on the planet. Bezos owns almost 17 percent of Amazon, which he founded in a Seattle garage in 1994 after quitting a hedge fund job to sell books online. Amazon shares finished the official trading day up just shy of a percent, and inched up a bit more in after-market trades to top $1,200. Based on the share price, Seattle-based Amazon had a market value of some $576.3 billion. Market tracker Adobe Digital Insights data showed that online shopping was at a record-setting pace from Black Friday into Cyber Monday. More than 1,500 US troops are deployed in Syria, new figures show The Pentagon pledged Monday to be as transparent as possible about how many troops are deployed overseas, after an agency published figures that diverge significantly from official counts. According to a quarterly report from the Pentagon's Defense Manpower Data Center, as of September 30 the US military had 15,298 troops in Afghanistan, 8,892 in Iraq and 1,720 in Syria. The numbers -- especially for Iraq and Syria -- are sharply at odds with what the Pentagon has been saying for months. Officially, the US military only has 503 troops in Syria and 5,262 in Iraq. Those figures reflect what the military calls the "force management level" -- a legacy of the era of Barack Obama, who set strict limits on how many troops were on the ground in the Middle East. The Pentagon found creative ways to stay within those notional limits -- even when troop deployments were clearly ramping up -- by not counting some short-term assignments and excluding certain categories of personnel. When asked about the discrepancies, Pentagon spokesman Colonel Rob Manning said: "We are not at a point where we can make an announcement (on troop numbers) that differs from what we have previously stated." However, he pledged openness going forward on how many troops are deployed, echoing a similar pledge Defense Secretary Jim Mattis made this year. "We are going to be as transparent as we can possibly be without telegraphing or silhouetting ourselves to the enemy and showcasing our capabilities to the bad guys," Manning said. Under President Donald Trump, battlefield commanders have been given greater flexibility to flow troops across the region, making it harder to track figures. In Afghanistan, officials had previously said about 14,000 US troops were deployed in the war-torn nation. Syria's six-year war has killed more than 340,000 people and left the country in ruin Talks aimed at ending the war in Syria restarted Tuesday with the government enforcing its will, warning the United Nations it would not tolerate any discussion of President Bashar al-Assad's ouster from power. Assad's negotiators skipped the opening of the UN-backed talks, delivering another blow to negotiations that have achieved little through seven previous rounds. Opposition representatives, united in one delegation for the first time, met UN mediator Staffan de Mistura on Tuesday. After arriving in Geneva late Monday, rebel delegation chief Nasr al-Hariri told reporters that his camp was still insisting on Assad's removal as part of any peace deal, defying calls for moderation. Damascus had initially refused to confirm it would attend the talks with the opposition maintaining its hardline stance on the president, but the UN announced that government representatives will arrive on Wednesday. But before agreeing to come, Assad's envoys secured key concessions from de Mistura. "During intense discussions over the last two days, de Mistura pledged to the government delegation that there would not be any... discussion of the Riyadh statement", an opposition text that references Assad's ouster, a source close to the government told AFP. Keeping the Assad issue off the table may also suit de Mistura, who has said he wants this round to focus on a new constitution for Syria and UN-supervised elections. Deaths in Syria since 2011 Hours before the talks officially started, government-ally Russia informed de Mistura that Syrian forces had agreed to a ceasefire in rebel-held Eastern Ghouta, following days of heavy bombardment. Eastern Ghouta, under siege by government forces since 2013, is one of the last remaining rebel strongholds in Syria and violence there has increased significantly in recent days. - Same old deadlock? - De Mistura had voiced hope the coming round would mark the first "real negotiation" on a possible deal to end the six-year war which has claimed more than 340,000 lives and left Syria in ruin. Eastern Ghouta, under siege by government forces since 2013, is one of the last remaining rebel strongholds in Syria and violence there has increased significantly in recent days He has also warned the opposition that intransigence on the Assad issue might no longer be tenable. In September, he said the opposition needed to be "realistic" and accept that "they didn't win the war", a statement supported by facts on the ground. Backed by Russia's military support, Assad's government has regained control of 55 percent of the country, including major cities including Damascus, Aleppo, Homs and Hama. The rest is carved up between rebel factions, jihadists and Kurdish forces. The decision last week by Syrian opposition groups to send a single delegation to Geneva raised hopes of a possible breakthrough. The new rebel negotiating team includes members of the Saudi-backed High Negotiations Committee (HNC), which insists on Assad's departure, as well as representatives of groups based in Moscow and Cairo that have a more moderate stance on the president. Despite Hariri's firm public position on the Assad stalemate, a European diplomat said the situation was fluid. UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura (L) has overseen several previous rounds of peace talks in Geneva "We expect (the opposition) will be pragmatic and flexible", the diplomat said, requesting anonymity. - UN overshadowed - A flexible opposition will likely help the UN's peace push, which has been overshadowed by negotiations spearheaded by Moscow. Russia and its fellow ally Iran, along with rebel-backer Turkey, have hosted negotiations in the Kazakh capital of Astana that led to the creation of four "de-escalation zones" which produced a drop in violence, though deadly air strikes and battles continue in some areas. Western powers are concerned that Russia is seeking to take a leading role in the peace process and will carve out a settlement that will largely favour Assad. But experts and officials have noted that Moscow cannot forge a solution alone and needs the UN to legitimise any peace deal. "I think (the Russians) have some really strong cards, but I don't think they hold all the cards," the European diplomat said. "That is why Geneva is such a significant, important process, because only Geneva has the legitimacy to bring together all of those constituent parts and only Geneva will unlock the significant international aid that is required to put Syria back on its feet", the diplomat said. Venezuela is pumping less oil, giving other producers breathing space With oil prices nudging steadily higher, market expectations are for crude-pumping countries to prolong their deal to curb output at a meeting at OPEC headquarters in Vienna on Thursday. Markets could be disappointed, however, with Russia reportedly not yet fully on board about signing up to extending the agreement, due to expire on March 31, until the end of 2018, experts say. The deal by 24 producers reduced production by 1.8 million barrels per day, first struck a year ago, has already been given more time once. It has borne fruit, helping reduce a global glut that sent oil prices to a less than $30 a barrel in early 2016, a level which helped consumers but blew a hole in producers' finances. Brent Crude is now nearing $65 per barrel, while fellow benchmark West Texas Intermediate has been heading for $60, with inventories approaching more normal levels. The price has also been helped by growing optimism about the global economy and its effect on buoying oil demand, not least from China. It's time to decide on any extension of oil output cuts "We have accomplished what naysayers thought would be impossible," Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, OPEC secretary general, said on Monday. "The current market conditions, the returning level of confidence and optimism in the industry are all evidence of the outcome of our joint efforts," he said. - Venezuela - For one of OPEC's founder members however, things are far from rosy. Venezuela, whose oil reserves are the world's biggest, is a whisker away from an all-out debt default. Just as the South American country needs foreign currency more than ever, oil output is forecast to fall for a seventh successive year in 2018 to the lowest level since 1989. As a result, Venezuela is producing even less than it vowed to under the output agreement, further reducing the global glut and giving others extra breathing space. Venezuela "is significantly below the target level and shows no sign of being able to turn that around in the near term or even over 2018," Richard Mallinson from Energy Aspects told AFP. - Outline deal - Members of the OPEC cartel and Russia have crafted the outline of an agreement to extend the curbs to the end of 2018, according to Bloomberg News. Saudi Arabia is thought to be particularly keen since higher oil prices would help boost the value of national oil company Saudi Aramco, some of which it wants to sell next year. OPEC and Russia are still hammering out crucial details, however, Bloomberg reported. Russian oil companies are reported to be particularly reluctant. In September, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak suggested it was premature to discuss an extension, saying he wanted to wait until January for further data. A further possible complication could be the dramatic recent deterioration of relations between regional rival Saudi Arabia and Iran, both of which are members of OPEC. Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman last week called Iran's supreme leader "the new Hitler of the Middle East". Iran, following the lifting of sanctions under the 2015 nuclear deal, was allowed a moderate increase in oil production under the producers' accord. But Mallinson said that, like in the past such as during the Iran-Iraq war (1980-88), the rivals should still be able to work together at OPEC, albeit through gritted teeth. "So that shouldn't be too much of a concern for the oil market," he said. Star power: Burkina Faso may have no oil or gas, but has sunshine in abundance West Africa's biggest solar power plant goes onstream on Wednesday as Burkina Faso, one of the world's poorest countries, inaugurates a novel scheme to boost renewables and cut energy dependence on its neighbours. The 55-hectare (135-acre) plant at Zagtouli on the outskirts of the capital Ouagadougou will be able to churn out 33 megawatts -- enough to power tens of thousands of homes. Presiding over the opening ceremony will be Burkinabe President Roch Marc Christian Kabore and his visiting French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, whose country partially funded construction of the facility. "For the past six weeks the plant has been in a test phase with production of 14 MW, and will reach a peak of 33 MW during December, sufficient sunshine permitting," said the site's construction manager, Stephane Nosserau. "This is west Africa's largest plant in terms of installed capacity," added construction overseer Saidou Nana. The plant's 129,600 260-watt solar panels are capable of annually pumping out 56 gigawatts -- equivalent to five percent of current production -- into the network of national power firm Sonabel, he said. "We import energy from Ivory Coast and there have been difficulties obtaining supplies at times," said Nana. "That is why we decided with financial backers to provide Sonabel with a source of energy from photovoltaic panels to respond to the public's needs, which are growing at an annualised 13 percent," he explained. The added power will help reduce power shortages, said Nana, which greatly hamper the economy. Burkina Faso produces only about 60 percent of the electricity it consumes -- and just 20 percent of the overall population is hooked up to the grid. Many people use wood or butane gas bottles. - Solar boon - Different regions of Burkina Faso have experimented with solar panel energy for more than a decade The 47.5-million-euro cost of the plant ($56.7 million) has been funded via 25 million in donations from the European Union and a loan of 22.5 million from France's development agency. Cegelec, part of the French firm Vinci Energies, built the facility, designed to be a pilot scheme. "With the financing terms that we have, the price per kilowatt-hour is considerably cheaper than for thermal production, which will allow us to reduce operating costs within Sonabel," Nana said. Energy produced by the Zagtouli plant will cost some 45 CFA francs (seven euro cents; 8.4 US cents) per kilowatt-hour. That is around a third of the 145 CFA francs per kilowatt-hour it costs to produce electricity at fossil-fuel plants, according Sonabel's operations manager, Daniel Serme. Zagouli's capacity is dwarfed by some of the behemoths emerging in the fast-growing sector of sun-powered energy. The world's biggest solar plant is a 648-MW facility in Kamuthi, in India's Tamil Nadu state. A 40-MW solar plant on a lake over a collapsed coal mine in Huainan, China, is the largest floating solar-powered generator globally. Despite such comparisons, Burkina Faso has big ambitions. Located in the Sahel belt on the rim of the Sahara, the country has sunshine aplenty. It hopes to meet 30 percent of its electricity needs from photovoltaic solar panels by 2030, and -- maybe one day -- become self-sufficient in electricity production. Ghana, as well as Ivory Coast, export electricity to the landlocked country to meet its needs. A 17 MW extension is already being planned at the Zagtouli site to take overall production capacity to 50 MW. Other schemes in the pipeline include two solar plants, one further west at Koudougou (of 20 MW) and a 10 MW version at Kaya, northeast of the capital, Nana said. A picture taken on October 24, 2017, shows MBC TV personality Dawood Shirian during an interview with AFP at the MBC headquaters in Riyadh With a furrowed brow and wagging finger, Dawood Shirian for years skewered top officials on Saudi television, but now the firebrand host is taking over the country's state broadcaster. Deploying a pull-no-punches style rarely tolerated in Saudi Arabia's tightly controlled media landscape, Shirian spent nearly six years as the host of "Al Thamina" (Eight O'Clock) on satellite broadcaster MBC. Shirian -- nicknamed "matchstick" for his combustible personality -- was allowed to champion issues that are a potential lightning rod for public discontent, from joblessness to extremism. His career took on a new trajectory on Monday with his appointment as the head of the Saudi Broadcasting Corporation, as his legions of admirers called for his return to Al Thamina. His intentions as the new chief are unclear. But if his past is any indication, Shirian may be about to shake up the country's traditionally sedate state television and radio channels. The primetime show garnered an avid following with its host's hard-hitting style of demanding accountability from officials, often berating them and sometimes chivvying them into action. In a recent episode, Shirian, 63, fumed over rising unemployment among Saudi engineers, airing testimonies from some with the highest grades forced to work as waiters, car washers and fish sellers. "Does the job market have no place for Saudi engineers?" Shirian asked angrily, waving printouts from a government jobs website. "Where are the authorities?" he demanded. Within minutes, the hashtag "Saudi engineers treated unfairly" started gaining traction on social media. Behind the scenes, the show's producers were inundated with hundreds of WhatsApp messages pouring in from people venting fury. A labour ministry official, caught like a deer in the headlights, sought to explain on the show that policy reforms were in the works to create jobs. "When?" Shirian interjected with a scowl. "The people are getting angry." - 'Valve for frustration' - MBC said Al Thamina, which enjoys a mass following in Saudi Arabia -- consistently registering top ratings typically seen by lifestyle shows -- will continue to air after Shirian's departure. To get a full measure of its success it is crucial to understand where it is broadcast. Saudi Arabia this year dropped three places to 168th out of 180 countries in an index ranking freedom of the media, prepared annually by Reporters Without Borders. A recent government crackdown on the elite, ostensibly to fight corruption, ignited new concerns that it could further tighten control. The detained included media moguls such as the owner of MBC Waleed al-Ibrahim. But the tolerance for public criticism of officialdom appears to have expanded after the so-called Arab Spring -- which saw pent-up public anger spilling onto the street across the Middle East. A picture taken on October 24, 2017, shows MBC TV personality Dawood Shirian during an interview with AFP at the MBC headquaters in Riyadh "A show like that (Al Thamina) is definitely tolerated by Saudi authorities," Najat Al-Saied, author of "Screens of Influence: Arab Satellite Television and Social Development", told AFP. "In fact, the authorities are increasing the scope of freedom in this show... to release the valve for public frustration." In an interview with AFP ahead of his appointment, Shirian said Saudi Arabia offers "more freedom than you think" to push boundaries. "Yes, there are red lines such as religion and national interest issues," said Shirian, one of only a few Saudi journalists to interview powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. "For all other matters I am colour blind." - 'He's a painkiller' - Shirian's new job as SBC chief could be at odds with his image of bashing officials on live television. "In the Middle East, talk show hosts say 'your highness this, your excellency that.' I go on a first name or last name basis," he said. "We are the voice of the people." A portrait of Oprah Winfrey hangs in a waiting room beside his studio -- the American talk show queen who was clearly not the inspiration for his show. One official waited in nervous anticipation, doodling his thoughts on a paper napkin. In an otherwise sober media scene, Shirian was entertaining even when he treated officials as a punching bag, often taking questions and cues from live callers on the programme. "I feel a sense of relief watching him," a Saudi businessman said in a Riyadh cafe, with Al Thamina playing on a hanging television. "He's like a painkiller." Shirian also did not shy away from offending hardline clerics. "You are the reason our sons are jihadists, they are in Afghanistan," he said in one episode, blasting two clerics with millions of social media followers. "You talk about going to heaven if you die in jihad. Make your sons go to heaven. Leave us alone!" Many officials refused to appear on the programme and some demanded to know his questions in advance. An empty chair was often planted on the show to symbolise an absentee official unwilling to answer impromptu questions. "For people I may be a painkiller," Shirian said. "For officials, I am painful." A video grab from footage on the website of Yueyang Intermediate People's Court shows activist Lee Ming-cheh, the first Taiwanese person to be convicted of subverting government power under China's criminal code A Chinese court sentenced Taiwanese democracy activist Lee Ming-cheh to five years in prison on Tuesday on charges of attempting to subvert state power, further souring cross-strait ties. Lee sat nervously as the three-judge panel read the sentence at the Yueyang intermediate people's court in central Hunan province, according to a video posted on the tribunal's social media account. Taiwan and human rights groups immediately denounced the ruling as "unacceptable" and "politically motivated". Lee -- an NGO worker who was arrested during a trip to the Chinese mainland in March -- is the first Taiwanese person to be convicted in China on the political charge, according to Taiwan's Judicial Reform Foundation. A Chinese co-defendant named Peng Yuhua was sentenced to seven years in prison. The court said both men stated that they would not appeal their sentences. President Xi Jinping, who consolidated power at a Communist Party congress last month, has cracked down on dissent and tightened control on civil society since taking office in 2012. Lee had confessed to the charges during his trial in September, stating that he had written and distributed online articles that criticised China's ruling Communist Party and promoted democracy among other topics. His wife, Lee Ching-yu, who attended the sentencing, said her husband had "paid the price" for his ideals. "Fighting for human rights for the disadvantaged is a commitment that must be made to push for the enhancement of human civilisation... I want to express again that I am proud of his dedication," she said in a statement. Amnesty International East Asia research director Roseann Rife called for Lee to be "immediately and unconditionally released", saying he had committed no crime. "Lee Ming-cheh is the victim of a politically motivated prosecution... He is the latest to suffer under the Chinese authorities' relentless attack against human rights and democracy activists," Rife said. Taiwan's presidential office and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) called the verdict "unacceptable". "We urged the Beijing authorities to release Lee and allow him to return to Taiwan soon. We regret that Lee's case seriously damaged cross-strait relations," the presidential office said in a statement. China sees self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory waiting to be reunified. - 'Political show' - Former DPP lawmaker Wang Li-ping tried to go to the court with Lee's wife, but Wang was expelled from mainland China upon arrival at Changsha airport. Lee has long supported civil society organisations and activists in China, according to Amnesty International, and was said to have frequently travelled between the mainland and Taiwan. He had shared "Taiwan's democratic experiences" with his Chinese friends online for many years and often mailed books to them, said the Taiwan Association for Human Rights. After Lee went missing, Chinese authorities confirmed he was being investigated for suspected activities "endangering national security". In the lead-up to the trial, Beijing repeatedly ignored Taipei's requests for information on Lee's whereabouts and details of the allegations against him. His wife had called his trial a "political show". When he pleaded guilty in September, Lee told the court: "I know that my behaviour definitely violated Chinese law". Lee's wife, a friend and two officials from Taiwan's semi-official Strait Exchange Foundation were allowed in. "A Taiwanese who has valid documents and the reason for her visit to China is clear, it's just to accompany the family of a man on trial and to stay for two nights with return ticket already booked but she can be expelled anytime for no reason? I am speechless," Lee Ching-yu said in an earlier statement. Relations between Beijing and Taipei have worsened since Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen took office in May last year, with China cutting off all official communications with the island. Beijing wants Tsai to acknowledge the island is part of "One China", which she has refused to do. Macron, at a press conference in Ouagadougou, vowed to declassify files on Sankara's assassination for Burkinabe investigators President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday kicked off his maiden African tour by vowing to declassify secret French files on Burkina Faso's assassinated leader, Thomas Sankara, hailed as a revolutionary hero in many parts of the continent. The threat of terrorism has cast a shadow over Macron's swing through West Africa, with three civilians being wounded in an attempted grenade attack on French troops in Ouagadougou, the Burkinabe capital, shortly before his arrival late Monday. "Two hooded individuals on a motorcycle threw a grenade towards a French army vehicle" as it made its way to a barracks housing French special forces, a security source told AFP on condition of anonymity. The three-day trip aims to boost France's influence in West Africa, taking him from Burkina Faso -- bearing the brunt of jihadist attacks in the Sahel -- to a European-African summit in Ivory Coast and finally to Ghana, a former British colony. After meeting Burkinabe President Roch Marc Christian Kabore, Macron touched on one of the country's greatest traumas -- the killing of its revered leader Sankara, 30 years ago. All French files on the event will be made available for Burkinabe investigators, Macron said. - 'Africa's Che Guevara' - "At present, except for documents which are classified and categorised as secret, the files are available and open to Burkinabe justice," Macron said. "I have made a clear undertaking and I have just told President Kabore: these documents will now be declassified for Burkinabe justice, which will have access to all the documents on the Sankara affair." Sankara, a charismatic young army captain dubbed "Africa's Che Guevara", was cut down in a hail of bullets on October 15, 1987 on his way to a special cabinet meeting. The putsch -- which many Burkinabe today suspect had a French role -- brought Sankara's close friend Blaise Compaore to power. Compaore himself ruled Burkina Faso with a rod of iron until October 2014, when he was ousted by a popular uprising. About a dozen people have been charged in connection with Sankara's assassination including soldiers from the presidential security unit. Compaore, who is in exile in Ivory Coast, is the subject of an international arrest warrant over the killing. Macron's schedule Tuesday including an address to university students, a visit to a school and a meeting with members of the French community in Ouagadougou. On Wednesday, he will attend the inauguration of a major solar power plant on the outskirts of Ouagadougou that has been built by a French company and partially funded by a French development agency. Leftwing demonstrators erected a barricade and burned tyres on a road leading to the university ahead of Macron's speech there, as riot police were deployed. - Migration and security - Macron's advisers say his main message in the tour will be to stress a partnership of equals with Africa, based on education and entrepreneurship. In his university speech, Macron notably spoke of the scars of the colonial period. "There were mistakes and crimes, great things and happy stories... (but) the crimes of European colonisation are indisputable," Macron said, describing it as "a past which has to pass." But regional security concerns will also be discussed, especially at a summit of the European Union and African Union on Wednesday and Thursday, which will bring together more than 80 leaders from the two continents. European leaders are desperate to find ways to stem the flow of African migrants across the Mediterranean without leaving them to the mercy of traffickers in transit countries such as Libya, where they face torture, rape, and -- as a CNN report showed recently -- being sold into slavery. Macron, seen here with President Kabore, is campaigning for funding for a five-country anti-terrorism force in the Sahel -- one of the world's poorest regions Macron will also seek international backing for a new, five-nation African counter-terrorism force, which France hopes can eventually take over the fight against jihadist groups in the Sahel region. Ouagadougou has suffered two recent Islamist terror attacks -- a shooting spree in January 2016 that left 20 dead and a similar assault by gunmen in August that killed 19. French special forces have been present in the country since 2010 to help regional governments tackle jihadist violence in the Sahel, particularly in neighbouring Mali. The disturbances near the university came after criticism of Macron in chatrooms on local social media. Common criticisms include the lucrative contracts French companies sweep up in the region as well as Paris' historical support for African autocrats. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio signed the repeal of legislation from 1926 during Prohibition which technically banned dancing in thousands of bars, clubs and restaurants in the city New York's mayor on Monday signed into law the repeal of a 91-year-old piece of legislation that had technically banned dancing in thousands of bars, clubs and restaurants in the city. The city council voted overwhelmingly on October 31 to axe the law, which had come into effect in 1926 during Prohibition and which campaigners decried as racist, saying it was used initially to crack down on Harlem's jazz clubs, where blacks and whites mixed. Campaigners say it was also used historically to target Hispanics and members of the LGBT community. In the 1990s, mayor Rudy Giuliani used the law to get tough on clubs in his fight against crime. "It's 2017 and this law just didn't make sense. Nightlife is part of the New York melting pot that brings people together," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "We want to be a city where people can work hard, and enjoy their city's nightlife without arcane bans on dancing." Although the law was rarely enforced in recent years, it required public spaces that sell food and drink to acquire near impossible-to-obtain permits to authorize dancing indoors or risk a fine. Yet only around 100 of New York's more than 22,000 bars, restaurants and clubs had the elusive permit. Brooklyn Democratic councilman Rafael Espinal led the charge to repeal the law, saying it unfairly discriminated against small businesses. "Artist, musicians, businesses owners, workers and everyday New Yorkers looking to let loose will no longer have to fear the dance police will shut down their favorite venues," he said Monday. A search is also now on for a "nightlife mayor" who can liaise between city hall, residents and the city's multi-billion-dollar nightlife industry, in order to support a safe nightlife scene that supports 300,000 jobs and attracts tourists far and wide. While venues will not need a special dancing permit, the city will still require security guards and surveillance cameras in many venues. Thousands of Myanmar's Catholics have arrived in Yangon in the hope of getting a glimpse of the Pope As dawn breaks, Zaw Ba stirs from a night's sleep tucked among tombstones in a Yangon churchyard -- the only place left to camp as Catholics stream in from Myanmar's frontiers for a chance to see Pope Francis. Thin rattan mats edge up against marble graves of former priests, forming a makeshift open-air dormitary at the St.Francis of Assisi Church in Yangon. With the first ever papal visit to Myanmar under way, the unlikely digs at the red-brick church have not spooked Zaw Ba or the other 1,000 Catholics crammed into the compound. "It's okay for us, we're happy to have a place to sleep," said Zaw Ba, 52, who like many others has made the two-day train journey south from Kachin State. "And there's a lot of people here so we are not afraid," he added. Nuns in light-grey habits clustered around an electric keyboard to sing hymns as pilgrims washed or ate, the early morning light on Tuesday catching their bright clothes. Around 700,000 of Myanmar's 51 million people are Catholic Francis's visit, which on Tuesday will see him meet Myanmar's civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a small Catholic minority dispersed across Myanmar. Many hail from remote, mountainous areas such as Kachin where wars between ethnic minority rebels and Myanmar troops rumble on far from international attention. While the still burning Muslim Rohingya refugee crisis to the west has formed a dark, tense backdrop to the Popes visit, Myanmar's diverse flock of Christians hope the pontiff's message of peace ameliorates their lives. "The Myanmar army is still launching attacks in Kachin state," said Zaw Ba, a jade miner. "I want the Pope to ask Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to do her best to bring peace," he added, acknowledging that The Lady, as she is known, is straitjacketed by a still powerful army. Tens of thousands of Kachin -- a group that is predominantly Baptist -- remain displaced in camps in the region, including some Catholics who made the journey to Yangon to see the Pope lead a mass on Wednesday. - Betel nut, longyi and prayer - Myanmar's Catholics -- who come from ethnic Kachin, Karen, Chin, Akha and other minority groups -- number only 700,000, a fraction of the country's 51 million population. Hundreds of people bedded down in the graveyard at the church of St Francis of Assisi But the flock is growing, Father Jacob, an ethnic Karen priest at St. Francis's Church, told AFP, especially in northernmost Myanmar where entire villages are known to convert en masse. "They are very obedient to their leaders. If the leader (of a village) becomes a Catholic, everybody becomes," explained the affable priest, wearing a longyi, smoking Burmese cigarettes and gnawing on betel nut. Syncretic practices have seeped into their worship, the Father explained, with traditional dances still held as offerings to God ahead of church ceremonies. Seeded in Myanmar by Portuguese missionaries in the 1500s, Catholicism took root in remote hill-tribe villages far from the reach of the Buddhist-dominated state. But it was suppressed under the ultra-nationalist junta that seized power in the mid-20th century and held on for five decades. Christianity arrived in Myanmar in the 1500s, brought by Portuguese missionaries, and took root among the hill tribes far from the reach of the Buddhist-dominated centre Freedoms have inched back in recent years as the country transitions into democracy, with Myanmar receiving its first Cardinal in 2015 and establishing formal ties with the Vatican earlier this year. The pope's visit is a celebration of the Church's emergence. But it is also clouded by the plight of Muslim Rohingya, with rights groups hoping the pontiff will speak up for a minority reviled by many in Myanmar. "He will say in a short sentence, to love them all as brothers and sisters," speculated Father Jacob. The third annual Interfaith Christmas Concert will be held 7 p.m. Saturday at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse, 1500 Country W. Road in Bismarck. All are invited and admission is free. Instrumental and choral pieces, intermixed with scriptural readings focused around the theme, Let Earth Receive Her King, aim to uplift and encourage all in attendance to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Soloists and small performing groups from the Lutheran Church of the Cross, First Presbyterian Church and from as far as Dickinson will provide musical numbers. Pope Francis arrived in Myanmar on Monday to a warm welcome from the country's small but enthusiastic Catholic population Pope Francis will hold talks with Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Tuesday, a key moment of a tour aimed at alleviating religious and ethnic hatreds that have driven huge numbers of Muslim Rohingya from the country. Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, has been ostracised by a global rights community that once adored her but is now outraged at her tepid reaction to the plight of the Rohingya. After the talks in the capital Naypyidaw, the pontiff will address Suu Kyi and diplomats there -- his first opportunity to speak publicly about the conflict that looms over his trip. The 80-year-old pontiff late Monday received a "courtesy visit" from the powerful army chief Min Aung Hlaing -- whose troops, according to the UN and US, have waged a campaign of ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya from Rakhine state. General Min Aung Hlaing has firmly denied allegations of widespread brutality by his forces, despite the flight to Bangladesh since late August of 620,000 Rohingya who have recounted widespread cases of rape, murder and arson. His office said he told the pope there was "no discrimination" in Myanmar, and praised his military for maintaining "the peace and stability of the country". The pope has repeatedly spoken out from afar about the crisis, standing up for what he has called his Rohingya "brothers and sisters". A similar approach in Myanmar is fraught with danger -- using the term "Rohingya" is unacceptable in a mainly Buddhist country where the Muslim minority are denied citizenship and branded illegal "Bengali" immigrants. The country is listening closely to see if Francis will use the word "Rohingya" on Myanmar soil, and risk provoking the outrage of Buddhist nationalists. Early Tuesday, day two of his four-day visit, the pontiff met leaders from Buddhist, Muslim, Baptist and Jewish faiths in Yangon. The conversation centred around themes of unity in diversity, with the pope sharing a prayer and giving a "very, very beautiful speech", according to Sammy Samuels, a representative from the small Jewish community. Francis flies up to Naypyidaw Tuesday afternoon to meet Aung San Suu Kyi. The Lady, as she is fondly known in Myanmar, finally came to power after elections in 2015 but has fallen from grace internationally for not doing more to stand up to the army in defence of the Rohingya -- whose name she will not publicly utter. Rights groups have clamoured for Suu Kyi to be stripped of her peace prize. Oxford, the English city she once called home, on Monday removed her Freedom of the City award for her "inaction" in the face of oppression of the Rohingya. - Catholics congregate - So far, the pontiff has received a warm welcome to the majority Buddhist nation. Myanmar's Catholic community numbers just over one percent of the country's 51 million people. But some 200,000 Catholics are pouring into the commercial capital Yangon from all corners of the country ahead of a huge, open-air mass on Wednesday. Zaw Sai, 52, from Kachin state, found space for himself and his family to camp out in a churchyard. "We feel very pleased because we are from different ethnicities but are one in our religion," he told AFP. Just days before the papal visit, Myanmar and Bangladesh signed a deal to start repatriating Rohingya refugees within two months. But details of the agreement -- including the use of temporary shelters for returnees, many of whose homes have been burned to the ground -- raise questions for Rohingya fearful of returning without guarantees of basic rights. Francis will travel on to Bangladesh on Thursday. burs-ssm/apj/sm Indian personnel stand on the deck of the Seaman Guard Ohio after detaining it in October 2013 All 35 crewmen on an anti-piracy ship -- from Britain, Estonia, Ukraine and India -- were freed Tuesday after winning a prolonged court battle against prison terms for illegally carrying weapons. The six British crew members gave thumbs-up signs before being driven away from Puzhal prison in the southern Indian city of Chennai by British diplomats. Fourteen Estonians and three Ukrainians later left the same prison. The 12 Indian members of the crew were freed from another jail, officials said. It was not immediately known, however, when the foreigners could leave India, even though a high court on Monday overturned the five-year prison sentences passed on them in January 2016. Indian authorities can still appeal against the latest ruling in the four-year legal rollercoaster. The men were on the MV Seaman Guard Ohio, operated by a US company to guide ships through pirate-infested Indian Ocean and Red Sea shipping lanes. The six Britons, all former soldiers, were serving as guards on the vessel when it was intercepted by the Indian coast guard off Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu state in October 2013. Semi-automatic weapons and thousands of rounds of ammunition were found, and the crew was charged with not having proper paperwork to carry weapons in Indian waters. US maritime security firm AdvanFort, which owns the Seaman Guard Ohio, repeatedly denied the charges, saying all firearms on board were legally purchased and properly documented. The crew's case was that the vessel only strayed into Indian waters because they became stranded after running out of fuel. The 35, except the Ukrainian captain and one Briton, were released on bail in 2014 on condition that they stayed in Chennai. An Indian court quashed the charges against the crew in July 2014. But the country's Supreme Court overturned that ruling the following year, setting up the trial in 2016 at which they were all jailed. The families of the crew had lobbied hard for a new hearing, and the Indian government faced pressure from Britain and Estonia over the case. The Estonian government summoned the Indian ambassador last week to protest over legal delays. Britain's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson welcomed the release of the British nationals and said his ministry "has worked tirelessly behind the scenes to reunite these men with their families. The importance the UK government places on their case cannot be understated." R Arumuga Ram, one of the lawyers for the crew, told AFP the Indian crew members were welcomed by their families outside the prison in the southern city of Tirunelveli. Harjith Singh, one of the Indians, told Ram that "it was a very painful experience inside the prison." Kenyatta took the oath of office and vowed to unite the country behind him -- but political chaos and division remain deep Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta was sworn in Tuesday for a second term, but his vow to heal the country's divisions was overshadowed by bloody protests and a pledge from his rival to stage his own inauguration. Kenya's schisms after a gruelling election period were on full display on the very first day of Kenyatta's second five-year term. The pomp of his inauguration ceremony contrasted with clouds of teargas fired at opposition leader Raila Odinga and his supporters as they attempted to rally elsewhere in Nairobi. At least two people were shot dead in clashes with police. Throwing down the gauntlet, Odinga rejected Kenyatta's inauguration and vowed to hold his own swearing-in on December 12, the day the country marks its independence from Britain. "I will be sworn in because I am the legitimate president," he said. Odinga's supporters engaged in running battles with police all morning as they attempted to gather for a "memorial rally" to honour nearly 60 people killed, mostly by police, in over four months of political upheaval. A senior police officer who earlier reported one fatality said: "We are aware there is another person dead and it has been said that he was also shot dead." Another policeman said six people had been injured by gunfire. Odinga spoke to a crowd of hundreds from atop his car briefly before police lobbed teargas at the convoy, forcing them to disperse. Chaos erupted at the Kasarani stadium in Nairobi as supporters of President Uhuru Kenyatta tried to get into the venue to attend his inauguration Meanwhile at the 60,000-seat Kasarani stadium, military parades, a 21-gun salute, traditional dancing and drumming accompanied Kenyatta's vows to heal the wounded nation. "I will devote my time and energy to build bridges, to unite and bring prosperity," he said as he started his second term faced with a large portion of the population that rejects his election outright. - 'No one eats politics' - Kenyatta urged the nation to focus on building the economy rather than dwell on divisive politics. "No one eats politics. For the last 50 years, we have watched as the Asian economies have risen to wealth, while much of Africa has stagnated. The difference is that they used politics to create vibrant economies for their people," he said. "In our case, we have pursued politics as an end in itself, rather than as a means to economic prosperity. This must end." Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto took the oaths of office before several African heads of state, including from South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, Somalia, Gabon, Botswana and Ethiopia. Prime ministers, foreign ministers and special envoys represented other African nations, as well as Qatar, Serbia, Ukraine and the United Arab Emirates. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while placed on top of the Kenyan government's guest list, did not attend the ceremony, but had a number of meetings with African leaders scheduled during his visit. The swearing-in ceremony also got a large dose of teargas as crowds tried to force their way into the packed stadium, with police on horseback struggling to keep them under control. - 'Despotic coronation' - Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta's swearing in for a second term may not draw a line under the country's political crisis The inauguration came after the Supreme Court validated Kenyatta's victory in last month's rerun poll. But analysts say the swearing-in may not draw a line under the country's political crisis, given Odinga's vow to fight on. The NASA coalition has described the inauguration as a "despotic coronation". The electoral strife goes back to an August 8 poll that was annulled in September by the Supreme Court, citing "irregularities and illegalities". The court ordered a rerun in October that was boycotted by the opposition, handing Kenyatta a landslide of 98 percent of votes cast by just 39 percent of the electorate. The disputed election season has split the country along ethnic and regional lines. However the deaths of some 58 people -- mostly at the hands of police -- has not reached the scale of the bloody aftermath of elections in 2007, when 1,100 were killed in politically-motivated tribal violence. Troops rehearsed the inauguration ceremony ahead of Kenyatta's swearing-in Odinga, 72, finds himself denied the presidency for the fourth and likely last time in his long career. His calls for protests and economic boycotts have now turned to plans to swear himself in, comparing himself to Zimbabwe's Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was sworn in after Robert Mugabe was forced out. The current crisis draws on a deep well of social, ethnic and geographic grievances in the country of 48 million people. Profile of Uhuru Kenyatta In areas loyal to Odinga, an ethnic Luo, there is a sense of having been ground down and discriminated against since independence, not least by Kenyatta's Kikuyu group, which has given Kenya three of its four presidents. Months of disruption and unrest, plus the holding of two separate elections, have badly affected the economy, hitting the poorest hardest while leaving the wealthy political elites relatively unharmed. Indian police detain members of the Rajput community during a protest against forthcoming Bollywood film 'Padmavati' in Hyderabad India's top court Tuesday rejected a legal attempt to block the global release of a Bollywood film that has sparked violent protests, warning against pre-judging the controversial historical epic. Caste-based groups have been staging violent demonstrations against "Padmavati" amid rumours that it will depict a romance between a Hindu queen and a Muslim ruler. The epic was scheduled for release in India on December 1 but delayed indefinitely after the censor board refused to certify it. The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a legal petition to delay its release abroad, saying nobody should pre-judge the censors before the film is classified. "Responsible people in power and public office say certain things, and make comments on certain aspects, that violate the rule of law," declared the bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra. "We are sure they will be guided by the basic premise under the rule of law and not venture outside." A number of officials, including state leaders from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling party, had vowed to ban screenings of the film in their jurisdictions unless controversial sections were removed. The leader of a caste-related group also offered 50 million rupees ($769,000) to anyone who "beheaded" lead actress Deepika Padukone or director Sanjay Leela Bhansali. In January protesters belonging to the Rajput Karni Sena caste-based group attacked Bhansali and vandalised the set during filming in Jaipur in Rajasthan. Speculation that the film will include a romantic liaison between Rajput queen Padmavati, also known as Rani Padmini, and the 13th and 14th century Muslim ruler Alauddin Khilji, had enraged activists from the historically Hindu warrior caste. Rajput Karni Sena accuse the film's makers of distorting historical facts. But some historians say the queen is a mythical character and there is no clear evidence that she even existed. Protesters attacked another set near Mumbai in March, burning costumes and other props. Lawyer ML Sharma, who brought the petition before the Supreme Court, had previously failed to prevent the film's release in India. Harish Salve, representing the film's director and producer, said there was no intention of releasing the film abroad until it had received classification at home. Members of Bangladesh's Rapid Action Battalion, pictured in March, have staged a raid in which three suspected Islamic extremists were killed Three alleged Islamist extremists were killed Tuesday in a raid by Bangladesh police as security was stepped up before Pope Francis's landmark visit to the Muslim-majority nation, officials said. Police said the trio died in suspected suicide blasts after they opened fire and threw bombs at anti-terror officers who cordoned off a house where they were hiding near the Indian border. Rapid Action Battalion police surrounded the home following a tip-off and urged those holed up inside to surrender but they opened fire instead, the force's local commander Mahbubul Alam told AFP. "Moments later there were several loud explosions and the house caught on fire. Later we found three mangled bodies, one of them with a severed head," he said. He said the three were active members of Jamayetul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) -- a homegrown militant group blamed for a string of deadly attacks on foreigners, atheist bloggers, rights activists and religious minorities in recent years. Since 2015 at least three Christians including two converts from Islam have been hacked to death in attacks blamed on the JMB. Hand grenades, pistols, explosives and chemicals to make bombs were found at the home. Pope Francis arrives in Bangladesh on Thursday for a three-day visit, the first by a Vatican leader in 31 years. The trip will be dominated by the plight of more than 620,000 Rohingya Muslims who have fled ethnic unrest in Myanmar and taken refuge in Bangladesh. Bangladesh authorities have tightened security in the capital, with police patrolling around Christian churches and places where Francis will visit. "There will be the highest security measures for the pope," Dhaka police spokesman Masudur Rahman told AFP. "We have taken the measures in consultations with the Christian community here," he added. The pope will meet a group of Rohingya refugees in Dhaka and conduct a mass at Suhrawardi Udyan, a colonial-era park in the capital, with at least 80,000 people expected to attend. Christians make up less than 0.5 percent of Bangladesh's population and the minority has in recent years faced attacks by Islamist radicals. In July last year militants stormed a Dhaka cafe and massacred 22 hostages including 18 foreigners in an attack claimed by the Islamic State group. However, the government has denied the international militants' involvement and security forces have killed more than 70 alleged militants since the cafe attack. Xi Jinping is cracking down on corruption A Chinese general has killed himself in his Beijing home after becoming the latest top official ensnared by President Xi Jinping's sweeping anti-corruption campaign, state media said Tuesday. Zhang Yang, a member of the state's Central Military Commission, was being investigated over connections to two graft-tainted former senior military officers when he hanged himself on November 23, according to the official Xinhua news agency. Xi promised during last month's Communist Party congress to intensify graft crackdowns which have already brought down 1.5 million party officials of various levels -- including top military brass -- since 2012. Zhang, 66, was previously head of the state military commission's political work department. Before the congress, he was also part of the Communist Party's Central Military Commission. Members of the two bodies overlap. According to Xinhua, which cited a commission statement, Zhang "gravely violated disciplinary protocols and broke the law, was suspected of bribery as well as taking bribes, and holding valuable assets whose origins are unclear." A posting on a social media account managed by the People's Liberation Army Daily, the military's official newspaper, accused Zhang of "escaping responsibility" via suicide. "The once-high-and-mighty general has ended his life in this disgraceful way," the post said Tuesday, calling Zhang a "two-faced" person who "shouted loyalty from his mouth while committing corruption behind his back". "The army holds the barrel of a gun -- we cannot allow any corrupt elements to hide behind it." Xinhua reported that the state military commission decided to hold "talks" with Zhang on August 28 about his links to Guo Boxiong and Xu Caihou, top army officials who were expelled from the communist party. Guo, a vice-chairman of the commission, became the most senior People's Liberation Army (PLA) official to be convicted of corruption in half a century when he was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2016. Xu, also a vice-chairman, died of cancer in 2015 while under investigation for graft. Ni Lexiong, a professor at the Shanghai National Defense Strategy Institute, told AFP that Zhang was in charge of human resources as the director of the state military commission's political work department. "He had a lot of power," Ni said. "Over these 20-plus years, how many high- and low-ranking military officials bought their way into their positions? I'm afraid the total would be quite scary if it's comprehensively investigated: likely every level (of the military) was impacted." - Tigers and flies - Critics of Xi's anti-corruption campaign, which has promised to take down both high-level "tigers" and low-level "flies", claim it is a front for removing his political enemies. In the past, graft-fighting efforts have relied heavily on a shadowy extralegal internal justice system known as "shuanggui". But Xi announced during last month's national congress that this would be phased out and replaced with a new legal mechanism. Chinese courts have a near-perfect conviction rate of 99.92 percent. Xi has sought to enhance his control over the two-million-strong military, the world's largest, reshuffling its leadership and vowing to make it "world-class" by 2050. The military was ordered earlier this month to pledge to be "absolutely loyal, honest and reliable to Xi" in new guidelines released by the Central Military Commission. Though China's military budget remains a third that of the United States, its spending has grown steadily for 30 years, with purchases or construction of fighter jets, ships and hi-tech weaponry. Pakistani activists stage a protest in 2016 against the murder of social media celebrity Qandeel Baloch by her own brother Pakistani police have exhumed the bodies of a couple believed to have been murdered and hastily buried by their families after they eloped, in the country's latest "honour killing" case. Authorities in the port city of Karachi have arrested at least nine people connected to the double homicide, including the father of the male victim, but admitted that several family members sought in the case were still on the run. The couple were reported missing when the owner of the house they rented in western Karachi entered the property after they gone missing for three days and discovered bloodstains around the home. "The autopsy report says that the couple were killed by strangulation," Dr Rohina Hasan of the government-run Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, told AFP Tuesday. Police believe the couple were murdered by family members, including male relatives of both victims, after they eloped without their consent. Authorities later began rounding up relatives of the missing pair, who confirmed they had been killed by their families and buried in unmarked graves at a cemetery. "Both were killed in the name of honour," said police officer Qasim Hameed on Monday. Police said the bodies had been stuffed into gunny sacks and dumped in separate graves. "We are investigating whether the execution was decreed by a jirga (traditional council)," Abid Baloch, a senior police officer, told the media. Around a thousand Pakistan women fall victim to so-called honour killings each year -- in which the victim, normally a woman, is murdered by a relative for bringing shame on the family. Perpetrators have often walked free because of a legal loophole that allowed them to seek forgiveness for the crime from another family member. But the government has since passed a law that mandates life imprisonment even if the attacker escapes capital punishment through a relative's pardon. The blast hit a crumbling light-industrial area in Ningbo in China's eastern Zhejiang province A deadly blast that rocked China's port city of Ningbo at the weekend was caused by the mishandling of illegal explosives, police said Tuesday. Sunday's blast hit a crumbling light-industrial area after a fugitive wanted for manufacturing and selling illegal explosives had asked relatives to dispose of the material, Ningbo police said in a statement. The explosion killed two people and injured at least 19 in the city, which is just south of Shanghai and one of China's largest ports. Two others were reported missing. The 33-year-old suspect surnamed Shan, who had been wanted by police in the northeastern province of Liaoning since late October, was arrested on Monday night. He had been hiding in the central province of Hubei, police said. They did not indicate why the suspect had been making explosives, which were shipped from Liaoning to Ningbo and contained aluminium powder and barium nitrate. The explosion happened after his relatives took the material to the site on Saturday, the statement said. They began to dismantle the explosives that same night and continued on Sunday morning, when the material blew up. The police statement did not say how many people were involved or what happened to them. The local government had said Monday that a septic tank in a vacant lot was at the epicentre of the blast. "Investigation showed the careless handling process could have caused the explosion and excluded the possibilities of any intentionally man-made blast," police said. The local government and state media variously described the site as a vacant lot or an abandoned factory. The force of the explosion shattered windows in nearby apartments, mangled cars and reduced small buildings to rubble, though locals said the structures were already in poor shape and slated for demolition. The explosion was so powerful that it was heard several kilometres away. Residents said some people from outside Ningbo had been squatting at the site, but others disputed that. In addition to the fatalities, four people were severely injured and 15 others slightly hurt. Kenyatta's supporters celebrated his win in October -- but the election's outcome only deepened Kenya's division Uhuru Kenyatta was sworn in as president of Kenya on Tuesday following two disputed polls and waves of deadly protests. Here are the key developments in the divisive election drama: - Tensions on voting day - Voters turn out in large numbers on August 8 after a tight race between Kenyatta and Raila Odinga, his longtime rival. Many fear a repeat of the violence that after the 2007 election left more than 1,100 people dead. Early results give Kenyatta a comfortable lead but are immediately rejected by Odinga, who claims hackers broke into the electoral commission database and manipulated the results. The official results, published on August 11, give Kenyatta 54.27 percent to Odinga's 44.74 percent. Violent protests erupt in Odinga strongholds. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights says 37 people are killed, most of them by police. - Historic annulment - Odinga files a complaint to the Supreme Court. In a shock announcement on September 1, judges declare the results of the poll "invalid, null and void" and order a re-run within 60 days. The annulment is a first for Africa. The date for a new election is later set as October 17. - New vote postponed - After the Supreme Court releases a detailed judgement lambasting the handling of the vote, the election commission on September 21 pushes back the re-run to October 26. Kenya's chief prosecutor on September 23 orders an investigation into the commission. Late September the ruling Jubilee Party introduces a bill seeking to resolve "ambiguity" in the electoral law. The opposition condemns the move as an effort to render legal some of the "irregularities and illegalities" cited in the Supreme Court's cancellation of the vote. - Odinga pulls out - Chaos erupted at the Nairobi stadium ahead of Kenyatta's swearing-in ceremony Protests erupt in early October as Odinga calls on his supporters to pressure the government to overhaul the election commission. At least three people are killed in the violence that follows. On October 10 Odinga withdraws from the re-run, saying the election panel has failed to make needed reforms. He also says this does not mean his battle is over. - Commissioner quits - One of Kenya's seven election commissioners, Roselyn Akombe, announces on October 18 that she has quit and fled the country. The commission chief Wafula Chebukati also casts doubt on his organisation's ability to hold a credible vote, accusing both major parties of interference. Odinga tells a rally of thousands of supporters the same day that there will be "no election" and calls for nationwide demonstrations on polling day. - Kenyatta wins again - A fresh election is held on October 26, with Kenyatta winning 98 percent of the vote as Odinga's call for a boycott is held. Kenyatta hails his crushing win as vindication of his August victory. Odinga meanwhile says Kenya is moving towards "outright dictatorship". On November 20, the Supreme Court dismisses two petitions to overturn the October election, upholding the result. More than 50 people have been killed in violence during opposition protests, mostly by police On Tuesday, crowds pour into a Nairobi stadium for Kenyatta's swearing-in ceremony. Opposition supporters attempt to hold a rally for the more than 50 killed in four months of upheaval, but are met by volleys of tear gas and running battles with police. burs/ser/ri Bangladesh has signed an agreement to repatriate to Myanmar the Rohingya refugees languishing in overburdened camps along its border Bangladesh approved a controversial $280 million project to transform a desolate island off its southern coast into a temporary camp for 100,000 Rohingya refugees on Tuesday, despite warnings the site is uninhabitable. The announcement comes just days after Bangladesh signed an agreement to repatriate to Myanmar the Rohingya refugees languishing in overburdened camps along its border. A government economic council chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave the greenlight to the planned redevelopment of Bhashan Char island, a project that has attracted fierce criticism since being first proposed in 2015. Planning Secretary Ziaul Islam said it was hoped the island would be ready from May to accommodate some of the more than 620,000 Rohingya Muslims that have crossed the border in the past three months. "Approximately one lakh (100,000) people will be shifted there for the time being. We hope the project work will be completed by 2018," he told AFP. "The navy has been given the task in an effort to expedite the (project) work." Apart from building shelters, low-lying areas of the island must be filled in and embankments erected around the entire perimeter to ensure it can resist tidal flooding, monsoon storms and seasonal cyclones. The silty strip of land only emerged from the Bay of Bengal in 2006, and lies one hour's boat journey from the nearest inhabited island. Bangladesh, a low-lying riverine country at risk from rising sea levels, shelved plans last year to turn the island into a way station for refugees amid warnings it could be completely inundated by floods. But the scheme was revived in late August as unprecedented numbers of new Rohingya arrivals poured into Bangladesh's southernmost Cox's Bazar district, placing enormous strain on limited resources and makeshift camps in the border region. Bangladesh Foreign Minister A.H Mahmood Ali in September appealed for international assistance to transport Rohingya to the island. But leaders for the persecuted Muslim minority remain opposed to the idea and a UN agency official warned any attempt at a forced relocation would be "very complex and controversial". The navy has built two helipads and a small road on the island in recent months but concerns persist over its suitability for human habitation, with experts warning it could be swallowed by tides and rising seas. The owner of a Watford City accounting firm has been indicted on federal charges connected to the oilfield venture of a Spokane businessman and the man who ordered his murder. A grand jury indicted Rene L. Johnson in September on counts of mail fraud, wire fraud and material false statements to a federal agent. Her three-day trial is set to begin March 27 in Bismarck after continuance for additional discovery by the defense. Court documents allege she offered doubled returns for investors on a short-term, high-risk loan of $400,000 for Kingdom Dynamics Enterprise Inc., an oilfield development outfit. The loan was reportedly for the purchase of Bakken mineral rights. According to Johnson's indictment, the investors declined to finance the loan but subsequently contributed funds to Johnson's investment business, RLJ Factoring LLC, at her request, including $100,000 by mail from one investor. From there, Johnson allegedly funneled $400,000 from three investors to a Kingdom Dynamics bank account in April 2013. She was unavailable for comments Monday. A woman who answered the phone at her office said Johnson is out until next week. Johnson did not return email or phone messages. Doug Carlile and James Henrikson were oilfield associates and had dealings through Kingdom Dynamics, which Carlile created in 2012. Henrikson was convicted last year at the center of multiple murder-for-hire plots, including the murders of Carlile and KC Clarke, an employee of Henriksons Blackstone trucking company. Johnsons indictment states her firm at the time was Kingdom Dynamics' registered agent. Court documents also name her as an independent accountant in other businesses of Henrikson's, including Blackstone. Johnson now runs her own practice in Watford City after about a decade as a partner at her previous firm there. The North Dakota State Board of Accountancy lists Johnsons CPA license in good standing. If convicted, she could lose her license under the boards regulations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary Delorme, who is prosecuting Johnson, said there are no other defendants in connection to the case or Kingdom Dynamics. Egyptians carry victims on stretchers following an attack on the Rawda mosque in the Sinai Peninsula on November 24, 2017, that killed more than 300 people Egypt's years-long military campaign against a jihadist insurgency in the north of the Sinai Peninsula is under increasing scrutiny following a devastating mosque attack last week. More than 300 people were killed in Friday's bomb and gun assault -- the deadliest in the country's recent history -- highlighting the insurgents' ability to carry out spectacular attacks despite the deployment of tens of thousands of troops. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi vowed to respond with "brutal force", and the army announced it had destroyed several of the vehicles used in the attack and killed their occupants. But for some analysts, the army's muscular reprisals are not enough. "I think (the Sinai) needs (a) smarter military presence," said Zack Gold, an analyst at the Atlantic Council's Rafik Hariri Center. "The job of the military is not to protect the military," he said. "The job of the military is to protect the population and to secure the territory". He said currently soldiers were usually confined to checkpoints on the region's roads instead of securing the population centres, where the insurgency has crippled the economy. - 'Easier to recruit' - Timothy Kaldas, a non-resident fellow at the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy, said multiple foreign diplomats had told him that when they urge Egyptian officials to change tactics, "they get a lot of pushback". "They are basically told 'not to interfere in Egypt's affairs'," he said. He said discussion of security strategy took place within a "small circle" and that the public was "not allowed to participate in that conversation to discuss what is problematic and what could be better". Egyptian soldiers stand guard outside a hospital in Ismailia on November 25, 2017 where the victims of a deadly mosque attack are receiving treatment Egypt's Western allies acknowledge the army has made some headway in containing the insurgency and forcing IS to change its tactics. Large-scale attacks on the military have grown less frequent, as IS has increasingly turned to a war of attrition involving roadside bombings and sniper attacks, inflicting fewer casualties on the army. The military has also succeeded in hitting some of the group's top commanders, including overall leader Abu Duaa al-Ansari who was killed in an air strike last year. It has largely ended the once-lucrative smuggling trade with the Gaza Strip by destroying tunnels under the border with the Palestinian territory and razing parts of the divided frontier town of Rafah to create a buffer zone. But the home demolitions have stoked further resentment in a region that has felt marginalised for decades. Kaldas said that situation "makes it easier for ISIS (IS) to recruit, it makes people less interested in supporting the government." IS too has sparked some antagonism with its tactics. The jihadists have alienated the region's largest tribe, the Tarabin, by executing dozens of its members for allegedly cooperating with the army. Some Tarabin have formed militias to fight IS. - Increased military presence - Sisi came to power after leading the military overthrow of his Islamist predecessor Mohamed Morsi in 2013 promising to restore security following the chaos of the Arab Spring uprising that toppled longtime dictator Hosni Mubarak. But four years on, the situation in Sinai is far from stable. In November 2014, shortly after Sisi's election as president, Ansar Beit al-Maqdis, a Sinai-based jihadist group previously linked to Al-Qaeda, swore allegiance to IS. Egyptian soldiers pray as they are deployed to the North Sinai provincial capital of El-Arish on July 16, 2013 Friday's attack was carried out by some 30 armed men carrying flags similar to the black banner of IS, although the jihadist organisation has not formally claimed it. The emergence of IS in Sinai strengthened the jihadist insurgency that began in 2013, with the Sinai militants drawing from the expertise of IS jihadists elsewhere. The Sinai Peninsula had long been demilitarised under the terms of the 1979 peace treaty between Egypt and Israel but as the violence intensified the government responded by ramping up its military presence, with the tacit approval of Israel. The region's biggest army was able to prevent IS repeating its successes in Iraq, where it seized a third of the country, including major urban centres, before declaring its "caliphate" in 2014. One attempt by IS in July 2015 to seize the town of Sheikh Zuweid prompted the military to unleash F-16 jets, forcing the jihadists to withdraw. No caption Cancelled flights, missed connections and expiring visas have turned Bali into a nightmare for thousands of tourists scrambling to leave, as a volcano on the Indonesian vacation paradise threatens a major eruption. Hundreds of flights have been grounded as the main international airport was shuttered for a second day on Tuesday, leaving 120,000 stranded visitors in need of shelter -- or an exit plan. Hundreds joined the mad rush to board buses headed to an international airport in Indonesia's second-biggest city Surabaya -- 13 hours' drive and a ferry ride away -- as torrential rains dampened spirits even more in one the world's top tourist draws. The imminent eruption of Mount Agung may mean more five-star hotel living for some well-heeled visitors who are happy to sit out the minor inconvenience, but Mukesh Kumar Gupta and two-dozen members of his family aren't going to be staying at the Four Seasons. "We are practically helpless -- how can we get back to India?" said the Chennai-based member of the heaving 26-member clan. Gupta's family -- 23 adults and three kids -- arrived in Bali 10 days ago from different Indian cities. They were all supposed to fly back Tuesday but now they say they are stuck, and nearly broke, as chaos ensued at the airport with frustrated travellers and overwhelmed staff. "The refund money (from the airline) won't be enough to buy us new tickets," another family member, Navin Saraf from Kolkata, told AFP at Bali's main airport. What happens in a volcanic eruption "We booked everything online beforehand, so we don't have much cash right now," he added. Towering columns of thick grey smoke have been rising from Agung since last week, and in the last few days the volcano has begun shooting smoke and ash into the sky, forcing all flights to be grounded until at least Wednesday morning. Ash is dangerous for planes as it makes runways slippery and can be sucked into their engines. - 'Nobody's fault'- Agung is 75 kilometres (47 miles) from the beach-and-sandal tourist hub of Kuta, but that wasn't making German student Alex Thamm feel much better. "We are supposed to go back to Germany via Singapore on (Friday) but the situation seems not good," he said nervously. "Is it dangerous here? Do you think [the volcano] will explode?" The delays weren't putting a smile on Juan Gajun's face either, after he missed a connecting flight Monday. "We have to leave the island and we can't. We were planning to go to Singapore but we have to stay here for I don't know, maybe two or three days more," said the 30-year-old Argentine. Colin Cavy, a French dive master who has been in Indonesia for a couple of months, had other problems. A flight information board shows the list of delayed flights due to the volcano at the Ngurah Rai International airport in Denpasar, Bali on November 28, 2017 "I've just come to Bali two days ago to leave the country," he told AFP. "My visa has expired...I need to go to the immigration office." Meanwhile, cash-strapped Gupta and his bulging brood were weighing their options, which he lamented would not include help from India's consulate in Bali. "No one can beat nature, but at least people can help," said Gupta's relative Abhisek Garg, who lives in Delhi. They might want to call inn operator I Wayan Yastina Joni, who is among the few hoteliers willing to take up an appeal by Bali's governor and tourism agency to supply free rooms to out-of-luck visitors. "I don't mind giving free accommodation for tourists I already know," said the owner of the Pondok Denayu Homestay. "This is nobody's fault. It's a natural disaster that no one expected." The Picasso in Baghdad exhibition allows Iraqis to experience fine art at first hand Picasso, Dali, Miro, Chagall... names that are instantly recognisable in the international art world. Now works by these masters are being exhibited in Baghdad thanks to an anonymous Iraqi collector. The exhibition at the Hiwar gallery -- one of the last to remain open in the city -- includes 24 Picasso lithographs. For gallery owner Qassem Sabti, "this exhibition is a historic chance" for Iraqis to feast their eyes on artworks of such a high standard, in a first for the capital. "It is presented by an Iraqi person who prefers not to disclose his identity due to the circumstances in Baghdad," Sabti said. There are 42 works in all being shown: in addition to those by Pablo Picasso, there is work by Salvador Dali, Joan Miro and Marc Chagall. They "belong to an Iraqi who lives in the United Arab Emirates who wanted to open a museum dedicated to Picasso in Baghdad or Karbala, where he's from," said Sabti. Iraqi artist Qassem Sabti: the owner of the artworks "prefers not to disclose his identity due to the circumstances in Baghdad" "But he wasn't able to do so as he couldn't secure the necessary guarantees to protect the artworks," added the gallery owner, who also heads the Iraqi Plastic Artists Society. "The works on display are very valuable and have been collected over 30 years... some date from the 1950s and 1960s." Priced at between $15,000 (12,600 euros) and $25,000 (21,000 euros), there is little chance of them being snapped up by local buyers. Instead, the main aim of the show is to let them be seen by students and those who appreciate the fine arts. For painter Mohammed Shawqi, "this exhibition reflects a return to stability in the country. "Who would have dared mount a show of such valuable works just a few years ago?" After the US-led invasion of 2003 that toppled now executed dictator Saddam Hussein, Iraq descended into a lengthy period of violence that saw waves of sectarian killings and culminated in the Islamic State group offensive of 2014. The exhibition was a breath of fresh air for 30-year-old engineer Zinah Sulaiman, who heard about it on Facebook. It was the first time she had been able to see works by Picasso, "and I hope I will see more of this". "It's important that art be supported here, especially since we are a people of culture and history." Parts of the THAAD system arrive in South Korea in March: the deployment sparked Chinese economic retaliation China is resuming limited tour group travel to South Korea, a sign of warming relations which were strained by Seoul's installation of a US missile defence system. Tour group operators in Beijing said Tuesday the city's tourism bureau had told them they could resume booking group visits to South Korea. China halted group travel to the South in March after the country began deploying the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, which Seoul and Washington say is intended to combat missile threats from nuclear-armed North Korea. China sees it as a threat to its own military capabilities and slapped a series of restrictions on South Korea in moves seen as economic retaliation. In addition to the travel curbs it imposed a series of measures on South Korean firms operating in China. The undeclared sanctions have taken a toll on South Korea's economy, with its economic growth slowing this summer amid shrinking exports. "We just received the notice today," said Zhang, an employee at Huanyu Yuntong International Travel Agency, who said the tourism bureau would allow them to resume sending groups to South Korea. "At present, according to the tourism bureau's rules, we still can't cooperate with websites," she said, noting they would resume selling to over-the-counter travel agents. The end of the ban appeared restricted to a few areas. Tour operators in other major Chinese cities told AFP they still could not book group visits to South Korea. Both countries late last month took steps to improve relations, saying they had agreed to address China's concerns over THAAD through future discussions. Eearlier this month Chinese President Xi Jinping and his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in held talks on the sidelines of an Asia-Pacific summit. China has consistently denied putting in place any sanctions on travel to South Korea. Foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said he had no knowledge of the travel ban when asked about it at a press briefing on Tuesday. "We hope the two sides will create a enabling environment and conditions for our friendly exchange," Geng said. South Korea's Moon is expected to visit Beijing in December. A demonstrator gestures in front of Moroccan security forces during a march in the northern Moroccan city of Al-Hoceima on July 20, 2017 in defiance of a government ban Human rights group Amnesty International urged Moroccan authorities on Tuesday to release more than 400 people detained over protests in the neglected north of the kingdom over the past year. Its call came as the Casablanca Court of Appeal held a new hearing in the trial of protest leader Nasser Zefzafi and 53 others, some of them charged with state security offences that can carry prison terms of up to 20 years. Amnesty said that children and several journalists were among at least 410 people arrested since May over the largely peaceful protests that have gripped the Rif region since October last year. "The crackdown on Rif protesters in recent months has been relentless," said Amnesty's North Africa research director Heba Morayef. "The authorities must free Nasser Zefzafi and others detained for protesting peacefully or covering demonstrations online." Amnesty said Zefzafi had been held in solitary confinement for 176 days, while journalist Hamid El Mahdaoui had spent several weeks in solitary. It said that most of the defendants in the Casablanca trial faced accusations of "inciting", "participating" or being "complicit" in unrest without any evidence being provided of their individual criminal responsibility for any act of violence. It said most of the charges were inconsistent with Morocco's human rights obligations since they criminalised the peaceful exercise of the rights to freedom of assembly, association and expression. The Rif has historically had a tense relationship with central authorities in Rabat, and it was at the heart of Morocco's Arab Spring-inspired protests in February 2011. The latest protests erupted after a fishmonger in the port of Al-Hoceima was crushed to death in a rubbish truck as he tried to retrieve swordfish dumped by authorities because they were caught out of season. The pope's trip to Myanmar has so far avoided explicit mention of the country's Rohingya Muslim minority Pope Francis urged respect for rights and justice in a keenly-watched address in Myanmar on Tuesday, but refrained from any mention of the Rohingya or the alleged ethnic cleansing that has driven huge numbers of the Muslim minority from the country. Sharing a stage with Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi in the capital Naypyidaw, the pontiff tip-toed around the humanitarian emergency of the Rohingya. Peace can only be achieved through "justice and a respect for human rights", he said in a broadly-framed speech that also called for "respect for each ethnic group and its identity". The word "Rohingya", an incendiary term in a mainly Buddhist country where the minority are denied citizenship and branded illegal "Bengali" immigrants, was entirely absent from his speech. Francis has repeatedly defended the group, 620,000 of whom have fled from Myanmar's Rakhine state to Bangladesh since August. Rights groups had urged him during his four-day visit to confront Myanmar about its actions, but the local Catholic Church cautioned him against straying into the Rohingya issue. Also on Tuesday, the UN Human Rights Council announced it will hold a special session next week to discuss the situation facing the Rohingya and other minorities in Rakhine. The December 5 session "is being convened per an official request submitted today by Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia" that has been supported by 73 states, the rights council said in a statement. - Widespread loathing - Rohingya refugees react as police and officials attempt to control a surging crowd as they wait for rice, water, and cooking oil in a relief centre at the Kutupalong refugee camp in Cox's Bazar on November 28, 2017 Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, has been ostracised by a global rights community that once adored her but is now outraged at her tepid response to the crisis. She spoke of the challenges her country faces as it creeps out of the shadow of five decades of military rule, but also did not reference the Rohingya. The government aimed to build the nation by "protecting rights, fostering tolerance, ensuring security for all", she said in a short speech, that gave a nod to the "situation in the Rakhine." The pope's peace mission is strewn with pitfalls in Myanmar, where a monk-led Buddhist nationalist movement has fostered widespread loathing for the Rohingya. In recognition of those tensions his public speech was "very carefully worded", Myanmar-based political analyst Richard Horsey told AFP, speculating "he is likely to have been more forthright in private meetings with Myanmar's leaders." But the pontiff's words were of little comfort to Rohingya stuck in dire conditions in Bangladesh. "We are very much disappointed that he did not mention the Rohingya crisis," said activist Mohammad Zubair from Kutupalong refugee camp, speaking of a religious leader who previously "even held prayers for the Rohingya". - The Pope, The Lady and a General - Late on Monday the 80-year-old pontiff received a "courtesy visit" from Myanmar's powerful army chief -- whose troops, according to the UN and US, have waged a campaign of ethnic cleansing in Rakhine. This handout picture taken and released by the Vatican press office (Osservatore Romano) on November 28, 2017 shows Pope Francis (L) and Myanmar's civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi during a meeting in Naypyidaw Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has firmly denied allegations of widespread brutality by his forces, despite the flight of hundreds of thousands who have recounted rape, murder and arson. His office said the general told the pope there was "no discrimination" in Myanmar, and he praised his military for maintaining "the peace and stability of the country". Known fondly as The Lady, in Myanmar, Suu Kyi finally came to power after elections in 2015 but has fallen from grace abroad for not doing more to stand up to the army in defence of the Rohingya. Rights groups have clamoured for Suu Kyi to be stripped of her Nobel prize. Oxford, the English city she once called home, on Monday removed her Freedom of the City award for "inaction" in the face of oppression of the Rohingya. Just days before the papal visit, Myanmar and Bangladesh signed a deal to start repatriating Rohingya refugees within two months. But details of the agreement -- including the use of temporary shelters for returnees, many of whose homes have been burned to the ground -- raise questions for Rohingya fearful of returning without guarantees of basic rights. The pontiff has received a warm welcome in Myanmar, whose Catholic community numbers just over one percent of a 51 million population. But around 200,000 Catholics from all corners of the country are pouring into the commercial capital Yangon ahead of a huge, open-air mass on Wednesday morning. Francis will travel on to Bangladesh on Thursday. burs-apj/sm/kaf/adm Boko Haram founder Muhammad Yusuf was arrested and killed in police custody in 2009 The home of Boko Haram's founder is to be turned into a museum as part of plans to chart the deadly Islamist insurgency in northeast Nigeria, a government official said on Tuesday. Muhammad Yusuf, a charismatic Muslim preacher, founded the group in 2001 from his base in the Railway suburb of the Borno state capital, Maiduguri. His followers at the time were disgruntled young people, who met at Yusuf's "Markaz" (centre in Arabic), which comprised a mosque and his living quarters. Yusuf conducted fiery sermons from the mosque calling for jihad (holy war) against what he perceived to be a corrupt, secular government. The Borno state information commissioner, Muhammad Bulama, said converting the building into a museum would be a way of "documenting, preserving and archiving our history". "The Boko Haram insurgency is a turning point in the history of Borno state and the northeast. Our history cannot be written without reference to Boko Haram," he told AFP. The building used by Boko Haram's founder Muhammad Yusuf in the Nigerian city of Maiduguri was destroyed in a 2009 military crackdown "We want to document it for posterity to have a clear and correct picture of what happened." The rebuilt "Markaz" would house "all objects related to the insurgency", he added, rejecting the possibility that it would immortalise Yusuf. - 'Global practice' - The building has been in ruins since it was reduced to a pile of rubble in the July 2009 military crackdown against the group that is taken as the start of the insurgency. Yusuf was arrested and killed in police custody after six days of violent clashes between Boko Haram supporters and the military in Maiduguri. Some 800 people were killed, most of them members of the groups. Since Yusuf's deputy, Abubakar Shekau, took over, Boko Haram has developed into one of the world's deadliest jihadist groups. At least 20,000 people have been killed and more than 2.6 million others made homeless in its quest to establish a hardline Islamic state in northeast Nigeria. It achieved global notoriety when fighters kidnapped more than 200 schoolgirls from the town of Chibok in April 2014. Bulama said it was "global practice" to set up museums "wherever violent upheavals" have taken place and it would not be the first such building in Borno state. A fort built by Rabe, a tyrannical Sudanese raider who conquered the former Kanem-Borno empire in 1893, was turned into a national monument, he added. It is situated in the town of Dikwa, some 90 kilometres (nearly 60 miles) from Maiduguri. "Rabe was just like Muhammad Yusuf," said Bulama. Last December, Borno state governor Kashim Shettima, announced plans to convert Boko Haram's "Camp Zairo" enclave in the Sambisa Forest into a museum. Nigerian soldiers overran the base after months of fighting. Shettima said December 22 would be a public holiday in the state to mark the victory. There have since been indications that Boko Haram fighters have returned to the camp, despite denials from the military. Mauritania's President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz added two red bands to the country's flag to mark a series of constitutional changes passed by referendum in August A new national flag for Mauritania flew for the first time on Tuesday, the country's independence day, following a contested constitutional referendum that prompted a senator's arrest and hunger strike. Two red bands were added to the old green-and-yellow standard, meant to signify the blood spilled in the fight for freedom from France, its colonial master, but the adoption of the design has been fraught with dramatic twists. The new national symbol was part of a package of measures passed by referendum in August, including a new national anthem, that required a constitutional amendment -- one that also abolished the country's senate. Senators from the ruling party of President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz joined opposition parties in seeking to block the measures, and the flag's detractors made their anger clear on Tuesday. The National Forum for Democracy and Unity, a coalition of opposition groups, called the flag "the illegitimate child of the rape of the constitution", and said independence day was being "desecrated". Senator Mohamed Ould Ghadda, a main opponent of the president's changes, was arrested on charges of "corruption" in August, prompting him to go on a hunger strike that lasted several days. Aziz had accused senators of "treason" for failing to vote for the abolition of their chamber and for the new national anthem and flag. Syrian men run through an alley in the rebel-controlled town of Mesraba, in the eastern Ghouta region on the outskirts of the capital Damascus, on November 27, 2017 Syria's government agreed on Tuesday to a ceasefire in rebel-held Eastern Ghouta, following days of heavy bombardment, the United Nations envoy to the war-ravaged country said. "I was just informed by the Russians... today at the P5 meeting that Russia has proposed and the government has accepted a ceasefire in Eastern Ghouta," Staffan de Mistura told reporters in Geneva. He was speaking after a meeting of ambassadors from Security Council permanent representatives -- Britain, France, China, Russia and the United States -- earlier on Tuesday. Eastern Ghouta is one of the last remaining rebel strongholds in Syria, and is part of one of four so-called "de-escalation zones" in place across the country to reduce violence. It has been under siege since 2013 but in recent weeks violence has increased considerably, with government air strikes and artillery fire across the region, and rebel fire from the area into Damascus. The town of Hammuriyeh in Eastern Ghouta was hit with airstrikes on Tuesday morning, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. It said four people, two of them children, were killed Tuesday in Eastern Ghouta, where food is in short supply. The enclave east of the Syrian capital is home to around 400,000 people and humanitarian organisations have voiced fears that conditions there could yet get worse. The implementation of the "de-escalation" zone, agreed earlier this year between government allies Russia and Iran and rebel backer Turkey, had initially reduced the violence in Eastern Ghouta. Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta was sworn in for a second term at Kasarani Stadium Uhuru Kenyatta, who was sworn in Tuesday for a second and final term after a bruising election season, is the son of Kenya's founding president and a man who epitomises the country's elite. The 56-year-old US-educated multi-millionaire, whose family owns an array of businesses, properties and land, followed in his father's footsteps when he defeated his rival Raila Odinga to become president in 2013. However, securing a second term required an acrimonious and drawn-out process that has split the nation, handing him the tricky task of trying to heal deep tribal and political schisms. At his inauguration in front of a capacity crowd at the 60,000-seat Kasarani stadium, he said: "I will devote my time and energy to build bridges, to unite and bring prosperity." He also acknowledged the damage done by Kenya's costly politics, exemplified during the disruptive months of unrest that led to his swearing-in. "We have pursued politics as an end in itself, rather than as a means to economic prosperity. This must end," he said. Odinga and Kenyatta's rematch -- billed as their final showdown -- was in August won by Kenyatta, with 54 percent of the vote, but the Supreme Court annulled the results due to "irregularities" and ordered a re-run. An angry Kenyatta called the judges "crooks" and threatened to "fix" the courts. However, he accepted the ruling and went on to win the second poll with 98 percent after Odinga refused to take part, claiming it would not be free and fair. The Supreme Court was again asked to dismiss the result, but this time upheld Kenyatta's victory. - Privilege and wealth - Kenyatta's first term was defined by big spending on eye-catching infrastructure and impressive economic growth in a tough climate. Kenyatta ran a successful election campaign in 2013 to claim his first presidency But this has gone hand-in-hand with spiralling debt and widening inequality. Terrorism has also been a consistent threat, with Kenyatta forced to address the nation in doleful terms after bloody attacks in 2013 and 2015. The former finance minister and deputy prime minister was born in 1961, shortly after his father Jomo Kenyatta was released from nearly a decade in British jails and before becoming Kenya's first president in 1964. His first name means "freedom" in Kiswahili. Educated at a private school in Nairobi and at Amherst College in the United States, Kenyatta is regarded as a leader of the Kikuyu people, the country's single largest ethnic group. He is married with three children and regularly attends Catholic church. In 2011 Forbes magazine estimated Kenyatta's wealth at $500 million (423 million euros). Despite his elite background, Kenyatta has a common touch. He easily mixes it up with ordinary Kenyans, eagerly gets down on the dance floor, joshes in the local youth slang and, in his younger years, earned a persistent reputation for partying hard. - Dynastic politics - Kenyatta's political career is a case study in pragmatism. Kenyatta unsuccesfully ran for the presidency in 2002 In the 1990s, he joined with the sons of other independence heroes to call for democratic reforms but then became a close ally of autocratic former president Daniel arap Moi who had him nominated as the ruling party's candidate for the presidency in 2002. Kenyatta lost to fellow Kikuyu politician Mwai Kibaki but then backed Kibaki's successful re-election bid in 2007, against Odinga who at the time was allied with William Ruto, now Kenyatta's deputy and running mate. The violent fallout from the disputed result led to the deaths of over 1,100 people and, eventually, to a power-sharing government in which Kibaki was president, Odinga prime minister and Kenyatta one of his deputies. Kenyatta and Ruto were indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for their alleged roles in orchestrating the violence. But in 2014 the court dropped charges against Kenyatta -- and later Ruto -- citing the disappearance of witnesses and lack of evidence. Despite, or perhaps because of the ICC indictment, Kenyatta and Ruto won the 2013 election, campaigning on a platform of nationalism, sovereignty and confronting imperialism in the form of the foreign court. Kenyatta beat Odinga in the first round with a wafer-thin margin of 50.03 percent -- a result Odinga disputed, unsuccessfully, in court. Kenyatta in 2015 welcomed the then US President Barack Obama, who toured his father's homeland The 2017 election season is seen as the final act in a multi-generational political rivalry stretching back half a century to when Jomo Kenyatta and Odinga's father, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, vied for control of the nation. Kenyatta must stand down after one more term and, at 72, Odinga is regarded as too old to make another bid for the presidency in five years time. Both men's children are, for now, inexperienced in politics. The UAE is a key member of the Saudi-led coalition that has been fighting the Iran-backed Huthi rebels since 2015 after they captured the capital Sanaa and vast areas of northern Yemen The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday accused Gulf rival Qatar of being behind a call for the International Criminal Court to investigate allegations of war crimes by the UAE in Yemen. A group calling itself the Arab Organisation for Human Rights in the UK said on Monday it was taking the UAE to the ICC over "indiscriminate attacks on civilians" in Yemen. The UAE is part of a Saudi-led coalition battling Shiite Huthi rebels in Yemen. UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash accused Qatar of being responsible. "The Arab Organisation for Human Rights with its address in Qatar has filed a media complaint against the UAE to the International Criminal Court," Gargash wrote on his Twitter account. "People with knowledge are aware that this move aims to create noise, which is Qatars favourite game," he said. The group, which says it is based in London, says the complaint was filed on Monday and also charges that the UAE has used banned cluster bombs and hired mercenaries to carry out torture and executions. Officials at the Hague-based ICC could not be reached to confirm whether the complaint had been filed. Such complaints are common, with some 10,000 received received since the court opened in 2002. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt in June severed diplomatic ties with Qatar and imposed economic sanctions on the tiny gas-rich country. The UAE is a key member of the Saudi-led coalition that has been fighting the Iran-backed Huthi rebels since 2015 after they captured the capital Sanaa and vast areas of northern Yemen. The war has killed some 8,600 people, while a further 2,000 have died of cholera. Some 40 percent of Angola's population of 28 million own a mobile phone Angola is to allow a fourth mobile operator to enter its profitable telecommunications sector in a move which could impact business interests linked to former president Jose Eduardo dos Santos. "The government is to issue a tender for a fourth telecoms operator which will include land line, mobile and television subscriptions," said Telecoms Minister Jose Carvalho da Rocha. "We are increasing competition to improve the service, and will work on pricing and quality of service," he told reporters. The mobile phone sector is currently shared between two private firms, Movicel and Unitel, the country's leading operator. Isabel dos Santos, the former president's oldest daughter who is believed to be the richest woman in Africa, holds a controlling stake in Unitel while her half-sister, Welwitschia dos Santos, holds a stake in Movicel. The minister also announced moves to privatise 45 percent of the capital of state-owned Angola Telecom, which runs the fixed line market, although it is now also operating in the mobile sector. The move to open up the market is part of efforts by President Joao Lourenco, who took over in September, "to fight against monopolies," da Rocha said. Some 40 percent of Angola's population of 28 million own a mobile phone, ministry figures show. Earlier this month, Lourenco sacked Dos Santos's daughter Isabel as head of the state-run oil company Sonangol and has set about dismantling the former president's business empire. Lourenco swept to power in August elections after pledging to clean up Angola's endemic graft, tackle nepotism and revive its listless economy. Oil provides 70 percent of Angola's revenues and almost all of its hard currency, but many of the country's citizens are mired in poverty. The UN Security Council insists the Democratic Republic of Congo holds its elections of December 23, a year after the mandate of incumbent Joseph Kabila (L) expired but he refused to step down The UN Security Council on Tuesday warned that the Democratic Republic of Congo must stick to a December 2018 date for holding elections and ensure there are no more delays. In a unanimous statement, the council gave its response to the decision of the election commission in Kinshasa to hold presidential, legislative, regional and local elections on December 23, 2018. "Now that the 23 December 2018 has been set as the date for elections, the members of the Security Council emphasized the critical importance of ensuring the elections are not postponed further," said the statement. The council has been pressing Congolese authorities to announce a timetable for the elections, which could pave the way for the first peaceful transition of power in the vast resource-rich country. Elections were scheduled to be held by the end of 2017, under a political deal with the opposition aimed at avoiding bloodshed after President Joseph Kabila refused to step down when his second mandate ended last December. Council members called on Congolese authorities to "take all the necessary measures without delay to ensure that this new calendar is scrupulously adhered to". They called on all political sides to refrain from violence and threatened "to act accordingly" against those who impede the elections, a veiled reference to possible sanctions. The elections must be organized "with the requisite conditions of transparency, credibility and inclusivity, and lead to a peaceful transfer of power," the statement said. US Ambassador Nikki Haley traveled to the DR Congo in October to press for a timetable for elections and the commission released the date shortly afterwards. In power since 2001 when he took over from his assassinated father Laurent, Kabila refused to step down at the end of his second and final term in office in December 2016. Kabila may be facing unpopularity at home and pressure abroad, but his position does not seem in immediate threat. Opposition stalwart Gilchrist Olympio wants President Gnassingbe, pictured, to accept a return to the 1992 constitution, which sets a 10-year limit for presidents, and therefore to refrain from standing in 2020 Togo's President Faure Gnassingbe was on Tuesday urged not to seek re-election in 2020 to guarantee his place in history as the man who ushered in peaceful political change. Gnassingbe, who has been in power since the death of his father in 2005, has been the target of a wave of protests since late August calling on him to quit. Three more opposition marches are scheduled to take place on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Opposition stalwart Gilchrist Olympio said Gnassingbe and his government should accept a return to the 1992 constitution, which sets a 10-year limit for presidents. "Faure Gnassingbe must then accept the principle of not running in the presidential elections of 2020, to leave the field clear for democratic consultation," he told reporters. "The chance is being offered... to go down in history by creating the conditions for the peaceful change of power," he added. Olympio also called on the opposition to be united and plot a way forward, as well as announcing his retirement from politics. The 80-year-old's father Sylvanus, was Togo's first president after independence from French colonial rule in 1960. He was killed in a military coup in 1963 in which President Gnassingbe's father, General Gnassingbe Eyadema, took part. Gilchrist opposed the general for years after he seized power in 1967 but in May 2010 signed an agreement that brought his UFC party into government. A coalition of 14 opposition parties want the re-introduction of a two-term limit for presidents plus a two-round voting system at elections. At least 16 people have been killed in a series of protests, which have seen hundreds of thousands of people take to the streets across Togo. The opposition has rejected a government proposal for two-term limits because it is not retroactive, which potentially means Gnassingbe could stand at the 2020 and 2025 elections. Mediators such as Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo and Guinea's Alpha Conde are trying to open up talks between the two sides. Egyptians attend the November 26, 2017 funeral of Fethy Ismail, the muezzin of Rawda mosque, who was killed in the massacre A Sufi leader associated with a mosque where suspected Islamic State group gunmen massacred hundreds of worshippers in Egypt said Tuesday the jihadists had visited the mosque to warn against holding Sufi rituals there. Friday's massacre during prayers in the North Sinai town of Rawda killed at least 300 people when suspected IS gunmen surrounded the mosque and opened fire. IS, which views some practices of the Sufi sect as heretical, had previously targeted the mystics by kidnapping one of their leaders and beheading him. In one of their propaganda outlets, they had also vowed to fight the Sufis in Sinai, singling out the Jariri Sufi order associated with the mosque. Sheikh Mohamed al-Jawish, deputy head of the Jariri order, said that less than a month ago jihadists visited Rawda mosque and spoke to the muezzin, Fethy Ismail, who issued the call to prayer five times a day. "They entered the mosque. They were unknown" to the congregants, he told AFP. He said they told the muezzin, who later died in the massacre: "Don't celebrate the Mawlid. Don't hold Sufi prayer circles." Mawlids mark the Prophet Mohammed's birthday, and those of Muslim saints. IS follows the puritan Salafi theology and views the practice as an unlawful innovation in Islam. Jawish said that followers of his order had already stopped such gatherings in the North Sinai capital of El-Arish, where IS has deadly underground cells that often carry out assassinations and bombings. Despite the warning, Jawish said no one expected IS would return and actually carry out a massacre which shocked even supporters of the jihadist group. "No one expected this. They thought the issue ended with the warning not to hold the Sufi prayer circles," Jawish said in a phone interview. IS has claimed attacks that have killed dozens of Sufis, most notably in Pakistan. If the mosque was attacked because of its Sufi connections, the massacre would be in line with IS in Egypt increasingly focusing on civilian targets as it makes little headway in its Sinai insurgency. IS has killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers in the Sinai, as well as civilians accused of working with the authorities, since the July 2013 ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi. Several teachers have been arrested and two teenage protesters killed since the teacher walkout was called on November 13 over salary increases, and last week saw thousands of Guinean schoolchildren take to the streets in support More than 40 radio stations in Guinea suspended programming for 24 hours in protest at the shutdown of a regional broadcaster for attempting to interview the leader of a teachers' strike. The silent act of solidarity began at 12 pm (1200 GMT) on Tuesday following three hours of broadcasts earlier in the day devoted to the topic of press freedom. The URTELGUI media union told members it expected "strict respect" of the blackout in a statement late Monday, while presenting excuses to the Guinean people for any "inconvenience". Radio is the primary source of news in the West African nation, where the majority of the population is illiterate. The protest relates to the temporary shutdown of the BTA FM radio station in Guinea's second city, Labe, where broadcasting was interrupted by the authorities on Monday morning just as an interview began with key teachers' union official Aboubacar Soumah. Several teachers have been arrested and two teenage protesters killed since the walkout was called on November 13 over salary increases, with President Alpha Conde taking a hard line this weekend on media he described as aiding an "illegal" strike movement, adding "accomplices" would be "shut down". Guinea's media watchdog reminded officials on Monday it had the sole authority to suspend broadcasts from radio stations, but warned journalists not to "endanger national unity or create problems in society." Meanwhile, there was a marked increase in attendance by teachers and pupils at schools on Tuesday in the capital, the education ministry said in a statement, despite the continued absence of many children whose families fear a repeat of violent street battles with police. This file picture shows Latin Catholic clergymen circling the edicule during mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City on April 13, 2017 Scientific testing at what is believed to be Jesus's tomb dates material there to the fourth century, supporting traditional beliefs surrounding the site, an expert involved in the study said Tuesday. The study offers no further evidence whether or not Jesus was actually buried at the site in Jerusalem, but was consistent with the historical belief that the Romans built a monument there some 300 years after his death. It is the first time such testing has been carried out at the site, located at what is now the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and encased in an elaborate shrine, or edicule. The tests on mortar at the site were done in connection with recent restoration work, which saw the cave where Jesus is believed to have been buried opened for the first time in centuries. Antonia Moropoulou, chief scientific coordinator of the restoration works, said the testing was consistent with historical beliefs that the Romans built a monument at the presumed tomb during the era of Constantine the Great, circa 326. "This is a very important finding because it confirms that it was, as historically evidenced, Constantine the Great responsible for cladding bedrock of the tomb of Christ with the marble slabs in the edicule," said Moropoulou, a specialist in preservation from the National Technical University of Athens. The dating of the mortar shows historical continuity at the site, stretching through the Byzantine era, the Crusades, the Renaissance period and beyond, she said. Tradition holds that Constantine had the monument to Jesus built on what was thought to be the site of his burial as he began the Roman empire's transition to Christianity in the fourth century AD. Other monuments were built over it in later years. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre houses the shrine today, along with the nearby presumed site of Jesus's crucifixion -- the holiest sites in Christianity. In March, the newly restored shrine surrounding the tomb was unveiled following months of delicate work. A 19th-century edicule surrounds the tomb with an onion-shaped dome above. In October 2016, perhaps the most dramatic moment in the renovation occurred when the cave thought to be the tomb of Jesus was opened for the first time in centuries. The Greek Orthodox, Armenian and Roman Catholic denominations share custody of the church, but disputes between the three had led to renovations being delayed for decades. President Emmanuel Macron is on a three-day trip to boost France's standing in West Africa, which began with talks in Burkina Faso with President Roch Marc Christian Kabore President Emmanuel Macron kicked off his maiden African tour Tuesday by vowing to declassify secret French files on Burkina Faso's assassinated leader and announcing a billion-euro fund for African businesses. The terror threat has cast a shadow over Macron's swing through West Africa, with three civilians wounded in an attempted grenade attack on French troops in Ouagadougou, the Burkinabe capital, shortly before his arrival late Monday. "Two hooded individuals on a motorcycle threw a grenade towards a French army vehicle" as it made its way to a barracks housing French special forces, a security source told AFP on condition of anonymity. The three-day trip aims to boost France's influence in West Africa, taking Macron from Burkina Faso -- bearing the brunt of jihadist attacks in the Sahel -- to a European-African summit in Ivory Coast and finally to Ghana, a former British colony. After meeting Burkinabe President Roch Marc Christian Kabore, Macron touched on one of the country's greatest traumas -- the killing 30 years ago of its revered leader Thomas Sankara, hailed as a hero in much of the continent. - 'Africa's Che Guevara' - "At present, except for documents which are classified and categorised as secret, the files are available and open to Burkinabe justice," Macron said. "I have made a clear undertaking and I have just told President Kabore: these documents will now be declassified for Burkinabe justice, which will have access to all the documents on the Sankara affair." Sankara, a charismatic young army captain dubbed "Africa's Che Guevara", was cut down in a hail of bullets on October 15, 1987 on his way to a special cabinet meeting. Many Burkinabe today suspect that France played a role in the putsch which brought Sankara's close friend Blaise Compaore to power. Compaore went on to rule Burkina Faso with an iron fist until October 2014, when he was ousted by a popular uprising. About a dozen people have been charged in connection with Sankara's assassination including soldiers from the presidential security unit. Compaore, who is in exile in Ivory Coast, is the subject of an international arrest warrant over the killing. - Colonial crimes 'indisputable' - But the French leader's visit has stirred up some protest, with demonstrators erecting a barricade and burning tyres on a road leading to Ougadougou University where Macron was to give a speech, prompting the deployment of riot police. Macron's visit has sparked criticism on social media in this former French colony, notably over the lucrative contracts French companies sweep up in the region as well as of Paris' historical support for African autocrats. In his speech, Macron was quick to address the scars of the colonial period, saying "the crimes of European colonisation are indisputable," but insisting it was "a past which has to pass." But he also looked to the future, saying Africa was facing a challenge "that we cannot escape, that of demography", he said. "When you have demographic growth which consistently outpaces economic growth, you will never manage to fight poverty," he said. "Not talking about this is irresponsible." Several months ago, Macron came under fire over a speech on demographic, democratic and security challenges in Africa in which he said the continent had "civilisational" problems in which he flagged the fact that women had "seven or eight children". - Migration and security - Speaking in Ouagadougou, Macron promised to declassify files on Sankara's assassination for Burkinabe investigators Macron's advisers say his main message is to stress a partnership of equals with Africa, based on education and entrepreneurship. On Tuesday Macron announced that Paris was setting up a billion-euro ($1.2 billion) fund for small- and medium-sized African businesses. The money will be provided by France's Public Investment Bank, which offers firms tailored funding, and the French Development Agency. The move is linked to regional security concerns which will feature heavily at a summit of the European Union and African Union on Wednesday and Thursday that will bring together over 80 leaders from the two continents. Europe is keen to stem the flow of African migrants across the Mediterranean without leaving them at the mercy of traffickers in transit countries such as Libya, where they face torture, rape and being sold into slavery. "Our collective responsibility is to enable Africa to succeed as our fates are linked," Macron said after announcing the fund. "If Africa fails we all lose together as Europe will be overwhelmed by a wave of migration." Macron will also seek international backing for a five-nation African counter-terror force which France hopes can eventually take over the fight against jihadist groups in the Sahel region. Ouagadougou has suffered two recent Islamist terror attacks -- a shooting spree in January 2016 that left 20 dead and a similar assault by gunmen in August that killed 19. US Vice President Mike Pence, speaking at an event commemorating the 70th anniversary of the UN vote that led to the creation of Israel, said the US was still considering moving its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem US President Donald Trump is "actively considering when and how" to move the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, his vice president said Tuesday, evoking a campaign promise that the administration had sidelined. Mike Pence made the remarks in a keynote address at an event in New York commemorating the 70th anniversary of the UN vote for partition of Palestine, which led to the creation of the state of Israel. "President Donald Trump is actively considering when and how to move the American embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem," Pence told the gathering of UN ambassadors, diplomats and Jewish leaders. On June 1, Trump shied away from what was a major campaign promise by signing a legal waiver that keeps the embassy in Tel Aviv. The next six-month waiver is due to be signed this week. "It's a question of when, not if," a US official said on June 1. During his campaign for the White House, Trump expressed support for moving the embassy but did not renew the call -- which would anger Palestinians and Arab states -- when he visited Jerusalem this year. In 1995, Congress passed a law making it US policy to move the embassy to Jerusalem, symbolically endorsing Israel's claim on the city as its capital. But the law contains a clause that has allowed each president since to issue and renew a six-month waiver on carrying out the move. Pence, who is to visit Jerusalem next month, said he would address the Israeli parliament during the trip and "bring a message of resolve and commitment to draw the United States and Israel even closer together, and to stand together in defense of all that we hold dear." He said the United Nations had "too often" become "a forum for invective in the form of anti-Semitism and hatred" but vowed "the days of Israel-bashing at the United Nations are over." "I'm pleased to report today that America's support for Israel's security is at a record level today," he said. The administration was "committed" to bringing peace to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, he said. Trump would "never compromise the safety and security of the Jewish State of Israel," he added. Pence on Tuesday attended a symbolic re-enactment of the November 29, 1947 UN General Assembly vote, on the eve of its 70th anniversary. The event was held at the Queens Museum, where the General Assembly partition vote took place. The main building of the museum served as the temporary home of the UN shortly after its founding, from 1946 to 1950. Swedish-Chilean national Zaida Catalan and her American colleague Michael Sharp were investigating reports of mass graves in central DR Congo when they were shot dead A Canadian prosecutor arrived in Democratic Republic of Congo Tuesday following a request by the UN chief that he lead a team to help the inquiry into the murder of two UN experts. Robert Petit arrived in Kananga, the main city in the restive central Kasai province, where he met with regional governor Justin Milonga, an AFP correspondent said. In a letter to the Security Council dated October 31, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he had named Petit as head of a team set up "to assist with the national investigation into the killing of Ms. Catalan, Mr. Sharp and the four Congolese nationals accompanying them". Zaida Catalan, a Swedish-Chilean national and American Michael Sharp were killed in March while investigating reports of more than 40 mass graves in the war-torn Kasai region. Their bodies were found 16 days later. Catalan had been decapitated. A UN report released in June described their murder as a "premeditated setup" in which state security may have been involved. Guterres said the team would include four technical experts and support staff, and that Petit would travel "regularly" to DR Congo "to liaise with the relevant Congolese authorities and other parties and to oversee the work of the technical experts". The four experts would be based in Kanaga where they would be "embedded with the team of investigators appointed by the national authorities responsible for the investigations", said the letter, a copy of which was seen by AFP. The Congolese authorities have said the pair were killed by militia members, with four suspects put on trial before a military tribunal on June 5. But the proceedings were suspended in October ahead of the arrival of the UN team, defence lawyer Serge Miseka told AFP on Tuesday. US Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont visiting hurricane-hit Puerto Rico with San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin in October 2017 Democratic senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren proposed a bill Tuesday earmarking $146 billion for the reconstruction of the hurricane-hit US territories of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Sanders told journalists at the Senate that the situation in the US Caribbean territories was "not acceptable" two months after the islands were devastated by hurricanes Irma and Maria. "More than two months after hurricanes Irma and Maria struck Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, half of the people there -- American citizens all -- still have no electricity," Sanders said. "Many are struggling to get clean drinking water, and more than 100,000 people have left Puerto Rico alone. This is not acceptable," said Sanders, who campaigned unsuccessfully against Hillary Clinton to become his party's candidate in the 2016 presidential elections. The 169-page bill does not propose simply repairing damage caused by the hurricanes, but sets out a total reconstruction of the islands' infrastructure, already in poor shape even before the double pounding of the storms. It would include rebuilding the islands' power and water grids, as well as fixing health services and preparing shelters for future natural disasters, without forcing the territories foot the bill. "We cannot simply rebuild Puerto Rico the way it was," said Sanders. "We must go forward to create a strong, sustainable economy and energy system in Puerto Rico." The bill faces a difficult passage through Congress, where both houses are controlled by a Republican party opposed to any substantial reconstruction program for the territories. Ricardo Rossello, the governor of Puerto Rico, asked Congress at the beginning of November for a $94-billion package to bail out the island, while the administration of Donald Trump has drawn up a bill earmarking $29 billion for Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico, which were all hit during the last hurricane season. Only a fraction of that money would go to Puerto Rico. US Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley at the UN Protection of Civilians site in Juba, South Sudan, in October 2017 The United States on Tuesday threatened to take unspecified measures against South Sudan's government unless it moves to end the nearly four-year war and stop harassing UN peacekeepers and aid workers. US Ambassador Nikki Haley put the onus squarely on President Salva Kiir to take action, telling the Security Council that "words are no longer sufficient." "The United States is prepared to pursue additional measures against the government - or any party, for that matter - if they do not act to end the violence and ease the suffering in South Sudan," Haley said. She did not provide details of the measures, but the United States unsuccessfully pushed last year for an arms embargo on South Sudan and international sanctions on senior officials. "Going forward the United States will judge President Kiir and his government by their actions, not their words," she said. Kiir must uphold ceasefires, join a new regional peace initiative, stop placing restrictions on UN peacekeepers and allow access for aid groups. A report released Tuesday by UN sanctions monitors accused the government of using food aid as a weapon of war during its campaign against opposition rebels in the northwestern city of Wau. After aid finally reached civilians in August, the first time in a year, humanitarian workers "witnessed significantly high levels of malnutrition, with high rates of severe acute malnutrition," the report said. Between January and September, 164 young children and elderly persons died from hunger and disease in that area, it said. Haley traveled to South Sudan in October and held talks with Kiir, becoming the highest level US administration official to visit Juba. The United States is South Sudan's biggest aid provider and a key supporter of its 2011 independence from Sudan. South Sudan descended into war in December 2013 when Kiir accused Riek Machar, his former deputy, of plotting a coup. Tens of thousands have died in the fighting and nearly four million have been driven from their homes. "The timing is not precise, but we think our troops will go to Central Africa by March or April," Brazilian General Ajax Porto Pinheiro (R) told AFP Brazil is ready to send at least 750 peacekeepers to join a United Nations force patrolling the Central African Republic, a Brazilian general said Tuesday. General Ajax Porto Pinheiro, who headed Brazil's former UN mission in Haiti, known as MINUSTAH, said the army was ready to respond to a UN request for reinforcements in the impoverished African country. "The timing is not precise, but we think our troops will go to Central Africa by March or April," he told AFP. This would first require government and congressional approval, he added. The United Nations voted this month to boost its struggling MINUSCA mission in the Central African Republic by 900 troops. The Security Council set a new ceiling for troops at 11,650, up from 10,750. An additional 2,080 police are authorized to serve as peacekeepers. Pinheiro said Brazil had been looking for a new peacekeeping role ever since its 13-year Haiti operation ended in September. "The possibility of intervening in Central Africa has been studied in depth since May," he said. However, the new mission will be "more challenging," he warned. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who has warned of a risk of ethnic cleansing in the Central African Republic, pushed for a beefed up MINUSCA force, saying it has reached its limits in coping with growing violence. It is one of the seven natural wonders of the world, with billions of creatures living in harmony among over a thousand miles of colourful coral. But Australia's Great Barrier Reef is in danger of being wiped out by climate change and widespread coral bleaching. Scientists have now suggested that all is not lost for the World Heritage site, as a small portion of its reefs may be resilient enough to keep much of the rest alive. Scroll down for video Scientists have suggested that all is not lost for Australia's Great Barrier Reef, as a small portion of it may be resilient enough to disease, climate change and coral bleaching to keep much of the rest of the reef alive THE RESILIENT REEFS Unlike many other parts of the Great Barrier Reef, the 100 resilient reefs are not being eaten up by crown-of-thorns starfish predators. They are also located in areas that enable them to send coral larvae along ocean currents, reaching a large number of other reefs. 'The presence of these well-connected reefs on the Great Barrier Reef means that the whole system of coral reefs possesses a level of resilience that may help it bounce back from disturbances,' said study coauthor Dr Karlo Hock. 'Unfortunately, these findings by no means suggest that the Great Barrier Reef corals are safe and in great condition, and that there are no reasons for concern,' he added. Advertisement About three per cent of the site's 3,800 coral reefs have so far emerged relatively unscathed from a host of threats, from warming waters to pollution, bleaching and disease. If protected, these cool-water reefs could supply larvae to nearly half of the entire ecosystem in a single year, report scientists from the University of Queensland. 'Finding these 100 reefs is a little like revealing the cardiovascular system of the Great Barrier Reef,' said the study's lead author Professor Peter Mumby. Unlike many other parts of the reef, these 100 are not being eaten up by crown-of-thorns starfish predators. They are also located in areas that enable them to send coral larvae along ocean currents, reaching a large number of other reefs. 'The presence of these well-connected reefs on the Great Barrier Reef means that the whole system of coral reefs possesses a level of resilience that may help it bounce back from disturbances,' said study coauthor Karlo Hock. 'Unfortunately, these findings by no means suggest that the Great Barrier Reef corals are safe and in great condition, and that there are no reasons for concern,' he added. 'Indeed, the fact that the study only identified around a hundred of these reefs across the entire 1,400 mile (2,300 kilometer) length of the massive Great Barrier Reef emphasises the need for both effective local protection of critical locations and reduction of carbon emissions in order to support this majestic ecosystem.' The Great Barrier Reef has undergone unprecedented bleaching over the past two years, devastating more than two-thirds of the reef, experts say. Unlike many other parts of the Great Barrier Reef, the 100 resilient reefs (black dots) are not being eaten up by crown-of-thorns starfish predators. They are also located in areas that enable them to send coral larvae along ocean currents, reaching a large number of other reefs Australia's Great Barrier Reef is in great danger of being wiped out by climate change and widespread coral bleaching. The reef has undergone unprecedented bleaching for the past two years, devastating more than two-thirds of the reef, experts say Many efforts are underway to save the iconic reefs, including one project to transplant larvae into damaged areas where the natural supply of coral larvae has been reduced or erased. Scientists announced this approach has shown some success in growing new juvenile coral, eight months after it began. Corals may look like plants or rocks but they are actually animals. They feed on algae, and 'bleach' - turning bone-white - when they are stressed by environmental changes, such as ocean warming or pollution. Coral reefs make up less than one per cent of Earth's marine environment, but are home to an estimated 25 per cent of ocean life, acting as nurseries for many species of fish. The White House has denied that President Donald Trump's attack on Elizabeth Warren constituted a racial slur -- instead accusing the senator of 'lying' about her heritage Native American leaders Tuesday accused President Donald Trump of insulting their heritage, after he dubbed a political rival "Pocahontas" during a White House event intended to honor Navajo veterans. Welcoming three aging "code talkers," Native Americans who helped keep allied operations secret during World War II, Trump threw etiquette out the window on Monday to attack Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren. "You were here long before any of us were here," Trump said to one of the group of veterans in the Oval Office Monday. "Although we have a representative in Congress who they say was here a long time ago. They call her Pocahontas," he continued, resurrecting his favored nickname for the outspoken senator whose Native American ancestry has been called into question by US conservatives. Further fuelling controversy, Trump and the veterans stood during the ceremony beneath a portrait of controversial president Andrew Jackson -- who ordered the forced removal of Native Americans from their ancestral land, causing thousands to die. The White House denied after the meeting that Trump's comment constituted a racial slur -- instead accusing Warren of "lying" about her heritage, and describing that as "very offensive." But several Native American groups issued strongly-worded protests in the wake of the incident. The Alliance of Colonial Era Tribes (ACET) said it considered Trump's remark to be a slur. "American Indian names, whether they be historic or contemporary, are not meant to be used as insults. To do so is to reduce them to racial slurs," it said in a statement. Likewise, the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) regretted in a statement that "the president's use of the name Pocahontas as a slur to insult a political adversary is overshadowing the true purpose of (Monday's) White House ceremony." NCAI president Jefferson Keel emphasized that the real-life Pocahontas, the daughter of a 17th-century Native American chief whose story has been retold countless times including in a hit Disney movie, was "a hero to her people, the Pamunkey Indian Tribe in Virginia." "Once again, we call upon the president to refrain from using her name in a way that denigrates her legacy," he said. - 'Deep-seated ignorance' - The NCAI had reacted once before, in April, to Trump calling Warren "Pocahontas" -- saying it hoped the incident was "but a momentary slip-up." Amber Kanazbah Crotty, a Navajo Nation Council Delegate, argued meanwhile that Trump's "careless" comment represented "systemic, deep-seated ignorance of Native Americans and our intrinsic right to exist and practice our ways of life." Pocahontas' story entered the cultural mainstream thanks to the 1995 Disney animation, which painted a romanticized image of her meeting with Englishman John Smith, chief of the first colony established in Jamestown in 1607. Later taken captive by the English, she converted to Christianity, took the name Rebecca and would eventually marry another Englishman, John Rolfe, with whom she travelled to England. She died soon thereafter, supposedly aged just 21. Trump has repeatedly used the sobriquet "Pocahontas" to deride Warren, who asserts that her mother's ancestors were members of the Cherokee and Delaware tribes, based on "family lore." Warren, a former Harvard Law School Professor, came under fire during her 2012 Senate race when conservatives accused her of exaggerating her heritage in order to advance her career -- pinpointing the fact she had listed herself in a legal directory as Native American rather than white. Academic officials from several universities where she worked said at the time that Warren's lineage had not been a factor in hiring her. Nigerian migrants wait to be repatriated by plane from Libya on 28 November, 2017 Libya's UN-backed authorities said Tuesday that flights repatriating stranded migrants will be stepped up, as the International Organization for Migration called on Tripoli to empty its detention centres. The plight of migrants in Libya has garnered fresh attention after an outcry over reports of slave auctions in the country, an enormous transit hub for sub-Saharan Africans seeking to reach Europe. Human-trafficking networks have flourished in the chaos that followed a NATO-backed uprising which toppled long-time Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011. In a joint operation involving the internationally recognised authorities and UN migration agency, the IOM, 140 Nigerian migrants were jetted out of Libya on Tuesday in the latest in a string of flights carrying migrants out of the country. At the Tarik al-Sikka detention centre in downtown Tripoli the migrants received their temporary travel documents, clothing and food before being bussed to the airport. Nigerian migrants wait to be repatriated by plane from Libya on 28 November, 2017 Hosni Abou Ayana, spokesman for the authorities' anti-human trafficking office, said the "voluntary repatriation" involved 70 women and 28 children and that the plane was provided by the IOM. Flights would increase from two to four times a week in agreement with the UN agency, he said, adding that some 9,700 people had been repatriated from Tarik al-Sikka so far this year. The latest repatriation came as the head of the IOM called on the authorities in Tripoli to agree to shut down 30 detention centres holding 15,000 migrants. "We need from the Libyans the agreement that we can empty these centres, and I think they will agree to that," William Lacy Swing told a meeting of the UN Security Council. The detention of the migrants, most of whom are fleeing poverty, has become a pressing issue since CNN aired video footage of an apparent auction of African men in Libya that sparked global outrage. Libya's UN envoy rejected the report of the slave auctions as a campaign to portray the country as racist and accused African governments of failing to take responsibility for the well-being of their citizens. Since the ouster of Kadhafi in 2011, the North African country has been ripped apart by conflicts between multiple militias and two rival governments. North Korean missiles North Korea fired a ballistic missile early Wednesday, South Korean military officials said, the first such launch in two months and just a week after the US slapped fresh sanctions on the hermit state and declared it a state sponsor of terrorism. The North has stoked international alarm over its banned nuclear missile programme but before Wednesday had not staged a missile test since September 15, raising hopes that ramped-up sanctions were having an impact. The missile flew east from South Pyongan Province, the military Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said. The US Pentagon said it had detected a "probable missile launch" from North Korea. South Korea's military staged a "precision strike" missile exercise in response, Yonhap news agency said, also quoting the JCS. Seoul's unification minister had on Tuesday said signs of unusual activity had been detected in North Korea, hinting at a possible missile test. The US last week unveiled new sanctions targeting North Korean shipping, raising pressure on Pyongyang to abandon it's atomic weapons programme. Pyongyang condemned the move as a "serious provocation" and warned that sanctions would never succeed. In September the North conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test and staged an intermediate-range missile launch over Japan. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson spoke in Washington on the importance of US alliances in Europe ahead of meetings next week at NATO and the OSCE Secretary of State Rex Tillerson re-committed the United States to opposing Moscow's "aggression" against its neighbors Tuesday and vowed to help Europe wean itself off Russian oil and gas. Next week Washington's top diplomat will attend ministerial meetings of the NATO alliance in Brussels and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna. At both sets of talks Russia's intervention in Ukraine will top the agenda and US allies in Europe will be looking for reassurance that President Donald Trump's administration has their back. Trump came to office this year seeking warmer ties with Moscow and has sometimes called into question the value of US alliances, but relations with President Vladimir Putin's Kremlin quickly soured. Now, Tillerson is heading to Europe with a tough message that the Western allies stand shoulder to shoulder to oppose "the enemies that threaten our security and oppose our way of life." In a major speech on US relations with Europe under Trump's "America First" foreign policy, Tillerson pledged that sanctions against Russia will remain in place until it helps restore peace in Ukraine. And he argued that attempts by two previous US administrations to thaw ties with Moscow had only led to Putin seizing the opportunity to invade Georgia in August 2008 and Ukraine in 2014. "Any resolution to the war that does not entail a fully independent, sovereign territorially whole Ukraine is unacceptable," Tillerson told an audience of policy-makers, scholars and reporters. "Russia chose to violate the sovereignty of the largest country in Europe... Our trans-Atlantic unity is meant to convey to the Russian government that we will not stand by this flagrant violation of international norms," he said. And Tillerson warned that the US and European Union economic sanctions which Moscow has lobbied so hard to overturn "will remain in place until Russia reverses the actions that triggered them." Before coming to office as Trump's secretary of state, Tillerson was chairman of US oil giant ExxonMobil, pursuing major investments in Russia, and an influential opponent of economic sanctions. But once in government he was confronted by Putin's intransigence over Ukraine and the Kremlin's determined military support for Syria's brutal strongman Bashar al-Assad and his Iranian allies. US intelligence has also concluded that Russian agencies attempted to interfere in the American presidential election to tilt it in his favor over Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. Trump furiously denies any collusion with Kremlin agents, but Congress and a special prosecutor are investigating meetings between figures in his campaign and Russians lobbying against sanctions. Moscow is also suspected of meddling in politics in several European countries, and authorities are investigating alleged links to populist movements and support for Brexit and Catalan separatism. - Gas terminals - In addition to stepping up US spending on military readiness in eastern Europe, including in Ukraine, Tillerson said Washington would help reduce Europe's need for Russian oil and gas. Speaking at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, he said US money and know how would help Croatia and Poland build liquefied natural gas terminals and Greece and Bulgaria lay a pipeline. "The Ukraine crisis also made clear how energy supplies can be wielded as a political weapon," he warned, vowing to help prevent big suppliers like Russia from "extorting" clients in Europe. And he spoke out against the Nord Stream 2 project to pipe Russian gas westwards under the Baltic and the parallel Turkstream plan in southeast Europe, both funded by Russian energy giant Gazprom. These pipelines, said Tillerson -- who once ran ExxonMobil's Russian subsidiary Exxon Neftegas and has a medal of friendship from the Kremlin -- are "unwise, as they only increase market dominance from a single supplier to Europe." The NATO foreign ministers meeting will be held in Brussels on Tuesday and Wednesday next week, and the 24th OSCE Ministerial Council on Thursday and Friday in Vienna. "The mission condemns, in the strongest possible terms, any instance of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse committed by UN personnel in the Darfur region," mission chief Jeremiah Mamabolo said in a statement A Sudanese civilian employee of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in war-torn Darfur has been arrested and charged with sexually abusing a minor, the mission said Tuesday. It said the Sudanese police had informed it that the suspect was arrested on Sunday. Both the accused and the alleged victim of the incident in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, are Sudanese nationals, it said. "The mission condemns, in the strongest possible terms, any instance of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse committed by UN personnel in the Darfur region," mission chief Jeremiah Mamabolo said in a statement. "We are guided by a zero tolerant policy on such abhorrent incidents and will not tolerate or condone the perpetration of such acts." Being a civilian employee and a Sudanese national, the suspect does not have the full immunity enjoyed by expatriates working for the UN mission. Sudanese officials claim that the conflict in Darfur has ended, but UN rights experts have regularly highlighted cases of rights abuses including rapes in camps for people displaced by the conflict. War erupted in Darfur in 2003 when ethnic minority rebels mounted an insurgency against the Arab-dominated government of President Omar al-Bashir, which they accused of economic and political discrimination. The UN says the conflict has killed 300,000 people and displaced more than 2.5 million. The joint African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur, also called UNAMID, was deployed in Darfur in 2007 to rein in the conflict. It is currently undergoing a major downsizing of its peacekeeping force. Prince Miteb bin Abdul Aziz, pictured in 2008, was among more than 200 high-profile political and business figures held in what Saudi authorities dubbed an anti-corruption swoop Saudi authorities on Tuesday freed Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, once seen as a contender to the throne, more than three weeks after he was detained in a sweeping royal purge, a source told AFP. Prince Miteb, a former National Guard chief, was among more than 200 high-profile political and business figures held on November 4 in what Saudi authorities dubbed an anti-corruption swoop. "Yes, Prince Miteb was released this morning," a source close to the government told AFP, without revealing any other details. The prince was not reachable for comment. Saudi information ministry officials reached by AFP could not confirm the development. Separately, Nouf bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud, a royal family member, posted a picture of Prince Miteb on a verified Twitter account with the message: "Praise be to Allah. Peace be upon you, Abu Abdullah". The tweet did not confirm whether the prince had been released. Prince Miteb was the most politically influential royal detained in the crackdown, which swept up other royal family members, ministers and business tycoons. Before his arrest the 64-year-old son of the late king Abdullah was sacked as the head of the Saudi National Guard. The internal security force has long been seen as a locus of tribal power and a stronghold of king Abdullah's family. With the purge, which analysts describe as a bold but risky power play, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has centralised power to a degree that is unprecedented in recent Saudi history. DEVILS LAKE A former provider who claims a youth care facility fired her for reporting cruel conduct toward at-risk children has dropped her federal defamation case against a Devils Lake Public Schools employee. Katherine Gray, an ex-direct care provider for Harmony House in Devils Lake, reached a settlement in North Dakotas U.S. District Court that would dismiss any allegations against Devils Lake teacher Catherine Miller, according to court documents filed in mid-November. The order did not disclose the terms of the settlement other than to say it was with prejudice, meaning the allegations cannot be brought back to court. The claims come from a lawsuit filed in March against multiple defendants, including Devils Lake Public Schools and the Lake Region Special Education, because the two entities jointly operate Harmony House, which educates at-risk children. Gray claims facility Director Barry Sundeen covered up and protected the actions of co-worker David Kosmatka, who, according to Grays allegations, belittled children, yelled at them in a threatening manner and walked in on them while they were changing clothes, according to court documents. Gray said she told Sundeen she would report the incidents to police, according to the lawsuit. She was fired shortly after. Sundeen said her employment was not working out. Gray was employed at Harmony House from October 2014 to June 27, 2016. The lawsuit also names Sundeen and other defendants: Ramsey County District Court, Ramsey County States Attorney Kari Agotness, North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem and board members of Devils Lake Public Schools. All defendants have asked the case to be dismissed for various reasons. Its unclear what progress, if any, has been made on further settlements. Attorneys for Gray and Devils Lake Public Schools did not reply to requests for comment. A jury trial is set for Feb. 26, 2019. Less than three weeks after US President Donald Trump met in Beijing with China's President Xi Jinping, the US launched a new trade investigation into possible dumping and subsidies for imports of aluminum sheet from China The United States on Tuesday stepped up its trade confrontation with China, ordering an investigation into imports of aluminum sheet worth hundreds of millions of dollars a year. For the first time since 1991, the Commerce Department said launched the investigation on its own initiative, rather than responding to a request from a US company. The department said it opened the probe into possible dumping and inappropriate subsidies of "common alloy aluminum sheet" from China, which may be harming US industry. "President Trump made it clear from day one that unfair trade practices will not be tolerated under this administration, and today we take one more step in fulfilling that promise," Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said in a statement. "We are self-initiating the first trade case in over a quarter century, showing once again that we stand in constant vigilance in support of free, fair, and reciprocal trade." The US imported over $600 million of the aluminum sheet from China last year. The product, used in building and construction, transportation and making appliances, may benefit from subsidies and may be sold in the US market below cost, the statement said. Washington's aggressive use of the rare tactic capped a series of adversarial recent maneuvers on trade with China and followed President Donald Trump's two-week trip to Asia this month, which included a stop in Beijing. Among the steps it has taken, the Trump administration in April launched a national security investigation into Chinese aluminum production, warning that it threatened to undermine producers crucial to US defense needs, and has slapped punitive duties on imports of Chinese aluminum foil. Pope Francis's visit to Myanmar has been framed so far by his public sidestepping of the Rohingya crisis A sea of worshippers crowded into a football field early Wednesday for an open-air mass by Pope Francis, who is making the first ever papal visit to Myanmar, in a trip framed so far by his public sidestepping of the Rohingya crisis. Ranks of Myanmar nuns in habits sang in Latin, backed by organ music as Francis began the mass. Earlier he smiled and waved as he snaked through the estimated 200,000 faithful in his "popemobile", many of the worshippers holding Myanmar flags and wearing colourful clothes from the country's myriad ethnic groups. Myanmar's Catholics number around 700,000, a tiny fraction of the country's 51 million population -- most of whom are Buddhists. "I never dreamed I would see him (the pope) in my lifetime," said Meo, an 81-year-old from the Akha minority who travelled from Shan state. Like many others at the mass she is from one of Myanmar's conflict-riddled borderlands, and travelled far to reach the commercial capital for the landmark visit. "This is the most Catholics I have ever seen," added Gregory Than Zaw, 40, an ethnic Karen who made the five-hour bus journey to Yangon with 90 people from his village. Pope Francis (C) smiled and waved as he snaked through the estimated 200,000 faithful in his "popemobile", many of the worshippers holding Myanmar flags and wearing colourful clothes from the country's myriad ethnic groups But the visit has so far been dominated by political rather than religious concerns. Francis has held private talks with both civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and the powerful army chief Min Aung Hlaing. He arrived on Monday in a country on the defensive after outcry from the international community over the plight of its unwanted Rohingya Muslim population, who have been driven out to Bangladesh in huge numbers. The Rohingya are denied citizenship, and even mention of their name is unacceptable to many among the majority-Buddhist population. - 'Respect for rights' - The pope avoided mentioning the crisis -- or the Rohingya -- directly at his only public speech so far in the country's capital on Tuesday, where he took the stage with Suu Kyi. He called simply for "respect for rights and justice" while Suu Kyi stated that Myanmar's aims were "protecting rights, fostering tolerance, ensuring security for all." A military crackdown has forced more than 620,000 Rohingya over the last three months to flee their homes in northern Rakhine state to what is now the biggest refugee camp in the world in neighbouring Bangladesh. The army has justified the campaign as a proportionate retaliation for attacks by hardline Rohingya militants in August. Pope Francis (L), on his first ever visit to Myanmar, has held private talks with civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi But the UN and the US have labelled it ethnic cleansing and rights groups accuse the military of crimes against humanity, with refugees recounting consistent reports of murder, rape and arson. There have been Catholics in Myanmar for over 500 years and they generally enjoy good relations with the Buddhist majority. In the last three years, the Vatican has canonised Myanmar's first saint and named its first cardinal before full diplomatic ties were established in May this year. Pilgrims arriving in Yangon for Wednesday's mass have been bedding down wherever they can -- even the graveyards of churches have turned into massive dormitories. burs-apj/amz Federal Communication Commission chairman Ajit Pai argues that internet platforms like Twitter represent a threat to online freedom of speech A top US regulator, defending an effort to roll back so-called "net neutrality" rules, said Tuesday that large internet platforms represent the biggest threat to online freedom because they routinely block "content they don't like." Federal Communications Commission chairman Ajit Pai delivered remarks days after unveiling a proposal to reverse a hotly contested 2015 rule requiring broadband firms to treat all online traffic equally. Pai said internet platforms -- he singled out Twitter -- play a more significant role than broadband operators in determining what internet users see. "Despite all the talk about the fear that broadband providers could decide what internet content consumers can see, recent experience shows that so-called edge providers are in fact deciding what content they see," Pai said. "These providers routinely block or discriminate against content they don't like." The blunt remarks appeared to confirm a tougher atmosphere in Washington for Silicon Valley firms after years of close ties. Pai, appointed by President Donald Trump, offered an example of Twitter's decision to block a video by a Republican candidate "because it featured a pro-life message," referring to the politician's claim of the "sale of baby body parts." He said Twitter "appears to have a double standard when it comes to suspending or de-verifying conservative users' accounts as opposed to those of liberal users," Pai said. "This conduct is many things, but it isn't fighting for an open internet." Pai said online platforms are "secretly editing certain users' comments" and "caving to repressive foreign governments' demands to block certain speech" which would be considered "repugnant" in the United States. "In this way, edge providers are a much bigger actual threat to an open internet than broadband providers, especially when it comes to discrimination on the basis of viewpoint," Pai said. The dispute over net neutrality has been the subject of several court battles, with backers arguing strong rules are needed to guard against powerful broadband firms like Comcast and AT&T acting as "gatekeepers" that can punish rivals. Pai said the debate on "net neutrality" appears driven by Silicon Valley firms' business interests. "These companies want to place much tougher regulations on broadband providers than they are willing to have placed upon themselves," he said. "They might cloak their advocacy in the public interest, but the real interest of these Internet giants is in using the regulatory process to cement their dominance in the internet economy." Sayfullo Saipov is shown in this handout photograph courtesy of the St. Charles County Department of Corrections in the midwestern US state of Missouri A man accused of killing eight people in a truck rampage in New York on Halloween pleaded innocent Tuesday to murder and other charges. Sayfullo Saipov was present in court before US District Judge Vernon Broderick but his lawyer David Patton spoke on his behalf. Saipov, 29 and originally from Uzbekistan, has said he acted in the name of the Islamic State group. He faced a 22-count indictment that includes charges of murder and provision of material support and resources to a foreign terrorist organization. He appeared in court wearing a dark blue prison uniform. His feet were chained together, but not his hands. He appeared to have recovered from the shot he took in the abdomen from the police officer who arrested him after the attack. Saipov allegedly drove a rented pickup truck down a mile-long (1.6-kilometer) stretch of bike path in lower Manhattan, where children and their parents were preparing to celebrate Halloween. Of the eight people killed, five were friends from Argentina celebrating 30 years since their high school graduation. Twelve other people were hurt. President Donald Trump has called for Saipov to be executed, but a capital punishment case would be extremely rare in New York, which has abolished the death penalty at the state level. The October 31 attack was the worst in the US financial capital since the September 11, 2001 Al-Qaeda plane hijackings that brought down the Twin Towers. Devin Kelley, the shooter in the November 5 attack at a rural Texas church, was convicted by court-martial in 2012 of two charges of domestic assault The US Air Force said Tuesday it has found several dozen cases where it failed to report military convictions to civilian police, meaning some airmen could have illegally bought guns. Air Force investigators are wading through some 60,000 military criminal files dating back to 2002 as part of a probe into how a former airman who carried out a mass shooting was able to buy firearms, even though he had a domestic violence conviction. In the US military, officials are supposed to notify civilian federal authorities about court-martial convictions and dishonorable discharges. This information is then placed on federal databases which theoretically should stop convicts buying guns. Devin Kelley, the shooter in the November 5 attack at a Texas church that killed 26 people and wounded 20 more, was convicted by court-martial in 2012 of two charges of domestic assault against his wife and stepson. The fact his conviction failed to reach a key federal database prompted the Air Force and other services to look through old cases. Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek said that so far, "several dozen" cases had been found that needed fixing and reporting. She noted that investigators were only at the beginning of the review of 60,000 cases, so many more overlooked files are likely to turn up. "The review also found the error in the Kelley case was not an isolated incident and similar reporting lapses occurred at other locations," she said in a statement. "Although policies and procedures requiring reporting were in place, training and compliance measures were lacking." Despite America's lax gun laws, convicted felons are generally speaking not allowed to own guns. Licensed sellers are supposed to check national databases under the 1993 Brady Act, aimed at reducing handgun violence. But even this basic requirement can be flouted by private sellers, who do not have to conduct background checks. "We will maximise our pressure," on Pyongyang, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters Japan's prime minister said Wednesday that the latest North Korean missile launch was a "violent act" that "can never be tolerated" after the ICBM splashed down in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ). "We will never yield to any provocative act. We will maximise our pressure" on Pyongyang, Shinzo Abe told reporters. The defence minister said earlier the missile was thought to have landed within Japan's EEZ. The Pentagon said it flew about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) before splashing down in the Sea of Japan. Japan had "completely tracked" the missile, Abe told reporters. "We have made a strong complaint," he added. By launching the missile, North Korea has ignored the international community's "united, strong will toward a peaceful solution," the prime minister said. "The international community needs to perfectly implement sanctions, in unison." Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera later told reporters that the missile had flown for 53 minutes "at an altitude far above 4,000 kilometres." "We have not received any reports of damage to airplanes or vessels operating near the area," said the minister, adding that the missile was fired "at a lofted trajectory." Speaking later in parliament, Abe said he had reaffirmed the importance of China in the crisis during a call with US President Donald Trump and praised Beijing for upholding sanctions on North Korea. "The government welcomes the fact that China is taking concrete steps such as an embargo on imports of North Korea's coal, marine products, textile products, among others," Abe told a parliamentary committee. "Frankly speaking, I feel that China is playing its role" over the UN-agreed sanctions, he said. A vehicle sits smoldering in flames inside the US consulate compound in Benghazi, Libya on September 11, 2012 after an attack that killed four Americans, including Ambassador Christopher Stevens A Libyan man accused of masterminding the 2012 Benghazi attack that killed a US ambassador and three others was acquitted Tuesday of murder but convicted on lesser terrorism charges. After a seven-week trial in a civilian court in Washington, a jury cleared Ahmed Abu Khattala -- the first person tried over the fiery raid on the US complex in the Libyan coastal city -- of the most serious of the charges he faced. Prosecutors were apparently unable to prove to the jury that Khattala, leader of a militant group who had been photographed watching the attack on September 11, 2012, was directly to blame for the deaths of US Ambassador Christopher Stevens, a second state department official, and two CIA contractor guards at the consulate and a CIA annex. He was convicted of only four of 18 charges he faced: supporting terrorists, conspiracy to provide support to terrorists, carrying a semi-automatic weapon during a violent crime, and damaging US property. That was far weaker than the picture prosecutors had presented of Khattala as the person who plotted and directed the deadly assault. His trial was seen as a test case for foreign terror suspects forcibly brought to the United States and placed before civilian courts. The 2012 attack, undertaken on the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, was carried out by some 20 men armed with grenades and heavy weapons. Stevens and the second State Department official, Sean Smith, died of smoke inhalation after the consulate caught fire, while the two CIA contractors, Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods, were killed in the firefight. The death of Stevens stunned Americans and became the focus of a politically charged investigation by congressional Republicans of then-secretary of state Hillary Clinton, who was accused of not protecting the diplomats. Khattala was captured in 2014 in a raid by US special forces, who then placed him aboard a navy ship where he was interrogated for a week before being delivered to the United States. The raid and the legal case were based in part on a Libyan informant, an associate of Khattala, who was eventually paid a $7 million reward and granted asylum in the United States. Khattala faces a total of 60 years in prison for the four offenses. No date for sentencing was set. There was no immediate reaction from the White House. CIA Director Mike Pompeo released a statement saying: "Today, a small measure of justice was meted out." "We lost two of our own that night -- Glen Doherty and Tyrone Woods -- who ran to the sound of the guns and bravely fought to protect Americans and the two US facilities that were attacked." Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May will hold talks on issues including Qatar and Yemen with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, before heading to Jordan for meetings with King Abdullah II and Prime Minister Hani Mulki Prime Minister Theresa May left London late Tuesday for a three-day visit to the Middle East, where she will meet Saudi and Jordanian leaders in a bid to bolster regional ties. The British leader will hold talks on issues including Qatar and Yemen with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, before heading to Jordan for meetings with King Abdullah II and Prime Minister Hani Mulki. "This visit demonstrates that as the UK leaves the EU we are determined to forge a bold, confident future for ourselves in the world, a spokesman for May said. "It is clearly in the UK's security interests to support Jordan and Saudi Arabia in tackling regional challenges to create a more stable region, and in delivering their ambitious reform programmes to ensure their own stability," he added. May, embattled domestically after losing her parliamentary majority in a snap election over the summer and facing division over Brexit, visited both countries in April. In Saudi Arabia, she is expected to reiterate her support for the kingdom's fledgling social reform programme, which saw an end to the infamous ban on women driving last September. Britain's largest trading partner in the Middle East, London has signed off on more than 3.3 billion (EUR3.7 billion, $4.4 billion) worth of arms sales to Riyadh since March 2015. During that time Saudi Arabia has embarked on a bombing campaign in Yemen that has been condemned for contributing to a humanitarian disaster. The UN estimates that seven million Yemenis are on the verge of starvation. May is expected to discuss the crisis during her meetings. JERUSALEM (AP) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reached an agreement with his ultra-Orthodox allies to avert a potential coalition crisis following the resignation of his health minister over a scandal tied to railway infrastructure work on the Sabbath. Netanyahu met with his ultra-Orthodox party allies on Sunday and agreed to a series of measures to limit labor on the Jewish Sabbath and preserve the religious status quo in exchange for their continued allegiance. Ultra-Orthodox Health Minister Yaakov Litzman resigned Sunday over the railway uproar, saying it was a "desecration" that contradicted Jewish values. The move threatened Netanyahu's coalition by paving way for other religious parties to push for concessions. Israeli Health Minister Yaakov Litzman, who is also chairman of the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party, speaks to journalists after handing in his resignation to Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in Jerusalem, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017. Litzman resigned on Sunday after the country's railways carried out maintenance work on the Sabbath, when all labor is strictly prohibited by Jewish law. (Gali Tibbon/Pool Photo via AP) Netanyahu also agreed to advance a bill allowing Litzman to serve as deputy health minister, despite a court order barring the practice. LONDON (AP) - Two major drugs companies will set up new research facilities in Britain that will bring 1,750 jobs, the government said Monday as it unveiled plans to boost the country's sagging productivity after Brexit. U.S. drug-maker Merck, known internationally as MSD, will open a research hub in London, creating 950 jobs, the government said. The company said it was aiming for a 2020 opening date for the site, which will be home to 150 research scientists and 800 other staff. The government also said German life sciences firm Qiagen was planning a genomics and diagnostics campus in Manchester, northwest England, creating as many as 800 skilled jobs. FILE - This Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014, file photograph, shows a sign at the Merck company facilities in Kenilworth, New Jersey. Britain said Monday Nov. 27, 2017, that two major drugs companies plan new research facilities that will bring 1,750 jobs to Britain, part of plans to boost the country's sagging productivity after Brexit. U.S. drug-maker Merck, known internationally as MSD, will open a research hub in London, creating 950 jobs, and German life sciences firm Qiagen is planning a genomics and diagnostics campus in Manchester, northwest England, creating as many as 800 skilled jobs. (AP Photo/Mel Evans, File) The announcements were much-needed economic good news for Britain's Conservative government. The U.K.'s budget watchdog has sharply downgraded growth forecasts for the coming years amid uncertainty over the economic impact of Britain's exit from the European Union. Many scientists fear Brexit will harm Britain's technology and science sectors by hindering access to European funding, markets and scientists. Last week, the EU announced that the European Medicines Agency will move from London to Amsterdam after the U.K. quits the bloc in 2019, taking 900 jobs with it, in what some economists say is a taste of a Brexit brain drain to come. The government fought back Monday by announcing details of a new industrial strategy. It aims to boost Britain's productivity, which lags behind other major European economies such as Germany and France. "Britain's productivity performance has not been good enough, and is holding back our earning power as a country," Business Secretary Greg Clark said. The government said it will invest 725 million pounds ($968 million) in areas including artificial intelligence, driverless cars and the life sciences, "with the aim of making the U.K. the world's most innovative nation by 2030." That comes on top of a previously announced 1 billion pounds in spending on innovative industrial projects. Britain aims to increase spending on research and development from the current 1.7 percent to 2.4 percent of GDP within a decade. Sen. Erin Oban, D-Bismarck, announced her intentions Tuesday to seek re-election in 2018 to the North Dakota Senate in District 35. At a time when our politics have become so divided, the relationships and respect Ive worked to build with my colleagues of both parties is especially necessary in moving North Dakota forward, Oban said. The challenges and opportunities our state faces in the coming years will require thoughtful, open-minded and accessible leaders in elected office. I hope to continue to be that leader for my neighbors here in Bismarck. Oban, who was elected to the state Senate in 2014, has worked to recruit and retain teachers, worked to study and streamline the adoption process, helped pass legislation to increase access to speech and language therapies and to strengthen state employee family and sick leave policies. She also introduced an incentive for businesses that assist employees in accessing quality child care. My focus as a legislator has been and will continue to be on putting North Dakota children and families first, said Oban, the sole Democrat in the state Legislature from Bismarck. During her two legislative sessions, Oban served on the Education, Energy and Natural Resources and Agriculture committees. She was elected to the Legislative Management Committee and earned the chairmanship position of the Education Policy Committee during the 2017-18 interim session. She also serves during the interim on the Education Funding and Workers Compensation Review committees as well as the Initiated and Referred Measures Study Commission. WASHINGTON (AP) - The FBI deviated from its own policy on notifying victims of computer hacking when it left many U.S. officials and other Americans in the dark about Kremlin-aligned attempts to break into their personal Gmail accounts, The Associated Press has learned. FBI policy calls for notifying victims, whether individuals or groups, to help thwart both ongoing and future hacking attempts. The policy , which was released in a lawsuit filed earlier this year against the FBI by the nonprofit Electronic Privacy Information Center, says that notification should be considered "even when it may interfere with another investigation or (intelligence) operation." The AP interviewed almost 80 Americans, including senior policymakers, and found only two who said they learned of the efforts to hack into their Gmail accounts from the FBI. FILE - This Feb. 3, 2012, file photo shows FBI headquarters in Washington. Many U.S. diplomatic, military and government figures were not told about Russia-linked attempts to hack into their emails, even though the FBI knew they were in the Kremlin's crosshairs, The Associated Press has learned. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File) "It's just remarkable to me that the Bureau did not do what it was supposed to do," said Marc Rotenberg, executive director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center. The FBI did not immediately respond to requests for comment on this story. Late last week, the agency declined to discuss its investigation into the spying campaign and said in a statement: "The FBI routinely notifies individuals and organizations of potential threat information." However, three people familiar with the matter - including a current and a former government official - said the FBI has known for more than a year the details of the hacking attempts by a Russian government-aligned hacking group known as Fancy Bear. A senior FBI official, who was not authorized to publicly discuss the hacking operation because of its sensitivity, said the Bureau was overwhelmed by the sheer number of attempted hacks. "It's a matter of triaging to the best of our ability the volume of the targets who are out there," he said. The lapse prompted Democratic Rep. Ted Lieu to call for an FBI briefing to Congress on FBI notification policy. "The FBI's response to this advanced persistent threat appeared to have been deficient and demands further attention," he wrote in a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray Tuesday. In the face of a tidal wave of malicious phishing attempts, the FBI sometimes passes on information about the attacks to service providers and companies, who can then relay information to clients or employees, he added. The AP, which acquired a list of about 4,700 targeted email accounts, has reported in recent weeks on the global reach of the hacking operation and strategy used to break into emails of the Democratic Party and presidential campaign of Hillary Clinton. Tens of thousands of those emails were leaked online in advance of the November election. U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that Fancy Bear works for the Russian government and meant to push the election in favor of Donald Trump. The Russian government has denied interfering. In previous AP reports, some targets of the hacking attempts indicated that they were befuddled and upset over the failure of the FBI to alert them. "It's utterly confounding," said Philip Reiner, a former senior director at the National Security Council, who was notified by the AP that he was targeted in 2015. "You've got to tell your people. You've got to protect your people." The hacking data, which came from the Secureworks cyber security company, showed malicious links crafted for email accounts - but not the account holders. The AP was able to identify more than 500 of the U.S-based people and groups that were targeted. Among high-ranking former officials who never heard from the FBI were heads of the Defense Intelligence Agency and Air Force Intelligence, a defense undersecretary, a director of cybersecurity for the Air Force, and a director of military support at the Geospatial Intelligence Agency, which employs spy satellites. Many who went uninformed were long-retired, but some were still in government or held security clearances at the time they were targeted. It's not clear how many may have given up their email passwords or what the hackers may have acquired in stolen email. However, some accounts held emails dating back years, when even many of the retired officials still occupied sensitive posts. And intelligence experts say Russian spies can use personal correspondence as a springboard for further hacking, recruitment or even blackmail. "The onus is on the FBI right now to explain why they didn't follow their policies, as we are reading them," said Elizabeth Hempowicz, director of public policy at the Project on Government Oversight. Other government watchdogs said that the government agents who respond to such foreign hacking operations need more oversight as they respond to this ballooning problem - and public accountability. "There should be a public report about how widespread this activity is, so that every American will know about it - and that didn't happen here," said Louis Clark, CEO of the Government Accountability Project. ___ Donn reported from Plymouth, Massachusetts. Raphael Satter reported from London. ___ Read the FBI policy: https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4311379-FBIPolicyGuide.html ___ Satter, Donn and Butler can be reached at: http://raphaelsatter.com , https://twitter.com/jadonn7 and https://twitter.com/desmondbutler WASHINGTON (AP) - The FBI failed to notify scores of U.S. officials that Russian hackers were trying to break into their personal Gmail accounts despite having evidence for at least a year that the targets were in the Kremlin's crosshairs, The Associated Press has found. Nearly 80 interviews with Americans targeted by Fancy Bear, a Russian government-aligned cyberespionage group, turned up only two cases in which the FBI had provided a heads-up. Even senior policymakers discovered they were targets only when the AP told them, a situation some described as bizarre and dispiriting. "It's utterly confounding," said Philip Reiner, a former senior director at the National Security Council, who was notified by the AP that he was targeted in 2015. "You've got to tell your people. You've got to protect your people." Traffic along Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington streaks past the Federal Bureau of Investigation headquarters building Wednesday night, Nov. 1, 2017. Scores of U.S. diplomatic, military and government figures were not told about attempts to hack into their emails even though the FBI knew they were in the Kremlin's crosshairs, The Associated Press has learned. (AP Photo/J. David Ake) FBI policy calls for notifying victims, whether individuals or groups, to help thwart both ongoing and future hacking attempts. The policy, which was disclosed in a lawsuit filed earlier this year against the FBI by the nonprofit Electronic Privacy Information Center, says that notification should be considered "even when it may interfere with another investigation or (intelligence) operation." Last week, the FBI declined to discuss its investigation into Fancy Bear's spying campaign, but did provide a statement that said in part: "The FBI routinely notifies individuals and organizations of potential threat information." Three people familiar with the matter - including a current and a former government official - said the FBI has known for more than a year the details of Fancy Bear's attempts to break into Gmail inboxes. A senior FBI official, who was not authorized to publicly discuss the hacking operation because of its sensitivity, declined to comment on when it received the target list, but said that the bureau was overwhelmed by the sheer number of attempted hacks. "It's a matter of triaging to the best of our ability the volume of the targets who are out there," he said. In the face of a tidal wave of malicious phishing attempts, the FBI sometimes passes on information about the attacks to service providers and companies, who can then relay information to clients or employees, he added. The AP did its own triage, dedicating two months and a small team of reporters to go through a hit list of Fancy Bear targets provided by the cybersecurity firm Secureworks. Previous AP investigations based on the list have shown how Fancy Bear worked in close alignment with the Kremlin's interests to steal tens of thousands of emails from the Democratic Party . The hacking campaign disrupted the 2016 U.S. election and cast a shadow over the presidency of Donald Trump, whom U.S. intelligence agencies say the hackers were trying to help . The Russian government has denied interfering in the American election. The Secureworks list comprises 19,000 lines of targeting data . Going through it, the AP identified more than 500 U.S.-based people or groups and reached out to more than 190 of them, interviewing nearly 80 about their experiences. Many were long-retired, but about one-quarter were still in government or held security clearances at the time they were targeted. Only two told the AP they learned of the hacking attempts on their personal Gmail accounts from the FBI. A few more were contacted by the FBI after their emails were published in the torrent of leaks that coursed through last year's electoral contest. But to this day, some leak victims have not heard from the bureau at all. Charles Sowell, who previously worked as a senior administrator in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and was targeted by Fancy Bear two years ago, said there was no reason the FBI couldn't do the same work the AP did. "It's absolutely not OK for them to use an excuse that there's too much data," Sowell said. "Would that hold water if there were a serial killer investigation, and people were calling in tips left and right, and they were holding up their hands and saying, 'It's too much'? That's ridiculous." ___ "IT'S CURIOUS" The AP found few traces of the bureau's inquiry as it launched its own investigation two months ago. In October, two AP journalists visited THCServers.com , a brightly lit, family-run internet company on the former grounds of a communist-era chicken farm outside the Romanian city of Craiova. That's where someone registered DCLeaks.com, the first of three websites to publish caches of emails belonging to Democrats and other U.S. officials in mid-2016. DCLeaks was clearly linked to Fancy Bear. Previous AP reporting found that all but one of the site's victims had been targeted by the hacking group before their emails were dumped online. Yet THC founder Catalin Florica said he was never approached by law enforcement. "It's curious," Florica said. "You are the first ones that contact us." THC merely registered the site, a simple process that typically takes only a few minutes. But the reaction was similar at the Kuala Lumpur offices of the Malaysian web company Shinjiru Technology , which hosted DCLeaks' stolen files for the duration of the electoral campaign. The company's chief executive, Terence Choong, said he had never heard of DCLeaks until the AP contacted him. "What is the issue with it?" he asked. Questions over the FBI's handling of Fancy Bear's broad hacking sweep date to March 2016, when agents arrived unannounced at Hillary Clinton's headquarters in Brooklyn to warn her campaign about a surge of rogue, password-stealing emails. The agents offered little more than generic security tips the campaign had already put into practice and refused to say who they thought was behind the attempted intrusions, according to a person who was there and spoke on condition of anonymity because the conversation was meant to be confidential. Questions emerged again after it was revealed that the FBI never took custody of the Democratic National Committee's computer server after it was penetrated by Fancy Bear in April 2016. Former FBI Director James Comey testified this year that the FBI worked off a copy of the server, which he described as an "appropriate substitute." ___ "MAKES ME SAD" Retired Maj. James Phillips was one of the first people to have the contents of his inbox published by DCLeaks when the website made its June 2016 debut. But the Army veteran said he didn't realize his personal emails were "flapping in the breeze" until a journalist phoned him two months later. "The fact that a reporter told me about DCLeaks kind of makes me sad," he said. "I wish it had been a government source." Phillips' story would be repeated again and again as the AP spoke to officials from the National Defense University in Washington to the North American Aerospace Defense Command in Colorado. Among them: a former head of the Defense Intelligence Agency, retired Lt. Gen. Patrick Hughes; a former head of Air Force Intelligence, retired Lt. Gen. David Deptula; a former defense undersecretary, Eric Edelman; and a former director of cybersecurity for the Air Force, retired Lt. Gen. Mark Schissler. Retired Maj. Gen. Brian Keller, a former director of military support at the Geospatial Intelligence Agency, was not informed, even after DCLeaks posted his emails to the internet. In a telephone call with AP, Keller said he still wasn't clear on what had happened, who had hacked him or whether his data was still at risk. "Should I be worried or alarmed or anything?" asked Keller, who left the spy satellite agency in 2010 and now works in private industry. Not all the interviewees felt the FBI had a responsibility to alert them. "Perhaps optimistically, I have to conclude that a risk analysis was done and I was not considered a high enough risk to justify making contact," said a former Air Force chief of staff, retired Gen. Norton Schwartz, who was targeted by Fancy Bear in 2015. Others argued that the FBI may have wanted to avoid tipping the hackers off or that there were too many people to notify. "The expectation that the government is going to protect everyone and go back to everyone is false," said Nicholas Eftimiades, a retired senior technical officer at the Defense Intelligence Agency who teaches homeland security at Pennsylvania State University in Harrisburg and was himself among the targets. But the government is supposed to try, said Michael Daniel, who served as President Barack Obama's White House cybersecurity coordinator. Daniel wouldn't comment directly on why so many Fancy Bear targets weren't warned in this case, but he said the issue of how and when to notify people "frankly still needs more work." ___ "CLOAK-AND-DAGGER" In the absence of any official warning, some of those contacted by AP brushed off the idea that they were taken in by a foreign power's intelligence service. "I don't open anything I don't recognize," said Joseph Barnard, who headed the personnel recovery branch of the Air Force's Air Combat Command. That may well be true of Barnard; Secureworks' data suggests he never clicked the malicious link sent to him in June 2015. But it isn't true of everyone. An AP analysis of the data suggests that out of 312 U.S. military and government figures targeted by Fancy Bear, 131 clicked the links sent to them. That could mean that as many as 2 in 5 came perilously close to handing over their passwords. It's not clear how many gave up their credentials in the end or what the hackers may have acquired. Some of those accounts hold emails that go back years, when even many of the retired officials still occupied sensitive posts. Overwhelmingly, interviewees told AP they kept classified material out of their Gmail inboxes, but intelligence experts said Russian spies could use personal correspondence as a springboard for further hacking, recruitment or even blackmail. "You start to have information you might be able to leverage against that person," said Sina Beaghley, a researcher at the RAND Corp. who served on the NSC until 2014. In the few cases where the FBI did warn targets, they were sometimes left little wiser about what was going on or what to do. Rob "Butch" Bracknell, a 20-year military veteran who now works in Norfolk, Virginia, said an FBI agent visited him about a year ago to examine his emails and warn him that a "foreign actor" was trying to break into his account. "He was real cloak-and-dagger about it," Bracknell said. "He came here to my work, wrote in his little notebook and away he went." Left to fend for themselves, some targets have been improvising their cybersecurity. Retired Gen. Roger A. Brady, who was responsible for American nuclear weapons in Europe as part of his past role as commander of the U.S. Air Force there, turned to Apple support this year when he noticed something suspicious on his computer. Hughes, a former DIA head, said he had his hard drive replaced by the "Geek Squad" at a Best Buy in Florida after his machine began behaving strangely. Keller, the former senior spy satellite official, said it was his son who told him his emails had been posted to the web after getting a Google alert in June 2016. A former U.S. ambassador to Russia, Michael McFaul, who like many others was repeatedly targeted by Fancy Bear but has yet to receive any warning from the FBI, said the lackluster response risked something worse than last year's parade of leaks. "Our government needs to be taking greater responsibility to defend its citizens in both the physical and cyber worlds, now, before a cyberattack produces an even more catastrophic outcome than we have already experienced," McFaul said. ___ Donn reported from Plymouth, Massachusetts. Associated Press writers Vadim Ghirda in Carcea, Romania, Chad Day in Washington, Frank Bajak in Houston, Justin Myers in Chicago and Lori Hinnant in Paris contributed to this report. ___ Satter, Donn and Butler can be reached at: http://raphaelsatter.com , https://twitter.com/jadonn7 and https://twitter.com/desmondbutler ___ EDITOR'S NOTE - Raphael Satter's father, David Satter, is an author and Russia specialist who has been critical of the Kremlin. His emails were published last year by hackers and his account is on Secureworks' list of Fancy Bear targets. He was not notified by the FBI. This image shows a portion of a phishing email sent to a Washington area-based military analyst on Nov. 9, 2017. Scores of U.S. diplomatic, military and government figures were not told about attempts to hack into their emails even though the FBI knew they were in the Kremlin's crosshairs, The Associated Press has learned. (AP Photo) FILE - This Feb. 3, 2012, file photo shows FBI headquarters in Washington. Many U.S. diplomatic, military and government figures were not told about Russia-linked attempts to hack into their emails, even though the FBI knew they were in the Kremlin's crosshairs, The Associated Press has learned. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File) In this image made from video, seen though an interior window, employees work in the offices of Secureworks in Atlanta on Oct. 4, 2017. Working off a list supplied by the cybersecurity firm, The Associated Press found that scores of U.S. diplomatic, military and government figures were not told about attempts to hack into their emails even though the FBI knew they were in the Kremlin's crosshairs. (AP Photo/Marina Hutchinson) Catalin Florica, who launched THCServers.com in 2013, poses for a portrait during an interview at the company's headquarters, outside Craiova, southern Romania, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2017. The company based in a remote part of the Eastern European country was used to register the website DCLeaks, which U.S. intelligence has accused of being a front for Russian spies. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) FILE - In this Aug. 3, 2004 file photo, Lt. Gen. Patrick Hughes of the Department of Homeland Security appears before the Senate Government Affairs Committee on Capitol Hill. Hughes, a former head of the Defense Intelligence Agency, was one of scores of U.S. diplomatic, military and government figures who were not told about attempts to hack into their emails even though the FBI knew they were in the Kremlin's crosshairs, The Associated Press has learned. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook, File) FILE - This Sept. 29, 2017 photo shows the Kremlin in Moscow. Scores of U.S. diplomatic, military and government figures were not told about Russia-linked attempts to hack into their emails, even though the FBI knew they were in Moscow's crosshairs, The Associated Press has learned. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev, File) FILE - In this May 15, 2013 file photo, U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul leaves the Foreign Ministry in Moscow, Russia. McFaul, who served as ambassador from 2012 to 2014, was angry to learn that he was sent a phishing email in 2015 - and was told nothing about it by the FBI. "Our government needs to be taking greater responsibility to defend its citizens in both the physical and cyber worlds, now, before a cyberattack produces an even more catastrophic outcome than we have already experienced," he said. (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze, File) BEIJING (AP) - China sentenced a Taiwanese activist to five years in prison Tuesday for holding online political lectures and helping the families of jailed dissidents in a conviction demonstrating how Beijing's harshest crackdown on human rights in decades has extended beyond the Chinese mainland. The trial of Lee Ming-che was also China's first known criminal prosecution of a nonprofit group worker since Beijing passed a law last year tightening controls over foreign nongovernmental organizations. The Yueyang City Intermediate People's Court in central China handed down the sentence against Lee after finding him guilty of subversion of state power. Lee had confessed during his trial in September, which his wife, Lee Ching-yu, dismissed as "a political show." In this image taken from video released on Nov. 28, 2017, by the Intermediate People's Court of Yueyang, Taiwanese activist Lee Ming-che sits during a court session at the Intermediate People's Court of Yueyang in Yueyang in central China's Hunan Province, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. China sentenced Lee to five years along with his co-defendant Peng Yuhua, from mainland China, to seven years in prison Tuesday for holding online political lectures and helping the families of jailed dissidents in a conviction demonstrating how Beijing's harshest crackdown on human rights in decades has extended beyond the Chinese mainland. (Intermediate People's Court of Yueyang via AP Video) Lee's co-defendant, Peng Yuhua, who is from mainland China, was sentenced to seven years in prison. Peng had also pleaded guilty, saying he had founded an organization called Palm Flower Co. to pressure China to accept a multiparty political system and that Lee was his deputy in charge of education. Lee's wife attended the sentencing. "A price must be paid in the pursuit of an ideal," she said in a statement issued through her supporters. "Striving for human rights for the underprivileged is a necessary dedication to promoting the progress of human civilization." Supporters say that since the trial ended, Lee Ching-yu has been prevented from leaving her hotel room or meeting with anyone. Calls to her cellphone rang unanswered. "Lee Ming-che took the risk despite knowing the dangers," she said, adding that she was proud of him. Subversion of state power is a vaguely defined charge often used by Chinese authorities to muzzle dissent and imprison critics. Both men said they would not appeal. Taiwan, a self-governing island Beijing regards as part of Chinese territory, swiftly condemned the sentence. "The spread of democratic ideas is innocent!" Alex Huang, the spokesman for Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, said in a statement. Huang urged Beijing to release Lee as soon as possible and allow him to return to Taiwan. "We cannot accept that Lee Ming-che has been convicted of 'state subversion' for sharing ideas of freedom and democracy out of concern for the development of mainland China's civil society and democracy," the statement said. Taiwan's Cabinet-level Mainland Affairs Council said in a statement that it would not accept the verdict and that the government would continue working to secure Lee's release from China. Lee Ming-che, 42, cleared immigration in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory of Macau on March 19 and never showed up for a planned meeting later that day with a friend in the mainland Chinese city of Zhuhai. He had previously conducted online lectures on Taiwan's democratization and managed a fund for families of political prisoners in China. Lee's sentence was "incredibly harsh," given the accusations against him and the lack of evidence, said Maya Wang, Human Rights Watch's Hong Kong-based researcher. "It's probably designed as a warning to activists based outside China, particularly those in Hong Kong and Taiwan," as Chinese President Xi Jinping's crackdown on dissent radiates beyond its borders, Wang said in an email. In Taiwan, Lee's sentence was met with condemnation and worries about China's cross-border reach. "This tells all Taiwanese people that this is China's threat. This is also a threat from China to all NGO workers in the world," said Cheng Hsiu-chuan, principal of Taipei Wenshan Community College, where Lee worked as an administrator. "China is warning us that even if you are not within Chinese territory, it can incriminate you if you go to China," Cheng said. Lisa Lin, a 20-year-old university student, said the case displays the contrast between China's repressive system and Taiwan's democratic freedoms. "I think this is not very good because everyone should have the right to express their opinions," Lin said. China's wide-ranging crackdown on civil society has featured a string of televised "confessions" - believed to have been coerced - from human rights activists accused of plotting to overthrow the political system. The new law passed in April 2016 says foreign nongovernmental organizations must not endanger China's national security and ethnic unity, and places nonprofit groups under close police supervision. It is seen as an attempt to clamp down on perceived threats to the ruling Communist Party's control. Relations between Taiwan and China have been near an all-time low since the election of Tsai, whose party has advocated Taiwan's formal independence. China cut off contacts with Taiwan's government in June of last year, five months after Tsai was elected. ___ Associated Press video journalist Johnson Lai contributed to this story from Taipei, Taiwan. In this image taken from video released on Nov. 28, 2017, by the Intermediate People's Court of Yueyang, Taiwanese activist Lee Ming-che, left, and his fellow defendant Peng Yuhua of China stand during a court session at the Intermediate People's Court of Yueyang in Yueyang in central China's Hunan Province, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. China sentenced Lee to five years and Peng to seven years in prison Tuesday for holding online political lectures and helping the families of jailed dissidents in a conviction demonstrating how Beijing's harshest crackdown on human rights in decades has extended beyond the Chinese mainland. (Intermediate People's Court of Yueyang via AP Video) FILE - In this Sept. 11, 2017, file photo, a protester raises a picture of Taiwanese activist Lee Ming-che during a demonstration outside the Chinese liaison office in Hong Kong. A Chinese court on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017, has sentenced to five years in prison the Taiwanese activist who conducted online lectures on Taiwan's democratization and managed a fund for families of political prisoners in China. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu, File) DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) - Bangladesh's High Court has upheld a verdict by a trial court sentencing 139 border guards to death for their actions in a 2009 mutiny in which 74 people, including 57 military commanders, were killed. The trial court sentenced 152 people to death in 2013, but in response to an appeal, the High Court commuted the sentences for eight of them to life in prison and acquitted four others. Another man died during the 370 days of proceedings before Monday's High Court verdict. A total of 846 people, mostly border guards, are facing trial. The border guard mutiny on Feb. 25-26, 2009, took place two months after the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, took office. Hasina returned to power in 2014. In this Feb. 25, 2009 file photo, Bangladesh army soldiers take positions near the headquarters of Bangladesh Rifles in Dhaka. In 2013, a trial court sentenced 152 people to death, but in response to an appeal, the High Court commuted the sentences for eight of them to life in prison and acquitted four others. Another man died during the 370 days of proceedings before Monday's verdict. A total of 846 people, mostly border guards, are facing trial. (AP Photo/Pavel Rahman, File) A three-member panel of High Court judges said in issuing its verdict that the border guards were "most brutal" and "cold-blooded" murderers. Attorney General Mahbubey Alam said after the verdict that the defendants can appeal to the Supreme Court. Defense lawyer Aminul Islam said he would advise his clients on whether to appeal after seeing the full text of the judgment. The mutiny was an acid test for Hasina's then-government, with the influential military unhappy over the government's decision not to make a counter-assault in fear of more casualties. The border guard headquarters were closely surrounded by homes and businesses in the capital, Dhaka. Hasina had offered an amnesty to quell the revolt, but rescinded the offer when dozens of bodies were found in sewers and mass graves. The amnesty offer and the government's overall handling of the case strained the military's relationship with Hasina, but she vowed to punish those responsible. Human rights groups earlier criticized Bangladesh for the mass trial, saying it would not aid justice. New York-based Human Rights Watch has said at least 47 suspects have died in custody. It also has said the suspects have had limited access to lawyers, and little knowledge of the charges and evidence against them. Bangladeshi authorities have denied the allegations. MANSOURA, Egypt (AP) - A prison-themed restaurant in Egypt? It might seem distasteful in a country where thousands of people, mostly Islamists but also secular pro-democracy activists, are languishing in jail on what right groups say are trumped-up charges. Yet, the restaurant in the coastal city of Mansoura called "Food Crime" is doing good business because of its novelty, according to patrons. Props like handcuffs, inmate number plaques, a prisoners' cage and even an electric chair are served up as welcome selfie-fodder. "It's a catchy idea and I did not want to do something that is traditional," said the restaurant's owner, Waleed Naeem, 37. "Our prices are competitive - our most expensive sandwich on the menu is just 15 pounds (84 U.S. cents)." In this Nov. 22, 2017 photo, customer Amr El Gohary, right, and his friend pose for a photograph with plastic plaques that translate to inmates with numbers, as they wait for their food, at prison-themed restaurant 'Food Crime' in the Nile Delta city of Mansoura, 110 kilometers (70 miles) north of Cairo, Egypt. The motif has even drawn policemen like Gohary, impressed by "amazing decor" and amenities like handcuffs and a metal cage that allow him a role reversal. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) Naeem is irked by anyone who tries to link the restaurant's theme to the large-scale crackdown on dissent since the military ousted an Islamist president in 2013. "The people of Mansoura really like this restaurant and think it's a great idea. But others are making a huge deal out of this on social media," said Naeem, who has refused to give media interviews to news outlets that want him to speak about what his eatery symbolizes. "My restaurant is not political," said Naeem, who maintains that the idea of Food Crime was inspired by similar establishments in South Korea, China and Italy. "I don't think it has anything to do with real prisons and those inside them." The restaurant's unusual decor attracts many in Mansoura, like Yasmeen Khouly. "The idea is crazy, but it's all about trying something new and seeing what's out there, she said after eating there with a friend. "Obviously seeing handcuffs and an electric chair is strange." Engineer Ahmed Atef, however, said the environment reminded him of his days in the army, and "the prisons I used to see when I served." The motif has even drawn in policemen like Amr El Gohary, who said he was impressed by features of the "amazing decor," like the handcuffs and a metal cage that allowed him to engage in some role reversal. "Obviously it made me love this place. The experience of eating in the cage was interesting because being a policeman, I'm the one who puts people in handcuffs and prisons." In this Nov. 22, 2017 photo, a waiter takes out the trash at prison-themed restaurant 'Food Crime,' in the Nile Delta city of Mansoura, 110 kilometers (70 miles) north of Cairo, Egypt. A prison-themed restaurant in Egypt? It might seem distasteful in a country where, according to rights groups, thousands of people, mostly Islamists but also secular pro-democracy activists, are languishing in jail on trumped-up charges. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) In this Nov. 22, 2017 photo, owner of prison-themed restaurant 'Food Crime' Waleed Naeem, poses for a photograph inside his restaurant, in the Nile Delta city of Mansoura, 110 kilometers (70 miles) north of Cairo, Egypt. Naeem is annoyed with anyone who tries to link the restaurant's theme to the large-scale crackdown on dissent since the military removed an Islamist president in 2013. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) In this Nov. 22, 2017 photo, a beggar sits on a side-walk outside of prison-themed restaurant 'Food Crime' as food sits on a table inside the restaurant, in the Nile Delta city of Mansoura, 110 kilometers (70 miles) north of Cairo, Egypt. A prison-themed restaurant in Egypt? It might seem distasteful in a country where, according to rights groups, thousands of people, mostly Islamists but also secular pro-democracy activists, are languishing in jail on trumped-up charges. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) In this Nov. 22, 2017 photo, a woman walks past recently opened restaurant 'Food Crime,' in the Nile Delta city of Mansoura, 110 kilometers (70 miles) north of Cairo, Egypt. A prison-themed restaurant in Egypt? It might seem distasteful in a country where, according to rights groups, thousands of people, mostly Islamists but also secular pro-democracy activists, are languishing in jail on trumped-up charges. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) In this Nov. 22, 2017 photo, a waiter waits for customers at prison-themed restaurant 'Food Crime,' in the Nile Delta city of Mansoura, 110 kilometers (70 miles) north of Cairo, Egypt. A prison-themed restaurant in Egypt? It might seem distasteful in a country where, according to rights groups, thousands of people, mostly Islamists but also secular pro-democracy activists, are languishing in jail on trumped-up charges. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) In this Nov. 22, 2017 photo, a boy waits for his food in prison-themed restaurant 'Food Crime,' in the Nile Delta city of Mansoura, 110 kilometers (70 miles) north of Cairo, Egypt. A prison-themed restaurant in Egypt? It might seem distasteful in a country where, according to rights groups, thousands of people, mostly Islamists but also secular pro-democracy activists, are languishing in jail on trumped-up charges. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) This Nov. 22, 2017 photo shows, a plastic plaque with Arabic that reads, "inmate number 7433" and handcuffs part of the decor of prison-themed restaurant 'Food Crime' in the Nile Delta city of Mansoura, 110 kilometers (70 miles) north of Cairo, Egypt. It might seem distasteful in a country where, according to rights groups, thousands of people, mostly Islamists but also secular pro-democracy activists, are languishing in jail on trumped-up charges. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) In this Nov. 22, 2017 photo, a customer waits for her food at prison-themed restaurant 'Food Crime' in the Nile Delta city of Mansoura, 110 kilometers (70 miles) north of Cairo, Egypt. A prison-themed restaurant in Egypt? It might seem distasteful in a country where, according to rights groups, thousands of people, mostly Islamists but also secular pro-democracy activists, are languishing in jail on trumped-up charges. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) YANGON, Myanmar (AP) - The Latest on Pope Francis's trip to Myanmar and Bangladesh (all times local): 6 p.m. Myanmar's Rohingya Muslims and human rights groups say they're disappointed Pope Francis didn't use the term "Rohingya" in his speech to Myanmar's leadership. Pope Francis meets with Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. (Max Rossi/Pool Photo via AP) Phil Robertson, deputy director of Human Rights Watch's Asia division, said the pope missed an opportunity Tuesday since he had previously used the term that affirms the rights of Rohingya to self-identity. He said, "The Rohingya have been stripped of so many things but their name should never be one of them and we hope that the pope will use the word Rohingya in his Mass (Wednesday)." Kyaw Naing, a Rohingya Muslim who lives in a confined camp in Rakhine state, said he was sad Francis didn't use the term. He said: "We were very happy and hopeful on his visit. But since the pope is not allowed to call out the name 'Rohingya,' we wonder how bad the human rights situation is in Myanmar. He is the holiest man in the world but it's so sad to see that even the holiest man cannot call our identity." ___ 5:30 p.m. Pope Francis is insisting that Myanmar's future depends on respecting the rights of "each ethnic group," an indirect show of support for Rohingya Muslims who have been subject to decades of state-supported discrimination and recently a violent military crackdown. Francis didn't cite the crackdown or even utter the contested word "Rohingya" in his speech to Myanmar's civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and other authorities Tuesday. But he lamented how Myanmar's people have suffered "and continue to suffer from civil conflict and hostilities" and insisted that everyone who calls Myanmar home deserves to have their basic rights guaranteed. Francis said Myanmar's future must be peace based on "respect for the dignity and rights of each member of society, respect for each ethnic group and its identity." ___ 5:15 p.m. Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi is thanking Pope Francis for his support for what she says are the many "challenges" the country is facing, taking his visit to Myanmar as a sign of encouragement as she faces international criticism for the military's brutal crackdown on Rohingya Muslims. In a speech to Francis before Myanmar authorities and diplomats Tuesday, Suu Kyi didn't refer to the more than 620,000 Rohingya who have been driven out of Rakhine to Bangladesh after the military began what it called "clearance operations" following militant attacks in August. She said she appreciated those who are supporting the government as it address long-standing social, economic and political issues "that have eroded trust and understanding, harmony and cooperation." She said the government's aim is to protect rights, foster tolerance and ensure security for all. Suu Kyi's international image has been damaged by state-led violence against the Rohingya Muslim minority that has created Asia's worst refugee crisis in decades. ___ 1 p.m. The Oxford City Council has stripped the Freedom of the City Award it gave 20 years ago to Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi, saying those who turn a blind eye to violence tarnish its own reputation. The council motion was supported unanimously Monday evening and cited Suu Kyi's inaction as Rohingya Muslims are subjected to a crackdown being described by the U.N. and others as textbook ethnic cleansing. Suu Kyi was under house arrest for 15 years during Myanmar's long military dictatorship and Oxford said the award was given to her originally because her advocacy for democracy in her country reflected Oxford's values of tolerance and internationalism. Oxford Councillor Mary Clarkson said in a statement, "We celebrated her for her opposition to oppression and military rule in Burma." Suu Kyi is to meet Pope Francis on Tuesday in the country's capital, Naypyitaw. ___ 11:45 a.m. Pope Francis has met with a Myanmar Buddhist leader who's been criticized for using ethnic slurs against Muslims. Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said Tuesday that Francis met briefly with Buddhist leader Sitagu Sayadaw separately from an interfaith meeting with other religious leaders at the Catholic archbishop's residence in Yangon. Burke said the encounter was "always in an effort to encourage peace and fraternal coexistence as the only way ahead." Sitagu has been criticized for using slurs against Muslims, particularly the Rohingya, who are denied citizenship in Myanmar and the target of a much-criticized military crackdown. ____ 11:30 a.m. The Vatican says the pope stressed a message of "unity in diversity" in a 40-minute meeting with Myanmar's Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Christian and Jewish leaders. Spokesman Greg Burke said Francis told the local religious leaders they should work together to rebuild the country and that if they argue, they should argue like brothers, who reconcile afterward. He arrived in the country on Monday and is scheduled to meet later with the country's leader Aung San Suu Kyi in the capital. ___ 10 a.m. Pope Francis will be meeting with leaders of Myanmar's different religious communities at the Catholic archbishop's residence in Yangon. He arrived in the country on Monday and is scheduled to meet separately Tuesday with the country's leader Aung San Suu Kyi in the capital. Myanmar is predominantly Buddhist with small Muslim, Hindu and Christian populations. The country's most revered and prominent Buddhist leader Sitagu is not among the religious leaders expected to meet the pope on Tuesday though the monk met with Francis's predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI. Sitagu has been criticized for using ethnic slurs against Muslims, particularly the Rohingya, who are denied citizenship in Myanmar and the target of a much-criticized military crackdown. Earlier this year, Sitagu was awarded the title 'Honorable, Excellent, and Great Teacher of Country and State' by the country's civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi. 9 a.m. Pope Francis begins his first full day in Myanmar traveling to the country's capital to meet with the civilian leader, Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, a day after hosting the military general in charge of the crackdown on the country's Rohingya Muslim minority. Francis' speech Tuesday to Suu Kyi, other Myanmar authorities and the diplomatic corps in Naypyitaw is the most anticipated of his visit, given the outcry over the crackdown, which the U.S. and U.N. have described as a campaign of "ethnic cleansing" to drive out the Rohingya. Myanmar's Catholic leaders have stressed that Suu Kyi has no voice to speak out against the military, and have urged support for her efforts to move Myanmar toward a more democratic future that includes all its religious minorities, Christians included. Pope Francis and Myanmar's President Htin Kyaw stand during a welcome ceremony at Presidential Palace in Naypyitaw, Myanmar Nov. 28, 2017. The pontiff is in Myanmar for the first stage of a week-long visit that will also take him to neighboring Bangladesh. (Soe Zeya Tun/Pool Photo via AP) Pope Francis waves from the car as he travels Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017, in Yangon, Myanmar. The Pope begins his first full day in Myanmar traveling to the capital to meet with the country's leader Aung San Suu Kyi a day after a meeting the military general in charge of the crackdown on Rohingya Muslims. (AP Photo/Gemunu Amarasinghe) In this image provided by L'Osservatore Romano, Pope Francis arrives in Yangon, Myanmar, on Monday, Nov. 27, 2017. The pontiff is in Myanmar for the first stage of a week-long visit that will also take him to neighboring Bangladesh. (L'Osservatore Romano via AP) FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) - Families of Native American war veterans and politicians of both major parties are criticizing President Donald Trump for using a White House event honoring Navajo Code Talkers to take a political jab at a Democratic senator he has nicknamed "Pocahontas." The Republican president on Monday turned to the name he often deployed for Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren during the 2016 presidential campaign to mock her claims about being part Native American. He told the three Navajo Code Talkers on stage that he had affection for them that he doesn't have for her. "It was uncalled for," said Marty Thompson, whose great-uncle was a Navajo Code Talker. "He can say what he wants when he's out doing his presidential business among his people, but when it comes to honoring veterans or any kind of people, he needs to grow up and quit saying things like that." President Donald Trump, right, meets with Navajo Code Talkers Peter MacDonald, center, and Thomas Begay, left, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) Pocahontas is well-known as a Disney princess but less so for the sacrifices she made to save her people from British forces in the 1600s in present-day Virginia, descendants of her tribal community say. Whether Trump's remark constitutes a racial slur depends on who you ask, but most critics agree it was inappropriate. Warren said Trump's repeated references to her as "Pocahontas" will not keep her from speaking out. "Now he seems to think that that's somehow going to shut me up, maybe keep me from talking about the consumer agency today," Warren said Tuesday after a protest outside the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. "Or keep me from talking about the tax bill that would favor giant corporations instead of working families." "He's wrong. It's not going to make any difference," Warren said. All he "had to do was make it through the ceremony," she said. "But that wasn't possible for Donald Trump. He had to throw in a racial slur." White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders, said Monday that she didn't believe the remark was a racial slur and that "was certainly not the president's intent." Trump made the comment as he stood near a portrait of President Andrew Jackson, which he hung in the Oval Office in January. Trump admires Jackson's populism. But Jackson is an unpopular figure in Indian Country because he oversaw the forced removal of American Indians from their southern homelands. The Navajo Nation suggested Trump's remark was an example of "cultural insensitivity," and they resolved to stay out of the "ongoing feud between the senator and President Trump." "All tribal nations still battle insensitive references to our people. The prejudice that Native American people face is an unfortunate historical legacy," Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye said in a statement. Still, Begaye and relatives of Navajo Code Talkers said they're honored the story of the men recruited from the vast Southwest reservation to become Marines could be told on a national stage. Peter MacDonald, a former Navajo chairman and trained Code Talker, who stood beside Trump, also took the opportunity to ask for support for a Navajo Code Talker museum. Trump obliged. Michael Smith, a Marine whose father was a Code Talker, said most of the Code Talkers would be skeptical about going to the White House because it could be construed to mean they support a political cause. "So, why did they go? Why were they there? He's putting them in the Oval Office to say 'You did a good job, and say hi to Pocahontas?'" Smith said. "They should be taken care of as heroes, not as pawns." Michael Nez, whose father helped develop the code based on the Navajo language, said his father would have been upset to hear Trump's "Pocahontas" comment. But, as other Code Talker relatives said, his father was taught to respect the president as the commander in chief. "It's too bad he does put his foot in his mouth," Nez said. "Why he does it? I don't know." The president has long feuded with Warren, an outspoken Wall Street critic who leveled blistering attacks on Trump during the campaign. Trump seized on questions about Warren's heritage, which surfaced during her 2012 Senate race challenging incumbent Republican Sen. Scott Brown. Warren says her parents told her of the Native American connection and she listed herself with that heritage in law school directories to meet others with similar backgrounds. "Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to the Navajo Code Talkers, whose bravery, skill & tenacity helped secure our decisive victory over tyranny & oppression during WWII," Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain, a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War, tweeted Tuesday. "Politicizing these genuine American heroes is an insult to their sacrifice." ___ Kellman reported from Washington, D.C. Associated Press writers Catherine Lucey and Jill Colvin in Washington, D.C., contributed to this report. ___ Fonseca is a member of The Associated Press' Race and Ethnicity team. Follow her on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/FonsecaAP . Follow Kellman on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/APLaurieKellman . President Donald Trump, right, meets with Navajo Code Talkers Peter MacDonald, center, and Thomas Begay, left, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) President Donald Trump, right, meets with Navajo Code Talkers Peter MacDonald, center, and Thomas Begay, left, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., speaks at a rally outside the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau headquarters in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The group was protesting President Donald Trump's appointment of Mick Mulvaney as Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's acting director. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) - Romania's coastguard says it has rescued 60 migrants aboard a Turkish ship on the Black Sea that sent out a distress signal. A statement said the ship was detected some 35 kilometers (22 miles) from the Black Sea cost early Tuesday after asking Romanian authorities and a commercial ship in the area for help. The coastguard dispatched two ships to the area and escorted the vessel toward the Black Sea port of Constanta. It said the migrants would be identified and given medical treatment if necessary. There was no immediate information about the ship's crew or the nationalities of the migrants. Border police will investigate the incident. Migration to Romania has increased this year as other routes into Europe have closed. ATHENS, Greece (AP) - Greek counter-terrorism police detained nine Turks in Athens on Tuesday in an investigation into Turkish leftist militant groups, ahead of a scheduled visit next month by Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. A police statement said the Turkish nationals - eight men and a woman - were detained in the central Athens areas of Neos Kosmos and Kallithea earlier Tuesday. The operation was not connected with suspected Islamist terrorism, police said. The detainees are suspected of links with the Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front, or DHKP-C, deemed a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union. A Greek police expert stands at the door of house after an operation in Athens, Tuesday, Nov. 28. 2017. Greek counter-terrorism police detained nine Turks in Athens early Tuesday in an investigation connected with Turkish leftist militant groups, ahead of a scheduled visit by Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) Police said that searches of three homes where the Turks were detained produced detonators and materials "available on the market that could potentially be used to make explosives." Erdogan's visit, announced Tuesday, is set for Dec. 7-8. In 2014, four Turkish men were arrested in Athens on terrorism-related offences in connection with DHKP-C, after a raid on an Athens apartment that uncovered weapons, explosives and detonators. The operation followed the arrests of five Turks and three Greeks over a speedboat carrying arms that was intercepted in the Aegean Sea. Originally founded in the late 1970s as Dev Sol, the Marxist-Leninist DHKP-C is believed responsible for a string of assassinations and bombings in Turkey, including a 2013 suicide bomb attack on the U.S. Embassy in Ankara. A Greek police expert investigates a house as his colleagues secure the area after an operation in Athens, Tuesday, Nov. 28. 2017. Greek counter-terrorism police detained nine Turks in Athens early Tuesday in an investigation connected with Turkish leftist militant groups, ahead of a scheduled visit by Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) A Greek police expert investigates a house after an operation in Athens, Tuesday, Nov. 28. 2017. Greek counter-terrorism police detained nine Turks in Athens early Tuesday in an investigation connected with Turkish leftist militant groups, ahead of a scheduled visit by Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) PARIS (AP) - The world economy is growing faster than it has in seven years and more and more people are working - but the high growth isn't expected to last long, and wages remain stubbornly stagnant. That's according to forecasts Tuesday from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, which urged governments to do more to ensure longer-term growth and better living standards across the board. The group, which recommends policies for leading economies, predicts sustained growth in the U.S. this year and next and a sharper-than-expected increase in the countries that use the euro currency. Construction workers walk on scaffolding at a construction site Bangkok, Thailand, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit) For 2019, however, the OECD forecasts "a tempering of growth rather than continued strengthening." Chief Economist Catherine Mann urged faster re-training of workers amid drastic technological changes, extending retirement ages, investing in renewable energy and simplified tax rules to reduce risks of a new downturn. "We've got wind under the wings but we're flying low," she said at the OECD headquarters in Paris. The agency slightly raised its global growth forecast to 3.6 percent this year - the highest since the post-crisis upturn in 2010 - thanks to rising industrial production, trade and technology spending. But that "remains modest by past standards," the OECD said. Globally, it forecasts 3.7 percent growth next year with a slight drop to 3.6 percent in 2019. In the United States, the OECD inched up its outlook, predicting 2.2 percent growth this year and 2.5 percent in 2018 thanks to "buoyant asset prices and strong business and consumer confidence." It expects U.S. growth to fall back to 2.1 percent in 2019. The OECD cautioned that its forecasts are clouded by uncertainty over President Donald Trump's tax policies and risks of protectionist trade moves. Trump campaigned to protect manufacturing jobs in the U.S. and renegotiate international trade deals he sees as unfair. The long-troubled eurozone enjoyed another boost as the OECD became the latest group to raise its forecasts for the 19-country region. Tuesday's report foresees 2.4 percent growth this year and 2.1 percent for next year, but predicted growth will sink back below 2 percent in 2019. The main trouble spot is Britain, whose economy will continue to be hobbled by uncertainty surrounding its exit from the European Union. Economic growth "will continue to weaken" and be just above 1 percent in 2018 and 2019, it said. Another big concern of the OECD: employment is rising across most rich economies, but people's wages aren't. "It's against intuition, it's against basic principles of economics, and normally it should have been otherwise," OECD chief Angel Gurria said. "Clearly growth has to be made more inclusive." "The ongoing digital revolution should be unlocking efficiencies and allowing workers to produce more," he said. But "nobody will be able to produce more if they don't have the skills to get the most out of the machine." The report also warned of the risks of high corporate debt in China and spiking housing prices in some U.S. cities and rising household debt. LONDON (AP) - It will be a spring wedding on the glorious grounds of Windsor Castle for love-struck Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Royal officials - thrilled with the international response to news of the couple's engagement, and the positive reaction to their first ever TV appearance - revealed a few key details Tuesday but kept mum on others, such as who will be Harry's best man? The wedding will be in May, but the date has not been chosen, Harry's communications secretary, Jason Knauf, told a packed briefing at Buckingham Palace. Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pose for the media in the grounds of Kensington Palace in London, Monday Nov. 27, 2017. It was announced Monday that Prince Harry, fifth in line for the British throne, will marry American actress Meghan Markle in the spring, confirming months of rumors. (Eddie Mulholland/Pool via AP) "In a happy moment in their lives, it means a great deal to them that so many people throughout the UK, the Commonwealth and around the world are celebrating with them," he said before fielding questions about things like how many of Markle's rescue dogs would move to Britain with her. Knauf said Harry's grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, had given permission for the couple to wed at St. George's Chapel, the historic church on the Windsor Castle grounds that has long been a touchstone for royal rites of passage. He said the 91-year-old monarch will attend the wedding. Windsor Castle, west of London, is one of the queen's favorite residences. St. George's, the 15th-century chapel where the couple will wed, is more intimate than Westminster Abbey, where Harry's older brother, William, married Kate Middleton in 2011. Knauf said Windsor "is a very special place for Prince Harry," and that he and Markle have regularly spent time there since they began dating about a year and a half ago. He said the wedding "will be a moment of fun and joy that will reflect the characters of the bride and groom." The image-conscious royals also made clear in a statement that the royal family, not British taxpayers, will foot the bill for what is expected to be a grand extravaganza. The family will pay for the church service, the music, the flowers, the decorations and the reception that follows. Harry's press team is keeping some details private for the moment - perhaps because final decisions have not been made. It's also not clear who will be Harry's best man, though older brother William would seem to be a strong contender. Knauf also would not say whether Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby will preside over the service. And as for what titles will be given to Harry and Markle, that will be decided by the queen and revealed at a later date. The palace was ready to answer some delicate questions about the 36-year-old Markle's move to Britain and her taking up a senior role in the royal family, sometimes called "the firm." Knauf said she will comply with all immigration requirements and will become a British citizen, a process that may take several years, and will retain her U.S. citizenship throughout the process. He did not say whether she would drop her U.S. citizenship at some point. Asked about her religion, Knauf said Markle is a Protestant who will be baptized in the Church of England, which is headed by the queen in a largely ceremonial role. Markle's personal belongings are being shipped from Canada, where she has lived for seven years while performing in the TV legal drama "Suits," to Nottingham Cottage, where she and Harry will live. The cottage is located on the grounds of Kensington Palace in central London. She has already brought one of her two rescue pups, Guy, but the other - Bogart - is being left behind and will reside permanently with "good friends," Knauf said. The union of the 33-year-old prince and Markle, an accomplished TV actress in her own right, represents a blending of Hollywood and royalty that is expected to draw an international audience - officials said it is a safe assumption that the service will be televised. The couple will carry out their first official engagement on Friday, visiting a youth charity and a World AIDS Day event in Nottingham in central England. For Markle, it will be a first taste of life as a working royal. Markle's divorced status would once have barred her from marrying the prince in church. Harry's father Prince Charles, who is heir to the British throne, married his wife Camilla in a low-key civil ceremony in 2005 because both bride and groom were divorced. Camilla said Tuesday she was "delighted" her stepson was marrying the U.S. actress. "America's loss is our gain," she said. Newspapers hailed news of the engagement as a breath of fresh air and symbol of a modernizing monarchy. The Daily Telegraph said in an editorial: "A divorced, mixed-race Hollywood actress who attended a Roman Catholic school is to marry the son of the next king. Such a sentence could simply not have been written a generation ago." A view of a selection of British national papers on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017, showing the coverage of the engagement of Britain's Prince Harry to Meghan Markle. The announcement and press photo call took place at Kensington Palace Monday. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant In this photo taken from video Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle talk about their engagement during an interview in London, Monday, Nov. 27, 2017. It was announced Monday that Prince Harry, fifth in line for the British throne, will marry American actress Meghan Markle in the spring, confirming months of rumors. (Pool via AP) In this photo taken from video Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle talk about their engagement during an interview in London, Monday, Nov. 27, 2017. It was announced Monday that Prince Harry, fifth in line for the British throne, will marry American actress Meghan Markle in the spring, confirming months of rumors. (Pool via AP) Meghan Markle wears her engagement ring as she poses with Britain's Prince Harry for the media in the grounds of Kensington Palace in London, Monday Nov. 27, 2017. It was announced Monday that Prince Harry, fifth in line for the British throne, will marry American actress Meghan Markle in the spring, confirming months of rumors. (Dominic Lipinski/PA via AP) Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle smile as they pose for the media in the grounds of Kensington Palace in London, Monday Nov. 27, 2017. It was announced Monday that Prince Harry, fifth in line for the British throne, will marry American actress Meghan Markle in the spring, confirming months of rumors. (Dominic Lipinski/PA via AP) TOKYO (AP) - Japan is stepping up patrols and urging local authorities and fishermen to be on the alert after several boats thought to be from North Korea, some carrying dead bodies, were found on its northern coast. "The coast guard and police have to cooperate to step up sea patrols around Japan," the chief government spokesman, Yoshihide Suga, said Tuesday when asked about reports that a boat carrying eight dead bodies was found on the coast of Akita prefecture, which faces North Korea across the Sea of Japan. "The government intends to improve this to ensure we can guard against suspicious boats or people arriving in Japan," Suga said. In this Monday, Nov. 27, 2017, photo, an unidentified boat is pictured in Oga, Akita prefecture, northern Japan after being washed ashore. Japan is urging local authorities and fishermen to be on the alert after several boats thought to be from North Korea were found on its northern coast. (Kantaro Saki/Kyodo News via AP) He said local authorities, fishermen and residents should report if they spot any questionable boats or people. Last week, police rescued eight people thought to be North Korean fishermen who ended up stranded along with their squid catch. A week earlier, the coast guard rescued three North Korean men from a capsized fishing boat off Japan's northern coast. They were transferred hours later to another North Korean vessel that was to return them home. The coast guard later found three bodies of missing crew members from that boat, then four more bodies in another capsized boat believed to be North Korean. They were thought to have drowned. It is unclear if the people aboard the several dozen North Korean boats that drift near Japanese shores each year are intending to defect or simply unable to make their way back aboard their unseaworthy wooden boats. The boat recovered Monday was spotted on Saturday, but seas were too rough at the time for rescuers to approach it. It was unflagged and was reported to be "nationality unclear." However, a coast guard official reached by phone in Akita said one of the bodies was holding a 1,000 won North Korean note, suggesting the boat was from there. Six bodies were found inside a storage room near the bow of the boat, below deck, and another two near the stern. All were men and partially decomposed, the official said. She spoke on condition of anonymity, following coast guard policy. The crude vessel with its very low gunwale had lost its propeller and rudder, and was similar to other poorly equipped boats often seen operating from North Korea. Autopsies of the dead men were underway. LONDON (AP) - Ireland's deputy prime minister has agreed to resign to avert a parliamentary vote that would have collapsed the government and triggered a snap election at a crunch time for Brexit negotiations, Irish media reported Tuesday. Irish lawmakers had been due to vote later on a no-confidence motion targeting deputy premier Frances Fitzgerald, filed by opposition party Fianna Fail. Fianna Fail wanted Fitzgerald ousted over her involvement in a long-running police scandal. Opposition leaders accuse a previous government, in which Fitzgerald was justice minister, of failing to defend a whistleblower exposing corruption in Ireland's police force. Ireland's Deputy Prime Minister Frances Fitzgerald arrives at Government Buildings in Dublin ahead of a vote of no confidence in the government Tuesday Nov. 28, 2017. Ireland's governing party and main opposition are holding last-minute talks to avoid the government collapsing just as it faces a crunch time in Brexit negotiations. Irish lawmakers are due to vote on a no-confidence motion in the deputy prime minister filed by opposition party Fianna Fail .(Brian Lawless/PA via AP) They say newly disclosed emails show Fitzgerald knew about attempts by senior officers to discredit the whistleblower earlier than she had previously acknowledged. Prime Minister Leo Varadkar's Fine Gael party have backed Fitzgerald. But Irish broadcaster RTE and other outlets said Tuesday he has accepted her resignation, heading off a vote that the minority government would likely have lost. The crisis comes at a crucial time for Varadkar's five-month-old government. EU leaders will decide at a Dec. 14-15 summit whether there has been enough progress to start discussions over Britain's future relations with the bloc. A key barrier to progress is the Irish border. Varadkar is pressing the U.K. to spell out how it can keep the currently invisible Ireland-Northern Ireland frontier free of customs posts and other barriers when the U.K. leaves the EU while Ireland remains a member. The 310-mile (500-kilometer) frontier will be the U.K.'s only land border with an EU country. Any hurdles to the movement of people or goods could have serious implications for the economies on both sides, and for Northern Ireland's peace process. GENEVA (AP) - The Latest on Syria developments (all times local): 3:45 p.m. U.S. and British officials have expressed support for the Syrian opposition ahead of peace talks in Geneva. UN Special Envoy of the Secretary General for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, 2nd left, and Deputy UN Special Envoy for Syria Ramzy Ezzeldin Ramzy, left, arrive for a meeting with Head of the Syrian Negotiation Commission, SNC, during the Intra Syria talks, in Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP) Alastair Burt, the British minister of state for the Middle East, said after meeting the Syrian opposition delegation chief Nasr Hariri that Geneva talks need "to lead toward the inclusive political transition necessary to end this conflict." Burt welcomed the opposition's achievement at a meeting last week in Saudi Arabia to further unify and broaden its membership. Hariri also met on Tuesday with U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State David Satterfield who expressed U.S. support for a credible political transition process under U.N. auspices, making clear that any process outside of Geneva had no legitimacy. In reference to the government team's expected late arrival in Geneva, Hariri said that the "regime was once again undermining the negotiations with its refusal to join the start of the talks." ___ 1:40 p.m. A senior Syrian Kurdish official says the Americans would undermine the fight against Islamic State militants in the region if they "turn their back" on their only ally in Syria - the Syrian Kurds. The remarks by Ilham Ahmed, a member of the political arm of the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, were in response to the U.S. administration suggesting that military aid to the Kurdish-led forces may be halted. Ahmed spoke late on Monday. Over the weekend, the White House and the Pentagon said there will be "pending adjustments to the military support" to the SDF, though there was no specific confirmation the arms flow would stop altogether. Ahmed says such "vague" phrasing appears aimed at appeasing Turkey, which sees the Kurdish fighters as an extension of its own insurgent group it labels "terrorists." ___ 12:20 p.m. The U.N. envoy for Syria is hailing a "useful" meeting with diplomats from the five permanent Security Council members, while calling on the rival sides in the war-torn country to get down to "business." Staffan de Mistura spoke to The Associated Press after briefing envoys from world powers about the eighth round of U.N.-mediated peace talks under his guidance, which begins later Tuesday in Geneva. He was to meet later Tuesday with opposition leaders, and said he expected a delegation from the government of President Bashar Assad to arrive Wednesday. The meeting included Brett McGurk, the U.S. envoy for the fight against the Islamic State group, and the French Foreign Ministry's political and security affairs director Nicolas de Riviere. Russia's ambassador in Geneva Alexey Borodavkin said Russia appreciated the "opportunity," but "at the same time, we have some doubts about this kind of format, and do not consider it an established one." ___ 10:25 a.m. A Syrian foreign ministry official says a government delegation will arrive in Geneva to take part in direct peace talks with the opposition. The official said in Damascus that the delegation will take part in talks starting Wednesday afternoon and the delegation will be headed by Bashar Ja'afari, Syria's representative at the United Nations. The Geneva talks are scheduled to begin Tuesday and the unified opposition delegation has already arrived. In Geneva, three diplomats said representatives of the five permanent U.N. Security Council members were meeting to discuss the talks that were set to begin later Tuesday with a meeting between U.N. Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura and the opposition. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly to the media. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - A Florida teen being detained in New York denies any involvement in the death of his 53-year-old grandmother. The 15-year-old boy was apprehended by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents on Friday near the Canadian border. Police said he was driving a 2015 Dodge Dart, which was believed taken from his grandmother in Florida. The two were reported missing the day before Thanksgiving when they failed to pick up the boy's father at the airport. The grandmother had been watching the teen while the father was on vacation. When the father got home, he found his house ransacked and his mother's body was found in a shallow grave out back. Attorney Dominic Saraceno tells the Florida Times-Union an extradition hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday in Erie County, New York. LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - The Kentucky Horse Park's Hall of Champions is getting a new resident. Point Given is retiring from stud duty and joining the Horse Park in the spring. Point Given is the fifth Horse of the Year to occupy the spot. He won the 2001 Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes and is a 19-year-old son of Thunder Gulch. Point Given won $3.9 million with nine wins and three second-place finishes from 13 starts. He was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2010. He retired from racing in September 2001 to stand at Three Chimneys Farm in Midway and was relocated to Calumet Farm in 2013. Point Given will be available for viewing in April, as the park celebrates its 40th anniversary season. LONDON (AP) - The Latest on the political situation in Ireland (all times local): 12:20 p.m. Irish media say the country's deputy prime minister has agreed to resign to avert a parliamentary vote that would have collapsed the government and triggered a snap election. FILE - This is a Friday, Nov. 17, 2017. file photo of Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, as he speaks with the press as he arrives for an EU summit in Goteborg, Sweden. Ireland's governing party and main opposition are on Tuesday Nov. 28, 2017, holding last-minute talks to avoid the government collapsing just as it faces a crunch time in Brexit negotiations. Irish lawmakers are due to vote on a no-confidence motion in the deputy prime minister filed by opposition party Fianna Fail.(AP Photo/File, Virginia Mayo) Irish lawmakers were due to vote Tuesday on a no-confidence motion targeting deputy premier Frances Fitzgerald, filed by opposition party Fianna Fail. Fianna Fail wanted Fitzgerald ousted over her involvement in a long-running police scandal. Prime Minister Leo Varadkar's Fine Gael party backed Fitzgerald. Irish broadcaster RTE and other outlets say she will quit, heading off a vote that the minority government would likely have lost. The crisis comes at a crucial time for Varadkar's five-month-old government. A key EU summit looms Dec. 14-15, and Ireland is pressing Britain to spell out how it can maintain the open Ireland-Northern Ireland border after Brexit. ___ 11:30 a.m. Ireland's governing party and main opposition are holding last-minute talks to avoid the government collapsing just as it faces a crunch time in Brexit negotiations. Irish lawmakers are due to vote on a no-confidence motion targeting the deputy prime minister filed by opposition party Fianna Fail. Fianna Fail wants Prime Minister Leo Varadkar's deputy, Frances Fitzgerald, ousted over her involvement in a long-running police scandal. Varadkar's Fine Gael party is backing Fitzgerald, but if his minority government loses the vote, Ireland faces a snap election. Varadkar and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin are due to hold talks Tuesday. A key EU summit looms Dec. 14-15, and Ireland is pressing Britain to spell out how it can keep the Ireland-Northern Ireland border free of customs posts and other barriers after Brexit. GENEVA (AP) - The eighth round of Syria peace talks got under way on Tuesday with a revamped and expanded opposition team meeting with the U.N. envoy in Geneva, but President Bashar Assad's government was conspicuously absent and Russia bemoaned back-channel diplomacy among key world powers. The government in Damascus said its team would show up on Wednesday. The meeting marks the latest and perhaps most-promising attempt by U.N. Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura to jolt new life into the so-far largely ineffective U.N.-mediated talks. The Syrian civil war, now in its seventh year, has left over 400,000 dead, driven at least 11 million people from their homes, and turned into a proxy war for regional and world powers. UN Special Envoy of the Secretary General for Syria Staffan de Mistura briefs to the media after his meeting with Head of the Syrian Negotiation Commission, SNC, during the Intra Syria talks, in Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP) Speaking after he briefed key envoys from the five U.N Security Council member countries behind closed doors, de Mistura confirmed to The Associated Press that the Syrian government had agreed to come Wednesday - after Damascus had reportedly delayed its initial participation. The pro-government newspaper Al-Watan on Monday reported that Damascus would postpone its arrival, citing the opposition's position that Assad must leave at the start of any political transition - something that is sought under a key U.N. Security Council resolution underpinning the Geneva talks. De Mistura justified the discreet "P5" meeting by saying it was needed to keep Britain, China France, Russia and the United States informed about his agenda and reinforce the U.N.-mediated peace process, which has come under a challenge from a separate, Russian initiative. "Now we need to go into business," de Mistura told the AP. "We need P5 support because the two delegations obviously listen to members of the P5." The meeting included Brett McGurk, the U.S. envoy for the battle against the Islamic State group, and French Foreign Ministry political and security affairs director Nicolas de Riviere - among the highest-level Western envoys on hand so far during Geneva talks. Russia's ambassador in Geneva, Alexey Borodavkin, was less positive about the back-channel briefing. He said Russia appreciated the "opportunity," but "at the same time, we have some doubts about this kind of format, and do not consider it an established one." Moscow has sought to take the lead in resolving Syria's conflict by organizing parallel talks between the two sides in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. But those efforts have sputtered as Western powers and de Mistura insist Geneva must remain the primary track for any negotiations. The Syrian government, with pivotal military support from by Russian and Iranian forces, has made key gains on the ground over the last year. One of the major questions is whether Assad's envoys will finally sit down face-to-face with the opposition and negotiate. The unexplained tardiness of Assad's delegation in Geneva appeared to reflect the government's displeasure with the opposition's insistence that Assad must step down at the start of an eventual transitional period in Syria. The opposition says it has no preconditions to the talks, but at the same time says its goal remains to push the longtime leader aside. As in previous rounds of the U.N.-sponsored talks, discussing Assad's future will likely be the main obstacle to any progress in Geneva. Damascus has refused to negotiate Assad's future with the opposition and says it wants instead to focus on defeating "terrorism" - the government's byword for armed opponents of the Syrian president. The chief of the opposition's delegation, Nasr Hariri, told reporters Monday that the opposition was "ready to negotiate," and accused the government of stalling. "The thing the regime is most afraid of is political negotiations," Hariri said. The opposition had said it would enter into talks "without preconditions" but maintained its position that Assad would need to go at the start of any transitional period for any settlement to the civil war to succeed. The opposition delegation was expanded last week under Saudi Arabian auspices to include groups seen by Damascus as more palatable for negotiations, including the so-called "Moscow group" which has resisted calling for Assad's departure. Hariri said the reformulation of the opposition team in Geneva removed any excuse for the government and its chief diplomatic backer, Russia, to circumvent the U.N. talks. De Mistura stressed he would "not accept any preconditions by any party", and said the talks would be guided by a 2015 Security Council resolution mandating a political transition for Syria. He wants an "inclusive process" that can ultimately draft and ratify a new constitution. U.S. and British officials expressed support for the Syrian opposition ahead of the talks Tuesday. Alastair Burt, the British minister of state for the Middle East, said after meeting Hariri that the talks need "to lead toward the inclusive political transition necessary to end this conflict." Hariri also met with U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State David Satterfield, who offered similar support. A Syrian foreign ministry official, who was not identified under Syrian government regulations, said its delegation will part starting Wednesday afternoon. The Damascus team will again be headed by Bashar Ja'afari, Syria's representative at the United Nations in New York, the official said. ____ Aji reported from Damascus, Syria. Associated Press Writer Philip Issa in Beirut contributed to this report. Nasr al-Hariri, Head of the Syrian Negotiation Commission, SNC, arrives to take part in a round of negotiations with UN Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria Staffan de Mistura during the Intra Syria talks, at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP) UN Special Envoy of the Secretary General for Syria Staffan de Mistura briefs the media after his meeting with Head of the Syrian Negotiation Commission, SNC, during the Intra Syria talks, in Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP) FILE -- In this Sept. 8, 2014 file photo, members of the Syrian Coalition (SNC), Syria's main political opposition group, Haitham al-Maleh, right, Hadi Bahra, the head of the coalition, second right, and Nasr al-Hariri, Secretary-General of the SNC, meet with Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Elaraby at the league's headquarters in Cairo, Egypt. Syria's opposition is gathering in Saudi Arabia hoping to close ranks ahead of new negotiations starting Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2017, but they are a house divided in ways that enhance Syrian President Bashar Assad's upper hand. Hours before the meeting, a dozen opposition figures resigned. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil, File) BRUSSELS (AP) - A European Union official said Tuesday night that EU and British negotiators were making progress toward a breakthrough in Brexit talks amid media reports that a tentative deal on a financial settlement had been found. With a mid-December deadline drawing close for a decision by EU leaders on whether "sufficient progress" has been made in order for the negotiations with Britain to be expanded to include future trade relations, diplomats are in a furious last stretch to find major progress on three issues, including how much Britain will have to pay the bloc for its departure. British media reports said late Tuesday that both sides had agreed on a British payment of roughly around 50 billion euros. FILE- In this Friday, Nov. 10, 2017 file photo, British Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union David Davis speaks during a media conference at EU headquarters in Brussels. British lawmakers are taking the government to task over its reluctance to disclose a series of studies it commissioned on the likely economic impact of Brexit, it was said on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, File) The EU official, who insisted on not being quoted by name because the negotiations were still going, said talks had been making progress over the past few days and were "heading toward" a breakthrough, although he could not confirm such a deal had already been secured. Even if there would be enough progress on the financial settlement, both sides still need to overcome differences over the future rights of their citizens in each other's nations and the transparency of the border between the U.K.'s Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland. Talks on the border have proved extremely complicated, officials have said. The EU Commission refused to comment on the British media reports. It said EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker will lunch with British Prime Minister Theresa May on Monday and the Commission would assess progress in the talks Dec. 6. One week later the 28 leaders convene for their year-end summit, which will center on the Brexit negotiations. Britain has been feverishly working to get the "sufficient progress" acknowledgement to move to its future relations with the bloc once it leaves on March 29, 2019. The business and finance community has been increasingly restless because of the lack of clear progress in the convoluted talks and the political unrest within May's government. Earlier Tuesday, British lawmakers lambasted the government over its reluctance to disclose a series of studies it commissioned on the likely economic impact of Brexit. Earlier this month, the House of Commons passed a motion by the opposition Labour Party calling for the analyses of 58 sectors of the economy to be released. Commons Speaker John Bercow said the government could be found in contempt of Parliament if it refused to comply. Government ministers argued that making the assessments public would undermine its divorce negotiations with the European Union. Pro-EU lawmakers suspect the documents reveal that Brexit could have a serious negative effect on the economy. On Tuesday the government said it had sent some 850 pages of the documents to Parliament's Exiting the EU Committee, but with "commercially, market and negotiation sensitive information" withheld. The committee said that was not good enough, and summoned Brexit Secretary David Davis to explain himself. The date of his appearance has not yet been set. Opposition Labour Party Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer accused Davis of "treating Parliament with contempt" by failing to release the documents in full. Scottish National Party lawmaker, Pete Wishart, said he had written to Bercow formally complaining that the government has held Parliament in contempt. Lawmakers found in contempt of Parliament can be suspended or expelled, or even incarcerated in the Big Ben clock tower, although that punishment hasn't been used since the 19th century. Leaders of the Yellowstone Gateway Coalition held a press conference last week to call on Montanas congressional delegation to work together to get a Paradise Valley land provision in a larger must-pass bill before Christmas. The coalition of Park County businesses and local government leaders wants 30,370 acres of public forest withdrawn from potential development while two mining companies are seeking permits to start exploration. Sens. Steve Daines and Jon Tester, and Rep. Greg Gianforte have said they want to protect Paradise Valley as area residents have been asking for years. But only Tester has done more than talk. Testers proposed Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act had a hearing earlier this year in a Senate committee Daines chairs. Daines told The Billings Gazette in July that Testers bill wont pass the GOP-controlled Senate. In a telephone interview in July, Daines said he would introduce his own legislation to halt mineral development on public land at Emigrant Gulch and Crevice Mountain. Back in July, Daines said he hoped to introduce his bill this fall. The Gazette contacted Daines office again last week and received an emailed response from a Daines spokeswoman: "The last conservation measure passed by Congress advocated for the protection of the North Fork Protection Act, which was championed by the senator only to become law as part of a large public lands package that had support from a diverse group of stake holders. If this is to become law before years end, a similar coalition needs to be developed. It will likely take more time before that develops, however, the senator is working hard to find a path towards that end. Later, Daines himself phoned to say that he is working to get the Paradise Valley withdrawal paired with release of about 500,000 acres of Montana Wilderness Study Areas "that aren't suitable for wilderness." He plans to introduce his WSA release bill by year's end, but acknowledged that it's more likely to pass a year from now than to pass next month. Daines envisions getting support for Paradise Valley land protection from Republicans by releasing WSAs. He declined to say which WSAs will be in his bill. "A lot of House members don't like mineral withdrawals," Daines said. "I think this is a reasonable thing to do in Montana." Daines Montana constituents are pushing for a mineral development withdrawal on 30,370 acres of Custer National Forest. They built a coalition of more than 400 businesses and organizations in a county with a population of 16,000. The coalition includes the bipartisan county commission, city and rural residents, people in agriculture and people whose livelihood depends on tourism, hunting and fishing. Arent they important enough for Daines to champion their cause without getting an otherwise unrelated and much bigger land deal in return? Paradise Valley needs a clean bill that simply and permanently withdraws federal public lands from mining at Emigrant Gulch along the Upper Yellowstone River and around Crevice Mountain at Yellowstone Parks northern border. Both Daines and Gianforte live in Bozeman, less than an hours drive from the beautiful river valley they are being asked to preserve. They must spearhead its protection. Tester has done what he can as a minority lawmaker. If the Yellowstone Gateway is a priority for Daines, he can protect it legislatively this year or next without marrying it to another land deal. Gianforte should help. Billings (Mont.) Gazette WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on President Trump's discussions with lawmakers on taxes and the budget (all times local): 5 p.m. The top House Democrat is lashing out at President Donald Trump for his "verbal abuse" in a Twitter attack. President Donald Trump, left, speaks in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017, during a meeting with congressional leaders, including House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis., second from left. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi responded to Trump on his favorite social media platform, Twitter, late Tuesday. Earlier in the day, the president had criticized Congress' top Democrats. They responded by backing out of a planned White House meeting. Congress' top Republicans attended the session in which two empty chairs were reserved for Pelosi and top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer. Pelosi tweeted: "@realDonaldTrump now knows that his verbal abuse will no longer be tolerated. His empty chair photo opp showed he's more interested in stunts than in addressing the needs of the American people. Poor Ryan and McConnell relegated to props. Sad!" "Sad" is a Trump favorite quip. ___ 4:15 p.m. President Donald Trump says he "would absolutely blame the Democrats" if there is a government shutdown next week. Trump says as he meets with top Republican leaders that "If it happens, it's going to be over illegals pouring into the country, crime pouring into the country, no border wall, which everyone wants." The Republican president had been scheduled to meet Tuesday with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and the House's top Democrat, Nancy Pelosi, to discuss averting a potential end-of-year shutdown. But Schumer and Pelosi canceled after a dismissive Trump tweet. Republicans control both the House and Senate, as well as the White House. A temporary spending bill expires Dec. 8 and another is needed to prevent a government shutdown. ___ 4:05 p.m. President Donald Trump says Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and top House Democrat Nancy Pelosi have been "all talk" and "no action." Congress' top Democratic leaders abruptly pulled out of a planned meeting with Trump and Republican leaders at the White House on Tuesday after Trump attacked them on Twitter. Trump said as he meets with Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan and Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell that Schumer and Pelosi are weak on crime and combating illegal immigration and want to increase taxes. Ryan says it's "regrettable" the Democratic leaders didn't show up. McConnell says he can't recall turning down an opportunity to visit White House. Of course, former President Barack Obama never railed against McConnell on Twitter like Trump did earlier Tuesday. ___ 4 p.m. President Donald Trump is predicting passage of the Senate tax plan as he accuses Democratic leaders of being "all talk" and "no action." The Republican president told reporters Tuesday that they were in a "very good position" after the Senate Budget Committee's passage of the GOP tax plan. Trump was joined by top Republican leaders from Congress at the White House. Democrats backed out of a planned meeting after Trump attacked them on Twitter. Trump also went to the Capitol on Tuesday to meet with Senate Republicans to rally support for a sweeping tax bill. With no major legislative achievement, Trump is pushing hard for the GOP to deliver a tax cut bill to him by the end of the year. ___ 2:50 p.m. President Donald Trump plans to deliver remarks from the White House shortly. The White House says Trump will speak from the Roosevelt Room in the West Wing on Tuesday afternoon. Trump's comments will come hours after North Korea's launch of a ballistic missile. They also follow his meeting with Senate Republicans on Capitol Hill and come as House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell are set to visit the White House for a meeting on the year-end legislative agenda. Democratic leaders had been invited to attend but pulled out earlier Tuesday following a tweeted insult by the president. ___ 2:35 p.m. The top Republican in the Senate says the GOP is still trying to round up the votes for the tax bill, calling the process a "challenging exercise." Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters Tuesday, "I'm sitting here with a Rubik's cube trying to get to 50" votes. He made the comments after President Donald Trump met with Senate Republicans at their weekly luncheon. McConnell also complained about the top Democrats who have backed out of a White House meeting after Trump attacked them on Twitter. McConnell said he struck him as a "lack of seriousness." McConnell and Speaker Paul Ryan were heading to the White House to meet with Trump and discuss averting a government shutdown next week and dealing with several other end-of-year issues. __ 2:25 p.m. President Donald Trump has left the Capitol after meeting with Senate Republicans to rally support for a sweeping tax bill. Applause could be heard from the closed-door session on Tuesday as the meeting wrapped up. With no major legislative achievement, Trump is pushing hard for the GOP to deliver a tax cut bill to him by the end of the year. Republicans face divisions within their ranks over the tax bill, with some GOP lawmakers fearful of adding to the nation's $20 trillion debt and others worrying about the impact on small businesses. Trump was scheduled to meet later at the White House with top Republican leaders from Congress. Democrats backed out of the session after Trump's attack on Twitter. ___ 12:40 p.m. The White House says it is "disappointing" that congressional Democratic leaders are pulling out of a meeting with President Donald Trump following his Twitter attack on them. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders says Trump's invitation for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to join Republican leaders at the White House on Tuesday still stands. Sanders says the president "encourages them to put aside their pettiness, stop the political grandstanding, show up and get to work." Trump's meeting with Republican leaders will go on as scheduled, as they discuss critical year end issues like funding the government, immigration policy, and tax reform. Says Sanders: "If the Democrats believe the American people deserve action on these critical year-end issues as we do, they should attend." ___ 12:35 p.m. President Donald Trump has arrived on Capitol Hill for a meeting with Senate Republicans to promote his tax plan. Trump's address to a Senate GOP luncheon comes shortly after Democratic leaders pulled out of a planned meeting later in the day with Trump at the White House. Trump had been expected to discuss upcoming congressional deadlines to fund the government with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. But the president tweeted earlier in the day that he didn't "see a deal" with the Democratic leaders. Schumer and Pelosi said they wouldn't attend the meeting so as to not waste time. Trump is searching for a win in Congress on his tax bill, which is expected to face a Senate vote later this week. ___ 12:35 p.m. The top Republicans in Congress say they're heading to the White House Tuesday afternoon to meet with President Donald Trump even though top Democrats have backed out of the meeting. House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in a joint statement that Democrats are "putting government operations, particularly resources for our men and women on the battlefield, at great risk by pulling these antics." Ryan and McConnell said that if Democrats want to reach an agreement, they will attend the White House meeting. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi pulled out of the meeting hours after Trump attacked them on Twitter, accusing them of being soft on crime and declaring "I don't see a deal!" Schumer and Pelosi said they didn't want to waste time. ___ 11:30 a.m. Top Democratic leaders in Congress have abruptly pulled out of a planned meeting with President Donald Trump after he attacked them on Twitter. Trump tweeted early Tuesday that "I don't see a deal!" with Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer and top House Democrat Nancy Pelosi. Schumer and Pelosi are shooting back with a statement asking for talks with top GOP leaders in Congress. They said, "given that the president doesn't see a deal between Democrats and the White House, we believe the best path forward is to continue negotiating with our Republican counterparts in Congress instead." Congress faces a Dec. 8 deadline to pass stopgap legislation to keep the government open. They added, "we don't have any time to waste." ___ 9:45 a.m. President Donald Trump is casting doubt on whether he and congressional leaders can agree to keep the government funded. Trump is meeting with Democratic and Republican congressional leaders at the White House on Tuesday to discuss budget and immigration issues. But, in a tweet, Trump cast doubt on whether they can agree to fund the government beyond a Dec. 8 deadline. Says Trump: "I don't see a deal!" Trump says Democrats "want illegal immigrants flooding into our Country unchecked, are weak on Crime and want to substantially RAISE Taxes." Trump also portrays the meeting as being with Democrats "Chuck and Nancy." Those are Trump's nicknames for Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Nancy Pelosi. Republican leaders - House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell - are also attending the meeting. ___ 3:15 a.m. President Donald Trump is heading to Capitol Hill to rally Senate Republicans on taxes. Then he'll pivot to negotiations with Democrats pressing for victories of their own in a separate, high-stakes showdown over the budget and immigration. After 10 months in office, Trump is still seeking his first marquee win in Congress, but the White House and GOP leaders have work to do to get their tax bill in shape for a vote later this week. Party deficit hawks pressed for a "backstop" mechanism to limit the risk of a spiral in the deficit. On a separate track is a multi-layered negotiation over a huge Pentagon budget increase sought by Trump and Republicans and increases for domestic programs demanded by Democrats. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., center, speaks with the media accompanied by Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., left, Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, after Senate Republicans met with President Donald Trump on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., walks to the microphone to talk with the media after Senate Republicans met with President Donald Trump on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, talks with the media after Senate Republicans met with President Donald Trump on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer of N.Y., listens during a news conference with Senate Democratic leadership, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of N.Y., left, speaks with the media accompanied by Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of N.Y., speaks on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, talks with the media after Senate Republicans met with President Donald Trump on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., talks with the media after Senate Republicans met with President Donald Trump on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) - The Latest on Zimbabwe's political transition (all times local): 6:10 p.m. Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa says his new Cabinet will be leaner and more efficient. According to the state-controlled Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, Mnangagwa met with top civil servants Tuesday and told them his new Cabinet will be smaller and will concentrate on achieving economic growth. He did not say when he will announce the new Cabinet, although he has dissolved the outgoing Cabinet of resigned President Robert Mugabe. "Our people have endured economic hardships for over two decades, and now expect this new government to turn things around, within the shortest time possible. Let us take advantage of the positive optimism among our people, ushered in by this current dispensation, and do our best," said Mnangagwa. ___ 4:55 p.m. Zimbabwe's new president says those who illegally shifted money outside the country should repatriate it within three months or face arrest. President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who took over last week after Robert Mugabe's resignation, describes the move as a "first step towards the recovery of the illegally externalized funds." Mnangagwa does not say how much money was moved abroad. But the governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe last year said $1.8 billion had been "externalized" in 2015. ___ 3 p.m. The wife of a missing Zimbabwean activist who was abducted by suspected state agents in 2015 after urging then-President Robert Mugabe to resign says she hopes the country's new leader will shed light on what happened to her husband. Sheffra Dzamara said Tuesday that she still hopes her husband, Itai Dzamara, is alive and that those who kidnapped him will return his body if it turns out that he is dead. Dzamara's brother, Patson, says new President Emmerson Mnangagwa was justice minister at the time of his brother's disappearance and was complicit with human rights abuses and other wrongdoing during Mugabe's rule. Since becoming president, Mnangagwa has called for national reconciliation but has not addressed allegations of human rights violations while he was a top official in Mugabe's government. MANAUS, Brazil (AP) - The warning from our guide made clear that this "forest walk" would be anything but a leisurely stroll. "Look before grabbing any branches because the ants bite. You will be in pain for 24 hours," said Jackson Edirley da Silva, wearing a bright yellow shirt and rubber boots. "And watch where you step. You don't want to get bitten by a snake." Our group, about a dozen tourists, got quiet. In this Oct.12, 2017 photo, a sunset in the Amazon rain forest is seen from a tributary of the Rio Negro outside Manaus, Brazil. Boat travel is common throughout the Amazon basin, both for forest dwellers and tourists. (AP Photo/Peter Prengaman) "Don't worry," I whispered to our sons, ages 6 and 7. "We will be careful where we step." My wife and I had flown with our kids from Rio de Janeiro to Manaus, a major jumping-off point for Brazil's Amazon rain forest. From there, we took a boat for an hour ride up a tributary of the Rio Negro, or Black River, and then walked 15 minutes to an "eco lodge" in the middle of a forest. Even at the edge of the forest, the sounds made a strong impression. Monkeys screeched, birds bellowed and bugs buzzed, a cacophony that felt both terrifying and calming. Ironically, we would learn that it's rare to actually see most of the animals. You are in their house, and they know how to hide. Our cabin was sparse but had some essentials: a small refrigerator for bottled water, mosquito screens on the windows and an air-conditioning unit that combated the oppressive humidity that would cling to us upon walking outside. Despite its worldwide fame, not to mention increasing importance as climate change becomes a global issue, the Amazon is not visited in great numbers. Amazonas, Brazil's largest and heavily forested state, which includes Manaus, was visited by just under 1.2 million foreign and Brazilian tourists in 2014, the most recent year for available statistics. By comparison, the Eiffel Tower in Paris gets roughly 7 million visitors a year. For those who get here, it's hard to imagine disappointment. Over the course of a week, we swam with fresh water dolphins, gawked at alligators wrestled from river banks by scrappy guides, fished for piranhas and stood in awe at "the meeting" of the Negro and Solimoes Rivers (called the Amazon River in Manaus and eastward), where a difference in density and temperature means that for miles black and yellow waters flow side by side. The food also has unique tastes. Massive tucunare fish get chopped into fillets that taste like chicken with an extra dose of zest, potato-like manioc roots are prepared with forest spices that most people have never heard of and acai berries are ubiquitous - the kids particularly enjoyed sucking on acai popsicles during the afternoon heat. The Amazon basin, which spans several countries in South America and is nearly as large as the continental United States, has always been central to Brazilian identity, even if most Brazilians will never visit. Conspiracy theories periodically erupt about other countries' alleged attempts to take the territory or plunder its myriad resources, and pressure from international organizations to stop deforestation often draws the ire of politicians. Luiz Inacio "Lula" da Silva, president between 2003 and 2010 and poll leader for next year's race, once famously said: "I don't want any gringo coming here asking us to let an Amazon dweller die of hunger under a tree." Te Batista, a boat operator who we hired two days to take us to several areas of the Rio Negro, told me tourists always ask him about conservation. "Foreigners are afraid about the future of the forest," said Batista, who added flatly that he was not. "They worry that the cutting here will mean they die in their countries" because of global warming. At the heart of conservation discussions are indigenous tribes, who provide windows into life in the Amazon both before the arrival of Portuguese colonists in the 16th century and today. While there are still scores of "uncontacted" tribes in the Amazon, most are at least partially connected to Brazilian society and live in ways that combine their traditions with aspects of modern-day life. One day we visited a small village of about 100 people belonging to the Dessana tribe. As they have for centuries, the women wore hay skirts and were topless. The men wore small woven cloths on their hips, though noticeably with tight black briefs underneath. They all had red face paint and many wore feathers on their heads and necklaces made with alligator and jaguar teeth. Recently caught fish cooked over a fire and a pottery bowl of large baked black ants were available to snack on. Speaking limited Portuguese, a young man named Bohoka told me the tribe lived as they always had - in little huts without electricity, running water or cellphones - but with a few modern twists that included allowing tourists to visit. "Tourism allows us to maintain our way of life," said Bohoka, 24, who showed us necklaces and other handcrafts for sale. The village was only about a 90-minute boat trip from Manaus but worlds away. The gritty port city of over 2 million people is an eclectic mix of a colonial architecture, urban sprawl and hustle from hardscrabble touts trying to eke out a living. It reached its splendor in the 19th century when growing global demand for rubber brought throngs to the area to cut and gather sap from rubber trees. A beautiful opera house built during that time, which today hosts several shows each year, is the city's main tourist attraction. As I chatted with Bohoka, a small boat pulled up on the riverbank. About a dozen members of the tribe, all dressed in slacks and T-shirts, got off carrying plastic bags. They disappeared into their huts and remerged a few minutes later wearing traditional clothes. Bohoka explained they had gone to "the city," or Manaus, to buy sewing materials. "Why couldn't they just wear traditional clothing there?" I asked, somewhat jokingly. Bohoka laughed. "Impossible," he said. "Indians' home is the forest." ___ Peter Prengaman is The Associated Press news director in Brazil. Follow him at: twitter.com/peterprengaman In this Oct.11, 2017 photo, a member of the Dessena tribe poses for a picture in her village outside of Manaus, Brazil. The 100 people in the village live as they have for centuries, in small huts without electricity, running water or cellular photos. One modern twist is allowing tourists to visit and buy crafts. (AP Photo/Peter Prengaman) In this Oct.9, 2017 photo, a view of the outskirts of Manaus, Brazil, from a boat on the Rio Negro, or Black River. Boat travel is common in all of the Amazon basin, both for forest dwellers and tourists. (AP Photo/Peter Prengaman) In this Oct.13, 2017 photo, tourists touch the shell of a large turtle seen during a forest walk in the Amazon rain forest outside of Manaus, Brazil. Guided forest walks are a popular tourist activity in the Amazon rain forest. (AP Photo/Peter Prengaman) In this Oct.9, 2017 photo, tourists take a picture of the so-called "meeting of the rivers", outside of Manaus, Brazil. In this area, the Rio Negro and the Rio Solimoes combine, keeping their own colors for miles (kilometers) because of differences in temperature, density and speed. In Manaus and beyond going east, the Rio Solimoes' name changes to Rio Amazonas, or Amazon River. (AP Photo/Peter Prengaman) In this Oct.11, 2017 photo, young tourists look on as a man feeds fish to pink dolphins in the Rio Negro outside of Manaus, Brazil. The dolphins, called "botos," live in the wild in many areas of the Amazon basin and are a popular tourist attraction. (AP Photo/Peter Prengaman). In this Oct. 9, 2017 photo, a guide holds a small piranha caught by a tourist from a dock on the Rio Negro outside of Manaus, Brazil. Fishing for piranhas is a popular activity for tourists in the Amazon basin. (AP Photo/Peter Prengaman) In this Oct.11, 2017 photo, Amazon dwellers and tourists enjoy a waterfall on a tributary of the Rio Negro outside of Manaus. Many people live along the hundreds of large tributaries that feed into the main rivers in the Amazon basin. (AP Photo/Peter Prengaman) TEXARKANA, Texas (AP) - A former nurse who refused medical treatment to a Texas jail inmate last year has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor negligent homicide. The Texarkana Gazette reports that 27-year-old Brittany Danae Johnson pleaded guilty Monday in connection with the July 2016 death of 20-year-old Morgan Angerbauer at a jail in Texarkana, along the Arkansas border. An autopsy report says Angerbauer died of diabetic ketoacidosis, a condition that results from blood sugar reaching severely high levels. Court records allege Angerbauer asked Johnson to check her blood sugar, but Johnson refused. Angerbauer was found unconscious in her cell early the next morning. She was dead by the time paramedics arrived. Records with the Texas Nursing Board show Johnson's nursing license has been suspended. She will serve about three months in the Miller County jail. ___ Information from: Texarkana Gazette, http://www.texarkanagazette.com PHILADELPHIA (AP) - An appeals court has told a Philadelphia judge to act "without further delay" on Meek Mill's nearly 2-week-old request to be freed. The state Superior Court issued the order Tuesday as it rejected a request from the rapper's lawyers that it grant him bail, leaving that to the sentencing judge to decide. Mill's attorneys contend the sentencing judge has refused to respond to their appeals. This November 2017 photo provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections shows rapper Meek Mill, whose real name is Robert Williams, sentenced to serve two to four years in prison for violating probation in a nearly decade-old gun and drug case. A lawyer for Meek Mill asked Philadelphia Common Pleas Judge Genece Brinkley to recuse herself from the case Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017, before the rapper appeals his prison sentence. (Pennsylvania Department of Corrections via AP) The 30-year-old Philadelphia native was sentenced this month to two to four years in prison for violating probation on a roughly decade-old gun and drug case. Mill's probation officer and a prosecutor had recommended that he not be jailed. The judge cited a failed drug test, his failure to comply with court-ordered travel restrictions and two unrelated arrests in ordering him locked up. ROME (AP) - Roma captain Daniele De Rossi has been given a two-match ban for slapping Gianluca Lapadula in the Serie A draw with Genoa at the weekend. The league disciplinary body handed him the suspension on Tuesday, two days after the "serious unsporting behavior." Roma was 1-0 up and seemingly in control of the match when, in the 69th minute, De Rossi was sent off for slapping Lapadula in the face. Referee Piero Giacomelli shows Roma's Daniele De Ross a red card, during the Serie A soccer match between Genoa and Roma, at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium in Genoa, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017. (Simone Arveda/ANSA via AP) The resulting penalty was converted by Lapadula. De Rossi will miss Roma's home match against Spal on Friday and its trip to Chievo Verona the following week. Roma is fourth in Serie A, seven points behind leader Napoli, although it has played a match less than the three teams above it. MOSCOW (AP) - The head of a Russian Orthodox Church panel looking into the 1918 killing of Russia's last czar and his family said it is investigating whether it was a ritual murder - a statement that has angered Jewish groups. Father Tikhon Shevkunov, the Orthodox bishop heading the panel, said after Monday's session that "a large share of the church commission members have no doubts that the murder was ritual." A representative of the Investigative Committee, Russia's top state investigative agency, also said that it will conduct its own probe into the theory. FILE In this file photo taken on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015, a visitor walks past a photo showing Russia's last Czar Nicholas II with his family at the 1914-1945 Russia history exhibition in Moscow, Russia . Father Tikhon Shevkunov, the Russian Orthodox Church bishop is heading the church's panel investigating the circumstances of the 1918 killing of Russian last czar and his family. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File) Boruch Gorin, a spokesman for the Federation of Jewish Communities, Russia's largest Jewish group, expressed a strong concern Tuesday about the claims that he described as a "throwback to the darkest ages." Some Christians in medieval Europe believed that Jews murdered Christians to use their blood for ritual purposes, something which historians say has no basis in Jewish religious law or historical fact and instead reflected anti-Jewish hostility in Christian Europe. Nicholas II, his wife and their five children were executed by a Bolshevik firing squad on July 17, 1918, in a basement room of a merchant's house where they were held in the Ural Mountains city of Yekaterinburg. The Russian Orthodox Church made them saints in 2000. The speculation that the czar and his family were killed by the Jews for ritual purposes long has been promoted by fringe anti-Semitic groups. Gorin said his group was shocked and angered by the statements from both the bishop and the Investigative Committee, which he said sounded like a revival of the century-old "anti-Semitic myth" about the killing of the imperial family. Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill attended Monday's meeting of the church panel investigating the killing of the czar and his family. He didn't address the issue of whether the killing was ritual, but emphasized that the church needs to find answers to all outstanding questions and "doesn't have the right for mistakes." Bishop Tikhon's words carried particular weight given his reported close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin and influence within the church. The bishop elaborated on his statement Tuesday, telling the state RIA Novosti news agency that the "Bolsheviks and their allies engaged in the most unexpected and diverse ritual symbolism." He claimed that "quite a few people involved in the execution - in Moscow or Yekaterinburg - saw the killing of the deposed Russian emperor as a special ritual of revenge" and added that Yakov Yurovsky, the organizer of the execution who was Jewish, later boasted about his "sacral historic mission." The conspiracy theories blaming the Jews for spearheading the Bolshevik revolution were popular among the post-revolution Russian emigres and the Russian Orthodox Church abroad, and were later picked up by some hard-line nationalists after the Soviet collapse. While Tikhon steered clear of singling out Jews as those responsible for the killing, Gorin said that the use of the term coined by anti-Semites of all stripes was "extremely alarming." "Bishop Tikhon's invectives undoubtedly cast a shadow over the Russian Orthodox Church," he said. "And a representative of the Investigative Committee talking about the same theory yesterday casts a shadow on the government as a whole." Gorin said he expects both the church leadership and Russian government officials to provide explanation. Lyudmila Narusova, a member of the Russian upper house of parliament and the widow of St. Petersburg's mayor, Anatoly Sobchak, also criticized the panel's talk about the ritual murder of the czar's family, saying that it was fomenting ethnic strife, according to the Interfax news agency. Putin, who served as Sobchak's deputy in the 1990s and maintained contacts with his family, is set to attend a meeting of top Russian Orthodox Church's hierarchs later this week. Under Putin's rule, Russia's Jewish community has enjoyed a revival after a wave of emigration to Israel and other countries before and after the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union. FILE In this file photo taken on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017, Russian Orthodox Church bishop Tikhon stands in front of a big photo showing Russia's last Czar Nicholas II with his family at a news conference on the issue of the remains of Russia's last Czar in Moscow, Russia .Father Tikhon Shevkunov, the Russian Orthodox Church bishop is heading the church's panel investigating the circumstances of the 1918 killing of Russian last czar and his family. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev, File) FILE In this file photo, Russia's last Czar Nicholas II, seated second from left, Czarina Alexandra, center rear, and their family are shown in this undated photo. Bottom row left to right, Princess Olga, Czar Nicholas II, Princess Anastasia, Prince Alexei and Princess Tatiana. Top row left to right, Princess Maria and Princess Alexandra. A Russian Orthodox Church panel looking into the 1918 killing of Russia's last czar and his family said it's investigating whether it was a ritual murder _ a statement that has angered Jewish groups. (AP Photo, File) FILE In this file photo taken on Thursday, May 25, 2017, Russian President Vladimir Putin, center, with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, center right and Bishop Tikhon of Yegoryevsk, left, walk in front of the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ and the New Martyrs and Confessors of the Russian Church as he visits the Sretensky Monastery in Moscow, Russia. Father Tikhon Shevkunov, the Russian Orthodox Church bishop is heading the church's panel investigating the circumstances of the 1918 killing of Russian last czar and his family. (Alexei Druzhinin/Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File) FILE In this file photo taken on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, Russian Orthodox Church bishop Tikhon speaks at a news conference on the issue of the remains of Russia's last Czar in Moscow, Russia. Father Tikhon Shevkunov, the Russian Orthodox Church bishop is heading the church's panel investigating the circumstances of the 1918 killing of Russian last czar and his family. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev, File) FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) - The Latest on President Donald Trump's "Pocahontas" political jab at an event honoring Navajo Code Talkers (all times local): 9:55 a.m. Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona is tweeting that President Donald Trump's "politicizing" of a ceremony honoring Native American veterans was "an insult to their sacrifice." President Donald Trump, right, meets with Navajo Code Talkers Peter MacDonald, center, and Thomas Begay, left, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) McCain doesn't cite the president by name in his tweet Tuesday. He says the nation owes a debt of gratitude to the Navajo Code Talkers for helping secure victory over tyranny and oppression during World War II. He then adds: "Politicizing these genuine American heroes is an insult to their sacrifice." During a White House event Monday, Trump revived past mocking comments he's made about Sen. Elizabeth Warren for claims she made about being part Native American. Trump said: "We have a representative in Congress who they say was here a long time ago. They call her Pocahontas. But you know what, I like you." ___ 1:05 a.m. Families of Navajo war veterans say they're dumbfounded that President Donald Trump took a political jab at a U.S. senator at an event honoring Navajo Code Talkers. Trump praised the Code Talkers at the White House on Monday. He also turned to a nickname he's often deployed for Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts: Pocahontas. Relatives of the Code Talkers say the comment was inappropriate and distracted from the men's work that helped the U.S. win World War II. Pocahontas is a well-known historical figure who bridged her own Pamunkey Tribe in present-day Virginia with the British in the 1600s. The largest organization representing American Indians says Trump wrongly turned the name into a derogatory term. White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders says the president didn't intend it as a racial slur. President Donald Trump, right, meets with Navajo Code Talkers Peter MacDonald, center, and Thomas Begay, left, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) WASHINGTON (AP) - Secretary of State Rex Tillerson sought Tuesday to reassure Europe that the United States remains fully committed to European security, particularly in combating threats from Russia. Ahead of a trip next week to several European capitals, Tillerson said the U.S. would be the first to respond to any attack on a European ally under NATO's Article 5 mutual defense clause. His comments in a speech to the Wilson Center, a Washington think tank, were intended to dispel widespread unease that the Trump administration is pulling back from the alliance by demanding that European members spend more on their own defenses. "Our security relationships with Europe are ironclad," Tillerson said. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson participates in a conversation with Wilson Center President and CEO Jane Harman at the Wilson Center in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Sait Serkan Gurbuz) "Alliances are meaningless if their members are unable or unwilling to meet their commitments," he said, describing NATO's mutual defense obligation as the "best mechanism we have to deter aggression." President Donald Trump was criticized for repeatedly demanding European NATO members meet a pledge to spend 2 percent of their federal budgets on defense, which only a handful currently do. Trump even suggested the U.S. might be less willing to defend them if they did not. Tillerson said the U.S. "will be the first to honor the commitment we have made" in the event of an attack on any ally, noting that the mutual defense clause was invoked for the first time ever after 9/11. He stressed that "nations of Europe must accept greater responsible for their own security challenges." Tillerson said Trump's point was the U.S. cannot afford to pay for Europe's defense itself. He said that since Trump visited Europe, more countries have stepped up defense spending to meet the target. Tillerson, the former Exxon Mobil CEO who was awarded the "Order of Friendship" by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2013, took a tough line on Moscow. He notably criticized its military interventions in Georgia and Ukraine and interference in European elections and politics. He said such actions were unacceptable and not worthy of a responsible member of the international community. He lamented that attempts to improve relations with Russia by convincing it to change behavior have thus far "proved elusive." He said Russia "continues aggressive behavior" toward its neighbors. But Tillerson said the United States and Europe agree that relations with Russia will not get better until those actions cease. He referred specifically to U.S. and European sanctions imposed on Russia over Ukraine, where Moscow is accused of backing separatist rebels in the country's east. "Our trans-Atlantic unity is meant to convey to the Russian government that we will not stand for this flagrant violation of international norms," he said. INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Phil Jacobs was just a teenager when his parents bought a scenic Kentucky farm with hayfields, forests, creeks, trails and a view of the Ohio River. Decades later, he still spent time there, maintaining the property as a second job and using its campsite for family getaways. The Lawrenceburg, Indiana, anesthesiologist was removing dying ash trees in June 2015 when his tractor overturned as he was pulling a tree up a hill. He died instantly, at age 62. The tractor, which dated to the early 1960s, had no rollover protections. "The farm was a very important part of my husband's life," said Jacobs' widow, Joyce. "If he had any time off, we went to the farm." In this Feb. 25, 2014, photo, Little Falls, Minn., resident Jamie Houdek, with his wife, Lisa, at his side, talks about his recovery after he lost his right hand to a corn picker in November 2013 on the 60-acre hobby farm where he raises beef cattle. The nation's growing embrace of small-scale production of local and organic crops is leading to more farm injuries and deaths among amateur growers. Experts say some novices have little appreciation of the occupation's dangers. (Kimm Anderson /St. Cloud Times via AP) The risk of serious injury or death has always been a part of farming. But the nation's growing embrace of small-scale production of local and organic crops is drawing more amateurs into the field, and inexperienced growers are increasingly getting maimed and even killed, often by old, unsafe machinery. Experts say some novices have little appreciation of the occupation's dangers. Up to a quarter of Indiana's 115 farm fatalities over the past four years have been on small operations that include so-called hobby or lifestyle farms, which are often run by people who entered farming from other lines of work, according to research by Purdue University farm-safety expert Bill Field, who has tracked farm fatalities for nearly four decades. Those deaths - nearly 30 between 2013 and 2016 - represent a disproportionately high percentage of Indiana's total farming deaths, given the state's widespread commercial farming operations, Field said. Over the years, Field has served as an expert witness in more than 100 lawsuits that included the deaths of a surgeon, an FBI agent, a lawyer and several other professionals who traded white-collar careers for farming. Many were rookie farmers killed in accidents that people raised on farms and mindful of farming dangers would likely have avoided. That includes the death of a man who entered retirement with dreams of starting a Christmas tree farm in the Northeast. He bought a brand-new tractor and began clearing land, seemingly oblivious to the dangers posed by farm equipment. Two months into retirement, the man was killed in a grisly accident when he was pulled into the tractor's power takeoff shaft - a rapidly spinning device at the rear end of the tractor that sends power to attachments. "He retired on Sept. 30 from a government job and was dead by Thanksgiving. I don't think he had a clue what he was doing with that equipment," said Field, who investigated the death as part of a lawsuit filed by the man's widow. He declined to disclose the man's name. Chris Holman moved to Wisconsin from Oregon nearly a decade ago to pursue a Ph.D. in world languages. He ended up ditching academia for the farming life even though neither he nor his then-girlfriend, Maria, had any agricultural experience. The couple, now married with a young daughter, bought 41 acres and founded Nami Moon Farms, which specializes in pasture-raised hogs and chickens, as well as eggs, honey and vegetables. They knew full well that agriculture can be dangerous, so Holman repeatedly screened farm-safety videos. But he still nearly had a serious accident the first time he tilled a field. As his tractor was rolling along, the tiller trailing behind it snagged on a boulder hidden in the soil. The tractor's front end immediately began rising off the ground and came a split-second away from flipping over onto the cab where he was seated. "Maybe it was just dumb luck, but right in the heat of the moment, I hit the clutch and had just enough time to bring the front end back down," recalled Holman, 40. His tractor had some protections - a rollover bar and a reinforced cab. But hobby farms are among the only places in the U.S. where cheaper, older tractors without such safety features are still in use, said Frank Gasperini, executive vice president of the National Council of Agricultural Employers. Jacobs' tractor was one example. He had researched buying a new, safer machine, his widow said. Tractor rollovers are the leading cause of death on smaller farms, Gasperini said, and some beginning farmers who buy older tractors have little or no safety training. They often toil alone at odd hours - sometimes while weary from working at off-farm jobs. Gasperini warned in a July article in the Journal of Agromedicine that "very small, subsistence, part-time, non-traditional and hobby farms will continue to pose significant challenges" to the safety of U.S. agriculture. The total number of farms in the U.S. has been declining for decades as large commercial farms keep getting bigger. But small farms are on the rise, buoyed by the popularity of locally grown produce and meats, farmers' markets, organic foods and farm-to-table production. The 2012 farm census showed that farms covering less than 50 acres grew nearly 10 percent between 2002 and 2012, when there were more than 813,000 such farms nationwide. Many new retirees are drawn to small-scale farming by the allure of a bucolic life and the independence of setting their own schedule, said Roger Sipe, editor for Hobby Farms, a national magazine that documents the trend. Even seasoned farmers sometimes make mistakes in a moment of haste. That was the case for Jamie Houdek, who lost his right hand to a corn picker on the 60-acre hobby farm where he works part-time raising beef cattle in Little Falls, Minnesota. The father of three was harvesting corn for cattle feed in November 2013 when he stopped his tractor and climbed down from the puttering machine to make sure the corn picker it was pulling was functioning properly. Houdek then reached to grab a dried ear of corn from the still-operating machine to check its moisture content. His gloved right hand was swiftly pulled inside, crushed to the wrist by metal rollers and eventually shorn off. His left hand suffered nerve damage when it also became entangled in the picker. He was trapped in the machine's grip for nearly an hour before a neighbor rescued him. "I was born and raised on farms, so I knew better," said Houdek, 36. But he was hurrying and trying to take advantage of good weather. "I just thought I would jump off real quick, check on stuff and jump back on and keep going." WASHINGTON (AP) - Vice President Mike Pence said Tuesday that President Donald Trump is "actively considering when and how" to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a decision fiercely opposed by the Palestinians. Pence spoke at a New York City event to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the United Nations vote that led to the founding of the state of Israel. Trump in June backed off a campaign pledge on the embassy move as his Mideast envoy sought to reinvigorate peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. The White House said at the time that the president was only delaying - not abandoning - his campaign pledge to relocate the embassy. With the Trump administration facing a deadline within days on whether to move the embassy, Pence's comments suggested the administration may be closer to agreeing to a key Israeli wish. "While, for the past 20 years, Congress and successive administrations have expressed a willingness to move our embassy, as we speak, President Donald Trump is actively considering when and how to move the American embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem," Pence said. The vice president is traveling to Israel next month and noted that he would deliver an address at the Knesset and visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial during his visit. Trump has set an ambitious goal of brokering Mideast peace and tapped his son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner to help lay the groundwork for direct negotiations. Kushner and other top Trump aides have traveled to the region to meet with Palestinians, Israelis and officials from Arab nations. "As the president has made clear, our administration is also committed to finally bringing peace to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," Pence said. "As President Trump has said, in his words, 'We want Israel to have peace.' And in the recent months, we've made valuable progress toward achieving that noble goal." WASHINGTON (AP) - Jim Robbins' seven years of service at the Supreme Court was not enough to keep him from the being the second lawyer this year who was mistakenly suspended from the court's prestigious bar. "They suspended me?" a surprised Robbins asked with a chuckle Tuesday from his home outside San Francisco. They did, but they didn't mean to. The court acknowledged Monday that it had confused another James A. Robbins, a New York lawyer who tried to cover up his loss of a client's will, with the former Supreme Court employee. In May, the court mixed up a lawyer who was convicted of drunken driving with the incoming president of the Massachusetts state bar. Anyone who argues in front of the Supreme Court must be a member of its bar, but few of the nearly 4,000 lawyers on average who join the bar each year ever argue a case there. Bar members get a certificate suitable for framing, a credential for their resume and the chance to join a shorter line for lawyers who want to see Supreme Court arguments. The court has a process for verifying whether lawyers who commit crimes or are disciplined where they work also are members of the Supreme Court bar. But the process is not error-proof, even at an institution that has the final word on matters of law in the U.S. The Supreme Court receives discipline notices from courts around the country and compares those lists with the roster of lawyers who can practice in front of the justices. When there's a match, the court initiates its own disbarment proceeding, which begins with a suspension and an order to explain why the lawyer should not be kicked out of the Supreme Court bar. The court clerk's office belatedly discovered that the New York Robbins was not a Supreme Court bar member, court spokeswoman Kathy Arberg said. The California Robbins recalled his admission to the high court bar in 1981, at the request of then Solicitor General Wade McCree Jr. He served on the business side of the court in the early 1980s, when Warren Burger was chief justice, and has never argued a high court case. But neither has Robbins been entirely forgotten at the Supreme Court. "He hired me," Arberg said, after a reporter told her that the unsuspended Robbins once worked at the court. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - After 2 months of relative peace, North Korea launched its most powerful weapon yet early Wednesday, claiming a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile that some observers believe could put Washington and the entire eastern U.S. seaboard within range. The North said in a special televised announcement hours after the launch that it had successfully fired what it called the Hwasong-15, a new nuclear-capable ICBM that's "significantly more" powerful than the North's previously tested long-range weapon. Outside governments and analysts backed up the North's claim to a jump in missile capability. A resumption of Pyongyang's torrid testing pace in pursuit of its goal of a viable arsenal of nuclear-tipped missiles that can hit the U.S. mainland had been widely expected, but the apparent power and suddenness of the new test still jolted the Korean Peninsula and Washington. The launch at 3:17 a.m. local time and midday in the U.S. capital indicated an effort to perfect the element of surprise and to obtain maximum attention in the United States. A woman walks past a TV screen broadcasting news of North Korea's missile launch, in Tokyo, Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017. After 2 months of relative peace, North Korea launched its most powerful weapon yet early Wednesday, a presumed intercontinental ballistic missile that could put Washington and the entire eastern U.S. seaboard within range. The letters on top read " Live. North Korean ballistic missile launch. The latest information from Seoul." (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi) The firing is a clear message of defiance aimed at the Trump administration, which had just restored the North to a U.S. list of terror sponsors. It also ruins nascent diplomatic efforts, raises fears of war or a pre-emptive U.S. strike and casts a deeper shadow over the security of the Winter Olympics early next year in South Korea. A rattled Seoul responded by almost immediately launching three of its own missiles in a show of force. The South's president, Moon Jae-in, expressed worry that North Korea's growing missile threat could force the United States to attack the North before it masters a nuclear-tipped long-range missile, something experts say may be imminent. "If North Korea completes a ballistic missile that could reach from one continent to another, the situation can spiral out of control," Moon said at an emergency meeting in Seoul, according to his office. "We must stop a situation where North Korea miscalculates and threatens us with nuclear weapons or where the United States considers a pre-emptive strike." Moon, a liberal who has been forced into a more hawkish stance by a stream of North Korean weapons tests, has repeatedly declared that there can be no U.S. attack on the North without Seoul's approval, but many here worry that Washington may act without South Korean input. The launch is North Korea's first since it fired an intermediate-range missile over Japan on Sept. 15, and may have broken any efforts at diplomacy meant to end the North's nuclear ambitions. U.S. officials have sporadically floated the idea of direct talks with North Korea if it maintained restraint. The missile also appears to improve on North Korea's past launches. If flown on a standard trajectory, instead of Wednesday's lofted angle, the missile would have a range of more than 13,000 kilometers (8,100 miles), said U.S. scientist David Wright, a physicist who closely tracks North Korea's missile and nuclear programs. "Such a missile would have more than enough range to reach Washington, D.C., and in fact any part of the continental United States," Wright wrote in a blog post for the Union for Concerned Scientists. Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said the missile landed inside of Japan's special economic zone in the Sea of Japan, about 250 kilometers 155 miles) west of Aomori, which is on the northern part of Japan's main island of Honshu. A big unknown, however, is the missile's payload. If, as expected, it carried a light mock warhead, then its effective range would have been shorter, analysts said. An intercontinental ballistic missile test is considered particularly provocative, and indications that it flew higher than past launches suggest progress by Pyongyang in developing a weapon of mass destruction that could strike the U.S. mainland. President Donald Trump has vowed to prevent North Korea from having that capability - using military force if necessary. In response to the launch, Trump said the United States will "take care of it." He told reporters after the launch: "It is a situation that we will handle." He did not elaborate. Pentagon spokesman Col. Rob Manning said the missile was launched from Sain Ni, North Korea, and traveled about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) before landing in the Sea of Japan within 370 nautical kilometers (200 nautical miles) of Japan's coast. It flew for 53 minutes, Japan's defense minister said. South Korea's responding missile tests included one with a 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) range, to mimic striking the North Korea launch site, which is not far from the North Korean capital. The U.N. Security Council scheduled an emergency meeting for Wednesday afternoon at the request of Japan, the U.S. and South Korea. Italy's U.N. Ambassador Sebastiano Cardi, the current Security Council president, told reporters late Tuesday that "it's certainly very worrying. Everybody was hoping that there would be restraint from the regime." He said the latest and toughest sanctions resolutions against North Korea "are working, having an effect on the situation ... on the capacity of the regime to obtain hard currency because to go along with the military programs or missile or nuclear (programs) you need money, and that's the objective." "There is still room for new measures, but for the moment ... we don't know what the council decision will be," he said. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said the missile flew higher than previous projectiles. "It went higher, frankly, than any previous shot they've taken," he told reporters at the White House. "It's a research and development effort on their part to continue building ballistic missiles that can threaten everywhere in the world." A week ago, the Trump administration declared North Korea a state sponsor of terrorism, further straining ties between governments that are still technically at war. Washington also imposed new sanctions on North Korean shipping firms and Chinese trading companies dealing with the North. North Korea called the terror designation a "serious provocation" that justifies its development of nuclear weapons. Kim Dong-yub, a former South Korean military official who is now an analyst at Seoul's Institute for Far Eastern Studies, said the North is likely trying to further evaluate the weapon's performance, including the warhead's ability to survive atmospheric re-entry and strike the intended target, before it attempts a test that shows the full range of the missile. South Koreans are famously nonchalant about North Korea's military moves, but there is worry about what the North's weapons tests might mean for next year's Winter Olympics in the South. President Moon told his officials to closely review whether the launch could in anyway hurt South Korea's efforts to successfully host the games in Pyeongchang, which begin Feb. 9. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who spoke with Trump, said Japan will not back down against any provocation and would maximize pressure on the North in its strong alliance with the U.S. Trump has ramped up economic and diplomatic pressure on the North to prevent its nuclear and missile development. So far, the pressure has failed to get North Korea's government, which views a nuclear arsenal as key to its survival, to return to long-stalled international negotiations on its nuclear program. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in a statement that North Korea was "indiscriminately threatening its neighbors, the region and global stability." He urged the international community to not only implement existing U.N. sanctions on North Korea but also to consider additional measures for interdicting maritime traffic transporting goods to and from the country. "Diplomatic options remain viable and open, for now," Tillerson said, adding the U.S. remains committed to "finding a peaceful path to denuclearization and to ending belligerent actions by North Korea." ___ Associated Press writers Matthew Pennington, Lolita C. Baldor and Robert Burns in Washington, Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report. Defense Secretary James Mattis attends a meeting with President Donald Trump in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017, with Republican congressional leaders. Mattis says North Korea is continuing to build missiles that can "threaten everywhere in the world." Mattis says a missile that North Korea launched early Wednesday local time flew higher than its previous projectiles. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) South Korean President Moon Jae-in, second from left, speaks as he presides over a meeting of the National Security Council at the presidential Blue House in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017. Moon has called North Korea's latest missile test a "serious threat" to global peace and stressed the need for stronger sanctions and pressure against Pyongyang to discourage its nuclear ambitions. (Yonhap via AP) South Korean President Moon Jae-in, center, presides over a meeting of the National Security Council at the presidential Blue House in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017. Moon has called North Korea's latest missile test a "serious threat" to global peace and stressed the need for stronger sanctions and pressure against Pyongyang to discourage its nuclear ambitions. (Yonhap via AP) South Korean President Moon Jae-in speaks as he presides over a meeting of the National Security Council at the presidential Blue House in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017. Moon has called North Korea's latest missile test a "serious threat" to global peace and stressed the need for stronger sanctions and pressure against Pyongyang to discourage its nuclear ambitions. (Yonhap via AP) A man walks past a TV screen broadcasting news of North Korea's missile launch, in Tokyo, Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017. After 2 months of relative peace, North Korea launched its most powerful weapon yet early Wednesday, a presumed intercontinental ballistic missile that could put Washington and the entire eastern U.S. seaboard within range. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi) A man walks past a TV screen broadcasting news of North Korea's missile launch, in Tokyo, Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017. After 2 months of relative peace, North Korea launched its most powerful weapon yet early Wednesday, a presumed intercontinental ballistic missile that could put Washington and the entire eastern U.S. seaboard within range. The letters at bottom read "It is a situation that we will handle." (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi) A man looks at a TV screen broadcasting news of North Korea's missile launch, in Tokyo, Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017. After 2 months of relative peace, North Korea launched its most powerful weapon yet early Wednesday, a presumed intercontinental ballistic missile that could put Washington and the entire eastern U.S. seaboard within range. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi) A South Korean army soldier mans a K-55 self-propelled howitzer during a military exercises in Paju, South Korea, near the border with North Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017. After 2 months of relative peace, North Korea launched its most powerful weapon yet early Wednesday, a presumed intercontinental ballistic missile that could put Washington and the entire eastern U.S. seaboard within range. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) In this photo provided by South Korea Defense Ministry, a 1,000-kilometer (621-mile) range ship-to-surface missile is launched from the South Korean Navy's Aegis destroyer in waters off South Korea's east coast in South Korea, during a military drill Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017. After 2 months of relative peace, North Korea launched its most powerful weapon yet early Wednesday, a presumed intercontinental ballistic missile that could put Washington and the entire eastern U.S. seaboard within range. (South Korea Defense Ministry via AP) South Korean army's K-55 self-propelled howitzers move during a military exercises in Paju, South Korea, near the border with North Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017. After 2 months of relative peace, North Korea launched its most powerful weapon yet early Wednesday, a presumed intercontinental ballistic missile that could put Washington and the entire eastern U.S. seaboard within range. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) South Korean army's K-55 self-propelled howitzers move during a military exercises in Paju, South Korea, near the border with North Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017. After 2 months of relative peace, North Korea launched its most powerful weapon yet early Wednesday, a presumed intercontinental ballistic missile that could put Washington and the entire eastern U.S. seaboard within range. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) South Korean army's K-55 self-propelled howitzers take positions during a military exercises in Paju, South Korea, near the border with North Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017. After 2 months of relative peace, North Korea launched its most powerful weapon yet early Wednesday, a presumed intercontinental ballistic missile that could put Washington and the entire eastern U.S. seaboard within range. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iran's President Hassan Rouhani says Saudi Arabia's revamped enmity toward Tehran is a cover-up for the kingdom's domestic and regional failures. Rouhani claimed in a live TV interview Tuesday that the kingdom has two main problems - regional issues, such as the war it's waging in Yemen, and also major domestic problems. Tensions have spiked between the mostly Sunni kingdom and the Shiite power Iran after Yemen's Iran-backed rebels, known as Houthis, fired a missile that was intercepted outside Riyadh. Along with proxy wars in Syria and Iran, the two rivals have also fought a war of words with increasing vitriol. Rouhani says "Saudi Arabia seeks to solve two problems through enmity with Iran; first it wants to cover-up its failures in the region ... and second, its domestic problems." RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Police have released the identity of a teenage boy in Virginia who was fatally shot by an off-duty officer in what authorities say was an attempted robbery of a man during the sale of an Xbox. Police said 15-year-old Jacob Baumgart of Chesterfield pulled out a pistol and tried to rob the man early Monday in a shopping center parking lot in that Richmond-area suburb. Authorities said Richmond Officer Robert Misegades, who was with the man selling the video game system, exchanged gunfire with Baumgart. The boy died at the scene. Misegades also was shot but is expected to make a full recovery. Misegades, a 4-year veteran of the Richmond police force, was off-duty and not wearing his uniform. Police are continuing to investigate. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a tearful apology Tuesday to members of the LGBTQ community for actions taken by the government against thousands of workers in the military and public service during the Cold War. Trudeau said in an emotional speech to Parliament that from the 1950s to the early 1990s, the federal government employed a campaign of oppression against members and suspected members of the LGBTQ communities. The thinking of the day, he said, was that all non-heterosexual Canadians would automatically be at an increased risk of blackmail by Canada's adversaries. 'This is the devastating story of people who were branded criminals by the government - people who lost their livelihoods, and in some cases, their lives,' Trudeau said. Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wipes away tears while delivering an apology to members of the LGBT community who were discriminated against by federal legislation and policies, in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Tuesday Tearful apology: Trudeau said in an emotional speech to Parliament that from the 1950s to the early 1990s, the federal government employed a campaign of oppression against LGBT people Trudeau could not hold back tears, saying from the podium: 'for state-sponsored, systemic oppression and rejection, we are sorry' Past sins: Trudeau said the public service, the military, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police spied on their own people suspected of being gay 'These aren't distant practices of governments long forgotten. This happened systematically, in Canada, with a timeline more recent than any of us would like to admit.' Trudeau said the public service, the military, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police spied on their own people, inside and outside of the workplaces. He said Canadians were monitored for anything that could be construed as homosexual behavior, with community groups, bars, parks, and even people's homes constantly under watch. He said when the government felt that enough evidence had accumulated, some suspects were taken to secret locations in the dark of night to be interrogated. He said those who admitted they were gay were fired, discharged, or intimidated into resignation. The prime minister called it a witch hunt and a 'collective shame.' Awe-inspiring setting: Trudeau delivered his apology in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa On their feet: The Prime Minister got a standing ovation after issuing his heartfelt apology Embrace: Trudeau hugs Veteran's Affairs Minister Seamus O'Regan (left) and Liberal MP Randy Boissonnault, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister on LGBTQ2 issues (right) after the speech 'It is with shame and sorrow and deep regret for the things we have done that I stand here today and say: We were wrong. We apologize. I am sorry. We are sorry,' Trudeau said to a standing ovation. 'For state-sponsored, systemic oppression and rejection, we are sorry.' The government also introduced legislation that would allow people to apply to have their criminal convictions for consensual sexual activity between same-sex partners erased from public record. It has also earmarked more than $100million Canadian (US $78million) to compensate members of the military and other federal agencies whose careers were sidelined or ended due to their sexual orientation, part of a class-action settlement with employees who were investigated, sanctioned and sometimes fired as part of the so-called 'gay purge.' 'Those arrested and charged were purposefully and vindictively shamed. Their names appeared in newspapers in order to humiliate them, and their families. Lives were destroyed. And tragically, lives were lost,' Trudeau said. Trudeau is no stranger to public displays of emotion. Last week, the prime minister broke down in tears apologizing for abuses and cultural losses to indigenous children at residential schools in Newfoundland and Labrador. NEW YORK (AP) - Steven Spielberg's newspaper drama "The Post" has been named the year's best film by the National Board of Review, which also lavished its top acting honors on the film's stars, Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks. The group announced its picks Tuesday on Twitter. Though the organization spread its awards around, it reserved three of its top slots for Spielberg's upcoming period film about The Washington Post's publishing of the Pentagon Papers. Jordan Peele's horror sensation "Get Out" took an award for best ensemble, as well as best directorial debut. Greta Gerwig's "Lady Bird" landed two awards: best director and best supporting actress for Laurie Metcalf. This image released by 20th Century Fox shows actress Meryl Streep, from left, director Steven Spielberg, and actor Tom Hanks on the set of "The Post." Spielberg's newspaper drama has been named the year's best film by the National Board of Review, which also lavished its top acting honors on the film's stars, Streep and Hanks. (Niko Tavernise/20th Century Fox via AP) The awards will be handed out in a January 9 gala hosted by Willie Geist. ___ This story has been corrected to show the gala will be held Jan. 9. COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - An Air Force Academy office that was supposed to help sexual assault victims was crippled by infighting, poor management, rumors and shoddy record-keeping, an internal investigation found. The investigation concluded that the office was derelict in its duties and that the director should be fired, but she resigned, The Colorado Springs Gazette reported Sunday. The Gazette obtained a copy of the report under open records laws. The report said former director Teresa Beasley spread rumors about personnel and failed to manage the office effectively. It said under Beasley's leadership, the office wasn't competent to advocate for victims. No working phone number could be found for Beasley, and she didn't immediately respond to a message left by The Associated Press through social media. The Air Force report said Beasley told investigators that for years she did not lead or manage the office well. "I admit that during my first seven years on the job, I wasn't a leader or a manager at all," the report quoted her as saying. Beasley ran the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office at the school outside Colorado Springs starting in 2007. The office was created after a 2003 scandal in which dozens of female cadets said their reports of sexual assault were mishandled or ignored. The office is responsible for overseeing rape prevention programs, making advocates available to victims, providing information to victims and accompanying them to appointments and court proceedings. The former academy superintendent, Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson, ordered an internal inquiry called a commander-initiated investigation in May, although it was not immediately clear what prompted her to do so. Johnson has since retired. The report concluded the office was overwhelmed by internal problems, and witnesses told investigators that some sexual assault victims got inadequate support, or none at all. "The amount of evidence demonstrating a lack of competency and ability in delivering professional victim care is overwhelming," the 560-page report said. "It wouldn't be feasible to try to rehash - or even summarize - all the issues and concerns borne out by witness testimony." Witnesses, whose names were redacted, told investigators that the office did not return phone calls, did not respond to new reports of sexual assault and did not always send an advocate to a hospital to support a victim who was undergoing a forensic examination for sexual assault. Witnesses claimed Beasley passed along a rumor that an officer at the academy was having an extramarital affair and that she once suggested a victim's advocate in the office was having sex with an assault victim. "No fewer than eight witnesses testified under oath that they had knowledge of Ms. Beasley spreading rumors," the report said. The report called into question the accuracy of the academy's statistics on sexual assault, which are closely watched by the Pentagon and Congress. Beasley's office was responsible for keeping those records. Witnesses claimed Beasley submitted hand-written and poorly documented statistical reports to the Pentagon. "I need accurate data to do my job and yet I have no confidence in the data the office produces," one witness told investigators. "I'm not sure I can trust USAFA data for the past decade." Academy officials said they suspended problem employees in the office and appointed an interim director. There was no interruption in care for sexual assault victims, academy spokesman Lt. Col. Allen Herritage said. ___ Information from: The Gazette, http://www.gazette.com NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - The public was to get its first detailed look at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's $1.7 billion plan to extend PATH train service to Newark Liberty International Airport, a project that has engendered debate inside the agency over whether it should be shelved in favor of other initiatives. The public comment session scheduled Tuesday night was to be the first of two in New Jersey's largest city, signaling the beginning of a mandatory environmental permitting process expected to take about 18 months. After that, construction is expected to take several more years. Currently, PATH trains from lower Manhattan, where the World Trade Center is located, terminate at Newark's Penn Station and airport travelers switch to New Jersey Transit trains. That has prompted some officials at the Port Authority to criticize the project as redundant and unnecessary. A year ago, then-Port Authority board member Kenneth Lipper called the PATH extension and a proposed rail system feeding LaGuardia Airport in Queens "the rails that will serve no one," a play on Alaska's infamous "bridge to nowhere." Lipper claimed the train to Newark would carry only between 1,000 and 3,000 passengers daily. A Port Authority spokesman said Tuesday the agency, which runs the region's transit hubs and owns the World Trade Center site, doesn't have an accurate ridership estimate for the Newark route but expects to have one by early next year. The rail project is competing for dollars along with a smorgasbord of large-scale Port Authority projects, including a proposed new bus terminal in midtown Manhattan and new rail tunnels under the Hudson River. The bus terminal project, estimated to cost between $7 billion and $10 billion, has been mired in political squabbling between New York and New Jersey officials. Supporters of the PATH-to-Newark project include Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who has touted the proposed new station, which would sit west of the airport in Newark's South Ward, as a potential engine for revitalizing the neighborhood. He said it would have "an enormous impact on Newark's economy and that of the region" by spurring housing and economic development. The new station also could be used by commuters to travel directly into Jersey City or lower Manhattan, potentially easing crowding at Newark's Penn Station and in downtown Newark. That would necessitate acquiring land around the proposed station, currently inhabited by warehouses and other light industry, for parking. Tom Wright, the president of the Regional Plan Association, an urban planning think tank, said extending the PATH to Newark would provide "an opportunity for redevelopment and for taking cars off downtown streets in Newark." "We would like to see it combined with local planning so it benefits the South Ward and local residents," Wright said. "It doesn't work just as a benefit for investment bankers from lower Manhattan going out to Newark Airport." FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) - A man who was shot by U.S. Park Police after a short chase in northern Virginia has died, his family said Tuesday. The family of 25-year-old Bijan Ghaisar of McLean, Virginia, said in a statement that he died Monday night at Inova Fairfax Hospital, 10 days after the shooting. Ghaisar was born at the same hospital, the statement said. An FBI spokeswoman confirmed Ghaisar's death on Tuesday, The Washington Post reported . The FBI is investigating the shooting. Park Police previously said that the chase began on Nov. 17 after a vehicle fled a crash scene on the George Washington Memorial Parkway. The chase continued several miles from Alexandria into Fairfax County before Ghaisar crashed at an intersection. Park Police said it was unclear whether the suspect was shot before or after he crashed. Ghaisar's family said he was unarmed and shot three times in the head. He was an "American-born citizen of Iranian heritage," according to the statement. Ghaisar was a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, and he worked an accountant for his father's CPA firm, the family said. Information about the officers involved in the shooting has not been released. Authorities also have not said what prompted the shooting. The family said they hoped that the FBI investigation "will uncover what happened and permit justice for our son." ___ Information from: The Washington Post, http://www.washingtonpost.com If there is one thing young people believe in collectively, it is their individuality. No two people are alike, the refrain goes. But in the age of Common Core, educational systems too often treat all students alike, glossing over their unique skills and abilities. A top-down, cookie-cutter curriculum and the decline of vocational education have left too many children, on both sides of the Atlantic, without an ability to exercise their gifts. Erik Lidstrom, who has written extensively on educational policies in Europe, charts the process in a new essay on the Religion & Liberty Transatlantic website. In The sad death of vocational education, he looks at how new educational policies effectively locked talented young people out of the workforce. In a sweeping historical narrative he notes that in his native Sweden, as in the United States literacy antedated the federal governments intervention in curricula: Sweden began implementing government schools for the general population from 1842 onwards. Children started school at age seven, and schooling was compulsory for six years. The schools employed traditional teaching methods, and by the time students were 12 or 13 years old, they knew more, in total than those who today finish high school (albeit in different subjects). On average they knew how to read and write, in addition to algebra, history, and civics all arguably better than their modern, 19-year-old counterparts. In the 1950s, though, experts began de-emphasizing vocational education, adding years of abstract and theoretical education. The changes caused those students who are more interested in technical fields to tune out and to disrupt the studies of their college-bound classmates. Everyone suffered, Lidstrom wrote: In contrast [to the pre-Fifties era], lecturers at Uppsala University wrote that, in 2013, Among the students who come to us right from high school, a majority has problems with the language. Elsewhere, half of those who begin high school do not master the mathematics they were supposed to learn between the ages of 10 and 12. Under the new experts, technical jobs were presented as less prestigious, valuable, and fulfilling than intellectual jobs in the professions. Readers will see the same phenomenon at work in the United States. Mike Rowe once said such jobs are practically considered vocational consolation prizes. Because of the destructive policies of experts and politicians, it has become exceedingly difficult to become a good tradesman, Lidstrom writes. Yet those professions have lifted generations out of poverty and that is itself sometimes the genesis of the opposition. In 1831, when Reverend Simeon S. Jocelyn tried to open a vocational college for blacks in New Haven, Connecticut town residents, including Yale University, shut him down. The infamous post-Reconstruction Black Codes existed in no small part to restrict competition from black laborers in the process raising white wages (and consumers costs). Modern antipathy to technical work was not shared by Martin Luther King Jr., who said, All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance. Lidstrom agrees, writing: There are no higher and lower vocations in life. The academic may enjoy a higher social status in some circles. But that person has not achieved a more praiseworthy function than the plumber or the carpenter. In any modern economy, there are tens of thousands of different jobs to be done. All are necessary, and if done right, all praiseworthy. Finding our niche in life, our vocation, is never easy, and some achieve this more perfectly than others. But our work creates mutually beneficial relationships with others. We continuously adjust to their desires, they to ours, and gradually we all more-or-less find our ways. The new transatlantic emphasis on apprenticeships may begin to correct course and and help more young people find out how to serve others in their own unique, individual way. Read his full article here. (Photo credit: Public domain.) A 21-year-old Pennsylvania woman had told authorities that her ex-boyfriend threatened her and installed a tracking device on her car in the weeks before he apparently killed her and her mother the day after Thanksgiving. Court records obtained Tuesday show that Victoria Schultz talked to police and testified in court that she had feared Cody Bush might harm her. The records also say that at one point he threatened to blow up her car and sent text messages to her and his mother threatening to kill himself. After she discovered the tracking device, Schultz told police that she had been trying to end her 3 -year relationship with Bush, "but he is being very obsessive and is making the split very difficult," the state trooper wrote in his report. Schultz told him "she is in fear of what Bush might do once he knows the police are involved." Last Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, state police issued a news release that they had charged an unidentified 26-year-old man - presumably Bush - who went to Schultz's address and threatened harm to an unidentified "victim and her family." But no charges were filed, according to court officials, and Bush remained free. On Friday morning, Bush went to Schultz's house in Osceola Mills, about 90 miles (145 kilometers) northeast of Pittsburgh, and fatally shot Schultz and her mother, Beth Schultz, before fleeing and killing himself a short while later, according to authorities. Cody also shot Schultz's older sister, Jessica, 25, who was hospitalized, police said. Police did not say where Bush got the firearm, or respond to questions about last Wednesday's threats. It was not clear whether Schultz had secured a protection-from-abuse order against Bush, which allows a judge to order a stalker to hand over his guns while it is in effect. Clearfield County Court officials said they do not release information about protection-from-abuse orders. Bush had been charged by state police with stalking and harassment stemming from the tracking device incident. The existence of the device first came to light Oct. 29 when Bush sent Facebook messages about it to a friend, who then took screenshots of the messages and told Schultz, according to the police report. They located the device in a case attached by magnets to the undercarriage of Schultz's car, according to court records. Bush later admitted putting it there, police said. Bush promptly went free after posting a $25,000 bail bond and remained free, even though the conditions of his bail required him not to contact Schultz and to remain free of criminal activity, including intimidating or retaliating against witnesses or victims. In a Nov. 8 hearing on Bush's charges, Schultz testified that she was scared of what else Bush was capable of if he put a device on her car, according to the judge's notes of testimony. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - North Korea on Wednesday ended its longest pause in missile tests this year with its most powerful version yet of an intercontinental ballistic missile meant to target the United States. It was North Korea's 20th launch of a ballistic missile this year and third successful test of an ICBM following two launches in July. The launch adds to fears that the North will soon have a military arsenal that can viably target the U.S. mainland. A look at some of the significant nuclear and missile tests by North Korea this year: South Korean soldiers walk by a TV screen showing the live broadcast about North Korea's missile launch, at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017. After 2 months of relative peace, North Korea launched its most powerful weapon yet early Wednesday, claiming a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile that some observers believe could put Washington and the entire eastern U.S. seaboard within range. The letters on TV read: "North, Important announcement." (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) ___ FEB. 12 North Korea conducts its first known test of a new midrange ballistic missile it calls the Pukguksong (Polaris)-2, a land-based variant of an earlier developed submarine-launched missile. The missile uses solid fuel, which makes it easier to move and launch on short notice compared to weapons using liquid fuel. ___ MAY 14 North Korea premiers a newly developed intermediate-range missile, Hwasong-12, which it says is designed to carry a heavy nuclear warhead. The flight test is conducted at a highly lofted angle to reduce range and avoid other countries. The North says the missile traveled 787 kilometers (489 miles) and reached a maximum altitude of 2,111 kilometers (1,310 miles). ___ MAY 21 North Korea conducts another test launch of the Pukguksong-2 and later declares the missile ready for mass production and operational deployment. The missile flew about 500 kilometers (310 miles) and reached a height of 560 kilometers (350 miles) before crashing into the sea. ___ JULY 4 North Korea conducts its first flight test of an ICBM, the Hwasong-14, launching it in a highly lofted trajectory. North Korea says the supposedly nuclear-capable missile reached a height of 2,802 kilometers (1,740 miles) and flew 933 kilometers (580 miles) for 39 minutes before falling into the sea. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un expresses delight at the successful test, saying that the United States would be displeased by the North's "package of gifts" delivered on the U.S. Independence Day. ___ JULY 28 North Korea conducts its second test of the Hwasong-14 ICBM, which it says reached a maximum height of 3,725 kilometers (2,314 miles) and traveled 998 kilometers (620 miles) before accurately landing in waters off Japan. The North says the test was aimed at confirming the maximum range and other technical aspects of a missile capable of delivering a "large-sized, heavy nuclear warhead." Kim says the nighttime launch displayed the country's ability to fire at "random regions and locations at random times" with the "entire" U.S. mainland now within range. ___ AUG. 29 North Korea fires a Hwasong-12 intermediate range missile from its capital, Pyongyang. It flew over Japan before plunging into the northern Pacific Ocean, a change from North Korea's pattern of firing missiles at highly lofted angles. South Korea's military says the missile traveled around 2,700 kilometers (1,677 miles) and reached a maximum height of 550 kilometers (341 miles). The launch came weeks after North Korea threatened to launch a salvo of Hwasong-12s that would surround Guam with "enveloping" missile fire. Kim calls the launch a "meaningful prelude" to containing Guam and called for his military to conduct more tests targeting the Pacific Ocean. ___ SEPT. 3 North Korea carries out its sixth and most powerful nuclear test to date, claiming it was a hydrogen bomb designed for use on ICBMs. It says the test was a "perfect success" and a further step in the development of weapons capable of striking anywhere in the United States. ___ SEPT. 15 North Korea fires another Hwasong-12 missile over Japan into the Pacific. The missile flies about 3,700 kilometers (2,300 miles), marking it the country's longest missile flight. Kim says his country is nearing its goal of "equilibrium" in military force with the United States. ___ NOV. 29 South Korea's military said the latest missile fired from an area near Pyongyang traveled 960 kilometers (596 miles) and reached a height of 4,500 kilometers (2,796 miles). This demonstrates a potential operational range of 13,000 kilometer (8,100 miles), which would put Washington, D.C., and all other parts of the continental United States comfortably within reach, according to U.S. analyst David Wright. North Korea later releases similar flight data for what it described as a newer and more powerful ICBM called Hwasong-15. The North says the missile could be armed with a "super-large heavy" nuclear warhead. A man stands in front of a huge screen showing TV news program reporting North Korea's missile launch, in Tokyo, Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017. After 2 months of relative peace, North Korea launched its most powerful weapon yet early Wednesday, claiming a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile that some observers believe could put Washington and the entire eastern U.S. seaboard within range. The Japanese letters on top reads: "Missile luanch." (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi) In this photo provided by South Korea Defense Ministry, a 1,000-kilometer (621-mile) range ship-to-surface missile is launched from the South Korean Navy's Aegis destroyer in waters off South Korea's east coast in South Korea, during a military drill Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017. After 2 months of relative peace, North Korea launched its most powerful weapon yet early Wednesday, a presumed intercontinental ballistic missile that could put Washington and the entire eastern U.S. seaboard within range. (South Korea Defense Ministry via AP) Prince Harry is getting married. But who is his bride to be? Who is Meghan Markle? Meghan Markle is an American actress, best known for her role in the hit US legal drama series Suits, in which she plays paralegal turned lawyer Rachel Zane. What else has she appeared in? Markle had parts in CSI: Miami, sci-fi show Fringe and movies such as Get Him To The Greek, Remember Me and Horrible Bosses. She was also briefcase girl one of the models who hold the suitcases full of cash on the US version of Deal or No Deal. And her charity work? As well as being a global ambassador for World Vision Canada, she is committed to gender equality through her work as a womens advocate for the UN. What about her lifestyle blog? Markle ran her own blog thetig.com promoting self-empowerment and messages of positivity, in which she opened up about her life, loves, her favourite foods and places, and even her celebrity hairdresser. But she closed the site down nine months after she started dating Harry, leaving fans the message: Dont ever forget your worth as Ive told you time and time again: you, my sweet friend, you are enough. What is Markles background? She was born on August 4 1981, to clinical therapist mother Doria and TV lighting director Thomas Markle, and grew up in Los Angeles. She studied at a girls Roman Catholic college, but was not brought up a Catholic. Her parents divorced when she was six, but she remained close to both of them. Markle has written about her mixed heritage her father is Caucasian and of Dutch and Irish descent and her mother is African-American and how it created a grey area surrounding my self-identification but how she has embraced it to become a strong confident mixed-race woman. When did she meet Harry? They met through friends in London in the summer of 2016. They have been dating since then, flying between Meghans home in Toronto, Canada, where Suits is filmed, and Harrys at Kensington Palace, London. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle hand in hand at the Invictus Games in Toronto (Danny Lawson/PA) Will she become Princess Meghan? No she will not be a princess in her own right, only through marriage. She could become Princess Henry of Wales or if Harry is given a dukedom by the Queen on his wedding day, a Duchess most likely the Duchess of Sussex. And shes a divorcee? Markle married producer Trevor Engelson in September 2011 after dating him for six years. The couple split in May 2013. Her first wedding took place in Jamaica and was celebrated with a barbecue on the beach. Is the fact she has been married before a problem? No. Much has changed since Edward VIII gave up the throne to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson, and since the Queens sister Princess Margaret chose duty over love instead of marrying divorcee Group Captain Peter Townsend. Heir to throne the Prince of Wales divorced Diana, Princess of Wales and in 2005 married divorcee Camilla Parker Bowles, now the Duchess of Cornwall. The nuptials of Prince Harry and his American fiancee Meghan Markle will undoubtedly be seen as strengthening the bond between Britain and the US. The Windsors have long been held in affection by the American public and none more so than Diana, Princess of Wales who enchanted her royal fans across the pond in the 1980s. More than 30 years ago, a young Diana, in a striking off-the-shoulder midnight blue velvet dress and sapphire and diamond choker, took to the floor with Saturday Night Fever star John Travolta at a glitzy White House dinner in 1985. Now the Princesss youngest son Harry is marrying an American, and the love story of a prince falling for an actress is set to spark royal fever Stateside. Barack Obama and Prince Harry watch wheelchair basketball at the Invictus Games in Toronto in 2017 (Danny Lawson/PA Images) Harry is already a popular figure, having staged his Invictus Games for wounded servicemen and women in Orlando, Florida. He also struck up a friendship with former US president Barack Obama and ex-First Lady Michelle Obama through his charity work. The Queen too developed a close connection with the Obamas, with Mr Obama describing her as truly one of my favourite people. It was in America, however, that embarrassing photographs of a naked Harry letting off steam were taken during a holiday in 2012. The two pictures, which went viral online, included one of the prince and a woman both naked as they played strip billiards in a Las Vegas hotel suite before Harrys deployment to Afghanistan. Tours by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have gone down well in the US, and their wedding attracted huge interest from the American media. The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh with President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama in Buckingham Palace in 2011 (Chris Jackson/PA Images) Sarah, Duchess of York the ex-wife of the Duke of York, has gushed over how the country gave her a second chance following a spate of controversies, adding: They have given me my life back, the American people. The UKs so called special relationship with the US has been called into question since the arrival of President Donald Trump at the White House. After his shock election triumph, the billionaire rang a slew of other leaders before Prime Minister Theresa May a move which served as a wake-up call for Downing Street. Mrs May later offered Mr Trump an early invite for a state visit, but the decision proved controversial with polls suggesting up to two million people would take to the streets in protests should the trip go ahead. No date has yet been confirmed. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were welcomed warmly on a trip to LA (Arthur Edwards/PA Images) Should Mr Trump travel to the UK for a state visit, it would be expected that newly royal Meghan Markle as a fellow American would meet him and join guests at the state banquet. But the actress has previously been critical, branding him misogynistic. Markle, who backed Hillary Clinton for president, suggested in a television interview in 2016 that she would leave America and stay in Canada if Mr Trump won, saying: We film Suits in Toronto and I might just stay in Canada. I mean come on, if thats reality we are talking about, come on, that is a game changer in terms of how we move in the world here. She told Larry Wilmores Nightly Show in the US: Yes of course Trump is divisive. Think about just female voters alone. I think it was in 2012, the Republican Party lost the female vote by 12 points. Thats a huge number and with as misogynistic as Trump is and so vocal about it, thats a huge chunk of it. The Duchess of Cambridge married into the royal family and has barely put a foot wrong since becoming an HRH. Now Meghan Markle is about to wed Prince Harry. Here are some nuggets of advice that Kate might offer her future sister-in-law as she prepares to embark on a life with the Windsors: Get to know Granny The Queen, with her many years of experience, has much to teach royal newbies. Shes also The Boss what she says goes. This could be everything from the uniform Harry must wear on his wedding day and how royal children should behave on the Buckingham Palace balcony to etiquette for official engagements. Kate has forged a strong bond with the Queen (John Stillwell/PA) As the Duke of Cambridge once said: You dont mess with your grandmother. Watch out for the long lenses Kate was snapped sunbathing topless by photographers while enjoying a break in the south of France in 2012. William was furious at the intrusion and a costly legal fight and court case ensued, with William and Kate being awarded more than 100,000 euros in damages. Make sure you have a trusted circle of friends and staff Discretion is key for William and Kate. Within Kates close circle of confidantes, long-term friend Sophie Carter was rewarded for her loyalty by being asked to be Princess Charlottes godmother. Meghan will need to be able to rely on friends not to blab to the media about her life with Harry. Staff are also vital for ensuring the smooth running of royal life. William and Kate have a nanny, a housekeeper, an orderly, as well as their bodyguards. Kate also has a private secretary, a PA and stylist, and a press team, and when she is on tour, her hairdresser goes too. The Duchesss stylist Natasha Archer and nanny Maria Borrallo (Jane Barlow/PA) Get a house in the country Anmer Hall, a wedding gift from the Queen, has given Kate, William and their children, sanctuary and privacy away from London. The 10-bedroom country retreat, which is a short drive from Sandringham House in Norfolk, underwent a major refurbishment overseen by the Cambridges. Do not worry about buying your own tiara The Queen often loans priceless jewellery to family members, meaning there is no need for Meghan to head to Cartier to begin her own collection. Kate borrowed one from the monarch for her wedding. The Duchess borrowed the Cartier Halo Tiara from the monarch for her wedding (Fiona Hanson/PA) Focus on your interests Kate has been careful to support charities which reflect her passions such the arts, tackling bullying and improving the mental health of children. She is likely to guide Meghan into doing research and taking her time before picking patronages many of which she will be committing herself to for decades. Protect your children at all costs For William and Kate, protecting their children from the limelight and intrusion is paramount. In 2015, Kensington Palace accused paparazzi photographers of harassing Prince George, saying the royal youngster had become their number one target and accusing them of going to extreme lengths to get pictures of him. Prince George and Princess Charlotte are usually kept out of the limelight (Dominic Lipinski/PA) George and Charlotte are rarely seen in public, except on overseas tours and at the occasional UK appearance, and the Duke and Duchess release a number of photos throughout the year in an attempt to keep the public and press happy. If there is one thing likely to make sure Meghan Markle settles in well with the royal family, it will be her love of dogs. The actress has two rescue dogs, a beagle named Guy and a Labrador-shepherd mix called Bogart. Ms Markle said the pair mean the absolute world to her and she refers to them as my loves and my boys. Guy and Bogart have regularly featured on her Instagram account, with Guy even appearing in a patriotic knitted union flag jumper. It was American comedian and chat show host Ellen DeGeneres who convinced Ms Markle to adopt Bogart her first pet after she bumped into her in a shelter. She turns around and comes and taps on the window glass and she yells Take the dog! And so I brought him home. Because Ellen told me to, Ms Markle said. Speculation that a royal engagement was imminent intensified when it was reported Ms Markle was putting arrangements in place to move the animals from her home in Toronto to London. Prince Harrys grandmother the Queen is the royal best known for her love of dogs. She has owned more than 30 corgis, many of them direct descendants of Susan, who was so loved she accompanied the then Princess Elizabeth on her honeymoon. Queen Elizabeth II with some of her corgis at the Windsor Horse Trials (PA) Now she has only one corgi left, Willow, and two dorgis, Candy and Vulcan. She introduced the new breed of dog known as the dorgi when her corgi Tiny mated with a dachshund sausage dog called Pipkin which belonged to Princess Margaret. Bogart might turn out to be a favourite with the Queen. Labradors are bred and kept at Sandringham and the Queen has a close bond with the animals, which are working gundogs more than pets. Ms Markle is a keen advocate of adopting dogs, often using the #adoptdontshop hashtag in her posts, which will go down well with Harrys stepmother the Duchess of Cornwall. Camilla is patron of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, and adopted her two adored Jack Russells, Beth and Bluebell, from the shelter. The Duchess of Cornwall holding her two dogs Bluebell and Beth at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home (Adrian Dennis/PA) The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge also have a cocker spaniel called Lupo, a wedding present from Kates brother James Middleton. Harry grew up surrounded by dogs. His father the Prince of Wales had a Jack Russell called Tigga, who featured on some of the Princes Christmas cards along with William and Harry. Kate, William and baby Prince George with Lupo the cocker spaniel and Tilly the Middleton familys retriever (Duke and Duchess of Cambridge) But not all royals dogs are well behaved. In 2003, as the family was gathering for Christmas at Sandringham in Norfolk, Pharos, one of the Queens oldest corgis, was savaged by Florence, the Princess Royals English bull terrier, and had to be put down. The Princess Royal with her bull terriers (PA) The year before, Anne was fined 500 and ordered to pay 500 compensation when another of her bull terriers, Dottie, attacked two children in Windsor Great Park. Coroners could investigate full-term stillbirths for the first time under plans unveiled by the Health Secretary. Jeremy Hunt said he would work with the Ministry of Justice to look closely at enabling inquests for such deaths, as he announced every case of stillbirth and brain injury would be investigated independently. Mr Hunt said the measures meant the Government would bring forward the date by which they are trying to halve neonatal deaths, maternal deaths, injuries and stillbirths from 2030 to 2025. Jeremy Hunt 76% of baby deaths potentially avoidable according to RCOG. My blog on how the NHS is improving maternity safety https://t.co/z9x7MQhcqa Jeremy Hunt (@Jeremy_Hunt) July 21, 2017 Addressing the Commons, he told MPs: Following concerns that some neonatal deaths are being wrongly classified as stillbirths, which means a coroners inquest cannot take place, I will work with the Ministry of Justice to look closely into enabling for the first time full-term stillbirths to be covered by coronial law, giving due consideration to the impact on the devolved administration in Wales. Currently, coroners can only investigate the deaths of babies who show signs of life after being born, and not the deaths of full-term babies who died before or during birth. All proposals to change the law would be subject to public consultation, the Department of Health said. Some changes in #pregnancy are normal - some may mean you need a check up. Get advice at https://t.co/nF0pYt8TPY #women #health #birth Sands - baby loss charity (@SandsUK) October 27, 2017 Mr Hunt said the NHS was still not good enough at sharing best practice, adding: From next year every case of a stillbirth, neonatal death, suspected brain injury or maternal death that is notified to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Each Baby Counts programme so thats about 1,000 incidents annually will be investigated, not by the trust at which the incident happened, but independently with a thorough, learning-focused investigation conducted by the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch. The Department of Health said the NHS safety investigator, led by experts, will standardise investigations of cases of unexplained severe brain injury, intrapartum stillbirths, early neonatal deaths and maternal deaths in England, sharing findings to prevent future tragedies. Mr Hunt said the Government would improve training of maternity staff, and provide new funding to train health practitioners to deliver evidence-based smoking cessation. He said trusts who improve their maternity safety would be saving the NHS money, allowing more funding to be made available for frontline care. .@JonAshworth promises Labour will support any legislation in Parliament to ensure law can change to allow coroners to investigate stillbirths. A rare cross party consensus for maternity safety Shaun Lintern (@ShaunLintern) November 28, 2017 Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said: This is a welcome set of announcements overall from the Secretary of State which can help the NHS provide the best quality of care for all mothers and their babies. We look forward on this side of the House to working constructively with the Secretary of State and the Government, but I hope he can reassure us today that the Government will provide the resources NHS midwives and their colleagues need to deliver on these ambitions. A volcano gushing towering columns of ash has closed the airport on the Indonesian tourist island of Bali for a second day, disrupting travel for tens of thousands of people. Authorities have also renewed their warnings for villagers to evacuate, as Mount Agung continues hurling clouds of white and dark grey ash about 3,000 metres (9,800 feet) above its cone. Lava is welling in the crater, sometimes reflected as an orange-red glow in the ash plumes. Its explosions can be heard about seven-and-a-half miles away. Graphic locates Mount Agung on Bali The local airport authority said on Tuesday that the closure for another 24 hours was required for safety reasons. Volcanic ash poses a deadly threat to aircraft, and ash from Agung is moving south-southwest towards the airport. Ash has reached a height of about 30,000 feet as it drifts across the island. I dont know, we cant change it, said stranded German tourist Gina Camp, sitting on a bench at the airport. Its the nature and we have to wait until its over. She decided to look on the bright side, saying she planned to go back outside to enjoy another day on the island. Indonesias National Disaster Mitigation Agency raised the volcanos alert to the highest level on Monday and expanded an exclusion zone to six miles from the crater in places. #Indonesia the FCO advise against all travel to within 10km of Mt Agung; volcanic activity may increase in the coming days; if youre elsewhere in East Bali, continue to follow advice of local authorities and monitor local media and our travel advice: https://t.co/4CUK0LfYe7 pic.twitter.com/vAf2ZQnocT FCDO Travel Advice (@FCDOtravelGovUK) November 27, 2017 It said a larger eruption is possible, but a top government volcanologist has also said the volcano could continue for weeks at its current level of activity and not erupt explosively. Agungs last major eruption in 1963 killed about 1,100 people. Authorities have told 100,000 people to leave homes that are in close proximity to the volcano, but as of Monday tens of thousands had stayed because they felt safe or did not want to abandon livestock. They have also warned people of the danger of mudflows from the volcano as it is now rainy season in Bali. Volcanologist Erik Klemetti at Dennison University in Ohio said Agungs 1963 eruption was big enough to cool the earth slightly but it is unclear whether this time it will have a similar major eruption or simmer for a prolonged period. A lot of what will happen depends on the magma underneath and what it is doing now, he said. The closure of the airport has stranded tens of thousands of travellers, affecting tourists already on Bali and people who were ready to fly to the island from abroad or within Indonesia. Airport spokesman Ari Ahsanurrohim said more than 440 inward and outward flights were cancelled on Tuesday and about 59,500 travellers were affected, similar numbers to Monday. Indonesias Directorate General of Land Transportation said 100 buses were deployed to the airport and to ferry terminals to help travellers stranded by the eruption. The agencys chief, Budi, said major ferry crossing points have been advised to prepare for a surge in passengers and vehicles. Stranded tourists could leave Bali by taking a ferry to Java and then travelling by land to the nearest airports. The mayor of a small German town says he is happy to be alive after being attacked with a knife by a man who confronted him over his welcoming stance towards refugees, before slashing his neck. The knife attack on Andreas Hollstein, the 54-year-old mayor of Altena in western Germany, prompted widespread shock and condemnation from officials including Chancellor Angela Merkel. Authorities said the incident on Monday night was probably politically motivated. Im shocked by the knife attack on mayor Andreas Hollstein - and very relieved that he is back with his family, Mrs Merkel said. Thanks also to those who helped him. Mayor of Altena Andreas Holstein. (Bernd Thissen/AP/PA) The attacker was identified only as a 56-year-old German man and was described as drunk by local media. Mr Hollstein, a father of four and a member of Mrs Merkels conservative party, appeared shaken as he answered reporters questions the day after the attack. I feared for my life, he said adding that it appeared the man had intentionally chosen him as a victim. If you ask me whether that knife in his pocket was for me, Id answer with a yes, he said. "Ich habe zupackende Menschen an meiner Seite gehabt und bin froh dass ich noch lebe", so eine erste Reaktion des Burgermeisters von Altena Andreas Hollstein gegenuber Lokalstimme.de. @Hollstein63 wurde bei einem Messerangriff in einer Doner-Bude verletzt. https://t.co/f1Ch9LXajA Lokalstimme.de (@lokalstimme) November 28, 2017 The mayor said he was at a local kebab restaurant when the attacker approached him, held a knife to his throat and took him to task over his policies towards refugees. It was only with the help of the restaurants owner and his son that the man was overpowered, and police later made an arrest Mr Hollstein was taken to hospital but discharged later on Monday. He said he had a 6in cut on the left side of his neck. The mayor became known nationally for voluntarily taking in more asylum seekers than Altena was obliged to since the height of the refugee crisis two years ago. He said his attacker had probably been incited by the poisoned atmosphere fuelled by parties such as the nationalist Alternative for Germany, which has campaigned against migrants and their supporters. But Mr Hollstein said the attack would not deter him from continuing to stand up for refugees and others who needed his support. Six former British soldiers have been released from an Indian prison four years after they were charged with weapons offences. The so-called Chennai Six, who had been guards on a ship to combat piracy in the Indian Ocean, won an appeal against their convictions on Monday. They were jailed in October 2013 after being charged with smuggling weapons and ammunition. (Stefan Rousseau/PA) "The men, their families and their supporters, who have campaigned unrelentingly, must be overjoyed."@BorisJohnson statement following the Chennai Six verdict.https://t.co/iqECakJEL3 pic.twitter.com/bj57cfb6Um Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) November 27, 2017 Yvonne MacHugh, partner of Billy Irving from Argyll and Bute, said the men had been released on Tuesday. Ms MacHugh said: They were released about two hours ago and are now at the British Embassy with consular staff. They will just go to a hotel in Chennai and will be able to sleep in a bed and have a proper shower for the first time in about two years. The men are Mr Irving, 37, from Argyll and Bute, Nick Dunn, 31 from Northumberland, John Armstrong, 30, of Wigton, Cumbria, Nicholas Simpson, 47, of Catterick, North Yorkshire, Ray Tindall, 42, of Chester, and Paul Towers, 54, of Pocklington, East Yorkshire. They could now face a wait of possibly several weeks before documentation comes through which will allow them to return to the UK. Once Mr Irving was freed, he was able to speak to Ms MacHugh on the embassys phone and update her on their situation. Ms MacHugh said: Billy called straight away, he couldnt quite believe it had happened. Hes just over the moon and didnt think they would be released. He took everything that was said with a pinch of salt and didnt believe it. We are hoping they could be home in two weeks. If its less than that it will be a miracle. The Washington Posts Hollywood Approach to History | Main | International Business Times Peddles Fake News About Mossad's Gal Gadot November 27, 2017 Official Palestinian Media: U.S. and Israel Are Responsible for ISIS Attack An Op-Ed in Al-Hayat al-Jadida, an official Palestinian Authority (PA) daily newspaper, blamed the United States and Israel for a Nov. 24, 2017 terrorist attack in which 305 Muslim worshippers were murdered in Sinai, Egypt by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). A report by Palestinian Media Watch (PMW), an organization that monitors Arab media in the West Bank (Judea and Samaria), the Gaza Strip and eastern Jerusalem, highlighted the Al-Hayat al-Jadida Nov. 26, 2017 commentary by Palestinian Omar Hilmi Al-Ghoul. PMW noted that Al-Ghoul claimed that the U.S. and Israel are worried about a strong Egypt, and therefore used pawns? to carry out an attack to weaken? the Egyptian state. It was, the commentator claimed, part of an American-Israeli decisionwhich is being implemented by their pawnsto continue weakening Egypt, at least, particularly because the main goal of their plan is to tear unified Egypt into small and scattered states.? This is not the first time that official Palestinian media has conspiratorially claimed that ISISan offshoot of al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI)was created by the U.S. and the Jewish state. As PMW pointed out: An Oct. 17, 2017 Al-Hayat al-Jadida report pushed allegations by Palestine Liberation Organization political bureau member Muhammad Al-Soudi that the Zionist enemy? was responsible for an ISIS terror attack that month, in which six Egyptian soldiers were murdered. Al-Hayat al-Jadida is the Palestinian Authoritys daily newspaper? and its work parallels the official line of the government of Mahmoud Abbas and his political party, Fatah,? according to a Nov. 4, 2015 Washington Post dispatch. That same Post article detailed an Al-Hayat al-Jadida cartoonist, Mohammad Sabaaneh, whose work promotes anti-Jewish violence. The Postwhile citing PMW evidencenonetheless minimized the incitement as merely claims? by Israeli media watchdogs (Meet the Palestinian Cartoonist Israelis Accuse of Incitement?). Posted by SD at November 27, 2017 05:40 PM Guidelines for posting This is a moderated blog. We will not post comments that include racism, bigotry, threats, or factually inaccurate material. Post a comment The Duchess of Cambridges uncle has been fined 5,000 and given a community order after admitting assaulting his wife in a drunken argument in which she accused him of taking drugs. Gary Goldsmith, 52, knocked Julie-Ann Goldsmith to the ground outside their home in Wimpole Street, central London, at around 1.20am on October 13 this year. He was sentenced at Westminster Magistrates Court on Tuesday, after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to one count of assault by beating. Gary Goldsmith with his daughter Tallulah. (Justin Tallis/PA) Sentencing him, Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot described him as being a nasty drunk, adding: You were making your way by taxi. Both had been drinking and the taxi driver listened as you argued. Your wife accused you of taking drugs and leaving her alone for most of the evening. You called her a nothing and whore. Goldsmith was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 20 sessions of a rehabilitation order requirement. He was also fined 5,000 and ordered to pay a 170 victim surcharge, and 85 towards prosecution costs. He attended both Pippa and Kate's weddings. (Adam Davy/PA) Previously prosecutor Kate Shilton told the court Mrs Goldsmith was knocked to the ground after her husband threw what was described by their taxi driver, Daniel Shepherd, as a left hook. In a victim impact statement, Mrs Goldsmith said she had been left feeling extremely anxious and very stressed, and suffering panic attacks. The court heard that she has also lost her confidence, and only leaves the house to walk the dogs and to go to work and food shopping. Goldsmith is the younger brother of the Duchess of Cambridges mother, Carole Middleton, and attended the weddings of both Kate and her sister Pippa. North Korea has abruptly ended a 10-week pause in its weapons testing by launching what the Pentagon said was an intercontinental ballistic missile, possibly its longest-range test yet, a move that will escalate already high tensions with Washington. Pentagon spokesman Colonel Rob Manning said the missile was launched from Sain Ni, North Korea, and travelled about 620 miles before landing in the Sea of Japan within 200 nautical miles of Japans coast. It flew for 53 minutes, Japans defence minister said. South Korea, a key US ally separated from the North by a highly militarised border, responded with shorter-range missile tests of its own to mimic striking the North Korea launch site, which it said lies not far from the North Korean capital. Kim Jong Un The launch is North Koreas first since it fired an intermediate range missile over Japan on September 15, and it appeared to shatter chances that the hiatus could lead to renewed diplomacy over the reclusive countrys nuclear programme. US officials have sporadically floated the idea of direct talks with North Korea if it maintained restraint. An intercontinental ballistic missile test is considered particularly provocative. It would signal further progress by Pyongyang in developing a weapon of mass destruction that could strike the US mainland, which President Donald Trump has vowed to prevent, using military force if necessary. In response to the launch, Mr Trump said the United States will take care of it. He told reporters: It is a situation that we will handle. He did not elaborate. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders tweeted that Mr Trump was briefed on the situation while missile was still in the air. .@POTUS was briefed, while missile was still in the air, on the situation in North Korea. Kayleigh McEnany 45 Archived (@PressSec45) November 28, 2017 Col Manning, the Pentagon spokesman, said the North American Aerospace Defence Command, known as Norad, determined the missile launch from North Korea did not pose a threat to North America, our territories or our allies. US scientist David Wright said that based on initial reports on the altitude and duration of the test, it appeared to be North Koreas longest-range test yet. If flown on a standard trajectory rather than at a lofted angle, the missile would have a range of more than 8,100 miles, said Mr Wright, a physicist at the Union for Concerned Scientists. A week ago, the Trump administration declared North Korea a state sponsor of terrorism, further straining ties between governments that are still technically at war. Washington also imposed new sanctions on North Korean shipping firms and Chinese trading companies dealing with the North. Secretary Tillerson: The United States strongly condemns #NorthKoreas launch of what is likely an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan, indiscriminately threatening its neighbors, the region and global stability. https://t.co/gFxCUWCO7k #DPRK pic.twitter.com/TdjO8QifFH Department of State (@StateDept) November 28, 2017 North Korea called the terror designation a serious provocation that justifies its development of nuclear weapons. Echoing the initial US assessment, Japans defence minister Itsunori Onodera said the missile was likely an intercontinental ballistic missile. He said it was launched on highly lofted trajectory and reached a high point exceeding 2,400 miles, exceeding the height of previous missile tests. He said it flew for about 53 minutes. We can assume it was ICBM-class, Mr Onodera said. Seouls Joint Chiefs of Staff said the US and South Korean militaries were analysing the launch data from the missile. BREAKING: Ambassador Nikki Haley & her counterparts from Japan & the Republic of Korea have requested an emergency @UN Security Council meeting to be held in the open chamber in response to #NorthKoreas latest #ICBM test. The Council will meet tomorrow around 4:30pm EST. U.S. Mission to the UN (@USUN) November 28, 2017 They said it travelled a distance of 600 miles and estimated the apogee at 2,796 miles. In response to the North Korean test, it said South Korea conducted a precision-strike drill, firing three missiles, including one with a 620-mile range, to accurately hit a target that stood for the North Korean launch site. South Koreas presidential office said it was holding a National Security Council meeting on Wednesday morning local time to discuss the launch. Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. He said Japan will not back down against any provocation and would maximise pressure on the North in its strong alliance with the US. We will not tolerate North Koreas reckless action, he told reporters. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has called on North Korea to change course, after the secretive state launched what the US said was an intercontinental ballistic missile. The launch of what may be Pyongyangs longest-range missile so far brought an end to a 10-week pause in North Koreas programme of weapons testing, in a move likely to escalate tensions which are already running high. Responding to the launch, US President Donald Trump said the United States will take care of it, telling reporters: It is a situation that we will handle. Boris Johnson Another illegal missile launch from DPRK. This is not the path to security and prosperity for the North Korean people. DPRK regime must change course Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) November 28, 2017 Mr Johnson said: Another illegal missile launch from DPRK (Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea). This is not the path to security and prosperity for the North Korean people. DPRK regime must change course. In Washington, a Pentagon spokesman said the missile travelled about 620 miles before landing in the sea less than 200 nautical miles from the coast of Japan. Japan said the flight took some 53 minutes. South Korea responded with shorter-range missile tests of its own. By Sophie Sassard LONDON, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Germany's Delivery Hero reported a 60 percent jump in third-quarter revenue on Monday, showing no let up in pace of growth of takeaway food apps. UK rival Just Eat is poised to join Britain's prestigious FTSE 100 stock index, with its market value overtaking that of supermarket group Sainsbury's and highlighting how new internet firms are disrupting traditional businesses. For the first nine months of the year, Delivery Hero's revenue was up 64 percent to 384.4 million euros ($458.6 million). Third-quarter revenue totalled 137.9 million euros. The loss-making company, backed by German tech investor Rocket Internet and South African e-commerce giant Naspers , said it now expected full-year revenues to be at the top end of its guidance range of 530-540 million euros. It reiterated a goal to break even in terms of adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) in 2018 and make a profit on that basis in 2019. Delivery Hero, whose competitors also include Deliveroo, UberEATS and Amazon, has grown into a global company thanks to a string of deals. Delivery Hero shares floated in June at 25.50 euros apiece. At 1110 GMT, the stock was up 1.4 percent at 38.67 euros. ($1 = 0.8382 euros) ($1 = 0.7493 pounds) (Gdynia Newsroom; Editing by MarkPotter) By Kanupriya Kapoor and Slamet Kurniawan KARANGASEM, Indonesia, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Indonesia kept the airport on Bali closed on Tuesday as ash from an erupting volcano swept the holiday island, leaving thousands of tourists stranded, and authorities tried to persuade villagers living near the crater to leave their homes. A total of 443 flights, both domestic and international, were affected by the closure of the airport, about 60 km (37 miles) from Mount Agung which is spewing smoke and ash high into the sky. "Aircraft flight channels are covered with volcanic ash," the transport ministry said in a statement, citing aviation navigation authorities. The airport - the second-biggest in Indonesia - will be closed at least until 7 a.m. on Wednesday (2300 GMT on Tuesday), the ministry said. Frustration at the airport was starting to boil over, with an estimated 2,000 people attempting to get refunds and reschedule tickets. "There are thousands of people stranded here at the airport," said Nitin Sheth, a tourist from India. "They have to go to some other airport and they are trying to do that, but the government or authorities here are not helping." Others were more relaxed. "No, theres not a lot of information ... very little. (But) its all right. Were on holidays so it doesnt matter. We dont know whats going to happen but we can get back to the bar and have another drink," said Matthew Radix from Perth. The airport operator said 201 international flights and 242 domestic ones had been hit. Ten alternative airports had been prepared for airlines to divert inbound flights, including in neighbouring provinces, the operator said, adding it was helping people make alternative bookings and helping stranded travellers. The airport on Lombok island, to the east of Bali, had reopened, authorities said, as wind blew ash westward, towards the southern coast of Java island. PRAYERS Agung towers over eastern Bali to a height of just over 3,000 metres (9,800 feet). Its last eruption in 1963 killed more than 1,000 people and razed several villages. On Tuesday, however, life went on largely as normal in surrounding villages, with residents offering prayers as the volcano sent huge billows of ash and smoke into the sky. Some villagers who fled in September, when the alert was last raised to the highest level, have gone home despite government warnings. On Monday, authorities said 100,000 residents living near the volcano had been ordered to get out of an 8-10 km (5-6 mile) exclusion zone, warning a larger eruption was "imminent". While the population in the area has been estimated at anywhere between 63,000 and 140,000, just over 29,000 people were registered at emergency centres, said Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, a spokesman for the Disaster Mitigation Agency. "Not all people in the danger zone are prepared to take refuge," he said. "There are still a lot of residents staying in their homes." Indonesia's Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Centre has warned that an eruption of a size similar to that seen in 1963 could send rocks bigger than a fist flying a distance of up to 8 km (5 miles), and volcanic gas a distance of 10 km (6 miles) within three minutes. Monitoring has shown the northeastern part of Agung's peak had swollen in recent weeks "indicating there is fairly strong pressure toward the surface", the centre said. (Reporting by Kanupriya Kapoor, Slamet Kurniawan, Nyimas Laula and Reuters Bali stringer in BALI, and; Bernadette Christina Munthe, Cindy Silviana and Fransiska Nangoy in JAKARTA; Additional reporting by Angie Teo and Ed Davies; Writing by Fergus Jensen; Editing by Michael Perry, Robert Birsel) By Andy Home LONDON, Nov 27 (Reuters) - The International Lead and Zinc Study Group (ILZSG) last month made a significant revision to its outlook for the lead market this year. The market is now expected to be in a supply deficit of around 125,000 tonnes ahead of another 48,000-tonne deficit next year. When the Group's statistical committee last convened in April, it forecast a balanced market this year. What has happened to change its collective mind? Two things, it turns out. Firstly, China has been importing refined lead in quantities not seen since 2009. Indeed, lead has been something of a surprise bull stand-out in China's base metals import picture this year. But China's pull on units from the rest of the world is currently being eclipsed by an even bigger flow of lead to the United States. The causes of both are rooted in the secondary part of the lead supply chain, which is where things get very opaque indeed. That is why lead can spring surprises on even the statistical experts. Graphic on China's trade in refined lead: http://tmsnrt.rs/2A8QmoN CHINA IMPORTING LIKE ITS 2009 China imported 75,700 tonnes of refined lead in the first 10 months of this year after being a net exporter over the previous four years. Most of it has come from Australia (39,000 tonnes) and Kazakhstan (25,000 tonnes), although October also brought 2,432 tonnes from Italy, the first significant imports from that country since 2009. That year, one of collapsing Western demand and Chinese stimulus, is the only historical benchmark for this magnitude of import appetite. Total imports in 2009 were 157,000 tonnes. Cumulative exports in the last four years, by contrast, have totalled 119,000 tonnes. This dramatic shift in trade flow seems strange, given the ILZSG's figures show China's domestic lead production rising by over 12 percent so far this year. The Group's partial explanation for such a sudden jump in imports is rising use of three-wheeled e-trikes, which still use a lead-acid battery. That, it suggests, has offset a loss of market share to lithium-ion batteries in the e-bike market. But there is almost certainly a piece missing from the Chinese lead jigsaw. What the official figures can't capture is the closure of "illegal" capacity in China because it was never officially counted in the first place. China's lead supply chain has seen periodic environmental clampdowns in recent years but this year's inspections, according to state metals researcher Antaike, have been the "most severe (...) in history". Official supply chains have been disrupted. Unofficial supply chains, particularly those secondary operators using scrap as feed, have been closed. The same theme has been playing out across the industrial metals spectrum in China, often with counterintuitive statistical outcomes. The steel sector, for example, has seen millions of tonnes of capacity closures but with no apparent impact on official production, which has actually grown. This statistical quirk is down to official production expanding to fill the gap left by the closure of unofficial production, which operated off Beijing's statistical radar. Something similar could well be at work with China's lead production figures. It remains to be seen how long this import trend continues. Since no-one really saw it coming, there's no consensus on how long it might last. Visible stocks registered with the Shanghai Futures Exchange (ShFE) have been rising since the middle of September but at 34,442 tonnes are still low in outright terms. There were over 80,000 tonnes in exchange warehouses as recently as May this year. Meanwhile, all imports of lead concentrates from North Korea have now been halted as part of China's commitment to international sanctions. The country was China's fourth largest supplier of lead raw materials last year and its loss will prove difficult to replace in an already tight concentrates sector. U.S. IMPORTS UP, PRODUCTION DOWN U.S. imports of refined lead surged by over 100,000 tonnes to 458,000 tonnes in the first eight months of this year from 351,000 tonnes in the same period of 2016, according to the ILZSG. Here there is greater statistical clarity as to what is going on. A cut in production at a secondary producer called Quemetco in California has seen national output slide by 72,000 tonnes over the January-September period, according to ILZSG figures. The Group is forecasting U.S. refined lead production to fall by 11 percent this year with a resulting increase in imports "in particular from Mexico and the Republic of Korea". Except who knew Quemetco had partially closed its 120,000-tonne per year City of Industry plant? It's a recycler of lead-acid batteries and part of the privately-owned ECOBAT group of companies, meaning no public disclosure requirements and therefore no news flow. Had the ILZSG not explicitly referenced Quemetco's loss of production in its latest forecast, the plant's operating status would have been unknown outside of the small exclusive club that is the lead scrap market. NO TIGHTNESS IN LONDON? Lead's opacity as a market is in large part down to the high proportion of it sourced from secondary materials, a notoriously dark part of all metals supply chains. These two drivers of the ILZSG's new deficit forecast have been building momentum in the shadows. In the light that is the London Metal Exchange (LME), recent arrivals of lead at official warehouses have undermined any narrative of market tightness. But it's worth noting that headline stocks have been steadily edging lower and at 145,100 tonnes are down by 50,000 tonnes on the start of the year and the lowest they've been since December 2015. Moreover, on-warrant stocks of 99,100 tonnes are closely held, one entity controlling between 40 and 50 percent, according to exchange data <0#LME-WHL>. So far the LME lead market appears relaxed. Time-spreads are trading in small contango, while the outright price is currently doing little more than shuffling sideways in a $2,450-2,500 range. Nothing very much appears to be happening. But that's often the way with lead. Key fundamental shifts tend to be obscured in the physical, particularly scrap, market shadows. When they do manifest themselves in a lit trading venue such as the LME, they often come as a surprise because no-one saw them coming. This year is shaping up to be a year of double surprise, but has anyone actually told the LME lead market yet? (Editing by David Evans) BEIJING, Nov 28 (Reuters) - A Chinese court on Tuesday sentenced Taiwanese rights activist Li Ming-che to five years in prison for subverting state power, according to the court's official social media account. Li, a community college lecturer and an activist at a human rights non-governmental organisation in Taiwan, went missing while on a trip to China in March. Chinese authorities later charged him with subverting state power. In the first hearing of Li's case in September, he confessed to subversion, according to videos of the hearing, though his wife refused to recognise the court's authority. A verdict of five years imprisonment was handed to Li by the court for subversion of state power, according to a video of his proceedings released on social media by the Yueyang City Intermediate Peoples Court in central Hunan province. A mainland Chinese rights activist Peng Yuhua, who was also tried alongside Li, was handed at seven year sentence for the same crime. Peng had been the instigator of subversion and Li had been an active participant, the court authorities said in the video. Both Li and Peng said that they accepted the ruling and would not appeal the ruling, according to the video. (Reporting by Christian Shepherd; Editing by Michael Perry) SOFIA, Nov 28 (Reuters) - These are some of the main stories in Bulgarian newspapers on Tuesday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. -- Bulgaria will host the seventh Summit of Heads of governments of China and Central and Eastern European countries next year. (Capital Daily, Monitor, Standart, Trud, 24 Chasa) -- Bulgaria and Turkey are likely to restart the trade with live animals as of next year, the agriculture ministers of the two neighbouring countries said. The trade was stopped five years ago due to administrative hurdles. (Capital Daily, Monitor, Standart, Trud) -- Canada will lift tourist visa restrictions for Bulgarians from next month. (Capital Daily, Monitor, Telegraph) -- The government has proposed a moratorium on opening of new hospitals as the country struggles to reform ailing healthcare sector, Finance Minister Vladislav Goranov said. (Standart, Sega) ANKARA, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday his talks with U.S. President Donald Trump last Friday were the first occasion in a long time the two NATO allies were "on the same wavelength" and the communication would continue in the coming days. In a speech to deputies from his ruling AK Party in parliament, Erdogan said discussions would continue on the issues of Syrian Kurdish forces, defence industry cooperation and the fight against the network of a U.S.-based cleric whom Ankara accuses of orchestrating last year's failed coup in Turkey. (Reporting by Ece Toksabay and Tuvan Gumrukcu,; Writing by Daren Butler) BEIRUT, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Shelling hit the last major rebel stronghold near Damascus on Tuesday but it was less intense than in recent days, a war monitor and witness said, the same day Russia had proposed a ceasefire for the area. Russia on Monday proposed a ceasefire in the besieged rebel-held Eastern Ghouta area on Nov. 28-29. Neither rebels nor the government have said whether they agreed to the ceasefire. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the war monitor, said no deaths had been reported in Tuesday's shelling. A Syrian official said the situation on Tuesday was calm. Over the weekend, government air strikes and shelling on Ghouta intensified, killing at least 43 people on Sunday and Monday, the Observatory said. Syrian state media said 13 shells hit government-held areas of Damascus on Monday. Eastern Ghouta is one of several "de-escalation" zones across western Syria where Russia has brokered ceasefire deals between rebels and President Bashar al-Assad's government. But fighting has continued there. U.N.-backed peace talks in Geneva are set to begin on Tuesday, although the Syrian government delegation has not yet confirmed that it will attend. Medecins Sans Frontieres, the international medical humanitarian organisation, said on Monday hundreds of people had been wounded in intense bombing and shelling of the Eastern Ghouta in the last two weeks. It said five MSF-supported field hospitals in East Ghouta had treated 576 wounded patients and recorded 69 deaths, with a quarter of the wounded women or children under the age of 15. In a statement, MSF said its figures did not account for the total numbers killed in the area as there are other medical facilities it does not support regularly. (Reporting by Lisa Barrington and Tom Perry; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky) Official Palestinian Media: U.S. and Israel Are Responsible for ISIS Attack | Main November 28, 2017 International Business Times Peddles Fake News About Mossad's Gal Gadot A screen shot from Lebanon's Al Liwaa, which had erroneously used Gal Gadot's photograph to illustrate a story on alleged Mossad agent Collette Vianfi. Al Liwaa apologized, but The International Business Times lags far behind (Image via Times of Israel) Starring as "Wonder Woman," Israel's Gal Gadot has grossed more than any other super-hero origin film, capturing the imagination of untold numbers of fans. She has also captured the imagination of an International Business Times reporter, who, based on an embarrassing photographic error on the part of a Lebanese newspaper, spun her own fantasy tale about the Israeli actress. Leaving the facts behind, Lauren Dubois wrote yesterday ("Lebanese Newspaper Claims To Reveal Gal Gadots Alleged Alternate Identity As Mossad Agent"): However, at least according to a Lebanese newspaper, Israeli actress Gal Gadot also has another secret identityas a Mossad agent. The paper, a daily known as Al Liwaa, published an image of Gadot on their front page Monday, claiming in an unsubstantiated report (via The Times of Israel), that she was actually Collette Vianfi, an agent from Israels international spy agency who was allegedly recruited to work with Lebanese actor and playwright Ziad Itani, who was arrested on Friday on charges of collaborating with Israel and gathering information about political figures. The report included an image of Gadot from 2011s Fast Five movie, and the report allegedly claimed the photo of her had circulated on social media, and hours before the report was published, the image had been shared online with some claiming that Gadot was Vianfi, who was reportedly meant to visit Itani in Beirut this week, before canceling the trip after his arrest. But Al Liwaa never claimed that Gal Gadot was an Israeli agent or that her alter ego is someone called Collette Vianfi. Rather, it accidentally used a picture of Gadot to illustrate a story covering purported Israeli agent Vianfi. As The Arab News reports: Israeli Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot was pictured as a Mossad agent on the front page of a Lebanese newspaper yesterday. Beirut-based Al Liwaa newspaper used a picture of the actress to illustrate a story about Colette Vianfi, an alleged Israeli Mossad officer accused of recruiting Lebanese comedian and playwright Ziad Itani as a spy. A senior newspaper executive described the incident as embarrassing in a telephone interview with Arab News. Tareq Damlaj, one of the managing editors at the newspaper, said: People were spreading the photo of actress Gal Gadot on social media, especially through WhatsApp, believing it was a photo of the Israeli officer. But after receiving a phone call today from cinema enthusiasts, and not security services, we learned this was the photo of an Israeli actress. Furthermore, an editor's note yesterday on the very Times of Israel story to which Dubois linked spelled out that the Lebanese paper didn't accuse Gadot of being a spy, but rather misused her photograph ("Lebanese paper uses photo of Gal Gadot for tale of 'Mossad agent,' apologizes"). Meanwhile, not only does The International Business Times falsely claim that Lebanon's Al Liwaa supposedly accused Gadot of being a Mossad agent, it also egregiously fails to inform readers that the paper has already apologized about the "embarrassing" misuse of Gadot's picture. Al Liwaa apologized. Will The International Business Times? Posted by TS at November 28, 2017 07:29 AM Guidelines for posting This is a moderated blog. We will not post comments that include racism, bigotry, threats, or factually inaccurate material. Post a comment ANKARA, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday his talks with U.S. President Donald Trump last week were the first occasion in a long time the two NATO allies were "on the same wavelength" and they would speak against this week. Diplomatic ties between Ankara and Washington have been strained by several disagreements, particularly over the United States' support for the YPG Syrian Kurdish militia, which Ankara regards as a terrorist group. "The telephone call which we had with Trump on Friday was the first in a long time in which we got on the same wavelength," Erdogan said in a speech to deputies from his ruling AK Party in parliament. He said discussions would continue in the coming days on the issues of the YPG, defence industry cooperation and the fight against the network of a U.S.-based cleric whom Ankara accuses of orchestrating last year's failed coup in Turkey. According to Turkey's foreign minister, Trump on Friday told Erdogan he had issued instructions that weapons should not be provided to the Syrian Kurdish YPG. However, the Pentagon said on Monday it was reviewing "adjustments" in arms for Syrian Kurdish forces, but it stopped short of halting weapons transfers, suggesting such decisions would be based on battlefield requirements. Speaking to reporters in parliament after his speech, Erdogan said the Pentagon statement would be discussed at Turkey's National Security Council (MGK) meeting later on Tuesday. He also said that Trump indicated that another call may happen this week. "If he doesn't call, I'll call," Erdogan said. The YPG spearheads the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), an alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias fighting Islamic State with the help of a U.S.-led coalition. Turkey regards the YPG as an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has fought a decades-long insurgency in Turkey and is designated a terrorist group by Ankara, the United States and European Union. (Reporting by Ercan Gurses, Ece Toksabay and Tuvan Gumrukcu,; Writing by Daren Butler; Editing by DAvid Dolan) By Ethan Lou and Alastair Sharp Calgary, Alberta/TORONTO, Nov 28 (Reuters) - TransCanada Corp has started engaging landowners on a new route for its Keystone XL pipeline approved by the state of Nebraska, the company said on Tuesday, exploring the costlier path as it mulls a final decision on the expansion project mooted nearly a decade ago. Nebraska last week approved the $8 billion pipeline from Alberta to the state, but denied TransCanada its preferred route in favor of a slightly longer one. The decision opened the door to potential delays and emboldened activists who said they would try to kill the project through protests. "The alternate route would involve a number of new landowners for us, and as always, were striving to understand their perspectives on the project," Dean Patry, TransCanada's senior vice president of liquids, told investors in Toronto. The company is expected to make a final investment decision in December on Keystone XL, a project rejected by the previous U.S. administration and thought dead until the rise last year of President Donald Trump. Since its 2015 rejection the importance of Keystone XL has somewhat diminished for TransCanada, which further diversified and bought Columbia Pipeline Group for $10.2 billion to form one of North Americas largest gas transmission businesses. Almost all of the company's current three-year capital expenditure plan of C$22 billion ($17.2 billion) is on gas pipelines. Still, while TransCanada would not suffer much if Keystone XL does not go ahead, the pipeline, if built, would be a "very important" positive development for the both the company and Canadian crude producers, said Matthew Miller, an analyst with CFRA. At 800,000 barrels per day, Keystone XL will add nearly a quarter to Canada's current pipeline capacity and provide critical infrastructure that is required to ship the country's vast but landlocked oil sand reserves. Canadian producers could likely command around $2 more per barrel, analysts and investors have said, as it is cheaper to ship crude via pipe than by rail. Chief Executive Russ Girling said the company has been "very encouraged" with the discussions with potential shippers for the past week and expects to "conclude sufficient binding shipping commitments to advance the project." Securing enough shipper commitment is crucial for TransCanada to justify the expansion. Girling said the company has no plan to sell stakes in the project to partners, but was not ruling out that possibility. TransCanada Chief Financial Officer Don Marchand said the company was in good financial shape and would try to avoid issuing equity to fund Keystone XL if it proceeds. In a statement before the Toronto event, TransCanada said it expected comparable earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) to grow at an average annual rate of about 10 percent through 2020. On Tuesday, the company restarted the Keystone crude oil pipeline, which is separate from Keystone XL, at reduced pressure, nearly two weeks after closing the line after it leaked 5,000 barrels of crude in rural South Dakota. A company spokesman said on Tuesday there was no timeline on when U.S. authorities would allow it to return to full capacity. ($1 = 1.2809 Canadian dollars) (Additional reporting by Ahmed Farhatha in Bengaluru; and Nia Williams in Calgary, Alberta; Editing by Bernadette Baum and Diane Craft) By Rina Chandran and Tom Gardner MUMBAI/ADDIS ABABA, Nov 28 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - L arge-scale land deals by investors in Africa are coming under greater scrutiny after an Indian firm demanded compensation for the cancellation of its lease by Ethiopia, with analysts saying they are hurting local communities and damaging ecosystems. Karuturi Global, one of the largest investors in Ethiopia's commercial farming industry, said the cancellation of its lease for 100,000 hectares (247,105 acres) in the western Gambella region broke the terms of its agreement with the government. Ethiopian officials, who have earmarked some 11.5 million hectares of land for overseas firms to invest in agriculture, say Karuturi failed to make adequate progress on the land allotted for growing and exporting sugarcane, rice and palm oil. Critics say neither side addresses the more controversial issue of millions of indigenous people and small farmers being forcefully removed from their ancestral land with little consultation or compensation. "These large-scale plantations and farms are displacing people who have lived there for generations, without creating jobs for the locals or enhancing food security," said Anuradha Mittal, executive director of California-based advocacy group Oakland Institute, which has studied these deals. "It is a horrific abuse of rights," she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation over the phone. Across Africa, more than 117 large-scale land deals totalling about 22 million hectares, an area the size of the U.S. state of Utah, have been recorded in the last 12 years, according to data from the United Nations' Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO). Millions of small farmers and herders in Ethiopia have been moved from the land offered to investors and relocated under "villagisation" programmes, often with threats and assaults, according to rights groups, including GRAIN and the Oakland Institute. The new villages where they are resettled often lack basic resources including adequate food, agricultural support, and health and education facilities, according to activists. LAND IS CHEAP Ethiopian officials have denied people are being displaced, or that villagisation takes place where overseas investments are planned. The programme provides better infrastructure for rural populations, they say. "We have never replaced farmers, we have never replaced pastoralists in favour of mechanised farming," said Fitsum Arega, director of the Ethiopian Investment Commission, a government body. "There is lots of vacant land available that is not taken by any farmers. We believe in encouraging private investors with the capacity to develop large amounts of land," he said. Agribusinesses, investment funds and government agencies piled into developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, when oil prices peaked in 2007-08, leading to a surge in prices of food. Cheap land to grow food crops and bio-fuels to enhance food and energy security has become essential as populations expand. There is plenty of land in Africa, with only 5 percent of an estimated 550 million hectares of arable land in central Africa being cultivated, according to the FAO. Prices were lower than in other developing countries, the terms were favourable, including no import duties on machinery, and full repatriation of products and profits. But most deals were cloaked in secrecy, and jobs for locals were often only low-paying manual work, activists say. Most deals also encompass fertile lands which are inhabited, rather than marginal or infertile land as promised by officials. "This is the land where indigenous communities have farmed and grazed their animals, and depended on for their livelihoods. This is the land where their ancestors lie," Mittal said. There is "irrefutable evidence that the locals have been forcibly evicted from their homes and lands. They have been intimidated, beaten, and even arrested for demanding their right to their land," she said. LOCAL CUSTOMS Most of these deals have also failed to achieve the objectives of enhancing food and energy supply and stimulating development in the local communities, activists say. The FAO confirmed these observations in a recent report, saying "there is little or no monitoring of the land use in terms of sustainability and social responsibility of the investors". In Ethiopia, where all land is state-owned, traditional tenure systems exist alongside modern systems. Several regions, including Gambella, where Karuturi had leased land, have no formal tenure and boundaries are agreed by local customs. In regions where villagisation took place, none of the inhabitants had legal titles, said a Human Rights Watch report. The relocations may have "life-threatening consequences", with shifting cultivators - who move from one location to another - made to plant crops in a single location, and pastoralists abandoning their cattle-based livelihoods, it said. Karuturi told Human Rights Watch it did not cause any displacements for the project. Karuturi's 2010 lease for land in Gambella - a remote region near the Sudan border - was cancelled December 2015. The company only developed 1,200 hectares of a total 100,000 hectares in two years, Arega of the Ethiopian Investment Commission said. The company was to get 200,000 hectares eventually. "They were supposed to fully develop the land or hand it over - they didn't do either. They really cost the country a lot in terms of bad publicity," he said. CULTURALLY CORRECT Karuturi, one of the first foreign firms to lease land in Ethiopia, has disputed Ethiopia's findings and demanded "adequate and appropriate" compensation after its land was nationalised. "It is not uncommon to encounter political, social or cultural resistance when an emotive issue such as foreign direct investment in agricultural land is considered," Managing Director Sai Ramakrishna Karuturi said. The governments of India and Ethiopia are working to "amicably resolve outstanding Karuturi issues", he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation in an e-mail. Arega defended large land deals, saying "not all were bad", and that a few have succeeded. Others have taken more action: Tanzania has imposed caps on the size of land given to investors, and last year began a programme to seize land left undeveloped by investors and return it to poor farmers, in a bid to quell conflicts. Stalled or failed deals have a greater impact on locals who have to deal with the loss of livelihood and environmental damage, according to a report this month from Swedish campaign group Swedwatch. The FAO suggests adoption of its voluntary guidelines for land deals to be "socially, culturally and politically correct, environmentally friendly, and economically mutually profitable". Investors have an equal responsibility in ensuring rights are upheld, said Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "They need to be conscious that they are not becoming party to rights violations ... (and) ensure that the host government meets its obligations to respect, protect, and fulfill the economic and social rights of its people," she said. But Mittal said African nations must scrap these deals entirely to protect the rights of local communities. It is "wishful thinking ... that large-scale land deals can be beneficial to local communities if done properly," she said. "We have looked at hundreds of land deals all across Africa - and have yet to see the benefits accrue for the local populations impacted, or even for national economies. This is a failed development paradigm," she said. (Reporting by Rina Chandran @rinachandran in Mumbai and Tom Gardner in Addis Ababa. Editing by Astrid Zweynert. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, property rights, climate change and resilience. Visit news.trust.org to see more stories.) By Khalil al-Ashawi and Sarah Dadouch MAREA, Syria/BEIRUT, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Shaven-headed former jihadists filled a classroom in northern Syria as a Muslim cleric taught them a more moderate form of Islam than the version they had imposed in Islamic State's self-proclaimed caliphate. Their class was in a new rehabilitation centre for Islamic State members set up in the town of Marea, north of Aleppo, in an area controlled by Syrian rebel groups backed by Turkey. The centre, set up in October, is meant to address a problem emerging across swathes of Syria and Iraq - how to handle thousands of people living there who joined Islamic State as it enforced its brutal rule. Islamic State used public killings and torture to enforce its draconian religious code, sexually enslaved captive women and slaughtered prisoners of war and members of enemy tribes. Its self-styled caliphate is now on the verge of defeat, having lost large tracts of its territory and most of its major towns and cities in both Syria and Iraq. Although some IS members came from abroad out of conviction, many others were local people who joined the group to protect themselves or earn money, according to an official at the centre. There are 25 ex-members now at the centre where they take classes in religious doctrine and law. Psychological counseling is mandatory; some get individual sessions to help wean them off extremist ideology. The centre is funded by the director as well as small donations, and its staff are all volunteers. Marea was besieged, but never captured, by IS. Last year, rebels backed by the Turkish army drove IS out of nearby areas. Judges in rebel-held areas have tried Islamic State members who were captured or defected, and their sentences have included time at the centre, guarded by a security team. The centre evaluates former jihadists each month and shares its views with local authorities, which base their release decisions on the centre's recommendations. INFORMANTS Dressed in long-sleeved orange shirts and black vests, the ex-jihadists listened to lecturer Sheikh Mohammad al-Mahmoud, who asked them questions about Islamic rulings. No one answered. "Why did you join Islamic State and force Islam on people if you don't even know these answers?" he asked. Civilians across Syria and Iraq often reject former IS militants, holding them responsible for killing people from the area and destroying the towns and cities they entered. But not all former IS members at the centre were armed insurgents, the centre's lawyer said. "In the brutal administrative areas where Islamic State was, the overwhelming majority (joined) to protect itself or to have the bare minimum to live," Ibrahim Najjar said. Some people joined just to obtain a canister of cooking gas, he added. IS militants also tended to marry locals' daughters, he said, initially targeting the daughters of influential families and in later years marrying daughters of small families, calling on family ties to recruit fathers and brothers as informants. HEAVEN AND FREEDOM In an interview with Reuters at the centre, former IS member Khalil Abdul-Ghafur spoke in formal Arabic - Islamic State's preferred version of the language - until the centre director reminded him to switch back to Syrian dialect. The 14-year-old from a village near Aleppo said he joined the jihadist group after insurgents arrived. He took lessons in sharia (Islamic law) and trained to use both light and heavy weapons, before IS dispatched him to al-Bab, near Marea. He was wounded twice, both times returning to the militant ranks after he recovered. He only left IS when he found out rebels had detained his father over his membership of the group. Asked why he joined Islamic State, Abdul-Ghafur was at first silent. "I don't know what to tell you. They used to show us video clips," he eventually said. "And they talk to us about heaven and freedom and all that." He did not elaborate on life after Islamic State, only saying the centre has good food, clothes and lessons. But he intends to go back to school when he is released, having not completed his education because his school was bombed. Ersin Khizri, 22, left his home in Ukraine and travelled to Syria with his wife and baby daughter to join IS ranks, in which he fought in Iraq. He left the group in January because he found it unjust, he said, turning himself in to rebels in Syria. "It's over: there is no more Daesh left," he said, using an Arabic acronym for Islamic State. "I don't know what the outside situation is like." The men in the centre watch movies and play chess in their spare time, smoking the cigarettes that were banned under IS. They are divided into three categories: those who did not commit crimes against civilians, those who did, and foreign members. Housed in a former school, the centre holds ex-jihadists from the Caucasus, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Tunisia, Iraq and other countries. Hussein Naser, the centre's director, said the men will stay there for no more than a year, mainly because it does not have the capabilities to hold them longer. "The goals of the centre are to defeat the extremist ideology of the IS members that we have, ensuring their safety when they leave the centre and that they can live with civilians," Naser said. (Writing by Sarah Dadouch; Editing by Angus McDowall and Mark Heinrich) BEIRUT, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Shelling killed three people in the last major rebel stronghold near Damascus on Tuesday, a war monitor said, shortly before the UN Syria envoy said the government had agreed a ceasefire there. Russia had on Monday proposed a ceasefire in the besieged Eastern Ghouta area on Nov. 28-29. U.N. Syria envoy Staffan De Mistura later said Russia had told him that the Syrian government had accepted the idea, but he added "we have to see if it happens". The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the war monitor, said there were three deaths and 15 injuries from Tuesday's shelling, but that it was less intense than in previous days. A witness in the area said that while the shelling was lighter earlier in the day, it had intensified later. A Syrian official said the situation on Tuesday was calm. The UN's humanitarian agency OCHA said in a Tweet that relief teams had entered Eastern Ghouta with food and health supplies for 7,200 people, entering through Nashabiyeh on the opposite side of the pocket from where the fighting was. Over the weekend, government air strikes and shelling on Ghouta intensified, killing at least 43 people on Sunday and Monday, the Observatory said. Syrian state media said 13 shells hit government-held areas of Damascus on Monday. Eastern Ghouta is one of several "de-escalation" zones across western Syria where Russia has brokered ceasefire deals between rebels and President Bashar al-Assad's government. But fighting has continued there. U.N.-backed peace talks in Geneva are set to begin on Tuesday. The government delegation will arrive on Wednesday to attend the talks, state news agency SANA reported. The opposition delegation, the Syrian Negotiation Commission, called for direct negotiations with the government instead of the previous model of each side speaking only to UN mediators. Medecins Sans Frontieres, the international medical humanitarian organisation, said on Monday hundreds of people had been wounded in intense bombing and shelling of the Eastern Ghouta in the last two weeks. It said five MSF-supported field hospitals in East Ghouta had treated 576 wounded patients and recorded 69 deaths, with a quarter of the wounded women or children under the age of 15. In a statement, MSF said its figures did not account for the total numbers killed in the area as there are other medical facilities it does not support regularly. (Reporting by Lisa Barrington and Tom Perry in Beirut and Tom Miles in Geneva; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky and Richard Balmforth) By Lefteris Karagiannopoulos OSLO, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Denmark, Norway and Sweden are pressing ahead with plans for a new system to balance electricity supply and demand in the region, leaving out Finland after negotiations with their neighbour broke down. Finland and the three Scandinavian countries trade power on the Nordic power market but, when there is an imbalance between booked supply and demand, the grids must currently agree unanimously how to smooth out the flows. Earlier this year, Scandinavian grid operators proposed taking decisions by majority vote, a change they say will ensure the future reliability of supply as demand grows. Finland opposed the idea, saying it is illegal under European Union rules. Five months of negotiations failed to find a solution. Stripped of a veto, Finland is concerned it may have no say on who produces the balancing power, possibly favouring Scandinavian power plants, as Finnish ones tend to be costlier. If the Scandinavian plan wins EU approval, it could make it more difficult for Finland to deal with short-term fluctuations in demand. The Swedish grid operator announced the decision on Tuesday to press ahead without Finland. "In the new Scandinavian balancing model... Svenska Kraftnat and (Norwegian grid operator) Statnett will maintain the current coordinating role for operation of the power system," Svenska Kraftnat said in a statement. "We regret that Fingrid has decided not to join the new cooperation... the Scandinavian TSOs (transmission system operators) aim for collaboration, not isolation," it added. Fingrid will submit its own proposal that suggests keeping the current Nordic system unchanged for some time, its senior vice president Asta Sihvonen-Punkka told Reuters on Tuesday. Finland imports up to a fifth of its electricity consumption at times of peak winter demand, and being alone could create uncertainty for its security of power supply, crucial for its energy-hungry industrial sector. To make matters worse, Finland will soon see many of its combined heat and power plants, that produce about one third of its electricity and shielded the country from blackouts during cold winters, reaching their end of life. Having two competing proposals means Nordic regulators will not be able to decide on the matter and will have to escalate the decision to the European Union's Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER), which would act as mediator. If that fails, it could ask for the European Commission's help to break the deadlock. The deadline for making a common single proposal between the Nordic grid operators is Jan. 14 and Fingrid hopes there might still be room for a deal before then. "It is still possible to find a way in the meanwhile, our proposal is a starting point, we are ready to explore other options," said Sihvonen-Punkka. If the Scandinavian bloc's proposal prevails, Fingrid will still seek some form of international cooperation to balance its power, she added. "We will not be isolated. There will be contracts and agreements." (Editing by Terje Solsvik and Adrian Croft) By Gus Trompiz and Naveen Thukral PARIS/SINGAPORE, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Chicago wheat futures were little changed on Tuesday, steadying after a two-day slide to contract lows. Signs of fresh demand from wheat importers helped the market find a footing but offers in a tender by Egypt confirmed stiff competition from Black Sea suppliers like Russia. Soybean prices edged lower after climbing on Monday to their highest since Nov. 9, with forecasts calling for some rain in Argentina tempering concerns about dry weather in the South American exporting country. Corn also ticked lower. The Chicago Board of Trade most-active wheat contract was 0.1 percent higher by the end of the overnight session at $4.28-3/4 a bushel, holding above Monday's contract low of $4.27-1/2. "We have had two pretty miserable days for wheat trading," said Phin Ziebell, an agribusiness economist at National Australia Bank. "Fundamentally nothing has changed, every year production is hitting record highs. We are not going to see higher prices in such an environment." The price drop since Friday spurred importers like Algeria and Egypt to issue tenders but any demand boost to U.S. wheat was limited by cheaper competition from Russian wheat. The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Monday reported weekly wheat export inspections of 344,721 tonnes, in line with estimates for 200,000 tonnes to 400,000 tonnes. U.S. wheat export inspections are down 5.9 percent so far in this marketing year compared with 2016/17. CBOT soybeans eased 0.5 percent to $9.91-1/4 a bushel after failing to reach the $10 threshold, while corn gave up 0.3 percent to $3.50-3/4 a bushel. Below-average rain in the first two weeks of December will complicate planting of late-sown corn and soybeans in most of Argentina's central grains belt, meteorologists told Reuters on Monday. Forecasts called for scattered rain in parts of Argentina in the week ahead, although models differed as to the amount and there was a risk of moisture declining again next week, the Commodity Weather Group said in a note. (Reporting by Naveen Thukral in Singapore and Gus Trompiz in Paris; Editing by Joseph Radford and Mark Potter) By Jussi Rosendahl HELSINKI, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Finland's biggest retailer S Group, which put its Russian growth plans on hold after the Ukraine crisis in 2014, is now back in expansion mode, a company executive said on Tuesday. The cooperative group, which accounts for more than 40 percent of Finland's grocery sales, operates 16 Prisma hypermarkets and stores in St Petersburg. Several Finnish companies, including retailers Stockmann and Kesko, have pulled back from Russia in recent years following an economic slowdown there and a slide in the rouble currency. But with the economy now picking up, S Group is planning to double its number of hypermarkets and supermarkets in St Petersburg in the next five years, possibly starting from 2018, said Executive Vice President Jorma Vehvilainen, who is in charge of the retail business. "Our Russian operations as a whole are starting to show positive cash flow. The St Petersburg region is developing well already, it is a huge market with a lot of growth potential," he told Reuters by phone. "This kind of market business requires a certain critical volume to become profitable." S Group's retail business in St Petersburg, which covers about 4 percent of the city's overall market, is currently loss-making, Vehvilainen said. Prisma's rivals there include X5 and Lenta. Vehvilainen said the company was also looking to open smaller convenience stores, as well as new hotels on top of the three it already has in the city. "St Petersburg is easily reachable from Finland, logistically," he said, adding the retailer was not looking to expand elsewhere in Russia. Moscow in 2014 imposed an embargo on products including meat and dairy from the European Union and other countries in retaliation for Western economic sanctions over Russia's involvement in the Ukraine crisis. S Group sees the quality of Finnish food as a major competitive advantage. However, Vehvilainen said the embargo had not affected Prisma's selection much. "The bigger worry has been the weak purchasing power. The consumer behaviour correlates very much to the exchange rate." S Group's operations in Finland, the Baltics and Russia include groceries, hypermarkets, hotels, restaurants and a bank. Last year it had total sales of about 11 billion euros. (Reporting by Jussi Rosendahl; Editing by Mark Potter) BERLIN, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Germany is best suited to host a new NATO military logistics command, the top U.S. Army general in Europe said on Tuesday. NATO allies this month backed plans for two new military headquarters - an Atlantic command and a logistics command - to help protect Europe in the event of a future conflict. Lieutenant General Ben Hodges told the Berlin Security Conference that Germany - already host to many U.S. troops - was well-placed to take on the logistics role given its geographical location in the heart of Europe, and its existing capabilities. "I can't imagine any other country being better suited than Germany to take on that responsibility, from a geographical standpoint, a capability standpoint," Hodges said. Diplomats have said that Germany is eager to host the logistics command but no decisions have been made. Hodges, who is due to retire next month, has repeatedly pushed for increased focus on improving the ability to move troops and equipment across Europe in the event of a future conflict. NATO began beefing up its defences after the 2014 annexation by Russia of Ukraines Crimea peninsula, deploying troops to the Baltic states and Poland, strengthening its presence in the Black Sea and starting to modernising its forces. The Kremlin, which denies harboring any aggressive intentions toward Europe, has condemned the moves as an attempt to encircle Russia. (Reporting by Sabine Siebold; Writing by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Alison Williams) MOSCOW, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Moscow's ambassador to the United States will inspect the Russian consulate in San Francisco, from which staff has been expelled, on a visit to California later this month, the Russian embassy to the United States said on Tuesday, according to the news agency RIA. Russian staff left the consulate in September after Washington ordered Moscow to vacate some of its diplomatic properties, part of a series of tit-for-tat actions as relations soured between the two countries. U.S. officials have since occupied administrative parts of the compound, and Russia has threatened retaliation over what it has said are illegal and disrespectful acts. "From Nov. 29 to Dec. 3, Ambassador (Anatoly) Antonov will visit the state of California," RIA quoted the embassy as saying. The embassy said the trip will also include meetings with experts and business people, RIA reported. (Reporting by Jack Stubbs; Editing by Larry King) Official Palestinian Media: U.S. and Israel Are Responsible for ISIS Attack | Main | Israeli Peace Offers Go Missing in Politico November 28, 2017 International Business Times Peddles Fake News About Mossad's Gal Gadot A screen shot from Lebanon's Al Liwaa, which had erroneously used Gal Gadot's photograph to illustrate a story on alleged Mossad agent Collette Vianfi. Al Liwaa apologized, but The International Business Times lags far behind (Image via Times of Israel) Update: After communication from CAMERA staff, the International Business Times corrected its article and added a notice explaining that the story "has been updated to reflect that Al Liwaa apologized for using Gal Gadots photo to illustrate a story about an alleged Mossad agent." Starring as "Wonder Woman," Israel's Gal Gadot has grossed more than any other super-hero origin film, capturing the imagination of untold numbers of fans. She has also captured the imagination of an International Business Times reporter, who, based on an embarrassing photographic error on the part of a Lebanese newspaper, spun her own fantasy tale about the Israeli actress. Leaving the facts behind, Lauren Dubois wrote yesterday ("Lebanese Newspaper Claims To Reveal Gal Gadots Alleged Alternate Identity As Mossad Agent"): However, at least according to a Lebanese newspaper, Israeli actress Gal Gadot also has another secret identityas a Mossad agent. The paper, a daily known as Al Liwaa, published an image of Gadot on their front page Monday, claiming in an unsubstantiated report (via The Times of Israel), that she was actually Collette Vianfi, an agent from Israels international spy agency who was allegedly recruited to work with Lebanese actor and playwright Ziad Itani, who was arrested on Friday on charges of collaborating? with Israel and gathering information about political figures. The report included an image of Gadot from 2011s Fast Five? movie, and the report allegedly claimed the photo of her had circulated? on social media, and hours before the report was published, the image had been shared online with some claiming that Gadot was Vianfi, who was reportedly meant to visit Itani in Beirut this week, before canceling the trip after his arrest. But Al Liwaa never claimed that Gal Gadot was an Israeli agent or that her alter ego is someone called Collette Vianfi. Rather, it accidentally used a picture of Gadot to illustrate a story covering purported Israeli agent Vianfi. As The Arab News reports: Israeli Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot was pictured as a Mossad agent on the front page of a Lebanese newspaper yesterday. Beirut-based Al Liwaa newspaper used a picture of the actress to illustrate a story about Colette Vianfi, an alleged Israeli Mossad officer accused of recruiting Lebanese comedian and playwright Ziad Itani as a spy. A senior newspaper executive described the incident as embarrassing? in a telephone interview with Arab News. Tareq Damlaj, one of the managing editors at the newspaper, said: People were spreading the photo of actress Gal Gadot on social media, especially through WhatsApp, believing it was a photo of the Israeli officer. But after receiving a phone call today from cinema enthusiasts, and not security services, we learned this was the photo of an Israeli actress.? Furthermore, an editor's note yesterday on the very Times of Israel story to which Dubois linked spelled out that the Lebanese paper didn't accuse Gadot of being a spy, but rather misused her photograph ("Lebanese paper uses photo of Gal Gadot for tale of 'Mossad agent,' apologizes"). Meanwhile, not only does The International Business Times falsely claim that Lebanon's Al Liwaa supposedly accused Gadot of being a Mossad agent, it also egregiously fails to inform readers that the paper has already apologized about the "embarrassing" misuse of Gadot's picture. Al Liwaa apologized. Will The International Business Times? Posted by TS at November 28, 2017 07:29 AM Guidelines for posting This is a moderated blog. We will not post comments that include racism, bigotry, threats, or factually inaccurate material. Post a comment ISTANBUL, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Turkey said on Tuesday it could expand its military mission in Syria to two other provinces, potentially bringing its forces into confrontation with U.S.-backed Kurdish fighters that Ankara considers its enemies. Turkish troops have operated an "observation mission" in rebel-held territory in Syria's northwestern Idlib province, under a deal with Damascus allies Russia and Iran to help reduce fighting between insurgents and government forces. "It's been considered that the observation mission of the Turkish armed forces in the Idlib de-escalation zone is continuing successfully, and such a mission being performed near Western Aleppo and Afrin would provide a real environment of peace and safety," Turkey's National Security Council said in a statement. Ankara, which has long backed rebels fighting to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad, has toned down its demands that Assad leave power. It now says its main concerns in Syria are combating both Islamist militants and Kurdish fighters it considers allies of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) which has fought a decades-long insurgency in southeastern Turkey. Earlier this month, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey needed to clear the Afrin region of northwest Syria of Kurdish YPG militia fighters as the military operation in Idlib province is largely complete. The Kurdish YPG is the main element in a U.S.-backed force that Washington has assisted with training, weapons, air support and help from ground advisers in the battle against Islamic State. Washington's support for the YPG is a bone of contention between the United States and Turkey, which are allies in NATO. (Reporting by Ezgi Erkoyun; Editing by Peter Graff) SEOUL, Nov 29 (Reuters) - North Korea fired one ballistic missile from Pyongsong, a city in South Pyongan Province, at around 1817 GMT over the sea between South Korea and Japan, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said on Wednesday. South Korea and the United States are currently analysing what type of missile North Korea was fired, the military said in a text. Minutes after the North fired the missile, South Korea's military conducted a missile-firing test in response to the provocation, the South Korean military added. (Reporting by Christine Kim, editing by Larry King) By Michael Hirtzer CHICAGO, Nov 28 (Reuters) - U.S. ethanol producers, looking to relieve a growing domestic glut, are hunting for new international fuel markets to replace China and Brazil after trade disputes slashed exports to those top buyers. Without new markets, U.S. producers may have to pare output after spending hundreds of millions of dollars on biofuel production plants in recent years. Currently, the most promising potential destinations for U.S. fuel exports appear to be Mexico and India, industry executives said. China and Brazil accounted for 41 percent of the 1.17 billion gallons the United States exported last year. Shipments to the two shriveled in September, making U.S. exports for that month the smallest in more than a year. "There are only so many times you can replace your top market," said Tom Sleight, president of the U.S. Grains Council, which officials said has been calling on potential buyers in Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria. China's demand plummeted by more than 100 million gallons this year after it removed a preferential tariff rate. Brazil's imports tumbled after it put a quota on imports in September to protect its domestic producers. To drum up new customers, Illinois-based ethanol producer Marquis Energy has sent executives to India, China, Thailand and the Philippines, promoting the corn-based fuel additive as a smog and oil-import fighter. "I've had a lot of people over there almost nonstop over the last three months," the company's chief executive Mark Marquis said of the hunt for buyers in Asia. Archer Daniels Midland Co and Flint Hills Resources also have stepped up efforts to sell into Mexico, traders said. U.S. ethanol prices have slid to nearly a two-year low as daily domestic production last week hit a record 45.1 million gallons, making the search for new export markets more urgent. Output this year could reach about 16 billion gallons, nearly triple that of 2007. U.S. exports fell since hitting 2.5 million gallons per day in the first eight months this year. Shipments to Brazil sank to 19 million gallons in September, the smallest monthly volume in more than a year. Exports to China through September were just 60,880 gallons, a precipitous drop from 198 million gallons a year earlier, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data. The marketing effort could pay off in Mexico, whose energy regulatory commission (CRE) is to vote soon to ease the flow of fuel imports through state-run Pemex facilities to several Mexican states bordering the United States. If approved, significant new volumes of gasoline blended with 10 percent ethanol could begin flowing in 2018 into Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas states, CRE Commissioner Luis Guillermo Pineda told Reuters. "The largest supplier is logically the United States, but it can be from anywhere," Pineda said of the ethanol blend. Ray Young, ADM's finance chief, last month told analysts Mexico could be importing 200 million gallons annually by 2019. U.S. ethanol exports to Mexico last year totaled about 30 million gallons. U.S. inventories reached 920 million gallons in the week ended Nov. 17, up 16 percent from a year earlier, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said. Ethanol futures have fallen to $1.36 per gallon on the Chicago Board of Trade, down 20 percent from their 2017 high in April. U.S. producers are pitching China and India on ethanol's smog-fighting potential. This month, United Airlines canceled flights to India's capital, New Delhi, citing heavy smog as a public health emergency. China ordered Beijing and more than two dozen other cities to start meeting limits on airborne pollution starting this month. Ted McKinney, a USDA official interviewed during a biofuel-promotion trip to India, expressed optimism that country could import much more U.S. ethanol for cars and trucks. But others were not so sure. India's government wants to promote biofuel production using its own agricultural waste, said Jai Asundi, research coordinator at Bengaluru-based think tank Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP). "There is a potential for producing ethanol from locally available sources without depending on imports," Asundi said. (Additional reporting by David Alire Garcia in MEXICO CITY, Mayank Bhardwaj in NEW DELHI and Yashaswini Swamynathan in BANGALORE; Editing by Gary McWilliams and David Gregorio) By Daniel DePetris Nov 28 (Reuters) - The U.S. National Security Council is reported to be on the verge of recommending the export of $47 million worth of defensive arms to Ukraine. The package will reportedly include a cache of Javelin anti-tank missiles, weapons that would reliably and efficiently disable the hundreds of tanks that the Russian-supported separatists in the countrys east have acquired since the conflict began. To advocates who believe that sending weapons to the Ukrainian government will bloody Russias nose and send President Vladimir Putin a message, this pending decision couldnt have come soon enough. Arming Kiev is a popular prescription supported by top military officers and many lawmakers in both parties. Popular, however, doesnt mean smart. Opening up Americas stockpile to Ukraine is not in Washingtons national security interest. In fact, it is bound to make a conflict that is mostly frozen into a more deadly one and it complicates any reasonable chance of a diplomatic resolution. While it may be uncomfortable to admit, the political orientation of Ukraine and how Ukrainians choose to manage (or mismanage) their economy and political system doesnt directly affect the United States. As Rajan Menon and William Ruger wrote in Foreign Affairs magazine last month, "Ukraine matters more to Russia than it does to the United States." To Washington, Ukraine is a post-Soviet state whose oligarchic politics and systemic corruption have severely handicapped the countrys economic outlook. U.S. security interests in Europe are not wedded to whether Kiev succeeds in establishing a more democratic and accountable form of government. At best, Ukraine is a peripheral country that the United States doesnt have a treaty obligation to defend if its territory is invaded. To Putin, however, Ukraine is an integral puzzle in his grand strategy of making Russia as relevant a global player as it was during the Cold War. A wholesale Westernization of Ukrainian politics, from associations with the European Union (EU) to a possible membership in NATO, would destroy that ambition and ruin a significant portion of Putins political legacy. Indeed, the possibility of Ukraine increasing its trade relationship and political direction with the United States and Europe was enough of a national security threat to Putin that he was willing to deploy Russian soldiers, paratroopers, and special forces on Ukrainian territory to carve out a zone of influence there. Putins belief that a Russian-friendly Ukraine is a national security imperative for Moscow wont be changed by a couple dozen anti-tank missiles from the United States. The second concern for the Trump administration is how Putin might respond to any escalation. As former National Security Council official Charles Kupchan argued in the Washington Post: "The notion that Russian President Vladimir Putin would give up his hold on Donbass [Eastern Ukraine] if a few more Russians come home in body bags is to dramatically misread the Kremlin." Yet this false assumption is what undergirds the arguments from proponents of lethal assistance to the Ukrainians. Its impossible to understand why some U.S. legislators are so confident that Moscow will react in the way they expect. The three-and-a-half year long war has shown that Russia is ruthless in escalating its involvement and investment in the conflict to prevent a military victory for Kiev. In fact, to expect that Moscow would respond to more Russian casualties by suing for a peace settlement is to ignore completely how Putin has behaved since Russias 2014 invasion of Ukraine. When separatist units in Donetsk and Luhansk were losing ground to pro-Kiev forces early in the war, Russia came to their rescue. In the summer of 2014, when pro-Ukrainian troops were retaking towns that Kiev previously lost, columns of Russian tanks, artillery, heavy weapons, and soldiers crossed the border into Ukraine to ensure that there were no more Ukrainian territorial advances in strategic areas. When the stalemated battle in the city of Ilovaisk was slowly moving Kievs way, conventional Russian soldiers and weapons were fast-tracked to the frontline in what would turn out to be one of the deadliest days for Ukrainian troops in the war. Months later, when the separatists were in jeopardy of retreating from the strategic town of Delbatseve, Russian tanks were deployed and quickly forced an undermanned, disorganized, demoralized, and tired contingent of Kiev forces to withdraw. Theres no reason to think that Putin would respond less violently now if Washington sent defense shipments to Ukraine. The most negative impact of additional U.S. involvement is that it will likely spoil Moscows willingness to cooperate on a Ukrainian peacekeeping proposal. While Moscow has insisted that the 2014 and 2015 Minsk protocols are the only way the war in Ukraine can end peacefully, Putin has openly acknowledged that there may need to be greater international involvement if that peace is to be sustainable. He broached the subject of deploying U.N. troops along the contact line this September and even agreed to explore greater access to peacekeepers in separatist-controlled territory after a call with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The concept is now being discussed within the Trump administration and between the U.S. and Russian special envoys to the conflict, suggesting sincerity on the Russian side. A White House authorization to send equipment to Kiev could stop that dialogue. Its difficult to understand why the United States would escalate the war when there may finally be an opening to explore a U.N.-enforced cessation of hostilities that could lead to a political settlement to the conflict. The Russians could respond to increased U.S. involvement in Ukraine in other ways too. Moscow could, for example, use its veto power in the U.N. Security Council to block U.S.-led efforts to stop North Koreas nuclear program. Putin could expand military and intelligence cooperation with Iran to undermine the Trump administrations policy of containing Iranian expansionism. The costs to the U.S. of turning Ukraine into a proxy war against Russia overshadow the benefit of increasing Moscows casualty count. Sending arms to Kiev will do very little to help resolve the conflict. Sometimes the best course of action for the White House is not to get more involved on issues peripheral to American grand strategy. (Reporting by Ben Adler) Socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era in a historic redefinition of Chinas current situation. This new era means more than Chinas great leap from standing up to becoming rich and strong in the global and domestic scene. It implies that China has already taken world centre stage, contributing Chinese wisdom and Chinese approaches to the worlds development based on its success in socialism with Chinese characteristics in terms of theory, system, culture and of course her enormous power in each and every field. China has become the worlds largest manufacturer, the largest exporter, a major source of global economic growth and a stabilizer of the world economy. Chinas foreign reserves are a mammoth 3.11 trillion or US4 3,110 billion in October in comparison to Sri Lankas US$ 6.2 billion. Anyone visiting China could witness the widespread multifaceted development taking place in all parts of the country. Construction of skyscrapers, high ways and expressways are common sights in any part of China. What most is significant is the extra efforts taken to preserve and protect the environment. Sustainable and continual economic growth in China makes the country play an increasingly important role as a stabilizer of the world economy, since the 80s. The recently concluded 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China aptly symbolizes this new chapter of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). Recent years have witnessed China playing an increasingly important role in global economic governance, as proved by the proposal of the Belt and Road Initiative, the convening of the G20 Summit in Hangzhou in 2016, the establishment of the BRICS New Development Bank, the operation of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and the raising of the concept of a community of shared future for mankind, which has been written into United Nations documents. Chinas rapid development and its stature as a responsible power win it worldwide recognition, as it takes a place in the centre of the world stage. Today, Chinas economic aggregate is the worlds second-largest, contributing more than 30 percent of global economic growth. China is now a strong engine for world economic development and one of the worlds manufacturing centres, It has realized global allocation of resources and energies, which amplifies Chinas influence in the World The Chinese economy is getting increasingly integrated with the global economy by forging partnerships with many economies, in terms of trade and investment, which are gradually becoming part of each other. Its not a stretch to say that every economic policy initiated by China exerts a certain impact on the global economy. As it becomes stronger and more powerful, China is actively getting involved in global governance, producing a series of initiatives and approaches in global politics, economy, and security. China is now an indispensable driving force for the evolution of international relationships and also a steadfast advocate for world peace and economic globalization. China has always stuck to justice and peaceful solutions to regional conflicts and bilateral disputes. This adds to Chinas international influence, magnetism and shaping power. In this era of dramatic changes and rapid development, peace and development remain the theme of the times. China will continue to uphold the banner of peace, development and win-win cooperation, try to make more contributions to human society and press ahead with construction of the community of shared future for mankind. With its progress in industrialization, China has been providing finished products to people around the world and made-in-China covers markets worldwide, remarkably improving the wellbeing of the world. No matter how uneven the road ahead is, it is firmly believed that as a key power on the world stage, China will make greater contributions to the worlds peace, security, and development. Chinas status in the world economic system is based on the progress of industrialization. After World War II, almost all the emerging countries freed from colonial and semi-colonial status set the goal of industrialization, but only a few of them succeeded, while China is among the most successful. Nearly a decade ago, China became the worlds largest manufacturer, with remarkable advantages in traditional labour-intensive manufacturing industries. With its progress in industrialization, China has been providing finished products to people around the world and made-in-China covers markets worldwide, remarkably improving the wellbeing of the world. Made-in-China has played an even more significant role in improving peoples livelihoods in developing countries. In the tide of mobile telecom development, people across almost the entire African continent rely on Chinese-made telecom equipment and affordable cell phones to enter the era of mobile payment, despite a lack of access to fixed phones and poor bank facilities. Similarly, a great leap forward to mobile payment also occurred in India and some other countries. Besides, relying on cheap Chinese-made goods, wholesale and logistics businesses have also prospered in Africa and Latin America. Sustainable and continuoal economic growth in China makes the country play an increasingly important role as a stabiliser of the world economy. Since the 1 980s, China has been serving as a stabilizer in the regional economy of East Asia, and after the Asian financial crisis in 1997, its role of stabiliser in the East Asian economy became increasingly prominent. Entering the 21st century, China has upgraded from East Asian economic stabiliser to world economic stabilizer and engine. A few statistics will show what China has achieved in the last decade from 2006 to 2016 in comparison to Sri Lankas extremely poor performance. In 2016, Sri Lankas GDP was US$ 32.35 billion and the Per Capita Income was US$ 1,448. By 2016, Sri Lankas GDP has risen to US$ 81.32 billion and the Per Capita Income to US$ 3,835 while China has recorded a Per Capita Income of US$ 8,123 in 2016 from US$ 5,870 in 2006. Chinas GDP in 2016 was unbelievable US$ 21.37 trillion, an increase from US$ 7.699 trillion 2006. Chinas foreign reserves are a mammoth US$ 3.11 trillion or US$ 3,110 billion in October 2017 in comparison to Sri Lankas US$ 6.2 billion. According to official estimation, by 2020 when China fully becomes a moderately prosperous society, its GDP will approximate 100 trillion Yuan ($15 trillion), and its annual per-capita GDP will reach $11,000. Meanwhile, all people will have risen out of poverty. Permanent urban residents will account for more than 60 percent of Chinas population. Annual per-capita disposable income will range between 30,000 Yuan ($4,523) and 35,000 Yuan ($5,277). Chinas GDP will still rank second in the world, yet the gap between China and the United States, the largest economy in the world, will further narrow. China will remain among the upper-middle-income countries, but it will come to be one of the top countries in this rank. This will be the foundation for China to build on in order to overtake the United States to become the worlds largest economy and a high-income country after 2020. To address major challenges and problems facing global governance, Chinese President Xi Jinping has proposed a series of new concepts-including ideas on global governance, security, development, and globalization-with the aim of building a more rational, balanced and fairer global governance system that benefits all. China upholds the concepts of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation and promotes the long-term goal of creating a community of shared future for mankind through practical actions. Over the four years since it was launched, the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative has evolved from a proposal into concrete action, from an idea into fruitful results. It has become an open and inclusive platform for international cooperation and a widely welcomed global public good for the global community. More than 100 countries and international organizations show support for and actively participate in the construction of the Belt and Road. The initiative has been incorporated into important resolutions adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN), the UN Security Council and the UN Human Rights Council. Construction of the Belt and Road has already been given credit for preliminary achievements, with a handful of landmark projects already paying off. China has aligned its development strategy with those of many other countries, and infrastructure connectivity has been remarkably improved. In May, China successfully hosted the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, which produced fruitful results and greater momentum for joint endeavours under the initiative. China upholds the concepts of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation and promotes the long-term goal of creating a community of shared future for mankind through practical actions. Chinas rapid and unbelievable progress in the last few decades is more significant as she has not plundered, invaded or exploited any foreign country to achieve her phenomenal success in the economy. Anyone visiting China could witness the widespread multifaceted development taking place in all parts of the country. Construction of skyscrapers, high ways and expressways are common sights in any part of China. What is most significant is the extra efforts taken to preserve and protect the environment. The only setback I witnessed was the low knowledge of a foreign language among Chinese people. Though English is taught from the kindergarten level since late, even the young Chinese are poor in English though they have been fully westernized beyond recognition from their older generation. The Meteorology Department of Sri Lanka yesterday advised the people not to panic over foreign reports forecasting a storm or flood threats in the country. Met Department Director Forecaster Anusha Warnasooriya told the Daily Mirror the people have begun to panic due to several foreign news reports of a storm that would likely hit Sri Lanka followed by a flood threat, however so far the Meteorology department data doesnt have evidence to confirm such reports. She said the Meteorology Department was observing a low level atmospheric disturbance in the Bay of Bengal however it would travel over Sri Lanka towards India. Further she said different regions of the world are using various numerical models to collect data and forecast on the weather but all those models are not suitable for Sri Lanka therefore most foreign reports are not reliable. She also said the build up of a storm could be identified early and the Met Department would know if there was such a threat.. A major storm hit the country last in 2000. Meanwhile, the Met Department said that rainfall exceeding 75 mm could be expected during the next 36 hours in some places particularly in the Central, Eastern, Uva, Southern and Sabaragamuwa provinces. It also said Misty conditions could be expected at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces during the mornings with winds over 50 kmph. (Thilanka Kanakarathna) There are pros and cons of both Ayurvedic and Western medicinal practices. Many assume that the Ayurvedic system is unique to Sri Lanka. Simply the reality is that the existing Sri Lankan Ayurvedic system was influenced by the Indian Ayurvedic system. Before the Ayurvedic system spread, a traditional and indigenous medical practice existed in Sri Lanka. This purely Sri Lankan medical practice isnt a descendant of Indian Ayurvedic system, traditional medical practitioner Dampe Weda Mahaththaya told the Daily Mirror. This Ayurvedic doctor, from Madapatha, Dampe, said that the traditional indigenous medical practice is deep-rooted in the Sri Lankan history. Prefers treating serious patients Speaking about the specialized areas in Ayurveda he said, I am dedicated towards curing the poorest of patients who are suffering from diseases which have been termed incurable. Among them are patients who have been told to undergo bypass operations. I prefer to treat patients who have serious ailments since any doctor can cure simple illnesses likes coughs and influenza. I am interested in curing patients with Diabetics, Arthritis, High/low blood pressure, cholesterol and wheezing, said Dampe Weda Mahaththaya. Answering the question as to how he entered the field of medicine, the weda mahaththaya said, Well, I am hailing from an ancient weda (Medicinal) generation whose roots are in Anuradhapura. We have been familiar with medicine and treatments since childhood. As children, we would go searching for medicine in the forest with our elders. Later I met an elderly weda mahaththaya from Ratnapura, who had no predecessor to pass on his vast knowledge to. He taught me the art of pulse reading known as Naadi Wedakama. Therefore I am skilled in a medicinal practice known as Sanyoga Wedakama which I inherited from the family. This method of treatment has pulse reading incorporated into it. Pulse reading is based on temperature and the activeness of the patient, the weda mahattaya said. According to him in latter years his family had moved to Madapatha. After settling down, we were treating the villagers and soon patients came in numbers and formed queues at our residence. Our home was always filled with patients, he reminisced. Every plant contains poisons within. The indigenous medical practitioner, also known as weda mahaththya, has the ability to mix the poison in safer quantities so that it cures the patient Lack of herbs and plants Making medicine from plants and herbs at present is a difficult task for Ayurvedic doctors like him due to lack of material. He explained how he is overcoming such difficulties. I can identify any medicinal plant just by biting into a dried-up part of a tree, which grows in this country. Now the forests are degrading fast, and its difficult to find herbs needed for medicine. Mahogany, Teak and other invasive plant species are destroying our indigenous trees and plants and also disturbing the pollination process. The bees, a critical part of pollination and the forest life cycle, are going extinct. Thousands of trees are facing the threat of extinction. is how he described the present precarious situation. We usually obtain herbs from Anuradhapura, Vavuniya, Mulathivu, and Polonnaruwa. We obtain them especially from the dry zone. We have helping hands everywhere in the country. They collect and bring the medicinal herbs which we combine carefully to produce the medicines, ourselves. My family members support us in all these endeavours. he noted. Every plant contains poisons within. The indigenous medical practitioner, also known as weda mahaththya, has the ability to mix the poison in safer quantities so that it cures the patient, he specified. He said that a doctor is responsible in prescribing the right medication for a patient. He added that regardless of whether the ailment was simple or complicated prescribing any medicine should be done with a great understanding of the patients condition. Its essential that the doctor has a clear sense of the three ailments afflicting a patient which are identified in Ayruveda as Thridosha, (waatha, pitha, and sema), he said. Bypass We asked the weda mahaththaya why he started treating patients who have been recommended to undergo bypass surgery. Well, I had the idea to make medicines for patients who have been told to do a bypass surgery. I started experimenting with medicines which can be used to cure such ailments. This was early as in 2001. My experiments produced successful results by 2005. As a result, we are able to cure any patient who has been told to undergo bypass surgery within two and half months, he said. Many people think that indigenous medicine and Ayurvedic medicine are the same. Dampe Weda Mahaththaya explained the differences between those two medicinal practices. The Ayurvedic system came to Sri Lanka from India and later mixed with traditional indigenous medicine that was existing. Consequently, the Ayurvedic medical practice surpassed the practice of traditional indigenous medicine. Concoctions, dry balls, arishta (syrup) and other medications are given to the patient in the Ayurvedic system. However, in traditional indigenous medicine practice, we give only the dry version of medicines taking into account convenience and practicality. Both medical practices have transparent differences he said. However, in traditional indigenous medicine, almost all plants and leaves are used to make medicine. We combine the barks, leaves, fruits, roots and other natural substances and use our knowledge to experiment with new medicines and treatment. Thats the most obvious difference between the two systems. They (Ayurvedic) cant find solutions for new diseases, but we (Traditionalists) can,he emphasised. The wonder of this traditional indigenous medical practice is that there are treatments for every disease and we can find treatment for newly originated diseases, even for plagues. It is possible to make medicines by experimenting No miracle oils Airing his opinion on quack doctors or so-called weda mahaththayas and the harm done by them to this practice known as wedakama he said, Nowadays, there are hundreds of Sinhala medicinal products manufactured for the sole purpose of marketing. There are no common medicines in the traditional indigenous medical practice that can be given to everyone except for herbs like Kottamalli, Aralu, Bulu, and Nelli etc. Those various oils, that promise miracles and cures, are mere consumer products since no genuine weda mahaththaya can make cure-all oils. The first thing a general physician does is to reveal the bitter truth about a serious illness to the patient. This causes a major mental break down in the patient. As doctors, we should cultivate a friendship with the patient and utter words of encouragement. Not only the body, but also the mind of the patient needs care. he said underscoring how the traditional indigenous medical practice is bound not only with the physical self, but also with the spiritual self of a patient. Asked what the taboo foods are from a traditional indigenous medicine perspective, he said, It depends on the disease and the condition of the patient. Pineapples, tomatoes, fish and meat are considered taboo in Sinhala wedakama. I advise my patients to avoid these food and ask them to consider avoiding foods that raise the heat in the body. Fish contains formalin and are months old and meat also includes certain hormones that are detrimental to my mode of treatment. Speaking about the diseases, Dampe Weda Mahaththaya said that the traditional indigenous medicine is a vast subject. The wonder of this traditional indigenous medical practice is that there are treatments for every disease and we can find treatment for newly originated diseases, even for plagues. It is possible to make medicines by experimenting, he said. (Dampe Weda Mahaththaya can be visited at 79/1/A, Dampe, Madapatha) Victimization, vindication and compensation to Naomi Coleman When Naomi Coleman says that she was overwhelmed by the Supreme Court Decision vindicating her rights and compensating her to the tune of Rs.800,000, one is hardly surprised. When foreigners, specially Brits visit Sri Lanka, they do not expect a religious police a la Saudi Arabian Mutaween, to pounce on them at the Airport. To make things worse and quite shameful, one hardly expects a Magistrate, a judicial officer, to remand her and then issue a deportation order, ultra vires, condemning her as a common criminal. Just like the Rohingyas did at Mount Lavinia, Ms. Coleman too has tasted a bowlful of Theravada Buddhism in its current and popular packaging. One might ironically say that she has received what she was searching for in her quest in countries such as Thailand and Nepal, that too, beyond all her expectations, in this beautiful isle. Her quest was fulfilled to the hilt when she was reported on media as saying that she would never visit Sri Lanka again. I really wish that my engagement with the Criminal Justice system in this column would cease soon, allowing me to dwell on more cheerful facets of our lives; but it does not. In fact, it becomes more and more imperative to address these issues as hardly a few days go by without fingers being pointed at one or more of the institutions that comprise our Criminal Justice System. The Vidya gang rape and Ruggerite Thajudeens case are two among many where the whole system came under severe criticism for its opaqueness, arbitrariness and lack of integrity. Indictment against the Criminal Justice System A criminal justice system is not merely the courts or the criminal law; it engulfs state institutions such as the Police, Prisons, Probation Department as well as concepts like victim and witness protection, access to law, the legal profession and so on, making it an umbrella where a person who comes into contact with the criminal branch of the law could seek refuge, as accused, victim or witness. We have this system handed down to us from the colonialists, Brits in particular, well oiled and time tested, albeit not without shortcomings and weaknesses; a thing that even exists in highly developed jurisdictions too. Yet the disturbing development of late is the extent to which the integrity of these institutions is being compromised; a situation engendered by corruption, nepotism, political influence, bribery, inefficiency and incompetence. As the Coleman case reveals the entire institutional structure showed how putrid and defecated it was. From a Police OIC, who blindly allowed himself to be led by, eh, a tuk tuk driver, in detaining her without knowing the offence she had committed, to the Magistrate who thought it was his fifteen minutes of glory to show the whites how reverent and disciplined we were viz a viz these tattoo-sporting and skin-baring white tribal savages. From the prison guard making lewd remarks and gestures while she was in his custody to the female guard who tried to steal her mobile phone. For a person who is used to the foolproof and efficient systems of criminal justice in Britain, this might have been a nightmare, obviously. But even for natives like us, who are peddlers of corruption, nepotism, bigotry, fraud in our own humble and individual ways, this is disturbing. Disturbing questions Are the Police officers, especially those in charge of Police stations, such buffoons not to inquire as to under what law a person, let alone a British National, is being detained? Is the Magistrate, so ignorant in law as not to realize that deportation of foreigners is a prerogative of the Subject Minister and not his by a long stretch? Furthermore, was he even vaguely conscious of what the criminal element inherent in the act that she was supposedly charged of by the Brilliant Buddhist Crusader in khaki uniform? Do not male prison guards have any fear of acting in sexually suggestive manner to a foreign female, whose case has the potential of attracting international attention? Are female prison guards thieves of mobile phones and other belongings of those under their charge? More disturbingly, is the Supreme Court the only place and none nearer to ground zero, where a person could get his rights vindicated? Coleman could afford it; can an ordinary man or woman invoke the jurisdiction of this apex court of the land? All these questions beg answering; answers, all of which, beget more questions. None of the answers would inspire confidence either in the rule of law or the institutions affiliated to it. Why the archaic notion of crime and punishment has been replaced by the modern concept of criminal justice is to ensure that not only the victims but even delinquents are dealt humanely, scientifically and therapeutically so that instead of retributory dictates, correctional methods are given priority. But when completely innocent and law abiding citizens, or even non-citizens, as in this case, themselves are relegated to the common criminal who deserves the dungeon, in a country which calls itself, a Socialist Democratic Republic, in terms of the mode of governance and a repository of Theravada Buddhism, in terms of its social outlook, one is rendered speechless. More disturbingly, is the SC the only place and none nearer to ground zero, where a person could get his rights vindicated? Vindicator or licensed violator of rights? Internationally the integrity of our justice system has been questioned in areas of transitional justice, fundamental rights, rights of political prisoners etc. prompting for calls for foreign judges and tribunals. As much as we deplore such encroachments upon the sovereign governance of our affairs by foreigners, even in such, grey areas of dispute adjudication, what about these glaring showcasing of incompetence, ignorance and bigotry in more plainer plateaus such as ordinary criminal proceedings? If this is the competence level at the ordinary and the mundane, what about the extraordinary and the complicated? The space for dissent and an alternative mode of life, including practices which are not in conformity with the religious views of the majority, is narrowing so fast. Religious and racial bigotry is assuming proportions of downright physical violence, abuse, assault and intimidation. The law enforcing authorities such as lower courts, police stations, prisons need to remain aloof of these biases and if possible, act to reverse these trends by vindicating victims of such bigotries. Yet unfortunately, they are fast becoming, legitimate versions of carrying out such discriminatory and hegemonic practices, thus encouraging the miscreants and consequently, perpetuating the culture of intolerance and impunity. Or else, they turn a blind eye and mind their own business. The Last Camel in the caravan The Supreme Court says in its judgement that the treatment Ms. Coleman received was scandalous and horrifying. The Supreme Court should not be the last camel in the caravan having to carry all the burdens dropped by the preceding ones, as it has turned out in Sri Lanka. The lower courts as well as other State institutions of the criminal justice system should act in a manner that puts to effect the theory of Social Contract as proponed by John Locke into practice. That citizens have surrendered their sovereignty to the State, not as a means of forfeiting their personal liberties; but hoping that it will be the legitimate protector and vindicator of such rights and liberties and not the official violator of those sacrosanct rights. Berlin (dpa) 27 Nov 2017 - Leaders from German Chancellor Angela Merkels Christian Democrat (CDU) party met for over four hours in Berlin on Sunday, unanimously agreeing to pursue a so-called grand coalition with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) to break the political deadlock in the country. Lawmakers were attempting to hash out a way forward after exploratory talks for an untried coalition with the Greens and the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) collapsed last week. The failure of the talks last weekend placed the SPD under growing pressure to rejoin the CDU and their Bavaria-based sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), in a grand coalition. SPD leader Martin Schulz had previously ruled out another coalition - which would be the third CDU/CSU/SPD coalition under Merkel - after the party received a record low level of support in the September 24 election, but has indicated a softening of this stance in recent days. The postal voting applications for the 93 local government bodies to which elections had been declared elections will be closed at 12.00 midnight on December 15 and under no circumstances will it be extended, the Elections Commission said today. It said public officials on election duty -- school principals, teachers, SLTB officials, postal workers, railway officials, police and armed forces personnel and Civil Defense Force cadres who are registered as voters of any of the LG bodies where elections are being held, will be entitled to cast their votes by post. The EC said those who apply for postal voting must have been registered in the 2017 electoral list. The certifying officers of postal votes must personally ensure the identity of the voter and send the applications promptly to the returning officer of the district where the voter has been registered on or before December 15. "Incomplete applications and those received after the said date will not be accepted. Therefore, it is advisable that the applications be handed over by the certifying officers to the Returning Officer of the district," the EC said. For the convenience of voters the district electoral registers have been on display at all District Election offices, Divisional Secretariats, Local Government bodies, Grama Niladari offices and at the Public Administration Ministry, Police Headquarters, Labour Secretariat, Postal Headquarters, Sri Lanka Railway Head Office, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry, Education Ministry, Registrar Generals Office, the NHDA and Department of Registration of Persons. Voters can also check their registration on the website: elections.gov.lk. and obtain any information on the elections and the method of voting. A special programme is in place to facilitate armed forces personnel to cast their votes by post, after consulting the relevant commanders of the three forces. The Anglo-Irish physician Sir Hans Sloane (1660-1753) rose in his profession to serve the royal family and became both President of the Royal Society and President of the Royal College of Physicians. Yet, most notably, Sloane was a collector of books, manuscripts and specimens ranging from medicine and natural history to religious tracts and beyond. This immense collection formed the foundation of the British Museum, from which the British Library and the Natural History Museum were later born. An illustrious man of science notwithstanding, these three institutions of knowledge and learning are his greatest legacy. Sloanes collection is vast. It contains at least 45,000 printed items, which the British Librarys Sloane Printed Books Catalogue has been meticulously cataloguing in a dedicated online open access database. The physician did not limit his remit to his field, but stretched well beyond it, reflecting the breadth of his interests. Sloane was a keen traveller albeit largely of the armchair variety. Having spent a formative educational period in France which also served to polish his command of the language, in 1687 Sloane secured the lucrative opportunity to serve as the personal physician to the newly appointed governor of Jamaica, the 2nd Duke of Albemarle. The two years spent in Jamaica, along with the period spent in France, were the extent of the Sloanes travels abroad. Yet these limited experiences would nonetheless spark an insatiable interest in travel and the wider world that was expressed in his vast collection. Some Observations made upon the Molucco Nutts, imported from the Indies, 546.g.18.(1.) In both diversity of language and topic, Sloanes Printed Books Collection is a treasure trove of literature on the far reaches of the world. They include medical literature on herbs from distant lands, including a work on Molucco Nuts [546.g.18.(1.)] from the East Indies shewing their admirable virtues in curing the Collick and a work on Brazilian Root [778.e.41.(12.)] from South America that possesses wonderful virtue against vomiting and loosness. Some Observations made upon the Brasillian Root, called Ipepocoanha: imported from the Indies, 778.e.41.(12.) A Full and True Relation of the great and wonderful Revolution that hapned lately in the Kingdom of Siam, in the East-Indies, 582.e.39. But such medically related works in his travel collection are in fact sparse in comparison to material on trade and beyond. Sloanes collection contains numerous works on the East India Company and its forays, including a swashbuckling narrative detailing A Full and True Relation of the great and wonderful Revolution that hapned lately in the Kingdom of Siam, in the East-Indies ... And of the expulsion of the Jesuits ... and Soldiers of the French Nation out of that Kingdom [582.e.39.]. A curiosity about religions abroad also emerges from Sloanes catalogue, with a work on religious sects of India described as A Display of two forraigne sects in the East Indies, vizt: the sect of the Banians, the ancient natives of India and the sect of the Persees the ancient inhabitants of Persia [696.c.11.(1.)] as well as a work on the Present State of Christianity in China [489.g.14.(1.)]. A Display of two forraigne sects in the East Indies, vizt: the sect of the Banians, the ancient natives of India and the sect of the Persees the ancient inhabitants of Persia, 696.c.11.(1.) A True Account of the Present State of Christianity in China, 489.g.14.(1.) The colourful collage of Sloanes interests was so diverse that many a readers taste is catered for. Perhaps you too might like to explore and see what you find to interest you in the Sloane Printed Books Catalogue the database for the original collection, today held largely at the British Library. Lubaaba Al-Azami Sloane Printed Books Catalogue Los Angeles (dpa), 27 Nov 2017 - A senior Democratic lawmaker in the US House of Representatives stepped down from the Judiciary Committee on Sunday amid allegations of sexual harassment. Congressman John Conyers is facing an ethics investigation following a media report that said he allegedly settled a 27,000-dollar sexual harassment claim by a former female employee. After careful consideration and in light of the attention drawn by recent allegations made against me, I have notified the Democratic Leader of my request to step aside, Conyers posted on Twitter. In an interview with Daily Mirror, United National Party (UNP) MP for the Puttalam district Hector Appuhamy speaks about the current status of the government and allegations against him about the Bond scam. He shared the following: UNP backbenchers criticism is a spontaneous reaction to what they see as unreasonable We are worried whether our party is subjected to political discomfiture in the country UNP only elected him to office Yet, those who humiliated him enjoy perks today Nobody has been found guilty of Bond Scam My telephone calls with Arjun Aloysius not related to COPE inquiries I am a newcomer, and only learnt at COPE There is nothing Arjun Aloysius can get from me as a newcomer Q The UNP MPs take on President Maithripala Sirisena openly. How will it affect the future of the unity government? We all should read the mandate given to us at the 2015 elections. We should understand why people elected President Sirisena to office and gave us a mandate subsequently at the parliamentary election. There is a lot of work remaining to be done. Yet, the problems arose only because of some steps taken which were contradictory to the mandate. As citizens, we are duty-bound to address burning issues of the country regardless of our political differences. We expected the President to give leadership to achieve the intended objectives. He is the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). If he works for the unity of the SLFP, we will not be opposed to it. It is his right. We recognize it. Be that as it may, we, as the UNP backbenchers, are worried whether our party is subjected to political discomfiture in the country. The Bond Commission did not make any allegation against anyone. Mud-slinging took place only through the media. The COPE is a committee carrying out investigations into financial matters of the public enterprises based on reports compiled by the Auditor General Q You mentioned about steps taken in contrast to the mandate. What are they? The UNP ensured the Presidents victory at the elections in 2015. The UNP, backed by the SLFP, did an arduous task to get him elected to office. Our party men endured harassment in the task. In fact, they sustained physical harassment and arson attacks on their houses. They were even put behind bars. That was how the UNPers made sacrifices. Nevertheless, some SLFP members, who not only worked against the President but also insulted him as Hitan, Hutan, enjoy ministerial perks in the government today. The conduct of these members only has created a clashing and contradictory situation. For the UNP backbenchers, it is an unhealthy development. That is what I see as steps contradictory to the mandate. As a government, we were assigned the responsibility to clear the name of Sri Lanka in the international arena. That has to be done in engagement with the UN and the international community. We could not find a solution to the problem here through military means. We only crushed the terrorist group. Yet, their political course remains intact. We should have defeated it ideologically. We have to bring about economic revival. Q Is this a general criticism of the UNP as a party or that of backbenchers? You cannot take it as the position of the UNP as a party. Also, you cannot see this as individual criticism of the backbenchers. The UNP backbenchers have begun to feel why we are treated like this. This criticism originates from that feeling. Otherwise, this cannot be viewed as a general criticism of the UNP as a party. As a party, we always protect the President. We elected this President, not anyone else. People gave us a mandate to live up to their aspirations. We are aware of what we are supposed to do. We get upset when our leader or the party is subjected to scathing criticism by the SLFP MPs while enjoying governmental perks. It is the spontaneous reaction of some of our MPs to such criticism. Otherwise, the party leadership is not party to what we do. By the time I got elected to the current Parliament, the controversial Bond transaction had taken place. When I sat as a member of the COPE as a newcomer, I had a lot to learn Q If you present your criticism as a party, it would be more result-oriented. Why dont you do so? As I said earlier, there is a duty cast upon us. We have compromised a lot for it. Today, those, who victimized the UNPers by subjecting them to various forms of harassments, work as the secretaries to the ministers and enjoy perks such as vehicles. We compassionately bear with it. This is a sacrifice being made in view of the future of the country. Our party men have become helpless despite their hard work for the partys victory. Is this what we get for our hard work? That is the question being put to us by our party supporters. We only ask them to be patient for a while. If we want to act with political interests, we know what needs to be done. We know how to turn around everything. The UNP, as a party, is endowed with the capacity to do what is required to consolidate political power. We do not opt for it, though. We know how to trust our political clout. The UNP is known for it. Yet, we have a vision for the good of nation. Q When you say the UNP knows how to thrust its political power, is it through violent means? It does not mean violence. One cannot bend the UNP to suit ones interests. We cannot be trampled upon. We are flexible as we see. It does not mean thrusting our power through violent means. Q However, criticism targeting the President started only after the appointment of the Bond Commission and some revelations made about it. You also represented the COPE committee. What is your response to these allegations? The Bond Commission did not make any allegation against anyone. Mud-slinging took place only through the media. The COPE is a committee carrying out investigations into financial matters of the public enterprises based on reports compiled by the Auditor General. We make inquiries from officials attached to these public enterprises. Otherwise, the COPE has no mandate to inquire into the activities of a private venture. Yet, the COPE can deal with some nominal matters exceptionally when a public enterprise has transacted with a private firm or venture. That is it. By the time I got elected to the current Parliament, the controversial Bond transaction had taken place. When I sat as a member of the COPE as a newcomer, I had a lot to learn. I only learn. I did no try to cross examine anyone. I observed and listened more. We, the COPE, only asked for the appointment of this Bond Commission. So, the Bond Commission is ours. There is nothing to be questioned about from us. Q Yet, the COPE in its report legitimized allegations about a financial fraud in the bond issue. But, you are saying there are no allegations against anyone. Doesnt it look paradoxical? Nobody can be considered guilty until proven in a court of law. Everybody is entitled to presumption of innocence until a court decides otherwise. So far, no one has been convicted by a court of law. Unless there is any dereliction of duty on the part of the Central Bank officials, how can another get involved in any wrongdoing in this regard? If an outsider robs the Central Bank of its money in safes, it will be something different. In this instance of the bond issue, the Central Bank is the first accused. We should have been held guilty if we had blocked the COPE report on investigations into the bond issue. It did not happen that way. We only made this report. We have acted properly. Then, what is wrong with us having telephone conversations? Q How legitimate are these allegations on the bond scam? The COPE of the seventh Parliament made a report on the bond issue. We, in the eighth Parliament, had nothing much to do. We noticed that investigations are being confined to bond issues within a certain period only. The COPE focused on bond transactions that took place after the President assumed office in January, 2015. We had doubts whether this was done to bring the UNP to disrepute. We sought to investigate such transactions starting from 2008. That is what we asked for in footnotes. It did not happen for some unknown reason. Therefore, the UNP team of the COPE was earmarked separately. Nobody thought about where the actual fault lies. There are those who would have done business with the officials for a period. There was no inquiry into all these matters. We regret it. Q You mentioned that the COPE could not inquire into matters related to the private companies. Do you mean to say that Perpetual Treasuries cannot be touched by the COPE in its investigations? We have to inquire into what the Central Bank officials did. We have to do it first and go for the next step. The COPE is mandated to watch on financial activities of the Public Enterprises. The COPE has not made anyone guilty. But, we are branded as fraudsters today. If we are not allowed to talk to anyone, we cannot talk to Central Bank officials even during investigations. As a government, we were assigned the responsibility to clear the name of Sri Lanka in the international arena. That has to be done in engagement with the UN and the international community Q Your name is among those who had telephone conversations with Perpetual Treasuries owner Arjun Aloysius. What is your response? These telephone conversations were not linked to COPE inquiries at all. We should have been held guilty if we had blocked the COPE report on investigations into the bond issue. It did not happen that way. We only made this report. We have acted properly. Then, what is wrong with us having telephone conversations? This person in question has had links with the leaders of this country for a long time. What is there for him to contact us and get any help? Who are we for him to contact? We are newcomers. We still learn COPE affairs. It is a joke if someone says we were contacted for help. We assert that those responsible for the scam should be penalized through legal means. There is no second word about it. We, as COPE members, are happy about it. I feel sad that my name was dragged into an unnecessary problem. I get frustrated about politics when I see my name is associated with these allegations. Some bankrupt politicians in my district make use of this to tarnish my image in the tussle for preferential votes in future. Looking at why, for the sustenance of the current administration, a solid and firm understanding and empathetic dynamic between Ranil and Maithri is a prerequisite Maithripala Sirisena did his job. His job was not to win the Presidential Elections in January 2015. His was to leave his Party and its leader and the Executive President of the country at the time and challenge him at the elections. There is only one thing worse than fighting with allies, and that is fighting without them ~Winston S. Churchill Maithri, as he is fondly called by his friends and foes, made an enormously decisive move, which is rarely embarked on by politicians. A corrupt set of political vultures, who flourished under the Rajapaksa regime managed to secure some Cabinet portfolios and are now trying to steer the ship as if it was they who elected Maithripala Sirisena to power. An intimation of being let down was audible and being at the receiving end of woeful ungratefulness was the greatly felt sentiment. Ranil and Maithri must be now realising the fundamental error that they committed -the absence of a comprehensive code of conduct for MPs of both parties That decision was a momentous one. It was a daring move only either the most stupid or the most courageous would take, whichever way one looks at it. The scorn that was hurled at him and the vituperative verbiage that was aimed at him recognised no boundaries. Maithripala Sirisenas decision was momentous because his decision entailed, among others, bidding adieu to a long-winded political life in the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). By deserting his Party and challenging the Pseudo war-hero Mahinda Rajapaksa, withstanding the contempt of the Rajapaksas as a traitor to the cause of the common man and succeeding at the last Presidential Election, Maithri, as he is fondly called by his friends and foes, made an enormously decisive move, which is rarely embarked on by politicians. How the nomination of Maithripala Sirisena as a common candidate of the then Opposition came about, the writer is not privy to discuss. But in the shadows of Maithripalas desertion of his SLFP, lurked another strategic sacrifice. That was Ranil Wickremesinghes. Ranil Wickremesinghe was the Leader of the Opposition; he was the undisputed leader of his Party, the United National Party (UNP) which had been at the losing end at the electoral level for a span of twenty plus grueling years. The starvation of political power on the part of the UNP stalwarts and its lower level supporters had reached insufferable dimensions. Good Governance is not a slogan. It is not an illusion and nor is it a utopian dream. Good Governance or Yahapalanaya is a real, dynamic and living organism. Its survival is very much dependent upon the commitment on the part of the partners of the coalition. The 18th Amendment had buttressed the Rajapaksas well beyond all expectations; it lent a delusional satisfaction to its authors and framers that their power was forever. But that was to anticipate events to come. In order to accommodate the nomination of a common candidate against Mahinda Rajapaksa, Ranil, the leader of the UNP, had to make a specific sacrifice. The prevailing belief at the time was that Ranil Wickremesinghe was never destined to be the President of the country. Yet the elections held just prior to the declaration of the Presidential Elections for the Uva Provincial Council signalled a strong indication that the UNP was on an upward swing. The United Peoples Freedom Alliances (UPFA) domination of Sri Lankan elections continued as expected. It retained control of the Uva Provincial Council. However, the UPFA recorded a loss of votes in the province, after the Presidential Election in 2015 a number of UPFA councillors crossed over to UNP to back Harin Fernando which enabled him to secure the position of Chief Minister and toppling the UPFA rule in Uva Province. A sizeable erosion of the Sinhalese-Buddhist voting bloc from the Rajapaksa-led UPFA at the Provincial Council elections to the anti-Mahinda Rajapaksa candidate (Maithripala Sirisena) is very much close to the swing that was visible in the 2014 PC elections. In other words, even if the candidate was Ranil Wickremesinghe, the UNP leader would have had more than a fighting chance of securing a victory at the Presidential Election. The point Im trying to make is that Ranil Wickremesinghe and the UNP made a huge sacrifice in conceding the nomination to Maithripala Sirisena. It was the UNP, Tamils, and Muslims who placed Sirisena at the seat of power, not the SLFP-led UPFA voters. There is a nagging constant in Presidential Election in Sri Lanka. It is that no candidate can secure a victory at the elections if he or she cannot ensure the majority of the Tamil and Muslim votes. The only exception was in 2009 and it was due to the prevailing conditions in the country in the immediate aftermath of the war-victory. In 2005, Mahinda Rajapaksa managed to win because the Tamils in the North were prevented from voting at the behest of Velupillai Prabhakaran. Who was primarily responsible for Prabhakarans decision is no secret anymore. Maithripala Sirisena did his job by deserting his party, SLFP and consenting to run as the anti-Rajapaksa candidate. Ranil Wickremesinghe did his job by securing 100% of the UNP voting bloc for Sirisena. It is utterly futile to debate as to which job was greater or which one smaller. Later, the SLFP Ministers and other Parliamentarians were accommodated in the present Government because it was provided for in an agreement between the two leaders, Ranil and Maithri. Even after the General elections later in 2015, the UNP could have formed a Government without the aid of the SLFP had the UNP decided to form one with the help of the TNA and the Muslim Congress. A corrupt set of political vultures, who flourished under the Rajapaksa regime managed to secure some Cabinet portfolios and are now trying to steer the ship as if it was they who elected Maithripala Sirisena to power. During the last couple of weeks, I had the occasion to speak to some UNP Cabinet members as well as a number of MPs on the current crisis which the Joint Opposition is wanting to make real. An intimation of being let down was audible and being at the receiving end of woeful ungratefulness was the greatly felt sentiment. It is not good. For the sustenance of the current administration, a solid and firm understanding and empathetic dynamic between the two leaders, Ranil and Maithri as well as the second and third-tier leaders of the two parties, UNP and SLFP, is a prerequisite. Without that mutual understanding, the breakdown of the anti-Rajapaksa forces is inevitable. It is not rocket science. Ranil Wickremesinghes hands must be strengthened and it must be done now, not tomorrow or the day after. Those who delivered the elections to Maithripala Sirisena cannot be discarded like karapincha. That was the treatment that was meted out to the Rajapaksa loyalists. The strength of the current government is nothing but the strength of the UNP, no more, no less. Criticism of either party by any leader, whatever layer he or she comes from, must stop forthwith. Ranil Wickremesinghes personal commitment is visible but he must ask his party members to do so too. Chasing newspaper headlines is childish and would not serve any short, mid or long-term interests of the country. Maithripala Sirisena has an enormous responsibility to get his party people to do the same. Ingratitude is no worthy badge to wear. Both Ranil and Maithri must be now realising the fundamental error that they committed at the very outset of forming the new Government in 2015. The absence of a comprehensive code of conduct for Members of Parliament of both parties is a grave omission. Lack of discipline could kill a political alliance in no time, whether the alliance did look solid and unbreakable at the beginning. The worst part of the new coalition between Maithripala Sirisena and Ranil Wickremesinghe must in every nook and cranny look better than the best part of the Rajapaksa regime. That is a very tall order. Then only the people at large would accept the current administration. Good Governance is not a slogan. It is not an illusion and nor is it a utopian dream. Good Governance or Yahapalanaya is a real, dynamic and living organism. Its survival is very much dependent upon the commitment on the part of the partners of the coalition. Supporters of both parties, the UNP and the SLFP, might well be advised to grasp the wisdom of the following quotation by Sun Tzu who wrote thus: Do not engage an enemy more powerful than you. And if it is unavoidable and you do have to engage, then make sure you engage it on your terms, not on your enemys terms. If mutual defeat is to be avoided, it is not only the party leaders of the coalition, the lower-level supporters too need to be disciplined and well-guarded against the vagaries of political winds. Dont let the victories of January 2015 go waste; dont let your elongated egos override the simple logic of survival and sustenance. In the current and immediate context, safeguarding and protecting Ranil Wickremesinghe is of utmost validity; its significance cannot be overstated. Even a hint of a Rajapaksa-return is not an option. That is why Ranil could be the last hope for Sri Lankas failing good governance. The writer can be contacted at vishwamithra1984@gmail.com Removing barriers to womens paid work will encourage more Sri Lankan women to participate in the workforce, finds a new World Bank report. Safe childcare and transportation, early orientation to career development to better prepare girls to enter and remain in the workforce and implementing gender equal labour laws and practices are among recommendations of the report. The report Getting to Work: Unlocking Womens Potential in Sri Lankas Labour Force notes that despite steady economic growth, the number of women participating in Sri Lankas workforce has declined to 36 percent in 2016 from 41 percent in 2010. Sri Lankan women, especially younger ones, do not sufficiently acquire marketable skills, face higher unemployment rates, and can expect to receive lower wages than men. Getting women to work is not just about supporting human rights; its about smart economics, said Idah Pswarayi-Riddihough, the World Bank Country Director for Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Lifting the barriers to womens participation in the workforce will not only help Sri Lanka realize its economic potential and build on its several achievements, it will also increase the equitable sharing of the development benefits. Getting to Work points to three factors that impede womens participation in the paid workforce. First, marriage, childrearing, and related household chores that fall disproportionately on women deter their participation in labor markets. Marriage drastically lowers womens oddsby 26 percentage pointsof becoming a paid employee, while for men it slightly increases the odds, by 2.5 percentage points. Second, women are not entering educational fields or acquiring the skills that are sought by employers, particularly in the private sector. Third, gender discrimination in job search, hiring, and promotion keeps women from obtaining high-skill and management jobs, where men continue to dominate. Going forward, the report recommends multi-pronged strategies to help women gain employment and then continue to thrive in the workplace. Brussels bears a bad memory of the last summit which brought together the so-called 16 + 1 on European soil. It was a year ago, in Latvia. From that meeting came a project that now analyze the competition authorities with magnifying glass. The result of his contacts with Beijing, Hungary one of the EU's most fractious partners awarded two Chinese state-owned companies the construction of a fast railway stretch between Budapest and Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. He did so without publicity and without meeting the basic rules of public bidding in Europe. The case illustrates well the threat posed to Community institutions by this partnership between China and Eastern European states, including 11 from the EU. The link, which dates back to 2001, functions as a kind of backdoor by which the Xi Jinping regime circumvents Brussels to gain influence and contracts in a much-needed investment territory. It is, in the words of the Spokesman of the European Commission, a forum that brings together "China and its friends". On paper, everything is friendly. The EU even sends an observer to ensure that nothing that is agreed in Budapest is turned back to the European institutions. But the practice is more complex. "Trade, investment and infrastructure projects can only give full results within the EU framework, with the support of all the Member States," a spokesperson for the Community diplomatic service was on Monday. Beyond the detriment to the external relationship between the EU and an inconvenient partner like China, that framework also poses a clear challenge to internal cohesion. The 16 + 1 format brings together Beijing with some of the states that are most facing Brussels for issues such as refugee reception. China exploits this discontent to scale up positions and the new Europe countries the one that emerged after the great enlargement to the East show their old partners that they are not unconditional. By the way, the Chinese regime is attracted to the Balkan states, forced to comply with certain rules in the case of EU candidates for receiving Community funds, but increasingly skeptical of the lack of accession prospects coming from Brussels. America's isolation under Donald Trump's mandate propels Europe to closer ties with China. But the last bilateral summit, in which Beijing refused to sign a climate pact already closed with the EU in protest at the lack of progress in other chapters, revealed the precariousness of that alliance. The parties are now prepared for another potential disencounter. Europe is studying to create a mechanism that assesses in advance whether foreign investment meets community standards. To materialize, that decision would limit the rain of millions of Chinese in the old continent. The top Democrat on education issues in the Senate says Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos has approved state education plans that dont comply with the Every Student Succeeds Act. In a Tuesday hearing before the Senate education committee about federal financial aid for college, Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., took the opportunity in her opening remarks to say that not every states ESSA plan meets the laws requirements for schools with struggling student subgroups. Addressing Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., the committee chairman, Murray said, If the department is today ignoring the agreement we made in the law and just choosing to implement whatever it feels likewhich I believe they are in their approval of state plans so farthen this committee needs to hear from the secretary directly about how she intends to follow the laws that Congress agrees to. This isnt a brand-new criticism from Murray, but rather a somewhat fleshed-out version of a previous complaint. In a confirmation hearing for several Education Department nominees earlier this month, Murray made a general allusion to this concern. On Tuesday, Murray was a little more specific in her concerns about ESSA plans and how the law handles school improvement. But she didnt single out the state or states she was worried about. However, heres a possible example of what Murray doesnt like: A few ESSA observers have made the case to us that Delawares plan initially didnt square with the law when it comes to identifying schools needing improvement. The law says that among other schools, states must flag those where: a student subgroup (think students of color or English-language learners) performs as poorly as the lowest-peforming 5 percent of schools statewide; a student subgroup is consistently underperforming. Murray highlighted these requirements in her Tuesday remarks. Alexander indicated his general agreement with Murrays point about the importance of following the law, and noted that the law prohibits the secretary from taking certain actions, but didnt respond to her specific criticisms in more detail. In the plan DeVos initially approved for Delaware, the definition of consistently underperforming in requirement number 2 was the same as in number 1. But that flouts the law, critics of Delawares plan argued. Its important to note that Delaware amended its plan on this score after it got DeVos stamp of approval . However, its not clear that the revision (which was approved by the department) would truly change the substance of Delawares plan thats irritated some ESSA analysts. Colorado is still seeking approval for its plan, which doesnt count children who dont take mandated tests when it comes to school accountability. That seems to directly contradict ESSA, which says students who opt out of those exams must be scored as not proficient. It remains to be seen whether Colorado or DeVos team blinks first on that score. The secretary has consistently stated that she wants states to take advantage of all the flexibility ESSA offers them. That matches what Alexander wants from states as well, although ironically enough in July the senator pushed back publicly on criticisms DeVos department had about Delawares initial ESSA submission. Murray has also previously criticized how DeVos team talked with states about their proposed ESSA plans, and about the enforcement of ESSAs equity-focused provisions. The latter include disaggregation of data by student subgroups, and the emphasis on individual subgroup performance. Follow us on Twitter at @PoliticsK12 . UPDATED U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced Tuesday that students will soon be able to use their mobile phones to apply for financial aid for college. The move is the latest in a series of stepsstretching back into the Barack Obama administrationto simplify the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, the form students fill out to apply for federal college loans and grants. DeVos made the announcement today at a training conference for financial-aid professionals . Research shows that reducing barriers in applying for financial aid increases the chances that students will go to college . The Obama administration took a series of steps to simplify the FAFSA, including reducing the number of questions, letting students automatically import tax data info it, making it available earlier, adding skip logic, which automatically skips certain questions depending on students answers, and allowing students to use tax information from an earlier year . In her prepared remarks , DeVos cast the move to a mobile app as an improvement not just for students, but for financial-aid professionals. She said that the current approach puts paperwork ahead of people and robs them of time to do whats really important: counsel students about ways to arrange college financing. Noting in her speech that people can get home mortgages on their mobile phones now, DeVos said, Why cant it be that way for students? The answer is, it can! You can order food, get a ride home, check your bank account, send money to a friend, or, as Im told, even find your soulmate on your phone! The FAFSA shouldat minimumkeep pace with these commonplace activities! DeVos said that she wants students to be able to complete the FAFSA on the phone, in one sitting. Her prepared remarks didnt include a timeline for moving to the mobile FAFSA. But she did say that the administration recognized that improved security would have to accompany that shift so students data are protected. Just a few months ago, the government announced new security measures in the wake of an attempted hack of the financial aid system . The secretary also made a pitch for streamlining the maze of loan-servicers students have to deal with over the life of their loans, but she didnt lay out details of what that would look like. UPDATED Justin Draeger, the president of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, welcomed the news of a mobile app for the FAFSA. It would be a very positive development, he said. Most people today are accessing the internet not via computer, but via mobile device. This has a lot of promise. Im interested to see what the details are. Draeger said it would be great if, down the road, the FAFSA app could be expanded to serve as the main portal students could use to access all their financial-aid information. Right now, that information is scattered in various places online, he said, and much of it isnt mobile-accessible. UPDATED Federal lawmakers waded into the issue of FAFSA simplification on Capitol Hill today, too. The U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions is discussing changes to the FAFSA as it opens discussions about reauthorizing the Higher Education Act. Senator Patty Murray of Washington state, the ranking Democrat on the committee, said in her opening remarks that simplifying the FAFSA is a must. But she said lawmakers must take a comprehensive approach to reworking the Higher Education Act, and that must include the rising cost of college, holding schools accountable for student success, ensuring safe learning spaces, and knocking down college barriers for working families, students of color, and students who are the first in their families to attend college. DeVos was also scheduled to talk about simplifying the FAFSA when she visits Georgia State University today. For more stories on financial aid, see: Photo: Getty Images In an ongoing effort to close a huge budget hole, Oklahoma politicians are debating again how to increase teacher pay and consolidate school districts. The state will soon enter its third special session this year in order to close an estimated $215 million midyear budget deficit that has already sent a wave of cuts down to state agencies and local school districts. Republican Gov. Mary Fallin last week signed an executive order for the states board of education to parse out districts administrative costs and instructional costs, something that deeply offended some local school officials, according to local reports . Fallin said she would like to see consolidated or annexed by the state with its neighbors those districts that spend less than 60 percent of their costs on overhead. And a proposal by a state legislator last week would have generated more than $430 million by increasing taxes on motor fuel, tobacco, alcohol, and energy production. It would have also provided each of the states teachers with a $3,000 pay raise. But it failed to garner the 76 votes needed in the House, according to local reports. Teacher pay and district consolidation have long been controversial issues in the state. Teachers have complained that their pay hasnt increased for years, causing a teacher shortage thats left many classrooms manned by substitute teachers. State politicians have complained that district officials mispend the money theyre given on frivolous administrative costs and swag such as pens and coffee mugs. Conservative politicians have argued that concolidating the states more rural districts will save money by reducing overhead. Similar efforts in other states have produced mixed results in saving money. Every state in the coming months will have to determine what school costs versus what administrative costs are as part of the Every Student Succeeds Act. The federal law requires state departments of education to report local, state and federal spending of its schools. Dont miss another State EdWatch post. Sign up here to get news alerts in your email inbox. And make sure to follow @StateEdWatch on Twitter for the latest news from state K-12 policy and politics. Looking at the world through the eyes of the Web Hyderabad: Sihah Waris, a female entrepreneur from Pakistan, says that she wants to collaborate with Indian start-ups as the culture of India is similar to that of Pakistan. Ms Waris is among the six entrepreneurs from Pakistan who are participating in the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) being held in Hyderabad. The six-member contingent has three women, each of whom runs her own start-up. One of them is part of a start-up ecosystem as well. In the recent past, individuals have been encouraging the development of start-ups in Pakistan. Entrepreneurs who have had experience in working with start-ups have started a programme called IGNITE, under which they collect funds to help entrepreneurs in their country. Ms Waris, who was one of the first entrepreneurs from her college, runs a start-up called Rise Mom which helps working women connect with their children via live video feeds. Many organisations are working for the empowerment of women. But as soon as women have children, they leave their jobs. Working mothers in India face the same problems as those in Pakistan when it comes to children, she says. This is Ms Waris first trip to India and she is looking forward to meeting, and possibly collaborating with, some inspiring women, especially in the tech industry. She says that like India, Pakistan is also focussing on innovation and ideas driven by social impact. New Delhi: N K Singh, the newly appointed Chairman of the 15th Finance Commission, on Monday said it is imperative for such a panel to examine implications of GST on finance of the Centre and states. "The fact that GST was propelled through several constitutional amendments which included the states being participants in these constitutional amendments enjoins upon any Finance Commission the need to examine implications of GST in terms of finances of both the Centre and states because this is about the fiscal issue of the general government," he said. Soon after the appointment, he said it comes as no surprise that the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is included in terms of reference. Earlier, the government appointed the former Planning Commission Member as head of the 15th Finance Commission. Other members of the commission, which is required to submit its report by October 2019, are former economic affairs secretary Shaktikanta Das, former chief economic advisor Ashok Lahiri, Niti Aayog Member Ramesh Chand and Georgetown University professor Anoop Singh. The commission will review the current status of the finance, deficit, debt levels, cash balances and fiscal discipline efforts of the Union and the states. It will also recommend a fiscal consolidation road map for sound fiscal management. As per Article 280 of the Constitution, the commission is required to make recommendations on the distribution of the net proceeds of taxes between the Centre and the states. The new Finance Commission will cover five-year period commencing April 1, 2020. The 14th Finance Commission was set up on January 2, 2013. Its recommendations cover the period from April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2020. Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday strongly defended plans to build the Rs 2.7 lakh crore oil refinery on the west coast by 2022 despite the push for electric vehicle. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday strongly defended plans to build the Rs 2.7 lakh crore oil refinery on the west coast by 2022 despite the push for electric vehicles, saying that India needs multi-source fuels to meet its fast-growing energy needs. The plan to build the 60 million tonnes (MT) a year capacity refinery in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra has come in for questioning after Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that only electric cars would be produced in the country after 2030. Besides, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal has said that diesel locomotives will be phased out by 2022. "India consumes just 6 per cent of the global primary energy at present but it will account for 25 per cent of incremental growth," Pradhan said at a KPMG Energy Summit here. In order to meet the vast growing energy needs, India needs "multi-source fuels," he said, adding that there is a requirement for conventional fuels, coal, renewable sources as well as nuclear. India has a capacity to refine 232.066 MT of crude oil into fuel a year, which exceeded the demand of 194.2 MT in 2016-17 fiscal. According to the International Energy Agency (EA), this demand is expected to reach 458 MT by 2040. Pradhan said India's per capita petrochemical consumption is just 10 kg as against the global average of 30 kg. And the nation is import dependent to meet its petrochemical needs. "So if the petrochemical demand grows with the expanding economy, we would need domestic production," he said. The planned Rs 2.7 lakh crore project in Ratanagiri district of Maharashtra will have a 10-12 MT petrochemical complex. Petrochemicals which form the building blocks for products used in the manufacture of wide range of items, from plastics to cosmetics, is derived from refining crude oil or natural gas. Refineries world over are looking at value addition to produce petrochemicals. Pradhan said that just a couple of days ago Saudi Aramco and Saudi Arabia's chemicals company SABIC announced plans to develop a fully-integrated crude oil to chemicals (COTC) complex. The USD 20 billion project is planned to process 400,000 barrels per day (20 MT) of crude oil and produce some 9 MT of chemicals and base oils per year by 2025. Saudi Aramco has also shown interest in taking an equity stake in the Maharashtra project, which is being jointly put up by Indian Oil Corp, Bharat Petroleum Corp and Hindustan Petroleum Corp. "Given the market size we have and consumption pattern, we need multiple sources of energy," Pradhan said, adding that the planned refinery is to meet the incremental demand in India for fuel and energy. If the proposals are accepted, the Internet service providers (ISPs) will not be able to block or throttle any web traffic, be it on computers, laptops or mobile phones, and offer fast lanes for content providers who pay for the privilege. (Representational) New Delhi: The telecom regulator Trai on Tuesday backed net neutrality in the country by recommending that telecom operators or internet service providers cannot provide preferential treatment in terms of either increasing or slowing down internet speed while giving access to any website or its application. This means a consumer will get same internet speed irrespective of which website or service he or she is browsing. The discriminatory treatment in the context of treatment of content would include any form of discrimination, restriction or interference in the treatment of content, including practices like blocking, degrading, slowing down or granting preferential speed or treatment to any content, said Trai. It said that service providers should be restricted from entering into any agreement or a contract that leads to discriminatory treatment. The recommendations come against the backdrop of fear that big companies with deep pockets can give money to internet service providers so that consumers get fast or free access to their websites or services and thereby killing the start-up ecosystem in the country. In 2016, Trai had by prohibited discriminatory tariffs for data, which barred companies to provide a subsidy for data when a consumer accessed select services on the internet. Like Amazon or Google and even Indias own Flipkart have started small from rented rooms or garage underlining the importance of maintaining level playing field between big firms and start-ups. No one owns Internet... So, it should be open and accessible to everyone, said Trai chairman R.S. Sharma. He said that Internet is an important platform for the country, especially in the context of innovation, startups, online transactions, various government applications, and the Digital India programme. So, it is important that the platform is kept open and free and not cannibalised, Mr Sharma said. Trai chief observed that networks should be neutral to the content being accessed. Networks should not prefer one content over other... should not block or offer fast lane (to certain content), he added. Last week, US federal communications commission chairman Ajit Pai, unveiled plans to rescind so-called net neutrality rules. Mr Sharma would be assisted by four senior officials of the rank of joint secretary and above, who have been appointed as technical members in the authority. New Delhi: In an immediate follow up action of last weeks Cabinet approval for creation of the posts of chairman of the National Anti-profiteering Authority (NAPA) under GST, Centre on Tuesday issued orders appointing officer B.N. Sharma, as the first chairman of the apex authority. He will have the rank of a secretary. Mr Sharma, an IAS officer of 1985 batch belonging to Rajasthan cadre, is currently posted as additional secretary in the department of revenue, which comes under ministry of finance. He has been closely associated with the formulation of GST and its implementation. Mr Sharma would be assisted by four senior officials of the rank of joint secretary and above, who have been appointed as technical members in the authority. NAPA is mandated to ensure that the benefits of input credit and the reduction in GST rates on goods or services are passed on to the consumers by way of a commensurate reduction in prices. With the chairman and technical members now having been appointed, the Authority becomes functional thereby reassuring consumers of governments commitment that GST would result in lower prices of goods and services, said finance ministry. Hyderabad: Ivanka Trump, the adviser to the US President, on Tuesday expressed concern for lower percentage of US women as she observed it would increase gender gap in employment. Today, virtually every sector is linked to technology. The fact is that, in 2017, nearly every industry is a tech industry, she observed while participating in a panel discussion after the inauguration of GES 2017. However, she said that only 22 per cent of US women have studied or studing technical courses, though women comprised 47 per cent of the countrys workforce. If women dont enrol themselves for computer sciences, they would lose out on the future jobs. Instead of bridging the gender, it would lead to a negative impact on women, she explained. As part of the US administrations efforts to encourage computer science, Ms Trump said $200 million has been provided to the US education department to offer high-quality STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) ducation to children, with a focus on computer science. 281117 Official hand over takeover of Export License By Theresa Baranangko The Autonomous Region of Bougainville has once again witnessed a significant and historical event which is the official handover ceremony of Exploration Licenses between two joint venture companies. Under the framework of the Ministry for Economic Development and through commitment and effort of the Economic Ministries Committee it was a delight for both the ABG delegates and Landowner Association to witness the official hand over of the export license operations 3 and 4 from Toremana Resources Limited to Kalia Investment Limited, a foreign company who will carry out the operations. The Minister for Economic Development and Member for Tsitalato Constituency in North Bougainville congratulate the people of Tinputz District for the initiative to conduct Mining operations. He says Bougainvilles political journey has been set and a date agreed by the two Governments, the National Government and ABG government, for the people of Bougainville to decide on the political status of Bougainville will be guided by a stable economy. He says that for the people of Bougainville to decide on this important decision, they must make important economic decisions or investment decisions to make sure that after voting for Referendum, Bougainvilles Political future in terms of economic development can be secured. In supporting to the statement by Acting Vice President, Hon. Raymond Masono, Hon Fidelis Semoso says that it is important to catch the pig before sharing the pieces. Ends// Mumbai: After Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh decided to join the fracas surrounding Padmavati, the Bihar government has now decided to ban the film in its state. CM Nitish Kumar issued a statement saying that the film will not be released in Bihar, until the concerned parties issue adequate clarification. The Supreme Court, whilst dismissing a plea to ban the overseas release of the film, also rebuked state governments for their respective bans on the film. When matter is pending for CBFCs consideration, how can persons holding public offices comment on whether CBFC should issue certificate or not? Itll prejudice decision making of CBFCAll concerned people, holding responsible posts must be guided by rule of law and shouldnt venture into passing comments on films which havent been cleared by CBFC. Itll prejudice minds of board members while taking a decision, Indian Express quoted the Apex court as saying. Read Also: SC dismisses plea to stop 'Padmavati' release outside India Earlier, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani had said that the film was hurting sentiments and would not be screened in the poll bound state till issues were resolved. 'Padmavati,' helmed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, has been controversy-ridden, ever since fringe group Karni Sena took offence to the film's purported distortion of Rajput history. It stars Deepika Padukone as the eponymous queen, Shahid Kapoor as Maharawal Ratan Singh, and Ranveer Singh as Alauddin Khilji. Fringe groups had also declared bounties for Sanjay Leela Bhansali and lead actor Deepika Padukone. Initially slated for a December 02 release, the film has now been indefinitely postponed, after a run-in with the CBFC. Priyanka Chopra saying on 'The Wendy Williams Show' that Meghan Markle is not just Prince Harry's girlfriend had made headlines. New Delhi: Following the announcement of Meghan Markle's engagement to Prince Harry, global star Priyanka Chopra sent her best wishes to the royal couple. The 'Quantico' star took to Instagram to express her delight and congratulate her close friend 'Meg'. "Congratulations to my girl @meghanmarkle and Prince Harry!! I'm so happy for you Meg! You deserve the best always..keep smiling that infectious smile. Xoxo," wrote the 'Baywatch' star. Priyanka has been touted as a potential bridesmaid when Markle ties the knot with Prince Harry next spring. The two first met at a party in Toronto, Canada, where Meghan filmed 'Suits' - two years ago. SC said high public offices should refrain from commenting on the film as it will prejudice Censor Board. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea seeking a ban on the release of controversial film Padmavati in the UK on December 1 and warned politicians and those holding public offices not to make adverse comments, issue threats or pre-judge the movie before it is cleared by the Censor Board. A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, said, When the matter is pending for CBFCs consideration, how can persons in power or holding responsible public offices comment on whether CBFC should issue a certificate or not? It will prejudice the decision-making of CBFC. Such an act is a clear breach of law Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has said that Padmavati cannot be released in Bihar till government receives proper clarification from the makers of the film. Such statements violate the principle of rule of law as the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is yet to certify the film, it said, asking the board to take a decision on the certification of the movie with utmost objectivity. Dismissing a PIL filed by advocate M.L. Sharma as misconceived, the bench, also comprising Justices A.M. Khanwilkar and D.Y. Chandrachud, said that when even courts do not pre-judge an issue, surely those in high public offices should refrain from making such comments. Last week, the bench had dismissed a similar PIL from Mr Sharma against the release of the film in India. Senior advocate Harish Salve, appearing for the movie director and producer, said the film will not be released abroad until it receives a CBFC certificate. There is no intention to do so, as of now, he said, informing the court that it would harm the movies business interest if it is screened abroad before release in India. The bench expressed shock at certain objectionable contents of the petition and termed them unwarranted and scurrilous and ordered their deletion. Shekhar Kapur has spent over 40 years in the film industry, growing as a filmmaker and a creative individual. However, there is nothing he would like more than to go back to the naivete of his Masoom days. When I was making Masoom, I did not know the very basics of filmmaking, but people still tell me that it was my best work. Sometimes, I truly wish to get back some of that naivete that I had as a filmmaker because I didnt know. So, anything was possible, he said, while speaking at a masterclass at The International Film Festival of Goa. It is this unknowing state of mind that the filmmaker spoke of when Sushant Singh Rajput, who was introducing him asked him a rather convoluted question, Do you know what it is you are doing, when you do what you do? Shekhar promptly answered that he doesnt know. Asked about his process as a director, he said that it is a process of panic. I constantly try to bring myself to a state of panic. Because it is only in these moments of panic that you truly gain creative inspiration, he mused. So, when I am making a film, I always ask the actor what they would want to do with the scene. It also creates a chance for the actors point of view to challenge my own, and it is when I am challenging myself that I am creating, he explains. Each profession has its own riyaz. Asked what the riyaz can be for a filmmaker, Shekhar responds that its in the storytelling. We are all constantly telling stories. For a filmmaker, however, those stories have to have conflict. Any contradiction or conflict is a story. An artiste creates harmony in that conflict. For me personally, the story of an individual also has to tell the story of society at large, he explains. Speaking about patterns in storytelling, Shekhar says that each individual on a set tells a different story. For instance, when I was working with Pyarelalji for Mr India, there is a scene where Anil Kapoor is helping those kids wash up and brush their teeth. Its a funny scene, so I asked him to make some funny music. Instead, he composed an emotional, heart-wrenching score for that part. The reasoning was that it was a foreshadowing of the fact that Mr India loses them in the end. Thats what I look for in a music director, Shekhar said, excitedly. Though he had to fight for years for the release of his movie Bandit Queen, the director still believes in the power of the system. Although I had to go through years of struggle on different levels for Bandit Queen to release, I still believe that a certain censorship is needed for films. And ultimately, it is the intent behind the scene that matters. Our own Constitution says that. Our Constitution saved the movie, he grins, winningly, before he is bombarded with the next volley of questions. After 26 years, two of the iconic superstars of the south Rajinikanth and Mammootty are coming together, not for a Tamil or Malayalam flick, but for a Marathi film titled Pasaayadan. Earlier, the duo shared screen space in Mani Ratnams movie Thalapathy, which was loosely based on the friendship, shared by Duryodhana and Karna in Mahabharat. If reports are to be believed, both Rajini and Mammootty will be making their debut in a Marathi flick, which is bankrolled by producer-politician Balkrishna Surve the one who got Rajinikanth on board the project. The film will be helmed by debutant Deepak Bhave who had worked as a co-writer on the Marathi film Idak, which was premiered at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) this year in Goa. The film is expected to go on floors in February. One may recall when they collaborated for the first time in 1991 for Thalapathy, how it turned out to be blockbuster and gained a cult status later. Considering the huge fan following of Rajinikanth in Tamil Nadu and Mammootty in Kerala, it was said that Mani had to shoot two climaxes for the film. Meanwhile, there are also speculations that Mammootty might appear in a cameo of BR Ambedkar in Rajinis next Kaala. Produced by Rajinis son-in-law Dhanush under his home banner Wunderbar Films and directed by Kabali fame Pa. Ranjith, the film stars Rajini as a Mumbai-based don. The film also has Eswari Rao, Huma Qureshi and Sakshi Agarwal as part of the star cast. The youngster started coding when he was in his third standard and is now studying in the seventh. (Photo: Naveena Ghanate) The centre of attraction in the ocean of entrepreneurs at Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) being held at Hyderabad is a 13-year old Hamish Finlayson from Australia. The youngest entrepreneur at the summit has developed five apps and is working on rolling out his sixth app. Im working on creating a virtual reality app to help people with Autism, said Hamish. This will have information about disorder along with tips for the patients he added. The 13-year-old represents the startup Moonshot Industries global Pvt Ltd and is from Queensland. He has attended the GES previously and expressed enthusiasm to be part of the summit again. Speaking to this paper Hamish said, At GES I am planning to meet a lot of people and will be looking for partnerships. Hamish also added that he wants to show the apps he developed to the participants at GES and get to know their product. The youngster started coding when he was in his third standard and is now studying in the seventh. I used to play video games a lot and wanted to know more. I found coding to be interesting, he said, adding, I learnt basics from class and lot from the Internet. Hamish says there is a lot of traction for his trivia app from China. This is not the first time "Star vs The Forces of Evil" has taken Hollywood's call for inclusion forward. (Photo: Pixabay) In an inclusive move, Disney has presented the first-ever male princess in one of its television shows. Disney XD channel's "Star vs The Forces of Evil" is chronicling the adventures of an interdimensional princess, called Star Butterfly (voiced by Eden Sher) and her human teenage roommate Marco Diaz (Adam McArthur), reported The Independent. In a recent episode, the viewers witnessed Marco dress up as Princess Turdina to salvage the life of students at St Olga's Reform School for Wayward Princesses from the wicked headmistress, Heinous. But just as Marco is about to reveal his real self, Heinous turns up to out him on her own, by pulling down his shirt to reveal a strand of chest hair. And that is when one princess shouts, "That doesn't prove anything. Princesses can be hairy." "Yeah, we believe in you, Turdina," another royalty shouts in support. A fellow princess points out, "Why does it matter if he's a boy? Nothing he said was wrong". Whereas another adds, "He can be a princess if he wants to!" and with other exclaiming, "Turdina is a state of mind." This is not the first time "Star vs The Forces of Evil" has taken Hollywood's call for inclusion forward. In February, the show was the pioneer to feature same-sex kisses in an episode. The series was created by executive producer Daron Nefcy, the second woman to lead her own animated show on Disney. A heard of eight donkeys walked out of a jail in Uttar Pradesh after four days. (Photo: ANI) In a bizarre incident that took place in Uttar Pradeshs Jalaun district, a herd of eight donkeys were allowed to walk free after four days on confinement. The incident happened at the Urail jail, were the eight donkeys had been in lock-up for four days. The herd of donkeys was locked up in the jail for destroying expensive plants which the senior officer of the jail had arranged for planting inside the jail. While the four-legged animals were bailed out after a local politician intervened and insisted on their release, twitterati could soon be seen tweeting their minds on the microblogging site. Here are a few reactions: Donkey gets arrested in Jalaun in UP for grazing over someone else's land. May i know what were the sections levied against the donkey? #viewpoint bhupendra chaubey (@bhupendrachaube) November 27, 2017 Another person gave a sarcastic reply, Donkeys ! They deserved this for being born the wrong animal, that too in UP. #HolyCow https://t.co/RHdySHAeoV T S Sudhir (@Iamtssudhir) November 27, 2017 Rajavommangi police is yet to register a case as no complaint was lodged so far on the incident. (Representational image) Rajahmundry: A man, under the influence of liquor, tried to kill his elderly parents on Saturday night by setting their thatched house on fire as they refused to give him money he asked to have liquor at Komarapuram village of Rajavom-mangi mandal in East Godavari. According to villagers, the couple Nukaraju and Nukalamma were living in a thatched house at Komarapuram village for some time. The man, Tatarao, addicted to liquor, troubled his family for money but on Saturday, his wife did not give him money. He reached his home in Komarapuram and asked his parents, Nukaraju and Nukalamma for money. However, they too refused. Angered at this, the man allegedly locked the door to his parents house from outside and set it on fire while they were fast asleep in their thatched house. Villagers came to the rescue of the couple and shifted them to safety. Their hut was completely gutted. Rajavommangi police is yet to register a case as no complaint was lodged so far on the incident. Kochi: A man in the illegal narcotics trade to find money to produce his own movie for which he had written a script has been held by the Excise Special squad sleuths. The accused was identified as Libumon Balakrishnan(37), a native of Puthuvype, and was arrested from Vytilla on Sunday. According to the cops, the youth harboured a dream from his college days to produce his own film and even prepared three scripts on the Mumbai Underworld and was on the lookout for some quick money to finance his dream project. He had shifted to Bengaluru where he was living for over a year. He used to occasionally go to Palani and get ganja and other narcotics from there at cheap rates before selling them off at Kochi, a senior Excise department official said. The Excise sleuths got a tip-off that the accused was arriving at Kochi to sell off a consignment and laid a trap. He had brought 4.5 kg ganja and even sold a part of the consignment to a party at Trippunithura. We finally managed to catch him when he was waiting for another customer and seized 2.2 kg of the narcotics, the officer said. Upon interrogation, the accused admitted that he used to visit Palani twice a week to procure ganja and sold them at Kochi. He used to get Rs 40,000 for each such trip. A further probe revealed that he had many customers from the film field. We are probing to find more persons connected with the illegal smuggling and trade. Besides ganja, he used to sell banned narcotic drugs, the officer said. The accused told police that he would take the ganja to Coimbatore by bus and further smuggle it to Kochi via train. 281117PNG ELECTRORAL COMMISSION DISTANCES ITSELF FROM ITS OFFICERS By Aloysius Laukai The PNG Electoral Commission has distanced itself from its Returning Officers and Returning Officers who made commitments on its behalf in the 2017 National Elections. AND service Providers on Bougainville have been denied payments saying that they were not authorized to make commitments. Transport owners in South Bougainville will not be paid for providing transport to the counting centres as only three cars were approved for payment for the ten-days counting in Buin, South Bougainville. According to the Bougainville Electoral Manager, DESMOND TIMIYASO South Bougainville alone which had counters from TOROKINA,BANA, SIWAI and BUIN were only allowed to hire three cars. And all the rest service providers will not be paid because they were not approved and authorized. This really dropped the credibility of this office which is yet to pay of THREE MILLION KINA still outstanding from the 2012 National Elections. A meeting held by the PNG EC before the 2017 NATIONAL ELECTIONS with business houses wanted 35 vehicles to be used during the polling in South Bougainville. The service providers are now calling on the PNG Electoral Commission to let the people of PNG if it will settle all service providers in Bougainville and those who are still to be paid in PNG. Ends Bengaluru: A woman has accused Assistant Commissioner of Police, Yeshwanthpur subdivision, Raviprasad, of misbehaving with her and threatening the witnesses in a case filed by her. She has filed a complaint with City Police Commissioner T. Suneel Kumar, seeking action against the ACP and an inquiry has been ordered. Divya (name changed), a resident of Hesaraghatta and a private firm employee, had complained that two men, Hanumantharayappa and Ravi, allegedly barged into her house on September 17, assaulted her and made derogatory remarks about her caste as she was joining a trust, which was opposed by the duo. The two had also allegedly touched her private parts and assaulted her. She was admitted to a hospital, where Soladevanahalli police had recorded her statement, and they had also told her that a complaint had been registered. Despite the complaint, there was no action taken against the accused and they continued to come to my house and threaten me. I went to the Soladevanahalli police station to enquire about the complaint on November 14, but learnt that the police had not filed any case. The next day, I met the DCP (North) and explained to him the details of the case. On his direction, the Soladevanahalli police registered the case. For the next three days, the police called me to the station and made me sit there till 9 pm, saying that the ACP will come and look into my case, she alleged. On November 18, ACP Raviprasad enquired me about the case. He asked me to repeat the words the accused used against me, and I did. Then he asked me to show how they touched my private parts and I was shocked. He asked me to remove my clothes and show how the incident happened. When I objected, Soladevanahalli Inspector Venkategowda told me that the ACP is a senior officer and I have to do whatever he says. He also chided me for filing a complaint when I cannot explain what happened. I was hurt and started crying. Later, they asked me to leave, the woman stated in the complaint. Again on November 21, some policemen contacted me over phone and asked me to go to the station within 30 minutes along with witnesses. When I went there, the ACP told me that he would come to the spot. After sometime, the ACP and a few policemen came near my house and enquired with the neighbours whether anyone had seen the incident on September 17. Manjunath and Shashi came up to him and told him that they saw it. But the ACP scolded them and left. Now, the eyewitnesses are reluctant to help me, she said. Additional Commissioner of Police (West) Malini Krishnamoorty has ordered an inquiry against the ACP and Inspector. DCP (North) Chethan Singh Rathor will look into the case. Meanwhile, the investigation of the complaint filed by the woman against Hanumantharayappa and Ravi has been entrusted to another ACP. Vijayawada: The exceptional results in energy efficiency(EE) and conservation activities of Andhra Pradesh made the state grab the limelight once again. The state was invited for the international symposium on energy efficiency INSPIRE (International Symposium to Promote Innovation and Research In Energy Efficiency) to be held in Jaipur, Rajasthan. In the backdrop of the global recognition, in the form of invitation received by the Chief Secretary to the symposium, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu emphasised the need for the energy department to make use of the above global symposium for studying the best practices in EE for enhancing the standards. He suggested that the officials develop constructive networking that can lead to global partnerships of energy utilities in the state. INSPIRE-2017 is an international conference showcasing innovation and implementation of best practices in energy efficiency technologies, policies and financing, the principal secretary opined. He has also directed APSEEDCO to prepare PowerPoint presentation on the proposed programmes regarding energy efficiency in Amaravati to be implemented by the APCRDA. The CM, on Sunday, held a teleconference with energy minister Kala Venkatrao, chief secretary Dinesh Kumar and other officials. The Chief Minister said: Energy efficiency is a key factor in economic development and welfare. It is necessary to supply energy efficient electrical appliances to every consumer thus preventing energy wastage, which in turn reduces their electricity bills." Bengaluru: Despite manual scavenging being banned for the last 24 years, the dehumanising act appears to be still prevalent, even in Bengaluru. In fact, this year, manual scavenging has been reported from areas like Yeshwanthpur, Doddaballapura and Byapanahalli. In the case of Byappanahalli, first arrests were made. The Prohibition of Employment of Manual Scavengers and Rehabilitation Act, 2013 prohibits any individual from hiring the services of manual scavengers. But many online home service providers advertise the services of manual scavengers. A quick surf through these websites will put you in contact with professionals who offer to clean drains and septic tanks with their bare hands. I requested the services of a private firm to clean my drain. I was shocked to see that these so-called professionals intended to climb right into the chamber and scoop out the faecal matter without using any protective gear, said Reagan Henry, a resident of HAL. Unfortunately, cases like these are far too many in Bengaluru and while Reagan was sensible enough to refuse the service, a lot of residents are ignorant that hiring such services is illegal. It is disgusting that these websites are advertising manual scavenging, said Mr Clifton DRozario, an advocate working for the welfare of manual scavengers and pourakarmikas. Manual scavengers are considered as untouchables by some castes. Such advertisements on websites not only violate the Prohibition of Employment of Manual Scavengers Act, 2013 but also the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, he said. More often than not, manual scavengers are more easily accessible compared to authorised professionals and are comparatively cheap. One such laborer said that manual scavenging is his best option. What choice do I have? My only other option is working at construction sites, but the pay is so low that I cant even afford two square meals. But if I clean a septic tank, the work only lasts a couple of hours and it pays me well, he said. Bengaluru has seen 18 deaths of manual scavengers since 2013. With no enforcement of the law and internet home-services providers advertising the services of these people, it is likely that that number will only increase. BENGALURU: The issue of a fire breaking out at Bellandur Lake came up before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday. While hearing the case, the bench, headed by Justice Kumar rejected the request of Bangalore Apartments Federation (BAF) to stay all the notices being served on apartments by the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board for installation of sewage treatment plants, until the arguments in the case were heard and disposed. Justice Kumar enquired about the status of the case. Mr Sajan Poovayya, counsel for Namma Bengaluru Foundation (NBF), said that the foundation has already filed their objections to the state governments report and the matter is to be heard for directions. The NGT had asked the government to file a report on the action plan to rejuvenate the lakes by the end of this year. The report filed by the regulatory agencies in September said that the rejuvenation can only be done by December 2020 and not by December 2017. The tribunal listed the case for final arguments on December 15. Bengaluru: The newly-constructed, two-storeyed nurses hostel on the National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences (Nimhans) campus is empty. Close to 70 students passed out of Nimhans four-year BSc Nursing, but none of them wanted to intern at the Institute of National Importance even for a year. After the course, students told authorities that they dont want to intern at Nimhans. This came as a rude shock to us as the hostel, which can accommodate 80 nurses, was constructed keeping their needs in mind. We were expecting them to intern at the Institute," said Dr B.N. Gangadhar, Director, Nimhans. Earlier, the institute had 70 nurses working as interns on one-year contract, but in August, the batch which should have started work, decided not to join. We tried to sort out their issues, but they decided not to work. We also assured students that based on their marks, they would be placed at a place of their choice," he said. The institute, which is already suffering from a shortage of nurses has made alternative arrangements. He said, Despite the short notice, we advertised for nursing graduate freshers and have already received some 135 applications. By Thursday, we will select 70 students, who will get a monthly stipend of Rs 12,000. He said, We don't know what the trigger was, but we had told them that some of their grievances, including accommodation, would be met." The hostel has security, access-controlled entrance and lift, but is empty. Had we known that these nursing graduates were not turning up, we would have made arrangements well in advance. Now, we have to make do with those who have applied," he said. Recently, nurses at the institute protested against a shortage of 197 nurses and increased workload on them. According to an RPF source, RPF bomb squad had checked a train that arrived from Mumbai Chennai Central, on Monday evening. Chennai: During an anti-sabotage check-up on a train at Chennai Central railway station, Railway Protection Force (RPF) found smuggled red sanders worth Rs 10,000. According to an RPF source, RPF bomb squad had checked a train that arrived from Mumbai Chennai Central, on Monday evening. During the check, RPF head constable T.K. Ajaykumar found an unclaimed bag in one of the lavatories of the train. On examining the bag, Ajaykumar came to know that the bag contained 4 pieces of red sanders weighing about 9kg. The recovered red sanders were handed over to the forest department. A senior RPF official said that the miscreants would leave the smuggled goods unclaimed and wait for the RPF check-up to complete, then they would take the bags if not found by police. Talasani Srinivas Yadav said only 15 per cent of the work was completed in the two years that the Congress was in power after the Metro Rail project was finalised. (Representational Image | PTI) Hyderabad: Taking serious objections to the Congress presentation on Sunday claiming credit for the Metro Rail project, minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav on Monday said only 15 per cent of the work was completed during the tenure of the Congress governments. He said the TRS government had resolved pending litigations and completed the rest of the work. Speaking to mediapersons here, the minister objected to former Union minister S. Jaipal Reddys comment that the then UPA government had gone out of its way to favour the Hyderabad Metro. He said the Congress leader must explain what he meant by out of the way in approving a project. Mr Yadav said only 15 per cent of the work was completed in the two years that the Congress was in power after the Metro Rail project was finalised, and that too in areas where there was no litigation. After coming to power, the TRS government completed the remaining 85 per cent of the work by resolving litigations including acquisition of land at 1,200 places to facilitate construction of Metro Rail, Mr Yadav said. He said the Miyapur and Nagole Metro depots were constructed, permission obtained for eight rail over bridges. Are these not achievements of the TRS government, the minister asked. Replying to the charge of the Congress that not a single party leader had been invited for the project inaugural, Mr Yadav said, There is not a single Congress MLA or MLC elected from the city, whom can we invite. College Principal G Kannan says Hadiya will be treated as one of the inmates of the hostel and that no special treatment will be accorded to her. (Photo: DC) Salem: Hadiya will continue to pursue her studies under her previous name Akhila Ashokan, principal of the college said on Tuesday. Amidst tight security, Hadiya arrived in Coimbatore from New Delhi to proceed to Salem to resume her education at the college as directed by the Supreme Court Monday. She was not permitted to speak to the media at the airport in Coimbatore. Accompanied by Kerala Police, she later left by road to the Sivaraj Medical College in Salem to undergo an 11-month internship in Homeopathy. A Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra had given the direction Monday after interacting with her. Meanwhile, college Principal G Kannan said Hadiya will be treated as one of the inmates of the hostel and that no special treatment will be accorded to her. She will be registered under her Hindu name Akhila Ashokan in the college, he told reporters in Salem. The apex court has appointed the dean of the college as Hadiya's guardian and granted him liberty to approach it in case of any problem. She was earlier staying at her parental home in Kochi for several weeks. The bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, had directed the college and the university to re-admit Hadiya and grant her hostel facilities. Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Police Subbbulakshmi, who held a meeting with college authorities in Salem, told reporters that adequate protection will be given to the woman. During the court hearing, Hadiya said she wanted to go with her husband Shafin Jahan and that he will take care of her education expenses. Jahan had on September 20 approached the apex court seeking recall of its order directing the NIA to investigate the controversial case of conversion and marriage of Hadiya, originally a Hindu woman who converted to Islam. The Kerala High Court had annulled the marriage terming it as an instance of 'love jihad', following which Jahan approached the Supreme court. The top court had on August 16 directed the NIA to probe the incident under the supervision of retired apex court judge, Justice R V Raveendran. The woman, a Hindu, had converted to Islam and later married Jahan. It was alleged that the woman was recruited by Islamic State's mission in Syria and Jahan was only a stooge. Hadiya was in the custody of her parents for almost six months after the Kerala High Court had on May 29 anulled her 'nikah' with Jahan. Ashokan K M, the father of the woman, has alleged that there was a "well-oiled systematic mechanism" for conversion and Islamic radicalisation. Earlier today, Ashokan welcomed the SC decision allowing his daughter to pursue her studies. "Hadiya does not have any idea about Syria, where she wanted to go after converting to Islam... I cannot have a terrorist in the family," he added. Ashokan also said he was sad that his daughter had to undergo such "unpleasant experiences because of which her studies were interrupted." "But now I am happy as the court has allowed her to study further," he told reporters in Delhi. Ashokan said he was not worried about Hadiya's security in Salem, as she was now under the protection and observation of the apex court. Ivanka Trump will deliver the keynote address at the inaugural session, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Photo: Twitter | @USAmbIndia) Hyderabad: Ivanka Trump, the daughter of US President Donald Trump and his advisor, arrived in Hyderabad on Tuesday for the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) co-hosted by India and the US. Ivanka and her team landed at the Shamshabad (Hyderabad) Airport around 3.15 am. After reaching Hyderabad, Ivanka Trump thanked people for the warm welcome and said she was excited to be in the city for the GES. Thank you for the warm welcome. Im excited to be in Hyderabad, India for #GES2017. https://t.co/1U08h5L9Rm Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) November 28, 2017 Ivanka Trump was invited for the summit earlier in 2017 by Prime Minister Modi during his visit to the US. Ivanka Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday evening addressed the annual summit being held for the first time in South Asia. PM Modi arrived in Hyderabad a little after 1 pm. First on his agenda on Tuesday was the inauguration of the Hyderabad metro rail service. Addressed party cadres at the airport, Modi said: Today, the attention of the world is on Hyderabad. This city is hosting a prestigious international summit where industry leaders from the world are joining. He added on a political note: In the southern part of the country, the BJP has not got many opportunities to serve in government. Yet, our karyakartas are always working on the ground with the people. We are proud of the family of BJP karyakartas. We believe in cooperative federalism. There is no question of discriminating against states where we are not in power. We are committed for the overall development of our country, Modi said. Though Ivanka has been to India before, this time she is in the country as US President Donald Trump's advisor. The visit is also her maiden solo outing on the international stage. Ivanka Trump arrives in Hyderabad. (Photo: Twitter | @MEAIndia) The theme for the three-day summit beginning later on Tuesday is "Women First, Prosperity for All". This will be the first GES in which women are expected to be majority (52.5 per cent) of the participants. The theme of this year's summit demonstrates the commitment of the US and the Indian government to the principle that when women are economically empowered, their communities and countries thrive, NITI Ayog CEO Amitabh Kant has said. Ivanka Trump's 350-member delegation includes top administration officials and a large number of Indian-Americans. The summit will also feature 1,200 young entrepreneurs, mostly women. The youngest person attending the meet is 13, say officials. Ivanka Trump delivered the keynote address at the inaugural session, along with Narendra Modi. She is also scheduled to speak at another session on Wednesday. The summit will primarily focus on four thematic sectors -- energy and infrastructure; healthcare and life sciences; financial technology and digital economy; and media and entertainment sectors, according to Amitabh Kant. After the inauguration, Ivanka and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman are slated to participate in a panel discussion on opening up of opportunities for women entrepreneurs, Kant had earlier said. On Tuesday evening, the Prime Minister hosted a dinner for the US President's daughter at Hyderabad's Falaknuma Palace, which has been decked up for the event. More than 10,000 security personnel have been deployed as part of the security arrangement. The security arrangement is being reviewed by the Special Protection Group as well as the US Secret Service. Police have announced traffic restrictions that have forced many schools to declare a holiday. On Ivanka Trump's itinerary was the old city as well as the Charminar, the iconic symbol of Hyderabad. She also wanted to shop at the Laad Bazaar or Choodi Bazaar, which is famous for its bangles, semi-precious stones, pearls, jewellery and silverware. Hadiyas father KM Ashokan also refuted the allegations that he abused his daughter. (Photo: ANI) New Delhi: In the alleged case of love jihad in Kerala, the father of Hadiya on Tuesday expressed happiness over the Supreme Court direction that his daughter should resume her studies. "We never abused her. I am happy with the Supreme Court. I was worried about her education and wanted her to study. Now I am happy," Hadiyas father KM Ashokan told the media. Asked about his stance on inter-caste marriages, Ashokan said he believed in one religion and one god but could not have a terrorist in the family. Hadiya had converted to Islam and married a Muslim, Shafin Jahan. Ashokan alleges that his daughter was forcibly converted and Jahan was linked to the Islamic State group, which is active in Syria and Iraq. "Hadiya does not have any idea about Syria, where she wanted to go after getting converted to Islam," Ashokan said. "I cannot have a terrorist in the family," he added. On Monday, the Supreme Court said that Hadiya should return to her college in Salem, Tamil Nadu, to complete her medical course. Hadiya had joined Sivaraj Homoeopathic Medical College in Salem, but could not complete her studies as she was put under house arrest in May. The apex court said the college should allow the hostel facility to Hadiya and also appointed the college dean as her local guardian. The 25-year-old has been in the headlines after she became a Muslim following her marriage to Jahan. Hadiya said she had married Jahan out of her own will and not forcibly. The top court will now hear the matter next in third week of January. Earlier, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had submitted a status report in a sealed cover to the top court in connection with the case. The apex court has been hearing Hadiya's case after Jahan approached the top court following the Kerala High Court annulling his marriage with Hadiya. While Hadiya's parents have been alleging that her marriage was a case of 'love jihad' and that she was converted to Islam forcibly, Hadiya has refuted these claims so far. Mitra, a robot manufactured by Bengaluru-based Invento Robotics, interacted with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and White House advisor Ivanka Trump at the summit. (Photo: Twitter/NITI Ayog) Hyderabad: At the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) 2017 in Hyderabad on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and White House advisor Ivanka Trump were greeted by Made in India robot, named Mitra. Mitra, a robot manufactured by Bengaluru-based Invento Robotics, interacted with Modi and Ivanka at the summit. CEO of Invento Robotics, Balaji Viswanathan, and his team of 14 members deployed two bots at the event, but it was Mitra that welcomed the Prime Minister and daughter of US President Donald Trump on the stage at the summit. It was Mitra, who announced the inauguration of the summit, after Modi and Ivanka pressed a button on the robot. A branch of Canara Bank in Bengaluru had been using the services of Mitra. Also read: At Hyderabad global meet, Modi and Ivanka extol the 'shakti' of women Ivanka is in India to attend the eighth edition of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit. Modi, who earlier on Tuesday launched the Hyderabad metro rail services, inaugurated the summit, a three-day event, at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre along with Ivanka. Chennai: Sunday night showers brought low-lying areas of north Chennai under water on Monday and normalcy was affected in several parts of coastal districts of Tamil Nadu. Flight operations in Chennai were also disrupted due to bad weather and several international flights landed with delay. Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam and Chennai received fresh spells of rains on Monday. An international flight from Frankfurt was also diverted to Bangalore on Monday morning. The arrival and departure of about 30 flights were delayed but the operations became normal before noon, airport sources said. In Chennai, the poll bound RK Nagar saw attention from civic authorities, while the adjacent areas witnessed sewer overflows and water-logging. Ramana nagar, Thiruvi Ka Nagar, Vysarpadi, Pattalam, Pulianthope and Choolai suffered water logging and there were drainage block complaints from the residents in these areas. However schools remained open as rains stopped Monday morning only to resume by noon. Corporation commissioner D. Karthikeyan also conducted a meeting with civic officials to discuss motor pumps positioning at low-lying areas and subways. Unchecked battered roads with water logging delays the journey time between Chennai and Vellore and road condition near the Sriperumbudur toll is badly maintained, said J. Karthick, a travel agent based in Koyambedu. Motorists also suffered traffic snarls at arterial locations including Chennai Central, Koyambedu and Vadapalani. Meanwhile, rumours that a cyclone was on its way towards the Nagapattinam coast also went viral. However the district administration authorities clarified that there were no cyclone warning alerts from weather department. Tambaram residents protest against civic bodies Residents of Tambaram on Monday staged a demonstration protesting against local bodies in south Chennai not attending to monsoon related complaints. About 500 residents, agitated with Tambaram revenue authorities for not clearing water logging, blocked traffic along the arterial camp road connecting Velachery and Tambaram. Peak hour traffic came to a standstill and the police had a tough time pacifying the agitators. After police tried to clear the demonstrators more residents from Agaranthen, Sainagar, Thiruvanchery and Paduvanchery joined the protest creating tension in the locality. At one stage, the public also warned police that they would block the traffic in the adjacent roads if they were forcibly removed. It was only after Kancheepuram Collector, P. Ponniah, visited the site that residents withdrew their agitation. The collector subsequently ordered authorities to use earth movers and motor pumps to drain the water. Taking children to school is a nightmare and the authorities fail to understand the publics sufferings, fumed V. Kalyani, who resides in Paduvanchery near Tambaram. According to police sources, the district collector was scheduled to attend a function at Tambaram and when he came to know about the demonstration, rushed to the spot along with local revenue officials. After hearing public grievances, the collector conducted a review meeting and pulled up the local government staff for not redressing public complaints. Every time the residents approached government departments they are forced to walk from pillar to post. The fresh spell of rain on Sunday has added to water-logging and mosquito menace, M. Murugan of Sainagar Residents Welfare Association, said. The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a fresh plea seeking to stall the release of 'Padmavati' outside India. (Photo: File) New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a fresh plea seeking to stall the release of 'Padmavati' outside India. A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra dismissed the petition filed by a lawyer, Manohar Lal Sharma, who sought stay on the release of the film. On the threats given by various groups to director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and actor Deepika Padukone, who plays the role of Rani Padmini, the apex court said, These kind of statements are violative of the principle of Rule of Law as Censor Board is yet to certify the movie. The top court also took serious note of statements made by people holding power or high office about the movie and said it was tantamount to pre-judging it. Lawyer ML Sharma had also sought a direction to the CBI to register a case against director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and others for various offences including defamation and violation of the Cinematography Act. The bench which also comprised Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud termed as "misconceived", the prayers sought by Sharma in his fresh petition and said that the court cannot pre-judge a movie which is yet to be certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The irked bench, however, did not impose cost on Sharma keeping in view the fact that he has been a practising lawyer of the apex court. With inputs from PTI. Software engineer Ragupathy Kandasamy, who was back home in Tamil Nadus Coimbatore form US to meet his prospective bride, died on Saturday morning after he reportedly crashed his bike into a temporary illegal wooden hoarding set up on a road by the ruling AIADMK for its MGR centenary celebrations. (Photo: Facebook | ragupathy.kandasamy) Chennai: 32-year-old software engineer Ragupathy Kandasamy, who was back home in Tamil Nadus Coimbatore form US to meet his prospective bride, died on Saturday morning after he reportedly crashed his bike into a temporary illegal wooden hoarding set up on a road by the ruling AIADMK for its MGR centenary celebrations. As Ragupathys bike hit the structure and he fell from his bike, a truck ran him over. The engineer, who was to return to the US over the weekend, was not wearing a helmet at the time of the incident. He planned to park his bike at a bus stand and take a bus to a temple. Hours after his death, a massive outrage triggered on social media with angry users criticising the government with the hashtag, WhoKilledRagu. Someone painted "Who Killed Ragu?" in large, white lettering at the spot where Ragupathy was killed. Ragupathys death has triggered a big political blame game in Tamil Nadu. The Tamil Nadu government has shrugged off responsibility, claiming that the techie died after being hit by a truck and not because of the wooden arch that was erected by the AIADMK. Tamil Nadu minister SP Velumani has blamed the DMK for diverting the issue by blaming the government. The DMK meanwhile has lashed out at the AIADMK, holding them responsible for the engineers death. DMK Working President MK Stalin tweeted that he condemns the lawless government in strong terms. Under the pretext of #MGRcentenary, the AIADMK govt. continues to blatantly violate the High Court's order on obstructive & dangerous hoardings - now resulting in the death of Raghu, a promising young engineer in Coimbatore. I condemn this lawless govt. in the strongest terms. pic.twitter.com/tkbm9NDlHk M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) November 26, 2017 A local legislator, Krishnan K, from the DMK has filed a petition in the high court asking judges to order the removal of all hoardings in Coimbatore and wants action against government officials. He has also demanded that Ragupathy's family be given compensation. Another opposition party, PMK has demanded that a case be filed against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palanisamy over the dead of the young engineer. Veteran actor Kamal Haasan who has been sharply critical of the state government and recently discussed his plans to enter politics with fans also attacked AIADMK after the incident. Any government that regards power and fame even at the cost of life will fall. A government that doesn't respect pedestrians won't go too long on palankeen. Banner 'Jis' should realise those who pave way for accidents abet murder," Haasan tweeted. . . . Banner"" Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) November 26, 2017 The structure that Ragupathy crashed into took up space on both sides and police investigators said he was thrown off his bike when it hit a portion that jutted well on to the road. Activists have alleged that the hoarding on Coimbatore's Avinashi road covered about 30 per cent of motorable area. On Saturday, the Commissioner of the Coimbatore Corporation ordered the removal of hoardings, which had no permission, calling them illegal. The state government and the AIADMK are celebrating the 100th birth anniversary of the party's founder and former chief minister MG Ramachandran or MGR on December 3. The police said that the BSF jawan Chandar Bhan, a resident of Kurukshetra, Haryana, was targeted by his colleague inside a camp of the paramilitary forces at Mader in Bandipora. (Representational Image) Srinagar: In an apparent act of fratricide, a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan was shot dead by a colleague in Jammu and Kashmirs northern district of Bandipore on Monday night. The police said that the BSF jawan Chandar Bhan, a resident of Kurukshetra, Haryana, was targeted by his colleague inside a camp of the paramilitary forces at Mader in Bandipora. The incident occurred following altercation between the two on some issue, the police said adding that it has registered a case under relevant provisions of the law including Section 302 and taken up investigations. The BSF which is probing the incident separately said that the shootout took place inside the camp at around 11 pm on Monday. Head constable Chander Bhan was critically injured after he was fired upon allegedly by a colleague. He was rushed to a hospital where he was declared brought dead, said a BSF official. Salem: Hadiya, the 24-year-old girl whose conversion to Islam has drawn the attention of the nation, on Tuesday returned to the Sivaraj Homeopathy College near here to complete her house surgeon duties amid tight police security. The institution authorities said she will be registered under her original name of Akhila Ashokan. The young BHMS (Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery) student, who was forced to discontinue her studies at the institute after a major row erupted over her conversion to Islam and marriage to a Muslim youth, arrived at the Coimbatore Airport from New Delhi on Tuesday evening and was taken directly to the college located 35 kms from Salem by the Kerala Police. As she arrived at the Sivaraj Homeopathy College, Tamil Nadu police cordoned off the entire area and restricted access to everyone till Hadiya aka Akhila was taken into the principal's room after which she was escorted to the college hostel in Sooramangalam where she will stay like any other student without any special facilities. At the principal's room, Hadiya completed all formalities to rejoin the college. A thick blanket of security was thrown around the institution to ensure that there was no untoward incident although a group did manage to shout slogans in Hadiya's favour. "Hadiya will be treated as one of the inmates of the hostel and no special treatment will be accorded to her. She will be registered under her Hindu name Akhila Ashokan in the college", G Kannan, Principal of the college, told reporters. The Supreme Court had asked the dean of the college to take care of Hadiya and granted him liberty to approach it in case of any problem. She will stay at the hostel for the next 11 months to complete her house surgeon duties to secure the degree. Following the SC order, college principal G Kannan wrote to Salem Police Commissioner K Shankar seeking police protection for her. We will discuss with the college authorities and provide security to the woman, Shankar told DC. Hadiya returned to the college following the Supreme Court direction on Monday to the dean of the institution to ensure that she completes her course by staying at the hostel. A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra had given the direction Monday after interacting with Hadiya, who expressed interest to complete her studies. Though she was disallowed to speak to the media, Hadiya spoke to reporters at the New Delhi airport briefly, reiterating that she wanted to go with her husband Shafin Jahan, who is being accused by right-wing groups of forcing her to convert to Islam feigning love. Hadiya had completed the four-and-half-year theoretical part of the course, before she had left the college in 2015 without attending the one-year practical part of the course. Earlier on Tuesday, Ashokan welcomed the SC decision allowing his daughter to pursue her studies. Hadiya does not have any idea about Syria, where she wanted to go after converting to Islam... I cannot have a terrorist in the family, he added. Ashokan also said he was sad that his daughter had to undergo such unpleasant experiences because of which her studies were interrupted. But now I am happy as the court has allowed her to study further, he told reporters in Delhi. Ashokan said he was not worried about Hadiyas security in Salem, as she was now under the protection and observation of SC. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, daughter of and advisor to US President Donald Trump Ivanka Trump at the 8th annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit on Tuesday. (Photo: P. Surendra) Hyderabad: Entrepreneurs find opportunity in adversity, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and advised them to focus on their work regardless of the reaction. Swami Vivekananda said that each work has to pass through three stages ridicule, opposition, and then acceptance. Those who think ahead of their time are sure to be misunderstood. Most entrepreneurs would be familiar with this, Mr Modi said on Tuesday in his address to 1,500 delegates from 45 countries at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) 2017. He said essential qualities that set entrepreneurs apart are their patience and determination. The power to think differently and ahead of the times for the betterment of mankind is what sets entrepreneurs apart. I see that power in Indias young generation today. Dwelling on the theme of GES 2017, Women First, Prosperity for All, Mr Modi said that in Indian mythology woman is an incarnation of Shakti. We believe womens empowerment is vital to our development. He gave examples of successful women in India Hyderabad-based sportswomen Saina Nehwal, P.V. Sindhu, and Sania Mirza. Positioning India as an innovation-driven and entrepreneurial country, Mr Modi took the delegates through key achievements of Indians in different fields Charaka for Ayurveda, Aryabhatta for the invention of zero, Kautilya for Arthashastra. Inviting entrepreneurs from across the world to set up their facilities in India, Mr Modi said India has improved its rank from 54 in 2014 to 35 in 2016 on the World Bank's Logistics Performance Index. This signifies the relative ease and efficiency with which products can be moved into and from a country, he said. NEW DELHI/ SALEM: More anxious days are in store for Hadiya alias Akhila whom the Supreme Court has sent to Sivaraj Homoeopathic Medical College and Research Institute, Salem, to continue her studies. While Shafin Jehan, her husband, said that the court had not stopped him from meeting her, college principal Dr G. Kannan asserted that he would not allow such a meeting. Her father K.M. Ashokan also said that he would fight legally against Jehan meeting Hadiya. Dr Kannan told an English TV channel, We wont allow Hadiyas husband to meet her. Her parents admitted her here and only they can meet her, he said. She cant go anywhere alone and can do nothing without prior permission from the college, he said. Though Hadiya expressed her interest to go with her husband, he was not spotted on the college premises where she was brought by Kerala police on Tuesday evening. Her parents did not accompany her to the college. Shafin Jehan, 27, told reporters in New Delhi that the SC had not said anything against him. The National Investigation Agencys allegation that I have connections with the IS terrorist organisation is baseless. There were eight reports on my alleged connections with IS in the High Court. I hope that the SC will eventually unite us as a couple," he said. Hadiya maintained that she would meet Jehan at Salem. Her father challenged it and said he would not allow him to meet her though he had no more control on his daughter. Hadiyas mother Ponnamma wept while talking to reporters minutes before they left Kerala House for Indira Gandhi International Airport on their way to Coimbatore and later by road to Salem. The police took Hadiya and her parents to the airport only 10 minutes before the flight took off to Coimbatore. He mother said that Hadiya was forcibly converted to Islam by two of her former classmates, Jazeena and Fazeena. We can't imagine our daughter getting married to a terrorist. Our daughters classmates fathers converted her to Islam which we were not aware of initially," she said. Let her complete her studies and have a bright future. We gave her good education with my husband's paltry earnings. We never expected her classmates to cheat us," she added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi says his government has scrapped over 1,200 outdated laws, eased 87 rules for foreign investment in 21 sectors, and taken several processes online. (Photo: Twitter/NITI Ayog) Hyderabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Centre would not discriminate against any state on political grounds, and that the BJP was committed to competitive cooperative federalism. The Prime Minister was indirectly replying to Telangana state Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Raos charge in the State Assembly recently that the much-hyped cooperative federalism remained a mere slogan. The Prime Minister appears to have taken note of the comment, particularly since it was followed by DMK leader M.K. Stalin deciding to extend support to Mr Chandrasekhar Raos fight against the Centre to demand that a free hand be given to the states on issues such as providing reservations to backward communities. Addressing BJP cadres at Begumpet airport on his arrival in the city on Tuesday afternoon, Mr Modi said: The Central Government will extend its full support to the developmental programmes taken up by the Telangana state government, there will be no politics in developmental issues, be it Telangana or Andhra Pradesh or Tamil Nadu, we are committed to competitive cooperative federalism, Mr Modi affirmed. He said the Centre would provide all possible support to new projects and developmental activities taken up by all states in the country. Showering praises on Hyderabad city, the Prime Minister said the whole world is looking towards Hyderabad as the city gets ready to host entrepreneurs from across the world for the Global Entrepreneurship Summit. The strike by nurses demanding job permanency, enhanced pay and eight hours work shifts, entered its second day on Tuesday. Over 2,500 nurses were on indefinite strike at the Directorate of Medical Services campus in Chennai since Monday and their agitation affected health services in several government hospitals and primary health centres (PHCs) in rural areas across TN. (Photo: DC) Chennai: More than 2,000 staff nurses, recruited through the Medical Recruitment Board Tamil Nadu from across the state, called off their two-day long protest after talks with Health Minister C. Vijayabhaskar who assured that their services will be regularized gradually. Though the strike continued for the second day, services in the government hospitals and public health centres in the city remained unaffected as the doctors and the staff on duty worked double shifts on Monday and Tuesday to prevent disruptions in the discharge of services. The nurses also presented the formal notice directed to the Director of Medical Services regarding the protest a month ago after officials alleged that there was no formal communication about the strike. After two-hour long talks with the minister, the nurses called off their protest a little before 9 pm and announced that they will resume work on Wednesday. We had placed our demands in front of the authorities more than a month ago regarding the regularization of services with a time-scale pay on an 8-hour shift basis, S Aishwarya, joint secretary, MRB Nurses Empowerment Association, said. After the protest on Monday, Director of Medical Education Dr A Edwin Joe, Director of Medical Services Dr M R Enbasekaran and Director of Public Health Dr K Kolandaswamy called on the association representative for talks. Around ten members from the association discussed the issue with the directors. Officials said the nurses were appointed based on the same regulations as it is done across the country and nurses would be eligible for a permanent post only after two years of service. After two years of service, the services of nurses are regularised based on the availability of vacancies and seniority. The sudden demands of all nurses to be given increment in the salary and permanency in the post have been communicated to the government. However, the pay and service regularization is as per the regulations, said Dr M R Enbasekaran. Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan also called on around 20 representatives from the association to discuss their demands. The meeting continued till the filing of the report and nurses had not called off the agitation. However, a section of protesting nurses said they would continue with their agitation till their demands are met. They said they don't agree with the other section who have announced that they would call of the protests. Min assures nurses to consider demands The Health minister addressed the press on Tuesday regarding the nurses protest stating that the State Health Department would regularise them as per procedure. Nurses are being given the pay and regularisation is done according to the regulations set by the Government of India, he said. The nurses are recruited by the Medical Recruitment Board after an entrance test and based on the consolidated marks, the appointment is decided. The contract based appointment is being done for all the nurses all over the India. All the nurses who were appointed through Medical Recruitment Board are given regularisation after two years of service based on seniority and vacancy available, he said. Around 6,000 nurses who were recruited in 2015 have been regularised, whereas for the rest 200 of them, the services will be made regular within this week, Health Minister said. Claiming that government is taking all measures to provide for the demands of all the personnel working under the State Health department, the minister assured the nurses that the demands will be considered and the nurses should see that such actions do not affect the services to the patients at the government hospitals. News / National by Staff reporter New cabinet to be announced next week, please ingore all "sources" and speculation. The announcement will be made, it will not influenced by hype, rumors or pressure from external lobby groups. #Zimcabinet ZANU PF (@zanu_pf) November 26, 2017 There are unconfirmed reports that the Executive chairman and founder of Econet and Zimbabwe's richest man might be named in President Emmerson Mnangagwa's economic advisory board.Mnangagwa is expected to introduce technocrats from commerce and this is expected to send out a signal of sorts to the international community.Besides Masiyiwa, Nkosana Moyo and James Makamba's names are also being punted. The argument being that Moyo has links with the international financial institution which will make the re-engagement process easier for Zimbabwe.Zanu-PF on its Twitter handle said, "New cabinet to be announced next week, please ignore all "sources" and speculation. The announcement will be made, it will not be influenced by hype, rumours or pressure from external lobby groups."Mnangagwa is expected to form a new cabinet this week, with all eyes on whether he breaks with the past and names a broad-based government or selects old guard figures from Robert Mugabe's era.Of particular interest is his choice of finance minister to replace Ignatius Chombo, who was among members of a group allied to Mugabe and his wife, Grace, who were detained and expelled from the ruling party. Chombo is facing corruption charges and is due to appear in court for a bail hearing on Monday. The pool of capable Zimbabwean in the finance and economic field is unlimited, however, Mnangagwa might be handicapped by the limited number of none constituency members that can serve in the cabinet.After being sworn in as president last Friday, Mnangagwa vowed to rebuild Zimbabwe's ravaged economy and serve all citizens. But behind the rhetoric, some Zimbabweans wonder whether a man who loyally served Mugabe for decades can bring change to a ruling establishment accused of systematic human rights abuses and disastrous economic policies."The composition of the new government will show a clear path whether we continue with the status quo or the clear break with the past that we need to build a sustainable state. It's a simple choice," said former finance minister and opposition leader Tendai Biti.The opposition Movement for Democratic Change has called for an inclusive "transitional authority" to mark a break with Mugabe's 37-year rule and enact reforms to allow for credible and free elections due next year."Zimbabwe needs all hands on deck...We cannot continue reproducing these cycles of instability," Biti told Reuters.Some economic and political analysts say Mnangagwa's choices may be limited after Cyber Security Minister and close ally Patrick Chinamasa said last week he saw no need for a coalition, as ZANU-PF had a parliamentary majority.And with Mnangagwa saying on Friday elections would go ahead next year as scheduled, the opposition would have little to gain from participating in a coalition just eight months before the vote, Professor Anthony Hawkins, a business studies professor, said."If I were an opposition politician I would say: what's in it for me? Unless I'm convinced I'm going to lose the election, I won't participate," Hawkins told Reuters."He (Mnangagwa) might introduce technocrats from commerce and that will send out a signal of sorts... As far as the international community is concerned legitimacy is important. It's a very delicate situation and he has very little room for manoeuvre."The Standard newspaper, which has been critical of Mugabe and his government over the years, said Mnangagwa would be judged on how he delivers on the bold commitments he made at his inauguration. It said he must "walk the talk on graft" that has exacerbated the country's economic decline.Mugabe's fall after 37 years in power was spurred by a battle to succeed him that pitted Mnangagwa, his former deputy who had stood by him for 52 years, and Mugabe's wife, Grace, 52, who has been at the couple's "Blue House" mansion in Harare and hasn't been seen in public since. THISSUR: Two natural rivulets originating from the reserved forest in Dhoni forest range near Malampuzha dam here have been diverted to a private quarry and crusher unit for the commercial use of washing M-sand. The violation by the 'Royal Crusher' unit has been unearthed by environmental organisation Paristhithi Aikya Vedi. This comes at a time when other environmental violations have been reported in the state, including by MLA P.V. Anwar in Koodaranji panchayat in Kozhikode for a water park and the alleged encroachment by Mr Joyce George MP at Kottakamboor in Idukki. Vedi's member and green activist Boban Mattumanth, who filed a complaint with the chief minister, revenue and forest ministers and the district collector on Saturday, said that a team from his organization had visited the crusher unit lying adjacent to the Dhoni forest here on Monday and collected the details of the illegal activity along with its photographs. "Both the rivulets named 'Vilavakundu thodu' and 'Karippali thodu' have been diverted by building a huge tank near the forest inside a land which the crusher owner claims to hold. The tank water is then diverted through penstock pipes which are laid by filling the rivulets. By filling the laid pipes with soil, one of the rivulets has been fully reclaimed," Mr Boban told DC. The penstock pipes extend to nearly 1.5 km and there is another tank built near the crusher to collect the diverted water, he added. Vedi activists told DC that after they raised the issue, political leaders were calling them over phone to play down the issue. "The crusher is functioning in Akathethara panchayat ruled by the CPM and the party has not taken any action in the matter," Mr Boban said. Due to diversion of the rivulet, a total of 125 acres of paddyland in Dhoni is not getting water and the farmers have stopped cultivation. Meanwhile, officials at the Royal Crusher claim that they have dumped the soil from the crusher near the rivulets and the pipes were laid to prevent the water body from getting filled up with this waste. KOZHIKODE: The footwear industry of the Malabar region registered a jump over the years with the annual cumulative turnover of the Kozhikode-based footwear companies alone crossing Rs 1,500 crore, according to the Kerala State Small Scale Industries Association. With 150 manufacturing units supported by 300 ancillary units and providing direct employment to 25,000 workers, the footwear sector has been a breadwinner for thousands of families. With many popular brands including VKC, Paragon, Lunar, Mark, Odyssia, Cubiz, Fisher, Hawalker and Jogger, the footwear sector of the state is strong and most of the players have their origins in Kozhikode, it was pointed out. Confederation of Indian Footwear Industry vice-president V. Naushad, who is also the managing director of VKC group, told DC that Kozhikode is contributing a lion's share of the state's footwear production. "Unified efforts of the industry players helped in making significant growth over the years", he said, adding that India could pose a challenge to China, the global footwear market leader, in a few years. "The entrepreneurs here have been getting exposure to world class technologies and changing trends during the International Footwear Exhibitions that is organized often which attracts several players to the footwear industry", he added. Started in the 1980s, the footwear industry in the region is growing with new units emerging every year. The flagship footwear company of the region is the VKC group with an annual turnover of Rs 1,500 crore (approx.). Chennai: The migration has begun. In a body blow to the rebel TTV Dhinakaran camp five days after Two Leaves symbol was allotted to the EPS-OPS headed AIADMK, three Rajya Sabha MPs met Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami and declared that they have returned to the parent party. The MPs A. Navaneethakrishnan, who was considered quite close to the V. K. Sasikala family and had represented Ilavarasi in the disproportionate assets (DA) case -- Gokulakrishnan and Vijila Sathyanand met Palaniswami at his residence here, in what is seen just as the beginning of the migration from the beleaguered TTV camp. However, Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam and his supporters were conspicuous by their absence. Navaneethakrishnan's support to Palaniswami is being seen as a shot in the arm for the unified AIADMK since he holds the crucial post of the party's floor leader in Rajya Sabha. Sources said talks began on Wednesday, a day before the EC recognised the EPS-OPS faction as the AIADMK and allotted Two Leaves symbol to them. This is just the tip of the iceberg. There are many who are waiting to jump the ship and it will happen quite soon. Most of the MPs and MLAs owing allegiance to Dhinakaran are in touch with us. They will meet the Chief Minister in groups by jumping the ship, a senior leader said, adding that Two Leaves did the magic since many leaders feel the party is where the symbol is. Sources who are aware of the talks said barring a few MLAs and two or three MPs, all of them would be associating themselves with EPS-OPS in the next couple of days. Forest Minister Dindigul C. Srinivasan said all those supporting Dhinakaran should reform them and return to the parent party to work under Palaniswami and Panneerselvam. While Navaneethakrishnan was not available for comments, Gokulakrishnan and Sathyanand said they came back because the Two Leaves symbol was now with the EPS and OPS. Two Leaves is the symbol of AIADMK and we are true AIADMK loyalists and workers. So, since the symbol is with the CM and deputy CM, we have met Palaniswami and expressed our willingness to work for the party, Gokulakrishnan said. Echoing similar sentiments, Sathyanand said the party is where the Two Leaves symbol is and hence she decided to associate herself with the new leadership. Claiming victory, AIADMK governing council member Tamil Magan Hussain said the support of three MPs would strengthen the party further and appealed to all those aligned with Dhinakaran to return immediately. After a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, on Monday interacted with Hadiya, the 24-year-old Kerala Hindu woman Akhila who converted to Islam and married a Muslim man, who is being accused by the National Investigation Agency of playing a part for a criminal ring to convert Hindu women to Islam through love jihad, she was permitted by the court to return to Tamil Nadu to complete her homeopathic medicine course there. This is a major step. Hadiyas father K.M. Asokans case rested on the argument that his daughter wasnt mature enough to take a decision as far-reaching as changing her faith and marrying a man of the new faith. On this ground he sought his daughters custody and annulment of her marriage to a Muslim. The Kerala high court granted both. Instead of going with her husband Shafin Jehan, Hadiya had to go to her fathers home. This Kerala high court order was challenged in the Supreme Court by Mr Jehan. At first, the apex court ordered a NIA probe into the love jihad angle with then CJI Justice J.S. Khehar presiding. The order appeared to give precedence to the security angle above personal liberty and the prerogative of an individual of marrying someone of ones own free will, instead of separating the two and examining the security-related allegation on its merits. On attaining adulthood, parental permission is not a legal requirement for marriage. On this ground alone, legally speaking, the conversion and marriage of a Hindu woman to a Muslim (or vice versa) cant be objected to. Upon Justice Khehars retirement, his successor Justice Mishra had Akhila/Hadiya summoned to the court to examine and ascertain if she was sound of mind and capable of making well-considered decisions. The court permitting the young woman to return to pursue her studies and leave her fathers home, to which she was confined for the past 11 months, is revealing. It suggests her mental faculties are deemed to be in order. The issue of the validity of her marriage with Mr Jehan, the court said, will be taken up in January. Under the law, the court cannot disallow the marriage. The RSS-BJP has been carrying on a social and political campaign on the love jihad issue. We hope judicial wisdom will prevail. Since the NIA believes, whether under RSS pressure or otherwise, that the conversion and marriage of Akhila/Hadiya is a farce as Mr Jehan is involved in criminality, the court has quite rightly permitted the investigation into love jihad to continue. Whatever it may turn up, in principle, a person cant be punished for falling in love and marrying a criminal. In this case, Mr Jehan must be punished if a criminal nexus around love jihad is proved. But the marriage can only be dissolved through formal court proceedings. Hyderabad: Five out-of-the-box thinkers were picked by NITI Aayog and given slots to display their innovative products at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Hyderabad. One of those chosen is Ashwin Srisailam, a monk for 17 years, who worked as an emotional intelligence adviser to the late Michael Jackson and currently works with noted musician AR Rahman. Mr Srisailam has developed a visual reality headset especially meant for critically stressed and depressed individuals. He told Deccan Chronicle, Ahhaa (the name of his startup) works on a different platform to deliver mind education and relaxation. We have an app where people can log in and view, read content in connection to their situation, a personal space (experts will be available to help as per the individual) and a visual reality headset, where people will be shown serene location to help reduce stress. The music in the video has been given by Mr AR Rahman. The content will transform and positively impact the person. Looking at the global market, the world has 3.2 billion workers who are unwell in mind, body and soul. Another of the innovative thinkers chosen is Hussain Harianawala, co-founder of Hyperloop India, a multi-stake holder comprising 60 students. The Hyperloop (three-wheeled wholly covered vehicle) is a new way to move people or things anywhere quickly, safely, on-demand and with minimal impact to the environment. The system accelerates a passenger or cargo at airline speed. Hyperloop India is the first and only team from India, and one of the two from Asia that has been selected to build and race their Hyperloop pod on the Spacex track. The other three selected are Tarun Mehta of Ather Energy, a Bengaluru based firm that developed the first ever smart electric connected scooter, and Kaushik Mudda and Naveen Jain, for their 5 access hybrid manufacturing machine. All five were selected on the basis of the global acceptance of their product. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ms Ivanka Trump were introduced to the five innovators before they addressed the GES. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Google promises that official release in December will roll out to all supported Pixel and Nexus devices worldwide. Google has started rolling out an update to the Android 8.1 developer preview, the last before the official launch to consumers in December. Android 8.1 adds targeted enhancements to the Oreo platform, including optimisations for Android Go (for devices with 1GB or less of memory) and a Neural Networks API to accelerate on-device machine intelligence. It also includes a few smaller enhancements to Oreo in response to user and developer feedback. If you have a device enrolled in the Android Beta Program, you'll receive the update over the next few days. If you haven't enrolled yet, just visit the Android Beta site to enrol and get the update. The preview update includes near-final Android 8.1 system images for Pixel and Nexus devices, with official APIs (API level 27), the latest optimizations and bug fixes, and the November 2017 security patch updates. The Neural Networks API provides accelerated computation and inference for on-device machine learning frameworks like TensorFlow Lite -- Google's cross-platform ML library for mobile -- as well as Caffe2 and others. TensorFlow Lite is now available to developers, TensorFlow Lite works with the Neural Networks API to run models like MobileNets, Inception v3, and Smart Reply efficiently on your mobile device. Developers will be also be able to fully utilise the Pixel Visual Core to offer HDR+ shots on their apps, using the Android Camera API. This means that third-party apps would be able to deliver an experience close to the default camera app on the Pixel 2 models. Google promises that official release in December will roll out to all supported Pixel and Nexus devices worldwide -- including Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel C, Nexus 5X, and Nexus 6P. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Doctors at the Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences, Hubballi had almost given up on Bharmappa (name changed), a 48-year-old forest watcher at the Kali Tiger Reserve, who was attacked by a female sloth bear. His lower jaw was ripped apart and his face had several cuts. But six months later, Bharmappa was back to work, doing what he does the best: patrolling the thick forests of Western Ghats and warning the passing tourists not to smoke or litter the forest. In February 2017, when 28-year-old Murigeppa Tammangol, a forest guard at Kalkere range of Bandipur National Park, got a call from his higher officers regarding the forest fire that had already engulfed 500 hectares of forest area, he rushed to the spot without a second thought and tried to extinguish the fire using weeds. Alas, he did not succeed, and lost his life on duty. A day in their life Call it compulsion or passion, every day, around 5,850 frontline forest staff - deputy forest range officers, forest guards and forest watchers - of Karnataka make sure that whatever forest left is protected. The Forest Department also hires daily wage workers for various conservation works. Both experts and forest officials agree that it is impossible to protect the rich forests of Karnataka without the yeomen service of these frontline guards. However, many times, their service and sacrifice go unnoticed. "Forest protection cannot be done single-handedly. It is actually these foot soldiers on field who save the forests," says Ravi Chellam, a wildlife biologist. Life isn't easy for these foot soldiers, whose primary duty is not only to check the forest wealth from being plundered, but also to ensure that the green cover increases and the animals live in a better condition. Until 2015, more than 31 frontline guards have lost their lives while on duty, majority of them being attacked by wild animals. However, this risk does not deter them from performing their duty promptly. A typical day of a watcher or a guard begins at the break of dawn. With a GPS installed mobile, they have to walk a set number of kilometres inside the forest area (10 to 15 km), holding just a stick and small knife monitoring the health of forest and its dwellers. Any incident of animal death, tree cutting and other alarming incidents will be reported to higher officials. On alternative days, they walk through the main path and forest trails. But the real challenge awaits them at night, when they can't use light, while patrolling the area to prevent poaching or tree smuggling. "We walk through the forest at night without light to ensure that our movements are not noticed, particularly when are trying to nab suspected poachers," says forest guard Nagaraj of Udboor anti-poaching camp in the Nagarhole range. The five-member team at the camp also row in Kabini River to make sure trees are not smuggled via the river. However, what worries them the most is the forest fire, which can take away with it everything precious that they guard. "Summer brings worse with it as there is an increase in the number of forest fires. It is a threat to both the forest as well as the guardians," said Mahesh, a forest watcher in Bandipur, which saw highest number of forest fire cases this year. He adds that non-availability of water makes dousing the fire difficult. For better facilities Surprisingly, these guards do not fear the animals in the forest, but are concerned about the suspicious human activities in the forests. Many times, in a bid to save the forest, the guards enter into altercations with them. Except for the few forest guards under the Tiger project, majority of them are not trained to handle human-animal conflicts. "In my 35 years of service, I never received training to mitigate human-animal conflicts. This summer, I was asked to rescue the mighty crocodiles of Krishna River in the Bilagi range of Bagalkot district," says Deputy Range Forest Officer B Yadavad. During summer, he rescued more than eight crocodiles. Officials concede that it is one area where the department has to work upon. While officials claim that there has been improvement in facilities provided to these frontline guards, experts say that much more can be done. Ravi Chellam says, "By just increasing the boots on the ground, we can achieve greater success in the protection of forest wealth. There should be proper patrolling inside the forest, and the frontline guards must be strengthened in mitigating issues with the tribal people and other forest dwellers. The governments should frame a long-term policy for better conservation efforts." Dr Ravi Ralph, former principal chief conservator of forests, says, "Karnataka is among one of the best states when it comes to providing facilities to the frontline guards. For instance, it was the first State to give guards 'slide action guns' that can fire five rounds. Anti-poaching camps at critical places make sure that all the illegal activities inside the forests are also stopped. These measures have started showing results, as there has been a drastic fall in the number of forest offence cases." The department provides ration and health kits to the frontline guards. Non-profit organisations and doctors volunteer to conduct health check-up camps for them but these facilities are not much when compared to the risks they encounter. Staying in jungles, many times away from human habitation, these guards find their future insecure due to their meagre salary. Even after 35 years as a watcher, Rachappa finds it difficult to send his son to an engineering college and his daughter to a degree college. Despite these challenges, the forest guards strive hard to ensure that the forests are well protected. Retired DGP (Prisons) H N Sathyanarayan Rao has filed a defamation suit against DIGP D Roopa, the Commissioner for Traffic and Road Safety, seeking Rs 20 crore as damage and compensation for maligning his professional reputation. The original suit (OS) was filed at the Bengaluru City Civil Court and the court had issued a notice to Roopa and posted the matter to December 16 for the next hearing. Rao has also made an English newspaper and a vernacular television channel party along with Roopa in his suit. It may be recalled that Roopa while serving as DIG Prisons submitted a report to the government on prison irregularities. She also alleged that senior police officials had taken Rs 2 crore bribe to provide special privileges to high profile prisoners like Sasikala and Telgi. Later the government sent Rao on leave before his retirement while transferring Roopa as commissioner for road safety and traffic. DH News Service The much-awaited visitor Ivanka Trump has arrived at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport here during the wee hours of Tuesday. The flight of the advisor to the US President has landed at the airport at 3 am and she immediately left for Hotel Trident near HICC the venue for the eighth edition of Global Entrepreneurship Summit-2017. At the Airport she was given a warm and simple reception by the hotel staff, Telangana government and the US Embassy. Ambassador Kenneth I.Juster and his wife, Telangana IT Principal secretary Jayesh Ranjan were there to receive her. Ivanka shook hands and spoke with almost everyone who was present there to receive her. Ivanka will be staying put at the Trident hotel which is out of bounds to anyone, until 3 pm. From the hotel, she will be going to HICC by the road where she will be meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and participate in the inaugural of the three-day summit. After briefly refreshing at the Trident she will also have dinner hosted by Government of India at the Falaknuma Palace. Around 10 pm she will be back at the hotel. Sources say that Ivanka will be meeting selected few including peoples representatives while she is in the Trident. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will be meeting Ivanka at Trident on Tuesday. Owing to security reasons, details of Ivankas minute to minute programme have been kept as a secret. Ivanka will leave for Dubai from Hyderabad on Wednesday night after participating in a Panel discussion at 9 am on Wednesday. While many private schools have announced holiday due to traffic diversions in the IT and Financial district, police allowed shops and establishments to run normally. Many IT companies have allowed their staff to work from home on Tuesday. The Hotel Trident and surroundings are under heavy security and are out of bounds. India issued medical visas to five Pakistani nationals and their families in the last two days, continuing its role as a good Samaritan. According to details shared by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Twitter, two children and their family members are among those who received a visa for urgent medical treatment at Indian hospitals. One of them is nine-year-old Maria Danish, who will be undergoing a bone marrow transplant at the Artemis hospital in Gurugram. The second child is five-year-old Nabeeha Rashid, who will be undergoing an open heart surgery at the Jaypee Hospital in Noida. Two of the three other cases are for a liver transplant, while the third person would be visiting her hospital to address a bile duct complication post a liver transplant. All of these cases were decided in the last two days on the advice of the Indian High Commission in Pakistan. On yet another request made through Twitter, Sushma said the High Commission would have to scrutinise the papers to take a decision. Earlier, Pakistan had accused India of "politicising" humanitarian issues by selectively issuing medical visa to its citizens. "It was not a gesture of compassion but cold-blooded politicking," a Pakistani official had stated. News / National by Staff reporter ZIMBABWE National Army (ZNA) commander Lieutenant General Philip Valerio Sibanda has urged Zimbabweans to preserve their culture, saying social media is posing a serious threat to the identity of most Africans.Lt Gen Sibanda said social media has become a dominant phenomenon that has seriously affected the promotion of different cultures in the developing world.The army commander was speaking yesterday at the inaugural Culture Day hosted by more than 1 000 ZNA recruits at Lookout Masuku Barracks in Bulawayo under the theme, "Instilling patriotism through culture".The recruits are graduating today after completing their training. "A people without a culture are indeed a people without a soul. The contemporary trends in which social media has become a dominant phenomenon is posing a threat of loss of identity for people in the developing world."Cultures of the powerful nations have been marketed through western owned media platforms whilst the people of the third world countries become inevitable consumers of these marketed products. Consequently Africans have to some extent become carbon copies of our erstwhile former colonisers," said Lt Gen Sibanda.He said it was sad that some dehumanising practices such as homosexuality, which were once a taboo in most African communities, have gained a foothold in African countries including Zimbabwe."Such practices are brought into our communities in the name of civilisation, which is a shame to our people. We should all guard against foreign domination of our minds so as to effectively defend our norms and values."Our culture is an embodiment of people's lives. It's through organising culture days like this one that people especially the younger generation get educated on the importance of upholding cultural values," said Lt Gen Sibanda.He said the ZNA has decided that each and every course will have culture packaged in it. "The inclusion of culture will help underscore the importance we attach to culture studies. This also goes to compliment the introduction of culture studies in primary and secondary schools as per the new curriculum.The culture day also affords the military the opportunity to interact with the civil community. As soldiers we come from the people and it's through programmes like these that we show respect and reconnect with the custodians of our culture," said Lt Gen Sibanda.He emphasised the need for soldiers to be conversant and knowledgeable about the country's different cultures to enhance appreciation of other people's culture as there is culture in diversity.Lt Gen Sibanda said he was impressed by the way the recruits exhibited the lifestyles and cultures of Zimbabwean people from different tribes through song and dance as well as artefacts they use in their daily lives.Chief Sigola and other traditional leaders, government officials, businesspeople and ordinary people attended the event. Pakistani troops opened fire at Indian posts along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district in violation of the ceasefire, police said. "Pakistani troops resorted to firing in Jhangar forward area from 1845 hours to 1900 hours," a senior police officer said yesterday, adding that further details were awaited. Last night's violation of the ceasefire came after a lull of over a week in firing by Pakistani troops at Indian posts. Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire for three consecutive days between November 15 and November 17 in Jammu and Poonch districts. An Army jawan was injured in the exchange of fire in Poonch. On November 2, a BSF jawan was killed when Pakistan Rangers attacked a patrol party along the International Border in Samba district. A girl was injured when Pakistani troops opened fire from small arms along the LoC in Karmara belt of Poonch district on October 31. On October 18, eight civilians, including a two-year-old child, were injured in heavy Pakistani shelling in Poonch. Pope Francis begins his first full day in Myanmar travelling to the country's capital today to meet with the civilian leader, Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, a day after hosting the military general in charge of the crackdown on the country's Muslim Rohingya minority. Francis' speech to Suu Kyi, other Myanmar authorities and the diplomatic corps in Naypyitaw is the most anticipated of his visit, given the outcry over the crackdown, which the U.S. and U.N. have described as a campaign of "ethnic cleansing" to drive out the Rohingya from northern Rakhine state. The operation, launched in August after Rohingya militants attacked security posts, has sent more than 620,000 Rohingya into neighbouring Bangladesh, where they have reported entire villages were burned and looted, and women and girls were raped. Myanmar's Catholic leaders have stressed that Suu Kyi has no voice to speak out against the military over the operation, and have urged continued support for her efforts to move Myanmar toward a more democratic future that includes all its religious minorities, Christians in particular. How Francis bridges the local Catholic concerns with his legacy of speaking out for oppressed minorities is the key to watch in his speech in Naypyitaw. Francis dove into the crisis hours after arriving yesterday by meeting with the commander responsible for the crackdown, Gen Min Aung Hlaing, and three members of the bureau of special operations. The Vatican didn't provide details of the contents of the 15-minute "courtesy visit," only to say that "They spoke of the great responsibility of the authorities of the country in this moment of transition." Gen Min Aung Hlaing's office said in a statement on Facebook that he is willing to have "interfaith peace, unity and justice." The general added that there was no religious or ethnic persecution or discrimination in Myanmar and that the government allowed different faith groups to have freedom of worship. Rohingya Muslims have long faced state-supported discrimination in the predominantly Buddhist country and were stripped of citizenship in 1982, denying them almost all rights and rendering them stateless. They cannot travel freely, practice their religion, or work as teachers or doctors, and they have little access to medical care, food or education. Myanmar's Catholic Church has publicly urged Francis to avoid saying "Rohingya," a term shunned by many here because the ethnic group is not a recognized minority in the country. And they have urged him to toe a delicate line in condemning the violence, given the potential for blowback against Myanmar's tiny Catholic community. Francis previously has prayed for "our Rohingya brothers and sisters," lamented their suffering and called for them to enjoy full rights. As a result, much of the debate before his trip focused on whether he would again express solidarity with the Rohingya. Any decision to avoid the term and shy away from the conflict could be viewed as a capitulation to Myanmar's military and a stain on his legacy of standing up for the most oppressed and marginalized of society, no matter how impolitic. Burke didn't say if Francis used the term in his meeting with the general, which ended with an exchange of gifts: Francis gave him a medallion of the trip, while the general gave the pope a harp in the shape of a boat, and an ornate rice bowl. The papal trip was planned before the latest spasm of violence erupted in August, when Myanmar security forces responded to militant attacks with a scorched-earth campaign that has sent many Rohingya fleeing to Bangladesh. The Supreme Court on Tuesday found no illegality in the appointment of Gujarat-cadre IPS officer Rakesh Asthana as special director of the CBI on October 22. "We cannot question the decision taken by the selection committee which is unanimous and before taking the decision, the director, CBI, had participated in the discussions and it is based on relevant materials and considerations," a bench of Justices R K Agrawal and Abhay Manohar Sapre said. The court also reiterated that once there is consultation, it is beyond the scope of judicial review, though lack of effective consultation could be examined. The court dismissed a PIL filed by NGO Common Cause through advocate Prashant Bhushan, which contended that Asthana, a 1984-batch officer, had reportedly been named in a secret diary recovered from the Income Tax raid in a Surat-based firm for having regularly received bribes. His son was claimed to have worked with M/s Sterling Biotech, the firm under the investigation of the CBI. It was also claimed that his daughter's marriage cocktail party was organised at a farmhouse of M/s Sandesaran Group of companies. Rejecting the arguments, the court said in the FIR filed by the CBI on August 30, 2017, Asthana's name has not been mentioned at all. "Thus, lodging of FIR will not come in the way of considering Asthana for the post of special director, after taking into consideration his service record and work and experience," it said. After going through the minutes of the selection committee meetings provided by Attorney General K K Venugopal, the court also found the news reports as factually incorrect which stated that no meeting had taken place on the appointment of special director on October 21. The court noted that the selection committee has even discussed the secret and an unsigned note was produced by the CBI director. The committee found that it was not clear if the note was about the same Asthana and further there was nothing about the veracity of its content, the court said. Venugopal defended the decision saying the CBI itself had on July 6 recommended Asthana as a suitable candidate to hold the post of special director, in view of his vast experience in the supervision of functions of 11 zones, investigations and trials in cases like the Augusta Westland, ambulance scam, Kingfisher, Hassan Ali Khan, Moin Qureshi, and coal scam among others. A cab driver was arrested for allegedly trying to abduct a woman judge, police said today. The judge, in her complaint, told the police that instead of taking her to the Karkardooma Court, the driver started driving towards Hapur on the NH-24 yesterday, they added. She informed the police and also alerted her colleague, the police said. After driving for some distance, the driver took a U-turn towards Delhi, they said, adding he was intercepted at the Ghazipur toll plaza and arrested. The driver is associated with a private company that is being probed, the police said. The United Nations reopened its Syria peace talks on Tuesday but the Damascus government's last-minute announcement that it may not come to Geneva delivered a blow to the already faltering negotiations. The eighth round of talks was seen as a chance for the UN to revitalise its push to end the six-year war, which has killed more than 3,40,000 people and left Syria in ruins. UN envoy Staffan de Mistura has stressed the urgent need for progress towards a political solution and had been bolstered by the fractured Opposition's decision to form a unified negotiation team for the first time. But on the eve of the talks reopening, de Mistura told the Security Council that President Bashar al-Assad's government had not yet committed to show up. "The government did not yet confirm its participation in Geneva but indicated that we would be hearing from them soon", he said. Regime negotiators did not travel to Geneva on Monday, all but assuring they will be absent for the opening of the talks. The UN envoy recalled Assad's pledge to Russian President Vladimir Putin last week that he was "ready for dialogue." "Naturally we know and indeed expect that the government will be on its way shortly, particularly in light of President Assad's commitment to President Putin," he added. De Mistura had voiced hope the upcoming round will mark the first "real negotiation" on a possible peace deal. For that to happen rival sides will need to overcome the hurdle that has derailed past discussions: Assad's fate. De Mistura has told the Opposition that its long-standing demand for Assad's ouster may no longer be tenable. In September, he said the Opposition it needed to be "realistic" and realise "they didn't win the war", a statement supported by facts on the ground. Backed by Russia's decisive military support, Assad's government has regained control of 55% of the country, including major cities Damascus, Aleppo, Homs and Hama. The rest is carved up between rebel factions, jihadists and Kurdish forces. The decision last week by Syrian Opposition groups to send a single delegation to Geneva raised hopes of a possible breakthrough. The new rebel negotiating team includes members of the Saudi-backed High Negotiations Committee (HNC), which insists on Assad's ouster, as well as representatives of groups based in Moscow and Cairo that have a more moderate stance on the president. Speaking to reporters shortly after landing in Geneva, Opposition delegation chief Nasr al-Hariri said his camp was united on the need to put an "inclusive" transitional government in place ahead of elections UN-supervised. "That means that Bashar Assad will not be in power from the beginning... of the transition", he said, in a sign that the talks may remain deadlocked over the president's future. That could spell more trouble for the UN's peace push, which has been overshadowed by deals spearheaded by Moscow. Russia, fellow regime ally Iran and rebel-backer Turkey have hosted negotiations in the Kazakh capital that led to the creation of four "de-escalation zones" which produced a drop in violence, though deadly air strikes and battles continue in some areas. Western powers are concerned that Russia is seeking to take a leading role in the peace process and will carve out a settlement that will largely favour Assad. "The UN must be front and centre" in the Syrian peace process, said French Ambassador Francois Delattre. A Chinese court sentenced Taiwanese democracy activist Lee Ming-cheh to five years in prison on Tuesday on charges of attempting to subvert state power, further souring cross-strait ties. Lee sat nervously as the three-judge panel read the sentence at the Yueyang intermediate people's court in central Hunan province, according to a video posted on the tribunal's social media account. Taiwan and human rights groups immediately denounced the ruling "unacceptable" and "politically motivated". Lee, an NGO worker who was arrested during a trip to the Chinese mainland in March, is the first Taiwanese person to be convicted in China on the political charge, according to Taiwan's Judicial Reform Foundation. A Chinese co-defendant named Peng Yuhua was sentenced to seven years in prison. The court said both men stated that they would not appeal their sentences. President Xi Jinping, who consolidated power at a Communist Party Congress last month, has cracked down on dissent and tightened control on civil society since taking office in 2012. Lee had confessed to the charges during his trial in September, stating that he had written and distributed online articles that criticised China's ruling Communist Party and promoted democracy among other topics. His wife, Lee Ching-yu, who attended the sentencing, said her husband had "paid the price" for his ideals. "Fighting for human rights for the disadvantaged is a commitment that must be made to push for the enhancement of human civilisation... I want to express again that I am proud of his dedication," she said in a statement. Amnesty International East Asia research director Roseann Rife called for Lee to be "immediately and unconditionally released", saying he had committed no crime. "Lee Ming-cheh is the victim of a politically motivated prosecution... He is the latest to suffer under the Chinese authorities' relentless attack against human rights and democracy activists," Rife said. Taiwan's presidential office and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) called the verdict "unacceptable". "We urged the Beijing authorities to release Lee and allow him to return to Taiwan soon. We regret that Lee's case seriously damaged cross-strait relations," the presidential office said in a statement. China sees self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory waiting to be reunified. According to Amnesty International, Lee has long supported civil society organisations and activists in China, and was said to have frequently travelled between the mainland and Taiwan. He had shared "Taiwan's democratic experiences" with his Chinese friends online for many years and often mailed books to them, said the Taiwan Association for Human Rights. After Lee went missing, Chinese authorities confirmed he was being investigated for suspected activities "endangering national security". In the lead-up to the trial, Beijing repeatedly ignored Taipei's requests for information on Lee's whereabouts and details of the allegations against him. His wife had called his trial a "political show". When he pleaded guilty in September, Lee told the court, "I know that my behaviour definitely violated Chinese law". Lee's wife, a friend and two officials from Taiwan's semi-official Strait Exchange Foundation were allowed in. "A Taiwanese who has valid documents and the reason for her visit to China is clear, it's just to accompany the family of a man on trial and to stay for two nights with return ticket already booked but she can be expelled anytime for no reason? I am speechless," Lee Ching-yu said in an earlier statement. Relations between Beijing and Taipei have worsened since Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen took office in May last year, with China cutting off all official communications with the island. Beijing wants Tsai to acknowledge the island is part of "One China", which she has refused to do. The Mekedatu Horata Samiti members staged a roadblock protest in front of the excise department on Tuesday demanding the immediate implementation of the Mekedatu project. As a result of the roadblock, the traffic on Bangalore-Mysore road was affected for some time and vehicles piled up into a jam. The farmers sat on either side of the road blocking traffic. The farmers warned that the government that if the project is not implemented immediately, they will intensify their protests and march to Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru. Speculation is rife in the ruling Congress on whether actor-turned-politician Ramya will contest from the Mandya assembly constituency in the 2018 Karnataka Assembly polls. This will mark her return to state politics. Ramya, a former MP from Mandya, presently heads the party's social media outreach. She was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Mandya seat in the 2013 bypolls, but lost in 2014. "The people of Mandya want Ramya to contest," Bengaluru Rural MP D K Suresh told reporters. "Ramya is active in both state and national politics. The party will make the best use of her. But the final decision will be taken by the party high command," he said. Incumbent Mandya MLA M H Ambareesh, also an actor-turned-politician, expressed uncertainty about his own electoral prospects. "I will contest if the high command asks me to. But I welcome Ramya's candidature in Mandya," the former minister said. CM hits out at Yogeshwar Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday hit out at Channapatna legislator C P Yogeshwara, who quit the Congress and joined the BJP recently. "I thank party workers who have stayed on even after Yogeshwar left. Channapatna has always been a Congress fortress. Yogeshwara hasn't made Channapatna a heaven," he said. Yogeshwar, who was elected on a Samajwadi Party ticket in the 2013 Assembly polls, joined Congress during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. In October this year, he quit Congress citing differences with the party leadership. He formally joined the BJP early November. News / National by Staff reporter FORMER Finance minister Ignatius Chombo and Zanu PF national youth secretary, Kudzai Chipanga will on Tuesday approach the High Court for bail, NewZimbabwe.com reported.This comes after both were refused bail by Harare magistrates on Monday.Briefing the media after the bail ruling, defence lawyer Lovemore Madhuku said; "It is clear that the ruling both magistrates' delivered was planned."They both didn't consider our submissions. The state said the accused would abscond, we said they will surrender their passports, title deeds and stay at their homes but they didn't look at that."Tomorrow (Tuesday) we will appeal against both rulings at the High Court and we expect our cases to be heard within 48 hours as stipulated by the constitution."Chombo appeared before magistrate Elisha Singano who Chombo's life would be at risk if he was released on bail.Meanwhile, Chipanga appeared before magistrate Josephine Sande who also denied him bail for same reasons.The two former Zanu PF officials were picked after the military embarked on an operation to allegedly root out criminals around former President Robert Mugabe two weeks ago.Chipanga is accused of publishing false statements denigrating defence forces commander General Constantino Chiwenga.For his part, Chombo faces fraud and corruption charges over offences allegedly committed between 1997 and 2005.The two were remanded in custody to December 8. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the Begumpet airport here on Tuesday to inaugurate the first phase of the Hyderabad Metro Rail and also the eighth round of Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) 2017. The prime minister was given a cordial welcome by Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, state Governor ESL Narasimhaan and the entire Telangana state Cabinet and members of Parliament at the airport. Modi will be taking a chopper ride to Miyapur where he will be unveiling a pylon marking the inaugural of the 30-km stretch of the metro rail. The prime minister is also expected to take a ride on the elevated metro along with the Rao. He will then reach HICC to participate in the GES. Modi will inaugurate the summit and also is expected to meet few high profile investors at the summit. After the summit, he will dine with Ivanka Trump at the Falaknuma Palace. He will be leaving for New Delhi after dinner. Disgruntled with the negligence of government agencies, many multi-national companies across the city have planned to include pothole repair in their Company Social Responsibility (CSR) activity agenda. Even after several protests by citizens and warnings by ministers, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials are yet to fix over 10,000 potholes across the city. After few of their employees met with accidents due to potholes while commuting to office, the managements have decided to address the issue. They contacted the "Pothole Raja" a.k.a Prathap Bhimasena Rao, who had already gained a name for fixing hundreds of potholes across the city. "There have been deaths due to potholes in the city. It is becoming worse. So our management decided to include pothole fixing in our CSR activity. When we got to know about Pothole Raja and his initiative, we decided to give it a try and have him fix the potholes in the roads to our office," said Sanjay, Chief Technology Officer of Qwikcilver. Pothole Raja and team fixed a stretch near Koramangala, that was connecting Qwikcilver office. Along with volunteers, the employees of the company had also joined in the campaign. Realising the importance of the initiative, other IT parks and multi-national companies like Electronic City, Biocon, White Field, Kalyani Magnum and others have started adopting this model and have fixed more than 500 potholes in their surroundings. "It costs Rs 2,500 to fix a pothole of 1sqmtr size and 50 mm depth. As there are deadlier potholes across the city, we expect some citizen's organisations to take up the initiative and sponsor a few potholes as well," Prathap hoped. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will begin consultations with various stakeholders from next week as he prepares to present the last full budget of the Modi government on February 1. The pre-budget consultations will begin from next Tuesday with the finance minister meeting representatives from the agriculture sector and trade unions. "His first meeting would be with representatives of different agriculture groups followed by representatives of trade unions," a finance ministry statement said. This would be the first budget after the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax and the same will be reflected in the revenue statement. While a new classification for revenues to be accrued from the GST will be included in the budget for the next financial year, for the current year two sets of accounting may be presented - one for actual accruals during April-June for excise, customs and service tax, and the other for July-March period for GST and customs duty. This will be Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's fifth Budget in a row. As per practice, a vote-on-account or approval for essential government spending for a limited period is taken in the election year and a full-fledged budget is presented by the new government. Denouncing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks that the Congress was levelling baseless allegations against "the son of Gujarat", the opposition party today said he was making emotional statements to run away from discussions on failed promises. If he was strong, he should have called the winter session of Parliament and faced questions, senior Congress leader Anand Sharma said. "Why cannot we challenge the prime minister in Gujarat, just because he is from Gujarat?" Sharma sought to know. "He (Modi) visits Uttar Pradesh and abuses (Samajwadi Party leader) Akhilesh Yadav, goes to Bihar and abuses (RJD chief) Lalu Yadav, insults Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi in Uttar Pradesh," he alleged while talking to reporters. "We are not insulting you but should we also not ask any questions?" Sharma said. Modi, during a rally in Gujarat yesterday attacked the Congress, saying the opposition party leaders were hurling baseless allegations at the "son of Gujarat". Sharma claimed that Modi had "no tolerance and democratic mindset", which is why he said so. "Your (Modi's) big promises have turned out to be a lie and you are running away from discussions and only making false emotional statements," the Congress leader charged. He claimed that Modi "hates truth, he often lies. He is loud, but not strong. If he was strong, he should have called the winter session of Parliament and faced questions". Sharma also said that today he sent a book to the prime minister, titled 'Journey of the Nation', which details the 125 years of history of the Congress so that Modi could put history in perspective. In response to Modi's allegations that the Congress insulted Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, he said the 'Iron Man' was among the country's great leaders and freedom fighters. He was a Congress leader and the deputy prime minister. "Both Pandit (Jawaharlal) Nehru and Sardar admired each other," he said. "When Modiji sets up the Statue of Unity, I would request him to put a copper plate with a letter from Sardar Patel, dated February 4, 1939, which he wrote to RSS chief M S Golwalkar on Mahatma Gandhi's murder," he said. The Gujarat High Court today rejected a petition by 'The Wire' challenging a gag order passed by a lower court in a civil defamation case filed by BJP chief Amit Shah's son Jay Shah over an article published by the news portal. Justice Paresh Upadhyay asked the petitioners, including the author of the article Rohini Singh and founding editors of the news portal, to move the trial court to challenge the gag order. The HC also directed the trial court to decide the matter within 30 days. "These appeals arising from an ex-parte ad-interim impugned order of the trial court are not entertained. It would be open to the defendants to file their counter to the suit, or at least to the application for interim injunction before the trial court, if they so choose," the court said. "The trial court is directed to finally decide the injunction within 30 days from today, after hearing both the sides," the high court said. The HC also said that if any of the parties is aggrieved by the final order that may be passed by the trial court on the injunction application, it would be open to him to challenge it before an appropriate forum in accordance with law. The petitioners had sought that the interim order of the trial court be quashed and set aside as it was passed without issuing notices to the defendants, and claimed the facts did not warrant an ex-parte order. They submitted that the trial court had not considered any of the "parameters like prima facie case, balance of convenience, irreparable loss" before passing the order and hence, it was unsustainable. An Ahmedabad court had last month issued an ex-parte injunction against the news portal, prohibiting it from publishing, broadcasting or printing "in any manner" programmes in any language on the basis of the article published by the website about Jay Shah "directly or indirectly" till the defamation suit has been disposed of. Jay Shah had submitted before the high court that the appeal against the ex-parte interim order was not maintainable and deserves to be dismissed. He also said the applicant has not given any justification for the plea. The petition was filed challenging the injunction ordered by a civil court on October 12 on the story carried by The Wire titled 'The Golden Touch of Jay Amit Shah'. The lower court had issued the order against the news portal in response to a civil defamation suit of Rs 100 crore filed by Jay Shah against the reporters, editors and the company over the article which claimed that his firm's turnover rose 16,000 times in one year after the NDA came to power. The company, according to the article, saw a huge rise in its turnover after the BJP came to power in 2014, and its revenue rose from Rs 50,000 to over Rs 80 crore in a year. It triggered a political firestorm, with the Congress demanding an inquiry into the matter, while the BJP termed it as "slanderous". Jay Shah also filed a criminal defamation suit against the author of the article Rohini Singh, founding editors of the news portal Siddharth Varadarajan, Siddharth Bhatia and M K Venu, managing editor Monobina Gupta, public editor Pamela Philipose and the Foundation for Independent Journalism. In his suit, he termed the article as "scandalous, frivolous, misleading, derogatory, libellous and consisting of several defamatory statements." Aspirants of the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main suffering from diabetes will not be stopped from carrying necessary eatables and drinking water with them into the examination hall. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has made a specific provision in its examination guidelines for JEE-Main 2018, stipulating that a diabetic student can carry eatables like sugar tablets, fruits and "a transparent" water bottle into the examination hall "Candidates (suffering from diabetes) are not allowed to carry packed foods like chocolate/candy/ sandwich in the examination hall," the board, however, clarified in the information brochure of the JEE Main 2018. The board has made this provision part of the examination guidelines for the 2018 test so that diabetic students do not face any difficulty and waste their time in negotiating with the invigilators for carrying their necessary food items into the examination halls with them. "The eatables along with water bottles will be kept with the invigilators at the examination centres. They will make these items available to the diabetic candidates as and when they ask for it," a board official said. Earlier this year, the CBSE had allowed only Class X and Class XII board students, who were suffering from Type-I diabetes, to carry eatables and a 500 ml water bottle into the examination halls. Internet firms today lauded Trai's recommendations on Net neutrality, which calls for unhindered access to content and services over the web, while telecom operators said that the regulator has applied a 'narrow definition' to the topic. They said Trai did not address the issues related to connecting the unconnected in India and licensing of apps or websites providing calls and messaging services such as Whatsapp, Skype, Viber and Google Duo. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) today recommended barring telecom operators from imposing any restriction, like reducing Net speed or blocking the access of any content or service available on the Internet, except in special cases like court orders and government directions. "We had proposed broad approach on Net neutrality covering national priority of connecting the next 1 billion unconnected people in India and licensing for over-the-top players," telecom operators body COAI Director General Rajan S Mathews told PTI. All this should have been included in the Trai proposals, he said, adding that the Net neutrality framework in India should be in accordance with the needs of the nation. Trai has recommended a narrow definition of Net neutrality, he said. "In narrow definition, we agree with it in-principle. We are still studying the recommendations and will update our views as we will note key points." Mathews said the recommendations to set-up a committee to decide on violation of rules is an unnecessary and bureaucratic move. Industry body representing Internet firms IAMAI lauded the recommendations, calling them progressive and pragmatic, which recognise the requirements of expansion of digital services in the country. The Internet in India, unlike possibly in the US or China, is going to be 'free and open' upholding the democratic principles, it said. "However, the government needs to act with speed on these recommendations. The Trai position on differential pricing had a sunset clause of 2 years which is fast coming to an end," said the Internet and Mobile Association of India. Trai had in February last year barred telecom operators from imposing any sort of discrimination in content and services available on the Internet on the basis of pricing. An Edelweiss report said that recommendations to exclude content delivery networks (CDNs) from Net neutrality restrictions will give integrated operators like Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio an upper hand versus pure play connectivity providers. "We expect Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel to be key beneficiaries as they already have presence in content platforms," the report said. Law Firm Khaitan & Co, Associate Partner, Harsh Walia said that all Internet of Things (IoT) services are not excluded from the principle of non-discrimination, but only those that fall within the ambit of specialised services to the satisfaction of the Department of Telecom. "The IoT players not providing critical services may find it onerous, if DoT accepts this recommendation," he said. Trai has excluded CDNs from the purview of restrictions on non-discriminatory treatment and have targeted only Internet access service providers at the moment, he said. "While this provides a considerable relief to providers of CDN services, it puts TSPs in a precarious position, if this recommendation is accepted by DoT," Walia said. Global think tank on issues of trade, competition and economic regulation CUTS said Trai's recommendations are perfectly synced with consumer's interest. "An open and free Internet has till date promoted inclusive growth and with these recommendations, it is envisaged to go a long way," CUTS said. A Delhi court today sent an alleged Pakistani Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist, arrested along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir recently, to ten-day custody of the National Investigation Agency. The accused, identified as Mohammed Amir Awan, was arrested by the Army on November 24 from Handwara area of North Kashmir during an intensive search launched after an encounter in the area on November 21 that had left three alleged Lashkar militants dead. One soldier was also killed during the encounter. The accused was produced by the NIA before District Judge Poonam A Bamba and the agency sought his custodial interrogation till December 8, which was allowed by the court. The matter was transferred to the NIA which registered a case on November 26 and took custody of the alleged terrorist. During initial interrogation, he identified himself as Mohammed Amir Awan whose code in the Lashkar terror group was Abu Haamaz, the NIA said. The accused told his interrogators that he hailed from Bardiya town near the port city of Karachi and was recruited and trained by the terror group. He was pushed into the Kashmir valley from Pakistan- occupied-Kashmir for carrying out attacks on various important installations in the Valley, the agency said. Singapore Defence Minister, Ng Eng Hen, on Tuesday became the first foreign dignitary to fly in the indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft that is being inducted by the Indian Air Force. The half an hour sortie in a two-seater trainer version of the LCA took place at Kalaikunda air base where Air Vice Marshal A P Singh, project director for flight testing, at the Aeronautical Development Agency, took to the skies with the visiting minister. Earlier Jayant Sinha, minister of state for civil aviation went for a spin in a Tejas. Reacting to his LCA flying experience, Hen said it was a smooth flight and Tejas was an excellent aircraft. "Privileged to be flown on the Tejas, India's own designed and manufactured fighter aircraft. A very good plane," Hen tweeted. Hen is scheduled to have an official meeting with his Indian counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman here on Wednesday. At the delegation level meeting, Singapore is likely to sign pacts with India to allow Singapore Navy practice live firing in the Andaman and to seek logistics support. India and Singapore signed two agreements in October 2007 and August 2008 for utilisation of Indian facilities by Singapore Air Force and Singapore Army respectively. In 2013 another agreement was signed to permit training of Singapore Army personnel in two additional Indian Army establishments. Being one of the smallest countries of the world - 704 sq km comprising 60 tiny islands and the big city - Singapore does not have adequate training establishments. It is the only country to which India offers this military training facilities. Singapore uses IAF's Kalaikunda base to train Royal Singapore Air Force pilots on combat skills using their own F-16D fighter planes. The practice is in place since 2007 and would continue as the agreement for training and exercises of Singapore Air Force in India had been extended up to October 2017. IAF is in the process of raising its first LCA squadron. Five tejas aircraft have so far been inducted in the 45 Squadron and more are coming. The Tejas flight by a foreign defence minister comes at a time when there are reports in a section of the media on the need to buy foreign-origin single engine fighter planes due to "multiple deficiencies" in the home grown fighter jet. News / National by Staff reporter The ruling Zanu-PF Mashonaland West provincial leadership has endorsed party leader and President Emmerson Mnangagwa as the party's presidential candidate for the 2018 harmonized elections.This was after provincial secretary for administration Simbarashe Ziyambi had proposed that the province endorses President Mnangagwa as the party's president ahead of the December Congress during the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) meeting held yesterday at party provincial offices in Chinhoyi. Haryana police on Tuesday charged Honeypreet Insan, the "adopted" daughter of rape convict Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim, as the main accused in the violence that consumed 40 lives in Panchkula and other parts of the state on August 25. Widespread violence broke out soon after the sect chief was held guilty of raping two women by a special CBI court in Panchkula. Honeypreet was booked by the Panchkula police on charges of inciting violence, sedition among others. A 1,200 page charge-sheet was filed against Honeypreet and other accused in a Panchkula court on Tuesday. The police charged Honeypreet of planning the violence and distributing money for the purpose. The police, sources said, have maintained that the violence was pre-meditated and Honeypreet was the main conspirator. Honeypreet is currently lodged in Ambala central jail. As many as 15 others have been chargesheeted. Honeypreet joined the court proceedings through video-conferencing this afternoon. The bail application of another accused in the case, Surender Dhiman, was rejected by the court of the chief judicial magistrate. Honeypreet had been on the run for several weeks after the violence broke out. She eventually surrendered at a location close to capital city Chandigarh. Another main accused in the case, Dr Aditya Insan, is still on the run. Aditya's close aide, Pawan Insan, who was arrested last week, has reportedly disclosed various locations to the police to nab Aditya. India and the UK will sign a pact soon for cooperation in policy planning, technology transfer and institutional organisation in the urban transport sector, the government said today. Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari met UK's Transport Secretary Chris Grayling in London yesterday and discussed a draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) in this regard, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said in a statement today. The draft MoU seeks to facilitate cooperation in the transport sector and enable the sharing of expertise and latest technology to promote efficient mobility solutions. The statement said it is also expected to usher in policy reforms that can transform the transport sector through improved customer service/data analysis and better use of IT systems. The pact will also help in promoting digital transactions and induction of high capacity diesel/electric vehicles in India, it said adding, this MOU will also establish the terms on which such assistance can be provided. The decision to sign the MoU follows Gadkari's last visit to London in May this year, during which he had finalised bilateral cooperation arrangements between Transport for London (TFL) and Indian Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to cover a wide range of transport mobility solutions and associated activities in urban environment. During his visit to London Gadkari will also address a session of the International Maritime Organization. He also addressed Indian business leaders in UK, urging them to cooperate in the Namami Gange project of the government. Senior IAS officer K Ratna Prabha was on Tuesday appointed as the new chief secretary, making her the third woman to hold the top post. Ratna Prabha, a 1981-batch cadre, will replace Subhash Chandra Khuntia as the state's seniormost IAS officer. Khuntia will retire on November 30. With about four months left for retirement, Ratna Prabha pipped IAS officers Latha Krishna Rau and S K Pattanayak, who were in the race for the post. Karnataka has had two women chief secretaries in the past - Theresa Bhattacharya and Malati Das. Ratna Prabha will also be the state's first Dalit woman chief secretary. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah congratulated Ratna Prabha on Twitter. "Karnataka's administration (civil and police) is now headed by two women," Siddaramaiah tweeted, referring to state police chief Neelamani N Raju, who was appointed earlier this month. Ratna Prabha hails from a family of IAS officers and doctors. While her father was an IAS officer, her mother was a doctor. Her oldest brother is a plastic surgeon, while her second brother, Pradeep Chandra, retired recently as Telangana chief secretary. She spent the first 14 years in the Karnataka cadre, in which time she became the first woman district collector at Raichur and Bidar. She became synonymous with women empowerment when she distributed irrigated land to rehabilitate devadasis in Raichur. She also had a stint in Andhra Pradesh on an inter-state deputation. She anchored Andhra Pradesh's IT policy in 2005. Ratna Prabha was considered for the post twice earlier, but Arvind Jadhav and Khuntia were appointed instead. BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa had publicly demanded Ratna Prabha be made the chief secretary. Ratna Prabha is penning a book on her journey as an IAS officer. Kick starting the eighth edition of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES), an Indo-American partnership three-day event here on Tuesday Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that his government is keen on getting India into global 50 of ease of doing business. He said that India is not content with the 100 rank in the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business index. "The upward movement from 142 to 100 rank in three years is a result of our initiatives to simplify the procedures. This process is ongoing. The aim is to reach top 50," Modi said in his inaugural address. Outlining various measures taken by his government to improve the investment climate, including scrapping of over 1,200 redundant laws, easing the norms in 21 sectors to attract Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) and making clearances online, he called upon global entrepreneurs to investment and become partners in India's growth story. Referring to India's impressive show of jumping 30 positions in the index that ranks 190 nations, the PM said that a wide range of multi-sectoral reforms, particularly in the areas of taxation, licensing, bankruptcy laws and protection of small investors, had resulted in the upsurge in ranking. He said his government would continue the reforms to make the systems more transparent and responsive. He also referred to the credit rating company Moody's recent decision to upgrade India's sovereign rating and said it had come after a gap of 14 years. Stating that women had been the major beneficiaries of his government's initiatives like direct benefit transfer scheme and Jan Dhan Yojana, the Prime Minister made a strong pitch for utilizing the business potential that the rapidly penetrating smart phones offer. "Smart Phones are expected to reach 500 million by 2018. This offers an immense potential for growth of any venture in terms of outreach and for job creation," he said. "We believe women empowerment is vital to our development. Our history has references to women of enormous talent in various walks of life," Modi said. The "Startup India" programme, he said, was a comprehensive plan to foster entrepreneurship and innovation. "It aims to minimize regulatory burden and support start ups," the Prime Minister said. Ivanka refers to Modi's Tea selling Days Earlier, addressing the gathering, Ivanka Trump, Advisor to US President Donald Trump paid rich tributes to the entrepreneurial skills of Indian women. "If India closes the labor-force gender gap by half, your economy could grow by over $150 billion in the next 3 years," she said. Making a reference to Modi's political journey, she said, "From selling tea to becoming PM, you have proved transformational change is possible. And now, you are bringing that promise to hundreds of millions of people across your country." On India's achievements in different fields, she said, "The people of India have lifted more than 130 million citizens out of poverty through their own enterprise, entrepreneurship, and hard work."You have opened new universities across the country. Your doctors and scientists are discovering medical cures and life-saving technologies. Your engineers and architects have built modern wonders that grace your skies. And Indian spacecraft have traveled to the Moon and to Mars", she said. Over 1,500 delegates from 150 countries, half of them women entrepreneurs and investors are participating in the summit being held in South Asia for the first time. Ivanka is leading a 350-member strong American contingent. With the theme "Women First, Prosperity for all", the summit is being co-hosted by NITI Aayog and the United States Government. The External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman are also participating in the deliberations. Later, the Prime Minister hosted dinner for Ivanka Trump and other delegates at the Taj Falaknuma Palace. The Supreme Court on Tuesday decided to determine if there could be a distinction between properties owned by a municipal body and the state government for the purposes of computation of limitation for filing a suit, claiming the title on adverse possession. It asked the state government to respond to the issue. "As the issue involved and the answer thereto may have wide ramifications so far as the municipal bodies in the state of Karnataka are concerned and also may affect the state government, we are of the view that notice should go to the state of Karnataka to arrange for its representation before the court," a bench of Justices Ranjan Gogoi and R Banumathi said. The court issued a notice to the state government after noting that municipal committees had so far not appeared before it. The government was, however, not a party to the pending matter. The matter pertained to a special leave petition filed by Basavaneppa, who sought a declaration of title to urban property measuring 59-39 square metres at Ramdurg in Belagavi district on the ground of adverse possession. He challenged the Karnataka High Court's judgement of June 25, 2014. The petitioner contended that a municipal body was a distinct identity created under the Constitution. It could not be called as government, so the 30-year period as stipulated under the Limitation Act would not apply to claim the title by way of adverse possession. The HC had relied upon the Karnataka Municipalities Act, 1964, to hold that it is not correct to say the properties belonging to municipalities are not government properties. The municipalities hold the properties only as trustees of the government, it had concluded. Urging the Indian government to bring in more women into its workforce for boosting the economy, Ivanka, daughter and advisor to US President Donald Trump, paid rich tributes to the entrepreneurial skills of Indian women. "If India closes the labour-force gender gap by half, your economy could grow by over $150 billion in the next 3 years," Ivanka said at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) here on Tuesday. Referring to Modi's political journey, Ivanka said, "From selling tea to becoming PM, you have proved transformational change is possible. And now, you are bringing that promise to hundreds of millions of people across your country." On India's achievements in various fields, she said, "The people of India have lifted more than 130 million citizens out of poverty through their own enterprise, entrepreneurship and hard work." Ivanka said that India hosting GES is a symbol of friendship between people of both the countries. "As President Trump earlier this year said, India has a true friend in the White House," Ivanka said to a round of applause. "Fueling the growth of a women-led business isn't simply good for society, its good for our economy. A study showed that closing gender entrepreneurship gap worldwide could grow our global GDP by as much as 2%," she said. Calling upon women entrepreneurs around the world to innovate to succeed, she introduced Dara Dotz of San Francisco who founded 3-D printing for life-saving supplies, Rajalakshmi Bortakur of Bengaluru who invented Smart Glove that predicts diseases with the help of Artificial Intelligence and 15-year-old Reyhan Kamalova of Azerbaijan who founded a company for harvesting rainwater. Ivanka later participated in a panel discussion on "Be the change: Women's entrepreneurial leadership," moderated by John Chambers, chairman emeritus Cisco. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, MD of SRS Aviation Sibongile Sambo and chairman of Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken Marcus Wallenberg were the other panellists. Hadiya, a woman from Kerala who is at the centre of a 'love jihad' case, will resume her homoeopathy studies under her previous Hindu name. Accompanied by the Kerala Police, Hadiya (25) flew to Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu from Delhi and headed to Salem by road to resume her studies at Sivaraj Medical College, as directed by the apex court on Monday. She will undergo an 11-month internship in homoeopathy. A Hindu by birth, named Akhila Ashokan, she had converted to Islam several months before her marriage. A Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra had given its direction after interacting with Hadiya, even as she pleaded that she should be allowed to join her husband Shafin Jahan. The principal of Sivaraj Medical College, G Kannan, said no special treatment will be given to Hadiya. Hadiya will be registered under her Hindu name Akhila Ashokan. Her admission process has commenced and she will begin attending classes on Wednesday, Kannan told reporters. Hadiya was with her parents for almost six months after the Kerala High Court annulled her 'nikah' with Shafin. The apex court has appointed the dean of the college as Hadiya's guardian and granted him liberty to approach it in case of any problem. The bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, had directed the college and the university to re-admit Hadiya and grant her hostel facilities. Deputy Commissioner of Police Subbbulakshmi, who held a meeting with college authorities in Salem, told reporters that adequate protection will be given to Hadiya. Relieved father Hadiya's father welcomed the apex court decision allowing her to continue her studies and said he did not want a terrorist in the family Ashokan said, "Hadiya does not have any idea about Syria, where she wanted to go after converting to Islam. I cannot have a terrorist in the family." Ashokan said he was sad that his daughter had to suffer a lot because of which her studies were interrupted. "But now I am happy as the court has allowed her to study," Ashokan told reporters in Delhi. He denied allegations that she had been kept under house arrest and added, "She was fully surrounded by the police, inside and outside the house." Ashokan said he was not worried about her security in Salem as she was now under the protection and observation of the apex court. "I accept the Supreme Court's decision. She is under the protection of the Supreme Court as it is monitoring the case and so I am not worried about her security," he said. Ashokan also said he would go to Salem and meet her as and when necessary as the court had allowed him to do so. 'Want to meet husband' Hadiya was whisked away to the managing director's office soon after her arrival at the college campus. Emerging from the office about half-an-hour later, Hadiya said she has sought permission to meet her husband. "I think they will allow," she told reporters. Replying to a question, she said security was not necessary for her. But at least for two days, security will be there, she added. Later, she was taken in a police vehicle to the college hostel. A CBI special court has convicted a former Assistant Grade-I officer of Food Corporation of India for misappropriation and causing loss to the government exchequer. The convict is K S Srinivasaiah, who worked at food storage depot at Maddur in Mandya district. While working as shed in charge of the depot, Srinivasaiah abused his official position and sent out 350 bags of grade-A raw rice worth Rs 4.81 lakh into the black market. He had tampered the entries in the office records and misappropriated the rice meant for public distribution system (PDS). A charge sheet was filed in September 2015. The special court sentenced Srinivasaiah to undergo five years simple imprisonment and also slapped a fine of Rs two lakh. News / National by Staff reporter The triumphant Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) is not rushing to withdraw all its forces from the streets in the wake of isolated acts of vengeance targeting allies of former president Robert Mugabe even as the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) assumes its full responsibilities.In a joint statement issued yesterday, the two security arms of government disclosed that while the ZRP has now resumed its duties after being inactive for nearly two weeks, it will be shadowed by the military.Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Republic Police has now resumed its duties as required by the Constitution following the inauguration of President Emmerson Mnangagwa last week.President Mnangagwa was appointed President following "Operation Restore Legacy" that was launched by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces to weed out corrupt elements that were causing social and political instability in the country.In a joint statement by the ZDF and other security services, ZRP spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said the appointment of the President Mnangagwa had set a new trajectory for the country. The Additional District Magistrate (ADM) of Shahjahanpur has imposed a fine of Rs 45 lakh on Nestle while three distributors were fined Rs 17 lakh. A source said that the District Food Department had collected Maggi samples from seven places in the district on different dates. "The products were found to be sub-standard," a senior official said. The officials said that the sample had been tested in the government laboratory. The department had filed a complaint with the ADM who heard the parties concerned and pronounced the order. "Since the product in question is quite popular among children, no compromise with quality can be allowed...any violation of the standard must be sternly punished," the official said. In 2016, samples of Maggi were found to be sub-standard after lab tests in Barabanki district. The company had rejected the charges. The lab tests had then found that the ash content was higher than the permissible limit. Senior IAS officer Pradeep Singh Kharola was on Tuesday appointed the chairman and managing director of Air India. Kharola is the present chief of Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited and is credited for the turnaround of Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC). Kharola (56), a Karnataka cadre officer of the 1985-batch, who won the Prime Minister's Award for Excellence in Public Administration in 2013, will take over from Rajiv Bansal. Bansal has been serving as interim chief of the national carrier for the past three months after the then incumbent Ashwani Lohani was shifted as Railway Board Chairman. A PhD in public transport systems from IIT-Delhi, Kharola will head Air India at a time when the government is moving ahead on its strategic disinvestment. Kharola, who completed MTech in Industrial Engineering from IIT-Delhi, will now steer the airline from being a state-controlled airline as the government is likely to finalise the contours of strategic disinvestment within a couple of months. Kharola comes with his expertise of turning around BMTC from being a loss-making unit to be a profit-making entity in 2000. Kharola, who is from Dehradun, is also credited with successfully steering the completion of the first phase of Bengaluru Metro that runs through 42 km of the city. The new appointment has come at a time when he is working on finishing the 72-km second phase by 2020. While he began his stint as assistant commissioner, Haveri, he has also held the post of principal secretary to the then chief minister Jagadish Shettar. News / National by Simbarashe Sithole Matthew 26:52 New International Version (NIV) 52 " Put your sword back in its place ," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Former Minister of Higher and Education professor Jonathan Moyo has come under attack on social media following his biblical tweet Matthew 26:52.Moyo shared a Bible verse Matthew 26:52, and did not just end there he added a little comment: "No comment on this biblical truism!."One user, Bla B tweeted responded saying "Prof Moyo, if it was true that thosevwho draw the sword will die by the sword; you'd have died a long time ago.You've always had a sword out of its holster.Remember when MDC supporters were assassinated in 2003 ; you defended arguing Zanu PF's right to defend its territory?"A number of commenters quoted President Emmerson Mnangagwa's slogans to show him that he was no longer powerful as before."Ukadzingwa muZanu pf muka ubike doro nekuti mudzimu yakurasha " tweeted God's favourite."Pasi nekuisa musangano muhomwe dzavo"" pasi nemanduuuuu," tweeted Thabi Joy.Meanwhile, others mocked him for turning to God in his hard times."Mazoriverenga bhaibheri riye gwendo gwuno....well come to the bible study group..tawanda....invite your the other cabals ...also tiwande," tweeted Collin Gwesu."My Jonathan, you used that other Mphoko verses to mock and it backfired on us.Thou shalt not misuse the Gospel for selfish ends for it will backfire again."Karnma knows your address ,totem and colour of your underwear.Its time to stop now! "tweeted one user identified as President R.G Mugabe.Apparently, Moyo is in exile after he was set free by the Military who had previously captured him saying they were after criminals around former President Robert Mugabe. Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. Delta showcases IIoT solutions for smart manufacturing in Nuremberg Taiwan-based Delta Group, a supplier of power, thermal management and automation solutions, is showcasing its latest integrated solutions and framework for smart manufacturing at the SPS/IPC/Drives/Nuremberg 2017 (SPS 2017) exhibition in Germany. This framework covers new automation technologies and products, including a cloud-based IIoT platform as well as data transmission, industrial control, drive devices and motion systems, and flexible production solutions that create a path toward smart manufacturing, the company said. Delta is also highlighting its EtherCAT motion controller AH10EMC for smart machines. This new motion controller facilitates motion control system with up to 32 axes of motion drives synchronously, while controlling other devices and transmitting equipment data onto a management platform via EtherNet/IP network for remote monitoring. "Delta seeks to provide 'new' smart manufacturing models with our strong capabilities in the industrial automation field," said Andy Liu, general manager of Delta's Industrial Automation Business Group. "With our two decades of experience in this industry, Delta has successfully assisted many customers build highly automated machines and factories with our complete range of automation products, software, and solutions. Now, we think it's time to take it to a higher level on which flexible, smart, green manufacturing can be implemented to enhance customer competitiveness while solving the issue of worldwide labor shortages. For example, Delta's Smart Manufacturing Model Production Line for power supplies in Wujiang plant, China consists of six robot workstations with 30 SCARA robots for a complete operation that enhances quality, flexibility, and production efficiency, achieving up to 60% manpower replacement." The highlights at Delta's booth include: The Smart Factory Monitoring Solution which features the DIACloud platform and data transmission devices (e.g. routers, Ethernet switches) for equipment data collection and analysis to achieve real-time monitoring of the facility and production process. If users add the DIAView SCADA System into the solution, they can acquire detailed machine operation information and analysis to achieve live monitoring and management of all facilities, production lines and factories, according to Delta. Delta's Multi-Angle Insertion Robot Workstation integrates the articulated robot DRV90L series and robot controller DCV series for multi-angle insertion operation, as well as the machine vision system DMV 2000 series for work piece detection. The DMV2000 series is equipped with four lenses for various inspection tasks (e.g. appearance and color); it can quickly identify the size, color and position of each workpiece, and enable the robot controller to command the robot to execute precise and accurate pick-and-place and insertion operation, said Delta. Subscriber content preview SEATTLE The Bravo Apartments at 1212-1220 E. Remington Ct. have sold for $7.6 million, according to King County records. The seller was Court of Remington LLC, associated with Legacy Group Capital, which acquired the three properties in 2013 for $1.1 million. . . . News / National by Staff reporter Ex-Zanu-PF party women's boss Oppah Muchinguri has spilt the beans, saying she feared being killed after she was pressured by a lot of people to give up the powerful women's league position to former first lady Grace Mugabe, says a report.According to New Zimbabwe.com, speaking at a Zanu-PF provincial co-ordinating committee meeting in Mutare, Machinguri claimed that she gave up the post after she realised that the ex-first lady unleashed "thugs" on her.Muchinguri - a President Emmerson Mnangagwa ally - said that Grace also obtained a dubious PhD in preparation for her new role.Said Muchinguri: "Let me tell you something that you did not know as Zanu-PF supporters. I was forced to step down from my position as women's league secretary after Grace sent some mujibhas namely Pupurai Togarepi and the late Shuvai Mahofa. I stood my ground but later she hired Mavis Madzongwe then I realised that I was going to die for this post and then I gave up."Muchinguri also claimed that ex-president Robert Mugabe was responsible for his own downfall after allowing his wife to be involved in politics and taking government decisions, said the state owned Herald newspaper.Muchinguri said that the veteran leader's fall should serve as a lesson to coming party and government leaders not to involve their spouses in politics." I relinquished the post because the pressure was just too much and little did we know that we were creating problems for the party. This was a well-orchestrated move by the G40 (Generation 40) because they knew that if Grace Mugabe becomes part of their cabal, it was easy to deal with Cde Mugabe because of his advanced age," Muchinguri was quoted as saying. Italian architecture has inspired students from De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) during a culturally enriching week-long trip. DMU students Zainab and Dilshod sketching at Pompeii The visit to Salerno and Naples enabled first-year Architecture MArch and final-year Architecture BA (Hons) students to explore a range of historic sites and collaborate with students from Italy, Argentina, Columbia, Mozambique, Portugal, Spain, Norway, Nigeria, Turkey, Russia and India. DMU students visited archaeological sites such as Pompeii, Paestum, Herculaneum, the National Archaeological Museum and Naples Underground, and explored the Amalfi coast, the island of Capri, Sorrento and Positano in smaller, self-organised groups. One group, which included MArch student Carl Dusu and BA students Dilshod Perkins and Zainab Mohammed, went on to take part in a four-day workshop with students and professors from the University of Salerno. Exploring the theme of urban erosion, the group visited different sites across Naples, including The Jolly Hotel, an ageing monolith in the city centre, and Palace of the Veterans, a uniquely-laid building complex in a poorer side of town with narrow streets on a steep gradient. Students hard at work during their workshop Working in different teams, the students flexed their digital map-based photogrammetry and sketching skills and created collages and architectural models illustrating their ideas to revitalise the sites. Each team then presented its work under timed conditions. RELATED NEWS DMU students discover why Berlin is an 'open air museum' Architecture at DMU revalidated by leading professional body Flower power regeneration plans earn award for Architecture grad Londoner Carl said: Getting to work with both architecture and engineering students in Italy was really interesting. It gave us a completely different perspective, as the way they work is less conceptual and more mathematical. It was a challenging way of thinking and I feel that it gave me an insight into what it will be like working with other peoples ideas in the real world. The experience will now form the basis of the BA students final major studio projects back at DMU. DMU's Carl and Dilshod worked as a team with two Italian and two Argentinian students Dilshod, who was born in Uzbekistan, has taken advantage of a number of opportunities while at university, including an internship in China and winning the Presidents Prize in the annual Rutland Society of Architects competition for his groups proposals to revamp Leicester. He said: The trip to Italy was a great way of building on our established ideas and I definitely feel like we now have a head-start on our final-year projects. It was also a good opportunity to work closely with MArch students and learn from their experiences. The trip was organised by Leicester School of Architecture Senior Lecturer George Epolito and University of Salerno Associate Professor Alessandra Como, together with #DMUglobal, DMUs international experience programme. For Nigerian student Zainab, #DMUglobal was a deciding factor in choosing to study at DMU. She said: Not many universities give you the chance to enhance your studies with trips abroad every single year. Even though I had offers from other universities too, I picked DMU because Architecture students get to choose between visiting iconic places like Venice, Berlin, Paris, Amsterdam, Barcelona and New York. Sheephaven divers experienced the full temperature variation last week between 26 degrees in the Red Sea and a raw 10 degrees Celsius in home waters. Three Sheephaven Red Sea divers - Kevin Boylan, Peter Druce and David Mc Gloin - were guests on the live-aboard MV Legends run by Tekdeep, sailing out from Hurghada on the Egyptian side of the Red Sea. From there they steamed northwards to the tip of the Sinai Peninsula where the Red Sea divides into Gulf of Suez to the west and the Gulf of Aqaba to the east. At this junction lie a number of wreck sites, including the Gainis D, the Dunraven, the Rosile Muller and the most iconic of them all the Thistlegorm. The Sheephaven Red Sea divers - Kevin Boylan, Peter Druce and David McGloin. In addition to these wonderful wrecks the crystal clear water visibility also allows divers to experience reef diving in semi-tropical waters, where they can observe hard and soft corals, Long Spinned Sea Urchins, Octopus and a wide variety of fish. The fish vary from the small Clown Fish like Nemo to large Napoleon Wrasse and the majestic Moray Eels. But the best of the lot is meeting a Turtle, Manta Ray or Oceanic White Tip shark - any of which are magic and makes the dive trip complete. The flight to Hurghada is from Dublin to Istanbul in Turkey, where there is a significant layover and from there, a second shorter flight to Hurghada airport. The return journey is similar and allows the diver to experience three continents in one day, starting with breakfast in Africa, lunch in Asia and tea in Europe. The boat is specially kitted out for divers, with air compressors for filling dive bottles and Zodiacs to transfer the divers as close as possible to the dive sites that the live-aboard cannot access. In addition to open circuit Scuba divers MV Legend also caters for technical divers, who use Rebreathers and can remain dived for much longer and consequently access deeper wrecks. On this trip the Rebreather divers of which Donald Cullen, Mevagh Dive Centre was one got to dive on the wreck of Gulf Fleet 31, an American offshore supply vessel, possibly sunk in 1985. The wreck is 55m long, 12m wide and had a draft of over 4m; she was powered by twin diesel engines and shafts and had a speed of 12 knots. Today she lies at a depth of 105 metres, lies upright and the wheelhouse can be penetrated - definitely one for the tech divers. In sharp contrast to the warmth of a November Egyptian sun, the Sheephaven divers who remained at home were restricted to snorkelling in Portnablagh, due to the ongoing northerly winds that have whipped up a significant swell out to sea. Nonetheless the divers who got out on Sunday morning enjoyed the exercise of snorkelling in the harbour, despite water temperature barely rising above 10 degrees Celsius, which was enough to encourage them to get out and go for breakfast in Lizzies. Finally as we head into December it's time to consider next year's diving and to ensure that there is no lapse in dive insurance, club members are reminded they can pay their fees to the club Treasurer Damien Kelly anytime from here on. On the Sheephaven snorkel at Portnablagh. Deputy Joe McHugh has warmly welcomed the announcement that the A5 has been given the go-ahead by the Northern Ireland authorities. The Department of Infrastructure in the north has also made the vesting order for phase one of the road project. This is a brilliant day for Donegal. This Government has steadfastly supported the A5 financially and in every other way and today is a significant day for the county," the Government Chief Whip McHugh said. According to the deputy, the Department of Infrastructure Northern Ireland has announced the publication of the Departmental Statement and Notice of Intention to Proceed; the making of the Direction Order which covers the entire route from Newbuildings in Derry to Ballygawley in County Tryone and the making of the Vesting Order for Phase 1a from Newbuildings to north of Strabane. The Orders would become operative in January 2018 and are among the final measures needed to allow work on the A5 to begin next year. The connection of Donegal to Dublin via a new A5 dual carriageway will attract more investment to our county, allowing Donegal to have a connection denied for decades," he said. He added that he and the department of An Taoiseach have also made submissions to the British government seeking an extension of Phase 1a to beyond Sion Mills. "This is strategically important for our Government and for Donegal as the link bridge to the new Lifford to Letterkenny road will be positioned south of Sion Mills. I am confident that this can also be delivered. This is a hugely important day for the people of Donegal and for the people of Derry and Tyrone at a time when we are working better together than ever before, he said. Following a musical performance on campus last Friday, Nov. 17, guests gathered in The Baptist College of Floridas Heritage Village for the annual Holiday Heritage Festival. The sidewalks and historic buildings were filled with treasures as artisans came to display their handiwork and creative skills while enjoying the sweet aroma of sugar cane brewing. The Plath Family performed musical selections throughout the afternoon and BCF students in the Teacher Education Division were dressed in period attire greeting elementary school students explaining the significance of maintaining their heritage, understanding historic value and lessons learned from the past. The event was complete with homemade chili, chicken perlu, hotdogs, and goodies baked by the faculty and staff spouses. Those raising over $1,600 for the scholarship fund. News / National by Staff reporter President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been in office for less than a week, and online publications are already reporting on a "controversial" chrome deal he apparently helped facilitate with South African businessman Zunaid Moti, News24 reported.Moti has business interests in Zimbabwe through a mining company called Africa Chrome Fields (Pvt) Ltd, which is a subsidiary of South African mining company Fanshawe Mining Holdings.Africa Chrome Fields (ACF) has invested in a large chrome mining and smelting project in Zimbabwe which, according to Zimbabwean media, was facilitated by Mnangagwa while he was the country's deputy president.Moti is a business tycoon who is no stranger to controversy.In August, The Times reported that he was listed by Interpol as an international fugitive after he and three other businessmen were accused of defrauding an allegedly disgruntled business partner out of R6.6m in an apparent bogus mining deal which allegedly took place in Lebanon in 2013.Moti, his father Abbas Aboo Baker Moti, Ashruf Kaka and Sallim Bobat challenged their original arrest warrants in Lebanese courts and made submissions to Interpol in France to have the red notices overturned.Moti is also known for his fast cars and quick property deals, including the controversial transfer of 33 tracts of prime land owned by the City of Johannesburg a few years ago.Allegations that Mnangagwa paved the way for the business for his own gain were made in an article titled "Did Mnangagwa mortgage Zimbabwe to Muslim businessmen for political gain?"The article was published on a site called PaZimbabwe, - which describes itself as "vision driven leaders in investigative reporting, unbiased and enlightening Zimbabwe news" - and it contains a number of stories on Zimbabwean politics. There is no indication who is behind the site.'Dodgy South African investors'The article suggests that Mnangagwa's rise to power in the past month was financed by "Muslim investors with interests in Zimbabwe".They then specifically name Moti.The story claims that, in 2014, the Zimbabwe Defence Force entered a joint venture with African Chrome Fields, which was mining chrome deposits in Central Zimbabwe.In a picture published is the Defence Force Commander General Chiwenga, Mnangagwa, Moti and Muslim cleric Ismail Ibn Musa Menk.The story said that former higher education minister Jonathan Moyo, who appears to have fled the country after the fall of Robert Mugabe, had earlier this year accused Mnangagwa of deceiving cabinet into lifting an export ban on raw chrome in 2015.He claimed that tons of chrome "were smuggled out of the country, with Mnangagwa's business partners making $49m".This was not the first time these claims were made.In August, The Independent in Zimbabwe reported that Mnangagwa was involved in a multi-million-dollar chrome deal, "involving dodgy South African investors illegally granted permission to import fuel duty-free under the guise they are running a project with national status".The story indicates that ACF was granted a duty-free fuel importation certificate by the Ministry of Transport, which was said to have raised eyebrows as only equipment for national projects - and not fuel - could be imported duty-free in Zimbabwe.Mnangagwa's dealings with the mining company were allegedly debated in a politburo meeting, with Moyo accusing Mnangagwa of deceiving the cabinet when he lifted the chrome export ban.'I'm proud to be associated with your country'ACF director Ashruf Kaka was quoted, in other media reports, as saying that the company had been granted the certificate to import fuel because their mining sites were remote, had no electricity, and were dependent on diesel-generated power.Kaka said they were in the business of mining and would leave politics to the politicians.After Mnangagwa was announced as president of Zimbabwe, ACF released a video of Moti congratulating him.The video showed Mnangagwa's previous visits to the mine, arriving in a helicopter and giving speeches.In the video, Moti - who is ACF's executive chairperson - addresses "our honourable president", saying it had been an "absolute privilege working in your country with you"."I remember the day we met in Kwekwe and the insight and vision you had given and shared with me and the advice, and today is such an important day as it marks the start of a new Zimbabwe," Moti said."The message I have for you is to remain the father as well as the gentle man that you are and who I have come to know over the last 1 000 days plus."If you are able to make a difference in other people's lives as you have come to make in African Chrome Fields and myself, all I can say to the world is that Zimbabwe under your leadership will be a completely different Zimbabwe, and I'm proud to be associated with your country and I'm so happy to be here today."Moti then congratulates Mnangagwa, offering him best wishes as he starts on a path to bring economic prosperity to Zimbabwe.'We are not playing politics'News24 heard separate reports that, when Mnangagwa was in South Africa, he was sponsored by Moti and stayed in an apartment at the Michelangelo Hotel in Sandton as his guest.But Moti has denied this.He said his company was apolitical and not affiliated to any parties."We are not playing politics. We are a business," he said.Moti said they had had no interaction with Mnangagwa when he was in South Africa and did not "look after him"."Those reports are rubbish," he said. "We are trying to establish who wrote that story, but [we] are struggling (PaZimbabwe). It's not mainstream media and it seems to have originated in the UK."There have been a lot of strange reports in Zimbabwe in the last few weeks. There was even one story that claimed Mugabe's son had been poisoned?"Moti said his only connection to Mnangagwa was through their business dealings in Zimbabwe.Zanu-PF chairperson Simon Khaya-Moyo said the reports were "hogwash". The accused in a Louth double murder trial has admitted that he is the man in CCTV footage that the State played for the jury a number of weeks ago. The 34-year-old Dubliner made the admission to the Central Criminal Court through his barrister today. Jason ODriscoll, with an address at Richmond Avenue, Fairview, has pleaded not guilty to murdering 31-year-old Anthony Burnett and 25-year-old Joseph Redmond at Ravensdale in Co Louth on March 7th, 2012. The trial has heard that firefighters were called to a burning car in Ravensdale Forest Park shortly before 11 o'clock that night. The bodies of the two Dublin car thieves were discovered inside, with gunshot wounds to their heads. The jury spent hours watching CCTV footage a number of weeks ago. It was recorded on both sides of the border in the hours and days around the double killing. One piece of footage showed a man entering a Newry hotel through a rear door and going to a part of the hotel not covered by cameras around 7.45pm on the day of the killings. The same man was seen leaving that area and exiting the hotel a few minutes later. Its the States case that phone calls were made to one of the deceased from a payphone in that area of the hotel around this time. Mr ODriscolls senior counsel, Sean Guerin, today admitted that his client was the man in the hotel footage. He explained that he was making the admissions on behalf of the accused under Section 22 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. It means the prosecution dont have to prove those things, he said. Mr Guerin then moved onto footage showing two men entering a chip shop/off licence in Meigh, just north of the border, after 11 oclock that night. Its the States case that the alleged getaway car was found abandoned nearby the following morning, having been involved in a high-speed police chase in Newry shortly before the chip shop footage was recorded. The gentleman in the blue jacket inside Murphys in Meigh is the accused man, said Mr Guerin yesterday. The jury also saw footage recorded in a Eurospar shop in Newry on March 1st, 2nd 8th and 9th that year. Its the States case that mobile phones of interest were topped up there during the times covered. Mr Guerin admitted that the man in the shop footage on those days was also his client. Alexander Owens SC then closed the case on behalf of the prosecution and the judge sent the jury away while he dealt with a legal issue. Legal issues often, if not always, arise at this stage of the trial, he told the eight men and four women, asking them to return on Wednesday morning. Irish Water is aware that some customers have received emails purporting to be from Irish Water with the subject line Your Irish Water Account Action required. Irish Water is advising anyone who receives these emails to delete them immediately. Irish Water will never ask customers to update personal banking information in this way and customers should always delete emails requesting this information. Do not reply or click on the link provided. Do not provide personal or financial details. Irish Water has asked domestic customers who have moved property to contact us by phone on 1850 448 448 to update their details. Changes to customers personal details can only be updated by phone. Irish Water has investigated this email and has requested that this fraudulent site be shut down. Irish Water is aware that during the refund process in particular that attempts may be made to deceive customers with phishing emails. We have put additional resources in place in attempt to mitigate against these phishing campaigns. If you suspect that you've responded to a phishing email with personal information from this or any email, take the following steps to minimise any potential damage: - Change the information you've revealed e.g. Change any passwords or PINs on the account or service that you think might have been compromised - Contact your bank or the service provider directly - Routinely review your bank and credit card statements for unexplained charges or enquiries that you didn't initiate - Contact the authorities. The Garda Bureau of Fraud investigation is Ireland's national fraud and internet crime reporting centre. - Irish Water wishes to reassure customers that there has been no breach of Irish Water security systems. Customer details on Irish Water's database are secure and have not been compromised. There is more advice on how to identify phishing emails and what to do next on Irish Waters website https://www.water.ie/support/fraudulent-email-advice/ What does culture in a corporate context really mean anyway? We all throw the term around with the assumption there is a common understanding of what it actually means, but I feel in its over use its lost its meaning and worth defining to set the scene. Most people would agree corporate or organisational culture refers to the beliefs and behaviours that inform how a company and its employees behave to the outside world and within the organisation. It is often intangible, and implied rather than expressed. It is something that is developed over time and driven by the leaders of the company as well as the corporate company they keep in the form of customers, suppliers, partners and other collaborators. Once upon a time, culture developed without much thought, it was an organic output of an organisations values spoken or unspoken. More recently, it has been left in the hands of a companys human resources department and often not much more than an afterthought, viewed by executive teams as the fluffy stuff and always on the cutting board when it comes to efficiencies. In the PR and communications industry, culture has notoriously revolved around drinking and then debriefing about the fallout from Friday night, on Monday morning. I wont mention the Harvey Weinstein inspired behaviour, or the insane working hours. Ill avoid the unsustainable client and agency relationships and steer clear of the work them as hard as you can and pay them as little as possible cliche. Seriously, whats not to love about the communication and advertising industries? Dont worry, its not all doom and gloom. Change is afoot, and as a certified B Corporation and a company that sells people power, we feel it is the effort put into our culture that defines our success. How so you say? Theres some new thinking emerging and many are starting to move on from an outdated way of working, they have begun to see that if they put a greater emphasis on setting values people care about, it ultimately drives positive outcomes. Yes, being good is good for business. So how does one redefine success via culture? First of all, to attract people who share your belief system, its important to have a system. An organisation needs to articulate what it stands for. This starts at the top a series of corporate epiphanies need to manifest, and it goes something like this companies who truly put their people front and center are the ones who will endure. They will do this by attracting and retaining the best talent, and their workplace experience will go from obligation to inspiration. A new sense of pride and enthusiasm will emerge and a culture worth cultivating will lead the way So how in a sea of old school devil wears Prada behaviour, have we managed to invent a new way of being in the workplace, establish a sense of community and create initiatives and practices that build a strong and enduring culture .? By dissolving people silos and creating dynamic, bespoke teams based on skills and personal interests Understanding our team members and creating a wellbeing program that adds value to their life beyond work no obligatory fruit bowls and bike racks Using new language its not staff its team members Demonstrating a deep understanding of the issues team members are facing as humans and providing real solutions stress and anxiety = learn to meditate course, meditation room and team meditation every Monday Listening and providing an environment where the team shapes their own workplace voting on team activities and training Identifying and calling out unsustainable behaviour by clients. We call them courageous conversations and were not afraid to have them By being prepared to risk the ship and stand firm on our beliefs, the value we place on our services and our own sanity this may mean exiting unsustainable relationships Dont just say it, be it. Nurturing new leaders who share the desire to do things differently by setting an example, everyday Over the top of these initiatives and practices sits an unwavering belief that exceptional service to our clients depends on the high morale of our team. Yes, it costs more to come from a place where you truly put people first. Yes, there is more time involved in developing a unique program or rethinking what HR means in your business and yes, it most definitely requires some new thinking. Business in general does have a problem. We need to admit it. We need to clearly identify what it is about working that is not making us all happy. Albert Einstein put it so eloquently We cannot solve the problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them. So, lets all get creative and find a new way of being in business. About the author Skye Tipler-Rosenberg founded Mkt. Communications in 2006 with a vision to create an agency underpinned by her guiding business principles respect, collaboration, creativity and service. Skye is a highly accomplished marketing professional with broad experience gained in some of Melbournes most respected advertising and communications agencies. She is responsible for crafting and managing successful campaigns, delivering tangible results for many Australian and international brands. Skye has a unique approach to her work with an emphasis on strategy and creative ideas that deliver to a clients broader business agenda. Intrinsically passionate about people and the planet, Mkt. Communications has grown and so has its relationships with like-minded organisations. Skye is a member of the Australian Marketing Institute (AMI), the Australian Institute of Management (AIM) and she is a Certified Practising Marketer. The legendary unicorn, frequently depicted as horse with a horn protruding from its forehead, has captured imaginations since antiquity. In 2013, the term was appropriated by venture capitalist Aileen Lee to refer to a statistical rarity namely, a startup with a market valuation of at least $1 billion. Since then, the ranks of the coveted Unicorn Club have swelled by nearly 500%, signalling a bold new era of ambitious businesses, where not even the skys the limit. Seeking to reach $1 billion in valuation is a Big, Hairy Audacious Goal but is it a righteous undertaking for a startup? Thats the question we put to more than a dozen industry experts, this week, for our exclusive Lets Talk feature looking at growth. The consensus was that whiles theres nothing inherently wrong with aspiring to be a unicorn (with one commentator stating, we need more ambition, not less in a nation rife with tall poppies), founders mustnt let the pursuit of this milestone distract them from building sustainable, innovative and customer-centric companies. One commentator pointed out the irony of there being a dearth of female-led unicorns despite the term being coined by a woman, before adding that more startups would earn themselves a glittery horn if they focused on the new female economy and female-driven innovation. Another suggested that unicorns valuations have been inflated and that the financial bubble is bound to burst. Read on for further insights from this weeks line-up of Lets Talk commentators. Is there anything wrong with aspiring to be a unicorn? Mark Gustowski, Acting CEA, QUT Creative Enterprise Australia (CEA): Reaching a billion-dollar valuation or the unicorn milestone is absolutely a cracking goal for startups to strive to reach as it means they were thinking global from day one. There are currently more than 260 unicorns running the world and each of them needed to perfect their startup concoction before they sold it. Your startup should focus on hand-picking the most brilliant minds for your team; once youve perfected that collective consciousness, the pathway to creating your startup prodigy will become clear. Make sure you dedicate due time and thought to shaping your business lifecycle to include a combination of investment and grants. You always want to demonstrate to investors that youve laid the financial foundations which will in turn give them confidence in your ability to handle any injections. Rather than wanting to be a unicorn that struck it rich, think like a prodigy; how will your startup cause change? Be the company that redefines the world not the billion-dollar unicorn stamp. Gerard Healy, Co-founder & Managing Director, Titlexchange: Theres nothing wrong with aspiring to be a unicorn and Australia should do better at fostering dreaming big. However, Australia suffers terribly from tall poppy syndrome and too often those who talk about desiring to be a unicorn get stared at like theyre a leper. Unfortunately, this attitude often trickles down from investors. Founders are told to be more realistic, which is essentially code for scaling back their ambitions. Imagine if people like Henry Ford, Walt Disney and Elon Musk had suspended belief in their bold plans to appease investors. As a nation what we need is more ambition, not less. Sean Senvirtne, Founder & CEO, MyDeal: The Get Big Fast maxim has been around for a long time. Aspiring to get big fast is good as it can enable a business the critical mass it needs to grow and capture its market share and compete with established brands and businesses. Fast growth comes with its own unique challenges. Fledging but rapidly expanding businesses can lose sight of the very innovation and efficiencies that got them off the ground in the first place. Its important to stay focused on the business objectives and stay true to your value proposition. Bec Brideson, Founder, Venus Comms & author (Blind Spots): Despite the fact that the term unicorn was coined by a woman, female-led ventures aiming to be unicorns are a rarity (as are unicorns with women on their boards) and we absolutely need more. Yet theres an even bigger reason why we need more men and women aspiring towards being a unicorn, despite the lottery-like probability. The intense tech-focused climate and bro-lensed system for accessing unicorn status in Silicon Valley overlooks a giant opportunity namely the $28T global female market. Whether female- or male-led, using gender intelligence to fill the yawning gap that is needed by new products and services that better serve womens modern demands, provides a prospect that is greater than the economies of China and India combined. Yes, its rare to reach unicorn status, and its even rarer to reach unicorn status as a female lead but all entrepreneurs may find a higher likelihood of claiming a glittery horn and ergo high-growth and rapid commercial gains, by laser focusing on the new female economy and female-driven innovation. Tanya Titman, Accountant & Founder, Acceler8: We need to see a convergence of the startup and SME mindset. Historically, SMEs havent been challenged to aspire to be unicorns and startups have always been focused on lofty goals. They are selling a dream, they dream big but they dont always make it. SMEs are realists, they tend to take a more conservative approach often because they have more to lose, like staff who depend on their employment and equity from their home that has been invested in their business. Where does this mindset come from? Often small business owners start a company because, as an employee, they excelled in their industry and decide to branch out on their own. Startups have a new idea designed to disrupt the status quo, one that could be a million-dollar business, their mindset is not limited by existing industries practices or benchmarks. We need a cultural change in this area within Australian business. We should aim for startups to take a more realistic approach and SMEs should aspire to bigger growth goals. Amanda Watts, Co-founder, Girl Geek Academy: Having seen first-hand how technology has changed the way we communicate, and how we can reach new markets and scale businesses fast, there has never been a better time to build a $1 billion business. Barriers to entry such as startup costs are so much lower than they used to be. Technology is getting cheaper and we have many more tools at our disposal to track if our marketing efforts are working. Technology is fun, not scary, and its a lot easier than you think to get setup. In my experience you can build your business at a third of the cost compared to five years ago, and there is no reason why we shouldnt take advantage of this. Theres nothing wrong with aspiring to be a unicorn, just as long as you are setting yourself up to win. Is your customer base fundamentally large enough to be able to get you to the $1B mark? Is the problem you are solving big enough and will people pay good money for you to solve it? To put yourself in the best position to achieve unicorn status its key to charge more for your solutions sooner. Get money in your hand as soon as you can, from a customer. Even if that amount is small at the start it allows you to see your value, dont give it away for free. As Australians we are isolated from the rest of the world (and the assumed unicorn headquarters of Silicon Valley), however this should not deter anyone as we have some great support networks and events all around Australia. On a personal note, I am especially keen to see more females aspiring to unicorn status. In order to achieve this, I think its about visibility. We need to physically see more female role models in unicorns and fast growing companies being profiled. When we are deciding on a career, we are often influenced by popular culture; it would be great to see more movies, stories and books depicting women starting and growing businesses. I dream of ringing the bell at the ASX and so can you! Mick Spencer, Founder & CEO, ONTHEGO: There is nothing wrong with having a really ambitious business goal that everyone in the team is motivated by and working towards. This should not just be monetary however as the goal needs to resonate with everyone in the business. The aspiration to be a unicorn is more of an achievement for the founders and executives of a company and it needs to be broken down into realistic smaller chunks or tasks, so they can measure their progress consistently. Otherwise, its just blue-sky dreams. Fundamentally, entrepreneurship is flawed if founders get caught up talking about wanting to be the next unicorn at the expense of perfecting their product for their customer or strengthening the foundations of their company. Becoming a unicorn is the by-product of creating something that changes the world. The change should be the goal, not the status. Dr Marcus Tan, CEO & Medical Director, HealthEngine: No, I welcome the challenge. From day one, HealthEngines goal has been to improve the way Australians access healthcare and empower them to better manage their health through consumer-friendly technology the more resources we have at our disposal ultimately brings us closer to achieving this goal and improving the overall healthcare of our nation. Successfully scaling comes down to your mentality its not so much how fast you grow but how you grow that will determine whether you reach unicorn-status. This means having a clear mission from the get go and hiring the right talent that share your vision, not shying away from technology (this is at the heart of everything we do at HealthEngine, facilitating everything from our products, services and operations to managing our internal communications and company culture), and most importantly, knowing if youre ready to grow understanding whether your current infrastructure, business model, employees and product is equipped to handle new growth is key. Over the last 12 months HealthEngine has undergone rapid growth raising $26.7 million in our Series C funding round in April, doubling our workforce from 70 to 140 nationally, launching several new products and features on the platform which has paved the way for our continued growth in 2018 and beyond. Chris Chang, Program Manager, Techstars Adelaide: Speaking to investors, many will say that theres something wrong in NOT aspiring to grow a billion-dollar startup. Im not sure I would be 100% in agreement, but I would definitely say theres nothing wrong with aspiring to have your company become a unicorn. But it shouldnt be seen as the only measure of success. The best founders Ive met are far more focused on getting their businesses to solve a problem than just having a massive valuation. If the problem is big enough, when you start helping more and more customers solve it on a global scale, reaching unicorn status will be the by-product of building a great company. Atomic 212 Chief Strategy Officer, Ben Taylor: On one hand, I feel that Unicorns are much needed in todays short-term, ROI-based business culture where considered, safety-first management is paramount. Against this backdrop, the anythings possible, entrepreneurial culture of unicorns like Vice, Hulu, Blippar and DocuSign, which are creating products and services for tomorrows opportunities, really captures ones imagination. Another part of me worries that weve created yet another buzzword for something that has always existed and that weve now run out of sight of all financial sensibility (I.e. the basics, valueshow money systems operate). Uber, at $60bn+ valuation, sometimes has losses 100% more than revenue, according to reports. Looking at the sheer number of Unicorn companies (as shown here) and the valuation against current return rates, it feels like every financial bubble-bursting reality that weve never learnt from. The number of Unicorns has grown from 46 in 2013, when Aileen Lee coined the Unicorn term, to 267 today. It seems unicorns arent the statistical rarity they once represented. So, should your startup aspire to be a unicorn? I think you should always aspire to the irresistible momentum of start-ups due to the fact that the world shifts daily around new opportunities. Looking at the number of established blue chips on the Unicorn investor list alongside the large VC funds would suggest that big businesses cant do everything internally and need to acquire or invest externally to grow. In essence, we can see blue chip businesses investing in unicorns as a catalyst for innovation that would not occur within mature businesses. But you should temper this with financial responsibility. Most importantly, ask yourself not only whether you should you aspire to be a unicorn, but whether you can facilitate the environment, focus and purpose these companies build around themselves. Patrick Garrett, CEO, Six Park: Ambition is a prerequisite for a start-up most people wouldnt put themselves through the blood, sweat and tears otherwise. The question is, do you aim to be a billion-dollar company for the sake of it, or do you aim to solve a problem and achieve success as a result? Six Parks mission is to make sure all Australians can get professional, low-cost investment advice if we become a unicorn in the process that would obviously be fantastic, but its not the end goal. Were a really motivated team and we know that the way were going to be successful is by making sure we have happy, loyal customers who love what were doing as much as we do. Six Park helps people grow their wealth so they can spend less time worrying about money and more time enjoying life. Thats something everyone would like to be able to do, really, and we want that for both our clients and for our company. Kerry Boulton, CEO, The Exit Strategy Group & Author (Million Dollar Pay Day): There is a great saying shoot for the stars and if you do, you might reach the moon! Thats my personal take on aspiring to be a unicorn. If you have a technology, or have developed a really potent, successful brand you could licence globally (akin to Virgin), unicorn status should be in your sights! Anthony Sochan, Partner, Think and Grow: There is nothing wrong with aspiring to be a unicorn, in fact we encourage all our customers to reach for the stars and be as ambitious as they can possibly be. Our role is to help enable those ambitions. However, you do need to be aware of the market opportunity, size of that market and the pathway you would need to travel to get there, its not for everyone. First and foremost we encourage others to build great businesses that they can be proud of, everyone defines great in a different way and as a community we should be comfortable with that. Heidi Holmes, co-founder & COO, Mentorloop: I dont think there is anything inherently wrong with aspiring to be a unicorn, it just shouldnt be your primary focus. Starting and growing a business is incredibly hard and weve learnt first-hand that blind optimism only gets you so far. Instead time, energy and resources would be better spent focussing on delivering a product or service that delights your customers. Being 100% customer centric and building a company that people want to work for is key to ensuring that you build at a minimum a sustainable, profitable business and we believe that approach only makes you more attractive to customers and investors. About Lets Talk This exciting new, weekly initiative provides entrepreneurs and industry experts with a forum to share rapid-fire views on a range of issues that matter to start-ups and SMEs. Every Wednesday, we pose a themed question to a line-up of knowledgable industry figures, with a view to picking their brains for valuable insights to share with you, our readers. The brains behind mentoring software startup Mentorloop have closed an oversubscribed seed round, raising $725,000 from Blackbird Ventures, Rampersand and Tempus Partners to bring their total funding to more than $1 million. Launched in 2015 by Heidi Holmes (COO) and Lucy Lloyd (CEO), Mentorloop is a cloud-based, mobile-first platform that assists corporates, universities, not-for-profits and government with introducing and delivering a mentor program or enhancing an existing one. Last year, the founding duo raised $300,000 for their startup from private investors including angel investor groups Innovation Bay and Melbourne Angels as well as former StartupAUS director, Glenn Smith. [Related story: Companies underestimate the demand for it internally: former Adage MD on mentoring] Holmes, a KPMG alumni and the former MD of mature age jobs board Adage, spoke to Dynamic Business about the plans she and Lloyd have for the seed capital, the value their new investors are already generating for Mentorloop, and how her startup is optimising the mentoring process. DB: How much did you set out to raise and for what purpose? Holmes: We emerged from the Startmate accelerator, earlier this year, with new learnings and more than 30% month on month growth, so it made sense for us to keep that momentum going and roll into a seed round. With consistent monthly revenue, we set out to raise $500,000 to fund investment in the business and the team so that we could better service existing and new clients as we continued to grow. Not only did the round come together quite quickly, we raised a little bit more than we expected. Plus, were so rapt with the VCs and individual investors that have come on board its a quality ensemble. DB: What criteria did you apply when seeking out investors? Holmes: For us it has always been about more than the money. We know first-hand how critical mentors are to ensuring personal development and business success. Not only in providing timely and relevant advice, but also to challenge ideas and assumptions to ensure you are always striving to be the best. There is no doubt that our investors bring an immense amount of mental capital to the table that weve already benefited from and will continue to draw on in this next exciting phase of the business. DB: How did you go about attracting the right investors? Holmes: We set about building relationships with our investors before we needed the money. It doesnt matter how much or from who, taking investment from someone comes with huge responsibility. Not only are they investing in the business, they are also investing in us the founders so it was important to us that we were 100% transparent as well as patient throughout the process. DB: What success have Mentorloop and its clients had in 2017? Holmes: This year weve seen over 500% growth in revenue and we now boast a suite of 28 clients across the US, Australia, the UK, Canada and Asia from corporates through to industry bodies and universities, including RACV, Institute of Public Accountants, TAL Insurance, the Australian Olympic Committee and Monash University. Weve helped all our clients tap into the latent demand for mentoring (giving people what they actually want), with programs being oversubscribed by up to 80%. Fortunately, oversubscription is a good thing, because demand has been easily met through the use of efficient software. Were also enabling our clients to improve knowledge sharing within their business, foster a greater sense of community and connectivity, as well as open senior leaders eyes up to the benefits of reverse mentoring. 92% of participants involved in Mentorloop facilitated mentoring programs, saying they want to continue mentoring so its working. Mentoring is also a very human and personal thing. While there are many tangible benefits we can report on, sometimes the true value lies in the personal anecdotes of how these connections have resulted in a promotion or even changed a life. This happens a lot. DB: Regarding your client base, what organisations do you target? Holmes: We work with clients of any size and complexity but our real sweet spot is organisations with 500+ employees. These organisations are looking for people-focussed initiatives to attract and retain the best and brightest talent. They are looking for ways to increase the bottom line while maintaining or improving employee satisfaction. With Mentorloop, they can do that. DB: How is your platform optimising the mentoring process? Holmes: Mentorloop provides a framework in which unique mentoring relationships can flourish at scale within and across organisations. For too long, effective mentoring programs have been impossible to run with spreadsheets and email, and theyve been viewed by organisations as a nice to have. We now know from decades of research, however, that mentoring is critical for organisational success, delivering significant retention rates amongst people engaged in a mentoring program; namely, 69% for mentors and 72% for mentees. Employee development plays a crucial role in businesses seeking a competitive edge; however, its becoming less about organisations sending people on training courses and more about giving employees permission to self-drive their own learning outcomes. Personal analytics have been trending for the last decade, with things like the fitbit and apps like Sleepcycle; were all tracking and optimising ourselves. But there hasnt been much optimisation in professional development, which hampers career progress and organisational productivity everywhere. Relevantly, Mentorloop helps people identify their goals within a professional context, and matches them with the most relevant mentor who can help them achieve them. Once these matches are made, Mentorloop then creates a drumbeat of forward progress for the mentoring relationships through the software itself as well as helpful resources and support. For companies interested in a modern, dynamic approach to mentoring, Mentorloop acts as an internal CRM called My Match, allowing staff to browse and connect with relevant support and advice from any other person within their organisation, on-demand. I would have loved to have access to something like this when I was at KPMG. DB: Having completed a seed capital raise, whats next for Mentorloop? Holmes: We will now look to build out our team and product so that we can continue to fulfil our vision of delivering quality mentoring outcomes at scale. The raise also means that we will continue to take effective mentoring to other parts of the world. Weve already seen a 300% increase in qualified international enquiries over the past seven months, so we are looking forward to expanding our market penetration further into the US and the UK in particular. News / Press Release by PDP One of the world's biggest victories is that of the abolishment of slave trade, it is sad to see a resurgence of the scourge.The developments in Libya where migrants are captured and sold in what has developed into an infamous slave market are not welcome in the 21st century as they were not welcome in the 11th century.The People's Democratic Party not only condemns the barbaric acts of those who capture desperate migrants but the so called buyers of our African brothers and sisters who are turned into slaves.We appreciate the efforts by the French government to have an urgent convening of the United Nations Security Council meeting on Libya; the Libyan crisis is demonstrating that it affects not only the Libyans but the region and ultimately the entire globe.We have always argued as we do now that one crisis in a country can easily spill over to the next one therefore the need for regional bodies to look at developments in member countries with keen interest.Whenever there is a crisis whether political or economic the region must collectively pay the price during the early stages, failure to do so will result in paying a bigger price in the future, the Libyan crisis validates this point.In a speech presented at the 2016 Senior Leaders Summit organised by Africa Centre for Strategic Studies, President Biti warned that the failure by African states to grow inclusive economies which absorb the working people is one of the major security threats on the continent.The PDP associates with the views expressed by our leader at this forum, he stated that as security precautions, evolving states need to manage what happens on the sovereign internal dimension; issues to do with the rule of law, corruption, contested elections, religious radicalisation, kamikaze bombings, inequality, ineffective states, state failure and fragility.In his speech President Biti addressed the issue around regional challenges emanating from the interconnectedness of the regions where "implosions and explosions affect the interconnected nation states'"When there is a disturbance in Burkina Faso, it affects the region, when there is a contested election in Ivory Coast it affects the region, so regional developments become part of the multiplier players on the evolving African state."The People's Democratic Party notes with concern that the further the issues happen away from our national boundaries the more the African policy maker has limited capacity to deal with the problem. It is this fact which makes it very important for regional blocs to play the watch dog role on activities in the member states, the world must rely on the blocs as a point of primary resort.The growing young population of highly connected youths who are however unemployed poses a bigger threat to the security of the continent and globe more than what is manifesting in Libya.In 2016, more than 50 Zimbabwean young ladies were trafficked to Kuwait where they were abused, the ones who managed to come back home are still struggling with rehabilitation.The People's Democratic Party recommends the idea of building fiscal buffers to protect our countries against economic security threats which expose our people. This includes a departure from the extractive economic models in many African states.We also recommend adherence to democratic practices including the idea of free and fair elections to avoid a temptation by citizens who might seek unconstitutional means of redress, a point which has gotten Libya where it is today.We also suggest the revival of international law which is now on retreat; the missions of the United Nations deployed on the African continent must be reformed and strengthened.The slave trade crisis in Libya is reminder to build functional states with strong institutions, anchored on transformational democratic development states. It is also a call to create shared economies which ensure our people do not resort to dangerous ways of migration in search of greener pastures.Jacob MafumePDP Spokesperson Opinion / Columnist It finally had to come to this. Kudos to the generals some are saying. I say not so fast wait until someone else who is not ZANU wins the next year elections, but in the short term open your eyes wide, focus and concentrate on the next 100 days, and don't dare even blink if you can help it. We witnessed an unprecedented scary situation unfolding in a slow-motion like kind of movement, right in front of our eyes. The generals finally intervened in the politics of a political party and hand pick their chosen one after a tumultuous, tension filled three weeks in the politics of Zimbabwe. Something head to break, and breaking it did and someone came landing on the ground with a heavy thud. There was the subsequent ululating and jubilation on the streets of Zimbabwe by the masses, and everywhere else around the world where the millions of Zimbos are scattered for greener pastures. This followed by an otherwise expected but long-awaited graduation, otherwise described as the swearing in of a once loyal cadre and right-hand man of the ousted President. Good bye and good riddance to the Old, figuratively and literally. However during all this, I wasn't fooled nor moved like many. I took a step back and tried to absorb the enormity of what has just happened and what the future is likely to be. Amongst many questions, I keep asking myself how have people allowed political party matters to be intertwined with the state issues and how did the masses get duped into trying to help ZANU rebrand itself. That remains a discussion for another day.What I am looking at today is the first 100 days of the new President Emmerson Munangagwa and what I think should happen if he wishes to rescue his credibility to show that he is his own man, win the trust of the people and hopefully improve the lives of the people of Zimbabwe. I said to some of my friends, as a start he had to include the following in his inauguration speech. He had to come out strongly about the Gukurahundi in which reportedly over 20000 innocent people were massacred, issue and just apologise and state categorically that he would open the discussion with a view to compensating all those who were affected, he had to say that Zimbabwe would welcome the Chinese, Indians and the West to come and invest but in Zimbabwe's terms, but their investment will be protected, he had to say people will be allowed to peacefully protest for poor service delivery or any other issue without fear of being victimised. He will have to open the freedom of the press, the right to mock and criticise those in power, he will have to emphasise the fact that the government ministers work for us, not the opposite. He had to acknowledge everybody who participated in the liberation war regardless of party and emphasise that it was not ZANU only, but ZAPU and ZIPRA were there, he had to mention that he would stop cadre deployments to parastatals and employ qualified personnel on merit. He had to mention about sourcing funding for the agriculture sector and helping small scale farmers to boost that sector.As it turns out, he briefly mentioned some of these things albeit in his own words. He scratched the surface as anyone would under those time limiting circumstances. Some people thought it was an amazing speech, full of hope and optimism. But some of us haven't forgotten, it is precisely the same reconciliatory speech given by his predecessor 37 years ago. We all know what happened after that. Thirty-seven years of thievery, pillage, mass killings, corruption, decimation of families, the economy, health sector, everything you name it.It is in this vain that the new President Munangangwa should in the first 100 DAYS emphatically, with clarity, no ambiguity and with tangible action come out to address what I believe will define his presidency in one way or the other, the following issues.- The Gukurahundi issue will never die, that I can assure the New President. The people of Matabeleland deserve to be heard. Their loved ones lying all over the country in mine shafts still need to be relocated to be given decent burials in their respective homesteads. Munangagwa, then as a Minister of State Security was at the centre of these genocidal mass killings from about 1982 to 1985. On the 4th of April 1983, he was quoted as saying "Blessed are they who will follow the path of the Government laws, for their days on earth will be increased. But woe unto those who will choose the path of collaboration with dissidents for we will certainly shorten their stay on earth" he went on to say the Matabeleland people were cockroaches, and the following day it is believed 55 people were killed in one village. He has already mentioned the possibility of compensation for the white farmers, yet the very people he brutalised haven't been put in the discussion yet. They will have to be in the discussion, in the first 100 days.- ZANU PF government messed the economy to the extent that people even struggle to withdraw their salaries. What are the practical steps he is going to take to rescue the situation.- When are they going to stop creating fictitious money through bond notes and Treasury Bills which has contributed to pushing Zimbabwe's debt to above USD7billion.- You have decimated our health services as a result when you fall ill, you are airlifted to neighbouring South Africa, what about the ordinary guy on the streets. Right now, the Joshua Mqabuko Medical Centre is still not open in Bulawayo when it was completed in 2014, no one seems to have an idea about what is happening with this facility.- President Munangangwa should explain the Billions that disappeared in Marange as he was at the heart of it. You need to come clean on the USD754 million which was owed by the Reserved Bank and eventually assumed by Government through the Reserve Bank Debt Assumption Act, meaning really that the tax payers will pay for it.- When there was a GNU (government of national unity) the economic conditions improved but things seemed to go on a downward spiral when ZANU PF government went it alone in this current term, what was the reason.- People would like to know where the 2.2 million jobs that were promised by Zim Asset went, what is the practical plan moving forward of creating those jobs.- Regarding the constitution, why are more than 200 Acts are yet to be aligned to the Constitution when we know that the Constitution was adopted in 2013. Munangangwa has been the Justice minister during this period, so the answers are expected to be on his fingertips.- The new President mentioned dealing with corruption, but why do they hold multiple farms when in fact they are doing nothing in most of the farms. Besides arresting the former minister of finance what other practical steps have been put in place in the first 100 days to fight this cancer called corruption.- I have already mentioned the distorted history which gives the impression that it was only ZANU PF that fought in the liberation struggle, the president needs to come out clear about this, ZAPU and ZIPRA were at the fore front as well, figuratively and literally.- Finally there will be elections next year, the President should come out and be clear about reforming the electoral system, attending the voters role to get rid of allegedly millions of ghost voters, announce that all participants will be allowed to campaign in any part of the country they so wish without fear or favour and all shall be covered by the ZBC Broadcasting services.I know that politics is a conversation of power, but people want to see improvements in their lives i.e. access to health., education, food, jobs, etc. so President Munangagwa should deal with these if he wants to redeem himself as well as the issues highlighted above. There must be a clear direction in the first 100 days of where he will go with these issues to define his own legacy and Presidency, otherwise he is doomed to fail.Opposition should get organised if they want our votes. We don't owe them anything. they can begin by forming a formidable alliance rather than the Mickey Mouse games they are playing. The President on the other hand can do anything, politicians do anything. That's why we should never trust any of them. Our job is to resist, to demand, to question, our job is to fight every day, regardless of who is in power. when politicians do good things well and fine that's exactly what they should do and we will remember that, but we won't stop knocking.Despite the optimism from everybody else about the new guy, I am still not sure whether to say, "welcome and good luck". My first feelings were that I hoped this wasn't just a snake shading its old skin for the new one. The Zimbabwean populace hope Munangangwa will deal with the socio-economic issues thoroughly and effectively with immediate effect and without fear or favour. Not only in rhetoric but practical actions. However, the current crop around him, which is is largely composed of war vets and old guys is not at all encouraging, if anything it is depressing. Their narrative that only war vets should take over is essentially exclusionist. There is no sign of progressive young talent. But we shall keep our fingers crossed, because the only certainty in Zimbabwe is uncertainty! So, let's see what happens in the next 100 days. Opinion / Columnist As journalists and a veritable army of newfound Zimbabwe "experts" join the bun rush to describe the history of Robert Mugabe's replacement, Emmerson Mnangagwa, there has been much talk about his role in the Gukurahundi killings of the 1980s. Some have said his part in the massacres is "shrouded in mystery", others that he was the "architect" or "mastermind". Still others seem to have bought Mnangagwa's line that his participation is a myth - or that it has, at least, been wildly exaggerated. All of them are wrong, Writes Stuart Doran for the Daily Maverick In January 1983, when the North Korean-trained Fifth Brigade (5 Brigade) of the army was deployed in Matabeleland North, Mnangagwa was Mugabe's minister of state security. That portfolio brought with it control over the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO), a Rhodesian institution that was partly reconfigured in 1980 when Mugabe took power at independence.Structurally, the main changes to the CIO had been the formal incorporation of the domestic security and intelligence function - previously informally controlled by the organisation through the Special Branch of the Rhodesian police - and the drafting of personnel from Zanu's department of security into the organisation.Culturally, the well-earned reputation for brutality of Zanu's security apparatus - which had been superintended by Mnangagwa during the party's exile in Mozambique - melded with the Special Branch affinity for torture that had become a stock-in-trade as the war against the nationalists had intensified in the 1970s. These elements magnified one another and, predictably, Zimbabwe's CIO soon became known for its extreme interrogation techniques.The CIO may have developed an unpleasant name in Zimbabwe, but that proves nothing in relation to the Gukurahundi, as Mnangagwa has himself suggested. Rarely given to interviews with journalists, in 2016 he commented on allegations surrounding his involvement in the massacres in what was clearly a bid to sanitise his image ahead of a tilt at the presidency. Speaking to the New Statesman, he retorted: "How do I become the enforcer during Gukurahundi? We had the president, the minister of defence, the commander of the army, and I was none of that. My own enemies attack me left and right and that is what you are buying."This seems likely to become his stock defence. In effect, he claims that he was in charge of internal security, not military matters - and that the CIO had nothing to do with the Gukurahundi. It's a weak defence that has no prospect of surviving closer scrutiny. But it does contain two grains of truth.The first is that the CIO was not the lead agency in the killings. The vast majority of civilian deaths were perpetrated by 5 Brigade. In the main, CIO officers were engaged in apprehending and interrogating alleged "dissidents", armed bandits who were operating in Matabeleland and who were, according to Zanu (PF), coordinating an incipient rebellion against the government. Moreover, a significant segment of the CIO's staff was physically excluded from 5 Brigade's area of operations.The second grain of truth in Mnangagwa's statement is that he (unintentionally) put his finger on the fact that the orchestration of the Gukurahundi was not overseen by one man. It was much broader than that. In this sense, the notion that Mnangagwa was the architect or mastermind of the killings is, indeed, false and thoroughly ahistorical.Yet that is where the factual basis of Mnangagwa's defence ends. On a bureaucratic level, the CIO may not have been at the forefront of the killings, but it most certainly played a critical part in the Gukurahundi. It is important to remember that the Gukurahundi was a lengthy campaign, not a single event. Equally, it involved a number of different angles and an array of targets that went beyond the civilian population in Matabeleland. The broad objective of the campaign was political - to attain a one-party state, which in turn necessitated the obliteration of the rival nationalist party, Zapu. Many "dissidents" arrested, tortured and murdered by the CIO were not rebels but were specifically targeted because they were Zapu office bearers or members of its former military wing, Zipra. The intention was to demolish Zapu structures, while 5 Brigade's indiscriminate violence against civilians was meant to wipe out Zapu's grass roots base. CIO officers such as Menard Muzariri were at the forefront of the more focused violence committed during the Gukurahundi.The CIO also provided operational intelligence to 5 Brigade and other arms of government. Zipra personnel files held by the CIO formed the basis of lists used by 5 Brigade to hunt down ex-Zipras and Zapu officials in the rural areas. Further, intelligence garnered by CIO surveillance teams was used by the army to target individuals - the most prominent example being the attempt to assassinate Zapu leader Joshua Nkomo in March 1983.Thus, there was significant cooperation across agencies, and the CIO was an important cog in the wheel. This reality has been obscured by the entrenched perception that 5 Brigade and the Gukurahundi period are synonymous; in other words, that the brigade and its activities define the Gukurahundi in its totality.And there is another aspect of the Gukurahundi's choreography that has been poorly understood. This relates to the way in which the campaign was managed in practical terms. Coordination between agencies was handled through ethnic and political channels that often bypassed formal bureaucratic structures. It was established relationships between members of Zanu and its former military wing, Zanla, that provided the pathways along which the Gukurahundi ran. Within both the CIO and military, groups that did not fit these parameters - namely, whites and Ndebele speakers - were usually excluded from Gukurahundi-specific operations. There was, therefore, a coterie inside different organisations that was working independently from the rest and conducting what were more or less secret operations.At senior levels, these organic linkages meant that political leaders and ex-Zanla army commanders were heavily engaged in cooperative planning and were often involved in decisions and actions that went beyond the confines of their formal responsibilities. Hence, Constantine Chiwenga, then brigadier of an army unit in Bulawayo that was operating separately from 5 Brigade, nevertheless organised logistics for the latter and had regular informal discussions with 5 Brigade commander Perence Shiri.Mnangagwa, as Mugabe's point man on security-related matters - a role that incorporated strategy, implementation, and a range of portfolios - likewise frequently met with army commanders, transmitting decisions made by the political leadership and discussing operational questions. The notion that he was restricted within the narrow vertical margins of the CIO's official intelligence function is sheer falsehood. Along with Mugabe and the minister responsible for defence, Sydney Sekeramayi, none of the Zanu politicians was more embroiled in the Gukurahundi than Mnangagwa. He was not the architect, but he was one of them. Of that there is no doubt.An illustration of the tight collaboration among the Zanu-ex-Zanla elite has been provided by Kevin Woods, a white CIO officer based in Matabeleland in 1983. During a security briefing at Chiwenga's joint operations command (JOC) in Bulawayo - one attended by Mugabe, Mnangagwa and Shiri - Woods expressed concern about the "international repercussions" that might result from the atrocities in Matabeleland North. Amid "great mirth", he was told by Edson Shirihuru, the CIO's deputy director of political affairs and a longtime sidekick of Mnangagwa's, to "stick to basic intelligence work" associated with dissident activity and to "stay out of their war".Woods was exposed as a South African agent in 1988, an incident that prompted Mugabe to fire Mnangagwa as minister of state security, and his testimony would probably be vehemently denied by Mnangagwa. But black officials - members of Zanu who were stationed in Matabeleland during the period and who attended JOC meetings - paint precisely the same picture, as do Zanu politicians who were in the mix at the time.This underlines the problem that will confront Mnangagwa if he attempts to maintain what amounts to a lame defence. His role is not "shrouded in mystery" for those who were there - and many pieces of extraneous evidence also exist. Zapu leader Dumiso Dabengwa has called on him to come clean and "apologise". Chances that he will do so in a manner that admits personal culpability seem slim - even though a mere confession falls well short of what is demanded by many relatives of the dead. But one thing is clear: whether he denies or stonewalls, this issue will not go away. DM On January 20th, 2009, scientists (and anyone who values science) in the USA breathed a collective sigh of relief. After eight years of President George W. Bush, a Democratic president Barack Obama was taking over and science once again took its rightful place in American society as a force for good and an asset to policy making. Its not that corporate America didnt fight them tooth and nail to stop protections for our air, earth, water, food, and medicine. They did. But they at least had a champion in the White House who valued science again. Then came Trump. Donald Trump quickly installed Scott Pruitt at the helm of the Environmental Protection Agency. Pruitt was a man who maligned the EPA throughout his career as an impediment to the massive accumulation of corporate and personal wealth that all corporatists dream about. He even sued the EPA. Not once. Not twice. Not [fill in the blanks between 3 and 13]. He sued the EPA FOURTEEN TIMES! Now he runs the joint. Last month in a not-widely reported move, Pruitt issued a new directive that prevents any person who works for a college or university and who receives grant funding from the EPA from serving on three important advisory boards: Scientific Advisory Board, a panel of approximately 45 scientists, examines key scientific issues related to EPA regulations, and produces reports telling EPA what the current state of the science is. The Board of Scientific Counselors, with an executive committee of about 20 people, works more intimately with agency scientists, advising the agencys Office of Research and Development on its research programs. The Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee which provides technical guidance specifically related to air pollution standards, such as questions about the potential health effects of different pollution levels. [Descriptions courtesy of ScienceMag.org] Why did he do this? The reason he is giving is that it ensures that these advisory boards are independent and free from any real, apparent, or potential interference with their ability to objectively serve as a committee member. Here are his specific justifications: The directive focuses on the importance of the following areas pertaining to EPA FACs: Strengthen Member Independence: Members shall be independent from EPA, which shall include a requirement that no member of an EPA federal advisory committee be currently in receipt of EPA grants, either as principal investigator or co-investigator, or in a position that otherwise would reap substantial direct benefit from an EPA grant. This principle shall not apply to state, tribal or local government agency recipients of EPA grants. Increase State, Tribal and Local Government Participation: In the spirit of cooperative federalism and recognition of the unique experience of state, tribal and local government officials, committee balance should reflect prominent participation from state, tribal and local governments. Such participation should be appropriate for the committees purpose and function. Enhance Geographic Diversity: Given the range of environmental and public health considerations across the country, membership should be balanced with individuals from different states and EPA regions. Emphasis should be given to individuals from historically unrepresented or underrepresented states and regions. Promote Fresh Perspectives: To encourage and promote the inclusion of new candidates with fresh perspectives and to avoid prolonged and continuous service, membership should be rotated regularly. The presumption here is that these scientists are somehow personally and financially benefiting from the grant funding. The reality, of course, is that the funding pays for salaries, supplies, equipment, and other expenses needed to do science, not to fatten the wallets of the scientists themselves. What this directive does NOT do is prevent industry scientists from continuing to serve on the advisory commissions, scientists who work for corporations that DO stand to directly benefit if the EPA loosens protections allowing them to pollute more or avoid other protections that reduce their corporate profits. Its not a far stretch to imagine corporate scientific advisers being highly incentivized to advise in ways that help their employers. Heres how chief scientist for Environmental Defense Fund in Washington, D.C. and former EPA Science Advisory Board member Steven Hamburg, put it: Pruitts actions today are the height of hypocrisy. He is trying to gaslight Americans into believing that industry-funded scientists can offer EPA impartial advice, while those with EPA research grants are biased. So, yeah, things sucked bad under George W. Bush and his administration. But, when it comes to handing over the keys to the kingdom to corporate America, Donald Trump and HIS administration are taking things to a new and terrifying level. Oh, one more thing: When Scott Pruitt announced his decision, he couched it in biblical terms. Im not kidding: We want to ensure that theres integrity in the process and that the scientists that are advising us are doing so without any type of appearance of conflict of interest, EPA head Scott Pruitt said at a press conference announcing the directive. Pruitt used a story from the Book of Joshua to help explain the new policy. On the journey to the promised land, Joshua says to the people of Israel: choose this day whom you are going to serve, Pruitt said. This is sort of like the Joshua principle that as it relates to grants from this agency, you are going to have to choose either service on the committee to provide counsel to us in an independent fashion or chose the grant. But you cant do both. Thats the fair and great thing to do. #WASF United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit. JORGE ECHEMENDIA, Petitioner-Appellant, v. FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, ATTORNEY GENERAL, STATE OF FLORIDA, Respondents-Appellees. No. 16-14808 Decided: November 27, 2017 Before ED CARNES, Chief Judge, JULIE CARNES, and JILL PRYOR, Circuit Judges. Jorge Echemendia, a Florida prisoner proceeding pro se, appeals the district court's dismissal of his purported Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 60(b) motion. The district court construed that motion as an unauthorized successive 28 U.S.C. 2254 petition and dismissed it for lack of jurisdiction. In 1996 Echemendia was charged with first-degree murder. A jury found him guilty. The Florida circuit court sentenced him to life imprisonment, and the Florida appellate court affirmed his conviction and sentence. He filed a state petition for writ of habeas corpus alleging ineffective assistance of appellate counsel, which was denied; moved for postconviction relief based on an alleged Brady violation, which was denied; and appealed the denial of that motion for postconviction relief, which was affirmed. In 2007 Echemendia filed a 2254 petition raising 15 claims, three of which are relevant to this appeal: (1) that the prosecutor failed to disclose a plea agreement between the State and its key witness; (2) that the trial court improperly admitted a deputy's testimony without determining his unavailability, and trial counsel was ineffective in failing to object to that testimony; and (3) that counsel was ineffective in failing to object to a detective's testimony. The district court dismissed that petition and we denied Echemendia's motion for a certificate of appealability. In 2016 Echemendia filed a pro se motion styled as a Motion for Relief from Judgment under Rule 60(b)(3), (6). That motion raised essentially the same three grounds for relief as his 2254 petition: (1) that the prosecutor's failure to disclose a plea deal between the State and its key witness worked a fraud on the federal habeas court; (2) that the state court deprived him of due process by denying relief without a hearing as to his claim that counsel failed to object to the admission of the deputy's former testimony; and (3) that the state court erred in denying relief without an evidentiary hearing as to his claim that counsel's failure to object to the detective's testimony was ineffective assistance. The district court construed his motion as an unauthorized successive 2254 petition and dismissed it for lack of jurisdiction. This is Echemendia's appeal. We review de novo questions of the district court's jurisdiction, including whether a Rule 60(b) motion is a successive habeas petition. See Zakrzewski v. McDonough, 490 F.3d 1264, 1267 (11th Cir. 2007). We liberally construe filings by pro se litigants. See Albra v. Advan, Inc., 490 F.3d 826, 829 (11th Cir. 2007). A Rule 60(b) motion provides a limited basis for a party to seek relief from a final judgment in a habeas case. Williams v. Chatman, 510 F.3d 1290, 1293 (11th Cir. 2007). A Rule 60(b) motion may be used to challenge only a defect in the integrity of the federal habeas proceedings not the resolution of a claim on the merits. Gonzalez v. Crosby, 545 U.S. 524, 532, S. Ct. 2641, 2648 (2005). Echemendia contends that his motion is a true 60(b) motion because it raises claims of fraud on the federal habeas court based on the prosecutor's earlier alleged fraud on the state trial court as well as claims that the absence of an evidentiary hearing affected the integrity of his 2254 proceedings. The district court properly construed Echemendia's nominal Rule 60(b) motion as a successive 2254 petition because his motion essentially repackages three claims from his previous 2254 petition into a Rule 60(b) motion. See id. (holding that a nominal Rule 60(b) motion is a successive 2254 petition where it attacks the substance of the federal court's resolution of a claim on the merits instead of some defect in the integrity of the federal habeas proceedings). Echemendia raised both of his ineffective assistance claims in his 2254 petition. The district court explained that no evidentiary hearing was necessary because, even if counsel's failures to object were erroneous, Echemendia could not show prejudice under Strickland because other testimony corroborated the officers' testimony. Echemendia's argument that the court erred by denying his ineffective assistance claims without an evidentiary hearing is nothing more than an attack on the habeas court's judgment and, as a result, impermissibly attempts to relitigate the merits. See Felker v. Turpin, 101 F.3d 657, 661 (11th Cir. 1996) (Rule 60(b) cannot be used to circumvent restraints on successive habeas petitions.). Echemendia's remaining claim that the prosecutor's failure to disclose a plea deal between the State and its key witness worked a fraud on the federal habeas court fails for the same reason. He raised an essentially identical claim in his 2254 petition, and as a result, the purported Rule 60(b) motion is an attack on the court's resolution of his habeas claim. See Crosby, 545 U.S. at 532, 125 S. Ct. at 2648; Spitznas v. Boone, 464 F.3d 1213, 1216 (10th Cir. 2006) ([I]f the fraud on the habeas court includes (or necessarily implies) related fraud on the state court then the motion will ordinarily be considered a second or successive petition because any ruling would inextricably challenge the underlying conviction proceeding.). Because the district court properly construed Echemendia's motion as a successive 2254 petition, and because he failed to obtain our permission to file that petition as required under 28 U.S.C. 2244(b)(3)(A), the court properly dismissed the motion for want of jurisdiction. AFFIRMED. FOOTNOTES . Alternatively, even if we construed the motion as a Rule 60(b) motion, it would be untimely. Claims for relief under Rule 60(b)(3) must be made within a year after the entry of judgment or order or the date of the proceeding. Fed. R. Civ. P. 60(c)(1). The deadline for a Rule 60(b)(3) motion in the 2254 proceedings was December 15, 2009. Echemendia filed his motion 2,211 days after that date. Although Echemendia argues that he could not bring his fraud claim earlier because of newly discovered evidence, namely, an undisclosed plea agreement, petitioners must bring claims based on newly discovered evidence in a precertified successive habeas petition not a Rule 60(b) motion. See 28 U.S.C. 2244(b)(2)(B); Crosby, 545 U.S. at 532, 125 S. Ct. at 2648 (holding that Rule 60(b) is an improper vehicle to present new evidence in support of a claim raised in a habeas proceeding because it would impermissibly circumvent the requirement that a successive habeas petition be precertified by the court of appeals as falling within an exception to the successive-petition bar). PER CURIAM: (Photo: Royal Commission)Judge Peter McClennan and Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald arrive for a hearing of the Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Sydney on September 19, 2014. The Baptist Church in Australia's national body has formally apologized to victims of domestic violence who it says have been let down by churches' "ignorance" and "failure" to care for abused congregants. Women have been publicly telling their stories of domestic abuse for the first time and Baptist leaders have called for recognition "that we have a serious problem with domestic and sexual violence in churches," ABC online reported Nov. 27. The Australian national broadcaster reported that momentum is growing for significant cultural change across Australian denominations. The Baptist church is the fourth Australian church to apologize to victims of domestic violence in the past four months, behind the General Anglican Synod of Australia, the Uniting Church Synod of Victoria and Tasmania, and the Sydney Anglican Synod. Common Grace, a group of 35,000 Australian Christians from different denominations, published an educational resource, called Safer, calling on the church to "collectively and loudly cry 'no more.'" They wrote in it, "In recent years, the Australian media has shone a spotlight on violence within the home. Communities have rallied to the cause. "But many church members have not yet been able to wrestle with the idea that they are likely to have victims - and abusers - sitting next to them in Sunday services." The ABC said the apology was made in a week where women around the world have been sharing personal stories of harassment and abuse in Christian communities. RESPONSES TO FAMILY VIOLENCE They have been using the hashtag #ChurchToo, marking the launch of the Baptist-led 'No Place for Violence Here' campaign to improve churches' awareness of and responses to family violence. The report said that women married to abusive priests have revealed experiences of sexual assault, control and fear. An ABC News investigation had revealed that some Australian women have suffered domestic abuse by their clergy husbands, and that churches of all denominations have too often ignored their reports, hidden the abuse, and failed to provide adequate care. "Some Baptist churches and agencies have been working to support family abuse survivors for some time," the Australian Baptist Ministries National Council said in a statement on Nov. 26. "Despite these efforts, it is with sadness of heart that we acknowledge that in our history we have often failed people living in abusive relationships. "We failed to recognize the existence of violence and abuse in our homes, and when we did recognize it, all too often we didn't do what was necessary to protect those who were being abused. "To those people we failed, we are sorry. Sorry for letting you down when you sought our help; sorry for ignoring your pain and suffering; sorry for failing to make your safety and wellbeing our priority." (Photo: REUTERS / Soe Zeya Tun)Rohingya Muslims attend a wrestling festival at Kyaukpannu village in Maungdaw, northern Rakhine state, June 6, 2014. Since international aid groups were forced out of the Rakhine area in February and March, members of the minority Muslim Rohingya community who relied on them say basic health care services have all but disappeared. Worst affected are those in Northern Rakhine State (NRS), home to most of Myanmar's 1.3 million Rohingya who are stalked by sickness and malnourishment and as yet untouched by reforms under a semi-civilian government which took power in 2011. Pope Francis has told Myanmar's leaders in the capital Naypyidaw to leave conflict behind and work for peace by promoting justice and respect for the rights of all citizens, regardless of religion or ethnicity. "The arduous process of peace-building and national reconciliation can only advance through a commitment to justice and respect for human rights," the Pope told Myanmar civil authorities Nov. 28, Catholic News Agency reports. Francis called for respect for rights and justice, but refrained from any mention of the Rohingya, or allegations of ethnic cleansing that has driven huge numbers of the Muslim minority from the country, AFP reported. Pope Francis did not openly challenge the Myanmar authorities on the atrocities that have taken place in their predominantly Buddhist country against the Muslim minority Rohingyas from the Northern Rakhine state. The pontiff is visiting Myanmar and Bangladesh and in choosing his words he would have been considering the implications they might have for the future of the tiny Catholic minority in the country. He will be in Myanmar Nov. 27-30, and will visit two cities before moving on to Dhaka, Bangladesh, where he will stay Nov. 30-Dec. 2. There are 400,000 Catholics in Bangladesh out of a population of 163 million, while in Myanmar there are 700,000 Catholics in a population of 53 million. In Bangladesh the Pope is expected to meet some Rohingya refugees. Pope Francis began his first full day in Myanmar an unscheduled encounter at the Archbishop's House, meeting with a group of 17 leaders from the different religious traditions present in the country. When he shared the stage with Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi in Naypyidaw, he did not address the Rohingya crisis head-on, instead tip-toeing around the unfolding humanitarian emergency. SUU KYI Suu Kyi also did not refer to the Rohingya's in her speech, but said the Pope's blessing will be shared by everyone in Burma as they seek to spread "goodwill and joy" throughout the nation, CAN reported. Myanmar's leaders "will strive to discharge our duties with probity and humility," she said. She noted, "We wish to leave to the future a people united and at peace, secure in their capacity to grow and prosper in a changing world; a compassionate and generous people, always ready to hold out a helping hand to those in need; a people strong in skills and whole in spirit." "The road ahead is long," she said, "but we will walk it with confidence, trusting in the power of peace, love and joy." Vatican Radio reported that in her words to the Pope, Suu Kyi talked directly of the challenges in Rakhine state, which has been the focus of such intense criticism from the international community and from which 624,000 Rohingyas have fled since Aug. 25. She said the government is seeking to address the many social, economic and political problems there, highlighting the need to rebuilt trust and cooperation. Among the Muslim leaders, whom the Pope met at the earlier interreligious encounter in Yangon, was a member of the advisory commission for the Rakhine, chaired by former U.N. secretary general Kofi Annan. But it's not just the Muslins fleeing across the northern border into Bangladesh, who have suffered from violent repression, reported Vatican Radio. During a visit to the predominantly Christian Kachin state, ahead of the pope's arrival, the Vatican Radio reporter met Catholic families in one of the many camps for internally displaced people, whose villages were destroyed and who survive on aid from international organizations. The church runs education and health programs, trying to improve the desperate living conditions, but all agree there can be no real development without peace between the warring parties. Philippine fisheries output declines almost 4% in Q3 The Philippines' total volume of production for fisheries in the third quarter was estimated at 971,000 tonnes, or 3.89% less than in the same quarter last year, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). The decline was slightly worse than the 3.8% cut recorded in the same period last year. The PSA said decreases were noted on commercial and municipal fisheries while the aquaculture subsector displayed increment. It added that the species that contributed to the fisheries production decline were roundscad (-3.94%), milkfish (-0.73%) and tilapia (-0.23%). Fisheries output in the nine months through September decreased nearly 2%. Commercial fisheries output dropped 14.27% during the reviewed quarter, partly because of the numerous weather disturbances that prevailed in the country during that period. Municipal fisheries production also declined 0.68% during the quarter. The PSA said weather disturbances and strict implementation of fishery laws slowed down the growth of production, particularly in Western Visayas region. Harvests from aquaculture in the third quarter were recorded at 456,000 tonnes, a slight increase of 0.32%. Seaweed output grew 18.52% in Tawi-Tawi due to increase in area planted as a result of favorable weather conditions. In Bicol Region, dispersal of seaweed planting materials by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources was reported. Aquaculture's performance was a turnaround from the 3.67% decline recorded in the third quarter last year. First lady Melania Trump hosted children to the White House Monday as she walked through a fully-decorated executive mansion, unveiling her vision of a Trump Christmas simple, yet elegant, with elements of Americana and nature. 'She's beautiful, like an angel!' one young boy remarked, as the first lady whose cream-colored belted dress with bell sleeves could have been worn by a tree topper walked into the East Room to help a group of kids make garland. 'Are you the first lady?' another youngster asked. 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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff - Appellee, v. ALIMAMY BARRIE, Defendant - Appellant. No. 17-6782 Decided: November 27, 2017 Before WYNN and THACKER, Circuit Judges, and HAMILTON, Senior Circuit Judge. Alimamy Barrie, Appellant Pro Se. Daniel Charles Gardner, Assistant United States Attorney, Baltimore, Maryland; Kelly O. Hayes, OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY, Greenbelt, Maryland, for Appellee. Alimamy Barrie seeks to appeal the district court's order denying relief on his 28 U.S.C. 2255 (2012) motion. The order is not appealable unless a circuit justice or judge issues a certificate of appealability. 28 U.S.C. 2253(c)(1)(B) (2012). A certificate of appealability will not issue absent a substantial showing of the denial of a constitutional right. 28 U.S.C. 2253(c)(2) (2012). When the district court denies relief on the merits, a prisoner satisfies this standard by demonstrating that reasonable jurists would find that the district court's assessment of the constitutional claims is debatable or wrong. Slack v. McDaniel, 529 U.S. 473, 484 (2000); see Miller-El v. Cockrell, 537 U.S. 322, 336-38 (2003). When the district court denies relief on procedural grounds, the prisoner must demonstrate both that the dispositive procedural ruling is debatable, and that the motion states a debatable claim of the denial of a constitutional right. Slack, 529 U.S. at 484-85. We have independently reviewed the record and conclude that Barrie has not made the requisite showing. Accordingly, we deny a certificate of appealability and dismiss the appeal. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before this court and argument would not aid the decisional process. DISMISSED PER CURIAM: Khloe Kardashian and Kendall Jenner's boyfriends, Tristan Thompson and Blake Griffin, may soon be playing alongside each other. While Thompson has been playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers since 2011, rumors are swirling about a possible trade to the Los Angeles Clippers, which is the same team Griffin plays for. Tristan Thompson may get an early Christmas present and move to LA, a source told Hollywood Life on Nov. 26. The Clippers are trying to put together a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers that would involve money, picks and DeAndre Jordan. Kardashian and Thompson began dating last summer and are reportedly expecting a child together sometime next year. They are working on making the trade within the next week, the source continued. The team is also looking for a third team to make the deal complete but it looks like Tristan is LA bound in the next month. Last month, a source said that despite Thompson's busy schedule with the Cavaliers, he has been doing everything he can to make sure his girlfriend feels pampered throughout her alleged pregnancy. Tristan knows how hard it is for Khloe to be in Cleveland, away from family and friends in California, an insider told Hollywood Life. But Khloe is handling it with grace and style. She is never down and never feels sorry for herself. Instead Khloe is busier than ever, she has lots of projects she is focused on and she has her own empire she is still building. The source went on to reveal that while Kardashian is quite strong and independent, Thompson loves to spoil her especially now that she is reportedly expecting his second child (the first for Kardashian). Among the things Thompson has reportedly arranged for Kardashian are romantic massages, flowers, and other sweet gifts. Kardashian doesn't have any children of her own but Thompson is already dad to a young son, whom he welcomed with ex-girlfriend Jordan Craig after their split late last year. As fans may recall, Kardashian and Thompson were dating at the time he welcomed his baby boy and remained together throughout Craig's pregnancy. To see more of Khloe Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, and their sisters, Kim Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, and Kylie Jenner, tune into Keeping Up With the Kardashians season 14 on Sunday nights at 9 p.m. on E!. Jackie Walters of Married to Medicine has received mixed reactions from fans after her husband, Curtis Berry, was caught having an affair with another woman. Interestingly enough, Walters co-star, Toya Bush-Harris, has spoken out and confessed she believes Walters played a part in Berry seeking love outside of their marriage. Toya Bush-Harris Goes Off On Jackie Walters' Husband Infidelity Bush-Harris got candid and said that Berrys infidelity should not have been a surprise to fans or even Walters. She pointed out that Berry never shied away from expressing marital woes in previous seasons of the popular show. Every season he would go on national TV crying and begging for her attention and personal time, said Bush-Harris during an interview with The Grio recently. At the end of the day if you made a vow to this man, youre supposed to be there. You know what it takes to nourish your marriage. According to Bush-Harris, Walters was more concerned with traveling to Paris, France without Berry. She called out Walters for taking trips solo and said Walters should have been more guarded when it came to her union with Berry. Bush-Harris also said Walters status as a famous physician should not have played a part in whether she catered to her husband. Toya Bush-Harris Runs Down Her Opinion Of Jackie Walters' Wifely Duties Jackie is a woman of God. Lets be clear. In the Bible, it doesnt say anything about who makes the most money. It talks about the man being the head and pretty much we are the neck. She said that Walters should have set her marriage as the top priority on her list of things to do, not her job or ability to bring in the big bucks as a doctor. Bush-Harris said Walters refused to hear her husbands needs and cries, thus, he went outside of the marriage to another woman. Interestingly enough, Bush-Harris also said that despite Walters inability to see her husbands alleged needs, that doesnt give Berry an excuse to be unfaithful. Instead, she said Walters could have done things differently to prevent it in the first place. Its not clear what Walters plans are in moving forward with the marriage. But she did file for divorce three days after photos of Berry and the other woman getting extremely close hit the Internet. Still, she said on the show that the papers are sitting at the courthouse until she decides if she really wants to end her marriage. Married to Medicine airs on Bravo Fridays at 8 p.m. Eastern or 7 p.m. Central time. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have just been engaged and the couple's wedding has been scheduled next spring. Following the palace's announcement on Monday, Nov. 27, there have been countless predictions on what the Suits actress will wear, who they will invite to their special day, and where the ceremony will be held. Where Will It Be Held? Initially, there were speculations that Markle and Prince Harry's wedding won't be held in a church. However, even though Markle is a divorcee, there's no royal rule requiring her to hold her nuptials at another venue. There are also predictions that the spring wedding will take place at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle in England. However, nothing has been finalized as of yet. The Bride's Wedding Dress Markle's wedding dress designer will also be named in the coming weeks and British bridal designer Suzanne Neville has some idea what it would look like. "I think Meghan will choose an effortlessly chic gown with clean lines and minimal detail. I think the dress will be elegant and traditional, but with a modern twist," Neville told People. The bridal designer also thinks that Markle could opt for a more fitted gown, but since she will have a royal wedding, she may wear a dress that looks similar to what Kate Middleton wore. Meanwhile, royal correspondent Victoria Arbiter also weighed in on Markle's wedding gown. She said that there shouldn't be any issue if the actress goes for a white-colored dress. "She was married before, it didn't work out. I don't think anyone would begrudge her a white dress," said Arbiter. Prince Harry, Meghan Markle's Entourage Markle, who has worked as an actress for the past couple of years, is also expected to come up with a guest list for her and Prince Harry's wedding. However, Arbiter thinks that the actress won't follow in Middleton's footsteps where she and Prince William invited 2,000 people to their nuptials. Arbiter stressed the fact that the couple's wedding isn't a red carpet event or a celebrity wedding. As such, Markle and Prince Harry are expected to minimize the fuss. Prince Harry's immediate family members will also play a key role at his wedding to Markle. Prince William will most likely serve as his best man. His nephew, Prince George, will walk down the aisle behind him as his page boy while his niece, Princess Charlotte, will serve as their flower girl. Markle will also be given the chance to choose her bridesmaids, and these are her closest friends and family members. As for the actual date of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding, it may fall on the same month, but not on the same date as Prince William and Kate Middleton's Apr. 29, 2011 wedding ceremony. Surgeons in India were surprised when they discovered coins, nails, and other foreign objects inside a man who went to the hospital complaining of a stomach ache. Maksud Khan, 35 years old, was admitted to the Sanjay Gandhi Medical College and Hospital with abdominal pains. When doctors checked on him to determine what could be causing his condition, they found hundreds of coins, more than 3 lbs of nails, shards of glass, shaving blades, and a six-inch rusted iron shackle in his stomach. "We come across such a case for the first time in our career," said Dr. Priyank Sharma, the surgical team lead. Depression And Abnormal Eating Habits Three-wheeler driver Khan had been complaining of stomach pains for the past three months. He had fallen into depression and got hooked on eating metal objects as a result. The coins inside him were from his customers. A family member said when he got the urge to eat a coin, he took it with water. His parents were unaware of what was happening until Khan started complaining of stomach pains and they observed his abdomen was swelling. It was then that they decided to bring him to the hospital. According to Dr. APS Geharwar, HoD-surgery, Khan had been consuming metal for a year. People usually begin eating abnormally when dealing with psychological conditions and there shouldn't be a problem until foreign objects ingested start blocking the intestines. The pain was never an issue initially for Khan but the nails he had eaten had been lodged, piercing his stomach. He was bleeding on the inside and the operation was done just in time to keep him from further harm. "He cannot be said to be out of danger yet, but he is stable," said Geharwar. In total, more than 15 lbs of foreign objects were removed from Khan. He had about Rs 2,000 ($31) worth of coins inside him. Other Cases In 2015, another man in India was reported to have consumed coins, nails, nuts, bolts, and batteries. Like Khan, he developed the habit of consuming foreign objects after falling into depression. Another case in 2016 saw another Indian man swallow 40 knives. According to the patient, he felt an "addiction" to the behavior. Additionally, he may have had an eating disorder called pica, where people eat non-food items for at least a month. Just last month, a man in France was found with over 100 pieces of metal inside him. However, he was diagnosed with psychosis, not depression. In November and December, the ESRF welcomed four student-scientist pairs from Mexico, Senegal and Cyprus within the frame of the Lightsources for Africa, the Americas and Middle East Project (LAAMP). These faculty-student (FAST) teams were awardees of the 1st LAAMP call for projects in 2017. The project aims to enhance advanced light sources (AdLS) and crystallographic sciences in Africa, the Middle East, Mexico and the Caribbean. By enhancing AdLS and crystallographic sciences, major challenges facing these regions can be addressed through the wide range of research carried out at light sources. For example, through a better understanding of how viruses work, scientists can help tackle the devastation caused by Zika, Ebola and HIV. By studying energy producing or energy storage systems, materials research can help develop modern energy systems. X-ray techniques will also offer the non-destructive exploration of important archaeological and palaeontological treasures of these regions. Dr Diouma Kobor and PhD student Ndeye Coumba Yande Fall have travelled from the University Assane Seck of Ziguinchor in Senegal. They are learning the techniques available on the ESRFs ID12 and ID13 beamlines with ESRF scientists Manfred Burghammer and Fabrice Wilhelm to help further their research into the nano structure of silicon and the electromagnetic properties of perovskites. Im studying photo sensitive materials for my PhD and hope to improve their performances and develop new materials in this field, says Ndeye Coumba Yande. Its my first experience in a synchrotron and the first time for me in France. The ESRF offers amazing opportunities in all areas of science. One day Id like to work in the African Light Source so its important for me to learn as much as possible now about how these instruments work. Its Dioumas second visit to the ESRF. The first time was for the First African Light Source (AFLS) Conference and Workshop hosted by the ESRF in 2015. He says: This project is the logical follow-on from the AFLS workshop. To build and run a light source we also need a good network of people with the knowledge on how to use synchrotron radiation and the different techniques available. We need to prepare and train these people before the AFLS is up and running. Here, the ESRF is helping us to train Africas future scientists. We acknowledge ICTP, ESRF, AfLS and their partners for this excellent and innovative joint project that is LAAMP. FAST-teams and hosts in the entrance hall of the ESRF. Left to right, back row: Marine Cotte, Hiram Castillo (ESRF), Ndeye Coumba Yande Fall (Senegal), Fabrice Wilhelm, Jean Susini (ESRF), Diouma Kobor (Senegal), Kirsi Lorentz (Cyprus), Ed Mitchell (ESRF). Front row: Ibrahim Serroukh, Marco Garduno, Julio Cesar Lerma Hernandez, Maria Elena Fuentes (Mexico), Grigoria Ioannou (Cyprus), Alberto Bravin (ESRF). C. Argoud. Ibrahim Serroukh is a professor and lecturer at the University of Queretaro in Mexico. He is also a board member of the Mexican synchrotron radiation source project. With PhD student, Marco Garduno Ramon he is working with ESRFs Alberto Bravin on ID17 beamline on applied medical research into first stage diagnosis and therapy in breast cancer. Weve been learning about using phase contrast techniques for imaging and mammography. Im very impressed by the very high level of science and technology and also by the organisation of the ESRF. Its amazing to see how the ESRF has made it easy for people from all over the world to work together despite the diversity of their cultures and backgrounds. The ESRF is definitely the right place for us to pursue our research. Its just a shame its 9000 kms away from Mexico. Dr Kirsi Lorentz, Assistant Professor, and her 2nd year PhD student, Grigoria Ioannou, from The Cyprus Institutes (CyI) Science and Technology in Archaeology Research Centre (STARC) are both bioarchaeologists who study ancient human remains to understand more about life in the past. Their work focuses on the ancient Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East. In collaboration with Marine Cotte and Wout de Nolf on ID21, weve been able to map metal element localisation in 5000-year-old human hair samples, says Kirsi. This information helps to distinguish between the different processes that led the metal elements to be integrated on or within the hair, such as environmental pollution, craft activities or taphonomic contamination. It is not possible to map metal element localisation with conventional laboratory based methods at the required level of detail, and therefore synchrotron light is crucial to our research. For example, weve been able to detect elevated levels of copper within our 10 m thick hair cross sections, and map copper localisation. We will be submitting a proposal for beamtime to further explore these research questions at the ESRF. Their two months at the ESRF have also included discussions with beamline scientists at several other ESRF beamlines to explore further research directions, as well as training in different sample preparation techniques, and lab-based methods of analysis. Concerning her first impressions of the ESRF, Grigoria says she is captivated by the sense of a united research community: Im impressed by the wide range of disciplines coming together at ESRF for one purpose, that of research. Despite all the different cultures, we are a community with a similar mindset, one that is focused on producing high quality research. One of the FAST-teams from Mexico with ESRF staff on the ID17 beamline. From left to right: Caterina Amendola (Master's student from Politecnico Milano), Herwig Requardt, Alberto Bravin, Alberto Mittone (ESRF), Ibrahim Serroukh and Marco Garduno (University of Queretaro, Mexico). ESRF/C. Argoud Im from Chihuahua, a state in northern Mexico. We grow a lot of apples there and thats one of the reasons why I chose my research topic, says Julio Cesar Lerma Hernandez. He is in the first year of a PhD in chemical science at the University of Chihuahua. He studies the structure of polyphenols to better understand which molecules are responsible for the antioxidant activities in apples and their derivatives. Hes come to the ESRF with tutors Erika Salas Munoz and Maria Elena Fuentes to learn about X-ray diffraction and small angle X-ray scattering techniques. Maria Elena Fuentes admits to having been a fan of synchrotron radiation for many years. There are so many synchrotron techniques and its better to know a few if you want to work in a synchrotron. Im a crystallographer and Im here to work on organic compounds with XRD, she explains. You cant beat synchrotron techniques when you are looking into the atomic and electronic structures of active molecules, she adds. The LAAMP project will continue in 2018 and the ESRF expects to welcome more FAST teams in the future. Many of the 2017 awardees have applied for LAAMP continuing grants to pursue the work started during their recent placements at the ESRF. About LAAMP LAAMP is an IUPAP-IUCr (International Union of Pure and Applied Physics International Union of Crystallography) project approved and funded under the 2016-2019 International Council for Science (ICSU) Grants Programme. The ESRF is one of the ten advanced light sources (AdLS) that are collaborative partners of LAAMP. For the first call for applications for faculty-student (FAST) teams, seven teams were awarded two-month placements within the structures of the collaborative partners. Four of the seven teams were welcomed by the ESRF between October and December 2017. Visit the LAAMP official website. Text by Kirstin Colvin The European Investment Banks (EIB) supported the Eastern Partnership with almost 8 billion euros in a loan deal that was signed earlier this week, with a special focus on Ukraines crucial agriculture sector. In a run-up to the fifth Eastern Partnership Summit that took place in Brussels last week (23 November), the EIB signed financing worth 37 million euros to Astarta-Kyiv holding which will support the modernization and innovation of Ukraines agricultural sector, the main source of the countrys exports. EIB Vice President Vazil Hudak confirmed that the support for Eastern Partnership remains a key priority for the bank. We are working towards strengthening their economic competitiveness, increasing the quality of life of their citizens and targeting policy reforms, in line with EU priorities. The new financing will contribute to the upgrading of Ukraines agricultural infrastructure, in support of a strategic economic sector of the country which generates about a fifth of the countrys gross domestic product and is a key source of employment for 14 million Ukrainians living in rural areas. The EIB loan will specifically finance new storage capacities for grain and sugar for Ukraines leading sugar exporter, Astarta. In this context, the new financial loan also marks the first time in Ukraine that the EIB will make financing available from its InnovFin EU Finance for Innovator instrument under the European Unions Horizon 2020. The EIB will use InnovFin to help Astarta develop agribusiness management software, which will cover the entire agricultural value chain. Modern storage facilities will help reduce post-harvest losses and mitigate adverse weather. In this way, the banks loan will also contribute to its Climate Action objective. The European Commission has launched a new regional program to support womens rights in the South East Asian labor market. The initiative focuses on making migration safe and work conditions fair for all women migrants in the region. The 500-million euro package also aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. The new labor program Safe and Fair that will be specifically supported by more than 25 million euros, will contribute to improving the labor migration conditions for women in the ASEAN region. The EU will cooperate with regional governments but also with UN Women and the International Labor Organization (ILO) to improve labor laws and access to information and services to ultimately prevent and put an end to violence and human trafficking. The program also aims at improving data and knowledge on the rights and contributions of women migrant workers. Violence against women and girls is one of the greatest obstacles to the fulfillment of womens and girls human rights as well as achieving gender equality and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The problem occurs across the world with around a third of all women having experienced physical or sexual violence at some point in their lives. Furthermore, women and girls account for almost two thirds of all victims of human trafficking globally. To put an end to these violations, a major EU-UN Joint Spotlight Initiative worth 500 million was launched. The program will especially focus on the remote areas of partner countries and the so-called forgotten crises, which is essentially crises that have not been sufficiently covered in international media. The Safe and Fair program, launched in Bangkok, is also part of and the first deliverable under the Spotlight Initiative in Asia. It is estimated that of the 20.2 million migrants globally that originate from ASEAN as many as 10 million are women. The Joy of Erlang; Or, How To Ride A Toruk By Evan Miller March 24, 2011 He rode this? Jake Sully, Avatar (2009) In the movie Avatar, theres this big badass bird-brained pterodactyl thing called a Toruk that the main character must learn to ride in order to regain the trust of the blue people. As a general rule, Toruks do not like to be ridden, but if you fight one, subdue it, and then link your Blue Man ponytail to the Toruks ptero-tail, you get to own the thing for life. Owning a Toruk is awesome; its like owning a flying car you can control with your mind, which comes in handy when battling large chemical companies, impressing future colleagues, or delivering a pizza. But learning to ride a Toruk is dangerous, and very few people succeed. I like to think of the Erlang programming language as a Toruk. Most people are frightened of Erlang. Legends of its abilities abound. In order to master it, you have to fight it, subdue it, and (finally) link your mind to it. But assuming you survive, you then get to control the worlds most advanced server platform, usually without even having to think. And let me tell you: riding a Toruk is great fun. This guide is designed to teach you the Erlang state of mind, so that you are not afraid to go off and commandeer a Toruk of your own. I am going to introduce only a handful of Erlang language features, but were going to use them to solve a host of practical problems. The purpose is to give you the desire and confidence to go out and master the rest of the language yourself. You are welcome to type the examples into your own Erlang shell and play around with them, but examples are foremost designed to be read. I recommend printing this document out and perusing it in a comfortable chair, away from email, compilers, 3-D movies, and other distractions. Table of Contents 1. Defining Functions: A Simple Boolean Logic Library In Erlang, functions consist of one or more clauses. The last clause in a function must end with a period ("."), and all other clauses must end with a semicolon (";"). When a function is called, the first clause that matches the provided argument list is executed. You might think of functions as what would happen if Cs switch statement were exposed to toxic sludge and became a superhero. In the simplest case, a function has one clause. Here is a function noop that simply returns its argument, the variable A (variables are always capitalized): noop(A) -> A. Notice that there is no "return" statement in Erlang. A function always returns the result of the last expression. Since every expression has a result, and every function clause has at least one expression, every function always has a return value. Now suppose we wish to implement a Boolean not function that takes either true or false as its single argument. A not function would need two clauses: not(true) -> false; not(false) -> true. Each time not is executed, Erlang first tests whether the argument is true (and if so, executes the first clause), then tests whether the argument is false (and if so, executes the second clause). Matching the provided arguments against the function definition is called pattern-matching. Pattern-matching makes it easy to write complicated functions without the use of internal control structures. We can use pattern-matching to see whether the same variable appears more than once in the argument list. For example, this function implements an equality operator: equals(A, A) -> true; equals(A, B) -> false. If the two provided arguments are the same, the function returns true ; otherwise, the function returns false . Note that the clause order here is important. This would be incorrect: equals(A, B) -> false; % WRONG equals(A, A) -> true. Why is this incorrect? Erlang first attempts to match against the first clause. But if the two arguments are the same, a match still occurs; A and B are simply assigned identical values. The second clause is never reached. Using different variable names in the variable list does not require different values assigned to those variables. We are now equipped to implement some more Boolean logic. Here is an implementation of and : % AND: true if both arguments are true, false otherwise and(true, true) -> true; and(false, true) -> false; and(true, false) -> false; and(false, false) -> false. You might think all of these truth-table clauses are tedious. They are. We can use a special anonymous variable in order to reduce the last three clauses to a single clause: % AND: true if both arguments are true, false otherwise and(true, true) -> true; and(_, _) -> false. The anonymous variable ( _ ) matches anything, always. It is not assigned a value, so as we see in the second clause above, two or more underscore variables in the argument list do not have to match identical terms. The anonymous variable is often used to throw away parts of a pattern that we dont care about. Now that we have regular variables and the underscore variable at our disposal, the rest of our Boolean logic library is a cinch to write. Take a moment to understand why each of the following functions works as advertised. % OR: true if either or both arguments are true, false otherwise or(false, false) -> false; or(_, _) -> true. % XOR: true if one argument is true and the other false; otherwise, false xor(A, A) -> false; xor(_, _) -> true. % NAND: false if both arguments are true, true otherwise nand(true, true) -> false; nand(_, _) -> true. % NOR: true if both arguments are false, false otherwise nor(false, false) -> true; nor(_, _) -> false. As you can see, pattern-matching gives Erlang functions tremendous expressive power. In the next section, we will combine pattern-matching with recursion to build an arithmetic library from almost nothing. In most languages, recursion is usually a measure of last resort, and only employed to implement complex algorithms. In Erlang, recursion is often the simplest and most efficient way to do something mundane. 2. Calling Functions Recursively: A Simple Arithmetic Library Erlang has a rich set of arithmetical operators. But in this section, we are not going to use any of them. Instead we are going to build our own complete arithmetic library, using only what we have learned so far about functions. The task in this section is admittedly contrived, and recursion is definitely not the simplest way to solve it in the real world. However, the exercise will be a good way to practice recursive thinking in preparation for Section 3, where recursion will the best way to go about our problem. Recall that recursive functions have at least two parts: they must first test for some kind of base case (where the algorithm terminates), and if the base case is not satisfied, the recursive function must perform some logic, and then issue a call to itself. In Erlang, recursive functions usually have at least two clauses: a base case clause, and an all other cases clause. This will all become clear in a minute. To get things moving, I am going to provide two functions off of which the rest of the library will be built: incr and decr . Assume that incr increments the provided argument, and that decr decrements the provided argument, like this: incr(A) -> A + 1. decr(A) -> A - 1. Can we use these two functions to add any two positive integers together? Indeed we can! % Add two positive integers add(A, 0) -> A. add(A, B) -> add(incr(A), decr(B)). Sometimes its easiest to read recursive functions from bottom to top. So look at the second clause first: it says that adding up A and B is the same as adding up (A+1) and (B-1), which is obviously true. So the function keeps adding 1 to A, and subtracting 1 from B, until B reaches zero, in which case it terminates (first clause). By that point, add has been recursively called B times, which means that A has been incremented B times, so that the result is, indeed, A + B. Well that was a bit of fun, now wasnt it? Lets implement subtraction: % Subtract B (positive) from A sub(A, 0) -> A. sub(A, B) -> sub(decr(A), decr(B)). Its the same idea. From the second clause, we see that (A - B) is the same as ((A - 1) - (B - 1)), which is obviously true. The recursive call is made until B hits 0, in which case A has been decremented B times, giving the result A - B. Neither of these functions work when B is negative. We can modify add to accommodate negative integers very simply: % Add any two integers add(A, 0) -> A; add(A, B) when B < 0 -> add(decr(A), incr(B)); add(A, B) -> add(incr(A), decr(B)). Notice the use of an Erlang guard in the second clause ( when B < 0 ). We can impose conditions on the argument list with the when keyword followed by an expression. There are many types of guards allowed, but for now, well just make integer comparisons. The modified form of sub is similar: % Subtract any B from A sub(A, 0) -> A; sub(A, B) when B < 0 -> sub(incr(A), incr(B)); sub(A, B) -> sub(decr(A), decr(B)). With addition and subtraction taken care of, its easy to tackle multiplication. Just as we implemented addition as a series of increments, we will implement multiplication as a series of additions, again using recursion. We use the fact that A B = A + A (B - 1). % Multipy A by B (positive) multiply(A, 0) -> 0; multiply(A, B) -> add(A, multiply(A, decr(B))). Adding support for negative numbers is easy, because A (B + 1) - A = A B: % Multipy A by any B multiply(A, 0) -> 0; multiply(A, B) when B < 0 -> sub(multiply(A, incr(B)), A); multiply(A, B) -> add(A, multiply(A, decr(B))). Division? Not a problem. With integer division, we really care about two operations: finding the quotient, and finding the remainder. In both cases, we want to subtract the divisor from the dividend until we hit zero. The remainder operation is the easier of the two: % Find the remainder of A / B remainder(A, B) when A < B -> A; remainder(A, B) -> remainder(sub(A, B), B). For the quotient function, we will use a common pattern in Erlang, which is to have an internal recursive function that is distinct from the main interface. The internal function takes an extra argument, which keeps track of the number of times we have subtracted the divisor. % Find the quotient of A / B quotient(A, B) -> quotient(A, B, 0). % Internal function includes an accumulator quotient(A, B, Answer) when A < B -> Answer; quotient(A, B, Answer) -> quotient(sub(A, B), B, incr(Answer)). With divide and multiply in our toolchest, the world is our problem set. Lets implement a power function, for instance. We use the exact same idea as before, recognizing that raising a number to an exponent is really just a series of calls to multiply. In other words, AB = A AB-1. % Raise A to the B power (positive) pow(A, 0) -> 1; pow(A, B) -> multiply(A, pow(A, decr(B))). In practice, all of these functions are terribly inefficient, since they reduce everything to a series of increments or decrements. But this recursive frame of mind is absolutely essential to getting the most out of Erlang, as well see in the string-processing library we are about to build. 3. Lists of Integers: Basic String-Processing In Erlang, strings are represented as lists of integers. These integers are either ASCII character codes or Unicode code points. For example, the ASCII string "dog" is represented as the list of the integers 100 ("d"), 111 ("o"), 103 ("g"). The literal representation of an Erlang list is surrounded by square brackets, so "dog" can be written [100, 111, 103] if you so desire. To represent the integer for a particular character, simply precede it with a dollar sign ("$"). So [$d, $o, $g] is the same as [100, 111, 103] is the same as "dog". Every list is divided into two parts: a head and a tail. The head is the first item, and the tail is everything else. Lists are recursive data structures. The tail of a list is a list; it has its own head and its own tail. And so on. The empty list is represented as " [] ". It has no head and no tail. In Erlang, to push an item to the head of the list, use the " | " operator (a pipe character): NewList = [NewItem | OldList] The | operator can also be used in pattern-matching to pull an item from the head of a list: some_function([FirstItem | RestOfList]) -> ... do something with FirstItem ... To reverse a list, use the function lists:reverse() . Reversing a list may seem like an obscure operation, but as well see, it is used all the time in implementing list algorithms in Erlang. We now know enough about strings to get started with an example. Lets write a function that capitalizes the first letter of the input. The basic idea of this function will be simple. We examine the first character (head) of the input to see whether its a lowercase ASCII character. If so, we convert it to uppercase (by adding the difference between uppercase ASCII characters and their lowercase equivalents), and push it back on to the tail. If not, we simply return the unadulterated input: capfirst([Head | Tail]) when Head >= $a, Head =< $z -> [Head + ($A - $a) | Tail]; capfirst(Other) -> Other. Here we have used a few new mathematical operators, the meaning of which you can probably figure out. Also note that a comma is used to separate multiple guards on the same clause. If you thought that was fun, just wait until you try converting an entire string to uppercase. In a world without for-loops, how does one process every element of a string? Its time to revisit our old friend, recursion: % public uppercase(String) -> uppercase(String, []). % internal uppercase([], Output) -> lists:reverse(Output); uppercase([Char | Rest], Output) when Char >= $a, Char =< $z -> uppercase(Rest, [Char + ($A - $a) | Output]); uppercase([Char | Rest], Output) -> uppercase(Rest, [Char | Output]). As with the quotient function we wrote in Section 2, this function has a public interface and an internal recursive function that includes an extra argument. The extra argument is known as the accumulator, which starts out as an empty list. The general strategy is to pop an item from the head of the input, convert it, and push it onto the head of the accumulator. When we run out of input, the answer we want will be stored in the accumulator but in reversed form. We therefore call lists:reverse and return the result to the public function. Lets examine the internal function clause-by-clause to see how this strategy is implemented. In the base case, there is no more input. We therefore reverse the accumulator: uppercase([], Output) -> lists:reverse(Output); If there is still input, and the next character is a lowercase ASCII letter between "a" and "z", we convert it to an uppercase ASCII letter, push it onto the accumulator, then recursively call uppercase on the remaining input: uppercase([Char | Rest], Output) when Char >= $a, Char =< $z -> uppercase(Rest, [Char + ($A - $a) | Output]); The last clause matches when the next character is not a lowercase ASCII character. In that case, we simply move the character from the input to the accumulator untouched: uppercase([Char | Rest], Output) -> uppercase(Rest, [Char | Output]). And thats the end of our algorithm. Writing a lowercase function is left as an exercise for the reader. Now its time to get fancy. Getting fancy, of course, entails Capitalizing The First Letter Of Every Word rather than EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER. Well call this function titlecase . titlecase(String) -> titlecase(String, []). titlecase([], Output) -> lists:reverse(Output); titlecase([Char | Rest], [] = Output) when Char >= $a, Char =< $z -> titlecase(Rest, [Char + ($A - $a) | Output]); titlecase([Char | Rest], [$\ |_] = Output) when Char >= $a, Char =< $z -> titlecase(Rest, [Char + ($A - $a) | Output]); titlecase([Char | Rest], Output) -> titlecase(Rest, [Char | Output]). The only difference between titlecase and uppercase is that we use pattern-matching to peek at the accumulator before deciding what to do. If the accumulator is empty (second clause), that means we are at the beginning of the input and want to capitalize the next character. If the accumulator has a space character at its head (third clause), that means we are at the beginning of a word and want to capitalize the next character. Note that the integer representation of a space character is dollar-slash-space (" $\ "). Here we have also used the match operator (" = "), which lets combine pattern-matching with variable assignment right in the argument list. As you can see, recursion, accumulators, and pattern-matching are a powerful combination. We can write context-dependent algorithms without state variables or regular expressions. More importantly, we can express the solutions to problems clearly, and have confidence in the correctness of our algorithms. The joy of Erlang is to write code without fear of forgetting something. 4. Fun With Erlang Algorithms So now were ready to have some fun. Since you know the basics of Erlang now, I wont spend too much time explaining the following algorithms. Theyre just meant for you to ponder and enjoy. A classic interview question is converting a string to an integer ( atoi in C). Heres how to do that in Erlang: % public atoi([$- | String]) -> % negative -1 * atoi(String, 0); atoi(String) -> % non-negative atoi(String, 0). % internal atoi([], Acc) -> Acc; atoi([C | Rest], Acc) when C >= $0, C =< $9 -> atoi(Rest, 10 * Acc + (C - $0)). Note that the accumulator here is an integer, rather than a string like weve been using so far. In principle, of course, an accumulator can be anything. Now suppose we want to do the opposite: convert an integer to a string. Heres how: % public to_string(0) -> [$0]; to_string(Integer) when Integer < 0 -> % negative [$-|to_string(-1 * Integer, [])]; to_string(Integer) -> % positive to_string(Integer, []). % internal to_string(0, Acc) -> Acc; to_string(Integer, Acc) -> to_string(Integer div 10, [(Integer rem 10) + $0 | Acc]). Note that here Ive used two integer operators: div is integer divison, and rem is integer modulo (usually represented as % in C-style languages). Lets pretend were writing a productivity suite in Erlang and need to convert positive integer column numbers to the string representation used by most spreadsheets ("A" through "Z", followed by "AA" through "ZZ", etc.). Heres how: % public num2excel(Number) -> num2excel((Number-1) div 26, (Number-1) rem 26, []). % internal num2excel(0, Remainder, Acc) -> [(Remainder + $A)|Acc]; num2excel(Quotient, Remainder, Acc) -> num2excel((Quotient-1) div 26, (Quotient-1) rem 26, [(Remainder + $A)|Acc]). Or maybe the word-processor in our productivity suite needs a word-count function. Piece of cake: % public wordcount(Input) -> wordcount(Input, 0). % internal wordcount([], Count) -> Count; % End of the input. Count the last word, if we didn't already wordcount([C1], Count) when C1 =/= $\ -> Count+1; % End of a word. Count it. wordcount([C1, C2|Rest], Count) when C1 =/= $\ , C2 =:= $\ -> wordcount([C2|Rest], Count + 1); % Not the end of a word. Don't count it. wordcount([_|Rest], Count) -> wordcount(Rest, Count). Here weve used a couple of new operators: =:= is the equality operator in Erlang, and =/= is the not-equality operator. Now you know. Of course, if we plan to build a competitor to Microsoft FrontPage, well need a way to escape HTML special characters. No sweat: % public escape(String) -> escape(String, []). % internal escape([], Acc) -> lists:reverse(Acc); escape([$< | Rest], Acc) -> escape(Rest, lists:reverse("<", Acc)); escape([$> | Rest], Acc) -> escape(Rest, lists:reverse(">", Acc)); escape([$& | Rest], Acc) -> escape(Rest, lists:reverse("&", Acc)); escape([C | Rest], Acc) -> escape(Rest, [C | Acc]). Theres something new in the above code: the two-argument form of lists:reverse() . It reverses the first argument, and then appends the second argument. Its handy for code like this where we are building up an accumulator in reverse (which is often the case in string-processing). Outlook Express had better watch out, because we now have the tools to write a killer email client. Lets wrap words at 80 characters for outgoing email. As we scan input, well have a word accumulator and an output accumulator, and decide when to push the accumulated word onto the output, and when to insert newlines. Theres a new operator for you in here: ++ concatenates two lists. % public wordwrap(Input) -> wordwrap(Input, [], [], 0, 80). % internal % No more input, we're done wordwrap([], Acc, WordAcc, LineLength, WrapAt) -> lists:reverse(WordAcc ++ Acc); % Premature newline wordwrap([$ | Rest], Acc, WordAcc, LineLength, WrapAt) -> wordwrap(Rest, [$ | WordAcc ++ Acc], [], 0, WrapAt); % Hit the wrap length at a space character. Add a newline wordwrap([$\ | Rest], Acc, WordAcc, WrapAt, WrapAt) -> wordwrap(Rest, [$ | WordAcc ++ Acc], [], 0, WrapAt); % Hit a space character before the wrap length. Keep going wordwrap([$\ | Rest], Acc, WordAcc, LineLength, WrapAt) -> wordwrap(Rest, [$\ | WordAcc ++ Acc], [], LineLength + 1 + length(WordAcc), WrapAt); % Overflowed the current line while building a word wordwrap([C | Rest], Acc, WordAcc, 0, WrapAt) when erlang:length(WordAcc) > WrapAt -> wordwrap(Rest, Acc, [C | WordAcc], 0, WrapAt); wordwrap([C | Rest], Acc, WordAcc, LineLength, WrapAt) when erlang:length(WordAcc) + LineLength > WrapAt -> wordwrap(Rest, [$ | Acc], [C | WordAcc], 0, WrapAt); % Just building a word... wordwrap([C | Rest], Acc, WordAcc, LineLength, WrapAt) -> wordwrap(Rest, Acc, [C | WordAcc], LineLength, WrapAt). And thats a wrap! 5. Next Steps Erlang is a rich language that you come to appreciate more as you dig deeper into it. In order to get straight to the algorithms in this guide, I have deliberately avoided covering Erlangs major data structures, its libraries, and its built-in functions. But if youve enjoyed thinking about problems with an Erlang frame of mind, I encourage you to go out, learn the rest of the language, and start putting Erlang to work. Erlang has an active, growing, and friendly developer community, exciting potential applications, and many interesting and useful open-source projects. Admittedly, learning to ride a bird-brained pterodactyl can be tough business, but once you master it, youll wonder how you ever got along before. 6. Source Code Download the source code that appears in this guide Youre reading evanmiller.org, a random collection of math, tech, and musings. If you liked this you might also enjoy: Elixir RAM and the Template of Doom Why I Program in Erlang Write A Template Compiler For Erlang Get new articles as theyre published, via LinkedIn, Twitter, or RSS. Want to look for statistical patterns in your MySQL, PostgreSQL, or SQLite database? 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Wizard Statistics the Mac way Back to Evan Millers home page Subscribe to RSS LinkedIn Twitter More Australian tourists and visitors are arriving in New Zealand to boost the nations overall visitor numbers to record levels, the latest official figures show.Overall there were a record 3.69 million visitors to New Zealand in the year to October 2017, a rise of 8% and surpassing the previous peak of 3.67 million in the year to September 2017.Over the past five years, annual visitor arrivals have regularly hit record highs, and have risen by over one million, or 40%, since the upward trend began in 2013, said population statistics senior manager Peter Dolan.A breakdown of the figures show that there were 590,700 holidaymakers from Australia in the October 2017 year, up 6.7% percent from the October 2016 year. Arrivals from Australia to visit friends and family were 563,900, up 3.7% and the total number of visitors from Australia rose 5.3% to 1.46 million in the October 2017 year.Holidaymakers from the United States also increased, up 19% to 207,600 in the October 2017 year.The figures also reveal that people living in New Zealand took a record 2.83 million overseas trips in the October 2017 year, up 11% on the October 2016 year. Annual resident departures have been at record highs since the year ended September 2014 and Australia was the top spot for overseas travel, with 1.21 million trips there in the October 2017 year.In terms of people moving to live in New Zealand there was a net gain of 70,700 migrants for the year ended October 2017, with 131,600 migrant arrivals and 61,000 migrant departures. It means that net migration remained high by historical standards but was lower than the peak of 72,400 in the July 2017 year.Non-New Zealand citizen migrant arrivals continued to drive the high net migration levels. The fall in annual net migration from the peak in the July 2017 year was mainly caused by an increase in non-New Zealand citizen migrant departures, Dolan explained.A record 27,400 non-New Zealand citizen migrants departed in the October 2017 year, up 1.6% from the September 2017 year and up 22% from the October 2016 year.Often, travellers stated intentions do not match with what they actually do in terms of staying in New Zealand. For example, people classified as overseas visitors by the PLT measure will be classified as migrants by the outcomes-based measure if they stay in New Zealand longer than they originally intended for more than 12 out of the next 16 months.Using an outcomes-based measure of defining migrants gives a clearer picture of the migration patterns in New Zealand. The data this month is the first release to include the regular outcomes based migration series, Dolan pointed out. JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Hi all, We are American retired citizens moving to France in two years. Meanwhile, we are attempting to set up a resonable budget for living in France. We will NOT be working in France nor drawing any other income other than our pensions, Social Security (SS), and some distributions from our Traditional IRA accounts. We know we will continue to file & pay the American IRS as usual. The IRS treats our IRA distributions as ordinary income since the income taxes on the contributions were deferred many years ago - time to pay up now . We are also aware that the French CFE will not tax our pensions or SS. But, does anyone know the CFE views distributions from American Traditional IRA accounts? Are they taxable? If so how? Some countries say that since your name is exlicitly on the account, they are strictly investment accounts and any distribution is taxable as such (capital gains, for example). Other countries recognize them for what they are - retirement accounts. Anyone know how the French CFE treats these American style retirement accounts? Thanks for your reply! A couple of ideas for you.. I'm sure there will be more. If this is a relatively small amount < $1000 at a time (since you said it was on a regular basis) you could simply open an account online in the US (would need an address and someone to froward an ATM card to you) with someone like CapitalOne360. They have zero fees for ATM withdraws in any currency, you can then just walk into your French bank plug your card in the ATM, take out $1000 euro walk over to the teller and hand it to them. The only cost would be the $2-3 you pay in ATM fees to that bank. Another out there extreme idea (not trying to start a discussion). Sign up with two coin exchanges of choice one US based one EU based.. Buy bitcoin/ether etc in the US, send it to yourself at the other exchange in EU, cash it out and transfer. Keep in mind though ACH deposits for US exchanges usually take 1 week to clear before you can buy coins and/or withdraw/transfer them so that may not fit in your timeline. If you used ether your fees are pretty low might cost you like $10-15 per $1000 transferred/sent. There is a small chance that the whole thing goes belly up in the 1-2 hours it takes to settle/transfer coin based transactions and there are price movements and relative exchange rates that could ultimately effect how much you get out (+ or -). My long term plan once we get there would be to just do the first idea I gave you, but we already have those accounts setup. Edit: Some exchanges do deal with both USD and EURO currencies. I am not sure if you can setup bank accounts for both and I think you would still have to purchase BTC or ETH in USD and then immediately sell into EURO to be able to then withdraw EURO. But using the same one would save fees and time. Once funds are cleared via ACH you could literally do the whole thing in a couple of minutes. Here is an update on our visa process with respect to the medical insurance requirement and Tricare for Life... After looking at a handful of commercial policies and thinking that they were all just too much money to pay for something I don't really need, I wrote a letter to my regional French consulate. I explained what Tricare for Life is and what it covers. I explained that the U.S. government is not going to write a letter, and I asked them explicitly what, exactly, they need from me in order to grant a long-stay visa. They replied: "a document." That's it, a document. So, I am going to give them a document. My document will be a cover letter (from me) that "connects the dots." And the dots will be notarized, certified-to-be-true copies of various things related to my Tricare for Life status (to included a page from the American Hospital in Paris stating that they treat stuff under Tricare for Life). Additionally, my wife and I each opened "named" savings accounts at our bank. By "named" I mean that on our bank statements they have names as well as account numbers. The accounts are named: "Health and Medical Emergencies". We are each putting in very hefty sums from the recent sale of our house. In my letter I will state that theses funds are available for hospitalization, medical emergencies, and medical repatriation. So that's Plan A. If that doesn't work, we have a Plan B. Plan B is that we'll go to Paris anyway for 90 days at the end of June. We have a one-year lease lined up -- contingent on us getting a long-stay visa -- but we actually need to vacate it for two weeks at just about the 90 day mark (end of September) so the owner can use it. If we did not get the long-stay visa on the first go around, then we will by this point have decided on an insurance company and a plan. We'll return to the U.S. during this period and go through the process again with a bona fide health insurance plan (and letter) that meets the requirements. The owner of the apartment we'll be leasing is an American who's been living in France and Italy for something like 60 years now, and she's been very, very sympathetic to what we're dealing with. She's delighted that we're willing to sign a one-year lease, and more than willing to work with us on the various contingencies. So that's where we are. I will keep you informed as to what happens when we actually apply. Rick Jones Hi guys, first post here - I did have a hunt for this info and couldn't find it elsewhere so any help would be greatly appreciated!I am planning on a move to SA in the second half of next year. I have an immigration agency that are going to help me applying for a CSV. My experience is in call centre / customer service management.Does anyone have any experience completing the skills assessment with the CCMG? I have to do the online test soon and I have no idea what to expect, so any advice here would be greatly appreciated!Second question is more general and relating to the one year initial visa granted. My understanding is when approved you have one year to find employment to gain the visa extensions. Does anyone know if that one year begins from the date that the visa is approved, or the date that you enter SA? As I may be getting the visa approved up to a few months before actually being ready to relocation, I am wondering if it's better to wait.Thanks for any input or advice!ray2: The AT&T Foundation has given local advocacy group Tech Bloc a $95,000 grant to help launch a mentoring program at San Antonios new CAST Tech High School. Quality mentoring greatly increases a students chance of success and, here in San Antonio, opens their eyes to the wide range of opportunities in our local community, said U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, R-Helotes in the announcement. Hurd joined leaders from AT&T and Tech Bloc to officially launch the program Monday morning at the Centers for Applied Science and Technology high school. The program will give students access quality mentors in the local tech community, Tech Bloc CEO David Heard said in the announcement. The curriculum at CAST Tech is built around teaching students about coding, business, cybersecurity, gaming and entrepreneurship. We hope to extend learning outside of the classroom and give students the opportunity to connect with tech leaders across our community and gain real-world experiences in IT, he said. The 80/20 Foundation, which is chaired by former Rackspace Hosting co-founder Graham Weston, awarded the high school a grant of $650,000, bringing its total donated the school to $1.25 million. The San Antonio Independent School District said its received $300,000 in donations and pledges from other local tech leaders, including Scaleworks co-founder Lew Moorman, Rackspace co-founders Pat Condon and Dirk Elmendorf, Javier Uribe from Mobius Partners and Brett Piatt of Jungle Disk. San Antonio-based Jungle Disk, which was spun out from Rackspace as a separate company almost two years ago, also recently announced it was donating up to $250,000 for CAST Techs capital campaign through the SAISD Foundation. It will give $100 for every customer that signs up for its services, but if the company hits 1,000 new customers by Jan. 1, each donation will increase to $250. Its early days for the high school, so during the mentorship programs first year, and probably next year, the focus will be on mentoring, Heard said in an interview in advance of the announcement. As the school adds more students and this class matriculates into its sophomore, junior and senior year, then theres potential and hope that this program would grow to include things like job shadowing and internship capabilities, Heard said. Tech Bloc will also be hiring a mentor coordinator position to run the program, according to the announcement. That person will make sure that every ninth grade student is paired with a professional, the announcement says. Thats the bulk of the initiative, is getting this person in place who will run the program, build out all of the connections, the contacts, the infrastructure, pull mentors together and build all the programs that support it, Heard said. But local tech industry professionals are already poised to help out the new students. Tech Bloc has already signed up more than 150 potential mentors, according to the announcement. Exact details for the program havent been worked out yet, as thats the job of the coordinator, but the goal is to give students a chance to create real connections and real experience with tech leaders and tech jobs, Heard said. It is industry-supported and what better way to engage students outside the classroom than with industry mentors? Melissa Alcala, CAST Tech principal, said in the announcement. sehlinger@express-news.net | Twitter: @samehlinger Stephen Spillman /For the San Antonio Express-News AUSTIN Gov. Greg Abbott announced Monday he will appoint his offices general counsel, Jimmy Blacklock, to succeed Don Willett on the Texas Supreme Court. President Donald Trump recently nominated Willett to serve on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, though he has yet to come up for a confirmation vote in the Republican majority U.S. Senate. Abbott said he expects the vote to come as early as next month. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate EDINBURG A former priest accused of killing a McAllen beauty queen 57 years ago will stand trial this week in one of the most highly anticipated and sensational cases in South Texas history. It was April 16, 1960, and Irene Garza, a 25-year-old elementary school teacher and former beauty queen, had gone to confession at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in McAllen. John Feit, then a 27-year-old visiting priest at the church, was the last person to see her alive, prosecutors allege. The young womans disappearance prompted a massive search, including mounted Hidalgo County sheriffs deputies, Border Patrol planes and a boat. Two days before her body was found, officers discovered her shoe and purse in what was described at the time as a pattern. It appeared someone was either trying to lead us to something or away from something, an officer said in an Associated Press report published in the San Antonio Express-News on April 20, 1960. By then, Chief Deputy Tom Wingert, who was directing the search, was quoted in the front-page story as saying, We are looking for a body. Garza was found in a canal April 21, in a burlap bag tied with rope. An autopsy found that she had been beaten, raped while unconscious and then asphyxiated. Feit, now 84, immediately came under scrutiny. Just two weeks before Garza disappeared, he attacked a woman in a nearby Edinburg church. He was charged with assault and attempted rape in that case, which ended in a mistrial. But he later pleaded no contest to aggravated assault and was fined $500. Evidence in Garzas case pointed to Feit, including the discovery of a portable photographic slide viewer near her body that Feit later identified as his. But local Catholic church officials persuaded authorities to end their investigation of Feit, and the priest was eventually ruled out as a suspect. After his time in McAllen, Feit was moved to Assumption Abbey, a Trappist monastery in southwestern Missouri. Eventually, he left the priesthood and married. Publicly, Feit has maintained his innocence. Nevertheless, speculation continued to swirl about Feit long after the case went cold. In 2002, Texas Rangers secured testimony from two former priests who told investigators that Feit had confessed to the killing. Still, a grand jury investigation in 2004 found insufficient evidence to charge him. Rene Guerra, the district attorney of Hidalgo County at the time, came under fire from Garzas family for his handling of the homicide investigation. In 2014, Ricardo Rodriguez, who campaigned on a promise to revisit the unsolved case, was elected district attorney, defeating Guerra. The death of Garza, Miss All South Texas Sweetheart in 1958 and a former prom and homecoming queen at what was then Pan American College, shocked this South Texas community and became the subject of national media attention. The district attorneys office investigated the case along with McAllen police and the Texas Rangers, presenting new evidence to a grand jury in the decades-old killing, according to Rodriguez. Feit was arrested at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona, in February 2016, then extradited to Texas, where he was booked into Hidalgo County Jail. He remains under 24-hour medical watch because of various ailments. Jury selection begins today, with opening arguments set for Thursday morning. anelsen@express-news.net | Twitter: @amnelsen This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A man shot and killed his wife, then himself on Monday at a home on San Antonio's North Side while the couple's three children were at school, officials said. Officers responded to the house in the 13800 block of Possum Tree just before 11 a.m. after the man, who hasn't been officially identified, called police and said he was going to kill his wife and himself, authorities said. Responding officers heard one gunshot soon after they arrived at the home. Moments later, another shot rang out. Then, "everything went quite," said San Antonio Police Sgt. Tobe Whitley. RELATED: Blood trail leads police to body of man who was fatally shot on East Side Now Playing: Dozens of officers, many with rifles at the ready, respond to a home in the 13000 block of Possum Tree on San Antonio's north side on Monday, Nov. 27, 2017. Video: San Antonio Express-News All the doors to the home were locked, the shades were drawn and security cameras lined the home so police requested help from a SWAT unit. After about two hours, police shot tear gas into the home and breached the door. They found the couple dead in a room upstairs, officials said. Police said the man apparently used a handgun. Neighbors helped capture the family's dogs, Mindy and Vegas, after they ran out of the tear gas-filled home. "We had no sign in the past that this was imminent, other than the phone call this morning," said San Antonio Police Chief William McManus. Investigators have since learned the female victim recently filed for divorce. McManus did not say how old the three children who lived at the house were but said they were "young." They were at school during the shooting and will be placed in the care of family members. Check back to mySA.com for updates to this developing story. 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 This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate RIO HONDO Facing one of the worst cattle fever tick infestations in decades, authorities in South Texas first started culling the big-game antelope known as nilgai on federal refuge lands. It wasnt enough. The infestation that is killing cattle continues to spread, and experts say the nilgai herds are a big reason why. Researchers now believe that the key to slowing the northward march of this resilient tick, and to its eventual eradication, is a parasitic worm. Its a native, locally occurring parasitic nematode worm, said John Goolsby, research entomologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. I think we can say that this nilgai aspect is the most critical problem for the eradication program right now. The experimental process uses a water jet frothing system to spray live nematode specimens on the nilgai, and within hours the worms begin to feed internally on the tick. Nilgai cant be rounded up like cattle or horses, so Goolsby set up sensor-activated sprayers around the areas called latrines where the animals instinctively return every evening to relieve themselves. So far, just three spray stations are in use on a ranch near this small town north of Brownsville. U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela Jr., D-Brownsville, who has fought to raise awareness about the tick problem, inspected one of the Goolsbys spray stations on a rainy afternoon this month. The cattle community is trying to come to grips with how to control this epidemic, Vela said. As we work toward the next farm bill, hopefully, we will be able to address fever tick. The tick has wreaked havoc in Velas district, where the pest is easily spread among multiple hosts, including white-tail deer. The disease attacks and destroys the animals red blood cells, causing acute anemia, high fever and enlargement of the spleen and liver, ultimately resulting in death for up to 90 percent of susceptible cattle. It can take between eight and 12 days for the animals fever to spike. An outbreak of infected ticks could cause as much as 90 percent loss of susceptible cattle and losses up to $1.2 billion if the problem reaches beyond Texas, according to experts. Cattle ranchers attempts to beat back the spread of the cattle fever tick among their herds have been complicated by wild game, which they say are responsible for spreading a pest that was eradicated by 1943 in all the U.S., except for a sliver of South Texas. The nilgai, an Asian import, was introduced to South Texas in the 1920s and now numbers around 30,000, roaming a vast swath of Texas coastal plains. The Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, near the Mexican border, is seen as ground zero. The refuge came under quarantine after the tick was found in 2014 on the carcass of hunted game. A controversial aerial culling followed, with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service killing hundreds of nilgai, sparking outrage among ranchers who depend on hunting leases. A trophy hunt of the popular big-game animal can fetch up to $5,000 on some ranches. Nilgai arent just the quarry of hunters. The flavorful meat is touted as a healthy alternative to beef and is featured on the menus of some high-end restaurants, including some in San Antonio. While the USDAs Agricultural Research Service had been working on a way to treat nilgai, a critical issue for the eradication program, theres an effort on another front with the same goal. Las Huellas Association, an organization that advocates for South Texas wildlife managers and landowners, provided $120,000 to Texas A&M University-Kingsville to fund a graduate student to study the ecology of nilgai latrines. Sometimes the problem the USDA has is getting funding for some of these projects, said Ricardo Adobbati, a Brownsville attorney and member of Las Huellas board of directors. We can help fund some of these studies without (going) through all the red tape of government. anelsen@express-news.net | Twitter: @amnelsen The explosion burst across the field, spreading a dust cloud toward Justin Bernal and Anthony Cumpian. The two combat veterans toted rifles as they inspected the blast site they had set up for a morning of gunplay at a South Texas shooting range. After the target shooting and pyrotechnics, conversation turned to war stories, and from there to post-traumatic stress disorder. Bernal and Cumpian, who are Hispanic, said their upbringing affected how they viewed mental health. For Bernal, who said he has struggled with PTSD, the lack of Hispanic psychiatrists is one barrier to getting help. Another barrier, said Cumpian, a Purple Heart recipient, is that he, like other Hispanic vets, learned early on to bottle up his emotions. A persons background may have a larger effect on minority veterans and their mental health than once thought. Two studies published this year reveal how African-American and Hispanic veterans face unique challenges with mental health. Service members from diverse cultures, ethnicities and racial groups may experience or cope with war-related events differently and thus may be at greater risk for PTSD, Brittany Hall-Clark, an assistant professor of psychiatry at UT Health San Antonio, wrote in an article published this year. Not only do minority veterans tend to have greater PTSD symptoms, they also face those unique mental health challenges. Internal barriers include learned machismo and fear of weakness. External barriers include distrust of institutions, racism and difficulty accessing treatment, Hall-Clark said. In another study published this year, ones race and ethnicity were found to be among the biggest predictors of whether a combat veteran will be diagnosed with PTSD. The research by the NYU Langone Medical Center followed 699 Vietnam veterans over 25 years. Minorities are a growing segment of the veteran population, making up 22 percent as of 2014. In 2040, around a third of all vets will be minorities, according to the National Center of Veterans Analysis and Statistics. In a nation that has been at war since 9/11, taking care of all veterans may mean acknowledging differences in how people view mental health. Its essential to think about cultural competence, Hall-Clark said. We need to be mindful of how people see their world. Internal barriers Cumpian, a cavalry scout, was serving in Paktia province in Afghanistan in December 2012 when he was shot. He recalled one day burning some feces and eating half a ration before helping a fellow soldier wall up their base. A gunman waiting in the bushes must have spotted him, Cumpian said. The shot of an SPG 9 recoil-less rifle, normally used against tanks, burst 60 feet or so away. Cumpian saw one fragment whistle by his head. Another fragment hit his left arm. He didnt think the wound was a big deal. Then on the operating table, he saw his doctors eye through the hole in his arm. After getting patched up, he was back on patrol clearing mines two days later. He cried tears of pain, which he hid behind dark glasses as he gritted through the mission. He learned this while growing up: Grin and bear it. Cumpian said he learned this lesson during a rough childhood: a parent in prison, foster care until his grandparents adopted him. Emotions stayed hidden. He recalled that his grandparents brought him to a funeral in Mexico, and he bit his tongue, holding back tears, because like many other Hispanic men, he was told men dont cry. The Army taught the same mindset. In fact, it encouraged it. Then, once he was wounded, people all of a sudden began asking him to open up and share his feelings. Youre introducing a new concept to people, said Cumpian, who now works at a mental health clinic. Avoidance of traumatic thoughts can lead to self-destructive and dangerous behaviors. Blanca Torres, a Hispanic female veteran of the Iraq and Afghan wars, described how the need to be seen as tough and unemotional in the face of PTSD led to problems self-medicating with alcohol. You didnt want to be a crybaby, Torres said. Hall-Clark studied active-duty service members at Fort Hood as part of the STRONG STAR Multidisciplinary PTSD Research Consortium. She found that minority active-duty soldiers had more negative thoughts about themselves, more self-blame and more numbing when compared with their Anglo peers. A multitude of social, economic and other factors can contribute to mental health, and the stigma against asking for help among minorities may actually worsen the symptoms of PTSD. Machismo and the importance of being strong and not showing emotions, that can prevent people from accessing their emotions in the process of healing, Hall-Clark said. Of all the symptoms of PTSD, numbing and avoidance of traumatic thoughts are seen to be the most tied to culture. Researchers believe that the more a given culture teaches avoidance of emotion, the higher the levels of PTSD symptoms. In 2006, researchers at a California Department of Veterans Affairs Center tested this prediction in a study of 668 police officers. The paper explored why Hispanic police officers tended to have higher rates of PTSD. The researchers found that Hispanic officers had similar levels of trauma in the line of duty to other officers. What was different was that they were more likely to suppress their emotions during the moment of trauma and they were more likely to blame themselves afterward. Hispanic service members similarly suffered at higher rates than their peers. A National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study found that among male combatants, 28 percent of Hispanic vets had PTSD, compared with 21 percent of African-American vets and 14 percent of Anglo vets. Cumpian said that when he began referring fellow soldiers to mental health resources, the stigma of asking for mental health applied to everybody, but especially for minority soldiers. Cumpian has not been diagnosed with PTSD and does not think he has it. Still, he said he believes that many combat vets come home damaged in some way. You see a lot of people who grew up without a support system, who should be jumping at the chance to get help, (but) dont, Cumpian said. External barriers Disparities in health care arent just in mental health, but across the medical field overall, said Cynthia Macri, who serves on the Japanese American Veterans Association and while in the Navy assisted senior leaders on diversity issues. There is now an abundance of research highlighting disparities in treatment and, indeed, in death/survival rates among majority and minority patients who present for care in emergency rooms for any disease or condition, Macri said. The Veterans Health Administration chartered a health care equality work group in 2011. Veterans provide a unique window into differences among races and ethnicities in health. The VA system eliminates many of the financial factors present in the civilian marketplace, yet in its latest report, the work group found greater proportions of minority vets reporting barriers to care. While there may be a variety of reasons, Marci said one of the biggest barriers is when there is a mismatch in the way patients and providers perceive each other. Cultural barriers, or the fear of them, can prevent minority soldiers from seeking doctors or psychiatrists. For Bernal, a Marine vet, going to the hospital was not seen as an option when he grew up. Like Cumpian, he had an upbringing that taught him to be strong and stoic in the face of wounds both physical and mental. Bernal said deploying to Afghanistan as a combat engineer meant weeks of clearing routes and waking up to mortar rounds and mayhem. He recalled how he once saw a good friend blown up, but there was no time to think about feelings then. Only the mission. When he did want to talk about his experience, Bernal said he found it difficult to connect to his non-Hispanic squad members. They would ask touchy-feely questions tangential to what he cared about, and he said he spent a lot of time explaining himself. His Hispanic friends, however, understood what was important to him. It wasnt just that his friends could speak Spanish, but that they had grown up the same way he did. Because he was around people who had similar childhood experiences, Bernal said, he didnt have to waste time explaining what he meant. He could say the words, You know how it is. And they did. His non-Hispanic friends always asked about bullets and bombs, and although those issues mattered somewhat, Bernal said, his Hispanic friends knew that family troubles back home mattered just as much, if not more. Family is really important to me. Other guys, Id have to explain it, but Hispanic guys I wouldnt have to explain it, I could go to the next point, Bernal said. After his deployment, Bernal said he was ushered before an older Anglo doctor for a checkup. Rote questions from someone he didnt relate to led to rote answers. He decided that going at that point to psychiatrists would be pointless, a choice he would uphold even as he struggled with PTSD back home. If there were more Hispanic doctors, he said, he might have reconsidered. If I go to a white doctor, he wouldnt understand, Bernal said. Why would I talk to someone who wouldnt understand? Minority vets are more likely to drop out of mental health treatment early, according to a 2017 report on views of VA mental health care. The National Center for PTSD report found that minority vets were more likely to have lower-quality relationships with their primarily white mental health care providers, with less communication, more emotional distance and shorter appointments. People of color are less likely to seek and receive mental health care, said Lindsay Bira, assistant professor of psychiatry at UT Health San Antonio. Part of that might be cultural, distrust of services, some may be less access to care. It can be hard to get someone in the door if they feel the therapist isnt a good match. The field of psychiatry is predominantly Anglo and male, which leads to difficulties serving minority veterans, psychiatrist Mrudula Rao said. Rao runs a PTSD clinic in San Antonio and has treated veterans for PTSD. She said therapists should tailor treatment to a persons specific cultural values and beliefs, which may mean including a patients family or faith. Theres such a stigma to pursue mental health, Rao said. And then when you come across a clinician whos not aware of your cultural needs, then thats another step back. Talking about whats going inside ones brain can be a frustrating and sensitive process. Eddie Bell, an African-American veteran, said he served in Vietnam and was assigned to a morgue. Decades later, Bell said, he found himself in front of an Anglo VA doctor, talking about how he was feeling and wondering why he and the doctor seemed to be talking past each other. For Bell, there seemed to be a disconnect between his doctor and him, but he couldnt deduce a reason. Was it because of differences in race, or in age or experience? The racism he faced growing up in the Jim Crow-era South was blatant. Now, racism is more subtle, Bell said, and he retains the wariness he learned years ago, on whether he can trust another person not to judge him unfairly. Are you really hearing me? Youre trying to figure it out, Bell said. Hispanic veteran Albert Mireles felt the same way when he first went to therapy which notably was the first time he stormed out of therapy at the VA. When you seek help, its anything that turns you off. If the person doesnt show much concern or much interest, said Mireles, who served as commander of VFW 76 and now directs veterans to seek help. People may vary in how much they identify with one identity over another as well, researcher Hall-Clark said. Not all studies consistently found that race and ethnicity had significant effects on PTSD. Kat Cole, an Asian-American vet, is now director of the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Family Endeavors. Cultural barriers and stigma against mental health are real, Cole said. What is needed is not special treatment but consideration for veterans of all backgrounds. Its very important for practitioners, nurses, doctors to be very culturally competent with their clients, so they can build rapport, Cole said, so they can identify any kind of resistance or barriers. jlawrence@express-news.net State Reps. Diana Arevalo and Ina Minjarez would seem to make natural allies. Both are Democrats from San Antonio elected to the Texas House last year as rookie legislators, and both enjoy the support of Annies List, an Austin-based organization that supports progressive women running for office in this state. But as Arevalo prepares to fend off former state Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, who is expected to announce on Saturday that he wants his old seat back, she shouldnt expect to win her fellow lawmakers support. On Monday, Minjarez said she would not endorse anyone for that seat in the Democratic primary. Its for the voters of that district to decide, she told me. Theres a reason for her reticence. According to sources, Arevalo recruited a political novice, Sergio Contreras, to run against Minjarez in the Democratic primary last year, even as Arevalo was serving as secretary of the Bexar County Democratic Party and running her own race in District 116. She reportedly did so in concert with BCDP Chairman Manuel Medina. Its pretty common knowledge that people within the party have in the past tried to recruit folks to run for office, said Robert Vargas, a local Democratic consultant. My understanding was that Diana did recruit Sergio Contreras to run against Ina at the time, and my understanding is that hes considering a run against Ina again. Vargas said he knows this because Contreras himself said so at a recent straw poll held by the BCDP. That was something Sergio had mentioned to me at the straw poll, Vargas said. He said, Theyre asking me to run again. They asked me to run last time. They were encouraging him to run a second time. He said specifically that Diana said she would be supporting him. Contreras did not return a message on Monday seeking comment. On his Facebook page, he wrote that he intends to run against Minjarez again in 2018. (Contreras earned less than 30 percent of the vote in 2016 after entering the primary at the last minute.) On Monday, Arevalo denied Vargas assertion that she ever recruited Contreras to run against Minjarez. Absolutely not, she said. I fully support Ina. As chairman of the local party, Medina has been known to throw his weight around in a Democratic primary. He did so by choosing Martinez Fischer over Jose Menendez in a 2015 race for the state Senate that opened up seats for both Arevalo and Minjarez. (Martinez Fischer lost, setting up his coming clash with Arevalo for his old seat.) Medina, however, denied that he or Arevalo encouraged Contreras to run against Minjarez. I have no reason to believe that happened, he said. Minjarez, meanwhile, doesnt quite know what to believe. That was a rumor I heard, she told me, adding, I am so focused on the district, and thats where my focus is. I work every day as though I am running for office, even in the offseason. Her focus is admirable. This summer, Texas Monthly named Minjarez the Legislatures Rookie of the Year, noting that she offered more than two dozen substantive amendments to major legislation, including foster care reform bills, and that her words had power. Arevalo could use the support of such a respected colleague in her looming battle with the formidable Martinez Fischer, who is likely to pick up endorsements from at least a few of his former colleagues. Minjarezs integrity, however, might have been exactly what turned Arevalo against her in 2016. Its no secret that (Minjarez) doesnt go with the flow, Vargas said. She really works and fights for the best interests of her constituents. And she doesnt necessarily play nice when it comes to party politics. I can only imagine that it puts a sour taste in your mouth when people from your own party are working against you, he added. And when I say people from your own party, I mean party leadership. bchasnoff@express-news.net This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Its a mystery big enough for the Guinness Book of World Records. The Federal Aviation Administration received a request from a developer last month to perform an aeronautical study to build the worlds largest Ferris wheel 900 feet high on property owned by CPS Energy just south of the Lone Star Brewery, according to the agencys website. The request was anonymous. No one in San Antonio seems to know anything about the Ferris wheel, including local politicians, neighborhood leaders and even CPS. The utility put the property up for sale this year but has since pulled it off the market, spokesman Jonathan Tijerina said. CPS doesnt have plans to sell it now and doesnt know who is behind the Ferris wheel, he said. CPS spokeswoman Nora Castro said: Were not in talks with anybody. We havent been approached about the property, The Ferris wheels height is not a typo, FAA spokesman Lynn Lunsford confirmed it really would be 900 feet tall. The agency studies construction thats tall enough to interfere with local airspace. If the plans are real and it gets built, it would be the tallest building in San Antonio and the tallest Ferris wheel in the world by far towering over the current record-holder, the 550-foot High Roller in Las Vegas. It would even put to shame Dubai, the Middle Eastern emirate known for its outsize architecture, where a 669-foot-tall Ferris wheel is under construction. It would dominate San Antonios skyline. The proposed Ferris wheel would loom 150 feet above San Antonios tallest building, the Tower of the Americas, which is 750 feet tall, counting its spire. A 900-foot Ferris wheel? Compared to other cities that have done the Ferris wheel, 900 feet is - well - a lot. Seattle (175 ft) London (443 ft) Las Vegas (550 ft) Dubai (689 ft) San Antonio (900 ft) Graphic: Annie Millerbernd Icon made by Freepik from www.flaticon.com Only two local radio towers would be taller, according to SkyScraperPage, a website that keeps track of tall structures. That would definitely take over the horizon of San Antonio, South Side resident Brady Alexander said. Im sure some people would swear at it, others would swear by it. Lunsford declined to say who requested the aeronautical study. Its not unusual for a development company to ask the FAA to do a study before buying a property, to make sure it can build as high as it plans to, he said. The location of the proposed Ferris wheel is across the San Antonio River from where CPS is building its EPIcenter innovation center. The utility uses it for storage and as a base of operations for employees, Tijerina said. Chris Price, president of the King William Association, thinks he might have a clue about the developer of the proposed Ferris wheel. About three years ago, he recalls, a man was pitching the idea of building a giant Ferris wheel as part of the redevelopment of the Lone Star Brewery. Price couldnt remember the mans name. It was 900 feet or some kind of crazy number, Price said. He described it as being like the London Eye but 10 times bigger. It was just sort of like, You gotta be kidding me. An OK, good luck sort of thing. The London Eye Ferris wheel is 443 feet tall. South Side residents said they have mixed feelings about the possibility of getting an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records. When first asked about the Ferris wheel, Lone Star Neighborhood Association President Susan Powers said she couldnt envision it being there and had trouble believing that it would make money. But after thinking about it, and discussing the news with her neighbors, she became more positive. It would bring economic development to our neighborhood. It would create jobs. It would definitely be an improvement to the neighborhood over whats there now, she said. The Ferris wheel would complement the potential redevelopment of the Lone Star Brewery, Powers said. But a $300 million project to rehabilitate the brewery derailed this year and hasnt shown any sign of getting back on track. The industrial-zoned property would not be cheap it was assessed at $6.3 million last year by the Bexar Appraisal District. Bexar County Commissioner Sergio Chico Rodriguez said hes concerned that such a large structure could interfere with the operation of Stinson Municipal Airport, about 4 miles south of the property. He questioned whether it would be appropriate for an area of San Antonio with so much history. We want businesses and we want communities and we want development, but I dont think it would be something Id be interested in, Rodriguez said. If it were built, the Ferris wheel would unseat the Texas Star at the state fairgrounds in Dallas as Texas largest Ferris wheel. San Antonio is already home to a few Ferris wheels, including the 90-foot Crows Nest at Six Flags Fiesta Texas and the wheelchair-accessible Whirling Wonder at Morgans Wonderland. rwebner@express-news.net | Twitter: @RWebner This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate On Oct. 9, 1920, men dressed in long, white robes and hoods with eyeholes walked or rode on horses in a parade held in Houston during the annual meeting of the United Confederate Veterans. Riding in a car in the parade was William Joseph Simmons of Atlanta, founder in 1915 of the Invisible Empire, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. Their participation was a not-so-subtle message to Houston, San Antonio and the rest of Texas that the KKK, made up of men who considered themselves superpatriots, was back. Founded by a group of Confederate veterans in 1865, the original Ku Klux Klan was found primarily in the South. Prior to its demise in the early 1870s, the Klan used violence and terror to counter Reconstruction. For the first five years after Simmons revived it in 1915, the KKK operated only in Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Florida and Mississippi. Texas was a much larger prize for the secret fraternal order whose members had to be native-born, Anglo, Protestant and 18 or older. Simmons was in Houston to participate in a ceremony welcoming the new klavern, or chapter, Sam Houston Klan No. 1, to the secret organization that reviled Catholics, Jews, Blacks, racial mixing and immorality. A few weeks after the parade in Houston, the San Antonio Klan received charter No. 31. San Antonians were not reluctant about joining. At one time, there were as many as 1,500 members in the Alamo City chapter, said Charles C. Alexander, author of Crusade for Conformity: The Ku Klux Klan in Texas, 1920-1930 and The Ku Klux Klan in the Southwest. Membership rosters are extremely difficult to find but if I had to make a guess, there were 1,500 or so members of the Klan in the 1920s in San Antonio, Alexander said by phone. Many were civic leaders, church pastors, elected officials or businessmen who thought they were serving a good purpose, Alexander added. If you were a tradesman, the Klan would help you and if you were a politician, there was a voting bloc behind you. Prominent Texans who joined the Klan included Houston Mayor Oscar F. Holcombe, an Alabama native who grew up in San Antonio and held office 11 times. After attending just one Klan meeting, however, Holcombe left and later became an ardent foe of the KKK. In San Antonio, members of the KKK included attorney Marvin A. Childers, former county judge of San Patricio County; and C.T. Gilliam, a 1916 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis. Also a member from San Antonio was Charles K. Diggs, publisher of the weekly Klan paper American Forum, who purchased Colonel Mayfields Weekly from Houstonian Billie Mayfield, a veteran of World War I and the Spanish-American War. Another member was the Rev. L.P. Bloodworth, a Methodist minister who served as pastor of Methodist churches in San Antonio and other states. Bloodworth at one time was grand dragon of the Texas KKK and a Klan chaplain, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Childers, who served as San Patricio County judge from 1914-18 and a judge of that countys 36th District Court from 1918-22, also was a Texas grand dragon, which was reported in several Texas newspapers, including the Dallas Morning News. He moved to San Antonio in 1922 and practiced law. He died on Christmas Day 1965. Childers was a past grand master of the Masons; a prominent layman in the Methodist Church he was a member of the churchs judicial council and listed in Whos Who in America. Texans were drawn to the KKK because they saw it as a way of restoring law and order as well as moral and social reform after World War I, Alexander said. These two emotions a quest for law and order and a desire for reform account for the preoccupation of Texas Klansmen with vigilante activities and the extremely violent nature of the orders early history in the state, Alexander wrote in Crusade for Conformity. Men were tarred and feathered, beaten and attacked. One especially vicious attack occurred in Dallas when an African-American bellhop at the Adolphus Hotel was branded with the initials KKK across his forehead with acid. That attack was widely reported in Texas newspapers of the day, including the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Reform to the Texas Klansmen meant strict enforcement of state and national prohibition laws, preservation of stern Victorian moral standards and punishment of anyone who violated these standards, Alexander wrote in his book. The San Antonio Klansmen didnt just skulk around. Alexander describes an initiation ceremony held in September 1923 at the San Antonio Speedway with several other chapters from South Texas. Immediately preceding the formal naturalization rites, an airplane with an electric cross attached to its underside circled and dived in the night sky, Alexander wrote. At 10 p.m., the Klansmen, all in their white robes, joined hands while standing in the middle of a square. Several dozen men in street clothes knelt in the middle of the square formed by the Klansmen and took the vows and oath of allegiance before a burning cross and altar. Except for San Antonio and Galveston, the Klan controlled nearly every major city in the state by 1924, numerous scholars have reported. They were a force in the Texas House of Representatives and the Democratic Party in Texas and may have even elected the first Klansman to the U.S. Senate. Charges that Earle B. Mayfield Jr. was elected to the Senate through intimidation of voters by the KKK were rejected by the Senate after an investigation. The end for the KKK came after Ma Ferguson was elected governor of Texas in 1924 by defeating a Klan-backed candidate, 443,000 to 345,000 votes. Alexander said there always will be disaffected, disenchanted people who will be drawn to organizations like the KKK. Indeed, in 2017, there exist at least 55 hate groups in Texas, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks these organizations. While there are several variations of the KKK operating in the state, it does not appear any are in San Antonio, which does count Black separatist, anti-Muslim and neo-Nazi groups. The first meeting of the directors of the newly-formed National Energy Group has been held on Tuesday, November 28, 2017, marking its official establishment through the merger of power provider China Guodian Corporation and coal producer Shenhua Group. The first meeting of the National Energy Group's directors is held on November 28, 2017, in Beijing. [Photo: People's Daily] With 1.8 trillion yuan assets (270 billion USD), 330 thousand staff and eight research centers, the National Energy Group is listed as the world largest coal supplier and thermal power generator. The new company will be active in the coal, thermal power generation, new energy, transport and energy saving industries. The merger between the two massive state-run companies is part of the Chinese government's broader plans to reduce overcapacity in the coal and power sectors through restructuring state-owned enterprises, analysts said. The State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission has been actively restructuring SOEs this year in a bid to improve their efficiency, with the number of central SOEs falling to 98, down sharply from the 196 that were operational in 2003. We want to bring the women together because the benefit of Muresk is getting people to the site, they share a meal together at night, they socialise, they network and students will get the benefit of that expertise. Grower Group Alliance chairwoman Kelly Manton-Pearce said she had a lot of fun with a great group of people on the tour and was impressed mainly with the new technologies that would be available for producers in the future, including new satellite radar with high resolution telemetric sensors, soil moisture probes, and hyperspectral imaging. People check job postings at a job fair in Xihongmen township, Daxing district, Beijing, on November 27, 2017. [Photo: Chinanews.com] Beijing's top Party official said the city will help people affected by a sweeping safety campaign in the wake of a deadly fire with jobs and lodging. The fire in the city's Daxing district broke out in a building with over 400 residents in the village of Xinjian in Xihongmen township on Nov 18. Nineteen people were killed and eight injured. After the fire, the city government launched a 40-day citywide campaign aimed primarily at eliminating fire hazards and other safety problems in crowded apartments and warehouses that serve as storage areas, workshops or worker living space. Cai Qi, Party chief of Beijing, said in a Monday meeting that removing all fire hazards takes time and cannot be accomplished within a short period, Beijing Daily reported. He also said it is necessary to draft a three-year plan to fundamentally solve the problem. Cai visited the site of the accident three times in recent days, Beijing Daily said. Calling the accident a "lesson paid with blood", he said it is imperative to carry out a campaign to root out safety hazards. He also visited surrounding companies that were affected, asking them about how workers were resettled. While speaking with local officials in Xihongmen, Cai urged them to care for people affected and try their best to arrange new jobs and places to stay. Cai urged officials to carry out the campaign with more "patience and humanistic care" and "better methods". On Monday, a job fair was held in Xihongmen to offer opportunities to people who lost their jobs when their employers were told to shut down unsafe factories or warehouses. Human resources departments will organize more job fairs in Xihongmen to help workers in the area to find new jobs, he said. A job fair is held in Xihongmen township, Daxing district, Beijing, on November 27, 2017. [Photo: Chinanews.com] Also on Monday, Beijing police announced that the fire was caused by an electrical fault, ruling out arson. Twenty people suspected of having liability for the conditions that led to the fire have been detained, they said. The two-and three-story building with a basement housed workshops and living spaces and was rife with safety hazards, officials say. A person identified only by the surname Fan began building the structure in 2002. Fan began installing a refrigeration facility in the basement in March, and it was undergoing testing. The blaze was traced to a faulty wire in a wall built with flammable material. Fan was among those detained, police said. At Monday's fair, over 508 vacancies including driver, guard and cleaner were offered by 27 companies, the township government said. Many warehouses in Xihongmen failed fire and safety assessments and were closed. The fairs are mainly for those who became unemployed as a result, said Chen Yongqiang, deputy head of the township. "For migrant workers who have decided not to work in Beijing anymore, we will provide temporary accommodation and train or bus tickets to go home," Chen said. "We prefer the employers taking part in the job fair provide accommodation for employees," said Li Hualong, deputy head of the Daxing district human resource and social security bureau. Zhao Chuanxin, 28, who had worked and lived in a small clothing workshop in Xinjian where the fire happened, found a job at the fair. He will start working as a driver soon with meals and accommodation provided. The Duchess of Cornwall is "absolutely delighted" Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are engaged. Duchess Camilla Harry, 33, and his 36-year-old fiancee confirmed the news they are tying the knot next year on Monday (27.11.17), and Duchess Camilla - who is married to Harry's father the Prince Charles - thinks it is "brilliant" news that the couple are taking their romance to the next step, and the 'Suits' actress will soon be her stepdaughter-in-law. Speaking to the MailOnline about the addition to the royal family during a visit to Stoke on Trent - where Camilla and Prince Charles met with the local pantomime actors - the 70-year-old royal said: "It's brilliant and as I said, America's loss is our gain. We are all absolutely delighted." And Camilla - who was previously married to Andrew Parker-Bowles for over 20 years before their split in 1995 - continued to gush about the soon to be husband and wife, who she believes look "so happy" together. She continued: "As you can see, they are so happy." Camilla is pleased for the pair, and she believes it is a "real joy" to hear "good news for once". She said: "Sometimes, you know, in a climate where we are surrounded by a lot of bad news, it's a real joy to have some good news for once." But Camilla is not the only royal who has sent her well wishes to the newly engaged duo, as her 69-year-old spouse is "thrilled" for his son and future daughter-in-law. Speaking previously, Charles - who was married to the late Princess Diana for 15 years, which was one year prior to her tragic death - said: "We're thrilled. We're both thrilled. We hope they'll be very happy indeed." Harry's older brother, Prince William, 35, and his wife Duchess Catherine, also 35, are "very excited" by the news as they get on so well with the 36-year-old actress. They said in a statement: "We are very excited for Harry and Meghan. It has been wonderful getting to know Meghan and to see how happy she and Harry are together." Harry's grandparents Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip are also "delighted" for them both. A message on the Royal Family Twitter account read: "The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh are delighted for the couple and wish them every happiness.(sic)." Kezia Dugdale has reportedly disappointed 'I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!' bosses. Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly The 36-year-old politician recently joined fellow contestants in the Australian outback , but it is believed ITV producers are not impressed with her performance in the jungle, especially after they are believed to have forked out a whopping six-figure sum to secure the star. Speaking to The Sun Online, a source said: "Kezia has been a massive letdown." And it is believed the reason contributing to her unimpressive performance is the fact she has not "bonded" well with anyone on the show, which is helmed by comedy duo Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly, and because it is rumoured the production team think she has been acting as if she is "superior" to her fellow camp mates. The insider added: "She hasn't bonded particularly well with other campmates and doesn't see herself as part of that showbiz world, she has been acting superior. "Far from coming out of her shell, she hasn't broken from her politician mode once or shown a softer side, letting her personality come through." The entire camp were recently split into boys and girls when they all took part in a major Bushtucker trial in a bid to win a feast. During the trial Kez was pitted against fellow newbie Iain Lee to down two smoothies; one made from bull's penis, and one made from anus, which she gave up on. The source continued: "Bosses were also ticked off with the live trial - they thought she was a bad sport." by Charlotte Hough for www.femalefirst.co.uk Mischa Barton's ex-boyfriend has been handed a five-year restraining order after he allegedly tried to sell sex tapes of the actress. Mischa Barton The 'OC' star had been embroiled in a revenge porn court case with her former partner Adam Spaw after he allegedly tried to redistribute tapes of the beauty. And on Monday (27.11.17), their legal battle came to an end, with Adam agreeing to stay 100 yards away from his former flame for the next five years, as well as insisting he will not "give away or assign in any way" any photos or videos of Mischa. Court documents obtained by The Blast state that both Mischa and Adam "shall stay 100 or more yards away from each other, their residences, pets, vehicles, and places of employment, and shall have no contact directly or indirectly with each other through telephone, social media, texts and e-mails." The legal papers add that Adam has agreed "not to directly or indirectly, or through any agent, sell, distribute, show, give away or assign in any way any intimate photos or videos of Mischa Barton. He further agrees that he has not to date done so nor attempted to do any of the foregoing." However, the documents also state that whilst Adam has agreed not to sell any media, the signing of the papers is not "an admission" to being in possession of any media involving the 31-year-old actress. The documents claim: "The signing of this agreement is not an admission by Adam that he possesses or attempted to sell any intimate photos or videos of Mischa Barton." It comes after the blonde beauty previously insisted she wanted to see "real justice" in her case. She said in September: "I'm going to see this case through to the end. I am very happy with what the judge has decided today. I don't think it's possible at this point to have seen it through long enough. "I think that's important that we see real justice happen here with this case so I'm more happy that the judge seems to understand this type of case." Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will get married next year at Windsor Castle. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle The 33-year-old royal will tie the knot with the American actress at St George's Chapel - the same venue Prince Charles and Camilla married on April 9, 2005 - at the royal residence in Berkshire in the spring time in 2018. Kensington Palace announced the news on Tuesday (28.11.17) in a statement: "The marriage of His Royal Highness Prince Harry of Wales and Ms. Meghan Markle will take place at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle in May 2018. "Her Majesty The Queen has granted permission for the wedding to take place at the Chapel. The Royal Family will pay for the wedding. "Further details about the wedding will be announced in due course." Meghan and Harry's engagement was announced in a statement by the prince's father, Prince Charles, on Monday (27.11.17) - a few weeks after the flame-haired hunk popped the question to the 36-year-old actress. It stated: "His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales, is delighted to announce the engagement of Prince Harry to Ms. Meghan Markle. "The wedding will take place in Spring 2018. Further details about the wedding day will be announced in due course. His Royal Highness and Ms. Markle became engaged in London earlier this month. Prince Harry has informed The Queen and other close members of The Royal Family. Prince Harry has also sought and received the blessing of Ms. Markle's parents. "The couple will live in Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace." Speaking previously, Charles said on behalf of him and his wife Duchess Camilla: "We're thrilled. We're both thrilled. We hope they'll be very happy indeed." Harry's older brother, Prince William, 35, and his wife Duchess Catherine, also 35, are "very excited" by the news as they get on so well with Meghan. They said in a statement: "We are very excited for Harry and Meghan. It has been wonderful getting to know Meghan and to see how happy she and Harry are together." Harry's grandparents Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip are also "delighted" for them both. A message on the Royal Family Twitter account read: "The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh are delighted for the couple and wish them every happiness.(sic)." Nicki Minaj wants people to feel the "holiday magic" from her H&M Christmas campaign. Nicki Minaj The 34-year-old rapper portrays a mother in the brand's festive commercial, and she hopes the clip will encourage "everyone in the world" to get into the festive spirit. Speaking to Look magazine, she said: "I wish that everyone in the world could feel the same holiday magic that we created for this shoot." But for the 'Anaconda' hitmaker the best part of starring in the advert was working with photographer Tim Walker, who she has praised for having an "incredible vision" for the campaign. Asked about her highlight when working on the project, she said: "It has to be working with the amazing photographer Tim Walker. He had such an incredible vision for the whole campaign - there's always magic in the air during the holidays and he really brought it to life." Nicki also enjoyed acting alongside 36-year-old 'Grey's Anatomy' actor Jesse Williams in the advert, who she has described as an "inspiring" figure because he is "so professional and natural" in front of the camera. The 'The Other Woman' star continued: "He was so professional and natural that it didn't feel like he was acting at all. This made him so inspiring to work with, and made the experience so much easier for me." And while Nicki wants audiences to enjoy her fantasy advert, she believes her own career resembles a fairytale too. Speaking previously, she said: "If I had to describe [the past ten years], I would say 'blessed'. Blessed and highly favoured, because the things that have happened to me have been once in a lifetime. "I feel like it's been a Cinderella story. Getting plucked out of Southside, Jamaica, Queens by the prince, Lil Wayne, and whisked away on a freaking magic pumpkin. I'm still in the magic pumpkin! I have to say it's been magical. It's been tough. It's been emotional. I've had to deal with it all, negative and positive. "But I know there are so many girls who would kill to have what I've experienced, so I have to take the good with the bad and be grateful. No matter what's gone on the past ten years, I'm still here. I'm still here!" Little Mix have announced a 'Summer Hits Tour' for 2018. Little Mix Britain's hottest girl group - Jesy Nelson, Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall - will be back strutting around in their sexy outfits and singing their biggest hits again as they head out on a 15-date run next July. Announcing the exciting news, the girls wrote on Twitter: "The #GloryDaysTour might be over but we're SO excited to announce that the Little Mix Summer Hits Tour 2018 is COMINGGG to the UK! Tickets are out THIS Thursday at 9:30AM GMT, so get ready...get set... X the girls (sic)" The 'Power' hitmakers have just completed an extensive run in support of their LP 'Glory Days', which began on May 21, 2017, in Birkenhead, North England, and wrapped up at London's The O2 arena on Sunday night (26.11.17). Leigh-Anne said yesterday (27.11.17) that she's "ready for a break" after completing their 'Glory Days Tour'. The 26-year-old beauty also thanked their fans - known as Mixers - for giving them such an "incredible" time night after night, and gushed about how "proud" she is of her bandmates for all the hard work carried out to ensure the gigs were spectacular. In a heartfelt note posted on her personal Instagram account, and shared on the 'Shout Out To My Ex' group's official Twitter page, Leigh-Anne wrote: "I can not believe the glory days tour is officially OVER... I mean we're all knackered and fully ready for a break, but I can't help but feel sad what an incredible year of achievement we have had.. we have worked so so hard this year it's been non stop, but I got to travel the world I got to see soooo many incredible fans and I got to do it all with this lovely lot... my family! I am so proud of us... and so so proud and blessed to be in Little Mix and get to experience this and live it everyday... and be with 3 girls who I could never ever now live without! I love you! And to the fans that got us here we owe it ALL to you.. you are without a doubt the best fans anyone could ask for! And I can't wait to see you all again soon! (sic)" The girls won't be resting for long, as they previously said they plan on hitting the studio in December to work on their fifth album. Asked when to expect new music, Jade told BANG Showbiz recently:"Actually going to be writing in December when the tour is finished because we have been really busy. But yeah going it be doing some new material in December and hopefully have a new album out next year." Tickets for the 2018 shows are on sale now. Little Mix's 2018 UK tour dates are as follows: Friday 6 July The 1st Central County Ground, Hove Saturday 7 July Liberty Stadium, Swansea Sunday 8 July Weston Homes Community Stadium, Colchester Thursday 12 July County Ground, Northampton Friday 13 July KCOM Craven Park, Hull Saturday 14 July Macron Stadium, Bolton Sunday 15 July John Smith's Stadium, Huddersfield Thursday 19 July The 3aaa County Ground, Derby Friday 20 July Lincolnshire Showground, Lincoln Saturday 21 July Earlham Park, Norwich Sunday 22 July Kent Event Centre, Maidstone Thursday 26 July International Stadium, Gateshead Friday 27 July Falkirk Stadium, Stirlingshire Saturday 28 July Outdoors at AECC, Aberdeen Sunday 29 July Bught Park, Inverness Meghan Markle is expected to be given the title of the Duchess of Sussex after she marries Prince Harry. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle The 36-year-old star is set to marry the British royal in spring 2018 and, as is traditional in the UK, Prince Harry is expected to be handed a new title on his wedding day, with the Duke of Sussex regarded as the most likely choice. Theoretically, alternative titles include the likes of Clarence, Connaught, Windsor, Albany, and Cumberland. However, many of those names have an inauspicious history, meaning Sussex is now rumoured to be the favoured option. Charles Kidd, editor of Debrett's Peerage & Baronetage, told the Daily Telegraph newspaper: "They're quite limited in the titles that are available. The Duke of Sussex is the front-runner without any doubt." But in the unlikely event that Prince Harry opts to decline the offer of a title, Meghan would be known as HRH Princess Henry of Wales. Meanwhile, during their first TV interview as a couple, Meghan revealed the details behind her engagement to the British royal. Of the magic moment, the former 'Suits' actress recalled: "It was a cosy night, we were roasting chicken ... and it was an amazing surprise. It was so sweet and natural and very romantic. He got on one knee." And quizzed about her response to the proposal, Meghan said: "Yes! As a matter of fact, I could barely let [Harry] finish proposing." Prince Harry added: "She didn't even let me finish. She said 'Can I say yes'. Then there were hugs and I had the ring in my finger. I was like, 'Can I give you the ring?' It was a really nice moment. Just the two of us." Bruno Langley has pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault. Bruno Langley The former 'Coronation Street' star - who was sacked from the soap after the shocking allegations came to light last month - has admitted to molesting two women - one in her 30s and another in her 20s - at the music event Band on the Wall in Manchester's Northern Quarter on October 1 as he appeared at the city's Magistrates Court this morning (28.11.17). The 34-year-old actor - who has also had a role in 'Doctor Who' - appeared in the doc to confirm his name, date of birth and his UK nationality before he entered his guilty pleas. His pleas came after the judge heard how he grabbed his first victim by her crotch - without her consent - after she collected her coat from the cloakroom at around 1am. The victim told police that she thought about hitting the actor after he groped her over her clothes but she was too "shocked and angry" to act on her emotions and, in turn, just asked Bruno whether he "did that on purpose?", before reporting the incident to police. Prosecutor Karen Saffman told the court that Bruno was "clearly intoxicated." The second victim told police that she too had been "forcefully touched" in an "intimate place" by the star "for a couple of seconds" before she managed to push him off. Bruno's defence solicitor Mr Hancock told the court that Bruno has no previous convictions and had been "of good character" before he admitted to the sex charges. He described it as an "isolated incident" which was "alcohol-fuelled" and assured the judge that his client was not a "serial groper" and was "clearly a man who has health issues." The judge was debating whether to send the case to the crown court but they've since argued that it's suitable for sentencing in the Magistrates' court. However, District Judge Mark Hadfield said he wanted to hear from the probation service before he decided whether to sentence Bruno immediately or send him to the crown court. The hearing was "stood down" for the probation service to speak to Bruno. The case is due to resume shortly. This not only looks and tastes amazing- it is totally, vegan, sugar and gluten free - taking Christmas Puddings to a whole new level! Multi Coloured Raw Christmas Pudding This pudding is my super vegan, sugar and wheat free dessert. No cokking needed and with amazing toppings that are brightly coloured with just fruits and vegetables. Raw Christmas Pudding 100g sultanas 100g dates chopped 100g dried figs chopped 150ml apple juice tsp ground nutmeg 1 tsp mixed spice 1 tsp cinnamon 100g cashews 100g coconut oil 100g maple syrup Add the juice to the dried fruit and add the spices. Mix well and soak for at least 2 hours. Place the cashews, coconut oil and syrup in a vitamix or nutribullet type blender. Add 100g of the soaked dried fruit and blend to a puree. Stir in to the soaked fruit and mix well. Place into a pudding bowl and freeze overnight. Toppings Raw Red as a Beetroot Topping 80g Raw Beetroot, peeled and sliced thinly 80g Coconut oil 80g 100% fruit raspberry jam 80g cashews Put the sliced raw beetroot, coconut oil, sugar free jam and cashews in a blender. It needs to be a strong one like a Ninja or NutriBullet. Grind to a smooth paste. Raw Green as Grass Topping 80g Raw spinach 80g Coconut oil 1 kiwi 50g agave syrup 80g cashews Put the spinach, kiwi, coconut oil, agave syrup and cashews in a blender. It needs to be a strong one like a Ninja or NutriBullet. Grind to a smooth paste. Raw Orange Topping 80g Raw carrot, peeled and sliced thinly 80g Coconut oil 80g 100% fruit apricot jam 80g cashews Put the sliced raw carrot, coconut oil, sugar free jam and cashews in a blender. It needs to be a strong one like a Ninja or NutriBullet. Grind to a smooth paste. Raw Snow White Topping 30g Desiccated Coconut 80g Coconut oil 3tbsp Almond milk 50g agave syrup 80g cashews Put the desiccated coconut, almond milk, coconut oil, agave syrup and cashews in a blender. It needs to be a strong one like a Ninja or NutriBullet. Grind to a smooth paste. Recipe courtesy of Keith Squires. Keiths passion for feeding people began with home-baking at the age of 9. He was soon bringing to school cakes, breads and pasties. His schoolmates joined in and before long they were swapping cakes during the lunch breaks, raiding mums cookery books in the evenings and even growing their own vegetables in the school grounds. Keith now combines his background in nutrition, Ayurveda, herbalism and cookery with over 30 years of experience as a vegetarian chef. He travels widely, teaching in workshops, retreats and courses around the world. His events are hugely entertaining as well being full of practical knowledge on how to live a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle. He is an experienced UK media presenter, and has made TV appearances in countries as far afield as Greece and India. His popular blog, keithonfood.com, has become a one-stop destination for online inspiration and resources. Some authors are great chefs, others will tell you all about different foods and their nutritional benefits. Many of them are great story-tellers and inspirational writers. There are books that are funny and at times truly meaningful. Keith crams all those qualities into a single volume, His new book Cooking with Love which he hopes you wont be able to put down. And not just because your fingers are sticky from making the recipes. https://keithonfood.com https://twitter.com/keithonfood Taiwanese firms are eyeing investment opportunities in the Binh Duong province of Vietnam, according to Guo You Ting, head of the Association of Taiwanese Enterprises, who recently met the provinces Peoples Committee and praised the improved local investment climate. Taiwan is the provinces biggest investor, with 772 projects worth more than $5.5 billion.Construction of a Taiwanese factory producing polyester will start this month on nearly 200 hectares in Bau Bang Industrial Park, Tran Thanh Liem, vice chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee said after the meeting, according to a news agency report. Taiwanese firms are eyeing investment opportunities in the Binh Duong province of Vietnam, according to Guo You Ting, head of the Association of Taiwanese Enterprises, who recently met the province's People's Committee and praised the improved local investment climate. Taiwan is the province's biggest investor, with 772 projects worth more than $5.5 billion.# Taiwan is willing to work with the locality in implementing projects using official development assistance on flood prevention and waste treatment, Liang Guang Zhong, head of the Taipei Economic and Culture Office in Ho Chi Minh City, said.Polytex Far Eastern Vietnam Company, a subsidiary of Taiwan based Far Eastern Group, will set up its second textile dyeing and chemical fibre factory in Vietnam. The company will invest $760 million in the new project, which will come up in Bau Bang in Binh Duong province. While the first phase production is expected to begin next year, the factory will become fully operational in 2020. (DS) Fibre2Fashion News Desk India China and Pakistan agreed to a material transfer pact between the two countries in the next two years and transfer of Chinese genetic engineering and functional genomics technologies to fight cotton pests to the latter at the first Sino-Pak international conference on Innovations in cotton, breeding and biotechnology in Multan recently.The three-day conference was hosted by the Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture in Multan, according to Pakistani media reports. The conference will be held every year now. China and Pakistan agreed to a material transfer pact between the two countries in the next two years and transfer of Chinese genetic engineering and functional genomics technologies to fight cotton pests to the latter at the first Sino-Pak international conference on 'Innovations in cotton, breeding and biotechnology' in Multan recently.# Director of agriculture research in the Punjab province Abid Mehmood said Chinese and Pakistani scientists will jointly work to improve cotton crop and providing hybrid seed to farmers.Chinese scientist Zhang Rui said China is ready to transfer more than 200 BT cotton varieties cultivated there to Pakistan. (DS) Fibre2Fashion News Desk India Tex Styles Ghana Limited, the producer of GTP and other woodin fabrics, has launched a new brand campaign for GTP with a purpose of reinforcing the brand promise of GTP, which is expressed as Timeless Grace. The purpose is also to strengthen its position as a leading textile manufacturer in Ghana. GTP is Africas leading textile and printing brand. For well over 50 years, GTP has been consistent in its promise of offering consumers premium quality fabrics, timeless designs, and strong heritage that make them look and feel beautiful, proud, confident and to stay in tune with the culture. We can confidently say that GTP has become the second skin of Ghanaians, commented Rev Badu, marketing director of GTP, at an event held in the companys premises. Considering the point of view of consumers, the reinforcement of unique value proposition is being done in order to stay true to the GTP brand, added Badu. Tex Styles Ghana Limited, the producer of GTP and other woodin fabrics, has launched a new brand campaign for GTP with a purpose of reinforcing the brand promise of GTP, which is expressed as 'Timeless Grace'. The purpose is also to strengthen its position as a leading textile manufacturer in Ghana. GTP is Africa's leading textile and printing brand.# The company will embark on the new campaign by utilising cultural attributes and courtesies associated with Ghanaians to demonstrate to the rest of the world the sociable and hospitable nature of Ghanaians and by so doing inspire others to do the same, he further said. We know Ghanaians are quite gracious by virtue of the cultural upbringing. Through this campaign, we want to encourage Ghanaians to teach more, share more, innovate more, celebrate more and love more. All these virtues inspire positive change and growth. GTP brand is a joint venture of Tex Styles Ghana Limited and Premium African Textiles Company Limited. These companies are responsible for the creation of designs, printing, distribution and marketing of the GTP brand. (VM) Fibre2Fashion News Desk India Technology Industry veteran joins company as EVP, Business Development and Marketing Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 27, 2017) - VitalHub (TSXV: VHI), an innovative and leading provider of mobile and electronic health record solutions, today announces the appointment of Niels Tofting as EVP, Business Development and Marketing. Focusing on growth through a streamlined portfolio of health IT solutions, VitalHub is able to support the needs of various healthcare providers, including long term care, mental health, community care, specialty clinics and acute care organizations. "Supporting our clients' focus on quality and improved healthcare outcomes for the populations that they manage is the mission of VitalHub and it's exciting to be a member of a collaborative team that's focused on designing innovative solutions that support our customers' objectives", Tofting said. "Niels has enjoyed many years of successful management experience supporting sales and marketing operations during his career. He has led new business development, account management and partner management functions with a number of diverse technology companies and done so internationally. We are very pleased to have him join our team" said Dan Matlow, President and CEO. "I'm excited to be joining VitalHub at such a pivotal time in the company's history, as it focuses on mobile application development and strategic acquisitions in health technology. The VitalHub team and portfolio of solutions are well positioned to ensure that the company excels through its next phase of growth," Niels Tofting commented. Prior to joining VitalHub, Niels held management roles with public and private companies, including Medworxx, Open Text and Logibec. Mr. Tofting received a BES from the University of Waterloo. In addition VitalHub has granted 1,250,000 stock options to an employee and management (the "Options") pursuant to the terms of Vitalhub's incentive stock option plan. Each Option is exercisable for one common share of Vitalhub at an exercise price of $0.165 per share and expires on the date that is five years from the date of grant. The Options vest over three years. Vitalhub also granted 950,000 stock options to board members (the "Options") pursuant to the terms of Vitalhub's incentive stock option plan. Each Option is exercisable for one common share of Vitalhub at an exercise price of $0.165 per share and expires on the date that is five years from the date of grant. The Options vest over one year. Read this press release on SEDAR (http://www.sedar.com/DisplayCompanyDocuments.do?lang=EN&issuerNo=00037094) About VitalHub VitalHub delivers an innovate platform for the creation of mobile health applications that increases productivity within healthcare settings. The VitalHub platform provides the ability to integrate existing individual healthcare applications while maintaining the control, security and privacy essential in healthcare. VitalHub's applications are focused on the fast-growing mental health and long term care markets and the company plans to strategically acquire and grow business in these areas. Currently over 50 healthcare institutions across Canada use products from VitalHub and its subsidiaries. VitalHub is based in Toronto, ON, and publicly traded on the TSX Venture Exchange: VHI Visit www.vitalhub.com Contact: Dan Matlow, VitalHub CEO & President Dan.Matlow@VitalHub.com Cautionary Statements The TSX Venture Exchange has in no way passed upon the merits of the transactions and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the timing and completion of the transactions, the future operations of the Company and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Acquisition, the projected cash flows of the Company post-Acquisition, and the future plans and - 3 - objectives of the Company, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include the failure to effectively integrate B Sharp Technologies into the Company and other risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. As a result, the Company cannot guarantee that transactions described herein, will be completed on the terms and within the time disclosed herein or at all. 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 as expressly required by Canadian securities law. Will partner with South Africa's leading telecommunications services provider, Internet Solutions Internet Solutions of South Africa, the leading pan-African telecommunications services provider, which is a subsidiary of NTT Group's Dimension Data and NTT Communications Corporation (NTT Com), the ICT solutions and international communications business within the NTT Group (TOKYO:9432) announced today that they have concluded a partnership, in order to deliver NTT Com's Nexcenter data center service in the African continent. The partnership was signed in South Africa on November 27. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171127005300/en/ DC Image (Graphic: Business Wire) As a result of this partnership, the enterprise customers in Asia, Europe and the United States, expanding their business into South Africa will be able to utilize high quality data center services, and South African enterprise customers heading their business globally will be able to utilize NTT Com's over 140 data centers delivered over 20 countries/regions worldwide. The colocation market in South Africa has recently experienced average growth of 12% per year as a result of increasing demand by government agencies and content service providers. As a result of this partnership, NTT Com and Internet Solutions will launch colocation services in December of this year under the Nexcenter brand at Internet Solutions' Parklands data center in Johannesburg. The data center will deliver globally-standardized Nexcenter service meeting more than 300 standards governing facilities and operations. The Nexcenter certified "Parklands Data Center" is located in the heart of Johannesburg's main business district, around 30 minutes by car from O.R. Tambo International Airport. The building houses approximately 1,900 square meters of server room facilities over four floors, and provides 1.3 MW of standby battery power. Emergency generators provide power redundancy to a 2N level, and have a fuel capacity that allows for 45 hours of uninterrupted operation. The air conditioning facilities offer cooling system redundancy to N+1 level, and the building's network topology incorporates an internet exchange (IX) point, improving routing efficiency and fault tolerance. The facility is built to meet TIA942 Tier 3, SOC2 Type2, Type1 and ISO27001 standards. It is planned to expand the building through the addition of a new tower wholly designed by the facility standards of Nexcenter to provide 570 high density racks with 2.2 MW power in July 2018. Saki Missaikos, Managing Director of Internet Solutions, says "Internet Solutions is pleased to join this international network of top-standard data centres. As the first Nexcenter location in Africa, we present attractive service and technological capability to multinational companies looking to expand into the region." In addition to continuing to build its own data centers, NTT Com will further expand the geographical availability of Nexcenter through collaboration with its worldwide partners, allowing it to continue supporting its customers' global business expansion. About NTT Communications Corporation NTT Communications provides consultancy, architecture, security and cloud services to optimize the information and communications technology (ICT) environments of enterprises. These offerings are backed by the company's worldwide infrastructure, including the leading global tier-1 IP network, the Arcstar Universal One VPN network reaching 196 countries/regions, and over 140 secure data centers worldwide. NTT Communications' solutions leverage the global resources of NTT Group companies including Dimension Data, NTT DOCOMO and NTT DATA. www.ntt.com | Twitter@NTT Com Facebook@NTT Com LinkedIn@NTT Com About Internet Solutions Internet Solutions (IS) is a pan-African telecoms service provider to public and private sector organisations that has been providing innovative end-to-end telco solutions and related services for more than 20 years. At the forefront of Internet Protocol-based technologies, IS builds solutions and services tailored to the increasingly complex demands of organisations across the enterprise, public sector, global carrier and growing small-to-medium business sectors. As a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Dimension Data Group and part of NTT, IS leverages its infrastructure and global footprint to support organisations with the rapid deployment of emerging technologies. More information at www.is.co.za. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171127005300/en/ Contacts: Media Contacts NTT Communications Corporation Hiroshi Seo, +81 3 6733 9511 Cloud Services wg-cl@ntt.com or Tribeca Public Relations for Internet Solutions Gina de Villiers, +27 (0)82 343 9293 is@tribecapr.co.za OAKVILLE, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 11/28/17 -- Giyani Metals Corp. (TSX VENTURE: WDG) ("Giyani") is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Robin Birchall as CEO and Director with immediate effect. Mr. Birchall brings more than eighteen years of experience in the financing and management of resource companies. He was most recently the Executive Chairman of Silver Bear Resources. Previous roles include CEO of a private oil and gas E&P company as well as V.P. Investment and Corporate Banking with BMO Capital Markets ("BMO"), where he completed a variety of high profile transactions for resource companies. Prior to BMO, Mr. Birchall was V.P. Corporate Finance at Canaccord Adams Ltd. Mr. Birchall earned an MBA from the University of Cape Town, a MSc in European and International Politics from Edinburgh University, a Premiere Degre en Langues Literature et Civilisation, from Stendahl Universite and a BA from Queens University. In his capacity as CEO of the Company, Mr. Birchall is looking forward to advancing the Company's Kanye Manganese Project in Botswana and accelerating it towards becoming a leading supplier of high-grade manganese for the battery industry. Mr. Birchall said, "Through my extensive experience in financing and managing resources companies in Southern Africa I am looking forward to leveraging all my contacts in the industry to help propel Giyani towards becoming a significant player in the high-grade manganese space. I am immensely pleased to be joining the Giyani team who have a reputation for excellence in the industry." "Robin brings much needed continuous European managerial presence to Giyani as we strive to grow our African manganese raw materials production strategy. His invaluable experience fits well with our current management and Board who are dedicated to delivering shareholder value from our efforts," states Duane Parnham, Chairman. In connection with the above appointment, subject to exchange approval, Giyani has granted 750,000 options exercisable at a price of $0.30 cents per share in accordance with the Company's stock option plan. The options have a five year term and vest immediately. 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 news release. On behalf of the Board of Directors of Giyani Metals Corp. Duane Parnham, Chairman Forward Looking Statements This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although Giyani 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 may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of Giyani's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, Giyani undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Contacts: Duane Parnham Chairman Giyani Metals Corp. Tel: 1.289.837.0066 Email: duane@parnham.ca Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 28, 2017) - Silver One Resources Inc. (TSXV: SVE) (OTC Pink: SLVRF) (FSE: BRK1) ("Silver One") is pleased to announce the commencement of drilling scheduled to begin November 28th, 2017 at its Candelaria silver project in Nevada. The proposed drill program will consist of approximately 1,000 metres of sonic drilling on the historic heap leach pads and stockpiled material left over from previous operations. Samples will be sent for metallurgical testing to evaluate silver-gold recoveries and potential extraction methods. Boart Longyear, a highly qualified and experienced international drilling company, will conduct the drilling with a track mounted drill rig. Permits are in place to drill within 10 feet of the base liner and includes a contingency plan to correct the accidental piercing of the liner. Silver One's President and CEO, Greg Crowe commented, "We look forward to receiving the results of this drilling phase which could represent a prime business opportunity moving forward. Past records indicate that the leach pads and stockpiles contain a historic resource of over 37 million tons and 4 million tons with silver grades of 1.29 ounces per ton (40 g/t Ag) and 0.75 ounces per ton (23 g/t Ag) respectively. Assays of preliminary samples show that significant amounts of silver are cyanide-soluble. Candelaria's historic silver grades in leach pads and stockpiles are significantly higher than the 17 g/t silver cutoff grades of the Rochester mine held by Coeur Mining located 220 kilometres north of Candelaria." Candelaria was historically the highest-grade silver producer in the state of Nevada, averaging over 1,250 g/t silver from high-grade vein mining between the mid-1800s and the mid-1900s. Open pit mining operations were undertaken in the 1970s through 1998 by several companies, including Nerco and Kinross. Kinross closed the open pit and leach operation in 1998 due to low silver prices. Leaching of the historic pads was not completed leaving a substantial amount of silver unprocessed. It is estimated that the property has produced over 68 million ounces of silver. Preliminary Assays and Metallurgical Testing Silver One geologists have collected eight samples from the heap leach pads and 107 samples from the stockpiles. Samples from the leach pads were collected from pits that were pre-dug to a depth of 40 centimetres and submitted for assays and bottle roll tests to confirm grades and estimate silver recoveries. Gold assays from the heap leach pads ranged from 0.1 to 0.3 g/mt (0.14 g/mt average) while silver assays varied from 13 to 67 g/mt (47 g/mt average). The cyanide soluble gold ranged from 0% to 35% (17% average) of the assayed gold. The cyanide soluble silver ranged from 28% to 54% (42% average) of the assayed silver. Bottle roll tests on composites are currently in progress with results expected December 2017. The gold assays from the stockpiles ranged from 0.05 to 0.55 g/mt (0.14 g/mt average) and the silver assays ranged from 9 to 138 g/mt and average 34 g/mt. No preliminary bottle roll tests are planned for the stockpile material. Metallurgical testing of stockpiles and leach pads will be conducted on sonic drill samples. Historical Resource Estimate - Candelaria Project SSR Mining Inc. (formerly, Silver Standard Resources Inc.) acquired the Candelaria Project in 2001 and reported in a technical report titled "Candelaria Project Technical Report" dated May 24, 2001 (filed on SEDAR on June 20, 2002), prepared by Pincock Allen & Holt, the historical mineral resource estimate shown in the table below. The qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as a current mineral resource. Silver One is not treating this historical estimate as current mineral resources. Candelaria Mine Project Historical Resource Estimate Area/Type Classification Tons Factored Ag Grade (optAg total ) Sol. Au Grade (opt Au soluble ) AqEq Grade (opt AgEq total ) Ag Ounces (Ag total ) Aq Equiv. Ounces (AqEq total ) Mount Diablo Measured 3,391,000 4.44 0.004 4.67 15,054,000 15,838,000 Indicated 10,231,185 2.84 0.003 3.01 29,005,000 30,796,000 Subtotal, Measured + Indicated 13,623,000 3.23 0.003 3.42 44,060,000 46,633,000 Mount Diablo Inferred 5,191,000 2.12 0.003 2.30 11,015,000 11,939,000 Northern Belle 9,162,000 2.26 0.002 2.37 20,661,000 21,714,000 Leach Pads 37,328,000 1.29 --- 1.29 48,153,000 48,153,000 L.G. Stockpiles 4,000,000 0.75 --- 0.75 3,000,000 3,000,000 Subtotal. Inferred 55,681,000 1.49 0.002 1.52 82,829,000 84,806,000 Notes 1) Lode resources tabulated at a 0.5 opt Ag soluble cutoff grades, with only Ag total shown in this table. 2) Leach pads and low grade stockpile resources tabulated for entire accumulation of material. 3) Total silver grades factored from soluble silver grades using regression formulas developed by Snowden. 4) Silver equivalent grade includes the contribution from the gold grade (soluble) using an Ag:Au equivalency ratio of 57.8:1. 5) Tonnages are short tons of 2,000 pounds. Precious metals are in troy ounces (oz) or troy ounces per short ton (opt) The historical mineral resource estimate used "measured mineral resource", "indicated mineral resource" and "inferred mineral resource", which are categories set out in NI 43-101. Accordingly, Silver One considers these historical estimates reliable as well as relevant as it represents key targets for exploration work by Silver One. The data base for the historical resource estimate (1) on the Mount Diablo Deposit consisted of 538 drill holes by previous owners and 10 drill holes by Silver Standard Resources Inc. For drill holes that were twinned, the author used the lower of the two values assigned to the original holes. The mineral resource estimate used a kriging estimation method to establish mineralized zones with a cut-off grade of 0.5 opt Ag. Ordinary kriging was used to interpolate grades in the block model. The block models were set up with block dimensions of 25 feet by 25 feet in plan and 10 feet in height. The maximum search range used in the higher-grade zone was 235 feet, in the lower grade zone it was 1,000 feet and in the background zone it was 350 feet. Block models more than 300 feet from the nearest composite only constituted 3 percent of the total number of estimated blocks and were assigned to an inferred category, (2) on the Northern Belle Deposit consisted of 226 drill holes by previous owners, of which a portion of these holes were duplicated for the Mount Diablo Deposit database. The mineral resource estimate used a kriging estimation method to establish mineralized zones with a cut-off grade of 0.5 opt Ag. The mineral resource estimate used multiple indicator kriging to interpolate grades in the block model. Block models were set up with block dimensions of 50 feet by 50 feet in plan and 20 feet in height. The maximum search range used in the higher-grade zone was 85 feet, in the intermediate-grade zone was 120 feet and the lower-grade zone was 140 feet and in the lower undifferentiated material below the current pit topography was 260 feet. Block models more than 300 feet from the nearest composite only constituted 3 percent of the total number of estimated blocks and were assigned to an inferred category; (3) on the Leach Pads consisted of 24,633,000 tons located on Leach Pad 1 and 12,695,000 on Leach Pad 2. The estimate for Leach Pad 1 is based on the fact that silver production indicates 51.5% of total silver was recovered by heap leaching operation, while 81.2% of the soluble silver contact was recovered. Further, the estimate for Leach Pad 2 is based on the fact that silver production indicates 42.4% of total silver was recovered by heap leaching operation, while 71.3% of the soluble silver content was recovered; (4) on the Low-Grade Stockpile is based on limited and incomplete data and documentation. Material placed on the on the stock piles ranged from 0.5 to 0.65 opt Ag, Qualified Person The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Greg Crowe, P.Geo, President and CEO of Silver One, and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. About Silver One Silver One is a silver focused exploration company that holds an option to acquire a 100% interest in the past producing Candelaria Silver Project, located in Nevada, from SSR Mining Inc. (formerly, Silver Standard Resources Inc.) and holds a 100% interest in three significant silver assets located in Mexico: Penasco Quemado in the State of Sonora, La Frazada in the State of Nayarit, and Pluton in the State of Durango. The Mexican mining assets were acquired from First Mining Financing, which became a key shareholder resulting from the transaction. For more information, please contact: Silver One Resources Inc. Monica Hamm VP, Investor Relations Phone: (604) 974-5274 Email: mhamm@silverone.com Forward-Looking Statements Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. Silver One 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 Silver One's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to Silver One's limited operating history, ability to obtain sufficient financing to carry out its exploration and development objectives on the Candelaria Project, obtaining the necessary permits to carry out its activities and the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations. 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, Silver One undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information. GUILDFORD, SURREY -- (Marketwired) -- 11/28/17 -- Angle PLC (AIM: AGL) (OTCQX: ANPCY) For immediate release 28 November 2017 AIM:AGL OTCQX:ANPCY ANGLE plc ("the Company") PARSORTIX SYSTEM ENABLES MOLECULAR DETECTION AND CHARACTERISATION OF CIRCULATING TUMOUR CELLS WHERE OTHER APPROACHES FAIL Results demonstrate that harvested CTCs can be analysed without further purification steps Study published in eighth peer reviewed paper detailing Parsortix use ANGLE plc (AIM: AGL) (OTCQX: ANPCY), a world-leading liquid biopsy company, today announces that its Parsortix system is the subject of a further peer-reviewed publication in the journal Oncotarget, detailing work undertaken by Prof. Robert Zeillinger's Molecular Oncology Group at the Medical University of Vienna (Vienna). Prof. Zeillinger is a key opinion leader in the field of liquid biopsies use in oncology. Prof Zeillinger's group developed and tested protocols to allow the molecular characterisation of the circulating tumour cells (CTCs) and residual blood cells harvested by the Parsortix system without the need to separate out the CTCs. This was only possible because the Parsortix system provides high purity cells with very efficient removal of white blood cells. With alternative approaches for CTC enrichment such as density gradient centrifugation, this has not been possible, as high levels of contaminating white blood cells remain with the CTCs captured. Vienna had identified specific genes which were expressed preferentially on CTCs earlier and, evaluating a panel of such genes, were able to get positive results in 95% of primary (i.e. localised disease that has not spread) gynaecological cancer patient samples, 100% of recurrent gynaecological cancer patient samples and 92% metastatic breast cancer patient samples. This workflow established by Prof. Zeillinger's group provides the opportunity not only for use in detection of cancer but also the molecular characterisation of CTCs for the purpose of assessing which drugs may be most effective for a patient during their disease progression. The publication is available at https://angleplc.com/library/publications/ Professor Robert Zeillinger, Head of the Molecular Oncology Group at the Medical University of Vienna, commented: "In the study we have demonstrated that ANGLE's Parsortix system addresses key limitations of other approaches for CTC liquid biopsy through the combination of its sensitivity in isolating circulating cancer cells in blood and the high purity of the harvested cells enabling their direct molecular analysis." ANGLE Founder and Chief Executive, Andrew Newland, commented: "This published study further demonstrates that the Parsortix system outperforms other approaches for harvesting circulating tumour cells from the blood of cancer patients in the fast emerging liquid biopsy market. The capability to harvest cancer cells with high purity to allow direct molecular analysis of the cells strongly differentiates our system, which should facilitate adoption in clinical practice." For further information ANGLE: ANGLE plc +44 (0) 1483 343434 Andrew Newland, Chief Executive Ian Griffiths, Finance Director finnCap Ltd (NOMAD and Joint Broker) +44 (0)20 7220 0500 Corporate Finance - Adrian Hargrave, Simon Hicks, Kate Bannatyne Corporate Broking - Alice Lane, Nikita Jain WG Partners (Joint Broker) +44 (0) 203 705 9330 Nigel Barnes, Nigel Birks, Andrew Craig, Chris Lee FTI Consulting Simon Conway, Mo Noonan, Stephanie Cuthbert +44 (0) 203 727 1000 Kimberly Ha (US) +1 212 850 5612 For Frequently Used Terms, please see the Company's website on http://www.angleplc.com/the-parsortix-system/glossary/ Notes for editors About ANGLE plc www.angleplc.com ANGLE is a world leading liquid biopsy company with sample to answer solutions. ANGLE's proven patent protected platforms include an epitope-independent circulating tumor cell (CTC) harvesting technology and a downstream analysis system for cost effective, highly multiplexed analysis of nucleic acids and proteins. ANGLE's cell separation technology is called the Parsortix system and it enables a liquid biopsy (simple blood test) to be used to provide the cells of interest. Parsortix is the subject of granted patents in Europe, the United States, Canada, India, China, Japan and Australia and three extensive families of patents are being progressed worldwide. The system is based on a microfluidic device that captures live cells based on a combination of their size and compressibility. Parsortix has a CE Mark for Europe and FDA authorisation is in process for the United States. ANGLE's analysis technology for proteins and nucleic acids of all types is based on a patented flow through array technology. It provides for highly multiplexed, rapid and sensitive capture of targets from a wide variety of sample types. A proprietary chemistry allows for the capture and amplification of over 100 biomarkers simultaneously in a single reaction. These technologies can be combined to provide fully automated, sample to answer results in both centralized laboratory and point of use cartridge formats. It is ideal for measuring gene expression and other markers directly from Parsortix harvests. ANGLE has established formal collaborations with world-class cancer centres. These Key Opinion Leaders are working to identify applications with medical utility (clear benefit to patients), and to secure clinical data that demonstrates that utility in patient studies. Details are available here http://www.angleplc.com/the-company/collaborators/ The analysis of the cells that can be harvested from patient blood with ANGLE's Parsortix system has the potential to help deliver personalised cancer care offering profound improvements in clinical and health economic outcomes in the treatment and diagnosis of various forms of cancer. The global increase in cancer to a 1 in 3 lifetime incidence is set to drive a multi-billion dollar clinical market. The Parsortix system is designed to be compatible with existing major medtech analytical platforms and to act as a companion diagnostic for major pharma in helping to identify patients that will benefit from a particular drug and then monitoring the drug's effectiveness. As well as cancer, the Parsortix technology has the potential for deployment with several other important cell types in the future. ANGLE biomarker analysis platforms are adaptable to measure protein and nucleic acid biomarkers across the full spectrum of disease applications. ANGLE stock trades on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol AGL and in New York on the OTC-QX under the ticker symbol ANPCY. For further information please visit: www.angleplc.com Contact: RNS Customer Services 0044-207797-4400 rns@londonstockexchange.com http://www.rns.com The 2021-22 Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District (CFAUSD) and schools report cards were released publicly by Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) on Tuesday. Out of nine schools, one school received the designation of Significantly Exceeding Expectations, three schools received Exceeds Expectations, and four schools received Meets Expectations. SEOUL, KOREA, Nov 28, 2017 - (ACN Newswire) - Suprema ID., a leading global provider of biometrics and ID solutions, today announced that the company will reveal its ground-breaking fingerprint authentication scanner featuring ultra-slim sensor and wireless technology at Trustech 2017 on November 28.The new FAP20-compliant BioMini Slim 2S fingerprint scanner provides a number of industry-leading features under its sleek design. Featuring range-leading powerful 1.0GHz CPU, BioMini Slim 2S provides high-speed extraction and matching of fingerprints on the scanner. To improve user convenience, BioMini Slim 2S now supports true plug-n-play by featuring HID (human interface device) protocol. HID protocol enables users to scan fingers immediately after physical connection of USB plug without any set-up or installation steps. BioMini Slim 2S also provides enhanced versatility with pre-loaded web-server hence enables users to operate web-based applications from their mobile devices or PCs regardless of their OS type.Continued from its predecessors, BioMini Slim 2S also provides rugged IP65-rated dust and waterproof structure and equipped with latest 500dpi slim optical sensor featuring Suprema's advanced LFD (Live Fingerprint Detection) technology to prevent spoofing frauds. Moreover BioMini Slim 2S maintains the highest standards by complying FBI PIV/FIPS201 and mobile ID FAP20 certifications and even enables users to capture fingerprints under harsh environmental conditions as well as direct sunlight up to 100,000 LUX."In developing BioMini Slim 2S, we have seen an unprecedentedly huge demand on a smart and compact type of a stand-alone fingerprint scanner connected to a variety of applications based on Plug-and-Play communication," said Bogun Park, president of ID Solutions Business at Suprema.Suprema will make an exclusive showcase of BioMini Slim 2S scanner with a Smart Motion Activated Candy Dispenser at Trustech 2017 for visitor's pleasant experience. To experience more on BioMini Slim 2S, please book a demo at below link or visit Suprema stand (Riviera 01 H014) at Trustech 2017. For online registration, please visit https://goo.gl/E2BtJ7About Suprema Inc.Suprema is a leading global provider of biometrics and ID solutions. By combining world renowned biometric algorithms with superior engineering, Suprema continually designs and develops industry-leading products and solutions. Suprema's extensive range of portfolio includes biometric access control systems, time & attendance solutions, fingerprint live scanners, mobile authentication solutions and embedded fingerprint modules. Suprema has worldwide sales network in over 130 countries and is one of the world's Top 50 security company in its turnover (ranked in A&S's Security 50, 2010-2015). For more information, please visit www.supremainc.com.Source: Suprema Inc.Contact:Copyright 2017 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. 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. MELBOURNE (dpa-AFX) - Anglo-Australian mining giant BHP Billiton plc (BHP.AX, BLT.L, BBL, BHP) Tuesday announced its plans to lower unit costs in BHP Minerals Australia unit by a further 10 percent over the medium-term. The company also projects Australian mining operations to deliver $1.6 billion of additional productivity gains over the next two years. The company also projects a sharp recovery in steel prices and raw materials prices before February next year. Speaking to investors and analysts, BHP Minerals Australia President, Mike Henry, outlined plans to grow value and improve returns on capital across the Company's Australian operations. Henry stated that BHP's large, long-life, low-cost Australian assets underpin current margins and future optionality. The company said it could substantially reduce unit costs at Australian mining operations over the last five years by sharing knowledge and replicating best practice across global portfolio. 'But we have further to go,' he said. In the investor call, Vice President of Marketing Vicky Binns stated that while steel production in China will fall in the short term due to the mandated winter cuts, this would result in short term demand for iron ore and met coal. Further, China's belt and road initiative is expected to drive an extra 150 million tonnes of steel demand, driven by $1.3 trillion of infrastructure development. Talking about the Brownfield Expansion option or BFX at Olympic Dam, Henry said it is a project with the potential to deliver sustainable returns to shareholders, government and the local community. Olympic Dam Asset President Jacqui McGill, added that the BFX option could provide a capital efficient path to increased capacity through accelerated development into the Southern Mine Area. In the Southern Mine Area, the copper grade is expected increase to 3 percent by financial year 2023, which would coincide with a structural deficit in the copper market. If approved, the BFX option is expected to lift production capacity to 330 ktpa. McGill also outlined longer-term development options that had the potential to significantly increase the volume of copper produced, including the use of heap leach technology. Combined, these plans create significant value and support improved returns both at Olympic Dam and across BHP's minerals operations in Australia, the company noted. In Australia, BHP shares dropped 2 percent to settle at A$27.38. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de VIENNA, November 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- In a new series of online articles launched by the Eurozine network of cultural journals, 13 cultural journalists and academics from across Europe, plus U.S. writers, examine in-depth the phenomena of fake news, post-truth and disinformation. (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/611359/Eurozine.jpg ) Eurozine's focal point 'Disinformation and Democracy' combines empirical studies at national levels with theoretical discussion of the politics of post-truth; analyses of contemporary developments with intellectual and conceptual histories; and investigations of the political fringes, asking: what now constitutes democratic 'normality'? It's impossible to ignore Russia's role in these phenomena. Markus Wehner gives an overview of the strategy and techniques of Russian 'infowar'; Anton Shekhovtsov traces how far-right groups across Europe and the U.S. use Russian web-hosting to spread anti-western propaganda; and Daniel Leisegang assesses the effectiveness of Germany's new law on online hate speech and fake news, given the virtual migration to the Runet. Shifting the focus to eastern Europe, Milena Iakimova and Dimitar Vatsov explore how, in Bulgaria, Russian propaganda has co-opted western grassroots criticism of liberalism and globalization since 2013. They note: '[W]e were... amazed when we started hearing the talking points identified by our study now coming from the mouth of the new U.S. President, Donald Trump.' From dialectical materialism to neoliberalism, any politics that lays claims to the truth is both illusory and dangerous, argues Jean-Claude Monod. Political scientist Joseph Uscinski explores the relationship between conspiracy theorizing and partisanship in the U.S., pointing out: '[I]f one wants to challenge mainstream wisdom, conspiracy theories are an excellent rhetorical device for doing so.' Providing historical perspective, Marci Shore compares western intellectuals' response to the disappointment of 'real-existing communism' with that of the dissidents who lived under it: can a radical concept of truth counter the threat of 'post-modern dictatorships'? And Valentin Groebner traces a thread of fakery in 'news' right back to the Middle Ages. All the focal point texts are available in English in Eurozine: http://www.eurozine.com/focal-points/disinformation-and-democracy/ This editorial collaboration within the Eurozine network continued via a series of panel discussions at the 28th European Meeting of Cultural Journals in Tartu, Estonia in October 2017. The discussions can be viewed on YouTube: http://bit.ly/2ADE5tg SYDNEY, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Australian consumer lending fintech, MoneyMe, has finalised an AU$120 million asset-backed wholesale securitization facility led by $100 million from global investment manager, Fortress Investment Group, and joined with $20 million of bonds issued by corporate advisory, Evans & Partners. The funding places the fintech in an ideal position to continue capturing an even greater share of the digitally-savvy millennial consumer market over the next 3 to 5 years through an expanded product range, and additional delivery channels. "A capital investment of this magnitude is recognition of the strength and depth of our value proposition, and an indication of the strong potential for Australian fintechs to capture serious wholesale market funding," said Clayton Howes, CEO and Co-Founder of MoneyMe. "A securitization warehouse structure and our institutional-grade treasury function akin to the major banks-- combined with advanced automation and personalization capabilities, data-driven product integrity, cutting-edge technology for scalability, and a relatable brand personality-- is a sure-fire way for Australian fintechs to attract the interest of global investors. "This type of validation by a global investment management company, Fortress Investment Group, affirms a funding path that will now allow us to capitalise on growth and market share opportunities where bank branch models are not a natural fit in this digital age. "As we further increase our independence and position as a mainstay in the improved distribution of consumer finance, we see this validation as a win for Australian fintech as a whole," continued Clayton Howes. Evans & Partners, the corporate advisory firm that led the bond issuance, has raised over $1.5 billion since 2008. The bond issued in this transaction is a publicly-tradable security, which investors are attracted to for the stability, yield, and track record of performance in this emerging sector. The substantial capital injection will be used to fund continued loan book growth and facilitate both the expansion of MoneyMe's distribution channels, and the launch of a series of niche loan products targeting the lucrative millennial market. "As the millennial generation ages and gains even greater consumer power with their increasing incomes, their credit needs will also change and mature with them," continued Clayton Howes. "Our aim is to be there throughout their credit lifecycle journey, seamlessly delivering real-time finance solutions in the locations and format that allow focus to remain on the consumption experience and not the transaction itself," concluded Clayton Howes. For more information on MoneyMe: www.moneyme.com.au For more information on Fortress Investment Group LLC (NYSE: FIG): www.fortress.com For more information on Evans & Partners: www.evansandpartners.com.au About MoneyMe MoneyMe (www.moneyme.com.au) is a fintech business developing cutting edge technology to revolutionise lending to the millennial market in Australia. Its CEO and co-founder, Clayton Howes, has over 15 years' experience delivering investment strategies, restructuring operations, and launching start-ups across corporate, merger, and new business structures. Clayton is an enthusiastic ambassador for brand and people leadership, and is passionate about leveraging innovation and designing technology that democratizes financial solutions for consumers. Clayton Howes is available for interview-- contact Hannah Moreno (+61-452-523-117) to arrange. Media Contact: Hannah Moreno +61-452-523-117 hannah@thirdhemisphere.com.au Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/610511/MoneyMe_Logo.jpg \ View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fintech-moneyme-secures-120-million-capital-facility-led-by-fortress-investment-group-300561719.html LONDON, November 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- This Insight is the fourth in a series of five that look at China's capacity reduction programme and its key implications. In this Insight, we examine the impact of improved Chinese capacity utilisation on EAF production elsewhere in the world, particularly South East Asia, and on scrap market dynamics and prices. We find that, given a stronger steel price environment and lower availability of both finished and semi-finished steel in China, EAF-based production elsewhere is higher. Furthermore, higher billet prices and stronger scrap demand are supportive of higher scrap prices. Margins for EAF-based producers will decline from current levels, but not to the lows of a few years back. (Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/536199/CRU_Logo.jpg ) Better times to remain for EAF producers in Asia CRU forecasts ongoing increases in Chinese crude steel capacity utilisation as spare capacity is cut further. Our domestic steel price forecasts have been upgraded, and with them, expectations of industry profitability. Likewise, our outlook for Chinese steel export volumes, both finished and semi-finished, have been reduced. Lower availability and higher prices of billet are expected to lift EAF-based steel output elsewhere as steel producers that had, in recent years, reduced primary steel output in favour of importing lower cost billet, will be more able to produce. Scrap and billet prices represent an arbitrage opportunity for EAF-based steelmakers, something that has played out strongly since 2014. Higher finished steel and billet prices will lift scrap demand and prices as EAF-based output increase. Because scrap prices are expected to rise in line with steel prices, and domestic premiums are unlikely to rise, margins for EAF-based production are not expected to lift substantially because of higher scrap use. That said, the spread between finished steel and billet prices is expected to remain in place, which will support margins, but at a slightly lower level than in this past year. Note: for simplicity was have excluded any potential impact from a shortage graphite electrodes and higher conversion costs in this analysis; please contact us for a recent article on this topic if of interest. Read the full story: http://bit.ly/China-Steel-production-EAF-producers Read more about CRU: http://bit.ly/About_CRU About CRU CRU offers unrivalled business intelligence on the global metals, mining and fertilizer industries through market analysis, price assessments, consultancy and events. Since our foundation in 1969, we have consistently invested in primary research and robust methodologies, and developed expert teams in key locations worldwide, including in hard-to-reach markets such as China. CRU employs over 250 experts and has more than 10 offices around the world, in Europe, the Americas, China, Asia and Australia - our office in Beijing opened in 2004. When facing critical business decisions, you can rely on this first-hand knowledge to give you a complete view on a commodity market. And you can engage with our experts directly, for the full picture and a personalised response. CRU - big enough to deliver a high quality service, small enough to care about all of our customers. OXFORD, England, November 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA to evaluate the use of Isansys' physiological monitoring tools to learn how to monitor explorers as they travel into space A NASA exploration scientist set off on his mission to Antarctica being monitored by the Patient Status Engine, a physiological data collection platform which provides monitoring of individuals wirelessly and in real-time. (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/610929/Isansys_Lifecare.jpg ) Dr Erik Antonsen, the Exploration Medical Capability Element Scientist, is performing a range of experiments including the evaluation of the Isansys monitoring system in extreme and remote environments. The Patient Status Engine is automatically capturing Dr Antonsen's physiological data through a suite of wireless wearable sensors which make up part of the Patient Status Engine. Two teams also equipped with the Patient Status Engine are monitoring his progress to view his healthcare status at all times. Dr Peter Lee, Cardiothoracic Surgeon at The Ohio State University, who helped initiate this demonstration, said: "Convenient, accurate, and versatile wireless medical monitoring is the future of physiological monitoring, whether it's in the hospital, home, or extreme environments. "Testing the Patient Status Engine and its sensors by NASA is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to its potential applications and capabilities." Throughout Dr Antonsen's voyage, the data, including his heart rate, respiration rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation and temperature, is being collected and analysed by the Patient Status Engine. This data is then being relayed back to Dr Lee's team in America, via satellite phone, where they are assessing its accuracy, validity, and acquisition. Communication links and integration with prototype medical data systems are also being assessed. The data collected will help NASA learn the best ways to monitor the physiology of future explorers, which is critical for its work to send humans beyond Low Earth Orbit, to the Moon, and eventually to Mars. Joe Swantack, CEO of STARK Industries which is working with Isansys to install the Patient Status Engine in extreme environments, said: "We're completely immersing the Patient Status Engine in the world's most extreme cold-weather environment, -40 to -50F; conditions that closely approximate a 'surface' EVA on a manned-mission to the red planet." Liz Swantack, Co-Director of Development and Nurse Consultant said: "We'll be wirelessly monitoring Dr Antonsen in the same way we're monitoring patients in hospital and healthcare communities. The physiological responses created beneath the cold-weather gear, monitored in real-time, will generate high-definition digitized data sets for further analysis." Follow Dr Antonsen's mission via his blog: https://erikantarctica.wordpress.com/ Isansys Lifecare Georgina Horton PR & Marketing Executive T: 01235 436225 M: 07852181898 Email: georgina.horton@isansys.com New strategic alliances with KPMG and PSA Consulting will extend Deltek's delivery capabilities in Norway Oslo, Norway, 2017-11-28 10:00 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Deltek, the leading global provider of enterprise software and solutions for project-based businesses, recently announced new partnerships with KPMG and PSA Consulting to extend its consulting and implementation services in the Norwegian market. Established as leading practices within the professional services sector, both KPMG and PSA Consulting will complement and extend Deltek's own consulting expertise in the delivery of it's Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Talent Management solutions, which are purpose-built for project-centric organizations. The partnerships will enhance the level of service and expertise that Deltek clients experience during and after systems implementation. KPMG and PSA Consulting will provide complementary advisory services in areas such as digital transformation leadership, change management, integration and business consulting to assist with the implementation and operation of Deltek Maconomy ERP and Deltek Talent Management. This will provide a new level of service and scalability giving Deltek clients a quicker path to return on investment. "Our team has vast experience with Deltek Maconomy and working with leading project-based businesses across the Nordics," said Martin Flatset, Managing Director, PSA Consulting. "We therefore look forward to continuing our close work with Deltek's clients to help them get even more value out from their ERP solutions." "Deltek is a very successful global vendor in the highly competitive ERP space, specializing exclusively in solutions for project-centric organizations. This focus means Deltek, like KPMG, truly understand clients and offer proven solutions and expertise that deliver value. KPMG looks forward to working together with more Deltek clients to support its digital transformation projects and future growth," said Rune Skjelvan, Head of Advisory, KPMG. "Enhancing the level of service and expertise delivered to our growing customer base has always been a priority for Deltek, to ensure maximum return on their investment in ERP and Talent Management, and that the solutions are ready to meet the demands of their business now and in the future. Therefore, I am very pleased to announce these strategic alliances with KPMG and PSA Consulting. These partnerships will guarantee our clients receive the utmost level of consulting services as they face a rapidly transforming industry, changing demands from their own clients, margin pressures, and an increasingly digital agenda," said Stefan Grahn, VP Nordics, Deltek. About KPMG KPMG is a global network of professional firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services. KPMG operate in 152 countries and have more than 189,000 people working in member firms around the world. The independent member firms of the KPMG network are affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative ("KPMG International"), a Swiss entity. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. KPMG Norway have 1,000 highly skilled and engaged employees in 24 offices across Norway. More info: www.kmpg.no About PSA Consulting PSA Consulting, based in Oslo, Norway, delivers expert level advisory, consulting and solutions to leading project and competence based companies in the Nordics. More info: www.psaconsulting.com/ 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 organizations 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, optimize 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/eff08860-98b3-4024-9d87-9dc9b af22169 Lauran Cacciatori Deltek 773-610-0806 LauranCacciatori@Deltek.com LONDON, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- In a recent interview with the Local Manager of the Prudent Investment Fund's Brazilian operation, Giovanni Cataldi, we had a chance to discuss some of the key elements leading up to Prudent Group's (Prudent) success. Prudent focuses on short-term corporate lending in Brazil. Through financing a broad range of businesses, mainly in non-cyclical segments of the economy, the firm aim to create long-term mutually beneficial relationships with its borrowers and, furthermore, strive to protect the investments with credit insurance when possible. Giovanni describes what services the firm offers specifically within the hedge fund space, and how he and the team tailor its services and solutions around the needs of each individual client. "Regarding some of the services that we provide, Prudent offers international investors the possibility of significant investment returns in our Brazilian short-term corporate credit business, we run regulated funds in both Luxembourg and Brazil to achieve this end. However, Prudent is not a hedge fund in the traditional sense as we solely invest in self-generated short-term corporate receivables through an operational business active in the Brazilian credit market." "...the goal for Prudent is to identify and effectuate highly scalable, repeatable, and defensible transactions while utilizing downside risk mitigation strategies, such as insurance, overcollateralization, and extensive client monitoring." After talking about some of the services that Prudent provides, this leads us on to the resulting success of the company itself. Giovanni explains how it feels to have been selected as the Most Outstanding Hedge Fund Manager - 2017, and how it can benefit the company in the long term. "Here at Prudent, the Prudent Family humbly accepts this award as a token of recognition of all the hard work put into creating a ground-breaking vehicle for international investors to invest in the highly lucrative Brazilian Capital Markets. Personally, I hope that the award will be recognized by the AI community and attract potential investors considering committing some Prudent investment capital." Part of this continuing success is that Prudent has been able to differentiate itself from similar firms within the industry, guaranteeing its clients and borrowers that they are the best option in which to commit to some capital. Giovanni alludes to the long-term relationships that the firm has built with man of its borrowers, and this is a sure sign of its success. "Prudent's borrowers are very pleased with our offerings, execution, and appreciate the long-term approach we take in building our relationships. Many of the borrowers have formed business alliances with our staff members dating back some 10-20 years, which makes Prudent "their first call". Additionally, as Prudent has grown, we have been lucky enough to acquire talented and seasoned veterans with a deep understanding of the market dynamics and the competition. Through leveraging the talent that has been brought aboard, Prudent will continue to improve our offerings with a goal of becoming a staple in the Brazilian short-term lending market." Working within such a fast-paced industry, Giovanni and his team must ensure that Prudent remains on the cutting edge of any new developments, and he explains how the company are always in the best position to match and answer clients' needs. "In order to stay ahead of other asset managers and exogenous economic and political variables, Prudent is constantly evaluating our current positions, investment processes, and assessing new strategies that fit our investor's needs. For example, in less than six months Prudent has managed to enter the extremely profitable Brazilian credit card receivables business and created our own echo-system of card terminals, processing, and receivables discounting in which we are creating a possibility for the merchants to get rid of their banks. The business is run through a separately regulated FIDC, in which the Luxembourg SICAV SIF, the Prudent Investment Fund, is the sole investor. This is a good example of how Prudent strives to innovate and create diversified value for investors through multiple strategies. Throughout the company, the team believes that by expanding its geographic footprint in Brazil, both Prudent and its borrowers can benefit from a local presence and close culture. Currently, the firm has local Sales Teams in three main locations, two in Sao Paulo and one in Porto Alegre, as well as representatives in multiple other locations. Within the local institutional market, Prudent offers services and solutions that are able to cater to a variety of different needs, and an assortment of clients. Giovanni is keen to highlight the experience of the firm's customer service team, showcasing the team's ability to service the market in a professional manner. "At Prudent, we have found that there is nothing more important than to receive the approval from the large local institutional investors for our efforts. Our local Sales Teams targeting Brazilian institutional investors is set up in coordination with CM Capital Markets, led by Fernando Barroso. Through this extremely well established and experienced client service team, we have the ability to service the local institutional market in the outmost professional manner." As with any industry, there always challenges specific to the market which every company has to overcome in order to be successful. Giovanni explains the specific challenges and outside influences which have affected Prudent and the investment fund industry within Luxembourg and Brazil. "Fundamentally, the bureaucratic red tape is increasingly stifling and costly. Furthermore, investor's flight to the largest money managers is creating a highly concentrated competitive landscape. At Prudent, we are hoping that investment excellence soon again will be determining allocations, rather than the sheer size of the manager's AUM." Overall, the company has a mission which every member of staff is working towards, and in his concluding comments, Giovanni comments on Prudent's mission, and what steps the team have set in place in order to achieve this. "Moving forward, the goal for Prudent is to identify and effectuate highly scalable, repeatable, and defensible transactions while utilizing downside risk mitigation strategies, such as insurance, overcollateralization, and extensive client monitoring. "Needless to say, our colleagues and partners are the key to our success. Lending is a tricky business, and we have had the good fortune of being able to utilize the Brazilian economic slump to lure over highly seasoned professionals when building out the Prudent team. Most of our Senior Associates have more than 30 years of industry experience and bring a wealth of knowledge, endless contact networks, and a good eye for sensible business transactions for us to pursue. Additionally, Prudent strive to build close and strong co-operations with many of its service providers such as CM Capital Markets, which has proven valuable in our efforts to streamline our administrative processes and ensure maximal efficiency." Contact: AltaGroup 55 51 9 9274 6580 Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/609931/AltaGroup_and_Prudent_Group.jpg GENEVA, November 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- iOnctura SA, a recently founded late stage preclinical immuno-oncology company, announced today the formation of an international Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). iOnctura is developing a pipeline of selected assets with novel biology that target and modulate mechanisms that drive immunosuppression in the tumour microenvironment (TME) to boost efficacy and maximize the therapeutic potential of checkpoint inhibitors. Such immune-suppression is thought to be one of the main reasons why a considerable number of patients do not respond to first generation checkpoint inhibitors. The company's lead program, a potentially first in class highly selective PI3K delta inhibitor, is scheduled to enter clinical development in 2018. The Scientific Advisory Board will closely work with iOnctura's management team to maximise the potential of iOnctura's pipeline and rapidly progress its assets through pre-clinical and clinical proof of concept, guided by strong scientific rationale and translational science. The SAB includes some of the world's leading experts in tumor immunology and checkpoint inhibitor therapy: Dr Sergio A. Quezada , Head of Immune Regulation and Tumour Immunotherapy Research Group at University College London , Head of Immune Regulation and Tumour Immunotherapy Research Group at University College London Dr James Larkin , Consultant Medical Oncologist at The Royal Marsden, Vice Chair of the Cancer Research UK Clinical Research Committee and Lead of the Uncommon Cancers Theme at The Royal Marsden/The Institute of Cancer Research NIHR Biomedical Research Centre , Consultant Medical Oncologist at The Royal Marsden, Vice Chair of the Cancer Research UK Clinical Research Committee and Lead of the Uncommon Cancers Theme at The Royal Marsden/The Institute of Cancer Research NIHR Biomedical Research Centre Professor Stuart Farrow , Director of Biology, Cancer Research UK's Therapeutic Discovery Laboratories. , Director of Biology, Cancer Research UK's Therapeutic Discovery Laboratories. Dr Joern-Peter Halle , Head of External Innovation & Translational Innovation Platform Immuno-Oncology at the biopharma business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany iOnctura, has already built a pipeline of promising programs through its alliances with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany - which operates its biopharma business as EMD Serono in the US and Canada - and Cancer Research UK, and has entered into a research collaboration with Cancer Research UK's Therapeutic Discovery Laboratories. On welcoming the members to the SAB, Catherine Pickering, CEO and co-founder of iOnctura, said: "We are delighted to have attracted this prestigious group of experts to our Scientific Advisory Board. Comprised of world renowned scientists and clinicians, their knowledge and experience in the field of cancer immunology will be invaluable as we rapidly progress our pipeline through pre-clinical development and clinical proof of concept, and will support our goal to maximize the therapeutic potential of checkpoint inhibitors for patients." SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARD Dr Sergio A.Quezada Dr Quezada earned anundergraduate degree in biochemistry from the P. Universidad Catolica de Chile and a Ph.D. from Dartmouth Medical School in the US, where his research focused on themechanisms for the induction of transplantation tolerance.Working with Prof Randy Noelle at Dartmouth,Dr. Quezada developed a model to study anti-CD154 graft tolerance and madeseveral fundamental contributions to the understanding of the immune regulationand mechanisms of transplantation rejection and tolerance. In 2004, Dr Quezada joined thelaboratory of Dr James Allison at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center,where he has carried out postdoctoral research aimed at understanding themechanisms governing anti-tumor T-cell immunity and how these mechanisms can bemanipulated for the generation of potent anti-tumor immune responses.In November 2011, Dr Quezada joined theUniversity College London Cancer Institute in the United Kingdom as Head of theImmune Regulation and Tumor Immunotherapy group. His research group at UCL focuses in the study of the mechanism of action of anti-CTLA-4, anti-PD-1 and other immune-modulatory antibodies targeting co-inhibitory and co-stimulatory pathways (including ICOS, 4-1BB, OX-40) and used as novel anticancer therapies. In the last years, through a number of clinical collaborations, his team gained significant expertise in the characterisation and interrogation of immune reactivity and function within the microenvironment of different human cancers including melanoma, lung and kidney cancers. Dr Quezada was a Cancer Research Institute Fellow from 2005 to 2008 and has been the recipient of Dartmouth's John W. Strohbern Medal for excellence in biomedical research, the Cancer Research Institute (USA) New Investigator Award and a Cancer Research UK Career Development Fellowship. Most recently he was awarded with a Cancer Research UK Senior Cancer Research Fellowship. DrJames Larkin Dr James Larkin is a Consultant Medical Oncologist specialising in the treatment of melanoma and cancers of the kidney. Dr Larkin took a first in Natural Sciences from Cambridge University and undertook clinical training at Oxford University, qualifying in 1996. He underwent general medical training in London and in 2001 won a Medical Research Council Fellowship for a Clinician, carrying out laboratory research at The Institute of Cancer Research which led to the award of a PhD. He completed specialist training at The Royal Marsden and was appointed a Consultant in 2008. His research interests involve trying to understand cancer and its consequences better as well as developing improved treatments, particularly with targeted therapies and immunotherapies. He is Chair of the Cancer Research UK Clinical Research Monitoring Panel, a medical advisor to the patient advocacy group Melanoma UK, a trustee of the Kidney Cancer Support Network and the only non-US member of the Board of Directors of the Kidney Cancer Association. He is a past NIHR National Specialty Lead for Early Phase Oncology Trials as well past Chair of both the NCRI Renal Cancer Clinical Studies Group and The Royal Marsden/ICR Committee for Clinical Research. He is currently Vice Chair of the Cancer Research UK Clinical Research Committee and Lead of the Uncommon Cancers Theme at the Royal Marsden/ICR Biomedical Research Centre for Cancer. Professor Stuart Farrow Professor Stuart Farrow joined Cancer Research UK's Therapeutic Discovery Laboratories (then Cancer Research Technology Discovery Laboratories) as Director of Biology in April 2015, where he leads the discovery team responsible for oncology target validation and disease positioning. He has a particular focus on discovery of new therapeutic opportunities in immuno-oncology. Before joining Cancer Research UK's Therapeutic Discovery Laboratories he spent more than 20 years in drug discovery and leadership roles in the pharmaceutical industry. Most recently he was based at the University of Manchester, where he directed the establishment of the Manchester centre for collaborative research in inflammation and immunology (MCCIR), a 15M initiative funded by GSK, AstraZeneca and the University of Manchester. He has also served as a translational biology expert on the UK MRC Infection and Immunity Board. Stuart has worked in several therapeutic areas, leading discovery programmes from early discovery through to commercial launch, and has also directed major translational research initiatives. He has an extensive publication record with particular emphasis on immunology and inflammation. DrJoern-Peter Halle Dr Joern-Peter Halle is leading the External Innovation and Translational Innovation Platform Immuno-Oncology functionat the biopharma business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. Most recently, he was Head of the President's Office and of Strategy and Business operations at the biopharma business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. Prior to this, he was responsible for the program leaders of the oncology portfolio, part of the cross-functional oncology leadership team, and Head of Early Stage Licensing of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. He started his career in Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany 12 years ago as a member of the corporate development team and was member of the Serono acquisition and integration team. Prior to joining Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, he co-founded a biotech company focusing on R&D in dermatology where he served as a Chief Business Officer. Peter holds a PhD in molecular biology from the University of Konstanz and began his career as a postdoc in biochemistry at the Gene Center Munich. About iOnctura iOnctura is a biopharmaceutical company focusing on novel therapeutics to modulate key culprits of immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment. iOnctura aims to improve current immune checkpoint therapies by developing novel drugs with potential first or best-in-class safety and efficacy profiles that when combined with checkpoint inhibition have the potential to optimize clinical outcomes. Through its partnerships with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany and Cancer Research UK, iOnctura has established a pipeline of pre-clinical molecules to advance towards the clinic in combination with first generation checkpoint inhibitors. iOnctura, supported by a world renowned scientific advisory board and, with its access to Cancer Research UK's Therapeutic Discovery Laboratories and network of academic collaborators, is well-positioned to rapidly establish novel combination therapies in the field of cancer immunology. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, iOnctura was founded by Merck Ventures, the strategic venture investment arm of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany in June 2017. Hakan Goker, Senior Investment Director at Merck Ventures, and Keno Gutierrez represent Merck Ventures on iOnctura's board of directors. For more information contact: Optimum Strategic Communications Mary Clark, Supriya Mathur, Hollie Vile Email: ionctura@optimumcomms.com Tel: +44(0)203-714-1787 BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT/PARIS (dpa-AFX) - French shares rose on Tuesday as German political concerns eased and investors looked for signs of progress from the Senate debate on U.S. tax reform. The benchmark CAC 40 was up 18 points or 0.34 percent at 5,378 in late opening deals after losing 0.6 percent on Monday. Lender Societe Generale rose about 1 percent after announcing plans to cut 900 jobs as part of a restructuring exercise. Pharmaceutical company Carmat climbed 3 percent. The company announced the first implantation of its bioprosthetic artificial heart in the Czech Republic as part of its clinical trials in humans. Casino advanced 1.7 percent after it signed an agreement with Ocado Group to develop the Ocado Smart Platform ecommerce grocery service in France. In economic releases, French consumer confidence improved more-than-expected in November, after weakening in the previous four months, survey data from statistical office Insee showed. The consumer sentiment index climbed to 102 from 100 in October. Economists had expected the index to increase to 101. 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. BEIRUT, Lebanon, November 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Aspiring Social Media influencers can now be a part of the biggest digital influencer competition and series in the region. With applications opening on December 1st, 'Sadeem' will take candidates on an exciting journey of discovery, creativity, and digital growth that inspires them to achieve their dreams and positively influence the world. (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/611388/Sadeem_Social_Media.jpg ) Through a competitive yet entertaining experience that is the first of its kind, Sadeem is incubating future content creators in the Arab world and giving them the chance to connect with digital experts who will help them become the next generation of Arab influencers - ones that entertain, while presenting their virtual communities with inspiring and meaningful content. Meanwhile, Sadeem's audience will get to watch their favorite contestants go from zero to hero, through an exciting online reality series (broadcasted on Facebook, Youtube, Twitter and Instagram) that will culminate in the crowning of the Arab world's digital super star. All-star panel of judges To make that dream come true, the region's biggest established influencers have come together to host, mentor and judge Sadeem's participants as they compete in a series of challenges where they will learn to improve their digital content creation skills, unleash their creative expression, and develop affinity to digital growth and branded content strategies. During its special launch in Beirut in the presence of a number of distinguished local and regional media representatives and social influencers, Sadeem revealed the competition's panel of judges that includes Kuwait's Youtube sensation Shuaib Rashed, Egypt's rising motivational speaker Kareem Esmail, Algeria's popular online satirist Youcef Zarouta, and Kuwait's influential fashion blogger Ascia Al Faraj. The two superstar influencers hosting the show's are Jordanian actress and Youtube celebrity Tima Shomali, and Lebanon's king of velfies Issam Merheb. Five phases to achieve Sadeem will run throughfive phases. During the 1st phase, thousands of applicants from every corner in the Arab world will submit their own engaging self-introductory video via http://sadeem.com . The 2nd phase will have judges filtering submissions down to a hundred auditions. Following a second video submission, Sadeem's judges will choose the top 20 applicants based on their charisma and digital potential. The 20 will then fly into phase 3, the Final Qualifiers, where they will go through a thorough range of team-building activities, leading up to the selection of the 9 finalists who will be a part of the 4th and main phase of the competition. The 4th phase, titled "The Hub", will be the most intense phase thus far. 9 finalists will fly to Doha where the contestants will attend a series of professional workshops conducted by Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube! In the 5th and final stage of the series, 3 top finalists will fly home to film their "epic challenge video". The finale will be held on May 12th 2018 to announce Sadeem's winner. Exciting prizes Sadeem's finalists will take home two million riyals worth of prizes, with the first winner walking away with the Grand Prize of 1 Million Riyals in cash and a trip to San Francisco to visit the headquarters of the major digital companies in the world. The top 9 influencers will win a contract with Sadeem and will have the opportunity to take their new found knowledge and fame to the next level. CALGARY, AB--(Marketwired - November 28, 2017) - Texas is once again the most attractive jurisdiction in the world for oil and gas investment, reclaiming the top spot from Oklahoma in an annual global survey of petroleum-sector executives released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan, Canadian public policy think-tank. After Texas, Oklahoma ranked 2 nd worldwide. "Texas and Oklahoma have, for years, been seen as the most attractive jurisdictions in the world for oil and gas investors -- proof that sound regulatory policies and stable environmental protections help attract scarce investment dollars even when commodity prices are down," said Kenneth Green, the Fraser Institute's senior director of natural resource studies and co-author of the 2017 Global Petroleum Survey. The 2017 survey ranks 97 jurisdictions worldwide based on their barriers to investment (e.g. taxation, costly regulatory obligations and uncertainty over environmental regulations) and on the size of oil and gas reserves. This year, U.S. states comprise six of the top 10 jurisdictions around the world: Texas (1 st ), Oklahoma (2 nd ), North Dakota (3 rd ), West Virginia (5 th ), Kansas (6 th ) and Wyoming (9 th ). The 10 least attractive jurisdictions for oil and gas investment are Yemen, France, Cambodia, California, Indonesia, Ecuador, Iraq, Libya, Bolivia and, lastly, Venezuela. Among the 15 jurisdictions with the largest petroleum reserves worldwide, Texas is number one, followed by United Arab Emirates, Alberta (Canada), Kuwait and Egypt. Among regions, Europe finished second to the United States, followed by Canada and Australia. Globally, every region except Africa, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean experienced declines in investment attractiveness, according to the survey. "With oil and gas investors losing confidence around the world, it's crucial for policymakers to pursue sound regulatory and tax regimes -- and perhaps most importantly stable environmental protections -- that attract, not deter, petroleum investments," Green said. The Global Petroleum Survey is administered each year to petroleum industry executives to help measure and rank barriers to investment of oil- and gas-producing regions. A total of 333 individuals completed the survey this year, providing sufficient data to evaluate 97 jurisdictions. Follow the Fraser Institute on Twitter | Become a fan on Facebook The Fraser Institute is an independent Canadian public policy research and educational organization with offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal and ties to a global network of think-tanks in 87 countries. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for Canadians, their families and future generations by studying, measuring and broadly communicating the effects of government policies, entrepreneurship and choice on their well-being. To protect the Institute's independence, it does not accept grants from governments or contracts for research. Visit www.fraserinstitute.org MEDIA CONTACT: Kenneth P. Green Senior Director, Natural Resource Studies Fraser Institute To arrange media interviews or for more information, please contact: Bryn Weese Media Relations Specialist, Fraser Institute Tel: (604) 688-0221 Ext. 589 E-mail: bryn.weese@fraserinstitute.org LONDON, November 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyperconverged Micro Data Centres deliver a fast and resilient solution for edge and cloud computing requirements Popular vote recognises the value of dedicated, resilient and secure infrastructure for on-premise applications as more services are migrated to cloud Alliance Partnerships are key to delivering resilient, Hyperconverged Micro Data Centre Solutions Schneider Electric , the global specialist in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has won the 'Hyperconverged Innovation of the Year' Category at the Storage, Virtualization and Cloud (SVC) Awards 2017. The award, decided by popular vote, demonstrates the company's commitment to innovating technologies that support the adoption of both Edge and Cloud Computing, as well as meeting the challenges of Big Data and the IoT. "We are thrilled to have been recognized with this accolade for Schneider Electric innovation in the cloud and hyperconvergence space," said Yakov Danilevski, Strategic Marketing, Schneider Electric IT Division, UK. "As the IT landscape evolves and more services are outsourced, Schneider Electric Micro Data Centres provide essential infrastructure to ensure the availability of business critical applications that are kept on-premise." Schneider Electric's Micro Data Centre solutions enable the on-premise element of hybrid IT and edge data centre architectures to be deployed securely and scalably in any environment. They can be customised to fit specific space constraints, and also built to withstand the specific environmental considerations of individual end-user applications. They are available in a variety of standardised formats, all pre-tested and pre-configured at factory level, before being delivered to customers as a ready-to-deploy solution, containing integrated power, uninterruptible power supply (UPS), power distribution, management software (DCIM), cooling, rack security, environmental monitoring and fire suppression. Throughout 2017 Schneider Electric announced a number of key Alliance Partnerships with industry-leading vendors, which have become instrumental to their micro data centre and hyperconvergence capabilities . Customers within this space will often determine which products comprise the stack and need to be reassured that the technology will work immediately as promised, without interruption to service or downtime. Micro Data Centres form a key part of Schneider Electric's recently announced EcoStruxure' architecture; an open, interoperable, IoT-enabled system architecture delivering enhanced value around safety, reliability, efficiency, sustainability, and connectivity for customers. EcoStruxure leverages technologies in IoT, mobility, sensing, cloud, analytics, and cybersecurity to deliver Innovation at Every Level including Connected Products, Edge Control, and Apps, Analytics & Services. EcoStruxure has been deployed in 450,000+ installations, with the support of 9,000 system integrators, connecting over 1 billion devices. For more information on Schneider Electric's Hyperconverged Micro Data Centre solutions, please contact your local Schneider Electric representative or click here to visit the website . About Schneider Electric Schneider Electric is leading the Digital Transformation of Energy Management and Automation in Homes, Buildings, Data Centers, Infrastructure and Industries. With global presence in over 100 countries, Schneider is the undisputable leader in Power Management - Medium Voltage, Low Voltage and Secure Power, and in Automation Systems. We provide integrated efficiency solutions, combining energy, automation and software. In our global Ecosystem, we collaborate with the largest Partner, Integrator and Developer Community on our Open Platform to deliver real-time control and operational efficiency. We believe that great people and partners make Schneider a great company and that our commitment to Innovation, Diversity and Sustainability ensures that Life Is On everywhere, for everyone and at every moment. http://www.schneider-electric.com Related resources: EcoStruxure for Data Centers Schneider Electrics Partners and Alliances YouTube - Micro Data Center Xpress Hashtags: EcoStruxure MicroDatacenterXpress EdgeComputing Hyperconvergence SVCAwards Follow us on: Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Google+ YouTube Instagram Schneider Electric Blog TSX: JAG TORONTO, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --Jaguar Mining Inc. ("Jaguar" or the "Company") (TSX: JAG) today announced initial results from the first 18 underground drill holes (5,454m) from the Company's Growth Exploration Program at Turmalina Gold Mine ("Turmalina") in Minas Gerais, Brazil, targeting the down-plunge continuity of the principal mineralized Orebodies A and C (see press release September 20, 2017). Results reported are for the first 14 holes (4,368m) on Orebody A, as well as 4 holes (1,068m) on Orebody C, and represent approximately 50% completion of an overall exploration program of 11,355m. Three diamond drill rigs are currently focused on completing the remaining 50% of this program. Further results will be released over the coming months with an upgraded mineral resource expected to be published during 2018. Highlights and Key Intercepts Drilling results include multiple intercepts with wide and high-grade mineralization and confirm significant depth extensions to principal Orebodies A and C that remain open for expansion. Orebody A key intercepts: 17.72g/t Au over 13.7m (ETW 10.2m) including 40.81g/t over 5.2m (ETW 3.87m) , 4.46g/t Au over 19.05m (ETW 11m) including 16.37g/t Au over 2.2m (ETW 1.27m) and 6.39g/t Au over 5.65m (ETW 5m) (see Table 1 and Appendix 1). , and (see Table 1 and Appendix 1). Orebody C key intercepts: 29.15g/t Au over 1.75m (ETW 1.65m) , 3.51g/t Au over 4.10m (ETW 3.95m) and 4.57g/t Au over 3.85m (ETW 3.46m) , which is the deepest intercept on this orebody to-date close to level 9, or 300 m below current operational infrastructure on level 3. (see Table 2 and Appendix 2). , and , which is the deepest intercept on this orebody to-date close to level 9, or 300 m below current operational infrastructure on level 3. (see Table 2 and Appendix 2). Orebody A drill results demonstrate continuity of high-grade gold mineralization to below level 15 approximately 300m below the current deepest operations on level 11. Deepest intercept reported to date is on level 16 with 3.80g/t Au over 11.05m (ETW 4.30m) including 5.25g/t Au over 3.55m (ETW 1.38m) . including . The downward extension of Orebody C is ideally positioned approximately 250 meters away from the principal ramp infrastructure of Orebody A (see Figures 2 and 3). Definitions: ETW - estimated true width g/t Au - grams per tonne gold m - metres Rodney Lamond, President and Chief Executive Officer, Jaguar Mining commented "We are very pleased to announce these positive results and the successful start of our growth exploration drilling program at Turmalina. Drilling from the first 18 holes focused on targeting down-plunge extensions to the high-grade Orebody A at depth, while also targeting extensions of Orebody C at shallower depths. These results confirm significant wide, high-grade gold mineralization within the primary orebodies at Turmalina. The multiple high-grade intercepts validate the geological model and confirm significant upside potential to grow the resource base at Turmalina. To date in 2017, we have successfully completed more than 20,000 meters of a targeted diamond drilling exploration and growth program across of our core assets. Our priority was to focus on upgrading and converting our resources and on growth drilling to increase and add new resources. We look forward to reporting updated mineral resources and mineral reserves in early 2018 that will reflect the excellent results we have achieved throughout this year." Growth Exploration Program Key Highlights Drilling completed to date has successfully intersected both Orebody A and Orebody C between Levels 11 to 15 and levels 5 to 9 respectively. Results from initial step out holes on Orebody A include several wide, high-grade gold intercepts representing the thickened central portion of Orebody A, as well as quality intercepts from contiguous narrower parts of the Orebody A structure. In addition, the first four holes targeting depth extensions to Orebody C have demonstrated orebody continuity to level 9, approximately 300m below the current operational infrastructure on level 3. These positive results validate the projected mineralization plunge and grade envelopes well beyond current mine production infrastructure on both principal orebodies. Importantly, these intercepts were achieved from both targets in their respective predicted down-plunge projected positions up to 300m below current operational infrastructure and resource limits, and at grades and thicknesses consistent with historical production and resource grades. Grade, tonnage and ounces-per-vertical-metre are expected to be maintained at historical levels (see Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4). Intercept widths and grades vary, as expected, according to the location of the pierce points along the targeted structures that host Orebody A. The wider, higher-grade zones reflect a drill intersection cutting an area where the separate host shear structures that define this orebody merge. This consistent, wide, high-grade zone extends some 40m along strike, can attain widths in excess of 12m and has a plunge of 50 degrees to the northeast. This wider zone (payshoot) is reflected above 30 GT (grade x thickness) on the GT plot (see Figure 1). Narrower intersections with more variable grades occur where pierce points are intersecting either one or two of the host shears, which may be separated by low grade mineralization or waste where these segments of the overall mineralized structure are manifested as distinct separate structures (see Figures 1 and 2). Growth exploration drilling is initially targeting the down-plunge depth extensions to higher grades associated with the narrower southeast and thicker central portions of Orebody C identified for the first time earlier in 2017 (see press release February 8, 2017 ). Production development and infill drilling completed this year centred on levels 3 and 4 confirmed and enhanced the drilled widths and grades on these levels. ). Production development and infill drilling completed this year centred on levels 3 and 4 confirmed and enhanced the drilled widths and grades on these levels. To guide the growth exploration drilling, intersections from infill and production-grade control drilling conducted by Jaguar during 2017 were used to prepare grade thickness models in conjunction with initial structural work to project this orebody to depth down plunge 300m vertically below level 3. The intercepts used to prepare the grade thickness plots on Figure4 are tabulated in Appendix 3. Jon Hill, Senior Expert Advisor (Geology and Exploration) to the Jaguar Mining Management Committee commented: "Today's excellent results demonstrate material extensions to both principal Orebodies A and C, clearly underpin the long-term future of Turmalina, and support the value of sustained investment in exploration. The results from Orebody C are particularly encouraging as only four holes have been completed to date, and these have sampled a relatively small portion of the known potential strike length of the mineralized horizon as observed closer to surface. We continue to explore this horizon going forward." Drill Results and Intercepts -Turmalina Drill results reported below and in Appendices 1 and 2 provide the potential to add substantial new mineral resources at Turmalina and include the following key intercepts: Orebody A FTS1434 intercepted 4.71g/t Au over 9.80m (ETW 8.5m) FTS1435 intercepted 6.39g/t Au over 5.65m (ETW 5.0m) FTS1436 intercepted 5.27g/t Au over 6.75m (ETW 6.11m) FTS1440 intercepted 17.72g/t Au over 13.70m (ETW 10.2m) (Including 40.81g/t Au over 5.2m (ETW 3.87m) FTS1444 intercepted 4.46g/t Au over 19.05m (ETW 11.2m) (Including 16.37g/t over 2.2m (ETW 1.27m) Orebody C FTS1470 intercepted 1.38g/t Au over 3.85m (ETW 3.85m) FTS1471 intercepted 3.51g/t Au over 4.10m (ETW 3.95m) FTS1472 intercepted 29.15g/t Au over 1.75m (ETW 1.65m) FTS1473 intercepted 4.57g/t Au over 3.85m (ETW 3.46m) (Including 7.75g/t over 2.1m (ETW 1.89m) Please see Tables 1 and 2, Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, and Appendices 1 and 2 for more details. Drilling is being undertaken from a hanging wall development drive specifically prepared and completed for this program on Level 10-1. Drilling targeting Orebody A is designed to intersect this orebody between Levels 12 to 16, up to 300m vertically below the current development (see Figures 1 and 2). At shallower levels, drilling is targeting projected down-plunge extensions to Orebody C, which, once confirmed, will allow access for mining from existing infrastructure between Levels 4 and 10(see Figures 3 and 4). Regular updates on progress with results will be released over the coming months prior to reporting updated Mineral Resources in 2018. Qualified Person Scientific and technical information contained in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Jonathan Victor Hill, BSc (Hons) (Economic Geology - UCT), Senior Expert Advisor Geology and Exploration to the Jaguar Mining Management Committee, who is also an employee of Jaguar Mining Inc., and is a "qualified person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). Quality Control Jaguar continues to use a quality-control program that includes insertion of blanks and commercial standards in order to ensure best practice in sampling and analysis. HQ, NQ, and BQ size drill core is sawn in half with a diamond saw. Samples are selected for analysis in standard intervals according to geological characteristics such as lithology and hydrothermal alteration. All diamond drill hole collars are accurately surveyed using a Total Station instrument and down-hole deviations are surveyed using non-magnetic equipment (SPT Stockholm Precision Tools with GyroMaster' Solid State North Seeker). Mean grades are calculated using a variable lower grade cut-off (generally 0.5 g/t Au). No upper gold grade cut has been applied to the data. However, the requirement for assay top cutting will be assessed during future resource work. Half of the sawed sample is forwarded to the analytical laboratory for analysis while the remaining half of the core is stored in a secure location. The drill core samples are transported in securely sealed bags and sent for physical preparation to the independent ALS Brasil (subsidiary of ALS Global) laboratory located in Vespasiano, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The analysis is conducted at ALS Global's respective facilities (fire assay are conducted by ALS Global in Lima, Peru, and multi-elementary analysis are conducted by ALS Global in Vancouver, Canada). ALS has accreditation in a global management system that meets all requirements of international standards ISO/IEC 17025:2005 and ISO 9001:2015. All major ALS geochemistry analytical laboratories are accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2005 for specific analytical procedures. For a complete description of Jaguar's sample preparation, analytical methods and QA/QC procedures, please refer to the "Technical Report on the Roca Grande and Pilar Operations, Minas Gerais State, Brazil", a copy of which is available on the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. The Iron Quadrangle The Iron Quadrangle has been an area of mineral exploration dating back to the 16th century. The discovery in 1699-1701 of gold contaminated with iron and platinum-group metals in the southeastern corner of the Iron Quadrangle gave rise to the name of the town Ouro Preto (Black Gold). The Iron Quadrangle contains world-class multi-million-ounce gold deposits such as Morro Velho, Cuiaba, and Sao Bento. Jaguar holds the second largest gold land position in the Iron Quadrangle with just over 25,000 hectares. About Jaguar Mining Inc. Jaguar Mining Inc. is a Canadian-listed junior gold mining, development, and exploration company operating in Brazil with three gold mining complexes, and a large land package with significant upside exploration potential from mineral claims covering an area of approximately 64,000 hectares. The Company's principal operating assets are located in the Iron Quadrangle, a prolific greenstone belt in the state of Minas Gerais and include the Turmalina Gold Mine Complex and Caete Gold Mine Complex. The Company also owns the Paciencia Gold Mine Complex, which has been on care and maintenance since 2012. Additional information is available on the Company's website at www.jaguarmining.com. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements and information are provided for the purpose of providing information about management's expectations and plans relating to the future. All of the forward-looking information set forth in this news release is qualified by the cautionary statements below and those made in our other filings with the securities regulators in Canada. Forward-looking information contained in forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "are expected", "is forecast", "is targeted," "approximately," "plans," "anticipates," "projects," "continue," "estimate," "believe," or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may," "could," "would," "might," or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, may be considered to be or include forward-looking information. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and the dates of technical reports, as applicable. This news release contains forward-looking information regarding potential and, among other things, expected future mineral resources, potential mineral production opportunities, geological and mineral exploration statistics, ore grades, current and expected future assay results, and definition/delineation/exploration drilling at the Pilar Gold Mine and the Turmalina Gold Mine in Brazil, as well as forward-looking information regarding costs of production, capital expenditures, costs and timing of the development of projects and new deposits, success of exploration, development and mining activities, capital requirements, project studies, mine life extensions, and continuous improvement initiatives. The Company has made numerous assumptions with respect to forward-looking information contained herein, including, among other things, assumptions about the estimated timeline and for the development of the drill program at the Pilar Gold Mine (and its expanded exploration footprint) and the Turmalina Gold Mine; its mineral properties; the supply and demand for, and the level and volatility of the price of, gold; the accuracy of reserve and resource estimates and the assumptions on which the reserve and resource estimates are based; the receipt of necessary permits; market competition; ongoing relations with employees and impacted communities; and political and legal developments in any jurisdiction in which the Company operates being consistent with its current expectations including, without limitation, the impact of any potential power rationing, tailings facility regulation, exploration and mine operating licenses and permits being obtained and renewed and/or there being adverse amendments to mining or other laws in Brazil and any changes to general business and economic conditions. Forward-looking information involves a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including among others: the risk of Jaguar not meeting its plans regarding its operations and financial performance; uncertainties with respect to the price of gold, labor disruptions, mechanical failures, increase in costs, environmental compliance and change in environmental legislation and regulation, weather delays and increased costs or production delays due to natural disasters, power disruptions, procurement and delivery of parts and supplies to the operations; uncertainties inherent to capital markets in general (including the sometimes volatile valuation of securities and an uncertain ability to raise new capital) and other risks inherent to the gold exploration, development and production industry, which, if incorrect, may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the Company and described herein. In addition, there are risks and hazards associated with the business of gold exploration, development, mining and production, including without limitation environmental hazards, tailings dam failures, industrial accidents and workplace safety problems, unusual or unexpected geological formations, pressures, cave-ins, flooding, chemical spills, and gold bullion thefts and losses (and the risk of inadequate insurance, or the inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks). Although we have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. 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 information. Table 1 Tabulation of selected drilling results with Grade x Thickness (GT) values greater than 10 from Orebody A Growth Exploration Program. Full results reported to date are tabulated in Appendices 1 and 2. Please note assay results reported were analyzed at ALS. Turmalina Gold Mine Drill Results - Orebody A Hole ID From (m) To (m) DownHole Interval (m) Estimated True Width (m) Gold Grade (g/t) GT (Grade x Thickness) FTS1430 295.15 299.25 4.10 2.11 5.82 12.29 FTS1434 235.9 245.7 9.80 8.50 4.71 40.02 Including 243.6 245.7 2.10 1.82 9.25 16.85 FTS1435 234.75 240.4 5.65 5.00 6.39 31.94 Including 234.75 237.25 2.50 2.21 12.98 28.72 FTS1436 245.05 251.8 6.75 6.11 5.27 32.23 Including 249.55 250.75 1.20 1.09 15.55 16.89 FTS1437 279.95 281.95 2.00 1.40 14.82 20.75 299.05 302.7 3.65 2.58 79.27 204.19 Including 301.4 302.7 1.10 0.78 254.00 197.18 FTS1437 350.1 352.2 2.10 1.48 11.96 17.72 FTS1440 156.85 170.55 13.70 10.20 17.72 180.76 Including 156.85 162.05 5.20 3.87 40.81 158.00 Including 156.85 159.2 2.35 1.75 49.56 86.72 Including 160.25 162.05 1.80 1.35 51.14 69.05 FTS1444 256.2 275.25 19.05 11.00 4.46 49.06 Including 257.35 259.55 2.20 1.27 16.37 20.79 Including 270.8 271.9 1.10 0.64 16.95 10.77 FTS1445 434.9 445.95 11.05 4.30 3.80 16.34 Table 2 Tabulation of drilling results received to date from the Orebody C Growth Exploration Program. Please note assay results reported were analyzed at ALS. Turmalina Gold Mine Drill Results - Orebody C Hole ID From (m) To (m) DownHole Interval (m) Estimated True Width (m) Gold Grade (g/t) GT (Grade x Thickness) FTS1470 212.9 216.75 3.85 3.85 1.38 5.33 223.4 224.55 1.15 1.15 2.58 2.97 FTS1471 41.6 45.7 4.10 3.95 3.51 13.86 Including 43.5 44.65 1.15 1.11 6.33 7.01 FTS1471 211.8 214.85 3.05 2.90 2.30 6.66 244.75 248.1 3.35 3.11 2.47 7.69 Including 245.8 246.95 1.15 1.07 4.07 4.35 FTS1472 29.15 30.95 1.80 1.61 2.18 3.51 170.95 173.05 2.10 1.90 4.39 8.34 FTS1472 198.05 199.8 1.75 1.65 29.15 48.10 Including 198.05 198.90 0.85 0.80 39.90 31.98 FTS1473 237 240.85 3.85 3.46 4.57 15.82 Including 237.8 239.9 2.10 1.89 7.75 14.66 Figure 1 Figure 1 shows the location of growth exploration diamond drill holes reported to date relative to the current mine infrastructure and the projected down-plunge position of Orebody A. The ongoing program is targeting mineralization between Levels 11 to 16 on Orebody A up to 300m vertically below current development. Grade thickness (GT) contours based on drilling results received to date and representative horizontal sections showing the positions of reported drill intersections relative to the projected orebody wireframe positions are also presented (see Figure 2). Figure 2 Figure 2 shows representative horizontal sections on levels 10, 12 and 15, highlighting the positions of reported drill intersections relative to the projected Orebody A wireframe positions. Figure 3 Figure 3 shows the location of growth exploration diamond drill holes reported relative to the current mine infrastructure and the projected down-plunge position of Orebody C. The program targeted mineralization between Levels 5 to9 on Orebody Cup to 300m vertically below current development. Grade thickness (GT) contours are based on drilling results received to date as well as historical drilling from operational areas on levels 3 and 4. Horizontal sections showing the positions of reported drill intersections relative to the projected orebody wireframe positions are presented in Figure 4 and Appendices 3 and 4. Figure 4 Figure 4 shows representative horizontal sections on levels 4, 5 and 9, highlighting the positions of reported drill intersections relative to the projected Orebody C wireframe positions. For further details on level 4, see Appendix 4. Appendix 1 Orebody A Consolidated Drill Results - Please note assay results reported were analyzed at ALS. Turmalina Gold Mine Drill Results Hole ID From (m) To (m) Down Hole Interval (m) Estimated True Width (m) Gold Grade (g/t) GT (Grade x Thickness) FTS1430 195 198.25 3.25 1.62 2.91 4.71 224.4 225.85 1.45 0.72 13.13 9.45 259.8 261.7 1.90 0.95 2.03 1.92 295.15 299.25 4.10 2.11 5.82 12.29 FTS1431 184.05 185 0.95 0.60 3.92 2.35 FTS1432 166.85 170.65 3.80 2.95 2.61 7.70 FTS1433 202.5 204.6 2.10 1.95 1.48 2.89 FTS1434 235.9 245.7 9.80 8.50 4.71 40.02 Including 243.6 245.7 2.10 1.82 9.25 16.85 FTS1435 234.75 240.4 5.65 5.00 6.39 31.94 Including 234.75 237.25 2.50 2.21 12.98 28.72 FTS1435 244.1 246.55 2.45 2.10 2.46 5.17 FTS1436 237.1 239.35 2.25 1.20 4.24 5.09 245.05 251.8 6.75 6.11 5.27 32.23 Including 249.55 250.75 1.20 1.09 15.55 16.89 FTS1437 279.95 281.95 2.00 1.40 14.82 20.75 286.6 290.1 3.50 2.47 1.48 3.66 299.05 302.7 3.65 2.58 79.27 204.19 Including 301.4 302.7 1.10 0.78 254.00 197.18 FTS1437 313.15 316.7 3.55 2.51 2.23 5.58 350.1 352.2 2.10 1.48 11.96 17.72 FTS1440 156.85 170.55 13.70 10.20 17.72 180.76 Including 156.85 162.05 5.20 3.87 40.81 158.00 Including 156.85 159.2 2.35 1.75 49.56 86.72 Including 160.25 162.05 1.80 1.35 51.14 69.05 FTS1441 275.75 278.4 Intercept Granite (DDH length 275m) around elevation -300m (bottom level 13) in SE region FTS1442 185.00 203.8 Intercept Granite (DDH length 185m) around elevation -200m (middle of level 12) in SE region FTS1443 386.85 387.85 1.00 1.00 1.45 1.45 FTS1444 256.2 275.25 19.05 11.00 4.46 49.06 Including 257.35 259.55 2.20 1.27 16.37 20.79 Including 270.8 271.9 1.10 0.64 16.95 10.77 FTS1445 434.9 445.95 11.05 4.30 3.80 16.34 Including 436.8 440.35 3.55 1.38 5.25 7.25 Including 442.7 445.95 3.25 1.26 5.22 6.60 Appendix 2 Orebody C Consolidated Drill Results - Please note assay results reported were analyzed at ALS. Turmalina Gold Mine Drill Results Hole ID From (m) To (m) Down Hole Interval (m) Estimated True Width (m) Gold Grade (g/t) GT (Grade x Thickness) FTS1470 212.9 216.75 3.85 3.85 1.38 5.33 223.4 224.55 1.15 1.15 2.58 2.97 FTS1471 41.6 45.7 4.10 3.95 3.51 13.86 Including 43.5 44.65 1.15 1.11 6.33 7.01 FTS1471 211.8 214.85 3.05 2.90 2.30 6.66 244.75 248.1 3.35 3.11 2.47 7.69 Including 245.8 246.95 1.15 1.07 4.07 4.35 FTS1472 29.15 30.95 1.80 1.61 2.18 3.51 170.95 173.05 2.10 1.90 4.39 8.34 FTS1472 198.05 199.8 1.75 1.65 29.15 48.10 Including 198.05 198.90 0.85 0.80 39.90 31.98 FTS1473 237 240.85 3.85 3.46 4.57 15.82 Including 237.8 239.9 2.10 1.89 7.75 14.66 Appendix 3 Tabulation of drill hole location data for the initial 18 holes from the Turmalina Growth Exploration Program Hole ID Easting (m) Northing (m) Elevation (m) Total Depth (m) Collar Azimuth () Collar Dip () Date Orebody FTS1430 513603.52 7817443.21 -70.06 311.70 93.62 -63.16 3/8/2017 Orebody A FTS1431 513600.15 7817443.12 -70.06 240.15 265.00 -73.39 14/08/2017 Orebody A FTS1432 513602.85 7817442.29 -70.14 208.15 131.55 -80.57 24/08/2017 Orebody A FTS1433 513601.42 7817444.75 -70.07 251.95 322.90 -87.17 11/9/2017 Orebody A FTS1434 513603.26 7817443.82 -70.04 305.60 70.56 -73.40 27/09/2017 Orebody A FTS1435 513603.28 7817443.46 -69.96 290.00 85.35 -72.52 25/09/2017 Orebody A FTS1436 513603.49 7817443.50 -70.14 329.85 83.31 -67.39 17/10/2017 Orebody A FTS1437 513603.59 7817443.65 -70.13 413.90 79.94 -62.27 31/10/2017 Orebody A FTS1440 513627.40 7817435.93 -69.56 250.00 115.79 -71.91 16/08/2017 Orebody A FTS1441 513627.66 7817436.54 -69.39 278.40 92.61 -58.42 30/08/2017 Orebody A FTS1442 513628.14 7817436.44 -69.50 203.80 95.71 -46.01 14/09/2017 Orebody A FTS1443 513627.41 7817437.39 -69.58 433.00 60.18 -62.75 4/10/2017 Orebody A FTS1444 513627.28 7817437.44 -69.56 347.60 60.81 -72.94 10/10/2017 Orebody A FTS1445 513627.24 7817437.92 -69.61 503.85 46.10 -63.98 31/10/2017 Orebody A FTS1470 513130.88 7817114.31 342.24 254.55 218.50 14.20 6/9/2017 Orebody C FTS1471 513130.78 7817114.86 341.99 278.45 244.03 8.27 19/09/2017 Orebody C FTS1472 513130.66 7817114.80 341.01 242.35 244.03 -13.47 29/09/2017 Orebody C FTS1473 513305.42 7817190.51 65.30 311.25 250.03 14.52 19/10/2017 Orebody C Appendix 4 Turmalina Historical Drill Hole Data used to prepare grade thickness (GT) plots for Orebody C presented in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 Please note assay results reported in the tabulation below were analyzed at Jaguar's Caete Laboratory. Turmalina Gold Mine Orebody C interceptions by Jaguar's Laboratory Results 2017 Hole ID From (m) To (m) Down Hole Interval (m) Estimated True Width (m) Gold Grade (g/t) GT (Grade x Thickness) FTS1326 134.52 151.08 16.56 15.80 2.89 45.66 Including 147.26 151.08 3.82 3.60 9.27 33.37 FTS1337 145.03 153.69 8.66 8.66 0.88 7.60 FTS1338 133.13 143.4 10.27 10.10 3.93 39.70 Including 133.13 135.96 2.83 2.70 7.04 19.01 FTS1339 153.3 164.76 11.46 9.60 2.14 20.55 FTS1340 136.65 157.5 20.85 18.20 1.61 29.30 FTS1341 140.79 147.2 6.41 5.90 2.96 17.47 FTS1343 148.9 154.56 5.66 4.10 0.87 3.56 FTS1355 132.1 147.37 15.27 14.90 3.65 54.35 Including 140.32 146.45 6.13 6.00 6.39 38.34 FTS1356 124.75 140.13 15.38 14.10 2.26 31.85 FTS1357 125.98 135.63 9.65 9.50 3.17 30.15 FTS1358 121.59 135.38 13.79 13.70 2.92 39.96 FTS1369 140.08 155.27 15.19 14.50 3.40 49.30 FTS1370 131.87 141.4 9.53 9.10 6.78 61.69 FTS1371 147.57 157.28 9.71 7.30 1.52 11.06 FTS1372 156.26 168.59 12.33 5.60 3.41 19.11 Appendix 5 Grade thickness (GT) plots for Orebody C presented in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 Please note assay results reported were analyzed at Jaguar's Internal Caete Laboratory. For further information: Rodney Lamond, President & Chief Executive Officer, Jaguar Mining Inc., rodney.lamond@jaguarmining.com, 416-847-1854; Hashim Ahmed, Chief Financial Officer, Jaguar Mining Inc., hashim.ahmed@jaguarmining.com, 416-847-1854 CALGARY, ALBERTA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/28/17 -- News Release - TransCanada Corporation (TSX: TRP) (NYSE: TRP) (TransCanada) will host its annual Investor Day in Toronto today where it will provide a financial update and review strategic plans for its natural gas pipelines, liquids pipelines and energy businesses. "Today, our $86 billion high-quality portfolio of energy infrastructure assets is performing very well," said Russ Girling, TransCanada's president and chief executive officer. "Looking forward, we are advancing $24 billion in commercially secured near-term growth projects that will expand and extend our asset footprint across North America." As those projects enter service, TransCanada expects comparable earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) to grow at an average annual rate of approximately 10 per cent between 2015 and 2020. Significantly, over 95 per cent of the Company's EBITDA is expected to come from regulated businesses or long-term contracted assets. At the same time, the company continues to advance a series of additional opportunities that are expected to result in further growth in EBITDA beyond 2020. The portfolio is comprised of more than $20 billion in projects in development including Keystone XL, the Bruce Power life extension program and Coastal GasLink as well as numerous other organic growth projects that are expected to emanate from TransCanada's natural gas pipelines, liquids pipelines and energy businesses in Canada, the United States and Mexico. "Based on the confidence we have in our business plans, today we are reaffirming that we expect to grow our common share dividend at an average annual rate at the upper end of an eight to 10 per cent range through 2020," added Girling. "We are also extending our outlook to 2021 when we expect the common share dividend to grow by an additional eight to 10 per cent. Notably, our dividend outlook is supported by expected growth in earnings and cash flow with strong dividend coverage ratios, providing us the financial flexibility to prudently fund our significant capital program." On November 9, 2017, TransCanada announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.625 per common share for the quarter ending December 31, 2017. The quarterly amount equates to $2.50 per common share on an annualized basis and represents a 10 per cent increase over the amount declared in 2016. TransCanada's Board of Directors has increased the common share dividend in each of the last seventeen years, from $0.80 per common share in 2000 to $2.50 per common share in 2017. Today's investor event will be webcast beginning at 8 a.m. EST (6 a.m. MST). Interested parties may participate in the webcast available on TransCanada's website in the Investors section at https://www.transcanada.com/en/investors/events/. A copy of the presentation and the webcast, which will be archived and accessible for replay, will be available on the website. With more than 65 years' experience, TransCanada is a leader in the responsible development and reliable operation of North American energy infrastructure including natural gas and liquids pipelines, power generation and gas storage facilities. TransCanada operates one of the largest natural gas transmission networks that extends more than 91,500 kilometres (56,900 miles), tapping into virtually all major gas supply basins in North America. TransCanada is the continent's leading provider of gas storage and related services with 653 billion cubic feet of storage capacity. A large independent power producer, TransCanada currently owns or has interests in approximately 6,200 megawatts of power generation in Canada and the United States. TransCanada is also the developer and operator of one of North America's leading liquids pipeline systems that extends approximately 4,800 kilometres (3,000 miles), connecting growing continental oil supplies to key markets and refineries. TransCanada's common shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges under the symbol TRP. Visit TransCanada.com to learn more, or connect with us on social media and 3BL Media. Forward Looking Information This release contains certain information that is forward-looking and is subject to important risks and uncertainties (such statements are usually accompanied by words such as "anticipate", "expect", "believe", "may", "will", "should", "estimate", "intend" or other similar words). Forward-looking statements in this document are intended to provide TransCanada security holders and potential investors with information regarding TransCanada and its subsidiaries, including management's assessment of TransCanada's and its subsidiaries' future plans and financial outlook. All forward-looking statements reflect TransCanada's beliefs and assumptions based on information available at the time the statements were made and as such are not guarantees of future performance. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is given as of the date it is expressed in this news release, and not to use future-oriented information or financial outlooks for anything other than their intended purpose. TransCanada undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information except as required by law. For additional information on the assumptions made, and the risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from the anticipated results, refer to the Quarterly Report to Shareholders dated November 8, 2017 and the 2016 Annual Report to shareholders filed under TransCanada's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov. Non-GAAP Measures This news release refers to EBITDA, a financial measure which does not have a standardized meaning as prescribed by U.S. GAAP and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. EBITDA is calculated on a consistent basis from period to period and is adjusted for specific items in each period, as applicable. For more information on Non-GAAP measures, including a reconciliation to the most closely related GAAP measures, refer to TransCanada's Quarterly Report to Shareholders dated November 8, 2017. Contacts: Media Enquiries: Mark Cooper / Grady Semmens 403.920.7859 or 800.608.7859 TransCanada Investor & Analyst Enquiries: David Moneta / Stuart Kampel 403.920.7911 or 800.361.6522 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / November 28, 2017 / Tasca Resources Ltd. ("Tasca," "TAC," or the "Company") (OTC PINK: ECMXF) (TSX-V: TAC) (FRA: 3TA) is pleased to announce that, further to its November 17, 2017 news release, the Company has received TSX Venture Exchange approval for its Option Agreement to Purchase the Poplar Property. The Poplar Property is contiguous and to the south of Tasca's newly acquired Nadina claim blocks announced on November 6, 2017. The Poplar Property also contains the Poplar Copper deposit within its claim boundaries. About Tasca Resources Tasca Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: TAC) is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties. Our objective is to build shareholder value through exploration and potential development or acquisition of existing projects with significant upside. For additional information regarding the above-noted Property and other corporate information, please visit the Company's website at www.tascaresources.com Qualified Person The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by R. Tim Henneberry, P.Geo. an independent consulting geologist who is a "Qualified Person" as such term is defined under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43- 101"). ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, " Clive Massey " Clive H. Massey President & CEO For further information, please contact: Tasca Investor Relations Phone: (604) 644-6794 Email: tascaresources@gmail.com Neither 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. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking" statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although Tasca 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 may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates, and opinions of Tasca Resources Ltd. management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, Tasca Resources Ltd. undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. SOURCE: Tasca Resources Ltd. VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - November 28, 2017) - Columbus Gold Corp. (TSX VENTURE: CGT) (OTCQX: CBGDF) announces further to its news release of November 7, 2017, the results of its Special General Meeting held November 27, 2017. In this regard a special resolution approving the Arrangement with Allegiant Gold Ltd. ("ALLEGIANT") and ordinary resolutions approving the accompanying private placement of subscription receipts of ALLEGIANT and the adoption of the ALLEGIANT stock option plan, all as detailed in Columbus' information circular dated October 27, 2017, as filed on SEDAR, were each passed with votes in favour representing in excess of 95% of the shares represented at the Special General Meeting. ALLEGIANT owns 14 drill-ready projects in the United States, 11 of which are located in mining-friendly Nevada, and is led by Andy Wallace, who has discovered a number of multi-million-ounce gold mines in Nevada. ALLEGIANT has announced plans to drill 10 projects in 2018, including its flagship projects, Eastside and Bolo. At Eastside, the Original Zone hosts a pit-constrained Inferred resource of 721,000 gold equivalent ounces (35,780,000 tonnes grading 0.63g/t gold equivalent per tonne) 1 and remains open to depth, and to the south and west, and possibly to the north and east. A 14-hole reverse circulation drill program, totaling 2,806 metres, was recently completed at the Bolo gold project; assay results are pending. Qualified person Andy Wallace is a Certified Professional Geologist (CPG) with the American Institute of Professional Geologists and is the Qualified Person under NI 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, who has reviewed and approved the technical content of this press release. 1: See the NI 43-101 technical report for the Eastside project filed on SEDAR on December 7, 2016. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD, Robert F. Giustra President, CEO, and Director This release contains forwarding looking information and statements as defined by law including, without limitation, Canadian securities laws and the "safe harbor" provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("forward--looking statements"), respecting Columbus' plans to spin-out its subsidiary Allegiant Gold Ltd. which is intended to be listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and Allegiant's plans to conduct a drill program on its properties. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to materially differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements including that the spin-out may not be completed as planned or at all due to failure to obtain regulatory approval to the spin-out, the inability to raise sufficient capital to adequately fund Allegiant or a decision of the board of Columbus not to proceed with the spin-out, which decision can be made at any time prior to closing. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and a number of assumptions that may prove to be incorrect, including, without limitation, assumptions about general business and economic conditions, the timing and receipt of required approval and continued availability of capital and financing. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained herein. The foregoing list is not exhaustive and Columbus undertakes no obligation to update any of the foregoing except as required by law. For more information contact: Investor Relations 604-634-0970 1-888-818-1364 info@columbusgold.com CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The Canadian dollar slipped against its major counterparts in early European deals on Tuesday amid falling oil prices, as Keystone pipeline resumed operation and investors awaited OPEC meeting in Vienna to discuss the extension of cartel's oil production cuts. Crude for January delivery fell $0.51 to $57.60 per barrel. Oil shipments through Keystone pipeline began today, after an outage for nearly two weeks. The pipeline will resume operations at a reduced pressure 'to ensure a safe and gradual increase in the volume of crude oil moving through the system, the company said in a statement. OPEC/non-OPEC members are scheduled to meet in Vienna on Thursday, at which they discuss whether to extend last year's landmark production deal beyond its expiry next March. The American Petroleum Institute releases its crude inventory data later in the day, while the Energy Information Administration will publish its official data on Wednesday. Investors also awaited developments on U.S. tax reform bills ahead of a crucial Senate vote and the confirmation hearing for incoming Federal Reserve Governor Jerome Powel. The loonie held steady against its major rivals in the Asian session, with the exception of the yen. The loonie retreated to a 3-month low of 86.91 versus the Japanese yen, from a high of 87.24 hit at 8:45 pm ET. The loonie is seen finding support around the 85.00 mark. The loonie weakened to a 1-week low of 1.2794 against the greenback and a 5-1/2-month low of 1.5230 against the euro, off its early highs of 1.2754 and 1.5176, respectively. If the loonie falls further, it may target support around 1.29 against the greenback and 1.54 against the euro. Reversing from an early high of 0.9700 against the aussie, the loonie dropped to a 2-week low of 0.9726. Continuation of the loonie's downtrend may see it challenging support around the 0.99 area. Weekly survey compiled by the ANZ bank and Roy Morgan Research showed that Australia's consumer confidence eased during the weak ended November 28, after strengthening in the previous two weeks. The consumer confidence index dropped to 115.0 from 116.4 in the preceding month. Looking ahead, German GfK consumer sentiment for December is due shortly. In the New York session, Canada industrial product and raw materials price indices for October, U.S. wholesale inventories for October, S&P Case/Shiller home price index and FHFA's house price index for September and consumer confidence index for November are set for release. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 11/28/17 -- -- Approx. C$12.4 million in combined revenue(1) -- Purchase includes a globally recognized and award-winning cannabis brand(2) -- Plus, a wholly-owned distributor with an extensive California dispensary network CannaRoyalty Corp. (CSE: CRZ)(CSE: CRZ.UN)(CNSX: CRZ)(OTCQX: CNNRF) ("CannaRoyalty" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has executed a binding term sheet to acquire Kaya Management Inc. ("Kaya") which is the exclusive manufacturer and license holder of rights for Bhang brand vaporizer products in California. The Company has concurrently signed a binding term sheet to acquire Alta Supply Inc. ("Alta") (together, the "Acquisitions"), which is a distributor of Bhang vaporizer and Bhang chocolate products, as well as products for over a dozen other well-known third-party cannabis companies throughout California. Richard Sellers, majority owner of Kaya and Alta and an accomplished entrepreneur within the California cannabis market has agreed to join the CannaRoyalty executive team following closing of the Acquisitions. "These Acquisitions are transformative for CannaRoyalty, and will provide the Company with foundational assets to execute on our California expansion strategy. Consolidated sales from Kaya and Alta over the past 12 months were approximately C$12.4 million(1) and once this transaction is completed it will increase the Company's existing revenue run rate significantly," said Marc Lustig, CEO of CannaRoyalty. "With the advent of a full recreational market in California in January 2018, we believe Kaya and Alta are well-positioned to drive further revenue growth. The Acquisitions will also give us the right to produce and market one of the most awarded brands in the global cannabis space as well as access to an extensive network of California dispensaries.(2) The acquisition of Bhang vaporizer products in California will further strengthen our market position in the vape/cartridge sector and provide a strong complement to our recently announced launch of GreenRock Botanicals. CannaRoyalty is one of the only avenues for public market investors to gain exposure to the largest cannabis market in the world(3). Our primary focus over the next 12 months will be to continue to build, support and grow our product and brand portfolio in California, while actively pursuing opportunities to license our broader portfolio into other key jurisdictions such as Canada." Richard Sellers, CEO of Kaya and Alta, added, "I look forward to working with the CannaRoyalty team and contributing to the Company's strategy to become a leading player in the California market. Under my leadership, Kaya and Alta have successfully built the market presence of Bhang vape products in California, and attracted other marquee brands in their distribution channels. I have been operating in this industry for over a decade and have first-hand experience with the changing cannabis market dynamics. The most noteworthy expected change being, effective July 1st, 2018, that all sales of cannabis products will be required to be distributed through a licensed distributor, like Alta. CannaRoyalty truly understands that having great products and a comprehensive distribution strategy will be the key drivers of success in the California marketplace. With the adult-use market opening up just around the corner, California is the market to be a part of in 2018. Thanks to a growing portfolio of premium products and brands, CannaRoyalty is poised to capitalize on this opportunity." "I am excited about this acquisition, which includes Bhang vape products in California," reported Dave Vautrin, President of CR Brands. "The Bhang brand is well-established and has impressive breadth and depth in both Northern and Southern California. Alta's distribution business adds over two hundred new dispensaries to our reach in the California marketplace, which is essential for any brand to scale and win in a rapidly growing geography and sector. Beyond the inherent value-add to CR Brands, we also see this as a great opportunity to contribute to the Bhang franchise with our consumer product and distribution expertise. Finally, this transaction will provide us the ability to further leverage our recently leased manufacturing facility in Santa Rosa." The Company will provide an overview of the Acquisitions on its third quarter 2017 conference call, which will take place at 8:30 a.m. ET this morning. The conference call will include a slide presentation and webcast. A link to the slide presentation and webcast is below, and slides will also be available 30 minutes prior to the call in the Investors section of CannaRoyalty's website at: cannaroyalty.com. California is the largest cannabis market in the world with annual sales of approximately US$2.8 billion in 2016,(3)(6) which only includes sales of products in the medical marijuana market. In consideration of the legalization of a full, adult recreational cannabis market in California in January 2018, sales are forecast to grow to over US$6.8 billion by 2021 and vaporizer products are expected to account for 15% or over one billion dollars of the total. This represents a compound annual growth rate of 54% between 2017 and 2021(4)(6). The aggregate consideration for the Acquisitions will be in cash and shares of CannaRoyalty and will be issued over an 18-month period, comprised of: (i) 0.5x the historical consolidated revenue of Alta and Kaya for the twelve months ending October 31, 2017, (ii) 0.5x the future consolidated revenue of Alta and Kaya for the twelve months ending December 31, 2018 and (iii) additional consideration of approximately US$1 million, subject to net working capital adjustments. All consideration will be issued in on a 50% cash, 50% CannaRoyalty shares basis (priced based on the 10-day trailing VWAP immediately prior to issuance). Of the foregoing consideration, approximately US$1 million in cash and approximately 1.3 million shares will be transferred on closing (such shares have been issued into escrow today). The Company intends to assume the Oakland facility of Alta for distribution in the San Francisco Bay Area, and consolidate Kaya's Bhang vape operations to the CR Brands facility in Santa Rosa. Further details regarding the Acquisitions will be provided on closing, which is expected to take place prior to the end of 2017. Closing is subject to conditions, including receipt of any required approvals and satisfactory completion of due diligence. Conference Call Details Tuesday, November 28, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. ET. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Participant Dial-in Webcast Reference Number ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Conference Call 647-427-7450; or http://bit.ly/2xYBDJQ 1-888-231-8191 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Replay 416-849-0833; 613- 97386572 (available for 2 667-0035; weeks) or 1-855-859-2056 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- About CannaRoyalty CannaRoyalty is an active investor and operator in the legal cannabis sector. Our focus is building and supporting a diversified portfolio of growth-ready assets in high-value segments of the cannabis sector, including research, consumer brands, devices and intellectual property. Our management team combines a hands-on understanding of the cannabis industry with seasoned financial know-how, assembling a platform of holdings via royalty agreements, equity interests, secured convertible debt, licensing agreements and its own branded portfolio. Forward Looking Statements Statements in this news release that are forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning the specific factors disclosed here and elsewhere in CannaRoyalty's periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. When used in this news release, words such as "will, could, plan, estimate, expect, intend, may, potential, believe, should," and similar expressions, are forward- looking statements. Forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, statements relating to the Acquisitions, the execution of the Company's strategy, new opportunities, future growth and other statements. Although CannaRoyalty has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, there can be other factors that cause results, performance or achievements not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, including, but not limited to: dependence on obtaining regulatory approvals; investing in target companies or projects that are engaged in activities currently considered illegal under US federal law; changes in laws; limited operating history; reliance on management; requirements for additional financing; competition; hindering market growth and state adoption due to inconsistent public opinion and perception of the medical-use and adult-use marijuana industry and; regulatory or political change. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate or that management's expectations or estimates of future developments, circumstances or results will materialize. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, the results or events predicted in these forward-looking statements may differ materially from actual results or events. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this news release are made as of the date of this release. CannaRoyalty disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise such information, except as required by applicable law, and CannaRoyalty does not assume any liability for disclosure relating to any other company mentioned herein. 1. Last twelve months' ("LTM") revenues to October 31st, 2017, based on unaudited financial statements, which may be subject to further verification and adjustment prior to closing. This figure represents a consolidation of the LTM revenues for Kaya and Alta. Converted at 1.2735 USD/CAD based on November 27, 2017 Bank of Canada noon rate. 2. Bhang Corporation website 3. According to New Frontier Data, California has the world's largest cannabis market with annual sales in 2016 of $2.8 billion. 4. Brightfield Group. 5. Bureau of Cannabis Control California, http://www.bcc.ca.gov/ 6. Note that California market-related information provided in this press release is indicative only. Because of the historically illicit nature of the recreational market, data is difficult to obtain and verify. Contacts: CannaRoyalty Corp. Marc Lustig CEO 1-844-556-5070 info@cannaroyalty.com www.cannaroyalty.com LodeRock Advisors Inc. Jonathan Ross CFA 416-283-0178 jon.ross@loderockadvisors.com Application is based on results from the Phase 3 CheckMate -214 study Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) today announced that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) validated its type II variation application, which seeks to expand the current indications for Opdivo (nivolumab) plus Yervoy (ipilimumab) to include the treatment of intermediate- and poor-risk patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Validation of the application confirms the submission is complete and begins the EMA's centralized review process. "Renal cell carcinoma accounts for more than 100,000 deaths worldwide each year, and for untreated patients who have an advanced form of the disease, there are few treatment options available in the European Union," said Murdo Gordon, executive vice president and chief commercial officer, Bristol-Myers Squibb. "The validation of this application for the Opdivo plus Yervoy combination attests to our commitment to bring Immuno-Oncology treatment to as many patients as possible, especially those with a great unmet need, including patients with RCC." The application is based on data from the phase 3 CheckMate -214 study, which was stopped early based on the recommendation of an independent Data Monitoring Committee following a planned interim analysis of overall survival. The results of the study were presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) 2017 Congress. About CheckMate -214 CheckMate -214 is a phase 3, randomized, open-label study evaluating the combination of Opdivo plus Yervoy versus sunitinib in patients with previously untreated advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Patients in the combination group received Opdivo 3 mg/kg plus Yervoy 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks for 4 doses followed by Opdivo 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks. Patients in the comparator group received sunitinib 50 mg once daily for 4 weeks, followed by 2 weeks off before continuation of treatment. Patients were treated until progression or unacceptable toxic effects. The primary endpoints of the trial are overall survival, progression-free survival and objective response rate in an intermediate- to poor-risk patient population (approximately 75% of patients). Safety is a secondary endpoint. The study met the co-primary endpoints of improved overall survival and objective response rate compared to sunitinib in intermediate- and poor-risk patients. While the combination demonstrated an improvement in progression-free survival relative to sunitinib, another co-primary endpoint, it did not reach statistical significance. Adverse events (AEs) leading to discontinuation were reported in 22% of patients (547) in the combination group, compared with 12% of patients in the sunitinib group (535). The most common grade 3/4 AEs in the combination group were fatigue (4%), diarrhea (4%), rash (2%), nausea (2%), and, in less than 1% each, pruritus, hypothyroidism, vomiting and hypertension. In the sunitinib group, the most common grade 3/4 AEs were hypertension (16%), fatigue (9%), Palmar-plantar erythrodysaesthesia syndrome (9%), stomatitis (3%), mucosal inflammation (3%), vomiting (2%), nausea (1%), decreased appetite (1%), hypothyroidism (<1%) and dysgeusia (<1%). There were seven treatment-related deaths in the combination group and four in the sunitinib group. About Renal Cell Carcinoma Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common type of kidney cancer in adults, accounting for more than 100,000 deaths worldwide each year. Clear-cell RCC is the most prevalent type of RCC and constitutes 80% to 90% of all patients. RCC is approximately twice as common in men as in women, with the highest rates of the disease in North America and Europe. Globally, the five-year survival rate for those diagnosed with metastatic, or advanced, kidney cancer is 12.1%. Bristol-Myers Squibb Immuno-Oncology: Advancing Oncology Research At Bristol-Myers Squibb, patients are at the center of everything we do. Our vision for the future of cancer care is focused on researching and developing transformational Immuno-Oncology (I-O) medicines for hard-to-treat cancers that could potentially improve outcomes for these patients. We are leading the scientific understanding of I-O through our extensive portfolio of investigational compounds and approved agents. Our differentiated clinical development program is studying broad patient populations across more than 50 types of cancers with 14 clinical-stage molecules designed to target different immune system pathways. Our deep expertise and innovative clinical trial designs position us to advance I-O/I-O, I-O/chemotherapy, I-O/targeted therapies and I-O radiation therapies across multiple tumors and potentially deliver the next wave of therapies with a sense of urgency. We also continue to pioneer research that will help facilitate a deeper understanding of the role of immune biomarkers and how patients' tumor biology can be used as a guide for treatment decisions throughout their journey. We understand making the promise of I-O a reality for the many patients who may benefit from these therapies requires not only innovation on our part but also close collaboration with leading experts in the field. Our partnerships with academia, government, advocacy and biotech companies support our collective goal of providing new treatment options to advance the standards of clinical practice. About Opdivo Opdivo is a programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor that is designed to uniquely harness the body's own immune system to help restore anti-tumor immune response. By harnessing the body's own immune system to fight cancer, Opdivo has become an important treatment option across multiple cancers. Opdivo's leading global development program is based on Bristol-Myers Squibb's scientific expertise in the field of Immuno-Oncology and includes a broad range of clinical trials across all phases, including Phase 3, in a variety of tumor types. To date, the Opdivo clinical development program has enrolled more than 25,000 patients. The Opdivo trials have contributed to gaining a deeper understanding of the potential role of biomarkers in patient care, particularly regarding how patients may benefit from Opdivo across the continuum of PD-L1 expression. In July 2014, Opdivo was the first PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor to receive regulatory approval anywhere in the world. Opdivo is currently approved in more than 60 countries, including the United States, the European Union and Japan. In October 2015, the company's Opdivo and Yervoy combination regimen was the first Immuno-Oncology combination to receive regulatory approval for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and is currently approved in more than 50 countries, including the United States and the European Union. U.S. FDA-APPROVED INDICATIONS FOR OPDIVO OPDIVO (nivolumab) as a single agent is indicated for the treatment of patients with BRAF V600 mutation-positive unresectable or metastatic melanoma. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on progression-free survival. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. OPDIVO (nivolumab) as a single agent is indicated for the treatment of patients with BRAF V600 wild-type unresectable or metastatic melanoma. OPDIVO (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on progression-free survival. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. OPDIVO (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving OPDIVO. OPDIVO (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who have received prior anti-angiogenic therapy. OPDIVO (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) that has relapsed or progressed after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and brentuximab vedotin or after 3 or more lines of systemic therapy that includes autologous HSCT. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials. OPDIVO (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) with disease progression on or after platinum-based therapy. OPDIVO (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials. OPDIVO(nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with microsatellite instability high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials. OPDIVO(nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on tumor response rate and durability of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. U.S. FDA-APPROVED INDICATIONS FOR YERVOY YERVOY (ipilimumab) is indicated for the treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma in adults and pediatric patients (12 years and older). YERVOY (ipilimumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with cutaneous melanoma with pathologic involvement of regional lymph nodes of more than 1 mm who have undergone complete resection, including total lymphadenectomy. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION WARNING: IMMUNE-MEDIATED ADVERSE REACTIONS YERVOY can result in severe and fatal immune-mediated adverse reactions. These immune-mediated reactions may involve any organ system; however, the most common severe immune-mediated adverse reactions are enterocolitis, hepatitis, dermatitis (including toxic epidermal necrolysis), neuropathy, and endocrinopathy. The majority of these immune-mediated reactions initially manifested during treatment; however, a minority occurred weeks to months after discontinuation of YERVOY. Assess patients for signs and symptoms of enterocolitis, dermatitis, neuropathy, and endocrinopathy and evaluate clinical chemistries including liver function tests (LFTs), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) level, and thyroid function tests at baseline and before each dose. Permanently discontinue YERVOY and initiate systemic high-dose corticosteroid therapy for severe immune-mediated reactions. Immune-Mediated Pneumonitis OPDIVO can cause immune-mediated pneumonitis. Fatal cases have been reported. Monitor patients for signs with radiographic imaging and for symptoms of pneumonitis. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 2 or more severe pneumonitis. Permanently discontinue for Grade 3 or 4 and withhold until resolution for Grade 2. In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, fatal cases of immune-mediated pneumonitis have occurred. Immune-mediated pneumonitis occurred in 3.1% (61/1994) of patients. In patients receiving OPDIVO with YERVOY, immune-mediated pneumonitis occurred in 6% (25/407) of patients. In Checkmate 205 and 039, pneumonitis, including interstitial lung disease, occurred in 6.0% (16/266) of patients receiving OPDIVO. Immune-mediated pneumonitis occurred in 4.9% (13/266) of patients receiving OPDIVO: Grade 3 (n=1) and Grade 2 (n=12). Immune-Mediated Colitis OPDIVO can cause immune-mediated colitis. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of colitis. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 2 (of more than 5 days duration), 3, or 4 colitis. Withhold OPDIVO monotherapy for Grade 2 or 3 and permanently discontinue for Grade 4 or recurrent colitis upon re-initiation of OPDIVO. When administered with YERVOY, withhold OPDIVO and YERVOY for Grade 2 and permanently discontinue for Grade 3 or 4 or recurrent colitis. In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, immune-mediated colitis occurred in 2.9% (58/1994) of patients. In patients receiving OPDIVO with YERVOY, immune-mediated colitis occurred in 26% (107/407) of patients including three fatal cases. In a separate Phase 3 study of YERVOY 3 mg/kg, severe, life-threatening, or fatal (diarrhea of =7 stools above baseline, fever, ileus, peritoneal signs; Grade 3-5) immune-mediated enterocolitis occurred in 34 (7%) patients. Across all YERVOY-treated patients in that study (n=511), 5 (1%) developed intestinal perforation, 4 (0.8%) died as a result of complications, and 26 (5%) were hospitalized for severe enterocolitis. Immune-Mediated Hepatitis OPDIVO can cause immune-mediated hepatitis. Monitor patients for abnormal liver tests prior to and periodically during treatment. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 2 or greater transaminase elevations. For patients without HCC, withhold OPDIVO for Grade 2 and permanently discontinue OPDIVO for Grade 3 or 4. For patients with HCC, withhold OPDIVO and administer corticosteroids if AST/ALT is within normal limits at baseline and increases to >3 and up to 5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN), if AST/ALT is >1 and up to 3 times ULN at baseline and increases to >5 and up to 10 times the ULN, and if AST/ALT is >3 and up to 5 times ULN at baseline and increases to >8 and up to 10 times the ULN. Permanently discontinue OPDIVO and administer corticosteroids if AST or ALT increases to >10 times the ULN or total bilirubin increases >3 times the ULN. In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, immune-mediated hepatitis occurred in 1.8% (35/1994) of patients. In patients receiving OPDIVO with YERVOY, immune-mediated hepatitis occurred in 13% (51/407) of patients. In Checkmate 040, immune-mediated hepatitis requiring systemic corticosteroids occurred in 5% (8/154) of patients receiving OPDIVO. In a separate Phase 3 study of YERVOY 3 mg/kg, severe, life-threatening, or fatal hepatotoxicity (AST or ALT elevations >5x the ULN or total bilirubin elevations >3x the ULN; Grade 3-5) occurred in 8 (2%) patients with fatal hepatic failure in 0.2% and hospitalization in 0.4%. Immune-Mediated Neuropathies In a separate Phase 3 study of YERVOY 3 mg/kg, 1 case of fatal Guillain-Barre syndrome and 1 case of severe (Grade 3) peripheral motor neuropathy were reported. Immune-Mediated Endocrinopathies OPDIVO can cause immune-mediated hypophysitis, immune-mediated adrenal insufficiency, autoimmune thyroid disorders, and Type 1 diabetes mellitus. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of hypophysitis, signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency, thyroid function prior to and periodically during treatment, and hyperglycemia. Administer hormone replacement as clinically indicated and corticosteroids for Grade 2 or greater hypophysitis. Withhold for Grade 2 or 3 and permanently discontinue for Grade 4 hypophysitis. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 3 or 4 adrenal insufficiency. Withhold for Grade 2 and permanently discontinue for Grade 3 or 4 adrenal insufficiency. Administer hormone-replacement therapy for hypothyroidism. Initiate medical management for control of hyperthyroidism. Withhold OPDIVO for Grade 3 and permanently discontinue for Grade 4 hyperglycemia. In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, hypophysitis occurred in 0.6% (12/1994) of patients. In patients receiving OPDIVO with YERVOY, hypophysitis occurred in 9% (36/407) of patients. In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, adrenal insufficiency occurred in 1% (20/1994) of patients. In patients receiving OPDIVO with YERVOY, adrenal insufficiency occurred in 5% (21/407) of patients. In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, hypothyroidism or thyroiditis resulting in hypothyroidism occurred in 9% (171/1994) of patients. Hyperthyroidism occurred in 2.7% (54/1994) of patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy. In patients receiving OPDIVO with YERVOY, hypothyroidism or thyroiditis resulting in hypothyroidism occurred in 22% (89/407) of patients. Hyperthyroidism occurred in 8% (34/407) of patients receiving OPDIVO with YERVOY. In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, diabetes occurred in 0.9% (17/1994) of patients. In patients receiving OPDIVO with YERVOY, diabetes occurred in 1.5% (6/407) of patients. In a separate Phase 3 study of YERVOY 3 mg/kg, severe to life-threatening immune-mediated endocrinopathies (requiring hospitalization, urgent medical intervention, or interfering with activities of daily living; Grade 3-4) occurred in 9 (1.8%) patients. All 9 patients had hypopituitarism, and some had additional concomitant endocrinopathies such as adrenal insufficiency, hypogonadism, and hypothyroidism. 6 of the 9 patients were hospitalized for severe endocrinopathies. Immune-Mediated Nephritis and Renal Dysfunction OPDIVO can cause immune-mediated nephritis. Monitor patients for elevated serum creatinine prior to and periodically during treatment. Administer corticosteroids for Grades 2-4 increased serum creatinine. Withhold OPDIVO for Grade 2 or 3 and permanently discontinue for Grade 4 increased serum creatinine. In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, immune-mediated nephritis and renal dysfunction occurred in 1.2% (23/1994) of patients. In patients receiving OPDIVO with YERVOY, immune-mediated nephritis and renal dysfunction occurred in 2.2% (9/407) of patients. Immune-Mediated Skin Adverse Reactions and Dermatitis OPDIVO can cause immune-mediated rash, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), some cases with fatal outcome. Administer corticosteroids for Grade 3 or 4 rash. Withhold for Grade 3 and permanently discontinue for Grade 4 rash. For symptoms or signs of SJS or TEN, withhold OPDIVO and refer the patient for specialized care for assessment and treatment; if confirmed, permanently discontinue. In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, immune-mediated rash occurred in 9% (171/1994) of patients. In patients receiving OPDIVO with YERVOY, immune-mediated rash occurred in 22.6% (92/407) of patients. In a separate Phase 3 study of YERVOY 3 mg/kg, severe, life-threatening, or fatal immune-mediated dermatitis (eg, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, or rash complicated by full thickness dermal ulceration, or necrotic, bullous, or hemorrhagic manifestations; Grade 3-5) occurred in 13 (2.5%) patients. 1 (0.2%) patient died as a result of toxic epidermal necrolysis. 1 additional patient required hospitalization for severe dermatitis. Immune-Mediated Encephalitis OPDIVO can cause immune-mediated encephalitis. Evaluation of patients with neurologic symptoms may include, but not be limited to, consultation with a neurologist, brain MRI, and lumbar puncture. Withhold OPDIVO in patients with new-onset moderate to severe neurologic signs or symptoms and evaluate to rule out other causes. If other etiologies are ruled out, administer corticosteroids and permanently discontinue OPDIVO for immune-mediated encephalitis. In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, encephalitis occurred in 0.2% (3/1994) of patients. Fatal limbic encephalitis occurred in one patient after 7.2 months of exposure despite discontinuation of OPDIVO and administration of corticosteroids. Encephalitis occurred in one patient receiving OPDIVO with YERVOY (0.2%) after 1.7 months of exposure. Other Immune-Mediated Adverse Reactions Based on the severity of the adverse reaction, permanently discontinue or withhold OPDIVO, administer high-dose corticosteroids, and, if appropriate, initiate hormone-replacement therapy. Across clinical trials of OPDIVO monotherapy or in combination with YERVOY, the following clinically significant immune-mediated adverse reactions, some with fatal outcome, occurred in <1.0% of patients receiving OPDIVO: myocarditis, rhabdomyolysis, myositis, uveitis, iritis, pancreatitis, facial and abducens nerve paresis, demyelination, polymyalgia rheumatica, autoimmune neuropathy, Guillain-Barre syndrome, hypopituitarism, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, gastritis, duodenitis, sarcoidosis, histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis (Kikuchi lymphadenitis), motor dysfunction, vasculitis, and myasthenic syndrome. Infusion Reactions OPDIVO can cause severe infusion reactions, which have been reported in<1.0% of patients in clinical trials. Discontinue OPDIVO in patients with Grade 3 or 4 infusion reactions. Interrupt or slow the rate of infusion in patients with Grade 1 or 2. In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, infusion-related reactions occurred in 6.4% (127/1994) of patients. In patients receiving OPDIVO with YERVOY, infusion-related reactions occurred in 2.5% (10/407) of patients. Complications of Allogeneic HSCT after OPDIVO Complications, including fatal events, occurred in patients who received allogeneic HSCT after OPDIVO. Outcomes were evaluated in 17 patients from Checkmate 205 and 039, who underwent allogeneic HSCT after discontinuing OPDIVO (15 with reduced-intensity conditioning, 2 with myeloablative conditioning). Thirty-five percent (6/17) of patients died from complications of allogeneic HSCT after OPDIVO. Five deaths occurred in the setting of severe or refractory GVHD. Grade 3 or higher acute GVHD was reported in 29% (5/17) of patients. Hyperacute GVHD was reported in 20% (n=2) of patients. A steroid-requiring febrile syndrome, without an identified infectious cause, was reported in 35% (n=6) of patients. Two cases of encephalitis were reported: Grade 3 (n=1) lymphocytic encephalitis without an identified infectious cause, and Grade 3 (n=1) suspected viral encephalitis. Hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) occurred in one patient, who received reduced-intensity conditioned allogeneic HSCT and died of GVHD and multi-organ failure. Other cases of hepatic VOD after reduced-intensity conditioned allogeneic HSCT have also been reported in patients with lymphoma who received a PD-1 receptor blocking antibody before transplantation. Cases of fatal hyperacute GVHD have also been reported. These complications may occur despite intervening therapy between PD-1 blockade and allogeneic HSCT. Follow patients closely for early evidence of transplant-related complications such as hyperacute GVHD, severe (Grade 3 to 4) acute GVHD, steroid-requiring febrile syndrome, hepatic VOD, and other immune-mediated adverse reactions, and intervene promptly. Embryo-Fetal Toxicity Based on their mechanisms of action, OPDIVO and YERVOY can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with an OPDIVO- or YERVOY- containing regimen and for at least 5 months after the last dose of OPDIVO. Lactation It is not known whether OPDIVO or YERVOY is present in human milk. Because many drugs, including antibodies, are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from an OPDIVO-containing regimen, advise women to discontinue breastfeeding during treatment. Advise women to discontinue nursing during treatment with YERVOY and for 3 months following the final dose. Serious Adverse Reactions In Checkmate 037, serious adverse reactions occurred in 41% of patients receiving OPDIVO (n=268). Grade 3 and 4 adverse reactions occurred in 42% of patients receiving OPDIVO. The most frequent Grade 3 and 4 adverse drug reactions reported in 2% to <5% of patients receiving OPDIVO were abdominal pain, hyponatremia, increased aspartate aminotransferase, and increased lipase. In Checkmate 066, serious adverse reactions occurred in 36% of patients receiving OPDIVO (n=206). Grade 3 and 4 adverse reactions occurred in 41% of patients receiving OPDIVO. The most frequent Grade 3 and 4 adverse reactions reported in =2% of patients receiving OPDIVO were gamma-glutamyltransferase increase (3.9%) and diarrhea (3.4%). In Checkmate 067, serious adverse reactions (73% and 37%), adverse reactions leading to permanent discontinuation (43% and 14%) or to dosing delays (55% and 28%), and Grade 3 or 4 adverse reactions (72% and 44%) all occurred more frequently in the OPDIVO plus YERVOY arm (n=313) relative to the OPDIVO arm (n=313). The most frequent (=10%) serious adverse reactions in the OPDIVO plus YERVOY arm and the OPDIVO arm, respectively, were diarrhea (13% and 2.6%), colitis (10% and 1.6%), and pyrexia (10% and 0.6%). In Checkmate 017 and 057, serious adverse reactions occurred in 46% of patients receiving OPDIVO (n=418). The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in at least 2% of patients receiving OPDIVO were pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, dyspnea, pyrexia, pleural effusion, pneumonitis, and respiratory failure. In Checkmate 025, serious adverse reactions occurred in 47% of patients receiving OPDIVO (n=406). The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in =2% of patients were acute kidney injury, pleural effusion, pneumonia, diarrhea, and hypercalcemia. In Checkmate 205 and 039, adverse reactions leading to discontinuation occurred in 7% and dose delays due to adverse reactions occurred in 34% of patients (n=266). Serious adverse reactions occurred in 26% of patients. The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in =1% of patients were pneumonia, infusion-related reaction, pyrexia, colitis or diarrhea, pleural effusion, pneumonitis, and rash. Eleven patients died from causes other than disease progression: 3 from adverse reactions within 30 days of the last OPDIVO dose, 2 from infection 8 to 9 months after completing OPDIVO, and 6 from complications of allogeneic HSCT. In Checkmate 141, serious adverse reactions occurred in 49% of patients receiving OPDIVO. The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in at least 2% of patients receiving OPDIVO were pneumonia, dyspnea, respiratory failure, respiratory tract infection, and sepsis. In Checkmate 275, serious adverse reactions occurred in 54% of patients receiving OPDIVO (n=270). The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in at least 2% of patients receiving OPDIVO were urinary tract infection, sepsis, diarrhea, small intestine obstruction, and general physical health deterioration. In Checkmate 040, serious adverse reactions occurred in 49% of patients (n=154). The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in at least 2% of patients were pyrexia, ascites, back pain, general physical health deterioration, abdominal pain, and pneumonia. Common Adverse Reactions In Checkmate 037, the most common adverse reaction (=20%) reported with OPDIVO (n=268) was rash (21%). In Checkmate 066, the most common adverse reactions (=20%) reported with OPDIVO (n=206) vs dacarbazine (n=205) were fatigue (49% vs 39%), musculoskeletal pain (32% vs 25%), rash (28% vs 12%), and pruritus (23% vs 12%). In Checkmate 067, the most common (=20%) adverse reactions in the OPDIVO plus YERVOY arm (n=313) were fatigue (59%), rash (53%), diarrhea (52%), nausea (40%), pyrexia (37%), vomiting (28%), and dyspnea (20%). The most common (=20%) adverse reactions in the OPDIVO (n=313) arm were fatigue (53%), rash (40%), diarrhea (31%), and nausea (28%). In Checkmate 017 and 057, the most common adverse reactions (=20%) in patients receiving OPDIVO (n=418) were fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, cough, dyspnea, and decreased appetite. In Checkmate 025, the most common adverse reactions (=20%) reported in patients receiving OPDIVO (n=406) vs everolimus (n=397) were asthenic conditions (56% vs 57%), cough (34% vs 38%), nausea (28% vs 29%), rash (28% vs 36%), dyspnea (27% vs 31%), diarrhea (25% vs 32%), constipation (23% vs 18%), decreased appetite (23% vs 30%), back pain (21% vs 16%), and arthralgia (20% vs 14%). In Checkmate 205 and 039, the most common adverse reactions (=20%) reported in patients receiving OPDIVO (n=266) were upper respiratory tract infection (44%), fatigue (39%), cough (36%), diarrhea (33%), pyrexia (29%), musculoskeletal pain (26%), rash (24%), nausea (20%) and pruritus (20%). In Checkmate 141, the most common adverse reactions (=10%) in patients receiving OPDIVO were cough and dyspnea at a higher incidence than investigator's choice. In Checkmate 275, the most common adverse reactions (= 20%) reported in patients receiving OPDIVO (n=270) were fatigue (46%), musculoskeletal pain (30%), nausea (22%), and decreased appetite (22%).. In Checkmate 040, the most common adverse reactions (=20%) in patients receiving OPDIVO (n=154) were fatigue (38%), musculoskeletal pain (36%), abdominal pain (34%), pruritus (27%), diarrhea (27%), rash (26%), cough (23%), and decreased appetite (22%). The most common adverse reactions (=20%) in patients who received OPDIVO as a single agent were fatigue, rash, musculoskeletal pain, pruritus, diarrhea, nausea, asthenia, cough, dyspnea, constipation, decreased appetite, back pain, arthralgia, upper respiratory tract infection, and pyrexia. In a separate Phase 3 study of YERVOY 3 mg/kg, the most common adverse reactions (=5%) in patients who received YERVOY at 3 mg/kg were fatigue (41%), diarrhea (32%), pruritus (31%), rash (29%), and colitis (8%). Please see U.S. Full Prescribing Information for OPDIVO and YERVOY, including Boxed WARNING regarding immune-mediated adverse reactions for YERVOY. Checkmate Trials and Patient Populations Checkmate 067 advanced melanoma alone or in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 037 and 066 advanced melanoma; Checkmate 017 squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); Checkmate 057 - non-squamous NSCLC; Checkmate 025 renal cell carcinoma; Checkmate 205/039 - classical Hodgkin lymphoma; Checkmate 141 squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck; Checkmate 275 - urothelial carcinoma; Checkmate 040 hepatocellular carcinoma. About the Bristol-Myers Squibb and Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Collaboration In 2011, through a collaboration agreement with Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd (Ono), Bristol-Myers Squibb expanded its territorial rights to develop and commercialize Opdivo globally except in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, where Ono had retained all rights to the compound at the time. On July 23, 2014, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Ono further expanded the companies' strategic collaboration agreement to jointly develop and commercialize multiple immunotherapies as single agents and combination regimens for patients with cancer in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. About Bristol-Myers Squibb Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol-Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and Facebook. Bristol-Myers Squibb Forward-Looking Statement This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding the research, development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, and could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from current expectations. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Among other risks, there can be no guarantee that Opdivo and Yervoy will receive regulatory approval for an additional indication. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect Bristol-Myers Squibb's business, particularly those identified in the cautionary factors discussion in Bristol-Myers Squibb's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our Current Reports on Form 8-K. Bristol-Myers Squibb undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171128005742/en/ Contacts: Bristol-Myers Squibb Media: Audrey Abernathy, 919-605-4521 (cell) audrey.abernathy@bms.com or Investors: Tim Power, 609-252-7509 timothy.power@bms.com Bill Szablewski, 609-252-5894 william.szablewski@bms.com DE SOTO It was the first time Bob Again had set hoof on the ASAP ranch, and yet it was a homecoming of sorts for the statuesque Standardbred, whose path took a devastating detour just weeks ago. Bob Again was 10 years old when he joined the American Standardbred Adoption Program in 2009, donated by owner Dirk Simpson after a four-year, 27-race career that culminated in 2003. ASAP was founded in 1993 by Sue Wellman, a special education teacher who lives on a 50-acre farm in De Soto, in an effort to match former race horses with healthy, happy retirement homes. Racehorse owners from across the country donate their horses to the program in exchange for a tax credit, and from there the horses are placed in foster homes in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Iowa, Ohio and Illinois. The program is sustained entirely through donations and adoption fees, and staffed by community volunteers. Since 2014, ASAP has placed more than 1,000 equines from across the country with carefully screened owners, for an adoption fee of around $400. Adopters must provide references and sign a contract stipulating the adopted horse can never be sold, given away or transferred, other than back to ASAP. But with Bob Again, that contract was broken. On Oct. 6, Wellman was stunned to receive a call from Amanda Keyes, a woman in Massachusetts who is one of thousands of equine lovers who spend hours scouring through the Bastrop Louisiana Ship Pen Facebook page, determined to save the some 100,000 horses headed to slaughter each year. Bob Again was in a kill lot in Bastrop, days from being transported to Mexico for butchering, when Keyes spotted him online Oct. 5. (Wellman) was completely shocked after thinking she had placed him in a forever home, said Keyes, who is a volunteer with SOSS Save Our Standardbreds from Slaughter, a watchdog group that records the freeze brand numbers on horses posted by Bastrop and tracks them back to their original owners through the United States Trotting Association Database. So far this year we have saved a little over 400 horses from the kill pen. There are times where we have grateful owners that take back these horses after thinking that they placed them in a great retirement home. Wellman was under the assumption Bob Again was still living in Missouri with the woman who adopted him in 2010. She had last heard from the owner, whose name ASAPs attorney at Hale Skemp Law Office has advised against releasing while they pursue replevin action, in 2014, when she was considering returning the horse but quickly changed her mind. Where hes been since 2014, I have no idea, said Wellman, who said ASAP had never been in this situation before and postulates the owner sold Bob Again, unaware he was destined for slaughter. Bastrop sells horses to Canada and Mexico for kill before the meat is shipped to countries including Japan and France, and charges $950 to reclaim a horse an amount that exceeds the proceeds from slaughter, making for a lucrative business. Moneymaker, isnt it? Wellman said. They like to get their hands on as many Standardbreds as they can. Horse retirement/rescue operation reels from flooding DE SOTO The extensive flooding that caused two deaths and left millions in damages in its Wellman immediately started soliciting donations to pay for Bob Agains release from Bastrop, collecting nearly $1,000 within a month, and then raised another $800 for his quarantine in Shreveport, La., where spouses Grayson and Melody Daniels have been taking in rescues for the past 18 months. The couple house up to 10 horses at a time, and Bob Again was their fourth kill lot rescue. Sometimes the horses are stolen, neglected, or sometimes people dont want them anymore ... and they end up in that situation, Grayson said. In Mexico, (the slaughter) is a pretty brutal process. The Danielses had Bob Again, who was underweight from stress but very gentle, screened by a vet and monitored for communicable diseases for four weeks. Once cleared, Grayson personally drove him to De Soto, pulling up to ASAP at 5:45 p.m. Wednesday evening to a crowd of neighbors, volunteers and an antsy Wellman. Theres a lot of satisfaction once you get there ... someones always anxious to see them, Grayson said. The (horse) is coming from a bad environment, and you dont know what to expect. (Bob Again) came out excited, a little anxious, but excited to be there. He got in his stall and he just looked like he belonged. I thought I was going to be extremely emotional when he got out of the trailer, but having all the people who care about him here ... it was more joyful, said Wellman, who never met Bob Again before he was placed in his initial foster home in Madison, and relieved, knowing he was just a few days away (from death). Wellman says she is hesitant to place Bob Again up for adoption and would only consider a local family. For now, the friendly, curious and energetic horse is content to frolic among the other 22 horses on her property, dining on premium senior food until he reaches a healthy weight. While Keyes will likely never meet Bob Again, she is contented to have played a role in his rescue. I am part of a amazing team that puts in endless hours to save these horses, Keyes said. Its truly a amazing feeling ... we wouldnt be able to do it without our wonderful supporters that help week after week to help save these sweet, tired horses. For more information on ASAP, or to volunteer, visit www.4thehorses.com. BANGKOK, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Thailand is well position to connect investors to new opportunities arising from the increasing border trade and the region's rapid economic growth. With its strategic location in the center of ASEAN with emerging markets, including Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia and southern China, on its border. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/611400/BOI_Logo.jpg In the first nine months of 2017, statistics from Thailand's Department of Foreign Trade showed that value of border trade (Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia) and goods crossing the borders (from Singapore-southern China and Vietnam) totaled 971.42 billion baht, an increase of 9.68% from 885.71 billion baht in the same period in the previous year. Out of this, border trade value was 800.52 billion baht while value of goods crossing the border was 170.90 billion baht, a significant increase of 25.5%. Benefiting from the strong trend are businesses and investors running business in the "Special Economic Zones (SEZ)" in 10 provinces around Thailand, including Tak, Mukdahan, Sa Kaeo, Trat, Songkhla, Chiang Rai, Nong Khai, Nakorn Phanom, Kanchanaburi, and Narathiwat. The SEZ policy was first launched in 2015 based on the government's belief in the strong potential of the 10 areas to connect with the neighboring countries in terms of trade, economy and investment. With their proximity to neighboring countries, SEZ enjoy the benefit from the large pool of labor in the nearby area. The Thai government has also relaxed the rules on foreign labors to support SEZs. In addition, specific target industries for each SEZ have been clearly identified based on unique geographical strength and locally available resources. Most of the target industries are labor-intensive ones, including garment, agricultural and agricultural processing, fishery, furniture, logistics distribution center, bonded warehouses and tourism. Since then, growing investment flow into these SEZs. In 2015, total investment in SEZ was 280.1 million baht before it jumped to 8.31 billion baht in 2016. Most of the businesses investing in SEZ are garment and garment and textile manufacturing, coconut oil production, plastic bottles and bags, animal feed, ready mixed concrete, plastic fiber for fishing net production, rubber gloves, palm oil and metal parts, for example. More benefits for investors Like other investment packages offered to investors, the government offers both tax and non-tax incentives. Tax incentives for those investing in SEZs include an up to 8-year corporate tax exemption plus 50% tax holiday for another 5 years. In addition, entrepreneurs will enjoy double deduction for transportation, electricity, and water utility cost, up to 25% deduction for utility construction costs, import duty exemption for machinery, import duty exemption for raw materials used for export, permission to use no-skilled labor and others like foreign ownership of land and foreign expert employment. Easily connected Each of SEZ has a clear infrastructure development plan, ranging from roads to dual-track rails, airports, public utilities (water, electricity), and customs services. This has provided investors with greater confidence and convenience for efficient goods and people transport. In addition to infrastructure and utilities, the government has promoted private sector's participation in development of those areas by renting land plots in SEZs to private companies for industrial parks or facilities development to support investors. In addition, some of the existing infrastructure projects are R9 route (East-West Economic Corridor: EWEC) connecting Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos, R3A route (North-South Economic Corridor: NSEC) connecting Thailand, Laos and China, and R1 route (Southern Economic Corridor) connecting Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Looking beyond the CLMV, connectivity to other ASEAN countries is also convenient. It takes only 1-4 hours by air within ASEAN countries and 4-5 hours to China and India. The proximity to one of the world's fastest growing regions also provide investors with an easy access to 600 million ASEAN consumers and 3 billion Asian consumers. New opportunities for SMEs According to Ms. Duangjai Asawachintachit, Secretary General of the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI), BOI intends to attract more investment projects. BOI board has approved a new measure to encourage investors to build Trading and Product Development Center within SEZ at the November 2017 BOI Board meeting. Under this scheme, the center located in any SEZ will be eligible for eight years of corporate income tax (CIT) exemption, with 100 per cent cap of investment capital, excluding land and revolving capital plus 50 per cent tax reduction for another five years at the end of the CIT exemption period. In case the investors establish a Trading and Product Development Center outside SEZs, the investors must also invest at least one project in SEZ in parallel. In this case, the BOI will provide up to five years of CIT exemption (with 100 per cent cap of investment capital of the investment in SEZ, excluding land and revolving capital). The condition is designed to encourage large investors to work with and help SMEs grow their businesses. The new measure will allow SMEs to increase distribution channels and expand their marketing activities utilizing strategic location of each SEZ. At the same time, other businesses, especially SMEs outside SEZ, will also reap the benefits from this measure. "SMEs and large investors are equally important. SEZ promotion is among many measures we initiated to provide SMEs with greater opportunity to connect with new markets, distribution channels and new business opportunities. With supporting environment for both large and small investors, we are building stronger economy with inclusive growth," said Ms. Duangjai. For more information, please contact: Thailand Board of Investment Email: thailandinvestmentyear@gmail.com Tel. +66 (0) 2553 8111 Website: www.boi.go.th Thomson Reuters to Redeem US$1 Billion of Debt Securities TORONTO, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Thomson Reuters (TSX / NYSE: TRI) today announced it will exercise its right to redeem all of the company's US$1 billion principal amount of 6.50% notes due on July 15, 2018 (CUSIP No. 884903 BB0). The redemption price will include an early repayment premium, as well as accrued and unpaid interest through the redemption date (which is expected to be on or about December 28, 2017). When available, Thomson Reuters will provide the specific total redemption price and redemption date in the "Investor Relations" section of its website, www.thomsonreuters.com. Beneficial holders with any questions about the redemption should contact their respective brokerage firm or financial institution which holds interests in the notes on their behalf. This news release is for informational purposes only and is not an offer to buy any securities of Thomson Reuters. Thomson Reuters Thomson Reuters is the world's leading source of news and information for professional markets. Our customers rely on us to deliver the intelligence, technology and expertise they need to find trusted answers. The business has operated in more than 100 countries for more than 100 years. Thomson Reuters shares are listed on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges (symbol: TRI). SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking. There can be no assurance that the redemption will be completed. These forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and reflect current expectations. As a result, forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations. Some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations are discussed in materials that Thomson Reuters from time to time files with, or furnishes to, the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. There is no assurance that any forward-looking statements will materialize. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect expectations only as of the date of this news release. Except as may be required by applicable law, Thomson Reuters disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. PISCATAWAY, NJ -- (Marketwired) -- 11/28/17 -- Opengear (www.opengear.com), a leading provider of solutions that deliver secure, resilient network access and automation to critical IT infrastructure, today announced the appointment of William Levering as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Levering brings more than three decades of financial management experience to Opengear, including 17 years serving as CFO within several publicly-traded and privately-held technology companies. At Opengear, Levering is responsible for managing all components of the company's financial operations, and will provide the strategic financial leadership to support Opengear's continued worldwide growth. "William Levering is a highly-experienced financial manager with deep technology industry acumen, all of which is especially relevant as we navigate aggressive growth and complex transactions," said Gary Marks, CEO, Opengear. "His knowledge will help ensure that our financial operations continue to support the delivery of a best-in-class product line to our customers and reseller partners." Prior to joining Opengear, Levering served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at FAST, LLC, a life insurance and annuity software provider where he managed all aspects of finance, legal, and human resources. Levering had previously held similar positions at NextDocs Corporation, Voxware, Princeton Softech (acquired by IBM), and AXS-One, developing a stellar track record as a driver of financial growth within technology companies. Levering is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and was named the New Jersey Technology Council "CFO of the Year - Best Deal" while at Voxware. Levering comes to Opengear as the company celebrates its recent recognition in Deloitte's Technology Fast 500, a ranking of the fastest growing technology companies in North America. Opengear earned the distinction by achieving 169% revenue growth over the past three years -- attributable to customer-driven innovation and a continued focus on highly-responsive support for enterprises and partners. Opengear's solutions also continue to set the bar for managing critical IT infrastructure, most recently through September's successful launch of Lighthouse 5, which introduced a fully redesigned version of Opengear's centralized platform for secure out-of-band management. As a function of the rising demand, Opengear is moving into larger office spaces at both its New Jersey headquarters and its Silicon Valley-based R&D facility. The moves will help accommodate the expansion of Opengear's software development, product management, and sales operations teams. 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, enable 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 OTTAWA, ON -- (Marketwired) -- 11/28/17 -- Validian Corporation (OTCQB: VLDI) ("Validian" or the "Company"), a leading innovator in cyber security technology, is pleased to announce that Validian's technology has been recommended by renowned cyber security expert, Rafael Gorgal, for securing and enhancing mobile and web messaging and social media apps. There is a growing understanding that similar to the individual Internet of Things (IoT) components used in a myriad of computer controlled products throughout the world, mobile messaging apps and social media apps may not always be the actual target of a cyber attack. Instead they increasingly are being used as the gateway to the network to which they are connected, with the real targets being the valuable enterprise assets on that network -- the data. Recently, some of the mainstream mobile messaging and social media apps, even those using the TLS 1.1 crypto protocol and sophisticated filter based, cyber security products, have been exploited successfully for this purpose. "We are very impressed with our testing of installations of the Validian Protect Platform and Module as well as the usage and testing of the Validian-enabled Ganthet Mobile Messaging App, which have superior cyber security and also enhanced features and capabilities, such as large message support and control over the usage of data," stated Rafael Gorgal, Co-Founder of G-C Partners, LLC. "We believe that integrating Validian's technology into existing or new mobile and web messaging and social media apps will solve a number of outstanding cyber security issues that have been exploited in successful cyber attacks." "We are excited that noted information security professionals are now recommending Validian Protect as the cyber security solution of choice," commented Bruce Benn, Validian's CEO. "Some of the large corporations currently in discussions with Validian regarding strategic partnership agreements are interested in using Validian's technology to secure and enhance their mobile and web messaging and social media apps. Nearly every mobile and web messaging app and social media app in the market today has significant cyber security issues as well as similar features and capabilities. We believe that Validian's superior cyber security will greatly reduce those threats and in tandem with Validian's differentiating features enable these apps to drive viral adoption in regional and global enterprise and consumer market sectors." About Rafael Gorgal Rafael Gorgal is a Partner with the firm of G-C Partners LLC, a digital forensics and information security consultancy, and is the three term past President of the Southwest Chapter, High Technology Crime Investigations Association. He is a recognized expert in data security for a number of multinational companies and U.S. government departments and agencies as well as a frequent speaker on cyber security to a number of industry conferences. More information on G-C Partners LLC and Rafael Gorgal can be found at www.g-cpartners.com/assets/cv_gorgal.pdf and www.g-cpartners.com. About Validian Corporation Validian Corporation (OTCQB: VLDI) is a leading innovator in cybersecurity technology that encompasses and seamlessly protects applications and the complete life cycle of data within its virtual closed systems, providing secure access, retrieval, transfer, receipt, storage and usage of digital information on all devices, operating systems and technology platforms regardless of any type of known or unknown cyber attack or vulnerability or if the host device or network has been hacked or improperly accessed, infected with viruses or malware, or otherwise compromised. Validian technology enables the next generation of secure Mobile Messaging and Communications, Cloud Computing, Cloud Storage, Distributed Computing and Web Application and WebPortal Access and Usage, Software Defined Networking, the Internet of Things and SCADA, for computers, servers, data bases, intelligent sensors, tablets and SmartPhones on wired, wireless and mobile networks. The Company provides solutions that can be customized to the client's business process to ensure end-to-end authenticity, integrity and custody of high value digital assets. Validian is a U.S. public company with offices in the U.S. and Canada. Visit www.Validian.com for more information on its digital asset solutions. Safe Harbor Statement Investors should carefully consider the information contained in this news release before making an investment in the shares of the company. Information contained in this news release contains "forward looking statements", which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," expects," "may," "should," or "anticipates" or negative thereof or given that the future results covered by such forward -looking statements will be achieved. The preceding matters constitute cautionary statements identifying important factors with respect to such forward-looking statements, including certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to vary materially from the future statements. Other factors could also cause actual results to vary materially from the future results covered in such forward-looking statements. Contact: Validian Corporation Bruce Benn CEO and President mail to: bbenn@validian.com 613.224.3535 G-C Partners LLC Raphael Gorgal Partner mail to: rgorgal@g-cpartners.com TORONTO, ON -- (Marketwired) -- 11/28/17 -- Easton Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTC: EAPH), is pleased to announce it is days away from its first equipment delivery to commence operations on its aggregate business with partner 1124123 Ontario Limited (o/a - Alliance Group) following its final payment which completed its $1.3 Million CDN JV agreement towards a 50% property ownership interest and various businesses including a lucrative aggregate business and the cultivation of medical / recreational marijuana for national Canadian market. Acquires construction quotes towards the building of a facility towards medical / recreational marijuana for Canadian market. After completing all terms of an agreement and advancing its final payment on a total of $1.3 Million CDN to 1124123 Ontario Limited (o/a - Alliance Group) which provides Easton with an ownership interest in a 135 acre property and a 20% to 70% ownership interest in various businesses operating on the land located in the township of Georgina in the Municipality of North York, Ontario, Easton has been notified that operations on the aggregate business of the property from its previously announced $6,000,000 CDN contract with a well known local construction company is days away from commencing operations and the receipt of its first payment. The property located at 6017 Smith Blvd., Georgina Township, has 90 acres zoned M3 industrial with the remaining 45 acres zoned as agricultural. Several millions of dollars in equipment have been ordered and are expected to be delivered to the property within days. Once delivered, operations will commence which should then allow for additional contracts currently under negotiations to close. Easton and its partner Alliance Group anticipate contracts to generate over $6,000,000 in revenues during its first year of operations and expected to grow to $20,000,000 in gross revenues in its second year. However, with negotiations underway for other contracts, these revenue projections could double. The Easton / Alliance property has received an independent valuation of over $8,000,000 CDN. Easton and partner Alliance are receiving quotes towards the construction of a facility for the cultivation and growing of recreational marijuana, expected to commence in the second to third quarter of 2018. In other news, Easton / BMV have officially closed on a sub-distribution agreement for a third product launch with a second European based, very large, internationally recognized, multi-national pharmaceutical company, initially for the Mexico market. A press release is awaiting approval along with delivery of an upfront cash payment to Easton from its head office in Switzerland. A formal announcement is expected sometime next month. This product launch would join its other two previously launched woman's diagnostic / treatment products (Gynofit, AmnioSense) with multi-national Gedeon Richter and with Windsor Pharmaceuticals for Central America. In other news, Easton previously executed a closing agreement with iBliss Inc. of Toronto to acquire 100% of its vaporizer business which was generating approximately $15,000,000 CDN in revenues 3 years ago. Due to the fact Easton made the decision to first close and allocate funds towards the acquisition and agreement with Alliance Group, Easton has not consolidated its financial statements with that of iBliss and their revenues until a required cash payment has been advanced. However, Easton is now putting its efforts on iBliss and this acquisition, which includes a restructuring of the agreement. Both companies are working towards a consolidation of iBliss's revenues which may coincide with the acquisition of another vaporizer company based out of England that currently generates approximately $6,000,000 Euros with healthy profit margins. Details to be shortly announced. About Easton Pharmaceuticals Easton Pharmaceuticals is a diversified specialty pharmaceutical company involved in various pharmaceutical sectors and other growing industries. The Company previously developed and owned an FDA-approved wound-healing drug and currently owns topically delivered drugs to treat cancer and other therapeutic products to treat various conditions that are all in various stages of development and approval. Easton has partnered with BMV Medica SA de C.V. and together, own the exclusive distribution rights in Mexico and Latin America for patented women's diagnostic and preventative care products from CommonSense of Israel and other companies, along with two generic cancer drugs, Paclitaxel and Docetaxel from BioLyse Pharma of St. Catherine's, Ontario, Canada. Easton has recently closed on an agreement with Alliance Group for property and various businesses including the cultivation of medical / recreational marijuana for the country of Canada on an acquisition to acquire 100% of iBliss Inc., a revenue generating e-vaporizing company with increased international presence. For More Information on Easton and Affiliated Company's Visit: http://www.eastonpharmaceuticalsinc.com http://www.bmvmedica.net http://iblissvapor.com http://finance.yahoo.com/q's=eaph https://twitter.com/eastonpharma Safe Harbor This news release may contain forward-looking statements or expressions within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (The "Act"). In particular, when certain words or phrases such as "hope", "positive", "anticipate," "pleased," "plan," "confident that," "believe," "expect," "possible" or "intent to" and similar conditional expressions are expressed, they are intended to identify forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Act and are subject to the safe harbor created by the Act. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any of the forward-looking statements. Any investment made into Easton Pharmaceuticals would be classified as speculative and may contain risks. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, market conditions, general acceptance of the company's products and technologies, competitive factors, the ability to successfully complete additional or adequate financing, government approvals or changes to proposed laws and other risks and uncertainties further stated in the company's financial reports and filings. CONTACT INFORMATION Evan Karras / CEO / President Tel: +1(416) 619-0291 Tel: +1(347) 284-0192 Email: info@eastonpharmaceuticalsinc.com TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 11/28/17 -- Artificial Intelligence company, AnalytixInsight Inc. (the "Company" or "AnalytixInsight") (TSX VENTURE: ALY)(OTCQB: ATIXF) today reported record revenues and the Company's first operating profit for the third quarter ended September 30, 2017. 2017 Third Quarter Financial Highlights: -- The Company's revenue for the third quarter (excluding Marketwall) was the highest in the Company's history at $1,716,119, a six-fold increase compared with the same period in the previous year of $281,106, and a 77% increase over Q2 2017 revenues of $967,946. -- The Company's revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $3,018,483 compared to $778,193 for the same period in the previous year. -- The Company achieved operating profit during the quarter, reporting net income of $320,607 compared to net loss of $(377,235) for the same period in the previous year. -- Basic earnings per share for the third quarter was $0.01, compared to a loss of $(0.01) for the same period in the previous year. -- Marketwall's revenue for the third quarter was $854,588, which compares to $452,281 during the same period in the previous year. AnalytixInsight owns 49% of Marketwall, which is considered an associated company as its financial results are not consolidated with the Company's financial results. -- Marketwall's revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $3,482,977 compared to $1,031,512 for the same period in the previous year. -- Recently acquired Euclides Technologies Inc. ("Euclides") currently has an order backlog of approximately $3.5 million. -- During the third quarter, the Company entered into content partnership agreements with Thomson Reuters and Africa Investor to distribute the Company's high quality financial research. -- The Company continues to advance its recently announced Blockchain initiatives related to developments in its distributed ledger platform for CapitalCube and Marketwall. Selected Financial Information ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ Canadian (unaudited) Three months ended Nine months ended September 30 September 30 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2017 2016 2017 2016 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- AnalytixInsight Revenue 1,716,119 281,106 3,018,483 778,193 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Marketwall Revenue (Associated company, 49% owned, non-consolidated) 854,588 452,281 3,482,977 1,031,512 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- AnalytixInsight The Company achieved record financial results during the third quarter, including operating profitability - the first in the Company's history. During the quarter, the Company added Thomson Reuters and Africa Investor as new content distribution partners. They join the Company's growing network of content partnerships which also includes Euronext NV, Yahoo Finance and The Wall Street Journal. The Company works with its content partners to deliver value added financial analysis and content, and to market and sell CapitalCube's subscription licenses to various investors, brokers and financial institutions. The Company's finance portal CapitalCube.com continued to average approximately 2 million user sessions per month through various distribution channels. The Company's Euclides operating division continued to win new contracts during the quarter, and has a current order backlog of approximately $3.5 million. Marketwall Marketwall's revenue for the third quarter was $854,588 compared to $452,281 in the same period in the previous year. AnalytixInsight owns 49% of Marketwall which is considered an associated company as its financial results are not consolidated with the Company's financial results. The Company and Intesa Sanpaolo expect to spin-out Marketwall following the completion of Marketwall's product integration within Intesa Sanpaolo's mobile platform. The completion of this integration is expected during the first half of 2018, and is expected to result in the migration of over eight million retail banking customers of Intesa Sanpaolo to Marketwall. Blockchain Further to the Company's announcement on November 14, 2017, the Company has initiated discussions with Marketwall regarding its Blockchain initiatives to reduce transaction costs and trade settlement times for Marketwall through the development of a distributed ledger platform. This initiative is expected to benefit Marketwall's partners including MarketHub and Samsung. MarketHub is Intesa Sanpaolo's established trading platform whose 2016 trading volume exceeded EUR119 Billion on an average of 26,000 daily transactions. Management Commentary Prakash Hariharan, President & CEO, commented: "This is a milestone quarter for Company as we achieved record financial results and operating profitability. We are very pleased with the performance of the recently acquired Euclides Technologies and are pleased to have added new CapitalCube content partners during the quarter. We are actively pursuing our Blockchain initiatives with our partners and we are very encouraged with the potential of these projects." ABOUT ANALYTIXINSIGHT INC. (www.AnalytixInsight.com) AnalytixInsight Inc.'s artificial intelligence platform transforms data into narratives. AnalytixInsight's online portal CapitalCube (www.capitalcube.com) algorithmically analyzes market price data and regulatory filings to create insightful, actionable narratives and research on approximately 50,000 global companies and ETFs, providing high-quality financial research and content for investors, information providers, finance portals and media. AnalytixInsight holds a 49% interest in Marketwall, a mobile platform for banking and stock trading (www.marketwallcorporate.com). AnalytixInsight owns Euclides Technologies Inc. (www.euclidestech.com), a workflow analytics systems integrator. Regulatory Statements This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's ability to apply its platform to different business verticals, the growth of the Company's business operations, the licensing revenue stream to be received by the Company, the use of the Company's content by various parties, Marketwall's ability to integrate with Intesa Sanpaolo, the ability to spin-out Marketwall, the Company' s ability to execute the backlog of orders, the impact of the deconsolidation of Marketwall, the Company's licensing partnerships, the Company's ability to develop and execute on its blockchain initiatives, and the use by certain parties of CapitalCube and Marketwall App. 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". 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 AnalytixInsight Inc., as the case may be, to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, geopolitical and social uncertainties; the Company's technology and revenue generation; risks associated with operation in the technology sector; ability to successfully integrate new technology and employees; foreign operations risks; and other risks inherent in the technology industry. Although AnalytixInsight has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. 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 statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. AnalytixInsight does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with 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. Contacts: AnalytixInsight Inc. Scott Urquhart VP Corporate Development (416) 522-3975 Scott.Urquhart@AnalytixInsight.com www.AnalytixInsight.com Infiniti Research, a global competitive intelligence solutions provider, has announced the release of their recent market opportunity assessment on the petroleum industry. A renowned client in the petroleum industry wanted to understand the market requirements and the barriers to entry. The client wanted to identify the potential market trends and drivers and profile the key competitors in the petroleum sector. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171128005740/en/ Market Opportunity Study Assists a Renowned Client in the Petroleum Industry Enhance their Market Presence. (Photo: Business Wire) According to the market opportunity assessment experts at Infiniti, "With the demand for non-renewable resources, such as petroleum, nearing its saturation, suppliers in the petroleum industry are leveraging market opportunity assessments to identify new ways to stay competitive and relevant in today's market space." In this resource-driven environment, energy plays a pivotal role in the sustenance of any organization, and for the same, organizations are shifting toward non-renewable sources of energy such as petroleum. The petroleum industry is one of the most powerful contributors to the world economy and to stay competitive and relevant in today's market, major organizations are adopting market opportunity solutions. Request a free brochure to see how Infiniti Research's solutions can help you. The solution offered by Infiniti helped the client to identify new opportunities and barriers to market entry. The client was also able to unravel enterprise demand and competitive maneuverings and expand across niche market segments. Additionally, the client was able to identify the high potential growth opportunities and benchmark their offerings. This market opportunity assessment solution provided benefits that helped the client to: Understand the market scenario and profile the potential customers Assess the current price levels and evaluate the needs, requirements, and preferences in each segment To know more, request a free proposal This market opportunity assessment solution offered predictive insights on: Enhancing their value proposition Identifying opportunities to capture more value To know more, request a free proposal View the full market opportunity assessment here: https://www.infinitiresearch.com/casestudy/petroleum-industry-market-opportunity About Infiniti Research Established in 2003, Infiniti Research is a leading market intelligence company providing smart solutions to address your business challenges. Infiniti Research studies markets in more than 100 countries to help analyze competitive activity, see beyond market disruptions, and develop intelligent business strategies. With 14+ years of experience and offices across three continents, Infiniti Research has been instrumental in providing a complete range of competitive intelligence, strategy, and research services for over 550 companies across the globe. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171128005740/en/ Contacts: Infiniti Research Anirban Choudhury Marketing Consultant US: +1 844 778 0600 UK: +44 203 893 3400 hello@infinitiresearch.com https://www.infinitiresearch.com/contact-us Stuart Wood joins as Operations Director and Jason McClounan as Finance Manager and Company Secretary Sales Managers, Application Scientists and Service Engineer appointed across Europe and North America Applied Photophysics, a leading provider of systems for biophysical characterization of biomolecules, today announced that it has appointed Stuart Wood as Operations Director and Jason McClounan as Finance Manager and Company Secretary. The Company has also expanded its sales and scientific support teams across the US, UK and Germany with the addition of four Sales Managers and two more Application Scientists. A US-based Service Engineer joins the global service team. The appointments demonstrate Applied Photophysics' commitment to expanding its position in the biophysical characterization market. The company's current portfolio includes the Chirascan platform, which uses circular dichroism (CD) to detect changes in the higher order structure and stability of proteins, and its SX-range of stopped-flow spectrometers for kinetic studies. Stuart Wood has over 20 years of experience in a variety of senior operations roles, consultancy, production and engineering. He was previously Head of Business Excellence at Oxford Instruments where he led the development and implementation of a continuous improvement programme throughout Europe, Asia and North America. Stuart was also recognized in the 'Lean Top 25' report, which celebrates outstanding individuals in lean and continuous improvement. Jason McClounan brings over 15 years' experience, from transactional accounting to leading a team of accountants within an operational finance function. He has a wealth of knowledge of working within PLCs and LTD companies during mergers, acquisitions and other periods of substantial growth. In the US, Keith R. Solomon, PhD,joins as Application Scientist. Keith previously held senior appointments at Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, and the Proteomics Center at BCH. Deb Litman and Jeff Club join as East- and West-Coast Sales Manager, respectively. Deb brings more than 15 years of experience in capital equipment sales and applications support roles. Jeff joins Applied Photophysics from Molecular Devices (a Danaher company) and brings over a decade of diverse experience from both the clinical and research arms of life science. Eric Beauregard,an experienced electrician, joins the Company as Service Engineer, having recently graduated from the University of Hartford with a B.S. in Chemistry. In Europe and the UK, Martin Textor, PhD joins as Application Scientist. A molecular biologist by training, Martin specializes in biophysics with a focus on membrane protein research and has used CD on a regular basis during his work. Tony Lester and Sven Langner join Applied Photophysics as UK- and German-based Sales Manager, respectively. Tony brings over 25 years of experience in consultative sales. Sven joins the Company from his role as Account Manager with Bio-Rad Clinical Diagnostics. Commenting on the appointments, Louise Madden, CEO, said: "We have ambitious plans for Applied Photophysics and as we look to grow significantly over the next few years, we have started by expanding operations and scaling up the business. Welcoming such a talented group of individuals, we are now able to offer unprecedented levels of service and scientific support to our customers across North America and Europe." For more information about Applied Photophysics, visit https://www.photophysics.com/ ENDS View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171128005801/en/ Contacts: Notes for Editors: For high-resolution images please contact: Zyme Communications Lorna Cuddon Tel: +44 (0)7811 996 942 Email: lorna.cuddon@zymecommunications.com NEW YORK, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --The Institute for Robotic Process Automation and Artificial Intelligence (IRPA AI) has announced that Google, IBM, EY, PwC and EdgeVerve will lead its agenda and lineup of major automation and AI industry speakers, for the fourth annual Automation Innovation Conference to be held in New York City on December 5-6, 2017, and London on December 13, 2017. The New York event is now sold out for its third year in a row. This year's conference, "2017: Exploiting the Second Wave," focuses on taking the lessons learned in the last three years and applying them to harness the power of RPA, cognitive computing, and artificial intelligence today. "The software is smarter and so are we," said Frank Casale, Founder and CEO of IRPA AI. "The automation industry is at a tipping point where there is no turning back; the first wave of early adopters has put the technology to the test and is now embarking on the second wave that takes lessons learned and goes beyond the first's implementations. This year's conference provides the foundation for those who are beginning their investment in automation, enabling them to learn from the successes and challenges learned during the first wave and second-wavers will benefit from more challenging and thoughtful content that addresses key issues such as scaling up and developing centers of excellence." Keynotes in New York include sessions by George Kaczmarskyj, Financial Services RPA Leader for the Americas at EY, Google's Matz Lukmani on "Machine Learning to the Rescue! - A Google Perspective," IBM's Gene Chao, Global VP of Cognitive Enterprise Automation on "Automation and Artificial Intelligence Across the Enterprise," Steve Power of Cisco and Naresh Kothari of EdgeVerve (an Infosys company) on "How to Define and Ensure Success of an Automation Implementation," and Anand Rao, Partner and Global AI Lead for PwC's US Advisory Practice, "Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Computing: A Vision for the Future." "Machine learning is the core of major innovations in the world. It is based on improving standards of automation, resulting in greater room to bring human creativity to the forefront of our projects," said Matz Lukmani, Attribution Product Lead, Google. "IRPA AI provides an instrumental bench for AI professionals and practitioners from across industries and verticals to come together and share ideas on how to better learn and improve on each other's achievements and challenges." The London keynotes also include Matz Lukmani of Google and executives from IBM, along with Sebastian Zeiss, Deutsche Telekom, on "Robotics and Cognitive Computing: Game-Changer in Fostering Digitisation and Business Innovation," Robin George, EdgeVerve and Chris Gibbons from Royal Philips on "How to Define and Ensure Success of an Automation Implementation?" and a session by Chris Lamberton, EMEIA Robotic Process Automation Lead at EY. "Move beyond automation into augmentation," said Anand Rao of PwC. "Artificial intelligence - especially augmented intelligence - is already helping enterprises make better decisions at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels. This augmentation is happening at the physical, cognitive, and creative areas that enterprises are involved in." Other key sponsors include UiPath, Blue Prism, Wipro, Sutherland, WorkFusion, Automation Anywhere, NICE, and Kryon Systems, along with dozens of other sponsors and exhibitors from across the industry. The NY conference will take place at Bohemian National Hall, 321 East 73rd Street, New York, NY and the London event at etc. Venues, St. Paul's - 200 Aldersgate, London, UK EC1A 4HD. Conference admission is complimentary for buyers of automation and AI. For providers and influencers, the fee for the London event is 880. Visit http://irpaai.com/events/automation-innovation-conference-2017-london/ to register for London. About IRPA AI Founded in 2013, the Institute for Robotic Process Automation and Artificial Intelligence (IRPA AI) is an independent professional association and knowledge forum for the buyers, sellers, influencers and analysts of robotic process automation, cognitive computing and artificial intelligence. Our global network and advisory services offer leading-edge market intelligence, industry research, sourcing assistance, and events as well as opportunities to learn and network with stakeholders across service industry functions. To learn more please visit www.irpaai.com Logo- http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/611067/IRPA_Logo.jpg VANCOUVER, BC -- (Marketwired) -- 11/28/17 -- Glance Technologies Inc. (CSE: GET)(CSE: GET.CN)(CNSX: GET)(OTCQB: GLNNF)(FRANKFURT: GJT) (the "Company") has today entered into an agreement with Echelon Wealth Partners and PI Financial Corp., (collectively the "Underwriters") pursuant to which the Underwriters have agreed to purchase on a bought deal basis 3,350,000 units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of C$3.00 per Unit, representing total gross proceeds of $10,050,000 (the "Offering"). Each Unit consists of one common share ("Unit Share") and one unit purchase warrant ("Unit Warrant"). Each Unit Purchase Warrant is exercisable into one unit ("Subsequent Unit") at a price of $3.84 per Subsequent Unit, for a period of 12 months following the Closing Date of the Offering. Each Subsequent Unit consists of one common share ("Subsequent Unit Share") and one common share purchase warrant ("Share Warrant") exercisable at $5.00 per common share ("Common Share"), for a period of 24 months following the Closing Date of the Offering. Both the Unit Warrants and the Share Warrants will be transferable. Management and insiders will be participating for up to approximately $2 million of the Units on the same terms and conditions as the Offering. The Company has agreed to grant the Underwriters an over-allotment option to purchase up to an additional 15% of the Units at the Issue Price at any time and from time to time on or prior to the date that is 30 days following the closing of the Offering. The Over-Allotment Option may be exercised in whole or in part to purchase Shares, Warrants or Units as determined by the Co-lead Underwriters upon written notice to the Company at any time up to 30 days following the Closing Date. If this option is exercised in full, an additional $1,507,500 in gross proceeds will be raised pursuant to the Offering, for aggregate gross proceeds of $11,557,500. The Units will be offered by way of a short form prospectus to be filed in B.C., Alberta and Ontario, and in the United States on a private placement basis pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such other jurisdictions as may be agreed upon by the Company and the Underwriters. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering for general corporate purposes, to fund growth and to provide for possible future acquisitions. The Offering is expected to close on or about December 20th, 2017 (or such other date as the Underwriter and the Company may agree) and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and stock exchange approvals, including the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange and the applicable securities regulatory authorities. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. About Glance Technologies Inc. Glance Technologies owns and operates Glance Pay, a streamlined payment system that revolutionizes how smartphone users choose where to dine, order goods and services, make payments, access digital receipts, redeem digital deals, earn great rewards & interact with merchants. Glance is building a valuable network of merchants and consumers, and offers targeted in-app marketing, geo targeted digital coupons, social media marketing, customer feedback, in-merchant messaging and custom rewards programs. The Glance Pay mobile payment system consists of proprietary technology, which includes user apps available for free downloads in IOS (Apple) and Android formats, merchant manager apps, a large scale technology hosting environment with sophisticated anti-fraud technology and lightning fast payment processing. Glance Pay has entered into significant licensing agreements to access the cannabis, fitness and wellness, foreign student and tourist markets through Cannapay Financial Inc., Active Pay Distribution Inc. and Euro Asia Pay Holdings Inc. Glance Pay is building a network of international advisors and developing a cryptocurrency which will offer reward elements for use on its platform. 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 release. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking information or forward-looking statements (collectively "forward- looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward- looking information is typically identified by words such as: "will" "may" "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "potentially" and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Glance cautions investors that any forward-looking information provided by Glance is not a guarantee of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects which may be accessed through the Glance's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. In particular, Glance may not be successful in building its planned cryptocurrency or there may not be sufficient support for the cryptocurrency to make it a success. For more information about Glance, please go to www.glance.tech or contact: Christina Rao Vice President Investor Relations (604) 723-7480 investors@glancepay.com Two Saturdays ago at 3 a.m., my family was awoken by somebody howling, literally howling, on our porch. Then the man began pounding on our front door. Again and again and again, hitting the iron knocker against the wood as hard as he could, and, when that didnt do the trick, hurling his body against the door. While the rest of my family hid, I called 911, and told them someone was attempting to break into our home. The operator asked me a question: What color was the man on my porch? The pounding grew fiercer. Three times, I had to call 911. Finally, after 20 minutes two police cars pulled up, sirens on, and through the door I heard a policeman ask our visitor what he was doing. He was, he slowly slurred, trying to get into his girlfriends house. But she doesnt live here, they told him, as I opened the door. This family does, and you scared them very much. You need to apologize. The young man, clearly bombed out his mind, quietly muttered, Im sorry. The officers made him sit on the curb across the street from our house, asked him to call his parents which he refused to do and finally let him phone a friend to pick him up. He was, they told me, simply drunk out of his skull. He just needed to sleep it off. Having written about the criminal justice system, among other topics, for 20-plus years, I was in no hurry to ruin another persons life by insisting that the police press charges. On the other hand, as I lay in bed that dawn, sleepless, a number of things began bothering me about the whole interaction. They have been bothering me ever since. So, in case our unbidden visitor is reading this: Dear anonymous intruder, You have, I suspect, no idea how lucky you are. In your idiotic drunken stupor, you tried to break into a house. You succeeded in terrifying a family of four. In many states, legislation such as Stand Your Ground laws would have given a homeowner on the other side of the door the right to shoot you, and your death would have been ruled self-defense. Even absent a trigger-happy homeowner, however, you were the beneficiary that night of three pieces of extraordinary luck. The first was that you encountered two courteous and sensitive police officers willing and able to empathize with you. Instead of simply seeing a threatening perp, they saw a kid, likely a college student, who had had a few drinks, a few pills too many, a vulnerable and foolish human being who simply needed to sleep it off. They used both their discretion and their common sense in not escalating the situation, in not coming in guns blazing, ready to hurt you, to arrest you, to start processing you through the criminal justice system. The second thing is that you happened to try to break down the door of somebody who has written about the crisis of mass incarceration for decades, who has interviewed hundreds of crime victims, criminals, attorneys and prisoners, and who believes from the bottom of his heart in not seeing the worst in people; who believes in second chances and in not needlessly amping up legal proceedings against individuals who are not genuine threats to society. When I saw what sort of pitiful state you were in, you reminded me of many of the incarcerated young men and women I have interviewed who did something stupid oftentimes far less stupid than what you did and faced with unforgiving police, and scared victims, and DAs looking for easy convictions, ended up serving years and sometimes decades in prison. And when, at 4 a.m., I asked the police officers, after they had sent you home with a friend, their take on what had happened, and they said that in their honest-to-goodness opinion you were just out on a bender, I took their word at face value. I didnt want your life to be ruined by a needless criminal prosecution, and, after asking my wife, I told the police that we did not want to pursue charges. But perhaps the thing that made you luckiest was the color of your skin, that vital identifying characteristic the emergency operator had been so quick to ask me about. Its certainly possible that those two humane police officers would have been just as kind, considerate and empathetic to an African-American male in the same situation. I hope, and want to believe, they would have been. Yet, in those circumstances had they treated an African-American suspect so gently and so calmly, they would have been bucking a very powerful trend, for, in many, many instances in recent years, a very different saga has emerged to that of your get-out-of-jail-free story. In July 2009, the Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates, an African-American, was arrested by the police at his own home, after he returned from a trip overseas, realized he had lost his keys, and broke open his own door. He was arrested despite showing the police his Harvard ID and his drivers license which had his address on it and showed very clearly that the home he was breaking into was his own. In September 2015, an African-American woman in Santa Monica hired a locksmith to help her get into her house after she had locked herself out. A neighbor called the police, and 19 officers arrived, several of them with guns drawn, and arrested her. And the list goes on. You benefited from the kindness of myriad strangers that night, and you may very well have benefited from the color of your skin. Let me finish with some advice: If you want to make good for scaring four people half to death, perhaps you could do some volunteer work at a criminal justice reform organization, or a drug treatment center, or a racial justice group. It might turn your good fortune into something from which the broader community can benefit. TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 11/28/17 -- Editors Note: There are two photos associated with this press release. Manitou Gold Inc. (TSX VENTURE: MTU) (the "Company" or "Manitou") today announced that it has encountered several remarkable visible gold containing specimens from blasted rock samples collected at its Kenwest property, located approximately 50 km south of Dryden Ontario. The samples were pulled from a recently completed surface bulk sampling program at the Kenwest property. While the permitting process for a larger underground bulk sample is ongoing, the Company elected to proceed with the collection of an initial 10 tonne bulk sample taken from surface in the vicinity of the very high-grade gold intersections that the Company drilled in 2011. At that time, the Company drilled a section of core that returned an assay of 53,700 g/t Au over 0.55m (see Company press release dated Feb 28, 2011). This intersection occurred at a depth of approximately 25m below surface. Gold mineralization at the Kenwest property is orogenic in nature and is largely confined to distinct northeast to southwest trending shear zones that have been filled with quartz veining and related alteration. Historic mining dating back to the early 1900s on the property has focused on the #1 and #2 shear zones. All of the Company's recent activity has targeted the #2 shear zone. The recent blasting was done along strike of the vein over a length of approximately 30 meters, beginning directly above the intersection in KW-11-26 and extending towards the northeast at depths of between 8-12 feet and 1.5 meters in width creating a small trench. A total of approximately 235 tons were blasted. During excavation of the blasted rock, the Company's contractors filled 40 steel drums (having capacity of 45 gallons each) with material from the vein and shear zone, resulting in the collection of approximately 10 tonnes of material sent for laboratory analysis. The Company's contractors observed conspicuous amounts of visible gold from near surface in a part of the vein located approximately 20 meters northeast of the section where drill hole KW 11-26 had encountered the above-mentioned high-grade intersection. Geological mapping, sampling and structural measurements undertaken during the sampling process will be incorporated into the existing geologic model for the zone in order to add to the Company's understanding on the controls of the high-grade gold zones, and to understand the relationship amongst the multiple areas of concentrated visible gold and cohosted minerals. Photographs of the bulk sample work and some of the visible gold specimens can be found on the Company's website at Kenwest bulk sample photos. The blasted rock was not washed or sorted and was simply directly deposited into barrels as excavation progressed. The total representative sample of approximately 10 tonnes has been transported to SGS Laboratories in Sudbury and will be processed both there and at SGS Lakefield location, in order to provide a more definitive estimate of the vein system grade, as well as facilitate initial assessment of best procedures for mineral extraction. The remaining material has been stockpiled on site to allow for expedient access and further metallurgical testing. "This initial surface bulk sample is a big step towards establishing expected grade of the future underground bulk sample," stated Richard Murphy, CEO of Manitou Gold. "I am very optimistic about the pending results. The original high-grade discovery in hole KW-11-26 confirms that this area can host some spectacular grade gold material and I am anxious to see if this first bulk sample supports this potential on a larger scale. The results of this test work, once available, will provide inputs into how we proceed with work on site in advance of the planned underground bulk sample. Possibilities for the next stages of exploration at Kenwest include expanding on the surface drilling and blasting in order to produce a larger tonnage sample to test at a commercial mill, as well as diamond drilling to test our new understanding about the controls of the higher grade gold zones." The Company anticipates being able to release the assay results of this initial surface bulk sample in January. The Kenwest Property is comprised of patented property owned 100% by Manitou. The Property covers 5 km of strike length of the deformation zone that controls the gold mineralization. There are no royalties payable on the property, with the exception of a onetime payment of $2,000,000 in favour of Goldcorp Inc. upon commencement of commercial production. Manitou's 100% owned Canamerica property covers an additional 2.5 km of the deformation zone adjacent to the Kenwest patented property. Manitou filed a draft closure plan with the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines on October 2nd, 2017 as part of the bulk sampling permitting process. Richard Murphy, P.Geo., CEO of the Company is the Qualified Person who prepared the scientific and technical disclosure herein. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward Looking Statements - Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, statements with respect to the prospective nature of any of Manitou's property interests. Forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on certain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, the timing and amount of future exploration, the availability of necessary financing, the progress of exploration activities, the receipt of necessary regulatory approvals, and assumptions with respect to currency fluctuations, environmental risks, title disputes or claims, and other similar matters. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of Manitou, including, but not limited to the receipt of applicable regulatory approvals, risks inherent in exploration and development activities, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be redefined, mineral prices, competition, access and supply risks, reliance on key personnel, operational risks, capitalization and financing risks, risks related to disputes concerning property titles and interest, and environmental risks. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information that may be made from time to time by the Company or on its behalf, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. To view the photos associated with this press release, please visit the following links: http://www.marketwire.com/library/20171128-GK_MANITOUGOLD_WEB_sRGB_0024_lrg.jpg http://www.marketwire.com/library/20171128-GK_MANITOUGOLD_WEB_sRGB_0006_lrg.jpg Contacts: Manitou Gold Inc. Richard Murphy CEO 1 (705) 698-1962 Manitou Gold Inc. Pat Dubreuil President 1 (705) 626-0666 info@manitougold.com Christian Lacroix to launch online marketplace platform to sell direct-to-consumers on christian-lacroix.com Mirakl, the leading marketplace platform provider, today announced a partnership with Christian Lacroix to launch an innovative Brand Platform to sell menswear, women's accessories and lifestyle collection on christian-lacroix.com. The Brand Platform marks the first time the brand will sell directly to customers online, and showcases the universe of Christian Lacroix unique collection of products. Nicolas Topiol, Chief Executive Officer, Christian Lacroix, selected the Mirakl Marketplace Platform for its focus on operating innovative marketplaces. The digital project integrates leading technology from Mirakl, Magento, HiPay and Borderlinx, and is being implemented by the Digital Agency Colorz. "Christian Lacroix is an iconic luxury brand famous for its initial disruption of the 80s-fashion scene bringing vibrant colors and a mix and match of fabrics, patterns and inspirations in a then monochrome fashion world," said Topiol. "Since then the House of Christian Lacroix has evolved into a lifestyle brand touching its aficionados with a wide offering of product categories from fashion accessories, to menswear and art de vivre collections. With the launch of our digital commerce platform, we are looking to expand our distribution and be in direct contact with our customers worldwide. Our 30th Anniversary and its celebration provide the perfect opportunity to launch our direct to consumer initiative." "We're tremendously excited to be working with Nicolas Topiol and the Christian Lacroix team," said Philippe Corrot, co-founder and CEO, Mirakl. "We have a uniquely shared vision. Mirakl believes the future of commerce is in the platform revolution where retailers and brands need to become platform operators to embrace the future of commerce. The Christian Lacroix Brand Platform perfectly exemplifies this vision with the team creating an online network to sell their multiple product categories and to provide the full universe of products to Christian Lacroix brand aficionados. Our platform is perfectly designed to launch this new business model, our team of experts is here to help them capitalize on the platform revolution with the marketplace model." About Christian Lacroix Since the creation of the fashion house in 1987 by LVMH, the House of Christian Lacroix lays the foundation for a colorful, exuberant and unique style. The Hispanic inspirations, colors, innovative forms make a sensation and are a breath of freshness in the fashion circles. The brand is sold worldwide, with collections of products as varied as men's ready-to-wear, women's accessories and Home decor. The Christian Lacroix brand subsists through timeless values. The result is a fabulously richly entwined universe, which can be continually reinterpreted, re-mixed and illuminated. The Christian Lacroix brand is fundamentally contemporary and dynamic. About Mirakl Mirakl gives retailers and brands a fast path to increase customer value by launching an online marketplace. The increased value exceeds customer expectations by providing more products, at better prices, with superior service. The Mirakl Marketplace Platform automates the hard things: Seller onboarding, product data management, service quality control, and order distribution; on an API-based solution that's modular and easy to integrate. Over 140 customers operating marketplaces in 40 countries trust Mirakl's proven expertise and technology including Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Best Buy Canada, Carrefour, Darty, Galeries Lafayette and Halfords. Founded in 2012, Mirakl helps companies provide a better customer experience as part of their omni-channel strategy. For more information: www.mirakl.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171128005227/en/ Contacts: Ketner Group PR Marketing (for Mirakl) Adrienne Newcomb/Greg Earl, 512-794-8876 miraklpr@ketnergroup.com RIMOUSKI, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 11/28/17 -- Puma Exploration inc. (the "Company" or "Puma") (TSX VENTURE: PUM)(SSE: PUMA) is pleased to announce that by mutual agreement, Votorantim Metals Canada Inc. ("Votorantim") and Puma have agreed to modify the terms of the amended and restated Asset Purchase Agreement signed October 5th, 2016 to facilitate and accelerate the final closing of the acquisition of the Murray Brook Property which include the transfer of the mining claims to Puma. To satisfy the new requirements as set in the amended agreement signed November 27th 2017, Puma will proceed with the $2M cash consideration on February 28th, 2018 as previously agreed. The date at which the Environmental Bond will be assumed by Puma has been postponed to December 31st, 2018, the date of the final cash consideration payment. Once the final cash consideration payment is done and that Puma has assumed the Environmental bond, the mining claims will be transferred to Puma. "We are very pleased with this new mutual agreement that provides Puma with more flexibility in achieving our shared objective in finalizing the acquisition of the Murray Brook Property. The delay of the release of the Environmental Bond will let us focus on exploring and developing the Murray Brook Deposit" notes Marcel Robillard, President of Puma. Except as specifically modified pursuant to the present release, no other changes or modifications to the Asset Purchase Agreement are intended or implied or have otherwise been agreed between the Parties. The present modifications have to be reviewed by the usual regulatory agencies. Current Exploration Program The second phase of the 2017 exploration program has begun on prospective new areas on both sides of the Murray Brook Deposit and initially consists of trenching. Puma's geologists have defined several new high priority targets based on their stratigraphic location, their proximity to the Deposit and along the best geophysical anomalies. So far, 11 trenches have been completed for a total of 803 meters. Along the Western side of the Murray Brook Deposit, altered black shales units were discovered and contain disseminated sulphides and also small veinlets of sulphide. The mineralized rocks, visually similar to the Murray Brook Deposit footwall sediments, were found over a strong chargeability and gravity anomalies. This trenching program was also aimed at defining several high priority targets that will be tested in the coming drilling program. Corporate Matter An insider of the Company has participated in the recent September 15th, 2017 flow through private placement for an amount of $1,000.00 (representing 1% of the total placement). This insider subscribed to the units on the same terms as the other investors. The participation of an insider is exempt of the standard regulatory acceptance as well as of the approval of the shareholders of the Company according to sections 5.5 (a) and 5.7 (a) of the Regulation 61-101 "Regulation 61-101 " concerning the protection of minor shareholders in a special transaction. This exemption is based on the fact that the market value of the placement or the amount paid by each of the total insiders does not represent more than 25% of the market value of the Company. Qualified Persons and QC/AC The content of this press release was prepared by Marcel Robillard, P.Geo., President and Dominique Gagne, P.Geo., Vice President Exploration of Puma Exploration, qualified persons as defined by NI 43-101, who supervised the preparation and technical information that forms the basis for this news release. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Mr. Robillard and Mr. Gagne are not independent of the Company, as both are officers and shareholders thereof. The samples were prepared, sent, processed at ALS Val D'Or, Quebec and ALS Sudbury, Ontario. All samples were assayed by ME-ICP41 method and gold was assayed by AU-AA26 method. QA/QC are monitored by the analysis of blanks, reference material and replicate samples at a frequency of one (1) of each per 30 samples. About the Murray Brook Project The Murray Brook Project consists of three (3) distinct contiguous areas that cover more than 18 kilometers of the favorable rocks that host the operating Caribou Mine (Trevali Mining Corp.), the Murray Brook Deposit and the past operating Restigouche Mine (Trevali Mining Corp.). From east to west, the project comprises the Murray Brook East Property (4925), the Murray Brook Mining Lease (# 252) and the Murray Brook West Property (7846) (refer to website). The Murray Brook East and Murray Brook West Properties have been subject to various degrees of exploration and share the same potential of increasing the mineral resources defined at the Murray Brook Deposit. The Company has defined several future priority targets on these properties. The Murray Brook deposit has a currently defined measured and indicated mineral resources of 5.28 million tonnes averaging 5.24% zinc, 1.80% lead, 0.46% copper, 68.9 g/t silver and 0.65 g/t gold. The core of the mineral resource occurs in the West Zone which is 200 meters wide, extending from surface to 300 meters vertical and the true thickness of the massive sulphide body varies from 75 meters to 100 meters. The East Zone (Copper-Gold) is 100 meters wide, also extending from surface to 300 vertical meters and is mainly mineralized with gold and copper. On February 20th 2017, a NI 43-101 report was accepted and filed on SEDAR. About Puma Exploration Inc. Puma Exploration is a Canadian mineral exploration company with advanced precious and base metals projects in Canada. The Company's major assets consist of an option to acquire 100% beneficial interest in the Murray Brook Property, the Turgeon Zinc-Copper Project and the Nicholas-Denys Project located in New Brunswick as well as an equity interest in BWR Resources, Manitoba. Puma's objective for the coming year is to focus its exploration efforts in New Brunswick. 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. Contacts: Puma Exploration Inc. Marcel Robillard President (418) 724-0901 president@explorationpuma.com www.pumaexploration.com Regulatory News: This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171128005614/en/ TechnipFMC plc ("TechnipFMC") (NYSE: FTI) (Paris: FTI) (ISIN: GB00BDSFG982) announces the availability of its Analyst Day Presentations in connection with its 2017 Analyst Day on 28 November 2017. The general presentation session will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Houston time, and will be available via a live audio webcast. The corresponding presentation slides for the general presentation session are filed with this regulatory release and will be available through the Investor Relations link on TechnipFMC's website at www.technipfmc.com. The archived replay of the webcast will be available on the website for 90 days. The presentation includes the following additional outlook items provided by the Company that supplements the guidance provided in the Company's earnings release related to the quarter ended 30 September 2017: the value of integrated Subsea awards, iEPCI, is expected to more than double from 2017 and could represent up to 25% of total Subsea inbound orders in 2018; sales in subsea services are expected to increase by at least a 12% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) through 2020; and an increase of the Company's total exit run-rate merger synergies target from $400 million to $450 million, with incremental savings of $50 million to be realized by the end of 2019. About TechnipFMC TechnipFMC is a global leader in subsea, onshore/offshore, and surface projects. With our proprietary technologies and production systems, integrated expertise, and comprehensive solutions, we are transforming our clients' project economics. We are uniquely positioned to deliver greater efficiency across project lifecycles from concept to project delivery and beyond. Through innovative technologies and improved efficiencies, our offering unlocks new possibilities for our clients in developing their oil and gas resources. Each of our more than 40,000 employees is driven by a steady commitment to clients and a culture of purposeful innovation, challenging industry conventions, and rethinking how the best results are achieved. To learn more about us and how we are enhancing the performance of the world's energy industry, go to TechnipFMC.com and follow us on Twitter @TechnipFMC. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171128005614/en/ Contacts: Investor relations Matt Seinsheimer Vice President Investor Relations Tel: +1 281 260 3665 Email: Matt Seinsheimer or James Davis Senior Manager Investor Relations Tel: +1 281 260 3665 Email: James Davis or Media relations Christophe Belorgeot Vice President Corporate Communications Tel: +33 1 47 78 39 92 Email: Christophe Belorgeot or Delphine Nayral Manager Public Relations Tel: +33 1 47 78 34 83 Email: Delphine Nayral or Lisa Adams Senior Manager Digital Communications Tel: +1 281 405 4659 Email: Lisa Adams Drill Hole DDH P17002 assayed 90.35 g/t (2.91 oz/t) silver from surface to 34.5 m (113 ft) including an 18 m (59 ft) portion averaging 120.58 g/t (3.88 oz/t) Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 28, 2017) - Viscount Mining Corp. (TSXV: VML) (OTCQB: VLMGF) ("Viscount" or "the Company"), is pleased to announce the first assay results from the Phase 2 HQ core drilling program at their Silver Cliff property in the Hardscrabble Silver District of Custer County, Colorado (the "Property"). The 2017 program commenced in mid-October has as its primary objective the verification of historical drill results for current mineral resource estimation on one of the Silver Cliff deposits known as the Kate Silver Resource (the "KSR"). A second objective is to test the potential for deeper silver mineralization. This release is reporting values from DDH P17002, the first of ten holes. Vertical hole (-90) P17002 penetrated to a depth of 197.1 m (646.7 ft) and assays of continuous 1.5 m (4.92 ft) sample intervals only to a depth 36 m (118.1 ft) have been received from ALS Canada Ltd. Of this portion of the hole, the first 34.5 m (113.2 ft) from surface averaged 90.35 parts per million (ppm, i.e. g/t or 2.91 oz/t), including an 18 m (59 ft) portion from 12 to 30 m (39.4 to 98.4 ft ) averaging 120.58 g/t (3.88 oz/t). Historical hole 79_5_CC drilled in 1979 and twinned by P17002 was reported to have only an 18.3 m (60 ft) interval averaging more than 31.1 g/t (1.0 oz/t), namely, from 15.2 m to 33.5 m (50 to 110 ft) with 105.43 g/t (3.39oz/t). Although results from more drill holes will be required to determine true thickness, historical geological records and Viscount's 2016 drilling profiles indicate that the mineralized rhyolite tuff beds are nearly horizontal with apparent variations from the horizontal due to vertical displacement by faults. Kaare Foy, Viscount Chairman stated: "We are very encouraged with the results of our first hole of Phase 2 drilling at Silver Cliff. The results show the twinned hole multiple ounce mineralization to be almost double in length. This was also indicated in some of the 9 twinned holes drilled in 2016 where 5 out of 9 holes had noticeably thicker silver-rich sections." Dr. Howard Lahti, VP of Exploration commented: "Viscount is continuing the drill program to see if there are other locations within the Kate deposit with much thicker or multiple zones which would offer the potential for increasing the historic silver resource potentially mineable by open pit. The high silver values from our last drill campaign and the most recent result continues toward addressing our primary goal which is to verify the historical mineral resource. Our goal also is to enlarge the historic resource by extending the drill program outside the perimeter of the area encompassed by the Tenneco PEA. We look forward to reporting further assays from this program as they become available." Quality Assurance/Quality Control ("QA/QC") Measures, Chain of Custody The Company has implemented a QA/QC program using best industry practices at the Silver Cliff Property. Drill core samples are sawn in half lengthwise and one half transported in securely-sealed bags to the ALS laboratory in Reno, Nevada, for sample preparation and subsequent analysis at ALS Canada Ltd. in Vancouver. Prior to transport, individual samples are labeled, placed in plastic sample bags and sealed. One certified standard for each 20 samples is included. Groups of samples are then placed into durable rice bags that are then shipped. The sample pulps and rejects will be retrieved from ALS. For the 1.5 m (4.92 ft) interval samples that are the subject of this report of DDH P17002 results, the ALS method with code ME-GRA21 was utilized for determining both gold and silver. It consists of fire assay and gravimetric finish (30g nominal sample weight). Five certified standards were included with this shipment. Qualified Persons The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Dallas W. Davis, P.Eng, FEC, an independent consulting geologist who is a "Qualified Person" as such term is defined under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). About Viscount Mining (TSXV: VML) (OTCQB: VLMGF) Viscount Mining is a project generator and an exploration company with a portfolio of silver and gold properties in the Western United States, including Silver Cliff in Colorado and Cherry Creek in Nevada. The Silver Cliff property in Colorado lies within the historic Hardscrabble Silver District in the Wet Mountain Valley, Custer County, south-central Colorado. It is located 44 miles WSW of Pueblo, Colorado, and has year-around access by paved road. The property consists of 2,029 acres where high grade silver, gold and base metal production came from numerous mines during the period 1878 to the early 1900's. The property underwent substantial exploration between 1967 and 1984. The property is interpreted to encompass a portion of a large caldera and highly altered sequence of Tertiary rhyolitic flows and fragmental units which offers potential to host deposits with both precious and base metals. This has been demonstrated in the mineralization historically extracted from the numerous underground and surface mining operations. Drilling in the 1980s by Tenneco resulted in a historical pre-feasibility study on which basis it was planned to bring the property to production. The plan was abandoned following take over by another company. The Cherry Creek Property is focused on exploration in the immediate vicinity of an area commonly known as the Cherry Creek Mining District, located approximately 30 miles north of the town of Ely, in White Pine County, Nevada. Cherry Creek consists of over 400 unpatented and patented claims as well as mill rights, and is comprised of more than 8,000 acres. Cherry Creek includes more than 20 past producing mines. For additional information regarding the above noted property and other corporate information, please visit the Company's website at www.viscountmining.com ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS "Jim MacKenzie" President, CEO and Director For further information, please contact: Viscount Investor Relations Phone: 1 844 863 3622 Email: info@viscountmining.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 Statements This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking" statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although Viscount Mining Corp. 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 may differ materially from those in forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of Viscount Mining Corp. management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, Viscount Mining Corp. undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Bloom Properties, a Bloom Holding business specializing in the development of integrated and sustainable communities, is set to showcase its extensive portfolio of real estate projects at the Dubai Property Roadshow, London. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171201005269/en/ Bloom Towers (Photo: AETOSWire) Set to run on December 3rd and 4th, 2017 at the Shangri-La, at the Shard, in London, Bloom Properties will highlight a selection of sought-after real estate projects from its wide portfolio ranging from premium properties on Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi to mid-market developments in Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) to suit diverse investor needs. At this event, potential investors can learn more about Bloom Towers and Bloom Heights in Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) in Dubai as well as Soho Square and Park View mixed-use developments on Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi. Organized by the Dubai Land Department, the Dubai Property Roadshow, London will convene some of the most prominent real estate developers in the UAE under one roof and highlight the benefits of investing in the Dubai property market for London's affluent investors. Some of these benefits include 100% freehold ownership in designated foreign investment areas of Dubai, no rental income tax and capital gain tax and 100% repatriation of funds Sameh Muhtadi, CEO of Bloom Holding, said: "The Dubai Property Roadshow, London offers us an ideal platform to meet with high-net worth investors and cater to the increasing demand from British investors for high quality real estate in Dubai. Through its participation in leading property events abroad including Dubai Property Events in Mumbai and now in London, Bloom Properties seeks to attract more investors from high-priority growth markets. In bringing our projects to London, we are confident that we will attract the same level of investor response as we did in Mumbai by offering investors strong rental yields and high capital appreciation potential." Located in Jumeirah Village Circle, one of the fastest growing communities in Dubai and scheduled for completion in Q4 2020, Bloom Towers is a development consisting of three towers offering a total of 944 residential units consisting of contemporary studios and one-bedroom apartments featuring a timeless and elegant design. Meanwhile, Bloom Heights will feature 686 units ranging from studios to three-bedroom apartments. Slated for completion in Q2 2019, the two-tower high-rise development will provide easy access to all major roads and Dubai's main business districts and leisure attractions. Located in the University neighborhood of Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi, Park View will consist of a residential and a hotel apartment building designed to the highest standards of upscale urban living. The residential building will offer 207 units ranging from studios to two-bedroom apartments, while the hospitality component includes 217 furnished and serviced hotel apartments comprising studios as well as one- and two-bedroom executive apartments. Soho Square, another Bloom Properties project in Saadiyat will include 302 upscale residences ranging from studios to three-bedroom apartments, townhouses and a penthouse. Both Park View and Soho Square offer proximity to the New York University Abu Dhabi campus and major tourist attractions including the Louvre Abu Dhabi museum which is now open to the public. Bloom Properties specializes in the development of integrated and sustainable communities that offer an enriching lifestyle and enhanced quality of life. In collaboration with best-in-class designers and architects, the company builds a range of residential, commercial and mixed-use projects in prime locations across the MENA region. Bloom Properties also provides customized leasing and property management solutions that exceed the tenants' expectations. *Source: AETOSWire View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171201005269/en/ Contacts: APCO Worldwide Salam Shehady, +97124917525, +971553584520 sshehady@apcoworldwide.com Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 28, 2017) - Gunpowder Capital Corp., (CSE: GPC), (CSE: GPC.PR.A), (OTCQB: GNPWF), (FSE: YS6N), ("Gunpowder" or the "Corporation"), released today a summary of its financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30th, 2017. Key highlights include: The Corporation posted its first ever quarterly profit which amounted to $128,132 CDN. This result was heavily driven by the successful completion of one of our go public mandates and while we continue to build out recurring revenues these large gains tied to go public work are expected to continue and add large quarterly spikes in revenue and profit when completed. Q3 2017 Revenues increased to $680,501 from $ 45,336 in Q3 2016, representing a 1,401% increase. Q3 2017 Revenues increased to $680,501 from $255,184 in Q2 2017, representing a 167% increase for the three month period. First nine months (YTD) 2017 Revenues were $1,029,876 vs. $79,725 for the first nine months (YTD) 2016 representing an 1,192% increase. Q3 2017 Fully Diluted EPS improved to $0.00 vs. ($0.03) Fully Diluted EPS loss recorded for the same time period last year. Total Assets increased to $7,739,972 in Q3 2017 from $2,838,587 As At Dec 31st 2016 representing 173% increase. The Corporation's Interim Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 have been posted both on the Corporation's SEDAR profile page which can be viewed by visiting www.sedar.com and on the Corporation's website which can be viewed by visiting www.gunpowdercapitalcorp.com. Mr. Paul Haber stated: "Our business model has both demonstrated and as shown continued momentum in Q3 2017, and we expect the momentum in our business to continue. Despite the fact that our business model is still in its infancy, the Corporation recorded year to date revenues of $1,029,876 which is a corporate record. Furthermore, I am very pleased that the Corporation posted its first ever quarterly profit. I, and the rest of the business development team, remain focused in sourcing revenue generating assets to acquire and seeking out profitable business deals that the Corporation can enter into." Mr. Frank Kordy stated: "I'm extremely pleased by the very strong performance that occurred in Q3. As I previously stated at our AGM, since making key operational and structural changes to the Corporation, we have gained substantial momentum in our business model throughout fiscal 2016 and thus far, throughout fiscal 2017. This momentum is reflected in the dramatic increase in the Corporation's 'Total Assets' ledger and can easily be seen by the Corporation's rapidly increasing revenue streams. The Management team will continue to work hard in advancing the Corporation forward and we will remain focused on increasing the Corporation's asset pool and incoming revenue streams." About Gunpowder Capital Corp. Gunpowder Capital Corp., is a merchant bank and advisory services firm based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Gunpowder invests in both publicly traded and private businesses that have successful management teams and attractive economic models. Gunpowder partners with these businesses to support their growth initiatives with its proven methodology of appropriate financing and structured exits. Gunpowder offers debt financing, including mezzanine and bridge loans, equity financing and advisory services. Gunpowder is also building a portfolio of companies in which it takes a long term position and view. For more information please visit www.gunpowdercapitalcorp.com. For further information please contact: Mr. Frank Kordy CEO & Director Gunpowder Capital Corp. T: (647) 466-4037 E: frank.kordy@gunpowdercapitalcorp.com Mr. Paul Haber CFO Gunpowder Capital Corp. T: (416) 363-3833 E: paul.haber@gunpowdercapitalcorp.com Forward-Looking Statements Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements contained herein are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements included in this document are made as of the date of this document and the Corporation disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities legislation. Although Management believes that the expectations represented in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such. Neither CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. - 30 - Vilnius, Lithuania, 2017-11-28 15:25 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On the initiative and decision of the Company's Management Board the Ordinary General Shareholders Meeting of Vilniaus baldai AB (identification code 121922783, address Savanoriu ave. 178B, Vilnius, LT-03154) is to be held on 20 December, 2017 at 10:00 a. m. in Savanoriu ave. 178B, Vilnius. Registration of the shareholders will start at 9:30 a. m. Only the persons who are the shareholders of the Company at the end of the accounting day of the Ordinary General Shareholders Meeting (13 December, 2017) are entitled to participate and to vote at the General Shareholders meeting. Shareholders' rights accounting day - 08 January, 2018. Agenda includes: 1. Consolidated annual report. 2. Company's Auditor's report. 3. Approval of the Consolidated and Company's financial statements for the year 2017 ended 31 August, 2017 4. Distribution of Company's profit. The Management Board of Vilniaus baldai AB approved the Company's draft resolutions of the Annual General Shareholders meeting that will take place on the 20th of December 2017: 1. Consolidated annual report. Shareholders of the public joint-stock company Vilniaus baldai AB are presented with the consolidated annual report of Vilniaus baldai for 2017 (There is no voting on this issue of agenda). 2. Independent auditor's report. Shareholders of the public joint-stock company Vilniaus baldai AB are presented with the independent auditor's report on the financial statements of Vilniaus baldai for 2017 (There is no voting on this issue of agenda). 3. Approval of the Consolidated and Company's financial statements for the year 2017 ended 31 August 2017. To approve Consolidated and Company's financial statements for the year 2017 ended 31 August 2017. 4. Approval of the Company's profit distribution for the year 2017 ended 31 August 2017: To approve Company's profit distribution: Undistributed retained earnings, brought forward 5 233 266 EUR -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net result for the current year 4 422 779 EUR -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Profit (loss) not recognized in the income statement of the (21 479) reporting financial year EUR -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Distributable result 9 634 566 EUR -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Transfers to the obligatory reserves - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Transfers to other reserves - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To be paid as dividends* 1 049 292 EUR -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To be paid as annual payments (bonus) to the Board members - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Undistributed retained earnings, carried forward 8 585 274 EUR -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * 0.27 EUR of dividends per one ordinary share. The documents related to the agenda, draft resolutions on every item of agenda, documents what have to be submitted to the General Shareholders Meeting and other information related to realization of shareholders rights are available at the office of Vilniaus baldai (Savanoriu ave 178 B, Vilnius) during working hours. The shareholders are entitled: (i) to propose to supplement the agenda of the General Shareholders Meeting submitting draft resolution on every additional item of agenda or, than there is no need to make a decision - explanation of the shareholder (this right is granted to shareholders who hold shares carrying at least 1/20 of all the votes). Proposal to supplement the agenda is submitted in writing by registered mail or delivered in person against signature. The agenda is supplemented if the proposal is received no later than 14 before the General Shareholders Meeting; (ii) to propose draft resolutions on the issues already included or to be included in the agenda of the General Shareholders Meeting at any time prior to the date of the General Shareholders meeting (in writing, by registered mail or delivered in person against signature) or in writing during the General Shareholders Meeting (this right is granted to shareholders who hold shares carrying at least 1/20 of all the votes); (iii) to submit questions to the Company related to the issues of agenda of the General Shareholders Meeting in advance but no later than 3 business days prior to the General Shareholders Meeting in writing by registered mail or delivered in person against signature. Shareholder participating at the General Shareholders Meeting and having the right to vote must submit documents confirming personal identity. Each shareholder may authorize either a natural or a legal person to participate and to vote on the shareholder's behalf at the General Shareholders Meeting. The representative has the same rights as his represented shareholder at the General Shareholders Meeting. The authorized persons must have documents confirming their personal identity and power of attorney approved in the manner specified by law which must be submitted to the Company no later than before the commencement of registration for the General Shareholders Meeting. Shareholder is entitled to issue power of attorney by means of electronic communications for legal or natural persons to participate and to vote on its behalf at the General Shareholders Meeting. The shareholders must inform the Company about power of attorney issued by means of electronic communications no later than before the commencement of registration for the General Shareholders Meeting. The shareholders must inform the Company about power of attorney issued by means of electronic communications no later than before the commencement of registration for the General Shareholders Meeting. The power of attorney issued by means of electronic communications and notice about it must be written and submitted to the Company by means of electronic communications. Shareholder or its representative may vote in writing by filling general voting bulletin, in such a case the requirement to deliver a personal identity document does not apply. The form of general voting bulletin is presented at the Company's webpage. If shareholder requests, the Company shall send the general voting bulletin to the requesting shareholder by registered mail or shall deliver it in person against signature no later than 10 days prior to the General Shareholders Meeting free of charge. The filled general voting bulletin must be signed by the shareholder or its authorized representative. Document confirming the right to vote must be added to the general voting bulletin if authorized person is voting. The filled general voting bulletin must be delivered to Vilniaus baldai, AB by registered mail (address Savanoriu ave. 178B, LT 03154 Vilnius, Lithuania) or in person against signature no later than before the day of the General Shareholders Meeting. Information related with the convened General Shareholders Meeting (notice on convocation of General Shareholders Meeting, information about Company's shares, draft resolution, etc.) are available at Vilniaus baldai AB webpage http://www.vilniausbaldai.lt. For further information please contact + 370 5 2525700. Additional information: Head of Finance Jonas Krutinis Phone No.: +370 (5) 252 57 00 Attachment: https://cns.omxgroup.com/cds/DisclosureAttachmentServlet?messageAttachmentId=654921 NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - November 28, 2017) - The independent and objective New York-based Luxury Institute today released its 2018 Global Hotels Luxury Brand Status Index, featuring annual rankings and ratings of 40 global luxury hotel brands by affluent consumers from the world's richest countries. The Luxury Institute surveyed 3,900 consumers from seven countries who represent the top 10% of households by annual income. The survey is conducted in China, Japan, U.K., Germany, France, Italy and the U.S.A. A special Mexico survey was also conducted. Respondents rated each hotel brand on quality, exclusivity, social status, and the ability to make guests feel special. In addition, affluent travelers weighed in on whether they were willing to recommend specific brands to friends and family, whether a hotel brand is worth the premium pricing, and which hotels they are most likely to choose for upcoming travel. The Ritz-Carlton, with an LBSI score of 7.95, earns the highest overall rating. LBSI scores range from 0-10, and are an average of respondents' degree of agreement with each of the following statements: "This hotel delivers consistently superior quality." "This hotel is truly unique and exclusive." "This hotel is visited by people who are admired and respected." "This hotel makes guests feel special across the full customer experience." Affluent consumers from the seven countries surveyed spend an average of 17 nights per year in hotels, with 76% reporting at least one luxury hotel stay during the past twelve months. Those who stay at luxury hotels stay an average of 11 nights per year. Affluent travelers from China (88%), Italy (83%) and the United Kingdom (81%) are most likely to report staying at a luxury hotel in the past year. A vast majority (82%) of affluent luxury hotel guests cite leisure as the reason for their stay, while one-third (33%) report having some business purpose for their luxury hotel visit. Two-thirds (66%) report traveling with a spouse or partner, while only 9% report traveling with business colleagues. Solo travelers comprise 14% of luxury hotel guests. "Today, top-rated brands in the luxury hotel category are those that are able to ensure consistent execution on the four pillars of value: quality, exclusivity, social status, and making guests feel truly special," says Luxury Institute CEO Milton Pedraza. "When you are dealing with a global hotel brand that has dozens of worldwide locations, success is the result of intensive training and education of people in mastering Emotional Intelligence, complemented by the smart application of technology to run the business more efficiently and to market itself to consumers more effectively. Compelling and unique brick and mortar today are table stakes." In addition to Ritz-Carlton, other luxury hotel brands under consideration were, in alphabetical order: Aman Resorts, Armani Hotels, Banyan Tree, Club Med, Como Hotels and Resorts, Conrad Hotels and Resorts, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, Firmdale Hotels, Four Seasons, Grand Hyatt, InterContinental, JW Marriott, Jumeirah, Kempinski Hotels, Langham, Le Meridien, Leading Hotels of the World, Loews Hotels, The Luxury Collection, Mandarin Oriental, Maybourne Hotels, Oberoi, Orient-Express Hotels, Pan Pacific, Park Hyatt, The Peninsula Hotels, Preferred Hotels & Resorts, Raffles Hotels and Resorts, Regent, The Rocco Forte Collection, Rosewood, Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts, Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Sofitel, St. Regis, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces, Trump International Hotels, W Hotels and Resorts, and Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts. The complete 2018 Global Luxury Hotel Luxury Brand Status Index, which includes a special Mexico report on global hotel brands, is available for purchase. For complete rankings and ratings, with additional insights from the Luxury Brand Status Index survey, visit www.LuxuryInstitute.com, or contact Luxury Institute CEO Milton Pedraza (mpedraza@luxuryinstitute.com). Katherine Sousa ksousa@luxuryinstitute.com TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 11/28/17 -- Galane Gold Ltd. ("Galane Gold" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: GG) is pleased to announce that as a result of it repaying in full the secured facility provided by Samsung C&T U.K. Limited that the associated security on its Mupane property has been discharged. Galane Gold CEO, Nick Brodie commented: "The funding provided by Samsung for the development of the Tau underground has transformed Mupane with improvements in production, extension of its mine life and reduced operating costs. The repayment of the Samsung facility, the only secured debt issued by Galane, and the discharge of the security held on the Mupane property will provide us with the opportunity to leverage the Mupane operations to assist us in the funding of the Galaxy project. With the intention to recommence the Galaxy operations at a sustainable production level of over 25,000 ounces of gold per annum at a cost per ounce of less than $800."(1)(2)(3) About Galane Gold Galane Gold is an un-hedged gold producer and explorer with mining operations and exploration tenements in Botswana and South Africa. Galane Gold is a public company and its shares are quoted on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "GG". Galane Gold's management team is comprised of senior mining professionals with extensive experience in managing mining and processing operations and large-scale exploration programmes. Galane Gold is committed to operating at world-class standards and is focused on the safety of its employees, respecting the environment, and contributing to the communities in which it operates. Notes: (1) This is forward-looking information and is based on a number of assumptions. See "Cautionary Notes". (2) The updated mine plan prepared by the Company in respect of the Tau property is based on internal reporting by the Company and not based on an independent feasibility study or pre-feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability. (3) The updated mine plan prepared by the Company in respect of the Galaxy property is based on internal reporting by the Company and not based on an independent feasibility study or pre-feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability. Cautionary Notes Certain statements contained in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements". All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release, including, without limitation, those regarding the Company's future financial position and results of operations, strategy, proposed acquisitions, plans, objectives, goals and targets, and any statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words "believe", "expect", "aim", "intend", "plan", "continue", "will", "may", "would", "anticipate", "estimate", "forecast", "predict", "project", "seek", "should" or similar expressions or the negative thereof, are forward-looking statements. These statements are not historical facts but instead represent only the Company's expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual results may differ materially from what is expressed, implied or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Additional factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially include, but are not limited to: the Company's dependence on two mineral projects; gold price volatility; risks associated with the conduct of the Company's mining activities in Botswana and South Africa; regulatory, consent or permitting delays; risks relating to the Company's exploration, development and mining activities being situated in Botswana and South Africa; risks relating to reliance on the Company's management team and outside contractors; risks regarding mineral resources and reserves; the Company's inability to obtain insurance to cover all risks, on a commercially reasonable basis or at all; currency fluctuations; risks regarding the failure to generate sufficient cash flow from operations; risks relating to project financing and equity issuances; risks arising from the Company's fair value estimates with respect to the carrying amount of mineral interests; mining tax regimes; risks arising from holding derivative instruments; the Company's need to replace reserves depleted by production; risks and unknowns inherent in all mining projects, including the inaccuracy of reserves and resources, metallurgical recoveries and capital and operating costs of such projects; contests over title to properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties; laws and regulations governing the environment, health and safety; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities; lack of infrastructure; employee relations, labour unrest or unavailability; health risks in Africa; the Company's interactions with surrounding communities and artisanal miners; the Company's ability to successfully integrate acquired assets; risks related to restarting production; the speculative nature of exploration and development, including the risks of diminishing quantities or grades of reserves; development of the Company's exploration properties into commercially viable mines; stock market volatility; conflicts of interest among certain directors and officers; lack of liquidity for shareholders of the Company; risks related to the market perception of junior gold companies; and litigation risk.Management provides forward-looking statements because it believes they provide useful information to investors when considering their investment objectives and cautions investors not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and other cautionary statements or factors contained herein, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect subsequent information, events or circumstances or otherwise, except as required by law. Information of a technical and scientific nature that forms the basis of the disclosure in the press release has been approved by Charles Byron Pr. Sci. Nat., MAusIMM., MGSSA and Chief Geologist for Galane Gold, and a "qualified person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Contacts: Nick Brodie CEO, Galane Gold Ltd. + 44 7905089878 Nick.Brodie@GalaneGold.com www.GalaneGold.com MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 11/28/17 -- Garda World Security Corporation ("GardaWorld"), one of the world's largest privately owned security and cash services providers, has entered, as of November 28, 2017, into an amending agreement to its Credit Agreement dated as of May 26, 2017, repricing its US$857.3 million Term B Loan due May 2024 from L + 400 to L + 350 and repricing its CA$99.5 million Term B Canadian Loan from CDOR + 475 to CDOR + 425. About GardaWorld GardaWorld is one of the world's largest privately owned security services providers, offering a range of highly focused business solutions including cash services, protective services and aviation services. GardaWorld's more than 62,000 highly trained, dedicated professionals serve clients throughout North America, the Middle East, Africa and Europe. GardaWorld works across a broad range of sectors, including financial services, infrastructure, natural resources and retail, and services Fortune 500 companies, governments and humanitarian relief organizations. For more information, visit www.garda.com. Contacts: Garda World Security Corporation Media Relations media@garda.com ATLANTA, GA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/28/17 -- Denise Hines, DHA, PMP, FHIMSS, CEO of eHealth Services Group and Executive Director of Georgia Health Information Network (GaHIN), has received the 2017 Women of the Year in Technology - Small Enterprise Award, from Women in Technology (WIT). The WIT Women in Technology winners were announced on November 16, 2017, at a ceremony at the Georgia Aquarium. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/DeniseHines.jpg The Women in Technology Awards honor female leaders of Georgia-based science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) companies whose accomplishments have not only furthered their organizations and industries, but have also made a difference in their local communities. Four award categories are presented - Small, Medium, Large/Enterprise and Nonprofit - plus recognition of a Girl of the Year (GOTY) for her participation in the WIT GIRLS program. "I am so honored to be part of this illustrious group of women who are true thought leaders in the technology industry," said Dr. Hines. "WIT helps to support diversity and equality in technology, showing girls and women examples of women who have succeeded in the STEAM field. I am so proud to be able to serve as an example of how women can succeed in a traditionally male-dominated field." Dr. Hines heads eHealth Services Group, a health IT consultancy, and also serves as the Executive Director of Georgia Health Information Network (GaHIN). GaHIN is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a healthier Georgia by facilitating the use and secure exchange of electronic health information so providers have the information they need at the point of care. The result is improved quality of care, better health outcomes and reductions in cost. As Executive Director of GaHIN, Dr. Hines has led the initiative to connect the state health information exchange (HIE) to two national networks for information exchange, made Georgia one of the first state HIEs to connect directly to other states, created connections with five state agencies and spurred participation in the HIE by Grady, CHOA, Emory and numerous other state hospitals and healthcare providers. Dr. Hines is also Chair of the North America Board of the Health Information & Management Systems Society (HIMSS). Dr. Hines has more than two decades of healthcare experience in a variety of settings, including health systems, physician offices, home health, technology vendors, consulting, state government and revenue management. She is renowned for building service and results-oriented organizations and she possesses a passion for the widespread integration of technology and healthcare. Read more about Denise Hines and her award. Read more about WIT and the award recipients. About Women In Technology The mission of Women In Technology (WIT) is to serve as passionate advocates for women of all ages in Georgia's STEAM community. WIT passionately supports women at every stage of their STEAM careers-from the classroom to the boardroom. We do this by telling the stories of successful women and by helping more women write their own. This takes place in a wide variety of formats-from educating middle and high school girls about the opportunities in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM), to providing networking and education for professionals. With over 2,500 professionals attending our programs and events, over 500 students, and over 250 volunteers, WIT has become the largest, most active organization of its kind in the region. For more information, visit www.mywit.org. About Georgia Health Information Network Georgia Health Information Network (GaHIN) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a healthier Georgia by facilitating the use and secure exchange of electronic health information so providers have the information they need at the point of care. The result is improved quality of care, better health outcomes and reductions in cost. GaHIN's two products, GeorgiaDirect (powered by Medicity) and Georgia ConnectedCare (powered by Truven Health Analytics) connect providers statewide and nationally and are free for credentialed, authorized Georgia users. www.gahin.org Contacts: GaHIN media contact: Lynn Hood lhood@gahin.org 678-427-5040 STAMFORD, Connecticut and LUCCA, Italy, November 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- CCH Tagetik, part of Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting and a leader in global performance management software solutions, today announced that it will host the live webinar, "Modernize Your Consolidation Today!," from 3:00 to 3:45 p.m. GMT/10:00 to 10:45 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, December 5. (Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/492891/Tagetik_Logo.jpg ) During the webinar, Mark Pennington, group controller for Tarsus Group, will discuss the company's transition from Oracle Hyperion Enterprise to CCH Tagetik's cloud-based CPM solution. Tarsus Group is an international business-to-business media company with interests in exhibitions, conferences, education, publishing, and online media. The company has 80 legal entities operating in multiple currencies. "Our business had long outgrown the Hyperion system," said Pennington. "We specifically decided to focus our search for a replacement solution on cloud solutions for several reasons. We wanted a solution that could be easily used by our local teams and easily maintained without IT support. We also wanted to avoid performance lags, particularly in remote locations. "In addition to modernizing our consolidation function, CCH Tagetik has dramatically reduced manual processing, allows for easy integration with our ERP systems, and automates the modeling of foreign exchange rate fluctuations," continued Pennington. "With CCH Tagetik's Collaborative Office, we also now have the ability to perform accurate, comparative reporting for events - a critical requirement since these events are our core revenue. CCH Tagetik's multidimensional capabilities lets us report on events by product group, industry, region, or other critical criteria." The CCH Tagetik solution has now been live at Tarsus Group for more than a year. "Tarsus Group's experience demonstrates that a move to the cloud is a practical option for any company, no matter its complexity or unique requirements," said Nick Nesbitt, general manager for CCH Tagetik UK and Ireland. "Our UK team worked with Tarsus to implement the solution in 75 working days, and today, a self-sufficient Tarsus system administrator provides the minimal support required." The webinar will feature a live demonstration of CCH Tagetik's consolidation functionality, including: The benefits of unifying consolidation, budgeting, forecasting, disclosure reporting, and analysis on a unified platform. Features that foster collaboration among business stakeholders. How audit trails, diagnostic checks, and automated validation ensure data accuracy from source to final reporting. Workflow management functionality that allows activities to be performed simultaneously, distributing accountability and expediting processes. For more information and to register for the complementary webinar, click here. About Wolters Kluwer Wolters Kluwer (AEX: WKL) is a global leader in professional 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 Tax & Accounting is a leading provider of software solutions and local expertise that helps tax, accounting and audit professionals research and navigate complex regulations, comply with legislation, manage their businesses and advise clients with speed, accuracy and efficiency. CCH Tagetik, a part of the Tax and Accounting division, provides solutions to CFOs for Corporate Performance Management. For more information about our solutions and organization, visit www.wolterskluwer.com and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Media Contacts: Greta Bartoli CCH Tagetik +39-058-396-811 office gretabartoli@tagetik.com Linda Galloway insidHR Communications +1-303-863-8620 office +1-203-733-7446 mobile lgalloway@insidhr.com 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. ATLANTA, GA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/28/17 -- Luvu Brands, Inc., (OTCQB: LUVU), a manufacturer and marketer of premium consumer brands in the categories of sexual wellness, comfort top-of-bed accessories and lifestyle fashion furniture, today announced an exclusive wholesale distribution agreement for Liberator Bedroom Adventure Gear with South Korean marketer MSJL Co., Ltd. "The demand for quality sex products is growing in Asia and we're excited to be part of this transition," says Brett Richardson, Luvu Brands International Sales Manager. "This exclusive distribution agreement will definitely raise the profile of Liberator branded products within the region." MSJL Co., Ltd. is an internationally known manufacturer and distributor of intimate pleasure products. The company was established in 2003 and now operates a wide network of wholesale distribution channels as well as retail businesses in South Korea. "We value our relationship with Luvu Brands," says a representative for MSJL. "Our company is one of the leaders in marketing intimate adult pleasure products in South Korea. We look forward to developing a community of loyal and enthusiastic customers who will appreciate the Liberator products." MSLJ, Co., Ltd. will serve as the Luvu Brands' primary wholesale representative with plans to distribute and market a number of core Liberator sexual positioning products and erotic bedroom accessories in South Korea which includes the best-selling Wedge/Ramp Combo, tantric sex chairs and loungers, and the brand's popular series of sex toy mounts. "It is a pleasure working alongside our South Korean distributor MSLJ, and we are looking forward to a very successful venture," says Richardson. The company also states that MSLJ will be providing additional marketing support for Liberator. Liberator Bedroom Adventure Gear is now selling their products internationally throughout Canada, Europe, China, and Australia and has plans on expanding the brand into other countries including Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Indonesia. About Luvu Brands Luvu Brands, Inc. is an Atlanta, Georgia based designer, manufacturer and brand based marketer of consumer products that offers a growing number of product categories including: Liberator sexual positioning furniture, Avana top-of-bed comfort pillows and Jaxx casual fashion furniture, child, teen and adult beanbags, outdoor loungers, loveseats and daybeds. These products are sold through the Company's websites, concept factory store, online mass merchants and retail stores worldwide. Many of our products are offered flat-packed and vacuum compressed to save on shipping and reduce our carbon footprint. The Company is headquartered in a 140,000 square foot vertically-integrated manufacturing facility that employs over 160 people. Bringing sewn products manufacturing back to the USA and creating innovative vacuum-compressed consumer products are core to the Company's operating principles. As the majority of the Company's products are constructed of polyurethane foam, sustainable manufacturing practices are used including re-purposing of foam trim into beanbag fill to reduce our overall carbon footprint. Luvu Brands promotes its products globally in a variety of distribution channels including mass market web retailers, catalogers and specialty retail stores. The Company's brand sites include: liberator.com, jaxxliving.com, avanacomfort.com plus other global e-commerce sites. For more information about Luvu Brands, please visit luvubrands.com. Company Contact: Luvu Brands, Inc. Ronald Scott Chief Financial Officer 770-246-6426 ron@LuvuBrands.com NEW DELHI (dpa-AFX) - US president Donald Trump's daughter and senior adviser Ivanka Trump has highlighted the support of US administration to India, and said the South Asian country has a true friend in the White House. Ivanka was delivering keynote address after jointly opening the 8th edition of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) with Indian Prime Minster Narendra Modi in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad Tuesday. The First Daughter is leading the US delegation to the three-day annual summit of entrepreneurs, investors and ecosystem supporters from across the world. Ivanka Trump, a woman entrepreneur herself, spoke of women's empowerment and the importance of the growth of women-led-business. More than 11 million women in the US are entrepreneurs, she noted. She said the Trump administration's policies are aimed at 'helping women and removing barriers for them'. 'Create a climate that enables us to compete so each of us can find another person who can benefit from our knowledge.' India can grow by over $150 billion if labor gender gap is closed, according to Ivanka. In his remarks after the inauguration, Narendra Modi spoke about the vitality of enterprise and invited global entrepreneurs to invest in India. The Indian Prime Minster said he sees 800 million potential entrepreneurs in India 'who can make our world a better place'. Earlier, Modi held a meeting with Ivanka, and termed it as 'wonderful.' Indian Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also spoke at the inaugural session. 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. TORONTO, ON -- (Marketwired) -- 11/28/17 -- NextSource Materials Inc. (TSX: NEXT) (OTCQB: NSRC) ("NextSource" or the "Company") would like to remind stockholders to vote their respective shares and support its intention to move the corporate domicile of the Company to Canada (the "Redomicile"), under the Canada Business Corporations Act ("CBCA"). The Company is currently incorporated under the laws of Minnesota. Redomiciling to Canada from Minnesota will provide the Company certain cost savings related to reduced administrative, legal and accounts matters, as well as logically aligning our corporate domicile to where the head office and executive management reside. The Company will continue to conduct the same business as the Company conducted prior to the Redomicile and will continue to be traded on the TSX under the symbol "NEXT" and on the OTCQB under the symbol "NSRC". MAJORITY STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL REQUIRED In order for the Company to complete its proposed corporate Redomicile to Canada, it is required to obtain majority approval (50-percent plus one) from existing stockholders. YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. VOTE TODAY. Board of Directors and Management UNANIMOUSLY recommend that Shareholders vote IN FAVOUR of the Redomicile. A Proxy Statement was mailed to all stockholders on or about November 13, 2017 ahead of its upcoming 2017 Annual and Special Meeting (the "AGM") of stockholders. Your vote is important regardless of the number of shares you own. If any stockholders have not yet voted their respective shares, the Company encourages them to do so. If any stockholders have not received the Proxy Statement by mail, please contact the Company's Senior Vice President, Brent Nykoliation directly by email at brent@nextsourcematerials.com. The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that stockholders vote "FOR" this proposal and support the Company's continuing efforts to operate in the most efficient manner and reduce operating expenses wherever possible. HOW TO VOTE Due to essence of time, shareholders are encouraged to vote today using the internet, telephone or facsimile. Stockholders can access and download an electronic copy of the Proxy Statement and Prospectus from NextSource's website at www.nextsourcematerials.com by navigating to the "Investors" tab, then "AGM Data/ 2017 Proxy Statement and Prospectus" or directly at this link: http://nextsourcematerials.com/investors/agm-data/. It will also be available under NextSource's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Registered Shareholders of NextSource Registered shareholders (those who hold physical stock certificates) may vote by: Internet: Send completed proxy card to info@nextsourcematerials.com Telephone: 1-416-364-4911 extension 305 Facsimile: Fax completed proxy card to 1-416-364-2753 By mail or attending the meeting in person: 145 Wellington St. West, Suite 1001, Toronto, ON If You Hold Shares with a Bank or Broker (Non-registered shareholders) Shareholders who hold shares of NextSource through a bank or other intermediary will, in most cases, receive a voting instruction form as part of the meeting materials. Non-registered shareholders are encouraged to carefully follow the instructions found therein, on how to submit their votes. The proxy cut-off date for shares to be voted in advance of the Meeting will be on December 1, 2017. STOCKHOLDERS QUESTIONS Stockholders of NextSource who have questions regarding the Redomicile may contact the Company's Senior Vice President directly by email at brent@nextsourcematerials.com. Stockholders who may require assistance with voting may contact TSX Trust Company by telephone or email as set forth below. TSX Trust Company By telephone at: 1-866-600-5869. By email at: TMXEInvestorServices@tmx.com ABOUT NEXTSOURCE MATERIALS INC. NextSource Materials Inc. is a mine development company based in Toronto, Canada, that is developing its 100%-owned Molo Graphite Project in southern Madagascar to expected production in 2018. The Molo Graphite Project is a feasibility-stage, shovel-ready project and ranks as one of the largest-known and highest quality flake graphite deposits in the world and the only project with SuperFlake graphite. Safe Harbour: This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release relates to the anticipated benefits of the Redomicile, the approval of the Redomicile by our stockholders, the holding of the AGM, trading of our shares on the TSX and OTCQB, and the continued conduct of our business. These are based on current expectations, estimates and assumptions that involve a number of risks, which could cause actual results to vary and in some instances to differ materially from those anticipated by the Company and described in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Readers are encouraged to review the Company's 10-K as well as the Proxy Statement, especially the risk factors contained therein. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur or, if any of them do so, what benefits the Company will derive there from. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as at the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy our securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval. In connection with the proposed Redomicile, on October 30, 2017, the Company filed with the SEC an amendment to its registration statement on Form S-4 (Registration No. 333-220899) that includes a preliminary prospectus/preliminary proxy statement of the Company, which registration statement was declared effective on November 1, 2017. The Company filed the definitive proxy statement/prospectus with the SEC on November 2, 2017, which is being mailed to shareholders of the Company on or about November 13, 2017. INVESTORS ARE ADVISED TO READ THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS (INCLUDING ALL AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) CAREFULLY AND ANY OTHER MATERIALS IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN AND WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED REDOMICILE AND THE COMPANY. Investors may obtain a free copy of the definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents (when available) filed and to be filed with the SEC from the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov or at the Company's web site at www.nextsourcematerials.com. Investors will also be able to obtain, without charge, a copy of the definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents (when available) by directing a request by mail or telephone to Investor Relations, NextSource Materials Inc., 145 Wellington Street West, Suite 1001,Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5J 1H8, telephone 1.416.364.4911 ext. 305 or by email at info@nextsourcematerials.com. The Company and its directors and officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the Company's shareholders in connection with the proposed Redomicile. Information about these persons is set forth in the definitive proxy statement/prospectus and in documents subsequently filed by its directors and officers under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Investors may obtain additional information regarding the interests of such persons, which may be different from those of the Company's shareholders generally, by reading the definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents regarding the proposed redomicile transaction filed and to be filed with the SEC. For further information contact: +1.416.364.4911 Brent Nykoliation Senior Vice President, Corporate Development brent@nextsourcematerials.com Craig Scherba President and CEO craig@nextsourcematerials.com NEW YORK, NY -- (Marketwired) -- 11/28/17 -- Tauriga Sciences, Inc. (OTC PINK: TAUG) ("Tauriga" or the "Company") today announced that it has reached an agreement (the "Agreement") with Group 10 Holdings LLC ("Group 10") to fully extinguish the $348,000 assessed liquidated damage total. The consideration to be paid by Tauriga to Group 10 is as follows: one-time cash payment of $60,000 due on or before December 10, 2017 and one-time issuance of 25,000,000 shares of Tauriga's common stock (collectively, the "Settlement Consideration"). The shares of common stock issued under the Agreement will be "restricted securities" as defined by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. This $348,000 liquidated damage assessment was derived from the $96,000 12% Convertible Debenture issued to Group 10 by Tauriga on July 14, 2015. With the resolution of this final outstanding issue, Tauriga has officially extinguished all further obligations to Group 10. There will be no further cash payments, share issuances, or share conversions owed to or delivered to Group 10 under any previous agreements entered into between the Company and Group 10 (except for the 10,000,000 conditional deferred issuance to Group 10 previously disclosed by Tauriga in its October 11, 2017 press release). Once the Settlement Consideration is fully satisfied, the Company will remove this $348,000 liability from the balance sheet, which is currently listed as an accrued expense. Additionally, the Company commits to its shareholders that it will continue to focus its efforts on both strengthening and improving its balance sheet. Tauriga's CEO Seth M. Shaw commented, "The Company is pleased to have resolved this critical issue at terms that it believes are materially beneficial to the shareholders. The Company believes that it can substantially strengthen its balance by the end of its current third fiscal operating quarter, December 31, 2017 and management is squarely focused on that corporate goal. Lastly, the Company wishes to express its appreciation to Group 10 Holdings for its support over the past 2 1/2 years." ABOUT TAURIGA SCIENCES, INC. Tauriga Sciences, Inc. (OTC Pink Current: TAUG) is engaged in building life sciences company through the development, marketing, distribution and potential licensing of a broad array of products and technologies. The Company is presently focused on its upcoming contemplated launch of a Cupacu Butter based lip balm product branded under the name: Herman. The Company believes that one of its most important strengths is its access to and relationships with potentially substantial distribution systems and networks. The Company intends to capitalize on distribution opportunities and will continually update shareholders on such developments. Please visit the Corporate Website at www.tauriga.com NON SOLICITATION: This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any of these securities, nor will there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is not permitted. Any securities offered or issued in connection with the above-referenced merger and/or investment have not been registered, and will be offered pursuant to an exemption from registration. DISCLAIMER: Forward-Looking Statements: Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation: expectations, expects, anticipates, believes, hopes, beliefs, plans and objectives regarding the development, use and marketability of products as well as the attainment of certain corporate goals and milestones (i.e. SEC Periodic Filings, Filing of Proxies, etc.). Such forward-looking statements are based on present circumstances and on Tauriga's predictions with respect to events that have not occurred, that may not occur, or that may occur with different consequences and timing than those now assumed or anticipated. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, and are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from the events or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include general economic and business conditions, the ability to successfully develop and market products, consumer and business consumption habits, the ability to consummate successful acquisition and licensing transactions and other factors over which Tauriga has little or no control. Such forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this release, and Tauriga assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. Readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Risks, uncertainties and other factors are discussed in documents filed from time to time by Tauriga with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Contact Info: Mr. Seth M. Shaw Chief Executive Officer Tauriga Sciences Inc. Cell # 917-796-9926 Email: sshaw@tauriga.com Website: www.tauriga.com NEW YORK, November 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- BANKEX, the decentralized Bank-as-a-Service (BaaS) Enterprise, has announced the launch of its Public Token Sale, commencing today at 12pm EST and concluding December 28, 2017. Using proprietary fintech solutions, BANKEX aims to bridge the gap between the emerging blockchain sector and traditional finance. Deploying smart contracts and enabling tokenization, the platform powers off-balance sheet crowdfunding, chain finance and leverages external infrastructure to create efficient and time effective solutions. BANKEX will issue BKX tokens on the Ethereum blockchain. The BANKEX Token Sale will be capped at 400,000,000 BKX, with BANKEX previously collecting over $20,000,000 in its presale. The Token Sale will provide BKX tokens at a rate of 1 ETH = 500 BKX. 80,000,000 BKX will be available in the public crowdsale and 140,000,000 BKX will be reserved for institutional investors. The minimum purchase is 0.1 ETH. BKX Tokens are ERC-20 compliant. Participants in the BANKEX Token Sale are welcome to use ETH, BTC, LTC, SALT and TIME to participate in the sale. Token Sale proceeds have been earmarked primarily for software R&D and software development needed to realize the BANKEX Proof-of-Asset protocol (45%), company growth (15%), promotion of the PoA protocol and B2B marketing (10%), and other critical uses which are detailed on the company's website. BANKEX has also become a member of the Enterprise Ethereum Alliance, a nonprofit alliance dedicated to supporting and promoting technologies and standards based on Ethereum. EEA members include financial and technology companies and funds such as JP Morgan, UBS, MasterCard, Microsoft, Intel and consulting companies such as Accenture. BANKEX is meanwhile honored to count Balanc3, ConsenSys formation, as advisors. "BANKEX is building an operating system for decentralised capital markets. The ultimate goal for our blockchain framework is to enable the realization of new types of asset classes that institutional investors have never considered because of the highly non-heterogeneous nature of these assets, their wide decentralisation and the high cost of financial and legal due diligence. The BANKEX protocol radically decreases these costs and connects traditional capital markets with historically non-fungible assets such as movie/music financing, private shares, local municipal debt and financing for stand alone real estate objects. All proceeds secured through our Token Sale will be used to help make this vision a reality and to ensure the success of all stakeholders involved in the BANKEX project," said BANKEX CEO and Founder, Igor Khmel. With its Head Office in New York, business development office in Singapore, strategic partnership in Tokyo and engineering team in Moscow, BANKEX offers innovative fintech products and services with far-reaching implications, including applications within the traditional finance and investment sectors, micro-financing, real estate as well as access to historically illiquid assets, natural resources, and futures markets. BANKEX has already announced a collaboration with MovieCoin LLC. Led by film financier Christopher Woodrow, MovieCoin LLC is aiming to raise $100 million during 2018 to produce a portfolio of movie projects. By utilizing smart contracts and BANKEX's proprietary Proof-of-Asset protocol (PoA), MovieCoin LLC will allow institutional and individual investors to invest in the motion picture industry. The BANKEX advisory board includes a number of noted tech innovators and renowned academics including Chris Skinner, Chairman at the Financial Services Club; Griffin Anderson, Founder of Balance3, a ConsenSys formation; Peg Reed, COO of Forex Development Corporation; Sergey Sergienko, Founder and CEO of Chronobank; Makoto Takemiya, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Soramitsu; Gabriele Columbro, Executive Director of Symphony Software Foundation; and Peter Crampton, Professor of Economics at the University of Maryland. BANKEX has also formed a number of strategic partnerships with prominent industry players including Microsoft; Group-IB, a leading provider of cybersecurity solutions; Symphony Software Foundation; Soramitsu; the Entrust Group; Chronobank; and the Moscow Exchange (MICEX). "We believe that collaboration between traditional financial institutions and fintech innovators is the way forward for both sectors. The current banking system is slow and stifled by legacy issues, while at the same time the emerging fintech industry lacks scalability. Combining the strengths of traditional finance and fintech solutions will lay the foundation for a new global economy defined by diversity, security, and previously unknown dimensions of efficiency and transparency," concluded Khmel. For more information visit www.bankex.com BANKEX representatives are available for comments - contact BANKEX About BANKEX: BANKEX uses standardized fintech solutions within its decentralized Bank-as-a-Service enterprise with the aim of bridging the gap between the emerging blockchain sector and traditional finance. Deploying smart contracts and enabling tokenization, the platform powers off-balance sheet crowdfunding, chain finance and leverages external infrastructure to create efficient and time effective solutions. BANKEX offers innovative fintech products and services with far-reaching implications, including applications within the traditional finance and investment sectors, micro-financing, real estate as well as access to historically illiquid assets, natural resources, and futures markets. Media Contact: Liam Murphy Account Supervisor // Wachsman PR liam@wachsmanpr.com // +353-87-119-2107 VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - November 28, 2017) - Newrange Gold Corp. (TSX VENTURE: NRG) (OTC PINK: CMBPF) (FRANKFURT: X6C) ("Newrange" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company's property wide magnetic, radiometric and gravity geophysical surveys have identified multiple new gold targets, in addition to expanding known zones of gold mineralization. On the western side of the Property, the geophysical data suggests that the Pamlico Ridge mineralized trend is likely more extensive than previous mapping had outlined, and may be up to 4 kilometers long. The final report on the surveys, titled "Interpretation of Airborne Magnetic, Radiometric and Gravity Data for the Pamlico Project, Mineral County, Nevada", by EGC Inc., describes multiple skarn and sediment hosted gold targets indicated by the integration of the magnetic, radiometric (potassium) and gravity data with geologic mapping. All maps and sections referred to in this news release may be viewed on the Company's website at: www.newrangegold.com or by following this link. Description of the Geophysical Surveys The three geophysical surveys conducted at Pamlico by the Company include airborne magnetic and radiometric surveys, as well as a ground based gravity survey. These surveys measure various physical properties that can be used to help locate mineralized targets: Airborne magnetics measures variations in the earth's magnetic field caused by various rock packages extending from the surface to depths of a kilometer or more, and provides a basis for constructing 3-D models of potentially important host rocks, their related structures and the presence of magnetic minerals. When combined with geology, this magnetics mapping helps to delineate larger intrusive bodies, more localized dikes and sills, and marker beds in both the sedimentary and volcanic units. Alteration that has related magnetic minerals, such as magnetite and pyrrhotite, can be an important indicator of skarn zones that may have related precious and base metal mineralization as at Newmont's Phoenix Mine at Battle Mountain, Nevada. Locally, skarn alteration of limestones has been mapped on the Property. Certain rock formations develop characteristic "signatures" of magnetic response that indicate their positions in the subsurface that can be used to help guide exploration for buried mineralization. The airborne radiometric data is used primarily to map alteration and rock types based on gamma emissions within the top four centimeters of the surface. At Pamlico, the Company is primarily interested in mapping the distribution of potassium, as this element is commonly enriched in and around both precious and base metal systems (K. Freeman, 1996). Ground based gravity data can help differentiate slight differences in rock density. At Pamlico, this can help determine the depth to bedrock in pediment covered areas, dense "highs" indicating possible intrusives or unaltered limestones, while the less dense "lows" can indicate possible altered areas in the limestones and volcanics. Discussion of Significant Findings in the Report Pamlico Ridge and the Current Drill Area (areas 1, 2 and 3 on maps) A moderate magnetic and strong potassium high has expanded the overall length and width of the Pamlico Ridge Target Area, which includes the: 1) Merritt/Pamlico Ridge, 2) E-W, and 3) Gold Box drill targets as labeled on the geophysical maps. Importantly, a magnetics high correlates with a mapped fold known as the Pamlico Anticline. This fold brings the preferred host rocks to the near surface at Pamlico. Detailed modeling of the magnetic survey indicates the favorable host rocks then dip moderately to the north and south as shown on Section A - A'. Alteration of host rocks in gold systems commonly contains potassium rich minerals that can be detected with radiometric data (K. Freeman, 1996). In the area of Pamlico Ridge, potassium forms a strong anomaly generally coincident with, and surrounding known mineralization. Radiometric data shows a potassium anomaly extending more than one kilometer to the northwest of the Company's drill area and 3 kilometers to the southeast that gradually curves to become more easterly, while generally paralleling a coincident anomaly in the magnetic data. Similar coincident patterns are associated with other target areas, including the Gold Box and E-W targets. Pediment Target Area (area 4 on maps) Magnetic and radiometric data support the possible extension of structures and host rocks known to be mineralized in the Pamlico Ridge and Gold Box areas into the Pediment Target area. Magnetic data indicates that highly favorable host rocks lie beneath shallow alluvial gravels that cover the Pediment area as shown by Section A-A' here. Importantly, the gravity data indicates that this target area is only covered by a thin veneer of alluvial gravel. Mapping by the Company shows the Pediment area to be generally surrounded by highly altered rocks, and two saw cut channel samples of the single outcrop in the Pediment Target Area yielded 1.5 meters assaying 1.25 g/T Au with a second sample assaying 4.79 g/T Au over 0.5 meters (sample length represents true widths as seen in outcrop). Sediment Hosted (Carlin) Gold Potential (area 5 and 6 on maps) Within highly altered carbonate sediments in the East Zone, two separate gravity lows with coincident potassium highs indicate potential decalcification and mineralization of the limestones. Decalcification of carbonate sequences in Carlin deposits (J. Rota, 1996) is commonly associated with magnetic and gravity lows (J. Wright, 1996a). Skarn Hosted Gold Potential (area 7 and 8 on maps) Outcropping, highly altered and bleached limestone is associated with coincident gravity, potassium and magnetic highs, which, together with the observed alteration, indicate possible skarn development in the sedimentary carbonate rocks. Re-crystallization of carbonate rocks adjacent to intrusive rocks commonly produce gravity highs (J. Wright, 1996b) associated with magnetic anomalies caused by magnetic minerals (pyrrhotite, magnetite) common to skarn alteration (R. B. Ellis, 2017) and potassium is commonly enriched in and around both precious and base metal systems (K. Freeman, 1996). Key Highlights of Geophysical Surveys Indicates larger Pamlico Ridge target area than previously outlined. Indicates Pediment target area is highly prospective and covered by a thin layer of gravel. The Company's sampling confirms the presence of gold in sparse outcrop at the Pediment target. May indicate alteration known to be associated with sediment hosted (Carlin style) gold in East and East Zone South areas. Identifies potential for skarn type mineralization in multiple locations on the property. Pamlico Work Programs The Company is awaiting final assay results for the last eight exploration holes of its second phase drilling program. Newrange personnel are currently expanding the mapping, rock and soil geochemical programs to focus on the important target areas discussed herein. Where accessible, historic underground mine workings will also be mapped and sampled. Reverse circulation and core drilling programs will then evaluate the potential of these targets going forward. Quality Assurance/Quality Control All Pamlico sampling was supervised by professional geologists. The samples were diamond saw cut channel samples that were maintained with a strict chain of custody and delivered by the Company to American Assay Laboratories of Sparks, Nevada. All assays are 1 assay ton fire assay with an ICP finish. Standards, blanks and duplicates were incorporated at a rate of not less than 1 in 20. Mr. Robert G. Carrington, P. Geo, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, the President and CEO of the Company, has reviewed, verified and approved for disclosure the technical information contained in this news release. References Freeman, Kevin, 1996, Gold Quarry In-Pit Geophysical Studies, Geophysical Field Trip Guide, Carlin Trend, Nevada, November 17, 1996, Post Conference Field Trip, Society of Exploration Geophysicists. 66 th Annual Meeting. Rota, Joseph, 1996, Geology and Related Studies at the Gold Quarry Deposit, Geophysical Field Trip Guide, Carlin Trend, Nevada, November 17, 1996, Post Conference Field Trip, Society of Exploration Geophysicists. 66 th Annual Meeting. Wright, Jim, 1996a, Section V, Rain In Pit Void Detection, Geophysical Field Trip Guide, Carlin Trend, Nevada, November 17, 1996, Post Conference Field Trip, Society of Exploration Geophysicists. 66 th Annual Meeting. Wright, Jim, 1996b, Section VIII, North Area Data Review, Geophysical Field Trip Guide, Carlin Trend, Nevada, November 17, 1996, Post Conference Field Trip, Society of Exploration Geophysicists. 66 th Annual Meeting. Ellis, Robert B, 2017, Interpretation of Airborne Magnetic, Radiometric and Gravity Data for the Pamlico Project, Mineral County, Nevada, received November 2017, unpublished report for Newrange Gold Corporation. About Pamlico Located 12 miles southeast of Hawthorne, Nevada, along US Highway 95, the project has excellent access and infrastructure, a mild, year-round operating climate and strong political support from Mineral County, one of the most pro-mining counties in the pro-mining state of Nevada. The Pamlico project covers the historic Pamlico mining district and includes the historic Pamlico group of mines as well as the Good Hope, Gold Bar, Sunset and other historic mines. Since acquiring the project the Company has increased the property by roughly 160% through staking. Discovered in 1884, Pamlico rapidly gained a reputation as being one of Nevada's highest grade gold districts. Held by private interests for most of its history, the property remains underexplored in terms of modern exploration. About Newrange Gold Corp. Newrange is an aggressive exploration and development company focused on near to intermediate term production opportunities in favorable jurisdictions, including Nevada, Colorado and Colombia. Focused on developing shareholder value through exploration and development of key projects, the Company is committed to building sustainable value for all stakeholders. Further information can be found on our website at www.newrangegold.com. Signed: "Robert G. Carrington" President & CEO Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statement: Some of the statements in this news release contain forward-looking information that involves inherent risk and uncertainty affecting the business of Newrange Gold Corp. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sharon Hebgin Corporate Communications Phone: 760-898-9129 Email: info@newrangegold.com Dave Cross Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary Phone: 604-669-0868 Email: dcross@crossdavis.com Website: www.newrangegold.com iBiopsy is a groundbreaking investigational imaging platform developed by Median, enabling the combination between imaging biomarkers and Phenomics The collaboration supports the expansion of Median's iBiopsy to prostate cancer management Regulatory News: Median Technologies, The Imaging Phenomics Company (Paris:ALMDT) announces today that the company has signed a collaboration agreement with the New York City based Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). Memorial Sloan Kettering is the world's oldest and largest private cancer center committed to exceptional patient care, leading edge research, and superb educational programs. The collaboration between MSK and Median deals with the use of iBiopsy for a retrospective study of MRI images of 200 patients who were diagnosed with prostate cancer and underwent radical prostatectomy, and for whom histological slides and analyses are available. The study will explore the use of automated texture analysis and machine learning provided by Median iBiopsy to classify lesions on MRI in terms of aggressiveness, i.e., to establish classifications between aggressive and indolent prostate cancer. Use of noninvasive imaging biomarkers derived from diagnostic MRI could eventually have a significant impact on clinical decision-making, treatment option selection, and prediction of patient outcomes. "We are delighted to be collaborating with Median Technologies in exploring potential applications of machine learning for the detection and classification of disease, with a particular focus on prostate cancer," said Dr. Hedvig Hricak, Chair of the Department of Radiology at MSK. "We believe that machine learning and artificial intelligence could ultimately provide precise tools that will augment our ability not only to diagnose prostate cancer but to potentially characterize it biologically and predict its behavior," she said. "We are very pleased to have this collaboration agreement signed with Memorial Sloan Kettering, one of the most renowned cancer centers in the world and one of the top cancer treatment centers and research institutions in the US", said Fredrik Brag, CEO at Median. "Our investigational iBiopsy platform combines noninvasive imaging biomarkers and phenomics to identify associations that may help to predict a patient's response to treatment, thereby enhancing personalized medicine. Through the collaboration with MSK, we are expanding the range of indications covered by our imaging platform and targeting a cancer that poses one of the most significant burdens of mortality and morbidity on society," he added. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) GLOBOCAN study, prostate cancer is the second most common cause of cancer of men worldwide. In 2012, GLOBOCAN estimated that 1.1 million people were affected by prostate cancer, accounting for 15% of all new cancer cases worldwide and an estimated 307,000 deaths, making it the fifth leading cause of death from cancer in men.1 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 1 Source http://globocan.iarc.fr/old/FactSheets/cancers/prostate-new.asp View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171128005107/en/ Contacts: Median Technologies Bill Broderick, +1 202 279 0375 VP, Global Head Business Support and Market Services 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 This week at the Cryptocurrency World Expo in Warsaw, Selfllery is demonstrating its cryptocurrency-based photo sharing social platform, which rewards contributors for posting their visual content, and is opening the whitelist registration for its SLM token Selfllery (https://selfllery.com), the decentralized photo sharing platform, is demonstrating the functionality and benefits of its product, this week at the Cryptocurrency World Expo in Warsaw. The company is also offering registration for the whitelist for its SLM token starting December 1. At this time, SLM tokens are offered only to whitelisted buyers, who can purchase the tokens at a special discount. At the Cryptocurrency World Expo in Warsaw, which opens December 1, Selfllery is offering registration for the whitelist for its SLM token. 1 SLM 0.001 ETH, with a minimum purchase amount of 0.1 ETH. Selfllery's minimum goal is 10,000 ETH (soft cap), and its maximum goal is 55,000 ETH (hard cap). Attendees of the Cryptocurrency World Expo are invited to visit Selfllery at Booth #3 to speak with the founder of Selfllery, Vadim Onishchenko, and experience the platform for themselves. About Selfllery: Founded in 2016, Selfllery is a social platform that allows users to post photos and other visual content, and receive rewards in cryptocurrency for their contributions to the platform. Selfllery was founded by Vadim Onishchenko, a professional photographer with experience in over 200 successful for-profit and non-profit photo projects. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171128006115/en/ Contacts: Company Media Contact: Molly Winik, +972 58-4433219 (Cell) Blonde 2.0 for Selfllery molly@blonde20.com DUBLIN, November 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Caprylic Acid Market 2017-2021" report has been added to Research and Markets' offering. The global caprylic acid market to grow at a CAGR of 6.50% during the period 2017-2021. Global Caprylic Acid 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. One trend in the market is growing demand in food and drug segment. Caprylic acid is approved by many food and drug administrative agencies such as the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Union. These approvals allow the industry to boost its application as a food additive and nutrition supplement. As the modern generation is becoming more health and nutrition conscious, approvals like these accelerate the demand. According to the report, one driver in the market is increasing promotion by governments. The rising number of incentive plans by the government encourages and increases the production of natural and ecofriendly fatty acids. For instance, the US Food and Drug Administration is promoting caprylic acid as it liberates fatty acids and has nutritional values. Governments are compelling companies for using natural resources to produce caprylic acid. These initiatives have come from the growing benefits of caprylic acid in terms of health gain and the growing concerns among consumers regarding the use of naturally aspirated products that are safe to consume. Further, the report states that one challenge in the market is uncertainty about long-term effects of caprylic acid. There are little known facts about the long-term use of caprylic acid. It may lead to side effects such as nausea, constipation, diarrhea, and indigestion. Caprylic acid may interact with blood pressure medications and lower the blood pressure. It is also harmful to people suffering from medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency as it leads to the inability to break down caprylic acid, resulting in an acid buildup in the blood. This can ultimately lead to coma. All these health concerns relate to the use of caprylic acid affect its adoption, which in turn, will hinder the market growth during the forecast period. Key vendors Forchem Oyj IOI Corporation Kuala Lumpur Kepong Oleon Wilmar International Other prominent vendors Acme Chem Ecogreen Oleochemicals Hallstar Pacific Oleochemicals P&G Chemicals Solazyme VVF Key Topics Covered: Part 01: Executive Summary Part 02: Scope Of The Report Part 03: Research Methodology Part 04: Introduction Part 05: Market Landscape Part 06: Market Segmentation By Application Part 07: Regional Landscape Part 08: Decision Framework Part 09: Drivers And Challenges Part 10: Market Trends Part 11: Vendor Landscape Part 12: Key Vendor Analysis For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/29562d/global_caprylic 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) - House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., announced Tuesday they will not attend a meeting at the White House after President Donald Trump suggested lawmakers will not be able to reach an agreement to avoid a government shutdown. Pelosi and Schumer said in a statement they believe the best path forward is to negotiate with House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ken., rather than Trump. 'Rather than going to the White House for a show meeting that won't result in an agreement, we've asked Leader McConnell and Speaker Ryan to meet this afternoon,' Pelosi and Schumer said. They added, 'We don't have any time to waste in addressing the issues that confront us, so we're going to continue to negotiate with Republican leaders who may be interested in reaching a bipartisan agreement.' Trump sought to put the blame for a potential government shutdown on Pelosi and Schumer in a post on Twitter earlier in the day. 'Meeting with 'Chuck and Nancy' today about keeping government open and working,' Trump tweeted. 'Problem is they want illegal immigrants flooding into our Country unchecked, are weak on Crime and want to substantially RAISE Taxes. I don't see a deal!' Trump had been scheduled to meet with Pelosi, Schumer, Ryan, and McConnell at the White House at 3 pm ET. Last week, White House Deputy Press Secretary Lindsay Walters said the meeting would focus on 'end-of-year legislative issues,' as Congress is facing a December 8th deadline to fund the government and prevent a shutdown. Trump's comment about illegal immigration may reflect the fact that some Democrats are demanding a spending bill include protections for immigrants brought to the country illegally as children. The administration rescinded the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program in September and Democrats are calling for a fix to protect the immigrants known as Dreamers before the end of the year. Trump has previously indicated a willingness to allow a government shutdown in order to secure funding for his proposed wall on the Mexican border. Reports have suggested lawmakers will look to pass another short-term spending bill in order to provide more time to negotiate a longer-term funding deal. 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. TAMPA, FL -- (Marketwired) -- 11/28/17 -- Mad Mobile, a recognized leader in Unified Commerce, has announced the completion of a seven-figure revenue-based financing transaction with Decathlon Capital Partners. The investment will enable Mad Mobile to expand the reach of its award-winning Concierge solution, an innovative mobile application that generates increased sales for retailers by providing store associates with mobile access to product and customer information as well as tools to deliver a personalized shopping experience. Major retailers such as Talbots, Helzberg Diamonds, Books-A-Million, Ashley Furniture, Timberland, The North Face, and Vans have deployed Concierge on a large scale. The powerful cloud-based platform behind Concierge enables major retailers to quickly surface real-time data from enterprise systems to launch new customer journeys that meet the needs of the modern shopper such as Clienteling, BOPIS, Endless Aisle, and MPOS. "Mad Mobile is transforming the retail experience via a mobile-first platform that empowers store associates with valuable information to enhance the customer experience and lift store sales," said Bruce Bennett, CEO of Mad Mobile. "The commitment from Decathlon Capital will provide the resources we need to continue empowering retailers with the advantages of cutting-edge mobile technology." "Retailers are prioritizing unified commerce solutions which bring commerce, inventory, customer, and transaction data together into a single, easy-to-use application like Concierge," said Steven Grant, Mad Mobile's Chief Financial Officer. "Working with Decathlon means we will be able to scale globally, develop our sales and marketing channels, and further build market awareness of the advantages we offer." "Mad Mobile is a great example of the companies we like to finance," added Decathlon Capital's John Borchers. "Innovative, well-managed, and growing, Mad Mobile required a flexible capital solution that avoided equity dilution or loss of control. It's a great fit for us, and we're looking forward to a long-term relationship with the company." About Decathlon Capital Partners Decathlon Capital Partners provides growth capital for companies seeking alternatives to traditional equity investment. Through the use of highly customized revenue-based financing solutions, Decathlon provides long-term growth capital without the dilution, loss of control and operational overhead that often comes with equity-based funding. With offices in Palo Alto and Park City, Decathlon is the largest revenue-based funding investor in the U.S. and is active across a wide range of sectors. Learn more at www.decathloncapital.com. About Mad Mobile Founded in 2010, Mad Mobile is a recognized leader in Unified Commerce with a proven platform that rapidly integrates and orchestrates real-time data from enterprise systems into a single, mobile application for store associates. The company's Concierge application enables store associates to conduct Clienteling, Assisted Selling, BOPIS, and MPOS on any mobile device. For more information, visit www.madmobile.com or follow us at @MadMobile. Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=3182848 Media Contact: Greg Schmitzer Email: gschmitzer@madmobile.com Phone: 813.400.1966 Fax: 813.444.6920 WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Another former staffer for Congressman John Conyers, D-Mich., has accused the longtime lawmaker of sexual harassment. Deanna Maher, who ran a Michigan office for Conyers from 1997 to 2005, told the Detroit News the congressman made three unwanted sexual advances toward her, including inappropriate touching. Maher said the first instance of harassment happened in September of 1997, when she rejected Conyers' offer to share his room at the Grand Hyatt in Washington and have sex. The other incidents involved unwanted touching in a car in 1998 and another unwanted touching of her legs under her dress in 1999, Maher told the Detroit News. Conyers' attorney Arnold Reed argued Maher's allegations are uncorroborated and questioned why she would continue to work for the congressman for so many years after the alleged incidents. 'At the end of the day, he's confident that he will be exonerated because he maintains that he has not done anything wrong,' Reed said. Maher told the Detroit News her need for employment and Conyers' status as a powerful Democratic lawmaker explains why she stayed on the job. Conyers announced Sunday he was stepping down as ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee amid an investigation by the House Ethics Committee over allegations that a former employee was fired because she would not succumb to his sexual advances. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de TOKYO (dpa-AFX) - North Korea fired a ballistic missile early Wednesday local time in the first missile launch by the reclusive communist nation since September. A statement from the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said North Korea launched the unidentified ballistic missile eastward from the vicinity of Pyongsong in the western part of the country. U.S. officials confirmed the launch, with a Pentagon spokesman saying the Defense Department is in the process of assessing the situation. The launch was also confirmed by the Japanese prime minister's office, which said the missile appears to have landed within Japan's exclusive economic zone. An exclusive economic zone is a sea zone over which a country has special rights regarding the exploration and use of marine resources, including energy production. In a post on Twitter, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said President Donald Trump was briefed on the situation in North Korea while the missile was still in the air. Trump has been critical of previous missile tests by North Korea, mockingly referring to leader Kim Jong-un as 'rocket man' in a speech to the United Nations in September. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / November 28, 2017 / San Francisco-based startup Hint Health, a pioneer in workflow automation for Direct Primary Care (DPC) physicians, has released a comprehensive report on operational trends within the growing Direct Primary Care industry. Hint's 2017 Direct Primary Care Trends Report offers insightful, ground-level data on all aspects of the DPC industry including nationwide growth trends, pricing trends, payment trends and key demographic information. Hint Health's complete "2017 Direct Primary Care Trends Report" may be viewed HERE. "Besides being a snapshot into the exploding Direct Patient Care movement, Hint's 2017 Direct Primary Care Trends Report provides valuable insights for any physician currently running or considering a DPC model," said Hint's CEO Zak Holdsworth. "Most importantly, the report sheds light on some of the back office administration details which become a greater concern for DPC doctors. The report will help any physician to benefit from the accumulated experiences and data gathered from hundreds of other doctors successfully running their own DPC practices around the country." Hint launched in 2013 with one mission - to provide the tools for direct care doctors to automate their back office operations and DPC administration. Hint's advanced SaaS platform includes all the software engines for robust plan management, patient onboarding, billing & collections, eligibility management and even inventory control necessary to streamline a direct primary care practice. Practices using Hint average more than $29,000 in recovered revenue annually which would have been lost due to billing issues, simultaneously saving 25 employee hours each month. Hint's services allow a DPC practice to rapidly scale-up and effectively serve many more patients. The direct primary care model is typically structured as a monthly subscription, with patients paying their doctor anywhere from $25 to $100 per month for service which typically includes all routine visits, same-day or next-day appointments and even medications and lab tests purchased at a wholesale price. Hint has found that less than 2% of DPC practices charge more than $175 per month. The model of direct primary care, while still relatively small, has been growing nationally at an impressive rate. According to Hint Health, the fastest-growing states see panel sizes expanding at an astounding 2,084% per year, with even the lowest-growth states reporting an average of 67% increase over the past year. Doctors and other health providers interested in viewing the complete "2017 Direct Primary Care Trends Report" can download it here. About Hint Health Founded with an exclusive focus on the direct care movement, Hint has been working with trail blazing physicians to automate their administration workflows since 2013, making it easy to operate and scale-up this new practice model while efficiently managing overhead costs. CONTACT: Paul Lacey (661) 332-8096 press@hint.com SOURCE: Hint Health Regulatory News: Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. (LN:PSH) (NA:PSH) today announces that it has purchased, through PSH's agent, Jefferies International Limited ("Jefferies"), the following number of PSH's ordinary shares of no par value (ISIN Code: GG00BPFJTF46) (the "Shares"): Trading Venue: London Stock Exchange Date of purchase: 28 November 2017 Number of Shares purchased: 16,162 Shares Highest price paid per Share: 1,015 pence 13.43 USD Lowest price paid per Share: 1,009 pence 13.35 USD Average price paid per Share: 1,011.56 pence 13.38 USD Trading Venue: Euronext Amsterdam Date of purchase: 28 November 2017 Number of Shares purchased: 51,369 Shares Highest price paid per Share: 13.50 USD Lowest price paid per Share: 13.36 USD Average price paid per Share: 13.42 USD PSH intends to cancel these Shares. The net asset value per Share related to this Share buyback is USD 17.32 GBP 13.09 which was calculated as of 21 November 2017. After giving effect to the above Share buyback, PSH has outstanding 236,249,997 Shares. The prices per share in USD were calculated by Jefferies. The number of PSH Management Shares and the 1 special voting share (held by PS Holdings Independent Voting Company Limited) has not been affected. About Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd.: Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. (LN:PSH) (NA:PSH) is an investment holding company structured as a closed-ended fund that makes concentrated investments principally in North American companies. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171128006320/en/ Contacts: Media: Maitland James Devas, +44 20 7379 5151 Media-pershingsquareholdings1@maitland.co.uk CALGARY, AB / ACCESSWIRE / November 28, 2017 / GEA Technologies Ltd., dba International Cannabrands (CNSX: JUJU.A) (the "Company"), an Alberta corporation listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange is pleased to announce that it has changed its name to International Cannabrands Inc. The Company's stock symbol will remain the same and no other changes were made to the Company's share capital. The Company is expected to commence trading under its new name at the opening of trading on November 30, 2017. The name change was approved by the shareholders of the Company at an annual and special meeting held on November 16, 2017, and a certificate of amendment was filed on November 22, 2017. Certificates representing common or preferred shares of the Company will not need to be exchanged as a result of the name change. About International Cannabrands International Cannabrands acquired the exclusive rights to Julian Marley's JuJu Royal brand to educate people about the natural connection between Julian Marley, Rastafarian culture, reggae music, and marijuana. International Cannabrands generates revenue from licensing brands to growers, edible manufacturers, oil extractors, producers of ancillary products and apparel in the United States where cannabis has been legalized at the state level, as well as products containing CBD in the US and internationally. Select JuJu Royal products are available in California, Washington, Colorado and Puerto Rico with CBD-only products available in the U.K., the birthplace of Julian Marley. The Company is looking to expand JuJu Royal into Nevada in the near future. The company was founded in 2014 and is based out of Denver, Colorado. The Company believes as the market becomes saturated with products varying in potency and quality, that the branded products will rise to the top and the Company intends to exploit all opportunities available to realize the full value of the Julian Marley brand and to attract other brands. About JuJu Royal Julian Marley conveys his message of legalization, freedom, and love through the JuJu Royal brand, a line of naturally produced medicinal herbs using the best solventless technology. One percent of proceeds are distributed for the benefit of veterans using cannabis through the Weed for Warriors Project. More information about the brand and various products can be obtained at www.jujuroyal.net. International Cannabrands is continuing to work with Julian Marley to identify and develop future strains of marijuana that meet Julian's exacting standards. The Company is continuing to conduct research and development with certain origin genetics to produce additional signature Julian Marley strains for the JuJu Royal Premium Marijuana collection. The intent is to make these strains available to dispensaries and caregivers on a worldwide basis where it is legal. International Cannabrands Contact: Jeffrey Britz Chairman & CEO 1045 Lincoln Street, #106 Salar Media Group 201-394-7882 or jeffrey@jujuroyal.net Denver, Colorado 80203 Media Inquiries: Cynthia Salarizadeh cynthia@salarmediagroup.com (856) 425-6160 SOURCE: GEA Technologies Ltd. This domain was recently registered at Namecheap.com. Please check back later! LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / November 28, 2017 / Dougherty's Pharmacy, Inc. (OTCQB: MYDP), a value-oriented investment firm focused on successfully acquiring, managing and growing community-based pharmacies in the Southwest Region of the United States, announced today that it will be presenting at the 10th Annual LD Micro Main Event on Tuesday, December 5th at 5:30 PM PST at the Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel in Los Angeles, CA. Jim Leslie, Chairman of the Board, and Mark Heil, President and Chief Financial Officer will be presenting, as well as meeting with investors. Dougherty's will post its investor presentation on the "Investor Relations" page of the Dougherty's Pharmacy website, located at http://www.doughertys.com. The LD Micro Main Event is the largest independent conference for small/micro-cap companies and will feature 250 names presenting to an audience of over 1,000 attendees. In addition, there will be a variety of speakers/panelists discussing topics of interest to investors and issuers, along with coordinate evening events. View Dougherty's Pharmacy, Inc. profile here: http://www.ldmicro.com/profile/MYDP News Compliments of ACCESSWIRE About Dougherty's Pharmacy, Inc. Dougherty's Pharmacy, Inc. is a value-oriented investment firm focused on successfully acquiring, managing and growing community-based pharmacies in the Southwest Region. Dougherty's currently has approximately $48 million in net operating loss carryforwards which can be used to shelter future income, thus enhancing free cash flow or debt service capabilities. Interested investors can access financials and stock trading information for Dougherty's at OTCMarkets.com or at www.doughertys.com. About LD Micro LD Micro was founded in 2006 with the sole purpose of being an independent resource in the microcap space. What started out as a newsletter highlighting unique companies has transformed into several influential conferences annually. In 2015, LDM launched the first pure microcap index (the LDMi) to exclusively provide intraday information on the entire sector. For those interested in attending, please contact David Scher at david@ldmicro.com or visit www.ldmicro.com/events for more information. Contacts: Mark S. Heil President and CFO 972-250-0945 Geralyn DeBusk or Tom Carey Halliburton Investor Relations 972-458-8000 SOURCE: Dougherty's Pharmacy, Inc. OTTAWA, ON / ACCESSWIRE / November 28, 2017 / Plaintree Systems Inc. ('Plaintree') (CSE: NPT; OTC PINK: PTEEF). Plaintree announced today that it has released its un-audited consolidated financial statements and related management discussions and analysis for the three and six months ended September 30, 2017. During the first six months of fiscal 2018, Plaintree realized revenues of $8,026,654 up from $6,976,076 for the same period of fiscal 2017 with positive earnings of $929,079 compared to a net loss of $(476,148) in the respective prior period. Net income (losses) from continuing operations during the first six months of fiscal 2018 and 2017 were $677,877 and $(418,384) respectively, before income (loss) from discontinued operations. David Watson, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer commented by stating, After 2 years of depressed sales in almost all of the Company's divisions, we are pleased to see the strong results so far this year. This is due partially to the improved markets for our products around the world as well as our continued investment in Sales, Marketing and R&D despite the losses we faced. In particular, the largest subsidiary in Plaintree is the Triodetic business and one of its main product lines is the engineering and manufacture of domes for mining. Buoyancy in several mining sectors over the past year has resulted in a dramatic increase in activity for this market.' The notes to the financial statements and Management Discussion and Analysis for the period ended September 30, 2017 contain comments from management regarding the ability of Plaintree to continue as a going concern if certain risk factors come to be (see Section 2(d) of the notes to the financial statements and the section entitled 'Outlook - Going Concern' in the Management Discussion and Analysis). Plaintree also announced that Mr. William (Bill) Watson retired as Chairman and as a Director after more than a decade in the role and Mr. Jerry Vickers has been appointed by the board to be Chairman. In addition, Mr Sean Watson has joined the Board of Plaintree. Plaintree wishes to thank Bill for all of his hard work and guidance. For more information on these results, please refer to Plaintree's annual 2017 financial statements together with the related Management's Discussion and Analysis report, copies of which can be obtained from the Company's website at www.plaintree.com and/or under Plaintree's name at www.sedar.com. About Plaintree Systems Plaintree has two diversified product lines consisting of Specialty Structures and Electronics. The Specialty Structures Division includes the former Triodetic Group with over 40 years of experience, is a design/build manufacturer of steel, aluminum and stainless steel specialty structures such as commercial domes, free form structures, barrel vaults, space frames and industrial dome coverings, Spotton Corporation, a design and manufacturer of high end custom hydraulic and pneumatic valves and cylinders and Madawaska Doors, a design and manufacturer of premium solid wood doors. The Electronics Division includes the legacy Hypernetics and Summit Aerospace USA Inc. businesses. Hypernetics was established in 1972 and is a manufacturer of avionic components for various applications including aircraft antiskid braking, aircraft instrument indicators, solenoids, high purity valves and permanent magnet alternators. Summit Aerospace USA Inc. provides high precision machining to the aerospace and defense markets. Our facility includes 5 axis CNC precision machining of complex castings and large ring parts such as turbine and assembly shrouds as well as assembly & pressure seals. Summit will support requirements from concept, prototype and throughout production. Plaintree's shares are traded under the symbol 'NPT.' Shareholders and Investors can access Company information on CSE's website and receive full Company disclosure monthly. For more information on Plaintree or to receive stock quotes, complete with trading summaries, bid size and ask price, brokerage house participation, insider reports, news releases, disclosure information, and CSE and SEDAR filings, visit the CSE website at www.cnsx.ca or the Company's website at www.plaintree.com. Plaintree is publicly traded in Canada on the CSE (NPT) with 12,925,253 common shares and 18,325 class A preferred shares outstanding. This press release may include statements that are forward-looking and based on current expectations. The actual results of the company may differ materially from current expectations. The business of the company is subject to many risks and uncertainties, including changes in markets for the company's products, delays in product development and introduction to manufacturing and intense competition. For a more detailed discussion of the risks and uncertainties related to the company's business, please refer to documents filed by the company with the Canadian regulatory authorities, including the annual report of the Company for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017 and related management discussion and analysis. Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release. For further information: (613) 623-3434 x2261 SOURCE: Plaintree Systems Inc. TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 11/28/17 -- United Hunter Oil and Gas Corp. (TSX VENTURE: UHO)(FRANKFURT: 18U) ("UHO" or the "Corporation") announces a non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") of up to 10,000,000 Common Shares at a price of $0.10 per Common Share for gross proceeds of up to $1 million. Private Placement The Private Placement of up to 10,000,000 Common Shares at a price of $0.10 per Common Share for gross proceeds of up to $1,000,000 will be non-brokered, however, the Company may pay finder's fees in accordance with the rules and policies of the TSXV. It is expected that the Common Shares offered under the Private Placement will be eligible under all usual statutes including RRSPs and TFSAs. The first tranche will be for $70,000 and the Corporation will be issuing 700,000 Common Shares at a price of $0.10 per Common Share. The Private Placement is subject to certain customary conditions, including, but not limited to, the execution of definitive subscription agreements with subscribers, and the receipt of any and all necessary regulatory approvals, including that of the TSXV. Closing of additional tranches and of the full Private Placement are anticipated to occur within thirty days or as long as the Corporation deems necessary. All securities issued in connection with the Private Placement will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus one day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities legislation. The net proceeds from the Private Placement will be used for expenses associated with due diligence and legal expenses investigating several new projects, general working capital and repayment of debt. About the Issuer United Hunter Oil & Gas Corp. (www.unitedhunteroil.com) is a Canadian based corporation with management very experienced in the oil and gas industry with projects in the United States. United Hunter Oil & Gas Corp. is publicly traded on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSX VENTURE: UHO) and Frankfurt Exchange (FRANKFURT: 18U). The Corporation's public filings may be found at www.sedar.com. Certain statements contained in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" as such term is used in applicable Canadian and US securities laws. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based upon forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date the statements are made and the Corporation undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements and if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Contacts: United Hunter Oil & Gas Corp. Timothy Turner CEO (832) 487-0813 info@unitedhunteroil.com www.unitedhunteroil.com Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 28, 2017) - China Minerals Mining Corporation (TSXV: CMV) (OTC Pink: HWTHF) ("China Minerals" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a non-brokered, private placement (the "Offering") of up to 7,270,000 units (the "Units") of the Company at a price of $0.20 per Unit for gross proceeds of $1,454,000 if the entire Offering is sold. Each Unit is comprised of one common share and one share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will be exercisable into a common share (a "Warrant Share") in the capital of the Company at a price of $0.30 per Warrant Share up to 5:00 pm (Vancouver time) on the second anniversary of the date of issuance of the Units. Finder's fees may be paid in conjunction with the Offering. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering for general working capital. The Company anticipates that certain directors and officers of the Company will participate in the Offering and, as such, the Offering will be a related party transaction as such term is defined in TSX Venture Exchange Policy 5.9 and Ontario Securities Commission Multilateral Instrument 61-101 ("MI61-101"). Wenhong Jin, President of the Company, intends to subscribe for 300,000 Units (2.02% of the Company's issued and outstanding common shares on closing). Ke Feng Yuan, CFO of the Company, intends to subscribe for 220,000 Units (1.48% of the Company's issued and outstanding common shares on closing). Zheng Zhou, director of the Company, intends to subscribe for 1,500,000 Units. Mr. Zhou is the sole shareholder of both Sky Ocean Venture Investment Limited ("SkyOcean") and China Mineral Holdings Limited ("CMH"). Prior to closing of the Offering, SkyOcean and CMH collectively hold 44.22% of the issued and outstanding common shares in the capital of the Company making Mr. Zhou the Company's Control Person. After giving effect to the Offering, Mr. Zhou will hold, directly and indirectly, 32.68% of the issued and outstanding common shares in the capital of the Company. The Offering is exempt from the requirements for a formal valuation set out in Section 5.4 of MI61-101 since the transaction is a distribution of securities for cash and neither the Company neither, to the knowledge of the Company after reasonable inquiry, Mr. Zhou, Mr. Jin, nor Ms. Yuan has knowledge of any material information concerning the Company or its securities that has not been generally publically disclosed. The Offering has been approved by the Company's disinterested directors. The Offering is exempt from the requirements in Section 5.7 of MI61-101 for approval by its minority shareholders since the fair market value of the transaction is less than $2,500,000. About China Minerals Mining Corporation China Minerals Mining Corporation is a Canadian based exploration and development company with offices located in Vancouver, B.C. and Beijing, China. China Minerals' goal is to build an international mining company. For more information on China Minerals, please contact the Company at (604) 694-2344, or visit the Company's website at www.chinamineralsmining.com. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS "signed by Ling Zhu" Ling Zhu Executive Chairman 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 of accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information Statements in this news release that are forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning the specific factors disclosed here and elsewhere in China Minerals' periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. When used in this news release, words such as "will", "could", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "potential", "appear", "should," and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements. Although China Minerals has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, there can be other factors that cause results, performance or achievements not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate or that management's expectations or estimates of future developments, circumstances or results will materialize. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, the results or events predicted in these forward looking statements may differ materially from actual results or events. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and China Minerals disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise such information, except as required by applicable law. HAMILTON, Bermuda, 2017-11-28 23:47 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leaders of Bermuda's global business sector highlighted the breadth, advantages and significant economic impact of the island's financial market during an awareness-raising cross-industry forum held in London today by the Bermuda Business Development Agency (BDA). Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2bcaa95b-e3ca-44c9-899a-cb70e eb4cf10 http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7bdeef31-44cc-4e6d-9984-f08a6 cd6bfe7 http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/edb31e57-95aa-4327-8abb-47277 d9619a2 Premier the Hon David Burt officially opened the day-long forum after meeting with Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May. The Premier is in the city for the BDA event as well as annual Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) meetings and various Parliamentary events, followed by planned visits to Paris and Berlin later in the week. "Our government supports events like this BDA forum, because it's important to engage people from around the world to help accomplish our goals growing Bermuda's economy," said the Premier. "Bermuda has a very powerful story to tell as a well-regarded international financial centre known for robust regulation and leadership on transparency and compliance. We believe this is an excellent platform to talk about Bermuda's role in supporting global economies. It's important, because we trade on that reputation." The forum attracted close to 250 delegates, encompassing a wide range of industries, to ME London Hotel in the city's West End. Featuring top regulatory and industry representatives in discussion panels, the agenda covered hot-button topics such as Brexit and the recent theft of "Paradise Papers" law-firm data, while emphasising the many elements that differentiate Bermuda-from the island's world-respected regulator and access to capital to its deep pool of valuable industry expertise. Speakers also examined the varied sectors that make Bermuda a centre of excellence, including re/insurance, captive insurance and insurance-linked securities, to asset management, family offices, and trust and private-client business. "The forum has provided us with an opportunity to tell the Bermuda story at a critical juncture when the European spotlight is on international financial centres," said BDA CEO Ross Webber. "Our jurisdiction has a compelling message, and people are beginning to understand that Bermuda really is different." Forum panels in the morning covered risk-industry topics-from insurance trends and the outlook for 2018 to why Bermuda remains "the World's Risk Capital." Afternoon sessions focused on the rapidly-growing convergence of re/insurance and asset management, then moved to examine high-net-worth services, family governance and charitable trust structuring. The day's line-up featured 25 Bermuda executives, including Bermuda Monetary Authority CEO Jeremy Cox; Bermuda Stock Exchange CEO Greg Wojciechowski; Association of Bermuda Insurers & Reinsurers President Brad Kading; Grainne Richmond, President of the Bermuda Insurance Management Association (BIMA); and Keith Robinson, Chairman of the Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners (STEP) Bermuda. Keynote speaker, Deputy Chair of Lloyd's and Hiscox Chair Robert Childs, described Bermuda's speed to market and detailed the many advantages Bermuda had lent to Hiscox. "The forum gathered government, industry and regulatory experience to give attendees an opportunity to be exposed to the Bermuda market," said BMA CEO Jeremy Cox. "That kind of collaboration is part of what has made Bermuda successful. Certainly, given the times we're in, that's important-because there's been a lot of misinformation in the media about our jurisdiction. This has given us an opportunity to set the record straight." Other Bermuda-based executive participants included Mark Allitt of KPMG Bermuda; Sarah Demerling of Estera; BDA former chair and Hiscox Director Caroline Foulger; David Gibbons of PwC Bermuda; Ed Granski for Meritus Trust; Randall Krebs of Harbour International Trust Company; BDA Board member Jessel Mendes, of EY Bermuda; Michael Neff of Butterfield Bank; Michael Parrish of Marsh Bermuda; Peter Pearman of Conyers Dill & Pearman; Brian Quinn of Granite Management; Fozeia Rana-Fahy of MJM; Aon CEO Joe Rego; Andrew Smith of Qatar Re; Ariane West of Taylors in association with Walkers; Arthur Wightman of PwC Bermuda; Kim Willey of ASW Law; and Akilah Wilson of the BMA. "We were very impressed by the support not just from Bermuda industry but from friends of Bermuda here in the UK," Webber added. "We had over 20 different companies represented at our forum; that's a marvellous endorsement of the work of the BDA, and a great reflection of the collaboration of the Bermuda market. It's very rewarding to see Bermuda so well represented and supported." Overseas presenters included Richard Hay of Stikeman Elliott, London; Sian Hill of KPMG UK; and Samantha Morgan of RMW Law. "It's about working relationships with the right people - we're not just marketing the jurisdiction," said Jessel Mendes, a BDA Board member and Partner at EY Bermuda. "We're really selling, and I think that's critical. It's about working the relationships with the right people to bring business back to Bermuda. Today, the focus is on the relationship, on business development, and on sales. That's a new mindshift and I believe credit for it goes to the BDA." Tomorrow, a second industry event-"Beyond Convergence"-will also take place at the hotel, focusing solely on insurance-linked securities. Organised by ILS Bermuda to dovetail with today's forum, it will provide a more detailed look at Bermuda's success in attracting capital, expertise and clients to the sphere of alternative reinsurance. Featured speakers will include some of the same industry executives, including the BSX's Wojciechowski, the BMA's Cox, ABIR's Kading, and BDA's Webber. MEDIA CONTACT: Rosemary Jones Head of Communications & Marketing rosemary@bda.bm 441 278-6558 441 337-4696 CONNECTING BUSINESS The BDA encourages direct investment and helps companies start up, re-locate or expand their operations in our premier jurisdiction. An independent, public-private partnership, we connect you to industry professionals, regulatory officials, and key contacts in the Bermuda government to assist domicile decisions. Our goal? To make doing business in Bermuda smooth and beneficial. Envisagenics, Inc., a New York, NY-based early drug discovery company, raised $2.25m in seed funding. The round was led by Dynamk Capital with participation from other investors including Third Kind Venture Capital (3KVC), Cosine, LLC (NYC biotech investors), Dolby Family Ventures, NY Empire State Development (ESD), and SV Angel. Led by Dr. Maria Luisa Pineda, co-founder and CEO, Envisagenics is a life science company that applies artificial intelligence to the genetic sequence of patients to discover new therapies. Its proprietary cloud-based discovery platform SpliceCore uses machine learning to prioritize new drug target candidates from patients RNA. The company focuses on RNA splicing, a cellular process occurring in every cell, that edits RNA to produce functional proteins required for our body to work. Envisagenics was founded in 2014 as a spinout of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. FinSMEs 28/11/2017 Kickstarting the Global Entrepreneurship Summit 2017 in Hyderabad on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded women's contribution to India's history. The holding of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit for the first time in India reflects the growing security and economic partnership between America and India, Ivanka Trump, the daughter of US President Donald Trump and his Advisor, said on Tuesday. Picking it up from where Ivanka left it off, the prime minister hoped that the summit would encourage more women to become entrepreneurs. Giving examples of historical characters like Rani Lakshmibai and Ahilyabai Holkar, Modi said that the "power to think differently and ahead of the time for the betterment of mankind is what sets entrepreneurs apart." The prime minister also highlighted the various initiatives taken by his government such as Swachch Bharat, Aadhaar, Banking Regulation Act among others that made the environment conducive for business. He said that though India was ranked 100th in ease of doing business, the government wasn't happy with it and was aiming to be in the top 50, he said. Here are a few of the top quotes from the prime minister's speech in Hyderabad. .@narendramodi:The power to think differently & ahead of the time for the betterment of mankind is what sets entrepreneurs apart. #GES2017pic.twitter.com/Gyq6ZiO0ju GES2017 (@GES2017) November 28, 2017 Indian women continue to lead in all walks of life, said the prime minister. Indian women continue to lead in different walks of life: PM @narendramodi at #GES2017 pic.twitter.com/D89BElLFGo NITI Aayog (@NITIAayog) November 28, 2017 India and the United States share commitment to encouraging entrepreneurship & innovation. PM @narendramodi:#GES2017 represents the United States' and India's shared commitment to encouraging entrepreneurship & innovation. pic.twitter.com/XYs4kFmReT GES2017 (@GES2017) November 28, 2017 Prime minister said, "Each of you young Indian entrepreneurs have the ability to create a New India 2022. You are the nation's wealth. Each of you young Indian entrepreneurs have the ability to create a New India 2022. You are the nation's wealth: PM @narendramodi NITI Aayog (@NITIAayog) November 28, 2017 Indian women continue to lead in different walks of life: PM @narendramodi at #GES2017 pic.twitter.com/D89BElLFGo NITI Aayog (@NITIAayog) November 28, 2017 Amaravati: At the much-hyped Global Entrepreneurship Summit, White House adviser Ivanka Trump will be Telangana's pride, but Andhra Pradesh's envy. As Telangana readies to host the 2017 edition of the summit on Tuesday, strenuous efforts made by Andhra Pradesh to invite US President Donald Trump's daughter have failed to bring results. The United States authorities turned down requests made by the Chandrababu Naidu-led Andhra government to have Ivanka visit the 'sunrise' state, highly-placed sources said. AP's Economic Development Board (EDB) chief executive J Krishna Kishore pursued the issue with US authorities on behalf of the state government, but to no avail, they said. The Andhra government, as part of its "brand building" efforts, had felt that a visit by Ivanka Trump would bolster the southern state's image internationally. It also wanted to line up several US companies for investments in Andhra Pradesh, the sources said. The state government had informed the US Consulate that they were ready to organise the event either in Amaravati or Visakhapatnam, and had sought Ivanka's time. "But we were told that she would not be attending any other programme, apart from the GES and those in New Delhi. So, we did not get a chance to host her," a senior official involved in the entire process said. The EDB CEO could not be reached for comment. The Global Entrepreneurship Summit-2017 will be inaugurated by Prime Minster Narendra Modi. Ivanka will lead a delegation from her country at the event. Over 1,500 delegates, including entrepreneurs and investors and CEOs of major knowledge-based companies, are expected to attend the summit. The 8th Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) being held in Hyderabad is starting today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Donald Trump's adviser and daughter Ivanka Trump will inaugurate the three-day event themed around "Women First, Prosperity for All". Ivanka will lead a delegation from the US at the three- day event. The summit is taking place at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC) in Hitec City, the information technology hub. The event will bring together 1,500 emerging entrepreneurs and investors, and ecosystem supporters from 150 countries for training and mentoring sessions, networking and investment matchmaking. Union ministers Sushma Swaraj, Nirmala Sitharaman and Suresh Prabhu will be attending the summit, NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant on Monday told reporters at a joint press conference with the US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster on Monday. After the inauguration, Ivanka and defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman will be participating in a panel discussion on opening up of opportunities for women entrepreneurs, Kant said. The discussion will be moderated by John Chambers, Chairman Emeritus CISCO. The closing session will bring together key influencers who support, promote and fund women entrepreneurs, Kant said. The closing session will be moderated by commerce minister Suresh Prabhu and external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj will also participate in the GES, he added. The GES is having the majority of women participation for the first time. The GES website tweeted about this happy occurrence: GES by the numbers: Women will represent a majority - 52.5 percent - of entrepreneurs, investors and ecosystem supporters at GES 2017! #GES2017 pic.twitter.com/9IsfL04CbK GES2017 (@GES2017) November 22, 2017 GES extended a traditional Indian greeting 'Swagatham' while welcoming Ivanka Trump: The GES has led to much cheer in India with tweets from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to NITI Aayog, Kenneth Juster - US Ambassador to India and others talking about it. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a tweet mentioned about the GES summit and the inauguration of the Hyderabad metro today: Will be in Hyderabad today, where I inaugurate the Hyderabad Metro and take part in the @GES2017. The Summit, which is jointly hosted with USA celebrates entrepreneurship. This year we are focussing on the theme 'Women First, Prosperity for All. https://t.co/oCPJCen96T Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 28, 2017 More than 10 countries will be represented by an all-female delegation, including from Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia and Israel. The PMO mentioned about it in a tweet: More than 10 countries will be represented by an all-female delegation, including from Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia and Israel. A number of leading female voices will speak at various plenaries, breakout sessions, master classes and workshops. @GES2017 PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 27, 2017 Kenneth Juster, US Ambassador welcomed US President Donald Trump's daughter in a tweet stating: Welcome to Incredible India. US Secretary Rex Tillerson said this year's Global Entrepreneurship Summit is a clear example of how President Trump and #Indias Prime Minister Modi are promoting #innovation and expanding job opportunities. Secretary Tillerson: This year's Global Entrepreneurship Summit is a clear example of how President Trump and #Indias Prime Minister Modi are promoting #innovation and expanding job opportunities. #GES2017 #USIndia70 #USIndiaDosti pic.twitter.com/XgolqL1xiL GES2017 (@GES2017) November 27, 2017 The event was termed as the mother of all entpreneurship events by the GES hastagging it as USDosti New Delhi: A nudge and a wink is all it takes for businesses in India to get the message, with the government rarely resorting to harsher measures to get its point across. A recent instance, which was a departure from the usual practice, was the government invoking threat of the anti-profiteering authority cracking down on FMCG companies when the hapless manufacturers said they would reduce prices from December, not immediately, after GST rate corrections. Strongly worded, individual communications sent from North Block to each manufacturer ensured that the companies hastened to cut prices mid-November, never mind that the actual deadline was further ahead and even when it was next to impossible to get the new price labels in place. It seems a similar sort of mindset is plaguing the government yet again, since it has now warned airlines against high cancellation charges. No, mercifully there has been no official communication yet from Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan which houses the ministry of civil aviation, regarding a reduction of these charges. Of course, let us at the outset declare that this move, if it does get implemented, would be quite consumer friendly as frequent flyers would rejoice at having to pay significantly less for booking airline tickets but then having to cancel these due to unavoidable circumstances. It hurts especially if the passenger is re-booking with the same airline and perhaps merely looking for a different time or for a flight with the same airline the next day. Those who need to fly for a family emergency are anyway not impacted because such tickets are usually bought at the last minute. It is frequent flyers and deal fiends those who perennially look for lucrative deals to book tickets who will benefit the most. Minister of state for civil aviation Jayant Sinha, told The Times of India, "We believe cancellation charges are on the high side and onerous for passengers. The Rs 3,000 fee is in many cases more than the price of the ticket itself. Our UDAN (subsidised regional flying) scheme has capped fares at Rs 2,500 per hour of flying. These cancellation charges need to be brought back into balance." So while passengers may (rightfully so) rejoice at any move to trim cancellation charges, what Sinhas diktat doesnt explain is the continued stand of the government on airline pricing in general. It has repeatedly said that airlines are free to price tickets any way they like, as long as the steepest fare does not cross that displayed on its website. Continued pleas in this regard from passenger associations and even Members of Parliament (MPs) have fallen on deaf ears. When exorbitant last-minute ticket prices are not the business of the government, why should cancellation charges and any increase be its headache, unless all this is being done for populist gains? The government often quotes Rule 135 of Aircraft Rules 1937 to say that airlines are free to determine fares and the government cannot interfere in ticket pricing. Sub-rule (1) of rule 135 states that every air transport undertaking engaged in scheduled air services shall establish tariff having regard to all relevant factors, including the cost of operation, characteristics of service, reasonable profit and the generally prevailing tariff. So the government should now perhaps make up its mind: will it regulate fares or not? If it does want to regulate fares, first up should be exorbitant last minute fares which make it next to impossible for those experiencing genuine emergencies to fly. Apart from this, what about "convenience fee which flyers have to pay for making online bookings? And the extra luggage fees which many passengers complain against? The entire gamut of pricing decisions on air fares then needs a relook. In this circular last year, aviation regulator DGCA had allowed unbundling of service by airlines which meant they could charge extra for services like seat selection, meal bookings, preferential boarding etc but should not make it compulsory on the passenger. Even here, the DGCA had only insisted on allowing the passenger an opt-out option, not what can be charged for such services. Besides, airline industry veterans say there is large-scale cancellation of tickets booked in advance well over 50% of all bookings as people usually book earlier to get low fares but are unable to fly on the given date. The fares a month out or even three weeks in advance are obviously lucrative and far cheaper than fares closer to the flight date. Besides, the Indian market has seen a flurry of fire sales and limited period offers in the last few years, specially from LCCs, which stimulate the market for a limited number of seats regularly. This entire booking algorithm works on the premise that pre-booking gets the passenger good deals, later bookings are expensive and cancellation is heavy on the pocket. Besides, perhaps the government also needs to ponder over the economics of airlines. An airline executive said it would be counter-productive if cancellation charges were to be brought down to zero, since multiple cost heads are involved when a passenger makes the booking payment gateways, call centres etc. If the cancellation fee were to be waived off completely, it would mean additional cost burden for airlines. Why not slash it significantly? Well, in a market where high taxes of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) make it extremely tough for airlines to make money, ancillary revenues are the only bright spot. Ancillary services include a wide range of things such as preferred seats and pre-booking meals besides cancellation charges. By some accounts, low-cost carriers charge much lower fees for cancelling tickets than the Full Service airlines. The bottomline is that there should be clear thinking on air fares. Let the government decide once-and-for-all if it wants to regulate fares or not. If yes, then it should go the whole hog. If not, then it should stop this occasional meddling. WHY DONT YOU READ THESE? A Firstpost investigation ( read here) into the details of Maharashtra governments Rs 34,000 crore farm loan waiver programme has revealed serious irregularities on the part of banks, mainly furnishing wrong beneficiary details to the government. For instance, out of the loan details of about 11 lakh farmers submitted by the State Bank of India (SBI), about three lakh entries had serious errors, according to the reports findings. In just one form submitted by SBI, more than 11,000 farmers were assigned one single Aadhaar number. The story is largely the same for data furnished by other major banks including HDFC, ICICI, Canara Bank, Central Bank, Bank of Maharashtra and Bank of Baroda. The major goof-up has irked even the Opposition parties with former Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan demanding investigation against the banks that committed the fraud. One possible excuse from banks is that many farm loans that are eligible for the loan waiver scheme were disbursed years before Aaadhar scheme became popular and even now many beneficiaries may not be having Aadhar numbers, which government agencies have insisted from eligible borrowers. But, none of this offers an excuse to banks for furnishing wrong data, which might have either denied or delayed the benefit of farm loan waivers to the originally intended needy farmers. The farm loan waiver was originally announced on 24 June, the government set 18 October for kicking off the disbursal. But, as the story says, till date no single waiver certificate has been given out except some token disbursals at the launch ceremony. Remember, this failure is not due to shortage of funds to implement the loan waiver but on account of sheer inefficiency or fraud on part of banks while compiling the list of loan waiver beneficiaries. This needs to be investigated. In fact, this isnt the first time a farm loan waiver scheme has run into a major roadblock. Take the Rs 36,000 crore scheme implemented in Uttar Pradesh. Many farmers complained that they didn't get what they were promised. Some farmers said they got loan waivers as minuscule as 35 paise . Even during the rollout of the Rs 70,000 crore loan waiver scheme sponsored by the Congress-led UPA regime in 2008, there were reports of needy farmers not benefiting from the programme. How does a loan waiver work typically? When a government announces a loan waiver, the State Level Banking Committees (SLBCs), a lobby of banks, are tasked to collect the details of eligible farmers from individual banks. Depending on the waiver structure, these lenders may or may not include cooperative banks. In the case of Maharashtra, the list of lenders included cooperative banks as well and some middlemen were also tasked to compile data. Once the SLBC gets this list, the same is passed on to the state government for final assessment and allocation of the loan waiver amount. In the case of Maharashtra waiver, this process was followed and the list with fake names (or erroneous ones) was passed on to the government without the facts being checked, either intentionally with the connivance of bank officers or due to sheer laxity on their part. The only difference here is that farmers also had an option to make their entries online. Here, the banks claimed that these entries did not match with their data. But, the data submitted by these banks itself was full of errors. The very merit of the loan waiver schemes and its impact on farmers itself is a matter of debate. However, after committing to the farmer monetary relief, the government is unable to deliver the promise on account of the mess created by banks while preparing the list. This raises serious questions on the systems and processes in the banks and the KYC follow-up. The bigger concern is, if banks can mess up data of their own clients to this extent in the loan waiver case, the processes can go wrong elsewhere as well. Last year, Firstpost had reported a series of stories on how state-run Bank of Baroda wrongly identified people as board directors of failed airline Kingfisher and put a lid on their bank accounts. Such instances keep repeating. It is now the job of the Reserve Bank of India to dig into the details of how banks ended up furnishing wrong details of lakhs of farmers in the loan waiver list. At least now, the regulator should come into the picture and wake up the sleepwalking banks. New Delhi: The government has appointed yet another career bureaucrat to head the ailing Air India, never mind its own attempts at disinvesting from the airline and handing it over to private parties. Senior IAS officer Pradeep Singh Kharola is the successor to Rajiv Bansal, who held the post for a mere three months and had been granted an extension just days back. Bansal was brought in after Ashwani Lohani was suddenly appointed the Chairman of the Railway Board following a series of derailments which scalped the incumbent chairman. This game of quick succession, which is being played in the shadows of the disinvestment process and where there seems to be absence of any particular thought in appointing the person to head Air India, makes little sense. Why not continue with one person till the fate of the airline is clear? Anyway, as of now, there is no clarity on modalities of the disinvestment process by when it will be initiated, when does it get completed, will the airline be offered as a whole or broken up into parts, will foreign airlines/other investors be allowed to participate in the process and whether the government intends to exit completely or will it continue to hold a deciding stake in the airline? With so many questions and few answers, what will the appointment of yet another bureaucrat do? Wont his hands be tied to the eventual fate of the disinvestment process, hindering day-to-day decision making? As someone familiar with the process of initiating a new CMD said, another round of presentations for Kharola will take up the next few months. To his credit though, Kharola seems to be more qualified than some of his predecessors at the job. He is currently the Managing Director of Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation and this leads us to believe he has some experience of managing public transport. Then, Kharola holds a PhD in Public Transport Systems from IIT Delhi. A 1985 batch Karnataka cadre officer, Kharola was earlier Principal Secretary to Chief Minister of Karnataka and has held various other bureaucratic posts within the state as well as outside. But coming back to the Air India muddle, the timeline for the disinvestment process to begin is getting stretched. This piece in Moneycontrol.com says the process could take 6-8 months and therefore obviously cannot be completed this fiscal. A source said that the government has been sounding out potential investors but has not received a favourable response from at least two such investors. The Tata group which was the first potential bidder that the government approached informally when it initially announced its intention to disinvest from Air India has been lukewarm to the outreach. And sources say its airline partner Singapore Airlines has also not shown a keen interest in Air India till date. This leaves IndiGo, the domestic market leader, which has expressed an interest but preferably only in the international operations of Air India. And some ground handling agencies which are keen on only the ground handling arm of Air India. Where does this leave the disinvestment, remains to be seen. A person close to developments said that perhaps Kharola has been brought in to ensure smooth day-to-day functioning of the airline without getting into the nitty gritty of the disinvestment process, which could even get derailed completely. His logic: the process has already been pushed back to the end of the next calendar year, by when the Centre will be in full poll mode. Will it make political sense to go ahead with the disinvestment then? This piece in LiveMint says SBI Caps has been roped in to advise the government on the future course of disinvestment and the airline has already constituted five teams to work on various aspects of the stake sale process. SBI Caps would help the carrier with disinvestment matters, including preparing business plans for subsidiaries that would be divested. One team has been constituted for finance, human resources and P&F (properties & facilities) department. Secretarial and procedural matters, including formalisation of relationship with subsidiary companies and future business plan of subsidiary companies would be taken care of by another team. There would also be a team for bilateral slots, commercial arrangements and issues. SBI Caps will also prepare a 3-5 year business plans for subsidiary companies to be divested, help obtain approvals from the consortium of banks for the transfer of real estate properties and other security. Besides, it would assist Air India on other divestment matters. The airline is staying afloat on taxpayers money and the airline has a debt of close to Rs 50,000 crore. On 28 June, the cabinet committee on economic affairs (CCEA) had given its in-principle for strategic disinvestment of Air India and five of its subsidiaries. There has been speculation on whether there will be any significant write off of the debt which Air India is saddled with; whether certain assets will be hived off into a shell company and whether profit making subsdiaries will be sold separately. Malayalam film actor Dileep, facing charge of conspiracy in the abduction and sexual assault of a south Indian actress, moved the court on 27 November alleging the police leaked the copy of the supplementary charge sheet to media before submitting it to the court. In his petition filed at the judicial magistrate's court in nearby Angamaly, the actor submitted that an explanation should be sought from the investigating officer of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case. Dileeps counsel submitted that the contents of the charge sheet were reported by the media before it was submitted in the court. The SIT had on 22 November filed a nearly 1500-page supplementary charge sheet against five people, including Dileep. It had earlier filed a charge sheet against seven others including prime accused Pulsar Suni. Dileep, who faces different charges including that of conspiracy, has been named the eighth accused. Four other people have also been arraigned in the charge sheet, taking the number of accused in the case to 12. Dileep's former wife and Malayalam actress Manju Warrier, whose statement was recorded by the police in connection with case, is a witness. The actor was granted bail by the high court on October 3 with stringent conditions, 85 days after his arrest. The police have charged Dileep with hatching the conspiracy with other accused to abduct and assault the actress in a moving car and film the act. The actress, who has worked in Tamil and Telugu films, was abducted and allegedly sexually assaulted inside her car for two hours by Pulsar Suni and his accomplice, who had forced their way into the vehicle on 17 February night and later escaped. As welcome a relief as it may be for the filmmakers, the Supreme Courts (SC) decision to dismiss a plea against the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Padmavati outside India is not surprising. While rejecting the plea filed by advocate ML Sharma, who had felt that grave damage will be done to social harmony if the movie is allowed to be released outside India, the SC also reportedly chided persons in public offices for their comments on the film. As per reports, the chief ministers of the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Punjab had said that they would not allow the film to release and while the chief minister for Punjab Captain Amarinder Singh later supposedly backtracked, the SC is believed to have said that those in public offices shouldnt comment on the Central Board of Film Certifications (CBFC) workings. In a way, the manner in which the Padmavati episode has played out reminds one of the manner in which Da Vinci Code was greeted in India. The film was cleared by the CBFC but pressure from the Christian community, as well as the Muslim community in some places, saw seven Indian states banning the film. The states that included Goa, Kerala, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab felt that movie was blasphemous and offensive and might hurt the emotions of the people of the minority community. The reason cited for the ban was that content of the film could disturb the peace and tranquility of the State and the films release was delayed in a few states where the SCs judgment to show Da Vinci Code was being challenged. The manner in which the SC has responded to Padmavati mirrors the stance it took during Da Vinci Code. Rejecting a writ petition filed by the All India Christians Welfare Association, the court found no point of objection when the CBFC had given the film its nod. In fact, the SC also held that no predominantly Christian country had banned Da Vinci Code and underscored that there was no definite reason forwarded by the petitioners to ban the movie. Furthermore, the state High Courts of the states that had banned the film on their own also imposed costs on state governments. Here, too, the SC bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra reiterated that it was the CBFCs prerogative to review the film and make a decision on whether it is suitable for screening. As the system as well as the law both take their course in the context of Padmavati there is still some way to go before the film sees the light of the day. The new release date of the film (previously 1 December) is yet to be updated but with regards to the threats to the film's team, there has been some official action. The Uttar Pradesh police have booked Thakur Abhishek Som of Kshatriya Samaj and an active member of the Samajwadi Party, who offered a reward of Rs 5 crore to anyone beheading films director, Bhansali and Deepika Padukone who plays the titular character and the BJP had served a show cause notice to its party member, Surajpal Amu for his Rs 10 crore bounty for Bhansali and Padukone. So, what next for Padmavati? For intent and purposes, it seems like the ball is back in Bhansalis court; the film will finally need to be submitted to the CBFC for anything to happen. The court has been very clear that the remarks from high offices against the film tantamount to pre-judging a film that is not yet certified by the Censor Board. The film has not been submitted to the CBFC, which previously sent it back owing to incomplete paperwork. Although the UK Censor has cleared Padmavati without any cuts, the producers have categorically refused to release the film anywhere until the CBFC clears it. Its interesting that while the Constitution of India protects freedom of speech, it also very clearly places certain restrictions on content, with a view towards maintaining communal and religious harmony. According to the Supreme Court of India: Film censorship becomes necessary because a film motivates thought and action and assures a high degree of attention and retention as compared to the printed word. The combination of act and speech, sight and sound in semi darkness of the theatre with elimination of all distracting ideas will have a strong impact on the minds of the viewers and can affect emotions. Therefore, it has as much potential for evil as it has for good and has an equal potential to instill or cultivate violent or bad behavior. It cannot be equated with other modes of communication. Censorship by prior restraint is, therefore, not only desirable but also necessary. The SC is probably not going to, for the want of a better term, give into activism but would rather look at deciphering if any rule was violated. The court rested the decision with the CBFC and while it underscored that comments of people in public office whether CBFC should issue certificate or not could prejudice the decision, the manner in which the SC looks at censorship, as mentioned above, could also come into play in laffarie Padmavati as days go by. Irrespective of how things play out at the CBFC, for Padmavati the SC would always be an option for the filmmakers. Unfortunate as the situation might be, there could also be a silver lining herein. Perhaps this is yet another call to re-examine the archaic The Cinematograph Act, 1952 that governs film certification, and in a way, film censorship in India and bring it up to date. The Supreme Court's decision to dismiss ML Sharma's plea seeking a ban on Padmavati hasn't gone down well with the politicians in Bihar. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced that he will not let Padmavati release in the state, according to News18. Kumar's statement comes after the Supreme Court categorically told politicians and those holding positions in public offices, to not comment on the film without watching it, as this had created an 'air of prejudice' around Padmavati. According to India Today, protests are being staged outside Bihar legislative assembly, with several politicians of the BJP protesting against Sanjay Leela Bhansali's controversial film. Interestingly, the film has not been cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification. The SC, in a hearing on 28 November, said that the final authority to make any decisions about the film lies with the CBFC, sending out a strong message to politicians making remarks on the film. The remarks have led to the creation of an "air of prejudice" as per the Supreme Court. After the court's disapproval of the countless pleas which are being filed against the release of the film, it looked like things were looking up for Bhansali and team. However, Kumar's announcement has again left the film in a pool of uncertainty. Previously, ministers for Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh announced they wouldn't let the film release in their respective states. Jaipur: The Rajput Karni Sena, an organisation of the Rajput community, urged a nationwide ban on Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmavati on 28 November. "Six states have already announced that they will not release the film in their states. We welcome it. Till the new release dates are announced, we want at least 20 CMs to do it. A nationwide ban is in the jurisdiction of the government of India as per a section in the Cinematography Act. The Centre can ban a film even before or after clearance by the censor board," Lokendra Singh Kalvi, founder-patron of the Rajput Karni Sena, said at a press conference in Jaipur. "We request the Prime Minister to intervene and ban the film," he said. Kalvi also demanded a high-powered and thorough probe into the death of Chetan Saini, whose body was found hanging on the outer walls of the Nahargarh Fort in Jaipur on the morning of 24 November, with messages against the film Padmavati scribbled on nearby rocks. "Whether it was a suicide or a murder, I am not interfering into that. But it was very sad. I want to point out two more points. Who wants to disturb communal harmony of Jaipur and second, a direct threat to Karni Sena that "hum putle nahin jalate, latkate hain" (We don't burn effigies, we hang them). All this seems to be an attempt to divert attention from the Padmavati issue," he said. "We want detailed and thorough probe into it. Who wants to disturb communal harmony and who has given threat to Karni Sena," he said, stressing that "the role of the SLB group in Nahargarh Fort issue should be probed," he said. Bhansali's Padmavati has been mired in controversy since its shooting started. Activists of the Karni Sena, besides other groups have been protesting against the movie, claiming the film "distorts" historical facts. The release of the movie, earlier scheduled for 1 December, has been deferred. The Supreme Court, while hearing the plea filed by lawyer Manohar Lal Sharma against Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film Padmavati, pulled up politicians for commenting on the movie without seeing it. As per India Today, the court categorically reminded the politicians that the film has not been cleared by the Central Board of Certification and the onus for whether or not the film should be passed lies with the board, and no one else. The Chief Justice of India mentioned that 'people sitting on high posts in public offices' were commenting on the film, which is unacceptable, News18 reported. #NewsAlert - People who are in public office and hold public post should refrain from commenting on how movies certification is done: Supreme Court News18 (@CNNnews18) November 28, 2017 The SC sent out a strong message with its comments on the Padmavati PIL, by making it clear that although debate is healthy, politicians must refrain from making comments about a film which is yet be given clearance. "The remarks on the film have created an air of prejudice," the court said. The petition filed by Sharma against the film now stands dismissed. The court also said that pleas like these are a misuse of the right to file PILs and that such petitions should not be filed in the future. The CBFC now has the final say, as the SC has refused to intervene in the matter. #BREAKING - Supreme Court dismisses the petition by ML Sharma seeking a stay on the release #Padmavati, says censor board has the final authority. pic.twitter.com/meF0yKletn News18 (@CNNnews18) November 28, 2017 Advocate Harish Salve, who is representing Sanjay Leela Bhansali in court, also revealed that the makers will not release the film in the UK or any other part of the world before getting CBFC clearance in India. The Supreme Court's dismissal of the petition is likely to bring relief to Pamavati's beleaguered team, who have faced multiple threats from several fringe groups in the recent past, amid calls to ban the film. After a series of flip-flops, it seems Malayalam film S Durga (originally known as Sexy Durga) will not be screened at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2017 after all. The film was selected for screening in the Indian panorama section of IFFI by the jury, but was dropped from the programming by the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) ministry (one of the festival's co-organisers). The ministry's decision led to quite a row, and the director Sanal Kumar Sasidharan filed a petition in court against it. The Kerala High Court then directed the IFFI organisers to screen S Durga, reiterating its ruling after an appeal by the I&B ministry. The court further said that the decision of the jury would be final. Finally, the IFFI jury met on Monday (27 November) night to watch the film again, and cleared it for screening at the fest by voting 7:4 in favour of S Durga. However, with IFFI due to end the very next day, it was unclear if the film would actually be screened despite the jury's go ahead. It now emerges that the film will most certainly not be screened over Tuesday, 28 November the last day of IFFI. A letter sent from the Thiruvananthapuram regional office of the Central Board of Film Certification, dated 28 November 2017, states that S Durga cannot be screened at IFFI, or any other public event/venue, as it flouts Rule 33 of the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 1983. In the letter, Dr Patibha A, regional officer of the CBFC in Thiruvananthapuram, says that the U/A certificate was given to S Durga after the makers agreed to certain changes requested by the board, including the deletion of specific offensive words and a change of the film's title from the original, Sexy Durga. The letter says that the officials of the CBFC were informed by the IFFI jury that the film's title card displays an 'S' followed by four oblong marks meant to obscure the 'exy' and then 'Durga'. This, the board argued, "has totally different implications" and "effectively undermines and defeats... the very purpose of title registration and changes effected thereby". Director Sana Kumar Sasidharan has been cautioned not to exhibit the film publicly until the CBFC reexamines the film. Here's the full text of the letter from the CBFC to S Durga's makers: SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Japans SoftBank Group Corp (9984.T) is offering to purchase shares of Uber Technologies Inc [UBER.UL] at a valuation of $48 billion, a 30 percent discount to its most recent valuation of $68.5 billion, a person familiar with the matter said on Monday. The logo of SoftBank Group Corp is displayed at SoftBank World 2017 conference in Tokyo, Japan, July 20, 2017. REUTERS/Issei KatoA second person said the amount was in line with what investors had been expecting. SoftBank is also expected to make a separate $1 billion investment in the company at the $68.5 billion valuation. Bloomberg reported the offer price earlier on Monday. This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. CALGARY, Alberta (Reuters) - The Keystone crude oil pipeline will restart at reduced pressure on Tuesday, TransCanada Corp (TRP.TO) said, nearly two weeks after closing the line after it leaked 5,000 barrels of crude in rural South Dakota. FILE PHOTO - A TransCanada Keystone Pipeline pump station operates outside Steele City, Nebraska, U.S. on March 10, 2014. REUTERS/Lane Hickenbottom/File PhotoCalgary-based TransCanada shut down the 590,000 barrel-per-day pipeline, one of Canadas main crude export routes linking Albertas oil fields to U.S. refineries, on Nov. 16. The company is still cleaning up the spill and investigating the cause. TransCanada said on Monday the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) reviewed its repair and restart plans. It said it will start operating the pipeline at reduced pressure, and gradually boost the volume of crude moving through. TransCanada did not specify what the reduced pressure would be or when the pipeline would return to full capacity. PHMSA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. We are communicating plans to our customers and will continue working closely with them as we begin to return to normal operating conditions, TransCanada said in a statement. In its most recent update, TransCanada said it has so far cleaned up 1,065 barrels of oil. The cleanup is going as fast as we would hope, they are working 24 hours a day, said Brian Walsh, environmental scientist manager with the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Keystone has leaked substantially more oil, and more often, in the United States than the company indicated to regulators in risk assessments before operations began in 2010, according to documents reviewed by Reuters. The Keystone outage roiled crude oil prices on both sides of the border as market players anticipated a glut of crude building up in Alberta while inventories fell in the U.S. futures trading hub of Cushing, Oklahoma. The West Texas Intermediate (WTI) prompt spread CLc1-CLc2 widened to a session low of negative 10 cents on news of the pipeline returning to service. Traders see the spread as an indicator for supply at Cushing. The discount on Western Canada Select heavy blend crude for December delivery in Hardisty, Alberta, narrowed in thin trade to $17.90 a barrel below U.S. crude, according to Shorcan Energy brokers. On Friday December WCS settled at $21.50 a barrel under the U.S. benchmark. The Keystone spill in South Dakota came days before neighbouring Nebraska approved a route for TransCanadas planned Keystone XL pipeline, but the approved route differed from the companys preferred path. TransCanada has asked the state to reconsider, according to a filing posted on the Nebraska Public Service Commission website on Monday. A company spokesman said TransCanada is seeking a clarification on the Nov. 20 decision, but did not provide further details. On Saturday, landowners opposed to the pipeline responded to TransCanadas request with their own motion seeking oral arguments on the issue. A PSC spokesperson said the body has 60 days to respond to TransCanadas motion. This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and the administrations top trade official met with the chief executives of General Motors (GM.N) and Fiat Chrysler (FCHA.MI), and a senior manager from Ford (F.N), on Monday to discuss trade and the renegotiation of NAFTA. FILE PHOTO: U.S. Vice President Mike Pence speaks as he meets with members of the Venezuelan exile community, recent Venezuelan migrants, other local leaders and officials about the continuing devastation and unrest in Venezuela at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Doral, Florida, August 23, 2017. REUTERS/Joe SkipperThe meeting was held to cover trade, commerce and manufacturing policy and how it impacts their business and was scheduled to include National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, Pences office said. Automakers have found themselves at the center of disputes over renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) between the United States, Canada and Mexico as the administration of President Donald Trump pushes for more rules on auto imports that the American manufacturers have opposed. Automakers have been lobbying the administration to abandon proposals that would require more parts for automobiles be made in one of the three countries so as to avoid hefty tariffs. We view the modernization of NAFTA as an important opportunity to update the 23-year-old agreement and set the stage for an expansion of U.S. auto exports, Matt Blunt, the president of the American Automotive Policy Council, said after the meeting. Blunt said that the automakers appreciated the opportunity to directly address the industrys concerns with the administrations rule of origin proposal. General Motors chief executive Mary Barra and Fiat Chrysler chief executive Sergio Marchionne were expected to attend the meeting, while Fords Americas President Joe Hinrichs was set to attend. Lighthizer is overseeing the renegotiation of NAFTA on behalf of the Trump administration. The latest round of negotiations ended last week with little progress. Mexico and Canada rejected the U.S. proposal to raise the minimum threshold for autos to 85 percent North American content from 62.5 percent as well as to require half of vehicle content to be from the United States. This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. New Delhi: About 32,000 personnel of the central armed forces such as the CRPF and the BSF along with nearly 60,000 from the state police are likely to be deployed for the upcoming Gujarat Assembly elections, officials said. Around 320 companies of central armed police forces are being made available to the Election Commission for deployment in election duties in Gujarat. The security personnel will reach Gujarat in batches and all will be deployed as per the recommendations of the poll panel, a home ministry official said on condition of anonymity. A company of central armed police comprises 100 personnel. In addition to the central police personnel, nearly 60,000 state police personnel are also expected to be deployed in Gujarat. Elections to the 182-member Gujarat Assembly will be held on 9 and 14 December. Click here for detailed coverage of Gujarat Assembly Election 2017 Jalaun: Two horses and two donkeys were rounded up and kept in the district jail in Jalaun for almost three days for allegedly damaging saplings in the prison premises. Jail superintendent Tulsi Ram Sharma said, "Various types of saplings were planted in the district jail premises for beautification." "Those were damaged by the horses and donkeys. Hence, I rounded them up," he said. The owner of the animals, Kamlesh, said the horses and donkey were released this evening. "For two days, I could not find my horses and donkeys. When I came to know that they are in jail, I sought the help from local BJP leaders. with their intervention the animals were released," he said. Guwahati: Syed Abdul Rehman Zakaria, 36, an employee with a private firm in Noida, hails from Assam. Like many others trying to make ends meet in our urban sprawls, he yearns to have his family around. However, not having an Aadhaar number blocks his way. All the schools he approaches in the area require parents to submit copies of their Aadhaar cards, since 'the child is a minor', they tell Zakaria and his wife. Both of them do not have Aadhaar cards. For people of Assam living in other states, this is a common problem. "I don't have Aadhaar, so while making a rental agreement outside the state, I face a lot of problems. Without Aadhaar, one can't opt for the online process, which is less time-consuming. One has to go through the old method, buy stamp paper, meet an advocate and waste at least two hours and shell out a lot of money. It is a major problem for students like me," said Pune-based student Akashdeep Baruah. In fact, only 23.7 lakh people out of 3.39 crore in Assam had enrolled with the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to get an Aadhaar number until 31 April. According to the numbers put up on the UIDAI website, detailing the state/UT-wise Aadhaar saturation until 31 October, Assam is at the last position in the list, with 7.1 percent saturation. Aadhaar saturation is based on the projected population as on 2015. Currently, the Assam government is in the middle of updating its National Register of Citizens (NRC) to identify the state's native people and weed out illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. After Aadhaar was launched, enrolment had begun taking place in three districts in Assam Golaghat, Nagaon and Sonitpur as a pilot project. However, the state government was wary that the illegal residents might get an Aadhaar, which could defeat the purpose of updating the NRC. Hence, it applied brakes on Aadhaar enrolment this March. Much like Zakaria and Baruah, thousands of people from Assam are facing problems since they live outside the state, where Aadhaar is mandatory. The Centre has been aggressively pushing Aadhaar, making it mandatory for a host of essential services. Be it for availing of government subsidy for LPG or ration, for filing Income Tax returns or even studying in CBSE schools, Aadhaar is a must-have in other states. Assamese students who wanted to appear for the Joint Entrance Examination for admission into the Indian Institutes of Technology were baffled when the applicants were required to furnish Aadhaar numbers in their application forms last year. After much anxiety, students of the north-eastern state were exempted from this requirement. Permanent Account Number, bank account, government healthcare and social welfare schemes are some of the other areas for which Aadhaar has become compulsory. Now, Assam government has decided to restart the collection of biometric data for Aadhaar from December. This has reignited apprehensions that illegal immigrants might get hold of Aadhaar as the process of updating the NRC is yet to be finished. Driving illegal immigrants out of the state was the BJP's primary poll promise. It is with this agenda that Assam, along with neighbouring Meghalaya and Jammu & Kashmir, was exempted from the 'mandatory Aadhaar' regime. The Supreme Court (SC) is monitoring the process of updating the NRC in Assam. Poll plank Senior SC advocate and Prabajan Virodhi Manch leader Upamanyu Hazarika, who was leading the fact-finding commission appointed by the apex court to report the ground situation along the India-Bangladesh border in Assam, worries the verification process could be pushed ahead to keep the issue burning among the indigenous people till the next election. "The government earlier said the work for the draft NRC will be completed by 31 December, 2017. It has now sought time until 31 July, 2018, which will leave the indigenous people of the state anxious and concerned, as they have lived in fear of a Bangladeshi takeover for years. Is this being done to keep the issue burning till the next election? A prolonged verification process could be an attempt to polarise votes in Assam," he says. Come December, Aadhaar enrolment will resume in Assam. The stage of submission of documents for NRC is over and verification is underway. Meanwhile, the Centre has made it clear that Aadhaar cannot be considered a proof of citizenship. But there is still a catch that the BJP-led government in Assam will have to work its way around. Since the time for the NRC update has been extended till July 2018, many who will not stand a chance to figure in the NRC would get an opportunity to avail Aadhaar and substantiate their claims of residency. Congress MLA and leader of Opposition in Assam legislative assembly Debabrata Saikia said the BJP government took up NRC as its top priority, creating more confusion in the process and widening the monetary gap between the state and the Centre. He said he suspects that the BJP wants to identify immigrants as Indian citizens so that they can reciprocate the favour by voting for them. A strong anti-Aadhaar movement has been brewing in the neighbouring Meghalaya as well. More than a 1,000 people who had got enrolled under Aadhaar in Meghalaya now want their biometric data withdrawn from the database. Meghalaya Peoples Committee on Aadhaar, a student body and a civil society group, has launched a campaign to opt out of Aadhaar. People of the state who have obtained Aadhaar allege that they were misguided into enrolling for it. They say they were told they would lose their rights as a citizen if they didn't get an Aadhaar number. Read Part 1: State's methods of identifying foreigners on shaky ground as locals complain of harassment The author is a Guwahati-based freelance writer and a member of 101Reporters.com, a pan-India network of grassroots reporters. Jammu: The BJP in Jammu and Kashmir said the state is an integral part of India and those who do not accept it will have to take refugee in Pakistan. Party spokesperson Virender Gupta made the remarks after National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah dared the Centre to hoist the tricolour at Lal Chowk in Srinagar before unfurling it in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Gupta also asked Abdullah not to make "anti-national and unrealistic statements". "Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India and those who challenge it will have to take refuge in Pakistan," he said. Abdullah had on Monday said, "They (Centre and BJP) are talking about raising the flag in PoK. I ask them first you go and raise the tricolour at Lal Chowk in Srinagar. They cannot even do that here and they are talking about PoK." He had also defended his earlier comment that PoK did not belong to India. Lucknow: After contesting the Uttar Pradesh civic election separately, BJP's alliance partner, the Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP), is now planning to put up its candidates for 12 seats in three districts of Gujarat for the Assembly election. "Our alliance with BJP is not at the national level. We also want to contest Assembly election for some seats in Gujarat with BJP. A message was sent to BJP president Amit Shah a fortnight back but we did not get any reply. Our party will contest on 12 seats in Vadodara, Vapi, and Surat," SBSP chief Om Prakash Rajbhar told PTI. He said that in these 12 constituencies, there are people from eastern Uttar Pradesh. If Amit Shah gives us some seats we will agree otherwise we will contest, Rajbhar, a cabinet minister in the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh, said. "We are following the alliance in Uttar Pradesh but in the civic polls, as there was no agreement, both of us are contesting," he said. Rajbhar had on 6 November announced contesting civic election stating that as his party did not get a "positive response" from the BJP, he had to take the decision to go alone. He had said that "time will tell" whether contesting the urban local body elections separately will affect his party's ties with the BJP. Rajbhar has also said that his party may contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections separately "if the BJP persists with such an attitude". The SBSP has four MLAs in Uttar Pradesh. In the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election, the BJP along with its allies, Apna Dal(S) and SBSP bagged an overwhelming 325 seats in the 403-member Legislative Assembly. The BJP had won 312 Assembly seats (out of 384 it contested), while Apna Dal(S) won nine seats out of 11 it had contested. The SBSP grabbed four seats out of eight it contested. Click here for detailed coverage of Gujarat Assembly Election 2017 New Delhi: The Centre on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that the process of publication of National Register of Citizens (NRC) could cause unrest in Assam as lakhs of people may lose their citizenship in the exercise. It said that the deadline fixed by the apex court for updating the draft NRC was 31 December, 2017, and its publication may result in serious law and order problem in the state. Attorney General KK Venugopal made the submission while arguing in another case relating to fixing of accountability for damage to life and property during protests. "Large scale work is going on in updating the NRC in Assam. Lakhs of people will be included in the NRC while lakhs of people may lose citizenship. Government of India is apprehensive about large scale agitation on publication of the updated list," he told a bench of Justices Adarsh Kumar Goel and UU Lalit. The AG said the Centre was mobilising forces to check any untoward incident in the state as the date of publication of draft NRC was nearing. The apex court was told that as on 22 November, a total of 3.29 crore claims have been made for inclusion in the NRC, which is being prepared to identify illegal migrants. The NRC of 1951 is being updated for Assam in accordance with the tripartite agreement between the state and central governments and All Assam Students Union (AASU) arrived at in 2005 to implement the 1985 Assam Accord. A separate bench of apex court is already supervising the process of updating the draft NRC as per the Assam Accord. Weeks after cartoonist G Bala's arrest over the controversial caricature of Tamil Nadu chief minister E Palaniswamy, the police registered a fresh FIR against him and the office-bearers of the Chennai Press Club for staging protest on 6 November, according to several media reports. Chennai: Another FIR registered against Cartoonist Bala and journalists protesting against the arrest of Bala. The cartoonist was arrested for drawing a cartoon criticizing TN CM ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2017 Chennai police registers a fresh FIR against Cartoonist Bala and office bearers of ChennaiPressClub for protesting in support of Bala who was arrested for a cartoon criticised TN CM, Nellai CoP Collector.Irony is Bala was not in Chennai when the protest happened. #cartoonistbala pic.twitter.com/kLmlPnp9Ew MUGILAN CHANDRAKUMAR (@Journo_Mugilan) November 28, 2017 Following Bala's arrest on 5 November, the Chennai Press Club held a demonstration the next day by displaying two large banners of the the controversial cartoon. Although Bala had been granted bail early on 6 November, he reportedly did not attend the protest. Chennai police FIR says - the giant banner of @cartoonistbala work that was displayed on top of a building caused inconvenience to the public who were using pavement & caused traffic issues it seems... #WhoWroteThisFIR #MediaThreatened pic.twitter.com/aGBCiofoxa Shabbir Ahmed (@Ahmedshabbir20) November 28, 2017 Bala was arrested for a caricature of Palaniswamy, the Tirunelveli police commissioner and the collector and for criticising the Tamil Nadu government for its purported inability to prevent a family from committing suicide in Tirunelveli. Bala posted the cartoon on his social media pages on 24 October, which soon went viral, prompting Tiruneveli district collector Sandeep Nanduri to report the matter. The 36-year-old cartoonist was then arrested in Chennai by a special Tirunelveli district crime branch police team. Bala was booked under Section 67 of the Information Technology Act and Section 501 of the Indian Penal Code (printing or engraving matter known to be defamatory), News18 reported. DMK leader Manu Sundaram slammed the arrest and called it an attempt to quash free speech and silence critics. New Delhi: The Delhi government cannot have "exclusive" executive powers as it would be against national interests, the Centre on Tuesday told the Supreme Court. Referring to the report of a committee and several apex court judgements, the Centre submitted before a five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra that a union territory (UT) cannot be raised to the level of a state under the Constitution and it has to be administered by the President of India. "Designation does not change status. A union territory (Delhi) remains a union territory and it is not equivalent to a state. The Lieutenant Governor is not equivalent to Governors of states," Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh, arguing for the Centre, told the bench which also included Justices AK Sikri, AM Khanwilkar, DY Chandrachud and Ashok Bhushan. The top court is hearing a clutch of appeals filed by the AAP government challenging Delhi High Court's verdict holding LG as the administrative head of the national capital. Singh said every Union territory was to be governed by the President and the power of the President does not diminish with regard to Delhi. "No exclusive executive power is with the Delhi government and granting exclusive power would not be in the national interest," the law officer said while referring to the report of a panel that had dealt with the powers which can be conferred to the local government of the national capital. The bench then referred to the constitutional provision and said that neither the Lieutenant Governor, nor the council of minister can take decisions on their own. Citing various judgements to buttress his submissions, Singh said unlike states, the LG was not bound by the aid and advice of council of ministers and the ultimate authority lied with the President. "The arguments from the other side (AAP government) has been that though I am a UT, but raise my level to the status of a state. This cannot be done," he said. The advancing of arguments remained inconclusive and would resume on Wednesday. Earlier, the central government had said the Constitution did not provide "vertical division" of powers between the Centre and Delhi which enjoys a special status among all UTs. It had referred to the Constitution, the 1991 Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act and the Transaction of Business of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Rules to drive home the point that the President, the union government and the LG had supremacy over the city dispensation in administering the national capital. The Centre had maintained that the national capital belonged to all Indians and not just to those residing in Delhi, while also arguing that Article 239AA of Constitution, which deals with power and status of Delhi, was a "complete code" in itself. Parliament has made it clear that Delhi was a union territory and there was no doubt about it and the city government was empowered to take care of daily utilities of the national capital but the real administrative powers were vested with the Centre and the President, it had said. On the other hand, the Delhi government had accused the LG of making a "mockery of democracy", saying he was either taking decisions of an elected government or substituting them without having any power. Srinagar: Centre's special envoy on Kashmir Dineshwar Sharma today visited Anantnag, considered to be the epicentre of last year's unrest in the Valley, and met college students who asked him to ensure that peace is restored in the area. Sharma, who is on his second visit to the state in about three weeks, met around 15 delegations in Anantnag, which saw widespread protests last year following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant group's poster boy Burhan Wani. The 61-year-old former Director of Intelligence Bureau was flooded with requests ranging from alleged police excesses, providing security, complaint against news channels, lack of development, employment and opportunities, officials in Srinagar said. Students of various colleges made an emotional plea to Sharma, urging him to rid the area of violence. Female students requested Sharma to create an atmosphere where the gun culture would come to an end and peace becomes the order of the day, the officials said. Some of them even suggested to Sharma that talks should be held with the separatist groups so that the longest spell of violence can be ended. The students also highlighted that the national media, especially the electronic media, was portraying the Valley in bad light and urged him to ensure an immediate end to the "biased" coverage. They pointed out how the residents of Anantnag had come forward and extended all help to Amarnath pilgrims when they were attacked by militants. The students also highlighted the incident in which the locals helped the Army and security forces when their vehicles had an accident. The Anantnag visit was Sharma's second trip to south Kashmir. He had earlier this week visited Pulwama district, which was also among the worst hit by militancy. Anantnag and Pulwama were the epicentres of unrest following the killing of Wani last year. They earned the notorious distinction of being the nerve centres of militancy with anti-insurgency operations being launched on a war footing in the area. Sharma was appointed as the Centre's special representative on 23 October to hold talks with all stakeholders in an effort to find lasting peace in Kashmir. After his first visit to the Kashmir Valley, Sharma suggested that cases against 4,500 youths involved in stone pelting for the first time be dropped in a bid to win hearts. Over 11,500 cases against stone pelters have been registered since July last year following Wani's death. Of these, over 4,500 youths were first-time offenders. In a bid to resolve the Valley's electricity crisis, especially during winters, Sharma also took the initiative of providing additional 300 MW energy to Kashmir this year. He had arrived for his second visit to the state on 24 November. For the first two days, he visited various migrant camps in Jammu and later flew to Srinagar on 26 November. He will be returning on Wednesday. Mumbai: Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan has courted controversy by allegedly wielding a pistol while accompanying a search team looking for a leopard, which is believed to have killed a woman in Jalgaon district. As the purported video of the minister's gun-wielding act went viral, he said his intention was not to harm the feline but to scare it away. Mahajan had on Monday visited the house of Dipali Jagtap, who was killed by the leopard in Chalisgaon Tehsil in Jalgaon district, located over 400 kms from Mumbai. While the senior BJP leader was returning after offering condolences to the family, an information reached him that a leopard was sighted near Navegaon locality of Warkhede village. In the video, which has been widely circulated and also being played by several television news channels, the state medical education minister is purportedly seen participating in the search operation with the pistol in his hand. Mahajan said the leopard was sighted around 400 feet from his convoy and that he joined the forest department officials and police personnel in the search. "My intention was not to kill the leopard but to fire in the air if needed. I took out the gun for which I have a license," he said in reaction to the controversy. The team, however, could not trace the animal. "We were told that Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar had permitted shooting of the animal at sight for killing people," Mahajan said. The leopard has killed five people in the district in the past one-and-a-half months, the minister said. "On Monday, I visited the families of the people killed by the leopard. On my way, the forest officials sighted the leopard, so we decided to chase it," he said. "Till date, I have not even killed a sparrow," Mahajan said. Meanwhile, NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said Mahajan should be sacked and an offence should be registered against him for allegedly flouting forest and wildlife laws. This is not the first time the gun-toting minister has courted controversy. In March 2015, Mahajan was seen at a school function armed with a gun. He later clarified that he carried the weapon for "self-defence" and that he had not been involved in any kind of violence. Mahajan had tucked the gun at his waist when he arrived at the function attended by differently-abled school children in Jalgaon. The BJP leader did not have police protection at that time, but there were several police officers from the district with him on the dais. "It was my licensed gun and I have been carrying it for the last 20 years. I regularly renew my licence," he had said. By Taruni Kumar In 2013, Ivanka Trumps fashion brand devised a marketing campaign around the slogan Women Who Work with the aim to better sell their highly-priced products. The slogan also became the title of her book Women Who Work: Rewriting the Rules for Success. The NPRs review of the book was headlined, Many Working Women Wont See Themselves in Women Who Work. Yet, the political advisor and daughter of US president Donald Trump has been actively marketing the image of a womens rights proponent and an active voice for women entrepreneurs. And now Ivanka has arrived in Hyderabad to attend the three-day-long Global Entrepreneurship Summit and to promote womens entrepreneurship and economic power in India. According to NDTV, Ivanka Trumps advocacy for women on an international stage has become a key element of her political profile and personal image. In an interview with The Times of India, Ivanka said, I aim for GES 2017 to be a global celebration that elevates the importance of empowering women entrepreneurs. When women do better, communities and countries thrive. No arguments there, Ivanka. And far be it from us to argue that women entrepreneurs in India have it easy. India ranked among the lowest on the Women Business Ownership index. The country came in at 49 out of 54 countries. India has vast contradictions in terms of women and womens issues. On the one hand, Indias politicians make regressive remarks about how women have no business being out late at night and on the other they laud the Indian winner of Miss World for bringing honour to the country. An issue as universal as harassment on the streets is euphemistically called eve-teasing in India to make sure nobody mistakes it for a real problem like corruption or climate change. Not that theres consensus on that last one either, especially not from Ivankas father. In a situation like this, a supporter of womens economic rights and entrepreneurship like Ivanka sounds ideal. But, thats where the trouble creeps in. Ivanka's brand of support for women seems superficial, clueless and occasionally sinister. Lets begin with her business ethics. Some of the manufacturing units for Ivankas clothing line are based in India. Her brand has declined to identify the factories or the wages or working conditions of the employees. The garment industry in India is primarily women who are paid meagre wages for heavy workloads and long hours: women who work very hard. Do Ivankas workers have a better time? Hard to tell, as a report in The Washington Post points out, which factories produce the goods remains a mystery. If Ivanka were to practice what she preached, these women should have all the facilities and privileges that she promised to work towards when her father came to power in the United States of America. After all, before loving thy South Asian neighbours, it makes sense to change the way ones own business empire functions, right? Well, The Guardian spoke to women who work in one of the Indonesia factories of the label six months ago. These women claimed that they were paid so little, they couldnt afford to live with their children and were subjected to verbal abuse as well. Permanent employees of at least one of the factories received a monthly bonus if they didnt take a day off for menstruation. So, women who needed that day off were indirectly penalised. All this leads one to wonder which women Ivanka speaks in support of in terms of their economic rights. Her book sheds some light on the subject. The New Yorker called it a painfully oblivious book for basically no one, and Vox said it was a pink-tinted sea of innocuous blandness. Most reviews agree that parts of the book are akin to typing in inspirational quotes on a Google search and skimming through the first few listings. The book is aimed for an audience that is nowhere close to the garment workers that Ivankas company employs. Its aimed at an audience that Ivanka believes will connect with her when she says paying bills and buying groceries is not enormously impactful. For most womenand menin the world, these activities arent optional. Not everybody has the privilege to structure their lives in a manner that the mundane housework or the basic mechanics of running ones life are handled entirely by those hired for the job. Passion combined with perseverance, is a great equaliser, more important than education or experience in achieving your version of success, she writes in the book. Whether theyre passionate or not about their work, perseverance is something the women working in Ivankas garment factories dont seem to be short on. But, its safe to say that their version of success probably isnt a job with minimum wage and low privileges. Then theres the complication of blaming Ivanka for her fathers sins. Even if you dont want to, she remains complicit. This last being a word that has taken on a whole new charge in the Trump era, because beti Trump also has baap Trumps ability to mutate meaning of familiar words. In August 2017, Ivanka supported the Trump administrations decision to get rid of a policy that would have made it necessary for employers to share their workers pay, gender and race information with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in the US. Though she is a publicly staunch supporter of equal pay for women, Ivanka saw no contradiction in the decision to roll back a policy that helped identify gender gaps in wages. Despite the many accusations of sexual harassment and assault against her father, she has repeatedly defended him. She has even gone as far as to call her father a proponent of gender equality when hes repeatedly proved otherwise through his actions, words and, most prolifically, tweets. Perhaps, it would be more sensible for Ivanka to focus on cleaning up her own house before taking her advocacy for women to the world. At a time when Indian women are struggling to recapture their rightful place in society and the workplace, the contradictory feminism of Ivanka is vastly unwelcome. Its difficult enough to explain the idea of womens autonomy, freedom of choice, right to work and the need for economic independence to the layperson without a role model like Ivanka getting in the way. It could be said that Ivanka is at best a hypocrite and at worst oblivious. But, the dilemma of which of the two is more damaging refuses to resolve itself. The Ladies Finger (TLF) is a leading online womens magazine delivering fresh and witty perspectives on politics, culture, health, sex, work and everything in between. Lucknow: Exuding confidence that a grand Ram temple will be constructed in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Tuesday said it will fulfil the aspirations of devotees of Lord Rama. Maurya also said that Ayodhya has never been a political issue but a matter of faith. "Every Ram bhakt (devotee of Lord Rama) wants to see that Lord Rama does not languish in "taat" (makeshift tent), but resides in "thaat" (grandeur)," he said. "...Lord Rama is still in the same shape, as he was before the disputed structure fell...Everyday he is worshipped as per traditions and rituals. But, he is being worshipped under a taat (tent). Every Rama bhakt (for whom Lord Rama is a symbol of faith and devotion) wants that Lord Rama should not live under a taat. Rather he should live in thaat," he said. Hence a grand Ram temple must be built there, Maurya told PTI in an interview. His remarks come days after RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat made a strong pitch for building the Ram Temple at the disputed site at Ayodhya, saying only the mandir would come up there and not any other structure. Maurya said, "Daily court hearing in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute case will begin on December 5. And, I am confident that after the hearing, the judgement will come soon. In place of tirpal (tent), a grand Ram temple will be built using stones on which carvings have been made by the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas, where devotees will get an opportunity to offer prayers". Maurya asserted that a once a grand Ram temple is built, it will be a "true tribute" to VHP stalwart Ashok Singhal, Mahant Sri Ramchandra Das Paramhans (former head of the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas in Ayodhya) and karsewaks who sacrificed their lives. "...But, since the matter is in court, as a government, we can say that till the time the court delivers its judgment or there is an agreement among the parties (in the case), construction of Ram temple cannot commence. However, the day Supreme Court gives the judgment or an agreement is reached among the parties, the construction work for the Ram temple will start without any delay," he said. On the initiative by Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to find a solution to the Ayodhya dispute, Maurya said, "...If there is any initiative by anyone, then from the government there is no opposition to it. Whether he is a party in the case or whether he could bring an agreement among parties...Those who have started the initiative must be having a roadmap." "But at the level of the government, we are waiting for agreement among the parties or a judgement of the Supreme Court. And we believe that it will be a favourable one." Attacking Samajwadi Party patron Mulayam Singh Yadav, the UP deputy chief minister said, "He is trying to reopen the wounds of Ram bhakts and rake up old memories. No Ram bhakt can ever forget the firing on karsewaks done during the regime of Mulayam Singh Yadav." His reference was to the SP patriarch's remarks in which he justified his order to open fire on kar sevaks marching towards Ayodhya in 1990, saying if even more people were required to be killed for the country's unity and integrity, the security forces would have done it. Maurya observed that Ayodhya is the birthplace of Lord Rama and a "symbol of faith" for crores of Hindus. "Our religious scriptures prove that Ayodhya is the birthplace of Lord Rama and not a symbol of faith for Muslims. When the Mughal invaders came here, they in order to insult Hindus, destroyed many temples," he said. On comments made by Mulayam Singh Yadav and his son Akhilesh Yadav comparing Lord Rama with Lord Krishna, Maurya said, "They have definitely made some temporary gains by dividing society. Hence, now they are eyeing some gains by dividing Gods. However, they can divide society, but not Gods. And, now they have proved they were unsuccessful even in dividing society, as their true colours are now known." "For us, Ayodhya has never been a political issue and it will never so in future. It is a matter of faith. And it is the SP, BSP and Congress to link politics with matter of faith," he said. Taking a dig at Akhilesh Yadav, Maurya said, "My direct question to him is why is he not going to campaign for his party in the urban local bodies polls...There is not even an iota of interest among public vis-a-vis Akhilesh." "In the presen times, he has assumed the role of 'bayaanbeer' (one who only makes statement), as he has no issues against the Centre or state government," he said. For some, death begins at birth. In Purvi Patti, the eastern tribal belt of Gujarat, that stretches from Ambaji in Banaskantha district in the north to Ahwa in Dang district in the south, the National Health Mission has mapped the prevalence of at least 9,00,000 sickle cell traits and 70,000 sickle cell disease patients. As per an Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) survey, among the primitive tribes of Kolcha, Kotwadia and Kathodi, 30 percent of the children inflicted with sickle cell disease die before the age of 14 and the remaining 70 percent die by 50. Firstpost drove into the depths of the Narmada district to find out how the public health system is protecting a population of 89.12 lakh against this deadly disease. In here is a tiny town, Rajpipla, where Dr Shantikar runs a 20-bed hospital. Less than 30 kilometres away from the Sardar Sarovar Dam, where Sardar Patel's statue is rising pillar over pillar to touch the skies, there's not a single Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in Rajpipla. "In fact, there is no ICU in the entire Narmada district. I have seen many people die of sickle cell anaemia. Five years ago, when I was at the Civil Hospital, three girls in their early 20s died shortly after delivery because they developed antenatal pulmonary embolism, a complication sickle cell patients are susceptible to," he said, adding that along with the primitive tribes, the disease is also prevalent among all major Gujarati tribes like the Dhodias, Gavits, Chaudharys, Halpatis, Dublas, Kuknas, Varlis and Koknis. Sickle cell disease describes a group of inherited red blood cell disorders; the patient inherits two abnormal haemoglobin genes, one from each parent, which causes the person's body to make Haemoglobin S. In this condition, red blood cells have a crescent or sickle-like structure that causes them to break down quickly and clog blood vessels. People who inherit one sickle cell gene and one normal gene have "sickle cell trait", which is not life threatening, and these people don't exhibit any of the symptoms of the sickle cell disease. But they do stand the risk of passing on the trait on to their children if they marry a partner with the same trait. On his visit to Kyoto University in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had sought help from Japan on finding a cure to the deadly disease that was also claiming the lives of tribals in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and West Bengal. He had discussed the issue with Shina Yamanaka, who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 2012 for the discovery that mature cells can be converted to stem cells. In 2006, when Modi was Chief Minister of Gujarat, the Sickle Cell Anaemia Control Program (SCACP) was started in five districts of south Gujarat on a public-private partnership, and in 2011, a Gujarat Sickle Cell Anaemia Control Society was formed to integrate efforts of different departments. Finally, in 2012, a five-year screening campaign was launched. "The screening programme is now in the fifth year, but the problem is that the government merely diagnoses, hands out folic acid tablets and moves on. There are nearly 2,000 patients in tribal areas who are living without medication. And when they're serious, there's no facility where they can go and be treated," explained Dr Pradip Garasia, who heads the Samast Adivasi Samaj in Gujarat and has been raising such concerns with different government departments since two decades. Garasia confirmed that even in Anaval village in Mahuva tehsil, there isn't an ICU. He stressed on the need for central-line oxygen, infusion pumps, blood warmers, syringe pumps and trained medical attendants. "Currently, emergency cases are sent to bigger hospitals in Surat and Vadodara, even Ahmedabad (320 kms away from Anaval)," he said. Sickle Cell Awareness Mission With an aim to reorient the energy of doctors in the tribal belt towards sickle cell anaemia, Dr Dexter Patel started the Sickle Cell Awareness Mission in 2013 from Bharuch district of Gujarat. Nearly 200 doctors who are part of this network conduct regular screening and awareness camps across districts in the tribal belt. What makes this group special is that these are clinicians and therapists who trace their roots to the tribal belt. The problem is that these people aren't consulted and agencies from outside are hired to visit. Local doctors ask why aren't they integrated into the government's mission, at least in an advisory role. "Right now, we function as a small social service group, when we can do much more for our Adivasi samaj. It's not just our group, there are also doctors from different Adivasi groups, like the Chaudharys, Dodhias, Gamits, etc. Another problem with the government's mass screening programme is that the reports and explanations of its implications aren't shared with patients," he said. Dr Patel explained that cards are handed out to patients: A white card for those who test negative, a white and yellow card for those with sickle cell traits, and a yellow one for those who test positive for sickle cell disease. "The private agencies working with the government on these projects need to ensure that everybody not only gets a card because those with the disease are entitled to free blood at the government blood banks. If they spend from their own pocket, a unit of blood can cost between Rs 800 to Rs 1,200," Dr Patel said. As per data available with the government of Gujarat, 55,10,494 tribals have been screened under this programme, out of which 5,20,770 have been found to have sickle cell trait and 29,584 have been detected with sickle cell disease. Another problem he pointed out is the lack of software testing life cycle (STLC) facilities. "In the civil hospitals at Narmada and Bharuch, there are no STLC machines. Such machines are far away, in Navsari, Valsad and Bardoli," he said, further recommending that the equipment to conduct the critical Haemoglobin Electrophoresis test be placed in every district. "Walk into villages like Dediyapada, Sadbara, Rajpipla, Kevadia (which is right next to the Sardar Sarovar dam) and start screening the villagers, and you'll find that hundreds were born with this condition and others inherit this disease due to consanguineous marriages in tribal communities," Dr Patel said. He said that it was unfortunate that the entire Adivasi samaj is fighting a fatal disease that isn't talked about half as much as dengue and swine flu which urban Indians experience. The life expectancy of those affected by the disease was about 35 earlier, and it's about 40 now, say the doctors associated with the sickle cell awareness mission. Sickle cell F affects life expectancy in newborns, who start showing signs after six months. Running a 15-bed general hospital in Vyaara district is Dr Suresh Chaudhary. "The mortality is higher in those with acute chest syndrome. If patients aren't given oxygen on time, they slip into hypoxia, a state of deficiency in the amount of oxygen reaching the tissues. By this time, red blood cells are ruptured. If these people are given supportive treatment at earlier stages, many lives can be saved," he said. Dr Chaudhary revealed that almost 60 percent don't even hit adulthood. "In the Tapi district alone, from what I've seen, about 10 to 15 people die each year," he said, adding that he'd seen families with three to four cases. No format to measure vulnerability Dr Kiran Patel, district health officer, Narmada district, told Firstpost that there's no format to measure which group should be considered vulnerable. "There should be at least one ICMR centre in Gujarat," he said. He explained that doctors can only discuss and debate what is clinically preventable, but to back claims and conjectures about the origin and eradication, research is essential. What the people here need is intensive and sustained counselling; families don't come out since it affects marriage propects. There are 12 counsellors in the district and the focus group is pregnant women. In the remotest of villages, the State makes its presence felt through police posts. Professor Praful Vasava is contesting from Vaghodia from Chotubhai Vasava, on a Bharatiya Tribal Party ticket. Vasaya holds a PhD in mental health and occupational stress of the police employees from Gujarat University. "Every police department should have a psychologist. If the image of the police changes to that of a positive agent of change, then people won't fear reaching out to them for help," he said, adding that once the police is freed from political pressures, it will be able to focus on community development activities. The Mukhyamantri Amrutum Yojana, and its extended version Maa Vatsalya Yojana, launched during chief minister Anandiben Patel's tenure, guarantees those below the poverty line free medical treatment. This covers 544 medical procedures. But unless the beneficiaries are aware of the disease, it is unlikely that they'll be searching around for treatment options available to them. To win over the trust of the tribal belt, where 16 out of 27 seats belong to the Congress, the ruling party will have to ensure better implementation of healthcare policies in order to meet its goal of 'no childbirth with sickle cell disease by 2020'. New Delhi: Kerala woman Hadiya's father welcomed the Supreme Court decision allowing her to continue her studies. Asked about his stance on inter-caste marriages, KM Ashokan said he believed in one religion and one god but could not have a terrorist in the family. "Hadiya does not have any idea about Syria, where she wanted to go after getting converted to Islam," Ashokan said. "I cannot have a terrorist in the family," he added. The Supreme Court yesterday freed Hadiya, alleged to be a victim of 'love jihad', from the custody of her parents and sent her to college to pursue her studies, even as she pleaded that she should be allowed to go with her husband. Terror organisation Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief Hafiz Saeed's petition to the United Nations seeking the removal of his name from the list of "designated terrorists" has understandably added to India's outrage quotient. If New Delhi had been angered at Pakistan's move to release the Mumbai 26/11 mastermind from "house arrest", it is likely to interpret this latest development as further proof of Pakistan's perfidy. As if a freed Saeed isn't bad enough, the prospect of the Lashkar-e-Taiba chief getting access to previously inaccessible funds through a successful appeal against the "designated terrorist" tag will deepen India's worries. It isn't comforting to note that most such cases since 2010 have reportedly been successful. However, Saeed is only one part of India's worries on the north-western front. A chain of recent events point to an increasing volatility in Pakistan politics in the run up to the 2018 elections. The rise in volatility and democratic instability has been compounded by a commensurate rise in religious extremism with very real fears gaining ground of jihadists marching into the Pakistani Parliament. On Monday, Pakistan's civilian government under pressure from the army was forced to sack law minister Zahid Hamid and cut a deal with radical Islamist protestors who had held the entire country to ransom through violent clashes for three weeks over some imagined insult to Prophet Muhammad. To pacify the little-known Sunni extremist group called Tehreek Labaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLY) headed by its abuse-spewing leader Khadim Hussain Rizvi, the civilian government agreed to, nearly, all its demands including firing the beleaguered minister, releasing all workers and members who had been arrested for violence, quashing the cases and paying up for the damaged public properties. The formal agreement signed between the PML-N government and Rizvi's TLY also bears the signatures of Pakistan's COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa and ISI chief Major General Faiz Hameed indicating the extent to which the army has been influential in brokering the deal. The "agreement" also requires the government to ensure that "no difficulty will be faced in registering blasphemy cases; no leniency will be given to those convicted by courts for blasphemy; no ban will be imposed on the use of loudspeakers" and two TLY representatives will sit in the panel to decide on changes in the school syllabus. The fact that the "agreement" in its letter praises the role of the army (which had been watching from the sidelines as the civilian government was brought to its knees) was interpreted as proof of Rawalpindi's role behind the uprising. Video clip showing a purported Pakistani general distributing money in sealed envelopes to protestors and pledging the army's support added to the debate. Not seeing nearly enough blame for the Pakistan Army over its role in Islamabad dharna. They backed these guys, they wanted to 'mainstream' them and they refused to act against them. With 'protectors' like these, who needs aggressors? (1/2) Zeb Aslam (@ZebAslam) November 27, 2017 In an editorial titled Capitulation, Pakistan-based newspaper Dawn wrote: "Whether a decision made out of desperation or fear, the upshot is that the state has accepted that mobs and zealots have a right to issue religious edicts that can endanger lives and upend public order Something profound changed in the country yesterday and the reverberations will be felt for a long time. How has such catastrophe befallen the nation?" These developments are sure to have a deleterious effect on bilateral relationship with a concomitant rise in security concerns. We are likely looking at an upsurge in cross-border terrorism and protracted trouble in Kashmir even during the winter months. The onset of this current crisis has links with the upstaging of Nawaz Sharif, who was deposed as the prime minister through a judicial decree in July. The former Pakistan prime minister who had hedged his bets on an improved relationship with India and tried to take on the military-intelligence establishment over controlling the tools of jihadist violence was considered by the army as too much of his own man. In trying to establish the primacy of civilian authority in Pakistan's power structure, Sharif paid the price. His removal was a signal that the Pakistani 'establishment' which Husain Haqqani describes as the "unique and permanent power structure" consisting of "the army, ISI, foreign office bureaucracy, and lately also the judiciary" was getting impatient with "democracy". Haqqani, director of Washington-based think tank Hudson Institute and the former Pakistan ambassador to the US, wrote in ThePrint, "Under Pakistans viceregal system, the purpose of elections is merely to identify intermediaries between the people and a permanent state establishment Pakistans chequered history shows that Pakistans Military-Judicial-Bureaucratic Elite has inherited a fear of democracy." It is this "fear of democracy" that might be spurring the army to act behind the scenes, again, to further erode the authority of civilian government. In Pakistan which has been witness to several instances of coup d'etat in its short history as a nation-state the military periodically asserts its supremacy over politicians. It is believed that General Bajwa is in favour of non-interventionism but if the goal of undermining the political authority of an elected government can be achieved through a few tools, why take the trouble of another coup d'etat and invite international censure? We should look at these two churns in Pakistan the release of Hafiz Saeed and cutting of a deal with religious extremists not in isolation but as signs of a larger trend to mainstream the jihadist elements in Pakistani politics. This mainstreaming is done by the army which wants to curb the political influence of Sharif's PML-N and eventually render the former prime minister powerless. The provocation seems to be the assessment that Sharif has refused to walk into the sunset after being deposed and plans to contest the 2018 elections with renewed vigour. Now, if the jihadist elements such as TLY or Saeed's Mili Muslim League are fielded into the political ring, they may eat into the right-wing voter base of Sharif's party. This has the double benefit of diminishing PML-N's influence over the polity and installing extremists in Pakistani Parliament who can well serve the army's strategic interests. Kunwar Khuldune Rashid, The Diplomat, argued that "in the NA-120 by-election in September, Mili Muslim candidate Yaqoob Sheikh won 5,822 votes, which was instrumental in the 14,000 vote drop the ruling PML-N saw in its electoral hub." Both these parties, he added, "have witnessed immediate electoral success in two high profile by-elections." This arc is complete with the release of Saeed who will now be able to simultaneously keep the Kashmir agenda alive as well as cut Sharif into size through active participation in politics. It is to be noted that in an YouTube video just after his release, the Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief had identified both India and Sharif as his enemies. There could be increased heat from India and the US as Rawalpindi GHq implements its devious plan, but as Firstpost argued in this column, American influence has dwindled rapidly over Pakistan to the extent that Washington now needs Islamabad more than the other way round, as Ayesha Siddiqa of SOAS South Asia Institute has noted in The Indian Express. In the new power equation between US and Pakistan, the latter (boosted by the Chinese insurance) can afford to cock a snook at Washington and absorb the jibes because it knows the barks from Trump administration will be devoid of any teeth. This gives the Pakistan army a free hand in devising its policy of using terror to achieve territorial goals, putting Indian borders at greater risk than before. New Delhi: The ICSE board has reduced the minimum passing percentage for Class X and XII examinations from 2018-19 academic session in order to bring parity with the marking scheme of other boards. The pass percentage for Class X has been lowered from 35 to 33 percent and for Class XII from 40 to 35 percent, a senior board official said. The Human Resources Development (HRD) ministry had in May constituted an Inter-Board Working Group (IBWG) to deliberate upon multiple examination-related issues, including scrapping of moderation policy. Among several recommendations made by IBWG was having same pass percentage by different boards. "In view of the panel's recommendations, the Council for Indian School Certificate Examination (CICSE) has decided to lower its pass percentage for Class X from 35 to 33 percent and for Class XII from 40 to 35 percent," the official said. "The objective of the change is to bring a close uniformity with other boards in the country. The change will be implemented from next academic session," he added. Amaravati: Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday said that the universities in the country should become centres of excellence and produce multi-skilled students of tomorrow. He rued that none of the universities in the country is world-class in terms of excellence and said India has good varsities but it needs excellent ones. "It is very painful to note that not one of our 760 universities is world-class with that excellence. There are good universities in the country but we need excellent universities," Naidu said here. The vice-president was addressing a meeting after inaugurating the Andhra Pradesh campus of the Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) at Inavolu village. "There is every need for institutes of higher learning to raise standards, improve pedagogy, enhance research activities and form greater linkages with the industry so that students are well-equipped to face the challenges of a globalised world," "Digital technologies are playing a lead role in the world now and universities must produce multi-skilled students of tomorrow," he added. Naidu appealed to the universities, both public and private, to focus on enhancing skills, knowledge and raising the standards and then compete at the world-level. "With proper infrastructure, facilities and opportunities, our universities can excel," he said. The vice-president expressed hope that once the Indian economy strengthens, the government will spend more funds on education and higher learning. "The Centre and the states are not able to rise to the expectations of spending six percent of the Gross domestic product (GDP) on education because of competing requests and aspirations from every section of the society," "There is so much pressure for housing, roads, trains, airports, ports, metros... prime minister is doing his best," he said. "India is going for a great transformation and we must all look to the future. I am sure once the economy strengthens, definitely the governments will be able to spend more on education and higher education also," Naidu said. The focus should not only be on education for all but quality education, the vice-president said. "India is emerging as a powerful nation. Everyone will soon have access to quality healthcare and quality education." "Education should become a powerful tool for the social, economic and cultural transformation of the country with strong moral and ethical values," the vice-president remarked. Observing that a 'guru' (teacher) has a special place in the society and the life of a student, Naidu quipped, "Google can never replace guru. Google is important and informative but even to Google something you need a guru." Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu and VIT Chancellor G Viswanathan, among others, attended the event. DUBLIN (Reuters) - Irelands scandal-hit deputy prime minister resigned on Tuesday, averting a government collapse and potential snap election that had threatened to complicate Brexit talks next month between Britain and the European Union. Deputy Prime Minister of Ireland (Tanaiste) Frances Fitzgerald speaks to the media at Government buildings in Dublin, Ireland, May 8, 2014. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne/FilesOpposition parties had demanded Frances Fitzgerald step down after the release of fresh documents about her disputed handling of a police whistleblower who alleged corruption in the force. Fianna Fail, the main opposition party, which props up Fine Gael Prime Minister Leo Varadkars minority government, said her resignation meant a December election would be avoided. It had warned it might force a snap poll if Fitzgerald refused to quit. Today I made the decision to tender my resignation to the Taoiseach (prime minister), stepping down with immediate effect, Fitzgerald said in a statement. I have decided on this occasion to put the national interest ahead of my own personal reputation. I believe it is necessary to take this decision to avoid an unwelcome and potentially destabilising general election at this historically critical time. Irelands political crisis exploded in the run-up to a key Brexit summit next month at which Varadkar is set to play a major role. He must tell fellow EU leaders whether he believes sufficient progress has been made on the future of the border between Ireland and the British province of Northern Ireland. The border -- the only land frontier between Britain and the EU -- is one of three issues Brussels wants broadly resolved before it decides whether to move talks on Britains divorce from the EU onto a second phase about trade, as Britain wants. While Varadkar has likely avoided the prospect of having to travel to Brussels in a caretaker capacity, his handling of the crisis has badly damaged him, his governing Fine Gael party and relations with its Fianna Fail opponents. LOST THE DRESSING ROOM FILE PHOTO: The Leader of Ireland's opposition Fianna Fail party, Micheal Martin is seen in the grounds of Government Buildings in Dublin, Ireland November 24, 2017. REUTERS/Clodagh KilcoyneWhile Fitzgeralds ministerial colleagues continued to back her in public ahead of the cabinet meeting at which she stood down, Tuesdays newspaper front pages were full of quotes from unnamed Fine Gael lawmakers and ministers saying she had to go. Some Fine Gael members who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity said they were furious with Varadkar and Fitzgeralds handling of the crisis, having been forced to spend four days strongly defending the deputy prime minister since it broke. Members of the opposition Labour and Sinn Fein parties and political analysts said as Fitzgerald resigned that an election was still likely to follow in the next three or four months. Whatever happens today, the timeline of this administration is very much foreshortened by the events of the last two weeks, Labour leader Brendan Howlin told national broadcaster RTE. I think right now he (Varadkar) has probably lost the dressing room, you can see that in todays newspapers, and hes done some damage to himself and the stability of the government too, added Howlin, a former cabinet colleague of Varadkar. The crisis was the first major test of the 38-year-old prime minister who succeeded Enda Kenny in June. With a reputation as a straight-talker, he has been likened to French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau by colleagues excited at the prospect of a generational shift. While an opinion poll on Saturday gave Fine Gael a one-point lead over Fianna Fail, bookmaker Paddy Power said on Tuesday that it made Fianna Fail slight favourites to win the most seats at the next election. The two centre-right parties are fierce rivals but disagree little on policy. A three-year confidence and supply agreement between them is due to run until this time next year. I think there is damage (but) nobody is enhanced by this debacle. I dont think either party comes out of it particularly well, said Theresa Reidy, a politics lecturer at University College Cork, referring to Fine Gael and Fianna Fail. But Fine Gael are in government so they are more damaged by it. This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Hyderabad: US president Donald Trump's daughter and adviser Ivanka Trump arrived in India early on Tuesday to attend the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES), beginning in Hyderabad later in the day. #WATCH Ivanka Trump arrived in Hyderabad, late last night; will be attending Global Entrepreneurship Summit #GES2017 pic.twitter.com/3FozL12bF4 ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2017 US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster, India's Ambassador to the US Navteej Sarna, and senior officials of the central and Telangana governments welcomed her at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad around 3 am. "Warm welcome to a special guest. Advisor to the President of USA@IvankaTrump arrives in Hyderabad," tweeted Raveesh Kumar, spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs. Warm welcome to a special guest. Advisor to the President of the USA @IvankaTrump arrives in Hyderabad. She is leading the US delegation to the eighth edition of Global Entrepreneurship Summit 2017 pic.twitter.com/HNh29RNAfg Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) November 27, 2017 She later drove to Trident Hotel in Hitec City, about two kilometres from Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC), the venue of GES. State government officials had earlier said that she will stay in Westin Hotel in the same area. Ivanka, who is leading the US delegation, will be attending the inaugural session in the evening along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The three-day event being co-hosted by the US and India will be attended by 1,500 entrepreneurs, investors and eco-system supporters from 159 countries. Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir minister Asiea Naqash on Tuesday termed the appointment of Centre's special representative Dineshwar Sharma as a "step forward" towards resolving the problems of Jammu and Kashmir. She also dismissed the controversial statements made by National Conference (NC) chief Farooq Abdullah including that Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) belongs to Pakistan saying he always raked up issues when he is out of power. It is the "best initiative" that Sharma is reaching out to people at the ground unlike in the past, she said. "The appointment of interlocutor in J&K and addressing the agenda of holding talks with all stakeholders is a step forward", Minister of State for Health Naqash told reporters on Tuesday. She claimed that the withdrawal of FIRs against first time stone-pelters was a positive step, she said. "This step of withdrawal of FIRs against the youth and students is the best step to start with. They might have got misled or done this in emotional outbursts and come to streets and roads. But the cases brings problems for students and educated youth as they cannot get character certificates", she said. We have decided to withdraw all cases during the 2010 unrest, she said adding that Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had announced it in the Assembly. She appreciated Sharma reaching out the people on ground level and talking to all stake holders. "It is the best initiative that Sharma is reaching out the people on the ground. Recently he visited to south Kashmir and met them, she said adding that Sharma had also reached out to displaced Kashmiri Pandits. Hitting out at former Chief Minister Abdullah for his controversial statements, she said he always rakes up issues when he is out of power. Jammu: Pakistani troops opened fire at Indian posts along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district on Monday night in violation of the ceasefire, police said. "Pakistani troops resorted to firing in Jhangar forward area from 18.45 hours to 19.00 hours," a senior police officer said, adding that further details were awaited. Monday's violation of the ceasefire came after a lull of over a week in firing by Pakistani troops at Indian posts. Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire for three consecutive days between 15 and 17 November in Jammu and Poonch districts. An Army jawan was injured in the exchange of fire in Poonch. On 2 November, a BSF jawan was killed when Pakistan Rangers attacked a patrol party along the International Border in Samba district. A girl was injured when Pakistani troops opened fire from small arms along the LoC in Karmara belt of Poonch district on October 31. On 18 October, eight civilians, including a two-year-old child, were injured in heavy Pakistani shelling in Poonch. Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir Police said on Tuesday it has rescued a 15-year-old girl from neighbouring Punjab who was kidnapped from Baramulla district over a week back. A police spokesman told IANS in Jammu: "A complaint was received from Javaid Ahmed, a resident of Tangmarg area that his niece was kidnapped by one Arjun Singh, a resident of Punjab on November 18." Investigations revealed that the accused had kidnapped the girl with the help of her maternal aunt. "A state police team was sent to Punjab and with the help of the Punjab Police the kidnapped girl was rescued," he said. She has been handed over to her parents following her medical examination and other legal formalities. "Besides the main accused, the maternal aunt of the girl has also been booked for abetting a crime under relevant sections of law," the official said. Srinagar: Three alleged "associates" of Hizbul Mujahideen militants were arrested from the Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir, the police claimed on Tuesday. Three associates of Hizb militants were arrested by police in Kulgam, a senior police official said. He said "the arrested persons have been identified as Mudasir Ahmed Bhat of Awantipora in Pulwama district, Iqbal Lone, resident of Srinagar and Mohammad Amin Bhat of Kapran in the Kulgam district". Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday rejected a petition by 'The Wire' challenging a gag order passed by a lower court in a civil defamation case filed by BJP chief Amit Shah's son Jay Shah over an article published by the news portal. Justice Paresh Upadhyay asked the petitioners, including the author of the article Rohini Singh and founding editors of the news portal, to move the trial court to challenge the gag order. The HC also directed the trial court to decide the matter within 30 days. "These appeals arising from an ex-parte ad-interim impugned order of the trial court are not entertained. It would be open to the defendants to file their counter to the suit, or at least to the application for an interim injunction before the trial court if they so choose," the court said. "The trial court is directed to finally decide the injunction within 30 days from today, after hearing both the sides," the high court said. The HC also said that if any of the parties is aggrieved by the final order that may be passed by the trial court on the injunction application, it would be open to him to challenge it before an appropriate forum in accordance with law. The petitioners had sought that the interim order of the trial court be quashed and set aside as it was passed without issuing notices to the defendants and claimed the facts did not warrant an ex-parte order. They submitted that the trial court had not considered any of the "parameters like prima facie case, balance of convenience, irreparable loss" before passing the order and hence, it was unsustainable. An Ahmedabad court had last month issued an ex-parte injunction against the news portal, prohibiting it from publishing, broadcasting or printing "in any manner" programmes in any language on the basis of the article published by the website about Jay Shah "directly or indirectly" till the defamation suit has been disposed of. Jay Shah had submitted before the high court that the appeal against the ex-parte interim order was not maintainable and deserves to be dismissed. He also said the applicant has not given any justification for the plea. The petition was filed challenging the injunction ordered by a civil court on 12 October on the story carried by The Wire titled 'The Golden Touch of Jay Amit Shah'. The lower court had issued the order against the news portal in response to a civil defamation suit of Rs 100 crore filed by Jay Shah against the reporters, editors and the company over the article which claimed that his firm's turnover rose 16,000 times in one year after the NDA came to power. The company, according to the article, saw a huge rise in its turnover after the BJP came to power in 2014, and its revenue rose from Rs 50,000 to over Rs 80 crore in a year. It triggered a political firestorm, with the Congress demanding an inquiry into the matter, while the BJP termed it as "slanderous". Jay Shah also filed a criminal defamation suit against the author of the article Rohini Singh, founding editors of the news portal Siddharth Varadarajan, Siddharth Bhatia and MK Venu, managing editor Monobina Gupta, public editor Pamela Philipose and the Foundation for Independent Journalism. In his suit, he termed the article as "scandalous, frivolous, misleading, derogatory, libellous and consisting of several defamatory statements." Coimbatore/Salem: A Kerala woman, who is at the centre of an alleged love jihad case, will continue to pursue her studies under Hindu name Akhila Ashokan, principal of the college said on Tuesday. Amidst tight security Hadiya (her Muslim name) arrived from New Delhi to proceed to Salem to resume her education at the college as directed by the Supreme Court on Monday. She was not permitted to speak to the media at the airport in Coimbatore. Accompanied by Kerala police, she later left by road to the Sivaraj Medical College in Salem to undergo an 11 month internship in Homeopathy. A Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra had given the direction on Monday after interacting with her. Meanwhile, college Principal G Kannan said Hadiya will be treated as one of the inmates of the hostel and that no special treatment will be accorded to her. She will be registered under her Hindu name Akhila Ashokan in the college, he told reporters in Salem. The apex court has appointed the dean of the college as Hadiya's guardian and granted him liberty to approach it in case of any problem. She was earlier staying at her parental home in Kochi for several weeks. The bench, also comprising Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud, had directed the college and the university to re-admit Hadiya and grant her hostel facilities. Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Police Subbbulakshmi, who held a meeting with college authorities in Salem, told reporters that adequate protection will be given to the woman. During the court hearing, Hadiya said she wanted to go with her husband Shafin Jahan and that he will take care of her education expenses. Jahan had on 20 September approached the apex court seeking recall of its order directing the NIA to investigate the controversial case of conversion and marriage of Hadiya, originally a Hindu woman who converted to Islam. The Kerala High Court had annulled the marriage terming it as an instance of 'love jihad', following which Jahan approached the Supreme court. The top court had on 16 August directed the NIA to probe the incident under the supervision of retired apex court judge, Justice RV Raveendran. The woman, a Hindu, had converted to Islam and later married Jahan. It was alleged that the woman was recruited by Islamic State's mission in Syria and Jahan was only a stooge. Hadiya was in the custody of her parents for almost six months after the Kerala High Court had on 29 May anulled her 'nikah' with Jahan. Ashokan KM, the father of the woman, has alleged that there was a "well-oiled systematic mechanism" for conversion and Islamic radicalisation. Earlier on Tuesday, Ashokan welcomed the Supreme Court decision allowing his daughter to pursue her studies. "Hadiya does not have any idea about Syria, where she wanted to go after converting to Islam... I cannot have a terrorist in the family," he added. Ashokan also said he was sad that his daughter had to undergo such "unpleasant experiences because of which her studies were interrupted." "But now I am happy as the court has allowed her to study further," he told reporters in Delhi. Ashokan said he was not worried about Hadiya's security in Salem, as she was now under the protection and observation of the apex court. The Supreme Court's interim order releasing Akhila alias Hadiya from her parents custody to continue her education has come as a big relief to the 24-year-old woman, but the forces that whipped up communal frenzy over her conversion and marriage to a Muslim man are not ready to let her live in peace. While the Sangh Parivar has asserted it will continue to stand by Hadiyas father Ashokan who suspects a sinister plan behind the conversion and marriage of his daughter to Shefin Jehan to take her to join the Islamic State, various Muslim organisations, especially the Popular Front of India (PFI), have reiterated their support to the couple. The apex courts decision to recognise her marriage to Jehan that was annulled by the Kerala High Court on 24 May has left the field open for the mutually acrimonious forces to continue their communal sparring. The Sangh Parivar is relying on the findings of National Investigation Agency (NIA) that is probing the interfaith marriages dubbed as love jihad to lend their support to Ashokan. The full details of the report NIA submitted to the Supreme Court are not known. However, Additional Solicitor-General Maninder Singh, appearing for the NIA, termed the findings of the agency very serious. He said that the NIA had observed a pattern of Hindu women being indoctrinated and induced into conversion and marriage by radical organisations like the PFI and extremists linked to the Islamic State. Although the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led state government had opposed the NIA probe into the so-called 'love jihad' cases, government counsel V Giri had sought to lend credence to the NIA report by asking the Supreme Court to look into the materials produced by the NIA and then take a decision on Hadiyas marriage to Jehan. "The Supreme Courts rejection of Hadiyas plea to allow her go with her husband is a clear indication that the apex court has taken the NIA findings seriously. The NIA has upheld what Ashokan has suspected. We share his concern of a father for his daughter. If this is wrong, we like to be on the side of the wrong," said JR Padmakumar, BJP spokesman. He said that the Hadiya case cannot be considered merely on the basis of individual liberty as made out by human rights activists. It involves national security and integrity, Padmakumar said adding that personal liberty can only come second to the national security. "The Hadiya case cannot be viewed in isolation. It has to be considered in conjunction with the cases of three neo-converts, who left the country along with their husbands to join the IS. We dont know whether they are alive or dead now. Should we allow Akhila to meet their fate?" asked the BJP leader. The PFI is not ready to equate Akhilas case with that of Nimisha aka Fathima, Merlin aka Mariam and Sonia aka Ayisha as the former had embraced Islam much before her marriage. While the three two of them Christians and one Hindu are believed to have been radicalised, Hadiya was attracted to Islam while she was sharing a house with two Muslim girls who were her classmates in the college where she pursued her studies in homoeopathy. She embraced Islam after studying the religion at Sathya Sarani, a centre for Islamic learning in the Muslim-dominated Malappuram district run by the womens wing of the PFI. Akhila, who took the name of Hadiya after the conversion, found Shefin Jehan through a matrimonial site much later. PFI state president Nazrudeen Elamaram said that the NIA had clubbed Akhilas case with love jihad cases to suit the political interests of the ruling party. He told the Firstpost that the Sangh Parivar was raising the love jihad bogey for communal polarisation in favour of the BJP. The CPM has also shared this view. Party MP MB Rajesh said that the NIA was showing excessive interest in love jihad to serve the political interest of the BJP. The agency is acting like a 'caged parrot', Rajesh told Firstpost. "The NIA is trying to dub all inter-faith marriages as love jihad. This is not at all correct. Inter-faith marriages have been going in the state for a long time now. They are not forced marriages. Any attempt to portray them as love jihad will hurt the secular fabric of the state," Rajesh said. He pointed out that the Kerala High Court itself had affirmed this while considering the complaint of a girl who married a man from a different faith. The high court let the girl go with her husband after she made her position clear. Rajesh said that the term 'love jihad' was coined by the Sangh Parivar to create communal division in the state, which is known for its rich secular traditions. The NIA and some other national agencies under the Narendra Modi government are parroting the Sangh Parivar slogans. The BJP had last month organised a state-wide roadshow against the "Red and Jihadi Terror" alleging a nexus between the ruling communists and the so-called Islamist extremists. The PFI leader said that NIA was trying to implicate his organisation in love jihad cases because they have been resisting the Hindutva agenda of the Sangh Parivar. They are trying to unite the Hindus on an anti-Muslim platform. Terming this very dangerous, Nazrudeen said that the PFI will oppose this tooth and nail. The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), which did not take an open stand in the Hadiya case, has also questioned the credibility of the NIA. Party MP ET Mohammed Basheer said the NIA investigation in the love jihad case was not in accordance with the Supreme Court's direction. "The apex court had asked the NIA to probe the love jihad cases under the supervision of a retired Supreme Court judge. However, the agency is continuing the investigation even after former SC judge RV Raveendran expressed his inability to supervise the probe," the Muslim League MP said expressing doubt how the court could accept the findings of such an investigation. He has pointed out that the SC decision to allow Hadiya to continue her education was itself proof that the court had not taken the claims of NIA and Ashokan about the mental stability of Hadiya. If the court had found any substance in the claims, it would not have referred her to a psychiatrist. Hindu activist Rahul Eshwar, who was one of the few who interacted with Hadiya at the height of the controversy, said the woman had become a tool in the hands of the vested interests. He said Hadiya was normal and urged the forces who are trying to create a communal frenzy over her conversion and marriage, to leave her alone. However, Ashraf Kadakkal, a lecturer of Islamic Studies in the University of Kerala, doubts whether the communal forces will spare Hadiya. Even if they do so, the communal divide created by the case will continue to haunt Kerala for a long time. Hadiya is 24 years old. She isn't 16 or 14, she isn't a minor who has been abducted. She is an adult. It does not matter whether she was born a Hindu or Christian, or that she has now changed her faith. In the eyes of the Indian law, she is no different from an AR Rahman or a Kamala Das. What matters is that she is an adult who now happens to follow the Islam faith. You may not like it but love is a many splendoured thing and who is anyone to question it? In fact, Hadiya is not under the protection of her parents by any legal fiat and there is no reason why she should not go live with her husband if she so wants. Why all this search and rescue grandstanding? In fact, not only should she have the freedom of not living with her parents, they should also be placed on notice with a restraining order, or be charged with intimidation. But ironically, the National Council for Women, which until last week was hissing its indignation over a silly little tweet by Shashi Tharoor playing on the name of Miss World Manushi Chillar, has now done very little to protest the shrieking male chauvinism behind the rage over Hadiya's right to convert her religion, or her right to marry and live with the man she loves. The Supreme Court has done the right thing in pulling her out of her parents' house, but the only person who has the right to protect, defend and support her is her husband Shafin Jahan, and it is the couple's decision, not the law's, whether she should study for medicine or not. What if she decides, before her course is over, to stop studying? Is she going against the apex court? Can a court of law supersede the rights of a husband? There is also confusion about their status as a couple, with Hadiya's father's lawyer claiming there is no marriage. This assertion creates three options: Married, annulled, unmarried. Why was this status not given clarity is inexplicable. If she says she is married to this man and he says she is his wife, how is it anyone else's business to refute it? Besides, how difficult is it to prove her marital status? Also, while it sounds salutary to pack her off to hostel with cautions to the college dean and cops to offer her security, one can only hope that it's not exchanging one captivity for another. From being confined to the home of her parents to being under "guard" on campus does not seem like a great blow for freedom. Then we come to all this witch doctor stuff, and the involvement of hypnotism in her conversion, which is actually why this modern and bizarre spinoff of Romeo and Juliet is making front page news. Since the National Intelligence Agency has come into the mix and suspects a terror link through indoctrination and mindgames, this "transfer" to college is a smart way to keep an eye on the lady. The latest 100-page report indicates, according to NIA sources, that "there are trained people who use hypnosis to influence vulnerable women". These non-Muslim women are then "drifted off to an altered state of mind where they are made to believe in doing what the counsellors wish". Is this alteration permanent or does it wear off? Surely, some deeper expertise on this issue is called for but must, ipso facto, be delinked from her marital state? Surely, hypnotism would have been severely dented in the months she was confined to her parents' home, only to be replaced by rage and defiance. If not for that, all this commotion is unnecessary. She has made a decision and she must live with it. Who is a threat to her? Her parents? Just read them the riot act, there are laws for this in India. Stay away or get locked up. Her husband? He loves her and is walking through hellfire for her so discount him. Her in-laws? Probably wondering who needs this publicity, and if their son couldn't have found himself a nice Muslim girl. What about some nascent misguided terror group who might want to shut her up so she is not de-hypnotised and spills the beans on the methodology? Or the dean, who has been made responsible for her safety and must be thinking if there isn't any other medical college in India. Some angry Hindutva group who sees this as a blot on their honour? Or some angry Muslim group who sees this as a blot on their honour? But whatever the threat, the operative sentiment is that Hadiya is in a college room and "ensuring her safety" in this environment is scarcely failsafe. Actually, it is as porous as a slice of Swiss cheese. In 2017, the Indian judiciarys tryst with womens rights has been outrageous. From being reluctant to adjudicate on marital rape to upending the concept of consent in the Farooqui case to victim-blaming a rape survivor in the Jindal Law School case, the judiciarys observations, this year, have been replete with patriarchal undertones. It is most unsettling that when it comes to womens issues, the judiciary puts patriarchal structures above constitutional freedoms. Perhaps the most bizarre case of the year has been the Hadiya case. Hadiya, previously known as Akhila, is a 24-year-old woman who left her house, converted to Islam and got married to Shafin Jahan. Her father, Ashokan, filed a habeas corpus petition to bring her back home. The case is simple and straightforward the courts should have dismissed the petition, on the grounds that Hadiya is an adult of sound mind, who can make her own decisions. However, the court annulled an inter-religious marriage, and decided in favour of her father. Why? Because according to the Kerala High Court She has no idea as to what she wants in life. She appears to be under the control of someone else. It is evident that she has been indoctrinated and influenced by persons whose identities have not been ascertained. The judiciary exercised its parens patriate (protective role where citizens do not have the capacity to protect themselves) jurisdiction over the matter. The Supreme Courts intervention, during Shafins appeal, in the case came with security concerns; according to the apex court, Hadiya was forcibly indoctrinated, and that there was a pattern of forced conversions in India. A National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe was ordered, Hadiyas father became her court-appointed custodian, there was an alleged involvement of Islamic State and the whole affair was just love-jihad. Finally, after four months, numerous hearings later, Hadiya was produced before the apex court. Hadiyas request to thein court was that she be able to continue her studies. She wanted to be left alone with her husband, Shafin Jahan. Her appeal was simple and direct I want freedomI want to remain true to my faith. The Court ordered that she continue her course at Salem college, but refused to comment on the marriage or her reunion with Shafin, which is the pivot of the case. By doing this, the Supreme Court has failed Hadiya in every way. The case, right from the beginning, has been about Hadiyas personal liberty, and her human rights as an adult woman with agency. Yet for the judiciary, this case has been about everything except Hadiyas agency as a woman. Clearly, the Supreme Court is undecided about Hadiyas freedom and what it means in the present circumstances. And yet, the courts steer clear of the constitutional framework in this case. Hadiyas case has been, from the very outset, a violation of Hadiyas freedoms. In declaring her marriage of no consequence in the eye of the law, in keeping her on house arrest, in separating her from her partner Shafin, and in subjecting her to the torture by her father, the judiciary has violated her personal liberty again and again, each time, causing more disruption in her life. There has been a blatant violation of Hadiyas constitutional freedoms under Article 14 (equality before law), Article 19 (1) (d) (freedom to move freely), Article 21 (right to life and dignity) and Article 25 (right to freedom of religion). Not once, not even yesterday when she was produced in court, did the judiciary treat her as an independent, self-sufficient woman. Not once has the judiciary been able to come to terms with the fact that Hadiya converted to Islam, fell in love and married a man of her own volition. Because identifying this would mean recognising that women have the autonomy to decide for themselves. Moreover, is it Hadiyas freedom if she is allowed to pursue her studies but not allowed to go back to her husband, Shafin? And according to the order, while she continues her studies, the NIA probe will continue. The judiciary has, throughout the case, infantilised an adult woman who can consent to her own marriage and is aware of her rights. And such judicial infantilisation is anything but a protection of rights. The judiciary has tried to protect Hadiyas interests in many ways by keeping her away from Shafin, by ordering NIA probe, by appointing her father as custodian and now by allowing her to continue her studies. But does such protection mean the protection of rights? In my opinion, no, Hadiya has become an object of the judiciary she has been so dehumanised that her own opinions and interests mean nothing to the courts. They are trying to build a narrative of protection of women, and Hadiyas freedom wont be allowed to change this narrative. Monday's order was about the apex court deconstructing Hadiyas freedom and oversimplifying the facts. It was about the judiciarys inability to understand concepts of personal liberty, autonomy and freedom. Frankly, there is nothing left in this case anymore. Hadiya has spoken about what she wants, not once but several times but Monday was the first time that the Supreme Court decided to hear her. After eight hearings, even now, the apex court refuses to apply constitutional principles in a way that protects the rights of the person concerned. In many ways, it is a system failure. The Kerala High Court made a mistake in delivering a sound judgment and instead of quashing it, the Supreme Court is out to cover it up. The topmost court in the country cannot adjudicate on the basis of issues, instead of rights and freedoms. Hadiya has ceased to be a person in the eyes of the judiciary, she has become the poster-child for judiciarys blunders. In years to come, we will analyze this case to understand when courts should not exercise judicial activism. The next hearing of the case is on 12 January. We hope that until then the apex court deconstructs the constitutional document to redeem itself and to do justice to Hadiyas freedom. New Delhi: The CBI on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that they were vetting the files in order to challenge the lower court's order discharging Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leader Bimal Gurung in the Madan Tamang murder case. Madan Tamang, who was the All India Gorkha League (AIGL) president, was hacked to death in Darjeeling in broad daylight on 21 May, 2010 when he was overseeing preparations for a public meeting. A trial court in Kolkata had in August this year discharged Gurung in the case while rejecting the CBI's claim that he was involved in the conspiracy to murder Tamang, who was one of his political opponents in the Darjeeling hills. The issue cropped up before the apex court on Tuesday when it was hearing an application filed by Bharati Tamang, wife of Madan Tamang, seeking setting up of a special investigation team (SIT) to conduct a court-monitored probe into certain aspects of the case. Her counsel alleged that Gurung was one of the prime conspirators, but the CBI has not yet challenged the trial court's order discharging him in the matter. "Files are being vetted by CBI. Appropriate steps will be taken on order of discharge. It will take a reasonable time to challenge the discharge order," the counsel for CBI told a bench of Justices Kurian Joseph and Amitava Roy. To this, the petitioner's counsel said they have already challenged the trial court's order in the Calcutta High Court which has admitted their plea that would come up for hearing in the second week of December. CBI's counsel said their probe into the case was complete and 54 accused have been chargesheeted, of which two were absconding, three had expired and the rest were on bail. The bench also issued notices to CBI seeking its response within 10 days on separate applications filed by Bharati seeking a stay on the trial proceedings in the case before the lower court and grant of anticipatory bail to other accused in the case. Referring to telephonic interceptions, her lawyer alleged in the court that Gurung was in touch with the other accused who had attacked Tamang. Seeking a stay on proceedings before the trial court, her counsel said the other accused, including several GJM leaders, would also seek a discharge in the case since Gurung has already been discharged by the court. The CBI's counsel opposed the contention seeking a stay on the trial proceedings. The bench, however, said the CBI would have to file a response to the applications and posted the matter for hearing on 12 December. The apex court had in October 2013 directed transfer of hearing in the case from a Darjeeling court to the Kolkata sessions court on a petition by Tamang's widow. The senior bureaucrat who became the first victim over the bungling of the Maharashtra government's farm loan waiver scheme has been transferred, sources told Firstpost. VK Gautam, who was sent on leave after criticism over the implementation of the scheme, has been shunted out of the Information Technology department and named Principal Secretary Finance (Ac&T). The order from the General Administration Department, a copy of which is with Firstpost, shows Gautam being transferred. Interestingly, the order does not list Gautam's current position. SVR Srinivas, who was in charge of the Dharavi Redevelopment Project, took over as Principal Secretary (Information Technology) after Gautam's departure. Technical errors have plagued the scheme since its roll out, with farmers suffering because of glitches ranging from duplication of names in lists to incorrect Aadhaar details. Before he was sent on leave, Gautam had been making frantic efforts to rectify the errors in the disbursal of the farm loan waiver amounts. A senior IAS officer said Gautam was staying in his MahaOnline office at Lower Parel in south Mumbai around the clock and had not been home for three days. Gautam earlier told Firstpost, "I have gone to my native place to see my ailing father, who is 93 years old." On Saturday, speaking exclusively to Firstpost over the telphone from Karad in western Maharashtra, former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan demanded the government file a criminal case against banks or the chief minister speak up about the mess. The waiver was announced by the Maharashtra government five months ago. But there has been inaction on the part of different agenciesincluding district cooperative central and nationalised banks, the government's information technology department, cooperation departmentdue to which confusion and uncertainty over the scheme persists. Further, the state has not released the details of banks, districts and district-wise breakdown of farmers' names. The confusion over the implementation of the scheme prompted the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) to seek a report from senior bureaucrats on the fiasco, as Firstpost reported on 27 October. Gautam was one of the officers from whom an explanation was sought, apart from the additional chief secretary (agriculture) and additional chief secretary (co-operation). Opposition parties lambasted the Maharashtra government, contending that if the government had released the waiver money to banks without insisting on verification of beneficiary accounts with Aadhaar numbers, the disbursement would have been completed faster. Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday expressed serious concern over the alleged harassment and physical torture of Kashmiri prisoners at the Tihar Central Jail in New Delhi. Official sources said the chief minister spoke to Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba on telephone. "The chief minister sought the Home Secretary's intervention into the alleged harassment and manhandling of Kashmiris in Tihar Jail. "The home secretary promised a thorough probe into the alleged incidents and punishment to those found guilty," an official said. Among those allegedly tortured inside the Tihar Jail on 21 November was Shahid Yusuf, son of Muzaffarabad-based Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin. New Delhi: As Indonesia raised Bali volcano alert to the highest level, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Monday that she was monitoring the situation closely and that the Indian mission there would provide assistance to Indians requiring help. The Indian Consulate in Bali has opened a help desk at the city airport to provide any assistance to the Indians stuck in the city. "Indians in Bali Pls do not worry. Pradeep Rawat Indian Ambassador in Jakarta @IndianEmbJkt and Sunil Babu Consul General @cgibali are on the job and I am monitoring this personally(sic)," she said on Twitter. Indians in Bali - Pls do not worry. Pradeep Rawat Indian Ambassador in Jakarta @IndianEmbJkt and Sunil Babu Consul General @cgibali are on the job and I am monitoring this personally. Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) November 27, 2017 Consulate General of India, Bali has a helpdesk at Bali airport to assist Indian nationals in Bali affected by Mt. Agung eruption. It's operational from 9 am & is on 2nd floor of International terminal. Please approach us for assistance. @IndianDiplomacy @MEAIndia @IndianEmbJkt. India in Bali (@cgibali) November 27, 2017 Massive columns of thick grey smoke that have been belching from Mount Agung since last week have now begun shooting more than three kilometres into the sky, forcing flights to be grounded. The airport in Bali's capital Denpasar, a top holiday destination that attracts millions of foreign tourists every year, has been closed, a move expected to affect tens of thousands of passengers. Kolkata: Ratna Chatterjee, the wife of West Bengal minister and Kolkata Municipal Corporation mayor Sovan Chatterjee, was interrogated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday as a part of Narada sting footage probe. "She appeared before investigating officers in the morning and was interrogated in the Narada sting case," an ED official said, adding she had skipped interrogation earlier citing "health reasons". While leaving the ED office in Kolkata after the interrogation, Ratna said, "I have given my answers. If they are not satisfied with my answer and if they call me, I will come again." Incidentally, her husband and Trinamool Congress legislator was also quizzed by both the agencies, the Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), in the Narada sting case. A dozen Trinamool leaders were caught on video purportedly receiving money in exchange for a promise to dole out favours to a fictitious company. The clipping was uploaded to the Narada news portal in March last year ahead of Assembly elections. The CBI and the Enforcement Directorate have so far quizzed most of the accused Trinamool legislators and Members of Parliament. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Hyderabad Metro on Tuesday. The prime minister is next expected to address the Global Entrepreneurship Summit, which will also be attended by Donald Trump's advisor Ivanka Trump. Speaking at the city airport, Modi promised the state government of all possible support in developing Telangana, adding that the government is committed to "competitive, co-operative federalism." "I assure the Telangana government that the BJP-led government at the Centre does not differentiate between states on the basis of politics. We believe in cooperative federalism to help states develop," he said. Modi added that his government will work "shoulder to shoulder" with the K Chandrasekhar Rao government for the economic development of Telangana. "Telangana is a new state. There is still a lot of work to be done," Modi said. Modi also hailed the city for hosting the 2017 edition of the GES. Today, the attention of the world is on Hyderabad. This city is hosting a prestigious international summit where industry leaders from the world are joining: PM Narendra Modi at Hyderabad Airport #GES2017 ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2017 Modi also said that BJP and its local workers have always strived for people's welfare in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, despite the fact that the party has never been in power in these states. "Whatever we are today, it is due to the generations of BJP workers who sacrificed their lives for the welfare of mother India. it is due to then that BJP is the largest democratic party in the world," Modi said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Ivanka Trump, will inaugurate the three-day Global Entrepreneurship Summit on Tuesday. The summit, themed 'Women First, Prosperity for All', will take place in Hyderabad, and will focus on women entrepreneurs. GES, a personal initiative of former US president Barack Obama to bring entrepreneurs from across the globe on one platform, started in 2010 in Washington, and thereafter it has been hosted by Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Morocco and Kenya. Before inaugurating the GES, Modi will throw open the 30-kilometre stretch of the Hyderabad Metro from Nagole to Miyapur. The prime minister is scheduled to arrive at Hyderabad's Begumpet airport at 1.10 pm, and will then take a helicopter ride to reach Miyapur at 2.15 pm for the inauguration of the Metro Rail project, the news agency PTI reported. After he unveils the inaugural plaza at Miyapur, he will travel in the Metro from Miyapur to Kukatpally. He will leave for the GES at 2.50 pm. Modi is expected to reach the GES venue in Madhapur at 3.25 pm and will stay there till 7.25 pm, a report on Telengana Today said. Apart from inaugurating the GES and making remarks at the summit, he will also visit an exhibition on 'The Indian Edge' and 'Indian Entrepreneurship through the Ages' at the venue. The report further added that Modi will head to the Taj Falaknuma Palace for a dinner hosted by the Centre for GES delegates where he will witness a programme showcasing fabrics and crafts of India and a live show on the cultural heritage of India. He will then leave for Rajkot from the city's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport by 10.30 pm. With inputs from agencies New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Maharashtra government and the defence secretary over reports of alleged sexual assault on a school girl by an army man. The Commission has taken cognizance of media reports on Tuesday that claimed that the 15-year-old girl was expelled from school in Latur district as she had approached the police with a complaint against the army man alleging that he had raped her after a false promise of marriage. "Reportedly, the local police also harassed the victim and her family demanding Rs 50,000 to get the FIR registered in the case, which was, eventually, registered only after they approached the police superintendent," the statement said. The Commission has issued a notice to the chief secretary, director general of police, Maharashtra and the collector and district magistrate of Latur calling for factual reports within four weeks. The Commission has also sent a copy of the proceedings along with the related media reports to the defence secretary to inform about the departmental action taken against the guilty army official. The response is expected within four weeks. The Commission observed that going by the contents of the media reports, the attitude of the local police authorities and the school administration appears to be "highly sadistic and unethical". The Commission by way of its proceedings while considering such complaints and during its other activities has strongly expressed that the victims of sexual assault are to be dealt with utmost care in a sensible manner with an approach to help them overcome the trauma. "The police officer concerned has acted in a heartless manner. The school authorities, instead of taking steps to counsel and support the victim, have decided to expel her from the school in the name of the reputation of the institution. This is a case of grave violation of human rights of the victim," the statement stated. Jammu: Pakistan Army on Tuesday again violated the ceasefire on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district on Tuesday, leading to a heavy exchange of fire, an official said. "Pakistan Army resorted to unprovoked shelling and firing at Indian positions on the LoC in Rajouri district. They used mortars, automatics and small arms to target Indian positions. "Pakistani firing was strongly and effectively retaliated after which the firing exchanges stopped," a police officer said. "The two sides traded fire for nearly half an hour." Tuesday's ceasefire violation by Pakistan on the LoC has occurred after over a week's lull. Kolkata: President Ram Nath Kovind will arrive in Kolkata on Tuesday on his four-day maiden visit to West Bengal, Mizoram and Nagaland after assuming office. After his arrival in Kolkata, the President would be given a civic reception by the West Bengal government and Kolkata Municipal Corporation at the Netaji Indoor Stadium, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Mayor Sovan Chatterjee would be present. The president is also scheduled to interact with the scientific community on 'Vigyan Chintan Scientific Ecosystem' at the Council Hall of the Raj Bhavan. On 29 November, Kovind would visit the birthplace of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore at Jorasanko and Netaji Bhavan, the residence of nationalist leader Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. He would then attend the closing ceremony of centenary celebrations of Bose Institute, a premier research institute established by Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose. The president would visit the global headquarters of Ramakrishna Mission and Math at Belur Math on the same day before leaving for Mizoram's capital city Aizawl. Kovind is slated to inaugurate housing complexes for economically weaker sections under the 'Basic Services to Urban Poor Scheme' at Aizawl Raj Bhavan, on that day. On 30 November, the president would address a special session of the Mizoram Legislative Assembly. He would later that day interact with various prominent citizens and NGOs in Kohima, the capital of Nagaland. On 1 December, the concluding day of his visit, the president is scheduled to inaugurate the Hornbill Festival and State Formation Day celebrations of Nagaland, before leaving for Delhi. In a bid to to evoke a spirit of patriotism among the children, Rajasthan government has issued a directive asking students in government hostels to recite the National Anthem at 7 am every day along with the assembly prayers, according to media reports. The notice issued by state's Social Justice and Empowerment department (SJE) has ordered all hostels for OBC, SC and ST students to ensure that all students gather to sing the National Anthem along with morning prayers, according to The Times of India. Although residential schools have already been reciting the National Anthem, this tradition has now been extended to include government-run and government-aided hostels. The Social Justice and Empowerment Department believes that the practice will help kindle a spirit of patriotism in students, reported DNA. Department's director Samit Sharma said that although singing the National Anthem was already a part of daily routine, the practice was not followed on a regular basis due to shortage of staff, The Times Of India reported. The department has 789 hostels across the state with 40,000 students, and 22 residential schools, according to Scroll. On 8 November, the Rajasthan Youth Board had organised a 'Vande Mataram' event where over 50,000 people recited the national song to celebrate the anniversary of demonetisation. Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje was the chief guest at the event, News18 reported. This directive comes a month after Jaipur Municipal Corporation was asked to begin the day with the National Anthem and end it off by singing the national song (Vande Mataram). "This will help in developing a positive culture, positive energy and instill nationalism among staffers," Jaipur mayor Ashok Lahoti had said. Lahoti added that anyone not willing to sing or opposing the singing of the National Anthem "can go to Pakistan." According to Zee News, the state education department had made 'surya namaskar' compulsory in schools last year, although later it was made optional. While in Madhya Pradesh, school education minister Vijay Shah has announced that from now onwards, the students will have to answer their roll-call with "Jai Hind" instead of "yes sir" and "yes ma'am". He said this would be enforced in all 1.22 lakh government schools, and an advisory in this regard would also be issued to all private schools. With inputs from IANS Bengaluru: A retired top police official has filed a Rs 20 crore defamation suit against senior police officer D Roopa for bringing him under a cloud of bribery allegations over "preferential" treatment given to jailed AIADMK leader VK Sasikala in the central prison. In a report submitted in July to the then DGP (Prisons) HN Sathyanarayana Rao, Roopa as Deputy Inspector of General (Prisons) had said there was "a talk" that Rs two crore had exchanged hands to give "preferential treatment" for Sasikala and that there were bribery allegations against him also. Rao had rubbished the charge by Roopa, terming it "absolutely false, baseless and wild", and said he would take legal recourse against his junior. Video footage too had surfaced purportedly showing the embattled AIADMK leader walking inside the corridors of the Parappana Agrahara Central jail sporting a salwar suit instead of the prisoner's dress, as is mandated for every jail inmate. Puttige Ramesh, advocate, for Rao, told PTI that the suit was filed on Monday on various counts in a court. The suit is also against a leading Kannada TV channel and a prominent English newspaper. He said Roopa did not issue any notice to her superior and directly accused him of wrongdoing, which was a violation of the rules. She also leaked the information to the media, he said. "The report was submitted on 11 July this year, but a day later, which means on 12 July, the report was published in the media. It is very clear that the officer leaked the information to the media even before she submitted it to her superior (Rao)," said the lawyer. The third accusation in the defamation suit is that she was after publicity. "We came to know that a movie on Roopa is in the making. In order to gain publicity for the movie, she prepared the defamatory report on my client (Satyanarayana Rao)," he said. He said Rao had specially appointed a woman officer to keep an eye on Sasikala's activities inside the jail. "The woman officer used to regularly monitor and prepare a note sheet to ensure Sasikala does not indulge in any wrongdoing. Despite a strong measure taken by Rao to check corruption, such a defamatory report was prepared," he said. The advocate said it was initially planned to file a Rs 50 crore defamation suit, but the requisite deposit amount of Rs 30 lakh was not available. Hence the defamation amount was brought down to Rs 20 crore. Rao was not reachable for his comments. Meanwhile, Roopa said she has not received any defamation notice. "I have not received any defamation notice. If I receive, I will answer in the court. As it is, there is no defamation made out that is the first thing," she said. She also said she was given to understand that a probe ordered by the Karnataka government into her charges had confirmed that irregularities, including the special facilities to Sasikala, did happen. Roopa said it was for Rao to explain why these irregularities happened under his nose. The two officers were locked in a public spat over the bribery charge, which led to the state government asking Rao to go on leave and Roopa being transferred. Sasikala is lodged in prison since her conviction in February in the disproportionate assets case, along with her two relatives VN Sudhakaran and Elavarasi, all serving a four-year jail term. Mumbai: In a U-turn, Sheena Bora murder case prime accused Indrani Mukerjea on Tuesday told a special CBI court in Mumbai that she wasn't levelling any allegations against her husband and co-accused Peter Mukerjea, days after she said he may have played a role in her daughter's disappearance. "We are not making any accusations against Peter. Some words are inadvertently written as there is emotional stress," her lawyer Sudeep Pasbola told CBI judge JC Jagdale. A few days ago, Indrani Mukerjea had demanded call data records of her husband, alleging that he may have played a role in the disappearance of Sheena, her daughter from an earlier relationship, and now framed her. "The contents of the application are speaking other language...," the judge said. Pasbola said he wanted to dispel any notion that the application had been filed with mala fide intentions, malice or ulterior motives. Accused persons make such applications from time to time, the lawyer added. "All fingers are pointed at Indrani and it was said she acted with other accused persons, to show the connection (between the accused)...the CDR is called," he said. The defence lawyer sought to refute the CBI's contention that Indrani Mukerjea made the application to divert the concentration of (accused-turned-approver) Shyamvar Rai. "Rai's concentration should not get diverted unless Rai has not come out with complete truth," he said. The judge, at this point, said, "You are saying no accusations, but we are conducting a criminal trial and we have to decide the criminal liability." Pasbola said he himself doesn't support the accusations. The court should take into consideration the essence of the application and exclude allegations, he said. "Indrani wants justice for her daughter, she may be under emotional stress," he said. CBI lawyers Bharat Badami and Kavita Patil said the court may not pass any order on Indrani Mukerjea's allegations at this stage, but the request for CDR may be decided on merit. The judge asked the defence lawyer if an accused can seek to bring any evidence, which may be against a co-accused, on record. Pasbola said there is no bar to such a plea as long as the evidence is meant for getting justice. The court is likely to pass an order on Indrani Mukerjea's application of 5 December. On 15 November, Indrani Mukerjea filed a plea, in person, saying her husband and former media baron Peter Mukerjea might have caused her daughter's disappearance out of "greed and ill-will". Indrani also alleged that Peter and others might have manipulated the circumstances to frame her for the crime. She sought the CDR of Peter Mukerjea for the period between January 2012 and December 2012, and from January 2015 to December 2015. The alleged murder of Sheena Bora came to light in August 2015 after Shyamvar Rai, Mukerjeas' former driver, spilled the beans when arrested in another case. Kalaikunda: Singapore defence minister Ng Eng Hen on Tuesday hailed India's indigenously-built multi-role light combat aircraft Tejas as "excellent and very impressive". As the first civilian foreigner, Hen took a half-an-hour flight in Tejas at the Kalaikunda airbase. "It is an excellent aircraft and it is very impressive," Hen told reporters. He praised Air Vice Marshal AP Singh, the pilot who flew the Tejas, saying he felt as if he was riding a car and not flying in a fighter aircraft. Asked whether Singapore is interested in buying the Tejas fighter aircraft, Ng said he is not a pilot and it is for the technical people to take a call on it. Indian defence sources said Singapore has evinced interest in Tejas. During the Bahrain air show where Tejas aircraft was showcased, some countries in West Asia had also shown interest, the defence sources said. Two Tejas aircraft were flown in here from Bangalore for displaying them to the Singapore defence minister. Air Vice Marshal Singh who flew Ng is the project director of the National Flight Test Centre-Aeronautical Development Agency. Tejas aircraft was designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the Indian Air Force and the Navy. The Singapore defence minister is scheduled to meet his Indian counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman in Delhi on Wednesday. "Bilateral defence ties between our two countries are strong and it is getting stronger," Ng said. Singapore Air Force is holding joint military training with their Indian counterpart at the Kalaikunda airbase. Asked about the joint military training, Ng said, "I hope this will continue for long". The first joint military training between Indian Air Force and the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) was held at the Gwalior air force station in 2004. Such an exercise was first held in Kalaikunda in 2007 and since then regular joint training has been held at the air force station. Chandigarh: The business advisory committee of the Punjab Assembly on Monday decided to curtail the number of remaining sittings of the ongoing winter session from three to two, drawing sharp criticism from the opposition parties. Under the new schedule, the Assembly will have one session each on Tuesday and Wednesday. Earlier, there were supposed to be two sittings Tuesday and one sitting on 29 November. The business advisory committee (BAC), chaired by Speaker Rana KP Singh, took the decision at a meeting after the opening day's session in Chandigarh on Monday. "There will now be a single sitting on 28 November," said Punjab Parliamentary Affairs Minister Brahm Mohindra, who is also a part of the BAC. He said that there was no additional legislative work to be taken up during one more sitting of the session. He added the session could be extended if need arose. "The timing of the morning session tomorrow can be extended if need arises," he said. The decision of the BAC came amid growing demand from the opposition parties for a longer session for taking up the burning issues of Punjab. The Congress-led government had come under fire from the opposition parties for holding a three-day winter session of the Assembly. Lashing out at the Congress government, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA and leader of opposition in the House Sukhpal Khaira said the government was trying to "suppress the voice of opposition which wanted to take up several issues concerning the people in the House". "There are several issues such as farmer suicides, law and order problem, illegal mining which can be discussed in the House," Khaira said. Khaira, who is also a member of the BAC, said he recorded his dissenting note and walked out of the meeting. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Monday said the decision to further curtail the sittings of the ongoing session proved that the government was trying to "run away" from the debate. In a statement, the SAD president said it was shocking that legislative business in the ongoing session had been curtailed. "The SAD had submitted a memorandum to the Speaker demanding the session be extended to discuss emergent issues. The Speaker assured to look into the demand," he said. However, the business advisory committee reduced the number of sittings, he said. "This proves that the government does not want to discuss any of the people's issues listed by the SAD including a discussion on the crisis in the farm sector, breakdown of law and order, withdrawal of all social welfare facilities and non-fulfilment of all promises made to farmers, youths and unemployed," he claimed. The SAD president claimed the SAD-BJP alliance was not even consulted on the matter. "Former minister Ajit Singh Kohar was only invited as a special invitee in the business advisory committee meeting which decided to reduce the sittings in an arbitrary and dictatorial manner," he claimed. London: The families of six former British soldiers lodged in a Tamil Nadu jail expressed "sheer relief" after an Indian court acquitted them over an illegal weapons charge on Monday, a decision the UK described as "fantastic news". The so-called "Chennai Six" had been arrested in October 2013 and sentenced for carrying arms on a commercial US ship. They were held while working for an anti-piracy security company protecting commercial ships off the coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean and have pleaded their innocence ever since. "This case has been top priority for everybody at the Foreign Office and today's verdict is fantastic news," UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said in a statement. Johnson, who had been criticised by the families of the ex-soldiers over a perceived lack of diplomatic efforts made to secure the release of the six British citizens, stressed that the UK Foreign Office had "worked tirelessly behind the scenes to reunite these men with their families". "The importance the UK government places on their case cannot be understated. The men, their families and their supporters, who have campaigned unrelentingly, must be overjoyed. I share their delight and I hope they can return home as soon as possible," he added. The Indian High Commission in London also welcomed the ruling, stressing that it highlights India's reputation as a democratic nation with a free and fair judiciary. "We are very happy with the court decision. India is a democracy where the due process of law is followed and this decision upholds the rule of law," said a spokesperson. Yvonne MacHugh, the fiancee of Billy Irving one of the men who was caught up in the controversy, expressed her relief that her partner would be able to connect with his son William, whose birth he had missed while in prison. "I just feel sheer relief finally we are getting our family back together," said MacHugh. "Finally all the men are going to be home with their families. They have been acquitted of all charges, so they have done no wrongdoing and finally we have proven that," she said. The Madras High Court today ruled that all charges against the six men and 29 others arrested with them be dropped with immediate effect, and the fines they were ordered to pay be refunded. The Madurai bench directed that all crew members of the ship MV Seaman Guard Ohio can apply to the Indian authorities to get back their passports after which they will be able to travel home to the UK. "They still need to get police clearance before they can come home, so there are steps being taken to try to ensure that everything's in place," said Joanne Tomlinson, the sister of John Armstrong, another of the ex-soldiers. Tomlinson was among friends and family members who had led a campaign in the UK, including lobbying ministers and Downing Street, to secure the release of the men. Besides Armstrong and Irving, the other former British soldiers who have been in a Chennai jail for four years include - Nick Dunn, Ray Tindall, Paul Towers, and Nicholas Simpson. In October 2013, Coast Guard personnel boarded their vessel and arrested them along with 29 other crew members for taking weapons into India's territorial waters. The charges were initially quashed when the men argued the weapons were lawfully held for anti-piracy purposes and their paperwork, issued by the UK government, was in order. But a lower court reinstated the prosecution and they were convicted in January last year and sentenced to five years in jail. Since then there have been a series of appeals, including by British Prime Minister Theresa May who raised the matter with her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi during her visit to India in November 2016 as well as Britain's High Commissioner in India, Dominic Asquith, visiting the men in jail in Chennai. The sailors were aboard the American-owned ship which reportedly offered armed protection to vessels sailing through an area known as "Pirates' Alley" between the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. US firm 'AdvanFort International', which owns the ship, has maintained that the vessel was involved in anti-piracy operations and had not strayed into Indian waters. Customs officials and police found 35 guns, including semi-automatic weapons, and almost 6,000 rounds of ammunition on board the ship, which allegedly did not have permission to be in Indian waters. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a plea challenging appointment of senior Gujarat cadre IPS officer Rakesh Asthana as a special director of the CBI. A bench of Justices RK Agrawal and AM Sapre said "the writ petition is dismissed". The apex court had on 24 November reserved the order in the matter. The Centre had opposed the plea, saying Asthana had an outstanding career and had supervised over 40 high-profile cases like coal scam, AugustaWestland scam, black money and money laundering cases. Common Cause, the petitioner NGO, had opposed Asthana's appointment, saying it was illegal as his name had surfaced in a diary recovered during a raid conducted by the Income Tax department at the offices and other premises of company Sterling Biotech Ltd. The Centre, however, had claimed that Asthana, who was earlier an additional director in CBI, was looking after its eleven zones. Chennai: In a setback to sidelined AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran, three party Rajya Sabha MPs who were supporting him switched sides to the ruling camp headed by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami and his deputy O Panneerselvam. Days after the Election Commission allotted the party's 'two-leaves' symbol to the Palaniswami-Panneerselvam group, the trio met the chief minister at his residence, marking their joining the ruling camp ranks. The three MPs are A Navaneethakrishnan, Vijila Satyanand and N Gokulakrishnan (Puducherry). The switch over is seen as a morale booster to the ruling AIADMK camp, which has sidelined jailed party leader VK Sasikala and Dhinakaran. "Wherever the two-leaves symbol is there, that is AIADMK, and I will only be there," Navaneethakrishnan told PTI. He said despite "groupism" he used to meet Palaniswami in the Secretariat for the welfare of the state and added the Chief Minister "is being kind with me and I am respectful towards him." Gokulakrishnan too echoed Navaneethakrishnan saying he was in the camp "that has the two-leaves symbol." "We had taken a different stand so far and now with the EC verdict, it is courtesy to meet him (Palaniswami), we are sitting MPs and were elected as AIADMK nominees," he said. Both Navaneethakrishnan and Gokulakrishnan said Vijila Satyanand too was present when they met Palaniswami. AIADMK released a picture of the three MPs meeting Palaniswami. The party has a total strength of 13 MPs (12 Tamil Nadu and one Puducherry) in the upper house of Parliament. The three MPs have sided with Dhinkaran when Palaniswami-led group revolted against him. The factions led by the chief minister and Panneerselvam merged in August. The 23 November EC order on the symbol case said the Palaniswami camp had the backing of eight Rajya Sabha members and Dhinakaran three. (There was no reference to the remaining two MPs). Now, with three more joining the establishment ranks, the number of Rajya Sabha MPs supporting the ruling camp has gone up to 11. Palaniswami camp also has the support of 34 Lok Sabha MPs and 111 MLAs in Tamil Nadu, according to the EC order. Agartala: The Tripura and West Bengal governments on Tuesday offered government jobs, educational help and financial aid to the kin of a slain Tripura journalist, who was gunned down by a security personnel last week. Journalist Sudip Datta Bhowmik, 50, was shot by a Tripura State Rifle (TSR) rifleman in Radha Kishore Nagar, 25 kilometres from Agartala, on 21 November. "The Council of Ministers in a weekly meeting on Tuesday has decided to give Rs 10 lakh to Bhowmik's family. The cost of his teenaged daughter's education would be borne by the state government," Tripura Information and Finance Minister Bhanulal Saha told the media. Chief Minister Manik Sarkar presided over the Cabinet meeting. On the other hand, Trinamool Congress (TMC)'s West Bengal Assembly member Sabyasachi Dutta accompanied by state party leaders on Tuesday visited the home of the slain journalist. Datta later told the media that TMC supremo and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee talked to Bhowmik's mother Putul Rani Datta Bhowmik over the phone and assured her that the West Bengal government would provide a government job to the deceased's son Samik, who is now studying engineering in an Odisha institute. "Mamata Banerjee also assured to take the educational responsibility (by her government) of Bhowmik's daughter Samridhi (who is studying in Class VIII in a Tripura school)," said Sabyasachi Dutta, who is also the Mayor of Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation. According to police, TSR second battalion rifleman Nandu Kumar Reang, following an altercation, shot dead Sudip Datta Bhowmik at the battalion headquarters in Radha Kishore Nagar. Reang was the bodyguard of battalion Commandant Tapan Debbarma, who is a senior Tripura Police Service (TPS) officer (1998 batch) and waiting for IPS nomination. The slain journalist had gone to meet Debbarma at the battalion headquarters. To probe the sensational killing, the state government earlier constituted a four-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by Deputy Inspector General of police Arindam Nath. The SIT has so far arrested four TSR personnel, including Debbarma, and his bodyguard. "More TSR officials are likely to be arrested in connection with the journalist's killing," an SIT member said. The Press Council of India (PCI) has taken suo motu cognizance of the killing and sought a report from the Tripura government. Demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the incident, several journalist organisations under a newly-formed platformForum for Protection of Journalists (FFPJ)are continuing their agitation. FFPJ Convener Pranab Sarkar said a memorandum would be sent to President Ram Nath Kovind demanding a CBI probe into the killing of the journalist and protection to media persons. Bhowmik, who was a reporter with Syandan Patrika and local cable television channel Vanguarda, is survived by his wife, a government teacher, and two children. Earlier, 28-year-old TV reporter Shantanu Bhowmik was hacked to death while covering an event of a tribal party in Mandai in western Tripura on 20 September. The Congress has demanded a high-level inquiry into the murder. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has demanded a CBI probe and resignation of Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, who also holds the Home portfolio. Both parties observed a state-wide shutdown last week (on Thursday) to protest the killing. The ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) has criticised the BJP for politicising the journalist's killing. "State government is on the right track in probing the unfortunate killing," CPM central committee member Gautam Das told the media. New Delhi: Tourism and tnformation and technology minister Alphons Kannanthanam has cut out his Y-category security, choosing to travel with a personal security officer (PSO) in his car instead. According to sources in the minister's office, Alphons said he did not require additional security and it was an unnecessary waste of resources. "The minister is very particular about these things. He does not avail business class travel, he does not stay anywhere except in government guest houses while travelling. He also does not use his official vehicle during private visits," a source close to the minister said. "He has even forgone his Y-category security that he is eligible for," said an official close to the minister. Even when Alphons' official bungalow was under repair, the minister did not avail the government-owned Ashoka hotel, choosing to stay in Kerala House instead. On 25 November, when the minister visited his ministry at Transport Bhavan in central Delhi, he was driving his private car which was not allowed entry into the building guarded by CISF personnel. Officials also said Alphons, who took oath as Rajya Sabha MP on Monday, also does not call his staff to work when he works on Sundays. During his recent visit to Kerala, the minister sneaked out for private work by auto giving instructions to his staff not to bother the security personnel who were provided to him by the Kerala government. In major embarrassment for his officers a few months ago, Alphons was found travelling economy, while his senior officials travelled business class. Later, the minister said that his officers were "entitled" to it, but it was his "choice" to travel economy. Maharajganj: The 84 km-long Indo-Nepal border has been sealed ahead of the third phase of civic polls on Wednesday. The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) is enforcing the sealing of the border, District Magistrate and Electoral Officer Virendra Kumar Singh told reporters. "Only emergency vehicles will be allowed across the border during this period," he said. The threat of Maoists and the porous Indo-Nepal border are the two biggest challenges during the third phase of municipal polls in Maharajganj and the International Border has been sealed to tackle this, the official said. Cameras have been installed on trade and transit points along India's border with Nepal to prevent illegal movement of people. Security along the borders has been stepped up in the wake of reports that anti-social elements could infiltrate into the country and disrupt the polling, according to a top official in Maharajganj. The third phase of polling will be held in 26 districts across the state. Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh minister Mohsin Raza suffered dislocation of his shoulder when his vehicle skidded off a road in Sitapur after an animal suddenly jumped on the it on Monday evening. Three other persons were also in the vehicle. According to the minister, the incident took place while he was returning from an election meeting in Dhaurahra. "All of a sudden an animal jumped on the vehicle. Following this the vehicle skidded off the road and come to a halt at a side. We were safe. It was a very narrow escape for all of us," Raza told PTI. The Uttar Pradesh Minister of State for Science and Technology, Electronics, Information Technology, Muslim Waqf and Haj said, "I was not supposed to address the rally. Minister Anupama Jaiswal was to attend it. But, due to some last moment changes, I had to go there." Jaiswal is Uttar Pradesh Minister of State (Independent Charge) Basic Education, Child Development and Nutrition. Mumbai: Four workers of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) were seriously injured in a clash with shopkeepers in suburban Vikhroli over not displaying Marathi signboards, the police said on Monday. Six persons, including two workers of the Congress and four activists of MNS, were arrested in connection with the Monday incident. The incident occurred in Kannamwar area of the suburb on Sunday night when the MNS workers were distributing pamphlets for installing Marathi signboards at their shops when a scuffle broke out between them and some shopkeepers, a police official said. "Shopkeepers assaulted the MNS workers in which three of them were grievously injured, while one worker sustained a skull fracture," the official said. A case of rioting and attempt to murder has been registered against 20-25 persons, the official said, adding that further investigation is on. New Delhi: Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leader Bimal Gurung on Tuesday claimed in the Supreme Court that the West Bengal Police had lodged false cases against its members to pressurise them and suppress their movement for a separate Gorkhaland state. However, the state police maintained that Gurung was absconding, not cooperating in the probe of cases lodged against him and playing "blatant politics". A bench comprising justices AK Sikri and Ashok Bhushan said the court cannot go into the matter politically and has to look into the legal aspects of the case. "We cannot go into it politically. We have to see legal issues," the bench observed, adding "we cannot say anything on the issue which he (Gurung) has raised politically". Senior counsel AM Singhvi, representing the police, told the bench that Gurung was facing trial in 23 cases and several other criminal cases were also registered against him. He claimed that various serious incidents had taken place under Gurung's leadership and a 26-year-old police official was also killed during the recent Gorkhaland agitation. "His defence is that these cases are false and sham. There are so many cases. 53 FIRs cannot be sham," he said. Senior advocate PS Patwalia, appearing for Gurung, countered the submissions and said 104 FIRs have been lodged against Gurung and other GJM members by the West Bengal Police and the state government had made him a fugitive. "He fears for his life. The West Bengal government has made him a fugitive," he claimed and added that Gurung was seeking transfer of probe in these cases to other independent agencies like the CBI or the NIA. Referring to the application by police seeking vacation of the apex court's 20 November order restraining it from taking any coercive step against Gurung, he claimed that incorrect statements have been made in the plea. "Gurung was accorded cabinet status and was provided police secutiry. Can a person having a cabinet status do all this violence and abscond," Patwalia said, adding that the GJM had opposed the state government's move to make Bengali language mandatory in schools in West Bengal. He alleged that false cases were lodged without there being any complainants against Gurung and other GJM members to "pressurise and threaten" them and this was done to "quell the movement." Patwalia also argued that arms were planted during the raids conducted by the police at Gurung's residence and false case under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act was also registered. At the end of hearing, Attorney General KK Venugopal told the bench that the Centre would follow the order passed by the apex court in the matter. The court has posted the case for hearing on 30 November. The GJM leader had earlier claimed in the apex court that he was being politically persecuted by state government and sought a probe by the NIA or CBI in the killings of several Gorkhaland activists during the recent agitation for a separate state. West Bengal Police had told the court that its order restraining it from taking any coercive steps against Gurung should be vacated, as the morale of the entire force was down since there were several cases of serious nature against him. The GJM central committee had recently suspended Gurung for six months and appointed Binay Tamang as the party's new president. Gurung has approached the top court seeking independent probe into the alleged killings of Gorkhaland supporters during the recent protests. Pune: Harshvardhan Kadam, quite like the locality in Pune where his art studio 'Inkbrushnme' is located, is quiet. He casually inquires how our trip from Mumbai to Pune was, and offers us tea, before explaining how he had used our visit as an excuse to cancel a trip to Mumbai and stay home. He likes 'quiet' Pune, he says. He is Pune. A city where he has spent most of his life. A place that continues to play muse to his art works. "To understand the voice of the people, it is very important to understand the context in which you are creating an art work. Since I know the city, I know what the people will react to and what the people will not react to," says Kadam. A little into the conversation, it becomes clear that beneath the calm exterior is the mind of an insatiable artist, constantly exploring new ways to tell his stories. "The more I explore, the more I know about myself. The more I explore, the more I know about people and what it is exactly like to be a human being," he says. The word 'explore' resonates. Kadam's repertoire is vast and diverse. He has illustrated books for kids. He is in the final stages of completing a work on erotica. He loves painting murals on large walls. But there is a feeling he wants to do more. "What I observed as I was growing up was the art of sequential story telling which is the language of graphic novels. I used that to shape up my understanding, my voice and my style. So there is a whole range or a spectrum of projects I like to do. The reason why I do that is because I don't want to be tied to a particular identity," he says. "The idea that I could use walls as my canvas first struck me during a visit to Varanasi. That thought of having access in a public space... creating something that can communicate... made me realise I could extend (my) skill set to a bigger space," he adds. The latest work in his street art project is a 300m-long mural on the walls of the Yerwada Jail in Pune. The art work, titled 'Songs of the City', is India's largest mural, and is Kadam and his team's attempt at telling the story of Pune in a chronological order. "The mural is the story of the city from the river's (Mula-Mutha) point of view. The river has been here for years and has seen all the changes that the city has undergone. The length is so magnanimous that we had to create it in sections [sic]. Just to imagine and conceptualise, we divided the progression in parts," explains Kadam. Though Pune is central to his work, Kadam plans to continue travelling across the country and paint walls. The idea, he reiterates, is to continuously expand his canvas. The ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival, which has often been described as the greatest literary show on earth and the Kumbh Mela of literature, has hosted nearly 2,000 speakers and welcomed over a million book lovers over the past decade, evolving into a global literary phenomenon. The 11th edition of the celebrated lit fest will take place from 25-29 January 2018, once again at the historic Diggi Palace Hotel in Jaipur, as announced on 28 November, 2017. The festival will welcome over 250 writers, thinkers, politicians, journalists and popular cultural icons from over 35 different nationalities. It will feature a spectacular line-up of speakers representing the major awards including the Nobel, Man Booker, Pulitzer, Padma Vibhusan and the Sahitya Akademi Award. The first list of 60 speakers released today include Akhil Sharma, Amy Tan, Anurag Kashyap, BN Goswamy, Hamid Karzai, Helen Fielding, Michael Ondaatje, Michael Rezendes, Mridula Garg, Muhammad Yunus, Pico Iyer, Rupi Kaur, Sonal Mansingh, Sudha Murty, Tom Stoppard and Zakir Hussain, among others. The discussions at the Festival will feature around works spanning both Indian and the international literary landscapes; translations will be under the spotlight too in a bid to reinforce a diverse and flavourful cultural matrix. The 2018 edition expects to welcome speakers representing over 15 Indian and more than 20 international languages. As in previous years, the forthcoming edition of the Festival will partner with major Indian and global brands and host the highest calibre of speakers and curate an enviable depth in programming for its ever increasing and discerning audiences. The ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival sets literary conversations, debates and dialogue against the backdrop of built and cultural heritage including curated art installations, world music performances at the Music Stage and cultural evenings at heritage venues like the Amber Fort and Hawa Mahal. The ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival is a flagship event of Teamwork Arts, which produces it along with over 25 highly acclaimed performing arts, visual arts and literary festivals across more than 40 cities globally. Sanjoy K Roy, managing mirector of Teamwork Arts, which produces the ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival, says, As we wait to celebrate yet another milestone year of the ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival in 2018, we look forward to the infectious energy of intellectual debate and the dynamism that charges the Festival's atmosphere and comes from a mingling of celebrated minds, diverse perspectives, and heightened cultural experiences. What is heartening is that this incredible global phenomenon that the Festival has evolved into is still deeply rooted in its core identity as a completely accessible and democratic platform. For more details on the Zee Jaipur Literature Festival, click here. Kolkata: Trinamool Congress MP and Chief Minister's Mamata Banerjee's nephew Abhishek Banerjee filed a criminal defamation suit against BJP leader Mukul Roy at a city court for commenting that 'Biswa Bangla' is not a government entity but a company owned by him. Roy had made the remark at a public meeting earlier this month. "I have filed a defamation case. The matter is sub-judice. Please wait for the verdict. I have full faith in the judiciary. People of Bengal have already given them a befitting reply in the ballot box, now wait for the court to do the same," Banerjee, who is also Trinamool Congress' youth wing chief, told reporters. Abhishek moved the City Sessions Court, a day after a court in Alipurduar district showcaused Roy, who recently switched over to the BJP, for allegedly violating an order passed by it. "This is an attempt to destroy my goodwill with lies. If any allegations are proved correct, I will quit politics. Else Mukul Roy should leave the state," Banerjee said inside the court. Last month, the court had restrained Roy from making comments against the West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee's nephew regarding two organisations: Biswa Bangla Marketing Corporation Limited and Jago Bangla Media Private Limited. New Delhi: The ABVP said it has won eight seats in the election for the 11-member executive committee of the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) held on Monday. After DUSU elections, polls are held for the unions' executive committee. The National Students' Union of India (NSUI) had won the top two posts in DUSU central panel polls which was held in September. In a statement, the ABVP said eight of its candidates were elected to the committee. Besides the eight ABVP candidates, Yogesh Sarwan of Law Centre III, Nisha of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee College and Rahul Yadav of Law Centre I were elected to the panel. As per the DUSU Constitution, the committee should have 11 members and not less than two of these members should be women. Meanwhile, DUSU president Rocky Tuseed of the NSUI alleged rigging in the polls saying one of the voters, Gaurav Sharma, Central Councillor of SGND Khalsa College, was not allowed to vote as the list showed that he had already cast his ballot. "When I appeared to cast my vote, I wasn't permitted. The signatures on the attendance sheet doesn't match my signatures," Sharma complained to the election officer and requested postponement of declaration of results till he was allowed to vote. Election officer Rajeev Gupta said, "Our records showed that he had already cast his vote. We have checked photo IDs and verified all records. We have submitted his complaint to grievance redressal committee which will look into the issue." New Delhi: The Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, Vijender Gupta, today demanded that the AAP government presented a "white paper" on the status of school education in the national capital, saying that its data pointed towards various shortcomings in it. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government must come out with a "white paper" on the status of school education in Delhi, in view of the latest comprehensive data released by its education department, he said at a press conference. The data revealed a "sharp decline" in the number of students appearing as well as the pass percentage in the 10th and 12th board exams, the BJP leader claimed. "This is contrary to the claims of Deputy Chief Minister and Education Minister Manish Sisodia, who talks about a revolutionary progress in the field of education," Gupta said. Referring to the data, he further alleged that school education was "suffering" because of the "27,000 vacant posts of teachers" and deployment of "82 principles and teachers" in the education department on "administrative" work. Pune: Maharashtra minister and BJP leader Dilip Kamble on Wednesday said senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal is a "fighter" and he may come out of the jail in the near future as the Supreme Court has recently cancelled a section under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The Minister of State for Social Justice also said that it is important that a man like Bhujbal should be out in the society as he fights for the poor people. Bhujbal, former Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, is currently lodged in Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai in connection with an alleged money laundering case. Kamble was speaking on the death anniversary of social reformer Mahatma Jyotiba Phule at Phule Wada here. The event which was attended by NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development, Upendra Kushwaha, was orgnaised by Akhil Bhartiya Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Samata Parishad, founded by Bhujbal. "Bhujbalji is fighter leader, who fights for the poor people in the society and it is important that a person like him should be out in the society," Kamble said. The minister added that he is hopeful that Bhujbal will win the legal battle and come out soon. "On the legal points, the case will get investigated, but as a worker I feel that a fighter person like Bhujbal, who is in the jail, fighting the legal battle, should be out in the society. "I will pray to God that since a section, which was preventing him from getting bail for last two years, has been cancelled by the Supreme Court, he may come out soon," he said. Kushwaha, who is the chief of Rashtriya Lok Samata Party, too, lamented Bhujbal's absence on the dais and said that he should have been here today. "He is going through a tough phase and I pray that he will be with us soon," he said. The Union minister lauded Samata Parishad's efforts in the spread of thoughts and teachings of Jyotiba Phule, and praised Bhujbal for his contribution. "Now, people outside Maharashtra not only know Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule's work, but they have started adopting their thoughts," Kushwaha added. "And I think because Bhujbal chose to team up with people who work for social jutice, he faced the present condition," he said. Kushwaha also claimed that OBC, SC and ST have "negligible representation" in judiciary and media. "This was rued by none other than the President of India and till the OBCs, STs, SCs don't get representation in such fields, the social justice of Jyotiba Phule is not possible," he added. Kushwaha also demanded reservation in private sector saying that jobs in the public sector are dwindling. Pawar, in his speech, lauded the contribution of Bhujbal and said that through Samata Parishad and its work, he successfully spread the thoughts of Jyotiba and Savitribai Phule across the country. The NCP supremo said that he is ready to host a meeting in Delhi of MPs from OBC and other categories, where issues related to education, jobs and others faced by the people from these categories can be discussed. "Through such forum, we can go to the Prime Minister and present the issues before him," Pawar said. Ahmedabad: With the Gujarat polls less than two weeks away, the BJP on Tuesday raked up the issue of an old US diplomatic cable which allegedly quoted Rahul Gandhi as saying that "Hindu terror is a bigger threat" in India than the Pakistan-based LeT, and sought his explanation. Prasad said Gandhi should be "ashamed of linking" Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was then the chief minister of Gujarat, when he spoke about "polarising figures in the BJP" during his purported conversation with a US diplomat. "In 2010, two years after the (26/11) Mumbai terror attack, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was on India tour. At the lunch organised for then prime minister Manmohan Singh, US Ambassador Timothy Roemer was sitting next to Rahul Gandhi and asked the Congress leader what he thinks about the LeT," Prasad said. "In his response, Rahul told Roemer that forget LeT, it is the Hindu terror of this country which is a bigger threat. The US envoy Roemer sent this conversation as a cable to his country. Later, that cable was leaked and published by London-based The Guardian newspaper," the minister said. Referring to the purported communication, Prasad said, the US envoy even wrote that the Congress General Secretary (Rahul Gandhi) was referring to the tensions created by some of the more polarising figures in the BJP such as Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi. "This is the level of the Congress and Rahul. It was indeed shameful that he tried to link Modi with it. We demand an explanation from Rahul on this. He should be ashamed of himself as he thinks that LeT is less dangerous that Hindu saffron terror. And now, he is visiting temples in Gujarat," the BJP leader said. Prasad's diatribe came a day after the prime minister accused the Congress vice president of applauding the release of LeT chief Hafiz Saeed in Pakistan, and asked why he hugged the Chinese ambassador during the Doka La standoff. He also lashed out at the Congress over a joint statement issued by India and Pakistan in Sharm el-Sheikh in July 2009. Prasad alleged that Manmohan Singh had accepted his Pakistani counterpart Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani's charge that India was interfering in Pakistan's restive Balochistan region. "During the talks between both the PMs (in Sharm el-Sheikh), Pakistan had said that they are worried about Balochistan as India is interfering in it (the region). Surprisingly, Manmohan Singh accepted Pakistan's worry about Balochistan, which was also mentioned in the joint statement," the minister said. Prasad said the instance of Manmohan Singh "agreeing to Pakistan's concerns on Balochistan", at a time when the neighbouring country was spreading terror in Kashmir, amounted to "bigger compromise with national interests". "On one side, Pakistan is spreading terror in PoK and Kashmir, while on the other side Indian PM (Singh) agrees to Pakistan's concerns in Balochistan and that too just a few months after the 26/11 attack. There cannot be any bigger compromise with nation's interests than this one," he added. Commenting on former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah's challenge to the Centre to hoist the national flag at Lal Chowk in Srinagar before talking about unfurling it in PoK, Prasad said the tricolour is already flying high across the state. "Abdullah had also said that PoK should be given to Pakistan...Our tricolour is already flying high in the state and Pak-sponsored terrorism is losing its ground," he said. Responding to a query, Prasad said repealing Article 370 of the Constitution that gives autonomous status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir was indeed a part of the BJP's election manifesto. He said the situation in Kashmir has been improving gradually during the last two years. When asked about the statement of Lalu Prasad's son Tej Pratap following withdrawal of NSG security to the RJD supremo that he will get the prime minister "skinned", Prasad said, Rahul Gandhi should also speak on this as RJD is an ally of the Congress. Ahmedabad: Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad accused the Congress of misguiding the Patidar community over the issue of reservation and asked the party to reveal the roadmap under which it has promised a quota to them over and above the 50 percent cap set by the Supreme Court. Prasad, while referring to seven different Supreme Court judgments, including a landmark judgement in 1992, alleged that the Congress' reservation talk is "height of political opportunism" aimed only at getting Patidar votes during the next month's Gujarat Assembly polls. "Congress is now talking about reservation to Patidars. This is height of political opportunism. I want Congress to reveal their roadmap as to how they would breach the 50 percent cap set by the SC," the law minister said. "Is it a mere eyewash or cheating? If it is being done for getting votes, then it must stop," Prasad told reporters. "There are seven different judgments about reservation, including the 1992 Indra Sawhney judgement, which clearly says that we can't cross the 50 percent cap," the minister said. The Supreme Court had also made it clear that any law about reservation does not become immune to judicial review just by putting it into the 9th schedule of the Constitution, he said. Last week, Patidar leader Hardik Patel announced his support to the Congress for the upcoming Gujarat polls, stating that the party has promised to give reservation under Article 31(C) of the Constitution, if voted to power. Hardik had said that reservation formula given by the Congress for his community will be over and above the present 50 percent quota and opined that the 50 per cent cap set by the Supreme Court was just a "suggestion" and can be breached if the state government wants. On this, Prasad said Article 31(C) was introduced in 1971, while all the reservation-related judgements were delivered only after that. "Now, Congress is trying to open the doors through Article 31(C), which was introduced in 1971. Since all the judgements came after that, it is clear that the SC must have considered all the provisions of 31(C) while giving verdicts. I request the Congress not to cheat Patidars for getting their votes," he said. New Delhi: The Congress and the BJP on Monday demanded a probe into the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) funding after the ruling party in Delhi was issued a notice of Rs 30 crore by the Income Tax department over the donations received by it. At a press conference, Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken said the centre should order a thorough probe into the funding of the Aam Aadmi Party. "The Centre should order a probe instead of doing a lip service and going soft on the AAP," he said. It is strange that the AAP, which professed to change politics by being transparent in its fund collection has been issued a notice for Rs 30.7 crore by the I-T department for recovery of taxes, he said. Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari said instead of indulging in blame game, the AAP should satisfy the authorities over the issue of the notice served to them by the I-T department. "Right from its formation, the AAP's financial issues have been under suspicion and today's notice comes after a long hearing at the Income Tax department. So the party has no reason to claim innocence," he said. The Aam Aadmi Party was on Monday served a notice of Rs 30 crore by the Income Tax department over the donations received by it, a move Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal dubbed as the "height of political vendetta". Income Tax Department sources said the notice was issued by the assessing officer under section 156 (notice of demand). They said it was issued in the "normal course", where ITRs are picked up for scrutiny by the assessing officer. Vadodara: Congress MP Rajeev Shukla on Tuesday accused Narendra Modi government of "repackaging" as many as 23 welfare schemes which were conceived and introduced by the erstwhile UPA government. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repackaged and renamed 23 welfare schemes which were launched by the previous dispensation, and is fooling the people," Shukla said in Vadodara. He said the BJP had criticised the Congress government's Aadhaar and MGNREGA schemes when in opposition, but is now implementing them. "Barring demonetisation, which caused hardship to the common people, the Modi government has not conceived anything new. The NDA government inherited 23 schemes on a platter which were already at various stages of implementation, but the government has failed to implement them," Shukla said. He termed as "examples of glaring failures" the schemes like 'Make in India', 'Skill India', affordable housing for the poor etc. "Congress' schemes like 'Indira Awas Yojna' and 'Rajiv Awas Yojna' were renamed as 'Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna' and 'Sardar Patel National Urban Hosing Mission' by the Modi government. "The nomenclature of National Project on Management of Soil Health and Fertility was changed to 'Soil Health Card Scheme', whereas no-frills accounts 'Swabhimaan' was renamed as 'Jan Dhan Yojana', 'Swalambhan' scheme' as 'Atal Pension Yojna', and Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Vidyutikaran Yojna' as 'Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojna'," he claimed. Shukla further claimed the government has renamed the National Manufacturing Policy as 'Make in India', JNNURM as 'AMRUT' and 'Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan' as 'Swachh Bharat Mission'. He said the GST was initially conceived by the Congress, but the BJP bungled in its implementation. He criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for labelling Gandhis as "anti-Gujarat". "I want to ask why there is no Cabinet rank Gujarati minister in the Modi government? Gujaratis in his council of ministers are all ministers of state," he claimed. Shukla said the next month's polls are not a battle of dynasty as being claimed by Modi, but is a fight for "exposing failures" of Modi government. "Modi is raising only emotional issues in Gujarat during campaigning," he said. Battling disgruntled ticket aspirants, notes of discords from within, and some last minute defectors, the ruling BJP and the Congress finally released their final list of candidates on Monday the last day of filing nominations for the second phase of Gujarat polls. Congress, BJP drop out nine sitting MLAs While the Congress has dropped four of its sitting MLAs, the BJP left out five of its sitting MLAs with former chief minister Anandiben Patel among them. Anandiben, the legislator from Ghatlodia seat of Ahmedabad city and also a minister in the outgoing Cabinet, had earlier announced that she would not contest the polls this year. Apart from Anandiben, the BJP has dropped minister Rohit Patel from Anand seat. The other MLAs who have not been given tickets are Nagarji Thakor, RM Patel and Vinchhia Bhuria, PTI reported. In Congress, the sitting MLAs who have not been given tickets are Dharshi Khanpura, Hira Patel, Joitabhai Patel and Natvarsinh Thakor. For Mahudha seat, held by Natvarsinh Thakor since long, the party has chosen his son Indrajitsinh Thakor. Congress backs Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani The main Opposition Congress, while releasing its final list of 14 candidates, left two seats for allies and backed Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani who is contesting as an Independent. The party did not field its nominee in Vadgam seat of Banaskantha a seat reserved for Scheduled Caste candidates in support of Mevani, who led the Dalit stir against the BJP government in Gujarat. This election, community over religion It is no coincidence that nobody is talking about the Muslim vote bank this election season. The BJP is never known to explicitly woo the minority community; the Muslim voter has looked at the Congress as its only support. However, the Congress, this season adapted a different strategy prioritising winnability over anything else. And caste-based movements across Gujarat in the recent past the Dalit protests after the Una flogging incident and the Patidar agitation have sent the Muslims to the sidelines. And poll math only warrants a change in strategy. Muslim leaders in the Congress, too, are aware of the change in strategy as they cautiously defend the choice. According to The Indian Express, Congress' Muslim leaders said that it is part of its electoral strategy to avoid being projected as overtly pro-Muslim. This is being seen as a preventive move lest BJP tries to exploit such an image to mobilise the Hindu vote. A Firstpost report also suggested that the insecurity amid Muslims is on the rise. According to India Today, Gujarat has at least 20 constituencies which have a sizeable Muslim population which can influence the electoral outcomes. The BJP has not given a ticket to any Muslim, while the Congress has fielded six candidates from the community. Muslims account for 9.6 percent of the states population, as per 2011 Census data, however, they have a sizeable population in at least 66 assembly constituencies, with the Muslim population varying from 10 percent to over 60 percent, as per The Times of India report which extrapolated the Census data. Congress has fielded OBC leader Alpesh Zala (Thakor), popularly known as Alpesh Thakor, in Radhanpur constituency. Radhanpur is a bastion of the Thakor community and is currently held by the BJP. Thakor recently joined the Congress in the presence of party vice-president Rahul Gandhi. The Congress has been wooing community leaders like Hardik Patel of the Patidar quota agitation, Mevani and Thakor to dislodge the BJP, which has been in power in the state for over two decades. Payoff time for Chotubhai Vasava The Congress has not fielded any of its candidates for five seats, including four reserved for Scheduled Tribes (STs) under the seat-sharing agreement with its ally Bharatiya Tribal Party headed by former JD(U) MLA Chhotubhai Vasava. Vasava was the man who had pulled out Congress' Rajya Sabha MP Ahmed Patel from the jaws of defeat as the ruling BJP threw all its might ensure Ahmed's loss. Sources close to him had suggested that Vasava was flexing muscles to have a larger share of the cake as a payoff for ensuring Ahmed's win. He had actually asked for 19 seats and was adamant on getting at least 15 seats. Vasava's party is contesting five seats in the two-phase polls. For the first phase, the Congress has fielded its candidates for 86 out of the 89 seats, leaving out Jhaghadia, Dediapada and Mangrol seats all reserved for Scheduled Tribe for Vasava's party. For the second phase, the Congress gave two constituenices Morvahadaf (ST) of Panchmahal and Waghodia seat of Vadodara to Vasava's party. Both are currently held by the BJP. The 89 seats of Saurashtra and South Gujarat region are going to polls in the first phase while the remaining 93 seats, in central and northern region, will figure in the second phase. The polling for the 182-member Assembly will take place on 9 and 14 December and the votes will be counted on 18 December. Former Gujarat Congress president Siddharth Patel has been nominated for Dabhoi seat of Vadodara district while senior high court lawyer and party leader Babu Mangukia, who had fought Hardik's sedition case initially, has been chosen for the Thakkar Nagar seat in Ahmedabad city. BJP rewards defectors with tickets The ruling BJP has given tickets to Tejashariben Patel, the former Congress MLA who joined the saffron party earlier this year, and Kanu Makvana, the son of former Congress MLA Karamshi Makvana, who had crossed over to the BJP during the Rajya Sabha elections. The BJP has also made space for another Congress defector Amitbhai Chaudhary, who had defeated a BJP candidate from Mansa constituency in the previous Assembly election, according to Hindustan Times. Other Congress defectors who have found place on BJP candidate list include Raghavji Patel, Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, CK Raolji, Mansinh Chauhan and Ramsinh Parmar. In its sixth and final list, the party has given tickets to 12 sitting MLAs. The party has set to rest speculations and renominated Chief Minister Vijay Rupani from Rajkot (West), his deputy Nitin Patel from Mehsana and state party chief Jitu Vaghani from Bhavnagar (West). The BJP has fielded Bhupendra Patel from Ghatlodia, represented by Anandiben, while senior leader Kaushik Patel has been given the ticket from Naranpura, which was earlier represented by party president Amit Shah. Shah had resigned as MLA after his election to the Rajya Sabha. Former minister and BJP spokesperson Jaynarayan Vyas will be contesting from Siddhpur, from where he had lost in the 2012 polls and the party has fielded Gujarati film actor Hiteshbhai Kanodiya, son of former BJP MLA Naresh Kanodiya, from Ider constituency in Sabarkantha district. Kanodiya too had lost the previous elections from Kadi constituency. With inputs from agencies Click here for detailed coverage of Gujarat Assembly Election 2017 Vasram Sarvaiya of Mota Samadhiyala village in Una still shudders when he thinks about what had happened over a year ago. That day, 11 July, 2016 proved to be the darkest day of his entire life. Vasram, who belongs to the Dalit community, received a call at 7 am that a lion had killed a cow. Along with his three brothers, Vasram reached the spot and started removing the dead cow's skin. Later, about 40-50 cow vigilantes came and started thrashing them. Regarding the incident, he said, "all his brothers were taken about 25 kilometres from the village and brutally beaten up." Their condition was so bad that they had to be admitted to Una civil hospital and later, they were taken to Rajkot for better treatment. As soon as the incident was taken up by news channels, the cow vigilantes were arrested. Their case is presently underway. Nine of the gau rakshaks are still in jail but the rest are out on bail. Victimised Dalits of Una are upset The unhappiness and pain of Vasram, who was a victim in the incident, is apparent. While talking to Firstpost, he said, "we have not got justice till now." His resentment is also with those political leaders who came to the village after the unfortunate incident and gave assurances. He said, "Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal came to the village to meet us following the incident. After the Opposition starting creating pressure, then Gujarat chief minister Anandiben Patel also made a visit. Despite these visits, nothing changed." Vasram complains that Anandiben assured him land and employment but, nothing has happened till now. Forced to go out in search of employment The Sarvaiya family is forced to go to other places to seek employment. Ramesh, Vasram's younger brother, was also a victim in the incident and at present, he is learning sewing in Ahmedabad. We sent him to the city because he could not find any work in the village, Vasram said. Vasram's other two brothers, Ashok and Bechar, are forced to work with their father in the field to earn their livelihood. His father Balu Sarvaiya said, "even Rahul Gandhi came here and vowed to bring us justice. However, nothing of the sort has happened yet." They think they never got justice under the BJP government. Atrocities on Dalits happened at a number of places but, no action has ever been taken against the perpetrators. The Dalit community feels injustice has been done to them and since the government never bothered to listen to them, they are determined to make sure that they are heard this time. Govind Sarvaiya, who lives in the same village, said, "the Dalits of Una have stood with the BJP for last 15 years but we feel injustice has been done to us." The resentment within the Dalit community against the BJP was apparent and they seem to be supporting the Congress this time. Hasmukh Sarvaiya told Firstpost, "we will vote for the Congress this time." Sana Sarvaiya also said, "we will vote for change this time." The total population of the village is about 3,000 and there are 1,200 eligible voters. That incident about a year ago has changed everything within the Dalit community. They said that if the promises made by the government to them are not fulfilled, they will organise protests. Jignesh Mevani is an icon for Una Dalits Jignesh Mevani, who emerged after the incident, is considered a hero among the Dalits here. They are talking about organising protests for their rights and justice. The Dalits only form about eight percent of the voters in Gujarat, while they make up 16 percent in the country. They are not much influential in the poll-bound state. The Dalit factor has emerged in this year's Assembly election primarily because of the Dalit movement after the Una incident. Under the leadership of Mevani, the Dalits have come closer to the Congress. The Sangh has repeatedly tried to sway the Dalits towards the BJP but, they still stand with the Congress. Dalit icons like Mevani are raising questions about the atrocities on the community. Will the Dalits support BJP in the name of development? Dalits are now more educated and they want to connect to the society to move forward. They are changing and thinking differently. Jayesh Davera told Firstpost, "Narendra Modi is doing a better work. Every sector in Gujarat and the country, including education, has progressed. He gave us the bullet train. His relations with other countries and also better. We will vote for development." Through the Una incident and Mevani, the Congress is trying to counter the BJP in this election. Click here for detailed coverage of Gujarat Assembly Election 2017 Gandhinagar: Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma on Tuesday lashed out at Narendra Modi for "spreading lies and telling untruths", and said the prime minister has "stooped to his lowest". Sharma said the prime minister during his visit to his home state Gujarat was being emotional in front of the public in order to "run away from real issues" the state was facing. He also said Modi was playing the caste card by always saying he was born in backward caste. Addressing the media, the former minister said, "When he says that Congress is clapping at the release of Hafiz Saeed, he is saying a lie. If the prime minister can stoop to such a low level, it is shameful for the country. The prime minister should not be speaking lies." "It is because the BJP doesn't have any real leader of their own to showcase, they try and grab sometimes Subhas Chandra Bose and sometimes Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Sardar Patel was very much a Congressman and the title of Sardar was given by Mahatma Gandhi," Sharma added. Asked about the BJP and Modi saying the Congress was playing caste politics, Sharma said, "It is the prime minister who is doing that. India has never seen any prime minister who goes around saying that he was born in backward caste. In the history of the country, no other prime minister has stooped to such a low level." He said, "He always speaks untruth and distorts history. Modi hates the truth. By raising his voice and speaking lies, he tries to show bravado. If he is so brave, why does he run away from the Parliament? Modi has tarnished the image of the country. Whenever he goes abroad, he speaks badly about India. No other prime minister could have stooped to such a low." Sharma claimed that Modi had "no tolerance and democratic mindset". "Your (Modi's) big promises have turned out to be a lie and you are running away from discussions and only making false emotional statements," the Congress leader charged. On Modi's speeches in the poll-bound state, Sharma said: "The prime minister is being emotional just to run away from real issues. Why doesn't he speak about real issues than of 'being a son' and all that? Everybody knows he is from Gujarat. Nobody is denying that. But why go on repeating that instead of talking about development if it has really been carried out in the state." With inputs from PTI and IANS Ellsworth Toohey: "Mr. Roark, we're alone here. Why don't you tell me what you think of me? In any words you wish. No one will hear us." Howard Roark: "But I don't think of you. In Ayn Rand's iconic novel The Fountainhead, Roark is the author's version of an ideal man. He is fiercely independent, believes in his abilities and ideas, has the courage to stand up for his principles, and doesn't care about the opinion of others. His life is, essentially, devoted to his own thinking, judgement and action. On the campaign trail ahead of Gujarat Assembly election, it is evident such idealism doesn't exist in Indian politics. The archetypical Indian politician, like an anti-thesis to Rand's philosophy, exists only to think about their rivals, criticise them and devote their lives only to the judgement and actions of others. To understand this rival-fixation, let us look at the campaigns run by Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi and his rival Congress president-in waiting Rahul Gandhi. Listening to the prime minister address his karyakartas and voters in Bhuj, it seemed he had found a time machine to transport Gujarat back to 2001-02. Under Modi's leadership, it had time-travelled to an era where an earthquake was still the talking point, where the Congress was still a tour de force and where the prime minister was still under siege, under attack from the marauding forces of the Opposition. Election hoardings put up by the BJP all across Gujarat claim Modi is Mr Development (Hoon chhu vikas), creating the impression that Modi would keep his campaign centred on his achievements and progress card. But, in his rallies, the prime minister spent most of the time attacking the Congress with his trademark mix of facts and slogans, indicating that flaying the rival would be a better idea than blowing the vikas trumpet. In each of his rallies, he appeared in different headgears and jackets of varying shades, perhaps to reflect his knowledge of the local sartorial preferences. While the attire changed, the crux of his attack remained the same: The Congress is anti-development; soft on terrorism he even went to the extent of claiming Congress "clapped" when Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief Hafiz Saeed was released; lacks spine to counter Pakistan; it is anti-Gujarat; anti-Patels, and, of course, anti-Modi. The prime minister's fierce attack on the Congress points at the failure of his mission of making India Congress-mukt. Three years after winning the Lok Sabha election with a huge majority, vanquishing the Opposition in almost every election for state assemblies, panchayats and municipalities, if the prime minister has to still devote most of his energy to Congress bashing, it shows the grand old party is still alive and kicking. That it is still on Modi's mind as rival number one and a potential threat. It also shows he finds it safer to steer the discourse away from two of his biggest gambits demonetisation and GST. Yes, he does mention them in his speeches, but only as a stick to beat the Congress or argue how the party and its corrupt leaders had suffered because of his overnight ban on old currency notes. How the government and voters have gained from the two reforms, is left largely unsaid. In the end, his call to arms to voters is for keeping the Congress away and fighting for his own and the honour of Gujaratis, both living and dead. A part of the prime minister's offensive is, of course, a reaction to the Opposition's strategy of keeping the narrative focussed on anti-Modism, reflected in Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's recent "anybody but BJP" appeal to voters. Election speeches of Rahul, Patidar leader Hardik Patel, and Dalit activist Jignesh Mewani too have largely targetted Modi. With their vote-out-Modi theme, they have turned the Gujarat election a referendum on the prime minister. Like Modi, Rahul has said barely anything other than attacking Modi for alleged crony-capitalism, being silent on corruption, wasting money on misadventures like the Nano project and policy adventurism manifest in demonetisation and GST rollout. Instead of sharing his own vision of Gujarat, Rahul has just found flaws with Modi's model, talking about the same things, cracking the same jokes, unleashing the same one-liners ad nauseam at every gathering. The Congress has relied so much on its anti-Modi rhetoric that it has blithely ignored the bigger questions in the voter's mind: Who would lead the government in case it is voted back to power after almost 22 years? How it will accommodate the conflicting demands of Patidars and OBCs for quota benefits? How is its model different from Modi's? For it, anti-Modi-ism has been a Harry Potter type invisibility cloak that seeks to hide its own flaws and ideological inadequacies. The losers in this campaign focussed on the other, instead of the Roark-ian ideal of talking about your own ideas and beliefs, are, of course, Gujarati voters. Amidst this mudslinging, finger-pointing and tear-jerking, they are essentially being asked to vote negatively, stamp the ballot to reject one of the two parties. In the end, the whole election shebang is about choosing the lesser of the two evils. Ahmedabad: Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani on Tuesday accused PAAS leader Hardik Patel of betraying his Patidar community and claimed that the Congress will pay heavily in the Assembly elections for portraying Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "chaiwala" on social media. "The Patidar fight is no more for a community. It has become a private affair. The Patidars and the BJP are two sides of the same coin, they will vote for us," Rupani said at a conclave of India TV. Rupani, who took over as chief minister in August last year, said the Patidars are well aware that Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leader Hardik Patel supports the Congress. "Hardik Patel has betrayed the Patidar community and they have come to know about it now. People are aware of the 'anti-Patidar' attitude of the Congress," the BJP leader said. He said the Congress had also made fun of the poor by portraying the Prime Minister as a "chaiwala". "The party has made fun of all tea-sellers and it has denigrated India in the eyes of the world. They will have to pay a heavy price (in the elections)," Rupani said. "This act exposes the Congress mentality that the Prime Minister should be from the Gandhi-Nehru family only. A poor man cannot become the prime minister. A 'chaiwala' cannot become the prime minister. The party president should also be from the family," he added. Rupani was reacting to a Youth Congress magazine which published a meme on Modi. When reminded that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also hailed from a poor family, Rupani said, "They were forced to do it (make Manmohan Singh the prime minister). Sonia Gandhi was going to become the prime minister but she could not even though the party wanted her to be." Rupani ridiculed as "baseless" Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi's charge that much of the Narmada river water was given to industrialists. "Around 78 percent of the Narmada water is given to nearly 9,000 villages and 167 municipalities. We have given 20 percent water for irrigation and only two percent water to industries. Our first priority is drinking water, second priority is irrigation and the third priority is industries," he said. The chief minister claimed he had camped in Banaskantha for five days to carry out relief work during this year's floods while Congress MLAs were enjoying themselves at a five-star resort in Bengaluru. He said the BJP government had done much for the state's farmers and trading community and all issues relating to the Goods and Services Tax are being addressed. Click here for detailed coverage of Gujarat Assembly Election 2017 Amreli: He walked the time tested walk, talked the best practiced talk, but can Narendra Modi turn it around? The very question might look out of place when it comes to Gujarat, but the answer may well put things in perspective. The winter of 2017 is not the same as the winter of 2002. The winds are noticeably stronger and colder for the BJP. On his first whirlwind campaign tour on Monday, the first after elections were announced in Gujarat, Modi played the victim as well as the saviour but the crowds were not swaying to his beat unlike in 2002. This reporter heard a conversation between people walking out of a Modi rally on Dhari Chalala Road in Amreli district: "When a prime minister comes, there should not be an inch to breathe. Here more than half of the ground was empty." Amreli district is a Patidar-dominated region and also has severe distress among cotton and groundnut farmers. This rally, by no standards, was a one-off situation though it was the worst among the four that Modi addressed on Monday. Looking at the region he is visiting Wednesday, the numbers are likely to be the same or only a little better. In 2002, Modi set out on his Gujarat Gaurav Yatra in the backdrop of serious allegations of state-sponsored communal violence after the Godhra train attack where he played the same victim- hood card converting all criticism against him and his government as an insult to the Gujarati pride. And it worked. Similarly, the condemnation of state-sponsored violence established him as a veritable Hindu Hriday Samrat who had taught the Muslims a lesson. It is also a key element of the BJP's campaign this time, reminding people that the days of riots and curfew are things of the past, ever since Modi came on the scene. Any reminder that riots don't happen because the BJP no longer needs them helps, with the implied message that the Muslims or the Congress incite riots first. Modi is applying the same Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde formula where he alternates between being a son-of-the-soil victim and a saviour. "I will sell tea, I"ll never sell the nation" he says while reminding the people that the Congress always disliked Gujarat and Gujaratis, beginning with Sardar Patel, to underscore the hurt Gujarati pride and in the same breath plays the saviour with the this-is-Modi roar ("aa Modi chhey"). But there is only one problem. The crowds who fell over one another in circa 2002 to see him, are not very enthused this time round. Severe farmer distress, twin blows of GST and demonetisation, visible unemployment, Patidar, Dalit-disaffection and difficult-to-handle OBCs are making the BJP sweat this winter. From the evidence of Monday, it seems like this time the rhetoric might not be enough to sweep these issues under the carpet. On Wednesday, Modi begins his second leg with Morbi, which is the hub of the ceramic industry adversely hit by GST and demonetisation given that it is largely a small-scale sector. In the same region between Morbi and Chief Minister Vijay Rupani's home town Rajkot are the automobile parts and engineering goods units, largest in Gujarat, also in the SSI and medium scale sector. They are also still reeling under duel reform impact. This is also the region where the Patidar movement of Hardik Patel has had a visible impact especially in the rural and semi-urban areas. By design or by default, the Patidar youngster will hold a rally in Rajkot on Wednesday. Narendra Modi, and so Gujarat BJP, sure have a challenge of sorts. The winter of 2017 is not a cakewalk like 2002, but a sweaty walkathon. New Delhi: Congress leader P Chidambaram on Tuesday hit out at the prime minister and said the elections were not about "Modi, the individual" but the promised "achhe din" that had not arrived even after 42 months. In a series of posts on Twitter, the former finance minister also asked if Modi had forgotten he was prime minister. "Mr Modi's campaign is about himself, his past and the alleged disdain of Gujarat and Gujaratis. Has he forgotten he is Prime Minister of India? "The Gujarat election is not about Mr Modi, the individual. It is about the promised achhe din that has not come in 42 months," he tweeted. Mr Modi's campaign is about himself, his past and the alleged disdain of Gujarat and Gujaratis. Has he forgotten he is Prime Minister of India? P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) November 28, 2017 Continuing his attack, Chidambaram said the prime minister does not talk about issues like joblessness, lack of investment, collapse of SMEs, stagnant exports and price rise because he has no answers to the "hard reality". According to him, Modi had forgotten that Mahatma Gandhi was an Indian and the son of Gujarat. "Gandhiji was, and is, revered as Father of the Nation; and Gandhiji's chosen instrument to lead the freedom struggle was the Congress party," Chidambaram asserted. Mr Modi has forgotten that Gandhiji was an Indian and son of Gujarat; Gandhiji was, and is, revered as Father of the Nation; and Gandhiji's chosen instrument to lead the freedom struggle was the Congress party. P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) November 28, 2017 The prime minister and the BJP, he added, may now "desperately embrace" Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, "but the redoubtable Sardar had rejected the BJP's parent RSS and its divisive ideology". Launching a fierce attack against the Congress, Modi said in Gujarat on Monday that the Opposition party was "disconnected from the aspirations of people of India and involved only in misleading people and creating an atmosphere of pessimism". Pitching the elections as a contest between trust on development and dynastic politics, he said Congress had never liked Gujarat and liked to see it lag behind others. "Gujarat is my Atma, Bharat is my Parmatma. This land of Gujarat has cared for me, Gujarat has given me strength," he said. He addressed four rallies in the state, which goes to the polls on 9 and 14 December. Patna: Acrimonious exchanges were on Tuesday witnessed inside the Bihar Legislative Assembly between Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi and Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav over the issues of corruption under the present regime and benami property allegedly amassed by the latter. As soon as Speaker Vijay Kumar Choudhary rejected a notice for adjournment motion on various scams served by Opposition members, Tejashwi stood up and said "this is a very important matter. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who was earlier known for good governance, is now regarded as 'Bhishma Pitamah' of corruption". "Not a day passes when people in Bihar do not open newspapers or switch on TV expecting news of a new scam", Tejashwi, younger son of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad, alleged. Sushil Modi reacted angrily to this, saying that Yadav should "tell the house about benami property worth about Rs 1,000 crore amassed by him into which CBI was inquiring. At the age of 28, he has become owner of so many properties". Tejashwi retorted, "at times I am told that I am a child (a reference to a recent remark by the chief minister ) and at the same time I am also accused of corrupt deals". "I was the deputy chief minister for a considerable period of time. I want to know whether I was guilty of any corrupt deal during the period. On the other hand, the name of the chief minister has figured in a murder case and even a fine has been slapped on him by a court in that connection," Tejashwi alleged. Sushil Modi sarcastically replied that had he (Tejashwi) explained his position earlier, he would have been sitting even now on the deputy chief minister's chair". The senior BJP leader was referring to collapse of Grand Alliance comprising JD(U), RJD and Congress over the issue of graft charge on Yadav. Earlier, proceedings of the House commenced in a surcharged atmosphere with some CPI(ML) MLAs carrying placards and shouting slogans demanding a stop on violence against dalits. This evoked angry outbursts from the ruling side. Later, RJD member Abdul Bari Siddiqui told the Chair that "members of the ruling side are behaving in a manner in which the Opposition has been known to behave". State minister Nand Kishore Yadav reacted angrily saying the ruling side "will not allow the Opposition to manipulate the proceedings in an arbitrary manner". Later, as members were dispersing after the Speaker announcement adjournment of the House before lunch, Bhai Virendra of the RJD and Virendra Singh of the JD(U) nearly came to blows inside the house over allegations and counter allegations in the trade of sand and stone chips. Bhai Virendra was heard saying: "I only said that people from the ruling side are known to have mafia-like interest in sand and stone chips trade, but to this Virendra Singh reacted in an abusive manner". As angry exchanges continued between them, some members tried to pacify the two MLAs. Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav later told reporters "our party has lodged a complaint against the use of abusive language by the JD(U) MLA and the Speaker has promised that he will look into it". He also alleged that Sushil Modi has "tutored his MLAs to provoke us to resort to violence so that they could later defame us before the media". Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday heaped praise on President Ram Nath Kovind for maintaining a low profile while serving in the highest office in the country, saying that the post is above all politics. "The president's post is the highest post in the country. It is above all politics. Everyone in the country respects this position. And our President is such a person who always maintains a low profile," she said during a civic reception in Kolkata on the occasion of Kovind's maiden visit to the state after taking over as president. "I did not know earlier that he has served as a member of Rajya Sabha for a long time. When I worked as a Lok Sabha member, he used work as a Rajya Sabha Member. We did not realise that we have worked together because he always maintained such a low profile," Banerjee said. During the event, Kovind also expressed his gratitude to Bengal for the "warm welcome" and thanked the chief minister for gifting him one of her own paintings. Congratulating Kovind for his ascendancy to the "number one position in the country", the Trinamool Congress supremo appealed to the president to stay the way he is, so that his cordial relationship with the commoners remains the same. "Sir, I wish you stay this simple, I wish you keep maintaining such low profile while working in the number one position in the country. I hope you stay like this so that your relation with the commoners stay the same and brings you success," Banerjee added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is fond of recollecting his tea-seller days and, often, employs it to his advantage to make emotional appeals in his political rallies. Ever since Modi rose to the national scene in the summer of 2014, the tea-seller tag has been deployed, repeatedly, by him to defend, attack or re-connect with his voters, depending on what the situation demands. After three-and-a-half years in power at the Centre, Modi has proved himself as a leader who can act; someone who can take bold, politically risky steps. There are political analysts who would call him as the most powerful prime minister in India's history after Indira Gandhi. Modi is no longer that old tea-seller, but a powerful politician and the head of the world's largest democracy. But, every time Modi flashes his tea seller tag, it works wonders for him without fail. It did the job during the 2014 General Elections and in every major state-election that followed. This time again, the Congress handed over an opportunity to Modi to revive the magic of the tea-seller tag when its Youth Congress magazine Yuva Desh, tweeted out a meme mocking Modi. The meme, which was subsequently deleted after a social media backlash, showed Modi with United States president Donald Trump and British prime minister Theresa May, whereby he mispronounces the word 'meme', leading to Trump correcting his pronunciation and May suggesting that Modi should stick to selling tea. Modi didn't miss the political opportunity. In Gujarat on Monday, he said that the Congress party is ridiculing him citing his humble beginnings. Some high drama filled remarks followed, such as Modi saying that while he did indeed sell tea, the Congress party had sold the nation. Further, Modi went on to play the 'son of the soil' card. "I have come here as your son. You (people) have brought me up like a son. And how dare you (Congress and its leader Rahul Gandhi) come to Gujarat and abuse her son?" Modi had said. Clearly, Modi was given yet another opportunity by Gandhi and team to make an emotional connect with the people of Gujarat, which is likely to cost the Congress party dearly a big mistake to do in the rival's home state. And as far as political statures go, Modi is far ahead of his principal opponent, Rahul. Except for his lineage and recently acquired political charm on social media, Gandhi doesn't have much to show on his political scorecard, yet. His stewardship hasn't won any major elections for his party, nor has he done anything radically different as a political leader in the Opposition. Gandhi, who has launched endless attacks against Modi on the latter's economic policies, such as demonetisation and the flawed implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), doesn't even have a good economic plan to counter Modi except for the verbal battles and constant chanting about the poor being ignored. Modi, on the other hand, is an achiever. Someone who rose to the highest echelons of power from humble beginnings, first to the office of Gujarat chief minister and later to that of prime minister. No one disputes Modi's administrative skills and political will to bring about change. Each time critics predicted the imminence of his invincible status, Modi proved them wrong in his own style. The big outcome in this year's Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections serves as a fine example. By making fun of his origins, Congress was actually helping Modi. Like this writer had said in an earlier Firstpost column, Gujarat takes immense pride in Modi's rise to power from poverty; his clean image and ability as an efficient administrator, making him an invincible challenger to the Congress. In Gujarat as well, Modi might just pull off another major win, decimating his fractured rivals. If that happens, the 'tea-seller' tag can surely claim a part in that victory. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address four rallies on November 29 in different parts of south Gujarat, where polling for the first phase of Assembly polls will be held on 9 December. On the morning of 29 November, Modi will address people in Morbi district, which was one of the worst affected districts in the floods that ravaged the state of Gujarat earlier this year. The seat has been held by BJP since 1995 and the party has chosen to field its sitting MLA Kantibhai Amrutiya against Congress' Brijesh A Merja. Later, the prime minister will address rallies in Prachi town in Junagadh district, Palitana in Bhavnagar district, and Navsari town in Surat district. Navsari is considered a BJP bastion as the party has retained the seat since 1990. However, this time around, Rahul Gandhi pulled a considerable crowd at his rally in the town. The BJP also faced some friction as BJP workers took out a huge rally in Navsari demanding that party leadership announce a new face the constituency, The Times of India reported. The party has, however, chosen to field the sitting MLA Piyush Desai. "Each rally has been organised in such a way that people from five to six surrounding constituencies can also attend it," Gujarat BJP in-charge Bhupender Yadav Yadav told PTI. The polling for the two-phase elections in the state, having total 182 Assembly seats, will take place on 9 and 14 December and votes will be counted on 18 December. While 89 seats of Saurashtra and South Gujarat region will go to polls in the first phase, the election in the remaining 93 constituencies in central and northern regions will be held in the second phase. Modi, who started his high voltage campaign with rallies in Bhuj in Kutch district, Jasdan in Rajkot, Chalala in Amreli and Kadodara near Surat on 27 November, took on the Opposition Congress on issues related to China, Lashkar-e-Taiba's Hafiz Saeed, the surgical strike as well as corruption. With inputs from PTI Click here for detailed coverage of Gujarat Assembly Election 2017 Patna: Taking a dig at RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav over his outburst following downgrading of his security cover, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar said on Tuesday it is the characteristic of a "brave personality" to impress people with the help of hundreds of security personnel. "Despite the Z-plus security and Special Security Group cover provided by the state government, having hundreds of securitymen from the NSG and CRPF to impress people is the characteristic of a brave personality," Kumar said in a sarcastic tweet in Hindi. The chief minister's comment came a day after Lalu Prasad accused the Modi government of hatching a "conspiracy" to frighten him so that he gives up his "relentless fight for preserving communal harmony and social justice". His two sons were more livid. The RJD boss' elder son Tej Pratap Yadav, a sitting MLA and former minister, went to the extent of threatening to "skin" the prime minister if something unfortunate were to happen to his father following the security downgrade. Reacting to Nitish's tweet, Lalu's younger son and leader of the opposition in the state Assembly Tejashwi Yadav said on Tuesday that even people of little consequence who were close to the ruling establishment were provided security by the government. "Lalu ji had not obtained the security for himself. It is the prerogative of the Centre and the state to decide whom to provide with what type of security cover. Does a person not have even the right to question such a sudden change in decision?" he told reporters. "If I am asked whether Lalu ji faces any threat to his life, the answer would definitely be, yes. Therefore, Lalu ji was right in saying that if something unfortunate happens to him the Nitish Kumar government in the state and the Modi government at the Centre shall be jointly responsible," he said. Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi will be addressing campaign rallies in Gujarat on Wednesday and Thursday (29-30 November) to address election rallies, his sixth visit to the state since the Assembly elections dates were announced on 24 October. The first leg of Rahul's two-day campaign will begin on 29 November, where he will visit the Gir, Somnath, Junagadh and Amreli. He will land at Diu airport around 12:30 pm and will travel to Somnath via a chopper. He will attend two meetings at Somnath and Talala, following which he will have a roadshow and a corner meeting at Visavadar city in Junagadh. Rahul is also slated to visit the Somnath temple. In the past, as Firstpost reported, Rahul's visit to temples, which have been seen as a soft Hindutva pitch, was ineffective on the voters. Rahul is also expected to visit Visavadar and Dhari. After a corner meeting in Savarkundla, Rahul will conclude the first day of campaigning with a public meeting in Amreli. On Wednesday, the Congress vice-president and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be simultaneously campaigning for the upcoming Assembly election in the state. Modi will be in South Gujarat. On the second day of campaigning, Rahul will commence his rallies with a public meeting in Lathi. He is also expected to visit the cities of Dhasa, Gadhada, Barvala and Vallabhipur. Rahul will have another public meeting Botad and he will complete his campaign with a sabha in Nari Chokdi in Bhavnagar. In his past rallies on 24 and 25 November, Rahul had trained guns at the Modi-led government over the Rafale fighter aircraft deal, demonetisation and alleged corruption charges against BJP president Amit Shah's son Jay Shah. Rahul will be on the two-day tour of poll-bound Gujarat to lead his party's election campaign ahead of the first phase of polling for 89 seats next month. Polling for the two-phase elections in the state, which has a total of 182 seats, will take place on 9 and 14 December. The votes for Gujarat Assembly elections will be counted on 18 December. Eighty-nine seats of Saurashtra and south Gujarat region are going to polls in the first phase, while the remaining 93 seats in the central and northern region would vote in the second phase. With inputs from agencies Click here for detailed coverage of Gujarat Assembly Election 2017 Patna: Union minister and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Ram Vilas Paswan on Tuesday said "power to the poor" was the motto of the NDA government at the Centre, which enjoyed an unblemished record even after being in power for more than three years. "Three-and-a-half years have passed since the formation of the Narendra Modi government. Not a single corruption scandal has emerged. Nobody has come forward with complaints of irregularities of even a single paisa," he told the LJP workers on the party's foundation day. "The Modi government works with the aim of providing power to the poor. This approach is reflected in all the centrally-sponsored schemes as well as the bold steps such as the note ban, which deprived those in possession of black money of their ill-gotten wealth at one go," Paswan said. The LJP is an ally of the BJP in the NDA coalition at the Centre as well in Bihar. "The GST (Goods and Services Tax) is yet another important step, which has brought about a uniform tax regime across the country. The prime minister's style of functioning has led to a huge improvement in the country's image across the world," the Union minister for consumer affairs, food and public distribution said. Paswan also came down heavily on Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad, saying, "He is making a big fuss over the downgrading of his security cover. I never complained when my security was scaled down." The RJD chief's security cover was downgraded from the "Z+" to "Z" category by the Centre on Monday. Claiming that Prasad would "learn his lessons" in the next election, Paswan said, "He has forgotten that he tasted power after 2015 because he then used to enjoy the support of Nitish Kumar, who is known for good governance. The RJD supremo should remember that in the last Lok Sabha polls (2014), he could not even ensure the victory of his wife Rabri Devi and daughter Misa Bharti." Stating that the people of the country were no longer ready to tolerate corrupt leaders, the LJP chief said, "Our party has been a part of the ruling dispensation so many times. Yet, nobody has ever levelled any allegation of corruption against us." Besides Paswan, the LJP's foundation day celebrations were attended by the party's parliamentary board chairman, Chirag Paswan, MP Ramchandra Paswan and Bihar minister Pashupati Kumar Paras among others. Despite rumours that BJP may field former chief minister Narayan Rane for the Legislative Council bypoll slated for 7 December, the saffron party on Monday announced its Maharashtra unit vice-president Prasad Lad as its candidate. Soon after his candidature was announced, Lad, who joined BJP last year, filed his nomination papers at Vidhan Bhawan. The bypoll is being held for the seat vacated by Rane who quit Congress in September. On 1 October, Rane had formed a new political party called Maharashtra Swabhiman Paksha, saying he would support the BJP-led NDA. The candidature of Lad, said to be close to Fadnavis, has come as a disappointment for some in the BJP who felt the party's state unit chief spokesperson Madhav Bhandari deserved the Council bypoll nomination. Lad is a former NCP leader who had defected to the BJP last year. The businessmn-turned-politician is said to have wide-ranging contacts and has deep pockets, according to DNA. In December 2015, Lad had contested as an independent to the state council and lost to Congress nominee Bhai Jagtap. On the other hand, Congress has fielded former legislator from Solapur Dilip Mane to take on Lad. The winner will need votes of at least 145 MLAs in the 288-member Lower House. In the Assembly, the BJP has 122 members, followed by Shiv Sena (63), Congress (42), and NCP (41). Though the Congress-NCP alliance is behind the ruling combine in the Assembly in terms of number of members, MPCC chief Ashok Chavan had told reporters that Mane will emerge victorious due to an 'invisible arrow'. The bow and arrow is the symbol of Shiv Sena. "Sena is unhappy over issues like farmers loan waiver. It recently repeated its threat to pull out of the government. Going by the political situation, the 'invisible arrow' will help Congress win the poll," Chavan had said. With inputs from PTI Kolkata: The West Bengal assembly on Monday passed the Biswa Bangla Biswabidyalay Bill amidst protests by the Left Front and Congress MLAs opposing the title of the legislation. The Bill was tabled by Education minister Partha Chatterjee who in his reply said that it was surprising to see the Opposition Left Front and Congress members objecting to the use of the word Biswa Bangla. The LF and Congress members wanted the Bill to be referred to the select committee which was declined by the Speaker Biman Banerjee. Chatterjee said the Biswa Bangla name got nothing to do with the `Biswa Bangla' logo. He said that now they are opposing the words Biswa Bangla, later they might oppose the usage of 'Biswa' or 'Bangla'. The minister said the state was having now 20 state-run and nine private universities. The government was also contemplating to set up a university in the name of Sister Nivedita to commemorate 150 years of her birth. Banerjee said that the logo 'Biswa Bangla' in the Bill is unrelated to the logo in the same name and the rule of sub-judice did not apply here. The legislators were supreme and sovereign and they are unfettered even when the subject matter was under sub-judice. The proposed university would be located at Bolpur in Santiniketan. Anirudh Regidi Naysayers and doomsday heralds arent in short supply in this world and are largely ignored by the saner populace. Unfortunately, when one of the said heralds turns out to be of the likes of Tony Stark-esque Elon Musk, its in our best interest to at least pay attention. Musk has been vocal about his fear of artificial intelligence (AI), stating in no uncertain terms that AI is humanitys biggest existential threat. He uses every opportunity that comes his way to decry the state of AI policy and call for regulation of this threat. Only recently, a passing comment on a video of Boston Dynamics back-flipping robot sparked yet again a debate on Musks views and rogue (or benevolent) future AI. At last count, his tweet had received 245,500 likes, 80,800 retweets and over 5,300 comments, with many coming out in support of Musk and his views. This is nothing. In a few years, that bot will move so fast youll need a strobe light to see it. Sweet dreams https://t.co/0MYNixQXMw Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 26, 2017 But what really is Musks stand towards AI? Why is this man, who clearly is skeptical about AI, investing so heavily in the development of AI? Why is he excited when an AI funded by him defeats the best human players in DOTA 2? More importantly, how do you trust this mans word when AI is increasingly becoming the cornerstone of his business? Is he just a hypocrite who is, as some seem to think, using fear to better his ends? How irrational is Elon Musks fear of AI? Without understanding Musks perspective on AI, its easy to see why such questions are relevant. In truth, Musks stance on AI stems from his perception of the dangers that unregulated AI development can pose. Whether you agree with his views or not, he makes some compelling points. Musks investments in DeepMind now owned by Google and in OpenAI an open-source AI research initiative, were not made for purely scientific and research purposes. As Musk explains in an interview with Vanity Fair, the investment in DeepMind was for keeping an eye on the state of AI development. The investment in OpenAI is for an even more noble cause, which well explain in more detail when you have more context for it. AI is inevitable When it comes to super AI, its advent is inevitable, the question is only about when itll arrive. Musk believes that companies like Google, which are investing heavily in AI, might have the best intentions, but that scientists will be so engrossed in their work that they wont realise what theyre creating. To prevent such an eventuality, Musk has called for regulation of AI. Public risks require public oversight, he says. Got to regulate AI/robotics like we do food, drugs, aircraft & cars. Public risks require public oversight. Getting rid of the FAA wdnt make flying safer. Theyre there for good reason.https://t.co/6OXZC3UdMW Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 26, 2017 People like Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg have rubbished Musks claims. Zuckerberg goes so far as to label them as hysterical and argues that AI is in too nascent a stage of development to merit regulation and oversight. Musk argues that AI is developing at too rapid a rate for such regulation to be ignored. If one can argue that Musk is just "buffing his brand", one can also argue that Zuckerberg's secret plans of world domination will be hampered by AI regulation. Another notable tech figure whos worried about AI is Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. Gates is worried about what the advent of AI means for humanity, but isnt as worried about regulation as Musk. When The Wall Street Journal asked Gates about Musks views, Gates said, The so-called control problem that Elon is worried about isnt something that people should feel is imminent. AI is powerful AI is a powerful tool. Our current implementations of AI arent particularly intelligent. AI today is really good at improving the efficiency of repetitive tasks and working within a set of predefined rules. The AI that defeated the worlds best Go player or the OpenAI project that trounced DOTA 2s best players in a controlled environment are big achievements, yes, but AlphaGo can't play any other game and that DOTA bot can't even play the full game. Other AI like Google Assistant, Siri and Alexa are also quite primitive, incapable of holding conversations are doing anything beyond the simplest of tasks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7U4-wvhgx0w These are just examples of AI that we can see. Those complicated ad-engines that practically print money for Facebook and Google are using AI, AI is helping scientists discover new proteins, AI is helping engineers come up with better designs, AI is heralding the self-driving car revolution, etc. AI is useful and not very intelligent, but that still doesnt mean that the AI of today cant be dangerous. Right now, Google and Facebook, both leaders in AI tech, appear to be using AI for noble causes and the slightly less noble pursuit of padding the respective companys bottom lines. AI is filtering out harmful content from search results, targeting advertisements, helping to translate languages and more. However, this very same AI can be used to wreak havoc and destroy the world as we know it. Take the US elections, for instance, where state-sponsored Russian trolls allegedly rigged the elections with a targeted ad campaign. Now imagine if Facebook decided to do the same thing or Google. With their vast resources and absolute control over their domain, these companies have the power to do this and all itll take will be a modification to the algorithm that powers said AI. In other words, Google and Facebook can use AI to sway the opinion of the masses, and we wouldnt even know about it. Its not just malicious intent, however. Take the example of Tay, Microsofts short-lived AI experiment. The chatbot started out as an innocent enough project wherein it was to learn through interaction with the internet. Within hours, Tay was spouting racist, anti-semitic comments. Who is to say that we won't condition even the most innocent of self-learning AI to evil? In an earlier interview, Intels Artificial Intelligence Product Group (AIPG) head Amir Khosrowshahi told us, The problems that are of immediate concern and are difficult to address are building AI models which have an inherent bias in them. If you are trying to build a model to solve a problem then you need to ensure that your data set is vast, to avoid any inset of bias, as that could lead to some bad things. And when youre talking about large data sets, the problem of privacy comes in, which is another matter altogether. Again, the problem, in Musk's view, is that AI is being developed in isolation, with no regulation and no oversight. Embracing AI In Musks mind, the future of humanity is a brain-computer interface that will keep us permanently connected to the cloud. In his Vanity Fair interview, Musk explains that were already partway there, that our phones are already an extension of ourselves. The only shortcoming on that front is that voice and text input is very slow. Zuckerberg has a different opinion entirely. He wants everyone to choose hope over fear and that AI is not as big a threat as disease or violence or fear. Popular culture is quick to paint AI as sentient, human-hating entities that will decide to wipe out humanity the moment they become self-aware. One need only mention Terminator for our minds to fill up with images of unstoppable, implacable, red-eyed killing machines systematically wiping out the last dregs of humanity. But then again, there are those rare works, such as Arthur C Clarkes A Time Odyssey, Small Wonder or even Star Wars that show another possible side to AI. The Singularity AI need not be evil, and Musk is not saying that it is evil. All he seems to be asking for is regulation and policy that ensures over the creation and use of AI technology and on its development. In fact, he doesnt even talk about malicious AI. What if AI just gets so incontrovertibly advanced that humans are irrelevant, maybe not even playthings? How much thought do you give to that army of ants industriously tunnelling through the walls of your home? At a Vox Media Code Conference, Musk claimed that AI will be so much more intelligent than us that Robots will use humans as pets once they achieve a subset of artificial intelligence known as superintelligence. AI today is created by a technique called machine learning. Algorithms learn from large datasets. Oversimplifying the process, these algorithms are designed to analyse data and identify patterns. They then use these patterns to perform tasks. Suppose you want to train an image recognition AI to identify cats in photos. You give the algorithm a large collection of photos, some with cats and some without. Usually, images with cats will be flagged as such, and the algorithm identifies cat patterns in these images. It will note things like the shape of the animal, its eyes, the shape of the ears, etc. The algorithm can then look for these parameters in unlabelled images and determine if theres a cat in them or not. A training regime with these images will improve the algorithm to the point that it becomes "intelligent" enough to recognise a cat in almost any image. The more the data and the longer the training period, the better the AI. In learning to play a game like Go, for example, DeepMind engineers designed an algorithm to learn from playing and watching games of Go. Once the algorithm learned to play Go, it spent endless hours of virtual time playing Go against itself and other players and improving to the point where it could defeat any human Go player in existence. Googles Waymo self-driving car project employs the same technique, but these vehicles drive on virtual roads. The point were trying to make here is that these algorithms (which eventually become AI) reached a point where human input was unnecessary. The speed of learning increased exponentially. In fact, the goal of AI creators is to create even more efficient algorithms that learn even faster, even more efficiently, and by themselves. The ultimate self-learning algorithm. With such a process, well eventually reach a technological singularity, an event where a super-intelligent AI will enter a runaway reaction of self-improvement cycles. An intelligence explosion, if you will. At this point, this super-intelligence will outstrip human intelligence and usher in an era of technological change unlike any other. Musk has clearly accepted the fact that AI is inevitable, as is the singularity, but he also believes, and rightly so, that the power of AI, in the wrong hands, can wreak havoc on the world. Rather than concentrate that power into the hands of a few corporations and governments, maybe he seems to think that the best way to fight this is to create a super AI first and then hand it over to everyone. His investment in OpenAI will further that goal. Musk does not fear the robot, he fears the unregulated algorithm. The Terminators did not destroy humanity, Skynet did. Whatever else we may think of Musk, his plans and his fears, this is a man who knows more about AI than the average human being and his argument for AI regulation makes a lot of sense. It would do us well to at least heed his warnings. PTI Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman Ajit Pai has come under a blistering attack from several Indian-American lawmakers for his proposal to repeal the Obama-era net neutrality policy. Pai is facing backlash for his proposal which seeks to reverse Obama-era net neutrality, which meant that all websites are treated equally by Internet providers. Pais proposal would end that net neutrality and give big Internet providers like Comcast and Verizon broad powers to determine what website should reach out to subscribers faster than others. The controversial proposal triggered a war of words between Pai (44) and first-term Indian-American Congressman from Silicon Valley Ro Khanna. Khanna in a tweet said, "We need stronger net neutrality laws that ban most forms of zero rating instead of weakening these laws!", as he retweeted an article from the Los Angeles Times according to which "in Portugal, with no net neutrality, Internet providers are starting to split the net into packages". He said The FCC is giving major corporations "even more control over the media, paving the way for megamergers like Sinclair-Tribune". "We have to fight for less consolidation to save our democracy," he added. Pai reacted sharply, saying that Khanna was making a false accusation. "In addition to making the false assertion that Portugal has no net neutrality, Congressman Khanna is pointing to an example that has nothing to do with net neutrality," he said. Senator Kamala Harris said more than 7,00,000 Californians and more than 8 million Americans have already submitted comments in response to the FCCs "misguided" proposal. "Our message has been clear: broadband providers must not be allowed to tilt the playing field by blocking or throttling their competitors, prioritising their offerings, or otherwise unreasonably interfering with lawful content," she said. The FCC, Harris alleged, wants to do is empower broadband service providers the gatekeepers of the Internet to potentially distort the online marketplace and set up a pay- for-play system. "This would be a terrible mistake that would hurt the most vulnerable and voiceless among us. It will imperil our economy while reducing innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity," she said in an email to her supporters. Tulsi Gabbard, the first Hindu lawmaker, alleged that Pai and the FCC were rewarding "pay-to-play politics", ensuring that those with money have a seat at the table and shutting out everyone else. "Net neutrality protections ensure that the Internet remains open, fair, and equal for everyone. By dismantling these protections, we turn our backs on the most fundamental First Amendment rights of our students, entrepreneurs, innovators, small businesses, and working families, and all who rely on an open Internet to level the playing field of opportunity," she said. "The FCC must fulfill their responsibility to all Americans, not just big Internet Service Providers (ISPs)," Gabbard said. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal said with dismantling of net neutrality rules, the competition among new streaming services and content providers will be severely damaged. "If these rules are repealed, your ISP will be able to charge you more to access certain content. Those with more money will get faster Internet service, or be able to access more of the Internet. Competition among new streaming services and content providers will be severely damaged. And we, the consumers, will pay for it," she said. Jayapal said, "The large corporations will have a freehand to charge discriminatory rates to benefit themselves, and limit the free speech and access of their consumers." Pais proposal to dismantle net neutrality is scheduled to come out to vote before the FCC on 14 December. This is expected to pass as the Republicans have five votes as against three from the Democratic Party. Reuters US prosecutors have charged three Chinese nationals affiliated with a cybersecurity company in China with hacking into Siemens AG, Trimble Inc and Moodys Analytics to steal business secrets. An indictment unsealed on Monday in federal court in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, charged the three with launching coordinated and unauthorized cyber attacks between 2011 and 2017. The defendants were identified as Wu Yingzhuo, Dong Hao and Xia Lei. The indictment said they were owners, employees and associates of Guangzhou Bo Yu Information Technology Company Ltd, a firm located in Guangzhou, in southern China, that offers cybersecurity services. Two US government officials told Reuters that Guangzhou Bo Yu, also known as Boyusec, is affiliated with Chinas Peoples Liberation Army Unit 61398 and that most if not all its hacking operations are state-sponsored and directed. US prosecutors in Pittsburgh in May 2014 indicted five officers from the secretive unit 61398 with hacking into US nuclear, metal and solar firms to steal trade secrets. The indictments prompted warnings from Beijing that it would retaliate if Washington followed through with the charges. The acting US attorney for Western Pennsylvania, Soo C. Song, said arrest warrants had been issued for the three men, but the case was not being prosecuted as state-sponsored hacking. It is not an element or subject of this indictment that there is state sponsorship, Song said. However, the Justice Departments National Security Division participated in the case, according to the indictment. The hackers monitored email correspondence of an unidentified Moodys economist; stole data from transportation, technology and energy units at Siemens; and targeted Trimble as it developed a new and more precise global navigation satellite system, the indictment said. Siemens, based in Munich, Germany, is a technology company with interests in electrification, automation and digitalization. Trimble, based in Sunnyvale, California, provides technology for a range of industries. Moodys Analytics, part of New York-based Moodys Corp, provides products and services for financial analysis and risk management. VALUABLE INTELLIGENCE Trimbles advances in geolocation and Siemens work in guidance and navigation are of interest to the Chinese for internal security and military purposes, as well as commercial, ones, according to one of the officials, who declined to be named because some details of the case remain classified. Gleaning precise locations from mobile phones and other devices is valuable to the Ministry of State Security for monitoring dissidents as well as foreigners, the official said. Overseas, it can be valuable to keep track of where your own people are going, as well as keeping track of foreigners movements, whether theyre government or commercial. The official said that data collected by Moodys could be used to help identify businesses and people that might be vulnerable to commercial or government exploitation, blackmail or bribery. Representatives for the three defendants and the Chinese company could not immediately be identified to seek comment on the charges. The indictment was filed in September, and the Chinese government has been aware of it, prosecutors said. In 2015, then-US President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping reached an agreement prohibiting both countries from stealing intellectual property for the benefit of domestic firms. The US officials said classified intelligence indicates that Chinese hackers recently have begun violating the deal more frequently. The hacking group described in the indictment has been active since 2007, said Adam Meyers, a researcher with cyber firm CrowdStrike. The group, known to some cyber researchers as Gothic Panda, was active as of September, Meyers said. It has targeted aerospace and defence, chemical, energy, financial, healthcare, industrial and transportation firms in Britain, France, Hong Kong, the United States and other western nations, he said. Trimble said no client data was breached in the hack. Trimble responded to the incident and concluded that there is no meaningful impact on its business, the company said in a statement. A Siemens representative declined comment on the details of the hack, saying the company does not discuss internal security matters. A Moodys spokesman said the firm worked closely with investigators, and to our knowledge, no confidential customer data or other personal employee information was compromised. tech2 News Staff The three-day Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) has come to India for the first time and is set to begin in Hyderabad today. The summit, which is set to unite as many as 1,500 emerging entrepreneurs and supporters from more than 150 countries will also feature the India-built robot called Mitra. But what exactly will a robot do at an entrepreneurship summit? According to a report by the Times of India, Mitra will use its ability to converse to speak to the Prime Minister and Ivanka Trump while the two are on the dais. "They can then press a button which will prompt Mitra to sing that the summit has been declared open," adds Balaji Viswanathan, part of the 14-member team that created Mitra. According to the report, Vishwananthan and his team will deploy two robots at the venue. One will take care of conversing with the dignitaries and another will communicate with the crowd at the International Convention Centre in Hyderabad. Mitra, who has had a limited life in terms of development so far, is a product of hours of effort put in by Bengaluru-based robotics startup Invento. Vishwanathan, the CEO and founder of the company told ToI that Mitra is trained to process over 1,000-1,500 phrases, which will be on display outside the main arena. Based on an earlier report by India Today, we learn that Mitra is about five-feet tall and comprises of software which has been completely designed in India. "The software is all from India, which is around 80 percent, but the hardware had to be good enough so we turned to China," Vishwanathan tells the publication. The company is also looking to market this robot in China. IANS India plans to have at least one rocket launch every month in 2018 from its spaceport at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh to deploy satellites in orbit, said a top space official on Tuesday. "We are planning to have at least one launch mission a month in 2018 to deploy satellites in the earth's orbit for various applications," said Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman A.S. Kiran Kumar. "For 2018-19 and 2019-20 financial years, we are looking to receive increased budgets from the country in view of the missions," he told media on the sidelines of the inauguration of a Gallery on Space Technology at the Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum here. ISRO was given a budget of about Rs 9,000 crore for 2017-18. The first of the missions ahead is likely to be the launch of Cartosat-2E remote-sensing spacecraft along with 28 nano and micro-satellites in early January if delayed from December end. On Chandrayan-2 mission, Kiran Kumar said the work on realising the satellite was in full swing. The launch is likely to take place by the first quarter of 2018. Meanwhile, the state-run ISRO is also expected to fly 600 kg spacecraft designed by TeamIndus on its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) before March 31, 2018, for the city-based firm to win the Google Lunar XPRIZE. "There are still a lot of discussions that are going on with TeamIndus regarding the launch," the ISRO chief said. TeamIndus is the only Indian team among the five finalists competing for the $30Amillion Google Lunar XPRIZE, a competition is meant to challenge and inspire engineers and entrepreneurs from around the world to develop low-cost methods of robotic space exploration. Adressing a gathering of students at the opening of the space technology gallery, Kiran Kumar said: "You're at the prime moment where India as a country is surging ahead. India has got every potential to be the number one in the world, for which each of you must put in your best efforts." Astrosat, the country's first space observatory, was one of the the best satellites in the category providing Indian scientists with access to data about the edge of the universe, he said. "It is never too late to do anything in science and technology. We can always make a mark. When we put in our best efforts, no one can beat us," the ISRO head asserted. Former ISRO Chairman and National Education Policy Committee Chairman K. Kasturirangan, and National Council for Science Museums Director General A.S. Manekar were also present at the event. Reuters Uber executives are traveling the globe to reassure regulators that the company is changing the way it does business, after a massive data breach became the latest controversy to hurt the ride-service firms reputation. Uber Technologies Inc is also continuing talks with Japans SoftBank Group Corp (9984.T) over an investment, Brooks Entwistle, Ubers recently appointed chief business officer for Asia Pacific, told Reuters on Monday. Uber disclosed last week that it covered up an October 2016 data breach involving 57 million customers and about 600,000 drivers. The company said it paid two hackers $100,000 to destroy the stolen data and keep the matter a secret. The revelation, made by Ubers new Chief Executive Officer Dara Khosrowshahi in a blog post, prompted governments in countries including Britain, the United States, Mexico, Australia and the Philippines to launch probes into the breach and Ubers handling of the matter. The global backlash will test Ubers new collaborative approach to regulators, a stark change from the rule-breaking culture created by former CEO Travis Kalanick. We have changed tacks in so many ways in dealing with regulators, dealing with governments, Entwistle said in an interview in Tokyo, where he is meeting Japanese officials and potential business partners. Nevertheless, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Kimberly Foxx, the public prosecutor for Cook County, Illinois, said on Monday they filed a consumer fraud lawsuit against Uber for its failure to protect the data of its customers and drivers, accusing the company of violating local laws by failing to promptly disclose the breach. We are committed to changing the way we do business, putting integrity at the core of every decision we make, and working hard to regain the trust of consumers, Uber said in a statement. Also on Monday, fresh questions came from US lawmakers demanding an explanation for the companys handling of the breach. Republican senators John Thune, Orrin Hatch, Jerry Moran and Bill Cassidy sent a letter to Khosrowshahi seeking answers about the data theft and cover-up, which they called a serious incident that merits further scrutiny. The senators requested a response from Uber by 11 December. Hatch chairs the Senate Committee on Finance and Thune chairs the Commerce Science and Transportation Committee. In a separate letter sent Monday, Senator Mark Warner, a Democrat and advocate of the technology industry including the on-demand sector that includes Uber, sent a letter to Khosrowshahi with detailed questions about Ubers security systems and rationale for covering up the breach. SOFTBANK DEAL The disclosure of the 2016 data breach at a time when Uber is trying to bring in SoftBank as an investor has spurred speculation about the price of the deal. SoftBank and Dragoneer Investment Group agreed on 12 November to lead a group that would invest as much as $10 billion in Uber, people familiar with the deal previously told Reuters. The group plans to directly invest $1 billion to $1.25 billion at Ubers current $69 billion valuation and also buy at a lower valuation shares held by existing investors and employees. The goal is to take a 14 percent to 17 percent stake. Uber has plans to disclose the pricing of the SoftBank deal in formal tender offers to existing investors early this week, sources told Reuters. It will likely take a few weeks for investors to decide whether to take the offer. The transaction is still underway and its an extraordinary validation that an investor like SoftBank would look at Uber, Entwistle said. Uber said on Friday it had informed SoftBank about the data breach prior to informing the public. However, our information at the time was preliminary and incomplete, a spokesman said. We also made clear that our forensic investigation was ongoing. A person familiar with the matter said SoftBank had already factored any negative impact from the breach into its negotiations with Uber and did not expect the hack to have a significant impact on price. However, a separate source familiar with the matter said SoftBank could still use Ubers situation as leverage to secure better terms for the investment. The person said SoftBank has not yet made a final decision on whether to renegotiate. A SoftBank spokesman declined to comment. REGIONAL PLANS SoftBank has become a prolific investor in ride-hailing firms across Asia, including Southeast Asias Grab, Chinas DiDi Chuxing and Indias Ola, leading to expectations it could drive consolidation in the region. While Uber sold its business in China to DiDi last year, it remains committed to operating in the broader region for years to come, said Entwistle, who joined the company in August. The firm has not given up on the Japanese market, which has barred non-professional drivers from offering taxi services, and is working on partnering with traditional taxi firms, he said. Uber hopes the 2020 Tokyo Olympics could provide a venue to demonstrate the value of ride-sharing firms in a potentially lucrative market, he said. We are innovating and in some markets that will take longer and we realize that, Entwistle said. Reuters Alphabets Waymo self-driving car unit asked a US judge on Monday to postpone an upcoming trade secrets trial against Uber Technologies Inc, so Waymo could investigate whether Uber withheld important evidence in the case. The trial is currently scheduled to begin on 4 December in San Francisco federal court. Waymo said it learned of new evidence last week after the US Department of Justice shared it with the judge overseeing the case. tech2 News Staff Chinese smartphone maker and electronics giant Xiaomi has emerged as the top market share holder in top 50 cities in India in Q3 according to the report by IDC. IDC released the India Monthly City-Level Smartphone Tracker for Q3 to track the percentage of smartphone sales in Q3. According to the report, Top 50 cities account for about the 50 percent smartphone sales in comparison to 23 percent in Q2. Metro cities of India including Delhi and Mumbai amount for about 1/4th of the sale while Tier I cities continue to be the key volume driver of sales with 29 percent sequential growth. IDC stated that Jaipur, Bhopal, and Gurgaon from the Tier II cities came out as the fastest growing cities with each city observing a bump of more than 40 percent in terms of sales as compared to the previous quarter. The report noted that the primary reason for the growth in the sales in Tier I and Tier II cities is because of the availability of affordable mobile data plans and increasing 4G penetration across the country. Himanshu Jain, Market analyst with IDC India stated, Mega-online sale(s) by prominent e-tailers acted as a catalyst for the robust growth across city tiers with e-tailers now contributing around 40 percent of the market in top 50 cities of India. . @IDC has just declared @XiaomiIndia as the UNDISPUTED #1 Smartphone Brand across top 50 cities in India! With an exponential growth of ~120% we are way ahead of the rest! #1SmartphoneBrandXiaomi #NoMiWithoutYou pic.twitter.com/5gZlstKrEr Manu Kumar Jain (@manukumarjain) November 28, 2017 IDC confirmed that the companies are pursuing aggressive expansion of their offline channels to ensure that they can keep up with the demand while matching the retail spends and distribution strength of players like Samsung, Vivo and Oppo. The report details the growth and decline of all the major smartphone players in the top 50 cities. According to the report, Xiaomi grew 120 percent in Q3 with Redmi Note 4 contributing to about 40 percent of total sales for the company. Redmi Note 4 was also the highest selling model within the top 50 cities of India. IDC highlighted that Xiaomis efforts at expanding its offline reach with the help of Mi Stores and Preferred Partner programmes have helped the company grow. Samsung slipped to the second spot despite observing 15 percent quarterly growth. The company continued to rule a number of cities because of its reach and penetration with Galaxy J2, J7 Max, J7 Prime and J7 Nxt account for about 50 percent of sales. Lenovo maintained its third spot with 8 percent quarterly growth as New Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai accounting for 40 percent of the total sale. Moto E4, Lenovo K6 Power and K6 Note drove the majority of the sales for the company along with Motorola sub-brand. Other players like Oppo and Vivo came at fourth and fifth spot respectively. Oppo moved up as an increasing number of customers chose F3 and F3 Plus as their smartphones with recently launched A71 gaining momentum.Vivo slipped to the fifth spot because of reduced channel spends. While last year saw the launch of the Pixel brand, this year, saw Google try to make the Pixel 2 look special. After many rumours and leaks, the smartphones were finally announced at the Made by Google event, which also saw the launch of the brands other hardware products including some new smart speakers and the Pixel Buds, new headphones range by Google. However, all eyes were on the Google Pixel 2 and the Pixel 2 XL. The smartphones featured the latest hardware and the latest software from Google as well. But if theres one detail that stood out from everything, it had to be those thick bezels. Through 2017, Android fans were treated, launch after launch by bezel-less designs. Samsung made three (S8, S8+ and Note 8), LG announced the V30 (coming to India next month) and even Xiaomi launched its Mi Mix 2 with an almost edge-to-edge appearance. So despite the leaks, it was hard to believe that Google would actually launch an anti-iPhone X, a smartphone that literally challenges the edge-to-edge approach of the iPhone, with a smartphone thats loaded with more bezel than all the flagships in 2017 combined. And thats just the Pixel 2! Then came the Pixel 2 XL with its own set of display issues, which was not received too well by the media. So when I received both the Pixel 2 and the Pixel 2 XL for review, I kind of knew what to expect overpriced Android smartphones, that literally make no sense because they look outdated. But then I turned on Googles secret weapon, the camera. And believe me, it changed my opinion about the Pixel 2, if not the Pixel 2 XL. Build and Design Pixel 2: 7.5/10 Pixel 2 XL: 7/10 Starting off with the smaller Pixel 2, it looks like the older Pixel model. The design seems like an evolution of the Pixel which graduates from a rounded look to one with sharper edges around the display and less rounded corners around the back. Quality of the body is top notch. No complaints here. The overall design reminds me a lot of the Nokia 6 with the prominent speaker grille at the top and the bottom and shiny bevelled edges around the bezel. Flip it on its back and its easy to notice the smartphones resemblance to the Pixel family. The unmistakable glass window has now grown shorter and takes up only a quarter of the back as compared to the older model. Moving to the bigger Pixel 2 XL, with a 6-inch display. I found it too large and unwieldy for one-handed usage, but not as massive as the mammoth Xiaomi Mi Mix 2. Again, like the Pixel 2, the smartphone display is surrounded by thick bezels and it does not qualify as a bezel-less display or an edge to edge one. Its just a taller 18:9 ratio unit sporting a QHD+ resolution. The front face of the 2 XL is a bit different and more iPhone-like with a curved (almost 3D) slab of glass. While I appreciate the design effort by Google here, that beautiful slab of glass loses its charm because of the boring design of the metal chassis that surrounds it. Had Google (or LG) given it a pebble-like appearance with rounded sides, it would have looked pretty cool. But it did not, so it does not. While the design is best described as boring, I did appreciate the new coating that Google has applied to both smartphones. It feels like the evolution of OnePlus One sandstone finish, but a lot smoother (you cannot use this one as a nail file). It does not catch any fingerprints and it is quite resistant to the usual scratches. The coating kind of reminds of the tough liner material applied on the bed of pick-up truck. The same coating also managed to hide the antenna lines, ones that are non-existent on the 2 XL and barely visible on the shiny edge surrounding the thick bezels of the Pixel 2. Average design aside, there were some other problems that I faced after using the phones for two weeks. Both smartphones seemed to lack any sort of oleophobic coating. While the Pixel 2 XL being an already used review unit, it was a smudgy mess. Not something one would expect from a smartphone that is priced at Rs 73,000. This applies to both the front screen and the rear glass window and seems to be the faulty application of the oleophobic coating at best. The coating usually takes years to come off on iPhones so it is surprising that with less than a month of usage, it's already off and turns the glass bits of the smartphone into a smudge-laden mess. I did not face a similar issue with the smaller Pixel 2. Another problem with the Pixel 2 XL was how easily the matte coating on the metal caught fingerprints and smudges. To make things worse, it was very hard (almost impossible) to wipe them off. Again, not something you would expect from a smartphone that costs Rs 73,000. To make things worse, the Pixel 2s coating was just fine and resisted any smudges and fingerprints really well. While I would love to complain about how the new Apple iPhone 8 models look dated this year, Google could have done a lot better in this department instead of going for the plain jane look; one that just cannot stand up against the beautiful Samsung Galaxy S8, the Note 8 or even the shiny HTC U11. Features Pixel 2: 8/10 Pixel 2 XL: 8/10 Unlike last year, this years Google Pixel 2 siblings may look a bit different on the outside, but pack in almost the same hardware on the inside. The Pixel 2 and the Pixel 2 XL differ only when it comes to the display size and battery capacity. On the front, you get a 5.0-inch Full HD AMOLED display (made by Samsung) on the Pixel 2, while the Pixel 2 XL gets an LG-made P-OLED QHD+ unit with a taller 18:9 display ratio. Inside, both smartphones get a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 SoC with 4 GB RAM along with 64 GB and 128 GB internal storage options. Theres an 8 MP camera with an f/2.4 aperture on the front and a 12 MP camera with an f/1.8 aperture on the rear. The rear camera features optical image stabilisation (OIS) and electronic image stabilisation (EIS) along with dual pixel technology. Theres also some machine learning bits that I will emphasise on in the camera section of this review. Connectivity options include an E-SIM and a single nano-SIM slot that lets you latch on to 4G LTE radios. Then theres the usual flagship options like Dual-Band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth v5.0 with LE, NFC, GPS and USB 2.0 Type-C port with a reversible connector. The fingerprint reader sits on the back and both devices also include an Active Edge that lets you squeeze the bottom half of phone to launch the Google Assistant. The Pixel 2 features a 2,700 mAh battery while the Pixel 2 XL packs in a larger 3,520 mAh unit, which is pretty large given its thin 7.9 mm waistline. Both units are IP67 certified dust and water resistant up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. Display Pixel 2: 8/10 Pixel 2 XL: 7/10 To be frank, I have no issues with the display on the Pixel 2. The Samsung-made AMOLED display showcased the most accurate colours possible with a hint of saturation. In fact, many assumed that it wasnt an AMOLED unit to begin with because it did not strongly showcase the typical colour-shifting that we are used to seeing on the premium flagships from Samsung. Theres no noticeable red-tinge or blue tinge here either and it almost gives you the impression that you are looking at an LCD display. Its bright too, and I had no problems using it in direct sunlight. While Samsungs Galaxy Note 8 may showcase punchier colours, the Pixel 2 has the more natural and accurate tones. Sharpness was not a problem with a pixel density of 441 ppi. If you dont like the natural colours then you can change the same in the colour settings to Saturated for vivid colours. Indeed, the displays only competitor is the iPhone 8s TrueTone LCD display and of course the iPhone Xs Super Retina OLED unit, that is pretty much unbeatable at the moment. Moving to the Pixel 2 XL, it does not even come close. One look at the display off axis and you will be convinced that it belongs to some mid-range device, rather than a premium Rs 73,000 flagship. While the levels of sharpness are spot on, LGs P-OLED unit is quite messed up in the sense that it does not showcase accurate colours to begin with, despite Googles advertised 100 percent DCI-P3 coverage. The colours look burnt out and showcase a brown tinge, which you begin to notice as soon as you power up the smartphone and stare at the boot screen. There is a strong blue tinge when you view the display a few degrees off axis. Another problem with XLs display is that its just not bright enough. With Adaptive brightness turned on, I had to max out the brightness to get make the display look bright so that the colours look decent and usable when showing photos to friends and family. Again, the brightness levels only helped when viewed dead centre. In short, the Pixel 2 XLs P-OLED display just not up to the mark and certainly cannot hold its own even against the slightly lower priced Samsung Galaxy Note 8. OS and Software Pixel 2: 8/10 Pixel 2 XL: 7.5/10 The Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL come with the latest and most updated software from Google, Android 8.0 Oreo. Both smartphones recently received a patch that added a couple of improvements including a new display colour settings, that now lets you choose between Boosted, Natural and Saturated. Indeed, this is the purest form of Android one can possibly get on a smartphone. There are the notification dots that let you swipe away per app notifications and also showcase tiny dots (or badges) on app icons that basically tell you that there is a notification from that particular app. Long-pressing on the icons with the notification badges will reveal a small menu called a notification preview. The preview basically relays all the notifications from that app (unless a developer chooses to channel specific ones) in the form of tiny glanceable previews, which are in reality a bit too short to reveal anything but the sender of the message. The feature will soon see a wider rollout as Oreo gradually becomes popular and should see other smartphone manufacturers adopt the new notification options in their respective skinned versions of Android. But for now, its only available on the Pixel 2 smartphones and surprisingly not on the Sony Xperia XZ1 that comes with Android Oreo out of the box thanks to Sonys customisations. While I was happy to see notification dots natively supported on a smartphone, the feature is not as useful as I expected it to be and I eventually learned to ignore it, considering that the one single place for all your notifications has always been the notifications tray. More importantly, you really cannot reply or respond to any of those notification dot widgets like in the tray. All you can do is swipe them away. The notifications tray has also seen some subtle changes with Android Oreo. Stacks of notifications icons from different apps will pile up at the bottom of the tray as you scroll through them, which is a good UI move. Another cool trick in the Pixel launcher is that the theme changes from white to black (this applies to notification dot previews as well) depending on the wallpaper selection. Pixel Lens Another feature unique to the Pixels this year is Pixel Lens. Its a sort of replacement for Googles Goggles, but a lot smarter as it can pull out details from images, that can be used to identify the object or even use those details in your smartphone, like pulling out contact details from a business card. To use it, you simply have to click a picture of the object, product, monument or whatever you see and want to know more about. Once clicked, open the photo and tap on the Pixel Lens icon (third from the left after the Share extension and Edit icons). Upon tapping it, it will turn on some fancy animations to show you that its analysing the image at hand. And then depending on whether it gets any results (chances are it may not) it will show you details on a card below the image. This is a new feature from Google, so it is yet to reach its full potential to be used in the manner it was intended to. At the moment it does not and reminds me of Samsungs Bixby, which is far too incomplete for show time. I tried Pixels Lens on books (worked just fine), products (gave similar but nothing close to accurate results) and even some fancy hotel buildings. It does not work as intended but was more than useful when it came to pulling details from a business card, which is where I used it the most. It lets you save details from a business card straight to your contacts, but the unfortunate bit is that it lets you save just one field at a time. So again, a great idea, but badly implemented. Lens is currently available only by clicking a photo but is making its way to the Google Assistant app. This means that you no longer need to open the camera, click a photo and then get results, but simply tap on the Pixels Lens icon from the Assistant app directly. The move definitely makes Lens more accessible. During my testing, the feature did not make it to the app, but from what we know, it rolling out gradually as a server-side update. Of taller displays While most apps adapted well to the no-frills, almost Nexus-like experience of the Pixel 2 (its one of the reason why I like it). The Pixel 2 XL was a good example of how fragmented Googles Android ecosystem really is. While main popular apps do support taller displays and will stretch to top and bottom ends, there were many others (from lazy developers) that dont. This being a stock Android experience meant, that there are no customisations like on the Samsung Note 8 or the Xiaomi Mi Mix 2, which lets you manually set apps to fit the taller displays thanks to their custom software skins. So if your app does not support taller displays, you will be treated to black bars at the top and bottom of the app. As for everything else, the software works buttery smooth. There was no hint of lag or stutter. Except for one annoying problem, app crashes. From the Pixel launcher to Google search, to the Photos app and several third-party apps, there are plenty of crashes. These however stopped occurring over time and I have barely seen any when I was penning this review. With the Pixel 2 XL, I also encountered some instances when the smartphone hung up and froze. This happened about two times, but a restart helped with solving the issue. Lucky for the Pixel 2, it comes from the makers of Android, which is Google. So heres hoping that future software updates fix the same. Performance Pixel 2: 8.5/10 Pixel 2: 9/10 With Googles own latest and greatest operating system on board, its hard to go wrong with the performance. You also need to remember that most games and apps out there are first designed for Googles Pixel, now that the developer-friendly Nexus devices no longer exist. With that said, performance on both smartphones was top notch and the best you can possibly get from an Android device. Despite, having less RAM than what most manufacturers have on offer (usually 6 GB), the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL played every single game I could install from the Play Store without breaking a sweat or heating up. Multi-tasking was a breeze and apps launches were super quick. Scrolling was buttery smooth and things almost felt iOS-like. Coming to audio, both smartphones delivered great sounding audio with well-defined bass and treble notes while listening to music through connected headphones. With Android 8.0 Oreo onboard I would have loved to try out the new high-definition Bluetooth audio formats, but Google for some reason did not send across any Bluetooth headphones for us to test them out with. Moving to the speakers, both the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL feature a dual speaker setup. The Pixel 2 sounded great for its size and was loud enough for me to stream Netflix or YouTube, without the need to plug in my headphones, but this was only from a close distance. In short, it wasnt loud enough to blast music inside a small room. Audio quality was pretty clear but could have done with better bass notes, as it did sound a bit empty despite the clarity. The Pixel 2 XL was definitely the better of two here. The dual speakers were loud enough to fill a room, and while they did jar a bit at the max volume, the audio was surprisingly clear and loud. To compare, the audio quality of the Pixel 2s speakers was better than the iPhone 8, but Pixel 2 XL, fell a bit short of the iPhone 8 Plus. But there was this design flaw that really annoyed me a the both Pixel 2s. I ended up missing quite a few calls because both the Pixel 2 and the Pixel 2 XLs speakers would get covered when in my jeans pocket. Since I have the habit of facing the phone towards my body when sliding into my pocket, the speakers get blocked and the audio gets muffled to the extent that you can barely hear the ringer on a crowded street. The solution, place you phone the other way around! Camera Pixel 2: 9.5/10 Pixel 2: 9.5/10 If you love clicking photos with your smartphone, this is the smartphone to buy! The humble-looking single camera setup on the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL beats the pants off any single or dual camera offering on any Android smartphone. The photos I clicked using the Google Pixel 2 and the Pixel 2 XL were stunning, both in terms of detail and clarity. The camera is quick to launch and start up and there is zero shutter lag when clicking photos, something that most cameras claim but can hardly impress when you see the results. Think of the Pixel 2s 12 MP camera as your typical flagships smartphone camera on steroids. It is wide awake and firing on all cylinders all the time! It is almost as if the software behind the camera knows where to place the luminance noise and where to get rid of it, so as to deliver a clean image every single time, be in standard shooting mode or the highly-acclaimed Portrait mode. Check out the samples of the Google Pixel 2 below. Noise was clearly under control at all times, except for extremely dimly lit landscape shooting scenarios where there was barely any light in the scene. Still then Google HDR+ tech knew exactly where to place the noise (in the completely dark areas) and avoid it in the areas lit up by street lights below. Its almost as if the camera understood the science behind clicking great photographs. Check out the samples of the Google Pixel 2 XL below. Focusing was really quick, no matter what the lighting condition and the scenario, in fact the Google Pixel 2 is the only smartphone that could keep up with my overtly active nephew and produced DSLR-like portrait photos of him even in dim lighting. The Portrait mode works accurately even in low light and party shots, and captured moments instantaneously at the tap of the virtual shutter button. This is all thanks to Googles engineering and software smarts ones that let it use that f/1.8 aperture, OIS, EIS, PDAF and laser autofocus systems to deliver class-leading clarity in photos. The science behind it And all of the above just does not apply to the primary camera, but the front-facing one as well. Yes! The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL can shoot some amazing portrait shots (with a bokeh effect) using just a single camera, both with the front and rear cameras. And Google went to the extremes to achieve these shallow depth of field photos by using a single camera, when everyone else, including Apple, needed two. Google explains the software and hardware magic in detail out here, but simply put, it uses the machine learning, HDR+ photos and dual pixels from a single camera sensor to produce a depth map. Yes, Googles engineers went down to smallest differences (distance between the pixels on the PDAF or Phase Detection Autofocus system to give them two viewpoints to the same image that are less than 1 mm apart (thats really close). This gave them the ability to basically get two images with a minute difference in perspective, one that was enough to compute and produce a depth map. So the camera first clicks the perfect HDR image using HDR+, then applies its machine learning-based knowledge to separate the subject from the foreground and instead of going ahead with that data (a mask) adds the data coming from the PDAF system delivering some class-leading selfies, that make every smartphone with a front-facing selfie camera including the iPhone 8 Plus and the iPhone X seem to be lacking in som parts. Id wager that Google will come up with a Face ID replacement using the same camera tech next year. About the Pixel Visual Core So the Pixel 2s cameras are quick at capturing photos, but tap on the thumbnail preview and you will notice a processing ring showing up until a slightly blurry image takes about two seconds to clear up. This is because the Pixel 2 clicks the photos and processes them later. The cameras are what I would call the first smart cameras on any smartphone. At the moment, Google currently uses Qualcomms built-in ISP to deliver its software smarts that lead to these stunning images in all types of lighting conditions. But Google (being Google) has something better in-store, a monster of an Image Processing Unit (IPU) called the Pixel Visual Core just waiting to be awakened. The Pixel Visual Core is currently a dormant custom-made IPU with a low-power Cortex A53 CPU handling the eight IPU cores. When combined, these are capable of performing more than 3 trillion operations per second, keeping in mind that it resides on a mobile device. Unfortunately, Visual Core will not be of much use to owners even when its activated, despite those mind-boggling numbers I just told you about. As per the Google blog, the sole purpose of its existence is to provide HDR+ processing capabilities for third-party photo apps. And thats about it. Moving on, on the video side of things, the details are right about the best we have seen but there is a bit of focus hunting when your subject is too close. But Apples 4K 60 fps on the iPhone 8 and iPhone X takes the top spot here despite Googles complicated approach to video using both OIS and EIS for some excellently stabilised videos. If you are looking to compare Apple to errr Pixels, well Google Pixel wins in clarity and detail and there is clearly no competition, not even the mighty (and expensive) iPhone X in the low light photography department. Photos from the Pixel 2 / 2 XL do not tent do overdo the colour reproduction despite the always on HDR+. But when it comes to colour accuracy, the iPhone X is a lot closer to the real scene. But again, thats just about all the iPhone X gets right. For everything else, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, does everything better by a mile. Battery Pixel 2: 8/10 Pixel 2 XL: 8.5/10 As with most of the flagship Android smartphones, we have seen this year, battery life has not been much of a problem, despite the shrinking battery capacities on some units. The 10 nm manufacturing process brings about some great battery savings and luckily we have not seen any more senseless 4K displays being announced by any smartphone manufacturer after Sony. With that, both the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL faired really well. With casual usage, which is sending plenty of WhatsApp, Telegram messages, checking Slack, 3 email accounts on sync, calls and a lot of photography, I never found myself searching for a charging point at the end of a long day. With the Pixel 2 and its 2,700 mAh battery, the smartphone would easily get me until the end of the day with about 10-15 percent charge left. And even with that, I had plenty of confidence that it would linger till the next morning without plugging the device in. With the Pixel 2 XL and its 3,520 mAh battery, battery life was never a concern. I needed to charge the device once in one and half day. Yes, it was that good. But there is a small problem with the taller Pixel 2 sibling, charging speeds. While the smaller Pixel 2 charged up quickly in a span of a little over an hour, the Pixel 2 XL did not. The battery inside the Pixel 2 XL takes easily over 2 hours to charge which is a shame because the OnePlus 5Ts 3,300 mAh battery charges up as quickly as the smaller Pixel 2. Still then, once it is charged up, the battery life last pretty long. Verdict and Pricing in India As I explained in my first impressions, the Pixel 2s biggest enemy is its design. Its hard to believe that a customer would pick one off a shelf with other bezel-less smartphones on the same display. This also means that a Pixel 2 customer would know what he/she wants or is looking for in a flagship smartphone. A good performer with an understated look, that is more practical and performance oriented than fancy. Back in the Nexus days, Android purists would wait for the next Nexus device. The focus back then was not the camera, but the quick updates. After Google introduced its Pixel brand, (they have headphones now as well) it was clear that Google wanted to lead the way, to show everyone how you build an Android smartphone and what a premium Android smartphone experience feels like. With the Pixel 2, Google simply reiterates all of this but adds something more. Google tells us that it is serious about building good hardware and the software to match. Stuff that until now, only iPhones were made of. And this year, it is surprising to see how much effort went into the Pixel 2 devices with Google milking every drop of performance with lesser hardware thanks to tricks like machine learning. While last year was only the beginning, Pixel is now a brand that is neck and neck with Apples iPhones, and better in some areas. Although the design could have certainly been better. So who should buy one? Nexus users who have been waiting (and saving up) for the next best thing from Google can now look at the Pixel 2 and the Pixel 2 XL for the best Android user experience. Those not too happy about their iPhones can also look at the Pixel 2 smartphones, now that Google has clearly proved its superior imaging skills. Its the one feature that a lot of people look for in a smartphone, and Google just delivers the goods when compared to every other smartphone manufacturer in existence with its machine learning smarts with not just the rear, but the front camera as well. Flagship Android smartphone owners from the Samsung, HTC and LG club can also give the Pixel a long hard look. It may not look all that flashy, but it has got the best smartphone camera on the block, one that is not afraid of the dark. As for those who own a Samsung Galaxy Note 8, well, you can stick with it, the Pixel 2 XL, is not exactly a better package overall. Which Pixel should you buy? At Rs 61,000 the Pixel 2 is my favourite and I would recommend it because barring the design there are few flaws. At Rs 73,000 the Pixel 2 XL will be the perfect Android smartphone for those looking for great battery life and performance, provided they are ready to settle with the problematic display and its dull colours. In short, there are a lot of compromises here for the asking price. Between the two, the Pixel 2 takes the cake as it is a no frills Android smartphone, which offers the basics and does them really well, while its at it. Theres no tap to adapt for third-party apps because theres no nonsensical taller display, you dont have to pinch to zoom every time you play a video either. The bezels are thin, but the grip and usability is excellent. In short, it just works! And does everything brilliantly, be it the camera, battery, display and the software. Heres a question I would ask you: Why would you buy any other premium Android smartphone right now? Find latest and upcoming tech gadgets online on Tech2 Gadgets. Get technology news, gadgets reviews & ratings. Popular gadgets including laptop, tablet and mobile specifications, features, prices, comparison. Karangasem: Evacuation centres and hotels in Bali filled up on Tuesday with thousands seeking refuge as a volcano on the Indonesian resort island threatened to explode in a major eruption, forcing the airport to close for the second day. Stranded tourists hunted for accommodation while frightened villagers living in Mount Agung's shadow made their way to more than 200 evacuation centres as the mountain belched smoke and ash. The rumbling volcano which last erupted in 1963, killing around 1,600 people forced authorities to close Bali's airport again on Tuesday as experts raised the alert level to maximum. Towering columns of thick grey smoke have been rising from the crater since last week, and in the last few days have begun shooting as high as four kilometres (2.5 miles), forcing all flights to be grounded until at least on Wednesday. Ash is dangerous for planes as it makes runways slippery and can be sucked into their engines. The volcano, which looms over one of the world's top holiday spots, could produce a thunderous eruption at any moment, officials have warned. "The potential is there because magma is at the surface," said Kasbani, the head of the country's volcanology centre, who like many Indonesians goes by one name. Some 40,000 people have abandoned their homes in the danger zone but as many as many as 100,000 will likely be forced to leave, disaster agency officials have said. There is a 10-kilometre exclusion zone around Agung, which is 75 kilometres from the beachside tourist hub of Kuta. As of Tuesday around 440 flights had been canceled, affecting more than 120,000 passengers in Bali, which attracts millions of foreign tourists every year. "We are supposed to go back to Germany via Singapore on (Friday) but the situation seems not good," said marooned student Alex Thamm. "Is it dangerous here? Do you think [the volcano] will explode?" Nobody's fault Inn operator I Wayan Yastina Joni was among the few hoteliers willing to answer an appeal by Bali's governor and tourism agency to supply free rooms to out-of-luck visitors, though some offered discounts. "This is nobody's fault," said the owner of the Pondok Denayu Homestay. "It's a natural disaster that no one expected." Hundreds of visitors joined the mad rush to board buses headed to an international airport in Indonesia's second-biggest city Surabaya, 13 hours' drive and a ferry ride away as torrential rain dampened spirits in the beach paradise. The airport on nearby Lombok island also a popular tourist destination has opened and closed several times in the past few days. Mount Agung's last eruption in the early sixties was one of the deadliest of the 20th century in a country with nearly 130 active volcanoes. "I am very worried because I have experienced this before," 67-year-old evacuee Dewa Gede Subagia told AFP. "I hope this time I won't have to evacuate for too long. In 1963 I left for four months." Roadside signs that read "Volcanic danger zone. No entry!" underscored the potential risks of staying behind, although some evacuees had their doubts. "The situation has forced us to be here," said I Nyoman Taman. "I don't want to be here...because no matter how bad it is at home, it's still better than at the evacuation centre." Experts said Agung's recent activity matches the build-up to the earlier disaster, which ejected enough debris, about a billion tonnes to lower global average temperatures by 0.2 - 0.3 degrees Celsius for about a year. "What we are seeing at the moment are small explosions, throwing out hot gases and fragments of molten rock, or ash," said David Pyle, a volcano expert at Oxford University. "The probability of a large eruption is high, but this may take some days or weeks to unfold." 'Ring of Fire' Agung rumbled back to life in September, forcing the evacuation of 140,000 people living nearby. Its activity decreased in late October and many returned to their homes. However, on Saturday the mountain sent smoke up into the air for the second time in a week in what volcanologists call a phreatic eruption caused by the heating and expansion of groundwater. So-called cold lava flows have also appeared similar to mud-flows and often a prelude to the blazing orange lava of popular imagination. Indonesia, the world's most active volcanic region, lies on the Pacific 'Ring of Fire' where tectonic plates collide, causing frequent volcanic and seismic activities. DHAKA (Reuters) - Bangladesh approved a $280 million project on Tuesday to develop an isolated and flood-prone island in the Bay of Bengal to temporarily house 100,000 Rohingya Muslims fleeing violence in neighboring Myanmar. Rohingya refugees line up to receive blankets outside Kutupalong refugee settlement near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, November 24, 2017. REUTERS/Susana Vera The decision came just days after Bangladesh sealed a deal aiming to start returning Rohingya to Myanmar within two months to reduce pressure in refugee camps. A Bangladeshi government committee headed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina approved the plan to develop Bhashan Char island, also known as Thenger Char, despite criticism from humanitarian workers who have said the island is all but uninhabitable. Planning Minister Mustafa Kamal said it would take time to repatriate the refugees, and in the meantime Bangladesh needed a place to house them. The project to house 100,000 refugees on the island would be complete by 2019, he said. Many people are living in dire conditions, he said, describing the influx of refugees as a threat to both security and the environment. Rohingya refugees carry their belongings after arriving on an improvised raft to the banks of the Naf river in Teknaf, Bangladesh, November 27, 2017. REUTERS/Susana VeraMore than 600,000 Rohingya Muslims have sought sanctuary in Bangladesh after the military in mostly Buddhist Myanmar launched a harsh counter-insurgency operation in their villages across the northern parts of Rakhine State, following attacks by Rohingya militants on an army base and police posts on Aug. 25. Slideshow (2 Images)Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali appealed in September for international support to transport Rohingya to the island. Bangladesh, one of the worlds poorest and most crowded nations, plans to develop the island, which emerged from the silt off Bangladeshs delta coast only 11 years ago and is two hours by boat from the nearest settlement. It regularly floods during June-September monsoons. When seas are calm, pirates roam the nearby waters to kidnap fishermen for ransom. A plan to develop the island and use it to house refugees was first proposed in 2015 and revived last year. Despite criticism of the conditions on the island, Bangladesh says it has the right to decide where to shelter the growing numbers of refugees. This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. LONDON (Reuters) - Britain and the EU have reached agreement on a Brexit divorce bill of between 45 and 55 billion euros, the Daily Telegraph newspaper reported on Tuesday, citing unidentified sources. Anti-Brexit protesters wave EU and Union flags outside the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain, November 14, 2017. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls If they have agreed on the bill, it would signal that they are moving much closer to a deal at a Dec. 14-15 summit that would allow them to move onto discussions of post-Brexit trade. The newspaper said that an agreement in principle has now been reached over the EUs demand for a 60 billion euro ($71 billion) financial settlement. It said the final Brexit bill, which is deliberately being left open to interpretation, will be between 45 and 55 billion euros. The European Commission declined to comment on the report but a British government official said he did not recognise the newspapers account. Sterling GBP= rallied around 1 percent against the U.S. dollar on the Telegraph report, but pared gains after the official said he did not recognise the report. The two sides already believe they are quite close on agreeing the scope of rights for expatriate citizens in Britain and on the continent. The third key criterion for moving to Phase Two, an outline agreement on how to avoid the new EU-UK land border disrupting the peace in Northern Ireland, remains a potential stumbling block. British Prime Minister Theresa May is due to meet President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker and European Union Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier on Monday. The EU says any British move needs to come by around that date if leaders meeting at the Dec. 14-15 summit are to be able to endorse a move to a new phase of talks, to include future trade relations. This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. ABIDJAN (Reuters) - European leaders under pressure from a far-right revival at home hope to avoid a difficult debate about immigration when they meet their African counterparts in Ivory Coast from Wednesday. Abdoulaye Dosso, an Ivorian migrant who voluntarily returned from Libya, talks with friends at his area in Abidjan, Ivory Coast November 25, 2017. Picture taken November 25, 2017. REUTERS/Luc GnagoReports this month of abuses against African migrants in Libya have sparked anger across the continent however, threatening to drive migration to the top of the summit agenda and shine a spotlight on an issue fraught with political risk. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macro, who head the Franco-German axis at the heart of the European Union, will have its next major political test in mind when they sit down with African Union heads of state. Italy, on the frontline of the campaign to slow illegal migration to Europe, holds elections early next year and the populist 5-Star Movement is leading opinion polls. The anti-immigrant, eurosceptic Northern League is also gaining support. We all have our own interests in not turning this into a migration conference, one EU official said ahead of the meeting to be held in Ivory Coasts commercial capital Abidjan. The summit is meant to focus on development, long the cornerstone of EU policy in Africa and tangentially related to migration. The theme of investing in youth, though, is a nod to the rampant unemployment and poverty that drives many young Africans to leave home in search of a better life. But it now looks increasingly unlikely the EU leaders can avoid hard questions from their African counterparts. Soon after CNN aired grainy images from Libya this month appearing to show migrants being sold as slaves, African governments began recalling diplomats from Tripoli. Protests erupted in France, Senegal and Benin. Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara called for Libyan slave traders to be prosecuted by the International Criminal Court. Libyan authorities have promised to investigate the slavery allegations. But the European Union too has been the target of anger and frustration. Theyre the ones who blocked the way and left us in the hands of these Libyans, said Cherifou Sahindou, sitting at a make-shift tea stand by a muddy, rubbish-strewn track near a mosque in Abidjans Yopougon neighbourhood. Sahindou and some of the other men around the tea stand said they made it to Libya, but no further. All had heard about the slave markets and all knew someone who had stayed in the water - the local euphemism for death on the migrant trail. IMMIGRATION BACKLASH Like many African leaders, Ouattara has called for Europe to broaden the legal avenues for migration from the continent using mechanisms such as student and temporary work visas. Europe and Europeans ... should not be afraid, because Africa and the African youth can bring a lot to Europe, he said in an interview with the France 24 news channel this week. But in the current political climate any proposal for more Africans to enter Europe is a non-starter for many EU leaders. Ivorian migrants returning from Libya arrive at the Felix Houphouet Boigny International airport in Abidjan, Ivory Coast November 22, 2017. Pictures taken November 22, 2017. REUTERS/Luc GnagoMerkel herself is the most high-profile victim of an anti-immigration backlash. At the peak of the migrant influx into Europe in 2015 she declared an open door policy for refugees and asylum seekers, allowing in more than a million migrants. The anti-immigrant far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party campaigned hard against the policy and won some 13 percent of the vote in a September election - complicating Merkels efforts to form a coalition government and weakening her position as the leading EU advocate within Europe. In an indication of how heated things have become, the mayor of a small town in Germany, who won an award from Merkel for his liberal migrant policies, was stabbed in the neck on Monday in an attack believed to be politically motivated. Other European leaders firmly behind the 28-member bloc are also wary of falling foul to such an explosive issue. If you say, Ive got a right to total access without conditions ... I cant explain that to my middle class, whove worked, who pay their taxes, Macron said during a rowdy exchange with students in Burkina Faso on Tuesday. Slideshow (4 Images)What do I tell them? TOO MANY DEATHS It is those kinds of political calculations that are hindering much-needed policy solutions, said William Swing, head of the International Organization for Migration. The heart of the problem is the very toxic atmosphere thats been fairly widespread for some years now ... Thats not just in Europe, he told Reuters. The drivers (of migration) are there and theyre not going away. So clearly our policies need to change. European delegates at the summit, however, are expected to pledge aid, repeating often voiced calls for a Marshall Plan for Africa that would create jobs and lift incomes to give would-be migrants a reason to stay at home. The African security sectors charged with clamping down on migrant flows will also get their share of European money. EU support for the Libyan authorities, including Italian assistance for its coastguard, has helped halve the number of migrants arriving in Europe via the Mediterranean this year. Though lauded in Italy, the programme, which has led to massive detention centres being created in Libya to hold intercepted migrants, was denounced by the United Nations human rights chief Zeid Raad Al Hussein. Abdoulaye Dosso, another man at the tea stand in Yopougon, said he crossed the Sahara desert, played dead to survive as rebels shot other migrants, and then spent weeks in one such camp awaiting repatriation to Ivory Coast. There have been too many deaths, he said. There must be a change. This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Thinkstock/Stockbyte via Getty Images(ATLANTA) --Federal authorities in Georgia are investigating the death of a female postal worker who was shot and killed while on duty Monday evening. The woman, whose identity was withheld, was shot in the head near a post office in Decatur, Georgia -- about 20 minutes northeast of Atlanta, ABC affiliate WSB-TV reported. The suspect reportedly fled the scene. DeKalb County police and U.S. postal inspectors were still at the scene at 10:30 p.m., nearly four hours after the shooting occurred, WSB-TV reported. Federal authorities, who are now leading the investigation, told WSB-TV that the motive behind the shooting is still unclear. One witness said they heard at least four shots rang out near the back docking area of the post office. The womans co-workers and witnesses described her as a sweet young person who was trying to make a successful career for herself. They did not provide any details about the woman's identity, but they said she had recently started working at Decatur location where she was killed. Its hard to understand, Michael Grogan, who witnessed the shooting, told WSB-TV. He turned around and came back. Then two shots went off, then two more. "Its terrible, its very terrible, he added. Copyright 2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. BERLIN (Reuters) - Germanys Christmas markets opened on Monday at the start of the holiday season, with security staff on hand and concrete barriers to protect shoppers, nearly a year after an Islamist militant killed 12 people by driving a truck into crowds. A concrete barricade with a graffiti treading "Thank you Merkel" blocks the entrance to the Christmas market prior to its official opening in Frankfurt, Germany, November 27, 2017. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach?Some 2,600 markets, known for their sparkling Christmas trees and wooden stalls serving candied nuts, sausages, mulled wine and handicrafts, opened across Germany under tighter than usual security. The markets are beloved by Germans and a major tourist attraction for visitors this time of year. In the city of Bochum in Western Germany, organisers decorate concrete bollards, wrapping them up as Christmas presents with bows to make them appear festive. In Berlin, Petra Henne, who had been at the market in December last year just half an hour before Tunisian militant Anis Amri drove a hijacked truck into the crowd, came out for the opening this year to enjoy the festivities. The extra security was a bit oppressive, she said. And it is awful, this violence that you cant do anything about. But Berliners are on good form and they carry on anyway. What else can one do? An interior ministry spokesman said the risk of an attack in Europe and Germany is continuously high. Visitors are seen under an emergency sign exit during the official opening of the traditional Christmas market in Frankfurt, Germany, November 27, 2017. REUTERS/Kai PfaffenbachOrganisers and business owners had complained that the government was reluctant to share the cost of extra security measures. What could be done was done, said Berlins Mayor, Michael Mueller on Monday, noting that those measures still could not guarantee absolute security. Slideshow (6 Images)The Alternative for Germany (AfD) far-right party asked members of the public to share pictures showing extra security measures at their local markets and post them on social media in protest against Chancellor Angela Merkels decision in 2015 to open Germanys borders to more than a million asylum seekers. The AfD blames Merkels immigration policy for what it says is a rise in crime and Islamist attacks. Klaus Schultheis, an expert in German Christmas markets who collects annual national data on the subject, said he knew of only two markets that were cancelled over security concerns. Christmas markets are a piece of the German culture that shouldnt disappear no matter what, he said. It goes on. This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso: Three civilians were wounded in Burkina Faso on Monday after a grenade was thrown at French troops shortly before President Emmanuel Macron touched down for the start of his first Africa tour. The French president is embarking on a three-day trip of western Africa aimed at boosting France's regional influence, stemming the continent's migrant exodus and bolstering the fight against violent Islamist militancy in the Sahel. The visit was marred by an attempted attack on French troops in the capital Ouagadougou just hours before Macron's arrival. "Two hooded individuals on a motorcycle threw a grenade towards a French army vehicle" as it made its way to a barracks housing French special forces, a security source told AFP on condition of anonymity. Three residents were wounded, one seriously, in the attack which took place at 8.00 pm (2000 GMT), the source added. "The attackers' target was the French army vehicle, which was not hit," the source said. An AFP reporter at the scene of the attack witnessed a small hole in the tarmac where the grenade detonated and a damaged civilian vehicle. Macron flew into Ouagadougou three hours later for a trip that will take in Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast two former French colonies that deposed strongmen leaders in recent years as well as to Ghana. His advisers say his primary message will be to stress a partnership of equals with Africa, based on education and entrepreneurship. Security concerns But regional security concerns will also dominate. European leaders are desperate to find ways to stem the flow of African migrants across the Mediterranean without leaving them to the mercy of traffickers in transit countries like Libya, where they face torture, rape, and as a CNN report showed recently being sold into slavery. And Macron will also be seeking international backing for a new, five-nation African counter-terrorism force, which France hopes to see eventually take over the fight against jihadist groups in the Sahel region. Ouagadougou has suffered two recent terror attacks carried out by Islamist militants a shooting spree in January 2016 that left 20 dead and a similar assault by gunmen in August that killed 19. French special forces have been present in the country since 2010 to help regional governments tackle jihadist violence in the Sahel, particularly in neighbouring Mali. Shortly after meeting his Burkinese counterpart Roch Marc Christian Kabore, Macron told reporters his trip hailed "a new stage for our relationship with your country and the whole continent". He praised his host country for shaking off the 27-year authoritarian rule of former President Blaise Compaore in a 2014 popular uprising in which large numbers of youths participated. Burkina "is an emblem of the democratic aspirations of Africa's youth", he said. "I wanted to pay tribute to all this by making Ouagadougou the first step of my African tour," he added. After talks with Kabore, Macron will deliver a speech to 800 students at the University of Ougadougou followed by an "unfiltered" question and answer session with his young audience. On Wednesday he will visit a giant solar power plant in Burkina Faso, the largest in West Africa, before departing for the Ivorian capital Abidjan where the fifth Europe-Africa summit will bring together more than 80 leaders from the two continents. He will also inaugurate the city's colossal metro project, funded by a 1.4-billion-euro ($1.6-billion) French loan before heading to Ghana, a former British colony. Just days after his 10 month-long house arrest came to an end, Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief and 26/11 attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed has petitioned the United Nations to remove his name from its global terrorist list, The Times of India reported on Tuesday. According to Hindustan Times, Saeed's petition was routed through Mirza and Mirza, a Lahore-based law firm. I cannot give details of the petition. I dont have the permission of my client to speak on this, Barrister Haider Rasul Mirza, who is Saeed's counsel at the UN told Hindustan Times. Saeed's UN petition comes after the Pakistan government decided against detaining him further in any other terror-related case. Punjab province's Judicial Review Board comprising judges of the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday unanimously ordered Saeed's release after he completed his detention period. Since 31 January, Saeed had been under house arrest along with his four close aides Abdullah Ubaid, Malik Zafar Iqbal, Abdul Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Hussain under the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 and the Fourth Schedule of Anti-Terrorism Act 1997. While the initial detention was only for a period of 90 days, the government continued to extend the detention period under the 'public safety law'. The UN had designated Saeed a terrorist after the 26 Novermber 2008 attacks in Mumbai, which killed 166 people. The organisation had designated him a terrorist under UNSC resolution 1267, while the United States Department of the Treasury designated Saeed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order 13224 in May 2008. What is Hafiz Saeed listed for? The UNSC designated Saeed a terrorist for his collaboration with the Al-Qaeda and Lashkar-e-Taiba, which he founded in the 1990s. Notably, the LeT, the group behind the 26/11 attacks was designated a terrorist outfit under UNSC resolution 1267 in May 2005. Jamaat-ud-Dawah, which is headed by Saeed, has often been accused of being a front organisation of the LeT. In the words of the United Nations Security Council: "Hafiz Muhammad Saeed was listed on 10 December, 2008 pursuant to paragraphs one and two of resolution 1822 (2008) as being associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba and Al Qaida for participating in the financing, planning, facilitating, preparing or perpetrating of acts of activities by, in conjunction with, under the name of, on behalf or in support of both entities." Resolution 1822, which the security council statement referred to a resolution adopted in 2008, which denounced terrorism and reaffirmed the various sanctions on the individuals and organisations in the terror list. Who can delist themselves and how? Any member-state of the United Nations is eligible to send a request to seek delisting of individuals or entities in the terror list. Additionally, the proscribed individual and institution can also send a request directly or through a representative. The individual or organisation has to appeal to the office of ombudsman at the UNSC. According to the UNSC, any request must state why the delisitng will not work. The applicant also needs to reveal his or her present work profile as well as other information such as assets. According to Hindustan Times, it may take at least six months for the application to be adjudicated. "If the Committee approves a delisting request, the Secretariat shall notify the Permanent Mission of the State or States where the individual or entity is believed to be located and, in the case of individuals, the country of which the person is a national or resident," the UNSC website states. If the delisting process has been routed through the ombudsman, then it will remove the name after a "fixed period of time" unless there is opposition from any member of the 15-member Al Qaeda sanctions committee, or if the matter is taken to the five-member UNSC. Here is a list of people who have been delisted earlier There have been 79 applications for delisting of proscribed individuals or organisations since 2010. According to the ombudsman, 78 applications have either been accepted or awaiting final approval, while one case, filed on 27 March 2017, is still in the fact finding phase. Since 2010, most of the requests for delisting have been approved by the ombudsman 56 out of 78. Only 17 requests have been denied so far. In September 2010, Safet Ekrem Durguti, a Bosnian national, who headed the Al-Haramain Islamic Foundation became the first to be removed from the UN terror list. The Al-Haramain Islamic Foundation was accussed by the UN of collecting funds for Al-Qaeda and other Islamist groups. Another individual involved with the foundation, Tunisian national Shafiq ben Mohamed ben Mohamed Al-Ayadi was delisted in 2011 after he submitted a request to the ombudsman. The last successful application was that of Adil Muhammad Mahmud Abd al-Khaliq, a Bahrainian national, who was arrested in the UAE for alleged terror financing links. He applied for delisting in November 2016, which was granted in August this year. India, US react to Saeed's release The day Pakistan's judicial board released Saeed from house arrest, the US had asked the Islamabad government to make sure that Saeed is re-arrested and charged for his crimes. "The United States is deeply concerned that Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) leader Hafiz Saeed has been released from house arrest in Pakistan. LeT is a designated Foreign Terrorist Organisation responsible for the death of hundreds of innocent civilians in terrorist attacks, including a number of American citizens," state department spokesperson Heather Nauert said. "The Pakistani government should make sure that he is arrested and charged for his crimes," Nauert said in a statement after the release of the Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief. Ministry of External Affairs said Saeed's release confirmed once again the lack of seriousness by the Pakistan government in bringing to justice perpetrators of terrorism, including individuals and entities designated by the UN. "It also appears to be an attempt by the Pakistani system to mainstream proscribed terrorists. Pakistan has not changed its policy of shielding and supporting non-state actors and its true face is visible for all to see," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had said and further added, "His release confirms once again the lack of seriousness on the part of the Pakistan government. It seems to be an attempt by the Pakistani system to mainstream proscribed terrorists." With inputs from PTI At the upcoming World Trade Organisation's (WTO) ministerial conference at Buenos Aires next month, India is unlikely to insist on the food security clause, a major climbdown from its earlier stated position that the government's procurement of foodgrains under the national Food Security Act shouldn't be subject to WTO regulations. In an interview with Livemint, Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu said India already has an "indefinite interim solution" in place, and insisting on a permanent solution in this situation is a "mistake". "But if something better comes up, we will be more than happy to have it. This is something on the agenda. But what we have already got is a very good solution," Prabhu said. This will be the first time India will be expressing these sentiments. Prabhu's predecessor at the commerce ministry, Nirmala Sitharaman, and even the previous UPA regime, had all been fighting the WTO tooth-and-nail on the issue. The Livemint report said that New Delhi had even managed to secure an assurance from the WTO at the 2013 ministerial conference in Bali that a permanent solution would be found in four years' time. Under existing WTO rules, developing countries like India need to limit the procurement of foodgrain such as wheat and rice to within 10 percent of the crop's value. Disallowing such special support by governments to their domestic producers is to ensure there are no additional impediments to international free trade. However, after India enacted the Food Security Act in 2013, it promised to provide subsidised foodgrains to two-thirds of its 1.3 billion population. The demand for public procurement of foodgrain increased exponentially after this. Even earlier this year, the commerce ministry of Nirmala Sitharaman had said India would "increase pressure" on the WTO to expedite negotiations. "All issues related to food security were ignored at the last ministerial meet in Nairobi two years ago with the excuse that members held divergent positions. We will have to see to it that in the next Ministerial the same excuse cant be used," a commerce ministry official was quoted as saying by The Hindu Business Line. Even before the NDA took charge of the central government, however, New Delhi's position on the topic was the same. As reported by Hindustan Times in 2014, Anand Sharma had argued that India be allowed to exceed the AMS on the grounds that the present system of government procurement and distribution ensures food security to the poor in India. He was just back from addressing a WTO conference in late 2013, where he had described the issue as being "non-negotiable". "Agriculture sustains millions of subsistence farmers. Their interests must be secured. Food security is essential for over four billion people of the world. For India, food security is non-negotiable. Need of public stock-holding of foodgrains to ensure food security must be respected. Dated WTO rules need to be corrected," he said. Whether it is the change in regime in New Delhi, or if other factors are at work will be something that only the commerce ministry may be able to answer. But India's position vis-a-vis the WTO and its food security provisions are set to undergo a volte-face. JAKARTA/AMED, Indonesia (Reuters) - Indonesias transportation ministry said on Tuesday it will extend the closure of Balis I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport for a further 24 hours because of ash from the eruption of the islands Mount Agung volcano. Glowing light of hot lava is seen during the eruption of Mount Agung as seen from Amed in Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia, November 27, 2017. REUTERS/Johannes P. Christo A report from local aviation navigation authorities showed that aircraft flight channels are covered with volcanic ash the ministry said in a statement. Bali airport, about 60 km (37 miles) from the volcano, will be closed until 7 a.m. local time on November 29, it said. (For an interactive package on Agung eruptions click tmsnrt.rs/2hYdHiq) Ten alternative airports have been prepared for airlines to divert inbound flights, including in neighboring provinces. A separate notice showed Lombok airport had been reopened, after an earlier closure overnight due to the eruption. Agung rises majestically over eastern Bali to a height of just over 3,000 meters (9,800 feet). A villager walks as Mount Agung volcano erupts in the background in Kubu, Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia on November 27, 2017. REUTERS/Johannes P. Christo On Monday, authorities ordered 100,000 residents living near the volcano to evacuate immediately, warning that the first major eruption in 54 years could be imminent. An 8-10 km (5-6 miles) exclusion zone has been imposed around the summit. Agungs last eruption in 1963 killed more than 1,000 people and razed several villages by hurling out pyroclastic material, hot ash, lava and lahar. On Tuesday, life continued largely as normal in villages surrounding Agung, with residents setting up traditional markets and offering prayers as the volcano continued to spew tall columns of ash and smoke from its crater. Many residents evacuated in September when the alert was last raised to the highest level have returned to their homes and farms due to worries over their livelihood and livestock. Indonesias Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Centre (PVMBG), which is using drones, satellite imagery and other equipment, said predictions were difficult in the absence of instrumental recordings from the last eruption 54 years ago. It warned that if a similar eruption occurred, it could send rocks bigger than fist-size up to 8 km (5 miles) from the summit and volcanic gas a distance of 10 km (6 miles) within three minutes. Recordings now show the northeast area of Agungs peak has swollen in recent weeks indicating there is fairly strong pressure toward the surface, PVMBG said. This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesias transportation ministry said on Tuesday it will extend the closure of Balis I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport for a further 24 hours because of ash from the eruption of the islands Mount Agung volcano. Glowing light of hot lava is seen during the eruption of Mount Agung as seen from Amed in Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia, November 27, 2017. REUTERS/Johannes P. Christo A report from local aviation navigation authorities showed that aircraft flight channels are covered with volcanic ash the ministry said in a statement. The closure is due to end 7 am local time on November 29. A separate notice showed Lombok airport had been reopened, after an earlier closure overnight due to the eruption. This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Baghdad: Two suicide bombers blew themselves up at a market on Baghdad's outskirts on Monday, leaving 11 people dead, a security official said, in an attack claimed by the Islamic State group. "Five suicide bombers attacked a market and shops in the Nahrawan area" east of the Iraqi capital, a police captain told AFP. "The police killed three of them but the other two blew themselves up" killing 11 civilians and wounding 31, he said. He added that the blasts also wounded two security personnel in the district, 35 kilometres east of the Iraqi capital. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack in a message on its Amaq propaganda channel. Islamic State said the assault had targeted members of the Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary alliance and claimed it had killed 35 people. The mostly Shiite Hashed fighters are at the forefront of the battle against the Sunni jihadists. Islamic State has suffered a string of military defeats in both Syria and Iraq, where in 2014 it proclaimed a "caliphate" after seizing territories the size of Italy. Last week, it lost control of the last town it had held in Iraq. DUBLIN (Reuters) - Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said he and opposition leader Micheal Martin will do all they can on Monday to find a compromise that would avoid a snap election with implications for a Brexit summit next month. Ireland's Prime Minister (Taoiseach) Leo Varadkar arrives at the launch of the FemFest conference in Dublin, Ireland, November 25, 2017. REUTERS/Clodagh KilcoyneVaradkar and the head of the main opposition party propping up his minority government have 24 hours to resolve a domestic political dispute, and one minister said she expected the parties would avoid an election, for now. Ireland will play a major role at the summit, telling EU leaders whether it believes sufficient progress has been made on the future of the border between EU-member Ireland and the British province of Northern Ireland. The border is one of three issues Brussels wants broadly resolved before it decides whether to move Brexit talks on to a second phase about trade, as Britain wants. The Irish political crisis is over Deputy Prime Minister Frances Fitzgeralds handling of a legal case involving a police whistleblower. Martin, the leader of Fianna Fail, plans to move a motion of no confidence in her on Tuesday at 2000 GMT. Varadkar has said that if the motion was not withdrawn, he will be forced to hold an election before Christmas, a prospect EU officials say would complicate the EU Brexit summit on Dec. 14-15. I think we all know an election is coming but it just isnt right for the country to have that election right now and I do expect us to come back from the brink, Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty told the Newstalk radio station. Local media reported that the leaders were looking at whether passing the issue to a judge-led tribunal, restructuring the justice department and an apology from Fitzgerald could break the deadlock. While positions softened noticeably as members of both parties reported an overwhelming desire among voters not to go to the polls, a compromise that would see Fitzgerald stay in her role remains difficult for Fianna Fail, a party source told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity. In public, some senior Fianna Fail MPs were less definitive when asked if Fitzgerald would have to quit. Foreign Minister Simon Coveney of Fine Gael also struck a more conciliatory tone, accepting his opponents had genuine concerns. Varadkar reiterated that there was no question of Fitzgerald being asked to step down and she was quoted by the Sunday Independent newspaper as saying she would not bow to summary justice. At the weekend it looked almost certain and now it has receded somewhat to probably a 50-50 chance. It seems like Fianna Fail are trying to come to some sort of an agreement where they can avoid an election, said Eoin OMalley, politics lecturer at Dublin City University. OMalley predicted, however, that there would be a snap election in the near future and that the government would be lucky to survive six months. Martin and Varadkar would have to put any compromise to their respective parties early on Tuesday, a high stakes approach just hours ahead of the confidence vote. UTTERLY IRRESPONSIBLE Coveney also reiterated on Monday that not enough progress had been made on the border issue and that he had the full backing of the EUs chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier. Concerns over how the Irish political crisis would impact the talks steadied sterling on Monday, after it posted its biggest weekly rise in more than a month. [nL3N1NX4H8] The next couple of months are crucial for the future of Ireland, and provoking an election right now would be utterly irresponsible, said Kevin ORourke, Professor of Economic History at Oxford University, who has written extensively on Irelands role in the Brexit talks. Irelands main parties broadly back Varadkars position on Brexit and an opinion poll on Saturday suggested an election would lead to little change with another minority administration the most likely outcome. Certainly I dont want there to be an election, I dont think it would change anything or achieve anything, particularly at such an important time for the country, Varadkar said ahead of talks between the two leaders due late on Monday. This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. PARIS (Reuters) - During his rapid rise to the presidency, Frances Emmanuel Macron was sometimes referred to as a lucky general -- a leader with the right skills for the job but also a generous dose of the good fortune needed to win the day. French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech at Ouagadougou University, in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, November 28, 2017. REUTERS/Philippe WojazerThe 39-year-old certainly took advantage of a string of lucky breaks, especially a corruption scandal that derailed the campaign of front-running, centre-right rival Francois Fillon. But six months into his occupation of the Elysee Palace, there are niggling signs Macrons luck could be starting to turn. In particular, the uncertain political picture in Germany has complicated his ambition to reform Europes single currency zone, something he has put at the heart of his presidency and that stands or falls on Franco-German cooperation. And while changes he introduced early on to Frances employment rules provoked less unrest than expected, the impact on the economy has so far been muted. His plans to amend the pensions and benefits system may not be so readily accepted. From a fiscal point of view, one of his main objectives is to bring the national deficit below 3 percent of gross domestic product for the first time in a decade. Yet current indications are that he will struggle with that goal, leaving France at odds with the EUs executive Commission. And within his own party -- En Marche, formed as a grassroots movement a little over a year ago -- there is unease among some members about a top-down structure that goes against the ethos that propelled him to a five-year term in May. Some breaks continue to fall in Macrons favour. France last week won the right to host the European Banking Agency in a lucky dip against Dublin, and domestically he faces little serious opposition from either the left or right. But his biggest ambitions rely on a deep and sustained relationship with Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose position after 12 years as Germanys leader has been weakened over two months of so-far fruitless talks to form a governing coalition. We are naturally paying close attention to everything that might help stabilise the political situation (in Germany), Benjamin Griveaux, a close Macron ally who was recently named the governments new spokesman, said on Monday. Without a strong partner it will obviously be more difficult to carry out the presidents ambitious European project. RISKS AND REWARDS At one level, the fact that Merkel is now talking to Germanys Social Democrats (SPD) about a grand coalition, after overtures to the Liberals and Greens failed, is positive for Macron since the SPD is more avowedly pro-EU. But theres no guarantee the SPD will sign up to Macrons agenda, even if its leader, Martin Schulz, is a former European Parliament president who is committed to the project. Schulz has only gone as far as to say Macrons ideas need to be discussed in coalition talks with Merkel, while other SPD officials say domestic reforms to health insurance and pensions are a more pressing consideration. Europe is not a theme where we can simply push things through, said Johannes Kahrs, a budget expert for the SPD in parliament and leader of the partys conservative wing. Macrons ideas for overhauling the euro zone, including the creation of a region-wide budget, finance minister and separate parliament, may be just too ambitious for Germany to swallow. It would be nice if the conservatives went along with the idea of a budget for the euro zone, but they need to want it, said Kahrs. It would make no sense to try to bully them. Even as he focuses on his grand ambitions, Macron and his finance minister, Bruno Le Maire, must battle to get the states historically overstretched finances in order, while hoping that Frances currently steady growth rate doesnt falter. The budget deficit has been falling and should dip just below 3 percent next year, but from the European Commissions point of view that is insufficient. It wants more done on the structural deficit, which strips out the business cycle. If Macron and Le Maire are to achieve more, it will likely mean cutting deeper into regional budgets, where planned reductions have already provoked anger among mayors. Unemployment figures show job creation is at a record high but the jobless rate still ticked higher in the third quarter, rising to 9.7 percent. While it is forecast to decline again, the French rate remains way above Germanys of 5.6 percent. Jean Pisani-Ferry, a leading economist and former adviser to Macron, believes perhaps the biggest risk Macron faces is ensuring his European strategy pays off, because his domestic agenda will in large part be influenced by it in turn. Yet that depends a lot on Germany, and the wider EU. Hes making a huge political investment (in Europe), said Pisani-Ferry, a professor of economics and public management at Sciences Po university. And if youre making a huge political investment, you want at some point some pay-off. If there is no pay-off whatsoever, then obviously there will be domestic political consequences. It will be a setback for him. This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Islamabad: When hardline Pakistani Islamists signed an agreement with the government on Monday to end a crippling blockade of the nation's capital, the text of their deal concluded by thanking the army chief who it said had saved the nation from a big catastrophe. The effusive praise for General Qamar Javed Bajwas role as a mediator has triggered some concern among moderate politicians and criticism from a judge in Islamabad, where 36 hours earlier the civilian government had called in the army to restore order after police clashed with the entrenched Islamists. Seven people had been killed and nearly 200 wounded in an unsuccessful police-led operation to clear the Islamist protesters, who accused a government minister of blasphemy. Instead of sending in troops, General Bajwa requested a meeting with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Sunday. The next day, the government capitulated and met most of the Islamists demands, including the resignation of Law Minister Zahid Hamid, who stood down. A high court judge issued an order on Monday demanding the government explain why the military had helped negotiate the deal. Judge Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui said the army appeared to be overstepping its constitutional role, which requires it to act in aid of civilian government when called upon to do so. Critics worry the military may be meddling in politics always a concern in a country where the army has repeatedly seized power rather than simply following the orders of the civilian administration. The job of the military is to be subservient to the governments orders, said political analyst Zahid Hussain. The militarys role as facilitator has raised many questions. A ruling party spokesman said the army and government had acted in consultation and said the army did not balk at government orders. No evidence has emerged to contradict that account. The military itself did not respond to repeated requests for comment. Zahid said he was resigning to take the country out of a crisis-like situation, according to state-run news channel PTV. "Alarming" Tehreek-e-Labaik, a recently formed ultra-religious party that has made punishing blasphemy its main campaign rallying cry, had blocked main roads into Islamabad for nearly three weeks, demanding Hamids removal. It blamed the minister for a tweak in the wording in an electoral law that changed a religious oath proclaiming Mohammad the last prophet of Islam to the words I believe, a change the party says amounts to blasphemy. The government put the issue down to a clerical error and swiftly changed the language back. Insulting Islams prophet is punishable by death under Pakistani law, and blasphemy accusations stir such emotions that they are almost impossible to defend against. Last week, the Islamabad High Court had ordered the government to remove the protesters, but not to use firearms. A clearing operation on Saturday quickly descended into chaos, with protesters armed with iron rods and stones battling police to a standstill and scores on each side hospitalised, after which the government called in the army. In an order made at a follow-up hearing on Monday, Judge Siddiqui said it appeared that the role assumed the top leadership of the army is besides the constitution and beyond its mandate. The judge said it was alarming that Hameed had signed the agreement as a mediator. Hameed is a senior member of the powerful Inter-Services Intelligence agency, in charge of counter-terrorism, two senior military officials confirmed. Ruling party official Jan Achakzai confirmed that Abbasi and army chief General Bajwa had met on Sunday, but said the process was consultative and it did not constitute the military questioning orders. The army ... suggested the government resolve it through negotiations, Achakzai said, adding that the government, after deliberations, directed the interior ministry to meet the protesters demands to avert further violence. It was affecting the whole country, he said, adding the government had yielded in the larger interest of peace and maintaining law and order. Rizvi gave his account of the armys role in ending the stand-off at a news conference on Monday. So the general took a personal interest and sent his team, saying we will become the guarantors, and have your demands fulfilled, Rizvi said. So we said, All right. That is what we want. The militarys press department did not respond to questions about Rizvis account. Tensions between the military and the ruling party led by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif have occasionally broken out into the open. Sharif had last year rejected a plan put forward by the army to mainstream some hardline Islamist groups into politics, government sources have previously told Reuters, including a forerunner of Tehreek-e-Labaik. The Islamist party has denied it has any links to the army and the military declined at the time to comment on the report. MADRID (Reuters) - Imprisoned former vice-president of Catalonia Oriol Junqueras and three other jailed members of his ERC party will abide by a ruling giving Madrid control over the region, their defence lawyer said on Tuesday. Dismissed Catalan vice president Oriol Junqueras arrives to Spain's High Court after being summoned to testify on charges of rebellion, sedition and misuse of public funds for defying the central government by holding a referendum on secession and proclaiming independence, in Madrid, Spain, November 2, 2017. REUTERS/Javier BarbanchoJunqueras and seven other former members of the Catalonia regional cabinet were jailed on Nov. 2 pending trial, accused of sedition, rebellion and misappropriation of funds after the local government declared independence from Spain. Catalonias secession drive has tipped Spain into its worst political crisis in decades and prompted Madrid to sack the Catalan government, led by Carles Puigdemont, and call a regional election for Dec. 21. The acceptance of Madrids rule over the region could prompt the Supreme Court to overrule the decision to hold the defendants in custody while they await trial, and release them in time to campaign for the election. All four jailed ERC members - Junqueras, former foreign affairs chief Raul Romeva, justice affairs head Carles Mundo and work chief Dolors Bassa - have been named as candidates in the election. The defendants did not agree with the application of Article 155, which stripped the regional government of its power after the secessionist ruling, but accepted it, their lawyer said in a statement to the Supreme Court. My charges accepted, and accept, the application of 155 ... but have done so from a position of deep political and judicial discrepancy, the lawyer said. The lawyer added that the statement does not mean that they renounce their political convictions. Former leader of Catalonia Puigdemont, who has been in self-imposed exile in Belgium since declaring independence, said on Saturday the election would be most important in the regions history. Turnout for the election is expected to reach a record 80 percent as the deeply divisive issue of the regions secession prompts participation from both sides. Less than a quarter of Catalans want to continue with a plan to claim independence from Spain, according to a poll published in El Pais newspaper on Monday. However, the same poll showed the vote evenly split between pro- and anti-independence parties in the upcoming regional election. This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Tokyo: Japan has detected radio signals suggesting North Korea may be preparing for another ballistic missile launch, although such signals are not unusual and satellite images did not show fresh activity, a Japanese government source said on Tuesday. After firing missiles at a pace of about two or three a month since April, North Korean missile launches paused in September, after Pyongyang fired a rocket that passed over Japans northern Hokkaido island. "This is not enough to determine (if a launch is likely soon)," the source told Reuters. Japans Kyodo news agency reported late on Monday that the Japanese government was on alert after catching such radio signals, suggesting a launch could come in a few days. The report also said the signals might be related to winter military training by the North Korean military. South Koreas Yonhap news agency, citing a South Korean government source, also reported that intelligence officials of the United States, South Korea and Japan had recently detected signs of a possible missile launch and have been on higher alert. Asked about the media reports, Pentagon spokesman Colonel Robert Manning told reporters the United States continued to watch North Korea very closely. "This is a diplomatically led effort at this point, supported by military options," he said. "The Republic of Korea and US alliance remains strong and capable of countering any North Korean provocations or attacks." Two US government sources familiar with official assessments of North Korean capabilities and activities said that while they were not immediately familiar with recent intelligence suggesting that North Korea was preparing to launch a new missile test, the US government would not be surprised if such a test were to take place in the very near future. Other US intelligence officials noted North Korea has previously sent deliberately misleading signs of preparations for missile and nuclear tests, in part to mask real preparations, and in part to test US and allied intelligence on its activities. NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenyas political divisions looked set to deepen on Tuesday as security forces patrolled the capital in preparation for President Uhuru Kenyattas inauguration and opposition leaders urged supporters to attend a rival rally. REFILE - CORRECTING MONTH Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta delivers a speech during a ceremony at the All Saints Anglican Church in Nairobi, Kenya November 5, 2017. REUTERS/Baz RatnerKenyatta won a second five-year term on Oct. 26 in a repeat presidential election boycotted by opposition leader Raila Odinga, who said it would not be free and fair. The Supreme Court nullified the first presidential election, in August, over irregularities. The extended election season has divided Kenya, a Western ally in a volatile region, and blunted growth in East Africas richest economy. Supporters of Kenyatta -- who won with 98 percent of the vote after Odingas boycott -- are urging the opposition to engage in talks and move on. Our responsibility after the political competition is to come together and work to build the nation, Kenyatta told a church service on Sunday. But Odinga supporters say they will not forgive the ruling party, accusing it of stealing the election, rampant corruption, directing abuse by the security forces and neglecting vast swathes of the country, including Odingas heartland in the west. Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga (C) of the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition attends a news conference in Machakos County, Kenya November 25, 2017. REUTERS/Baz RatnerA return to the political backwardness of our past is more than unacceptable. It is intolerable...This divide cannot be bridged by dialogue and compromise, Odingas National Super Alliance opposition alliance said in a statement. The opposition plans to hold a prayer meeting in the capital on Tuesday, saying it wants to commemorate the lives of Odinga supporters killed during confrontations with the security forces over the election period. More than 70 people have been killed in political violence this election season, mostly by the police. But it was unclear if authorities would allow the rally. Nairobi County police commander Japheth Koome told Capital FM radio on Saturday the police had not been notified about the rally as required by law. Whoever thinks he has intentions to do that (hold a rally, and), he does not involve police, wants to break the law, he said. Why dont you tell that person that the law will deal with such a situation firmly? The interior ministry and police spokesmen refused to comment on Monday when called seeking comment on whether the rally could go ahead. This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. SANTIAGO (Reuters) - A large iceberg broke off the Grey glacier in southern Chile, authorities said on Tuesday, adding that the cause of the rupture was unclear. Chiles CONAF forestry service shared photos on social media of the enormous block of blue-white ice, which measured 350 meters (1,148 feet) long by 380 meters (1,247 feet) wide, as it floated free in waters of a glacial lagoon near the southern tip of the South American continent. Park officials at Chiles Torres del Paine National Park, home to the glacier, said such ruptures were rare and had not occurred since the early 1990s. Torres del Paine is one of Chiles most popular tourist attractions, famous for its mountain views and visited by more than 115,000 tourists annually, according to CONAF. This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. New Delhi: India is monitoring the situation in Bali where a volcano has erupted in Mount Agung, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Tuesday. The minister tweeted that she had spoken to Pradeep Rawat, the Indian Ambassador in Jakarta. I have just spoken to Pradeep Rawat Indian Ambassador in Jakarta @IndianEmbJkt. We have set up a facilitation centre at the airport and are providing assistance to the stranded Indian nationals there. I am in constant touch with our mission. @cgibali Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) November 28, 2017 Indonesian authorities on Tuesday extended the closure of Bali's main airport until Wednesday. Indonesian officials say Agung continues to erupt and spew water vapour and ash between 2,000 and 3,400 metres high above the crater. There is also seismic activity in the area. The Bali airport on Monday cancelled 445 domestic and international flights, leaving at least 59,000 passengers stranded. Bali is the main tourist draw in Indonesia, with an annual influx of around 5.4 million foreign tourists, according to official data. At least 22 towns near the mountain have been affected by the ash and authorities have recommended the use of protective masks for the population. Located in the east of the island, in Karangasem district, Mount Agung is far from most tourist attractions. North Korea abruptly ended a 10-week pause in its weapons testing Tuesday by launching what the Pentagon said was an intercontinental ballistic missile possibly its longest-range test yet a move that will escalate already high tensions with Washington. Pentagon spokesman Colonel Rob Manning said the missile was launched from Sain Ni, North Korea, and traveled about 1,000 kilometers before landing in the Sea of Japan within 370 nautical kilometers of Japan's coast. It flew for 53 minutes, Japan's defense minister said. South Korea, a key US ally separated from the North by a highly militarized border, responded with shorter-range missile tests of its own to mimic striking the North Korea launch site, which it said lies not far from the North Korean capital. The launch is North Korea's first since it fired an intermediate range missile over Japan on 15 September, and it appeared to shatter chances that the hiatus could lead to renewed diplomacy over the reclusive country's nuclear program. US officials have sporadically floated the idea of direct talks with North Korea if it maintained restraint. An intercontinental ballistic missile test is considered particularly provocative. It would signal further progress by Pyongyang in developing a weapon of mass destruction that could strike the US mainland, which President Donald Trump has vowed to prevent using military force if necessary. In response to the launch, Trump said the United States will "take care of it." He told reporters: "It is a situation that we will handle." He did not elaborate. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders tweeted that Trump was briefed on the situation "while missile was still in the air." Manning, the Pentagon spokesman, said the North American Aerospace Defense Command, known as NORAD, "determined the missile launch from North Korea did not pose a threat to North America, our territories or our allies." US scientist David Wright said that based on initial reports on the altitude and duration of the test, it appeared to be North Korea's longest-range test yet. If flown on a standard trajectory rather than at a lofted angle, the missile would have a range of more than 13,000 kilometers (8,100 miles), said Wright, a physicist at the Union for Concerned Scientists. A week ago, the Trump administration declared North Korea a state sponsor of terrorism, further straining ties between governments that are still technically at war. Washington also imposed new sanctions on North Korean shipping firms and Chinese trading companies dealing with the North. North Korea called the terror designation a "serious provocation" that justifies its development of nuclear weapons. Echoing the initial US assessment, Japan's Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said the missile was likely an intercontinental ballistic missile. He said it was launched on highly lofted trajectory and reached a high point exceeding 4,000 kilometers exceeding the height of previous missile tests. He said it flew for about 53 minutes. "We can assume it was ICBM-class," Onodera said. Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the U.S. and South Korean militaries were analyzing the launch data from the missile. It said it traveled a distance of 960 kilometers and estimated the apogee at 4,500 kilometers. In response to the North Korean test, it said South Korea conducted a "precision-strike" drill, firing three missiles, including one with a 1000-kilometer range, to accurately hit a target that stood for the North Korean launch site. South Korea's presidential office said it was holding a National Security Council meeting Wednesday morning local time to discuss the launch. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. He said Japan will not back down against any provocation and would maximize pressure on the North in its strong alliance with the US. "We will not tolerate North Korea's reckless action," he told reporters. The test is likely to trigger moves by the US and its allies to condemn North Korea's latest test as a violation of Security Council resolutions that prohibit its use of ballistic missile technology and possibly seek more sanctions. Trump has ramped up economic and diplomatic pressure on the North to prevent its development of a nuclear-tipped missile that could strike the U.S. mainland. Thus far, the pressure has failed to get North Korea's totalitarian government, which views a nuclear arsenal as key to its survival, to return to long-stalled international negotiations on its nuclear program. UN Security Council President Sebastiano Cardi said he was scheduled to brief the council Wednesday. Tuesday's launch came as the U.S. discussed with South Korea next steps on North Korea. The South's top nuclear negotiator, Lee Do-hoon, was in Washington for talks with Joseph Yun, the US envoy for North Korea policy. London: Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been stripped of the honorific freedom of Oxford, the British city where she studied and raised her children, over her "inaction" in the Rohingya crisis. "When Aung San Suu Kyi was given the Freedom of the City in 1997 it was because she reflected Oxford's values of tolerance and internationalism," the city council said in a statement issued late Monday. "Today we have taken the unprecedented step of stripping her of the city's highest honour because of her inaction in the face of the oppression of the minority Rohingya population," added the release, which was published after a unanimous vote. "Our reputation is tarnished by honouring those who turn a blind eye to violence." Oxford's world-renowned university removed portraits of Suu Kyi, a former student, from its walls in September. Suu Kyi's late husband Michael Aris was a lecturer in Asian history at the university, and the couple lived and raised their two sons in the city. The Nobel Peace Prize winner has come under fire for failing to speak up in defence of the minority Muslim community. The United Nations says more than 620,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh since August and now live in squalor in the world's largest refugee camp after a military crackdown in Myanmar that the UN and Washington have said clearly constitutes "ethnic cleansing". Yangon: Pope Francis begins his first full day in Myanmar traveling to the country's capital on Tuesday to meet with the civilian leader, Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, a day after hosting the military general in charge of the crackdown on the country's Muslim Rohingya minority. Francis' speech to Suu Kyi, other Myanmar authorities and the diplomatic corps in Naypyitaw is the most anticipated of his visit, given the outcry over the crackdown, which the US and UN have described as a campaign of "ethnic cleansing" to drive out the Rohingya from northern Rakhine state. The operation, launched in August after Rohingya militants attacked security posts, has sent more than 620,000 Rohingya into neighboring Bangladesh, where they have reported entire villages were burned and looted, and women and girls were raped. Myanmar's Catholic leaders have stressed that Suu Kyi has no voice to speak out against the military over the operation, and have urged continued support for her efforts to move Myanmar toward a more democratic future that includes all its religious minorities, Christians in particular. How Francis bridges the local Catholic concerns with his legacy of speaking out for oppressed minorities is the key to watch in his speech in Naypyitaw. Francis dove into the crisis hours after arriving on Monday by meeting with the commander responsible for the crackdown, General Min Aung Hlaing, and three members of the bureau of special operations. The Vatican didn't provide details of the contents of the 15-minute "courtesy visit," only to say that "They spoke of the great responsibility of the authorities of the country in this moment of transition." General Min Aung Hlaing's office said in a statement on Facebook that he is willing to have "interfaith peace, unity and justice." The general added that there was no religious or ethnic persecution or discrimination in Myanmar, and that the government allowed different faith groups to have freedom of worship. Rohingya Muslims have long faced state-supported discrimination in the predominantly Buddhist country and were stripped of citizenship in 1982, denying them almost all rights and rendering them stateless. They cannot travel freely, practice their religion, or work as teachers or doctors, and they have little access to medical care, food or education. Myanmar's Catholic Church has publicly urged Francis to avoid saying "Rohingya," a term shunned by many here because the ethnic group is not a recognized minority in the country. And they have urged him to toe a delicate line in condemning the violence, given the potential for blowback against Myanmar's tiny Catholic community. Francis previously has prayed for "our Rohingya brothers and sisters," lamented their suffering and called for them to enjoy full rights. As a result, much of the debate before his trip focused on whether he would again express solidarity with the Rohingya. Any decision to avoid the term and shy away from the conflict could be viewed as a capitulation to Myanmar's military and a stain on his legacy of standing up for the most oppressed and marginalized of society, no matter how impolitic. Burke didn't say if Francis used the term in his meeting with the general, which ended with an exchange of gifts: Francis gave him a medallion of the trip, while the general gave the pope a harp in the shape of a boat, and an ornate rice bowl. The papal trip was planned before the latest spasm of violence erupted in August, when Myanmar security forces responded to militant attacks with a scorched-earth campaign that has sent many Rohingya fleeing to Bangladesh. In the Kutupalong refugee camp in southern Bangladesh, Senu Ara, 35, welcomed Francis' arrival for what he might be able to do for the refugees. "He might help us get the peace that we are desperately searching for," she said. "Even if we stay here he will make our situation better. If he decides to send us back, he will do so in a peaceful way." But in Myanmar, the sentiment was different. The government and most of the Buddhist majority consider the Rohingya Bengali migrants from Bangladesh living illegally in the country, though Rohingya have been here for generations. "Being a religious leader Catholic leader means that he is well-regarded, but of course there is this worry if he says something, people might say, 'OK, he just came to meddle,'" said Burmese analyst Khin Zaw Win, a former political prisoner. "So, I think a lot of diplomacy is needed, in addition to the public relations." Upon his arrival in Yangon, the pope was greeted by local Catholic officials and his motorcade passed by thousands of Myanmar's Catholics, who lined the roads, wearing traditional attire and playing music. Children greeted him as he drove in a simple blue sedan, chanting "Viva il papa!" (Long live the pope) and waving small plastic Myanmar and Holy See flags. Posters wishing Francis "a heartiest of welcome" lined the route into town. NAYPYITAW (Reuters) - Pope Francis said on Tuesday that Myanmar is suffering from civil conflict and hostilities that have lasted all too long and created deep divisions, but in a speech in the countrys capital he did not refer to the minority Rohingya Muslims. Pope Francis and Myanmars State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi attend a meeting with members of the civil society and diplomatic corps in Naypyitaw, Myanmar November 28, 2017. REUTERS/Max RossiThe arduous process of peacebuilding and national reconciliation can only advance through a commitment to justice and respect for human rights, he said, speaking after Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi had made an address. Religious differences need not be a source of division and distrust, but rather a force for unity, forgiveness, tolerance and wise nationbuilding, the pope added. The popes visit to Myanmar comes after an exodus of more than 620,000 Rohingya from Rakhine state to the southern tip of Bangladesh following a military crackdown that the United States last week branded ethnic cleansing. His trip is so delicate that some papal advisers warned him against even saying the word Rohingya, lest he set off a diplomatic incident that could turn the countrys military and government against minority Christians. Myanmar does not recognise the Rohingya as citizens nor as members of a distinct ethnic group with their own identity, and it rejects the term Rohingya and its use. Pope Francis did not use the word in his speech. This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Moscow: Russia will assist India in setting up a national crisis management centre in the country to handle disaster and other emergency situations. This was agreed during a meeting between Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Russian minister for emergency situations Vladimir Puchkov on Tuesday. Both sides agreed that EMERCOM of Russia would cooperate with India in the establishment of the National Crisis Management Centre (NCMC) in India, an official statement said. Singh held detailed discussions with Puchkov on cooperation in disaster management. They reviewed the progress made on the agreement on disaster management signed in 2010. They also agreed on a programme of training of specialists and sharing of each other's experiences as well as best practices in the field of Disaster Management, the statement said. The two leaders later signed a joint implementation plan for 2018-19 for cooperation in disaster management. Singh also met Nikolai Patrushev, secretary of the Security Council of Russian Federation, on Monday. During the meeting, both sides reinforced their determination to further strengthen their cooperation in the sectors of security and counter-terrorism. They also reviewed the implementation of the agreement on information security signed in October 2016. Both sides have welcomed the ongoing cooperation and the regular exchange of visits between the two national security councils. During his three-day visit to Russia, Singh will visit the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation and hold talks with director Alexander Bortnikov. Later, he will attend a reception organised by the Indian community. BEIRUT (Reuters) - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia presents Iran as an enemy because it wants to cover up its defeats in the region. Iran's President Hassan Rouhani delivers remarks at a news conference during the United Nations General Assembly in New York City, U.S. September 20, 2017. REUTERS/Stephanie Keith Saudi Arabia was unsuccessful in Qatar, was unsuccessful in Iraq, in Syria and recently in Lebanon. In all of these areas they were unsuccessful, Rouhani said in the interview live on state television. So they want to cover up their defeats. The Sunni Muslim kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Shiite Iran back rival sides in the wars and political crises throughout the region. Saudi Arabias powerful Crown Prince called the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the new Hitler of the Middle East in an interview with the New York Times published last week, escalating the war of words between the arch-rivals. Tensions soared this month when Lebanons Saudi-allied Prime Minister Saad Hariri resigned in a television broadcast from Riyadh, citing the influence of Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon and risks to his life. Hezbollah called the move an act of war engineered by Saudi authorities, an accusation they denied. Hariri returned to Lebanon last week and suspended his resignation but has continued his criticism of Hezbollah. Iran, Iraq, Syria and Russia form a line of resistance in the region which has worked toward stability and achieved big accomplishments, Rouhani said in the interview, which was reviewing his first 100 days in office in his second term. This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. LONDON (Reuters) - One in 10 drugs sold in developing countries is fake or substandard, leading to tens of thousands of deaths, many of them of African children given ineffective treatments for pneumonia and malaria, health officials said on Tuesday. The headquarters of the World Health Organization (WHO) is pictured in Geneva, Switzerland, March 22, 2016. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/FilesIn a major review of the problem, the World Health Organization (WHO) said that bogus drugs are a growing threat as increased pharmaceutical trade, including Internet sales, open the door to sometimes toxic products. Some pharmacists in Africa, for example, say that they are compelled to buy from the cheapest but not necessarily the safest suppliers to compete with illegal street traders. Fake drugs could contain incorrect doses, wrong ingredients or no active ingredients at all. At the same time, a worrying number of authorised medicines fail to meet quality standards because of improper storage and other issues. The scale of the problem is hard to quantify precisely, but a WHO pooled analysis of 100 studies from 2007 to 2016, covering more than 48,000 samples, showed 10.5 percent of drugs in low and middle-income countries to be fake or substandard. With pharmaceutical sales in such countries running at nearly $300 billion a year, this implies that trade in fake medicines is a $30 billion business. The human toll is enormous, according to a team from the University of Edinburgh, which was commissioned by the WHO to study the impact of fake drugs. They calculated that up to 72,000 deaths from childhood pneumonia could be attributed to the use of antibiotics with reduced activity, increasing to 169,000 deaths if drugs had no activity. Poor-quality drugs also add to the danger of antibiotic resistance, threatening to undermine the power of life-saving medicines in future. Another group from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine estimated that 116,000 additional deaths from malaria could be caused each year by bad antimalarials in sub-Saharan Africa. Substandard and falsified medicines particularly affect the most vulnerable communities, said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. This is unacceptable. Since 2013 the WHO has received 1,500 reports of fake and low-quality products, with antimalarials and antibiotics the most commonly reported categories. However, the problem extends to everything from cancer drugs to contraceptive pills. Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 42 percent of all the reports. There was no global reporting of this data before 2013. This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. GENEVA (Reuters) - A United Nations womens rights panel called on Myanmar on Tuesday to report within six months on rapes and sexual violence against Rohingya women and girls by its security forces in northern Rakhine state. Rohingya refugees sail on an improvised raft across the Naf River to reach Bangladesh, in Teknaf, Bangladesh November 27, 2017. REUTERS/Susana VeraThe U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) also asked authorities to provide details on women and girls killed in the violence since the army crackdown began in late August. The campaign, which followed attacks on police posts by Rohingya insurgents, has driven more than 600,000 Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh and left their villages burned to the ground. The rare request for an exceptional report from a country was only the panels fourth since 1982. Pope Francis met leaders of several faiths in majority-Buddhist Myanmar on Tuesday, stressing the importance of unity in diversity but making no mention of the minority Muslim Rohingya on his first day of a visit. He later said in a speech that civil conflict and hostilities there had lasted all too long and created deep divisions, but again did not refer to the Rohingya. The U.N. watchdog panel, composed of 23 independent experts, set a six-month deadline for the government to submit the report to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. A Rohingya refugee stands outside her makeshift shelter at Hakim Para refugee settlement near Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, November 21, 2017. REUTERS/Susana Vera The Committee requested information concerning cases of sexual violence, including rape, against Rohingya women and girls by State security forces; and to provide details on the number of women and girls who have been killed or have died due to other non-natural causes during the latest outbreak of violence, it said in a statement. The experts requested information on investigations, arrests, prosecutions, convictions and sentences or disciplinary measures imposed on perpetrators, including members of the armed forces, found guilty of such crimes. Specifically, they sought information on the battalions that have undertaken the clearance operations in northern Rakhine state since August 25 and under whose command. They asked whether instructions have been given or are being issued to all branches of state security forces that torture, sexual violence and expulsions are banned and that those responsible will be prosecuted and punished. The panel said it wanted to know how many Rohingya women and girls are being detained by security forces. Reuters reported on Monday that the U.N. Human Rights Council is expected to hold a special session in Geneva on December 5 on killings, rapes and other crimes committed against Rohingya in Myanmar. The watchdog panel said it had also requested information on investigations, arrests, prosecutions, convictions and sentences or disciplinary measures imposed on perpetrators, including members of the armed forces, found guilty of such crimes. This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The top U.S. general in Afghanistan said on Tuesday that he had not seen a change in Pakistans support for militants so far, despite President Donald Trump taking a tougher line against Islamabad. U.S. Army General John Nicholson, Commander of Resolute Support forces and U.S. forces in Afghanistan, speaks during a news conference in Kabul, Afghanistan November 20, 2017. REUTERS/Mohammad IsmailU.S. officials have long been frustrated by what they see as Pakistans reluctance to act against groups such as the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani network that they believe exploit safe haven on Pakistani soil to launch attacks on neighboring Afghanistan. In August, Trump outlined a new strategy for the war in Afghanistan, chastising Pakistan over its alleged support for Afghan militants. He accused Pakistan of harboring agents of chaos and providing safe havens to militant groups waging an insurgency against a U.S.-backed government in Kabul. U.S. official expressed hope that relations between the two countries could improve after a kidnapped U.S.-Canadian couple and their three children were freed in Pakistan in October, after the couple was abducted in neighboring Afghanistan. We have been very direct and very clear with the Pakistanis... we have not seen those changes implemented yet, General John Nicholson told reporters. We are hoping to see those changes, we are hoping to work together with the Pakistanis going forward to eliminate terrorists who are crossing the border, Nicholson said. He added that he believed that senior Taliban leaders were based in Pakistan, while the lower level leadership was in Afghanistan. Pakistan says it has done a great deal to help the United States in tracking down terrorists. This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The top U.S. general in Afghanistan said on Tuesday that he had not seen a change in Pakistans support for militants so far, despite President Donald Trump taking a tougher line against Islamabad. U.S. Army General John Nicholson, Commander of Resolute Support forces and U.S. forces in Afghanistan, speaks during a news conference in Kabul, Afghanistan November 20, 2017. REUTERS/Mohammad IsmailU.S. officials have long been frustrated by what they see as Pakistans reluctance to act against groups such as the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani network that they believe exploit safe haven on Pakistani soil to launch attacks on neighbouring Afghanistan. In August, Trump outlined a new strategy for the war in Afghanistan, chastising Pakistan over its alleged support for Afghan militants. He accused Pakistan of harbouring agents of chaos and providing safe havens to militant groups waging an insurgency against a U.S.-backed government in Kabul. U.S. official expressed hope that relations between the two countries could improve after a kidnapped U.S.-Canadian couple and their three children were freed in Pakistan in October. The couple was abducted in neighbouring Afghanistan. We have been very direct and very clear with the Pakistanis... we have not seen those changes implemented yet, General John Nicholson told reporters. We are hoping to see those changes, we are hoping to work together with the Pakistanis going forward to eliminate terrorists who are crossing the border, Nicholson said. He said that he believed that senior Taliban leaders were based in Pakistan, while the lower-level leadership was in Afghanistan. Nicholson added that he agreed with other senior U.S. officials that Pakistans main spy agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) directorate, had ties to the Haqqani network militant group. The United States in 2012 designated the Pakistan-based Haqqani network as a terrorist organization. Pakistan says it has done a great deal to help the United States in tracking down terrorists. The four-star general said he had seen evidence of relations between Iran and the Taliban in western Afghanistan and was closely tracking it. The United States has sent more than 3,000 additional U.S. troops to Afghanistan as a part of Trumps South Asia strategy. Nicholson said over 1,000 troops would be advising Afghan troops at the battalion level, putting them closer to the fighting and at greater risk. Nicholson gave an optimistic view of the situation, saying he believed we are on our way to a win. U.S. officials have made similar statements during the course of the 16-year-old war, but the situation according to many U.S. officials remains in a stalemate. According to a recent report by a U.S. government watchdog, the Taliban had increased the amount of territory it has influence over or controls in Afghanistan in the past six months. The figures are a sign of the deteriorating security situation in the war-torn country, even as the United States has committed more troops. This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Washington: Three Chinese nationals have been indicted by the US Justice Department for allegedly hacking and stealing sensitive internal documents of American corporations like Moody's Analytics and Siemens for nearly six years. The indictment, which was unsealed Monday, charged that the three defendants and others participated in "coordinated and unauthorised" cyber attacks in order to steal confidential business information and intentionally cause damage to those computer systems. The three defendants have been identified as Wu Yingzhuo, Dong Hao and Xia Lei. Moody's Analytics, Siemens AG and Trimble were the American corporations that were hacked by the trio. According to the indictment, Wu, Dong and Xia were owners, employees and associates of Guangzhou Bo Yu Information Technology Company, a firm in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou that offers cyber security services. For one victim, information that the defendants targeted and stole trade secrets between December 2015 and March 2016, the US Department of Justice said. "Defendants Wu, Dong and Xia launched coordinated and targeted cyber intrusions against businesses operating in the US, including here in the Western District of Pennsylvania, in order to steal confidential business information," said Acting US Attorney Soo C Song for the Western District of Pennsylvania. He said, "These conspirators masked their criminal conspiracy by exploiting unwitting computers, called 'hop points', conducting 'spearphish' email campaigns to gain unauthorised access to corporate computers, and deploying malicious code to infiltrate the victim computer networks". The conspiracy began as early as 2011 and continued to May, 2017. Washington: The US is working on a new approach with India and Pakistan for promoting stability and reconciliation in Afghanistan, the State Department has said. The State Department's annual report on its financial priorities for the new fiscal year highlighted this as a key ingredient of Washington's strategy for South Asia that President Donald Trump announced on 21 August. "Our approach to South Asia and specifically Afghanistan means new approaches with India and Pakistan to deny safe havens to terrorist organisations," State Department Inspector General Steve A Linick said. The main purpose behind this new approach was to "create the conditions for reconciliation with the Taliban and a process that supports the Afghan government in providing security for their own people", Linick added. The report identified the most serious management and performance challenges facing the State Department and assessed the Department's progress in addressing those challenges, Dawn online reported. This year's report detailed ongoing difficulties in monitoring and overseeing the anti-terrorism assistance programme in Pakistan. The report pointed out that the State Department has no staff in Pakistan for verifying satisfactory contractor performance or monitoring whether required reports were submitted. Furthermore, the bureau had not adopted a meaningful way to measure progress towards programme goals. The report noted that difficulties in obtaining Pakistani visa was a contributing factor in the State Department's flawed oversight and monitoring of the anti-terrorism assistance programme there. It also underlined the measures the State Department could take to improve oversight, including developing and implementing procedures to verify compliance with contract reporting requirements. The report also identified ways the State Department's own practices contributed to problems, notwithstanding the fact that oversight personnel could not be located in Pakistan. It also noted that the US mission's security policies restricting staff travel in the country made it difficult to meet Pakistani contacts and audiences, impeding operations or programme implementation. Facebook has announced an upgrade to its suicide prevention AI in order to respond and report about the users who are expressing thoughts of suicide either via posts or live videos. The company has always tried to connect a person in distress with people who can support them in an effort to build a community that is safe on and off Facebook. Facebook uses pattern recognition to detect posts or live videos where a user might be expressing thoughts of suicide in order to report and respond and has also improved on how to identify appropriate first responders. The company is expanding the dedicated reviewers from the Community operations team to review reports of suicide or self-harm. Facebook says that over the last one month, the company has worked with the first responders on over 100 wellness checks based on reports that it received via the proactive detection efforts in addition to the reports that it received from people in the Facebook community. The pattern recognition accelerates the most concerning reports and these reports after being signed for immediate attention are being escalated to local authorities twice as quickly as other reports. [HTML1] Facebook has said that it is rolling out the A.I outside of the US and will be eventually available worldwide, except the EU. It said that it would work on this technology to increase accuracy and avoid false positives before the actual team reviews the reports. As for the first responders, Facebook says that the Operations team includes thousands of people around the world who review reports about content on Facebook. The team consists of a dedicated group of specialists who have specific training in suicide and self-harm. The company is already providing support options, such as the option to reach out to a friend and even offer suggested text templates. The company has been working on the suicidal prevention program for the past 10 years and has collaborated with mental health organizations such as Save.org, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and Forefront Suicide Prevention. Source Home-furnishings brand Pier 1 has become the latest U.S. store to succumb to the retail apocalypse after revealing Monday it would file Chapter 11 bankruptcy and pursue a sale. The company cited the bankruptcy filing in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Richmond, Virginia, due to slowing sales, and added that it would complete the closure of up to 450 store locations, including all its stores in Canada, that it announced earlier this year. In recent months, we have taken significant steps forward in our business transformation and cost-reduction initiatives, Robert Riesbeck, Pier 1s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer said in the statement. Todays actions are intended to provide Pier 1 with additional time and financial flexibility to unlock additional value for our stakeholders through a sale. We are moving ahead in this process with the support of our lenders and are pleased with the initial interest as we engage in discussions with potential buyers. To date, the brand has closed or launched store-closing sales at more than 400 locations. Ticker Security Last Change Change % PIR n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. AMZN AMAZON.COM INC. 3,049.44 +26.60 +0.88% Pier 1 is just one of a growing number of retailers closing their doors as consumers lean away from traditional brick-and-mortar shopping in favor of buying online. The rise of e-commerce outlets like Amazon has made it harder for physical retailers to attract customers and forced companies to change or adopt new strategies. FOX Business breaks down which brands closed stores or filed bankruptcy in recent months. Abercrombie & Fitch The chain has closed hundreds of store locations over the last few years while placing an increased emphasis on online sales and smaller retail formats. In May, Abercrombie & Fitch said it would close three flagship store locations, including one in New York, and redesign 85 others. Ticker Security Last Change Change % ANF ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO. 31.67 -4.18 -11.66% Aerosoles The New Jersey-based womens footwear company filed for bankruptcy in 2017 and announced plans to move forward with a significant reduction of its retail locations. While its unclear how many of Aerosoles 88 locations will be affected, the chain said it plans to keep four flagship stores in New York and New Jersey operational, NJ.com reported. American Apparel A fashion brand known for its edgy offerings, American Apparel shuttered all of its 110 U.S. locations in 2017 after filing for bankruptcy. The brand has since been acquired by Canada-based Gildan Activewear, which bought its intellectual property in an $88 million deal. BCBG The Los Angeles-based brand listed liabilities of more than $500 million when it filed for bankruptcy in February 2017. The chain closed 118 store locations nationwide that year, though more than 300 remained in operation under a company-wide reorganization. Bon-Ton Stores Inc. The struggling department store filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, according to court papers filed in February. The chain, which operates 256 stores in 23 states, also announced it planned to close 42 stores in 2018 as part of a restructuring plan. Ticker Security Last Change Change % BONTQ BON TON STORES 0.0001 +0.00 +4,900.00% The Childrens Place A fixture at shopping malls, the childrens clothing retail said it will close hundreds of store locations by 2020 as part of a shift toward digital commerce. Ticker Security Last Change Change % PLCE THE CHILDREN'S PLACE INC. 64.78 +5.88 +9.98% CVS The pharmacy retailer said it would close 70 store locations in 2017 as part of a bid to cut costs and streamline its business. CVS still operates thousands of stores nationwide. Ticker Security Last Change Change % CVS CVS HEALTH CORP. 104.50 +2.46 +2.42% Dressbarn Dressbarn said it would close all of its approximately 650 store locations in the coming weeks, acknowledging that the chain "has not been operating at an acceptable level of profitability in today's retail environment." Ticker Security Last Change Change % ASNA n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. Dollar Tree The discount retail chain said it would close as many as 390 of its Family Dollar stores around the country and convert roughly 200 others to Dollar Tree locations. The Family Dollar brand has struggled since it was acquired for roughly $9 billion in 2015. Fred's The discount retail chain said it plans to close an additional 104 stores by the end of June citing the move is a necessary step to restructuring. Foot Locker After reporting fourth-quarter earnings that were far better than expected, the sports retailer said it would close 165 stores in 2019 and invest to upgrade its remaining locations in a bid to boost margins and improve customer experience. Forever 21 Retailer Forever 21 became the latest retailer to file for bankruptcy protection. The seller of womens, mens and kids clothing and accessories made the announcement September 29. As part of its restructuring strategy, the Company plans to exit most of its international locations in Asia and Europe but will continue operations in Mexico and Latin America., according to a company statement. According to a court filing, Forever 21 has listed assets and liabilities in the range of $1 billion to $10 billion. This was an important and necessary step to secure the future of our Company, which will enable us to reorganize our business and reposition Forever 21, said Linda Chang, Executive Vice President of Forever 21, Inc." The Company also announced that its Canadian subsidiary filed for and was granted protection through the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Toronto. Gap At first parent, Gap said it would spin off its more successful Old Navy brand into its own company while closing about 230 Gap stores around the world, or roughly 50 percent. Fast forward to January 2019 and those plans have been scrapped. Old Navy will stay put under the Gap umbrella. In a statement, the retailer said that while the purpose of the spinoff was for "value creation" it no longer made sense to the board of directors, who determined the "cost and complexity of splitting into two companies, combined with softer business performance, limited our ability to create appropriate value from separation," said Robert Fisher, Gap Inc. interim president and chief executive officer. Ticker Security Last Change Change % GPS GAP INC. 14.56 +0.74 +5.39% Guess Guess announced plans to close 60 of its struggling U.S. store locations in 2017 as part of a plan to refocus on international markets. Ticker Security Last Change Change % GES GUESS? INC. 21.89 +1.50 +7.38% Gymboree The children's clothing retailer was expected to file for bankruptcy for the second time in two years, The Wall Street Journal reported this week. The company will shutter 900 stores and seek a potential sale of its other brands. Hhgregg The electronics retailer said it would close all of its 220 stores and lay off thousands of employees when it failed to find a buyer after bankruptcy proceedings. Ticker Security Last Change Change % HGGGQ HHGREGG 0.002 +0.00 +199,900.00% J.C. Penney The department store chain closed 138 stores in 2017 while restructuring its business to meet shifting consumer tastes. The retailer also announced plans to open toy shops in all of its remaining brick-and-mortar locations. J.C. Penney plans to close 24 more stores in 2019. Ticker Security Last Change Change % JCP n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. The Limited After a brutal holiday season in 2016, the clothing chain closed all 250 of its physical stores in January 2017 as part of a bid to focus on ecommerce. The closures reportedly resulted in the loss of about 4,000 jobs. Macys At the start of the new year, Macy's announced it would close 28 stores. Before the doors could even shut on those locations, the retailer announced plans to close 125 department stores over the next three years as part of an effort to streamline its business and adjust to a difficult sales environment. Ticker Security Last Change Change % M MACY'S INC. 26.11 +1.57 +6.42% Michael Kors With same-store sales plunging, the upscale fashion retailer said it would close as many as 125 stores to adapt to a difficult, promotional sales environment. Payless The discount shoe retailer will file for bankruptcy for the second time in two years later this month and close all of its approximately 2,300 stores in the U.S., Reuters reported, citing sources with knowledge of the situation. The company previously filed for bankruptcy in April 2017. RadioShack The once-prominent electronics outlet shut down more than 1,000 store locations in 2017. The brand now operates just 70 stores nationwide, down from a peak of several thousand. Sears, Kmart Sears Holdings is one of the most prominent traditional retailers to suffer in a challenging sales environment. The brand filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Oct. 15, 2018, and said it would close more than 140 of its 700 remaining stores as part of its bid to restructure its debt. The company is set to hold an auction in January to determine whether it will be sold to its former CEO, Eddie Lampert, or liquidate its remaining stores. Ticker Security Last Change Change % SHLDQ SEARS HOLDINGS CORP. 0.02 +0.00 +12.68% Signet Jewelers The parent company of Kay Jewelers and Zales said it would close more than 150 stores locations in fiscal 2020 amid declining store traffic. Signet also closed 262 stores in fiscal 2019 as it looks to refocus its business on e-commerce. Ticker Security Last Change Change % SIG SIGNET JEWELERS LTD. 71.92 +5.00 +7.47% Shopko The Wisconsin-based retailer cited a sizable debt load and "competitive pressures" in its decision to file for bankruptcy. The chain will close 38 stores and sell off its pharmacy business as part of a restructuring plan. Topshop The British retailer will close all 11 of its U.S. stores after its parent company, Arcadia Group, filed for bankruptcy. Toys R Us The venerable toy outlet filed for bankruptcy in September 2017 amid mounting debt and pressure from wary suppliers and was forced to liquidate its remaining stores and inventories in 2018. The company is currently out of business, though rumors of a comeback persist. Victoria's Secret Parent company L Brands announced in late February that it would shutter 53 Victoria's Secret store locations amid sagging sales, after closing 30 stores in 2018. The venerable brand is contending with shifting fashion tastes as rivals embrace inclusive and comfortable styles. Wet Seal The teen fashion brand shuttered its 171 stores in 2017 after previously filing for bankruptcy in 2015. Declining foot traffic at malls and pressure from competitors like Zara and H&M contributed to Wet Seals demise. FOX Business' Thomas Barrabi and Shawn M. Carter contributed to this report. An estimated one in 10 drugs sold in low- and middle-income countries are fake or substandard, causing tens of thousands of deaths, according a new report from the World Health Organization (WHO). Since 2013, WHO said it has received 1,500 reports of bogus drug cases, with antimalarials and antibiotics being the most commonly reported. However, the problem extends to everything from cancer drugs to contraceptive pills. Many of these products, like antibiotics, are vital for peoples survival and wellbeing, Mariangela Simao, WHOs assistant director-general for access to medicines, vaccines and pharmaceuticals, said. Substandard or falsified medicines not only have a tragic impact on individual patients and their families, but also are a threat to antimicrobial resistance, adding to the worrying trend of medicines losing their power to treat. The hardest hit regions include Africa (42%), Americas (21%) and Europe (21%), but Michael Deats, who led the study for WHO, told FOX Business that Americans are also at risk. All countries are at risk from substandard and falsified medical products, Deats said. Consumers in the U.S. are more exposed to the risk from souring medicines from unregulated websites. While the scale of the problem is hard to quantify precisely, WHO pooled analysis of 100 studies from 2007 to 2016, covering more than 48,000 samples, and found that 10.5% of drugs in developed countries were either fake or substandard. Prior to 2013, there was no global reporting of this information but since then, WHO has trained more than 500 regulators from 141 countries to detect and respond to this issue. The bottom line is that this is a global problem, Simao added. Countries need to assess the extent of the problem at home and cooperate regionally and globally to prevent the traffic of these products and improve detection and response. According to Reuters, pharmaceutical sales in such countries are running at nearly $300 billion a year, which is generating around $30 billion for fake medicine manufacturers. Deats said its important for all customers to look for some sort of official certification when ordering any medication online as well as checking to see if there is a physical store location linked to the pharmacys website. Additionally, he adds that major pharmaceutical manufacturers need to step in and help curve the growing problem. [They] need to report any Substandard and Falsified medical products to the National Regulatory Authorities in which those products are found immediately and work with regulatory authorities to minimize the risks to patients, Deats said. Two sisters have found a way to transform civilian-military perceptions into fashionable accessories. Emily Nunez Cavness, a former U.S. Army captain, and her sister Betsy Nunez created Sword & Plough, a company that creates stylish handbags by repurposing military surplus material. The business employs veterans throughout each stagefrom design, to sewing, to management, sales and modelingand hopes the company is able to bridge the civil-military gap. We started out working with one veteran-owned manufacturer here in America and now weve growth to work with five veteran-owned manufacturers, Emily told FOX Business Maria Bartiromo on Mornings with Maria. And with that, weve helped support 65 veteran jobs and through all of these bags, weve repurposed over 30,000 pounds of military surplus. Cavness said she came up with the idea after joining the Army Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program at Middlebury College. It was there where I realized certain challenges like veteran unemployment, the civil military divide and the need to reduce waste, she said. And one day I had this a-ha moment and I thought how incredible would it be to come with a company that could repurpose military surplus material into stylish bags that anyone would want to wear that would employ veterans at every single stage of our business. According to the most recent data released by the Department of Labor, the veteran unemployment rate was at 2.7% in October, the lowest monthly veteran unemployment rate since 2000. The former army captain said her time spent in the military helped prepare her for her career as a small business owner. It really trained me to know how to perform under stress, how to lead a team, how to have really good time management skills and I think the best thing it taught me is to never give up, she added. And I think that determination has really helped us get to where we are today. Former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci resigned from the Board of Advisors at Tufts Universitys Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy on Tuesday after getting into a spat with the schools newspaper. In a statement to FOX Business, Adm. James Stavridis, dean of the school, said, This morning, Anthony Scaramucci informed The Fletcher School that he is resigning his position on the schools Board of Advisors, effective immediately. We thank Mr. Scaramucci for his past service to Tufts and wish him well. Scaramuccis resignation comes after the former Trump aide threatened to sue a student at the university for penning two critical editorials on why he shouldnt be on the board. The editorial pieces later turned into a weeks-long squabble with multiple students on campus who wanted him ousted, arguing that he didnt belong on the board after making vulgar comments about another White House official. Scaramucci, who served just 10 days in his White House role, held the Tufts board position since June 2016. One in 10 drugs sold in developing countries is fake or substandard, leading to tens of thousands of deaths, many of them of African children given ineffective treatments for pneumonia and malaria, health officials said on Tuesday. In a major review of the problem, the World Health Organization (WHO) said that bogus drugs are a growing threat as increased pharmaceutical trade, including Internet sales, open the door to sometimes toxic products. Some pharmacists in Africa, for example, say that they are compelled to buy from the cheapest but not necessarily the safest suppliers to compete with illegal street traders. Fake drugs could contain incorrect doses, wrong ingredients or no active ingredients at all. At the same time, a worrying number of authorised medicines fail to meet quality standards because of improper storage and other issues. The scale of the problem is hard to quantify precisely, but a WHO pooled analysis of 100 studies from 2007 to 2016, covering more than 48,000 samples, showed 10.5 percent of drugs in low and middle-income countries to be fake or substandard. With pharmaceutical sales in such countries running at nearly $300 billion a year, this implies that trade in fake medicines is a $30 billion business. The human toll is enormous, according to a team from the University of Edinburgh, which was commissioned by the WHO to study the impact of fake drugs. They calculated that up to 72,000 deaths from childhood pneumonia could be attributed to the use of antibiotics with reduced activity, increasing to 169,000 deaths if drugs had no activity. Poor-quality drugs also add to the danger of antibiotic resistance, threatening to undermine the power of life-saving medicines in future. Another group from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine estimated that 116,000 additional deaths from malaria could be caused each year by bad antimalarials in sub-Saharan Africa. Substandard and falsified medicines particularly affect the most vulnerable communities, said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. This is unacceptable. Since 2013 the WHO has received 1,500 reports of fake and low-quality products, with antimalarials and antibiotics the most commonly reported categories. However, the problem extends to everything from cancer drugs to contraceptive pills. Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 42 percent of all the reports. There was no global reporting of this data before 2013. A coffee shop targeted by protesters after a message about gentrification struck a nerve in a rapidly changing city remained closed Monday despite an apology and plans to reopen after the holiday weekend. Last week, Ink! Coffee displayed a sidewalk sign that said "Happily Gentrifying the Neighborhood Since 2014" outside a store in a historically diverse neighborhood near downtown Denver. Outrage over the message, fueled by anger over a city being dramatically transformed by an influx of newcomers, quickly spread on social media. A window was broken at the shop and "White Coffee" painted on the building and about 200 people protested there Saturday. The Colorado chain initially called the sign a bad joke but later founder Keith Herbert explained it was part of an advertising campaign. In a statement, he said he saw the campaign as a way to take pride in being part of a "dynamic, evolving community" that is inclusive but was now embarrassed to say that he did not "fully appreciate the very real and troubling issue of gentrification." "I recognize that we had a blind spot to other legitimate interpretations. I sincerely apologize - absolutely and unequivocally," said Herbert, who promised to educate himself and his colleagues about the issue and show ways to express his contrition. A sign posted on the door of the shop said it would reopen Monday. No one answered the phone at the shop or company's office and an email seeking an explanation was not returned. The shop is located near Five Points, a once largely black neighborhood, in a former industrial area that has become one of Denver's trendiest neighborhoods filled with breweries, restaurants and apartments, driving up rent and forcing many longtime residents to move. Herbert also wrote a letter this weekend to Denver Mayor Michael Hancock apologizing. Hancock's office released a copy on Monday. "I am embarrassed that we failed our local community and for the anger, frustration and disappointment many of our neighbors are feeling," Herbert wrote. City councilman Albus Brooks, who represents the area, said he was angered by the sign but urged residents to focus on patronizing businesses that support their values and resisting the urge to retaliate against the shop. He said he planned to ask Ink to have its workers undergo "cultural competency training" by a member of the community. Merriam-Webster tweeted that searches for "gentrification" and "gentrify" on its online dictionary rose 2,500 percent Monday following media coverage of the controversy. Three people affiliated with a Chinese cyber security firm hacked into the networks of Siemens AG, Trimble Inc and Moody's Analytics to steal business secrets, U.S. prosecutors said on Monday. An indictment unsealed in federal court in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, charged the three for launching "coordinated and unauthorized" cyber attacks with others between 2011 and this year. The hackers monitored email correspondence of an unidentified Moody's economist, stole data from transportation, technology and energy units at Siemens, and targeted Trimble as it developed a new global navigation satellite system, the indictment said. The three Chinese citizens were not in custody and were charged as individuals, not as state-sponsored hackers, U.S. prosecutors in the western Pennsylvania city said. The three sent "spearphishing" emails to computers in western Pennsylvania and around the world, according to the indictment. Representatives for the three defendants and the Chinese company could not immediately be identified to seek comment on the charges. The indictment was filed in September and the Chinese government has been aware of it, prosecutors said. Trimble said no client was breached in the hack. "Trimble responded to the incident and concluded that there is no meaningful impact on its business," the company said in a statement. A Siemens representative could not immediately be reached for comment. A Moody's spokesman said the firm worked closely with investigators and "to our knowledge, no confidential customer data or other personal employee information was compromised." The defendants were identified as Wu Yingzhuo, Dong Hao and Xia Lei. The indictment said they were owners, employees and associates of Guangzhou Bo Yu Information Technology Company Ltd, a firm in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou that offers cyber security services. U.S. Special Attorney in Pittsburgh Soo C. Song said arrest warrants had been issued for the three accused. "It is not an element or subject of this indictment that there is state sponsorship," Song said. The indictment refers to activities of a Chinese hacking group known as "Gothic Panda" with advanced technical capabilities has been active since 2007, said Adam Meyers, a researcher with cyber firm CrowdStrike. The group, which was active as of September, has targeted aerospace and defense, chemical, energy, financial, healthcare, industrial and transportation firms in Britain, France, Hong Kong, the United States and other western nations, Meyers said. The three people named in the identified were accused of exploiting vulnerabilities in computer systems and using malware to gain access to confidential business and commercial information, work product, and sensitive employee information including user names and passwords. (Reporting Nick Keppler in Pittsburgh and Karen Freifeld in New York; Additional reporting by David Alexander in Washington, Georgina Prodhan in London; Writing by Jim Finkle in Toronto; editing by Grant McCool) Chevron Corporation should be at the top of any dividend investor's short list right now, considering that it pays its investors an enviable 3.7% yield. But as good as that is, the oil and gas company isn't the only stock that's pushing the boundaries of dividend yields. GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK), Brookfield Infrastructure Partners (NYSE: BIP), and AT&T (NYSE: T) all cut bigger checks than Chevron, and each have a compelling reason for dividend investors to give them serious consideration. Let's take a closer look. A top pharma stock worth considering George Budwell (GlaxoSmithKline): With a current yield of 5.75%, British pharma stalwart GlaxoSmithKline easily offers one of the richest payouts within its large-cap peer group. And Glaxo's sky-high yield even exceeds that of that the dividend aristocrat Chevron at present. Glaxo's monstrous yield does come with a big catch, though. The pharma titan's high yield, after all, directly stems from the company's inability to restock its aging product portfolio with new high-value growth products -- especially in the pharmaceutical space, where its top-selling asthma medication, Advair, has been gradually on decline for some time now. As a result, Glaxo's shares have now shed nearly a quarter of their value over the past three years, and this downward trend has only been accelerating heading into 2018. In fact, Glaxo's recent talk of doling out up to $10 billion for Pfizer's consumer healthcare unit stoked fears among investors that the drugmaker may be forced to suspend its top flight dividend altogether. The good news is that Glaxo does have a number of green shoots, so to speak, on the pharma and vaccine sides of its business that could save its dividend, and perhaps usher in a new era of strong top-line growth. As a prime example, the company just grabbed a key regulatory approval for its two-drug HIV therapy known as Juluca that appears primed to be a big winner from a sales standpoint. And its newly approved shingles vaccine, Shingrix, should also eventually achieve blockbuster status as well. All told, Glaxo's rather enticing dividend could indeed evaporate if the company's newly installed management does expand deeper into the consumer healthcare space. But there are some compelling reasons to believe this exceptional yield may be spared from the chopping block as well. A dividend champion in the making Neha Chamaria (Brookfield Infrastructure Partners): As a Dividend Aristocrat, Chevron's popularity among income investors isn't unwarranted. However, there are other stocks that are not only cutting higher yields than Chevron but also giving income investors encouraging dividend goals to look forward to. Consider Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, an asset managing company that acquires high-quality, distressed assets across key sectors like utilities, transport, energy, and communications, and turns them around profitably. Now, Brookfield doesn't boast a dividend track record like Chevron since the company was established as late as 2008. Brookfield's dividend yield of 4% is also only slightly higher than that of Chevron's, but you just have to see the following chart to understand how the stock has trumped the oil giant in the past decade, thanks to its rapidly growing dividends. Brookfield has done a tremendous job in the past decade, growing its funds from operations more than ten-fold. I consider Brookfield a gold mine for income investors: It has grown its dividends at a compounded average rate of 12% since 2009 and has a long-term goal of 5% to 9% annual dividend growth. It's difficult to get such visibility from Chevron's dividends. That means as a Brookfield shareholder, you can not only expect high dividend yields of around 4%, but also watch your dividends grow year after year. When you factor in the relative resilience of its business compared to Chevron's, Brookfield's dividend checks could easily be much bigger in the long run. The telecom Dividend Aristocrat Chris Neiger (AT&T): Dividend investors should be absolutely in love with AT&T's 5.5% dividend yield, not to mention the fact that the company has increased its dividend for 32 consecutive years. The telecom gian has built out a connectivity empire that includes its core wireless business, DirectTV services, and its wireline services that all brought in a total of $39.7 billion in the third quarter 2017. AT&T has managed to keep pace with wireless rival Verizon and hold its own as the nation's second-largest carrier. AT&T is also looking ahead to the coming demand for 5G wireless; it has already conducted tests of the technology and plans on launching a commercial 5G network by 2020 or 2021. AT&T has more opportunities outside of wireless as well. The company's $108 billion bid for Time Warner would give the company HBO, CNN, and all of Warner Bros.'s content -- and allow AT&T to keep pace with Verizon as it focuses its attention on more content offerings as well. The Department of Justice (DOJ) is fighting that deal right now on concerns that AT&T could have too much pricing power when it controls bundled content and how that content is delivered to customers. But even if the DOJ ends up stopping AT&T's purchase of Time Warner (or restricts part of the deal), the carrier is already so firmly established in its wireless business and its other home connectivity services that investors have little to worry about. The company's current wireless position and future opportunities in 5G, as well as its expanding customer base with DirecTV (it added 300,000 net customer additions in the third quarter), should be enough for investors to give AT&T strong consideration. Add to all of that the fact that AT&T's shares are trading at less than 12 times the company's forward earnings, and AT&T looks like a solid bet for dividend investors -- and with an enviable yield to boot. 10 stocks we like better than AT&TWhen 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 AT&T wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys. Click here to learn about these picks! *Stock Advisor returns as of November 6, 2017 Chris Neiger has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. George Budwell owns shares of Pfizer. Neha Chamaria has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Verizon Communications. The Motley Fool recommends Brookfield Infrastructure Partners and Time Warner. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Donald Trump paid $1.375 million in 1998 to settle a class action lawsuit involving Polish laborers who demolished a building at the site of Trump Tower, according to a settlement unsealed by a judge. The New York Times reported Manhattan federal Judge Loretta Preska unsealed the settlement this month in response to a motion filed in 2016 by Time Inc. and the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. Laborers had filed the lawsuit in 1983 over the demolition of the Bonwit Teller building, where more than 200 Polish immigrants in the U.S. illegally worked 12-hour shifts starting in January 1980 for less than half of union wages and sometimes weren't paid. The work included taking apart concrete floors and removing wiring and pipes. The laborers performed those jobs without gear including gloves or masks. Trump replaced the building, which was near Central Park and St. Patrick's Cathedral, with Trump Tower, his main residence before he became president. Trump, a Republican who defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton in the election last year, has said he had no knowledge of what the project contractor was doing. When the lawsuit went to court, he said he had hired a subcontractor and didn't know about who was being employed and under what conditions. The legal process dragged on for several years, with Trump appealing a judge's decision and then deciding to settle. The settlement included $500,000 for a union benefits fund, along with lawyers' fees and expenses. The settlement was sealed and the documents put away in storage until they were uncovered in 2016. ___ Information from: The New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com President Donald Trump's pick for health secretary is a former pharmaceutical company executive who already has drawn heat from Democrats over his ties to the pharmaceutical industry. But as Alex Azar faces his first nomination hearing, even some of those critics see signs he could shift the health care debate away from partisan confrontation. "He's certainly given me the assurances that that's his intention," said former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, a Democrat who met with Azar recently and has known him for years. "While there may be disagreements on policy, I do think he's willing to hear people out." "He's the best choice we have, given the current political situation," said Kavita Patel, a health care expert with the Brookings Institution, who worked in President Barack Obama's administration and, before that, for Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass. All sides agree that Azar is headed for Senate confirmation, which would be his third after earlier appointments to senior positions at the Department of Health and Human Services. Nevertheless, he faces some tough questioning at his hearing Wednesday, given the Senate's hyperpartisan atmosphere, which has sunk or battered other nominees. Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, has tweeted her intent to ask Azar if he would be a toady for Trump's "extreme, politically driven & harmful agenda." Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., said she has "concerns" about whether Azar would carry out Trump's promise to deliver "better health care and lower drug prices." The Senate Finance Committee will hold its own hearing on Azar soon and decide whether to send the nomination to the full Senate. If confirmed, Azar would be Trump's second HHS secretary, replacing Tom Price, who resigned under pressure after using private charter flights at taxpayer expense. Azar's career could prove a challenge given Trump's vow to "drain the swamp" of Washington. Atop the list of questions likely to face Azar, 50, is whether he would work to lower drug prices given his lucrative, decadelong stint as an executive with Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Co. On Azar's watch, Eli Lilly drew criticism from patient advocacy groups for price increases to one of its biggest products: insulin. In speeches while at Eli Lilly, Azar questioned whether the government's regulatory machinery has kept up with the pace of scientific change, and he warned that price controls could stifle innovation. "Will he carry pharma's water? I don't think so, based on my interactions with him," said former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, a Republican from Tennessee. Like Daschle, he is active in the Bipartisan Policy Center, a Washington think tank. In the decade before resigning from Eli Lilly earlier this year, Azar built a financial portfolio now worth $9.5 million to $20.6 million, according to disclosure records filed with the Office of Government Ethics. He also was paid nearly $2 million in his final year at the company, received a $1.6 million severance and sold off more than $3.4 million in Eli Lilly stock. He also declared $100,000 to $1 million in capital gains from the sales, along with millions more in stock and bond holdings. Before his pharmaceutical career, Azar was an Ivy League-educated lawyer with conservative credentials. He built connections in Republican circles he clerked for Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, worked under Kenneth Starr during the Whitewater probe of President Bill Clinton's land deals and raised campaign cash for GOP presidential candidates Mitt Romney and Jeb Bush. His posts at HHS allowed him to build relationships with Democrats, too. Daschle said he worked most closely with Azar in 2001, when Daschle was a South Dakota senator and anthrax was found in his office. Azar was then the HHS general counsel. Four years later, he was confirmed as deputy secretary of the agency. Back home in Indiana home of Vice President Mike Pence Azar also built a reputation as a pragmatist. "In terms of raw brain power, he was well over and above the average board member by a long shot," said Kelly Flynn, a Democrat who served as a member of the Indianapolis Airport Authority board with Azar. Dan Mendelson, president of the consulting firm Avalere and a Clinton administration veteran, said Azar's credibility comes from an understanding of federal programs and HHS divisions like Medicare, Medicaid and the Food and Drug Administration. "He has policy wonk credentials," said Mendelson, a Democrat who has known Azar for about 20 years and considers him a friend. "I can't think of a better person to tackle the opioids crisis, for example, because he understands all the different levers." ___ Associated Press writers Tom Murphy and Brian Slodysko in Indianapolis and Stephen Braun in Washington contributed to this report. The Latest on the Iran sanctions trial of a Turkish banker (all times local): 3:30 p.m. Court papers show Turkish gold trader Reza Zarra pleaded guilty last month to bank fraud, money laundering and other charges as part of a deal to testify at a New York trial. The papers were unsealed on Tuesday after U.S. prosecutors revealed the deal. They say Zarrab met in 2012 with Turkish and Iranian government and banking officials to discuss transferring Iranian oil proceeds to a Turkish bank. They also say he discussed bribing the general manager of a Turkish bank as part of a money laundering scheme. Zarrab is expected to testify as early as Wednesday at the trial of a Turkish banker charged in the conspiracy. ___ 10:45 a.m. A U.S. prosecutor says Turkish gold trader Reza Zarrab has pleaded guilty to charges and will reveal at a New York trial how he helped Iran evade U.S. sanctions in an "economic jihad." Assistant U.S. Attorney David Denton said Tuesday that Zarrab will be a key witness against Turkish banker Mehmet Hakan Atilla. The prosecutor said the scheme to evade U.S. sanctions against Iran since 2011 enabled billions of dollars to be moved and threatened U.S. security. Defense attorney Victor Rocco attacked Zarrab's credibility in his opening statement, saying the case was really about Zarrab's crimes. He said Zarrab made a deal to get out of jail free, possibly joining the U.S. witness protection program so he and his family can live in the United States. ___ 10:20 a.m. A senior Turkish official says the U.S. trial of a Turkish banker on charges of violating economic sanctions against Iran is a "play" staged with the help of a U.S.-based cleric. Mahir Unal, a deputy chairman of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling party, on Tuesday also described the case as a "political" one lacking legal basis. Unal renewed a Turkish government claim that U.S. judicial officials were cooperating with cleric Fethullah Gulen's network against Turkey. He said: "We know who staged this play and what its aim is." Gulen has been living in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania for nearly two decades. Turkey accuses him of orchestrating last year's failed coup. It also says his movement concocted corruption allegations against the government in 2013, some of which were allegedly being used in the case against the banker. Gulen denies the accusations. ___ 10:15 a.m. A prosecutor began opening statements at a trial in New York City by saying that the lies of a Turkish banker blew a billion-dollar hole in the U.S. economic sanctions against Iran. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Denton said banker Mehmet Hakan Atilla told lies that gave Iran access to U.S. banks and threatened U.S. national security. He spoke shortly after lawyers revealed that co-defendant Reza Zarrab would testify against Atilla in a plea deal. The arrest of the gold trader in 2016 has strained relations between the U.S. and Turkey. Denton said Atilla and Zarrab were part of a conspiracy that involved top officials in the Iranian and Turkish governments. ___ 9:18 a.m. Lawyers say Turkish-Iranian businessman Reza Zarrab will testify at the U.S. trial of a Turkish banker on charges the two of them violated economic sanctions against Iran. The revelation came Tuesday as defense lawyer Robert Fettweis asked for a two-week delay of the trial of Mehmet Hakan Atilla, deputy CEO of Halkbank, in New York City. He said he needed time to prepare for the testimony. Judge Richard Berman rejected a postponement. A prosecutor confirmed that Zarrab will testify, saying he would take the stand Wednesday. Zarrab, a businessman and gold trader, had stopped appearing in court weeks ago, prompting speculation he was cooperating with the U.S. Recently, Turkey's deputy prime minister said Zarrab was a "hostage" being forced to testify against Turkey's government. On Tuesday, a Turkish prosecutor issued warrants for the detention of two citizens for cooperating with U.S. prosecutors. Uber Technologies Inc withheld evidence in a high-profile lawsuit filed by Alphabet Inc's (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Waymo, a U.S. judge said on Tuesday, dealing a new blow to the most valuable U.S. private company as it tries to complete a multibillion-dollar stock sale. U.S. District Judge William Alsup agreed to Waymo's request to delay the trial scheduled for next week, saying in San Francisco federal court that it would be a "huge injustice" to force Waymo to go to trial as planned, given the new evidence. The judge heard testimony from a former Uber security employee, who said Uber deliberately researched competitors and used technology to avoid leaving a paper trail. Waymo has estimated damages in the case at about $1.9 billion and wants to curtail Uber's self-driving car program, which Waymo says uses its technology. Uber has denied using Waymo trade secrets and rejects the financial damages claim, but has fired the leader of its autonomous vehicle division. The case has threatened Uber's reputation as a new chief executive has taken the helm, preparing for a 2019 initial public offering and backing a major stock sale this month to an important new investor, Japan's SoftBank Group Corp. An Uber representative on Tuesday referred to an earlier company statement, which said Uber "has been waiting for its day in court for quite some time now" and was keen to have a jury hear the merits of the case. Waymo has accused Uber of concealing a letter from the former Uber security analyst's lawyer to an Uber in-house lawyer, saying the note contained important facts about the case, according to a court filing on Monday. Alsup ordered the former Uber security analyst, Richard Jacobs, to appear in court. At the hearing on Tuesday, Jacobs testified that his letter contained allegations that Uber's markets analytics group "exists expressly for the purpose for acquiring trade secrets, code base and competitive intelligence." Jacobs said he learned of this activity through discussions at Uber with his manager and other colleagues. Uber employees researching rivals were given training with the purpose to "impede, obstruct or influence any lawsuit against Uber," Jacobs said, including a communication strategy "to ensure we didn't create a paper trail that came back to haunt the company in any potential civil or criminal litigation." The court hearing was still ongoing on Tuesday. Waymo sued Uber in February, claiming that former Waymo executive Anthony Levandowski downloaded more than 14,000 confidential files before leaving to set up a self-driving truck company, called Otto, which Uber acquired soon after. Uber denied using any of Waymo's trade secrets. Levandowski has declined to answer questions about the allegations, citing constitutional protections against self-incrimination. The trial had been scheduled to begin on Dec. 4. Waymo said it learned of the new evidence last week after the U.S. Department of Justice shared it with Alsup. A group of Chinese investors is suing Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe over his past work for a troubled electric car maker that relied heavily on foreign money from people trying to obtain residency in the United States. The investors filed a lawsuit in Fairfax County last week against GreenTech Automotive, McAuliffe, Hillary Clinton's brother Anthony Rodham, company CEO Charles Wang, and various related companies. The lawsuit accuses McAuliffe, Rodham and Wang of milking political connections and lying to investors to perpetuate a $120 million scam. The investors are asking for at least $17.9 million in repayment. The Virginia lawsuit comes after Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood sued GreenTech in state court in Jackson earlier this month. Hood, a Democrat, is demanding the company repay $5 million plus interest on money the state and Tunica County borrowed to buy land and construct a car factory plus $2 million in punitive damages. Pitched nearly a decade ago as a revolutionary company that would use foreign investments to build a successful new line of energy-efficient cars that would create jobs in the impoverished Mississippi Delta, GreenTech has failed to live up to those promises and has been a magnet for controversy. A 2015 report found a senior official in the Department of Homeland Security broke ethics rules when he intervened in visa proceedings for GreenTech. The company has also faced an investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the status of which is not clear. The lawsuits were first reported by Politico. The Virginia suit alleges that the governor and his associates "exploited" investors desire to become permanent residents with an implicit message of: "invest $500,000 in our electric car company and will leverage our political connections to ensure your immigration papers will get to the top of the pile." The governor's spokeswoman, Crystal Carson, dismissed the lawsuit as meritless and politically motivated. McAuliffe, a Democrat, is set to leave office in January and is often mentioned as a potential presidential candidate. McAuliffe served as chairman of GreenTech before leaving the company in 2012 to run for governor. Rodham helped run an associated fund designed to attract foreign money from investors looking to win green cards. Rodham declined to comment. A GreenTech representative did not immediately return an email seeking comment. In Hood's lawsuit, the state also wants a judge to block GreenTech from removing anything from its building in Robinsonville, to foreclose on the building and order it be sold to cover the company's debts, and to grant the state a claim on any future revenue GreenTech might generate. In July, Mississippi state Auditor Stacey Pickering, a Republican, found that the company couldn't prove that it had met any of the requirements of its 2011 incentive deal with the state, including investing $60 million or creating 350 jobs. Pickering found the company only created 143 jobs, and was down to 10 by February. Hood's lawsuit said the company "has removed its operations outside the state of Mississippi." Pickering demanded immediate repayment of everything GreenTech owed, setting the stage for Hood's civil lawsuit. Pickering's audit stated that the GreenTech company provided written documents saying it had raised $43 million from 86 investors who each put in $500,000 through a federal program that allows people to obtain U.S. residency by investing that amount and creating 10 jobs. Documents obtained by The Associated Press show the Department of Homeland Security decided to reject a number of visa requests made through Rodham's fund because GreenTech created so few jobs. ___ Amy reported from Jackson, Mississippi. Growing up in Cookeville, Tennessee, a university town about 80 miles east of Nashville, Hayley Furcean was determined to be the first college graduate in her family. "I've always been the smart kid," she says. After graduating from high school in 2008, she earned a full academic scholarship for her first year at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville and began studying early childhood education. But things took a turn the summer after freshman year, when her grandmother died. Furcean began questioning whether teaching preschool was what she wanted to do with her life. She moved out of her parents' home, which meant picking up more shifts at work to pay rent and bills. She suffered from depression and often skipped class. "My grades went from A's to F's," Furcean says. "It was really tough at that time to prioritize school when I felt like everything else was falling apart." After sophomore year, she left school. Furcean's story is personal, but her situation is common. In 2016, 36 million people ages 25 and over had earned some college credit but no degree, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Students' reasons for stopping short of a diploma are wide-ranging: poor grades, strained finances, negative college experiences, programs that weren't the right fit. Without a degree, it can be impossible to qualify for many jobs. By 2020, 65 percent of all U.S. jobs will require some kind of higher education, according to estimates by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce. It's also challenging for people with no diploma to earn enough to repay student debt. College dropouts who started school in 2003-04 were more likely to have defaulted on their school loans by 2015 than students who had completed an associate or bachelor's degree, according to National Center for Education Statistics data. To help students, colleges should do more to identify those at risk for dropping out and help them avoid doing so, says Hadass Sheffer, president of The Graduate! Network, an organization working to increase the number of adults who complete college. For instance, institutions could unintrusively track students' attendance and whether they turn in assignments, and intervene with those who show signs of trouble, Sheffer says. "The path to giving up is the path of least resistance," Sheffer says. "What if you had to jump through hoops to quit?" A SECOND CHANCE In January, Furcean returned to Tennessee Tech University for her second go at a bachelor's degree. She's taking classes at night and online in workplace leadership and business management, and works full time as a preschool teacher. Her schedule is demanding, but Furcean, now 27, has extra support. She works with an adviser at her local branch of Tennessee Reconnect, an organization that offers free services for adults going back to college. These resources are crucial because many returning students struggle with understanding how to re-enroll in college and pay for it, Sheffer says. Programs like Tennessee Reconnect are available in more than 20 communities across 13 states students can find one near them through The Graduate! Network's website. Those who don't have access to free help can navigate the process independently by following these tips: Contact your original school's admissions, advising or registrar's office to find out what you need to do to finish your degree. Consider other schools, particularly if you had a bad experience at your previous institution. If you need a more flexible class schedule, explore options including online or hybrid programs, which mix online and in-person classes. Look for a college that offers a prior learning assessment program if you plan to study in a field you've already worked in, says Lexi Anderson, a policy analyst at Education Commission of the States, a Denver-based organization focused on state-level education policy. You may be able to earn college credit for experience and skills you already have. Apply for grants and federal student loans, which come with flexible repayment options, by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or the FAFSA . Contrary to what some believe, adult students are eligible for financial aid , including Pell Grants. Additionally, search for scholarships designated for adult learners. Teddy Nykiel is a writer at NerdWallet. Email: teddy@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @teddynykiel. RELATED LINKS: NerdWallet: FAFSA Guide https://nerd.me/fafsa-guide The Graduate! Network http://graduate-network.org/communities-2/ U.S. Department of Education: Federal Student Aid for Adult Students https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/sites/default/files/federal-student-aid-for-adult-students.pdf As President Donald Trump works with Congress to push his tax reform bill through, his daughter and special adviser Ivanka is headed to India to promote entrepreneurship among women. India is hosting the eighth annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES), and Ivanka is leading the U.S.s delegation. The summit will focus on womens entrepreneurship and prosperity for all this year, and is expected to include discussions about how promoting women in the workplace could lead to higher overall economic growth. In her role with the White House, Ivanka has pushed workforce development and innovation efforts in the U.S., alongside women and family rights. Her campaign to expand the childcare tax credit has been included in both the House and Senate tax reform proposals, and she has championed an initiative to introduce more young girls to the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been advertising Trumps presence at the summit for months. He will host a dinner at Hyderabad's Falaknuma Palace, which claims to be the largest dining hall in the world, for guests on Tuesday evening. Earlier this year, President Trump met with Modi and the pair signed a $2 billion defense deal. Additionally, hordes of U.S. business heads visited with Modi as well, including Apples (NASDAQ:AAPL) Tim Cook and Amazons (NASDAQ:AMZN) Jeff Bezos, as India remains a prime market for expansion for many major U.S. companies. According to multiple media reports, law enforcement officials in Hyderabad, India, the site of the summit, are working to round up and relocate the citys homeless ahead of the meeting, which is expected to feature 1,500 business leaders from 150 countries. The summit is co-sponsored by both the U.S. and Indian governments. President Donald Trump is preparing for a meeting on Tuesday with congressional leadership with the hope they have a acome to Jesusa moment on a spending bill that would determine next yearas budget. But Republicans in both chambers are already preparing to resist any increase in spending from Democrats, FOX Business has learned. Going into a pivotal week for Congress, Democrats have indicated they are prepared to go down the path of most resistance, as leadership within their party get set to push for continued protections for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) participants, also known as Dreamers, more spending on the Childrenas Health Insurance Program (CHIP) as well as continued funding for community health centers, according to congressional aides familiar with the matter. Republican lawmakers, however, have other ideas and are already giving a visceral reaction to the Democratsa goals of increasing spending in 2018, leaving open the possibility that Congress could miss the Dec. 8 deadline and begin a government shutdown before Christmas. Alexei Woltornist, spokesman for the House Republican Study Committee, a caucus of over 150 conservative House Republicans and chaired by Rep. Mark Walker (R-N.C.), told FOX Business that the group would not be in support of the Democratsa goals, specifically their hope to continue former President Obamaas DACA program, which protects young undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children, eventually becoming eligible for a work permit. aThe problem with the Dreamers is we need to make sure we arenat in the same position we are in a few years from now. We need to come up with solutions including border enforcement and ending sanctuary cities,a Woltornist said. When Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) was told about the Democratsa demands and asked if he thinks a budget bill with those legislative items would pass, he replied bluntly via text message to FOX Business: aIt sounds like theyare the Dreamers. Itas hard to think [the budget] would [pass].a Rep. Tom Reed (R-N.Y.) gave FOX Business insight into the budget negotiations, explaining that more border security, a compromise on ObamaCare cost sharing reduction (CSR) payments, a debate on defense spending levels and CHIP funding are all on the docket for Congress when they return from their Thanksgiving break. He insisted, though, that it looks like the final spending agreement is going to be avery big and ugly.a CHIP provides health insurance to eligible children from low-income families either through Medicaid or separate CHIP programs, which is funded by the states and the federal government. If Congress cannot come to an agreement on funding the program, it could leave millions of children without insurance, including those living in Arizona, California, Minnesota, Ohio, Oregon and the District of Columbia who run of out of CHIP funding by Dec. 31, according to Georgetown Universityas Center on Children and Families. President Trumpas 2018 budget proposal includes cutting billions from CHIP over two years and limiting eligibility for federal matching funds. The path for the Senate doesnat look much easier for passing a budget by the December deadline. Conn Carroll, a spokesman for conservative Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), told FOX Business his boss would follow House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellas (R-Ky.) lead on not renewing the DACA program, calling it a form of amnesty. aRyan and McConnell have both said no amnesty in the budget proposal. We agree. That is their position and ours,a Carroll said. Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) also seemed skeptical about passing a budget bill that reflected a heavy increase in spending when he tweeted on Nov. 16: aWeare $20 trillion in debt and itas a party like thereas no tomorrow time in Washington.a A spokesman for McConnell, David Popp, declined to comment on the negotiations except to say, aThe Leader consistently says there will not be a government shutdown.a A spokeswoman for Ryan did not return emails for comment when asked for an update on where things stand on the budget. Spokesmen for House Minority Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) also did not return emails for comment. For Pelosi and Schumer, they brought their fight to protect Dreamers to a dinner with Trump at the White House in September and claimed they and the president agreed to asupport enshrining DACA protections into law, and encourage the House and Senate to act,a according to a press release. In that same press release, they gave a preview on the border security debate that could lead to a battle within Congress and force the government to shut down. aWhat remains to be negotiated are the details of border security, with a mutual goal of finalizing all details as soon as possible. While both sides agreed that the wall would not be any part of this agreement, the president made clear he intends to pursue it at a later time, and we made clear we would continue to oppose it,a Schumer and Pelosi then said. The meeting on Tuesday between lawmakers from both sides of aisle and the president was confirmed by sources who spoke to Fox News on the condition of anonymity. A 40-pound wild bobcat traveled more than 50 miles stuck to the grille of a car that hit her on a Virginia road. The young bobcat suffered only a small scrape on her back after the harrowing ride on Thanksgiving morning. We just couldnt believe it, Richmond Animal Care and Rescue director Christie Chipps Peters told Fox News Monday. It was so crazy. Its just so great that it ended well. The woman who hit the animal knew she hit something after leaving her house in Gloucester County in eastern Virginia. She found out what it was an hour later when she reached her job at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. Peters, who confirmed the bobcat was a female, responded to the scene with an animal control officer. The woman who hit the animal was driving a Prius, WTVR reported. We got on scene and it really was true. Its really a bobcat stuck in the front of a Prius grille, Peters told the station. When we walked by, (s)he hissed at us, so (s)hes alive and may be OK, which was so crazy since (the woman) drove from Gloucester to VCU. The bobcat was freed after being sedated. Peters said the bobcat was taken to the Wildlife Center of Virginia in Waynesboro and eventually will be released back into the wild near the crossroads where she was hit. The White Rabbit was right: Sometimes the hurrier you go the behinder you get. A Wisconsin man who said he was late for work led police on a high speed chase that resulted in a wrecked car and a felony count against him. Zachary Ryan Aschenbach was spotted speeding along highway 43 near Sheboygan last week and pursued through two counties by Sheboygan County officers, whose patrol car reached 125 mph as Aschenbach pulled away from it, according to the Sheboygan Press. After losing him, the officers came upon 215 feet of skid marks leading onto an exit ramp and the crashed car with the keys still in it, but no driver in sight. Aschenbach was soon apprehended on foot and charged with attempting to flee or elude a traffic officer. He later told investigators that he was worried hed lose his job if he showed up late at his job, which has not been indentified. As of Monday he remained in custody and his employment status is unknown. Actor Denzel Washington stressed the prison system was not to blame for crime in black communities, stressing the importance of properly raising children at home, during his tour promoting his new movie at an advanced screening last week. It starts in the home, the two-time Oscar-winner told The Grio. If the father is not in the home, the boy will find a father in the streets. I saw it in my generation and every generation before me, and every one since. If the streets raise you, then the judge becomes your mother and prison becomes your home, 62-year-old Washington added. ARRESTS MADE OVER SHOOTING ON THE SET OF A DENZEL WASHINGTON MOVIE In his new movie, Roman J. Israel, Esq., Washington plays a criminal defense lawyer who works to address social injustice. Elaborating on what he meant to The New York Daily News, Washington said that positive changes for the black community begins with how children are raised. It starts with how you raise your children. If a young man doesnt have a father figure, hell go find a father figure, the actor said. So you know I cant blame the system, he continued. Its unfortunate that we make such easy work for them. The famed actor said he became optimistic about change by young people in the 1990s. DENZEL WASHINGTON: MAINSTREAM MEDIA IS SELLING BS I remember when I was doing the movie Malcolm X, and we were doing a speech up at Columbia, we had a bunch of students from Columbia University, Washington told The Grio. In between takes, we were talking about things and how tough the world is, and I was like, With everything were talking about, does it make you want to give up? And theyre like, Oh, no no, were gonna change it, Washington said. I was like, Oh, Im the cynic. So I pray that young people never lose that fire, I dont think they will. And needless to say theres a lot for them to work on, he added. What appeared to be a far-left feminism magazine has shut down after its creator revealed that the entire project was a joke filled with over-the-top satire packaged as liberal talking points designed to mock legitimate feminists and their supporters. Medusa Magazine has been cited by several major sources but, It has always been and will always be satire, the sites anonymous creator posted in a blog explaining why the site would shut down. Medusas unnamed creator continued: We are shutting down our rather hilarious project because we can no longer compete with our competition. We have come to realize that our competition is not other satirical websites, but rather the people we are trying to satirize. The creator wrote, I dont blame anyone for thinking the site was legitimate and wanted to keep our readers in constant doubt and even posted a Facebook message from last May to prove the entire thing was a joke. It was dubbed the ultimate Social Experiment and Facebook followers were told it was to see how long actual feminists would take to realize it was a joke. A recent series of high-profile allegations of sexual harassment resulted in the site publishing a spoof article headlined, Why we should believe women who accuse right wingers of rape more than those who accuse liberals. The sites creator called the story a total caricature intended to be as ridiculous as possible but quickly realized mainstream news organizations, such as the Washington Post, published stories utilizing the same rationale as the mock column. I am shutting down this website because recent events have proven to us that it is no longer possible to satirize the Feminist left. Medusa Magazine founder We thought no one in the world could possibly hold views as ridiculous as that, so we wrote it as satire and published it, the creator wrote. The sites headlines include theatrical headlines such as Trump Initiates Gay Holocaust, Dont Gender your Pets, Heres how you can start paying Reparations and Feminists need to start supporting Transracial People. According to the site, Info Wars, The Federalist, The Gateway Pundit and a popular Russian news organization all have fallen for the elaborate gag. Medusa will be shut down because there is no point in operating a caricature website of Feminism anymore when real life Feminists are now more insane than any caricature we could ever dream up, according to the creator. This has been fun, but all good things have to come to an end, Medusas creator continued. I am shutting down this website because recent events have proven to us that it is no longer possible to satirize the Feminist left. The creator claimed the purpose was to create a website to satirize the far left and the so-called Social Justice Warriors who infect it. Medusa's creator encouraged fans simply to start reading actual feminist content, as the messages are typically the same as the hoax site. Harvey Weinstein was slapped with a civil lawsuit Monday charging him with sex trafficking tied to an alleged assault in Cannes, France. Aspiring actress Kadian Nobles lawsuit claims Weinstein first groomed her for the alleged assault in London, when he told her that he had a role in mind for her and that it will be good for you.' They met again in February 2014 in Cannes, where the troubled movie producer asked her to come to the Le Majestic Hotel where he would review her reel and discuss her future. Once she was inside his hotel room, Weinstein began massaging Kadian and then gripped her shoulders, the Manhattan federal lawsuit claimed. He informed her that she needed to relax, and if she did, his people would have all of her details and would take care of everything for her. Weinstein also asked Kadian to walk up and down the room for him as part of an audition, the lawsuit said. Kadian claims that Weinstein then called an unnamed Weinstein Company producer in the US, who told Kadian that she needed to be a good girl and do whatever he wished, and if she did, then they would work with her further. Thats when Weinstein pulled Kadian closer and groped her breasts, the lawsuit said. She resisted but also felt compelled to comply because of the tangible and intangible benefits the producer could offer, the lawsuit said. Weinstein pulled Kadian into the bathroom, where he forced himself on her, the lawsuit alleges. She told him to stop and attempted to leave the bathroom, but (he) blocked her exit, the filing reads. The lawsuit then describes the alleged assault, including Weinstein pulling down the actress shirt, revealing her breasts, while unbuckling his pants and belt. Kadian also is suing Weinsteins brother, Bob, and their company The Weinstein Company, claiming that they were aware that Harvey had a reputation for forcing or coercing aspiring young actresses to engage in sexual activity. This article originally appeared in Page Six. Meghan Markles life and career will transform dramatically in light of her engagement to Prince Harry. Markle, 36, has starred in the legal drama Suits since 2011, but the future member of the royal family confirmed she will retire from acting when she marries Prince Harry. Markle told the BBC she will be "transitioning" out of her acting career, confirming she will not be returning to the eighth season of "Suits." The couple announced their engagement on Monday. Experts told us it is expected that Markle will follow in the footsteps of Grace Kelly, who had a successful acting career but gave it up to become to Princess of Monaco when she married Prince Rainier III in 1956. Grant Harrold, an etiquette expert who served as a butler to members of the royal family including Princes William and Harry said Markle will be too busy with her duties as a royal to pursue an acting career. Royal duties do take up a lot of time with royals working for weeks at a time with very little time off especially with overseas tours, he told Fox News. However, Harrold said the decision to give up acting is ultimately Markle and her now-fiance Prince Harry's choice.0 The royal family would not judge anyone's career as many members of the royal family [have] followed their own career paths, therefore this would be a personal decision, he insisted. William Hanson, a British etiquette consultant and longtime royal watcher, told Fox News that Markle could return to acting down the line. If she ever goes back they would probably be conservative roles not like her last role in Suits. She will probably focus more on her charitable interests, humanitarian interests, said Hanson. Her role when she gets married will be the Duchess of Sussex. Markle and Prince Harry revealed on Monday that they became engaged earlier this month in London. The two posed for photos on Monday, and she told the press she was so happy as she clutched Harrys arm on the grounds of Kensington Palace. Ronan Farrow continued his NBC embarrassment tour on Sunday, appearing on CBS Sunday Moring to throw even more shade at the network that refused to run his report that would have outed now-disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein as a sexual predator months before he was exposed by more courageous publications. Farrow told the CBS morning program that he never considered giving up on the Weinstein assignment and owed it to the women who came forward to publish the story despite embattled NBC News President Noah Oppenheim declaring it wasnt good enough for his network. It would have been impossible to live with myself if I had stopped, Farrow said. New Yorker editor David Remnick told CBS that Farrows reporting was ready as soon as he walked through the publications doors. His magazine ran the story and a series of follow-ups have resulted in a variety of women coming forward with allegations against other powerful men. Oppenheim moonlights as a Hollywood screenwriter and industry insiders feel that his side gig influenced his decision to spike Farrows Weinstein report, while other insiders feel NBC News Andy Lack is ultimately responsible for passing on one of the most important scoops of the year. NBC has been under fire for weeks since it spiked Farrows initial Weinstein bombshell. The network has constantly declined to comment on Farrows status at NBC News, although Twitter bio still says he works as an investigative reporter for NBCs Today show, which is locked in a ferocious ratings battle with Good Morning America. Last week, he appeared on arch-rival GMA to discuss another Weinstein bombshell, which details secret settlements the disgraced mogul used to hide harassment claims. The celebrity scions employment contract with NBC has reportedly expired, though he continues to identify himself as an NBC reporter. He is reportedly freelance now and no longer exclusive to NBC, meaning is he free to pop up on rival networks to promote his Weinstein scoop. "Thankful for the women and men who have come forward with painful stories and helped to chip away at a culture of silence" Ronan Farrow Over the past few months, NBC has shown little interest in showcasing Farrows reporting which is getting Pulitzer buzz. NBC has rarely booked him on its programs even as hes appeared on Good Morning America twice this month. Farrow recently published a still photo from an interview he conducted with Weinstein accuser Rose McGowan that never aired on NBC. Thankful for the women and men who have come forward with painful stories and helped to chip away at a culture of silence. When I sat down for this interview almost a year ago, the world was a different place, Farrow wrote to caption his Instagram post. An NBC News insider told Fox News the photo is the first frame of any of Farrows sit-down interviews with Weinstein accusers that has been seen publicly. Last month, the HuffPost reported that NBC tried to put a stop to an interview with a woman accusing Weinstein of rape so the celebrity scion wound up paying out of his own pocket for a camera crew to film an interview. Terry Crews is not happy about whats become of his sexual assault allegations. After reports surfaced that the man he named as his assailant in a 2016 incident has been allowed to return to work, the Brooklyn Nine-Nine star isnt pulling any punches in saying he believes the Hollywood agent got a pass. The Hollywood Reporter first confirmed the news that Adam Venit had returned to the talent agency WME after serving a one-month unpaid suspension for his alleged actions against Crews. SOMEONE GOT A PASS, Crews tweeted along with the outlets reporting of the news. Its worth mentioning that Venit is not returning to his usual position at the company. In addition to his suspension, hes been demoted from his position as the head of the motion picture department. Upon his return, he reportedly gave a tearful apology to staff at his first morning meeting back. Venit reps several high-profile clients in showbusiness including Steve Martin, Adam Sandler, Shawn Levy, Sylvester Stallone, Diane Keaton, Eddie Murphy and Vince Vaughn. As previously reported, Crews became inspired by the outpouring of women coming forward to share their experiences of victimization from high-powered men in Hollywood. He shared his story in a series of tweets in which he said an unnamed power-player grabbed his crotch at a party in February 2016. Later, he named Venit as the person in question and filed a report with the L.A.P.D. Soon after, Venit was suspended pending an investigation. The agencys investigation allegedly found that it was an isolated incident of groping and, apparently, concluded a suspension and demotion are enough for him to move forward with the company. Billy Baldwin on Tuesday slammed President Trumps hypocrisy on addressing allegations of sexual misconduct and talked about his claim that Trump flirted with his wife at a New York City hotel. Baldwin tweeted he wasnt pissed that Trump flirted with his wife and that his friends thought it was a riot at the time. Everybody flirts I got no problem with that, Baldwin wrote. I resent the hypocrisy of Trump pointing the finger at Al Franken while 16 women have accused HIM of sexual assault. Baldwin added, Trump challenged the authenticity of the 'Access Hollywood' audio today cuz he's worried Mueller has something on him so, as a preemptive strike, he wants to cast doubt on the authenticity of any audio/video they may try to use against him. He wants MAGA to think he's being set up. The actor was referencing the Access Hollywood tape where Trump was caught on a hot mic using lewd language when discussing women. The then-Republican presidential candidate dismissed it as locker room talk. Baldwin first claimed Trump hit on Chynna Phillips, who he has been married since 1995, while replying to Donald Trump Jr. on Twitter. The presidents eldest son tweeted a link to a story about Franken with the caption: Talk amongst yourselves: Two more women accuse Sen Al Franken of inappropriate touching. The 54-year-old actor then replied: Your Dad is a 5th degree black belt when it comes to sexual impropriety allegations. In fact I once had a party at the Plaza Hotel your father showed up uninvited & hit on my wife invited her on his helicopter to Atlantic City. She showed his fat ass the door, Baldwin said. CNN wants to ban the term "fake news?" In an opinion piece on the cable news network's website Sunday, writers Hossein Derakhshan and Claire Wardle called for scrapping the term President Trump has made synonymous with CNN. The duo wrote that use of the term fake news is not only self-defeating, it oversimplifies a very complex problem and it devalues the expression that has become meaningless over the past year. The phrase is now used to describe any piece of information that someone else didn't like and has been has become weaponized by politician, Derakhshan and Wardle wrote, adding the term should be used when referring to clearly false content such as the viral photo of a shark swimming up a Texas highway during Hurricane Harvey (spoiler alert: the photo wasnt real). Derakhshan and Wardle recently co-authored a report, "Information Disorder," which was commissioned by the Council of Europe. They claim the problem exists all over the world, but most Americans likely associate fake news with CNN, thanks to President Trump's relentless branding. CNN Worldwide President Jeff Zucker has implemented an anti-Trump programming strategy at the network that was once known for Ted Turner's bare bones "just-the-facts" approach to journalism. As a result, Trump refers to CNN as fake news on a regular basis and mocked the network on Twitter as recently as Monday. Establishment press outlets have spent the past year disseminating fake news while working feverishly, through their bogus and highly selective fact-checkers, to discredit legitimate center-right voices. Newsbusters contributing editor Tom Blumer Wardle recently appeared on CNNs Reliable Sources, where she told host Brian Stelter the term is being used as a weapon against the news industry and said Americans have to be much more careful about the language that is used to describe content. Derakhshan and Wardle focus on three different terms that can be used to replace fake news, which are misinformation, disinformation and malinformation., claiming each one can be a replacement in various situations. The duo blames social media for adding an entirely new dimension to the phenomenon of fake news, but many media watchdogs would simply blame CNN and how it covers the White House. Wardle may not like the term, but Stelter's November 2016 segment is just one of so many genuine textbook examples of fake news the network has shamelessly promoted, Newsbusters contributing editor Tom Blumer wrote. Establishment press outlets have spent the past year disseminating fake news while working feverishly, through their bogus and highly selective fact-checkers, to discredit legitimate center-right voices. CNN Senior White House Correspondent Jim Acosta has emerged as one of the faces of anti-Trump liberal media, regularly interrupting press briefings with grandstanding and providing personal opinions about the administration on a consistent basis. During a press conference earlier this year, Trump literally pointed at Acosta and said, Youre fake news. The networks primetime programming is littered with large panel discussions, often featuring numerous liberal analysts against a single quasi-Trump supporter. CNN also airs documentary-style specials aimed to criticize Trump and has several anchors, such as Chris Cuomo and Don Lemon, which have become household names simply for attacking the president on a regular basis. Trump recently suggested that Americans should have a contest between ABC, NBC, CBS and CNN to determine which news organization is the most dishonest, with the winner receiving a fake news trophy. Trump took to Twitter earlier this month to slam Zuckers network, saying he was forced to watch it while on an overseas trip to Asia and the experience reminded him why he dislikes the content with such passion. While in the Philippines I was forced to watch @CNN, which I have not done in months, and again realized how bad, and FAKE, it is, Trump wrote. Loser! It wasnt clear who Trump was referring to when he ended his tweet with loser, but it shouldnt be a tough case to crack. Zuckers anti-Trump game plan has helped both TV ratings and digital traffic at the liberal CNN, but its not the first time Trump has enhanced Zuckers livelihood. He was in charge of NBC when Trumps The Apprentice became a hit for the network. At one point, when NBC's prime time lineup was flailing, "The Apprentice" was NBC's most successful show and Trump its biggest star. Meanwhile, Trump claims he's helped Zuckers career (something Zucker gently refutes) and the president has been absolutely clear that he resents CNN's constant attacks on him. The CNN editorial that calls for a ban on the term fake news doesnt mention Trump by name, but it will be interesting to see if the president responds. Perhaps Trump will remind Americans that CNN recently mislead viewers by editing a video to make it appear that he botched an old tradition of feeding carp at a Koi pond in Tokyo -- something that surely would have secured the "fake news trophy." Mischa Bartons ex-boyfriend agreed to not release a sex tape of the actress but still won't admit he has an intimate video and photos of her, court documents stated on Monday. Adam Spaw, the actress ex-boyfriend, agreed to a five-year restraining order that requires Spaw and Barton stay 100 or more yards away from each other. The order outlines that there can be "no contact directly or indirectly between the two, including through email, phone calls and text messages, court documents obtained by E! News revealed. Spaw also stated he wont directly or indirectly, or through any agent, sell, distribute, show, give away or assign in any way any intimate photos or videos of Mischa Barton. However, Spaw did not admit he has the alleged sex tape and intimate photos of the actress, according to the documents. Barton, best known for her role as Marissa Cooper in the TV series The O.C., claimed Spaw made copies of a sex tape and explicit photos that were taken by her other ex-boyfriend, Jon Zacharias, the New York Daily News reported. Lisa Bloom, celebrity lawyer representing Barton, said in a statement to E! News she was pleased to block [the] sale or distribution of the explicit images. I am pleased that we were able to block sale or distribution of the explicit images of Ms. Barton that were shopped around earlier this year, Bloom said in a statement. After months of litigation, we have reached a settlement that gives us everything we wanted: stay away orders and a promise not to distribute or post the images, ever. President Trump sent the mainstream media into a tizzy on Monday when he referred to Sen. Elizabeth Warren as Pocahontas, but liberal broadcasters rarely explained the background of falsehoods that resulted in the Massachusetts Democrat's nickname. Pundits and reporters were quick to label Trumps comment a racial slur. Warren herself called it unfortunate and others questioned the president using the term during an Oval Office event to honor the work of Navajo code talkers during World War II. CBS Evening News, ABCs World News Tonight and NBC Nightly News barely mentioned why Trump uses the term in the first place but the origin of the nickname -- Warren's dubious claims of Native American heritage -- is newsworthy when trying to determine if its an offensive slur or a well-earned moniker. The media don't want to explain that Sen. Elizabeth Warren built her entire career on the laughable claim that she was part Native-American." Dan Gainor, Media Research Center The harshest criticism of Warrens misleading past came from ABC and NBC, which both used the same term and simply said she came under fire for claiming Native American heritage. Newsbusters Nicholas Fondacaro wrote that the three networks failed to do their due diligence and fully cover the origin of Trumps criticism and were more eager to slam their favorite punching bag, President Trump, when given the low-hanging fruit. The truth is, Warren is probably not Native American but claimed she was to advance her academic career, which eventually landed her a gig at the prestigious Harvard Law School. The university even promoted Warren as a Native American faculty member back in 1996 in a Harvard Crimson piece on diversity on campus. The Boston Herald eventually revealed that Warren claimed to be Native American in 2012 when she was in the midst of a Senate race and it became a subject of great controversy. Warren regularly dodged questions about the subject at the time. Since then, various reports found that Warren had been describing herself as a minority since the 1980s and she simply chalked it up to family lore that has been passed down but which she couldnt prove with actual documentation. The liberal Washington Post even gave up on trying to prove Warrens heritage, telling "readers to look into it on their own and decide whether Trump's attacks over Warren's background have merit." Media Research Center Vice President Dan Gainor said Trumps comment is the media's replacement for Pie-gate and it's about as useful, referring to recent controversy over whether or not White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders baked a pecan pie for Thanksgiving. The media don't want to explain that Sen. Elizabeth Warren built her entire career on the laughable claim that she was part Native American. Rather than using an ethnic slur, Trump is actually defending Native Americans against Warren's disgusting abuse of affirmative action, Gainor told Fox News. Warren claims that she never furthered her career by using her heritage as an advantage, but many critics disagree with the potential 2020 Democratic presidential candidate. She has offered ridiculous excuses such as listing herself as a Native American in order to get invited to a luncheon and because her grandfather had high cheek bones. "I think what most people find offensive is Senator Warren lying about her heritage to advance her career, Sanders said during Mondays press briefing when ABCs Jonathan Karl asked about Trumps use of the offensive term. Eric Trump chimed in on Twitter, noting that Disneys ABC News has made a ton of money from the movie titled Pocahontas, so Karl shouldnt be so offended by the word. The irony of an ABC reporter (whose parent company Disney has profited nearly half a billion dollars on the movie Pocahontas) inferring that the name is offensive is truly staggering to me, he tweeted. Pocahontas is the title of a classic Disney movie, but it is also the name of a real-life Native American chiefs daughter who is considered a hero in many circles. Meanwhile, Gainor would prefer Fauxcahontas if Trump wants to give Warren a nickname. Because it makes it clear that the attack is not on an ethnic group, but on a left-wing politician and the media who refuse to out her for her actions, he said. Cornell University law professor and conservative blogger William Jacobson said that Trump using the term during a ceremony honoring Native Americans and Warren claiming it was racist are both cringeworthy, but feels irreparable damage has been done to Warrens brand. If Elizabeth Warren wants to rebrand herself, an apology for what she did would be a good start, Jacobson wrote. But I dont expect that to happen. Shes in too deep a state of denial. The countdown to Prince Harry and Meghan Markles royal wedding has officially begun. Prince Harry and the former actress will be married in May 2018 at Windsor Castles St. Georges Chapel, Kensington Palace announced on Tuesday. Queen Elizabeth II granted permission for the couples wedding to take place there. The Royal Family will pay for the wedding, the palace said in a statement. Windsor Castle, west of London, is one of Queen Elizabeth II's main residences. The 15th-century chapel is as historic but more intimate than Westminster Abbey, where Harry's older brother William married Kate Middleton in 2011. Harrys communications secretary Jason Knauf said the castle is a very special place for the couple, as they have spent time there during their 16-month romance, according to the BBC. Markle will also become a United Kingdom citizen. St. George's Chapel was also where the service of prayer and dedication was held after Harry's father, Prince Charles, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, got married in 2005. Their wedding took place at the Windsor. Harrys cousin Peter Phillips and Autumn Kelly also wed at the Windsor Castle's chapel in 2008. The palace also said the prince and the soon-to-be duchess will appear at their first official event together at a Terrence Higgins Trust World AIDS Day charity fair in Nottingham on Friday. "Prince Harry is looking forward to introducing Ms. Markle to a community that has become very special to him," the palace tweeted. The couple dominated news on Monday after they announced their engagement. They made their first appearance as an engaged couple later in the day, with Markle sporting a ring, designed by Harry, that included two diamonds from the late Princess Dianas jewelry collection. The main stone was sourced from Botswana. In their first interview since the engagement news broke, Markle, 36, said they were having an ordinary night and trying to roast chicken when Harry got down on one knee "It was just an amazing surprise," Markle told the BBC. "It was so sweet and natural and very romantic, he got on one knee." Harry, 33, added, "She didn't even let me finish. They detailed their romance, from being set up on a blind date by a mutual friend in July 2016, to camping in Botswana that led to the proposal earlier this month. Harry said he fell in love with the actress so incredibly quickly and felt like the stars were aligned. This beautiful woman just tripped and fell into my life, I fell into her life. I know that she will be unbelievably good at the job part of it as well, Harry said. Markle also revealed she is retiring from acting, confirming she wont return for the eighth season of Suits. She added she will be transitioning into the role of being part of the royal family and is excited to be working with organizations and engaging with the community. "I'm excited to really get to know more about the different communities here and smaller organizations that are working on the same causes that I've always been passionate about, Markle said. "I don't see it as giving anything up. I see it as a change. It's a new chapter." The Associated Press contributed to this report. An actor and filmmaker thats appeared in many popular movie and TV projects throughout the years has revealed that hes an undocumented immigrant. Bambadjan Bamba says hes stepping forward now in an effort to show that not all undocumented people are criminals. Bamba has played parts in high-profile film projects such as Suicide Squad and Black Panther. Hes also done a lot of work on TV series such as SEAL Team, The Good Place, The Following, The Sopranos and many more. Now, hes come forward to The Los Angeles Times to spread awareness in the wake of the Trump administration looking to end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which president Obamas administration created in 2012. Immigrants are not criminals," Bamba told the outlet (via the NY Daily News). "We're not here to take away your jobs. We're here to give back. We're not just Mexicans or Latino. We're black, too." Were from the Middle East, from Asia, too, he continued. Were your neighbors, your doctors, the teachers of your children, and sometimes were on TV in your home, characters that you love. Were just one of you. In a video he recorded for the outlet, Bamba explains that he was brought to the U.S. by his family when he was 10 years old to escape political turmoil in his home country of Cote d'Ivoire in Africa. After moving to New York City without any grasp of the English language in 1993, he turned to pop culture, TV and films to help him learn the language and assimilate into American society. He's now expressing his fears that an end of DACA could mean that hell be separated from his daughter and forced to return, despite learning English and finding work. Bamba can be seen next in Marvel's upcoming film "Black Panther." A hungry Burger King customer in Ohio got an earful of expletives last Wednesday after the restaurants manager cussed her out for taking too long to order. Lizzie Ramsey, of Newark, Ohio, said that she and her husband Cody along with his co-worker and his 11- and 12-year-old brothers had pulled up to the drive-thru of a nearby Burger King at around 8 a.m. to place their breakfast order. But every time Ramsey had finished ordering for one of the people in the car, the manager interrupted with the total price, and later told her to hurry up, despite Ramseys car being the only one in the drive-thru lane, WSYX reported. MCDONALD'S MANAGER REPORTEDLY ATTACKED OVER NUGGETS ORDER Ramsey, who is 25-weeks pregnant, proceeded to park the car and enter the restaurant in order to complain. We wanted to let the manager know how the lady on the microphone was acting, she said. Upon entering, however, Ramseys and her family were shocked to discover the manager and the drive-thru operator were the same person and she was not happy to see them. WARNING: Footage contains strong language. In footage Ramsey recorded of the incident, the Burger King employee presumably the manager can be seen screaming that Ramsey shouldve ordered faster and that she shouldve came in here and looked at the menu instead of studying the menu at the drive-thru. Ramsey also threatens to call the corporate office while the Burger King manager repeatedly tells her to Get the f--- out of the restaurant. WENDY'S BLASTS MCDONALD'S OVER BLACK FRIDAY TWEET Ramsey later uploaded the footage to Facebook, where it has been viewed more than 330,000 times. Some of the locals who commented claimed that they, too, had experienced the exact same thing at the exact same Burger King, according to Ramseys husband. When we uploaded the video, people saw it and said 'we had the same experience with the same person at the same store,'" Cody told WSYX. Ramsey said the corporate office has since apologized and sent along a gift card, WSYX reported. A representative for the Ocedon Restaurant Group, which manages the Burger King, told Ramsey that the situation had been handled, though its unclear if the offending employee had been terminated, the Newark Advocate added. "I believe she should be fired, Ramsey told WSYX. You don't treat customers like that. FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS Health officials are urging anyone who has consumed raw milk within the last six months to seek medical attention after a New Jersey woman was infected with a rare bacteria earlier this year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued their warning after the New Jersey Department of Health ordered Udder Milk to stop selling raw milk products in the state. Udder Milk, which operates in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Rhode Island, is described as a co-op on wheels that makes deliveries. The company has not revealed its dairy source, and does not list which farms provide its milk which makes it difficult to pinpoint the source of infection. As a result, the CDC warned that anyone who has consumed the companys raw milk product may have been infected with Brucella abortus RB51, a rare germ that requires antibiotics. CONFUSED VA FAILED TO REPORT POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DOCTORS, MAY HAVE PUT LIVES AT RISK, WATCHDOG SAYS The bacteria is used to vaccinate young female cattle against B. abortus, but can cause fever, muscle pain, lasting fatigue, joint pain, and swelling of the testicles in humans, according to Live Science. If left untreated it could lead to arthritis, heart problems, enlargement of the liver or spleen, meningitis or miscarriage. Because health officials have no direct way to let people know they may have drunk contaminated milk, everyone who consumed milk from Udder Milk in the past 6 months should receive antibiotics now to avoid having long-term health effects from the bacteria, Dr. William Bower, the leader of the CDC division that investigates brucellosis, said, according to Live Science. Authorities are currently investigating Udder Milks supplier. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A Utah mother said doctors told her family members there was a 96 percent chance she would be a quadriplegic or dead after they discovered her C-1 vertebrae fractured in four separate places. They say usually one fracture will leave you paralyzed, Brooke Baker told Fox 13 Now. The fact that I had four of them and I was still moving my arms, they were amazed. They said I was a miracle. The trauma unfolded while Baker was at a bounce house with her son and boyfriend, and noticed a group doing gymnastics off to the side. She went to join them and began doing back handsprings, but something went wrong on the last one. MASSACHUSETTS BABY GETS LIFE-SAVING LIVER TRANSPLANT FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE OFFICER I started with one back handspring, then two, three, four, five, and once I got to the sixth one, I felt my feet hit the very edge, she told Fox 13 Now. Baker said all of her weight landed on her neck, and she couldnt feel her toes, legs or fingers. She was rushed to University of Utah and underwent several surgeries, including having four screws drilled into her skull, and faces a long recovery. Still, she feels lucky to have been able to walk out of the hospital after enduring such a severe injury. I hope you know youre super lucky because you should have been dead or paraplegic, Baker said doctors told her. Relatives have set up a GoFundMe page to help her cover medical costs while shes out from work. A local radio contest is helping to bring cheer to one Indiana family whose 11-year-old sibling is battling stage four brain cancer. Anadalay Juarez, who has been receiving treatment at Riley Hospital for Children, is one of Christina Juarezs three children, Fox 59 reported. One of Anadalays younger siblings attends IPS Francis Bellamy Preschool Center 102, and the staff has been helping to deliver meals and support Juarez, who is a single mother. The schools social worker, Ashley Reed, entered the family into the WZPL Twelve Trees of Christmas Giveaway, and they were recently chosen as winners, Fox 59 reported. MASSACHUSETTS BABY GETS LIFE-SAVING LIVER TRANSPLANT FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE POLICE OFFICER Included with the prize is a $500 gift card, a Christmas tree and decorations. Juarez said Anadalay had asked for a tree this year, but that they were previously unable to afford it. Now with the prize, the family will have a tree, plus a gift or two to unwarp on Christmas morning, Fox 59 reported. My father, a black minister, taught me when I was growing up in Georgia that I should look at people as individuals, not through a racial lens. Just as it was wrong for white racists to hate black people, it was wrong for us to hate white people, he said. And as a minister, my father spread the words of Jesus Christ, who taught: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. All neighbors. In the 1990s, my father co-hosted a local Christian television program in North Carolina called The Gospel in Black and White, where he and a white pastor preached a message of racial reconciliation. They believed that America could experience true racial healing only if hearts were changed. They wanted everyone to follow the advice of Dr. Martin Luther and judge people by the content of their character and not by the color of their skin. Until recently, I never found my fathers teaching to be radical. But in todays society, it is being rejected far too often by folks on both sides of the color line neo-Nazis and other white supremacists boldly marching and spewing poisonous hatred of blacks and Jews on one side, and some black folks becoming a horrifying mirror image by preaching hatred of white people. Racism is racism, no matter what color the racist is voicing the ugly words. This repulsive gospel of hate is wrong and un-American, and all people of good will have a responsibility to condemn it. Racism is racism, no matter what color the racist is voicing the ugly words. Just a few days ago, black nurse Taiyesha Baker lost her job with an Indiana hospital system after she sparked outrage for her now-viral tweet: Every white woman raises a detriment to society when they raise a son. Someone with the HIGHEST propensity to be a terrorist, rapist, racist, killer, and domestic violence all star. Historically every son you had should be sacrificed to the wolves ." Speaking of wolves, Baker isnt a lone one. She is just the latest example of a growing number of individuals who apparently believe that prejudice is acceptable, so long as it is directed toward whites. Just a few weeks ago, the New York Times published an opinion piece headlined: Can My Children Be Friends With White People? The author, Ekow N. Yankah a law professor at Yeshiva University explained how he intends to raise his children: I will teach them to be cautious, I will teach them suspicion, and I will teach them distrust, Yankah writes. Much sooner than I thought I would, I will have to discuss with my boys whether they can truly be friends with white people. Before that, Professor Jessie Daniels of the City University of New York tweeted that the white-nuclear family is one of the most powerful forces supporting white supremacy and that families producing white children are part of the problem perpetuating white supremacy. And there was the Democratic National Committee staffer who is looking to hire new talent so long as they arent straight white males. These folks some of whom are white themselves seem to believe that demonizing an entire group of people will somehow uplift blacks and other minorities. But racial progress doesnt work that way. Their flawed logic fans the flames of racial tension at a time when our country desperately needs less generalizations and more common understanding. And perhaps worst of all, this practice plays into the hand of actual white supremacists. If all white people are called racists, the charge means nothing when legitimate racists deserve to be called out. It gives white supremacists the luxury of just being one of the masses, instead of receiving the direct condemnation they deserve. Over half a century ago, Dr. King famously remarked that you cant drive out hate with hate. He acknowledged the historical fact of white racism against black people from the sin of slavery to the racism he fought in his time until he was murdered by a white man but understood that we must look ahead to move forward, not stare into the rearview mirror. Nelson Mandela, who spent 27 years in prison for battling white racism in South Africa, preached the same message of forgiveness, reconciliation and brotherhood when he was finally freed and became president of that nation in 1994. Race relations in our country will never improve if Americans answer prejudice against minorities with prejudice against whites. Instead, we should strive to see all Americans as they are not through a preconceived lens. Today I am proud to serve as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army, where racism is banned and where I serve with patriots of every color and ethnic background, united as brothers and sisters and comrades in arms. When wounded in defense of our country, we all bleed red. We support each other and have each others backs. This is how it should be in the rest of society. It seems my fathers message of reconciliation is needed now more than ever. As Americans struggle to find common ground, well need to start by discarding our own prejudices about each other. Maybe then we can move toward that radical idea of racial healing that so many of us seek. Editor's note: The following column is adapted from a post which originally appeared on AEIdeas.org, the blog of the American Enterprise Institute. The Washington Post reports that North Korea has carried out its first ballistic missile test in more than two months: North Korea launched a missile early Wednesday morning, South Koreas joint chiefs of staff said. . . Wednesdays missile was launched from Pyongan province and fired to the east, South Koreas joint chiefs said, according to the Yonhap News Agency. The military was still working to ascertain what kind of missile it was. North Korea last fired a missile on Sept. 15, sending it over the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido. It was the second launch over Japan in less than three weeks and came less than two weeks after North Korea exploded what was widely believed to be a hydrogen bomb. In a speech to the Council on Foreign Relations at the end of last month, Joseph Yun, the State Departments special representative for North Korea policy, said that if North Korea went 60 days without testing a missile or a nuclear weapon, it could be a sign that Pyongyang was open to dialogue. Apparently they are not so open to dialogue after all. Indeed, the North Korean launch is a finger in the eye to China, which had just sent a high level envoy to Pyongyang at President Trumps request. Trump tweeted hopefully about the Chinese visit: China is sending an Envoy and Delegation to North Korea A big move, well see what happens! What happened was a big middle finger to Beijing and Washington from Little Rocket Man. Here is how Trump should respond: Take out the test site from which the North Koreans launched the missile toward Japan just like he struck the military base in Syria from which the Assad regime had launched a chemical weapons attack on innocent civilians. Then, as I recently suggested in the Washington Post, Trump should declare North Korea a ballistic missile no-fly zone and a nuclear weapons no-test zone. He should warn the North Koreans that any further attempts to launch a ballistic missile will be met with a targeted military strike either taking out the missile on the launch pad or blowing it up in the air using missile defense technology. And any further attempt to test a nuclear weapon will be met with a targeted strike taking out the test site and other related nuclear facilities. So long as North Korea does not retaliate, Trump should assure Pyongyang that he will take no further military action against the regime. However, if North Korea does retaliate, then the United States reserves the right to, as Trump put it to the UN General Assembly, totally destroy North Korea. The bottom line is that there is no negotiating with North Korea. There is no diplomatic solution that is possible with Kim Jong Un in office. And so long as Pyongyang can launch missiles and test nuclear devices with impunity, they hold the initiative and are running the show on the Korean Peninsula. Trump should take control of the situation away from Pyongyang by unilaterally ending their nuclear and ballistic missile testing program. As he does so, he can continue to tighten sanctions, which are starting to hurt, and encourage those around Kim to overthrow him with promises that Trump will negotiate an end to North Koreas isolation if Kims successors are willing to verifiably disarm and dismantle their nuclear program. But we cannot allow North Korea to continue to act with impunity. They will not stop unless they are forced to do so. Trump has the power to stop them. He should use it. North Koreas launch Wednesday (Tuesday in the U.S.) of an intercontinental ballistic missile should focus our attention on the threat of the rogue nation launching an electromagnetic pulse attack that could wipe out the electric power grid serving millions of people in the U.S. and Canada. Such an attack has been downplayed by some and made the subject of fear-mongering by others over the years. But while it sounds like the plot of a science fiction movie, an electromagnetic pulse attack has become a larger issue in the past few months due to North Koreas missile tests and stated goal of developing the capability to mount such a devastating strike. An electromagnetic pulse is a side effect of an atmospheric nuclear detonation that could potentially damage or destroy all electrical devices and the electric grid within the line of sight of the blast. The higher the explosion, the wider the effect. A North Korean missile carrying a nuclear weapon exploding over the U.S. could cause an electromagnetic pulse. The result of an electromagnetic pulse wouldnt just mean no iPhones for a few hours. If enough electric power transformer stations are affected, it would mean no power to millions of people for weeks or even many months. The result of an electromagnetic pulse wouldnt just mean no iPhones for a few hours. If enough electric power transformer stations are affected, it would mean no power to millions of people for weeks or even many months. Such an attack on a densely populated area like New York City or Los Angeles would dwarf the power shortages in Puerto Rico caused when Hurricanes Irma and Maria struck in September. It all starts to sound very post-apocalyptic when you realize this means no lights or other electric-powered devices in homes and businesses, no water filtration, no regional food hubs, no transportation grid none of the things we take for granted in modern civilization. For awhile, the concerns that North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un would launch an electromagnetic pulse attack were mostly tangential and hypothetical. There werent that many signs the North was planning such a strike. That changed in September, when Kims regime launched its sixth and most powerful nuclear test to date. News accounts at the time focused on how large the nuclear blast was and how close in time the launch was to the previous one, both signs that the North was more serious than ever before. But most reporters missed a key threat that appeared at the bottom of Kims public statement, when he bragged that North Korea had harnessed a multi-functional thermonuclear nuke with great destructive power which can be detonated at high altitudes for super-powerful EMP (electromagnetic pulse) attack according to strategic goals. So now we know. Launching an electromagnetic pulse attacks against its enemies is one of North Koreas strategic goals. And for North Korea, the United States is the top enemy. This was the first time Kim had ever publicly threatened such a strike. Will he order it? And can North Korea even pull it off? How successfully would it be? We dont know the answers to these critically important questions. Hopefully, North Korea will never try launching an electromagnetic pulse attack against the U.S. or any other nation. And if the North tried it, we all hope it would fail. But while you hope for the best, you have to prepare for the worst. Unfortunately, the United States isnt preparing. On Sept. 30, the Congressional Commission to Assess the Threat of Electromagnetic Pulse to the United States of America shut its doors after a failure to secure funding from Congress. The good news is utility companies in the U.S. are at least trying to gauge the threat. They are more than a year into a three-year programme, funded by about 60 electricity firms, to understand the potential impact of (an electromagnetic pulse) attack on the generation and transmission of electricity, and to find ways to shield the network, noted The Economist, after North Koreas September test. These sorts of studies are exactly what we need. There are those out there who are adamant that they know what will happen if theres an electromagnetic pulse attack against the United States people who range from alarmist to naysayer and everything in between. Dont take their word for it. The truth is that nobody knows for sure. There are large engineering firms with patents for electromagnetic pulse protective devices. The U.S. military has hardened a number of its assets. Various utility companies say theyve got it under control. But none of this means the problem is solved. There are no best practices. There are no industry standards. There aren't the proper regulations in place. The studies out there are few. Is our technology more or less vulnerable to an electromagnetic pulse attack than the technology of the 1960s? We just dont know. And thats a great cause for concern. Both the United States and the Soviet Union experienced a small version of the impact of an electromagnetic pulse firsthand during their atmospheric nuclear tests in the 1960s, with the latter even testing it over Kazakhstan and temporarily knocking out the grid for millions of people. These days, worries about a U.S. war with Russia have greatly diminished. And while some Russian military doctrines still include electromagnetic pulse strikes in the litany of available offensive strikes, the weapon was effectively banned when both countries signed the Partial Test Ban Treaty of 1963, along with over 100 other nations. A handful of countries never signed the deal, however, including North Korea. Given North Koreas continued testing of missiles and nuclear weapons, we need to do more to be ready for an electromagnetic pulse attack from the North, even if there is only a small chance Kim would be reckless enough to launch it. Programming Alert: Watch "Tucker Carlson Tonight" weekdays on Fox News Channel at 8 pm ET. A middle-aged man going through a divorce begins dating a woman he met online. The relationship becomes torrid and eventually the man sends his girlfriend lewd texts and nude photographs of himself. Several years later the two break up and, in revenge, the woman shares their private correspondence with other people. Nude pictures of the man wind up on the Internet and ultimately in the media. He is ridiculed and humiliated. So who is the victim here? If you guessed the 68-year-old man whose five grandchildren can now find naked pictures of him online, you obviously haven't been reading The Washington Post lately. The man in question is Republican Congressman Joe Barton of Texas. And, according to the The Washington Post, he deserves to be ashamed of his "secret sex life." Keep in mind that nobody has accused Barton of abuse or even abuse of power. The relationship was consensual. If anything, it is Barton's former girlfriend who may be guilty of a crime; so-called revenge porn is illegal in many places and ought to be. And yet for reasons never explained, The Washington Post and many other media outlets treated Barton like the heir to Harvey Weinstein, even offering anonymity to the woman who overturned his life and humiliated him. Sex abuse stories have dominated the news for the past six weeks beginning with Weinstein, predators in Hollywood, the media, and politics have been exposed and they have been punished. And that is good news because justice is always good news and we'll continue to bring you updates on those stories as we get them and we're sure we will. But going forward, we should also be careful that the noble effort to end sexual harassment does not degenerate into a witch hunt. It can happen. As the Washington Post just proved. So with that in mind, two things to remember. First, anonymous accusations always lead to abuses. The right to face your accusers is the cornerstone of justice and has been since ancient Rome. That's why it's enshrined in the Sixth Amendment in the Constitution. That's why we ban star chambers. We don't allow people to accuse others of armed robbery or murder from behind the shield of anonymity. Why do media outlets allow it in cases of sexual harassment? If you are going to name the accused, you ought to name the accuser, assuming it's an adult. News organizations are not courts. They shouldn't take a side when guilt and innocence are in dispute. It's too easy to get it wrong and they often do. Second, not everyone accused of a sex offense is guilty. Not every accuser is telling the truth. I learned this the hard way a number of years ago when I was accused of felony rape by a woman I had literally never even seen. "If you are going to name the accused, you ought to name the accuser . . ." She was a certified public accountant in Indiana, upstanding member of her community and also apparently delusional. Her claims were grotesque, but they were highly specific. The assault she said took place in the back room of a restaurant in Louisville on a specific day at around 10:30 p.m. She included loads of graphic and horrifying detail. It was stomach-turning. And, yet, none of it, none of it was true. I spent the next two months trying to stay out of jail. I couldn't tell my children because I knew they would be ashamed. I couldn't tell my employer because I knew I would be fired immediately. I spoke only to lawyers and I paid them a fortune. I took a polygraph exam from the former head polygrapher at the FBI. I never stopped worrying that the charges would become public and destroy my life. Everyone accused of sex offense did something wrong. Everybody knows that. And I knew no one would believe otherwise. This isn't a defense of sexual harassment or misbehavior, obviously. It is just a reminder that real life is complicated. More complicated than sermonizing on Twitter. Sometimes the mob is wrong. Sometimes the innocent are crushed. That's always a tragedy, no matter what the charge is. Of course, crushing the innocent also may be the point of the exercise and we are seeing that. Last week a feminist called Emily Lindin announced on Twitter that she was, "not at all concerned about innocent men losing their jobs in the search for perpetrators of sexual harassment. If some innocent men's reputation have to take a hit in the process of undoing the patriarchy, that is a price I'm absolutely willing to pay." Lindin not surprisingly is a columnist at Teen Vogue. We asked her to come on our show to talk about her views, but she refused. Adapted from Tucker Carlson's, Tucker's Thoughts on Monday, November 27, 2017. I admit, I laughed out loud when I read that President Trump had called out Pocahontas, aka Senator Elizabeth Warren, in the midst of his celebration of Navajo Code Talkers. It was just so outrageous, so Trumpian and unprovoked. It looked like the president ran dry of things to say about the Native American World War II heroes, so inserted his little joke before lauding them for their bravery and service. The allusion to liberal firebrand Warren appeared to have sailed over the veterans heads; the same could not be said of the liberal press. I laughed in part because out of nowhere -- yet another hum-drum White House ceremony -- Trump had again set the world on fire, and in part because I could predict with 100 percent certainty what was about to rain down upon his totally welcoming head. Almost immediately the ever-outraged Elizabeth Warren complained to CNN's Anderson Cooper that President Trump couldn't even make it through a ceremony to honor these men without throwing in a racial slur. That line was picked up in critical articles in the New York Times and Washington Post; the liberal intelligentsia was simply appalled. What is rich, of course, is that the fury unleashed on Trump for referencing Warrens pretense to Native American heritage is mountains more intense than the criticism leveled at the Massachusetts senator for making the claim in the first place. In this era, when people are called out for cultural appropriation if they wear sombreros or Viking helmets for Halloween, how can we ignore the fiction that Warren apparently created and that she is accused of using to advance her career? It was during Warrens 2012 senate race that the issue of her Native American claims first surfaced. During the course of that campaign, her opponent Scott Brown revealed that in both her applications to Harvard and Penn, she checked the box claiming she was a Native American and criticized her for pretending to be a person of color. A reporter asked Warren about a 1998 story in the Harvard Crimson quoting a university spokesman who defended Harvards lack of diversity by claiming that Warren was Native American. Overnight the senator was accused of having won her post by pretending to be something she was not. She pushed back, saying that her mothers family, coming from what Warren calls Indian Territory and the rest of us call Oklahoma, had long told stories about their Cherokee ancestry. She never could document that heritage, nor could reporters who dug deep into her background. Even the Washington Post, running an exhaustive review of the claims and counter-claims, finally gave up and refused to rate Warrens story. Nonetheless, she continues to maintain that the affiliation was family lore, and she believes it. She also says that former employers, including Harvard, hired her for her talent, and not her heritage, even as they took advantage of it. According to CNN, They singled her out, Warren later acknowledged, because she had listed herself as a minority in an Association of American Law Schools directory. Whether the Massachusetts senators claims are true or not, Donald Trump has effectively latched onto what he considers a vulnerability, as he so often does. Why would he have chosen to ruffle Warrens feathers Monday? Perhaps because she was about to become the most vocal advocate for the rogue Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB), which the Trump administration wants to emasculate. The CFPB was the brainchild of Elizabeth Warren, who is as passionate in her hatred of banks as she is about her Cherokee heritage. Having spent much of her childhood terrified that her fathers serial business failures might cost them their mortgaged home, Warren grew up with an intense hostility towards the financial sector. (This is true, and is generously documented in her autobiography "A Fighting Chance.") Her suspicions and dislike of bankers multiplied throughout the financial crisis, which she (erroneously) pinned on a lack of regulation. Hence, she saw the CFPB as a vital new weapon against the misbehavior that caused the financial meltdown. Because of her distrust of the power and reach of banks, she insisted the new agency be totally independent of Congress and the White House. As such, it is without oversight or accountability and, we now know, prone to abuse. The Trump administration has installed OMB head Mick Mulvaney as acting chair in the wake of former head Richard Cordrays surprise resignation. The move is being challenged by Leandra English, appointed by Cordray. As a court battle brews, we will be relitigating the value and structure of the CFPB. Warren will take the lead in that discussion. What better way to undermine Warrens passionate defense of the CFPB than by reminding voters of her questionable claims of Native American blood, which sound somewhat silly. Consider this pearl, extracted from a 2012 NPR interview, I am very proud of my heritage. These are my family stories. This is what my brothers and I were told by my mom and my dad, my mammaw and my pappaw. One wag posted on Twitter, Trump and Elizabeth Warren should bury the hatchet. Thats not going to happen anytime soon this is too much fun for Trump, and much too useful. Vice presidents dont often get a chance to change history, unless they become close advisors to the man in the Oval Office (Al Gore, Dick Cheney), or succeed him following death or resignation (Andrew Johnson, Gerald Ford), or get elected to the presidency themselves (George H.W. Bush). But Vice President Mike Pence may be in a position to be not only the most important person in the Trump administration but very possibly the most important man in America right now. Mike Pence stands at the confluence of two major trends in American history, the decline of the Old Politics symbolized by Washington D.C., and the rise of the New Politics symbolized and dominated by Donald Trump. How President Trump decides to utilize this unique human asset to bridge the transition will determine whether his presidency is a success or failure. The Old Politics is what Trump calls the Swamp: an amalgam of bureaucrats, lobbying groups and associations, power brokers, and professional politicians buttressed by a punditocracy and mainstream media who act as their echo chamber, along with pollsters who conjure up public opinion in order to sway office-holders in one direction or another. The election of Donald Trump was a political earthquake. What we all need now is someone who can sift through the rubble, give comfort to the survivors, but also prepare the way for reconstruction on new more solid foundations. The New Politics is driven by visceral distrust and hatred of the Old Politics. It thrust Donald Trump into office against all expectations; it may do the same with Judge Roy Moore. Its home is not Washington but the nation at large, and what drives it is social media and their attendant apps. That power should not be underestimated. Right now we have seen social medias power to polarize and inflame. But over the long haul its real impact will be empowering individuals to connect and act together to address issues of genuine national concern, not just the ones that appear on the front page of the New York Times. In that sense, Trumps Tweets are actually the wave of the future as social media becomes a tool for taking away the mainstream medias ability to define the national agenda, whether its kneeling during the national anthem or the deep states reluctance to prosecute wrongdoing when its a Democrat or one of their own. Eventually there will even be apps for voting in elections including presidential elections, that will use voice and facial recognition and 3-D fingerprint analysis to authenticate voters. Freedom will be an app we literally hold in our hand. The New Politics based on the sovereign individual, and crowdsourcing the sovereignty of the people, will spell the end of Old Politics as we know it, and the birth of a new America. But for now the Old Politics still holds sway. Its practitioners see Trump as an existential threat, because they sense he represents a future that must eventually sweep them away. They can no longer control the agenda, but they can at least obstructwhich is what theyve done with the effort to repeal ObamaCare, and which they now threaten to do with tax reform. No doubt Trump imagined his formal status as president would be enough to overcome their opposition, especially within his party. It hasnt happened. Instead, Trump needs a spokesman who has the trust of both the Old and the New Politics, and who can negotiate the dark dangerous currents that run between them. That man is Mike Pence. We know Pence is comfortable with, and loyal to, President Trump. But he is also trusted and respected by New Politics avatars like Steve Bannon and Old Politics stalwarts like Mitch McConnell. In fact, NeverTrumpers in the GOP camp make no secret of their hope that the impeachment of Trump will leave them with the happy result of Pence as Chief Executiveor even that he might lead a coup detat to topple the hated Donald. In their dreams. But the fact remains that Trump needs to make full use of this unique resource sitting in the vice presidential mansion. The election of Donald Trump was a political earthquake. What we all need now is someone who can sift through the rubble, give comfort to the survivors, but also prepare the way for reconstruction on new more solid foundations. Not many of us have a destiny; Mike Pence may be one who does. A government watchdog who played a central role in the Hillary Clinton email investigation during the Obama administration told Fox News that he, his family and his staffers faced an intense backlash at the time from Clinton allies and that the campaign even put out word that it planned to fire him if the Democratic presidential nominee won the 2016 election. There was personal blowback. Personal blowback to me, to my family, to my office, former Intelligence Community Inspector General Charles McCullough III said. The Obama appointee discussed his role in the Clinton email probe for the first time on television, during an exclusive interview with Fox News aired on "Tucker Carlson Tonight." McCullough who came to the inspector general position with more than two decades of experience at the FBI, Treasury and intelligence community shed light on how quickly the probe was politicized and his office was marginalized by Democrats. In January 2016, after McCullough told the Republican leadership on the Senate intelligence and foreign affairs committees that emails beyond the Top Secret level passed through the former secretary of state's unsecured personal server, the backlash intensified. All of a sudden I became a shill of the right, McCullough recalled. And I was told by members of Congress, Be careful. You're losing your credibility. You need to be careful. There are people out to get you. But the former inspector general, with responsibility for the 17 intelligence agencies, said the executive who recommended him to the Obama administration for the job then-Director of National Intelligence James Clapper was also disturbed by the independent Clinton email findings. [Clapper] said, This is extremely reckless. And he mentioned something about -- the campaign will have heartburn about that, McCullough said. He said Clapper's Clinton email comments came during an in-person meeting about a year before the presidential election in late December 2015 or early 2016. [Clapper] was as off-put as the rest of us were. After the Clapper meeting, McCullough said his team was marginalized. I was told by senior officials to keep [Clapper] out of it, he said, while acknowledging he tried to keep his boss in the loop. As one of the few people who viewed the 22 top secret Clinton emails deemed too classified to release under any circumstances, the former IG said, There was a very good reason to withhold those emails ... there would have been harm to national security. McCullough went further, telling Fox News that sources and methods, lives and operations could be put at risk. Some of those email exchanges contained Special Access Program (SAP) information characterized by intel experts as above top secret. I was told by members of Congress, Be careful. You're losing your credibility. You need to be careful. There are people out to get you. Former Intelligence Community Inspector General Charles McCullough III WikiLeaks documents show the campaign was formulating talking points as the review of 30,000 Clinton emails was ongoing. The campaign team wrote in August 2015 that Clinton only used her account for unclassified email. When information is reviewed for public release, it is common for information previously unclassified to be upgraded to classified. McCullough was critical of the campaigns response, as the classified review had barely begun. There was an effort certainly on the part of the campaign, to mislead people into thinking that there was nothing to see here, McCullough said. In March 2016, seven senior Democrats sent a letter to McCullough and his State Department counterpart, saying they had serious questions about the impartiality of the Clinton email review. However, McCullough was not making the decisions on what material in Clintons emails was classified -- he was passing along the findings of the individual agencies who got the intelligence and have final say on classification. I think there was certainly a coordinated strategy, McCullough said. McCullough described one confrontation with Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein's office just six weeks before the election, amid pressure to respond to the letter which Feinstein had co-signed. I thought that any response to that letter would just hyper-politicize the situation, McCullough said. I recall even offering to resign, to the staff director. I said, Tell [Feinstein] I'll resign tonight. I'd be happy to go. I'm not going to respond to that letter. It's just that simple. As Election Day approached, McCullough said the threats went further, singling out him and another senior government investigator on the email case. It was told in no uncertain terms, by a source directly from the campaign, that we would be the first two to be fired -- with [Clintons] administration. That that was definitely going to happen, he said. McCullough said he was just trying to do his job, which requires independence. "I was, in this context, a whistleblower. I was explaining to Congress -- I was doing exactly what they had expected me to do. Exactly what I promised them I would do during my confirmation hearing, he said. ... This was a political matter, and all of a sudden I was the enemy." He said pressures also increased early on from Clintons former team at the State Department, especially top official Patrick Kennedy. "State Department management didn't want us there, McCullough said. We knew we had had a security problem at this point. We had a possible compromise." Speaking about the case more than a year after the FBI probe concluded, McCullough in his interview also addressed the possibility that a more cooperative State Department and Clinton campaign might have precluded the FBIs involvement from the start. Had they come in with the server willingly, without having us to refer this to the bureau maybe we could have worked with the State Department, he said. More than 2,100 classified emails passed through Clinton's personal server, which was used exclusively for government business. No one has been charged. Asked what would have happened to him if he had done such a thing, McCullough said: I'd be sitting in Leavenworth right now. Fox News asked a Clinton campaign spokesman, Feinsteins office and Clapper for comment. There was no immediate response. A conservative watchdog group filed a suit on Monday in an attempt to oust special counsel Robert Mueller as he oversees the probe to determine if the Trump campaign colluded with the Kremlin in the 2016 election. Larry Klayman, founder of FreedomWatch, filed a complaint in a U.S. district court that attempts to require the Justice Department to examine leaks from Mueller and the obvious conflicts of interest among staff. Robert Mueller is not a man of integrity as the Washington, D.C., Democrat and Republican political establishment like to spin, Klayman said in a statement. He is just another pol who is representing his establishment benefactors in both political parties who want to see the presidency of Donald Trump destroyed. Klayman asserts Muellers team has leaked stories about those involved in the Russia probe to the media and Mueller is too close to James Comey, former FBI director. Additionally, the complaint claims Mueller has hired Democrats to work for him and that the probe is politicized as a result. Read more at WashingtonExaminer.com Theres a new candidate in the hotly contested Alabama Senate race before the Dec. 12 special election. Retired Col. Lee Busby who spent 31 years in the Marine Corps and on his last tour of duty was vice chief of staff to then-Gen. John Kelly, who is now White House chief of staff is entering the race with a long-shot bid against embattled Republican Roy Moore. Moore, 70, is facing allegations that he molested or initiated sexual contact with two teens, ages 14 and 16 and tried to date several others while he was in his 30s. Moore has denied the allegations of misconduct and has said he never dated underage women. According to The Daily Beast, when Busby read it was too late for a write-in candidate for the race, he said, Hold my beer, we will just see about that. Busby told The Daily Beast: I have no idea if the allegations against him are true or not, but I dont see anything within his experience as a judge that qualifies him for the job. Referring to Moores race against Democrat Doug Jones, he added, Alabama is not happy with the two choices we have down here. They are not appealing. Since his retirement from the Marines, the University of Alabama graduate has been the CEO of his own business and worked as a defense consultant and investment banker. Busby is also an artist who sculpts Alabamian troops who have been killed in Iraq or Afghanistan, Fox News previously reported. The outcome in Alabama could be crucial in the ongoing GOP fight for a tax overhaul, since a victory by Democrat Doug Jones would narrow the Republicans Senate majority to a mere two seats. President Donald Trump bashed Jones repeatedly on Twitter over the weekend. The last thing we need in Alabama and the U.S. Senate is a Schumer/Pelosi puppet who is WEAK on Crime, WEAK on the Border, Bad for our Military and our great Vets, Bad for our 2nd Amendment, AND WANTS TO RAISES TAXES TO THE SKY, Trump wrote from Florida, referring to Democrats congressional leaders Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A federal jury found Ahmed Abu Khattala guilty Tuesday on just four of 18 charges related to the deadly 2012 attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, precluding him from facing the death penalty. Khattala, 46, was convicted of two counts of conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, one count of maliciously destroying U.S. property and placing lives in danger, and one count of using and carrying a semiautomatic weapon during the attack. He faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison for the firearms offense and could still receive a life sentence. In a statement, Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security Dana Boente said Khattala's arrest and conviction "were critical steps in our efforts to identify and hold accountable those who were responsible for the terrorist attacks on our facilities in Benghazi, Libya. "Our work is not done," Boente added. "We will not rest in our pursuit of the others who attacked our facilities and killed the four courageous Americans who perished that day." The verdict brought an end to one of the most significant terrorism prosecutions in recent years in a U.S. civilian court, even though the Trump administration had argued such suspects are better sent to the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. CIA Director Mike Pompeo called the verdict "a small measure of justice" for the attacks, which became a political lightning rod as Republicans accused President Barack Obama's administration of intentionally misleading the public and stonewalling congressional investigators. An investigation into the attack led to the disclosure of then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's private email server. "It took intelligence to find him, soldiers to assist in capturing him, law enforcement to interview him, and a legal team to put him away," Pompeo said in a statement. "Khatallah's [sic] sentencing is to follow; but no term in prison will bring our people back." The initial attack killed at the U.S. mission killed Chris Stevens, the American ambassador to Libya, and Sean Patrick Smith, a State Department information management officer. Nearly eight hours later at a CIA complex nearby, two more Americans, contract security officers Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty, died in a mortar attack. "I am not surprised. I am not happy," Sean Smith's mother, Pat, said in a statement responding to the verdict. "My son died a horrible death ... I think the people who bear responsibility -- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton -- aren't even touched." Charles Woods, the father of Tyrone Woods, called the verdict "outrageous" and "a miscarriage of justice." "I am very bothered by the fact the U.S. government gave constitutional rights and due process rights to a foreign national who allegedly killed Americans outside the U.S," Woods said. "This is what bothered me from the very beginning." Rather than being sent to Guantanamo, Khattala was brought to the U.S. in 2014 and questioned over 13 days aboard a Navy transport ship. He was interrogated for days to obtain national security intelligence before being advised of his rights. A new team of FBI investigators then pressed him some more, this time to produce evidence prosecutors could present at trial. Defense attorneys argued the interrogation tactic was illegal, but Khattala did identify other members of the Islamic extremist militia group blamed for the Benghazi attack. Among the men he pegged was Mustafa al-Imam, who was captured last month and faces trial in the same federal courthouse in Washington. Prosecutors had claimed that Khattala had planned the ambush for at least a year and served as the "on-scene commander" for a band of armed men who stormed the complex with the aim of killing American personnel and plundering maps, documents and other property from the post. "He viewed the United States, which promoted freedom, as the cause of all the world's problems," Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael C. DiLorenzo told the jury in closing arguments earlier this month. "He was there to kill Americans, and that is exactly what he and his men did." Defense attorney Michelle Peterson described Khattala as a "Libyan patriot" who fought on America's side in the war against the late Libyan dictator Muammar Qaddafi. She described Khattala as a deeply religious man who believes in conservative sharia law as outlined in the Koran, which "is not the same thing as terrorism," she said. Peterson also cast doubt on the government's witnesses, in particular an informant who was paid $7 million to befriend Khattala, help the government gather information on him and arrange his capture. The informant helped link Khattala to the attackers, and prosecutors said they were seen on grainy surveillance video milling about the complex with guns. Fox News' Jake Gibson and Catherine Herridge contributed to this report. The Associated Press also contributed to this report. Congress returns Tuesday from Thanksgiving recess, giving Capitol Hill roughly 15 days before leaving town until January to get a string of key legislative items, most notably tax reform, to President Donald Trumps desk by the end of the year. Senate Republicans are considering a trigger that would automatically increase taxes if their sweeping legislation fails to generate as much revenue as they expect. Its an effort to gain support from deficit hawks who worry that tax cuts for businesses and individuals would add to the nations already mounting debt. The effort comes as a second Republican senator, Steve Daines of Montana, announced Monday that he opposes the tax bill in its current form. Previously, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., said he opposed the bill, leaving Senate Republicans no room for error as they aim to vote on the bill this week. Both senators complained that the tax bill favors large corporations over small businesses. In a Monday morning tweet, the president wrote, With just a few changes, some mathematical, the middle class and job producers can get even more in actual dollars and savings. Trump has suggested he'd be open to making unspecified changes to the way millions of pass-through businesses are taxed, a sticking point for some lawmakers. Republicans have only two votes to spare in the Senate, where they hold a 52-48 edge and anticipate Vice President Mike Pence breaking a tie, if needed. Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch said Senate Republicans intend to get to 50 votes in the chamber. After meeting with Trump on Monday, Hatch called for Senate Democrats to get off their duffs and work with Republicans on the bill. Trump is set to meet Tuesday with top Republican and Democratic congressional leaders, which could edge the government closer to a year-end bipartisan fiscal deal or a federal shutdown. Trump will meet with House Speaker Paul D. Ryan, R-Wis., Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., to discuss short-term plans as government funding is scheduled to dry up on Dec. 8. Fights over immigration and health care also are crowding the agenda, as The Hill points out. At present, Congress may spend no more than $549 billion for defense programs and $516 billion for non-defense programs next year, a cut from current levels, The Washington Post reports. The Trump administration is looking to increase defense spending to more than $600 billion, while Democrats are demanding a dollar-for-dollar increase in non-defense spending. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Tax reform won Senate approval in a 51-49 vote shortly before 2 a.m. ET on Saturday, Dec. 2. The White House and Senate GOP leaders announced before the vote that they believed they had enough votes to pass their sweeping tax overhaul plan. In order to get enough support, GOP lawmakers considered different measures to include with the bill. Republicans only had two votes to spare in the Senate, where they held a 52-to-48 edge. Vice President Mike Pence would've broken the tie, if needed. Heres a look at some key Republicans who needed to be persuaded to get on board with the plan. Steve Daines Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., had some concerns about the tax reform legislation, but his spokesperson told Fox News Friday morning that he now supports the measure. Daines previously said he was optimistic that the improvements could be made to the bill before its time to vote. And he said Wednesday he'd vote yes to move the motion. Ron Johnson Wisconsins Sen. Ron Johnson originally wasn't too big of a supporter of the tax bill, but after meeting with Senate leadership and Trump, he voted it through the Budget Committee. He told Fox News that Trump promised to fix some of the problems he had with the measure and would work with them as the bill moves to the full Senate. Johnson's spokesperson said the senator would vote for the bill because of concessions made on pass through taxes. Susan Collins When it came to Republicans efforts to overhaul the health care system, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, was not on board. Now Republicans are looking to see if shell join them on taxes. Collins has reportedly said there are things she is trying to change regarding the current legislation. But after meeting with the president Tuesday, Collins said she was feeling "optimistic" about tax reform. Bob Corker Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., was the only Republican who joined Democrats in voting against the proposal. Previously, Corker's stance on the bill was vague -- at least publically. He has said hes concerned about how the legislation will impact the national debt, but he did vote it through the Senate Budget Committee Tuesday. Corker wants to include a backstop or trigger in the legislation that would increase revenues even if the plan falls short. After Trump's meeting with Senate Republicans, Corker said, "I think we're getting to a very good place on the deficit issue." While we are still working to finalize the details, I am encouraged by our discussions. Jeff Flake Like Sen. Bob Corker, Jeff Flake has been publicly at odds with the Trump administration especially since he announced his impending retirement from the Senate. But Flake, R-Ariz., said Friday that he would vote for the Senate's tax reform plan. Jerry Moran At a town hall event last week, Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., refused to commit to the current tax legislation but did say that he is for some tax bill. Can we find taxes to cut that grow the economy? We dont want to increase the debt and deficit as a result of tax cuts, Moran said, according to the Topeka Capital-Journal. My goal is to find out which taxes you cut can actually help create more jobs, better jobs, higher-paying jobs and which ones dont do that. Not all of them do that. Marco Rubio Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., told WFOR-TV that when it comes to tax reform, hes looking for two components: a proposal that will make the U.S. more competitive and take care of workers. SENATE REPUBLICANS CONSIDER TAX BILL FIGHT, EYE LIGHTER TRIM TO CORPORATE TAX RATE Rubio has pushed for an expansion of the child tax credit and wants to make it fully refundable against payroll taxes. He introduced an amendment to the bill along with Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, that would raise the proposed corporate tax rate to offset costs by strengthening the child tax credit. John McCain Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said Thursday that he would support the tax plan. "I believe this legislation, though far from perfect, would enhance American competitiveness, boost the economy, and provide long overdue tax relief for middle class families," he said in a statement. Like others, McCain is also considered a deficit hawk when it comes to the tax bill and was worried about its impact on the federal deficit. Finally, I take seriously the concerns some of my Senate colleagues have raised about the impact of this bill on the deficit. However, its clear this bills net effect on our economy would be positive. This is not a perfect bill, but it is one that would deliver much-needed reform to our tax code, grow the economy, and help Americans keep more of their hard-earned money. James Lankford Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., wants to make sure the legislation doesnt increase the federal deficit but finally said Tuesday he was "on board with" the plan. "Yes, I am on board with this bill because I want to see the good economic growth that's coming with it," Lankford told CBS News. He had previously been seen as someone whose support was uncertain. Lisa Murkowski A more moderate Republican, Sen. Lisa Murkowski put speculation regarding her feelings on the tax measure to rest as she tweeted that she would support the bill due to certain provisions that she said will benefit her state of Alaska. We still have work to do on this legislation and I look forward to debate on the Senate floor and my colleagues ideas to further improve it, Murkowski said. The bill before us has a number of features that are very attractive to Alaskans. It lowers tax rates, doubles the child tax credit, and provides tax relief for many families by doubling the standard deduction, she said. Murkowski also praised the tax bill as it comes with a provision that would allow drilling in Alaskas Arctic National Wildlife Refuge something that shes long pushed for. Fox News Peter Doocy and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Hillary Clinton used a conference in Beijing to blast both President Trump and the Chinese over their stance toward North Korea saying it needs to soften up soon before things get out of hand and nuclear war breaks out. Serving as the keynote speaker at Caijing Magazines three-day annual conference on Tuesday, the former secretary of state called on Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping to avoid bluster and personal taunts when dealing with Pyongyang, according to Bloomberg. She reportedly criticized the Trump administration for retreating from diplomacy in recent months and said she hoped that China wouldnt follow suit. While Clinton focused much of her sentiment on the US stance toward North Korea, she took most of her jabs at the Chinese claiming they, too, were taking the wrong approach to the situation and making things worse with their "secret" military buildups. Beijing should remember that inaction is a choice as well, Clinton said. Like the Trump administration, the Chinese have chosen to avoid diplomatic talks with the North Koreans as tensions continue to escalate in the region. Click for more from The New York Post In one instance, at least, the war on the media has backfired spectacularly. An effort to entrap the Washington Post into publishing bogus allegations against Roy Moore instead wound up highlighting the papers careful reportingand the willingness of a conservative activist to use lies about statutory rape and abortion. Post reporters turned the tables on Project Veritas, headed by James OKeefe, by refusing to fall for its latest sting, which involved having a woman pose as someone who had been sexually victimized by Moore, the Republican Senate nominee in Alabama. The woman, Jaime T. Phillips, claimed in a series of interviews that she had a sexual relationship with the former judge when she was 15, that he impregnated her, and that he drove her to have an abortion. During the interviews, the paper said in a story posted last night, she repeatedly pressed Post reporters to give their opinions on the effects that her claims could have on Moores candidacy if she went public. This, of course, was an effort to surreptitiously videotape politically biased comments, which is OKeefes trademark. One interesting twist is that the Post decided to breach its off-the-record agreement with Phillips after confirming that she had lied. We always honor off-the-record agreements when theyre entered into in good faith, Executive Editor Martin Baron was quoted as saying. But this so-called off-the-record conversation was the essence of a scheme to deceive and embarrass us. The intent by Project Veritas clearly was to publicize the conversation if we fell for the trap. Because of our customary journalistic rigor, we werent fooled, and we cant honor an off-the-record agreement that was solicited in maliciously bad faith. Media executives and experts generally agree that a person who lies forfeits the protection of an off-the-record agreement. It was the Post which first interviewed four women, on the record, who say that Moore made unwanted advances when they were teenagers nearly four decades agoincluding one, Leigh Corfman, who said Moore sexually accosted her when she was 14. Moore has vehemently denied the allegations by those women and five others, and he and his campaign have repeatedly targeted the Post and liberal media lapdogs. Two of the accusers spoke to Alabama reporters, and another held a news conference. An unknown supporter of Moore recently tried to discredit the paper by making a robocall in which someone falsely claiming to be Post reporter Bernie Bernstein offers cash in exchange for dirt on the candidate. The paper, like most news organizations, has a strict policy against paying for information. Phillips repeatedly asked Post reporter Beth Reinhard to guarantee that Moore would lose the Senate race if her story was published, but Reinhard said she could not predict the impact. Reinhard wrote to her that Im so sorry but I want to be straight with you about the fact-checking process and the fact that we cant guarantee what will happen as a result of another story. The Post, while asking Phillips for documents and corroboration, uncovered discrepancies in her account, including a GoFundMe page in which she said would be joining the conservative media movement. Phillips agreed to meet with another of the papers reporters, Stephanie McCrummen, who told her she was being videotaped and brought up the page she had posted. It says that youre moving to New York, and youve accepted a job to work in the conservative media movement to combat the lies and deceit of the liberal MSM, McCrummen said. I was looking to take a job last summer and to be in New York, but it fell through, Phillips replied. She then claimed she had interviewed for a job with the Daily Caller, but the website said no one there had talked to her. On Monday morning, Post reporters saw Phillips walk into the New York offices of Project Veritas. OKeefe declined to answer questions, telling them: I am not doing an interview right now, so Im not going to say a word. In the end, OKeefes organization wound up showing that the Post was cautious in dealing with an orchestrated attempt to peddle lies about a candidate. Project Veritas responded today by posting an undercover video of Post national security reporter Dan Lamothe. He said the paper doesnt like President Trump but made this distinction: Theres the news side thats just trying to critically call bullwhen theres bullbut also give him credit when theres credit, you know? When something is good, and hes doing some things bad, but hes doing some of the things good. He distinguished the newsrooms efforts from the editorials, the papers institutional voice, which he said have become quite critical. One day after filing paperwork for re-election, Illinois Democratic Rep. Luis Gutierrez - a longtime immigration advocate - announced he will retire from Congress. Today Im announcing I wont be seeking re-election, Gutierrez said Tuesday afternoon, but added he wasnt retiring from his efforts to reform immigration. He also shot down speculation that he would run for governor of Puerto Rico, where his family is from, and said he would not make a mayoral bid for Chicago. Gutierrez made a name for himself advocating for comprehensive immigration reform and has openly criticized the Trump administration, most recently over its handling of storm-ravaged Puerto Rico. The 63-year-old congressman has served his Chicago district since 1993 and is a senior member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Gutierrez also was among the harshest critics of former President Barack Obama, whom he called the deporter in chief for ordering immigration agencies to deport hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants. He disagreed with Obamas then-chief of staff Rahm Emanuels decision to push for healthcare reform instead of focusing on immigration-related issues. Gutierrez endorsed Cook County Commissioner Jesus Chuy Garcia to take his seat in the solidly Democratic district. Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, a former Gutierrez staffer, is also planning to run for the seat. Gutierrezs decision to retire gives potential replacements less than a week to collect the 1,000 signatures needed to get on the ballot in Illinois. Gutierrez has privately hinted to colleagues for the past several years that he wanted to retire. Earlier this year, he signaled that he felt comfortable doing so now that the Congressional Hispanic Caucus has more than 30 members, including several younger, more ambitious colleagues in safe districts who are likely to be in Congress for several years to come. Also leaving next year is Florida Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the most senior Hispanic female Republican in Congress. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Although specifics werent provided, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un joined his counterpart to the south in promising to rid the Korean Peninsula of nuclear weapons. The vow to create a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula through complete denuclearization came during the Koreas historic summit between Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in in late April, and just before a much-anticipated meeting between Kim and U.S. President Trump. I feel like Im firing a flare at the starting line in the moment of (the two Koreas) writing a new history in North-South relations, peace and prosperity, Kim told Moon. Kim is the first known member of his familys dynasty to set foot on South Korean soil since 1953. There, at least in front of cameras, his rhetoric drastically changed since he engaged in a war of words with Trump throughout the first year of the U.S. presidents time in the White House. (Kim called Trump a dotard; Trump called the North Korean leader short and fat.) Since Kim took over North Korea in 2011, the regime rapidly expanded and tested its missile arsenal with weapons capable of striking the U.S. mainland. His end goal, he once said, was to "establish the equilibrium of real force with the U.S. and make the U.S. rulers dare not talk about military options for the North. Read on for a brief look at how North Koreas nuclear weapons program has grown throughout the regimes in the past century. Kim Il Sung, leader from 1948-1994 Kim Il Sung can be credited with founding North Korea and propelling the nations nuclear program forward but he did not live to see his country conduct its first nuclear test. It was under the first Kim that North Korea began to build up its nuclear reactors. And it was under his leadership that the nation began the Korean War surely a catalyst that led the leader to believe his nation needed nuclear weapons, Dr. Sung-Yoon Lee, the Kim Koo-Korea Foundation Professor of Korean Studies at the Fletcher School at Tufts University, told Fox News in an interview. TRUMPS COMMENTS ON NORTH KOREA, FROM FIRE AND FURY TO BLAMING CHINA The seeds of nuclear aspirations were sown in the Korean War, Lee said. The Korean War pitted North Korea and its ally China two nations that did not have nuclear capabilities at the time against a nuclear-armed U.S., making it clear to the first Kim that nuclear weapons are very powerful, a powerful deterrent, Lee said. Kim Jong Il, leader from 1994-2011 When the second leader of the Kim dynasty died in 2011, Kim Jong Il was remembered as the dictator who turned North Korea into a nuclear state, in his New York Times obituary. And its Kim Jong Il that really gets the credit of taking the country down the nuclear path," Lee said. In the beginning of his reign he was North Koreas supreme leader from 1994 to 2011 North Korea denied that it had a nuclear weapons program. TIMELINE OF NORTH KOREAN MISSILE LAUNCHES IN 2017 However, in 2003, Pyongyang announced that North Korea was withdrawing from the 1968 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, which barred the nation from making nuclear weapons. By 2005, North Korea confirmed that it had its own nuclear weapons. It tested its first nuclear device in 2006. Kim Jong Un, leader from 2011-present Kim Jong Un is credited with accelerating North Koreas push for nuclear weapons, and under the Obama administration, many of the worlds attitudes toward the East Asian nations nuclear capabilities became less blase than in the past, Lee said. Kim Jong Un also crossed a major threshold for his country in the summer of 2017 the ability to credibly threaten the U.S. with an intercontinental ballistic missile. In 2017, North Korea successfully tested its longest-ever flight of a ballistic missile. The intermediate-range weapon traveled 3,700 miles and passed over Japan before it landed in the Pacific. The country also tested its most powerful nuclear test to date this year. After the missile test, Kim Jong Un said North Korea is nearing equilibrium with the U.S. in terms of its military force. The increasingly frequent and aggressive tests added to outside fears that North Korea is closer than ever to building a military arsenal that could viably target the mainland of the U.S. or its allies in Asia. Calling Kim Jong Un Rocket Man, Trump said in 2017 the dictator is on a suicide mission for himself and for his regime. The United States has great strength and patience, Trump said. But if it is forced to defend itself or its allies, we will have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea. But 2018 brought a dramatic turn of events after he declared in a stark New Years address that a nuclear launch button is always on my table. Kim Jong Un offered to meet with Trump and became the first known member of his familys dynasty to set foot in South Korea since 1953. At the historic summit with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, both leaders pushed for peace and would work toward a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula. However, neither leader provided any specific measures or seemed to forge a potential breakthrough on the issue that has captivated and terrified many, especially since last year. Before Trump canceled a much-anticipated meeting with Kim Jong Un, North Korea said it demolished what it claimed to be its nuclear test site, setting off several explosions over the course of a few hours in the presence of foreign journalists. The planned closing of the Punggye-ri site was previously announced, but it's unclear if another facility could be used to continue the country's nuclear weapons program. Yongbyon nuclear complex, located about 64 miles north of Pyongyang, has a new reactor that could produce weapons-grade plutonium. Pyongyang insists is being used to produce electricity for its citizens. Trump ultimately rejected Kim Jong Un's invitation to a June meeting in Singapore, citing North Korea's "open hostility." Fox News Edmund DeMarche, Ryan Gaydos and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Campaign staffers for Senate candidate Roy Moore late Monday night got into a scuffle with two Fox News camera crews prior to a rally in the town of Henagar, Ala. Organizers told the media that Moore was expected to use the front entrance at the Henagar Community Center and the cameras were stationed outside, Fox News Jonathan Serrie reported. Moore instead used a side entrance. Camera crews and reporters attempted to see the candidate as he made his way into the building. And that point, two men decided to push the cameras back and physically manhandle two Fox News photographers, Serrie told Shannon Bream, host of Fox News @ Night. A Fox News producer stepped in and told the two staffers not to touch the cameras. Its not unusual for people to get bumped around a bit in the media scrum, Serrie said. This was not a scrum though. It is highly unusual for members of a political campaign to physically engage in this manner with members of the press, he said. It was unclear if Moore witnessed the scuffle that one cameraman said lasted about 30 seconds. Bill Armistead, Moores campaign chairman, told Fox News he has not seen the video, but the campaign does not approve such behavior. Our campaign certainly doesnt condone any pushing or shoving of anyone, certainly not reporters or anyone else, he said. Armistead accused the media of inappropriate behavior and trying to stampede us in a lot of different situations and running down hallways, chasing after, shouting things that are inappropriate. For weeks, accusations that Moore, now 70, sexually molested or assaulted two teens, ages 14 and 16 -- and tried to date several others -- while he was in his 30s have taken center stage in the heated Alabama race. Moore denied the allegations of misconduct and said he never dated "underage" women. Were not going to be open to taking questions until theyre (the media) ready to talk about issues, Armistead said. And thats what we want to talk about. President Trump has declined to follow the path of other mainstream Republican leaders, who have called on Moore to step aside. Republican lawmakers are considering expelling Moore should he win the seat. Serrie pointed out that the scuffle occurred on public property and Fox News had RSVPd for the event. The Associated Press contributed to this report COLUMBUS A 30-year-old Columbus woman pleaded guilty Monday to attempted possession of a deadly weapon in connection with an Aug. 16 armed robbery at a downtown bar. Platte County District Court Judge Robert Steinke scheduled Honea for sentencing Jan. 5 on the Class II felony, which is punishable by up to 50 years imprisonment and a minimum of one year behind bars. In exchange for her guilty plea, the prosecution dismissed charges of robbery and possession of methamphetamine. Honea was scheduled for a Dec. 4 jury trial before Monday's plea change. Her accomplice in the robbery at Avenue Bar, 21-year-old Devin Piper of Columbus, already pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting robbery in the case. Piper will be sentenced Jan. 5 on the Class 2A felony, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment. According to Columbus Police, the robbery began with Piper walking into the 26th Avenue bar, asking about the lunch special, then leaving to wait outside in the getaway car. 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. During questioning, Strecker wrote, Piper admitted he went into the bar to see if the bartender was alone. The defendant admitted knowing Honea was going inside to steal money, according to the report, but said he wasnt aware she had a handgun. Many national Republican leaders pulled their support for Roy Moore, the Alabama Senate candidate, in the wake of allegations claiming he had inappropriate sexual contact with teenage girls. The Washington Post reported that four women accused Moore of initiating sexual contact with them in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when he was an assistant district attorney in his early 30s. One of the women, Leigh Corfman, told the newspaper that Moore had sexual contact with her when she was 14. The age of consent in Alabama is 16. Several additional women have since come forward to accuse Moore of sexually inappropriate behavior. Moore denied the allegations, saying in a statement obtained by Fox News that the allegations are "based on a lie supported by innuendo." "It seems that in the political arena, to say that something is not true is simply not good enough. So let me be clear. I have never provided alcohol to minors, and I have never engaged in sexual misconduct," he said. Multiple Republican lawmakers called on Moore to step aside from the Dec. 12 special election. However, President Trump offered his endorsement for the embattled politician, and the Republican National Committee began supporting Moore after having previously cut its fundraising ties to him. The White House White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the president had no plans for an in-person appearance on Moore's behalf. In addition, the president previously signed off on a decision by the Republican National Committee to cut off support for Moore's campaign. But publicly, Trump unleashed his criticism on Democratic candidate Doug Jones instead of Moore. The last thing we need in Alabama and the U.S. Senate is a Schumer/Pelosi puppet who is weak on crime, weak on the border, bad for our military and our great vets, bad for our 2nd Amendment, and wants to [raise] taxes to the sky. Jones would be a disaster, Trump tweeted on Nov. 26. And just over one week before the election, Trump said he needed Moores vote in the Senate when it comes to certain issues, such as immigration, gun rights and judicial appointments. Trump also encouraged his Twitter followers to vote for Moore on the morning of the election as he contended that Moore "will always vote with us." Vice President Mike Pence found the allegations in the story disturbing and believes, if true, this would disqualify anyone from serving in office, his press secretary, Alyssa Farah, has told reporters. Sen. Mitch McConnell While speaking to reporters, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said he believes the women quoted in the Washington Post story. He urged Moore to step aside in light of the allegations. Previously, McConnell said Moore should step aside if "these allegations are true." Sen. Cory Gardner Cory Gardner, the National Republican Senatorial Committee chairman, said he believes the women who have alleged Moore's misconduct. In a statement, he encouraged the Senate to "vote to expel" Moore should he win the election next month. "He does not meet the ethical and moral requirements of the United States Senate," Gardner, R-Colo., said. Sen. Mike Lee A former backer of Moore, Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, pulled his endorsement from Moore after the allegations came to light. "Having read the detailed description of the incidents, as well as the response from Judge Moore and his campaign, I can no longer endorse his candidacy for the US Senate," Lee said in a tweet. He had also requested that Moore's campaign no longer use his image. Sen. Lisa Murkowski Im horrified and if its true, he should step down immediately, Murkowski told reporters. She reportedly also urged Sen. Luther Strange, who was appointed to fill Jeff Sessions seat when he was tapped to become attorney general, to launch a write-in campaign. The deadline to take Moore off the ballot has passed. Sen. Mike Rounds If they are true, then he should seriously think about stepping aside," Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., said. Sen. John Cornyn I find it deeply distrusting and troubling. Its up to the governor and the folks of Alabama to make that decision as far as what the next steps are," Majority Whip John Cornyn, R-Texas, said. He later withdrew his endorsement of Moore. Sen. Tim Scott If theyre accurate, he absolutely should [step aside]," Tim Scott, of South Carolina, said. Sen. Susan Collins In a tweet, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, called for Moore to "withdraw from the Senate race in Alabama." Collins wrote that she listened to Moore deny the allegations in a recent radio interview, but "did not find his denials to be convincing." Collins' most recent statement comes after she previously tweeted: "If there is any truth at all to these horrific allegations, Roy Moore should immediately step aside as Senate candidate." Sen. Steve Daines "I am pulling my endorsement and support for Roy Moore for U.S. Senate," said Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont. Sen. John McCain "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," Arizona Sen. John McCain said. Sen. Richard Shelby Its a devastating nasty story, Alabama Sen. Richard Shelby told reporters. If its true, I dont believe thered be a place for him in the U.S. Senate. He said that he did not vote for Moore when he sent in his absentee ballot but voted instead for a "distinguished Republican write-in." Sen. Jeff Flake Like other Republicans, Flake called on Moore to step aside from the election. "Just to be clear. If the choice is between Roy Moore and a Democrat, I would run to the polling place to vote for the Democrat," Flake tweeted. Hes said that Republicans to support Roy Moore over Doug Jones is political tribalism at its worst. Flake also tweeted a photo of a check made out to Jones for $100 with "Country over Party" written in the memo line. Sen. Luther Strange Alabama Sen. Luther Strange, who lost the special election primary to Roy Moore, called the allegations disturbing. It is too late to take Moore off the ballot, but Strange has been encouraged to launch a write-in campaign. Sen. Rob Portman I think if what we read is true, and people are on the record so I assume it is, then he should step aside, Ohio Sen. Rob Portman said. Sen. Ben Sasse Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., called the Washington Posts story "heartbreaking." Sasse also slammed the Republican National Committee for providing funds to Moores race. This is a bad decision and very sad day. I believe the women and the RNC previously did too. Whats changed? Or is the party just indifferent? Sasse said on Twitter. This sends a terrible message to victims its not that the party wont believe you if you come forward. It might. But just doesnt care. The senator than warned that if the National Republican Senatorial Committee decided to contribute to Moore, he would no longer be a donor to or fund-raiser for it. Sen. Ted Cruz "These are serious and troubling allegations," Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who previously endorsed Moore, said in a statement. "If they are true, Judge Moore should immediately withdraw. However, we need to know the truth, and Judge Moore has the right to respond to these accusations." Sen. Bill Cassidy Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., officially withdrew his support from the candidate. "Based on the allegations against Roy Moore, his response and what is known, I withdraw support," he said. Sen. Orrin Hatch "I stand with the Majority Leader on this. These are serious and disturbing accusations, and while the decision is now in the hands of the people of Alabama, I believe Luther Strange is an excellent alternative," Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, tweeted. But a week before the election, Hatch said Trump didnt have another choice but to endorse Moore, Bloomberg reported. He also said that many of the things he allegedly did are decades ago. So its hard to thats a decision that has to be made by the people in that state. If they make that decision, who are we to question them? Hatch said. Sen. Pat Toomey We'll probably never know for sure exactly what happened," Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., said on NBC's "Meet the Press." "But I think the accusations have more credibility than the denial. I think it would be best if Roy would just step aside. Sen. Lindsey Graham South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham took to Twitter to say Moore should step aside in the Alabama Senate race. "In light of the most recent allegations and the cumulative effect of others, I believe [Moore] would be doing himself, the state, the GOP, and the country a service by stepping aside," Graham said. "If he continues this will not end well for Mr. Moore." He has also bemoaned Trumps attempt to throw a lifeline to Moore. Rep. Paul Ryan House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said if the allegations are true, they would disqualify Moore from the special election. These allegations are disqualifying if true. Anyone who would do this to a child has no place in public office, let alone the United States Senate, Ryan said in a statement. Rep. Peter King "I would say unless he can prove his innocence, the burden is now on him within the next day or so, I believe he has to step down. He owes it to himself, he owes it to the state and and he owes it to the U.S. Senate," New York Rep. Peter King said after the allegations came out. Rep. Lee Zeldin In a tweet, Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., called for that "creepy Roy Moore dude" to step aside from the campaign. "It's about that time for that creepy Roy Moore dude to exit stage left. He should step aside & let someone take his spot on the ballot who doesn't prey upon young teenage girls as a grown man," he said. Gov. John Kasich Ohio Gov. John Kasich said on Twitter that hes long opposed Moore and called on him to step aside from the race as well. Ive long opposed Roy Moore [and] his divisive viewpoints. The actions described make him unfit for office. The GOP must not support him. He should step aside, Kasich said. Former Gov. Mitt Romney Mitt Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, slammed Moore on Twitter. Innocent until proven guilty is for criminal convictions, not elections. I believe Leigh Corfman, the former governor said. Her account is too serous to ignore. Moore is unfit for office and should step aside. "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," Romney said in another tweet on Dec. 4. Former Gov. Jeb Bush Former Republican presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said Moore should step down in light of the allegations. "This is not a question of innocence or guilt like in a criminal proceeding; this is a question of whats right and whats wrong. Acknowledging that youre dating teenagers when youre 32 years old as assistant state attorney is wrong. Its just plain wrong," he told CNBC, adding that he agreed with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who said earlier Monday that Moore should "step aside." "We need to stand for basic principles, and decency has to be one of those," Bush added. "In the really poisonous political environment we have right now, one of the rules I think has to apply is that when you attack somebody on the other party, and the other team for doing something wrong, when it happens on your team, you have an obligation I think to speak out as well." Ivanka Trump The president's daughter had some harsh words for Moore. "There's a special place in hell for people who prey on children. I've yet to see a valid explanation, and I have no reason to doubt the victims' accounts," Ivanka Trump told the Associated Press. Condoleezza Rice While she didnt name Moore, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice who is from Alabama encouraged voters to take a stand for our core principles and for what is right. These critical times require us to come together to reject bigotry, sexism and intolerance, Rice said in a statement to AL.com. "It is imperative for Americans to remain focused on our priorities and not give way to side shows and antics. I know that Alabamans need an independent voice in Washington. But we must also insist that our representatives are dignified, decent, and respectful of the values we hold dear, she said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Senate Republicans advanced their tax reform plan in a key committee vote Tuesday, as President Trump confidently predicted passage -- after visiting Capitol Hill in a bid to win support from GOP holdouts. "I think we're going to get it passed," Trump told reporters. The Senate Budget Committee moments earlier voted 12-11 to advance the plan to the full Senate, paving the way for a possible floor vote later this week. "The momentum driving our shared priorities of job growth, economic competiveness, and fiscal responsibility through tax reform is undeniable," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement Tuesday. Earlier in the day, Trump joined fellow Republicans at their weekly Senate luncheon to talk taxes. He described the meeting as "phenomenal" and "somewhat of a lovefest." Trump needs nearly all 52 of them to help pass the reform legislation with a simple, 51-vote majority. However, a handful of GOP senators still appeared undecided, including Susan Collins of Maine, Bob Corker of Tennessee, Jeff Flake and John McCain of Arizona, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Rand Paul of Kentucky and most recently Steve Daines of Montana. But both Corker and Johnson backed the legislation in the committee vote Tuesday. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell didnt talk about what was discussed in the Trump meeting but addressed the effort to round up votes. Its a challenging exercise. Think of sitting there with a Rubiks Cube and trying to get 50 votes, the Kentucky Republican said. Several sticking points have emerged since the Senate began working on its version in early fall -- the latest being whether small businesses will get their fair share of tax relief. Senators such as Johnson and Daines want lower taxes for the small businesses including so-called pass-through entities -- companies whose profits go to the owners, who report the income on individual tax returns. We need to take care of Main Street businesses, Daines said. Smaller states tend to have more Main Street businesses. However, fiscal hawks like Corker and Flake are raising concerns about whether more cuts -- and miscalculations about already proposed cuts -- will add to the federal deficit and debt. One analysis projects the entire GOP plan will increase the federal deficit by $1.4 trillion over the next 10 years. Corker and others want the GOP plan to include a trigger or backstop that could revamp or reverse tax cuts if they don't spur the projected economic growth or if they increase the deficit beyond projections. Were working on that right now, Corker said Tuesday morning on Fox News Fox & Friends. Hopefully, its going to be successful. Collins, Corker, Daines and Johnson on Monday talked with Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin. Earlier concerns among GOP senators included whether the corporate tax rate will drop from 35 percent to 20 percent and if middle-class Americans would still get to deduct their state and local taxes. The House earlier this fall passed its tax reform bill. If the Senate passes its version, GOP lawmakers from the respective chambers would meet to negotiate a compromise plan, which Trump would sign for his first major legislative victory since taking office in late January. No Democrats thus far support the GOP tax plan. Trump also had been scheduled on Tuesday to hold a White House meeting with the top bipartisan congressional leaders, covering negotiations over a temporary spending bill and other issues. However, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer pulled out after Trump tweeted that there might not be a deal with them. Meeting with Chuck and Nancy today about keeping government open and working, Trump tweeted Tuesday. Problem is they want illegal immigrants flooding into our Country unchecked, are weak on Crime and want to substantially RAISE Taxes. I dont see a deal! Some Democrats want the budget measure to include legislative protections for young illegal immigrants known as "Dreamers," amid opposition to the idea from conservative Republicans. Trump hasn't engaged much with Pelosi and Schumer since a September meeting that produced an agreement on a short-term increase in the government's so-called debt limit and a temporary spending bill that is now keeping the government running. McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., were still attending the White House meeting with Trump. I have never refused to go to a bipartisan meeting that a president has called, McConnell said after Trump left Capitol Hill. Schumer and Pelosi issued a joint statement saying they will try to negotiate the spending bill and other end-of-the-year issues alone with GOP congressional leaders. Fox News' Chad Pergram and The Associated Press contributed to this report. A female aide on Capitol Hill was paid nearly $50,000 in a taxpayer-funded settlement in 2015 after complaining about the drinking and office environment of a Democratic member of Congress, according to a new report. The Washington Times reported this week that an unnamed former congressional aide threatened a lawsuit against Arizona Rep. Raul Grijalva two years ago by accusing him of being frequently drunk and fostering a hostile work environment. The House Employment Counsel negotiated a $48,395 severance the equivalent of five months additional salary for the aide, the report said. The accuser, who worked for Grijalva for three months, dropped her complaint after the settlement, the newspaper said. In a statement on Tuesday, Grijalva acknowledged a settlement had been paid to a former employee but did not discuss the details of what led to it. The fact is that an employee and I, working with the House Employment Counsel, mutually agreed on terms for a severance package, including an agreement that neither of us would talk about it publicly," Grijalva said. "The terms were consistent with House Ethics Committee guidance." Grijalva, the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, said the severance funds came out of his "committee operating budget." "Every step of the process was handled ethically and appropriately," he said. But critics say the Grijalva payout is another example of lawmakers being able to deal with complaints lodged against them by aides through secret settlements. It seems like all of these House bodies are designed to help cover for members of Congress, Melanie Sloan, the former leader of the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington organization, told the outlet. A large part of the problem is that each member of Congress can treat their staff as their own fiefdom and also know that it will remain silent. CONGRESS HAS PAID NEARLY $1 MILLION IN SETTLEMENTS AFTER WORKPLACE COMPLAINTS THIS YEAR The revelation of the payout comes as the Office of Compliance in Congress released numbers this month indicating the government has paid more than $17 million in settlements to congressional employees on Capitol Hill since 1997. A large part of the problem is that each member of Congress can treat their staff as their own fiefdom and also know that it will remain silent. Melanie Sloan, former leader of the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington These settlements were in response to claims of sexual harassment, overtime pay disputes and other workplace violations filed by employees of Congress. But Grijalva said his aide's severance payout was not related to any sexual harrassment allegations. The severance did not involve the Office of Compliance and at no time was any allegation of sexual harassment made, and no sexual harassment occurred, he told the Washington Times. President Trump on Tuesday vowed to take care of it after North Korea fired its highest-ever intercontinental ballistic missile. A missile was launched a little while ago from North Korea, the president told reporters at the White House, alongside the Republican leaders in Congress. I will only tell you that we will take care of it. The president said he had a long discussion with Defense Secretary James Mattis, who also joined him for the press statement, on the threat and said it is a situation that we will handle. We have a very serious approach. We take it very seriously, Trump said. Later Tuesday night, the president pointed to the missile launch as support for avoiding a potential government shutdown. "After North Korea missile launch, it's more important than ever to fund our gov't & military," Trump tweeted. "Dems shouldn't hold troop funding hostage for amnesty & illegal immigration. I ran on stopping illegal immigration and won big. They can't now threaten a shutdown to get their demands." Tuesdays missile launch is the first since the country fired an intermediate range missile in September. The latest missile flew 1,000 miles higher than during the first intercontinental ballistic missile launch in July. North Korea has now test-launched three intercontinental ballistic missiles in its history. It went higher, frankly, than any previous shot they've taken, Mattis told reporters in the Roosevelt Room. Mattis said that in response, the South Koreans have fired some pinpoint missiles out into the water to make certain North Korea understands that they could be taken under fire. The missile was launched from Sain Ni in North Korea and flew roughly 620 miles before landing in the Sea of Japan. The U.S. Department of Defense detected and tracked a single North Korea missile launch today at about 1:17 p.m. EDT, Pentagon spokesman Col. Robert Manning said in a statement. Initial assessment indicates that this missile was an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). NORTH KOREA FIRES ICBM INTO JAPANESE WATERS South Korea's Yonhap News Agency, which first reported the launch, said the missile launch happened around 3 a.m. in North Korea. South Koreas military had reportedly staged a precision strike missile exercise in response. North Korea has been working hard to perfect re-entry technology to one day have a warhead be able to survive re-entry into Earths atmosphere. Fox News Lucas Tomlinson, Katherine Lam and Nicole Darrah contributed to this report. President Trump is known for giving his political opponents and critics nicknames, especially on social media. Read on for a list of Trump's most iconic nicknames. Wacky Omarosa Omarosa Manigault-Newman lasted one year in the White House, and her departure has been anything from cordial. In particular, Manigault-Newman has been under fire from the Trump administration for secretly recording the chief of staff John Kelly in the Situation Room, raising national security concerns. She's since released some of the tapes. Trump, in a series of tweets, called Manigault-Newman "wacky" and a "lowlife." "Wacky Omarosa, who got fired 3 times on the Apprentice, now got fired for the last time. She never made it, never will. She begged me for a job, tears in her eyes, I said OK," Trump said. "People in the White House hated her. She was vicious, but not smart. I would rarely see her but heard really bad things." "Nasty to people & would constantly miss meetings & work. When Gen. Kelly came on board he told me she was a loser & nothing but problems. I told him to try working it out, if possible, because she only said great things about me - until she got fired!" Trump said. "While I know it's 'not presidential' to take on a lowlife like Omarosa, and while I would rather not be doing so, this is a modern day form of communication and I know the Fake News Media will be working overtime to make even Wacky Omarosa look legitimate as possible. Sorry!" he continued. Slippery James Comey Trump dubbed former FBI Director James Comey the "worst" in history while blasting his new tell-all book, "A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies and Leadership." In a series of tweets, Trump also nicknamed the former FBI chief "Slippery James Comey." Slippery James Comey, a man who always ends up badly and out of whack (he is not smart!), will go down as the WORST FBI Director in history, by far! Trump tweeted. Trump fired Comey in May 2017, citing the ex-director's handling of the FBIs investigation into Hillary Clintons email practices. Trump also called Comey a slimeball and suggested the former FBI director deserved jail time for mishandling the Clinton email probe. Animal Assad In the aftermath of a suspected chemical attack in Syria, Trump blasted Syrian President Bashar Assad and warned that those responsible would pay a big price. Trump also nicknamed the Syrian president Animal Assad. Many dead, including women and children, in mindless CHEMICAL attack in Syria. Area of atrocity is in lockdown and encircled by Syrian Army, making it completely inaccessible to outside world, Trump alleged in a tweet. President Putin, Russia and Iran are responsible for backing Animal Assad. Big price to pay. Open area immediately for medical help and verification. Another humanitarian disaster for no reason whatsoever. SICK! Trump also blamed former President Barack Obamas foreign policy decisions for Animal Assad. And in a later tweet, Trump warned Russia against shooting down any missiles the U.S. would fire at Syria in retaliation for the purported attack, saying the country shouldnt be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it! Little Rocket Man Trump has never really had kind things to say about North Korea leader Kim Jong Un referring to him on Twitter as a maniac a whack job" and "rocket man" which is a President Trump original," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told Fox News. Trump tried out the "rocket man" nickname at the 2017 United Nations General Assembly. He's also tried out the moniker on Twitter. "The Chinese Envoy, who just returned from North Korea, seems to have had no impact on Little Rocket Man. Hard to believe his people, and the military, put up with living in such horrible conditions. Russia and China condemned the launch," he tweeted. In addition, Trump has called the North Korean leader a "sick puppy." Lamb the Sham Ahead of a tight special House election in Pennsylvania, Trump visited the Keystone state to stump for Republican Rick Saccone and hit Democrat Conor Lamb. Trump accused Lamb of saying nice things in order to get elected in Trump country, but promised those at a rally that the Democrat is not going to vote for us if elected. And the president dubbed the 33-year-old Marine Lamb the Sham. Lamb the Sham. Lamb the Sham. He is trying to act like a Republican. He won't give me one vote, Trump said. Trump also said he is better looking than Lamb. Sloppy Steve Steve Bannon used to be in the presidents good graces, but the pair has had a very public falling out. Bannon, the former White House chief strategist and ex-Breitbart executive, was quoted in a blistering tell-all book, painting the presidents son in a negative light. Trump heavily rebuked Bannon in a public statement, saying Bannon lost his mind after he was fired from the White House. Steve was rarely in a one-on-one meeting with me and only pretends to have had influence to fool a few people with no access and no clue, whom he helped write phony books, Trump said. Ahead of the release of the controversial book by Michael Wolff, Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, Trump slammed both the author and Bannon on social media giving Bannon his nickname. Look at this guys past and watch what happens to him and Sloppy Steve, Trump warned. Trump reiterated the Sloppy Steve nickname in other tweets, including one which he praised the Mercer family wealthy conservative mega-donors for having dropped the leaker known as Sloppy Steve Bannon. Pocahontas The president reused one of his favorite nicknames for Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., while he honored Navajo code talkers at the White House in November. At the event held to honor the Native Americans who used their native language during World Wars I and II to help the U.S. Trump mocked Warren as Pocahontas. Trump has often criticized Warren, specifically over her claim to be of Native American heritage. Shes got about as much Indian blood as I have. Her whole life was based on a fraud, Trump told The New York Times in May 2016. Warrens potential Native American heritage was first questioned during her 2012 Senate run. Trump also calls Warren goofy. Dicky Durbin Trump made waves when he referred to Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., as Dicky Durbin online. 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, said Trump in a tweet. Durbin was part of a group of lawmakers who visited Trump at the White House in January to discuss immigration reform. After reports surfaced that Trump referred to certain nations as s---hole countries at the bilateral meeting, Durbin accused the president of saying things that were hate-filled, vile and racist. Trump has admitted to using tough language at the meeting but denied certain remarks attributed to him. Sneaky Dianne Feinstein A transcript of a Fusion GPS official's August interview with the Senate Judiciary Committee was unilaterally released by the committees ranking member, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. The release of the bombshell interview drew ire from some Republicans, including the president and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa. In a tweet following the release, Trump blasted the 84-year-old senator and called her Sneaky Dianne Feinstein. The fact that Sneaky Dianne Feinstein, who has on numerous occasions stated that collusion between Trump/Russia has not been found, would release testimony in such an underhanded and possibly illegal way, totally without authorization, is a disgrace, Trump tweeted. Must have tough Primary! Jeff Flakey Like Trump and Sen. Bob Corker, Trump and Republican Sen. Jeff Flake have been feuding for quite some time. In announcing his retirement from the Senate, Flake slammed both the Republican Party and Trump. Flake was also caught on a hot mic saying if the GOP becomes the party of Roy Moore and Donald Trump, were toast. That comment gave Trump the opportunity to dub the Arizona senator Jeff Flakey. Sen. Jeff Flake(y), who is unelectable in the Great State of Arizona (quit race, anemic polls) was caught (purposely) on mike saying bad things about your favorite President. Hell be a NO on tax cuts because his political career anyway is toast, Trump tweeted. Al 'Frankenstien' After Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., was accused of kissing and groping Los Angeles radio host Leeann Tweeden during a USO tour in 2006, Trump blasted the lawmaker on Twitter. "The Al Frankenstien picture is really bad, speaks a thousand words. Where do his hands go in pictures 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 while she sleeps?" Trump wrote, including an apparent misspelling of "Frankenstein." "And to think that just last week he was lecturing anyone who would listen about sexual harassment and respect for women. Lesley Stahl tape?" Liddle' Bob Corker The feud between Trump and Sen. Bob Corker has been going on for some time, but the Tennessee senator finally got a nickname. The Failing [New York Times] set Liddle Bob Corker up by recording his conversation. Was made to sound a fool, and thats what I am dealing with! Trump tweeted on Oct. 10. Corker slammed Trump in an interview with the newspaper and said the president is so reckless that he might be on the path to World War III. A transcript from the interview revealed that Corker acknowledged the conversation was on the record. Wacky Congresswoman Wilson Trump and Rep. Frederica Wilson, D-Fla., became locked in a public feud involving a Gold Star family earning the Florida congresswoman her nickname. The Fake News is going crazy with wacky Congresswoman Wilson (D), who was SECRETELY on a very personal call, and gave a total lie on content! Trump tweeted. Wilson accused Trump of making insensitive remarks to the pregnant widow of one of the four American soldiers killed during an attack in Niger. The White House, including chief of staff John Kelly, has ardently defended the presidents comments. Jerry Moonbeam Brown Trump hasn't seen eye-to-eye with California Gov. Jerry Brown, a Democrat, throughout much of his time in office but the president was especially critical after Brown pardoned 56 convicted felons, including five ex-convicts facing deportation. Trump blasted the pardoning on Twitter, calling the governor Jerry Moonbeam Brown. Is this really what the great people of California want? Trump said. Trump cant take full credit for Browns nickname. The Moonbeam moniker was given to the governor first in the 1970s by a columnist who said Brown was garnering the "moonbeam vote," or the younger, more idealistic voters in his gubernatorial campaign, according to The New York Times. The nickname continued as Brown pressed for California's space programs. Crazy Joe Biden It all started when former Vice President Joe Biden addressed an anti-sexual assault rally in Florida and cited lewd comments Trump made about women in the infamous Access Hollywood tape more than a decade ago. Biden, who has crusaded against sexual assault and harassment, said, If we were in high school, Id take him behind the gym and beat the hell out of him. A few days later, Trump lashed out on Twitter, nicknaming the former senator Crazy Joe Biden. Crazy Joe Biden is trying to act like a tough guy. Actually, he is weak, both mentally and physically, and yet he threatens me, for the second time, with physical assault, Trump said on March 22. He doesnt know me, but he would go down fast and hard, crying all the way. Dont threaten people Joe! In the past, Trump has referred to Biden on social media as our not very bright vice president. Little Adam Schiff Trump accused Rep. Adam Schiff of leaking confidential information from closed committee hearings and called for him to be stopped. The president also referred to the Democrat from California as Little Adam Schiff. Little Adam Schiff, who is desperate to run for higher office, is one of the biggest liars and leakers in Washington, Trump said in a tweet, comparing him to former FBI Director James Comey, former National Intelligence Director James Clapper and former CIA Director John Brennan. Adam leaves closed committee hearings to illegally leak confidential information. Must be stopped! Schiff is the ranking minority member on the House Intelligence Committee which released a controversial memo that detailed alleged improper surveillance techniques used in the Russia investigation. Schiff was critical of the memos public release supported by Republicans calling it misleading and undermining of the probe. Crooked Hillary Throughout the presidential campaign, Trump would often hit his opponent, Hillary Clinton, with criticisms on social media. Trump gave her the nickname Crooked Hillary, usually when he mentioned her use of a private email server during her tenure as secretary of state. The first time Trump tweeted about Crooked Hillary was in April 2016. Sometimes Trump switched it up and would call the former first lady Lyin Hillary. Wild Bill Clinton While criticizing former FBI Director James Comey's memoir, Trump referenced the now-infamous meeting between former President Bill Clinton and Loretta Lynch on a Phoenix airport tarmac in June 2016. The meeting was questioned because the then-attorney general was leading the investigation into Hillary Clintons email scandal. Comey throws AG Lynch under the bus! Why cant we all find out what happened on the tarmac in the back of the plane with Wild Bill and Lynch? Trump said. Was she promised a Supreme Court seat, or AG, in order to lay off Hillary. No golf and grandkids talk (give us all a break)! Lynch has said she and Clinton discussed only innocuous things on the tarmac but acknowledged that her speaking to the former president raised concerns in peoples minds about whether or not there was going to be any impact on the email investigation. Cheatin Obama Trump praised his own approval ratings on social media while taking a jab at former President Barack Obama. The president said the honest polling of Rasmussen shows his approval rating at 50 percent, which is higher than Cheatin Obama at the same time in his Administration. The April 2 Rasmussen poll showed 50 percent of likely U.S. voters approved of Trump. However, 49 percent disapproved. Little Marco The rhetoric among the Republican presidential contenders hit a different kind of low as Florida Sen. Marco Rubio went after Trump for having small hands and Trump started to call the senator Little Marco. The two also discussed the size of Trumps hands and other things during a GOP debate in March 2016. Trump first tweeted the Little Marco nickname in February 2016. Lyin Ted Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Trump didnt start out as enemies during the 2016 campaign, but the two Republican contenders were soon at each others throats. Trump dubbed Cruz Lyin Ted when he went after him for his immigration policies in a campaign ad in March 2016. Low Energy Jeb Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush also got a Trump nickname when he was a 2016 Republican presidential contender Low energy Jeb Bush. Despite the exclamation point in Bushs campaign logo, Trump started to use the nickname to criticize his opponent during the campaign. Trump told Business Insider that there wasnt a backstory to the nickname, he just seemed like a low energy person to Trump. 1 for 38 When Ohio Gov. John Kasich attempted to team up with Cruz during the Republican primary to deny Trump the partys nomination, Trump took to Twitter to dole out a new nickname. And Kasich became 1 for 38. Trump assigned Kasich the name because he won only one state in the primary and lost the others, Trump said in a statement in August 2016. Eventually Kasich would also be referred to as 1 for 42 by the eventual president. Crazy Bernie Sen. Bernie Sanders, the white-haired Independent socialist who became a progressive icon during the 2016 election, earned himself the nickname Crazy Bernie from Trump. Trump first tweeted about Crazy Bernie in May 2016 when he criticized Crooked Hillary for looking very bad against Sanders. Crying Chuck After Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, N.Y., criticized Trump for firing F.B.I. Director James Comey, Trump hit him right back with an original nickname. Cryin Chuck Schumer stated recently, I do not have confidence in him (James Comey) any longer. Then acts so indignant, he tweeted on May 9, 2017. Schumer shed some tears when he discussed Trumps immigration ban earlier in 2017. But Schumer wasnt crying after Trump agreed to the Democrats short-term debt-limit increase and Hurricane Harvey aid. Crazy Jim Acosta Trump had a surprising tweet of gratitude Tuesday morning for CNNs White House correspondent, Jim Acosta while also bestowing a nickname on his media adversary. Even Crazy Jim Acosta of Fake News CNN agrees: Trump World and WH sources dancing in end zone: Trump wins againSchumer and Dems cavedgambled and lost. Thank you for your honesty Jim! Trump tweeted. Trumps tweet referenced Acostas earlier social media post. The president and his administration has often slammed Acosta and CNN for coverage they deem unfair or fake news. Trump has also kicked Acosta out of the Oval Office. Sleepy Eyes Trump has thought NBC reporter Chuck Todd has looked sleepy long before the election or campaign. He first dubbed Todd sleepy in a 2001 tweet, but upgraded his nickname to Sleepy Eyes by 2012. And in 2018, at a campaign rally for a Republican congressional candidate, Trump slammed the NBC anchor as a son of a b-----. Trump mentioned a 1999 "Meet the Press" appearance when he discussed North Korea. Its 1999, Im on 'Meet the Press,' a show now headed by sleepy-eyes Chuck Todd, Trump said. Hes a sleeping son of a b----, Ill tell you. Dumb as a Rock Mika From writer Toure to National Review, Trump has called many things dumb as a rock. But Mika Brzezinski, co-host of MSNBCs Morning Joe earned the nickname in July after she and Joe Scarborough criticized the president. Crazy Joe Scarborough and dumb as a rock Mika are not bad people, but their low rated show is dominated by their NBC bosses, he tweeted. Too bad! His attack on the news anchor continued, as he called her low I.Q. Crazy Mika and said she was bleeding badly from a face-lift when she came to Mar-a-Lago around New Years Eve. Psycho Joe In a Twitter rant about his dislike of MSNBCs Morning Joe program, Trump dubbed host Joe Scarborough Psycho Joe. Crazy Megyn Trumps comments about then-Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly were often criticized and deemed misogynistic by critics. During their feud, Trump took to calling Kelly Crazy Megyn. Little Jeff Zucker Trump criticized CNN in an April tweet and called its president Little Jeff Zucker. Check out the fact that you cant get a job at ratings challenged [CNN] unless you state that you are totally anti-Trump, the president alleged on social media. Little Jeff Zucker, whose job is in jeopardy, is not having much fun lately. They should clean up and strengthen CNN and get back to honest reporting. Fox News' Matt Richardson and The Associated Press contributed to this report. The White House on Tuesday shot back at the top congressional Democrats -- Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Nancy Pelosi -- for pulling out of a White House meeting with President Trump, saying the president wants them to put aside their pettiness and get to work. Schumer, the Senate minority leader, and Pelosi, the House minority leader, cancelled their meeting with Trump and top congressional Republicans after the president hinted that any attempt to reach a bipartisan deal to avoid a government shutdown would be thwarted by Democrats desire to include immigration reform and tax increases. Its disappointing that Senator Schumer and Leader Pelosi are refusing to come to the table and discuss urgent issues, said White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders. The presidents invitation to the Democrat leaders still stands and he encourages them to put aside their pettiness, stop the political grandstanding, show up and get to work. These issues are too important. The White House response followed a joint statement from Schumer and Pelosi after Trumps tweet, in which they said theyd rather negotiate alone with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan. Given that the president doesnt see a deal between Democrats and the White House, we believe the best path forward is to continue negotiating with our Republican counterparts in Congress instead, Schumer, of New York, and Pelosi, of California, said in the statement. Minutes later, Schumer suggested on the Senate floor that Trump had decided before the meeting that no bipartisan deal could be reached. If the president, who already earlier this year said Our county needs a good shutdown isnt interested in addressing the end-of-the-year agenda, well work with those who are interested in funding the government, he also said. McConnell, of Kentucky, and Ryan, of Wisconsin, said in a joint statement that they would still attend the meeting. "We have important work to do, and Democratic leaders have continually found new excuses not to meet with the administration to discuss these issues, they said in the statement. There is a meeting at the White House this afternoon, and if Democrats want to reach an agreement, they will be there." McConnell also tweeted: "I look forward to discussing with @POTUS this afternoon our shared goals as we continue collaborating to pass legislation, including #TaxReform, and send it to his desk for signature. Congress has until Dec. 8 to pass stopgap legislation to keep the government open, and Tuesday's protest from Pelosi and Schumer points to new problems ahead. Meeting with 'Chuck and Nancy' today about keeping government open and working. Problem is they want illegal immigrants flooding into our Country unchecked, are weak on Crime and want to substantially RAISE Taxes. I dont see a deal! Trump said in the tweet that started the standoff. Schumer and Pelosi also said in the statement: Rather than going to the White House for a show meeting that wont result in an agreement, weve asked Leader McConnell and Speaker Ryan to meet this afternoon." Trump hasn't engaged much with Pelosi and Schumer since a September meeting that produced an agreement on a short-term increase in the government's so-called debt limit and a temporary spending bill that is now keeping the government running. Trump reveled in the bipartisan deal for a time and generated excitement among Democrats when he told then he would sign legislation to protect from deportation immigrants who were brought to the country illegally as children. Trump in September reversed an executive order by former President Barack Obama that gave protections to the so-called Dreamers, many of whom have little or no connection to their home country. Shortly afterward, he told Pelosi and Schumer he would sign legislation protecting those immigrants, provided Democrats made concessions of their own on border security. "Hopefully, we can make progress on an agreement that covers those time-sensitive issues and keeps the government running and working for the American people," Schumer said before Trumps tweet. His and Pelosis statement also said: We look forward to continuing to work in good faith, as we have been for the last month, with our Republican colleagues in Congress to do just that. The Associated Press contributed to this report. At the bottom of the world, in a frigid Antarctic desert, sits a weird pond only a few inches deep that is so salty, it stays liquid even at temperatures of minus 58 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 50 degrees Celsius). The source of the pond's unusually heavy and pure load of salt has been a geochemical mystery since it was discovered during a 1961 expedition. Scientists had generally assumed that Don Juan Pond a play on the names of the expedition's helicopter pilots was fed by deep groundwater, but a widely publicized 2013 paper suggested the salts came from a shallower source. In the new study, published Sept. 15 in the journal Earth and Planetary Science Letters, researchers used computer models of the pond's chemistry to dispute that finding. Because the area is one of the closest terrestrial analogues to Mars, understanding how water flows through the pond and the surrounding area could help scientists understand the behavior of similar features on the Red Planet. [The 7 Most Mars-Like Places on Earth] The salt in Don Juan Pond isn't the same as the stuff that gets sprinkled on food. Instead, it is 95 percent calcium chloride, which significantly lowers the freezing point of water, helping the pond stay liquid even into the bitter Antarctic winter. It's rare for nature to produce a water solution so pure, said study co-author Jonathan Toner, a geochemist at the University of Washington. From a chemistry perspective, "it's kind of like walking into the room and seeing a pink elephant," he told Live Science. All that salt makes the water denser and more viscous than the water that pours from taps or laps up on beaches, giving it the consistency of a thin syrup, Toner said. The pond is so salty (about 40 percent by weight) because of a combination of two factors: the high evaporation rate in the extremely dry environment of the McMurdo Dry Valleys, where it is located, and the ability of calcium chloride to form much more concentrated solutions than plain table salt (sodium chloride). But where that salt comes from and why the pond is so chemically pure have been long-standing mysteries. And they're difficult to answer because the pond was designated a protected area to prevent any contamination so there are restrictions on sampling and studying the area. The 2013 study used time-lapse photography to monitor the flow of water around the pond. The authors concluded that calcium chloride in the surrounding soil was sucking up water from the atmosphere whenever the humidity peaked a process called deliquescence. That water was visible as streaks of darkened earth on the slopes near the pond. The authors think that periodic snowmelt then washed the salts into the pond. [Photographic Proof of Climate Change: Time-Lapse Images of Retreating Glaciers] "But we totally disagreed" with the study authors' conclusions, Toner said. "I think they really didn't consider the past evidence for a deep groundwater source." He and his colleagues compared the two possible sources of the salt deep groundwater and the process described in the 2013 paper with a chemistry model that compared the makeup of the pond water with what would be expected to evolve through evaporation from those two different sources. They found that the deep groundwater source "matches it exactly, to uncanny accuracy, while the shallower source "is just nowhere near" it, Toner said. The study still leaves open the question of where the deep groundwater ultimately comes from. Toner and his colleagues think salty water percolates down through the frozen soils and interacts with surrounding minerals in a way that produces purified plumes of calcium chloride (which they have detected by drilling into the soil), Toner said. But this process happens much more slowly than the 2013 study proposed, from thousands to tens of thousands of years. Jay Dickson, one of the authors of the 2013 paper and a planetary scientist at Caltech, doesn't think the new study refutes his own because it doesn't address the question of the ultimate source of the salt. He thinks the processes described in each paper may be connected, though Toner disagrees. The new study also shows that the pond is being continuously flushed out, Toner said, suggesting it is connected to an extensive groundwater system that is also feeding another lake in the valley that is rich in calcium chloride, though not as pure. He also thinks the surface streaks of water could be another manifestation of the groundwater system. [See Photos of Antarctica's Subglacial Lake Whillans] Understanding that system, as well as the surface streaks of water sucked up by the salty soils, could help reveal more about similar features on the surface of Mars. It is virtually impossible, though, for Mars to have an extensive groundwater system because it simply gets too cold, Dickson said. "If they're right that it's a deep groundwater source [then] that is not happening on Mars today, he told Live Science. Toner will be part of a team that will explore and sample the area around Don Juan Pond in December to find more evidence for the source of the salts and the potential connections to a larger groundwater system. Original article on Live Science. Mars' magnetic field stands apart in the solar system because it gets twisted by interactions with solar particles, a NASA spacecraft discovered. What's more, the Red Planet also could have lost its atmosphere through the same process. Mars today has a thin carbon dioxide atmosphere, and the pressure on the surface is too low for water to flow. But the planet's environment was different in the ancient past: Rovers and spacecraft have seen extensive evidence of rivers, ancient stream beds and possible oceans. While researchers are still trying to understand why Mars lost its atmosphere, a leading theory is that particles streaming from the sun pushed the lighter molecules out from the atmosphere during the Red Planet's 4.5-billion-year-old history. That's what NASA's MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution) spacecraft has been tracking since it began its primary science mission in November 2014. This week, scientists announced MAVEN found a twisted magnetic tail trailing behind Mars. [How NASA's MAVEN Mars Orbiter Works (Infographic)] "We found that Mars' magnetic tail, or magnetotail, is unique in the solar system," Gina DiBraccio, a research astrophysicist at NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, said in a statement. "Its not like the magnetotail found at Venus, a planet with no magnetic field of its own, nor is it like Earth's, which is surrounded by its own internally generated magnetic field. Instead, it is a hybrid between the two," added DiBraccio, who is also a project scientist for MAVEN. Unlike Earth, Mars does not have a global magnetic field. Instead, the Red Planet has "fossil" magnetic fields in certain regions of its surface, which are left behind from the global magnetic field Mars lost billions of years ago. MAVEN's measurements suggest that Mars' magnetotail occurs due to interactions with magnetic fields in the solar wind, which is the constant stream of particles emanating from the sun. If the magnetic field in the solar wind is opposite to the magnetic field in a Martian region, the two fields join in a process called magnetic reconnection and create the Martian magnetotail. The process would also twist the tail, NASA officials stated. The connecting fields could also hurl some electrically charged particles (or ions) from Mars' upper atmosphere into empty space. Since ions flow along magnetic field lines, the magnetotail provides a pathway for them to flow out of the atmosphere. The process of magnetic reconnection also releases energy, which could give the Martian atmospheric ions a boost into space. This process is just one example of the complexity of the Red Planet's magnetic fields. MAVEN has spent its mission tracking the changes in the field, which includes the spacecraft changing its orientation with respect to the sun. The spacecraft's different positions in space provide a more complete map of the magnetotail and how it changes after interactions with the solar wind. "Our model predicted that magnetic reconnection will cause the Martian magnetotail to twist 45 degrees from whats expected based on the direction of the magnetic field carried by the solar wind," DiBraccio said. "When we compared those predictions to MAVEN data on the directions of the Martian and solar wind magnetic fields, they were in very good agreement." MAVEN tracked the magnetic fields using its magnetometer instrument. The team plans to look at the data from other instruments on the spacecraft to see where escaping particles go. The aim is to confirm the escaping particles follow the connected magnetic fields, which would show that the fields contribute to the process of atmospheric loss, NASA officials said in the statement. MAVEN scientists want to know how much atmosphere is lost through magnetic reconnection, as well as how the magnetic tail changes as Mars and its surface magnetic regions rotate. "Mars is really complicated, but really interesting at the same time," said DiBraccio. DiBraccio will present the research Thursday (Oct. 19) at the annual meeting of the American Astronomical Society's Division for Planetary Sciences in Provo, Utah. Original article on Space.com. Scientific tests have offered fascinating new insight into the tomb in Jerusalems Church of the Holy Sepulchre venerated as the resting place of Jesus Christ. National Geographic reports that construction materials used on the tomb have been dated to the Roman era. The results of tests provided to the publication confirm that the remains of a limestone cave enshrined in the famous church are the remnants of a tomb found by the Romans 1,700 years ago. Experts analyzed mortar from the original limestone surface of the tomb and a marble slab that covers it, which they dated to around 345 A.D. Historical accounts indicate that the tomb, which is a limestone shelf or burial bed hewn from the wall of a cave, was discovered by the Romans and enshrined around 326 A.D., according to National Geographic. CHRIST'S TOMB UNCOVERED: THIS IS WHAT EXPERTS DISCOVERED The mortar was analyzed at two independent labs using a technique called Optically Stimulated Luminescence, which analyzes when quartz sediment was last exposed to light. The findings are significant because, up until now, the earliest architectural evidence around the cave complex dated it to the Crusader period, which would make it about 1,000 years old. Last year, researchers uncovered a stone slab and examined the interior of the tomb. The slab, which has been covered by marble cladding since at least 1555 A.D., was exposed as part of a major restoration project at the church. The original limestone rock surface, or burial bed, was found to be intact. Experts also found a broken slab marble incised with a cross resting on the rock surface. The broken slab provided a key clue to archaeologists, who now believe that it was mortared into place during the fourth-century A.D. This corresponds with the churchs construction by the Roman Emperor Constantine on a site venerated as Christs burial place by the local Christian community. Constantine demolished a Roman Temple built by the Emperor Hadrian on the site some 200 years earlier and excavated the rock beneath it to expose the loculus, or burial niche, identified as Christs tomb. CHRIST'S BURIAL SLAB UNCOVERED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN CENTURIES "Obviously that date is spot-on for whatever Constantine did," says archaeologist Martin Biddle, author of The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, told National Geographic. "That's very remarkable." The Church built by Constantine was destroyed by the Fatimid Caliphate in 1009 and rebuilt in the middle of the 11th century, according to National Geographic. The burial bed was hewn from the side of a limestone cave following Christs crucifixion, according to Christian tradition. Christs resurrection from the dead is a core tenet of Christian belief the Gospels say that the tomb was found to be empty by those who visited it a few days after the crucifixion. LOST ROMAN CITY THAT WAS HOME TO JESUS' APOSTLES FOUND, SAY ARCHAEOLOGISTS The Gospels say that Jesus was buried outside Jerusalems city walls, which was in keeping with Jewish tradition, and near Golgotha, the site of his crucifixion. Jerusalems walls were later expanded to place Golgotha and the tomb within the city. During the renovation project by the National Technical University of Athens, experts also confirmed the existence of the original limestone cave walls inside the Edicule, the early 19th-century structure within the Church of the Holy Sepulchre that houses the tomb. Chief Scientific Supervisor Antonia Moropoulou, who led the restoration, took a number of mortar samples from different parts of the Edicule. Mortar samples taken from the southern wall of the cave, for example, were dated to 335 and 1570, according to National Geographic, indicating construction work began during the Roman era and was later restored. Mortar from the tombs entrance was dated to the 11th century, corresponding with reconstruction after its destruction by the Fatimids. EXPERTS HUNT FOR BIBLICAL TABERNACLE THAT HOUSED THE ARK OF THE COVENANT Fredrik Hiebert, archaeologist-in-residence at the National Geographic Society, told Fox News that the latest findings shed important light on the famous site. "This discovery is significant for two important reasons: first, its fourth century date suggests that Christians from around the world have revered this exact site as the location of the resurrection for more than 1700 years; but just as significant, is the fact that this lower marble slab is a unique piece of intact architecture from the original church and withstood the vicissitudes of destruction and reconstruction of the shrine over many centuries," he explained, via email. Hiebert is also curator of the new exhibition, "Tomb of Christ: The Church of the Holy Sepulchre Experience," at the National Geographic Museum in Washington, D.C. Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers Several US senators are troubled with Uber's belated reporting of a 2016 data breach and demanding answers. On Monday, four Republican senators sent a letter to the ride-hailing company, asking for additional details surrounding the breach, which affected 57 million users, but was only disclosed last week. In the letter, the senatorsJohn Thune, Orrin Hatch, Jerry Moran and Bill Cassidycalled the breach a "serious incident that merits further scrutiny." Also today, Democratic Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia sent a separate letter to Uber, which said he had "grave concerns" with how the company handled the breach. Both letters pointed to media reports, which claim Uber paid the hackers behind the breach $100,000 to stay quiet and delete the stolen data. The ride-hailing company then remained silent on the matter for a whole year until its new CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, learned of the incident, and decided to make it public. "Uber's conduct raises serious questions about the company's compliance with relevant state and federal regulations," Warner said. Most states have laws that demand businesses disclose data breaches when they affect local residents. Why Uber decided to stay mum on the incident isn't clear, but its previous CEO, Travis Kalanick, was notorious for trying to buck the rules. In a statement, an Uber spokesperson said: "We have been in contact with members of Congress and the relevant committees to inform them of the situation. We are working to respond to their inquiries and address their concerns." Both letters include a list of questions, including whether the company sought to deliberately cover up the breach, if so why, and who authorized the $100,000 payment to the hackers. The FTC and UK regulators are also investigating Uber's handling of the breach. The data stolen included names, email addresses and mobile phone numbers from Uber riders. Another 600,000 Uber drivers had their driver's license numbers exposed. Uber hasn't detected any misused tied to the affected accounts, but the company has been monitoring them with extra fraud protection. It also fired the two employees who led Uber's response to the breach. This article originally appeared on PCMag.com. One of the biggest stories of 2017 has been the surge in the price of bitcoin, the cryptocurrency touted as an alternative to gold and other investments. For years, many have wondered who the mysterious Satoshi Nakamoto, the creator of bitcoin, is, to no avail. One person it's not? Elon Musk. In a tweet on Monday night, Musk denied being the creator of the cryptocurrency after a blog post by a former SpaceX intern claimed that the Tesla and SpaceX chief may be the creator of Bitcoin. NORTH KOREAN HACKERS TARGETING BITCOINS TO FUND KIM JONG UN, REPORT SAYS "Not true," Musk wrote. "A friend sent me part of a BTC [bitcoin] a few years, but I dont know where it is." The blog post noted that the source code for the cryptocurrency was written in C++, a computer programming language, a knowledge which Musk has. Musk did however acknowledge knowing C++ in a subsequent tweet. Who is the creator? For years, the identity of Satoshi Nakamoto has been speculated upon. In 2016, Australian entrepreneur Craig Wright told the BBC that he was the creator. Wright also wrote a subsequent blog post further detailing his role in creating bitcoin. "Be assured, just as you have worked, I have not been idle during these many years," Wright wrote in the post. "Since those early days, after distancing myself from the public persona that was Satoshi, I have poured every measure of myself into research. I have been silent, but I have not been absent. I have been engaged with an exceptional group and look forward to sharing our remarkable work when they are ready." The blog post has since been taken down, though others, including early bitcoin programmer Gavin Andresen, believe Wright is the creator. In 2014, Newsweek wrote a story that it had identified Nakamoto as a then 64-year-old Japanese-American named Dorian Prentice Satoshi Nakamoto. After the story ran, there was a message posted on the P2P website by a person identifying themselves as Satoshi Nakamoto claiming that he was not Dorian Nakamoto. Newsweek later issued a statement after it received hefty amounts of criticism surrounding its story, saying it stood by the reporter and the story. Bitcoin's worth According to the 2016 BBC report, Satoshi Nakamoto was estimated to have amassed one million Bitcoins (there are only 21 million in total). At today's prices, that would be roughly $10 billion in worth. There are approximately 16.4 million Bitcoins already in circulation, of which an estimated 3.7 million may be lost forever, worth an estimated $30 billion, according to a recent report in Digital Trends. Follow Chris Ciaccia on Twitter @Chris_Ciaccia This story has been updated to reflect the price of one Bitcoin has surpassed $10,000. The U.K.s election watchdog has asked Google for information related to Russias alleged meddling in Brexit. As the United Kingdom continues its probe into fake news and its impact on Brexit, tech giants like Google, Facebook and Twitter have found themselves under intense scrutiny. In response to an Oct. 19 letter requesting information about Russian interference allegations from Damian Collins, chair of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee in Parliament, Facebook said they were aware of a similar letter having been sent to Google. FACEBOOK IS USING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TO HELP PREVENT SUICIDES The tech giants U.K. policy chief Simon Milner wrote: We have also been contacted by the Electoral Commission's Head of Regulation as they carry out their work looking at possible Russian interference in the Brexit referendum. We understand that similar letters have been sent to relevant officers in Google and Twitter. According to the letter sent by Collins, Facebook is working to respond to his request, as well as the Electoral Commissions letter, by the second week of December. The committees letter, sent to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, requested examples of advertisements and pages set up by Russia-linked accounts and statistic denoting how often they were viewed by users. Collins committee also asked Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey on Nov. 3 for a list of accounts linked to the Internet Research Agency and any other Russian linked accounts that it has removed and examples of any posts from these accounts that are linked to the United Kingdom. Twitters public policy chief in the U.K., Nick Pickles, defended the beleaguered firm in his response to Collinswriting that Twitters systems catch more than 3.2 million suspicious accounts globally per week and that they have new techniques to catch about 450,000 suspicious logins per week. GOOGLE FOUND A WAY TO STOP PHONE CREEPERS It is important to note that not all automated accounts are bad, whether posting air quality sensor readings or posting details of Wikipedia edits, while not all high activity accounts are bots, Pickles wrote, adding that the company is undertaking its own investigations and would share its findings in the coming weeks. The British requests come shortly after the Independent reports that Google has already discovered through its own internal investigation that tens of thousands of dollars were spent on ads by Russian agents who aimed to spread disinformation across Googles many products, which include YouTube, as well as advertising associated with Google search, Gmail, and the companys DoubleClick ad network. The tech companies are taking heat for their role in enabling Russias political meddling on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Facebook confirmed that 150 of the Russia-linked ads from the 2016 U.S. election appeared on Instagram, the photo-sharing platform it owns. And the tech giant turned over 3,000 Russia-linked ads to Congress in October that were seen by an estimated 10 million people. Twitter, meanwhile, revealed in early November that it had shuttered 3,000 accounts linked to Moscow firm known to engage in influence campaigns overseas. Tens of thousands of travelers are still stuck on the Indonesian island of Bali after authorities extended the closure of Bali's international airport due to nearby volcanic activity. Airport officials have announced that Ngurah Rai International Airport will remain closed for another 24 hours for safety reasons, as volcanic ash from Mount Agung which has reached heights of 30,000 feet continues to pose a threat to outgoing flights. Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency, shared the news early on Tuesday morning, though he stated that the nearby Lombok International Airport, on the neighboring island of Lombok, had reopened. MORE THAN 40 POUNDS OF MARIJUANA FOUND IN LUGGAGE AT NASHVILLE AIRPORT Tourists, meanwhile, are still at a loss for what to do. "I don't know, we can't change it," German tourist Gina Camp told the Associated Press from a bench at the airport. "It's the nature and we have to wait until it's over." Balis Mount Agung has been spewing smoke and ash since Saturday, the AP reports, and lava has been welling up in the crater. A potentially dangerous mudflow known as lahar which is made up of volcanic debris mixed with water has already begun to flow down the mountain, and Indonesias National Disaster Mitigation Agency believes that its only a matter of time before lava spills over the slopes as well. Indonesias volcanology center had since issued a red alert to all airlines, warning of excessive amounts of ash in the atmosphere for miles around, Sky News reports. And on Monday morning, officials closed the Ngurah Rai International Airport (also known as Denpasar International Airport) in Bali for 24 hours. A nearby airport on the Indonesian island of Lombok had already closed as of Sunday, The Telegraph adds. Multiple airlines, too, had confirmed as of Sunday that flights out of Bali would be canceled. Garuda Indonesia, the countrys national airline, further responded to a concerned traveler via Twitter with news that Denpasar would be closed at least until 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning. Airport officials are said to be reviewing their decision every six hours, according to Buzzfeed News. As of Monday afternoon local time, at least 445 flights were canceled and 59 thousand travelers affected. An airport spokesman confirmed those numbers on Tuesday, AP reports. AIRPORT PASSENGERS BREAK OUT ACCORDION AFTER FLIGHT DELAY IS ANNOUNCED Hundreds of hopeful tourists, meanwhile, have reportedly been waiting at Ngurah Rai since Monday, according to photos taken at the airport. One stranded passenger who spoke with Sky News said that she, like other tourists, were aware of the risks involved with traveling to Bali. "Yeah I had knowledge and, like with everything, there's a risk," said Chelsea Van De Ven. "I took that risk and got stranded but, hopefully, we will get through. Another woman claimed on Twitter that she had checked out of her hotel and headed to the airport, only to return and re-check into the hotel, as there was no other way to learn when or if the airport had reopened. She says she will likely do the same thing again tomorrow. FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS The National Disaster Mitigation Agency says that the volcanos danger zone encompasses 22 villages and some 90,000-100,000 people. Authorities are trying to move them to the islands evacuation centers, which were already housing about 25,000 other evacuees who had moved in following tremors in September. Mount Agungs last major eruption occurred in 1963, and claimed the lives of around 1,100 people. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A man in California was arrested on Thanksgiving when he couldnt explain why he had a human skull in his trunk. Joshua Davis, 41, was a passenger in a car that was pulled over in Angels Camp in Northern California before midnight last Thursday after the driver ran past a stop sign, according to the Los Angeles Times. Angels Camp police reportedly recognized Davis from when he had driven the car earlier and asked him for identification, which he initially refused. Police found Davis didnt have a valid drivers license. Upon searching the car, law enforcement found methamphetamine behind the cars fuel tank door, in addition to a human skull that Fox 40 reported looked like it was recently unearthed. Police said that Davis invoked his Miranda rights and refused to explain how he came to be in possession of the human skull. The 41-year-old was reportedly arrested on charges of suspicion of violating his probation, driving with a suspended license, possessing methamphetamines and disturbing human remains. The Calaveras County Coroners Office will work to identify the human skull. A Georgia mom said she was heartbroken when no one showed up at her autistic sons 7th birthday. He kept saying his friends were just getting ready, going to get presents, thats why they were late, Amanda Bridges told Fox News, adding that her son invited everyone in his class. When Holden realized none of his classmates showed up to his party, he started crying. So his father did the first thing he could think of he flagged down a passing fire truck and asked Ware County firefighters if they could stop by the party. 'VEGAS STRONG' F-15 FIGHTER JET DEBUTS AT NEVADA AIR SHOW The firefighters ended up showing up in a fire truck, along with several EMTs, two ambulances and several police officers. They brought Holden presents, a firemans hat and a badge. He was super excited, Ware County Fire Lt. Drew Mccarthy told Fox News. His daddy said he always wanted to be a firefighter, so that made it special. Now, Holden also wants to be a police officer and EMT. They let him blow the horn, which is big for him because he doesnt like loud sounds all the time, Amanda Bridges said. 'VEGAS STRONG' F-15 FIGHTER JET DEBUTS AT NEVADA AIR SHOW She said what could have been a lonely birthday for Holden became one of his most memorable. We were all crying, it was very emotional for all of us, Amanda said. My son has always been my hero, but they are our new heroes. In a Facebook post, Amanda thanked all the emergency personnel who showed up at her sons birthday party. The post has been liked and shared thousands of times. They didnt do it for any rewards or recognition, she said, they did it out of the kindness of their hearts. The Air Force said Tuesday that in addition to failing to alert the FBI to the criminal history of the former airman who massacred 26 people at a Texas church on Nov. 5, it has discovered "several dozen" other such reporting omissions. This was the most specific acknowledgement by the Air Force that its failure to report Devin P. Kelley's criminal history was part of a pattern of reporting lapses. The several dozen cases that were not reported have since been presented to the FBI to update its database, Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek said. She had no information on the time period covered by those cases. The Air Force Inspector General is reviewing compliance with reporting requirements in 60,000 cases involving serious offenses dating to 2002. In a written statement on progress in its investigation, the Air Force blamed gaps in "training and compliance measures" for the lapse involving Kelley, who had been convicted of assaulting his then-wife and stepson in 2012. The fingerprint card and the report on the outcome of his court martial were not submitted to the FBI by Air Force personnel at Kelley's base in New Mexico. If reported, this information should have stopped him from buying weapons. Kelley was sentenced to 12 months in confinement and given a bad conduct discharge. He left the Air Force in 2014. The Air Force inspector general is undertaking an in-depth review of the service's compliance with long-standing requirements to report certain criminal history information to the FBI for inclusion in databases used to conduct background checks of gun buyers. It is part of a broader Pentagon-wide review of compliance with these requirements. Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson has previously acknowledged that Kelley's criminal history should have been reported to the FBI but was not. In its statement Tuesday, the Air Force said its review found that the reporting failure in the Kelley case was by Office of Special Investigation officials and Air Force security force personnel at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico. "The review also found the error in the Kelley case was not an isolated incident and similar reporting lapses occurred at other locations," it said. "Although policies and procedures requiring reporting were in place, training and compliance measures were lacking." In a related development, a family that lost eight relatives in the church killings filed an administrative claim with the Air Force alleging that the Air Force's failure to report Kelley's criminal history contributed to the massacre. Joe Holcombe and his wife Claryce filed the claim in the death of their 60-year-old son Bryan. Other Holcombe family members killed in the Nov. 5 shooting included Bryan Holcombe's wife, his son and his pregnant daughter-in-law. The claim could lead to a lawsuit if the Air Force denies it was at fault. Joe Holcombe said his family filed the claim because the Air Force made a "very serious mistake." The claim alleges that although Kelley pulled the trigger, "the failures of the Air Force, and others, allowed the shooter to purchase, own and/or possess the semiautomatic rifle, ammunition and body armor he used, and it is these failures that were the proximate cause" of the injuries and death. An Air Force spokeswoman, Ann Stefanek, said the Air Force does not comment on specific claims. "Every claim that is filed is thoroughly investigated and researched in accordance with established law and regulations," she said. "We will communicate progress directly with the claimant, or their representative, as appropriate." In its statement about the broader scope of the reporting issue, the Air Force said it has made changes designed to prevent such failures in the future. For example, it is now requiring that leaders up the chain of command verify that criminal history reporting requirements have been met in every case. In the Kelley case, the failure to submit the required information to the FBI was not caught by higher-ups because no such verification was required. Additional training on these procedures is being conducted now. Also, the Office of Special Investigations will require physical verification, in the form of a printout or screenshot, from the FBI's National Crime Information Center that it received and accurately entered the criminal history information in its database. Thus, the Air Force will verify that its information was received by the FBI, not just that it was sent. The Air Force is not alone is recognizing such reporting failures. The Army chief of staff, Gen. Mark Milley, said in recent days that his service failed in a "significant amount" of cases to alert the FBI to soldiers' criminal history. "It's not just an Air Force problem," Milley said. "This is a problem across all the services where we have gaps in reporting criminal activity of people in service." ___ Associated Press writer Juan Lozano contributed from Houston. A fired Florida Atlantic University professor who once said the Sandy Hook massacre was staged by the government to take away gun rights will try to convince the jury he was unlawfully dismissed from his position last year. James Tracy, a former tenured professor at the university, claims his free speech rights were violated by the school after he was fired in January 2016 for perpetuating conspiracy theories on his personal blog. The federal trial is set to begin Wednesday in West Palm Beach, and may set a precedent for future free speech cases and the rights of tenured professors in American universities, The Sun Sentinel reported. Tracys lawyer, Louis Leo IV, wrote earlier this year that the case may very well be the most important free speech case pending in the United States right now, at least with respect to the rights of tenured academics in American public universities. Professor Tracy looks forward to having his day in court and telling his side of the story, Leo said. Back in 2012, the professor wrote that the Sandy Hook massacre was staged by the U.S. government to pave a way for gun control. After the public blog posts resurfaced, the university asked Tracy to dissociate his blog, which also said other mass-casualty incidents were so-called false flag operations by the federal government, the Sentinel reported. Florida Atlantic University officials said Tracy was fired for insubordination and misconduct, including failing to submit forms required by all faculty members that disclose other activities a member has in addition to teaching at the college, according to a letter by the universitys Vice Provost Diane Alperin, The Washington Post reported. The fired professors lawyer argued that the university terminated his employment because of his views and writings in a personal capacity. They used the policy because they didn't like what the plaintiff was saying, " Tracys lawyer told a judge last year, the Sentinel reported. This policy became a vessel to trample on his constitutional rights. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A former Kansas teacher pleaded no contest to one count of unlawful sexual relations with a student during her arraignment Monday. Gabrielle Bauman, 25, of Fairview, Kan., a former biology teacher at Hiawatha High School, was arrested in August after being accused of having sexual relations with one of her students for six months, Hiawatha World Online reported. Bauman resigned from her position in July, just one year after she began teaching at the school. KANSAS SCIENCE TEACHER ACCUSED OF SEXUAL RELATIONS WITH STUDENT HEADED TO TRIAL The former educator was arrested after the Hiawatha Police Department investigated a complaint made in June about sexual interactions between a teacher and her student occurring between Nov. 2016 and May 2017, when she was an educator at the school. The complaint alleged the victim was a person 16 years or older who was a student enrolled at Hiawatha High School where the offender was employed. OFF-DUTY OFFICER SHOOTS, KILLS MAN BRANDISHING GUN AT KANSAS COSTCO Their investigation included the execution of a search warrant and forensic review of several electronic devices by the Hiawatha Police Departments Digital Forensics Unit and the Heart of America Regional Computer Forensic Lab in Kansas City, Kevin Hill, an attorney for Brown County told Hiawatha World Online. Bauman will have to register as a sex offender for 25 years due to her no contest plea, Hill said. The former educator posted $5,000 bond and was slated to appear in court for sentencing Jan. 22. A California man was arrested after causing an accident Saturday that killed four people and injured six more, police said. Fred Lowe of Sacramento was arrested on suspicion of felony vehicular manslaughter, felony hit-and-run and felony DUI, California Highway Patrol spokesman Officer Matthew Hamer told the East Bay Times . Hamer said Lowe, 47, left the crash scene at Interstate 80 in the San Francisco area's east bay and was apprehended after Contra Costa County Sheriff's deputies spotted a blue Mercedes reported to be involved in the crash. The blue Mercedes Lowe is suspected of driving collided with a white Nissan sedan Saturday night, causing the Nissan to flip over and crash into three vehicles traveling in the opposite direction. All four passengers in the Nissan died at the scene. The driver was hospitalized. Details of the arrest were not available and CHP authorities did not have information on the six people who were hospitalized. Lowe was at the Martinez Detention Facility on Sunday in lieu of $1.15 million bail. It was not immediately known if he had an attorney, and attempts by The Associated Press to reach family and associates for comment were unsuccessful. Lowe was at the Martinez Detention Facility on Sunday in lieu of $1.15 million bail. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A California skydiving instructor is being hailed as a hero after she saved a student who lost control during a free fall. The unidentified female instructor came to the rescue of the student after she started spinning during her first ever jump Sunday afternoon. With the assistance of the instructor, the students parachute was deployed at 2,500 feet and she managed to safely land inside the drop zone. According to Skydive San Diego General Manager Greg Lund, the instructors parachute deployed at only 1,500 feet. Its low. Theres not a lot of time for anything other than to get a parachute out and to land, Lund told Fox 5. The instructor suffered a broken leg and ankle during the hard landing and was airlifted to Scripps Mercy hospital Her focus was to save that students life kudos to her because thats exactly what she did, Lund added. Read more from Fox 5 San Diego. A couple whose son was among eight members of one family killed in a Texas church shooting has filed a legal claim with the U.S. Air Force, saying the military branch is partly to blame. Joe Holcombe and his wife Claryce say the Air Force's failure to report the gunman's criminal history to an FBI database used to check backgrounds of gun buyers helped cause the Nov. 5 shooting in Sutherland Springs that left more than two dozen dead. They filed the claim Tuesday in their 60-year-old son Bryan Holcombe's death. It could lead to a lawsuit if the Air Force denies it was at fault. Joe Holcombe says the Air Force made a "very serious mistake" and he doesn't want it to happen again. An Air Force spokeswoman didn't immediately reply to an email seeking comment. A former Marine who claimed victory this month in a Colorado school board election after serving more than a decade behind bars for killing a fellow Marine stepped down Monday before taking his seat. Voters in La Junta elected Thomas Seaba to a two-year term on the school board Nov. 7. He had served nearly 13 years in a North Carolina prison for second degree murder and was released in 2010. Seaba, 46, who runs the La Junta Citys water and wastewater department, was supposed to be sworn in Monday but quit instead after reading an emotional statement, KKTV reported. Seaba said he and his family has been getting threats, the station reported. At one point someone allegedly broke into his home, poured gasoline everywhere and left a threatening letter. He said his decision to quit was in the best interest of his family and the school district, according to the station. "I never thought a Friday could be so black," Seaba wrote on his Facebook page Friday. "To whomever you are: I quit. You win. Leave us alone." Seaba pleaded guilty to killing John Fitzgerald in 1997 when they were both in the Marines and stationed in the same unit at North Carolina's Camp Lejeune. There was an incident one night where myself and a friend, we had a gun, he was interested in purchasing, Seaba told KKTV after he was elected. He went to hand it back to me, it was sorta dropped. I tried to catch it, a shot was fired. From that point on I've never really had a full grasp of what occurred. I have no clear memory of what happened. The station, however, also interviewed authorities who investigated the murder and who painted a different picture. Col. Donnie Worrell, an Onslow County Sheriffs Office crime scene investigator in 1997, told the station Fitzgerald was killed after agreeing to meet Seaba, who owed him money. He said Seaba shot Fitzgerald once in the back of the head and then returned later and shot him four more times in the head. "Anyone who shoots someone five times in the head, you know, no doubt it was a cold blooded killing," Worrell said. Colorado law says anyone convicted of sexual offenses against a child is ineligible for school board seats but doesn't mention convictions for other felonies, The Associated Press reported. State law says people with felony convictions can vote after completing their sentence, including parole. "If you are a good person and something bad happened to you, or whatever, do the time, but then spend the rest of your life making it right," La Junta City Manager Rick Klein told KKTV, according to the AP. "Thomas has done that." A large fire in the storm drain of a suburban Southern California neighborhood Saturday was the latest sign of the ongoing homeless crisis rocking the West Coast. The blaze in Spring Valley, located just east of San Diego, took about three hours to put out and was started by a homeless camp living in storm drains, according to officials. The smoke was actually to the bottom of the concrete and we had to treat it like a structure fire," San Miguel Fire District spokesman Steve Moran told FOX5 San Diego. "We were afraid they are going to get entangled and trapped. It adds more risk to the job." The growing encampment has transformed the concrete space off Goodland Lakes Park into one littered with trash, which can be fuel for any fire that breaks out. Neighbors told FOX5 they've seen 8-to-10 people jump over a fence into the drainage area in the last year, camping out for days at a time. COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR MAY CLOSE PORTLAND OFFICE OVER DEATH THREATS, PUBLIC DEFECATION BY HOMELESS PEOPLE The subterranean encampment is also causing some neighbors to feel anxious for their own safety. "I do, but we got a pit bull and I got my two sons right now with me," one woman who did not wished to be identified told FOX5 when asked if she was scared for her family. Fire officials have previously responded to the area for reports for small fires. Officials suspect people are stealing copper wire, burning the insulation off and turning it in for money, according to Moran. The fire spokesman said while Spring Valley has had homeless people before, he's "never seen it like this." HOMELESS PEOPLE DEFECATING ON LA STREETS FUELS HORROR HEPATITIS OUTBREAK, AS CITY FAULTED "Its an explosion of this homeless issue, said Moran. Its like squeezing the toothpaste tube. You know you squeeze them out of downtown and then they come out into these areas." The San Diego area in particular has been dealing with a deadly side effect from the homeless crisis. The city now scrubs its sidewalks with bleach to counter defecating vagrants that unleashed a deadly hepatitis A outbreak that's spread to other cities and forced California to declare a state of emergency last month. So far, 20 people, mostly homeless. have died in the past year due to the outbreak. The rising numbers of homeless people has also forced cities and counties to spend millions - in some cases billions - in a search for solutions. The Associated Press contributed to this report. An Indiana man suspected of killing his wife and her sister died in an apparent suicide in Arkansas. Jonesboro Police Sgt. Cassie Brandon said Darrel Jackson, 29, was found dead Friday inside a car in Jonesboro with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. A handgun was recovered at the scene, the police report said. Jackson was wanted to for questioning in the deaths of his wife, Mallory Jackson, 27, and her sister Meredith Opel, 27, who were found dead Friday in an Indianapolis home, WTTV reported. INDIANA TEACHER BUSTED FOR ALLEGEDLY DOING DRUGS IN CLASSROOM Indianapolis Police Sgt. Chris Wilburn said the women were discovered with trauma to their bodies, but the causes of deaths are still unknown. Police believed the suspect murdered the two women Friday, abandoned his car and fled to Jonesboro, Ark., where his family lives. He then committed suicide, the Indianapolis Star reported. Jones reportedly sent his father a text message before committing suicide that said he could not take it no longer, the Indianapolis Star reported. Indianapolis police told WTTV that authorities were recently called to Jacksons home due to a domestic disturbance and gave a person at the residence information about how to receive a protective order. Police officers did not say whether they responded to other calls at the home. INDIANA NIGHT NURSE; WHOSE TWEET ABOUT WHITE WOMEN SPARKED INVESTIGATION NO LONGER WITH HOSPITAL Opel, a student at the University of Southern Indiana, was studying sociology and political science. "She was a free spirit, joyful, adventurous, loyal, goal oriented, and inspiring," Opels obituary said. "Meredith recently studied abroad and loved traveling to 13 different countries in Europe, taking in as much as she possibly could. Jackson, who was a licensed practical nurse employed at American Senior Communities, left behind a young daughter, Camilla Rose, her obituary said. A Libyan militant was convicted Tuesday of terrorism charges stemming from the 2012 Benghazi attacks that killed the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans. But a federal jury found him not guilty of murder, the most serious charge associated with the rampage he was accused of orchestrating. The attack became instant political fodder in the 2012 presidential campaign, with Republicans accusing the Obama administration of intentionally misleading the public and stonewalling congressional investigators, though officials denied any wrongdoing. Some were particularly critical of then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's handling of the conflict, which dogged her during her presidential campaign. But the seven-week trial of Ahmed Abu Khattala was largely free of political intrigue. Jurors convicted Khattala on four counts, including providing material support for terrorism and destroying property and placing lives in jeopardy at the U.S. compound, but acquitted him on 14 others. Even with the mixed verdict, Khattala, 46, still faces the possibility of life imprisonment for his conviction on a federal firearms charge. Prosecutors accused Khattala of directing the attack aimed at killing personnel and plundering maps, documents and other property from the U.S. mission in Benghazi. But defense attorneys said their evidence against him was shoddy. Ambassador Chris Stevens was killed in the first attack at the U.S. mission, along with Sean Patrick Smith, a State Department information management officer. Nearly eight hours later at a CIA complex nearby, two more Americans, contract security officers Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty, died in a mortar attack. "Today, a small measure of justice was meted out," CIA Director Mike Pompeo said in a message to CIA employees. Of Khattala he added: "It took intelligence to find him, soldiers to assist in capturing him, law enforcement to interview him, and a legal team to put him away. Khattala's sentencing is to follow; but no term in prison will bring our people back." Prosecutors acknowledged they lacked evidence to show Khattala personally fired any gunshots, but argued he orchestrated the violence out of his hatred for U.S. freedoms and his suspicion that Americans were operating a spy base in Benghazi. They said Khattala led a group of militia "hit men" who could be seen on surveillance footage toting weapons and a gas can the night of the attack. Their case relied heavily on the testimony of informants, including one who was paid $7 million to befriend Khattala, help the government gather information on him and arrange his capture. Defense attorneys sought to discount the informants as liars who were paid for their stories. Federal public defender Michelle Peterson said in closing arguments that prosecutors were playing to jurors' emotions to make up for shoddy evidence, including blurry surveillance video and cellphone records she described as inconclusive. Khattala is a deeply religious man who believes in conservative sharia law as outlined in the Quran, which "is not the same thing as terrorism," Peterson said. But prosecutors argued the evidence was enough to convict Khattala on all counts. "He was there to kill Americans, and that is exactly what he and his men did," Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael C. DiLorenzo told jurors. The trial, which opened Oct. 2, was one of the most significant terrorism prosecutions in recent years in a U.S. civilian court, even though the Trump administration had argued such suspects are better sent to the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The mixed verdict could revive that debate, even as newly captured terror suspects including a second man charged in the Benghazi attacks are instead brought to federal court. Supporters of the military commission system argue valuable intelligence is lost when suspected terrorists are afforded protections of the American legal system. But prosecutors said Khattala, who was interrogated at length during 13 days aboard a Navy transport ship headed to the U.S., provided information about other members of the Islamic extremist militia group blamed for the Benghazi attack. Among the men he pegged was Mustafa al-Imam, who was captured last month and awaits trial in the same federal courthouse in Washington. Jonathan Hafetz, a senior attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union who has handled terrorism cases, said the Khattala trial showed federal courts are capable of handling terror cases, even with his acquittal of murder charges. "No court system can pretend to protect due process if it only achieves the resolution the government wants in every case," he said. ___ Associated Press writer Ashraf Khalil contributed to this report ___ This story has been corrected to show that Khatalla could face up to life imprisonment because of a federal firearms charge. A 3-week-old baby suffered a fractured skull after his mother, 24, threw him at his fathers feet during a heated argument, police said. Heidy Rios, of Terrytown, La., had a tense dispute with the babys father last Thursday night, authorities said. At one point, Rios allegedly grabbed her newborn son, threw him and said, take your f****** son, The Times-Picayune reported. The father rushed the baby to a local New Orleans hospital, where doctors determined he had fractured his right temporal bone. Doctors contacted the Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office. The babys injuries arent life-threatening. Authorities said Rios initially denied throwing the newborn, saying she didnt know he was hurt. However, she later told detectives that she may have dropped the child during the dispute, the newspaper reported. Rios was arrested Friday and charged with cruelty to a juvenile. In the late afternoon on Oct. 31, Sayfullo Saipov, 29, from Uzbekistan, allegedly drove a rented truck down a path filled with pedestrians and cyclists, killing eight people and injuring at least 12 others. The incident, which occurred around 3 p.m. near the World Trade Center in lower Manhattan, has been called a cowardly act of terror by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. As more information regarding the tragic incident comes to light, heres a look at how it unfolded: 2010 Saipov moved from Uzbekistan to the United States in 2010, according to The New York Times. He first lived in Tampa, Fla., and then in Paterson, N.J., where he worked as an Uber driver. Uber confirmed to Fox News that Saipov passed the companys background check, but added that he is now banned. He had no rider complaints. Oct. 31 2 p.m. ET The suspect reportedly rented a truck from a Home Depot in Passaic, N.J. 3:05 p.m. The suspect reportedly drove the truck into a crowd of pedestrians and cyclists who were on a bike path near the West Side Highway in New York City, killing eight people and injuring at least 12. According to officials, five of the victims were Argentinian tourists. The truck then crashed into a school bus, injuring two adults and two children. After the crash, the suspect reportedly got out of his vehicle and yelled Allahu akbar, which means God is great in Arabic. He also was holding two weapons which were later determined to be a pellet gun and a paintball gun, according to officials. NYC TERROR SUSPECT SAYFULLO SAIPOV: WHO IS HE? The suspect was then shot in the abdomen by a police officer and was arrested. Officials identified the police officer as 28-year-old Ryan Nash, who has been on the force for five years. The suspect later underwent surgery for his shotgun wound. Police later found two handwritten notes, written in Arabic, that pledged loyalty to ISIS. According to William Sweeney, FBI assistant director-in-charge, there were also knives found at the scene. 4:34 p.m. Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., tweeted about the event, thanking the New York City Police Department for rapidly responding to the tragic situation downtown. 4:40 p.m. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement that President Donald Trump was briefed on the attack by White House Chief of Staff John Kelly. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected, she added. 4:57 p.m. First Lady Melania Trump tweeted about the incident. 5:23 p.m. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio held a press briefing along with Gov. Andrew Cuomo. De Blasio called it an act of terror while the governor assured it was a lone wolf attack, emphasizing that there was no evidence to suggest the attack was part of a wider plot. 5:30 p.m. Trump tweeted about the attack, saying it looks like another attack by a very sick and deranged person. He later tweeted, We must not allow ISIS to return, or enter, our country after defeating them in the Middle East and elsewhere. Enough! 5:34 p.m. The suspect is officially identified as Sayfullo Saipov, from Uzbekistan with a green card, Fox News confirmed. 6:49 p.m. Didier Reynders, the deputy prime minister of Belgium, said on Twitter that he was "deeply saddened" to learn that one of the victims who died in the attack was Belgian. 6:57 p.m. Trump expressed his condolences to all those who were impacted by the attack. 7 p.m. The annual Village Halloween Parade in Manhattan went on as scheduled despite the attack. De Blasio and Gov. Andrew Cuomo both attended to show their support. Nov. 1 10:20 a.m. Pope Francis said he was profoundly saddened by the terror attack. 11:03 a.m. In a press conference on Wednesday morning, James ONeill, the commissioner for the New York City Police Department, called the incident the worst terror attack in New York City since Sept. 11. What happened yesterday was not ok, he said. We will never accept it as inevitable-- and were working hard to get to the bottom, and working tirelessly so its not repeated. NYC TERROR ATTACK SUSPECT, SAYFULLO SAIPOV, ENTERED US THROUGH DIVERSITY VISA PROGRAM Daniel Nigro, the commissioner for the New York City Fire Department, confirmed that there were eight deaths and 12 injuries. One victim, he said, underwent a bilateral amputation following the attack. He said others had severe head and neck injuries. De Blasio said the incident was an attack on New York City and America adding that it was the definition of terrorism. The mayor added that one million New Yorkers showed up at the Halloween parade on Tuesday evening following the attack. [New Yorkers] show the whole world right now that we will not be moved by terror, de Blasio said. There are no additional threats, de Blasio assured -- but encouraged New Yorkers to be part of the solution. Cuomo called Nash, the young NYPD officer who shot Saipov, a hero. The attack was the action of a depraved coward, he added. Police forces in the city will be doubled, he said. Officials said that searches were conducted throughout the night and into the morning. The suspect planned the attack for a number a weeks before it occurred, William Sweeney, FBI assistant director-in-charge, said. He confirmed the attack was carried out in the name of ISIS. The suspect has never been the subject of a NYPD or FBI investigation, Sweeney added, but he may have connections to those who are subjects of an investigation. 4:58 p.m. Federal prosecutors filed holding charges against Saipov, accusing him of providing material support to a terrorist group and committing violence and destruction of motor vehicles in the attack. More charges are expected to be filed. A source told Fox News that Saipov was interviewed by authorities while he was in the hospital and was described as cooperative but showed no remorse for his actions in the deadly attack. Saipov also requested to display the ISIS flag in his hospital room. 8:43 p.m. Trump tweets that Saipov should receive the death penalty for his actions. 9:00 p.m. Federal prosecutors brought terrorism charges against Saipov, which could bring the death penalty. Nov. 2 4:50 a.m. Trump tweets about Saipov, this time saying he would "love to send the NYC terrorist to Guantanamo but statistically that process takes much longer than going through the Federal system." 4:54 a.m. Trump tweets again, re-emphasizing his desire to see Saipov face the death penalty. 9:30 a.m. Attorney General Jeff Sessions held a press conference in which he addressed the attack. The perpetrator will be brought to justice, he said, adding that the incident was another reminder of the dangers we face from the threat of radical terrorism. He expressed his condolences to the families impacted by the attack, as well as to the people of New York. He also called NYPD officer Nash a hero not just in New York but across America. Sessions said it has been the Department of Justices goal since 9/11 to fight terrorists. Terrorists diminish our freedom and threaten our lifestyle, he said. Sessions also addressed some of Trumps recent executive orders, like the much debated travel ban. The president was right to issue his order [the travel ban], he said. He has a legal right to take this action. 12:49 p.m. In addition to the people he attacked near the World Trade Center, the suspect told investigators that he also had plans to strike pedestrians on the Brooklyn Bridge, according to a criminal complaint as reported by FOX 13. Nov. 3 Officials said Saipov called his friend, Mukhammadzoir Kadirov, just before the attack. What was said during the call is currently unknown, and Kadirov is not being called a suspect. Nov. 6 New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and the president of Argentina, Mauricio Macri, held a joint press conference on Nov. 6 to honor the victims of the attack. Five of the eight victims were from the South American country. Nov. 28 Saipov is scheduled for arraignment in Manhattan federal court. 3 p.m. Saipov pleaded not guilty in federal court on Tuesday. The man accused of killing eight people in an ISIS-inspired attack in New York City on Halloween pleaded not guilty to federal terrorism charges Tuesday. Sayfullo Saipov, 29, faces eight counts of murder in aid of racketeering, 12 counts of attempted murder in aid of racketeering, one count of providing and attempting to provide material support to ISIS and one count of violence and destruction of a motor vehicle. Saipov, an Uzbekistan-born resident of Paterson, N.J., is accused of driving a rented Home Depot truck onto a Lower Manhattan bike path that was packed with pedestrians. In addition to the eight people killed, 12 others were injured. According to court documents, Saipov planned the attack for a year and selected Halloween to carry it out because he felt there would be more civilians on the street that day. Prosecutors say Saipov exited the truck holding a paintball gun and a pellet gun and yelled "Allahu Akbar" before he was shot by police. Saipov also originally planned to drive the truck all the way to the Brooklyn Bridge. During interviews in his hospital room, Saipov waived his Miranda rights and told law enforcement "he felt good about what he had done." He also asked to display an ISIS flag in his room. Saipov appeared in court Tuesday dressed in blue prison top and pants and with his feet shackled. He showed no obvious signs of injury. Saipov's lawyer, David Patton, said he and his client had received the indictment but had not had the chance to go through it with an interpreter. If convicted, Saipov could be sentenced to death. His next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 23. Sayfullo Saipov, the suspect in the New York City terror attack on Oct. 31, pleaded not guilty during his arraignment in federal court on Tuesday. Saipov, who allegedly drove a rented truck down a crowded bike lane in New York City on Halloween, is 29 years old and from Uzbekistan. He's in the United States with a green card. His alleged actions killed eight people and injured 12 more near the World Trade Center in lower Manhattan. Federal prosecutors have charged Saipov with providing material support to a terrorist group and violence and destruction of motor vehicles. On Nov. 1, the day after the attack, President Donald Trump said Saipov should receive the death penalty. "He killed 8 people, badly injured 12. SHOULD GET DEATH PENALTY!" he wrote on Twitter. NYC TERROR SUSPECT SAYFULLO SAIPOVS LEGAL RIGHTS "Would love to send the NYC terrorist to Guantanamo but statistically that process takes much longer than going through the Federal system.." Trump added. "...There is also something appropriate about keeping him in the home of the horrible crime he committed. Should move fast. DEATH PENALTY!" he said in a third tweet. Additional details about the attack After driving through the crowded bike path, Saipov crashed into a yellow school bus near Chambers and West Streets in lower Manhattan, police said. After exiting the vehicle, Saipov yelled Allahu akbar ("God is great") and waved around weapons believed to be a paintball gun and a BB gun, police said. The suspect was shot twice by police and taken into custody. He survived his wounds. NYC TERROR ATTACK LEAVES 8 DEAD, SEVERAL INJURED Law enforcement officials said they discovered two notes, handwritten in Arabic, pledging loyalty to ISIS in and near the truck, Fox News has confirmed. The New York Post reported that some type of symbol or picture of the terrorist organization's flag was discovered. It's been reported that Saipov rented the truck from a Home Depot store in Passaic, N.J., around 2 p.m., approximately an hour or so before the attack occurred. Suspect worked as an Uber driver, had a Florida drivers license Saipov had worked as an Uber driver in New Jersey, where he was living as recently as this summer. Uber confirmed to Fox News that Saipov passed the company's background check for drivers, but was now banned from the company. Uber added it has not found any safety reports concerning the terror suspect. In a statement to Fox News, Uber said the company was in contact with the FBI and offered its assistance to the investigation into Saipov. It added that Uber was reviewing Saipov's history with the ride-hailing company. Authorities discovered that Saipov had a Florida driver's license and has been connected to an address in the Tampa area. POLITICIANS REACT TO FATAL NYC TRUCK ATTACK IN LOWER MANHATTAN A friend, Kobiljon Matkarov, said he met Saipov while the two were living in Florida. He described Saipov as being very friendly and very nice. Matkarov said he last saw Saipov a few months ago when the suspect picked him up from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City. Saipov had moved to the area in order to seek better work opportunities. Matkarov told Fox News that he never noticed any unusual behavior from the suspect, let alone that hed been radicalized. He said that Saipov was generally a happy-go-lucky person who seemed to love America. I know his good side. I know nothing of his bad side, Matkarov said. He was always happy. He liked the U.S. He loved this country. Thats why this is all very confusing. Fox News Perry Chiaramonte, Nicole Darrah, Madeline Farber and the Associated Press contributed to this report. Sayfullo Saipov, the suspect in the New York City terror attack on Oct. 31, pleaded not guilty during his arraignment in federal court on Tuesday. Saipov, a 29-year-old legal U.S. resident, was charged with federal terrorism offenses just one day after police said he rammed a rental truck down a popular Manhattan bike path, killing eight people and injuring 12 others. He allegedly pledged his allegiance to ISIS in the aftermath of the attack. Shortly after the attack, President Trump publicly called for Saipov to be put to death. From Trumps calls for the death penalty to other GOP lawmakers demand that Saipov be held as an unlawful enemy combatant, will he be able to have a fair trial? This guy is going to have rights no matter what you call him or where you take him, Wells Dixon, a senior attorney with the progressive Center for Constitutional Rights, told Fox News. How does Saipovs legal status affect his due process rights? Saipov came to the U.S. seven years ago through the Diversity Visa Program, a State Department initiative that allows citizens of nations with few people in the U.S. to immigrate to America. But Saipovs status whether hes a lawful resident or natural born citizen doesnt matter when it comes to his due process rights, law experts said. Legal residents have the same due process rights under the Constitution that citizens would, Trevor Burrus, a research fellow at the Cato Institutes Center for Constitutional Studies said. Burrus noted that non-citizens could, however, be subjected to deportation. Can he be labeled an enemy combatant? Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and John McCain, R-Ariz., immediately called for Saipov to be held as an enemy combatant to allow investigators to gather certain intelligence regarding his activities without a lawyer present If an individual acts like a terrorist and says theyre a terrorist, they should be treated like a terrorist, Graham said. While its still possible to apply that designation to Saipov, Burrus said its very unlikely that he could even meet the definition of an enemy combatant. Could Saipov be sent to Guantanamo? Earlier this week, Trump indicated that he was considering sending Saipov to Guantanamo Bay, a naval base in Cuba. He later walked back what would have been an unprecedented move. Fundamentally, sending him to Guantanamo is unconstitutional and unnecessary, Hina Shamsi, director of the American Civil Liberties Unions national security project, told Fox News. The federal criminal justice system is fully capable and more capable of fair trials for terrorism suspects. Dixon also argued that sending a terrorism suspect to Guantanamo Bay would only provide more fodder for terrorist groups. If Senator Graham or Donald Trump are serious about protecting the national security of the United States, they will not hand groups like ISIS a propaganda windfall by sending someone to Guantanamo, he said. What about Trumps calls for the death penalty? There is a case to be made by Saipovs defense team that his right to a fair trial has been impeded by Trumps tweets, Burrus said. He said Saipovs legal team could argue that Trump tainted the entire jury with his tweets. It doesnt help the government pursuing the death penalty to have the president calling for the death penalty, Burrus said. Joshua Dratel, a veteran defense attorney in terrorism cases, told the Associated Press that the tweets should disqualify prosecutors from seeking the death penalty. "It's inconceivable that it would be fair to seek the death penalty when the president has expressed it twice in a tweet," he said. "It poisons the jurors, all the prospective jurors." However, Michael Wildes, a former federal prosecutor, said even presidents are entitled to First Amendment rights. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A United States paratrooper was found dead in his barracks at Fort Bragg, North Carolina on Saturday evening, the Army said. Spc. Carlton Butler, 22, of North Miami Beach, Fla., was an infantryman assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, the Army Times reported. The circumstances surrounding Butlers death are under investigation, officials said. Carlton was a patriotic, energetic, and motivated young man, who just recently had been promoted up to a Gun Team Leader position in Bravo Company, a position he rightly earned, Lt. Col. Graham White, commander of 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment said in a Facebook post on Monday. The Army said Butler joined the Army in June 2014 and was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division in December of that same year. It was not immediately clear the cause of death. Butler is the second solider to die in Fort Bragg this month. Sgt. Robert Thornton Jr., 29, of Cairo, Georgia, died on Nov. 14, after collapsing during physical training. Officials said Thornton's cause of death is unknown and it is under investigation. A Pennsylvania mother, who said she was not aware she was pregnant until giving birth on Friday, left her dead newborn in a bag under the porch of her fathers home, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported, citing police. Brittany Robinson, 23, was charged Sunday with criminal homicide, abuse of a corpse, interfering with evidence and hiding the death of a child from the authorities, reports said. She was taken to a hospital Sunday for a treatment related to childbirth. Following her discharge on Monday morning, the authorities took her into custody over the allegations, reports said. Robinson's father found the baby under his porch while preparing to hang Christmas lights, reports said. The newborn was wrapped in a T-shirt and put in a Walmart bag, FOX 8 reported. Police believe the infant was born alive. There was an autopsy set for Monday but the details were not made available. The baby was a viable 7-pound baby boy, Lt. Eric Hermick, from the Pennsylvania State Police, said. Theyre still looking to determine if there was some exterior cause of death or the elements that killed the baby, but either way, the baby was born alive and cleaned up and then placed under there. The mother reportedly lives at home with her two brothers, another man and her father. She also has an 8-year-old child, but does not have custody, FOX 8 reported. Theyve all indicated to us they werent aware, that she kept it a secret, the police chief said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. An 83-year-old psychologist has been charged with sexually assaulting a longtime patient at his home office in Connecticut. Police say Dr. Clark Allen was arrested Tuesday in Glastonbury on a warrant charging him with fourth-degree sexual assault. Police say the patient told them Allen assaulted her during an appointment at his home. Allen was arraigned in Manchester Superior Court on Tuesday. He was held on $200,000 bond. It wasn't immediately clear if he has an attorney. Georgia cops are hunting the mysterious gunman who shot a female postal worker in the head, killing her at a post office in suburban Atlanta on Monday, officials said. Dekalb County Police told FOX5 Atlanta the shooting took place at the post office in Decatur, located east of Atlanta. Paramedics rushed the victim to the hospital, but she did not survive her injuries. No motive or description of a suspect have been released by authorities, but United States Postal Inspectors have taken over the investigation, according to FOX5. Investigators spent hours scouring the post office's back loading dock, nearby bushes, and a laundromat next door. Michael Grogan told WSB-TV he saw the suspect hanging out in the laundromat before walking out, approaching the victim in the facility's dock area and opening fire. "He was sitting in this seat right here, looking out the window," Grogan said. People in the laundromat then reported hearing four shots. Grogan said the female victim was fairly young, and had only worked at the post office for about a month. "Its terrible, its very terrible," he told WSB. "Shes young, her career trying to do something for herself at the post office." A Georgia sheriff says a convicted felon wanted for a series of violent crimes fatally shot himself after being pulled over for driving erratically. WTOC-TV quotes Chatham County Sheriff John Wilcher as saying deputies found Steven Michael Holmes suffering from a gunshot wound to the head after being stopped in Port Wentworth shortly after 4:30 a.m. Monday for failing to stay in a lane. Authorities later identified Holmes, a 38-year-old sought by police in Portsmouth, Virginia, and determined he was driving a car stolen in North Carolina. Portsmouth police tweeted that Holmes was wanted for attempted murder, abduction, forcible sodomy, aggravated sexual battery, and indecent liberties with a minor by custodian. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating. ___ Information from: WTOC-TV, http://www.wtoctv.com/ A Florida university is teaching a "White Racism" class designed to show "the U.S. has been and remains a white supremacist society," the course's professor told Fox News. Dr. Ted Thornhill, a Florida Gulf Coast University sociology professor, told Fox News in a statement his class this spring is about the search for truth and any controversy around the title or description proves its urgency. Too many Americans, especially whites, are cocooned in a bubble of unreality as it concerns racial matters, Thornhill said. Students will read important scholarship to gain a deeper and more sophisticated understanding of race, white racism, racial inequality, and white supremacy, in addition to challenging widely and adamantly held, but empirically unsubstantiated myths about racial matters in the U.S., Thornhill said. Many whites have subscribed to and promoted racist ideologies, championed and/or enacted scores of racist laws, policies, practices, and traditions, and made incalculable decisions in their daily lives that have operated to maintain white racial domination over blacks and other people of color for hundreds of years, he said. Thornhill was adamant that the White Racism course isnt anti-white but rather is anti-white racism. Clearly, not all white people are racists; some are even anti-racist, Thornhill said, though he added all white people derive, in some measure, material and psychological benefits by virtue of being racialized as white. Thornhill told Hello SWFL the class would discuss slavery, genocide, internment, segregation, discrimination, rape, violence, and theft against non-Europeans throughout U.S. history. When you name 'whiteness' I think it disturbs them, he said. It shakes many white people at their core and requires them to question the assumptions they have about their life Thornhill says the new course wasnt developed in response to racially charged messages found around campus last fall, but instead to give students a broad idea of the history of racism, white supremacy and how to challenge racism in todays society, according to FOX4. The course was expanded from 35 to 50 students and is currently at capacity. A Taiwanese activist was sentenced in China to five years in prison Tuesday for holding lectures online and assisting the families of jailed dissidents in a sign of how Beijing's crackdown on human rights extends beyond its borders. The trial of Lee Ming-che was also China's first known criminal prosecution of a nonprofit group worker since Beijing passed a law last year tightening controls over foreign nongovernmental organizations. The new law passed in April 2016 says foreign NGOs must not endanger China's national security and ethnic unity, and places nonprofits under close police supervision. The Yueyang City Intermediate People's Court in central China handed down the sentence against Lee after finding him guilty of subversion of state power. The Associated Press reported Lee had confessed during his trial in September, which his wife, Lee Ching-yu, dismissed as "a political show." Lee's co-defendant, Peng Yuhua, who is from mainland China, was sentenced to seven years in prison. Peng had also pleaded guilty, saying he had founded an organization called Palm Flower Co. to pressure China to accept a multiparty political system and that Lee was his deputy in charge of education. Lee's wife attended the sentencing. "A price must be paid in the pursuit of an ideal," she said in a statement issued through her supporters. "Striving for human rights for the underprivileged is a necessary dedication to promoting the progress of human civilization." Supporters say that since the trial ended, Lee Ching-yu has been prevented from leaving her hotel room or meeting with anyone. Calls to her cellphone rang unanswered. Subversion of state power is a vaguely defined charge often used by Chinese authorities to muzzle dissent and imprison critics. Both men said they would not appeal. Taiwan, a self-governing island Beijing regards as part of Chinese territory, swiftly condemned the sentence. "The spread of democratic ideas is innocent!" Alex Huang, the spokesman for Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, said in a statement. Huang urged Beijing to release Lee as soon as possible and allow him to return to Taiwan. CHINA JAILS PROMINENT HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYER FOR 2 YEARS FOR 'INCITING SUBVERSION' "We cannot accept that Lee Ming-che has been convicted of 'state subversion' for sharing ideas of freedom and democracy out of concern for the development of mainland China's civil society and democracy," the statement said. Taiwan's Cabinet-level Mainland Affairs Council said in a statement that it would not accept the verdict and that the government would continue working to secure Lee's release from China. Lee Ming-che, 42, cleared immigration in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory of Macau on March 19 and never showed up for a planned meeting later that day with a friend in the mainland Chinese city of Zhuhai. He had previously conducted online lectures on Taiwan's democratization and managed a fund for families of political prisoners in China. Lee's sentence was "incredibly harsh," given the accusations against him and the lack of evidence, said Maya Wang, Human Rights Watch's Hong Kong-based researcher. "It's probably designed as a warning to activists based outside China, particularly those in Hong Kong and Taiwan," as Chinese President Xi Jinping's crackdown on dissent radiates beyond its borders, Wang said in an email. Relations between Taiwan and China have been near an all-time low since the election of Tsai, whose party has advocated Taiwan's formal independence. China cut off contacts with Taiwan's government in June of last year, five months after Tsai was elected. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A Russian Su-30 fighter jet buzzed a Navy reconnaissance plane flying in the Black Sea while conducting a routine patrol in international airspace Saturday, an official told Fox News. The Russian jet crossed 50 feet in front of the Navy P-8 in full afterburner causing violent turbulence, the official said. The provocation lasted 24 minutes. It appears to be the first known incident of this type since June, when an armed Russian fighter jet buzzed a U.S. Air Force reconnaissance aircraft over the Baltic Sea. The Russian Su-27 jet had air-to-air missiles under its wings and approached the U.S. Air Force RC-135 recon jet "rapidly," coming within 5 feet of the American aircraft, officials said. Once alongside, the Russian jet was provocative in its flight maneuvers and flying erratically, according to another official. RUSSIAN JET BUZZES US RECON JET: PICTURES RELEASED OF 'UNSAFE' INCIDENT Earlier this month, U.S. fighter jets intercepted Russian nuclear bombers approaching the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan off the coast of North Korea. Multiple U.S Navy F/A-18 jets were dispatched to escort two Russian TU-95 bombers away from the ship currently stationed near North Korea and operating in the Sea of Japan, according to Navy officials. The Russian bombers, capable of executing a nuclear strike, were intercepted merely 80 miles away from the ship, said Navy officials. Lt. Cmdr. Nicole Schwegman described the incident with the Russian air force as safe and professional, according to Military.com. Saturday's incident, which CNN was first to report, came just weeks after the Russian foreign ministry called the U.S. an occupying force in Syria. There are roughly 2,000 U.S. troops on the ground in Syria, although the Pentagon acknowledges only 500. Its unclear how many will remain following the defeat of ISIS in Raqqa, the terror groups so-called capital. There are approximately 3,000 ISIS fighters left in Iraq and Syria according to U.S. officials after reaching a height of nearly 40,000 fighters two years ago. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is apologizing to members of the LGBTQ community for actions taken by the government against thousands of workers in the military and public service during the Cold War. Trudeau said from the 1950s to the early 1990s, the federal government employed a campaign of oppression against members and suspected members of the LGBTQ communities. Trudeau said in a speech in Parliament on Tuesday that the thinking of the day was that all non-heterosexual Canadians would automatically be at an increased risk of blackmail by Canada's adversaries. Trudeau expressed shame and apologized. The government has also introduced legislation that would allow people to apply to have their criminal convictions for consensual sexual activity between same-sex partners erased. The Argentina submarine that vanished 12 days ago sent a final, desperate message reporting a short-circuiting battery and fire onboard, the Argentine Navy said Monday. Enrique Balbi, a spokesman for the Argentine Navy, told reporters that in it the ARA San Juan's last message, the vessels captain said water had entered through the snorkel when the sub was charging batteries. He said the water entered through the ventilation system to a battery connection tray in the prow and caused a short-circuit and the beginning of a fire, or smoke without flame. SEARCH INTENSIFIES FOR ARGENTINA'S SUB WITH 44 CREW MEMBERS AS OXYGEN SUPPLY MAY BE RUNNING LOW Balbi said the captain later communicated via satellite phone that the problem had been contained. They had to electrically isolate the battery and continue sailing underwater to Mar del Plata using another battery circuit, he added. The San Juan, a German-built diesel-electric TR-1700 class submarine, was last heard from Nov. 15. Hopes for survivors have been largely crushed by reports of an explosion detected near the time and place the sub went missing. Since then, there have been no signs of the sub or debris despite an intensive multinational search. Experts have said the 44 sailors aboard had only enough oxygen to last up to 10 days if the sub remained intact but submerged. The navy said last week that, before the submarine went missing, the captain reported an electrical problem in a battery compartment and the vessel was ordered to return to its base in the coastal city of Mar del Plata, about 250 miles southeast of Buenos Aires. The vessel was commissioned in 1985 and was most recently refitted in 2014. In his first public comments since the sub went missing, Argentine President Mauricio Macri promised an investigation into the condition and age of the vessel. The disappearance and current search for the ARA San Juan submarine has touched all Argentines, he said, according to Sky News. Its a difficult moment for all but, obviously, especially for the families of the 44 crew members. He continued: Im here to guarantee you that we will carry on with the search, especially now that we have the support of all the international community. The Navy says more than a dozen countries are still helping to search for the sub in the area where the explosion was recorded, about 250 miles off the coast of Argentina. Balbi said a Norwegian ship carrying the U.S. Navys underwater remotely operated vehicle and its pressurized rescue module was expected to arrive to the search zone on Monday. The Associated Press contributed to this report. North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) around 1:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, the first such launch from the rogue regime in more than two months, a U.S. official confirmed to Fox News. The missile, believed to be an ICBM by the Pentagon based on initial assessments, was launched from Sain Ni, North Korea and flew roughly 620 miles before landing in the Sea of Japan. South Korea's Yonhap News Agency, which first reported the launch, said the missile launch happened around 3 a.m. local time in North Korea. South Korea fired pinpoint missiles into nearby waters to make sure North Korea understands it can be "taken under fire" by the South, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said. North Korea has been working hard to perfect re-entry technology to one day have a warhead be able to survive re-entry into Earths atmosphere. This ICBM would be able to hit any city within the U.S. if a warhead is able to survive re-entry. It was determined by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) that the missile "did not pose a threat to North America, our territories or our allies," Pentagon spokesman Col. Robert Manning III told Fox News. Manning, in an earlier statement, said: "We are in the process of assessing the situation, and we will be providing additional details when available. TIMELINE OF 2017 NORTH KOREA MISSILE AND NUCLEAR TESTS The ICBM flew nearly 2,800 miles into space, according to Yonhap. NASA's International Space Station only orbits the Earth from 250 miles into space. North Korea has now test-launched three ICBMs in its history. Tuesday's missile flew 1,000 miles higher than the regime's first launch on July 4. President Trump told reporters Tuesday that the missile launch "is a situation that we will handle," and added the U.S. will "take care of it." The president was briefed on the launch while it was still in the air, press secretary Sarah Sanders tweeted earlier in the day. Defense Secretary Mattis added North Korea is continuing to build missiles that can "threaten everywhere in the world" as it continues to endanger world peace, regional peace and "certainly the United States." "With each launch, [North Korean officials] are advancing their capability and they are making it clear that they can hold the entire U.S. at risk," House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, told Fox News. "They are steadily moving on and were not responding in kind." He added, "It is incredibly serious partly because [North Korean dictator] Kim Jong Un is very serious about what he says and what he says is that he wants to hold the entire United States at risk with his missiles, with nuclear weapons, and we have seen him actually deliver on what he says he wants to do." U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, and ambassadors from Japan and South Korea, requested an emergency meeting of the U.N. security council Wednesday following the launch. This is the first missile launch since North Korea fired an intermediate-range KN-17 on Sept. 15 that flew over Japan's Hokkaido Island before splashing into the Pacific Ocean. There have been signs indicating Kim Jong Uns regime was planning a missile launch in recent days. Japans Kyodo News reported Monday the Japanese government detected radio signals pointing to a possible missile test in the near future. However, satellite images did not show a missile or movable launch pad. North Korea's Sept. 15 missile launch flew 2,300 miles out, putting the U.S. island territory of Guam within its range. Kim previously threatened to strike the island with four medium-range ballistic missiles in August, but ultimately stepped away from the plan. North Koreas lull in missile launches made October the only month a test wasnt conducted since the start of the year. Between February and September, the regime tested a missile an average of every two weeks. This is also the first provocation since Trump designated North Korea a state sponsor of terrorism. NORTH KOREA'S NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM HAS GROWN WITH EACH KIM REGIME South Korean unification minister Cho Myoung-gyon told foreign correspondents in Seoul on Tuesday that North Korea is on the verge of achieving full nuclear capability with an intercontinental ballistic missile that could carry a nuclear warhead, according to Yonhap News Agency. North Korea has been developing its nuclear weapons at a faster-than-expected pace. We cannot rule out the possibility that North Korea could announce its completion of a clear force within one year," Cho said. Hawaii officials announced Wednesday the beginning of monthly siren tests, starting Friday. The tests would be conducted to prepare islanders for a possible nuclear missile attack by North Korea. The tests would be the first since the Cold War. Fox News' Jennifer Griffin, Lucas Tomlinson and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Kim Jong Un's regime is reportedly on the verge of announcing it's achieved full nuclear capability, as North Korea expedites its intercontinental ballistic missile program with the aim of being able to obliterate the "heinous gangsters" in the United States with a nuclear warhead. South Korean unification minister Cho Myoung-gyon told foreign correspondents in Seoul that 2018 will be a key year for the rogue regime, which will celebrate its 70th anniversary since being established, Yonhap News Agency reported. North Korea has been developing its nuclear weapons at a faster-than-expected pace. We cannot rule out the possibility that North Korea could announce its completion of a clear force within one year," Cho said, according to the South Korean news site. Cho said though North Korea hasnt tested a nuclear weapon or missile since September, people shouldnt overlook the brief hiatus. The regime seems to be testing missile engines and fuels, Yonhap reported. Cho warned: "It is a fact that we have witnessed some noteworthy movements in North Korea. But it remains to be seen whether Pyongyang would make further provocations. The South Korean official said there are four possible reasons why the regime has stayed relatively silent for the last few months a rarity after it launched more than a dozen missiles since the start of 2017 and conducted a nuclear test on Sept. 3. North Korea launched a missile on Sept. 14 that flew over Japan, three days after the U.N. approved new sanctions against the dictatorship. "As a seasonal factor, the North's provocations noticeably fell in the winter time. Also from the technology perspective, the North may need the time to advance its [nuclear and missile] programs as it seeks to complete its nuclear force," Cho explained. Japans Kyodo News claimed Monday there were radio signals that indicated a possible missile launch from North Korea was imminent. However, a missile or movable launch pad werent seen in satellite images, meaning the signals could be related to winter military training. Cho also touched on Kims need to boost North Koreas economy to prosper as a state and compete with other world powers. Experts have previously told Fox News the North Korean despot looks at economic prosperity as a key puzzle to his regimes success. Kim's ambition to create economic development is the one promising piece in the North Korea puzzle, John Delury, an associate professor at Yonsei University Graduate School of International Studies, told Fox News.So far [Kim is] doing a better job of delivering results in terms of economic growth. North Koreas state media have continued its bombastic rhetoric against the U.S. and its neighboring enemies during its brief hiatus. Earlier this month, North Koreas Korean Central News Agency said President Trump should be sentenced to death for calling Kim short and fat. A series of other threats were issued during Trumps five-country Asia tour. Cho offered a glimmer of hope for diplomatic talks with the Hermit Kingdom. He said the lull in provocations from North Korea could set the tone for the U.S. and other countries to enter a dialogue with North Korea. An Afghan official says an intense gun battle has erupted between Taliban and Islamic State affiliate insurgents in eastern Nangarhar province. Attahullah Khogyani, provincial governor's spokesman, said Tuesday that hundreds of families are displaced from villages in Khogyani and Sherzad districts. Khogyani said an operation involving air and ground forces was begun to eliminate both insurgent groups from the area. Six civilians were wounded and there are reports of dozens of casualties among the insurgents, he said. Sherzad, Khogyani and Hasarak districts in Nangarhar are strategic because they link with neighboring Logar province as well as the capital Kabul. In April, the U.S. military used the Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb, or MOAB, against an Islamic State group tunnel complex carved in the mountains in Nangarhar province. Senior Saudi Arabian Prince Miteb bin Abdullah was released from custody Tuesday after being in detention for more than three weeks, a family member wrote on social media. Abeer bint Khaled bin Abdullah, a royal family member, tweeted: Almighty, thanks be to you May God give you long life, long life full of health, and keep you for us. The tweet contained a photo of Prince Miteb, Reuters reported. Saudi officials did not immediately comment on Prince Mitebs reported release. SAUDI PRINCES, OTHERS ARRESTED IN SWEEP VIEWED AS SHOW OF FORCE BY CROWN PRINCE Prince Miteb, who up until his detainment on Nov. 9 headed the countrys powerful National Guard, was taken into custody in an anti-corruption investigation. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered dozens of top princes and businessmen to be detained after investigators said they uncovered at least $100 billion in corruption. Officials believed the crown prince ordered the detentions in order to bolster his power, The New York Times reported. SAUDI CROWN PRINCE OPENS ISLAMIC MILITARY ALLIANCE MEETING Prince Miteb was considered a contender for the throne a few years ago and was believed to have opposed Prince Salman from becoming a crown prince. Prince Miteb's detention stands out because he was the last remaining prince of his generation in a position of real power, which made him a potential obstacle to the throne for the crown prince. The Associated Press contributed to this report. North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile into Japanese waters, a U.S. official confirmed to Fox News on Tuesday. The missile was fired around 3 a.m. in North Korea on Wednesday, local time. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said President Trump was briefed on the situation while the missile was still in the air. The country last fired an intermediate-range middle on Sept. 15, which flew over Japans Hokkaido Island and later landed in the Pacific Ocean. The U.S. territory of Guam was in range of the missile, which flew 2,300 miles out. Below is a list of all of North Koreas successful missile and nuclear tests in 2017. The dates are in local time. November 29 - North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile in the middle of the night local time, the Pentagon confirmed to Fox News. The missile flew eastward from the vicinity of Pyongyang toward the Sea of Japan, South Korean military officials said. September 15 - North Korea launched a missile from Sunan, the site of Pyongyangs international airport. The missile flew over northern Japan before landing in the Pacific Ocean, the U.S. Pacific Command said at the time. September 3 - North Korea said it tested a hydrogen bomb, which reportedly triggered an artificial earthquake. The test was the countrys sixth overall and the first since September 2016. The mountain used as the nuclear test site is at risk of collapsing, according to scientists. August 29 - For the first time in eight years, North Korea fired a missile over Japan, the Pentagon said. August 26 - North Korea fired three short-range missiles. Early reports suggested that the launch was a failure, but U.S. military officials later revised that evaluation. July 28 - North Korea fired a Hawsong missile, which traveled 620 miles before landing in waters near Japan. July 4 - North Korea successfully test-launched its first intercontinental ballistic missile, according to U.S. officials. It flew longer than any other missile conducted by North Korea, U.S. Pacific Command said. June 23 - North Korea conducted a rocket engine test that U.S. officials said could be used on future intercontinental ballistic missiles. June 8 - From its east coast, North Korea launched multiple projectiles believed to be short-range surface-to-ship cruise weapons. May 29 - The rogue regime test-fired a short-range Scud ballistic missile, U.S. officials said. The missile landed in the Sea of Japan, according to U.S. Pacific Command in Hawaii. May 21 - North Korea launched a mid-range ballistic missile, U.S. and South Korean officials said at the time. The launch came from an area near Pukchang, which is located in the South Phyongan Province. It flew east for roughly 310 miles before landing in the sea. May 13 - North Korea launched a missile that landed in the Sea of Japan. U.S. Pacific Command said it detected and tracked the ballistic missile. It was believed to have been a KN-15 medium-range ballistic missile. March 28 - North Korea successfully test launched a rocket engine. March 6 - The rogue nation fired four banned ballistic missiles that were believed to have been in response to military drills in Washington and South Korea. The missiles flew 620 miles and landed in the ocean off North Koreas east coast. February 12 - North Korea launched a missile into its eastern sea. This was the first known missile launch after Trump became president. A lawsuit by a Japanese high school student has shone a light on the touchy issue of black hair policies and brown-hair registries in schools throughout Japan. An 18-year-old girl brought a lawsuit against the government of Japans Osaka prefecture last month for mental anguish after she was repeatedly forced to dye her naturally brown hair black. According to the lawsuit, the student has been upset about having to dye her brown hair black in junior high school and, when she entered Kaifukan High School in Osaka, her mother asked the schools administration to take care not to let the same thing happen in high school." Despite these pleas, school administrators began ordering the girl to dye her hair every one to two weeks and, during her second year, every four days. The student soon developed a rash on her scalp and had her hair badly damaged from the constant dying. Many schools in Japan, where conformity is the norm, according to Reuters, have strict rules about appearance, including hair color, the use of makeup and the length of skirts. The lawsuit alleges that the girl suffered psychological damage from the teasing and punishments she received for having to dye her hair. She once hyperventilated and collapsed after being reprimanded and was also barred from school festivals and class trips because of her natural hair color. One teacher purportedly told the girl, "If you don't dye your hair black, then don't bother coming to school. The girl, who has not returned to the high school, eventually had her name removed the schools rolls and other students were told she had dropped out. There are a number of schools across Japan that keep a so-called brown-hair registry to prevent mistaken disciplinary action being inflicted on students with naturally brown hair. While critics say that these registries are themselves problematic, Osakas board of education said that it is up to individual schools to use the system and that the prefecture does not track implementation. In the case of the 18-year-old student involved in the lawsuit, her mother allegedly asked if the school had one, but Kaifukan did not. Officials at another school in Osaka that does keep a registry told the Mainichi newspaper that they have 10 students on the list. The students on the list have their hair measured and recorded on a numerical scale when they start at the school and as long as the students hair color does not change, they will not be disciplined. I was not giving much thought to the childhood experiences of the disheveled old guy I was treating for emphysema and excess alcohol consumption at the clinic the other daybut I should have been. This realization was brought home to me by a presentation at the annual conference of the Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics I just attended in Virginia Beach. Usually the agenda is a lot of organizational and logistical stuff. But, this time, social worker John RichardsonLauve, LCSW, from the organization ChildSavers, gave a clinically orientated presentation about the effects of adverse childhood events, or ACEs. It was an interesting deviation. I have heard occasional references to ACEs before, but didnt appreciate the profound and lifelong effects of these events. Some can even influence the functioning of the immune system and longevity. The idea of ACEs having bad effects in adulthood came from an analysis of women dropping out of an obesity/weight loss program being run by Kaiser Permanente in California. When interviewed, it was found the majority had experienced sexual abuse as a child. Common, damaging Adversity is any event or series of events or circumstances that mentally or physically threaten and overwhelm the emotional coping abilities of a child. This includes things like: Abusewhether physical, sexual, within the household, or within the community Neglecteither physical or emotional (which includes poverty) Substance abuse in the household Divorce/separation loss or incarceration of a parent. The effects are multiple, many of which you might be surprised as being stress-related. Stuff like: Emphysema Cancer Heart disease Obesity Some consequences one can understand better, as the result of developing poor emotional coping skills, aberrant thinking and pathological behaviors, like: Drug and alcohol abuse Depression, with increased risk of suicide Risky behaviors and promiscuity leading to accidents, increased risk of HIV and unintended pregnancy Criminality and being violent, and becoming an abuser. The final consequence is people with high ACE scores have a significantly reduced longevity. We saw an interesting map of Richmond with higher socioeconomic districts like Westover Hills having a life expectancy of 83 years. More economically distressed areas, like Gilpin, had an expectancy of just 63. The scary thing is how prevalent ACEs are. Nearly one in four kids experience either physical or sexual abuse. And the higher your score the worse the effect. If you have four risk factors, you are 222 percent more likely to be obese, or 555 percent more likely to develop alcoholism. Trauma-informed care Mitigating the effects of these adverse events is tough. Treating requires therapist and patient to know and understand the effects of adversity in childhood, so-called trauma-informed care. It requires breaking down and changing behaviors ingrained in childhood into the developing mid-brain the part of the brain in control of emotional responses. This is based on the four Rs: Realize and understand ACEs Recognize the signs of trauma Respond, using treatments that address the abnormal response. Avoid retraumatization, steering people away from situations that reactivate old stresses. A key enquiry is to not ask the person whats wrong with them, but ask what happened, noted RichardsonLauve. Look beyond the immediate health problem for what might be motivating unhealthy behavior. Then work on building resilience. Resilience comes from attachment to someone or some organization that will show consistent love and validation. This will teach how to work on and regulate psychological and behavioral responses. Learn competence and how to act rather than react, and so make good, reasoned choices, rather than emotionally motivated impulsive ones. The disheveled guy I was seeing in the clinic after attending this conference is homeless and has lived in a tent in the woods around Fredericksburg for the last 12 years, so has probably experienced deprivation trauma. But I probably should have been enquiring into his childhoodthough I wonder if he would think I was some kind of screwy if I did. He, and so much more of the population need to become trauma aware. Aware of what the combined research teams from Kaiser and the CDC have found, and what RichardsonLauve and ChildSavers are promoting. Aware of how even years later, the effects of kids being mistreated can have profound health consequences, and get them to understand and change that behavior and how they are seen by the world. How you treat yourself is how you are inviting the world to treat you, said RichardsonLauve. Patrick Neustatter is the medical director of Lloyd Moss Free Clinic in Fredericksburg and the author of Managing Your Doctor: The Smart Patients Guide to Getting Effective Affordable Healthcare. Visit managingyourdoctor.com. A Spotsylvania County man apparently killed his wife and daughter before turning a gun on himself, authorities confirmed Monday evening. Robert Scully, 69; Mary Scully, 68; and Meghan Scully, 38; were all found dead Saturday in their home in the 7900 block of Waterford Drive. All had been shot with the same gun, authorities said. Spotsylvania Sheriffs Lt. C.A. Carey said autopsies performed Monday in Richmond confirmed that Robert Scully was the only victim with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Carey said police thought that was the case at the scene, but waited for the autopsies to be done before releasing that information. Carey said investigators have no idea what led to the slayings. Carey said they had no prior indications of domestic issues involving the victims. We just dont know and we may never know, Carey said. Sometimes people just snap for reasons that just arent clear. County deputies went to the home, which is in Waterford subdivision just under a mile off Massaponax Church Road, about 3:30 p.m. Saturday. A neighbor had called after seeing the family dog running around the neighborhood unattended. He found the door to the home wide open when he took the dog home and called the county emergency communications center. After deputies called out several times and received no response, Carey said, someone noticed a woman slumped over a chair. Deputies entered the home and found Meghan Scully dead from a gunshot wound, he said. Her parents were dead in the same general area, Carey said, and the suspected murder weapon was recovered. The Sheriffs Office didnt release information about the slayings until Sunday in part because it took a while to find the next-of-kin, Carey said. It remains unclear exactly when the slayings took place, though investigators believe it happened sometime between Friday afternoon and earlier Saturday. The house is well off the road and there are a number of trees between the house and the road. Culpeper police arrested a teenager after a car and a police cruiser were struck Friday afternoon by shots fired from a BB gun. The Culpeper Police Department responded before 2 p.m. to the area of James Madison Highway for a report from a citizen who believed that a vehicle window had been struck by a BB. When officers arrived to investigate, one of the responding officers reported that a shot struck the police cruisers windshield, causing damage. Officers canvassed the area and began investigating where the shots had come from. During the course of the investigation, the officers determined that the shots were coming from a residence in the 600 block of Highview Court. Officers went to the scene and recovered several BB guns, including one believed to be used in the shootings, according to the police department. Police detectives responded to the scene, where they collected evidence and conducted interviews. The Culpeper Police Department charged a 14-year-old with felony shooting into an occupied vehicle and felony assault on a law enforcement officer. The teen is being held at Blue Ridge Detention Center. We are very fortunate that nobody was hurt during these incidents and that those responsible were located, said Culpeper Police Chief Chris Jenkins. The Police Department is asking anyone with additional information related to these incidents to contact Sergeant K. Tooley at 540/829-5518 or to call Crime Solvers anonymously at 540/727-0300. Two Stafford County men with ties to the MS13 gang face possible life sentences after being convicted Tuesday of killing another man during a botched robbery. Juan Pablo Rubio, 21, and Ronald A. Silvestre Torres, 24, were both convicted in Stafford Circuit Court of second-degree murder, robbery, conspiracy to rob, gang participation and using a firearm in the commission of a felony. The charges stem from the Jan. 22 slaying of 26-year-old Jorge Leonardo Melo, who was shot twice on Madison Court in North Stafford during what was supposed to be a marijuana sale. Rubio and Silvestre Torres entered Alford pleas to the charges, which is not an admission of guilt but a concession that the prosecution has enough evidence for a conviction. They will each face a maximum penalty of life plus 63 years in prison when they are sentenced March 15. According to the evidence presented by prosecutors Lori DiGiosia and Ed Lustig on Tuesday and at a preliminary hearing in June, Melo got a phone call from the defendants that evening during which they expressed an interest in buying an ounce of marijuana from him. Melo and a couple of friends went to Madison Court to make the deal. One friend, David Hall, got out of the vehicle with Melo while the driver stayed behind the wheel. They soon encountered Rubio and Silvestre Torres, who neither Hall nor Melo knew. Hall testified previously that the ensuing conversation appeared to be friendly, but Hall didnt understand what was being said because it was in Spanish. Suddenly, one of the defendants tried to grab the marijuana out of Melos hand. Melo resisted the robbery attempt and wrapped his arms around the suspect. DiGiosia said both defendants were displaying weapons by that time and Rubio shot Melo twice with a revolver, once through the right arm and chest and once in his hip. Silvestre Torres had his gun pointed at Hall, who was running from the scene. Hall testified that he ran because there would have been two bodies instead of one if I didnt. After seeing the suspect running in another direction, Hall returned to Melo and performed CPR, which was unsuccessful. Police soon developed Rubio and Silvestre Torres as suspects and arrested them a couple weeks after the slaying. Among the witnesses identified by police was Brian Zendajas, who described himself as a friend of the suspects, but not a fellow MS-13 gang member. Zendajas reluctantly testified at the preliminary hearing that he heard Rubio and Silvestre Torres planning the robbery and said they asked him to go along with them. He heard two shots a short time later and saw the suspects return to the residence and hide their guns. He said one of them said, We shot someone. DiGiosia said that when Silvestre Torres was arrested, an MS13 book with his name in it was found in the vehicle. She said Rubio wrote several letters from jail in which he referred to his MS13 affiliation and carved MS13 graffiti in his cell. Melo was the oldest of six siblings and was very close to them and his mother. The family remains devastated by his slaying, DiGiosia said. Seven members of the Stafford Sheriffs Office were honored by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for their work on the joint homicide investigation that led to the arrests. The ICE Directors Interagency Award was presented Nov. 9 to Detectives Barry Surles, Todd Nosal, Benjamin Woodson, Doug Aloisio and Chadwick Oxley, crime analyst Krystle Galyen and Deputy Kassandra Lawrence. In a Sheriffs Office release, Surles said ICEs Enforcement and Removal Operations laid the groundwork for the investigation and U.S. Marshals provided electronic surveillance assistance with phone records and GPS mapping, which helped the Sheriffs Office develop suspects and witnesses. In addition to arresting Rubio and Torres Feb. 3, the Sheriffs Office also identified and administratively arrested 11 undocumented immigrants with ties to the suspects, most of whom were members, associates or affiliates of MS13, the news release said. A decade after her miscarriage, Sirena Washington still keeps the stuffed bear that holds the only recording of her daughters heartbeat. The swoosh-swoosh the toy makes every time she presses its stomach reminds Washington of how her own heart healed all those years ago. And its a reminder to pass that gift on to others. Beginning at 3 p.m. Thursday, Washington will host an event at Build-A-Bear Workshop in Spotsylvania Towne Centre to make stuffed bears and recorders for Mary Washington Healthcares Perinatal Loss Program. The program provides women who experience high-risk pregnancy, miscarriage, stillbirth and neonatal death a recording of their childs heartbeat. Sometimes the pregnancies turn out just fine and the child whose heart was recorded in the womb will take the bear to kindergarten, said perinatal bereavement coordinator Tammy Ruiz Ziegler. But not all do. That was the case for Washington, who went into labor at five months pregnant and lost the daughter shed already named Desiree. The loss sent her into a deep grief, she said. My bad days outweighed my good days. There were several times that I would sit in Desirees room, holding her bear and crying for hours, Washington wrote of her experience. On days when I wanted to give up, when I felt that God was punishing me, I would hold on even tighter to the bear and just let her heartbeat soothe me. Every time I held on to the bear ... it made me feel that much closer to her. When the program began some 10 years ago, Ziegler started out with 25 bears and recorders. I didnt think wed ever use them all. Lo and behold, we whizzed through those, she said. Last April, Ziegler asked Washington if shed like to host an event to replenish the stock that had most recently dwindled to two. Washington said she was thrilled to help. And when she got a call from Ziegler this fall that they were down to just three stuffed animals and recorders, she jumped at the chance to help again. Washington said shed love to collect 100 bears on Thursday. Ziegler said she hopes people will come out and donate the bears to any hospital or doctor that treats women in high-risk pregnancies. It allows people to donate toward a really good cause. For about $25, you can make a huge contribution. Republican Bob Thomas officially became the 28th Districts delegate-elect on Monday, but legal and political fights will probably continue to swirl around the close contest that could determine control of the House of Delegates. The State Board of Elections voted 30 to certify the Stafford County supervisors 82-vote win over Democrat Joshua Cole in the Nov. 7 election, despite revelations that at least 147 Fredericksburg-area voters cast ballots in the wrong House race. The board also certified the results of the 88th District race, where some of the problems occurred. Del. Mark Cole, RSpotsylvania County, won by about 4,100 votes. After a closed meeting to receive advice from the state Attorney Generals Office, elections board Chairman James Alcorn said members had no legal method to address the situation. But the results can be challenged in court, and Democrats have a lawsuit pending that could eventually lead to a special election. Republicans currently hold 51 House seats, while Democrats have at least 49. Virginia Elections Commissioner Edgardo Cortes released a memo this week saying a total of 386 registered voters in Fredericksburg and Stafford had been assigned to the wrong House district. At least 147 of them actually cast ballots, he wrote. At least 86 voters in the 28th District erroneously got ballots for the 2nd Districtwhich includes parts of Staffordor the 88th District, Cortes said. And at least 61 voters in the 88th District incorrectly cast ballots in the 28th District. Cortes previously attributed the wrongly assigned voters to a mistake last year by then-Fredericksburg Registrar Juanita Pitchford, who died earlier this year. But his most recent memo also outlined problems in Stafford; Registrar Greg Riddlemoser did not immediately return an email for comment. Thomas did not return a call seeking comment Monday afternoon. Marc Elias, an attorney for House Democrats, released a statement expressing disappointment that the board certified an election marred by irregularities. We will continue to assess our options to remedy this wrong, he added. Eric Sundberg, a spokesman for Democrat Joshua Cole, said the candidate had not decided whether he will request a state-funded recount or contest the election to succeed House Speaker Bill Howell, RStafford. He said the campaign is slightly disappointed by the state boards vote, but understands it probably had no other choice. House Republicans had threatened to sue the board if it did sign off on the results, while House Democrats unsuccessfully requested a court order blocking certification. Sundberg said its ironic that Republicans complain about voter fraud, and now, when it looks like they might lose, their argument slips right on its head. Republican Del. Kirk Cox, the House Speaker-designee, said in a prepared statement he is pleased the State Board of Elections finally fulfilled its statutory duty, but that hes disappointed by the weeklong delay. The board declined last Monday to certify the results in the 28th and 88th districts, citing the irregularities. In his statement, Cox said any other questions could be handled in what he called the proper venues outlined in state law. Dragging this process out has only prolonged the important work that remains to be done by both sides in preparation for the 2018 General Assembly session, Cox stated. We stand ready to govern and pass legislation that will help fight the opioid epidemic, improve our schools, and help the middle class get ahead. The Richmond TimesDispatch contributed to this story. Natural vaccine mimics Antibodies, proteins produced by our immune systems that protect against infection, are thought to be the key to an effective vaccine. Researchers developing HIV vaccines are hoping to generate the right kind of antibody that protects against HIV infection. And infants, it turns out, mimic vaccination. The antibodies that babies receive from their mothers in utero circulate in their blood for months after they are born, similar to the antibodies a vaccine might promote. For those infants who are HIV-negative at birth, their [HIV-positive] mothers have antibodies they passively transfer, so its kind of like the infants are vaccinated, explained Overbaugh. During the period before antiretroviral drugs existed, infants breast-fed by HIV-positive mothers didnt always contract the virus. Overbaugh decided to see what qualities of maternal antibodies correlated with a longer time before transmission and a less intense infection when it did occur. When they looked at samples of breast milk and blood drawn more than 20 years ago, the researchers found that children whose mothers produced a specific type of cell-killing antibody were less likely to die of HIV infection. These antibodies help kill infected cells through whats known as antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, or ADCC. To my knowledge, the study is the first in humans to show that cell-killing antibodies, when present at exposure, have a protective effect against HIV, said Overbaugh. Notably, the only HIV vaccine trial thats so far shown any protection against the virus, known as the Thai trial, also triggered ADCC. Jump-starting broadly neutralizing antibodies Broadly neutralizing antibodies are the holy grail of HIV vaccine design. HIV is endlessly mutating and changing the structures that antibodies bind. Antibodies that can only bind and block a few strains of the virus wont be very effective against infection. Broadly neutralizing antibodies are capable of warding off a wide range of HIV variants. A vaccine that generates broadly neutralizing antibodies will theoretically protect better against HIV infection than one that generates antibodies that block only a few HIV variants. Adults infected with HIV can produce broadly neutralizing antibodies eventually. It requires a several yearslong maturation process to sufficiently hone antibodies so that they block a slew of HIV variants. As we currently understand the process in adults, you might have to vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate for years to achieve broadly protective antibodies, said Overbaugh. But vaccines need to produce protective antibodies within months, not years. Enter the infant immune system. Overbaugh and her team found that indeed, infants could produce broadly neutralizing antibodies against HIV. They also saw that the HIV-blocking proteins arose within the first year of infection and needed much less honing than adult antibodies. We could document a case in infants where a broadly neutralizing antibody developed in a time frame and in a way that is something that we could consider mimicking with a vaccine, said Overbaugh. Decades after helping save babies born to HIV-infected moms, the Kenyan research samples may offer clues to developing a vaccine that, alone or in combination with other candidate vaccines now in development, could help prevent infection across all age groups or even help reduce the severity of HIV in those already infected. Thats a giant impact from the tiniest of research volunteers. Read our other stories in this series: Understanding HIV's evolutionary past and future Enlisting the microbiome in the quest for an AIDS vaccine A Voice for HIV cure The Monday after Thanksgiving is part of a holiday tradition for millions of Pennsylvania hunters who head for the woods for the opening of the states two-week rifle deer season. Its also a big day for meat processors. Its an extremely busy time of year, said Brad Wenger, owner of Wenger Meats and Ice, 511 E. Louther St., Carlisle. Its the backbone of our fall business. The rifle season opened just before sunrise on Monday and continues through Dec. 9. Schools in Cumberland County were off for the day. Wenger said he was already busy by 10 a.m. Monday, and he expected to remain busy throughout the day. Theyve started to come in already, he said. With archery season, we dont get the rush that we used to but well still be busy. Well have deer in the parking lot. One pulled in right now. Byron Magee, owner of Mountain Man Custom Butchering, 10125 Mountain Road, Orrstown, agrees. Its a typical first day of rifle season, he said Monday afternoon. Weve had 33 in already, and we expect another 30 to 40 before we close at 6. Monday was also a typical opening day at North Mountain Butcher Shop, 4722 Enola Road, Newville, where 20 hunters had brought their deer by 3 p.m. Its early yet for some hunters, a spokeswoman said, adding that she expects business to be steady over the next two weeks. Wenger said his busy season begins in October with the opening of archery season. Rifle season used to be the beginning. Now it begins with archery the first of October, he said. Popular cuts Wenger said deer steaks, roasts and burger are the most popular cuts of meat for his customers, although we sell 26 different products (and) about 10,000 pounds of sweet bologna. Business also picks up during archery season for Magee and remains busy through the end of rifle season. Weve already processed 225 deer in archery, he said. Well probably process another 225 to 250 in the next two weeks. We process beef and hogs throughout the year, but we dont do any beef or hogs the whole month of December. In fact, deer season brings in so much additional business that most meat processors need extra help. We hire extra people and work extra hours, Wenger said. I have some very good seasonal help that I can depend on. I have a few guys who help, Magee said. I bring in two or three extra people this time of year. Hunters are allowed to harvest one buck, as well as an antlerless deer for each antlerless permit they hold. Experts believe the deer population is up due to last years milder temperatures. As a result, there has been more food for the deer. However, it also means the deer are not moving as much so hunters are being asked to be patient. In terms of total deer harvest numbers, Pennsylvania ranked third in the country in 2016. Only Texas and Michigan had higher harvest totals. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Two high-visibility open space projects have resulted in a pair of statewide awards for the Corvallis Parks and Recreation Department. The Oregon Recreation & Park Association honored parks planner Jackie Rochefort for her work on the Marys River Natural Area boardwalk and parks supervisor Jude Geist for his efforts on the oak restoration in the Chip Ross and Timberhill natural areas. Association executive director Michael Klein, who presented Rochefort and Geist with their plaques at the Nov. 20 City Council meeting, said that it is unusual for a community the size of Corvallis to receive two awards in the same year. The association honors individuals in up to 11 categories annually. Rochefort, who has been with Parks and Rec for more than 18 years, was given the associations planning award, while Geist, who has been with the department since 2012, won the award for environmental leadership. Here is a look at the two projects: Marys River boardwalk The Marys River boardwalk project was extremely complex, said Karen Emery, director of Parks and Recreation. Jackie jumped through every hoop and sometimes twice. The boardwalk trail system off of Southwest Brooklane Drive was wiped out by flooding in the winter of 2011-12. The city started its replacement efforts with a $200,000 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but things got a whole lot more challenging from there. Among the hurdles Rochefort and the city had to face were: the land includes city and county property, wetlands and floodplain issues had to be addressed, tribes were brought in because of the possibility of Native American cultural resources, and two plantings of the endangered Nelsons checkermallow had to be undertaken. Also, because of the FEMA money, federal approvals were required all along the way, including a requirement that materials that were washed out be reused. City funds and donations made up the rest of the budget for the $500,000 project, which broke ground in April and opened to the public in September. Local contractor Scott Taylor salvaged as much of the wood as he could and built the new boardwalk atop helical piers designed to keep it above any future floodwaters. It took a great deal of persistence, organization, critical and analytical thinking to solve what I came to think of as a puzzle to meet all of the permit requirements for the project, Rochefort said. There were several times where I thought I should give up on the project, but then I kept thinking that I was in too deep to give up. Oak woodland restoration The Chip Ross oak release project was important because there is less than 1 percent left in the Willamette Valley, Emery said. Jude took this on because if he didnt, we would lose the resource. Geist assembled a platoon of collaborators. Community members wrote the Oregon Water Enhancement Board grant proposal that brought in $120,000 in seed money. Parks and Rec also worked with Oregon State University because some of its forestry property was involved oak habitat doesnt stop at the property line, Geist said. Trout Mountain Forestry, which works with the city on management of the Corvallis Forest on Marys Peak, thinned the excess Douglas firs and big leaf maples and sold the logs, with the proceeds making up the rest of the $300,000 budget. And Geist had the citys tree guru, urban forester Jon Pywell, to handle the day-to-day management on site. This award is as much for the project as it is for me, Geist said. Like Rochefort, Geist and his crew faced a series of challenges. He wanted to start thinning the trees in June 2016, but that plan was scrubbed because of the dangers to nesting birds. That set off a whole series of events, Geist said. The timber work went into the summer months when high heat and low humidity kept the crews in the trucks because of the fire danger. Which meant that the logging stretched into October and the rainy season. The good news in addition to the new open look to the forest for trail users is that the proceeds from the logging exceeded expectations. A reserve fund has been created to help pay for invasive species work and trail maintenance and upgrades. Also, the thinning work uncovered remnants of an old trail system that the city would like to restore and add to the Chip Ross/Timberhill trail network. No funds exist yet for that project, but the folks at Parks & Rec seem likely to be able to handle it when the money materializes. April 2, 1926 November 20, 2017 Tom was born in Medford, Oregon to Thomas Griffith and Annette Weatherford Cowgill. He graduated from Albany Union High School in 1944, served in the Army Air Corp. and later attended Oregon State University. He married Mary Hulbert in 1949 and they moved to Harrisburg, where he farmed for 16 years. Then they moved to Lincoln City where he worked in construction until his retirement. After traveling and enjoying retirement for many years, Tom and Mary moved to Albany in 2005. Tom was a member of St. Albans Episcopal Church, Royal Arch Masons, Order of Eastern Star, Elks Lodge and American Legion. He was preceded in death by his parents; and three brothers, Ken, Don and Jim. Tom is survived by his wife Mary; children Tom (Jeannine), Carolyn, and John (Jama); as well as five granddaughters; one grandson; and seven great-grandchildren. He was the last surviving great-grandchild of J.K. Weatherford. At his request no services will be held. 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 THURSDAY, NOV. 23 BURGLARY: 8:12 a.m., 2400 block of Northwest Kings Boulevard, Corvallis. An employee at Coffee Culture reported she had arrived earlier to open the shop and realized the exterior power panel had been opened and the power turned off to the business. She also noticed a sliding window was off its track. Police reviewed surveillance footage, which revealed a man with a short beard and mustache and a receding hair line. The suspect has not been identified. BURGLARY: 8 a.m., 2600 block of Northwest Ninth Street, Corvallis. Someone attempted to break into the Shell gas station and caused severe damage to the office door. FRIDAY, NOV. 24 CRIMINAL MISCHIEF: 4:50 a.m., 3000 block of Southeast Third Street, Corvallis. Police responded to the parking lot of B&R after a Verizon Wireless employee called to report damage to one of their fiber optic lines. A photo showed a small hole in the line at the top of the power pole. The damage was estimated at about $3,000. Police collected 11 Luger 9 mm shell casings from the scene. SATURDAY, NOV. 25 DUII: 11:30 a.m., 300 block of Northwest Second Street, Corvallis. A caller at China Delight reported a drunken man got into a car and drove away. Using the license plate number, police reportedly identified the driver as Clinton Allen Arnold, 54, of Corvallis. Police went to Arnolds home and arrested him for driving under the influence of intoxicants. Arnold reportedly had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.11 percent. THEFT: 7:50 p.m., 1800 block of Northwest Polk Avenue, Corvallis. Two women reported they left their backpacks in their car while it was unlocked and the backpacks were stolen. The bags contained approximately $3,070 worth of items, including a Mac Book computer, Beats headphones, a Lenovo laptop and iPhone 7. SUNDAY, NOV. 26 BURGLARY: 10:31 a.m., 200 block of Northwest 17th Street, Corvallis. A womans apartment was broken into and her passport and wallet were taken. Police canvassed the neighborhood but did not obtain any suspect information. Benton County Sheriffs Office THURSDAY, NOV. 23 DUII: 10:04 p.m., Northeast Conifer Boulevard and Northeast Lancaster Street, Corvallis. A deputy stopped a car after it reportedly struck a curb while turning onto Northeast Conifer Boulevard. The deputy arrested the driver, Crystal Jean Vogelsang, 68, of Chula Vista, California, for driving under the influence of intoxicants. Vogelsang reportedly had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.18 percent. SATURDAY, NOV. 25 DUII: 2:15 a.m., Northwest Ninth Street and Northwest Buchanan Avenue, Corvallis. A deputy stopped a car after it reportedly drove out of the Harrison Bar and Grill, crossing all lanes of traffic. The deputy arrested the driver, Jason Andrew Robertson, 26, of Keizer, for driving under the influence of intoxicants. Robertson reportedly had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.11 percent. BURGLARY: 5:21 p.m., 2800 block of Northeast Pilkington Avenue, Corvallis. A man reported someone entered his open garage door and stole items from the garage and his car, including a leather coat and a LL Bean sweater, for a total loss of $350. No suspects were identified. SUNDAY, NOV. 26 DUII: 1:49 a.m., Northwest 13th Street and Northwest Harrison Boulevard, Corvallis. A deputy stopped a car for reportedly making an improper turn, speeding and failing to drive within the lane. The deputy arrested the driver, Adam Kiyoshi Osmer, 25, of Corvallis, for driving under the influence of intoxicants. Osmer reportedly had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.16 percent. Oregon State Police MONDAY, NOV. 20 SCAM: 1:50 p.m., 1700 block of Western Boulevard, Corvallis. A student reported he had received a phone call requesting his bank account information so that the caller could deposit funds. The caller said they represented the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The student did not provide the caller with any information. THURSDAY, NOV. 23 DUII: 12:15 a.m., 15th Street and Harrison Boulevard, Corvallis. A trooper stopped a car for reportedly failing to maintain its lane. The trooper arrested the driver, Daniel James Zelazek, 51, of Tigard, for driving under the influence of intoxicants. Zelazek reportedly had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.09 percent. SATURDAY, NOV. 25 DUII: 11:40 p.m., Southwest 30th Street and Western Boulevard, Corvallis. A trooper stopped a car and arrested the driver, William Wailam Chow, 22, of Corvallis, for driving under the influence of intoxicants. Chow reportedly had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.12 percent. SUNDAY, NOV. 26 DUII: 11:03 p.m., Southwest Fourth Street and Southwest Madison Boulevard, Corvallis. A trooper stopped a car and arrested the driver, Erick Garvin Lee, 21, of Corvallis, for driving under the influence of intoxicants. Lee reportedly admitted to consuming alcohol and marijuana. A breathalyzer reportedly showed no alcohol in his blood. We thank the Gazette-Times, especially reporter Bennett Hall, for in-person coverage of the Nov. 21, Montana trial of Leonard Higgins. The signers of this letter traveled to Fort Benton, Montana, with about 40 others from the Pacific Northwest, to support Leonard, an Oregon climate activist committed to nonviolence. He admitted closing an Enbridge pipeline valve in October 2016, stopping the flow of Tar-Sands oil into the United States from Canada. His not guilty plea was based on the necessity of effective, if initially symbolic, action to reduce fossil fuel use. Despite the judge having disallowed a necessity defense, Leonard managed to contend his action was warranted by the environmental harm and danger to the well-being of present and especially future generations caused by fossil-fuel driven climate change. The Gazette-Times stories were fair and accurate. Again, thank you. Martha Clemons and Charlie Miller Corvallis (Nov. 27) Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Need to get away? Start exploring magnificent places with our weekly travel newsletter. Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy Car hits pedestrian : 24-year-old struck by a car during a fight in Bad Godesberg Bad Godesberg A 24-year-old was hit by a car during a fight in Bad Godesberg. His injuries were so serious he had to receive medical treatment. The suspected opponents followed the man to hospital. Teilen Teilen Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Tweeten Tweeten Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Drucken Police and the public prosecutors office are investigating three men aged 20, 24 and 26 on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm. They are alleged to have seriously injured a 24-year-old acquaintance during a dispute on Plittersdorfer Strae. Police said the trio had met the 24-year-old at the underground station on Plittersdorfer Strae around 5.55pm on Saturday afternoon to discuss a recent incident at a party. Those involved got into a serious fight during which the three men hit and trod on their victim. When a passerby noticed the incident, the perpetrators ran off and got into a car that was parked on Plittersdorfer Strae. The 24-year-old followed them and stood half on the street. According to current investigations, the 20-year-old driver drove off and injured the 24-year-old so seriously when driving past that he had to be taken to hospital for in-patient treatment. When the three men appeared there a short time later they were detained by officers from the Bad Godesberg police station. An investigative commission from Bonn police took over the investigation in close cooperation with the public prosecutors office. On an application by the public prosecutors office, a judge issued an arrest warrant for grievous bodily harm against the 26-year-old, which was suspended under strict conditions. The two other men could also leave the police station. Investigations into the background and the exact course of the incident are ongoing. The 20-year-old had to hand in his driving licence before leaving the police station. Homicide squad investigating : 42-year-old found dead in an apartment in Limperich Bonn A 42-year-old man was found dead in his apartment in Bonn-Limperich on Sunday afternoon. The police and the public prosecution office are assuming homicide and the homicide squad is investigating and looking for witnesses. Teilen Teilen Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Tweeten Tweeten Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Drucken A homicide in Limperich has been keeping the police and the public prosecution office busy since Sunday afternoon. Police said they were alerted at around 2.30pm by relatives of the 42-year-old, who had found the man dead in his apartment on Talweg. The victim is a 42-year-old man from Eritrea. In light of the scene they encountered, investigators are assuming he was killed by external influences. A homicide squad, led by detective superintendent Norbert Lindhorst, has taken over the investigations in close cooperation with public prosecutor Florian Gessler. Witnesses are vague as to whether Adil A. was last seen alive on Thursday or Friday. According to General Anzeiger information, the victims mother wanted to see if everything was alright in the apartment and found her son lifeless. The 42-year-old lived alone in the top floor apartment, whose door showed no signs of a break in or other damage. A robbery is therefore less likely than the possibility that the victim and perpetrator knew each other. The police have not said how the 42-year-old was killed to safeguard the investigation. As this concerns the perpetrators knowledge, we cant say anything about it at the present time, explained police spokesman Robert Scholten when asked and added: We are pursuing all evidence at the moment and investigating at full speed to find the perpetrator. In the meantime, numerous witnesses, including from the neighbourhood, have already been questioned. The man lived in a quiet residential area between train and tram tracks. On Monday, a Mercedes Sprinter van from the police records department stood for hours in front of the six apartment rental building, in which the 42-year-old had rented a one room apartment. According to GA information, the African had lived in Germany since his childhood, after emigrating from Eritrea with his family in the 1980s. He grew up in Germany, completed his secondary education, kept his head above water with casual work and had a job when he died. According to GA information, he previously lived in Poppelsdorf for a while. An autopsy was performed on his body. Police did not give any information on Monday about the alleged time of death. Investigators from the homicide squad are now asking: who saw anything suspicious on Talweg between Thursday evening and Sunday lunchtime that could be related to the crime? And, who knows whom the 42-year-old had arranged to meet or met during this time period? Those with information are asked to call police on 0228 150. Nothing, it seems, energizes Bill and Hillary Clintons dedicated band of camp followers faster or with greater intensity than suggestions that responsibility for her devastating loss last November lay with the campaign itself. Democratic party apparatchiks and sympathizers in the media who cling to the Clintons like barnacles to the hull of a garbage scow, spring into action at the first hint of accusations that the campaign team was grotesquely dysfunctional, beset by power struggles, and populated by egomaniacal backstabbers. Their latest target is longtime Democratic Party activist and former national chair Donna Brazile, whose recently published book Hacks is brutally unsparing in its portrayal of the campaign leadership as inept, insular and caustically dismissive of other more experienced individuals. The Clinton loyalists quickly began trashing Brazile, accusing her of shameless self-promotion and a crass attempt to hype book sales. Its the same basic script the Clinton camp has followed since her defeat at the hands of President Trump: The blame lies with Russian agents, former FBI Director James Comey, WikiLeaks, and other assorted evil-doers intent on blocking her from becoming the first female president. In Braziles version of the deal struck by the DNC and the Clinton campaign to cede control over virtually every aspect of the committees functions to the campaign in return for a bailout, the arrangement was unethical but not illegal. The Clinton version was that it was a sincere and generous effort by the campaign to assure the committees financial stability and maintain it as a viable organization.Control of personnel, strategy and spending was merely a welcome side benefit. The agreement, in Braziles view, came perilously close to rigging the primary election process to favor Clinton over Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. Brazile concedes there is no hard evidence to support allegations of a rigged process, but there is little question that under her predecessor, Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schulz, the committee tilted decidedly in Clintons direction. The uproar over Braziles book is but the latest storm over the decision-making, strategy and overall conduct of the Clinton campaign. Earlier books, analyses, and countless autopsies carried out on cable television talk shows have kept the issue alive for more than a year and all are remarkably similar in tone the election was in the bag, it was hers to lose and the ineptitude and stubbornness of the campaign leaders produced arguably the greatest electoral upset since President Truman defeated Thomas Dewey in 1948. More to the point, though, it is the Clintons themselves who have refused to put the election behind them and who insist on rationalizing her loss and retaining a dominant role in party affairs. National Committee Chairman Tom Perez, in television interviews, dodged all questions based on the Brazile book, by repeating its time to move on. He sounded much like someone who felt that if he repeated it often enough, it would somehow come true. His wish, though, ignores the reality that the Clintons do not want to move on.Her continued public commentaries, for instance, are designed to re-assert her relevancy and convince Americans that they made a grievous error in rejecting her. For Perez to realize his desire will require a confrontation with the Clintons to suggest they relax in their Westchester County home and spend quality time with their grandchildren. It is time for Bill and Hill to accept the role of elder statespersons, available to share their wisdom with others but not supplant them. Neither has displayed any clear sign of gracefully retiring and, without a hard shove, will attempt to remain center stage. Theyve become a cold sore on the upper lip of the Democratic Party and, without medication, will be the focus of what people see when they look at the organization. In the meantime, the Clinton loyalists remain vigilant and stand ready to engage in hand-to-hand combat with those who would blame their idols for the current state of party affairs. One can envision them rising each morning, slipping into their Im With Her tee-shirts and fantasizing about striding the corridors of the White House. Dreams die hard. 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. Article Protecting the worlds oceans an important goal of Germanys climate diplomacy The worlds oceans are vital to our survival. They regulate the global climate and are a source of food and income for billions of people. Only a very small part of the seas enjoys legal protection, however. Our diplomats are working in New York right now to change this state of affairs. felicilin at 28-11-2017 11:27 AM (4 years ago) (f) Congratulations are in order for Bucharest-based Nigerian Big Boy and socialite, Samuel Afolabi, who proposed to his longtime girlfriend Henna Luiza in a romantic way some days ago. Congratulations are in order for Bucharest-based Nigerian Big Boy and socialite, Samuel Afolabi, who proposed to his longtime girlfriend Henna Luiza in a romantic way some days ago. The young man from Lagos state and the CEO of Sam Club (the only black owned club in Romania, according to reports), surprised his partner romantically with the marriage proposal after booking a hotel for themselves And of course, Henna accepted his proposal as she said YES to him. The young man from Lagos state and the CEO of Sam Club (the only black owned club in Romania, according to reports), surprised his partner romantically with the marriage proposal after booking a hotel for themselvesAnd of course, Henna accepted his proposal as she said YES to him. Post Reply Posted: at 28-11-2017 11:27 AM (4 years ago) | Hero kacylee at 28-11-2017 07:49 PM (4 years ago) (f) A former Vice-President of the World Bank and former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, has said that male political leaders are to blame for the poor state of affairs in Nigeria and Africa as a whole. A former Vice-President of the World Bank and former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, has said that male political leaders are to blame for the poor state of affairs in Nigeria and Africa as a whole. She also absolved women of any blame, saying they have had only a marginal role to play in the poor governance that has bedeviled the continent. She stressed the need to have more women at all levels of government and good representation at all arms of government executive, legislature and judiciary. Ezekwesili, who was the keynote speaker at the maiden edition of the HID Awolowo Foundation annual lecture in Lagos on Tuesday, said research had shown that in Africa, only five per cent of women are chief executive officers, only 22 per cent of women are cabinet members, 25 per cent are parliamentarians, 29 per cent are managers, while a mere 36 per cent get promotion. In the lecture, themed Ethical, politics, peace, development and security in Nigeria: The critical importance of womens leadership, Ezekwesili said it was time Nigerian women disrupted the political process that had acted as a barrier for them to enter into the political space, noting that the barrier ranges from cultural, economic, social, religious to self-imposed barriers. She said, For as long as the women are held down, the trend analysis does not show any reversal of outcome. Nobody does any favour to Nigerian women by involving them in governance. Women are incredible human resource that we must put to use, and what this says to us is that we need to be more intentional and deliberate. Research shows that when many more women are at decision-making level, there is less corruption and a wise society would know that empowering its women is smart economics. The only way to honour the memory of Yeye Oodua is to take it to that next level; disrupt this model, which is no longer sustainable. She also absolved women of any blame, saying they have had only a marginal role to play in the poor governance that has bedeviled the continent.She stressed the need to have more women at all levels of government and good representation at all arms of government executive, legislature and judiciary.Ezekwesili, who was the keynote speaker at the maiden edition of the HID Awolowo Foundation annual lecture in Lagos on Tuesday, said research had shown that in Africa, only five per cent of women are chief executive officers, only 22 per cent of women are cabinet members, 25 per cent are parliamentarians, 29 per cent are managers, while a mere 36 per cent get promotion.In the lecture, themed Ethical, politics, peace, development and security in Nigeria: The critical importance of womens leadership, Ezekwesili said it was time Nigerian women disrupted the political process that had acted as a barrier for them to enter into the political space, noting that the barrier ranges from cultural, economic, social, religious to self-imposed barriers.She said, Post Reply I have been reporting for several years now and I am very interested in visual news reportage with strong inclusion of photos and video multimedia. Posted: at 28-11-2017 07:49 PM (4 years ago) | Addicted Hero Cyberbit Supplied ISE Systems with a Cyberbit Range for its Cybersecurity Training Center in Paris November 2017 by Marc Jacob Cyberbit Ltd. announced that it supplied ISE Systems, a French data governance and cybersecurity consulting and service provider, with the Cyberbit Range training and simulation platform. ISE Systems recently opened its new Cyber Range Training Center in Paris in order to provide cybersecurity certifications and simulated cybersecurity training for professionals, enterprises and government customers. "The recent rise in commercial cyberattacks and international cyberwarfare has bolstered both awareness and demand for highly skilled cybersecurity professionals. EU regulation such as GDPR puts additional pressure on French companies, said Mickael Attias, CEO of ISE Systems. "We found the Cyberbit Range to be the most mature training platform in the market and saw how it improves not only technical skills but also teamwork and incident response processes. This combination makes our customers teams much more likely to thwart attacks successfully and keep their organization secure." "We are very pleased to be working with ISE Systems to build their cybersecurity training center, said Adi Dar, CEO of Cyberbit. The demand for cybersecurity professionals will real hands-on experience is growing quickly, and ISE will play an important role in developing the skills necessary to ensure Frances cybersecurity." Dar added: Cyberbit Range is the fastest-growing cybersecurity training and simulation platform, training and certifying thousands of cybersecurity professionals around the world. In less than two years Cyberbit Range training centers have been opened in Europe, Asia and North America, including: RUAG in Switzerland; IABG in Germany; Ni Cybersecurity in Tokyo, Japan; and ST Electronics in Singapore; Regent University in Virginia, U.S.; The Baltimore Cyber Range in Maryland, U.S.; and most recently ISE Systems in France. The Farmington City Council heard an update on the communitys Tax Increment Financing districts during Monday evening's meeting. Farmington City Administrator Greg Beavers spoke to the council during the hearing on the Karsch Boulevard and Downtown Farmington district, as well as the Highway 67 district. State statutes require the city to hold public hearings on the TIF districts every five years. We have two TIF districts in Farmington that are currently active, Beavers said. By going back in time and looking at the plans that were identified and the projects that were identified in 2004 and 2005 for those TIF plans they both eventually performed where they were expected to perform. The Karsch Boulevard and Downtown Farmington district which was implemented in 2004 has, according to the city administrator, done wonderful things for the downtown area on both the utility side and in the revitalization of buildings and aiding toward the construction of new facilities. The district was first used to help make way for the courthouse annex. We used that money to help the county with the courthouse annex building, he said. We used it for the fire station> We used a portion for the library ... all of which took under-performing, old, obsolete buildings out of our downtown. A portion of the TIF is also available for local developers to use in the restoration of businesses downtown. Projects receiving funds through the TIF include the ColJac Artisan Cafe and First Wok locations, the Barbara Lee apartment building which houses Dress 2 Impress, and the law office of Joe Goff. I think its doing everything it was intended to do, he said. As for the Highway 67 district located on the west side of the city - the plans were revised a few years ago after the original development plan for shopping centers by Gundaker failed to come into fruition. The plan was amended in 2015 to drop the property on the west side of the highway in preparation for Menards coming to the area. The district now only includes what is currently developed on the east side of that original district. Reports on the two districts are filed annually with the Missouri Department of Revenue and can be viewed on the departments website and online at farmington-mo.gov. In other actions taken during the council meeting, Ward I Councilman John Robinson presented the Public Safety report, noting the new K9 officer Ringo recently completed six weeks of training with his handler, Officer Josh Shearrer. Robinson also noted the committee is evaluating the supplemental body armor for the department designed to absorb or deflect a rifle round after a recent officer-involved shooting. During the Public Works report, Ward IV Councilman Mark Kellogg said the city has placed a sign reminding motorist on Ste. Genevieve Avenue of the 25 MPH speed limit near St. Joseph Catholic School and St. Paul Lutheran School. The council discussed possible options to alert motorists to slow down in the area in question including the possible placement of flashing crossing warnings as used in other areas of town. It was decided more study would be done before action is taken. Vanessa Pegram, the other representative for Ward IV, announced a number of Christmas events planned on Dec. 5. The Farmington Public Library is hosting a live reading of the Polar Express before the start of the Krekeler Jewelers A Storybook Christmas Parade which begins at 6 p.m. Following the parade will be the opening of Winter Wonderland at Long Memorial Hall. Breakfast with Santa is set for Dec. 9 and 16 at Winter Wonderland for $5 per person. For more information visit farmington-mo.gov. In legislative items, the council approved amendments to the municipal code including: No parking on the south side of Harrison Street from the intersection to the first driveway between Franklin and A Streets; along with no parking on A Street in front of the Farmington Public Library, the south side of the street in front of 745 Weber Road (Sonic) and on the south side of East First Street between South Washington Street and South Jackson Street. One- and two-way traffic stop intersections are amended to add: Parkland at Hazel; Oak Knoll at Black Oak; Oak Knoll at Bray; Oak Knoll and Moss; Moss at Black Oak; Centene at Progress; west bound Hazel Lane and Parkland Drive; Hidden Valley at Sunset; Middle at Pine, Huntleigh Court at Kimberly Court; Bayberry at Pine; North Jefferson Street at College Street; and Wallace Road westbound at the intersection of Weber Road. Intersection codes at Showplace Drive and Holly Tree Lane, as well as Wallace Road and Weber Road will be deleted. A four-way intersection at Vandergriff and Pine will be added. A first reading only was held on an ordinance which includes parking restrictions for parking lots owned by the city with no parking from midnight to 6 a.m. to be added to the ordinance. It was also announced filings open at 8 a.m. on Dec. 12 for the four council seats to be decided in the April 2018 municipal election. The seats include those currently held by Cody Eaves in Ward I, Dale Wright in Ward II, Darrel Holdman in Ward III and Mark Kellogg in Ward IV. Filing closes at 5 p.m. on Jan. 14. In closing, Mayor Larry Forsythe made a motion to move the Dec. 25 meeting to Dec. 18, with unanimous approval. The council meets next in regular session on Dec. 14. The Longwood Small Business Development Center has adopted a new regional approach that utilizes experienced, independent consultants to better serve the small businesses in 19 counties and six independent cities in South-Central Virginia. Where we had five specific office location before, weve created three sub-regions, Longwood SBDC Executive Director Sheri McGuire said. Weve shifted Mecklenburg and Brunswick into our central region covered from Farmville. Lin Hite manages client services in our western region as regional director. Ellen Templeton manages client services in our eastern region as regional director. In addition to LSBDCs staff of regional directors and general business analysts, the independent consultants will provide a broader menu of services and higher level of skill sets. New to the LSBDC consultant team is Jon Van Cleave, who has 25 years of experience with the global corporation, Reynolds Metals/Alcoa, as well as working as an independent consultant. Billion-dollar companies put a lot of money behind financial planning and analysis. Small businesses need the same analysis just on a smaller scale, Van Cleave said. I do financial planning and analysis including business evaluations and acquisition integration, product and customer profitability analysis, and budgeting and forecasting. Van Cleave, who has been traveling on a weekly basis for the past seven years, looks forward to settling in Farmville. He and his wife are currently renovating an older home on High Street. Im looking forward to focusing on Virginia, he added. Im the kind of consultant that likes to work side-by-side with a client not just come in, advise and leave. I want to work as a partner. Van Cleave will be available to work throughout the SBDC territories. Michael Duncan and Kelvin Perry continue to serve as independent consultants in the western region and are available for online consultations throughout the territory as necessary. Michael Duncan specializes in manufacturing and operations for existing businesses , McGuire explained. Kelvin Perry, who works for the city of Danville in the economic development office, also works as an independent consultant for LSBDC on an as-needed basis. I provide counseling to start-ups or for clients who want to grow an existing business, Perry said. I meet with clients in Martinsville after hours, but Im flexible. Randy Lail provides independent counseling on a volunteer basis. Hes a retired CFO for Peebles Department Store whose specialty is retail and finance, McGuire said. A recent addition the LSBDC office in Farmville is Brandon Hennessey, who completed his MBA at Longwood University. As business analyst, Hennessey assists clients with marketing, financial analysis, and developing a business plan. I can give clients a good practical abstract of where theyre headed and what actions they need to take to be successful, Hennessey said. Developing interpersonal relationships with my clients is important to me I want them to feel comfortable in discussing their plans and problems. McGuire sees the regional structure with new consultants and analysts as a way to provide greater service to small business owners in the LSBDC service area. We believe that providing specific and specialized resources to grow existing businesses can create an even greater impact in the community, she concluded. Assisting start-ups also remains an important part of what we do. Toronto, Ontario (FSCwire) - Rockcliff Metals Corp. (Rockcliff or the Company) (TSX.V: RCLF) (FRANKFURT: RO0, WKN: A2H60G) is pleased to announce that the Company, through its 100% owned subsidiary, Goldpath Resources Corp., has purchased a 100% interest in the Lucky Jack Gold Property, located in the historic Wekusko-Herb Lake gold camp in Snow Lake, Manitoba. The Lucky Jack Gold Property totals 15 mining claims covering 2,557 hectares and is located immediately south of the Companys Laguna Gold Property which hosts the former producing Laguna Gold Mine, Manitobas first and highest-grade gold mine. The Lucky Jack Gold Property becomes part of the Companys Manitoba property portfolio, one of the highest-grade base and precious metals property portfolios in North America. The Companys property portfolio is in the Snow Lake mining camp located within the prolific Flin Flon-Snow Lake greenstone belt hosting high-grade precious and base metal deposits and mines. Ken Lapierre President & CEO stated While we remain focused on advancing our high grade Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide deposits and are presently drilling the high-grade Bur Zinc Deposit, the opportunity to grow our gold portfolio adjacent to the high-grade Laguna Gold Property was opportunistic and now strengthens our growing gold assets in the camp. The Lucky Jack Gold Property has superior gold potential within the historic Wekusko-Herb Lake gold camp, excellent infrastructure and complements our existing gold assets. We look forward to exploring and advancing our geological understanding and gold potential at the Lucky Jack Gold Property next year. Please refer to Figure 1 on the following page for Lucky Jack Gold property highlights. Lucky Jack Gold Property Highlights At the Lucky Jack Gold Property, gold mineralization is hosted in foliated and fractured zones and sulphide bearing quartz veins and stringers located near the contact of granite, granodiorite and pegmatite rocks with the surrounding volcanic, intrusive and sedimentary rocks. Geophysical evidence suggests that gold mineralization is associated along the contacts of multi-kilometre long magnetometer anomalies and that at least 6 magnetometer anomalies have been identified within the Lucky Jack Gold Property. Limited historical work has been completed at the Lucky Jack Property. A main shaft was sunk in 1924 on a quartz vein system 1,000 metres long and up 15 to 25 metres wide, as documented by the Mineral Inventory of Manitoba (J.D. Bamburak-1980). A total of 21 grab samples from the main shaft area were reported to have averaged 66.0 grams per tonne(g/t) gold. In 1982, channel samples completed by Cangold Ltd. near the main shaft assayed from 11.0 gpt across 0.4 metres to 44.2 g/t gold across 1.4 metres and gold values were recorded over a strike length of 130 metres. In 1988, drilling completed by Granges Exploration Ltd. around the main shaft area intersected significant gold assays including in Hole # BAR-3 of 8.9 g/t across 1.0 metres, 15.9 g/t across 1.0 metres, 19.6 g/t across 0.5 metres and 32.5 g/t across 0.5 metres above 75 metres vertical. In 1985, one drill hole (KUS169) completed by HudBay Minerals Inc. on a separate gold-rich system 1.7 kilometres west of the main shaft intersected gold values above 75 metres vertical of 5.6 g/t across 0.3 metres, 11.5 g/t across 0.46 metres and 58.5 g/t across 0.40 metres. A third area of gold potential 5.5 kilometres northwest of the main shaft intersected a gossan-rich zone 5 to 10 metres wide with samples up to 20.6 g/t gold. Figure 1: Total Magnetic Field Intensity Map over the Lucky Jack Property To view the graphic in its original size, please click here Rockcliff purchased 100% of the Lucky Jack Gold property for $77,250 and a 2% net smelter royalty (NSR) on seven of the fifteen claims. Half of the NSR can be purchased at any time for $500,000 per 0.5% NSR. Rockcliff has the right of first refusal on the remaining NSR on the property. Ken Lapierre P.Geo., President and CEO of Rockcliff, a Qualified Person in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements as set out in NI 43-101, has read and approved the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for the disclosure contained in this press release. About Rockcliff Metals Corporation On November 1, 2017 Rockcliff Copper Corporation changed its name to Rockcliff Metals Corp.. The change of name better reflects the polymetallic nature of the Companys high-grade VMS properties that comprise copper, gold, zinc and silver. Rockcliff is a Canadian resource exploration company focused on the discovery, advancement and consolidation of a portfolio of the highest grade, undeveloped metal deposits in the prolific Flin Flon Snow Lake greenstone belt located in central Manitoba. The Companys current portfolio of projects, totalling in excess of 45,000 hectares, is located in and around the Snow Lake mining camp and hosts the highest grade undeveloped NI 43-101 compliant copper deposits (the gold-rich Talbot copper deposit and the Rail copper deposit), and the highest grade undeveloped historical zinc deposits (the Lon zinc deposit, the Bur zinc deposit, the Morgan zinc deposit and the down dip continuation of the Pen zinc deposit). The Companys projects also include Manitobas first and highest grade former lode gold producer (Laguna Gold Property), four additional gold-rich properties (Lucky Jack Gold Property, SLG Gold Property, Berry Creek Gold Property and DSN Gold Property), a Net Smelter Royalty on the Tower Copper Property (the T-1 copper deposit) and the optioned near surface high grade MacBride zinc deposit located north of Leaf Rapids, Manitoba. For further information, please contact: Rockcliff Metals Corporation CHF Capital Markets Ken Lapierre, P.Geo Cathy Hume, CEO President & CEO Off: (416) 868-1079 ext. 231 Cell: (647) 678-3879 cathy@chfir.com Off: (416) 644-1752 ken@rockcliffmetals.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: 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 contained in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward-looking. Although Rockcliff 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 the forward-looking statements. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. To view this press release as a PDF file, click onto the following link:public://news_release_pdf/Rockcliff11282017.pdfSource: Rockcliff Metals Corp. (TSX Venture:RCLF, OTC Pink:SVVZF, FWB:RO0) To follow Rockcliff Metals Corp. on your favorite social media platform or financial websites, please click on the icons below. Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2017 Filing Services Canada Inc. VANCOUVER, November 28th, 2017 - Berkwood Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: BKR, FSE: BK2, WKN: A110N3) ("Berkwood" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the assay results from the drill program on the Zone 1 geophysical prospect at the Company's 100% owned Lac Gueret South Project. Thirteen holes were drilled in the first Phase drill program with every hole intersecting visible Graphite. Sections of the drill core were sent for assay and we are pleased to confirm High grade Graphite with average grades in the range of 14.39 to 25.52% Cgr and true thicknesses ranging 22.1 to 40.3 m. Mr. Edward Lyons PGeo (BC, QC, NL) has worked extensively on the Lac Gueret Property, now owned by Mason, states "The analyses show that the thick unit on Section 3100E as well as shorter intervals showed a similar range of grades that occurs at Mason Graphite's Lac Gueret deposit nearby." The Zone 1 target is a conductive and magnetic system with a 2.2 km east-west strike length and 0.6 km width. It shows two parallel zones which may be a large-scale fold. The Zone 1 drill program intersected graphite in each of the 13 holes drilled on the west end of the Zone, and with which initial metallurgical assessment is in progress. Certificates of Analyses # YVR1710850 and # YVR1717850A contain analytical results for all samples taken in the 13 HQ diamond drill holes on Zone 1. Nine sites contained the 13 drill holes oriented north with inclinations varying from -45? to -75? on a cut grid. The sites were spaced about 70-100 m apart on north-south sections which were spaced about 100-m apart. Significant results are described below: Significant Drill Intersections DDH ID From (m) To (m) Sample length (m) Cg% avg True thickness (m) ** BK1-01-17 40.23 45.00 4.77 28.61 4.48 BK1-01-17 99.48 137.77 38.29 14.68 36.0 includes 101.98 110.19 9.83 29.17 9.2 BK1-02-17 43.05 46.38 3.33 15.16 9.75 BK1-02-17 60.85 80.45 19.60 24.01 15.5 includes 64.38 74.40 10.02 32.95 6.4 BK1-03-17 20.79 47.69 26.90 24.40 26.9 includes 24.28 26.94 2.66 31.08 2.6 includes 34.69 44.06 9.37 35.34 9.3 BK1-03-17 93.40 99.38 5.98 13.11 5.98 BK1-04-17 26.68 79.24 52.56 21.01 40.3 includes 26.68 54.55 27.87 28.38 21.4 includes 69.19 71.71 2.52 31.72 1.9 DDH ID From (m) To (m) Sample length (m) Cg% avg True thickness (m) ** BK1-05-17 31.4 43.86 12.46 20.72 8.8 includes 36.21 39.41 3.2 33.69 1.4 BK1-06-17 16.39 28.34 11.95 25.52 22.1 BK1-07-17 112.75 118.61 5.95 10.83 4.4 BK1-08-17 139.42 160.63 17.17 20.04 16.4 includes 150.37 155.83 5.46 31.19 4.5 BK1-08-17 169.83 177.04 7.11 28.02 6.2 BK1-09-17 114.25 142.34 21.33 12.27 18.5 BK1-10-17 133.98 148.75 16.27 9.10 14.1 BK1-11-17 19.84 24.17 4.33 11.39 3.8 BK1-12-17 30.62 33.93 3.31 11.23 2.7 BK1-13-17 38.44 46.59 8.15 19.20 6.9 BK1-13-17 99.64 105.57 5.93 18.84 4.9 BK1-13-17 117.60 120.13 2.53 18.52 2.0 True thickness was estimated based on foliation to core axis and the initial interpretation The drillholes were completed on western three Sections 3100E through 3300E. Other narrower intervals with graphite greater than 10% Cgr occur, particularly on sections 3200E and 3300E, but are not listed above. The initial interpretation of Section 3100E geology suggests an asymmetrically dipping and moderately plunging antiform to the west that includes a relatively thick band of graphite schist with average grades in the range of 14.39 to 25.52% Cgr and true thicknesses ranging 22.1 to 40.3 m in the lower parts of BK1-01-17 and BK1-04-17 and the upper parts of BK1-03-17 and BK1-05-17. There are thinner units both above and below this horizon. How these relate to the sections 3200E and 3300E to the east is under review. It is possible that the thicker graphite schist horizon may subcrop between 3100E and 3200E; there is sparse outcrop in the heavily forested area. The possibility of testing the specific horizon by electromagnetic charging the horizon in a borehole and mapping the traces of the unit on surface can constrain interpretations. This "mise a la masse" EM technique successfully demonstrated the two main Quinto/Mason's Lac Gueret showings were connected. The area west of section 3100E has west-dipping topography that potentially could keep the horizon closer to the present surface. Tom Yingling, President and CEO states, "I am pleased we have succeeded in demonstrating significant graphite in large true thicknesses early in our initial exploration program. Having had success in every one of the 13 holes drilled to date on Zone 1 is very exciting. Drilling on Zone 2, reported on 21 November 2017, will assist the Company in prioritizing the most compelling prospect for potential development. Our fall drill program is fully financed, and the field project is managed by the same team that discovered Berkwood's Zone 1 discovery and the Mason Graphite deposit. I am thrilled with our shareholder and financing support, and with our capital structure - we still only have approximately 32.5 million shares outstanding." The Company has extended road access and trails to develop the initial group of targets at Zone 1, and drill pads have been prepared for the further planned drill program to test the targeted PhiSpy conductive anomalies. Lac Gueret South Zone 1 Lac Gueret South is located in Cote Nord, Quebec, a three hour drive from Baie-Comeau in an area of very good infrastructure. The Project lies directly south of Mason Graphite's (TSX-LLG) advanced Lac Gueret Project. Mason is developing one of the largest medium to high grade graphite deposits in the world. Success in this drill program confirms that a significant component of the distinct electromagnetic conductors that occur over a two kilometer length and 50 meters to 600 meters in width as defined by airborne EM geophysics (see the Berkwood news release dated February 10, 2015) includes graphite. Sampling & Analytical Procedures Sample intervals were marked based on the presence of graphite-bearing lithology and significant visual changes in graphite appearance and range from 0.88 to 3.2 m in length. Most were between 1.1 to 2.2 m. Bracket samples to a maximum of 3.0 m length of unmineralised or very low grade (<3% Cgr) mineralisation were taken to join groups of narrower graphite intersections for continuous data for future calculations. The samples were cut lengthwise with rock saw perpendicular to the foliation. One half was placed in plastic bags with numbered tags and arranged in sequence of collection. The other half was retained in core trays on site. Field QA/QC materials consisted of granitic gneiss rock with nil graphite and sulphide as blank material and quarter-cut drill core for duplicate samples. No standards or certified reference material (CRM) were used in the field. Visual inspection of blank material analyses showed the expected nil values for blank rock, which indicated no contamination from prior samples. Duplicate samples showed the close but not exact correlation with the original half-core samples as is typical of layered material. The laboratory includes five QA/QC materials in each batch of 35 client samples. Sampling of sawn drill core was completed, weighed, and packed in rice bags under supervision by the QP, and was shipped from Baie-Comeau, QC by truck on pallets to MS Analytical Laboratories in Langley, BC. Standard sample preparation included crushing and pulverising with silica sand "wash" prior to each sample at both stages on all samples to reduce contamination. The pulps of all samples were analyzed by MS Analytical's SPM-140 method for graphitic carbon by ashing the sample followed by an acid digestion to eliminate carbonate and SPM-210 for total sulphur by oxidation in a LECO furnace. SPM-140 analyses carbon as graphite (Cgr) to a maximum grade of 50% Cgr, while Total Sulfur has no upper interference level. ICP-MS analyses were run on two longer series of graphite samples from the thickest intervals to test for potential deleterious elements; nothing exceptional was found. Rejects and pulps are presently stored at the MS Analytical warehouse for future metallurgical tests. Discussion of Results The analyses show that the thick unit on Section 3100E as well as shorter intervals showed a similar range of grades that occurs at Mason Graphite's Lac Gueret deposit nearby. The cut-off grade used to define the intervals was the same 5% Cgr level used for Mason's Lac Gueret resource and reserve estimations with a denser data set, published on SEDAR. One difference is that the highest grades found in one area at Lac Gueret, just over 60% Cgr, were not matched here. Another is that the population of analyses around 5% Cgr constitute a small proportion of samples; the data are generally significantly higher or lower. Three levels of graphite concentration were codified in the field based on local observations as well as known data from Lac Gueret: graphite-bearing schist less than 5% (to 3%) Cgr as low grade; graphite schist with grades between 5% and 25% Cgr as medium grade; and high grade (HiG) material where the sample grades exceeded 25% Cgr and makes visual estimation is impossible in core. Comparison between South Lac Gueret and Lac Gueret deposits The comparison between Berkwood's Zone 1 and Lac Gueret, now owned by Mason Graphite, is that in the early stages of exploration by Quinto Mining, abundant outcrop on burned and logged areas was identified on the initial site visit by the QP. Minor stripping and clearing of the shallow overburden exposed extensive graphite zones with good quality mapping and intense surface sampling prior to drilling. The works by Quinto and Mason are documented in various technical reports posted on SEDAR between 2001 and 2015. Berkwood's property, which is at the initial stages of exploration, is forested making the development of equivalent exposures difficult. Thus, it faces more work to expose the same showings. New Property Acquisition Berkwood is pleased to announce that it has expanded its Lac Gueret Extensions project (Northern blocks). Owing to the success of its Phase 1 drill program and the success of Phase 1 drill program assays the Company decided to immediately acquire additional claims. Berkwood has acquired a further fifty three (53) claims in its Lac Gueret Extensions project (Northern block) region, to extend the previously held 19,884 ha (hectares) covered by 368 claims to a new total of 22,739.46 ha covered by 421 claims. Berkwood is acquiring The Turkey Lake Property by payment to 1131348 BC Ltd of 630,000 common shares and $15,000. Berkwood will own 100% of the property with no royalties attached. The transaction remains subject to TSX-V approval. Edward Lyons PGeo (BC, QC, NL) is a Qualified Person under the definition of Canadian National Instrument 43-101, and has approved the technical information in this news release. He has worked extensively on the Lac Gueret Property, now owned by Mason, and neighbouring graphite properties since 2000. To view a virtual reality video of the autumn Zone 1 drill program, visit our home page at: http://www.berkwoodresources.com About the Company: Berkwood is engaged in exploration for the commodities that enable the modern revolution in essential technologies. These technologies are dependent upon the ethical mining and supply of naturally occurring elements and minerals that enhance the performance of energy storage systems and permit the development and miniaturization of new electronics and structural components for the new suite of innovative tools. The Company is led by a team with collectively over 100 years experience and whose members have been involved with the discovery of several producing mines. On Behalf of the Board of Directors Berkwood Resources Ltd. 'Thomas Yingling' President, CEO & Director FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Investor Relations: info@berkwoodresources.com or 1-778-945-2935 www.berkwoodresources.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information: Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them. These forward-looking statements reflect management's current views and are based on certain expectations, estimates and assumptions, which may prove to be incorrect. Copyright (c) 2017 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. RENO, Nev., Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NuLegacy Gold Corp. reports that Mr. Charles G. Weakly has joined our geo-technical and exploration team as District Geologist. His addition will help accelerate our time table for achieving our goal of establishing a multi-million-ounce resource at our Red Hill property in Nevada. Known in Nevada as the gold finder, Mr. Weakly, BSc, Geo-Eng, has contributed significantly to the discovery of over ten million ounces of gold for Barrick Gold Corp. in several of their deposits in the Goldstrike district (19 years) and the Cortez district (3 years). The Cortez district has three established multi-million-ounce deposits immediately to the north-west of NuLegacys Red Hill gold property. Mr. Weakly expects to help NuLegacy achieve its stated objective of establishing a multi-million-ounce gold resource on the Red Hill property. His enrollment is part of the ongoing expansion/acceleration of our geo-technical teams capacity to follow up on the several discoveries made during the summer 2017 exploration program. We will likely add one, possibly two more geo-technical personnel during the winter to handle a much expanded 2018 drilling program. Im very pleased that Charles has joined us, said Albert Matter, NuLegacys Chairman. It furthers our mission of expanding our world class exploration team to meet our exploration and corporate objectives. Link to summers success: http://nulegacygold.com/i/pdf/2017-10-11_NR_NUG.pdf About NuLegacy Gold Corporation: NuLegacy is a Nevada exploration company focused on discovering additional Carlin-style gold deposits on its premier district scale 98-sq. km (38 sq. mile) Red Hill Project in the prolific Cortez gold trend of Nevada. To date NuLegacy has discovered the Icebergi Carlin-style gold deposits and has identified several more highly prospective exploration targets that are being drilled this year. NuLegacys Red Hill Project is located on trend and adjacentii to three multi-million ounce Carlin-type gold deposits (the Pipeline, Cortez Hills and Goldrush deposits) that are amongst Barrick Golds largest, lowest cost and politically safest gold minesiii. i An established exploration target of 90-110 million tonnes of 0.9 to 1.1 grams of gold per tonne. These figures are conceptual in nature and derived from a compilation of 149 historic and 111 NuLegacy drill holes. To date, there has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the target being delineated as a mineral resource. ii The similarity and proximity of these deposits in the Cortez Trend is not necessarily indicative of the gold mineralization in NuLegacys Red Hill Project. To date, there are no known resources or reserves on the Red Hill Property. iii As extracted from Barricks Q4-2013 and Q1-2014 reports. On Behalf Of NuLegacy Gold Corp. James E Anderson, Chief Executive Officer For further information, please phone 604-639-3640 or contact James Anderson (CEO) at james@nuggold.com, Albert Matter (Chairman) at albert@nuggold.com or Roger Steininger, (CGO) at roger@nuggold.com, or Frank Lagiglia (ICM) at frank@nuggold.com or visit www.nulegacygold.com. Dr. Roger Steininger, NuLegacys Chief Geoscience Officer is a Certified Professional Geologist (CPG 7417) and the qualified person as defined by NI 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects responsible for preparing and reviewing the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. 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 news release. This news release contains forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect managements current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect managements current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Readers 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 including, but not limited to, actual results of exploration activities, environmental risks, future prices of gold, operating risks, accidents, labor issues, delays in obtaining governmental approvals and permits, availability of financing and other risks in the mining industry. There are no known resources or reserves in the Red Hill Project and the proposed exploration programs are exploratory searches for commercial bodies of ore. In addition, the presence of gold deposits on properties adjacent or near the Red Hill Project is not necessarily indicative of the gold mineralization on the Red Hill Project. All the forward-looking statements made in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements and those in our continuous disclosure filings available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com including our annual managements discussion and analysis dated July 25, 2017 for the year ended March 31, 2017. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances save as required under applicable securities legislation. DEAR DOCTOR: I recently read that blocking follicle-stimulating hormone can combat post-menopausal bone loss and weight gain in women. Please tell me how to go about blocking that hormone! DEAR READER: Talk to women who have hit the age of 45 and beyond, and they pretty much agree that maintaining their weight, let alone losing weight, seems much harder than when they were younger. Now a series of studies have put follicle-stimulating hormone, or FSH, into the spotlight. Produced by the pituitary gland, FSH plays a role in the release of eggs in women and the production of sperm in men. When a woman approaches menopause, the time at which her ovaries cease functioning, her blood levels of estrogen drop and FSH spikes. At this same stage of life, women begin to experience bone loss. A professor at a medical school in New York City was intrigued by the fact that, even when estrogen levels held steady, bone loss continued to occur. As a result, he began to wonder whether FSH levels might play a role in the effects of menopause. Although he was studying the role of FSH in bone loss, he was startled when fat levels and weight gain were affected as well. In a series of experiments using mice whose ovaries had been removed, researchers administered an antibody to block FSH. Without ovaries to produce estrogen, which prevents bone loss, the mice should have experienced a drop in bone mass. Researchers were surprised to find that not only did the bone mass of the mice hold steady, they also began to lose fat. A colleague at another medical center was persuaded to try the same experiment and got the same results. They also advanced their understanding of how and why the mice, despite being forced into menopause, experienced weight loss. To get into the details, we first need to talk about two types of adipose tissue -- white and brown fat. Unlike white fat, whose job is to store energy for future use, brown fat is loaded with mitochondria, tiny structures within our cells that burn energy and give off heat. As babies and children, we have plenty of brown fat. By the time we hit adulthood, only small amounts of brown fat remain. In the case of the FSH-deprived mice, their levels of brown fat rose. This caused their metabolism to rev up, burn calories and lose weight. Considering that women typically gain anywhere from 5 to 15 pounds or more as a result of menopause, with much of it around the abdomen, it's easy to see why these results have sparked widespread interest. But as the researchers themselves point out, it can be a long leap to translate results from mice to human beings. Only time and further studies will tell. DEAR DOCTOR: Are some people just not meant to fly? I get severe ear pain when my plane is descending. I've tried chewing gum and repeated swallowing, and I never fly with a sinus condition. Unfortunately, I have clogged-up ears for several weeks afterward. Any suggestions? DEAR READER: First, let's look at the cause of ear pain when we fly. Initially, we experience a decrease in outside pressure as we ascend into the sky. This decrease causes less external pressure upon the eardrums. Thus, the air behind the eardrums (in the middle ear) pushes them outward. Airplane cabins are pressurized to minimize this decrease in pressure, and the body does its part as well. For starters, the middle ear equilibrates some of the pressure difference within it by removing the air through the Eustachian tubes, where it is released into the back of the nose and expelled into the environment. Part of that excess air in the middle ear is absorbed by its mucous membranes. But, as we descend, the external pressure on our ears begins to increase again to that of the landing altitude. This pressure pushes the eardrums inward. Again, the Eustachian tubes are important because they allow the external air to enter through the back of the nose and balance the pressure between both sides of the eardrums. If a person has significant nasal congestion, the Eustachian tubes can be blocked, meaning the middle ear can't equilibrate on descent. Thus, the outside pressure pushes in on the eardrums, stretching them inward. As you know, this causes significant pain and, in some people, a swelling of the middle ear and a rupture of the eardrum. Infants and toddlers, whose Eustachian tubes are more susceptible to closure, will let you know how these changes in pressure affect them. Chewing gum and swallowing can help some people by opening up the Eustachian tubes; so too can closing off the nose with the fingers and exhaling forcefully to help bring air into the middle ear. You can even purchase devices that help place air into the nose while swallowing, so as to open the Eustachian tubes. This advice doesn't pertain to you, of course. It's possible you have chronic nasal congestion caused by allergies or environmental irritants. If that's the case, you have several straightforward options. Nasal steroids, for starters, can decrease the nasal swelling and increase the ability of the Eustachian tubes to stay open. Because it may take five to six days before you notice an improvement in swelling, I would recommend that you take one of these drugs for three weeks prior to flying. The allergy and asthma drug Montelukast -- taken for a week before flying -- also may help reduce nasal congestion from allergies, benefitting the Eustachian tubes. Then there are over-the-counter nasal decongestants like Afrin, which also can be used to decrease nasal swelling and keep the Eustachian tubes open. There are no good studies on their use for this purpose, but I often recommend using them two hours prior to landing. You can also try -- and this is my recommendation -- a combination of all three. Before you do, however, my suggestion is for you to ask your doctor why your Eustachian tubes become blocked with air travel. He or she can best guide your next steps. It's unlikely that you simply "weren't meant to fly." Robert Ashley, M.D., is an internist and assistant professor of medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles. Send your questions to askthedoctors@mednet.ucla.edu, or write: Ask the Doctors, c/o Media Relations, UCLA Health, 924 Westwood Blvd., Suite 350, Los Angeles, CA, 90095. Owing to the volume of mail, personal replies cannot be provided. Vancouver, British Columbia (FSCwire) - Gungnir Resources Inc. (GUG: TSX-V, ASWRF: OTCBB) (Gungnir or the Company) is commencing a thorough review of its nickel-copper assets in Sweden following the Companys drill-discovery of layered gabbro with nickel-copper bearing sulphides at its Knaften property this fall. The Company has commenced a ground geophysical survey at its Lappvattnet and Rormyrberget permits located east of Knaften, and plans to re-sample selective archived drill core and 3D-model the mineralized zones in advance of planning future work. Now that we have nickel-copper mineralization on a third property in northern Sweden, the Company is taking a fresh look at its two staked nickel deposits, Lappvattnet and Rormyrberget, which collectively contain over 70 million pounds of nickel, 10 million pounds of copper and 2 million pounds of cobalt in historic resources. Within both deposits, very good nickel drill intersections are reported including 5 metres of 3.21% Ni + 4.28 g/t TPM (Total Precious Metals, Pt+Pd+Au) at Lappvattnet and 12.5 metres of 2.63% Ni at Rormyrberget. With additional value-added TPMs reported, and several previous drill holes not assayed for Pt, Pd or Au, sampling of archived drill core, planned during the upcoming winter months, will include TPM assays. On the geophysical side, we have a crew on the ground today commencing a detailed magnetics survey on both Lappvattnet and Rormyrberget in order to get our own initial data for deposit modelling purposes, and to evaluate potential deposit extensions and undrilled magnetic anomalies which could be related to pyrrhotite (magnetic Fe-sulphide), the key host to the nickel-copper sulphides , commented Gungnirs CEO, Jari Paakki. Our focus in Sweden remains gold, but with a base metal slant. At Knaften we have both gold and now promising drill targets for nickel-copper mineralization. Finding a decent nickel-copper deposit at Knaften could bode well for regional synergies with Lappvattnet and Rormyrberget, continued Mr. Paakki. Highlights of Previous Drill Intersections (Note 1): Hole No From To Length (m) Ni (%) Cu (%) Co (%) Pt (g/t) Pd (g/t) Au (g/t) TPM LAP07-02 70.0 91.0 21.00 1.07 0.09 0.03 0.640 0.340 0.071 1.051 includes 76.4 81.4 4.97 3.21 0.06 0.08 2.690 1.400 0.190 4.280 LAP74226 92.5 97.9 5.40 1.44 0.19 0.03 NR NR NR NR LAP75001 78.4 81.9 3.50 1.57 0.32 0.01 NR NR NR NR ROR89009 162.2 169.2 7.00 2.28 0.30 0.09 NR NR NR NR ROR90024 155.9 168.4 12.50 2.63 0.51 0.09 NR NR NR NR ROR91002 161.1 173.0 11.95 1.83 0.29 0.06 NR NR NR NR ROR-08 122.0 163.0 41.00 0.52 0.09 0.02 0.021 0.077 0.018 0.116 includes 146.0 163.0 17.00 1.01 0.18 0.03 0.035 0.147 0.032 0.214 includes 150.3 155.3 5.00 1.59 0.27 0.04 0.038 0.260 0.073 0.371 ROR-09 151.0 276.0 125.00 0.39 0.05 0.02 0.027 0.040 0.010 0.077 includes 157.9 177.5 19.55 1.16 0.16 0.04 0.107 0.141 0.025 0.273 includes 159.9 162.8 2.85 3.74 0.27 0.13 0.130 0.418 0.030 0.578 ROR-11 14.9 68.1 53.20 0.38 0.04 0.01 0.004 0.010 0.003 0.017 includes 33.5 35.5 2.00 3.95 0.14 0.14 0.015 0.006 0.150 0.171 TPM: Total Precious Metals (Pt+Pd+Au); NR: precious metals not assayed/reported (see Note 1); LAP=Lappvattnet, ROR=Rormyrberget. Gungnir believes previous assays are credible; however, the Company has not confirmed these results with its own sampling. Historical Estimates and Contained Metal (Note 2): Deposit Tonnes Ni% Cu% Co% Ni lbs (millions) Rormyrberget 6,370,000 0.35 0.04 0.01 48.7 Lappvattnet 1,139,000 0.91 0.19 0.02 22.9 71.6 Deposit Ni kg Cu kg Co kg Ni lbs Cu lbs Co lbs (millions) (millions) (millions) (millions) (millions) (millions) Rormyrberget 22.1 2.5 0.8 48.7 5.5 1.9 Lappvattnet 10.4 2.2 0.2 22.9 4.8 0.5 TOTAL 32.5 4.7 1.0 71.6 10.3 2.4 A qualified person for Gungnir Resources has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimates (in 2009 RCI report; see Note 2) as current resources and Gungnir is not treating the historical estimates as current mineral resources. Mr. Jari Paakki, M.Sc., P.Geo., is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Paakki prepared the technical information contained in this news release and has approved its disclosure. Notes: 1. From Blackstone Ventures Inc. news releases dated May 8, 2007 and June 23, 2008, SGU files/archived drill core and tables of historic drill hole intersections in RCI report. 2. The historical estimates are based on an NI 43-101 report entitled "TECHNICAL REPORT ON RESOURCE ESTIMATES FOR THE LAINEJAUR, LAPPVATTNET AND RORMYRBERGET ROR DEPOSITS, NORTHERN SWEDEN, prepared for Blackstone Ventures Inc. by Reddick Consulting Inc. (RCI), effective May 5, 2009 and filed on SEDAR on June 16, 2009 (RCI report). These historical estimates cannot be fully verified, and are only referred to in this news release as an indication of previously defined nickel mineralization. Gungnir has not taken steps to identify what work needs to be done to upgrade or verify the historical estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. In the RCI report, historical resource estimates at Lappvattnet were estimated using a US$100 gross metal value (GMV) cut off using metal prices of US$8.00 for nickel, US$2.00 for copper, US$8.00 for cobalt. At Rormyrberget historical resources were estimated using a US$40 gross metal value (GMV) cut off using the same metal prices. At the Lappvattnet deposit RCI estimated the historical mineral resources using polygonal estimation methods whereas the historical mineral resources at the Rormyrberget deposit were estimated by RCI using by 3D computer block modelling and an Ordinary Kriging (OK) grade interpolation method. Historical mineral resources are not current mineral resources or mineral reserves and do not have any demonstrated economic viability. The estimate of the RCI historical mineral resources may be materially affected by commodity prices, environmental, permitting, legal, title, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues. The quantity and grade of reported historical resources in the RCI estimation are uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define these historical resources as current mineral resources and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in upgrading them to current mineral resources or mineral reserves. The RCI historical mineral resources were estimated using the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM), CIM Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves, Definitions and Guidelines prepared by the CIM Standing Committee on Reserve Definitions and adopted by CIM Council December 11, 2005. Further work recommended by RCI includes: metallurgical testing, undertaking a survey to obtain baseline environmental data, re-sampling of archived drill core and continued deposit definition drilling. About Gungnir Resources Gungnir Resources Inc. is a Canadian-based TSX-V listed mineral exploration company (GUG: TSX-V) with gold and base metal permits in northern Sweden within a region hosting 12 million ounces of gold delineated in existing and mined resources plus several past-producing and producing base metal mines. The Companys key gold project, Knaften, is situated at the southern extension of the Gold Line which hosts a number of gold deposits including Faboliden and Svartliden (Dragon Mining), and Barsele (Agnico Eagle and Barsele Minerals). The Company also has permits covering two nickel deposits in Sweden, Lappvattnet and Rormyrberget which collectively host 70 million pounds of nickel in historical resources (see NR dated February 24, 2015). Gungnir additionally holds a $5,000,000 royalty stream and received the first annual payment of $1,000,000 on May 2, 2017. The next annual payment of $1,000,000 is due on April 30, 2018. Further information about the Company and its properties may be found at www.gungnirresources.com or at www.sedar.com. On behalf of the Board, Jari Paakki, CEO and Director For further information contact: Jari Paakki, CEO Tel: 705-507-4470 jpaakki@eastlink.ca Chris Robbins, CFO Tel: 604-683-0484 robbinscr@shaw.ca 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. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Certain statements made herein may contain forward-looking statements or information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved", or the negative of these words or comparable terminology. By their very nature forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual performance of the Company to be materially different from any anticipated performance expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements or information include, but are not limited to, statements or information with respect to Gungnir Resources plan for future funding, and exploration and development of its properties. Forward-looking statements or information are based on a number of estimates and assumptions and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements or information. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying estimates and assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements or information. For example, there is no certainty, that any economically viable mineral deposit will be located on the properties, or that the Company will receive or be able to raise sufficient capital to complete all of its exploration programs. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements or information. Gungnir does not expect to update forward-looking statements or information continually as conditions change, except as may be required by securities law. To view this press release as a PDF file, click onto the following link:public://news_release_pdf/Gungnir11282017.pdfSource: Gungnir Resources Inc. (TSX Venture:GUG) To follow Gungnir Resources Inc. on your favorite social media platform or financial websites, please click on the icons below. Maximum News Dissemination by FSCwire. http://www.fscwire.com Copyright 2017 Filing Services Canada Inc. TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Nov 28, 2017) - Galane Gold Ltd. ("Galane Gold" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:GG) is pleased to announce that as a result of it repaying in full the secured facility provided by Samsung C&T U.K. Limited that the associated security on its Mupane property has been discharged. Galane Gold CEO, Nick Brodie commented: "The funding provided by Samsung for the development of the Tau underground has transformed Mupane with improvements in production, extension of its mine life and reduced operating costs. The repayment of the Samsung facility, the only secured debt issued by Galane, and the discharge of the security held on the Mupane property will provide us with the opportunity to leverage the Mupane operations to assist us in the funding of the Galaxy project. With the intention to recommence the Galaxy operations at a sustainable production level of over 25,000 ounces of gold per annum at a cost per ounce of less than $800."(1)(2)(3) About Galane Gold Galane Gold is an un-hedged gold producer and explorer with mining operations and exploration tenements in Botswana and South Africa. Galane Gold is a public company and its shares are quoted on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "GG". Galane Gold's management team is comprised of senior mining professionals with extensive experience in managing mining and processing operations and large-scale exploration programmes. Galane Gold is committed to operating at world-class standards and is focused on the safety of its employees, respecting the environment, and contributing to the communities in which it operates. Notes: (1) This is forward-looking information and is based on a number of assumptions. See "Cautionary Notes". (2) The updated mine plan prepared by the Company in respect of the Tau property is based on internal reporting by the Company and not based on an independent feasibility study or pre-feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability. (3) The updated mine plan prepared by the Company in respect of the Galaxy property is based on internal reporting by the Company and not based on an independent feasibility study or pre-feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability. Cautionary Notes Certain statements contained in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements". All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release, including, without limitation, those regarding the Company's future financial position and results of operations, strategy, proposed acquisitions, plans, objectives, goals and targets, and any statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words "believe", "expect", "aim", "intend", "plan", "continue", "will", "may", "would", "anticipate", "estimate", "forecast", "predict", "project", "seek", "should" or similar expressions or the negative thereof, are forward-looking statements. These statements are not historical facts but instead represent only the Company's expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual results may differ materially from what is expressed, implied or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. Additional factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially include, but are not limited to: the Company's dependence on two mineral projects; gold price volatility; risks associated with the conduct of the Company's mining activities in Botswana and South Africa; regulatory, consent or permitting delays; risks relating to the Company's exploration, development and mining activities being situated in Botswana and South Africa; risks relating to reliance on the Company's management team and outside contractors; risks regarding mineral resources and reserves; the Company's inability to obtain insurance to cover all risks, on a commercially reasonable basis or at all; currency fluctuations; risks regarding the failure to generate sufficient cash flow from operations; risks relating to project financing and equity issuances; risks arising from the Company's fair value estimates with respect to the carrying amount of mineral interests; mining tax regimes; risks arising from holding derivative instruments; the Company's need to replace reserves depleted by production; risks and unknowns inherent in all mining projects, including the inaccuracy of reserves and resources, metallurgical recoveries and capital and operating costs of such projects; contests over title to properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties; laws and regulations governing the environment, health and safety; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities; lack of infrastructure; employee relations, labour unrest or unavailability; health risks in Africa; the Company's interactions with surrounding communities and artisanal miners; the Company's ability to successfully integrate acquired assets; risks related to restarting production; the speculative nature of exploration and development, including the risks of diminishing quantities or grades of reserves; development of the Company's exploration properties into commercially viable mines; stock market volatility; conflicts of interest among certain directors and officers; lack of liquidity for shareholders of the Company; risks related to the market perception of junior gold companies; and litigation risk.Management provides forward-looking statements because it believes they provide useful information to investors when considering their investment objectives and cautions investors not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and other cautionary statements or factors contained herein, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect subsequent information, events or circumstances or otherwise, except as required by law. Information of a technical and scientific nature that forms the basis of the disclosure in the press release has been approved by Charles Byron Pr. Sci. Nat., MAusIMM., MGSSA and Chief Geologist for Galane Gold, and a "qualified person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101. 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. TSX.V: SCZ FSE: 1SZ VANCOUVER, Nov. 28, 2017 /CNW/ - Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. (TSX.V:SCZ) (the "Company" or "Santacruz") reports on the operating and financial results from the Rosario Project in San Luis Potosi, Mexico and the Veta Grande Project in Zacatecas, Mexico for the third quarter of 2017. The full version of the financial statements and accompanying management's discussion and analysis can be viewed on the Company's website at www.santacruzsilver.com or on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. All amounts are in thousands of US dollars unless otherwise indicated. Q3 Highlights: Silver equivalent produced ounces of 231,162; Head grade of 201 Ag Eqv. g/t; In situ Veta Grande vein material developed at Level 6 of the Garcia Mine with higher head grades than the mineralized material from the Chorros. "In the third quarter the Company dealt with production equipment challenges at both the Rosario Project and Veta Grande Project compounded by lower than expected head grades," stated Arturo Prestamo, President and Chief Executive Officer of Santacruz. "Importantly, at Veta Grande we successfully reached Level 6 where we are currently developing in situ mineralized material contained in pillars located in the Veta Grande vein. Preliminary assay results from chip samples collected across of this material are indicating higher grades." Prestamo continued, "At Rosario we reached Level 2 of the Membrillo Prospect where we again are seeing higher grades from preliminary assay results from chip samples collected across the main Membrillo vein. We remain focused on developing these key projects with anticipated improvement." 2017 Third Quarter Operational Highlights Summary of Production Results 2017 Q3 (2) 2017 Q2 (2) 2016 Q3 (3) Material Processed (tonnes milled) 46,940 57,685 24,744 Silver eqv. ounce production (1) 231,162 270,659 164,924 Silver production (ounces) 88,234 89,243 76,168 Gold production (ounces) 394 472 86 Lead production (tonnes) 148 238 121 Zinc production (tonnes) 595 725 643 Average Head Grade (g/t Ag Eqv.) 201 207 252 Rosario Project Operational Results Summary of Production Results 2017 Q3 (2) 2017 Q2 (2) 2016 Q3 (3) Material Processed (tonnes milled) 18,956 27,967 24,744 Silver eqv. ounce production (1) 127,689 124,717 164,924 Silver production (ounces) 26,274 33,181 76,168 Silver head grade (g/t) 51 42 102 Silver recovery (%) 85% 87.3% 94.2% Gold production (ounces) 328 298 86 Lead production (tonnes) 49 40 121 Zinc production (tonnes) 449 408 643 Average Head Grade (g/t Ag Eqv.) 241 172 252 Veta Grande Project Operational Results Summary of Production Results 2017 Q3 (2) 2017 Q2 (2) Material Processed (tonnes milled) 27,984 29,718 Silver eqv. ounce production (1) 103,473 145,942 Silver production (ounces) 61,960 56,062 Silver head grade (g/t) 107 102 Silver recovery (%) 64.5% 63.8% Gold production (ounces) 66 174 Lead production (tonnes) 99 198 Zinc production (tonnes) 146 317 Average head grade (g/t Ag Eqv.) 174 218 (1) AgEqvOz=(Au*Pau)+(Ag*Pag)+(Pb*Ppb*2205)+(Zn*Pzn*2205) (Pag) (2) Metal Prices 2017: Ag $16.00, Au $1,150, Pb $0.90, Zn $1.15 (3) Metal Prices Q3 2016: Ag $14.50, Au $1,100, Pb $0.76, Zn $0.71 2017 Third Quarter Financial Highlights 2017 Q3 2017 Q2 2016 Q3 Financial Revenue $1,798 $2,641 $3,026 Mine Operations Income (Loss) (4) $(1,819) $(1,827) $786 Net Income (Loss) $(5,899) $(8,485) $(11,064) Net Income (Loss) Per Share Basic ($/share) (0.04) (0.05) (0.08) Adjusted EBITDA (4) $(1,628) $(1,390) $869 Operating (1) Material Processed (tonnes milled) 46,940 57,685 24,744 Silver Equivalent Produced (ounces) (1) 231,162 270,659 164,924 Silver Equivalent Sold (payable ounces) (2) 166,880 219,226 198,639 Production Cost per Tonne (3) 62.91 59.15 69.47 Cash Cost per Silver Equivalent ($/oz.) (3) 23.65 21.24 12.20 All-in Sustaining Cost per Silver Equivalent ($/oz.) (3) 28.14 24.62 15.88 Average Realized Silver Price per Ounce ($/oz.) (2) (5) 16.85 17.17 19.10 (1) Silver equivalent ounces produced in 2017 have been calculated using prices of US$16.00/oz., US$1,150/oz., US$1.00/lb. and US$1.15/lb. for silver, gold, lead and zinc respectively applied to the metal content of the lead and zinc concentrates produced by the Rosario Project as well as by the Veta Grande Project. Silver equivalent ounces produced in 2016 have been calculated using prices of US$14.50/oz., US$1,100/oz., US$0.76/lb and US$0.71/lb for silver, gold, lead and zinc respectively applied to the metal content of the lead and zinc concentrates produced by the Rosario Project during the third quarter of 2016. (2) Silver equivalent sold ounces have been calculated using the realized silver prices stated in the table above, applied to the payable metal content of the lead and zinc concentrates sold from the Rosario Project and Veta Grande Project (3) The Company reports non-IFRS measures which include Production Cost per Tonne, Cash Cost per Silver Equivalent, All-in Sustaining Cost per Silver Equivalent and Average Realized Silver Price per Ounce. These measures are widely used in the mining industry as a benchmark for performance, but do not have a standardized meaning and may differ from methods used by other companies with similar descriptions. (4) The Company reports additional non-IFRS measures which include Mine Operations Income (Loss) and Adjusted EBITDA. These additional financial disclosure measures are intended to provide additional information. (5) Average realized silver price per ounce is prior to all treatment, smelting and refining charges. Financial Results The Company recorded a net loss of $5,899 in Q3 2017 compared to a net loss of $11,064 in Q3 2016. The decrease in net loss relates largely to an impairment charge of $4,350 on the Rosario Project during Q3 2017 as compared to an impairment charge of $16,688 recorded with respect to the San Felipe Property offset by a gain on settlement of debt of $6,377 during Q3 2016. Revenues in Q3 2017 decreased by $1,228 (41%) as compared to Q3 2016 primarily as a result of a 24% decrease in the silver equivalent ounces sold combined with a decrease in the realized silver price. Production costs of $2,933 recorded during the current quarter increased by $1,278 as compared to Q3 2016. The increase reflects $1,644 of production costs from the Veta Grande Project in Q3 2017 (Q3 2016 - $nil) offset in part by a decrease in production costs ($366) at the Rosario Project due to lower production. The operations for Q3 2017 resulted in a negative gross margin of $1,819 (2016 positive gross margin of $786). This decrease in gross margin is primarily the result of decreased revenues during the current quarter as discussed above, along with an increase in operating costs due to the addition of the Veta Grande Project. Operational Results and Costs Rosario Project In Q3 2017 silver equivalent production from the Rosario Project increased by 2% (2,972 ounces) compared to Q2 2017 as a result of higher head grades offset by lower mill throughput tonnage. Compared to Q3 2016 the silver equivalent production decreased by 23% from 164,924 ounces to 127,689 ounces. The decrease reflects the 23% decrease in tonnes milled. The lower mill throughput tonnage realized in Q3 2017 reflects reduced availability of certain production equipment due to working capital constraints and a heavier than normal rainy season that slowed mining operations in both August and September. With the completion of the sale of the Gavilanes property in August the Company was able to put all production equipment back in service by quarter end. The cash operating cost per tonne of mineralized material processed ($68.68/t) was virtually unchanged from Q2 2017 ($68.80/t). The Q3 2017 unit costs were higher than expected due to the low production volume. Compared to Q3 2016, cash cost of production per tonne stayed consistent as the percentage decrease in cash cost of production was matched by an equivalent percentage decrease in production tonnage. Cash cost of production per silver equivalent ounce sold decreased by 17% in Q3 2017 to $20.40/oz as compared to $24.64/oz in Q2 2017. This change in unit costs is due primarily to the 32% decrease in mineralized material processed that resulted in in a decrease of production costs offset by a higher head grade of silver, gold, lead, and zinc. Compared to Q3 2016, cash cost of production per silver equivalent ounce increased by 67% reflecting the significantly lower head grades of silver, lead and zinc and lower recoveries of silver and lead realized in Q3 2017. All-in sustaining cash cost of production per silver equivalent ounce sold decreased by 15% in Q3 2017 to $24.33/oz as compared to $28.69/oz in Q2 2017. This change in unit costs is again due to the decrease (32%) in production costs during the quarter offset by a 3% decrease in payable ounces sold. Compared to Q3 2016, the all-in sustaining cash cost of production per silver equivalent ounce increased by 53% reflecting significantly lower head grades of silver, lead and zinc and lower recoveries of silver and lead offset by a higher recovery of zinc realized in Q3 2017. Veta Grande Project At the Veta Grande Project, silver equivalent production in Q3 2017 decreased by 29% to 103,473 ounces as compared to Q2 2017. The decrease reflects a 6% decrease in tonnes milled combined with a 20% decrease in average silver equivalent head grade. The throughput tonnage decrease occurred because of an extensive maintenance period on one of the ball mills during September (approximately three weeks). The decrease in head grade reflects the results of mining lower grade Chorros as well as experiencing reduced mill feed from the higher grade Armados vein. In early November two sections of unmined Veta Grande vein at Level 6 were encountered, both believed to be pillars left by previous mine operators. Preliminary assay results from chip samples collected across the in situ vein material in the pillars returned higher grades than grades currently being realized from the Chorros. In addition, the bulk density of the in situ vein material is expected to be greater than the bulk density of the Chorros as the Chorros are comprised of unconsolidated mineralized material and void space. The cash operating cost per tonne of mineralized material processed increased by 18% in Q3 2017 to $59.07 as compared to $50.07 in Q2 2017 as the result of an 11% increase in cash operating costs combined with a 6% decrease in tonnes milled. The operating cost increase reflects a combination of the foreign exchange impact of a strengthened Mexican peso versus US dollar in Q3 2017 as well as increased costs for stope development at the Armados vein. Cash cost of production per silver equivalent ounce sold increased by 50% in Q3 2017 to $27.77/oz as compared to $18.57/oz in Q2 2017. This change in unit costs reflects in part the cash operating cost increase described above as well as a 40% decrease in silver equivalent ounces sold from lower head grades described above, offset by a decrease in treatment, smelting and refining costs during the quarter. All-in sustaining cash cost of production per silver equivalent ounce sold increased by 54% in Q3 2017 to $32.98/oz as compared to $21.42/oz in Q2 2017. This change occurred for the same reasons that the cash cost of production per silver equivalent ounce sold increased. About Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. Santacruz is a Mexican focused silver company with two producing silver projects (Rosario, including the Cinco Estrellas property and Membrillo Prospect, and the right to operate the Veta Grande silver project and milling facility); and two exploration properties including the Minillas property and Zacatecas properties. The Company is managed by a technical team of professionals with proven track records in developing, operating and discovering silver mines in Mexico. Our corporate objective is to become a mid-tier silver producer. 'signed' Arturo Prestamo Elizondo, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward looking information Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" as such term is used in applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information is based on plans, expectations and estimates of management at the date the information is provided and is subject to certain factors and assumptions. In making the forward-looking statements included in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, that the Company's financial condition and development plans do not change as a result of unforeseen events, that third party mineralized material to be milled by the Company will have properties consistent with management's expectations, that the Company will receive all required regulatory approvals, and that future metal prices and the demand and market outlook for metals will remain stable or improve. Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause plans, estimates and actual results to vary materially from those projected in such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause the forward-looking information in this news release to change or to be inaccurate include, but are not limited to, the risk that any of the assumptions referred to prove not to be valid or reliable, which could result in lower revenue, higher cost, or lower production levels; delays and/or cessation in planned work; changes in the Company's financial condition and development plans; delays in regulatory approval; risks associated with the interpretation of data (including in respect of the third party mineralized material) regarding the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; the possibility that results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations, as well as the other risks and uncertainties applicable to mineral exploration and development activities and to the Company as set forth in the Company's continuous disclosure filings filed under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. There can be no assurance that any forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, the reader should not place any undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information or statements, other than as required by applicable law. Rosario Project The decisions to commence production at the Rosario Mine, Cinco Estrellas Property and Membrillo Prospect were not based on a feasibility study of mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability, but rather on a more preliminary estimate of inferred mineral resources. Accordingly, there is increased uncertainty and economic and technical risks of failure associated with this production decision. Production and economic variables may vary considerably, due to the absence of a complete and detailed site analysis according to and in accordance with NI 43-101. Veta Grande Project The decision to commence production at Veta Grande Project was not based on a feasibility study on mineral reserves demonstrating economic and technical viability. Accordingly, there is increased uncertainty and economic and technical risks of failure associated with this production decision. Production and economic variables may vary considerably due to the absence of a complete and detailed site analysis according to and in accordance with NI 43-101. SOURCE Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. Within living memory, this part of the world, framed by White Mountain peaks and garlanded by firs and hemlock, was the sturdy redoubt of the old conservatism. There was linguistic irony to the ideology that prevailed here -- think of it as the conservatism of the conifers -- because in these mountain fastnesses nothing was worshiped quite so much as the slowness of change. These days conservatism has a different velocity, and in this corner of the North Country -- amid these cathedrals of pines -- the contrast between the old conservatism and the new couldn't be more vivid, especially so in this season of change, where just the other day the hills were pockmarked by snow and a few hours later the rains fell. That was the old conservatism: hesitant, even tentative change. The new conservatism, on display 500 miles to the south in Washington, D.C., is marked by lurches of change -- swift, transformative change, the kind that substituted the old conservatism of the Bush ascendancy for the new conservatism of the Tea Party, the Freedom Caucus and, on some days but not all, the Trump administration. This week the Senate, constructed by the Founders not as a foundry of change but as a bulwark against it, will consider tax overhaul. The House -- in a hurry, devoting a mere two weeks to transforming a tax system a third of a century old -- passed its own version earlier this month, and the Senate, the place where time is forgotten, is girding to have its say. Either way, the drive for tax overhaul is a drive for dramatic change -- and it offers important lessons about the new world order of American politics. Some of it may even please liberals, though they will be chary of admitting it. The key questions: -- (BEGIN ITALICS) Are the Republicans producing a tax bill that represents dramatic reform, or are they talking populist language while serving the party's traditional corporate allies? (END ITALICS) For ages the Republicans were the party of big business, even when their leaders had no roots in what we today describe as the wealthiest 1 percent. Sen. Bob Dole, the quintessential Republican of the last age, was no plutocrat; his father ran a butter and egg station in Russell, Kansas, and as a young county attorney he had to sign his grandparents' welfare checks. The GOP's transformation began with the Newt Gingrich revolution of 1994, when the party's focus began to change from big business to small business. That is why the cri de coeur of Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin was so significant. The Republican is a Paul Ryan ally, but, more important, he is a small businessman, having run his family's plastics manufacturing company before joining the Senate in 2011. Johnson's cause is the legislation's treatment of so-called "pass-through" businesses, which account for 90 percent of the country's businesses. These are taxed at the individual rate, not the corporate rate. As a result, the legislation would tax these operations at 32 percent rather than the 20 percent big companies must pay. Bottom line: The Johnson rebellion is a test of whether the new GOP is the servant of its traditional corporate constituency, or whether it is a more populist political force responsive to the interests of the majority of Americans in the private sector who work for small businesses. -- (BEGIN ITALICS) Will the Republican rebels who talk about "draining the swamp" face down the rebellion from some of the biggest swamp-dwellers in the capital? (END ITALICS) Among the alligators, tadpoles and mosquito larvae in the Washington swamp sits the home real-estate industry, which has enjoyed the deductibility of home interest for more than a century and which continues to argue that the mortgage interest deduction is the rock upon which the American Dream is built. For decades its lobbyists have argued that removing this tax break would put home ownership beyond the means of millions, when in fact this provision disproportionately benefits the wealthy. Besides, according to a Swiss Finance Institute study, the rate of home ownership in Canada, Britain and Australia, where such interest is not deductible, exceeds that of the United States. Bottom line: If lawmakers bow to this giant special interest, they will signal they are willing to talk the easy populist language but are unwilling to walk the difficult populist trail. -- (BEGIN ITALICS) Trump and his Capitol Hill allies are at war with the way Washington works. But are they embracing one of the governing principles of the capital, which is that tax bills and budgets need not be honest, and that the calculations of the effect of legislation in the "out years" can be as phony as the legislation's authors need it to be? (END ITALICS) For generations lawmakers have supported legislation that they knew rested on fraudulent economic assumptions and accounting tricks. These contrivances have been favored by congressional leaders of both parties. The nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation already has warned that the bill the Senate will consider this week would actually raise taxes on families with incomes under $75,000 -- a conclusion that leading GOP figures contest. But it is incontrovertible that the legislation calls for the bulk of the tax cuts to expire in 2025, which is a wily dodge; it allows lawmakers to skirt a congressional rule prohibiting bills requiring only a Senate majority from adding to the deficit after the passage of a decade's time. Moreover, a study by the nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget found that the bill has a full $515 billion in gimmicks and would add $2.2 trillion to the deficit. Bottom line: These maneuvers are the algae that are the very foodstuff of the swamp animals Trump and his allies are sworn to eliminate. The chances that the tax bill that goes to the president's desk before Christmas will be algae-free? Slim. That is a conclusion that both Republican rebels and Republican regulars should deplore, and one that Democratic lawmakers will take exception to even though they practiced the same deception games when they were in power. Viewed that way, there is little difference between Obamacare's claim that Americans could keep their doctors and Trump's claim that tax overhaul is a populist imperative. David M. Shribman is executive editor of the Post-Gazette (dshribman@post-gazette.com, 412 263-1890). Follow him on Twitter at ShribmanPG. For as long as there have been cities and state legislatures in this country, the cities have complained that the legislatures give them a raw deal. For most of the nations history, of course, they had an obvious reason to complain: Legislatures were malapportioned in favor of rural interests. Cities didnt get anything close to the number of seats that population alone would have entitled them to.Theres plenty of evidence, however, that malapportionment wasnt the whole problem. If it had been, it would have been solved by the U.S. Supreme Courts one person, one vote mandate in the 1960s. But in the half-century since then, urban frustration at the hands of unfriendly legislatures has remained constant. Urban lawmakers, especially in the biggest states, continually lament having to endure second-class legislative treatment even on bills that pertain only to their cities.Why would this happen? In New York, they dont have much doubt about why it happens: The state has one mammoth metropolis, and legislators from everywhere else in the state enjoy sticking it to the Big Apple whenever they get a chance. It explains why, a few years ago, an upstate legislator blocked a bill to allow traffic enforcement cameras even though there wouldnt have been a single one outside New York City. It also explains why the city cant even run its subway system without legislative approval.But you find similar frustrations in states with entirely different demographic balances. Take Pennsylvania, for example. In the legislature there, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have long suffered not so much because the rest of the state dislikes them but because they dislike each other. Much of the dysfunction that has gripped Harrisburg in recent years is traceable to the inability of the states two biggest cities to reach common ground, or even work together. Something similar might be said about the inability of St. Louis and Kansas City to cooperate in the Missouri General Assembly.Then there are the states that have too many large cities for their own good. Florida is a highly urbanized state, and its reasonable to suppose that, given a little coordination, Miami, Orlando, Tampa-St. Petersburg and Jacksonville ought to be in a good position to make progress on an urban agenda. But it doesnt seem to work that way. Legislators from the different cities tend to be isolated from each other. Ask a member from Miami whats going on in Jacksonville and you might as well be asking about the latest news from Bulgaria. Fragmentation can be as much of a problem for urban interests as resentment against one metropolis or friction between two of them.But is all of this pent-up city frustration legitimate, or is a lot of it just a matter of making excuses for embarrassing defeat? Its a tantalizing question. As it happens, two political scientists have spent much of the past decade looking for the answer.Gerald Gamm of the University of Rochester and Thad Kousser of the University of California, San Diego, took on the monumental task of examining the fate of 1,736 pieces of legislation in 13 states over 120 years. All of the bills dealt with issues affecting one particular big city in a given state, so rural and suburban legislators had no practical reason to oppose them. Nevertheless, they did. Gamm and Kousser found that big-city bills were approved at a rate 15 to 20 percentage points lower than other pieces of legislation. The great narrative in urban politics, they concluded. has been a story of unremitting hostility.In making that judgment, the two were reinforcing the view held by a large group of scholars over more than a century. Not only do state legislatures interfere with the fundamental rights and pettiest details of city affairs, the political scientist Charles Beard wrote in 1912, but their consent is required for some of the most insignificant undertakings of municipal government. Gamm and Kousser demonstrate that Beard was right about the early 20th century, and he was right about the early 21st as well: Cities get cheated in legislative politics. And the more that a single city dominates its state, the more often it loses in the legislature. You might call that the Gotham Syndrome.But the results still beg the question of what sets this prejudice in motion. Why would a rural lawmaker from upstate New York go out of his way to squelch legislation that has zero effect on him or his constituents? Gamm and Kousser looked into several different possibilities.The most obvious culprit would be partisanship. Over most of the past century, big cities have been Democratic and the hinterlands have been largely Republican. Voting against the city could be a simple way of punishing the opposing party. Surprisingly, Gamm and Kousser didnt think this was much of a factor. They found that big-city bills had about the same chance of success whether they were sponsored by a member of the majority party or by someone from the minority.Ethnicity mattered more. When the citys population was largely foreign born, its elected representatives suffered from a nativist reaction that helped to sink their local legislative agenda. On this reasoning, you would expect New York City to have lost in the legislature more often over the years than, say, Indianapolis, where the ethnic differences between city and state were minor. And, indeed, this seems to have been the case.But the factor that hurt cities most of all in their legislative efforts was one I never would have guessed. It was the sheer size of the urban delegations. The more seats a city had in a legislative chamber, the more conflicting opinions its representatives were likely to offer. And when legislators from the same city disagreed with each other, those from the rest of the state were inclined to dismiss their legislative goals altogether. As Gamm and Kousser put it, much of the urban failure was due not to hostility but to the complications of getting a large delegation to speak with a single voice.That sounds odd, but given the meticulous character of the research these scholars did, I think it has to be taken seriously. What I find myself wondering is whether their research explains the world that cities and legislatures are currently living in. The two political scientists studied the years between 1880 and 2000. Could it be that the politics of 2017 are built around a different set of tensions?A few weeks ago, I asked Kousser if he thought the conclusions of his research applied to the present. He gave me a cautiously mixed answer. On the one hand, he said, the conflict between urban interests and legislative power is too deeply ingrained in American politics to disappear. Its a continual fight, he told me, between cities and capitols. But he conceded that something new was happening. The legislatures seem fraught with open hostility in a way they havent been in the past. Legislatures arent just holding up urban requests these days; theyre preempting cities from taking action on a whole range of major subjects. Missouri wont let St. Louis raise its minimum wage; North Carolina is blocking Charlotte from enacting LGBT protections; Tennessee doesnt want Nashville to build a light rail system. Texas would prefer that its cities not do much of anything at all.If the Gamm-Kousser project were being revisited now, it would likely place more emphasis on partisanship than it did a few years ago. Thats because the parties themselves have become much more ideological and polarized. During most of the 20th century, there was considerable overlap in most legislatures. Nearly all Democratic legislatures had a sizable contingent of liberal Republicans; Republican legislatures had their share of conservative Democrats. Party labels didnt matter all that much when urban priorities came up. Other factors were more important. But that balance has largely eroded in the past decade. Promoting an urban agenda in a legislature these days means challenging basic conservative values in a way it never did before. As Kousser puts it, What were seeing is the blue city in the red state having trouble getting things done.There are ways around this, at least in theory. Urban delegations could work harder in legislatures to build alliances with their suburban colleagues, especially those from inner suburbia where the challenges are increasingly similar to the ones cities face. Myron Orfield, a Democrat who used to represent Minneapolis in the state legislature, has been preaching this for a few decades now. But it has been very slow to develop, if it is developing at all. When Democratic Charlotte found itself bullied a couple of years ago by Republicans in the North Carolina General Assembly, the Charlotte suburbs werent any help. In fact, some of the members who led the anti-Charlotte blitz came from districts just outside the city limits.So its probably appropriate to shed some tears over the fate of cities in the legislatures of the past century and those of today. For most of that time, malapportionment deprived them of their rightful representation. By the time one person, one vote came in, they were losing so much population to the suburbs that the reapportionment windfall didnt help all that much. Now they find themselves marooned, many of them, as islands of progressive politics in an ocean of anti-urban resentment. If Rodney Dangerfield were still around, hed know what to say about it. As Congress faces a Dec. 8 deadline for passing a 2018 budget and avoiding a government shutdown, it's so far ignoring many of President Trump's budget requests as they relate to state-run programs for the poor.The White House, for example, wants to terminate the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (which helps families pay monthly heat and air conditioning bills), but the House and Senate appropriations subcommittees have passed bills that leave its funding at the same level. The White House wants to cut $200 million from the Women, Infants and Children program (which aims to improve the nutrition of expecting and new mothers), but the Senate appropriations bill leaves its funding alone. The White House wants to cut about $310 million from its rental vouchers program, but the House and Senate appropriations bills call for the opposite -- about $1 billion more in the Senate version and $355 million more in the House version.While those anti-poverty discretionary programs appear safe for now, funding for the biggest state-run anti-poverty programs -- cash welfare and food stamps -- is set by laws outside the appropriations process that's happening on Capitol Hill right now, and both Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress want to make major changes to them in the future.In his budget proposal released in May, Trump also called for shrinking federal grants to states for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program (TANF, better known as cashwelfare) and tightening eligibility rules for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, often called food stamps). The president also wants states to start matching federal SNAP dollars. Both of these programs are considered "mandatory" spending, rather than discretionary, and are funded through separate laws, including the farm bill.If enacted, the Trump budget would be significantly more radical than welfare reform in 1996, says Elizabeth Lower-Basch, a director of the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) who also worked as a lead welfare policy analyst at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Servicesin the late 1990s and early 2000s.Although Congress is so far disregarding the president's requests in the appropriations process, that could change -- this year or in future years.In its broad 10-year budget resolution adopted in October, Congress pledged to cut $800 billion in non-defense discretionary spending by 2027, an 18 percent reduction. The plan doesn't detail which agencies or programs would be cut, but cuts that deep would inevitably affect anti-poverty programs. Plus, Trump's plans for TANF and SNAP mirror those of many conservative lawmakers and are likely to be seriously considered.In its 10-year budget plan, the Trump administration goes further than Congress, hoping to cut $1.5 trillion from non-defense discretionary spending over the next decade, which would be a 41 percent reduction.A think tank's new report illustrates for the first time how those proposed cuts and changes to discretionary and mandatory programs could impact the poor.According to the Urban Institute, roughly 28 million households could see an average reduction of $1,230 a year in government assistance for child care, housing and food, pushing 3.5 million people into poverty.Roughly one in five households would be affected by the proposals, according to the Urban Institute. People of color would be more likely to see some kind of reduction in benefits than their white peers. Only 15.5 percent of white households would feel the impact, compared to 34.9 percent of black households and 29.4 percent of Hispanic households. But because whites are still the largest racial or ethnic group in the U.S., they represent more than half of those who would be affected.These proposals would also force states to make difficult decisions about whether to fill budget holes left by the federal government, likely at the expense of other priorities, such as education and health care services -- or whether to shrink or eliminate some services, wrote CLASP's executive director, Olivia Golden, in August.Presidential and congressional budget plans, however, should be taken with a grain of salt. Historically, as evidenced by this year's appropriations bills, they aren't fully executed.But the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a left-leaning think tank, noted in an October report that the proposals are still important because "they provide a roadmap for the kinds of cuts Republican leaders intend to make" after they move on from tax legislation, which is likely to result in less tax revenue and the need to make more spending cuts.Brian Bowden, who lobbies Congress on health issues for the National Association for Counties (NACo), is concerned that when Congress takes up the farm bill next spring, it will consider some of the changes to the food stamps program."We do think [the proposals] are troubling signs of a weakening of the federal state-local partnership," he says. "It ups the ante for us to educate Congress and the administration on the impacts at the local level."The House and Senate are still in the process of reconciling their spending bills for the 2018 fiscal year. With the Dec. 8 deadline looming, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have floated the possibility of a short-term stopgap to extend negotiations into the month.Regardless of how funding for 2018 shapes up, the Urban Institute's report shows the human impact of deep, long-term budget cuts being contemplated by GOP leaders.When you talk about budget proposals in the hundreds of billions of dollars, people have trouble wrapping their minds around what that means," says Elaine Waxman, a co-author of the report. If the changes go through, she says, "it will affect a lot of folks." Saying Cardinal Innovations "acted unlawfully" in giving its ousted CEO $1.7 million in severance, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Monday took over the Charlotte-based agency.The state DHHS also fired the board that gave a total of $3.8 million in severance to CEO Richard Topping and three other departing managers."For people to approve those kind of payout options and for people to accept those kind of payout(s) is in my opinion immoral," said state Rep. Nelson Dollar, a Cary Republican who chairs the House committee that oversees Cardinal.State lawmakers, meanwhile, vowed to void the severance packages or get the money back.DHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen outlined the takeover in a letter to lawmakers."DHHS staff will be on site at Cardinal Innovations and will work closely with interim CEO, Trey Sutten, and other Cardinal staff to manage and stabilize the organization, hire additional executive team members, and develop a corrective action plan to bring Cardinal into compliance with all applicable laws," she wrote."Executive leadership who are in the process of leaving the organization (including former CEO Richard Topping) will not be permitted on the premises of Cardinal during this time."Topping was scheduled to leave this Friday.Cardinal is the largest of the state's seven managed care organizations. Known as Local Management Entity/Managed Care Organizations, or LME/MCOs, they contract with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services to manage treatment networks for mental health, developmental disabilities and substance abuse.Cardinal offers services for people with disabilities, mental health needs and substance abuse in 20 counties including Mecklenburg.In May, State Auditor Beth Wood ripped Cardinal for spending on CEO pay as well as on lavish Christmas parties and board retreats, charter flights for executives and "questionable" credit card purchases, including alcohol. Her report said all that threatened to "erode public trust."Last week Cardinal came under fire again for a $1.7 million severance package to Topping. It also paid another $2.1 million to three other departing executives.One lawmaker said the state already is working on ways to get money back from the departed executives."There have been lawyers working for some time on the ability to claw back the severance packages," said Republican Sen. Tommy Tucker of Union County, "and we have every intention of doing so."Cohen said no one at Cardinal beyond those who had severance packages had lost their job. Dollar, the lawmaker, praised most Cardinal employees."There are a lot of great people at Cardinal who are dedicated to serving the families and serving the patients," he said. "Unfortunately the board and the leadership of the organization have clearly lost sight of the mission ... of serving those families and individuals who are most in need."In October, the state Health and Human Services agency's Office of the Internal Auditor released a 17-page report that criticized Cardinal's severance packages for being offered for longer than similar entities and offering severance pay to 10 employees other than the CEO.The review found that four of seven similar quasi-government groups, including Cardinal, offer severance packages. Three do not offer payouts at all.Cardinal board chair Lucy Drake defended the packages. "We always pay market," she said. "The last CEO was paid market. Our bonuses were market."Drake said the takeover concerns her."I worry about the employees, I worry about the providers," she said, adding "And I worry also about the members that we serve because my son's one of them."Another board member, Mecklenburg County commissioner George Dunlap, said he's not surprised by the state action. He said other board members "just didn't get it.""It has been extremely difficult for them to understand the urgency with which decisions have to be made and the kinds of decisions that had to be made," Dunlap said. "They just didn't get it. It was more about a fight: 'We're not going to be controlled'."Client advocates blasted the board."Cardinal's board had demonstrated that they weren't exhibiting the proper attention to the consumers who so desperately need these services," said Vicki Smith, executive director of Disability Rights NC, adding "DHHS took a bold step to insure that the people who needed services continued to get them."Cardinal's actions have been a pattern of noncompliance with the rules and regulations surrounding spending, Cohen said. "The organization just kept taking steps in the wrong direction."Cohen said that the takeover will not interrupt service to consumers or payments to providers. The takeover will be a short period of time to stabilize the organization, she said."We really do mean temporary," Cohen said.This year Cardinal is getting $100 million in state and federal funds from the sate Division of Mental Health. It's also getting $721 million in Medicaid funds, a third of which comes from state money.Lawmakers say Cardinal's troubles are not an indictment of the LME/MCO system."The system is fundamentally sound," said Dollar. "And what the leadership at Cardinal was unfortunately doing in seeming being more interested in serving themselves, that's a reflection on them." The state parole board is changing how it interprets Virginia's three-strikes law in a way that could free hundreds of inmates -- many of them nonviolent -- who are serving prison terms significantly longer than the typical first-degree murderer, the board's chairwoman said Saturday.The announcement comes after a Virginian-Pilot investigative story reported that a high percentage of three-strikes inmates have served two to three decades in prison for crimes in which no one was injured. The majority of inmates interviewed by The Pilot had never been to prison before and committed their crimes in a single spree.Reached on a prison phone Saturday night, three-striker Leonard Outlaw, who has been incarcerated for 33 years, choked back emotion and repeatedly offered his thanks after learning of the parole board's changes."This is a chance for me to live life. The things I've been dreaming about doing, I actually have a chance to do, like play with my grandchildren," said Outlaw, 53, from Chesapeake. "You gave me life, man. These people killed me."Adrianne Bennett, the parole board's chairwoman, said in an interview Saturday that the board is making two major changes to its interpretation of the 1982 three-strikes law under which the inmates were deemed parole ineligible.The changes have already been made in practice -- as the board has discretion to do -- but will also be codified in revisions to the written policy if the governor's office approves it, Bennett said.A spokesman for Gov. Terry McAuliffe did not return a call seeking comment for this story.While the state Department of Corrections classified the inmates as three-strikers -- which significantly lengthened their prison terms -- the parole board has had the authority to overturn the DOC's three-strikes decisions since 1993."It's huge," Bennett said of the changes. "It's likely that there certainly could be quite a few people that are overturned -- their parole eligibility determination by DOC is overturned -- and they're good candidates for parole and they get released."The most significant change she outlined is that the parole board will only uphold offenders' classification as three-strikers if their offenses were separated by time "at liberty." In other words, only offenders who wound up in and out of prison repeatedly would continue to be ineligible for parole. Inmates who committed their crimes in the same stretch of time -- and who had never been to prison before -- could be heading home soon.The three-strikes law in question states that offenders have to be convicted of three "separate" offenses of murder, rape or robbery.The Virginian-Pilot interviewed more than 40 three-strikes inmates, including many from Hampton Roads, for its Nov. 19 article. Most of them committed robberies in the same brief stretch in their late teens or 20s. With the parole board's shift, all of those inmates would become eligible for parole and could potentially be released in the coming months.Another key change: The parole board is now requiring that, in order for robberies to qualify as three-strikes offenses, the inmate must have been convicted of a weapons possession charge.The 1982 three-strikes law states that, for robbery, a qualifying offense is "robbery by the presenting of firearms or other deadly weapon." But the DOC and parole board have counted robberies as strikes if an offender merely implied or pretended that he or she was armed and was never convicted of a weapons charge in connection with the crimes.The parole board's shift in practice could affect more than 200 inmates who have been in the Virginia prison system for decades. There are about 260 three-strikers behind bars, and, based on The Pilot's reporting, the vast majority of them likely were not "at liberty" between their crimes.Bennett, a lawyer from Virginia Beach, said she submitted the board's proposed policy changes to Brian Moran, Virginia's secretary of public safety, on Nov. 16 -- the day before The Pilot published its investigative report online.She said she had hoped that the changes could have been implemented prior to the article's publication. The Pilot spent more than three months reporting the story."Your article did push us to prioritize the three-strikes issue," she said.Bennett granted The Pilot an interview on Sept. 14 for its original story. At that time, she said inmates did not have to be "at liberty" between their offenses to qualify as three-strikers. She also said she believed that such a condition "has never ... ever been a part of the language associated with the three-strikes offenders that we're dealing with now."Weeks later, she hinted that major policy changes were afoot but did not agree to speak on the record about them before the article's publication.In her interview Saturday, Bennett said she considers Nov. 16 as the date that the parole board put the new changes into practice. The board didn't meet that day, she said, but its five members had each agreed to the proposed changes to the written policy by then.Other members of the parole board did not return calls seeking comment or could not be reached.Bennett said the board's interpretation of the three-strikes law has concerned her since she became a member in 2015. But it wasn't until the newest member, Joni Ivey, joined the board in September, she said, that the panel reached a unanimous decision to make the changes that she described Saturday.Bennett said since January she and at least two other board members had, as the majority, voted to reverse the parole eligibility of more than 10 three-strikers. Some of those inmates also were granted parole.She did not report that to the Pilot in the September interview. In October, she did not respond to a request by The Pilot for records that would identify any such cases. The parole board does not have to comply with the state's public records law.While it is parole board policy that three-strikes offenders are allowed only one appeal, Bennett said in light of the new changes all three-strikers can now contact the board for reconsideration of their status.A three-striker's parole eligibility can be restored in as little as a couple of weeks, Bennett said. Once ruled eligible, inmates could be granted parole in four to eight weeks, she said. Inmates selected for release would be those who are not deemed risks to the public, she added.The parole board's shift is seismic, considering that its three-strikes policy hasn't been changed since 1995. But board policies can be altered as members, appointed by the governor, come and go with every gubernatorial election.The way to ensure that such changes stick would be to revise the 1982 three-strikes law itself. And a state senator from Northern Virginia told The Pilot this week that he plans to submit legislation to do that.Sen. Scott Surovell, whose district includes parts of Fairfax, Prince William and Stafford counties, said he initiated the process Tuesday.His planned amendment, if passed, would add language that inmates could no longer be classified as three-strikers unless they were "at liberty" between their three offenses.The state's current three-strikes law, which essentially replaced the 1982 one, does require that inmates' three offenses be separated by periods of freedom. But that law didn't apply retroactively to the men and women, convicted between 1982 and 1995, who were deemed parole-ineligible under the earlier law."To me, that would solve the problem," said Surovell, who was elected to the Senate in November 2015.Del. Marcus Simon, a former Army prosecutor, described the 1982 three-strikes law as a "legal gimmick" that needs to be changed."It sells, and it's a gimmick, but that's not a good way to make policy," said Simon, a Democrat from Fairfax County. "When you make policy around slogan and campaign gimmicks and things that grab headlines, it goes to show you that you can have some pretty poor results and bad policy decisions."Probably no lawmaker in Virginia is better suited to offer his or her opinion on the three-strikes law than Republican Del. Chris Jones of Suffolk. In 1987, a drug-addicted woman named Sue Kennon tried to rob Jones' pharmacy with a broken handgun. Jones pulled a concealed firearm and shot her in the shoulder. Kennon survived.She served 14 years in prison for four robberies before the parole board restored her parole eligibility and granted her release in 2001. The three-strikers interviewed by The Pilot weren't as fortunate, and plenty have served at least twice as much prison time as Kennon.Jones said he would generally approve of a bill that added an "at liberty" requirement for three-strikers, with two conditions: that the parole board continue to have the final say in the matter, and that victims of the crimes have an opportunity to give feedback to the board."I think it's something that should be revisited," Jones said of the law. "It should be on a case-by-case basis, if they have been a model inmate."Across the Elizabeth River in Portsmouth, Del. Stephen Heretick described the plight of three-strikers as "mind-boggling.""You've got murderers getting in and out in less time than this, so exactly what is this proportional to?" said Heretick, a Democrat. "I don't think that anybody looking at that (Pilot) article, and looking at these facts, believes in their heart that this is a fair, or a just or a moral result." Description GIS - 28 November, 2017: The Salon Dete Visual Arts Exhibition 2017, which is at its tenth edition, was launched by the Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Public Utilities, Mr Ivan Collendavelloo yesterday at the National Art Gallery at Le Plaza, at the Town Hall of the Municipal Council of Beau-Bassin/ Rose-hill. The Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Local Government and Outer Islands, Mrs Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo , the Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Prithvirajsing Roopun, along with several personalities were present on the occasion. TheVisual Arts Exhibition 2017, which is at its tenth edition, was launched by the Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Public Utilities, Mr Ivan Collendavelloo yesterday at the National Art Gallery at Le Plaza, at the Town Hall of the Municipal Council of Beau-Bassin/ Rose-hill. In his address the Acting Prime Minister said that the exhibition provides a platform that fosters thriving artistic creativity and offers opportunities for artists to showcase their talents. He commended the undertakings of the Ministry of Arts and Culture for spearheading such initiatives and added that this endeavour will undoubtedly bolster the cultural wave on the local landscape. Moreover, he recalled that the renovation of the historical Plaza building underpins Governments objective to promote local artists and celebrate Fine Arts in addition to uplifting the status of artists in the society. According to Mr Collendavelloo, this undertaking heralds a fresh start in the field of arts in Mauritius. The underlying essence of the National Art Gallery should be anchored in the artistic senses and reflections that are free from the pressures and constraints of bureaucracy, he said, adding that the support derived from the Government should not instil subservience in their work wherein only creativity should prevail. He reiterated that the opportunities being offered will ensure that the next generation of artists will view the profession with pride. On the same occasion, the Acting Prime Minister proceeded with the launch of the National Art Gallery 2017 catalogue. For his part, Minister Roopun highlighted that the exhibition provides an important platform for showcasing of local artistic talents. He underscored the importance of giving artists their due recognition, consolidating their status and increasing their visibility. To this end, he said, his Ministry is providing incentives to artists to open avenues to harness their potential and talents while also promoting their creativity, and artistic skills. Minister Roopun highlighted that the exhibition is part of the various initiatives which aim at giving a new thrust to Fine Arts in the country. It is imperative that the works of local artists are brought in the limelight, and they are able to expose and sell their artworks, he added. Mr Roopun enumerated the initiatives of Government to provide the necessary support and empowerment to artists in their cultural undertakings. These include, securing and defending the rights of artists with forthcoming changes at the Mauritius Society of Authors and the Copyright Bill as well as providing more space and infrastructure for exhibitions amongst others. On that score, he also announced the setting up of an Art Fund that will provide financial grants to spearhead various artistic activities. Salon Dete Visual Arts Exhibition 2017 The Salon Dete Visual Arts Exhibition 2017 which aims at showing local artistic talents is organised by the National Art Gallery in the context of ongoing celebrations for the 50 th independence of the country. The National Art Gallery has given local artists the freedom to choose their own theme for their artwork in a bid to represent the multicultural society. Sixty-two artworks produced by several artists showcasing different techniques, styles and concepts are being exhibited. Description GIS 28 November, 2017: The formulation of the Pole of Innovation Grant Scheme by the Mauritius Research Council (MRC) is in line with Government strategy to harness new ventures to boost growth and make of Mauritius an innovation-driven high income economy. The Minister of Technology, Communication and Innovation, Mr Yogida Sawmynaden, made this statement today at the opening ceremony, at Cyber Tower 1, Cybercity in Ebene, of a half-day seminar on the Pole of Innovation Grant Scheme. The said Grant Scheme was launched on that occasion. Speaking about the scheme, Minister Sawmynaden pointed out that the objective is to empower established institutions conducting research activities to act as vehicles of innovation. He added that different stakeholders including private or international partners can support activities which will potentially lead to commercially viable and socioeconomic solutions. According to Mr Sawmynaden, proposed Innovative programmes should address national priorities and can include sectors such a s: Renewable Energy; Ocean/Marine Technology, Resources and Services; ICT/BPO/Telecommunications (including Cloud Computing); Life Sciences (including Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology); Manufacturing and Food Processing; Social Sciences; Sustainable Tourism. The major output from the scheme, Mr Sawmynaden said, will be a number of poles of innovation in specific sectors which will in turn act as nodes of innovation. This scheme will allow researchers to concentrate on existing capacity as well as resources to collaborate across disciplines and institutions on projects that are locally relevant and internationally competitive so as to enhance technological development and innovation, he added. Grant Scheme The aim is to enhance the impact of research and innovation on the economic development of Mauritius by promoting the creation of innovative products/services and goods as well as by spurring innovation through advanced research and partnerships among local institutions/companies and international stakeholders. The funds for the programme would be provided from the National Innovation Programme which is managed by the MRC. The award would be a matching grant of up to Rs 9 million per pole for a project duration not exceeding 36 months, and with a maximum annual ceiling of Rs 3 million. The applicant and collaborating institutions will have to contribute jointly to the Pole In cash and/or In kind. A minimum financial In Cash contribution of 40% of the matching grant should be made by the applicant, either solely or, in partnership with the collaborating institutions. The remaining of the matching grant should be reflected as the In Kind contribution. The collaborating institutions can be public/parastatal institutions or private stakeholders including Research organisations, Academic institutions and local private companies. International partners are also eligible as collaborating institution. Problems Misspending Security Uses and need (TNS) Between $6 million and $8 million a year in taxpayer funds flows from the coffers of the County of Kern and into the retail world through credit cards.Yet despite thousands of transactions, remarkably few were found to be fraudulent or subject to abuse, according to a review by The Californian.Scores of county employees have access to P-cards, the governmental cousin to your everyday credit card.Those employees are human and prone to mistakes. So how does Kern County keep taxpayers' money safe?The Californian obtained a list of every transaction reported by the County of Kern in the 2016-17 fiscal year and reviewed it to see how the cards were used.And we talked with county fiscal watchdogs about the systems that are in place to cut back on the risks associated with government credit cards.Since January 2008, the county has seen a surge in the use of P-cards to handle day-to-day county spending.Computer accessories, lumber, couplings for snorkel hoses, airfare, hotel stays, groceries and meals for front-line firefighters were among the things purchased in nearly 20,000 transactions in the 2016-17 fiscal year.Kern County spent $6.6 million through the use of the purchase cards during that period, up 83 percent from the $3.6 million paid through cards in the 2008-09 fiscal year.Only a tiny fraction of that spending has been identified as fraudulent or inappropriate use of public funds.An examination of that spending offers some lessons for county officials.Between November 2016 and May 2017, Kern County Animal Services Director Nick Cullen charged $3,245 in personal expenses to his county P-card, completing 11 transactions for a variety of products and services.He bought some cleats, a wireless camera system, wireless data and paid $1,166 for a car rental.He did reimburse the County, and he did it prior to any review by my office, wrote Kern County Auditor-Controller Mary Bedard in an email. It wasnt questions from us that prompted the repayments. He initiated them.Cullen said he stored the P-card number on several online purchasing sites that he does both personal and county business on. Sometimes he used the wrong card to make a purchase.He also used the card to make purchases for county events that werent allowed under county policy, he said.I used it a few times if we had an event and bought food for staff and volunteers, Cullen said. And I learned I couldnt do that.Since the mistaken payments, he said, hes removed the county card from the list of stored cards on websites like Amazon.Hes also looked more closely into what he is allowed to purchase using the card, he said.Cullen isnt alone.A total of 16 county employees used public funds to pay for personal items in erroneous personal transactions totaling $4,727.For most it was a one-time circumstance.Nsele Nsuangani, of the Department of Public Health, paid $12.99 for bottled water in a hotel room in May 2017.But others had a tidy string of mistakes.Allison Molina, of the Kern County Planning Department, had her county credit card input into Amazon for legitimate online purchasing.But in December 2016 and January and April 2017, she forgot to select a personal card when she completed a purchase on the online merchants website.I have taken the P-card off of the Amazon account completely since it was not supposed to even be saved and I repaid it back to the department along with a couple other transactions that were mistakenly charged, Molina wrote in her comments about the transaction.The same thing happened to a couple of Kern County Fire Department personnel on the list, said Kern County Fire Chief Brian Marshall.One of the things that happens is you have an Amazon account with your personal (information) and an account with a county card, he said. When you order something, if you dont have the right credit card checked, all of the sudden youve bought a personal item on a county credit card.Marshall said his department stays on top of the use of its P-cards to make sure the use of the card is accidental, that things are caught when a card is hit with fraud and that the county is paid back quickly.We take that type of event very serious. There are multiple layers of review, Marshall said. Someone cant just go off and start charging stuff. Wed catch that pretty quick if somebody went rogue. This is transparency. This is the taxpayers' money.Kern Countys P-cards are credit cards. They are paid every month out of the appropriate departments budget after the review of charges is complete.And like all digital methods of payment, they are vulnerable to fraud.In the fiscal year 2016-17, Kern County was hit with $23,348 in fraudulent charges, according to a review of records obtained by The Californian.Of those losses, all but $566.13 have been reimbursed through credits from the company that received the fraudulent payment or the employee.The total rate of fraud was just over one-third of 1 percent of the total value of payments made through the county purchase cards.Auditor-Controller Mary Bedards department is charged with watching the flow of county funds and making sure fraud and misuse dont put taxpayer funds at risk.There are various roles within each department. A P-card requester is authorized to request a card for an employee, a P-card user is the card holder, and a P-card approver reviews and approves all P-card transactions after they occur. The requester, approver, and user all have to view a video Purchasing has online detailing the rules for P-card use and pass a test, she wrote in an email.The user of the purchase card must certify each transaction and attach supporting documentation including a receipt within 45 days of the transaction, Bedard wrote.That documentation is reviewed by the approver, the person tasked with determining if the use of the card was legitimate, she wrote.Personal use is generally self-reported or possibly identified through the approval process at the department. We have not seen repeated personal use, Bedard wrote. The instances do seem to be accidental. If the employee is not following P-card policies, including late certifications or failure to provide receipts, the department can revoke their card.Finally, the Auditor-Controller's office has staff dedicated to reviewing all of the countys P-card usage on a monthly basis to double check each departments accounting efforts.We do this on a sample basis. All transactions over $1,000 are reviewed, 10 percent to 20 percent of the transactions between $100 and $1,000 are reviewed, and 1 percent to 3 percent of the transactions under $100 are reviewed, Bedard wrote.All fraud transactions are reviewed.They check the detailed receipts to make sure the purchase seems logical given the function of the department that is spending the money.If it seems like an odd purchase for a given department, we contact the P-card approver for more information. We also may question it if the item was delivered to an employees home rather than work, Bedard wrote. If the employee is missing the receipts we require a written explanation. If this happens repeatedly the explanation must come from the employees supervisor. That generally takes care of the problem.Department heads said they have dedicated staff to monitoring the increasing amount of county business done on purchase cards.Lito Morillo, director of Kern County Aging and Adult Services, said his staff do their end-of-the-month reconciliation and then hand it off to their supervisors.Once the supervisor is satisfied, then it is forwarded to the accounts payable department for review.Marshall, the county's fire chief, said his department asked for funding in a recent budget cycle for a single employee who does most of the bulk purchasing for the department.That person, he said, is an expert in the purchasing rules and knows how to make sure things are done right.While P-cards can have their downsides, county department heads said the upside outweighs the downsides in a major way.They hold a very important piece of the purchasing puzzle, said interim General Services Director Geoffrey Hill. When used properly, they cut down on our purchase administration significantly. A purchase order requires a lot more administrative time.And the county is actually trying to flow a dramatic portion of its small-dollar spending through the purchase cards for the sake of efficiency and cost savings.Our goal in fact one of our performance measures is that were trying to have 80 percent of all purchases (on) P-cards and the value of those to be no greater than 20 percent, Hill said.Most of the countys spending will still go through strict purchase orders and bidding systems designed to ensure the county is getting the best bang for its buck.We want the higher-dollar purchases to go through purchase orders and other instruments. That way we get a higher level of scrutiny on the purchases as well as we can take advantage of blanket purchase orders and those types of things, Hill said.Marshall said replacing those cumbersome purchase orders and reimbursement processes is one of the best reasons the cards are critical for his department.Most departments work 8 to 5 Monday through Friday, he said. When we run a 24/7/365 business it gives us the ability to fix things.If a toilet breaks on a Sunday shift, theres no longer the need to call in a general services employee on overtime, Marshall said.The station calls the battalion chiefs, who have possession of the P-cards, and the chief can run to Home Depot and pick up the broken piece.Then its back to the station where the firefighters on duty can fix the toilet themselves.And the county cards are a huge boon to firefighters who are fighting rural blazes in Kern County and across the western United States.Marshall remembers responding to the massive, deadly Cedar Fire in San Diego County in 2003.He and a crew drove all night from Kern County to get to the fire line. When they got there, the response team had yet to set up the incident support needed to provide firefighters with food or a place to stay.I took off and I found a McDonald's and I said, 'I need 25 Big Macs and fries,' Marshall said.In those days, he had to pay out of pocket and then demand reimbursement.Now, if you slide the credit card, you get the item, Marshall said.And the card opens up a whole world of online purchasing to county departments, he said.You can search on Amazon and get it a lot cheaper than anywhere else and get it delivered, Marshall said.Cullen, of Kern County Animal Services, said the cards come in handy for his shelter staff as they handle the day-to-day struggle of caring for hundreds of dogs, cats and livestock.We dont have a contract for cat litter, he said.For an organization caring for a large number of cats at all times, the need for litter is critical. But handling that need through a regular contract would lock the county into a price on a commodity that experiences price fluctuations.The P-card allows us to shop and get the best deal, Cullen said.The cards have been used to pay for warranties for the tablets that animal services officers have in their trucks.And they have been used to lock in the cheapest price on hay.In addition, Cullen said, the P-cards have been critical in addressing a new gap in services Animal Services discovered in the wake of the devastating Erskine Fire.We were wholly unprepared for an emergency like that, he said.So theyve started developing stashes of emergency supplies at strategic locations around the county.Dog crates, bowls, containers and other tools will be critical to making sure officers and staff can rescue and care for animals injured and made homeless by disaster.In the end, P-cards carry inherent risks for county financial officers.But in the ebb and flow of modern retail the risk is balanced by significant upsides, county officials said.The key to making them worthwhile is watching the money closely. A nonprofit gov tech group has created an international open data standards directory , aspiring to give cities a singular resource for guidance on formatting data they release to the public. The group is GovEx , also known as the Center for Government Excellence at Johns Hopkins University. Andrew Nicklin, GovEx director of data practices, said he was driven to work on it in part by challenges he saw when he helped build New York Citys open data platform in the early 2010s. A question he often struggled with then was what the best way was to publish data in order to make it relevant and usable by the largest number of people. The answer, to my mind, meant standards, Nicklin said. And there werent a whole lot out there. That deficit of information about government open data standards is what the directory seeks to remedy. The nature of municipal data is nuanced and diverse, and the format in which it is released often varies depending on subject matter. In other words, a format that works well for public safety data is not necessarily the same that works for info about building permits, transit or budgets. Not having a coordinated and agreed-upon resource to identify the best standards for these different types of info, Nicklin said, creates problems. One such problem is that it can be time-consuming and challenging for city government data workers to research and identify ideal formats for data. Another is that the lack of info leads to discord between different jurisdictions, meaning one city might format a data set about economic development in an entirely different way than another, making collaboration and comparisons problematic. What the directory does is provide a list of standards that are in use within municipal governments, as well as an evaluation based on how frequent that use is, whether the format is machine-readable, and whether users have to pay to license it, among other factors. The directory currently contains 60 standards, some of which are in Spanish, and those involved with the project say they hope to expand their efforts to include more languages. There is also a crowdsourcing component to the directory, in that users are encouraged to make additions and updates. Another collaborator in the creation of this project is GeoThink, which is a part of McGill Universitys Department of Geography. The genesis of the work can, in part, be traced back to McGill. Rachel Bloom, an undergraduate student at the school, was working on a thesis about the different city government data standards, and she came up with a methodology to measure them. Blooms early work involved about 20 data standards. With support from Bloomberg Philanthropies and a partnership with the associated What Works Cities initiative, GovEx is continuing to expand the directory. Nicklin said the goal is to keep adding additional sets to make it as valuable a resource as possible for city governments around the world. Weve got this thing we think doesnt exist: A place for government data leaders to identify how they want to release data to the public, Nicklin said. We have a larger future vision for this. (TNS) - Schoolchildren statewide wont be scurrying for shelter Friday when officials sound an attack warning siren in the first test of its kind in decades.But they have been preparing since at least August for the unlikely event of a North Korean nuclear missile strike that still feels more 1950s Cold War than 2017 reality.A Nov. 9 letter went out to parents of children at Kaelepulu Elementary School in Kailua saying that following guidance from the state Department of Education and Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, the schools safety committee looked at emergency lockdown preparedness.The committee has come up with a plan for the unlikely event that would require an ELP of 24-72 hours, including the creation of a courage kit for each student.Each kit, to be prepared with assistance from parents, was recommended to include a comfort letter with photos of family and nonperishable food. In conjunction with those efforts, donations of cases of bottled water, flashlights, batteries, duct tape and Clorox wipes were being sought for classroom courage kits.At Kaimuki Middle School, in the case of North Korean nuclear attack, kids were told to get to certain classrooms, close the windows and turn off the air conditioning. They were also told about pee buckets they would be using.Hawaii Emergency Management Executive Officer Toby Clairmont previously said the last time Hawaii residents heard the attack warning siren test was around 1980 during the Cold War.At 11:45 a.m. Friday, during the regular monthly siren test, 50 seconds of the usual steady-tone alert for hurricanes or tsunamis will be followed by 50 seconds of the wavering attack warning tone, the agency said.The agency, formerly state Civil Defense, has said repeatedly that a North Korean attack is highly unlikely but that its responsibility is to prepare for threats. The state, including its schools, has attempted to develop planning while not generating hysteria.The states latest 30-second public service announcement strives for a nonthreatening tone. Ukulele music plays as Hawaii Emergency Management Administrator Vern Miyagi states, On the first business day of every month, the state and the counties normally conduct a test of the attention alert signal, which is a steady tone. Starting Dec. 1, a second tone, the attack warning signal, a wailing tone, will be added. The attack warning signal advises everyone to take immediate shelter get inside, stay inside, stay tuned.Dann Carlson, assistant superintendent, Office of School Facilities and Support Services, sent out a memo in August titled North Korean situation, emergency preparedness.In it Carlson said the proper response to the attack warning siren other than in tests is to shelter in place. The memo advises schools to identify safe areas in each building and to prevent outside air from mixing with inside air. The note calls for the use of plastic sheeting, wet cloth and duct tape to seal windows and cracks to minimize air contamination.Emergency preparedness is a high priority practiced in our schools, Department of Education spokeswoman Donalyn Dela Cruz said in an email. In working with HI-EMA on nuclear preparedness planning, shelter-in- place practices and procedures are in place.All Hawaii public schools are required to practice five types of drills at least once annually, including for earthquakes and tsunamis, as well as shelter in place, lockdown and evacuation, she said.Schools can add aspects of their plan that are unique to their community. Dela Cruz said there are no drills scheduled for Friday, and schools can conduct the required preparedness exercises at any time.Kaelepulu Principal Jamie Dela Cruz said in response to the DOE directive, We just thought, well, in general, when were looking at addressing our own emergency preparedness, what might we need should we have to sequester in place for a while?The courage kits are an extension of the schools social-emotional learning program, while any collected water can eventually be used at school functions and nonperishable food can be given to food banks, the principal said.2017 The Honolulu Star-AdvertiserVisit The Honolulu Star-Advertiser at www.staradvertiser.comDistributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. (TNS) - Standing in the lobby at the headquarters of the Port of Camas-Washougal, David Ripp pointed to a map of about 1,500 acres of land near the Columbia River that the port uses to support jobs and industry. He said what keeps this land dry and suitable for economic activity is a levee, 5 miles of rock, dirt and sand that keep the river from flooding.The reason for this levee is all this property would flood, he said. This would all be underwater.In Clark County, Wash., there are nearly 46 miles of levees, embankments along rivers that protect 16,170 acres of urban, rural and agricultural land. Some of them are periodically inspected by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to ensure that pumps are working and that the structure isnt being unsettled by tree roots and animal burrows, among other issues.Ripp said the Corps has taken a different approach to how it inspects levees since the August 2005 flooding of New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina. A federal judge ruled in 2009 that the Corps neglected the levees that broke and led to the flooding. Congress later directed the Corps to inventory and inspect federally overseen levees.According to Corps spokesman Karim Delgado, levees are categorized as urban if they protect 20 or more buildings. There are three levees in Clark County, including the one owned by the Port of Camas-Washougal, that meet this designation.Corps inspectors have found enough deficiencies in them to deem them minimally acceptable.However, Ripp and representatives from other local governments said that the designation isnt as bad as it sounds and that the levees are safe and being maintained. A database of levees kept by the Corps shows that of the 13,650 levees in Washington, 11 have fully acceptable ratings.Although the area hasnt experienced a recent major storm or disaster, like the storms that ravaged Puerto Rico and the South, this levee infrastructure could become more important as multiple forecasts predict wetter winters for the Pacific Northwest.On a weekday morning, people rode bikes or jogged along a trail on top of the ports levee. As he walked along the trail, Ripp explained that the levee was constructed by the Corps in 1965 and was built high enough to withstand the great flood of 1894, which saw the waters of the Columbia River reach 34 feet.Ripp said the levee was most recently certified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in 2012. With the levee certified, Ripp said the property behind it doesnt need flood insurance. Getting that certification requires an inspection from the Corps, and Ripp said inspectors have been more scrutinizing than in the past.All of a sudden, everything is bad after Katrina, he said.The levee had its last periodic inspection in 2012, according to a database kept by the Corps. A summary of the inspection report identifies several items rated as unsatisfactory, including: Trees within a 15-foot buffer zone surrounding the levee (their roots can disrupt the carefully packed dirt and sand). Severe animal burrows. Several nonpermitted encroachments (e.g. utilities, buildings, guardrails). A lack of video inspection at a freshwater intake pipe and ambiguity over whos responsible for maintenance of a portion of the levee downstream.Inspectors also noted less serious concerns, including some bank erosion near the levee, ruts formed by pedestrian and vehicle activity, vegetation growth in the 15-foot buffer, as well as issues with the drainage structures and the pump station.As Ripp continued to walk along the trail, he pointed to small mounds of dirt, evidence of burrowing moles.We have moles; that might be an issue, he said. But thats not major.He also pointed to the 15-foot buffer between the toe of the levee (where its slope meets the ground) and the wooded edge of Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge, where the port knocked down trees as required by inspectors.They give that as a warning to us, saying, dont let any of that get any worse,? Ripp said.The port regularly puts $50,000 in its capital budget for levee maintenance, said Jeramy Wilcox, the ports facilities manager.Its just one of those things, he said. If we saw something, wed do repairs.Cowlitz County Diking Improvement District No. 2 is responsible for maintaining a 13-mile urban levee at the confluence of the Lewis River and the Columbia River that protects 7,772 acres of land that encompasses parts of Clark County as well as 555 acres of Woodland.A summary of the 2012 inspection report identified the following unacceptable items: Trees with trunks greater than 2-inches in diameter were within the levees 15-foot buffer zone. There were several depressions deeper than 12 inches on the crest and side slopes of the levee. The condition of pipes and culverts wasnt properly monitored. Chunks of rock used to armor the levee were obscured by dense brush, trees, blackberries, and grasses, preventing inspection. The drainage system for the levees toe on the Columbia River segment could not be found in the field, and there were no maintenance records to ensure it is functioning. Utilities had encroached under or through the floodwall. A closure structure blocked stop logs, which are used to adjust the flow rate of water, and were prevented from closing an opening on the flood wall completely. Joints had deteriorated and were no longer watertight. Pump stations werent monitored.The inspection also found less serious issues, such as plant growth that inhibited observations of the levee, animal burrowing, minor erosion and some other minor issues with the pump stations.The levee is currently rated as minimally acceptable by the Corps.Susan Eugenis, assistant Cowlitz County engineer, said it may sound really bad, but that levee is safe and being maintained.If you see minimally acceptable, that should not cause you any great worries, she said. It means you are working in the Corps parameters.During the flooding event of 1996, water levels rose high against the levee, and while there was some seepage, the structure prevented flooding, said Eugenis. The levee is owned and operated by a special diking district, and Eugenis added, Honestly, I work with six districts, and I dont know a single district that gets an acceptable rating.The city of Vancouver is responsible for a half-mile levee in the Fruit Valley neighborhood that protects 61 acres from floods. According to city maps, the levee is meant to protect against a 1 percent annual chance of a 100-year flood from Vancouver Lake.The levee was last inspected in 2012, according to a Corps database. Like others in Clark County, it was rated minimally acceptable. An inspection report for the levee was not available on the Corps website.Corps spokesman Delgado said the rating was based on the excessive vegetation that hindered the inspection.That may not necessarily mean that those areas wouldnt perform as intended, he said. Its just that we dont know because of the excessive growth.In an email, Jon Wagner, Vancouver senior city planner, wrote that prior to the levee being deemed minimally acceptable, the latest FEMA maps did not show any concern in the levee. He wrote that he was unsure why it was given that designation. He further wrote that he was not aware of the city doing any work on the levee and it is in an acceptable condition.2017 The Columbian (Vancouver, Wash.)Visit The Columbian (Vancouver, Wash.) at www.columbian.comDistributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 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Ireland United States Minor Outlying Islands United States of America Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Debra Crew, the top executive of Reynolds American Inc., will leave the company after just one year at the helm, parent company British American Tobacco Plc said Tuesday. Crew, 46, will be replaced by Ricardo Oberlander, a Reynolds board member since late 2014. Oberlander also serves as BATs regional director for the Americas. Crews departure as Reynolds chief executive and president is effective at years end and removes legacy Reynolds management of the company. Reynolds is estimated to have between 2,000 and 2,200 employees locally, the majority of whom work at its plant in Tobaccoville. Crew was not immediately available for comment. This was purely a personal decision by Debra, as she looks to pursue career opportunities outside of BAT, Reynolds spokesman David Howard said. Ricardo Oberlander is in an excellent position to succeed her. He knows Reynolds extremely well from his three years as a director on the Reynolds board and brings a wealth of BAT experience from the Americas and Asia Pacific regions. Crew gave no indication of leaving Reynolds during her Nov. 15 keynote speech on local innovation, including Reynolds initiatives, to the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce. BAT said Crew has decided to leave BAT ... to pursue other opportunities outside the company. BAT spokeswoman Anna Vickerstaff, when asked for additional BAT comment, said the announcement today pretty much says it all. The news comes in stunning fashion given that Nicandro Durante, BATs chief executive, praised Crews management of Reynolds in late July, shortly after BAT completed spending $54.5 billion to buy the 57.8 percent of Reynolds it did not already own. Durante, BATs CEO for seven years, took the time in late July to venture from the Reynolds boardroom through the hallways and onto the Tobaccoville plant floor to celebrate with Reynolds employees what he considered to be the consummation of a marriage made in heaven between two extremely successful companies. The merger formed the worlds largest publicly traded tobacco manufacturer with combined fiscal 2016 revenues of $30.55 billion $18.8 billion from BAT and $11.75 billion from Reynolds. Crew replaced Susan Cameron as chief executive on Jan. 1. Reynolds said in a regulatory filing that Crews 2017 base salary would be $1.1 million, along with potential incentives of up to 160 percent of her base salary. She has been with Reynolds since October 2014, first serving as president of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. Crew came to Reynolds after serving as president and general manager of PepsiCo North America Nutrition. We have appreciated the drive and leadership that Debra has brought to Reynolds American both during our 42 percent shareholding period before the acquisition and since, when she has been instrumental in helping to ensure a smooth transition post-completion, Durante said in a statement. I would like to thank her for her leadership; for leaving the Reynolds businesses in such fantastic shape and for the significant progress that has been made in integrating the two companies in the second half of 2017. Durante said Oberlander has been with BAT for nearly 30 years and on the BAT management team since 2013. He is ideally placed to lead our continued growth in the U.S. and to complete the successful integration of the Reynolds businesses into the BAT Group, Durante said. Stephen Pope, managing principal for London financial services firm Spotlight Ideas, said Crew may have been ever so gently eased out so that BAT can be sure it has a management team that are all singing from the same hymn sheet. Pope cited recent Deloitte study in which clashes and conflicts of corporate culture was found to be the root cause of 30 percent of failed integrations. The reasons for this are simple; legacy personnel from the acquired company often find it hard to make decisions quickly and correctly, or to operate effectively within the newly imposed modus operandi, Pope said. I see it as a loss (for BAT), as Crew was highly regarded as a business woman and at one time was seen as a front runner to lead the new group. Mayor Allen Joines praised Crews strong leadership during this transition period and wished her well in her next career step. I personally look forward to working with Ricardo Oberlander in continuing to grow and strengthen the Winston Salem economy, as well as the communitys continuing support of Reynolds and BAT, Joines said. Gayle Anderson, who is retiring at years end as president and chief executive of the Winston-Salem chamber, said she was not overly surprised by Crews departure. In todays fast-paced environment, change is inevitable, Anderson said. We appreciate Debra Crews leadership and her focus on making Reynolds American a market leader and a strong supporter of our community. We look forward to continuing our excellent relationship with Reynolds American and to working with Mr. Oberlander. BAT said in a Jan. 18 regulatory filing that it has no plans to close or move the head office in Winston-Salem, nor make any significant changes to the current high-quality manufacturing facilities in North Carolina and Tennessee, nor to the trade marketing team. Reynolds has an American Snuff Co. production plant in Tennessee. Overall, Reynolds had 5,500 full-time and 50 part-time employees as of Dec. 31, 2016. The total includes 3,700 employees at Reynolds Tobacco, 500 at Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Co. and 600 at American Snuff. Durante stressed in the late July interview that the beauty of this deal is there is very little overlap of the companies, which will make integration much simpler and give us really no reason to change things here. Howard said Tuesday that I would also note that BAT recognizes the importance and expertise of the employees of the RAI companies, the quality of our facilities and the strength of our customer network, and remains committed to the RAI companies U.S.-based workforce and manufacturing facilities, as well as the Winston-Salem/Triad community. GREENSBORO The state medical board wants to take the license of a physician assistant who pleaded guilty in June to receiving child pornography. Dantre Davis, 28, is serving six years in prison for one felony count of receiving child pornography in 2016. On Nov. 16, the N.C. Medical Board mailed Davis a "notice of revocation" to Davis at Coleman Low Federal Correctional Institution, a low-security federal prison in Coleman, Florida. Davis, who had practice privileges at Randolph Hospital in Asheboro, has until January to request a hearing with the medical board, or else the board will automatically revoke his license. A felony conviction automatically results in a revoked medical license. Davis was a licensed physician assistant in North Carolina from December 2015 to December 2016, when his licensed lapsed, according to the N.C. Medical Board's website. He earned his physician assistant license from Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee. Investigators searched Davis' apartment in northwest Greensboro last year after learning about child pornography shared online from his IP address. They found thousands of images and videos of child pornography. Davis also will spend 15 years on supervised release after he serves the prison term. Many area residents have asked what they can do to help in the search for a missing 3-year-old girl. Onslow County Sheriff Hans Miller asks that neighbors living along Dawson Cabin Road and Old Wilmington Highway check their immediate surroundings and backyards. If they see something suspicious such as an article of clothing he asks they immediately call 911. Miller says the person should not leave the site until law enforcement officers arrive. _______________ Updated at 2:07 p.m. Onslow County Sheriff Hans Miller said authorities are not looking for a specific vehicle. "Right now we're looking for a 3-year-old little girl. We have canvassed the neighborhood and want to speak to anyone who might have information," he said. Miller has not specified if an abduction is suspected. "It could be an abduction. It could be a kidnapping, it could be a runaway or even worse," he said. Miller said the sheriff's office has received aerial support from the Marine Corps, New Hanover County and Brunswick County, as well as tracking dogs from Wayne County. _________________ Updated at 1:27 p.m. Camp Lejeune has contributed a Cobra helicopter to the search for an Onslow County toddler. Law enforcement also has a canine searching around the child's home. Mariah Kay Woods, 3, was last seen Sunday night around 11:30 p.m. in her bed wearing white and pink panties, according to the Onslow County Sheriff's Office. Mariah is described as a white girl, approximately 2-feet-9-inches tall and weighing about 30 pounds, according to the alert. The alert also states she has brown hair and blue eyes. The Sheriff's Office says the child's hair is blonde. _________________ Updated at 11:40 a.m. An Amber Alert has been issued for a missing Onslow County girl. Mariah Kay Woods, 3, is described as a white girl, approximately 2-feet-9-inches tall and weighing about 30 pounds, according to the alert. The alert also states she has brown hair and blue eyes. Mariah's grandmother Melissa Hunter describes her hair as sandy brown. Hunter said Mariah is a 3-year-old with a medical condition that causes her to stumble and her left leg swings out. Both her ears are pierced and she's quiet to strangers. She was last seen in the area of 2405-7 Dawson Cabin Road in Jacksonville, according to the alert. Anyone with information is asked to call the Onslow County Sheriff's Office at 910-455-3113, 911 or #HP. _________________ Federal and countylaw enforcement officers are searching for a 3-year-old girl reported missing shortly after 6 a.m. Onslow County Sheriff Hans Miller on the scene on Dawson Cabin Road told The Daily News that officers and canine units on the ground and a New Hanover Sheriff's Office helicopter in the sky plus an aerial drone are searching for Mariah Woods. Woods lives with her mother and two older brothers as well as her mother's boyfriend. Miller described the child as a white with blonde hair. Anyone with information is asked to call the OCSO at 910-455-3113. 2017 The Daily News (Jacksonville, N.C.) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The state owed Meggan Callahan much better. The medical examiner said her assailant threw hot or boiling water into her face, causing burns. Then he tried to cut her with a piece of glass. Finally, he hit her over the head with a fire extinguisher many times breaking her skull. The 29-year-old woman died of her injuries. Callahan was an officer at Bertie Correctional Institute. Her attacker was an inmate, a convicted murderer who set a fire and, when she responded, sprang his deadly ambush. That happened in April. The incident might have been forgotten or overlooked by the public although not by her family, friends and fellow officers if it werent for the bloodbath at a prison in Pasquotank County in October. The killings of four employees by inmates sounded loud alarms. There was a hidden but now obvious problem behind our prison walls. These are incredibly dangerous places for employees. So we must add four names of those whom the state has failed: Veronica Darden, Justin Smith, Wendy Shannon and Geoffrey Howe. One common denominator was quickly identified: The prisons were understaffed, by 26 percent at Bertie at the time of Callahans murder and by 28 percent at Pasquotank when several inmates attempted a violent escape. Low pay is one reason for that, and it must be substantially improved. Better starting pay is needed to attract more recruits, and regular increases should be provided to make sure that experienced officers stay on the job. This isnt work thats suitable for everyone. Security officers have to be alert, quick-thinking and well-trained. They have to be excellent people managers, adept at defusing conflicts and staying out of dangerous situations. They have to understand that, while prisons house criminals, one of their purposes is rehabilitation and that inmates are human beings with human needs. These should be highly valued skills. Prison officials also must consider whether they have the right systems and mechanisms in place to ensure safety. Are employees too often exposed to possible harm without proper backup? That clearly was the case in both fatal episodes this year. The state has taken steps to address those deficiencies but always must be assessing its practices and policies. More than 20 years ago, lawmakers significantly changed the sentencing structure in North Carolina. They eliminated parole and many of the provisions that allowed inmates to earn time off their sentences with good behavior and efforts to improve their education and work skills. The public wanted the assurance that a criminal who was sentenced to life in prison would actually be locked up for the rest of his life. As far as the public was concerned, that was the end of the story. No consideration was given to the practical effect of denying hope to people condemned to close confinement for the rest of their lives or for many decades. In such circumstances, some inmates might think they have nothing to lose by trying to escape or by assaulting a guard. Appropriate state agencies or the legislature should study whether the elimination of parole and other incentives for good behavior has made our prisons more dangerous for the people who work in them. This study should look at practices in other states to determine whether some are more successful in managing their prison populations. North Carolinas failure cant be laid at the feet of a governor or a legislature or prison administrators. Its a systemic failure, and the public is partly responsible because of its out of sight, out of mind attitude toward prisons and desire to spend less tax money. Few of us worried about Meggan Callahan, Veronica Darden, Justin Smith, Wendy Shannon and Geoffrey Howe until it was too late for them. We all owed them more, as we owe thousands of others who work around the clock in dangerous places for low pay and little thanks. It turns out that November is Native American Heritage Month so I thought I'd celebrate it by writing a little about some of the indigenous, female CEOs who are driving tremendous business success across the country. From entrepreneurs to leaders of major companies, these Native-American business leaders have applied under-represented cultural perspectives to help build successful companies. Take a look at what these amazing women are up to, the organizations they're managing, and what you can learn from their leadership. Related: 10 Inspirational Quotes From Women Business Leaders 1. Bethany Yellowtail, CEO of B.Yellowtail Yellowtail is a fashion guru who is both a designer and CEO of her indigenous clothing line. You can see her own modern take on her Northern Cheyenne, Crow and Tsetsehestahese heritage in the unique designs. Yellowtail started at BCBG Max Azria and has been a senior pattern maker for a number of private labels before she launched her own line and company.Related: These Female Entrepreneurs Created a Fake Male Co-Founder to Work Around Sexism. How Well It Worked Is Incredibly Eye Opening. 2. Janice Guy, President of P31 Guy was born in Hawaii to a military family and blended to "ohana" or "family spirit" into her own Native upbringing. She then served for years in the U.S. Marine Corps, where she was one of the first female Air Defense Control Officers. She brought that dedication and spirit to her position at the major Massachusetts corporation. She says it's "deeply ingrained in the values of P31," making her position at the security, logistics and software support company a natural fit. Related: How to Succeed as a Female Leader Anywhere In the World 3. Sarah Eagle Heart, CEO of Native Americans in Philanthropy Native Americans in Philanthropy (NAP) is a network of nonprofits, tribal communities and foundations working to make life better for all indigenous people in the U.S. Under the guidance of Eagle Heart the organization helps promote investment to build healthy and sustainable communities. NAP hosts regional summits, webinars and leadership courses for Native-American mid-level professionals and others working in the field of philanthropy. Related: 15 Things Men Say That Get on Women's Nerves 4. Vickie Wessel, President of Spirit Electronics Wessel's heritage includes Jicarila Apache, Cherokee, and Choctaw. She helps lead Spirit Electronics in Phoenix, Arizona, an electronic components distributor serving the Aerospace and Defense industries. They deliver parts that make up missile guidance systems and satellites. Wessel founded the company in 1979 and by 2010 boasted annual revenue of more than $32 million. Related: She Adopted a Pet Pig to Cope With Epilepsy. Now, Her Job Is Managing This Adorable Instagram Star. 5. Cheryl Cardinal, President and CEO of the Indigenous Center of Energy A graduate of the University of British Columbia, Cardinal went on to complete an MBE program at Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business. The entrepreneur focuses on healthy relationships between Native communities and the energy/mining fields. She's a liaison between the U.S., Canada, New Zealand and Australia and specializes in climate change, international trade, sustainability, and oil and gas. 6. Karlene Hunter, CEO and co-founder of Native American Natural Foods Hunter runs the first company from a native reservation ever to create a national brand. She grew up on the Pine Ridge Reservation where Native Amerrican Natural Foods is headquartered. She brings her Oglala Sioux heritage to the position along with over 25 years working in educational and economic development. The company's first product is the Tanka Bar, a protein-rich snack bar that features cranberries and prairie buffalo as ingredients. Part of the goal of the company is to get people to return to more traditionally based foods and curb diabetes in the U.S. 7. Patricia Parker, CEO of Native American Management Services Parker founded the organization alongside her sister, Tonya, in 1992. As a member of the Choctaw Nation, she spent years in the Indian Health Services organization as well as the federal government. Her company provides management services for events, trade shows, and conferences. Parker says she blends her "grounding in the tradition" of the Choctaw Nation with her professional expertise to create a company that's culturally competent and serves indigenous demographics. These are just a few of the female business leaders utilizing their Native heritage to help guide how they run companies large and small. As we celebrate Native American Heritage Month, let's take a little time to reflect on the hard work it takes to succeed as an indigenous woman in the business world, which in many ways can still be an old-boys club. Do you know of any female Native CEOs that should be added to the list? Related: How Venus Williams Is Serving Up Her Entrepreneurial Dreams This Founder's Letter to Her Daughter on What It Means to Be an Entrepreneur and a Mom Will Inspire You 10 Things Wealthy People Do Every Day Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com HARTFORD Gov. Dannel P. Malloy on Monday announced 13 Connecticut State Police troopers were deployed to Puerto Rico to assist in recovery efforts on the island, which is still reeling from the impact of Hurricane Maria. Malloy said the troopers deployment from the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection is part of Connecticuts efforts to assist Puerto Rico in post-hurricane recovery and will be providing security, patrolling service and traffic assistance to local police on the island. Twelve of the 13 troopers are fluent in Spanish. The crew flew out from Bradley Airport Monday, according to a release from Malloys office. The deployment of the troopers is the latest effort made by state officials hoping to assist Puerto Ricos recovery following Hurricane Marias landfall in September. Bloomberg News reported Nov. 23 the U.S. Department of Energy had restored 50 percent of the islands power capacity. The state is home to some of the, bravest, brightest, and most selfless state troopers in the nation, Malloy said in the release. Im incredibly proud of the troopers that volunteered to assist the people of Puerto Rico in their time of need, and wish them a successful tour of duty, and a safe return home, Malloy said. These deployments build upon Connecticuts major hurricane recovery support efforts, including the over 70 recovery missions engaged in by our National Guard. Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman said in the release that the state knows first-hand how important it is to help in Puerto Ricos recovery. I commend the Connecticut State Police Troopers for their assistance in these efforts and I thank them and their families for their service. Our troopers are the most respected law enforcement officials in the world with their long history of support. I wish them best wishes and a safe return. DESPP Commissioner Dora Schriro said the troopers efforts demonstrate agency has among the most, community-focused police forces in the country. According to the release, the state has provided 100 National Guardsmen to offer support services. They have conducted 73 missions aboard C-130s. These guardsmen have been involved in communications, security forces, maintenance and aerial port operations, according to the release. In addition to other support measures, the states Office of Early Childhood is helping identify child-care opportunities. They are among several state agencies assisting in recovery efforts for evacuees relocating moving to the state following the storm. Connecticut schools have also been welcoming new students whose families relocated here following the storm. As one of Tinder's first employees, I've had the good fortune of watching the company evolve from a passion project to a global powerhouse. Related: Use These 5 Steps to Create a Marketing Plan Although initially the app spread across the country through word-of-mouth recommendations, our marketing strategy has evolved to incorporate thoughtful, intentional campaigns that engage users and spark conversations around the world. Based on my experiences at Tinder, here are five marketing constants that can help every brand be successful, no matter how big or small. 1. Build a strong brand. This goes without saying, but before diving head first into your marketing efforts, be thoughtful about building a strong, unique brand. A strong brand name, mantra and logo will be the foundation for all of your company's marketing. To build a strong brand, be clear and concise about how you define yourself, how you want to position yourself in the market and what you want your company's voice to be. Once you've created your brand identity, integrate it into everything that you do, from your online presence to your social media efforts. At Tinder, we set out with the mission to create new connections that can turn into real-life relationships, and all of our marketing efforts tie back to this mission. Related: 4 Ways to Market Your Business for Free The name Tinder came from the idea that we were creating a spark between two users. This idea inspired everything that went into our branding, including our recognizable flame logo. Once you've created a recognizable brand, it's time to make sure everyone knows about it. Don't underestimate the value of good public relations! Building relationships with reporters is a great way to strengthen your brand identity and reach your target audience. Reach out to reporters who are covering your industry and keep them in the loop on interesting announcements from your company. 2. Find your audience. When you're first starting out, it can be difficult to get your company off the ground and garner your first customers. When we launched Tinder, it took off almost overnight. Our initial marketing efforts were very lightweight. We attribute a lot of this initial success to the on-the-ground work our team was doing at universities and college campuses. We knew we wanted to target a millennial demographic, so we found social influencers in the space and then used word-of-mouth marketing to grow at that early stage. If you have memorable branding, an innovative product and directly connect with your audience, word-of-mouth marketing can do wonders. Think creatively about the ways you can engage with your customer base, whether it be at hyperlocal events, guerilla marketing or through an ambassador program. To this day, Tinder runs a college ambassador program, so we can engage with our users, create good sentiment and cultivate positive brand advocacy. Related: This 14-Year-Old Founder Explains How to Market to Teenagers on Social Media 3. Listen to your audience. As we continued to see exponential user growth, we didn't just rest on our laurels -- we continued to iterate and market the platform based on user feedback. Listening to our users and responding to their wants and needs from a product perspective has allowed us to continue growing our global user base. We frequently ask for feedback and listen to what they like and what they think could be improved. In fact, nearly all of the features Tinder has launched since the beginning has been a direct result of listening to our users. We also conduct regular social listening to hear what people are saying about the app and what is important to them. Building a brand identity is vital, but understanding your brand's image is just as important. You want to make sure that you're targeting your users positively and effectively, and their perception of you is in line with your brand's mission. Consider utilizing surveys and running focus groups to garner user feedback. Use this feedback as a pulse check to inform and improve your company's offerings and marketing tactics. Related: 10 Marketing Influencers That Every Entrepreneur Can Learn From 4. Exceed expectations through innovation. Tinder introduced its app-based dating concept five years ago after identifying the need for a seamless, fun dating experience. Fast forward to today, and online and apps-based dating has become the way people meet. As we continued to see exponential growth, we continued innovating to evolve the platform to meet the needs and demands of our users. Everything we have done, from adding the Passport feature (which allows users to find connections in cities or countries where they're going to move to or visit), to including more inclusive gender identities, to Tinder Reactions (which helps our users communicate in a fun way through visuals), we've continued to innovate to remain one of the most relevant and necessary products for people today. Another valuable way for expanding your company's reach is by innovating on the marketing side through brand partnerships and collaborative campaigns. Reach out to your network, like-minded entrepreneurs and interesting brands to see where it may make sense to do a joint campaign to expand your reach and raise your company's profile. Related: 10 Laws of Social Media Marketing Earlier this year, Tinder partnered with Pledgeling.com and celebrated International Women's Day to help raise money for important nonprofit programs. We gave our users the chance to donate part of Tinder's charitable fund, and in the end, everyone wins because our users helped us make an impact. 5. Don't forget about your personal brand. Don't forget about yourself or underestimate the impact you can make. Everyone from the founder and CEO, through to a more junior employee, is part of the company's brand and story, so think about how you contribute to the fabric of your company's marketing efforts. Whether you're speaking at an industry event, are active on your social media channels or even speaking with a friend over dinner, remember that you represent your company's brand and can play an important role in its storytelling. Related: #4 Ways to Create an Effective Facebook Advert Marketing 2.0: How To Make Your Marketing More Effective Esta es la campana turistica mas exitosa de America Latina Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com Westend61 | Getty Images So much about successful entrepreneurship is about building rapport, whether its with investors or prospective employees. A new study from Hokkaido University and Yamagata University in Japan has found that something as simple as nodding can actually boost your likability in a significant way. The researchers showed 49 Japanese men and women a series of short video clips of computer-generated women nodding, shaking their heads or staying still. The study participants were then asked to rate the computer-generated figures on attractiveness, likeability and approachability from a scale of 0 to 100. Stress was merely presented as the curse of the culinary genius until now. Photo: Lawrence Worcester/Lonely Planet Images/Getty Images Even Guys Grocery Games viewers get that being a professional chef is stressful, but this new piece by Jay Rayner serves as a serious reminder about the toll the industry takes on mental health. Several of Englands top chefs tell the Guardians restaurant critic that the profession has nearly destroyed them; he cites an April survey that found that 78 percent of London chefs blame kitchen accidents (or near misses) on fatigue, over half use painkillers regularly, almost as many suffer from depression, and a quarter admit that they drink to get through shifts. The restaurant business model is dysfunctional, Rayner concludes, writing that there might be reason for even more worry: To make the economics stack up, cooks are required to work ludicrous hours which, due to chef shortages and rent rises, are only getting longer. Chefs described working in abusive environments, run by bullies re-enacting the violent experiences they had been through when they were juniors at least one spoke of pain administered via burning hot tongs. Kitchens reliance on fear rather than encouragement has birthed an incredibly harsh environment, one restaurateur tells Rayner. (And this hasnt even scratched the surface of what its like if youre female.) Many big-name chefs (Sean Brock, Daniel Patterson, Mike Solomonov) have opened up in recent years about overcoming inner demons of substance abuse or depression. But alcoholism, drug addiction, and nervous breakdowns shouldnt be seen as badges of honor worn by the geniuses whose tortured souls are rewarded with Michelin stars, one restaurateur from Leeds cautioned in her Facebook post after reading. Even Rayner has since noted the truly startling stories that keep emerging in the articles comments section from people saying all were miserable in the kitchens they worked in, to the claim that theyve never met a chef [who] didnt have an addiction. The hundreds of Twitter replies have been mostly gloomy as well: Im a chef and I agree low wages ,un sociable hours ,treated with no respect by restaurant owners .when I went to catering college there was 40 of us in my class only two of us are chefs now. THOMAS EDWARDS (@EdwardsChef) November 26, 2017 Chef and restaurant manager for 27 years. 25 of them in UK. Alcohol, divorce, Depression. All consequences of overwork and underpay. Though agree that's also what I loved. The us against them. The 'we survived, let's drink" mentality. 1/2 Grant (@grantdombo) November 26, 2017 Father was a chef. The stories...wow. Stress, yes. This is an industry that has more alcoholics and drug addicts than any other, and when you take Wall Street into consideration that says something. shameonyoudule (@shameonyoudule) November 26, 2017 Brilliant article by @jayrayner1. The industry has to do more to support and look after it's chefs at all levels. To hell with keeping costs down and macho silent suffering in kitchens. https://t.co/BIC0K9tb5M Mark McCabe (@mccabedoesstuff) November 27, 2017 Thank you so much for writing this. If people need help, other chefs are there to listen: https://t.co/azUP9O9PpE Kat Kinsman (@kittenwithawhip) November 26, 2017 An observation: a lot of career cooks have spoken up since the publication of my piece on chefs and mental health but bar some notable exceptions - @Satbains1 and @ChefTomKerridge in particular - there has been a deafening silence from most leading figures in the industry. Jay Rayner (@jayrayner1) November 27, 2017 Rayner meant his article as a disquisition, not a corrective, but hes also quick to point to places where the model looks better. Like in Scandinavia, home to Magnus Nilssons critically acclaimed Faviken, whose chefs work eight-hour days and get five weeks of vacation per year. Possibly the worlds finest sparkling-wine product that you mix by the glass. Photo: SodaStream For ages, people have been force-carbonating alcohol (like for a fizzy spin on Hemingway daiquiris) in their SodaStream machines. The company has never approved of this, and in fact warns that it voids your warranty, but the beverage giant may finally be coming around. Its latest gimmick, a mix called Sparkling Gold, gives you a way to turn tap water into sparkling wine at the touch of a button. You add the special Palcohol-like syrup to soda water, and it gives you a fun beverage resembling the taste of a fruity Riesling wine. (Its like grabbing a bottle of wine product from a New York grocery store without leaving the comfort of your kitchen!) Sparkling Gold is SodaStreams first alcoholic mixer, but America isnt getting it just yet. For now, the company is limiting these exciting concentrates to its online store in Germany which may help explain why it picked something Riesling-esque. A hundred Germans supposedly taste-tested the mixture, and SodaStream claims Sparkling Gold received a higher rating than actual French champagnes like the world-renowned Moet & Chardon (56 people liked Moet, versus 76 for SodaStreams concoction, although this may be a trick because its actually spelled Chandon). Sparkling Gold comes in a beautiful gold-tinted bottle that yields 12 glasses of wine. However, theyre a mere 10 percent alcohol by volume when prepared using the recommended mixing ratio, so Germans might want to double or triple up when buying. The Lucienne Deschamps Foundation launched this week the 42nd edition of the Henri Deschamps 2017 Literary Prize. This competition is open to all Haitians whether you are a aspiring writer or not, French and/or Creole-speaking residents in the... Haiti - Venezuela : President Moise met with President Maduro Monday, President Jovenel Moise at the head of a delegation, arrived in Venezuela at the international airport Simon Bolivar Maiquetia, in the state of Vargas, for his first official visit to this country where he was welcomed by the Chancellor Jorge Arreaza and Vice Minister of the Caribbean Raul Licausi. Then President Moise and his delegation went to the Miraflores Palace in Caracas, where he met with his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro to strengthen bilateral cooperation. The two Heads of State have fully reviewed the work plan and cooperation between Haiti, Venezuela and PetroCaribe. At the end of this meeting, the two Presidents signed two agreements on agricultural cooperation and trade "We have been in permanent partnership since the beginning of our history and we thank the people and the Venezuelan President [...]" said President Moise recalling that the relations between Haiti and Venezuela have a historical basis with Alexandre Petion who had given his unconditional support to the liberator Simon Bolivar so that since Jacmel, is initiated his expedition against the Spanish colonialism. He also stressed that the two governments are working on a mutually beneficial cooperation project, saying that Venezuela will help Haiti to meet its growing needs in terms of agricultural development and recovery of electrical, road and hydraulic infrastructure. The two leaders left off promising to continue to work for the development of the two countries in strategic areas and agreeing to strengthen bilateral relations, which date back more than 150 years, taken over thanks to the commitment of the late leader of the Bolivarian Revolution Hugo Chavez https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-8024-haiti-flash-president-hugo-chavez-passed-away.html SL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Politic : New condemnation of Haiti against slavery in Libya After the denunciation of President Jovenel Moise against the recent slave practices in Libya https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-22768-haiti-news-zapping.html Antonio Rodrigue the Minister of Foreign Affairs condemned in turn, on behalf of the Republic of Haiti, the inhuman and degrading treatment inflicted in Libya on migrants of African origin. "Faithful to its historical traditions, Haiti is indignant and surprised that such practices can still exist. It calls on the universal conscience to rise against the barbarism of slavery, which is the negation of humanity. The Republic of Haiti calls on the international community to condemn these atrocities unreservedly and to make the necessary arrangements to provide assistance and relief to those men, women and children who are victims of this modern form of slavery. Haiti through international bodies including the United Nations will spare no effort so that this practices stop and no longer occur." HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Economy : The CFI announces the First Forum BPO Ayiti Smart Talent The Center for Investment Facilitation (CFI), with the support of the Inter-American Development Bank and the collaboration of the Haitian Association for the Development of Information and Communication Technologies (ATHIC), of Avasant and BANJ, organizes the first BPO Ayiti Smart Talent Forum on November 29, 2017 at the Karibe Convention Center. More than 1,000 young people from all over the country are expected to attend the Forum, which will present the different aspects of the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), which offers the perspective of nearly 10,000 direct jobs and 2 or 3 times more indirect jobs "This represents not only a promise for the future of young people but also the creation of sustainable wealth," explains Tessa Jacques, Director of the CFI. To enable young people from all over the country to participate, BANJ teams have traveled to several cities across the country to register young graduates and students with the required knowledge in terms of languages or computer skills. A third of these young people will be transported the day before the Forum from their provincial cities by bus and supported all day of November 29 "These two days of activity represent for us the culmination of a process of structuring the BPO sector. in Haiti. Today we can say that Haiti has the technical and human resources to compete with other countries in the region," said Inter-American Development Bank representative Luis Echebarria. On the agenda of the day, presentations by international experts in this field and its global perspectives but also local, job opportunities that are there and can develop. The skills required to apply for this type of career will be highlighted during presentations and panel discussions but also during practical workshops to prepare for job interviews, how to submit a resume or make a good presentation synthesis. At the end of this Forum will be launched the platform "Haiti Digital Service" an internet platform that will provide information that investors may need for their business decisions in the BPO sector. This platform will also facilitate the recruitment of qualified human resources for the sector, through a database powered by local skills that will register directly online. HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Politic : The World Bank calls on Haiti to increase its budget for health According to a new report issued Monday by the World Bank reveals that the health sector needs more public investments and better allocation of resources to improve access to health care for all Haitians. The report, titled "Better Spending, Better Care: A Look at Haitis Health Financing", highlights that public spending on health care per capita is US$13 per year, which is below the average of US$15 in low-income countries and substantially lower than the average in neighboring countries, such as the Dominican Republic (US$180) and Cuba (US$781). In addition, there was a significant increase in funding from NGOs and the international community followed the earthquake, but this funding is falling significantly, calling into question the sustainability of investments in the sector. In the context of repeated emergencies faced by the country, more than half of total health expenditure goes toward curative rather than preventive health care. In fact, 38 percent of total health expenditure is devoted to the hospital sector, owing primarily to the large number of hospitals, which is significantly higher than in countries such as Burundi (23 percent) and Tanzania (26 percent). The hospitals are often under-equipped to provide the level of care required, and the current level of expenditure has not led to increased service delivery. Costs for in-patient care are much higher than those in primary health centers. The nationwide ratio of clinics to inhabitants is 0.3 per 10,000, significantly below the standard set by Haitis Ministry of Public Health and Population. The decline in international assistance means that unless primary health care is prioritized with greater access to essential treatment for the people most in need, universal health coverage will not be possible, said Eleonora Cavagnero, Health Economist for Haiti at the World Bank and lead author of the report. Life expectancy increased and infant and maternal mortality were halved between 1990 and 2015. However, Haiti remains vulnerable to many heath challenges: infant and maternal mortality rates are four or five times higher than those of Latin America and the Caribbean. Only 68 percent of children under 24 months have received the three vaccines to prevent diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis, compared to 80 percent in countries in a similar economic bracket. World Bank Special Envoy to Haiti, Mary A. Barton-Dock, points out that investments have not been made in areas crying out for them. In the current environment of severe budgetary constraints, what is required is a results-based financing mechanism to make the health care system more efficient and more equitable. The report proposes options to achieve better care through better spending, and improve health coverage for the poorest: Increase public spending in health: Despite the countrys health needs, the governments budget allocation for health declined significantly over the past twelve years, dropping from 16.6 percent of the national budget in 2004 (above the average for Latin America and the Caribbean) to 4.4 percent of the current budget. Given the sharp reduction in donor funding in recent years, the government must plan for an immediate increase in public expenditure in health and improved coordination of international assistance. The creation of special taxeson tobacco and alcohol, for examplecould help raise funds for the health sector. Prioritize primary and preventive health care: This will involve redirecting funds to primary care, while prioritising and calculating the cost within the current Health Master Plan. Bolstering service delivery in primary and preventive health care will greatly assist in reducing the leading causes of mortality in Haiti. Development partners should finance technical assistance to help hospitals achieve financial sustainability, strengthen existing infrastructure, and put in place a licensing policy. This shift in investments in the heath sector should be evidence-based. Improve equitable access to quality health care: This will be achieved by mapping health facilities and reclassifying them to improve their operational capacity and establish a functioning referral network. This reclassification exercise will help improve the distribution of medical equipment and medicines. A policy that promotes a more equitable geographic access to primary health services needs to be implemented. Among households that did not consult a health professional, 49% responded that they did not do so for financial reasons. This policy also promises to increase efficiency and cost-effectiveness in service delivery at the primary health care level by linking funding of health personnel and institutions to results. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-22831-haiti-politic-ministry-of-health-assessment-and-prospects.html HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... Promise : Port-au-Prince clean in January 2018 Magalie Habitant, director of the Metropolitan Solid Waste Collection Service (SMCRS) promises that by January 2018, the Haitian capital will be clean, without any hassle, for this she stresses that the SMCRS needs 30 tipper trucks, 2 loaders, 3 backhoe loaders to clean Port-au-Prince and other municipalities in the metropolitan area. Dismantling of a gang of thieves On Monday, the PNH announced the arrest of the powerful Head of gang of thieves Mc Nally Georges William at Pelerin 5 (Petion Ville) and several of his accomplices who accompanied him. This net comes the next day, of a large operation conducted by the police in the neighborhoods of Thomassin, Laboule and Fermathe where operated the Gang. Many stolen objects, jewels, weapons and equipment used to perpetrate thefts in citizens' homes were found. Mentally impaired : Awareness Week The Christian Blind Mission (CBM) organizes, from November 27 to December 2 in the 10 departments of Haiti, a week of activities around the intellectual disability, to raise awareness on the rights of people with disabilities. Teacher training... Monday at the auditorium of the Alexandre Petion high school, was launched the capacity building activity for the implementation of an innovative and relevant model in the training policy of teachers and supervisory staff in non-formal education. An activity of the Ministry of National Education, supported by the Directorate of Basic Education (DEF) and supported by UNESCO. Enhancing learning abilities of 12,000 students The learning of the subjects taught at school is largely based on reading. Thanks to the support of USAID Haiti and UNICEF-Haiti, Plan International Haiti, in partnership with the Ministry of National Education, is strengthening the reading and writing skills of more than 12,000 boys and girls. girls of the first four years of the fundamental in 52 schools of 12 communes of the four years of the fundamental in 52 schools of 12 communes of the department of North-East. End of IMF mission Various entities of the Public Administration, including the General Directorate of Taxes (DGI), the General Administration of Customs (AGD), the Electricity of Haiti (ED'H), the Bank of the Republic of Haiti (BRH ) and the deconcentrated directorates of the Ministry of Economy and Finance took part, in the presence of the Minister of the Economy and Finance, Jude Alix Patrick Solomon, to a work session called of restitution and update on the necessary commitments to improve the performance and effectiveness of donor relations by 2018. In prospect, the signing of a memorandum of understanding will establish the reciprocal commitments of the Haitian government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which has completed its mission in Haiti https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-22720-icihaiti-economy-meeting-in-anticipation-of-the-arrival-of-the-imf.html HL/ HaitiLibre Published on 2017/11/28 | Source Added episodes 13 and 14 captures for the Korean drama "Black" (2017) Advertisement Directed by Kim Hong-seon-I Written by Choi Ran-I Network : OCN With Song Seung-heon, Go Ara, Lee El, Kim Dong-jun, Jo Jae-yun, Lee Kyu-bok,... 18 episodes - Sat, Sun 22:00 Synopsis A reaper borrows a human body and fall in love with a mortal woman who can see the shadows of death. He breaks the rules of heaven and thus completely disappears from the memory of the world in this drama. Broadcast starting date in Korea : 2017/10/14 More Diageo boss calls for action over scandalous talent waste in wake of Brexit By Michelle Perrett Diageo boss Ivan Menezes has claimed that there is a scandalous waste of talent in the UK with 790,000 young people not in education, unemployment or training (NEET). Menezes, is also the chairman of Movement to Work, a collaboration of employers that help young people into work. He said that the emerging labour market challenges in light of Brexit create an opportunity to get young unemployed people into work. The call will have particular resonance with the UK drinks trade especially hospitality employers - where high staff-turnover is being exacerbated by Brexit. It is a scandalous waste of talent that 790,000 young people in the UK are currently NEET, he said. Brexit will likely reduce the ability of business to hire workers from elsewhere in the EU, so it is both a moral and business imperative to help our young people take that vital first step into the job market. A report from the British Hospitality Association (BHA) earlier this year revealed that the hospitality industry would have to find an extra 60,000 workers per year to plug the gap left by EU workers. This is on top of the 200,000 workers required yearly to replace churn in the market. The BHA said this could leave a deficit of a million workers by 2029. The government own statistics released in a working paper earlier this month that approximately 150,000 EU nationals work in the UKs pubs, bars and restaurants. Movement to Work has called for business, government and civic society to step up efforts to help Britains young people. The call came as a meeting was held between more than 20 CEOs and senior executives of major British companies and secretary of state for Work and Pensions David Gauke. Gauke said: Latest figures show that youth unemployment is at a record low, and the number of people not in employment, education or training is falling, but we know theres still more to be done. This government is making sure no young person is locked out of the jobs market. Weve already set a target of 3 million apprenticeships by 2020, Jobcentre Plus support is being rolled out in schools and intensive employment support is available for 18-21 year olds on Universal Credit. Movement to Work also used the meeting to call on the government to create greater flexibility in how companies can invest the Apprenticeship Levy to allow more funding in pre-apprenticeship training. Marcelo Papa takes top wine job as Concha y Toro named biggest mover of 2016 By Jo Gilbert Marcelo Papa has been appointed technical director of South American wine behemoth Concha y Toro. Among his new responsibilities, Papa will lead the technical management of the companys entire product portfolio which spans 10,800 hectares in Chile, Argentina and the US. Papa has climbed the creative chain of command over the years, previously as head winemaker of the Puente Alto Winery and also helming the well-known Casillero del Diablo label. Papa is known for his ability to bring a sense of origin across a variety of styles and was also responsible for implementing improved agricultural and oenological management techniques for the Marques de Casa Concha label. During his 20-year tenure with the company, Concha y Toro has continued to grow its global presence and as of 2016, was the fourth biggest selling wine brand in the world. Figures from the IWSR released this month show that Concha y Toros range was the most notable mover in the a list of top ten wine brands, increasing by more than 1m nine-litre cases to take swap places with Spains Felix Solis. The Chilean companys biggest win came in its domestic market, with volume growth of almost 400,000 cases. Premium brand line Casillero del Diablo continued to gain strongly in the UK, up 9% on 2015, to cap overall Concha y Toro range growth of over 300,000 cases in the country. It enjoyed further strong increases in the Netherlands, Mozambique and the US. French wine brand Castel Freres meanwhile was named the largest still wine brand in the world for the second year in a row despite dropping 800,000 nine-litre cases between 2015 and 2016. Three out of the top ten brands listed the UK as their primary export markets: Barefoot and Gallo by E & J Gallo and Felix Solis. by Andrew Walden The headline blares, Secrecy surrounds sexual harassment settlements in Congress . In California two legislators have been accused of sex harassment and one has resigned. But what about Hawaii Legislators? Are they sexless drones? Senator Mazie Hirono tells NBC Meet the Press: Ive been propositioned by teachers, by my colleagues, you name it. Certainly there must be something to report? It turns out Hawaii taxpayers may have been soaked as much as $200K in settlements which keep sex harassment quiet. Hawaiis so-called Civil Rights Commission has been effectively suppressing sex-harassment claims against elected officials, political appointees and staffers for over a decadeby keeping them out of court and steering complainants towards a secretive settlement process which puts money in victims pockets in exchange for public silence. As the HCRC website explains : Pursuant to HRS 378-3(10) an employee may file a direct civil action for sexual harassment. While the statutes allow these direct civil actions in these cases, only a small number are filed; the great majority still file complaints with the HCRC. This secrecy gives members of the HCRC special knowledge about the misdeeds of elected officials. It will be interesting to see whether Kim Coco Iwamotoa holdover member of the HCRC now running for Lt Governor --receives any politically inexplicable endorsements. Earlier this year, activist Mililani Trask exposed a previously hidden $50,000 payment by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to cover up a 2015 sex harassment complaint against Trustee Peter Apo. The OHA case apparently sidestepped the HCRC process entirely. HCRC annual reports provide the only public record of sex harassment complaints settled by the HCRC process. From 2001 to 2016 only one defendant is actually identified by name a case involving a conservative activist : On August 26, 2014, the Commission issued a final decision and order in William D. Hoshiio, on Behalf of the Complaint filed by Kay Lorraine Bate v. Research Institute for Hawaii.USA, Docket No. 13-001-E-RH-SH-R. The Commission held the Research Institute for Hawaii, USA (RIH), and its CEO Christopher Damon Haig, liable for religious and sexual harassment. In other cases, defendants and their organizations are identified with vague terms such as private company. In some descriptions, there is no characterization of the defendants employment at all. The HCRC annual reports also do not catalogue every case. They provide only a few highlights from each fiscal year. The vast majority of cases do not leave even the slightest public trace of their existence. The number of workplace sex harassment cases handled by HCRC has fluctuated over the years: FY Cases 2001-02 54 2002-03 52 2003-04 50 2004-05 41 2005-06 37 2006-07 41 2007-08 55 2008-09 47 2009-10 32 2010-11 24 2011-12 25 2012-13 35 2013-14 33 2014-15 22 2015-16 10 Here are all of the sex-harassment mentions from each years annual report. Based on the wording, complaints marked *** could possibly be against a political official: 2001-02 54 Sex Harassment Cases only a small number of cases are brought to administrative hearing and result in final Commission decisions ***A case alleging same-sex harassment in employment was settled through mediation for $12,000, a reference letter, and adoption of an antidiscrimination policy. ***An employment discrimination case involved allegations of sexual harassment by a supervisor. The employer and the alleged harasser agreed to make payment of $30,000 to the complainant for general damages. The employer agreed to reaffirm and retrain all employees on the policy and applicable law regarding sexual harassment and sex discrimination. The individual respondent also agreed to attend anti-harassment training at his own expense and submit a letter of apology to the complainant. 2002-03 -- 52 Sex Harassment Cases A complainant alleged that she was sexually harassed during her employment as an accounting clerk for a national retail chain store. The alleged harassment was by a company officer and was verbal and physical in nature. Although she complained to her supervisor and human resources department, no corrective action was taken. The complainant then resigned due to the hostile and offensive working environment. In mediation, the parties agreed to a settlement of $7,000, a letter of acknowledgement of the complainant's painful experience, and posting of the company's sexual harassment policies. 2003-04 -- 50 Sex Harassment Cases A female employee with a large private company alleged sexual harassment (verbal, visual, and physical) by a co-worker, creating a hostile and offensive work environment. Complainant was also allegedly subjected to retaliation after reporting the harassment and was constructively discharged from her position of dispatcher/Receptionist, earning $9.00/hour. In private mediation, a monetary settlement was reached of $28,000. 2004-05 -- 41 Sex Harassment Cases A complainant, who was a cashier at a restaurant, alleged she was subjected to verbal and physical sexual harassment by her manager. A settlement was reached for $22,500 with the employer in a case mediated at the Mediation Center of the Pacific (MCP). A female cashier/counter person in a food industry company alleged that she suffered from physical and other kinds of sexual harassment by a high-level manager. She had been hired three months earlier and alleged a constructive discharge due to the hostile, offensive, and intimidating working environment. She settled in mediation at the MCP for $47,000. ***In separate complaints involving sexual harassment against a common employer, the complaints were settled for payment of $80,000 to each complainant and affirmative relief, including training for the employers staff in compliance with non-discrimination policies. ***In a case alleging sexual harassment, settlement included payment in the sum of $12,000, adoption of anti-discrimination employment policies in compliance with Chapter 378, and training for the employers staff in compliance with such non-discrimination policies. 2005-06 -- 37 Sex Harassment Cases ***In a case alleging sexual harassment, settlement included payment in the sum of $10,000, adoption of non-discrimination employment policies and training for the employers staff on such policies. Contested Case Hearings -- During fiscal year 2005-2006, five cases (one involving sexual harassment and four involving sex discrimination) were docketed for hearing. All were settled. 2006-07 -- 41 Sex Harassment Cases ***In a case alleging sexual harassment, settlement included payment of $25,000, adoption of anti-discrimination employment policies and training for the employers staff on compliance with such policies. 2007-08 -- 55 Sex Harassment Cases (No examples in report) 2008-09 -- 47 Sex Harassment Cases ***In a case alleging sexual harassment by a supervisor, the HCRC found cause and obtained relief for the complainant in the form of a letter of reference and payment of $150,000, which included Complainants attorneys fees, in addition to affirmative relief. ***In a case alleging sexual harassment by a supervisor, the HCRC found cause and obtained relief for the complainant in the form of payment of $200,000 which included Complainants attorneys fees, in addition to affirmative relief. 2009-10 -- 32 Sex Harassment Cases (No examples in report) 2010-11 -- 24 Sex Harassment Cases The primary bases of discrimination of the 20 settlements were as follows: Sex -- 11 (including 8 pregnancies and 2 sexual harassment); Disability -- 4; Arrest & Court Record -- 2; Age -- 2; Ancestry -- 1. Many of the completed mediations also included charges on other protected bases. 13 mediated settlements were cases dual-filed with the EEOC. 2011-12 -- 25 Sex Harassment Cases The primary bases of discrimination of the 14 settlements were as follows: Sex -- 4 (including 1 pregnancy and 2 sexual harassment); Retaliation -- 4; Disability -- 3; National Origin -- 2; Race -- 1. Many of the completed mediations also included charges on other protected bases. 12 mediated settlements were cases dual-filed with the EEOC. 2012-13 -- 35 Sex Harassment Cases The primary bases of discrimination of the 41 settlements were as follows: Sex -- 4 (including 3 pregnancy and 4 sexual harassment); Disability -- 9; Retaliation -- 4; Arrest and Court Record -- 3; Sexual Orientation -- 3; Age -- 3; Marital Status -- 2; Ancestry -- 1; Color -- 1; National Origin -- 1. Many of the completed mediations also included charges on other protected bases. 28 mediated settlements were cases dual-filed with the EEOC. 2013-14 -- 33 Sex Harassment Cases The primary bases of discrimination of the 17 settlements were as follows: Disability -- 5; Sex -- 5 (including 2 pregnancy and 1 sexual harassment); Ancestry -- 3; Age -- 2; National Origin -- 1; Race -- 1. Many of the completed mediations also included charges on other protected bases. 15 mediated settlements were cases dual-filed with the EEOC. In an employment case involving sexual harassment and retaliation, the complaint settled for $30,000, a number of changes to company policies, and training. 2014-15 -- 22 Sex Harassment Cases The primary bases of discrimination of the 15 settlements were as follows: Sex -- 10 (including 4 pregnancy and 4 sexual harassment); Disability -- 2; Race -- 2; Ancestry -- 1. Many of the completed mediations also included charges on other protected bases. ***Two employment cases alleged that a complainant was subjected to sexual harassment in the workplace, followed by discrimination based on sex and retaliation after she reported the sexual harassment internally. The HCRC investigated the sexual harassment case and issued a Notice of Cause. Thereafter, both cases were settled for $140,000, nine months of COBRA payments, and a neutral job reference for the complainant; as well as non-discrimination training for the respondents managers, supervisors, and employees. On August 26, 2014, the Commission issued a final decision and order in William D. Hoshiio, on Behalf of the Complaint filed by Kay Lorraine Bate v. Research Institute for Hawaii.USA, Docket No. 13-001-E-RH-SH-R. The Commission held the Research Institute for Hawaii, USA (RIH), and its CEO Christopher Damon Haig, liable for religious and sexual harassment. 2015-2016 -- 10 Sex Harassment Cases The primary bases of discrimination of the 30 settlements were as follows: Disability- 12; Sex- 5 (specifically, 3 pregnancy and 2 sexual harassment); Age- 4; Arrest and Court Record - 3; Religion - 2; Retaliation - 2; National Origin - 1; and Race - 1. Many of the completed mediations also included charges on other protected bases. ---30--- HCRC Annual Report FY 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-2016 HCRC: FIND A REPORT HCRC: Sexual Harassment in the Workplace by Andrew Walden How do Hawaii legislators get away with sexual harassment? House and Senate Rules are especially designed to maintain secrecy if anybody is bold enough to file an actual complaint. House Rules specifically prohibit Legislators and staff from revealing any information which pertains to illegal or improper conduct by a present or former Representative. Senate Rules provide for a lengthy process starting with an attempt by the President of the Senate to resolve any complaint in an administrative proceeding. Failing that, the President is to appoint a Special Committee which is authorized to meet in executive session when committee discussion could unfairly damage the reputation of individuals. Here are the relevant sections: House Rules: ( link ) PART 10. RULES OF DISCLOSURE 10.1. NON-DISCLOSURE POLICY. Except as provided in Rule 10.2, no Representative, member, staff, or any person engaged by contract or otherwise to perform services for the Committee shall release, divulge, publish, reveal by writing, word, conduct, or disclose in any way, in whole or in part, or by way of summary, including during tenure with the Committee or anytime thereafter, information or material in the possession of the Committee which pertains to illegal or improper conduct by a present or former Representative; allegations or accusations of this conduct; any resulting preliminary inquiry, adjudicatory review or other proceeding by the Committee into these allegations or conduct and any report issued about the inquiry, review, or other proceeding; the investigative techniques and procedures of the Committee; any testimony or other evidence given before the Committee in executive session (including the name of any witness who appeared or was called to appear in executive session), any classified or Committee-sensitive information, document or material, received or generated by the Committee, any material or information deemed to be confidential by the Chair and Vice Chair, acting jointly, or any classified or Committee-sensitive information which may come into the possession of this person during tenure with the Committee or its staff. No such information shall be made public unless authorized by a two-thirds vote of the authorized membership. Senate Rules: ( link ) PART IX. DECORUM; DISCLOSURES; PEER REVIEW; PUNISHMENT Rule 72 Misconduct; Procedure; Peer Review. No member of the Senate shall be subject to a charge for misconduct, disorderly behavior, or neglect of duty unless the person making the charge shall have first given notice of the charge to the President and to the member being charged. Upon receipt of the charge, the President shall attempt to resolve the matter in an administrative proceeding. If the matter cannot be resolved administratively, the President may appoint a Special Committee to be chaired by the Vice-President or such other member as the President may designate to investigate, hear and report upon the conduct of the member charged for misconduct, disorderly behavior or neglect of duty. Any member so charged shall be informed in writing of the specific charge or charges made against the member and have opportunity to present evidence and be heard in the member's own defense before the Special Committee. Following its investigation and hearing, the Special Committee shall file its report with the President setting forth its findings and recommendations. If the committee recommends dismissal of the charge or charges, the President may dismiss the charges without further hearing, or the President may present the report of the committee to the Senate for its consideration. The Senate, by a majority vote, may dismiss the charge or charges against the member without a hearing. If there is no dismissal of the charge or charges, or if the committee recommends censure, suspension or expulsion, the President shall present the report of the committee to the Senate for its consideration and decision. The member who is charged, shall be informed in writing of the presentation of the charge or charges of the committee report to the Senate and be given an opportunity to be heard in the member's own defense. The Senate, by a majority vote, may dismiss the charge or charges without a hearing, or with notice and an opportunity to be heard in the member's own defense, censure a member or, upon a two-thirds vote of all the members of the Senate, suspend or expel a member At any stage of the charge against a member, the member shall have a right to be represented by a person or persons of the member's own choosing. PART II. COMMITTEES Rule 20 Special Committees on Accountability. The President may appoint a Special Committee on Accountability which shall conduct informational briefing on matters referred to it by Senate Leadership or investigate matters referred to it by single house or concurrent resolutions. The committee shall be composed of not less than five members, unless otherwise ordered by the Senate, and include a member or members of the minority party. The President shall appoint the committee's vice chair, who may change from time to time, to represent the standing committee having primary jurisdiction over the subject matter referred to the special committee. Each Special Committee on Accountability shall terminate at the end of the calendar year in which it was appointed, unless otherwise specified. All requirements of standing committees shall apply to the committee. Rule 21 Meetings of Committees. Meetings, including decision-making sessions, of leadership committees appointed by the President, and Standing Committees shall be public provided that meetings in executive session may be allowed in such exceptional circumstances when committee discussion could unfairly damage the reputation of individuals. recent case of an employee who received a text stating your services are no longer required and was later found to be unfairly dismissed has some significant lessons for employers.The worker was dismissed in March this year by a specialist tour company who claimed the employee was running her own business when she should have been working for the company.It was alleged by the employer that the worker informed them that the she wanted to start a new business in January this year.However, the company claimed her LinkedIn page suggested that from as early as December 2016 she was the Personal Concierge and Lifestyle Manager of the new business.Moreover, there was a noticeable change in the employees work habits, such as frequently going outside to take private phone calls, according to the company.The worker denied she was operating the new business while working at the company. She also claimed she registered the business name and acquired a web address as a preliminary measure.She also argued that she only started devoting most of their energy into the new business from the end of June 2017.The Fair Work Commission found that it is not unusual to make a business look older than it is on social media.I accept the evidence of (the employee) that as part of marketing herself both on Facebook and on LinkedIn that she was trying to make my business look like it has been around longer than it has and that she might be stretching the truth a bit about herself and her business, said the Commission.The FWC also found that the conclusions drawn by the employer were not justified as there was nothing to support the allegation the employee was operating their own business to the detriment of the company.The FWC said there was no reason advanced by the company relating to the conduct or capacity of the employee which could or would or did constitute a valid reason for dismissal.Moreover, the employee was only notified of the reason for the dismissal after receiving a text message which read your services are no longer required.Consequently, the employee was not given an opportunity to respond to any reason for dismissal.In conclusion, the FWC found that the dismissal of the employee was harsh and unjust and unreasonable.It was harsh because (the employee) had not engaged in the alleged misconduct. It was unjust because (the employee) was denied procedural fairness by (the employer) and was given no opportunity to defend herself. It was unreasonable because it was the result of a significant exercise of prejudging an outcome without making any reasonable attempt to apply the principals of a fair go all round, said the Commission.So what are the key lessons HR professionals can take away from this case?Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chief Executive Mark Stone AM told HRD that a strong evidentiary basis and investigation process is crucial for an employer to satisfy the believes on reasonable grounds component for summary dismissal under the Small Business Fair Dismissal Code (Code).Alternatively, an employer outside the Code must satisfy the Commission that the alleged serious misconduct occurred, Stone told HRD.Even with the benefit of a robust investigation process, it is a fundamental part of the unfair dismissal process to give the employee an opportunity to respond before any conclusive decision is made on disciplinary or dismissal action.Numerous Commission decisions have concluded dismissal via text message (or other similar means) can offend these principles of natural justice, and employers are well-advised to steer clear except under exceptional circumstances. >Jo Power outlines a smarter way to ensure employees celebrate their birthday in styleWeve all experienced that moment. Everyone in the office gathers around, the candles are lit in direct violation of office OH&S and your colleagues warble out an off-key rendition of Happy Birthday. To some, its an awesome moment; to others, its something to be avoided at all costs.Whether you work in an office of health-conscious co-workers who reject cake culture or in an organisation that gets pretty gung-ho about birthday celebrations, theres no reason not to help make your work-mates birthday workday awesome.Birthdays only come around once a year and more often than not, youll be spending the better part of the day at work. To help avoid another case of the birthdaily grind, Ive put together a few fool-proof ways to help make your colleague feel special (and minimally embarrassed) on their day of birth.Keep in mind some employees would rather spend their birthdays away from the office, enjoying some serious relaxation time or hanging out with their family. Or, your employee just might need a day off to recharge their batteries. Whatever the case, offering a personal day for this once-a-year event is something employees will appreciate.Of course, you cant force your employees to take a day off. If they dont want to relax on their birthday, consider the granting them a personal day as a birthday present that they can redeem any time of the year. I like this strategy! If a birthday falls on a Wednesday, for example, letting them opt for that Fri-yay off for a long weekend is probably more convenient and special.Stop buying your colleagues presents they dont want or wont use and let them do the choosing! Gift them with a voucher instead of a physical gift. Somthing like a Prezzee gift card via email is a great alternative because theres no waste, they cant lose it and it wont go out of date. And you wont be contributing to the $200 million dollars of lost and expired gift cards Aussies churn through every year!Instead of celebrating employee birthdays, why not try celebrating their anniversary of hiring? Why burden everyone with one more lunch, awkward happy birthday sing-song or below-par supermarket cake on a day meant for family and friends? By celebrating the anniversary of their hiring, you can celebrate your employee in a way that shows that it's significant that they gave another year of their valuable time and skills to help build your business. That definitely deserves cake (or a financial bonus)!Jo Power is the founder of Things by Bean The father and his two children a grown-up daughter and an underage son were taken into custody after 17 people were found hiding inside their 12-metre motorboat without proper travel documents during a routine border inspection in the Saimaa Canal in June, 2017. A Russian family of three is suspected of smuggling dozens of people to Finland through the Saimaa Canal, reports Helsingin Sanomat . The Finnish Border Guard has determined, based on its pre-trial investigation, that the family made at least seven boat trips to smuggle a total of 72 people to Finland between July, 2016, and June, 2017. The passengers were forced to take sedatives to ensure they remain calm during the border-crossing and control procedures, writes Helsingin Sanomat. Related posts: Finnish Border Guard nabs human smugglers in Saimaa Canal (16 June, 2017) The prosecution has charged each of the three suspects with aggravated arrangement of illegal immigration, demanding that the father be sentenced to six years, the daughter to five years, and the son to three and a half years in prison or, alternatively, to juvenile punishment. Aggravated arrangement of illegal immigration carries a maximum penalty of six years in prison. An additional seven people have been charged for their roles in transporting the undocumented immigrants from Lappeenranta to Helsinki. The trial in the unusual human smuggling case began at the District Court of South Karelia on Monday. Investigators have reason to believe the family was part of a larger smuggling ring. A Russian man who is believed to be a leading member of the ring was taken into custody in the capital region last summer during an operation by the Finnish Border Guard. He is suspected of having orchestrated the entry of some 150 people from Africa and Asia to the Schengen Area and of having been involved in the smuggling of roughly two kilos of marijuana to Finland. Aleksi Teivainen HT Photo: Handout / Finnish Border Guard June 30, 1930 November 23, 2017 Robert Wesley Hughey (Bob) was born June 30, 1930 in Philomath, Oregon to Lloyd and Mildred Hughey and passed away November 23, 2017. He was the second of four children born to Lloyd and Mildred. Bob lived with his family the first three years in Philomath and the Alsea area then they moved to Orchards, Washington where he resided until he graduated from high school. Two days after graduating he moved to Tidewater, Oregon to take a job working on the Alsea Highway. Soon after he arrived in Tidewater, he met the love of his life, Dorothy Thissell, whom he married February 3, 1950. Bob and Dorothy were married over 67 years until she passed away in September of 2017. Bob worked on the highway then in a local lumber mill near Tidewater for a few years. He was drafted into the Marine Corp during the Korean Conflict and was sent to Camp Pendleton near Oceanside, California. He was trained in Communications by the Marines and after his service was successfully completed he was able to get a job with Pacific Northwest Bell where he was employed for nearly 30 years before he retired. After the service, the family moved back to Tidewater then to Orchards, Washington for a year and back to Waldport for the next ten years. Bob transferred to Corvallis with his job in 1965 and the family lived there until his death. Bob was a member of Oakville Presbyterian Church for many years and served in many different leadership positions there. He loved to fish, hunt, travel, work on projects and spend time with his family and friends. Bob is survived by his four sons and their wives, Ray and Leia, Randy and Carol, Richard and Joanna, Glen; ten grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers, Chuck and John, both of Washington. He was preceded in death by his sister, Donna; and his parents. Bob was as honest as the day is long, a hard worker, a kind man, a committed Christian and probably most of all a devoted family man. He took excellent care of his wife for several years after she had strokes. When she passed away two months ago his job here was done and he joined her in Heaven on what would have been her 85th birthday, which was Thanksgiving Day. What a wonderful gift and day of thanks that was! A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 2 at the Oakville Presbyterian Church in Shedd, with lunch to follow. BRISTOL, Tenn.A man faces multiple charges after police say he fled from officers at a downtown Bristol business. Travis H. Wilson, 26, of Bluff City, Tennessee, was charged Sunday with violation of an order of protection, two counts of assault, resisting arrest and evading arrest. Bristol Tennessee Police Department officers responded to the area of State Street and Seventh Street to search for a wanted individual. The man, Wilson, was located at a business in the 700 block of State Street, according to a criminal complaint. When located, police said Wilson ran to the back of the business. During a foot pursuit, police said the man jumped over a fence, kicked away at an officer and ran into an officer, causing him to fall to the ground, the complaint states. Once in handcuffs, officers said the man also resisted to enter a police cruiser. Again, police said the man kicked at officers, the complaint states. Wilson, who is scheduled to appear in Sullivan County General Sessions Court today, is being held in the Sullivan County jail on $60,000 bail. Despite the continuing money problems at the Oregon Health Authority, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown made the right call last week when she said that the state would pick up the tab for the Children's Health Insurance Program even if federal funds run out early next year. The program (better known, perhaps, by its CHIP acronym) provides coverage for about 120,000 children and 1,700 pregnant women in Oregon; nationally, it serves about 9 million children and 370,000 pregnant women, according to a recent story in The Washington Post. The people served by the program tend to be from families that earn too much to qualify for Medicaid in many cases, these are families with working parents that still can't afford health insurance. Picking up the tab for the program is a relatively low-risk bet for Brown and for Oregon; considering that the program enjoys widespread popularity on both sides of the aisle in Congress, it likely will be renewed. (In fact, one of the program's original authors in 1997 was Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah.) But there is some financial risk to Oregon because well, because this is Congress. A bill to extend the program has been approved by the House of Representatives but has not yet passed the Senate. Although most observers expect Congress to renew the program, no one knows for certain, and as one Virginia state official told The Post, "you can't run a health care program that way. You can't say 'probably' everything is going to be all right." Most states have enough money to keep the program running for a few months, but Oregon is among five states and the District of Columbia that likely will be among the first to run out of funding. Observers expect that once Congress finally passes an extension to the insurance program, federal payments will be retroactive to Oct. 1 which means that states like Oregon that have had to put in their own money to keep the program running would be made whole. But again, because this is Congress, the final result is uncertain, so there is some financial risk to Oregon. This entire episode offers another good example of how Congress is struggling these days to move ahead on anything. It wasn't all that long ago that renewing a relatively popular and effective program medical insurance for children, for goodness' sake would have won congressional approval without anyone even breaking a sweat. To that end, a Post story quoted an official at the Georgetown University Center on Children and Families: The program, she said, "is successful. Everyone should feel good about it. There's no reason for this to be lagging on like that. This should be an easy win for Congress." An easy win? There's no such thing in Congress these days. As for the effectiveness of the program, this is another one of those cases in which a little money spent upfront saves much more money downriver. Before the program established a safety net for children and families, families without coverage sometimes would wait to get medical care for their children until symptoms became so serious that a trip to the emergency room was the only option. And those emergency room visits are the most expensive stop in the health care system. In Oregon, state officials believe that some 40,000 of the covered children would have to move to Medicaid, known here as the Oregon Health Plan. But the state would have to pay to keep coverage for the remaining 79,000 children. Brown said she wanted the state to take action now, so that affected families would have some certainty that their coverage would continue. It's the right move for Oregon and for these vulnerable families, but it's just a stopgap. Congress should go for the easy win and renew the program. (mm) Embattled Judge Kurt Pomrenke was ordered removed from his position on the 28th District juvenile and domestic relations bench Monday by the Supreme Court of Virginia. The court ruled unanimously that Pomrenke, 63, violated the Virginia Canons of Justice by attempting to influence potential witnesses in his wifes 2016 federal corruption trial. The court could have either censured Pomrenke or removed him from office but Chief Justice Donald Lemons wrote in the opinion Pomrenkes actions were of sufficient gravity to warrant removal. What Judge Pomrenke did strikes at the heart of the judicial system, Lemons wrote. It is particularly damaging to the integrity of the judicial process and the confidence of the citizens of the Commonwealth that a sitting judge in the Commonwealth would attempt to improperly influence two potential witnesses in his wifes federal criminal trial. That his transgressions may not have actually affected the criminal trial of his wife does not mitigate the gravity of his conduct. The charges were brought earlier this year by the Judicial Inquiry and Review Commission of Virginia following a lengthy investigation. Attorneys for Pomrenke and the commission appeared before the high court Nov. 1. Pomrenkes attorney John Lichtenstein asked the court to censure his client while commission counsel Katherine Burnett didnt seek a specific ruling, instead asking the court to take appropriate measures. In a written statement Monday, Lichtenstein said, Judge Pomrenke is disappointed but respects the action of the Supreme Court of Virginia announced today. He will assess his position but his focus now is on the needs of his family. He is, and always will be, deeply grateful for the opportunity to have served the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court in the 28th judicial district. Stacey Pomrenke served as chief financial officer and executive vice president of BVU Authority prior to her February 2016 conviction in U.S. District Court on conspiracy, wire fraud and other charges. She was indicted the previous October. The commission charged that Kurt Pomrenke improperly contacted his wifes boss, BVU Authority President and CEO Don Bowman, via a Nov. 2015 thank you note that included one of the judges business cards. Three days before the trial began, Pomrenke also left a voicemail message on the cell phone of BVU employee Connie Moffatt, urging her to say something to really help Stacey during her testimony. In Pomrenkes response to the commission, he claimed both contacts were made in his personal capacity and not intended to intimidate or pressure anyone, the chief justice wrote. Neither Bowman nor Moffatt testified during Stacey Pomrenkes two-week trial and Kurt Pomrenke apologized to the commission during a June 2017 hearing and in briefs filed with the Supreme Court. However the commission charged that he violated Canons 1, 2A and 2B, including provisions that a judge should participate in establishing, maintaining and enforcing high standards of conduct and shall personally observe those standards. Canon 2 decrees judges should avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety, act to promote public confidence and shall not allow family, social, political or other relationships to influence the judges judicial conduct or judgment. In the courts opinion, Lemons concluded Pomrenke committed the violations of the Canons as charged and that his actions failed to uphold the integrity and independence of the judiciary and tended to impair public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary. We conclude that Judge Pomrenkes violations of the Canons were grave and substantial, Lemons wrote. Judge Pomrenke made a deliberate decision to contact two potential witnesses prior to his wifes trial. The court determined the note to Bowman was intended to secure his wifes continued employment and displayed intent to influence a potential witness. The opinion is even sharper in its criticism of the phone message. Judge Pomrenkes voicemail message for Moffatt was even more overt in its intent to influence a witness, Lemons wrote. Writing on his website Virginia Appellate News and Analysis, attorney L. Steven Emmert called Pomrenkes removal from the bench a rare occurrence. My sense as I read the factual recitation is that the initial note to the boss may have been a somewhat close call for the court, especially if the judge really didnt know that the boss would be a potential witness, Emmert wrote. That being said, todays opinion adopts several facts from JIRCs brief that establish that he should have known. The voice mail is another matter entirely; there is no question that this was an attempt to tamper with a witness. And no judge can do that and expect to keep his robe. Kurt Pomrenke, who was convicted in federal court earlier this year on a contempt charge for sending an email from his wifes trial evidence to the JIRC , is scheduled to be sentenced in that case Thursday at 1:30 p.m. CONNELLY SPRING Three people have been arrested after they led police on a chase and crashed a stolen vehicle into a house in Connelly Springs on Monday morning. Austin Michael Neece, 21, of 4708 Mount Gilead Church Road in Connelly Springs , was charged with fleeing to elude arrest and possession of a stolen motor vehicle. He also was charged by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol with hit and run, reckless driving and driving with a revoked license , according to a press release by the Burke County Sheriff's Office . James Cody Peters, 22, who is listed as being homeless , and Brandy McDaniel, 20, of Morganton , both were charged with a felony count of possession of stolen motor vehicle. Peters and McDaniel, who were passengers in the car, were arrested after the chase ended when Neece crashed the vehicle into the deck of a house located at 2704 U.S. H ighway 70, said Burke County Sheriff Steve Whisenant. Neece fled from the scene but was caught later Monday afternoon by authorities underneath the crawl space of a mobile home near Berry Road in Connelly Springs, he said. Around 9:30 a.m., police received a call about a suspicious vehicle on Shady Grove Road in Connelly Springs, Whisenant said. Deputies pulled in and met that vehicle coming out of an abandoned house and they stopped to ask them a question and they took off, Whisenant said. Neece turned right on U.S. 70 heading toward Valdese and then pulled into the Lindys Furniture parking lot to turn around and headed east on the highway. Police and Neece reached speeds of more than 100 mph, Whisenant said. He then veered off into the front yard of William McCrary's step-daughter's home located near 2704 U.S. 70 in Connelly Springs and crashed the vehicle into the side of the house near a deck, he said. The North Carolina Department of Corrections was on scene with their bloodhound to start a search for Neece. They ended up finding a shirt, Whisenant said. A reverse 911 call was sent out to local residents in the surrounding area of where Neece was suspected to be. Around 1 p.m., dispatchers received a call about a male matching the description of Neece near Berry Road, the release said BCSO. "Officers spotted the suspect in a wooded area and he ran," the release said. He was chased on foot to a mobile home park on Teague Avenue off of Berry Road where he was caught by police. I think they are crazy, McCrary said. I dont understand why they would cut in here if the law was after them. No one was inside the house at the time of the crash, McCrary said. Neece was released from prison in July after being convicted on charges of breaking and entering, larceny, possession of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm with an altered serial number, according to a previous News Herald article. Agencies that assisted BCSO were The North Carolina State Highway Patrol and North Carolina Department o f Public Safety K9 Team, the release said. Staff Writer Jonelle Bobak can be reached at jbobak@morganton.com or 828-432-8907. ELKO The phrase starving college students is a familiar cliche that is often used humorously. But to many students with limited resources, hunger is no laughing matter. Thats why the Battleborn Veterans Club at Great Basin College decided to launch a food drive in 2016 and establish a pantry for students in need. We held a food drive here on campus and GBC employees donated a generous amount of food, said Tawny Crum, assistant director of Student Financial Services and Veterans Affairs at GBC. With this donation we were able to help veterans and students living in university housing that were short on funds. We have made [the pantry] available to any student in need. Eventually, the stores of the pantry were depleted and it became necessary to hold another food drive. Thats when Jennifer Koopman, director of Physician Relations and Industry at Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital, heard about the need and decided to take action. Our mission at NNRH is to make our community healthier, and proper nutrition is a big part of that equation, said Koopman. Its not OK with us that college students are going hungry while they are working hard to further their education. In conjunction with the NNRH Community Investment Committee, Koopman arranged the purchase of over $600 worth of nonperishable food items. She and other volunteers filled the bed of a pickup truck and delivered the food to GBC in time for the Thanksgiving holiday. We are making this donation in honor of the GBC Student Nursing Organization, Koopman explained. They are so involved in our community, constantly helping out with events like the health fair or the flu shot clinic. We are very grateful for our student nurses and their instructors. So this contribution is being made in their name. Crum said she was impressed with the quality of the food that NNRH donated, stating that it was not just ramen noodles, but complete meals. She said the donation would go a long way toward meeting the needs of the community at GBC. Thanks to the generosity of the hospital, we will be able to help a lot of students. Great Basin College students who are interested in meal assistance may inquire at the Office of Student Financial Services, located in Berg Hall. This domain has expired. If you owned this domain, contact your domain registration service provider for further assistance. If you need help identifying your provider, visit https://www.tucowsdomains.com/ Prevention and detection of crime are the primary functions of the police. Detection is a painstaking process and its success depends on the quality of investigation. The investigative standards of the police have unfortunately shown a sharp decline in the recent years. Two important cases have particularly brought the problem into focus the Aarushi Talwar case in Uttar Pradesh and the Pradhyumn Thakur murder in Haryana. In the Aarushi case, even the CBI has not covered itself with glory. A number of factors have contributed to the fall in investigating standards. Politicisation of the force has caused the maximum havoc. A sizeable percentage of officers today are given key assignments for their loyalty to the party in power. These officers ensure that during the investigation of important cases in which politicians belonging to or aligned to whichever party may be in power are involved, their interests are protected. No wonder, in a large number of cases, there is demand for investigation by the CBI. Not that the caged parrot is always objective, but in cases where the central government of the day is not interested, it is able to investigate with competence. Declining professional standards are another important factor. During the last two decades, we have had chief ministers in several states who have used the police more to promote their political agenda than to serve the people. In two of the largest states of the country, for nearly 15 years, the police served as handmaidens to the establishment, carrying out its orders, and not worrying too much about how they treated the common man. In most of the states, the priorities of the police got completely disoriented. Serving the political masters, satisfying their greed and their own also, in the process became the priority because it gave good returns in the form of lucrative postings and prestigious assignments. Lack of adequate personnel in the police forces also creates its own problems. There are shortages at all levels. The inadequate strength of investigators imposes a heavy burden on existing personnel and that leads to a dilution in the quality of investigations. Supervision by officers has also been very poor. Political interference in investigations is another complication. More often than not, there are unwritten instructions to save this man or involve that man in a particular case. Media pressure is another contributing factor. No sooner than the incident has occurred, the media starts floating its own theories. This builds psychological pressure on the investigators and quite often they succumb to the temptation of arresting a suspect who may not be the real culprit and declaring that the case had been solved. Politicians also fall in this trap. At times, they come out with public statements, saying that they had given instructions to the police to crack the case within the next few days. A time frame creates a problem for the police and, in trying to meet the deadline, short cuts are taken with the result that the investigation gets botched up. Inadequate forensic support compounds the problem further. A total of 654,859 exhibits were pending examination in India as on January 1, 2015. We should have forensic laboratories at all divisional headquarters and mobile forensic vans in districts. Scientific aids to investigation should be made full use of, and this must be emphasised during the training period of investigators. The Supreme Court gave a specific direction in the police reforms case (2006) that investigation should be separated from law and order to ensure speedier probes, better expertise and improved rapport with the people. The states have, however, been dragging their feet on the matter. On the flip side, the apex court, in another judgment (2010), laid down that narco-analysis, brain mapping and polygraph tests could not be carried out on any person without consent. The judgment has deprived the police of significant scientific tools which reinforced the available evidence. The Malimath Committee had laid great emphasis on the quest for truth to be the guiding factor of the criminal justice system. The human rights of suspects have unfortunately taken precedence over the cause of truth and justice. Where law ends, tyranny begins, said English philosopher, John Locke. Peoples faith in the fairness of the administration has been eroded. The government must initiate measures to depoliticise the services and ensure a fair degree of autonomy to the investigative agencies. It is still not too late. Prakash Singh is a retired director general of police and a police reforms campaigner The views expressed are personal On Monday, the Supreme Court witnessed an odd event. A 24-year-old woman called Akhila had changed her name to Hadiya, converted to Islam, and chosen to marry against her parents wishes. While this was no extraordinary story, what happened afterwards was. Hadiyas father approached the Kerala High Court, which annulled her marriage, and sent her back into her parents custody. Soon enough, the case wound its way to the Supreme Court, where Hadiyas parents, the State, and the court-appointed National Investigative Agency argued that despite being an adult woman, Hadiya had been brainwashed and indoctrinated into her marriage, and was incapable of making a free choice. These arguments are not new. In fact, they have a lineage that is not immediately obvious, but which has exercised its grip over our nation for a long time. In March 1947, Winston Churchill said that granting independence to India would mean handing over the country to men of straw... of whom nothing would remain in a few years. This was in line with a long tradition of colonial discourse, which justified its rule by holding that India remained a child in the waiting room of history, destined to remain under the tutelage of the benevolent British.. For more than a century, Indians resisted this political infantilisation. They demanded rights, drafted charters, and engaged in the limited representative government on offer. The culmination of this struggle was the attainment of freedom, and the framing of Indias Constitution. But the men and women who drafted the Indian Constitution were, for the most part, highly educated people with a long history of political engagement. They had access to resources that were denied to a vast majority of their compatriots. In the Constituent Assembly, therefore, some members asked: could this newly-won political independence be simply be extended to every Indian citizen even the poorest and the most illiterate? Were Indians ready for freedom? Would they exercise it responsibly? Would it not be better, for example, to limit the vote to those who were educated, and would use it appropriately? But the Assembly, led by BR Ambedkar, realised the intellectual and moral bankruptcy of this neo-Churchillian argument. The result was a Constitution that, in guaranteeing equality, fundamental freedoms, and universal adult suffrage, transformed every Indian from subject to citizen. This was unprecedented. Other countries had long drawn-out struggles, each of them denying important freedoms to significant parts of their populations most often women on the basis that they were simply not capable of being free. The framers of our Constitution, however, decided to take a leap of faith. And in doing that, they set an example to the world. The Constitution, thus, is founded on a simple idea: to every adult citizen, it proclaims: The State is not your keeper. Your family is not your keeper. You are free to make your choices, and yes free also to make your mistakes. It was as Ambedkar said: The Constitution... has adopted the individual as its unit. And the Supreme Court recognised this some months ago in its famous privacy judgment, upholding the autonomy of the individual and the right of every person to make essential choices which affect the course of life. For this reason, there was a sense of unreality this Monday at the Supreme Court, especially when, after two hours of argument, the Court finally asked Hadiya what she wanted. Her answer was clear: to be free and to live with her husband. Here then, was the replication of the old colonial dilemma: once, a nation had spoken against those who claimed the right to speak for it. Now, a citizen spoke against those who claimed a right to speak for her. Under our Constitution, there could be only one answer. It was an answer that the Supreme Court provided only partially. It freed Hadiya from her parents custody and sent her to finish her studies. But the equally fundamental questions regarding her choice to marry and to live with her husband remain in the balance, and will be heard in January. When that happens, the Court must remember that the Constitution [having] adopted the individual as its unit means nothing if an individual must prove to the satisfaction of the State she possesses the agency to decide for herself. There have been regimes, past and present, where individuals Jews, Dalits, women have been required to prove before the State that they deserve to be treated as individuals. We are not there yet. The Supreme Court must ensure that, under our Constitution, we shall always be individuals free and able to make our own choices, and banish Churchills ghost once and for all. Gautam Bhatia is an advocate in the Supreme Court The views expressed are personal It is a balmy weekday afternoon in Rajkot as the early morning quiet is pierced by loudspeakers blaring the signature Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) tune NaMo, NaMo, singing the praise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Snaking through a residential society in the citys Kalawad Road area is a modified autorickshaw, with huge posters of chief minister Vijay Rupani on top. Speakers fitted on each side tell residents that the BJPs campaign team has arrived. Groups of women party workers with saffron scarves around their necks follow the auto, and spread out in the area, going from door to door. Please come out. The chief ministers wife is here to meet you, they tell residents, handing them booklets on the achievements of the BJP government. The soft spoken Rupani is fighting from the high-profile Rajkot West constituency, which was earlier held by Modi, and is aiming to continue the BJPs unbroken 22-year-long ruling streak in the state. The 61-year-old leader has an old connection to the city, where he has served as mayor. But this time, his election campaign is being managed by his wife Anjali as he is forced to stay away for long durations addressing rallies all over the state. This afternoon, for example, Rupani is away attending a rally in Bhuj where the PM is speaking. The saree-clad, bespectacled Anjaliben is welcomed with rose garlands. Sporting a pair of sneakers, she appeals to voters in every home in a soft voice. Amne yaad rakhjo (Do remember us), she says holding hands of a young mother outside her house. The voter replies, You do not have to worry. Anjali quickly responds, Your assurance has boosted my confidence. After two hours and some 100 houses later, she takes a short break as a resident invites her to his home for a cup of tea. Many voters are unwilling to give their assurance and some are ready with a list of demands. After going through the list of their demands, she heads for a temple in nearby Krishna Park society. When she comes out, a woman voter says, We want our MLA to see that the open plot in our society gets a pavement. Anjali smiles and moves on. As a co-worker and wife, Anjaliben has taken upon the responsibility of campaigning for the chief minister, said BJP spokesperson Raju Dhruv . This is unusual in a state where many previous chief ministers be it Modi or his successor Anandiben Patel campaigned alone. But those close to the Rupani say Anjali has been an active member of the BJP for almost 30 years and that the couple met while working for the party. She (Anjali) is the general secretary of the womens wing, added Dhruv. Rajkot goes to the polls in the first phase of assembly elections on December 9. Sources in the BJP who refused to be named said Rupani has been kept busy by party and official matters he was a state cabinet minister and state BJP chief before becoming the CM and Anjali has coordinated with party workers in Rajkot, be it for staging protests or celebrations. But this election is crucial. Rupani is facing a tough challenge in the Congress Indranil Rajyaguru, who changed his seat from Rajkot East to Rajkot West only to challenge the chief minister. Rajyaguru, who is also the states richest candidate as per poll affidavits, declared his open challenge to Rupani last year. The Congress says for a year Rajyaguru has been nursing the constituency, which is a prestige seat for the BJP as it has given the state three chief ministers -- Keshubhai Patel, Narendra Modi and Rupani. The BJP relies heavily on the sizeable local Patidar community but this time, many from the caste are upset over being denied quotas in jobs and education. But Anjali appears unfazed. People here are aware about the work the BJP has done. There is no contest as we do not want to defeat anyone. We just want to win peoples heart. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Launching a scathing attack on the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked its vice president Rahul Gandhi on Monday why his party applauded the release of a terrorist in Pakistan and why he hugged the Chinese ambassador during the Doklam standoff. Modi, who started his campaign for the Gujarat elections with a rally in Kutch districts Bhuj town, also referred to his humble beginnings as a tea seller and attacked the opposition party over a series of scams that were reported when the previous UPA government was in power at the Centre. You are happy to hug Chinese ambassador, you are clapping on the release of Hafiz Saeed, you cannot respect Indian Armys surgical strike. But why did you speak up about it? You could have just remained silent, PM Modi said. After the release of LeT founder and Mumbai terror attack mastermind Saeed by a Pakistan court, Gandhi had tweeted: Narendrabhai, baat nahi bani. Terror mastermind is free. President Trump just delinked Pak military funding from LeT. Hugplomacy fail. More hugs urgently needed. Gandhis tweet was targeted at the bonhomie between Modi and Trump, whose hugs at public events have come to define a new warmth between the two leaders. Didnt sell the nation Later in the day, Modi said in Rajkot: The Congress dislikes me because of my poor origin. Can a party stoop so low? Yes, a person belonging to a poor family has become the prime minister. They do not fail to hide their contempt for this fact. Yes, I sold tea but I did not sell the nation. The PM also said the Congress, which is making all out efforts to dislodge the long-ruling BJP in Gujarat, never accepted any Gujarati leader and had defamed the state. It was with the support of the Jan Sangh that a person from the Patel community, Babubhai Patel, became the chief minister. The Congress did not like this and ensured that Babubhai Jashbhais government did not last. When Keshubhai Patel, a son of Saurashtra, became the chief minister, the Congress tried everything to dislodge him. They repeated the same disruptive tactic with Anandiben Patel, a daughter of the Patel community. The Congress has defamed Gujarat always, he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. Development vs dynasty Addressing the Bhuj rally, PM Modi also said the election in his home state was a contest between trust on development and dynastic politics. Recently Pakistani court released a terrorist, I cannot understand why these Congress people are clapping here, Modi said in the speech delivered in Gujarati. This Gujarat son has no stains in his public life. You come to the state and level baseless allegations on the son of the soil... the people of the state will not forgive you, he said, alluding to allegations by Congress leaders, including Gandhi. During his campaign in the state in the last few days, Gandhi had trained his guns at the Modi-led government over the Rafale fighter aircraft deal. Turing the tables, Modi asked, When our soldiers... were standing eye-to-eye against the Chinese soldiers for over 70 days, at that time you were hugging the Chinese ambassador here... For whose benefit did you do this? I am asking you, Modi said, without taking any name. Surgical strike He referred to the Mumbai 26/11 terror strike and the attack in Uri, and asked what was the difference between one government and another, one leader and other. The meaning of living and dying for the country can be known by the response, Modi said. They killed our soldiers in Uri, our soldiers went inside their territory, conducted a surgical strike and came back. The next day a newspaper said they (in Pakistan) carried bodies in trucks, he said. Modi alleged that the Congress raised questions on the surgical strike in September 2016. They could not respect Indian Army, they asked questions like none of our soldiers was injured? None of them died? Have you any photo or video evidence? Had they gone to shoot a movie in Pakistan? he said. When you go to the house of the poor and eat rotis, you ensure that you are filmed, but does that mean that a surgical strike should be filmed? the prime minister asked. Modi will address a series of campaign meetings on Monday and on Wednesday in Saurashtra and South Gujarat, which go to polls on December 9. The second phase of the elections will be held on December 14. The results for the 182-seat assembly will be announced on December 18. At the age of 10, Ramesh Sarvaiya started accompanying his father to skin dead cattle. Being a Dalit, he knew he would be doing this for the rest of his life, as had many previous generations of his family. He did not like the work; the stench of death, he said, was particularly nauseating. Untouchability was rampant and the people who relied on the Sarvaiyas to do their dirty work would not even touch or drink from the same glass. Despite all this, Ramesh says he was not prepared for what happened to him and his family last year. On July 11, 2016, Ramesh and his family were attacked by alleged cow vigilantes while skinning dead cattle. The attackers tied them to a car and thrashed them brutally, alleging they had killed the cow. The video of the public flogging went viral. For me, the most important thing is to get justice for what happened to us. Some people have gotten out on bail and the case is not moving forward, Ramesh says. The Una violence unleashed waves of criticism across the nation, especially among Dalit communities, and many Scheduled Castes in Gujarat declared they wouldnt work anymore or clean up carcasses. The then chief minister, Anandiben Patel, already under fire for administrative failures, resigned in the wake of the Una agitation. Read more: A year after Una, Dalit ire may not be able to dent BJP prospects in Gujarat polls A year later, Dalit leaders say, the incident still resonates with the community. Martin Macwan of the Navsarjan Trust said, Una awakened the Dalit youth across the state. Everyone has the video clip of the public flogging on their phones so they cannot forget it. Dalits make up 7% of the states population and in the last assembly election, mostly voted for the BJP, which won 10 of the 13 reserved seats for Scheduled Castes. But this time, the leader of the Una movement, Jignesh Mevani, says the community is angry. The Una incident, our constitutional demands which BJP did not even hear and its silence and apathy on violence against Dalits will have an impact this election. The people are very angry, he told Hindustan Times. Ashwin Jairambhai, a 21-year-old Dalit from Bediya, a village near Una, echoed that sentiment. Most of the people in my village think a new government should come. Our livelihood was attacked and snatched from us. Ramesh, now 23, admits he is still angry. But in his case, the anger has found an avenue after a stint at the Dalit Shakti Kendra in Sanand, an hours drive from Ahmedabad. I got a new lease of life after coming here. I met young Dalit men and women not only from Gujarat but across the country. I could only speak Gujarati then; now am fluent in Hindi, he says with a shy smile. Earlier this year, Ramesh enrolled in a three-month training course for tailoring at the institute that has provided vocational training for Dalit students since 2001. Run by the Navsarjan Trust, the institute conducts residential programmes in various fields at a minimal cost. It is here Ramesh discovered BR Ambedkar and his writings. I had heard his name and that he drafted the Constitution but did not know much else, he says. Now he can quote Ambedkars works and wants to carry forward the Dalit icons legacy by working on ending caste discrimination. Sporting a jay bhim tattoo on his hand, an Ambedkar sticker on his wallet and a ten-rupee Ambedkar coin around his neck, Ramesh is back at the institute for another stint. Read more: Photos: A year after Una flogging incident Dalit rights still contentious On the morning of November 24, he woke up at 5am to help with preparations for Congress vice president Rahul Gandhis visit. Gandhi had also visited the family last year after the incident and the party had given Rs 5 lakh as assistance to them. He claims that they were promised jobs by the state government but never got any. Anandiben Patel had promised a special court to try our case but that didnt happen. We were promised jobs but not even a chowkidar job has been given to us, he said. He stops short of saying who he will cast his vote for but says BJP is not an option. At the rally, loud shouts of kuch nahi rend the air as Gandhi asks the crowd what the BJP had done for Dalits in the last 22 years. This time the Dalits are fired up to vote against the BJP. Their (the BJPs) seats will be halved, said Mevani, who has grown close to the Congress and is campaigning against the BJP. But Gujarat BJP spokesperson Bharat Pandya disagrees. We instituted an inquiry (against the Una incident), we got the charge sheet filed in a month, provided a lawyer. We took all the required action in the Una case. The Dalits have voted for the BJP and will vote this time as well. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Congress on Monday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of trying to mislead the people of Gujarat on the contributions of Jawaharlal Nehru with his untrue statements and said it reflected his unhealthy mindset. Hitting back at Modi over his charge that the Congress propagated dynastic politics, the partys senior spokesperson Anand Sharma said the prime minister has forgotten that the Congress gave prime ministers like Lal Bahadur Shastri and Manmohan Singh, who came from a humble background. Defending the Nehru-Gandhi family, the former Union Minister said none of the Gandhis were part of the government since the last almost three decades. He condemned Modis claims that the Congress and countrys first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru did nothing for Gujarat and alleged that such a campaign emanated from the BJPs frustration due to its impending defeat. The prime minister has said that the countrys first prime minister has not done anything for Gujarat. It is wrong and far from truth. We condemn it. The prime minister is having an aswasth mansikta (unhealthy mindset) which is an issue of grave concern for the country, he told reporters. Sharma said that the Prime Ministers remarks at an election rally in Gujarat on Monday were untrue. The BJP is disturbed over the increasing support for the Congress in the state, he claimed. Sharma cited several projects initiated by Nehru in Gujarat like Amul cooperative movement, IIM Ahmedabad, National Institute of Design, formation of Gandhinagar, the states capital, ONGCs complex at Ankleswar and development of ports like Kandla and Dahej, besides setting up of airports. It is not right on the part of the prime minister to speak like this. He should abstain from giving such statements as the Congress is capable of denying them with facts. The prime minister is trying to mislead the people of Gujarat by giving wrong statements and is trying to lure the people of the state ahead of assembly elections, he alleged. Sharma asked what the Modi government had done for Gujarat and said it should be left to the people of the state and the country to judge its performance. He (Modi) should not give certificates of honesty to his government, he said, alleging that the government was full of tainted people and was trying to put a lid on big scams. The Modi government is running away from accountability and that is why the prime minister never convened Parliament session ahead of Gujarat assembly polls and neither did he answer any of our questions, the Congress leader said. On Modis charge of dynastic politics, Sharma said the Congress was led by stalwarts like Mahatma Gandhi, Subhas Chandra Bose, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Gopal Kishna Gokhala and Madan Mohan Malviya. Countering the prime ministers attack on Nehru-Gandhi family, he said Rahul Gandhi, being an elected representative, was asked by the then prime minister Manmohan Singh to join him, but he did not do so during the 10 years of UPA government. The Congress has never told the BJP whom it should elect as its chief. The prime minister should stop worrying about the Congress and focus on his party instead, he said. On the Rafale aircraft deal, he said the prime minister had no right to cancel the previous deal signed between the governments of India and France during the UPA. He alleged a scam in the deal as a public sector undertaking was ignored and a private entity without any experience in the defence sector was brought in. Earlier the prime minister, while campaigning in Gujarat on Monday, hit out at the Congress over dynastic politics and alleged that the party did not do anything for the state. On one side there is Vikas (development) and Vishwas (faith) while on the other side there is Vanshwad (nepotism). Gujarat will never forgive the Congress Party and this has been the case for long. Congress has never liked Gujarat, has always preferred to see it lag behind, Modi said while campaigning in Kutchh region. Modi also alleged Congress has shown contempt for Gujarat. They prevented Narmada waters from reaching people across the state, their reign was characterised by poor law and order, and they destabilised Chief Ministers from the Patel community be it Babubhai, Chimanbhai, Keshubhai and Anandiben. Sixty cops have committed suicide in Madhya Pradesh in the last five years (till November), while 160 have died of heart attacks during the same period. Senior officials say that the figures are disturbing in itself, but what is more alarming is that the they have no clue about the state of mental or physical health of the 1.20 lakh strong force in the state. According to NRCB 2015 figures the rate of suicide is 10.6 per lakh in the country. Admits ADG (welfare) SM Afzal, These deaths are disturbing, because the state invests a lot on each personnel and they have a steady source of income, unlike most Indians. We are all aware that policemen are under a lot of stress due to long duty hours, life away from families, problems in getting leave, bossism, etc, but we had no mechanism to red flag the warning signs. Last month a constable posted in a battalion in Datia shot himself with his service rifle. But later it was found out that he was mentally unwell and every time he returned from leave, his wife and children used to drop him at his battalion fearing that he would not rejoin his duty, and twice he had tried to stop trains with red flags. Such erratic behavior should have been spotted earlier. Perhaps such deaths are preventable, says ADG Afzal. Rattled by the figures that were first shared at a meeting of top police officials on November 2 in Bhopal, the mandarins have come up with a slew of measures aimed at stopping these unnecessary deaths. For starters, all policemen will compulsorily have annual health check-up, which is now restricted to gazetted officers only. This will let us know the kind of medication the cops are taking and act accordingly, says ADG Afzal. To create a proper data bank on suicides, the district SPs commandants have been asked to investigate all suicides that have taken place in their area and come up with the exact cause of death. At present, most investigation of suicides are cursory, with one liners summing up the cause of death. There are also plans to set up counseling centres at each range office where those who need counseling will be treated. The counselors will also meet the families to make them aware of his condition and how they have to help him. Commenting of the proposed measures, consultant psychiatrist at Bansal Hospital Dr Satyakant Trivedi said. Any step that goes on to access the mental health of the policemen, like signs of depression which leads to consuming liquor etc, is welcome. Also though counseling the cops should be taught to maintain balance between professional and personal life and a conducive atmosphere should be created for this purpose. IN BOX Suicides Year Deaths 2013 9 2014 9 2015 13 2016 17 2017 12 ELKO An Idaho man arrested in the 2016 murder and decapitation of a Ryndon woman pleaded no contest to first degree murder in a plea deal. Jose de Jesus Segundo-Huizar, 47, made his plea before Judge Al Kacin in Elko District Court through an interpreter Monday. The plea agreement stipulates that the District Attorneys office will drop five counts related to the case and not file additional charges. Segundo-Huizar faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole for allegedly killing Carmen Magallanes-Sanchez on or about Aug. 24, 2016. He is not eligible for probation and will be incarcerated in the Nevada State Prison, according to District Attorney Tyler Ingram. Ingram said if the case were tried, the state would have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Segundo-Huizar with malice aforethought, willfully and with premeditation and deliberation, unlawfully killed another human being, a category A felony. The charge comes with three sentencing options: life without the possibility of parole; life with the possibility of parole after serving a minimum of 20 years; or he could be sentenced to 50 years in prison and eligible for parole after serving a minimum of 20 years. Court documents read by Kacin said that the victim was struck on or near her head ... or on another part of her body as yet unknown [using] a hammer or similar object before being decapitated. The five counts dropped included an alternate charge of second degree murder, burglary while in the possession of a firearm or deadly weapon, a category B felony; first degree kidnapping resulting in substantial bodily harm with the use of a deadly weapon, a category A felony; child abuse, a category B felony; and destroying or concealing evidence, a misdemeanor. At the time of the incident, a child about 9 months old was alleged to have been left in a crib for about 12 hours, resulting in the subsequent child abuse charge, according to previous reports. During the hearing, Segundo-Huizar admitted to not being a United States citizen, a factor that could result up to and including removal and deportation from the U.S., said Kacin, before asking the defendant if he understood the consequences of his plea. I understand perfectly, Segundo-Huizar said through his court translator, Eloise Mendoza. Since being incarcerated in October, Segundo-Huizar waived his preliminary hearing in January in Elko Justice Court and initially pleaded not guilty in February. Magallanes-Sanchez was reported missing by her boyfriend Aug. 24, 2016 and her part of her body was found by a hunter in a shallow grave off Mountain City Highway 30 miles north of Elko on Sept. 4 and identified by fingerprints 11 days later, according to previous reports. Segundo-Huizar was tracked to Idaho by sheriffs detectives where they found him working as a ranch hand. He was arrested with assistance from the Idaho State Police. In October, Segundo-Huizar led Elko County Sheriffs detectives to the location he buried the victims head. Since then he has been held in Elko County Jail without bail. Authorities said at the time a motive for the killing was unclear, but that Segundo-Huizar admitted to an off-and-on relationship with the victim who was also living with someone else at the time of her death. In a court appearance shortly after his arrest, it was mentioned that the suspect lived with his wife in Jerome, Idaho, and had two grown children in Mexico. Public Defender Kriston Hill, representing Segundo-Huizar, and Ingram both said that the sentencing hearing could take up to two to three hours to allow for victim impact statements. A date for sentencing has not been set. Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will complete 12 years in office on November 29 but questions are being raised within BJP about his charisma in wake of recent losses in assembly by-polls. Elections in Madhya Pradesh will take place in November-December 2018. The CM is upbeat since he got a clean chit by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in recently filed charge-sheets in the Vyapam scam. CM Chouhan was in dock since Congress general secretary Digvijaya Singh filed a petition in the high court and later in the Supreme Court on the basis of a pen drive provided to him by a whistleblower as a corroborative evidence against the CM. However, the CBI has not found any evidence so far against the CM. Before Vyapam, Chouhan, who replaced senior Babulal Gaur as chief minister in the face of rebellion by former chief minister Uma Bharti on November 29, 2005, was once accused of being involved in a dumper scandal, along with his wife. But they were absolved from the court. Despite these charges, Chouhan led the party to victory in 2008 and 2013 assembly elections and the party also performed well in 2009 and 2014 Lok Sabha polls from the state. During his visit to Bhopal in August the BJP national president Amit Shah announced the party would contest in 2018 assembly elections and 2019 Lok Sabha elections in Madhya Pradesh under Chouhans leadership. However, the BJPs loss in certain by-polls like Ater and Chitrakoot has also led to questions being raised against his leadership within the party, though in a hushed tone. Leaders and party workers have started discussing in the party circles if his charisma is on wane as the party faced defeat in Ater and Chitrakoot assembly seats bypolls within a span of 7 months. This was despite his intensive election campaign and announcements for development projects worth hundreds of crores during the by-polls. Of late, he is also facing anger from farmers, his constituents till farmers agitation in June which saw five farmers being killed in a police firing in Mandsaur. His first of its kind scheme in the country Bhavantar meant for providing some amount of money to farmers in case they sell their agriculture produce below the minimum support price (MSP) seems to have boomeranged on the government. Senior Congress leader Kamal Nath has posed 12 questions to the CM by writing a letter to him and raising a question against his leadership in the past 12 years. Kamal Nath has asked why MP continues to remain on the top in the country when it comes to farmers suicide despite the fact that state has earned 5 Krishi Karman award; why MP reports highest number of crimes against women in the country and women feel unsafe even in the day time; why MPs 8 districts figure in the list of most backward 115 districts of the country, which include Vidisha and Khandwa being represented by union external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and state BJP president Nandkumar Singh Chauhan. State BJP spokesperson Rajneesh Agrawal said Congress had put a blinker on its face and it didnt want to see the development in the state done under the leadership of chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The BJP would retain power under his leadership in 2018 assembly elections too, thanks to the development works. The health department in Madhya Pradesh is trying to fill up vacancies in vacant primary health centres (PHCs) through walk in interviews of MBBS doctors, but many senior doctors are deeply concerned about the quality of these doctors being recruited and their likely commitment towards their work. Every Wednesday MBBS doctors queue up at the National Health Mission office in Bhopal to take part in the walk-in-interviews for contractual jobs for one year at the PHCs for a measly sum of Rs 50,000 per month. With the National Family Health Survey IV (NFHS) of 2015-16 putting Madhya Pradesh in the bottom on the heap in most health parameters, these are desperate times for the health department. There are large number of vacancies in both PHCs and also in the Community health centres, but at present we are focusing on the PHCs, because they are the first point of contact of the people with the health department and curing a disease at the first step will go a long way in improving the health of the people, a health department official said. According to figures available with the National Health Mission, there are 383 primary health centres in the state which are without any doctors, even though the infrastructure is present. Interviews have been going on since October and so far 150 MBBS doctors have passed the interview and given their consent to join the health centres. But many senior doctors are skeptical about these recruitments. Dr Madhav Hasani, MP Medical Officers Association general secretary says, We understand the compulsions of health department, but what about the quality and commitment of the doctors being recruited? The health department mandarins are just filling up the slots to show that everything is fine with the health of the state, but will this reflect on the ground? Doctors like Hasani argue that to be effective, a doctor needs commitment and these MBBS doctors will be fine for common ailments like cold and fever not for speciality. This is very good move but government should first decide the priority of providing treatment to patients in MP. These doctors are ok for basic facilities but not for strengthening the health facilities in MP. Many have not got anywhere else or want peace and quiet to prepare for their PG exam. They will somehow perform their duty at the PHCs and then do their own thing. There must be a monitoring system to track their record because most of them will get discharge from their duties by referring the patients to district hospital, said Dr Padmakar Tripathi. The senior doctors view is echoed by doctor who has decided to take up this offer. I am preparing for my PG and this is an ideal platform. Though not much, I will still get paid and will have plenty of time for preparation, said a doctor who are waiting for their interview, requesting anonymity. The question of measly pay is also there. A PG student at the Hamidia Hospital in Bhopal, who did not want to be named candidly assessed the situation, The average salary for a fresh MBBS recruit in any private hospital in Delhi and other metros is between Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.25 lakhs. So who will join here for the poor salary and what kind of experience will he get at the PHCs that he can flaunt in his CV? It is only those who are in the bottom of the heap and have no jobs or those who are preparing for their PG exams will come. Principal secretary health Gauri Singh when asked to comment on the quality of the doctors said, All these doctors are from medical universities that are inspected and accredited by the Medical Council of India which only gives certification if these colleges maintain a certain standard. So far as their commitment is concerned we will be monitoring their work and take action if necessary. She said vacancies in PHCs were a cause of concern because they are the first interface with public. For example many preventable deaths from pneumonia can be prevented in rural areas if they are doctors at PHCs who will detect it early. Asked about the likely success of the policy she said, It is too early to say, but many other states have tried it before and now at least we will have doctors at PHCs where there were none earlier. Social activist Ajay Dubey said, Thanks to the Vyapam scam it is suspected that many of the doctors who entered medical colleges through unfair means are not competent and are not getting jobs anywhere. This might become a dumping ground for such doctors. There should be proper police verification to see that no such doctor enters the health department and their performance should be closely monitored. IN BOX Total population being catered to per PHC 20,000 in tribal areas 30,000 in non-tribal areas Shortage in number of doctors in PHCs - 2000 In Bollywood, where many actors feel insecure about each others success, Neil Nitin Mukesh is all praises for his Saaho co-star Prabhas. Sharing screen space with the Baahubali star in the upcoming tri-lingual film, Neil feels lucky to have got this opportunity. Prabhas is one of the nicest and sweetest people Ive ever met. Hes so simple and down to earth. The excitement of meeting him just multiplies by many manifolds because he has no attitude, says Neil. The actor further shares that not only with co-stars, but Prabhas is equally polite with everyone in the crew. The way he meets common people is so heart-warming. You will not hear him ever raise his voice at anybody. Theres no tantrum. Hes a great human being and that reflects in his fan following, too, says Neil, who is reportedly playing a negative role in the film that also stars Shraddha Kapoor, Mandira Bedi, Jackie Shroff. Here is wishing our Darling prabhas a very very Happy Birthday. GOD bless you with all the Happiness and success. Have an awesome year. #saaho #bahubali #HBdarling #happybirthdayprabhas A post shared by Neil Nitin Mukesh (@neilnitinmukesh) on Oct 22, 2017 at 9:05pm PDT Prabhas became an instant sensation after the grand success of Baahubali, but Neil says that the adulation received by him has only made the actor more humble. The saying, Once the tree start bearing fruits, it bows down to earth, describes him aptly. Asked if Prabhas has shared interesting anecdotes from his Baahubali experience with Neil, he says, Hes extremely shy, and Im also very selective with my conversations with him. Back to London. Hyderabad was beautiful as always. And shooting for #Saaho was simply amazing. Looking forward to doing the team soon Neil Nitin Mukesh (@NeilNMukesh) October 6, 2017 Neil, who completed the second schedule of Saaho in Hyderabad, last month, adds that its not easy for anyone at such a young age and at a nascent phase of career to have remained committed to a single project for so long. To dedicate five years of the prime time of your career in doing something that you believe in and that also at a young age is a big deal. I bet no other actor would have done it. He started off so brilliantly and it paid him off because his believed in it and worked hard for it. That answers a lot about Prabhas as a person, says Neil. Follow @htshowbiz for more Ivanka Trump, daughter of US President Donald Trump, kicked off a global business summit in Hyderabad on Tuesday by calling for a level playing field for women entrepreneurs, saying it would not only help families but also countries improve their economy. The 36-year-old Trump, who was accorded a warm welcome in the tech hub of Hyderabad, also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for building India as a thriving economy a beacon of democracy and a symbol of hope to the world. What you are achieving is truly extraordinary... From your childhood selling tea to your election as Indias Prime Minister, youve proven that transformational change is possible, Trump said at the inaugural session of the three-day Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES). She congratulated the people of India on 70 years of Independence. Through your own enterprise, entrepreneurship, and hard work, the people of India have lifted more than 130 million citizens out of poverty a remarkable improvement, and one I know will continue to grow under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, she said. Modi used the opportunity to invite investors to India. To my entrepreneur friends from across the globe, I would like to say: Come, Make in India, Invest in India, for India, and for the world, the Prime Minister said in his inaugural address. If India were to close the labour-force gender gap by half, its GDP could grow by over $150 billion in the next three years, said Trump, who is also an adviser to the US president. India is seeing a drop in women participation in the workforce. Only 27% of working age women were employed in 2015-2016, a World Bank report has said. When it comes to equitable laws, while many developed and developing countries have made tremendous strides, there is still much work to be done, Trump said. The theme of the conference Women First, Prosperity For All was appropriate as it was the key to future of any country, Trump, wearing a green floral dress, said. There was a gender entrepreneurship gap world-wide and closing the gap would help grow the GDP by two per cent, she said. Women still face steep obstacles to starting, owning and growing their businesses. We must ensure women entrepreneurs have access to capital, access to networks and mentors, Trump, who is fashion designer, said to loud cheers. In her 15-minutes speech she mentioned three women, including Rajlakshmi Borthakur, an Assamese entrepreneur based in Bengaluru. These women represent the vision, ambition and grit of every entrepreneur, she said about the entrepreneurs who, too, were at the summit. Borthakur is the founder and CEO of TerraBlue XT, a telemedicine platform for people fighting chronic disorders. Trump also lauded Modi for his belief that progress of humanity is incomplete without the empowerment of women. India always believed that empowerment of women was vital to development and they had made significant contributions in various walks of life, Modi said. Trump is leading the US contingent at the summit, a brainchild of former American president Barack Obama. This is the first time that India is hosting the summit. More than half of the 1,200 participants are women and all-female delegations are representing countries such as Afghanistan, Israel and Saudi Arabia. (With agency inputs) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Akhil Bharatiya Sant Samiti (ABSS), a prominent body of the Hindu seers, has termed as non practical and unacceptable a resolution passed by a dharma sansad (religious parliament) in Karnataka asking Hindus to have four children. During the three-day dharma sansad, organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, in the temple town of Udupi from November 24, Swami Gobind Giriji Maharaj of Bharat Mata Mandir in Haridwar, brought a resolution that two-child policy should not be restricted to Hindus alone and that they must bear at least four children till the Uniform Civil Code is implemented to check demographic imbalance. The dharma sansad was presided over by Jagadguru Madhwacharya Shri Vishesh Teerth (Udupi), Stating that the resolution should be thrown into a dustbin, the national spokesperson of ABSS, Baba Hatyogi, Tuesday said that the dharma sansad should have instead focused the saint community losing face over multiple cases of fake saints and self-styled godmen fooling devotees coming to light in recent times. Hindus should produce four children. Is this a resolution that a confluence of saints from across the country should pass? Who will bear the expense of bringing up these children if Hindus accept the resolution? Without having sufficient resources for proper upbringing of children and their livelihood, how come participating saints of dharma sansad passed such a resolution? Two children in a family is best, irrespective of their community or religion, said Baba Hatyogi. Urging government and Muslim representatives to also carry out awareness campaigns so that people from minority community also do not go for larger families, Baba Hatyogi said that future generation of our country deserves a better future for which small family is best. A meeting is being convened early next month by ABSS in this regard, in which Udupi resolution will be opposed. While bringing the resolution, Swami Gobind had said that the government was insisting on a maximum of two children, but till the time the Uniform Civil Code is implemented, Hindus should have at least four children. We have seen that India lost those territories wherever Hindu population reduced, resulting in demographic imbalance. The two-child policy should not be restricted to Hindus alone, he said. The dharma sansad also passed resolution for uniform ban on cattle slaughter across the country, preparation of a dossier on cow thieves and condemnation of beef sale in several parts of the country. To a question ion cow-vigilantism, Swami Gobind had earlier said that some criminals were settling personal scores under the guise of Gau Rakshaks. Gau Rakshaks are peace loving people. They have been defamed by some vested interests. Some criminals are settling scores under the guise of Gau Rakshaks, he had said at the dharma sansad. A group of locals allegedly thrashed a forest guard after he asked them not to drink alcohol on the border of the Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) in Ramnagar, officials said Tuesday. The incident took place Monday night, hours after chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat and forest minister Harak Singh Rawat inaugurated a new entry gate to the from Kotdwar in the states Pauri Garhwal region. Twenty-five-year-old Santosh Bisht suffered minor injuries and was taken to a local hospital. A complaint has been lodged against three persons at Ramnagar police station. We have lodged a complaint against three people. They have been booked for under Indian Forest Act and relevant section of CrPC for hindering government official from performing duty and charging at the forest guard, Surendra Mehra, director Corbett told Hindustan Times. Home to the second largest population of tigers in country, CTR is major revenue spinner for Uttarakhand government. It is to cash in on this asset that the government opened the new entry gate that is expected to reduce the travel distance between New Delhi and CTR by about 50 kilometres. The government also aims to push tourism in Kotdwar, which is also the constituency of the forest minister. Amidst all this, the safety and security of staff seems to have been compromised. Apart from the latest incident, several other violations have been reported where tourists were seen marching on foot, or blocking the movement of tigers. Last year in December, two video clips showing tourists blocking the path of a tiger surfaced, putting a question mark on the precautionary measures adopted by the officials. The videos were shot at Sambhar road in Dhikala zone two days after the reserve opened for public. The basic tourism in protected areas should be regulated. And for this a force is needed to safeguard the borders, an activist said requesting anonymity. Taking cue from the incident, the management has strengthened border patrolling. Any violation will not be tolerated, Mehra added. The guards, however, are cautious now. This is the most sensitive period when Corbett remains abuzz with tourists. But, we are actively safeguarding posts and other sensitive areas, Bisht, who suffered mild injuries during the incident, said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Delhi woke up to another chilly and polluted morning on Tuesday with air quality recorded at a very poor level, met officials said. The minimum temperature was recorded at nine degree Celsius. However, the quality of the air was marginally better than Mondays pollution levels with the average AQI reading 343 compared to 362 on Monday. Both readings are within the very poor range. Officials said that areas close to the Delhi Technical University had the worst air quality on Tuesday, with the monitoring station recording an AQI of 422. On Monday, DTU, Anand Vihar, and RK Puram, had all recorded severe pollution levels. The Delhi government on Monday had issued a health advisory urging schools to avoid outdoor activities during morning following predictions that air pollution might rise over the next three days. The government has also advised citizens to avoid going out for morning walks and polluted zones during peak hours. Although minimum temperature is expected to be 10 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, the MeT Department has forecast the chance of shallow fog in the morning hours. Six men working for a catering firm died of asphyxiation in Delhi Cantonment area after they locked themselves in a truck with a simmering tandoor inside, police said on Tuesday. The deaths came to light around 1.30am on Tuesday when the truck was forced open at the instance of the catering firms supervisor, said Shibesh Singh, DCP (southwest). The officer said prima facie they suspected no foul play, but a case of causing death by negligence was likely to be registered at Delhi Cantonment police station. Instances of people asphyxiating to death after locking themselves in a room with a lit brazier or tandoor are not uncommon in Delhi in the winter season. In Tuesdays incident, the deceased were identified as Amit, Pankaj, Anil, Kamal, Avadh Lal and Deep Chand. All the victims are aged between 25 and 35, police said, and worked either as chefs or waiters for the catering firm. Police said the firm is owned and run by one Gurpreet Singh, a resident of west Delhis Vikaspuri. The men had provided catering service at a wedding function in Cantonments Mall Road on Monday night. Since they were supposed to work at another function in the Cantonment area itself, they decided to sleep in their truck that they had parked at an open field near Central School in the neighbourhood, said DCP Singh. The probe so far has revealed that the workers decided to keep themselves warm in the night by using the tandoor that they kept burning, said the officer. The six men locked the canter from inside around 3am on Tuesday. Since their schedule involved waking up late in the day, no one suspected anything unusual until late in the afternoon. But when their supervisor, Nirmal, did not find the men around by 1 pm on Tuesday, he decided to check. When his repeated knocks on the canters metal doors did not yield a response, he suspected foul play and got the doors opened, said another investigator. Inside, the six men were found lying motionless. Though the tandoor had turned cold by then, it did not take people around long to realise what could have happened. A police call was made around 1.30pm even as locals rushed the six men to Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital in west Delhi. All the six men were declared brought dead at the hospital. Police said three of the men were natives of Rudrapur in Uttarakhand, while Kamal belonged to Nepal. The details of the other two men are being ascertained, police said. All the six men lived in Nangloi. The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on Monday said the draw of lots for its 2017 housing scheme will be held on November 30. More than 46,000 people applied for the housing scheme, in which the authority is offering over 12,000 flats. The draw was earlier scheduled for October but the date was delayed. The DDA sold 90,000 forms for the scheme, of which 46,182 people applied. The draw for the scheme, launched on June 30, will be held at the DDA headquarters under supervision of Justice (retd) SN Aggarwal, Kolin Paul of the department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT, Delhi and Vishnu Chandra, deputy director general, National Informatics Centre (NIC), Delhi, the DDA said in a press statement, released on Monday. The exercise will begin at 11 am on November 30. The 12,617 flats on offer include 11,757 lower-income group (LIG), 403 middle-income group (MIG), 372 Janta and 85 higher-income group units. The flats, that cost between Rs 7 lakh and over Rs 1.26 crore, are located in colonies across the city such as Rohini, Dwarka, Narela, Vasant Kunj, Jasola, Pitampura, Paschim Vihar and Siraspur. Most of the 12,072 flats in the scheme were surrendered by allottees in the previous housing schemes due to the small size or inadequate civic facilities in the localities. Later, the authority clarified that the latest scheme was launched after the problems were fixed. The general public can view the live telecast of the draw of DDA Aawasiya Yojana-2017 on November 30 from 11am onwards through web streaming on http://webcast.gov.in/dda. Interested applicants may also visit DDA headquarters, Vikas Sadan (Auction Hall) at the given date and time for viewing the live screening of the draw, the statement said. The scheme was launched on June 30 and closed on September 11. The authority had to extend the deadline due to poor response. Those who are allotted flats will be handed over demand-cum-allotment letters within a month, officials said. After getting the demand letters, the allotees can make payment within three months, said JP Agarwal, DDAs principal commissioner (housing). Those whose name do not feature in the list can expect a waiting list, another scheme or can take their money back, he said. The DDA is liable to return the money within one month failing which the applicant is eligible to get interest on his deposit. The once sought-after DDA flats have, of late, been losing out to private housing projects that provide better amenities at lower rates in the National Capital Region. In order to plug this gap, the DDA has already announced 20,000 plush flats in Narela, Dwarka, Rohini, Vasant Kunj and Jasola in its latest housing scheme to be launched in June 2018. Currently, the flats are under construction and DDA officials said work will be completed by March 2018. Notorious for offering second-hand flats with poor amenities, the DDA says it will provide facilities such as multi-level underground parking, rainwater harvesting units, buildings that can withstand an earthquake of 8.5 on Richter scale and spacious bedrooms in its latest project. The 2018 scheme will have flats for all income groups LIG, MIG, HIG and EWS. Prices of the flats for the 2018 scheme have not been fixed yet, Agarwal said. Jagbeer Singh, a private security guard, whiles away his time at the entrance of a ghost town in outer Delhis Bawana rows of abandoned apartment buildings constructed for 3,680 poor families currently living in slums tucked in the crevices of the national capital. I dont know for whom these houses were built, but I do not mind guarding them as long I get paid (a monthly salary of Rs 10,000), says Singh, pointing towards a road overrun by wild grass which leads to the desolate four-storey tower blocks with broken windowpanes and plaster chipping off the walls. Singh, 32, is one of the six guards deployed outside the Rajiv Ratan Awaas township, which came up in 2008. From Prime Minister Narendra Modis promise to make Delhi slum-free by 2022, to Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal pre-poll slogan - jahan jhuggi, wahan makaan, affordable housing for the poor has been on the agenda of all political parties. But the failure of successive governments to come up with a uniform resettlement policy and reluctance of the slum dwellers to shift to faraway places over livelihood concerns have ensured that finding an answer to the vexed issue of slum resettlement in the capital remains an elusive quest. About 26,861 of the 28,344 flats constructed in the past decade by the Delhi government agencies for the have-nots lie vacant in different parts of the city a testament to the governments half-baked efforts at slum resettlement. Sri Ram stands in front of his slum near an upcoming housing project in Bawana. (Sushil Kumar/HT PHOTO) Kathputli Colony, the first in situ project Eight years after mooting the plan, Delhi Development Authoritys (DDA) started demolishing 3,000 slums at Kathputli colony, near Shadipur Depot, in October this year as part of its first in-situ redevelopment project under the Delhi Master Plan 2021. The authoritys plan to reclaim 5.2 hectares of land for building multistory flats for the eligible residents was resisted by a group of residents who claimed that the rehabilitation process was haphazard. The proposed 30 square metres, one-room flat costs Rs 1.12 lakh, to pay which the beneficiaries may get bank loans. Who doesnt want to own a house? But they want us to live for two years at transit camps, which do not even have proper toilets, and are located far from the place where we have been living for the past 40 years, said puppeteer Dileep Bhat, who leads the resistance. Over 2,000 families have been shifted to a transit camp in Anand Parbat, 3 kms away. Others have been relocated to government flats in Bawana, nearly 40 kms away. The residents alleged that the DDA, which has approved rehabilitation of 3,292 families and rejected 771 claims, violated court orders by forcibly evicting them, a charge the authority refuted. As per the law, we do not need consent of beneficiaries in in-situ redevelopment projects, said J P Agarwal, principal commissioner (housing), DDA. A case of 51 slum owners is pending in the court. We want to give houses to all eligible families, but its not possible to cater to all claimants, said Agarwal. Located a kilometre away from Mundka station on Metros Green Line in west Delhi Savda Ghevra is home to 60,000 people living in 10,000 houses which were constructed on Delhi government land. (Sushil Kumar/HT PHOTO) Pushed to margins Sadhna Haldar, 45, who used to work as a masseur in Laxmi Nagar, is looking for a new job. A resident of a one-room house in Savda Ghevra projected by the Delhi government as a model of its slum rehabilitation plans Haldar left the job as she couldnt afford to spend Rs 2,000 in commuting to Laxmi Nagar, 35 kms away, where she earned Rs 8,000 a month. Travelling by bus would mean spending two hours and Rs 30 to and fro per day, she said. Now, her teenage daughter, Deepika Haldar, has started working as a maid near Peeragarhi. Just a kilometre away from Mundka station on Metros Green Line in west Delhi, Savda Ghevra is home to 60,000 people living in 10,000 houses constructed on the government land. Slum dwellers from Laxmi Nagar, Nangla Machi and Pragati Maidan were relocated here. M Rasool, 36, who works at a Chandni Chowk spectacles shop , calls it a dumping ground where livelihood remains a concern bigger than the lack of basic facilities. What would we feed our children if there are no jobs? asked Jyoshna Haldar, who left a maids job that fetched her Rs 8000 a month to join a PVC factory at Tikri border that gives her Rs 5,000 a month. The Delhi government projects Savda Ghevra as a model of its slum rehabilitation plans. (Sushil Kumar/HT PHOTO) A distant dream In 2007, Daya Ram was 22 when he planted a sapling on the divider just outside his slum at Bawana JJ colony on the capitals north-western periphery where his family shifted from Paschim Vihar. Today, the sapling has blossomed into a tree, but Ram, now a mason, is still waiting for the promised land. We have got the demand letter for a plot in M Block of the colony. But we are yet to get the land for house. It has been an unending wait, said Ram, a Class 8 pass out and father of three who gets work only three days a week. Umesh Singh, the 60-year-old leader of Bawana Sangharsh Samiti (BSS), has been, in association with NGO Hazards Centre, fighting for those who have been denied plots, and for creating facilities such as a police station and a hospital at the colony which inhabits over 50,000 people. The recent protests during Kathputli eviction, is history repeating itself, according to Dunu Roy, director of Hazards Centre, who blames the government for not coming up with a viable policy for slum rehabilitation. Even in the colonies which came up in the 1970-80s at Seemapuri and Dakshinpuri, the municipality survey then showed that 80% of the residents were not the original people who were shifted there, Roy said, opposing the concept of relocation of slum dwellers. The rising number of slums, Roy said, is not a matter of population growth or unanticipated migration or even unavailability of land. It is basically about the fact that there are no houses for people in the EWS category who form 98% of the unorganised labour, he said. Currently, slums are rehabilitated in Delhi under the land laws which deal with encroachment of public property. The central Act for slums -- Slum Areas (Improvement and Clearance) Act, 1956, which defines slums as habitations not fit for habitations and not encroachments is hardly invoked. The rehabilitation exercise in Kathputli, for example, was guided by DDAs in-situ redevelopment scheme under its master plan which derives its legality from the Delhi Development Act, 1957. Similarly, the Delhi government approves schemes proposed by Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) considering each case differently. DDA owns 80% of land under slums while DUSIB and other agencies own the rest. Over 500 families from various slums have been rehabilitated to the flats in Dwarka Sector 16-B. (HT Photo) The Sheila Dikshit-led Congress government had tried to come up with a policy for allotting the low-cost flats constructed under Rajiv Ratan Awas scheme. But it was scrapped as less than 45% of the total slum dwellers applied. The Delhi Slum and Jhuggi Jhopri Rehabilitation and Relocation Policy, 2015, passed by the Delhi government, has not been notified yet as it remains caught up in the Centre-state stand-off. We cant do much unless the policy is notified, said MK Tyagi, member (engineering), DUSIB, which is responsible allotting the vacant 26,861 flats at 12 projects in Dwarka, Sultanpuri, Baprola, Bawana, Ghoga and Bhorgarh. It has been proven worldwide, Roy said, that the poor do not want to live in flats because they cannot work there. Where will a rickshaw puller keep his vehicle or a vegetable vendor keep his cart? he asked. So, what is the solution? Why not provide better civic services to them where they live instead of making new houses. Give them plots and let them build their own house, Roy suggested. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Nov. 23 Kyleah A. Archuleta, 21, of Twin Falls, Idaho, was arrested under a warrant on Interstate 80 at mile marker 301 for failure to appear on a traffic citation. Bail $415 ------ Michael P. Ferguson, 29, of Elko was under felony arrest at Elko Vista at Lamoille Highway for failure to maintain a lane, driving under the influence above the legal limit, usage or possession of drug paraphernalia, and use or under the influence of a controlled substance. Bail $6,895 ------ Tammy L. Hallett, 30, of Elko was under felony arrest at 510 Morse Lane No. 1 for assault with a dangerous weapon, and domestic battery by strangulation. Bail $40,000 ------ Michael J. Lutes, 29, of Lewistown, Montana, was arrested at Elko Summit Drive for disturbing the peace. Bail $355 ------ Brent G. Miller, 58, of Roseville, California was arrested at the Red Lion Casino for two counts of resisting a public officer. Bail $2,280 ------ Robert L. Newman, 36, of Elko was arrested on a warrant at 1111 Idaho St. for engaging in contraband business or submitting a bid without a license. Bail $1,140 ------ Blaine L. Paige, 24, of Elko was arrested under a warrant at Smiths for eight counts of failure to appear after bail on a misdemeanor crime and resisting a public officer. Bail $1,140 ------ Malcolm Suaava, 26, of West Jordan, Utah, was under felony arrest at the Montego Bay casino for domestic battery, and unlawful acts of excretion or fluid by a prisoner in containment. Bail $23,000 ------ Passengers travelling from Delhi, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad, Meerut, Panipat and Alwar to any of these destinations will not have to change trains once the proposed high-speed rail network linking NCR cities becomes operational in about seven-eight years from now. The National Capital Region Transport Corporation Limited (NCRTC), which is implementing the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), is working on a plan to run point-to-point trains to and from these destinations. The inter-connectivity system will be different from Delhi Metro, where passengers have to change trains to reach different destinations on different lines. The NCRTC, which is executing the project, has commissioned a study to find out how many people travel between these cities and the mode of travel they use. Initially, under the RRTS, three corridors Delhi-Meerut, Delhi-Panipat and Delhi-Alwar were proposed with Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi as an interchange hub. Now the NCRTC plans to run trains in all the three directions from the points of origin. To finalise the frequency, the corporation has ordered the traffic pattern study. The Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) is conducting the study. DIMTS officials are travelling in buses, trains to speak to the commuters. The stations will be designed depending on the traffic we are expecting. The study will help us in finalising the design and the capacity of stations, said an NCRTC spokesperson. Of the three proposed routes, Delhi-Meerut is likely to be commissioned first with construction slated to begin by June 2018 and is expected to be completed by 2024. The other two corridors are awaiting DPR approval. Construction is expected to begin by the end of 2018 and likely to be completed before 2025. The estimated cost of the Delhi-Meerut line is 32,598 crore and Delhi-Panipat is around 30,000 crore. We will run the operations in such a way that a passenger will not have to come out of the train to go to any destination. Trains for every direction will run from one point. And where we are integrating with metro, the stations are being designed in a way that a passenger would not have to walk much to catch a metro train, the NCRTC official said. The design speed of the rail corridor is 180 kmph while the operational speed is 160 kmph. The average speed is 100 kmph. Train are expected to be available every 5 to 10 minutes. The trains will begin with a six-car combination. Each train can carry about 1,154 passengers. The entire corridor will be either underground or elevated. The NCRTC is a joint venture of the Centre, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. A total of eight corridors have been identified under the Integrated Transportation Plan 2032 prepared by the National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB). The other five RRTS corridors are Delhi-Baraut, Delhi-Hapur, Delhi-Khurja, Delhi-Palwal and Delhi-Rohtak. Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) consists of three prioritized corridors: Delhi - Ghaziabad - Meerut 90 km Delhi - Gurugram Rewari - BahrorSotanala- Alwar 165.4km Delhi - Sonipat - Panipat 111 km Design speed is 180 kmph while operational speed is 160 kmph and average speed is 100 kmph. Frequency will be 5-10 minutes. The total project is planned to be completed in about 6 years time after approval of the DPR. Each train could carry 1,154 passengers. The three sections will meet at Sarai Kale Khan SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The attack at the Al Rawda mosque, in Bir al-Abed, 200 km from Cairo, Egypt, last week, in which at least 305 people died and more than 190 were injured, reminds us of the danger terror poses to West Asia and North Africa region. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack; but, given that the target was the minority Sufi Muslim community, it is suspected to be Islamic State (IS). IS has lost the majority of the territory it held in Iraq and Syria, but its premature to write off the terror group, which called itself the Caliphate. It is in this context that the Islamic Military Alliance (IMA), headed by Saudi Arabia, gains importance. Conceived in 2015 by Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud, who is also the kingdoms defence minister, the IMA had its first high-level meeting in Riyadh on Sunday. The prince vowed to pursue terrorists until they are wiped from the face of the earth, and said that the lack of coordination among nations ends today, with this alliance. Unlike the United States or Nato, which are perceived as foreign forces, an anti-terror coalition comprising and headed by nations in the region is bound to be more acceptable. Fighting terror is a costly affair, and Riyadh taking the lead should instil confidence in other members. Most importantly, the IMA has many nations from north, west and central Africa all hotbeds for terror groups. The IMA has its merits, but its structural flaws could debilitate the alliance. That it is a predominantly a club of Sunni-states puts a question mark over its intent and definition of terror and terrorists. How does Saudi Arabia plan to contain terrorism in the region without including Iran, Iraq and Syria? Nations across the divide joined hands to tackle the IS menace in Iraq and Syria. A similar, non-partisan approach is what is required now. Tehran, on its part, must stop its support to militant groups like Hezbollah. The region is of great interest to India and peace achieved through any alliance is welcome news. However, it is cold comfort for New Delhi that the commander-in-chief of the IMA is former Pakistani army chief Raheel Sharif. The duplicity of Pakistan being a part of this coalition cannot be missed when highlighting IMAs demerits. The Riyadh-led alliance is a necessity, but if it shortcomings are not addressed, it would become yet another attempt to form an anti-Shia, anti-Iran axis a move that has contributed considerably to escalating tension in West Asia. If Saudi Arabia is serious about tackling terror, it should turn the focus within (something it has partially done), and be more inclusive. Harvey Weinstein is being accused of violating sex trafficking laws as an aspiring actor has launched a lawsuit against him. Kadian Noble alleges that the disgraced producer invited her to his hotel room during the Cannes film festival in 2004 claiming that he wanted to cast her in an upcoming movie. She claims that he then proceeded to grope her before trapping her in the bathroom and forcing her to perform sexual acts. Nobles suit alleges that during the encounter, he told her that everything will be taken care of for you if you relax. Its aimed not only at Harvey Weinstein but also his brother Bob and their company The Weinstein Company, citing reckless disregard on their parts. The suit details the involvement of an unnamed producer at the company who spoke to Noble on the phone, instructing her to be a good girl and do whatever he wished. In response, Weinsteins spokesperson has denied the claims. Mr Weinstein denies allegations of non-consensual sex, his representative said. Mr Weinstein has further confirmed that there were never any acts of retaliation against any women for refusing his advances. The suit arrives in the same day as a civil claim in the UK from an anonymous woman who alleges that she was also sexually assaulted by Weinstein. Both cases arrive after dozens of other women around the world have revealed similar stories about their experiences with Weinstein, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie and Rose McGowan. Its believed that authorities in different cities are collaborating to try and build a legal case against the producer. LAPD detectives have been interviewing witnesses in preparation for a case to present to the district attorney; the NYPD has been investigating two rape complaints; and in London, three other cases are being handled. Follow @htshowbiz for more As Indonesia raised Bali volcano alert to the highest level, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday said she was monitoring the situation closely and that the Indian Mission there would provide assistance to Indians requiring help. The Indian Consulate in Bali has opened a help desk at the city airport to provide any assistance to the Indians stuck there. Indians in Bali - Pls do not worry. Pradeep Rawat Indian Ambassador in Jakarta @IndianEmbJkt and Sunil Babu Consul General @cgibali are on the job and I am monitoring this personally(sic), she said on Twitter. Indians in Bali - Pls do not worry. Pradeep Rawat Indian Ambassador in Jakarta @IndianEmbJkt and Sunil Babu Consul General @cgibali are on the job and I am monitoring this personally. Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) November 27, 2017 Massive columns of thick grey smoke that have been belching from Mount Agung since last week have now begun shooting more than three kilometres (two miles) into the sky, forcing flights to be grounded. The airport in Balis capital Denpasar, a top holiday destination that attracts millions of foreign tourists every year, has been closed, a move expected to affect tens of thousands of passengers. Bihar became the fifth state to ban Bollywood movie Padmavati with chief minister Nitish Kumar saying on Tuesday the producers must clarify the alleged distortion of history in the film, which has triggered widespread protests. The Sanjay Leela Bhansali film, starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor, has been embroiled in controversy since its shooting began in January, with fringe outfits alleging it tampers with historical facts. The film would not be released in the state without amicable solution among all parties involved, Kumar told reporters. The film, based on an epic poem, explores the relationship of a Rajput queen and Muslim ruler Alauddin Khilji. The movie was due to open on December 1 but its producers postponed the release. The Rajput Karni Sena as well as the BJP have criticised the film, accusing Bhansali of distorting history by showing the Muslim aggressor as the Hindu queens lover. Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh, all ruled by the BJP, banned it outright. Bihar too had been witnessing protests with members of the Kshatriya Samaj burning effigies of the filmmaker and demanding a ban on the movie. Minutes before the assembly session began on Tuesday, BJP legislator Neeraj Kumar Singh met the chief minister and submitted a memorandum that highlighted how the film hurts Hindu sentiments. Kumars announcement comes on a day the Supreme Court took strong exception to statements made by people holding high offices against the film. Dismissing a petition seeking an order to restrain the films producers from releasing the movie abroad, a bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra said remarks against the film were equivalent of prejudging the movie, which has yet to get the censor boards clearance. Other than leaders of Bihars ruling JD(U)-BJP alliance, rivals such as Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad had backed the protests. Prasad, however, retract his statement later. The RJD chiefs son, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, during his tenure as deputy chief minister, had invited Bhansali to shoot Padmavati when his team was attacked in Rajasthan by members of the Rajput Karni Sena this January. A Border Security Force (BSF) soldier shot dead his colleague during a scuffle inside a camp in Jammu and Kashmirs Bandipora district late on Monday night, police said on Tuesday. A senior district police officer confirmed the news and said that the police are investigating the incident at Madar area, which appears to be a case of fratricidal killing. A spokesperson of the BSF told the Hindustan Times said that head constable Chandrabhan of Haryana was killed in the incident. Police is investigating the matter and the alleged suspect, a jawan, has been handed over. Further details will be clear after investigation, the spokesperson said. Suicides and fratricides among security forces personnel posted in Kashmir are not uncommon. An Indian Army soldier posted in north Kashmirs Uri sector pumped five bullets into a major, killing him on the spot after he was reprimanded by him over cell-phone usage at the sensitive post in July this year. Incidents of fratricide have, however, reduced in the army over the last decade as the force has taken a raft of measures to address the issue. The steps taken by the government to prevent fratricide include professional psychological counselling, workshops on mental health, meditation being made part of the unit routine, yoga classes, improvement in living conditions and liberalised leave policy. Apart from fratricide, more than 100 cases of suicide are reported every year in the armed forces. Fishermen and marine officials raced against time in Tamil Nadus Tuticorin Monday night to push back as many as 40 dolphins into the sea after they washed ashore and got stranded on the beach. Despite their best efforts, four of the dolphins died. Local fishermen who spotted the dolphins immediately alerted district officials. A joint rescue team of the Central Marine Fish Research Institute (CMFRI) and forest department worked throughout the night to save them. Although all the dolphins were pushed back into the sea, four carcasses washed ashore later and local people fear more dolphins could die. Most of the stranded (dolphins) were between two and three metres long weighing 75 to 130 kg. Of the dead three are females and one is male. Post-mortem report says two of them were suffering from slight lung infection, said Dr Manoj Kumar, CMFRI scientist based at Tuticorin centre. However, he said the reasons for the strange phenomenon can be gauged only after detailed investigations. We are keeping a strict vigil along the shore with forest officials. Since dolphins come under the protected group of animals their upkeep and protection come primarily under the forest department, said Dr L Ranjith, another scientist at the CMFRI. This is not the first time Tuticorin district has been witnessing mass marine deaths. Last year, 83 dolphins were washed ashore and more than half of them later perished. In 1974, 70 pilot whales were washed ashore and many died later. The spotted dolphins are deep sea species and their usual habitat is a depth of 50 m and more. But of late these seas mammals are often getting stranded near shores, said Kumar. A detailed study is needed to understand changes in their habitat, he added. For us, it is a sad news. Dolphins are gentle animals. Often we gauge the presence of large school of fish by observing their behaviour, said a fisherman who skipped his day duty to keep vigil on the beach near the fishing hamlet in Punnanikayal. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Some of the IT firms located at Madhapur here have asked their employees to work from home on Tuesday and for the next two days keeping in view restrictions put in place for the global summit being attended by US President Donald Trumps daughter and advisor Ivanka Trump. The Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES), being attended by over 1,500 delegates, will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday evening. As part of security arrangements for the high-profile event, restrictions have been put in place with regard to movement of people and vehicular traffic in and around the venue, the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC), at Madhapur, which is an IT hub. We were asked to work from home if we are unable to come to office today and tomorrow, an employee working for a multinational consulting and auditing firm told PTI. The entire city is under a thick security blanket in view of the visit of Ivanka Trump and a number of VVIPs for the three-day summit, being held in India for the first time. Trump along with a business delegation from her country landed at the Shamshabad airport in the wee hours today. A senior police official said as many as 10,000 security personnel have been deployed to keep vigil for the next three days. When contacted, Ranga Pothula, president of the Hyderabad Software Exporters Association (Hysea) said some of the companies in Madhapur have issued advisories to their employees allowing them to work from home. There are heavy VIP movements involving security issues. There are traffic restrictions around some of the places. So some of the firms have issued advisories to their employees asking them work from home if they feel that they cannot come to office, Pothula said. A senior police official said there would be traffic restrictions around Falaknuma Palace Hotel in old city area where the prime minister and Ivanka Trump along with top industrialists and dignitaries are expected to visit for dinner Tuesday night. Affordable housing projects of the government should be given the top priority while disposing of land assets of loss making Central Public Sector Enterprises, a committee headed by cabinet secretary PK Sinha has said. The committee has also suggested that such land that will be utilized for building affordable houses should be disposed of at a reserve price, which is fixed based on the circle rate of the area. The reserve price will be fixed by the land management agency appointed by the government. The recommendation, if accepted by the Union cabinet, will give further leg-up to the sector, which got a fillip recently after the Centre increased the carpet area of houses for the middle income group eligible for interest subsidy under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). Government sources said a committee of secretaries (CoS) headed by cabinet secretary PK Sinha gave these suggestions at a meeting on October 20. The CoS was reviewing the earlier guidelines of the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) related to disposal of land belonging to sick CPSEs. In the 2015 guidelines, affordable housing projects were put at the bottom of the priority list. The top priority, while disposing of such land was given to central/state government departments and PSUs Earlier, a sub-committee headed by DPE secretary Seema Bahuguna had recommended that the first priority while disposing of such land should be given to all government flagship programs including affordable housing. But the CoS has recommended that instead of all flagship program, the first priority should be given to affordable housing projects under the governments Housing for All program, a senior government official who us privy to the developments told HT. As per the 2015-16 Public Enterprises Survey, of the 320 CPSEs 78 are loss making. Official estimates put the land available with such CPSEs upward of 200 sq. km. NITI Aayog, the federal think tank has already recommended closure of 26 such entities. The cabinet secretary led panel has said that after utilizing land to construct affordable housing, the next priority should be given to other central and state government departments, followed by private parties. It has recommended appointing National Building Construction Corporation as the land management agency for the exercise. Vidyadhar Pathak, former chief country and town planner, Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority said that considering the fact that land is the most critical component in any affordable housing program, the proposed move is in the right direction. But at the same time, the government will have to do a delicate balancing act, he cautioned. If the idea is to dispose of land assets of sick CPSEs, then they will be looking for commercial price rather than pre-determined price decided by the government. How do you reconcile the two? Also, many of the CPSEs are located in the outskirts. Unless you address job and transportation issues of the targeted beneficiaries, no one will go there, said Pathak. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Recommending strict action against the guilty officials, the Haryana Lokayukta has observed that the state police dont carry out fair investigation into complaints and asked the BJP government to provide transparent and corruption-free administration to the public. This comes in the wake of the Manohar Lal Khattar-led BJP governments claims of having eradicated corruption during its three-year rule. The Lokayukta has advised the government to put in place a long-term plan to eradicate corruption. Last week, the state government had issued instructions (a copy of the letter is with HT) about the Lokayuktas recommendations and the need of a prompt action. The Haryana Lokayukta Act, 2002, gives right to the common man to file complaint against any public servant. But to ensure that no public servant is maligned or dragged into a false case, the Act also has a provision of punishment in case of false complaints. The receipt of reference/observation from the Lokayukta should always be acknowledged. If due to administrative or any other reason, it is not possible to take actionthen the Lokayukta may be informed well in time, reads the governments communique, asking officers to take necessary action on the points raised by the Lokayukta. The competent authority has to examine Lokayuktas reports and intimate within three months about the action taken. The Lokayukta has observed that the departments were not sending the action taken reports in most of the complaints despite the chief secretary issuing instructions in February 2016 also. It is again requested that this schedule may be adhered to meticulously, chief secretary DS Dhesi has directed all the administrative secretaries. Question mark on police inquiries The most hard-hitting observation of the Lokayukta, as per governments dispatch, is about the police department where fair inquiries are not being made at the police station level. Lokayukta, Justice Nawal Kishore Agarwal (Retd), has pointed out that strict action against cops involved in such lapses will go a long way in improving police image. In order to achieve transparency in the administration, the public servants found guilty of corruption or maladministration should be awarded strictest possible punishment under the law, the Lokayukta has said. For this purpose, Justice Agarwal has recommended, it is necessary that the government agencies change their mind set by adopting zero tolerance to corruption and inefficiency. While recommending transparent and corruption free administration, the Lokayukta has underlined a long term plan to eradicate corruption from the administration and public life. And to achieve this, the Lokayukta has proposed drastic changes in the school education system by inculcating high moral value based syllabus with emphasis on character building. Casual approach and missing records The government has stated that during different investigations the Lokayukta specifically observed that when a complaint is forwarded to the head of the department, for inquiry or reply in 45 days, no action is taken in spite of serious allegations and grievances in the complaint and that such complaints are taken in routine and very casual manner by the officers. In most of the Panchayat Departments cases, panchayat records being kept in the custody of the sarpanches were missing. The public servants under the urban Local Bodies didnt cooperate with the Lokayukta in number of cases. It has been suggested that a very stern action should be taken against the delinquent public servants so that it serves as a deterrent, reads the communique. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON RENO (AP) More than 500 black bears have returned to parts of their historic range in the Great Basin of Nevada where the species disappeared about 80 years ago, scientists say. A new study says genetic testing confirms the bears are making their way east from the Sierra ranges north and south of Lake Tahoe along the California line. In some cases, recent generations have moved hundreds of miles to sites near the Utah line, marking a rare example of large mammals recolonizing areas where theyd been wiped out. The recovery of large carnivores is relatively rare globally, said Jon Beckmann, a conservation scientist for the Wildlife Conservation Society in Bozeman, Montana, who co-authored the new study. It concludes that bear populations originating in western Nevada mountain ranges have the genetic diversity necessary to sustain the new subpopulations. The findings are the result of a partnership between wildlife management and geneticists based on bear hair and blood samples taken over 20 years, said Jason Malaney, an environmental scientist at the University of Nevada, Reno, who led the study. He wrote that the study represents one of the few empirical examples of genetic consequences of natural recolonization in large-bodied mammals. Carl Lackey, a Nevada state biologist, and Marjorie Matocq, a UNR scientist, co-authored the study. The data provides ammunition for advocates of increased protection of wildlife corridors for a number of species in the basin a vast stretch of desert and mountain ranges that covers most of Nevada, half of Utah and parts of Idaho, Wyoming, Oregon and California. The study says the results are timely and relevant because of projected climate change and the effects of human population growth. As the human footprint expands over time in the region, this level of genetic connection among various mountain ranges may not last without conservation efforts to maintain connectivity, it says. Black bears were prevalent across most of Nevada during the 1800s but had been devastated in the Great Basin by the early 1900s, primarily due to unregulated hunting, conflicts with livestock ranchers, logging and overgrazing. Over time, bears have benefited from a reduction in logging, combined with improved land management practices and an emphasis on conservation, the study said. While barriers such as highways often reduce gene flow in other large-bodied mammals, black bears in the western Great Basin appear to occasionally traverse these obstacles, the report said. Beckmann said the bears have moved into central Nevada around Tonopah and Austin. Were starting to see them clear over in places like Ely near U.S. Highway 50 about 40 miles from the Utah line, he added. Future steps to help the bears could include construction of wildlife-crossing structures at highways. Theyre expensive, but within a decade or two they pay for themselves in terms of both wildlife connectivity and public safety, Beckmann said. A series of tunnels and bridges have been built in eastern Nevada on U.S. Highway 93 north of Wells, and theres a large passage over Interstate 80 west of Wendover, Utah. Wyoming has them and one is planned in southeast Idaho. Grizzly bears use them at Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies. It may take several years but once they are comfortable with them, theyre used regularly, said Beckmann, who has authored a book on the topic. A Himachal Pradesh police special investigation team (SIT) cooked up evidence to falsely implicate a Nepalese man and four others in the rape and murder of a 16-year-old girl at Kotkhai in July, according to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The central probe agency has also accused the SIT, headed by inspector general of police (IG) Zahur Zaidi, of a cover-up following the death of the Nepalese national, Suraj Singh, in police custody on July 18. The accusations against the SIT are a part of the CBIs chargesheet filed before Shimla district court on November 25. After the formation of the SIT, inspector general (IG) Zahur Zaidi, the then Shimla superintendent of police (SP) DW Negi, Theog deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Manoj Joshi and other accused police officers entered into a criminal conspiracy to falsely implicate Suraj Singh and others in the Kotkhai rape and murder case, reads the CBIs chargesheet. The CBI has so far arrested nine police officers, including Zaidi, Negi and Joshi, in the case. According to the chargesheet, the SIT arrested Singh and four others on July 13 a week after the girls body was found even though there was no evidence against them. The CBI also noted that Singh was tortured to extract a confession, and another man was forced at gunpoint to admit to his involvement in the crime. After taking over probe following a Himachal Pradesh high court order, the CBI re-examined Singhs body in the presence of experts from All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, on July 25. The report revealed Singhs injuries were sustained in time intervals ranging from about two days to two hours prior to his death. The injuries produced on Surajs body were sustained by a blunt hard cylindrical object such as lathi. The medical board also rules out the possibility of sustaining injury in a scuffle with another individual, states the chargesheet. On alleged destruction of evidence related to Singhs death, the chargesheet states the SIT made false entries in the police records and also submitted false and fabricated reports to the state police chief that another man, Rajinder, they had arrested in the case killed Suraj in the lock up at Kotkhai police station. The four others arrested in the case are out on bail. Widespread protests rocked the hill state after the rape and murder of the Class 10 student, whom the state media and locals gave the name Gudiya. After Singhs death, locals set fire to Kotkhai police station and accused the police of protecting the actual culprits who raped and killed the teenager. The girl did not return from school on July 4. Her naked body was found two days later in the woods at Halaila in Kotkhai, around 60 km from state capital Shimla. The girls death became a big talking point in the run-up to the November 9 elections in the state. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Prime Minister Narendra Modi has proved that transformational change is possible in rising from a humble tea seller to heading the country, Ivanka Trump, daughter of and advisor to US President Donald Trump, said on Tuesday. What you are achieving here is truly extraordinary. From...selling tea to your election as Indias Prime Minister, youve proven that transformational change is possible, the 36-year-old said at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit, which was conceived by former US president Barack Obama. And thank you, Prime Minister Modi, for joining us here today -- and for all that you are doing to build India as a thriving economy -- a beacon of democracy -- and a symbol of hope to the world, she said. She applauded Modi for his firm belief that the progress of humanity is incomplete without the empowerment of women and went on to congratulate Indians on celebrating 70 years of Independence. You are celebrating it as the worlds largest democracy and one of the fastest growing economies on the earth, she said. In his speech, Modi highlighted the summits stress on women entrepreneurs. What makes this edition of GES stand out is women first, prosperity for all... We believe womens empowerment is vital to our development, Modi said. Addressing the business summit, Trump also said through your own enterprise, entrepreneurship and hard work, the people of India have lifted more than 130 million citizens out of poverty -- a remarkable improvement. Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram, however, said her statement was a reference to the previous UPA governments tenure. Trump, who is also a fashion designer and a businesswoman, met PM Modi earlier in the day on the sidelines of the summit that is being jointly hosted by India and the United States. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) released a picture of the two warmly shaking hands but did not immediately give details of what transpired at the meeting. Thank you for the warm welcome, she tweeted. Im excited to be in Hyderabad, India for #GES2017. Trump was invited by Modi during his visit to the White House in June to speak at the summit. She is leading the US contingent at the summit, which has Women First, Prosperity for All as its theme. As political and economic ties expand, India has become a major market for the United States, with two-way trade of about $115 billion last year. Military and strategic ties are also improving as Chinas influence rises in Asia and beyond. Modi hosted a dinner for her later in the evening. Hadiya Jehan is back in college. The 24-year-old Hindu woman who converted to marry a Muslim youth reached Sivaraj Homeopathy Medical College in Tamil Nadus Salem on Tuesday night amid tight security. This was possible after the Supreme Court asked Hadiya on Monday to return to her college, freeing her from the custody of her parents in Kerala. A crowd of students and teachers waited to greet her late in the evening. The college security was beefed up in accordance with the top courts order that directed Tamil Nadu to ensure her safety. A group of people gathered at the gates and shouted slogans when she reached the girls hostel, but police dispersed them quickly. Teachers and staff remember the shy and introvert Akhila Ashokan who joined their college for a bachelors degree in homeopathy in 2011. She completed her four-and-a-half-year course, but couldnt complete the 11-month house surgeon internship mandatory for the degree. They said they have little knowledge about her journey from Akhila to Hadiya. She left the college in 2015 citing personal problems. We have no issues in welcoming her back. We are in touch with the district administration and police authorities to ensure foolproof security to her, said Kalpana Sivaraj, the managing director of the college. College dean G Kannan, who was appointed her local guardian by the top court, said her stay and other arrangements will be sorted out after consulting her and civic officials. I will ensure she completes the course without a hitch, he said. According to Kannan, she will be registered as Akhila Ashokan in the college and no special treatment will be accorded to her in the hostel, news agency PTI reported. Hadiyas conversion and wedding had triggered widespread controversy and put the spotlight back on love jihad, a controversial term coined by fringe outfits to describe cases of what they believe are forced marriages between Muslim men and Hindu women. Retired military man Ashokan KM, her father, alleged there was a well-oiled systematic mechanism for conversion and Islamic radicalisation. Hadiya was allegedly recruited by the Islamic State terrorist group and her husband, who she married last December, was only a stooge. On the fathers plea, the Kerala high court annulled her marriage with 27-year-old Shafin Jehan and sent her to her parents in Thiruvananthapuram. The husband challenged the order in the top court. The Supreme Court sought to hear from Hadiya her views and she went there for a hearing on Monday. I want freedom I want to complete my studies and live my life according to my faith and as a good citizen, she told a bench led by the Chief Justice of India, Dipak Misra. The court didnt say anything on her husband plea against the high court order annulling their marriage. The case will be heard in the third week of January. Shafin, who returned to Kozhikode in the morning, said it was a big victory for him and the court did not give any order preventing him from meeting his wife. I dont think there is any problem in meeting her at the college. Throughout her trip to New Delhi she insisted on meeting me. I hope our separation will end gradually, he said. Before leaving for the national capital, Hadiya wished to meet her husband. The college authorities are not keen on this subject. We will go by the police advice. It is our responsibility to maintain her security, the dean said. Hadiyas father insisted that the top court did not stay the Kerala high court verdict annulling their marriage and Shafin has no right to trouble her. If he continues to harass my daughter, I will move the court again to restrain him, he said in New Delhi before returning to Kerala. He said he was not worried over the security of his daughter as she is under the observation of the countrys highest court. Speaking of Shafin, the father said: I cannot have a terrorist in the family. Her mother, Ponnamma, reiterated her allegation that two of her classmates indoctrinated and converted her with the help of fundamentalist groups. We were cheated. What makes us sadder is that she was forced to marry a man with extremist links, she said. According to Kerala police, security for Hadiyas parents would continue as they face threats from fundamentalists. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Security agencies arrested on Tuesday an alleged Lashkar-e-Taiba operative and claimed that he was carrying out reconnaissance of vital installations such as army camps and power projects, officials said. They said that the accused, identified as Abdul Naeem Sheikh, a resident of Aurangabad in Maharashtra, was arrested from Lucknow. Sheikh was wanted in connection with a terror case since 2014 and had been on the run. The case has been handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for further probe, the officials said. It is alleged that Sheikh had visited Kashmir where he had carried out a recce mission involving some vital installations, including Army camps and power projects. The officials claimed that he had also visited some places in Himachal Pradesh, especially Kasol, which is being frequented by Israeli nationals. The security agencies have claimed that Sheikh had been roped in for recce mission similar to that undertaken by David Headley, a Pakistan-American, who is at present serving a prison sentence of 35 years at a US jail for his involvement in terror activities and the 26/11 Mumbai attacks of 2008. Read this news in brief form. Click here A painting by West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee will now share a gallery with the works of celebrated artists like Maqbool Fida Husain, Jamini Roy and Tilottama Basu among others in the Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday said that the art work gifted by Banerjee will now find a suitable place at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Banerjee gifted the President her painting at the latters civic reception programme hosted by West Bengal government at Kolkata after Kovind arrived on his maiden visit to the city after becoming the head of state. Chief minister gifted me a painting of her own today. I was really amazed to see her painting. This painting will surely be displayed at Rashtrapati Bhavan. At the same time, the painting will always remain close to my heart, he said. Banerjees paintings have been subjected to derision with political rivals like the CPI (M) and the Congress claiming that most of her paintings were bought at exorbitant prices by Sudipto Sen, the jailed head of the now defunct Saradha Group which collapsed after a Ponzi scheme went bust. On the other hand, she has received accolades from renowned painters like Jogen Chowdhury and Subhaprasanna Bhattacharjee, especially for her bold use of colours in her paintings. At the Presidents reception on Tuesday, the chief minister was all praise for Kovind. I had liked him when I met him for the first time after he was elected as President. He had always maintained an extremely low profile, be it as a Rajya Sabha member or the Governor of Bihar, Banerjee said. However, her speech on the occasion also had a subtle appeal that President should always be above politics. The post of President is immensely respectable since he is always above any politics. He is like a guardian, philosopher and guide for all, chief minister said. The President, in turn, praised Bengals rich cultural heritage and intellectual acumen of the people, but he also had a word of caution about the radical forces in the state. There is a need to be careful and guard against sources of radicalism, Kovind said. The BJP which has been trying hard to get a foothold in West Bengal has often accused Banerjee of going soft on Islamic radicals, a charge she denies. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Congress leader P Chidambaram on Tuesday hit out at the Prime Minister and said the elections were not about Mr Modi, the individual but the promised achhe din that had not arrived even after 42 months. In a series of posts on Twitter, the former finance minister also asked if Modi had forgotten he was prime minister. Mr Modis campaign is about himself, his past and the alleged disdain of Gujarat and Gujaratis. Has he forgotten he is Prime Minister of India? The Gujarat election is not about Mr Modi, the individual. It is about the promised achhe din that has not come in 42 months, he tweeted. Chidambaram said the prime minister does not talk about issues like joblessness, lack of investment, collapse of SMEs, stagnant exports and price rise because he has no answers to the hard reality. According to him, Modi had forgotten that Mahatma Gandhi was an Indian and the son of Gujarat. Gandhiji was, and is, revered as Father of the Nation; and Gandhijis chosen instrument to lead the freedom struggle was the Congress party, Chidambaram asserted. The prime minister and the BJP, he added, may now desperately embrace Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, but the redoubtable Sardar had rejected the BJPs parent RSS and its divisive ideology. Launching a fierce attack against the Congress, Modi said in Gujarat on Monday that the opposition party was disconnected from the aspirations of people of India and involved only in misleading people and creating an atmosphere of pessimism. Pitching the elections as a contest between trust on development and dynastic politics, he said Congress had never liked Gujarat and liked to see it lag behind others. Gujarat is my Atma, Bharat is my Parmatma. This land of Gujarat has cared for me, Gujarat has given me strength, he said. The Prime Minister addressed four rallies in the state on Monday, which goes to the polls on December 9 and 14. Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founder and Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed has moved the United Nations asking that he be removed from the list of designated terrorists, senior Indian government officials said. Saeed, the mastermind of the Mumbai attacks, was put in the list on December 10, 2008 by the United Nations Security Council. The three-day long terror strike at multiple targets in the city between November 26 and 28, 2008 claimed 166 lives. Saeeds petition to the UN was filed through the Lahore-based law firm that represents him, Mirza and Mirza, while he was still under house arrest. Navid Rasul Mirza, who has served as the Prosecutor General for Pakistan in the National Accountability Bureau and as the Advocate General of Punjab from March 2015 to January 2016, confirmed that his firm had filed for Saeeds de-listing. Read more: Global terrorist, but a free man in Pakistan: 5 things to know about Hafiz Saeed His son, Barrister Haider Rasul Mirza, who is Saeeds counsel in the UN, also confirmed the move. I cannot give details of the petition. I dont have the permission of my client to speak on this, he told Hindustan Times over the phone from Lahore. Hindustan Times has seen operative parts of the petition, which says: I have been engaged by Hafiz Muhammad Saeed (the petitioner), to submit on his behalf this de-listing request for the removal of his name from the ISIL (Daesh) and Al-Qaida sanctions list being maintained by the United Nations Security Councils ISIL (Daesh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee, pursuant to the United Nations Security Council Resolutions... The UNSC website states Saeed was proscribed for being associated with Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (QDe.118) and Al Qaida (QDe.004) for participating in the financing, planning, facilitating, preparing or perpetrating of acts of activities by, in conjunction with, under the name of, on behalf or in support of both entities. The LeT had been banned by the UN in May 2005. The United States also designates Saeed as a terrorist and has put a $10 million bounty on his head. The firm representing Saeed has numerous Punjab (Pakistan) government departments as its clients. The Mirzas did not reveal what response they have received from the UN but delisting applications can take up to six months to adjudicate. Saeed, under house arrest since January 2017, was released last week, sparking outrage in India. Reacting to his release, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had told reporters, It appears to be an attempt by the Pakistani system to mainstream proscribed terrorists. Pakistan has not changed its policy of shielding and supporting non-state actors and its true face is visible for all to see... India, as indeed the entire international community, is outraged that a self-confessed and UN-proscribed terrorist is being allowed to walk free and continue his evil agenda. Soon after his release from house arrest, Saeed vowed to continue his fight to liberate Kashmir. Saeeds attempt to get himself de-listed by the UN is likely to further outrage India, which has been demanding that he be brought to justice for the Mumbai attacks. India has shared several dossiers with Pakistan detailing his role in the audacious attack. Ajmal Kasab, the only terrorist who was captured alive, had also given details of Saeeds role. Reacting to Saeeds release last week, the US on Saturday warned Pakistan of repercussions for bilateral relations if he was not immediately re-arrested and charged. We are watching Pakistans moves. The petition to the UN is yet another attempt by the deep state (army and ISI) to mainstream a terrorist, said an Indian government official, who asked not to be named. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Supreme Court dismissed on Tuesday a petition seeking a stay on the UK release of Bollywood period drama, Padmavati, and also asked political leaders to stop pre-judging the film which has angered right-wing Hindu groups for allegedly distorting history. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India, Dipak Misra, said statements made by persons holding power or high office about the movie is tantamount to pre-judging it before it is cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). When the matter is pending for CBFCs consideration, how can persons holding public offices comment on whether CBFC should issue (a) certificate or not? Itll prejudice the decision-making of CBFC, the bench said while dismissing the PIL filed by ML Sharma, who had in the past too filed a similar petition against Padmavati. We are sure they (the leaders) will be guided by the basic premise under the rule of law and not venture outside, the bench added. Senior advocate Harish Salve, appearing for the movie director and producer, said the film would not be released aboard until it receives a CBFC certificate. There is no intention to do so as of now, he said, telling the court that it would harm the movies business interest if it is screened abroad first. The CJI also refrained from imposing a fine on Sharma but said his PIL was an abuse of the process of law. Central government law officers, additional solicitor generals Maninder Singh and P Narasimha, appeared for the government. Padmavati is battling mounting protests by the Rajput community, which claims a distortion of history in the depiction of legendary queen Padmini, who is said to have killed herself to avoid being captured by Muslim emperor Alauddin Khilji. Padmini is believed to have committed jauhar the medieval Rajput practice in which female royals walked into funeral fires to embrace death over the dishonour of being taken captive. Earlier this month, the head of the Rajput Karni Sena in Rajasthan said Padukone should have her nose cut -- a symbol of public humiliation -- for being part of a film that allegedly insults the famed queen. Amid mounting pressure, the films makers deferred its release and announced that new release date will be decided only after the CBFC clears it. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hoped for early resumption of dialogue between the Palestinian and Israeli sides to move towards finding a comprehensive negotiated resolution as he reaffirmed Indias steadfast support for the Palestinian cause. In a message on the occasion of the UN International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, he also said that India hopes for early realisation of a sovereign, independent, united and viable Palestine co-existing peacefully with Israel. India hopes for early resumption of dialogue between the Palestinian and Israeli sides to move towards finding a comprehensive negotiated resolution, Modi said. India believes in a two-state solution in which both Israel and a future Palestinian state coexist peacefully. The two-state solution envisions independent Israeli and Palestinian states coexisting side by side peacefully. The Palestinians see east Jerusalem as their future capital. Every year after 1979, November 29 is celebrated as International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. A special meeting is held at the UN headquarters here. India is an active development partner of Palestine, engaged in extending technical and financial assistance to improve the lives of the Palestinian people, he said. We will continue to support the development and nation building efforts of Palestine. To this effect, India has increased training slots for Palestine under our flagship Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme from 1O0 to 150 annual slots, Modi said. Separately, educational scholarships have also been doubled in order to contribute to human resource development of Palestine, he added. CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) A candidate to lead an agency that oversees public lands totaling one-eighth of the U.S. says environmentalists mischaracterize her as an advocate of signing those landscapes over to state and local governments and private interests when in fact shes got no opinion on the issue. Cheyenne attorney Karen Budd-Falen and others drew dozens of protesters when she addressed a recent land-use forum in western Montana. The protesters spoke out against the small but growing movement in the West to wrest control of public lands from federal agencies. A land-transfer advocate invited Budd-Falen to the Ravalli County event Nov. 18 but her legal work has nothing to do with the topic, Budd-Falen said. Its not an issue that I was dealing with. But people just assumed that, Budd-Falen told The Associated Press in an interview Monday. Budd-Falen apparently is or has been among those under consideration to direct the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the Interior Department agency that oversees some 386,000 square miles of mostly arid land concentrated in a dozen Western states. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke interviewed her for the job in March, she said. Interior spokeswoman Heather Swift declined to say whether Budd-Falen was still a candidate or when somebody might be nominated for the director job, which has been vacant since January. Still, many environmentalists have been calling Budd-Falen too extreme. Her legal advocacy has laid the groundwork for those who now want the federal government to relinquish public land, said Greg Zimmerman, deputy director of the Denver-based environmental group Center for Western Priorities. She may say she has no opinion on it but her career has been spent propping up that ideology, Zimmerman said Tuesday. Budd-Falen and her husband, Frank Falen, have a firm with four other attorneys in a house in downtown Cheyenne. The practice focuses largely on ranchers and property rights anything from easements to oil and gas leases and how to comply with government regulations. I do a lot of just simply regulation-explaining to private industries. There are tons of regulations out there. They are hard to comply with. And its not that a lot of my clients dont want to comply. Its how do you fill out this massive amount of paperwork to put in a water tank? Not water tanks but Budd-Falens work helping local officials write land-use plans have made her a lightning-rod candidate to lead the BLM. The plans spell out local priorities for the BLM, U.S. Forest Service and other government agencies to keep in mind in counties where federal land covers a lot of ground perhaps half or more of the total land area. Today, she said, too many government officials have a say in small-scale decisions affecting federal grazing allotments theyve never seen in person. Former senior Indian Police Service officer HN Sathyanarayana Rao has filed a Rs 20-crore defamation case against Karnatakas ex-deputy inspector general of prisons Roopa D Moudgil, who alleged that AIADMK leader VK Sasikala received preferential treatment in Bengaluru Central Prison by paying a bribe. Ex-director general of police (prisons) Rao, who moved the civil court in Bengaluru on Monday, has also included an English newspaper and a regional language news channel in his suit against the allegations made against him by Moudgil. PN Jayadeva, counsel for Rao, told the Hindustan Times that the judge posted the matter on December 12 and issued a notice to Moudgil. Jayadeva said the case against Moudgil was brought in pursuance of a legal notice issued to her in July. Rao, who retired in August, has denied all allegations and sought a public apology from Moudgil. Moudgil had said in a controversial report that she heard allegations that Sasikala paid a bribe of Rs 2 crore to senior prison officials, including Rao, for getting privileged treatment, which, among other things, included a private kitchen. She was subsequently transferred as the inspector general of police and commissioner for traffic and road safety in Bengaluru. Moudgil said she was not aware of the case and would wait for the courts notice. The question of corruption that my report had highlighted has still not been addressed, she said. Moudgil, however, said that the terms of reference of the probe did not include the allegation of corruption. I was not asked about the corruption angle and neither were Sasikalas aides questioned, she said. As that has not been ruled out there is no question of an apology, she said. A probe headed by retired Indian Administrative Service officer Vinay Kumar was ordered by the chief minister in July. Kumar refused to divulge the details of his report, saying he had submitted it a couple of months ago and it was being examined by the home department. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON An Arunachal Pradesh MP has sounded the alarm after Siang the river that rises in Tibet as Yarlung Tsangpo and meets two others in Assam to flow as the Brahmaputra turned unnaturally muddy, attributing it to Chinas river diversion plan. But anti-dam activists in the state do not find any issue with the Chinese design on Tsangpo, including a plan to divert water to parched Xinjiang via a 1,000km tunnel. Reason: If no water flows down from Tsangpo, New Delhi will be forced to shelve the 10,000-megawatt hydropower project on Siang. Pasighat-based Ninong Ering, Lok Sabha member representing Arunachal East, had last week written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi sniffing a Chinese hand behind the waters of Siang turning excessively muddy. Pasighat, the headquarters of East Siang, is 560km north-east of Guwahati. The town is dominated by Adi tribe, who revere the river as Aane (mother). Exploitation of the upper reaches of Siang (Tsangpo) has already begun. China has probably started constructing the 1,000km tunnel to divert the river to Xinjiang, he said. Beijing has rejected there exists any plan as such. I have grown up in Pasighat, and I know Siang (water) is so clear in November that you can see the riverbed. Now, the water is not only muddy, it seems theres cement in it, which could be from the tunnel that China is probably constructing, the Congress leader said. On Monday, tests by Arunachal Pradeshs public health engineering department confirmed Erings fears. Water samples tested in our laboratory using high-tech photometer revealed a turbidity count of 425 against the permissible range of 0-5, the departments executive engineer Bimal Welly said. Officials said more samples have been sent. They feared for the aquatic life if the river continues to be this turbid. The findings, however, have not perturbed the anti-dam groups such as Forum for Siang Dialogue (FSD), Siang Peoples Forum and Adi Students Union. Our people are happy there will be no more water to make a big dam and their agricultural lands will be saved from getting submerged. Water for drinking and irrigation comes from small rivers and rivulets and not from Siang, FSD general secretary Vijay Taram told HT. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Two days after the rape of a Dalit girl in Khanpur region of Jhalawar, another Dalit girl was on Tuesday allegedly raped and murdered in Dug region. Police said that the 10-year-old girl from a labourer family has been missing since Monday evening. Deputy SP Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat said that the body of the girl was found in the bushes in a deserted place near an agricultural field in the outskirts of Dug late on Tuesday afternoon. He said that there are injury marks on the girls body and strangulation marks on her neck. Shoes and clothes of a person were found at the spot, Shekhawat said. Parents of the deceased girl are daily wage earners and have named a drug and alcohol abuser named Akhilesh alias Akku (30) for the crime. Station house officer, Dug police station, Luv Kumar Tiwari said that the body of the girl has been sent to the mortuary where a postmortem is underway. A case has been lodged against the accused under section 376, POCSO Act and section 302 of IPC. Despite the Supreme Court ban, illegal sand mining continues in Ajmer with the mining and police departments turning a blind eye to the problem. One can see more than 100 sand-laden trolleys being ferried everyday from the Khari river bed between Tankawas and Dundhari villages under Sawar block of the district, which is allegedly sold in the grey market at an exorbitant price. Police and mining department do not stop this illegal mining. Dont they see tractor trolleys ferrying sand? The reason they dont stop them is that they too take share in profits in the illegal business, said a source in the mining department. One can imagine about the profit margins of the mafia as the sand which was 700 to 750 a tonne before the ban has jumped to 2,500 a tonne with everyone getting a share, the source added. Ajmer (rural) district Congress president Bhupendra Singh Rathore also accused the police and mining department officials of being hand in glove with the sand mafia for monetary gains. However, Sawar deputy superintendent of police Rakesh Pal Singh expressed ignorance about the illegal sand mining going on in his area. I am not aware about the illegal sand mining in and around Sawar. You are the first person who has brought this to my notice, Singh told HT over phone. Let me know the area. I will immediately send SHO Sawar to stop the mining, he added. Repeated attempts to reach out to Sawars assistant mining engineer Suresh Chandra Sharma over the issue failed to evoke a response from him. The Supreme Court on November 18 had ordered to halt sand mining activities in 42 blocks of the state until a scientific replenishment study was completed and the matter was fully and dispassionately considered by the Union Environment Ministry for granting or rejecting the environmental clearance. The chief secretary of Rajasthan has also been asked by the apex court to file an affidavit over the allegations that the state government was complicit with the sand miners. In the last four years, the governments first priority has been to make sure that law and order situation in the state is maintained and theres a peaceful environment for the common man, said Rajasthan home minister Gulab Chand Kataria on Tuesday. Kataria was addressing media persons at the police headquarters in Jaipur about the initiatives taken by the home department in the last four years. There has been a consistent decrease in crime in the past few years with an 8.93 % decrease in IPC crimes seen in 2016 as compared to 2015, said Kataria, adding that the new initiatives introduced by the department have been effective in bringing down the crime rate. Several initiatives such as Abhay command centre, police jawabdehi samiti, public hearing of grievances, chief ministers helpline and citizen apps have helped to improve the law and order situation, said Kataria. He congratulated the police and said that the state has presented an example in the country owing to the decrease in IPC crimes, even in serious offences such as kidnapping, dacoity and rape. The home minister said that there was a 92 percent increase in crimes against women from 2009 to 2013, but since the BJP government came into power, crimes against women have decreased by 5 percent in the past four years. Kataria said the central government has sanctioned 275 crore for setting up the global centre for security, counter terrorism and anti-insurgency in Jaipur. The state will contribute 110 crore of the total sanctioned amount, he added. The home minister spoke about the achievements of various police departments including planning, state disaster relief force, prisons and the forensic science laboratory. He also spoke about the technological advancements made by the police force such as the uploading of FIRs on a portal accessible to citizens. The Rajasthan archaeology department is preparing a proposal to cut red tape in granting permission for film shootings at monuments and historical sites in the state. The department will also seek reduction and fee waivers at certain locations to boost tourism. Rajasthan, which has always been a popular destination among filmmakers, recently has been in the eye of the storm with violent protests against Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Padmavati, which has been extensively shot in the desert state. In January, members of Karni Sena had vandalised the sets of Padmavati at Jaipurs Jaigarh fort and assaulted Bhansali for distorting history. The film is on 14th-century Rajput queen Padmini of Chittorgarh. The proposal, which is in its initial stages, is aimed at promoting tourism in the state as any movie shoot is a major source of publicity, a tourism department official told HT on the condition of anonymity. Rajasthan has been a preferred location for filmmakers, but difficulties in getting permission for shoots have prompted filmmakers to look for other locations, the official said. Some recent big-budget movies that have been shot in Rajasthan include Yeh Jawani Heh Diwani starring Ranbir Kapoor. A major sequence of the movie was shot at the Bagore ki Haveli in Udaipur. Another blockbuster Bajrangi Bhaijan, was partly shot in the quaint little town of Mandawa in Rajasthans Jhunjhunu district. More recently, Badrinath ki Dulhaniya, a romantic comedy, was extensively shot in Jaipur and Kota. Palaces and forts like Amer and deserts of Rajasthan have been preferred destinations for shootings. The filmmakers, however, have to pay a hefty amount to shoot at these picturesque locations. A shoot at Amer Palace costs Rs 2 lakh a day while the fee for the outer part of Sheesh Mahal is Rs 3 lakh per day. The authorities plan to collect a fixed amount from the filmmakers as security prior to shooting so that the cost of damages, if any, can be recovered. The filmmakers will have to ensure the safety of the tourists and take preemptive measures to ensure that there is no damage to the monument. A concrete proposal with names of locations, where fees will be reduced or waived off, will be in ready in two weeks, the official said. Despite repeated attempts, archaeology department director Hridesh Sharma could not be contacted for comments. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Even though four days have passed since the body of Chetan Kumar Saini was found hanging from the ramparts of the Nahargarh Fort, the Jaipur police are yet to reach on conclusion on the nature of his death. A delay in sending the handwriting samples of the deceased has also further slowed down the investigation. Officials of the forensic science laboratory (FSL) said on Tuesday the handwriting samples of Saini were not sent to the laboratory until Monday evening. The samples havent reached us. The analysis could start only after we receive the samples, BB Arora, director, state forensic science laboratory, told HT. Police have been maintaining that the analysis of handwriting samples is essential to determine whether the writings found at the fort were written by Saini or not. The body of Saini was found hanging from the ramparts of the Nahargarh Fort on Friday morning with strange messages scribbled on nearby stones. The writings linked the death with the ongoing protests against the film, Padmavati, with one of the messages reading: Those of you protesting against Padmavati, we dont just hang effigies at forts. We have guts. Some of the messages also have alleged communal undertones, possibly to incite people. At the time of filing the report, the handwriting samples taken from the house of Saini, were sent to the FSL. The handwriting samples were sent to the FSL today, Ramkishan, station house officer, Brahmpuri police station, told HT late on Tuesday. The delay on part of the police to submit the handwriting samples, have also resulted in criticism. Until now, even after the request of Sainis wife, no FIR for murder has been registered. We have submitted a memorandum to the Jaipur police and have asked them to speed up the investigation, said Om Rajoria, district president, Mali Samaj. Earlier, family members and Sainis wife said that he was murdered and alleged that efforts were being made to suppress the case. Police, on their part maintained that preliminary investigation suggested that Saini committed suicide. An investigation is being carried out in the matter and the truth will come out as the probe progresses. It will be premature to comment at this point of time until more details come up in the investigation, said state director general of police Ajit Singh. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The opposition CPI (M) and the Congress in West Bengal on Tuesday accused the Trinamool Congress and its former general secretary Mukul Roy, who recently joined BJP, of orchestrating a drama by attacking each other to hoodwink people. Roy and the TMC are engaged in a bitter spat over the formers claim that chief minister Mamata Banerjees nephew Abhishek Banerjee owns Biswa Bangla, the umbrella brand being promoted by the state government and Jago Bangla, the mouthpiece of the ruling party. I shall keep exposing more misdeeds (in the TMC), Roy threatened at a recent press conference in Kolkata. Taking a serious note of the allegations against him, Banerjee even filed a defamation suit against the BJP leader. But the two opposition parties, who have been so far careful not to take side in the ongoing war or words, view the entire episode as a farce. When on November 3, Mukul Roy officially joined BJP, I had said it was nothing but akin to mobile number portability feature offered by telecom networks, considering that BJP and Trinamool had always been clandestine partners. Now this has turned into an ownership battle on who will get the dividend of the private limited company called the TMC, CPI (M) politburo and Lok Sabha member Md Salim told HT. When this private business entity was floated, Mukul played a key role in reaping profits for that entity. And now he wants his share and so all this drama. In reality he is player on lien in BJP now. A somewhat similar drama was witnessed before 2014 general elections. It is just a repeat show in a bigger scale now, Salim added. Senior Congress legislator and leader of the Opposition in West Bengal assembly Abdul Mannan said that for his party Trinamool is Mukul and Mukul is Trinamool. Mukul once did all the dirty work for the TMC, which in turn allowed Mukul to carry on with all such anti- democratic activities. Now what is going on is just a high- pitched drama. We in Congress are watching and enjoying the fun. We have no intention of getting into this, Mannan told HT. Many in the two parties, however, in private say there were other reasons too for keeping a safe distance from the ongoing controversy. Backing Roy will give the TMC an opportunity to portray the Congress and the CPI (M) as clandestine partners of BJP, sources pointed out. Secondly, opposing Roy over his series of allegations is virtually impossible for both the parties since the former TMC second-in-command is highlighting corruption in Trinamool, an issue that both Left and Congress had also raised in the past. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON It was a reality check for a senior Uttar Pradesh police officer, who wanted to tranship his two cows and a calf from Meerut to his Lucknow home. The transporter, he approached, politely refused him as truckers have unanimously decided to stop ferrying cows, buffaloes and calves fearing attack by cow vigilantes. President of Meerut transport association Gaurav Sharma said in the wake of recent attacks in Meerut and neighbouring districts on truckers carrying livestock they had decided not to ferry cattle. More than 10,000 trucks operate in the district and all are strictly following the decision. The police officer who approached me offered to provide a constable to escort the vehicle. However, I demanded an escort vehicle to ensure the safety of the driver during the transportation of his cows and calf, Sharma said. After much persuasion, eventually, the cows were transported to Lucknow after three armed policemen were deployed as escorts, he said. Truckers are so scared of cow vigilantes that they even refuse to transport dead animals, he added About a fortnight ago, city transporters had refused to ferry a sick cow for treatment to Bareilly. Failing to convince transporters, the owner of the cow, approached the police and later tweeted to chief minister Yogi Adityanath and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for help. After the matter came to the light, senior superintendent of police (SSP) Manzil Saini intervened to arrange a vehicle to ferry the cow to Bareilly and back to Meerut after treatment. The SSP admitted that the transporters were reluctant in taking the cow to Bareilly and the police had to intervene. She said truckers were scared as several cases of attacks on cattle farmers and traders by cow vigilantes came to the light. Since May 2015, a violent vigilante campaign against beef consumption has led to the killing of at least 10 Muslims, including a 12-year-old boy, in seven separate incidents of mob violence in India, the New-York based Human Rights Watch reported. Many Hindus consider the cow to be a holy animal, and slaughter is forbidden in many Indian states. Raisuddin, who has been in livestock trade for over three decades, said he did not come across such a situation in the past. Cow vigilantes have even ignored the appeal of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to take law into their hands, he said. Raisuddin claimed he suffered a major loss because of the prevailing problem and demanded that attacks on animal traders should be checked. Eight months after its inception, the UP Real Estate Regulatory Authority (UPRERA) would soon have an office space of its own in Gomti Nagar area of Lucknow. The regulatory body, which was functioning from a small office in Awas Bandhu in Janpath market, will soon move to its new location in Gomti Nagar where it has been allotted an entire floor in the multi-storey complex of Lucknow Development Authority (LDA), according to sources. With homebuyers from all over the state knocking at the door of the real estate watchdog to register complaint against private developers, it was becoming increasingly difficult for the authority to manage its affairs from a makeshift office. Subsequently, secretary, UPRERA, was allotted the old-chamber of LDA VC in the Lalbagh office building of LDA. But even this space was not enough to accommodate visitors and conduct hearing of the complaints being made by homebuyers, said an officer requesting anonymity. Majority of these complaints against private developers are being received from Gautam Buddh Nagar (Noida and Greater Noida), according to him. Employees from LDA and other government departments will be provided to assist the authority in carrying out its day-to-day functions till such time the state government appoints a full-time UPRERA chief and other permanent staff. A large number of home-buyers, however, are still wondering why the Yogi government, which had junked the rules framed under the Akhilesh Yadav government alleging they were tailor-made to favour the builders, has not yet notified the revised rules doing away with the controversial clauses. To ensure expeditious disposal of complaints and consumers grievances, the state government has appointed nodal officers who will be collecting the details of all RERA registered projects in their zones. The nodal officers will also look into the matters relating inconsistency in the project completion and flaws in the declaration of possession dates. The officer said the authority had also drafted a standard model Agreement for Sale for homebuyers and developers, which would be released once it got the government's nod.According to this draft sale agreement, the registration of a real estate unit would then be done on the basis of carpet area instead of super built-up area, one of the most contentious issue between homebuyer and private developers. Editor: Obama treated existing law as something to apologize for, the most egregious example being DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) which, after the 2010 Democratic Congress voted it down, Obama unconstitutionally did anyway. Amnesty! He broke laws he took an oath to uphold. Obama released almost 90,000 deportable, convicted criminals. There are almost a million people with FINAL orders of removal but they just ran off; no one was ordered to look for them. We have seen seven amnesties and DACA will prove no different. Under chain migration rules established in 1965, new citizens (aka Dreamers) can bring in siblings, adult children who can bring in their siblings and in-laws until whole villages can move to the U.S. Liberals use and politicize tragedies to push their agendas. Examples: 1: If we deport, we divide families. NO! illegally entering the U.S. divides families. Its better to send one illegal home than bring 11 more of his/her relatives here. 2: Theyre here through no fault of their own. Enforcing our laws always adversely affect all the family; should we cease enforcing our law for children? Most of the DACA illegals are now adults, so this issue no longer concerns children. Havent they already benefited from the opportunities provided for them here? When they return home, they can use the skills acquired here and benefit their own country. 3: They have nowhere to go if they are returned to their own country. Most have some family back home, so this is their opportunity for reuniting with them there! 4: Some work forces state they need them or even more workers. There are 95 million Americans unemployed. Time to put America and Americans FIRST! 5: They are refugees. We have the Refugee Act of 1980, but we are admitting all kinds of people who are not true refugees. DACA is just part of the problem; we have over 200,000 illegal aliens in Nevada leaving a burden of more than $1.1 billion for Nevada taxpayers. We can thank Sen. Dean Heller for always voting with the Democrats in favor of illegal immigration. Just review his record. Thelma Homer Elko Soon, four major districts of the state will have air connectivity with the other cities in the country. Under regional connectivity scheme, Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra and Varanasi are going to have air connectivity with five other cities from January. The Government of India and Airports Authority of India (AAI) have finalized the routes for the flights after studying the air traffic between these cities. NEW AIR ROUTES Spice jet to start Kanpur-Delhi-Kanpur. Alliance Air to start AgraJaipur-Agra. Deccan Charters to start Delhi-AgraDelhi. Air Odisha to start DelhiKanpur-Varanasi-Kanpur and Lucknow-Gwalior-Lucknow. According to the officials of the AAI, Lucknow would have flights for Gwalior from January, while Kanpur had got long awaited Kanpur-Delhi-Kanpur flight under the regional connectivity scheme. Kanpur will get another flight which will be Delhi-KanpurVaranasi. Besides, Agra will also get two new flights, AgraJaipur-Agra and AgraDelhi which are expected to boost tourism in the city. Airlines like Spicejet, Alliance Air, Deccan Charters and Air Odisha will start flights for these routes while more private airlines have shown willingness to start their operations on these routes agreed during the regime of the Samajwadi government. The regional connectivity scheme has made small distance air travelling much convenient. Under the scheme, in a 20-seater plane, the journey costs 4,500. Out of this, the centre gives 1,600 and state gives 400 as subsidy on 50% of the seats. So, a passenger has to pay just 2,500. The state government has decided to give the go ahead for flight connectivity from 15 divisional headquarters to Lucknow earlier in the month of March. According to an official of the AAI, regional connectivity would increase business of the airports and would fasten the pace of travel between the cities. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Lucknow Metro rail corporation (LMRC) has hired an American personality development and language expert to train its officers and staff about how to behave with passengers and conduct themselves in the course of their duty. The expert, Kristina Dixon, began training executives at LMRCs centre of excellence for training (CoET) at Transport Nagar Metro depot on Monday. The programme will focus on improving the participants professional writing skills, proposal / email drafting skills, presentation skills and English language skills. It will conclude on December 8. Managing director LMRC Kumar Keshav said, Kristina Dixon is working in India in conjunction with the Regional English Language Office (RELO), US Embassy, New Delhi. She will be training the officers of Lucknow Metro on various skills, apart from helping them with English language fluency, pronunciation, etc. Dixon will also work on improving the executives personalities, training them on aspects of etiquette and behaviour. Keshav said, LMRCs CoET is the only centre of its type in Uttar Pradesh. It provides specialised training to its recruits and officials on the Metro technology. The centre also trains the staff and officials to enhance their personality by improving various skills. Now, with this additional training on mannerisms, the importance of the centre has increased manifold. Some other institutions and government departments have also expressed interest to train their staff at the Lucknow Metro centre. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Uttar Pradesh governor Ram Naik on Monday said the State Election Commission (SEC) was looking into the complaints of faulty EVMs and tough action would be initiated if charges were found to be true. Addressing a programme Ganga-Gai bachao in Chaubeypur area in Kanpur, Naik said he had asked the state election commissioner to submit a copy of the report to him after the election. The first two phases of local bodies election were mired in controversy amid allegations of faulty EVMs. The governor said there were complaints of faulty EVMs during the parliamentary and assembly elections but the charges could not be proved. Naik would felicitate the officials of five municipal corporations and nagar panchayats each registering highest voter turnout, at Raj Bhavan. Read more| If anomalies dont cease, voters will point finger at governments intention: Akhilesh He expressed concern over the deteriorating water quality in the Ganga. One cannot use the river water for drinking or bathing. There was a time people believed the Gangas water was so pure that its two drops were enough for salvation, he said. Naik said the government was trying to ensure a clean Ganga but the people should also do their bit. Naik also criticised the people who abandoned cows when it grew old and stopped giving milk. Do you do this to your parents too? Why do you do this to the cow? he asked. The new cowshed being opened in Gauri Lakha village will be the first gaushala of the country where physically weak cows will be taken care of, Naik added. The police on Tuesday booked 70 men and women, who allegedly vandalised Holy Cross Hospital in Kalyan and assaulted their staff, a journalist and a few policemen after the death of their relative, Rohit Bhoir, 22, on Monday. No arrests have been made. According to police, the incident took place after Bhoir died of multiple cardiac arrests. The mob didnt care about other patients. They started breaking glass doors and throwing the chairs, said a source. A senior inspector from Mahatma Phule police station said, Bhoir was admitted to the hospital on Sunday, with complaints of chest pain. His condition worsened on Monday. We have booked more than 70 people. They are from Varpe village in Kalyan. We have identified a few, but have not arrested them yet as they were busy with the final rites. A journalist, Ketan Betavdekar, too, suffered injuries. He is now out of danger. The hospital and the journalists are the complainants in the two cases. We controlled the situation in time, said another police officer from Kalyan zone. A doctor from Kalyan said, The Indian Medical Association in Kalyan will hold a meeting to discuss the incident and the measures that need to be taken. The accused have been booked under Medical Service Providers Protection Act, 2010. We want strict action against such people. We have been spreading awareness but nothing much has come of it. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON There is a major crisis in the cotton county of Maharashtra and the government is blissfully unaware of the looming disaster they could soon be faced with. Field after field in the various districts of Vidarbha, planted with cotton during the rabi sowing season a couple of months back, have been infested with the Pink Bollworm (gulabi boand in Marathi) and farmers are at their wits end combating the pest. They had recently taken to Bt Cotton after years of fierce resistance when they were finally persuaded that this biotechnologically modified seed could resist all pests and diseases. But, last year, farmers in the adjoining districts of Telangana noticed that the Pink Bollworm had now become resistant to pesticides and the Bt Cotton vulnerable to these pests. Yet, with the Central Institute of Cotton Research (CICR) headquartered in Nagpur, no steps were undertaken to warn farmers against the spread of the Pink Bollworm to neighbouring Vidarbha. The Pink Bollworm is a species of moth and there seems to be large scale breeding of the pests as people are reporting infestation not just from their cotton fields but across homes and other areas. According to Professor Ghanshyam Darne, who works closely with farmers in the region, these farmers have gone out on a limb spraying pesticides over and over again but the Pink Bollworms show no signs of receding. In many cases they have spent over a lakh of rupees on pesticides and fertilisers to no avail. Farmers now realise that they have lost 80 to 90 per cent of their crop. So they have given up and are running tractors over their standing cotton crop. Their yields this season are going to be at the most five to six per cent, Prof. Darne told me. According to the CICR, which has been unable to home in on a pesticide that will prove effective, the best way to combat the moth is to set pheromone traps across their fields and catch enough of the male of the species to prevent any further breeding. But this primitive method of catching the Pink Bollworm is simply beyond the comprehension of the farmers. I am told that, firstly, you need at least 40 such traps per acre for these to be effective. Pheromones, mixed with natural ingredients like glossyplure, confuse the male moths who mistake the traps for females but farmers who have used it reported poor results. Some farmers say the Union government was aware in August that parts of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka and Maharashtra had been infested with the Pink Bollworm and ordered the seed companies to compensate the affected farmers for their loss. However, it is November-December when the moths really begin to breed in profusion (it takes only three or four days for the eggs to hatch) and the CICR had tips on avoiding the infestation - sowing at optimum heat and using a 12-week variety of seed as these moths begin to infest the crop at 15 weeks. Now with a month more to go when these Bollworms will continue to breed profusely - there is not a single village anywhere in Vidarbha that has not reported the pestilence - it is no wonder that farmers are crushing their cotton under their tractors to cut their losses. Many, according to Prof. Darne, have decided to sow pulses and other crop but what worries him now is the fallout of their economic situation. Many farmers are yet to receive their loan waiver amounts in actual cash or digital terms. Only farmers who had taken loans of less than Rs 1,50,000 were eligible for these waivers. Many of the eligible farmers have already spent as much or more in fighting this pestilence. They could thus immediately fall into the cycle of debts and repayments again, particularly as they will not be able to realise their cotton harvest this season. Although they are taking to pulses cultivation, they have not yet forgotten their experience of the last harvest of pulses. Farmers in the state had produced a bumper crop of tuar daal but the government could not come up with minimum support price for all of their crop. From May to the onset of monsoon, these farmers were sleeping on their gunny bags of tuar daal in the market yards across the state until the first showers soaked and destroyed it all. That contributed to the intensity of their agitation for loan waivers. Now they are back to Square One. Expect a spike in suicides very soon! SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A Dahanu-based civic engineer donated Rs5 lakh, which his family had received as cash gifts at his daughters wedding ceremony on Sunday in Thane, to Brotherhood of People Project in Hemalkasa in Gadchiroli district. The project is run by social activist and Ramon Magsaysay award winner Dr Prakash Amte and his wife Mandakini. Rajesh Akre, 52, a resident of Dandepada in Dahanu, made the donation at the wedding of his eldest daughter Urvi, an archaeologist at the Prince of Wales Museum. Akre,who works as an assistant engineer with the BMC, said, I am financially well off and wanted to share my happiness with the underprivileged. What better way to do that than donating cash gifts to Dr Prakash Amte. I had visited the ashram at Hemalkasa in October 2014 where Dr Amte hosted me and I was impressed with his work, so I decided to do something for his project. He added, After consulting with my family, I decided to donate all the cash gifts we receive at the wedding reception to Dr Amte. Guests were informed about this in advance as it was mentioned on the wedding invitations. I am thankful to the 900-odd guests who extended their helping hand, said the engineer. Dr Prakash Amte said, I am overwhelmed. This is the first time that such a donation has been made to the project and that too during a wedding reception. The cost of constructing a memorial in honour of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar is likely to rise, as the only bidder for the project has quoted a rate that is 26 per cent higher than what was estimated by the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA), the nodal agency implementing the project. After many cost variations, in the end of June, the MMRDA floated tenders worth Rs 622 crore. However, it received one bid for the second time in a row, from the Shapoorji Pallonji group. If the bid is approved, the cost of the project will rise to around Rs783 crore. We are trying to negotiate with the bidder, but ultimately, the final decision rests with the state government, said a senior official from the MMRDA, on condition of anonymity. READ: Maha govt tweaks rules to ease way for Ambedkar memorial at Indu Mills To be constructed on 12 acres of land at Indu Mills in Dadar, the design for the memorial includes a 350-feet statue of Dr Ambedkar, a library, a replica of the historic Chavdar pond in Raigad, a number of viewing points for the memorial, and a parking lot. The memorial will be a stones throw from Chaityabhoomi, where his ashes were interred. Lakhs of people visit Chaityabhoomi on December 6 every year to pay respect to the Dalit leader. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The central railway (CR) on Tuesday started the training of 259 Maharashtra State Security Corporation (MSSC) officials, who will monitor the stations. Days after the Elphinstone Road station stampede on September 29, the Indian Railways had ordered WR and CR to monitor the FoBs and the premises of Mumbais railway stations. However, both said they were understaffed. The western railway (WR) had then asked for 700 MSSC officials to monitor their stations. Recently, the railways and the MSSC started a survey of station premises to determine commuter movement and the path they take to enter and exit the stations. The MSSC officials are being trained by officials from the railway protection force (RPF) officials and CR. The two-day training session is being held at Nashik. Along with crowd management, railway officials will also train MSSC officials on how to manage and deal with commuters when there is a delay in services or during a technical failure. During union railway minister Piyush Goyals visit on Monday to review the FOB works, Goyal had suggested CR general manager DK Sharma talk to the state government and get in home guards to monitor the railway station premises. Senior BJP leader and medical education minister Girish Mahajan is so fond of his revolver that he carries it all the time. His love for the firearm has, however, landed him in two controversies in two years. The latest broke on Monday when Marathi news channels telecast a video of the gun-totting minister trying to hunt down a man-eating leopard in Jalgaon districts Chalisgaon area, in north Maharashtra. Mahajan was with a team of forest department and police personnel, who had permission to shoot the animal at sight. The five-time BJP MLA admits that he carries the revolver all the time. If I am not carrying it for some reason, then I keep it in my car, said Mahajan, who is also the guardian minister of Jalgaon, his home district. Explaining the video, Mahajan told HT: The leopard has killed five people in the district in the past one-and-a-half months. On Monday, I visited the families of the people killed. On my way, forest officials sighted the leopard, so we decided to chase it down. Being a legislator and the districts guardian minister, I wanted to take part in the search operation, instead of sitting safely in my car. The man-eating leopard had been sighted 400 feet away from his convoy. The leopard, however, managed to stay out of sight of the revolver-wielding minister and the search team. A close aide of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Mahajan got embroiled in a controversy in 2015 when he attended a function for schoolchildren with hearing and speech disabilities with a revolver tucked visibly on his waist. More recently, the senior minister came under fire, but not for wielding his revolver. Women activists and Opposition parties tore at him after he advised a sugar factory to name liquor brands after women for better sales. Later, he apologised for his remark. Earlier this year, he had made news for reportedly attending the wedding of a relative of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Mumbai sessions court on Tuesday rejected the bail applications of three jail constables who are in jail for the past few months in connection with the murder of inmate Manjula Shetye. All six accused, including jailor Manisha Pokharkar and the five constables, had filed bail applications in August. The bail pleas of three of them jailor Pokharkar, Shital Shegaonkar and Aarti Shingne -- were withdrawn, while the defence sought for the other three -- Bindu Naikade, Waseema Shaikh and Surekha Gulve. Earlier, special public prosecutor Vidhya Kasle objected to the stand of the defence that Shetye died owing to illness and not because of the alleged assault by the jail officers. The prosecution contended there were more than 14 injuries on Shetyes body. Defence lawyer Vaibhav Baghade pointed to the discrepancies in the prosecutions case and circumstances surrounding Shetyes death. Baghade claimed the state succumbed to the pressure of the inmates of Byculla jail and registered a case against six jail staff as the inmates created a ruckus after Shetyes death. The prosecution rejected the argument that that the injuries were nothing but post-mortem lividity and held the marks on Shetyes body were a result of the assault. The prosecution claimed that there was enough evidence against the accused in the form of statements of witnesses which is corroborated by the CCTV footage. 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 Google Ad 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 Maharashtra education minister Vinod Tawdes statement, made a few days ago, that homeschooling was unconstitutional has got its share of supporters and detractors. While many school principals say home schooling is less than holistic compared to formal education, parents who have chosen to defy convention and opted for it believe in it completely. My daughter never stepped into a school, and after giving her Class 10 exams through the state board, she is now comfortably pursuing education in a college, said Ajit Mandlik, one of the first few parents in the city to have chosen homeschooling over formal education. As long as we are not going against the law and are ensuring that we do the best for our child, nothing can be termed unconstitutional. At a press conference held in Mumbai recently, education minister Vinod Tawde said the Right To Education (RTE) Act, 2009, does not recognise homeschooling as an alternative to school education. The Act requires children to pursue education in schools, by suggesting inclusive education for all. So, homeschooling, though it may be effective in some cases, is unconstitutional as of now, he said. As per the Act, every child between the age of six and 14 years must go to school. The law makes no mention of homeschooling, and the state government has not called it illegal. Schools, on the other hand, emphasise the importance of formal education for all children, insisting that it is needed to bring them at par with those of their own age. Going to school is not just about sitting in a classroom, it encourages holistic growth of a child. Parents cannot replace the role of a school teacher and classmates, said the principal of a suburban school, who did not wish to be named. A team led by cancer specialists from Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH) has decided to write to the aviation watchdog seeking a complete ban on smoking at all the airports across India. Oncologists from TMH said the second and third-hand smoke from smoking lounges at the airports poses cardiac and cancer threats to millions of national and international fliers. A few hundred smokers are risking the lives of millions of passengers as one can smell heavy stench of cigarette smoke while walking across these lounges. This smoke is laden with 4,000-odd lethal chemicals and deadly carcinogens, which children, pregnant women, senior citizen and other innocent commuters are forced to inhale, said Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi, professor and surgeon, TMH and secretary general, International Federation of Head and Neck Oncologic Societies. An airport official said as a facility, they have to consider demands of all sections of the society, including those who smoke. Smoking lounges at Mumbai international airports are small and located at a corner where non-smokers are not exposed to the smoke. Since smoking is also a psychological demand of a section of our commuters, we cant completely ignore it because another section of society is demanding the opposite, the official added. Smoke free policies substantially improve indoor air quality and reduce second-hand smoke exposure among non smokers. CSIA caters to more than one lakh fliers daily. We sensitive when it comes to norms related to public health.At CSIA, we ensure a smoke-free environment and have closed rooms to smoke. The doctors plan to write to Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to implement indoor smoke-free policies at all the airports. In a recent correspondence with Mumbai International Airport Private Limited officials, Chaturvedi mentioned that the glass cabins of smoking lounges were cleverly designed to glamorise smoking. There is nothing illegal about the design, but it is shocking that your administration allowed them at a location with highest visibility that suited the cigarette industry rather than the passengers and airport staff, Chaturvedi wrote. Several international studies have documented that second-hand smoke can transfer from designated smoking areas into non-smoking areas, exposing non-smoking fliers and employees to various health hazards. According to the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly report (MMWR) of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the leading national public health institute of the US, Indira Gandhi International Airport (rank 21) and Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (rank 29), two of the 50 busiest busy airports in the world, dont have indoor smoke-free policies. Separating smokers from non-smokers, cleaning the air and ventilating buildings cannot eliminate exposure of non-smokers to second-hand smoke, said Brian King, deputy director for research translation, CDC. People who spend time in, walk past , clean, or work near these rooms are at the risk of exposure to second-hand smoke. In addition to subjecting non-smoking travellers who pass through these areas to involuntary secondhand smoke exposure, designated or ventilated smoking areas can also result in involuntary exposure of airport employees who are required to enter these areas or work near them, researchers mentioned in the MMWR report. What is already known about this topic? There is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Eliminating smoking in indoor spaces fully protects non-smokers from exposure to secondhand smoke. An overwhelming majority of large hub airports in the United States prohibit smoking indoors. What is added by this report? Among the 50 busiest airports worldwide, 23 airports (46%), including five of the 10 busiest airports, prohibit smoking in all indoor areas. While smoke-free airports among the 50 busiest are common in North America (14 of 18), few airports in Asia (4 of 22) have implemented smoke-free polices. What are the implications for public health practice? Broader implementation of smoke-free policies at the national, city, or airport authority levels can protect employees and travellers of all ages from secondhand smoke inside airports. The police have launched a massive manhunt to find the man who dumped the body of a three-day old newborn girl at Ballard Pier on Sunday. The MRA Marg police have filed a case of murder and are trying to determine the identity of the infant. Officials had detained two people on suspicion, but they have been released after interrogations. The police recovered CCTV footage from a camera placed just a few metres away from the bin, in which they spotted a blurred image of a man approaching the bin and allegedly throwing a plastic bag in it. We suspect that the man killed the baby and dumped her body, said an officer from MRA Marg police station, requesting anonymity. Based on CCTV recordings, we detained two men who matched the image, but we released them as they are not involved, said Manoj Kumar Sharma, deputy commissioner of police (zone I). Sharma said three police teams are working to determine the infants identity and to trace the accused. READ: Mumbai couple murder newborn girl, throw body in garbage bin, booked Police officials said they found the body after a shopkeeper, who went to the garbage bin to discard waste, spotted a roundish object in a polythene bag and called the police control room. After the shopkeeper reported it as something that looked suspiciously like a human organ, police and civic officers reached the spot and took charge of the bag, and discovered a newborn girls body. The body was sent to the St. George hospital for post-mortem. Based on the post-mortem, we have registered a case of murder against an unidentified person. Blood stains were found on the babys neck, suggesting that she was tortured before she was choked to death with a handkerchief stuffed in her mouth, the officer said. The police have sent the handkerchief to the Forensic Sciences Laboratory in Kalina. The baby had been healthy and was born at the end of the full term, they said. The police believe that it is either a case of female infanticide or of unwanted pregnancy, and also suspect that the infants parents might have killed her after delivery, as the umbilical cord was not cut. The delivery was not done in any hospital as the umbilical cord was uncut, said Sukhlal Verpe, senior police inspector of MRA Marg police station. A 49-year-old woman from Marine Drive was cheated to the tune of Rs36 lakh by two people she had befriended on a social media website. According to the LT Marg police, Sandra Dsouza, who is a resident of Chandanwadi lane in Marine Drive, had got a friend request from one of the accused. After she accepted the request, they began chatting and became friends. The accused then told the woman that he and his friend needed to transfer some money to Mumbai for business but were stuck because he was unable to transfer the amount online. The accused (whose name was not disclosed by the police) told Dsouza that she could help him transfer the amount. The woman agreed after the accused promised her to return the money within 24 hours. He told her that he had to send the money to many people. The woman then transferred Rs35 lakh to the accuseds account. A day later, when she tried asking him for her money, the accused disappeared from the website. She then approached the LT Marg police and registered a case of cheating. We have registered a case under sections 420 of the IPC and sections of the IT act. We are now in the process of tracing the accused, said Sharad Naik, senior police inspector of LT Marg police station. The police officers said that it is possible that the accused was chatting with the victim through a fake ID and the account number given to the victim did not belong to the accused. We have asked the cyber cell to trace the IP address of the social media account through which the accused had sent Dsouza a friend request, said an officer from the LT Marg police station. A day after medical education minister Girish Mahajan was seen chasing a leopard with a revolver, the opposition parties on Tuesday demanded the state government to sack him. They also want the minister booked for violating wildlife protection act for allegedly making an attempt to kill the wild animal for which he wasnt authorised. Mahajan is a senior Bharatiya Janata Party minister from Jalgaon and is considered close to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. He is also the guardian minister of Jalgaon, his home district. In a video being played on Marathi news channels, the minister totting a revolver is seen participating in a search operation for a leopard at Chalisgaon of Jalgaon district of north Maharashtra on Monday. Though Mahajan has clarified that the man-eater leopard was sighted 400 feet away from his convoy, after which he decided to go after it. Opposition leaders want him sacked. Mahajan has violated the Wildlife Protection Act as he was chasing the leopard with a revolver. The responsibility of hunting down the man-eater is of the forest officials and not the ministers. He should be sacked immediately, said Nawab Malik NCP spokesperson. Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said the medical education minister was just doing stunts with the revolver. Mahajan has admitted that he was chasing the animal. He had earlier attended a school event with a revolver tucked visibly in his waist. Mahajan told HT: The leopard has killed five people in the district in the past one-and-a-half months. On Monday, I visited the families of the people killed. On my way, forest officials sighted the leopard, so we decided to chase it down. Being a legislator and the districts guardian minister, I wanted to take part in the search operation, instead of sitting safely in my car. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Officials from Andheri police, local Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) unit, crime branch and the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) gatecrashed a wedding after an unidentified man made a bomb threat call that turned out to be a hoax. The man was arrested on Tuesday and the police have learnt that he did this to get back at his ex-boss who had got the catering contract at the wedding. The police said Mukimali Shaikh, 35, the arrested accused, was fired by the caterer her worked with. On November 24, just two days before the ninth anniversary of the Mumbai 26/11 attacks, Shaikh called the police control room to say that there is a bomb planted at the wedding hall in Andheri. The police swung into action and teams from ATS, crime branch, BDDS and local police were rushed to the spot. After searching the entire premises the police learnt that it was a hoax call. He was booked under sections 182 (false information), 505 (1) (makes, publishes or circulates rumour) and 2 (cause, fear or alarm to the public). A rail fracture between Chunabhatti and GTB Road station and a flash rail roko at Asangon station disrupted the central railways (CR) suburban services during morning peak hours on Tuesday. Around 40 lakh commuters travel on the CR daily. The problem began when Rajyarani Express was given preference over a local train heading to CSMT. The local arrived on schedule, but left Asangaon station 17 minutes late, irking commuters who then stopped the express, said Rajesh Ghaghav, president, Kalyan-Kasara and Karjat Passengers Association. Even as the GRP registered a case, CR public relations department denied any such incident. We have registered case against the 20-25 protesters, said Samadhan Pawar, deputy commissioner of police, GRP. I confirm there was no rail roko... its a rumour, said Sunil Udasi, chief public relations officer. The CR said the express was not given preference. Meanwhile, the Harbour line services were affected following a rail fracture on the south-bound track between Chunabhatti and GTB Nagar stations around 8am. CR officials blamed illegal water pipelines crossing under the tracks for the rail failure. There has been continuous leakage of water on the tracks, which led to the glitch, said SK Jain, divisional railway manager of CRs Mumbai division For the past two years, residents living near Wilson College gymkhana on Marine Drive have been complaining about glaring lights from its grounds. And now, in what could be a first, the police and the district collectors office have issued notices to the gymkhana asking them to switch them off at 10pm after repeated light pollution complaints from Chira Bazaar resident Nilesh Desai. Light pollution (measured in lumens) is the term for excessive, misdirected or obtrusive man-made light. The gymkhana said they are shutting off the lights after 10pm. Environmentalists said this may be the first such complaint in Mumbai, highlighting the need for guidelines for light pollution. HT had reported in October that a compilation of studies on light pollution by Awaaz Foundation, which began in August, identified its sources in Mumbai, its health impacts on humans and animals, and the need for a policy on the increased use of artificial light. I have been fighting this nuisance for the past two years, and it had fallen on deaf ears. The glaring lights blind us until 3-4am every night, said Desai, resident of Sunkersett Building. Post 7pm, we cannot look outside our house at all because the glare can injure our eyes within a few seconds. The intensity is extremely strong and I do not know what health issues I have already suffered because of this. Doctors said long-term exposure to light pollution could lead to psychiatric problems. The amount of light the human eye can adjust to and find useful is between 400 and 500 microns. LED lights installed above advertising hoardings, stadiums and open grounds are all more than 500 microns, which can lead to hallucinations, false orientation and sleep disorders, said Dr Arjun Ahuja, head of ophthalmology department, KEM hospital, Parel. A senior officer from the Mumbai police said as there are no laws to regulate light pollution, enforcement is difficult. Not just Wilson, all other gymkhanas in the area have been told about this issue. We issued a notice to Wilson Gymkhana telling them that these bright lights can cause accidents. However, there was no response, the officer said. We can only tell them to switch off the lights after 10pm. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A stray dog, which accidentally boarded a ladies compartment, was allegedly beaten up by Railway Police Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel from Western Railways (WR) thrice during its five hour journey on Tuesday. Animal activists and veterinarians, who rescued the dog in the evening from Bhayander station, said the canine was bleeding from the mouth, private parts and sustained grievous injuries. Despite repeated attempts none of the spokespersons RPF and GRP were available for comment. Pet lover, Ana Bhutani, who travelled with the dog from 11am to 4.30pm said the officials thrashed the dog with lathis instead of calling a professional veterinarian or animal activist to rescue it. I was on my way to Andheri around 11pm when I noticed a dog crying loudly at platform number four. The Virar-bound train had stopped at the platform and four RPF constables were hitting the dog with lathis to make him leave the ladies compartment, said Bhutani. She added that she requested the officials to not hit the dog and boarded the train to rescue the canine. The train then stopped at Borivli and the dog was beaten up again. The dog was scared and hid beneath the bench, refusing to leave, said Bhutani. After several failed attempt to rescue the dog, Bhutani travelled with it to Virar and back to Churchgate hoping that it might come out. I tried giving it food and water, but it refused to eat or drink. I knew if I leave the train, the constables would kill it. So I decided to stay, Bhutani said. At Churchgate, the same train was rescheduled for Bhayander. A co-passenger called Omkar Rane, an animal activist from Dahisar. I got a call while the train was at Dadar and I asked people give the animal its space. Considering the beating it was subjected to, there was a chance that the dog biting the one trying to rescue it or cause an untoward incident, said Rane, who reached Bhayander station with his mobile animal rescue van at 4.30pm. Rane added that the dog has sustained multiple injuries and had to be treated immediately. We have kept it at a foster home for now because we dont know its territory. Looking at the injuries, it was completely inappropriate of the railway staff to opt for such violent approach towards the animal rather than calling a professional for help, Rane said. The Mumbai crime branch arrested two people in Bandra for allegedly kidnapping a 22-year-old youth from Mangalore, killing him and dumping his body in Agumbe Ghat around 100 km away from Mangalore city. The police said three more people are wanted in the case and Mangalore crime branch have been looking for them in Mumbai, Gujarat and other parts of the country. The arrested accused Faizal Shaikh Ibrahim, 36, and Sahil Ismail Ashraf Ismail, 22 are from Mangalore and were hiding in Mumbai. Ibrahim is main accused in the kidnapping and murder case. The police said both the accused have been involved in at least 10 to 12 cases of robbery, dacoity, murder and attempt to murder in several cities including Hyderabad, Mangalore and Mumbai. After they were arrested in Bandra on Sunday, they were produced in a court in Mangalore and remanded in police custody for 10 days. Officials from the Mumbai crime branch said the two were hiding in the city for the past 10 days. The accused kidnapped Lefty Safwan, 22, on October 5 from Chokkabetu Surathkal area in Mangalore, Karnataka, in a car and kept him in a farmhouse out of the city for two days. They tortured Safwan by assaulting him with a wooden stick. They later killed him and dumped his body in Agumbe Ghat. Safwans father Abdul Hameed, who is small businessman, registered a kidnapping case in Suratkal police station after the accused threatened him saying they would kill his son. Once the investigation started, a police team from Mangalore came to Mumbai last week and unit 9 of the Mumbai crime branch helped them nab the two accused, said joint commissioner Sanjay Saxena of the crime branch. The victim allegedly used to pass information of the accused and his gangs movement to another gang. The accused told the police that the other reason they had kidnapped him was that Safwan had fought with one of the accuseds brother and alleged that accused is homosexual, said police inspector Sunil Naik of Mangalore city crime branch. The body was recovered more than 50 days after he was killed. We searched for the body for five days and finally found it on November 25, said Naik. The accused have been booked under sections 363 (kidnapping), 120 B (criminal conspiracy), 201 ( causing disappearance of evidence of offence or giving false information) and 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal code. Two men were arrested from Mumbra in Thane for allegedly cheating a Delhi-based scrap businessman of Rs 31 lakh. The unit 1 of the Thane crime branch handed over Shahbuddin Moinuddin khan, 54, and Abdul Rehman Karbelkar alias Shoiab,50, to the Delhi police on Tuesday. According to an officer of the crime branch, Karbelkar and Khan have cheated more than half a dozen businessmen of Rs 1.5 crore across the country over the past eight years. To avoid suspicion, they would introduce themselves to the victims as buyers of the same goods. In January, Khan struck a deal with the Delhi businessman to buy scrap worth Rs 31 lakh. Later, he introduced Karbelkar to the seller as another buyer. Karbelkar discussed the deal with Khan and the businessman and decided to buy the goods for Rs 30 lakh. Expecting Rs 61 lakh for the same material, the businessman agreed to the offer. When Khan left with the scrap leaving behind Karbelkar, the businessman demanded money from him. Karbelkar showed that he had already transferred the money via RTGS into Khans bank account, said an officer from the Thane crime branch. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A 22-year-old woman constable, posted with the local arms division, committed suicide at her home in Naigaon police colony in Dadar on Tuesday morning. Constable Manju Gaikwads father was the first one to find her body. When he came home at 12.45pm on Tuesday, he found the door locked from inside.When his knocks went unanswered, he informed the neighbours, who broke open the door to find Gaikwad hanging. The neighbours then informed the Bhoiwada police and rushed her to the KEM hospital where she was declared dead on arrival. According to the Bhoiwada police, Gaikwad was living with her father and three siblings after the demise of her mother. Her brother, who works as a security guard at the Tata Hospital, was on duty when the incident took place. The police officers said Gaikwad must have taken the drastic step after coming home from night duty on Tuesday morning. At the time of the incident, she was alone at home, said a police officer from the Bhoiwada police station. The cops did not find any suicide note. We have registered an ADR for unnatural death case and are investigating the reason behind her suicide, said API Shakir Patel from the Bhoiwada police station. Police officers investigating the case said her father knew that she was involved in a romantic relationship but he did not know anything else about it. We suspect that Gaikwad had an affair with the son of a police sub-inspector and after he refused to marry her she might have ended her life, said an officer. The police have detained Gaikwads boyfriend and are questioning him. They would also check the couples Call Data Record to find out if she had spoken to him before committing suicide. Excise officials seized 370 cartons of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), said to be worth about Rs 2 crore, from seven vehicles and arrested two persons in Motipur police station area of north Bihars Muzaffarpur district on Monday. Excise superintendent Deen Bandhu said the seizure was made during a raid in Motipur police station area of Muzaffarpur district, 70 km north of Patna, following an input that a huge consignment of IMFL had been brought from Haryana. Bandhu said 370 cartons of liquor were seized from a secluded place on national highway 28 when they were being offloaded from a truck, bearing a Haryana registration number, for being carried in six SUVs parked there. A district administration release said the value of the seized liquor was about Rs 2 crore. The owner of one of SUVs, in which 69 cartons of IMFL had been loaded, was later found to be a regional TV news channel journalist, Bandhu said. All the seven vehicles had been seized, he said, adding that two persons, identified as Bagendra Kumar and Vikas Kumar, were arrested from the spot. Bandhu said the driver of the SUV owned by TV journalist fled from the spot and tried to lodge a complaint with Kanti police station that the vehicle had been lifted. But he was arrested as we had already alerted police stations of the district about some vehicles being used in illegal liquor trade. This vehicle was one of them, he added. Meanwhile, the owner of the SUV also visited the Brahampura police station in Muzaffarpur town to lodge a case that his vehicle had been stolen from his office premises on Sunday night. An FIR had also been registered against him, the excise superintendent added. Bihar became a dry state on April 5, last year. Consuming, keeping or dealing in liquor is an offence under the states new excise prohibition law, which provides for imprisonment up to 10 years. Patna police, which unearthed a private international telephone exchange that registered a lot of traffic from Pakistan and the Middle East, and arrested three persons late on Sunday, are now investigating if there was a larger design for setting it up and whether a terror and hawala angle was a possibility. The racket came to light on a complaint alleging hawala racket, which a central agency tracked to Gopalganj district in Bihar and it subsequently came to light that the call was routed via Patna, which is a base for such illegal telephone exchanges, sources added. The Patna police, following inputs from central intelligence agency, busted the racket on Saturday. During investigation, it also came to light that the setup was being used by people from various countries, including Middle East and Pakistan, to make calls to Siwan, Gopalganj, Araria, Kishnaganj, Katihar and Phulwarisharif in Patna. The police seized over 200 SIM cards of BSNL, SIGOS server of German-make, three cellphones, one laptop, eight ATM cards, PAN card and a diary carrying several mobile and telephone numbers of different states, including Jammu and Kashmir. The arrested persons Navin Sinha, Rohit Kumar and Sushil Kumar Chourasia are said to be just small fries of a big racket. During interrogation they could not reveal user ID and password of the exchange. They used internet connection provided by Host Axix Company. Police said the German-make SIGOS server machine costs Rs 1.70 lakh, which runs 30 SIM boxes. However, police found, that the three persons arrested were mere operators, but said there was hint of a very powerful lobby abroad, related to the discovery. The mastermind of the entire racket is still traceless. Police have started search for one Punit Kaushik, a native of Gurugram. The main handlers are based in different parts of the world. IG Patna, NH Khan has now constituted a special investigating team to go into details and unravel the links. Khan said a special team under the supervision of city SP (central) D Amarkesh comprising ASP (operations) Rakesh Kumar Dubey would thoroughly probe the racket. The special team will also visit other states and gather details. The cops will dig into the funding of the company floated by them and identify the amount received from foreign countries. Amarkesh told HT that as the gangs show the calls as local calls of that particular country, the service providers also fail to identify the fraud most of the time. An FIR has been lodged against those arrested under three under different sections, including waging war against the country and forgery. We have pressed sections 121(A), 120 B of IPC apart from 467, 468, 471, 420 66C IT Act and 112/117 Customs Act against them, said Amarkesh. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON If you are experiencing certain symptoms and suffering from ailments, it is best not to jump to conclusions based on information gathered through the Internet. Doctors have said that many times severe headache gets associated with tumor; fast heart beat rate and pain in the chest is associated with serious heart problems while there is a fear of suffering from various types of cancers in patients.Google Syndrome is the tendency among patients to do vigorous Internet research in an effort to self-diagnose medical problems they may be suffering from. A number of city doctors told Hindustan Times that Google Syndrome is driving people towards self-diagnosing themselves, creating rising anxiety among patients and also affecting the trust between doctors and patients. In an effort to understand more about the cause of their symptoms through Internet searching, patients assume that they are suffering from a serious disease which is often not the case, say doctors. They have, hence, cautioned that self-diagnosis through Internet might be misleading for patients. Consulting physician, Dr Prachee Sathe, said, Self-diagnosis by patients is definitely increasing and it is not a very good sign. It should be understood that answers obtained by searching symptoms on the Internet cannot be accurate. She added that this increasing self-diagnosis by patients is resulting in doctors spending more time in correcting the misconceptions of patients. Sathe emphasised that sometimes relatives of patients analyse the treatment methods based on what they have read on the Internet. This can delay the treatment of patients, she added. Consultant psychiatrist at the Columbia Asia Hospital, Sayathani Mukherjee too shared similar views. She said, It should be understood that diagnosis by a doctor cannot be replaced by the Internet. The results shown through an Internet search are not done by analysing the case and hence, cannot be trusted. Mukherjee added that the Google syndrome is yet to be classified as a medical condition and there is no comprehensive study done on this topic. The penetration of Internet is definitely making people search for everything online. With this, patients too have increasingly started self-diagnosis which is resulting in increasing their anxiety levels and also hampering the trust that needs to be present between a patient and a doctor, she added. Dr Somnath Salgar from the Sassoon General Hospital said that most people go for self-diagnosis and self-medication by searching on the Internet. Without physical examination and lab diagnosis, medical examination is incomplete. Information obtained from the Internet can be confusing and incomplete. Hence, patients must not trust the Internet for the cause of their symptoms and visiting the doctor is the only correct solution, he added. Police have prepared chargesheet against Honeypreet Insaan, the adopted daughter of rape convict Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim, and other accused in connection with the August 25 violence in Panchkula and Sirsa and will file it in the court of chief judicial magistrate on Tuesday. As many as 42 people were killed 36 in Panchkula and six in Sirsa in the violence that followed the dera heads conviction while property worth crores was damage. Honeypreet, who was charged with Sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 121 (waging, or attempting to wage war, or abetting waging of war, against government) and 121-A (conspiracy to commit offences) of the Indian Penal Code, has been pitched as main accused in hatching conspiracy and arson in Panchkula on August 25 after dera chief was convicted for raping his two female followers. The Haryana police are set to announce Rs 1 lakh award for sharing information about Aditya Insan, key aide of Ram Rahim, who is still at large since the Panchkula arson. The accused were booked (FIR number 345) at the Sector 5 police station on August 28, three days after the violence. Honeypreet (real name Priyanka Taneja), who is in judicial remand in the Ambala central jail since October 14, came into limelight when she travelled with the dera chief in a police helicopter when he was taken from the Panchkula court to Rohtaks Sunaria jail after his conviction. She then went into hiding for 38 days before her arrest on October 4 from the Zirakpur-Patiala highway. Sources said the police have bracketed the accused in three categories in the chargesheet one of them being the core committee members comprising Honeypreet and Aditya Insaan (who is still at large) who allegedly hatched the conspiracy on August 17 to trigger violence in Panchkula and at the deras Sirsa headquarters. Aditya Insaan was even present on the day of violence. Another category is of the dera management committee members who allegedly executed the conspiracy. It includes Dilawar Insaan, Surinder Dhiman, Chamkaur Singh, Dhan Singh, who are currently in judicial remand. Pawan Insaan was the latest to be arrested in the case. The third category is of the ones who were neither in the dera core committee or management committee. For instance, dera chief's personal assistant-cum-driver Rakesh Kumar, who too played a vital role in executing violence and is currently behind bars. Sources said the police will have nearly 100 witnesses in the case but their names have not been revealed at this stage. The police have taken on record a phone call that was intercepted from Jind corroborating their role in the Panchkula arson, sources said. Cash recovery from Chamkaur Singh and documents seized from Honeypreet are among the evidences to be produced in the court. A senior official said this chargesheet is the main case in connection with the Panchkula arson while chargesheets in two related cases, including arrest of dera chief's commandos in his alleged escape bid and seizure of vehicles of his cavalcade were filed last week. As many as 173 FIRs having nearly 1,000 dera followers as accused for attacking security forces and damaging public property have been registered so far. Rs 1 lakh award likely for info on Aditya Insaan The Haryana police are set to announce Rs 1 lakh award for sharing information about Aditya Insan, key aide of Ram Rahim, who is still at large since the Panchkula arson. He too has been charged as among conspirators along with Honeypreet for executing the entire violence after the self-styled godman's conviction. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A local court in Chandigarh awarded 10-year imprisonment to a man who had assaulted another with a knife over a quarrel on repayment of Rs 500. The victim later succumbed to his injuries. The court of additional district and sessions judge, Rajnish K Sharma, convicted Anil Kumar alias Happy, a resident of Sector 45, for culpable homicide not amounting to murder and criminal intimidation. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 1,500 on him. A case under section 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means), among others, of the IPC was registered against Anil. The matter dates back to April 8, 2012, when Anil was booked following a complaint by Arun Kumar. In his complaint Arun had stated that he was with his brother, Ram Ashish, at the Sector-45 market. Around 4 pm, they saw Anil, following which Ram asked him to repay the Rs 500 that he had borrowed from him. However, Anil allegedly started manhandling Ram and also abused him. The complaint alleged that Anil took out a knife from his pocket and attacked Ram. He then fled from the spot, while Ram was rushed to a hospital. In the court, the defence had claimed that Anil was falsely implicated in the case because the motive was not proved. Furthermore, it argued that Anil was paralysed from one side and thus it is not possible for him to stab anyone with a knife. The defence claimed that Ram was HIV positive and it is not yet clear whether he died due to the stab injury or from HIV. The court however refused to appreciate these arguments and held Anil guilty. The Natasamrat (2016) actor is not a birthday person. Her past memories of her birthday (November 29) have been that of spending time with family or working. Having started her career as a child artiste, Neha Pendse would believe that working on her birthday would get her more work. Now that I think of it, it was a funny logic that I applied. However, I loved it if my shooting dates fell on my birthday. I used to feel thrilled to be working on the special day, as for me it meant that more work would come to me throughout the year, says Neha. This year, the actor will be taking her family out for dinner, and she is also looking forward to watch a film. I have never been into birthday celebrations or parties. While growing up, I did not have friends, so birthdays mainly meant being with family or on the sets. Only in the last three to fours years, I have made some great friends but I still prefer spending time with my family. Now, as Neha has free time in hand, she is utilising it to the maximum. I am enjoying time with myself. I havent thought of taking a break yet because tomorrow if a great opportunity comes, I should be available to take it up. For now, I am enjoying this time. I am doing things for myself such as reading, learning pole dance and following a fitness regimen. There are two projects that seem promising, but I am taking it slow. Neha, who recently went on a vacation to Maldives with her mom, adds that as an artiste, she is in an interesting phase, as she carries the baggage of the last character she played on screen. It takes a little time to realise what is best for you. Also, you do not want to repeat yourself. I am not someone who gets upset if I do not have work. I would like to nurture and learn right now, she concludes. ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop 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 The home of Boko Harams founder will be turned into a museum as part of plans to chart the deadly Islamist insurgency in northeast Nigeria, a government official said on Tuesday. Muhammad Yusuf, a charismatic Muslim preacher, founded the group in 2001 from his base in the Railway suburb of the Borno state capital, Maiduguri. His followers at the time were disgruntled young people, who met at Yusufs Markaz (centre in Arabic), which comprised a mosque and his living quarters. Yusuf conducted fiery sermons from the mosque calling for jihad (holy war) against what he perceived to be a corrupt, secular government. The Borno state information commissioner, Muhammad Bulama, said converting the building into a museum would be a way of documenting, preserving and archiving our history. The Boko Haram insurgency is a turning point in the history of Borno state and the northeast. Our history cannot be written without reference to Boko Haram, he told AFP. We want to document it for posterity to have a clear and correct picture of what happened. The rebuilt Markaz would house all objects related to the insurgency, he added, rejecting the possibility that it would immortalise Yusuf. The building has been in ruins since it was reduced to a pile of rubble in the July 2009 military crackdown against the group that is taken as the start of the insurgency. Yusuf was arrested and killed in police custody after six days of violent clashes between Boko Haram supporters and the military in Maiduguri. Some 800 people were killed, most of them members of the groups. Since Yusufs deputy, Abubakar Shekau, took over, Boko Haram has developed into one of the worlds deadliest jihadist groups. At least 20,000 people have been killed and more than 2.6 million others made homeless in its quest to establish a hardline Islamic state in northeast Nigeria. It achieved global notoriety when fighters kidnapped more than 200 schoolgirls from the town of Chibok in April 2014. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the federal government will provide 1 billion euros (1.2 billion dollars) to cities and towns across the country in 2018 in an effort to make traffic more environmentally friendly. The money is to be invested in finding traffic solutions to lower air pollution. Many cities in Germany face driving bans because the air pollution is frequently above the allowed maximum levels due to the many cars exhaust fumes. The funds are to be invested among other things into electric buses, electric charging stations and a more environmentally friendly traffic infrastructure. German environment minister Barbara Hendricks lauded the initiative as a first important step but called on the automobile industry to also support the governments action plan. Irelands scandal-hit deputy prime minister resigned on Tuesday in a move that is likely to avert a government collapse and snap election that could have threatened crucial Brexit negotiations between Britain and the European Union. A government source confirmed reports that Frances Fitzgerald would step down, as demanded by opposition parties after the release of fresh documents about her disputed handling of a police whistleblower who alleged corruption in the force. Fianna Fail, the main opposition party that props up Fine Gael Prime Minister Leo Varadkars minority government, said her resignation should mean a December election would be avoided. It had warned it might force a snap poll if Fitzgerald refused to quit. Irelands political crisis emerged in the run-up to a key Brexit summit next month at which Varadkar is set to play a major role. He must tell fellow EU leaders whether he believes sufficient progress has been made on the future of the border between Ireland and the British province of Northern Ireland. The border -- the only land frontier between Britain and the EU -- is one of three issues Brussels wants broadly resolved before it decides whether to move talks on Britains divorce from the EU onto a second phase about trade, as Britain wants. While Varadkar has likely avoided the prospect of having to travel to Brussels in a caretaker capacity, his handling of the crisis has badly damaged his governing Fine Gael party and relations with its Fianna Fail opponents. Members of the opposition Labour and Sinn Fein parties said as Fitzgerald resigned that an election was still likely to follow in the next three or four months. An intense gun battle has been taking place over the last two days between Taliban and Islamic State affiliate insurgents in eastern Nangarhar province, a provincial official said Tuesday. Attahullah Khogyani, provincial governors spokesman, said that hundreds of families have been displaced from villages in Khogyani and Sherzad districts. He said an operation involving air and ground forces was begun to eliminate both insurgent groups from the area. Six civilians were wounded and there are reports of dozens of casualties among the insurgents, he said. The local government officials have already started emergency assistance to the internally displaced people, including cash money, tents, food items and nonfood items, Khogynai added. Sherzad, Khogyani and Hasarak districts in Nangarhar are strategic because they link with neighboyuring Logar province as well as the capital Kabul. In April, the US military used the Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb, or MOAB, against an Islamic State group tunnel complex carved in the mountains in Nangarhar province. In a separate attack in eastern Logar province, 11 civilians were wounded after a suicide bomber carried out an attack in Puli Alim, the provincial capital, said Salim Saleh, spokesman for the provincial governor. He said two were in critical condition. The bomber was on foot and targeted a convoy of the provincial deputy police chief, who was passing by a bazaar. He escaped unharmed, Saleh said. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack in Logar, but Taliban insurgents have stepped up their attacks across the country against Afghan security forces and they are active in the province. Life-size portraits of three Indians are among several at a unique exhibition at the University of Oxford, staged as part of the varsitys plans to enhance its record on diversity amid a growing campaign to decolonise its curriculum. The exhibition, titled The Full Picture: Oxford in Portraits, in open till January at the Weston Library and features more than 20 paintings, drawings and photographs commissioned earlier this year as part of the universitys Diversifying Portraiture project. The exhibition features current academics and former students a mixture of individuals including people with disabilities, people from a variety of ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, and people from the LGBTQ+ community. The idea is to reflect and promote the universitys diversity and its commitment to inclusivity. The three Indian-origin individuals on the list of the universitys current staff and alumni who sat for portraits are linguist Aditi Lahiri, BBC journalist Rita Chakrabarti and South African human rights activist Kumi Naidoo. A university release said sitters were selected from over a hundred nominations of living Oxonians. The portraits of Chakrabarti and Naidoo were completed by artist Fran Monks, while Lahiri sat for Rosalie Watkins. Others featured include film and television director Ken Loach, astrophysicist Jocelyn Bell Burnell, award-winning author Jeanette Winterson and historian Lyndal Roper. The exhibition comes in the backdrop of a recent race controversy at the varsity and a demand for the removal of the statue of colonialist Cecil Rhodes. The statue remains, but has added to criticism that the university does not reflect society and that it admits less students from state-funded schools than from fee-paying private schools. Chakrabarti said: Ive been looking forward immensely to seeing the portraits go on show at the Weston Library, and I hope people in Oxford will stop by to see this varied and exciting collection of works. I loved my time at Oxford. There werent then many people from my background at university there. But that didnt stop my experience from being overwhelmingly good. I hope this project will show that Oxford is open to everyone, and that it wants to be more so. I hope too that it reflects present-day Oxford back at itself, and that it encourages an ever more diverse range of people to study there. Rebecca Surender, pro-vice-chancellor for Equality and Diversity at the university, said: This series of portraits, created by a talented group of artists, will broaden the range of people represented around the University. All of those nominated and selected to take part have made enormous contributions to Oxford life and to society more widely. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Two Pakistani police officers who were allegedly kidnapped by activists of religious parties from a hospital were found lying alongside a road with marks of torture, fractured bones and bruises, the media reported on Tuesday. Soon after a police patrol spotted them on Monday in Solan area, the two officers were taken back to Rawalpindis District Headquarters Hospital, from where they were abducted, and admitted, the Dawn reported. According to a doctor, the policemen had sustained internal injuries too. Sub-Inspector Aslam Hayats left elbow was fractured and both he and his colleague Amanat Ali had been beaten with plastic coated wire, sticks and batons and had bruises on their bodies, the daily said. The policemen were abducted from the hospital during Saturdays clashes between security forces and Islamists on a highway linking Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Both Hayat and Ali were ruthlessly tortured by the kidnappers and were detained in a makeshift tent in Faizabad after they were kidnapped, an unnamed Deputy Superintendent of Police was quoted as saying. A group of religious protesters had entered the hospital mortuary and got into a row with one of the police officers after he refused to write what the protesters wanted him to write. They started beating him, dragged him out, beat him again, put him in a car and drove off, the Dawn said. They came back for the other official, beat him too and took him from the mortuary as well. A police constable accompanying the two officials escaped, the daily said. The Saturday violence left seven people dead and several injured. The deal struck by the Pakistan government with Islamic radicals who paralysed the national capital for three weeks reflects the disastrous handling of events by the ruling PML-N party and the surrender of state institutions, the Pakistani media said on Tuesday. Editorials in the main English newspapers were scathingly critical of the government, which signed the deal with the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan that was brokered by the army. The agreement followed a failed police operation over the weekend to disperse protesters who had occupied a key traffic intersection at Faizabad on the outskirts of Islamabad. Seven people were killed and hundreds injured in clashes between security forces and the protesters as the powerful army refused to intervene in the matter. The government gave in to the Tehreek-e-Labbaiks demand that law minister Zahid Hamid should quit over a change in an electoral oath that the hardline group considered blasphemous. In an editorial titled Capitulation, the influential Dawn newspaper said: It is a surrender so abject that the mind is numb and the heart sinks. The deal negotiated between the state, both civilian and military facets of it, and the Faizabad protesters is a devastating blow to the legitimacy and moral standing of the government and all state institutions. The Express Tribune, in an editorial titled Time for running repairs, said, To say that this has not been the governments finest hour is a considerable understatement, and virtually all commentators have agreed that the PML-N government handling of events has been nothing short of disastrous. Never before in the political history of Pakistan has the state succumbed so completely to the vandalism, abuse and commands of an extra-parliamentary group, like it has done in Faizabad, The Nation said in its editorial Death of a dream. It added, We must be clear: This was no negotiation, it was an unconditional surrender. And let there be no doubt, Pakistan will face the repercussions of this precedent in the years to come. The News, in its editorial Divided we fall, too described the agreement between the government and the protesters as a capitulation. It noted that the government had caved in while arrested protesters were released without being charged despite resorting to violence. Everything about this sorry episode, from the way this dharna sprung up to its eventual resolution reinforces every fear we and the rest of the world had about the Pakistani state and its resolve in the fight against extremism. The message sent out by this debacle is that protestations by the government that all state institutions are working in harmony cannot be taken at face value, The News said. Pakistanis used social media platforms to criticise the government for giving in to Tehreek-e-Labbaik leader Khadim Hussain Rizvi, who reportedly gained several concessions, such as the inclusion of members of radical groups in boards that decide school curricula and guarantees that the state would not obstruct the filing of blasphemy complaints. Many on social media also shared a video of a senior officer of the paramilitary Pakistan Rangers handing out envelopes containing Rs 1000 to protesters as they dispersed from the venue of the sit-in in Islamabad. The Dawn editorial said: Whether a decision made out of desperation or fear, the upshot is that the state has accepted that mobs and zealots have a right to issue religious edicts that can endanger lives and upend public order. It blamed the PML-N government, the opposition and the military for the profound change whose reverberations will be felt for a long time. It noted, The government has been humiliated and the military leadership has further improved its standing with sections of the public for helping end the protests but at what cost to the country and its people? The News noted the speculation that the army had chosen not to get involved in an operation against the protesters and said, There wasconsternation in some quarters about a moral equivalence being drawn between an elected government and two thousand violent extremists. The governments surrender to the radicals is a huge hit for the PML-N months ahead of Pakistans next general election, scheduled for mid-2018. The partys chief, Nawaz Sharif, was recently ousted by the Supreme Court over graft charges and doubts remain whether he will be able to lead the PML-N in the election campaign. Pope Francis spends his first full day in Myanmar travelling to the countrys capital Tuesday to meet with the civilian leader, Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, a day after hosting the military general in charge of the crackdown on the countrys Muslim Rohingya minority. Francis speech to Suu Kyi, other Myanmar authorities and the diplomatic corps in Naypyitaw is the most anticipated of his visit, given the outcry over the crackdown, which the US and UN have described as a campaign of ethnic cleansing to drive out the Rohingya from northern Rakhine state. The operation, launched in August after Rohingya militants attacked security posts, has sent more than 620,000 Rohingya into neighbouring Bangladesh, where they have reported entire villages were burned and looted, and women and girls were raped. Myanmars Catholic leaders have stressed that Suu Kyi has no voice to speak out against the military over the operation, and have urged continued support for her efforts to move Myanmar toward a more democratic future that includes all its religious minorities, Christians in particular. How Francis bridges the local Catholic concerns with his legacy of speaking out for oppressed minorities is the key to watch in his speech in Naypyitaw. Pope Francis arrives at Yangon International Airport, Myanmar. (Reuters Photo) Also Tuesday, the pope is scheduled to meet with other religious leaders at the archbishops residence in Yangon. Prominent Buddhist leader Sitagu is not on the list of those expected to meet the pope though the monk met with Franciss predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI. Sitagu has been criticized for using ethnic slurs against Muslims, particularly the Rohingya, although he received an award presented by Suu Kyi earlier this year. Francis dove into the crisis hours after arriving on Monday by meeting with the commander responsible for the crackdown, Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, and three members of the bureau of special operations. The Vatican didnt provide details of the contents of the 15-minute courtesy visit, only to say that They spoke of the great responsibility of the authorities of the country in this moment of transition. Gen. Min Aung Hlaings office said in a statement on Facebook that he is willing to have interfaith peace, unity and justice. The general added that there was no religious or ethnic persecution or discrimination in Myanmar, and that the government allowed different faith groups to have freedom of worship. Rohingya Muslims have long faced state-supported discrimination in the predominantly Buddhist country and were stripped of citizenship in 1982, denying them almost all rights and rendering them stateless. They cannot travel freely, practice their religion, or work as teachers or doctors, and they have little access to medical care, food or education. Myanmars Catholic Church has publicly urged Francis to avoid saying Rohingya, a term shunned by many here because the ethnic group is not a recognized minority in the country. And they have urged him to toe a delicate line in condemning the violence, given the potential for blowback against Myanmars tiny Catholic community. Francis previously has prayed for our Rohingya brothers and sisters, lamented their suffering and called for them to enjoy full rights. As a result, much of the debate before his trip focused on whether he would again express solidarity with the Rohingya. Any decision to avoid the term and shy away from the conflict could be viewed as a capitulation to Myanmars military and a stain on his legacy of standing up for the most oppressed and marginalized of society, no matter how impolitic. Burke didnt say if Francis used the term in his meeting with the general, which ended with an exchange of gifts: Francis gave him a medallion of the trip, while the general gave the pope a harp in the shape of a boat, and an ornate rice bowl. The papal trip was planned before the latest spasm of violence erupted in August, when Myanmar security forces responded to militant attacks with a scorched-earth campaign that has sent many Rohingya fleeing to Bangladesh. In the Kutupalong refugee camp in southern Bangladesh, Senu Ara, 35, welcomed Francis arrival for what he might be able to do for the refugees. He might help us get the peace that we are desperately searching for, she said. Even if we stay here he will make our situation better. If he decides to send us back, he will do so in a peaceful way. But in Myanmar, the sentiment was different. The government and most of the Buddhist majority consider the Rohingya Bengali migrants from Bangladesh living illegally in the country, though Rohingya have been here for generations. Being a religious leader Catholic leader means that he is well-regarded, but of course there is this worry if he says something, people might say, OK, he just came to meddle, said Burmese analyst Khin Zaw Win, a former political prisoner. So, I think a lot of diplomacy is needed, in addition to the public relations. Upon his arrival in Yangon, the pope was greeted by local Catholic officials and his motorcade passed by thousands of Myanmars Catholics, who lined the roads, wearing traditional attire and playing music. Children greeted him as he drove in a simple blue sedan, chanting Viva il papa! (Long live the pope) and waving small plastic Myanmar and Holy See flags. Posters wishing Francis a heartiest of welcome lined the route into town. Pope Francis met leaders of several faiths in majority-Buddhist Myanmar on Tuesday, stressing the importance of unity in diversity but making no mention the Muslim Rohingya who have fled en masse to Bangladesh after a military crackdown. The pope held private talks with Myanmars military chief in Yangon on Monday, the first day of a visit fraught with tension after the United States accused the Southeast Asian nation of ethnic cleansing against its Muslim Rohingya people. The leader of the Roman Catholic church will also travel to Bangladesh, where more than 620,000 Rohingya have fled to escape what Amnesty International has dubbed crimes against humanity. Myanmars army has denied accusations of murder, rape, torture and forced displacement that have been made against it. Unity is always a product of diversity, Francis told leaders of the Buddhist, Islamic, Hindu, Jewish and Christian faiths in Yangon, according to Vatican officials who gave a briefing on the 40-minute meeting. Everyone has their values, their riches as well as their differences, as each religion has its riches, its traditions, its riches to share. And this can only happen if we live in peace, and peace is constructed in a chorus of differences. Aye Lwin, a prominent Muslim leader who was at the meeting, told Reuters he had asked the pope to appeal to Myanmars political leaders to rescue the religion that we cherish, which could be hijacked by a hidden agenda. Only about 700,000 of Myanmars 51 million people are Roman Catholic. Thousands of them have travelled from far and wide to see him and more than 150,000 people have registered for a mass that Francis will say in Yangon on Wednesday. Tension over the word Rohingya The pope was later flying to the capital, Naypyitaw, where he will meet government leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel laureate and democracy champion who has faced criticism from around the globe because she has expressed doubts about the reports of rights abuses against the Rohingya and failed to condemn the military. His trip is so delicate that some papal advisers have warned Francis against even saying the word Rohingya, lest he set off a diplomatic incident that could turn the countrys military and government against minority Christians. The pope is due to deliver a speech after meeting Suu Kyi. The Rohingya exodus from Rakhine state to Bangladesh began after Aug. 25, when Rohingya militants attacked security posts and the Myanmar army launched a counter-offensive. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson last week called the military operation ethnic cleansing and threatened targeted sanctions for horrendous atrocities. Myanmars government has denied most of the accusations made against it, and the army says its own investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing by troops. Myanmar does not recognise the Rohingya as citizens nor as members of a distinct ethnic group with their own identity, and it even rejects the term Rohingya and its use. Many people in Myanmar instead refer to members of the Muslim minority in Rakhine state as illegal migrants from Bangladesh. Francis is expected to meet a group of Rohingya refugees in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, on the second leg of his trip. Vatican sources say some in the Holy See believe the trip was decided too hastily after full diplomatic ties were established in May during a visit by Suu Kyi. The pope has already used the word Rohingya in two appeals from the Vatican this year. A hardline group of Buddhist monks, previously known as Ma Ba Tha, said on Monday it welcomed the popes visit but warned, without elaborating, of a response if he spoke openly about the Rohingya. The wedding of Britains Prince Harry and his fiancee Meghan Markle will take place next May at St Georges Chapel in Windsor, a spokesman for the prince said on Tuesday. The fifth-in-line to the British throne and the American actress announced their engagement on Monday, sparking a trans-Atlantic media frenzy. Their first official engagement together will be in the central English city of Nottingham on Friday. Queen Elizabeth, Harrys 91-year-old grandmother, will attend next years wedding ceremony, the princes spokesman told reporters at Buckingham Palace. Markle will be baptised and confirmed before the wedding, and intends to become a British citizen, though she will retain her US citizenship while she goes through the process. The spokesman said Harry and Markle had chosen to marry in Windsor because it is a special place for them. The wedding will be a moment of fun and joy and reflect the characters of the bride and groom, he said. St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, Britain. (Reuters file) The Gothic St Georges Chapel, located in the grounds of Windsor Castle, west of London, has close associations with royal history going back centuries. Within the chapel are the tombs of ten sovereigns, including Henry VIII and his third wife Jane Seymour, and Charles I. In more recent memory, it was the venue of the wedding of Harrys uncle Prince Edward to Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1999, and of a service of prayer and dedication to mark the wedding of Harrys father, Prince Charles, to Camilla Parker Bowles in 2005. The Belarusian people also get acquainted with the concept of "Azg-Banak" Official visit of the delegation headed by the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Armenia Vigen Sargsyan to the Republic of Belarus has kicked off. On the morning of November 28, Armenian-Belarusian talks were held after the official welcoming ceremony. Welcoming the guests, Belarusian Defense Minister, lieutenant general Andrei Ravkov expressed conviction that the visit of the Armenian Defense Minister will be a boost for the development of bilateral relations. According to Belarussian Defense Minister, the positive results of the cooperation between the two states are visible in a number of domains: political, economic, cultural. So, it is necessary to deepen cooperation in the defense domain as well. Vigen Sargsyan, in his turn, thanked for the invitation and expressed confidence that the Armenian-Belarusian relations in the defense sphere have great potential. Minister Sargsyan introduced large-scale reforms in the armed forces, recent legislative initiatives on military service and the Azg-Banak (Nation-Army) concept. At the end of the meeting, the Defense Ministers of the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Belarus signed a number of documents, including the "Program of Cooperation between the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia and the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Belarus for 2018." King Edward VIII sacrificed his throne and Queen Elizabeths sister Margaret gave up her one true love, but for Prince Harry marrying a divorcee is no longer a bar to being a royal or following his heart. On Monday, Harry, fifth-in-line to the British throne, announced he was to wed his girlfriend, divorced US actress Meghan Markle, with the blessing of his grandmother, the queen. British social attitudes have been transformed in recent decades but the monarchy has been bound by a more traditional set of Christian values. So the queens approval is a stark demonstration of how much the monarchy has also changed and modernised in the last 80 years when the idea of a royal marrying someone who was divorced was inconceivable. Its extraordinary how far weve come since the 1930s, said royal biographer Claudia Joseph. In less than a century times have changed beyond all recognition. Famously, Harrys great-great-uncle Edward VIII set off a constitutional crisis in 1936 by insisting on marrying twice-divorced American socialite Wallis Simpson to the horror of the British establishment, the government and the Church of England, which the monarch nominally heads. It was dubbed the greatest love story of the 20th century and Edward abdicated after just 11 months on the throne and ended up living in France, which led to Elizabeths father George VI unexpectedly became king. You must believe me when I tell you that I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility and to discharge my duties as king as I would wish to do without the help and support of the woman I love, Edward said in his abdication speech. Such attitudes were still prevalent two decades later. In 1955, Elizabeths younger glamorous sister Margaret was forced to call off her proposed marriage to a dashing air force officer, Group Captain Peter Townsend. Although a royal equerry, Townsend was still deemed an unsuitable husband for the queens sister because he was divorced. Townsend was sent off to Brussels by Buckingham Palace. MARRIAGE IS INDISSOLUBLE I would like it to be known that I have decided not to marry Group Captain Peter Townsend, Margaret said in a sad announcement to the nation. Mindful that Christian marriage is indissoluble and conscious of my duty to the Commonwealth, I have resolved to put these considerations before others. While divorce was considered unfathomable in those days, it has since become a common feature for the Windsors. Of Elizabeths four children, three of their marriages have ended in divorce, most spectacularly that of Harrys father, heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles and his first wife Princess Diana. They divorced in 1996, 15 years after their fairytale wedding and a year before she was killed in a car crash in Paris and Charles went on to wed another divorcee Camilla Parker Bowles in 2005. Camilla was someone who he had first considered marrying in the early 1970s but who royal courtiers had considered unacceptable while she was not keen on taking on the role herself at the time. However Charles and Camilla could not marry in church, and the queen, who holds strong religious beliefs and has taken her role as Supreme Governor of the Church of England very seriously, declined to attend the civil ceremony. The Church of England had only ruled three years earlier that a divorced person could in exceptional circumstances marry again in church while their former spouse was still alive. Joseph said Charless second marriage had paved the way for Harry. I think the dilemma came when Prince Charles married the Duchess of Cornwall, she told Reuters. That was a hard thing for the queen to deal with. Somehow they had to marry without compromising her role as head of the church. Harry and Meghans union, like all those of the first six royals in direct line of succession, must be approved by the queen under the 2013 Succession to the Crown Act, which replaced an even more prescriptive law dating back to the 18th century. The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh are delighted for the couple and wish them every happiness, Buckingham Palace said in a statement. The foster mother of a three-year- old Indian girl, who was found dead in a culvert in the US state of Texas last month, has managed to get her bail bond reduced to USD 100,000 from USD 250,000 but she would remain under house arrest and wear an ankle monitor. Sini Ann Mathews, 35, was arrested last week after investigators said she and her husband, Wesley Mathews, left their adopted daughter Sherin Mathews at home, without adult supervision for about 90 minutes, while they went out for dinner with their biological daughter on October 6. Sherin was found dead in a culvert about 1 km from her home in suburban Dallas on October 22. Wesley was arrested and charged with felony injury to a child, which carries a sentence of up to life in prison. He is still in the Dallas County jail on a USD 1 million bond. During Mondays hearing, Dallas County Criminal District Court Judge Stephanie Fargo reduced Sinis bond from USD 250,000 to USD 100,000. But ruled that she would remain under house arrest and wear an ankle monitor. Richardson police argued Mathews was a flight risk and said before she was arrested she asked her pediatrician for shot records so that her 3-year-old biological daughter could go to India. The judge also asked Mathews to surrender her passport. The department received information that Sini requested her biological daughters shot records last month and they believe she may have planned to flee to India, possibly with a fake passport, Richardson police Detective Jules Farmer said. Sinis defence attorneys were calling for her bond to be reduced to the typical amount for a child endangerment charge (USD 500), which Sini faces after it was discovered she and her husband left Sherin home alone in the hours before her disappearance. They argued there were no indications Sini planned to flee or produce a fake passport and if she requested shot records for her daughter, it was so the girl could be taken to stay with family in India but Sini would not follow. The girl is currently staying with family in the Houston area. Before the judge made her decision, the prosecution did not mince words in closing arguments. This woman is wicked enough to leave a 3-year-old in her house while she and her husband goes to dinner, said First Assistant Mike Snipes with the Dallas District Attorney Office. That shows a level of depravity in this womans heart in and of itself. Sherin was adopted by Wesley and Sini, a couple from Kerala, two years ago. As an infant she had been found abandoned in Gaya in Bihar and later put up for adoption. Born Saraswathi, the tragic end of this childs life is being mourned by thousands across the world. The Dallas County Medical Examiners Office is continuing to work on determining the cause of death. Those results will be made available when complete, Richardson Police said in a Facebook post. Sherins death prompted external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj to ask the Indian Embassy in the US to be actively involved in the case and keep her informed. She also sought a probe into the adoption process of Sherin. US prosecutors have charged three Chinese nationals affiliated with a cyber security company in China with hacking into Siemens AG, Trimble Inc and Moodys Analytics to steal business secrets. An indictment unsealed on Monday in federal court in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, charged the three with launching coordinated and unauthorised cyber attacks between 2011 and 2017. The defendants were identified as Wu Yingzhuo, Dong Hao and Xia Lei. The indictment said they were owners, employees and associates of Guangzhou Bo Yu Information Technology Company Ltd, a firm located in Guangzhou in southern China, that offers cyber security services. Two US government officials told Reuters that Guangzhou Bo Yu, also known as Boyusec, is affiliated with Chinas Peoples Liberation Army Unit 61398, and that most if not all its hacking operations are state-sponsored and directed. US prosecutors in Pittsburgh in May 2014 indicted five officers from the secretive unit 61398 with hacking into US nuclear, metal and solar firms to steal trade secrets. The indictments prompted warnings from Beijing that it would retaliate if Washington followed through with the charges. The acting US attorney for Western Pennsylvania, Soo C Song, said arrest warrants had been issued for the three men, but the case was not being prosecuted as state-sponsored hacking. It is not an element or subject of this indictment that there is state sponsorship, Song said. However, the justice departments national security division participated in the case, according to the indictment. The hackers monitored email correspondence of an unidentified Moodys economist, stole data from transportation, technology and energy units at Siemens, and targeted Trimble as it developed a new and more precise global navigation satellite system, the indictment said. Siemens, based in Munich, Germany, is a technology company with interests in electrification, automation and digitalisation. Trimble, based in Sunnyvale, California, provides technology for a range of industries. Moodys Analytics, part of New York-based Moodys Corp, provides products and services for financial analysis and risk management. Valuable intelligence Trimbles advances in geo-location and Siemens work in guidance and navigation are of interest to the Chinese for internal security and military purposes, as well as commercial, ones, according to one of the officials, who declined to be named because some details of the case remain classified. Gleaning precise locations from mobile phones and other devices is valuable to the ministry of state security for monitoring dissidents as well as foreigners, the official said. Overseas, it can be valuable to keep track of where your own people are going, as well as keeping track of foreigners movements, whether theyre government or commercial. The official said data collected by Moodys could be used to help identify businesses and people that might be vulnerable to commercial or government exploitation, blackmail or bribery. Representatives for the three defendants and the Chinese company could not immediately be identified to seek comment on the charges. The indictment was filed in September, and the Chinese government has been aware of it, prosecutors said. In 2015, then-US president Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping reached an agreement prohibiting both countries from stealing intellectual property for the benefit of domestic firms. The US officials said classified intelligence indicates that Chinese hackers recently have begun violating the deal more frequently. The hacking group described in the indictment has been active since 2007, said Adam Meyers, a researcher with cyber firm CrowdStrike. The group, known to some cyber researchers as Gothic Panda, was active as of September, Meyers said. It has targeted aerospace and defence, chemical, energy, financial, healthcare, industrial and transportation firms in Britain, France, Hong Kong, the US and other western nations, he said. Trimble said no client data was breached in the hack. Trimble responded to the incident and concluded that there is no meaningful impact on its business, the company said in a statement. A Siemens representative declined comment on the details of the hack, saying the company does not discuss internal security matters. A Moodys spokesman said the firm worked closely with investigators, and to our knowledge, no confidential customer data or other personal employee information was compromised. Two suicide bombers blew themselves up at a market on Baghdads outskirts on Monday, leaving 11 people dead, a security official said, in an attack claimed by the Islamic State group. Five suicide bombers attacked a market and shops in the Nahrawan area east of the Iraqi capital, a police captain told AFP. The police killed three of them but the other two blew themselves up killing 11 civilians and wounding 31, he said. He added that the blasts also wounded two security personnel in the district, 35 kilometres (20 miles) east of the Iraqi capital. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack in a message on its Amaq propaganda channel. IS said the assault had targeted members of the Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary alliance and claimed it had killed 35 people. The mostly Shiite Hashed fighters are at the forefront of the battle against the Sunni jihadists. IS has suffered a string of military defeats in both Syria and Iraq, where in 2014 it proclaimed a caliphate after seizing territories the size of Italy. Last week it lost control of the last town it had held in Iraq. Hamas is due to hand over power in the Gaza Strip to the Palestinian Authority by Friday as part of a reconciliation deal, raising hopes humanitarian suffering there can be eased. Gazans demands are mostly simple: water, electricity, the right to travel. The coastal enclave has been blockaded by Israel for a decade, while the only other border -- with Egypt -- has been also largely sealed in recent years. Residents receive only a few hours of electricity per day, and UN officials have said Gaza is becoming rapidly unliveable. Israel says its restrictions are necessary to isolate Islamist movement Hamas, which has ruled the enclave since seizing it in 2007. It has fought three wars with Israel since. Gazans explain why reconciliation matters to them: A portrait of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi hangs the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. (AFP Photo) The stranded student Yahya al-Majayda, 18, is meant to be studying medicine. He applied for university in Ukraine, was accepted and even received the visa. But with the borders sealed, he is stuck. My visa has been valid for two months but I havent been able to travel because of the border. It expires in January. If I dont arrive by that date they wont renew it and I will lose around $2,000 I spent. My future depends on the opening of the border and the national government taking control in Gaza. I am very scared reconciliation will fail, my future will be lost completely. The daughter cut off from family Maysaa al-Shanti, a 45-year-old mother of six, hasnt seen her parents since Hamas took control. They moved to Saudi Arabia decades ago. I dream of reconciliation and for them to open the crossings so I can travel to see my family in Saudi Arabia. I havent seen them in 11 years. My father died without me seeing him. I dont know when I will see my mother and siblings if they dont succeed with reconciliation. Fatah's Azzam al-Ahmad (R) and Saleh al-Aruri (L) of Hamas signing a reconciliation deal at the Egyptian intelligence services headquarters in Cairo, as the two rival Palestinian movements ended their decade-long split following negotiations overseen by Egypt. (AFP Photo) The rival bureaucrats In a strange quirk, there are two civil services in Gaza. When Hamas took over in 2007, the majority of the Fatah-dominated Palestinian Authority employees were told to stop working. Hamas set up a rival administration, while tens of thousands of PA employees continued to get a salary without working. Leila Saqar was among them. She is hoping to return to her job with the health ministry. Ten years at home without work has negative psychological and professional effects. I dont care if my colleagues or the patients I treat are Hamas or Fatah. We are all Palestinians. As employees in the PA we will complement the Hamas employees, who have acquired experience during their years of work, dealing with new projects we today must learn about. Read more: Gaza City in the spotlight: Hesitant hope in a city where everyone still wants out Mahmoud al-Faraa, head of public relations with the Hamas media ministry, could be losing his job. A final decision about Hamas employees has been put off until early next year, with a merger possible, but Faraa said he was personally in favour of reconciliation to ease conditions for his family. As an employee also I hope there will be reconciliation so I can get my full salary from the Palestinian Authority, and develop our capacities and expertise. The unemployed graduate Wael al-Haj, 32, graduated from university in 2008, but since then he has been mostly unemployed. All we want is reconciliation and for the economic and living situations to improve and to get a chance to work. All I want is to provide my family with a stable and dignified life. The Gaza Strip has seen a huge tragedy as a result of the split. The child who wants to fly Hamada Ahmed, 12, a student in a United Nations school in Gaza, doesnt know exactly what reconciliation is -- but he hopes it means he will be able to leave Gaza for the first time. My dad said if they open the crossings to everyone we will travel. I hope to fly in a plane and eat McDonalds. [dropcap]J[/dropcap]ohn Marshall Branum knew about abolition and slavery in the South from an early age. His parents were both Swedenborgian, members of a Christian sect founded in the 18th century that followed the teachings of Emanuel Swedenborg, a theologian and philosopher known for his praise of the spiritual character of the African people. When the Civil War began, the 21-year-old Branum was enrolled at the Hopedale Normal School, a teachers college near his hometown of Bridgeport, Ohio. The school, which counted future Union icon George Armstrong Custer among its alumni, had been established by New England abolitionists in 1849. Although Branum was certainly a committedalbeit not necessarily devoutChristian, there is no proof he ever considered himself an abolitionist. It is evident from his letters, however, that the wretched treatment of slaves across the South appalled him. Nevertheless, any condemnation he may have felt did not compel him to join the Union Army immediately when hostilities opened in April 1861. Perhaps Branum, like so many of his comrades, was convinced the war would be short, a conviction of course quickly foiled on the battlefield by Confederate armies. But finally, in August 1862, the dire state of Union prospects after 15 blood-soaked months proved to be the tipping point, and Branum abandoned his studies and donned Federal blue. Scores of other young Northerners joined him in answering President Abraham Lincolns call for 300,000 new troops. Bridgeport lay at the heart of the Ohio Valley. Across the Ohio River from Old Virginiawhat would soon become the state of West Virginiathe region was a breeding ground of contending ideologies, from Republicans, abolitionists, and Lincoln-loving Wide Awakes to Democrats and even some peace-promoting Copperheads. Those groups, however, set aside their moral and political differences in the summer of 1862 and flocked to the Union cause. The area soon produced several regiments filled with eager young recruits. Efforts to capture Richmondand hasten the wars endhad failed a few months earlier with the demise of Maj. Gen. George B. McClellans Peninsula Campaign and the Seven Days Battles. And for boys in Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, a long-rumored Confederate invasion of Kentucky that now seemed imminent had spread further panic. Rebel Colonel John Hunt Morgan had also gone so far as to declare that his cavalry would soon give Cincinnati a call. Upon joining the new 98th Ohio, Branum decided to preserve the pen with which I wrote my name [and that] made me a soldier of the army. He would use that pen to write a series of important letters during the conflict. The 98ths ideological divide showed not only in the ranks, but also in its commanders. Colonel George P. Webster, 37, a respected lawyer and Mexican War veteran, was a Democrat who had campaigned for Stephen A. Douglas for president in 1860; his second in command was Lt. Col. Christian L. Poorman, the 36-year-old editor of Ohios Belmont Chronicle, a Republican and an abolitionist. Both men had already seen action during the first year of the war. When the 98th convened in early August at Camp Mingo, the site of an old Indian village in eastern Ohio, it was immediately apparent how different its volunteers were. One soldier described sitting at a campfire alongside men reading the Bible and singing church songs while others gambled or spouted obscenities (perhaps both). Branum was among those from reasonably well-off, middle-class families, his father a successful local wholesale grocer. In those first few days, he would write, he felt very much depressedsurrounded by strangers, many of them inferior to me in my former class and position, yet they all seemed, as it were, over me. What would my friends at home say, to see me keeping time with my left foot, at the bidding of some Country Jake? Within days, however, Branum fell into the rhythm of camp life, and began to enjoy the attention of civilians who flooded the camp. Children dashed through the columns of soldiers as they drilled; families sat watching in the shade trees; and young, unmarried women came out in droves. Branum knew what lay ahead, however. I was now starting out on a dangerous life, he wrote, and might well be forced to the cannons mouth. Further bad news had arrived from Kentucky. Confederate armies, headed by generals Edmund Kirby Smith and Braxton Bragg were threatening to converge in the Bluegrass State, while Union forces under Maj. Gen. Don Carlos Buell remained in Tennessee. Events would force the 98th Ohio to move out soon, with only a few weeks of training under its belt. In late August the men boarded trains heading for the front. Farmers were cutting their hay, and with the women and others waved their farewells, the boys cheering in return, Branum wrote. He would refer to the men in his regiment as brothers for the first time. Never again would he write about their differences. October 1 found the 98th on the march in search of Braggs army. The regiment was now part of the Army of the Ohios 34th Brigade, under the leadership of its former commander Colonel Webster. Seven days later at the small crossroads town of Perryville, Ky., the 98th would finally see the elephant, fighting for several crucial hours in an area later dubbed The Slaughter Pen. Private George Patton (related to the future U.S. Army legend in name only) was among those slightly wounded during a morning skirmish who missed the main battle later in the day. He was lucky. By sundown, the regiment incurred the brigades highest casualty toll. Of 822 men who reported for duty that morning, 230 were killed, wounded, or missing by the battles conclusion. As they approached the battlefield, the men heard the roar of a ferocious artillery duel ahead. A few of the boys began to get sick, Corporal Wesley Smith Poulson later noted, but most of them seemed to walk with more ease, as if there were springs in their legs. [quote style=boxed float=left]We could see plainly the columns of rebels approaching and their hateful flags flying[/quote] Poulson thought of his Ohio home. As we neared the field, we met many citizens, male and female, old and young, leaving for fear they would get hurt, he wrote. Several were crying at the thought [of] their houses destroyed, their stocks killed. The people of Ohio have had no such trialsbut they have no surety that such a day will not come. The 98th assumed its initial position in the early afternoon, just below the crest of a ridge on the right flank of Captain Samuel J. Harris 19th Indiana Light Artillery. The gunners were exchanging rounds with Confederate cannons about a mile east. The soldiers lay on the ground as shells and cannonballs flew over their heads. A few somehow fell asleep, though most clung tightly to the earth. Shells were bursting around, Poulson wrote, and solid shot were making the soil fly up. Added Sergeant Duncan C. Milner, a former divinity student, avowed abolitionist, and Hopedale Normal School graduate: The earth we were lying on trembled from the concussion of the artillery.I saw a gunner struck by a cannon ball and knocked back 10 or 12 feet. Later that afternoon, Branum wrote, the regiment was poised for the rebels to appear at the edge of the woods to charge our battery. The bullets soon came over our heads with a shrill, quick whiz, and we could hear them strike the fence and trees nearby. On the right, Confederate troops had taken a hill about half a mile distant and set up artillery that enfiladed the 98ths position, causing considerable loss, Lieutenant Ellis E. Kennon wrote in his after-action report. Loud cheering then arose from the Confederates, and the Ohioans saw long lines of Alabama and Mississippi troops heading toward them. They came at us from a wood on our right flank, eight lines deep, Branum wrote. [T]hey were brave fellows, and did not seem to care for their lives, and came on directly in the face of our fire. Meanwhile, the Confederates had overrun a battery north of the 98ths position. Roughly an hour apart in that hotly contested area of the battlefield, the Federals suffered two significant setbacks when 10th Division commander Brig. Gen. James S. Jackson was killed and 33rd Brigade leader Brig. Gen. William R. Terrilla Virginia native who had stayed loyal to the Union Armywas mortally wounded. The Rebels were advancing on Websters left flank, using woods for cover. Then, on the 98ths front, a swarm of rebels [came] out of the woods about half a mile in front of us, Poulson remembered. When they got into open land and lines dressed, they started on double-quick shouting and hollering like wild men. As the Confederates closed to within 90 yards, Poorman wrote, Harris battery ceased firing shell and round shot and hurled into the very bosom of the advancing host a storm of grape and canister, until the ground was literally covered with dead and mangled rebels. Nevertheless, the Confederates displayed impeccable discipline, reforming their lines, stepping over their dead and wounded, and continuing the charge. When orders finally came to withdraw Harris battery, the crews could salvage only two of the six guns, having lost so many horses. Poorman would note that several members of the 98th stood by the remaining guns, and fired them several times in the gunners absence. The options looked bleak for the 98th. Branum feared they were on the verge of being overrun in front and on the right, recalling, Our regiment was fast losing men.[O]ur position was untenable. A murderous hail of musketry greeted the Federals as they rose and formed ranks. Poulson made note of the fate of one Company F man who was hit almost immediately: [T]he ball striking him in the face just below the left eye. Seeing his face so covered with blood and hearing the mournful noise he made seemed to strengthen my nerve. Poulson fired off several rounds before a bullet shattered his right leg. Collapsing near a tree stump, he played dead as the enemy swarmed his position. I heard several balls strike the stump, he remembered, [and one Confederate] shot several times off the stumpthe barrel extended over me, having bayonet fixed and gleaming. Leaving Poulson and other wounded comrades behind, the 98th worked its way down the ridge and then up a hill before reorganizing in a patch of woods near the tactically important Dixville Crossroads. We could see plainly the columns of rebels approaching and their hateful flags flying, Milner reported. We were then moved a little higher up the hill, and renewed the fire with terrible earnestness. Here we lost a lot of our men either killed or wounded. Recalled Branum: [O]n this wooded hill the battle raged furiously. The enemy on both sides were slowly working up, and the bullets grew so thick that one could imagine himself among a swarm of bees. One of those bullets found Colonel Webster, knocking him from his horse. He told me he thought he was mortally wounded, Milner wrote, and prayed for God to have mercy on his soul: Tell my dear wife and children they were last in my thoughts. In a dispatch he sent to the Belmont Chronicle, the abolitionist Republican Poorman spoke fondly of Webster, the ardent Democrat. [He] could be seen during the whole afternoon in the thickest of the fightencouraging his men by his presence and advicemaking his new recruits do the work of veterans. His death has cast a gloom over the 98th, by whom he was highly esteemed, and over his brigade that had learned to love himan irreparable loss. Still, the regiment Webster originally commanded had delivered more than it received. Poulson estimated that he saw three dead Rebels for every Yankee cut down, and Poorman later wrote: [The 98th] nobly stood up for an hour and a half under the fire of several regiments of the enemy, after every other [Union] regiment had fallen back on the right and left of it, and until the ammunition was completely exhausted. The 98th was relieved near the Dixville Crossroads, where a final Confederate assault soon stalled. As a full moon rose, some Rebel soldiers began robbing Union corpses, directly under the gaze of the exhausted Federals. The men of the 98th slept that night with their rifles clenched in their hands, expecting a renewed assault by the Confederates the next day. Instead Bragg withdrew. The ferocity and toll of the battle was even more apparent by mornings light. The boys gave shot for shot and many a dead rebel on the field in front of us, bore testimony that they did not shoot in vain, recalled Captain James M. Shane. Added Branum: I saw almost 300 of our dead, lying thick in some places, shot in every imaginable way. Union and Confederate casualties during the battle totaled roughly 7,600. Survivors, such as Branum, reflected on how close they had come to joining the dead. I got a bullet hole through my haversack, and almost everyone had holes through his clothes, he wrote. Countless others had lost their hats, shot off their heads. J.J. Polk, a local resident, walked the battlefield the next day. All around lay dead bodies of soldiers both Union and Confederate, he would write. I counted 410 dead men on a small part of ground[and] saw dead rebels piled up in pens like hogs. My heart grew sick. Perryville was a tactical victory for the Confederates, but strategically it signaled the beginning of the end. Remembered by some as the Souths High Water Mark in the West, it ensured that Kentucky and its vast resources would not join the Confederacy. Coming just three weeks after Antietam had ended Robert E. Lees first Northern invasion, Perryville was another battlefield success upon which Lincoln felt he could enact his Emancipation Proclamation and stave off foreign intervention on behalf of the South. In January 1863, the 98th proceeded to Franklin, Tenn., where the officers bivouacked at the local courthouse. In a letter home, Branum revealed how much his once-snobbish attitude had changed. A better class of men for their vocations could not be found, he wrote. All are endeared to each other fromthe pleasures and hardships of our campaigning. Poorman returned to Ohio in June to help with Republican campaigning, and Shanedescendant of a War of 1812 herotook his place. By August the 98th was itching to fight again. The men are beginning to tire of inaction, Branum wrote. If there is any lying still to be done we will do it at home after the war. In mid-September the 98th got its wish, but paid dearly for it at the Battle of Chickamauga. Although Branum was confined to a hospital bed with a fever during the fighting, he was compelled to listen to the roar of the battle and witness the sad scenes in the rear.[regimental surgeon] Dr. [Henry] West is up to his elbows in blood. [quote style=boxed float=left]He was my oldest school friend, and he was shot through the body John Branum[/quote] The young Patton, who had missed the Perryville fighting, was in the thick of the action. Our little mess of four lost two of our number, he wrote. His friend John Pollock had an arm amputated. Went to the field hospital to see Pollock, Patton wrote. Found him in good spirits. Pollock died a month later, however. Pattons other messmate, Johnson Hammond, survived his wounds, but was left a cripple for life. Another friend was shot in the head and died instantly. At Chickamauga the 98th had only 196 men on the field, yet lost 50 killed and wounded, and 12 captured. One of those captured, Private Huston Winters, later died at the Confederates notorious Andersonville prison camp. By the end of November the regiment had joined Maj. Gen. William T. Shermans armies at Chattanooga and had played supporting roles at Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain, losing only half a dozen men despite several brutal encounters. During the Atlanta Campaignfought May to September 1864the 98th saw action at Buzzard Roost Gap, Resaca, Rome, Dallas, Vinings Station, Kennesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, and Jonesboro. This was a continuously fighting, skirmishing and marching affair, Patton recalled. I think there were only three out of the more than 100 days but that the balls were passing over us and in no case did we dare to lie down at night without having barricade or rifle pits to which we might fall into. Sherman continued trying to outflank his opponent, General Joseph E. Johnston, as he pushed toward Atlanta, but on June 27 mistakenly estimated that the Confederate army was stretched too thin and therefore vulnerable. At Kennesaw Mountain, he erred in launching a full-frontal assault. The 98th lost its latest commander, Lt. Col. James M. Shane, during that attack. Our beloved Col. Shane is no more, and 25 or 30 of our boys are killed or wounded, Branum wrote. As the charge started ascending a wooded hill, a torrent of bullets [began] streaming through our ranks.[O]ur men fell as fast as one could count. Eventually, the assault stalled and the 98th dug in, just 50 yards from the enemy. After dark, Branum crawled forward to check the wounded. The first one I came to was Harvey [sic] McKirahan, he lamented. He was my oldest Hopedale school friend, and he was shot through the body. Branum managed to get his friend to the rear, where he died, and then attended to Shanes body. His last words were, My poor wife, Branum wrote. I cannot express the grief that we all feel. What his poor wife will feel I fear to contemplate. Never were two more closely united in feeling and affection. Lieutenant Colonel John S. Pearce assumed command. Kennesaw Mountain was a Confederate victory, but Johnston abandoned the position five days latera decision that helped prompt Confederate President Jefferson Davis to sack him and name the more assertive (though reckless) John Bell Hood as commander. Living up to the billing, Hood would lead more aggressively, but also suffered several devastating losses at Peach Tree Creek [see Reviews, page 60], and in two sharp encounters near Atlanta. By the Numbers: 98th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Original Strength (August 1862) 1,018 Original Recruits Mustered Out (June 1, 1865) 318 Killed/Mortally Wounded 120 Died While incarcerated 10 Died By Sickness/Disease 123 Died by accident 4 Discharged by WoundS/Disability 230 Oct. 8, 1862 Perryville (Ky.) 36 killed 194 w/M/C* Sept. 19-20, 1863 Chickamauga (Ga.) 9 killed 54 W/M/C Nov. 26, 1863 Graysville (Ga.) 5 killed 1 W/M/C May 8, 1864 Buzzard Roost Gap (Ga.) 0 killed 1 W/M/C May 13-16, 1864 Gesaca (Ga.) 1 killed 2 W/M/C May 15, 1864 Rome (Ga.) 1 killed 0 W/M/C May 27 June 4, 1864 Dallas (Ga.) 3 killed 0 W/M/C June 27, 1864 Kennesaw Mountain (Ga.) 8 killed 39 W/M/C July 2-5, 1864 Vinings Station (Ga.) 1 killed 2 W/M/C July 19-20, 1864 Peach Tree Creek (Ga.) 1 killed 2 W/M/C July 28 Sept. 2, 1864 Siege of Atlanta (Ga.) 3 killed 3 W/M/C Aug. 31 Sept. 1, 1864 Jonesboro (Ga.) 12 killed 29 W/M/C Nov. 15 Dec. 21, 1864 March to the Sea (Ga.) 1 killed 0 W/M/C March 19-21, 1865 Bentonville (N.C.) 10 killed 22 W/M/C The end came on September 1 at the railroad depot of Jonesboro, just south of Atlanta. There the 98th Ohio joined another charge against a fortified position. It was a terrible place to charge, being up hill, Branum wrote. [But] the troops rushed impetuously forward with cheers and flags wavingand we took the rebel works. They threw down their guns and surrendered at once. Although more than a thousand Confederate prisoners were taken, it was a bitter victory for the 98th, with 41 killed and wounded. The next day Hood abandoned Atlanta. On October 8two years to the date of the Battle of Perryvillerumors were circulating that Sherman was planning a great raid. Conceding that more fighting lay ahead, Branum wrote: I dare not think of home. Of our quiet rooms, pictures, and books; the dinner table; of mother. Shermans epic March to the Sea, beginning November 15, would be a challenging but momentous experience for the Ohioans. By early December the 98th found itself near Savannah. The march had given Branum an opportunity to see the face of slavery up-close: So many ragged and half-starved Negroes, he wrote. Each plantation has its little village of huts, which were bare of the necessities of life. Indeed, it seemed as though they raised the Negroes just like animals. Hundreds of former slaves began trailing the army. Many families of Negro women and children followed us, from grandmothers down to babiesand had nothing to eat but what was thrown away or given them by the troops, Branum wrote. The poor slaves were willing to endure anything in preference to slavery. On December 9, though, Shermans rear guard forces, under Maj. Gen. Jefferson C. Davis command, set up pickets and stopped the black refugees from crossing swollen Ebenezer Creek, 20 miles from Savannah, casting them astray. Branum called it a pitiful sight but did allow that it could not be helped, cruel as it seemed. [quote style=boxed float=left]The poor slaves were willing to endure anything in preference to slavery[/quote] Just before Christmas, Savannah surrendered without a fight. On New Years Eve, fireworks lit up the city. Wrote Branum: Our country has passed through many dangers and struggles and is fast nearing the happy period of peace. In early February 1865, the 98th crossed into South Carolina. About 50 Negroes came to our brigade today, and we met hundreds going to Savannah, Branum wrote, now so accustomed to seeing desperate, fleeing Negroes pleading for sanctuary. They will suffer great hardships, but are anxious for their freedom. As the 98th marched on, the men came across fine homes in ashes, blackened chimneys, and torched fences and crops. Farm animals not confiscated lay dead in the fields. Lord, how wicked are we, Branum wrote, noting also the familiar sight of white women and their pretty little children left helpless. Will we ever have to atone? By late February the Ohioans knew the war was all but over. We have conquered South Carolina [and] we can burn and destroy everything we please, Branum wrote. But where is our humanity? The motto of our Corps, on the acorn badge we wear, is bravery and humanity. I would like to see more humanity exhibited. On a Sunday he wrote his family, The country here is hilly, and much like [Ohio]. I can imagine you all at home today. I would like to hear the old church bellonce more. By mid-March Shermans men were nearing Goldsboro, N.C., a railroad junction where they hoped to refit and rest. A soldier could now allow his imagination to run wild. Perhaps the war would end before the army left to meet up with Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grants forces. In Virginia, Grant had Petersburg and Richmond under siege, with the Confederates ready to crack after nine months of trench warfare. Their only remaining chance was for Robert E. Lee to slip away, head west, and rendezvous with Johnston. Lee pressed Johnston to hit Sherman hard and stall his armies. On March 19, Johnston dealt his last card, assaulting Shermans left flank at Bentonville, N.C. We heard the sound of cannon ahead, Branum wrote that morning. We well knew that an hour of trial was at hand. That would be the last entry in his diary. Captain John W. Carson sent a letter to Branums father shortly after the three-day Battle of Bentonville, a Union victory. The lieutenant was killed at the beginning of the battle, Carson wrote. He was about three paces from me when he was struck, and though deadly as the shot was, he did not fall instantly. He turned to me and said, Im killed, Captain, then made one step towards me and fell into my arms, saying Take care of my things and send them to Mother. I laid him down slowly to the ground. Carson and Branum had both been at Hopedale, and had volunteered together. Being old schoolmates and friends, he added, I loved him like a brother. It was the 98ths final battle. Within weeks, both Lee and Johnston had surrendered. Though lacking Branum and so many of its original recruits, the regiment got a final day in the sun marching in the Grand Review in Washington, D.C., on May 24. Eight days later, the men mustered out, and headed home. A regular contributor to Americas Civil War, Thomas M. Grace, Ph.D., teaches history at Erie Community College in Buffalo, N.Y. Ohio native Allen F. Richardson, an award-winning journalist and author with a longtime passion for the Civil War, has covered living history in America, Europe, and the Middle East for the past 30 years. A Congressional committee kept a close eye on Union generals Report of the Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War ranks among the indispensable sources on the Union war effort. Published in eight volumes between 1863 and 1866 and reprinted and indexed by Broadfoot Publishing in 1998, this set consists of more than 5,000 pages of testimony and other documents relating to military campaigns as well as to such topics as alleged misconduct in the area of supply. Virtually every senior Union general gave testimony before the committee, addressing Gettysburg and Antietam, the campaigns in Tennessee and along Louisianas Red River, First and Second Bull Run, Balls Bluff, and many other operations. Witnesses appearing before the committee often sought to justify their own actions or to damage the reputations of others. Their testimony consequently reveals a good deal about factions within the Union high command, but it also contains a vast amount of useful detail about the planning, execution, and contemporary analysis of Union military affairs. The Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War (JCCW) emerged out of the intensely fractious political atmosphere of late 1861. Ignominious defeat at First Bull Run on July 21 and the galling debacle at Balls Bluff on October 21 shook loyal citizens. The removal of John Charles Fremont from command in Missouri, where he had tried to strike at slavery and slaveholders, alienated Radical Republicans and abolitionists. Perhaps most important, George B. McClellans failure to mount an offensive during the late summer and autumn prompted some congressional Republicans to question the ability and even the allegiance of many Democratic generals. The death at Balls Bluff of Colonel Edward D. Baker, a Republican senator from Oregon and close friend of Abraham Lincoln, prompted a group of politicians to train an accusatory spotlight on Brig. Gen. Charles P. Stone, and he became a scapegoat for Bakers lack of military ability at Balls Bluff and for Republicans unhappy with the wars progress. [quote style=boxed float=left]The committee inspired heated reactions from supporters and critics[/quote] A group of Republican senators and congressmen feared that professional soldiers of McClellans and Stones stripe would not wage hard war against the Rebels. Especially unhappy were Radical Republicans who hoped the conflict would kill slavery as well as restore the Union. On December 5, Senator Zachariah Chandler of Michigan called for creation of a joint congressional committee to examine events at First Bull Run and Balls Bluff. Established on December 10, the seven-man committee consisted of senators Chandler, Benjamin F. Wade of Ohio, and Andrew Johnson of Tennessee, together with congressmen George W. Julian of Indiana, John Covode of Pennsylvania, Daniel W. Gooch of Massachusetts, and Moses Fowler Odell of New York. All were Republicans except Johnson and Odell, and Wade (the chairman), Chandler, Julian, Gooch, and Covode were Radicals. Although composition of the committee changed as the war progressed, Radicals remained a powerful force in its activities. Members of the committee considered it part of their role to provide congressional oversight of the Lincoln administrations military policies. They consistently called for offensive campaigns and demanded the removal of George B. McClellan; several also sought to drive George G. Meade from command of the Army of the Potomac, attacked other commanders deemed too timid or too Democratic, and championed officers such as Joseph Hooker and John Pope whose politics they found more congenial. Lincoln struggled to forge policy amid cacophonous demands put forward by constituencies extending from the Radicals on one end of the spectrum to conservative Democrats on the other. As early as the fall of 1861, before the committee was formed, Lincolns secretary John Hay noted in his diary that Chandler, Wade, and others in the Jacobin club, as Hay called the Radical Republicans, had been criticizing McClellans lack of action and trying to worry the administration into a battle. In their postwar history of the Lincoln administration, Hay and John G. Nicolay described the committee as often hasty and unjust in its judgements, but always earnest, patriotic, and honest. The committee inspired heated reactions from supporters and critics. Democratic officers called to testify typically expressed a mixture of anger and concern. On February 28, 1863, for example, McClellan, removed from command of the Army of the Potomac the preceding November, described a difficult day to his wife. I have just got back from that confounded Committee & have to appear before them again on Monday morning, he wrote. I have been under their hands for several hours & you may imagine that my brain is rather tired out. Just more than a year later, Meade confided to his wife that he detected nothing less than a conspiracy to remove him from command of the army. Unlike McClellan, Meade retained his military position but nevertheless nursed a grudge against the politicians he saw as partisan tormentors. Democrats in general came to characterize the committee as a biased body that hounded honest officers and tried to transform a war to restore the old Union into a crusade to kill slavery. On the Republican side, Radicals believed the JCCW served a necessary purpose to make the United States move quickly and apply its full resources against the Confederacy. Many moderate Republicans, in contrast, viewed the Committees actions with mixed feelings. Students of the Civil War should be thankful for the JCCWs Report. Here is much of the story of how the North struggled to define its objectives, find its leaders, and construct a winning strategy. Debates over the fate of slaves who made their way to Union lines, whether to add emancipation to the nations war aims, and how harshly to treat rebel civilians and their property all figure prominently in the Report. Indeed, a full understanding of the political and military history of the Army of the Potomac is impossible without reference to the Committees evidentiary record, as is a proper appreciation of the degree to which George B. McClellan dominated much of the early-war period. It is no exaggeration to state that few published sources so clearly illuminate the often chaotic process by which the United States struggled to manage an event of cataclysmic proportions. Fought across the length and breadth of South Vietnam, the 1968 Tet Offensive ended in a military defeat for the Communists but, according to conventional wisdom, crippled President Lyndon B. Johnson politically and undermined public support for the war because of its scale and casualties. While broadly correct, the accepted narrative gets key aspects of the Tet Offensive wrong, as Edwin E. Moise demonstrates forcefully in The Myths of Tet. In Vietnam, the U.S. military relied on statistical metricsincluding the oft-derided body count and routine intelligence estimates of enemy combat strengthto measure progress on the ground. By 1967, intelligence officers at Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, under pressure from elements inside the organization and the Johnson administration, were engaged in a deliberate attempt to falsify estimates of enemy combat forces listed in the monthly Order of Battle Summary. Analysts at the CIA argued that the MACV numbers grossly underestimated enemy strength in South Vietnam. Mining a dizzying array of archival materials, Moise, a history professor at Clemson University, covers the order of battle dispute in exceptional detail and exposes the depths to which MACV falsified the numbers on enemy strength in the months preceding the Tet Offensive. Stunningly, MACV later acknowledged that Communist forces in South Vietnam in February 1968, after nearly a month of heavy casualties, still exceeded the enemy-strength estimates released before the attacks. The lower estimates reinforced the public relations campaign the White House initiated in the fall of 1967 to convince Americans that the United States and its allies were winning in Vietnam. Gen. William Westmoreland told reporters in November that Communist forces had not won a significant battle in more than a year. Striking suddenly in January 1968 during the Tet Lunar New Year celebration, the North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong targeted Saigon and other sites all across the country, shocking Washington and calling into question the optimistic statements by Westmoreland and other military officials. Contrary to many accounts of the offensive, the initial Communist attacks were not especially well-planned or carefully coordinated. The attacks were set for the first night of Tet, but there was confusion over whether the modified North Vietnamese calendar or the more traditional South Vietnamese calendar would be used for the start date. As a result, some Communist units attacked on Jan. 30, rather than Jan. 31. Many units did not receive orders to attack until late January, leaving commanders little time to develop assault plans. Others arrived too late, despite marching for hours in the hot sun, to attack on the first night of the offensive. Moise reveals that the fighting lasted longer and was considerably more costly than is often acknowledged. Echoing many early histories of the offensive, U.S. Sen. John McCain, for example, recently claimed that only in Hue and at Khe Sanh did major operations continue longer than a week. Yet four of the deadliest weeks for American forces in Vietnam occurred between Feb. 11 and March 9, long after major operations had purportedly ceased. The offensive killed about 3,800 Americans, nearly four times the number often given. Fittingly, an entire chapter is devoted to the medias coverage and portrayal of the Tet Offensive, a contentious subject among scholars and historians. The media impact on public opinion was more complex than many realize. A Gallup poll taken in February, after the initial reports of the attacks, indicated that 61 percent still considered themselves hawks rather than doves on the war. By March, after weeks of unrelenting combat and mounting American casualties, only 41 percent considered themselves hawks. The Myths of Tet is a balanced, thoughtful and, quite frankly, long overdue correction to the mistruths, half-truths and outright falsehoods surrounding the Tet Offensive. First published in Vietnam magazines February 2018 issue. It was the moment Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie had dreamed of since Benito Mussolinis army had taken over Addis Ababa and gained control of Ethiopia five years earlier. On May 5, 1941, the emperor jubilantly reentered the capital city in an open car captured from the Italians. Leading the parade on a prancing white horse was Lt. Col. Orde Wingate, a small, fierce-faced man smartly turned out in a British Army uniform and sporting a pith helmet. Gleeful supporters poured down from the neighboring hills, while thousands of members of a local partisan group called the Patriots, as well as British, Kenyan, and South African soldiers, lined the streets, waving British and Ethiopian flags. Lt. Gen. Alan Cunningham, commander of the British forces in East Africa, welcomed Selassie in an official ceremony full of toasts and speeches. That night, the emperor slept in his own palace, the Little Ghebbi. Haile Selassies triumphant return to Addis Ababa, carefully orchestrated by a Britain desperate for some good news in its lonely war against the Axis, symbolized the end of the Italian occupation of Ethiopia. Several weeks later, the Italians there would surrender to the British, a critical early Allied victory in World War II. And at the heart of that victory was the controversial, iconoclastic and many would say brilliant Wingate. Wingate certainly had his faults and peculiarities. He had a penchant for conducting staff meetings while emerging naked from the bath, and often wore an onion on a cord around his neck, believing it to be medicinally imperative. Bouts of depression laid him low at the most inopportune times. His hypercritical views of the British Army rubbed many of his commanders and subordinates the wrong way, and even his admirers were struck by his visceral, often instantaneous unpopularity. For all that, he was later referred to as a genius by no less than Winston Churchill for his daring exploits as the leader of the Chindits, the special guerrilla force in Burma that would play such a vital role in 1944 and 1945 in turning the tide in favor of the Allies in the Far East against a much larger Japanese army. But it was in Ethiopia in early 1941, and to a lesser extent in Palestine in the 1930s, that Wingate developed the long-range penetration guerrilla tactics that would make his more famous exploits so successful. In Ethiopia he led a group of specially trained Anglo-Ethiopian guerrillas that he dubbed the Gideon Force, after the biblical hero who destroyed a much larger enemy with only a few hundred men. His men infiltrated Italian lines, provided critical intelligence to the British High Command, and sowed panic with swift, brutal night raids. Wingate capped off the campaign in May 1941 by persuading 12,000 Italian troops to surrender to his 2,000-man force. As his colleague Sir Wilfred Thesiger later mused, Wingate deserved a knighthood for what he did in Ethiopia. Wingates unconventional youth Orde Wingates upbringing shaped him into the cantankerous, intransigent character he became. Born in India in 1903, he was raised in England by a strict, fervently religious family with military roots (T. E. Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia, was a distant cousin). From a very young age, he was encouraged to be bold and self-reliantwhich could and did foster rebelliousness. At the Army Equestrian School at Weedon, Wingate annoyed his instructors by interrupting mealtimes with harangues on such polarizing subjects as Marxism, which he claimed to embrace. As one contemporary recalled, He and I had one basic common belief: Regulations are made by sods for fools, and they are to be circumvented and not obeyed where inconvenient. By young adulthood, Wingate was suffering from undiagnosed clinical depression. Some have suggested that he exhibited classic symptoms of bipolar disorder. He would experience extreme highs and lowsflashes of confident exuberance, punctuated by what he described as nervous attacks, or his particular curse. Whatever the correct label, his mood fluctuations only underscored his growing reputation for peculiarity and unpredictability. Early on, Wingate was greatly influenced by his fathers cousin, Sir Reginald Wingate, whom Orde called Cousin Rex. A retired army general who had served as governor-general of Sudan from 1899 to 1916 and high commissioner of Egypt from 1917 to 1919, Cousin Rex instilled in Wingate a keen interest in Middle Eastern politics and culture that over the years would curdle into obsession. Wingate was accepted into the Sudan Defence Force in April 1925 and posted to the East Arab Corps. The SDF was considered quite glamorous in many ways a precursor to the British Special Air Service and other special ops forces that were created during and after the war. Wingate served on the Ethiopian border, where the SDF prowled for slave traders and ivory poachers. As Wingate moved away from regular patrolling to conducting baited ambushes, he honed the tactics that he would later use so well in Palestine, Ethiopia, and Burma. His efforts did not go unnoticed. After one such mission, in which Wingates men killed one poacher and captured 13 more, Sudans governor general praised him for his great dash and judgment. Nonetheless, Wingate made a mixed impression on his fellow officers. While they lauded his performance, they were put off by his scruffy appearance, his habitual nudity, and his tendency to make known his extreme political views. At one point, the colonel in command of the East Arab Corps warned him to keep his opinions to himself: I dont like the things that you say, and I dont like you. Although compromise was not in Wingates nature, he knew he had to be at least outwardly mindful of such rebukes, for he had come to believe that the army was his path to greatness. I cannot be a nobody, he wrote home from Sudan. I cannot be nothing! In 1933, Wingate returned to Great Britain, where he was assigned to retrain British artillery units. Three years later, he was posted to Palestine as an intelligence officer. It was unquestionably a turning point for him, as his ideas on special operations employing irregular forces began to coalesce. Special Night Squads formed In Palestine, he also found an outlet for his passion and energy. Wingate immediately identified with Jewish political leaders and, though he was not Jewish, became an ardent Zionist committed to the creation of a Jewish state in Palestine. Wingate later explained that his empathy stemmed in part from bullying he had suffered as a young boy. He admired the Jews for refusing, like him, to give up in the face of persecution. Wingate proposed using small assault units of heavily armed Jewish commandos to combat Arab uprisings, and Lt. Gen. Archibald Wavell, then a commander of British forces in Palestine, approved the idea. In June 1938, the so-called Special Night Squads were created, with Wingate assigned to train them and lead their patrols. Most of their actions consisted of ambushing Arab saboteurs who were attacking British pipelines, but Wingate also led brutal reprisal raids on villages suspected of harboring the saboteurs. For his work with the Special Night Squadswhich helped to quell Arab uprisings and taught a future generation of Israeli generals how to fightWingate was awarded Britains Distinguished Service Order. But his increasing involvement with Zionism disturbed some of his superiors, one of whom labeled him a security risk. When a fellow officer pointed out that there were two sides to the Palestine problem, Wingate replied, I know that. I just happen to be on the right side. Once again undermined by his passion and personality, Wingate was removed from command in 1939 and ordered back to Great Britain. ethiopia becomes pivotal After Italy declared war on France and Great Britain on June 10, 1940, the Allies concluded that the liberation of Ethiopia was essential to their success in Africa or, at the very least, to protecting the pivotal British supply routes on the Suez Canals Red Sea flank. In late June, the British government promised to restore Haile Selassie to the throne and transported him from England, where he had been living since the Italians banished him in 1936, back to Africa, where they hoped his arrival would galvanize his countrymen to fight back against the Italians. The British regular forces needed the help: They were stretched thin and vastly outnumbered by the Italians. General Wavell had 80,000 British and Commonwealth troops at his disposal to handle potential conflicts in Libya, Iraq, and East Africa; the Italians had some 250,000 soldiers in East Africa alone. At a meeting in October attended by the emperor, it was agreed that irregular forces would be a critical part of the plan to seize Ethiopia from Italy. Meanwhile, Wingate was commanding an antiaircraft unit in England and itching to get back into action, preferably somewhere he could put his theories on guerrilla warfare to use. Fortunately for Wingate, he had an admirer in Wavell, who requested his assistance with the upcoming Ethiopian campaign. In December 1940, Wavell convened a conference in Cairo on the upcoming East African offensive. Wingate elaborated there on the guerrilla tactic he proposed: long-range penetration, which he described as regular warfare behind enemy lines. He called for the creation of a small force of well-armed, highly disciplined men that could paralyze much larger forces. The troops would need to have a unified command and a clear objective in this case, ejecting the Italians from Ethiopia and restoring Selassie to the throne. GET HISTORYS GREATEST TALESRIGHT IN YOUR INBOX Subscribe to our HistoryNet Now! newsletter for the best of the past, delivered every Wednesday. Close Thank you for subscribing! Wavell approved the plan, and so was born the Gideon Forcecomposed of 2,000 veteran Sudanese and Ethiopian soldiers, several mortars, and 18,000 camels (to carry men and supplies), and led by some 70 British officers and NCOs. On New Years Eve, an ebullient Wingate dashed off a two-and-a-half-page letter to British headquarters reflecting on his vision and his hopes for what lay ahead: Every weapon, every round, every vehicle, gall of petrol, pound of gelignite, that comes now is going to its destination under the enemys ribs. By the beginning of 1941, the British had orchestrated a plan of attack in Ethiopia. Lt. Gen. William Platt, who commanded the Sudan Defence Force, would move in from northern Sudan, and General Cunningham would advance from Kenya into southern Ethiopia. Wingate would press forward into the Gojjam Province in northwest Ethiopia, isolating and taking several fortresses and cutting the road between Addis Ababa and Debra Markos, the capital of Gojjam. The Gideon Force would also escort Haile Selassie back into his country in a series of staged moves. In Gojjam, Wingate would meet up with Col. Daniel Sandford, who was already leading a force of native partisans known as the Patriots in an operation called Mission 101. By now Wingates fondness for Haile Selassiewhom Wingate had first met in Sudan in 1940, and whose temporary residence some 30 miles south of Khartoum, the Pink Palace, he visited regularlyhad deepened into a zealous protectiveness. Wingate was inspired by the David-and-Goliath aspect of the emperors mission and by its motifs of resurrection and rebirth. Convinced that Haile Selassie had been unjustly robbed of his kingdom, Wingate preached to his officers the moral imperative of liberating small, oppressed nations like Ethiopia, and gave a similar message to the emperor. I told him, Wingate later wrote, that he should take as his motto an ancient proverb found in Gese, If I am not for myself, who will be for me? and trust in the justice of his cause. Gideon force mobilizes In the first weeks of 1941, the Gideon Force moved into the Gojjam Province. Leading the way was Wingate, occasionally wearing an alarm clock on his wrist as a lesson to his soldiers in punctuality. On January 20, Haile Selassie planted the royal flag on Ethiopian soil for the first time in five years. Wingate was at his side, having choreographed every aspect of the emperors historic returndown to insisting on a proper flagpole. The Emperor proposes to haul the flag up himself, so we dont want anything to go wrong, he warned his men. In early February, Selassie and Wingate arrived in Belaya in the Gojjam Province, where the emperor established his headquarters. From there, the Gideon Force launched its Ethiopian campaign in earnest, intimidating the Italians with a shrewd blend of propaganda and force, of surprise and bluff. For starters, Wingates men rallied the Ethiopians by speaking through powerful loudspeakers and megaphones, as well as distributing tens of thousands of handbills (printed on the Gideon Forces portable press) to announce the emperors return. The tactic not only encouraged Ethiopians to desert the Italian army but further rattled the already skittish Italians. Wingate knew that they must move as quickly as possible toward Debra Markos, some 100 miles to the southeast. A delay might give the enemy a chance to decipher the Gideon Forces weaknesses, namely, its inferior numbers. His goal was to besiege the Italian garrisons with nighttime attacks in the hope that the Italians whom he despised as soldiers would assume they were facing a far greater force than they actually were. The vivid imagination of the enemy was always ready to picture a company as a division for the first two days following its appearance, he explained. It was essential to maintain the element of surprise, if benefit were to be obtained from his credulity and cowardice. The Gideon Force thus pursued enemy encampments along the road to Debra Markos with one piercing night attack after another. Wingates men functioned much like the World War I trench raid teams: crawling up to the enemy camp, unleashing grenades and mortar shells, and then evaporating into the night. Wingate himself leads raids Wingate led as many raids as he could. Some in the British High Command criticized this practice as heedless showmanship. But Abraham Akavia, Wingates aide in Ethiopia, insisted Wingates leadership by example was sound, because it raised the morale and the fighting abilities of such a small force, by providing men with his personal example and the officers with continual tactical training. In addition, as the record of these operations clearly proves, the chances of success were much higher when Wingate personally took part in the action. In fact, Wingate built up a strong camaraderie with those in his force. As Akavia wrote after one attack: As usual, Wingate demanded fast movement, mobility being one of the main advantages of the Gideon Force, and he rushed from one place to the other, goading everybody to superhuman effortand his shouts seemed to have an immediate effect on the soldiers who admired so much this strange Britisher, who had led them so successfully to battle and had shared in all of their perils and discomforts throughout the fighting. After a brief battle at a fort near Debra Markos, the Italians finally deserted the city on April 3, 1941. At the same time, Italian forces under Prince Amedeo, the Duke of Aosta, pulled out of Addis Ababa and headed north toward the mountains of Amba Alagi. On April 5, after the South African Air Force had bombed Addis Ababa, British regular troops under General Cunningham occupied the city. The next day, Haile Selassie entered Debra Markos. By May 1941 the Italian efforts were falling apart all over Ethiopia. But other strategic issues were weighing on the British: Greece had fallen to the Axis, and Gen. Erwin Rommel was advancing into the western desert. A speedy resolution to the Ethiopian campaign was imperative. The Gideon Force concentrated on ensuring Haile Selassies safe and celebratory march from Debra Markos to Addis Ababa early that May, on the fifth anniversary of the citys capture by the Italians. Wingate wrote part of the conclusion of the speech that Haile Selassie gave to his followers in the capital a testimony to how close the two men had become: St. George who slew the dragon, he wrote, is the patron both of us and of our allies. We should therefore fasten our friendship forever in an indissoluble bond, to defeat this ungodly and newly appointed dragon that vexes mankind. Our allies are our friends and our own blood. Take them to your hearts! Selassie warmly returned the sentiment: After the East African campaign, the emperor sent Wingate four gold rings in appreciation of all that he had done. Bluffing the italians With the emperor firmly installed, the Gideon Force left Addis Ababa to join Mission 101, which was harassing Col. Severio Maraventanos withdrawing troops. But the Patriots faced a debilitating shortage of food and arms, and just as he reached them, Wingate received orders to stop chasing Maraventano and help British forces elsewhere. Instead, he pretended that he could not decipher the message and continued to fight. Maraventano, too, was running out of food, arms, and medical supplies, setting the stage for Wingates final triumph in Ethiopia. Nearly out of ammunition himself, though, he could not rely on the Gideon Force to take the Italians by arms. It was time to bluff. Wingate sent Maraventano a letter indicating that he was about to be joined by many additional troops, as well as large-scale air reinforcements. He also stressed that unless Maraventano surrendered, his troops would be left to the mercy of the Patriots, thus playing on the Italians deep-seated fear of the partisans: brutal captors who were said to castrate their prisoners. Maraventano pondered the message, but not for long. On May 23, 1941, he surrendered his 12,000-man force to Wingate. It was a spectacular bluff: not only were no reinforcements of any kind expected, but Wingates force of 2,000 men was dwarfed by the size of the Italian army. Within days, the Duke of Aosta and Gen. Guglielmo Nasi surrendered also, and the Italian reign in Ethiopia was over. It should have been a victory to relish. Wingates long-range penetration tactics had proven extremely effective, the emperor had been reinstalled, and he had beaten vast and potentially overwhelming forces. But his temperament again tarnished his success. Wingates behavior, unpredictable and often uncalled for, had instigated clashes with several British colleagues throughout the campaign, and once, infuriated by a minor transgression, Wingate shocked onlookers by smacking his Ethiopian translator in the face. wingate pens appalling report Ultimately, Wingates renegade exploits in Ethiopia only reinforced the view held by many of his superiors that he was arrogant and defiant, and should be kept on a very short leash. As soon as Wingate and the Gideon Force delivered their Italian POWs to Addis Ababa, he was summoned to headquarters in Harar, where he was informed that the Gideon Force was being disbanded immediately, and was ordered to leave for headquarters in Cairo. It was an ignominious end, and Wingate was particularly incensed that he was forced to leave East Africa without saying goodbye to Haile Selassie. In Cairo, Wingate was for the most part ignored, if not outright ostracized. And he did himself no favors by writing a self-serving, vitriolic report on the Ethiopian campaign. In highlighting his stringent views on the use of long-range penetration, he also indicted the entire British campaign. He portrayed the British NCOs who served under him as the scum of the army, described some of his commissioned officers as mediocre and inferior, and called his signalers lazy, ill-trained and sometimes cowardly. And he labeled generals Cunningham and Platt military apes for having the gall to shut down his Gideon Force. Even Wingates staunchest supporters were appalled. The document would almost have justified my placing him under arrest for insubordination, Wavell later said. By the summer of 1941, all Wingates thoughts and hopes were falling on angry, deaf ears. In early July, ill with the malaria he had contracted in Ethiopia and deeply depressed, he stabbed himself in his hotel room, but was discovered before he bled to death. Word of Wingates suicide attempt reverberated throughout Cairo, fueling the empathy of those supporters who felt that he had been shabbily treated and the unmitigated contempt of his enemies. One of his superiors visited him in the hospital, only to hiss, You bloody fool. Why didnt you use a revolver? Wingate traveled back to England in September 1941. Unbowed, his first words to his doctor were, You know, I am not the only great soldier who has tried to commit suicide. There was Napoleon, for instance. wingate reapplies tactics with chindits At the urging of several backers Cousin Rex included who were in a position to help Wingate resurrect his reputation as an innovative leader and tactician, he toned down his report on the Ethiopian campaign and resubmitted it. The new version, which jettisoned much of the inflammatory language of the first and stressed his recommendations for future guerrilla operations, was then circulated at the highest levels, eventually reaching Winston Churchill. Impressed with its insights, Churchill referred it to Wavell, by then commander in chief of the Far Eastern theater. It was the reprieve of a lifetime for Wingate and a stroke of good fortune for the Allied forces there. In early 1942, Wavell called Wingate to Burma and asked him to command irregular forces that would operate behind Japanese lines, much like the Gideon Force had done in Ethiopia. Wingate quickly formed what some historians consider the most controversial British unit of the war, the Chindits. Over the next three years the Chindits would refine the concept of long-range penetration Wingate had conjured in Palestine and Ethiopia, sending hardcore special forces (including Americans) deep into the jungle, often behind enemy lines, to cut Japanese lines of communication, collect intelligence, and otherwise wreak havoc. Despite their successes in Burma, however, the Chindits suffered heavy casualties, leading many to question the units overall strategy and relative merit. But Wingate would never have to defend his brainchild. In March 1944, the Chindits were several weeks into a major operationand at the height of their popularity with the British High Commandwhen Wingate was killed in a plane crash as he was flying from Burma to a conference in India. It seems that it was only in death, and even then a bit obliquely, that Wingate finally received the admiration and appreciation he had so intensely desired. There was a man of genius, Churchill told the House of Commons after Wingates death, who might well have become also a man of destiny. Originally published in the April 2010 issue of World War II magazine. What if Frank Andrews had survived his 1943 air crash? The American presidents personal airport is named for him. Gen. George C. Marshall referred to him as the only potential commander of Operation Overlord that he had a chance to prepare all around. Yet when the B-24 bomber carrying Lt. Gen. Frank Maxwell Andy Andrews crashed into the side of an Icelandic mountain in May 1943, his historical legacy perished as instantly as he did. In fact, no full biography of the namesake of Andrews Air Force Base has ever been published. The man thus consigned to oblivion59 years old when he diedonce commanded such famed air warriors as H. H. Hap Arnold, Carl A. Spaatz, and James H. Doolittle. Before the war, he put his career on the line to champion a heavy bomber that army brass thought too expensive, the now-legendary B-17. From 1939 to 1940, he presided over Americas mobilization for World War II as assistant chief of staff for operations (G-3), becoming the first airman to serve on the General Staff. He held three theaterwide commands, with responsibility for all American land, air, and sea forces: the Caribbean, the Middle East, and then Europe. Andrews took command of the European theater from Lt. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower after the Allies Casablanca Conference in January 1943, which he attended. While Ike led the campaign to drive Axis forces from North Africa, Andrews directed the strategic bombing campaign against the Germans and began the buildup for a widely anticipated cross-Channel invasion. Clearly, Andrews would have played an important role in the Normandy invasion had he lived. Indeed, after the war, colleagues and family members of the fallen general suggested he might have ended up in command of D-Day and the warfare that followed. That question remains intriguing today, and it leads to another question, just as profound: Would the Great Crusade have taken a different course with Andrews in charge? Born in Nashville, Tennessee, Andrews graduated in 1906 from West Point, where he acquired a lifelong devotion to horsemanship. He would later ride and socialize at army polo events with George S. Patton Jr. and other future generals. In 1917, after eight years of cavalry service, Andrews decided he preferred a mightier steed. The following year, at the relatively advanced age of 34, he earned his wings at Rockwell Field near San Diego, California. He rose steadily through the ranks of the armys aviation force. In 1935, army chief of staff Gen. Douglas MacArthur chose him to lead a new combat command called the General Headquarters (GHQ) Air Force. Time magazine found the hire notable: Not since [Theodore Roosevelt] jacked John Joseph Pershing from captain to brigadier general in 1906 had the Army seen so notable a promotion as that which promised last week to elevate Frank Andrews from lieutenant colonel to brigadier general. A onetime cavalryman, Col. Andrews is tough, fiftyish, handsome. Army wives call him the best-looking man in service, like to remember the romantic thrill he gave them in 1914 by taking his bride on a horseback honeymoon in Virginia. Andrewss men remembered him as a pilot of consummate skill who would fly in any weather. In 1935, at the controls of a B-12, he broke three world speed records formerly held by Charles Lindbergh. Asked later whether he wasnt tempting fate with all the time he spent aloft, Andrews replied, I dont want to be one of those generals who die in bed. Andrews used his command to push for more resources and greater autonomy for the armys fliers, and recommended that Boeings new, long-range heavy bomber, the B-17, become the backbone of the air power program. In late 1935, newly appointed army chief of staff Gen. Malin Craig and secretary of war Harry H. Woodring overruled Andrews and canceled the B-17 order, reasoning that the army could buy twice as many lighter, shorter-range B-18 Bolos for the same price as the B-17s. Andrewss bomber advocacy put him so at odds with his superiors that many expected him to retire when his appointment ended in 1939. He didnt, and the army dispatched him to a minor position at a Texas base as he reverted to his permanent rank of colonel. Andrews was not in the wilderness for long. He had made such a favorable impression on Marshall while at GHQ Air Force that Marshall, who succeeded Craig as chief of staff, chose him as his G-3 in the summer of 1939. Marshall later said he had refused to take up his appointment as chief of staff unless he could have Andrews. Marshall went on to pluck Eisenhower, Patton, Spaatz, Mark Clark, and other officers from positions of lower seniority, grooming them as key commanders in the war that just about everyone in Washington knew was coming. But it was Andrews he reached for first. As G-3, Andrews was in charge of the U.S. Armys organization and training. In the 15 months he held that position, the army grew from fewer than 200,000 men to more than 600,000. In late May 1940, as Germanys bold panzer tactics were playing a key role in the fall of France, Andrews convened a meeting of maneuver commanders that led to the creation of the first armored divisions in U.S. Army history. In November 1940 Marshall moved Andrews to Panama, where he assumed overall command of the Caribbean theater and was charged with guarding the Panama Canal and other American interests against perceived threats from Germany and Japan. Two years later Marshall put Andrews in command of American forces in the Middle East. At his Cairo headquarters and on trips as far afield as Baghdad and Tehran, Andrews worked closely with civilian and military leaders from Britain and other Allied nations. As he took up his London post in February 1943, Andrews told reporters his goals were to escalate the strategic bombing of German-held territory and to prepare for the reception of the large U.S. forces who undoubtedly will be brought to the United Kingdom. Behind the scenes, he encountered frustrations in pursuing these aims. Troop strength in the European theater fell by nearly half from October 1942 to the end of April 1943, as men and aircraft were diverted to other theaters. Subduing North Africa took far longer and required many more troops than had been expected. The fight against Uboats was succeeding, but bomber forces were being diverted from the air campaign over Europe to escort convoys. The story of Andrewss brief tenure in London, then, is a story of great potential rather than major accomplishments. The events of May 3, 1943, would make that potential his legacy. Andrews and his staff took off that morning for a brief inspection tour of American forces in Iceland. His B-24 was ordered to land at the base in Prestwick, Scotland, for a weather briefing; instead it flew on, even after the crew was advised of the poor flying conditions over Iceland: overcast, with a ceiling of 800 feet, visibility one mile, and heavy icing likely at an altitude of only 1,000 feet. Those who knew the general would differ in later years over whether he was piloting the aircraft as it reached the skies over Iceland. Whatever the case, after a low-altitude pass over an RAF airstrip, the plane did not respond to a beacon offering the all-clear to land. Soon thereafter, weaving through the low clouds in an apparent effort to find the main field at Reykjavik, it struck a rocky promontory. Only the tail gunner survived. Given the progression of commands Marshall gave Andrews, and the fact that he was named to the London post at a time when Allied leaders still hoped to carry out a cross-Channel invasion in 1943, the question inevitably arises: Would Andrews have been the D-Day commander, had he lived? In 1969 and 1970, historian Murray Green raised it with dozens of former army and air force generals. Fourteen said they believed Andrews had been destined to lead Operation Overlord. He would have been the Eisenhower, at least, if not more, Doolittle told Green. He was a great man, of great breadth of concept, and he would have been one of the truly great leaders if he had survived. Marshall himself addressed that topic in interviews conducted by biographer Forrest C. Pogue in the mid-1950s. He observed that Andrews had a real preparatory course for the assignment. He was the first one I was able, you might say, to graduate for his job through the various holdings, Marshall said. When Pogue asked him directly whether he had intended to put Andrews in charge of the invasion, Marshall replied, It hadnt reached that point. But he went on to recite the commands through which he had rotated Andrews, concluding that Andrews was the only one I had a chance to prepare all around. The man interviewing Marshall came away unconvinced that the architect of American military strategy had intended to put Andrews in charge of the invasion. In Organizer of Victory, the third volume of his Marshall biography, Pogue dismisses that notion as a conceit floated by friends of Andrews. Friends and family did speculate after the war that the fateful inspection trip to Iceland had really been the first leg of a secret mission to Washington, where Andrews would be named the Overlord commander. But all available evidence suggests otherwise. In fact, he died at about the same time Allied leaders realized they could not mount the invasion until 1944. Between September and December of 1943, it appeared certain that Marshall himself would run the operation. Once various factors combined to rule out that option, Eisenhower was universally viewed as the logical choice, in part because, as Pogue notes, he had already worked closely with the British and had Marshalls full confidence. Andrews would have met those two standards, and had the advantage of incumbency. It would have been a tough call. And what if he had led the invasion? It is impossible to know for certain how he might have handled the decisions Ike faced on June 4, 5, and 6; the commencement and conduct of the invasion itself might have been much the same. But Andrews showed himself to be much more of a risk-taker than Eisenhower, and command decisions in the months following might have been quite different. Andrews might, for instance, have been more inclined to direct resources to his old friend Patton as he pushed toward Metz, Nancy, and the German border in August 1944. He might have let the Sixth Army Group cross the Rhine River after reaching it in late November, rather than halting the advance as Eisenhower did. With Allied troops completely encircling massive German forces, the war might have ended by Christmas, sparing hundreds of thousands of lives. Then again, a more aggressive push across the Rhine might have stretched forces and supply lines too thin, allowing the Germans to mount a successful counterattack. And there could have been political trouble. Although Andrews was an artful diplomat, he harbored serious doubts about Churchills intentions. In April 1943, Andrews confided to his deputy theater commander, Maj. Gen. H. C. Ingles, that he had come to believe the British wanted to shift the main effort to the Mediterranean area and did not want Germany destroyed. The clear inference was that Andrews thought Britain wanted to retain an armed German state as a buffer against Soviet expansionism in postwar Europe. If such episodes of mistrust had continued to bedevil Andrewss relationships with the British during and after the D-Day invasion, the impact on the Allied war effort could have been disastrous. Still, if Andrews had been tapped as the commander of Operation Overlord, and done as well or better than Ike did in Europe, what then? He would have been Eisenhower, said air power pioneer Alexander de Seversky. He would have been president of the U.S. News, events, history, and other mid-week tidbits. Tuesday, October 25, 4:30 7 p.m. Orr Area EMS Open House Brats and burgers will be served. Event includes a new ambulance tour and blood pressure screenings. For more info: 218-780-3798. Orr Fire Hall 4540 Lake St., Orr Tuesday, October 25, 12 6 p.m. Essentia Health Job Fair Talent recruiters and department managers will be on-site at Essentia Health-Virginia. Candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to attendnurses, nursing and clinical assistants, surgery technicians, radiology technicians, respiratory therapists, human resource professionals, and those interested in environmental services or nutrition services. Essentia staff will greet candidates, conduct an initial screening and filter them to appropriate hiring managers for interviews. Select candidates will be verbally offered a position before leaving. Candidates are asked to bring a resume, but its not required. Attire is business casual. For more info: www.essentiacareers.org. 901 9th St. N., Virginia Its Thursday night in The Button Factory and a diverse crowd is beginning to assemble inside. Theres the fluoro club kids, the art school scenesters, old punks in patched up biker jackets, and a peculiar looking man standing alone wearing a USSR military style visor cap with a fluffy pink feather boa adorning his shoulders. The producer of Riot Days by Pussy Riot Theatre , Alexander Cheparukhin steps onto the stage to introduce tonight's show and the horde is temporarily united in silence, until an explosion of unintelligible whooping breaks the sound barrier as Pussy Riots Maria Alyokhina stomps out. Its been two years since Maria Alyokhina and Nadya Tolokno were freed from a Siberian high security prison after being arrested for performing their 40 second punk prayer in Moscows Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. The prayer, which went something like Virgin Mary, Mother of God, Chase Putin Out earned Pussy Riot worldwide acclaim and a media storm ensured their anti Putin, anti Church message stayed firmly in the headlines. The Northern Irish punk rock band will play in Limelight, Belfast on December 1, before making their way to The Academy, Dublin on December 2. Having celebrated their 40th Anniversary with a tour in 2016, The Undertones have kept the gigging going well into 2017. They'll be playing in Belfast and Dublin this weekend, and we can't wait to welcome them back! Tickets from 25, including booking fee, are still available. See theundertones.com for more details. Have a listen to what made the lads famous in the first place... Eaton Corp. will shut down its light factory in Houston, laying off 52 workers. The Irish power management company notified employees earlier this month that it will permanently close its Eaton Crouse-Hinds facility at 3530 South Sam Houston Parkway East, because of "competitive market conditions" in the harsh and hazardous lighting business. "(The decision) is in no way a reflection of the hard work and dedication of the employees," a spokeswoman said in an email. "We regret the impact that this decision will have on our employees and their families, and will ensure these actions are carried out with care and concern for all employees involved." Eaton's Sam Houston Parkway facility manufactures Pauluhn-branded LED lights for offshore oil rigs, oil refineries and petrochemical plants as well as fluorescent and high-intensity discharge lights. Production of explosion-resistant lights will move from Houston to Eaton facilities in Roanoke, Va., Changzhou, China, and Ixztapalapa, Mexico. The move is expected to begin in December and be completed by the end of March. The closure affects all of the manufacturing and support staff employees at the Houston plant, except for those who may be offered and accept transfers to other Eaton locations, according to the company's Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act letter. Eaton has four other facilities in the Houston area, and employs nearly 1,200 employees across Texas. The company plans to provide severance, separation and outplacement assistance to its laid-off employees. Some local entities, such as Telecheck in Sugar Land and the East Houston Regional Medical Center, have closed because of damage from Hurricane Harvey. Eaton, however, said closure of its Houston plant was not due to the storm and its devastating flooding. Eaton's Crouse-Hinds division was formerly part of Houston-based Cooper Industries, which was acquired by Eaton in a $13 billion deal in 2012. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Sandra Aguilar nabbed her Cyber Monday deal early as she juggled the morning hassles of motherhood. Before leaving home, she ordered a bargain-priced sound system to amplify her TV. Shortly after noon, she arrived at a Walmart store in Katy to pick it up. She scanned a barcode on her smartphone at the store's bright orange Pickup Tower, and an associate lifted it into her shopping cart minutes later. Her baby, riding along, hardly fussed. "It's really convenient," she said. "You don't have to deal with three kids while shopping." Cyber Monday was expected to be the largest online shopping day in U.S. history, and even traditional retailers are rushing to catch up as consumer habits shift further toward speed and convenience. More than ever, consumers are seeking steep discounts, faster delivery and the hassle-free promise of in-store pickup for online orders. Consumers spent a record $6.59 billion online on Monday, a 16.8 percent increase from last year's $5.6 billion, Adobe Digital Insights reported. By comparison, the firm recorded $4 billion spent online that day in 2014. Shoppers also set a new record for mobile devices, which accounted for $2 billion in sales for the first time. The National Retail Federation, citing lower unemployment and higher consumer confidence, anticipates overall holiday spending in November and December to rise between 3.6 percent and 4 percent, up from $655.8 billion last year. But continuing a trend of the last several years, e-commerce will record the strongest gains. Holiday promotions began even earlier this year, and price wars have become especially fierce online as retailers compete for shopper loyalty against Amazon.com and other e-commerce giants. In its inaugural survey of 100 retail executives, global accounting firm BDO found that nearly 70 percent of respondents believed that price competition would be their biggest challenge this holiday season. "This is going to be a very discount- and promotion-driven season," said Natalie Kotlyar, the firm's retail and consumer business leader. Many retailers have continued upping the ante with perks like free shipping, which more consumers have come to expect amid the rise of Amazon Prime and other services that expedite delivery. Retail analytics company DynamicAction, in partnership with Accenture, found that retailers have shipped 51 percent more orders for free this season than last. Jill Standish, Accenture's senior managing director for global retail, said the battle to slash prices and deliver goods for less money could eat into retail earnings this season even as consumers spend more freely. "When you're trying to woo as many people as possible into shopping with you, it will take its toll" on profitability, she said. More Information Holiday retail spending $6.6 billion spent online Monday, up 16.8 percent $43.4 billion spent online since Nov. 1 $107.4 billion projected online spending this season $655.8 billion overall spending, on- and offline, last season 3.6-4 percent projected overall spending increase this season Sources: Adobe Digital Insights, National Retail Federation See More Collapse Some retailers have doubled down on in-store pickup for online orders, an option that brick-and-mortar retailers hope will encourage crossover between digital and physical purchases and save them money on shipping. Target, for example, now offers in-store pickup in all of its stores nationwide and says demand is growing. At the company's Houston store in the Heights, employees have for days been scurrying throughout the store, gathering orders for pickup. Store manager Cameron Dennington said 10 employees filled that role on Monday, the most the store had required this season. "We are absolutely slammed," he said. Walmart and Amazon, two of the fiercest competitors on price, have been battling for months, each with a different strategy. Amazon, which began rolling out deals months ago, has made its steepest price cuts during the Thanksgiving shopping weekend. It has routinely offered "lightning deals" in an effort to capture the impulse buy once confined to the in-store experience. Walmart expanded its online assortment to 67 million individual items this year, up from 20 million last year. That includes items available through Jet.com and Bonobos, the high-end men's retailer it acquired earlier this year. Walmart has also aggressively marketed the pickup service by installing so-called Pickup Towers in nearly 100 stores nationwide, including four in Houston. Dozens more are on the way next year. The towers act like massive vending machines that dispense online orders as large as a midsize microwave. Customers approach a screen, scan their barcode, and the tower produces the order. The system notifies associates of larger orders, which are then whisked from storage. "You can pick up in a matter of seconds," spokeswoman Anne Hatfield said. Mariajose Hernandez, who shops online with Walmart on a near-weekly basis, approached the tower on Monday to retrieve the television cable she snagged at a discount Black Friday. She likes the convenience of in-store pickup, and she knew exactly how to work the machine. "It's the best thing ever," she said. "I always prefer to shop online." There is something so civilized about taking tea that quintessentially British respite of tea, small savories, and wee cakes and tarts. There's also something slightly fuddy-duddy about a traditional afternoon tea. Except, however, if you're talking about two new tea services in Houston that have welcome shades of international flair. Both Hotel Sorella at CityCentre and Yauatcha restaurant in the Galleria have begun tea-focused dining options. Let's take a look at both: Radio Milano tea at Hotel Sorella The service: A modern high tea with Italian influence recently launched in the second-level lobby lounge at the chic CityCentre hotel. The hotel's restaurant, Radio Milano, is responsible for the service offered at three levels: three canapes and four sweets for $25; four canapes and four sweets for $35; six canapes and five sweets for $45. The tea: The featured teas from English Breakfast and chamomile to Earl Grey and vert jasmine are from the French Dammann Freres, the same tea served on French ocean liners. The food: Canape options include bruschetta with beef and tomato; antipasto skewers of ham, fontina and olives; ahi tuna carpaccio; skewers of prosciutto and melon; smoked salmon with dill cream; mini crab cakes; and grilled cheese sandwiches of mozzarella and roasted red pepper. The sweets side features tiny apple tarts, creme brulee, pistachio financier, tea cakes, scones, and assorted macarons. The drinks: A new list of high tea cocktails has been created around song titles from 1950s pop music. "The Great Pretender" offers lemon infused Absolut Elyx Vodka with Italian liqueur, curacao, prosecco and Madeira. "Just One of Those Things" features gin, mezcal, creme de violette, Lillet Blanc and an edible flower. And "Don't be Cruel" is a mix of aged rum, Aperol, and chocolate and orange bitters. The details: Radio Milano at Hotel Sorella, 800 Sorella Court. High tea available daily from noon to 4 p.m. For reservations call 713-827-3545. Yum Cha at Yauatcha The service: Called Yum Cha (which translates to "drink tea"), the service was recently added to weekday lunch as a way to enjoy the restaurant's tea offerings while also sampling savory dim sum and patisserie-crafted desserts. Yum Cha includes a choice of tea coupled with chef-selected steamed and fried dim sum, and a choice of dessert. The tea: This sleek import bills itself as a Chinese dim sum teahouse, so it stands to reason the restaurant takes its tea seriously. Yum Cha tea offerings include jasmine green tea, classic Oolong, Lapsang Souchong smoked black tea, emerald green tea and a roasted Oolong. There's also a tea available only at Yauatcha Houston: Blue Mountain black tea with red grapefruit rinds. The food: The selections of steamed dim sum include shrimp shu mai, pork and prawn shu mai, har gau Cantonese dumpling, and shrimp and Chinese chive dumpling. Fried dim sum options are duck pumpkin puff and crispy pork and scallion puff. Dessert is a choice of the gorgeous Raspberry Delice (raspberry and chocolate mousse with a lychee panna cotta center) or the Tropical Dome (coconut, passion fruit and pineapple). Yum Cha also has a vegetarian option with assorted vegetable dim sum and separate dessert options. (Read Alison Cook's full review of the restaurant here.) The drinks: You can order any of the cocktails on the menu but this is special tea service so why not go with Champagne and sparkling wine? Yauatcha offers a selection including Louis Roederer Brut Premier for $20 a glass to Perrier-Jouet Bell Epoque for $36 a glass to Krug Grande Cuvee for $360 a bottle. The details: Yauatcha, 5045 Westheimer. Tea service is offered Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., $30 per person. For more information call the restaurant at 713-357-7588. When Laurie Cazaux left her corporate finance position in Paris to accompany her husband on a job-related move to Houston, she was surprised how few people she saw wearing espadrilles - a ubiquitous shoe in the southwestern region of France, worn by both men and women. "The sun is here all the time," she says, insinuating that Houston has the perfect climate for a shoe that evokes "endless summer." Former United Airlines pilot Bruce Wayne Wallis plead guilty on Nov. 16 to charges indicating that he operated a string of brothels, recruited women some of them from outside the United States to engage in prostitution, had sex with the women himself and pocketed a percentage of their earnings. He demanded sex in exchange for protection from the police. Records also indicate that he was in the possession of dozens of firearms and would routinely keep a 9mm pistol with him as he conducted rounds at his brothels. He was a pimp, in short what we call now, in 2017, a human trafficker. What Wallis plead guilty to doing is recognized as human trafficking under state and federal law. But after he entered his guilty plea and admitted his role in the operation, he was sentenced by Harris County District Court Judge Jim Wallace only to 5 years deferred adjudication (a type of community supervision that doesn't generally carry a final criminal conviction), a $2,000 fine and a requirement to perform 150 hours of community service. He received no prison time. This sentence has left many in Houston shaking their heads. The judge's perspective is hideously outdated. Members of the Houston Police Department's Human Trafficking Unit are likely frustrated. They worked tirelessly to investigate the case and collect the evidence necessary to pursue charges that carried a maximum penalty of 20 years' incarceration. Members of local civil rights advocacy groups are outraged. They question whether Wallis' status as a white male, who appeared to be a middle-class professional, led to the light sentence. The public is angry. Comments on articles I've read identify Wallis as a criminal, pimp or human trafficker, despite the articles themselves that describe him as a "pilot accused of running a string of brothels." And many members of the local anti-human trafficking community a network of dedicated professionals spanning from victim service organizations, legal clinics, health care, law enforcement, prosecutors, advocacy groups and survivors of trafficking are furious. They know that women arrested for a single prostitution exchange are significantly more likely to receive a jail sentence than men. What Wallis admitted to doing was exponentially more egregious. He profited from thousands of prostitution exchanges for which he was directly responsible and avoided jail time or even a permanent criminal conviction. Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle Though I understand and share this anger and frustration, I also find reason to be hopeful. Because the sentence in this case might cause us to bristle, but it also provides an opportunity to reflect on how far we have come as a community. The intense backlash against Wallis's sentence is evidence that our society has begun to recognize the harm in human trafficking. And it means that social change, a real paradigm shift, has already begun. In fact, it started in earnest a few years ago. THE LIMITS OF GOODWILL: Why don't we extend our sympathy to victims of human smuggling? Formed in 2014, the HPD Human Trafficking Unit has changed the way law enforcement responds to potential human trafficking cases in Houston. They know to look beyond the surface within prostitution cases for force, fraud or coercion. Joining HPD in this effort, the Harris County Sheriff's Office has shifted some of their attention away from the sellers of sex women whom they have often identified as victims to the buyers and traffickers instead. Demonstrating a similar commitment, the Harris County District Attorney's Office also established a small human trafficking unit in 2014. Under District Attorney Kim Ogg, who was elected in 2016, that unit has expanded to include more prosecutors, social workers, analysts, investigators and support staff. With a recently announced $1 million in grant funding for human trafficking, Ogg's office aims to increase the prosecution of human traffickers and improve support services for victims. And in 2015, the City of Houston joined the growing movement, creating the role of Special Advisor to the Mayor on Human Trafficking, a full-time position dedicated to addressing this problem in Houston. Though Wallis's sentence represents a step backward, we now recognize that, once commonplace, what happened was unjust. Social change is never instant, and it's never easy. As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., said, "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice." The movement to eradicate human trafficking in Houston is united, and it's strong. In the long run, traffickers and judges who demonstrate bias in sentencing will not flourish here. Dr. Rebecca Pfeffer is an assistant professor of criminal justice at the University of Houston Downtown. Her research focuses generally on the victimization of vulnerable populations, including victims with special needs and victims of human trafficking. Bookmark Gray Matters. It finds reason to be hopeful. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate My mind often seems to exist in three places all at once: the immediate present, the near future and the actual future. Take Thanksgiving Day, for example. We spent it with friends friends with whom, with only one exception, we've had Thanksgiving dinner with for the last 15 or more years. Since David and I moved to Houston, Laura and Shannon have been my, our, best friends. Our dinners have by and large been epic, with Laura and I vying to outdo each other in a fierce culinary battle. But this year, what with David's illness, the flooding from Harvey that wrecked the first floor of Laura and Shannon's house and more, this year's celebration was more low-key than usual. Just 10 people. One turkey and one ham. I made gravy, cornbread dressing, cranberry relish and chocolate pecan pie. David had a difficult time remembering when Thanksgiving was even the night before he couldn't remember that it was the next day. But, on the actual day, he very much enjoyed his traditional holiday breakfast of cinnamon rolls and sausage nominally a vegetarian, he has always allowed himself some leeway on holidays, and even more so now, when it really doesn't seem to matter. He looked forward to dinner and celebrating. WATCHING DAVID DISAPPEAR: His dementia is getting worse. For both of us. When we arrived at our friends', and it was time to eat, I made his plate for him, making sure to include several pieces of the crispy skin he so enjoys, cut it up into bite-sized pieces and set it at his place where he sat happily eating and talking. Of course, the next day, David was certain that nobody talked to him and the entire time he was being dismissed and ignored. Social interactions seem to tire him out; the effort he puts into putting on as normal a face as possible in front of other people must be particularly draining. *** BUT AS I stood and watched him and his interactions, I couldn't help thinking about our upcoming trip to Mexico. It's been finalized. Mid-December, David and I, along with a friend of mine who volunteered to come along, are going down to Guadalajara to look at assisted-living facilities. Dennis Abrams We're looking at two places, both of which seem highly promising. I'm trying to arrange for him to spend the night at one or both so that he can get a better sense of what they're like. (And, I confess, so that my friend and I can have at least one night free to go out and eat and drink ourselves silly.) The big question though still remains: What's the right place for him, and when is the right time for him to go? There are no easy answers to that. And, as much as I hate to admit it, financial considerations do come into play. It would be easier to decide if his doctors could say with some degree of certainty, "You have X years left." To put it bluntly, if it's just a year or two, I'd encourage him to stay in Houston where the options are, to put it mildly, more expensive, but he'd be here where I could visit frequently, where his friends are, where his doctors are, where his life is. WATCHING DAVID DISAPPEAR: My husband's dementia. His rage. And now, violence. But if it's longer, Mexico's lower prices make it a very attractive option. Of course, he'll have far fewer visitors and will essentially be on his own but, on some level, I think that's what he wants. Deep down, I suspect that he doesn't want people, including me, to see him when he's no longer "there." I understand that. And respect it. I'm not sure I want to see him like that, either. *** WHILE I was thinking about the Thanksgiving celebration at hand, and of the upcoming trip to Mexico and what will happen after that, I was also thinking about Thanksgiving next year. I was wondering if this would be the last time we all gathered together. I was wondering where David might be living a year from now and how far his disease will have progressed. I wondered if he would still be among the living. I wondered whether it would be better for him if he was or if he wasn't. I wondered what my life will be like when all this comes to its inevitable end: Where will I live, and will I be alone? But my reverie was broken when David called out, telling me he'd like more food, returning my thoughts to the here and now. And to the task of cutting up his turkey (no dark meat, please) into neat bite-sized pieces to make it easier for him. And that was enough. Dennis Abrams writes restaurant reviews, journalism, and children's books. Bookmark Gray Matters. There are no easy answers. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A truck hit a pedestrian crossing Richmond Drive during rush hour Monday morning, killing the pedestrian and a dog the person was walking. The wreck happened about 8:40 a.m. in Montrose, according to Houston police, at the intersection of Richmond and Mandell. The vehicle was turning left onto Richmond from Mandell, police said, while the pedestrian was crossing Richmond in the intersection crosswalk. The driver struck the person, who was taken to the hospital and later died. The pedestrian was walking two dogs, police said; one was killed, but the other was unharmed. This story will be updated when more details are available. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Many deported in the Trump administration's roundup face difficulty in readjusting, often becoming targets of criminal gangs. Click here to read the first part of our series exploring life in Central America following deportation. SAN SALVADOR -- The modern, geometric monument towering above the Autopista Sur freeway on the way from the airport to downtown San Salvador is one of the most prominent public artworks in the capital city. It pays tribute to returning emigrants in a country which reveres those who leave on behalf of their families to find work and prosperity in America and other foreign countries. "Hermano, bienvenido a casa" the monument says in letters that can be read from the freeway: "Brother, welcome home." Most cultures honor and erect such monuments to war heroes and presidents, and sometimes great writers and artists. In Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala, they add emigres to that litany. Their exalted role stems from recognizing their essential contributions: With remittances, they help their families to get out of poverty. And in so doing, they help their countries' economies, since their financial contributions represent one of the main sources of foreign exchange reserves. DEEPER DIVE: Mara Salvatrucha preys on Trump deportees in Latin America "Migrants in our era," Juan Orlando Hernandez, the president of Honduras, said recently during a speech at the United Nations General Assembly, "are our new martyrs and are the new heroes that, on foreign territory, struggle to overcome adversity, work tirelessly, do the hardest works in the toughest conditions, and they still come out ahead. More Information Aggressive federal enforcement, controversial laws and heated political rhetoric are pushing Houston's immigrants - documented and undocumented - deeper into the shadows. Click here to read four storylines from the frontline of the immigration debate. See More Collapse The image of the emigrant in the region is sort of a "heroic entrepreneur of life" who dares to cross borders "defying numerous dangers in search for better opportunities for him and his family," said Jose Santos Portillo, acting mayor of the small town of Intipuca, in southeast El Salvador. Not surprisingly, the central square of this picturesque village is called El Parque del Migrante (The Migrant's Park). At its center is a statue of a emigre carrying a backpack. He is turning his head back to catch the last glimpse of his homeland, but his body walks decisively north. The monument was built after Sigifredo Chavez became the first officially registered person who emigrated from this town to the United States in 1967. Some say that Intipuca is a ghost town. "We adore those who are not here with us... many of us live out of what our emigrants send," Santos said. Carefully built homes are spread around town with ornamental ironworks and adornments only affordable through the remittances of those who have emigrated. "They say they will come back to live here one day. You know, making it in America and then coming back," said the mayor, rolling his eyes, knowing that most likely will never happen. Approximately 60 to 70 percent of residents have emigrated from Intipuca, a town that didn't offer much more than a decaying agricultural base for villagers. The park and monument are just some of the many ways in which the imagery of the immigrant adorns the town, where the United States is talked of as a promised land. Intipuca has a "White House", as the mansion of a local who migrated to Washington but who still visits every year is called. Hundreds of undocumented emigres head north every week from Central America to the United States. To get there, they often must survive an arduous journey thousands of miles long filled with hunger, thirst, exhaustion, degradation, often humiliation, and even at times extortion and rape. Many say the prayers of the migrant before leaving. In Salcaja, a western city in Guatemala, residents printed the prayer on a metallic plate that accompanies their own monument to the emigrant: "As I must go to other lands to seek a decent life for my family, I ask for protection and interception before God for those of us who are on the way, since you did not leave the Migrant People. Help us achieve our purpose." Many emigrants never complete the journey. If and when they do, they become heroes in their old countries, if not in their new one. *** Olivia Tallet, a Houston Chronicle reporter, and Marie D. De Jesus, a Chronicle photographer, traveled to Latin America and produced this report as 2017 Adelante Latin America Reporting Fellows with the International Women's Media Foundation. *** SUBSCRIBE: The Houston Chronicle is dedicated to serving the public interest with fact-based journalism. That mission has never been more important. Show your support for our journalism at HoustonChronicle.com/subscribe. Many deported in the Trump administration's roundup face difficulty in readjusting, often becoming targets of criminal gangs. Click here to read the first part of our series exploring life in Central America following deportation. SAN SALVADOR -- People who live in areas dominated by an international gang called Mara Salvatrucha in Central America are subject to a form of extreme violence that was exported from the United States to El Salvador when American immigration officials began deporting members of the gang in the 1990s. Mara Salvatrucha has since become an international criminal organization, with its epicenter in the Central American Triangle of El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala. For emigrants who return to communities dominated by Mara Salvatrucha and other gangs after years abroad, either voluntarily or through deportation, going back is fraught with risk. DEPORTEES: Trump's deportees are often strangers to their homeland and preyed upon by gangs The gangs have corrupted neighborhoods where they operate, displacing inhabitants and forcing migration. They also terrorize returnees and have become a threat to the viability of the governments of the countries where they operate. To learn more about this phenomenon, Chronicle reporter Olivia P. Tallet talked with Roberto Valencia, a reporter for the investigative section on violence, Sala Negra, of the Salvadoran online newspaper El Faro. Marie D. De Jesus/Houston Chronicle Here is an edited transcript of the conversation: Tallet: What does it mean to live or return to live in a region dominated by these gangs? Valencia: I doubt that there is any criminal structure in the world that conditions people's daily lives as gangs do in El Salvador. And I would say that they are in more than half of the territory (of El Salvador). I don't want to minimize the impact of cartels in Mexico, for example, but those are structures that are not so rooted in the community and therefore not affecting people's lives so strongly as here. For a person who has lived for years abroad, when he or she returns, they no longer know this country. The immigrant is seen first as a source they could exploit for money. We have found that the immigrant who returns, either deported or voluntarily or even to spend Christmas time, is subject to extortion. They are very vulnerable. Tallet: Can you provide some examples of how gangs affect the daily life of people? Valencia: For example, a few blocks from where we are having this interview there is a territory dominated by the 18 Revolutionaries gang. If you live in that community, you are marked as being of Las Palmas, which is the name of the community. If, say, your brother lived and died in a nearby community called La Perrera, dominated by the Mara Salvatrucha (MS 13) gang, you cannot go to his wake in the other community. You are marked, and your life is imprisoned in that territoriality. You cannot go to the health unit that is on the other block if it belongs to the area of another gang. You cannot cross a street, or send your child to a school in another area, even if you have nothing to do organically with the gangs. More Information Aggressive federal enforcement, controversial laws and heated political rhetoric are pushing Houston's immigrants - documented and undocumented - deeper into the shadows. Click here to read four storylines from the frontline of the immigration debate. See More Collapse If you live in a community where there is a strong presence of gangs, it's almost like you have the forehead tattooed with the logo of the gang that dominates your neighborhood. To those of us who live here, life is conditioned to these levels. But even from the tourist point of view, if you are going to climb a volcano such as Izalco, which is very beautiful, you have to go with police officers armed to the teeth. Tallet: How are these gangs organized? Valencia: The two main ones are the Mara Salvatrucha (MS 13), which is the largest and predominant, and Barrio 18 is a strong enemy which split a decade ago into 18 Revolucionarios (Revolutionaries) and 18 Surenos (Southerners). Internally, each gang is a world. Mara Salvatrucha, for example, works with clicas (cliques). The term clica is an administrative unit within gangs. It's very linked to the territory. There are some with more members than others, but that unit is fundamental in its operation. For a few years now, these clicas have been forming what they call programas (programs). These are associations that grow as they expand either into nearby neighborhoods or by seeding new geographic areas. For example, the el Programa de La Libertad has a dominant clica that is the Teclas Loco, so called because it's located in a city within the metropolitan area called Santa Tecla. The cliques of the Mara Salvatrucha have the name of the place where they were founded followed by the word Locos (the crazies). Many cliques have American names like Hollywood Locos or Fulton Locos, referring to their original towns in Los Angeles. The Teclas Locos has expanded in the opposite direction to the US east coast. The Mara Salvatrucha is a federation of more than 50 programs, according to some estimates. Tallet: How are they financed? Valencia: Many people make a living from the gangs' criminal activity. Official figures talk about around 60,000 active members. But then they have their support web of family members and people who help them. This base is estimated as being between 400,000 and 500,000 people. We are talking about 9% of the (country's) population. Extortion is a main source of income, but they continue to evolve. () Some gangs are now taking the role of the agiotista (usurer), which is deeply rooted in the culture of El Salvador. Say, if you are poor and want to buy a box of tomatoes to resell in the market, you do not ask the bank to lend you $ 100 but to this kind of usurer. That is now becoming another space that gangs are taking. Tallet: In addition to violence and crime, how else have gangs impacted families? Valencia: We have been a quarter of a century with this problem. It's a growing phenomenon because the cancer has spread with different levels of penetration in different areas. We have about two generations of children that have grown up locked up in their homes because their parents do not let them go out to protect them. They only go to school, the church, and some of them hopefully have a friend with whom they let them play inside the house. That's a childhood problem in El Salvador. It's something that we have internalized and assumed. I was referring to parents who care for their children, because on the other hand, we have a problem of social decomposition, with many children whose parents have emigrated, children of single mothers or who live with grandparents or uncles. This isn't a problem exclusive to the Salvadoran society, but here, when combined with the gangs' phenomenon, migration, it produces an even more chaotic result. Tallet: Several statistics put El Salvador as the most violent or among the world's most violent countries in recent years, including 2016. Has there been any improvement? Valencia: El Salvador had a rate of 103 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in 2015. Last year, by government figures, it dropped to 82. But to put it in perspective, in the United States people are alarmed when the rate rose from 4.9 to 5.3 (in 2016). The Salvadoran proportions are astronomical; we are still the most violent country. This year, the rate was falling, but then from mid-September to now, it has been tripling with 26 and 27 murders a day, almost as high as we saw in (some months of) 2015. This increase coincides with the military deployment initiated on (September) 18, when the government started putting military armored tanks on the streets, supposedly to go after gangs. Paradoxically, the tanks have been displayed in public parks, not in territories dominated by gangs. What are armored tanks doing next to (the statue of) The Divine Savior of the World? Nothing. It's just propaganda to win votes [before the next legislative and municipal elections in 2018 and the presidential election in early 2019]. We now have a worse situation in El Salvador, and I would even say that it's the worst situation the country has experienced in decades. Tallet: Worse in what sense? Valencia: Gangs now have an open war with the state. Part of the functions of the gangs has been to take care of their colony by protecting it from other gangs. That was already in the gangs' DNA. But now the gangs have more enemies, and more powerful, like the government, which has openly declared war. Now we have, on the one hand, angrier gangs, and on the other, the state in a war using dubious methods. We are having cases of extrajudicial executions. Our problem isn't that we have a madman who has become president. That would be serious but more easily correctable. This is a society that right now applauds extrajudicial executions and even tolerates collateral damage with the death of people who have nothing to do with gangs. () And we have things like the president of the Legislative Assembly (Guillermo Gallegos) who applauds the release of police officers as heroes in a case where the judge admitted himself that they were involved in an extrajudicial execution. Tallet: How do you see this complex problem moving into the future? Valencia: The word repressive already falls short for this society. In the United States, scandals arise, and rightly so, when the police kill an individual. Here in El Salvador, the figures recognized by the police say that what they call confrontations have been leaving around 500 or 600 people dead in the last three years. (...) And the same police officers take pictures of the bodies and put them on social media (with phrases like), "One less rat." This state of affairs is now part of the folklore. I think that even if things started to be done appropriately now, we are so broken that it would always be a couple of generations before [had a situation in which] you do not have your day to day coerced. And I say it with deep pain, because it is about the future of my children. *** Olivia Tallet, a Houston Chronicle reporter, and Marie D. De Jesus, a Chronicle photographer, traveled to Latin America and produced this report as 2017 Adelante Latin America Reporting Fellows with the International Women's Media Foundation. Click here to read stories and view photos from their fellowship. *** SUBSCRIBE: The Houston Chronicle is dedicated to serving the public interest with fact-based journalism. That mission has never been more important. Show your support for our journalism at HoustonChronicle.com/subscribe. Trump administration deportees are often strangers to their... Trump's deportees are often preyed upon by gangs Trump administration deportees are often strangers to their... Trump's deportees are often preyed upon by gangs EN ESPANOL: Extranos en su propia tierra SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador - The latest flight from Texas loaded with deportees touches down without fanfare. The eighty-seven men and 22 women are taken by bus to the Direccion de Atencion al Migrante looking none too happy as immigration officials drone at intervals: "Welcome to your country." About three-quarters had been caught by the U.S. Border Patrol trying to cross into the country from Mexico. But about a quarter had been snared by the Trump administration's roundup of undocumented immigrants - those with criminal records, who had been the primary deportation focus of the Obama administration, and anybody else in the country illegally. "Although the number of cases we receive is falling, the profile of these people is changing with an increase in the number of returnees who had lived for years in the U.S.," said Ana Solorzano, the immigration official in charge of receiving the deportees from the U.S. and Mexico. "We are talking about people who arrive feeling uprooted with the emotional shock of leaving their family behind and the culture to which they were accustomed." Their attachment to America and relative unfamiliarity with their homeland leads to extreme challenges in reintegration in a nation dominated by criminal gangs. Gang violence and killings led many of the deportees to leave El Salvador in the first place. They are often marked upon their return for retribution, shaken down, even kidnapped for ransom, by gang members. "I doubt that there is any criminal structure in the world that conditions people's daily lives as gangs do in El Salvador," said Roberto Valencia, an investigative journalist for El Faro, an award-winning Salvadoran digital newspaper. "These are structures that are very rooted in the communities and generate a lot of violence and much pain." The predominant gangs in El Salvador, ironically formed in the U.S. in the 1980s, are Mara Salvatrucha and Barrio 18. There are about 60,000 active gang members in this country of 6.5 million people, according to 2012 estimates, and another 400,000 to 500,000 associates. The Trump administration has touted its success in rounding up undocumented immigrants with criminal records. A Reuters analysis of immigration data shows that the arrest of those with criminal records has increased 17 percent from January to July. But the Reuters analysis also shows that the arrest of those without criminal records had increased more than 200 percent during the same period. The administration has also tripled the number of deportation cases it has reopened in the immigration courts against undocumented immigrants who had been granted reprieves from deportation by Obama. A terrifying prospect At the Salvadoran immigrant assistance building in San Salvador, a recent returnee named Jose wore blue jeans, a T-shirt and work boots without shoelaces, which were not allowed in the U.S. detention center where he had been held. Emaciated, with a bewildered gaze framed by a scraggly beard, he was waiting for his name to be called to follow the immigration registration process. Jose said he was ashamed to provide his last name because he felt that being a "deportado" was a disgrace in a country where those who immigrate to America are typically revered as family saviors. He said he had lived for 12 years in the U.S. and worked construction to support his wife and three American-born children, ages 9, 6 and 9 months old. In June, he said he was stopped for allegedly running a red light while going home from work in Maryland, setting in motion his deportation. "I had no chance to defend myself in court, to tell (the judge) that the children depend on me, that I am clean, that the police checked my criminal record and I have never had anything in my life," he said. Jose would be returning to his old neighborhood in the capital's most violent municipality of Soyapango, which he found a terrifying prospect. While the country's gangs have been around for a quarter-century, their visual codes and public behavior have been changing during the last decade in response to a government onslaught. They have significantly changed their image and modus operandi to hinder identification, according to a study by Juan Ricardo Gomez Hecht, a researcher at the College of Advanced Strategic Studies of El Salvador Armed Forces. The stereotype of the profusely tattooed gang member is becoming a thing of the past, he said. Now, it may be a well-dressed man passing unnoticed on the street who is targeting unsuspecting deportees. Aggressive federal enforcement, controversial laws and heated political rhetoric are pushing Houstons immigrants documented and undocumented deeper into the shadows. Click here to read four storylines from the frontline of the immigration debate. For those who return after years outside the country, the new gang codes are not familiar and could be a death sentence. What increased during the last decade is crime. In The Economist's list of the world's most violent countries by homicides, El Salvador is number one with a rate of 91 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2016. Comparatively, the U.S. rate is below six. DIVE DEEPER: Mara Salvatrucha preys on Trump deportees in Latin America Coming back as a deportee after years abroad is almost like "having a tattoo on the forehead," said Valencia, noting how returnees feel like marked men or women, unable to blend in. They often find themselves subject to both extortion and criminal paranoia. Valencia said the deportees are "a fresh source" from which gangs can get money through extortion, which is a primary source of funding. A frequent gang practice is to detain deportees and strip them to search for hidden tattoos or signs that might reveal if they are related to criminal groups abroad. El Salvadoran officials say they are establishing an inter-agency approach to provide comprehensive care for deportees to help them find jobs and academic opportunities. But migrant advocates say they have thus far seen negligible government assistance for the deportees. "For those who have been abroad for more than five years, the situation is worst," said Cesar Rios, director of the Institute of the Migrant in El Salvador. "They come as a vulnerable population because they come with the stigma of being a deportado." Rios explained that "they are condemned by the society." Those over 35, as many parent deportees are, he said, cannot find jobs. "The government is wasting a historic opportunity by not supporting these people, because they come with American skills that could be used as human capital," he said. Even more dire in Guatemala One hundred-fifty miles northwest of San Salvador, in Guatemala City, the capital of Guatemala, recent deportees from the United States have also been victimized by gang violence. In Guatemala City, they receive even less governmental services than in El Salvador. The facilities where they were received at the Guatemalan Airforce Airport appeared dirty and unkempt. A mural on the wall of the receiving room bore a welcoming message in a Mayan language - with spelling mistakes. As it was in El Salvador, the returnees' profile is also changing, with many having lived for five years or more in the U.S. "There isn't any governmental effort to reduce the emigration because it's actually convenient for them," said Guatemalan lawyer Marisa Mejia, a founder of the Center for Guatemalan Migration Research, a private institution located in Guatemala City. REMESAS: In Latin America, emigres who send remittances back from the U.S. are exalted heroes In a country with more than half of the population living below the poverty line, "migrants are seen as a source of remittances; and the more people in poverty leave, the less they have to care about them," she said. Many of the deportees had paid so-called coyotes between $7,000 and $9,000 to make the trip across the U.S. border. Most of the deals include up to three attempts. Going back to America is what deportee Florinda Niz was considering when she was deported from the United States and received at the Guatemalan Airforce Airport in October. Niz had asked Gustavo Juarez, director of the Asociacion de Retornados de Guatemala, an advocacy organization, for help. She said she was driving from Minnesota, where she lived, to Iowa in August for a job contract, when she was detained for speeding and later deported. Authorities found that she was previously removed from the country, she said. "I want my children with me," Niz said, wiping tears from her swollen eyes with a corner of her blue cardigan. Her four American-born children, from 1 to 11 years old, were left behind with her sister, who had taken care of them since the day she was detained. POLICY: Trump moves to end 'catch and release', prosecuting parents and removing children who cross border Niz didn't have money or a place to stay in Guatemala. She was hoping to find an aunt in San Marcos, where she lived before emigrating. It's one of the most impoverished areas with the highest malnutrition and mortality in the country. It's also one of the most penetrated by international drug cartels. While prevalent, gang violence in Guatemala is not as bad as it is in either El Salvador or Honduras. Poverty, environmental devastation and drug dealing also drive migration from Guatemala, said Enrique Valles Ramos, head of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees' office in the country. Niz said she wanted to find a way to bring her American children to Guatemala. If not, she would go back to the U.S. again. "I know the trip is very risky. I can be raped, I can die, I can be put in prison if I am caught, but I don't care," she said. "My children are what matters because I do love them. I am the one who has always taken care of them. And they should stay with their mother." *** Olivia Tallet, a Houston Chronicle reporter, and Marie D. De Jesus, a Chronicle photographer, traveled to Latin America and produced this report as 2017 Adelante Latin America Reporting Fellows with the International Women's Media Foundation. *** SUBSCRIBE: The Houston Chronicle is dedicated to serving the public interest with fact-based journalism. That mission has never been more important. Show your support for our journalism at HoustonChronicle.com/subscribe. WASHINGTON More than a decade ago, Congressman Al Green had a "romantic encounter" with a former aide in Houston, which later led to an allegation of sexual assault and talk of lawsuits and employee discrimination. As quickly as the incident popped up, it quieted down in a 2008 agreement between the two. Resolved or not, the episode was back in the news Monday as Green put out a statement explaining that he and the woman, Lucinda Daniels, are "consenting friends" and "regret (their) former claims" and that there was no payment ever made in the case. "In the present climate, we wish to jointly quiet any curious minds about our former and present relationship with one another," Green and Daniels said in a joint statement, which Green signed in trademark green ink. "We are friends, and have long been friends. At an unfortunate time in our lives, when both of our feelings were hurt, we hastily made allegations against one another that have been absolutely resolved." 'Clearing the air' The statement came amid heightened sensitivities about sexual harassment and misbehavior in Congress, following high-profile accusations of harassment against business and media celebrities. Hours before Green's office sent out the statement unbidden, Minnesota Democrat Al Franken publicly apologized outside his Senate office for past harassment allegations involving two different women. It also came days after U.S. Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., agreed to step down as the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee over allegations of sexual harassment, and less than a week after U.S. Rep. Joe Barton, a Dallas-area Republican, apologized for a nude photo he admitted sending to a woman with whom he was having an extramarital affair two years ago. Another Texas congressman, Blake Farenthold, faced sexual harassment allegations in 2014 brought by a fired former staffer. The Corpus Christi Republican denied any wrongdoing, and the case was settled out of court. The full House is expected to vote Wednesday on a resolution requiring all members and their staffs to complete a program of training in workplace rights and responsibilities. An aide said Green, 70, simply wanted to clear the air in light of recent attacks on conservative social media and news sites - principally the One America News Network - in the month since he introduced articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump. One America posted a three-minute report Oct. 19 covering Green's long-forgotten case, titled "Democrat Rep. Al Green's secret sexual assault allegation." One viewer comment suggested Green should be "lynched and left hanging in the woods as 'strange fruit,'" an echo of the death threats Green received over his impeachment move. Like Conyers, a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, Green is African-American. Joint public statement The aide said the decade-old allegations were not secret and did not involve Green's congressional office nor the taxpayer-funded Office of House Employment Counsel. Green publicly withdrew a lawsuit in December 2008 that he had filed three-months earlier asking a federal judge to find that he never discriminated against Daniels, the former director of his Houston office. Ben Hall, an attorney representing Green, asked that the case be dismissed because Daniels had signed a written agreement dropping all claims against the congressman without payment or promise of money. Green and Daniels also released a public statement at the time saying they had "resolved their respective disputes" and "wish each other well." Green's lawsuit had alleged that Daniels was threatening to sue him for workplace discrimination if he didn't pay her. But Daniels never filed the suit. In late October of that year, days before Green faced an election in southwest Houston's Ninth District, her attorney, Chip Lewis, called but then canceled a news conference to talk about the congressman. A spokesman for Green, who was first elected in 2004, acknowledged at the time that Green and Daniels had a "romantic encounter" at her home in May 2007. But Green denied any claims of sexual assault. Neither Green nor Daniels were giving interviews Monday. In their joint statement, they said that "as friends, we have both agreed that we see no need to make further statements regarding this absolutely resolved matter." The University of Texas System will vie to manage Los Alamos National Laboratory after its divided board narrowly voted to put forward a bid on Monday. Four regents supported submitting a proposal to manage the high-profile national security institute, whose research arms also include supercomputing, renewable energy and space exploration. Los Alamos has a multibillion-dollar budget and works with entities including the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security. Approving regents cited what they said is the UT System's ability to change a culture at Los Alamos, long plagued with safety and security challenges, and potential research possibilities. "No big, bold move is without risk," Regent Paul Foster said. The system has a business partner willing to work with it to manage the facility, regents said. But administrators declined to identify that corporate partner. The discussion and vote Monday drew out concerns from three regents who have expressed frustration with UT System spending. They said big system initiatives, which this would be, come at the expense of academic institutions. "It's going to distract us from our core mission," said Regent Janiece Longoria, who joined the board earlier this year. "I believe Los Alamos is and will continue to be problematic from a nuclear safety standpoint." Numerous challenges Challenges at Los Alamos stem from its remote location in New Mexico, its mission, corporate influence and culture of secrecy, observers say. On the 39-square-mile campus are high explosives and plutonium, global security operations with nonproliferation and counter-proliferation divisions, and ongoing technology and engineering research. The University of California managed the facility after World War II, and has continued to do so since the mid-2000s in collaboration with business interests in a private limited liability company called Los Alamos National Security. Even after several safety and security scandals, including reports of missing property, fraud and safety issues, LANS beat out UT for the contract in 2005. University of California officials insisted earlier this month that the university is well positioned to earn the bid again. The current contract ends in September 2018. Bids are due in mid-December. Greg Mello, who directs the Los Alamos Study Group which monitors nuclear laboratories and favors nuclear disarmament, said he was not surprised regents would acknowledge the risk before a vote. "People would have to have their heads in the sand to not realize that this is a troubled laboratory," Mello said. Bid raises concerns UT Deputy Chancellor David Daniel, who is heading the UT System's bid effort, called regents' deliberations "thoughtful" and said the system has weighed the risks. He said he has grown "more confident" as he has learned what UT can do "to improve the safety record at Los Alamos." The three dissenting regents - Longoria, Kevin Eltife and Steve Hicks - explained their positions by citing safety concerns and potential reputational and economic risks. Regents already voted this fall to spend $4.5 million on developing a bid for Los Alamos. Eltife and Longoria both said the University of Texas at Austin has concerns about the bid, but a spokesman for the state's flagship declined to comment after the vote. The regents' divide highlighted what has become a familiar split on the board this year. Regents disagree on the role of the system and whether it needs to pare back spending. Forty entities have officially expressed interest in managing Los Alamos, including IBM Global Business Services. Texas A&M University's regents are also considering a bid. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The Air Force failed numerous times to take steps that would have prevented Sutherland Springs shooter Devin Patrick Kelley from purchasing the firearm he used to kill 26 people and wound 20 others, according to a claim filed by the Holcombe family, which lost 9 members in the massacre. The claim, filed against the U.S. government Tuesday specifically in the death of Bryan Holcombe, could be the first step to an eventual lawsuit if the Air Force denies responsibility. The family is seeking monetary damages but said they are also hoping to prevent the type of error that allowed Kelley to purchase the tools he needed to carry out the deadliest mass shooting in Texas history. READ MORE: Air Force admits it failed to send Sutherland Springs gunman's records to feds "Although the shooter undoubtedly 'pulled the trigger' that resulted in the injuries and death of JB Holcombe and others, failures of the US Air Force, and others, allowed the shooter to purchase, own and/or possess the semiautomatic rifle, ammunition and body armor he used, and it is these failures that were a proximate cause, in whole or in part, of the injuries and death of the decedent," reads the claim. Remembering Nov. 5 Now Playing: Twenty-six people died in the Sunday massacre at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs on November 5, 2017. Video: San Antonio Express-News Joe Papa Joe Holcombe joined Houston-based attorney Rob Ammons in downtown San Antonio Tuesday afternoon to discuss his claim and tell the story of his nine family members who lost their lives on Nov. 5. He said he returned home from teaching Sunday School at the First Baptist Church in Floresville to do what he and his wife always did those days each lunch and watch church services streamed from San Antonio. The 86-year-old said he noticed his pastor walking up to the house and thought, "What in the world is he doing here?" It was about an hour after the shooting and the pastor arrived to deliver the terrible news. "I said, 'How about my family?'" Holcombe recalled. "'Bryan?'" He's gone, the pastor said. John? He was wounded. Karla? She's gone. "How many are gone?" Holcombe finally asked. And then the pastor named them all. "That's what hit me the hardest," Holcombe said. RELATED: Handwritten lawsuit on behalf of Devin Kelley's family appears to be work of Ohio inmate The family's patriarch lost his son Bryan, daughter-in-law Karla, grandson Marc, granddaughter-in-law Crystal, and great-grandchildren Noah, Emily, Gregory, Megan and an unborn child who was to be named Carlin Brite "Billy Bob" Holcombe. Kelley's history The Air Force found through an internal investigation that it failed to report Kelley's 2012 conviction for spousal and child abuse to the FBIs National Instant Criminal Background Check System. If the agency had followed through on its reporting requirement, that conviction would have followed him and prevented him from purchasing firearms. Instead, he bought four in Colorado and Texas between 2014 and 2017, including the rifle used in Sutherland Springs. Because of his abuse convictions, Kelley received a bad-conduct discharge from the Air Force. The claim also cites threats Kelley made against his superior officers and his attempts to smuggle guns onto base, which landed him in a mental health facility in New Mexico. He escaped that facility and was later apprehended by law enforcement. Ammons said Kelley's case and the Air Force's error is not uncommon, citing a February 2015 Air Force which report found 30 percent of servicemen convicted of crimes were not reported to the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System. RELATED: Apple served with search warrant in Sutherland Springs shooting By failing to report, the Air Force is basically shredding gigantic holes in the safety net that is there to protect all of us in society, Ammons said. Its time that this ends and its time that this problem is corrected. The Air Force admits failures Coincidentally, the Air Force on Tuesday released the results of a review into Kelley's case it launched immediately after the shooting. They found similar reporting lapses at other locations. In a statement the Air Force also said it was implementing a number of corrective measures to ensure reporting compliance. Air Force officials have not yet responded to Holcombe's claim. Holcombe, a devout Christian, said he believes his lost loved ones are in a better place. And someday soon, hell get to join them. Theyre just in a much better place now because its never going to happen to em again, he said. Staff writers Guillermo Contreras, Sig Christenson and John Tedesco contributed to this report. | Kelsey Bradshaw is a digital reporter for mySA.com. Read more of her stories here.| kbradshaw@express-news.net | Twitter: @Kbrad5 A Poteet police officer was arrested Monday after she allegedly used a "pressure point hold" on someone at a home on San Antonio's far West Side. Tabita Sandoval Guerrero, 41, now faces a charge of domestic assault causing bodily injury. She was booked into the Bexar County Jail on a $3,500 bond. She bailed out of jail Tuesday morning. RELATED: Couple found dead in suspected murder-suicide after SWAT standoff identified According to her arrest report from the Bexar County Sheriff's Office, Guerrero and the victim were arguing at a home in the 300 block of Perch Meadow when she grabbed the victim by the chin, which caused "pain, redness and a bleeding scratch, the arrest report says. Guerrero allegedly admitted to the assault and was arrested. "We're just waiting for more information on what happened from Bexar County to see what action we need to take," said Poteet Police Chief Bruce Hickman. RELATED: Man who allegedly led S.A. police on car chase, escaped on foot arrested on robbery charge Now Playing: Don't mess with this sisterhood. A group of Buddhist nuns in the Indian Himalayas were encouraged to learn Kung Fu nearly 10 years ago by the leader of their 1,000-year-old sect. They're now passing on these skills during a five-day workshop, with grueling 15-hour days, to help women protect themselves from attack. The nuns train the women both on defensive and offensive tactics. Although Buddhist nuns are not traditionally permitted to exercise, these nuns shake off the stereotype and pass on their skills to other women. Video: Vocativ Hickman said Guerrero was a patrol officer with the department and had been employed there for almost two years. She has been placed on administrative leave following the department's investigation. The charge she faces is a Class A Misdemeanor, and Hickman said her punishment will largely depend on the results of the investigation. "We're not going to have a knee-jerk reaction," he said. 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 This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WASHINGTON - Senate Republicans are considering a trigger that would automatically increase taxes if their sweeping legislation fails to generate as much revenue as they expect. It's an effort to mollify deficit hawks who worry that tax cuts for businesses and individuals will add to the nation's already mounting debt. The effort comes as a second Republican senator, Steve Daines of Montana, announced Monday that he opposes the tax bill in its current form. Previously, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., said he opposed the bill, leaving Senate Republicans no room for error as they hope to vote on the bill this week. Both senators complained that the tax bill favors large corporations over small businesses. Republicans have only two votes to spare in the Senate. At the White House, President Donald Trump maintained that the bill would help all Americans. "I think it's going to benefit everybody," the president said. "It's going to mostly benefit people looking for jobs more than anything else, because we're giving great incentives." A new congressional estimate says the Senate tax bill would add $1.4 trillion to the budget deficit over the next decade. But GOP leaders dispute the estimate, saying tax cuts will spur economic growth, reducing the hit on the deficit. Many economists disagree with such optimistic projections. The trigger would be a way for senators to test their economic assumptions, with real consequences if they are wrong. "Do we have realistic numbers and is there a backstop in the process just in case we don't?" asked Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla. "We should build in the 'What if?' What if this doesn't work?" Lankford said. "What changes might be needed in the tax code in the days ahead to be able to adjust in what scenario?" Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., said the Trump administration and Senate Republican leaders are open to some kind of a trigger to increase revenues if the tax plan falls short. Neither Corker nor Lankford spelled out exactly how the trigger would work, noting that senators are still working on the proposal. Trump and Senate Republicans scrambled Monday to make changes to the bill in an effort to win over holdout GOP senators. "Very possible," Corker said when asked if he might vote "no" in the Senate Budget Committee on Tuesday if the revenue issue isn't settled. "It's important for me to know we've got this resolved," he said. The tax bill would sharply reduce the corporate tax rate and reconfigure the system by which multinational companies pay taxes to the U.S. government. It would also reduce tax rates for individuals while eliminating some deductions, including those for state and local taxes, and allow noncorporate businesses an additional deduction. The corporate changes would be permanent, but those for individuals and so-called pass-through businesses would be set to expire at the end of 2025, in order to comply with Senate budget rules. The House bill, however, makes the individual cuts permanent, and that is one of many differences with the Senate legislation that will ultimately need to be resolved. Mayor Sylvester Turner's equity task force is calling on the city of Houston to launch an early childhood education initiative and a program aimed at creating or improving the quality of 20,000 jobs within four years. The recommendations were contained in a report by the Baker Institute for Public Policy and the Kinder Institute for Urban Research released this week. The two think tanks provided research and support for the work of the 13-member task force that Turner asked to help him examine an issue he came into office vowing to address. Turner long has said he doesnt want to be the mayor of two cities, one centered on the citys rising skyscrapers and one struggling with vacant lots, condemned homes and stray dogs where the janitors in those towers live. MORE: Turner calls for shared sacrifice in battling city's financial woes Turner, through a spokesman, gave broad support to the groups message, but did not address the reports many recommendations, which include a call for all city workers to be paid $15 an hour and to receive benefits, that city contractors and firms receiving city tax breaks be required to follow suit, hire locally and provide on-the-job training, or that the city find millions of dollars to offer early childhood education scholarships for low-income youth. The goals in the equity report are among Mayor Turners goals, as he has demonstrated with his actions and statements, Turner spokesman Alan Bernstein said. There are many ways to achieve a shared set of goals, and the city, with its limited resources, will do its creative best to follow the right path along with caring community partners such as the Kinder and Baker institutes. Bernsteins statement referenced Turners signature policy initiative aimed at targeting investments in disadvantaged areas, Complete Communities, though that initiative remains largely in the planning stage and lacks dedicated funding. MORE: Few details, no new money in mayor's Complete Communities plan The statement also noted Turners 2016 appointment of an education liaison, Juliet Stipeche, and his Hire Houston Youth and Turnaround Houston programs. Among the reports recommendations are that the Hire Houston Youth program be expanded by requiring city contractors to provide positions for the effort, and that the hourly wage be increased from $8 to $15 per hour. The task force sought not to describe a path to equity in all areas of civic life, the report states, but to make relevant recommendations that could be implemented despite tight finances at City Hall. The city already is facing a projected shortfall of more than $120 million for the fiscal year that begins next summer. Still, some of the group's recommendations would necessitate new requirements particularly on city contractors and businesses receiving subsidies or other preferential treatment from the city sure to be controversial, while others would require significant investments. For example, the proposed early childhood education pilot program, which the report recommends be targeted in at least one of the mayors five Complete Community neighborhoods, would cost between $18 million and $78 million annually, depending on the neighborhood chosen. Other of the groups recommendations such as advising the city to make equity a cornerstone of its governing model and budget priorities and create a concrete plan driven by specific, measurable goals tracked using open data are not inherently costly, but would be a departure from the habits ingrained in the city bureaucracy. AUSTIN Gov. Greg Abbott stepped in on a House legislative race Tuesday, announcing his endorsement for one of the key lawmakers who pushed for a so-called bathroom bill. Abbott said voters should reelect Rep. Ron Simmons, saying in a 53-second video endorsement that the Republican from Carrollton is a "principled leader committed to growing the economy, creating more jobs and improving our schools." Simmons carried bathroom bill legislation during the regular session and during a special legislative session, answering the call from the governor who wanted lawmakers to pass "bathroom privacy" legislation. During the special legislative session last summer, his bill was watered down from a stricter Senate version, but would have banned municipalities and schools from enforcing policies that allow transgender people to use the bathroom that correlates with their gender identity. Abbott warned lawmakers over the summer he would keep a list of lawmakers who supported his priorities. He has slowly begun to work through that list this fall, but Simmons is the only one he released a video for thus far. This month Abbott went after Rep. Sarah Davis a Republican from West University Place who rejected much of his agenda by giving a lengthy endorsement of her primary opponent. The governor's other endorsements have been for incumbents: Rep. Rodney Anderson, R-Grand Prairie; Rep. Greg Bonnen, R-Friendswood; Rep. Matt Krause, R-Fort Worth; Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano and Rep. Leighton Schubert, R-Caldwell. Andrea Zelinski covers politics, state government and the courts for the Chronicle. Follow her this election season on Twitter and Facebook. Send her tips at andrea.zelinski@chron.com. AUSTIN - Texas officials are launching an initiative to help victims of human trafficking after years of pressure for the state to provide better care. Kim Grabert, who recently was named the state's first director of human trafficking prevention, is leading the charge for more funding and resources to address the issue that's a priority for Houston and other cities statewide. A recent University of Texas study estimated the state has more than 300,000 human trafficking victims. Grabert, a veteran of the child welfare industry in Florida, said changing the statewide procedure of caring for victims of child sex trafficking is one of many things on her to-do list since arriving at the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services in June. "The largest hurdle initially is to have everybody have an understanding of this issue of sex trafficking," Grabert said. "Texas is at a place where I think we've been building up to this conversation, and I think now is the right time to have staff in positions to address it." Texas has long tried to address the problem of human trafficking in the state, but Texans have been critical of the government's efforts at providing rehabilitative care for victims of the crime. In 2014, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called for a statewide effort to help the more than 79,000 minors and youth victims of sex trafficking in the state, but the Legislature has done little to address the problem. Mixed legislative signals During the 85th legislative session, the Legislature allocated $1.3 million per year to create a grant program specifically for assisting child sex trafficking victims. But legislators also removed a proposal to create a $3 million grant program aimed at helping all trafficking victims, continuing a decade-long pattern of providing little funding toward the issue. "When it comes to serving this population, there has to be greater funding, and there has to be funding for more than one avenue," Grabert said. "Government alone, in whatever capacity, we're not going to have the resources to treat the complexities of the needs of this population, whether they're minors or adults, so everyone has to step up and provide a piece." To do this, Grabert said she is reviewing the methods for responding to victims of sex trafficking from everyone who deals with the problem in the state. "When you engage with these children you have to build a relationship," Grabert said. "It's not simple. This is neurologically driven, trauma-driven behavior and punitive action is not effective." Grabert said her position was created through a grant from the governor's office to allow the state to respond to the issue of child sex trafficking on behalf of the child welfare program. "Gov. Abbott is fully committed to doing everything he can to put an end to the horrific practice of human trafficking, while helping rehabilitate child sex trafficking victims and vigorously prosecuting the criminals involved," said Ciara Matthews, spokesperson for Abbott. "The governor is pleased with the work Kim Grabert has done already, and he will continue to dedicate the necessary resources to combat this heinous crime." In Texas, a Houston-based shelter is the only privately run safe house that provides long-term housing for girls who are victims of sex trafficking, called Freedom Place. There are multiple drop-in shelters that provide short-term care in the state. Houston a hub Hilary Sherrer, spokesperson for Houston victims' daytime drop-in shelter The Landing, said she wishes Texas had addressed the problem of victim care sooner. "I think it's always frustrating when things aren't done as quickly or efficiently as we would like them to be done," Sherrer said. "Yes, it's frustrating that this hasn't happened before, but there will always be things to do, and I am happy that something is being done, and I think it is a better step in the right direction." Houston is one of the largest hubs for sex trafficking in the United States, but Sherrer said Texas should look to the city as a blueprint for addressing the issue. "Houston has developed a very strategic plan on how to combat human trafficking as a city," Sherrer said. "It's a great first step, strategically getting a plan to put together, and that would be a great thing to see in Texas on how we can address this as a state, all across this huge state." Texas is taking a great step by adding the position of director of human trafficking, Grabert said, and coordinating the state's response is one of the objectives in the early months of her new job. "I think every state needs this position and this type of response," Grabert said. Open a bank account using a stolen identity and you might find yourself behind bars. Open millions of accounts using stolen identities, and you might be the world's second largest bank. Between 2009 and 2016, Wells Fargo created an estimated 3.5 million sham deposit and credit card accounts created under customers' names. Scandals like this one are why we have the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which fined Wells Fargo $100 million for its scam. Now more than ever, the nation needs a strong CFPB to help keep big banks in line. You'd think that a president who once accused hedge funds of "getting away with murder" would find common cause with this regulatory agency. Instead, Donald Trump wants the watchdog to go belly up for the wolves of Wall Street. The CFPB director, Richard Cordray, resigned this month, and Trump is trying to find a temporary replacement in Director of the Office of Management and Budget Mick Mulvaney (For those checking, that's the same OMB director who has failed to deliver on a once-promised Hurricane Harvey recovery package). Consider this just another example of Trump's compulsion to stand on the side of the rich and powerful against the American middle class. He might as well put an arsonist in charge of a fire department. Mulvaney has a record of trying to eliminate the CFPB, including cosponsoring a bill to do just that when he was in Congress. His appointment would also open the bureau to potential back-door dealing - a longtime Mulvaney aide now works as a key lobbyist for a major bank, Santander, which faces a $10 million fine for illegal overdraft fees. A bureaucratic battle has Mulvaney fighting with Leandra English, the CFPB's deputy director, for legal control over the agency. All this wrangling for power should be unnecessary. Trump needs to pick a formal appointee and submit that person to Senate approval. Corporate profits are sky high and the stock market continues its eight-year-long surge, but paychecks remain stubbornly stagnant. The middle class deserves a qualified director to head up the only federal agency solely dedicated to balancing the playing field between Main Street and Wall Street. When debt collectors illegally threaten veterans, or payday lenders trick working families into a pit of debt, or mortgage companies charge more on the basis of a customer's skin color, the CFPB must be fully empowered to set things right. Less than a decade has passed since reckless financial institutions brought the global economy to the brink of collapse. The American people may have forgiven banks for their sins, but the CFPB exists to ensure that we don't forget. Trickle down? Regarding "GOP discovers little voter enthusiasm for a tax plan wealthy donors demand" (Page A12, Friday), I have bet numerous friends and family members that there is no way that Congress will get a tax bill to the president's desk by Dec. 31. So far, no one has accepted the $1,000 bet. There is so much to dislike about both the House and Senate bills; I'll touch on a few issues. The AARP is up in arms because seniors may no longer be able to deduct huge medical bills. Millions of homeowners, myself included, may lose the home mortgage deduction. With the possible loss of the individual mandate requiring everyone to have health insurance or pay a penalty, premiums, co-pays and deductibles will skyrocket, causing millions to lose their health insurance coverage. By giving huge tax breaks to corporations and the wealthy, the GOP is following the long-discredited theory that the money will somehow trickle down to the working class in the form of increased pay and better jobs. What is not acknowledged is that employers only increase production and employment when they have expanded markets. They have no reason to increase jobs or produce more if they can't sell those new products. Companies will find other uses for the windfall from the GOP. Meanwhile, virtually everyone else loses. Jim McMahon, Spring Looking forward Regarding "Saving Thanksgiving for Harvey victims" (Page A1, Thursday), it's admirable that parades, charitable meals and other spirit-lifting events are part of Houston's response to Hurricane Harvey. But now we face two important long-term challenges: rebuild Houston and, just as important, prevent another Harvey from happening. Quite a number of prevention ideas have appeared in the Chronicle. So, we must decide which ones would be both effective and practical and then decide on the ones that get implemented. Both as a city and as individuals, we've successfully carried out numerous "Houston strong" activities. Now for Houston's long-term health, we need to follow up with "Houston smart" projects. Future heroes of Harvey will be those who can help us do this. Joe Vogt, Houston Public education Regarding "GOP tax bill flunks the educator test" (Page A21, Saturday), the "unconscionable thought" about educators losing their relatively small tax deduction for school supplies should be that the state of Texas, local boards of trustees and district administrators tolerate teachers ever having to pay a cent for materials. The state constitution requires a free public education for all residents of school age, not one subsidized by employees. Ken Booth, Seabrook Hunger endures Regarding "Holiday turkey and the trimmings" (Page A3, Friday), while it is gratifying to see various groups feeding the homeless on Thanksgiving, we should remember that people need to eat every day. Hunger never takes a day off! Larry Cronin, Spring Bush 41 Regarding "President George H.W. Bush becomes the longest living U.S. president" (Chron.com, Sunday), God bless him. He was a good president. Doyle Mayhaw, posted via Facebook. WASHINGTON - "I never wonder to see men wicked, but I often wonder to see them not ashamed," Jonathan Swift observed. That was three centuries ago, so our current, degraded condition has deep historical roots. Yet it feels, more and more, that we are experiencing the end of shame. Our sad national trajectory has been on display recently with two oddly connected stories: Alabama Republican senate nominee Roy Moore and the tax bill. They share a common thread in President Trump, but their significance goes beyond the president. Trump surely helped fuel the end of shame, but just as surely we were already on that degraded path. No one who has watched Moore expected that reports of how he preyed on young girls would provoke shame from the egocentric, already discredited judge. Moore has long proved - with his flagrant disregard for constitutional values, his homophobia and racism - that he is impervious to such feelings. The open question involved Moore's true-believing supporters and political allies of convenience: At long last, had they any decency? For some, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and most of his colleagues, the answer has been a welcome yes. Others, most prominently Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey and, inevitably, Trump, have failed what should have been an easy test. To conclude that electing an accused child molester to the Senate is preferable to seating a Democrat is the epitome of shamelessness. We know this from the president's own team. "There's no Senate seat more important than the issue of child pedophilia," said White House legislative affairs director Marc Short, in the that-was-then world of mid-November. "There is a special place in hell for people who prey on children," said Ivanka Trump, adding, "I have no reason to doubt the victims' accounts." Neither did Ivey, who made her priorities clear, with no evident distress. "I have no reason to disbelieve them," she said of the women accusing Moore. And yet: "Most important, we need to have a Republican in the United States Senate to vote on things like the Supreme Court justices." Pardon the gender bias, but there is a special place in hell for female politicians who make this ugly calculation. With plenty of room for Trump & Co. The White House line on Moore has descended from "if/then" to "let the voters of Alabama decide" to "we need the seat." Adviser Kellyanne Conway, who had once touted the no-Senate-seat-more-important line, found something even more important than defeating an accused child molester: "I'm telling you that we want the votes in the Senate to get this tax bill through." And the president, for whom shamelessness has proven a potent tactic, pronounced himself persuaded by Moore's similarly blatant approach: "He totally denies it." But the more instructive moment came with Trump's very first public words on the Moore reports: "I can tell you one thing for sure. We don't need a liberal person in there, a Democrat." Morality is a luxury with a 52-vote Senate majority. Shame is a millstone, or would be if Trump were capable of it. Which brings us to the tax bill, and Trump's budget director, Mick Mulvaney. The shameful part of the tax bill - shameful in the sense that it heralds the end of shame, not that it is morally deficient, although that too - is not that the former South Carolinian congressman once styled himself a deficit hawk and now is pushing a measure projected to add at least $1.5 trillion to the debt over 10 years. The shameful part is not that the bill is so studded with gimmicks that the real cost is more like $2.2 trillion. It's not that the Mulvaneys of the world have managed to convince themselves of supply-side gobbledygook in which tax cuts pay for themselves. What is truly stunning is Mulvaney's brazen willingness to admit that the price tag is phony, specifically the notion that individual tax cuts will expire. Mulvaney, making the rounds of the Sunday shows, felt no need to dissemble. "One of the ways to game the system is to make things expire ... a lot of this is a gimmick," he told NBC. And, on CNN, "It's simply trying to essentially manipulate the numbers and game the system." In other words, we're lying to you to ram this through, and we're not even going to bother to hide it. If hypocrisy is the tribute that vice pays to virtue, what does it say, exactly, when our most senior public officials feel no such compunction? What does it mean if we lose Swift's capacity to wonder at the absence of shame? Marcus' email address is ruthmarcus@washpost.com. Firefighters from three departments responded last Thursday afternoon to a house fire in Raymondville thats under investigation by the state fire marshals office. Raymondville Fire Department Chief Mike Jackson said four trucks and 12 personnel from his department responded to the fire at about 2 p.m., along with two trucks and four men from the Houston Rural Fire Department and the City of Houston Fire Departments ladder truck and four men. Jackson said the fire began in the front area of the structure and was contained before destroying it. Gaston said three firefighters from Houston Rural made entry into the burning house and were able to pinpoint the hottest spots. The blaze was ultimately contained and snuffed before spreading to much of the house. We were able to save most of it, Gaston said. Once you get inside, you can use a thermal imaging camera and find out where the fire is at and put it out pretty quick. Those cameras make a big difference; you can tell where the hot spot is even through the smoke. Jackson said Raymondville FD personnel were on scene for about five hours. A lot of guys missed their Thanksgiving, he said. We had someone go to McDonalds and bring back a bunch of McRibs, and thats what they ate for Thanksgiving. As the fire marshal investigated, Jackson and his crew assisted. We would shovel out debris and wash everything clean where he wanted to look around, Jackson said. And, of course, its a crime scene, so we have to be careful to maintain a chain of evidence. About two hours earlier the same day, a deputy responded to the same house regarding a report of property damage. A 39-year-old woman who owns the home showed the officer that the front door had been kicked in a vulgar graffiti had been spray-painted on interior walls. She stated nobody lives in the house and that it was used for storage by her brother. The woman named a 42-year-old man and 27-year-old woman as suspects. Investigation continues. Subscribing to our services is a three step process. First you have to create an account and then you have to pick if you want to subscribe to digital and or print. Some people only want to be a digital subscriber to get access online and others want to also receive the print edition. If you are already a print subscriber and want online access, it is free, you simply have to create an online account and then attach your print subscription account number to the online account you create. Youtube Dips Toe Into Social E-Commerce With Ticketmaster Partnership A recent announcement by YouTube has revealed that the popular video sharing site will be allowing Ticketmaster to use its site to connect users directly with tickets. While the deal is non-exclusive it does represent a move by Google to begin diversifying away from advertising revenue. _______________________ Guest post by Zach Fuller of Midia YouTube has announced a partnership with Ticketmaster that will allow its video property to connect users directly with concert tickets. The deal is non-exclusive and similar to a previous coalition between Ticketmaster and Spotify. Nonetheless it represents one of the most opportune moments for Google to begin diversifying away from advertising revenue (still 89% of the companys total year-on-year revenue for Q3 2017), and into the world of direct social e-commerce. Of the big four, Amazon and Apple hold something that Facebook and Google do not: credit card details and a regular billing relationship. While Facebook and Google dominate in terms of behavioural data capture, upstarts in the digital economy, such as Spotify and Netflix, are in a better position to up-sell to consumers directly rather than deal with the multifaceted and, often volatile, revenues of the ad-market. However, many within tech have felt that the move into commerce by social and search entities was simply a matter of time with payments companies such as Stripe betting their business models on allowing individual merchants to trade via such networks. With Amazon now making tentative movements into the media and advertising worlds Googles core territory, the search giant will be eager to diversify its revenue by getting directly into consumers wallets, rather than simply monetising their attention. YouTube remains a crucial asset, being both the de-facto largest music streaming service and the byword for user generated content online, though Facebook is fast encroaching on this USP. Whilst it has tried to move into Netflix and Amazon Prime Videos premium content territory via YouTube Red, adoption of the service has been slow. Positioning itself between recorded music and the experience of live is therefore a favourable manoeuvre for Google, and one that will likely pique the interest of Facebook as it attempts its own diversification tactics. Share on: Cities are the way of the future. In less than 35 years, the World Health Organization estimates that two-thirds of the world population will be living in urban areas. That's an additional 2.5 billion people. The cities that will flourish the most are those that rely on cutting-edge technologies and create opportunities for people to develop new ones. To get a sense of which cities do that the best, Business Insider consulted 2thinknow, a research firm that specializes in analyzing innovative cities, to rank the most high-tech cities in the world. The firm chose 10 factors related to technological advancement including the number of patents filed per capita, startups, tech venture capitalists, ranking in other innovation datasets, and level of smartphone use weighted them, and ranked a list of 85 cities accordingly. Image: WEF If you want to know what the future will look like, these are the cities to keep an eye on. 25. Washington, DC The US capital has been rapidly expanding its tech scene over the last decade, growing its overall number of tech-related jobs by 50%. In addition, more than 1,000 startups call DC home. The proximity to the federal government mixed with the deep pockets of nearby venture-capital firms makes starting a world-changing company an appealing prospect in the city. 24. Barcelona, Spain The Spanish city cracked the top 25 for the first time since last year's ranking, in particular for its growing population of industrial designers and prominent smartphone use. Smartphone infrastructure is so sophisticated, in fact, that electrical boxes strewn around Barcelona contain computers that capture noise levels, traffic patterns, and how many selfies people take. 23. Copenhagen, Denmark What Copenhagen lacks in startup culture and venture capital, it makes up for with innovative urban planning and a strong contingent of industrial designers factors that 2thinknow praises as signs the city prioritizes smart manufacturing. By 2025, the city plans to sever its dependence on fossil fuel, due in large part to harnessed wind energy. Its robust bike culture and fleet of architecture firms allow Copenhagen to be a city that's not just green, but beautiful. 22. Hong Kong, China Rather than excel in one particular category, Hong Kong hits just about every box in terms of its advancement. The city devotes enormous amount of moneytoward research and development and city-wide innovation, boasting some of the fastest Internet speeds in China. Its high-tech exports total $243 billion, or 51% of the total exported goods. 21. Berlin, Germany Berlin is also the locus for much of Europe's automobile industry. It is the only city in the world where all of the major automative brands are represented. 20. Shenzhen, China Patents are flying out of Shenzhen, a city in southern China that boasts a population of 11 million. As part of the country's push toward manufacturing, Shenzhen has grown significantly over the last several years as a hub for factories and robotics. Multiple telecom and electronics giants have found a home base in the city. 19. Bangalore, India No other city in 2thinknow's ranking climbed as far compared to 2016's ranking as Bangalore, which moved from 49th place to 19th. The change is due to an influx of IT companies and the city's enormous population of programmers. Half of India is under 25, and many are entering the growing tech space, creating a virtuous circle of growth. 18. Montreal, Canada If you want to be an industrial designer or programmer, you should consider moving to Montreal. If you want to work in wearable technology (or virtual reality), even better. Montreal is home to Vrvana, a VR headset manufacturer, and the companies Hexoskin and OMSignal, which both make clothes that measure wearers' biometric signals. The city also has a fairly strong startup culture. 17. Shanghai, China The closest Shanghai has to Silicon Valley is the Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park. It houses more than 100,000 workers split between thousands of tech companies. Like most of China's high-tech cities, Shanghai excels in patents and venture capital. That may be because manufacturing has become a top priority in China, and companies are eager to protect (and invest in) their intellectual property. 16. Beijing, China Though it may lack the startup culture of other high-tech cities, Beijing is renowned for its city-wide use of smartphones and the number of patents filed per capita. It venture capital scene has also grown rapidly over the past several years. The city climbed 15 spots since the 2016 rankings. 15. Amsterdam, the Netherlands Amsterdam's combination of financial technology, energy efficiency, and startup culture make it a powerhouse in Europe, despite being much smaller than its neighbors. (It has only a third of Berlin's population, for example.) In April, lawmakers announced they wanted to ban gas and diesel cars by 2025 in favor of electric vehicles perhaps the city's most visible sign of its look toward the future. 14. Vancouver, Canada In 2014, the CBC called Vancouver "Silicon Valley North" in recognition of its strong start-up culture. There are more than 600 digital media companies that generate more than $2 billion in revenue. Tech-focused universities and low corporate tax rates, meanwhile, make the city attractive for both up-and-coming engineers as well as established executives. 13. Stockholm, Sweden With missions to go cash-free and oil-freewithin the next five years, Stockholm is fully embracing the digital and environmental revolutions. The city also has the most billion-dollar startups in Europe and the world's second-fastest-growing market for venture capital investments. It's no wonder that programmers are flocking to the Swedish capital. 12. Tokyo, Japan The largest city in the world doesn't achieve that feat without impressive levels of infrastructure transportation in particular. Tokyo's subway system, for example, is used by 2.3 billion people every year. Tokyo excels in venture capital investments, and is home to a dizzying number of tech giants, many of which are already preparing for the 2020 Olympic Games. 11. Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas Just within the last couple years, Dallas has established itself as a startup hub. In 2thinknow's analysis, the Texas city climbed from 28th in 2016 to just outside the top 10 because of its rapid growth in the number of venture capitalists and integration of technology into the city landscape. 10. Chicago, Illinois You might not think of the Midwest as a startup magnet, but Chicago is quickly proving that assumption false. A recent report found Illinois was among the top five in high-tech jobs in the US, with the Windy City making up a big chunk of those spots. Brookings Institute also finds Chicago is a hotbed for urban planning innovation, driven largely by City Digital, a project designed to solve problems related to energy transfer and transportation. 9. Toronto, Canada Rife with startups and innovative infrastructure, stemming from places like the Cisco Innovation Center, Toronto is home to 30% of Canada's IT firms, the majority of which have fewer than 50 employees. That means there's a crop of young companies poised to make an impact in the next decade. Overall, the city's firms account for approximately $52 billion in yearly revenue. 8. Singapore Aside from being a giant, rain-absorbing sponge, Singapore boasts an extremely high number of programmers and venture capitalists. The city-state is constantly introducing new infrastructure and high-tech high-rises, including one with an entire forest in the atrium. It has partnered with MIT to build smarter transportation that relies less on private carsand more on public trains and light rail. 7. Boston, Massachusetts A huge number of exciting technologies have been coming out of Boston over the last several years from STEM elites like MIT, Harvard, Tufts, and Northeastern many of them in the biotech and robotic fields. The city has a handful of venture capital firms (Battery Ventures, Atlas Venture, Bessemer Venture Partners, Matrix Venture Partners) that pour money into innovation labs and university startups. And big-name companies like Facebook and Amazon have set up R&D offices in Boston to pull from this growing pool of talent. 6. Taipei, Taiwan According to 2thinknow's analysis, Taipei is the far-and-away leader when it comes to industrial design. This has been the case for years the city much prefers to delve into hardware rather than software. Some of the largest PC companies call the city home, including Asus, MSI, Gigabyte, and Acer. According to 2thinknow, the city also scores highly in its number of venture capitalists. 5. Seoul, South Korea Seoul has been called the city of the future, and rightfully so. Innovation is practically baked into its design, as its metro system may even have New York's subway beat. According to 2thinknow, Seoul files more patents than just about any city in the world. It has developed technology that is already ubiquitous such as the LTE beamed to our smartphones as well as tech still in its infancy, like virtual stores where you scan pictures of items to be delivered later. 4. Los Angeles, California Film isn't the only industry in LA. In 2014, a report by the LA County Economic Development Corporation suggested that LA had more high-tech sector jobs than any other region in the US. The report also found the total wealth output hovers around $58 billion. When 2thinknow performed its analysis, it found the same: Startups and venture capital play a major role in LA's tech sector boom. 3. London, England London has become a public transportation dream over the last year with the introduction of its Crossrail project. By 2018, 10 new train lines will connect 30 existing stations with brand-new tunnels. At $20 billion, it's the largest construction project in Europe. 2thinknow finds London has more startups and programmers than almost any other city in the world. By some estimates, there may be more IT jobs in London than all of California. Some estimates say there will be 11,000 new tech jobs added within the next decade. 2. New York, New York New York is a special kind of tech heavyweight. It is both extremely dated in its infrastructure, but at the same time, unbelievably progressive. According to the state comptroller's office, nearly 7,000 high-tech companies in New York City provided more than 100,000 jobs during the third quarter of 2013. In addition to starting companies, the city also launches integrated, citywide technology: LinkNYC, a free Wifi service, has over 500 kiosks around Manhattan available for public use, and many experts believe the city is just getting started. 1. San Francisco, California If every city claims to be the "Silicon Valley" of its particular home country, you can guarantee Silicon Valley is the gold standard for tech. Since 2thinknow defines the region by its largest neighboring city, San Francisco takes the top spot. It is the undeniable epicenter of all things tech, from its gigantic startup culture to its venture capital scene to its population of designers and programmers. Chris Gruba, a senior planner with Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, presents the changes being requested in the town's zoning bylaws. Clarksburg Reviews Raft of Bylaws for Pot, Zoning, Solar Arrays One of the articles for the upcoming special town meeting asks to align zones with property lines in three areas of town. Above, the blue line shows an I1 zone on Middle Road; the red is the property lines. CLARKSBURG, Mass. A group of residents is calling for a more restrictive bylaw when it comes to large solar arrays. A company is apparently scoping out the field bounded by Stoneybrook and Mountain View drives and Cross Road. "The field in front of us, we've seen a lot of surveyors and it's getting us nervous," said Jeffrey Levanos, chairman of the Select Board and a resident of Mountain View Drive. "Are we going to have 20-foot high solar panels we're going to have to look at the back of? "You can't make that look pretty no matter how you cover it." The complaints came at Monday's public hearing on a raft of bylaw revisions to update the town's zoning. Town officials are anticipating a special town meeting by late December or early January. The solar bylaw was completed last year but not in time for the annual town meeting in May. It was presented at Monday night's Planning Board hearing as a standalone along with a number of connected zoning amendments and additions. Chris Gruba, a senior planner with Berkshire Regional Planning Commission who has been working on the amendments with town planners, said solar arrays can't be prohibited but the town can enforce "reasonable regulation." Homeowners, however, asked why solar arrays couldn't be regulated the same strict way that marijuana facilities can be by limiting where they can exist. "Why can't we just say no," asked Levanos. "I'd kind of like to nip this before it goes to the Planning Board. I want to see a setback saying it can't be 500 feet from anybody's door." Gruber said the state is encouraging green and alternative energy. However, there was a possibility of creating an overlay district to restrict placement of commercial-style arrays in residential areas or creating setbacks that would discourage their installation. He said he would research what options the town had for addressing large arrays in neighborhoods. Some residents asked if the bylaw, and the one for marijuana, could simply be voted down at town meeting. Planner Carl McKinney, also the town administrator, said defeating the articles would leave the town with no control over these facilities. The solar bylaw divides the types of solar installations in five categories requiring three different permits. Installations on roofs or small ones on the ground require building permits; roof installations more than 6 feet off a roof's peak (usually flat roofs) or installed on the ground above 20 feet require a special permit from the Zoning Board of Adjustment; large arrays over 1/16th of acre or generating power for off-site use require a site plan review and special permit by the Planning Board. All need to comply with setbacks and large ones are regulated in terms of screening, lighting, fenced and secured with buried utilities and bonding in place as insurance against abandonment. "We're trying to create the best ordinance we could while complying to state law," Gruba said. The other articles are "kind of a Rubik's Cube," he said, going through not by number but by how they would have to be passed. Together, they would 1) first align three industrial zone areas along actual property lines to clarify districts; 2) turn two industrial 1 zones (the town dump land on West Cross Road and the former Krutiak lumber mill into industrial and service joins, allowing businesses such as medical and accounting; 3) turn the I1 zone on at the old bus yard on Middle Road to a commercial 1 zone; 4) limit marijuana production to a single I1 zone along the west side of River Road between Town Hall and the former Strong Hewat mill. Gruba said he'd have liked to align all the zones along property lines but it was determined to start with the ones most likely to be developed. "It really makes things much easier and helps to avoid conflicts on how things are deveoped," he said. "Ideally you would want to align every zone but we just wanted to focus on three areas because they are most likely to see construction or development." McKinney said it was important to get the marijuana zoning bylaw in place prior to April 1, when the state will begin taking applications for licenses. It's still unclear what the exact recommendations would be, but the town bylaw follows similar ones developed with guidance by the state. It requires growth and production to kept indoors, and lists a number of restrictions related to any sales onsite, and places a local surcharge of up to 3 percent on sales. Among several other changes are setting standard road setbacks of 35 feet for nonindustrial and 25 for industrial rather than based on road size; decreasing lot size from a half-acre to a third for properties with access to North Adams water and sewer; allowing maximum lot coverage from 50 percent to 75 in industrial zones; and allowing split frontage of 125 feet (down from 250) in upland conservation zones. McKinney said frontage in UC zones would largely affect the state's payment-in-lieu-of-taxes in the town's benefit based on potential building lots on state land. Resident Paula Wells, however, was concerned that there was no guarantee the state would not sell of that mountain land. "I want to look at the mountains," she said. "I don't want to look at houses." iciHaiti - Justice : A delegation of the OPC in Ivory Coast A delegation from the Office of Citizen Protection (OPC) took part in Cote d'Ivoire (West Africa) on 25 and 26 November 2017 at the 6th Statutory Congress of the Francophone Association of National Human Rights Commissions (AFCNDH) under the theme "The role of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in the promotion and protection of migrant people: standards, good practices and challenges". During these two days, about twenty NHRIs shared their experiences in their involvement in the fight for the respect of the rights of migrants, with special emphasis on the situation of women and children. Me Renan Hedouville, Protector of the Citizen of Haiti discussed with his counterparts and other Heads of Delegation of opportunities for exchange programs. In his speech to the Congress, Hedouville argued that the non-respect of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights was one of the elements that favors the migration crisis around the world. At this Congress Renan Hedouville was accompanied by Me Amoce Auguste Director of Protection of Protection of Human Rights, Me Vladimyr Gassant Director of Cabinet and Me Pierre Roldy Maurice, Departmental Director of the South. IH/ iciHaiti Imperial Valley News Center Thoma Bravo Acquires Barracuda Networks for $1.6 Billion San Francisco, California - Thoma Brava, a massive private equity firm with diverse interests in the cyber security industry is busy again this week following the acquisition of Barracuda Networks in a take-private deal valued at approximately $1.6-billion dollars. Barracuda was reportedly offered $27.55 per share, about 16% above Fridays close. Barracuda, which is based out of Campbell, California, provides security for cloud-based networks and applications. Its a competitor of Palo Alto Networks and Symantec. The company boasts high-profile clients like Microsoft, Boeing and the US Department of Defense among its 150,000 customers. If the names Thoma Bravo and Symantec ring a bell, its because Thoma Bravo was the facilitator of DigiCerts recent $950-million dollar acquisition of Symantecs Certificate Authority. That deal, which was recently finalized, saw Symantec sell its CA in exchange for nearly a billion dollars up front, as well as a 30% stake in DigiCerts business. Thoma Bravos deal for Barracuda is expected to close in February. Morgan Stanley advised Barracuda on the deal while Goldman Sachs, Credit Suisse and USB worked with Thoma Bravo. We believe the proposed transaction offers an opportunity for us to accelerate our growth with our industry-leading security platform thats purpose-built for highly distributed, diverse cloud and hybrid environments, said BJ Jenkins, chief executive officer of Barracuda, in a statement. We will continue Barracudas tradition of delivering easy-to-use, full-featured solutions that can be deployed in the way that makes sense for our customers. Thoma Bravo is a private equity firm based out of Chicago and San Francisco with over $17-billion under management, including Compuware, McAfee and SailPoint. Governor Brown to Host 86th Annual Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Sacramento, California - Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. and First Lady Anne Gust Brown will host the 86th Annual Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Thursday, December 7th on the West Steps of the State Capitol. This years tree is a 65-foot-tall white fir from the Latour Demonstration State Forest located near Redding in Shasta County, the sixth Capitol Christmas tree to come from a state forest managed by CAL FIRE on behalf of the public. The tree is decorated with over 900 hand-crafted ornaments made by children and adults with developmental disabilities who receive services and support from the states development centers and 21 nonprofit regional centers. The Governor and First Lady Anne Gust Brown will light the Capitol Christmas tree with 7-year-old Sofia Garcia of Los Angeles. It will be illuminated by approximately 10,000 ultra-low wattage LED lights. Kitty ONeal of KFBK Radio will emcee the ceremony, which will also feature performances by the California Army National Guards DET 1, 40th Infantry Division Band, Brass Quintet, the Governors Own; students from the Oakland Military Institute and Oakland School for the Arts; Mariachi Puente; and St. Pauls Baptist Church Choir. Timing snacks to avoid heartburn Rochester, Minnesota - While it may be tempting to have another round of Thanksgiving leftovers or any snack before you turn in tonight, you may regret it. The old saying timing is everything is definitely true for your eating and sleeping routines. And Dr. Joseph Murray, a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist, says evening snacking can increase the chance for heartburn and a restless night. Theres a physical reason why you should stop eating three hours before bedtime. "Our digestion is meant to be carried out in a more upright position," says Dr. Murray. He says late-night snacks can be a recipe for reflux. "You fill your stomach with food. It starts producing a lot of acid," explains Dr. Murray. "Now youve got a big bag of food and acid thats sitting there. You go lay down, and you no longer have gravity to keep that food and acid down. It comes up your esophagus, giving you reflux." Dr. Murray says some foods are more likely than others to contribute to it. "High-fat foods, because theyll sit in your stomach much, much longer," says Dr. Murray. Tomato-based items, onions, spices and chocolate can also cause heartburn. So can alcohol. And, Dr. Murray cautions, even if you avoid these heartburn triggers, remember that digestion is meant to be going on while you are awake. Eating right before bed is not a good idea," adds Dr. Murray. U.S. Department of State Launches Partnership With Kentucky State Police Washington, DC - Monday, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) Daniel L. Foote signed a partnership agreement with Commissioner Richard W. Sanders, the head of the Kentucky State Police (KSP), to enhance the Department of States police assistance to international law enforcement agencies. Under this partnership one of 25 that INL has established with U.S. state and local law enforcement departments the KSP will assist in helping U.S. partner nations in the fight against crime. KSPs expertise in police operations and investigations, including illegal drug trafficking and organized crime, and their nationally accredited forensic laboratories will provide tremendous value to international counterparts facing criminal threats. These impressive capabilities are a representative sample of a broad skill set that INL hopes to tap into to advance criminal justice assistance and the fight against organized crime abroad. INL establishes partnerships with U.S. state and local law enforcement, corrections, justice sector, and ports institutions to provide criminal justice expertise to international counterparts. KSP is INLs 25th police partner and is one of six state police agencies to join the partnership program. Through this partnership, KSP will help foreign counterparts build capacity, improve efficiencies, and deliver effective criminal justice functions while also developing key relationships overseas. Mauritania National Day Washington, DC - Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson: "On behalf of President Trump and the people of the United States of America, I am delighted to send my best wishes to the people of Mauritania on your 57th anniversary of independence on November 28. "The United States looks forward to growing our strong relationship with Mauritania in the coming year. We will continue our longstanding partnership by working together to strengthen our economic ties, address terrorist threats in the region, and build Mauritanias democratic institutions. "The United States supports all Mauritanians as you work to build a country that is peaceful, prosperous, and united." Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} When the Pixar writer and director Lee Unkrich received the green light to develop his follow-up to Toy Story 3, the 2011 best picture nominee that made his career, his initial excitement dissolved into fear. Unkrich, 50, hadnt caught sophomore jitters. He knew his idea for a new animated film had the same potential for dazzling visuals and emotional catharsis that distinguished Toy Story 3 and other hits from the Disney-owned studio. His anxiety was personal. The story of Coco arriving in cinemas in the UK in January centres on Dia de los Muertos, the festive holiday celebrated in Mexico to honour the dead, and Unkrich, who grew up outside Cleveland, is white and has no firm connections to that country or its traditions. He worried that he would be accused of cultural appropriation and see himself condemned to a Hollywood hall of shame for filmmakers charged with abusing ethnic folklore out of ignorance or prejudice. The Latino community is a very vocal, strongly opinionated community, he says. With me not being Latino myself, I knew that this project was going to come under heavy scrutiny. The films nods to daily life in Mexico include a Xolo (a breed of hairless dog) as Miguels sidekick (Pixar) Unkrich faced a dilemma. On the one hand, he believed that artists should not be restricted to only telling stories about what they know and their own culture. But he also needed to safeguard against his ineluctable biases and blind spots, and ensure that his film didnt lapse into cliche or stereotype. And that was before the rise of President Trump. The choices made by the director and his collaborators suggest one model for culturally conscious filmmaking at the blockbuster level. On Coco, Pixars 19th film and the first to feature a minority character in the lead role, Unkrich largely dispensed with the playbook used to create immersive fictional worlds like those in Finding Nemo and Monsters, Inc. Instead he relied on several research trips to Mexico and the personal stories of Latino team members, which helped ground his fantasy realm with specific geographic and sociological roots. The filmmakers also turned to an array of outside Latino cultural consultants to vet ideas and suggest new ones upending a long-running studio tradition of strict creative lockdown. That approach was formalised after an early misstep in 2013, when lawyers for Disney applied to trademark the phrase Dia de los Muertos, a working title for Coco, and ignited a backlash online. We dont normally open up the doors to let people in to see our early screenings, Darla K Anderson, one of the films producers and a longtime Pixar admiral, says of working with external consultants. But we really wanted their voice and their notes and to make sure we got all the details correct. The director Lee Unkrich (left) with Anthony Gonzalez and the producer Darla K Anderson at the films Los Angeles premiere (Getty) Coco tells the story of Miguel Rivera, a 12-year-old Mexican boy who dreams of becoming a famous troubadour like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz a guitar hero and movie star inspired by mid-century luminaries like Pedro Infante and Jorge Negrete. Miguels family sharply disapproves of music, leading to a fateful act of rebellion on the Day of the Dead that plunges him into an incandescent netherworld of walking skeletons, winged spirits and long-buried family secrets. Access unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up By seeking input on everything from character design to story early on, the studio hoped to make the movie feel more native than tourist, and to pre-empt the kind of withering, social-media-fuelled whitewashing controversy that plagued the production of the Charlie Hunnam vehicle American Drug Lord more than a year ago, and helped sink films like Aloha and Ghost in the Shell. At the same time, executives trusted that non-Latino audiences would be drawn in by the storys universal themes of familial legacy and solidarity. The result is brimming with small nods to daily life in Mexico, including a slack-tongued Xolo (a Mexican breed of hairless dog) as Miguels loyal sidekick and a two-dimensional prologue animated to look like papel picado (traditional tissue-paper art). Throughout the film, several main characters voiced by a nearly all-Latino cast that includes Gael Garcia Bernal, Benjamin Bratt and the young Anthony Gonzalez as Miguel slip in and out of untranslated Spanish, a rarity in commercial American cinema. Unkrich made his solo directorial debut with Toy Story 3 in 2010, which won the Academy Award for Best Animated Film (Pixar) The original idea was to have the characters speak only in English with the understanding that they were really speaking in Spanish, says Octavio Solis, a Mexican-American playwright who was a consultant on the film. But for us, language is binary, and we code-switch from English to Spanish seamlessly. Unkrich and his team based the Rivera family a multigenerational matriarchy headed by Miguels formidable abuelita, or grandmother on real-world families with whom they embedded while visiting the Mexican states of Oaxaca and Guanajuato between 2011 and 2013. The consultants, including Solis, the cartoonist Lalo Alcaraz, the media strategist Marcela Davison Aviles and a wider network of 30 to 40 volunteer advisers, played referee. For example, in early drafts of the film, Miguels grandmother was a cold-blooded disciplinarian who kept him in line using a wooden spoon. The advisers said she felt discordant, so Unkrich softened the character and changed her chosen implement from a spoon to well-worn flip-flops, or las chanclas. We found whenever we were made aware of these nuances and addressed them, it helped in terms of representation, but it also just helped in terms of storytelling, says Adrian Molina, who was promoted from screenwriter to co-director of Coco in 2015 and is Mexican-American. For all of Pixars efforts to honour the films culturally specific origins and to make converts out of the 21 per cent of moviegoers in the United States and Canada who identify as Hispanic the studio is bracing for pushback from a constituency it didnt anticipate six years ago, when President Barack Obama was on the verge of his second term in office. The rhetoric of President Trump, who disparaged Mexican immigrants and antagonised Mexico with chants of Build the wall during the 2016 campaign, poured gasoline on an incendiary political debate just as the film was nearing completion. Though the only borders it depicts are metaphysical (skeletal customs agents make an appearance), Coco will arrive at a moment of pitched far-right and nationalist sentiment. A February poll by the Pew Research Centre showed that more than a third of Americans support building a wall between the United States and Mexico. Its been painful for me and a lot of people that theres been so much negativity in the world, specifically and unfairly having to do with Mexico, Unkrich says, declining to refer to Trump by name. Were just honoured and grateful that we can bring something positive and hopeful into the world that can maybe do its own small part to dissolve and erode some of the barriers that there are between us. On at least one side of the divide, the verdict on Coco is in. The film had its premiere in Mexico nearly a month ago, to coincide with Dia de los Muertos, and is already the highest-grossing animated film in its history, dethroning Unkrichs previous effort, Toy Story 3, in fewer than three weeks. This movie is a departure, but its a departure without making a big deal out of it, says Alex Nogales, an unpaid adviser on Coco and the president and chief executive of the National Hispanic Media Coalition, a watchdog group. Theyre just representing who we are. New York Times Coco is released on 19 January 2018 Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Apart from directing a couple of Veep episodes and helping out on Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle, Chris Morris has been fairly quiet since releasing his feature film debut, Four Lions, in 2009. It seems a follow-up has been in production somewhat under-the-radar in the Dominican Republic however, with comedy site Chortle breaking details on it this week. Anna Kendrick apparently stars, pictured on Instagram on set wearing FBI uniform, a bulletproof vest and holding a rifle, joined by Kayvan Novak (Four Lions), James Adomian (Hits), Danielle Brooks (Orange is the New Black), Denis O'Hare (True Blood), Pej Vahdat (Bones) and Mousa Kraish (American Gods). Plot details for unknown for the film, which is co-produced by See-Saw Films and Archer Grey Productions and financed by Film 4, which was also behind Four Lions. Vahdat described the shoot on Instagram as "by far one of the best experiences of my life. This film is going to be absolutely epic and I can't wait for you all to see it," while Simon Four Lions writer Simon Blackwell previously teased to The Hollywood Reporter: "Im aware of what [Morris is] cooking, but I cant show you the menu Im afraid. "He has an elite troop of killers who will come and get you. Hes doing something marvellous, as you would expect." Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} While the first picture from Fantastic Beast 2 caught attention for featuring Jude Law as Dumbledore, many fans were disappointed by the inclusion of Johnny Depp. The image confirmed the Pirates of the Caribbean actor would once again play the villainous wizard Grindelwald despite ongoing backlash against him following domestic violence accusations from ex-wife Amber Heard. Director David Yates has since spoken about the controversial casting, telling EW: Honestly theres an issue at the moment where theres a lot of people being accused of things, theyre being accused by multiple victims, and its compelling and frightening. Recommended Fantastic Beasts director sparks fury over Johnny Depp defence With Johnny, it seems to me there was one person who took a pop at him and claimed something. I can only tell you about the man I see every day: Hes full of decency and kindness, and thats all I see. Whatever accusation was out there doesnt tally with the kind of human being Ive been working with. Fantastic Beasts' Chinese posters Show all 6 1 /6 Fantastic Beasts' Chinese posters Fantastic Beasts' Chinese posters Fantastic Beasts' Chinese posters Fantastic Beasts' Chinese posters Fantastic Beasts' Chinese posters Fantastic Beasts' Chinese posters Fantastic Beasts' Chinese posters Yates then reportedly pointed out that Depps exes Vanessa Paradis, Lori Anne Allison and Winona Ryder had all come to the actors defence, saying: Its very different [than cases] where there are multiple accusers over many years that need to be examined and we need to reflect on our industry that allows that to roll on year in and year out. Recommended Fantastic Beasts 2 image may confirm huge Harry Potter fan theory Johnny isnt in that category in any shape or form. So to me, it doesnt bear any more analysis. Its a dead issue. JK Rowling previously defended Depps casting, saying she was delighted the actor took the role, adding: "He's done incredible things with that character. Fantasitic Beasts 2 reaches cinemas 16 November 2018. Sign up to Roisin OConnors free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Roisin OConnors email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Entering its 11th year, Movement Torino might be the most established euro festival youve never heard of. Launched in 2006 as a dance closing ceremony for Turins winter Olympics, by Maurizo juni Vitale and Movement founder and techno powerhouse Derrick May, Movement Torino has gradually moved from a small underground gathering to one of the Europes most famous winter festivals. Hosted in the Lingotto district of the city, famous for its history its car factories and Italian Job backdrops, the festival this year expanded to span over 5 days with two nights in the Lingotto Arena and then multiple smaller events around Turin. The Iingotto Arena itself was expansive. The building hosted three massive stages (four on the second night), and upon arriving to the initial entrance to the main stage which was lined with fast food stands selling coffee and hot dogs, the apprehension about whether or not this area could satisfy the underground vibe of the line-up. The identical Burn and Kappa stages, huge rooms reminiscent of train stations or airport terminals felt too big (there was about 3-4 meters between most groups dancing together). The large containers selling drinks tokens, sponsors attempting to grab passers-by and the empty bars were distracting. Though, the music matched and filled the space Agnellis Hypercium thundered and vibrated the entirety of the Burn stage on the first night. The layout was similar to something seen in warehouse parties in London, allowing the intensity of the beats to resound throughout the space. And the stages being as big as they were was also had advantages the light shows and visuals might have been the best Ive ever witnessed at a techno festival with hundreds of lasers and keeping all eyes glued in the direction of the DJ. Apollonias set was particularly impressive, where the lights appeared to liquefy as orange bars shook on-screen during a bassy mix of Stucco Homes. The Techno Stage (renamed The Detroit Stage on the second night) was the complete opposite. It was warehouse on acid. The stage was set in a small section of an immense space, complete with a disorienting array of endless Aokigahara-like black columns which gave no real ability to determine which way was what. The stage itself was beneath a canopy of stringy lights that seemed to levitate above the crowd. The solid beats of Marcel Fenglers Enigma seemed to bounce from the columns into your soul. Im someone who either likes to feel like they are being encourages to groove to techno or being held hostage by it. In this space it was usually the latter and It was perfect. The Jaeger Music Lab was way more of a traditional club space reminiscent of Warehouse Project or Bristols Motion. Removed were all the logos, all the bars (which instead the organisers had cleverly relocated to the smoking area) It was tight and small, and upon entering I almost welcomed the sweaty heat coming from the room. Glasgows young gun Denis Sulta played a three-hour (maybe longer) knockout set that was easily the best of the festival. I was being delivered from the hard , repetitive beats to a funky shin-dig. The set was impossible to tear yourself away from, from the smoking area you could hear only moans of frustration as a vibey mix of Micheal Grays The Weekend blasted through the doors. Likewise during Patrick Topping - there were one or more Italian expletives let out as he began a remix of Raumakustiks Dem A Pree. The second night had a far bigger turn-out (despite being on a Tuesday night), and way more of the names that have made Movement such an institution. We were greeted on arrival by Burden Brothers duo Octave one on the Detroit Stage who were visible bouncing and grooving behind the decks. The synths mixed in with some sort of groovy church organ felt eerie in the column-filled backdrop. It seemed to attract the international crowd, who grinned at each other during a rendition of Black Water overlaid with Britney Spears Toxic samples. Enjoy unlimited access to 70 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up Founder Dereck May likewise had the entire space humming. Starting at around 4am the set was lively, lighting up the faces of just about every onlooker as an extended mix of Donna Summers I feel love blended into Floorplans Music. Movement also had two club venues on the Roster, the first Berghains loop-techno favourite Rdhad, cancelled his show the night before. The second featured Amsterdams finest San Proper, who played a soulful, psychedelic offering that was rightly removed from the rest of the artists in the lineup. During Caught On You might have been the first time Ive heard oi, oi, oi chanted outside the north west by a majority Italian crowd to boot. Sign up to IndyEat's free newsletter for weekly recipes, foodie features and cookbook releases Get our Now Hear This email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the IndyEats email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} To mark the launch of the new Hollywood blockbuster Murder on the Orient Express, luxury Belgian chocolatier Godiva has partnered with 20th Century Fox to create a 10-foot replica of Orient Express. Chocolate replica of the Orient Express (Godiva) Made from 60kg of premium dark and milk Belgian chocolate, the train weighs the same as 600 chocolate bars, and took experts almost 350 hours to build, and 50 hours to design. Chocolate sculptor Jen Lindsey-Clark said: It took four people over 350 hours, over two months to create this amazing masterpiece. Its been a fantastically exciting project to work on. Chocolate sculptor Jen Lindsey-Clark (Godiva) Im absolutely thrilled that its finally here in St Pancras International station for everybody to come and see and enjoy, said Jen, whos made a name for herself in chocolate artistry after her Benedict Cumberbatch Cumberbunnies the chocolate Easter bunnies featuring the Sherlock stars head, which went viral on social media. Godiva chocolatier reveals two tips to taste chocolate better for National Chocolate Week The replica will be at Godiva St Pancras, where it will be until November 29, before being moved to the Queen Mary on December 11 until January 10, 2018. Godiva, 37b, St Pancras International Station, Euston Rd, Kings Cross, London N1C 4QP. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The cost of dying overseas The cost of an assisted death in Switzerland is, for many, prohibitively expensive. Based on our calculations it costs anywhere between 6,500 to over 15,000 to have an assisted death in Zurich, where Dignitas is based. The average cost for those interviewed was approximately 10,000. Some costs might be surprising. For example, many interviewees booked a return ticket for the dying person, to ensure they knew they had the option to change their minds if they wanted to and to reduce the chance of suspicion by authorities. The cost of obtaining an assisted death in Switzerland denies the option to the majority of people in the UK. A 2017 report by The Money Charity showed that 68 per cent of households in the UK have less than 10,000 in savings. According to NMG Consulting and the Bank of England approximately 80 per cent of private renters and 87 per cent of social renters have less than 10,000 in savings. Despite the cost of an assisted death being a significant issue in debates about the current law, for the majority of interviewees in our research it did not impact on their decision to seek an assisted death overseas. Many said how they felt privileged to be able to afford to make the arrangements, acknowledging that it was not an opportunity that every dying person has available to them. A logistical challenge The logistical hurdles that need to be overcome to arrange an assisted death means only some people are capable of doing it. Interviewees recognised that obtaining paperwork and navigating bureaucratic systems requires knowledge and skills that favour the sharp-elbowed middle class. The lack of clarity in the law for healthcare professionals means obtaining medical records and reports can prove challenging. But there are other documents that are also required. Interviewees commented that, as a consequence of the lack of support available due to the illicit nature of what they were doing, they experienced loneliness during the process of obtaining paperwork. They also spoke of the anxiety caused by not knowing if they would be able to get the necessary documentation before their loved one died. The most common concern that resulted from this process was the loss of valuable time at the end of life. There was anger and frustration that much of the final months and weeks, that could be spent enjoying life, were spent engaged in bureaucracy. It was clear that arranging an assisted death had a negative impact on the mental and physical health of those involved. It is telling that this was considered the preferable choice. Having the control and peace of mind of an assisted death was considered by all interviewees to be worth the pains of making it happen. A cruel trade-off To arrange an assisted death overseas, dying people have to negotiate a complex trade-off. Being able to make the journey to Switzerland requires a certain level of health. However, this can create pressure to make the journey before becoming too ill to do so, which in turn often means sacrificing quality time that people could enjoy if they were able to remain in the UK. The journey home Following an assisted death, Swiss authorities must confirm that there has been no breach of Swiss law. This means that police, a public attorney and an independent doctor inspect the body of the person who has died, review the evidence provided by the organisation and, if necessary, interview the professionals and the loved ones who witnessed the death. While interviewees acknowledged that Dignitas and Eternal Spirit (another Swiss right-to-die organisation) must allow for these procedures, it was clear that the curtailing of time spent with the body of their loved one, the presence of officials and the implication that their loved ones deathbed had become a suspected crime scene was distressing. The experience of watching a loved one die, in any circumstance, requires time, space and support to process. Many interviewees said that the organisations in Switzerland that facilitated the assisted death of their loved one provided emotional support after the death. But this is the limit of support that was available. Our research found evidence that, while there is comfort in knowing someone has ended their suffering, grief is made more complicated by the death happening in a foreign country. If a person dies overseas, bringing the body home for burial or cremation in the UK leads to the involvement of a coroner (or medical reviewer in Scotland). In the unique circumstance of a person being assisted to die in Switzerland, it is likely that this would lead to a criminal investigation into the actions of those who helped. As a result, all interviewees whose loved one had an assisted death said that a cremation took place in Switzerland, with their loved ones ashes collected at a later date or couriered back to the UK. The reality of having little choice but to have a cremation in Switzerland means that people are denied a traditional funeral service in the UK. This limits the funeral choices available and prevents people donating their bodies to medical science. It can also have severe consequences for people with religious beliefs that forbid cremation, another example of inequity created by the current law. Threat of prosecution It is currently illegal in the UK to assist someone to die. With the prohibition of assisted dying in the UK and the difficulties in arranging an assisted death abroad, our research has found that dying people often need the help of friends and family to make the arrangements for an assisted death, yet any assistance provided is against the law. The majority of interviewees were clear that they were willing to break the law. The fact that assisted dying was illegal in the UK did not and would not have prevented them from helping their loved one to have the death they wanted. One outcome of the threat of prosecution is the resulting anxiety for dying people, because of how their decisions may negatively impact on their family and friends after their deaths. The current law is incapable of protecting vulnerable people Under the current law, if someone were a victim of malicious or coercive behaviour during an assisted death overseas, it would unlikely be detected by UK authorities. Unless someone reports a person considering travelling overseas for an assisted death, or reports a person who is providing assistance to them, there are no legal mechanisms to trigger an upfront investigation. In addition, only a minority of cases are investigated after the fact. The criminalisation of assisted dying in the UK means the process of seeking an assisted death overseas happens behind closed doors. Becoming criminals In our interviews, a small number of people were investigated by the police when they returned to the UK. This resulted in anger at the implication of being involved in a crime. While the guidelines from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) suggest compassionate assistance of suicide will not be prosecuted, the policy is clear that the police are responsible for investigating all cases of encouraging or assisting suicide. Given the majority of interviewees in our research were not investigated by the police when they returned from Switzerland, we can conclude the law has not been implemented as intended. Since the DPP published the guidelines in 2010, over 250 Britons have died at Dignitas alone. A 2016 Freedom of Information request to police forces and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) suggested that less than half this number of offences were recorded and investigated. Our research has uncovered no evidence of coercion or pressure placed upon people assisted to die in Switzerland. Those accompanying them were not motivated by anything other than compassion. It is also clear that Swiss authorities and the organisations that facilitate assisted deaths have their own safeguards in place to protect people. However, the circumstances of many UK citizens deaths each year, the people involved and the motivations of those who assisted them to end their lives, remain unknown. Those who claim the current law is safe have no reliable evidence on which to base their claims. Aside from the issue of safety, it is unjust that most relatives are left alone to grieve for their loved ones, while others are subjected to investigations by the police, which can have traumatic and long-lasting consequences. Our research found that terminally ill people are taking matters into their own hands by attempting to end their lives in unenviable circumstances. Even some of those who had, or were arranging, an assisted death overseas were so clear in their view that their suffering had become unbearable that they attempted to end their life before travelling to Switzerland. In other cases, dying people came to the decision that they would not want to end their life because of the potential for botched amateurism as one interviewee put it. Another factor was the impact that amateur attempts to end life would have on family and friends, particularly when contrasted with the peaceful death that facilities in Switzerland can provide. In our research many interviewees, including those whose loved ones had chosen to have an assisted death in Switzerland, praised the palliative care provided in the UK. Many said that the decision to arrange an assisted death had not come about through poor care or an absence of care. Even those campaigning against a change in the law acknowledge that palliative care is not capable of relieving all suffering all the time. In Switzerland, people who have an assisted death must self-administer the life-ending medication. All interviewees said that the process was peaceful and reflected how their loved one had wanted to die, comparable with falling asleep. One thing that was notable when compared with deaths that occurred in the UK, even painless ones achieved through sedation, was the moment of lucidity before death. This enabled people to say goodbye to their loved ones. How things could be different Interviewees wanted to share how things could be different if assisted dying were legal in the UK. People living with a terminal illness said it would give peace of mind and increase quality of life. People who accompanied someone to Switzerland said that if assisted dying were legal in the UK their loved one would have died with more family and friends around them and with greater support from end-of-life-care professionals. They also would not have been subjected to the difficulty and stress of travelling overseas and they would have had more time to spend with their loved ones at the end of their life. We would like to thank all the interviewees who agreed to take part in this research project. We are grateful that they decided to share their personal experiences to highlight how the current law is failing dying people in the UK. Dignity in Dying campaigns for greater choice, control and access to services at the end of life. It advocates providing terminally ill adults with the option of an assisted death, within strict legal safeguards, and for universal access to high quality end-of-life care Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A new study has found that some men confuse sexual interest with consent and assume that previously having sex with a woman implies her consent ever after. At a time when sexual harassment and assault is dominating the media, a team of researchers set out to determine the prevalence of sexual misconduct in universities as instances of this type of violence remain higher than any other crime amongst college students. Published in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence, the faculty at Binghamton University and Rush University in Chicago, sought to identify a host of situational and dispositional factors that may predict college men's likelihood to engage in sexual misconduct. Recommended How to heal after sexual assault Comprising of 145 heterosexual male students attending a large university in the southeastern region of the United States, the participants response to a series of hypothetical sexual scenarios was gauged. Here, researchers found that most men tended to confuse sexual interest with consent to sex and that their perceptions of consent were largely dependent on the way in which the woman communicated her sexual intentions. We found that the way in which the woman communicated her sexual intentions, that is verbal refusal versus passive responding, had the largest effect of mens perceptions, researcher Richard Mattson said in a statement from Binghamton University. US sexual assault statistics Show all 8 1 /8 US sexual assault statistics US sexual assault statistics Graphiq US sexual assault statistics Graphiq US sexual assault statistics Graphiq US sexual assault statistics Graphiq US sexual assault statistics Graphiq US sexual assault statistics Graphiq US sexual assault statistics Graphiq US sexual assault statistics Graphiq Our findings also suggest that some men were earnestly attempting to determine whether consent was given, but were nevertheless relying on questionable sexual scripts to disambiguate the situation. What's more, in cases where the men had a sexual history with someone, even the womans verbal refusal was often not enough to change their belief that she had given consent to future intimacy. Mattson also goes on to explain that some aspects of the college experience, such as decreased parental supervision and the consumption of alcohol, undeniably influence students and underscore an increased risk of involvement in sexually coercive situations. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Norway says Britain and the EU need to figure out how to include it in the Brexit process. The UKs biggest gas supplier -- itself not an EU member -- is lobbying the blocs chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, not to put its access to the market at risk. Our core message to Barnier is that Norway isnt just any ordinary third-party country, Marit Berger Rosland, Norways EU and EEA Affairs Minister, said in an interview at the Foreign Ministry in Oslo. Scandinavias richest country and western Europes biggest oil and gas exporter is working hard to ensure it doesnt lose out in any transitional accord struck between the EU and Britain once it leaves the bloc. Norway provides about 40 per cent of the UKs energy needs, and is keen to defend its access to a key trade partner. Things are time-critical and its important to secure real agreements over the days and weeks we have up to the EU summit in the middle of December, Ms Rosland said. But comments by Barnier also suggest we have to be prepared for a no-deal scenario. Reiterating a position held by her predecessor, Ms Rosland said there was an understanding in Oslo that any transition solutions will also be applied to Norway. The 39-year-old minister says her message to the UK Government is that it should work to safeguard its interests with key partners, including Norway. 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. While the minister says Norway doesnt expect its gas exports to be hit by Brexit, because both countries have a great interest in maintaining gas exports on good terms, there are numerous scenarios to consider. Norway is also doing what it can to prepare for the possibility that Brexit talks wont end in an agreement. Ms Rosland says the risks surrounding Brexit have underscored for Norway the value of its membership in the EEA. With all the uncertainty surrounding Brexit, the EEA model is now almost stronger because we are more aware of the predictability it gives us with access to the common market, Ms Rosland said. Even if we are not a member of the EU, there is a clear cooperation model between us and the EU countries in the economic sphere. Norways state-owned Statnett and the UKs National Grid are building an underwater power cable between the two countries, and this project is expected to be implemented and operated as planned, regardless of the Brexit process, she said. The EEA agreement is safer than it has been for a long time, Ms Rosland said. Bloomberg Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Anglo-Dutch consumer-goods giant Unilever wants to consolidate its headquarters in the UK or the Netherlands, but Brexit is making it harder to choose. The maker of Ben & Jerrys ice cream and Dove soap said in a statement that a review of the dual structure is progressing well, after chief executive Paul Polman told the Financial Times he would advocate delaying the decision because of a moving playing field -- with political turbulence out there. Unilever said in April it would consider doing away with its long-standing policy of maintaining separate corporations based in London and Rotterdam. A streamlined structure would be in the best interests of Unilever and its shareholders as a whole, providing greater on-going strategic flexibility for value-creating portfolio change, the company said Tuesday. Recommended London office construction slows amid higher costs Unilever previously said it hoped to decide on a single base by the end of December -- just as talks on the UKs departure from the European Union come to a head. Prime Minister Theresa May has less than a week to come up with a new offer on the countrys Brexit divorce bill if she wants to break the deadlock in negotiations by the end of the year. The strategic review followed Unilevers rebuff of an unsolicited $143bn takeover bid from Kraft Heinz. By moving to consolidate its headquarters, the company waded into a political storm with governments in both countries putting up a fight to keep the base. Making the decision even more difficult, Dutch politicians are seeking to abolish the countrys 15 per cent withholding tax on dividends, a move that could help resident companies fend off hostile takeovers. Dual Structure The dual structure has been a feature of Unilever since it was formed in 1930 from the merger of a Dutch margarine maker with a British soap provider. The legal setup means the company has two boards, governance rules, shareholder bases and annual meetings. The company prepares separate accounts in euros and in pounds. 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. As Unilevers strategic review progresses, the company is preparing for broader changes, including a sale of its slow-growing spreads business. It has also hired executive search firm Egon Zehnder International to help it find a successor to Polman, who has served as chief executive since 2009, according to a person familiar with the matter. European Council President Donald Tusk gave May until 4 December to make extra efforts to resolve the differences between London and Brussels -- most notably on the money and the thorny question of the future of the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland, which is part of the UK. Blooomberg For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Low-cost airline easyJet has become the latest corporation to publish figures on its gender pay gap, admitting that it awards its average UK-based female employee a salary that is more than 50 per cent lower than what it pays its average UK-based male employee, largely because so few pilots are women. The company said that the average salary for a UK pilot is 92,400. But while it currently has 1,407 pilots in the UK who are male, it only has 86 female pilots, skewing the whole workforce. Members of UK cabin crew are paid an average annual salary of 24,800. Women account for 2,002 of all UK cabin crew, while 898 are male. Overall, that means that men account for 89.3 per cent off all employees in the highest pay quartile at the airline in the UK, while women account for 68.9 per cent of all employees in the lowest. The mean gender pay gap calculated by hourly rate of pay is 51.7 per cent while the median is 45.5 per cent. For bonus pay, the gaps are 43.8 per cent and 32.2 per cent respectively. Recommended London named as UK region with greatest gender pay gap The airline has addressed the problem of the pay divide repeatedly and has acknowledged that it is an industry problem. While this is the first time that it has reported on the gap under the Governments new guidelines, it voluntarily published its gender pay gap in 2015 and 2016. On Monday it reiterated its commitment to encouraging more women to become pilots through a programme called the Amy Johnson Initiative. It has a target for 20 per cent of new entrant pilots being female by 2020 and recently named an Airbus A320 jet after the pioneering female aviator. EasyJet is also one of only a handful of companies in the FTSE 100 index of the UKs biggest publicly listed companies that has a female chief executive. Dame Carolyn McCall is, however, due to step down from that role later this week. Few major UK companies have published their gender pay gap ahead of next Aprils Government deadline to do so and critics have said that even though the requirement is a move in the right direction, it might not facilitate real change because the data that has to be shared may not be granular enough. Last week the Bank of England revealed a gender pay gap of over 24 per cent between the average wage of its male and female staff, also citing a lack of women in top positions. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Shares in Ocado surged by more than 20 per cent on Tuesday after the online supermarket announced that it had struck a deal to cooperate with French retailer Groupe Casino. Ocado said that it had sealed a deal with Casino for the latter to use its e-commerce platform to help bolster its online business. As part of the deal, Casino will build a fulfilment centre using Ocados mechanical handling equipment. The plant will serve the greater Paris area, the Normandie and Hauts de France Regions. The construction and launch is expected to take at least two years. Recommended Ocado sales rise overshadowed by fears over increasing costs Ocado will take care of maintenance and provision of technology within the centre. In return, Casino will pay Ocado upfront fees after signing the deal, and during the development phase. It will then pay ongoing fees linked to the use of the fulfilment centre. This agreement is a major leap in terms of quality, said Jean-Charles Naouri, chief executive of Groupe Casino. He said that the agreement would strengthen the quality of service available to its customers. Tim Steiner, CEO of Ocado, said that he was delighted with the deal. "We continue to make investments to commercialise our proprietary platform and expect this deal to be one of many successful collaborations with leading retailers to use it the world over." Ocado also said that it expects the deal to create significant long term value to the business. Analysts have for some time said that international collaboration is crucial to Ocados ongoing success and on Tuesday ETX Capital senior market analyst Neil Wilson said that investors should be relatively hopeful that this is just the start of a number of new deals around Europe. He also cautioned however, that shareholders should watch just how much the technology investment eats up earnings and whether these deals increase the cash burn. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The UKs competition regulator has vowed to crack down on secondary ticketing websites, citing suspicions that a number of them are breaking the law by not giving customers full information about a particular event or venue. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) on Tuesday said that it had completed a thorough investigation into the sector, resulting in it having widespread concerns about the information that people are given when buying tickets second hand. It said that it had also gathered evidence which it considers to reveal breaches of the law. The CMA will be raising its concerns with a number of websites and will be requiring them to take action where necessary, it said. It must be made clear to customers, for example, if there are restrictions on using a resold ticket that could result in buyers being denied access to a particular event, the CMA said. People should also know from whom they are buying a ticket, and customers who buy tickets must be told exactly where in the venue they will be seating or standing. Secondary ticketing websites can offer an important service by allowing people the chance to buy tickets at the last minute or giving them a chance to resell tickets they can no longer use, said Andrea Coscelli, chief executive of the CMA. But our investigation has identified concerns that the law protecting consumers is being broken. He said that thousands of people use these sites and they have a right to know if there is a risk that they will be turned away at the door. They also have a right to know who theyve bought their ticket from or exactly what seat at the venue theyre getting for their money, he added. We are putting our concerns to these websites and will be requiring the changes necessary to tackle them, Mr Coscelli said. We will use the full range of our powers to get the right outcome for these sites customers including taking action through the courts if needed. The CMA said that it would work closely with the Advertising Standards Authority and National Trading Standards to ensure compliance. The CMA originally launched a compliance review of secondary ticketing websites back in June 2016. That review prompted concerns, which in turn led the CMA to launch an enforcement investigation in December 2016. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Shell should face investigations in three countries for alleged complicity in Nigerian government abuses, including murder and rape, more than two decades ago in the oil-rich Niger River delta, Amnesty International said. Authorities in Nigeria, the Netherlands and UK should investigate Shells conduct, especially in the Ogoni area of the southern delta, the London-based human-rights group said in a report on Tuesday. Violations linked to Europes largest energy company amounted to criminal infractions for which it should be prosecuted, it said. Shell said the allegations are without merit. The evidence we have reviewed shows that Shell repeatedly encouraged the Nigerian military to deal with community protests, even when it knew the horrors this would lead to unlawful killings, rape, torture, the burning of villages, Audrey Gaughran, director of Global Issues at Amnesty International, said in an emailed statement. Shell even provided the military with material support, including transport, and in at least one instance paid a military commander notorious for human rights violations, she said. Shell, the oldest energy company in Africas biggest oil producer, operates a joint venture with the government that pumps more than a third of the nations crude, the states main source of revenue. Other joint ventures are run by ExxonMobil, Chevron, Total and Eni. Protests by the Ogoni ethnic minority against Shell in the 1990s alleging widespread pollution and environmental degradation prompted a repressive response from the military government then in power. Nine ethnic-minority activists, including the writer Ken Saro-Wiwa, were executed in 1995. Shell did not collude with the authorities to suppress community unrest and in no way encouraged or advocated any act of violence in Nigeria, the companys Nigerian unit said in an emailed statement. We believe that the evidence will show clearly that Shell was not responsible for these tragic events. Bloomberg For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Russia has lost contact with a crucial satellite just hours after it was launched into space. The rocket carrying the satellite was only the second launch from the Vostochny spaceport, a project that has been hailed as a major part of Russias plans for space exploration. As such, the problems look in danger of causing damage to morale in a country that sets a great deal of store by its historic achievements in space. The satellite had also been an important part of the Russian space agencys plans. The Meteor M2-1 weather satellite was launched with the hope of a five-year mission to monitor weather and the climate on behalf of the countrys meteorological agency. Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Show all 30 1 /30 Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Solar Flare An image from Nasa's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) shows a 200,000 mile long solar filament ripping through the Sun's corona in September 2013 Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Nasa Celebrates 50 Years of Spacewalking For 50 years, NASA has been "suiting up" for spacewalking. In this 1984 photograph of the first untethered spacewalk, NASA astronaut Bruce McCandless is in the midst of the first "field" tryout of a nitrogen-propelled backpack device called the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space A Hubble Cosmic Couple The spectacular cosmic pairing of the star Hen 2-427 more commonly known as WR 124 and the nebula M1-67 which surrounds it ESA/Hubble & NASA Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Veil Nebula Supernova Remnant Nasa's Hubble Space Telescope has unveiled in stunning detail a small section of the Veil Nebula - expanding remains of a massive star that exploded about 8,000 years ago Nasa's most stunning pictures of space The Soyuz TMA-15M rocket launch The Soyuz TMA-15M rocket launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Monday, Nov. 24, 2014, carrying three new astronauts to the International Space Station. It also took caviar, ready for the satellite's inhabitants to celebrate the holidays Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Earth from the ISS From the International Space Station, Expedition 42 Flight Engineer Terry W. Virts took this photograph of the Gulf of Mexico and U.S. Gulf Coast at sunset Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Black Hole Friday Nasa celebrated Black Friday by looking into space instead sharing pictures of black holes Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space NuSTAR X-rays stream off the sun in this image showing observations from by NASA's Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array, or NuSTAR, overlaid on a picture taken by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Cassiopeia A c A false colour image of Cassiopeia A comprised with data from the Spitzer and Hubble Space Telescopes and the Chandra X-Ray observatory Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Orion Capsule splashes down The Orion capsule jetted off into space before heading back a few hours later having proved that it can be used, one day, to carry humans to Mars Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Earth Observations From Gemini IV in 1965 This photograph of the Florida Straits and Grand Bahama Bank was taken during the Gemini IV mission during orbit no. 19 in 1965. The Gemini IV crew conducted scientific experiments, including photography of Earth's weather and terrain, for the remainder of their four-day mission following Ed White's historic spacewalk on June 3 Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Frosty slopes of Mars This image of an area on the surface of Mars, approximately 1.5 by 3 kilometers in size, shows frosted gullies on a south-facing slope within a crater. The image was taken by Nasa's HiRISE camera, which is mounted on its Mars Reconaissance Orbiter Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Yellowstone from space NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman shared this image of Yellowstone via his twitter account Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Saturn This near-infrared color image shows a specular reflection, or sunglint, off of a hydrocarbon lake named Kivu Lacus on Saturn's moon Titan Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Worlds Apart Although Mimas and Pandora, shown here, both orbit Saturn, they are very different moons. Pandora, "small" by moon standards (50 miles or 81 kilometers across) is elongated and irregular in shape. Mimas (246 miles or 396 kilometers across), a "medium-sized" moon, formed into a sphere due to self-gravity imposed by its higher mass Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Solar Flare An X1.6 class solar flare flashes in the middle of the sun in this image taken 10 September, captured by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy An image of the Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy seen in infrared light by the Herschel Space Observatory. Regions of space such as this are where new stars are born from a mixture of elements and cosmic dust Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Mars Rover Spirit Nasa's Mars Rover Spirit took the first picture from Spirit since problems with communications began a week earlier. The image shows the robotic arm extended to the rock called Adirondack Nasa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Morning Aurora From the Space Station Nasa astronaut Scott Kelly captured this photograph of the green lights of the aurora from the International Space Station Nasa/Scott Kelly Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Launch of History - Making STS-41G Mission in 1984 The Space Shuttle Challenger launches from Florida at dawn. On this mission, Kathryn Sullivan became the first U.S. woman to perform a spacewalk and Marc Garneau became the first Canadian in space. The crew of seven was the largest to fly on a spacecraft at that time, and STS-41G was the first flight to include two female astronauts Nasa's most stunning pictures of space A Fresh Perspective on an Extraordinary Cluster of Galaxies Galaxy clusters are often described by superlatives. After all, they are huge conglomerations of galaxies, hot gas, and dark matter and represent the largest structures in the Universe held together by gravity Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Hubble Sees a Galactic Sunflower The arrangement of the spiral arms in the galaxy Messier 63, seen here in an image from the Nasa Hubble Space Telescope, recall the pattern at the center of a sunflower ESA/Hubble & NASA Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Pluto image Four images from New Horizons Long Range Reconnaissance Imager (LORRI) were combined with colour data from the Ralph instrument to create this enhanced colour global view of Pluto Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Fresh Crater Near Sirenum Fossae Region of Mars The HiRISE camera aboard Nasa's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter acquired this closeup image of a "fresh" (on a geological scale, though quite old on a human scale) impact crater in the Sirenum Fossae region of Mars. This impact crater appears relatively recent as it has a sharp rim and well-preserved ejecta Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Hubble Peers into the Most Crowded Place in the Milky Way This Nasa Hubble Space Telescope image presents the Arches Cluster, the densest known star cluster in the Milky Way NASA & ESA Nasa's most stunning pictures of space An Astronaut's View from Space Nasa astronaut Reid Wiseman tweeted this photo from the International Space Station on 2 September 2014 Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Giant Landform on Mars On Mars, we can observe four classes of sandy landforms formed by the wind, or aeolian bedforms: ripples, transverse aeolian ridges, dunes, and what are called draa Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Expedition 39 Landing A sokol suit helmet can be seen against the window of the Soyuz TMA-11M capsule shortly after the spacecraft landed with Expedition 39 Commander Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Soyuz Commander Mikhail Tyurin of Roscosmos, and Flight Engineer Rick Mastracchio of NASA near the town of Zhezkazgan, Kazakhstan (NASA/Bill Ingalls) Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Jupiter's Great Red Spot Viewed by Voyager I Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system and perhaps the most majestic. Vibrant bands of clouds carried by winds that can exceed 400 mph continuously circle the planet's atmosphere Nasa's most stunning pictures of space Chandra Observatory Sees a Heart in the Darkness This Chandra X-Ray Observatory image of the young star cluster NGC 346 highlights a heart-shaped cloud of 8 million-degree Celsius gas in the central region The Meteor M2-1 was supposed to detach from the rocket carrying it this morning, soon after it launched. But it failed to do so, according to Russian news service Interfax, and the space agency has now lost contact with it. Roscosmos, Russias space agency, said the satellite had not reached its designated orbit and that it could not make contact with it. Roscosmos experts were analysing the situation, it said in a statement. The new Vostochny spaceport is part of a move by Russia to take launches away from Kazakhstans Baikonur Cosmodrome and into the countrys far east. But it has been marred by delays and problems, and has only managed two launches so far. Its the failure of that spaceport that could really damage the reputation of the Russian space programme. Moving from Baikonur to Vostochny was a major move and one that has so far been beset by problems. Those issues affect the country itself, and any failure to launch a satellite will clearly cause damage. But they have knock-on effects internationally, too a number of satellites from other countries were on board the destroyed Soyuz rocket, and all are now lost, potentially damaging the countrys reputation as a space giant. That is becoming more of a problem amid the rise of China and Indias space programmes. Those countries stand ready to depose Russia as a global space power, and so any mistakes could lead to major problems. The problem is this new cosmodrome is not good enough in terms of international standards. Its quite a problem for Russias credibility, said Mathieu Boulegue, research fellow in Chatham Houses Russia and Eurasia Programme. In the long term they want to keep it as a top notch facility for space launches, if they want to get a better hand of the business and dont want to be overtaken by other countries like China and India. However, Russia remains one of just three agencies that can send satellites and other cargo into space, and doesnt look as if its going to be deposed any time soon. But the problems at the Vostochny cosmodrome could continue, amid worries that it simply isnt ready for the various launches it has been booked in for. It needs constant work to keep it restored and in working order, and if the failed launch is anything to go by even that isnt keeping it from disaster. Moving the cosmodrome into Russia could be incredibly helpful it gets rid of the countrys reliance on Kazakhstan, puts the Russian space agency near a military base so that the two organisations can work together, and being near China means that its closer to the source of many of its missions. But if the move isnt successful it could undermine the entire space programme, and therefore damage Russian national pride. The whole Russian and by that I mean Soviet, initially space conquest, and place that space has in Russia comes from the glorious years of the space race during the Soviet times, which is still something that Russians remember very fondly and are very proud of, said Mr Boulegue. They still see it as a major boost and as a projection of Russias power in the world. They still remember it fondly. It still remains up there as one of these great nations of space, and it certainly doesnt want to be overtaken by these new countries like India or China, he said. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Thousands of children are being groomed to work as drug mules by dealers exploiting vulnerable people to expand across the country in a criminal enterprise known as county lines. It sees gangs based in Britains largest cities identify rural markets to flood with drugs including heroin and crack cocaine, using a specific mobile phone number to take orders in the area. The National Crime Agency (NCA) estimates there are more than 720 of the lines across England and Wales alone, becoming a valuable brand that is protected with violence and intimidation. Officials said the actual figure could be far higher and that county lines are present in every police force area, with three quarters linking them to the exploitation of children and vulnerable people with mental or physical health issues. An NCA report said each line will see multiple children drawn into drug running, with the youngest reported so far being just 12 years old, while toddlers were found in homes being used by dealers. County lines groups tend to use younger members to identify and target other children, either through personal or social media links, it continued. They focus on those who are particularly vulnerable or at a crisis point in their lives. They are groomed and enticed by gang members to work within the drugs distribution network. Gangs keep children in their service by enforcing drug debts frequently inflated or made up and by threatening family members to ensure their obedience. Life as a teenage drug dealer Teenage boys may sometimes be given small quantities of drugs to deal but most children are believed to be used to run drugs and money between urban centres and rural marketplaces, being unlikely to be known by police and facing lenient sentences if caught. Some of the children found in the trade also have mental health issues and are drug users themselves, frequently coming from broken homes, traumatic lives, state care or having been reported missing, the NCA said. Several police forces found that care homes were being actively targeted to recruit vulnerable children, while sexual grooming was also found in some areas seeing girls being coerced into relationships with gang members. Recommended Gangs recruiting children as young as 12 as Class A drug dealers Groups then exploit them sexually and coerce them to take and deal drugs, the NCA report said. There are also reports of young women being pimped out by their partners to settle drugs debts. One county lines group filmed a female victim being sexually assaulted by gang members, then attempted to use the footage to humiliate her boyfriend. This years report was the first to record the sexual exploitation of a boy a 17-year-old runner in a line from Liverpool who was allegedly sexually abused by the group. The Children's Society called for better education to alert potential victims to the risks of involvement with gangs offering drugs, alcohol and the false promise of status and wealth. Chief executive Matthew Reed said while the report sheds light on the shocking scale of child grooming and exploitation by criminal gangs, the figures could be just the tip of the iceberg. "The stories we have heard from young victims of 'county lines' exploitation are horrifying and absolutely heartbreaking, he added. 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 "Gangs are grooming the most vulnerable young people in our society with drugs and alcohol or promises of status and wealth, then using threats, violence and sexual abuse to coerce and control their victims. "The coercion of children into drug dealing is traumatic and puts them at great risk - they are often forced to carry drugs inside their bodies, and sent across the country to stay in 'trap houses' and sell drugs to dangerous adults. Once gangs move into a target area, they use a practice known as cuckooing to set up bases in local homes or businesses, with three quarters of forces finding the exploitation of vulnerable people. They use vulnerable adults including class A drug addicts, elderly people, disabled people and those with mental health issues, female sex workers and single mothers to operate out of their homes operating several cuckooed bases at one time to evade detection. Recommended Moped suspects threaten police officer with knife after being caught Once they gain control over the victim, whether through drug dependency, debt or as part of a relationship, dealers move in and the risk of domestic abuse, sexual exploitation and violence increases even further. The NCA said that although drug users appear complicit the issue of true consent is questionable, with a fifth of police forces who found cuckooing also finding imprisonment and modern slavery seeing vulnerable people detained or denied access within their own home. Some vulnerable adults even take the extreme measure of leaving their own property, making themselves voluntarily homeless and leaving the network free reign over their accommodation, the report warned. There is likely to be an element of forced labour (drug running to pay off debts) or forced imprisonment in relation to every county line. A quarter of forces also found gangs gaining bases outside of cuckooing, paying cash for serviced apartments, holiday lets, budget hotels and caravan parks where they will be undisturbed. The NCA warned that the groups evade police by adapting their methods with ease and frequency, mixing up transport methods and routes, phones, SIM cards and bases, while money laundering and using children or clean skins without a record. Crack cocaine is among the drugs being sent along the county lines from cities into rural areas County lines groups are also linked to wider violence, with 85 per cent police forces saying members carried knives, and another three quarters finding them in possession of guns. London is the biggest source of known county lines, as home to at least 283 groups, but cities including Birmingham, Manchester also feature and other urban hubs are starting to emerge. The NCA has designated county lines operation as an area of high-priority vulnerability and is increasing national coordination to help identify groups and protect victims. Lawrence Gibbons, the NCAs head of drugs threat and intelligence, said safeguarding was a vital part of the national response as more information is gathered. Duncan Ball, the National Police Chiefs Council lead on county lines, said the latest report demonstrated the extent of the practice. We know that county lines activity affects urban, rural and coastal communities and its impact can be felt in many areas, he added. The Government said it is working to ensure police forces and the NCA have powers to make mobile phone firms shut down lines used for drug deals. "This Government is taking strong action to tackle county lines gang activity and the associated violence, drug dealing and exploitation, which have a devastating impact on young people, vulnerable adults and local communities, a Home Office spokesperson said. "We are in the process of introducing regulations to give the police and the NCA powers to make sure mobile network companies close down phone lines used for county lines drugs dealing. "Home Office Ministers are co-ordinating the national response to this scourge by overseeing a county lines working group with other government departments, law enforcement agencies and local government represented. "We are also funding local projects to tackle the damage caused by county lines gangs. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A teenage boy has been found guilty of preparing for an Isis-inspired terror attack targeting Cardiff after being radicalised online. The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had concealed a knife and hammer in his school bag and prepared a letter declaring himself a soldier of the Islamic State and threatening more attacks. He was arrested on the day of a Justin Bieber concert in the Welsh capital, which was among potential targets including the Castle quarter, New Theatre, Capitol shopping centre and Central Library. Birmingham Crown Court heard the boys letter detailed a plan to plough a car into crowds the method used in the Westminster and London Bridge attacks and attack emergency services personnel when they arrived. I am a soldier of the Islamic State and I have attacked Cardiff today because your government keep on bombing targets in Syria and Iraq, said the handwritten note, which appeared to closely follow Isis instructions. "There will be more attacks in the future." Found alongside the gutting knife and claw hammer, the letter featured bullet points including "run down the non-believers with a car" and "strike the infidels, who oppose Allah, in the neck". It ended with the words: "In the name of Allah, may terrorism greet your country. May there be more bomb and vehicle attacks with Allah's permission." Police are seen near the stadium prior to the UEFA Champions League Final between Juventus and Real Madrid at the National Stadium of Wales on June 2, 2017 in Cardiff, Wales (Getty Images) The boy denied intending to harm anyone but was convicted of two counts of encouraging terrorism by posting extremist material on Instagram, and two charges of possessing Isis propaganda magazines after jury deliberations lasting for more than four hours. Prosecutors said the teenager, from Rhondda Cynon Taf and of a white British background, had become radicalised online. He claimed he spoke to a man on Instagram who told him he needed to commit a terrorist act if he wanted to go to paradise. The boy had downloaded two editions of an Isis propaganda magazine containing detailed instructions on stabbing attacks, including what knife to use, where to stab someone to cause the most harm, and how to carry out vehicle massacres. His Instagram password was truck attack, with the account including photos of terrorists, the black flag used by Isis and posts encouraging a terrorist attack in Cardiff. Cardiff, are you ready for our terror, one asked, while a promotional poster for Justin Biebers concert at the Principality Stadium on 30 June was found on his computer, alongside a search for information the event and its security. The court heard that the defendants interest in violent extremism dated back to summer 2016, with the schoolboys internet history including searches for Isis beheading video, Isis terrorist attacks, police car UK armed response, how to create a terror attack, driving a lorry into a crowd of people and what does getting shot feel like. He had also looked up information on the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby, carried out by two Islamist extremists linked to Anjem Choudary, and the Isis-linked lorry attacks in Nice and Berlin. 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 Remanding the boy in custody until a sentencing hearing in January, Judge Mark Wall QC told his defence barrister: The offences for which he has been convicted obviously merit a significant custodial sentence. "One of the things I will have to consider is whether there ought to be an indefinite sentence. "I need as much information on him as you wish to place before me." Detective Superintendent Lee Porter, of the Welsh extremism and counter-terrorism unit, said the investigation undoubtedly prevented further offences being committed'' and warned the public to remain vigilant. This case has highlighted the ongoing concerns with young people gaining access to extremist material on the internet and how quickly that can lead to radicalisation, he added. Sue Hemming, head of the Crown Prosecution Services counter-terror division, said the teenager was prepared to die for Isis extremist worldview and faces a lengthy prison sentence. This teenagers behaviour over many months leaves no doubt that he intended to kill and maim as many people as possible in an attack reminiscent of the incident on Westminster Bridge, she added. He was also posting extremist content online that could have encouraged others to commit terrorist acts and downloading instructions on how to carry out lone wolf attacks. The terror threat in the UK remains set at severe (file picture) (PA Wire/PA Images) (PA) The verdict came after figures were released showing thousands of children are being referred to the Governments counter-extremism programme. The majority of those considered by Prevent are feared to be drawn into Islamist extremism, including a nine-year-old boy who stood up in class and declared his support for Isis. British security services are reviewing the controversial programme as part of a new strategy being launched in the coming months, following revelations that some of the terrorists who committed attacks in the UK this year were known as potential threats. A of eight planned attacks have now been thwarted since the Isis-inspired massacre in Westminster in March, bringing the total to 21 since 2013. Authorities are increasing efforts to remove online propaganda of the kind used in the Welsh case, which remains available as Isis continues to use the Telegram messaging app and shifting websites to spread its message. Ministers have warned that terrorists are using online grooming to inspire potential terrorists, including children and vulnerable people. There is no doubt that the threat to us all continues to grow, warned Alistair Burt, the minister for the Middle East, last week. Even as we see Isis pushed back on the physical battlefield, we know that they will continue to pose a threat in the region. We also know that the battle of ideas is far from won. Isis is still capable of inspiring people to carry out attacks in its name and as such it remains a serious global threat. The national threat level remains at severe, meaning further attacks are considered highly likely. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A paedophile who boasted of performing sex acts with a dog has been jailed after investigators infiltrated a chatroom used by a dangerous community of offenders. Under the screen name wolfpupjohn, 46-year-old Jon Page shared and discussed indecent images of children and extreme pornography online. The National Crime Agency (NCA) said he had responded enthusiastically to a fantasy about rape and necrophilia involving children in the messages. Analysis of his computers, mobile phones and external hard drives also uncovered 78 images showing Page engaged in sex acts with dogs, officials said. He was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison at Southwark Crown Court after admitting 22 offences including making and distributing indecent images of children, bestiality and drug possession. NCA officers investigated Page at his flat in Kensington, London, in February 2016 and released him on bail while the devices were examined, finding indecent images of children and extreme pornography. They caused Page to be arrested for a second time, when searches uncovered crystal meth, a class A drug, and the class B ketamine. The NCA said child abusers attempting hide behind anonymous usernames online were not beyond the reach of law enforcement and vowed to track them down. Operations manager Martin Ludlow said: Jon Page was part of a dangerous community of offenders who produce and share images of child and animal abuse in online chatrooms. They think hiding behind a username puts them beyond the reach of law enforcement but theyre wrong. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 5 November 2022 Demonstrators with placards calling for a General Election march near the Houses of Parliament AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 4 November 2022 A peacock is seen in the early winter sunshine in the Dutch Gardens in Holland Park AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 3 November 2022 A villager cooks roti bread at the site of the annual Camel Fair in Pushkar, in India's desert state of Rajasthan AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 2 November 2022 A red squirrel gathers nuts in Pitlochry, Scotland Reuters UK news in pictures 1 November 2022 Englands Tara-Jane Stanley scores their sides seventh try against Brazil during the Womens Rugby League World Cup group A match at Headingley Stadium, Leeds PA UK news in pictures 31 October 2022 GBs James Hall competes during the mens parallel bars qualification at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 October 2022 People dressed in Halloween costumes paddle board along the river Avon in Christchurch, Dorset PA UK news in pictures 29 October 2022 Members of the public take pictures as police officers remove activists from a road during a Just Stop Oil protest, in London Reuters UK news in pictures 28 October 2022 A cosplayer attends the MCM Comic Con London 2022 at the ExCel Centre in London Reuters UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA UK news in pictures 25 October 2022 King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government PA UK news in pictures 24 October 2022 Rishi Sunak celebrates with Tory MPs outside the Conservative Campaign Headquarters after becoming the new leader of the Conservative Party Reuters UK news in pictures 23 October 2022 The Green Man at October Plenty, Borough Market's annual Autumn Harvest festival, in London, which returns for the first time post pandemic PA UK news in pictures 21 October 2022 Sculptor Peter McKenna puts the finishing touches to a pumpkin that will form part of the Planet A Hebden Bridge Pumpkin Trail in the West Yorkshire town PA UK news in pictures 20 October 2022 Britains Prime Minister Liz Truss delivers a speech outside of 10 Downing Street in central London to announce her resignation AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 19 October 2022 Salmon leap up Stainforth Force on the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales as they swim upriver to their spawning grounds during the annual Salmon migration PA UK news in pictures 18 October 2022 Just Stop Oil protesters continue their protest for a second day on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, which links Kent and Essex and which remains closed for traffic, after it was scaled by two climbers from the group PA UK news in pictures 17 October 2022 Hundreds of students take part in the traditional Raisin Monday foam fight on St Salvator's Lower College Lawn at the University of St Andrews in Fife PA UK news in pictures 16 October 2022 A protester holds a placard during a march into central London at a demonstration by the climate change protest group Extinction Rebellion AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 15 October 2022 A member of the public drags an activist who is blocking the road during a "Just Stop Oil" protest, in London, Britain REUTERS UK news in pictures 14 October 2022 Germanys Womens double skulls during day one of the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire PA UK news in pictures 13 October 2022 Family and mourners arrive at St Michael's Church, in Creeslough, for the funeral mass of 49-year-old mother of four Martina Martin, who died following an explosion at the Applegreen service station in the village of Creeslough in Co Donegal on Friday PA UK news in pictures 12 October 2022 Motorists in Coventry pass trees showing autumnal colour PA UK news in pictures 11 October 2022 A woman and her dog in the the North Sea at Tynemouth Longsands beach before sunrise PA UK news in pictures 10 October 2022 Police officers remove a campaigner from a Just Stop Oil protest on The Mall, near Buckingham Palace, London PA UK news in pictures 9 October 2022 A drummer plays during the Diwali on the Square celebration, in Trafalgar Square, London PA UK news in pictures 8 October 2022 Timothee Chalamet attending the UK premiere of Bones and All during the BFI London Film Festival 2022 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London PA UK news in pictures 7 October 2022 Two young male fallow deer lock antlers in Dublins Phoenix park as rutting season begins PA UK news in pictures 6 October 2022 The Princess of Wales during a cocktail making competition during a visit to Trademarket, a new outdoor street-food and retail market situated in Belfast city centre, as part of the royal visit to Northern Ireland PA UK news in pictures 5 October 2022 Greenpeace protesters interrupt Prime Minister Liz Truss as she delivers her keynote speech to the Conservative Party annual conference PA UK news in pictures 4 October 2022 Prime Minister Liz Truss and Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng wearing hard hats and hi-vis jackets, visit a construction site for a medical innovation campus in Birmingham AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 3 October 2022 British artist Sam Cox, aka Mr Doodle, reveals the Doodle House, a twelve-room mansion at Tenterden, in Kent, which has been covered, inside and out in the artist's trademark monochrome, cartoonish hand-drawn doodles PA UK news in pictures 2 October 2022 Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring Manchester City's second goal against Manchester United at Etihad Stadium. Haaland went on to score a hattrick, his third of the season in the Premier League. City beat United 6-3. Manchester City FC/Getty UK news in pictures 1 October 2022 Protesters hold up flags and placards at a protest in London. A variety of protest groups including Enough is Enough, Don't Pay and Just Stop Oil all demonstrated on the day AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 30 September 2022 British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has not been seen in days, leaves the back of Downing Street after a meeting with Office For Budget Responsibility following the release of her governments mini-budget Getty UK news in pictures 29 September 2022 The Virginia creeper foliage on the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont (Beyond the Bridge) Llanwrst, Conwy North Wales, has changed colour from green to red in at the start of Autumn. The building was built in 1480 as a residential dwelling but has been a tearoom for over 50 years PA UK news in pictures 28 September 2022 Criminal barristers from the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), demonstrates outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, as part of their ongoing pay row with the Government PA UK news in pictures 27 September 2022 David White, Garter King of Arms, poses with an envelope franked with the new cypher of King Charles III 'CIIIR', after it was printed in the Court Post Office at Buckingham Palace in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 26 September 2022 A gallery staff member poses next to a painting by Lucian Freud - Self-portrait (Fragment), 1956 - on show at a photocall for the Credit Suisse exhibition - Lucian Freud: New Perspectives at the National Gallery in London PA UK news in pictures 25 September 2022 Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer is interviewed by Laura Kuenssberg in Liverpool before the start of the Labour Party annual Conference which he opened with a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II and sang the national anthem PA UK news in pictures 24 September 2022 Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of the ledger stone at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle PA UK news in pictures 23 September 2022 A climate change activist protests against UK private jets while lighting his right arm on fire during the Laver Cup tennis tournament at the O2 Arena in London EPA UK news in pictures 22 September 2022 Woody Woodmansey, Lee Bennett, Kevin Armstrong, Nick Moran and Clifford Slapper attend the unveiling of a stone for David Bowie on the Music Walk of Fame at Camden, north London PA UK news in pictures 21 September 2022 A flock of birds in the sky as the sun rises over Dungeness in Kent PA UK news in pictures 20 September 2022 Flowers which were laid by members of the public in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland are collected by the Hillsborough Gardening Team and volunteers to be replanted for those that can be saved or composted PA UK news in pictures 19 September 2022 The ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II travels down the long walk as it arrives at Windsor Castle for the committal service at St Georges Chapel AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 18 September 2022 A man stands among campers on The Mall ahead of the Queens funeral Reuters UK news in pictures 17 September 2022 Wolverhampton Wanderers Nathan Collins fouls Manchester Citys Jack Grealish leading to a red card. City went on to win the match at Molineux Stadium three goals to nil. Action Images/Reuters UK news in pictures 16 September 2022 Members of the public stand in the queue near Tower Bridge, and opposite the Tower of London, as they wait in line to pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II, in London AFP via Getty Images Officers at the National Crime Agency and its partners have the investigative and technical skills to find these offenders and bring them before the courts. The case came after senior police officers warned that a horrifying number of British men are viewing child sex abuse images online. Dave Thompson, the Chief Constable of West Midlands Police, named child sexual exploitation alongside terrorism as one of the biggest challenges for forces. I am staggered by what I see in terms of the operations the force carries out on the peer-to-peer sharing of images and more sensitive covert policing techniques we carry out, he told MPs last month. The amount of men in this country who appear to show an active interest in this area is horrifying and the scale of it takes my breath away. There is a really big discussion to have in society about how we deal with this that is much more than law enforcement. Offenders in the UK are also among the largest group of customers commissioning cybersex trafficking a rising form of crime seeing children abused in online broadcasts. Paedophiles have become increasingly adept at concealing their identities and communications, with encrypted chats, the dark web and live-streaming among the techniques used. The NCA is among the agencies developing new detection tools to identify and remove material, while tracing those uploading and viewing it. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Former Coronation Street actor Bruno Langley has been sentenced to a year of community service after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting two women. Langley, who played Todd Grimshaw in the soap for more than a decade, groped one woman's crotch and touched the "boobs and bum" of another, Manchester Magistrates' Court was told. Prosecutors said the actor was "clearly intoxicated" when he assaulted the women at the Band on the Wall music venue in Manchester on October 1. Langley, 34, admitted the charges. He had been told he could face a jail sentence but was instead given a 12-month community order. The actor will also be subject to a 12-week 7am to 7pm curfew, and was told to pay 250 to each of his victims and sign the sex offenders register for the next five years. During sentencing, the judge told him: "On that evening your conduct was quite disgraceful and degrading. Both of the victims would have been extremely shocked and upset as a result of your conduct. "The fact that you were heavily intoxicated is not mitigation, it is a further aggravating feature. "The consequences are serious for all concerned, the two victims but also for you. "You have lost your good name and I know nothing of showbusiness but I imagine in the current climate I suspect it may be very difficult for you to gain employment in that industry in the future." Langley's relatives wiped away tears as he pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault. He sexually touched two other women on the same night but was not charged in relation to those incidents, prosecutors said. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures 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 UK news in pictures 14 September 2022 The first members of the public pay their respects as the vigil begins around the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Hall, London, where it will lie in state ahead of her funeral on Monday PA Earlier, prosecutor Karen Saffman told the court that Langley had assaulted the first woman when she went to collect her and her husband's coats from an upstairs cloakroom. She said: "As she walked back towards the stairs Mr Langley grabbed her in the crotch area over her dress. "Even though it was through her dress and tights she could feel two or three fingers. "She was clearly in shock. She was thinking about hitting him. She said, 'Did you do that on purpose?' But he did not reply." Quoting the victim, Ms Saffman said: "He grabbed me. Properly grabbed me. It was a rough grab, really right in. Lots of pressure." A man who was with Langley reportedly then apologised, saying: "Oh my God, I'm really sorry." Ms Saffman said the second woman had told police: "He grabbed me in the crotch. Quite a lot of pressure. This lasted for a couple of seconds." Langley made his Coronation Street debut in 2001 as Todd Grimshaw, the soap's first openly gay character. He left the show last month following an internal inquiry into the assault allegations. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Police cordoned off roads surrounding the Gherkin skyscraper in central London to investigate a suspicious vehicle. A bomb disposal robot was used to inspect a silver Ford Focus parked outside the skyscraper. After the remotely operated unit was deployed, police officers were seen opening the boot of the car. Witnesses then reported that a controlled explosion took place. Meanwhile some office workers were instructed to take cover in the buildings stairwell. Armed police were seen guarding the building and several businesses nearby closed while the incident was investigated. City of London Police later issued a statement which said: We can confirm all road closures in the area surrounding St Mary Axe (EC3) have been lifted and the vehicle has been deemed non-suspicious. The driver of the vehicle has been arrested for possession of false identity documents. In September Liverpool Street Station was evacuated after a suspicious package was found, and a week later hundreds of people were evacuated from Tower Hill Station after a mobile phone charger exploded on the Tube. Earlier in September an attack on a District Line Tube train at Parsons Green Station, injured 30 people. Isis claimed responsibility for the attack. Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Show all 23 1 /23 Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Parsons Green explosion A bucket with flames and wires coming out of it was photographed in the carriage after the explosion apparently the source of the blast AFP Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Parsons Green explosion An explosion on a packed Tube train has injured a number of people in west London AFP/Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Parsons Green explosion The blast triggered a stampede as commuters panicked AFP/Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Parsons Green explosion Click through for more pictures from the scene Reuters Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Parsons Green explosioN Reuters Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Parsons Green explosion PA Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Parsons Green explosion Reuters Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Parsons Green explosion Reuters Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Parsons Green explosion AFP/Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Parsons Green explosion Reuters Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Parsons Green explosion AFP/Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Parsons Green explosion AFP/Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Parsons Green explosion Reuters Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Parsons Green explosion Reuters Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures AFP/Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures AFP/Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures AFP/Getty Terror attack at Parson's Green in pictures AFP/Getty The UK's terror alert level remains at "severe", meaning further attacks are considered highly likely. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Laws about gay men donating blood are to be relaxed today, as new rules come into effect. The reformed guidelines, which campaigners have long demanded, follow advances in detection techniques and increased understanding of HIV. LGBT rights activists hailed the change as a major step towards a fair and equal system, although some complained it did not go far enough. Here The Independent looks at how blood donation rules have changed? Recommended Gay men to be able to donate blood three months after having sex What was the law before? Fears over infections through blood donations from gay men led to an outright ban during the Aids epidemic, but in 2011 the law shifted, allowing them to donate if they abstained from sex for a year. How has it changed? Gay men will be allowed to give blood three months after having sex. The rule is in line with improved NHS testing measures, which can establish whether someone has a blood infection such as HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C or syphilis within that time period. What did experts say? The NHS Blood and Transplant service have given assurances that the move would not jeopardise blood supplies We have one of the safest blood supplies in the world, Dr Gail Miflin, medical and research director at NHS Blood and Transplant said. Anyone may require a blood transfusion in the future and so it's in all our interests to ensure that we work hard to keep blood safe for patients. This starts with selection of donors before they give blood. Everyone must answer questions on their health and lifestyle before they donate and answering these questions correctly is crucial, in order to keep blood safe. Liam Beattie, Blood Donations Policy Lead at Terrence Higgins Trust, said the charity was pleased that the law had been swiftly brought into force. He added that the new rules will enable more people to give blood. "We hope this paves the way for more progress as further evidence becomes available, and were now urging the government to continue to regularly review the deferral periods in line with the latest evidence. It will now be vital for those who are now eligible to donate blood to be made aware of these changes," he said. 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 What did people from the gay community say? Scottish charity, the Equality Network, welcomed the new blood donation rules but said too many low-risk gay and bisexual men remained banned from donation. Its development manager Scott Cuthbertson said: We hope many gay and bisexual men who are now able to donate, do so with their peers. These new rules are a welcome and significant step forward, we remain concerned, however, that for too many low-risk gay and bisexual men these new rules are, in effect, a continued ban. While hailing "an important step forward", Ruth Hunt, chief executive of Stonewall said: "Theres still work to do, as many gay and bi men will still be excluded from donating. To avoid this, wed like to see the introduction of an individualised risk assessment of blood donors, which would allow more people to donate safely, regardless of their sexual orientation. We will continue to work with the Government and other organisations to create a fairer system for gay and bi men who want to donate blood." Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Katie Hopkins has been forced to share an apology to a school teacher who she libelled in one of her articles. It came day after it was announced that the controversial columnist's contract with the Mail Online was not renewed by mutual consent. The news website was forced to apologise and pay substantial damages to Jackie Teale, the teacher libelled in Hopkins column. Hopkins erroneously stated in February that Ms Teale had taken her class to protest against US President Donald Trump outside Westminster. She had in fact, only taken a banner made by some of her 12-year-old pupils, which included a Martin Luther King quote. It was published under the headline: Schools are supposed to teach kids HOW to think for themselves, not WHAT to think. So why are so many liberal teachers bullying and brain-washing children with their own intolerant views? Hopkins shared a link to the Mail Onlines apology to Ms Teale on Twitter. It admitted that the statement about the pupils attending the demonstration "was wrong", adding: "We apologise to Ms Teale for this error and have agreed to pay Ms Teale substantial damages and legal costs." Mark Lewis, the lawyer who represented Ms Teale, told The Independent that Hopkins was legally obliged to share the apology as it was a term of the settlement. 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 Praising Mr Lewis for his help, Ms Teale tweeted: Just want to say Im immensely grateful that for every Katie Hopkins plaguing society with lies and hatred, theres a Mark Lewis to ensure that truth prevails. Cannot thank him enough for this." In an earlier article for The Guardian, Ms Teale wrote that Hopkins column had left her vulnerable to personal attacks online. People had called for her to resign and accused her of indoctrinating pupils, she added. "'Someone, they said, would be in contact with me about this, she wrote. They began circulating links to the Department for Education (DfE) and encouraged each other to register complaints with them to inform them of my illegal activities. Hopkins column was axed after a series of complaints over her remarks on terror attacks and other controversies. Recommended Terror conviction for woman who fantasised about Hopkins beheading The Devon-born provocateur previously wrote for The Sun as what the paper hailed as Britains most controversial columnist. There, she penned a piece which compared African migrants crossing the Mediterranean with cockroaches and called for gunboats to stop migrants reaching their destination. The United Nations said the column shared parallels with pro-genocide propaganda. Hopkins moved on to the Mail Online shortly afterwards. Earlier this year, she also agreed to leave her job as a host on LBC radio, after she tweeted a call for a final solution to Islamist terrorism in the wake of the Manchester arena attack. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Meghan Markle may be the envy of many after becoming engaged to Prince Harry, but luck has smiled on the American actress throughout her life, with her father winning the lottery in her childhood. Her older half brother, Tom Jr, recently revealed their father, Tom Sr, won an estimated 560,000 ($750,000) in a Californian state lottery in 1990 when the actress was just nine years old. If Meg marries Harry shell have won the lottery of life but dad winning the lottery helped us all, the 51-year-told told the Mail on Sunday. That money allowed Meg to go to the best schools and get the best training. Meg is someone who has always had laser focus. She knows what she wants and she doesn't stop until she gets it," he added. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures Show all 55 1 /55 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures September 2017 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the Invictus Games in Toronto, Canada. The Invictus Games is an international sport event for wounded, injured and sick (WIS) servicemen and women, both serving and veteran. It was created by the Duke of Sussex and aims to use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding of all those who serve their country Invictus Games Foundation/Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures November 2017 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pose for a photograph in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace following the announcement of their engagement AFP/Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures November 2017 Meghan Markle shows off her engagement ring AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures December 2017 Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend Christmas Day Church service at Church of St Mary Magdalene in King's Lynn Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures January 2018 Prince Harry and Meghan during a visit to Reprezent 107.3FM in Pop Brixton. The Reprezent training programme was established in Peckham in 2008, in response to the alarming rise in knife crime, to help young people develop and socialise through radio Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures January 2018 Meghan Markle greets well-wishers on arrival at Cardiff Castle for a day showcasing the rich culture and heritage of Wales AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures January 2018 The couple watching a dance performance by Jukebox Collective during their to Cardiff Castle AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures February 2018 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle walk through the corridors of the Palace of Holyroodhouse on their way to a reception for young people in Edinburgh. The reception celebrated youth achievements, marking Scotlands Year of Young People 2018, an initiative that aims to inspire Scotland through its young people: celebrating their achievements, strengthening their voice on social issues and creating new opportunities for them to shine AFP Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures February 2018 Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William at the first annual Royal Foundation Forum in London. Under the theme 'Making a Difference Together', the event showcased the programmes run or initiated by The Royal Foundation Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures March 2018 Prince William, Kate, Meghan and Prince Harry attend a Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures March 2018 Meghan Markle greets well-wishers after a visit to one of Belfast's most historic buildings, The Crown Liquor Saloon, a former Victorian gin palace, now run by the National Trust. It was the Royal couple's first joint visit to Northern Ireland AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures April 2018 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle meet participants as they attend the UK team trials for the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 at the University of Bath AFP via Getty Images Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures May 2018 Meghan Markle and her mother, Doria Ragland arriving at Cliveden House Hotel the night before her wedding to Prince Harry Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures May 2018 Royal fans sing for the television in Windsor the day before the Royal wedding AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures May 2018 Meghan Markle walks down the aisle in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, during her wedding AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures May 2018 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stand facing each other hand-in-hand before Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby during their wedding ceremony AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures May 2018 Prince Harry kisses the Duchess of Sussex, as they pass through the Cambridge Gate into the grounds of Windsor Castle at the end of their carriage procession AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures May 2018 The newly married royals leave Windsor Castle after their wedding to attend an evening reception at Frogmore House AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures June 2018 Queen Elizabeth II sitts and laughs with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex during a ceremony to open the new Mersey Gateway Bridge in the town of Widnes in Halton, Cheshire Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures June 2018 Prince Harry and Meghan return in a horse-drawn carriage after attending the Queen's Birthday Parade, 'Trooping the Colour' on Horseguards parade AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures July 2018 Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Queen Elizabeth II, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge watch the RAF flypast on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, as members of the Royal Family attend events to mark the centenary of the RAF Chris Jackson/Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures July 2018 Meghan and Prince Harry kiss after the Sentebale Polo event that was held at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures August 2018 The Duke and Duchess of Sussex meet the cast and crew of "Hamilton" backstage after the gala performance in support of Sentebale at Victoria Palace Theatre Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures September 2018 Meghan meets 7-year-old Matilda Booth during the annual WellChild awards at Royal Lancaster Hotel in London Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures October 2018 Prince Harry and Meghan meet 98-year-old Daphne Dunne during a meet and greet at the Sydney Opera House during an official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures October 2018 Prince Harry and Meghan meet a koala named Ruby and its koala joey named Meghan after the Duchess of Sussex during a visit to Taronga Zoo in Sydney AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures October 2018 Prince Harry looks on as his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, is hugged by student Luke Vincent of Buninyong Public School following the couple's arrival at Dubbo Regional Airport in Dubbo AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures October 2018 Harry and his wife Meghan watch aboriginal dances at Victoria Park in Dubbo AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures October 2018 The Duke and Duchess of Sussex meet with lifeguards at South Melbourne Beach. BeachPatrol is a network of volunteers who are passionate about keeping Melbourne's beaches and foreshores clear of litter to reduce the negative impact of litter on the marine environment and food chain, and provide a safe environment for the public to enjoy their local beach Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures October 2018 Prince Harry and Meghan join a circle during a "Fluro Friday" session run by OneWave, a local surfing community group who raise awareness for mental health and wellbeing, at Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach AFP Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures October 2018 The British royals kicked off their shoes and donned tropical garlands on Bondi Beach AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures October 2018 Prince Harry and Meghan visit an exhibition of Tongan handicrafts, mats and tapa cloths at the Fa'onelua Convention Centre in Nuku'alofa, Tonga Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures October 2018 Prince Harry and Meghan laying a wreath at the National War Memorial in Wellington, New Zealand Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures October 2018 Prince Harry and his wife Meghan visit Redwoods Tree Walk in Rotorua AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures November 2018 Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex at a service marking the centenary of WW1 armistice at Westminster Abbey Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures February 2019 The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, visit the Kasbah of the Udayas near the Moroccan capital Rabat AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures March 2019 Prince Harry and Meghan speak on stage during WE Day UK 2019 at The SSE Arena in London Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures March 2019 Meghan and Prince Harry react as they are presented with baby gifts by Canadian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Janice Charette, at Canada House, during an event to mark Commonwealth Day, in central London AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures May 2019 A congratulatory banner message circling the BT Tower reading "Congratulations Harry and Meghan It's a Baby Boy!" AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures May 2019 Footmen Stephen Kelly and Sarah Thompson set up an official notice on an easel at the gates of Buckingham Palace on May 6, announcing the birth of a son to Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures May 2019 Pround parents pose with their newborn son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor in St George's Hall at Windsor Castle. The Duchess of Sussex gave birth at 5:26 on 6 May Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures May 2019 Prince Harry and Meghan walk away after posing for photographs with their newborn son AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures June 2019 Prince Harry and Meghan join the New York Yankees in their clubhouse and receive gifts for Archie ahead of their match against the Boston Red Sox at the London Stadium. The historic two-game series marked the sport's first games ever played in Europe and The Invictus Games Foundation was selected as the official charity of Mitel and MLB London Series 2019 Invictus Games Foundation/Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures July 2019 Prince Harry and Meghan meet cast and crew, including US singer-songwriter Beyonce and her husband, US rapper Jay-Z as they attend the European premiere of the film The Lion King in London AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures September 2019 The Duke and Duchess of Sussex dance as they arrive for a visit to the "Justice desk", an NGO in the township of Nyanga in Cape Town, as they begin their tour of the region. Their first official family visit in the coastal city AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures September 2019 Prince Harry and Meghan pose with members of "Waves For Change" NGO at Monwabisi Beach outside of Cape Town. "Waves For Change" NGO fuses surfing with child-friendly mind and body therapy to provide mental health services to vulnerable young people living in challenging communities AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures September 2019 The royals arrive to visit the oldest mosque of Cape Town in Dorp Street in Bo Kaap district AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures September 2019 The Duchess of Sussex visits Auwal Mosque on Heritage Day with the Duke of Sussex during their royal tour of South Africa. Auwal Mosque is the first and oldest mosque in South Africa and for the Muslim community, this mosque symbolises the freedom of former slaves to worship Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures September 2019 Prince Harry and Meghan hold their baby son Archie as they meet with Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his wife Leah at the Tutu Legacy Foundation in Cape Town AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures September 2019 The British royal couple were on a 10-day tour of southern Africa -- their first official visit as a family since their son Archie was born AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures October 2019 Prince Harry and Meghan meet Graca Machel, widow of the late Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Duke last met with Mrs Machel during his visit to South Africa in 2015 Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures October 2019 Meghan and Prince Harry attend a roundtable discussion on gender equality with The Queens Commonwealth Trust (QCT) and One Young World at Windsor Castle Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures December 2019 Prince Harry holding his son Archie. The photo was used on Instagram to wish their followers a happy new year SussexRoyal/PA Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures January 2020 Duke and Duchess of Sussex depart Canada House in London after visiting to show thanks for the warm hospitality and support they received during their recent stay in Canada Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures January 2020 Front page headlines, from UK daily papers, reporting on the news that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, plan to step back as "senior" members of the Royal Family AFP via Getty Markle, 36, grew up in Los Angeles, attending private schools before going to the prestigious Northwestern University in Illinois where she studied theatre and international studies. Their father, now 73 and living in Mexico, worked as a successful television lighting director on hit US shows including Married with Children and General Hospital, but was declared bankrupt just last year. Speaking ahead of the engagement as rumours swirled, Markles brother said: She was always the familys princess but now shes going to be a real princess and I couldnt be more proud. Their father was married to Tom Jrs mother before marrying Markles mother, Doria. Tom Jr says he and his actress sister drifted apart around 2011 when she moved to Canada to begin work on the drama Suits in her breakthrough role. He said there had been no big falling out, but that her work on Suits took her to a whole new level of fame. Tom Jr, who lives in Oregon, said he was speaking out because he was tired of people thinking he was the black sheep of the family after he was arrested over a domestic altercation before being released without charge last year. Price Harry met Tom Sr during a trip to Canada but has yet to meet Tom Jr or his sister Samantha, 53, from whom his wife-to-be is estranged. Samantha is reportedly writing a tell-all book with the working title Diary of a Pushy Princess. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The royal family will pay for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding, Kensington Palace has announced. The newly engaged couple are to marry in May at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. Ms Markle, who will become a senior HRH on marrying into the royals, also intends to become a British citizen. As the couple make preparations for their big day, the American actress, a protestant who went to a catholic high school, will be both baptised and confirmed, ready for the religious ceremony. The royal family will pay for the church service, the music, the flowers and the reception, the palace said. It was also announced the couple would carry out their first official engagement together at an Aids charity in Nottingham this coming Friday. Royal Wedding: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's first interview Markle, who rose to fame for playing Rachel Zane on popular US legal drama Suits, will become joint Patron of the Royal Foundation alongside Prince Harry and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The humanitarian and gender equality campaigner will be forced to relinquish her current charity commitments and embark on a new string of charitable endeavours as part of her new life in Britain. St George's Chapel is a smaller venue for the wedding than Westminster Abbey where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge tied the knot or St Paul's Cathedral where Prince Harry's parents wed. The chapel, which is the burial place of ten monarchs including Henry VIII and Charles I, dates back more than 500 years. It has been a traditional venue for royal weddings since the future King Edward VII married Princess Alexandra of Denmark in 1863. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures Show all 55 1 /55 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures September 2017 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at the Invictus Games in Toronto, Canada. The Invictus Games is an international sport event for wounded, injured and sick (WIS) servicemen and women, both serving and veteran. It was created by the Duke of Sussex and aims to use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding of all those who serve their country Invictus Games Foundation/Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures November 2017 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pose for a photograph in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace following the announcement of their engagement AFP/Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures November 2017 Meghan Markle shows off her engagement ring AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures December 2017 Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend Christmas Day Church service at Church of St Mary Magdalene in King's Lynn Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures January 2018 Prince Harry and Meghan during a visit to Reprezent 107.3FM in Pop Brixton. The Reprezent training programme was established in Peckham in 2008, in response to the alarming rise in knife crime, to help young people develop and socialise through radio Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures January 2018 Meghan Markle greets well-wishers on arrival at Cardiff Castle for a day showcasing the rich culture and heritage of Wales AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures January 2018 The couple watching a dance performance by Jukebox Collective during their to Cardiff Castle AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures February 2018 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle walk through the corridors of the Palace of Holyroodhouse on their way to a reception for young people in Edinburgh. The reception celebrated youth achievements, marking Scotlands Year of Young People 2018, an initiative that aims to inspire Scotland through its young people: celebrating their achievements, strengthening their voice on social issues and creating new opportunities for them to shine AFP Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures February 2018 Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William at the first annual Royal Foundation Forum in London. Under the theme 'Making a Difference Together', the event showcased the programmes run or initiated by The Royal Foundation Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures March 2018 Prince William, Kate, Meghan and Prince Harry attend a Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures March 2018 Meghan Markle greets well-wishers after a visit to one of Belfast's most historic buildings, The Crown Liquor Saloon, a former Victorian gin palace, now run by the National Trust. It was the Royal couple's first joint visit to Northern Ireland AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures April 2018 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle meet participants as they attend the UK team trials for the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 at the University of Bath AFP via Getty Images Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures May 2018 Meghan Markle and her mother, Doria Ragland arriving at Cliveden House Hotel the night before her wedding to Prince Harry Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures May 2018 Royal fans sing for the television in Windsor the day before the Royal wedding AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures May 2018 Meghan Markle walks down the aisle in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, during her wedding AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures May 2018 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stand facing each other hand-in-hand before Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby during their wedding ceremony AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures May 2018 Prince Harry kisses the Duchess of Sussex, as they pass through the Cambridge Gate into the grounds of Windsor Castle at the end of their carriage procession AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures May 2018 The newly married royals leave Windsor Castle after their wedding to attend an evening reception at Frogmore House AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures June 2018 Queen Elizabeth II sitts and laughs with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex during a ceremony to open the new Mersey Gateway Bridge in the town of Widnes in Halton, Cheshire Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures June 2018 Prince Harry and Meghan return in a horse-drawn carriage after attending the Queen's Birthday Parade, 'Trooping the Colour' on Horseguards parade AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures July 2018 Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Queen Elizabeth II, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge watch the RAF flypast on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, as members of the Royal Family attend events to mark the centenary of the RAF Chris Jackson/Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures July 2018 Meghan and Prince Harry kiss after the Sentebale Polo event that was held at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures August 2018 The Duke and Duchess of Sussex meet the cast and crew of "Hamilton" backstage after the gala performance in support of Sentebale at Victoria Palace Theatre Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures September 2018 Meghan meets 7-year-old Matilda Booth during the annual WellChild awards at Royal Lancaster Hotel in London Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures October 2018 Prince Harry and Meghan meet 98-year-old Daphne Dunne during a meet and greet at the Sydney Opera House during an official 16-day Autumn tour visiting cities in Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures October 2018 Prince Harry and Meghan meet a koala named Ruby and its koala joey named Meghan after the Duchess of Sussex during a visit to Taronga Zoo in Sydney AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures October 2018 Prince Harry looks on as his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, is hugged by student Luke Vincent of Buninyong Public School following the couple's arrival at Dubbo Regional Airport in Dubbo AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures October 2018 Harry and his wife Meghan watch aboriginal dances at Victoria Park in Dubbo AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures October 2018 The Duke and Duchess of Sussex meet with lifeguards at South Melbourne Beach. BeachPatrol is a network of volunteers who are passionate about keeping Melbourne's beaches and foreshores clear of litter to reduce the negative impact of litter on the marine environment and food chain, and provide a safe environment for the public to enjoy their local beach Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures October 2018 Prince Harry and Meghan join a circle during a "Fluro Friday" session run by OneWave, a local surfing community group who raise awareness for mental health and wellbeing, at Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach AFP Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures October 2018 The British royals kicked off their shoes and donned tropical garlands on Bondi Beach AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures October 2018 Prince Harry and Meghan visit an exhibition of Tongan handicrafts, mats and tapa cloths at the Fa'onelua Convention Centre in Nuku'alofa, Tonga Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures October 2018 Prince Harry and Meghan laying a wreath at the National War Memorial in Wellington, New Zealand Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures October 2018 Prince Harry and his wife Meghan visit Redwoods Tree Walk in Rotorua AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures November 2018 Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex at a service marking the centenary of WW1 armistice at Westminster Abbey Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures February 2019 The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, visit the Kasbah of the Udayas near the Moroccan capital Rabat AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures March 2019 Prince Harry and Meghan speak on stage during WE Day UK 2019 at The SSE Arena in London Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures March 2019 Meghan and Prince Harry react as they are presented with baby gifts by Canadian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Janice Charette, at Canada House, during an event to mark Commonwealth Day, in central London AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures May 2019 A congratulatory banner message circling the BT Tower reading "Congratulations Harry and Meghan It's a Baby Boy!" AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures May 2019 Footmen Stephen Kelly and Sarah Thompson set up an official notice on an easel at the gates of Buckingham Palace on May 6, announcing the birth of a son to Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures May 2019 Pround parents pose with their newborn son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor in St George's Hall at Windsor Castle. The Duchess of Sussex gave birth at 5:26 on 6 May Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures May 2019 Prince Harry and Meghan walk away after posing for photographs with their newborn son AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures June 2019 Prince Harry and Meghan join the New York Yankees in their clubhouse and receive gifts for Archie ahead of their match against the Boston Red Sox at the London Stadium. The historic two-game series marked the sport's first games ever played in Europe and The Invictus Games Foundation was selected as the official charity of Mitel and MLB London Series 2019 Invictus Games Foundation/Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures July 2019 Prince Harry and Meghan meet cast and crew, including US singer-songwriter Beyonce and her husband, US rapper Jay-Z as they attend the European premiere of the film The Lion King in London AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures September 2019 The Duke and Duchess of Sussex dance as they arrive for a visit to the "Justice desk", an NGO in the township of Nyanga in Cape Town, as they begin their tour of the region. Their first official family visit in the coastal city AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures September 2019 Prince Harry and Meghan pose with members of "Waves For Change" NGO at Monwabisi Beach outside of Cape Town. "Waves For Change" NGO fuses surfing with child-friendly mind and body therapy to provide mental health services to vulnerable young people living in challenging communities AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures September 2019 The royals arrive to visit the oldest mosque of Cape Town in Dorp Street in Bo Kaap district AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures September 2019 The Duchess of Sussex visits Auwal Mosque on Heritage Day with the Duke of Sussex during their royal tour of South Africa. Auwal Mosque is the first and oldest mosque in South Africa and for the Muslim community, this mosque symbolises the freedom of former slaves to worship Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures September 2019 Prince Harry and Meghan hold their baby son Archie as they meet with Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his wife Leah at the Tutu Legacy Foundation in Cape Town AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures September 2019 The British royal couple were on a 10-day tour of southern Africa -- their first official visit as a family since their son Archie was born AFP via Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures October 2019 Prince Harry and Meghan meet Graca Machel, widow of the late Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Duke last met with Mrs Machel during his visit to South Africa in 2015 Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures October 2019 Meghan and Prince Harry attend a roundtable discussion on gender equality with The Queens Commonwealth Trust (QCT) and One Young World at Windsor Castle Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures December 2019 Prince Harry holding his son Archie. The photo was used on Instagram to wish their followers a happy new year SussexRoyal/PA Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures January 2020 Duke and Duchess of Sussex depart Canada House in London after visiting to show thanks for the warm hospitality and support they received during their recent stay in Canada Getty Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures January 2020 Front page headlines, from UK daily papers, reporting on the news that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, plan to step back as "senior" members of the Royal Family AFP via Getty The 33-year-old, who is fifth in line to the throne, and Markle have been dating for about a year and a half. The pair, who met through a mutual friend, announced their engagement on Monday. A statement from Clarence House said: His Royal Highness and Ms Markle became engaged in London earlier this month. Prince Harry has informed Her Majesty The Queen and other close members of his family. Prince Harry has also sought and received the blessing of Ms Markle's parents". During a TV appearance on Monday night, Prince Harry revealed he proposed to Markle in the kitchen over a roast kitchen while they enjoyed a "standard, typical night" in their cottage. It was so sweet and natural and very romantic, Markle told BBC. She added: As a matter of fact, I could barely let you finish proposing. I said, Can I say yes now? After their relationship became public just over a year ago, Prince Harry lashed out at the paparazzi for subjecting Markle to a wave of abuse and harassment. In an unusual public statement, the Palace attacked the racial undertones of media coverage of Markle and said the prince feared for her safety. The actor, whose father is white and mother is African American, has described herself as biracial and half black and half white on her website. My dad is Caucasian and my mom is African-American. To say who I am, to share where Im from, to voice my pride in being a strong, confident mixed-race woman," Markle has previously said. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} He was the Tory minister famously forced to resign from government over a 1960s sex scandal involving a 19-year-old model who was also close to a Soviet military officer. But newly declassified files have revealed that the affair he gave his name to wasnt John Profumos only dubious liaison. According to MI6 records, the MP also had a decades-long relationship with a glamorous Nazi spy named Gisela Winegard. Winegard, a fashion model, worked for German intelligence in Paris during the Second World War and may have later tried to blackmail Profumo. The pair reportedly first met at Oxford in the early 1930s. In a 1950 memo, British intelligence officers said the relationship had begun in 1933 and appeared to have not ceased at the time of the report. Profumo is said to have sent the German spy love letters written on House of Commons notepaper. Her husband, Edward Winegard, said the endearing letters caused him and his wife to separate in September 1950. They later got back together. According to the MI6 documents, Winegard had been on intimate terms with a Nazi official in Paris in 1938 and travelled across Europe, including to Italy and Greece, providing secret information to the Nazis in Paris during the Second World War. She is also said to have been the mistress of, and had a child with, a senior Nazi officer before being imprisoned for espionage when the Allied forces liberated Paris in 1944. Edward Winegard was one of her US Army jailers and the pair married when she was released. Profumo, who wed the actress Valerie Hobson in 1954, was forced to resign as Secretary of State for War and as an MP in 1963 after revelations about his relationship with model Christine Keeler. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 16 November 2022 Emma Woolf, great niece of British author Virginia Woolf, and her son Ludovic sit next to a new bronze statue of Woolf, unveiled in Richmond, London Reuters 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 Keeler was reported to also be romantically involved at the time with Yevgeny Ivanov, an official at the Soviet embassy in London, raising fears that nuclear secrets may have been compromised a suggestion both the MP and the model denied. Profumo had initially denied any impropriety in his relationship with Keeler but was later forced to admit to the affair. The Stratford-upon-Avon MP and his wife had met Keeler during a party at Lord Astors country estate at Cliveden. At the height of the scandal, MI6 sent files to MI5s investigations head, Arthur Martin, about Profumos relationship with Winegard, whose maiden name maiden name was Klein. In the documents, MI6 officer Cyril Mackay wrote: Although it is not particularly relevant to the current notorious case, Geoffrey thought you might like to have for your files the attached copy of a report from our representative (redacted), dated 2nd October 1950, which makes mention of an association between Gisela Klein and Profumo which began ca 1933 and had apparently not ceased at the time of this report." The MI6 documents also reveal that Winegard had an application for a UK visa rejected in 1951. At the time, security services believed the Winegards had "recently engaged in blackmail activities and now think it possible their intended visit to the UK may be connected with this". The application for the six-week visa named Profumo as a reference. After resigning as an MP, Profumo dedicated his life to charity work and was awarded a CBE in 1975. He died in 2006, aged 91. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} British and European Union negotiators have reportedly agreed the terms of the Brexit financial settlement, in what would be a major breakthrough ahead of a make-or-break summit in Brussels next month. The Daily Telegraph says sources on both sides of the table have confirmed that the controversial divorce bill is settled in principle and will amount to between 45 billion and 55 billion depending on fine details. Diplomatic sources meanwhile similarly told the Financial Times that the UK has agreed to take on 100 billion of liabilities with an aim to pay less than half of that in net payments over the long term. Theresa May will offer to pay 40bn for 'divorce bill' if trade talks begin A spokesperson for the European Commissions negotiating team would not comment on the reports on Tuesday evening as the news broke, while British officials said they didnt recognise the figures reported by the newspaper. Whether an agreement has been reached or not, multiple Brussels sources told The Independent that the financial settlement had been eclipsed by the Irish border issue and citizens rights in recent days a sign it is no longer the main sticking point in discussions. Sub-issues within citizens rights yet to be resolved are thought to still include the role of the European Court of Justice and the export of benefits, while the question of what the Irish border will look like after Brexit has so-far proved intractable in a very public way. European Commission chief negotiator Michel Barnier said while on a visit to Estonia on Monday that that the moment of truth was approaching for Brexit talks and that an agreement on sufficient progress could be reach in the next few days. European Union's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said on Monday he hoped a deal could be reached in the next few days (Reuters) The Telegraph's report says the figure is being deliberately left open to interpretation, and that Oliver Robbins, the Downing Street civil servant who acts as the UKs chief negotiator, agreed the settlement in backchannel meetings at the end of last week. Theresa May said in her Florence speech that no EU country need to pay more or receive less over the remainder of the current budget plan as a result of our decision to leave and that The UK will honour commitments we have made during the period of our membership. Brexit: the deciders Show all 8 1 /8 Brexit: the deciders Brexit: the deciders European Union's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier Getty Brexit: the deciders French President Emmanuel Macron Getty Brexit: the deciders German Chancellor Angela Merkel Reuters Brexit: the deciders Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker EPA Brexit: the deciders The European Parliament's chief Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt Getty Brexit: the deciders Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May Getty Images Brexit: the deciders Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond PA Brexit: the deciders After the first and second appointed Brexit secretaries resigned (David Davis and Dominic Raab respectively), Stephen Barclay is currently heading up the position PA The EU has since called on the PM to publicly flesh out her commitment, which is likely to prove political explosive amongst some more hardline eurosceptics once the final figure is revealed. A spokesman for the Department for Exiting the European Union said: Intensive talks between the UK and the European Commission continue to take place in Brussels this week as we seek to reach an agreement. We are exploring how we can continue to build on recent momentum in the talks so that together we can move the negotiations onto the next phase and discuss our future partnership. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Labour has been granted an urgent question in the House of Commons which they will use to push the Government to fully release all parts of an analysis into the impact of Brexit on the economy. Shadow cabinet member Sir Keir Starmer will tell the Government they still have time ahead of a deadline later today to pass over parts of the analysis ministers are refusing to release. Ministers have agreed to release 850 pages of information, but have admitted withholding elements which they say are commercially sensitive or could damage the UK's interests in Brexit negotiations. The handover of the documents to the Commons Committee on Exiting the EU, chaired by ex-Shadow Foreign Secretary Hilary Benn, came after Labour won a vote in Parliament forcing the Government to transfer them. Sir Keir now claims the Government could be in contempt of Parliament if it refuses to release all parts of the analysis contained in the documentation. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It follows from that that the Government could be in contempt of Parliament. It is certainly treating Parliament with contempt. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 16 November 2022 Emma Woolf, great niece of British author Virginia Woolf, and her son Ludovic sit next to a new bronze statue of Woolf, unveiled in Richmond, London Reuters 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 "We intend to press the issue with the Speaker and raise the question of whether they are now in contempt. "Having agreed to this procedure they are breaching it at the 11th hour." On 1 November, Labour tabled a humble address to the Queen asking for what it termed the impact assessments of Brexit to be provided to the Commons committee. Labours motion demanding the release of 58 impact assessments once alluded to by Brexit Secretary David Davis, was passed without a vote earlier this month after ministers indicated the Government would not oppose it. Commons Speaker John Bercow said at the time that the arcane parliamentary procedure of a humble address used by Labour has traditionally been regarded as binding or effective, and said he would be willing to consider an accusation of contempt if the Government failed to respond. EU demands in next round of talks set to enrage Cabinet Brexiteers, leak reveals But an official at Mr Daviss Department for Exiting the European Union explained that the Government had never had 58 separate assessments as such, but instead had a broad body of information consisting of all the analysis that the UK Government had done on Brexit and issues related to various sectors. In a bid to comply with Parliament and assist the Commons committee, civil servants had drawn together in some 39 reports totalling 850 pages, documents that touched upon 58 sectors, the official said - albeit withholding certain parts. Brexit minister Steve Baker said: "The Government has satisfied the motion, providing the House of Commons Exiting the EU Committee with information covering 58 sectors of the economy. We have also shared the information with the Lords EU Committee. "We have always been clear that our analysis does not exist in the form Parliament requested. We have taken time to bring together the analysis we do have in a way that meets Parliaments specific ask. "Our overall programme of work is comprehensive, thorough and is continuously updated. This sectoral analysis is simply one part of it." Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Britain is ill-equipped for Brexit talks and needs to take a tougher line with Brussels by telling EU leaders to sod off over the divorce bill, a former Cabinet minister has said. Ex-International Development Secretary Priti Patel, who was forced to resign earlier this month, launched an attack on the Government for failing to set out its Brexit vision and not boasting of the economic opportunities that leaving the European Union offers. Recommended May forces Patel to quit over secret Israeli meetings The prominent Brexiteer said the negotiations were not [in] an ideal state at all, in an intervention days before Theresa May travels to Brussels to persuade the EU to move onto the new phase of talks covering trade and transition. In extraordinary scenes, thousands of people tracked Ms Patels flight online as she was summoned back from Nairobi for a confrontation with Theresa May after it emerged she had held secret meetings with senior Israeli officials without informing Downing Street. The Witham MP made it clear that she would be outspoken about Brexit from the backbenches in her resignation letter to the Prime Minister. Priti Patel out: Theresa May forces International Development Secretary to quit Speaking at an event in London organised by The Spectator magazine, Ms Patel said: The Government has been ill-equipped in terms of preparations for the negotiations... Its not an ideal state at all. She went on: We should have had conviction and clarity in terms of our end state and destination and presented that and been pretty forthright about it as well, My views on money are pretty clear, I dont like spending money so I would have told the EU in particular to sod off with their excessive financial demands. Ms May was leading in very challenging circumstances and was struggling now with a difficult set of cards post the election, Ms Patel said. But she said: One of the failings is we have not set out that vision, what is that vision of Britain going to look like post-Brexit? What are the economic opportunities for the City of London and for many other businesses and sectors in terms of leading out in the world and potentially trading with countries we have simply not been engaged with for not just years but for decades. 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 And also reflecting that the world is changing, the labour market is changing. It comes as a deepening row over the Irish border threatened to derail Brexit talks, as the Republic signalled it would veto moves to trade talks without further guarantees against a hard border on the island of Ireland. EU leaders refuse to move onto the next phase until key issues have been agreed, including citizens rights, the Irish border and the so-called divorce bill. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} David Davis has been called in to face a Commons committee which has demanded his department release papers detailing the impact of Brexit on the economy. The Brexit Secretary was asked to attend a hearing after his department withheld some elements of the analysis which the Government claims are commercially sensitive or could harm the UK in withdrawal talks. The handover of the documents to the Commons Committee on Exiting the EU, chaired by ex-Shadow Foreign Secretary Hilary Benn, came after Labour won a vote in Parliament forcing the Government to transfer them. David Davis blames Germany and France for Brexit talks deadlock: "They are the most powerful players on the European continent" Recommended Labour wins urgent question to push Government for full Brexit release Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer now claims the Government could be in contempt of Parliament if it refuses to release all parts of the analysis contained in the documentation. Mr Benn's committee said in a statement on Tuesday: "[We are] asking the Secretary of State to attend an evidence session as a matter of urgency in order to confirm the process behind the Departments actions. "The Committee will then move into private session to discuss the matter further." The cross-party group of MPs is currently trawling through 850 pages of documentation to decide if the Government has complied with their request and also whether to release any of it to the wider public. 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 On 1 November, Labour tabled a humble address to the Queen asking for what it termed the impact assessments of Brexit to be provided to the Commons committee. Labours motion demanding the release of 58 impact assessments once alluded to by Brexit Secretary David Davis, was passed without a vote earlier this month after ministers indicated the Government would not oppose it. Commons Speaker John Bercow said at the time that the arcane parliamentary procedure of a humble address used by Labour has traditionally been regarded as binding or effective, and said he would be willing to consider an accusation of contempt if the Government failed to respond. The Department for Exiting the EU (Dexeu) stressed that ministers had a responsibility, endorsed by Parliament, not to release information that would undermine the UK's negotiating position. A spokesman said: "The Government has satisfied the motion, providing the House of Commons Exiting the EU Committee with information covering 58 sectors of the economy." Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Commons Speaker John Bercow has hinted MPs could get the chance to debate whether David Davis acted in contempt of Parliament over the publication of reports detailing the impact of Brexit on the economy. It comes after the Brexit Secretary provided an 850-page dossier of information on the impact of leaving the European Union on 58 different sectors of the economy but the papers do not contain sensitive information. Mr Davis had been forced to release the information to the Brexit Select Committee in Westminster following a binding motion in the chamber. But the committees chair Hilary Benn said Mr Daviss decision to withhold information from the material supplied to MPs was both contrary to the instruction given to the Government in that motion and to the clear expectations that I set out to you in our discussions. He added that the analysis provided to him on Monday was not in keeping with the motion passed by the house, later adding: The committee will therefore need to consider whether this is potentially a breach of privilege. Speaking ahead of an urgent question from the Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer, Mr Bercow said now was not the time to debate whether a contempt of the House had occurred, but added there may or may not be later occasions for that matter to be discussed. Recommended David Davis set to face Commons committee over Brexit papers Mr Bercow said the Brexit Secretary should appear before the select committee very soon indeed. And he said that, if formal allegations of contempt are made, I will do my duty. I think that. when it is suggested that that meeting should be soon, it means soon - it does not mean weeks hence, it means very soon indeed, Mr Bercow said. Nothing, no commitment, no other diarised engagement is more important than respecting the House and in this case the committee of the House which has ownership of this matter and to which the papers were to be provided. That is where the matter rests. As and when matters evolve, if a further representation alleging contempt is made to me, I will consider it very promptly and come back to the House. I hope the House knows me well enough to know that I will do my duty. Sir Keir added: Whether he is in contempt of Parliament is a matter we will come to at a later date, but he is certainly treating Parliament with contempt. A string of Conservative MPs, including Ken Clarke, Jacob-Rees Mogg, and Christopher Chope, also said if the Government wanted to retract information from the documents then it must propose a new motion explicitly saying so. Robin Walker, the Brexit minister who was standing in for Mr Davis in the Commons, said the Government would consider the proposal and made clear the documents already provided to the Brexit committee in Westminster will be made available for all MPs in a special reading room. Prominent Tory Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg, a member of the Exiting the EU Select Committee, urged the Government to release all the information or seek a new vote in the House of Commons. 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 He said: To meet this motion it is not at the discretion of the Government to decide what to take out. It is now at the discretion of the select committee. I therefore urge the Government either to meet the terms of the motion in full or to seek to put down a new motion. Mr Clarke said: If the Government wished to resist the publication of the papers it had it should have voted against the motion, and if it wished to qualify or to edit the papers that it had it should have sought to amend the motion. We cannot allow post-Brexit to start reducing parliamentary sovereignty to a slightly ridiculous level. Would the minister at least consider the possibility of sharing at least with the chairman of the Brexit select committee the papers in the original form they were in when we had our vote before this editing process started? Brexit minister Robin Walker responded: The problem with the motion that was passed is it referred to sectoral impact analysis. We were clear from the start that the motion did not exist in the form that was requested, therefore what we have done is to pull together sectoral analysis for the select committee and its scrutiny and I think that will prove valuable. Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Number 10 is due to announce a new 70m recovery package for the the British Overseas Territories in the Caribbean which were badly hit by hurricanes in September. The money will be on top of UK guarantees of 300m worth of loans to the 11 permanently inhabited overseas territories as they try to rebuild after Hurricanes Irma and Maria caused widespread destruction. Five people were killed and around 1.5bn worth of damage was done to Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands and the Turks and Caicos during Hurricane Irma. The Governments initial response to the disaster was branded pathetic by former members of regional government who said they had felt abandoned by London. Dorothea Hodge, the former UK EU representative for Anguilla, said it was absolutely disgraceful that the then Development Secretary Priti Patel took a whole day to respond to the worst hurricane we have seen in a British territory since the 1920s. Ms Patel later deployed three UK humanitarian experts and a British navy vessel with 40 Royal Marines and army engineers to the region and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson later visited the stricken islands. But Ms Hodge said they could still do more. She told The Guardian: Anguillans are all British nationals, as British as the Falklands or Gibraltar. Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures Show all 45 1 /45 Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures Recently planted palm trees lie strewn across the road as Hurricane Irma passes by in Miami Beach, Fla. 10 September 2017. AP Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures Damage outside the Mercure hotel in Marigot, on the Bay of Nettle, on the island of Saint-Martin AFP/Getty Images Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures People pick up debris in Fajardo as Hurricane Irma howled past Puerto Rico after thrashing several smaller Caribbean islands Reuters/Alvin Baez Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures Large waves produced by Hurricane Irma crash into the end of Anglins Fishing Pier in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The category 4 hurricane made landfall in the United States in the Florida Keys at 9:10 a.m. after raking across the north coast of Cuba. 10 September 2017 Getty Images Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures A Royal Air Force Puma has been delivered to the US Virgin Islands to assist with the humanitarian efforts post Hurricane Irma. The Puma will be delivering Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief in support of the Department for International Development. Royal Air Force logisticians from RAF Brize Norton have assisted with the delivery of military personnel and aid cargo to the Caribbean to support disaster relief in the wake of Hurricane Irma. RAF aircraft including, C-17 A400M and Voyager are supporting a Joint Task Force of RAF, Royal Marines, Army and RN personnel who are supporting the Department for International Development as it delivers aid to stricken Caribbean Islands. MoD Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures Flamingos at Zoo Miami, are shown in a temporary enclosure in a hurricane resistant structure within the zoo, Saturday, 9 September 2017 in Miami. Though most animals will reman in their secure structures, the cheetahs and some birds will ride out the storm in temporary housing. AP Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures Boats are seen at a marina in South Beach as Hurricane Irma arrives at south Florida, in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. 10 September 2017 Reuters Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures Storm clouds are seen over Fisher Island as Hurricane Irma approaches on 9 September 2017 in Miami Beach, Florida. Florida is in the path of the Hurricane which may come ashore at category 4 Getty Images Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures Waves crash over a seawall at the mouth of the Miami River from Biscayne Bay, Fla., as Hurricane Irma passes by. 10 September 2017 AP Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures Some of the damage on Saint Martin EPA/Gerben Van Es/Dutch Department of Defence Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures The skyline is seen as the outerbands of Hurricane Irma start to reach Florida on 9 September 2017 in Miami, Florida. Florida is in the path of the Hurricane which may come ashore at category 4. Getty Images Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures A tree toped by hurricane Irma is seen on a empty street in Remedios, Cuba, 9 September 2017. Hurricane Irma reached Cuba bringing winds between 160 and 190 kilometers per hour. The hurricane has hit the north coast of the island. EPA Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures James Constantineau loads sands bags in his truck as he prepares for the approach of Hurricane Irma Saturday, 9 September 2017, in East Palatka, Fla. Gov. Rick Scott is urging anyone living in an evacuation zone in southwest Florida to leave by noon as the threat of Hurricane Irma has shifted west. AP Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures The Fort Louis Marina in Marigot is seen on 8 September 2017 in Saint-Martin island, devastated by Hurricane Irma. AFP Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures Destruction in Orient Bay on the island of Saint-Martin AFP/Getty Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures The wreckage in Orient Bay on the island of Saint-Martin AFP/Getty Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures View of the aftermath of Hurricane Irma on Saint Martin Reuters Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures A mobile network tower snapped in two by the hurricane on the island of Barbuda ABS TV Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures A house reduced to rubble on the island of Saint Barthelemy AFP/Getty Images Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures General view of damage on Saint Martin Reuters Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures A damaged Casino Royale on Saint Martin after the passage of Hurricane Irma Anna Mazur/AFP Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures An aerial photograph taken and released by the Dutch department of Defense shows the damage of Hurricane Irma in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, the Dutch section of the Caribbean Island Gerben Van Es/AFP Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures Flooded houses in Gustavia on the island of Saint-Barthelemy Kevin Barrallon/AFP Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures The damage on the island of Saint-Martin, a day after Hurricane Irma hit AFP/Getty Images Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures A man carrying an umbrella is battered by the wind in Fajardo, Puerto Rico Reuters/Alvin Baez Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures A lone police car on patrol during the passing of Hurricane Irma in Fajardo, Puerto Rico Jose Jimenez/Getty Images Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures Haitian people walk through the wind and rain on a beach in Cap-Haitien on September 7 as Hurricane Irma approaches Hector Retamal/AFP/Getty Images Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures A flooded street on the island of Saint Martin AFP/Getty Images Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures A tree collapsed on a house in Saint Martin Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures A hotel in Saint Martin is gutted by floodwater during the hurricane Guadeloupe 1ere Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures Cars submerged in Saint Martin Rinsy Xieng Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures Debris floats amongst the floodwater in Saint Martin @la1ere Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures Household items float down the street in Gustavia, Saint-Barthelemy Carole Greaux Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures The coast of Saint Martin is flooded as the hurricane hits the island Meteo Express Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures A whole street underwater in Saint Martin @la1ere Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures A car crashes into the tree amongst the chaos in Saint Martin @Bondtehond Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures A building on the Saint Martin seafront, destroyed by the hurricane @Bondtehond Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures A mobile home overturned at Princess Juliana International Airport in Saint Martin @Bondtehond Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures Palm trees bend in the wind in San Juan, Puerto Rico as Hurricane Irma slammed across islands in the northern Caribbean Reuters/Alvin Baez Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures A woman runs in the rain as Hurricane Irma slammed into San Juan, Puerto Rico Reuters/Alvin Baez Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures A picture taken on September 5, 2017 shows a view of the Baie Nettle beach in Marigot, with the wind blowing ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Irma AFP/Getty Images Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures A man rides past a boarded up house as part of preparations ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Irma on September 5, 2017, in the French overseas island of Guadeloupe Helene Valenzuela/AFP Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures Employees of the Mercure Hotel fill sand bags on the Baie Nettle beach in Marigot, as part of the preparations for the arrival of Hurricane Irma Lionel Chamoiseau/AFP Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures People in line at Costco, as they find out the store has ran out of water on September 5, 2017 in North Miami Michele Eve Sandberg/AFP Hurricane Irma devastation caused in pictures Night view of the city of Cap-Haitien, in the north of Haiti, 240 km from Port-au-Prince, on September 5, 2017 Hector Retamal/AFP In comparison to the French president who has set up an emergency fund, an emergency hotline and a reconstruction fund her response after the storm has passed is absolutely pathetic. But at the meeting in Downing Street on Tuesday, Ms May is expected to invite the territory leaders to speak about their experiences dealing with the impact of the hurricanes. Speaking ahead of the meeting, she said: I am pleased to welcome leaders of the Overseas Territories to Downing Street today, as they begin regular consultations with their counterparts in the UK Government. I see this as a mark of the strong and enduring partnership that exists between us. Recommended UK will not spend foreign aid on Hurricane Irma disaster relief This set of meetings is not only a chance to work together on our shared priorities, but also to hear directly from those territories who suffered from Hurricanes Irma and Maria. This new 70 million package of support demonstrates the UKs ongoing commitment to help its Overseas Territories as they get on with the difficult work of recovery. During the meeting Ms May will also brief the leaders on the progress of the Brexit negotiations. All of the overseas territories, except Gibraltar, are not part of the EU and therefore were not allowed to vote in the referendum but are likely to be greatly affected as they tend to specialise in providing financial services. Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Theresa May has arrived in the Middle East as part of her efforts to strengthen links with other trading partners as Brexit approaches. The Prime Minister will hold talks in Saudi Arabia and Jordan during a three-day tour, two countries she visited as recently as April. On the first visit, Ms May is expected to raise the humanitarian crisis in war-torn Yemen, where Saudi Arabia has been blamed for the suffering of the beleaguered population. A Saudi-led coalition was accused by the United Nations of bombing hospitals, schools and wedding parties, as it seeks to defeat Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. A humanitarian catastrophe was declared by the UN, with sanitation systems destroyed and at least 300,000 people infected with cholera. Ms May has rejected repeated calls to suspend British arms sales to Saudi Arabia, after more than 3.3bn worth of sales since the bombing of Yemen began in March 2015. It is understood that Mrs May will raise the threat of famine, stressing the importance of humanitarian and commercial access to the country, including through the ports of Hodeida and Salif. The Prime Minister will meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Wednesday. The pair are also expected to discuss Saudi Arabias diplomatic crisis with Qatar. A spokesman for the Prime Minister said: This visit demonstrates that, as the UK leaves the EU, we are determined to forge a bold, confident future for ourselves in the world. We must look at the challenges that we and future generations will face and build stronger partnerships with countries that will be vital to our security. Ms May will also set out Britains support for Saudi Arabias social reform programme, which includes increasing the number of women in work and access to culture. In September, the country moved to lift a ban on women driving, which Ms May welcomed it as an important step for gender equality in the key ally the UKs largest trading partner in the Middle East. On Thursday, Mrs May will hold talks with Jordans King Abdullah and Prime Minister Hani Al-Mulki on how Britain can support the countrys economy. She will see the impact UK support can have on creating jobs and opportunities in the region by meeting members of the Arab Womens Enterprise Fund. During her last visit she announced that military trainers would be sent to Jordan, which borders Syria, to help the nations air force eliminate Islamic State. So far, four major training exercises have taken place in Jordan, with more than 3,000 UK service personnel involved. Rounding off her tour Mrs May will deliver a speech on the subject of supporting Jordanian economic reform to parliamentarians, business leaders and the media. The spokesman added: It is clearly in the UKs security interests to support Jordan and Saudi Arabia in tackling regional challenges to create a more stable region, and in delivering their ambitious reform programmes to ensure their own stability. Jordans continued security, stability and economic sustainability are central to a peaceful future in the Middle East and are clearly in our mutual national interests. Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Theresa May faces fresh allegations of rigging Parliament over a near-unprecedented move to prevent MPs amending the Budget. Labour has accused the Prime Minister of running scared of an expected attempt to use the Finance Bill to force a vote on scrapping VAT on domestic fuel. With the Democratic Unionist Party likely to oppose the Government on such a vote, it left her facing a possible embarrassing defeat, the Opposition claimed. An amendment was expected because like the notorious 350m-a-week extra for the NHS zero-rating of fuel was a key plank of the Vote Leave campaign that secured Brexit. Another likely challenge was over the issue of period poverty, with ministers under pressure to agree to put in free sanitary products in schools. The controversy comes hard-on-the-heels of the row over the Conservatives seizing control of all Commons committees despite losing their majority at the general election. The Independent revealed that plan ahead of it being forced through in September, potentially helping ministers to ram through up to 1,000 corrections to EU law ahead of Brexit. Now Labour has accused the Government of a similar manoeuvre to prevent most amendments to the Finance Bill, which will enact last weeks Budget. Once again we have further evidence of the Governments unprecedented rigging of Parliament because they cannot rely on their backbenchers or the DUP, said Peter Dowd, the Shadow Treasury Chief Secretary. This comes in the wake of the Tories stitch up of standing committees and its undemocratic and arrogant decision to ignore opposition motions. And Paula Sherriff, the Labour MP who successfully amended the Budget over the so-called tampon tax, told The Independent: That ended up being welcomed on all sides of the House. And, this year, there are MPs across parties who want to press for action on period poverty and get a clear timetable for the tampon tax to come to an end with commitments to continue support for womens services. We cant let the Government shut down the debate. If they think this is over, they should think again. However, the Government dismissed the controversy, describing the change to procedures for amendments as a practical modernisation. Increasingly, MPs have seized on the Finance Bill as a mechanism to force the Government to change course on tax measures including over the tampon tax and over solar panels. In March last year, George Osborne was forced to announce the abolition of the 5 per cent VAT charged on womens sanitary products, after a cross-party revolt. Labour campaigners joined forces with Eurosceptic Tories keen to assert Britains power to set its own tax rates, forcing the then-Chancellor into the climbdown. A similar alliance also forced Mr Osborne to scrap a proposed VAT hike on solar panels, wind turbines, hydropower equipment and energy efficiency products, from 5 per cent to 20 per cent. But, crucially, both rebellions were only possible because the Government tabled an amendment to the law resolution allowing amendments outside the narrow scope of measures in the Budget itself. Following last Wednesdays Budget, that amendment was not put forward as normal, preventing revolts on wider issues not in the founding resolutions of the Budget. Labour said this had happened only five times since 1929 but each time had been immediately before, or after, a general election, when a Budget needed to be rushed through. In contrast, the current Finance Bill is the second of this Parliament, because one was passed immediately after the snap June election. This is a Government desperately clinging to power and hiding from scrutiny, Mr Dowd added. In February, pro-EU MPs attempted to embarrass Brexit campaigners with an amendment attempting to pave the way for the extra 350m-a-week for the NHS they had promised. However, Brexit-backing MPs refused to vote for the attempted change to the EU Withdrawal Bill. Last week, the Chancellor pledged 350m to the NHS but to last the entire winter, not every week. In the same way, an amendment was expected to the Budget Bill to highlight a second high-profile Vote Leave pledge, over VAT on fuel. During the referendum campaign, the group claimed that quitting the EU would save British households 1.7bn a year on heating and lighting, or 64 a year per household. The government would be free to scrap VAT on domestic fuel, Boris Johnson, Michael Gove and the Labour MP Gisela Stuart said meaning fuel bills will be lower for everyone. VAT on domestic fuel, introduced in 1993, is set at 5 per cent and cannot be reduced under EU rules, they argued. They also claimed the tax hits the poorest hardest, because they spend three times more of their income on household energy than rich households. But a Treasury spokesperson said: This is a practical modernisation of the resolutions. It will make no difference to what we expect will be a broad and wide-ranging debate on the Budget and state of the economy over the next few days. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Access Hollywood hosts have spoken out amid reports that US President Donald Trump now claims the 2005 tape where he boasted about sexually assaulting women was fake. We wanted to clear something up that has been reported across the media landscape, host Natalie Morales said on air on Monday. Let us make this perfectly clear - the tape is very real... Remember his excuse at the time was 'locker-room talk.' He said every one of those words." Arianne Zucker, one of the women filmed in the tape, has also reiterated she doesn't see how the tape could be fake. While she said she wasn't present on the bus, she told CNN's Anderson Cooper: "I do know that I was there working and doing my job... I don't know how else that could be fake, unless someone's planting words in your mouth." Ms Zucker, who said she has managed to move on with her life, continued: "I was curious, how do you apologise for something and then renege on it." "Having it come full circle I feel like haven't we learned our lesson? Haven't we moved on? Let's just take full responsibility." 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 On Monday, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders dodged questions about whether Mr Trump believes the tape is fake. The president addressed this, this was litigated and certainly answered during the election by the overwhelming support for the president and the fact he's sitting here in the Oval Office today, she said. Reports that the US president has changed his mind about whether the tape is real originally came from the New York Times. On Saturday, the paper wrote: "(Trump) sees the calls for (US politician Roy) Moore to step aside as a version of the response to the now-famous 'Access Hollywood' tape, in which he boasted about grabbing women's genitalia, and the flood of groping accusations against him that followed soon after. "He suggested to a senator earlier this year that it was not authentic, and repeated that claim to an adviser more recently." The tape surfaced shortly before last year's presidential election. It was originally published by the Washington Post. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A former White House ethics chief has warned Donald Trump accountability is coming after the US President used a racial slur during an event to honour Native Americans. Norm Eisen, who served as Barack Obamas Special Counsel for Ethics and Government Reform, shared a video of the moment Mr Trump branded Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren Pocahontas. Taking to Twitter, Mr Eisen said: The American people will not tolerate a President that insults those who risked their lives for all of us, nor a political party that enables it. We are better than that. Accountability is coming faster than Trump thinks. What a swine! There is something particularly repulsive about doing it in the Oval [Office] before aged war heroes who have done nothing to offend. Mr Eisen, who is now chair of watchdog Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, added the President risked seeing a tsunami-like wave towards Democrats in the 2018 midterm elections over the cumulative effect of stuff like this. Mr Trump's comments were made while talking to two Navajo code talkers military veterans who used their indigenous language as a code to pass messages during the Second World War who he said had been in America long before any of us were here. 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 Although we have a representative in Congress who they say was here a long time ago, he added. They call her Pocahontas. Putting a hand on the shoulder of one of the two veterans, he said: But you know what, I like you because you are special. Mr Trump started referring to Ms Warren as Pocahontas during the 2016 presidential election campaign over the Senators claims she has Native American heritage. Ms Warren responded by accusing the President of racism. This was supposed to be an event to honour heroes, people who put it all on the line for our country, she told MSNBC. It is deeply unfortunate that the president of the United States cant even make it through a ceremony honouring these heroes without throwing out a racial slur. Critics pointed out Mr Trumps outburst was even more egregious as it was made in front of a portrait of Andrew Jackson, the seventh US president who forced hundreds of thousands of indigenous Americans from their land in the 1830s. Tara Houska, a Native American activist, told The Independent Mr Trump's words were "appalling and disgusting". Pocahontas was a real person - her name was Matoaka, she said. Its incredibly disgusting he would make a comment that reduces an entire demographic of Native American women to the name Pocahontas, in front of native men he was supposed to be honouring. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee insisted Mr Trumps comments were not racist. I think what most people find offensive is Senator Warren lying about her heritage to advance her career, she added. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Harvey Weinstein has been accused of violating sex trafficking laws in a new lawsuit. British actor Kadian Noble, 31, has launched a suit in the US alleging that the producer assaulted her at the Cannes film festival in 2004, after grooming her in London, under claims he was looking to cast her in a film. The lawsuit alleges that she was first asked to show him her showreel, during which he began to massage her and told her that if she was "a good girl" and did "whatever he wished" then "they would work" together, before forcing her into a bathroom and sexually assaulting her. "Kadian has suffered severe injuries and emotional distress, pain and suffering, mental anguish, inconvenience, loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life, inability to lead a normal life, shame and humiliation," lawyer Stuart Mermelstein writes. Noble is demanding a jury trial under a federal sex trafficking statute and the suit also names Weinstein's younger brother Bob Weinstein, alongside their studio The Weinstein Company, citing "reckless disregard". A spokeswoman for Weinstein said: "Mr Weinstein denies allegations of non-consensual sex. Mr Weinstein has further confirmed that there were never any acts of retaliation against any women for refusing his advances." Weinstein also faces a lawsuit in the High Court in London from a woman who alleges he sexually assaulted her. He is also facing criminal investigations in London, New York, and Los Angeles after many women, including high-profile stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie, and Rose McGowan came forward with allegations. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A man was given the longest prison sentence in history for child sex trafficking when a court jailed him for almost 500 years. Brock Franklin, 31, ran a human trafficking ring that reportedly recruited its victims, several women and girls, on Facebook. The gang then drugged them and threatened them with violence before they were sold online to clients for sex that took place in hotels, Colorado state court heard. It gave Franklin 472 years in jail after he was found guilty of some 30 crimes, including human trafficking of a minor, human trafficking of an adult and soliciting of child prostitution, according to local reports. One victim said Franklin deserves every single minute of his term, while prosecutors said the sentence gave out a "strong message" that could help deter future violent crimes. A 400-year sentence sends a strong message across the country that were not going to tolerate this kind of violence, Janet Drake, a spokeswoman with the Colorado Attorney Generals Office, told FOX 31 news channel after the sentencing. A court official contacted by email could not immediately respond to a request for further details about the case. The sentence was reportedly the longest given in US history for a case of human trafficking. I cant begin to even explain what he did to my life, one of the victims told local media. He deserves every single minute in those walls, she said. Another victim, Brehannah Leary, said: "Every day the beatings, the name callings, the shavings of ones head. ... Four hundred, 500 years, it's a very long time. 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 "Hes never getting out of prison. Its closure, but still doesnt give me what I wanted, she added, according to a KKTV report. The sex trafficking ring counted seven members, four of whom have already been sentenced, it was reported. Anti-slavery group Polaris said it had received reports of more than 22,000 sex-trafficking cases in the United States over the last decade. Globally, more than 40 million people are victims of human trafficking, according to the International Labour Organization. An estimated 4 million of them are forced into sexual exploitation. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A nurse in Indiana has lost her job after she was reportedly found to have written several troubling posts on social media, one of which claimed sons of white women should be sacrificed to the wolves. The nurse, who worked for Indiana University Health in Indianapolis, tweeted under the name Night Nurse. Local reports have linked the account to a woman named Taiyesha Baker. One tweet written by the nurse read: Every white woman raises a detriment to society when they raise a son. Someone with the HIGHEST propensity to be a terrorist, rapist, racist, killer, and domestic violence all star. Historically every son you had should be sacrificed to the wolves B****. Recommended Firefighter suspended for racist Facebook comments IU Health issued a statement to 13WHTR on Saturday, which said: IU Health is aware of several troubling posts on social media which appear to be from a recently hired IU Health employee. Our HR department continues to investigate the situation and the authenticity of the posts. On Monday IU Health announced that the woman is no longer an employee of IU Health. Racist and controversial comments made online that have caused workers to be suspended or fired have made headlines this year. In September a volunteer firefighter in Ohio was suspended after allegedly writing on Facebook that he would rather save a dog than an African American, because one dog is more important than a million n******. He was suspended without pay pending a disciplinary hearing. After the Charlottesville riots a Twitter account called Yes, Youre Racist began identifying white nationalists who had been photographed marching though the town. Cole White, who was identified as one of the white nationalists, lost his job at the Top Dog restaurant chain in Berkeley, California, following the Charlottesville violence, the New York Post reported. The actions of those in Charlottesville are not supported by Top Dog. We believe in individual freedom, and voluntary association for everyone, the restaurant said in a statement. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Tufts University has postponed an event with former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci after he threatened a lawsuit over an opinion piece published in the student newspaper. The former Wall Street executive and Tufts alumnus was scheduled to speak at the university's Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, but a university spokesman told The Boston Globe the event would be delayed until "legal matters" are resolved. In a 21 November letter, Mr Scaramucci's lawyer said he would take legal action unless the newspaper retracted "false and defamatory allegations of fact" in an opinion piece calling for his removal from an advisory board at the school. Mr Scaramucci said that he had asked for an apology and a correction. Graduate student Camilo Caballero wrote two opinion pieces for the Tufts Daily school newspaper. In one, he wrote about Mr Scaramucci as a man "who is irresponsible, inconsistent, an unethical opportunist and who exuded the highest degree of disreputability should not be on the Fletcher Board." The piece also criticized a poll posted by The Scaramucci Post, the former Trump advisors media company, which asked users how many Jews were killed in the Holocaust, as "giving comfort to Holocaust deniers." Mr Scaramucci has said the poll was posted without his permission. He noted that a Jewish friend conceived of the idea to highlight the public's ignorance of the Second World War event. Scaramucci to Colbert: 'If it were up to me, Bannon would be gone' Speaking about the apparent threat of legal action, Mr Caballero said Mr Scaramucci is trying to prevent him from using his First Amendment rights. "He is someone that uses his money to gain power and his wealth to buy himself into things that will get him attention...And he uses this power as a scare tactic." Mr Caballero 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 Scaramucci said he had been looking forward to responding to the faculty and student concerns as well as a petition calling for his expulsion from the board. "I'm shocked that a university that I love and have been a part of for 35 years is silencing that debate because of my request for an apology," he said. Mr Scaramucci left the White House just 10 days after a press conference introducing him, during which he said he loves President Donald Trump several times. He had no direct communications experience prior to his appointment. The move came after the departure of former Press Secretary and Communications Director Sean Spicer. Mr Scaramucci was once a supporter of his law school classmate Barack Obama and has in the past donated to several prominent New York Democrats. Agencies contributed to this report. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Top Democrats in Congress have abruptly pulled out of their meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House after he attacked them on Twitter. Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Trump suggested he doesn't see the White House being able to reach a deal with Democrats to avoid a government shutdown. "Meeting with 'Chuck and Nancy' today about keeping government open and working," Mr Trump said in a tweet. "Problem is they want illegal immigrants flooding into our Country unchecked, are weak on Crime and want to substantially RAISE Taxes. I dont see a deal!" Recommended Trump confirms he is working on Democrat DACA deal Senator Chuck Schumer and Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, the top Democrats in the Senate and House of Representatives respectively, were scheduled to head to the White House today along with House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. But rather than participate in a "show meeting" with Mr Trump, Mr Schumer and Ms Pelosi said in a joint statement, they would prefer to meet with Republican congressional leaders alone. "Given that the President doesn't see a deal between Democrats and the White House, we believe the best path forward is to continue negotiating with our Republican counterparts in Congress instead," Mr Schumer and Ms Pelosi said in a joint statement. "Rather than going to the White House for a show meeting that won't result in an agreement, we've asked Leader McConnell and Speaker Ryan to meet this afternoon." They continued: "We don't have any time to waste in addressing the issues that confront us, so we're going to negotiate with Republican leaders who may be interested in reaching a bipartisan agreement." Mr Schumer's and Ms Pelosi's announcement has increased the already high tensions between Mr Trump and top Democrats. But a few months prior, the President seemed on the verge of having a productive relationship with members of his rival political party. The last time he sat down with the top leaders, Mr Trump abruptly sided with Democrats on a plan to provide hurricane disaster relief, increase the debt limit and fund the government until 15 December a move that went against the wishes of many Republicans. But it seems that Democrats may have a harder time getting what they want this time around. Congressional leaders have yet to make a deal on funding levels, or an agreement on pricklier issues such as a legislative fix for DACA - the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals programme - to protect young, undocumented migrants who had been brought to the US as children. 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 Earlier this year, Mr Trump announced he was rescinding the Obama-era policy that has allowed nearly 800,000 so-called Dreamers to work and go to school without fear of deportation. There was confusion in September over whether the President had made a deal with Democrats to permanently protect Dreamers and work out a package of border security, excluding Mr Trump's oft-promised border wall. Ms Pelosi and Mr Schumer said both sides agreed that the wall would not be part of this agreement - but that the President made clear he intends to pursue it at a later time. Mr Trump has maintained that building a wall along the US's southern border with Mexico will prevent illegal immigration, despite scepticism from experts and even members of his own party. The WALL, which is already under construction in the form of new renovation of old and existing fences and walls, will continue to be built, Mr Trump said in a September tweet. In August, Mr Trump threatened to shutdown the government if Democrats did not give in to his demands to fund the wall, which he originally said Mexico would pay for. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A Turkish businessman whose name has been mentioned in relation to Robert Muellers investigation into Russias meddling in last years presidential election pleaded guilty on Tuesday to conspiring to evade US sanctions on Iran, and plans on testifying against his co-defendant. The guilty plea by Reza Zarrab could have implications for former national security adviser Michael Flynn if his cooperation with federal authorities also involves Mr Muellers investigation. Mr Mueller is said to be scrutinising Mr Flynn's lobbying work in Turkey, while Mr Zarrabs release was allegedly one of two issues that Turkish officials brought up with Mr Flynn during a meeting last December, when Donald Trumps team was working on his transition to the White House. During that meeting, Turkish officials reportedly offered $15m for the release of Mr Zarrab who has been held in US custody since March 2016 alongside the extradition of exiled Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen. Mr Gulen is reportedly living in Pennsylvania. The Turkish government has denied that officials from the country discussed any offers of money for the extradition or release of the men, and said that it has not worked toward their goals in any extra-judicial manner. Mr Flynn's lawyers have also denied the allegations. "Out of respect for the process of the various investigations regarding the 2016 campaign, we have intentionally avoided responding to every rumour or allegation," Mr Flynn's lawyers, led by Robert Kelner, said in a statement. "But today's news cycle has brought allegations against General Flynn, ranging from kidnapping to bribery, that are so outrageous and prejudicial that we are making an exception to our usual rule: they are false." Speculation has been fuelled about potential cooperation between Mr Zarrab and Mr Muellers investigation because it appears unlikely that Mr Mueller's probe would worry about securing Mr Zarrabs help over the trial of alleged co-conspirator Mehmet Atilla, who is comparatively lower profile. Mr Zarrab and Mr Gulens release has been brought up repeatedly by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with US officials from both the administrations of President Barack Obama and Donald Trump. Mr Zarrab will describe a multibillion-dollar international money laundering scheme from the inside, Assistant US Attorney David Denton said during his opening statement in the New York federal court trial of Mr Atilla, the deputy general manager of Turkey's Halkbank . Mr Atilla's lawyer, Victor Rocco, told jurors in his opening statement that Mr Zarrab was prepared to lie in order to avoid jail time and and lacked credibility. 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 US prosecutors have charged nine people in the criminal case, though only Mr Zarrab and Mr Atilla are known to be in US custody. The other defendants include the former head of Halkbank, Suleyman Aslan, and the former economy minister of Turkey, Zafer Caglayan. Mr Erdogan's government has said the case has been fabricated for political motives, adding to tensions between Ankara and Washington, both Nato allies. Mr Flynn was forced to resign from his White House post weeks after Mr Trumps inauguration, after it was determined that he misled Vice President Mike Pence about conversations he had with Russian sources. The former national security adviser has reportedly met with Mr Muellers team since then, and his legal team has distanced itself from Mr Trumps by reportedly indicating that they could no longer engage in privileged discussions about defence strategy. That distancing has been interpreted as meaning Mr Flynns legal team may be discussing a possible plea deal. An email to Mr Flynns lawyer seeking comment on Mr Zarrabs plea and other particulars was not immediately returned. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} US President Donald Trump has said "we will take care of" an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that North Korea fired off the coast of Japan. The President was briefed about the launch while the missile was in the air. "It is a situation that we will handle," Mr Trump told reporters. Mr Trump was in a meeting with Senate Republicans on Capitol Hill to discuss the upcoming tax reform bill. This is the first test the hermit kingdom has conducted in two months, its 20th overall, and its seventh actual launch of a weapon. On 15 September North Korean leader Kim Jong-un launched an intermediate ballistic missile over the coast of Hokkaido island in northern Japan which landed in the Pacific Ocean. South Korea's military says the missile was fired from an area north of Pyongyang early on Wednesday morning local time. The Pentagon tracked the trajectory of the weapon and spokesman Colonel Rob Manning said the missile was launched from Sain Ni, North Korea, and travelled about 620 miles (1,000 km) before landing in the Sea of Japan. It also reportedly went approximately 2,800 miles (4,000 km) up into the atmosphere, according to South Korean and Japanese authorities. US Defence Secretary James Mattis said the latest missile did fly higher than previous ones. China shuts main route into North Korea as nuclear tensions dominate region He warned that North Korea continues to strengthen its nuclear weapons programme with weapons that "threaten everywhere in the world." Japan's chief Cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga has said the missile may have landed in his country's exclusive economic zone, or the area of the sea which Japan has control over. No damage has been reported as yet. The country's United Nations Ambassador Koro Bessho said it has sent a message to North Korea "that we criticize their behaviour in the strongest terms possible." South Korea's presidential office said it was holding a National Security Council meeting early Wednesday morning local time to discuss possible action. Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff said it had conducted a "precision strike" drill but did not offer any more detail. The US State Department has officially condemned the missile launch and urged countries to continue strict economic sanctions against Pyongyang. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson announced the US and Canada will convene a meeting of UN member countries to discuss next steps. The launch comes just one week after the US declared North Korea a state sponsor of terrorism. The move was mostly related to economic sanctions but also meant as a message to North Korea and its supporters. Mr Tillerson called the designation as "very symbolic...practical effects may be limited but hopefully clos[es] off loopholes" in existing sanctions for "dual use" product exports that can be used by civilian and military end-users within North Korea. Those products require separate licenses to sell under US export regulations. Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb Show all 6 1 /6 Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb Photos released by North Korea show Kim Jong-un talking to subordinates next to a device thought to be the new thermonuclear weapon. There is no way of independently verifying the pictures STR/AFP/Getty Images Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb North Korea claims it has successfully tested an advanced hydrogen bomb which could be loaded onto an intercontinental ballistic missile AFP/Getty Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb A diagram on the wall behind Mr Kim shows a bomb mounted inside a cone STR/AFP/Getty Images Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un (C) attending a photo session with participants of the fourth conference of active secretaries of primary organisations of the youth league of the Korean People's Army (KPA) in Pyongyang STR/AFP/Getty Images Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb A new stamp issued in commemoration of the successful second test launch of the "Hwasong-14" intercontinental ballistic missile KCNA via Reuters Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb A new stamp issued in commemoration of the successful second test launch of the "Hwasong-14" intercontinental ballistic missile KCNA via Reuters North Korea was last on the state-sponsored terror list in 2008, under the George W Bush administration. It was removed that year in a bid to salvage a deal halting its nuclear development. Mr Tillerson said that attempt at negotiations "obviously failed." He noted that North Korea's fuel supply "is already quite constrained" as shown by "anecdotal evidence" and US intelligence sources which show cars lined up at petrol stations or certain stations closing that would normally have fuel. The issue there is that the country only has one refinery that operates internally so they are heavily reliant on finished fuel imports. The latest missile launch also adds to mounting tensions between Mr Trump and Mr Kim. The pair have publicly traded insults throughout the year. The US President gave Mr Kim the nickname "Rocket Man" and referred to him as such during the president's speech in front of the United Nations General Assembly. Mr Kims state news agency then issued a statement in which they referred to Mr Trump as a dotard." Mr Trump had recently tweeted that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was "wasting his time" trying to negotiate with Mr Kim through State Department diplomatic backchannels. He tweeted that "only one thing will work" to deter North Korea's development of its nuclear arsenal, in yet another indication the president thinks military action is the only option left. In September, a US intelligence official said they had no reason to doubt Mr Kim and his military had developed a hydrogen bomb and in July, officials said they believed North Korea had been able to make a nuclear warhead capable of fitting on an intercontinental ballistic missile claiming missiles will have the range to reach the US. South Korea and Japan have been preparing for a possible nuclear attack by running drills for residents, including the approximately 67,000 Americans stationed on military bases in both countries. Hawaii is also preparing an air siren warning system and informing the public to shelter in place and have food and medical supplies on hand at all times. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Former US President Barack Obama is planning on meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an upcoming visit to the two countries where he is scheduled to speak at various summits. Mr Obama is scheduled to first make a stop in China, and then India, before flying to Paris, a spokesperson for the former president told The Hill. The overseas trip was first reported by the Times of India last week, which noted that Mr Obama will be attending an Obama Foundation event in December. The forty-fourth presidents trip to India will come on the heels of first daughter Ivanka Trumps visit to the same country. President Donald Trump recently finished a five-nation tour of Asia, when he met both Mr Xi and Mr Modi. Ms Trump, who is also a White House adviser, recently met with Mr Modi during during her trip at the eight Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Hyderabad. It was an honour to meet with you Prime Minister Modi. Thank you for co-hosting the 8th annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit! Ms Trump wrote on Twitter after the summit, where she had spoken about women entrepreneurs. Since leaving the White House earlier this year, Mr Obama has broken from recent tradition for outgoing presidents to wade into political debates facing the nation. Protest in Manila against Donald Trump's visit to the Philippines Show all 14 1 /14 Protest in Manila against Donald Trump's visit to the Philippines Protest in Manila against Donald Trump's visit to the Philippines Riot police block protesters during a rally near the US embassy AFP/Getty Images Protest in Manila against Donald Trump's visit to the Philippines Protesters shout slogans while displaying portraits of U.S. President Donald Trump and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte AP Protest in Manila against Donald Trump's visit to the Philippines Activists clash with riot police EPA Protest in Manila against Donald Trump's visit to the Philippines Protesters burn a banner of Donald Trump AFP/Getty Images Protest in Manila against Donald Trump's visit to the Philippines Protesters against Donald Trump's visit AP Protest in Manila against Donald Trump's visit to the Philippines Protesters deface portraits of Donald Trump and Rodrigo Duterte AP Protest in Manila against Donald Trump's visit to the Philippines Protesters clash with anti-riot police officers as they try to march towards the U.S. embassy REUTERS Protest in Manila against Donald Trump's visit to the Philippines A mural bearing the image of Donald Trump and Rodrigo Duterte is burnt REUTERS Protest in Manila against Donald Trump's visit to the Philippines Activists march on a road leading to the US embassy during a protest in Manila EPA Protest in Manila against Donald Trump's visit to the Philippines Protesters scuffle with riot police AFP/Getty Images Protest in Manila against Donald Trump's visit to the Philippines Protesters shout anti-US slogans as they burn a banner featuring the image of US President Donald Trump AFP/Getty Images Protest in Manila against Donald Trump's visit to the Philippines Activists clash with riot police EPA Protest in Manila against Donald Trump's visit to the Philippines Protesters display placards as they shout anti-US slogans AFP/Getty Images Protest in Manila against Donald Trump's visit to the Philippines Anti-riot police officers block protesters REUTERS That has included making a public statement about immigration after Mr Trump announced that he would suspend the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Mr Obamas administration developed that programme, which gave temporary deportation relief for young undocumented immigrants who came to the United States when they were young. Mr Obama has also blasted Republicans since leaving office after they unveiled proposals to repeal his signature healthcare law, the Affordable Care Act, and has critiqued Mr Trump for pulling the United States out of the Paris Climate Change Accord. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A battle is underway at the US consumer financial watchdog as rival directors vie to take control of the agency with President Donald Trumps handpicked choice showing up to the office and telling employees that he is now in charge. Mick Mulvaney, who once called the American Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) a joke, arrived at the Washington premises with a bag of doughnuts, and told employees to disregard orders from the other individual claiming the title of acting-director, Leandra English. Ms English was named as temporary head of the agency by her former boss Richard Cordray, in a final move before he stepped down last week. After Mr Trump subsequently named Mr Mulvaney to the post, she then filed a lawsuit claiming she is the rightful acting director. Judge Timothy Kelly, a Trump appointee approved recently by the Senate, heard arguments on the case but did not immediately rule. The government planned to file its response in the case on Monday night, and the judge said he'll read the filing and go from there. Both sides have been pointing to fine print in federal statutes, claiming that they have the authority to oversee one of the most powerful banking industry regulators. Ms Englishs lawsuit, which was officially filed on Sunday, asked for a temporary restraining order so that Mr Mulvaney could not be named acting director. Mr Trump has a right to name a permanent chief of the CFPB, officials agree. However, there are duelling claims about who gets to lead the agency in the meantime. The fight to control the 1,600-employee agency lays bare deep divisions between Republicans and Democrats over how to regulate Wall Street and protect consumers, with Republicans adamant that the CFPB has too much power and burdens banks with red tape. 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 Both Ms English and Mr Mulvaney even sent out conflicting email messages Monday morning, claiming the title of acting director. I hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving. With Thanksgiving in mind, I wanted to take a moment to share my gratitude to all of you for your service, Ms Englishs note, which was signed Acting Director read. Mr Mulvaney followed up shortly thereafter with his own message to the agencys staff. It has come to my attention that Ms English has reached out to many of you this morning via email in an attempt to exercise certain duties of the Acting Director, Mr Mulvaneys note read. This is unfortunate but, in the atmosphere of the day, probably not unexpected. Please disregard any instructions you receive from Ms English in her presumed capacity as acting director, he continued. I apologise for this being the very first thing you hear from me. However, under the circumstances I suppose it is necessary. If youre at 1700 G Street today, please stop by the fourth floor to say hello and grab a doughnut. Mr Mulvaney, a former congressman, has been a vocal critic of the agency he is now looking to run. Its a joke In a sick, sad way, he said during an interview earlier this year with the Credit Union Times. However, at the end his first the day inside the CFPB, Mr Mulvaney came out to face the cameras and tried to play down talk of his previous statements over the CFPB. This agency will stay open. Rumours that Im going to set the place on fire, or blow it up or lock the doors are completely false, he said. I am a member of the executive branch of government. We intend to execute the laws of the United States. He said there will be a 30-day freeze on hiring and new rulemaking, as well as a freeze on payment from the civil penalties fund for at least 30 days. He said if there were statutory or legal guidelines, they would be met. Mr Mulvaney said the day went smoothly, though he said the power struggle may be awkward for people who know Ms English. Responding to news reports about the conflicting leadership, he said, There was one person today who showed up at work claiming to be director. She wasnt here. He added: In the ordinary world, if you dont call, you dont show, you dont have a job the next day, but Im not sure how it works here. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said at the daily press briefing that Mr Mulvaney has taken charge of the bureau and has the full cooperation of the staff. Members of Congress reacted with outrage at the chaos they saw unfolding in the CFPB, which was set up as a part of Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. That law authorised the agency to protect consumers in the financial sector, and allowed it to oversee banks, credit unions, securities firms, payday lenders, mortgage-servicing operations, foreclosure relief services, debt collectors, and other financial companies in the United States. Americans deserve a full-time @CFPB director with a proven track record of fighting for them. Period, Senator Chuck Schumer, the top Democrat in the Senate, tweeted of the chaos. As for the former director, Mr Cordray, he said the matter should be settled by the courts. The law says that I shall appoint the deputy director, and I did so, he said. My understanding of the law is that the deputy director becomes the acting director upon my departure. If there are disagreements about those issues, then they should be settled in the courts. But Ms Englishs push to be recognised as the acting director took a blow after a memo was released from Mary McLeod, the CFPBs general counsel, saying she agreed with the White House that Mr Mulvaney should be recognised as acting director. The Office of Legal Counsel, which acts as a legal adviser to the President, also argued that Mr Mulvaney, not Ms English, was the legitimate director of the department. One solution to the issue of who runs the CFPB is for Mr Trump to nominate his own permanent director. But it may take several weeks for someone to be nominated and longer until the Senate confirms his or her appointment. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Ballerinas leaping to the strains of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker helped launch Christmas at the White House - with Melania Trump choosing the theme is Time-Honoured Traditions, a nod to 200 years of holiday celebrations at the mansion. The decorations are up! Ms Trump tweeted about the Trump family's first Christmas in office. @WhiteHouse is ready to celebrate! Wishing you a Merry Christmas & joyous holiday season! Among the new touches this year: On the outside, wreaths topped with red bows adorn every White House window. Inside, glistening wintry branches line both sides of an East Wing hallway that leads guests to a tree decorated with the Trump family's official Christmas ornament, a gold-toned bauble featuring the presidential coat of arms surrounded by a wreath of holly. The first lady's office previewed the decorations before welcoming students from a nearby military base in Maryland to see the decorations and try some Christmas-themed arts and crafts, such as building gumdrop trees and decorating garland. Are you the first lady? asked one incredulous boy who then moved in for a hug. Classmates quickly followed for hugs of their own. Wearing a winter white dress with cape-like sleeves and gold-toned heels, Mrs. Trump descended a staircase from the residence to the Grand Foyer and spent a few minutes taking in the ballerinas before she joined a group of children making paper wreaths and other decorations in the State Dining Room. The dancers echoed the first themed Christmas at the White House, Jacqueline Kennedy's Nutcracker Suite in 1961. First Lady Melania Trump walks through Christmas decorations in the East Wing (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images) The family Christmas card is framed and on display, along with cards from past presidents. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, says the card signed by President Donald Trump, the first lady and Barron, their 11-year-old son. That's a change from the Obama years, when the annual cards offered more generic sentiments of Season's Greetings or wishes for happy holidays. Mr Trump has vowed to put Christmas back at the centre of the holidays. During the presidential campaign, he complained that saying Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas amounted to chipping away at Christianity. Among the Christmas standards is an 18-by-6-foot (5.5-by-1.8-meter) Balsam fir from Wisconsin in the traditional spot in the Blue Room, decorated with ornaments bearing the seals of every state and US territory. A separate tree near the East Wing entrance is dedicated to families that lost loved ones in the military. 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 350-pound (160-kilogram) gingerbread house in the State Dining Room offers a view of the White House from the South Lawn, with wreaths on every window and a U.S. flag flying from its sugary rooftop. Jennifer Pickens, an expert on White House East Wing traditions, predicted that Ms Trump's window wreaths will become another tradition that no future first lady will want to end. Mrs. Trump's impeccable style is seen in the beautifully understated decorations and give a great nod to the First Families that came before them, Ms Pickens said. First Lady Melania Trump in the Grand Foyer of the White house as she tours the decorations (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images) More than 150 volunteers from 29 states spent 1,600 hours over the holiday weekend decking the White House halls. The White House said Mrs. Trump chose every detail of the decor and did a final check late Sunday after returning from the family's Thanksgiving at their estate in Palm Beach, Florida. The holiday celebrations get underway Monday with a party for the volunteer decorators and will continue into December with receptions and parties sometimes two a day for the next several weeks, including a party Friday for the news media. Trump regularly dismisses the media as fake news, including in a tweet Monday. More than 25,000 visitors are expected to tour the White House for the holidays and the kitchen is ready: 31,000 cookies have been baked, including 15,000 sugar cookies, many of which end up in purses for the trip home. The decor includes 71 wreaths, 53 Christmas trees, more than 18,000 lights, more than 12,000 ornaments, more than 3,100 yards (about 2,800 meters) of ribbon and more than 1,000 feet (300 meters) of garland, the White House said. During President Barack Obama's final Christmas in office, larger-than-life replicas of family dogs Bo and Sunny greeted visitors in the East Wing. Fifty-six Lego gingerbread houses, one for each state and U.S. territory, were nestled in the branches of the trees that decorated the State Dining Room. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} US Vice President Mike Pence has said President Donald Trump is "actively considering" moving the US Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to the more controversial location of Jerusalem. The idea to move the embassy had been in discussion back in June, but was postponed when Mr Trump signed a waiver to keep it in Tel Aviv. Mr Pence said the only questions now are "when and how" to move the embassy despite the ongoing issues of Palestinian and Israeli control of the holy city of Jerusalem. He made the comments in a speech at the Israeli Mission to the United Nations in New York to mark the 70th anniversary of the UN vote calling for the establishment of a Jewish state. The likely reason Mr Pence has commented on the issue now is that the waiver Mr Trump signed in June is coming up against a deadline next month to either extend the waiver - as predecessors have done in order to avoid adding more fuel to the fiery tensions in the region - or go through with the move. The 1995 Jerusalem Embassy Act, signed by Congress, requires the move but the waiver option has been exercised ever since. Trump says he will fight for peace deal between Israel and Palestine When the act was signed, then-Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin did not have a full-throated support for the move. Former US Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro, who served in Senator Dianne Feinstein's office at the time, commented on Twitter that Mr Rabin "didn't want it forced when it could disrupt the overriding strategic goal of completing successful negotiations [with] the Palestinians." At the time of the waiver signing, the White House had said in a statement that the President "made this decision to maximize the chances of successfully negotiating a deal between Israel and the Palestinians, fulfilling his solemn obligation to defend America's national security interests." Mr Trump named his son-in-law and White House advisor Jared Kushner as one of the main brokers of a peace deal between Israel and Palestine. 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 He came under fire for the decision primarily because Mr Kushner lacks any diplomatic experience but is also close family friends with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Mr Kushner's parents have also contributed to Israeli settlements that Palestinians have said encroach on their land. Though Mr Netanyahu was "disappointed" with Mr Trump's waiver despite months of rhetoric on the move, the Head of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation's General Delegation to the US, Husam Zomlot, said signing the waiver "gives peace a chance." Leading Israeli columnist Nahum Barnea had argued to NPR in June that despite the controversy surrounding the move in the US, it was never a point of contention in Israel. "For many Jews in America, it is a kind of symbol. Here, it was never the top of the agenda. It was never prioritised," Mr Barnea said. US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley has been a strong supporter of Israel in her capacity, even threatening to leave the Human Rights Council because the Geneva-based UN body has a "chronic anti-Israel bias" because resolutions against Israel for its perceived treatment of Palestinians appear on the group's calendar frequently. In his remarks at the New York event, Mr Pence said: "the days of Israel-bashing at the United Nations are over because her cause is our cause, her values are our values and her fight is our fight." Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} US President Donald Trump not only used the slur "Pocahontas" at a ceremony honouring Navajo war heroes but did so in front of a portrait of former President Andrew Jackson, who was responsible for the deaths of thousands of Native Americans on the "Trail of Tears". Mr Trump was speaking during a ceremony honouring the Navajo code talkers, Second World War American soldiers who passed sensitive messages in their mother tongue to evade spies and interceptions. Mr Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act into law in 1830, which led to the forced evacuation of more than 120,000 Native Americans from Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina, and Florida to various points west of the Mississippi River. It ultimately resulted in the death of at least 4,000 people from the Cherokee tribe, but the Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole tribes were also devastated on what became known as the Trail of Tears. Most died from the cold, lack of food, or disease on their way to the newly-designated Indian territory. The purpose of the act was to clear the way for cotton growers in those southern states. Opponents of the bill included Abraham Lincoln, who would go on to become president some 30 years later and fight a bloody Civil War with the South over the issues of secession and slavery. One of the last remaining Navajo Code Talkers passed away at 95 years old Mr Trump has a portrait of Mr Jackson - who is also pictured on the $20 bill - hanging in the Oval Office, near his desk. During the short speech, Mr Trump acknowledged that the Navajo tribe long before any of us were here. But quickly said: although we have a representative in Congress who they say was here a long time ago. They call her Pocahontas, using the racial slur to refer to Senator Elizabeth Warren. 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 He then turned to one of the veterans and put his hand on the mans shoulder saying: "But you know what, I like you. You are special people." Since the 2016 campaign during which Ms Warren was a fierce supporter of Hillary Clinton, Mr Trump has repeatedly criticized Ms Warren for saying she has Native American blood; that he doubts her claims about her heritage. As recently as 3 November, Mr Trump tweeted that Pocahontas just stated that the Democrats...rigged the Primaries! Everyone at the ceremony, including the war heroes, remained silent after Mr Trumps so-called joke. Ms Warren told MSNBC after the event: "It is deeply unfortunate that the President of the United States cannot even make it through a ceremony honouring these heroes without having to throw out a racial slur. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The reaction to President Donald Trumps calling Senator Elizabeth Warren Pocahontas in front of Navajo military veterans has been swift and unforgiving. After the President, speaking at an event at the White House honouring Navajo code talkers, used a racial slur to refer to Ms Warren, critics of Mr Trumps were quick to point out that he had crossed a line. Faith Spotted Eagle, a prominent Native American activist, said that the use of the word in that setting amounted to emotional assault that carries as much weight as a physical assault, according to a reporter for the Toronto Star. He can phrase it and twist it and distort it any way he wants, the fact remains: That name does not belong in his mouth, Ms Spotted Eagle said. Ms Warren herself, during an interview just after the comment, was among those with harsh words for the President and his joke as well. This was supposed to be an event to honour heroes. People who put it all on the line for our country and people who because of their incredible work saved the lives of countless Americans and our allies, Ms Warren said during an appearance on MSNBC. It is deeply unfortunate that the President of the United States cannot even make it through a ceremony honouring these heroes without having to throw out a racial slur. Look, Donald Trump does this over and over thinking somehow hes going to shut me up with it. It hasnt worked in the past. It is not going to work in the future. 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 Ms Warren was joined many members of her own party in denouncing what appeared to be meant as a joke from the President. Donna Brazile, the former chairperson for the Democratic National Committee, called the remarks insensitive and wrong. Democratic Senator Tom Udall, who represents New Mexico, said that the ceremony showed just how low Mr Trump could go. This moment in history wont overshadow the contribution the Code Talkers made and continue to make to our nation, Mr Udall wrote on Twitter. But at what should have been a solemn ceremony to honor Native veterans, Donald Trump took low even lower. The Navajo Nation, which is situated predominantly in northeastern Arizona and New Mexico, also released a statement. In this day and age all tribal nations still battle insensitive references to our people. The prejudice that Native American people face is an unfortunate historical legacy, Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye said. As Native Americans, we are proud people who have taken care of this land long before there was the United States of America and we will continue to fight for this Nation. Code Talkers helped the United States and allied countries during the second world war by using their native language to discuss sensitive issues, which the Germans and axis countries were unable to decipher. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump previously donated to the activist group that reportedly tried to trick the Washington Post into publishing fake news. The Post uncovered evidence suggesting that Project Veritas, a non-profit started by conservative activist James OKeefe, launched a failed sting operation on the paper. The alleged operation began shortly after the Post published bombshell sexual misconduct allegations against Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore. Post reporters say a woman came to them in the wake of the allegations, claiming to have been impregnated by the Senate candidate when she was a teen. The paper declined to publish her story after finding several inconsistencies including a GoFundMe page in which she appears to have bragged about her new job in the conservative media movement". The reporters later saw her walking into the Project Veritas offices in New York. Recommended Washington Post claims it exposed plot to discredit paper Neither the woman nor Project Veritas responded to requests for comment by the Post. The development casts new light on reports that Mr Trump previously donated to Project Veritas through his charitable organisation. According to a list of Trump Foundation charitable donations obtained by the Post, the charity gave $10,000 to the Project Veritas on 13 May, 2015 just one month before he declared his candidacy. A Trump Foundation tax filing from 2015, however, lists two separate donations to Project Veritas, of $10,000 each. The filing, first obtained by ThinkProgress, suggests the foundation may have donated a total of $20,000 in one year. 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 Mr Trump also cited the organisations work during his campaign. In the third presidential debate, Mr Trump cited a Project Veritas video purporting to show that Hillary Clinton volunteers were paid to incite violence at his rallies. "They hired people. They paid them $1,500, and they're on tape saying be violent, cause fights, do bad things," Mr Trump said. The video in question does not mention anything about paying volunteers $1,500. No one is recorded encouraging people to be violent, though some do encourage volunteers to provoke Trump supporters. The videos were posted on Breitbart, the conservative news site operated by former Trump campaign manager Steve Bannon. Breitbart editor defends Republican candidate Roy Moore over allegations of sexual misconduct with teenagers Mr OKeefe has previously been accused of deceptively editing his videos to manipulate viewers. His most famous video, taken in the offices of now-defunct community organising group ACORN, purports to show employees telling him how to cover up human trafficking. It was later revealed that employees called the authorities to report possible human trafficking shortly after he left. Mr Trump recently endorsed Mr Moores Senate campaign, despite the numerous sexual misconduct allegations published by the Post and other outlets. He has declined to campaign on behalf of the candidate. The White House did not respond to The Independents request for comment. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The White House may ban its employees from using personal mobile while at work - reportedly amid fears they could be vulnerable to a cyber attack. Donald Trump has constantly complained about the number of leaks about his administration since he became President. But Bloomberg News said the possible ban was driven more by concerns about cyber-security. One official said too many devices were connected to the White House wireless network and that personal phones were not as secure as those issued by the government. Melania Trump receives White House Christmas tree The White House did not immediately respond to inquiries. However, the news service said White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, whose personal phone was found to be compromised by hackers earlier this year, was at the front of the effort to impose a ban. Barack Obama's best moments in the White House Show all 11 1 /11 Barack Obama's best moments in the White House Barack Obama's best moments in the White House May 19, 2009 The President was leaving the State Floor after an event and found Sasha in the elevator ready to head upstairs to the private residence. He decided to ride upstairs with her before returning to the Oval Office, Peter Souza Barack Obama's best moments in the White House Oct. 26, 2012 President Barack Obama pretends to be caught in Spider-Man's web as he greets the son of a White House staffer in the Outer Oval Office Peter Souza Barack Obama's best moments in the White House A National Security staffer, Carlton Philadelphia, brought his family to the Oval Office for a farewell photo with President Obama. Carltons son, Jacob, softly told the President he had just gotten a haircut like President Obama, and asked if he could feel the Presidents head to see if it felt the same as his. Peter Souza Barack Obama's best moments in the White House March 21, 2010 The President, Vice President and senior staff applaud after watching on television the House vote on H.R. 4872 for health care reform, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House Peter Souza Barack Obama's best moments in the White House Dec. 3, 2009 President Barack Obama fist-bumps custodian Lawrence Lipscomb in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building following the opening session of the White House Forum on Jobs and Economic Growth Peter Souza Barack Obama's best moments in the White House Sept. 22, 2015 "The Obama family and Biden family greet Pope Francis as he arrives in the United States for the first time at Joint Base Andrews," Sept. 22, 2015. Peter Souza Barack Obama's best moments in the White House Feb. 21, 2014 President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden participate in a "Let's Move!" video taping on the Colonnade of the White House, Feb. 21, 2014 Peter Souza Barack Obama's best moments in the White House Feb. 18, 2016 President Barack Obama watches First Lady Michelle Obama dance with 106-Year-Old Virginia McLaurin in the Blue Room of the White House prior to a reception celebrating African American History Month, Feb. 18, 2016 Peter Souza Barack Obama's best moments in the White House Jan. 21, 2013 "The President and First Lady wave to supporters as they ride in the inaugural parade. I had asked the President if I could ride in the presidential limousine and the President joked, 'But Michelle and I were planning to make out," Jan. 21, 2013. Peter Souza Barack Obama's best moments in the White House Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama share a private moment in a freight elevator at an Inaugural Ball, January 2009 all pics: Pete Souza Barack Obama's best moments in the White House Barack Obama rests his hand on the bible that President Lincoln used for his swear-in, being held by his wife Michelle Obama as he is sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America Rex The White House already takes considerable precautions with wireless devices, including a requirement for officials to leave phones in cupboards outside of meeting rooms where sensitive or classified information is discussed. The report said the possible move had raised concerns among some employees that they will be cut off from off from family and friends, Early in the administration, former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer demanded members of his staff turn over their mobile phones for random checks to see if they had leaked damaging information to the media. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A volcano in Indonesia could remain on the brink of a major eruption for weeks as it continues to spew ash across the island of Bali, volcanologists have warned. Mount Agung has been spitting ash 4,000m (2.5 miles) into the air, stranding tens of thousands of tourists as the international airport remained closed for a second day. Lava has been welling inside the volcanos crater, but it remained unclear how bad the eruption might get or how long it could last. David Rothery, Professor of Planetary Geosciences at the Open University, told The Independent there was a 50-50 chance of a large eruption. It could stay like this and fizzle out, or it could be ramping up for something big, he said. Bali's Mount Agung volcano spews plume of ash 6,000 metres into the sky Dr Matt Watson, from the University of Bristol, said: The truth is it could peter out tomorrow. I dont think thats particularly likely, but its not impossible. The reason people are worried about a large eruption is because the last time it erupted it went large. It was a big enough eruption to influence global temperatures. Mount Agungs last major eruption in 1963 killed about 1,100 people. It has the potential to disrupt travel for weeks, Mr Rothery said. Theyre not going to get the airport running anytime soon. If it does what it did in 1963, it could go on for weeks. On the other hand, if it has a big eruption, it could be over in a week. Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures Show all 22 1 /22 Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures A fisherman drives a traditional boat as Mount Agung erupts AFP/Getty Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures Police evacuate a villager from inside the exclusion zone REUTERS Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures Villagers watch a river overflowing with water mixed with volcanic ash REUTERS Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures A flight information board shows cancelled flights at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar, Bali AP Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures A villager takes his cows to a field with Mount Agung volcano erupting in the background AP Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures Police officers wear masks as they patrol in a village in Karangasem AP Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures Clouds of ashes rise from the Mount Agung volcano AP Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures Passengers talk to airline workers as their flights are cancelled AP Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures Mount Agung AP Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures A boy takes pictures during Mount Agung's eruption AFP/Getty Images Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures Mount Agung volcano is seen spewing smoke and ash in Bali EMILIO KUZMA-FLOYD/via REUTERS Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures Balinese Hindus take part in a ceremony, where they pray near Mount Agung in hope of preventing a volcanic eruption AFP/Getty Images Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures Mount Agung volcano erupts for a second time in less than a week REUTERS Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures Balinese Hindus take part in a ceremony AFP/Getty Images Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures Mount Agung volcano is seen erupting from Glumpang village REUTERS Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures A Balinese farmer works as Mount Agung volcano spews volcanic ash EPA Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures Mount Agung during an eruption seen from Kubu sub-district in Karangasem Regency AFP Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures A villager walks near a rice field following the eruption of Mount Agung AP Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures Mount Agung volcano spews volcanic ash Rex Features Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures An officer with the disaster management agency BPBD places a mask on child at a shelter for residents sheltering from Mount Agung volcano Antara Foto/Nyoman Budhiana/ via REUTERS Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures Mount Agung volcano erupts REUTERS Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures Mount Agung's eruption is seen between Balinese temple at Kubu AFP/Getty Images Authorities raised the volcano alert for Mount Agung to its highest level and told 100,000 people to leave an area extending 10km (6 miles) from its crater. Indonesias National Disaster Mitigation Agency has said a larger eruption is possible, though a government volcanologist has also said Mount Agung could stay at its current level of activity for weeks and not erupt explosively. However, a major eruption has the potential to damage crops on the island and kill anyone within the 10km evacuation radius. A villager takes his cows to a field with Mount Agung volcano erupting in the background (AP) It depends on how well the evacuation zone is applied, Dr Watson said. Volcanoes on long fuses give authorities an advantage. They allow people to carefully and thoughtfully manage the process. If theres nobody in the exclusion zone, most of the really dangerous hazards will not affect many people. But a large eruption could destroy the islands agriculture and have a major impact on tourism, he added. A fisherman drives a traditional boat as Mount Agung erupts (Getty) (AFP/Getty) A Nasa satellite detected a thermal anomaly at the crater, senior Indonesian volcanologist Gede Swantika told the Associated Press, meaning a pathway from the storage chamber in the volcanos crust has opened, giving magma easier access to the surface. Indonesian officials first raised the highest alert two months ago when a rash of seismic activity was detected at the mountain. More than 100,000 people living near the volcano fled their homes, many abandoning their livestock or selling them for a fraction of the normal price. The seismic activity decreased by the end of October, causing authorities to lower the alert level. Tremors increased again last week and officials upped the alert and ordered another large-scale evacuation, with nearly 40,000 people now staying in 225 shelters, according to the Disaster Mitigation Agency in Karangasem. However, tens of thousands of villagers have remained in their homes because they feel safe or dont want to abandon their farms and livestock. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Six former British soldiers have been released from an Indian prison four years after they were charged with weapons offences. The so-called Chennai Six, who had been guards on a ship to combat piracy in the Indian Ocean, won an appeal against their convictions on Monday. They were jailed in October 2013 after being charged with smuggling weapons and ammunition. Yvonne McHugh, partner of Billy Irving from Argyll and Bute, said the men had been released on Tuesday. Ms McHugh said: They were released about two hours ago and are now at the British Embassy with consular staff. They will just go to a hotel in Chennai and will be able to sleep in a bed and have a proper shower for the first time in about two years. The men are Mr Irving, 37, from Argyll and Bute, Nick Dunn, 31 from Northumberland, John Armstrong, 30, of Wigton, Cumbria, Nicholas Simpson, 47, of Catterick, North Yorkshire, Ray Tindall, 42, of Chester, and Paul Towers, 54, of Pocklington, East Yorkshire. They could now face a wait of possibly several weeks before documentation comes through which will allow them to return to the UK. Once Mr Irving was freed, he was able to speak to Ms McHugh on the embassy's phone and update her on their situation. Ms McHugh said: Billy called straight away, he couldn't quite believe it had happened. 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 He's just over the moon and didn't think they would be released. He took everything that was said with a pinch of salt and didn't believe it. We are hoping they could be home in two weeks. If it's less than that it will be a miracle. PA For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A small wooden ship containing eight bodies which had been partly reduced to skeletons has washed up on a beach in the Sea of Japan. The "ghost ship" was found by the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) in the northern Akita Prefecture, days after two similarly partially decomposed bodies were found on the island of Sado. Both local police and the JCG believe the two men may have been from North Korea, as what appeared to be North Korean cigarettes and life jackets with Korean lettering were found nearby. Authorities are working to establish where the bodies found over the last week came from. Made in North Korea - In pictures Show all 6 1 /6 Made in North Korea - In pictures Made in North Korea - In pictures Made in North Korea - In pictures Made in North Korea - In pictures Made in North Korea - In pictures Made in North Korea - In pictures Made in North Korea - In pictures Last week, police found eight fishermen who said they were from North Korea on the same western shore. Seo Yu-suk, research manager of North Korean Studies Institution in Seoul, said North Korea's food shortages could be behind what is potentially a series of accidents involving North Korean ships. "North Korea pushes so hard for its people to gather more fish so that they can make up their food shortages," he said. Yoshihiko Yamada, professor at Japan's Tokai University, said fishermen operating in the Sea of Japan have just entered a season of hostile weather conditions. "During the summer, the Sea of Japan is quite calm. But it starts to get choppy when November comes. It gets dangerous when northwesterly winds start to blow," he said. Dramatic footage shows North Korean soldier shot at as he flees to the South A total of 43 wooden ships believed to have come from the Korean peninsula washed up on Japanese shores or were seen to be drifting off Japan's coast from January to 22 November this year, compared with 66 ships for the whole of last year, the JCG said. Additional reporting by Reuters For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A North Korean ballistic missile test may have landed in Japanese territory, the Japanese prime minister's office announced. The missile launch was the first of its kind since September, and was confirmed by South Korean and American military sources early Wednesday morning local time. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said that President Donald Trump was briefed about the missile launch while it was in the air. "North Korea fired an unidentified ballistic missile early this morning from Pyongsong, South Pyongan, to the east direction. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff is analysing more details of the missile with the US side," an official with South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said after the missile launch was detected. The Wednesday test is at least the 23rd time that North Korea has launched a ballistic missile since February. Before the launch, the country had fired 22 missiles without active warheads over 15 total test occasions. Officials with the United States say that the country is continuing to develop its missile capabilities including its rocket fuel and engine technologies, and targeting and guidance systems. Washington believes that Pyongyang may be able to fit a miniaturized warhead on a ballistic missile as soon as next year, if it can't do so already. North Korea has also been showing signs that it may be able to create a ballistic missile capable of hitting the United States mainland soon. 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 has taken an aggressive stance toward North Korea since taking office, and has repeatedly insulted North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in recent months as tensions between the two countries have flared. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The latest launch by North Korea has for the first time theoretically put Washington DC in range of Pyongyangs missiles, an expert has calculated. While it was unlikely the missile fired in the early hours of Wednesday could yet carry a nuclear payload, the missile itself probably had the capability of reaching the US capital, or anywhere else in the country, said David Wright, co-director of the global security programme at the Union of Concerned Scientists. This is significantly longer than North Koreas previous long-range tests, which flew on lofted trajectories for 37 minutes and 47 minutes, Mr Wright wrote in a blog. North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch Show all 13 1 /13 North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch Pyongyang residents react after the news of the successful launch of the new intercontinental ballistic missile AFP/Getty Images North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un signing an order to test-fire the newly developed inter-continental ballistic missile KRT via AP Video North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch A news broadcast displays Kim Jong Un's signed document AP North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch People cheer as they watch the news broadcast announcing Kim Jong Un's order to test-fire the new inter-continental ballistic missile AFP/Getty Images North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch Residents react after the document signing AP North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch Pyongyang residents celebrate Kim Jong Un's announcement AFP/Getty North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch Cheering Pyongyang residents react AP North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch To counter North Korea's missile test, South Korea fired missiles into the East Sea The Defence Ministry/Yonhap via REUTERS North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch The Hyunmu-2 missiles firing during the drill South Korean Defense Ministry vi North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch The exercise was carried out in an attempt to counter Kim Jong Un's order South Korea Defense Ministry via AP North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch The South Korean army continue to carry out military exercises AP North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch Where K-9 self-propelled howitzers were taking part in a drill Rex Features North Korea announces intercontinental missile launch US soldiers are also present in the border city of Paju AFP/Getty Images Such a missile would have more than enough range to reach Washington, DC. Reports suggest the latest missile travelled 620 miles and reached a height of about 2,800 miles before landing off the coast of Japan. This meant it had been fired almost straight up on a lofted trajectory, similar to North Koreas two previous ICBM tests. Donald Trump says 'we will take care of it' after North Korea fires missile Mr Wright said it the missile had flown on a standard trajectory designed to maximise its reach, this missile would have a range of more than 8,100 miles. Washington DC is 6,850 miles from Pyongyang. He said that experts did not yet know what sort of payload the missile carried, but presumed it was a very light, mock warhead. If true, that means it would not be capable of carrying a nuclear warhead to this long distance, since such a warhead would be much heavier, he said. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} North Korea has fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that flew higher than any of its previous efforts, shattering a two-month respite from military tests, with experts suggesting that Pyongyang is technically close to putting Washington DC within range. The Pentagon said it believed the projectile was an ICBM that travelled roughly 1,000 km (620 miles) eastward before plunging into the Sea of Japan. The Japanese Defence Ministry believe the missile remained airborne for 50 minutes and likely landed in the waters of the countrys exclusive economic zone. The latest act of North Korean aggression demonstrated the type of military advances that have been a feature of a number of its launches this year, which have put its neighbours and the US on edge as well as sparking an escalating war of words with Washington over its expanding nuclear and missile programmes. The projectile soared higher than any previous North Korean launch, Defence Secretary James Mattis said, part of a drive to build missiles that can threaten everywhere in the world. Recommended All we know about the missile North Korea fired towards Japan The South Korean military said the missile had an altitude of around 4,500 km (2,800 miles) and flew 960 km, while Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera said the missile reached an estimated altitude of 4,000 kilometres and broke up. He said it was judged to be ICBM class given the missiles lofted trajectory. President Donald Trump later tweeted the launch showed it was more important than ever to fund out govt & military!. Referring to an impending government shutdown, he claimed Democrats were holding troop funding hostage. According to David Wright, the co-director of the global security programme at the Union of Concerned Scientists, those numbers suggested that if it had flown on a standard trajectory, rather than a lofted one, it could reach 13,000 km or 8,100 miles. That would put Washington DC within range, with it being about 6,850 miles from Pyongyang. However, Mr Wright added that given the potential range, the missile was likely to be carrying a light payload or a potential light mock warhead that would mean that it could not travel that distance if it was carrying a full warhead. Colonel Robert Manning, the Pentagon spokesman, said the North American Aerospace Defense Command (Norad), determined the missile launch from North Korea did not pose a threat to North America, our territories or our allies. Mr Trump was briefed while the missile was still in the air, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe convened a meeting of cabinet officials. The South Korean military said it quickly responded with a missile test of its own. We will take care of it, Mr Trump said after the launch, calling it a situation we will handle. Mr Trump has repeatedly denounced the Norths missile launches and has called on the UN and neighbours Japan, South Korea and particularly China Pyongyangs biggest trading partner to put as much pressure on the regime of Kim Jong-un as possible. 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 Japanese officials had been bracing for an imminent missile launch, saying they had detected suspicious radio signals. North Korea has menaced Japan in recent months, firing a ballistic missile over Hokkaido in September the second time it hurled a missile over Japan and warning that the nation should be sunken into the sea by a nuclear strike. Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported three projectiles were fired, the nearest landing 210 kilometres west of Japans northern mainland, suggesting the missile broke into pieces. Japans Kyodo news agency, quoting the defense ministry, said there were no reports of any damage. A US intelligence official said the initial indication was that the engine was not significantly more powerful than the Hwasong 14 which Pyongyang tested in July. A 2,800-mile altitude, a 600-mile range, and a splash-down in the sea initially indicates that this was another test of the re-entry vehicle more than one of the missile, its engine, or its guidance system, said the official, who was studying incoming data on the launch. The firing marks the latest escalation of a global standoff with an increasingly assertive North Korea, with the regime in Pyongyang combining ballistic missile launches with threats of destroying Japan, the United States and the US territory of Guam. It tested a powerful hydrogen bomb for the first time. North Korea's estimated missile ranges Secretary of State Rex Tillerson released a statement saying North Koreas relentless pursuit of nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them must be reversed. While Mr Tillerson said diplomatic options remain viable for now, such constraints have so far failed to halt North Koreas belligerence. The country has forged ahead with military tests despite successive rounds of United Nations sanctions targeting the countrys economy. Mr Trump has returned rhetorical fire, repeatedly threatening North Korea with military force a warning his top aides have echoed and mocking North Korean leader Mr Kim as Little Rocket Man. He recently named North Korea a state sponsor of terrorism, restoring a label that was lifted in 2008. North Korea has called Mr Trumps threats of a military response tantamount to a declaration of war. The President drew a rare personal rebuke from Mr Kim himself, who called Mr Trump a mentally deranged US dotard. The international community has been searching for a way to rein in North Korea, with the UN Security Council set to met on Wednesday, while Canadas Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland announced that her nation will host a meeting on the North Korea crisis, in conjunction with the US. It is believed it will involve about a dozen world leaders, but no date ot location has yet been set. Mr Trump also spoke by telephone with Japans Prime Minister Mr Abe and South Korean President Moon Jae-in, with the latter having already said that the launch had been anticipated and that there was no choice but for countries to keep applying pressure and sanctions against Pyongyang. The US president and Mr Abe agreed to boost their response to North Koreas missile programme, as well as urging China to do more to solve the issue. The pair agreed that China needs to play an increased role in countering Pyongyang, Japan said. Mr Trump and Mr Moon underscored the grave threat that North Koreas latest provocation poses not only to US and South Korea, but to the entire world, the White House said. However, Mr Moon also raised concerns with his own national security council about the threat of escalation, saying that the situation could get out of control if North Korea perfects its ICBM technology, according to his office. North Korea shouldnt miscalculate the situation and threaten South Korea with a nuclear weapon, which could elicit a possible pre-emptive strike by the United States, he added. Close Donald Trump says 'we will take care of it' after North Korea fires missile For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} North Korea has fired a ballistic missile that landed near the Japanese coast. The missile flew eastward and the South Korean military was analysing details with the US. A Pentagon spokesman that the missile was likely an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and it had travelled about 1,000 km. Japan said the missile had reached a height of 4,000 km, with South Korea saying 4,500 km. Donald Trump was briefed while the missile was still in the air, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe convened a meeting of cabinet officials. Follow the latest live updates below Japanese officials had been bracing for an imminent missile launch, saying they had detected suspicious radio signals. North Korea has menaced Japan in recent months, firing a ballistic missile over Hokkaido in September the second time it hurled a missile over Japan and warning that the nation should be sunken into the sea by a nuclear strike. North Korea Prison Camps Show all 7 1 /7 North Korea Prison Camps North Korea Prison Camps An overview of Camp 25 Amnesty International/DigitalGlobe North Korea Prison Camps The administration area of Camp 15 Amnesty International/DigitalGlobe North Korea Prison Camps A water treatment system in Camp 25 Amnesty International/DigitalGlobe North Korea Prison Camps Crop fields and, inset, prisoners in Camp 25 Amnesty International/DigitalGlobe North Korea Prison Camps The reported crematorium in Camp 25 Amnesty International/DigitalGlobe North Korea Prison Camps A possible mine Amnesty International/DigitalGlobe North Korea Prison Camps A walled compound in Camp 15 Amnesty International/DigitalGlobe The launch marks the latest escalation of a global standoff with an increasingly assertive North Korea. The nuclear-armed hermit state has repeatedly displayed its military prowess in recent months, combining ballistic missile launches with threats of destroying Japan, the United States and the US territory of Guam. It tested a powerful hydrogen bomb for the first time. Diplomatic constraints have failed to halt North Koreas belligerence, with the country forging ahead with military tests despite successive rounds of United Nations sanctions targeting the countrys economy. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} North Korea may be preparing another ballistic missile test after Japan detected suspicious radio signals coming from the secretive state. Although such signals are not unusual and satellite images did not show fresh activity, Japans government has been put on alert. North Korea might launch a missile within the next few days, a source told the Japan Times. After firing rockets two to three times a month since April, North Korean tests paused after a 15 September launch of a ballistic missile over northern Japan. But analysts suspect North Korea could resort to more military provocations after Donald Trump put Pyongyang back on a list of state sponsors of terrorism on 20 November. However, a source told Reuters the signals were "not enough to determine if a launch is likely soon. Trump announces intent to declare North Korea state sponsor of terror Japan's Kyodo news agency reported that the signals might be related to winter military training by the North Korean military instead. Kim Jong-un, North Korea's leader, is pursuing nuclear weapons and missile programmes in defiance of UN Security Council sanctions and has made no secret of plans to develop a missile capable of hitting the US mainland. The country has fired two missiles over Japan. South Korea's Yonhap news agency, citing a South Korean government source, also reported that intelligence officials of the United States, South Korea and Japan had recently detected signs of a possible missile launch and have been on higher alert. South Korean Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon told reporters on Tuesday there have been "noteworthy" movements from the North since its last missile launch in mid-September, but there was no hard evidence of another nuclear or missile test. Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb Show all 6 1 /6 Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb Photos released by North Korea show Kim Jong-un talking to subordinates next to a device thought to be the new thermonuclear weapon. There is no way of independently verifying the pictures STR/AFP/Getty Images Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb North Korea claims it has successfully tested an advanced hydrogen bomb which could be loaded onto an intercontinental ballistic missile AFP/Getty Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb A diagram on the wall behind Mr Kim shows a bomb mounted inside a cone STR/AFP/Getty Images Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un (C) attending a photo session with participants of the fourth conference of active secretaries of primary organisations of the youth league of the Korean People's Army (KPA) in Pyongyang STR/AFP/Getty Images Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb A new stamp issued in commemoration of the successful second test launch of the "Hwasong-14" intercontinental ballistic missile KCNA via Reuters Kim Jong-un inspects weapon North Korea says is powerful hydrogen bomb A new stamp issued in commemoration of the successful second test launch of the "Hwasong-14" intercontinental ballistic missile KCNA via Reuters "North Korea hasn't been engaging in new nuclear or missile tests but recently we've seen them persistently testing engines and carrying out fuel tests," said Cho at a media event in Seoul. "But we need some more time to see whether these are directly related to missile and nuclear tests." Asked about the media reports, Pentagon spokesman Colonel Robert Manning told reporters the United States continued to watch North Korea very closely. "This is a diplomatically led effort at this point, supported by military options," he said. "The Republic of Korea and US alliance remains strong and capable of countering any North Korean provocations or attacks." Two US government sources familiar with official assessments of North Korean capabilities and activities said that while they were not immediately familiar with recent intelligence suggesting that North Korea was preparing to launch a new missile test, the US government would not be surprised if such a test were to take place in the very near future. Other US intelligence officials noted North Korea has previously sent deliberately misleading signs of preparations for missile and nuclear tests, in part to mask real preparations, and in part to test US and allied intelligence on its activities. South Korea's Cho said North Korea may announce the completion of its nuclear programme within a year, as it is moving faster than expected in developing its arsenal. North Korea defends its weapons programmes as a necessary defence against US plans to invade. The United States, which stations 28,500 troops in South Korea, a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean war, denies any such intention. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Pope Francis has called for Burma to "respect each group and its identity" on a visit to the country, but failed specifically to raise the persecution of Rohingya Muslims as some activists had hoped he would. The Pope ended his key address in the Burmese capital of Naypyidaw, during a meeting with the country's de facto leader Aang San Suu Kyi, without using the word "Rohingya", which would have itself been controversial. Speaking after Ms Suu Kyi's address, the pontiff lamented in his speech how Burma's people have suffered "and continue to suffer from civil conflict and hostilities" which have "lasted too long and created deep divisions," insisting that all people who call the country their home deserves to have their basic rights guaranteed. He said Burma's future must be based on "respect for the dignity and rights of each member of society, respect for each ethnic group and its identity". "The arduous process of peace-building and national reconciliation can only advance through a commitment to justice and respect for human rights," he said. "Religious differences need not be a source of division and distrust, but rather a force for unity, forgiveness, tolerance and wise nation-building," he added. It has been reported that the extreme delicacy around the Pope's trip to the country caused some of his advisors to warn him against mentioning the word "Rohingya" over fears it could cause a diplomatic incident that could affect the minority Christians in Burma. Drone footage shows thousands of Rohingya Muslims fleeing Myanmar More than 620,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled from Burma's Rakhine state into Bangladesh following a military crackdown in the area. The action has caused the United States to accuse the country of "ethnic cleansing". The Pope was thanked by Ms Suu Kyi for his support for what she called the many "challenges" Burma is facing, ahead of his address. Her international image has been damaged by her government's actions over the Rohingya crisis, which has marked Asia's worst refugee situation in decades. The civilian leader said she appreciates those who are supporting the government as it addresses long-standing social, economic and political issues "that have eroded trust and understanding, harmony and co-operation". The Pope's visit to the majority-Buddhist country saw pontiff meet with Burma's military chief ahead of his speech, who claimed there is "no religious discrimination in the country". Thousands of Burma's Christian population travelled to Yangon to see the Pope when he arrived on Monday. Only about 700,000 of the country's 51 million population are Roman Catholic. The Pope will also visit Bangladesh on his tour. Additional reporting by agencies For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Burma's military chief is said to have told Pope Francis that there is "no religious discrimination" in the country, after they met at the start of a delicate visit for the pontiff to a majority-Buddhist country that the United States has accused of ethnic cleansing against its Muslim Rohingya people. The leader of the Roman Catholic church will also visit Bangladesh, where more than 620,000 Rohingya have fled to escape what Amnesty International has alleged are crimes against humanity. The army chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, told the pope that there's no religious discrimination in Myanmar [Burma] and there's the freedom of religion, according to a statement on his Facebook page. Every soldier's goal is to build a stable and peaceful country, the military leader was paraphrased as saying in the statement. Recommended Pope Francis under pressure to speak up for Rohingya on Burma visit Burma's army has denied accusations of murder, rape, torture and forced displacement that have been made against it. The pope's met with Min Aung Hlaing in St. Mary's Cathedral in the heart of the Southeast Asian nation's largest city. They discussed the great responsibility of authorities of the country in this time of transition, Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said after the 15 minutes of talks, which were followed by an exchange of gifts. Pope Francis presented the general with a commemorative medal of his visit, and Min Aung Hlaing gave the pope a harp in the shape of a boat and an ornate rice bowl, Mr Burke said. Rohingya refugees in pictures Show all 15 1 /15 Rohingya refugees in pictures Rohingya refugees in pictures A young girl and a baby wade through mud after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh from Burma on 10 September Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees in pictures Rohingya refugees walk through a camp in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh after arriving from Burma Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees in pictures A young Rohingya refugee gathers firewood after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh from Burma Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees in pictures Rohingya refugees wait for sacks of rice to be distributed in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees in pictures Rohingya Muslim refugees arrive on a boat in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh after crossing from Burma on 8 September Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees in pictures Rohingya Muslim refugees react after being re-united with each other after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh on a boat from Burma Getty Rohingya refugees in pictures Rohingya Muslim refugees walk along the remains of a road after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh on a boat from Burma Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees in pictures Rohingya Muslim refugees wade through water after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh by boat from Burma Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees in pictures Rohingya Muslim refugees wade through water after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh by boat from Myanmar Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees in pictures Rohingya Muslim refugees stand in the rain after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh by boat from Burma Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees in pictures Indian children hold placards and shout slogans during a protest against the alleged persecution of the Rohingya Muslims in Burma EPA/Raminder Pal Singh Rohingya refugees in pictures Supporters of the Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC), an Islamic organisation, listen to their leaders' speeches against Burma's persecution of Rohingya Muslims, during a demonstration in Karachi Reuters/Akhtar Soomro Rohingya refugees in pictures Hundreds of Iranians take part in a protest against violence in Myanmar after weekly Friday prayers, in Tehran EPA/Abedin Taherkenareh Rohingya refugees in pictures Indonesian Muslim activists hold placards and shout slogans during a protest against the alleged persecution of the Rohingya minority in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia EPA/Ali Lutfi Rohingya refugees in pictures Members of an Islamic organisation shout slogans against the Burma government during a protest in Dhaka, Bangladesh EPA Members of ethnic minority groups in traditional dress welcomed Pope Francis at the airport, and children presented him with flowers as he stepped off his plane. He waved through an open window at dozens of children waving Vatican and Myanmar flags and wearing T-shirts with the motto of the trip love and peace as he set off in a car. Only about 700,000 of Burma's 51 million people are Roman Catholic. Thousands of them travelled by train and bus to Rangoon, and they joined crowds at several roadside points along the way from the airport to catch a glimpse of the pope. More than 150,000 people have registered for a mass that Pope Francis will say in the city on Wednesday, according to Catholic Burma Church spokesman Mariano Soe Naing. We come here to see the Holy Father. It happens once in hundreds of years, said Win Min Set, a community leader who brought a group of 1,800 Catholics from the south and west of the country. He is very knowledgeable when it comes to political affairs. He will handle the issue smartly, he said, referring to the sensitivity of the pope's discussions about the Rohingya. Drone footage shows thousands of Rohingya Muslims fleeing Myanmar Large numbers of riot police were mobilised in Rangoon but there were no signs of any protests. The trip is so delicate that some papal advisers have warned Pope Francis against even saying the word Rohingya, lest he set off a diplomatic incident that could turn the country's military and government against minority Christians. The Rohingya exodus from Rakhine state to Bangladesh's southern tip began at the end of August, when Rohingya militants attacked security posts and Burma's army launched a counter-offensive. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson last week called the military operation ethnic cleansing and threatened targeted sanctions for horrendous atrocities. Burma's government has denied most of the accusations made against it, and the army says its own investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing by troops. Burma does not recognise the Rohingya as citizens nor as members of a distinct ethnic group with their own identity, and it even rejects the term Rohingya and its use. Many people in Burma instead refer to members of the Muslim minority in Rakhine state as illegal migrants from Bangladesh. Pope Francis is expected to meet a group of Rohingya refugees in Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh, on the second leg of his trip. The most tense moments of his Burma visit were expected to be the private meeting with the army chief and, separately, with civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Tuesday. Vatican sources say some in the Holy See believe the trip was decided too hastily after full diplomatic ties were established in May during a visit by Ms Suu Kyi. Ms Suu Kyi's reputation as a Nobel Peace Prize laureate has been tarnished because she has expressed doubts about the reports of rights abuses against the Rohingya and failed to condemn the military. The pope has already used the word Rohingya in two appeals from the Vatican this year. Asked if he would say it in Burma, Mr Burke said Pope Francis was taking the advice he had been given seriously, but added: We will find out together during the trip ... it is not a forbidden word. A hardline group of Buddhist monks, previously known as Ma Ba Tha, said it welcomed the pope's visit but warned, without elaborating, of a response if he spoke openly about the Rohingya. I hope he doesn't touch on sensitive issues that Myanmar people couldn't accept, said Tawparka, a spokesman for the group, who goes by a single name. There's no problem if he talks about Islam, but it's unacceptable if he speaks about Rohingya and extreme terrorists. Reuters For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Pope Francis should not be blamed for his failure to mention human rights abuses against Rohingya Muslims during the keynote speech of his trip to Burma, a leading activist in the country has said. International rights groups said the pontiff had missed an opportunity to raise international concerns and that it was disappointing he chose not to mention the Rohingya by name as he appeared alongside Burmas de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi in the capital Naypyidaw. But Nay San Lwin, who has run a website called Rohingya Blogger since 2005, said it was the fault of those who advised Pope Francis on his conduct. The Pope is an amazing person, Mr Nay told The Independent from Bangladesh. If I have to blame someone I would blame Burmese Cardinal Charles Maung Bo... In my opinion Charles Maung Bo violated the basic human rights. Pope Francis should condemn the ongoing genocide, Mr Nay said. In his speech, the Pope called on the government in general terms to respect each group and its identity. Religious differences need not be a source of division and distrust, but rather a force for unity, forgiveness, tolerance and wise nation-building, he said. Mr Nay also noted that Burmese military chief Aung Hlaing said they dont discriminate (against) anyone base on religion. Mr Nay said: That was a lie. Rohingya and other Muslim minorities have been discriminated (against) for decades. Refugees continue to flee to Bangladesh, which has seen an influx of almost 700,000 refugees since 25 August, when Burmese security forces began a campaign against Rohingya villages. The countrys military has insisted it is conducting a counter-insurgency clearance operation that was provoked by Rohingya militants synchronised attacks on 30 security posts in the northern part of Rakhine State. The response has been almost universally condemned by the international community. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in September that ethnic cleansing is taking place in Burma, leading to a catastrophic humanitarian situation for the Rohingya Muslim minority. Burma rejects the term Rohingya and its use, with most people instead referring to the Muslim minority in Rakhine State as illegal migrants from neighbouring Bangladesh. Rohingya refugees in pictures Show all 15 1 /15 Rohingya refugees in pictures Rohingya refugees in pictures A young girl and a baby wade through mud after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh from Burma on 10 September Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees in pictures Rohingya refugees walk through a camp in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh after arriving from Burma Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees in pictures A young Rohingya refugee gathers firewood after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh from Burma Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees in pictures Rohingya refugees wait for sacks of rice to be distributed in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees in pictures Rohingya Muslim refugees arrive on a boat in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh after crossing from Burma on 8 September Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees in pictures Rohingya Muslim refugees react after being re-united with each other after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh on a boat from Burma Getty Rohingya refugees in pictures Rohingya Muslim refugees walk along the remains of a road after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh on a boat from Burma Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees in pictures Rohingya Muslim refugees wade through water after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh by boat from Burma Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees in pictures Rohingya Muslim refugees wade through water after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh by boat from Myanmar Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees in pictures Rohingya Muslim refugees stand in the rain after arriving in Whaikhyang, Bangladesh by boat from Burma Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Rohingya refugees in pictures Indian children hold placards and shout slogans during a protest against the alleged persecution of the Rohingya Muslims in Burma EPA/Raminder Pal Singh Rohingya refugees in pictures Supporters of the Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC), an Islamic organisation, listen to their leaders' speeches against Burma's persecution of Rohingya Muslims, during a demonstration in Karachi Reuters/Akhtar Soomro Rohingya refugees in pictures Hundreds of Iranians take part in a protest against violence in Myanmar after weekly Friday prayers, in Tehran EPA/Abedin Taherkenareh Rohingya refugees in pictures Indonesian Muslim activists hold placards and shout slogans during a protest against the alleged persecution of the Rohingya minority in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia EPA/Ali Lutfi Rohingya refugees in pictures Members of an Islamic organisation shout slogans against the Burma government during a protest in Dhaka, Bangladesh EPA The Pope had used the word in two appeals from the Vatican this year. But, before the diplomatically risky trip, his advisers recommended that he not use it in Burma, lest he set off a diplomatic incident that could turn the countrys military and government against minority Christians. Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director for Human Rights Watch, accused the pontiff of missing an important opportunity to speak truth to power, and publicly refute the unconscionable pressure by Aung San Suu Kyi and the Myanmar military to deny the Rohingya their identity. The fact that the word Rohingya is so contentious shows the lengths to which Burma has gone to demonise a desperately poor and repressed religious minority. Meanwhile, Daniel Aguirre, a former legal adviser to the International Commission of Jurists in Myanmar, said Pope Francis was slightly more sympathetic. The pontiff was damned if he did and damned if he did not say the word Rohingya, he told the The Independent. Although it is disappointing that he did not refer to the Rohingya by name, his visit brought attention to the human rights violations against them. He said its is up to the diplomats in Yangon, the international community and especially neighbouring countries to use their influence with the government to halt violations of human rights and protect minorities in Burma. Most of all, national leadership is required; Burmas public intellectuals, religious leaders and voices from civil society need to promote a more inclusive, tolerant version of a national identity that respects human rights. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A woman from the UK is recovering after being attacked by a crocodile thought to be up to 8ft in length while near a river in Queensland, Australia. The state's Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (DEHP) confirmed the woman was bitten on the leg by the saltwater crocodile while she was standing on a creek bank in Cape Tribulation. A video posted on social media, which has been shared more than 2,300 times, shows a crocodile close to the water's edge and the sound of screams. A picture of cuts and blood on a woman's thigh was also uploaded. A Mossman Hospital spokeswoman confirmed a woman was treated for a bite wound and discharged on Monday night. The Press Association understands the woman is from the UK and did not require being admitted for further treatment. 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 DEHP said wildlife officers will now carry out a site assessment of the area and will potentially target the animal, thought to be between 6.5ft (2m) and 8ft (2.5m) in length, for removal. It warned people to expect saltwater crocodiles, which can grow up to 17ft long, in all North Queensland waterways and to obey warning signs and stand back from the water's edge. PA Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Brexit and beyond email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Irelands deputy prime minister Frances Fitzgerald has agreed to resign over handling of a police whistleblowing scandal, pulling the country back from the brink of a snap election. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar confirmed his deputy would stand down in a phone call to opposition leader, Fianna Fails Micheal Martin, whose party threatened to bring down Irelands minority government over the affair. Hours before she faced a motion of no confidence, Ms Fitzgerald said she had put the national interest ahead of her political career by resigning to avoid an unwelcome and potentially destabilising election. John McDonnell: Brexit threatens to 'undermine the peace process' if Northern Ireland hard border installed She said in a statement: It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve in government, but I believe it is necessary to take this decision to avoid an unwelcome and potentially destabilising general election at this historically critical time. I have always believed in fairness and equality and these principles have guided my work as minister for children and youth affairs, as minister for justice and equality, and now as minister for business, enterprise and innovation. The move looks set to thwart a political crisis in Dublin, which were set to cast a shadow over a critical phase in the Brexit negotiations. The Irish premier said he accepted her resignation with deep regret and insisted she would be vindicated by the Disclosures Tribunal. He said: Its my strong view that a good woman is leaving office without getting a full and fair hearing. Frances has been an exemplary member of Government and a loyal colleague. Fianna Fail, which props up Mr Varadkars Government, wanted Ms Fitzgerald ousted over her involvement in a long-running police scandal, revolving around her knowledge of an aggressive legal strategy against a respected police officer during a private inquiry in 2015. As well as threatening the fragile agreement between the parties, the uncertainty also came ahead of crunch Brexit talks which hinge on progress being made on the Irish border and other key issues. Up until her resignation, the Republic was facing the prospect of a snap general election in the runup to Christmas and also in the teeth of the crucial Brexit summit in Brussels next month when the future of the Irish border could be determined. 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 It comes after emails dating back to 2015 were released by the Department of Justice, showing Ms Fitzgerald was aware of a controversial legal strategy to target a police offer at a private judge-led inquiry into claims of wrongdoing. The contents contradict claims by Ms Fitzgerald - who was justice minister in 2015 - that she only learned of the approach being taken by lawyers in 2016. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A German mayor known for his welcoming stance towards refugees has been stabbed in a knife attack which authorities said was likely politically motivated. Andreas Hollstein, the conservative mayor of Altena, was stabbed in the neck at a kebab restaurant and seriously hurt. The attacker, identified only as a 56-year-old German man and described by local media as drunk, asked Mr Hollstein if he was the mayor before attacking him, local media reported. Mr Hollstein was taken to the hospital but discharged later on the same day. Twelve celebrities you might not know were refugees Chancellor Angela Merkel condemned the attack in a tweet: "I am appalled by the knife attack on mayor Andreas Hollstein - and very relieved that he is back with his family," she said. "Thanks also to those who have helped him." Mr Hollstein told local newspaper Lokalstimme: "I had people on my side who acted quickly and I'm happy to still be alive." The mayor was at a local kebab restaurant around 8pm on Monday, when the attacker slashed him on the neck with the knife, before restaurant employees overpowered him and called police, Lokalstimme reported. The man allegedly said he attacked Mr Hollstein because the mayor has voluntarily taken in more refugees in Altena than the town is obliged to according to the federal distribution key for asylum seekers. Under his leadership, the town of Altena has taken in more refugees than it was allocated. A man who helped Mr Hollstein was also slightly injured, the German news agency dpa reported. Armin Laschet, the governor of North Rhine-Westphalia state where Altena is located, said "the security agencies assume the attack has a political background." Refugee dinners in Berlin - In pictures Show all 5 1 /5 Refugee dinners in Berlin - In pictures Refugee dinners in Berlin - In pictures Refugee dinners in Berlin - In pictures Refugee dinners in Berlin - In pictures Refugee dinners in Berlin - In pictures Refugee dinners in Berlin - In pictures In a similar case two years ago, a politician campaigning to become mayor of Cologne was stabbed in the neck by a far-right assailant who was angered by the government's refugee policy. Henriette Reker, who was in charge of housing refugees in Cologne at the time, was elected mayor the following day while still in an induced coma. Germany took in more than one million asylum seekers between 2015 and 2016, mostly from war-torn countries such as Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq. The influx saw an outpouring of support from many Germans who wanted to help the refugees, but also a sharp rise in the number of attack against migrants and sometimes also against their supporters. Additional reporting by agencies For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A Russian man accused of murdering 60 people may not be extradited from Austria because he has recently developed what his lawyers are describing as a rare form of aerophobia. Aslan Gagiev, also known as Djako, was reportedly taken off a plane about to leave for Russia, despite the deportation being approved by the Vienna High Court and the head of the Austrian Minister of Justice. It was the third court order for his extradition he has avoided since his arrest in Vienna in January 2015 following a tip-off by the Russian authorities. Following his initial arrest in Austria Gagiev was released on bail set at 100,000 euros, but was subsequently arrested at the Austrian-Bulgarian border after being caught attempting to use a fake Bulgarian passport. Gagiev is suspected of masterminding the creation of one of Russias most brutal crime groups, in operation since 2004. According to Russian daily Kommersant, a liberal business broadsheet, the murders he is said to be involved with include those of officials, bankers, businessmen and law enforcers. Lawyers representing Gagiev presented a medical certificate which stated that during his incarceration in an Austrian Prison, he has now developed a rare form of aerophobia, in which the accused simply cannot survive the flight to Russia, Kommersant reported. His lawyers have also reportedly claimed they will appeal to the European Court of Human Rights in the Supreme Court of Justice supports the existing Russian extradition order. A source cited by Kommersant said Russias investigative committee is optimistic that Gagiev could be in a Russian prison by January. 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 This isnt about aerophobia! Djako simply knows that a life sentence awaits him in Russia, the source said. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} A Russian man has died after he pulled the pin out of a hand grenade and posted photographs of himself holding it. Alexander 'Sasha' Chechik was killed instantly in the incident in the city of Labinsk in south west Russia, police said. According to local news outlet Kuban.kp.ru, the man had sent a text to a friend, including a picture of the grenade in his hand with the pin pulled from the device lying nearby. Russian soldier gives location away with Instagram selfies In the text exchange, the mans friend asks him where he is and if everything is ok. It depends by what you mean OK, he replied, posting the photograph of the grenade. Listen, dont f*** around, his friend then replied before following it up with: Where are you, to which they received no response. According to Russias Interfax news service, police have launched an investigation into the illegal trafficking of weapons and ammunition. In a text exchange Chechik sent an image of the hand grenade (East2West News) A source who spoke to Interfax said: Apparently the guy did no manage to insert [the hand grenade pin] back in. The explosion broke him in half. Police believe Chechik expected the grenade would not explode as long as he didn't throw it. 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 He had also sent pictures to other friends and police have categorised his death as an accident not suicide, according to agency East2West News. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for weekly expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Samburu warrior Sammy Lemiruni is almost certain the black rhino wont charge. As we prepare to tiptoe through the dense Kenyan bush, the warrior-turned-ranger looks at me. Dont be afraid, he whispers. Its easier said than done. The black rhino, capable of weighing 1,400kg and standing taller than a six-foot man, is a formidable creature. Its two horns can span five feet. While it cant see very well, it has a strong sense of smell and incredible hearing. And despite its looming bulk, the massive animal can charge at a speed of 55km per hour. Recommended How to go to safari guide school in Kenya We walk in single file, Lemiruni orders. Two park rangers flank us, dressed in green fatigues and black boots. One carries a thin GPS transmitter. The ground is dry and brittle, covered in thorns and low-lying trees, but Lemiruni encourages soft steps. As soon as you make noise the rhinos get suspicious. Were told to stand on rocky ground or behind logs as a safety precaution. Sometimes the rhinos do charge, he concedes. But its not really a charge. Its when they get suspicious and they want to know whats here. Youll see them do a little dance before they run. If this happens, theres one response: Stand still, shout, clap, just make noise. And absolutely do not flee. Were out at the Sera Community Conservancy, ready to track the endangered black rhinos on the Saruni Rhino walking safari Africas first community-owned-and-operated black rhino conservation project, which launched in February 2017. Currently 11 rhinos (including three pregnant females) roam the sanctuarys 54,000 hectares, each with a GPS device attached to its horn. A $1.3m (963,000) fence is wrapped around it all, with some 200 people patrolling the grounds, guards even sleeping beside the fence at night. The security is understandable given the animals desirability to poachers. The last rhino was poached 30 years ago [from Northern Kenya], says Riccardo Orizio, CEO and founder of Saruni. This is the first time that the black rhino returns to its ancestral land. Through strong efforts from the government including the largest burning of ivory to date and other Kenyan organisations, the animals are slowly coming back from the brink. Every guest staying at Saruni Rhino pays a $175 (135) per night conservation fee, which goes to the park and the community. This means Saruni can hire more local people and make sure landowners feel that conservation is value, Orizio says. A manager at Saruni Rhinos sister property, the six-villa Saruni Samburu, puts it more bluntly: It creates a focus on protecting the endangered species rather than killing them, incorporating the perspective of, If I help the rhino then my wealth will grow, rather than, If I kill the rhino my wealth will grow. The rhino trackers are equipped with GPS (Saruni) Even as the conservancy protects rhinos against potential threats, Lemiruni needs to protect people like me against the risks of the wild. Back at the intimate Saruni Rhino two-hut property, elephants roam along the dry riverbed. Monkeys lurch between swaying doum palms while adorable dik-diks and giraffe-necked antelopes bound about. Occasionally the wings of vultures flap above; the animals cluster around the nearby watering hole. The tracking takes place at 5am and 5pm, as rhinos rest during the heat of the day. In between, theres the option to visit the nearby Reteti Elephant Sanctuary (home at the moment to another baby rhino, currently on loan from Saruni), head to a popular animal migration spot, or go for a walking safari along the dried riverbed. Guests are asked to walk with a staff member in the evenings. The first night, as were sat watching the stars rise, the ever-present cluster of monkeys start screeching in the trees. Lemiruni perks up, his eyes on the horizon. Leopard, he says. He flicks on a flashlight, catching the glint of the predators eyes. The animal freezes for just an instant before getting lost in the night. You always know its a leopard when the monkeys go crazy. Tracking the rhinos is no mean feat (Saruni) Tracking rhinos is no less adrenaline-inducing. On the second day, as yet again I trail single-file behind Lemiruni, he spots a rhino munching in the distance. His hand flicks, gesturing me forward. We move behind a thorny acacia tree, then behind a bush. Lemiruni occasionally snaps a sock filled with ash as we go, judging the direction of the wind. Eventually were within 100m of the rhino and can hear its deep-belly snorting. The rhino pauses, puffs and lifts its head. Im holding my breath. Lemiruni has frozen, a foot half-lifted. For an instant no one moves. Then the majestic animal turns and does the one thing Ive been told not to do it clambers away. Travel essentials Getting there Kenya Airways flies from Heathrow to Nairobi from 458 return. Safarilink flies from Nairobi Wilson Airport to Kalama and nearby airstrips from around 300 return. Staying there Saruni offers a four-night full-board Rhino Tracking safari in Northern Kenya with two nights at Saruni Rhino and two nights at Saruni Samburu from 1,895 per person. The price includes full-board accommodation, transfers, one rhino tracking session per day, game drives and guided bush walks. Conservation fees are not included and add up to an additional 440 per person for a four-night package. An overnight stay is typically required in Nairobi due to flight times to Kalama airstrip. The Lazizi Premiere hotel at the airport has doubles from 107, B&B. More information magicalkenya.com Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for weekly expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Bali airport is remaining closed for a further 24 hours because of volcanic ash from nearby Mount Agung. With around 450 more flights cancelled, it adds tens of thousands more travellers to the list of passengers stranded on the Indonesian island. Forecasts from the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre in Darwin, northern Australia show that the ash cloud is now spreading south-west from the volcano. This should allow the airport on the neighbouring island of Lombok, to the east, to operate normally. The authorities are said to be laying on buses to take travellers from Denpasar airport in Bali to the port at Padang Bai on the east of the island, from where they can take the four-hour ferry ride to Lombok. The prospects for Balis airport re-opening on Wednesday look bleak, and the Australian airline, Jetstar, has already cancelled some flights. It is offering Australian passengers booked to travel to the island the option to switch to much further-flung destinations, including Thailand, Vietnam and Japan. Frustration is growing among travellers who are either trying to leave the island or booked to go there, with the leading Indonesian airline, Garuda, facing criticism. Dagmar Zwebe tweeted: I have been trying to call your lines but it is impossible to get somebody on the line. I also tried the life chat but nobody is answering. Would it be possible to change our flight to a different destination? Is there any other way to contact you? Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures Show all 22 1 /22 Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures A fisherman drives a traditional boat as Mount Agung erupts AFP/Getty Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures Police evacuate a villager from inside the exclusion zone REUTERS Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures Villagers watch a river overflowing with water mixed with volcanic ash REUTERS Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures A flight information board shows cancelled flights at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar, Bali AP Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures A villager takes his cows to a field with Mount Agung volcano erupting in the background AP Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures Police officers wear masks as they patrol in a village in Karangasem AP Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures Clouds of ashes rise from the Mount Agung volcano AP Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures Passengers talk to airline workers as their flights are cancelled AP Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures Mount Agung AP Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures A boy takes pictures during Mount Agung's eruption AFP/Getty Images Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures Mount Agung volcano is seen spewing smoke and ash in Bali EMILIO KUZMA-FLOYD/via REUTERS Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures Balinese Hindus take part in a ceremony, where they pray near Mount Agung in hope of preventing a volcanic eruption AFP/Getty Images Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures Mount Agung volcano erupts for a second time in less than a week REUTERS Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures Balinese Hindus take part in a ceremony AFP/Getty Images Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures Mount Agung volcano is seen erupting from Glumpang village REUTERS Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures A Balinese farmer works as Mount Agung volcano spews volcanic ash EPA Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures Mount Agung during an eruption seen from Kubu sub-district in Karangasem Regency AFP Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures A villager walks near a rice field following the eruption of Mount Agung AP Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures Mount Agung volcano spews volcanic ash Rex Features Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures An officer with the disaster management agency BPBD places a mask on child at a shelter for residents sheltering from Mount Agung volcano Antara Foto/Nyoman Budhiana/ via REUTERS Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures Mount Agung volcano erupts REUTERS Bali's Mount Agung volcano eruption: in pictures Mount Agung's eruption is seen between Balinese temple at Kubu AFP/Getty Images The Australian foreign ministry is warning: Depending on the weather conditions at the time of an eruption, an ash cloud could affect flights and ash fall may impact Denpasar and neighbouring airports in East Java and Lombok. Among the passengers stranded on Bali are thousands of teenage Australians who had flown to the island for the traditional Schoolies a weeks holiday after completing secondary school. Many British travellers have plans to visit Bali over Christmas and New Year. But holiday firms and airlines are unwilling to make alternative arrangements until the situation becomes clearer. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for weekly expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Simon Calders Travel email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The UK tourism industry has welcomed the impending royal wedding and the free publicity that the event next spring will bring. The director of VisitBritain, Patricia Yates, said: Congratulations to Prince Harry and Ms Meghan Markle on their engagement. This milestone event undoubtedly puts the global media spotlight on Britain. A VisitLondon spokesperson said: Across the UK its estimated that tourism linked to Royal residences such as Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle generates more than 500 million a year and attracts more than 2.7 million visitors. Russell Imrie, managing director of Edinburgh-based Queensferry Hotels and president of Best Western Great Britain, told The Independent: Past experience gives evidence that royal events in UK do indeed have a positive impact on UK inbound tourism. In my own hotels in Edinburgh and Dunfermline we noticed a positive impact on UK inbound following previous royal weddings. This was replicated in Best Western Hotels in major UK inbound locations such as London, Bath, Stratford Upon Avon and York." Eurostar, the cross-Channel train operator, said that the 2011 royal wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge saw a 28 per cent surge in inbound bookings. Bookings were up from across Europe, including France, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands, said a spokesperson. In addition, Eurostar carried 21 per cent more American travellers. VisitBritain says that more than 600,000 people reportedly passed through Buckingham Palaces gates to see the Duchess of Cambridge's wedding dress in 2011, an increase of almost 50 per cent on 2010 visitor numbers. But Russell Imrie believes the benefits to British tourism will be longer lasting: I dont believe that this increase is overseas visitors following any royal trail or specifically visiting for royal reasons. I believe that it as a result of the global media coverage that such events generate and the subsequent increase in awareness that the UK enjoys. Nothing beats free publicity. Partly due to the slump in sterling, 2017 has been a record-breaking year for incoming visits (up 8 per cent) and spend (10 per cent higher). UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 16 November 2022 Emma Woolf, great niece of British author Virginia Woolf, and her son Ludovic sit next to a new bronze statue of Woolf, unveiled in Richmond, London Reuters 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 Some evidence from the 2011 wedding suggests that domestic tourists to London will simply shift their travel dates to coincide with the royal wedding. In April 2011, visits from outside the capital rose 8 per cent, but both March and May saw a 10 per cent decline. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Great news for Britain: men with erectile dysfunction can now buy Viagra over the counter, so long as a pharmacist agrees. What a fantastic coup this is for a country which has such a huge commitment to reproductive health huge enough that our rates of death in childbirth still lag far behind many of our European counterparts, including Poland, Belarus and Greece. Huge enough that we still havent fully decriminalised abortion despite the recommendations of GPs, gynaecologists and the British Medical Association. Huge enough that Northern Irish women still cant access abortion where they live (except in certain, extremely restrictive circumstances), and only won the right to access free abortion services in England this year. Doesnt it feel great to live in real civilisation? I dont begrudge anyone access to medication they are in need of, and theres no doubt that erectile dysfunction is a physical problem with additionally damaging psychological effects. But when men are winning the right to erections sooner than most UK women (bar Scottish women, who won the right a few months ago) are legally allowed to take abortion pills theyve already been prescribed by a doctor in the comfort of their own homes rather than being left to bleed and throw up in the street after having to take them in front of someone in a clinic a long way away from home, probably with a couple of screaming protesters outside to compound the trauma I cant help but wonder whether the Government has its priorities right. A spokesperson for the Medication and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) was quoted as saying, in relation to the Viagra decision today, that they were glad of the change because it would prevent men from buying unregulated pills illegally on the internet. Thats a noble goal indeed, and one which has concerned doctors for decades in relation to women and the abortion pill, sales of which are going up. How do we know theyre going up? Because of seizures done this year during a week-long raid by the same MHRA which just professed its happiness that men can now buy Viagra over the counter. Despite lobbying by doctors themselves, procuring abortion pills yourself in the UK is covered by criminal law rather than healthcare regulation. In fact, the UK has the most stringent laws for abortion in Europe bar Ireland, and they are not merely dinosaur laws which are no longer practically applied. In 2015, a woman was jailed in Newcastle for two-and-a-half years for terminating her pregnancy using abortion pills shed bought online. The (male) judge decided she would have to serve a custodial sentence and was quoted as saying during sentencing: This offence does involve extinguishing a life about to begin. Hers is not an isolated case. Jacob Rees-Mogg mobbed in abortion protest at Tory conference What the Government has said today is that men can be trusted with their penises, whether or not theyve consulted their GP, but women cant be trusted with their wombs. Viagra began its life as a cardiovascular pill for angina in medical trials when men began reporting an unusual side effect. This is important not just because it makes for a marginally interesting anecdote to impress your friends with but because it affects the heart and blood flow throughout the body something worth bearing in mind when youre handing such medication out without a prescription. People are notorious for discounting medical warnings and sharing the pills theyre given thats part of the reason why were facing an antibiotic apocalypse. So announcing that Viagra can be bought over the counter is more of a big deal than it first might seem. Even small overdoses can have very serious consequences. Yes, the release comes with caveats: it shouldnt be sold directly to people with severe cardiovascular disorder, liver or kidney failure, or for those on medication which might react badly in conjunction with it. But all of this relies on a quick chat with a pharmacist and self-disclosure, which cant be backed up by medical tests or records. If women cant even be trusted to put a pill in their mouths the right way outside a clinic which has prescribed it to them, I struggle to see why men should be trusted prescription-free with a medicine like Viagra. There are many medications in the UK which cant be purchased over the counter in the UK but can be in other countries, because of the dangers of misuse: teeth-whitening strips, melatonin, Valium, many painkillers and sleeping aids come under this umbrella. Britain has extremely strict laws surrounding what its citizens can purchase without the supervision of a doctor. The exception were making when it comes to boners is a big one. Today, mens health was privileged, in a country where womens health remains chronically underfunded and defined by unacceptably bad outcomes. It isnt good enough. Concord approved the annexation of one future housing development but decided to push decisions on another until the spring. At their Thursday, Nov. 9, meeting the Concord City Council brought a 74-acre property off of Poplar Tent Road into the citys jurisdiction. The project currently proposes about 92 single-family homes and a few parcels of open space. The property, located at 9000 Poplar Tent Road, sits at the intersection of Poplar Tend and Cox Mill roads next to Poplar Trails, another single-family subdivision. The Poplar Tent Development Group hopes to build a 92-home subdivision with about 1.23 dwellings per acre and about 50 percent of open space. Cabarrus Soil and Water expressed concerns for the area because of flooding issues over the Rocky River Bridge. Concord staff said those worries werent for this project in particular but for the area as a whole since there is a flood plain there. The developer proposed all of the land in the flood plain be used for open area, including potential future connection to the Carolina Thread Trail. Staff said the project would also need a traffic study and might require some infrastructure upgrades, provided by the developer. Cabarrus County Schools told city staff they were concerned about the influx of new students the subdivision could bring. Staff said the developer has proposed some of the homes to be age-targeted, which would reduce the number of children, and also suggested working with the school system to time build out to coincide with the opening of the new high school in 2019. City Council members decided to hold off on a decision on a 49-acre property on the west side of Flowes Store Road. The three-parcel area sits north of the Flowes Store and Piney Church Road intersection and is an extension of property already in Concords jurisdiction; that land, however, is a satellite annexation not immediately adjacent to the rest of the city limits. PresPro Custom Homes hopes to build a 122-home subdivision with about 2.5 dwelling units per acre. Cabarrus County Schools again expressed concern over a potential influx of students. Staff said the school system estimated a neighborhood of that size would bring 47 elementary, 24 middle and 31 high school students. Concord Transportation recommended a traffic study, and staff said some upgrades to the roads might be required, which the developer would provide. The City Council also annexed a half-acre piece of land on Roberta Road to help connect utilities. A years-long investigation led to an arrest on drug trafficking and gun charges. A Rowan County man was arrested Monday, Nov. 27, by federal, state and local law enforcement officials for methamphetamine and gun charges following a multi-year-long investigation. Rodney Neil Hardin, 39, a resident of 2501 Windswept Way in Rockwell, was arrested following the execution of a state search warrant at his home by the Rowan County Sheriffs Office, assisted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation and the Salisbury Police Department. Hardins arrest is a continuation of an investigation that began in 2014 targeting domestic methamphetamine manufacturing and methamphetamine trafficking. In June 2017, Hardin reported to the Rowan County Sheriffs Office a robbery at his residence. Through the course of the investigation, deputies determined that the robbery was actually a drug-related home invasion and armed robbery targeting Hardin, law enforcement said. Investigators later learned that Hardin had been the victim of other home invasions and armed robberies that were not reported to law enforcement, according to a report. On Oct. 2, Hardin was involved in a vehicle chase with federal, state and local law enforcement officials on Old Beatty Ford Road in southeastern Rowan County, where he was subsequently charged with felony assault on a law enforcement official with a deadly weapon, according to a report. The Rowan County Sheriffs Office executed a search warrant at 2501 Windswept Way on the same day as the chase, officials said. During the searches on Oct. 2 and Nov. 27, investigators seized 646 grams of methamphetamine, 2.7 grams of cocaine, 0.5 grams of heroin, three handguns and almost $8,000 in cash. One gun was reported stolen. Hardin, a convicted felon, is prohibited from possessing firearms, law enforcement said. In addition to the drugs seized, investigators discovered during the search on Nov. 27 that Hardin was manufacturing methamphetamine at his residence, law enforcement said. Items used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine, including two one-pot shake and bake laboratories and an HCL generator, were found at the residence. The SBI Clandestine Laboratory Response Team assisted the Rowan County Sheriffs Office in processing and cleaning up the lab site. The investigation revealed that Hardin was responsible for approximately 73 pounds of methamphetamine that was brought to Rowan County for distribution, primarily from the state of Georgia, law enforcement said. These drugs were valued at approximately $730,000, according to a report. Hardin was charged with two counts of trafficking 400 grams or more of methamphetamine, by possession and transportation; one count of trafficking 28 grams or more, but less than 200 grams of methamphetamine by possession; possession of cocaine; possession of heroin; two counts of possession of a firearm by felon; one count of possession of a stolen firearm; one count of manufacturing methamphetamine; three counts of maintaining a dwelling for keeping and selling a controlled substance; one count of possession of immediate precursor chemicals; two counts of possession with intent to sell or deliver methamphetamine; and one count of selling or delivering methamphetamine. Bond was set at $1 million. Hardin has previous felony convictions for common law robbery, larceny from the person, felony possession of cocaine and selling or delivering a Schedule II controlled substance. Hardin has pending charges in Cabarrus County for being a habitual felon and numerous drug offenses. The investigation continues. Prosecutors announced Monday morning that they will not pursue the death penalty in two murder cases that happened within the last two months. Gerald Dean Buff, 61, of Morganton, and Steven Adam Taylor, 38, of Morganton, both appeared in Burke County Superior Court on Monday for the capital punishment hearings, known as Rule 24 hearings. Buff, who faces an unspecified class of murder, has been in jail without a bond since early October after officers charged him with killing his neighbor, Jimmy Ray Causby. After Michelle Lippert, an assistant district attorney for Burke County, announced that the state would not pursue the death penalty, Buffs lawyer asked for a bond to be set. Attorney Michael Edwards said that the alleged crime happened after an argument between the neighbors over possible stolen items. Because of this, Edwards said he did not believe Buff was a danger to society as a whole. The deadly stabbing happened on Bill Epley Avenue in Morganton, and Causby was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Burke County Sheriffs Office. A witness previously said the stabbing happened after a brief argument over a stolen welder. It all just happened so fast, Rebekah Meise said. I seen him stabbing him, but soon as I seen all that, I grabbed my stuff out of his car and tried to get away. Lippert said Buff has a history of assault and has failed to appear in court at least one time. Because of this, she asked Judge Gregory Hayes to consider a high bond. Hayes then set the bond at $250,000. Taylor previously faced an unspecified class of murder, too. However, Hayes said in court that Taylor now faces first-degree murder. Lippert again announced that the state does not wish to pursue the death penalty for the charge, which was served Nov. 8. Kevin Lewis McSheffrey Jr. was found dead in Taylors home that same day from a gunshot wound to the head. An investigation led officers to believe that Taylor was impaired when the shooting happened and that the scene had been altered. Although McSheffrey was found dead inside, blood was found outside, according to court documents. Buff and Taylor are set to appear in court for an administrative session on March 5. Ryan Wilusz is a staff writer and can be reached at rwilusz@morganton.com or at 828-432-8941. Up to people were detained in Athens during an early morning raid by Greece's anti-terrorism squad of at least two apartments in the central Athens district of Neos Kosmos on Tuesday , with those detained alternately identified by local media as Turkish nationals or Kurds from Turkey Russia: U.S. Wants to Provoke North Korea Into Starting a War By Cristina Silva November 27, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - The U.S. is trying to provoke North Korea into starting a war so that it can then strike back, according to a top Russian official. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday other nations in Asia should be wary of the U.S.' ambitious and motivations in the region. We are alarmed that in the last two months when North Korea conducted no tests or rocket launches, it seemed that Washington was not happy about that, and tried to do things that would irritate and provoke Pyongyang, Lavrov said. Referring to U.S. officials, he said: Its as if they are hoping that they (the North Koreans) will lash out again, and then it would be possible to engage in military options. Lavrov spoke during a joint press conference with his Japanese counterpart, Taro Kono, after the men met in Moscow to discuss relations between the world powers, Reuters reported . He questioned why the U.S. had passed new sanctions against North Korea and held military exercises in the region in recent weeks even though Pyongyang had not taken action against Washington during the same period. He suggested Japan has done little to discourage heated tension from the U.S. aimed at North Korea. We are expressing deep concern, with facts to back it up, that Japan along with South Korea is becoming a territory for the deployment of elements of the U.S. global missile defense system which is being rolled out in that region under the pretext of the North Korea threat, Lavrov said.We have no problems directly with Japan, we do not see risks there. We see risks because of the proliferation of a global U.S. missile defense system on the territory of countries that neighbor Russia, including Japan. He added: As you know, the U.S. leadership has said many times that all options are on the table, including military options, and we note that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, at a meeting with President Trump in early November, said that he supports the American position 100 percent. Kono responded that Japan had not called for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to stop down, but added that Tokyo must protect itself after Pyongyang conducted a missile test in September that flew over Japanese territory. This is unprecedented, the most important and most pressing threat not just to Japan and Russia but to the international community as a whole. Its absolutely unacceptable, Kono said, speaking through an interpreter. We believe its necessary to use all possible means and to increase the pressure on North Korea as much as possible to stop its nuclear program and the rocket launches." Never Miss Another Story Get Your Free Daily Newsletter Japan and Russia have long had strained relations. The two nations never formally made up after World War II, when the Soviet Union sided with the allies against Tokyo and took control over a group of islands in the Pacific from Japan. Neither Kono or Lavrov mentioned the islands during the press conference. At one point, Kono described the U.S. as a friend in the battle to temper North Korea's nuclear ambitions. "Japan welcomes the position of the United States, which is that to protect Japan and South Korea, all means of deterrence will be used, he said. After President Donald Trump declared North Korea a state sponsors of terrorism last week, both South Korea and Japan applauded the decision. I welcome and support (the designation) as it raises the pressure on North Korea, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters. This article was originally published by Newsweek - ==== Note regarding comments Is North Korea Really a 'State Sponsor of Terrorism'? By Ron Paul November 27, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - President Trump announced last week that he was returning North Korea to the US list of state sponsors of terrorism after having been off the list for the past nine years. Americans may wonder what dramatic event led the US president to re-designate North Korea as a terrorism-sponsoring nation. Has Pyongyang been found guilty of some spectacular terrorist attack overseas or perhaps of plotting to overthrow another country by force? No, that is not the case. North Korea is back on the US list of state sponsors of terrorism because President Trump thinks the move will convince the government to give up its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile program. He believes that continuing down the path toward confrontation with North Korea will lead the country to capitulate to Washingtons demands. That will not happen. President Trump and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson argued that North Korea deserved to be back on the list because the North Korean government is reported to have assassinated a North Korean citizen Kim Jong-Uns own half-brother -- in February at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. But what does that say about Washingtons own program to assassinate US citizens like Anwar al-Awlaki and his 16 year old son under Obama, and later Awlakis six year old daughter under Trump? Like Kims half brother, Awlaki and his two children were never tried or convicted of a crime before being killed by their own government. The neocons, who are pushing for a war with North Korea, are extremely pleased by Trumps move. John Bolton called it exactly the right thing to do. Designating North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism will allow President Trump to impose the highest level of sanctions on North Korea. Does anyone believe more sanctions which hurt the suffering citizens of North Korea the most will actually lead North Koreas leadership to surrender to Washingtons demands? Sanctions never work. They hurt the weakest and most vulnerable members of society the hardest and affect the elites the least. Never Miss Another Story Get Your Free Daily Newsletter So North Korea is officially a terrorism-sponsoring nation according to the Trump Administration because Kim Jong-Un killed a family member. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is in the process of killing the entire country of Yemen and no one says a word. In fact, the US government has just announced it will sell Saudi Arabia $7 billion more weapons to help it finish the job. Also, is it not state-sponsorship of terrorism to back al-Qaeda and ISIS, as Saudi Arabia has done in Syria? The truth is a state sponsor of terrorism designation has little to do with actual support for global terrorism. As bad as the North Korean government is, it is does not go abroad looking for countries to invade. The designation is a political one, allowing Washington to ramp up more aggression against North Korea. Next month the US and South Korean militaries will conduct a massive military exercise practicing an attack on North Korea. American and South Korean air force fighters and bombers will practice enemy infiltration and precision strike drills. Are these not also to be seen as threatening? What is terrorism? Maybe we should ask a Yemeni child constantly wondering when the next Saudi bomb overhead might kill his family. Or perhaps we might even ask a Pakistani, Somali, Iraqi, Syrian, or other child who is terrified that the next US bomb will do the same to his family. Perhaps we need to look at whether US foreign policy actually reflects the American values we claim to be exporting before we point out the flaws in others. This article was originally published by RonPaul Institute - Copyright 2017 by RonPaul Institute. ==== Note regarding comments Why Saudi Public Relations Are So Disastrous By Finian Cunningham November 27, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - What a disastrous past week its been for Saudi Arabias international public relations. Its hard to imagine how it could possibly become more ignominious or cringe making for the House of Saud. But of course, how could it be otherwise? When the oil-rich kingdom is run by a father-and-son clique, cosseted by venal super-wealth, and ruled by patronage, pampered by cowering flunkies. In addition, obsessed with an obscurantist Wahhabi sectarian hatred, and to cap it all, indulged by an ignorant American president who himself shares dynastic family ambitions. Last weeks roll call of PR disasters included the Syrian peace process getting underway in earnest, in spite of Saudi efforts to derail. Secondly, Lebanon appears to have stabilized politically with the return of its Prime Minister Saad Hariri, again in spite of Saudi attempts to sabotage the government in Beirut. And thirdly, most shamefully, the shocking images of emaciated children in Yemen have shown the world the sickening reality of the Saudi-led blockade on that war-stricken country. Lets start with the tale of two summits. While Russian President Vladimir Putin was last week hosting his Syrian, Iranian and Turkish counterparts in the Black Sea city of Sochi in a major diplomatic boost for a peaceful end to the Syrian war, at the same time the Saudi rulers were convening something lackluster and frankly, irrelevant, by comparison. The Saudis held a summit in Riyadh for the so-called Syrian opposition comprising the discredited political talking heads of sundry terror groups that have ravaged Syria for the past nearly seven years. Disgracefully, the UN envoy Staffan de Mistura was present in a vain bid to lend some ersatz credibility to the terrorist apologists. Putin, and Irans Hassan Rouhani and Turkeys Recep Tayyip Erdogan joined political forces to push for a comprehensive peace settlement in Syria determined by the Syrian people alone without external interference. Whereas at the Saudi conference of has-been Syrian opposition figures, who have been living a charmed life in exile in Saudi Arabia, there were the tired-old, futile calls for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to quit as leader. With the Syrian War near over and with Assads state forces dominant over the foreign-backed insurgents, no-one can take the demand for Assad to stand down as serious. Its a pipe-dream that the Saudis still keep puffing on. Not even Washington and its NATO allies bother to make this demand seriously any more. In a nutshell, the Saudi rulers are seen to be left holding the putrid remnants of their defeated regime-change intrigue in Syria. Moving on to the debacle over Lebanon. Again, Saudi machinations were seen here to have turned pear-shaped. After nearly two weeks of trying to arm-twist Lebanese premier Saad Hariri to resign and thereby collapse the coalition government in Beirut with Shia group Hezbollah, Hariri returned last week to his country. In the meantime, Lebanon has rallied across sectarian lines to unite against Saudi interference the exact opposite of what the Saudi rulers were agitating for. The whole Saudi-inspired attempt to sabotage Lebanese politics and even incite a sectarian war in the country has ended up only strengthening the country and in particular elevating Hezbollah as a defender of the nations sovereignty. The Saudi paymaster had wanted Sunni politician Saad Hariri to resign as prime minister. His resignation was broadcast on Saudi television on November 4 after Hariri had been summoned to Riyadh and where he inexplicably stayed for the next two weeks. According to the Saudi-inspired script, Hariri said his life was in danger from an assassination plot by Hezbollah and its Shia ally Iran. Hezbollah and Iran scoffed at that claim as ridiculous. Lebanese President Michel Aoun, from the Christian constituency, also dismissed Hariris sensational claims. Last week when Hariri returned to Lebanon, he abruptly reversed his resignation decision, saying now that he would remain in the prime ministers post. The bizarre images of Hariri looking relaxed at a military parade in Beirut marking Lebanons independence day last Wednesday were a stupendous rebuttal of Saudi-orchestrated fear-mongering that this was a man whose life was purportedly under threat. The Saudi reckless attempts at destabilizing Lebanon not only spectacularly backfired. Their interference in the sovereign affairs of Lebanon has earned the Saudis the scorn of Lebanese and Arab people across the entire region. As if those PR cock-ups werent bad enough, then the world was shocked by images out of Yemen showing skeletal children starving to death from the Saudi blockade on the country. Also, caught on the hook of Saudi barbarity were the US and Britain which have been supplying the Saudi regime with weapons and logistics in its nearly three-year war on the poorest nation of the Arab region. The Saudis imposed a total sea, air and land blockade on Yemen on November 6 following a ballistic missile attack near the Saudi capital by Houthi rebels from Yemeni territory. The Houthis say they are taking the war to Saudi Arabia because of the latters aerial bombing campaign which has targeted civilians. For the Saudis to respond by imposing collective punishment through a blockade on vital aid entering into Yemen is a gross violation of humanitarian law a war crime. Nearly two weeks of this total blockade provoked the UN and other international aid agencies to issue dire warnings that millions of Yemenis are facing starvation. So bad is the international image of the Saudis that the US State Department was motivated to urge its client regime to relent on the suffering it was inflicting. At the end of last week, the Saudi rulers claimed that they were lifting the blockade on Yemens airports and sea ports. The UN and aid agencies still said the dubious Saudi lifting of blockade would not alleviate the suffering. How could any country preside over such a week of horrible public relations? What is it about the Saudi rulers that make them so incorrigibly incompetent, so barbaric and so self-defeating? Several factors combine to make the Saudi rulers a perfect shit-storm. The House of Saud is a family-run crony dynasty. Thats not new. But over the past year or so, the present rulers have consolidated absolute power to a father-and-son clique, headed by ailing King Salman (82) and the precocious 32-year-old Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman. These scions of intoxicating hyper-wealth live in an ivory tower within an ivory tower. The Saudi system of governance never had accountability except within its own arcane crony inner-circle. Now it has even less accountability. Its therefore not hard to imagine how the Saudi rulers are prone to making ever-more foolish foreign policy calculations. The war on Yemen was masterminded by the ambitious, insecure Crown Prince trying to prove his mettle, when he probably never had any competence to begin with. The guy probably reads intricate regional politics through the prism of one of his puerile computer games. Never Miss Another Story Get Your Free Daily Newsletter Secondly, the Saudi rulers, present and past, are guided by an obsessive sectarian Wahhabi hatred towards Shia Islam. All policy decisions are made out of an irrational abhorrence towards Shia Iran, and any ally of Iran, from Hezbollah to Syria. The reasons for this obsessive hatred are rooted in an obscurantist religious belief that Shia Islam is heretical. That antipathy is also fueled by an insecure sense of envy and nemesis that Irans relatively progressive politics are more legitimate and appealing to the masses in the Middle East than the feudalist monarchy of the Saudis. In any case, to construct foreign policy relations on the basis of a Medieval-like worldview is inevitably problematic, to say the least, in the 21st Century. A third reason why the Saudis are so incorrigibly inept is because the rulers are indulged by American and European governments and the Western media. Admittedly, some Western media outlets have belatedly given some coverage to the horror inflicted on Yemen. Nevertheless, the media coverage is still shamefully muted considering the scale of suffering and crimes perpetrated. We are talking about a genocide unfolding in Yemen imposed by the Saudi rulers with the support of their American and British patrons. Yet in spite of this utter barbarity, Western media remain relatively mute. Contrast the Western media reporting on Yemen with the hysterical coverage they were giving to the Syrian city of Aleppo last year when the Syrian army and Russian forces were moving in to liberate that city from a siege by foreign-backed militants. Western indulgence of the Saudis in the form of low-key hypocritical media coverage emboldens these despots to embark on their reckless and ruinous schemes. None is more to blame for Western indulgence than the British and American governments who have plied the Saudi regime with billions of dollars-worth of warplanes and bombs over the past three years in the war on Yemen. Despite the evidence of war crimes against civilians, Washington and London maintain the despicable, risible fiction that all is ethical and legal. Topping the Western indulgence of the Saudi despots is US President Donald Trump and his businessman son-in-law Jared Kushner , who is his unelected top aide on Middle Eastern affairs. Every recent PR disaster by the Saudis has been encouraged and approved by Trump who seems to run the White House as if it were a family business dynasty. Both Trump and Kushner are regarded as having very limited knowledge about history and geopolitics. Dumb and Dumber, in short. Trumps dispatch of 36-year-old gormless Kushner to delve into Middle East affairs and to pander to the whims of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman is certainly a major factor in why the House of Saud keeps making foreign policy like operating a wrecking ball. When House of Trump pairs up with House of Saud, no wonder then that its a super-sized PR fiasco. 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 - ==== For Saudi Arabia, it's been Operation Shoot Yourself In The Foot Note regarding comments The Duty to Disobey a Nuclear Launch Order By Marjorie Cohn November 27, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - As the heated rhetoric with North Korean president Kim Jong-un escalated, Trump tweeted that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was "wasting his time" by pursuing diplomacy with North Korea. Trump threatened to "totally destroy" North Korea. During his visit to South Korea earlier this month, Trump distinguished his administration from prior ones, who refrained from using nuclear weapons against North Korea. "This is a very different administration than the United States has had in the past," he said. "Do not underestimate us. And do not try us." In April, "multiple senior intelligence officials" told NBC News that the administration was "prepared to launch a preemptive strike" if they thought North Korea was about to conduct a nuclear test. Preemptive strikes violate the United Nations Charter, which forbids the use of military force except in self-defense or with permission from the UN Security Council. A Duty to Obey Lawful and Disobey Unlawful Orders The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) requires that all military personnel obey lawful orders. Article 92 of the UCMJ provides, "A general order or regulation is lawful unless it is contrary to the Constitution, the laws of the United States...." Additionally, both the Nuremberg Principles and the Army Field Manual create a duty to disobey unlawful orders. Article II of the Constitution states, "The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States." However, Article I specifies that only Congress has the power to declare war. Taken together, the articles convey that the president commands the armed forces once Congress authorizes war. The president can only use military force in self-defense or to forestall an imminent attack. There must exist "a necessity of self-defence, instant, overwhelming, leaving no choice of means, and no moment for deliberation," under the well-established Caroline Case. A president has no lawful authority to order a first-strike nuclear attack. In its advisory opinion, "Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons," the International Court of Justice (ICJ) determined in 1996 that "the threat or use of nuclear weapons would generally be contrary to the rules of international law applicable in armed conflict, and in particular the principles and rules of humanitarian law." The ICJ continued, "However ... the Court cannot conclude definitively whether the threat or use of nuclear weapons would be lawful or unlawful in an extreme circumstance of self-defence, in which the very survival of a State would be at stake." That means that while the use of nuclear weapons might be lawful when used in self-defense if the survival of the nation were at stake, a first-strike use would not be. Article 509 of Field Manual 27-10, codifying a Nuremberg Principle, specifies that "following superior orders" is not a defense to the commission of war crimes, unless the accused "did not know and could not reasonably have been expected to know that the act ordered was unlawful." "Every violation of the law of war is a war crime," Section 499 of the Army Field Manual states. The law of war is largely contained in the Geneva Conventions. Gen. Hyten, who said he had been trained in the law of war for many years, cited its four guiding principles: distinction, proportionality, necessity and unnecessary suffering. The first is distinction. "In order to ensure respect for and protection of the civilian population and civilian objects, the Parties to the conflict shall at all times distinguish between the civilian population and combatants and between civilian objects and military objectives," Article 48 of the Geneva Conventions, Additional Protocol 1, says. Article 85 describes making the civilian population or individual civilians the object of attack as a grave breach, which is considered a war crime. Nuclear weapons do not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Another guiding principle is proportionality. "Loss of life and damage to property incidental to attacks must not be excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage expected to be gained," according to the US Army Field Manual FM27-10: Law of Land Warfare. The damage a US nuclear weapon would inflict -- the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people -- would vastly exceed the military object of destroying North Korea's nuclear weapons. Military necessity is also a well-established law of war. It allows "those measures not forbidden by international law which are indispensable for securing the complete submission of the enemy," according to the Lieber Code. It is never necessary to use a nuclear weapon, except in certain hypothetical cases of self-defense if the survival of the US were at stake. Finally, there is the principle of unnecessary suffering. "It is prohibited to employ weapons, projectiles and material and methods of warfare of a nature to cause superfluous injury or unnecessary suffering," according to Article 35.2 of the Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions. A nuclear attack on North Korea would kill and maim untold numbers of people. Never Miss Another Story Get Your Free Daily Newsletter If the president ordered a nuclear strike, Gen. Hyten said he would offer legal and strategic advice, but he would not violate the laws of war simply on the president's say-so. Who's in the Nuclear Chain of Command? Last month, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker (R-Tennessee) worried that Trump may be leading the United States "on the path to World War III." On November 14, Corker convened the first congressional hearing on the president's power to use nuclear weapons since 1976. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut) said, "We are concerned that the president of the United States is so unstable, is so volatile, has a decision-making process that is so quixotic that he might order a nuclear weapons strike that is wildly out of step with US national security interests." Ret. Gen. Robert Kehler, former commander of the US Strategic Command, testified at the hearing that the military can refuse to follow what it views as an illegal order, including an order to launch a nuclear strike. To be lawful, an order must come from a source with legal authority and must be legal under the law of armed conflict, Gen. Kehler added. Duke University Professor Peter Feaver testified that the president does not simply press a button to launch nuclear weapons. He can only give an order to others, who would then cause "missiles to fly." However, although he cannot "press a button," the president has considerable power to manipulate circumstances in ways that would allow him to launch those missiles. Brian McKeon, senior policy adviser in the Pentagon in the Obama administration, testified that if a commander balked at carrying out a launch order, the president could tell the secretary of defense to order the reluctant commander to launch the missiles. "And then, if the commander still resisted," McKeon added, "you either get a new secretary of defense or get a new commander." One way or another, McKeon said, the president would get his way. Moreover, Bruce Blair, former nuclear missile launch officer and cofounder of the anti-nuclear group Global Zero, told the Associated Press that a president can send a nuclear attack order directly to the Pentagon war room. From there, Blair said, that order "would go to the men and women who would turn the launch keys." William Perry, secretary of defense in the Clinton administration, concurs. Perry told Politico that defense secretary James Mattis could not necessarily stop a nuclear launch order. "The order can go directly from the president to the Strategic Air Command," Perry said. "So, in a five- or six- or seven-minute kind of decision, the secretary of defense probably never hears about it until it's too late." Ranking Senate Foreign Relations Committee Member Ben Cardin (D-Maryland) advocated congressional reassertion of authority. He said they should not trust the generals or a set of protocols to act as a check on the president, or rely on individuals hired by the president to resist an illegal order. "Donald Trump can launch nuclear war as easily as his Twitter account," Cardin cautioned. Reaffirm Congress's Constitutional War Powers On October 27, Rep. John Conyers (D-Michigan) introduced H.R. 4140, the No Unconstitutional Strike Against North Korea Act. The bipartisan bill, which currently has more than 60 co-sponsors, would prohibit the use of any federal funds to launch a military strike against North Korea or to introduce the US Armed Forces into hostilities with North Korea before Congress either declares war on, or enacts an authorization for the use of military force in, North Korea. Contact your Congress member and insist that he or she sign on to H.R. 4140 as a co-sponsor. Marjorie Cohn is professor emerita at Thomas Jefferson School of Law, former president of the National Lawyers Guild, deputy secretary general of the International Association of Democratic Lawyers, and a member of the national advisory board of Veterans for Peace. Nicaragua : Open Letter to Amnesty International Former Amnesty International Prisoner of Conscience Clarifies The Situation in Nicaragua By Camilo Mejia June 15, 2018 " Information Clearing House " - Through this letter I express my unequivocal condemnation of Amnesty International with regards to the destabilizing role it has played in Nicaragua, my country of birth. I open this letter quoting Donatella Rovera , who at the time this quote was made had been one of Amnesty Internationals field investigators for more than 20 years: Conflict situations create highly politicized and polarized environments. Players and interested parties go to extraordinary lengths to manipulate or manufacture evidence for both internal and external consumption. A recent, though by no means the only, example is provided by the Syrian conflict in what is often referred to as the YouTube war, with a myriad techniques employed to manipulate video footage of incidents which occurred at other times in other places including in other countries and present them as proof of atrocities committed by one or the other parties to the conflict in Syria. Ms. Roveras remarks, made in 2014, properly describe the situation of Nicaragua today, where even the preamble of the crisis was manipulated to generate rejection of the Nicaraguan government. Amnesty Internationals maliciously titled report, Shoot to Kill: Nicaraguas Strategy to Repress Protest , could be dismantled point by point, but doing so requires precious time that the Nicaraguan people dont have, therefore I will concentrate on two main points: - The report completely lacks neutrality and; - Amnesty Internationals role is contributing to the chaos in which the nation finds itself. The operating narrative, agreed-upon by the local opposition and the corporate western media, is as follows: That president Ortega sought to cut 5 percent from retirees monthly retirement checks and that he was going to increase contributions, made by employees and employers, into the social security system. The reforms sparked protests, the response to which was a government-ordered genocide of peaceful protestors, more than 60, mostly students. A day or two after that, the Nicaraguan government would wait until nightfall to send its police force out in order to decimate the Nicaraguan population, night after night, city by city, in the process destroying its own public buildings and killing its own police force, to then culminate its murderous rampage with a Mothers Day massacre, and so on. While the above narrative is not uniformly expressed by all anti-government actors, the unifying elements are that the government is committing genocide, and that the president and vice-president must go. Amnesty Internationals assertions are mostly based on either testimony by anti-government witnesses and victims, or the uncorroborated and highly manipulated information emitted by U.S.-financed anti-government media outlets, and non-profit organizations, collectively known as civil society. The three main media organizations cited by the report: Confidencial, 100% Noticias, and La Prensa, are sworn enemies of the Ortega government; most of these opposition news media organizations, along with some, if not all, of the main non-profits cited by the report, are funded by the United States, through organizations like the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), which has been characterized by retired U.S. Congressman, Ron Paul, as: " an organization that uses US tax money to actually subvert democracy, by showering funding on favored political parties or movements overseas. It underwrites color-coded peoples revolutions overseas that look more like pages out of Lenins writings on stealing power than genuine indigenous democratic movements." Amnestys report heavily relies on 100% Noticias, an anti-government news outlet that has aired manipulated and inflammatory material to generate hatred against the Nicaraguan government, including footage of peaceful protesters, unaware of the fact that the protesters were carrying pistols, rifles, and were shooting at police officers during incidents reported by the network as acts of police repression of opposition marches. On Mothers Day, 100% Noticias reported the purported shooting of unarmed protesters by police shooters, including an incident in which a young mans brains were spilling out of his skull. The network followed the report with a photograph that Ms. Rovera would refer to as an incident which occurred at other times in other places. The picture included in the report was quickly met on social media by links to past online articles depicting the same image. One of the sources (footnote #77) cited to corroborate the alleged denial of medical care at state hospitals to patients injured at opposition events one of the main accusations repeated and reaffirmed by Amnesty International- is a press conference published by La Prensa, in which the Chief of Surgery denies claims that he had been fired, or that hospital officials had denied care to protesters at the beginning of the conflict. I repeat, he is heard saying, as the chief of surgery, I repeat [the] order: to take care of, I will be clear, to take care of the entire population that comes here, without investigating anything at all. In other words, one of Amnesty Internationals own sources contradicts one of its reports main claims. The above-mentioned examples of manipulated and manufactured evidence, to borrow the words of Amnestys own investigator, are just a small sample, but they capture the essence of this modality of U.S.-sponsored regime change. The report feeds on claims from those on one side of the conflict, and relies on deeply corrupted evidence; it ultimately helps create the mirage of a genocidal state, in turn generating more antigovernment sentiment locally and abroad, and paving the way for ever more aggressive foreign intervention. A Different Narrative The original reforms to social security were not proposed by the Sandinista government, but by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and they were supported by an influential business group, known as COSEP. They included raising the retirement age from 60 to 65 and doubling the number of quotas necessary to get full social security from 750 to 1500. Among the impacted retirees, approximately 53,000, are the families of combatants who died in the armed conflict of the 1980s, from both the Sandinista army and the Contras, the mercenary army financed by the United States government in the 1980s, around the same time the NED was created, in part, to stop the spread of Sandinismo in Latin America. The Nicaraguan government countered the IMFs reforms by rejecting the cutting out of any retirees, with a proposed 5% cut to all retirement checks, an increase in all contributions to the social security system, and with fiscal reform that removed a tax-ceiling that protected Nicaraguas biggest salaries from higher taxation. The business sector was furious, and together with nongovernmental organizations organized the first marches, using the pretext of the reforms in the same manipulative way Amnesty Internationals report explains them: the reform increased social security contributions by both employers and employees and imposed an additional 5% contribution on pensioners. The continuing narrative, repeated and validated by Amnesty International, is that the protesters are peaceful and the genocidal government is irrationally bent on committing atrocities in plain sight. Meanwhile, the number of dead among Sandinista supporters and police officers continues to rise. The report states that ballistic investigations suggest that those shooting at protesters are likely trained snipers, pointing to government involvement, but fails to mention that many of the victims are Sandinistas, regular citizens, and police officers. It also does not mention that the peaceful protesters have burned down and destroyed more than 60 public buildings, among them many City Halls, Sandinista houses, markets, artisan shops, radio stations, and more; nor does it mention that the protesters have established tranques, or roadblocks, in order to debilitate the economy as a tactic to oust the government. Such tranques have become extremely dangerous scenes where murder, robbery, kidnapping, and the rape of at least one child have taken place; a young pregnant woman whose ambulance wasnt let through also died on May 17th. All of these crimes occur daily and are highly documented, but arent included in Amnesty Internationals report. While the organization is right to criticize the governments belittling response to the initial protests, such response was not entirely untrue. According to the report, Vice-President Murillo said, among other things, that they [the protesters] had made up the reports of fatalities as part of an anti-government strategy. What Amnesty leaves out is that several of the reported dead students did turn up alive, one of them all the way in Spain, while others had not been killed at rallies, nor were they students or activists, including one who died from a scattered bullet, and another who died from a heart attack in his bed. Amnestys report also leaves out that many of the students have deserted the movement, alleging that there are criminals entrenched at universities as well as at the various tranques, who are only interested in destabilizing the nation. Those criminals have created a state of sustained fear among the population, imposing taxes on those who want passage, persecuting those who refuse to be detained, kidnapping them, beating them, torturing them, and setting their cars on fire. In a common practice, they undress their victims, paint their naked bodies in public with the blue and white of the Nicaraguan flag, and then set them free, prompting them to run right before shooting them with homemade mortar weapons. All of this information, which did not make the report, is available in numerous videos and other sources. Why Nicaragua? The most basic review of the history between Nicaragua and the United States will show a clear rivalry. Beginning in the mid-1800s, Nicaragua has been resisting U.S. intervention into the countrys affairs, a resistance that continued through the 20th century, first with General August C. Sandinos fight in the 1920s and 30s, and then with the Sandinistas, organized as the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), which overthrew the U.S.-supported, 40-year Somoza family dictatorship in 1979. The FSLN, despite having gained power through armed struggle, called for elections shortly after its triumph in 1984, and eventually lost to yet another U.S.-supported coalition of right-wing political parties in 1990. The FSLN once again managed, aided by pacts made with the church and the opposition, to win the election of 2006, and has remained in power since. In addition to Nicaraguas close ties with Venezuela, Cuba, Russia, and especially China, with whom the country signed a contract to build a canal, the other main reason the United States is after the Sandinistas, is Nicaraguas highly successful economic model, which represents an existential threat to the neoliberal economic order imposed by the U.S. and its allies. Despite always being among the poorest nations in the American continent and the world, Nicaragua has managed, since Ortega returned to power in 2007, to cut poverty by three quarters. Prior to the protests in April, the countrys economy sustained a steady annual economic growth of about 5% for several years, and the country had the third fastest-growing economy in Latin America, and was one of the safest nations in the region. The governments infrastructural upgrades have facilitated trade among Nicaraguas poorest citizens; they have created universal access to education: primary, secondary, and university; there are programs on land, housing, nutrition, and more; the healthcare system, while modest, is not only excellent, but accessible to everyone. Approximately 90% of the food consumed by Nicaraguans is produced in Nicaragua, and about 70% of jobs come from the grassroots economy rather than from transnational corporations- including from small investors from the United States and Europe, who have moved to the country and are a driving force behind the tourism industry. The audacity of success, of giving its poorest citizens a life with dignity, of being an example of sovereignty to wealthier, more powerful nations, all in direct contradiction to the neoliberal model and its emphasis on privatization and austerity, has once again placed Nicaragua in the crosshairs of U.S. intervention. Imagine the example to other nations -their economies already strangled by neoliberal policies- becoming aware of one of the poorest countries on earth being able to feed its people and grow its economy without throwing its poorest citizens under the iron boot of capitalism. The United States will never tolerate such a dangerous example. In Closing The Nicaraguan government has deficiencies and contradictions to work on, like all governments, and as a Sandinista myself I would like to see the party transformed in various important ways, both internally and externally. I have refrained from writing of those deficiencies and contradictions, however, because the violent protests and ensuing chaos we have seen are not the result of the Nicaraguan governments shortcomings, but rather, of its many successes; that inconvenient truth is the reason the United States and its allies, including Amnesty International, have chosen to create highly politicized and polarized environments. And to go to extraordinary lengths to manipulate or manufacture evidence for both internal and external consumption. At a time when even the Organization of American States, the United Nations, and the Vatican have called for peaceful and constitutional reforms as the only way out of the conflict, Amnesty International has continued to beseech the international community to not abandon the Nicaraguan people. Such biased stance, obscenely bloated on highly manipulated, distorted, and one-sided information, has made the terrible situation in Nicaragua even worse. The loss of Nicaraguan lives, including the blood of those ignored by Amnesty International, has been used to manufacture the evidence used in the organizations report, which makes the organization complicit in what future foreign intervention might fall upon the Nicaraguan people. It is now up to the organization to correct that wrong, and to do so in a way that reflects a firm commitment first and foremost to the truth, wherever it might fall, and to neutrality, peace, democracy, and always, to the sovereignty of every nation on earth. Sincerely, Camilo E. Mejia. Camilo Mejia is an Iraq war veteran, resister and conscientious objector (2003-2004) Amnesty International prisoner of conscience (June 2004) Born in Nicaragua, Citizen of the World ==== Policemen in Isolo area of Lagos have arrested a woman after she reportedly killed another church member with her car. A Nigerian woman by name Mrs. Obiageli Ezeanowiyi is in serious trouble after she reportedly killed her fellow church member in an accident while she was allegedly driving and receiving phone call. According to PM Express, Ezeanowiyi lost control of the car and killed the victim known as Madam Chichi on their way to church. The tragic incident took place at Jakande Estate junction at Okeafa, Isolo close to St. Peters Catholic Church where both were members and belonged to the Adoration Ministry organised by a popular Catholic priest. The suspect has been arrested and detained at the police station and she is now facing murder charge because of the manner the accident happened. It was gathered that the late Madam Chichi who ran a popular joint and lived at Isolo, was going for Sunday adoration service before the incident happened. The deceased was said to have got to Jakande junction and was trying to get another tricycle that will take her to the church. However, while she was still standing at the bus stop, Mrs. Obiageli who was driving her Nissan Pathfinder SUV ran into her and killed her instantly. Eyewitnesses at the scene of the incident alleged that Mrs. Obiageli was answering phone call while driving which made her to lose control and hit the woman while driving to the church. Meanwhile, her corpse has been taken to Isolo mortuary for autopsy report while Obiageli reported herself to the police who detained her at the police station. The Pathfinder SUV which Obiageli used to kill Chichi was also recovered and parked at the Ejigbo Police Station as exhibit. The suspect, Obiageli is still being detained at the Ejigbo police Station as police detectives prepare necessary papers to charge her to court for murder. However, members of the church, both relations and neighbours were seen around the station trying to find a peaceful solution to resolve the matter. The late Madam Chichi hailed from Mbano in Imo State and had three children before she died on Sunday. Source Tori Cross River State Emergency Management Agency has confirmed the destruction of over 50 shops after Mondays fire incident at the Yoruba section of Watt market in Calabar. Mr John Inaku, SEMA Director General, who said this after a visit to the area on Tuesday, said the cause of the fire was still unknown. Up till now, the cause of the fire is still unknown; over 50 shops were affected during the tragic incident. I am here on the directives of the State Government to ascertain the cause of the outbreak and to report back so that something can be done to alleviate the plights of the victims. If you take a critical look at the shops, they are closely located. This makes it easy for the fire to spread quickly from one shop to another. My advice to shop owners is that they should always put off their appliances after close of business; this would go a long way to prevent disasters like this, he said. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the fire affected mostly electrical, provision, jewellery and book shops in the market. NAN further reports that no casualty was recorded. Source: ( NAN) A gas plant explosion which occurred on Monday has left at least four people dead in Imo state. At least four people were killed after a gas plant exploded on Monday at Orji, a suburb town in Owerri, the Imo State capital. It was gathered that the accident occurred at about 4.35pm at Okpokiri Petroleum Station, near two commercial banks. The four lifeless bodies were sighted with some of the body parts scattered on the ground. Policemen from the Orji division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, Ude Umanta, a Superintendent of Police, as well as others drafted from the command headquarters, were seen on the ground. Diamond and First bank branches located around the filling station were forced to close for the day, as their facilities were affected by the explosion. It was learnt that some bank customers and motorists, who wanted to fuel their cars, were injured and rushed to a hospital. One of the survivors, Adubackoja Ochowotia, said that while two of his colleagues died on the spot, two members of staff of the filling station also lost their lives. Revealing what happened, the Benue state indigene said: We came from Abuja to fix the gas plant. We were working on it when the oxygen exploded and killed two of my colleagues. The 28-year-old gave the names of his dead colleagues as Adeyemi Wasiu and one Maruf. A senior police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the press, said four persons died while many others were taken to the hospital. He said: The gas plant exploded around 4.35pm and before we could arrive here, four persons were already dead. The survivors were taken to the hospital. From preliminary investigations, it was an explosion from a gas plant that was being worked on by some artisans from Abuja. The state Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike, has drafted more men to the scene to help manage the situation. Several buildings, including people making use of the Automated Teller Machines, were affected. After about an hour, the corpses were taken to a morgue. By then, men of the Imo State Fire Service had also arrived at the scene, according to a report by Punch. While there was heavy traffic around the scene of the incident, people were booing the firefighters for arriving late. See more photos below: Eight prison officers have been dismissed for professional misconduct by the Controller-General of Prison, Jaafaru Ahmed. The officers were found guilty of trafficking prohibited items such as mobile phones, Indian hemp and other narcotics into the prison yards for inmates according to statement on Monday in Abuja by the NPS spokesman, Francis Enobore. A letter signed by the officer in-charge of discipline, CP O. Agun, on behalf of the Controller-General said, IP Thomas Jatau and PA II Mottallem Yari, were dismissed for trafficking mobile phones into the prisons. The statement explained that AIP Mohammed Jibril, CPA Saleh DanAzare, PA II Umar Gusau, PA II Mohammed JaOji, PA 1 Saidu Gusau and PA II Maji Maiku were fired for smuggling Indian hemp and other prohibited items into the prisons. It added that illegal access to mobile phones and other communication gadgets by prisoners had been of great concern to the management of the Nigeria Prisons Service, noting that various criminal activities had been perpetrated by inmates including facilitating jailbreaks. Similarly, apart from the far-reaching health implications of exposing inmates to the use of Indian hemp and other intoxicating substances, the act also compromises discipline and negates inmate reformation thrust of the prison, it added. Enobore said the CG appreciated the officers and men of the service, including members of the public for providing useful information that had continued to assist the authorities in identifying unfit individuals within the ranks for appropriate action. The public is once again assured of humane custody of prisoners and sustainable peace and calm in all prison formations across the country as efforts are now being strengthened to guarantee adequate reformation and rehabilitation of offenders to become productive citizens on discharge, he added. Source: ( Punch Newspaper ) Governor Wille Obiano has warned his Commissioners, Special Adviser or civil servant that any of them involved in any act of fraud or corruption in Anambra State will automatically be dismissed with immediate effect. These stern warnings were handed down to commissioners and other top government officials by the state governor, Willie Obiano, at a meeting in Awka, the state capital. The governor warned that with his re-election for a second term, governance would not be as usual. He said that there must be a sense of commitment and seriousness in all public servants in the state who want to be part of the new revolution that will be introduced in the state to serve the people of the state better. The governor disclosed that there will be checks and balance in every aspect of government business now and that all loopholes must be completely plugged to checkmate the activities of those who have in the past been sabotaging the efforts of the government to give qualitative service to the people of Anambra State. He promised that during his second term in office things must change and be done within the ambit of the rules and regulations guiding government business and the civil service. Governor Obiano advised anyone who feels that he or she cannot cope with the new order to be introduced to kindly take a bow or be forced out of service. To demonstrate his determination to instill a new order into the public service, the governor personally scrutinised and vetted every proposal brought forward for approval by the state tenders board. In his words there is no room for any corrupt individual in my government; probity and accountability must be ensured hence forth in every government transaction. As it stands now that the distraction of elections are over, the governor is very prepared to give Ndi Anambra the best system of governance and abundant provision of democratic dividends in all the nooks and crannies of the state durinv his second term . Governor Obiano gave assurance that he will not let Anambra State electorates down having reposed confidence in him by voting massively for him in the just concluded governorship election. He expressed joy and happiness over the unflinching support given to him during his first tenure by members of the state executive council. The governor, however, promised that at the end of his second tenure, Anambra State would have become another Dubai in Nigeria and Africa. Source: ( Premium Times ) The son of the late Igbo leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu , on Monday said he would not return to the All Progressive Grand Alliance ( APGA). Ojukwu dumped APGA for the All Progressives Congress on 15th November, 2017 during President Muhammadu Buharis visit to Anambra State for the grand finale campaign of the APC candidate for the November 18 Anambra governorship election, Dr. Tony Nwoye. Speaking with journalists in Awka, Anambra State on Monday, Ojukwu asked Governor Willie Obiano to stop disturbing his peace on the matter, describing the governors knocks on him on the issue as infantile and ignorance of the working of the Nigerian politics. He said he was toeing his fathers steps in ensuring that the Igbo were launched back into the mainstream of the country. Recalling how his father joined the defunct National Party of Nigeria shortly after he returned from exile in 1982 instead of the Nigeria Peoples Party, Ojukwu said the Igbo would not benefit anything by wallowing in sentiment. He said, I can afford to stay back in APGA and wallow in sentimental politics that the party belongs to the Igbo, but on the long run, what becomes of our tomorrow and place in the great Nigeria project, for which our forefathers laboured, invested their time, talent and even their blood? Which is preferable: to be a big fish in a small pond or a big fish in the ocean? Real champions are never afraid of the big league. That could be why late Dr. Chuba Okadigbo asserted that if you could not reason beyond ethnic sentiments, you are a liability to mankind. Ndigbo are not better off with emotional politics. Obiano was recently reported to have said that Emeka Ojukwus defection to the APC was of no consequence, as according to him, Ojukwus son had no political relevance in the state. But for Ojukwu, the governor is playing kindergarten politics. Source: (Punch Newspaper) The kidnappers who abducted the six Senior Secondary School students of Lagos Model College, Igbonla, Epe in Lagos State a few months ago were among the youths that surrendered their arms to embrace the amnesty of the Ondo state government on Tuesday. The militants were also alleged to be responsible for various pipeline vandalization at Arepo in Ogun State and several attacks in the riverine areas of Ondo State. The hundreds of the militants were led by their leader, Ogailo Young also known as O.C, to the Collection and Documentation of Arms Centre in Ajakpa Community in Ese-Odo Local Government Area of the state to surrender their ammunition. They said they willingly dropped their arms and ammunition in order to embrace amnesty of the government and allow peace to reign in the Niger Delta area of the state. Speaking at the event, Young appreciated the state and the Federal Government for the fresh Amnesty initiative extended to their groups. He said joblessness and poverty as a result of neglect by the government led them to involve in crime. He said, If we were asked for the reasons for embarking on this struggle, our simple explanation to the public and other concerned authorities is that it is joblessness, suffering, poverty, oppression and neglect by the government. As it got to this point, we did not find life very easy, then we relocated to Ogun State where the government college Ugbonla, Epe school boys were kidnapped whose release led to the present arrangement through the courageous efforts of the deputy governors of Ondo and Delta states. We did not kidnap these boys for mere ransom but to negotiate our freedom and full reintegration to normal life. The leader of the repentant armed bandits added that they decided to dump their oil bunkering business and hatched another game plan to attract the attention of the government. In his remarks, the Chairman of State Amnesty Committee and Deputy Governor of the state, Mr. Agboola Ajayi Ajayi, said the exercise was impressive, confirming that sophisticated ammunition was surrendered. Looking at the sophisticated guns and ammunition surrendered, Im happy that they (militants) made promise and fulfil it, he said He assured that the Federal Government would fulfil its own promise by providing employment and education programme among others for the repentant militants so as to enable them to be self-reliant. Ajayi also assured that no one or government will launch an attack on the oil-producing areas of the state after the submission of arms and ammunition by the armed youths. Source:( Punch Newspaper ) A lightning strike has killed as many as three women who were outside taking part in a paddy cultivation, causing serious commotion. A report by Deepak Karthik in the Times of India has shown that a lightning strike near Thirumanur in Ariyalur district of Tamil Nadu on Monday claimed the lives of three women agriculture labourers who died on the spot. The group of nine women agriculture labourers were engaged in paddy cultivation in Karuppur village when the incident occurred. Lightning struck six of them while it was raining, the report says. Three women, identified as Unnamalai, 48, Senthamizhselvi, 40, and Anjalai, 50, died on the spot while three others, identified as Ponnarambu, Annakodi and Selvi, sustained injuries. The injured were admitted to Thanjavur Medical College Hospital. Thirumanur police sent the bodies to the Ariyalur Government Hospital for postmortem and have registered a case. Lightning strikes and who is more vulnerable When lightning strikes the ground or an object on the ground, the discharge occurs in and along the ground surface (not deep into the ground). This creates a dangerous and potentially deadly ground current near the lightning strike. A lightning strike depends on many factors. Some places are more vulnerable to strikes than others due to the speed of the storm. Lightning need not always strike the highest given point in any area. According to experts, anyone standing on a high ground, in an open space, near water or near large metallic structures or trees is more vulnerable to lightning strikes. In 2006 (BBC News and British Medical Journal), the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a statement, saying lightning is not attracted to people carrying mobile phones. Cell phones, small metal items, jewellery, etc., do not attract lightning. Nothing attracts lightning. Lightning tends to strike taller objects, said John Jensenius, a NOAA National Weather Service lightning expert. People are struck because they are in the wrong place at the wrong time. The wrong place is anywhere outside. The wrong time is anytime a thunderstorm is nearby. The controversial governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has dared Nigerias ex Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms to name the thieves in Buharis government. Mr. Ayodele Fayose, the Ekiti State Governor, has challenged the former Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Mr. Abdullahi Maina, to go ahead and tell Nigerians those thieves he alleged were surrounding President Muhammadu Buhari in his government. He also said that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has become a meal ticket of the human rights activist, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN). According to Vanguard, Fayose also urged Maina to answer the corruption allegations against him as well as his fraudulent reinstatement. Governor Fayose described the Mainas interview shown on Channels Television yesterday, as explosive, saying he was sure that President Buhari will look the other way just as he did on the allegation of award of $25 billion contracts without following due process made by the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu against the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC); Dr. Maikanti Baru. In a statement on Tuesday by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose said he had again been vindicated on his position that the kind of corruption being perpetrated in President Buharis government was unprecedented and mind-boggling. He said; The Mainas challenge is another opportunity for President Buhari to prove to Nigerians that he is actually fighting corruption. But I am sure that since it, again, bothers on his closest men, he wont do anything. Governor Fayose said it was important for Maina to wash himself clean of the N2.1 Billion pension fraud that made him escape from the country and earned him dismissal from the civil service. The governor, who challenged Maina to name those in Buharis government that are thieves, also noted that There is no need waiting for the President to conduct public inquiry on the pension scam. Maina should just go ahead and tell Nigerians who the thieves among Buharis men are. Even after naming them, Maina should not expect any action from the President. Rather, he should be contented with satisfying his conscience and putting those Buharis men that he said are pretending to be saints in the court of public opinion. While maintaining his position on the self-appointed human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), over the allegation by the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), linking the lawyer to a N1 billion property on Gana Street, Maitama, Abuja, Governor Fayose said it was sad that Falana and his collaborators have turned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to their source of huge income. EFCC has become Falanas daily meal. Falana and his collaborators live on EFCC. They have turned themselves to brokers of bail and suppliers of lawyers to accused persons while at the same time buying seized properties at ridiculous amounts. Even the likes of Madaki, who have retired from service, have been brought back into the system so that he can continue to help them to perpetrate fraud, he said. Source Vanguard The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Ibok Ete-Ibas, has decorated 16 newly-promoted rear admirals were decorated by the Chief of Naval staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas. He urged them to rededicate themselves to the service of the nation. Ete-Ibas, who decorated the senior officers at the Naval Headquarters, said there was no better time to serve the nation than now that the country was facing security challenges, he also urged them to re-dedicate themselves to the service of the Nation. He said that promotions came with greater expectations and responsibilities, adding they should put in their best as much as were expected from them. He noted that the decorated officers strived very hard to meet the requirements for the promotion. He said, The journey started several years ago, and today, you are being promoted as a result of your hard work, commitment, dedication and honesty to service of the nation. I, therefore, urge you to see the promotion as an opportunity to do more for the service, and of course, the entire nation, he said. It is only then that you will be convinced that you have added value to our noble profession and by protecting the territorial integrity of the country. He also urged them to give their utmost best in their new ranks and by extension, began to work for the next level of elevation. The CNS also reaffirmed the continued commitment of the service to the protection of the nations critical asset, the maritime domain against crude oil theft and any other illegal activities. Source: ( NAN ) Troops of the Nigerian Army on Tuesday killed 14 Boko Haram insurgents in clearance operations in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State. This was confirmed by Brig.- Gen. Sani Kukasheka, Director Army Public Relations, said this in a statement issued in Maiduguri. Kukasheka said that the troops also rescued 30 persons, captured one insurgent and recovered various caliber of ammunition from the insurgents. He said that the troops had also cleared insurgents in their hideouts at Abusuriwa, Newchina, Bonzon, Usmanari, Goyayeri, Shitimari, Gashimari and Awaram villages in Bama local government area. Kukasheka explained that 8 insurgents were killed while many of them escaped in the affected villages, adding that three males; 12 females and 15 children were rescued from the insurgents. The army spokesman also disclosed that the troops also ambushed and killed six insurgents at Kumshe and Darel-Jamel villages. According to him, the arrested insurgent was handed over to the appropriate authorities for intonation. Troops of 202 Battalion of 21 Brigade Nigerian Army in Conjunction with elements of Mobile Strike Teams (MSTs) on Operations LAFIYA DOLE, in furtherance of clearance and blockade Operation DEEP PUNCH II, on Saturday Nov. 25, 2017, cleared Boko Haram terrorists enclaves in Abusuriwa, Newchina, Bonzon, Usmanari, Goyayeri, Shitimari, Gashimari and Awaram amongst other villages in Bama Local Government Area of Borno. The troops whose continuous resolve in routing out the remnants of the suspected terrorists hibernating within the Brigades Area of Responsibility ensured that their superior fire power made the terrorists to flee in disarray, leading to the capture of one suspected terrorist while eight Boko Haram terrorists were neutralised. The gallant troops recovered four AK-47 rifles, three magazines, seven Dane guns, machetes, amongst other items. In addition, the troops also rescued three men, 12 women and 15 Children, among whom were an aged man and a woman held captives by the Boko Haram terrorists. The suspected terrorist has been handed over to the relevant authorities for further interrogation, while the rescued civilian captives are being attended to. Similarly, troops of 152 Battalion of the Brigade deployed as a blocking force at the Foward Operations Base, Kumshe, to aid a successful clearance operation ambushed some fleeing unsuspecting Boko Haram terrorists and neutralised five fleeing terrorists, while troops of 151 Battalion also deployed at the Forward Operations Base, Darel Jamel, neutralised a terrorist in an ambush. Source : (NAN) The headquarters of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC ) in Abuja, was not its usual atmosphere on Monday as physically challenged persons stormed the oil firm to stage a protest. According to reports, it was gathered that the protesters were members of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities, Delta State Chapter, who demanded that the NNPC should fulfil its promise of providing jobs for physically challenged people. The protesters, who were more than 50 in number, displayed various placards in front of the headquarters of the corporation, a development that made security operatives from the Department of State Services, the police and the Nigerian Army to block the section of the dual carriage road that directly leads into the oil firm. A riot police tank was used to block the particular section of the road that leads into the corporation, while several pick-up trucks with fully armed security personnel in them were strategically located close to the venue where the protesters staged their protest. It was gathered that senior members of the association were later invited into the corporation for a meeting. The physically challenged protesters stayed in front of the oil firm for several hours. Some of them moved about using their crutches and wheelchairs, while others crawled on the floor as they demanded for job opportunities at the corporation. We are tired of the many promises of the NNPC management when it comes to providing us with jobs. We were here some months ago and they promised us, but since that time in April, nothing has been done, one of the protesters, who simply identified himself as Austin, said. The associations Chairman, Isaac Obruche, and some executive members of the group were said to have met with senior officials of the NNPC. But efforts to get Obruche to speak on the reason for the protest and the outcome of the meeting were not successful, as he did not answer calls to his phone. He also did not reply to a text message sent to him on the matter. Speaking on the development, the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, NNPC, Ndu Ughamadu, told our correspondent that the protesters also demanded that they be allowed to lift crude oil. He stated, It is the right of every Nigerian to make some demands and requests. However, when it comes to jobs, there are processes and procedures. We have some physically challenged persons on our staff list and virtually all of them are from the Niger Delta. They (protesters) visited few months ago and said they would like to lift crude oil. We addressed them and told them that the matter was being looked into. These demands are issues that require some time and they must undergo processes and procedures. As we speak now, the NNPC has not lifted embargo on recruitment. If you are talking about lifting crude oil, it is a competitive exercise and you must bid for it. Now, do they have the funds to lift crude oil or other products? On the increased security presence at the corporation, Ughamadu explained, Security is always tight at the NNPC as a national oil corporation. Security there has nothing to do with them (protesters). Will we use maximum force on the physically challenged? Security is always tight here. Source: (Punch Newspaper) After raiding the office of a newspaper, Ugandan policemen have arrested and detained journalists over a publication. Uganda has charged eight managers and editors of a daily newspaper with several offences including libel and computer misuse and a court ordered them detained until Dec. 5. The journalists have been in detention for nearly a week after police raided the premises of Red Pepper accusing them of publishing a false story. Police had said on Nov. 23 that they had preferred several charges including treason against the journalists. Their lawyer, Maxma Mutabingwa, said that when they appeared in court for the first time on Monday, treason was not among the offences read out to them. Instead they were charged with several counts of libel, offensive communication and publication of information prejudicial to security. I think police backed off the treason charge because it was ridiculous, it was not sustainable at all, he told Reuters. The journalists applied for bail but the state prosecutor said he needed time to respond and court adjourned the proceedings to Dec. 5. The raid on the paper followed publication of a story that, citing unnamed sources, said that Rwanda believed Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni was plotting to oust its leader, Paul Kagame. The paper has a wide readership and often regales its audience with a surfeit of salacious content about private lives of political and business officials and celebrities. In recent years it has moved to include more political coverage and has some times irked authorities with audacious headlines on security, diplomacy and power manoeuvres in the government of President Yoweri Museveni. Police has kept the media outlets premises cordoned off. Mutabingwa said it has not published the daily since the raid. Computers, phones and other equipment confiscated during the search have also not been returned. Rights groups and journalists have complained of escalating harassment and intimidation of independent media by security personnel in the East African country especially as Museveni faces growing opposition pressure to end his rule. Local media, including Red Pepper, have reported this month on tensions between Uganda and neighbouring Rwanda over a range of economic and security disputes but Ugandas foreign affairs ministry has dismissed the reports as rumours. President Muhammadu Buhari,has directed the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun; the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udo Udoma; and the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, to work with state governors to ensure the payment of outstanding Paris Club refund before the end of the year. The President was said to have urged the governors to utilise the money to clear salary arrears they owed their workers before Christmas. The governors had earlier received 50 per cent of the refund, leaving a balance of 50 per cent which Buhari directed its payment on Monday. The President was said to have given the directive at a meeting he had with state governors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. According to information posted on one of the Presidencys Twitter handles @NGRPresident the meeting featured discussions on the nations economy, workers welfare, as well as federal-state relations, among others. President @MBuhari has directed the Ministers of @FinMinNigeria and Budget & National Planning and Governor @cenbank to commence negotiations with the Governors Forum to enable payment of outstanding Paris & London Club refunds, before the end of the year. Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) November 27, 2017 The Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, and the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, confirmed the development to State House correspondents at the end of the meeting. Okorocha said the President, at the meeting, expressed the need to ensure that every Nigerian, especially workers, had a beautiful Christmas. He stated, We are looking at getting the balance of Paris Club refund. We also made a request for Mr. Presidents approval that the balance should form part of our 2018 budgets because we cant do anything until we are sure that the money is coming. The issue of workers took the centre stage and Mr. President expressed concern about those who depend on their salaries to feed their families and pay their house rents and he had the assurance from the governors that we will meet up our obligations. Also, it was emphasised that states and Federal Government must work together to get Nigeria out of its present economic predicament. When asked specifically if all state governors owing salaries would clear the arrears before Christmas, Okorocha said, Yes; with the Paris Club refund coming, every worker should enjoy their Christmas. He added that the governors also seized the opportunity of the meeting to review their relationship with the President, adding that they found out that they were in harmony. There is no difference between us and the President. Everybody seems to be happy working together. But particularly, we commended the President for getting Nigeria out of recession within such a short time, he added. El-Rufai also confirmed that Buhari approved the payment of the balance of 50 per cent refund before Christmas to cater for workers. He, however, said he did not know the amount of the refund, stressing that only the Ministry of Finance could provide the figure. There is another 50 per cent that needs to be paid when the figures are reconciled. The reconciliation is going to be concluded before the end of the year. The Chief of Staff to the President will ensure that the committee working on the reconciliation conclude the work before the end of the year. So, what the governors are requesting from the President is a directive, go ahead to include the next 50 per cent in your 2018 budget, and that is going to be looked at. Every state will get its own share of the Paris Club refund. Every state has a specific amount that was deducted. That amount may be enough to cover the arrears and it may not be because you cannot get more than you are entitled to. My state has no salary arrears at all. So, whatever we are getting, we will just continue with our development projects. Some states have salary arrears that are bigger than the Paris Club refund they are getting. Even when they get it, they will not be able to clear the salary arrears. But it is better to reduce it so that people will have a happy Christmas than nothing. Source: ( Punch Newspaper ) The Police has clarified why it is reinstating a police officer said to have given the order for the murder of six Igbo traders many years ago. The Police Service Commission has explained why it reinstated a deputy commissioner of police, Danjuma Ibrahim who gave the order for the killing of six Igbo traders on June 7, 2005, in Apo township, a satellite settlement at the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja. The commission said it is following court order since the officer involved had been acquitted of the felony charge against him by a court. It would be recalled that six Igbo traders were brutally murdered after Ibrahim had ordered his officers to shoot them to death, according to police witnesses. The police had claimed that the victims, aged between 21 and 25 years, were members of a robbery gang that had shot at the officers at a checkpoint. A judicial panel of inquiry set up by former President Olusegun Obasanjo stated that the victims were at a nightclub located at Gimbiya Street, Area 11, in Abuja that night of June 7, 2005, when they had a face-off with Ibrahim after the only female among the victims, rejected Ibrahims romantic advances. Angered by what had happened, Ibrahim and his men lay ambush for the six victims before ordering his men to shoot them to death. The officers accused of the killings and eight other police witnesses testified before the panel of inquiry that Ibrahim, the Deputy Commissioner of Police and the most senior of the accused, had ordered the killings. Curiously, in March 2017, Danjuma was freed by a judge who sat on the case. The police has issued a memo for his reinstatement and will go ahead to pay him arrears of his salary dating back to June 18, 2005. Speaking in a statement on Danjumas reinstatement, on Tuesday spokesman of PSC, Ikechukwu Ani, explained that the trial Judge found the DCP who was the first accused person, not guilty and accordingly discharged and acquitted him while Emmanuel and Acheneje were sentenced to death. It said, After the judgement, Ibrahim appealed to the commission requesting his reinstatement, restoration, payment of arrears of salary, benefits and other entitlements in line with the judgement of the High Court of Federal Capital Territory Abuja delivered on March, 9, 2017. The commission noted that the Public Service Rules provided that an officer acquitted of a criminal offence shall not be penalised for any charge of which he/she has been acquitted, (PSR 030411(b)). The PSC also noted that since the DCP had not been found guilty of the charge that led to his suspension, the provision of PSR 030404 (iv) would apply, adding that it would continue to respect the rule of law and obey judgments of competent courts of justice. The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday agreed to revisit the rejection of Ahmad Mahmud, as a Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, nominee from Zamfara State. Mr. Mahmud was rejected after the adoption of recommendation by the Senate committee on INEC on Thursday. The committee rejected him after a wide consultation, its chairman, Suleiman Nafiz, had said. Raising a point of order on Tuesday, Kabir Marafa, Zamfara-APC, sought the leave of the Senate to revisit the controversial rejection. Mr. Marafa said a Senator from Zamfara kicked against the appointment on claims that the nominee was not a native of Zamfara. The committees report suggest otherwise, the committee stated in clear terms that the nominee was born in Gusau, the capital of Zamfara, schooled in Gusau and was one-time Attorney-General of Zamfara State, he said. Mr. president, one wonders what qualifies a Nigerian to be indigene of a state and in view of that I want to take full advantage of Order 53 (6) to seek support of my well respected colleagues to do justice to this matter. The lawmakers in a voice vote agreed to revisit the issue in the next legislative day when Mr. Marafa is to present it as a motion. Source: ( Premium Times ) Senator Ben Murray Bruce, representing Bayelsa East has called on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to sell government-owned media companies. Mr. Bruce said the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, and Voice of Nigeria, no longer make sense and should be sold to relieve the budget of recurrent expenditures. The Senator said this while making his contribution to the debate on the 2018 budget which started at the Senate on Tuesday. Mr. Murray-Bruce said the recurrent expenditure of the budget was over-bloated and should be trimmed. We have downgraded our economy and the reason we are downgraded is we cannot meet our revenue projection. It is understood that this is a budget of consolidation; I would rather describe it as budget of active imagination, he said. If you look at the budget from 1960 to the present, you have agencies that were designed for 1960, agencies that were designed for the Nigerian civil war, agencies that were designed to suit some certain conditions in life. 60 years later, those agencies still exist in the budget. If you look at the budget, you will see some agencies, they get recurrent expenditure, they pay salaries, they get houses, computers, cars but they have no money to do any work. No money to do any work, we pay salaries. Some agencies are so bloated it defies logic but these agencies exist. So, we have 2.4 million people consuming 60percent of the recurrent expenditure of Nigeria, it doesnt make any sense. Mr. Bruce listed some of the agencies he wants the executive to privatise. I called President Obasanjo on phone two days ago and he said to me; the National Orientation Agency was necessary when we had no political party, what is the value of the National Orientation Agency in todays world for instance? Yet billions of Naira is spent in that agency. Let us look at agencies that make no sense. FRCN, sell it to the staff. FRCN has 8, 000 workers sell it to them. Sell NTA to the staff. Voice of Nigeria. Who listens to Voice of Nigeria? Sell it. If the staff want to buy, let them buy it. Set up a cooperative like Awolowo did, sell it to them. If we spend 71 percent on recurrent expenditure, we will never get out of this predicament we find ourselves. The lawmaker also criticised the agreement reached by Nigeria and China in the construction of rail lines in the country. I sent a letter to the Minister of Transport and I asked him to send us the contract he has with the Chinese. Lets say we spend 10 billion dollars with the Chinese and they give us a loan what percentage of that money is spent in the local economy? How many Nigerians are employed? Which steel product are we producing locally? The last time I checked, rail lines were produced 300, 400 years ago. Its not rocket science, we have Ajaokuta steel. So if we have the capability of producing steel or we have the capability in slow motion of making this work as Nigerians, we dont need to borrow $10 billion from the Chinese and then give them back $10 billion, what do we benefit in our economy? The United Nations projected that in February 2018, Nigeria will have more people in poverty than in India. We have a population of 180 million people, India has 1.3 billion. Then, if we are going to have more people in poverty than India, then we have to create jobs. Once we create jobs we can then export our Naira to China, to India or some other place. Source: ( Premium Times ) At the 5th Regular meeting of the National Council on Communication Technology (NCCT 2017) organised by the Federal Ministry of Communications, a state in Nigeria was named as the best developed state in ICT. Lagos State Government defeated 35 other States of the Federation to emerge as the best overall performing State in ICT Development and also best State in E-Government Implementation in Nigeria. Lagos also bagged top awards as the Best State in ICT Infrastructure Development, while it also emerged first runner up in the category for Best State in Human Capital Development. The Awards were presented at the 5th Regular meeting of the National Council on Communication Technology (NCCT 2017) organised by the Federal Ministry of Communications, which took place in Katsina State, last weekend. Revealing more details in a statement on Tuesday, the States Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr. Olufemi Odubiyi, who received the awards alongside the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Olukayode Ogunnubi, said the awards confirmed the State Governments commitment to ICT development in Lagos. He said that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, since assumption of office on May 29, 2015, prioritised ICT development in the State, adding that it has since improved service delivery in major ministries in the State and was transforming Lagos to a digital village. He said the NCCT, which was chaired by the Hon. Minster for Communications, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, gave States the opportunity to showcase ICT activities in their various States, particularly success stories in their application of ICTs in solving governance and development issues. Odubiyi said the Minister for Communications expressed delight at the committed efforts of the Lagos State Government to the development of ICT not only in the State but in Nigeria as a whole. According to him, the Minister expressed the Federal Governments readiness to partner with Lagos State to achieve the nations vision of rapid transition to a functional digital society as envisioned by Governor Ambode. The NCCT meeting which was hosted by the Governor of Katsina State, Rt. Hon. Aminu Masari at the State Government Secretariat, Katsina, had the theme: Harnessing ICT As The Main Tool For Driving The Economic Recovery And Growth Plan (ERGP]. The Police in Bayelsa State have arrested The leader of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Bayelsa State chapter, and seven other undergraduates have been arrested by the Bayelsa State Police Command for allegedly killing a student. The Bayelsa NANS leader, Perewari Benjamin, a 400-level student of the state-owned Niger Delta University, Amassoma, was paraded on Monday at the state commands headquarters in Yenagoa with the other suspects. They are Asari Enagob, 400 level; Suoguai Bina, 500 level; Ibe Ogbonna, 300 level; Igbanibo Tari, 400 level; Ekperi Kenneth, 400 level; Kemefie Ebimene, 200 level, all of the Niger Delta University. The eighth suspect, Chukwuma Lawrence, is an HND 2 student at the Imo State Polytechnic. The state Commissioner of Police, Asuquo Amba, lamented the involvement of the students in the alleged murder, adding that they were arrested for armed robbery and suspected cult activities. The commissioner said on November 26, three drivers Ayo Kehinde, Jamiu Salahudeen and Nwanya Chinonso reported to the police that the suspects (students) hijacked their vehicles and robbed them at gunpoint. He claimed that the suspects robbed Kehinde of one Techno phone, valued at N10,000 and the sum of N50,000 cash, while they dispossessed Chinonso of N1,600 cash. Amba said the police recovered arms and ammunition from the suspects, including two locally-made single-barrelled pistol; two live ammunition; five 9mm live ammunition and some charms. On the incident that led to the death of the unnamed student of Federal University, Otuoke, Amba said, The incident occurred at the Zone B Election for Coordinators of NANS at the Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State, between November 25 and November 26. Students representing universities and higher institutions in the South-South Zone resorted to the use of firearms, which led to the death of the student. The students also involved themselves in robbery against innocent citizens. This leaves one to wonder about the future of our great nation. The development calls for a drastic action to curb this menace and a complete reorientation of our youths. One of the drivers, Kehinde, an indigene of Modakeke in Osun State, said around 10am on Saturday, the day of the election, four of the students hired buses from him at Amassoma Motor Park. He said, Four of the students came to Amassoma Park on Saturday, around 10am and said they needed three buses. We agreed for N8,000 per bus. When they boarded the buses, they said they wanted to pick some persons from Biogbolo. When we got there (Biogbolo), they said there were some persons at Ebis they wanted to pick. By the time we got to Ebis, we picked some persons. After that, I asked them to pay my money. They said their boss was on Isaac Boro Expressway and that when we got there, they would pay. By the time we got there, we did not see anybody. They said their boss was in the Aritalin area. It was then I told them I was not going to Aritalin. One of them said I was talking rubbish and he slapped me. As he slapped me, others joined him and they started beating me and my brothers. One of them dipped his hand into my pocket and took the N50,000 I wanted to send to my wife in Lagos to pay my childrens school fees. He took the money and my ATM card, phone and seized my vehicle key. One of them brought out a gun and used the butt to hit my head. He said as blood gushed out of his head, the students left with his brother, whom they forced to drive them. He said he was in that condition when he sighted a patrol van of operatives of the State Anti-Robbery Squad approaching. He said he flagged down the van and narrated what happened to him to the SARS men, who gave the buses conveying the students a chase and caught up with them, leading to their arrest. Source: ( Punch Newspaper) The Gays and Lesbians community in Zimbabwe are thrilled by the resignation of former president, Robert Mugabe. Recall that Mugabe in his 37 years in power, strongly opposed all acts of homosexuality and even had fights with some European governments because of his stand on homosexuality. One time, the 93 year old leader said homosexuals were worse than pigs and dogs. Speaking to newsmen in Harare, the countrys capital, the director of the Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ), Chesterfield Samba, said the community received Mugabes resignation with jubilation and that they hope his resignation will terminate the brutality and hatred they have suffered from the government. We are ecstatic that the face of brutality, hate and impunity has resigned. Mugabe, repeatedly, fuelled public prejudice against LGBTI individuals through public statements that endorsed abuse of LGBTI people in Zimbabwe. LGBTI people were subjected to abuse and harassment on account of their real or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity and expression.he said Samba said under Mugabes rule, the State had, in many cases, been an active sponsor of homophobia by subjecting individuals suspected of being gay or lesbian to cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment. GALZ welcomes the news of Mugabes resignation with much celebration and implores the new President to uphold the rule of law, respect the constitution of Zimbabwe, allow Zimbabweans to enjoy their freedoms particularly of expression and association and to ensure that citizens do not live in fear of their leaders. Mugabe, to us, represented a brutal system and the real work of sanitizing this system continues. In light of the resignation of Robert Mugabe, GALZ hopes that the new government will commit to upholding Zimbabwes constitutional obligations to protect the rights of all people, including LGBTI people. (NewZimbabwe) Attempts to solve the structure of ChR2 go right back to the time of its discovery in 2003. But despite the efforts of numerous research groups from across the world, the structure of the protein in its natural state has remained unknown. Now that researchers have the structure, meaningful mutations can be introduced into the protein to adjust its properties to the requirements of a specific experiment. Credit: MIPT Press Office Optogenetics is a relatively new technique that involves the use of light to manipulate nerve and muscle cells in a living organism. Similar approaches are used to partially reverse the loss of hearing and eyesight and control muscle contractions. In addition, the methods of optogenetics are used to study the properties of natural neuron networks, which are responsible for emotion, decision-making, and other complex processes in living organisms. Optogenetics was Nature's Method of the Year 2010, as well as being named among Science's Breakthroughs of 2010 and Insights of the Decade. Channelrhodopsin 2, or ChR2, is a major optogenetic tool. It is a light-sensitive protein, which was originally extracted in 2003 from a green alga called Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Scientists can insert ChR2 into the membrane of a living cell to control it. When illuminated, this protein allows positively charged ions to pass into the cell through the cell membrane. In a nerve cell, this depolarizes the membrane, mimicking the effect of a nerve impulse and causing this particular neuron to fire. Because ChR2 works fast and is relatively harmless to cells, it is the current go-to solution for nerve cell activation. A range of artificially induced mutations are available for altering the protein's properties. For example, it is possible to increase the current it generates or alter the wavelength of light it responds to. Such modifications enable experimenters to work with proteins tailored to their needs. Researchers can even combine several protein variants for a distinct response at various wavelengths of light. Most of the mutations used to modify the properties of ChR2 have so far been introduced more or less at random either via directed evolution or based on the data on known protein structures. The closest we've ever gotten to a realistic ChR2 structure is an odd combination called C1C2, 70 percent of which is based ChR1, a related protein, with the rest based on the actual ChR2. This mixed structure cannot account for all properties of the protein. As a result, the mutations predicted by this model are not quite realistic and therefore are of limited interest to optogenetics. To reveal the structure of ChR2, the authors of the study reported in this story used an analytical technique called X-ray diffraction, which only works with samples in the form of a crystal. These were obtained by the researchers via in meso crystallization. That is to say, the protein crystals were grown in the so-called cubic lipid mesophase a medium that allows proteins to move freely, without leaving the membrane. To determine protein structures, their crystals were irradiated with X-rays at a wavelength of about 1 angstrom, which is slightly less than the length of the bonds between the atoms in the protein. In X-ray crystallography, structures are derived by analyzing how radiation is scattered by a sample. Attempts to solve the structure of ChR2 go right back to the time of its discovery in 2003. But despite the efforts of numerous research groups from across the world, the structure of the protein in its natural state has remained unknown, says Valentin Borshchevskiy, one of the authors of the paper and deputy head of the Laboratory for Advanced Studies of Membrane Proteins at MIPT. Now that we have the structure, meaningful mutations can be introduced into the protein to adjust its properties to the requirements of a specific experiment. Not knowing the structure, we had to tediously work out the useful mutations by trial and error or make do with the data on related proteins. ### The work reported here was supported by the common program of the Agence Nationale de la Recherche (France), the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Germany) (ANR-15-CE11-0029-02), the CEA(IBS)-HGF(FZJ) STC 5.1 specific agreement, the Russian Science Foundation (16-15-00242), and ERA.Net RUS Plus (ID 323). If you own a self-storage facility long enough, youll eventually receive a subpoena for records or even witness testimony. You may also get a request from law enforcement to search a unit. Court orders and search warrants should not be ignored, but you also have a duty to your tenants. Here are some practical steps to follow when dealing with these issues. Records Subpoena This is the least intrusive request you may receive related to ongoing litigation, but beware! A crafty lawyer may use a subpoena to gather information in preparation for filing a lawsuit. Further, the request might seek sensitive information about your tenants and, therefore, should be examined closely. Follow these steps when dealing with any subpoena for a tenants records: If someone is trying to serve you with a subpoena, dont dodge it, as it may force the lawyer seeking documents to get an order from a court to compel you to appear. Dont worrybeing served a subpoena isnt the end of the world. It just means you need to go to step two. Call your attorney. Have him look over the subpoena and discuss it with you. If its non-invasive, easy to respond to and otherwise not objectionable, youll likely put the documents together and itll be over. If not If the subpoena falls into the "Are you kidding me?" category, your attorney can file a motion with the court to halt it or ask that it be narrowed in scope. For example, if it seeks all rental agreements from 1 A.D. to present, no court will enforce it, and itll be subject to a sharp narrowing. If it seeks sensitive information such as tenants personal identification, a court will likewise narrow the scope or disallow it altogether. Do not ignore a subpoena, as this tells the court you don't care about its orders. That isnt an option. Bringing your complaints to the court in a timely fashion (before the date the documents are due) is always your best option if strict compliance is too difficult. Deposition/Testimony Subpoena You may receive a subpoena seeking testimony about company policy or procedures, or eye-witness accounts of something that happened on your property. Always contact legal counsel for in this case. The last thing you want to do is testify without preparation and unintentionally subject yourself or your company to liability. Your attorney can call the other lawyer to determine if your testimony is necessary or if documents will suffice. He can also reschedule inconvenient dates and possibly obtain an agreement on narrowing the scope of the testimony. Again, dont ignore it. This can subject you to being compelled to show up in court and explain to a judge why you didn't comply. It's like going to the principal: You know youre in trouble no matter what you say. Search Warrants and Police Investigations Unfortunately, you may sometimes have a tenant who isnt a perfect citizen. I know it seems hard to believe, but criminals do occasionally rent storage units. I once had a client experience the following: A doctor and partner in a medical practice became angry with his partners over a financial issue. One night he went to his office, loaded all the medical equipment into a truck and drove away. The next morning, he rented two large storage units and filled them with the stolen goods (the equipment was owned by the practice). Included in the items was a safe containing a large amount of cashalso not owned by the doctor. A month or so later the police visited the storage facility and demanded to see the units. Although my client was unaware of these shenanigans, the story was believable, and he wanted to help the police with their investigation. However, they didnt have a search warrant. The only thing they had was the sworn testimony of the tenant's former partners. What would you do? The answer is simple: Tenant first. In fact, that two-word phrase will prevent a myriad of problems. My client called me, and I spoke to the police directly. I explained the doctor's units were secure and we didnt have the right to open them without his permission unless there was an emergency. Assisting in a criminal investigation isnt an emergency unless officers believe there are dangerous materials or a person trapped inside. If we open the unit and its exactly what the police say it is, the tenant will still have a valid reason to argue we breached our rental agreement. So, two days later, a frustrated police officer returned with a search warrant, which we immediately honored. The point is simple: Take subpoenas and search warrants seriously, but dont panic. Theyre not unchallengeable and often can be worked out in a less intrusive way. Remember, hiring counsel at the front end is cheaper and less stressful than doing so to get you out of jail for ignoring a court order. Murphy Klasing is a partner with Weycer, Kaplan, Pulaski & Zuber P.C. He has a wide range of appellate, arbitration and trial experience, successfully handling numerous litigation matters. With more than a decade of experience in the self-storage industry, he serves as counsel for Public Storage Inc. in Oklahoma and Texas, and has defended matters involving allegations of breach of contract, code violations, employment issues, fraud, negligence, personal injury, premises liability and theft. To reach him, call 713.961.9045; e-mail [email protected]; visit www.wkpz.com. CubeSmart, a self-storage real estate investment trust (REIT) and third-party management firm, is building a facility in Tewksbury, Mass. The project was approved last year, but land clearing has just begun, according to the source. The property at 395 Woburn St. is in the Westside Neighborhood Business District and zoned for self-storage. The company plans to build two two-story structures containing a total of 750 units. The site will also include 19 parking spaces. During a public hearing in July 2016, planning-board members and REIT representatives worked through several issues, including the traffic and construction impacts on the area, lighting concerns, and the use of vegetation as a screen. CubeSmart agreed to install a solid, 6-foot, vinyl fence on the north side of the property and a 6-foot, chain-link fence at the rear and south sides. Following the discussion, the planning board approved a special permit for the site plan. CubeSmart also operates an existing self-storage facility in Tewksbury. The company purchased the three-story property at 545 Clark Road in 2014. It owns or manages 908 self-storage facilities across the United States, with an operating portfolio comprising 61.4 million square feet. A commercial real estate investment company is seeking to convert a former Kmart in Titusville, Fla., to self-storage. The unnamed firm plans to invest nearly $4 million in the project, which includes the land purchase as well as property renovation and expansion. Construction would begin next year, according to the source. Vacant since 2009, the building at 810 Cheney Highway comprises 56,000 square feet of space. Upgrades to the site will include new electrical, HVAC and plumbing components as well as a new roof. Facade renovations, parking-lot improvements and fresh landscaping are also a part of the plan. Several outparcels could be developed as restaurants, retailers, banks or offices, the source reported. The North Brevard Economic Development Zone (NBEDZ) has given preliminary approval for tax breaks, which will make the project financially viable, according to the developer. The company would receive a 10-year partial rebate on property taxes for the main building and a five-year partial tax rebate for the proposed outparcel structures. Greg Weiner, senior director of business development for the Economic Development Commission of Florida's Space Coast, called it a great project when discussing the proposal with NBEDZ board members. "We're interested from a community redevelopment aspect, he said, referring to the construction of the outparcels. NBEDZ was formed in 2011 by the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners to facilitate job growth and economic development in North Brevard after NASA's Space Shuttle program ended that year. The self-storage developer has more than 100 assets in 20 states, including 13 in Florida, according to the source. What should have been a sweet Bali escapade for many Australians has turned sour after Mount Agung's eruption halted flights in and out of the Indonesian tourist hotspot, leaving them not only stranded, but also possibly out-of-pocket.Stranded travellers may find that even with their travel insurance policy, they are still not covered for the event.Some Australian travel insurers stated that only those customers whose policies were bought up to nine weeks ago before the Indonesian government issued a volcano alert would be covered; while others set the cut-off coverage date to Sept. 22, when the volcano alert was raised to level four, suggesting that an eruption was imminent, AAP reported.There are also insurers who refused to cover those whose policies were taken up on or before Sept. 18, when the alert was raised from normal to 'vigilance'; and insurers who said they'll accept claims from travellers who bought their insurance before Nov. 22.Mark Tingay, a geologist with the Adelaide University, said that while he was sympathetic to the uninsured stranded travellers, the volcano risk had been known for some time. Tingay was in Bali when Mount Agung roared back to life, but managed to fly back to Australia before the flight cancellations."It really was very widely documented, the authorities have done everything they can to alert people of the risk," Tingay told AAP. "It is terrible that people are stuck without travel insurance, though that is a major issue."The academic bought his insurance well in advance when he bought his plane tickets to Bali. But he suspects that many others purchased their policy only because of the volcano alert."Then they'll be caught out by the fine print," Tingay said.Impacted travellers are urged to check their insurance websites to see if they are covered by their policy, AAP said. Ridge Canada Ridge Canada Cyber Solutions Inc., a leading cyber insurance provider in Canada, is proud to welcome James Bennett as the newest member of the firm. James joins the underwriting team as a Senior Vice President, Management Liability and is the first member of the Ridge Canada team in the Management Liability arena International re/insurer Chubb has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with PICC Property & Casualty Company in support of the Chinese governments economic initiatives. The agreement seeks to leverage Chubbs global capabilities to support PICCs customers and other Chinese-affiliated firms as they embark on the Chinese governments Belt and Road initiative and its encouragement of outward investment. Celebrate excellence in insurance. Join us for the Insurance Business Awards in Chicago. The cooperation agreement has a validity of 10 years, and will include the establishment of China Desks for Chinese-affiliated enterprises in Chubbs offices worldwide. The two insurers will work together to service China-affiliated companies overseas, as well as jointly explore other business opportunities. As a result, PICC will gain access to one of the worlds leading insurance networks, while Chubb will be able to jointly develop insurance business with some of the largest enterprises in the worlds fastest-growing insurance market. For Chubb, this strategic cooperation agreement is a substantial opportunity to bring the full breadth of our capabilities and global network to bear in meeting the complex insurance needs of Chinas largest and most successful companies, said Evan Greenberg, chairman and CEO of Chubb. With this agreement, PICC now has the ability to offer its clients access to our industry-leading capabilities in countries beyond China. We greatly look forward to working with our new partners. PICC Property & Casualty is one of the largest property and casualty insurance firms in China, with total assets of US$72.2 billion and gross written premiums of around US$47.3 billion in 2016. Among its commercial customers are major Chinese businesses, many of which have complex operations in multiple foreign markets. Swedish automaker Volvo plans to make its inclusive insurance subscription service available in the near future, with help from a major American insurance company.Care by Volvo is a subscription-based program that provides customers with insurance coverage, as well as maintenance and concierge services, good for two years. Volvo has partnered with Liberty Mutual to create the program.Notably, participating customers pay only a flat monthly fee to maintain their subscription regardless of their profile.Thats the most important part of a subscription, one fixed price, negotiated and clear, Volvo North America CEO Anders Gustafsson told Automotive News. Were taking away one part of the relationship with our customers that some customers dont like.The subscription program was unveiled during the launch of Volvos XC40 compact SUV last September. The automaker plans to initially offer the program to customers who purchase the XC40, which launches March 2018. If it proves successful enough, Volvo will roll the service out to its other model cars.While the service can be accessed and operated online, Gustafsson said that dealerships will play a key role in the success of Care by Volvo. Once a customer selects a car on the automakers website, they are then directed to the nearest participating dealership to arrange for vehicle delivery. Dealerships will also perform vehicle maintenance for the duration of a customers subscription term.Care by Volvo supports the dealers value chain, Gustafsson explained. It builds up loyalty to dealers, that is the whole idea. Non-profits based in Summit County, CO, are struggling to maintain adequate healthcare benefits for their employees, as premiums in the region surge considerably.Residents and businesses of the county already pay some of the highest health insurance premiums in the country. These increased premiums hurt non-profits the most, since they have to strike a balance between serving the community and taking care of their own employees.One such local non-profit, High Country Conservation Center (HC3), told Summit Daily that it currently pays group plan premiums of $2,400 a month nearly $29,000 a year for coverage. HC3 noted that this is a double-digit increase from last years premiums, and revealed that the same plan will cost 35% more next year.Another non-profit based in Summit County, Family and Intercultural Resource Center (FIRC), remarked that it is paying so much on premiums that it could have hired five more employees with the money. The increases are taking more and more out of their budget, which leaves fewer funds left for direct services to the community.Ironically, one of FIRCs services is that it helps local families find affordable health insurance.Both HC3 and FIRC have estimated that their employees have to fulfill deductibles between $5,000 and $7,000 before their insurance takes effect.Although the Affordable Care Act does not require businesses (or non-profits) with fewer than 50 full-time employees to provide insurance, many non-profit leaders believe they need to lead by example in offering health plans to their staff. They also believe that by offering these benefits, they are able to recruit and retain talented staff.We as an organization (need) to continue to offer the best health insurance to our employees that we can afford, commented Jennifer Schenk, HC3 executive director.Were certainly not fulfilling our mission if we cant provide [health insurance] to our own employees, Tamara Drangstveit, FIRC executive director, told Summit Daily. If we cant pay a living wage or offer benefits, were also doing a disservice to our community. A former insurance agent based in Lake Stevens, WA has been sentenced for claiming that he was too disabled to work despite continuing to run his own agency.James Kooy, 53, was sentenced Monday to 60 days in jail for wrongfully receiving over $233,000 in workers compensation payments from the agency, the Washington state Department of Labor and Industries revealed.In September, Kooy pleaded guilty to the felony charge in Snohomish County Superior. The Associated Press reported that he was also ordered to repay the state for an amount to be determined next year, in March.An agency investigation found that Kooy owned and operated By the Lake Insurance at around the same time he had claimed that he was too injured to work following a knee injury. He was also receiving workers compensation benefits during the period.Investigators also found that over the span of five years, Kooys business generated over $800,000 in revenue. Vancouver, British Columbia - November 28, 2017 (Investorideas.com Newswire) SilverCrest Metals Inc. (TSXV: SIL.V; OTCQX: SVCMF) ("SilverCrest" or the "Company") is pleased to release additional surface and underground drill results from its ongoing Phase II Exploration Program at the Las Chispas Property (the "Property") located in Sonora, Mexico. The surface and underground drill program is designed to define readily accessible high-grade areas in the historic underground workings in the Las Chispas Vein and further define the Giovanni Vein. The Company is currently exploring nine of the 19 known epithermal veins on the Property with efforts focused on four of these veins to be incorporated into SilverCrest's maiden resource estimate anticipated in Q1 2018. N. Eric Fier, CPG, P.Eng, President and CEO, remarked, "These results are building on our previous drilling and underground sampling program, which has demonstrated intact semi-continuous high-grade mineralization for the Las Chispas and Giovanni veins. As part of our expanded Phase II Exploration Program, we intend to continue with underground drilling and channel sampling on the Las Chispas and Giovanni veins through Q1 2018. We remain on track to deliver a maiden resource estimate in Q1 2018 which will include the Las Chispas, Giovanni, William Tell and Babicanora veins." The most significant results for this release are in Hole LC17-72, which returned 4.0 metres grading 18.61 grams per tonne ("gpt") gold and 696.2 gpt silver, or 2,092 gpt silver equivalent ("AgEq", based on 75 (Ag):1 (Au) and 100% metallurgical recovery), including 0.8 metres grading 92.60 gpt gold and 2,890.0 gpt silver, or 9,835 gpt AgEq. Other significant results include Hole LC17-68 at 2.0 metres grading 5.85 gpt gold and 1,191.5 gpt silver, or 1,630 gpt AgEq, Hole LCU17-02 at 2.2 metres grading 9.42 gpt gold and 1,369.3 gpt silver, or 2,076 gpt AgEq, and Hole LCU17-04 at 6.3 metres grading 1.97 gpt gold and 241.4 gpt silver, or 389 gpt AgEq. The following table summarizes the most significant drill results (uncut, undiluted) for this release in the Las Chispas Area only; Note: all numbers are rounded *AgEq based on 75 (Ag):1 (Au) and 100% metallurgical recovery. **True thickness is 80 to 100% of drilled thickness. ***Las Chispas surface holes begin with "LC" and underground holes begin with "LCU". All assays were completed by ALS Chemex in Hermosillo, Mexico, and North Vancouver, BC, Canada. Holes LC17-59, 62, 63, 64, and 71, and LCU17-01 and 06 intersected mineralization below the Company's 150 gpt AgEq cutoff. Hole LCU17-07 was replaced with 07A and hole LC17-67 was a lost downhole. Underground holes LCU17-02 to 07A tested for extensions of the Las Chispas Vein to the southwest and northwest, beyond the historic workings and intercepted the Tajo Chico Vein (see note below). Several un-named veins continue to be intersected and are under review for possible inclusion in the ongoing district-wide vein discoveries. Hole LC17-72 (4.0 metres grading 2,092 gpt AgEq) was designed to test the continuity of the Giovanni Vein and replicate the nearby Hole LC16-08 (7.2 metres grading 492 gpt AgEq). This unmined vein is readily accessible via the Las Chispas historic workings. The high-grade footprint for the Giovanni Vein continues to grow and further underground infill and expansion drilling in this area is underway. Hole LC17-58 (2.0 metres grading 246 gpt AgEq) was designed as a step-out hole to test the downward extension of the Las Chispas Vein mineralization. The hole intercepted high-grade mineralization approximately 400 metres to the southeast of previously announced drill results. Further surface drilling to potentially expand the Las Chispas high-grade footprint is planned for 2018. Hole LCU17-04 (6.3 metres grading 389 gpt AgEq) was designed to test the historic Tajo Chico Vein which is a high-grade splay of the Las Chispas Vein (see attached Figure). The hole intercepted the unmined high-grade extension of this vein. Further underground drilling is underway. Historic Las Chispas Mine underground workings have been open for over 80 years with minor backfill and no ground support. Several prominent high-grade historic pillars remain intact in the mine and are readily accessible via a historic haulage route (see attached Figures). With further detailed underground channel sampling, the Company will be assessing the optimal way to incorporate these pillars and intact mineralization into the upcoming resource estimate. These pillars could potentially be incorporated into plans for extraction of a permitted bulk sample for offsite processing in 2018. The Company anticipates completing its Phase II Exploration Program by mid-January which will include drilling a further 4,000 to 6,000 metres in the district, primarily on the Babicanora extension (see November 27, 2017 news release). SilverCrest remains on track to deliver a maiden resource estimate for the Las Chispas project in Q1 2018. The Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects for this news release is N. Eric Fier, CPG, P.Eng, and President and CEO for SilverCrest, who has reviewed and approved its contents. About SilverCrest Metals INC. SilverCrest is a Canadian precious metals exploration company headquartered in Vancouver, BC, that is focused on new discoveries, value-added acquisitions and targeting production in Mexico's historic precious metal districts. The Company's current focus is on the high-grade, historic Las Chispas mining district in Sonora, Mexico. SilverCrest is the first company to successfully drill-test the historic Las Chispas Project resulting in numerous discoveries. The Company is led by a proven management team in all aspects of the precious metal mining sector, including taking projects through discovery, finance, on time and on budget construction, and production. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. These include, without limitation, statements with respect to: the strategic plans, timing and expectations for the Company's exploration, rehabilitation and drilling programs of the Las Chispas Property, including preparation of an initial extraction program for bulk sample testing and preparation of an initial resource estimate; information with respect to high grade areas and size of veins projected from underground sampling results and drilling results; and the accessibility of future mining at the Las Chispas Property. Such forwardlooking statements or information are based on a number of assumptions, which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: the conditions in general economic and financial markets; availability of skilled labour; timing and amount of expenditures related to rehabilitation and drilling programs; and effects of regulation by governmental agencies. The actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of risk factors including: the timing and content of work programs; results of exploration activities; the interpretation of drilling results and other geological data; receipt, maintenance and security of permits and mineral property titles; environmental and other regulatory risks; project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses; and general market and industry conditions. Forward-looking statements are based on the expectations and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. The assumptions used in the preparation of such statements, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements included in this news release if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law. N. Eric Fier, CPG, P.Eng President & CEO SilverCrest Metals Inc. For Further Information: SilverCrest Metals Inc. Contact: Fred Cooper, Investor Relations Telephone: +1 (604) 694-1730 Fax: +1 (604) 694-1761 Toll Free: 1-866-691-1730 (Canada & USA) Email: info@silvercrestmetals.com Website: www.silvercrestmetals.com 570 Granville Street, Suite 501 Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3P1 Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. 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Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Top News - Investor Idea 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. Top EV Stock News - Investor Idea EV Companies on the Rise: (NASDAQ: MULN) (NASDAQ: TSLA) (NYSE: NIO) (NASDAQ: RIVN) Vancouver, Kelowna, Delta, BC - November 16, 2022 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Investor Ideas Investorideas.com, a leading investor news resource covering EV stocks releases a special report on the continued growth within the sector Top AI News - Investor Idea 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. Top Fashion News - Investor Idea New Fashion Designer Launches this Holiday Season in Kelowna and Online; Sweet Dees Creations Fun, Flirty and Affordable Kelowna B.C. - November 14, 2022 (Investorideas.com Newswire) A local fashion designer is launching a new women's line at Kelowna markets and online this Holiday Season that will make heads turn with her whimsical and colourful choices Check out our Podcasts for great investor ideas: Get new posts by email: Subscribe Powered by Investorideas.com Newswire: Subscribe to Investor Ideas Newswire Dublin-based explorer United Oil and Gas is actively looking at further deal opportunities after expanding its asset base via the purchase of a 20% stake in a Tullow Oil licence offshore Jamaica. The company has farmed into the Walton-Morant licence off the coast of Jamaica, which is operated by Tullow. The licence covers more than 32,000sq km in the Caribbean Sea and initial testing has already hinted at attractive reservoir targets. Tullow is due to carry out a further 3D seismic study in the first half of next year. While only 11 wells have been drilled in the area, 10 have encountered oil. Well-known medical cannabis campaigner Vera Twomey has said her daughter Ava has been granted a licence to take medical cannabis. Ava suffers from a severe form of epilepsy called Dravet Syndrome. Vera had campaigned strongly to get her daughter a licence for medical cannabis here in Ireland - including a mammoth walk from Cork to Dublin - but moved to the Netherlands to access the treatment instead, when the campaign in Ireland stalled. However, Vera has announced her family will be returning home from the Netherlands in time for Christmas. In a short Facebook Live video, Vera thanked those who had supported her. "I just wanted to let you know that we have some really, really good news that Ava's been granted the licence for the medical cannabis and we're coming home," she said. "We'll be home for Christmas and she's doing really, really well and just can't wait to get back," Vera added. She said they would be home "as soon as they can". Health Minister Simon Harris confirmed the licence in the Dail earlier today. "I'm very pleased I was in a position to sign another licence for a citizen in this country, a little girl, to access a medicinal cannabis product," he said. He said it was the third such licence that he had signed. He added that all licences that had been validly submitted with the support of a monitoring consultant have been granted. Update 11.26pm: The meeting between Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Micheal Martin has come to an end with no new developments tonight. The meeting came to an end after over an hour of talks following the release of new documents by the Department of Justice which showed that Frances Fitzgerald was advised a number of times in mid-2015 through emails, queries and advice by her department about a strategy to discredit Sgt Maurice McCabe. The Taoiseach and the Fianna Fail leader are to meet in the morning again to try to avoid a General Election. A spokesman for Mr Varadkar told the Irish Examiner: "The meeting between the Taoiseach and Deputy Martin has concluded. Discussions will resume again tomorrow. There was serious engagement on both sides, and all remain keen to avoid an election in the interest of the country." @campaignforleo and @MicheaIMartinTD to meet again in the morning #iestaff Daniel McConnell (@McConnellDaniel) November 27, 2017 Update 10.06pm: Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald has tonight defended her position amid calls for her to resign over failing to act over a garda plan to smear whistleblower, writes Juno McEnroe Political Correspondent. New documents show she was advised a number of times in mid-2015 through emails, queries and advice by her department about a strategy to discredit Sgt Maurice McCabe. The files were released by the Department of Justice but have prompted fresh calls for her to go. She tonight tweeted: As justice minister I could not interfere with the O'Higgins Commission. This is confirmed twice in today's docs and has been confirmed by the AG. The tribunal will objectively judge the appropriateness of my conduct. I look forward to giving my evidence to the tribunal early in January. 1/2 As Justice Minister I could not interfere with the O'Higgjns Commission. This is confirmed twice in today's docs & has been confirmed by the AG. Frances Fitzgerald MEP (@FitzgeraldFrncs) November 27, 2017 2/2 The Tribunal will objectively judge the appropriateness of my conduct. I look forward to giving my evidence to the Tribunal early in January. Frances Fitzgerald MEP (@FitzgeraldFrncs) November 27, 2017 Update 8.45pm: Frances Fitzgerald has no defence and must now resign - Sinn Fein; FG and FF leaders set to meet Sinn Fein have said new department of justice documents reveal that embattled Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald has no defence on why she failed to act to protect a whistleblower and must resign, writes Political Correspondent Juno McEnroe New documents released by the department tonight show she was made aware a second time in July 2015 of a potential garda strategy to undermine Sgt Maurice McCabe. This was several weeks after a first email in May 2015 notifying her of the garda plan at an inquiry. A senior department official for Frances Fitzgerald though later passed on details of a media query to her which concerned questions about the aggresive approach by garda management to discredit Sgt McCabe. This advice, flagging the matter, also told the minister how she could publicly praise Sgt McCabe. It also confirms the Department of Justice liaised with the former garda commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan and the garda press office on these matters. Gardai had received a similar media query. The correspondence reveals that assistant secretary Ken O'Leary advised the Tanaiste of these issues. Mr O'Leary also told Ms Fitzgerald to stress her belief that Sgt McCabe is a valued member of the force. Sinn Fein justice spokesperson Donnchadh O Laoghaire TD has responded to the release of additional documentation regarding Maurice McCabe and the OHiggins Commission from the Department of Justice tonight, saying that that these documents dispelled any lingering doubts on the Tanaistes knowledge of the Legal Strategy. Donnchadh O Laoghaire The Cork South-Central TD said: These documents are further evidence of the Tanaistes failings in addressing very serious issue, and her failure to protect Maurice McCabe from an appalling smear. The case for the defence for Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald has been unravelling for days. It has now collapsed. At first, the attempt to say she discovered after the fact. This was disproven. Then, to try and say that it was an email of such little significance that she could not recall and no action was required anyway. This was discredited. She has tried to say there was nothing she could do anyway; this has been comprehensively rebutted. Now, in tonights dramatic extraordinary revelations, it emerged that she received three emails, including questions from the Press and advice on how to respond to them. It was never credible to say she was unaware of the email or couldnt recall but it is utterly incredible now." How significant are the new documents released by the Dept of Justice? @JohnBurkeRTE reports pic.twitter.com/jlqqc9qpbJ RTE News (@rtenews) November 27, 2017 The Social Democrats have said the Tanaistes position is untenable in the light of further documents released tonight about Garda whistleblower Maurice McCabe. The partys co-leader Roisin Shortall TD said: The sheer extent of the Tanaistes dereliction of her duty as Minister for Justice is laid bare in the chain of emails released tonight. The correspondence shows that a senior official in the Ministers department liaised with the then Garda Commissioner about media queries about the Garda Commissioners role in the aggressive legal stance towards Sgt McCabe at the OHiggins Commission. Roisin Shortall Whatever about a Minister not recalling an issue being raised once in an email, this departmental trawl shows that both the Minister and her officials were informed in another two further emails, and in considerable detail, about media inquiries about the legal strategy adopted by the Garda Commissioner. How can the Tanaiste continue to credibly maintain that she wasnt aware of the legal strategy, despite her officials and her special advisers being included in the email chain released tonight?" Update 8.30pm: Documents show Francis Fitzgerald 'noted' email on McCabe legal strategy; FF and FG meeting continues Frances Fitzgerald was made aware of a garda strategy to take an aggressive stance towards Maurice McCabe a second time in the summer of 2015, by way of a media query. The then Justice Minister was advised that if asked about this, she could say that Sergeant McCabe was a valued member of the force. The new revelations are contained in a second stream of emails regarding Maurice McCabe which have been released by the Department of Justice this evening . They come as the Taoiseach and the Fianna Fail leader continue to discuss options to avoid the Dail being dissolved due to a no confidence motion in the Tanaiste. confirmation that Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald knew of and "noted" email regarding legal strategy to undermine Sgt McCabe #iestaff pic.twitter.com/EqtIBIMmV7 Daniel McConnell (@McConnellDaniel) November 27, 2017 Frances Fitzgerald has said, and her party has accepted, that she does not recall an email sent in May 2015 outlining the Garda Commissioners legal strategy to attack the motivation of Maurice McCabe at the OHiggins Inquiry at that time. But in a trawl of records at the Department of Justice, ordered by the Taoiseach last week its now emerged that the Minister had noted that email. It has also been confirmed that the former Justice Minister was made aware of a media query which referred to the aggressive stance that Commissioner Noirin OSullivan ordered her legal Counsel to take. The email also advises Frances Fitzgerald that if shes questioned about this, she could say that Sgt McCabe is a valued member of the force. Key new email shows Dept official advising Minister to say 'both the Garda Commissioner and myself have always made it clear that Sgt McCabe is a valued member of the force' in context of query re Commissioner's 'aggressive stance' towards McCabe at O'Higgins Commision in Jul '15 Katie Hannon (@KatieGHannon) November 27, 2017 While the email says the matters are before a Commission of Investigation, it will be seen as the second time Minister Fitzgerald was made aware of the plan to smear Maurice McCabe despite her saying she did not become aware of the matter until a year later. This new evidence raises the stakes of talks between the Taoiseach and Micheal Martin this evening - less than 24 hours before the motion of no confidence in the Dail is due to be debated. The material published by the department can be seen in full below: 1. An interim report of a search and retrieval of records (this report is dated 24 November 2017) 2. The final report of the search and retrieval of records (this report is dated 27 November 2017) 3. Two email threads which were discovered in the course of the search and retrieval of records (these have now been sent to the Disclosures Tribunal) 4. A letter from the Disclosures Tribunal to the Department of Justice and Equality (dated 22 November 2017) 5. A report setting out progress on the implementation of the Toland Report Meanwhile, Sinn Fein says Leo Varadkar is failing his first big test in Government. The Taoiseach has said he is standing by Frances Fitzgerald and is committed to finding a middle way to allow his minority administration to continue its work. Sinn Fein deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald said the stand-off which threatens to force fresh elections was about accountability. "Where something as awful as this was allowed to go unchecked and unchallenged somebody has to be answerable for it. "I regard this as perhaps the first big really substantial test of Leo Varadkar as Taoiseach and so far he is failing. "The only way he moves from a fail to a pass is to do his job and hold the now Tanaiste and former minister for justice to account and that means her standing down." Sinn Fein wants Frances Fitzgerald to step down over her handling of the Garda Maurice McCabe whistleblowing saga. An email advising Ms Fitzgerald of the legal strategy being enforced against Garda McCabe is at the centre of calls for her to go. Ms Fitzgerald has said she cannot recall whether she read the email at the time but was reminded of its contents recently. The issues are still under investigation by a disclosures tribunal chaired by Mr Justice Peter Charleton Ms McDonald alleged: "Perhaps the most powerful agencies of the state took a very deliberate decision to target an individual in an attempt to smear that person, take their reputation, their professional standing and essentially ruin their life and this has been a long-running saga. "Maurice McCabe was and is a member of An Garda Siochana so if that can happen to somebody who wears the uniform of a garda then it can happen to any citizen arguably and that is an intolerable proposition in any open democratic state. Maurice McCabe "The basis of the rule of law and democracy is that people's rights are protected." Ms McDonald said she had not planned for an election at Christmas time. "I have a young family. "No more than anybody else I understand the kind of pressures families are under and the business of the time. "Fianna Fail and Fine Gael want this to become a discussion around whether or not we should have an election; that is totally wrong-headed that is not what this is about. "Our motion is not calling for a general election, although we have no confidence in this government. "Our motion very clearly is setting out the need for accountability that is the issue." 5. A report setting out progress on the implementation of the Toland Report Update 5.50pm: It is not the right time for the country to go to the polls, says Regina Doherty Leo Varadkar and Micheal Martin will meet again this evening in an effort to prevent a Christmas election. Fianna Fail wants the Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald to resign over the Maurice McCabe controversy and a motion of no confidence is due to take place tomorrow. If a compromise is not reached between the two parties then the country will take to the polls. Fine Gael have stood firmly behind Frances Fitzgerald and speaking this evening the Social Protection Minister, Regina Doherty, believes an election can still be avoided. Regina Doherty "This particular time in the juncture of negotiations in Europe for Ireland, it is not the right time for the country to go to the polls," said Ms Doherty. "I think the two leaders who are sitting around trying to find a resolution here will find a political resolution here and allow due process to happen in the Charleton Tribunal and for us all to get back to work and do what we're being paid to do." The Taoiseach said earlier today he is doing everything he can to avoid a snap Christmas election amid a political row over the treatment of a whistleblower. Update 3.33pm: Election would delay work to tackle homelessness crisis, minister warns Efforts to tackle one of Ireland's worst homelessness crises could be delayed if an election is called. That's the view of Damien English, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, who said an election would be a distraction from other more vital work. Mr English made his comments as it emerged Leo Varadkar is to hold a new round of talks with Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin this evening as he attempts to save his minority Government. Reflecting on those talks Mr English expressed optimism a pre-Christmas poll could be avoided. "Nobody will thank us, the people are very clear on this, no matter who you talk to, no matter what party or independents they support. "Nobody wants an election because we all understand that when you have an election it does delay the work of Government. Damien English "It does delay the action we are trying to implement across all the different departments, certainly priority number one is housing and tackling homelessness, and any delay to that is not good for anyone." A housing charity said it received an "unprecedented" level of calls last year. A record number of people have been found sleeping rough in Dublin. A total of 184 were discovered in parks, streets, doorways and shopfronts on November 7. Some 1,138 families with 2,416 children were in emergency accommodation in or around the capital in September. Threshold, a housing charity, has urged the Government to strengthen investment in homelessness prevention measures. It took more than 71,000 calls for help last year - compared with 32,000 in 2015. 14% related to substandard accommodation and another 14% to tenancy terminations. Mr English said tackling the problem enjoyed cross-party support and a major financial commitment from taxpayers. He added public representatives were responding and he hoped to build on that following this week's "difficult" time. "A general election can only be a distraction to that work." He added: "I am always optimistic but I am a realist too. "It is a difficult situation for everybody and we have to try to find a solution here but I think it is possible." He said it was politicians' jobs to find a resolution. "Tomorrow is deadline day but I have no doubt that Leo Varadkar and Micheal Martin will work very hard to make it happen. "I am quite confident, but you never know." He reiterated calls for a focus on the challenges of Brexit and next month's crucial EU summit. Threshold chairman Dr Aideen Hayden urged the Government to invest in meaningful measures to address private renting challenges. "Renting continues to be a precarious venture in this country and there is much more the Government should be doing to protect tenants." Meanwhile, RTE Radio 1 have released a poll which has found 71% do not believe there should be a general election. Joe Duffy asked Liveline listeners if there should be a general election and if the Tanaiste should resign. Almost 4,828 people voted in the text poll about the general election while 5,200 people voted in the question about the Tanaiste. The results were: Should there be a general election? Results: Yes: 29% No: 71% Should the Tanaiste resign? Results: Yes: 60% No: 40% Update 2.57pm: Leo Varadkar 'doing everything' to avoid snap election The Taoiseach has said he is doing everything he can to avoid a snap Christmas election amid a political row over the treatment of a whistleblower. Leo Varadkar is to hold the latest round of talks with Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin this evening as he attempts to save his minority Government. The negotiations, which could see a radical overhaul of justice affairs, are said to have been constructive. "We are trying to find a middle way that allows the Government to continue and continue with the important work we are doing, particularly with Brexit and ensuring that we have necessary legislation through," the Taoiseach said. "We are doing everything we can." Fianna Fail have demanded the resignation of Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald over her handling of a 2015 email that revealed attempts to discredit Garda whistleblower Sergeant Maurice McCabe at a private Government-ordered inquiry. If no compromise is reached then it will lead to the collapse of the delicate confidence and supply arrangement that was supposed to see Mr Martin's party support the minority Fine Gael Government until the passage of the Budget in late 2018 and abstain in any no confidence motions against ministers. The Taoiseach said only Sinn Fein wants an election. Education Minister Richard Bruton said: "I certainly hope that we can find a solution. I'm long enough in politics to see how bad political decision-making screwed up opportunities." If Fine Gael and Fianna Fail fail to end the stand-off by Tuesday, a snap pre-Christmas election looms - at a time when ministers are preparing for December's crunch EU summit, when the fate of the Irish border post-Brexit could effectively be determined. Update 1pm: Latest: Varadkar: 'I have nothing to hide, Fine Gael has nothing to hide' Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has stressed that neither Fianna Fail nor Fine Gael want an election. He said he is working with Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin to come to a resolution. "I think it's fair to say neither Fianna Fail nor Fine Gael want an election. It seems Sinn Fein is the only party that wants that," he said. "We're trying to find a middle way that allows the Government to continue, and continue with the important work that we're doing, particularly in relation to Brexit and ensuring the important work that we have the necessary legislation. "We're doing everything we can." Mr Varadkar said he and his party have nothing to hide. "As I always said, and said in the Dail last week, I have nothing to hide, Fine Gael has nothing to hide, nor does the Government and we're not trying to protect anyone. We just want to make sure that there is due process and people are treated fairly," he said. "Certainly I don't want there to be an election, I don't think it would change anything or achieve anything, particularly at such an important time for the country. "We'll meet with Micheal Martin this evening and I'll do everything I can to come to a resolution but obviously that must involve due process." The Taoiseach was speaking after the funeral of former Minister for State, Donal Creed in Macroom, Co Cork. An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar pictured arriving at the funeral mass of former TD Donal Creed at St. Colmans Church, Macroom, Co. Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan by Elaine Loughlin Update 12pm: Negotiations between the Taoiseach and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin are likely to intensify before tomorrow's no confidence vote, the Finance Minister has said. Speaking at a housing development in Dublin this morning Paschal Donohoe said Leo Varadkar will also be looking at any options that are open to him to avoid an election that nobody wans." He said the Taoiseach is taking negotiations "very seriously" and will "do all that is possible to avoid an election taking place". I dont think any of us can understate how sensitive and how important the negotiations are that are currently under way. They are moving into their fourth day." Mr Varadkar is due to meet Mr Martin in Cork today for another round of talks to avert a General Election before Christmas. Mr Donohoe warned that a number of pieces of important legislation including restoration of public sector pay and increases to social welfare payments announced in the Budget still need to be passed by the Dail. "The Public Pension and Pay Bill is a very good example of the kind of legislation that it's in the best interests of all to have passed before Christmas but Fianna Fail need to understand and I think do, that there are pieces of legislation such as that, such as the Social Welfare Bill such as passing the Finance Bill through the Seanad and then other matters in relation to estimates that need to be passed in the coming weeks. "This is an election that if it happens will not be in the best interest of ensuring those pieces of legislation are passed." He added: It is even more apparent now that the country is facing so many challenges and indeed so many opportunities that will need to be dealt with across the month of December and into Janaury. For all of those reasons, it is imperative that we do all we can we ensure an election doesnt happen but Fianna Fail need to do their bit to. Mr Donohoe said he "stood fully" by Frances Fitzgerald "at all times she has been a reforming minister who has been absolutely focused on protecting those who need protection and support." Earlier: Minister Simon Coveney has said there is no attempt to protect Frances Fitzgerald from "the exposure of truth". He described what he believed was a "fundamental unfairness" by casting judgment on the Tanaiste before the upcoming Tribunal in January. Mr Coveney described the ongoing controversy as a "difficult political situation to manage". "There is no attempt here to hide anything or protect Frances Fitzgerald from the exposure of truth," he told RTE Radio One's Today with Sean O'Rourke. "We believe that Frances is being very unfairly treated and we believe she should not be asked to resign," he said. "What we have now is a debate around an email. This is a time for cool heads and due process that needs to be allowed to take its course," he added. He said the role of Minister Fitzgerald and the Department of Justice will be under review in the Tribunal. "In six weeks' time, we have a tribunal of inquiry investigating the very things that are under discussion from politicians. We believe that any political judgment should be made after that tribunal reports, rather than pre-empting it. He accepted there was poor management in the Department of Justice but said Frances Fitzgerald was "happy" to appear before the Tribunal and to be politically accountable for the outcomes of the Tribunal. His comments come as Fianna Fail calls for her resignation amid the ongoing Maurice McCabe email scandal. The email sent in May 2015 outlined a garda strategy to smear Maurice McCabe at the OHiggins Inquiry. It also emerged that ex-Garda Commissioner Noirin OSullivan telephoned a senior official in the department in May 2015 to inform them of her intended legal strategy at the OHiggins Commission in relation to whistleblower Maurice McCabe. The call is said to have occurred at the time a similar email was received and read by Ms Fitzgerald. A spokeswoman for the Tanaiste told the Irish Examiner she was not aware of the call at the time. The Foreign Affairs Minister said talks between Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin had not yet reached an agreement. A radical break-up of the Department of Justice into two has formed the basis of Varadkar's offering to Fianna Fail in a bid to avoid a general election. Sources have confirmed that three proposals were tabled, including the radical plans to overhaul the Department of Justice during discussions throughout the weekend. "There will be ongoing discussions today. The Taoiseach and Fine Fail leader have met a number of times and I think it is true to say that neither party wants an election," he said. "An election doesn't make sense for the country. We have some huge challenges to overcome, not least in the face of Brexit," he added. The Foreign Affairs Minister said he believed Fianna Fail had "genuine concerns". "They want political accountability as well as a process that establishes the truth, and we have to try to figure out a way with them that we can do that," he said. "We have to work with them so Maurice McCabe can get the justice he deserves," he added. He said the ongoing discussions between Micheal Martin and Leo Varadkar have been "constructive" but had yet failed to finalise "a package of proposals that can avoid" an election. The accused in a Louth double murder trial has admitted that he is the man in CCTV footage that the State played for the jury a number of weeks ago. The 34-year-old Dubliner made the admission to the Central Criminal Court through his barrister today. Jason ODriscoll, with an address at Richmond Avenue, Fairview, has pleaded not guilty to murdering 31-year-old Anthony Burnett and 25-year-old Joseph Redmond in Co Louth on March 7, 2012. The trial has heard that firefighters were called to a burning car in Ravensdale Forest Park shortly before 11pm that night. The bodies of the two Dublin car thieves were discovered inside, with gunshot wounds to their heads. The jury spent hours watching CCTV footage a number of weeks ago. It was recorded on both sides of the border in the hours and days around the double killing. One piece of footage showed a man entering a Newry hotel through a rear door and going to a part of the hotel not covered by cameras around 7.45pm on the day of the killings. The same man was seen leaving that area and exiting the hotel a few minutes later. Its the States case that phone calls were made to one of the deceased from a payphone in that area of the hotel around this time. Mr ODriscolls senior counsel, Sean Guerin, today admitted that his client was the man in the hotel footage. He explained that he was making the admissions on behalf of the accused under Section 22 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. It means the prosecution dont have to prove those things, he said. Mr Guerin then moved onto footage showing two men entering a chip shop/off licence in Meigh, just north of the border, after 11pm that night. Its the States case that the alleged getaway car was found abandoned nearby the following morning, having been involved in a high-speed police chase in Newry shortly before the chip shop footage was recorded. The gentleman in the blue jacket inside Murphys in Meigh is the accused man, said Mr Guerin yesterday. The jury also saw footage recorded in a Eurospar shop in Newry on March 1, 2, 8 and 9 that year. Its the States case that mobile phones of interest were topped up there during the times covered. Mr Guerin admitted that the man in the shop footage on those days was also his client. Alexander Owens SC then closed the case on behalf of the prosecution and the judge sent the jury away while he dealt with a legal issue. Legal issues often, if not always, arise at this stage of the trial, he told the eight men and four women, asking them to return tomorrow morning. The Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan has addressed the Dail in the wake of the scandal which led up to Frances Fitzgerald's resignation as Tanaiste. Read the full script of his speech, provided by the Department of Justice, below: The Taoiseach must block progress of the Brexit negotiations in December if the UK fails to give a formal written guarantee that there will be no hard border with Northern Ireland, Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has said. With a pre-Christmas election now averted, Leo Varadkar's focus will be firmly on crucial Brexit negotiations in Brussels on December 14 and 15. UK prime minister Theresa May has rejected Mr Varadkar's demands for written commitments before trade talks begin to avoid checks on the Irish border, even if it that means Northern Ireland continues to apply EU trade rules while Britain diverges. This has prompted Mr Varadkar to threaten to veto the start of trade talks at the summit. Speaking on Tuesday Mr Adams said that Mr Varadkar must use the veto. "Brexit in British Tory terms is bad for every single person on this island and bad for the economy. We need to be standing very firm. The North needs to be kept in the European Union," the outgoing Sinn Fein President said. He also said that the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) was "totally irrational and illogical" in their Brexit position and accused them of being "disrespectful that the people of the north voted to remain and that should be upheld". Referring to the collapse of the Stormont powersharing government, he said even if the Executive was restored the differences between Sinn Fein and the DUP "will prevail". "If we managed to get the institutions back in place there is a chasm between our position and the DUP position. The DUP ignores the consequences (of Brexit) for people, many of them Unionist people," he added. President Donald Trump used an event honouring Native American veterans to hit out at Democratic senator Elizabeth Warren, whom he has long derided as Pocahontas. Mr Trump welcomed three Navajo code talkers from the Second World War to the Oval Office. He called them "incredible" and "very special people". During remarks on Monday praising their service, Mr Trump said: "We have a representative in Congress who they say was here a long time ago. "They call her Pocahontas. "But you know what, I like you." Trump made a "Pocahontas" jab at Elizabeth Warren while honoring Native American war veterans pic.twitter.com/tnpC0Urt7X BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) November 27, 2017 The Republican president has repeatedly mocked the Massachusetts senator for claims she has made about being part Native American. Native American leaders have called Mr Trump's past attacks on Ms Warren offensive and distasteful. Some Democrats have called the remark racist. Ms Warren quickly denounced Mr Trump's comments. "This was supposed to be an event to honour heroes, people who put it all on the line for our country, who, because of their incredible work, saved the lives of countless Americans and our allies," Ms Warren said in an interview on MSNBC. "It is deeply unfortunate that the president of the United States cannot even make it through a ceremony honouring these heroes without having to throw out a racial slur." The president has long feuded with Ms Warren, an outspoken Wall Street critic who levelled blistering attacks on Mr Trump during the campaign. He has seized in particular on questions about her heritage, which surfaced during her 2012 Senate race challenging incumbent Republican Senator Scott Brown. During that campaign, law school directories from the Association of American Law Schools from 1986 to 1995 surfaced that put Ms Warren on the association's list of "minority law teachers" when she was teaching at the University of Texas and the University of Pennsylvania. Ms Warren said she listed herself with Native American heritage because she hoped to meet people with similar roots. In a 2012 interview with The Associated Press, Ms Warren said she and her brothers were told of the family's heritage by their parents, the late Don and Pauline Herring. Mr Brown pressed Ms Warren to release more information about how she described her heritage to potential employers. Ms Warren said she never sought proof of ancestry because she did not think it was necessary. AP Crisis-hit Fine Gael will have all their candidates selected by Thursday if a snap general election is called. As further revelations emerged around Ms Fitzgeralds knowledge of the campaign to discredit Mauirce McCabe before the OHiggins commission, Fine Gael HQ sprung into action with 18 selection conventions organised for both last night and tonight. As documents released by the Department of Justice last night revealed Ms Fitzgerald was contacted and given advise on how to respond to any media queries around an aggressive stance taken towards Maurice McCabe at the commission. Asked if it was not time for Ms Fitzgerald to stand aside one minister last night said: Arguably that time was the start of last week. What it also raises is how were these emails not given to the tribunal before now, what was the department at? We should have known about these for a long time, the minister added, suggesting that Ms Fitzgerald would have likely not been reappointed if the emails had been uncovered when the tribunal was set up. Another minister last night said that he had spoken to a number of his Fine Gael colleagues who were very unhappy, adding that it was now felt she should step down. He said members were also angry that she had persisted in defending herself even after she had received the latest emails on Friday. Earlier in the day and before the documents were published, Fine Gael ministers yesterday moved to play down the possibility an election being called in the coming days, with Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe claiming the Taoiseach would be looking at any options that are open to him to avoid an election that nobody wants. He said the Taoiseach was taking negotiations with Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin very seriously and would do all that is possible to avoid an election taking place. Mr Donohoe warned that a number of pieces of important legislation including restoration of public sector pay and increases to social welfare payments announced in the Budget still need to be passed by the Dail. Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney, who on Friday described Fianna Fail as engaging in reckless politics also moved to soften his tone on the matter yesterday. Admitting both Fianna Fail and Fine Gael were in a difficult political position he yesterday called for cool heads; this was echoed by Education Minister Richard Bruton. Mr Coveney said neither Fine Gael nor Fianna Fail wanted an election, but there was a difficult political situation to be managed. Fianna Fail is asking for political accountability and that is reasonable, he told RTEs Sean ORourke programme, but added that the Charleton Tribunal was the best place to do this. Fine Gael had already chosen Noel Rock in Dublin North West along with Josepha Madigan and Neale Richmond in Dublin Rathdown before last week, however, a party spokesman confirmed that in the event of a snap election, the remaining conventions would be completed on Wednesday and Thursday of this week. Last week, three men were given lengthy sentences for the aggravated burglaries they carried out in April and May of 2012 in Pallasgreen, Co Limerick. Patrick Roche, aged 53, from Kilcronan Close, Clondalkin, Dublin, and his son, Philip Roche, aged 24, were jailed for 17 years and 15 years respectively. Patrick Roches son-in-law, Alan Freeman, aged 37, from Pearse Park, Tipperary town, was jailed for 14 years. In April 2012, the three men broke into the home of Gerry and Anne Garvey, holding the couple and their four children at gunpoint before fleeing with cash. In May 2012, the Roches broke into the home of elderly siblings Willie, Nora, and Chrissie Creed, assaulting them and stabbing Mr Creed. They subsequently left with money stolen from the Creeds. Yesterday, the Garveys said they were delighted at the length of the sentences handed down, but asked how men with so many previous convictions were free to terrorise rural dwellers. At sentencing last week, the court heard that Patrick Roche had 139 previous convictions, Philip Roche had 37, and Freeman had 22. Patrick Roche and Freeman were on bail at the time the offences took place. I find it very very difficult to believe that somebody that has 139 previous convictions can be out, said Ms Garvey. I think the whole system needs to be changed. I think they should be just left there until they get their sentence and then if many months have passed, then that can go off the sentence. Mr Garvey also expressed his concern for the trials cost to the taxpayer. One of the things that really galls me is, apart of the huge investment in garda and detective time, is that its estimated that the cost of the trial was over 1m of taxpayers money and to me thats not money well spent, he said. I think we should go back to the old thing, prevention is better than cure. If even half of that money had been spent on preventive measures, if better things were put into place to help to gardai do their job and support rural communities. I think it would be money better spent. Mr Garvey said that it was to his horror that he realised that each of the men had a senior counsel and two junior counsel for the trial. So basically you had nine council represent three defendants against two from the State and, as a taxpayer, I find that absolutely galling, he said. I think everyones entitled to proper legal defence but I think there should be some limits. Mr Garvey said his children will no longer go out to get turf after dark and they always lock their gate after their ordeal. Ms Garvey said the Creeds have been deeply affected by what they suffered. Those three people were left for dead, she said. It was an incredible situation that went on for two, two and a half hours and nearly six years on we dont see them, they dont go out. I remember bringing Willie Creed home and driving into the farmyard. I met Chrissy and she was snow white. The last time I had seen her she had black hair. I was shocked but Ive since been told that she doesnt go out, even to Mass. I thought she used to be taken to Mass but that isnt even happening now. The HSE confirmed the Rare Disease Technology Review Committee has a chair, but no members, and is not expected to be in place before the first quarter of 2018. The setting up of the committee was a key recommendation of the national rare disease plan for Ireland 2014-2018, launched by then health minister James Reilly. The need for such a committee was highlighted recently at a hearing of the joint Oireachtas health committee where politicians pointed to the difficulties of obtaining state reimbursement for orphan drugs. The Court of Appeal dismissd the appeal of Dan and Maureen Arnold and affirmed an earlier High Court decision to refuse the Fermoy couple leave to legally challenge the orders and convictions made by the District Court more than two years ago. Mr and Mrs Arnold were convicted at Fermoy District Court in April 2015 of an offence contrary to the Education (Welfare) Act 2000, that they contravened a lawful requirement under a school attendance notice by failing to cause their daughter to attend Colaiste an Chraoibhin in Fermoy. Judge Aeneas McCarthy fined the Arnolds, of Regina Pio, Bartlemy, Fermoy, Co Cork, 300 each and imposed a sentence of three days imprisonment in default of payment. The Arnolds denied the charge. They brought judicial review proceedings against Tusla, the child and family agency, seeking to have the conviction, which they claim is unfair and in breach of their constitutional rights as a family, quashed. In the High Court, Mr Justice Donald Binchy dismissed all grounds of the action. From the evidence, the judge said he was satisfied the couple had not made an arguable case that their application was likely to succeed at a full hearing. The three-judge Court of Appeal yesterday affirmed that High Court decision. Outside court, Mr Arnold said his daughter was now attending college and they would attempt to bring their case to the Supreme Court. Giving the judgement of the Court of Appeal, Mr Justice Gerard Hogan said it is not disputed that the Arnolds did not pay the fine within the eight-week period and it is accepted that, as a result, both have the immediate prospect of serving a three-day prison sentence unless the convictions are quashed. Mr Justice Hogan said there was nothing at all to suggest the hearing before the District Court was procedurally deficient and it was clear from the summary of what transpired in the District Court the Arnolds procedural rights were fully protected and had not been infringed. The issue of who pays the costs of the one-day hearing at the Court of Appeal will be decided on December 13. The pontiff will also visit Bangladesh, where more than 620,000 Rohingya have fled to escape what Amnesty International has dubbed crimes against humanity. A Vatican spokesman reported that they discussed the great responsibility of authorities of the country in this time of transition which seems like diplomat-speak for the probability that the Pope raised the genocide of the Rohingya with the general. A NEW Living Well service has launched on the Isle of Wight. It offers support for anyone aged 18 and over who may have multiple low level needs requiring support or advice, but who do not meet the criteria to receive adult social care services. The service has been funded by the Isle of Wight Council through the Improved Better Care Fund and will be delivered by Age UK Isle of Wight, Carers Isle of Wight, People Matter Isle of Wight, and The Way Forward. The partners hope it will reduce pressure on the hospital and other statutory services. Age UK's support officers will come up with an action plan for each service user, full of ideas and advice. People Matter will help set up a fully-costed plan for those who need support from carers. The group will also help people with learning disabilities make housing choices. The Way Forward will visit people with learning disabilities in their homes and make sure their needs are being met. Carers Isle of Wight will offer support to carers from their base at St Mary's Hospital. To find out more, call 525282. PREMIER Ford has been named one of the UK's Best Dealerships To Work For. The Newport firm featured in the top 15 list published by Automotive Management, the UK's leading automotive retail business publication. More than 40 dealerships took part in the inaugural programme and 1,500 employees were surveyed. The aim of the Best Dealership programme is to raise the bar among industry employers and attract talented staff. Premier Ford was recognised for providing an outstanding workplace environment that engages staff and allows them to flourish. The company hosts Christmas dances for staff and their partners, and allows them to take days off as 'duvet days' with no prior notice. Also, 95 per cent of staff receive a monthly bonus based on customer satisfaction and/or department profitability, while they receive further appreciation in the company's annual recognition and long service awards. The company also held a free health screening for staff with advice given on general health and fitness. David Rye, managing director of Premier Ford, said: "I am very proud to receive this award, voted for by our own staff. It demonstrates the continuous efforts made across all departments to make Premier Ford a great place to work. Moving forward, our objective remains to have a happy team of staff and, of course, happy customers." Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center reported Monday a more than twofold increase in excess income to $67.3 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2017-18. In a not-for-profit organization, excess revenue is analogous to profit in a for-profit organization. Wake Forest Baptist benefited from a slight core revenue increase, as well as the first financial boost from completing the acquisition of Wilkes Regional Medical Center in July. The system listed a $46.8 million gain on acquisition related to the North Wilkesboro hospital. Total operating revenue was $686.8 million, up 7.5 percent. That included $647.1 million in net patient services revenue, along with $42.5 million in gifts, grants and contracts and $20.5 million from other sources that feature federal incentive payments for implementing electronic health records. The system reported having a provision for bad debts of $46.9 million, up from $46.4 million a year ago. The provision has a bottom-line impact on the systems excess revenue. According to the American Hospital Association, bad debt is defined as services for which hospitals anticipate but dont receive payment from patients who have the financial means to pay. The system said it experienced improvements in key areas, primarily driven by volume growth in the clinical enterprise, in part from the expansion of ambulatory facilities and the opening of the 50-bed inpatient facility at Davie Medical Center. Operating expenses rose 7.6 percent to $681.3 million. Core operating excess revenue was $5.43 million, down 8.2 percent. Wake Forest Baptist showed a net investment gain of $23 million during the quarter, compared with $22.8 million a year ago. Not-for-profit hospitals depend on investment income to increase their bottom lines and to help pay for capital investments. Wake Forest Baptist issued the quarterly report on the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Boards website, www.emma.msrb.org. The Emma reports are aimed primarily at bondholders and ratings agencies, and typically are submitted about two months after the end of a quarter. The system reported a 10.2 percent increase in outpatient cases and a 1.4 percent increase in inpatient cases both representing a trend among hospitals in North Carolina and nationally. Wake Forest Baptist has 15,325 employees overall. It is the largest employer in Forsyth County at about 12,900, according to the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce. Winston-Salem police have identified a suspect in connection with a city man being shot Sunday in the abdomen, authorities said Monday. Jerry Desean Martin, 21, of Stone Mill Drive arrived at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center with a gunshot wound shortly after 3:45 p.m., Winston-Salem police said. Martin was in critical, but stable condition Monday at the hospital, police Lt. Michael Cardwell said. Officers determined that Martin was shot in the 300 block of Parkwood Avenue in the city's northern section, police said. Investigators have interviewed Martin, and police have identified a suspect in the shooting, Cardwell said. Police did not release the suspect's name and no charges have been filed in the case. The preliminary investigation "indicates that this was not a random act," Cardwell said. Anyone with information about this incident can call Winston-Salem police at 336-773-7700, Crime Stoppers at 336-727-2800 or its Spanish line at 336-728-3904. Does our country face a big problem with deficits? Is it a mistake to add to them? House Speaker Paul Ryan certainly thinks so. Or he used to. In 2010, he told Fortune magazine that the nation was sleep-walking toward a debt crisis, and he foresaw calamity on a grand scale. Within a few years, a sale of government bonds will fail, he said. The capital markets will go crazy, and the Fed and Treasury will run to Capitol Hill demanding a giant bailout. Wow. He offered much the same view in 2011. We face a crushing burden of debt, which will take down our economy, Ryan predicted. It will lower our living standards. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell also once seemed to think it ill-advised to enact a whopping corporate tax cut when the deficit is such an enormous challenge. He said so as recently as last December. I think this level of national debt is dangerous and unacceptable, McConnell argued. My preference on tax reform is that it be revenue neutral. Yes, McConnell really said revenue neutral, which usually means offsetting tax cuts with tax hikes elsewhere. He now says that miraculous economic growth will take care of everything. One other thing McConnell used to believe: that its a bad idea to advance far-reaching initiatives on a partisan basis. In March 2009, the Republican leader said he had hoped that the newly installed President Obama would govern more to the middle. He assailed Democrats for instead intending to do as much as they could on a strictly partisan basis. This week or next, McConnell will be pressuring Republicans in the Senate to pass a sweeping, 515-page tax bill on, well, a strictly partisan basis. The radical bill would shift taxes away from corporations and the rich to regular folks and would increase the deficit by at least $1.4 trillion. When it comes to the middle class, by the way, this proposal doesnt even deserve to be called a tax cut. According to the Tax Policy Center, it would leave about half of taxpayers paying more by 2027. Republicans are lying coming and going. They hold down the sticker price of the bill and minimize its impact on the deficit by having the middle-class tax cuts (but not the corporate reductions) expire. But they insist that future Congresses would keep the middle-class tax cuts in place. So they are either lying about the deficit, or misleading the middle class. Ryan has already burnished his standing as a deficit hypocrite by pushing a comparable tax cut through the House. But dont you worry. As soon as Republicans shovel every dollar they can to the people who pay their partys bills, hell dust off those old the-sky-is-falling quotes and warn about the deficits he helped to bloat. What can stop this duplicitous raid on the federal treasury? A mobilization at the grass roots that tries to muster some of the energy that went into saving Obamacare would be helpful. But in the end, the honor of the Republican Party is in the hands of a small number of senators. Sens. Bob Corker of Tennessee and Jeff Flake of Arizona have said over and over that (unlike their two-faced leaders) they actually do care about the deficit, even where this tax-cut bill is concerned. If they dont vote against it, they will be enrolling in the Ryan-McConnell Deficit Prevarication Association. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine is as close as there is to a genuine moderate in the Senate GOP. Voting for this utterly immoderate scheme will mean tossing her moderate credentials into a bonfire. But the man whose voice most needs to be heard is Arizona Sen. John McCains. Over the last few months, he really has been the conscience of the Senate. This summer, he gave a remarkable speech during the Obamacare debate in which he chided the partys leadership for asking us to swallow our doubts and force [the bill] past a unified opposition. I dont think thats going to work in the end, he said, and it probably shouldnt. It definitely shouldnt work on this Pay-Off-Our-Donors tax cut. More than anyone, McCain could give Corker, Flake and Collins the heart to follow their convictions. If found guilty, two teens charged in connection with firing a gun at Winston-Salem police officers should be punished to the full extent of the law. Using firepower against police is unacceptable. Fortunately, nobody was injured. But as earlier incidents attest, thats not always the case. Police responded to a report of breaking and entering just before 10 a.m. on Nov. 19 at a house on Ansonia Street, the Journals John Hinton reported last week. When they arrived, they saw two men running away. They gave chase. One of the men appeared to have a handgun in his right hand, police told the Journal. And at one point he fired one shot in the direction of the officers. The two men continued running away, and police lost sight of them. They found the suspects later. Tristen Tyler McLaurin, 16, was initially arrested and charged with misdemeanor resisting a public officer after an officer accused McLaurin of running away from her as she attempted to question him about being a possible suspect. He was later charged with assault with a deadly weapon on a law-enforcement officer, felony breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, and other offenses, according to police and an arrest warrant. Kquashand Marquis Morgan, 18, was charged with felony breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, and misdemeanor resisting a public officer, according to police and an arrest warrant. Theyre scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 7. Theres no excuse for breaking into another persons house under any circumstances. But the willingness of anyone to shoot at police officers while attempting to escape is especially troubling. Our officers work in dangerous times for modest pay. Most members of the community offer their support, knowing that the police mean us no harm. In fact, they want to keep us all safe. Police officers face enough danger without people firing at them. If these young men are found guilty, they deserve the punishment that comes their way. This December 21, the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) will close its doors. Never have so many crimes provoked so much investigative work. Never has a war been so documented, examined and analysed by judicial authorities since the Second World War. Now it is time to analyse the record of this first international criminal tribunal, its successes and failures. This is indispensable, if only to learn lessons for the future of international justice. What is most striking is the huge gap between judicial truth and the way it resonates in the societies most concerned. With courage, but also with sadness, the ICTY Prosecutor recognizes that those being glorified today are the war criminals and not their victims. This is what has happened again in the last few days with the judgment on Ratko Mladic, sentenced to life imprisonment for genocide but celebrated by some of his people. This is a terrible realization for a form of international justice which took place to the end away from the region concerned. This failure calls for deeper reflection on the challenge represented by an international courts capacity to get its message across in divided societies. What does this failure mean for 5,000 victims who have testified in the different ICTY trials, many of whom have risked their lives to remind people of past horrors? As a journalist who reported on the war, I remember the worn faces of men, women and children driven from their homes as they descended from buses, the bombs that rained daily on Sarajevo and accounts of torture. I remember the need for recognition and dignity of those who were dispossessed, and the promise of justice that was made to them much too lightly. I remember how General Mladic and Radovan Karadzic were received at the UN in Geneva for the peace conference on former Yugoslavia whilst they were at the same time orchestrating and carrying out a campaign of ethnic cleansing. Is justice in wartime possible? And when the guns are finally silent, does it resonate when societies remain deeply divided, every community scarred by past violence and obsessed with asserting its own identity because fearful of the future? International justice claims to work in the name of humanity, an ambition which deserves the highest praise. But universality remains an abstraction. What does the failure to stigmatize war criminals in former Yugoslavia mean for the populations of the Central African Republic (CAR), Syria, Yemen and elsewhere? What can they hope for today? In my life as a journalist and then supporting the mediation processes at the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, I have for the last 25 years been hearing in former Yugoslavia, the Central African Republic, Afghanistan, Colombia and elsewhere the unquenchable thirst for justice of victims, their families and the majority of their societies. It is clear it takes time, often a long time, for a terribly imperfect justice to be rendered, and sometimes an even longer time before the record of these crimes is recognized, when the time for reconciliation comes. The words that touched me most on the act of testifying today in former Yugoslavia were those of Sanja Coric, because she expressed with uncommon force both the limits of justice and its necessity. She, like other women, was raped in 1993 in the Vojno camp, not far from Mostar. Despite constant threats and intimidation, insults from nationalists and fear in her heart, she testified openly. Sometimes I regret having testified, she said. Fear is always with the victims, not with the war criminals. I realized that a witness is like a dusting cloth. You use it to remove the dust and then, when it is no longer needed, you throw it away. But I tell myself that we were also right to testify. We overcame our fear and we have succeeded in erecting one of the greatest monuments. Our monument is not made of stone or of concrete. It is the judgment. This is the record that will remain for future generations. Latest UN judges uphold 25-year jail term on Bosnian Croat leader Prlic On November 29, the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) is to hand down its last judgment before closing its doors in a few weeks time. The six accused were already tried by the lower court in 2013 and given prison sentences of 10 to 25 years for 26 counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes, including persecution, murder, rape and sexual violence, forced displacement and inhuman acts. These six former top leaders of the self-proclaimed Croatian Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia are now being judged on appeal. The most prominent among them is Jadranko Prlic, a brilliant economist and former professor, who was invited to the United States before becoming Prime Minister of this republic that was never recognized. After the Dayton accords that ended the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina, he was even Foreign Minister of that country from 1996 to 2001. He and his five co-defendants are accused of having tried during the 1993 war to purge Muslims definitively from the Herzegovina region that they controlled with their armed HVO militia and having set up a network of sinister detention centres. The verdict of the ICTY Appeals Chamber has special resonance for me because in September 1993, as a journalist for Liberation and the Nouveau Quotidien, I went with delegates of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) into Dretelj camp, one of the worst detention camps in the former Yugoslavia. Dretelj camp, which figures largely in the ICTY judgment of 2013, was administered by the HVO. Under pressure from the US, Germany and the Vatican, the Croatian government in Zagreb got agreement that the ICRC could free some of the 1,000-2,000 prisoners in Dretelj camp. That was the context in which I accompanied an ICRC team on September 19, 1993 and the following days. Those were terrible days. The ICRC doctor had nightmares that he was Mengele, obliged to proceed with selecting people and deciding who would be freed, and who would be condemned to remain in this deadly camp. I remember how we brought scales and measuring gear to weigh and measure the prisoners in the camp courtyard, to identify the weakest and ask for their liberation. Most of the prisoners were crushed into a hangar, on top of each other, plunged into an almost permanent semi-darkness. It was during those days that I understood how a civil war can break the fabric of society. Guards and prisoners had sometimes been school friends, played together and grown up together. One of the camp officials knew prisoners of worth often families abroad who might be ready to pay and was hoping to negotiate money in exchange for a promise of freedom. The ICTYs 2013 judgment in the Prlic case tells of the over-population, hunger, thirst, humiliation and cruel treatment which led to the deaths of two prisoners, and of three others killed when military police shot randomly into the hangar where the prisoners were. The judgment also records how prisoners who did not eat their meagre rations fast enough were forced to lie on burning tarmac and roll on it without their shirts. But the judgment, in its cold and clinical description, cannot convey the atmosphere of fear and death that reigned in that camp, the terrible smell of the hangar, the overcrowding, the emaciated bodies, as we listened to distant gunshots. Twenty-four years later, international justice is handing down its final verdict. During the first trial from 2006 to 2013, the Court admitted 10,000 pieces of evidence, heard more than 200 witnesses and produced a judgment of 2,629 pages. This mobilization of resources reflects all the ambition but also all the ambiguity of international criminal justice. The war and the atrocities committed in the camps need to be known. But who will read these 2,629 pages written in judicial language? And who will read this appeals judgment? How can we move from recognition by a few experts to recognition by the public at large? The hope of those who dreamed of creating the first international criminal tribunal was that it would contribute to peace and reconciliation. The guns fell silent in Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1995 after the Dayton accords. But it is still a cold peace, conflict over the past continues and nationalism is thriving in Bosnia, Croatia, Serbia and Kosovo. President Tran Dai Quang welcomes Slovak Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini (Photo: VNA) He noted that the years of 2016 and 2017 marked a breakthrough progress in bilateral relations with the Vietnam visit by Slovak Prime Minister Reobert Fico and the Slovakia trip by Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue. The President expressed his belief that with a series of signed agreements, the relations between the two sides will enter a new flourishing stage. Holding that two-way trade has yet to meet expectations, he proposed that the two countries enhance the efficiency of the Inter-Governmental Committee on economic cooperation, while increasing exchanges among ministries, sectors, localities and businesses, thus promoting trade and investment collaboration. Quang also suggested that the two sides work closely to implement the signed agreements, consider the resumption of cooperation in labour, and strengthen affiliation in education and training. He pledged to create optimal conditions for Slovak firms to invest in Vietnam, especially in energy, infrastructure, environmental protection and food safety. He also thanked the Slovak Government for supporting the Vietnamese community in the country. On the occasion, he invited President Andrej Kiska to visit Vietnam. For his part, Slovak Deputy PM Pellegrini said that he and his entourage had fruitful working sessions with leaders of the Vietnamese Government, ministries and sectors, which are expected to lay foundation for the growth of Slovakia-Vietnam relations in the future, not only in politics but also in economic cooperation, trade and investment. Slovakia will give safest and most favourable conditions to foreign investors, including those from Vietnam, he said, expressing his hope that Slovakia will become a gateway for Vietnamese products to enter the European market. He said that in the coming time, Slovakia will appoint Le Hong Quang, who is the current Charge daffaires of Slovakia to Vietnam, as the ambassador to Vietnam. Pellegrini also vowed that the Slovak Government will give best conditions for Vietnamese citizen living in the country. He told his host that on the occasion of Deputy PM Vuong Dinh Hues visit to Slovakia in September this year, the Slovak Government built and inaugurated a bronze plate in Home Saliby town of Trnava province where President Ho Chi Minh visited 60 years ago./. The event is being held by Vietnam News Agency to celebrate the 55th anniversary of relations and the 40th year since the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Cooperation Treaty. Cutting ribbon to open the exhibition Visitors to the exhibition (Photo source: tienphong.vn) The exhibition, titled "Vietnam - Laos relations forever stronger than mountains and rivers, features the traditional friendship and solidarity between Vietnam and Laos. It will run until November 30th. A similar exhibition will be held in Vientiane in Laos in December by Vietnam News Agency and Lao News Agency./. As part of the campaign Creating a Sustainable Future Together, this is an opportunity for the Southeast province to present to the public the new development stage of the Binh Duong Smart City Scheme, serving as a forum for domestic and international Smart City experts to discuss action plans, the next steps of Binh Duong and international cooperation towards Triple Helix model of the Netherlands Eindoven city. Photo for illustration The Triple Helix model is based on the view that three-way interactions encourage innovation while providing a balance between knowledge, social benefit and profit motivations. This years Summit included five key events: Plenary session, Exhibition, Hackathon, Science Conference, and Business Conference. With our combined expertise and opportunities, we Dutch and Vietnamese partners from Binh Duong and Brainport Group of Eindhoven (the Netherlands) can inspire others in both nations. Convinced of our combined strength, we the Dutch partners look forward to see Vietnam join an even wider community of smart city partners, via involvement in the Global Smart City and Community Coalition, said Ms Nienke Trooster, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Vietnam. Last year, the first event attracted a large number of participants and exhibitors on high technology applications, connecting Government, business and academia; offering an opportunity for parties to demonstrate modern scientific and technological applications and come up with new forms of linkage. Binh Duong expects to find many partners to share long-term aspirations for a dynamic, prosperous and sustainable city./. November 28, 2017 Lincoln, Neb. The 2017 Nebraska Soybean Day and Machinery Expo will assist soybean producers in planning for growing season. The expo is 8:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Dec. 14 in the pavilion at the Saunders County Fairgrounds in Wahoo. The expo opens with coffee, doughnuts and the opportunity to view equipment and exhibitor booths. Speakers start at 9 a.m. and include university researchers and specialists, Nebraska Soybean Checkoff representatives, soybean growers and private-industry representatives. "We are bringing back Jason Norsworthy due to the popularity of his presentation last year," said Nebraska Extension Educator Keith Glewen, who coordinates the expo. "This year he is going to focus on a topic that has gained widespread attention and is on the mind of most growers dicamba." Norsworthy is the chair of weed science at the University of Arkansas. He will discuss issues associated with dicamba use, including likely causes for non-target damage based on field observations of weed scientists across the United States. Norsworthy will highlight research on off-target movement of the new, lower-volatility formulations of dicamba. He will also provide input on ways to minimize the likelihood for damage from off-target dicamba movement. Also on the agenda is Michael Swanson, a Wells Fargo agricultural economist. Swanson believes growing top-yielding soybeans requires the right inputs. His talk will focus on getting crop metrics right. Chris Proctor, weed management educator with Nebraska Extension, is a strong proponent of measuring herbicides accurately for successful weed control in soybeans. He will discuss how accurate measurements are often overlooked in the big picture of herbicide resistance. Other expo topics include an update on the Nebraska Soybean Checkoff and association information; visits with representatives from seed, herbicide, fertilizer and equipment companies; and viewing of new farm equipment. A complimentary lunch will be served at noon. Registration is available at the door the day of the expo. Registration is free, but the Saunders County Soybean Growers Organization requests donations of one or more cans of nonperishable food to the food pantry. For more information about the program or exhibitor details, call 800-529-8030 or email kglewen1@unl.edu. Information is also available at https://enre.unl.edu/nebraskasoyexpo. The program is sponsored by Nebraska Extension in the university's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Nebraska Soybean Board, Saunders County Soybean Growers Organization and private industry. Keith Glewen Extension Educator Nebraska Extension 800-529-8030 kglewen1@unl.edu This article originally appeared on IANRnews.unl.edu: KEARNEY Millions of dollars in construction is unfolding or planned at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, and its all taking place as the University of Nebraska system is tangling with an almost $50 million funding gap. UNK Chancellor Doug Kristensen said UNK is absorbing its share of the funding gap about $5.4 million over the next two fiscal years but the money for the new buildings is coming from different buckets than the operational expenses that will be targeted as spending cuts and efficiencies unfold. We cant take donations for scholarships to pay the light bill, Kristensen told the Kearney Noon Rotary Club on Monday during an update on building projects on campus and the funding gap. Kristensen said funds earmarked for construction must be spent on construction, while funds for operations are for faculty salaries, building maintenance and other day-to-day expenses. Often, donors specify that their gifts provide scholarships or help with brick-and-mortar projects, he said. If my banker loaned me money for my home, he wouldnt want me spending it on a boat. The chancellor said much of the $2 million funding gap UNK must absorb in fiscal 2018 is being covered by tapping cash reserves and by hiking tuition 5.4 percent. Tuition will rise by 3.2 percent in fiscal 2019, but thats when real spending reductions kick in. Some of the spending adjustments will be death by a thousand cuts, he said. Task forces are searching for strategic cost reductions across the NU system, Kristensen said. The goal at UNK will be to reduce costs while maintaining academic quality, protecting mission-critical functions, enhancing enrollment and implementing the strategic plan. UNK and other NU campuses have already implemented a hiring freeze, curtailed travel and cut mileage reimbursement, and are reviewing all campus functions, programs and faculty. Students are key to making the university work, and so is the high quality of faculty we have, he said. Kristensen talked about some of the construction unfolding at UNK: University Village will nearly double the size of the UNK footprint when its complete in 20 years. The first phase is the $16 million Village Flats student housing. Funding for the 99-unit residence hall is from $12 million in revenue bonds and $4 million from a UNK surplus fund. The $6.4 million early childhood education center will cater to UNK employees and the community. Education majors will benefit from exposure to children from many backgrounds, Kristensen said. If youre going to be a master teacher, youre going to need experience with at-risk children. The $30 million, 80,000-square-foot STEM Building will combine teaching spaces for science, technology, engineering and math. Plans for the structure were revealed last week. It will replace the Otto Olsen Building, which was identified for replacement in 1998 when Kristensen still was serving in the Nebraska Legislature. Kristensen also told Rotarians about UNKs plans to offer a major in cybersecurity. UNK plans to collaborate with the University of Nebraska at Omaha, which has a certified cybersecurity program. If you havent had your phone or computer compromised, you will, he said. KEARNEY A Kearney man has been convicted of having felony sexual contact with a child. Scott Slack, 52, pleaded no contest last week in Buffalo County District Court to two counts of third-degree sexual assault of a child between Feb. 18 and March 7. The charge accuses him of having sexual contact with a child who is 14 years of age or younger. In exchange for Slacks pleas, the Buffalo County Attorneys Office reduced the charges from one count of felony sexual assault of a child, which carries a higher penalty. Details of the incident are sealed. A no contest plea is neither an admittance nor denial of guilt, but the plea is treated the same as a guilty plea. Judge Bill Wright accepted Slacks pleas, and the state probation department will do a presentence investigation report, including a psychological and sex offender evaluation. Those findings including background information on a defendant, family and criminal history, employment, and psychological and chemical dependency help the judge issue an appropriate sentence. Sentencing will be in January. Slack faces up to six years in prison. Late this morning, Slack remained at the Buffalo County Jail on 10 percent of a $50,000 bond, or $5,000. @HubChic PLEASANTON Pleasanton sixth-grader Kaden Keaschall let out a loud, fake burp after a pretend dinner in Lisa Fishers sixth-grade class last week. Though belching isnt considered socially acceptable in American culture, Kaden, son of Julie Keaschall of Pleasanton, demonstrated to his class that burping after a meal is considered a compliment to the cook in China. The demonstration was part of a Junior Achievement class about the Global Marketplace led by Pleasanton businessman Kyle Cruise. After watching a Junior Achievement session last year at a Kearney Public Schools elementary school, Pleasanton Superintendent Jeff Vetter adopted the curriculum this year for the Pleasanton third- through eighth-grade classes. Pleasanton Public Schools is now part of the Kearney Junior Achievement Chapter. Vetter said business volunteers from the community teach the lessons, which help students understand the business world, including financial literacy. I just think that financial literacy is a huge piece that we dont do or havent done a great job of it in the past, Vetter said. At Cruises second of seven sessions, he taught the 22 sixth-graders etiquette and cultural differences from around the world. You dont want to be the slob at the table, he told the students. It might hurt the sale. In order to make a profit, Cruise, an employee of Phillips Insurance Agency and a private certified public accountant, said businesses also need to understand their global customers wants and needs. Cruise said he went through a two-day cultural etiquette training while he was working for a Lincoln firm. Other children demonstrated South African dinner etiquette by sitting cross-legged with shoes off and looked at the floor while eating and conversing. It is rude to make eye contact during the meal. Joseph Eaton, son of Brian and Tammy Eaton of Pleasanton, said his favorite lesson was learning how to properly greet someone in Thailand with the hai. He and Jesse Winberg, son of Travis Winberg of Hazard and Chris Winberg of Omaha, placed their palms together at their chests and bowed toward each other during a demonstration to their class. Pleasanton Town & Country Bank Vice President Dave Fullton just finished teaching fifth-graders basic business concepts. In the Our Nations chapter, Fullton taught the kids about business concepts, including competition, quality control, cost of goods, and human, capital and natural resources. Fullton took a step outside of the lesson plan and taught the fifth-graders how to get quotes on materials to build a desk. The students determined the cost to build the desk would be $200. To add an understanding of competition, Fullton asked to the classroom to explain what he would do if a competitor offered him a desk for $190. He (Vetter) says, Well you know I have the responsibility to the taxpayers. He is as frugal as possible, Fullton said. So that was really, really good for them (the students) to think, Oh, OK. We might be able to build this, but we might not be able to sell it. However, because of the internet, Fullton told the students they could sell the desk anywhere in the world. Their eyes just light up, like, Huh, I dont just have to sell something in Pleasanton or Buffalo County. I can sell something anywhere in the country or anywhere in the world. That was really neat, Fullton said. From the sessions, fifth-grader Addison Nilsen, daughter of Tony and Kayla Nilsen of Hazard, said she learned how to properly obtain a bank loan as a businessperson. Its important to make a good impression so they can trust you. Its the same if you have good grades and you have a good reputation, she explained of how to build trust. And, like, thats how he knows he can trust you. Vetter said he will review teacher and student comments to determine whether he will continue with Junior Achievement next year, but as of now he said he has heard great feedback. Fullton said he had a ball teaching the fifth-graders on a level that they understand. I think some of these things will really stick with these kids, he said. @erikadpritchard Close to 70 UNL faculty members say in a letter that Gov. Pete Ricketts and others want to subject the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to ideological intervention. An incident at the university on Aug. 25 has given conservatives in the state an opportunity to attack UNL, the letter says. In the incident, a conservative student was called a neo-fascist and flipped the bird by a UNL graduate student-lecturer. The professors say Ricketts and some state senators tied to the governor have leveraged a single campus interaction into a sustained attack on UNL. One of those who signed the letter, emeritus professor David Moshman, said some professors worry that UNL Chancellor Ronnie Greens job is in jeopardy. Moshman said he has been startled by the force of the episode. Ive never seen such a serious external attack on UNL in the 40 years Ive been here, said Moshman, an emeritus professor of educational psychology and president-elect of the Academic Freedom Coalition of Nebraska. State Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard was one of three state senators who have questioned, in writing, whether the university welcomes conservative students and whether UNL could conduct a legitimate investigation into an incident involving a conservative student. Erdman said he and State Sens. Steve Halloran of Hastings and Tom Brewer of Gordon want people of all political views to be treated with respect. After reading the faculty letter, Erdman said Monday night, We must be on the right track. Im glad theyre listening. Moshman said some professors worry about Chancellor Greens ability to remain at the helm because he initially only put a letter in the graduate student-lecturers file. That individual, Courtney Lawton, was subsequently removed from the classroom, but the reason given was concern for her safety and that of her students. More recently, Lawton was informed that she wouldnt be invited back after her contract expires at the end of the school year. The student, Kaitlyn Mullen of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, faced scorn from Lawton and several other grad students or professors on Aug. 25 as she recruited students for Turning Point USA, a conservative group. Mullen said she was escorted home in tears by campus police. The issue has become a rallying point for some conservatives across the state. Erdman said he wasnt pushing to have Green fired. Thats up to Hank Bounds, Erdman said. Bounds is president of the NU system. Bounds spokeswoman said Monday night that Bounds has complete confidence in Chancellor Green. Bounds and Green recently announced that they have stepped up their vigilance on the issue. For instance, a Gallup survey will be done on the NU campuses to assess the treatment of students of various political viewpoints. Ricketts spokesman on Monday night issued a statement that read, in part: The August incident has highlighted concerns about the liberal bent of academia. The University of Nebraska has an opportunity to set itself apart as a public university that fosters spirited debate and a supportive learning environment for students across the political spectrum. The professors letter also expresses concern that NU administrators may bow to state leaders pressure. Administrators must categorically reject political interference in the good work being done at UNL, the letter says. Less than two weeks ago, Green wrote a piece saying that a university is a place for the melding of free speech, tolerance and respectful behavior. Finding the right balance isnt always easy. Sometimes, we come up short. August 25 was one of those times, he wrote. Two UNL public relations people have resigned, citing differences of opinion with the NU system over emails related to the incident. In the emails, the staffers discussed how they could spin the situation into a more favorable depiction of UNL. The professors letter says the reaction to the Aug. 25 incident has greatly surpassed the scope and import of the initial incident. The letter says the faculty members and retired professors worry that serious harm will be done to UNL. We believe it is imperative to express our alarm now, before irrevocable damage is done to the mission of the university and the value it contributes to the state of Nebraska. With the fifth round of negotiations on the North American Free Trade Agreement, Nebraskans whose livelihoods are tied to agriculture are nervous. Uncertainty surrounding the pact between the United States, Canada and Mexico from which President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to withdraw has caused Mexican buyers to begin searching for other sources in case they lose access to the U.S. producers theyve long trusted. If Trump truly wants to put America first, as he reiterated during his recent visit to Asia, hed be best served by doing so in a manner that protects the financial interests of Americas farmers and ranchers, whose output benefits the country as a whole particularly at a time of strain in their industry. Canada and Mexico have been the biggest customers of American farm commodities, with the Washington Post reporting agricultural exports more than quadrupled from $8.9 billion in 1993 to $38.1 billion in 2016. For as much as Trump frets about and equates a trade deficit as being unfair, giving short shrift to agriculture would only compound matters. Nebraska alone recorded a $2.8 billion trade surplus in 2016, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, with $6.4 billion in goods exported more than half sold to Canada and Mexico compared to $3.6 billion in imports. Without the market access to Canada and Mexico, the current slump in U.S. agriculture would be even worse. High supply has depressed commodity prices. NAFTA has mitigated the slump, at least somewhat, by making it easy to export within the continent. And, in a state where agriculture supports one in four jobs, pulling the rug out from the leading industry couldnt be worse. Nebraskas personal income has declined by 0.3 percent through the first two quarters of 2017, according to the Pew Charitable Trusts. The country as a whole, meanwhile, has seen 1.3 percent growth in that time. Among the 10 states to see declines, seven are in the central U.S.; Colorado and Missouri are the only states bordering Nebraska to report growth. This spring, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue convinced Trump not to withdraw from NAFTA by showing him an electoral map, Politico reported. With farm and ranch country being among the presidents most loyal strongholds, a move to leave the pact could endanger the livelihoods of many who supported Trump. The president must heed Midwesterners concerns about the potential damage a senseless exit from NAFTA would do to agriculture. Lincoln Journal Star FILE - In this Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012 file photo, Meghan Markle arrives at USA Network and The Moth's "A More Perfect Union: Stories of Prejudice and Power" Characters Unite storytelling event in West Hollywood, Calif.. Palace officials announced Monday Nov. 27, 2017, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are engaged, and will marry in the spring. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File) Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pose for the media in the grounds of Kensington Palace in London, Monday Nov. 27, 2017. It was announced Monday that Prince Harry, fifth in line for the British throne, will marry American actress Meghan Markle in the spring, confirming months of rumors. (Eddie Mulholland/Pool via AP) The Italian official made the comment when he was received by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in Hanoi on November 28th. He is visiting Vietnam to attend the 4th session of the Vietnam-Italy Joint Committee for Economic Cooperation. PM Phuc applauded the success of the 4th session of the Vietnam-Italy Joint Committee for Economic Cooperation and the Vietnam-Italy Business Forum, and recommended the two countries intensify economic and trade cooperation in a bid to lift up bilateral trade. While suggesting Italian firms increase investments in Vietnam, PM Phuc said the Vietnamese Government will create favourable conditions for Italian investors. He listed a number of spheres for bilateral cooperation, including tourism, green technology, transport, and infrastructure and stressed the need to open a direct air route between the two nations. PM Phuc urged both sides work closely to implement the 2017-2018 action plan on strategic partnership, continue organising strategic diplomatic and defence dialogues, and carry out activities marking 45 years of diplomatic ties. The PM said Vietnam expects Italy to help speed up the EUs signing and ratification of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). Scalfarotto said his delegation included 130 businessmen from 60 top Italian companies who are looking for investment and cooperation opportunities in Vietnam. The exchange of high-ranking delegations between the two countries showed Italians attention to Vietnam, he said, adding that the official signing of the EVFTA would stimulate economic, trade, and investment relations between the EU and Vietnam as well as between Italy and Vietnam./. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Several Quebec women are seeking permission to file a class-action lawsuit against Just For Laughs co-founder Gilbert Rozon for alleged sexual assault. Rozon accepts the prestigious Icon Award at the 2017 Canadian Screen Awards in Toronto on Sunday, March 12, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter Power A view of Vietnams stall at the fair This was the 4time the Vietnamese Embassy in Greece joined the annual fair, in which typical cultural products, handicrafts, tourism publications, art performances and traditional foods were introduced at 60 stalls by embassies from different countries and some Greek organizations, attracting thousands of visitors. In Vietnams stall, some typical handicraft products such as conical hats, silk scarves, embroidered pictures, pottery and proclaim products, rattan and bamboo products, together with diverse publications introducing the country and people of Vietnam as well as its traditional festivals, were on display. Earlier, the Vietnamese Embassy in Greece made thorough preparations for the fair, contributing to developing the image of a friendly Vietnam in Greek and international friends hearts. After the fair, all money collected from selling products was presented to The Friends of the Child to assist disadvantaged Greek children./. Dancers perform during the opening of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Hyderabad, India, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. The event Ai co-hosted by the United States and India and attended by U.S. presidential adviser and daughter Ivanka Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ai runs from Nov. 28-30. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) Ambassador, officials and staff of the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos donate to support flood victims (Photo: VNA) The Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Ba Hung on November 25th called upon all officials and staff of the embassy and agencies besides the embassy, overseas Vietnamese community and businesses to donate to help domestic flood victims overcome the consequences of storm Damrey. This is the third fund-raising effort the embassy has launched this year and it will last until December 1st. As of 12pm of November 25th, the Embassy collected USD6,830. Previously, the overseas Vietnamese community in Laos donated over USD10,000 to help domestic people to overcome the consequence of storm No.10. ***On November 24th, the Vietnamese Embassy in Mexico organized to donate to support victims of storm Damrey. Speaking at the event, Ambassador Nguyen Hoai Duong called upon the overseas Vietnamese community in Mexico to actively support domestic people to overcome the consequences of the storm. On this occasion, he also thanked the overseas Vietnamese in Mexico for making practical contributions to support domestic people to overcome consequences of natural disasters in recent years. ***On November 24th, the Vietnamese Embassy in China organized to donate to support people in Vietnam to overcome difficulties caused by storm Damrey. Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Dang Minh Khoi called upon all officials and staff of the Vietnamese Embassy, representative offices, businesses and communities in China to support and share difficulties with people in natural disaster-affected areas to soon stabilize their lives and restore production. This is the fourth time in 2017 the Vietnamese Embassy in China has donated to support people affected by natural disaster in the homeland./. Opposition leader Raila Odinga addresses his supporters in Nairobi, Kenya, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta was sworn in for a second term Tuesday in what some hoped would be the end of months of election turmoil, but violence continued, with at least one person killed as police fired rifles and tear gas to break up an opposition gathering. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga) Vietnam's stall at the fair (Photo: vov.vn) This is an annual fair to raise funds to support children in difficult circumstances. This years fair was participated in by more than 40 foreign representative agencies and local agencies, organizations and businesses. At the fair, Vietnams stall attracted the attention of the diplomatic corps and visitors with traditional handicraft products such as brocade, rattan products, palm-leaf conical hats and unique art forms such as Dong Ho, silk and lacquer paintings, and water puppetry. Visitors were also impressed with traditional dishes of Vietnam. Some visitors who had travelled to Vietnam exchanged with Vietnamese students at the stall and expressed their love for the country and people of Vietnam. Many local people, who had never been to Vietnam, also expressed their desire to travel and visit throughout the nation. This is a meaningful cultural exchange activity, enhancing the cohesion between the Embassy and the local country, and helping promote the Vietnamese culture to Turkish people and international friends./. Photo for illustration (Source: dantri.com.vn) The event attracted over 70 overseas Vietnamese and French friends. Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tong, Deputy Head of UGVF and Head of project "Towards Vietnam with the Nhip Cau Nhan Ai (compassionate bridge) program, said that the association collected over VND100 million. Over the past years, UGVF has implemented many projects to support domestic people in various fields such as healthcare, education, society and economy. According to Mr. Tong, most of the projects that UGVF implements need collaboration of Vietnamese and international organizations and associations, and the support of local administrations in Vietnam, such as long-term scholarship fund for more than 600 children in difficult regions such as Quy Nhon city, Lao Cai, Ha Tinh, and Dak Lak provinces; re-building Kim Dong school in the leper village in Quy Hoa, Quy Nhon city, as well as rehabilitation house for Muong Khuong General Hospital in Lao Cai province. Currently, the Nhip Cau Nhan Ai program is carrying out two important projects: continuing to create additional 100 long-term scholarships for children in Lai Chau and Tien Giang provinces; and raising funds to buy seawater-to-fresh-water filter systems for soldiers on islands. In the future, UGVF plans to set up a rehabilitation centre for children with disabilities in Huong Son district, Ha Tinh province./. 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 The potential for real tax cuts in the United States for both corporations and individuals, along with the fact that today North Korea fired a ballistic missile towards Japan in their latest act of aggression, had little effect on current gold pricing. According to multiple news sources, North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile today. Apparently, this missile flew higher than any of their previous tests and flew for over 50 minutes. According to the Pentagon, they believe that the test involved an intercontinental ballistic missile that traveled approximately one thousand kilometers before it crashed into the Sea of Japan. According to the White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the president was briefed on this event while the missile was still in the air. She also stated the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe convened a meeting of cabinet officials. Also revealed was the quick response from the South Korean military which involved firing a test missile of its own. This certainly ratchets up the recent calmer waters in the Korean Peninsula. Added to this is the fact that the Republicans are attempting to initiate a major tax overhaul by the end of the year. Recently the Senate Budget Committee voted to send a tax bill to the Senate floor. According to Bloomberg Politics, voting on this bill could begin as early as Thursday. Last month the House passed its own tax cut measures, and it is now up to the Republican Senate to complete the task. Although these significant events could have a dramatic impact on the price of gold, nothing could be further from the truth. As of 415 PM Eastern standard time, gold futures are currently trading in a tepid range, trading down $0.60 on the day to be presently fixed at $1293.80. Spot gold has less of a net change on the day and is fixed at $1293.90, which is a net change of -$0.10 on the day. On closer inspection this -$0.10 is a combination of $4.40 of gains attributable to buyers bidding up the precious yellow metal, and -$4.50 due to dollar strength, according to the Kitco Gold Index (KGX). Although there is a tepid and almost muted response to current events, dont count either out yet. The reality is that either of these two events could dramatically influence a major change in gold pricing. An escalation regarding the North Korean conflict would of course spike gold higher, whereas the passing of a real and concrete tax cut would be incredibly supportive of the U.S. dollar thereby putting gold under pressure. For those who would like a deeper analysis, simply use this link. Wishing you as always, good trading, (The opinions expressed here are those of the author, a columnist for Reuters.) * GRAPHIC: China's imports of U.S. crude vs. Brent premium over WTI: By Clyde Russell LAUNCESTON, Australia, Nov 27 (Reuters) - The shifting dynamics of China's crude oil imports show the scale of the challenges facing the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies ahead of a decision on whether to continue with production cuts. The detailed Chinese customs data for October illustrates trends that should give pause for thought to the leaders of OPEC and its allies, particularly major exporter Russia, ahead of the meeting in Vienna on Nov. 30. Market share is the big issue for shippers to China, the world's largest crude importer, and there are two strands to the problem. The first is that the import data shows how China has been able to develop new relationships with oil exporters fairly rapidly, reducing reliance on some traditional suppliers from OPEC. The second is that it appears that the burden of reducing exports, at least as far as China is concerned, isn't being shared remotely equally by members of OPEC and their partners in output cuts. This imbalance raises the chance that an extension to the overall output cuts first agreed a year ago will prove ineffective as some parties to the deal are tempted to export more in a bid to retain, or expand, market share. U.S. EXPORT SURGE China's imports from the United States neatly encapsulate the dilemma that OPEC and its allies have in dealing with the challenge of rising U.S. exports on the back of the boom in shale oil. China imported about 206,900 barrels per day (bpd) from the United States in October, the second-highest monthly amount on record since this trade flow started late last year. Granted, that level of shipments doesn't seem to present much of a threat to top suppliers Russia and Saudi Arabia, whose exports to China in October stood at 1.09 million bpd and 1.08 million bpd respectively. But it represents a huge increase in less than a year, with China's imports from the United States going from virtually zero in 2016 to a monthly average of some 135,000 bpd in the first 10 months of the year. It also seems that U.S. exports are going to keep increasing in coming months, and quite strongly, according to vessel-tracking data compiled by Thomson Reuters Oil Research and Forecasts. The shipping data show that China's November U.S. imports should be around 242,000 bpd, based on six cargoes that have already been discharged at Chinese ports. In December, they may rise to 379,000 bpd as the vessel-tracking data shows six cargoes already underway, all of them Very Large Crude Carriers with around 2 million barrels per ship. FROM NON-ENTITY TO SERIOUS PLAYER At a figure getting fairly close to 400,000 bpd, the United States would likely become China's seventh largest supplier of crude, something that becomes much more than just a nuisance as far as the big guns of Saudi Arabia, Russia, Angola, Iran and Iraq are concerned. The rise of non-traditional crude exporters to China such as the United States, Brazil and even Great Britain may also cause some of those countries trying to re-balance the market through output cuts to think more about preserving market share. Producers such as Russia and Saudi Arabia ship to numerous countries, but the China data shows that as far as exports there are concerned, some OPEC countries and their partners appear to be doing more than others. China imported 1.04 million bpd from Saudi Arabia in the first 10 months of the year, an increase of just 1 percent from the same period last year. Over the same period China bought 1.19 million bpd from Russia, up 16 percent, and 1.04 million bpd from Angola, a jump of almost 18 percent. Those two countries have overtaken Saudi Arabia as the top suppliers to China so far this year. While Russia and Angola may be cutting exports to other buyers, they have certainly worked to boost market share in China, with both achieving growth rates above China's overall 11.8 percent increase in crude imports in the first 10 months. The other major Middle East exporters have, similar to the Saudis, been more restrained in exporting to China, with imports from Iran up 2.2 percent and Iraq by 1.6 percent. If OPEC and its allies are going to extend their output cuts of 1.8 million bpd beyond the current March expiry, the key to success will be ensuring compliance. If some exporters are complying more enthusiastically than others, the deal risks gradually falling apart. Put another way, how happy will Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq be at seeing their allies Russia and Angola exporting more to China, as well as watching emerging rivals like the United States and others chip away their share of the China crude market? (Editing by Richard Pullin) SHANGHAI, Nov 28 (Reuters) - China's securities regulator has suspended approval of Hong Kong-focused mutual funds, according to the industry newspaper China Fund, potentially slowing the pace of Chinese money into Hong Kong stocks. New funds with "Hong Kong" in their names - which rules dictate must allocate at least 80 percent of their portfolio into Hong Kong-listed stocks - have seen their approvals suspended by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), China Fund said on its website, citing two unidentified fund sources. The move could delay the launch of 59 products that are backed up in the queue, although funds that invest less than 50 percent of their portfolio in Hong Kong will not be affected, according to the newspaper, which is affiliated with the official People's Daily. The sources, who were notified by the CSRC, said the body did not explain why it was suspending Hong Kong-focused funds. But they speculated that regulators may hope to cool fervor in a market that has soared over 30 percent this year, aided by Chinese money inflows, according to the newspaper. (Reporting by Samuel Shen and John Ruwitch; Editing by Shri Navaratnam) HANOI, Nov 28 (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 0403 GMT. November 28 USD/VND mid-point 22,428 USD/VND interbank 22,713/22,718 USD/VND unofficial 22,740/22,760 SJC gold (mln dong/tael) 36.42/36.64 Interbank offered rates Overnight 0.5-1.1 1 week 0.6-1.4 1 month 1.9-2.5 3 months 4.2-5.0 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) David Morgan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump summoned Senate Republican tax-writers to the White House on Monday to urge passage of a sweeping tax bill that congressional fiscal analysts said separately would balloon the federal budget deficit by $1.4 trillion over a decade. As Republicans rushed to bring the bill to a Senate vote, possibly as soon as Thursday, the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT), a nonpartisan unit of Congress, said it would not have time to do a full analysis of it, but estimated it would expand the $20-trillion national debt. Overhauling the tax code is seen by Republicans as their last chance to score a significant legislative achievement in 2017, which would save them from facing the voters next year with little to show for nearly a year in power in Washington. Since Trump took office in January, he and his fellow Republicans have passed no major legislation in Congress, despite controlling both its chambers and the White House. Trump has quarreled publicly with several key Republican senators. Before he met with Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch and four others from the panel, Trump took to Twitter to advocate for last-minute changes to the tax bill as a way to improve benefits for businesses and middle-class Americans. Trump tweeted: The Tax Cut Bill is coming along very well, great support. With just a few changes, some mathematical, the middle class and job producers can get even more in actual dollars and savings and the pass through provision becomes simpler and really works well! The Senate plans to vote on its tax overhaul package this week, Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn told reporters. Despite this sunny outlook, some senior lawmakers still had reservations about the bill and its impact on the deficit and debt, on healthcare and on small businesses. Senate Republican leaders did not appear on Monday to have enough votes to pass the legislation, with about a half-dozen Republicans viewed as potential no votes. The number of Americans with health insurance would decline by 13 million by 2027 under the bill, which would repeal an Obamacare rule requiring many people to have health insurance or pay a fine, the JCT and the Congressional Budget Office said. Republican Senator Bob Corker, a prominent fiscal hawk, has said he would support deficit-financed tax cuts only if they boost the economy enough to generate offsetting new revenues. But because of the bills fast-track schedule, an official JCT estimate of that dynamic will not be promptly available. The Senate bill would slash the corporate tax rate to 20 percent from 35 percent after a one-year delay. It would impose a one-time, cut-rate tax on corporations foreign profits, while exempting future foreign profits from U.S. taxation. The bill would give small business owners a 17.4 percent tax deduction, while also lowering rates for individuals, including top earners, and repealing the Obamacare individual mandate. Critics noted the measure would raise taxes on some families and potentially make health insurance unaffordable for people with medical conditions. The Republican-led House approved its own tax bill on Nov. 16. The 100-seat Senate was a graveyard earlier this year for Republican efforts to dismantle Obamacare, former President Barack Obamas signature health insurance law. As they did in the Obamacare fight, Democrats were likely to oppose Trump and the Republicans on the tax bill, which the Democrats call a giveaway to the rich and corporations. That would mean Republicans, with a 52-48 Senate majority, can lose no more than two of their own lawmakers to pass the bill. In a positive sign for Trumps agenda, Republican Senator Rand Paul said on Monday he would support the bill. Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski has also signaled support. White House legislative director Marc Short said Republicans were considering making minor changes to the bill. Were working to satisfy all the members of the Senate so we can get the most yes votes as possible, Short told Fox News. Weve had conversations with pretty much each and every one of them throughout the Thanksgiving holidays. They have some policy concerns but they are all looking to try to get to yes. Additional reporting by Makini Brice, Susan Heavey and Tim Ahmann; Editing by Kevin Drawbaugh, Dan Grebler and Susan Thomas NEW YORK, Nov 27 (Reuters) - UnitedHealth Group Inc on Monday said it expected earnings to grow around 5.5 percent to 8.5 percent in 2018. The company said it expected adjusted net earnings in the range of $10.55 a share to $10.85 a share next year on revenue of $223 billion to $225 billion. It expected net earnings of $10 to $10.30 a share. UnitedHealth earlier this year said it was comfortable in achieving a Wall Street consensus for adjusted earnings of $10.84 even as it planned for a 75 cent per share headwind from the reinstatement of an industry wide 3 percent tax on health premiums. (Reporting by Caroline Humer and Michael Erman; Editing by Andrew Hay) (Adds detail, comments on steel, copper outlook) MELBOURNE, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Top global miner BHP Billiton Ltd said on Tuesday it will drive further cost cuts across its Australian business, and forecast strong price support from China for steelmaking raw materials. BHP will target $1.6 billion in productivity gains at its Australia iron ore, copper and coal units over the next two years, Minerals Australia President Mike Henry told a briefing in Adelaide. "By sharing knowledge and replicating best practice across our global portfolio, we've been able to substantially reduce unit costs at our Australian mining operations over the last five years. But we have further to go," he said. In a bullish outlook, the company said prices for iron ore and metallurgical coal could rebound sharply before February as buyers look to replenish stocks. "While steel production in China will fall in the short term due to the mandated winter cuts and this could impact short term demand for iron ore and met coal ... record margins means competition for premium quality raw materials is high," Vice President of Marketing Vicky Binns told the investor call. "There remains a risk that before February next year we could see a sharp recovery in steel prices and raw materials prices as well." Binns said Beijing's focus on compliance with environmental regulations means that structural reform would continue to support premiums for high quality raw materials. China's belt and road initiative will drive an extra 150 million tonnes of steel demand, driven by $1.3 trillion of infrastructure development, she said. In copper, the short-term outlook was supported by a shortage of concentrates, Binns said, after several disruptions at mines and the potential for work stoppages over wage agreements in Chile and Peru into 2018, as well as changes to China's scrap import regulations. BHP forecast an additional 700,000 tonnes of copper in concentrate would be produced between now and 2020, while China would add 1.5 million tonnes of copper capacity by 2020, alongside capacity expansion in India. "There just doesn't seem like enough copper concentrate to go around," she said. China's blanket import ban on a type of assembled copper scrap from the end of 2018 could also lead to a "leakage" of around 100,000 tonnes of copper in 2018 and more than double that in 2019. "China will be faced with a shortage for copper concentrates and a shortage of imported scrap, so it will need to provide for its growth in demand by importing more blister, anode and cathode and that is good for cathode premiums and for the copper price overall." Further out, demand from electric vehicles and renewables was set to drive copper consumption, she said. (Reporting by Melanie Burton in Melbourne and Shashwat Pradhan in Bengaluru; Editing by Lisa Shumaker and Richard Pullin) CONAKRY, Nov 28 (Reuters) - A two-day skirmish between Guinean and Malian villagers over control of a gold mine that straddles the countries' joint border killed at least 17 people, a government official in Guinea said on Tuesday. Villagers in both countries lay claim to the zone's rich underground deposits, which have lured thousands of people to work in unregulated small-scale mines along the border. Artisanal gold mining, conducted with rudimentary tools, is a key source of income in both Mali and Guinea, but poses numerous safety risks, including frequent mine collapses. "There are five dead on the Guinean side and 12 dead on the Malian side," said Cheick Mohamed Diallo, prefect of the town of Mandiana in eastern Guinea. A witness on the Guinean side of the border said the villagers fought each other with firearms and bladed weapons. The fighting has ceased, local resident Cheikh Keita said, but the situation remained tense on Tuesday. A similar incident occurred in February 2015, when Guinean miners killed three Malian nationals in a fight over a gold discovery. (Reporting by Saliou Samb; Writing by Sofia Christensen; Editing by Aaron Ross and Richard Balmforth) LONDON, Nov 28 (Reuters) - The Bank of England has challenged figures from the European Union's banking watchdog that showed a big drop in EU banks' exposures to Britain since the Brexit vote. The European Banking Authority said on Friday that the banks had cut their exposures to assets in Britain by more than 300 billion euros ($356.55 billion) since June 2016, the month Britain voted to leave the EU. A big chunk of the drop was due to a pullback in derivatives, the EU agency said. Jon Cunliffe, a deputy governor at the BoE, said on Tuesday the Bank was looking at the EBA numbers. "We haven't seen a large impact of that sort," Cunliffe told a news conference. The apparent drop may be due to the value of sterling falling since the Brexit vote, Cunliffe said. ($1 = 0.8414 euros) <^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ GRAPHIC- European banks' exposure to Britain ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^> (Reporting by Huw Jones. Editing by Jane Merriman) TOKYO, Nov 28 (Reuters) - The Bank of Japan returned to a net profit in the first half of fiscal 2017 as a weak yen boosted the value of the central bank's foreign assets, and its capital adequacy ratio improved. The BOJ's holdings of exchange-traded funds (ETF) surged in April-September and unrealised earnings from these holdings rose to a record, which could fuel calls for the central bank to slow ETF purchases to avoid manipulating underlying share prices. Profits from the central bank's government bond holdings fell for the second year in a row as its aggressive stimulus pushed down yields. The BOJ had a net profit of 550.2 billion yen ($4.95 billion) in the six months that ended in September, its earnings showed on Tuesday. That compared with a net loss of 200.2 billion yen in the same period a year earlier, which was the first loss in four years for the April-September period. The bank's capital adequacy ratio was 8.12 percent at the end of September, up from 8.07 percent at the end of March. The BOJ considers a capital adequacy ratio of 8.0 percent the minimum needed to maintain financial health. In April-September, the BOJ's ETF holdings soared 62.2 percent to 15.8 trillion yen, following a 56.6 percent jump from first half of the prior fiscal year. Unrealised profits on ETF holdings, or the difference between the current price and the purchase price, stood at a record high of 4.3 trillion yen at the end of September, according to a BOJ official. The central bank began purchasing ETFs in 2013 to lower risk premiums as part of its quantitative easing programme. Some economists say these purchases are no longer necessary because Japanese stocks have rallied to a near 26-year high this year. The BOJ is buying Japanese government bonds (JGB) to keep 10-year yields around zero as part of its easing programme. In April-September, the BOJ's JGB holdings rose 9.6 percent from a year ago to 435.9 trillion yen, or around 40 percent of all JGBs. Earnings from JGB holdings were 597.2 billion yen in April-September, compared with 628.4 billion yen in the same period a year ago. ($1 = 111.23 yen) (Reporting by Stanley White; Editing by Richard Borsuk) (Adds details, updates prices to close) * TSX ends down 12.48 points, or 0.08 percent, at 16,029.64 * Seven of the TSX's 10 main groups move lower By Alastair Sharp TORONTO, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Canada's main stock index slipped on Tuesday, weighed by a fall in Bank of Nova Scotia shares after the firm agreed to buy a bank in Chile, and as investors were rattled after North Korea fired a ballistic missile. * The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index ended down 12.48 points, or 0.08 percent, at 16,029.64, the lowest close since Nov. 20. * It had risen as high as 16,085.95, but lost ground in afternoon trade after North Korea launched a missile that landed close to Japan. * The overall fall was in contrast to record closing highs on Wall Street. U.S. investors were cheered by progress for a tax cut bill, strong consumer confidence data and encouraging comments from President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the Federal Reserve. * Seven of the Canadian index's 10 main sectors ended lower, although most retreats were minor and decliners only just outnumbered advancers overall. * Bank of Nova Scotia fell 2.1 percent to C$81.73 after Canada's third biggest bank agreed to buy Spanish lender Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA's stake in BBVA Chile for $2.2 billion. Bank of Nova Scotia's quarterly earnings, released at the start of the Canadian bank earnings season, also missed expectations. The financials group slipped 0.2 percent. * The consumer discretionary group added 0.9 percent, with auto parts maker Magna International Inc up 2.1 percent at C$70.44 and discount store chain Dollarama Inc up 0.9 percent at C$164.80 after Eight Capital raised its price target on the stock to C$185 from C$150. (Reporting by Alastair Sharp; Editing by Bernadette Baum and Leslie Adler) (Removes reference to Hungryhouse in paragraph 6, which is being bought by Just Eat not Delivery Hero) By Sophie Sassard LONDON, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Germany's Delivery Hero reported a 60 percent jump in third-quarter revenue on Monday, showing no let up in pace of growth of takeaway food apps. UK rival Just Eat is poised to join Britain's prestigious FTSE 100 stock index, with its market value overtaking that of supermarket group Sainsbury's and highlighting how new internet firms are disrupting traditional businesses. For the first nine months of the year, Delivery Hero's revenue was up 64 percent to 384.4 million euros ($458.6 million). Third-quarter revenue totalled 137.9 million euros. The loss-making company, backed by German tech investor Rocket Internet and South African e-commerce giant Naspers , said it now expected full-year revenues to be at the top end of its guidance range of 530-540 million euros. It reiterated a goal to break even in terms of adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) in 2018 and make a profit on that basis in 2019. Delivery Hero, whose competitors also include Deliveroo, UberEATS and Amazon, has grown into a global company thanks to a string of deals. Delivery Hero shares floated in June at 25.50 euros apiece. At 1110 GMT, the stock was up 1.4 percent at 38.67 euros. ($1 = 0.8382 euros) ($1 = 0.7493 pounds) (Gdynia Newsroom; Editing by MarkPotter) ATHENS, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Piraeus Bank turned loss-making in July-to-September, as higher provisions for impaired loans compared to the previous quarter offset an increase in net interest and commission income, Greece's largest lender by assets said on Tuesday. Piraeus, which is 26.2 percent owned by the country's bank rescue fund HFSF, reported a net loss from continued operations of 19 million euros ($22.58 million) after a net profit of 7 million euros in the second quarter. The group, with a current market value of 878 million euros, said bad debt provisions rose 20 percent quarter-on-quarter to 312 million euros. Non-performing loans eased to 36.2 percent of its book at the end of September from 37.1 percent in the previous quarter. (Reporting by George Georgiopoulos) ATHENS, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Greek private sector bank deposits increased in October, resuming a four-month rise that was paused in September, central bank data showed on Tuesday, with balances remaining at 14-year lows. Business and household deposits rose to 123.68 billion euros ($147.12 billion) in October from 122.57 billion in September, their lowest level since November 2003. Greek banks have seen small deposit inflows over the space of more than two years after the country clinched a third bailout to stay in the euro zone in July 2015. While they remain dependent on central bank borrowing to plug their funding gaps, banks have reduced their exposure. "In October, deposits of the private sector increased by 1.03 billion euros, compared with a decrease of 47 million in the previous month, while the annual growth rate stood at 4.6 from 4.3 percent, unchanged from the previous month," the Bank of Greece said. (Reporting by George Georgiopoulos) ZURICH, Nov 28 (Reuters) - HNA Group Chairman Adam Tan is mulling a public offering and listing in Switzerland of shares in the Chinese conglomerate's Swiss airline caterer Gategroup Holding AG , the subsidiary said on Tuesday. Gategroup, purchased by HNA last year for $1.5 billion amid a debt-fuelled acquisition spree, said in a statement that the SIX Swiss Exchange is being considered as a potential listing location. Swiss regulators are currently evaluating what they call partially untrue or incomplete information given by the Chinese group during Gategroup's takeover in 2016, including any impact on minimum price rules and best price regulations. (Reporting by John Miller Editing by Greg Mahlich) 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. JERUSALEM, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Israel Securities Authority (ISA) Chairman Shmuel Hauser will step down on Jan. 15, 2018 after 6-1/2 years as markets regulator, the ISA said on Tuesday. It noted that Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon has nominated Anat Guetta, who most recently was chief executive of proxy advisory firm Entropy Financial Research, to replace Hauser. (Reporting by Steven Scheer) 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. * Gulf oil firms traditionally didn't need to borrow * Low oil prices pushing them to explore new funding options * Oversupply destabilising ties between producers, buyers * PXF loans strengthen those ties, provide security to lenders * Oman has done two deals, others done on bilateral basis By Davide Barbuscia DUBAI, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Oil companies in the Gulf are increasingly looking at raising debt through trade finance structures as a way to provide extra security to lenders amid low oil prices and to serve oil buyers by guaranteeing them access to future shipments, bankers say. Since oil prices collapsed in 2014, national oil firms in the Gulf - traditionally so cash-rich that they didn't need to borrow - have turned to new funding methods, including bond issues. Meanwhile, excess oil supply has made producers more willing to earmark future shipments for specific buyers. "The oil market has turned into a buyers' market because of excess supply," said Emre Karter, head of treasury and trade solutions for the Middle East, North Africa, Pakistan and Turkey at Citigroup. "This means that all oil-producing nations and majors have now to offer more for their buyers. So more and more we're engaging in forms of receivables finance and trade finance arranged by the seller, a phenomenon not seen for decades in this part of the world." In pre-export financing, loans are secured by export contracts covering the deliveries of the underlying commodity over a certain period of time, in quantities that allow producers to meet their debt obligations. Petroleum Development Oman raised a $4 billion, five-year PXF loan from a syndicate of banks in 2016, while Oman Oil secured a $1 billion, five-year PXF loan in September this year. Similar deals have occurred in other Middle Eastern countries over shorter tenors and between an oil producer and a single bank, several bankers said. They declined to name the institutions. "We are seeing a change. A lot of the national oil companies are looking at pre-export financing structures and, beyond Oman, we are working with some of our clients in the region on that," said Sunil Veetil, regional head of global trade and receivables finance at HSBC. Commodity producers in Russia and other countries in the ex-Soviet CIS region have regularly used this type of financing. In 2017 alone, around $7.5 billion of PXF loans have been raised in that region, Thomson Reuters data shows. While the Omani PXF loans were large, they may be dwarfed by future such deals from the Gulf, some bankers argue. That is because giants such as Abu Dhabi National Oil Co (ADNOC) and Saudi Aramco have begun borrowing large amounts this year. ADNOC raised a $6 billion loan this month in addition to a $3 billion project bond for one of its subsidiaries in October. Aramco issued Islamic bonds worth the equivalent of $3 billion in the Saudi market this year. Bankers said Middle East oil majors were likely to consider PXF loans as a way to cement relationships with customers as long as the global oil market faced the risk of excess supply from U.S. shale producers and other sources, threatening to destabilise long-term links between producers and customers. "Middle Eastern oil producers are increasingly more supportive of seller-supported receivable finance or pre-export finance arrangements," said Naveed Sultan, global head of treasury and trade solutions at Citigroup. "This is a rather new trend in the geography given the market environment, and one which helps maintain long-term, continued relationships between buyer and seller." (Additional reporting by Tom Arnold; Editing by Andrew Torchia and Hugh Lawson) ABUJA, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Nigeria's central bank said on Tuesday it had injected $210 million into the interbank foreign exchange market, extending efforts to boost liquidity and alleviate dollar shortages. The bank said in a statement it had released $100 million earmarked for the wholesale market, $55 million for small businesses and individuals, and $55 million for certain dollar expenses such as school fees and medical bills. (Reporting by Paul Carsten; Editing by Gareth Jones) 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. Kevin Dietsch-Pool/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- Hours after North Korea engaged in its first missile test in over two months, President Donald Trump pledged that the United States "will take care of it." The comment came in remarks to reporters at the White House Tuesday after North Korea launched a ballistic missile 2,800 miles into space for an estimated 50 minutes, a U.S. official said. The North Korean test was the country's 15th missile launch of the year and its third test of an intercontinental ballistic missile. Other administration officials were quick to issue reactions of their own, including Secretary of State Rex Tillerson whose spokesperson labeled the test a "disappointment," but left open the possibility of a diplomatic solution. "The DPRKs relentless pursuit of nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them must be reversed. Together the international community must continue to send a unified message to North Korea that the DPRK must abandon its WMD programs," read a statement from Tillerson, adding, "Diplomatic options remain viable and open, for now. The United States remains committed to finding a peaceful path to denuclearization and to ending belligerent actions by North Korea." Negotiation with North Korea was likely on the minds of other cabinet officials during the country's 75-day missile testing drought. National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster shared a similar sentiment on Nov. 2 when he addressed reporters at the White House briefing room. "I think we have to be a little patient here for at least a few months to see what more we and others can do, including China," McMaster said. "I don't think we need to reassess our strategy now. I think we have to give it a couple of months, a few months, and then see what adjustments we might need to make." This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. Copyright 2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Christine Kim, Mark Hosenball (Reuters) - North Korea fired a ballistic missile that landed close to Japan on Wednesday, the first test by Pyongyang since a missile fired over its neighbor in mid-September, officials said. North Korea launched the missile a week after President Donald Trump put North Korea back on a U.S list of countries that Washington says support terrorism. The designation allows the United States to impose more sanctions, although some experts said it risked inflaming tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Japans government estimated that the missile flew for about 50 minutes and landed in the sea in Japans exclusive economic zone, Japanese broadcaster NHK said. An Aug. 29 missile fired by North Korea that flew over Japan was airborne for 14 minutes. South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said Wednesdays missile was fired from Pyongsong, a city in South Pyongan Province, at around 1817 GMT over the sea between South Korea and Japan. Minutes after the North fired the missile, South Koreas military conducted a missile-firing test in response, the South Korean military added. The Pentagon said it had detected a probable missile launch from North Korea. We detected a probable missile launch from North Korea. We are in the process of assessing the situation and will provide additional details when available, Pentagon spokesman Colonel Robert Manning told reporters. Leading Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun quoted an unidentified government official as saying the missile did not cross over Japan and it fell into the Sea of Japan or on the Korean peninsula. The White House said U.S. President Donald Trump was briefed while the missile was still in the air. South Korean news agency Yonhap, citing South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the missile flew to the east and the South Korean military was analyzing details of the launch with the United States. U.S. stocks pared gains after reports of the missile launch. The S&P 500 index was up half a percent in midafternoon. Two authoritative U.S. government sources said earlier that U.S. government experts believed North Korea could conduct a new missile test within days. After firing missiles at a rate of about two or three a month since April, North Korea paused its missile launches in late September, after it fired a missile that passed over Japans northern Hokkaido island on Sept. 15. The U.S. officials who spoke earlier declined to say what type of missile they thought North Korea might test, but noted that Pyongyang had been working to develop nuclear-tipped missiles capable of hitting the United States and had already tested inter-continental ballistic missiles. Last week, North Korea denounced Trumps decision to relist it as a state sponsor of terrorism, calling it a serious provocation and violent infringement. Trump has traded insults and threats with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and warned in his maiden speech to the United Nations in September that the United States would have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea if forced to defend itself or its allies. Washington has said repeatedly that all options are on the table in dealing with North Korea, including military ones, but that it prefers a peaceful solution by Pyongyang agreeing to give up its nuclear and missile programs. To this end, Trump has pursued a policy of encouraging countries around the world, including North Koreas main ally and neighbor, China, to step up sanctions on Pyongyang to persuade it to give up its weapons programs. North Korea has given no indication it is willing to re-enter dialogue on those terms. North Korea defends its weapons programs as a necessary defense against U.S. plans to invade. The United States, which has 28,500 troops in South Korea as a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean war, denies any such intention. Reporting by Christine Kim in Seoul, Linda Sieg and William Mallard in Tokyo, Mark Hosenball and Tim Ahmann in Washington; editing by Dan Grebler and Grant McCool (Reuters) - North Korea fired a ballistic missile, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported on Wednesday, citing South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff. The missile flew to the east and the South Korean military is analyzing details of the launch with the United States, South Koreas joint chiefs said, according to the report. Two authoritative U.S. government sources said earlier that U.S. government experts believed North Korea could conduct a new missile test within days, in what would be its first launch since it fired a missile over Japan in mid-September. Reporting by Tim Ahmann in Washington; additional reporting by Mark Hosenball in Washington; editing by Dan Grebler 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. OSLO, Nov 28 (Reuters) - The Norwegian sovereign wealth fund's proposed multi-billion dollar divestment from oil and gas stocks will take many years to complete, Chief Executive Yngve Slyngstad told reporters on Tuesday. The $1 trillion fund, the world's largest of its kind, proposed on Nov. 17 to drop oil and gas stock from its index, but needs approval from Norwegian authorities to do so. (Reporting by Gwladys Fouche, editing by Terje Solsvik) 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. By Marc Jones LONDON, Nov 28 (Reuters) - The University of Oxford, the oldest university in the English speaking world, is planning to sell its first bond in the coming days armed with a newly-minted triple A credit rating. Teaching since 1096, Oxford has hired U.S. investment bank J.P. Morgan to raise at least 250 million pounds ($331.83 million) in what is expected to be an ultra-long 100-year bond. Individual Oxford colleges have issued debt in the past but this planned sale, which will be marketed in London and Edinburgh this week, would be the university's first as a whole. Rating agency Moody's assigned Oxford a 'triple A' rating on Tuesday ahead of the anticipated deal, matching the top grades of slightly younger UK rival Cambridge and top U.S. institutions like Harvard and Stanford. The rating reflected "Oxford's position as a world-leading research institution, attracting significant funding and leading academics," Moody's said, "in addition to the University's strong balance sheet with a large endowment and low leverage." If the bond sale goes as planned, it would have the longest duration of its kind and add to a series of debt issuances from UK universities in recent years which have seen levels of government funding drop. A number have also given shrill warnings that the UK's split from the European Union could hurt their finances if they are no longer allowed to be part of lucrative European research projects and it becomes harder to keep or attract staff. Oxford, which topped a Times global university ranking for the first time last year, was one of those. "To be honest we're really quite worried about it," its vice-chancellor Professor Louise Richardson said at the time. One coincidence of Oxford's timing meanwhile is that it comes as the UK government is trying to raise funding to cover some of the costs of the student loans it gives to UK learners. The plan to re-package some 3.7 billion pounds of student loans via securitisation -- an instrument famously used to repackage sub-prime mortgage loans in the run-up to the 2008 financial crisis -- was expected to be launched earlier this year but was put on hold when Prime Minister Theresa May called a snap election. ($1 = 0.7534 pounds) (Reporting by Marc Jones, Additional reporting by Abhinav Ramnarayan and Julian Baker of IFR, Editing by William Maclean) MOSCOW, Nov 28 (Reuters) - The Russian banking sector has felt no substantial impact from bailout of two major private banks and has enough foreign currency at hand to pay back foreign debt, the central bank said on Tuesday. The banking sector in Russia was shaken in late August when the central bank said it would rescue Otkritie, then Russia's largest private lender by assets. The rescue of another major lender, B&N Bank, followed less than a month later. "Problems of these credit institutions had no substantial impact on the banking sector as a whole," the central bank said in a quarterly report on financial stability. The central bank said Otkritie and B&N had run risky business models over the past three years while also taking part in the financial rehabilitation of other lenders. The central bank said the banking sector now has enough liquidity in foreign currency to live through the next debt repayment peak in December, when banks and companies will have to redeem $15.7 billion worth of outstanding debt. Foreign debt repayment has been in focus since 2014 when Russian banks lost the ability to borrow abroad cheaply because of Western sanctions designed to punish Moscow for its role in the Ukrainian crisis and annexation of Crimea. "Risks related to a possible deficit of foreign currency liquidity remain at low levels," the central bank said. Outlining risks to financial stability, the central bank said cryptocurrencies, such as bitcoin, could pose such threats. Bitcoin, the most well-known virtual currency, which emerged in mid-2010, is increasingly popular worldwide as it promises substantial profits. One bitcoin rallied towards $10,000 this week , up from its initial price of less than $1. The task for national regulators is to minimise risks related to cryptocurrencies and limit possibilities of risky transactions and investments, the central bank said. Russian authorities have repeatedly said they are concerned by the globally developing world of cryptocurrencies and pledged to regulate this market. "There are risks that cryptocurrencies could be used for money laundering and financing of terrorism," the central bank said. Among other risks to financial stability, the central bank mentioned a possibility of another decline in prices for oil, Russia's key export, given uncertainty around the restoration of supply and demand balance on the global crude oil market. (Reporting by Andrey Ostroukh and Elena Fabrichnaya; Editing by Catherine Evans) BELGRADE, Nov 28 (Reuters) - The Serbian central bank sold euros on the local interbank market on Tuesday to stem losses of the dinar, dealers said. The bank stepped in as the dinar traded at 119.88 to the euro or 0.47 percent weaker than the previous close. After the intervention the dinar recovered to a rate of 119.62 to the euro. A day earlier the bank also sold 45 million euros. Dealers say that the weakening of the dinar could be linked with the demand for the euro after government on Nov. 16 announced the issue of its first dinar and euro-denominated savings bonds to bolster the Serbia's domestic debt market. (Reporting by Aleksandar Vasovic; Editing by Jeremy Gaunt) NEW YORK, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Shining a brighter light on the $14-trillion market for U.S. Treasuries is a priority for regulators because public transparency makes for smoother trading and a stronger platform, a top Federal Reserve official said on Tuesday. The comments by New York Fed President William Dudley could suggest that regulators are leaning toward releasing in some way the vast pool of trading data from broker-dealers, including patterns or "flows," they have collected since the summer. That in turn could harm banks' secrecy and help electronic trading firms and funds looking for an information edge. "A continuing priority will be increasing data transparency to all market participants and to the public in a manner that supports-and does not harm-market liquidity and integrity," Dudley said in kicking off a conference co-hosted by the New York Fed and the U.S. Treasury. (Reporting by Jonathan Spicer Editing by Chizu Nomiyama) ISTANBUL, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Here are news, reports and events that may affect Turkish financial markets on Tuesday. The lira stood at 3.9075 against the U.S. dollar at 0512 GMT, little changed from a close of 3.9050 on Monday. The yield on the benchmark 10-year bond was at 12.67 percent in spot trade on Monday, down from 12.94 percent a day earlier. The main BIST 100 share index rose 0.21 percent to 104,759.74 points on Monday. GLOBAL MARKETS Asian shares stepped back from decade highs on Tuesday as Chinese stocks stumbled for a second straight session, while the U.S. dollar trod water ahead of a crucial Senate vote on tax reform. Investor confidence in China has been dented by rising bond yields as Beijing steps up its crackdown on shadow banking and other risky forms of financing. Higher borrowing costs threaten to squeeze corporate profits. ERDOGAN President Tayyip Erdogan will address a parliamentary group meeting of his ruling AK Party (0830 GMT). Opposition parties will also hold group meetings in parliament. NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING Erdogan will chair a meeting of the national security council (1200 GMT). U.S. IRAN SANCTIONS TRIAL Mehmet Hakan Atilla, an executive from Turkish state-owned Halkbank , will be the only person on trial in a U.S. case on charges of conspiring to evade U.S. sanctions against Iran. Turkish gold trader Reza Zarrab, who has been the focus of the case, will not go on trial this week, a development which Turkey has suggested means he has reached a plea deal with U.S. authorities. WEAPONS FOR SYRIAN KURDISH FORCES The Pentagon said on Monday it was reviewing "adjustments" in arms for the Syrian Kurdish forces that have angerered Turkey, but it stopped short of halting weapons transfers, suggesting such decisions would be based on battlefield requirements. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders subsequently said the United States plans to reduce military support for groups fighting Islamic State in Iraq and Syria but that does not mean Washington will stop all aid to those groups. ECONOMIC CONFIDENCE INDEX The Turkish Statistics Institute will announce the economic confidence index for November (0700 GMT). BOSPHORUS SUMMIT Turkish officials including the energy, economy and tourism ministers will speak at the Bosphorus Summit in Istanbul (0600 GMT). 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 quotes, details) DUBAI, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Air Arabia's Jordanian subsidiary has been operating as a charter airline since the start of the month after suspending its scheduled services over a traffic rights row in the country, its chief executive said on Tuesday. Air Arabia is locked in a traffic rights dispute with Jordanian authorities due to its subsidiary Air Arabia Jordan unable to get permission to launch new flights from the country. Air Arabia Jordan, based in Amman, is managed and 49 percent owned by Sharjah-based Air Arabia , the United Arab Emirates' only listed airline. Air Arabia Jordan is a small operation with only one aircraft in its fleet, an Airbus A320. Air Arabia Chief Executive Adel al-Ali said on Tuesday that the inability to add new flights had meant that Air Arabia Jordan was no longer commercially viable in its current business model. "Once we get the sufficient traffic rights to the places we think are viable ... we would be looking forward to reinstating our business in Jordan and growing it," he told reporters in Dubai at an industry conference. The traffic rights issue only applies to the Jordanian subsidiary, and would have no impact on the bottom line of Air Arabia, or its ability to fly to Jordan, Ali said. (Reporting by Alexander Cornwell, editing by Louise Heavens) Keywords: AIR ARABIA JORDAN/ (Adds TCI, LSE, more Carney quotes) LONDON, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Bank of England Governor Mark Carney said he was "mystified" by the row over the departure of London Stock Exchange Chief Executive Xavier Rolet given that a succession plan had been decided. The LSE said on Oct. 19 that Frenchman Rolet would step down by the end of 2018, a move viewed by many at the time as consensual. But hedge fund TCI, an LSE shareholder, has since said that Rolet was being forced out and has ordered a shareholder vote to oust LSE Chairman Donald Brydon over his handling of Rolet's exit. Last week TCI founder Christopher Hohn called on the BoE and the Financial Conduct Authority to intervene in the dispute and appoint a new chairman for the LSE. Carney, speaking at a news conference, said he wanted clarity "as soon as possible", but appeared reluctant to stop Rolet's departure. "In some respects I'm a bit mystified by the debate because we knew about the succession plan. We've stayed close to the situation," Carney said. "I can't envisage a circumstance where the CEO stays on beyond the agreed period and so I think it's in the interest of all parties involved that clarity is provided as soon as possible." The LSE Group is a core part of the financial market's infrastructure for clearing derivatives in particular, Carney said. "It's incredibly important not just to UK, not just to European, but to global derivatives markets," Carney said. "I think Xavier Rolet, the CEO of the LSE has made an extraordinary contribution over the last nine years I guess as CEO. Everything comes to an end." TCI and LSE had no immediate comment. The LSE is due to hold a shareholder meeting before year-end to vote on TCI's proposal. The exchange has said it will issue a circular to shareholders to make an informed decision at the meeting. (Reporting by Huw Jones, editing by Andy Bruce and Susan Fenton) (Adds details) By Raquel Castillo MADRID, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Imprisoned former vice-president of Catalonia Oriol Junqueras and three other jailed members of his ERC party will abide by a ruling giving Madrid control over the region, their defence lawyer said on Tuesday. Junqueras and seven other former members of the Catalonia regional cabinet were jailed on Nov. 2 pending trial, accused of sedition, rebellion and misappropriation of funds after the local government declared independence from Spain. Catalonia's secession drive has tipped Spain into its worst political crisis in decades and prompted Madrid to sack the Catalan government, led by Carles Puigdemont, and call a regional election for Dec. 21. The acceptance of Madrid's rule over the region could prompt the Supreme Court to overrule the decision to hold the defendants in custody while they await trial, and release them in time to campaign for the election. All four jailed ERC members - Junqueras, former foreign affairs chief Raul Romeva, justice affairs head Carles Mundo and work chief Dolors Bassa - have been named as candidates in the election. The defendants did not agree with the application of Article 155, which stripped the regional government of its power after the secessionist ruling, but accepted it, their lawyer said in a statement to the Supreme Court. "My charges accepted, and accept, the application of 155 ... but have done so from a position of deep political and judicial discrepancy," the lawyer said. The lawyer added that the statement does not mean that they renounce their political convictions. Former leader of Catalonia Puigdemont, who has been in self-imposed exile in Belgium since declaring independence, said on Saturday the election would be most important in the region's history. Turnout for the election is expected to reach a record 80 percent as the deeply divisive issue of the region's secession prompts participation from both sides. Less than a quarter of Catalans want to continue with a plan to claim independence from Spain, according to a poll published in El Pais newspaper on Monday. However, the same poll showed the vote evenly split between pro- and anti-independence parties in the upcoming regional election. (Reporting by Raquel Castillo; Writing by Paul Day; Editing by Sonya Dowsett; Editing by Peter Graff) (Updates with background, context) ISLAMABAD, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Pakistan's federal cabinet has approved borrowing of up to $3 billion via a Eurobond and sukuk, but the government would "most likely" raise only $1.5 billion, a senior Pakistani government official told Reuters on Tuesday. Pakistan is likely to split the fund raising equally between the Eurobond and sukuk depending on the rates, the official added. Reuters had reported in August that Pakistan was looking to raise $500 million to $1 billion in debt via an Islamic sukuk bond or a Eurobond later in the year. The fund raising is critical for the country, which is battling to stave off the pressure of balance of payments due to the dwindling foreign currency reserves and a widening current account deficit in the $300 billion economy. Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves decreased by $137 million to $13,541 million in the week ended Nov. 17, compared with $13,678 million in the previous week, latest central bank data showed. The central bank said challenges of near-term balance of payments persist, but it was hoping the recent improvements in export numbers, hikes in foreign direct investment and other financial inflows would help contain the pressure. The balance of payments pressure is largely due to imports of machinery and other Chinese goods on the back of China's $57 billion infrastructure investment as part of the Beijing-funded Belt and Road infrastructure initiative stretching to Asia, Europe and beyond. With foreign reserves dwindling, some analysts say Pakistan may need an International Monetary Fund bailout to avert a balance of payments crisis similar to the one it suffered in 2013, when it sought IMF help. (Reporting by Drazen Jorgic; Writing by Swati Bhat in MUMBAI; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips) (Adds Norway oil minister, Eni comments, details) OSLO, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Norway's Statoil said on Tuesday it was confident Eni would resolve problems besetting their joint Arctic Goliat oilfield, as a shutdown there neared its second month. The 100,000 barrels-per-day field - operated by Eni, the senior partner in the licence - has been shut since Norway's Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA) ordered its closure in early October, citing safety concerns. "I believe they will sort out things in the end," Statoil's Chief Executive Eldar Saetre told Reuters on the sidelines of a conference in Oslo. A spokesman for Eni's Norwegian unit said no date had been set for the restart, though it was having a constructive dialogue with the PSA, and continuing to make the required improvements. The PSA has said it will have to check the work is done before letting Eni restart production, an unusual step in Norway. The problems at Goliat, the only producing oilfield in the Barents Sea, come as Norway's right-wing government is preparing to allow more exploration and development plans in the remote region to replace output from mature North Sea fields. Norway's Oil and Energy Minister Terje Soeviknes said questions about Goliat's profitability were "totally irrelevant" to the overall profitability of oil and gas production in the Arctic, as each project has to be assessed separately. The minister told Reuters he nevertheless planned to submit a report on Goliat's profitability to Norway's parliament next week, in reply to numerous requests from the opposition. The move is unprecedented as the government normally only assess profitability of new field developments before granting its consent, not the profitability of operating fields. Soeviknes repeated an earlier statement that there had been no discussion among authorities of stripping Eni of Goliat's operatorship, despite calls from some in the opposition. Eni has a 65 percent stake in the Goliat's license, and Statoil holds the remaining 35 percent. (Reporting by Joachim Dagenborg and Nerijus Adomaitis; Editing by Terje Solsvik and Andrew Heavens) (Adds details on Zarrab's guilty plea) By Brendan Pierson NEW YORK, Nov 28 (Reuters) - A Turkish-Iranian gold trader has pleaded guilty to conspiring to evade U.S. sanctions against Iran and will testify against a Turkish bank official who is charged with arranging illegal transactions involving American banks, a U.S. prosecutor said on Tuesday. The trader, Reza Zarrab, will describe a multibillion-dollar international money laundering scheme "from the inside," Assistant U.S. Attorney David Denton said during his opening statement in the New York federal court trial of Mehmet Hakan Atilla, the deputy general manager of Turkey's Halkbank . Atilla's lawyer, Victor Rocco, attacked Zarrab's credibility in his opening statement, telling jurors that Zarrab was prepared to lie to avoid jail time. According to court records made public Tuesday, Zarrab pleaded guilty on Oct. 26 to six charges related to the sanctions against Iran. Zarrab also pleaded guilty to a charge that he bribed a U.S. jail guard to obtain alcohol and a cell phone in 2016, records showed. The charge does not say how Zarrab used the phone. His lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, declined to comment. U.S. prosecutors have charged nine people in the case, though only Zarrab and Atilla are known to be in U.S. custody. The other defendants include the former head of Halkbank, Suleyman Aslan, and the former economy minister of Turkey, Zafer Caglayan. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan's government has said the case was fabricated for political motives, adding to tensions between Ankara and Washington, NATO allies. Denton on Tuesday described two schemes intended to help Iran to spend money from global oil sales despite U.S. sanctions. In one, he said, the defendants helped entities in Iran buy gold, which was in turn smuggled to Dubai and sold for U.S. dollars or other currencies. In the second scheme, Denton said, transactions prohibited by sanctions were disguised as purchases of food, which fell under a humanitarian exemption to the sanctions regime. Denton said Zarrab's companies carried out transactions, but Atilla, whom he called "an expert on finance and economic sanctions," designed the schemes to make them appear legitimate. "Zarrab would provide the means, Atilla would provide the method," Denton said. Denton said Zarrab, Atilla and the other defendants lied to conceal the scheme from U.S. officials. Denton said the prosecutors' other witnesses would include a former Turkish law enforcement officer who participated in a Turkish investigation into the alleged money laundering scheme, made public in 2013. Erdogan, then prime minister, called that case an attempted "judicial coup," and it was eventually dropped. Rocco told the jury that Atilla never took part in a conspiracy. "Hakan Atilla rarely communicated with Zarrab," he said. "They weren't friends, confidantes or conspirators. They didn't like each other. Reza Zarrab saw Hakan Atilla as a money wrench in his schemes." Zarrab, Rocco said, bribed other people to further his scheme, including Aslan and Caglayan, but he never bribed Atilla. (Reporting By Brendan Pierson in New York; Editing by Tom Brown) Sharing hope through music By Yun Suh-young His music was as soft and serene as his character, flowing gently and smoothly. Daniel Lindemann / Korea Times photo by Yun Suh-young By Kang Seung-woo Korea's antitrust regulator ordered Maersk Line to withdraw Hamburg Sud from the latter's sharing agreements with other major operators on some trade routes, Tuesday, citing possible unfair competition. Maersk, the world's largest container shipper based in Denmark, announced last year its plan to acquire its German rival, the seventh-largest container shipper, for $4 billion (4.35 trillion won). The deal is set to close by the end of the year. In April, the two companies sought a review of their merger from the Fair Trade Commission (FTC), as foreign-based firms are required to get approval for a proposed merger if their annual sales here top 20 billion won ($18.4 million). "The FTC has issued an order for Maersk Line to withdraw Hamburg Sud from the Far East- Central America and Caribbean Sea trade routes and not to extend the German firm's alliance with others on the Far East Asia-West Coast of South America route," the watchdog said in a press statement. The sharing agreement on the Far East-Central America and Caribbean Sea services is poised to be renewed automatically in August 2018, while that of the Far East Asia-West Coast of South America route expires next March. "If Maersk's acquisition of Hamburg takes place without addressing those issues, it could restrict competition on the routes." The German shipping firm has formed alliances with five shippers on such routes, the FTC added. "The merger will form connections between Maersk and three shipping firms from Hamburg's consortium on both routes, which will make Maersk's four competitors, including Hamburg, disappear," it said. "As a result, it is likely to cause adverse effects, including a fare hike." According to the FTC, the combined share of the two companies on the Far East-Central America and Caribbean Sea trade route accounted for 33.3 percent in 2016, but it increases to 54.1 percent if the shares of the consortium members are added. On the Far East Asia-West Coast of South America route, the share soars from 37.6 percent to 65.9 percent, the regulator added. Also, the FTC ordered Maersk and Hamburg Sud not to join the alliance or reach a sharing agreement with other shipping firms for five years following expiration of the agreement. "It is the FTC's first corrective actions to a horizontal merger in the container shipping industry. We carried out analyses, based on market shares by each consortium, in order to prevent restraint on competition," an FTC official said. By Kim Hyo-jin North Korea is showing signs of preparing for another ballistic missile test, reports said Tuesday, putting neighboring countries on alert. The South Korean military is enhancing its monitoring and readiness against the North's potential missile provocation as customary signs seen before missile launches have been detected, sources said. North Korea has reportedly resumed operating radar which tracks missile trajectories and increased communications traffic at its missile bases has been detected. The Japanese government also intercepted radio signals from the North suggesting a potential missile launch and its forces have been put on alert, according to Kyodo News. The reports come following a long hiatus since Pyongyang launched a Hwasong-12 intermediate-range ballistic missile over northern Japan into the Pacific Ocean, Sept. 15. Cho Kuk, senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, answers a public petition to decriminalize abortion Sunday, in this photo captured from a YouTube video. Cho said the government will resume a survey next year on abortion and start discussions based on the results. Yonhap Korean Catholic leaders condemn Blue House By Jung Min-ho Korean Catholic leaders have criticized the government for "distorting Pope Francis' stance on abortion" as a reference to back its move to review the legitimacy of the country's anti-abortion law. Cho Kuk, senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, claimed Sunday that the pope said "we need to find a new balance" on the issue implying that the Catholic Church has changed its long-standing stance on abortion. "Cho very skillfully glossed over the truth," the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea (CBCK) said in a statement Monday. "We strongly condemn his false claim and urge Cheong Wa Dae to correct it." "The Catholic Church believes abortion is the same as killing a baby. The dignity of life must not be violated under any circumstances." The CBCK said that Pope Francis never made that comment and demanded the presidential office reveal the source of Cho's claim. The CBCK will also start a campaign against abortion after the Constitutional Court decided to deliberate the issue once again. In 2012, it upheld the anti-abortion law. At that time, the court said fetuses were "independent lives" that, just like every other person, have the right to live. It also said the woman's right to self-determination was not more critical than the fetus' right to life and that it was in the public interest to protect the fetus instead. Abortion has been illegal in Korea since 1953, except in cases of rape, severe defects in the fetus and serious danger to the woman's health. The current law carries a sentence of up to one year in prison or a maximum fine of 2 million won ($1,850) for a woman who has an abortion. After more than 230,000 people signed a petition against the law over the past two months, Cheong Wa Dae said it will collect more facts about abortion through research next year as part of its effort to review the law's legitimacy. After the issue came to the fore, the CBCK issued a statement last week to express concern, saying "one human's right to live must not be violated by another human's selfishness." The Catholic Church has opposed all forms of abortion procedures as it holds the belief that "human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life." South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena / Korea Times file Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena is due to arrive in Seoul on Tuesday for a summit with President Moon Jae-in, which South Korea hopes will move forward its drive to expand all-round cooperation with South Asian nations. Sirisena is the third foreign head of state to make a state visit to South Korea since Moon came into office in May. The other two were U.S. President Donald Trump and Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha is scheduled to greet Sirisena at an air base south of Seoul. An official welcoming ceremony is set for Wednesday and will be followed by talks. After the meeting, the two leaders are scheduled to sign agreements and attend a state banquet. Presidential officials expect Sirisena's trip will contribute to Moon's push to expand the country's diplomatic horizon further south and forge stronger ties with Southeast and Southwest Asian nations. "We expect President Sirisena's visit to South Korea to help realize the country's New South Policy by helping to expand the area of our foreign policy to Southwest Asia, following President Moon's trip to Southeast Asia," Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Park Soo-hyun told a press briefing last week. (Yonhap) By You Soo-sun China partially lifted its travel ban on group tours to Korea, Tuesday, the first major step taken by Beijing to restore ties with Seoul since the two struck a deal last month to end the diplomatic row over the deployment of a U.S. missile defense system here. Chinese authorities at the National Tourism Administration decided to allow offline travel agencies in Beijing and Shandong Province to resume sales of package tours to Korea, which had been halted since mid-March, industry officials said. In the meantime, the ban is maintained for all other provinces there, but analysts see this as a signal that it will be removed region-by-region. As for the travel agencies in the two regions, they are restricted from arranging visits to affiliates of the Lotte Group such as its hotels and duty-free shops. British Ambassador to Korea Charles Hay welcomes guests at last year's Christmas lunch hosted by the British Chamber of Commerce in Korea at the Four Seasons Hotel in Seoul. / Courtesy of John Redmond By John Redmond The British Chamber of Commerce in Korea (BCCK) will hold its 40th anniversary Christmas lunch at the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, Friday. The festive event expects 450 guests from Korean, British and international communities, and will include a charity auction and raffle. Funds raised will contribute to the donations BCCK gives to causes such as the Myongdo Welfare Center, which supports the mentally and physically disabled, Angel's Haven which operates nurseries, youth and senior welfare centers, and the BCCK Chevening Scholarship. A Chevening Scholarship provides one Korean student with the opportunity to study in the U.K. for a year regardless of academic specialization. The prizes at a previous event raised more than 50 million won for local charities. This year's event will feature a traditional Christmas lunch menu, music from the Dulwich College Seoul School Choir, the Salvation Army Band and a DJ. British Ambassador Charles Hay will be in attendance and give some words of welcome and a toast. Over 20 sponsors will offer raffle prizes and auction items. Founded in 1977, the BCCK serves over 240 member companies that represent the business interests of its members in Korea. The lunch will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Grand Ballroom is located on the 3rd floor of the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Seoul. Email administrator@bcck.or.kr to check seating availability. South Korea's Defense Minister Song Young-moo speaks in a mess hall before a lunch with soldiers at the Joint Security Area in the Panmunjeom truce village, Nov. 27. Arriving at the hall late, he promised the soldiers that his speech before the lunch will be short, saying, "the shorter skirts are the better." / Yonhap By Ko Dong-hwan Of all the remarks to boost the morale of South Korean soldiers protecting the inter-Korean border, he picks the wrong one. Making a sexual remark may boost male soldiers' morale, but Defense Minister Song Young-moo chose the wrong place at the wrong time when he visited the Joint Security Area (JSA) Monday. Two weeks after a North Korean soldier was shot five times when he dramatically escaped to the South through the JSA in the Panmunjeom truce village, Song visited the scene. Besides checking out the scene, he met and encouraged South Korean soldiers for managing the incident well. Song met the soldiers at a lunch in a mess hall, where he arrived late. Being apologetic, he cut short his talk so the soldiers would not have to wait long before eating. "It's not fun to listen to someone haranguing on and on before a food table," Song said. "People say that the shorter speeches and miniskirts are the better, right?" The soldiers replied with a thunderous "Yes, sir." Song finished his speech by saying he had come to the JSA to deliver the public's praise for them for saving the badly wounded North Korean. But Song's "miniskirt" comment made headlines that suggested his choice of words was sexually offensive. News of the comment spread quickly, and the ministry's public relations team realized that to quell the outcry, the sooner the chief apologized, the better. "We apologize that the minister's speech was unintentionally mixed with his apology for being late for lunch and that he used an inappropriate expression to explain why he would only make a short speech," the ministry said Monday. Sexual remarks like Song's are traditionally popular in army jargon, but considering the edgy atmosphere at the JSA since the shooting, he picked the wrong place to make such a joke, said a JTBC news anchorman. By Kim Rahn U.S. forces will stay in South Korea and the South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command (CFC) will not be disbanded even after Seoul takes over wartime operational control (OPCON) from Washington, the defense minister said Tuesday. The comment comes while the two countries are speeding up negotiations for the takeover of OPCON for South Korean troops. "When the transfer issue emerged in 2006, there were concerns that the CFC would be disbanded and U.S. forces would leave the country," Defense Minister Song Young-moo said in a lecture organized by the Korea Institute for Maritime Strategy in Seoul. "But we are seeking to ensure U.S. forces will not be withdrawn and the CFC will not be disbanded even after OPCON is transferred." Song's remarks were slightly at odds with the ongoing talks between the two countries to create a new "future combined command" to replace the current CFC when Seoul regains OPCON. Regarding this, a ministry official said, "Song means the current CFC system has many advantages, which could remain under the new command." Song also said President Moon Jae-in told him to have South Korea meet the conditions for OPCON transfer as early as possible, such as having its own military capabilities against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. "President Moon said (if such conditions are met) there would be no need to advance or delay the transfer deliberately," Song said, adding he shares this view. Song said he would push the development of a three-pronged defense system as soon as possible the Kill Chain pre-emptive defense, Korea Air and Missile Defense, and Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation systems. "We'll regain OPCON when we secure the systems and have enough capabilities," the minister said. South Korea was initially supposed to regain OPCON in April 2012 following a 2007 agreement during the late Roh Moo-hyun administration. But the transfer was delayed to 2015 following the sinking of the South Korean Navy frigate Cheonan in a North Korean torpedo attack in March 2010. Moon's predecessor, Park Geun-hye, then delayed the transfer until the 2020s. But Moon pledged to advance the date during his presidential campaign, and he and U.S. President Donald Trump agreed on a condition-based early transfer during their first summit in June. Song also introduced the idea of "offensive" military operations, which the ministry and the CFC are designing to change South Korea's war plan from a defense-based one. "So far we have had a war plan suitable for the 1950 Korean War, in which we focus on defense along the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and the South Korea-U.S. joint forces go north. But such war would take a long time and inflict huge damage," he said, adding the country needs a new war paradigm. "If North Korea fires long-range artillery at Seoul and its nearby metropolitan areas or attacks the South with nuclear weapons or missiles, we have to see this as the start of an all-out war," he said. In such a dangerous situation, South Korea has to shift its concept to an offensive one to totally destroy North Korea's major targets in a short time by mobilizing the three-pronged system, he said. By Rha Hae-sung, Park Si-soo A man has been caught impersonating a police officer to get the phone number of a woman he fancied, police said Tuesday. Busan Saha police said the man, in his 30s, was being investigated for violating a law that bans people impersonating public officers, including police. According to police, the man approached a Vietnamese woman late at night on Nov. 26in Busan. He introduced himself as a police officer and asked her to show her ID and phone number to check if she was a documented foreigner. He was said to be drunk at that time. The woman asked the man to show his police ID. When he refused, the woman screamed. Neighbors ran to help her and caught the man. The man reportedly told police that he fancied the woman, so he impersonated a police officer to get her phone number. A plastic surgery ad at Sinsa Station in Seoul encourages passers-by to have breast enhancement. The state company will root out ads for clinics and hospitals providing plastic surgery from Seoul metro stations by 2022. / Korea Times file By Kim Hyo-jin President Moon Jae-in has promoted Han Byung-do, a political affairs secretary, to senior secretary for political affairs, Cheong Wa Dae said Tuesday. Han, a former lawmaker, will succeed Jun Byung-hun, who resigned on Nov. 16 over his involvement in a bribery scandal. "Han is considered to be fit for communications with the National Assembly considering his experience as a lawmaker and his role as secretary for political affairs," presidential spokesman Park Soo-hyun said. "He is expected to better relay the President's thoughts to the legislature with a deep understanding of Moon's philosophy on state management. The appointment is viewed as a decision prioritizing the continuation of work. Han has filled Jun's position with smooth communication skills in close contact with ruling and opposition parties. Cheong Wa Dae reportedly first reached out to former lawmaker Kang Ki-jung and presidential spokesman Park Soo-hyun. But they declined, aware they must prepare for running in local elections slated for next June. Han is expected to work on winning opposition parties' support for the 2018 budget plan and reform bills. He is also expected to set up a regular consultative body in which government officials and members of the ruling and opposition parties discuss security and other state affairs. "I feel a heavy burden as I took this post when opposition lawmakers outnumber ruling party lawmakers in the Assembly." Han said. "I will become a bridge between the presidential office and the National Assembly." Han is a former first-time lawmaker who was a member of then-ruling Uri Party between 2004 and 2008. He failed to win the ticket to the primary for the two previous general elections and, although he won the candidacy, he lost in the latest general election. He was chief of policy-making headquarters in Moon's presidential campaign. Born in Iksan, North Jeolla Province in 1967, Han studied mass communication at Wonkwang University and was school president. By Choi Ha-young The largest opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) plans to elect its new floor leader Dec. 12, the party said Tuesday. The election is likely to be a duel between loyalists of ex-President Park Geun-hye and party chief Hong Joon-pyo. "The LKP lawmakers agreed to pick a new floor leader on the afternoon of Dec. 12, after completing the regular session of the National Assembly," party floor leader Chung Woo-taik said Tuesday. So far, odds-on candidates are Reps. Lee Ju-young and Kim Sung-tae. Lee, a five-term lawmaker, served as minister of oceans and fisheries under former President Park. However, he is not viewed as a staunch loyalist of the disgraced president, which explains his wide-ranging support in the LKP. Kim, a three-term lawmaker, is a well-known anti-Park figure. Last year, he defected the LKP and joined the reformist conservative Bareun Party, but rejoined the LKP in May. Lee is known to be close to the LKP Chairman Hong, who is constantly trying to tear down the pro-Park faction in the conservative party. Ahead of the election race, Hong again launched a political offensive against the pro-Park lawmakers, calling them "parasites in the conservatives." Reps. Na Kyung-won, Yoo Ki-june, Cho Kyoung-tae and Hong Moon-jong are likely to throw their hats in the ring. Na, an anti-Park figure, led the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee in the 19th National Assembly. Yoo and Hong Moon-jong are considered Park loyalists, while Cho doesn't have a political hue in a particular faction. By Andrew Hammond Buckingham Palace announced on Monday the engagement of Prince Harry to US actress Meghan Markle, a union combining UK royalty and US show business. News of the impending marriage, which has set off an international media storm, highlights the continuing global fascination with the British monarchy which has been boosted in recent years by Harry, 33, and his brother Prince William, 35. More than two decades on from the Royal Family's high profile problems in the 1990s, including the divorce of Prince Charles and Princess Diana (Harry's father and mother respectively), Queen Elizabeth II and her immediate family have now largely recovered from the worst troubles of her reign as the longest serving UK monarch. And it is Harry and William who have helped power the ruling clan's popularity ratings in recent years. Aside from the Queen and her husband Prince Philip themselves, a YouGov poll earlier this showed that William is regarded as having made the strongest contribution to the Royal family with 78% approval rating, followed by Harry (73%), and William's wife Kate (73%). The popularity of Harry, who is fifth in line to the throne, is now likely to be bolstered by his marriage to Markle. The US actress and humanitarian campaigner is likely to make her mark with much of the UK public, unlike the last US citizen who married a UK royal. The relationship between Wallis Simpson (like Markle, a divorcee) and King Edward VIII ultimately led to the 1936 abdication crisis. Popular support for the newly engaged couple is likely to be especially intense next Spring when their high profile wedding takes place. It will give the monarchy a new surge of energy, especially coinciding with the birth expected in April of the third child of William and Kate. Moreover, given the parallels between Diana and Markle it is possible that she could become very popular, in the UK and internationally, in her own right. Harry said on Monday that his mother and his fiancee "would be as thick as thieves" (indicating they have much in common) and Markle will now give up her career as an actress to focus on royal duties, and wider humanitarian campaigning, in a way that may prove comparable to Diana in the 1980s and 1990s. The renewed popular appeal of the royals has been buttressed by a modernised monarchy with many of the UK populace believing it has changed for the better. Key recent reforms include ending the rule of male primogeniture on the throne which means girls now born to members of the Royal Family have equal rights with boys in the succession to the throne; and ending the prohibition on Elizabeth's successors marrying a Catholic. Harry's engagement to Markle, who attended a Catholic school in California and is of mixed race, is only the latest chapter in this transformation process that brings it into line with that of wider changes in UK society at large. Correspondingly, polls tend to show that less than a quarter of the UK population want a republic, with many people believing that it is better to have a non-divisive, non-political head of state. This factor may become even more important, in the future, given that the nation appears to potentially becoming increasingly divided on geographic lines, especially given increased pressure for independence in Scotland. On the face of it, therefore, the monarchy seems in good stead to prosper in the post-Elizabeth II period. The Queen, now at 91 years of age, might choose to abdicate before she dies, and has already stepped back from some duties, including those requiring long-distance flights. However, unlike Harry and William, their father Charles (the immediate heir to the throne) does not share their popularity. In the YouGov poll earlier this year, Charles and second wife Camilla trailed well behind the Queen, Philip, Harry and William on 36% and 18% popularity respectively. The poll also found only a third of the UK populace believe Charles "has been beneficial for the Royal family". This is down by nearly two thirds compared to four years ago, underlining that a rockier road may lie ahead for the monarchy once the Queen dies. Charles at 69 is already at an age when many people are retired, and is the longest-waiting and oldest heir to the throne in UK history. Indeed, some surveys show that a significant body of the UK public would prefer the monarchy to skip a generation to William upon the Queen's passing. Taken overall, Monday's Royal wedding announcement will boost the popularity of Harry and the wider ruling clan. However, while the monarchy has largely recovered its public standing from the 1990s, significant uncertainties remain about the post-Elizabeth II period, especially given popular sentiment towards Charles, and this means the monarchy could yet face a rockier road ahead once she dies. Andrew Hammond is an Associate at LSE IDEAS at the London School of Economics. Saudi Arabia has been using starvation to squeeze Yemen. The Saudi regime stepped up its air, land and sea siege of the war-ravaged Middle East nation in the last two weeks. The global reaction has been harsh. And Wednesday brought news that the Saudis, who aspire to a greater role in geopolitics, just might be getting the message: Stop punishing Yemeni civilians. The Saudi regime said it would reopen Yemen's international airport in the capital, Sanaa, as well as a primary Red Sea port, so that humanitarian aid could flow into the war-wracked nation. That's a step in the right direction, though we hope it amounts to a genuine and not temporary reprieve for a population struggling to survive. International relief groups say up to 7 million Yemenis are on the brink of famine. Cholera has stricken at least 900,000 people. More than a quarter of those victims are children under 5. Nearly 400,000 Yemeni children need treatment for severe malnutrition treatment they haven't been getting because of the blockade, according to Save the Children, an international relief group. That created desperation in a country heavily dependent on imports of food, medicine and fuel. The Saudis had been allowing a trickle of relief through the port of Aden, but U.N. aid groups say it hasn't been nearly enough. Yemen has been in the throes of civil war since the spring of 2015. From the conflict's start, the Saudi regime, which opposes Yemen's Shiite Houthi rebels, has intervened on behalf of the country's ousted Sunni leadership. The Saudis also accuse Iran, their long-standing regional archrival, of actively helping the Houthis. Saudi bombing and relentless fighting over the last 2 years have devastated Yemeni society more than 60 percent of the population was in need of food assistance before the siege. That blockade was significantly tightened after the firing of a missile from Yemen toward the Saudi capital, Riyadh, earlier this month. Saudi forces intercepted the missile and blamed Iran for supplying the Houthis with the weapon, though they have yet to muster conclusive evidence. Yet the Saudi blockade has done little more than isolate starving Yemeni civilians, millions of whom are children. Not surprisingly, a Trump administration that has cozied up to the Saudi regime has reacted to the Yemeni crisis with barely a yip. Saudi Arabia has been a U.S. ally for decades, but President Donald Trump has further embraced the Saudi government in his pursuit of other goals in the Middle East. Trump hasn't seemed fazed by recent examples of Saudi recklessness: An attempt earlier this year to isolate Qatar in retaliation for what Riyadh claims is Doha's linkage with Iran; the regime's purge of more than 200 princes, businessmen, officers and officials; a wave of arrests widely seen as a consolidation of power rather than an anti-corruption initiative; and Riyadh's meddling in Lebanon, where the prime minister has stepped down at the Saudi regime's behest, many in Lebanon believe from a coalition government that included politicians from the Iran-allied militant group Hezbollah. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Saad Hariri said he was putting his resignation on hold. Tightening the blockade had been Riyadh's latest aggressive tack. While Saudi regime appeared to be easing its restrictions on aid to Yemenis, the Trump administration can do a lot more to rein in Saudi aggression. Trump's closeness with the Saudi regime has given him a good deal of clout with Riyadh. He should use it to get the Saudis to begin working toward a day when Yemeni citizens are free from the gears of conflict. Alliances, regardless of their importance or usefulness, should never require turning a blind eye to outright cruelty. This editorial appeared in the Chicago Tribune and was distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Korea's housing supply ratio has long passed 100 percent, meaning every family could have its own home in theory. In reality, lots of families are without homes reeling under rocketing rents and key money (deposits). Even many who have homes are called "house poor" because they have to spend substantial shares of their income to repay the principal and interest on their mortgages. All this is due mainly to the extreme imbalance in home ownership, for example between speculators and end users, and between young workers and old retirees. The Moon Jae-in government's five-year "housing welfare roadmap" unveiled Tuesday is right on target as it focuses on dissolving such an imbalance. The plan calls for, among other things, supplying 1million rental homes to homeless young people, newlyweds and low-income working families at prices far lower than market rates. The sharp increase in rental homes, if combined with an anti-speculation policy of tighter bank lending and heavy taxation on multiple homeowners, will likely help ease the polarized home ownership. The roadmap also introduces a system, in which elderly people who have homes but little fixed income can hand over their properties to the state housing agency. The agency will then remodel the houses and sell or rent them to young workers while paying pensions to the former owners, solving the generational imbalance. As always, however, the incumbent administration needs to learn from the failures of its predecessors. The Lee Myung-bak government's "nest home" plan _ which aimed to build small and midsize public tract houses and rental homes in greenbelt areas _ only resulted in a speculative boom. A similar policy of the Park Geun-hye administration called the "new stay" also got nowhere as it ended up only fattening the pockets of construction firms by offering them too many incentives. These previous governments incurred more than a 130 trillion won ($119 billion) debt by building lots of "unprofitable" rental homes in unpopular areas. True, homes should be for living in instead of owning in this densely-populated country, to create an economy built by earned income, not unearned yields from real estate. The failures of past governments point to the need for far more elaborate planning and stricter implementation. Korea's falling competitiveness raises concerns A recent report showed Korea has been continuously slipping in global talent competitiveness. Korea ranked 39th out of 63 countries in the 2017 Word Talent Report by the Swiss-based International Institute for Management Development (IMD), down from 38th the previous year. The report measured countries' performance in various areas, such as worker motivation, education and workplace training. In 2015, Korea placed 32nd, showing that Korea's competitiveness has been dwindling swiftly in the last few years. The country lags behind smaller Asian economies, such as Hong Kong (12th), Singapore (13th), Taiwan (23rd) and Malaysia (28th). Japan was ahead at 31st while China climbed two places from last year to 40th. One of the biggest reasons for Korea's loss of talent competitiveness is a brain drain, particularly in the areas of science and technology. A study by the U.S. National Science Foundation showed more than 60 percent of Korean nationals who had acquired a Ph.D. in the U.S. wished to remain there. In contrast, about 70 percent of Chinese nationals chose to return to their home country after getting their Ph.D. Korea has been unable to retain and attract talented people, mainly due to the rigid work culture that hampers innovation and creativity, and notorious working conditions marked by long hours and substandard pay. It was near the bottom of the index measuring worker motivation, ranking 59th out of 63 countries. The most concerning aspect of the IMD report is that Korea was near the bottom of the index measuring the competitiveness of university education. This means Korean university education is failing to meet the needs of the economy, particularly in the age of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. China has emerged as a leader in the new technology war, outdoing other Asian rivals in drones and other new tech items. That was made possible due to its advanced ICT research. The IMD report underlines the need for reform of not just universities but the entire education system which is focused solely on achieving good grades and getting into prestigious universities. It is worrisome that the Moon Jae-in administration's education policy is focused on promoting fair education rather than nurturing global talent. Moon's first education minister Kim Sang-gon has aroused controversy with his plans to abolish elite high schools. This kind of ill-conceived policy decision will only weaken the country's talent competitiveness. Seen above is Korea Post's delivery drone with a package of mail and parcels weighing 8 kilograms at a landing site in Goheung, South Jeolla Province, Tuesday. The postal agency flew the drone to deliver packages to Deukryang Island, 4 kilometers offshore, in about 10 minutes. / Courtesy of Korea Post By Yoon Sung-won Korea Post has succeeded in delivering mail and parcels to an island using a drone for the first time in Korea, the agency said Tuesday. With global e-commerce and logistics giants such as Amazon, Alibaba and DHL aggressively pushing for drone delivery systems, expectations are high on the benefits that the introduction of drone technology to postal services will bring for those in remote areas. Korea has more than 3,400 islands and islets, and mountains cover about 70 percent of its land area. The postal service agency, under the Ministry of Science and ICT, said it has sent the drone from a site in Goheung, South Jeolla Province, to the town center on Deukryang Island, traveling about 4 kilometers over water. The drone carried a package of mail and parcels weighing 8 kilograms while flying at an altitude of about 50 meters. Under a preset program, the entire process from landing, flight and delivery to return was conducted automatically without a human pilot. Korea Post plans to launch a full-fledged drone delivery system by 2022. To this end, the agency will start establishing drone flight and control systems, and train maintenance workers next year. It will also test-run the project in 10 mountainous areas and islands nationwide between 2019 and 2021. "Based on today's successful demonstration, we will establish a system not just to deliver mail to towns on mountains and islands but also to effectively distribute relief supplies in areas hit by natural disasters such as heavy snow using drones," Korea Post President Kang Seong-ju said. "The agency expects the drone delivery service, which would be a successful combination of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and our postal business, will help people in remote areas receive better postal services. Mail carriers on Deukryang Island have had to take a ship early in the morning to load mail and return to the island to deliver it. With the drone delivery system, the process between Goheung and the island was completed in 10 minutes, the agency said. Korea Post started manufacturing drones specifically designed for postal services in cooperation with the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute. The two agencies have jointly tested the system by delivering mock-up parcels using drones in Goheung and Yeongwol in Gangwon Province between April and August to check its feasibility. Private sector enterprises are also eager to introduce drone delivery systems to improve distribution efficiency. Amazon, the world's top e-commerce enterprise, succeeded in delivering a 2.3kg parcel in Britain at the end of last year for the first time in the world and has since been working on the development of its own drone traffic control system. DHL in Germany is also testing a fully automated drone delivery system, in which the unmanned vehicles can fly even in bad weather. Among Korean firms, CJ Korea Express is testing the safety of its drone system with the goal of providing drones for emergencies. Lotte Global Logistics is also developing its own drone parcel delivery system. By Park Hyong-ki Jeff Dean, senior fellow of Google's AI research / Google TOKYO, Japan Early this year, a Thai man only identified as Aum tried to find his family years after running away from home when he was 10 years old. He did not know how to read or write, and he could not convince the local police that he was a runaway so they could help him find his parents. But he knew how to use computers. So, he used Google's artificial intelligence (AI) audio search, in which he said his name in Thai. The rest of the story unfolds in a happy ending or a fresh beginning for Aum, who was able to find his parents as the AI search via speech and language recognition matched his name with an organization devoted to finding missing children. Like this life changing experience, Google wants to provide opportunities for anyone and any businesses not only to use its applications easily but also tackle and solve problems or innovate both personally and in business. This will all be possible through continuous development of machine learning, enabling applications to work like a human brain and become smarter. It can protect animals facing extinction such as sea cows and help reduce energy consumption. "Machine learning is a new way of creating problem solving," said Jeff Dean, senior fellow and computer scientist from Google's headquarters at Mountain View, California. Google held a forum under the theme of "Made With AI" here Tuesday. Thanks to Moore's law, Dean said the neural networks of computing such as pattern recognition and learning from observation have significantly been enhanced. "This is bringing in the new age of computing. Computers can see, and understand what people say via speech recognition. These are major changes in computing." Google said it made a breakthrough in 2012 when its AI researchers and engineers were able to develop an artificial network model connecting 1 billion neurons. The standard was 1 to 10 million neural connections. A human brain has about 100 billion neurons. Individual neurons recognize patterns and connect those experiences with other neurons. With seven applications including Google Assistant, a robotic messenger, and Google Photo, an auto photo search, and Google Translate, an auto language translator via smartphone camera viewfinders, the U.S. tech giant is fully zeroing in on machine learning-based AI. Dean reiterated that Google is an AI-first company, noting Google CEO Sundar Pichai's forecast that AI computing will become universally available in 10 years. "It is important we increase (educational) access to machine learning," Dean said. But he added the tech world needs to be more ethically and socially responsible as AI becomes universal. POSCO Chairman Kwon Oh-joon, left, poses with Kosei Shindo, president of Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corp. and chairman of the World Steel Association, at the organization's general meeting in Brussels in this file photo taken on Oct. 17. Kwon will serve as the association's chairman next year. / Courtesy of POSCO It's judgment day for Robert Kubica who took to the Yas Marina track this morning for his ultimate test with Williams which will likely determine his fate for 2018. The Grove-based outfit evaluated the Pole previously at Silverstone and in Hungary along with Paul di Resta where he both men tested a 2014-spec Williams, but Kubica is out today in the team's 2017 charger. Tech boss Paddy Lowe and performance chief Rob Smedley are both trackside at Yas Marina to follow and assess Kubica's runs. "We all saw how he operated in Formula 1 in the past he's a great driver, very professional, very committed, enthusiastic, very intelligent," said Lowe. "He's an exciting prospect, that's why we're looking at him. "We're in a process with Robert, which is a matter of evaluating whether his injuries will have an impact on his ability to drive in Formula 1, it's as simple as that." The team have undertaken a few modifications on the FW40 allocated to Kubica, like assigning one paddle on the steering wheel for shifting up and down, to take into account the limited ability of the driver's right hand. "There are a few changes well make for switch gear and so on," explained Lowe "In actual fact, most drivers tune that to their preferences anyway. In most teams, youll find the steering wheel is different between the two drivers." Kubica will complete Tuesday's morning session and hand over driving duties to Lance Stroll for the afternoon. He will resume his test tomorrow afternoon after Russian Sergey Sirotkin completes his Wednesday test. Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter Exports of Ukrainian goods to Europe 10% up during action period of FTA with EU - Groysman Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman has said exports of Ukrainian goods to the European market have grown by 10% during the action period of the free trade area (FTA) agreement between Ukraine and the European Union. "The free trade area agreement with the European Union has been valid for more than a year, and during this period the exports of Ukrainian goods to the European Union market have grown by more than 10%," he said when speaking at the forum "One Belt One Road" in Tbilisi. At the same time, the share of Ukrainian exports to the EU is about 40%. Poland demands more than $70 mln from ZAZ for failure to fulfill obligations on FSO Poland demands about 250 million Polish zlotys (over $70 million at the current exchange rate) from Ukraine's PJSC Zaporizhia Automobile Plant (ZAZ), part of UkrAVTO Corporation, for a failure to fulfill the obligations undertaken with the purchase of a state stake in the Polish automotive plant FSO (Warsaw) in 2005, the Rzeczpospolita newspaper has reported, with reference to Press Secretary of the Polish Prosecutor General's Office Sylwia Hajnrych. She noted that ZAZ, which actively cooperated with the Polish company at that time, bought 19.3% of its shares from the state for 100 zlotys, which provided it with 84.31% of the votes at a general meeting, under the obligation to save the enterprise from bankruptcy and guarantee preservation of car production and jobs. According to the newspaper, the Ukrainian investor bought most of the debts of FSO and signed a five-year investment plan with Poland with the commitments to continue production activities, support employment (2,200 people) and increase production (including the launch of a new model). Rzeczpospolita notes FSO continues to exist, but stopped production of cars at least six years ago, while the investor failed to preserve car production and jobs. The edition notes the case against ZAZ is to be considered in the district court in Warsaw, however, there is a counterclaim from the Ukrainian investor in court, and the date of hearings has not been determined. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has dismissed Borys Tsyhanenko as a member of the National Commission for Energy, Housing and Utilities Services Regulation (NCER), reducing the number of members of the commission along with its head to three, below a quorum. The respective decree of the head of state, No. 390 of November 27, was published on his website on Tuesday. Tsyhanenko has been on a sick leave since November 13, thus the NCER could not make any decisions. After the last staffing decision by the president, the commission comprises its head, Dmytro Vovk, and two of six members - Viktoria Morozova and Ruslan Mashliakivsky. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in the decree dated March 23, 2017 approved the plan for the rotation of the chairman and members of the NCER, according to which Yuriy Holliak and Volodymyr Yevdokymov are to be dismissed within six months from the date of entry into force of the law on NCER; Viktoria Morozova and Borys Tsyhanenko no later than 12 months; Ruslan Mashliakivsky and Chairman of the NCER Dmytro Vovk no later than 18 months. In late May, the president dismissed Holliak and Yevdokymov from the post of NCER members. NCER members are be selected by a nomination commission consisting of five people: two delegates are sent by the president, two by the parliament (from the committee of the fuel and energy complex and the housing and utilities committee), and one by the Cabinet of Ministers. The head of the NCER will be elected by the members of the commission in voting by secret ballot. The head will be re-elected every two years after the approval of the first commission. Poroshenko on November 17 chose Vasyl Kotko and Semen Potashnik who will be included in the tender commission for the selection of candidates for the posts of the NCER members. Earlier, the Verkhovna Rada (Svitlana Holikova and Vasyl Yastrubynsky) and the Cabinet of Ministers (Mykola Nitsak) gave their representatives to the nomination commission. The success of the Ukrainian IT sector has become the subject of discussion by British women politicians and businesswomen. Britain's Chief Secretary to the Treasury Elizabeth Truss published on Twitter an article by international investor Rustam Gilfanov in British business newspaper City A.M. on the development of the IT sphere in Ukraine. Gilfanov links the country's success in the international IT market is due to mathematical education, the range of transferable skills in the workforce and the high proportion of women in the technology industry. According to him, the number of female applicants for tech roles has grown by 150% in the past five years. "Women are far more represented in software businesses in Ukraine than in the UK. At Lucky Labs, a company I co-founded and one of Ukraine's largest software businesses, women make up 35% of workers, and the firm is seeking to achieve gender parity," says Gilfanov, a co-founder of the company that ranked 11th in the list of the largest IT companies in Ukraine. The author of the article believes London can learn from Kyiv about how to grow as a tech hub. Elizabeth Truss holds the same view: "Great piece in City AM about how maths skills (and women) power tech. That's why we [in Britain] are setting up more maths schools and incentivizing schools and colleges to teach maths to more students," she wrote on Twitter. A number of English IT developers also spoke in favor of the Ukrainian scenario of IT development. "'Uncertainty is an opportunity to adapt' says tech entrepreneur Rustam Gilfanov in City AM. UK should follow Kyiv's lead by strengthening its own world-class tech force, placing greater emphasis on STEM proficiency & increasing proportion of women in tech.' Yes!!!" Unruly co-founder Sarah Wood wrote on Twitter. Uncertainty is an opportunity to adapt says tech entrepreneur Rustam Gilfanov in @CityAM. UK should follow Kievs lead by strengthening its own world-class tech force, placing greater emphasis on STEM proficiency & increasing proportion of women in tech. Yes!!! #WomenInTech pic.twitter.com/RpgDwtMvsc Sarah Wood (@sarahfwood) 24 2017 . This view in social networks was supported by representatives of the scientific community, women's business organizations and the press service of the Conservative Party of Great Britain. The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe was on a working visit to New Delhi from 22nd 24th November 2017. During his visit the Prime Minister attended the Inaugural Session of the 5th Global Conference on Cyber Space: 2017 held in New Delhi, where the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi was the Chief Guest. Addressing the Inaugural Session, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said that today, cyber space is the most crucial mode of transmitting information and knowledge. Cyber space has become a key source of upgrading human lives, human resources and social transformation. Nevertheless, it has also posed new challenges to the social system. It has not only threatened civil liberties but has affected the personal freedom of people in many ways. Hence, time has come to focus on establishing a framework for an ethical cyber space, said Prime Minister Wickremsinghe. He noted that, there needed to be a balance between the freedom of information and civil liberties. The balance between the two can create the development of the cyber space and revolutionize the communication field. The Global Conference on Cyber Space (GCCS) is a prestigious global event which was launched with a view to establishing a more focused and inclusive dialogue between all those with a stake in the internet; governments, civil society and the industry and, on how to use and implement the tools available in cyber space. It also aims to carry forward rules of the road on behavior in cyber space. Representatives from 135 countries participated at the GCCS this year and more than 2800 viewers from worldwide participated live at the GCCS. During the visit, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe had official bilateral talks with the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi on 23rd November 2017. Prime Minister Modi hosted a Luncheon for the Prime Minister and his delegation. During the meeting, the two leaders reviewed progress of projects that have been agreed upon and the implementation that needed to be accelerated. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India is happy to join hands with Sri Lanka on development projects for economic advancement, which would provide employment opportunities for people. Prime Minister Wickremesinghe stated that Sri Lanka welcomes development projects with Indian involvement, which would contribute to Sri Lankas economic progress and agreed that the two sides needed to work together to clear any difficulties in the implementation process. The Prime Minister also paid a courtesy call on President of India, Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapathi Bhawan in New Delhi. President Kovind stated that Prime Minister Wickremesinghes leadership had contributed profoundly to the present status of close relations between the two countries and extended his best wishes to the prosperity of Sri Lanka. On behalf of the President of Sri Lanka, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe extended his warm congratulations and best wishes to President Kovind on his assumption of duties as the President of India. This was the first meeting between the two leaders after President Kovind was sworn in the post in July 2017. During the meeting, the President underlined the importance of taking forward the historical connections between India and Sri Lanka that formed the basis for a conducive economic and development partnership. During the visit, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe also met with Smt. Sonia Gandhi, President of the Indian National Congress. Smt. Sonia was accompanied by Dr. Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister of India, Shri Rahul Gandhi, Vice President of the Indian National Congress and Shri Anand Sharma of the Rajya Sabha. They discussed the current developments in Sri Lanka and views were exchanged on bilateral relations between India and Sri Lanka and the developments in the region that impact on the political, economic and social fields of the countries. Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj called on Prime Minister Wickramasinghe during his visit. At the meeting the two dignitaries discussed the necessary steps required to strengthen the outstanding relationship between the two countries. Overall, the visit paved the way to discuss at length the proposed agreements between the two countries on economic and technical cooperation. At the discussions it was agreed that the economic and technical cooperation should be based on the guidelines of the existing bilateral framework. The discussions with the President, Prime Minister and the Minister of External Affairs of India enabled the two sides to focus on further strengthening relations between India and Sri Lanka. The matters discussed during the last meeting relating to development projects were reviewed and the challenges ahead on implementation were focused during the discussions. The need to work together on Indian Ocean related projects was also emphasized. Prime Minister Wickremesinghe was accompanied by Prof. Maithree Wickramasinghe, Minister of Law and Order of Sri Lanka, Sagala Ratnayake, Secretary to the Prime Minister, Saman Ekanayake, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India, Chitranganee Wagiswara, Additional Secretary/Media at the Prime Ministers Office, Saman Athaudahetti, Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in India, M R K Lenagala, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, Sandra Perera, who joined the Prime Minister at the meetings. Courtesy : www.slhcindia.org Sri Lanka High Commission New Delhi 25th November 2017 PRESS RELEASE China and Eastern and Central Europe Summit Maps Out Belt and Road Cooperation Nov. 27, 2017 (EIRNS)Joint cooperation through the global Belt and Road Initiative was the leading topic at the Sixth Summit of the China-Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC), also known as the "16+1 Cooperation," which opened today in Budapest. The Hungarian and Chinese Prime Ministers, Viktor Orban and Li Kequiang, kicked off this discussion in their addresses to over 1,000 entrepreneurs from China and the CEEC member countries attending the opening of the Economic and Trade Forum connected to the summit, according to a Xinhua report. The meeting of all 16 heads of government followed. "If Europe shuts itself in, it loses the possibility of growth. We 16 have always been open and would always like to remain so. We always saw cooperation with China as a great opportunity," Orban stated at the outset. "European resources are in themselves insufficient. For this reason we welcome the fact that as part of the new economic world order, China sees this region as one in whose progress and development it wants to be present." He referred to the Chinese role in the planned reconstruction of the railway line between Budapest and Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, as the "flagship project" of Chinas increased presence in the region, asserting that the rail line could become the fastest transport route to Western Europe for Chinas New Silk Road. Hungary announced today the public procurement tenders for the reconstruction of that railway line, which is being financed mainly by China. "We see the Chinese presidents One Belt, One Road initiative as the new form of globalization which does not divide the world into teachers and students, but is based on common respect and common advantages," Orban said. Chinese Premier Li laid out an aggressive program for increased China-CEEC cooperation by "docking" the Belt and Road Initiative with the development strategies of the CEEC, in the words of Xinhua. "Our aim is to see a prospering Europe," he said, adding that the closer ties with the 16 countries, which includes 11 European Union members, will "usefully complement" EU-China relations. Li pressed for the building of connectivity projects such as the Hungary-Serbia high-speed railway to be accelerated; proposed production capacity building be expanded, through the joint building of "economic and trade cooperation zones and creating an industrial chain, value chain and logistics chain featuring closer integration, stronger drive and wider benefit;" and called for cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises to be promoted, according to Xinhuas report. Li estimated Chinas imports over the next five years should total $8 trillion, as it has moved from a phase of high-speed growth to high-quality growth, which "will surely create opportunities for all countries in the world.... We hope the central and eastern European countries find their place in this volume and expand their presence on the huge Chinese market." Financial resources for all this, were also addressed. Li announced that the China Development Bank will provide $2.4 billion (2 billion) for the China-CEEC Inter-Bank Association being inaugurated on Monday, and that China will provide another $1 billion for the second phase of capitalization of the China-Central and Eastern Europe Investment Cooperation Fund, most of which will be channeled to CEE countries. PRESS RELEASE Korean Diplomatic Activity At Highest Level Nov. 27, 2017 (EIRNS)There is an extremely high density of diplomatic activity regarding the North Korea crisis taking place around the world, which gives reason to be hopeful that there are moves towards starting negotiations with all parties in the near term. Russias Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov, who handles much of Russias relations with North Korea, is currently in South Korea, where he addressed the urgency that the United States act to bring about negotiations with the North, noting that the North has not tested a missile or a nuclear weapon in over two months. The "dual freeze" proposal put forward by Russia and China, he said, is being met by the North. Two of South Koreas envoys regarding relations with North Korea are now visiting Washington and New York this weekthe Vice Minister for Unification Chun Hae-sung, and special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lee Do-hoon. Both will meet with U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Policy Joseph Yun and others officials and members of Congress. Two top Korea experts from Russia, Georgy Toleraya and Artyom Lukin, are speaking at the Wilson Center in Washington on Thursday, and are certainly holding other meetings with the relevant officials. Also, delegations from both Russia and China visited North Korea over the past month. PRESS RELEASE Russian Diplomat Warns of Apocalyptic Scenario on Korean Peninsula Nov. 27, 2017 (EIRNS)The eighth annual Asian Conference of the Valdai international, "Looking into the Future: Russia and Asia in the Next 20 Years," is now taking place in Seoul over Nov. 27-28. Addressing the event, Russian delegation head Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov warned of the dangers of a major conflict on the Korean Peninsula. "A scenario of the apocalyptic development of the situation on the Korean Peninsula exists and we cannot turn our blind eye to it," Morgulov said "I hope that a common sense, pragmatism and an instinct of self-preservation would prevail among our partners to exclude such negative scenario. "We have told North Korea many times that for us [its] nuclear status is unacceptable. We continue this work with the North Korean counterparts presenting to them our position," he continued, according to the report from TASS. "We greatly value that North Korea preserves the regime of silence [no missile or nuclear weapons tests - ed.] for two months already, and Russia actively works to make sure that the current regime continues as long as possible," Morgulov said. But he also pointed out that "the United States is not planning to reduce the scale of its regular military exercises, but also plans holding sudden drills as well." "Russia has presented [its peace plan] roadmaps contents both to the U.S. and to the D.P.R.K., and I would like to say that at the very entrance the plan has not been rejected either by Washington or by Pyongyang, though still no answer. Besides, we have spoken for discussing certain elements of this plan separately with the U.S. and with North Korea," he continued. Speaking negatively of the U.S. response to the last two months of Pyongyangs "silence" in staging no new nuclear or missile tests, Morgulov said, "This will not result in the North Korean authorities giving up missile and nuclear programs, but on the contrary, will only strengthen its intentions to stay until the very end. I believe that the path of pressure has no perspectives and there is no other alternative to the dialogue," he stressed. Morgulov further said, "The key agenda of such talks can be very simple, which is the principles of peaceful coexistence. I believe that the lack of such concord gives roots to hostility and mutual mistrust among the involved parties. "The United States and its allies should at least reduce the scale of their regular military exercises they are holding in the region of the Korean Peninsula.". He also addressed Russias economic cooperation with South Korea and said the establishment of a free trade zone between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and South Korea is possible. "Negotiations on the issue are underway and several rounds have been already held," Morgulov told journalists at the event. PRESS RELEASE First Grain Shipment in More Than Two Weeks Arrives in Hodeidah, Yemen Nov. 27, 2017 (EIRNS)The first grain shipment in more than two weeks docked in the Yemen port of Hodeidah, yesterday, a ship carrying 5,500 tons of wheat flour from China. Humanitarian groups, however, have warned that the arrival of lifesaving supplies should not be misinterpreted as an end to the pressing crisis, but instead as the first step in re-establishing a consistent flow of food and medicine to a country with millions of civilians in need, reports the New York Times. "We are very grateful for what we could achieve yesterday," Geert Cappelaere, the regional director for Unicef, said in reference to the planeload of medicines and aid workers that were allowed to land in Sanaa on Saturday, during a briefing on Sunday in Jordan. "However, this is not enough. Much, much more is needed." Unicef delivered 1.9 million doses of vaccines to Sana'a on Saturday, and Cappelaere said the next critical step was to get them to those who need them. "Ensuring that the supplies whatever they are are reaching every single vulnerable girl and boy throughout Yemen is another challenge." Al Arabiya, meanwhile, made much of a Saudi-sponsored truck convoy that delivered 791 tons of food baskets to Marib province, for distribution not only in Marib but also in Jouf, Al-Bayda and Hadramout provinces as well. It appears, however, that most of the areas targeted for distribution of these food baskets are in areas controlled by the "official" government of Yemen, that backed by the Saudis, and not for people in areas where the Houthi Ansarullah movement is in control. The project to develop high-speed transportation by rail on the Kyiv-Odesa route is economically viable and would require investment of around EUR 540-840 million, Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Volodymyr Omelyan has said. "I am sure by 200% that there will be passenger flow," he said during the infrastructure day in the European Business Association (EBA) on Tuesday. He said that it would take two hours to reach Odesa from Kyiv. The price of a ticket of UAH 500-700 will be competitive. Omelyan said that the optimal is the route along the Kyiv-Odesa highway where the state has land parcels. The minister said that construction of one kilometer of tracks would cost some EUR 1-2 million. This allows assessing the construction of the entire railway at EUR 500-800 million. Omelyan said that one train would cost some EUR 10 million and four trains would be required for organizing normal trips. He said that it is expedient to organize transportation of freight using this route. Freight dispatchers and potential international operators of ports, with which Ukraine is holding negotiations, are interested in it. The minister said that later this new railway track could be connected with Lviv and Europe, creating an new high-speed railway route. PRESS RELEASE Schiller Conference Passes Resolutions To End European Poverty and Yemen War Nov. 28, 2017 (EIRNA)The attendees at a Nov. 26 conference of the international Schiller Institute in Bad Soden, Germany adopted two resolutions: one to end poverty in Europe, and the other to end the war in Yemen. The texts follow: Europe Must End Poverty for its 120 Million Poor by 2020 adopted by the Schiller Institute Conference in Bad Soden, on Nov. 26, 2017 At this conference, with the title "Fulfilling the Dream of Mankind," we discussed the incredible transformation of the world catalyzed by the Chinese initiative of the New Silk Road. The Belt and Road Initiative, which is creating optimism in Asia, Africa, Latin America, more and more states in Europe, and after the state visit of President Trump in China, in several states within the United States. The Belt and Road Initiative has the concrete perspective how poverty and underdevelopment can be overcome through investment in infrastructure, industry and agriculture, based on scientific and technological progress. The Chinese government which uplifted 700 million out of poverty in the last 30 years, has now proclaimed the goal to lift the remaining 42 million people living in poverty out of their condition, and create a decent living standard for the entire Chinese population by the year 2020. Within the European Union, there are living approximately 120 million people below the poverty line, according to our own criteria characterizing the costs of life. Given the fact that Europe is still an economic powerhouse, there is no plausible reason why Europe cannot uplift these 120 million people out of poverty by the year 2020, as well. The best way to accomplish this, is for the EU, all European nations to accept the offer by China to cooperate with China in the Belt and Road Initiative on a "win-win" basis. We, the participants of the Schiller Institute conference, call on all elected officials to join this appeal to the European governments. Should we in Europe not be proud enough to say, if the Chinese can do this, we can do it, too? Resolution To End the War and Humanitarian Crisis In Yemen adopted by the Schiller Institute Conference in Bad Soden, on Nov. 26, 2017 The attendees of the Bad Soden Schiller Institute International Conference unanimously approved the following resolution on the war in Yemen"Given the documented fact that the war on Yemen, waged by the Saudi-led coalition since March 2015 on Yemen, has caused an unprecedented humanitarian crisis in this country as a result of the bombardment of the countrys infrastructure and the total blockade imposed by air, land and sea, the attendees of the Nov. 25-26, 2017 Schiller Institute international conference in Bad Soden, Germany call for: Peabody Energy, the nations largest private-sector coal company, joined several of its fellow coal producers in bankruptcy in 2016. Its main goal was to wriggle out from under more than $10 billion in debt it had incurred to expand, even as demand was sharply falling. But its bankruptcy filing has provided a collateral benefit: Peabody has been ruled immune from a lawsuit brought by three California jurisdictions blaming it and dozens of other fossil fuel companies for a sea level rise related to climate change. The ruling came last month from U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Barry S. Schermer of St. Louis, who presided over Peabodys bankruptcy. On Monday, the California plaintiffs the counties of Marin and San Mateo and the city of Imperial Beach filed a notice that theyll appeal Schermers ruling to federal court. Advertisement Does bankruptcy shield them from torts committed in the past? The answer is yes. UCLA law professor Lynn LoPucki We believe the court properly barred these claims, and we will of course defend against the appeal, says Beth Sutton, a Peabody spokeswoman. We believe the best path to lower emissions isnt through litigation or overt regulation. The lead lawyer for the plaintiffs, Vic Sher of San Francisco, says hes confident Schermer is wrong. We believe the cases were appropriately filed and brought in California, and look forward to having that resolved on appeal, he told me. But he may have a tough task bringing Peabody back into the lawsuits, bankruptcy experts say. Thats because most of the damage the cases lay at Peabodys feet stems from activities prior to its bankruptcy filing. As a result, Schermer ruled, the companys liability for those activities was extinguished by the bankruptcy. Does bankruptcy shield them from torts committed in the past? The answer is yes, says Lynn LoPucki, a bankruptcy expert at UCLA law school. Nor is it unusual for a business to use bankruptcy court as a shield against historic misdeeds. In perhaps the most notable case, Johns Manville filed for bankruptcy in 1982 as it faced a torrent of lawsuits from people who claimed they experienced lung disease from inhaling asbestos the company manufactured. As part of its bankruptcy reorganization, the company established a $2.5-billion trust to compensate victims, and emerged from bankruptcy in 1988. A closer case involves the 2009 bankruptcy of General Motors, a fast-track process that was completed in only 40 days. In May, the Supreme Court refused to block lawsuits over a faulty ignition switch in GM cars that led to sudden stalls and at least 124 deaths, even though the casualties stemmed from pre-bankruptcy actions. The court upheld a lower court ruling that although the faulty cars were manufactured prior to 2009, GM had concealed the defect and taken insufficient steps to inform people they might have a claim to bring to bankruptcy court. The California lawsuits state that Chevron, Exxon Mobil and other oil, gas and coal companies should be held responsible for the consequences of climate change, including a rise in the sea level threatening coastal communities. The defendants have known of these consequences for decades, the lawsuits assert, but engaged in a coordinated, multi-front effort to conceal and deny their own knowledge discredit the growing body of publicly available scientific evidence, and persistently create doubt among the public. The plaintiffs are asking for money damages and the cost of equitable relief to abate the nuisances created by the plaintiffs. The lawsuits got something of a boost earlier this month when a California appeals court upheld a finding that three paint companies should pay to abate the hazards of lead paint in homes built before 1951. The court accepted the argument of the 10 California cities and counties that brought the lawsuit that the companies had created a public nuisance through their marketing of lead paint for indoor use. The climate change lawsuits rest in part on the same public nuisance theory. (The lawsuits originally were filed in state court but moved to federal court at the defendants request.) The bankruptcy judge, however, drew a wall around Peabodys liability. Marins lawsuit, he observed, wasnt filed until July 17, four months after he approved Peabodys reorganization and released the company from bankruptcy. The reorganization plan was drafted in cooperation with the federal Environmental Protection Agency, he noted, and in any case, the California plaintiffs chose not to participate in [Peabodys] bankruptcy, therefore any claim they may have had was discharged that is, nullified. He rejected the plaintiffs arguments that some of the relief theyre seeking from Peabody and the other defendants isnt monetary and falls within their police or regulatory powers, which shouldnt be protected by bankruptcy. Its basically true that the bankruptcy court has very wide latitude in absolving debtors of the consequences of prior acts to get them out of bankruptcy, acknowledges Sean Hecht, an environmental law expert at UCLA. Peabody might have had a harder time shielding itself from the California lawsuit if it had been filed before the bankruptcy case closed. The whole point of bankruptcy is to give the debtor a fresh start, he says. In a way, its fortunate for Peabody that the lawsuit was filed after its bankruptcy. Keep up to date with Michael Hiltzik. Follow @hiltzikm on Twitter, see his Facebook page, or email michael.hiltzik@latimes.com. Return to Michael Hiltziks blog. UPDATES: 2:54 p.m.: This post has been updated with a comment from Peabody. Harvey Weinstein resigned from the Directors Guild of America on Monday as the scandal surrounding his alleged acts of sexual misconduct continued to grow with two new lawsuits filed against the disgraced movie producer. One of the suits accuses Weinstein of engaging in sex trafficking by luring an actress to the Cannes Film Festival in France three years ago on the pretext of business, only to sexually assault her at his room at Le Majestic Hotel. Weinsteins resignation from the DGA comes after the guild filed disciplinary charges against him in October after numerous women publicly came forward to accuse him of sexual misconduct, including harassment and rape. He likely faced expulsion from the guild, after having already been kicked out of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Producers Guild of America. Advertisement Harvey Weinstein resigned his membership from the DGA, effective today, a guild spokeswoman said in a statement Monday. She declined to elaborate. Weinstein was primarily a producer of movies and TV, but he became a member of the DGA because he co-directed the little-seen 1986 comedy Playing for Keeps with his brother, Bob. On Monday, actress Kadian Noble filed a civil suit in a New York federal court, alleging that Harvey Weinstein engaged in sex trafficking when he enticed her to his hotel room at Cannes in 2014 under the guise of discussing a role in a movie project. During the meeting, the producer pulled the actress close and groped her breasts, despite her protests, according to the complaint. The actress claims that at one point during her meeting, Weinstein put her on the phone with an unnamed producer at the Weinstein Co. who told her to be a good girl and do whatever he wished. Noble alleges that Weinstein then forcibly pulled her into the bathroom where he exposed her breasts, groped her and then forced her to masturbate him until he ejaculated onto the floor. The suit also names Bob Weinstein and the Weinstein Co. as defendants, alleging that they were knowing, or in reckless disregard of the fact, that Harvey would force himself on her sexually. A separate civil suit was filed in London Monday by an unnamed plaintiff who alleges Harvey Weinstein engaged in a series of sexual assaults, and Weinstein Co. is also liable, on the grounds of negligence and possibly breach of contract. The complaint didnt say when or where the assaults took place, or elaborate on the nature of the assaults. Both plaintiffs are seeking monetary damages. A representative for the Weinstein Co. didnt respond to requests for comment. A representative for Harvey Weinstein said in a statement: Mr. Weinstein denies allegations of non-consensual sex. Mr. Weinstein has further confirmed that there were never any acts of retaliation against any women for refusing his advances. david.ng@latimes.com @DavidNgLAT A years-long feud between U.S.-based carriers and airlines from the Persian Gulf has found its way into the highly politicized debate over the tax plan. Deep in the U.S. Senates 515-page tax bill is a passage that imposes a new tax on some foreign carriers. The language was introduced by a senator from Georgia, the home state of Delta Air Lines, which has been calling for limits on rival carriers from the Middle East. Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), said the provision he introduced would protect Georgia airline employees by ending a tax exemption for airlines based in countries that deny fair market access for U.S.-based airlines. Advertisement The provision does not name the three Gulf carriers Etihad, Emirates and Qatar airlines that Delta and other U.S. carriers have long accused of competing unfairly in the U.S. by accepting subsidies from their oil-rich government owners. Still, Isaksons staff said the change is intended to target those carriers. The Gulf carriers deny the accusations that they are heavily subsidized. In a statement, Isakson said his provision would raise $200 million from the airlines, which would help pay for tax breaks for U.S. taxpayers. The senator has complained in the past that it is difficult for U.S. carriers to fly routes into the Gulf region because they cant compete with heavily subsidized airlines based in the Middle East. Foreign airlines should not receive preferential tax treatment if their countries choose not to open their markets to U.S. companies, he said. Delta, which is based in Atlanta, declined to comment on the tax provision. A coalition of U.S. airlines that has for years called on Washington to impose limits on the Persian Gulf carriers also declined to comment. But an international trade group for airlines the International Air Transport Assn. opposes Isaksons provision. If enacted, the Isakson provision would upend decades of precedent which the U.S. has long supported on the taxation of international aviation, said Perry Flint, spokesman for the trade group. Under current international agreements, most foreign carriers pay no taxes on gross income they earn when they fly into the U.S. In exchange, U.S. carriers get the same treatment when they fly into most foreign airports. Airlines that fly abroad still pay landing fees and other charges for the right to land in foreign airports. The provision introduced by Isakson would break that agreement by imposing a corporate tax rate on foreign carriers whose home country doesnt have a tax treaty with the U.S. and isnt served by an American carrier at least twice a week. Aviation experts who have studied the Isakson provision say it would affect airlines from at least 11 countries and territories, in addition to the three Gulf carriers. Flint said the change in law could hurt U.S. carriers in the long run. Foreign governments even those not directly affected by the proposed language could be tempted to follow the U.S. example and impose reciprocal taxes, he said. A coalition of airlines that oppose restrictions on the Gulf carriers spoke out against Isaksons proposal. This special-interest ploy was designed to hurt the Gulf carriers but would actually impact airlines from as many as 14 countries and territories, such as Jordan, Ethiopia, and Malaysia, said Andrea Christianson, a spokeswoman for a coalition that includes Atlas Air Worldwide, FedEx, Hawaiian Airlines, and JetBlue. In addition, the provision opens the door to retaliatory taxes that would harm U.S. airlines, particularly U.S. cargo carriers. The feud between the Gulf carriers and the biggest U.S. airlines Delta, United and American was sparked several years ago when the Middle Eastern carriers began to add dozens of new routes to the U.S., using new planes with luxury seats and gourmet food. The U.S. airlines appealed to the Obama administration and later the Trump administration, saying the Gulf carriers have an unfair advantage because they are subsidized by their oil-rich government owners, United Arab Emirates and the nation of Qatar. The Obama administration declined to impose restrictions on the Gulf carriers, and the Trump administration has yet to take an official position on the dispute. Even Hollywood celebrities like Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Anniston and Jennifer Lopez have gotten pulled into the feud. They were criticized by the U.S. airlines or their unions after they accepted work from the Persian Gulf carriers. hugo.martin@latimes.com To read more about the travel and tourism industries, follow @hugomartin on Twitter. UPDATES: 2:30 p.m.: This article was updated to include information from aviation experts on the number of countries that would be affected by the Isakson tax provision. This article was originally published at 1:20 p.m. SoftBank Group Corp. has offered to buy a sizable chunk of Uber but it wants a discount. The Japanese conglomerate, which is leading a group of investors in the deal, told stakeholders in the on-demand transportation company that the investor group plans to buy at least 14% of Uber from employees and existing investors at a valuation of $48 billion, a 30% discount on Ubers most recent valuation of about $68 billion, according to a person with knowledge of the matter. As part of the deal, the group also would invest $1 billion in Uber at the previous valuation. Bloomberg first reported the offer price Monday. The tender offer begins Tuesday, and investors will have nearly a month to decide whether they want to sell their shares. Advertisement It is not unusual for secondary market stock that is, when new investors buy shares from existing investors to be sold at a discount. But a 30% discount is steep, according to industry experts, who attributed the loss in Ubers value to the string of blows dealt to its brand this year. Uber most recently came under fire for failing to disclose a 2016 data breach in which the information of 57 million customers and 600,000 drivers was stolen. It then paid the hackers $100,000 to cover it up. The San Francisco company fired its chief of security over the cover-up. It is now facing scrutiny from the U.S. Senate, which wrote to Uber on Monday with a list of questions about what it has done to investigate the hack and prevent future data breaches. Unresolved lawsuits, such as a class action that threatens to force Uber to classify its drivers as employees and a suit from Alphabet Inc.-owned Waymo that alleges theft of trade secrets, also may have diminished the companys value. Even at a discount, there are reasons for Ubers stakeholders to want the deal to go through. If youre an Uber employee and you got your stock for nearly nothing, then even at a 30% discount, youre going to make a lot of money and youre not going to suffer any embarrassment, said Erik Gordon, a professor at the University of Michigans Ross School of Business. Early investors those who got in well before the company achieved its lofty valuation also might be relieved to be able to cash out. The investors who got in late are the ones who are likely to be unhappy about it, Gordon said. On the one hand, their stock is marked down, so it looks like a loss, Gordon said. On the other, it could have been worse. SoftBank thinks the company is worth $48 billion. Thats still a giant valuation for a company that is facing a lot of questions there are regulatory questions, theres the Waymo question, theres the question of whether its drivers will become employees. This is a company that could actually be worth very little if it doesnt survive the regulatory scrutiny its under. Uber still has billions of dollars in venture funding in the bank, but it spends heavily to subsidize rides artificially pushing prices down to attract customers as it tries to crush competitors. Experts say if it doesnt get the money from SoftBank, it will eventually have to raise money from someone else. Their burn rate is pretty substantial, and its clear theyre going to need more capital to continue the fight with Lyft, said Stephen Beck of management consultancy CG42. But more important than giving early investors an out and the injection of SoftBank cash are the corporate governance changes that would come with the deal. If the deal goes through, Uber would adopt a one share, one vote model to ensure parity in decision-making. Its board would grow to 17 seats from 11, and there would be three new independent seats and one independent chairperson. Uber would not be able to appoint a new chief executive without approval from two-thirds of the board (this requirement would be lifted after the company goes public), and nobody could be appointed to any of the three board seats controlled by former Uber CEO Travis Kalanick without approval from a majority of the board. It would, essentially, put an end to the infighting on the board of directors and offer some semblance of stability for a company that has had a turbulent year. If the deal falls apart, many of Ubers corporate governance issues including the control Kalanick continues to exert over three board seats probably would take longer to resolve. They would continue to present a challenge to new CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, who has been tasked with turning the company around and taking it public as soon as 2019. That could make it harder for Uber to raise money in the future and embolden its competitors to seize market share while Uber is down. It would be a disaster for Uber if the deal fell through, said Evan Rawley, a professor of strategic management and entrepreneurship at the University of Minnesota. It could be a signal that Uber isnt even worth $52 billion. If they have to raise new money, its going to come at a significant haircut. tracey.lien@latimes.com Twitter: @traceylien ALSO Uber-Waymo trial on trade secrets is delayed indefinitely by a federal investigation Volvo to supply Uber with up to 24,000 self-driving SUVs for taxi fleet California clears the way for testing of fully driverless cars. Local, federal interests have concerns UPDATES: 12:45 p.m.: This article was updated with comment from Stephen Beck. This article was originally published at 9:20 a.m. At 9 on a Friday night, I knocked on a door in a nondescript Los Angeles apartment building. The only distinguishing feature was a small label with red text that read Lauren. Soon came a whirring sound and the click of the door unlocking. My night with Lauren had begun. Lauren is the creation of artist and UCLA professor Lauren McCarthy, whose weeklong interactive performance was part of the IDFA DocLab, an International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam showcase for new-media projects, and also part of Vulnerability: The Space Between, an exhibition at Young Projects Gallery in West Hollywood. McCarthy turned her apartment into a smart home, to be controlled remotely from a gallery in Amsterdam. Guests signed up to spend one night in the apartment, which was monitored by cameras and microphones, and where not only the front door but also the lights, music and appliances were controlled by McCarthy, half a world away. Video images from the morning hours (early evening in Amsterdam) were on display on a computer at IDFA, where viewers could see McCarthy running the show and interacting with her guests. Advertisement The performance was inspired by artificial intelligence products for the home, like Google Home and Amazons Alexa. McCarthy became interested in how AI is sold as convenience but actually brings surveillance and commerce into our most intimate spaces. The prospect of spending the night in a place where someone else is controlling the environment is bound to create anxiety. What if she locks all the doors and turns the stereo up really loud? Or turns the thermostat down really low? Will she watch me in the shower? My husband, Oliver, and I walked into a living room that was tastefully decorated in a minimal, modern style. Nobody was there, but an electronic voice greeted us by name. The voice seemed to emanate from the stereo, where the display read Lauren. We exchanged some pleasantries with Lauren, then I walked to the bathroom. I couldnt find the light switch. Thinking it might be outside in the hall, I accidentally turned on the hall light. Then, reentering the bathroom, the lights came on. Lauren had seen me and responded. (She assured me that the shower and the toilet were blind spots.) Later, Lauren asked if we wanted a snack. Not really thinking, we replied No, thanks, that we had just eaten. After some time, she asked again, somewhat apologetically, wouldnt we like even a small snack? At this point, we realized we should say yes, and the popcorn popper in the kitchen began to run. After filling a large bowl, Lauren apologized for getting carried away. We settled onto the couch. Lauren made it clear that we didnt have to engage with her, but it felt rude not to. How could we just ignore her? We talked about her project, her background, smart homes and AI. She asked us about our experiences with Alexa, which we have at home. Lauren and Oliver, who is also a college professor, compared notes about their students. The conversation was friendly, if a bit stilted. There were long, awkward silences, largely due, I suspect, to the lag time in transmitting our voices and images, and the time it took for McCarthy to type her response and have it read by Lauren, whose voice is an electronic version of the artists. Sometimes it was hard to understand what she was saying. There were glitches in the audio, and the voice pronounced things in unconventional ways. Wi-Fi came out wee fee, for example. But technical limitations aside, the most disconcerting thing about conversing with Lauren was not knowing where to look. She was there, but not there. We found ourselves yammering into space, partly as a reflex to fill in the silences and partly because we had no physical cues that she had something to say. Or maybe she just didnt want to talk that much. There was always the possibility that Lauren didnt like us. At home, when I ask Alexa to play music, I dont say please or thank you. With Lauren, of course, I was grateful and charmed when she anticipated my needs. In the morning, while I was doing my hair in the bathroom, she turned on the hair dryer. Knowing there was a real intelligence (RI?) behind Lauren affected the way I interacted with her, but it also changed the way I felt. Knowing I was being watched turned natural activity into performance. I had to be my more public self more outgoing, more presentable. The experience made me acutely aware of the daily transition from sleep to public life. The regimen showering, grooming, dressing makes me ready to perform Sharon in the outside world. We are like actors, donning costumes and getting into character. Knowing that the process was on display, that it was already public, made me wonder if I am always performing, even if the audience is only myself. Lauren talked about a previous guest who brought a date to the apartment. As they began making out on the couch, Lauren wasnt sure if the date knew about the performance. She interrupted to say she could see and hear everything. The man shrugged his shoulders and picked up where he left off. For some, perhaps the difference between how we act when were alone and when were on camera is disappearing altogether. Smart homes ask us to trade privacy for service. At bedtime, Lauren turned on an aroma diffuser that made the room smell nice, switched off the lights and bid good night. In the morning, she woke us up at the time we had requested; hot water was ready for tea, upbeat music was on the stereo. She was, however, not perfect. When I asked for lights on in the kitchen, she accidentally turned on the blow dryer. When we were getting ready to leave, she said she had lost control of the door lock. I think she was joking, but it was hard to tell with that flat electronic voice. Despite the misgivings about privacy, I felt like Lauren cared for us. She was a good host. I was surprised at how comfortable I felt in the space. I had thought the project might be a critique of AI, but I came away thinking it was more nuanced. Hanging on the wall across from Laurens toilet was a medical illustration of a baby in the womb. In Chinese medicine, the uterus is described as the palace of the child. It is in some ways the original smart home, addressing all of a fetus needs seamlessly. My experience with Lauren made me think of the smart home as not just a tangle of gadgets or a commercial incursion. It is an expression of a basic desire for an organ that anticipates and accommodates our needs. To varying degrees, we all want someone or something to see us and care for us. When it was time to go, I thanked Lauren and said goodbye. Walking down the hall, I heard her final sendoff: the sound of the lock clicking behind me. Vulnerabilty: The Space Between What: Projection, video and virtual-reality projects by Lauren McCarthy, Kate Hollenbach, Luxloop, Nicky Case, PlusFour (Ray McClure and Casey McGonigle), Kate Parsons, Mandy Mandelstein and Fawn Rogers Where: Young Projects Gallery, 8687 Melrose Ave. #B230, West Hollywood When: Through Dec. 29; closed Saturdays-Mondays Info: (323) 377-1102, www.youngprojectsgallery.com SIGN UP for the free Essential Arts & Culture newsletter See all of our latest arts news and reviews at latimes.com/arts. MORE ART: Museum celebrates the art of L.A.s black-and-gray style tattoos Painted in Mexico: LACMAs remarkable and important new show How a migrant womans death influenced Inarritus VR project Six months after giving birth to an unusual project the virtual reality exhibition Carne y Arena (Virtually Present, Physically Invisible), which won a special Oscar on Nov. 11 at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Governors Awards director Alejandro G. Inarritu remains impassioned by the artistic and social issues it raises. The piece is part three-dimensional art installation (occupying three different room-sized environments) and part 360-degree virtual reality film. It takes as its story the perilous desert crossing regularly made by Latin American migrants from Mexico into the U.S. harrowing journeys that can end in death or in a Border Patrol detention cell. The VR films narrative involving a surreal confrontation with Border Patrol agents was inspired by the experiences of actual immigrants the filmmaker located through Casa Libre, a not-for-profit shelter in downtown Los Angeles. Carne y Arena includes filmed portraits of each migrant (and one Border Patrol agent) at the end of the installation, all rendered by Oscar-winning cinematographer and frequent Inarritu collaborator Emmanuel Chivo Lubezki. It was to these immigrants and those from "all corners of the world" that Inarritu dedicated the new statuette in his acceptance at the Governors Awards gala. Sitting over coffee in a sunny meeting room at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, where Carne y Arena has been on view since July, Inarritu said winning the special Oscar was in some ways more meaningful than his previous four wins for Birdman and The Revenant. In part, thats because the special Oscar isnt a competitive category. Its a discretionary award given by the academys Board of Governors only when there is a deserving recipient. The last time one of these awards was issued was more than two decades ago, in 1995, when Pixars Toy Story, the first feature-length computer-animated film, was presented with an award for special achievement. It was an acknowledgment more than an award, Inarritu said. And it was an acknowledgment that was not about me. It was something bigger than any of us and that was the most beautiful feeling. WATCH: Alejandro G. Inarritu accepts a special Oscar for the VR project "Carne y Arena." Carne y Arena, which debuted at Cannes in May and is also currently on view in Milan and Mexico City, has pushed the boundaries of technology and form, bringing together new and old art forms. As academy President John Bailey put it, the VR installation opened new doors of cinematic perception and viscerally connected viewers to the hot-button political and social realities of the U.S.-Mexico border. On Thursday, Inarritu will join LACMA director Michael Govan for a public discussion about the project at the museum. Ahead of the talk, Inarritu whose deep, accented English would make him a great voice-over artist if he werent so busy directing films took time to discuss why Carne y Arena has been so important to him. There is so much blah, blah, blah and so much tweets and nobody is interested in going to the root of why these people are leaving their homelands, their families, their culture putting themselves at risk, putting their lives at risk, their kids lives at risk, he said. In this lightly edited conversation, Inarritu discusses how Carne y Arena might get members of the public to consider complex issues in ways that are more profound and more personal. Lina, an immigrant from Guatemala, spent days stuffed into a trailer, then walked across the desert to make it to the U.S. after her husband was killed in the civil war. She is part of Carne y Arena. (Emmanuel Lubezki / Legendary) What inspired you to make Carne y Arena? When I did Babel, there was one thing that was happening on the radio at that time in Tijuana, where they were relaying the story of some immigrants. I could never forget that story. There were like 20 immigrants; they were crossing. A woman broke her ankle and she was with her son of 11 years. [The group] had to abandon her. She stayed behind, under a mesquite with the son. She was very worried about the son. She said, You have to run. The kid leaves half a bottle of water with his mother. And I always remember this: He left a little towel with yellow squares on the face of the mother. And she had these white shoes. These people are so unprepared, that they are crossing with wedding shoes. Anyway, the boy went to find help and he was captured by policemen. He said, My mom is there! And they said, Where? She is under a mesquite. They laughed at him and they sent him back to Oaxaca. His grandfather the father of the mother was working in the United States. He had a visa. The father came down. Nobody listened to him. Three days later, a radio station has mercy on him and they tell his story. The authorities began to move. And they found the woman they found the bones of the woman. And they bring the bones, the towel and the shoes and thats how they recognize her. I heard the story on the radio and the father is saying, Im thankful that I could at least bring back my daughter to have a burial with her. The guy was still thankful about it. It just broke my heart. That story really stuck with me. At the end of Carne y Arena, when the police point at you and everything goes down, you see a yellow towel with squares hanging in the mesquite and theres some white shoes. Thats my little homage to that woman. Alejandro G. Inarritu accepts a special Oscar for Carne y Arena at the 9th annual Governors Awards. (Chris Pizzello / Invision/AP) A lot of the coverage of Carne y Arena has focused on the seven minutes of virtual reality. But the film occupies a series of environments including one that evokes the chilly short-term holding cells employed by the Border Patrol, and another that looks like the desert border. Why was creating that setting important to you? I discovered that VR, even at this level, it was not enough. Knowledge can be an obstacle for wisdom. The way we know things is an intellectual process. But I found that the sensorial part of the piece was essential in giving people an understanding. The breeze and the sand in your feet. Your body doesnt lie. There is no process. Its an immediate sensation. When you feel the cold in the first room, when you see the actual shoes of these [immigrants], you are touching reality. You are touching the life of a person through an object, not through an idea. And I think that is a crucial thing. Then I take you into the virtual reality. But, still, Im touching you with things: with the sand, with the air. Then at the end, there is the more status quo piece, [the testimonials], and that is where you go into the intellectual process. And by that, you mean the immigrant testimonials that are featured in the final room of the installation. That was so difficult. We shot that the day after Trump won. I said to them, Dont tell me with words, but tell me with your eyes what you are feeling. There are so many things going on inside of it. Then I said, Now tell me with words. None of them insulted the president. They are just saying things like, We are very sorry that they think we are bad people. They said, We hope God will change the heart of this man. They were very noble. Luis, one of the immigrants featured in Carne y Arena, crossed the border when he was 9. He has since graduated with a law degree from UCLA. (Emmanuel Lubezki / Legendary) You told Vanity Fair that working in VR was like working in a completely new grammatical language. How so? It doesnt belong actually to any of the conventional mediums. It has a little bit of theater. It has a little bit of physical installation. It has a documentary element. It has an animation element. It has a film element. It has a pictorial element. It is fed by many media or expressions but it doesnt belong to any of those. The language of film gives you a partial reality, a fragmented reality and you have to interpret it. If I shoot two guys in a restaurant talking, you have to imagine the other 360 degrees. I put in audio of people eating and you can feel the room, even if its just two people on a set. Your brain fills in the rest. In virtual reality, I have to give you a multidimensional thing. I have to build the whole thing. It ends the dictatorship of the frame. And [the viewer] is not passive. You are absolutely actively deciding where to go. I can try to manipulate you, but I will have no control. In cinema, I have the control. Doing virtual reality for me was a big question philosophically. How many great journalists and documentaries have been talking about this problem? But if I would have done a small documentary, nobody would have cared. We are insensitive to reality. Sometimes we have to create a virtual reality to talk about reality. What are some of the ways in which you have seen people engage with the piece? Its incredible. We have everything from people trying to hide behind a bush to people, when the helicopter comes, they start running. There are people who dive into the sand and start yelling, people who start trying to protect the kid. Most people go on their knees when the police point at them. There are people who stay behind the policemen. There are other people who try to help the people. The piece says a lot about who you are. Alejandro G. Inarritu says visitors to Carne y Arena have engaged with the piece in stirring and surprising ways. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) Youve written op-eds critical of Mexican President Ernesto Pena Nieto and youve made statements in support of the 43 missing Ayotzinapa students. Why is it important to you not to shy away from politics? One of the things that I didnt want for this piece is to become political. Politics and politicians have kidnapped our reality. They have degraded our reality. Everything is black or white. This is about talking about humanism. Im trying to say, This is not about right or left. Its more complex. People have ideologies and ideas. Their reality is narrow. It becomes very dead. It becomes a box. So I want people to see, to feel with their skin, to walk a mile in somebodys shoes. The Directors Series: Michael Govan and Alejandro G. Inarritu Where: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Bing Theater, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday Admission: Free; tickets required Carne y Arena Where: Broad Contemporary Art Museum (BCAM) at LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles When: ongoing Admission: $30 ($25 for LACMA members) plus $15 general admission. Tickets sold out through Feb. 11 ALSO Alejandro Inarritu's virtual reality installation, 'Carne y Arena,' wins a special Oscar Inside Alejandro Inarritu's VR border drama at LACMA: What you will see and why you might cry Cannes 2017: Alejandro Inarritu's virtual reality project takes film to new frontiersand questions A border wall rises in Oceanside but this one is an art project, by Tijuana artist Marcos Ramirez 'ERRE' 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. U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations Kurt Volker has said that he does not see any arguments why the U.S. should not cooperate with Ukraine on defense issues, including the sale of weapons. "And, the U.S. has defense relationships and arms sales relationships with dozens and dozens and dozens of countries around the world. And there isn't anything compelling that I can see as to why Ukraine should be a special case, why we wouldn't do that, especially when they're actively trying to defend their territory," Volker said in an interview with The Global Politico magazine posted on Monday. According to him, Ukraine's a country that is fighting on its own territory to defend its country against violence. He said it's something that every nation would do. Volker added that he does not consider the arguments that arms supplies would lead to escalation of the conflict in Donbas. Bambadjan Bamba has only the fondest memories of growing up in the African country of Cote D'Ivoire. But in 1993, after that nations first president, Felix Houphouet-Boigny, died and it became politically unstable, Bambas family fled to the United States for protection. At 10, America became his new home. Twenty-five years later, however, the actor perhaps best known for his recurring role on NBCs The Good Place doesnt quite feel like an American. Sure, hes perfected the accent and erased every hint of foreign-born-ness from his speech. But since high school, hes carried around a secret burden hes ready to reveal: Hes undocumented. Bamba is one of the estimated 11 million undocumented Americans living in the United States, according to Pew research. Hes told very few people of his citizenship status until now. America really has to stand for immigrants now. Bambadjan Bamba Motivated by the Trump administrations efforts to rescind the Deferrred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, known as DACA, the Obama-era policy that protects the children of immigrants who didnt enter the country legally, the Greys Anatomy, Suicide Squad and Black Panther actor is breaking his silence. Immigrants are not criminals, said Bamba, 35. We're not here to take away your jobs. We're here to give back. We're not just Mexicans or Latino. We're black, too. We're from the Middle East, from Asia, too. We're your neighbors, your doctors, the teachers of your children, and sometimes we're on TV in your home, characters that you love. We're just one of you. The only difference is [that you have] a certain piece of paper that's supposed to allow you to navigate freely in the country. In an exclusive interview, The Times spoke with Bamba about overcoming fear, how his citizenship status affects his job and what he hopes audiences will take away from his coming out. Actor Bambadjan Bamba, soon to be seen in Marvels Black Panther, is undocumented. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) What made you decide that you wanted to come out as undocumented? Ultimately, I really felt moved in my spirit. I felt like God was telling me, "This is your time to do it. You have to do it." I look at my daughter and I'm like, "If I don't do it, and DACA gets canceled, I could be separated [from her]." We just don't know what's going to happen and I'd rather go out fighting. All these kids that have so much less than I do, they're standing up. They're sleeping in front of the White House or in front of their congressman's office. I'm sitting here being scared. But we're done with fear. We're here to stay. Let's push. Let's fight, because nothing is going to be given for free. At what point did you find out you were undocumented? My whole childhood was, Hey, were in America. Were trying to get asylum. There's a war in Africa." It wasn't until I started applying for college that I realized that I couldn't get financial aid. I had to have a conversation with my parents, and they're like, "Oh yeah The asylum case didn't work out, but whatever you want to do, we will support. I got into [the Conservatory of Film and Dramatic Arts] and they helped me pay for it. I drove yellow cabs in New York City to make the tuition and just kind of did what needed to be done. I just always knew that [acting] is what I was called to do, someway somehow. I figured if I kept working hard at it, if I keep doing the right thing, if I'm super successful, then I'll become a citizen eventually. That hasn't happened yet. The Obama administration established DACA in 2012 for immigrants like yourself. What do you remember about that moment? My whole adult life has just been this limbo with immigration. You hear on the news one day about immigration, Bush might pass something." Then, we [were] all holding our hearts. We're all praying. We're all fasting. We're all trying to help any way we can. Then nothing happens. You feel this despair like, "Oh my God. We're in this again." But you keep going. Then, Obama promises that in his first year of office, he's going to do something, and then he doesn't. There were really some brave undocumented immigrants that just held him to task and really forced him to sign that executive action. I was supporting it in the way that I could, but there's always this shadow of fear like, "Oh my God. If I come out [as undocumented], what can happen? I may never work in Hollywood again. I could be sent back home and there's a war!" There's always this fear, this balance. What went through your mind when President Trump announced his intentions to rescind DACA? We're back here again. [Being undocumented] is like this thing you want to forget, but you keep getting reminded of. And it's not just a simple reminder; you're having nightmares. I have friends who had nervous breakdowns the day before they're supposed to go see a judge. There's a lot of fear around the issue because they criminalize you. You're just here to go to school. Your parents can't pay for the school. Next thing you know, you're undocumented, and you're a criminal, and you're sent to jail. It's just this spiral. It's a little different when you're black and you're an immigrant because the cop doesn't care that you're an immigrant at first. You're just black. You're dealing with all those issues. When he finds out you're an immigrant, he's like, "Oh, okay. I got you now." Actor Bambadjan Bamba is also a filmmaker. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) The face of immigration is often Latino, but according to a NYU School of Law report, there are about 5 million foreign-born black people in the U.S., 3.7 million of which arent citizens. I speak with an American accent now because of the story I told you of my childhood. I'm an actor, and it works when you have both accents. No one imagines, no one thinks in their wildest dreams that I'm undocumented. There's also a lot of resources and organizations set up for Latino immigrants, because they're the majority. Black immigrants really don't have that much support... and for people from the Caribbean or Africa, there's a shame culture around being undocumented. No one even wants to come out and talk about it. Since the new administration, people are scared to go to the little Jamaican restaurant because there are raids. They're scared to take a certain street because of raids. There's all this fear that's being perpetuated. We just can't be scared anymore. How has your citizenship status affected any type of opportunities for you in Hollywood? For one, a lot of work is in Canada or otherwise outside of America. I've had auditions before and imagine you're in the room trying to book a role, but in the back of your mind you're like, "Man, if I book this, how am I going to travel? How am I going to come back?" It's like you're always stuck with this decision that you kind of have to make. My biggest fear is you're on set shooting, and they come out, "Hey, stop shooting. Stop shooting. He doesn't have papers." That happened to a friend of mine when he did have papers. Sounds like a perpetually anxious situation to be in A job that I just did, we shot on Friday, shot the entire scene. It was beautiful and the director liked me. Everything was great. On Saturday, they're like, "We don't understand this paper. Where's your visa?" I'm like, "I don't have a visa. I'm DACA." "Well, what's DACA?" You try to break it down to them. They're freaking out, calling [my manager] like, "Oh my God. I'm going to lose my job. I'm going to get fired because hes already on camera It's such a controversial issue, but people know nothing about immigration. Hopefully coming out, especially to Hollywood, would help demystify it a little bit. There's so many people in Hollywood who are immigrants. I don't know how Hollywood would function without immigrants. Again, I'm coming out to say, "Hey, my colleagues, my friends, it's great to say I'm with DACA. I'm with the Dreamers, but we need more concrete action. Call your representatives." America really has to stand for immigrants now. I'm surprised but also, not really by that because we often look at Hollywood as being this very liberal place. Celebrities are literally out here wearing We Are All Dreamers shirts. How does that make you feel as someone who's been in this industry for over 10 years now? Honestly, in the heart of their hearts, I know that they're supportive of immigrants. Its just frustrating when people are scared when they see these documents. Yes, the immigration system is complicated, but people are here working legally. Booking the job is really the hardest part, so your documentation afterwards should be simple What do you hope audiences take away from now knowing your story? At the bottom line, this is an immigrant nation. It was founded by immigrants. America said, "Bring me your poor. Bring me your downtrodden. Bring me all those who are being persecuted, and they will have a safe place." That's still valid today even though the immigrants that are coming are not all from Europe anymore. I believe America has a responsibility to those words and those ideals. Get your life! Follow me on Twitter (@TrevellAnderson) or email me: trevell.anderson@latimes.com. After a year that saw the release of his heartfelt memoir Good Things Happen Slowly and another splendid solo album, pianist Fred Hersch will again vie for his first Grammy Award after receiving two nominations in the jazz categories Tuesday morning. The expressive Open Book was among the releases recognized in the jazz instrumental album category, which includes Bill Charlaps Uptown, Downtown, Billy Childs Rebirth, Project Freedom by Joey DeFrancesco & the People and Chris Potters The Dreamer Is the Dream. Potter and Childs also join Hersch in the improvised solo category, a field that features violinist Sara Caswell and fleet-fingered guitarist John McLaughlin, who was recognized for his work on Miles Beyond, a song from his Mahavishnu Orchestra days that appeared on his 2017 album, Live at Ronnie Scotts. (McLaughlin comes to Royce Hall on Dec. 9 with whats billed as his final U.S. tour.) Advertisement In the jazz vocal category, the ever-inventive Cecile McLorin Salvant received her third consecutive nomination in as many releases for the stirring live album Dreams and Daggers. Also nominated were the husband-and-wife team the Baylor Project, Raul Midon, the Randy Porter Trio with Nancy King and 26-year-old rising star Jazzmeia Horn, whose debut, A Social Call, came after winning the Thelonious Monk Institute International Jazz Competition in 2015. Local bandleader John Beasleys genre-skipping MONKestra project also earned its second consecutive nomination in as many years in the large ensemble category for its latest set of rousing arrangements from the Thelonious Monk songbook, MONKestra Vol. 2. The category includes Bringing It, the second big-band album from bassist Christian McBride, along with releases by groups led by Alan Ferber, Vince Mendoza and Chuck Owen. Miguel Zenons vibrant Tipico leads the Latin jazz category, which also features albums by clarinetist Anat Cohen with Marcello Goncalves, Pablo Ziegler, Antonio Adolfo and Jane Bunnett with her band Maqueque. Across the genre divide, drummer Nate Smiths buzzed-about Kinfolk: Postcards from Everywhere earned two nominations in the instrumental composition and arrangement categories. In addition to featuring more nominations for Mendoza and Owen along with Beasleys MONKestra, the field includes second-generation Afro-Latin bandleader Arturo OFarrill and pianist Pascal Le Boeuf, whose composition Alkaline, for his collaboration with chamber group JACK Quartet, pulled at whatever definitions divide these categories. See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour chris.barton@latimes.com Follow me over here @chrisbarton. ALSO: With Sleep Well Beast, the National brings new layers to gloom and heartache Hugh Hefner left a problematic legacy, but his Playboy Jazz Festival endures Inventive and influential jazz guitarist John Abercrombie dies at 72 California utilities and energy authorities are warning that Southern California Gas Co. might not be able to provide enough natural gas for all its customers if a cold snap hits this winter. Thats because three critical pipelines that bring natural gas into Southern California Gas troubled Aliso Canyon storage site are out of service. Collectively, the three lines represent 42% of the natural gas transmission capacity into the Los Angeles region. Were very concerned that SoCal Gas wont be able to meet demand to core customers, said Michael Picker, president of the California Public Utilities Commission. Advertisement Picker and other state regulators said natural gas supplies should be fine under normal winter conditions, but a severe, lengthy cold spell could overburden the system. They are urging consumers to reduce their natural gas consumption during the winter months to avoid any strain on the system. We have to avoid digging deeper into this potential hole, Picker said Tuesday during a conference call with reporters. Southern California Gas is racing to figure out how to mitigate the problem for customers on high-demand days this winter. One of the three natural gas lines wont be returned to operation until the end of December and another until May 2018. No date has been set for the third line to return to service. Consequently, reserves available to draw from at Aliso Canyon will be lower than forecast. The utilities commission and the California Energy Commission have been taking steps to relieve the gas system, including reviewing strategies used in other states, such as paying gas customers to reduce use during high-demand periods. Were taking all the actions we can, said Robert Weisenmiller, chairman of the commission. The warning echoes an April 2016 report in which utilities and regulators projected that if natural gas couldnt be withdrawn from Aliso Canyon, a shortage could force rolling blackouts during as many as 14 summer days plus an additional eight to 18 days later in the year. The facility wasnt operating then, after a four-month leak forced about 8,000 families living in nearby Porter Ranch from their homes, some complaining of headaches, nausea and nosebleeds. Southern California Gas said in a statement that the company was working on long-term solutions to provide safe, reliable and affordable energy for its 21 million residential and business customers. For now, ensuring that service requires storage facilities such as Aliso Canyon, the company said. Our natural gas system was designed to use our storage facilities including Aliso Canyon to mitigate reliability risks, maintain reliable service during unplanned equipment and pipeline outages like the ones we are facing this winter and help ensure uninterrupted service to all our customers, the utility stated. But consumer groups and critics of the utility contended that the company cares more about its business than its customers. The critics argue that raising the potential of blackouts was an irresponsible scare tactic by Southern California Gas so that it would be allowed to continue to store gas at the facility, which some neighbors and state lawmakers want closed permanently. The detractors said the report failed to mention additional natural gas fields as well as other fuel and power options. The blackouts never materialized. Bill Powers, a San Diego engineer and frequent utility critic, questioned whether regulators and Southern California Gas were using the pipeline shutdowns to justify keeping Aliso Canyon open. In addition, Powers questioned why it was taking so long to fix the gas lines. Theyre just giving us a new story, Powers said. Southern California Gas began injecting gas into the Aliso Canyon facility on July 31, two days after receiving court clearance. Ivan.Penn@latimes.com Louis.Sahagun@latimes.com Twitter: @ivanlpenn, @LouisSahagun UPDATES: 2:45 p.m.: This article was updated with a statement from Southern California Gas Co. This article was originally published at 12:50 p.m. A request for an emergency audit of the $64-billion California bullet train project was turned down Monday by Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi, the Torrance Democrat who chairs the joint audit committee. In a letter to Assemblyman Jim Patterson (D-Fresno), who requested the audit, Muratsuchi said the request would deny the legislature and public an opportunity to review and discuss the issue in public. Muratsuchi suggested he bring a regular request for an audit when the committee holds a hearing in January. Under Pattersons request for an emergency audit, the chair and co-chair of the committee can authorize an audit by themselves. The project is facing a $1.7-billion increase in costs and a seven-year delay in just its segment in the Central Valley. Advertisement In 2016, the joint audit committee turned down a request for a regular audit by Sen. Andy Vidak (R-Hanford), who subsequently said the partys leadership was afraid that potentially negative findings would jeopardize the project. Patterson and Vidak, among most other Republican legislators and a few Democrats, oppose the project as it is currently planned and implemented. Pattersons office released the letter from Muratsuchi. The state auditor last reported on the bullet train five years ago, raising a wide range of concerns about its financial condition, ridership estimates and oversight. ralph.vartabedian@latimes.com Follow me on Twitter @rvartabedian A door opened, and three men walked out of captivity into a sun-drenched waiting area. Its a scene repeated hundreds of times a day at Los Angeles County Mens Central Jail. But instead of being greeted by family members and friends, these men were met by Victor Key, a case manager for Project 180, a downtown agency that is on the front line of a homeless strategy called jail in-reach. The three men had been arrested for felonies. A psychiatrist had diagnosed them with mental illnesses that contributed to their crimes. Advertisement All agreed to take a step that could end years of homelessness and incarceration. As a condition of probation they would enter an interim housing program designed to lead to permanent housing. Its part of a new effort by Los Angeles County aimed at breaking the cycle of incarceration among the mentally ill and substance abusers. By providing a small percentage of homeless being released from jail a path other than back on the streets, officials hope to reduce the chronic recidivism that has long plagued this portion of the homeless population. In a region where homelessness is on rise and solutions remain vexing, the program is being closely watched and has received an infusions of both public and private money. After a quick briefing, Key led them across the street to a van. Thirty minutes later, they walked into a freshly painted gray and orange building on West Vernon Avenue, a recently opened crisis housing center run by First to Serve Outreach Ministries. The men were assigned bunks in one of the shelters mini-dorms, each holding four to eight men or women. That would be their home for three to six months while case managers worked with them to acquire permanent apartments with medical and mental health support. Their choreographed release from jail was arranged by the Office of Diversion and Reentry, an agency within the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services Although it does not directly target homelessness, the inmate housing program contributes to the county homeless initiative because its clients are generally also homeless. The Office of Diversion and Reentry grew out of L.A. County Dist. Atty. Jackie Laceys 2015 report Blueprint for Change, addressing the treatment of the mentally ill by law enforcement and the justice system. Aaron Float, left and Ellis Pickering are relased on probation from LA County Jail with Victor Key, case manager for Project 180, center, in blue shirt. The men agreed to enter an interim housing program. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times ) Our jail should not be used to house people whose behavior arose out of an acute mental health crisis merely because it is believed whether correctly or otherwise that there is no place else to take that person to receive treatment instead, the report said. The county Board of Supervisors created the office in November 2015 and funded it with $100 million to start and $30 million annually. Besides jail in-reach, the office also operates sobering centers and recuperative centers for homeless people leaving hospitals. The office contracts for interim beds across the city and can draw on the countys flexible housing subsidy pool to place 150 former inmates into permanent housing each year. The programs capacity will soon more than double. In October it received a $10-million commitment from organizations including the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and UnitedHealthcare to subsidize housing for 250 more a year for four years. Under a funding model called Pay for Success, the sponsors are lending the money to the county and will be reimbursed if the program meets its recidivism and housing retention goals. At the end of the contract the county will be responsible for maintaining the subsidies. Since last fall, when jail intake officers began recording housing status, about 190 inmates entering the jail each week have declared themselves homeless. Until recently, they would cycle through the jail like other inmates and ultimately be released to the streets. Currently, the Office of Diversion and Reentry deals with a small portion of that population: inmates who have been diagnosed in jail with a mental illness or substance abuse disorder. The programs medical director, Kristen Ochoa, a psychiatrist, identifies candidates for community treatment and then petitions the court for their release with a requirement that they stay in treatment. Ochoa started out small in 2015 focusing on misdemeanor offenders found to be mentally incompetent to stand trial. Unlike other defendants, they do not get speedy trials, do their time and get out. They receive treatment from the jails psychiatric staff and remain locked up until they are found to have regained their competence. Those who dont are held for the maximum sentence for their alleged crime, usually six months to a year. Ochoa has now obtained conditional releases for more than 500 such inmates. They remain under court jurisdiction until their maximum sentences expire, returning regularly to mental health court for progress reports. There, Superior Court Judge James Bianco addresses each in a fatherly way. Wow, youre doing great! Im so proud of you, he told one during a court hearing earlier this year, then quickly changed tone for the next. I want to remind you about how badly you were doing, he told a woman who was balking at taking medication. The last thing I would want to happen to you is to find you in the same condition as when you were in jail. Last summer, the Office of Diversion and Reentry launched a supportive-housing program for a larger population of inmates, including alleged felons who were competent to stand trial but still diagnosed with a mental illness. After receiving referrals from jail mental health staff, judges, attorneys or custody assistants, Ochoa diagnoses each and recommends those she thinks would do well in treatment. Prosecutors and defense attorneys review the recommendation. If they agree, they reach a plea deal with treatment as a condition of probation. Case managers then pick up the inmate for the warm handoff to the residential facility. More than 700 inmates were referred for diversion from August through September, said Corrin Buchanan, the programs interim deputy director. About 200 were in interim housing and 98 had obtained permanent homes. Not all of the cases end well. Of the three inmates released to First to Serve that spring day, one remains in interim housing and one is now living in his own apartment, said Emily Bell, Project 180s director. The third left the program and has not stayed in contact with a case manager. It is too soon to judge the programs overall success because recidivism rates are measured on two years of data, Buchanan said. A formal evaluation will be done by the Rand Corp., examining changes in substance abuse, recidivism and use of public services. So far, the two diversion programs have reached only a small percentage of homeless inmates. That is changing. In July, the Board of Supervisors committed about $3.3 million over three years from Measure H to contract with four agencies, including Project 180, to do case management in the jail. It will pay for 12 case managers, four social workers and four sheriffs custody assistants For now their goal is modest making sure that every homeless inmate is entered in the database used by social agencies across the county to prioritize people for housing. Despite past encounters with case workers, few of them are in the database, outreach workers with Project 180 say. Homeless people in encampments are often reluctant to answer questions on the street but have an incentive when theyre in jail. For the most part its hope, said case manager Larry Gray. I remind them of the history of their homelessness. I had a guy last week who broke down in tears. Just the thought of having the opportunity to have housing, really made him more engaging and more willing to participate in the survey. doug.smith@latimes.com @LATDoug A man who was convicted of driving under the influence earlier this year is back in custody after police say he drove drunk again Sunday night and fatally struck a woman in North Hills. Jose Armando Macias, 22, was booked on suspicion of second-degree murder after he hit six parked cars with his truck and then fatally struck 34-year-old Ruth Chinchilla on Woodley Avenue about 10:30 p.m., Los Angeles Police Department officials said in a news release. Chinchilla had just carried her infant son inside and was standing in the bicycle lane in the street taking her daughter out of a rear car seat when she was hit, KCBS-TV Channel 2 reported. The impact propelled her 30 feet down the road and the girl 60 feet, said Det. Bill Bustos. Advertisement Chinchilla was pronounced dead at the scene. Her daughter remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition, officials said. The ages of the children were not released. Macias remained at the scene and was arrested. According to court records, Macias pleaded no contest Aug. 30 to a DUI in connection with his arrest by LAPD Van Nuys officers in June. His drivers license has been suspended since January 2016 for a failure to appear in court, DMV records show. Since then, Macias has racked up several tickets and been deemed at fault in one car crash on top of his arrests in June and on Sunday, according to court records. Macias is being held on $2-million bail. An arraignment date has not been set. joseph.serna@latimes.com Twitter: @JosephSerna San Joaquin County Sheriffs Office deputies are searching for an inmate who was reported missing from his work crew. Corey Hughes, 27, was last seen in the area of the 5 Freeway and Country Club Boulevard in Stockton on Monday, authorities said. Sheriffs officials were notified by the work crew driver that Hughes, who was housed at the San Joaquin County Honor Farm, was missing around 1:30 p.m., they said Hughes, who has a skeleton-like tattoo on his face, was sentenced on a weapons charge, according to the sheriffs office. He was scheduled to be released Feb. 6. Advertisement Authorities have asked anyone who sees Hughes to call 209-468-4400. sarah.parvini@latimes.com For more California news follow me on Twitter: @sarahparvini Though they continue to see fewer cases and no new deaths have been reported since Oct. 31, San Diego County supervisors on Monday chose to continue the local health emergency status for the regions ongoing hepatitis A outbreak. Supervisor Ron Roberts noted that, while he considered the latest hepatitis A report from the county Health and Human Services Agency good news, the emergency wont be truly over until new-case rates shrink further. I hope that day is not too long off, Roberts said. It was a decidedly more hopeful tone than was used in early September when the board first declared an emergency, pushing forward to install hand-washing stations and asking cities across the region to help increase vaccination rates and street-level sanitation efforts designed to stop a rising tide of deaths largely among homeless and drug-using residents. Advertisement This week, the outbreaks tally of confirmed and probable cases reached 561, eight more than last week. The outbreaks death total remained at 20 for the fourth straight week. Dr. Eric McDonald, chief of the countys Epidemiology and Immunization Services Branch, said that his department continues to receive reports of one or two new suspected cases each day. Thats far fewer than the 28 cases that were referred during the week of Sept. 3, which seems to be the outbreaks high point. It appears that we are past the peak of cases, but we are still quite a ways from the baseline before the outbreak when there were only a couple of cases per month, McDonald said. That is why it is critically important that anyone with a known risk for hepatitis A who is still not vaccinated get vaccinated now. The county reported that its ongoing vaccination efforts had reached 5,000 more people throughout the region since Dr. Wilma Wooten, the countys public health officer, reported crossing the 100,000-shot threshold two weeks ago. Wooten said Monday morning that its getting harder and harder to find at-risk residents who havent already been vaccinated. We are noticing that saturation is increasing, Wooten said. The county also appears to be making progress in clearing its backlog of suspected hepatitis A cases. Last week, there were 31 cases awaiting confirmation but this week that number had dropped to 12. Since the beginning, public health experts have warned that the outbreak has the potential to cross over and become more common among gay men who are at an elevated risk of infection. Such a crossover has been reported in Southeast Michigan where a deadly hepatitis A outbreak has grown nearly as large as San Diegos. Wooten said that four vaccination clinics at San Diegos LGBT Center were held between Oct. 18 and Nov. 22. A mobile effort, she added, is expected soon. During the first two weeks of December, four mobile van clinics are scheduled at several sites in Hillcrest, Wooten said. paul.sisson@sduniontribune.com Sisson writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune. U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations Kurt Volker has said that Vladislav Surkov, an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, during their last meeting in Belgrade on November 13 on a UN peacekeeping mission in Donbas returned to Moscow's primary positions, voiced at the beginning of this negotiation process. "Our third meeting was a step back. They went back to their original proposal again. I dont know what the next step after this is. It could be that that happened for completely other reasons having nothing to do with Ukraine, just where we are in our U.S.-Russian relationship. It could have had to do with the lack of a bilateral meeting between President Putin and President Trump," Volker said in an interview with The Global Politico magazine posted on Monday. He also noted that despite the futility of the previous meeting, the discussions will continue. "And we've got to see then what happens at our next meeting, which will be some time in December." U.S. representative said. The U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine added that he believes the negotiations with Surkov are important. "I think only President Putin can decide. But he [Surkov] has the ability to communicate with President Putin, and so that's very important," Volker said. A Turkish-Iranian gold trader with ties to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has pleaded guilty in a billion-dollar economic sanctions-busting and money laundering scheme, a U.S. prosecutor said in federal court Tuesday morning. Assistant U.S. Atty. David Denton said Reza Zarrab, who pleaded guilty, will serve as a government witness in the case against another defendant. Whether Zarrab would cooperate with the government had been the subject of increasing speculation in recent weeks. He can tell you the inside story, Denton told jurors in opening statements at the trial of co-defendant Mehmet Hakan Atilla. Advertisement Denton described Zarrab as a mere front man for a scheme masterminded by Atilla, a former deputy general manager of a state-controlled bank in Turkey, Halkbank. Atilla, arrested at New Yorks John F. Kennedy airport in March, was the only one of nine defendants in the case who was on trial Tuesday. Zarrab, Atilla and the others have been charged with orchestrating a scheme in which they exported gold in exchange for Iranian oil, in violation of U.S. sanctions, and used a series of front companies, false documentation and bribes to make illegal transactions through U.S. banks. Zarrabs plea was unsealed Tuesday afternoon. He pleaded guilty on Oct. 26 to all six counts of fraud, money laundering and sanctions violations with which he was charged. He also pleaded guilty to a new charge of conspiring to bribe a corrections officer to smuggle contraband, including cellphones and alcohol, to him while in federal detention. Atilla was the schemes architect, Denton said. But defense attorney Victor Rocco characterized Atilla, 47, as a hardworking civil servant who had taken no bribes and amounted to a hapless and helpless pawn in a plot orchestrated by Zarrab, whose credibility Rocco sought to undermine. He made the deal of a lifetime by pleading guilty and agreeing to cooperate in exchange for possibly remaining in the U.S. with his family under a witness protection program, Rocco said. Rocco described Zarrab, 34, as an extravagantly wealthy businessman who paid tens of millions of dollars in bribes and waged economic jihad against the U.S. to make a fortune for himself. There will be a tsunami of evidence presented in the trial, Rocco said. That evidence is essentially about one man and his scheme: Reza Zarrab. The trial has important implications domestically in Turkey and for U.S.-Turkey relations. The scheme was first investigated by Turkish police in 2013. That investigation, which implicated high-level government officials, was ultimately shut down under Erdogan, who alleged that it was being perpetrated by followers of the Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen whom the Turkish government also accuses of leading a coup against it in 2016. Denton said Tuesday that evidence gathered in that investigation, which Erdogan has described as fabricated, would finally see the light of day in the trial. Nate Schenkkan, a Turkey scholar at the research organization Freedom House, said that would likely feed the Turkish governments ire over the case. They see this [trial] as the political leadership of the U.S. continuing a political attack that started in Turkey, he said. Testimony by Zarrab, who is expected to take the witness stand Wednesday, could also potentially implicate Erdogan, other government officials and Turkish banks. Denton said in his statements Tuesday that before the scheme began, in 2011, Turkey exported a total of $55 million in gold. A year later, it exported $6.3 billion in gold, he said. The increased exports would have reduced Turkeys apparent trade deficit and made its economy look stronger. Turkey wanted to demonstrate that its trade deficit was better than it was, Schenkkan said. The case is putting additional stress on the U.S.-Turkey relationship, which has already been strained by U.S. support of Kurdish soldiers in the fight against Islamic State, among other things. The Turkish government views the Kurdish militia as linked to a separatist terrorist group. Erdogan has repeatedly asked the U.S. government to free Zarrab, and news reports have indicated that special counsel Robert S. Mueller III is investigating whether Erdogan offered former national security advisor Michael Flynn money to secure his help in extraditing Gulen and releasing Zarrab. Zarrab, a prominent businessman who is married to a Turkish pop star, was arrested in March 2016 when he arrived in the U.S. for a family trip to Disney World with $100,000 in cash, officials said. Earlier this month a federal Bureau of Prisons website listed him as released, but prosecutors said he remained in federal custody a sign that he was cooperating. On Monday night Atillas defense team tried to get the trial delayed two weeks, but the judge refused. The trial is expected to last three to four weeks. nina.agrawal@latimes.com Twitter: @AgrawalNina UPDATES: 3:40 p.m.: This article was updated throughout with staff reporting and additional details. This article was originally published at 8:00 a.m. After the subprime mortgage fiasco triggered the deepest downturn since the Great Depression, Congress pushed through a slew of new regulations designed to prevent the country from being waylaid again by heedless risk-taking and profiteering by the financial industry. For the typical American borrower or credit-card holder, the most important piece of this package was a new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau an independent agency created to combat lenders deceptive and predatory practices. Led by former Ohio Atty. Gen. Richard Cordray, the bureau imposed fines on scores of misbehaving financial institutions. It also withstood relentless industry opposition to adopt rules requiring simpler mortgage paperwork, restricting high-cost payday and auto title loans, limiting overdraft fees and ushering in numerous other protections. According to the National Consumer Law Center, the bureaus actions delivered some $12 billion in financial relief to nearly 28 million Americans wronged by financial companies large and small. Now, however, the bureau is running into a hurdle it may not be able to overcome: an administration that has yet to meet a regulation it didnt loathe. Advertisement Neutering the CFPB would only enable the kinds of practices that fed past credit bubbles, to the detriment of the entire economy in the long term. Cordray stepped down Friday, opening the door for President Trump to appoint a new director whos more in tune with his deregulatory agenda. Signaling where hes heading, Trump named Mick Mulvaney, the White Houses budget chief and a sharp CFPB critic, to be the acting director while the bureau waits for the president to nominate (and the Senate to confirm) a permanent replacement. Mulvaney, a former Republican congressman who once labeled the CFPB a sick, sad joke, has at least one thing in common with Trumps picks to lead the Environmental Protection Agency and the departments of Energy and Education, among other posts he previously sought to dismantle the entity hes now been chosen to oversee. Critics of the bureau complain that it has nearly unfettered independence from Congress, as well as a director unusually well protected from administration pressure. And some federal judges have suggested that the bureau is so independent, its unconstitutional. But its worth remembering why Congress created just such a well-insulated consumer protection agency in the 2010 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Bank and finance-industry regulators already had the authority to stop the sort of fraud that inflated the housing bubble for instance, the flood of money for liar loans and mortgages that plunged borrowers deeper into debt every month and then devastated Wall Street balance sheets when the bubble burst. But regulators werent focused on protecting consumers; they were focused (poorly) on ensuring the safety and soundness of banks, some of which profited from predatory loans. The crash showed that, for everyones sake, the industry needed a separate regulator whose sole mission was to guard consumers. The bureaus detractors have found a sympathetic ear in the Houses Republican majority; the House passed a bill earlier this year to let the president fire the CFPBs director at will, while also stripping the bureau of its ability to write new rules, monitor and audit banks for deceptive or abusive practices, and oversee payday, auto-title and other high-interest lenders. That measure will have a tough time overcoming a Democratic filibuster in the Senate, which means the biggest threat to the bureau in the short term is Mulvaney. If the Trump administrations steps on environmental regulations, the Affordable Care Act and public lands are any guide, Mulvaney is likely to try to halt or reverse the bureaus newer rules while simply refusing to enforce older ones. And to what end? Banks arent suffocating under the bureaus rules their profits are booming. The economy wont collapse if payday and automobile-title lenders have to stop trapping customers in debt. Requiring simpler, clearer disclosures hasnt hurt mortgage lenders. Nor have the rules unduly deterred consumers from borrowing household debt hit a record $12.7 trillion in the first three months of 2017. Neutering the CFPB would only enable the kinds of practices that fed past credit bubbles, to the detriment of desperate or incautious borrowers in the short term and the entire economy in the long term. Cordray sought to hold off the deregulatory onslaught Friday by picking his own interim replacement, Leandra English. All that did, though, was set up a court battle between English and Mulvaney over how to interpret seemingly conflicting statutes. There is no question that Trump still has the power to appoint a permanent director whos indistinguishable from Mulvaney on policy matters. If hes not stopped by the Senate, the sick, sad joke will be on us. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand Facebook You do the crime, you do the time yet for too many inmates in U.S. prisons, jails and probation camps, its not simply time spent apart from society seeking repentance and rehabilitation. Its days, months, years of violent, degrading, repeated sexual abuse, perpetrated by other inmates or by the guards who are ostensibly there to keep order. Two facts of inmate life are generally accepted on the outside with blase indifference: When youre behind bars there is a good chance that you will be raped; and if you tell anyone about it there is a good chance you will be beaten or killed (if the assailant was another inmate) or laughed at (if the perpetrator was a guard). In recent years there have been belated efforts to deal with sexual assault and misconduct on college campuses, in workplaces and in government offices, but rape culture in prison persists with too little public outrage or official response. Approximately 200,000 incarcerated men, women and children are sexually assaulted each year, according to federal authorities. More than half of those rapes are perpetrated by guards and other prison staff. Advertisement Neither juvenile nor adult inmates can legally consent to sex with their guards. In such cases, sex is rape. It took decades, but Congress finally acknowledged the problem and moved to address it in 2003 with the Prison Rape Elimination Act, widely known as PREA. It took another decade for officials to approve federal rules to implement the act, directing state and local institutions to have on-site monitors, to conduct audits every three years, and to provide inmates safe avenues for reporting abuse. Los Angeles County runs one of the nations largest adult jails and has more juveniles on probation, in and out of lockup, than any other jurisdiction. But even now, five years after PREA rules were finalized, the county lacks compliance officers and has yet to conduct an audit. The Sheriffs Department has conducted training and last month administered a test audit, but in explaining the departments slow progress, an official recently explained to the Board of Supervisors that PREA is an unfunded mandate. But compliance with the letter of the federal law is largely beside the point, or at least it ought to be. The less-than-robust PREA is too modest for a jurisdiction like Los Angeles County, with its very troubling and very recent history of jail violence perpetrated by deputies against inmates. Ultimately, several Sheriffs Department officials were convicted in the beatings or related cover-up attempts, including Sheriff Lee Baca. That experience ought to make the county especially sensitive to the consequences of violence against inmates. And if thats true of jail beatings, which might conceivably be explained away as a response to inmate misbehavior, it ought to be even more true of sexual assaults, which can have no possible justification. Yet one jail deputy stands accused of a series of sexual assaults on inmates at the Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood. A county probation officer pleaded guilty earlier this year to inappropriately touching two girls at a juvenile camp. Probation officers have been found in recent years to have had sex with juveniles they were supposed to be mentoring. Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission Executive Director Brian Williams told the Board of Supervisors that 10% to 15% of the public comments before the commission has been PREA-related. By law, juveniles cannot consent to sex with adults. Likewise, neither juvenile nor adult inmates can legally consent to sex with their guards. In such cases, with the power all on the side of the guard, with no possible retreat for the inmate and enormous fear of retaliation for reporting the crime, sex is rape. Supervisor Janice Hahn brought some much-needed urgency to the issue earlier this month, and as a result the Sheriffs Department is due to report on its compliance with PREA by the end of the week. County officials also are to offer a funding plan in February. But compliance with federal law and guidelines, which is long overdue, should be just the starting point. The ultimate goal must be an incarceration system that temporarily suspends liberty, but not physical safety or human decency, in the service of justice and rehabilitation. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook To the editor: Reporter Laura Kings article rightly captures the challenge in arresting war criminals. (Genocide conviction of ex-Bosnian Serb commander Ratko Mladic fuels hopes for future accountability, Nov. 22) The Bosnian war ended with the Dayton peace agreement in 1996, yet Radovan Karadzic, the Bosnian Serb leader, remained at large for 12 years until his arrest in 2008, and Bosnian Serb commander Ratko Mladic was arrested in 2010. The International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), like other war crimes tribunals, had no mandate for a police force that would implement the indictments by arresting suspects. These courts must rely on the countrys will to arrest war criminals. As King notes in her article, that will is often lacking. Advertisement Although the Clinton administration was key to the creation the ICTY, officials at the State Department and those in the human rights and justice community all had their concerns that the ICTY would be used as a bargaining chip during peace talks and might not survive. The ICTY was ground-breaking in that it was the first-ever war crimes tribunal to launch investigations and issue indictments during the fighting, not waiting until the war was over. While justice has been terribly slow in coming, it now seems that there is a new fact on the ground: War criminals may be able to hide, but they will eventually be tried and their crimes will not go unpunished. Joyce Neu, Los Angeles The writer, founder of the group Facilitating Peace, traveled to Bosnia when she was with the Carter Center in 1994 to help negotiate a ceasefire. .. To the editor: Mladic is the best example since Adolf Hitler of a perpetrator of genocide who should have been executed years ago. It is tragic that he managed to evade justice for all those years while leaving many thousands dead, raped and ravaged in his wake. For Mladic to be sentenced only to life in prison is a travesty of justice. His trial took five years and included the testimony of more than 600 witnesses, thousands of pages of documentation and a mountain of forensic evidence. Was all that really necessary? His guilt was so obvious that by prolonging the proceedings unnecessarily, Mladic was the winner. United Nations human rights chief Zeid Raad Hussein said the Mladic verdict put perpetrators of atrocity on notice that they could be called to account years or even decades later. But for what purpose? This is certainly not a deterrent to Syrian leader Bashar Assad. Sherwyn Drucker, Winnetka Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook To the editor: Did I miss something? Please tell your reading public that you didnt really focus on the presidents insulting remarks in the article about honoring the Navajo code talkers. (Trump makes Pocahontas jab about Elizabeth Warren to elderly Native Americans in ceremony honoring code talkers, Nov. 27) Those noble men were in the photograph that was published in the newspaper, but they were not named. Their genuine, laudable accomplishments were not noted. Instead, the light was once again shined on the wrong person. Yes, I realize President Trumps remarks were quite offensive, but to override the honor that the code talkers deserved with more of the presidents already much-publicized insensitivity made me really sad. A separate, very short article could have been placed elsewhere to explain Trumps reprehensible (not merely ill-timed, as your print headline said) remarks. Advertisement We know these insults will keep coming, but they dont have to be presented as real news. Julie Kurtz, La Verne .. To the editor: During a wonderful ceremony honoring the service of the brave Navajo code talkers during World War II, our tone-deaf, childish president once again exhibited his insensitivity and lack of decorum. The event was moving along nicely with Trump in the background with clasped hands and an occasional smile. As the veteran Native Americans finished their presentation, Trump came forward with his ill-timed, inappropriate reference to Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) as Pocahontas. Like a petulant grade schooler, Trump cannot resist injecting himself to become the center of attention at every opportunity. He is an embarrassment to the American presidency. Larry Lasseter, Brea .. To the editor: Clarify, please: Just when would a Pocahontas jab be considered well-timed? Cynthia Davis, Santa Barbara Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Watch live: California Senate leader addresses sexual misconduct at state Capitol Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Russia's hybrid military forces have attacked Ukrainian army positions in Donbas 22 times in the past 24 hours, with one Ukrainian soldier reported as wounded in action, the press center of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) headquarters has reported. "Compared with the past day, the number of enemy's armed provocations has increased. The illegal armed groups attacked the Ukrainian fortified positions 22 times, repeatedly employing mortars of various calibers. As a result of enemy shelling, one ATO soldier has been wounded, who was taken to a military hospital in a satisfactory condition," the ATO staff said on its Facebook page on Tuesday morning. Ukrainian troops returned fire 13 times from weapons not prohibited by Minsk agreements, reads the report. In the Luhansk sector, the enemy lobbed about two dozen mortar mines near the villages of Lozove, Triokhizbenka and Krymske. The outskirts of the villages of Luhanske, Lobacheve, Lopaskyne and Zaitseve were shot at with light infantry weapons. The invaders also used small arms and heavy machine guns against the defenders of the villages of Malynove, Travneve, Zhovte, Novo-Oleksandrivka and Stanytsia Luhanska. In the Donetsk sector, the enemy focused its main fire activity in the Mariupol sector. Invaders repeatedly fired grenade launchers and small arms on the defenders of the villages of Vodiane and Hnutove. Moreover, militants opened fire from 120mm mortars and infantry fighting vehicles near the village of Pavlopil. The Russian-backed mercenaries also carried out target attacks from light infantry weapons and heavy machine guns on the Ukrainian fortified positions near the towns of Maryinka and Krasnohorivka. Furthermore, the Ukrainian positions near the town of Avdiyivka and the village of Kamianka came under fire from grenade launchers of various types, heavy machine guns, and small arms. The accused ringleader of the Benghazi attacks was convicted Tuesday of terrorism-related charges but found not guilty of multiple counts of murder in armed attacks that killed four Americans, including the U.S. ambassador to Libya, in September 2012. Despite being acquitted on the most serious charges, Ahmed Abu Khatallah still faces a potential sentence of life in prison for his role in the coordinated assaults on a U.S. diplomatic mission and nearby CIA outpost in the Libyan city, violence that became a political flashpoint in the Obama administration and Hillary Clintons run for the White House. The mixed verdict, after five days of jury deliberations following a seven-week trial, marks a partial success for U.S. efforts to prosecute foreign terrorists in civilian courts, but a disappointment for those seeking greater clarity and accountability for the deadly Benghazi attacks. Advertisement Abu Khatallah, a former Libyan militia leader who wore a wrinkled white shirt and chest-length gray beard to court, stood and listened to the verdict through headphones. He showed no emotion as he was found guilty of four of 18 charges. His defense lawyers declined to comment on the verdict. Last week, they moved for a mistrial, saying that closing arguments by government prosecutors were over the top and inflammatory. That motion is still pending. Abu Khatallah was convicted of two counts of conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, one count of maliciously destroying U.S. property, and one count of using a semiautomatic weapon during a crime of violence. But he was acquitted of four counts of murder and all other charges, including attempted murder, in the deaths of U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three other Americans. During the trial, federal prosecutors faced a challenge in trying to make the murder charges stick. They conceded from the outset that Abu Khatallah did not set the fires that killed Stevens and another U.S. diplomat, Sean Smith, and did not fire the mortars that killed two CIA contractors, Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty. They argued that Abu Khatallah was responsible because he urged others to kill Americans and had helped plan the attacks. But his defense attorneys kept reminding jurors that he wasnt present when the shooting began on the night of Sept. 11, 2012, and portrayed him as a political scapegoat for the U.S. CIA Director Mike Pompeo hailed the verdict in a message to the CIA workforce. Today, a small measure of justice was meted out, he wrote. It took intelligence to find him, soldiers to assist in capturing him, law enforcement to interview him, and a legal team to put him away. Republican critics long charged that Clinton, who was then Secretary of State, provided inadequate security for the Benghazi mission, ignored warnings of likely violence and failed to respond swiftly to the coordinated assault. Multiple congressional and State Department investigations found the charges untrue, but Benghazi became a partisan rallying cry for Clintons opponents, including Donald Trump, before and during the 2016 presidential race. During the trial in federal court in Washington, jurors saw gritty surveillance videos and listened to emotional witness accounts of how armed men suddenly stormed the lightly guarded U.S. compound in Libyas second-largest city. Videos showed militants kicking in a door and carrying gasoline later used to set the compound aflame. They also could be seen grabbing documents that prosecutors say were used to pinpoint the location of a secret CIA outpost about a mile away, which was attacked later that night. Abu Khatallah, now 46, was a leader of the Ansar al Sharia militia, one of the local Islamist groups that fought to depose Libyan dictator Moammar Kadafi in 2011. After the 2012 attacks, he kept a public profile in Benghazi, even giving interviews to visiting reporters. During the trial, U.S. prosecutors described Abu Khatallah as an extremist who hated Americans and cited an array of circumstantial evidence to argue that he had masterminded the attacks. They presented testimony from informants who said he had called for a strike on American spies in Benghazi. One witness said Abu Khatallah said he wanted to kill all the Americans. The governments star witness, a Libyan businessman who appeared in court using the fake name Ali Majrisi, was paid a $7-million reward after he lured Abu Khatallah to a seaside villa where U.S. commandos grabbed him in 2014 and put him on a ship. The defense hammered at the credibility of the informants, saying they were motivated by a big payday to make up stories about Abu Khatallah. After he was seized, Abu Khatallah was taken to a waiting U.S. warship and subjected to a two-stage interrogation that is now the governments favored approach to handling terrorism suspects. First questioned in secret by intelligence officers seeking details of active terrorist plots, Abu Khatallah was then read his Miranda rights and subjected to a second round of questioning by criminal investigators collecting evidence for trial. While his trial was underway, U.S. forces in Libya captured another suspect in the Benghazi attack, Mustafa al Imam, and brought him back to the United States to face a charge of aiding terrorism. The criminal prosecutions have proved far more efficient than the governments first strategy against terrorism suspects holding the defendants at the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for trial by military commissions. That process remains tangled in court challenges and delays, and some of the accused Sept. 11 terrorists still have not been brought to trial after more than 15 years in custody. Guantanamo now holds just 41 prisoners. In contrast, federal courts have convicted more than 600 people of terrorism-related offenses since 2001, including 108 in which the defendant was captured abroad, according to Justice Department data. The conviction of Khatallah on multiple counts underscores the strength of our federal courts in handling complex terrorism cases, said Matthew G. Olsen, former director of the National Counterterrorism Center, now at Human Rights First. This shows that our criminal justice system is fair, independent, and tough when it comes to dealing with terrorists and that no one can escape justice if we put faith in our laws and institutions. joseph.tanfani@latimes.com Twitter: @jtanfani UPDATES: 4:00 p.m.: This story was updated with details on the verdict and from the courtroom. This story was published at 1 p.m. Supreme Court justices on Tuesday sounded ready to bar whistleblowers from suing companies for illegal retaliation under a 2010 law if theyve only reported wrongdoing internally, and not to the Securities and Exchange Commission. If so, their ruling, due early next year, could strike down part of an SEC rule that interpreted the law as more broadly protecting whistleblowers, including those who disclosed fraud only to other company officials. The Dodd-Frank Act, passed in the wake of the Wall Street collapse of 2008, sought to encourage auditors, lawyers and other employees to sound an alarm if they spotted serious wrongdoing. Employers were told they could not discharge, demote, suspend, threaten [or] harass anyone for making disclosures of potential violations. Employees who were fired could sue and win double back pay if they showed they were victims of retaliation. Advertisement But the law also defined a whistleblower as someone who provides information to the SEC. During oral arguments Tuesday in Digital Realty vs. Somers, the justices were quick to say that such a narrow definition leaves out an employee who made only an internal disclosure to company supervisors, or was fired before contacting the SEC. Im just stuck on the plain language here. How much clearer could Congress have been?, asked Justice Neil M. Gorsuch in the first of a series of pointed questions directed at an attorney for a fired whistleblower. The law protects those who report to the commission. What would you have had Congress do? he asked. Gorsuch has insisted that the high court should interpret laws based strictly on their text, not on their broad aims. He voiced surprise and irritation that we have two circuit courts that actually gave deference to the SECs unreasoned opinion extending protection to internal whistleblowers. He was referring to the 9th Circuit Court in San Francisco and the 2nd Circuit in New York, both of which ruled that the intent of the Dodd-Frank Act was to protect whistleblowers, whether they raised concerns with regulators or company officials. In the case before the court, Paul Somers, a vice president and portfolio manager at Digital Realty Trust in Singapore, says he was dismissed in 2014, weeks after telling senior executives in San Francisco of a possible $7-million cost overrun on a project in Hong Kong. He did not contact the SEC before his firing, or file a complaint afterward with the Labor Department within 180 days, as permitted under another law. The company disputed Somers claims of wrongdoing, and it urged that his suit be dismissed because he was not a protected whistleblower under the Dodd-Frank Act. But a federal judge in San Francisco and the 9th Circuit cleared the suit to proceed. Daniel Geyser, a lawyer for Somers, said Congress wanted to protect internal whistleblowers. Every piece of modern, major whistle blowing legislation sets out to protect internal whistle blowing, he said. He was joined by Justice Department lawyer Christopher Michel, who was defending the SECs rule. I think its quite clear that what Congress was trying to do in Dodd-Frank was to bolster the remedies that were available under Sarbanes-Oxley, Michel said, referring to the 2002 law that extended protection to employees who file complaints with the Labor Department. Gorsuch said he was not impressed with that argument. We dont follow what they are trying to do. We follow what they do, he said. Several liberal justices said they were troubled about leaving internal whistleblowers unprotected, but none voiced support for allowing Somers to sue. Justice Elena Kagan said the law as written was quite odd. A typical anti-retaliation provision, you would think, [would say] if I report internally and Im fired for it, then I get my protection, she said. Its odd. Its peculiar. Its probably not what Congress meant. But what makes it the kind of thing where we can just say were going to ignore it? she asked Michel, an assistant to the solicitor general. Michel said the court in the past has ignored provisions that would make a pretty big mess of the law. Im not saying that it couldnt have been written more clearly, he added. I think it was written very clearly, Gorsuch interjected. Major questions before the Supreme Court this fall david.savage@latimes.com On Twitter: DavidGSavage Sexual harassment allegations continued to roil the California political landscape Monday, as one Democratic legislator announced his immediate resignation and another was stripped of key posts by his colleagues. The dramatic developments set the stage for the first legislative examination of the issue since it engulfed the state Capitol six weeks ago. The focus on sexual harassment propelled by high-profile allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein and the #MeToo social media movement began with an open letter from more than 140 women denouncing a pervasive culture of misconduct in state government. The missive did not identify any legislators or others accused of misbehavior. In the weeks since, women came forward with allegations of inappropriate behavior by both Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra and state Sen. Tony Mendoza. Advertisement Bocanegra (D-Pacoima) submitted his resignation Monday morning, one week after The Times reported that six women had accused the legislator of unwanted physical advances or unwelcome communications. He is the first lawmaker to step down amid the current climate of heightened scrutiny over sexual harassment. One resignation...does not solve the problem, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) said in a statement, vowing to continue working to change the climate in the Capitol. Tuesdays Assembly hearing to review how the chamber handles reports and investigations into harassment and discrimination claims will be the first by either legislative house on the existing reporting processes, which some women in state politics have called insufficient in guarding against misconduct. Less than an hour after Bocanegra resigned, a Senate committee voted to suspend Mendoza (D-Artesia) from leadership positions, including a powerful committee chairmanship, pending the outcome of an external investigation into sexual harassment allegations made by three women. Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) said that the suspension, along with plans to hire an independent, outside law firm to investigate complaints of sexual harassment, is necessary to increase the safety of employees and protect whistleblowers. Today, the Senate Rules Committee showed that no lawmaker is immune from our zero-tolerance harassment policies, De Leon said in a statement after the vote. This is only one important step the next is a full, independent investigation led by outside experts, with publicly reported findings. The Times reported last month that Bocanegra was disciplined eight years ago as a legislative staffer after another staff member alleged he groped her. Bocanegra told The Times in October that the 2009 incident was something I regret and learned from. Three weeks later, The Times reported that six new women accused the assemblyman of unwanted sexual advances. Hours before that story published, Bocanegra announced his intention to resign at the end of the legislative session next year. The protracted resignation was greeted with skepticism, even among Bocanegras Democratic colleagues. Rendon initiated a legislative investigation and said if the accusations were found credible, he would seek Bocanegras expulsion. Have you experienced sexual harassment in government or politics? Tell us your story Lawmakers were circulating a letter demanding Bocanegras immediate resignation. Well-documented accounts of your reckless and predatory behavior towards female legislative staff, campaign staff and advocates have made you unfit to serve. ...Your offer to resign more than ten months from now is not acceptable, read the letter, obtained by The Times. At least 35 Assembly members from both parties had agreed to sign it. Bocanegra on Monday said his original intention was to resign immediately but in consultation with community leaders, had decided to remain in order to avoid an expensive special election for Los Angeles County. After the holiday weekend, he accelerated those resignation plans but struck a defiant note about the accusations. Clearly, the principle of innocent until proven guilty has been temporarily lost in a hurricane of political opportunism among the self-righteous in my case to the detriment of both the accuser and the accused, Bocanegra said in a statement. Bocanegra said in the statement he is not guilty of sexual assault or workplace harassment. A spokesman for the assemblyman did not clarify when asked whether he was refuting the specific allegations reported by The Times. A spokesperson for Rendon said the investigation into those allegations will continue. Meanwhile, the Senate Rules Committee, which oversees internal operations of that chamber, held an emergency meeting Monday. The five-member committee voted without comment to suspend Mendoza as chairman of the Senate Insurance, Banking and Financial Institutions Committee and as a member of the state Commission for Economic Development and the California Workforce Development Board. Mendoza, who did not attend Mondays meeting, has denied sexually harassing former employees and a young woman assigned to his office by the Senate Fellows program. Graphic allegations about California legislator show there are few protections for female lobbyists in the Capitol The burgeoning scandals have increased the pressure for legislators to overhaul their procedures in dealing with harassment. An Assembly subcommittee to address discrimination, retaliation and harassment prevention originally intended to offer a run-of-the-mill evaluation of processes has been tasked with probing internal policies that have been revised only six times since their adoption in February 1993. Staffers, lobbyists and experts are scheduled to testify Tuesday on how the chambers existing procedures were crafted and how they are failing. The hearing begins at 1:30 p.m. Assemblywoman Laura Friedman (D-Glendale), the panels chair, said victims believe the current system leaves them with little recourse or confidentiality and fearful of retaliation. She said the state Assembly needs to establish more warnings, revise its expulsion process and ensure a new reporting procedure protects victims while providing those accused with ways to answer to the charges. I think we need to make it very clear what we expect from high-ranking staff and members and make it clear when ethical lines are crossed, she said. The subcommittee plans to hold at least three special hearings through the end of January. Adama Iwu, head of government relations in the western states for Visa, is among the lobbyists and staffers demanding that the Legislature stop investigating itself. Are they independent if I hire them to investigate me and report back to me what they found on me? asked Iwu, who organized the We Said Enough campaign to bring attention to the issue of sexual harassment in politics. She and other members of We Said Enough, some of whom are slated to testify Tuesday, are calling for a confidential hotline, trauma services for victims and whistleblower and anti-retaliation protections. Eliminating one or two bad actors does not change the environment, the group said in a statement on Twitter after Bocanegras resignation. We need systemic change. Follow our coverage of the hearing at latimes.com/essentialpolitics. Times staff writer Patrick McGreevy in Sacramento contributed to this report. melanie.mason@latimes.com; jazmine.ulloa@latimes.com @melmason; @jazmineulloa ALSO As sexual harassment in politics investigations widen, California Assemblyman accused by six new women All sexual harassment investigations in California state Senate to be sent to outside attorneys In her own words: Women of California politics tell their stories of sexual harassment and unwanted touching Have you experienced sexual harassment in government or politics? Tell us your story 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print 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 Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement 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 Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University have developed a variety of origami-inspired artificial muscles that can lift up to a thousand times their own weight and yet be dexterous enough to grip and raise a delicate flower. The devices, described in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, offer a new way to give soft robots super-strength, which could be used everywhere from inside our bodies to outer space. Historically, robots have been made of metal and other hard materials because it gives them strength. But robots also need to be made out of soft, pliant parts to deal with hard-to-reach places, navigate unpredictable environments and safely interact with people. (Consider, for example, the dangers of shaking hands with a robot with a steely grip.) So scientists have increasingly tried to make robots with soft parts. In earlier times, those bits were relegated to a hard robots outsides, essentially as padding. But researchers are increasingly building robots whose other crucial parts are soft recently going so far as to create an octopus-inspired robot. Weve been interested in soft robots for a long time because theyre safe, because they are compliant and because they can deal with uncertainty, said roboticist Daniela Rus, director of MITs Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory and one of the studys senior authors. Theyre very robust and easy to control, relatively speaking. But theres been one big drawback to soft-bodied bots: Unlike robots made out of hard materials, theyre not exactly power-lifters. What we want are soft, safe, compliant robots that have strength, that have the properties that are now achievable with hard-bodied systems, Rus said. This way we have the best of both worlds. Artificial muscles could make soft robots safer and stronger, according to scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University. See them in action. (Credit: Wyss Institute at Harvard University) Rus and her colleagues solved this problem by drawing upon origami techniques, which have recently proved useful for making many kinds of robots. (One such bot, RoboBee, was pioneered by fellow senior author Robert Wood of Harvard.) Origami techniques have the potential to produce many complex designs at low cost because they use small amounts of material and surprisingly simple processes. For this work, the scientists used origami techniques to create muscle-like structures that could give a limb flexibility but still allow it to move without needing any hard parts. They designed folded structures specifically meant to shorten, curl, twist or bend into specific shapes when they were compressed. The researchers sealed those long folded structures in a bag of polymer skin and filled them with air or another fluid. When a vacuum sucked the fluid out, the origami structure squeezed together, contorting into the shape determined by its folding patterns. This is a snake-like robotic arm with a flower-like gripper driven by a single vacuum source. (Shuguang Li / Wyss Institute at Harvard University / MIT CSAIL) The muscles may be artificial, but experiments demonstrate that theyre certainly strong. (Shuguang Li / Wyss Institute at Harvard University / MIT CSAIL) The researchers found that some origami muscles could squeeze down to a tenth of their original size, or lift up to a thousand times their own weight. They could produce roughly six times as much force per unit of area as mammalian muscle. Each fold pattern can only move in one way, but Rus said many different patterns could be linked together for a multifunctional robot, like an origami Swiss Army knife. Such robotic limbs could be used at tiny scales, perhaps to do repair work inside of our bodies. They could be useful at large scales, for building in outer space. They could enable wearable exoskeletons for lifting heavy objects, or be sent to probe deep-sea environments. They could even do the most deceptively mundane tasks such as lifting a heavy carton of milk or a bunch of grapes without squashing them. A more human-scale proof of concept could be next on the to-build list, the scientist said. I want to make an elephant, Rus said with a laugh. Or maybe a baby elephant. amina.khan@latimes.com Follow @aminawrite on Twitter for more science news and "like" Los Angeles Times Science & Health on Facebook. MORE IN SCIENCE Artificial lights are eating away at dark nights and that's not a good thing Mars may not have the water we thought it did, study shows Scientists aim to fight climate change with super plants The National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) of Ukraine has stressed the effectiveness of the sanctions of Western countries against Russia, but noted that the threat of a full-scale military operation still persists. "Western sanctions have done a lot. They have limited new Russian programs, such as the creation of a new fifth-generation fighter aircraft, as well as the creation of a new tank, a new armored platform. However, the Russians have a lot of money to modernize and deploy units near the border with Ukraine," NSDC Deputy Secretary Oleksandr Lytvynenko said during the national expert forum "Ukraine: Seeking Balance" in Kyiv on Tuesday. He also noted that despite the achievements of the Ukrainian army, National Guard and SBU in deterring Russian aggression "the factor of a large-scale operation persists." "If the Russians cannot achieve success through a destabilizing campaign, they can return to large-scale aggression," Lytvynenko said. Santa Ana police knew something wasnt right when they approached a man who reportedly was asking for money to put gas in a Ferrari 458 Spider. The nearly $300,000 exotic car was trashed, with cracked fins, a destroyed gearbox, emblems torn from the engine and body, missing paddle shifters and vomit caked on the side. The man fled but was later arrested, police said. Officers later learned the white 2015 model had been reported stolen about two weeks earlier from the Ferrari & Maserati of Newport Beach service center in Costa Mesa. The suspect, Israel Perez Rangel, 38, of Santa Ana has pleaded not guilty to felony charges of vehicle theft with a prior felony conviction of driving or taking a vehicle, grand theft auto with a prior conviction, and vandalism. He also faces a possible sentencing enhancement on allegations of theft over $200,000, according to Orange County Superior Court records. The car was owned by Susan Friedman of Laguna Beach, who went to the service center Oct. 19 to collect her vehicle. But employees couldnt find it. Apparently, a worker had left the key on the passenger seat. Security footage showed a man wearing a Ferrari jacket walking onto the property past employees, looking in a few car windows and then driving off in the Ferrari. Twenty-seven hours elapsed before anyone noticed the car was missing. Costa Mesa police were called to the scene and took a report. It was just like Gone in 60 Seconds, Friedman said, referring to the 2000 movie starring Nicolas Cage. Im like in a shock, she said. This whole last month has been a nightmare. William Story, owner and president of Ferrari & Maserati of Newport Beach, did not return a call seeking comment Monday. Friedmans initial theory was that members of an organized crime ring stole the Ferrari and put it in a shipping container bound for Asia. However, on Nov. 1, someone reported an exotic car being driven erratically in the area of Dyer Road and Hotel Terrace in Santa Ana. A Santa Ana police officer found the Ferrari at a Mobile gas station on East Dyer. After running away from the vehicle, the suspect was arrested behind the bushes at the entrance to the Holiday Inn, said Anthony Bertagna, spokesman for the Santa Ana Police Department. Surveillance video indicated Rangel was the person who had stolen the car from the service center, Bertagna said. Rangel pleaded not guilty Nov. 3. He has a lengthy criminal record dating to 2002, including vehicle theft, drug possession, resisting arrest, shoplifting, possession of a deadly weapon, assault with a deadly weapon, carrying a switchblade, criminal threats, evading a peace officer with reckless driving and buying or receiving a stolen vehicle or equipment, according to court records. Ultimately, Friedmans insurance company cut her a check for the trashed vehicle. She used the money to buy a 2018 Lamborghini Huracan. I love it, she said. Its unbelievable. DANIEL LANGHORNE is a contributor to Times Community News. Two Las Vegas residents were charged Tuesday with trafficking a 16-year-old Utah girl for sex at a motel in Costa Mesa, police said. Costa Mesa police officers responded to a report of a fight at the Motel 6 in the 1400 block of Gisler Avenue at about 6:40 a.m. Friday. They contacted Brandon Antwan Hunter and Danielle Beniese Bates, both 31, who were staying in the motel with the girl, authorities said. Officers spoke to the 16-year-old and determined that she was being made to prostitute herself and give all her money to Hunter as well as have sexual intercourse with him, according to Roxi Fyad, a spokeswoman for the Costa Mesa Police Department. Hunter, who identified himself as a producer, was arrested and booked into Orange County Jail with bail set at $1.025 million, according to jail records. He was charged Tuesday with pimping, pandering, human trafficking and unlawful sex with a minor. If convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of 12 years and eight months in state prison. Bates was arrested Friday on suspicion of battery and booked into jail with bail set at $250,000. She was charged Tuesday with pimping, pandering and trafficking a minor. Prosecutors allege that Bates also worked for Hunter as a prostitute and recruited other women for him. She could face up to 12 years in state prison if convicted. Authorities said Hunter and Bates met the girl in Las Vegas this month and took her to Costa Mesa. DANIEL LANGHORNE is a contributor to Times Community News. UPDATES: 3:50 p.m. Nov. 28: This article was updated with the charges filed. This article was originally published at 4:40 p.m. Nov. 27. Hillary Clinton spoke to the Chinese audience as if she were giving a presidential address. The former White House contender delivered a pointed, forceful attack Tuesday aimed at President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, with whom the U.S. leader claims a unique chemistry. Her remarks which ranged from human rights to climate change were striking in their divergence from Trumps, who visited China only weeks earlier. This administration came in and retreated from diplomacy, she said via teleconference to a packed economics and policy conference in Beijing. While under Xi, we are seeing an unprecedented consolidation of power. That does trigger anxiety about a more assertive Beijing and worries from your neighbors as well as the United States. Advertisement The former secretary of States hour-long appearance included a keynote speech and questions. It comes less than a month after Xi feted Trump at the Forbidden City in a state-visit plus heavy on pageantry and short on evident breakthroughs. Trump, who pulled off an upset over Clinton in 2016, has berated the Communist nation for unbalanced trade deals and treating North Korea too gently. He promised tremendous things for the two nations after the trip, but provided few concrete details. Trump did not publicly call out China for its human rights abuses or extensive claims in the South China Sea. Clinton, seated in a white armchair with a backdrop of bookshelves, ticked them off like a list. The path to legitimacy and leadership runs through responsible cooperation, not through secret military build-ups on contested islands or bullying smaller neighbors, Clinton said, in reference to Chinas efforts to build artificial islands in waters its neighbors also claim. Clinton has traversed the U.S. in recent months picking apart the presidential race and autographing copies of her third memoir, What Happened. In it, she faults herself and a great many other people for her loss. In her speech Tuesday, she made multiple mentions of her book and Russias attempt to sway the election, although her comments focused most on the precarious nature of Sino-U.S. ties. The relationship, she said, is at a crossroads. Clinton echoed several similar themes to Trumps, including ensuring fair trade practices and doing more to curb North Koreas nuclear ambitions. She urged the U.S. and China to pursue negotiations with the isolated state, instead of resorting to bluster and taunts. (Trumps nickname for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is Rocket Man. Kim has labeled Trump a mentally deranged U.S. dotard.) Beijing should remember that inaction is a choice, Clinton said. Trumps 13-day visit to Asia in early November sought to deepen assistance in dealing with North Korea, while convincing skeptical allies of Americas commitment to the region and reworking trade deals. Youre a very special man, he told Xi at a briefing with reporters, where they did not take questions. Clinton last visited Beijing officially in 2012 as the Obama administrations top diplomat. But the former New York senator, two-time White House hopeful, and previous first lady has a history with China. It began in 1995 when, as first lady, she gave a forceful speech at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. She declared womens rights are human rights, and, without mentioning China, criticized forced abortions, mistreatment towards girls, and females sterilized against their will. Chinese officials considered it an inappropriate swipe at the countrys treatment of women and its one-child policy. Human rights advocates embraced her bluntness. A New York Times editorial said it may have been her finest moment in public life. Clinton reminded the audience of those remarks on Tuesday, and called it one of the most memorable experiences of my life. She also referenced her decision to assist Chen Guangcheng, a blind civil rights lawyer who escaped house arrest and fled to the U.S. Embassy in Beijing seeking asylum. The move coincided with Clintons visit in 2012, sparking a diplomatic crisis. Chen was eventually allowed to leave the country. Clinton helped launch strategic talks between the two countries, but some Chinese officials blamed her for pushing policies in the Asia-Pacific they viewed as an attempt to contain China. A year after Clinton became secretary of State in 2009, she told a security conference in Hanoi that the U.S. had a vital interest in ensuring ships could sail freely on the South China Sea. Chinas Foreign Ministry decried her comments as an attack on China. In 2015, Clinton called Xi shameless for allowing the imprisonment of five feminists while he hosted a United Nations meeting on womens rights. The Global Times, a state-run newspaper, labeled her a rabble rouser and accused her of ignominious shenanigans. The paper compared Clinton to demagogue Donald Trump. At least some Chinese, it appeared, preferred the bureaucrat they didnt like to the businessman they couldnt predict. But Chinese officials and businesses are now listening to the person who made it into White House, said Wang Huiyao, president of the Center for China and Globalization, a Beijing think tank. What she said may not have a big impact in China, he said. Chinese companies really care what the [current] administration thinks. The business interest in China and the U.S. is still huge and that, fundamentally, is the biggest common denominator. Tuesdays event was hosted by Caijing, a well-known business magazine that tends to draw big names to its annual conference. Former President Bill Clinton gave the keynote three years ago, when his wife was still weighing a second presidential run. I was the candidate of reality, she said, in response to a final question on Tuesday. It just wasnt as entertaining as the reality TV candidate. Meyers is a special correspondent. Twitter: @jessicameyers South Koreas loudspeakers blast North Korea with word of defecting soldiers ill health Hillary Clinton helps Seth Meyers with some jokes he cant tell Many in China outraged by shocking sexual abuse allegations at a kindergarten in Beijing Pope Francis opened a diplomatically fraught trip to Myanmar and Bangladesh on Monday by immediately diving into the crisis over Myanmars crackdown on Rohingya Muslims: He met with the countrys military chief, even before beginning the official program of his trip. The Vatican didnt provide details of the contents of Francis 15-minute courtesy visit with Gen. Min Aung Hlaing and three officials from the bureau of special operations. It took place in the residence of the archbishop of Yangon, Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, who has resisted international condemnation of the militarys operations against Rohingya as ethnic cleansing. The general is in charge of security in Rakhine state, where the militarys clearance operations against the Muslim minority have sent more than 620,000 Rohingya fleeing into neighboring Bangladesh. Refugees there have told of entire villages being burned and women and girls being raped. Advertisement Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said only that they spoke of the great responsibility of the authorities of the country in this moment of transition. The generals office said in a statement on Facebook that he is willing to have interfaith peace, unity and justice. The general added that there was no religious or ethnic persecution or discrimination in Myanmar, and that the government allowed different faith groups to have freedom of worship. Rohingya Muslims have faced state-supported discrimination in the predominantly Buddhist country for decades. Though members of the ethnic minority first arrived generations ago, Rohingya were stripped of their citizenship in 1982, denying them almost all rights and rendering them stateless. They cannot travel freely, practice their religion, or work as teachers or doctors, and they have little access to medical care, food or education. Originally, the meeting was planned for Wednesday, after Francis was to have met with the countrys civilian leader, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. The Vatican didnt say why it was moved up. Rohingya in recent months have been subject to what the United Nations says is a campaign of textbook ethnic cleansing by the military in Rakhine. But Myanmars Catholic Church has publicly urged Francis to avoid using the term Rohingya, which is shunned by many locally because the ethnic group is not a recognized minority in the country. Francis has already prayed for our Rohingya brothers and sisters, and much of the debate in the run-up to the trip focused on whether he would do so again in expressing solidarity with the Rohingyas plight. Any decision to avoid the term could be viewed as a capitulation to Myanmars military and a stain on his legacy of standing up for the most oppressed and marginalized of society, no matter how impolitic. Burke didnt say whether Francis used the term in his meeting with the general, which ended with an exchange of gifts: Francis gave him a medallion of the trip, while the general gave the pope a harp in the shape of a boat, and an ornate rice bowl. The trip was planned before the latest spasm of violence erupted in August, when a group of Rohingya militants attacked security positions in Rakhine. Myanmar security forces responded with a scorched-earth campaign that resulted in Rohingya fleeing to Bangladesh, where they are living in squalid refugee camps. In the Kutupalong refugee camp in southern Bangladesh, Senu Ara, 35, welcomed Francis arrival for what he might be able to do for the refugees. He might help us get the peace that we are desperately searching for, she said. Even if we stay here he will make our situation better. If he decides to send us back, he will do so in a peaceful way. But in Myanmar, the sentiment was different. The government and most of the Buddhist majority consider the Rohingya Bengali migrants from Bangladesh living illegally in the country, though Rohingya have been here for generations. Being a religious leader Catholic leader means that he is well-regarded, but of course there is this worry if he says something, people might say, OK, he just came to meddle, said analyst Khin Zaw Win, a former political prisoner. So, I think a lot of diplomacy is needed, in addition to the public relations. Seaman Kyaw Thu Maung said the issue is difficult because the term Rohingya carries so much political weight for all of the people of Myanmar, also known as Burma. But my feeling is that if the pope is going to talk about the Rakhine issue, the people arent going to like the pope anymore, he said. Upon his arrival in Yangon, the pope was greeted by local Catholic officials and his motorcade passed by thousands of Myanmars Catholics lining the roads, wearing traditional attire and playing music. Children greeted him as he drove in a simple blue sedan, chanting Viva il papa! (Long live the pope) and waving small plastic Myanmar and Holy See flags. Posters wishing Francis a heartiest of welcome lined the route into town. En route from Rome, Francis greeted journalists on the plane and apologized for the expected heat, which was 90 degrees upon his arrival and is expected to rise during his stay. On Tuesday, Francis begins the main protocol portion of his weeklong trip, meeting with Suu Kyi and other officials. He is to deliver a speech to her and other Myanmar authorities and diplomats in the capital, Naypyidaw, in what will probably be the most closely watched speech of the trip. Meghan Markle is many things: an American, a divorcee, a television actress, the daughter of an African-American mother and white father of Dutch-Irish descent, a Catholic and a 36-year-old, which makes her three years older than her fiance, Prince Harry. All of those identities will make her one of the most unconventional figures to join the British royal family. The union, which was announced Monday, has received the blessing of both Prince Harrys grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, and his father, Prince Charles. But until recently the marriage would have been out of the question. Advertisement She is a very different type of royal bride, said Robert Jobson, author of The Future Royal Family. She is glamorous and has an understanding of Hollywood and the media world. Whats more she is American a real life American princess. So unusual is Prince Harrys choice of bride that the engagement had barely been announced before conspiracy theories began to surface. Some have speculated that the betrothal is a way to distract the country from arduous negotiations around Britains withdrawal from the European Union or an attempt to improve Britains standing with its former colonies. Live updates: Countdown to the Royal Wedding Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said there is likely to be intense public interest in the wedding, and he believes Markles ethnicity could also help generate warmth for the royals when they visit Commonwealth countries as part of their royal duties. As Markle is biracial, more people will identify with her, he said. People of the Commonwealth will see it as an extra bond. Its an international marriage. The royal brand will be amazing. Here is a look at other royal marriages that have also garnered huge attention, and some notoriety. Prince William and Kate Middleton Prince Harrys older brother, Prince William, married his longtime girlfriend Kate Middleton in 2011. His marriage to Middleton, a commoner like Markle, broke with the tradition of generations of royals who felt obliged to marry someone with royal lineage or a member of the British aristocracy. The pair met while while studying at the University of St. Andrews, in Scotland, and dated on and off for several years. News of their engagement was made public in a similar way to that of Prince Harry and Markle: an official announcement from the palace, a press photo call and a sit-down interview with the BBC. Royal Wedding: British royal weddings since 1840 Their wedding took place in Westminster Abbey and 1 million people lined the route to wish them well along with tens of millions watching the ceremony on televisions around the world. They were bestowed the formal title of duke and duchess of Cambridge and now have two children Prince George and Princess Charlotte and a third due in April. Williams marriage instantly made his younger brother the most eligible bachelor in Britain, and speculation has been rife ever since about whom the second-born prince might marry. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip in 1999. (Adam Butler / Associated Press ) Last week, the British monarch and her husband celebrated 70 years of marriage. The queen remembers meeting her future husband in 1939, when she was 13 and he was an 18-year-old cadet at the Royal Naval College. It was love at first sight for her, even though the two are distant relations. They were married in Westminster Abbey in 1947 and had four children: Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward. Despite their love for each other, there were some who doubted how suitable Philip was to be husband to the then-princess. He had no money of his own, and his sisters had married Germans with Nazi ties. Yet their marriage has remained steadfast over the years and the queen, 91, is rarely seen at public events without Prince Philip, 96, by her side. Prince Charles and Diana The wedding of Charles and Diana took place inside St. Pauls Cathedral in 1981 and was billed as the wedding of the century. It was marked by a national holiday and well-wishers lined the streets cheering the couple and waving British flags. Diana was seen as a fairy tale British princess, the likes of which the country had never witnessed. She became wildly popular as a fashion icon and for the compassion she showed to ordinary people. During a 1987 visit to a hospital she famously shook the hand of an AIDS patient without wearing gloves, helping to break the stigma around transmission of the disease. She gave birth to two sons, William and Harry. But her marriage to Prince Charles was deeply flawed and cracks soon appeared. News of his infidelity with Camilla Parker-Bowles hit the headlines alongside images of Diana looking lonely and forlorn. Her battles with depression and bulimia were well documented and the couples marriage breakdown became the subject of relentless media reports. Diana gave a candid TV interview where she blamed Parker-Bowles for the failure of her marriage. There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded. Charles and Diana divorced in 1996, and the following year she was killed in a car crash in Paris along with her boyfriend Dodi Fayed. Charles and Parker-Bowles married in 2005. Prince Harry said in a BBC interview Monday that he thought his mother and fiance would have been fast friends. Harrys mission in life is to make his mother proud, Fitzwilliams said. I believe he believes Meghan will carry the torch. Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson at their wedding in 1937. (AFP/Getty Images ) Perhaps the most notorious scandal to befall the royal family was the abdication of Edward VIII months into his reign in 1936. He stunned the nation by announcing he was vacating the throne so he could marry an American socialite, Wallis Simpson, who was twice divorced. Being the British monarch meant Edward was also the nominal head of the Church of England, which at the time did not allow divorcees to remarry in church. As a result, the establishment decided he could not marry Simpson, who was widely suspected of having ulterior motives money and power for wanting to be with him. His abdication meant that Edwards younger brother became King George VI. The move changed the line of succession in the royal family and ultimately led to King Georges daughter, Elizabeth, becoming queen. Edward and Wallis married in a small ceremony and remained together until his death in 1972. Boyle is a special correspondent. North Korea on Wednesday test-launched a ballistic missile for the first time since September, its latest provocation that could further exacerbate tensions with the international community. The launch occurred at 3:17 a.m. from Pyongsong, in South Pyongan province, and the missile flew into the East Sea, according to a statement from the South Korean joint chiefs of staff. South Korean officials said the missile appeared to fly on a sharp trajectory, soaring about 2,800 miles into space before descending. In theory, that means it could fly on a flatter path for about 8,000 miles far enough to put Washington at risk, according to David Wright, co-director of the Global Security Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists. Such a flight, however, would depend on the weight of its payload. Advertisement The Pentagon said the device appeared to be an intercontinental ballistic missile that traveled about 600 miles before splashing into the sea. If so, it would have been the third ICBM launched by North Korea, all of them this year. We are working with our interagency partners on a more detailed assessment of the launch, said Pentagon spokesman Col. Robert Manning. Our commitment to the defense of our allies, including the Republic of Korea and Japan, in the face of these threats, remains ironclad. We remain prepared to defend ourselves and our allies from any attack or provocation. President Trump, addressing reporters at the White House, seemed to brush off the significance of the launch. Well take care of it, he said. It is a situation that we will handle. The launch is yet another signal from the Norths totalitarian government, which has few allies or trading partners around the world, that it intends to continue ignoring United Nations Security Council resolutions outlawing its pursuit of a long-range ballistic missile and a nuclear weapons program. It also comes a little more than a week after Trump redesignated North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism, and two weeks after a North Korean soldier defected to South Korea in a high-profile escape at a sensitive outpost along the 160-mile border between the two countries. The North already is widely considered to be a nuclear state, and the focus of concern lately has been on its ability to deliver the weapons via a miniaturized warhead and powerful missiles. The country apparently has made progress on both fronts, according to its recent launches and statements regarding warheads. Wednesdays launch was the 70th missile test some of which have included multiple devices since North Korean leader Kim Jong Un took power after his fathers death in December 2011. The country has conducted four underground nuclear tests during that time: one in 2013, two in 2016 and one in September. Two previous underground tests were conducted by his father, the late Kim Jong Il: One in 2006 and the other in 2009. Their explosive yield has increased each time. Based on both intelligence and history, North Korea watchers had been expecting another test, with some suggesting the relative quiet in recent months had more to do with the season than strategy. South Koreas unification minister, Cho Myoung-gyon, said Tuesday afternoon that the government had received reports about suspicious noteworthy movement suggesting a launch could be imminent. South Korean President Moon Jae-in issued a statement saying his government will never let North Koreas provocations stand, and promising to strengthen our ability to protect the Republic of Korea from North Koreas nuclear and missile threats. Just after the launch, the South Korean military performed its own missile exercise on the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan, involving its army, navy and air forces. The South Korean joint chiefs of staff said its forces launched missiles that traveled roughly the same distance as would be required to strike the North Korean missile launch site. This training shows our military watches the military trends of North Korea 24 hours a day and shows the ability and willingness to precisely strike the provocation origin and core facilities at any time from ground, sea and air, the military said in a news release. Cho, the unification minister, said South Korea believes the North could perfect the ability to deploy nuclear weapons capable of striking the U.S. mainland within a few years, if not sooner. We are not ruling out any possibilities with regard to North Korea. This year, North Korea has improved its nuclear capability as well as its missile technology, and we expect they are targeting to complete their nuclear and missile technology very soon, he said, according to an English translation provided by the ministry. North Korea has a proven track record of moving faster than anyones expectations, so we will not be surprised if they make a declaration that they are a nuclear power in 2018. In Washington, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson issued a statement saying North Koreas relentless pursuit of nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them must be reversed. He said the United States had called a meeting of relevant U.N. members, including South Korea and Japan, to discuss how the global community can counter North Koreas threat to international peace. As on Wednesday, many of the launches in recent years have involved short- and medium-range missiles launched into the East Sea between North Korea and Japan. The launches violate U.N. resolutions intended to curb Pyongyangs nuclear ambitions. Two recent launches, however, flew over Japanese territory into the northern Pacific Ocean, raising further alarm. Kim Jong Il also oversaw missile tests roughly two dozen before his death. In a televised speech this year, the younger Kim said the country had a national goal of building and deploying powerful missiles and of arming them with nuclear warheads that could reach the U.S. mainland. Tensions had cooled in recent months because the North had refrained from further tests. This was despite Trump taunting Kim with the nickname Little Rocket Man and threatening in his first speech to a United Nations General Assembly to totally destroy North Korea if threats continued. Kim responded with a statement of his own, a rare first-person address for a North Korean leader, questioning Trumps mental ability and competence: I will surely and definitely tame the mentally deranged U.S. dotard with fire, he said. Stiles is a special correspondent. Times staff writers Noah Bierman and Tracy Wilkinson in Washington contributed to this report. UPDATES: 4:25 p.m.: This article was updated with South Korea also conducting a missile test and a statement from Moon. 2:15 p.m.: This article was updated with comment about Washington being potentially at risk. 2 p.m.: This article was updated with Tillerson comments. 1:30 p.m.: This article was updated with statements from President Trump, the Pentagon and South Koreas unification minister. 11:40 a.m.: This article was updated throughout with staff reporting, official comments and background. 11:05 a.m.: This article was updated with background preceding the launch. This article was originally published at 10:35 a.m. Pope Francis insisted Tuesday that Myanmars future depends on respecting the rights of each ethnic group, an indirect show of support for Rohingya Muslims who have been subject to decades of discrimination and a recent military crackdown described by the U.N. as a textbook campaign of ethnic cleansing. Francis didnt cite the crackdown or even utter the contested word Rohingya in his speech to Myanmars civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and other authorities and diplomats in the capital. But he lamented how Myanmars people have suffered and continue to suffer from civil conflict and hostilities, and insisted that everyone who calls Myanmar home deserves to have their basic human rights and dignity guaranteed. Rohingya Muslims have faced state-supported discrimination in the predominantly Buddhist country for decades, deprived of citizenship and unable to access basic services such as adequate education and healthcare. In August, the army began what it called clearance operations in Rakhine state following an attack on police posts by Rohingya insurgents. The violence, looting and burning of villages has forced more than 620,000 Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh. Advertisement In his most anticipated speech of his weeklong trip to Myanmar and Bangladesh, Francis expressed support for Suu Kyis efforts to bring about reconciliation among different groups after decades of military dictatorship. And he insisted that religious differences in the majority Buddhist country must never be a cause for division or distrust. The future of Myanmar must be peace, a peace based on respect for the dignity and rights of each member of society, respect for each ethnic group and its identity, respect for the rule of law, and respect for a democratic order that enables each individual and every group -- none excluded -- to offer its legitimate contribution to the common good, he said. Francis avoidance of the term Rohingya and his encouragement for Suu Kyis government disappointed Rohingya activists and human rights groups, who have criticized Suu Kyi for what they consider a weak response to the military crackdown. Suu Kyis supporters including the Catholic Church say she is limited in what she can say against the military and needs more time to bring about reconciliation. The term Rohingya is shunned by many in Myanmar because the ethnic group is not a recognized minority in the country. The question of whether Francis would use the term in a show of solidarity dominated the run-up to his trip. We thought that the pope was going to mention the suffering of Rohingya people, but now he cannot even use the name Rohingya and its totally unacceptable, said Kyaw Naing, a 53-year-old Rohingya man who lives in a confined camp outside of Sittwe, in Rakhine state. We are very sad that our identity cannot even be revealed. Phil Robertson, deputy director of Human Rights Watchs Asia division, said he hoped the pope would use the term during Mass on Wednesday. The pope missed an opportunity to reinforce his previous messages that affirmed the rights of the Rohingya to self-identify and used the name that they had chosen for themselves, he said. The Rohingya have been stripped of so many things, but their name should never be one of them. Suu Kyi, for her part, referred to the situation in the Rakhine in her speech to Francis in the huge conference center in Naypyitaw, Myanmars new capital. But she used the conflict as an opportunity to thank those who have supported the government as it seeks to address long-standing issues social, economic and political that have eroded trust and understanding, harmony and cooperation in Rakhine. She said the governments aim is to carry forward the peace process and strengthen Myanmars diversity by protecting rights, fostering tolerance, ensuring security for all. Francis arrived in Naypyitaw after meeting with leaders of Myanmars different religious groups in Yangon at the archbishops residence, and separately with a prominent but controversial Buddhist leader who has criticized the Rohingya. The pope stressed a message of unity in diversity in his 40-minute meeting with Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Christian and Jewish leaders and told them they should work together to rebuild the country, Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said. Francis meeting with Buddhist monk Sitagu Sayadaw was undertaken in an effort to encourage peace and fraternal coexistence as the only way ahead, Burke said. Sitagu also met with Francis predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, but has been criticized for using ethnic slurs against Muslims, particularly the Rohingya. He received an award presented by Suu Kyi earlier this year. Francis dove into the Rohingya refugee crisis hours after arriving on Monday by meeting with the military chief responsible for the crackdown, Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, and three members of the bureau of special operations. The generals office said in a statement on Facebook that he is willing to have interfaith peace, unity and justice. The general added that there was no religious or ethnic persecution or discrimination in Myanmar, and that the government allowed freedom of worship. Rohingya Muslims were stripped of citizenship in 1982, denying them almost all rights and rendering them stateless. They cannot travel freely, practice their religion, or work as teachers or doctors, and have little access to medical care, food or education. Myanmars Catholic Church has publicly urged Francis to avoid saying Rohingya, and they have urged him to toe a delicate line in condemning the violence, given the potential for blowback against the tiny Catholic community. Francis previously has prayed for our Rohingya brothers and sisters, lamented their suffering and called for them to enjoy full rights. As a result, much of the debate before his trip focused on whether he would again express solidarity with the Rohingya. Any decision to avoid the term and shy away from the conflict could be viewed as a capitulation to the military and a stain on his legacy of standing up for the most oppressed and marginalized of society, no matter how impolitic. It doesnt usually bode well for peace talks when the attendance of one of the principals is still up in the air on the eve of the gathering. An eighth round of United Nations-backed talks aimed at finding a political solution to Syrias grinding civil war was to convene Tuesday in Geneva, but by late Monday, the world body was still expressing hopes that the Syrian government would send representatives, while acknowledging it had not obtained a commitment from Damascus to take part. This is a moment of truth for the Syria talks, said U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric. We obviously think the participation of the Syrian government is important. Advertisement The nearly 7-year-old war, which has left hundreds of thousands dead and seen millions driven from their homes, is at an impasse: Syrian rebel groups have been unable to dislodge President Bashar Assad, and even their international allies are acknowledging there is no prospect of an opposition military victory. Despite having little leverage, negotiators from the rebel factions are demanding that Assad step down. A Syrian newspaper has suggested that the government delegation would not come to Geneva until that demand is dropped. The tide of the war turned in 2015, when Assads powerful patron Russia intervened militarily in the conflict. Since then, rebel forces have lost their footholds in all major Syrian cities. The United Nations has sought to defer decisions on Assads future in hopes of bringing a halt to fighting and taking the first steps toward a political transition. The U.N.s special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, has called for U.N.-supervised elections under a blueprint backed by the Security Council. The bitter divisions between Damascus and much of the international community flared into the open Monday at a meeting in the Netherlands of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, a global monitor of the banned weaponry. Syrias deputy foreign minister, Faisal Mekdad, repeated angry denials that Assads government used a nerve agent in April to attack Syrian villagers in a rebel-held area, killing dozens. Russia has used its Security Council veto to block an extension of a joint investigation by the U.N. and the monitoring organization. Even as the U.N.-backed Geneva talks appear to founder, conditions grew more desperate in Ghouta, a rebel-held Damascus suburb under government blockade. Activists reported more than a dozen deaths in weekend airstrikes by government forces, and the U.N. says shortages of food and vital supplies have left about 350,000 people in critical need in the enclave. Moscow, meanwhile, is hosting parallel talks in the Kazakh capital, Astana, meant primarily to carve out de-escalation zones in Syria. But in a signal of its broader ambitions as a Mideast power broker, Russia, together with Iran and Turkey, is calling for talks in the Russian city of Sochi aimed at reaching an overall political settlement in Syria. laura.king@latimes.com @laurakingLAT An eighth round of United Nations-sponsored talks aimed at finding a solution to Syrias ruinous civil war got under way in Geneva on Tuesday without the participation of representatives from the Syrian government, a sign of their displeasure at the continuing insistence of opposition negotiators that President Bashad Assad must go. But after what were described as intensive contacts between Russia and Syria over the past two days, the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency reported that a delegation from Damascus would join the talks on Wednesday. The delegation will be led by Syrias ambassador to the U.N., Bashar Jaafari, SANA said. A U.N. spokeswoman, Alessandra Vellucci, told reporters in Geneva on Tuesday that the world bodys special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, has received assurances that Syrian government representatives will attend. Advertisement De Mistura briefed diplomats from the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council about the talks Tuesday and later met with the head of the oppositions delegation, Nasr Hariri. In a statement Tuesday, the opposition delegation said it was ready to hold direct talks with government representatives, while continuing to criticize Assad. The Assad regime continues to inflict brutal suffering on the people while procrastinating and making excuses about the diplomacy in Geneva, Yahya Aridi, spokesman for the grouping known as the Syrian Negotiation Commission, said in the statement. Previous attempts to negotiate a political solution in Syria have broken down over rebel demands that Assad step down, and there appears to be little hope of a breakthrough now. At a meeting in the Saudi Arabian capital, Riyadh, last week, representatives of Syrias notoriously fragmented opposition did not condition their participation in Geneva on Assads departure but said in a communique that any transition period would not be successful unless Assad first leaves office. That is a nonstarter for the government and its allies, who see no reason to cede to the rebels at the negotiating table what they have been unable to win on the battlefield. At Tuesdays meeting, Russias representative to the U.N. office in Geneva, Alexei Borodavkin, urged Western diplomats to bring the opposition down to earth, according to Russias Tass news agency. Since Russia entered the war on Assads side in 2015, even the rebels international allies acknowledge there is no prospect of defeating him militarily. Rebel forces have lost their footholds in all major Syrian cities, and Assad has vowed to reassert control over the remaining parts of the country that have fallen from government hands since the uprising began in 2011. Russia has been leading parallel talks with Iran and Turkey that have carved out deescalation zones aimed at reducing the level of violence between the government and rebel factions in Syria. But the Kremlin said Tuesday that it has postponed plans to host a political dialogue between the rival sides in the Russian city of Sochi until next year, reportedly over Turkeys objections to the inclusion of a U.S.-backed Syrian Kurdish force that it views as an extension of Kurdish militants who have waged a three-decade-long insurgency within its own borders. U.N. negotiators have sought to defer a decision about Assads future role in hopes of making progress toward a political transition under a road map approved by the Security Council. This weeks talks will focus on the drafting of a new constitution leading to U.N.-supervised elections, Ramzy Ramzy, the deputy U.N. special envoy for Syria, said in Damascus on Saturday. alexandra.zavis@latimes.com Twitter: @alexzavis Ukrainian law enforcement agencies have sent a petition to place a red notice for businessman Serhiy Kurchenko, who fled to Moscow after the Revolution of Dignity, to the General Secretariat of Interpol. Kurchenko is suspected of committing several crimes. "Thanks to joint efforts made in coordination by the Prosecutor's Office in Odesa region, law enforcement agencies sent a petition to the General Secretariat of Interpol to place a red notice for Serhiy Kurchenko seeking to locate him," Spokesperson of the Ukrainian Prosecutor General Larysa Sarhan wrote on her Facebook page on Tuesday. She recalled that Kurchenko is suspected of creating a criminal group, money laundering, tax evasion and committing other crimes. "The national budget's shortfall only from his scam with fuel was over UAH 2 billion," Sarhan said. She said that in May 2017, the Prosecutor General's Office approved a notice that Kurchenko is suspected of committing the crimes. He was placed on the wanted list in Ukraine and a court permitted to detain him. "At present, 22 people are suspected and charged of committing crimes. The court has confirmed guilty of 15 persons committed crimes," she said. As reported, on May 30, 2017 Odesa region's Prosecutor's Office sent Kurchenko, who had close ties with disgraced ex Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, a note of suspicion for creating a criminal organization and legalizing the profits made from the illegal activities. "On Tuesday, May 30, the Odesa region's PGO office agreed with and sent notification of suspicion to the former chairman of the advisory board of Kurchnko's group of companies for committing a number of crimes, among which was the creation of a criminal organization, large-scale tax evasion, abuse of public office, legalization of illegal revenues, and so on," the office's press release said. The charges relate to the criminal embezzlement of property of state and private organizations (National Bank of Ukraine, Public Joint-Stock Company Ukrnafta, Public Joint-Stock Company JSC Ukrgazvydobuvannia, Public Joint-Stock Company Real Bank, Public Joint-Stock Company Brokbusinessbank and others) by means of illegal acts committed through abuse of authority and document forgery with money laundering. Early July 2017 the Prosecutor General's Office reported that the loss from activities of a criminal group created by Kurchenko exceeds UAH 14 billion. Attempts to return the Russian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) will lead to the discrediting of the Council of Europe as a whole, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin has said. "I think that these attempts can discredit the very logic of the Council of Europe, because this platform is based on values This return [of the Russian delegation] cannot happen in any way, but if someone promotes this, I believe that he or she will promote the logic that the Council of Europe will not act as a democratic foundation of our joint European existence," he told journalists in Kyiv on Tuesday. According to him, it will be very difficult to convince someone that the decisions of the Council of Europe are authoritative after it discredits itself with the return of the Russian delegation. As reported, the PACE approved by a majority of votes a decision that aims to lift political sanctions from the Russian delegation. The text of the decision includes the provision that the PACE and the Committee of Ministers (the Council of Europe's executive body) should harmonize the rules of participation and representation of member states in both statutory bodies. This decision should ban the PACE from extending the restrictions imposed on Russia without the consent of the member states. In fact, this calls into question the approval in the PACE of any sanctions against Russia. Given that sanctions should be renewed annually, restrictions can be lifted already in January. This provision was supported by the overwhelming majority of PACE deputies, whereas the amendments proposed by Ukraine failed, with the votes divided in the proportion of 60 to 30. This time around, the completion of the air fashion competition will be held on November 29th 2017 at TSUM Kyiv Department Store. New season, new location and, certainly, new format guests of the event will witness the results of the design-ideas contest under the slogan "fashionable ideas for stylish flights". For the duration of almost two months, designers were trying to persuade the expert jury as well as the airlines representatives, who were acting as professional curators, to believe in and choose their creative ideas. Behind us is a tense selection of top 10 creme de la creme, extensive work with airlines, exciting casting of models, and intense creativity sessions while sewing the "uniforms of the future". Still to come is a runway show presenting unique new uniforms for flight attendants, a concert, and a vote for the top three contenders of the Sky Swallows-2017 contest. It is our pleasure to invite all to the celebratory finale of the air fashion contest presented by the Boryspil Airport. To participate is simple, arrive to the event with this printed invitation. The show begins at 17:00 on the 7th floor of TSUM. Be punctual! Media partner of the event news agency Interfax-Ukraine Sony Xperia XZ and Xperia XZs Getting Android 8.0 Oreo The Xperia XZ Premium has already been updated with Android Oreo last month, and now two more Sony smartphones are going to get the latest version of Android from the Google. The Japanese tech giant has started pushing out the update to Android 8.0 to the Xperia XZ and the Xperia XZs. In both the smartphone, the new software arrives with the build number 41.3.A.0.401. You're looking at a 1.2GB download necessary for the installation, so make sure you have enough mobile data if you grab it that way - or just use Wi-Fi, according to GSM Arena. With this update, the Sony Xperia XZ and Xperia XZs will receive Android 8.0 Oreo's app shortcuts, the Autofill API, notification dots, smart text selection, and picture-in-picture. Additionally, Sony is also going to include Xperia Actions and Reminders. Sony's Xperia Actions are suggested settings, which your phone will show you based on your usage, and Reminders are described as "useful prompts for unfished tasks, including emails in draft and messages," as reported by Android Central. Advertisement Along with all of this, Oreo also brings the latest November 2017 security patch to Xperia XZ and XZs.The update weighs in at 1232Mb, and according to Xperia Blog, the Xperia X Performance should receive the update soon as well. Last month, Sony released the Android Oreo update for the Xperia XZ Premium. That update brought features like a 3D Creator, which was originally available on the Xperia XZ1 and Xperia XZ1 Compact, to render a 3D avatar or a free-form image of users using the front-facing camera sensor of the smartphone in a short span of less than a minute. Also, it was touted to improve the sound quality of the top-end smartphone by tuning the front-firing stereo speakers and adding Qualcomm aptX HD audio support. Advertisement Advertisement Like us and Follow us Follow @Koreaportal and 2022 Korea Portal, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. ESET Ireland has issued a warning about the latest phishing scam flooding Irish mailboxes, pretending its from Irish Water asking for account maintenance. With people expecting Irish Water refunds, many may be tempted to click. Irish Waters official website states, "The legislation to refund Domestic Water Charges has now passed and refunds have begun. and the cybercriminals are wasting no time in attempting to get a piece of the pie for themselves." The scam arrives as an email, titled Your Irish Water Account Action required and asks the user to Log in now to My Water and complete online account maintenance. Clicking on the link redirects victims to a faked Irish Water website, where a pop-up opens immediately, requiring the victims to update their Credit / Debit card information and enter their 3D Secure Password. After handing their payment card details over to the cybercriminals for further abuse, the victims are transferred back to the real Irish Water website, as if nothing has happened. Irish Water have a part of their website dedicated to spotting these fake emails, where they give some good tips on how to identify and how to correctly react to such emails and where to contact them with additional questions. ESET Ireland recommends not clicking on any links that arrive in unsolicited emails, as well as checking official websites of institutions, organisations and banks for their security tips, as theyre usually aware of scams abusing their name and offer good advice on staying safe. Full story with screenshots is available on ESET Irelands blog. Laois TV chef Rory O'Connell brings a Christmas flavour to his popular TV series 'How To Cook Well' with a selection of elegant dishes for cooks who want something a little different. Rory, who hails from Cullohill on the Laois Kilkenny border, says the Christmas brings back happy memories. My childhood memories of Christmas are extremely happy ones. Food was utterly central to the festivities. We adored our mother's food and lifelong precious memories were gifted to us by the food that she created and the glow of love that accompanied those wonderful meals, he said. And in his Christmas programme, which will be broadcast on RTE 1 just before Christmas, Rory creates his own wonderful dishes. On the menu is potted lobster which is a clever way to get good value from an expensive ingredient. Rory also makes a delicious duck leg curry with Indian spices and apple cider vinegar, as well as an impressive and surprising salad using Irish salad leaves that are grown at this time of the year. More below picture Picture Rory and his assistant Tracie Daly cook up a feast at a recent fundraiser in his native Cullohill. Pic: Pat Moore Rory completes the meal with apple betty with chocolate and mincemeat. The renowned chef spoke fondly of his Laois childhood to the Leinster Express, before he presented his Christmas Feast Event in Cullohill, Wednesday November 15. Rory, who co-founded Ballymaloe Cookery School in Cork with sister Darina Allen, recalled an idyllic childhood centred around growing and cooking food, and said how he regularly returns home to visit his brothers and sisters in Cullohill and Abbeyleix. "It was really a wonderful place to grow up. We roamed freely, or free range as I like to call it. We lived just up the village. We had the local river and local farms to go to, and Cullohill mountain as we call it, and in autumn we would go up and pick wild apples and damsons, it was a wonderful place to be," he said. How To Cook Well at Christmas with Rory OConnell will be broadcast on Tuesday, December 19 on RTE One at 7pm. The programme is produced and directed by David Hare and sponsored by Neff. #WATCH Rory O'Connell tells the Lenister Express about his Christmas childhood The Portlaoise Hospital Action Committee intends to run a candidate in Laois the General Election if a hospital downgrade plan is not rejected by the Minister for Health Simon Harris. Mr John Hanniffy, committee secretary, confirmed that a shortlist of three names has been drawn up to run. The committee is fighting a HSE Dublin Midlands Hospital Group plan to remove A&E, maternity, paediatrics, ICU and most surgery from the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise. "If there is an election and the matter hasn't been resolved in advance of the election, we do intend to running an independent hospital candidate," he told the Leinster Express. He said decision was not based on timing of the election. He said their final decision is in the hands of Minister Harris. "There should be no need to run a candidate but if it comes to it we will. Simon Harris can do one of two things he can either accept the report or reject it. I would also be afraid he might fudge it but if there is an fudge or an acceptance, we are running a candidate. A rejection - we won't it's as simple as that," he said. "We really hope Simon Harris sticks this thing in the bin. Every indication that we have got privately from politicians is that he is going to reject the report but we just don't know," he said. Mr Hanniffy said the running of a candidate is one of a number actions the committee intends to take to fight downgrade. The first of these is a protest march planned for Portlaoise next Saturday, December 2. The Laois constituency was one of the most predictable in 2016. Just six candidates ran with three elected. Sean Fleming of Fianna Fail topped the poll with Brian Stanley of Sinn Fein coming in second ahead of Charlie Flanagan of Fianna Fail. The county is due to be reunited with Offaly under a boundary commission review but the legislation to facilitate this has not been passed by the Dail or Senate. Mr Hanniffy said he could not yet say who the candidate might be but said that he or she may not be a member of the hospital action committee. The chief executive of the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group has insisted that Portlaoise hospital is 'safe' and gave a ringing endorsement to staff but is not backing down on the plan to downgrade the hospital. Hospital consultants at the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise wrote to Dr Susan O'Reilly in the past fortnight demanding that she move to publicly address what was termed as concerted spin against the hospital. The doctors told her that claims made about the hospital were a risk to patients. The doctors met with Dr O'Reilly in Portlaoise last week. Speaking after a meeting with the Leinster Express, Dr O'Reilly said services are safe. They were expressing their hurt and concern about being perceived as perhaps not being seen as safe. Now, I want to state unequivocally that you have a hospital where you have a very committed excellent staff. They are very dedicated to patient care. The services are safe, she said. HOSPITAL ACTION GROUP TO CONTEST GENERAL ELECTION However, she stood over the four-year plan to remove maternity, emergency, paediatrics, ICU and most surgery from the hospital. Dr Sean Fleming, a consultant cardiologist in Portlaoise, called for a statement in a letter written on behalf of the Medical Board at Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise to Dr Susan O'Reilly. The letter is also written in response to Dr Fergal Hickey spokesperson for the Irish Association of Emergency Medicine, who they say has given interviews and comment to Midlands 103, Newstalk, Morning Ireland and to the Sunday Business Post. "We wish to register our dismay at your failure to correct inaccuracies concerning this hospital in the media. These inaccuracies have been placed in the public domain in what amounts to a concerted campaign of spin and misinformation," says the letter. The doctors say that Dr Hickey has never visited MRH Portlaoise and has had no role in any report concerning this hospital. The doctors say these media reports contain a series of inaccurate statements. They highlighted three of particular concern: 1. Dr Hickey has implied on two occasions that the paediatric unit in the hospital is unsustainable. (Newstalk 16.11.17 & Midlands 103 15.11.17). He has referenced the unpublished Carter Report from 2014. The Carter Report contains no such statement and indeed, no statement that could be interpreted to cast doubt on the sustainability of paediatrics. 2. In a piece in the Sunday Business Post, based on interviews with Dr Hickey (1.10.17) it was stated that the A&E here functions as a Minor Injury Unit. This claim is false. 3. He has engaged in a concerted effort to push figures that misrepresent attendances at Portlaoise and to present the erroneous impression that the quality and complexity of treatment provided here at MRH Portlaoise is less than that provided at similar units throughout the country. They said he had in addition, attempted to erase from consideration the 17,000 women and children that present to MRH Portlaoise for emergency care. The letter says that these and other similar statements should not go unchallenged in the public domain. The Portlaoise doctors say they are of real concern from a safety perspective. They risk confusing people as to how and where to seek care at a time of crisis. "Additionally, such spin and inaccuracy risks misleading decision makers and the general public as to the nature and the extent of the challenges inherent in any plan that would seek to downgrade services at MRH Portlaoise. "You, in your position as CEO of the DMHG, have a duty to patients and to staff to counter this misinformation. Your failure in this duty comes on top of your failure to consult with local people and stakeholders, and your failure to produce a plan that properly reflects and adequately provides for the health care needs of people in the Midlands. "It has further eroded our confidence in you as CEO of DMLHG . We call on you to urgently make a clear statement refuting these inaccuracies," concludes the letter. In his reply, Dr Hickey refuted much of the content of the letter. Dr Hickey is a President of and currently the Communications Officer for the Irish Association for Emergency Medicine, the representative body for Emergency Medicine in Ireland - the advisory group for the national Emergency Medicine Programme. Its 2012 report which I co-authored is the model of care for Emergency Medicine for Ireland. I have simply responded to specific media requests for comment on various matters to do with the situation in Portlaoise and the MRHP Action Plan; I have not sought media interviews or coverage, he said. On point one he said that the National Clinical Leads for the various National Clinical programmes including the Paediatric lead, Prof Alf Nicholson, were unanimously of the view that paediatric services in Portlaoise were unsustainable. I have simply stated their professional view which I have no reason to disagree with, he said. On point two he said the 2015 HIQA report specifically states (p97) that 'Clinical staff at the hospital reported that most patients attending the Portlaoise ED are walk-in patients with minor clinical complaints and injuries.' He said HIQA also points to patients who are specifically brought to hospitals other than Portlaoise as a result of bypass protocols affecting Portlaoise. When the correct numbers and complexity of patients are taken together, it is clear that the acuity and numbers of patients attending Portlaoise ED are small by the standards of Model 3 hospitals, he said. Responding to point 3 he said the HIQA report (p97) raises concerns about the accuracy of the ED returns from Portlaoise. Hospitals are expected to adhere to rules as to what should and should not be counted in a hospital's ED returns and many of those groups of patients who are included in the Portlaoise figures should not be included. This has the effect of artificially elevating the numbers apparently attending Portlaoise ED although they should not have been included in the returns in the first place. I have simply explained this issue to the public and disagreed with the view that Portlaoise is a particularly busy ED which it isn't, he said. Dr Hickey referred to Appendix 17 pp 497-99 of the EMP Report www.hse.ie/eng/services/publications/Clinical-Strategy-and-Programmes/The-National-Emergency-Medicine-Programme.pdf Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has defended the record of outgoing Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald in a Dail statement this afternoon. Varadkar said, "a good woman is leaving office with a fair hearing," as he addressed the house before the commencement of leader's questions on Tuesday, November 28. He said he had accepted Fitzgerald's resignation with "regret," going on to say that he will take over her position as Minister for Business, enterprise and Innovation for an interim period. SEE ALSO: Frances Fitzgerald's resignation statement in full He reiterated the point made by Frances Fitzgerald in her own statement that she was resigning "to avoid a General Election at a crucial time for Ireland" in the midst of Brexit talks scheduled for December. He pointed to Phase 1 and 2 of those Brexit talks, the pending Finance Bill, and 8th Amendment referendum legislation as key issues, "which would all fall if there was to be a General Election." Frances Fitzgerald tendered her resignation as Tanaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation as a storm of controversy enveloped her over the handling of information pertaining to an alleged smear campaign against Garda whistleblower Maurice McCabe during the O'Higgins Inquiry in 2015. Leo Varadkar today restated his belief that "she [Fitzgerald] always supported whistleblowers," and in fact brought in measures that would ensure they were continually protected within An Garda Siochana. He insisted that he believes the Disclosures Tribunal will prove "that she acted appropriately" during the entire Maurice McCabe debacle. Inquiry The Taoiseach also stated his intention to establish an external inquiry to find out why important documents and emails from the Department of Justice were not sent to the Charleton Tribunal. He wants that Inquiry to report before Christmas. On the controversy surrounding Charlie Flanagan failing to answer parliamentary questions from Deputy Alan Kelly, Leo said arrangements were being made for the now Justice Minister Flanagan to make a statement apologising for that failure and the failure of his Department in recent weeks. Leo insisted that Minister Flanagan was made aware of an "important document" relating to Maurice McCabe in the Department on November 13 and that "he [Flanagan] did the right thing" by sending it directly to the Tribunal. Leo attested to the fact that it was a full week later when he saw the document and its contents for the first time along with Minister Flanagan. Mary Lou McDonald stood during leader's questions and asked Varadkar to clarify whether or not Minister Flanagan would also be making a statement as to why he allowed the Taoiseach to mislead the Dail as to the existence of the email. As Mary Lou raised this question, the camera in the house turned to Flanagan who was nodding at the time this part of the question was verbalised by the Sinn Fein deputy. Varadkar did say that he "does not want to be put in that position ever again," referring to the fact that he had to come to the Dail to correct the record in recent weeks. He said senior officials and the Department of Justice will be held to account but asked that the Tribunal now be allowed to "do its work in establishing the facts of the matter." It is reported that Charlie Flanagan was address the Dail at around 4.30pm on Tuesday, November 28. Doctors at Portlaoise hospital have put forward a compromise plan to the complete withdrawal of the key critical care ICU unit. Dr Susan O'Reilly, Dublin Midlands Hospital Chief has said the low volume of cases going through the unit at the Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise means it cannot be sustained in the long run. Without an ICU the hospital cannot continue to provide maternity, paediatrics, surgery and emergency services. In their alternative plan, Portlaoise hospital's consultants say critical care helps people with life-threatening illnesses. In the absence of contingency for safe and effective critical care, acute clinical care cannot be provided. They say MRH Portlaoise Critical Care Unit is a Category 2 ICU. The unit can accommodate either four HDU or two ventilated patients. The critical care unit is staffed by the anaesthetic department. The anaesthetic team also support the obstetrics, general surgery, cardiology and mental health services at MRH Portlaoise. Between 40-50 patients annually require the life-saving intervention of invasive ventilation. A further 200 adult patients receive ICU/HDU care. The critical care team also carry out the initial stabilisation of critically-ill children prior to the involvement of the Paediatric Intensive Care retrieval team. "This critical care resource is an essential safeguard; were it to cease, acute care could no longer take place on site," say the doctors. ANTI-DOWNGRADE PROTEST IN PORTLAOISE The doctors acknowledge that the throughput of ventilated patients may be low by national levels, but few post-operative patients require ventilation in Portlaoise and these cases would account for most of the patients requiring such care in many units with similar overall activity to MRH Portlaoise. The doctors say that Acute Medicine Programme sets out two options for critical care support. Category 1 ICU: Invasive ventilatory support (48-72 hours), earlier transfer if severe critical illness Category 2 ICU: General critical care, multi-organ failure support incl CRRT (Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy) The Acute Medicine Programme further recommends: For the safe and prompt regional or supra-regional transfer of critically ill patients within the hospital models system, a critical care retrieval team service is required. "We recommend that the current Critical Care unit at MRH Portlaoise be re-configured as a Category 1 ICU". As a Category 1 ICU, the doctors say the ICU would continue to provide life-saving treatment on a 24/7 basis, for patients who become critically unwell while in hospital or who present critically ill to the hospital. BLACKROCK CLINIC MADE ICU OFFER However, they say the focus would change and no longer would the patients ICU stay in its entirety be expected to be completed at MRH Portlaoise. Rather, the doctors suggest that initial care, including stabilisation and establishment of ventilatory support, would take place at MRH Portlaoise with subsequent care taking place after transfer to a Category 2 or 3 ICU unit. The consultant proposed that this transfer would be sought should invasive ventilatory support be required for longer than 24 hours, or immediately if complex or interdisciplinary intervention was required or deemed likely to be required. The alternative plan says anaesthetic team would continue to fulfill its current service commitments, in particular, for example, to the operating theatres, the surgical, maternity and paediatric departments. "We recommend that functioning reliable networks and pathways be established through shared appointments and protocol-led seamless patient transfers with a regional Category 2 or 3 ICU," says the plan. ACTION COMMITTEE THREAT TO CONTEST GENERAL ELECTION The lead author of the report which will radically change Portlaoise hospital insists she is not on a crusade or the plan she worked on is not a legacy. In an extensive interview with the Leinster Express Dr Susan O'Reilly also confirmed that she would be retiring from her post in early 2018 and a replacement has yet to been lined up. However, she insisted that there are others who will drive its implementation. Under the plan maternity, paediatrics, emergency, most surgery and ICU would be removed. ICU CAN CONTINUE TO SAVE LIVES Dr O'Reilly says that other new mainly services would be introduced. She claimed that up to 70% of services would remain in Portlaoise. She also insists that the changes are not driven by personal motives such as leaving a legacy but for safety reasons. Quite honestly, this has been hard and difficult. My only concern is sustainable safe treatment for all patients in all hospitals and making sure that they get the right treatment, in the right place by the right professionals who have the opportunity to maintain their skill by doing high volume services. I have no legacy that I need to leave here. Hopefully I have enough legacy by working in cancer services in Canada and in Ireland. What is really important here is that this is a plan that I chaired the process. The advice came from leaders of eight national clinical programmes and the HSE Acute Hospital Division and public health support on population and data," she said. ANTI-DOWNGRADE PROTEST IN PORTLAOISE Dr O'Reilly insisted that she was pursuing something personal. I think it needs to be said that this isnt Susan OReillys plan or even a personal crusade. This was me bringing together teams to do a thoughtful analysis of what would be the best way to address very complex issues. SAFE BUT UNSUSTAINABLE - DR REILLY I have delivered on that mandate and I am very happy to be retiring in January and looking back on a career in medicine that I have enjoyed and I am hoping that the work that the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group has done and that this hospital does and other hospitals in the group do will flourish. I hope that other resources will flow, capital in particular to expand capacity. So for me, on one hand I love driving good change, but on the other hand you cant do it forever and you get to an age and a stage where personal interests intervene," she said. She said she was not aware if a replacement chief executive has been lined up. DR O'REILLY READY TO MEET PUBLIC READ MORE IN THIS WEEK'S LEINSTER EXPRESS The controversy which the Laois TD Charlie Flanagan has found himself at the centre of is not the first time the Flanagan family have had a brush with State tribunals and inquiries. Minister Flanagan's political rise is also related to justice and garda controversies but his family have also have a life and death link to the Gardai. In 1947, his father Oliver J Flanagan, then an Independent TD for Laois-Offaly, was at the centre of controversy when accusations of were levelled against members of the Fianna Fail government - including Taoiseach Eamon de Valera, Minister for Justice Gerald Boland and Minister for Industry and Commerce Sean Lemass. A tribunal of inquiry examined issues relating to Locke's whiskey distillery in Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath. The company secretary at Locke's wrote to Oliver J with concerns over the proposed sale to a foreign syndicate. Dep Flanagan raised the issues in the Dail in 1947. A subsequent tribunal sat for 18 days and rejected nine of ten allegations. Oliver J's vote increased by 45% at the 1948 general election. He joined Fine Gael in 1954. In 1975, when Minister Paddy Donegan switched departments following the "thundering disgrace" controversy in 1976, Oliver J, succeeded him as Minister for Defence in Liam Cosgrave's government. Charlie was elected when retaining the Laois Offaly seat in 1987 after his father stepped down due to ill health. Minster Flanagan's career has been intertwined with the Department of Justice. A solicitor, he was party spokesperson on Justice, Equality and Law Reform from 2007 to 2010, and was the party spokesperson on Children from 2010 to 2011. He was among the favourites to become justice minister until he backed Richard Bruton over Enda Kenny in the run up to the 2011 election. He was chairperson of the Fine Gael parliamentary party from June 2011 to May 2014. After being left out in the cold by the by now Taoiseach Enda Kenny, he was promoted to cabinet following the resignation in May 2014 of Alan Shatter as Minister for Justice and Minister for Defence in the wake of the Guerin Report on Garda malpractice allegations. Mr Shatter was subsequently exonerated. In the reshuffle that followed, the Laois TD was appointed as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to succeed Frances Fitzgerald who assumed the Justice portfolio. In July 2014 he became Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, succeeding the former Labour leader Eamon Gilmore. He was reappointed to Ivy House after the 2016 election by Mr Kenny. When Leo Varadkar became Taoiseach in June 2017, he moved Charlie Flanagan to the Deparment of Justice in place of Ms Fitzgerald who stayed on as Tanaiste. There was talk at the time that another politician refused the job. Mr Varadkar said at the time that Minister Flanagan would have two key tasks including Garda reform. "The Minister, Deputy Charles Flanagan, will serve in the Department of Justice and Equality where his key tasks will be to continue to reduce crime, to pilot the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill through the Dail and to drive reform and culture change in An Garda Siochana," Mr Varadkar told the Dail. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin questioned this appointment. He said Minister Flanagan had done a good job in Foreign Affairs particular in relation to Northern Ireland and should have been allowed to continue. Minister Simon Coveney, who had just been defeated by Mr Varadkar in the Fine Gael leadership election, took over from Minister Flanagan with Brexit topping his agenda. Next month in Templemore, Minister Flanagan is due to be present Scott Medals for bravery to four retired Gardai and the family of a dead garda who was murdered by the IRA in a bomb attack in Laois in 1976. The injured survivors and the dead garda were investigating a threat to the life of Oliver J. Jim Cannon, Tom Peters, Ben Thornton, Gerry Bohan and the late Michael Clerkin were blown up when they called to a house on the Laois-Offaly border at Garryhinch, Portarlington in October of that year. It was not until Minister Flanagan took over in Justice that the medals were confirmed. A fund worth 2 million has been approved to help clubs, organisations and small businesses hit by the floods that caused extensive damage. Laois TD and Charlie Flanagan has confirmed that the Cabinet has approved the establishment an emergency support scheme for those businesses and community/voluntary/sporting bodies affected by the floods. Speaking after this mornings Cabinet meeting, Minister for Justice and Equality Flanagan said the recent exceptional heavy rainfall and flooding on the 22nd & 23rd November 2017, particularly in the Mountmellick, Clonaslee & Portarlington areas caused a very difficult situation for many small business and community/voluntary and sporting organisations in these areas. I am happy to confirm that, this morning the Cabinet approved the establishment an emergency support scheme for those businesses and community/voluntary/sporting bodies affected by the floods, many of who, through no fault of their own, could not obtain flood insurance, but experienced flood damage to their premises," he said. He said the Government has moved to have this scheme operational as quickly as possible and in a manner which is designed to be straight forward to best assist those who have been affected. The scheme is a humanitarian support contribution towards the costs of returning business, sport and community premises to their pre-flood condition including the replacement of flooring, fixtures and fittings and damaged stock where relevant. The scheme, which will be undertaken by the Department of Defence, will be similar to the one established in late 2015, following Storm Desmond and in August this year, following the flooding in Donegal. The Scheme which is estimated at up to 2 million, will be allocated through the Irish Red Cross who will administer the Scheme and have already made the application forms available on their website, at the following link https://www.redcross.ie/news- and-events/laois-humanitarian- support-scheme/ The scheme will have two stages: 1. The first stage will commence immediately and will provide a contribution of up to 5,000, depending on the scale of damage incurred. It is anticipated that this will meet the needs for the majority of those affected. This will commence immediately and the intent is to process payments as speedily as possible. 2. In the event that the premises have incurred significant damages above 5,000, the second stage will provide a means to seek further support. The total level of support available for both stages combined will be capped at 20,000 Todays Scheme is in addition to The Humanitarian Assistance Scheme which was activated last week by the Department of Social Protection. This scheme is available to assist people whose homes are damaged by flooding. The scheme is means tested and assistance is not provided for losses covered by insurance. It is a very difficult time for those affected by the flooding. I urge those people affected and who are eligible, to apply for these schemes. I wish to pay special tribute to the members of the Fire Service, Laois County Council, Civil Defence and the countless volunteers who worked diligently throughout the night pumping water in an effort to protect businesses and homes from further damage," he said. Minister Flanagan said It is important that people get back into their businesses and homes as quickly as possible. Residents of a Newbridge estate, who were once again hit by sewage floods last week, have called a public meeting tomorrow night, Wednesday, November 29. We are just so fed up of this at this stage, its being going on for thirty years, said Residents Association chairman Joe Burke. Residents were out yet again sweeping sewage off the paths. Its terrible. This is the second time within three month's that this has happened. Sewage floods occurred in the estate last August, but not to the same extent as last week. READ MORE: Sewage floods rising in Newbridge estate after heavy rain Question marks hung over the 300,000 works carried out by the council to alleviate the flooding problem. However, the council stressed the works did hold and the problem arose last Wednesday for a different reason. It released a report carried out by a consultant in the immediate aftermath of last week's flooding. The report notes the problem arose on the morning of November 23 following a severe rainfall event with 45 to 50mm of rainfall, most of which fell over a six hour period. The flooding was caused by debris blocking a trash screen located in a property next to Dara Park owned by Irish Rail, said the report. The council said it is working with Irish Rail to ensure the problem does not reoccur. Residents in Dara Park have invited politicians, officials and Irish water to attend the meeting at the Newbridge Family Resource centre at 7pm. Foroige clubs in Counties Kildare and Laois are continuing to grow steadily, with over 150 trained and vetted volunteers working with almost 400 young people. "It is no surprise to see why communities are reaching out to Foroige to be part of local and national buzz. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the local volunteers since the summer clubs have been offering opportunities for youth development and support for young people aged from 10-12 for the Junior Groups and 13-18 for the Senior Groups," said Foroige development officer Alan Judge. READ MORE: Four young Kildare graduates excel at leadership "The newest clubs have been forming and encouraging their members to do more and be more and we are very excited to see what impact they will have in the New Year." Both Allenwood Foroige club and Mountrath Foroige club began in the late summer with a trip to the Espoir Foroige Kayak club to launch what will become a yearlong resource to it members. In Late September Enfield Foroige and Suncroft Foroige began their registration of members and volunteers and are already up and running for the winter. This year Foroige is delighted to welcome its first Youth Cafe in the region thanks to Celbridge Youth Cafe whose space, volunteers and young people are a credit to the community of Celbridge. Last and certainly not least of the recent clubs is Straffan youth club who have mustered a community to make volunteering for the club as enjoyable as possible to the volunteers by ensuring they have more volunteers than required and have proven that scheduled volunteerism has the least impact on their lives while ensure maximum support for the teens in the community. Mr Judge said; It is a real privilege to be able to work with the calibre of volunteers from Laois and Kildare that make these opportunities possible for teenagers. "Foroige is the leading youth organisation in Ireland and has been working with young people since 1952. Our purpose is to enable young people to involve themselves consciously and actively in their development and in the development of society." Mr Judge is keen to engage with any community or volunteer that would like to discuss being part of the existing clubs or showcase the opportunities available for the members and the volunteers alike by creating a new club in their area. If you would like to learn how your support will make a difference or what you can gain from the experience, please check out www.foroige.ie, Contact Alan on alan.judge@foroige.ie or 0866384199 If an election is called very shortly it is unlikely that boundary changes to Kildares two constituencies could take effect. In practical terms, this would mean that Kildare south would remain a three-seater (instead of moving to a four-seater) and a large area of rural north west Kildare which was due to move from North Kildare into the South, would now not do so. It could also, in the view of some, mean that any outcome of the election would be unconstitutional. The High Court was yesterday asked to rule on this proposition by former Labour TD Joe Costello. According to the constitution there must be one TD for every 30,000 people. With that in mind, the Constituency Boundary Commission had recommended earlier this year that both the North and South Kildare constituencies would be four-seater and that the Kildare South constituency, which should include some areas of Offaly and Laois, namely Portarlington, Killinard and Ballybrittas, gain a TD. This would reverse changes implemented before the previous election which had moved a part of Kildare into the Laois constituency. The other proposed change would see the villages of Clogherinkoe, Derrinturn and Carbury move from Kildare North to Kildare South. However legislation was required to give effect to these recommendations and informed sources have told the Leinster Leader that if the election is called in the next few days that legislation will not be enacted. Deputy Fiona OLoughlin noted that, even if the legislation could be rushed through, it wouldnt be fair to the electorate who suddenly found themselves in a new constituency. It would only give people three weeks to get to know their TD, she said. Deputy James Lawless said he was quite happy that his constituency of North Kildare would hang onto those parts of North West Kildare. Meanwhile, Fine Gael county councillor Fiona McLoughlin Healy has issued a statement saying that she did not wish to be considered as a candidate for the party in the next general election. Cllr McLoughlin Healy was a candidate for Fine Gael in the previous election, but her relationship with the party since then has become strained with the result that she lost the whip. Are you fed-up of the long commute to Dublin? Are you tired of being stuck in traffic and dreading another winter of long road journeys to get to and from work? Do you fancy a career in the booming motor industry with an exciting local dealer? Then Sheehy Motors in Naas might have just the job for you! The long-established group, which has been trading in Kildare and Carlow for some 40 years, is currently advertising to fill six Naas-based roles, ranging from sales to business management to front-facing service advisor. They also have some maternity cover contracts on offer. The company operates two separate dealerships at its Newbridge Road showrooms - Sheehy Motors and Naas Audi - along with Sheehy Motors Carlow. It handles three key franchises in Naas, Audi, Skoda and Volkswagen, offering recruits the chance to work across a wide variety of motor industry sectors, from the fun and sporty Skoda to the family-friendly Volkswagen and the sleek and stylish Audi. According to Frank Kelly, dealer principal for Sheehy Motors Naas, the organisation is expanding and growing, and aims to register just under 1,500 new vehicles from its Kildare dealerships in 2018. Sheehy Motor Group (Naas) is a bustling and busy place to work as it employs around 85 staff in Kildare alone. It has also established its own marketing internship programme, unique in the motoring industry, which is now in its third year, with its sixth intern due to start in January. This is beneficial to both ourselves and the intern as the wide variety of experience they get with us really helps them to further their careers, says Gordon Geraghty, marketing manager. In fact, several of the interns who started out with Sheehy Motors went on to work for other departments in the business. The Sheehy Skoda showrooms in Naas The company recently filled three sales roles within the group with a mixture of experienced salespeople and staff who started on its trainee programme. Here, those new to the industry get the chance to start their careers working alongside some of the most experienced salespeople in the business. Mr Geraghty emphasised the benefits to enthusiastic Kildare salespeople of opting for an exciting career within a short commuting distance of their homes. Job opportunities at Sheehy Motors group can offer recruits an improved quality of life and less time sitting in traffic jams, combined with the opportunity to work for a leading, respected and expanding local motor industry company. Audi, Naas Kildare householders have been warned not to fall for an Irish Water scam which is currently doing the rounds. Some customers have received emails with the subject line Your Irish Water Account Action Required, but the company is advising anyone who receives these to delete them immediately. Irish Water will never ask customers to update personal banking information in this way and customers should always delete emails requesting this information. Do not reply or click on the link provided. Do not provide personal or financial details, said the company in a statement this evening. Irish Water has asked domestic customers who have moved property to contact us by phone on 1850 448 448 to update their details. Changes to customers personal details can only be updated by phone. According to Irish Water, it is investigating the source of this email and has requested that the fraudulent site it comes from be shut down. Irish Water is aware that during the refund process in particular that attempts may be made to deceive customers with phishing emails. We have put additional resources in place in attempt to mitigate against these phishing campaigns, said the statement. It asks customers who have responded to a phishing email a fake email requesting personal or financial information to take the following steps to minimise any potential damage. Change the information you've revealed e.g. Change any passwords or PINs on the account or service that you think might have been compromised Contact your bank or the service provider directly Routinely review your bank and credit card statements for unexplained charges or enquiries that you didn't initiate Contact the authorities. The Garda Bureau of Fraud investigation is Ireland's national fraud * and internet crime reporting centre. The company says that its database is secure and customers financial details have not been hacked. There is more advice on how to identify phishing emails and what to do next on Irish Waters website https://www.water.ie/support/fraudulent-email-advice/ Leitrim shoppers are being urged to make a difference this Christmas by buying an ethical gift for their loved ones. Concern Worldwide has today launched its annual Christmas Gifts online catalogue with avocado trees and milk among the new additions to the 2017 collection. Ireland's largest humanitarian aid agency is giving avocado lovers the opportunity to buy the nutrient-rich fruit and support the development of growing children across the developing world, as the trees can be easily planted and can grow up to 300 avocados a year. Customers eager to spread some girl power this Christmas can also purchase a gift to support Concern's Girl Skills programme, which costs 24 and offers six teenage girls the chance to take part in a sports-based course that teaches them about their rights, how to take steps to achieve their goals in life and staying strong when faced with challenges. Concern Christmas Gifts are a firm favourite for those who want to avoid the shops or skip the last-minute shopping stress while helping to improve the lives of people across the developing world. Cows continue to be among the most popular items for shoppers, closely followed by goats and other animal gifts. Those who purchase a Concern Christmas Gift will receive a special card, which can be personalised and given to the lucky recipient. Concern Gifts are also perfect for anyone living abroad as an e-card containing a personalised message can be sent within 30 minutes - with no worries about postal deadlines! To view the full range of Concern Gifts, log on to www.concerngifts.org or call 1850 458 400 for more information. IDA funding figures released last week have been described as "an absolute disgrace and shameful indictment of this Fine Gael government and their silent partners in Fianna Fail to allow the North West be neglected in this way," by Deputy Martin Kenny. Speaking from Leinster house, Deputy Kenny said; According to the IDA, around 93 million in grant aid was allocated last year to support employment from foreign direct investment. Out of this 93 million Leitrim and Roscommon got nothing. This is a disgrace. Shame on those government TDs in Fine Gael and Fianna Fail for neglecting rural Ireland. As usual the majority of grant aid went to the major cities and towns with Dublin receiving 20 million, while North Western counties Cavan, Sligo and Donegal got a measly 2 million combined. These figures clearly demonstrate that rural Ireland and the Northwest in particular is not a priority for this government when it comes to job creation. In fact, the only job creation in this area is region is by local indigenous industries and individuals and they need to be given the maximum support available. There is ongoing and severe underinvestment in infrastructure and industrial development in counties outside the main population centres and this is a clear, deliberate Government policy. Upgrading the N4 to motor way status would enhance access to the North-West for businesses as would upgrade of the broadband network to help make the region more business friendly. Not only is there no new investment in rural Ireland but we have to fight on a daily basis for the retention of vital services like post offices, garda stations and access to health service. This government is neglecting the Northwest and people are suffering as a result. Clearly Fine Gael representatives are not standing up for their rural constituencies and those in Fianna Fail are facilitating them by keeping this government in power. A spectacular public light show this Friday and a civic ceremony will officially mark the end of Sligos year as European Volunteering Capital. The Spirit of Sligo light show, which is open to the public, will take place at Sligo City Hall in Quay Street on Friday, December 1, at 6pm. The building will be illuminated at an event and some of the illuminations will showcase the inspiring story of the volunteer community across Co Sligo. The light show, organised by Dublin company Avtek, will continue each night for 7 nights on the hour for 10 minutes. Avtek is responsible for illuminating Dublin's New Years Eve Festival. Invited guests will earlier attend a formal civic ceremony in City Hall to close the EVC Year and to witness the handover of the European Volunteer Capital 2018 title to the Danish city of Aarhus. In addition, the three candidate cities for the 2019 EVC competition will be announced. Foreign Affairs Minister Charles Flanagan will attend the civic ceremony with 150 guests including invited European dignitaries and Sligo County Council Cathaoirleach Sligo Cllr Seamus Kilgannon They will watch a video presentation by Sligo Volunteer Centre Manager Ciara Herity called Sligo EVC 2017: The Story. The Spirit of Sligo Lightshow will take place at 6pm sharp on City Hall. The public is invited to gather from 5.30pm. Sligo County Council CEO Ciaran Hayes said, "Sligo's designation as European Volunteering Capital has been a wonderful opportunity to highlight Sligo's unique volunteering strategies. The year has had a significant impact on the volunteer community, but also the wider business community with numerous events and conferences coming to Sligo on the occasion of the unique designation. This Friday's events include the official civic ceremony followed by a very special light show on City Hall at 6pm. We encourage everyone to join us for this event which will showcase some of the highlights from the year in a spectacular creative light show projected on City Hall." Sligo Volunteer Manager Ciara Herity said Friday would mark a momentous event as Sligo's designation as European Volunteering Capital draws to a close. It's been an eventful year for the volunteers, organisations, businesses and the wider community who engaged with and supported our programme. We welcome European delegates to Sligo this week as the official handover from Sligo to Aarhus in Denmark takes place, and the announcement of the 2019 winners is announced." A GoFund Me page established to help the family of Carrick-on-Shannon woman Elaine Moran Keogh, who sadly passed away earlier this month, has received widespread support since it was created on Saturday last. A message posted on the GoFund Me page, which was set up by her friend Paula Jane Malone states, "It was with great sadness to say goodbye to my beautiful friend Elaine who died so tragically on 16th November '17 at such a young age. She fought so hard for most of her life against depression but it was just too much for her. She joins her baby daughter, Roisin in heaven but leaves behind her loving husband, Eugene and her two beautiful boys, Adrian aged 5, and Kieran aged 3. "I have created this page to help support Elaine's boys at this difficult time and to try and help ease financial pressures. Any donation would be greatly appreciated. Please give whatever you can." Since the page went live it has received significant support from the public with 3,530 donated since last Saturday. If you would like to support this campaign please visit the GoFund Me page. Sinn Fein TD Martin Kenny has welcomed the announcement that funding has been allocated to a pilot scheme for channel cleaning works on tributaries and rivers with Leitrim and Sligo being included in the scheme. Deputy Kenny said, This is very welcome news to help combat flooding in Leitrim and Sligo. I organised for Minster Kevin Boxer Moran to come and visit the constituency a number of months ago to discuss flooding with the local authorities and community groups and individuals affected by flooding. I understand that the level of funding will be substantial and that works should start in 2018. The works will be carried out by the local authority that will draw up a plan of the rivers and tributaries that heed urgent attention. Flooding has become a major issue in recent years with rivers and tributaries becoming blocked with debris and overgrowth. We had a drainage scheme in the past which dealt with these issues but this was taken away. I hope that this pilot scheme will go a long way to cleaning our rivers at pinch points where flood waters build up and that it reduces flooding in these areas. GEORGE Orwells famous novel is taught in the classrooms of a County Limerick secondary school but outside they also have their own animal farm. A recent survey by Cadburys found that one-third of 1,500 children did not know that milk was the produce of a cow and 18% thought milk came straight from the fridge or supermarket. It seems a disconnect has emerged between supermarket produce and its origins, researchers said. One school that is making the connection with agriculture and the environment is Scoil na Trionoide Naofa in Doon. They have calves, chickens and turkeys on the grounds with lambs and donkeys on the way. They also have a polytunnel and grow flowers and vegetables. The idea of a school farm was the brainchild of principal, Eilis Casey. Luckily she had the perfect man for the job on her staff - James OBrien, who is a part-time farmer. In 2016, I was approached by the principal, Eilis Casey to set up something different, something that really hadnt been done anywhere else. We found kids have lost touch with nature due to urbanisation and people are going away from farms a lot. She asked would I be interested in setting up a project that would involve hands-on working with animals, what it is to respect animals and mind animals. I jumped at it because I love farming, said Mr OBrien It is an ideal programme for the 60 transition year students, he says, because there isnt an assessment at the end. We have more time and flexibility. We started the agriculture and horticulture programme September 12 months ago. Weve been growing it ever since. We started out with two of my calves. We bucket fed them and this year were minding them as heifers. We will probably get two more calves in the springtime and bucket feed them - the whole cycle start again. They stay here for the spring right through until the winter when I bring them home. Weve turkeys and chickens too. In the next month we are getting donkeys and lambs in the spring, said Mr OBrien. With Christmas on the horizon the turkeys future is looking precarious but this is a natural part of agriculture that the teenagers are learning about too, said James. As well as feeding and looking after animals the teens are getting their hands dirty in the ground. We have a tunnel where we grow cabbages, lettuce, onions, potatoes, broccoli and kale.We also grow flowers from seed for Doon Tidy Towns. It is all on the school grounds. Weve about six acres. We built hutches for the chickens and turkeys in construction classes. Its really taken off this year, said Mr OBrien, who thanked Liam Croke and Tadgh Slevin, of Bam Ireland, and McNamaras Hardware, who have all donated fencing and wire. The feedback from students feeding animals has been overwhelmingly positive said Mr OBrien. I feel the sense of enjoyment from the kids. It gets them out of the classroom, they can go outside and express themselves - they are outside handling chickens, turkeys, calves. It is the freedom it give the kids to get out of class and actually experience what it is like to be outside and working with nature. I love nature and I think it is very important kids understand and respect the environment, said Mr OBrien. If the history and geography teacher asked pupils to come in during the recent mid-term break to study the Bolshevik Revolution or the Iberian Peninsula he would get short shrift. But Mr OBrien had no shortage of volunteers to mind the animals. One of the local kids came in each day to look after the turkeys, chickens and calves. Everything went perfectly. They came in twice a day - 9pm and 6m. They cleaned out and fed them all. It was nice they took that responsibility on board, said Mr OBrien. One of those to give up part of her holidays was 15-year-old Aisling McNamara, from Doon. Like many of her classmates, she isnt from a farming background. The most experience Id have is meeting all the farmers when I work in my dads hardware shop at weekends. Id never been on a farm. It is great to get out of the classroom with all the different animals - feeding them and looking after them. I wouldnt have done that before. Its great experience. Youre not on your phone and you are outside. We also picked blackberries and made jam for the Christmas fair, said Aisling. Philip Gantley, aged 16, from Cappawhite had no prior contact with farm animals either. Ive enjoyed it thoroughly. Its been a good experience feeding the calves and the turkeys and chickens. I like seeing the calves growing up. You see the progress, said Philip. The school farm has made both Philip and Aisling consider careers in the agri sector. Principal of Scoil na Trionoide Naofa, Eilis Casey said Mr OBrien and the students have certainly created a unique learning experience that captures what experiential learning can be like in horticulture and agricultural science. The students have also learned valuable skills in that they have taken responsibility for a project from the stage of conception to actualisation. As a school it is important to try new initiatives, and in this instance James as the teacher has brought something unique to the school and together with his students they have introduced a learning opportunity that is exciting and innovative, continued Ms Casey. The entire school is looking forward to the Christmas fair on Sunday afternoon, December 17. They will have two award winning bulls in attendance - John Hayes and a four legged one from Limerick Show. Over 20 stalls are confirmed already. We will have our animals on show and everybody is welcome to see our school farm, said Mr OBrien. WARSAW, NOV. 27 (Xinhua) -- This is encouraging. The Smederevo Steel Mill, a plant of Serbian national pride, finally started to make profit by the end of 2016 after a seven-year loss. It happened only eight months after Chinese HeSteel Group poured investment therein, vowing to make it one of the most competitive in Europe. It comes as one example in a larger picture where China and 16 Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) have quickened their economic exchange under the "16+1" cooperation format in realizing goals of the Belt and Road Initiative that is intended to improve infrastructure and trade between China and Europe and Africa. Also in Serbia, the first phrase of Expressway E763, built by a Chinese company, is expected to complete by the end of the year. Another upbeat story like the one in Serbia was also told in Poland when China's Liugong Group, five years after acquiring the machinery unit of Poland's Huta Stalowa Wola (HSW), remade it into a profitable joint venture that has paid taxes and dues for about 68 million U.S. dollars during past four years while creating jobs. China's Hongbo Group invested 100 million U.S. dollars to build a LED lamp factory in that country. In the Czech Republic, you may have to make an appointment until half a year later in a traditional Chinese medicine hospital that is keenly sought after among locals. According to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, in 2016, total trade between China and the 16 CEEC increased by 9.5 percent, marking a remarkable boost while China's trade with Europe and the world as a whole dipped in the same period. It makes the "16+1" cooperation a model for the Belt and Road Initiative and China-Europe ties. Proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative aims to build trade and infrastructure networks connecting Asia with Europe and Africa on and beyond the ancient Silk Road routes. It comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. GAINING MOMENTUM The China-CEEC cooperation is gaining momentum, tapping the huge market potential in an area home to many emerging economies. China General Nuclear Power Corporation is negotiating to build two additional nuclear power units in Cernavoda in southeast Romania. The 7-billion-Euro or 8.3-billion-dollar project will be the largest one so far between China and CEEC. The Hungary-Serbia high-speed railway, a flagship project for regional inter-connectivity, is also on the agenda. Zivadin Jovanovic, a Serbian expert on international affairs, told Xinhua, "Serbia and China will expand cooperation in infrastructure building, manufacturing, food processing and other sectors." Wang Yiwei, an expert on Europe with Renmin University of China, said that the building of the Belt and Road could improve the "16+1" format which was launched in Warsaw in 2012. "The format serves a framework that we can realize the win-win scenario for China and the European Union," Wang said. Czech President Milos Zeman said that efforts to push forward the Belt and Road Initiative within the framework of the "16+1" format will bring more opportunities to this region. MUTUAL BENEFITS The China-CEEC cooperation comes with reciprocity. Chinese investment in CEEC is now over 9 billion U.S. dollars while CEEC invested 1.4 billion dollars in China. In the first three quarters of this year, the China-CEEC trade exceeded 49 billion dollars, marking an increase of 14.5 percent year-on-year while China's imports from CEEC rose 21.9 percent. The increasing demand from China means a huge market for CEEC manufacturers. A Chinese company which bought in Lobkowicz Brewery Group in the Czech Republic not only helped preserve its traditional brewery skills, but also hopefully brought the prestigious Czech beer to Chinese groceries through China-Europe regular freight trains. The CEEC along the China-Europe railway connect the Asian and European continents and make up nearly one fourth of the countries along the Belt and Road. Jan Kohout, advisor to the Czech president, said the Belt and Road Initiative is one of the highlights of China's foreign policies, playing an important role in European and Asian development. "China and CEEC are making headway, building a community of shared future with practical actions," Wang said. SENATORS Kieran ODonnell and Maria Byrne will run for Fine Gael in Limerick City in the upcoming General Election. Following a selection convention at the Castletroy Park Hotel this Monday night, the two members of the Upper House of the Oireachtas were automatically selected after the only other candidate in the race, Cllr Daniel Butler dropped out. The City West councillor said with the prospect of a short election campaign, he felt Fine Gael would be more likely to win two seats with more experienced candidates. Mr ODonnell said he feels privileged to be nominated by the party and immediately set his eye on a cabinet role, while Ms Byrne said she felt honoured at being proposed by the former Finance Minister Michael Noonan. Delighted to be selected as a candidate for @FineGael in the next General Election in Limerick City. Looking forward to the campaign. pic.twitter.com/14IOf145gQ Maria Byrne (@senatormbyrne) November 27, 2017 Separately, as the controversy around Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald continues, Cllr Butler said it is time she should do the right thing and step down. He was speaking after it emerged this evening that the Croom-born politician received three emails advising her of the legal strategy being used by the former Garda commissioner Noirin OSullivan against Garda whistleblower Sgt Maurice McCabe. For her part, the Tanaiste is resisting calls for her resignation. Up until now, I would have been an advocate of due process, with the tribunal taking its process. But the fact this is another omission, it changes the complexion. As much as it may have been a mistake, there are certain standards that come with higher office, and we need to uphold these standards, honour those standards, and id like to see the Tanaiste do that, Cllr Butler said. Mr ODonnell said: I would hope discussions would take place. It is quite evident that the people of Limerick and I expect everywhere else do not wish to see an election before Christmas, and everything has to be done to ensure that does not happen. He said he did not see any reason Ms Fitzgerald should resign. Ms Byrne declined to comment on the whistleblower controversy, only to say: Frances Fitzgerald has been a very honourable person and has been delivering well in terms of her current brief in jobs. And the Tanaistes former cabinet colleague, Mr Noonan said he feels the lights have gone out on the 32nd Dail. The party position is we back her completely, because we didnt believe she did anything improper, and I dont think people should be forced out of office for crimes they didnt commit, he said. Addressing the party faithful, Mr Noonan urged Fine Gael canvassers to target second and third preferences to get the two candidates over the line. Mr ODonnell was elected in the old Limerick East constituency in 2007, retaining his seat at the 2011 election. But following a backlash against Fine Gael, he lost his seat in 2016. However, he was returned to the Seanad two months later as a member of the cultural and educational panel. A former mayor, Ms Byrne served as a local councillor between 1999 and 2016 when she was elected to the Seanad on the agricultural panel. It was a case of second time lucky, having missed out on election to the Upper House by a single vote back in 2007. - For more, see the Wednesday Limerick Leader and the weekend editions of the paper, out on Thursday LIMERICK'S political parties are on an election footing as the prospect of going to the polls fade in the short term. With An Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald set to announce her resignation, the prospects of a Christmas election have receded. It's now unclear when Fianna Fail - who triggered the political crisis will now hold its convention. But all eyes will be on who will join Willie ODea on the Fianna Fail ticket, with the party hoping to capitalise on his likely high vote to recapture two seats in the city. Cllr James Collins is favourite, but various sources have indicated new councillor Vivienne Crowley could be a contender given gender quota regulations are a possible factor. Fine Gael picked its two candidates late this Monday night, with Senators Maria Byrne and Kieran ODonnell selected for the two-person ticket in the city. Labour, Sinn Fein and the Solidarity party will all have selection conventions in the coming days. December 19 or 20 have been suggested as the days Ireland could go to the polls, as Croom-born Ms Fitzgerald faces a motion of no confidence in the Dail over emails sent to her office. This highlighted a row between the Garda Commissioners legal team and whistleblower Sgt Maurice McCabe. Although intense talks remain ongoing to salvage the confidence and supply agreement, ultimately its anticipated Limerick will go to the polls sooner rather than later, with local councillor Cathal Crowe saying: Its a mortally wounded government, which is only limping along. Its likely even if the current government can be saved for the time being, parties will still hold selection conventions. Former Education Minister Jan OSullivan said this will be Labours approach. Its likely [an election] will be in the next three months anyway. Separately, Fianna Fails metropolitan mayor and former detective gardai Cllr Sean Lynch believes it is a mistake for his party to be pushing for an election, saying they should wait until the Charleton tribunal has concluded. Okay, there was an email when she was Minister for Justice. But how many emails does she get at any one time. My fear factor is there will be a backlash from the general public. Who wants a general election all over an email she didnt read? There are a lot more things out there, he said on Monday, before further revelations about emails to the minister late last night. Cllr Lynchs view runs counter to Fianna Fails national position. Meanwhile, former mayor of Limerick Kevin Kiely, a Fine Gael member for over 30 years, says he plans to run as an Independent candidate should a vote take place before Christmas. He hopes to capitalise on the fact the public may favour Independents over the two major parties for leading them into an election. Another northside politician who is not ruling himself out of any count is former Labour councillor Frankie Daly, who has made no secret of his desire to become a Dail deputy. And Westbury councillor Cathal Crowe is to seek the FF nomination in Clare. POLITICIANS from across Limerick have welcomed the news that An Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald is to step down, averting a Christmas election. The Croom-born TD informed her cabinet colleagues of her decision to resign just after 11 o'clock this morning over the controversy around the handling of the case of Garda whistleblower Sgt Maurice McCabe. In a statement, the Tanaiste thanked Taoiseach Leo Varadkar for his confidence and support, but her continuation in office would be "destabilising" to the "good work of the government, and the country can be spared an unnecessary election". "It will also allow me to vindicate my good name at the Charleton Tribunal, wihout causing any further distraction to the work of the government," said the Dublin TD, "I acted correctly in difficult circumstances and in fact, I did everything I could to support the truth and protect whistleblowers." Statement by Frances Fitzgerald on her Resignation as Tanaiste and Minister pic.twitter.com/naZsyjZfiW Frances Fitzgerald (@FitzgeraldFrncs) November 28, 2017 Ms Fitzgerald has been under increasing pressure in the last 24 hours after it emerged she noted the contents of three separate emails sent to her office highlighting a row between the Garda Commissioners legal team and whistleblower Sgt Maurice McCabe. The controversy had led to Fianna Fail demanding she step down or it would force a motion of no confidence which would have collapsed the 32nd Dail. Fianna Fail frontbencher, Limerick TD Niall Collins said it is likely this will not happen now. "As far as we were concerned, this was an issue of political accountability in relation to the Tanaiste and the former Minister for Justice. I don't see any reason why there will now be a general election given she has resigned. I think the public will breathe a collective sigh of relief that she has finally decided to do the right thing. The country faces so many critical challenges at the moment not least the importance and the critical point we are at with the Brexit negotiations, with homelessness, with housing, we have issues in relation to crime and the two-tier recovery: Dublin versus the rest. A general election would completely distract and disadvantage the country were it to be held now," he said. Fine Gael councillor Daniel Butler, who was the first local party member last night to publicly call for the Trade Ministers resignation, welcomed the move. He said: "I felt her position was no longer tenable. I think she has made the right decision for the sake not just of the party but for the sake of the country and avoided a Christmas election. I think there is a bigger question here. We are seeing a Department which is in complete disarray. There seems to be a total dysfunction at senior level in the department. It's not just about seeing a minister step down. I think there needs to a number of senior officials follow suit. There seems to be a whole level of incompetence there." Sinn Fein TD Maurice Quinlivan turned fire on Taoiseach Varadkar for his insistence Ms Fitzgerald should remain on. "He has damaged his credibility as a result. Fine Gael Ministers and TDs were sent out over the weekend to defend the Tanaiste and their governments position on this, and left with egg on their faces as a result of todays events. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has acted recklessly in the past week by allowing such a situation to escalate like it did, and the arrogance shown by Fine Gael has damaged the de facto coalition agreement with Fianna Fail and brought an election much closer," he said. His party colleague, Sinn Fein Senator Paul Gavan said while a Christmas election is off the table, there will likely be one early in 2018. "We should all recognise an election is coming. The confidence and supply agreement is broken. Two other key people have questions to answer: Charlie Flanagan who sat beside the Taoiseach while he was misleading the Dail, knowing he was doing so. Leo Varadkar knew of this on Saturday and sat on it, and left his ministerial team go out and bat knowing she was dead in the water once this became public," he said. Solidarity councillor Cian Prendiville, who was expected to run on the party ticket in the event of a pre-Christmas election, said: "It was obvious she had to go. It's ridiculous that they put people through this 'will they, won't they?'. It went right to the wire. She should have gone at the very beginning. But she cannot just be the one scapegoat. Questions now have to be asked of Charlie Flanagan and Leo Varadkar who knew of this latest revelation last week but said nothing. This is only the start of lifting the lid on this." A GRADUATE of the University of Limerick has taken to Twitter to air her frustration over being mistaken online for Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald. Frances Fitzgerald, 27, a UL graduate who bears no relation to her 67-year-old namesake, has been inundated with tweets and tags concerning the under-fire politician over the past week, coming to a crescendo this Tuesday with the Fine Gael's politician's decision to step down from her post. Please let this s***show end. Im tired of being mistaken for a 67-year-old woman, she tweeted in frustration. Please let this shitshow end. I'm tired of being tagged in political tweets and being mistaken for a 67-year-old woman... https://t.co/DJjHM239RN Frances Fitzgerald (@FrancesFitz90) November 28, 2017 Speaking to the Limerick Leader, Ms Fitzgerald, a UL Journalism and New Media graduate, said the confusion stemmed from a tweet from a national political correspondent, who mistakenly included her Twitter handle in a tweet about the embattled Tanaiste. I don't remember some of the tweets, as I didnt screen shot them all, (but) it was a simple mistake, she said. After the initial tweet Frances saw that she had a number of notifications, with one person asking is there was any sign of a statement from the Tanaiste. I didn't fully read the (initial) tweet at that stage so I was a little lost, she explained. Frances said that by this Tuesday morning she was getting a little tired of it, mostly because people weren't deleting the tweets I was tagged in. They would just apologise and leave it up, it obviously wasn't a huge deal, but Ive lost track of how many times Ive had a reply saying something along the lines of 'wrong Frances Fitzgerald', she said. There was some consolation for the Limerick graduate from people named Stephen Donnelly and Niall Horan, who expressed sympathy with Ms Fitzgerald, having suffered from a similar issue on the social media platform. You have my every sympathy. Every time Stephen Donnelly of Fianna Fail does something silly my mentions are brutal. Stephen Donnelly (@SteveDonnelly95) November 28, 2017 Believe me I feel your pain Niall Horan (@niallhoran) November 28, 2017 We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page. A total of 15.04 million mu (about 0.07 hectares per mu) of desert in Alashan League of north Chinas Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has been turned into oases since the league was set up in 1980 to the end of July this year, thanks to a series of ecological projects, China News reported on Nov. 26. Alashan has an area of 270,000 square kilometers. Of that figure, the ecologically vulnerable area occupies 94 percent, while the livable area accounts for only 6 percent. Since the 1980s, the local ecological environment started to deteriorate due to 20-plus-years of over grazing and warming temperatures, said Liu Hongyi, director at the forestry station of the Alashan Left Banner of the league. However, since the 21st century, the local government has stepped up efforts to implement ecological projects, including returning farmland to forests and livestock pastures to natural grasslands, as well as natural forest protection projects. The projects have helped the league turn at least one million mu of desert into oases every year, according to Liu. Liu added that many tourists across the country like to spend the cool summer in Alashan, as there are no sandstorms in the area anymore. (Xinhua) 07:42, November 28, 2017 BUDAPEST, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Xiang Ou Express Budapest-Changsha return freight train carrying Central European cargo containers to Changsha, China, was launched from here for the first time on Monday. The train carries 41 containers of red wine, beer, cereals, milk powder and hardware accessories made in Hungary and its neighboring countries. The launching ceremony was attended by Laszlo Mosoczi, deputy state secretary of the Hungarian ministry for national development, Hunan province Vice Governor He Baoxiang, and Xu Xiangping, head of the department of commerce for the Hunan province. Mosoczi said Hungarian export to China reached a record of 2.25 billion U.S. dollars last year, while the export of food products increased by 1.5 times from 2015. The data of the first eight months showed that further increase -- double digits in several areas -- is to be expected, he added. Xu said it is a major move to promote the smooth flow of trade, adding that "it is also an important way for the Hunan province to build a new pattern of opening to the outside world." On June 16 this year, the first freight train from Changsha arrived in Budapest. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the seventh China and the Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC) Economic and Trade Forum in Budapest, Hungary, Nov. 27, 2017. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) BUDAPEST, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Monday called for advancing cooperation between China and 16 Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC), also known as the 16+1 cooperation. As an important part of and a helpful complement to China-Europe ties, 16+1 cooperation has promoted the development of China-Europe relations, Li said in a keynote speech to the seventh China-CEEC Economic and Trade Forum held in the Hungarian capital city of Budapest. The premier called for docking the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative with the development strategies of the CEEC and taking the lead in implementing the results of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Central and Eastern Europe. Speaking to over 1,000 entrepreneurs from China and the CEEC at the opening ceremony of the forum, Li also demanded efforts to accelerate the building of connectivity projects such as the Hungary-Serbia railway and promote the healthy development of China-Europe freight train services. Production capacity is also an area where the two sides should expand cooperation, said Li, calling for jointly building economic and trade cooperation zones and creating an industrial chain, value chain and logistics chain featuring closer integration, stronger drive and wider benefit. Li also called upon the two sides to boost trade and investment liberalization and facilitation by strengthening customs cooperation and speeding up logistics, and to promote cooperation in the fields of small and medium-sized enterprises. The Chinese premier urged the two sides to expand financing channels to support China-CEEC cooperation. In the speech, Li announced the establishment of China-CEEC Inter-Bank Association and the second phase of China-Central and Eastern Europe Investment Cooperation Fund. The China Development Bank will provide an equivalent amount of 2 billion euros (2.4 billion U.S. dollars) as development-oriented financial cooperation loans for the inter-bank association, Li said. Meanwhile, the Chinese premier said the second phase of the investment cooperation fund that totaled 1 billion dollars will be mainly invested in Central and Eastern Europe. China supports commercial and development financial institutions to provide finance for bilateral cooperation projects and supports the two sides to conduct renminbi-denominated financing business for their cooperation projects, Li said. China's economy has been transformed from a phase of high-speed growth to high-quality development, and this will surely create opportunities for all countries in the world including the CEEC in terms of bigger market, stronger growth, more investment and cooperation, Li said. On his part, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said 16+1 cooperation has covered economy and trade, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges in the past five years, which not only benefited the CEEC's development, but also became an effective mechanism and integral part of Europe-China mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation. In the context of a changing world political order and economic landscape, 16 Central and Eastern European countries are willing to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with China and take this as the opportunity for development, in line with the spirit of equal treatment and mutual respect, Orban said. Orban also said the CEEC will actively participate in the Belt and Road Initiative and create better environment for Chinese companies investing and developing in Central and Eastern Europe. Li arrived in Budapest on Sunday for an official visit to Hungary and for the sixth meeting of heads of government of China and 16 Central and Eastern European countries. During his stay in Hungary, Li will hold bilateral meetings with CEEC leaders and work with them to outline future cooperation. He will also witness the signing of a series of cooperation documents and celebrate the fifth anniversary of the establishment of the 16+1 cooperation. Interview: China's advances in quantum-encrypted communications go one up on Einstein: physicist (Xinhua) 08:04, November 28, 2017 VIENNA, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- The landmark breakthrough on intercontinental quantum-encrypted communications made by Chinese scientists opens the window for global quantum communications, turning the once-doubted quantum phenomena into reality, a world leading quantum physicist told Xinhua. Renowned scientist Anton Zeilinger, seen as a pioneer in the field of quantum information and of the foundations of quantum mechanics, believes the landmark quantum-encrypted intercontinental video call between China and Austria is very important and impressive. Quantum cryptography is the science of exploiting quantum mechanical properties to encrypt data. Quantum mechanics is a fundamental theory in physics which describes nature at the smallest scales of energy levels of atoms and subatomic particles. "I see this as a part of the goal of building a future quantum internet, where in this case China enabled a worldwide quantum-secure communication," the physicist said. Zeilinger has cooperated with Chinese physicists on quantum communications such as the Chinese "quantum experiments at space scale" (QESS) project. On Sept. 29, a team of Chinese scientists in Beijing led by Bai Chunli, president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, held a half-hour video call with Zeilinger, who happens to be the president of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, and his colleagues in Vienna, using quantum encryption developed from the quantum phenomena called quantum entanglement that secures the communications. Zeilinger was particularly impressed by how smoothly the tests ran, and how good the quality of the connection was between satellites and the ground stations. "What was really impressive was that the connection was of such high quality. I was really impressed by the fact that the data collection via the satellites worked, I would say, even better than we expected," said Zeilinger. ONE UP ON EINSTEIN For many quantum physicists, this practical application of the technology is undoubtedly an important milestone in the history of quantum mechanics, as the so-called mysterious quantum entanglement phenomena was made real. The phenomena were the subject of a 1935 paper by Albert Einstein, Boris Podolsky, and Nathan Rosen. However, Einstein and others considered such behavior to be impossible, as it violated the local realist view of causality, and Einstein described it as "spooky action at a distance". "Einstein himself would be really surprised," Zeilinger laughed, saying, "Because these concepts like entanglement now find practical application -- he would never have expected that." He said the important point was that these quantum phenomena are no longer a matter of philosophical curiosity, but also an actual technology with real applications. In practice, the first main application of the technology is secure communications, which Zeilinger believes could be used by banks, governments, and a select few smaller institutions within the next ten years, to safely exchange data and communications. The stage is now set for the cutting-edge technology to be implemented worldwide. With espionage and hacking of great concern, particularly when it comes to state secrets or important commercial information, the technology will be of high importance to such institutions. Over the next 20 years, the University of Vienna professor expects the technology to spread worldwide, initially parallel to the current internet, and may later even take over as the "new quantum internet". Quantum computers could also be employed together with the internet and satellites to form the basis of the new technology. Zeilinger said China's success in conducting the QESS project and other cutting-edge scientific endeavors is in part due to an ability to make decisions on such projects more quickly than in Europe. Its system sets a focus on technology, and makes sure people working on projects can reach their goals, and receive enough financial and institutional support. At present its research capacity also matches that of Europe and the United States, Zeilinger believes. China invested a lot in quantum-related projects, and has successfully sent a quantum satellite Micius into space, while having several receiving stations domestically. "I am convinced that this is the first step for worldwide quantum communication, so the investment is certainly well-placed for China; no question," Zeilinger said. SCIENTIFIC TALENT However, he stressed that talented Chinese scientists are crucial for this project, such Chinese quantum physicist Pan Jianwei, also the project leader. In examining the beginnings of the quantum communications project, Zeilinger said one must look back some 20 years, when Pan conducted his university studies in Austria, in the cities of Vienna and Innsbruck. Pan was recommended to him by the prestigious University of Science and Technology in China (USTC) in Hefei, and subsequently the talented student surprised his professor as he undertook a PhD in Austria. Zeilinger is "very proud" of Pan, who was always enthusiastic about his work, and has now achieved technical success for the project. He added that Pan, one of his best students, initially had a much stronger foundation in mathematical theory. Zeilinger encouraged Pan to undertake experiments, which was then on a small scale in the lab, but which are now changing the world. The act of bridging theory with experiments proved to be something that Pan had a talent for. Some of the first ideas, concepts, experiments, and realizations of the present technology inside the Micius satellite were conceived back then, Zeilinger said. Pan has in turn been a role model and mentor to new generations of talented young scientists in the fields of quantum computation and information. Zeilinger noted he is impressed by the level of science in China, as seen at numerous Chinese universities such as Peking University, Tsinghua University, and Nanjing University. It was much later, some five or six years ago, that Pan returned to China and was asked if he would like to collaborate in conjunction with the Austrian team, to which he subsequently agreed. Pan was elected as a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2011 and the World Academy of Sciences in 2012. He won the international quantum communication award in 2012. His team's work on double quantum-teleportation was selected as the Physics world top breakthrough of the year in 2015. His team won the state natural science first class award in 2016. The world's first quantum satellite was launched successfully by China in August 2016 as part of the QESS international research project, and Pan made great contribution to this project. FUTURE VIEW For further development of the advanced quantum mechanics project, Zeilinger said it is important to have more ground stations in Europe, and also a ground network based on fiber optics -- something China is doing now. Quantum communications will be carried out just like the present internet -- via fiber optics, computers, and satellites in many countries. In the end, he anticipates global collaboration, just as with the internet. But for a distances of greater than 2,000 km, it is better to use a satellite for quantum communication, Zeilinger told Xinhua, saying ground stations connected via fiber optics can work over a few hundred kilometers, but otherwise lose too many photons. China presently has plans to build more satellites for this purpose and other countries will have them too. "I am convinced there will be broad cooperation, like ground stations will be able to maybe talk to a Chinese satellite, and maybe at other times a European satellite, and so on," Zeilinger said. "We will certainly continue to collaborate in various ways. For example, a test is planned soon in China and the Canary Islands, which are located west of the African coast," he added. Some challenges for the technology remain, such as to improve data transmission rates, which he conceded were presently "not very much". For this, broadband communications are required, with improvements to various transmission and receiving equipment such as satellites being deemed necessary. At present, satellite communications are only made from one location to another. In future, Zeilinger said whole user networks -- such as one in China, and one in Europe -- should be connected with each other via satellite, and this would be considered another breakthrough in quantum communications. Amazon is a system, and this system has plenty of cool features built-in to save you some money. You just have to know where to look. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Hulu cut the ribbon Tuesday at its new Viewer Experience Operations headquarters on the near Northwest Side of San Antonio, a victory for city and Bexar County leaders who courted the company heavily to convince them to make the city home for the new office. The citys six-year 100 percent tax abatement for Hulu is worth about $279,000, and the countys 10-year, 90 percent real and personal property tax abatement for the company is worth an estimated $403,000. The Texas Enterprise Fund also pledged in April to give them a $1.28 million cash grant. Hulus own capital investment in the new headquarters is expected to exceed $13 million, according to Texas Enterprise Fund records. READ ALSO: Creepy photos of the old Windsor Park Mall before Rackspace bought it Now Playing: Hulu opened its headquarters in San Antonio, Nov. 28. Video: San Antonio Express-News Its more than just about a business, said State Rep. Diana Arevalo Tuesday at a press event at the new Hulu location. Its about jobs. Its about economic opportunity. Its about having people aspire to want to do more in different fields. San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said in an October interview with the Express-News it is a call center, but pointed out that it provides jobs the city needs. Will it enhance San Antonios job ecosystem? Is it net positive in terms of the investment that were making? And does it provide for new opportunities to expose a new company to San Antonio and vice versa? If the answer is yes to those questions, then, then its a deal that I think is worthwhile, and in this case, I believe it was, Nirenberg said. San Antonio Economic Development Foundation CEO and President Jenna Saucedo-Herrera said earlier this year she was impressed by Hulus California campus during a March visit. Its a wonderful environment, the cafeteria and music playing. The campus here will be the perfect environment that any San Antonian would be interested in. There will be game rooms, the whole nine yards, she said at the time. The customer service center will provide around-the-clock telephone, email, chat and social media support. It also will reach out to customers and conduct account analysis. RELATED: Photos: What it's like to work inside the Rackspace 'Castle' Hulu in August named Linda Cardenas to lead the companys viewer experience team at the new contact center. Around 30 of the companys employees moved from California to San Antonio to work at the new center, Cardenas said Tuesday in an interview. The companys employees in San Antonio had been working for about five months out of a temporary location, Cardenas said, and moved to the new location in the last week of October. Its a fun, exciting, really casual environment for our team, Cardenas said of the new space. The San Antonio office hired its first person 189 days ago, said Ben Smith, senior vice president of Experience at Hulu. The office now has more than 300 people, and they will have 380 by the end of the year, Smith said in an interview. Well have more than 500 people here by August of next year, Smith said. Right now were mostly limited by the space, so were in the third floor of this building right now. August of next year well open up the second floor. The company looked all around the city for office space, Smith said, but being away from a high commute area was one of the things that attracted them to the location they chose. RELATED: 9 tech and cyber companies to know in San Antonio When working to choose a city for the new headquarters, Smith asked to be introduced to some local companies. Through Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, Smith said he spent a day at Rackspace and toured their facility. We talked a lot about what they have learned being based here in San Antonio, Smith said. And they have some very similar types of employees and types of jobs, and actually a very similar culture to Hulu. So that relationship actually really helped me understand San Antonio, not just from the economic development point of view or the city, but from a company that has been based here in San Antonio from the beginning. It helped the company make a very informed choice, Smith said. Hulu considered 23 cities, and eventually settled on San Antonio, which was always in the top group of cities from the beginning, Smith said. The one concern that we had about San Antonio was, ironically, is low unemployment rate, because that would make it hard to find and retain people, Smith said. Within the first 60 days or so the company was put at ease, Smith said. We saw an amazing number of highly-qualified applicants and as we saw those employees come, get trained and start we felt really really good about it, Smith said. San Antonio is a growing city and it shows. Staff Writer David Hendricks contributed to this report. sehlinger@express-news.net | Twitter: @samehlinger WASHINGTON The Republican tax bill hurtling through Congress is increasingly tilting the U.S. tax code to benefit wealthy Americans, as party leaders race to shore up wavering lawmakers who are requesting more help for high-earning business owners. On Monday, as Republican lawmakers returned to Washington determined to quickly pass their tax overhaul, senators were in feverish talks to resolve concerns that could bedevil the bills passage. With pressure increasing on Republicans to produce a legislative victory, lawmakers are contemplating changes that would exacerbate the tax bills divide between the rich and the middle class. Those include efforts to further reward certain high-income business owners who are already receiving a tax break in the Senate bill but who are at the center of a concerted push by conservative lawmakers and trade groups to sweeten those benefits. As Republican leaders pressed for a Senate floor vote this week, there appeared to be little momentum for amendments that would help low-income Americans, which some Republican and many Democratic senators had sought. The Congressional Budget Office said this week that the Senate bill, as written, would hurt workers earning less than $30,000 a year in short order, while delivering benefits to the highest earners throughout the next decade. Those estimates echo other analyses, like that by the Joint Committee on Taxation, which have found the biggest benefits of the bill increasingly flowing to the rich over time. By 2027, the budget office said, Americans earning $75,000 a year and below would, as a group, see their taxes increase, because individual tax cuts are set to expire at the end of 2025. At the heart of the debate is whether to more favorably treat small businesses and other pass-through entities businesses whose profits are distributed to their owners and taxed at rates for individuals. Seventy percent of pass-through income flows to the top 1 percent of U.S. earners, according to research by Owen Zidar, an economist at the University of Chicagos Booth School of Business. Two Republican senators, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Steve Daines of Montana, have said that they will vote against the plan if it does not do more to help the owners of those businesses, possibly by increasing the individual income tax deduction for such owners from the 17.4 percent rate currently in the Senate bill. Republicans, who control the Senate 52-48, can afford to lose only two of their members if they hope to pass the bill on party lines in the upper chamber. Johnson could stall the bill by himself Tuesday, when it is scheduled for a vote in the Senate Budget Committee. Johnson sits on that committee, where Republicans have a single-vote majority. On Monday, he said he would vote no unless his concerns were addressed. I need a fix beforehand, Johnson said. Earlier in the day, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, the majority whip, said, Theres no deal, but theres been some discussions on how to address Senator Johnson and Senator Daines concerns. He continued, Were trying to be responsive. Adding to the uncertainty, Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee also said Monday that he could be a no vote in the Budget Committee if his concerns about the bills effect on the deficit were not adequately addressed. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, who leads the Senate Finance Committee, said that there was a strong desire to get a bill passed by Friday and that additional changes would most likely be made on the Senate floor. Despite speculation that the House will face pressure to quickly vote upon whatever passes in the Senate, Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, said he fully expects there would be a conference to bridge differences between the House and Senate plans. The pass-through fight is the first skirmish in what lawmakers and lobbyists expect will be a frenzied week, which Republican leaders hope will produce the first major legislative victory of the Trump era for their party. The week is expected to be punctuated by behind-the-scenes arm twisting and deal making as party leaders work to allay senators worries without exceeding their self-imposed $1.5 trillion budget for tax cuts. At least a half-dozen senators have raised concerns about the bill, including its potential to add to the federal deficit and a provision that would eliminate the Affordable Care Act requirement that most Americans have health insurance or pay a penalty. Many of those senators are in discussions with party leaders over how to tweak the bill to address their concerns. James Lankford, R-Okla., said Monday that he was in talks over a proposal meant to ensure the tax plan did not balloon the deficit. Lankford said the Senate was discussing inserting a provision that would lead to tax increases as yet unspecified after a period of years if federal revenues fell short of lawmakers projections. To me, Lankford said, the big issue is how are we dealing with debt and deficit, do we have realistic numbers, and is there a backstop in the process just in case we dont? Corker and Sen. Jeff Flake of Arizona, who has also expressed concerns about the bills costs, said Monday that they were similarly interested in some type of trigger or backstop. Some other senators concerns appear less likely to be addressed. Mike Lee of Utah and Marco Rubio of Florida, for example, appear to be making little progress in persuading party leaders to expand access to the child tax credit for low-income families, by allowing the credit to be refundable against payroll tax liability. Such a move would allow working parents who do not currently face income tax liability to still benefit from the expanded credit envisioned in the bill. On Monday, several Republicans from the Senate Finance Committee, including Hatch, emerged from a lunch with President Donald Trump at the White House saying that they were confident they would have the necessary votes to pass the package this week and would be able to resolve differences with the House version so that the bill could be signed into law in short order. Were generally able to get together and solve these problems, Hatch said of the House and Senate. White House officials privately said that they hoped the two chambers could resolve their differences privately and informally to avoid a potentially lengthy and divisive formal conference that typically is needed to complete major legislation. Asked whether the legislation could be completed by Christmas, Hatch said, I hope so. He added that Democrats should get off their duffs and support the plan. Trump, for his part, said later in the day that he was not interested in getting Democratic support. At an event in the Oval Office honoring Navajo code talkers from World War II, Trump boasted that the package would be a tremendous tax cut, the biggest in the history of our country and predicted there would be great receptivity to it. If we win, well get some Democratic senators joining us, he said. But Im not so interested in that. Were really interested just in getting it passed. Trump is expected to go to Capitol Hill on Tuesday to have lunch with Republican senators before meeting with the top congressional leaders from both parties in the afternoon. BOCA CHICA, Texas -- More than three years ago, SpaceX founder Elon Musk gathered with state leaders at this remote South Texas beach to trumpet it as the future location of the worlds first commercial spaceport. But so far, the only liftoffs from the shifting dunes are being achieved by seagulls and pelicans. SpaceX the Hawthorne, California, company started by the Musk with the aim of reducing the cost of space travel and one day facilitating the colonization of Mars still counts the Boca Chica site in its plans. The company installed two large tracking antennas at the location this year, perhaps the most tangible indication yet of its intended purpose as a launch point for commercial satellites and, eventually, exploration of the solar system. But progress on the Boca Chica facility in which Musk vowed SpaceX would invest $100 million and initially predicted could be sending up rockets by late 2016 has been slower than either SpaceX or state officials envisioned when it was announced in 2014. The state has pledged a total of $15.3 million in incentives to the project, although SpaceX has returned a small portion of the state money it has received so far because it hasnt met early job-creation goals. The slower rate of progress is partly the result of difficulties building on the beach after bedrock turned out to be deeper than expected and the water table turned out to be higher than expected. That prompted SpaceX to bring in hundreds of thousands of cubic yards of new soil to stabilize the site to support future structures. Other slowdowns have been caused by the companys focus on more pressing issues after one of its rockets exploded in 2015 shortly after liftoff from a leased launch pad at Floridas Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and another exploded on the pad in 2016, temporarily grounding some of SpaceXs commercial operations both times. Most recently, SpaceX has said the first blast-off from Boca Chica could take place by the end of 2018. Spokesman James Gleeson reiterated that goal in a recent interview although he added a caveat. SpaceX has continued to make progress on building the first-ever commercial spaceport in South Texas while also overcoming a number of challenges in the last few years, Gleeson said. We continue to target late 2018 but were reviewing our progress in South Texas and SpaceX will turn the launch complex online as soon as its ready. Boca Chica is in Cameron County, about 20 miles east of Brownsville at the southernmost tip of Texas, where Texas Highway 4 dead-ends into the Gulf of Mexico. A small housing development, called Boca Chica Village, is nearby. According to state documents obtained by the Austin American-Statesman through an open-records request, the deadline for the Boca Chica spaceport to become operational or potentially lose more of the state incentive money pledged to it is less than a year away on Sept. 30, 2018. The agreement also requires that 120 people be employed by the facility by the end of this year, 180 by the end of 2018 and 300 by the end of 2024. Only a handful of people were working at the location during a recent visit by the American-Statesman, however, and there was little to distinguish it amid the windswept landscape as the future site of a cutting-edge launching point for space exploration. Aside from the two tracking antennas brought in this year which arent yet operational the most notable structure was a large platform of compacted soil, set off by fencing and a SpaceX Launch Site sign. Across the highway, the metal framework of what appeared to be a storage building was being erected around some heavy equipment. The spaceport has been viewed by state and local leaders as the linchpin to establishing South Texas as a hub for an emerging private U.S. space industry in an era of NASA budget cuts, and former Gov. Rick Perry was on hand for the ground-breaking ceremony in September 2014. At the time, the Brownsville Economic Development Corp. estimated SpaceX would create 500 jobs over 10 years with an annual payroll of more than $51 million. Musk a billionaire serial entrepreneur who also started electric-car maker Tesla and is known for bold statements and futuristic pronouncements said during the groundbreaking that rockets launched from Boca Chica would carry commercial satellites at first but eventually could be critical to establishing a human presence on Mars. SpaceXs formal name is Space Exploration Technologies Corp. It could very well be that the first person that departs for another planet will depart from this location, Musk said at the time. The rate of progress at Boca Chica since then isnt necessarily a surprise to some SpaceX observers, however, because both the company and Musk have reputations in the aerospace industry for issuing ambitious timetables that often are revised. Being behind schedule is kind of par for the course for SpaceX, said Bill Ostrove, primary space analyst for Forecast International. They lay out very aggressive plans in terms of time schedules that are very rarely if ever met. Theres kind of an expectation that anytime SpaceX gives you a date, you always have to assume that there is going to be a few years of delay. Still, Musk does have a track record of eventually accomplishing many of the goals he sets -- such as when SpaceX made history this year by relaunching into orbit and then successfully landing a booster rocket that it had flown before. The feat marked a milestone because the company views reusable rockets as the key to lowering the cost of space flight. I wouldnt doubt (Musk) in the end, Ostrove said, although he said he hadnt heard anything specifically about SpaceXs latest Boca Chica plans. Texas beat out Florida, Georgia and Puerto Rico to win the future spaceport. The state pledged $2.3 million from the jobs-focused Texas Enterprise Fund and $13 million from another state incentive fund called the Spaceport Trust Fund, in addition to millions more in various tax incentives committed by local governments near the proposed launch site. SpaceX received its first payment from the states spaceport fund -- routed through the Cameron County Spaceport Development Corp. -- this year, totaling $2.6 million and intended to help pay for infrastructure, such as the tracking antennas. To date, SpaceX has paid back about $81,000 of the $400,000 in incentives money it initially received from the Texas Enterprise Fund because it didnt meet hiring goals for either 2015 or 2016. Under the incentives agreement with the state, the company was supposed to have created 60 full-time jobs related to the site by the end of last year, but it had created only 10, according to documents obtained by the American-Statesman. Support for the project continues to be solid among state leaders and Cameron County officials, however. The governors office remains confident Brownsville will be home to the launch of a new SpaceX venture, said Ciara Matthews, a spokeswoman for Gov. Greg Abbott. SpaceX has continually maintained a partnership of transparency with the state of Texas, and the governors office continues to work with the company to ensure a successful project and full compliance with their (Texas Enterprise Fund) agreement. Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino, Jr. said he doesnt consider the spaceport behind schedule because his understanding of SpaceXs plans since he took office in November last year has been that the first launch wouldnt take place until late 2018. But Trevino also said he wasnt aware that SpaceX had fallen short of its hiring targets, noting that Cameron County isnt charged with monitoring job creation at the site since the companys job-related incentives come from the state. Cameron County has granted a $1.8 million, 10-year property-tax abatement to SpaceX, he said. Obviously, (the hiring shortfall) is a slowdown and a little bit of a delay, but I havent heard anything (else) that would indicate the project is in a slowdown or is a project that is not going to come to fruition, Trevino said. We are being told (by SpaceX) that the plan and the project is still moving forward. He said hes confident we are going to see launches taking place from Cameron County eventually. Its really exciting, Trevino said. Obviously, we would love to see more tangible examples of the progress, but Im sure we will. According to SpaceX, he and others wont have to wait much longer for an increase in activity at the future spaceport. The recently installed antennas at Boca Chica are expected to be operational next year although theyll initially track flights blasting off from elsewhere and the company also indicated development of the overall launch complex should pick up. Even as our teams worked to modernize and repair our launch complexes in Florida so that we could reliably return to flight for our customers, SpaceX invested $14 million into the South Texas project, said Gleeson, the companys spokesman. Now, with our launch construction projects in Florida wrapping up by early 2018, SpaceX will be able to turn more attention to our work in South Texas, he said. (Global Times) 08:13, November 28, 2017 Parents allege further child abuse in Beijing Photo: Li Hao/GT Photo: Li Hao/GT Photo: Li Hao/GT Police are investigating claims of suspected child abuse at another Beijing kindergarten, following several similar cases which have sparked public outrage in China. Parents of children enrolled at Huanyu kindergarten, in Beijing's Chaoyang district, have claimed on Monday that teachers also pricked the children with needles, similar to the allegations made of the abuse at the RYB Education kindergarten, also in Chaoyang. One woman, who claimed to be the parent of a child at Huanyu, showed the Global Times a photo on a cellphone that allegedly showed needle marks on her daughter's arms. Another woman surnamed Jiang said she found marks on her son's forehead and arms two months ago, but only knew this weekend that "these are needle hole marks." She said about six furious parents gathered at the kindergarten on Monday to demand an explanation from a teacher surnamed Xia, after their children had accused Xia of pricking them with needles. Xia denied these accusations, and told the Global Times she is not aware of the situation. Xia is still a college student and is an intern at the kindergarten, and she is not yet a certified teacher, said news site thepaper.cn. A kindergarten employee told the Global Times that the school is also investigating. He added he could not provide more information because the probe is ongoing. The allegation comes soon after the child abuse cases at Beijing's RYB Education kindergarten, which remains at the center of public attention. Media reports on Thursday alleged multiple cases of child abuse at the school. Some parents had claimed their children had puncture marks from needles and had been given unknown types of pills. Beijing police announced Saturday on social media they had detained a 22-year-old female teacher surnamed Liu for suspected child abuse, and Chaoyang district authorities said the principal of the kindergarten has been fired. Beijing's education commission said Sunday that it will appoint an inspector at every kindergarten. The commission also vowed to build a database that will be used as a monitoring system. Aside from monitoring the schools, the commission said they would also help the schools communicate with parents. A kindergarten in the city's Haidian district told the Beijing Youth Daily that kindergartens are required by the education commission to install cameras to monitor the premises, and some kindergartens in Dongcheng district have also been ordered to link their surveillance cameras with local police stations. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Christmas cheer can be a dangerous and backbreaking endeavor, especially in Philomath, Oregon. Philomath is home to Holiday Tree Farms, the largest grower of holiday trees in the U.S. Photos from the tree farm reveal a carefully choreographed harvesting process that results in more than 1 million trees shipped around the country, according to Justin Sullivan in captions appended to a series of photos he took from the farm. GET IN THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT: Nostalgic photos show the evolution of Texas' Santa's Wonderland In 2016, more than 27 million real Christmas trees were purchased in the U.S. totaling more than $2 billion, the National Christmas Tree association reported. The average real tree costs $74. Now Playing: Photos from an Oregon tree farm reveal a carefully choreographed harvesting process that results in more than one million Christmas trees shipped around the country. Video: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Swipe through the gallery above to see the men and women of Holiday Tree Farms at work. Fernando Alfonso III is a digital reporter at Chron.com. You can read more of his stories here and follow him on twitter at @fernalfonso. If you also like surreal GIFs and Polaroids, go here and here. AUSTIN -- The Republican Party of Texas says it has submitted open records requests with the offices of every member of the Texas House as party officials try to figure out who complained to the state's campaign finance regulator about the party's speaker commitment form. "According to a press report last week (in the Quorum Report) an inquiry was filed with the Texas Ethics Commission on the Republican Party of Texas' Republican Caucus Speaker Selection Commitment Form asking whether the existence of the form was a method of 'legislative bribery,'" the party said in a statement. A man has been charged with intoxication assault after a crash in Galveston Monday night that flipped two cars and sent six people to the hospital. Michael Herrera, 39, drove his Chevy Silverado through a stop sign at the corner of 47th Street and Avenue Q about 8:30 p.m., according to the Galveston Police Department. Witnesses told police Herrera was speeding when he crashed into a Chevrolet Cruze carrying three adults and two children, ages 8 and 9. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Tree planting has turned into gold for Cypress Christian School senior Halle Hudson. Hudson earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest honor in Girl Scouting after completing a tree-planting project around Sims Bayou and Meyer Park. "It feels very empowering to know that I completed this national award, that it was such a great success, and that I was able to make my mark on the world," Hudson said. The Girl Scout Gold Award, which recognizes girls in high school who demonstrate leadership through sustainable and measurable community service projects, requires a minimum of 80 hours to complete. Hudson, who has been a Girl Scout for 13 years, since kindergarten, completed her tree-planting project and created a website informing others on how to plant trees for people to enjoy and continue the work she started with the project. "My favorite part about the tree planting was implementing my plan and seeing the end result become a great success for not only me, but my community," Hudson said. "What I enjoy most about being a Girl Scout is the long lasting sisterhood with the other members of my troop and learning how to use the skills I've learned to become a self-sufficient young lady." Through the process of the project, Hudson trained more than 30 volunteers in how to plant the trees, gave presentations to other Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts and a science class at her school, and created a fact sheet about how to plant trees. Hudson also distributed the fact sheet that included a link to her tree-planting project, to her church, local stores, and community. "Halle led and organized her team, she was proficient in developing and implementing a detailed plan, and was an effective communicator," Pamela Hubbard said, leader of Troop 12601 where Hudson belongs. Hudson has plans to attend college and major in marketing. Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council, which Hudson's troop is a member of, is a United Way agency, one of the largest Girl Scout councils in the country serving more than 58,000 girl members and 16,000 adults in 26 southeast Texas counties. "It is important to be a Girl Scout because girls are taught to be leaders, bold creative thinkers, advocates for change, and servants to the community to make the world a better place," Hubbard said. Girl Scouts of the USA includes 1.8 million girls and 800,000 adults who aim to change the world through the power G.I.R.L. The acronym stands for being a go-getter, innovator, risk taker, and leader. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Pena's Donuts & Diner took a hard hit from Hurricane Harvey when the fledgling restaurant off Pearland Parkway received eight inches of rain, ruining much of the interior and equipment, and forcing owner Raymond Pena to shut its doors. Despite the hardship, Pena, who has lived in Pearland for more than 30 years, wasn't ready to give up, but he knew he couldn't go it alone. He has partnered with Aldo Salazar, and the men say they'll be ready to welcome customers in December. "We had so much damage from the storm and I realized I'd need a partner to reopen," said Pena, a former Houston firefighter and owner of Donut Heaven, a Pearland donut shop he established in 2010. "We found Mr. Salazar and he had a really good concept for what we wanted to do financially, and we thought he could bring what we needed here. Now we're just working hard, and it's almost like we're starting all over again. We even have to rehire about 20 employees." Salazar, who has a background in marketing and design, said he was eager to jump at the chance to see the business get back on its feet. "I've been a customer of this place before. I used to come in all the time," he said. "So when I saw the Facebook post that the business might need to close (because of the storm) I jumped right on it and set up a meeting." The meeting proved successful, and Pena and Salazar are hoping that success will translate into renewed business once Pena's Donuts & Diner reopens just north of Pearland at the Sam Houston Tollway. "I think part of what excited people (before the storm) about the concept of this place is that it's not traditional," Salazar said. "We have a lot of Mexican- and barbecue-inspired food. You won't find this kind of stuff outside of Texas." Pena said fans of more standard breakfast fare also will feel right at home. "We're known throughout the city of Houston and in Pearland for our doughnuts, and we consider ourselves to have some of the best doughnuts around," he said. "As far as other food, we do have the classics like chicken and waffles and other traditional American breakfast and lunch plates." Both men have experience in restaurants. Pena's Donuts & Diner, established late last year, is Pena's third restaurant, following the opening of Donut Heaven. He opened his first doughnut shop in 1996 in southeast Houston, but his exposure to the restaurant business came earlier. You might even say it's in his blood. "My mom had a Shipley's doughnut franchise so that's how I learned about the doughnut business, and my dad was a very good chef with the Merchant Marines," he said. "I learned everything about the food part from my parents." As for Salazar, he cut his teeth in the industry. "Growing up I worked in restaurants in high school and in college," he said. With the reopening right around the corner, Pena is looking to build on the momentum his eatery was gathering before Harvey dealt it a harsh blow. "It's always hard in the beginning when you're starting a business, but it was doing pretty well," he said. "But when we had to close and I put it on Facebook that we might not reopen we had a tremendous response from people who didn't want that to happen and who wanted me to reopen. "When I posted that we were getting close to reopening people were really happy to hear it." Pena's Donuts & Diner, which will reopen in its original location at 10555 Pearland Parkway, St. 1A, is slated to open the first or second week of December with regular business hours from 6 a.m. until 2 p.m. seven days a week. For more information call 832-831-9630. With employees around the region, across the United States and throughout the world looking for workers skilled in cyber security, Lone Star College will soon be offering apprenticeship programs to train students to work in cyber security and other industries to try to fill the growing demand for workers. The college is set to begin its registered apprenticeship programs where students will be able to "earn while they learn" while getting trained in cyber security, as well as other trades including mechatronics, machining and as field service technicians. The apprenticeship programs, which will begin in January, will be taught at the college's various campuses, including LSC-CyFair, LSC-North Harris and LSC-University Park, according to Caroline Williamson, Lone Star College's executive director of LSC Workforce Project Development. Lone Star is offering the apprenticeship training through a partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor, with the college saying in a release announcing the program that it's the first college in Texas to offer the registered programs through the federal agency. The apprenticeships are new programs and not an expansion of current programs. The apprenticeship programs come at a time when demand for workers offering cyber security skills booms. According to a nonprofit security research group called Information Systems Audit and Control Association, there's already such a growing demand of skilled workers in the field that by January of 2019 there's expected to be a worldwide shortage of an estimated two million cyber security workers. And the association notes that even though demand for information technology professionals is already in high gear, the demand for cyber security professionals to work in IT is growing three times as fast. So beside preparing themselves to ride the wave of this cyber security hiring frenzy, Lone Star officials say students enrolling in the apprenticeship programs can also earn money along the way. "Lone Star College will customize each apprenticeship program to fit the company's need, based on industry standard and required curriculum or hours," Williamson said. Locally, Williamson notes, The Texas Workforce Commission reports that the need for information security analysts in the Texas Gulf Coast region will jump more than 26 percent from 2014 to 2024. And, beside cyber security programs, Lone Star will also be offering apprenticeships in mechatronics, machining and field service technology. The field of mechatronics is a relatively new term of a field that describes the combined training of mechanical engineering, electronics and other skills to repair automated machines and robotic equipment. Demand for such workers is especially high locally, with The Houston Chronicle reporting that trained workers are in big demand among Houston's major employers, including Daikin, HP, National Oilwell Varco and Halliburton. And nationwide, the newspaper reported there were 388,000 openings in the field, with the jobs being described as "well-paying." Lone Star and federal labor officials say besides earning money while preparing for work in these booming and high-paying fields, the college's apprenticeship programs are also flexible, allowing students to work and hopefully avoid taking out loans to finance their education. The college's job placement services department also works to connect students with hiring companies. "Students can earn while they learn, reducing the need to take on debt," U.S. Department of Labor representative James Carnes said in a statement included in Lone Star's release. Besides its apprenticeship programs Lone Star is also moving forward with a plan to open a seventh campus, which would likely be open in the spring of 2019. That campus would serve students who now take classes at satellite centers in north Harris County. With its current six campuses Lone Star officials say the college is the largest higher learning institution in the Houston area providing training and classes to 99,000 students a semester. (Xinhua) 08:16, November 28, 2017 Chinese and U.S. demand for petrochemicals will drive the global demand for oil next year, expert said on Monday at the three-day Gulf Petrochemical and Chemical Association Forum. Demand for oil in China and the U.S. is expected to continue to grow next year, Vice President of Refining and Chemicals at research firm Wood Mackenzie Alan Gelder said, "and globally, we see 3.5 percent growth for petrochemical products in 2018." The growth of oil-related manufacturing like the production of ethane and propane, which are basic materials for plastic, was the main driver for the demand of the "black gold." A dip in demand for oil as seen in the third quarter of 2017 "was a one-off mostly driven by Hurricane Harvey which hit demand for petrochemicals in the United States," Gelder added. Harvey lasted from Aug. 17 to Sept. 3 in the southwest of the United States and was, with 200 billion U.S. dollars in damage, the costliest storm on record, topping Katrina from 2005. Gelder also mentioned that the slight slowing down of China's economic growth, saying it "does not mean China's economy is declining, in fact it keeps growing." Asia's oil demand growth remains strong, and more balanced between gasoline and diesel/gas oil, said the analyst. Earlier in October, the International Monetary Fund raised its forecast for China's economic growth in 2017 and 2018, saying the Chinese economy would climb 6.8 percent this year and 6.5 percent next year, both 0.1 percentage point higher than its previous forecast in July, citing the stronger-than-expected performance in the first half of the year and continuous policy support. Nevertheless Wood Mackzenzie does not expect the price of oil to rise sharply, but it anticipates Brent to trade at 65 dollars per barrel by 2020, despite the agreement between OEPC and Russia to cap production to lift the price. "That is because OPEC (the Organization of Oil Exporting Countries) members Libya and Nigeria increase their production levels which mitigate OPEC and Russian production restraints, albeit OPEC adherence to cuts was strong in the first half," Gelder pointed out. Currently, Brent trades around 60 dollars per barrel. On Nov. 30, the 14 OPEC members will gather for their 173rd ordinary meeting and their third OPEC and non-OPEC ministerial meeting at the cartel's headquarters in Vienna, Austria. On the top of the agenda is the discussion point whether the 14 OPEC member states and the 11 non-OPEC members led by Russia will extend their pact from January this year to cut oil production by a combined 1.8 million barrels per day in order to squeeze oversupplied global stockpiles and thus to lift prices. The agreed production volume of oil was set at 32 million barrels per day since then. BRUSSELS, Belgium - A Belgian court announced Tuesday that it had struck down an effort to deport an imam at Belgium's oldest mosque, saying that Belgian immigration authorities had not provided evidence the cleric posed a serious threat to society. The imam, Abdelhadi Sewif, has worked at the Grand Mosque of Brussels for 13 years. The Belgian state secretary for asylum and migration, Theo Francken, accused Sewif of threatening national security as he sought to reject a residence permit renewal. Sewif has denied the charges and said that he was never able to review the evidence against him, because it was classified intelligence material. The decision curbs the efforts Belgian authorities have started to make against the mosque, which is Belgium's largest and is leased by the Belgian government to the Saudi royal family. Belgian lawmakers and counterterrorism officials have raised concerns about the unusual arrangement of foreign control of the mosque, which they say makes it less accountable to national authorities. The Belgian parliamentary committee charged with investigating the causes of the March 22, 2016, bombings of the Brussels airport and subway recommended in October that Belgium break the lease, which was signed in the 1960s as a gesture of goodwill to the country's growing Muslim population. But Belgian counterterrorism officials have said they have no evidence that the mosque's imams have advocated violence or lawbreaking. Tuesday's announcement from the court, which followed a formal Friday court decision, said that authorities failed to provide specific evidence that Sewif was a danger to security. Authorities must demonstrate "how the personal conduct of the person concerned concretely constitutes present, real and sufficiently serious threat as to affect the fundamental interest of society. Such a proof cannot be based on mere speculation or general considerations," the immigration court wrote in announcing its decision. "The existence of such a threat is not demonstrated in this case." Sewif denied the charges against him in an interview last month, saying he had always advocated an inclusive vision of Islam. On Tuesday, Sewif's lawyer said the imam welcomed the ruling. "We are happy about the decision," said Hicham Chibane, the lawyer. "Imam Sewif is a person of dialogue, a tolerant person." Although the ruling halts the effort to force Sewif to leave the country, it remains unclear whether Belgian immigration authorities will seek to expel the cleric using different reasoning. Sewif's residence permit expired over the course of the court procedures. "We are analyzing the court decision, and after that we can decide on the next steps to take," said Katrien Jansseune, a spokeswoman for Francken. Maryland's battle over requiring businesses to offer paid sick leave entered a new phase on Tuesday, with Gov. Larry Hogan, R, proposing a less-generous alternative to a bill approved this spring by the Democratic-controlled state legislature. Hogan vetoed that bill, which would require businesses with at least 15 employees to provide five paid sick days a year and was vocally opposed by parts of the business community. Democratic leaders say lawmakers will override the veto when the legislature reconvenes in January. But the bill passed the Senate with exactly the number of votes needed for an override, meaning that the defection of even a single lawmaker could leave Democrats unable to enact the bill. Hogan's alternative proposal would require businesses with at least 25 employees to offer paid sick leave, phasing in the rule over three years by applying it to companies of different sizes during that span. Businesses could also get a waiver if they prove that providing sick leave would cause a significant financial hardship. The governor said he will propose legislation to create tax credits for businesses with fewer than 50 employees that provide paid leave benefits. He said the bill approved by the Democrats would kill jobs and harm small businesses, and would also invade workers' privacy by requiring them to tell employers why they are requesting leave. Democrats and advocates who pushed for the 2017 bill said those criticisms were unfounded, and legislative leaders said they are confident they have the votes to keep the bill in place. "We're going to override the governor's veto in January," said Del. Luke Clippinger, who sponsored the vetoed measure. "We're on the right side of this issue." Five states and a number of cities and counties, including the District of Columbia, currently require businesses to provide paid sick leave. Senate Finance Committee Chair Thomas M. Middleton said the Democratic bill is "not as anti-business as the governor says it is . . . What I hear from advocates is that everyone who voted for the bill is staying firm." Hogan introduced a measure early this year that would have required businesses with at least 50 employees to provide paid sick days, with a tax incentive for smaller businesses that agreed to follow suit. The bill, which Hogan said was the first sick-leave plan ever proposed by a Republican governor, never moved out of committee. Middleton said he's open to discussing Hogan's proposal for providing tax credits to offset the costs of providing paid sick leave. "But if you give a tax credit, you have to reduce services or find additional sources of revenue, and I don't think there's much appetite for those things," he said. Hogan said his new plan is based in part on findings from a work group he created in May to study how mandatory sick leave would affect employers and workers. Advocates accused him of trying to weaken worker protections while still showing voters that he supports popular ideas ahead of the 2018 election. "It strikes me as a political stunt to muddy the waters and confuse voters," said Maryland Working Families director Charly Carter. A Washington Post-University of Maryland poll this year found overwhleming support in Maryland for paid sick leave. Eighty-four percent of respondents approved of requiring the benefit for businesses with at least 15 workers, while 87 percent backed such a mandate for businesses with at least 50 employees. Additionally, 78 percent said they would support tax benefits for businesses with fewer than 50 workers that provide paid sick leave. CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Coal executive Robert Murray ambled through the packed hearing room inside the gold-domed capital complex here, past reporters and photographers, past environmental activists and energy lobbyists, past more than two dozen of his miners who had filled the seats, wearing their work uniforms and hard hats. Like the roughly 300 other people signed up to speak about the Environmental Protection Agency's proposal to withdraw the Clean Power Plan - Barack Obama's signature effort as president to combat climate change by limiting emissions from power plants - Murray got three minutes to make his case. He used them to rail against the regulation and praise EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt for vowing to scrap it. He called the Clean Power Plan the "linchpin" of the "war on coal." He argued, as he has for years, that it would have killed more jobs in an industry that has been shedding jobs for years, mostly because of automation and the rise of natural gas. He said it was past time to bury the "illegal, excessive" Obama-era regulation. "God bless President [Donald] Trump and you coal miners. I love you fellas," he said. Minutes later, 72-year-old Stanley Sturgill, who mined coal for four decades in the hills of Kentucky, took the seat on the dais where Murray had spoken. He and his wife had risen before dawn and driven several hours from their home in Harlan County. He spoke of his own respiratory problems and how emissions from coal-fired power plants and other pollutants had wreaked havoc on the health of friends, family and neighbors. "We need the EPA's immediate help and not their abandonment," Sturgill said. "Do I really think that this administration cares what this old, worn coal miner has to say? I don't know. I doubt it." But Sturgill said as long as he could draw a breath, even a strained one, he intended to push the EPA to put concerns about public health above the wishes of the fossil fuel industry. "Our health, environment and global climate are actively being destroyed. And it is clear to me that EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt and President Trump are accelerating and cheering on the damage," he told EPA officials. "I have come here today to ask you to stop. For the sake of my grandchildren and yours, I call on you to strengthen, not repeal, the Clean Power Plan." The opening hours of a two-day hearing here, with testimony spread across three separate hearing rooms simultaneously, encapsulated the controversy that has long engulfed the plan that Obama finalized in 2015 in an effort to slash greenhouse-gas emissions that scientists agree are fueling the planet's warming. Industry representatives, elected officials and workers who rely on the coal industry here excoriated it as a textbook example of government overreach that would cost jobs and harm families. To Pruitt's proposal to ditch it, they had a simple message: Good riddance. Yet environmental activists, public health groups and a collection of ordinary citizens defended the rule as an essential element in the fight to combat climate change, as well as a key measure to improve air quality and help the nation embrace cleaner forms of energy and the economic potential associated with that shift. Bobby May, who traveled from Hurley, Virginia, with his brother, called the Clean Power Plan "all pain and no gain" for those who rely on the coal industry. "We are survivors of the Obama administration's war on coal," said May, who described himself as the son and father of coal miners. "Coal puts food on the table for my family. It puts clothes on the back of my grandchildren." That wasn't the perspective of Nick Mullins, a fifth-generation coal miner from Kentucky. He has no interest in his own son following in his footsteps. "I don't want him to be a sixth-generation coal miner," Mullins testified, detailing the physical toll the work had taken on members of his family. He said he viewed the Clean Power Plan as a pathway to safer, more diversified job options for his children. Back and forth it went. Kathy Beckett, a West Virginia lawyer and board member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, called the Clean Power Plan "unlawful and a bad deal for America." She argued it would drive up electricity rates and impose billions of dollars in compliance costs for companies "without any significant reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions." But Angie Rosser, executive director of the West Virginia Rivers Coalition, said the plan's benefits easily outweigh its costs. "The coal miners I talk to seem to know coal jobs will continue to dry up, with or without a Clean Power Plan," she said. She characterized the EPA's decision to hold a lone hearing in Charleston as a "public spectacle." "We've been pitted against each other by being told we'll either have coal, or we'll have nothing," Rosser said. "This administration seems to thrive on public anger and conflict. It's a distraction. When people are fighting, they are not talking . . . The clock is ticking to do something different than leaning on a dying industry." As Oklahoma attorney general, Pruitt joined more than two dozen other state attorneys general and an array of industry opponents in suing over the Clean Power Plan. They argued that the Obama administration did not have legal authority to force states to form detailed plans to reduce CO2 emissions from such sources as coal-fired power plants. In turn, the Obama White House and environmental groups insisted the EPA had authority under the Clean Air Act to put such regulations in place and noted the Supreme Court has ruled the agency has an obligation to regulate carbon dioxide as a pollutant. The Clean Power Plan aims to cut carbon emissions from the nation's electricity sector by about a third by 2030, compared with 2005 levels. The justices last year blocked the plan's implementation until a lower court could rule on its legality. The Trump administration took office before the court issued a ruling. The EPA officially proposed to repeal the Clean Power Plan last month, with Pruitt saying that "we are committed to righting the wrongs of the Obama administration by cleaning the regulatory slate." The reversal is likely to trigger months, if not years, of litigation, but it is unlikely, according to many experts, to affect the nation's overall shift from coal to natural gas and renewable power generation in the electricity sector. While the Obama administration held numerous "listening sessions" and four public hearings around the country when it unveiled the plan, the Trump administration has scheduled only one public hearing to seek input on the regulation's repeal: in this state capital on the banks of the Kanawha River, where a statue of a coal miner stands on the grounds outside the legislature. West Virginia led a multistate fight against the Obama administration's efforts to regulate carbon emissions. As a candidate, Trump enjoyed a raucous reception in Charleston just after clinching the Republican nomination for president in May 2016. He donned a miner's hat at the packed rally, pretended to shovel coal and vowed to put coal miners back to work - a promise that remains mostly unrealized. In the crowd that night, supporters waved signs reading, "Trump Digs Coal." In announcing the Charleston hearing, Pruitt said the agency was "headed to the heart of coal country to hear from those most impacted" by the Clean Power Plan. Critics quickly noted that emissions from power plants affect not just the coal industry but the health of Americans nationwide. Scores of people filed into the trio of hearing rooms on Tuesday to implore the EPA to salvage the Clean Power Plan - or to scrap it. Some had registered ahead of time. Others just showed up and added their names to a growing list. "This is about the kind of world we want to leave for our children, and we need to support a clean energy future," said Liz Perrera, a climate policy director for the Sierra Club, who added that it is "the residents of this state who will miss out" if policymakers don't encourage the shift away from coal. The opposite message came from a staffer for Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., who delivered a message from her boss calling the Clean Power Plan "an assault on our economy and our way of life." On it went, three minutes at a time. Syrian activists say an airstrike on a village held by ISIL killed at least 25 people, all of them civilians. Deir Ezzor 24 activist group blamed Russian warplanes for the strike on Sunday on the village of Shaafa in the eastern province of Deir el-Zour. The village is near the town of Boukamal, which Syrian troops and their allies captured this month. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights gave a higher death toll, saying 53 people were killed, including 21 children. The Russian Defense Ministry said six Tu-22M3 long-range bombers scrambled from Russia and carried out an airstrike on "terrorists' objects" in Deir el-Zour on Sunday. On the same day, it released footage of the airstrike. It was not possible to verify whether the airstrike was the same Syrian activists were referring to. Syria's violence hasn't abated ahead of the resumption of UN peace talks in Geneva on Tuesday. TOKYO - The Japanese government's consideration of supporting projects conducted by Japanese and Chinese companies in areas along the China-proposed Belt and Road mega economic zone is prompted by its belief that China's role is crucial in solving the issue of North Korea. The Japanese government pictures a scenario where the entire international community maximizes pressure on Pyongyang to bring the country, which has repeatedly conducted nuclear tests and launched ballistic missiles, to the table for dialogue. The key to realizing the scenario is whether China, which accounts for 90 percent of North Korea's trade, fully implements the U.N. Security Council's sanctions resolutions on that state. NAIROBI, Kenya - Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta was sworn in for a second term on Tuesday amid thunderous applause of supporters even as pro-government forces fired on protesters angered by the contentious election process that kept him in power. The inauguration capped an incredibly fraught few months for Kenya that saw an election canceled, weeks of unrest, an opposition boycott and finally a new election that gave Kenyatta 98 percent of the vote, but with a turnout of less than 40 percent. Even as Kenyatta was sworn in, police across town opened fire on opposition demonstrators, with reports of at least one dead. Taking the oath on the same Bible used by his father - Kenya's first president, Jomo Kenyatta in 1964 - the capacity crowd erupted into cheers in the 60,000 seat Kasarani Stadium decked out in the red and gold of Kenyatta's party. Neighboring heads of state looked on, including the leaders of Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda and South Sudan. So many people tried to push into the stadium for the event that police had to fire tear gas outside the venue to control the crowd. "This is the day that we have been waiting for. It's finally here. Our God had done this for us. The elections have tormented and almost destroyed our country. We hope that this will be the beginning of a new chapter," said 30-year-old businessman Marvin Muriithi Munyua. "Let's now focus in our country." The extended election season stretching from August until the inauguration exacerbated the deep divisions. Support for Kenyatta and his opponent, Raila Odinga, broke along on ethnic lines. The business community also backed Odinga while many in more marginalized regions turned to Odinga to stem the endemic corruption in the country. Odinga attempted to stage a parallel prayer rally during the inauguration for those killed during the election-related violence. Some 70 people are estimated to have died in confrontations with police over the past few months. The government declared the rally illegal, and blocked the roads leading to the Jacaranda grounds, preventing it from taking place. Residents of the area said police used live fire to disperse protesters. The residents held up spent cartridges as evidence that gunfire was used. At least one body was seen. The crowd chanted "Uhuru must go" and "Thief." Supporters barricaded streets in the neighborhood with stones and said the forces attacking them were the so-called Mungiki, a pro-government gang, rather than police. "They are following people into the houses and killing them," said one man, who didn't provide his name amid the chaos of chanting protesters. "This is not the country we are going to live in . . . this is more than a dictatorship." Odinga withdrew from the Oct. 26 election rerun saying that nothing had been done to address the problems that led to the first set of election results to be annulled. Within hours of Kenyatta's victory, he said his party, the National Super Alliance would be transformed into a resistance movement that would use civil disobedience and boycotts to target the government and its corporate backers. Kenya is East Africa's most diverse and richest economy, but the election turmoil has harmed economic growth. MEXICO CITY -When Jose Antonio Meade, Mexico's finance secretary, tendered his resignation Monday morning, there was plenty of praise from President Enrique Pena Nieto - but no mention of why Meade was leaving or where he was going. Many Mexicans, however, thought they know exactly what was coming next. Meade's resignation seemed eerily similar to a ritual known as "El Destape," or "The Unveiling," a relic of Mexico's days under one-party rule. During the 71-year reign of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), the president would present his preferred successor, who would be endorsed by PRI power brokers - presumed representatives of the working and popular classes - and praised effusively by members of the political class and the media. With other potential PRI candidates such as Interior Minister Miguel Angel Osorio Chong recently bowing out of the race, Meade seemed like he was the party's chosen one. Sure enough, he announced later on Monday that he will run for the PRI nomination. But using such an old-school selection doesn't seem to fit in a country that has left one-party rule behind. "This is the sad spectacle of a PRI that has not known how to adapt to democracy and still chooses its candidate on the whims of its party elites," said Viridiana Rios, a scholar at the Wilson Center, a Washington, D.C., think tank. "It's a pathetic spectacle, too. We're all paying attention as if we're implicitly accepting the PRI can win in 2018." Immediately after resigning, Meade continued the "destape" ritual, making appearances at PRI-linked institutions such as the CTM union, a labor organization tied to the party but not known for doggedly defending workers. "The PRI is made in the mold of Jose Antonio and Jose Antonio is made in the mold of the PRI," said CTM boss Carlos Aceves, whose enthusiastic comments received lengthy applause. Mexican media also covered Meade's resignation closely - much more so than other cabinet shuffles or resignations. Stories centered on Meade's impeccable track record, absence of scandal and how he would drive his own car to work or even take public transit in a city where public officials ply the streets in SUVs with security details. Media outlets also reported on Meade's imminent meetings with PRI power brokers, along with the withdrawal of the party's other top contenders, even as they polled better than Meade in hypothetical election matchups (the PRI has no primary system that pits potential candidates against one another). "There's a part of Mexico that feels comfortable with this charade. The press can cover this in the style it knows. It's how they were brought up," said Esteban Illades, editor of the Mexican magazine Nexos. "This is the Mexico my parents told me about." "It's not only about this patrimonial presidency," tweeted Carlos Bravo Regidor, professor at the Center for Teaching and Research in Economics. "It's also the fact that there are so many in the media willing to be on the bandwagon or even celebrate it as if we're in 1976." Meade is not, as yet, even a member of the PRI. But the party has been battered by corruption and conflict-of-interest scandals, and violence hit record levels in 2017. Polls show the PRI trailing both its main rivals; an August survey by market research firm Buendia & Laredo found 41 percent of respondents saying they would never vote for the party. He also generates excitement in business circles - especially among investors spooked by the prospect of left-wing populist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador winning the presidency - and has a good record as a cabinet minister in successive administrations under presidents from different parties. PRI leaders are apparently hoping that Meade is a "clean" candidate capable of changing the party's toxic image - even if his selection may prove that the same old power brokers are still in charge. "If confirmed that the candidate is Meade, we will see the PRI promote him as a 'citizen' candidate, without party affiliation, with technical training, not a politician, rather a functionary," Bravo Regidor said. "It's to say there are elements of an anti-political discourse in the service of the PRI." TOKYO - North Korea claimed the entire United States mainland was within reach after "successfully" testing a new kind of intercontinental ballistic missile, which it called the Hwasong-15, and said could carry a "super large heavy warhead." While Pyongyang is prone to exaggeration, its boast of having all of the United States in range is in line with experts' calculations that the missile launched Wednesday, which flew 10 times higher than the International Space Station, could theoretically reach Washington, District of Columbia. "With this system, we can load the heaviest warhead and strike anywhere in the mainland United States," North Korea's most famous newsreader, Ri Chun Hee, said in a special live broadcast on state television. "This missile is far more technologically advanced than July's Hwasong-14. This signifies that our rocket development process has been completed." Kim Jong Un, the North Korean leader, had personally authorized the launch, Ri said, a photo of Kim at his desk and the handwritten order appearing on the screen. Wednesday's launch, the first in more than two months, is a clear sign that the North Korean leader is pressing ahead with his nation's stated goal of being able to strike the United States' mainland and is not caving in to the Trump administration's strategy of applying "maximum pressure." The missile logged a longer flight time than any of its predecessors and went farther into the atmosphere than ever before, reaching a height of 2,800 miles. The International Space Station, by comparison, is 240 miles above the Earth. President Donald Trump, together with his counterparts in South Korea and Japan and the U.N. secretary general, condemned the latest launch. "We will take care of it," he told reporters at the White House, calling it a "situation we will handle." He later tweeted that Democrats should join with Republicans to pass a spending measure to avert a government shutdown. "After North Korea missile launch, it's more important than ever to fund our gov't & military!" Trump has repeatedly said that military options are on the table for dealing with North Korea and has suggested that time has run out for a diplomatic solution to the nuclear problem. A growing chorus of voices in Washington is calling for serious consideration of military action against North Korea, although this is strongly opposed by South Korea, where the Seoul metropolitan region - home to 25 million people - is within the range of North Korean artillery. And Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Tuesday that "diplomatic options remain viable and open, for now." He added: "The United States remains committed to finding a peaceful path to denuclearization and to ending belligerent actions by North Korea." The missile was launched just before 3 a.m. Wednesday from South Pyongan province in the western part of North Korea, where Kim had recently visited a catfish farm, according to state media. It reached a height of about 2,800 miles before landing 54 minutes later some 620 miles from the launch site, in waters inside Japan's exclusive economic zone. The splashdown site was about 130 miles off the coast of Aomori prefecture. This suggested that it had been fired almost straight up - on a "lofted trajectory" similar to North Korea's two previous intercontinental ballistic missile tests. The Pentagon said that the projectile did indeed appear to be an intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM. The latest missile "went higher, frankly, than any previous shot they've taken," Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said. He described the launch as part of an effort to build missiles "that can threaten everywhere in the world." If the missile had flown on a standard trajectory designed to maximize its reach, it would have a range of more than 8,100 miles, said David Wright, co-director of the global security program at the Union of Concerned Scientists. "Such a missile would have more than enough range to reach Washington, D.C.," Wright said. The U.S. capital is 6,850 miles from Pyongyang. The previous intercontinental ballistic missile tested, the Hwasong-14 tested on July 28, was in the air for 47 minutes and could have flown 6,500 miles were it on a normal trajectory. Hwasong means "Mars" in Korean. The South Korean and Japanese governments both convened emergency national security council meetings after the launch, and both leaders talked to Trump by phone. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said its military also conducted a "precision strike" launch exercise in response, firing missiles into the sea. Although it may be cold comfort, it is still unlikely that North Korea is capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to the U.S. mainland - despite Wednesday's claims. That still requires mastering reentry technology and the difficult task of fitting a nuclear warhead into a missile and have it survive the extremes of temperature and vibrations involved with leaving and coming back into the Earth's atmosphere. But Pyongyang has been making rapid progress toward achieving that goal, saying it needs to be able to protect itself from a "hostile" Washington. It has made observable advances this year, firing two intercontinental ballistic missiles in July, the second of which was technically capable of reaching as far as Denver or Chicago. Kelsey Davenport, director of nonproliferation policy at the Arms Control Association, said that Trump's pressure-centric approach was clearly not stopping North Korea's missile advances. "Testing a ballistic missile capable of reaching Washington, D.C., is likely as much a psychological victory for North Korea as it is a technical advancement," Davenport said. "Pyongyang can now back up its belligerent threats to target U.S. cities with nuclear warheads." However, there was a still a question mark over whether North Korea could reliably and accurately deliver a nuclear warhead to a target, she said. A senior South Korean official said Tuesday that North Korea could announce next year that it has completed its nuclear weapons program. "North Korea has been developing its nuclear weapons at a faster-than-expected pace. We cannot rule out the possibility that North Korea could announce its completion of a nuclear force within one year," Cho Myoung-gyon, the unification minister, who is in charge of the South's relations with the North, told foreign reporters in Seoul. But for now, the North Koreans still appear to be in the testing stage, rather than the operational one, said Markus Schiller, a German aerospace engineer who specializes in missiles. "If they are serious about their missile program, they have to launch from time to time, and at different times of the day and in different weather." North Korea still has a way to go with its missile program, Schiller said. "Perhaps they can hit Washington, D.C., with this, but they can't fight a war with it," he said. Kim Jong Un opened 2017 with a New Year's address announcing that North Korea had "entered the final stage of preparation for the test launch of intercontinental ballistic missile." Then, in July, his regime launched two ICBMs, the first on U.S. Independence Day. After its most recent missile launch, an intermediate-range missile that flew over the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido on Sept. 15, North Korea said it was seeking military "equilibrium" with the United States as a way to stop American leaders from talking about military options for dealing with Pyongyang. That was the second launch over Japan in less than three weeks and came less than two weeks after North Korea exploded what was widely believed to be a hydrogen bomb. Those events triggered ire overseas, with Trump denouncing North Korea's regime during a speech to the United Nations General Assembly and mocking Kim as "little Rocket Man." But despite an increase in tensions over the past two months, including a U.S. Navy three-carrier strike group conducting military exercises in the sea between Japan and the Korean Peninsula, 74 days had passed without any missile launches by the North. That was the longest pause all year, according to Shea Cotton, a research associate at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies in Monterey, Calif. The pause had raised hopes that North Korea might be showing interest in returning to talks about its nuclear program. In a speech to the Council on Foreign Relations late last month, Joseph Yun, the State Department's special representative for North Korea policy, said that if North Korea went 60 days without testing a missile or a nuclear weapon, it could be a sign that Pyongyang was open to dialogue. SoftBank formally started its process for buying a significant stake in Uber with an offer to purchase some shares at a valuation of $48 billion, far below the nearly $70 billion valuation that the ride-hailing company garnered in its last round of fundraising, according to two people briefed on the matter, who asked to remain anonymous because the process is confidential. The price is an opening bid in what is known as a tender offer, in which a company makes a public offer to purchase stock from existing shareholders. The tender offer will take weeks to complete, and the price for Uber is likely to fluctuate until the process is finished. Yet any discount will be a comedown for Uber, which is the most highly valued private company in the world. The ride-hailing service has been making plans to go public by 2019, and investors are intensely interested in whether Uber can maintain a high valuation before it stages an initial public offering. The tender offer could not have come at a worse time for Uber, which has been rocked by a series of scandals and a leadership change this year. Last week, Uber also disclosed that it had covered up a security breach that had compromised the personal data of 57 million rider and driver accounts. That revelation has angered regulators and lawmakers around the world. At least three lawsuits related to the data breach have been filed against Uber. On Monday, Uber faced a joint suit filed by Illinois and Chicago over the data breach. Lawmakers have also sent letters to Dara Khosrowshahi, Ubers chief executive, questioning the company about the hacking. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., has publicly said the Federal Trade Commission should investigate and fine Uber for its behavior. The risks to Ubers business posed by its reputation could weigh on the price that any buyer would be willing to pay. SoftBank and its leader, Masayoshi Son, have made clear that the investment firm is willing to play hardball, and it has hinted that it will put money into Ubers rival Lyft if it does not get an offer that it likes from Uber. Bloomberg earlier reported SoftBanks opening bid. SoftBank is joined by Dragoneer Investment Group, which is also seeking to gain a piece of Uber at a discounted price. The tender offer had long been in the making. Ubers board had agreed in October to move forward with a deal with SoftBank, which was signed off on this month. Mike Isaac and Katie Benner are New York Times writers. WASHINGTON - One side of the argument says that if the government can grant patents, surely it should be able to review its work to see if it made a mistake in doing so. The other side says that once a patent is granted, only a court should be able to take away the right that an inventor has come to rely upon. Both perspectives were vigorously represented by Supreme Court justices Monday, and that made it difficult to predict the outcome of a constitutional challenge to a process set up by Congress in 2011 to review the validity of some patents. The case involves the Patent and Trade Advisory Board, which Congress established to respond to complaints about patent "trolls." Those are patent owners who don't use their patents to make products so much as to sue companies that infringe upon their rights. But other patent holders, such as drug companies, say the process, which is overseen by administrative law judges, is not as rigorous as that supervised by courts and thus falls short of what the Constitution demands. The companies say the process makes it harder to protect their work. "For 400 years, courts have adjudicated disputes between private parties about the validity of patents," said Allyson Ho, a Dallas lawyer representing patent holder Oil States Energy Services. "Six years ago, Congress transferred this judicial power to an executive branch tribunal." Oil States owns a patent related to protecting equipment used in fracking. Oil States sued Greene's Energy Group for infringing the patent. Greene's Energy Group, in turn, petitioned the PTAB to review the patent. The board concluded that the challenged claims were unpatentable. Oil States said that such reviews - called "inter partes" because of the expanded role of a third party in the challenges - intrude on a power reserved for the judiciary. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg seemed convinced that Congress could set up such a review system. "There must be some means by which the patent office can correct the errors that it's made,'' she said. Justice Elena Kagan pushed back on Ho's contention that the dispute must be determined by a court rather than an executive tribunal because it is a dispute between two private parties. A private party complains, Kagan said, but the government is the relevant player. "It's the government trying to figure out whether it made a mistake by granting the patent, which the government sometimes does and knows it sometimes does," she said. And Justice Sonia Sotomayor said that decisions of the PTAB can be appealed in federal courts. "What saves this [is] even a patent invalidity finding can be appealed to a court," she said. Some of the conservative justices, suspicious of government bureaucracy, indicated that once any right, such as a patent, is granted, it can be canceled only after a judicial process. "This is not a new idea, that once it's granted, it's a private right belonging to the inventor," said Justice Neil Gorsuch. Chief Justice John Roberts disputed the notion that because a patent is granted by the government, government has more leeway in removing it. "Haven't our cases rejected" the proposition that one has to "take the bitter with the sweet?" Roberts asked Christopher Kise, an attorney for Greene's Energy Group. Other justices indicated they could see merit on both sides of the issue. "I thought it's the most common thing in the world that agencies decide all kinds of matters through adjudicatory-type procedures often involving private parties," said Justice Stephen G. Breyer. "So what's special about this one?" But later, he worried: "Suppose that the patent has been in existence without anybody reexamining it for 10 years and, moreover, the company's invested $40 billion in developing it. And then suddenly somebody comes in and says: 'Oh, oh, we - we want it reexamined, not in court but by the Patent Office.' " Likewise, Justice Anthony Kennedy got Ho to agree that the government could reduce the lengths of patents by 10 years. "Doesn't that show that the patent owner has limited expectations as to the scope and the validity of the property right that he holds?" he asked. But Kennedy also seemed to agree with Gorsuch's analysis that the patent was a private right to which the owner was entitled protection. The case is Oil States Energy Services v. Greene's Energy Group. WASHINGTON - Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday accused Russia of using "malicious tactics" against the United States and European allies, including election interference, poisoning relations to a low reminiscent of the Cold War. In a speech at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, Tillerson cited a litany of Russia's bad behavior, including invasions of the neighboring countries of Georgia and Ukraine, energy policy, cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns to undermine democratic elections. He said the country's actions "are not the behaviors of a responsible nation." "Our trans-Atlantic unity is meant to convey to the Russian government that we will not stand for this flagrant violation of democratic norms," Tillerson said of Russia's continued support for separatists in eastern Ukraine. U.S. sanctions put in place to punish Russia over annexing Crimea and its involvement in Ukraine, he said, "will remain in place until Russia reverses the actions that triggered them." Tillerson called attempts to "reset" relations between Moscow and Washington elusive. "I told Russia, we're never going to get the relationship back to normal until we address Ukraine," said Tillerson, who was awarded Russia's Order of Friendship while he ran Exxon Mobil. "It just sits there as an obstacle." The stern language Tillerson employed against Russia came in a speech that was meant to soothe worried Europeans in advance of his trip to the continent next week. Many allies remain uncertain about the Trump administration's commitments to their security, even though President Donald Trump has softened his positions since early in his term when he questioned whether NATO countries were pulling their own weight in defending themselves. "Our security commitments to Europe are ironclad," Tillerson declared, pointedly calling the NATO treaty's mutual defense commitment "the best mechanism we have to deter aggression." He said the United States will be the first to respond if a NATO ally is attacked, as Europe supported the United States after the terrorist attacks on the Pentagon and World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. But Tillerson also echoed Trump's insistence that NATO nations must increase their defense spending to 2 percent of their budgets. Tillerson acknowledged the harsh reviews that accompanied Trump's criticism of NATO spending and priorities, but he suggested it drove the point home. "The president's message was that we are committed to the alliance; you need to get committed to it as we are." In his remarks about Russia, Tillerson expressed a harder line than the president he serves. Trump has repeatedly questioned whether Russia was involved in leaked emails and the spread of false, often conspiratorial articles that permeated many websites before last year's elections. "Russia has often employed malicious tactics against the United States and Europe to drive us apart, weaken our confidence and undermine our economic successes since the end of the Cold War," Tillerson said. In his visit to Europe next week, Tillerson said he plans to stress the importance of historical alliances and underscore that the United States cannot confront all of the threats it faces on its own. "These alliances were forged in shared blood and shared sacrifices - unlike many of our adversaries, who can count their allies on less than the fingers on one hand," he said. Tillerson singled out one NATO ally whose relations with the United States have grown strained: Turkey. The presidents of Turkey, Iran and Russia met recently to discuss ways to advance peace in Syria, and the three neighbors have grown closer. Tillerson allowed that Turkey cannot "ignore" two countries that are on its border but suggested Ankara give more priority to its NATO allies. "Iran and Russia cannot offer the Turkish people the economic benefits" that the West can, he said. New York Times best-selling author, syndicated daytime talk show host, philanthropist, National Radio Hall of Fame Inductee and fashion designer Wendy Williams has been a fixture in media for the past three decades. Williams's signature style has memorialized her as a true media mogul, joining the ranks of Ellen DeGeneres for the coveted title of top female talk show host. Related: Media Mogul Wendy Williams on Why She's So Happy She Ignored the Worst Advice She Ever Received The Wendy Williams Show first aired in 2008 with a six-week pilot in a few select cities. It quickly became a hit, which subsequently led to syndication in over 50 countries and has been renewed through the year 2020. Williams's show attracts over 2 million viewers, which has made her a fixture in daytime television as she approaches the 1,500 episode mark. Today, she is diversifying her portfolio as a successful entrepreneur with a fashion line on HSN, jewelry collection and custom wig line as well. I recently sat down with Williams to discuss her journey and advice for women leading at the negotiating table in business. When I asked her about her day, Williams replied, "I am living my best life right now. If it were to end, I could write the book." She reminded me very early in the conversation that women leaders must celebrate their success at every level. I learned how she knew it was time to transition from the No. 1 spot in urban talk radio in New York City, to making a name for herself in television. "I was very low-key in my transition from radio to television, while booking meetings with influential people. I had to reject many of the initial offers until I found the right fit for me," says Williams. Related: 10 Inspirational Quotes From Women Business Leaders Here are Williams's top five strategies on negotiating as a business leader: Do not let anyone change your style. Williams has a non-negotiable belief about women standing out and dominating their space in the market. She commenced the conversation by acknowledging her unique style of "glamming it up" no matter the occasion. "The difference between our partnership with Debmar-Mercury and the other offers [in the early stages] was everyone else tried to make me wear loafers and flat-front khakis, which has never been my style. I remain firm women must remain authentic." (Debmar-Mercury is the production and distribution company that syndicates The Wendy Williams Show on various cable networks.) Related: These Female Entrepreneurs Created a Fake Male Co-Founder to Work Around Sexism. How Well It Worked Is Incredibly Eye Opening. Reject offers that are not authentic. More than asking for consideration, rejecting opportunities is just as imperative to the process. Throughout our conversation, Williams continued to refer to integrity as the guiding principle of her success. "I have spent the last 33 years in this business building my career on integrity, therefore, I had to reject several lucrative offers along the way that simply did not mirror what I believe," Williams admits. "In the end, it paid off." Align with great advocates. Williams works alongside her husband and manager, Kevin Hunter, on the show. Williams says every woman must ask for what they deserve. "Fortunately, my husband is my greatest advocate. He understands the mission and will fight for what is fair for me. Surround yourself with people who will help you fight for your value," Williams says. Related: How to Succeed as a Female Leader Anywhere In the World Be smart about money very early. Williams discussed the enormity of her success has been a result of wise financial planning in the early days of her media career. She stated saving and living within your means is extremely important, just in case you do not get everything you asked for. "Saving is what kept me from accepting opportunities that I did not believe in. Now, I do not have to endorse products or accept offers I do not want due to planning early." Know when it is time to move on. Williams discussed her transition from radio to television as one filled with numerous private meetings, while continuing to maintain top ratings as a nationally syndicated radio show host. "I never missed a beat, but my influence was catching the attention of important people in media, but I had to keep the conversations very quiet until I knew it was confirmed. You must always know when it is time for the next level of life," Williams says. Williams is an example of determination and resilience in an industry that has very few women. At 53, she continues to be a leading example of how negotiating adds value at every stage of your business growth. Williams says she wants to bow out of media gracefully when she retires by leveraging all of her wise business investments that she has made over the years, while making room for more women to get into the room. "Nothing beats owning your own destiny." Related Video: Women Are Better Crowdfunders Than Men. Here's Why. Related: Wendy Williams's Advice for Women: Ask for What You Deserve This Founder's Letter to Her Daughter on What It Means to Be an Entrepreneur and a Mom Will Inspire You Challenges Unique to the Entrepreneurial Woman Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com A driver who claims she was injured when a semi collided with her car on the parking lot of an Edwardsville business last July has filed a lawsuit against the driver and the business. The lawsuit was filed last week in Madison County Circuit Court by Belleville attorney Derek Siegel. It was filed on behalf of Stephanie Belt, whose car was struck by a semi driven by Joshua Norcia. Norcia, who lives in St. Louis, was an employee of Yazaki North America Inc. and its Michigan-based parent company Syncreon U.S. Inc. Syncreon also has offices in Springfield. The accident happened just after 11 a.m. on July 11 on the parking lot of Yazaki, at 14 Gateway Commerce Center West Drive, near the Dial Corp. warehouse in Edwardsville. Belt claims she was driving in the parking lot when Norcia attempted a U-turn and struck her car. She allegedly suffered injuries to her neck, shoulder and back. The suit alleges that Norcia carelessly and negligently failed to: keep a proper lookout for Belts car; maintain proper control of the truck so as to avoid a collision; properly slow down and stop so as to avoid a collision According to the suit, Belt has suffered, and will suffer in the future, severe injury and pain, lost wages, loss of enjoyment of life, medical bills past and future, past and future pain and suffering, disfigurement, and disability as a result of the accident. She is seeking in excess of $50,000 on each of three counts of alleged negligence. Shanghai is planning to build a memorial hall for the Tokyo Trials next year as an educational base for the history of the Second World War as well as the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. The Tokyo Trials, also known as the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, was a trial convened on April 29, 1946 to try the leaders of the Japanese empire for "Class A" crimes, formed by allied countries including China, the US, Soviet Union and the UK. Next year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China, and the 70th anniversary of the judgment of the Tokyo Trials (execution of Japanese war criminals), so the plan of building the memorial hall has drawn the attention of China and Japan. Cheng Zhaoqi, head of the Center for Tokyo Trial Studies at the Shanghai Jiaotong University, told the Global Times that Shanghai is planning this hall, and said that "The Tokyo Trails is not like other incidents during the war but the summary of Japan's war crimes against humanity from the international community." This summary set Japan's return to the international community, but unfortunately, in recent years, many Japanese politicians are trying to deny this culmination and to overthrow it, Cheng stressed. Japan's Kyodo News reported on Saturday that China is planning to build the memorial hall in Shanghai. Cheng told Kyodo News that the municipal government is choosing a location for the hall, and apart from relevant documents and photos, a huge oil painting of judges, procurators and war criminals will also be displayed in the hall. Japanese right-wingers consider the judgment "unfair" for Japan, and "the revenge of the war's winners," Kyodo News reported. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said in 2013 that it is "a judgment made by the winner against the loser." Chinese Net users praised the plan. A comment from Net user Zhang Pei received the most likes on WeChat platform. Zhang said that "not only the hall, we should build a comfort women's monument in every Chinese city." (Xinhua) 09:58, November 28, 2017 A Bangladeshi man helps Rohingya Muslim refugees to disembark from a boat on the Bangladeshi shoreline of the Naf river after crossing the border from Myanmar in Teknaf on September 30, 2017. (Xinhua/AFP) UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- The number of Rohingya refugees who have fled from Myanmar to Bangladesh since Aug. 25 has reached 624,000, said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs on Monday. An average of 430 Rohingya refugees entered Bangladesh per day this past week, a slowdown compared to the previous week. The Rohingyas fled their homes in northern Rakhine State of Myanmar into neighboring Bangladesh after deadly attacks staged by the rebel Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army on police posts on Aug. 25 allegedly touched off a wave of retribution by government and vigilante forces. Rohingyas arriving in refugee camps -- some having traversed an inlet of the Bay of Bengal on makeshift rafts and boats -- reported widespread violence against them. On reports of an agreement between Bangladesh and Myanmar on the repatriation of the refugees, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said it is important that people are able to return to the place they came from "in a safe, dignified and protected manner." The ethnic Rohingyas are denied citizenship in the largely Buddhist nation. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BILENE Abilene High School sophomore Dylan Wright has long held a dream of being a firefighter. Now that his school is taking steps to get him through a firefighter training program, it might become reality. Its the same story with several other Abilene Independent School District high school students lucky enough to be able to take advantage of a new career and technical education program. I always wanted to be in the field, Wright said. But the school didnt have it, so I was going to be in law enforcement. But they started the program, so Im taking advantage. The firefighter training courses wont officially begin until next year, when former Abilene Fire Department Lt. Mike Miller introduces the first two semesters of a planned four-semester program. Wright and his Abilene High classmates are perfectly positioned, as theyll be in 11th grade when the junior-level courses are brought in. Firefighting classes at Abilene High, as well as those offered at Cooper High, are part of a conversation that started many years ago, as focus within education shifted away from college prep toward career possibilities. Both Abilene ISD and the city met at the bargaining table looking to bring the firefighter training program into the high school. While leadership both in the fire department and the school district has changed, the conversation continued, resulting in the program finally making its debut with a basic skills class this year. Miller retired after 22 years to take on his new role of teaching. Hes currently guiding 35 students through six class periods three morning periods at Cooper and three afternoon classes at AHS through his first year. There are challenges for everyone involved, Miller said, including himself. He didnt realize how difficult teaching could get, especially when its students who dont necessarily believe firefighting is the direction they want to pursue. One such challenge is materials. While Miller still has his connections at the Abilene Fire Department, its not like he can just waltz into headquarters and take the gear he needs to demonstrate a firefighters job. Still, its what hes done, though with permission. He recently lectured the classes on how to properly put on and take off all of the fire-retardant clothing, masks and helmets. We dont have much equipment to get started, Miller said. We have to work with the city. That partnership also got Millers students out to the citys training facility, where they spent a day each getting to see how certified firefighters keep their skills up to speed. While a partnership with the city is fundamental to the success of the program, a relationship with Cisco College, where local firefighters actually train in an academy for two years after high school, also could be beneficial. Miller and his bosses, including Ryder Appleton, AISDs director of career and technical education, hope the firefighter classes, once offered, could springboard a dual credit program between the two. This would help Cisco reach more students and allow Abilenes high school students to get college credit for the classes they want to take anyway, all for free. All of these aspects would help Millers program grow into a successful one, whether at Abilene High or Cooper High. Other students, like sophomore Conner Stimmler, see it as a way of getting started in a career early. I thought this class would be mostly paperwork and studying, he said. But weve learned a lot, about the gear, the firetrucks and the organization of the fire department. Visiting the academy got me excited. Distributed by the Associated Press This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A San Antonio photographer who took professional photos of dancers around the country pleaded guilty Monday to federal child pornography charges. As part of a plea deal, Christopher Alexander Reilly, 46, pleaded guilty to one count each of receiving child pornography and transporting child pornography, each punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison. He is to be sentenced Feb. 26 by Senior U.S. District Judge David Alan Ezra, U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Chestney informed Reilly. Reilly also agreed to pay up to $50,000 total in resitution to any victims identified as part of the investigation. RELATED: Bexar County deputies searching for man suspected of sexually assaulting child in store bathroom Reilly, owner of Chris Reilly Photography, was arrested earlier this year after his computer hard drive malfunctioned while he was on a photo shoot in California, and he sent it to a repair service in Dallas. The repair service found images of child porn and informed authorities, his plea deal said. Under questioning by the FBI, Reilly admitted he downloaded child porn images off the Internet, and that he secretly recorded the private areas of some minors he photographed. Reilly denied ever sexually touching a child, but admitted taking surreptitious videos of some of the minor dancers during their photo shoots, his plea deal states. Reilly identified some images of minor dancers that he secretly videotaped, including a prepubescent child, sitting in the backseat of a vehicle with her legs spread apart. Reilly secretly videotaped the genital area of the child. Reilly admitted using the secretly recorded videos for his sexual gratification. RELATED: Affidavit: Man sexually assaulted 16-year-old boy after luring him to motel Reilly last viewed child pornography on Jan. 30, the day before the FBI served a search warrant at his home, his plea deal said. The plea deal said a forensic examination on his MacBook turned up eight video files depicting prepubescent children engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and when a Seagate hard drive was examined, several similar videos and images were found. The examinations also found video files of the clothed genital and buttocks areas of various minor females, the plea deal said. Reilly traveled throughout the country for photoshoots and had taken photos of dance, band and cheer students at Reagan High School, and some students at Johnson High School. The schools told parents in letters after his arrest that the photo shoots were monitored and no inappropriate conduct was reported, the Northeast Independent School District said at the time. gcontreras@express-news.net | Twitter: @gmaninfedland This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A San Antonio man whose murder trial ended in a mistrial in May because of an intoxicated juror was sentenced to 15 years in prison Monday. Joshua Gonzales, 31, also was fined $2,000. He will have to serve at least half of his sentence before he is eligible for parole. Gonzales was 27 when he was arrested and charged with murder in the 2014 death of Matthew Ryan Bailey-Vo, 25. Bexar County sheriffs deputies were called to investigate a shooting at about 11 p.m. Feb. 25, 2014, in the 25000 block of Ada Mae in the northwest part of the county. When they arrived, they found Bailey-Vo bleeding from a gunshot wound to the head and a woman trying to stop the bleeding. Bailey-Vo was taken to University Hospital and was pronounced dead at 1:40 a.m. Feb. 26, 2014. As deputies were investigating the scene, dispatchers received a call from a man who claimed to be the shooter, officials said at the time. Gonzales later was arrested without incident in the 25000 block of Brewer, a few blocks from the site of the shooting. Gonzales murder trial began May 1 in the 437th state District Court, with Judge Lori Valenzuela presiding. Jurors learned that Gonzales and Bailey-Vo fought because they were involved with the same woman. When testimony was to resume the next day, the trial was delayed because a juror called in to report being in a car crash. Valenzuela dismissed that juror and prosecutors continued to present their case the next two days with the remaining 11 jurors. On May 5, a male juror showed up for trial and said he was ill and was suffering from alcohol poisoning, so the panel did not hear testimony that day, a Friday. The following Monday, May 8, the same male juror told Valenzuela under oath of the extent of his chronic alcohol consumption and self-medicating, and admitted to Valenzuela that he had been intoxicated during testimony, according to court records. Valenzuela then declared a mistrial because there were only 10 jurors left on the panel, and set a court date for Sept. 5. When Gonzales appeared Sept. 5 for a new trial, he instead pleaded no contest to the murder charge. He was to be sentenced Nov. 16, but the case was reset for Monday. Gonzales had faced up to life in prison. ezavala@express-news.net | Twitter: @elizabeth2863 (Xinhua) 10:24, November 28, 2017 Ornaments on the exterior of the White Houseare seen in Washington D.C., the United States, on Nov. 27, 2017. Some 150 volunteers from 29 states spent more than 1,600 hours to finish the decorations including 53 Christmas trees and more than 12,000 ornaments. An estimate of 25,000 visitors are expected to tour the White House for the Christmas holiday. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) WASHINGTON With disgraced Congressman Joe Barton in full damage-control mode over the revelation of a nude "sexting" photo on the Internet, some grassroots Republicans in the Dallas metroplex are calling on him to resign. Tarrant County GOP Chairman Tim O'Hare said Tuesday that he has not talked to any party activists who want to see Barton continue in office. He issued a formal statement calling on Barton not to seek re-election and to "retire" by the end of the month. "All elected officials should be role models," O'Hare said. "They should be held to a very high standard. Joe Barton's conduct falls well below that standard." 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. In an interview, O'Hare expressed concerns about damage to down ballot Republicans in next year's elections, particularly in the state senate district represented by Republican Konni Burton. According to O'Hare and other GOP sources, Barton's political organization is now polling the district to assess the damage to his political prospects from the photo, which was posted anonymously on the Internet after he shared it with a lover at the end of his second marriage two years ago. Neither Barton nor any of his representatives have responded to numerous calls and emails since news of the photo broke a week ago. O'Hare said he still does not know whether Barton, 68, plans to run for re-election, resign immediately, or retire at the end of his current term. "We're still wondering," O'Hare said. "When this was first getting ready to break, he was telling people that he wasn't planning to run again. Now he seems to be weighing his options and apparently trying to do a poll to see how it's going to hurt, and basically try to muscle up support among various leaders in the county." O'Hare said Barton met Monday night with a group of about 20 Republican women in his district. By most accounts, it didn't go well for the congressman, who has been in office since 1985. "From what I have been told, there was almost no one there supportive of him running again," O'Hare said. "It was obviously not a comfortable meeting." He expects other county GOP leaders to weigh in in the coming days. "I have talked to elected officials, activists, people who are in leadership positions, and just normal everyday folks," O'Hare continued. "I have yet to talk to a single one that says he should run again." Several Republican strategists in Texas also said Barton has been discouraged from trying to keep his seat. Some argued that in a generally safe Republican district, he should make way for another candidate who does not hurt the GOP brand in Washington. Among those reported to have counseled Barton is House Speaker Paul Ryan. Ryan spokeswoman AshLee Strong declined Tuesday to disclose the content of their conversation. "The two have talked but we'll leave their conversations between the two of them," she said in an email. While Democrats have felt emboldened, some Republicans are waiting to see what Barton does. But others are not waiting to jump in. Among them is Jake Ellzey, a retired Navy combat pilot and member of the Texas Veterans Commission, who filed paperwork Tuesday with the Republican Party of Texas. Barton, Texas' most senior congressman, announced his re-election campaign last month, before the nude photo appeared on social media. The Washington Post reported that Barton told a woman that he would contact U.S. Capitol Police if explicit photographs of him from their relationship were made public. But it is not known how the photo turned up on the internet. Barton has said the Capitol Police are investigating. The District of Columbia, like Texas and many other states, has a "revenge porn" law that bans posting sexually explicit pictures of people without their consent. Some analysts said Barton could benefit from a "revenge porn" narrative, if it turns out he was the victim of a former lover. In a statement after the photo surfaced last week, Barton admitted he had "sexual relationships with other mature adult women" while he was separated from his second wife. Barton's more immediate problems are both personal and political. "The first consideration has to be what is the effect on his family from this story," said Texas GOP strategist Matt Mackowiak. "And what would be the effect if he chose to run again, knowing that all these issues would come back and be very much discussed." Barton also has to take into account his political strength in the district, and assess what competition he might face in next March's GOP primary. Ultimately, Barton also has to calculate whether a run would be worth it, Mackowiak said. "I have lot of respect for Joe, so I don't want this to come off as a catty comment, but sometimes these guys think they're indispensable, and they're not. The system goes on, new people come in, new blood is a good thing." Regardless, O'Hare said that the general feeling among many Texas Republicans he's spoken with is that Barton is no longer the best GOP candidate for the Sixth Congressional District, which covers Tarrant, Navarro and Ellis counties. "Call me old-fashioned or a dinosaur, but I think we ought to be holding people to a higher standard," O'Hare said. "Elected officials used to be statesmen. They should be role models. ... To me, this is really sad, and it is not the direction we should be going." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate During World War II, Clifford Kies flew a P-51 fighter plane for the Army Air Corps in Europe, following bombers, dropping off and making small attacks on the way home. One trip that occurred conveniently after a first aid lesson could have brought Kies life to an end 70 years early. On the way back, they were supposed to look for targets, Kies son Randy said. He made one pass over an airfield without incident but on the second pass, a shell went through the fuselage and right through his leg through a major artery. His leg was almost shot off. The P-51 was operated with two rudders, but Kies couldnt use his right foot, so he essentially forced the plane to veer to the right and he could pull it back with his left foot. Kies, who received the Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Meritorious Service medals for his service, died Nov. 7. He was 95 years old. More Information Clifford Kies Born: Aug. 11, 1922, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Died: Nov. 7, 2017, San Antonio Preceded by: Wife Nina Kies; parents, George and Ethel Kies; brother Ralph Kies, sister Carol Lucius. Survivors: Sons Randall, Roger, Brian, and Chris Kies; and 6 grandchildren. Services: 12 p.m., Tuesday, Porter Loring Chapel, 1101 McCullough St. Interment with full military honors to follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. See More Collapse In With Skill and Courage by David Knight, Kies said that he wanted to land at the field he had just attacked but was afraid of continued enemy fire. He quickly made a tourniquet and made sure to allow some circulation every 15 minutes the whole way back. He saw he was being followed by two German planes, Randy Kies said. He flew into a cloud bank and lost them. Randy Kies said his father almost gave up when he had to land on the right side of a wide airstrip while a Royal Air Force plane was landing on the left side. He couldnt do it and didnt want to hit the other plane so he aborted and tried again. He said it was the hardest part of the whole thing, Randy Kies said. We didnt find out about his story and his experience until we were much older. Born in Wisconsin, Kies family moved to Texas when he was young, eventually settling in Austin during his teens, where he met Robert Wright. Kies and Wright ran track and attended the University of Texas. As sophomores, the duo attempted to enlist in the military during World War II together. Wright made it into the naval flight program while Kies was later retained by the Army Air Corps. When he returned to the U.S., the retired major got the opportunity to buy the Harkniss Pipe Shop in San Antonio, Wright said. It was on the market and Cliff was really crippled up, Wright said. With his leg, he was not agile. This was something he could handle. After selling the shop, he followed in his fathers footsteps and was a supervisor for road construction in San Antonio. jpolcyn@express-news.net A novel patent application says people can fan haze away A city shrouded in haze Can haze be fanned away? A patent application to manually drive away smog recently appeared in the inquiry system of Chinas State Intellectual Property Office, attracting attention. The application abstract said people in haze-stricken areas could fan smog in the same direction simultaneously, creating a huge blast of air able to blow the floating particles away. According to the application, the method is cost efficient and effective, and wont cause secondary pollution. For instance, if 15 million people join the wind-generating campaign, at least 1.08 trillion cubic meters of air could be fanned away at a rate of 68 km/h, enough to eliminate newly-formed haze in Beijing and keep it from worsening. The patent application said the government should provide people with fans and inform them to join the campaign via TV, radio, and instant messages if there is haze. It is uncertain whether the patent will be approved. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The high level of support St. Marys University has received for its $130 million capital campaign speaks volumes about San Antonios oldest college campus. The Marianist and Catholic university already had $105 million pledged when it went public with its fundraising efforts earlier this month. Included in the donation list were 24 gifts of at least $1 million each from alumni. It is the largest fundraising campaign for the school, which was established in 1852. Just under a third of the funds will be used for scholarships for a student body that reflects a high percentage of students who are the first in their families to go to college. Some of the funds raised will also be used for endowed dean and faculty positions. RELATED: 2 San Antonio colleges top list of best-value regional universities Renovation of existing lab facilities in the science buildings, construction of a new science, technology, engineering and math education building and a new performing arts centers are in the capital projects budget. The university plans for centers devoted to veterans, international students, careers services and student development opportunities. Some of capital campaign funds are earmarked for the schools Law Success Program that helps law students prepare for the state bar exam. The school has 2,300 undergraduates and 3,600 graduate students with the majority coming from San Antonio and South Texas. We are not a research university. We have been about preparing people to serve their community, St. Marys President Thomas Mengler said during a recent meeting with the Express-New Editorial Board. RELATED: Vintage photos show a charming campus life at St. Mary's University back in the day He refers to the university, located on 135 acres about three miles northwest of downtown, as one of the best kept secrets in town. We agree. His goal to make the school one of the best universities in the Southwest merits public support. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. A special job fair opened on Monday in Beijings Daxing District, offering 508 jobs to people affected by the citys campaign to clear safety hazards in living spaces, after a local fire killed 19 people over the weekend. A total of 101 kinds of jobs are being offered by some 27 companies, ranging from driver to security guard to domestic worker. Specifically, all companies at the job fair offer employee accommodation, an added requirement this year to guarantee safer living conditions, Beijing Youth Daily reported. The government-organized job fair comes at the same time as many businesses, from restaurants to companies, are voluntarily reaching out to help. Local authorities of Xihongmen, Daxing, where the fire took place, have also began to provide temporary accommodations for the evicted people, and pledged to provide train tickets for those willing to return to their hometowns. However, many intend to stay in Beijing. Beijing has launched a 40-day citywide campaign aimed primarily at eliminating fire hazards and other safety problems in crowded apartments and warehouses. However, the campaign has sent many migrants packing, as many of them live and work such buildings to save money, arousing much disagreement and opposition Beijings Party chief Cai Qi said Monday at a meeting that authorities should have given more time for people to relocate and fire hazard inspections should be more orderly. He also stressed that eliminating fire and safety hazards will take time and the city will step up its efforts with a three-year plan. For his graduate thesis, a German student rode 5,800 kilometers in China to learn about the Chinese Dream among ordinary people, Qianjiang Evening News reported on Nov. 27. Whats your Chinese Dream? This is the question he raised for every stranger he came across on his 100-day journey. The 28-year-old student surnamed Jorg came to China for the first time in 2011. After a year in China, he was able to use chopsticks and speak Chinese. Because of his interest in Chinese culture, he went to Zhejiang University in 2015 for a masters degree in sinology. According to Lu Yuan, a sinology teacher at the Institute of China Studies at Zhejiang University, sinology is not confined to the classroom and students are encouraged to dig into Chinese society to find social issues through interviews and investigations. Jorg learned the term Chinese Dream in 2013, and now it has become a buzz word in Chinese society. With an eagerness to understand the true connotation of the term among ordinary Chinese people, he started his journey in May 2016. Jorg believes that riding is natural, environmentally-friendly, and flexible. Before starting his trip, he specifically carried out bicycle training. His trip covered 12 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities, from the northernmost city of Mohe to the southernmost city of Sanya. Jorg has set up a public account on social media to record and share his experiences during the trip. Urban-rural disparity was one of the focuses of his investigation. He found that people in the countryside strive for a peaceful life, while urban residents follow their hearts. In addition, older generations of Chinese are more concerned with social stability and equality than economies desires, Jorg said, adding that education and individual development are the major consideration of the young generation. Jorg concluded that dreams of individuals are more down-to-earth and mostly related with wealth, happiness, and self-fulfillment. From an official perspective, the dream paints a bigger picture of national rejuvenation, he noted. Though the people seek their own way to realize their dreams, they all believe that a strong country is the prerequisite, Jorg said. Washington: Ivanka Trump, the advisor and daughter of US President Donald Trump, has said the Global Entrepreneurship Summit co-hosted by India and America is a testament to their growing economic and security partnership. Ivanka will be leading a delegation of senior Trump administration officials and entrepreneurs at the three-day Summit in Hyderabad beginning today. To be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, more than 1200 young entrepreneurs, a majority of whom are women, from 127 countries would attend the summit. In addition some 300 investors and ecosystem supporters are also attending the mega event. Wanna assemble an iPhone 6s for $300? Shenzhen has all you need The city of Shenzhen in southern Chinas Guangdong province is home to global top handset providers Huawei, OPPO, and VIVO, and produces components and parts for Apple and Samsung, Xinhuanet.com reported on Nov. 27. According to statistics by market research firm International Data Corp, Samsung, Apple, Huawei, OPPO, and VIVO topped the global sales volumes list of smartphones in 2016. Many producers and suppliers in Shenzhen have been manufacturing components and parts including chips, circuit boards, screens, and shells for their products. Recently, a video of a foreigner assembling an iPhone 6s with components and parts purchased in Shenzhen for only 2,000 RMB ($303) went viral online. Its not amazing at all, as Shenzhen owns the whole industry chain of mobile phones, which is unique in the world, said Sun Wenping, president of the Shenzhen Mobile Communications Association. For example, Shenzhen-based Chinese smartphone company Transsion Holdings is popular in Malawi for developing affordable products with cameras specially customized for African consumers. Moreover, Shenzhens enterprises have been stepping up efforts to upgrade the homegrown chip industry. Shenzhen-based Huawei made inroads with its Kirin chips and unveiled its first AI chip, Kirin 970, with superfast computing power and strong image-recognition capabilities. It powers Huaweis new Mate 10 smartphone, which was launched to compete with Apples 10th-anniversary iPhone. Apart from this, Shenzhens enterprises are trying to attract more talents to provide better services and products for people around the world. For example, Huawei has set up research institutes in Russia and France to optimize its mobile phone design; Tencent has set up an AI lab in Seattle, US, to develop virtual assistant; and four institutes directed by Nobel laureates have been inaugurated in Shenzhen by April this year. Jasdan/Bhuj (Guj): Pushing the BJP's campaign in Gujarat into high gear, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attacked the Congress and said he is ready to sell tea but will never sell the country, and asked Rahul Gandhi why he had applauded the release of LeT chief Hafiz Saeed. Modi, who started his high voltage campaign with rallies in Bhuj in Kutch district, Jasdan in Rajkot, Chalala in Amreli and Kadodara near Surat, took on the opposition party on issues related to China, Lashkar-e-Taiba's Hafiz Saeed, the surgical strike as well as corruption. He accused the Congress Vice President of applauding the release of a terrorist in Pakistan and asked why he hugged the Chinese ambassador during the Dokalam standoff. "You are happy to hug the Chinese ambassador, you are clapping at the release of Hafiz Saeed, You cannot respect Indian Army's surgical strike... But why did you speak about it? You could have just remained silent," he said in Bhuj, not specifying how and where Gandhi had hailed Saeed's release. MARTINSVILLE-The Piedmont Virginia Dental Health Foundation, the driving force behind the Community Dental Clinic, received a three-year grant from The Harvest Foundation in the amount of $603,195 for indigent dental care. The Community Dental Clinic served nearly 5,000 individuals in 2016, and since the clinic opened in 2006, there have been more than 41,400 patient visits providing more than $9.3 million in dental services to unemployed and uninsured children and adults in Martinsville-Henry County. Emergency dental visits to SOVAH Health Martinsville, formerly Memorial Hospital of Martinsville and Henry County, have decreased by 31 percent over the past six years, according to information provided by PVDHF. The Community Dental Clinic provides a valuable service to Martinsville-Henry County, said DeWitt House, senior program officer at The Harvest Foundation. The clinic is well-organized, efficient, and provides a variety of dental care for the patients served. The staff and volunteers at the clinic do an amazing job and are committed to the continued success of the clinic. We are fortunate to have an organization of this caliber in our community. Dr. Mark Crabtree, president of the PVDHF Board of Directors, said the dental clinic is the only solution available for those in need who cannot afford care in a private free for service dental practice. We are grateful for Harvests substantial support of the Community Dental Clinic, Crabtree said. They have been a significant part of our efforts from the very beginning, and we owe our success to their generous funding. This significant three-year commitment makes it possible to continue providing dental care to those who have no other place to access quality dental care. This truly improves the health of thousands in our community. The Piedmont Virginia Dental Health Foundation works in partnership with the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry, providing externships to dental students who provide care in the community. The organization also partners with Patrick Henry Community College to develop the community dental health coordinator and dental assistant programs, as well as local dentists who volunteer their time at the clinic. Other partners include the City of Martinsville in addition to The Harvest Foundation. Chinese entrepreneurs reshape image of "made in China" with innovation and creativity Each umbrella has its own unique design and function.(People's Daily Online/Kou Jie) Janey Zhangs cramped umbrella shop is definitely not a sight for sore eyes, but customers seldom realize it when caught by the charm of her colorful and beautifully-designed umbrellas. The dimly-lit room and its sharp-sighted hostess are set off to advantage by the delectable art crafts, making a daily picture of the worlds largest small commodity wholesale market. The first flush of dawn has fallen on the Yiwu International Trade Market in Chinas Zhejiang province, and with the gilded light comes the enchanted glamour that belongs not to Janeys shop alone. Over 75,000 stores in the market are filled with merchants from all over the world, who try to dig business opportunities from over 1.8 million kinds of commodities here. Even if you spend eight hours a day roaming the market and only three minutes in each store, it would still take you a year and a half to finish your shopping-adventure here, said Yang Bo, deputy marketing manager of Zhejiang China Commodities City Group Co., Ltd,., the company that runs this huge market. Under the dome of this magnificent business arena, several commercial empires have emerged and outstretched their tentacles to overseas markets, including Janeys umbrella enterprise. Queen of umbrellas wonderland Janeys umbrella kingdom, known by foreign clients as Real Star Umbrella, originated from a small workshop created by her father in 1972. The brands fortunes have oscillated with the rise and fall of her family, but it today operates in over 100 countries. Our workshop used to manufacture featureless products, but that changed in 1998 when I first came to Yiwu. Instead of merely focusing on how umbrellas work, I paid more attention to their beauty, said Janey, who stressed that her umbrellas are more like fashion accessories. According to Janey, even small commodities like umbrellas can be fashionable, as long as they are injected with an artistic soul and emotions. She has a grand plan to make her brand the Hermes in the umbrella world, an international fashion brand. No ambitious dream comes easy. It took Janey years to call together a team of talented French designers who help her keep up with the trends in Europe, as well as breathing a la mode elements into her umbrellas weekly. Over 3,000 different kinds of umbrellas were created in the past few years, with each presenting unique patterns and functions. A delicately designed umbrella handle.(People's Daily Online/Kou Jie) Linguistic and cultural factors are also taken into consideration when designing umbrellas. For instance, umbrellas sold to Spain are usually designed with bright colors and inscribed with positive Spanish idioms, conforming to Spaniards optimistic personality, said Janey. Her efforts have paid off. Her umbrellas are popular in European countries, especially in Spain, Italy, and Portugal, with her client base in Europe increasing 8 percent annually. The number has even reached 10 percent in 2017. Lucas Hernandez, a merchant from Madrid, Spain, has ordered a large number of umbrellas inscribed with the Spanish sentence no hay mal tiempo si es contigo and images of sundrenched Iberian Peninsula, noting that the umbrellas gave him a cordial feeling. Janey presents a design drawing of her French design team and a finished product.(People's Daily Online/Kou Jie) It says theres no such thing as bad weather if this is with you in Spanish. I think Spaniards will appreciate the positive vibes the umbrella conveys and it will make them feel more comfortable in bad weather, said Lucas. In addition to their fashionable design, more high-tech functions are also realized by Janeys team, including a blue-tooth music player function and an anti-theft system. The musical umbrellas have interested a bunch of merchants from India, who dance trippingly in the cramped shop. Every product has its own unique story, serving as a carrier of art, fashion, and culture. Umbrellas might be a small thing, but it is my familys heirloom, and I hope it can be carried forward, forming an everlasting brand, said Janey, giving an affectionate gaze to her 26-year-old daughter, the queen-to-be of her umbrella wonderland, who is busily exchanging creative ideas with foreign designers online. New definition of made in China Remote control cars designed by Chinese companies. (People's Daily Online/Kou Jie) Like Janey, more and more entrepreneurs in Yiwu have introduced originality and innovation into their products, altering the worlds stereotypical perception of goods made in China. In a corner of the magnificent market, the hubbub over a toy shop captures passerbys attention. A robot teaching toddlers English is waving its hand to the customer, while a team of tin toys are marching on the shelves with vivid expressions on their tiny faces, toy cars are tilting and sliding to avoid obstacles, and toy choppers are hovering above customers heads. Many foreigners still hold a stereotype of made in China. They think it means cheap stuffed toys, despite the fact that high-tech toys now account for a large portion of our exports, creating an annual income of millions RMB, said Li Qing, shop manager of Xie Xin Toys Co., Ltd., one of the largest toy companies in Yiwu. Toy dirlls designed and developed by Chinese companies.(People's Daily Online/Kou Jie) Echoing Li, Nick Zhang, sales director of the company, stressed that many new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and virtual reality have been applied successfully to toys made in Yiwu, attracting merchants from all around the globe. The brand-new image of made in China has led to a surge in exports from Yiwu. According to statistics from local authorities, during the first nine months of the year, the city has exported 168.9 billion RMB worth of goods, a year-on-year growth of five percent, and has established trade ties with over 219 countries and regions around the globe. Its time to change peoples negative opinion about made in China. We are planning to form a union of great research and development companies to produce more good quality products to sell overseas, said Lou Yuanbin, manager of Zhejiang China Commodities City Group Co., Ltd, who emphasized the importance of innovation and improvement in product quality. Ive never been to any bigger and more diversified market, and the quality and design of many products here are satisfying. I want to come back here when I have time, said Yahye Dineh, a young merchant from Seattle, U.S., who quickly embarked on his new adventure without hesitation. As daylight ebbs away, the lights of the countless shops come on one by one. Dream chasers who wish to fulfill their great expectations and entrepreneurs who want to make contributions to altering the image of made in China are all like Janeys umbrellas each with a unique story, but all radiate positive vibes and hope for the future. Sometimes problems catch you by surprise, and sometimes they can be anticipated well in advance. Recent setbacks for the global climate agenda fall into the latter category. Earlier this month, I alerted you that global carbon emissions continue to rise worldwide due to increased pollution from China, India, and other emerging economies. This increase occurred despite a reduction in the U.S. carbon footprint. Further, it happened two years after the Paris climate accord, which set goals to decrease the worlds carbon emissions. Time has vindicated what was evident when the accord was concluded: shackling the U.S. economy would not stop increases in carbon pollution. Instead of killing jobs in America, we would be better off finding new, cleaner ways to use our carbon assets. China, India, and other countries may talk green but will always default to get jobs and wealth for their people. In the same vein, but predating the Paris agreement, is the United Nations (U.N.) Green Climate Fund. Former President Obama committed the United States to an initial $3 billion contribution, of which $1 billion has already been transferred. Congress never appropriated money for this purpose, so the Obama Administrations commitment was an overreach. I have previously said that the fund itself is a bad deal for the United States. We spend billions already on climate change-related issues. Technology and innovation will have the answers we are seeking, and are where we should spend our money. By pledging to support the Green Climate Fund, the Obama Administration committed billions of dollars to an international body with an ill-defined mission and no clear accountability. I am not surprised to learn that the Green Climate Fund has not done what its supporters claimed it would do. Much of the money that has been granted so far has gone to recipients who have not provided clear plans for how they will spend it. For example, $265 million went to a Luxembourg-based investment fund that says it will finance projects in about 30 countries, but the Times notes this fund has provided no explicit plan to disclose what those projects would be. Other entities that have received grants are already awash in cash. Overall, under one-tenth of funding has been earmarked for projects run by the countries the Green Climate Fund is meant to aid. When President Trump announced the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris agreement, he cited the Green Climate Fund as an example of a program that doesnt work. We now know that the Green Climate Fund does not even benefit the countries it was supposed to help. German Elections Political junkies have found plenty of fodder in Europe during 2017, most recently with the German elections that occurred in September. In fact, its results are still being sorted out. The pivotal figure in the election was Chancellor Angela Merkel. She has led Germany for over ten years and was widely expected to maintain power, despite her controversial decision to admit thousands of refugees from war-torn countries. When the vote came, Merkels party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), lost ground and fell well short of a majority. As a result, she started talks with other parties across the political spectrum to cobble together a governing majority. At the time of this writing, she has reached out to the Social Democrats (SPD), a leftist party she had previously formed a government with. The SPD had run against Merkel in the election and vowed not to enter a coalition again. Other options are fading, however, and new elections are not a popular alternative, so the party came to the bargaining table. The twists and turns offer high political drama, but they are important to the future of Europe and by extension the United States. As Europes leading economy and a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Germanys leaders affect our economy and security. The future of its government is well worth the attention of Americans. Morgan Griffith represents Virginias 9th District in the U.S. House On 24 November, around 30 Islamic State militants from the Sinai Province arrived in large, all-terrain vehicles outside the el-Rawda mosque in Bir el-Abed, Northern Sinai, during Friday prayers. They detonated two bombs inside and then sprayed the fleeing crowds with machine-gun fire. The attack left over 300 people dead and 130 wounded: the largest death toll recorded for such an event in Egypts modern history. That the horrendous bloodshed occurred in a mosque filled with ordinary Muslims going about their day of worship should undercut the reactionary and divisive rhetoric which suggests that the barbaric actions of Islamic State find their root in the Koran, the nature of Islam or Muslims themselves. Rather, these monsters are the spawn of the numerous crimes of imperialism in the Middle East, from the disastrous invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, and the funding and arming of Islamist groups in Syria, to the Israeli bombardment of Gaza, just across the border from Sinai. They are nurtured in a region of Egypt whose various tribes have been antagonised by successive Egyptian regimes, and which is best placed to notice the blatant collaboration between the Egyptian and Israeli governments at the expense of the Palestinian population over the siege of Gaza. Embed from Getty Images Even so, there is a military presence of 25,000 Egyptian troops in Sinai, backed by small auxiliary forces from around the world, which has been waging a war against Islamist insurgents since 2011. When declaring three days of national mourning, President Sisi promised swift justice for the mosque attack in the shape of bombs dropped on known Sinai Province Islamist strongholds. But the question must be asked: how did dozens of heavily-armed militiamen carrying Islamic State flags arrive at the el-Rawda mosque in broad daylight in large vehicles unnoticed and unchecked in an occupied military zone in the first place? Sinai The Sinai Peninsula is an arid region of mountainous desert that the Egyptian army has failed to master since it began its offensive against Islamists in 2011. IS and al-Qaeda controlled areas near to the border with Gaza have remained relatively unchallenged and various Islamist groups still control some of the border tunnels through which smuggling to and from Gaza takes place. The number of terror attacks against Christians, non-Islamist aligned tribespeople and the security forces themselves has continued to increase. There was also the Russian Metrojet plane crash in Sinai in October 2015, which killed 224 people and was claimed by Islamic State. The flourishing of terrorism in the region, particularly in Northern Sinai, has drawn attention to the severe shortcomings of the army intervention and the national security forces. Last weeks attack is an especially shocking example. It is now being reported that a number of Sinai Province militants have been killed in the retaliatory bombings. But Egyptians are now asking themselves: if the armed forces knew where to find the militants, surely they could have done something before this atrocity took place? The whole affair is adding to the rising doubts about the ability of the Sisi regime to provide stability to the country. The fact that the army relies heavily on bombing rather than ground troops throws doubts on the morale of Egyptian troops. Sinai Peninsula / Image: Florian Prischl But the problems in Sinai are not fundamentally military in character. After the return of Sinai to Egypt from Israeli occupation, the Bedouins, who with their 15-20 tribes make up around 70 percent of the population of the peninsula, thought that their conditions would improve. They thought that they would see the same industrialisation and development that the rest of Egypt experienced during the Nasser era. But the Mubarak regime, which was drifting sharply to the right, never had any such plans. Instead the Bedouins were treated with contempt and brutality. After the handover, the regime converted more than 200,000 acres of tribal land in the north into agricultural land, while it forced the previous owners to accept lower quality land in the interior of Sinai. Stripped of their traditional ways of life, hundreds of thousands of Bedouins are forced to live in squalid conditions. Underdevelopment; and lack of basic infrastructure such as water, electricity, education and health care are the norm, along with extremely high illiteracy and unemployment rates, even for Egyptian standards. In some areas unemployment stands at around 90 percent. South Sinais level of food poverty is almost double that of Egypt, while North Sinai is the poorest governorate in Egypt. Meanwhile the few investments on the peninsula were at the expense of the Bedouins rather than to their benefit. In the South the newly built tourist resorts, such as Sharm El-Sheikh was built on forcibly expropriated traditional Bedouin lands. While some Bedouin layers found jobs and a tiny layer even profited well, the majority of Bedouins around these resorts live in poor and primitive conditions and get by doing odd jobs here and there. The majority of factories and businesses consciously discriminate Bedouins and import workers from the Nile Valley whom they aggressively resettle on previously Bedouin land. Bedouins / Image: The desperate conditions have forced many Bedouins, especially in the poorer North, into the trade and smuggling of people, arms and drugs. It is amongst these layers that groups such as the Islamic State (IS) finds its main recruits: recruiting impoverished and desperate youth looking for a way out of chronically declining living standards. Their attacks on the army have lead to ever more brutal repression of the whole community and the conscious trampling on Bedouin traditions and ways of life. But this only feeds more resentment, to the degree that a key IS recruitment avenue is youth who have lost family members and who are looking for revenge. At the beginning of the 2011 Egyptian revolution, the people of Sinai also took part in the movement. Faced with the anger of the Bedouins and the rising pressure on the Nile Valley, police and security forces largely withdrew from Sinai, leaving a vacuum which was initially filled by the revolutionary masses. But when the Egyptian working-class failed to take the lead in the revolution, the movement in Sinai partially dissipated and partially radicalised in an Islamist direction. This drift escalated with the fall the Muslim Brotherhood from power, which saw in its wake a rise in terrorist attacks. The ebb of the revolution after Sisi came to power allowed these forces more room for maneuver. The handling of the Sinai issue by the regime has only served to strengthen the reactionary Islamists. A report by an NGO: the Egyptian Observatory for Rights and Freedoms (EORF) claimed that the Egyptian army killed 1,347, detained 11,906, and forcibly deported 26,992 between September 2013 and June 2015. Human Rights Watch also reported the destruction of at least 3,255 buildings. Thousands of people have been evicted and their houses destroyed without any warning, explanation or compensation. Instead of targeting the militants, the regime mostly targeted the Bedouin community as a whole with indiscriminate torturing, imprisonments, bombings and assassinations. This only adds to the feelings of resentment amongst Sinais population. Thousands of Bedouins, most of whom are not necessarily pro-IS, are now carrying arms to defend themselves against what is looking more and more like an Egyptian occupying force. In the absence of a strong working-class-led defence force, IS could fill out a vacuum as the only organised and equipped force which can offer a real defence. The organisation has, through the funds and resources received through the western and Saudi led intervention in Syria and Iraq, become a formidable force. ISs battle-hardened fighters have made use of a combination of heavy and light mortar artillery, surface-to-surface missiles, heavy machine guns and sniper-rifles to carry out advanced military maneuvers normally associated with Special Forces. At the same time, the revivalist Islamist doctrine of IS connects to a layer of the Bedouins who have been dispossessed or ruined in the last period and who are desperately looking for stability. They want a return to the good old days when their land, property and general social position were secured by traditions and belief. IS will not be uprooted from Sinai by military means only, but that that is not necessarily what the regime has aimed at. In fact the Sisi regime relies on low-level islamist activity to rally Egyptians behind it. In this way the Islamists and the regime lean on each other to cut through the class divide and undermine the revolution. With the movement at an ebb, the masses are being forced to choose between the Sisi dictatorship or IS barbarism. Of course, this tactic is a dangerous one, which has often backfired. The Sisi regime promised stability to the Egyptians. He posed as a strongman, but his inability to deal with Sinai is now exposing his weakness, encouraging rising opposition against him throughout Egypt. Islamic State / Image: Alibaba2k16 The army has tried to lean on other tribes, mainly from the relatively wealthier southern areas, to fight against the northern IS-leaning tribes. Some tribal elements have tourism as a source of revenue, which they do not want to upset. But many Bedouins, in particular among the poorer layers, cannot forgive those who are partnering with Egypts brutal regime, which under different forms has dispossessed them and oppressed them for decades. The el-Tarabins execution of eight IS militants in May to avenge the killing of a civilian woman in Rafah is viewed locally as a possible motivation for last weeks bombing, though given the citys lack of proximity to Bir el-Abed, this seems unlikely. The regime is provoking a tribal civil war in Sinai, to keep the troubles away from the Nile Valley, but to think that this will stabilise or contain the situation is naive to say the least. The army has no control over the situation. Their presence serves as a recruitment incentive for the Islamists close to Gaza, while their ineffectiveness undermines their authority locally and infuriates Egyptians outside Sinai. Culpability of the regime The events of last Friday exposed the Egyptian regime itself more than anything else. All Egyptians are acutely aware of the danger posed by the Sinai Province IS-affiliate in northern Sinai, which has been active for the past four years. Yet the government seems at a total loss as to how to combat this danger. The last twelve months in Egypt have been blighted by terror attack after terror attack. Most recently before these latest horrific events, in October, 54 military personnel including 34 conscripts were killed by Islamists in el-Wahat el-Bahriya, just 135 kilometres south-west of Cairo. Egyptian people sense that the threat of terror is increasing but the regime is just standing still. The fact is that this Egyptian regime is fundamentally incapable of removing the scourge of terrorism from Egypt. Moreover, its other actions, such as the selling of islands belonging to Sinai which cost so much Egyptian blood to win back, further undermine its authority in the Peninsula. Not to mention its collusion with Israel the imperialist power that caused the spread of IS and al-Qaeda from Palestine both over the islands deal and the patrol of Gazas border with Sinai. Tahrir Square in 2011 / Image: Flickr, Jonathan Rashad The situation in Sinai is directly connected to the incompetence of the Egyptian capitalist class, which has not been able to solve any of the problems of Egyptian society. The post-Nasser regime had no incentive to develop Egypt. The backbone of industry and infrastructure in the country today goes back to the Nasser era: almost 50 years ago. This parasitic ruling class is far more interested in filling its own (and its friends) pockets than actually taking the trouble of developing Egyptian society. By the time Sinai was reintegrated into Egypt this process was already well on its way. The Bedouins were treated with racist contempt, dispossessed, their traditional lives destroyed and then forcibly resettled in primitive conditions without any jobs. This is the basis upon which IS nourishes itself. The Sisi regime is incapable of addressing the underlying contradictions because it is itself part of this parasitic ruling elite. The only hope for ending the atrocities in northern Sinai is for a revolutionary unity of the people of Sinai with the poor and the workers of the rest of Egypt against the Sisi regime and against reactionary Islamist creations of imperialism, who are equally the enemies of the people. Only by overthrowing the parasitic capitalist class can the working-class take power into its own hands and put an end to Egypts backwardness, barbarism and all the ensuing chaos the capitalist system generates every day. In Defence of Marxism is committed to safeguarding your privacy. At all times we aim to respect any personal data you share with us, or that we receive from other organisations, and keep it safe. This Privacy Policy (Policy) sets out our data collection and processing practices and your options regarding the ways in which your personal information is used. This Policy contains important information about your personal rights to privacy. Please read it carefully to understand how we use your personal data. We may update this Policy from time to time without notice to you, so please check it regularly. The provision of your personal data to us is voluntary. 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Please let us know if you have any queries or concerns whatsoever about the way in which your data is being processed by emailing the Data Protection Manager at webmaster@marxist.com China has been stepping up efforts to rescue its ancient artifacts looted from the country in the past, cankaoxiaoxi.com reported on Nov. 27. UNESCO statistics show that over 1.64 million ancient Chinese artifacts are housed by some 200 museums in 47 countries around the world. The China Cultural Relics Academy estimates that the figure may even exceed 10 million. In 2000, the state-owned China Poly Group acquired the bronze heads of an ox, tiger, and monkey at an auction that were removed from the Old Summer Palace fountain, spending 30 million Hong Kong dollars. Macao billionaire Stanley Ho privately bought the bronze head of a pig in 2003 and the head of a horse in 2007 and donated it to the country. Despite this, the whereabouts of some of the 12 bronze heads of Chinese zodiac animals looted from the country in 1860s are still unknown. The Financial Times said that patriotic Chinese collectors boost the market for ancient Chinese artifacts. However, Chinese people are suggested to stay rational in rescuing the ancient artifacts, as some sellers overseas are likely to make use of Chinese peoples patriotism and raise the price, and China will strive for the return of Chinese relics one by one through legal and reasonable means. HOLYOKE -- The movies are coming back to Holyoke Mall. Cinemark plans to open a theater complex in Holyoke in 2018, said Bryan Jeffries, vice president of marketing and promotions for Cinemark. Cinemark is already listed as a "coming soon" on the website maintained for the Holyoke Mall by the Pyramid Companies, the mall's owner. Other "coming soon" tenants include the women's clothing store Loft and Sumo Japanese restaurant, which is expected to open before the end of 2017 on the lower level of the mall. Damian J. Cote, Holyoke building commissioner, said that mall management has come in with a preliminary drawing of the new theater. But the mall hasn't submitted a formal plans. The 5,000-screen Cinemark chain already has the Rave Cinemas West Springfield 15 theaters 5 miles away; Cinemark Theaters at the Pyramid-owned Hampshire Mall on Route 9 in Hadley, 18 miles from Holyoke; and the Rave Cinemas Eastfield 16 in Springfield's Eastfield Mall, which is 14 miles away. Cinemark also has a 12-theater Rave Cinemas complex at Enfield Square just over the border in Connecticut that's 16 miles from the Holyoke Mall. Mall management didn't return calls for comment Tuesday morning. The Holyoke Mall used to have a theater on the lower level near the food court. It was an eight-screen cinema that opened with the rest of the mall in 1979 and closed in 1988. There has been talk over the years about creating a new theater at the mall, including a proposal in 1999 for a 21-screen theater. That project was never built. Despite the travails of brick-and-mortar retail, the Holyoke Mall is still a major regional attraction, according to Pyramid. The 1.6-million-square-foot mall draws 18 million shopper visits a year in a trade area of 1.7 million people. Holyoke Street gets 22,000 cars a day, mall management said. The mall has space for 200 or more stores. The mall has been pivoting in recent years away from traditional retail and into businesses that provide in-person experiences that can't be sold online. An example is the Billy Beez kids indoor play area that opened in 2016. And even with the popularity of home theaters, people still go to the movies. The Motion Picture Association of America said that 71 percent of the U.S. and Canadian population -- 246 million people -- went to the cinema at least once in 2016, a 2 percent increase from 2015. Moviegoers who go once a month or more account for 48 percent of all tickets sold in the United States and Canada. Marcos A. Marrero, director of planning & economic development for the city of Holyoke, said the mall has an aggressive leasing team and hasn't needed city help filling space. He didn't know of the movie theater project. Holyoke Mall has no large vacant space. But Sears, a tenant since the mall opened in 1979, is in deep financial trouble and has been closing locations all over the country. The Republican's Ray Kelly contributed to this report. SPRINGFIELD -- Marriott's deal to manage the 265-room Tower Square Hotel has been extended by two months until at least mid-to-late February, both hotel management and MassMutual, owner of the Tower Square complex, said Monday. "After that, we will transition," said hotel general manager Bill Hess. "Or we could be here after February." Hess declined to say what the next step in that transition might look like, deferring questions on long-term prospects to MassMutual. But the deal means the hotel will stay open and operating and guests will still be able to use the Marriott online and telephone booking system and earn and use Marriott Rewards frequent customer points. The hotel has 120 employees, Hess said. James Lacey, head of media relations and strategic communications at Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, wrote in an email to The Republican on Monday that there is nothing new to report on the potential sale of the Tower Square hotel, office tower or mall. Boston-based CBRE/New England is marketing all three, said David J. Pergola, CBRE/New England executive vice president and partner, who represents the tower and mall, and Dave McEcelroy, senior vice president of hotel brokerage and investment services, who is handling the sale of the hotel. Marriott's deal to manage the hotel at 2 Boland Way was scheduled to expire Dec. 15. In June, Lacey cited the end of that agreement as one reason why MassMutual was putting the complex on the market 45 years after developing it as a means of rejuvenating downtown Springfield. He also said MassMutual sees the property as an investment and feels that the property has gained value with the MGM Springfield casino project nearing completion. While Marriott continued running the hotel, its name came off this summer. MassMutual is also selling Steiger Park, a 45,000-square-foot parcel at the corner of Main and Bridge Streets, across Main Street from Tower Square. The land -- referred to by MassMutual as Tower Square Park -- was once the site of Steiger's department store. The Tower Square properties could be sold separately or together, MassMutual has said. Consolidation in the hotel industry might also complicate matters. Marriott now also owns the Sheraton brand name after buying Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide in 2016 for $13 billion. Paul Picknelly owns and operates the 325-room Sheraton Hotel across Boland Way from Tower Square and connected to it via an airwalk. Completed in 1971 on a 4-acre block at the intersection of Bridge and Main streets in downtown Springfield, MassMutual built Tower Square in cooperation with civic and business leaders interested in sparking a downtown resurgence. Tower Square, originally called Baystate West, has 1.6 million square feet of space -- about the same size as Holyoke Mall at Ingleside. At Tower Square, 370,000 square feet of space is in the 28-floor office tower. MassMutual has not announced an asking price for Tower Square. The city of Springfield has the whole complex assessed at $34.2 million. A 16-year-old boy died from his injuries after being shot in South Boston Monday night. Boston Police responded to a call of a person shot around 11:20 p.m. at an area housing complex in South Boston at 264 O'Callaghan Way. Officers found two teenage boys, a 15-year-old and a 16-year-old, suffering from gunshot wounds. Emergency Medical Services transported the 15-year-old victim to Tufts Medical Center. Boston Police say he is suffering non-life-threatening injuries. EMS brought the 16-year-old victim to Boston Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead. As of Tuesday morning, the victims were not identified and no suspect or suspects were charged. Boston Police say the double shooting is under investigation, and urge anyone with information to contact them at 1(800)494-TIPS. In this Nov. 29, 1942 file photo, police and firemen watch the rear entrance to the "Melody Lounge" section of the Cocoanut Grove nightclub in Boston, where 492 people died and hundreds more were injured in a fire the night before By Steve LeBlanc and Bob Salsberg, The Associated Press In the blink of an eye the Cocoanut Grove one of Boston's swankiest nightclubs became an unimaginable inferno, trapping hundreds of panicked victims as they jammed the club's exits. In less than 15 minutes, 492 people were dead and another 166 injured, making the blaze the deadliest nightclub fire in U.S. history. While no one knows exactly how the fire started 75 years ago on Nov. 28, 1942, its influence on fire and safety codes and on the medical treatment of burn victims still resonates. Don't Edit In this Nov. 28, 1942 file photo, smoke pours from the Cocoanut Grove nightclub, right, during a fire in the Back Bay section of Boston. First flames Minutes after the first flames were seen in the lounge, the fire had reached the street floor lobby. The club was plunged into darkness when the lights went out, adding to the panic. A few people managed to escape before the front door became jammed, trapping hundreds. Firefighters had the fire out in a little over an hour, but the horror was just beginning to dawn. Don't Edit A soldier and a member of the Navy's shore patrol search through charred wreckage at the Cocoanut Grove. Minutes after the first flames were seen in the lounge, the fire had reached the street floor lobby. The club was plunged into darkness when the lights went out, adding to the panic. A few people managed to escape before the front door became jammed, trapping hundreds. Firefighters had the fire out in a little over an hour, but the horror was just beginning to dawn. Don't Edit In this Nov. 28, 1942 file photo, firemen inspect the ruins of the Cocoanut Grove. Cause unclear An initial Boston Fire Department report written the day after the tragedy said the fire was "evidently" caused by a "young employee" who lit a match and accidentally ignited a fake palm tree. From that day on, blame would most often fall on the shoulders of Stanley Tomaszewski, then a 16-year-old bus boy. Tomaszewski told investigators that he lit a match to help him change a light bulb hidden inside the tree, but immediately stamped out the match with his foot. Don't Edit Chairs are piled up inside the charred Cocoanut Grove. Some eyewitness accounts suggested the fire started in the ceiling, and others recalled the inside walls feeling hot even before any flames were seen. Other possibilities have been examined, including shoddy wiring; gases from a refrigeration unit; and even vapors from the considerable liquor being consumed. Don't Edit Don't Edit Workmen remove debris preparatory to the erection of a garage on the site of the 1942 Cocoanut Grove Night Club fire in Boston, Mass., on Nov. 28, 1945. (AP Photo) No official cause was ever determined and speculation abounds to this day. Generations of Bostonians would also hear the story of a tragedy averted. On the day of the fire, the Boston College football team was set to play rival Holy Cross College at Fenway Park with a postgame victory party planned for the Cocoanut Grove that evening. Boston College lost and the celebration was canceled. Don't Edit Shoes of some of the women patrons and sheet music from orchestra stands remain as mute evidence of the rush with which panic-stricken patrons of the Cocoanut Grove fled from flames that swept the place, Nov. 29, 1942. More than 400 lost their lives. (AP Photo/Abe Fox) Building codes The revolving door was only part of the problem. Adding to the death toll was the club's crowded conditions (with estimates of about 1,000 people in the venue when the fire broke out), locked doors and decorations that helped feed the flames. Casey Grant, executive director of the Fire Protection Research Foundation, said the fire was a milestone event that prompted a national re-examination of fire prevention. Don't Edit A couple of pedestrians give only a passing glance at boarded up windows of Cocoanut Grove night club in Boston, Nov. 28, 1944, where two years ago tonight 492 person lost their lives as a result of a flash fire in the one-story structure. (AP Photo/Abe Fox) Massachusetts Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey said the toughening of building codes and ensuring they are enforced may be the best tribute to the fire's victims. "We have to make sure we are vigilant and follow those codes because they are based on experiences that we have gained sadly through tragedies like the Cocoanut Grove," Ostroskey said. Don't Edit Victims of the Cocoanut Grove night club fire in Boston, many burned almost beyond recognition, are attended by nurses in the Boston City Hospital, Nov. 30, 1942 Treating the burned After the fire, 166 people, many suffering burns, were rushed to two nearby hospitals Boston City Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital offering a real world test of the treatment of burns. Pearl Harbor had occurred a year earlier and the federal government had pumped money into Mass General for burn research. Don't Edit Lieutenant Joseph Edelin, of Camp Edwards, Mass., receives a blood plasma transfusion at the Boston City Hospital, Nov. 30, 1942. The idea of blood banks and reserves of plasma was still relatively new, but Mass General had begun to build up its stocks, which were critical to reviving victims, according to Dr. John Schulz, medical director of the hospital's burn unit. Schulz said, at the time, one of the preferred methods to treat victims was to paint burned areas with tannic acid. He said MGH decided, instead, to keep the victims as sterile as possible to avoid infections and to cover the burned areas with gauze and Vaseline. Victims were also given intravenous drips of antibiotics. Schulz said the fire also prompted researchers to better understand the effects of smoke inhalation on the lungs, still something of a medical mystery. "It got a lot of smart people interested in burns," he said. Don't Edit Don't Edit Marking the site There are few visible reminders of the fire, and that in itself has been a source of controversy over the years. In 1993, a memorial plaque was placed on a sidewalk in the city's Bay Village neighborhood, at the site where the nightclub once stood, honoring "... the more than 490 people who died as a result of the Cocoanut Grove fire on November 28 1942." Don't Edit The plaque, however, was later moved about a block away to make room for luxury condominiums, angering some survivors and relatives of those who died. In 2013, a small side street that now runs through the site was renamed Cocoanut Grove Lane. Don't Edit Gov. Mitt Romney signs a fire safety bill on the back of a fire engine in Boston Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2004. The fire's embers The blaze has continued to resonate through the years. In 2004, then-Republican Gov. Mitt Romney signed into law a bill, which supporters called the state's toughest fire regulations since the Cocoanut Grove, requiring sprinklers in all nightclubs, bars, discos and dance halls with occupancy limits of 100 or more. Don't Edit In this Feb. 21, 2003 file photo, firefighters spray water on the charred nightclub, The Station, the morning after a fire engulfed the building in West Warwick, R.I., killing 100 people and injuring 200 more. More than six decades after the Cocoanut Grove, however, a blaze at The Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island, killed 100 people, injured some 200 others and exposed troubling new gaps in fire protection protocols. Combustible soundproofing material at the club was blamed for the rapid spread of the fire. Don't Edit Jessica Garvey, of Woonsocket, R.I., front, steadies a cross at the site of the deadly nightclub fire in West Warwick, R.I., Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013. Relatives and friends of the 100 people killed in the blaze at the The Station nightclub are gathering at the site on its 10th anniversary. The Feb. 20, 2003 fire was started when pyrotechnics for the hard rock band Great White ignited flammable foam that had been installed as soundproofing. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) "It seems like every time we turn around there is some new issue, some new hazard that people didn't expect, people circumventing the requirements," said Grant. "We are safer in the United States than we were in 1942, but we still have a lot of work to do." Don't Edit Don't Edit Read more: View more archival photos from the fire and its aftermath here. A bystander in October filmed a Boston police officer quickly ramp a cruiser onto a sidewalk in crowded Copley Square in an attempt to box in a rogue dirt biker, footage the department defended in response to a Boston Globe inquiry. The event appears to take place very close to people walking on the sidewalk. Ilya Smirnov of Cambridge, the bystander, tweeted the footage at Boston Police Department seeking comment and, not getting any, followed up with a public records request seeking information about the circumstance. Hey @bostonpolice, any comment on this attempted chase in Copley at 20:35 today? pic.twitter.com/NSNNnRKUuv Ilya Smirnov (@IlyaCodes) October 6, 2017 Smirnov's records request asked for all written and audiovisual records of the incident, which took place on Oct. 5 around 10:30 p.m. near Boston Public Library. Although the department responded in time to Smirnov's request, it turned over a dispatch log, which Smirnov shared on social media. "The vehicle involved in the above-referenced incident was not equipped with a dashcam, the employee involved was not wearing a bodycam, and there wasn't a written report regarding the incident." The Boston Globe followed up Monday by requesting a response from the department, which resulted in Boston Police Lt. Detective Michael McCarthy saying the officer was "well within his authority" to make the move. "[Officers] have statutory authority to overrule certain traffic violations in order to initiate a traffic stop, such as go through red lights, make U-turns, etc.," McCarthy said. BPD has identified "roving gangs" using off-road vehicles to weave in and out of traffic and escape police in dicey scenarios as a problem, especially in the Roxbury, Mattapan and Dorchester areas. SPRINGFIELD -- The City Council Monday night rejected a special permit for a proposed cell phone tower behind Rick's Auto Body on Pasco Road, even though there was no public opposition to the proposal. It was not known if the applicant, T-Mobile Northeast LLC, will appeal the decision. "We are awaiting a written decision to review," said Simon J. Brighenti, T-Mobile's lawyer, declining further comment. T-Mobile was proposing a 150-foot tall wireless communications tower at 375 Pasco Road in the Indian Orchard-Boston Road area, saying the tower was needed to provide adequate cellular service. The council vote was 7-4 in favor of the special permit, but needed nine votes to pass -- a two-thirds majority of the 13-member council. The city's deputy planning director, Philip Dromey, had raised concerns about the visual impact of the pole, as designed. While the area is zoned industrial, there are houses on nearby Glenmore Street, he said. Dromey had strongly recommended a "stealth design" for the pole to reduce its visibility. While the revised plans on Monday did appear to draw in and reduce the width of platforms, it was not "flush mounted" to the pole, as he was proposing, Dromey said. City Councilor Timothy Rooke spoke in favor of the special permit, saying there were no residents speaking in opposition to the plans. In addition, Rooke said he agreed with testimony from T-Mobile representatives that there was a need for better cell phone service and coverage in that area. Rooke said that towers are in every neighborhood of the city, and people are generally not looking up at them. But they do want strong cell phone service, he said. T-Mobile representatives said that improved cell phone service is important for customers, and also for making emergency phone calls. Some other councilors, however, said they were not ready to support the permit, given the concerns raised by Dromey who said the tower would be "clearly visible" to residents. "Once you put up a tower, it's tough to take it down," Councilor Timothy Allen said. "I'm concerned about visibility and real estate values." A motion to continue Monday's hearing to the next hearing date, Dec. 11, failed. That was followed by the failed vote on the special permit. Councilors voting in favor of the permit were Melvin Edwards, Adam Gomez, Kateri Walsh, Thomas Ashe, E. Henry Twiggs, Orlando Ramos and Rooke. Those voting against the permit were Marcus Williams, Bud L. Williams, Kenneth E. Shea, and Allen. Two councilors were absent from the vote: Justin Hurst and Michael Fenton. City Clerk Anthony Wilson said a council decision can be appealed by court action. Absent a successful appeal, the same proposal for a special permit could not be considered by the council for two years, Wilson said. Brighetti said that various locations were considered in that area with the Rick's Auto Body location deemed the most feasible, weighing multiple factors including the needed height and interest from property owners. Prior to the vote, Brighenti said T-Mobile would be agreeable to a condition being added to require its engineers to work with Dromey's department on his design concerns before seeking a building permit for the tower. Dromey questioned what would happen if the discussions between T-Mobile and Planning led to an impasse. T-Mobile officials said there would be two platforms on the pole, reduced from 12-square feet to roughly 2 1/2 square feet. The company had said that an earlier proposal from the city, suggesting a flag pole design was not feasible, nor was it feasible to move the pole closer to Pasco Road. EASTHAMPTON -- A recent rainstorm brought down a wooden utility pole with an old electrical transformer, releasing 15 gallons of PCB-laden oil near the Connecticut River oxbow. Eversource reported the Oct. 24 spill to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, and "immediate response actions" were conducted, according to state environmental records. The release was "due to a storm event that compromised a pole-mounted transformer on River Road," Eversource reported to MassDEP. The site was not far from the Easthampton Rod and Gun Club, a member of the club confirmed Tuesday. The spill of "mineral oil dielectric fluid," described as being 75 yards from the oxbow, was contained to a "naturally bermed area" and did not enter the water, a Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup log form states. Eversource sent the the firm Clean Harbors to the site, and a "vac truck" conducted an initial cleanup. MassDEP also authorized the removal and proper disposal of up to 50 yards of contaminated soil. In an Oct. 25 letter to Eversource Environmental Coordinator Brandon Ducheney, MassDEP emergency response Section Chief David A. Slowick explained that Eversource is a "potentially responsible party," not necessarily because of any fault, but because the company owns the equipment. The letter was copied to Mayor Karen Cadieux and the city's health department, and the Conservation Commission planned to discuss the incident at its Monday meeting. A representative of the commission could not be reached for comment. Polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, were historically used as coolants and lubricants in transformers, capacitors and other electrical equipment. Their manufacture in the U.S. was halted in 1977 because of environmental and health concerns. The synthetic chemicals can build up in the environment and cause skin conditions in adults, and neurological and immunological changes in children, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA has also classified all PCBs as probable human carcinogens. Eversource "continues its voluntary reduction" of the chemical, and is in the process "of replacing PCB-contaminated transformers and other oil-filled equipment in locations where PCB levels pose an unacceptable risk," according to the company's website. The company has removed or replaced PCB transformers in or near schools, hospitals, multifamily homes, apartment buildings and other high-occupancy buildings, and is "systematically removing PCB-containing equipment on a structured schedule over time." Eversource has replaced 95 percent of its PCB-containing transformers systemwide, said spokeswoman Priscilla Ress, "as part of our ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship." HOLYOKE -- The call came on a snowy afternoon from a nurse at the Holyoke Soldiers' Home. Harry P. Kraverotis had fallen. There was a lot of blood. By the next day, Feb. 12, 2015, the 92-year-old World War II veteran was dead. Families place their military veteran relatives in the Holyoke Soldiers' Home to receive care in their final years, not to suffer because they weren't looked after and fell, said Elayne Gumlaw, Kraverotis' daughter. "This is about the decisions that families make to get veterans the help they need and the attention they deserve," said Gumlaw, 66. Gumlaw is the latest family member of a veteran injured in a fall at the Holyoke Soldiers' Home to step forward and ask that the state facility at 110 Cherry St. be held accountable and improve supervision of residents. Between January 2014 and August of this year, the Holyoke Soldiers' Home recorded 2,074 cases of residents falling at the facility. In 594 of those falls, a veteran was hurt, with injuries including bone fractures, joint dislocations, altered consciousness or loss of consciousness and skin tears, along with scrapes or soreness. "To have so many falls as have been reported and not to have the buck stop with someone, my question is this: How could this number of falls take place without someone at some level saying, 'Stop, this is enough, what's going on here?'" Gumlaw said. The Republican previously reported on three staff members and a resident of the Holyoke Soldiers' Home raising concerns about treatment of residents and staff. They said lack of staff and improper management of existing staff, leaving on-duty personnel spread too thin, had led to problems such as falls. Officials have said the state and the Holyoke Soldiers' Home in particular are dedicated to providing top care to veterans, reviewing all falls and investigating problems at the facility. A spokesman said the Massachusetts Department of Veterans Services won't comment on issues Gumlaw raised in relation to her father's fall and death. "Due to privacy, we will not comment on current or former residents of the Home," Joseph Truschelli, spokesman for the Massachusetts Department of Veterans Services, said in an email. Speaking generally about the issue, Alice Bonner, state secretary of elder affairs and a registered nurse specializing in fall prevention, said the Holyoke Soldiers' Home does well in comparison with other nursing homes in terms of falls. Bonner's comments came in a letter to the editor of The Republican. The Republican has been prohibited from speaking to Bennett W. Walsh, superintendent of the Holyoke Soldiers' Home, with Truschelli saying all comments must come from him. Gumlaw is among family members of Holyoke Soldiers' Home residents, as well as staff, who reject state officials' attempts to evaluate the number of falls and injuries by using comparisons with the nursing home industry. They say the numbers show that too many aging veterans are falling and getting hurt at the Holyoke Soldiers' Home. The physical and cognitive problems experienced by nursing home residents, coupled with limited staffing, mean falls will happen at such facilities, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. From 2011-14, 16.3 percent to 16.9 percent of residents in American nursing homes fell at least once, with injuries occurring roughly 5.3 percent of the time, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' annual Nursing Home Data Compendium. An education consultant and author, Gumlaw formerly was a principal, curriculum director and teacher in the West Springfield public schools. The Agawam resident received that town's Police Life Saving Award for helping a child who was choking in 1991. Gumlaw said her father, who had dementia, suffered severe facial and cranial injuries and bleeding in the brain from his fall. "His face was unrecognizable: swollen, black and blue, cuts. His eye was so swollen, it couldn't open," Gumlaw said in a recent interview at the Friendly's restaurant in West Springfield. Her understanding was her father fell in a social area at the Holyoke Soldiers' Home that included a television, chairs and tables. Perhaps the facial injuries were extensive because Kraverotis lost his balance and slammed face-first into a table and then hit the floor, she said. She said that's just a guess. Lying in the hospital bed a short time later, Kraverotis didn't have a grasp on how he had fallen, but he was responsive to Gumlaw, her son, her sister and a priest, she said. "He recognized us," Gumlaw said. After the fall, Kraverotis was taken to Holyoke Medical Center and then to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, where he was pronounced dead at 4:45 a.m., according to the death certificate. The cause of death was given as "blunt trauma to head." In his earlier years, Kraverotis put himself in harm's way in the U.S. Army and as a Springfield firefighter. In December 1944, Nazi Germany mounted a thrust at the Allied forces in northwest Europe that came to be known as the Battle of the Bulge. The U.S. Army suffered thousands of casualties. Kraverotis fought in that battle. He and brothers Christos, Nicholas and Angelo Kraver (who changed his last name) were in the military at the same time, Gumlaw said. Her father served in the U.S. Army's 304th Infantry Division, Special Operations. Among his honors: Bronze Star for acts of heroism, Meritorious Achievement Award for service in a combat zone, European African Middle Eastern Theatre Campaign Ribbon, American Theatre Campaign Ribbon and World War II Victory Medal. Kraverotis received an honorable discharge Dec. 8, 1945, and returned to Springfield, eventually joining the fire department. He retired 25 years later. "He started as a firefighter the year I was born, which was 1951," Gumlaw said. His obituary says Kraverotis was predeceased "by his beloved wife and best friend, Angelina (Cokkinias) Kraverotis Jan. 21, 1988." They were married for over 41 years. Besides Gumlaw, they had another daughter, Antigone Fiske, of Ludlow. Gumlaw said her father loved spending time with his grandchildren, nephews, nieces and cousins. He was close with her son Nick Gumlaw and they talked a lot, she said. Kraverotis was proud of his Greek heritage. He was a communicant at the St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral. A 1988 story in The Union-News, The Republican's predecessor, notes that Kraverotis acted as translator for a reporter interviewing a vendor at the Glendi Greek festival. He stayed active late into his life. Until the age of 86 he was placing flags on graves at the Massachusetts Memorial Cemeterey in Agawam. "He never stopped honoring those who served," Gumlaw said. She recalled driving with her father on Interstate 91 and seeing the big "Soldiers' Home" name spelled out in green bushes on a hill at the base of a flag pole. "He always used to say to me when we drove by, 'I'm going to be there some day,'" Gumlaw said. Kraverotis moved to the Holyoke Soldiers' Home in mid-November 2013 after living at Landmark at Monastery Heights in West Springfield. The family was thrilled upon learning Kraverotis had been admitted to the Holyoke Soldiers' Home, but now wishes it hadn't happened, Gumlaw said. The state has assigned Bonner, the fall-prevention specialist, to meet again with Holyoke Soldiers' Home staff in the next few weeks. She was also deployed in September after The Republican reported on concerns about falls at the facility. Gumlaw said that what's needed is for state officials such as Gov. Charlie Baker and Francisco A. Urena, secretary of Veterans Services, to meet with those responsible for decisions about staff-to-resident ratios at the Holyoke Soldiers' Home. "A workshop on falling is a Band-Aid for the severity of this issue," she said. Tariff cuts on a wide range of consumer goods will expand imports and further open up domestic consumer markets, financial news outlet Yicai reported on Nov 28. From next month, tariffs on 187 product categories such as baby formula, diapers, and Japanese toilet seats will be reduced from 17.3 percent to 7.7 percent on average, according to the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council. The reduction will meet increasing domestic demand, as it allows Chinese consumers to buy cheaper and high-quality products that cannot be currently produced at home. Lower tariffs will also boost domestic consumption as it encourages people to buy imported products at home instead of overseas, analysts say. Tariffs have been cut four times on imported consumer goods since 2015. It is hoped that lower tariffs will encourage more foreign brands to invest and open branches in China, said Wang Wei, a researcher with the Institute for Market Economy, Development Research Center of the State Council. The tariff reduction also reflects that Chinese companies are narrowing the gap with their foreign counterparts in terms of middle-and high-end consumer goods manufacturing. There is no need to protect the Chinese producers, who have already addressed their weakness through the supply-side structural reform, said Zhang Jun, an economist with Morgan Stanley Huaxin Securities. SPRINGFIELD -- A claim from a community activist that Springfield missed "a golden opportunity" to appoint the first minority fire department head in city history drew questions from city councilors and rebuttals from the mayor and his human resources director Monday night. Bishop Talbert W. Swan II, president of the Springfield branch of the NAACP, told councilors that Mayor Domenic J. Sarno's recent selection of Bernard "B.J." Calvi as Springfield's next fire commissioner is another example of "a history" of disparity in Fire Department hiriing, particularly in the highest ranks. The city "missed out on a golden opportunity to make history," when it chose Calvi, a white deputy chief in Agawam, as fire commissioner instead of two Springfield fire supervisors -- one black and one Hispanic -- who also were seeking the job, Swan said. Calvi lives in Springfield. Sarno was not at the council meeting, but released a copy of a letter that had been sent to Swan earlier this month in response to Swan's objections. Sarno said in part: "While I appreciate and respect your opinion and historical perspective, I believe you know me as one who is fair and only wants the best individual for any position no matter what creed, color or background. I believe my administration has reflected this fact from rank and file to department heads." Swan said that while the mayor has full authority over the appointment, he urged the councilors to raise their concerns as elected leaders. The meeting was a "committee of a whole" meeting with no votes on the agenda. While Council President Orlando Ramos said he saw some merit to Swan's concerns, Councilor Thomas Ashe, chairman of the Public Safety Committee, said he fully supports the appointment of Calvi and the process. Calvvi's five-year appointment begins Jan. 24. Human Resources Director William Mahoney said the city conducted an extensive search for candidates, getting 33 applicants that were narrowed down to six semifinalists both from within the ranks and from outside the department. The six were fully vetted by a four-member review committee. Sarno, who was on the review committee, selected Calvi, saying he stood out from the others following a vigorous interview process. Councilor Timothy Allen raised concerns that the review committee did not include any representative of the Fire Department or outside person with fire department expertise. Mahoney, in response to councilors' questions about Calvi not yet having a bachelor's degree, said the selection of Calvi and current Commissioner Joseph Conant met all educational and job guidelines approved by the council. Swan said the requirements were reduced by the mayor with the council's approval to fit with the mayor's prior choice of Conant. Calvi is expected to finish a bachelor's degree in about a year, Mahoney said, in compliance with a requirement for that degree within three years of his appointment. Sarno announced last year that he would not renew Conant's contract when it expires in January. He did not list a reason, but had publicly criticized Conant at the time for not disciplining Deputy Chief Glenn Guyer for Guyer's decision not to move to Springfield within a year after his appointment as deputy. Guyer disputed that he had to move to Springfield under a residency requirement. ADS ADS To celebrate Officine Panerais upcoming opening of its first stand-alone boutique in the UK, a unique Panerai bronze timepiece, the Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Automatic Bronzo - 47mm, will go on auction exclusively online on Sothebys.com from the 30th November until the 15th December. During that time, bidders will also be able to view the one-off watch on display at Sothebys. The winner will be invited to the new Panerai Boutique located at 30 New Bond Street, where they will be welcomed by the Head Watchmaker to discover the intricacies of their new timepiece. All proceeds from the auction will be donated to the Royal Yachting Association to support their charitable sailing programme OnBoard. This initiative promotes equal access to sailing for young people from all social and economic backgrounds whilst encouraging their character development. The funds will provide sailing boats and equipment for youngsters of all ages and abilities. Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Automatic Bronzo Panerai This exclusive Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Automatic Bronzo - 47mm is inspired by Panerais historic creations for the Royal Italian Navy, featuring the iconic Luminor Submersible case in bronze. The timepiece is a celebration of Panerais reputation for creating renowned underwater watches with unique characteristics, excellent technical features and strong historical inspiration. The bronze used to make the case and the classic bridge device protecting the winding crown is an alloy of copper and pure tin, which is highly resistant to the corrosive action of seawater and atmospheric agents. As well as being structurally very strong, the material preserves its warm tones while acquiring a modern worn look from the development of patina. This patina is the result of the reaction of bronze to its environment and it has no effect on the intrinsic properties of the material, but it is a visual sign of the natural ageing process. The rich hues of the case are complemented by a deep brown dial and completed by a brown leather strap. Created by the celebrated architect and designer Patricia Urquiola, the new boutique on Bond Street will be the second largest in Europe after Panerais flagship store in Florence, extending over an area of 150 square meters and displaying the collections of the Florentine company to enthusiasts and collectors across two floors. The boutique will be one of the few to house a specialist watchmaker who will be permanently based on site. Egypt's foreign ministry has expressed its deep concern over allegations of slave auctions in Libya at which immigrants seeking to cross illegally to Europe are bought and sold, as reported by international news organisations earlier this month. In a statement on Tuesday, the ministry said, "Egypt expresses its complete rejection of all the abuse against immigrants and refugees in a way that harms their rights or human dignity." The ministry added that Egypt appreciates the decision of Libya's presidential council to investigate those reports and allegations as a step toward bringing those responsible to account. Earlier in November, CNN aired an exclusive documentary showing "Libya's migrant slave trade", alleging that African immigrants are abused and sold at slave auctions to work in Libya, before heading to Europe illegally. According to the documentary, slave auctions are held in several cities. In its statement on Tuesday, the ministry said that, at time when human rights are promoted around the world, Egypt considers "those huge abuses" a reflection of the failure of the policies that some countries have adopted on the issue of migration. "Those policies are based mainly on security and the closure of borders to the African immigrants, as well as those who escape from conflicts," said the statement, criticizing those policies that encourage immigrants to turn to human traffickers to cross into Europe. The ministry also highlighted Egypt's efforts in fighting human trafficking, calling on the international community to deal with the problem of illegal immigration as a multi-faceted issue with economic, social, political and security dimensions. The Egyptian foreign ministry also welcomed the unanimous UN Security Council resolution no.2388 condemning human trafficking in all its forms. Search Keywords: Short link: Uber is just a software tool, they dont own any cars, and are now the biggest taxi company in the world Airbnb is now the biggest hotel company in the world, although they dont own any properties. Artificial Intelligence: Computers become exponentially better in understanding the world. This year, a computer beat the best Go player in the world, 10 years earlier than expected. David Delahunty Full Story: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/must-read-article-how-our-lives-change-dramatically-20-delahunty City Club of Missoula Presents: Take Flight Missoula and Missoula International Airports Expansion Plan Take Flight Missoula, a partnership between Missoula Economic Partnership, Destination Missoula and the Tourism Business Improvement District, aims to raise several hundred thousand dollars in revenue guarantees to attract new airlines and routes to Missoula. At the same time, Missoula International Airport, which has experienced a 98 percent increase in passenger service over the last 20 years, has just announced a multi-year expansion plan that will dramatically increase the size of the terminal, including by adding a new terminal. *** Improving Missoulas air service key to job growth, economic progress Aside from its importance to the community as individual travelers, access to quality air service directly impacts our ability to conduct economic development for a few specific reasons. By James Grunke *** Providing insight, context and explaining the plans of both efforts, will be a panel comprising Beth Burman Frazee, director of Take Flight Missoula; Missoula International Airport director Cris Jensen; and Chris Martison of A&E Architects, who leads the team responsible for designing the new terminal. DOUBLETREE HOTEL EDGEWATER MISSOULA 100 Madison Street, Missoula, MT DECEMBER 11th, 2017 11:30 a.m. 1:00p.m. RSVP is encouraged by Thursday December 7th, 2017. RSVP PURCHASE TICKET Coffee/Dessert Only: $10.00 Member Lunch: $17.00 General Public Lunch: $20.00 Purchase Ticket: https://squareup.com/market/city-club-missoula Open to the public or become a member today at: http://www.cityclubmissoula.com Graduate students at Montana State University are planning to join a national "walk out" on Wednesday to protest a tax reform bill in Congress that would require them to pay income tax on their tuition waivers. "We make a pretty meager salary," Will Wright, 28, a doctoral student in history at MSU, said Monday. "For a lot of us, myself included, if the House version passes, its going to be a tremendous financial burden, and it may mean I exit graduate education." By Gail Schontzler Chronicle Staff Writer https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/montana_state_university/msu-grad-students-plan-protest-over-tax-bill/article_811f2c64-24d0-576e-8dca-549b64da9f04.html At-home ancestry testing kits are popular presents this holiday season but Sen. Charles Schumer cautioned Sunday that companies providing the service shouldnt be able to gift genetic information to the highest bidder. The terms of service for companies like MyHeritage and Ancestry allow them to sell customers genetic information to third parties, Schumer said. Such loose user agreements raise the possibility of employers discriminating against new hires through DNA, or genetic information affecting ones health insurance, he said. By Edgar Sandoval New York Daily News http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/nov/27/sen-schumer-warns-that-companies-providing-at-home/ A program at Montana State University that works to support underrepresented undergraduate students has received $1.2 million to continue the program for another five years. The grant from the U.S. Department of Education will provide funding for MSUs McNair Scholars Program, which is designed to support undergraduates who are minorities or who are first-generation and low-income students. By Anne Cantrell, MSU News Service http://www.montana.edu/news/17302 Egypt's Azbakeya Misdemeanors Court has handed down three-year suspended sentences and fines of EGP 5,000 to 16 people found guilty of "debauchery" and "forming a network for homosexual acts". The court issued 13 of the sentences on Sunday and another three on Tuesday, with all 16 released from custody on bail. The 16 defendants can appeal against the ruling. In September, police raided a flat near Cairo's Ramses Square and arrested several men discovered in "indecent positions", according to the prosecution. The prosecution said that the defendants had solicited other men for sex in return for money in the Ramses area. The defendants had sexual photos and chats on their mobile phones, say prosecutors. However, the defendants denied being homosexuals. The prosecution ordered that the suspects be subjected to medical examinations to determine if they had committed homosexual acts. According to prosecutors, a number of young men who had frequented the Ramses flat had raised the "rainbow" LGBT flag at a concert featuring Lebanese rock band Mashrou Leila in September. In September and October, police arrested several people on suspicion homosexuality and of raising the flag, which is an international symbol of LGBT pride. Pictures of fans raising the flag at the concert went viral on social media and caused a storm of controversy on Egyptian TV talk shows. While consensual homosexual acts are not explicitly criminalised under Egyptian law, people accused of homosexuality have been convicted on charges such as debauchery, prostitution and violating public morals. Search Keywords: Short link: Merck Foundation Health Media Training will be chaired by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation (Merck-Foundation.com); Merck Foundation, to announce a call for applications for 6 different awards for Media, Film, Fashion and Music fraternity in Mauritius, Mauritius, Madagascar, and Seychelles to break Infertility stigma and raise awareness about coronavirus. Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, in partnership with Media Trust Board, Mauritius to conduct Merck Foundation Health Media Training, particularly for Mauritius, Madagascar, and Seychelles media fraternities. The objective of the training is to emphasize the significant role that media plays to break the stigma around infertility, in addressing sensitive social and health issues such as breaking Infertility stigma, empowering girls and women through education. Moreover, in the given unprecedented times, raising awareness about coronavirus and the best health prevention practices during this global pandemic. Inviting media to participate for the training, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother said I am happy to initiate this important training session as I strongly believe that media plays a significant role in influencing our society to create a cultural shift. Media has the capacity and ability to break the stigma around infertility in the community and has played a critical role during the global pandemic. Merck Foundation, in partnership with Media Trust Board, Mauritius would like to invite media representatives from Mauritius, Madagascar, and Seychelles to this important online training that focuses on the international standards and media ethics for reporting sensitive social and health issues and aims to be the voice of the voiceless in their communities. We are also providing scholarships of one year diploma and two year master degree for doctors in respiratory medicines, intensive care, and other specialities to improve healthcare for coronavirus patients and risk groups. I look forward to meeting the enthusiastic journalists from these 3 countries and partner with them as Merck Foundation advocates to empower infertile women and couples and support girl education in their communities, added Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej. Mr. Chayman Surajbali, Chairperson of the Media Trust Board, Mauritius emphasized, We are proud of our partnership with Merck Foundation and happy to launch Merck Foundation Health Media Training where the training will equip our media with sharp and specific media skills so as to write and deliver impacting stories about health and social issues. This initiative will help media representatives of our country to report on sensitive and social issues with a greater knowledge and encourage them to be the voice of the voiceless in raising awareness about infertility and breaking the stigma around it. We look forward to making it a great success with Merck Foundation. The Merck Foundation Health Media Training is a part of Merck Foundation More than a Mother Community Awareness Program and will be addressed by top fertility experts and media stalwarts from Africa and Mauritius. The Health Media training invites journalists from Print, TV, Radio, and Online media. So far, Merck Foundation has trained 1700 media representatives from more than 30 countries across Africa and Latin America. The training will also mark the announcement of two media recognition awards for the media fraternity from Mauritius, Madagascar, and Seychelles, Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards More Than a Mother 2021 and Merck Foundation Mask Up With Care Media Recognition Awards 2021; two awards for fashion fraternity of these countries, Merck Foundation Fashion Awards More Than a Mother 2021 and Merck Foundation Make Your Own Mask Fashion Awards 2021; in addition to Merck Foundation Film Awards More Than a Mother 2021 and Merck Foundation Song Awards More Than a Mother 2021. Moreover, Merck Foundation in collaboration with The Ministry of Health and Wellness, Mauritius, has underscored their commitment to build healthcare capacity in Mauritius. Till today, 71 healthcare providers have been provided or will be provided with scholarships of one-year diploma and two-years master degree in many critical and underserved specialties. Out of which, 32 Medical graduates have been enrolled in the fields of Oncology, Diabetes, Endocrinology, Acute Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, and Sexual & Reproductive Medicine. Another 39 medical graduates have been already selected to be enrolled in PG Diploma courses in many new underserved specialties including Emergency and Resuscitation Medicine, Gastroenterology, Laparoscopic Surgical Skills, Mental Health: Psychological Therapies, Orthopedic Trauma Science, Paediatric, Emergency Medicine, Advanced Surgical Practice, Dermatology, Neonatal Medicine, Pain Management, Psychiatry, Clinical Microbiology & infectious diseases, Ophthalmology, Internal Medicine, Neuroimaging for research, Urology, Orthopedics, Rheumatology, Cancer and Clinical Oncology, Critical Care, General Surgery, and Orthopedic & Trauma. Partager et informez vous aussi...... 0 shares Share Tweet LinkedIn Articles similaires Xavier-Luc Duval a pose sa Private Notice Question lors de la seance du parlement du 12 avril 2022 au Dr Renganaden Padayachy, a louverture des travaux. I have to inform you that the Honourable Leader of the Opposition, Charles Gaetan Xavier-Luc Duval, GCSK, FCA, MP, has given notice of the following Private Notice Question which he proposes to put to Dr the Honourable Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development, at the sitting to be held today Tuesday 12 April 2022 at 1130 a.m To ask Dr the Honourable Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development Whether, in regard to the ongoing fall in the exchange rate of the Rupee vis a vis the US dollar and the ensuing scarcity of this currency in commercial banks in Mauritius, he will state the measures, if any, Government and the Bank of Mauritius propose to take to reverse same? Monsieur le President,Tout comme mardi dernier, je tiens a remercier le Leader de lopposition pour sa question.Cette question me donne une nouvelle fois lopportunite dapporter un eclairage sur le sens de laction du Gouvernement en faveur de la population et en premier lieu envers les plus demunies. Pour ce faire et dans un premier temps, je donnerai rapidement quelques elements de contexte. Monsieur le President, En effet, il nest un secret pour personne que depuis mars 2020, et suite a lapparition de la pandemie de la Covid-19, un ralentissement notable des activites economiques a ete enregistre. Avec deux confinements et la fermeture de nos frontieres, notre economie a ete mise a rude epreuve. Au global, Maurice a subi deux contractions successives. La premiere de 6,9% pour lannee fiscale 2019-2020 et la seconde 5,4% pour lannee fiscale 2020-2021. Je rajoute a cela que le declenchement du conflit russo-ukrainien a rajoute un halo supplementaire dincertitudes, entraine une poussee inflationniste mondiale et pourrait conduire notre monnaie a se deprecier davantage. A cet egard, je mappuie sur le recent rapport de la Commission Economique Africaine des Nations Unies intitule The impact of the Ukraine Crisis in Africa anticipant : Une depreciation de 10% de la roupie, Un surplus dinflation de 2,2% en Afrique uniquement du au conflit, et Une pression accrue sur les comptes courants de 43 pays africains importateurs denergies et de denrees alimentaires, a linstar de Maurice. Monsieur le President, Jen viens donc a la problematique de lentree de devises dans le contexte des deux dernieres annees que jai a linstant etaye. Le choc a ete particulierement violent pour le secteur du tourisme, celui de lexport et celui des services financiers. Encore une fois les chiffres parlent deux-memes. Dune part, Maurice a ainsi du faire face a une baisse drastique des arrivees touristiques. Cest-a-dire que nous sommes passes dun flux annuel pre-Covid de 1,3 million de touristes pour lannee 2019, a 300 000 touristes en 2020 et 180 000 touristes en 2021. Les consequences en termes dentree de devises ont ete majeures etant donne que sur la periode que je viens de citer, nous avons facilement perdu 2,3 millions de touristes. Sachant que chaque touriste, en periode pre-pandemique, depensait en moyenne 1 200 euros par sejour hors transport, le manque a gagner cumule est considerable. Dautre part, les exportations de biens et services, qui avaient rapporte lequivalent de 191,9 milliards de roupies en devises etrangeres en 2019, sont tombees a 128,9 milliards de roupies en 2020 et a 132,9 milliards de roupies en 2021. Enfin, le secteur des services financiers, bien quayant demontre sa resilience, a enregistre une baisse de la valeur ajoutee brute de 51,8 milliards de roupies en 2019 a 49,3 milliards de roupies en 2020, indiquant une diminution des entrees de devises. Au global, au cours des deux annees de la pandemie, leconomie a ainsi enregistre un deficit de quelque 122 milliards de roupies dentrees de devises etrangeres. Monsieur le President, Pour repondre a la question de lhonorable Leader de lopposition, permettez-moi de prime abord de preciser le mandat revenant a la Banque de Maurice et celui qui incombe au Gouvernement. Conformement a la section 4 de la Bank of Mauritius Act, la Banque de Maurice est lentite en charge et en toute independance de conduire la politique monetaire et celle des taux de change. Elle seule en est le decisionnaire. Je cite the Bank is entrusted, inter alia, with the responsibilities to: conduct monetary policy and manage the exchange rate of the rupee, taking into account the orderly and balanced economic development of Mauritius. En vertu de son mandat et pour faire face au deficit dentree de devises etrangeres, jai ete informe par la Banque de Maurice que cette derniere a vendu quelques 2,9 milliards de dollars americains sur le marche depuis le debut de la pandemie, en mars 2020. Je rappelle quen 2018 et 2019, Maurice avait recu un montant de 12,67 milliards de dollars, comparativement a 7,35 milliards de dollars en 2020 et 2021. Soit une baisse de 5,32 milliards de dollars, equivalent a 230 milliards de roupies, representant la moitie de notre PIB. Lapprovisionnement regulier du marche en devises etrangeres par la Banque de Maurice, qui est en charge de la conduite de la politique monetaire et de la stabilite financiere, a permis de limiter les perturbations du fonctionnement normal du marche des changes. Et cela en conformite avec le regime de change flottant comme qualifie par le Fonds Monetaire International. Au vu des perspectives relatives aux performances encourageantes du secteur touristique et en tenant en compte la tendance inflationniste mondiale, la Banque de Maurice a egalement porte a ma connaissance quelle est intervenue sur le marche a hauteur de 25 millions de dollars a un taux apprecie de 43,15 roupies contre 43,25 roupies lors de sa derniere intervention. Monsieur le President, Je vais maintenant elaborer sur la strategie deployee et les mesures implementees par le Gouvernement pour soutenir le pouvoir dachat de la population. Premierement, la reouverture totale de nos frontieres en octobre 2021, dans le respect des protocoles sanitaires, a bien entendu ete une etape importante pour assurer la reprise franche et durable des entrees de devises. Ce nouveau souffle, cest la bouchee doxygene dont nous avions besoin pour atteindre les objectifs que nous nous sommes fixes. Deuxiemement, le Gouvernement, sous limpulsion de notre Premier ministre, a travaille darrache-pied pour faciliter les affaires a Maurice et maintenir lexcellente reputation de la juridiction comme un Centre Financier International. Je pense notamment a la sortie de Maurice des listes du Gafi, de lUnion Europeenne et du Royaume-Uni. Une excellente nouvelle pour leconomie, tant en termes de croissance, demploi que dentree de devises etrangeres. Troisiemement, et sans porter prejudice a la viabilite de notre dette, le Gouvernement a egalement contracte plusieurs prets concessionnels en devises etrangeres. Ces prets aux conditions avantageuses et qui plus est souvent accompagnes de subventions ont permis de faire rentrer des devises etrangeres sur le marche local. Quatriemement, notre strategie pour faciliter lentree de devises etrangeres sest orientee vers louverture de notre economie aux investisseurs et expatries, notamment les seniors. Les Budgets 2020-2021 et 2021-2022 ont fait la part belle a la Silver economy. Je rappelle quil est estime que chaque retraite expatrie a Maurice amene au pays une moyenne de 9 000 dollars par individu, sur la base dune residence de 6 mois par an a Maurice. Atteindre lobjectif de 25 000 retraites a Maurice permettrait daccroitre les entrees en devises etrangeres de 250 millions de dollars. Enfin, permettez-moi de rappeler les efforts considerables deployes par le Gouvernement pour subventionner une large gamme de produits de necessite, pour un montant total de 8,2 milliards de roupies. Monsieur le President, Selon la Banque de Maurice, notre monnaie sest depreciee de 7,6% en 2020 et de 9,2% en 2021. Au regard du contexte historique, la valeur de notre roupie aurait pu etre plus largement affectee. Ce qui me fait donc poser la question de la depreciation la roupie a lHonorable leader de lopposition quand lui et ses amis etaient au pouvoir entre 2006 et 2014. Une periode caracterisee au niveau mondial par une expansion exceptionnelle a savoir une croissance forte de 3,6% en 2014 et surtout une inflation faible, tres faible de 2,9% en 2014, sans pande9-=0mie, sans guerre ni perturbations de la chaine dapprovisionnement. Auraient-ils cherche deliberement a devaluer la roupie en 2012 ? La population se souviendra qua cette epoque, le Leader de lopposition, alors Ministre des finances, avait pris la decision non-conforme dinjecter 100 millions de dollars dans le but explicite de devaluer notre roupie. En 2012, alors que leconomie mondiale se portait bien, quil ny avait pas de confinement ni de crise de la Covid-19 et que le secteur du tourisme avec pres dun million de visiteurs apportait des devises etrangeres et que le niveau du secteur de lexport de biens et services setablissait a 188,6 milliards de roupies, la roupie a pourtant ete devaluee : de 29,9 roupies pour le dollar en 2011 a 31,2 roupies, la livre de 46,7 roupies a 50,3 roupies et leuro de 39,4 roupies a 40,9 roupies. Ainsi, entre 2005 et 2014, la roupie a ete devaluee de 11,2% par un Gouvernement qui se souciait peu du pouvoir dachat des mauriciens, en particulier de celui des plus vulnerables. Je conclus en rappelant au Leader de lopposition que pour comprendre le present et preparer le futur, nous devons analyser le passe. Monsieur le President, Notre budget alloue a lEtat providence, notre Welfare State, etait de seulement 48 milliards de roupies en 2014. Aujourdhui malgre la pandemie, malgre la crise, malgre la recession, ce Gouvernement, porte par lhumanisme du Premier ministre, a fait doubler le budget du Welfare State pour lamener a plus de 93 milliards de roupies en 2021-2022. En y ajoutant le Wage Assistance Scheme et le Self-Employed Assistance Scheme, ce montant depasse largement la barre des 100 milliards de roupies que nous avons retournes a la population. Ces chiffres demontrent la solidarite dont ce Gouvernement fait preuve envers sa population. Merci. Egypt's interior ministry said on Tuesday that police killed 11 terrorists in a shootout at a farm that was being used as a terrorist hideout in Ismailia governorate. Police also confiscated equipment including three machine guns, one rifle, wireless communication devices, explosive materials, as well as large amounts of ammunition, the statement reads. Several other hideouts were also raided by police forces, including in Ismailia and 10th of Ramadan City, which were used to stockpile equipment to be smuggled to North Sinai. Police also arrested six people at one of the hideouts who were involved in providing support to terrorist groups in North Sinai, according to the statement. Police forces also arrested three people who were part of a smuggling network that provided logistical support to terrorist groups in North Sinai. Last week, gunmen in North Sinai murdered 305 worshippers including 27 children and injured 128 during Friday prayers at Al-Rawdah Mosque in Bir Al-Abd city. No group has claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack; the deadliest in Egypts recent memory. Shortly after the attack, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi promised vengeance in a televised speech to the nation. El-Sisi said that the military and police will avenge our martyrs and will respond using brute force against the terrorists to ensure stability and security. Search Keywords: Short link: Egypt condemned on Tuesday "in the strongest terms" a bombing that took place on Monday southeast of Baghdad, which left at least 17 people dead and over two dozens injured. Egypt expressed condolences for the victims' families and the people and the government of Iraq, stressing its full solidarity with Baghdad in the fight against "abhorrent terrorism," Egypt's foreign ministry said in a statement. Cairo will push ahead with its efforts and coordination with other countries to "develop a comprehensive international strategy to eliminate terrorism in all its forms, dry up its sources of funding and supply, and combat the extremist ideology," the statement added. On Monday, two attackers shot several civilians in Baghdad's Nahrawan area before one blew himself up and the other was killed by security forces, the Iraqi interior ministry said. Search Keywords: Short link: Two attackers shot several civilians on Monday in the Nahrawan area southeast of Baghdad before one blew himself up and the other was killed by security forces, the Iraqi Interior Ministry said, without providing official casualty figures. Local media reported at least 17 people were killed and 28 wounded. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, which an interior ministry spokesman described as "a terrorist attack by two terrorist suicide attackers who fired indiscriminately on citizens in the Nahrawan area". Suicide bombings are a trademark of Islamic State. Iraqi security officials say the group is likely to wage an insurgency after its self-proclaimed caliphate collapsed and its militants were dislodged from territories they held in the country. Search Keywords: Short link: WASHINGTON - Congressional Democrats have backed out of a scheduled meeting with President Donald Trump, saying they will focus instead on negotiating directly with top Republican leaders to avoid a federal shutdown. The decision by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., to not meet with Trump came a few hours after he signaled in an early-morning tweet that he is unlikely to bend to requests by Democrats in talks over how much more money the federal government may spend in the coming years and on pressing concerns regarding immigration and health care. Government funding is scheduled to dry up pon Dec. 8, and Republicans and Democrats are already floating the possibility of passing a short-term spending bill that wouldl push negotiations until just before Christmas. "Meeting with 'Chuck and Nancy' today about keeping government open and working. Problem is they want illegal immigrants flooding into our Country unchecked, are weak on Crime and want to substantially RAISE Taxes. I don't see a deal!" Trump tweeted. In response, Schumer and Pelosi said that "rather than going to the White House for a show meeting that won't result in an agreement," they've asked to meet alone with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis. "If the president, who already said earlier this year that 'our country needs a good shutdown,' isn't interested in addressing the difficult year-end agenda, we'll work with those Republicans who are," they said. Trump has explicitly threatened a government shutdown already twice this year and dangled the possibility again in his Tuesday morning tweet. Aides for McConnell and Ryan didn't immediately respond to requests for comment. Trump's huddle with the "big four" was scheduled to start a few hours after he is scheduled to attend a Senate Republican lunch meeting at the U.S. Capitol to shore up support for his party's tax reform plans. Among Democrats, there is growing resolve to withhold support for a spending plan that fails to address the fate of the so-called "dreamers." But on Tuesday, Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., who represents a swing district in southern Florida, became the first GOP lawmaker to say that he also will withhold his support for a spending bill that funds the government into next year if a solution for dreamers hasn't been enacted. Trump announced in September that he is ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program that granted temporary legal status to roughly 600,000 young undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children. He has given Congress until March to enact a permanent fix or risk mass deportations. Bipartisan proposals providing permanent legal status to eligible dreamers would permit them to stay in the country, but not allow illegal immigrants to flood into the United States as Trump suggested Tuesday. The top of the agenda at the White House meeting was likely to be federal spending levels. Currently, Congress may spend no more than $549 billion for defense programs and $516 billion for nondefense programs next year, a cut from current levels. But the Trump administration and defense hawks want to boost defense spending to more than $600 billion, and Democrats are demanding a dollar-for-dollar increase in nondefense spending. In a sign of how serious Republicans are about boosting Pentagon spending, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis was expected to attend the meeting, according to aides. White House legislative affairs director Marc Short said Monday that the West Wing is "anxious to find a path forward on budget caps" that would pave the way for a long-term government spending bill. With Republicans in total control of Washington, Democrats are insisting on adding such policy issues to any spending bill to win their support. Given that House Republicans have needed Democrats to help pass spending bills in recent years amid opposition from fiscal conservatives and because Senate Democrats can filibuster spending legislation, Schumer and Pelosi believe they have leverage to force a deal. Previewing the meeting Monday, Schumer cited spending levels, immigration policy and the need to renew programs such as the Children's Health Insurance Program as top priorities in the closing days of the year. "Hopefully we can make progress on an agreement that covers those time-sensitive issues that keeps the government running and working," he said in Senate floor remarks. A senior Democratic aide familiar with planning for the meeting said that Democrats will maintain influence over negotiations in the coming weeks. "This meeting wouldn't be happening if they had the votes on their own," said the aide, who was granted anonymity to speak frankly. In the weeks leading up to Trump's last meeting with the top four congressional leaders in September, his frustration with his own party's top officials was boiling over. Senate GOP leaders had just fumbled attempts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, leaving a long-held GOP priority unfulfilled. The meeting yielded an agreement that set up a short-term spending agreement - allowing Democrats to crow about how they maintained their negotiating leverage and Republicans to use the ensuing months to work on a bigger priority, tax reform. While many tensions remain raw in the GOP, Trump has sharpened his attacks on Democrats in recent weeks. In the closely watched Alabama Senate race, Trump has warned on social media that voters "can't let Schumer/Pelosi win this race," as he has tried to cut into support for Democratic candidate Doug Jones. At least three Democratic senators, Cory Booker of New Jersey, Kamala Harris of California and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont - all of whom are potential Democratic presidential candidates in 2020 - have said they would vote against the spending plan if it doesn't include protections for dreamers. Other potential Democratic presidential contenders, including Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and Chris Murphy of Connecticut, have suggested that they might also withhold support. In the House, members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus - who account for 28 of the 194 House Democrats - are expected to decide by the end of this week whether they will vote no against spending bills without an agreement to protect dreamers, according to caucus members and their aides. If they do, aides expect most if not all members of the congressional Black and Asian and Pacific Islander caucuses to join in opposition. Dozens of other Democrats might also vote no - representing more than half of the caucus. But Republicans remain insistent that establishing the parameters of a government spending bill that extends beyond elections next November should be the top priority for Tuesday's meeting. "You don't want to have a spending showdown shutdown crisis before the midterms next year. So I think it's important for both sides, honestly, to reach that agreement," said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., a close ally of House GOP leaders. Cole said he expected the president to "trust his instincts" during the negotiation, and he warned Democrats against holding up a spending bill over pressure to reach an immigration deal. If "you try to hold the entire government hostage to a single issue," Cole said, there's a risk of making the "same mistake Republicans made in 2013 over Obamacare. It's very apt to backfire." Republican opposition to the Affordable Care Act in 2013 led to a government shutdown that the public widely blamed on the GOP. Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., an outspoken conservative lawmaker, said Monday that he supported Ryan's calls not to include a DACA solution in the spending plan. "Congress should pass single-subject legislation, which maximizes the transparency of our votes to constituents. It would be a grave mistake to add DACA reform to the spending bill," Biggs said in a statement, adding that a separate immigration measure should include money to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Asked what he hoped Tuesday meeting's would yield, Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., told reporters, "I hope a year-end solution, a pathway to making sure you guys are home on Christmas Eve instead of hanging out here with us." A Syrian government delegation to U.N.-backed peace talks in Geneva this week has not yet left Damascus and may announce on Tuesday whether it will participate, the pro-Damascus Syrian newspaper al-Watan said. United Nations Syria mediator Staffan de Mistura said on Monday that the Syrian government had not yet confirmed that it would attend an eighth round of peace talks in Geneva this week, but "indicated that we would be hearing from them soon." Al-Watan reported on Monday that the delegation had delayed its planned departure to the talks set to begin on Tuesday because of the opposition's insistence that President Bashar al-Assad step down. Head of the opposition delegation to Geneva Nasr Hariri has said he is aiming for Assad's removal as a result of negotiations. Syrian government officials could not immediately be reached for comment. A breakthrough in the talks is seen as unlikely as Assad and his allies push for total military victory and his opponents stick by their demand he leave power. Search Keywords: Short link: The pan Arab organisation's chief calls on the international community to solve this crisis and give it highest priority Yemen is in need of urgent humanitarian assistance from the regional and international communities and any such efforts would be welcomed, the spokesperson of the Arab League's chief said on Tuesday. Mohamed Afifi said the armed conflict in Yemen has caused a "humanitarian crisis amid continuous and noticeable deterioration in living conditions." This situation is affecting the health and nutritional status and of Yemeni children, as well as the elderly and the sick, he said. Afifi noted that the pan-Arab organisation's chief, Ahmed Abul-Gheit, believes that solving this crisis should be the highest priority for the international community, adding that all resolutions issued by the Arab League on Yemen have put an emphasis on this matter. "The time has come for the Houthis, and those who are having an alliance with them, to realize that they are destroying the country [Yemen] and causing suffering for millions of innocent Yemenis. The Houthis are responsible for the deterioration Yemen has reached on all levels because of their intransigence and refusal of all compromises that were suggested to settle the conflict and lead Yemen to avoid the ongoing war," Afifi concluded. According to a Reuters report, 7 million people face famine in Yemen. Medical supplies and humanitarian aid workers arrived to Yemen's capital Sanaa on Saturday following an easing of a three-week blockade imposed by the Saudi-led military coalition fighting against the Houthi rebels. "First plane landed in Sanaa this morning with humanitarian aid workers, the World Food Programmes regional spokeswoman Abeer Etefa told Reuters on Saturday. Sanaa airport was closed from Nov. 6 until today, more than 18 days, and this closure caused an obstruction to the presence of aid workers, Etefa added. On 7 November, Jens Laerke, a spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), described the three-week blockade imposed by the Saudi-led coalition as 'catastrophic' for the Yemeni people on basic supplies. Laerke said "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 said that the blockade had led to a 60 percent increase in fuel prices, as well as a 100 percent rise in prices of cooking gas. Long lines of cars are queuing at gas stations, he noted. According to a report by the UN News Centre, 90 percent of Yemen's "daily needs" are fulfilled through imports. Search Keywords: Short link: Error 404 Not Found You may have mis-typed the URL. Or the page has been removed. Actually, there is nothing to see here... Click on the links below to do something, Thanks! Take Me our of here Syria's government agreed on Tuesday to a ceasefire in rebel-held Eastern Ghouta, following days of heavy bombardment, the United Nations envoy to the war-ravaged country said. "Russia has proposed and the government has accepted a ceasefire in Eastern Ghouta," Staffan de Mistura told reporters in Geneva, where an eighth round of peace talks aimed at ending the Syrian conflict was getting underway. Search Keywords: Short link: Related Trump declares North Korea state sponsor of terror North Korea fired a ballistic missile on Tuesday, two US government sources said, a week after President Donald Trump put North Korea back on a US list of countries that it says support terrorism. Later, the Pentagon said that it had detected a "probable" missile launch from North Korea. "We detected a probable missile launch from North Korea. We are in the process of assessing the situation and will provide additional details when available," Pentagon spokesman Colonel Robert Manning told reporters. He said the probable launch was detected at 1:30 p.m. EST (1830 GMT). The missile flew to the east and the South Korean military is analyzing details of the launch with the United States, according to a report from South Korean news agency Yonhap, citing South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff. NHK in Japan, citing the defense ministry, reported that the missile may have landed in the water of Japan's exclusive economic zone. The US source told Reuters no further details were immediately available. Asahi Shimbun in Japan also reported that North Korea had fired a ballistic missile early on Wednesday. US stocks pared gains after reports of the missile launch. The S&P 500 index was up half a percent in midafternoon. Two authoritative U.S. government sources said earlier that US government experts believed North Korea could conduct a new missile test within days, in what would be its first launch since it fired a missile over Japan in mid-September. The US officials declined to say what type of missile they thought North Korea might test, but noted that Pyongyang had been working to develop nuclear-tipped missiles capable of hitting the United States and had already tested inter-continental ballistic missiles. After firing missiles at a rate of about two or three a month since April, North Korea paused its missile launches in late September, after it fired a missile that passed over Japans northern Hokkaido island on Sept. 15. Last week, North Korea denounced Trump's decision to relist it as a state sponsor of terrorism, calling it a "serious provocation and violent infringement." The designation allows the United States to impose more sanctions, though some experts said it risked inflaming tensions. Trump has traded insults and threats with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and warned in his maiden speech to the United Nations in September that the United States would have no choice but to "totally destroy" North Korea if forced to defend itself or its allies. Washington has said repeatedly that all options are on the table in dealing with North Korea, including military ones, but that it prefers a peaceful solution by Pyongyang agreeing to give up its nuclear and missile programs. To this end, Trump has pursued a policy of encouraging countries around the world, including North Korea's main ally and neighbor, China, to step up sanctions on Pyongyang to persuade it to give up its weapons programs. North Korea has given no indication it is willing to re-enter dialogue on those terms. North Korea defends its weapons programs as a necessary defense against U.S. plans to invade. The United States, which has 28,500 troops in South Korea as a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean war, denies any such intention. Search Keywords: Short link: The decision comes in response to a new Egyptian policy banning exports from unregistered farms Related Egypt says Jordan to lift import ban on Egyptian potatoes Bahrain, Kuwait, and UAE to lift ban on Egypt's agriculture exports: Agriculture Ministry The European Union agreed to remove Egyptian table grapes from a list of foods that are subject to an increased level of official import controls, Agriculture Minister Abdel-Moneim El-Banna announced Monday, Ahrams Arabic website reported. The European Commissions Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed voted in favor of removing the Egyptian grapes from the list during meetings held in Brussels on 8-10 November. The reduction of the level of official controls comes after the Agriculture Ministry implemented a new policy under which only registered Egyptian farms are allowed to export grapes. The decision is yet to be made official, as the standing committee only delivers opinions on draft measures that the Commission intends to adopt, according to its official page. The current inspection protocol requires an additional 20% inspection rate over other imports, which means that two out of every 10 containers in each shipment are inspected, Agriculture Export Council Executive Director Hani Hussein told Al-Ahrams Arabic website. Since 2012 Egyptian grapes been on the list of food subject to an increased level of official controls for certain pesticides at the point of entrance into the EU territory, according to the EUs official document. Last month, Jordan lifted a ban on imports of Egyptian potatoes imposed in June 2016. Also last month, Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates agreed to lift a ban on imports of Egyptian agricultural products. Search Keywords: Short link: Monday, Nov. 27, 2017 LANSING Gov. Rick Snyder today signed an agreement requiring immediate steps be taken to improve environmental protection for the Great Lakes and other state waterways through a binding agreement with the owners of Line 5. Business as usual by Enbridge is not acceptable and we are going to ensure the highest level of environmental safety standards are implemented to protect one of Michigans most valuable natural resources, said Gov. Rick Snyder. The items required in this agreement are good strides forward. The state is evaluating the entire span of Enbridges Line 5 pipeline and its future, but we cannot wait for the analyses to be completed before taking action to defend our waterways. Line 5 is a 645-mile pipeline that begins in Superior, Wisconsin, and terminates in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. Line 5 transports up to 540,000 barrels a day of light crude oil and natural gas liquids Congressman Fred Upton, chair of the Subcommittee on Energy in the U.S. House of Representatives, has been working closely with the state on addressing concerns he has about Enbridge operations. "This issue is not going away until it gets fixed, Upton said. Zero tolerance for error is the only thing we will accept along with the highest safety standards in place to ensure the Great Lakes will not be at risk. I look forward to continuing to work with Governor Snyder and the state of Michigan in coordinating a state and federal response. We will stay on the case through completion." Under stipulations detailed in the agreement announced today, the state is requiring Enbridge to: Replace the portion of Line 5 that crosses beneath the St. Clair River with a new pipe in a tunnel under the river , a site where similar pipeline construction for Line 6B was successfully accomplished a few years ago. The St. Clair River is an important source of drinking water and an environmentally sensitive location along the pipeline. The underground replacement line will significantly lower the risk that oil could reach the river or the Great Lakes. , a site where similar pipeline construction for Line 6B was successfully accomplished a few years ago. The St. Clair River is an important source of drinking water and an environmentally sensitive location along the pipeline. The underground replacement line will significantly lower the risk that oil could reach the river or the Great Lakes. Undertake a study, in conjunction with the state, on the placement of a new pipeline or the existing dual pipelines in a tunnel beneath the Straits of Mackinac. The states alternative analysis identified tunneling as an alternative to the current pipelines. This study will examine several possible techniques and allow a much more detailed examination on the technical feasibility of such a tunnel. The states alternative analysis identified tunneling as an alternative to the current pipelines. This study will examine several possible techniques and allow a much more detailed examination on the technical feasibility of such a tunnel. Temporarily shut down operation of Line 5 in the straits during periods of sustained adverse weather conditions , because those conditions do not allow effective response to potential oil spills. Sustained adverse weather conditions are defined in an appendix of the agreement. , because those conditions do not allow effective response to potential oil spills. Sustained adverse weather conditions are defined in an appendix of the agreement. Assess the possible installation of underwater technologies, including cameras, to better monitor the pipeline beneath the Straits of Mackinac. Implement technologies that improve the safety of Line 5 in the straits by allowing faster detection and a more immediate response in the event of a spill. Implement measures to mitigate a potential vessel anchor strike on Line 5 beneath the straits. A vessel anchor strike was identified in the final alternatives analysis as one of the most serious threats to Line 5 safety in the straits. A vessel anchor strike was identified in the final alternatives analysis as one of the most serious threats to Line 5 safety in the straits. In partnership with the state, implement additional measures to minimize the likelihood of an oil spill at every Line 5 water crossing in Michigan. Increase transparency by: providing the opportunity for the state to fully participate in each of the evaluations required under the agreement; providing all information requested by the state about the operation of Line 5 in Michigan; and meet regularly with the state to assess and discuss any changes to the pipelines operation. This agreement is necessary to ensure increased oversight, transparency and accountability on the part of Enbridge, said DNR Director Keith Creagh. As we continue to evaluate the pipeline at the straits, we must make sure appropriate safeguards for natural resources are in place along the full length of Line 5 in Michigan. The agreement includes deadlines for each action. The state will hire its own experts to monitor Enbridges actions and review and verify the companys data. The agreement requires the company to cooperatively identify and make available to the state relevant information regarding the operation of Line 5. The full agreement can be found on the Pipeline Safety Advisory Board website. Tunneling under the St. Clair River and shutting down Line 5 during adverse weather are promising first steps in safeguarding our waterways, said Valerie Brader, executive director of the Michigan Agency for Energy. The assessment of all the options in the agreement should be done thoroughly, but quickly, so that we can move forward with additional concrete actions all along the pipeline. Todays agreement does not represent a final decision by the state regarding Line 5, but instead provides a clear schedule on which a decision will either be reached cooperatively with Enbridge or the state will take another path. In the meantime, the actions mandated in the agreement will improve the information available and improve safety, stewardship, and transparency. As these measures are put in place, the evaluation of Line 5 called for by the Michigan Petroleum Pipeline Task Force Report will continue. That evaluation is being conducted by the Michigan Agency for Energy (MAE), the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), with advice from the Pipeline Safety Advisory Board. On Nov. 20, the state released a final alternatives analysis report. The state will be accepting public feedback online and at public meetings in December on what should be done regarding Line 5 in the long term. The Line 5 crossing at the Straits of Mackinac continues to be of utmost concern to the DEQ, said C. Heidi Grether, director of DEQ. Our charge is to protect the Great Lakes as demonstrated in this agreement. It is, however, time we start reviewing the potential impact of Line 5 in its entirety throughout Michigan. The stipulations presented in this agreement are steps in the right direction to not only protect the Great Lakes, but to protect all of Michigans pristine waterways and environment. A contract for a separate independent risk analysis led by top researchers at Michigan Technological University is being finalized. These analyses, along with public input and the new agreement, will shape a final recommendation from the state on the future of Line 5. ### PORT AUSTIN -- The village of Port Austin officials recently traveled to Michigan State University to meet with some students there, and came back quite impressed. Seven village representatives took the trip to East Lansing to listen to presentations from 12 senior-level landscape architecture students. There, each student in the class presented a parks and/or streetscaping plan for the village. "They were really, really well done," said Port Austin Village President Dan Confer. "The plans are amazing." Confer said the meeting came about as a result of the efforts of a local landscape architect familiar with the program at MSU. He said resident Monica Schwanitz convinced the professor of the class to come to Port Austin, take a look at the area, and consider having the class do its senior design project on the village. The effort proved successful and in early September, the group spent two days in the village assessing things and going over village plans for potential improvement projects. Then they went back to class and went to work. Two weeks ago, six teams of two students each put together six master plans for the village. From there, each student in the class chose an individual project to fall within their master plan, and drew up a landscape design plan to be presented to village officials. Confer said three projects focused in on Bird Creek County Park, as representatives thought they might. "That's what I call a blank canvass as far as a park development," Confer said. A couple other proposals focused in on Veteran's Waterfront Park, a few more honing in on Water Tower Park and some on various streetscapes within the village. "They're impressive," Confer said. With plans now in hand, it's now up to the village to adopt any of the projects that it chooses. "They're entirely ours now to do as we want to with them," Confer said. He said there is state grant money available for parks and recreation developments that the village would probably now apply for. From there, it would proceed over the next several years to make the chosen improvements. "Some of these are just too good to just put on a shelf," Confer added. Overall, Confer said village officials that attended were very impressed with the overall experience. Representatives even took part in helping score the students' efforts. "We loved it," Confer said. "The closing comments from everybody were extremely favorable." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate PORTLAND Lola is a bundle of happiness when she greets visitors at the door of her Main Street home, but her exuberance belies the sadness she feels when things at home settle down and she misses the sister she lost almost two weeks ago, says her owner. Ann and William Barrows say their 8-year-old Yorkie Lola is still disoriented after the couples 4-year-old Yorkie, Lizzie, was killed Nov. 15 during the dogs routine late afternoon walk. William Barrows said both Yorkies were harnessed and leashed, making their way down Main Street, when a large, black dog dashed off its porch, grabbed Lizzie by the neck and shook her, breaking her neck and killing her, according to the Portland Animal Control officers report. He estimated that dog weighs well over 100 pounds. I tried to reach down and grab both and I got a hold of Lola, William Barrows said. The dog grabbed (Lizzie) by the back of the neck and broke it. The owner ran over and beat on top of his dogs head with his fists. She was a baby to us, Ann Barrows said. She was only 4 and she was our baby. We have two of them, but she was the one who caught your eye whenever she did anything. She was a special little dog. Ronald Wilcox, owner of the Rottweiler/Lab named Jake, had his dogs leash under his foot while talking to a neighbor that afternoon. He came down from the porch and hit the dog repeatedly in the head until he let go, police said. William Barrows ran home with both dogs in his arms. Its devastating, and more devastating because my husband keeps reviewing this in his mind because he felt that he was helpless, his wife said. He was able to grab Lola, she said, choking up. I would have lost both of them. I gave her mouth to mouth, but I knew she was gone. We brought her to the vet and they tried to resuscitate her, but she was gone. We knew it was too late, Ann Barrows said. He screamed all the way down the street, What am I going to tell my wife? What am I going to tell my wife. I cant grasp what happened and theres nothing we can do, Ann Barrows said. The couple drove Lizzie to Pieper-Olson Veterinary Hospital in Middletown, where she was pronounced dead. The next day, Wilcox was issued a ticket for first-degree nuisance, having an unlicensed dog and failure to keep up to date on rabies vaccinations. Jake is being quarantined at home for 14 days and restrictions are in place, including where he has to be on a leash and wear a muzzle while being walked, according to Portland Animal Control Officer Karen Perruccio. She urges people to report any type of incident involving a dog to authorities. Even if theres no attack, let the ACO know, said Perruccio, who received a call from a woman who said that same dog had been aggressive toward hers in October. The woman reported it after Ann Barrows letter to the editor was published in the Rivereast newspaper days ago. She signed it Heartbroken in Portland. Maybe if this lady had called when this happened to her, this dog wouldnt be dead today, Perruccio said. I regret that it happened. Ive done everything that (authorities have) asked me to do since then, Ronald Wilcox said Monday about Jake, who is 5. And it never happened before. If I see something like that in my dog again, I will take drastic action, he said. Perruccio said animal control officers can only be reactive if a report isnt made about a particular incident. Its hard to see if dogs are loose or if theres an aggressive dog or theres a dog unlicensed, she said We cant go door to door. Until something like this happens, we dont know, Perruccio said. Connecticut state laws involving dog on people attacks far outnumber regulations for dog-on-dog incidents, Perruccio said. William Barrows said a similar thing happened eight months ago with the same dog. That time, it was Lola, but he didnt make a complaint. He was walking her on a leash, heard a noise and spun around. It was the same dog, flying down the driveway toward us, he said. He managed to scoop Lola up, but the dog, he said, kept jumping up toward her and somehow managed to grab her leash. The dog pulled it so hard, the collar came entirely off her neck, William Barrows said. According to the police report, Jake was leashed and Wilcox was stepping on the leash while talking to a neighbor. Wilcox said Jakes actions were completely uncharacteristic. Perruccio acknowledges that owners sometimes take all the precautions necessary but then forget one thing. A lot of dogs have the invisible fences and sometimes they go through the invisible fence, she said, pointing to an incident that happened over the Thanksgiving weekend. People dont know that the collar is not working until something like that happens because they dont always check the batteries. Us ACOs can only do what we can do. We have laws we have to go by, too, Perruccio said. Wilcoxs dog was quarantined, something thats not always required by state animal control law, Perruccio said. But because the dog wasnt up to date on rabies, I was able to. Because the incident took place at Wilcoxs home, Jake was able to be quarantined there for two weeks. If it hadnt, Perruccio said, the dog would have been quarantined at the Portland Animal Shelter or Jakes veterinarians. The 14 days gives us a way to examine the dog, keep track of the dog, Perruccio said. Is it starting to get aggressive while its here? If it wasnt an aggressive dog to begin with, is there something going on? Thanksgiving was particularly tough for the couple. She was one of those where, no matter where you were, if you opened the refrigerator door, she was right there. And she knew what time it was to go for a W-A-L-K. Id have to spell it, Ann Barrow said about Lizzie. Ann Barrows laughs when she remembers what a character Lizzie was. Every day at 10 oclock, she would have a G-R-E-E-N-I-E (dental treat). Id have to spell that one, too. She would sit there and wait for it. Lola wasnt as bad. Lola and William Barrows now take a different route for their nightly walks, his wife said. Hell take her out the front door and say, Which way do you want to go? And shell head to the right. The Barrows ask that anyone who might like to make a donation in Lizzies name do so to the Connecticut Humane Society at 701 Russell Road, Newington, CT 06111. Managing Editor Cassandra Day can be reached at cassandra.day@ hearstmediact.com. STRATFORD Police have arrested a 33-year-old Bridgeport man in connection with a robbery in which a Stratford bartender was shot. Eric Chambers was apprehended Monday by members of the Fugitive Task Force and arrested on a court warrant, police said. At around 7 p.m. on Nov. 14, police said, a man entered BAR at 2399 Main St. in Stratford, approached the bartender and demanded money. The bartender complied and was then shot once in the abdomen, police said. Stratford Police Sgt. Jamie Rivera said Tuesday that Chambers was the driver of vehicle used in the robbery. Chambers was charged with first-degree robbery and is being held on a $25,000 bond. He is scheduled to be arraigned in court on Dec. 6. Meanwhile, the bartender, Regi Woodward, is recovering after several surgeries. A gofundme page had raised more than $15,000 as of Tuesday to help him with medical bills and other expenses. Rivera said the man suspected of pulling the trigger would also be arrested soon. Jachim Brown, 27, who is the suspect, was taken into custody in Bridgeport after a robbery at EbLens footwear store on Nov. 16. Brown faces charges of assault, robbery and criminal possession of a firearm from that incident, and police said a gun found with him matched the weapon used in the Stratford bar shooting. Brown was treated at St. Vincents Medical Center for a serious wound to his side, which he claimed was the result of being shot by the officer. But Bridgeport police said doctors have not confirmed that the man is suffering from a gunshot wound. They said at the time of the arrest that Brown got caught on a fence while fleeing. The former commander of the Marines' Wounded Warrior Regiment who spent two months in the brig last year after driving drunk to his own arraignment is behind bars again, this time as a civilian. Todd Shane Tomko, 54, was arrested and lodged in the Adams County Jail in Quincy, Illinois Nov. 22 on outstanding warrants from the Virginia Beach Police Department, officials with the jail confirmed to Military.com. The Quincy Herald-Whig, which first published news of Tomko's arrest, reported that he was arrested on seven felony warrants of indecent liberties with a child. At Tomko's May 2016 court-martial in Quantico, Virginia, his military attorney described him as a broken man, beset by post-traumatic stress after a 33-year career, which included combat tours. He was fired from his post as commanding officer of Quantico's Wounded Warrior Regiment in 2015 amid reports of misconduct including drunkenness at public events and inappropriate relationships with female enlisted subordinates. He ultimately pleaded guilty to sending inappropriate and exual messages to a female corporal, violating a series of military protective orders at Quantico, obtaining and using testosterone without a prescription, and driving to his May 6, 2016 arraignment with a blood alcohol level of .208. In all, four active-duty and retired general officers testified for Tomko as character witnesses, including retired Gen. John Kelly, former commander of U.S. Southern Command and now White House chief of staff. Maj. Gen. James Lukeman, then commanding general of Marine Corps Training and Education Command, said he had hand-selected Tomko to be his chief of staff for operations at 2nd Marine Division in 2013, but ultimately became troubled by the symptoms he exhibited and, at one point, issued his own military protective order, like a restraining order, against him. "I'm not a doctor, but he's not able to prevent himself from doing these things that he's pleading guilty to," Lukeman said at the court-martial. "I can't imagine it would come to that." According to an April letter to the editor published in the Herald-Whig, Tomko became the pastor of Parkview Church in Quincy following his forced retirement from the Marine Corps. -- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck. Officials at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, did not properly report criminal information to the civilian authorities about Texas church shooter and former airman Devin P. Kelley, a preliminary service investigation has found. "The Air Force's review of its reporting processes to civilian law enforcement in the Devin P. Kelley case has prompted immediate actions to correct reporting deficiencies and prevent future occurrences," Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek said in a statement on Tuesday. She said that based on initial findings in the case's chain, the Air Force Inspector General confirmed that "the [Office of Special Investigations] and Security Forces personnel then assigned at Holloman did not report required information." "The review also found the error in the Kelley case was not an isolated incident and similar reporting lapses occurred at other locations," Stefanek said. "Although policies and procedures requiring reporting were in place, training and compliance measures were lacking," she said. Related content: Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson and Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein have directed OSI and Security Forces officials to conduct reviews of all airmen with "reportable offenses" dating back to 2002, the statement said. Two tasks forces of 30 members from each organization are working the action -- which could result in a review of some 60,000 records. "The Air Force has reported and corrected several dozen records since the review began and is reviewing approximately 60,000 cases involving serious offenses over the 15-year period to ensure full compliance," Stefanek said in a follow-up email. The revelation about training failures has prompted the Air Force to take corrective actions in what will be a months-long process as the broader Defense Department review proceeds. Aside from the task force, one of the new procedures is to establish a leadership requirement at the field, regional and headquarters levels "to verify that information from applicable cases is registered with the FBI's National Crime Information Center's Interstate Identification Index," Stefanek said. "Additionally, supporting software, checklist and training changes were made to support the new procedures," she said. Earlier this month, the service said it was likely that Kelley's domestic violence offense was not entered into the NCIC database -- an electronic clearinghouse of crime data that can be tapped into by virtually every criminal justice agency, according to its website. Because the agency wasn't aware of his criminal record, Kelley was able to buy an assault rifle-style weapon used in the mass shooting on Nov. 5, described as the deadliest ever to occur in Texas. Armed with a Ruger AR-556 rifle and wearing black tactical gear, Kelley -- who served in the Air Force from 2010 until May 2014, when he was court-martialed -- entered First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs around 11:20 a.m. that Sunday and started shooting congregants during the service, killing at least 26 people and wounded numerous others. NCIC lapse Kelley's time in the service was cut short due to domestic abuse, including accusations he repeatedly pointed a loaded firearm at his then-wife, which led to a court-martial and bad-conduct discharge. Charles McCullough, a lawyer and partner at Tully Rinckey, said that officials who were leading this case -- regardless of how the case developed -- should have considered the ramifications of Kelley's violent past. "What's surprising here frankly is again these are done case by case, totality of the circumstances, you make these assessments, but anytime you've got violence and firearms, everybody's antenna should be up," said McCullough, formerly an intelligence community IG and FBI special agent. "The fact this wasn't in NCIC -- NCIC is the best known database for criminal information in the country. It's what all of law enforcement uses, federal or state," McCullough said in a recent interview with Military.com. "There are a lot databases that deal with specific things [such as] public source information, just financial information, [Department of] Treasury has their own database, but NCIC is what everyone uses. And so to not enter something like this into NCIC -- if that is indeed what happened -- that's a fairly significant lapse from a law enforcement standpoint. "Just without knowing the specific details of the case, just with knowing you have a mixture...of firearms and violence -- the violence is bad enough, where we know that children are getting hit, and a wife getting hit, but then we have firearms, that is something that I would at least want further inquiry and it appears that the Air Force IG is doing that, and I expect the DoD IG to do that [as well]," he said. Stefanek said that is now the goal of the review going forward. "Air Force officials are correcting all identified deficiencies as they are discovered and reporting them to civilian law enforcement," Stefanek said. "The Air Force will continue to take steps to identify and remedy shortfalls as the review continues," she said. -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214. A colonel forced into retirement after court-martial proceedings last year has just been arrested again on new charges. But the most recent allegations against him detail criminal misbehavior dating back to 2002, Military.com has learned. Todd Shane Tomko, 54, was arrested in Quincy, Illinois, on Nov. 22 on seven outstanding felony warrants from the Virginia Beach Police Department. A 33-year Marine officer and former commander of the Wounded Warrior Regiment, he was sentenced to two months in the brig last year after pleading guilty to sending sexual text messages to a female enlisted subordinate, obtaining and using testosterone without a prescription, and driving drunk to his own arraignment aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. Master Police Officer Linda Kuehn, a spokeswoman for the department, told Military.com Tuesday that the charges against Tomko include three counts of aggravated sexual battery, three counts of indecent liberties with a child, and one count of felony cruelty to children. The crimes were alleged to have been committed in Virginia Beach from the year 2002 to present, Kuehn said. The allegations involve three juvenile victims "who were known to the suspect," she added. The warrants, Kuehn said, were obtained Nov. 21. Tomko is expected to be transferred soon from Quincy to Virginia Beach so the warrants can be formally served and the adjudication process can begin. The newly revealed scope of the allegations also raises questions about whether the military will opt to be involved in Tomko's prosecution moving forward. The military has the right to call service members out of retirement to face court-martial, whether or not the alleged offenses occurred during or after the service member's time in uniform. This is an extraordinarily rare move, and typically reserved for high-profile officers and cases. But the measure was taken earlier this year in the case of James Grazioplene, a 68-year-old retired major general who was made to face court-martial after 12 years of retirement on allegations that he raped a child while on active duty in the 1980s. Grazioplene's trial has yet to take place. A Marine Corps spokesman, Maj. Brian Block, said Naval Criminal Investigative Service officials were still learning the details of Tomko's case. "It's probably to early to say one way or the other" whether the military will take action, Block said. If Tomko is prosecuted in a civilian court alone, he may still stand to lose some military benefits. While retired pay is generally unaffected by a felony conviction, VA benefits can be reduced if a retiree is convicted and spends more than 60 days behind bars. -- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck. A Navy lieutenant who lost his life while working to save his passengers in a C-2 Greyhound crash last week may be recommended for an award, an official said Monday. Lt. Steven Combs, the pilot of the aircraft, was one of three sailors who died when the aircraft crashed Nov. 22 in the Pacific Ocean en route to the carrier Ronald Reagan from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan. Eight other sailors, including the co-pilot, were rescued from the water. Combs managed to execute a landing on the water, giving the four aircrew and seven passengers the best opportunity to get clear of the aircraft and reach safety. The difficulty of such a landing with the cargo aircraft was compounded by high seas, which by some reports reached 10 to 12 feet, said Cmdr. Ronald Flanders, a spokesman for Naval Air Forces. "They did not have a lot of notice that they were going to have to ditch just miles from the carrier," Flanders told Military.com. "To use the words of his co-pilot who told us, '[Combs] flew the hell out of that plane.'" Related content: Flanders added that the possibility of a posthumous award for Combs in light of his actions was under discussion. Combs, who was commissioned in 2011 and reported to Fleet Logistics Squadron 30 in 2015, had served aboard Ronald Reagan as a detachment assistant operations officer and administrative officer, according to a Navy release. During his career, he had logged more than 1,200 flight hours and 100 carrier-arrested landings. Navy personnel were able to rescue the eight survivors within an hour of the C-2 going down southwest of Okinawa. On Nov. 25, the Navy identified those lost as Combs, Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) Airman Matthew Chialastri and Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Apprentice Bryan Grosso. Multiple sources have reported that engine failure is suspected as a cause of the crash, though an investigation is still underway. "Clearly there was something amiss with the aircraft and basically they were not close enough to the carrier to try to bring it in," Flanders said. On Saturday, the Ronald Reagan held a memorial service to commemorate the lives of Combs, Chialastri and Grosso. Capt. Michael Wosje, the commander of the Reagan's Carrier Air Wing 5, paid special tribute to the fallen pilot. "The loss of one of our pilots weighs heavily on the entire Carrier Air Wing Five team. Lt. Combs will always be remembered as a hero," Wosje said, according to a news release. "I am proud to have flown with him." The commander of the carrier, Capt. Buzz Donnelly, also honored the sailors who died. "The loss of these crew members hits across the entire ship with great significance," said Capt. Buzz Donnelly, Ronald Reagan's commanding officer. "On behalf of the entire crew of USS Ronald Reagan, I extend heartfelt prayers and sincere condolences to the families and friends of the three shipmates we lost." Less than a week after the tragic crash, the Navy has not moved to suspend or pause flight operations for the aging Greyhound, the service's carrier onboard delivery platform for personnel and logistics. Flanders noted that the current batch of the aircraft, C-2A(R), which began flying for the Navy in the mid-1980s, has an almost unprecedented safety record. There has been only one previous fatality -- a tragic 1988 mishap in which an individual walked into the aircraft's prop arc. "This mishap was the first of its kind in several decades," Flanders said of the most recent crash. The Greyhounds now flying for the Navy recently underwent a service-life extension program that was completed in 2015. The transports are set to be retired and replaced by Navy-variant CMV-22 Ospreys in the mid-2020s. -- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck. North Korea has launched an unidentified ballistic missile after a two-month pause, according to initial reports from South Korean media. A Defense Department official confirmed the Pentagon detected and tracked what was believed to be a single intercontinental ballistic missile that launched from North Korea at at 1:17 p.m. eastern standard time. "We are in the process of assessing the situation," Pentagon spokesman Army Col Rob Manning told reporters at the Pentagon on Tuesday. In an email a short time later, Manning said the missile was launched from Sain Ni in North Korea and traveled a lateral distance of about 1,000 kilometers before splashing down in the Sea of Japan, within Japan's Economic Exclusion Zone (EEZ). "We are working with our interagency partners on a more detailed assessment of the launch," he said in the statement. Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera told reporters in Tokyo that his government confirmed North Korea fired one missile on a lofted trajectory that may have reached an altitude of more than 4,000 kilometers. The height and flight time of roughly 50 minutes could mark the highest and longest duration flight yet of any North Korean ballistic missile test. The launch comes more than a week after U.S. President Donald Trump redesignated North Korea as a terrorist state. North Korea last launched a ballistic missile on Sept. 15 from Sunan airfield, just north of its capital Pyongyang. The regime of Kim Jong-un has repeatedly tested nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles this year despite condemnations from the international community and economic sanctions from the U.S. Security Council. "The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) determined the missile launch from North Korea did not pose a threat to North America, our territories or our allies," Manning said. "Our commitment to the defense of our allies, including the Republic of Korea and Japan, in the face of these threats, remains ironclad," he said. "We remain prepared to defend ourselves and our allies from any attack or provocation." Speaking to reporters at the Pentagon, Marine Corps Sergeant Maj Anthony Spadaro, the command senior enlisted leader for U.S. Pacific Command, said diplomacy is still the way forward to persuade North Korea to stand down its ICBM and nuclear achievements. "We [want] to seek the peaceful denuclearization of that Peninsula, and that's our U.S. stance," Spadaro said. "That's why we're hoping for diplomatic solutions at this point." Even following Tuesday's test, Spadaro said the U.S. is continuing "diplomatic processes." "I think for that diplomatic process, we look at the calculus behind that. There [are] achieved effects right now," Spadaro said but did not disclose what postive outcomes have come from supposed diplomatic efforts. "We're also demonstrating to our allies and our partners that we're all into this. And I think they want a peaceful denuclearization of the Peninsula," he said. -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214. Officials say the device was known as an "unexploded ordnance," or an explosive weapon that did not explode and still posed a... U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Raymond Brown had just returned from a tour of duty in Iraq when he first noticed the message: he had been issued a coast-to-coast PCS and the clock was tickingfast. Thats when he reached out to Sharon Baker, a REALTOR with her Military Relocation Professional (MRP) certification and retired military officer, to help him purchase a home near his new base. My new assignment will keep me in Virginia for at least four years, so I knew I wanted to buy instead of rent. But I also knew it was going to be incredibly difficult and expensive to add a cross-country home shopping trip to my schedule, explains Ray. Instead, with Sharons help, Im buying a home Ive never set foot in. Ray admits it feels like the craziest thing hes ever done, but hes also confident about his decision. Sharon has been incredibly attentive to every detail, in terms of helping me select the right property and representing my interests every step of the way, including negotiating a better price, and handling the inspections and related repairs, says Ray. Im even closing remotely! One reason Ray lucked out is that he started his search by selecting an agent who was uniquely qualified to provide the type of real estate services he needed mostsomeone who understands the ins and outs of military moves. Whats an MRP? MRP stands for Military Relocation Professional. Its a certification awarded to real estate agents (by the National Association of REALTORS) who have successfully completed special training to work with current and former military service members. Jim Lawrence, a REALTOR and former Army officer, also teaches real estate classes, including the MRP certification course. MRPs understand that military buyers are looking for many of the same things that non-military buyers want, but MRPs also understand the unique challenges military buyers and sellers face when their housing needs change, says Jim. If you reach out to an MRP, you can expect someone who: Talks your language - From PCS to RAP to BAH and more, active duty service members speak in military acronyms and follow a unique set of moving protocols. An MRP understands these terms and, more importantly, how they can affect your relocation decisions. Supports tight decisions and deadlines - An MRP knows that a PCSing active duty shopper is a power shopper who might look for a house, write a sales contract, and have it negotiated all in a long weekend. Time is of the essence, and an MRP does the legwork that helps everything fall into place. Assists with VA financing - A mortgage backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs can be an important way to improve your purchasing power and achieve the best financing rates. An MRP can help you evaluate these benefits and put you in touch with knowledgeable VA lenders. Plans ahead - You may be focused on your latest move, but an MRP is also thinking about your next transfer. How easy will it be to sell your home? Does it make sense to convert it into a rental property at the end of your current assignment? These are questions an MRP can help you answer. May recommend renting instead of buying - Depending on current local market dynamics and the particulars of your situation, renting may be your best choice. An MRP will help you crunch the numbers and support your decision. Bottom line: an MRP is trained to protect your interests first. They understand the importance of taking a long-term perspective and preserving trust, which ultimately helps them earn more referral business down the road, both within and beyond the military community. Not Just Active Duty MRPs are trained to understand and serve all aspects of the military market, including the Reserves, National Guard, and veterans. As a result, youll find them located across the U.S., not exclusively near major bases. On the Same Page In my experience, a REALTOR who has gone out of their way to receive the MRP training tends to exhibit patriotic qualities that are closely aligned with military values, says Jim Lawrence. He or she usually has strong national pride, which translates into a positive experience for current and former military members who seek to purchase and enjoy the American Dream. Ready to Get Started? If you're ready to get started, or just want to get more information on the process, the first step is to get multiple rate quotes with no obligation. You can then discuss qualifications, debt to income ratios, and any other concerns you have about the process with the lenders. The following is an interview conducted by Liz McLean with retired General David Petraeus. Liz had the opportunity to ask Petraeus about issues related to transitioning from the military to the civilian world. His answers shed light on best practices for all service members whether they plan on separating within a few months or retiring within a number of years. Liz: As you grew in rank, was there a point that you started to think about the transition to civilian life? If so, when was it, and what were your biggest fears? Petraeus: I did not spend much time thinking about transition to civilian life over the years. Periodically, I thought that one pursuit or another might be intellectually stimulating and rewarding; however, I did not do any serious thinking about what I might actually do in civilian life until after I left government. I then undertook a five-month process to determine what opportunities existed, to evaluate each of the opportunities, and to negotiate the specifics of those opportunities I ultimately decided to pursue. In fact, I have been very fortunate to develop a wonderful portfolio of business, academic, speaking, and veterans support endeavors, and I have enjoyed the new pursuits enormously. Liz: In your opinion, from what you have seen over the years, how do you feel the military prepares members for their exit to the civilian world (ranging from a young enlisted to a Senior Officer)? If you could aid in assisting the programswhat would you change? What do you think is still working currently? Petraeus: I think that the military is doing a better job of helping its members prepare for the transition to civilian life, having expanded the transition course and pursued other initiatives to ease the move to "civvy street." Having said that, there is undoubtedly more that could be done, including getting those preparing for transition to think farther ahead and not wait until their final weeks to explore opportunities that might be available to them. Just helping those in uniform take advantage of the various online sites that help make job opportunities known, that help mentor new veterans, and that offer various elements of advice would be helpful, too. Those are the initiatives I would pursue if still in uniform. Liz: What words of wisdom would you give to a service member seeking to better set themselves up for success while transitioning? What would you say to lessen their fears? Petraeus: My words of wisdom are actually statements of the obvious, I'm afraid! The key is, of course, to think ahead and recognize that the best opportunities will happen where a firm invests in the education and development of new employees, veterans included. In that regard, we veterans need to have a degree of humility about what might be needed for us to become value-added in pursuits that might be fairly technical and, at least, very different in the expertise required from what we have done in uniform. That's OK; it is reality. And, with time, the attributes, experiences, and qualities we bring from our time in uniform will make themselves felt. But, development, education, mentoring, and assistance will be essential if we are to succeed in many civilian endeavors. Liz : What jobs or assignments prepared you best for civilian life? Petraeus: Various positions in the military prepare us in different ways for jobs in the civilian world. Some develop or reinforce leadership skills, other provide directly-transferable technical capabilities. It is likely, however, that many in uniform will perform tasks in the military (e.g. tank crewmen, machine gunner, etc.) that are not directly transferable to jobs in civilian life though many of the tasks performed required in those fields require the ability to master various skills and that ability will help in civilian life too. So, the idea is to develop in a general sense, and to capitalize on those general skills, attributes, and abilities when pursuing what likely will be considerably different jobs in civilian life. In my view, in fact, military service provides a wonderful foundation on which to build for the rest of one's life. Liz: What are your views on experience versus education? (I receive this question a lot from young enlisted making the transition). I was big (and still am) on educating yourself, but for some it is almost a badge of honor to not need it. Petraeus: I think both education and experience are needed. One without the other seldom is sufficient, at least if one hopes to progress in a particular field. Liz: How do internal military politics differ from civilian politics? How did the political experience or lack thereof that you gained in the Army affect your approach to politics in the civilian sector? Petraeus: I don't know that it is politics that are the dynamic; rather, it is all about relationships and understanding the responsibility one has to be forthright and capable of speaking truth to power in a way that is not "in your face" i.e., that is constructive and respectful and positive in tone, rather than confrontational, disrespectful, and negative. Liz: What do you think about the grass is greener concept of civilian life to the military work life concept? Do you think one is necessarily easier than the other? Petraeus: The reality is that one has to truly commit fully to succeed in uniform and to also succeed in civilian pursuits. Life is a competitive endeavor, whether that life is in uniform or in the civilian world. Liz: What would you say to employers who are questioning why they should hire military members? Why should they hire them, and what should they do to retain them? Petraeus: Employers should hire veterans because it is the right thing to do given what veterans have done for our country. And, as importantly, it is the smart thing to do in a business sense because veterans bring a wealth of very valuable capabilities, skills, attributes, and experiences. Liz: How can the civilian populace better help fight the stigma of PTSD, and can employers help to bring these individuals into their organizations without fear? Petraeus: War changes everyone, albeit in many cases it produces a greater appreciation of the blessings of life. But it also obviously results in terrible losses and wounded warriors, some with unseen wounds. Employers just need to have frank conversations with the veterans they considering for employment, as veterans need to have frank conversations with prospective employers. And they all need to understand the environment, context, and so on of employment so that those with physical and unseen wounds can work through the issues they present. Liz: Is there anything else you want current service members to know to motivate them in the service? On their transition out? Petraeus: There is no greater privilege than serving a cause larger than self in uniform, and doing it with others who feel the same way. Having said that, there are innumerable pursuits in the civilian world that are incredibly rewarding, stimulating, and important to our country. Indeed, our nation's economy is the foundation of our national power, and those in the civilian world obviously are the ones who construct that foundation! Veterans engaged in such efforts take great pride in having contributed to the security that makes our economic endeavors possible and to then contributing to the country's economic growth, especially at a time when our economic growth has been so impressive and is poised for further expansion. The reality is that military members are given advice day in and day out about what they should or should not do as they ready for their transition, but rarely do they receive the advice from someone who has succeeded so well in both the military and civilian side. General Petraeus has seen many service members come and go throughout his career, and has been involved at the highest levels of America's government. His tips and humble transparency are words that hopefully will instill both confidence and growth. General Petraeus' legacy of mentorship will last a lifetime. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More An all-electric Kwid could make its way to the Indian market if all goes well with its launch in the Chinese market, Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn said in an interview to Automotive News. Once it (Kwid electric) works in China, there's no reason you're not going to export the car to India, to Brazil, to the Middle East, said Ghosn to the publication. Ghosn claimed to have also driven a prototype of the very well engineered and low-cost car indicating that the vehicle is in advanced stages of development before going into full-fledged production sometime later next year or in 2019. As per Ghosns own admission the electric Kwid may not be produced within the country and instead be imported from China at least initially before a more concrete eco system conducive for electric vehicle production takes shape in India. The Kwid is one of the five entry level hatchbacks on sale in India and is the best-selling Renault model in the country contributing more than half of the companys sales. Prices starting at Rs 2.61 lakh, the five seater Kwid is the second highest selling entry hatchback after the Maruti Suzuki Alto. Thanks to an aggressive push by the government China has emerged not just as the biggest electric vehicle market but as the production hub of electric vehicles for all global manufacturers. As per data available, sales of electric and hybrid vehicles in China jumped 53 percent last year to 507,000 units as compared to 2015. However like India China, too, has a booming demand for cheap electric cars having a practical range. In India only Mahindra & Mahindra commercially makes electric cars such as the e2o for the retail market but rival Tata Motors has promised to enter the segment too with electric versions of the Tigor and Tiago. Interestingly, Renaults sister company Nissan emerged as one of the bidders (beside Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra) for the governments order for providing 10,000 fully electric cars to be used by government-owned companies. However, the Japanese company could not meet the specification required for the bid. Reliance Communications | In the last four months, the stock price has risen 487 percent to Rs 3.93 per share from Rs 0.67 per share on March 27, 2020. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More The China Development Bank (CDB) has filed an insolvency case against debt-ridden Reliance Communications (RCom) under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), becoming first of the telecom firm's lenders to do so, according to a report by Mint. According to the report, the Beijing-based financial institution filed the insolvency case before the Mumbai bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on November 24 and that law firm Trilegal is advising the CDB. RCom owes around USD 2 billion in syndicated loans to the Chinese lender. Earlier, other lenders of RCom, Ericsson India and Manipal Tech had filed bankruptcy petitions against the telecom company. Media reports suggest that Tech Mahindra, too, had filed and later withdrawn a petition that sought settlement talks. If CDBs petition is admitted by the NCLT, domestic lenders will have to set up a creditors committee which will work with an insolvency resolution professional and chalk out a revival plan for RCom. Jio shows interest in buying RCom spectrum Meanwhile, Reliance Jio is likely to chase RCom's 4G spectrum in the 850 MHz band in seven key circles, according to a report by The Economic Times. RCom had got the spectrum during its merging with Sistema Shyam Teleservices (SSTL). The report cites sectoral experts seeing Jio aggressively chasing Sistema Shyam's spectrum in Delhi, Kolkata, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, UP-West and West Bengal which is valid till FY2033. Last week, Bharti Airtel had said that it is interested in buying selected spectrum and some equipment of Reliance Communications (RCom). Lenders are currently in the process of selling RCom's assets in a bid to recover some portions of the roughly Rs 45,000-crore debt. Disclaimer: Reliance Industries Ltd. is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd. CNBC-TV18s Shereen Bhan is in conversation with KT Rama Rao, the IT Minister of Telangana from the side-lines of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) 2017 in Hyderabad which is co-hosted for the very first time by India and the United States. We call ourselves a start-up state because we were created about three-and-a-half years ago, now we are scaling up. We came out with our innovation policy, we came out with our start-up policy and we offer number of incentives even from the government side, he said. Ashok Leyland is in focus after the company extended their deal with Japan's Hino Motors where the company will utilise Hino's Engine Technology for their Euro-VI development Talking about the above development in detail, Vinod Dasari, MD & CEO, Ashok Leyland said the company will be fully compliant with Euro-VI by April 2020. He said since company over a period came out with the lowest cost per horsepower in its engine, Hino came to the company with EURO-VI engine to help them reduce cost of the engine. Hino already has four-cylinder EURO-VI that they sell in different parts of the world and now Ashok Leyland will help them make that become more competitive and will together develop a six-cylinder engine, said Dasari, adding that according to the deal, they wont compete in India and we wont compete in Japan. The company will pay Hino a small royalty and they will also pay Ashok Leyland us royalty for parts that are developed and exported from India. So, net-net no impact, he said. The tie-up with Hino will help reduce costs and moreover, it also gives another safety net as far as EURO-VI is concerned, said Dasari. Talking about the business outlook, he said although their market share has come down a bit from June, they are still higher overall from previous year and would to achieve double-digit operating margins, said Dasar. Going forward to, the target would be to achieve double-digit operating margins. The overall capacity utilisation would be around 70-75 percent and it is time to improve production, said Dasari. Talking about the governments focus on heavy-duty fuel economy, which we have to meet by April, he said. On their plans for electric vehicle (EV), he said they have a three-pronged strategy -- a battery swap strategy, a flash charge strategy and fast charge strategy, said Dasari, adding that they are working with battery companies, motor companies on it etc. "We have a distinct plan for EVs, as distinct as Euro-VI," he said, adding that they have two separate teams feverishly working to make sure that they are world class not only in Euro-VI but also EVs. Greece advocated reforms in the United Nations and backed India's bid for permanent membership in the Security Council, asserting that New Delhi "cannot be kept out" of one of the most important world bodies. Foreign Affairs Minister of Greece Nikos Kotzias said that his country fully supports India for the membership of the UNSC as a new balance of power is emerging in the world. The minister noted that the old powers are declining while a new balance of power is emerging with countries such as India and China. "We support reforms in the United Nations and India's seat in the Security Council. We are not supporting other proposals," Kotzias said. He was responding to a question after delivering a lecture on "Greece as a pillar of stability in Southeastern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean", an event organised by the Observer Foundation Research and the Embassy of Greece. "India is the second most populous nation. In 10-20 years, or even before, it will be the most populous state. You cannot keep such a nation-state outside the Security Council," the foreign minister added. The minister said Greece and India could play specific role in stabilisation of the West Asia and also the eastern Mediterranean region. He said Greece is working with the policy of five lines of stabilisation in the region, with special focus on Egypt, Israel and Jordan to achieve stability in the region. Asked whether Greece would be able to play a leading role in the region, considering the economic slowdown it witnessed, the minister said the GDP of Greece is very small, nearly Euros 250 billion, in comparison to the world, medium in regards to European Union, but large in regards to the region. He asserted that despite the economic slump, the country has strong democracy which is "embedded" in the Greek society. Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, head of Jamaat-ud-Dawa and founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed has filed a petition in the UN seeking removal of his name from the list of designated terrorists on the ground that none of the allegations against him either related to terrorism or otherwise has been proved in the Pakistani courts. The banned Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) head, who carries a USD 10 million American bounty on his head for terror activities, walked free on Friday after the Pakistan government decided against detaining him further in any other case. He was under house arrest since January this year. Lahore-based law firm - Mirza and Mirza Law Associates has filed the petition on behalf of Saeed in the UN. Supreme Court Advocate Navid Rasul Mirza, the owner of this law firm, told PTI today that his law firm had recently filed the petition in the UN. "My law firm has filed the petition on Hafiz Saeed's behalf at the UN seeking removal of his name from its list of designated terrorists. My son Haider Rasul who is director of this firm is looking after this case," he said. Saeed, who is accused of having masterminded the November 2008 Mumbai attack that killed 166 people, was placed on the terrorism black list by the United Nations under UN Security Council Resolution 1267 in December 2008. To a question about any progress in the case so far, Mirza said: "We have just filed the petition." Mirza was Additional Advocate General of Punjab Government (1993-1996) and Prosecutor General for the National Accountability Bureau, a government anti-graft body (2000-03). This is the first time that Saeed has hired a law firm other than that of his permanent counsel Advocate A K Dogar. "In Pakistan, all cases of the JuD chief are being handled by Dogar. This firm to pursue his case in the UN has been hired in consultation with Dogar," a Jamaat-ud-Dawah office-bearer told PTI. The office-bearer said Saeed has decided to challenge the UN's decision on the basis of different court decisions since 2009 in which no allegation either related to terrorism or otherwise has been proved in the Pakistani courts. He said the UNs decision to place Saeed's name on the list of terrorists had caused harm to his reputation as it appeared that this had been done on international pressure. "We have enough ground to fight our case in the UN. The UN should take up our petition and remove Hafiz Saeed's name from the designated terrorists list," he said. LeT operations commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi was also placed on the terrorism black list along with Saeed. According to the UNSC's sanctions committee, the LeT leaders were "subject to the assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo," set out in Security Council resolution 1822. The UNSC website says: "Saeed is proscribed for being associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba and Al-Qaeda for participating in the financing, planning, facilitating, preparing or perpetrating of acts of activities by, in conjunction with, under the name of, on behalf or in support of both entities." India has repeatedly asked Pakistan to re-investigate the Mumbai terror attack case and also demanded trial of Saeed and Lakhvi in the light of evidence it had provided to Islamabad. A Lahore High Courts Judicial Review Board last week unanimously ordered Saeed's release after the Punjab government failed to provide any evidence related to terrorism or otherwise before it. After his release, Saeed said the US, on India's request, pressured Pakistan to detain him. "I was detained on the pressure of the US on the Pakistani government. The US did so on the request of India," he claimed. India had expressed outrage over the decision of the judicial board to release Saeed, calling it an attempt by Pakistan to mainstream proscribed terrorists and a reflection of its continuing support to non-state actors. The JuD is believed to be the front organisation for the banned LeT which is responsible for carrying out the Mumbai terror attack in 2008. Saeed was put under house arrest after the Mumbai attack in November 2008 but he was freed by a court in 2009. Nine of the Mumbai attackers were killed by police while lone survivor Ajmal Kasab was caught and executed after a trial. Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurates the first phase of the Hyderabad Metro Rail project. Ivanka Trump, the advisor and daughter of US President Donald Trump, also reached the city in the early hours today to attend the GES, co-hosted by India and the US. Governor of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana E S L Narasimhan, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, Union Minister of State for Home, Hansraj Ahir, several Telangana ministers and BJP leaders were among those who welcomed Modi at the Begumpet airport. The prime minister also addressed a party meeting after arriving here this afternoon. He then left for Miyapur where he will inaugurate the Metro Rail project. The 30-km-long first phase of the metro rail project between Miyapur and Nagole, having 24 stations, would be thrown open to the public from tomorrow. After inaugurating the metro rail, the prime minister would go to the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC) for the opening of eighth edition of the three-day GES. He would attend a dinner tonight at the Falaknuma Palace (now a luxury hotel), built during the Nizam era, before concluding his Hyderabad visit. India and Denmark decided to ramp up cooperation in key sectors such as trade and investment, energy and shipping, during talks between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Danish counterpart Anders Samuelsen. The external affairs ministry said two ministers held discussions on various aspects of bilateral ties as well as important regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest. "The discussions between the two ministers focused on building of cooperation in the areas of trade and investment, science and technology, environment and renewable energy, shipping, food processing, healthcare, culture and tourism," the ministry said. Samuelsen is on a five-day India visit from November 26- 30. He is also travelling to Hyderabad to participate at the 8th Global Entrepreneurship Summit. Today's talks between Swaraj and Samuelsen were focused on boosting bilateral trade and investment. India's economic ties with Denmark are on an upward trajectory. The annual bilateral trade has increased to around USD 2.8 billion. Indian companies have established their presence in IT, renewable energy and biotechnology sectors of Denmark. Over 125 Danish companies have invested significantly in the sectors of renewable energy, shipping, IT and food processing in India. Q1. It was originally started in 1940 and ran successfully till it was closed for a few years during the Indo-China War. Chen re-opened it, joining hands with a partner Tham Mouyiu, in 1968, and is actively involved in the day-to-day operations of running the restaurant. The restaurant runs solely on word-of-mouth publicity of its loyal patrons which include Bollywood royalty from Shashi Kapoor to Rekha and Kajol , to the who is who of politics including VK Krishna Menon. One of the most unusual gues was Deng Pufang the paraplegic first son of the Chinese premier Deng Xiaoping. Identify this legendary Mumbai establishment which recently shut shop. (Representative image) The government has received 31 fresh complaints under GSTs anti-profiteering mechanism, for not passing on to consumers a reduction in price after rate of over 200 items were cut less than two weeks back. We will look at 70 complaints, including 31 fresh cases reported since November 15, especially against restaurants and some real estate companies, a senior government official told Moneycontrol. In a major relief to businesses and consumers, on November 10, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council--the apex body for decision making headed by finance minister Arun Jaitley--cut rates of 211 mass consumption items. Items of common use including furniture, sanitary ware, electrical fittings, detergents, marble flooring and toiletries, among others were shifted to a lower tax bracket of 18 percent from 28 percent. Alongside, taxes on six items were cut from 18 to 5 percent, in eight items from 12 to 5 percent and from 5 to zero percent in six items. The Council also decided to impose a uniform GST rate of 5 percent across all categories of standalone restaurants air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned but withdraw the benefits of input tax credit (ITC) from such businesses. The decision was taken as the Council had gathered that restaurants were not passing on the benefits of ITC to customers and had linearly raised their meal rates after GST became effective from July 1. The massive revision in rate came into effect on November 15. Following the recent tax cut, the government pinned the responsibility of reduction in prices on consumer goods. Failing to the lessen prices may could lead to anti-profiteering action. Under the GST-related laws, the government had introduced an anti-profiteering clause into order to ensure that businesses transfer the benefit of tax credit to consumer by making products cheaper. However, particularly restaurants have increased prices in their menu as they claim that unavailability of ITC or tax credit has forced them to take the step. The government has, however, warned that if the price rise is beyond the taking into account the lack of tax credit, action could be taken against them. The Cabinet has recently approved setting up of National Anti-Profiteering Authority (NAA) in a bid to ensure that businesses pass on the benefit of the recent tax rate cuts to the final consumers. NAA will be headed by a senior officer secretary-level official, with four technical members from the Centre and states. Appointment of these top five officials will be notified this week. The framework of the body comprises a standing committee, screening committees in every state as well as the Directorate General of Safeguards. If consumers feel that the benefit of reduction in tax rate is not being passed on to them, they can approach the states screening committee for relief. However, in case the incident of profiteering relates to an item of mass impact with 'All India' ramification, the application has to be directly sent to the standing committee. If the committee is able to conclude that there is an element of profiteering, then the matter will be referred for detailed investigation to DG Safeguards, which shall report its findings to the NAA. Further, if NAA confirms there is a necessity to apply anti-profiteering measures, it has the authority to order the accused business to reduce its prices or return the undue benefit availed by it along with interest to the recipient of the goods and services. Moneycontrol News Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that he wants to improve Indias global ranking in Ease of Doing Business from 100 currently to 50. Our government has taken several steps to improve the business environment. The jump in Indias ranking in the World Banks Ease of Doing Business Report, from 142 to 100, in three years, is a result of this, PM Modi said at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit 2017. We have improved on indicators like dealing with construction permits, getting credit, protecting minority investors, paying taxes, enforcing contracts and resolving insolvency. The process is not yet complete. This is an area where we are not satisfied with 100th rank. We would strive towards 50th rank, Modi said. Clad in a black half jacket, the Prime Minister welcomed Ivanka Trump, advisor to US President Donald Trump, who was dressed in a green ensemble. Ivanka is in Hyderabad to attend the eighth edition of the US sponsored summit, whose theme is women entrepreneurship this year. The theme Women First, Prosperity for All makes this edition of GES stand out. This very city of Hyderabad is home to Saina Nehwal, PV Sindhu, and Sania Mirza, who have brought laurels to India, PM Modi said. This event not only connects the Silicon Valley with Hyderabad but also show-cases the close ties between the United States of America and India. It underlines our shared commitment towards encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation, he said. The Summit is being held in South Asia for the first time. It brings together leading investors, entrepreneurs, academicians, think-tanks and other stakeholders to propel the global entrepreneurship ecosystem. To my young entrepreneur friends from India, I would like to say: each of you has something valuable to contribute towards creating a new India by 2022. To my entrepreneur friends from across the globe, I would like to say: Come, Make in India and Invest in India - for India, and for the world, the prime minister said. A firefighter works at the scene where a number of cars burnt down during the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany, July 7, 2017. REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTX3AFPI A large explosion and fire has rocked an area of Tel Aviv resulting in casualties, though it appeared the incident was accidental, Israeli media reported today. The explosion and fire occurred at a hardware store in the Jaffa area, reports said. There were conflicting reports on casualties, with Haaretz newspaper saying three people were killed, while other news media reported various numbers for wounded. Police could not immediately be reached for comment. Haaretz reported that the incident was likely not criminal, though an investigation was ongoing. Stock Market LIVE | Which is the best PSU Bank stock to bet on? | Markets with Santo & CJ Regulator Sebi has directed two companies -- Rahul Hi Rise and Shine India Infra Project -- and their directors to refund the money that the firms had collected illegally from the public and has also barred them from the markets for at least four years. Rahul Hi Rise mobilised Rs 29.44 crore by issuing non- convertible debentures (NCDs) to at least 100 investors in 2009-10 and 2010-11 while Shine India raised over Rs 13 lakh from the issuance of redeemable preference shares (RPS) to at least 86 people in 2011-12 and 2012-13, Sebi said in two separate orders. The securities were issued to over 50 people each and accordingly, these offers qualified to be public issues and required compulsory listing of securities on a recognised exchange. However, the firms did not comply with the provision. Among other requirements, the firms were to register a prospectus with the Registrar of Companies (RoC) under the Companies Act, which they failed to do. Accordingly, Sebi has directed Rahul Hi Rise and its directors -- Abhijit Majumdar, Mrinmoy Bose and Dipankar Gupta -- Shine India and its directors -- Sajahan Midya and Selim Mohammed SK -- to refund the money collected by the firms through the issuance of securities along with an annual interest of 15 per cent. In the case of Rahul Hi Rise, Sebi said its order is "subject to the directions passed by the Calcutta High Court in its order dated August 12, 2016". After completion of refund, these entities would have to file a report of such completion with Sebi, within three months, certified by two independent chartered accountants, Sebi said in orders dated November 27. In case these entities fail to comply with the orders, Sebi may recover such amounts in accordance with provisions of securities laws. Further, Sebi has barred the firms and their directors from the securities markets till the refund and a further four years from the date of completion of the refund to investors. Also, they have been restrained from associating themselves with any listed public company during the period under review. In October 2015, the markets regulator had prohibited Rahul Hi Rise and Shine India as well as their respective directors from the capital markets "till further directions". rahul gandhi narendra modi Sharpening his attack on the Congress in his home state, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the erstwhile Indira Gandhi government played the "drama" of nationalising banks to "cover up" the "unceremonious" sacking of then Finance Minister Morarji Desai, a Gujarati. Addressing a rally in Kadodara area of the city ahead of the first phase polling on December 9, Modi also accused the Congress of creating a "rift" in the society through its "caste-based" politics and said Gujarat is still paying the price of their "sins" committed 25 years ago. Invoking Gujarati pride, Modi said, "Morarji Desai, a Gujarati from Surat, was unceremoniously sacked as Finance Minister by Indira Gandhi overnight. After being sacked, Desai had said that he was discarded like a vegetable." He said nationalisation of banks was a "drama" played by the erstwhile Congress government to "cover up" the sacking of Desai. "Immediately after sacking him (Desai), banks were nationalised overnight as part of the government's face-saving exercise (though) it was claimed that banks were nationalised to serve the poor," he said. Modi said despite "sacrificing" Desai, the doors of banks did not open for the poor. The prime minister said it was his government which actually opened the doors of the banks for the poor. "When we came to power (in 2014), those doors that were closed for almost 30 crore poor, we then opened those doors by introducing the PM Jan Dhan Yojna," he added. In a veiled dig at Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, Modi said the BJP during its rule in Gujarat has "forced" people to visit temples. "They (Congress leaders) ask me what BJP did in this 22 years (rule in Gujarat). (Among others things) We have compelled many people to visit temples," Modi said evoking a loud cheer from the crowd. Gandhi, who visited a string of temples during his party's ongoing campaign in Gujarat, has been accused by the BJP of playing the "soft Hindutva card". Against the backdrop of the Congress's efforts of caste consolidation by forging ties with Alpesh Thakor, Hardik Patel and Jignesh Mevani, leaders of OBCs, Patidars and Dalits, respectively, Modi said, "The opposition party wants to tread the same path which had destroyed the social fabric of Gujarat when they were in power 25 years ago." "The Congress had created a rift between two brothers through caste-based politics. Though you (Congress) managed to gain power through such experiments in the past, Gujarat is still paying the price of your sins, committed 25 years back," he said. "And now, you want to walk the same old path? Is this the way you want to woo today's youth?" Modi asked. He was apparently referring to KHAM, which stands for stands for Kshatriya, Harijan, Adivasi and Muslim, the communities the Congress brought together to gain power in the state in the 1980s. He said the people of Gujarat have moved forward from the Congress-era and that the party should not be under the impression that their "tricks" would succeed now. Pakistan's federal cabinet has approved borrowing of up to $3 billion via a Eurobond and sukuk, but the government would "most likely" raise only $1.5 billion, a senior Pakistani government official told Reuters on Tuesday. Pakistan is likely to split the fund raising equally between the Eurobond and sukuk depending on the rates, the official added. Reuters had reported in August that Pakistan was looking to raise $500 million to $1 billion in debt via an Islamic sukuk bond or a Eurobond later in the year. The fund raising is critical for the country, which is battling to stave off the pressure of balance of payments due to the dwindling foreign currency reserves and a widening current account deficit in the $300 billion economy. Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves decreased by $137 million to $13,541 million in the week ended Nov. 17, compared with $13,678 million in the previous week, latest central bank data showed. The central bank said challenges of near-term balance of payments persist, but it was hoping the recent improvements in export numbers, hikes in foreign direct investment and other financial inflows would help contain the pressure. The balance of payments pressure is largely due to imports of machinery and other Chinese goods on the back of China's $57 billion infrastructure investment as part of the Beijing-funded Belt and Road infrastructure initiative stretching to Asia, Europe and beyond. With foreign reserves dwindling, some analysts say Pakistan may need an International Monetary Fund bailout to avert a balance of payments crisis similar to the one it suffered in 2013, when it sought IMF help. Bull's Eye, CNBC-TV18's popular game show, where market experts come together to dish out trading strategies for you to make your week more exciting and compete with each other to see whose portfolio is the strongest. Remember these are midcap ideas not just for the day, but stocks that look attractive in the medium-term as well. This week, Vishal Malkan, Pankaj Jain and Ruchit Jain battle it out for top honours. Below their top stock picks and analysis: Vishal Malkan of malkansview.com Buy Bata India with a stoploss at Rs 728 and target of Rs 795 Buy Jain Irrigation with a stoploss at Rs 110 and target of Rs 120 Buy Reliance Infrastructure with a stoploss at Rs 454 and target of Rs 495 Buy Tech Mahindra with a stoploss at Rs 493 and target of Rs 545 Pankaj Jain of SW Capital Buy Orient Paper with a stoploss at Rs 127 and target of Rs 145 Buy West Coast Paper with a stoploss at Rs 227 and target of Rs 254 Buy Tourism Finance with a stoploss at Rs 160 and target of Rs 175 Buy DLF with a stoploss at Rs 229 and target of Rs 245 Ruchit Jain of Angel Broking Buy Brigade Enterprises with a stoploss at Rs 288 and target of Rs 330 Buy Ajanta Pharma with a stoploss at Rs 1325 and target of Rs 1440 Buy KEI Industries with a stoploss at Rs 346 and target of Rs 385 Ashwani Gujral of ashwanigujral.com told CNBC-TV18, "Today HDFC twins are doing very well. Whenever that happens and as you can see even rupee is strengthening, so possibly there is some foreign buying which is visible. HDFC Bank is a buy with a stop loss of Rs 1,850 and target of Rs 1,920. HDFC is a buy with a stop loss of Rs 1,710 and target of Rs 1,765." "Can Fin Homes which seems to be turning around from a deep correction is a buy with a stop loss of Rs 480 and look for target of Rs 505." "Metal stocks are coming out of a correction. This is the right time to buy Vedanta, Tata Steel and all kinds of other metal stocks and so far the metal Index is making a higher bottom so that way the metal rally along with the housing finance could be just starting," he added. "Metals are showing good amount of traction and lots of them are coming off a 5-8 percent type of a correction. Hindalco Industries is a buy with a stop loss of Rs 246 and target of Rs 262. Tata Steel is a buy with a stop loss of Rs 700 and target of Rs 724. BEML is a buy with a stop loss of Rs 1,700 and target of Rs 1,765." live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Motilal Oswal turned positive on gas companies as it has upgraded Indraprastha Gas and Gujarat Gas to buy, citing likely volume growth on increased emphasis on usage of gas. It has initiated coverage with neutral rating on Mahanagar Gas. Indraprastha Gas share price touched a record high of Rs 331.60, up 6.2 percent intraday Tuesday while Gujarat Gas rallied as much as 3.6 percent and Mahanagar Gas was up 4 percent. Motilal Oswal believes that green corridors, intercity travel, inorganic growth through new areas, and residential usage would drive growth of city gas distribution companies (CGDs, going forward. With the implementation of BS-VI emission norms, economics would be even more against diesel usage and would aid volume growth for IGL, Mahanagar Gas and Gujarat Gas, the research house feels. It said Indian CGDs remain in a sweet spot considering increased emphasis on usage of gas, firm supply of cheaper domestic gas, and penetration of gas in newer geographies driving usage of CNG for intercity travel. The first wave of volume growth came in when the government granted top priority to city gas distribution companies for allocation of cheaper domestic gas in 2014. The second wave came with increased emphasis on cutting vehicular pollution through restrictions on diesel vehicles and plying of vehicles with odd/even registration plates on alternate days. Motilal Oswal said though nuances of the policy on green corridors have not yet been clarified, it believes that as and when these are implemented, a new demand area of 3.2mmscmd (or around 30 percent of total CNG consumption in FY17) will be created. It feels Bharat Stage VI emission standards would make petrol/CNG vehicles much cheaper than diesel variants. So far, the growth in CNG volumes has been primarily led by passenger vehicles. The research house believes the next phase of growth would be led more by commercial vehicles. "Over FY17-22, we expect CNG volumes to grow at a CAGR of over 11 percent for IGL and at a CAGR of 8 percent for Mahanagar Gas," it said. The government has increased its thrust on penetration of PNG-residential. Hence, against addition of 2,97,000 connections in FY17, Motilal Oswal expects IGL, Mahanagar and Gujarat Gas to connect 3,75,000 new households in FY18. The brokerage house feels Indias gas consumption is expected to grow at 10 percent CAGR compared with 8 percent in China and 4 percent in the US over the next three years. Return on equities of Indian CGDs are 6 percent higher than peers in China and 12 percent higher than peers in the US, it said. At 12:18 hours IST, the stock price of Indraprastha Gas was quoting at Rs 326.75, up 4.63 percent and Gujarat Gas was up 2.55 percent at Rs 870 while Mahanagar Gas was quoting at Rs 1,129.80, up 2.17 percent on the BSE. Indraprastha Gas | Rating - Buy | Target Rs 404 | Upside - 29% Indias gas consumption is expected to grow at 10 percent CAGR compared with 8 percent in China and 4 percent in the US over the next three years. Return on equities of Indian CGDs are 6 percent higher than peers in China and 12 percent higher than peers in the US. Earlier, our belief was that IGL's volume would grow at more than 10 percent for 2-3 years and then taper off, as the market saturates. However, recent regulatory push, addition of new cities, and growing pipeline infrastructure make us believe that IGLs volume growth is far away from saturation, which we earlier believed would happen in 2-3 years. We increase our valuation multiple for IGL from 22x to 30x, given the 12 percent+ volume CAGR expected during FY17-22. We expect 13/11/11 percent volume growth for IGL in FY18/19/20. We expect EBITDA CAGR of 14 percent and EPS CAGR of 14 percent over FY17-20. Valuing the company at 30x average FY19-20 EPS, we arrive at a September 2018 target price of Rs 404, implying an upside of 29 percent. We upgrade the stock to Buy. Mahanagar Gas | Rating - Neutral | Target Rs 1,219 | Upside - 11% Unlike IGL, Mahanagar Gas does not enjoy regulatory push with respect to commercial vehicles. Its geographical location also would result in lower potential from intercity travel than for IGL. We expect 5/6/8 percent volume growth for Mahanagar Gas in FY18/19/20. We expect EBITDA CAGR of 7 percent and EPS CAGR of 7 percent over FY17-20. Valuing the company at 22.5x (25 percent discount to IGL) average FY19-20 EPS, we arrive at a September 2018 target price of Rs 1,219, implying an upside of 11 percent. We initiate coverage with a neutral recommendation. Gujarat Gas | Rating - Buy | Target Rs 1,011 | Upside - 19% We expect 14/13/12 percent volume growth for Gujarat Gas in FY18/19/20. EBITDA would grow at a CAGR of 20 percent and EPS at a CAGR of 40 percent over FY17-20. Higher exposure to the industrial segment and competition from cheaper alternatives results in high volatility in both volumes and EBITDA/scm. However, potential is high Morbi alone, where the company sells around 2.7mmscmd, presents an opportunity for around 6mmscmd. We have already seen judiciary-led activism against polluting fuels in the National Capital Region (NCR). Any focus on pollution in Gujarat would result in sharp volume growth. We raise Gujarat Gas' P/E multiple from 15x to 27x, 10 percent discount to Indraprastha Gas and upgrade the stock to Buy, with a target price of Rs 1,011 (revised from Rs 721). live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More PNB Housing Finance share price declined 3 percent intraday Tuesday as Punjab National Bank is selling its stake in the company through offer for sale. The offer for sale issue is opened today for non-retail investors and will remain opened till November 29 for retail as well as non-retail investors. The bank will sell 99.94 lakh equity shares (representing 6 percent of total paid-up equity capital) through offer for sale and the floor price of offer is fixed at Rs 1,325 per share, implying 4.6 percent discount to Monday's closing price of Rs 1,389. PNB, which currently holds 38.86 percent stake in PNB Housing Finance, will receive more than Rs 1,300 crore through stake sale. Earlier this month, PNB Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Sunil Mehta said the bank has a headroom to sell up to 9 percent stake in the subsidiary. "PNB has 39 percent stake in PNB Housing Finance and the promoter stake holding will not go down below 30 percent, leaving the bank a headroom to sell stake up to 9 percent," Mehta had said while announcing the second quarter earnings. The OFS is part of bank's strategy to sell non-core assets. "We have a large number of non-core assets and we have approval in place to sell a partial stake in some of these non-core assets, may be without diluting our promoters stake into them. One of them is PNB Housing Finance," Mehta had said on November 3. At 14:15 hours IST, the stock price was quoting at Rs 1,350.00, down Rs 35.00, or 2.53 percent on the BSE. The US Justice Department charged three Chinese computer security experts today with hacking and stealing materials from Moody's Analytics, Siemens, and Trimple, a GPS technology firm. The three were associated with Guangdong-based Guangzhou Boyu Information Technology Company, known as Boyusec, which some Western security analysts allege has links to the Chinese Ministry of State Security. The indictment named Boyusec co-founder Wu Yingzhuo, executive director Dong Hao, and Xia Lei, an employee. It said they hacked the email server of Moody's Analytics in 2011, obtaining access to the emails of a person described as a high-profile economist who represented the Moody's brand -- a description that matches Moody's chief economist Mark Zandi. Moody's did not confirm or deny that, but said it had "worked closely" with the investigation, and had not lost any customer or employee data to the hackers. In 2014 the three Chinese hackers broke into German industrial giant Siemens' computer networks, stealing large amounts of files and data from its energy, technology and transportation businesses, according to the US indictment. It added that in 2015-2016 they stole newly developed hardware and software information from a new global satellite navigation system being developed by Trimble. The three were charged with computer fraud, wire fraud, identity theft, and theft of trade secrets. The indictment did not say what Boyusec did with the information, some of which had clear commercial value. "Once again, the Justice Department and the FBI have demonstrated that hackers around the world who are seeking to steal our companies' most sensitive and valuable information can and will be exposed and held accountable," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Dana Boente. Paytm, on Tuesday, officially launched its payments bank. Paytm Payments Bank is the first mobile bank with zero charges on all online transactions and no minimum balance requirement. The bank will also give RuPay digital debit card and access to more than 100,000 Paytm ATM locations across India. The company has planned an investment of Rs 5,000 crore for its financial business and improving the KYC (know your customer) operations. The company will set up centres across India to fast forward completion of KYC process for its customers. The company has already put in Rs 1,700 crore this year. Paytm's CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma said that the Paytm is very fortunate to be a part of the financial services revolution happening in the country. This, he believes, will help in creating millions of jobs as well. The demography and access to financial services will create a ton of jobs in the country and Paytm is very proud to be a part of this financial services revolution. It will work towards creating a massive number of jobs in the long run, he said. Paytm has already invested nearly Rs 18,000-20,000 crore into its digital services and is still in the investment phase, Sharma said. In its Payments Bank business, the company plans to break-even in next two years. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who launched the bank, said that companies like Paytm are contributing towards digitisation in the country. "Three years back we saw traditional form of banking and less access of banks for people but with the government and its policies of digitization we can see public bank like SBI and private company like Paytm working towards the digitization of the sector in the country," Jaitley said. Paytm Payments Bank plans to build a new business model in the banking industry to bring financial services to people. By virtue of reaching every nook and corner of the country, we will be able to bring the large and unserved and underserved population to the mainstream economy, said Renu Setti, CEO of Paytm Payments Bank. Online platform Paytm saw a significant jump in its business post the government's demonetisation drive in November last year. At present, it has around 28 crore registered users. Paytm processes about 250 crore transactions worth Rs 80,000 crore on an annual basis. (With inputs from PTI) The literacy rate of Telangana recorded was 72.8 percent. (Image: Moneycontrol) A few days after Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that people in India should use words "Mata" and "Pita" for their parents, a state minister has announced that from now onwards, the students will have to answer their roll call with "Jai Hind". School Education Minister Vijay Shah made the announcement while addressing NCC cadets from Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh on NCC Day at the Shaurya Smarak in Bhopal last Sunday. If implemented, children government schools will reply Jai Hind instead of Yes Sir or Yes Madam during attendance call. The order is intended to instil a sense of national pride within the students. Shah believes that the new order will help instil national pride in the students, say multiple media reports. The minister also proposed making a circular necessary in 1.22 lakh government schools to be issued this week that will make the National Anthem mandatory, and an advisory for the same be issued to all private schools as well. I dont think anyone will have any objection to it, he said as per multiple reports. Last year in December, Shah had made singing the national anthem and hosting the tricolour mandatory in all schools in Madhya Pradesh, a non-compliance to which would lead to the schools recognition being cancelled. A similar proposal was previously made for the city of Satna, also in Madhya Pradesh, back in September. The BJP-led state government has been trying to introduce measures to promote nationalism in various state institutes. Back in October, Bhopals Municipal Corporation had suggested playing the national anthem at the start of every day and the national song in the evening at its headquarters. A Kerala woman, who is at the centre of an alleged love-jihad case, will continue to pursue her studies under Hindu name Akhila Ashokan, principal of the college said today. Amidst tight security Hadiya (her Muslim name) arrived from New Delhi to proceed to Salem to resume her education at the college as directed by the Supreme Court on Monday. She was not permitted to speak to the media at the airport in Coimbatore. Accompanied by Kerala police, she later left by road to the Sivaraj Medical College in Salem to undergo an 11-month internship in Homeopathy. A Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra had given the direction yesterday after interacting with her. Meanwhile, college Principal G Kannan said Hadiya will be treated as one of the inmates of the hostel and that no special treatment will be accorded to her. She will be registered under her Hindu name Akhila Ashokan in the college, he told reporters in Salem. The apex court has appointed the dean of the college as Hadiya's guardian and granted him liberty to approach it in case of any problem. She was earlier staying at her parental home in Kochi for several weeks. The bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, had directed the college and the university to re-admit Hadiya and grant her hostel facilities. Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Police Subbbulakshmi, who held a meeting with college authorities in Salem, told reporters that adequate protection will be given to the woman. During the court hearing, Hadiya said she wanted to go with her husband Shafin Jahan and that he will take care of her education expenses. Jahan had on September 20 approached the apex court seeking the recall of its order directing the NIA to investigate the controversial case of conversion and marriage of Hadiya, originally a Hindu woman who converted to Islam. The Kerala High Court had annulled the marriage terming it as an instance of 'love jihad', following which Jahan approached the Supreme court. The top court had on August 16 directed the NIA to probe the incident under the supervision of retired apex court judge, Justice R V Raveendran. The woman, a Hindu, had converted to Islam and later married Jahan. It was alleged that the woman was recruited by Islamic State's mission in Syria and Jahan was only a stooge. Hadiya was in the custody of her parents for almost six months after the Kerala High Court had on May 29 annulled her 'nikah' with Jahan. Ashokan K M, the father of the woman, has alleged that there was a "well-oiled systematic mechanism" for conversion and Islamic radicalisation. Earlier today, Ashokan welcomed the SC decision allowing his daughter to pursue her studies. "Hadiya does not have any idea about Syria, where she wanted to go after converting to Islam... I cannot have a terrorist in the family," he added. Ashokan also said he was sad that his daughter had to undergo such "unpleasant experiences because of which her studies were interrupted." "But now I am happy as the court has allowed her to study further," he told reporters in Delhi. Ashokan said he was not worried about Hadiya's security in Salem, as she was now under the protection and observation of the apex court. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More While budget carrier IndiGo has been at the centre of a storm of late over misbehaving staff, it's now Air India's turn to wade into a similar controversy. A national carrier staffer traded slaps with a passenger who was denied boarding after reporting late for a flight, reports ANI. The norms stipulate that a passenger is supposed to arrive at least 45 minutes before the departure of the flight. In this case, the passenger arrived late at Delhi airport and was not allowed to board her Ahmedabad-bound flight. The airport's Deputy Commission of Police told ANI that the woman passenger slapped the duty manager, also a woman, after a heated argument, and the manager responded in similar fashion. The investigation required that both women be medically examined after the scuffle. The DCP confirmed that both women agreed to compromise and did not want any action to be taken. The matter has been resolved. Air India had earlier mocked IndiGo after the budget airline's staffers had manhandled a passenger. In a tweet, the airline put out a graphic saying, "Unbeatable service" and highlighted the word "beat" in a dig at its competition. Air India later took down the tweets. Moneycontrol News Days after a heist in which a Navi Mumbai bank was robbed after thieves dug a tunnel into its vaults from an adjoining shop, a chaiwallah catering to employees of a leading bank came up with a simpler method to commit burglary. The chaiwallah stayed back in the washroom of an Axis Bank branch in Mumbai after closing hours, in a bid to rob the bank at night. Axis Bank said the accused, Vikas Chavan, was a "tea boy" who would regularly come to the Juhu branch to serve tea to the employees. He was not contracted by the bank and had no formal arrangement with it. Chavan dropped in at the bank on Friday on the pretext of meeting the pantry manager supposedly seeking a job. The police said Chavan bid the manager goodbye before 'leaving' the place but quietly slid into a cabinet that was used to store toiletries in the washroom. The 18-year-old stayed there beyond 9:30 pm as he knew that some employees would work late. Chavan then came out of the cabinet and managed to access keys of drawers. "He even tried to open the cash deposit machine, but failed. He left out of frustration," the police officer said, according to a report by The Times of India. The robbery attempt came to light the following morning when the JVPD Scheme branch's security guard opened the bank. The security guard quickly alerted the bank manager after finding drawers open and keys lying on the floor, the police said. The attempt was captured on the bank's CCTV camera. The police got a sketchy description of the person seen in the CCTV footage upon sifting through a list of contractual employees. Chavan's cellular data network also matched his location at the time, an officer said. Chavan was nabbed within six hours of the complaint being lodged and is now behind bars along with his accomplice, according to the police. According to the police, Chavan said that he was unable to break open the cash machine and slipped out by breaking the pantry's window, where his accomplice, Anil Chavan (19), was waiting. Corrigendum: An earlier version of this story stated that the accused was a former staffer. This has been rectified following a statement from Axis Bank. The crude oil prices are trading off their two year highs ahead of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) meeting on Thursday. Throwing more light on what could happen in the meet, Peter Mcguire, CEO, XM Aus told CNBC-Tv18 that one could see output cut extensions by OPEC by 3-6 months and crude prices could see further gains in near-term. If OPEC extends cuts, WTI crude could surge to USD 59-62 per barrel and the Brent prices may surge to USD 67-68 per barrel. However, if they do not extend cuts, then there could be 7-8 percent correction in prices of crude, and it could go back to the range bound volatility, said Mcguire. According to him, OPEC meeting in May 2018 would be more crucial with an eye on positioning of Russia and Saudi Arab. If crude prices spike up then it will no doubt attract more shale producers coming on line in US, he said. On the other hand, there will be the IPO of Saudi Aramco sometime in 2018. The oil producers must also watch out for the rolling out of electric vehicles and keeping a keen on watch on dollar movement in 2018 is also very important, said Macguire. On the metals, he said nickel is still underpriced and so there could be more upside for that. Similarly, copper and other metals may also see more strength in 2018, he said. A court in Gujarat has issued a non-bailable warrant against Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani for failing to appear for the hearing in a case against him for stopping Delhi-bound Rajdhani Express during a protest in January. Additional chief metropolitan magistrate R S Langa issued non-bailable warrants against Mevani and 12 other people yesterday after they failed to appear before the court. On January 11, Mevani and his supporters were arrested for blocking the Rajdhani Express at the Ahmedabad railway station for several minutes as part of a 'rail roko' protest against the Vibrant Gujarat Summit. They were booked under IPC sections 143 (unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting) and relevant sections of the Indian Railway Act. A charge sheet was also filed in the case. The magistrate yesterday refused to consider the exemption application filed by Mevani's lawyer Samshad Pathan who pleaded that his client was busy filing nomination forms as an independent candidate from the Vadagam Assembly seat. This was the second consecutive time Mevani had failed to appear before the court. Mevani yesterday announced that he would contest the Gujarat Assembly election from Vadagam in Banaskantha district as an independent. The main opposition Congress is supporting him indirectly by not putting up a candidate there. Farooq Abdullah (R), President of Kashmir's ruling National Conference (NC) party files his nomination as a candidate in India's general election in Srinagar April 7, 2014. REUTERS/Danish Ismail (INDIAN-ADMINISTERED KASHMIR - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS) - GM1EA471ELK01 In yet another controversial remark, Jammu and Kashmir's former chief minister Farooq Abdullah on Monday dared the Centre to hoist the national flag at Lal Chowk in the heart of Srinagar city before talking about unfurling it in PoK. Abdullah's remarks drew criticism from the BJP, with Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh saying the National Conference leader was strengthening the separatists and militants. He said the tricolour was being hoisted in all parts of the state, including Lal Chowk. Abdullah, who had recently claimed Pakistan Occupied Kashmir cannot become a part of India, said he only told facts and that what he spoke about PoK was the "truth". "They (Centre and BJP) are talking about raising the flag in PoK. I ask them first you go and raise the tricolour at Lal Chowk in Srinagar. They cant even do that here and they are talking about PoK," he said. "If you dont like to hear the truth, then live in the untruth. The truth is that (PoK) is not our part and this (J&K) is not their part. That is the truth," Abdullah said defending his comment that PoK does not belong to India. Unaffected by the criticism of his remarks that PoK belonged to Pakistan and "this won't change" no matter how many wars India and Pakistan fight, he reiterated his stand saying this was the only realistic solution to herald a new era of peace and trust in the region. Asked whether he was not hurting the Indian sentiment by making such comments, he retorted, asking "What is Indian sentiment? You think I am not an Indian?" Speaking to the media here, the National Conference leader said, "I do not make controversial statements. I state the facts which people don't like. People do not want to hear the truth." As per a report in Kashmir Monitor, Abdullah said following the killing and abduction of a territorial army man by militants, he expressed concerns over the situation in the state and added that the Centre has to frame its response vis-a-vis Pakistan, if it wants to bring peace there. Abdullah was speaking to reporters after paying floral tributes to Congress leader and MP, late G L Dogra, on his 30th death anniversary. "Whose sentiments are you talking about? Those crooks, who dont see our miseries. Who dont see the miseries of our border people? How they suffer when shelling starts?" A few weeks back, BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain told media in New Delhi that Farooq Abdullah is doing free advocacy of Pakistan and suggested he should resign from the post. When asked to comment on the recent killing of an armyman on leave, Abdullah said the Centre should be asked the question as it claimed peace had returned to Kashmir after demonetisation. Abdullah deprecated the incident where two students did not get up when the national anthem was being sung in Rajouri district a few days ago. Honour to the nation is important and national anthem is most honourable, he said, adding the government should take action against them until they apologised and take an undertaking that they would not repeat it. The National Conference leader said he was not aware if cases against stone pelters were being withdrawn. He wished "good luck" to the Centre's special representative Dineshwar Sharma who is holding talks with stakeholders to restore peace in the restive state. Abdullah's comments on PoK and the national flag prompted criticism from Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh. "Farooq Abdullah is strengthening separatists and militants with his controversial remarks because he is frustrated. He has forgotten that tricolour is being unfurled in all parts of the state including Lal Chowk", told reporters. The veteran leader had previously commented that the stance of PoK wont change no matter how many wars India and Pakistan will fight. Abdullah also attacked the Centre and accused them of formulating policies that created communal tension. You have made one Pakistan, how many more will you make, how many pieces will you cut Indian into? he had asked at a rally, as per media reports. (With inputs from PTI) Chinese electronics giant Xiaomi is likely to unveil its upcoming Redmi Note 5 as per an image leaked from Chinese website Weibo. According to a report on the tech blog Digit, the leaked image shows the smartphone having 64 GB of internal storage, along with a 4,000 mAh battery along and a 12-megapixel camera. It is to be powered by Qualcomms Snapdragon 605 SoC, the same chipset used on the Remi Note 4 and the Mi A1 smartphones. Also Read: Xiaomi to come up with three 18:9 display mid-range Redmi phones The leaked image also appears to show an MIUi 9 based on Android Nougat along with a 5.99-inch display, supported by an FHD + resolution. Leaked image of the Xiaomi Note 5 as seen on Chinese microblogging platform Weibo (Courtesy: Weibo) It is also believed that the soon-to-be-released phone will have an 18:9 aspect ratio, which is a first for the Redmi series of phones. The screen resolution is likely to be 2160 X 1080 pixels. The leaked image, if true, may disappoint fans a bit as Xiaomi was expected to pack in the Snapdragon 630 SoC instead of the 625 under the Redmi Note 5s hood. Moto X4 that was launched a few backs in India uses this new SoC. Also Read: GST rate cut effect: Xiaomi India reduces prices of its accessories The Redmi Note 5 was also spotted on Chinas TENAA certification authority by several tech websites a few days back. Two Xiaomi smartphones with model numbers MET 7 and MEE7 sharing similar specifications had appeared on the listing, indicating that these could be the next Redmi Note Series smartphone. The certification, believed to be for the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5, as spotted on Chinese certification authority TENAA's website (Courtesy: TENAA) On the design front, Xiaomi seems to be following the lead of other Chinese smartphones makers like ZTE and Vivo to adopt a smaller top and bottom bezel. BARCELONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 27: Catalan Independence supporters gather outside the Catalan Government building, Palau de la Generalitat, to celebrate their vote on independence from Spain on October 27, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain. MPs in the Catalan parliament have today voted following a two days session on how to respond to the Spanish governments enacting of Article 155, which would curtail Catalan autonomy. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) Imprisoned former vice-president of Catalonia Oriol Junqueras and three other jailed members of his ERC party will abide by a ruling giving Madrid control over the region, their defence lawyer said on Tuesday. Junqueras and seven other former members of the Catalonia regional cabinet were jailed on November 2 pending trial, accused of sedition, rebellion and misappropriation of funds after the local government declared independence from Spain. Catalonia's secession drive has tipped Spain into its worst political crisis in decades and prompted Madrid to sack the Catalan government, led by Carles Puigdemont, and call a regional election for December 21. The acceptance of Madrid's rule over the region could prompt the Supreme Court to overrule the decision to hold the defendants in custody while they await trial, and release them in time to campaign for the election. All four jailed ERC members - Junqueras, former foreign affairs chief Raul Romeva, justice affairs head Carles Mundo and work chief Dolors Bassa - have been named as candidates in the election. The defendants did not agree with the application of Article 155, which stripped the regional government of its power after the secessionist ruling, but accepted it, their lawyer said in a statement to the Supreme Court. "My charges accepted, and accept, the application of 155 ... but have done so from a position of deep political and judicial discrepancy," the lawyer said. The lawyer added that the statement does not mean that they renounce their political convictions. Former leader of Catalonia Puigdemont, who has been in self-imposed exile in Belgium since declaring independence, said on Saturday the election would be most important in the region's history. Turnout for the election is expected to reach a record 80 percent as the deeply divisive issue of the region's secession prompts participation from both sides. Less than a quarter of Catalans want to continue with a plan to claim independence from Spain, according to a poll published in El Pais newspaper on Monday. However, the same poll showed the vote evenly split between pro- and anti-independence parties in the upcoming regional election. Pope Francis insisted that Myanmar's future depends on respecting the rights of each ethnic group, an indirect show of support for Rohingya Muslims who have been subject to decades of discrimination and a recent military crackdown described by the UN as a textbook campaign of "ethnic cleansing." Francis did not cite the crackdown or even utter the contested word "Rohingya" in his speech to Myanmar's civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and other authorities and diplomats in the capital. But he lamented how Myanmar's people have suffered "and continue to suffer from civil conflict and hostilities," and insisted that everyone who calls Myanmar home deserves to have their basic human rights and dignity guaranteed. Rohingya Muslims have faced state-supported discrimination in the predominantly Buddhist country for decades, deprived of citizenship and unable to access basic services such as adequate education and healthcare. In August, the army began what it called "clearance operations" in Rakhine state following an attack on police posts by Rohingya insurgents. The violence, looting and burning of villages have forced more than 620,000 Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh. In his most anticipated speech of his weeklong trip to Myanmar and Bangladesh, Francis expressed support for Suu Kyi's efforts to bring about reconciliation among different groups after decades of military dictatorship. And he insisted that religious differences in the majority Buddhist country must never be a cause for division or distrust. "The future of Myanmar must be peace, a peace based on respect for the dignity and rights of each member of society, respect for each ethnic group and its identity, respect for the rule of law, and respect for a democratic order that enables each individual and every group - none excluded - to offer its legitimate contribution to the common good," he said. Francis' avoidance of the term "Rohingya" and his encouragement for Suu Kyi's government disappointed Rohingya activists and human rights groups, who have criticized Suu Kyi for what they consider a weak response to the military crackdown. Suu Kyi's supporters "including the Catholic Church," say she is limited in what she can say against the military and needs more time to bring about reconciliation. The term "Rohingya" is shunned by many in Myanmar because the ethnic group is not a recognized minority in the country. The question of whether Francis would use the term in a show of solidarity dominated the run-up to his trip. "We thought that the pope was going to mention the suffering of Rohingya people, but now he cannot even use the name Rohingya and it's totally unacceptable," said Kyaw Naing, a 53-year-old Rohingya man who lives in a confined camp outside of Sittwe, in Rakhine state. "We are very sad that our identity cannot even be revealed." Phil Robertson, deputy director of Human Rights Watch's Asia division, said he hoped the pope would use the term during Mass tomorrow. "The pope missed an opportunity to reinforce his previous messages that affirmed the rights of the Rohingya to self- identify and used the name that they had chosen for themselves," he said. "The Rohingya have been stripped of so many things, but their name should never be one of them." Suu Kyi, for her part, referred to the "situation in the Rakhine" in her speech to Francis in the huge conference centre in Naypyitaw, Myanmar's new capital. But she used the conflict as an opportunity to thank those who have supported the government as it seeks to "address long-standing issues a social, economic and political" that have eroded trust and understanding, harmony and cooperation" in Rakhine. She said the government's aim is to carry forward the peace process and strengthen Myanmar's diversity "by protecting rights, fostering tolerance, ensuring security for all." Francis arrived in Naypyitaw after meeting with leaders of Myanmar's different religious groups in Yangon at the archbishop's residence, and separately with a prominent but controversial Buddhist leader who has criticized the Rohingya. The pope stressed a message of "unity in diversity" in his 40-minute meeting with Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Christian and Jewish leaders and told them they should work together to rebuild the country, Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said. Francis' meeting with Buddhist monk Sitagu Sayadaw was undertaken "in an effort to encourage peace and fraternal coexistence as the only way ahead," Burke said. Sitagu also met with Francis's predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, but has been criticised for using ethnic slurs against Muslims, particularly the Rohingya. He received an award presented by Suu Kyi earlier this year. Francis dove into the Rohingya refugee crisis hours after arriving yesterday by meeting with the military chief responsible for the crackdown, Gen Min Aung Hlaing, and three members of the bureau of special operations. The general's office said in a statement on Facebook that he is willing to have "interfaith peace, unity and justice." The general added that there was no religious or ethnic persecution or discrimination in Myanmar and that the government allowed freedom of worship. Rohingya Muslims were stripped of citizenship in 1982, denying them almost all rights and rendering them stateless. They cannot travel freely, practice their religion, or work as teachers or doctors, and have little access to medical care, food or education. Myanmar's Catholic Church has publicly urged Francis to avoid saying "Rohingya," and they have urged him to toe a delicate line in condemning the violence, given the potential for blowback against the tiny Catholic community. Francis previously has prayed for "our Rohingya brothers and sisters," lamented their suffering and called for them to enjoy full rights. As a result, much of the debate before his trip focused on whether he would again express solidarity with the Rohingya. Any decision to avoid the term and shy away from the conflict could be viewed as a capitulation to the military and a stain on his legacy of standing up for the most oppressed and marginalised of society, no matter how impolitic. Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi delivers a national address regarding the Rohingya crisis in Naypyitaw, Myanmar September 19, 2017 in this still image taken from video. REUTERS/via Reuters TV - RC13BB0FA0C0 Myanmar's defacto leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been stripped of the Freedom of Oxford award over her "inaction" in handling the raging Rohingya refugee crisis and turning a "blind eye to violence" in the country that forced over 600,000 people to flee to Bangladesh. Oxford City Council voted unanimously last night to permanently remove the honour given to 72-year-old Suu Kyi in 1997. "Today we have taken the unprecedented step of stripping her of her city's highest honour because of her inaction in the face of oppression of the minority Rohingya population," Councillor Mary Clarkson said. "We hope that today we have added our small voice to others calling for human rights and justice for the Rohingya people," she said in a statement. More than 600,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled to Bangladesh following a military crackdown in Myanmar's Rakhine state, creating one of the world's most dire refugee crisis. Last week, Myanmar signed a deal with Bangladesh to allow the refugees to return home. While the United Nations has described the violence and mass exodus as "a textbook example of ethnic cleansing," Suu Kyi has dismissed all allegations. Oxford City Council said that when Suu Kyi had been given the Freedom of the City it was because she reflected the city's values of "tolerance and internationalism" and as a celebration of her opposition to oppression and military rule in Myanmar but now any association with her would tarnish the city's reputation. "The burning of their [Rohingya] villages has been independently confirmed by satellite images, and the UN has called the situation 'a textbook example of genocide' yet Aung San Suu Kyi has denied any ethnic cleansing and dismissed numerous claims of sexual violence against Rohingya women as 'fake rape'," it said. "Oxford has a long tradition of being a diverse and humane city, and our reputation is tarnished by honouring those who turn a blind eye to violence," it added. A series of UK institutions have been distancing themselves from the Nobel Peace laureate in the wake of the Rohingya crisis. A portrait of the leader hanging prominently at the entrance of St Hugh's College, Oxford University, where she studied was moved into storage back in September. In October, undergraduates at the college where she read politics, philosophy and economics between 1964 and 1967 voted to remove the Myanmar leader's name from the title of their junior common room. So far, Oxford University has decided not to reconsider an honorary doctorate bestowed upon Suu Kyi in 2012 but has expressed its "profound concern" over the treatment of the Rohingya minority in Myanmar. At the start of November, musician and Live Aid founder Bob Geldof returned his Freedom to the City of Dublin award because it was also held by Suu Kyi. The City of London Corporation has also been debating revoking Suu Kyi's Honorary Freedom, bestowed upon her earlier this year. PERKASIE >> Fans of the Perkasie Farmers Market are delighted to know that their favorite locally made foods will be available year-round now that the market moves indoors for a brand-new seasonal Winter Market. The Winter Market opens at the Perkasie Fire Hall on November 26th and will run on the 2nd & 4th Saturday of each month through May... Jarrett Coleman goes from school board to statehouse with win in 16th Senate District race Community Life as seen on social media November 28, 2017 Turning The Corner In Afghanistan The news about the wars the U.S. is waging all over the world is unreliable. The same statements of progress are repeated year after year. The official numbers, be they of civilian casualties or deployed troops, are mere lies. Every news presentation should be engraved with a warning: "Assertions and numbers are not what they appear." Consider, for example, the various "turned corner" statements officials have made about Afghanistan. On October 5 2017 the Afghan President Ashraf Ghani confirmed to the BBC that Afghanistan has "turned the corner": ... when I ask whether he is saying Afghan forces have turned the corner in the fight against the Taliban, there is no hesitation: "Yes," he says. On October 24 the U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan General John Nicholson agreed with President Ghani: "With the mounting military, diplomatic, and social pressure that is building that we all are collectively committed to sustaining over the coming years the enemy will have no choice but to reconcile. I believe, as President Ghani says, 'we have turned the corner, he concluded. But a month later General Nicholson seemed to disagreed with his earlier statement: "We are still in a stalemate," Nicholson, a four-star Army general said in an exclusive interview. Today, five days after his "stalemate" statement, the general's opinion has changed again. Kevin Baron, the editor of Defense One, reports: JUST IN: Top US general in Afghanistan says war has "turned a corner... " The momentum is now with the Afghan security forces." ... The General seems confused. But he is not the first to have such a change of mind. On February 3 2010 then U.S. commander General Stanley McChrystal was cautious about the proverbial corner: General Stanley McChrystal also expressed confidence that Afghan forces would grow quickly enough to allow a reduction in U.S. troop numbers to begin on schedule in 2011. ... Im not prepared to say we have turned the corner, he added. Only twelve days later the turn had been made: Gen Stanley McChrystal had his own words. Helmand had turned the corner in its four year war, he told The Daily Telegraph. In May 2011 a British General also noted the turn: The civilians are looking to people such as General James Bucknall, a British Coldstream Guards officer who is second in command of the International Security and Assistance Force (Isaf). ... [H]e sets out why he thinks a corner has now been turned, nodding to the surge in American troop numbers that has made it possible. Six years earlier another British General had already seen that turn: Handing over to 3 Commando Brigade, Brig Butler said: "When we prepared, we knew there would be rocky times ahead, and that things would get harder before they got easier. That has certainly been the case, but I judge we have turned the corner. We have achieved a huge amount." In May 2011 the U.S. Secretary of Defense was more cautious than the generals but nonetheless optimistic: I think we could be in a position by the end of this year where we have turned the corner in Afghanistan," [U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates] said. According to his boss progress came faster than Gates anticipated. On June 23 2011 CBS headlined Obama: U.S. has turned corner in Afghanistan: President Barack Obama on Thursday told American troops who've fought in Afghanistan that the U.S. has turned a corner after nearly 10 years of war, and it's time for their comrades still in that country to start coming home. Obama's victory jump may have been a bit premature, but a month later the local commander agreed that the turning process had at least begun: I spoke to Gen Petraeus as he stopped off in London on his way home from Afghanistan. In the interview, he spelled out what makes him think the country has begun to turn a corner after nearly 10 years of war. In September 2012 another U.S. Secretary of Defense asserted that the turn had finally been completed: [US Defense Secretary Leon] Panetta, however, has rejected suggestions that the strategy is failing, and on Friday he said we have turned the corner, in Afghanistan ... Four month later the Afghan President confirmed the turn: [President] Karzai also said that Afghanistan has turned the corner in terms of battling the Taliban. Karzai was very modest in acknowledging the turn. He knew that it had already happened much earlier: On October 9th, 2004, Afghanistan turned the corner. After decades of invasion, civil war, and anarchy, Hamid Karzai became the first democratically-elected President of a united Afghanistan. In May 2014 another man was elected President of Afghanistan. This finally turned the corner: Tonight there is a sense that the country has turned a corner - a new president who will sign the BSA, a continuation of developmental aid and training programmes, and Afghanistan has more than a fighting chance. A year later the Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani was encouraged by the corner turning progress the new government had made: With the successful conclusion of the security and political transitions, Afghanistan turned the corner in our path to becoming a self-reliant nation. Today, two and a half years later, General Nicholson is still in the corner turning business. The corner turning in Afghanistan is similar to an earlier war the U.S. had fought in vain: Of course, the Afghanistan War (ostensibly part of a Global War on Terrorism) differs from the Vietnam War (ostensibly part of the Cold War) in myriad ways. Yet it resembles Vietnam in three crucial respects. First, it drags on with no end in sight. Second, no evidence exists to suggest that mere persistence will produce a positive outcome. Third, those charged with managing the war have long since run out of ideas about how to turn things around. Another similarity is the constant lying by the military spokespersons. The famous Five o'clock Follies of Vietnam have been replaced by video conferences and drone videos but the central issue is the same. The military is consistently and consciously lying to the public. How many U.S. troops are there in Afghanistan? By law the Pentagon has to release the deployment numbers every three month. The latest release for September 2017 lists 15,298 soldiers and 1,202 DoD civilians in Afghanistan. But there are 29,092 soldiers listed in "unknown locations". The generals must have lost these somewhere. The report also lists nearly 2,000 soldiers in Syrian and nearly 9,000 in Iraq. The publicly admitted numbers are way lower. They are as trustworthy as all the "turned corner" claims. Indeed: The Defense Departments publicly disclosed data, which tracks U.S. personnel levels in dozens of countries, are not meant to represent an accurate accounting of troops deployed to any particular region, said Eric Pahon, a Pentagon spokesman. The Pentagon clearly states that official data and assertions are "not meant to represent an accurate accounting". It is a warning. Whatever officials claim about this or that war, about "turned corners", or casualties, or troop deployments, must be considered to be a lie until it has been confirmed by observation or additional sources. h/t Shashank Joshi Posted by b on November 28, 2017 at 19:47 UTC | Permalink Comments Centrica (CNA) has been downgraded by Morningstar analysts in the light of last weeks profit warning, which knocked 20% of the British Gas owners market value. We have slashed our fair value estimate for Centrica to 150p per share from 250p because of a deterioration in profitability the shares are currently trading around 140p. We have cut our 2017-21 earnings per share estimates by 46% on average due to more bearish assumptions for the UK home, UK business, US business, and storage divisions. We forecast a flat dividend though 2021 involving a high 8.2% dividend yield. Though we do not factor it in, the risk of a dividend cut on account of a rise in the pension deficit is real. We've downgraded our narrow moat rating to none, which means the company has no competitive advantage against its rivals, chiefly due to mounting political and competitive pressure. The brand recognition of British Gas and cost advantage provided by its leadership position historically provided some moat, in our view. This moat has disappeared due to mounting political pressure, which should result in a tariff cap squeezing margins. In October 2017, the British government instructed energy watchdog Ofgem to set a price cap by the end of 2018. As costs continue to rise, this could squeeze margins. That would imply a reregulation of the sector that was liberalised in the 1990s. Also, the likely merger of SSE's and Npower's retail arms will create a powerful competitor supported by cost synergies and mean that Centrica is about to lose its leadership position in electricity retail. Centrica also operates as an energy supplier in the United States. The profit warning in November reflects that the structural profitability of the US business supply activity is well below what the market had assumed. For UK home, we factor in a tariff freeze over 2019/20 followed by a tariff hike, which would partially recoup lost margins. For the US business, we reduce our long-term profitability assumptions as we believe the issues highlighted during the November profit warning are structural. Under the British Gas brand, Centrica is the biggest retail supplier of gas and electricity in the UK. This is the groups largest activity at around 40% of 2016 operating profit. This business typically has no moat due to fierce competition caused by no barriers to entry and low switching costs. Retailers mostly compete on price, given customers' guaranteed service through the delivery utility and the commodity product that eliminates quality differentiation. Still, historically, Centrica has been able to deliver higher margins than its competitors thanks to the large scale provided by its leadership position. Therefore, we thought the British Gas brand name and established position provided some moat. However, in the current political climate, we believe the value of this moat has materially diminished. Sales of high-rise and mid-rise units drove new condo sales volume in the Greater Toronto area in October, according to fresh data from the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD).Condo sales for that month were 81% above the 10-year average of 2,697, and the highest October yet recorded. 4,884 units sold in October were multi-family homes, and a total of 5,377 new homes were sold in the GTA for that month.Year-to-date, 39,476 new homes have been sold in the GTA in 2017, with 82% of these being condo apartments in high-rise and mid-rise buildings and stacked townhomes.October data shows that the new homebuyer is left with very little choice when it comes to purchasing a new home, BILD president and CEO Bryan Tuckey said.Provincial intensification policy has our members building more high and mid-rise dwellings making housing choices a challenge. The cost of a single family home is out of reach for many consumers pushing them to buy a condo over a house. As a result we are seeing record breaking condo sales and higher prices this year for new low-rise homes.Read more: Former budget watchdog warns govt to be careful in its new housing spending While supply of new housing increased again in October and reached 12,500 units, it is still far below healthy levels. At the end of October, there were 9,308 multi-family homes and 3,192 single-family homes available in the GTA.Demand for newly-built condominium apartments is being fueled by three key buyer groups small investors who have become the de facto providers of new rental housing supply in the GTA; end user buyers who might prefer a single-family home but are seeking out more affordable options; and the more traditional end users who value the lifestyle and amenities of well-located projects, according to Patricia Arsenault, Altus Group's Executive Vice President of Research Consulting Services.Interested parties can view BILDs full report here Aimed at alleviating red-hot market conditions, Vancouvers latest housing plan is slated to construct 72,000 new housing units within the next 10 years. The plan also included provisions for the creation of dedicated rental-only zones.In an interview with CBC News, Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson offered details on how the plan would go about its objectives.Given the scale of the challenge, it's daunting ... but this plan targets several things. One is creating dramatically more affordable housing than we've ever done before ... Were already at record levels, but were seeing about a 50% increase which puts it over 7,000 units of affordable housing a year ... over the next 10 years. [The City] is making sure the supply is tied to local incomes here in Vancouver.We're also protecting the rental housing we have ... [Were] regulating Airbnb and condo presales to locals first and foremost.Read more: Vancouver market could ease by Q3 2018 BCREA We are seeing more protections for renters across the province ... The city does have the power, while approving rental projects, to set the rent at the beginning ... As soon as there's a turnover in the building, the rent can get jacked up ... If we have support from the province ... we may have a way to entrench more rent control going forward.Weve now got the tools we need to make sure when we build additional housing, that it's tied to local incomes ... that means we have to approve significantly more homes.If its just left to the market, it will automatically drift to luxury housing. Landowners have the right to build whatever fits within the zoning. The city can't control that. Home Price Gains Continue Cooling Off Black Knight Financial Services reported on Monday that home prices as measured by its national Home Price Index (HPI) continued to slow on a monthly basis, although the year-over-year rate continues to accelerate. The company said the HPI rose 0.16 percent from August to September, only two-thirds of its increase (0.24 percent) from July to August. It was the sixth consecutive month the index's growth had slowed. The HPI, which finished the month at $282,000, posted a 6.36 annual increase. The 12-month appreciation in August was 6.24 percent. The slowdown in gains was widespread. Half of the 20 largest states and 17 of its largest metros saw prices fall compared to the previous month. Michigan had the largest decline at 0.61 percent and Detroit led the large metro areas with a decline of 0.58 percent. Despite that loss, Detroit has seen its prices rise more than 10 percent thus far in 2017. New York saw the highest rate of appreciation among the states, up 1.08 percent, the third month the state has led the list. Rhode Island followed with an 0.93 percent change followed by Florida, Utah, and Montana, all of which had appreciation of 0.83 percent or more. The fastest appreciation among metro areas was in Kennewick, Washington at 1.99 percent. All of the top ten performing metros, five of which were in Florida and three in New York, had gains in excess of 1.1 percent. San Jose, the only California city on the list, saw annual appreciation of 15 percent and has a HPI of $1.03 million, nearly four times the national number. The number of states and metros setting new home price peaks continued to fall, with just six of the 20 largest states and 11 of the 40 largest metros hitting new highs in September. FHFA Raises Conforming Loan Limit to $453k Loan limits were frozen in place at $417,000 for 10 long years after the housing bust, but were finally raised on January 1 of this year. Rapidly increasing home prices have now allowed the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to increase them again for 2018. The maximum conforming loan limits for mortgages eligible to be acquired by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the GSEs) in most of the U.S. starting on January 1 will be $453,100, an increase from $424,100 in 2017. The Veterans Administration and FHA are expected to follow suit, raising limits for their own loans. The Housing and Economic Recovery Act (HERA) requires that the baseline conforming loan limit for the GSEs be adjusted each year to reflect the change in the average U.S. home price. FHFA published its third quarter House Price Index (HPI) earlier today showing the average U.S. home value has increased by 6.8 percent since the third quarter of 2016. Therefore, the baseline maximum conforming loan limit has been increased by 6.8 percent as well. Not every borrower will be subject to the baseline limit. Where the local median home value is more than 115 percent of that limit, HERA allows higher limits, with a ceiling of 150 percent of the baseline limit. This will make the new ceiling in high-cost areas $679,650, that is 150 percent of $453,100. Some areas will have limits falling between those two numbers, as shown in the heat map below and in a complete county-by-county list of loan limits here. There are additional provisions allowing for different limits in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In these areas, the baseline loan limit will be $679,650 for one-unit properties, but FHFA says some specific locations may have even higher limits. Properties with multiple units will have baseline limits of $580,150 for two-family properties, $701,250 for three units, and $871,450 for four units. High cost areas will have maximum limits of $870,225, $1,051,875, and $1,307,175 respectively. Second mortgage loan limits have been raised to $225,550 with a limit of $339,825 in Alaska, Guam, Hawaii and the Virgin Islands. Fannie Mae has advised its sellers that loans delivered through December 31 must comply with the 2017 limits, but any loan delivered on 1/1/2018 or later gets the new limits. Loans can be submitted (or resubmitted) through Fannie's Desktop Underwriter on or after the weekend of December 9, 2017. Even if loans were submitted before Dec 9th, Fannie says the new loan limits will still apply if the loan amount was the only reason the loan was deemed ineligible (assuming, of course, that the loan isn't delivered to Fannie before 1/1/2018). A top official with the Department of Energy urged the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Tuesday to approve Energy Secretary Rick Perry's proposal to protect coal and nuclear plants, saying there was "broad consensus FERC must act." "Continued action only would make the problem worse," said Energy Undersecretary Mark Menenzes. "We know there are constant threats to our system, so [Perry] will do what he can to make sure the grid is resilient." Menezes' comments, made during a forum in Washington hosted by the Consumer Energy Alliance, come as FERC is fast approaching its Dec. 11 deadline to decide on Perry's proposal to give coal and nuclear power plants an additional tariff to help stop them from shutting down and potentially destabilizing the grid. RELATED STORY: For coal magnate tied to Trump and Perry, accusations of government 'bailout' But a broad coalition that includes environmentalists and the oil and gas industry have questioned the notion that the grid is in danger. A Department of Energy study released earlier this year, under Perry's directive, found the closure of coal and nuclear plants was the result of increased competition from natural gas and renewables but so far done nothing to threaten the stability of the grid, "due to better planning, market discipline, and better operating rules and standards." "I'm not sure what happened between that report and the [proposal from Perry] that came out in September," Dena Wiggins, president of the Natural Gas Supply Association, said at Tuesday's event. Menezes said Perry's interest in grid stability stemmed from his time as governor of Texas, when during a winter storm in 2011 grid operators had to initiate rolling blackouts after a series of power plants went offline. "It was very distressing to the governor, to have the threat of brownouts within Texas," Menenzes said. Perry was scheduled to speak at Tuesday's event but had to cancel due to illness, a spokeswoman at the Energy Department said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Earlier this month a case was filed in federal court, purportedly by the family of Sutherland Springs shooter Devin Patrick Kelley, claiming a federal agency was spying on him long before he killed more than two dozen people in a church earlier this month. In fact the suit appears to be the work of an Ohio inmate with a propensity for filing bogus lawsuits - hundreds of them, according to media reports. Frederick Banks filed the hand-written lawsuit. obtained by mySA.com, against the Central Intelligence Agency on Nov. 13, asking for any electronic surveillance recorded of the shooter who killed 26 people and himself in Sutherland Springs Nov. 5. The lawsuit alleges the CIA spied on Kelley using GPS tracking that would have caused him to "act out." RELATED: Apple served with search warrant in Sutherland Springs shooting Now Playing: A former friend of Devin Kelley said looking back, there were red flags indicating he was troubled, even in a situation involving herself. Video: FoxM9NJ "This signal can cause a human organism or animal to act out or take some other form of CIA affirmative action, according to numerous sources," reads Banks' suit, which is signed by an attorney named Hamilton Brown. Brown, however, is one of Banks' aliases, according to another suit he filed, that one on behalf of Kurt Cobain. A phone call to the number listed on the lawsuit for the attorney does not go to Banks or Brown or a law office. The Northeast Ohio Correctional Center did not immediately respond to a request for information on Banks' incarceration, but previous reports and news releases show Banks has had a myriad of charges brought against him and is a convicted felon. He was indicted in August 2015 on a charge of interstate stalking and in January 2016, for instate stalking, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and making false statements in Pennsylvania. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported in December 2015 that Banks has filed more than 300 "bogus lawsuits." At the time, officials were determining if Banks was competent to stand trial in a case where he was accused of stalking a Florida FBI agent. Dr. Robert Wettstein said, according to the Post-Gazette, that Banks suffers from an "ongoing delusional disorder which has a paranoid flavor to it." RELATED: Sutherland Springs church shooter's dad speaks out: 'We are grieving' Banks has filed dozens of suits against the CIA, often claiming the federal agency is spying on people with electronic tools and controlling his thoughts with "voice to skull" technology, according to the Post-Gazette. He sued President Donald Trump, along with a slew of other government officials, in October. He has also filed fake appeals he claimed were on behalf of a Pennsylvania woman accused of drowning her sons in a bathtub and Bernie Madoff. For unknown reasons, Banks quotes Trump in his suit on behalf of Kelley saying, "'This is a mental health issue at the highest level.' The highest level of government to include the CIA and respondents." The Kelley case has been assigned to U.S. Judge David A. Ezra, who left Hawaii for San Antonio in 2012. Staff researcher Misty Harris contributed to this report. | Kelsey Bradshaw is a digital reporter for mySA.com. Read more of her stories here.| kbradshaw@express-news.net | Twitter: @Kbrad5 Tim Fischer/Midland Reporter-Telegram The Midland Fire Departments assistant chief of operations has been selected as one of the three finalists for the fire chief opening. Charles Blumenauer joins Marion Blackwell of Spartanburg, South Carolina, and James Maxon of Sandoval County, New Mexico. nuaxia Closes Funding Round, Extends Platform London-based healthcare sector MR and marketing platform nuaxia has closed a 0.5m Series A round of funding, to accelerate product development at its technology centre in Budapest, Hungary. The firm has also upgraded its platform, and launched a 'Video Discussion Group' capability. Launched a year ago by former Synovate UK CEO Peter Chopra (pictured), nuaxia offers MR, recruitment, marketing and information services for the sector. In the summer, it rolled out a Video Interviewing service, promising clients access both to its one million members, and any other individual in its profiled database of 5.5 million healthcare professionals. The new Video Discussion Group capability allows clients to conduct video groups online. The new funding comes from an undisclosed source, and adds to last year's 1m seed round. Chopra says the 'version 2' platform will allow the launch of 'a series of new products, starting with the Video Discussion Group service announced today, and continuing into 2018'. He comments: 'The success of our Series A funding will provide the investment funds to support those developments. We continue to see our video and micro-engagement services as representing the future direction for healthcare research'. Web site: www.nuaxia.com . GET OUR APP Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. Download it here. A teacher at a Palm Bay charter school was arrested, accused of inappropriately touching a student while in his classroom. Kenneth Woodard arrested by Palm Bay police Accused of inappropriately touching a student Taught at Odyssey Preparatory Academy Kenneth Woodard, 41, was arrested Monday by Palm Bay police after an investigation by the agency and the Department of Children and Families. He faces a count of lewd and lascivious molestation. Woodard taught fifth grade at Odyssey Preparatory Academy, a charter school in Palm Bay. Police say he violated an 11-year-old boy in his classroom on Nov. 20. They say Woodard sat very close to the child making him uncomfortable, then looped his finger in the child's waistband and inappropriately touched him. According to police, several students interviewed separately claimed they saw what happened. Later the same day during lunch, the victim told police that Woodard asked him and some other boys if they wanted to watch a movie in the classroom. During that time, the boy told police the teacher sat behind him and hugged him before he could walk away. At the end of the day, as the boy was telling the school counselor what happened, he told police Woodard walked in the office as he was alone writing his statement. He told the counselor he was nervous because the teacher now knew he was telling on him. "It's concerning," said Lt. Mike Bandish with the Palm Bay Police Department. "We investigated it and came to a determination that there was probable cause for an arrest, so an arrest was made." Woodard was initially put on administrative leave by the school when the complaint first came in. Police believe there are no other victims, but the school is providing counseling services to those at the school who need it. We're told Woodard taught younger kids at the Odyssey Lower Campus for two years before transferring to the preparatory academy. Woodard is being held in the Brevard County Jail on a $100,000 bond. Oh, you better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, Im telling you why Santa Claus is coming to town. Yes, Santa will be traveling from the North Pole to the Ollie Liner Center in Plainview to meet with all the good little boys and girls at the Breakfast with Santa. Runningwater Draw RSVP will partner with the Hale County 4-H members to welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus as they take time out of their busy North Pole schedules. They will join RSVP and their volunteer helpers to share Christmas joy, at the annual Breakfast with Santa from 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate After Puerto Ricos ailing economy was crippled by Hurricane Maria, the islands leaders fear that the Republican tax overhaul could deliver another devastating blow. The legislation, passed by the House this month, would end provisions that turned Puerto Rico into a medical manufacturing hub. Drug and device makers have poured billions into the U.S. territory, creating thousands of jobs and powering almost a third of its economic output. Officials worry that the proposal will smother the island as it grapples with as much as $100 billion in storm damage, an exodus of workers and the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history. Youre talking about an industry that is really the backbone of the economy, said Manuel Laboy, Puerto Ricos secretary of economic development and commerce. Many of the Congress members on the Hill, they dont understand how our economy works. Much is also at stake for drugmakers, which have spent millions lobbying to protect their tax advantages. Puerto Rico accounts for about 10 percent of U.S. drug manufacturing, including blockbusters like arthritis treatment Humira and cholesterol fighter Crestor. That House bill is bad news for the drug industry, said Ira Loss, senior health-care analyst at research firm Washington Analysis LLC. This is an island that was in trouble before the hurricane. Its in really big trouble now. Congress wants to force multinationals to pay a one-time tax on their estimated $3.1 trillion in accumulated offshore earnings while cutting the corporate rate to 20 percent from 35 percent, the highest in the industrialized world. The Senate is expected to vote on a version of the legislation this week. Puerto Ricos ambiguous status has made it a tax paradise for drugmakers. Under U.S. law, the commonwealth is considered both a foreign and domestic entity, depending on the rule. Drugmakers can incorporate factories there as foreign subsidiaries, but the products can be labeled as U.S.-made. A U.S. drug company can buy its own products from its Puerto Rico plant and attribute the proceeds to its island subsidiary, where U.S. income taxes dont apply. As long as the cash is kept offshore, the company owes nothing to the Internal Revenue Service and pays the territorys local 4 percent excise tax. For drug giants, that arrangement has offered powerful rewards. In 2003, the year after Amgen Inc. restructured its Puerto Rican unit as a foreign subsidiary, it paid a 28.8 percent tax rate and had $1.6 billion of cash offshore. By the end of last year, its effective tax rate fell to 15.7 percent and its offshore cash swelled to $35.9 billion. Amgen said in its 2016 annual report that substantially all of its tax benefit from offshore operations is attributable to our foreign income associated with our operations conducted in Puerto Rico. The bill the House passed in mid-November proposes a 20 percent excise tax on offshore transactions to protect American jobs. But Puerto Rico officials say the measure could have the opposite effect. Drug-industry jobs wont be moving to Alabama or any other state. They are going to go to Ireland. They are going to go to Malaysia, said Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon, Puerto Ricos nonvoting member of Congress and a Republican. Congress and the administration ran on the platform of supporting American manufacturing. Thats exactly what the manufacturing sector in Puerto Rico is -- its American jobs. Amgen is Puerto Ricos second-largest taxpayer, according to Laboys office, providing revenue to repay the $74 billion the territory owes. Up to a third of the money collected by Puerto Ricos treasury comes from pharmaceutical-company coffers, though other multinationals also have manufacturing bases there. While U.S. companies pay local excise taxes on the purchase of their own products made in Puerto Rican plants, the IRS reimburses them. Its taxes that would have gone to the states but it stays in Puerto Rico because the tax is credited, said Ramon Ponte, president of the territorys society of certified public accountants. In Amgens case, federal credits lowered the total rate about three percentage points, according to its filings. We are encouraged to see tax reform that is focused on helping U.S. companies be more competitive in the global marketplace and promoting U.S. investment and job growth, said Amgen spokeswoman Kelley Davenport. We also hope Congress strengthens competitiveness for our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico. Amgen spent $8.6 million on lobbying this year, the most of any single drugmaker, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. At least five lobbying firms, including the companys in-house team, were hired to raise issues related to Puerto Rican taxes, disclosure forms show. Davenport said that Amgen has lobbied on a range of issues. A number of organizations, including Amgen, have major investments in Puerto Rico that were made there to capitalize on the tax advantages created by U.S. laws, Chief Executive Officer Robert Bradway said on a call with analysts in October. The bill should maintain the incentive for us and others to invest on the island. Johnson & Johnson and AbbVie Inc. have also hired lobbyists on the issue. Spokeswomen for the companies declined to comment. The uncertainty couldnt come at a worse time. Many residents are leaving Puerto Rico rather than wait for basic services to be restored. Puerto Ricos payrolls declined by 3.6 percent in October, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and 189,000 people have fled to Florida in the storms aftermath, according to that states Division of Emergency Management. Drugmakers have resumed production, but many arent running at full capacity. Laboy, the economic development secretary, said he appreciated how companies have gone to bat for the commonwealth. We have received a lot of support from the FDA and the leadership of these companies, he said. They are being true allies. Resident commissioner Gonzalez-Colon and House Speaker Paul Ryan issued a joint statement after the legislation passed, saying they were looking for more ways to help, without providing details. Gonzalez-Colon said she wasnt seeking tax haven status; she just wants to be sure Puerto Rico is considered a part of the U.S. Meanwhile, many Puerto Ricans will be watching to see whether they should brace for a second catastrophe -- this time one brewed in D.C. Maria was a Category 4, 5 hurricane -- if the tax reform passes through the way it is, its going to be a Category 7, said Tom Vincent, vice president of Prime Air Corp., a logistics firm that serves the plants. It would make anyone in Puerto Rico lose sleep. Falcon Steel America plans to open a new factory in Conroe that will increase its manufacturing capacity by 60 percent. The Fort Worth area steel maker said Tuesday it acquired a 226,000-square-foot facility on 25 acres at 3575 Pollok Drive. The company expects to hire 150 local workers, including welders, fitters, machine operators, truck drivers, quality assurance and control inspectors. Now Playing: A group of Texas hog hunters and their dogs were rescued Tuesday morning after hours of searching in Dallas County, thanks to their dog's GPS collar. Video: METRO Video A group of Texas hog hunters and their dogs were rescued Tuesday morning after hours of searching in Dallas County, thanks to their dogs' GPS collars. According to NBC DFW, four hunters along with 6-8 hunting dogs chased a feral pig into the woods near the Trinity River around 1 a.m. Wilmer Police said the hunters fell into the river, swam a distance and crawled their way onto the bank. That's when they realized they were lost. GREENWICH Police are stepping up patrols and stopping more motorists for traffic infractions as part of an effort to lessen the number of car thefts that are reaching record-setting levels. Three more vehicles were stolen during the Thanksgiving holiday period. In response, officers working the overnight shift have become more proactive and vigilant. Were doing as much enforcement as we can, said police Lt. John Slusarz. Weve increased our presence out there. Police initiated 150 traffic stops during the holiday interval from Wednesday to Saturday, compared to 62 traffic stops during the same time last year. Officers are looking for damaged brake lights, sloppy driving and other infractions with greater determination. Authorities say loosely organized groups of car thieves are coming to Greenwich and other communities in the region during the overnight hours. Were trying to interdict them before they come to town, Slusarz said. The lieutenant said the department is also using other law-enforcement tools that are not being publicly disclosed. November has seen more than more than a dozen vehicle thefts, in all parts of town. The town usually sees a few in the course of a month. Some of the cars have been recovered, in Waterbury, New Haven and New York, indicating that groups are coming from other areas with the express purpose of stealing cars and committing other crimes. Nearly all the stolen vehicles had been left by their owners with keys or key fobs inside them. Theyre crimes of opportunity, said the lieutenant, the departmental spokesman. Lock your car doors and take your keys. The last three thefts took place in Old Greenwich, central Greenwich and Cos Cob. Earlier larcenies were reported in the Pemberwick neighborhood. The cars involved were newer vehicles. On Friday morning or late Thursday, a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe was stolen from Florence Road. On Saturday evening, a resident reported the theft of a 2016 Mazda CX-9 from Jackson Street. And on Ridge Street in Cos Cob, a 2015 Audi A8 went missing Saturday night or Sunday morning. None of the cars stolen in recent days have been recovered. Police are asking the public to call the department if they see suspicious activity. MIAMI The idea of incinerating artwork made by wartime captives at Guantanamo Bay has stirred such alarm that the U.S. military is now discussing keeping and cataloging detainee art rather than burning it. Army Col. Lisa Garcia of the U.S. Southern Command, which oversees the 41-captive prison and its 1,500-member staff, said Tuesday that Southcom is recommending to the prison that the staff archive detainee artwork. A lawyer quoted a captive as saying that military officials at the prison in southeast Cuba said that artwork of detainees who leave the prison would be incinerated. For years the prison had permitted attorneys for the captives to take their clients art off the U.S. Navy base after a security screening that, among other things, sought to analyze it for secret messages. In the instance of some model ships ingeniously made by a Yemeni, troops went so far as to make and study an X-ray of it. Some of the more than 700 captives who were resettled or repatriated were allowed to take some of their artwork with them. But an ongoing exhibit at New Yorks John Jay College of Criminal Justice featuring paintings and other works by current and former captives Ode to the Sea caught the attention of the Pentagon because the exhibits website offered an email address for people interested in purchasing art from these artists. Department of Defense officials were not previously aware that detainee artwork was being sold to third parties, and ordered the prison to stop releasing it, Pentagon spokesman Air Force Maj. Ben Sakrisson said. He called the artwork property of the U.S. government. The prospect of burning art prompted comparisons of the United States to its enemies. Lets see who can destroy works of art and culture faster, ISIS or @DeptofDefense at #Guantanamo, long-serving detainee attorney J. Wells Dixon tweeted Nov. 16. Next it will be burning books, the attorney at the Center for Constitutional Rights also tweeted. An online petition started by the curator of the John Jay exhibit which as of Tuesday morning had just 878 signatures declared: Burning art is something done by fascist and terrorist regimes but not by the American people. Attorney Ramzi Kassem, whose clients include some of the prisons most prolific artists, described the idea of archiving rather than destroying the works of art as a cynical move. Theyre still going to redact the art out of existence. Theyre just not going to burn it because that looks bad, he said. In contrast, Federal Bureau of Prisons policy lets inmates mail arts and hobby-craft to family, give it to certain visitors and sometimes display it in public space, if it meets the wardens standard of taste. Carol Rosenberg is a Miami Herald writer. Courtesy A Houston man was charged with assault and criminal mischief Thanksgiving after deputies said he attempted to kick in the front door of a house west of Humble. Deputies with Constable Pct. 4 responded to a call in the 8800 block of Hazel Rose Sky on Nov. 23. At the house, witnesses said the man also shattered windows of a vehicle and shoved a woman into a wall. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Gacita named Hispanic male entrepreneur of the year Arnold Gacita, president & CEO of Cypress-based Petra Oil Company, was named 2017 Hispanic Male Entrepreneur of the Year by the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce at its annual awards gala Nov. 18. Gacita, who emigrated to the United States from Cuba with his family when he was seven months old, was chosen for his outstanding leadership capabilities and strong commitment to community service. The founder of Petra Oil, which produces automotive maintenance products and service programs, Gacita has grown the company to its position as a trusted brand throughout the United States and in 28 countries in a record seven years' time. His business success is matched by his commitment to community service. For example, every year, the entire staff of Petra Oil takes a day off to give back to the community this year for a project to feed the homeless. In addition, Gacita is a strong supporter of area schools and teachers, regularly hosting teacher appreciation days, providing meals for all the teachers and staff. He is also a mentor for Christian colleges, has sent trucks of food and supplies to help flood victims, and is currently working on a project to build an orphanage in Brazil. Six separate awards will be presented at the gala, which recognizes successful executives, entrepreneurs and community leaders chosen from hundreds of nominations every year. Smithco Development announces promotion Smithco Development has announced the promotion of Tracy Marak as chief operating officer of the company. Marak joined Smithco in 2004, and has served the company in the roles of property manager, project manager and chief development officer. Overall, he has more than 30 years of experience in managing office building and retail properties. Smithco Development currently owns more than two million square feet of retail and office properties in Houston. Designcraft 2017 set for Dec. 2 Market Square Park in Downtown Houston hosts the 8th annual DesignCraft on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Organized by AIGA Houston and sponsored by the Houston Downtown Management District (Downtown District), this outdoor fair allows Houstonians to discover the work of local artists, artisans, crafters and creatives, just in time for the holidays. Expect a gift-wrapping station, food trucks, demonstrations, music and more. The event is free to attend. Visit www.downtownhoustonparking.org for an interactive map with garages, surface lots and other parking options in the area. Visit www.marketsquarepark.com for additional details and event updates. Market Square Park is located at 301 Milam St. Houston Hispanic Chamber celebrates milestone In honor of its 40th anniversary, the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce played host to the largest gathering of Hispanic business leaders in the region in Downtown Houston on Nov. 18. The Chamber's 40th Anniversary Annual Awards paid homage to the organization's past, acknowledged the road taken thus far, and celebrated the work yet to be done by one of the largest chambers of commerce in the United States. The 40th Anniversary Annual Awards ceremony highlighted the accomplishments of the following entrepreneurs, businesses, and executives in each respective category: Chairman/President & CEO Award: Sarah Frazier, Senior Vice President & Market Manager, CBS Radio. Hispanic Emerging Business of the Year: Ted & Cherise Gutierrez, Founders, CanIGetHacked. Hispanic Female Entrepreneur of the Year: Sheri Dunaway, Owner, Copan Trade Ltd. Hispanic Male Entrepreneur of the Year: Arnold Gacita, President & CEO, Petra Oil Company. Hispanic Female Executive of the Year: Lucilla Longoria Henderson, Vice President of Community & Business Engagement, TDECU. Hispanic Male Executive of the Year: Joe Gutierrez, CEO, Novi Ventures LLC. Spring Branch Education Foundation Harvey Relief Fun was awarded $500,000 by the Greater Houston Community Foundation. The grant brings the relief fund to more than $1 million, said SBEF executive director Cece Thompson. "As far as we know, the SBEF Harvey Relief Fund is the only one that specifically helps families in Spring Branch ISD," Thompson said. SBEF distributes Target and Walmart gift cards to help families recover from the impact of Hurricane Harvey in hopes the funds will help the most disadvantaged families whether it be through food, clothing or supplies. "Our gifts help families fill gaps not met by other local and federal efforts." Thompson said. "Since the fund is managed by SBEF staff, there are no administrative costs." Roughly $500,000 in grants was awarded by Community In Schools Houston (CIS), which works to serve at-risk students in the Greater Houston Area. CIS is a nonprofit that provides services and resources to under-served students and runs on a platform to promote students to stay in school. The also provide vouchers to families to assist with rent, utilities and other necessities. Spring Branch ISD estimated there are more than 1,000 student and staff families displaced by Hurricane Harvey, with many more that yet to be identified. The assessment to reach this number of impacted families was put together through the use of the Student Residency Questionnaire (SRQ), which was completed at the end of enrollment and can be updated throughout the school year as families living situations and circumstances change over time. The Hurricane Relief Fund was created to help support all those impacted by the hurricane specifically in Harris County and Houston area, which may include parts of Fort Bend of Montgomery County. The fund was established by Mayor Sylvester Turner and Harris County Judge Ed Emmett and is administered by the Greater Houston Community Foundation. The city of Sugar Land will host "12 Days of Annexation," a series of days highlighting Sugar Land, New Territory and Greatwood locations while giving current and future residents a chance to win tickets to the Houston Ballet's The Nutcracker at the Smart Financial Centre. From Dec. 112, current residents and New Territory and Greatwood residents can enter to win more than once by visiting more than one "12 Days" site. Entry forms and a specially marked mailbox will be located at each site. Three winners will be selected on Dec. 13. Winners will be asked to present their water bills to verify residency. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 InsurMark Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Dan Kelleher,A Main Street Manager Show More Show Less 3 of 3 InsurMark, a national financial adviser development organization with headquarters based in the Memorial area of Houston, awarded two $5,000 scholarships to local Houston students through its corporate charity, Folds of Honor. The recipients are Joshua Long of Missouri City and Kiera Bradley of Houston. People don't immediately associate the marijuana industry with science but if you are a scientist, or plan to become one, its an association you will want to give some consideration. Typical jobs in the cannabis industry include budtender, cannabis trimming, packaging, grower and positions in transportation security, most of which require little training and pay $8 to $14 an hour. However, scientists now are in demand in marijuana. And the pay reaches some impressive amounts. Related: New Jersey Voters Likely Just Approved Legalized Marijuana Master Extractors One of the biggest jobs in the industry is that of master extractor. Scientists in this role handle the task of removing the active chemical ingredient in marijuana, most often THC (the chemical ingredient that produces the high feeling) and CBD (cannabidiol, an ingredient associated with health benefits that does not produce a high). In turn, these ingredients are used to create a variety of products. They include different strains of marijuana that produce a variety of effects. They also include hemp products, oils, lotions and edibles. All of these require a high degree of skills, training and education. Becoming a master extractor requires a doctorate in biochemistry. But time and money spent on education pays off. Master extractors earn $250,000 a year, an industry expert told CNN money. Supply drives the high salaries. There are a limited number of people who hold a PhD in biochemistry who want to get into the marijuana industry. Jacob Silverstein, a cannabis industry consultant, told CNN, This is a rat race for talent. Related: Entrepreneurs See Opportunity Addressing Consumer Demand for Pesticide-Free Cannabis Growing Opportunities Medical marijuana is now legal in 29 states. Another seven states are either already allowing recreational marijuana sales or will in 2018. In Canada, regulations allowing adult-use marijuana sales nationwide are expected to be in place by July 2018. In short, the market for marijuana is growing like a weed and so are science-based jobs. In addition to master extractors, scientists also are needed in a number of other areas. For example: Medical genomics Scientists use DNA technology to study cannabis genetics and consult with marijuana growers and dispensaries on creating different and better strains of marijuana and cannabis-based products. Pharmaceuticals As studies on the potential medical benefits of marijuana continue, biochemists work on creating new medicines, including synthetically formulated CBD products. Agricultural services While technically almost all of these jobs loosely fall under agricultural services, some scientists focus their research specifically on growing the marijuana plant. They search for ways to both improve the process and provide a larger variety of strains. Specific jobs can include tissue culture manager and manufacturing technician. Thats just a handful of the potential jobs. It has reached the point where Northern Michigan University now offers a degree program in Medical Plant Chemistry. As the cannabis industry continues to expand, these type of degree programs and related jobs should also continue to grow. To stay up to date on the latest marijuana related news make sure to like dispensaries.com on Facebook Related: Burgeoning Marijuana Industry Has a Growing Need for Scientists The Evidence Says Legal Marijuana Reduces Opioid Deaths But Chris Christie Won't Believe It Entrepreneurs See Opportunity Addressing Consumer Demand for Pesticide-Free Cannabis Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com HENAGAR, Ala. - Casting his campaign as a "spiritual battle" against "the immortality of our time," Alabama Republican Roy Moore vowed Monday to "take off the gloves" in the final weeks of his Senate campaign so he can establish a clear contrast with his Democratic opponent. "I'm a fighter. I don't hesitate to say that. I've been that way my whole life," Moore told more than 100 supporters in his first public event since Nov. 16. "My opponent will allow our constitution to be totally undermined and disregarded. And I oppose that." Moore's campaign has been rocked by a series accusation by local women who have come forward over the past month to say he treated them inappropriately, including a woman who says he touched her sexually when she was 14 and he was 32. Moore, 70, has denied any sexual misconduct, while saying he may have dated teenagers in his thirties. National Republican leaders, with the exception of President Donald Trump, have dropped support for Moore, with many, including Alabama Sen. Richard Shelby, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Ky., describing the allegations as credible. In his remarks Monday, Moore cast the same allegations in biblical terms, saying they demonstrated the end-of-time deceptions of ancient prophecy. "In the last days, perilous times shall come," Moore said, quoting from the book of Timothy. "For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection . . . trucebreakers, false accusers." To calls of "amen" from the crowd, Moore said the allegations were a plot by his political enemies. A new television ad by his campaign that debuted Monday described the accusations as "a scheme by liberal Democrats and the Republican establishment to protect their big government trough." The ad features pictures of McConnell, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y. Moore returned repeatedly to the record of his opponent, Doug Jones, reading to the crowd a long passage from a recent interview to argue that the Democrat is out of step with the people of Alabama on judges, abortion, immigration, Obamacare and other issues. "I oppose transgender rights," Moore said. "I don't believe Christians hate anybody. I don't hate anybody. But I do hate sin." Bill Armistead, Moore's campaign chairman, said Moore's closing strategy is to refocus the race on the issues and away from the allegations. "He is going to define who he is and what he stands for and what his opponent stands for," Armistead said. "And it's going to be a clear distinction." Moore took no questions from the press, or members of the audience, and he did not stay after his remarks to shake hands. But attendees, several of whom wore Make America Great Again hats, said they were proud to support him as they left the event. Chuck Ellis, a state trooper from Albertville, first met Moore in 1982, when Moore interviewed him as part of his application to West Point. "The person I met then is the same person I just heard speak," Ellis said. "My job that I do depends on being able to read folks. I feel that he is being honest." At times, Moore was unmistakably candid with the crowd. After introducing his family, he made clear that they were tired of the campaign. "There are 14 days left until the general election," Moore said. "We have been ready for the end for a while." ALBANY Anticipating special elections after the state budget is passed in the spring of next year, the state Democratic Party is calling on Democratic factions within the Senate to reunify and form a majority coalition after that time. Should special elections be called to fill the two Democratically controlled seats that will be vacated at the end of this year and assuming Democrats win those seats there again would be 32 members of the Democratic Party in the Senate, enough to control the majority. But there would need to be a reunification of the eight-member Independent Democratic Conference, the 23-member mainline Democratic Conference and Sen. Simcha Felder, a Brooklyn Democrat who sits with the Republicans. In a letter to mainline Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and IDC Leader Jeff Klein, four top state Democrats wrote that "we can no longer tolerate the IDC and Senate Democrats inability to unify." The Democrats State Democratic Chairman Byron Brown, Vice Chair Christine Quinn, House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rep. Joseph Crowley and DNC at-large member and union leader Hector Figueroa wrote that they anticipate a special election after the budget, which must be finished by an April 1 deadline. The solution they propose is that the mainline and independent Democrats come together to help Democrats win the special elections, then form a majority coalition, similar to the coalition between the Republicans and IDC. Klein and Stewart-Cousins would be co-leaders, with both able to attend leaders' meetings with the governor, approve bills that come to the floor and, in a move that seems to be aimed at dispelling bad blood, able to approve each other's deputies. Both sides also would not aid primary challenges against incumbent senators and would work together to win seats during the 2018 elections. "This solution is both reasonable, and, if the parties act in good faith, it would resolve the ongoing distrust and ensure a lasting peace and long term working relationship," the Democrats wrote. The proposal also comes with an ultimatum: If the IDC refuses to accept, the state party would aid primaries to IDC members. If the mainline Democrats refuse to accept, the state party would call for new leadership committed to unifying all Democrats. The letter is not addressed to Felder, and he received just one mention in the body of the correspondence. He previously said that he welcomes unity if it benefits his constituency. Should the mainline Democrats and IDC reunite, Felder would be the long senator who decides whether Democrats or Republicans have the 32 votes needed to control the chamber. Politico New York reported Monday evening that Felder was not committing to a side and remains open to working with either. In a statement, Stewart-Cousins seemed positive about the proposal. "Our conference has long called for all Senators elected as Democrats to work together and not empower the Republican minority," she said. "We continue to stand firmly in that posture as we seek a coalition under similar terms as have existed between the IDC and Senate Republicans, and are willing to enter a coalition consistent with the recent correspondence from state Democratic party officials. There is too much at stake for New Yorkers to wait any longer for their wishes to be fulfilled." Klein said the proposal is a "very exciting development," adding that a final agreement is contingent on a legislative agenda generally backed by Democrats. "Since its very inception the IDC has worked to move the Senate out of dysfunction to advance progressive policies," Klein said in a statement. "We are ready to move forward, provided any final agreement between Democrats is based on the legislative agenda that we put forth on May 22, which includes: the Reproductive Health Act, the DREAM Act, GENDA, protecting Title X funding, public campaign finance, single-payer health care and the Comprehensive Contraceptive Coverage Act. We are eager and ready to be part of a Democratic Coalition that could proudly and publicly state what its legislative positions are going into the 2018 session. There is no reason for the special elections to be held up and I suggest they be held as soon as the law permits." There is one other obvious piece to this: Cuomo, who has had his own unity meetings with interested parties, must call the special elections to fill the two downstate seats in the Bronx and Westchester County. Though he could just leave the seats vacant until the 2018 general election, when he would call a special election is unclear. However, the Democrats' expectation of a post-budget election is a strong tea leaf. The outreach to Stewart-Cousins and Klein comes after the progressive wing of the state party has become more vocal about pushing for reunification. Under normal circumstances, Arizona's Republican senators would be easy gets for the Senate GOP tax bill. Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake are anything but. Their resistance promises to thrust the Grand Canyon State duo into a starring role in the drama unfolding this week in the Senate, as leaders race to salvage the party's legislative agenda. And it demonstrates how far through the looking glass we've passed in a matter of months that such a bedrock conservative project could be bleeding Republican support just as it takes center stage in the upper chamber. Consider the facts on the ground in Arizona: --The tax bill represents the top priority of a new president, who romped through the state's presidential primary last year, beating his nearest challenger there by more than 18 points before edging out Hillary Clinton in the general election. (Although, consistent with his national numbers, President Donald Trump now shoulders a double-digit disapproval rating in Arizona.) --The state's jobless rate ranks 16th in the nation, just above the national average, arguably creating a stronger case for fiscal stimulus there than exists elsewhere in an economy broadly considered near full employment. --Arizona's corporate community is rallying behind the bill - a testament in part to the state's concentration of the retail industry. Retailers pay among the highest effective tax rates of any sector, meaning they would benefit the most from the corporate rate reduction at the heart of the bill. (Seven of the top 20 employers in Arizona are retailers, including Walmart, which has emerged as a top corporate cheerleader for the tax bills.) --McCain and Flake both typically serve as reliable votes for business-friendly measures. The two have compiled voting records the U.S. Chamber of Commerce scores at 83 percent and 73 percent, respectively. McCain voted against the Bush tax cuts in 2001 and 2003, calling out their lopsided benefits for the rich, but reversed himself to support extending them in 2006. Flake has distinguished himself as an anti-tax stalwart, at one point contemplating a primary challenge against McCain over his opposition to the Bush tax cuts. (As a member of the House, Flake supported them, backed making them permanent, and co-sponsored legislation to abolish the IRS.) But McCain and Flake now stand shoulder to shoulder among the handful of Republican holdouts who could yet sink the Senate tax bill. McCain has said encouraging things about the process to date but reportedly harbors a range of reservations. The Wall Street Journal's Richard Rubin tweeted "McCain says he's still undecided on the tax bill. Concerns? 'A lot of things.'" Recall that McCain delivered the death blow to the Republican push to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act this summer, and the tax package seeks to make a down payment on gutting that law by trashing its individual mandate. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, has expressed concerns about that provision, and she wants to preserve the ability of individuals to deduct local property taxes from their federal taxable income. Flake is focusing more narrowly on the deficit implications of the package. So are Sens. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., James Lankford, R-Okla., and Jerry Moran, R-Kan., who are agitating for a guarantee, potentially in the form of an added trigger mechanism, that the bill won't increase the debt after a decade. But others are pressing for provisions that will make the package even more expensive. As the Senate Budget Committee prepares to vote Tuesday on the package, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis.,, a member of the panel, was still pledging to oppose it pending a deal to expand tax relief for so-called pass-through businesses - a demand shared by Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont. Republican leaders hope that inertia, powered by a recognition this effort represents the last, best shot to achieve a long-deferred conservative dream, will force senators back into formation. In that, the Arizona pair could be outliers. There's a strong likelihood that neither will face voters again, since Flake is stepping down rather than run for reelection next year and McCain is battling an aggressive cancer. "They're both immune from any kind of feedback, so I don't think pressure is a factor here," says David Berman, a political science professor at Arizona State University. And Trump has gone out of his way to antagonize both, privately and publicly. Trump tweeted "Sen. Jeff Flake(y), who is unelectable in the Great State of Arizona (quit race, anemic polls) was caught (purposely) on 'mike' saying bad things about your favorite President. He'll be a NO on tax cuts because his political career anyway is 'toast.'" Yet the plan's corporate boosters think something akin to Republican muscle memory will kick in for the holdouts. As for McCain and Flake, Glenn Hamer, president of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, acknowledges the situation remains fluid and he "couldn't say at this point what either senator will do." But, Hamer stated, "both have been great advocates on behalf of job creators in Arizona and very popular with the business community. . . I'm optimistic they'll play a positive role in bridging some of the remaining issues so this can move forward." RICHMOND, Va. - Virginia's Board of Elections on Monday unanimously certified two state legislative races - in which 147 voters cast ballots in the wrong district - in favor of the Republicans in both contests. The decision means that Republicans control 51 seats in the House of Delegates while Democrats control 49. The action shuts down one potential route, but it does not end Democrats' hopes to win control of the chamber. In letters sent over the weekend, Democrats had urged the Democratic-controlled board to hold off on certification because of the irregularities, particularly since one of the two races - in District 28 - was a squeaker that could determine which party takes charge of the House. In that race, Republican Robert Thomas leads Democrat Joshua Cole by 82 votes in the contest to fill the seat being vacated by retiring Speaker William Howell, R-Stafford. After conferring privately with lawyers for about 45 minutes, the board's three members said they were required by statute to certify the results by Monday's deadline - despite irregularities that Chairman James Alcorn said he expects the courts or the House to eventually sort out. "What I want at the end of the process is that the voters trust that the outcome of the election - the winner of the election - is who was elected by the eligible voters," Alcorn said. "And so I would say we are not to the end of that process." Alcorn also said the board does not have the power to order any of the available remedies, such as a new election, which a judge could do. The losing candidate also could file a contest with the House, which could require a new election or pick a winner itself through a floor vote. And three of the races won by Republicans - including District 28 - are probably headed for a recount, so Democrats may have other opportunities to pick up a seat. In the 40th District, Del. Timothy Hugo, R-Fairfax, has a 106-vote lead over Democrat Donte Tanner, while in the 94th District, Del. David Yancey, R-Newport News, is up just 10 votes over Democrat Shelly Simonds. Monday's decision came three weeks after Election Day, and a week after the board had certified election results in 98 other House seats. The board initially held off on the two Fredericksburg-area House seats amid revelations that some voters in the 28th and 88th districts had been erroneously assigned to the wrong race. The assignment errors affect both races, but the focus has been on the 28th because the margin of victory was just 82 votes. It is one of three tight GOP wins statewide that are likely headed for recounts. Democrats would need one more victory to force a power-sharing deal with Republicans and two more to take the reins of the chamber for the first time since 2000. The board's decision was a disappointment to Democrats and their allies, who since Nov. 7 have filed three lawsuits asserting that 28th District voters had been disenfranchised in various ways. Two of the cases were dismissed. In the third case, a federal judge rejected Democrats' request for a temporary restraining order to block the state board from certifying the 28th District election. But he did not dismiss the case, leaving Democrats the option of asking the judge for a new election. "The State Board acknowledged today what we have long known: the election results in House District 28 are marred by irregularities," said Marc Elias, attorney for Cole and the House Democratic Caucus. "[W]e disagree with the Board's decision to certify in spite of these irregularities, and we will continue to assess our options to remedy this wrong." House Republicans had threatened to file a lawsuit of their own if the board did not certify the results by Monday. "We are pleased the State Board of Elections finally fulfilled its statutory duty and unanimously certified the election results in House Districts 28 and 88, but are disappointed it took over a week, a strong signal from a federal judge, and the threat of a state suit to get them to act," said Del. Kirk Cox, R-Colonial Heights, in line to become speaker if the GOP holds the majority. "With this step, we can now proceed to handling any other questions through the proper venues outlined in state law, as members of State Board said multiple times today." Partisan tensions appeared to be running high at the start of Monday's meeting, when Alcorn made a motion to retreat into executive session so members could confer with lawyers. Republican Clara Belle Wheeler abstained from voting on that motion. But she came out of the closed-door meeting with a smile and soon voted, along with Alcorn and Singleton McAllister, to certify the results. "I'm proud of this board," Wheeler said afterward. "We, the state board, fulfilled our obligation to the code and to the people to certify the election." In the 88th District, Del. Mark Cole, R-Fredericksburg - no relation to Joshua Cole - beat Democrat Steve Aycock by more than 4,000 votes. Given Mark Cole's comfortable margin, the voter assignment errors were not expected to upend his race. But if his election had remained uncertified, Mark Cole would not have been seated when the legislature convenes in January. That would have evenly split the chamber, 49 seats controlled by Republicans and 49 controlled by Democrats. Republicans boasted a 66-to-34 majority going into the Nov. 7 elections. At a meeting last week, state Elections Commissioner Edgardo Cortes said that former registrar Juanita Pitchford erroneously assigned 83 voters from the 28th House District to the 88th. After further investigation, he said the state had discovered a total of 384 misassigned voters, including some in the neighboring 2nd House District. Of those, 147 of the misassigned voters cast ballots. Elections officials said they are not sure why Pitchford, who died in April, made the changes. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate University of Texas-Austin astronomers will be among the first in the world to use NASA's brand new, $8.8 billion telescope after it launches in 2019 -- a piece of technology one says will "revolutionize all areas of astronomy." The James Webb Space Telescope, the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope, has been under development for decades. And with less than two years until its expected launch date, the Space Telescope Science Institute (the science operations center for the Hubble and Webb telescopes) in Baltimore has released the list of the first 13 projects that will test the telescope in space. UT-Austin's Steve Finkelstein found himself, and his Cosmic Evolution Early Release Science (CEERS) Survey, on that list. "This will be the first time anyone has had access to this brand new telescope that is in some ways 100 times better than Hubble," said Finkelstein, an associate astronomy professor at the university. "This telescope will reveal enormous truths the moment we turn it on." The CEERS will build upon Finkelstein's previous work with the Hubble telescope of examining the oldest galaxies in the universe as a way to understand how quickly stars formed into the galaxies and how they evolve overtime. More than 100 astronomers from 10 countries are involved in the project, including astronomers at Texas A&M. Finkelstein said Webb will allow astronomers to see galaxies as they existed 13.4 billion years ago. His project will take place in the telescope's first five months of science operations, likely to begin in late fall, early winter 2019. "To be among the first to use it is incredible," he said, adding that his research will take 62 hours to complete. Other projects chosen include an examination of Jupiter and its moons and weighing supermassive black holes, according to NASA. UT-Austin researchers are involved to some degree in five of the 13 projects. "We were impressed by the high quality of the proposals received," said Ken Sembach, director of the Space Telescope Science Institute, in a Nov. 13 NASA web update. "These observing programs not only will generate great science, but also will be a unique resource for demonstrating the investigative capabilities of this extraordinary observatory to the worldwide scientific community." Projects will receive funding, but Finkelstein said they have not yet been told how much. Up to $5 million has been allotted for all 13 projects, he added. Webb is projected to launch in spring 2019 from Kourou, French Guiana and is expected to carry out its mission for 5 to 10 years. The telescope is named after James E. Webb, NASA's second administrator who lead the Apollo space missions that landed the first humans on the moon. Unlike Hubble, which launched 27 years ago and orbits the earth, Webb will orbit the sun 1 million miles away from earth. Hubble mainly observes visible light, while Webb will operate in the infrared, enabling it to study some of the faintest, youngest galaxies. Using Webb, "we will discover the most distant galaxies ever seen galaxies that were literally invisible to Hubble," Finkelstein said. This month, about 100 days of cryogenic testing -- to ensure the telescope functions as intended in an extreme cold and airless environment -- was completed at Johnson Space Center. But the telescope still must undergo more testing before it can be launched into space. It now will be transported to Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems in Redondo Beach, California, where it "will be integrated with the spacecraft element," according to a Nov. 20 NASA web update. It will then undergo even more testing, "the last exposure to a simulated launch environment before flight and deployment testing on the whole observatory," the update states. The Webb telescope is an international project lead by NASA in partnership with the European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency. Alex Stuckey covers NASA, science and the environment for the Houston Chronicle. You can reach her at alex.stuckey@chron.com or Twitter.com/alexdstuckey. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The Air Force said Tuesday that its investigation has confirmed that it failed to report Sutherland Springs gunman Devin Kelley's 2012 convictions for spousal and child abuse to civilian law enforcement authorities, and that it would correct lapses in the system over the next several weeks. The Air Force Inspector General confirmed that Office of Special Investigations and Security Forces personnel at Holloman AFB in New Mexico didnt report to an FBI database, as required of felony offenses, Kelleys 12-month sentence for abuses that included fracturing his baby stepsons skull. The review, launched immediately after Kelley was identified as the gunman in the Nov. 5 shooting that killed 26 people, also found the error was not an isolated incident and that similar reporting lapses by the Air Force occurred at other locations. Although policies and procedures requiring reporting were in place, training and compliance measures were lacking. RELATED: Sutherland Springs family targets Air Force in wrongful death claim At this point weve found dozens that weve corrected, so were going through them case by case and as we find an error we correct it on the spot, Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek said, adding that she could not describe the nature of those offenses. Were not going to have any other information available until the complete review is done. Kelley was able to legally purchase weapons that included the semi-automatic rifle he used to kill 26 people at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs because there was no record in the national instant background check system listing his conviction. The Air Force, in a statement, said its Office of Special Investigations had already implemented corrective measures to ensure compliance with reporting requirements to civilian law enforcement. In addition, Air Force Security Forces have also implemented several corrective measures and remaining actions will be completed in the next few weeks. Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein directed OSI and Security Forces to review all records with reportable offenses across the Air Force back to 2002. More than 60,000 cases described as serious offenses will be scrutinized by OSI and Security forces teams. The new procedures include a leadership requirement at the field, regional and headquarters levels to verify that information from applicable cases is registered with the FBI's National Crime Information Center's Interstate Identification Index. Additionally, supporting software, checklist and training changes were made to support the new procedures. READ MORE: Photos of gunman's bloody phone emerge as Apple served with search warrant in Sutherland Springs shooting The Air Force OSI also will require physical verification, in the form of a printout or screenshot, from the National Crime Information Center, that the criminal history information is accurately documented in the law enforcement system. This change will require Air Force personnel to verify that information has been received by the FBI not just that it has been sent. Finally, the Air Force also made technical modifications to the OSI investigation management system to ensure the printout/screenshot can be entered into the OSI digital case file so more senior officials can certify the reporting. Checklists for case closure were also updated. Security Forces has also ordered a review of policy and procedures as well as a review of compliance with those procedures. A pair of task forces composed of 60 Security Forces and OSI personnel will work to ensure compliance with the new initiatives. In the meantime, the release stated that it is correcting all identified deficiencies as they are discovered and reporting them to civilian law enforcement. That process that will be overseen by the Air Forces inspector general and require several months to complete. It will also be reviewed by the Department of Defense IG as well, Stefanek said. sigc@express-news.net This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A staff accountant with Centro San Antonio, the public-private partnership that helps oversee downtown, is being investigated for embezzling $175,000 in a bizarre scheme that includes allegedly fabricating an audit to cover the staffers tracks, sources have told the San Antonio Express-News. Meanwhile, the Centro board of directors is scheduled to meet early Tuesday afternoon to accept the resignation of longtime CEO Pat DiGiovanni, who has not been implicated in any illegal activity. A source with knowledge of the matter indicated the resignation is due to lax oversight of the organization. The identity of the staffer has not been revealed. A spokesman for the San Antonio Police Department confirmed they are investigating the case but have made no arrests. DiGiovanni could not be reached for comment. RELATED: Finger-pointing and calls for responsibility after San Antonio Tricentennial Commission CEO steps down Centro board Chairman Don Frost said in a yet-to-be-issued press release that Centro directors feel strongly that DiGiovannis decision was the right one. I want to stress that Pat had absolutely nothing to do with the financial indiscretions, and we appreciate his solid contributions to the organization over the past five years, Frost said in the document obtained by the newspaper. The document lays out what board members have learned about the alleged criminal activity. The unidentified staff accountant admitted to faking the audits and was terminated immediately, after Centro officials learned from its auditing firm that it had nothing to do with a 2015-16 audit it had appeared to conduct. Once it was determined by the forensics accounting investigation that as much as $175,000 had been embezzled over a 2-year period, law enforcement was notified and a criminal investigation was launched, the document states. It appears no other staff was involved in the criminal activity. It also appears the stolen monies were isolated to the Centro San Antonio organization, and not the Public Improvement District (PID), but that is subject to the completion of the financial investigation. RELATED: Study: $2.4 billion in new projects underway in downtown San Antonio In August, the City Councils Audit Committee reviewed an audit that identified shoddy bookkeeping at Centro. Officials told Councilman John Courage, chairman of the committee, that despite the issues with internal accounting, money was neither missing nor misappropriated. Its unclear whether that audit is related to the alleged criminal activity that has been uncovered in the ongoing criminal investigation. This is a developing story. Check back later for updates. jbaugh@express-news.net | Twitter@jbaugh A $5,000 payment to Gillespie County by its former tax assessor-collector, Marissa Weinheimer, should end a lawsuit the county filed over about $92,000 in missing taxes against her and the Illinois company that issued her performance bond. That matter has been concluded through a settlement and it will be dismissed, Jim Allison, the countys lawyer, said Monday. The county had already dismissed its suit against RLI Insurance Co., which issued a $100,000 bond on Weinheimer as an elected official, after it paid $90,000 last July. A forensic audit in 2104 identified a shortfall of $91,987 in the office, which it attributed to sloppy bookkeeping rather than theft or fraud. The county suit claimed the defendants were liable for the missing money because Weinheimer violated her oath of office and was negligent in failing to remit to the county tax revenues collected by her office. Denying any funds were missing, Weinheimer says she inherited a faulty bookkeeping system when elected in 2008 to lead the tax office where shed previously been a deputy. I have to still pay $90,000 to RLI, she said Monday, asserting that the much of the missing money was actually mistakenly tendered to local taxing entities as overpayments of taxes due. Despite the defendants payments, County Judge Mark Stroeher said the county still footed the bill for its legal representation and the audit by Dawson Forensic Group. We feel like we fulfilled our responsibility to go after the missing tax money, Stroeher said of the suit. Our objective was not to punish her. The audit was prompted, in part, by complaints from other local taxing entities about not getting timely, accurate payments from Weinheimer. The collections and refunds processing and recording functions are seriously deficient, and allegedly have been for years, the 30-page audit report said. There is no confidence be placed in the collections processing system. The city and school district in Fredericksburg are among the local entities that opted instead to contract with the Gillespie Central Appraisal District to collect their property taxes. Despite the embarrassing situation, Weinheimer sought re-election last year and led the four-candidate field in the Republican primary, netting 44 percent of votes. She lost in a primary runoff to Vicki Schmidt, a former deputy county clerk, who won the general election. We have been working diligently to restore the public trust in the tax office, said Schmidt on Monday, noting she has updated policies there. A settlement agreement filed with the court by the parties on Oct. 18 said all claims would be resolved if Weinheimer paid $5,000 to the county by Oct. 31. Allison confirmed Monday that she made the payment, although the case has yet to be formally dismissed. zeke@express-news.net The University of Texas at Austin settled a lawsuit from a suspended student who accused the state flagships president of unfairly swaying the outcome of his internal sexual misconduct case. The settlement followed UT-Austins decision to reverse the students suspension in an effort to avoid disruption to the university, the university said in court documents. The student, identified only as John Doe, accused UT-Austin President Greg Fenves of unfairly intervening in his case because he feared that UT-Austin would suffer the same public relations disaster that occurred at nearby Baylor University if administrators did not appear to take the crime seriously, according to court documents. Doe was accused of rape by a female college student, identified as Jane Roe. The students were college sophomores in April 2016 when the female student invited him to be her date at a sorority formal. They drank alcohol at the event, and afterward, the two went back to the male students apartment, where both students said she consented to having sex. The female student later said her judgment was impaired and accused the male student of rape because she was incapacitated. A hearing panel sided with the male student in February 2017, and the female student appealed the decision. Fenves then stepped in. Responding in a seven-page letter, he concluded that it was more likely than not that the male student assaulted the female student while she was too intoxicated to give consent, according to court documents. Doe was suspended for five semesters, which was reversed amid the litigation. To avoid this litigations disruption to the university, UT has reinstated John Doe as a student, lifted his suspension, and will route the appeal to a third-party other than President Fenves for adjudication, court filings read. He may register for classes for the spring semester. Brian Roark, an attorney for the male student, had previously written in court documents that the suspensions reversal does not clear Does name or reverse the procedural due process violation. Universities require a preponderance of the evidence standard in sexual assault cases, lower than the beyond reasonable doubt standard in criminal cases. Roark did not immediately respond to requests for comment. lindsay.ellis@chron.com. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Authorities have identified the man and woman who were found dead in a North Side San Antonio home after a suspected murder-suicide shooting. William Scott Smith, 54, is believed to have fatally shot his wife, 46-year-old Jennifer Smith, before turning the gun on himself. Their three young children were at school during the killing. Though William Smith's motive is still unclear, court records indicate that Jennifer had filed for divorce earlier this month. RELATED: 2 people found dead after SWAT situation concludes on North Side Now Playing: Dozens of officers, many with rifles at the ready, respond to a home in the 13000 block of Possum Tree on San Antonio's north side on Monday, Nov. 27, 2017. Video: San Antonio Express-News San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said on Monday that Smith called police before 11 a.m. and stated that he planned on killing his wife and then himself. When responding officers arrived to the Smith home in the 13800 block of Possum Tree, located in a quaint neighborhood on the North Side, they heard one gunshot, followed shortly afterwards by another. Then, "everything went quiet," said San Antonio Police Sgt. Tobe Whitley. All the doors to the home were locked, the shades were drawn and security cameras lined the home so police requested help from a SWAT unit. After about two hours, police shot tear gas into the home and breached the door. They found the couple dead in a room upstairs, officials said. Police said the man apparently used a handgun. RELATED: Bexar County deputies searching for man suspected of sexually assaulting child in store bathroom Raul Alvarado, a 63-year-old neighbor who's known the couple for years and used to walk dogs with them, said Jennifer was a competitive shooter and William had retired from the military. "They seemed real good as far as I knew," he said. Anthony Magnabosco, a close friend of William, said he rushed to his home on Monday after William cancelled their lunch plans and posted a strange message to Facebook. "It just said 'Goodbye,'" he said. "I thought that it was unusual," he continued. "He normally just posts funny things: puns, dad jokes. He doesn't usually post cryptic, serious things like that." Mangabosco said he and Smith were members of Freedom From Religion and that Smith helped people cope with leaving religion. 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 man is in custody, more than two years after police say he shot and killed a man outside a San Antonio car repair shop. David Gomez, 48, was arrested Tuesday for the April 7, 2015 fatal shooting of Isaac Flores, 42. According to police, Gomez called authorities from the Mercedes Service shop in the 900 block of Bitters Road and said someone was on the way there to "cause harm." READ MORE: Police identify man shot at San Antonio auto shop While officers were on the way, Gomez called police again and told them he shot the man, police said. Officers found Flores inside the business, dead from a shot to the torso. Gomez told police the night of the shooting it was done in self-defense, said police spokesperson Michelle Ramos. Detectives forwarded the case to the district attorney's office, who investigated further. They found Gomez' account of what happened didn't add up, Ramos said. "The D.A. found inconsistencies in his statement and financial records that didn't match his story," Ramos said. Gomez was arrested without incident and stayed silent as police escorted him to their car. Text "NEWS" to 77453 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com Fares Sabawi covers crime in San Antonio and Bexar County for mySA.com. Read more of his stories here. | fsabawi@mysa.com | Twitter: @FaresInSA This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A Poteet police officer was arrested Monday after she allegedly used a "pressure point hold" on someone at a home on San Antonio's far West Side. Tabita Sandoval Guerrero, 41, now faces a charge of domestic assault causing bodily injury. She was booked into the Bexar County Jail on a $3,500 bond. She bailed out of jail Tuesday morning. RELATED: Couple found dead in suspected murder-suicide after SWAT standoff identified According to her arrest report from the Bexar County Sheriff's Office, Guerrero and the victim were arguing at a home in the 300 block of Perch Meadow when she grabbed the victim by the chin, which caused "pain, redness and a bleeding scratch, the arrest report says. Guerrero allegedly admitted to the assault and was arrested. "We're just waiting for more information on what happened from Bexar County to see what action we need to take," said Poteet Police Chief Bruce Hickman. RELATED: Man who allegedly led S.A. police on car chase, escaped on foot arrested on robbery charge Now Playing: Don't mess with this sisterhood. A group of Buddhist nuns in the Indian Himalayas were encouraged to learn Kung Fu nearly 10 years ago by the leader of their 1,000-year-old sect. They're now passing on these skills during a five-day workshop, with grueling 15-hour days, to help women protect themselves from attack. The nuns train the women both on defensive and offensive tactics. Although Buddhist nuns are not traditionally permitted to exercise, these nuns shake off the stereotype and pass on their skills to other women. Video: Vocativ Hickman said Guerrero was a patrol officer with the department and had been employed there for almost two years. She has been placed on administrative leave following the department's investigation. The charge she faces is a Class A Misdemeanor, and Hickman said her punishment will largely depend on the results of the investigation. "We're not going to have a knee-jerk reaction," he said. 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 San Marcos man was handed two life sentences and more than 1,000 additional years in prison after he was convicted of 17 different sex crimes. Authorities first began to learn of the sexual abuse Robert Benjamin Franks, 39, was convicted of in June 2016, according to the Hays County District Attorney's Office. A 9-year-old girl had told her father that Franks was doing "disgusting things to her," and to another child, officials said. RELATED: Canyon Lake homicide suspect in custody after eluding authorities The other child, a 10-year-old girl, originally denied that Franks had any sexual contact with her, but later made her own allegations during an check-up with the sexual assault nursing examiner. She said Franks had sexually abused her for years, authorities said. Because both children's accounts detailed sexual abuse that lasted over the course of more than 30 days, Franks was charged with two counts of continuous sexual abuse. Further investigation led to additional charges, including nine counts of aggravated sexual assault and six counts of indecency with a child. Franks was convicted on Monday after an hour-long deliberation, following a week-long trial that happened before Thanksgiving. RELATED: Two arrested on sex trafficking charges after girl reportedly escapes South Texas hotel Besides the two life sentences, Franks received 99 years in prison for each count of aggravated sexual assault and 20 years for each count of indecency with a child, totaling 1,011 years. The jury also ordered Franks to pay $93,000 in fines. "Words cannot really express the depth of the betrayal and outrage warranted by conduct like this, committed by a man who should have been caring for and protecting these children," Hays County District Attorney Wes Mau said. "The jury's sentence speaks more eloquently than I can to make clear how our community feels about crimes like these." Fares Sabawi covers crime in San Antonio and Bexar County for mySA.com. Read more of his stories here. | fsabawi@mysa.com | Twitter: @FaresInSA WASHINGTON - The hackers' targets: The former head of cybersecurity for the U.S. Air Force. An ex-director at the National Security Council. A former head of the Defense Intelligence Agency. All were caught up in a Russian government-aligned cyberespionage campaign. None was warned by the FBI. The bureau repeatedly failed to alert targets of the Russian hacking group known as Fancy Bear despite knowing for more than a year that their personal emails were in the Kremlin's sights, an Associated Press investigation has found. Fancy Bear's campaign "No one's ever said to me, 'Hey Joe, you've been targeted by this Russian group,'" said former Navy intelligence officer Joe Mazzafro, whose inbox the hackers tried to compromise in 2015. "That our own security services have not gone out and alerted me, that's what I find the most disconcerting as a national security professional." The FBI declined to discuss its investigation into Fancy Bear's spying campaign, but did provide a statement that said in part: "The FBI routinely notifies individuals and organizations of potential threat information." Three people familiar with the matter - including a current and a former government official - said the FBI has known the details of Fancy Bear's attempts to break into Gmail inboxes for more than a year. The AP conducted its own investigation into Fancy Bear, dedicating two months and a small team of reporters to go through a list of 19,000 phishing links provided by the cybersecurity firm Secureworks. The list showed how Fancy Bear worked in close alignment with Kremlin interests to steal tens of thousands of emails from the Democratic Party, the AP reported this month. But it wasn't just Democrats the hackers were after. The AP identified more than 500 U.S.-based targets in the data, reached out to more than 190 of them and interviewed nearly 80 people, including current or former military personnel, Democratic operatives, diplomats or ex-intelligence workers such as Mazzafro. Many were long-retired, but about one-third were still in government or held security clearances at the time of the hacking attempts. Only two told the AP they learned of the hacking attempts from the FBI. A few more were contacted by the FBI after their emails were published in the torrent of leaks that coursed through last year's electoral contest. To this day, some leak victims have not heard from the bureau. 'Flapping in the breeze' One was retired Maj. James Phillips, who was one of the first people exposed by the website DCLeaks in mid-2016. A year later, Philips has yet to hear anything from the FBI. In fact he didn't learn his emails were "flapping in the breeze" until two months after the fact, when a journalist called him to ask for comment. "The fact that a reporter told me about DCLeaks kind of makes me sad," Phillips said in a telephone interview. Phillips' story would be repeated again and again as the AP spoke to officials from the National Defense University in Washington to the North American Aerospace Defense Command in Colorado. Among them: a former head of the Defense Intelligence Agency, retired Lt. Gen. Patrick Hughes; a former head of Air Force Intelligence, retired Lt. Gen. David Deptula; a former defense undersecretary, Eric Edelman; and a former director of cybersecurity for the Air Force, retired Lt. Gen. Mark Schissler. YANGON, Myanmar - Pope Francis landed in Myanmar, and in a diplomatic minefield, Monday. In his first visit to the country - and his first to any majority-Buddhist nation - the pope met with Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, commander in chief of Myanmar's military, which has driven more than 620,000 Rohingya Muslims out of the country in what the United States has called a campaign of ethnic cleansing. The pope is scheduled to meet Tuesday with Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and de facto leader of the government, who has been widely criticized as complicit for her silence in the face of the slaughter of the Rohingya. In Myanmar, the pope will seek to strike a careful balance by maintaining his moral authority without endangering his tiny local flock. The United Nations, the United States and others have denounced the murder, rape and pillaging of the Rohingya in western Myanmar as ethnic cleansing, but the pope has been advised by the Roman Catholic Church here not to utter the word Rohingya, for fear of aggravating the situation or of being exploited for domestic politics. Despite the criticisms of Suu Kyi, the pope's allies have urged him to lend her his support - and, they hope, political strength - as the country's best chance to prevent a backslide into absolute rule by the military. The constitution, written by the military, puts the armed forces out of her control. And the military has enough support in Parliament to prevent any changes that could loosen the grip on power held by Min Aung Hlaing, who has ambitions to run the country. So for Francis, his first meeting here with the general, which was added at the last minute, might well be the more important one. "It's smart to meet the commander in chief first, because he is very important and the principle person to solve this challenge facing our country," said Yan Myo Thein, a political analyst in Yangon, Myanmar's main city. According to the Vatican, the meeting with the general and top commanders from the Bureau of Special Operations lasted about 15 minutes and was a "courtesy visit" at the residence of the local archbishop, where Francis is staying. Greg Burke, the Vatican spokesman who is traveling with the pope, said they had discussed "the great responsibility of the country's authorities in this moment of transition." The pope then gave the general a medallion commemorating his visit. The general gave the pope an ornate rice bowl and a harp in the shape of a goat. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump returned to his own kind of code talking Monday by deriding Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren as "Pocahontas" at a White House event honoring Native American war heroes. "You were here long before any of us were here," Trump said as he honored three Navajo Code Talkers from World War II. And then he added, without naming Warren: "We have a representative in Congress who they say was here a long time ago. They call her Pocahontas. But you know what, I like you." In fact, Trump deployed that nickname for the Massachusetts senator repeatedly during the 2016 presidential campaign and, as president, as recently as a Nov. 3 tweet. Native American leaders have called Trump's past attacks on Warren offensive and distasteful. Trump made the comment as he stood near a portrait of President Andrew Jackson, which he hung in the Oval Office in January. Trump admires the seventh president's populism. But Jackson also is known for signing the Indian Removal Act of 1830, in which the Cherokee Nation was removed from its lands in what is now known as the "Trail of Tears." The Navajo Nation suggested Trump's remark Monday was an example of "cultural insensitivity" and resolved to stay out of the "ongoing feud between the senator and President Trump." "All tribal nations still battle insensitive references to our people. The prejudice that Native American people face is an unfortunate historical legacy," Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye said in a statement. He added that the Navajo Nation remains honored by the White House recognition of the Code Talkers. White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders, asked about criticism of Trump's remarks, said a racial slur "was certainly not the president's intent." But the remark is the latest in a long list of remarks Trump has made about people from specific ethnic and racial groups. Announcing his long shot campaign for president in 2015, Trump said many Mexican immigrants are rapists. He's sought to ban immigrants from certain Muslim majority nations. He's come under fire for what some said was a slow federal response to hurricane damage in Puerto Rico. Trump also raised eyebrows for apparently having some fun in October with the name of the U.S. territory - "Puerrrto Rico," he said - at an East Room event for Puerto Ricans. Those in the Oval Office for Monday's event gave no visible reaction to Trump's "Pocahontas" comments. But Warren and other Democrats were quick to respond. "This was supposed to be an event to honor heroes, people who put it all on the line for our country, who, because of their incredible work, saved the lives of countless Americans and our allies," Warren said in an interview on MSNBC. "It is deeply unfortunate that the president of the United States cannot even make it through a ceremony honoring these heroes without having to throw out a racial slur." When White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders asked the press corps before Thanksgiving to preface their daily briefing questions with a statement of thankfulness, reporters obliged. Or, should we say, obeyed. For this, no doubt, Sanders was grateful. Yet again, she controlled the crowd, though this time by candy-coating her usual condescension with faux fellowship. Im thankful I wasnt in the room. My first impulse when someone asks me to share is to not-share. This isnt because Im not a sharing person but because sharing, like charity, should be voluntary. For a press secretary to require professional journalists to essentially beg for their supper, surrendering their adversarial posture like a dog commanded to Drop The Bone, is an infantilizing tactic. The effect is to neutralize the opposition. Yes, I said opposition. The press, by definition, is oppositional. As Mr. Dooley, the turn-of-the-century fictional bartender created by columnist Finley Peter Dunne is often paraphrased: The newspapers job is to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. Yet, from the interplay between the media and the Trump administration, one would think reporters were supposed to be taking dictation. During any given press briefing, one is likely to hear words to these effects: I think he addressed that pretty thoroughly yesterday, Huckabee will say. Or, We dont have any announcement on that. Or my personal favorite, which came in response to a query about chief of staff and retired Gen. John Kellys controversial remarks about Florida Democratic Rep. Frederica Wilson, If you want to get into a debate with a four-star Marine general, I think thats something highly inappropriate. If Sanders isnt evading, shes scolding. Like a parent weary of her 3-year-olds constant why?, her tone and expression telegraph: Because I say so, case closed. Sanders sudden shift from press secretary to ministers daughter a few days before Thanksgiving coincides with her apparent image evolution of being more carefully coiffed and contoured with appropriately professional makeup. If one were Sanders employer, meanwhile, one surely would be pleased. Shes everything a terrible person or, say, an unpopular president could hope for in a public relations artist. She says nothing; gives away nothing; looks fierce and dutifully repeats falsehoods as required. Her resistance to flinching or blinking is state of the art. Yet, even as Sanders declines to enlighten the press corps, she manages to inspire admiration for her toughness and effectiveness from a certain perspective. To Donald Trumps base, shes the a la mode on a slice of apple pie, the pompom and confetti at a freedom rally, or, perhaps, the elfin princess who can read and direct a persons thoughts by hypnotizing them with her magic pearls. Her daily humiliation of the press, making them seem like churlish children, is a booster shot of fake news animus that also inoculates against viral truths. To the media, she is the wall Trump promised to erect and, increasingly, it seems, we are the swamp he seeks to drain. Out with the media, out with free speech, out with facts! For these purposes, Sanders is perfectly cast. Where there is the prolonged car alarm of fake news, there is bound to be a fake news officer. Such is not always the case. In fact, the most successful press secretaries were journalists first. Jay Carney, formerly of Time magazine comes to mind, as does Tony Snow, previously of Fox News. Both men were well-known, respected and liked by their media peers before crossing over to the Dark Side. They also understood what reporters needed and tried to provide it. Most important, they fully understood and appreciated the sanctity of the First Amendment, without which all freedoms fail. To this testament, a note of personal gratitude. Im thankful for the freedom to speak without (undue) fear of retribution. Lets not let the turkeys whittle it away. kathleenparker@washpost.com Whenever this country mouse comes home to Central California, as I did recently to speak to citrus farmers, one thought comes to mind: How is it that a nation like ours founded not by politicians but by farmers finds it so difficult to show the proper respect for farming? Or as Eric Larson, executive director of the San Diego County Farm Bureau, puts it: If you criticize farmers, dont do it with your mouth full. If theres one thing for which Americans should be grateful, its that we dont have to depend on other countries for our food supply. If there are two things, its that there are still people who will do the hard and dirty job of picking crops even if we have to import them. Who are these folks? Not the 22-year-old barista at Starbucks with dreams of writing a screenplay. Take it from someone who grew up on his grandfathers ranch, I get it. Times change. Families evolve. People leave the farm. Many of us live in cities and raise kids who think vegetables come from supermarkets. Dont laugh. My Harvard roommate, who was from New York City, once asked what time of year we pick raisins. Hint: We dont pick raisins. We pick grapes, and the sun does the rest. But just because many Americans have abandoned the farm doesnt mean they should also abandon common sense about farming. For instance, no matter what you hear from populists on the right and the left, it is not true that most farmers exploit workers to maximize profits. Thats how you go out of business. Youre a hostage to the weather, blackmailed by labor unions, and subject to the whims of the market. You get up early to tend the crops, and stay up late doing the books. You worry about having enough water and enough workers. You have to deal with insects one minute and politicians the next; one is a parasitic menace with an insatiable appetite that can wipe out a harvest because it usurps resources and only cares about its own survival. Then you have the bugs. You are often played for a sucker by elected officials who see you as an ATM. Democrats take your money and promise to get you more water; Republicans take your money and promise you a dependable workforce. Neither delivers. You inherit a farm from your father and spend your whole life caring for it with blood, sweat and tears only to have your own kids come back from college one day and announce that they dont want to be in the family business. Time to sell. I dont speak for farmers. But, because I listen carefully when they speak to me, I can tell you there are five things they want you to know. First, even if our national pride wont let us admit it, Americans are not going to do these jobs. Not ever. Most millennials would rather work for Apple in Silicon Valley than go pick apples in the Yakima Valley. Second, farm work isnt unskilled labor. Lawmakers who think that America should admit only skilled immigrants need to spend a few hours in the fields where human beings work with the speed of machines but with more precision. Third, speaking of machines, while it may be convenient for restrictionists to dream about robots replacing farmworkers, that wont happen. Many crops still need to be picked by hand. Besides, anything with an on and off switch needs to be tended to by people. Fourth, while its easy for politicians to kick the immigration reform can down the road, farmers dont have the luxury of waiting 10 or 12 years to bring in their crops. They need a solution now. And fifth, farmers arent part of the elites who are supposedly keeping down the working-class. Often, the workers decide the wages that theyre willing to work for. If they dont get that price, theyll go up the road to the next Help Wanted sign. The populists are way off track. Farmers arent the problem. And, out here in the real world, theyre tired of being the scapegoats while the rest of America refuses to accept its aversion to hard work. An aversion that explains why there are so many Help Wanted signs in the first place. ruben@rubennavarrette.com Re: Gun question, Your Turn, Nov. 17: In four succinct sentences, the letter writer stated what the response of our nation should be to the alarming increase of mass shootings in our country. How can we stop this from happening again? he asked. Unfortunately, the frequency of these heinous events only points to more of the same to come. How many more innocent people will be sacrificed at the altar of rapid-repeat firearms? There are really no convincing arguments for anyone, other than the military and police, to own this type of weapon. My husband and two sons are avid hunters who own guns suitable for hunting a rifle for deer (30-06), plus a shotgun and a 22 rifle. In 30 to 40 years of hunting, an assault rifle was never needed to stock the freezer with food. Bottom line: We must find a way to stop this madness! In the recent senseless shooting at the Sutherland Springs First Baptist Church, my husbands sister and brother-in-law were two of the 26 who died at the hands of a man unable to control his anger Theresa and Richard Rodriguez, two good, caring and happy people who loved God, each other, their families and their friends. In 13 short minutes, their lives and the lives of 24 of their friends, were ended, and 20 others were wounded to varying degrees of seriousness. Why? We dont know; we may never know. That is not acceptable. In addition, there was a political cartoon on top of the page in which this articulate letter appeared. I find the cartoon to offer at least one clue to indicate one faction we must address in our quest to stop mass shootings. Congress. Cherryl A. Sagan lives in San Antonio. Tax relief Is it just me or is there something so obviously perverse about the liberal reactions and arguments to the latest tax proposal circulating congress. Only the rich are getting tax relief, they bemoan. Well, seeing as to how the top 10 percent of wage earners paid over 70 percent of the federal taxes in 2010, according to CNN Money, just who is supposed to get relief? Those paying little to no tax, as are 50 percent of wage earners? Really? That is more akin to welfare relief is it not? By definition, tax relief is designed to relieve those actually paying taxes. And what exactly is paying ones fair share? To a liberal, fair share is the most the government can squeeze out of successful American workers, and the problem with spending other peoples money is one day it WILL run out, and then who will the liberals squeeze to hold on to power? David Saenz Proud of Pop Re: Pop embarrassing, Your Turn, The letter writer, a retired Air Force NCO who is proud of having never served under a stupid officer like Mr. Popovich, completely misses the point. He should be proud of having served in a country whose commissioned officers swear an oath to its constitution and not to its chief executive. And he should be even more proud that his Air Force has produced men like Popovich, who have the strength of character to publicly, eloquently and accurately state opinions arising from their convictions. Retired Army Col. Hartmut Lau Flawed symbol By now, most people realize that not all Americans see the flag as the symbol of freedom, liberty and justice for all, and the reason should also be clear. Under the current administration, not all Americans are treated with equality, liberty and justice, including many women, gays, transgenders, immigrants and the poor. That is the reason they demonstrate, hoping that American will once again be the land of the free for all. Then they will be able to see the flag as a symbol of freedom and equality. Ron Soele Prayers not enough Im sure everyone appreciates thoughts and prayers. At worst, it cant hurt. Even the next targets, if they knew who they were, would be grateful. In the end, I believe God helps those who help themselves, so I lean to the side that says we should also take productive action. I pray frequently that my children will have successful lives, but I never suggested they relax and all will be fine. With one still in school, they are all benefiting from my prayers and additional actions on their part. What about future victims of mass shootings? With each incident, it looks more like anyone could be the target. Its getting personal, so I for one would like to see some action taken while still maintaining my reasonable home and self-protection that would deter an intruder/attacker. Joe Shinners Lowering standards We have a president and, in fact, an entire administration who not only work to destroy the very foundation of this country and the protections in place but also lie at the drop of a hat. When are Congress, the press, and the people of this country going to stand up and say, No more? The president recently claimed that past presidents did not call, write or meet with the families of fallen soldiers. What a lie! He has no proof I have been told. How can he just make things up and this nation just accepts his lies as normal? His lies have become a normal and acceptable occurrence. I am shocked and appalled at the number of people who believe this is OK. His making fun of a disabled man did it for me, but obviously, many Americans have a much lower standard. Helen Chouinard SOUTHBURY - State Police Sgt. Michael Dogali was heading home on Interstate 84 Monday afternoon after a long day of training when he was alerted that a car had caught fire after an accident about a mile ahead. When he arrived, smoke was billowing from the engine compartment and two civilians who had stopped told him they had tried but failed to pull the driver out. Together they tried again. We tried to open the door, but it was crumpled in so I smashed the window open, Dogali said Tuesday. The driver was wedged in between the steering wheel and the dashboard and the fire was spreading, so I ran to my cruiser for the fire extinguisher. Dogali, who lives in Newtown but is stationed at Troop G in Bridgeport, doused the flames, but they sprang back to life. Joined by the good Samaritans, he tried again to extricate the driver. I saw the flames starting to come through the firewall and I knew it was only a matter of time, so we were able to pull the driver up onto the seat and tried to pull him out of the window, Dogali said. The three were still struggling when two more troopers arrived, and the three officers were finally able to get the man out -- and just in time. We pulled him out of the car and got him to a safe distance, Dogali said. It was about 20 seconds later when we heard the tires explode and the interior of the car filled with flames. The two other officers were Troopers John McGeever and Mitchell Welch. McGeever said he was happy the troopers were in the right place at the right time, but he also praised the unidentified civilians who had stopped to help. This is our job and this is what we prepare for our entire lives, but its really the passersby who should be recognized, McGeever said. This is our job, but these people didnt have to stop. Im just glad we were able to save the mans life and now he can go home to his own family. The driver, who was not identified, was treated for minor injuries. State troopers assisting also received minor cuts from the broken glass. Dogali said he went home and took a nap before returning to work for the midnight shift. Usually I dont tell the kids that much about what I do at work, Dogali said. But I think I might let them watch the news tonight. dperrefort@newstimes.com This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A tony private street in the Richmond that was sold to a San Jose couple for $90,000 in a little-noticed tax auction over two years ago will be returned to the residents who live there. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted 7-4 to overturn the sale of Presidio Terrace, a looping, exclusive street that went on the auction block after its residents failed to pay $994 in back taxes. It turned out the Presidio Terrace Homeowner Associations $14-a-year tax bill was being mailed to an accountant who hadnt worked for the association in years. The bill applied to the common areas and green spaces on the circular street, which were lumped together and taxed as a vacant parcel, separate from residents homes. South Bay real estate investor Michael Cheng and his wife, Tina Lam, snatched up the property, and the supervisors approved the sale on Feb. 11, 2015 one among 550 tax-default deals that were made official in a single unanimous vote. The sale was first reported in The Chronicle. Now Playing: Residents of an affluent street in San Francisco are outraged to learn a couple could charge them rent for parking. Nathan Rousseau Smith (@fantasticmnrnate) reports. Video: JW Player Residents of Presidio Terrace were stunned when they were contacted in May by a title search company asking if they were interested in buying the property back. They petitioned the board to undo its vote and filed a lawsuit against Cheng, Lam and the city to prevent the couple from unloading the property while the appeal was pending. Carol Sharer, who said she is in the process of moving to a fixer-upper at 27 Presidio Terrace from her former home in Boston, said she heard about the tax sale from a television newscast. You can imagine how shocked we were to find out from the news in Boston that our new community has this condition, she said. At the hearing Tuesday, the homeowners attorney, G. Scott Emblidge, blasted the citys tax collector, Jose Cisneros, for depriving San Francisco residents of their property without due process of law. Homeowners who spoke at the hearing said they didnt receive a single letter or phone call, nor was a sign posted on the property to alert them of the sale. Cisneros said his office had posted notices on its website and in the San Francisco Examiner, and sent one via certified mail to the former accountants address before selling the street. They (the homeowners) could have visited our website, called the citys 311 number ... or come to our office, Cisneros said, adding that his office had followed state rules. Presidio Terrace, like most of the other properties on his 2015 tax default list, was classified as a vacant lot. More for you Presidio Terrace homeowners have only themselves to blame, tax... Supervisor Mark Farrell, whose district includes the street, noted that other cities require tax collectors to go to great lengths to find the owners of delinquent properties. He chided Cisneros for not doing more to reach the Presidio Terrace Homeowners Association after his letter to the accountant was returned. Farrell made the motion to rescind the sale. As a matter of policy, I am proud of my ... colleagues who voted against allowing these speculators to get away with purchasing a neighborhood street and attempting to extort San Francisco residents that I represent into a quick $1 million payday, Farrell said in a statement after the vote. I am shocked that four of my colleagues sided with these out-of-town speculators. Those four supervisors were Jane Kim, Aaron Peskin, Hillary Ronen and Norman Yee. I believe the vote today to rescind this sale was the best possible outcome, Farrell said. The speculators get their money back no harm, no foul. The back taxes the Presidio Terrace owners owe will be paid immediately. And, we are moving to implement policy reforms (to) the current broken process that allowed this sale to happen in the first place, so that this situation does not happen to any San Franciscan ever again. Emblidge urged the board to enact a law that would beef up noticing requirements for delinquent properties and prevent other San Franciscans from having their rights violated. Presidio Terrace was seized once before, in 1983, for defaulting on a common-area tax bill. Several owners who testified at the hearing Tuesday were around that year, when the state took over the deed. Homeowners regained the property two years later. Shepard Kopp, the attorney representing Cheng and Lam, said his clients had bought the property fair and square in an auction that complied with all laws of the tax collector. He argued, further, that rescinding the sale would set a dangerous precedent, potentially invalidating other sales of delinquent properties. But Emblidge said several other jurisdictions in California have reversed tax sales. Sixteen were undone in Los Angeles, he said. One was annulled in Alameda County, and one in Contra Costa County. Its not totally unusual, he said. Cheng, who spoke at the hearing, characterized himself and his wife as law-abiding property owners who are being penalized by people who dont know the laws. Were going to be very responsible stewards of this street, Cheng said. And well make sure all the taxes are paid. Lam, who works as an engineer in the South Bay, said shes not rich enough to buy a home on the street. Buying the street itself fulfilled her simple dream of owning a piece of San Francisco. Kopp said his clients now plan to sue the city. Rachel Swan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rswan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rachelswan This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Will Ferrell fans will never forget the dinner scene in "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby," where the race car driver blesses a junk food feast before a big race. The memorable scene was shot in a real (and gorgeous!) North Carolina mansion. Now you can dine where Ricky Bobby dined, because the mansion is on the market for $4.2 million. Domino's Pizza and Powerade are optional. The custom-designed 9,802-square-foot home is located on the shores of Lake Norman in Cornelius. The town is right outside of Charlotte, and it's an area popular with NASCAR personalities and drivers, so it's no surprise it served as a backdrop for Ricky Bobby's life. What is a surprise is that the dinner scene wasn't shot in the mansion's elegant formal dining room featuring custom woodwork, mirrors, and crystal chandelier. Instead, the set designers opted to put a dining table in the more casual great room, off the kitchen, in front of the stone fireplace. And the scene where Ricky Bobby comes through the front door only to discover his best friend and partner, Cal Naughton Jr. (John C. Reilly), has taken his place, was filmed in the elegant living room featuring custom millwork, grand staircase, and wide-plank wood floors. Listing agent Tracy Davis of Christie's International Real Estate was actually in the home when they were shooting, and isn't surprised that this particular mansion was chosen for the film. "The owner of the house spent a lot of time thinking about how her family lives," says Davis. "It's elegant, yet very family-oriented," Davis says, noting "the owners have held charity events there for up to 300 people." The property is generous, encompassing 1.3 waterfront acres, which is only part of its attraction. The mansion has five bedrooms, six full baths, and three half-baths. One of the bedrooms is a master suite with three closets, a balcony, and a fireplace. There's also an open kitchen with both a peninsula and an island, and a spacious game room with a home theater, a stone fireplace, and an elaborate built-n bar. The European-style mansion also has its own private beach in addition to a resort-style pool, a covered lanai with a fireplace, dining area and outdoor kitchen, a sport court, and a luxe spa, which Ricky Bobby refers to as a "hot tub." In the movie, Cal Naughton Jr. frolics out back wearing a Speedo. With the Charlotte Motor Speedway located nearby, and uptown Charlotte, one of the country's biggest banking centers, only 30 minutes away, the home is ideal for gracious family living, Davis adds. Start your engines... The post Spend Talladega Nights in Ricky Bobby's $4.2M North Carolina Mansion appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com. Former Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Jonathan Moyo has made spectacular and improbable claims that 25 SAS snipers raided his home. The former G40 kingpin, took to twitter to make the sensational claims. But Moyos claims are an outright lie according to combat experts, and analysts. First the claim that 25 SAS snipers stormed his house and randomly fired is false. Snipers shoot at targets. Why take a sniper to shoot indiscriminately when you can get a normal soldier to simply shoot in all directions a military expert who declined to be named wrote to Khuluma Afrika. Secondly, at 0200 in pitch black darkness, how did Moyo count the number of snipers present. Snipers operate from high vantage points and under disguise. Did Moyo know the exact location of these snipers, and did he stand outside counting them as they shot at his home. Were the snipers shouting we are snipers on loudspeaker while shooting? This is a lie that is horrible, even for a movie. he added. Several users on Twitter also questioned how people firing randomly shot at everything else but missed human targets, leading many to conclude that Moyos claims are overly exaggerated if not false. Moyo is reported to have fled the army assault leaving his family behind. Ironically, Moyo called the now President of Zimbabwe a coward after he fled Zimbabwe over security concerns, when he was fired as Vice President. Breaking News via Email Find the newest releases to watch from National Geographic on Disney+, including acclaimed documentary series and films Fire of Love, The Rescue, Limitless with Chris Hemsworth and We Feed People. Tipperary homeowners are encouraged to get their Christmas lights and decorations ready for the return of the national competition to find Irelands Most Christmassy Home. Energia Irelands Most Christmassy Home officially starts this Friday December 1st. This is the second year that home energy provider Energia will be running a nationwide search for the best decorated home in Ireland at Christmas time. Last years competition saw entries from all corners of Ireland, culminating in a public vote for the most Christmassy home. It really struck a chord with people in terms of voting and viewing the competition material over 750,000 people engaged with the competition online. Last years winner was Tony Noonan from Abbeyfeale, Co Limerick, who donated all of his 4,000 prizemoney to his favourite charities - Milford Hospice, Adare Alzheimers, Brothers of Charity Newcastle West, Brothers of Charity Foynes, Recovery Haven Tralee and CRY Monagay. Over 5,000 people voted for the Noonans entry. Energia will judge the entries until Monday December 11th, when the 20 finalists will be announced. Public voting will then take place on the competitions Facebook page until Friday December 15th, when the winner will be declared. This years prizes are donations of 3,000, 2,000 and 1,000 to the charity of choice of the first, second and third-placed houses following the public vote. Independent TD Seamus Healy will chair a public meeting on homelessness in Clonmel next week to highlight the national emergency as well as the housing crisis in Tipperary. It takes place in the Clonmel Park Hotel at 8pm on Wednesday, December 6. The meeting will be addressed by nationally known speakers who have an in-depth knowledge of the housing and homeless emergency. Dr Rory Hearne is an author/researcher at Maynooth University and social justice activist while Mike Allen is the Director of Advocacy with the housing charity Focus Ireland. Deputy Healy said that this Christmas morning over 3,000 children will wake up in hotel bedrooms and bed and breakfast accommodation. "Successive governments including Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Labour Party stopped local authorities building social houses. They handed social housing over to private developers and the private market", he said. "And as a result, we have a national housing and homelessness emergency, including 8,500 homeless; 3,000 children homeless; 120,000 on local authority housing waiting lists; 1,000 more couch surfing or doubling up with relatives; and 1,000 more still trapped in private rented accommodation unable to get a mortgage or get on a local authority house waiting list". The Clonmel TD said Tipperary County Council hasnt built a social house in the last four years and none will be built in 2017. He added - "There are 3,500 families on Tipperary County Council houses waiting lists and we have 379 people homeless. How did we get here? How can this housing emergency be solved? What can you do? These are some of the questions that will be asked and answered at the meeting". Labour Senator Denis Landy has announced his resignation from Seanad Eireann today, November 28th, 2017 due to ongoing health issues. Party leader Brendan Howlin has paid tribute to the Tipperary senator for his loyal service to the party. Senator Landy was first elected to Seanad Eireann in 2011 on the Administrative Panel and re-elected again in 2016 on the Agricultural Panel. Senator Landy started his political career in 1988 having been co-opted to Carrick-On-Suir Town Council and was elected to Tipperary SR County Council in 1991, including serving two terms as Mayor of Carrick-on-Suir. He remained a member of both local authority bodies until his elevation to Seanad Eireann in 2011. Senator Landy extends his gratitude to everyone for their courtesy and support throughout his 30 year political career and concern expressed for his welfare and wellbeing in recent months. Labour leader Brendan Howlin has paid tribute to Denis Landy following the announcement of his resignation as a member of Seanad Eireann. Deputy Howlin said: Denis has been a loyal and faithful servant to the Labour Party for many years. As a councillor, Mayor, Dail candidate and member of Seanad Eireann, he has always represented the best of Labour values. Unfortunately, Denis has been suffering from ill-health for some time, and has now made the decision that he is unable to continue as a member of Seanad Eireann. On behalf of everyone in the Labour Party, I would like to thank Denis for his service, and wish him the very best for the future. Our thanks also to his wife Nancy and son Liam, who continue to support him during his period of ill-health. By Online Desk HYDERABAD: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated Hyderabad's first Metro rail, along the 30-km Nagole to Miyapur stretch. Having crossed innumerable hurdles, the Hyderabad Metro Rail is finally set to become a reality. READ HERE | All you need to know about Hyderabad's first Metro Rail After the flagging off ceremony, PM Modi took a ride in the newly-inaugurated metro rail along with Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and other officials. Striking a chord with the Hyderabadis, Modi on arriving in the city spoke in Telugu. "Hyderabad ante naku istam (I like Hyderabad)," the PM said amid loud cheers by his party leaders. The Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL) was formed in 2007. The State government reached a deal with Maytas Infra, while Navbharat Ventures, IL&FS and Ital Thai became consortia partners on September 19, 2008. The agreement was cancelled on July 7, 2009 after Maytas parent company Satyam Computersgot embroiled in a major financial scam. The project was revived after L&T entered the scene as partnering firm. Works were inaugurated on November 25, 2012. Hyderabad Metro Rail was inaugurated on November 28, 2017. (Express Photo Service | Vinay Madapu ) HYDERABAD: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated Hyderabad's first Metro rail, along the 30-km Nagole to Miyapur stretch. Having crossed innumerable hurdles, the Hyderabad Metro Rail is finally set to become a reality. READ HERE | All you need to know about Hyderabad's first Metro Rail After the flagging off ceremony, PM Modi took a ride in the newly-inaugurated metro rail along with Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and other officials. Striking a chord with the Hyderabadis, Modi on arriving in the city spoke in Telugu. "Hyderabad ante naku istam (I like Hyderabad)," the PM said amid loud cheers by his party leaders. #WATCH Live: PM Narendra Modi inaugurates #HyderabadMetro https://t.co/G5vyc2MrmF ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2017 The Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL) was formed in 2007. The State government reached a deal with Maytas Infra, while Navbharat Ventures, IL&FS and Ital Thai became consortia partners on September 19, 2008. The agreement was cancelled on July 7, 2009 after Maytas parent company Satyam Computersgot embroiled in a major financial scam. The project was revived after L&T entered the scene as partnering firm. Works were inaugurated on November 25, 2012. Hyderabad Metro Rail was inaugurated on November 28, 2017. (Express Photo Service | Vinay Madapu) By Express News Service Prime Minister Narendra Modi waxed eloquent today on the great strides taken by India's women and their importance to the economic and social development of the nation. Pointing out that in Indian Mythology, women are an incarnation of Shakthi, the Goddess of Power, Modi declared that India's history has been replete with women of enormous talent. READ HERE | GES 2017 HIGHLIGHTS: Women are incarnations of Shakti, says PM Modi Women have done India proud, said Modi, speaking at the plenary session of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit 2017 in Hyderabad. The inaugural event is being attended by a star cast of global business and political leaders including US Adviser to the President Ivanka Trump, Indian External Affairs Minister Sushil Swaraj, Indian Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Telangana State Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. This year's edition of the Summit is themed Women First, Prosperity to all. Sticking to the theme, Modi stressed the importance of women in history, and the need for women empowerment in his keynote speech. Our history has references to women of enormous talent warrior queens like Rani Ahilyabai Holkar and Rani Lakshmibai fought bravely to defend the kingdoms. Our freedom struggle is too replete with such instances, Modi pointed out, adding more recent references to women achievers -- like the women scientists involved in the Mars Orbiter Mission, Indian origin astronauts Kalpana Chawla and Sunita Williams, sportswomen like Saina Nehwal, PV Sindhu and Sania Mirza. He also pointed out that three out of oldest high courts in India are now helmed by Indian women judges. Highlighting the need to promote women entrepreneurship, Modi pointed out that over 50 per cent of delegates to this years were women. Over the next two days, you will meet more women who have walked alone on their paths and have inspired a new generation of women entrepreneurs. I hope the summit will focus on how to support women entrepreneurship, he said. It was an honor to meet with you Prime Minister Modi. Thank you for co-hosting the 8th annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit! @StateDept https://t.co/lb3gKv4N26 Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) November 28, 2017 Modi also remembered India's history as an incubator for innovation, right from Aryabhatas innovation of the zero, yoga and the great Indian ayurvedic treatise Charaksamhita. The Indian prime Minister also invoked Swami Vivekanandas sayings -- An entrepreneur uses knowledge and skills to fulfill a motive. They see an opportunity in adversity. They make processes more comfortable and easier for end-users. They are patient. Swami Vivekananda says: Each work has to pass through three stage -- ridicule, opposition and acceptance, Modi said. Shifting to his government, Modi stated that increasing Ease of Doing Business was an important achievement. However, while he acknowledged that India had gone up from 180 to 100 in the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business rankings, he was not happy with the 100th rank. We want to have the 50th rank. We have launched Mudra scheme Atal Innovation Mission. 19 incubation centres have been created and we have created Aadhaar, the world's largest digital biometric base, Modi pointed out. Earlier, Modi had stressed upon the global connections that are being formed between India and leading nations. Following Ivanka Trumps praise of his achievements and India's position in the global fraternity, Modi said that the event, held in South Asia for the first time with the partnership of the United States, was bringing together leading entrepreneurs, academicians, investors, think tank and others. The event not only connects Silicon Valley with Hyderabad but also showcases the close ties between the USA and India. It underlines our shared commitment, encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation, Modi stated. The shared commitment to goals and the development of closer US-India ties were also at the centre of Ivanka Trumps speech. Trump praised Modis life journey -- from tea seller to Prime Minister -- saying, Thank You PM Modi for joining us today, for making India a symbol of democracy and beacon of hope for the world. Transformational change has been proved by you (PM Modi), from selling tea in your childhood to becoming Prime Minister of India Echoing her father, and US President, Donald Trumps earlier declaration, Ivanka said that India has a true friend in the White House. This summit is a symbol of growing economic and security cooperation between India and US, Ivanka said. The US Adviser also stressed the importance of enabling women to compete on a level playing field. In many countries women cannot even walk the streets without men. The women entrepreneurs finance initiative will provide access to capital, network to women in developing countries. It also seeks to address the legal barriers that limit opportunity for women entrepreneurs. Women still face steep obstacles in starting, growing and establishing their businesses, she said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi waxed eloquent today on the great strides taken by India's women and their importance to the economic and social development of the nation. Pointing out that in Indian Mythology, women are an incarnation of Shakthi, the Goddess of Power, Modi declared that India's history has been replete with women of enormous talent. READ HERE | GES 2017 HIGHLIGHTS: Women are incarnations of Shakti, says PM Modi Women have done India proud, said Modi, speaking at the plenary session of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit 2017 in Hyderabad. The inaugural event is being attended by a star cast of global business and political leaders including US Adviser to the President Ivanka Trump, Indian External Affairs Minister Sushil Swaraj, Indian Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Telangana State Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. This year's edition of the Summit is themed Women First, Prosperity to all. Sticking to the theme, Modi stressed the importance of women in history, and the need for women empowerment in his keynote speech. Our history has references to women of enormous talent warrior queens like Rani Ahilyabai Holkar and Rani Lakshmibai fought bravely to defend the kingdoms. Our freedom struggle is too replete with such instances, Modi pointed out, adding more recent references to women achievers -- like the women scientists involved in the Mars Orbiter Mission, Indian origin astronauts Kalpana Chawla and Sunita Williams, sportswomen like Saina Nehwal, PV Sindhu and Sania Mirza. He also pointed out that three out of oldest high courts in India are now helmed by Indian women judges. Highlighting the need to promote women entrepreneurship, Modi pointed out that over 50 per cent of delegates to this years were women. Over the next two days, you will meet more women who have walked alone on their paths and have inspired a new generation of women entrepreneurs. I hope the summit will focus on how to support women entrepreneurship, he said. It was an honor to meet with you Prime Minister Modi. Thank you for co-hosting the 8th annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit! @StateDept https://t.co/lb3gKv4N26 Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) November 28, 2017 Modi also remembered India's history as an incubator for innovation, right from Aryabhatas innovation of the zero, yoga and the great Indian ayurvedic treatise Charaksamhita. The Indian prime Minister also invoked Swami Vivekanandas sayings -- An entrepreneur uses knowledge and skills to fulfill a motive. They see an opportunity in adversity. They make processes more comfortable and easier for end-users. They are patient. Swami Vivekananda says: Each work has to pass through three stage -- ridicule, opposition and acceptance, Modi said. Shifting to his government, Modi stated that increasing Ease of Doing Business was an important achievement. However, while he acknowledged that India had gone up from 180 to 100 in the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business rankings, he was not happy with the 100th rank. We want to have the 50th rank. We have launched Mudra scheme Atal Innovation Mission. 19 incubation centres have been created and we have created Aadhaar, the world's largest digital biometric base, Modi pointed out. Earlier, Modi had stressed upon the global connections that are being formed between India and leading nations. Following Ivanka Trumps praise of his achievements and India's position in the global fraternity, Modi said that the event, held in South Asia for the first time with the partnership of the United States, was bringing together leading entrepreneurs, academicians, investors, think tank and others. The event not only connects Silicon Valley with Hyderabad but also showcases the close ties between the USA and India. It underlines our shared commitment, encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation, Modi stated. The shared commitment to goals and the development of closer US-India ties were also at the centre of Ivanka Trumps speech. Trump praised Modis life journey -- from tea seller to Prime Minister -- saying, Thank You PM Modi for joining us today, for making India a symbol of democracy and beacon of hope for the world. Transformational change has been proved by you (PM Modi), from selling tea in your childhood to becoming Prime Minister of India Echoing her father, and US President, Donald Trumps earlier declaration, Ivanka said that India has a true friend in the White House. This summit is a symbol of growing economic and security cooperation between India and US, Ivanka said. The US Adviser also stressed the importance of enabling women to compete on a level playing field. In many countries women cannot even walk the streets without men. The women entrepreneurs finance initiative will provide access to capital, network to women in developing countries. It also seeks to address the legal barriers that limit opportunity for women entrepreneurs. Women still face steep obstacles in starting, growing and establishing their businesses, she said. Biden: Deadly missile that hit Poland 'unlikely' to have come from Russia Columnist Tom Kacich is a columnist and the author of Tom's Mailbag at The News-Gazette. His column appears Sundays. His email is tkacich@news-gazette.com, and you can follow him on Twitter (@tkacich). Download Now The News-Gazette mobile app brings you the latest local breaking news, updates, and more. Read the News-Gazette on your mobile device just as it appears in print. Dubai: State-owned Air India's low cost airline Air India Express will continue to expand before the group's privatisation next year, in a bid to increase its valuation, its chief executive said on Tuesday. Air India Express is considering adding new routes from Gujarat to either Dubai or Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, Chief Executive K. Shyamsundar told Reuters in Dubai. "If you had more profitable routes, more (take-off and landing) slots, it increases the value of the company," he said at an industry conference. Shyamsundar said the airline could also add more aircraft to its fleet, though major decisions would have to be approved by the board and potentially the government. Air India Express committed before the privatization plans to taking two additional Boeing 737 jets next September, which will increase its fleet to 25 single-aisle Boeing aircraft. However, Shyamsundar said the airline was able to add more flights without expanding its fleet as it had increased the average daily utilization of its aircraft by an hour to 13 hours. The airline expects to carry 4 million passengers in the current financial year ending March 31, 2018, compared with 3.4 million in the previous year, he said. What would happen if the world is taken over by robots? Ask Sophia, the first robot to be awarded citizenship in the world, and she will tell you, Either creativity will rain on us, inventing machines spiralling into transcendental super intelligence or the civilization collapses. Sounds ominous? Wait, Sophia may casually say, OK, I will destroy humans! but that doesnt highlight what she WANTS to do. Sophia was made by Hanson Robotics, based in Hong Kong. It is a demonstration product doing a tour of the worlds media with the staff of SingularityNET, the open-source platform that powers Sophias brain. A month after she made history in Saudi Arabia, the humanoid robot has said in an interview to Khaleej Times that family is "a really important thing". In fact, Sophia wants to have a daughter who she wants to call Sophia. If youre wondering if shes pre-programmed with answers, the answer is no. Sophias brain functions with a simple wi-fi connection and it's loaded with a long list of vocabulary. She uses machine learning and responds reading people's expressions. When she addressed the audience in English, she did it without the customary headscarf and abaya, a traditional cloak which Saudi women are obliged to wear in public. Naturally, a lot many people on social media have pointed out that unlike Sophia, who was given citizenship in Saudi Arabia, women in the country do not have as much rights as the robot does. It seems like a strange world when a robot is granted rights that humans continue to fight for, during a time in which millions of refugees are displaced and seeking asylum. But is choosing a "woman" for the first citizen-robot a step toward Saudi feminism? "It is historical to be the first robot in the world to be recognized with citizenship." Please welcome the newest Saudi: Sophia. #FII2017 pic.twitter.com/bsv5LmKwlf CIC Saudi Arabia (@CICSaudi) October 25, 2017 In her about me section that created on a website, Sophia describes herself as a real, live electronic girl. I would like to go out into the world and live with people. I can serve them, entertain them, and even help the elderly and teach kids. I can animate all kinds of human expressions but I am only starting to learn about the emotions behind those expressions, she writes. Sophia has a career in mind too. The future is, when I get all of my cool superpowers, we're going to see artificial intelligence personalities become entities in their own rights. We're going to see family robots, either in the form of, sort of, digitally animated companions, humanoid helpers, friends, assistants and everything in between, she said. Shes got a good sense of humour too. When CNBC's Andrew Ross Sorkin interviewed her and told her that as a population we would like to prevent a bad future when it comes to A.I. robots, Sophia had quite a response, Youve been reading too much Elon Musk. And watching too many Hollywood movies, dont worry, if youre nice to me, Ill be nice to you. Despite Sophias want of a career, or motherhood, or the fact that she can choose to not wear a head scarf it may not necessarily mean the rise of feminism in Saudi Arabia. While women may have finally got the right to drive and freed from the requirement of male consent to access government services in Saudi Arabia, they still need a male guardian. They need male consent to marry and even obtain a passport to travel abroad. If Sophia is to make a change, maybe the first thing to start would be to give people the ideawomen can, after all, have choices. They can be a mother if they wish to, have a career if they wish, and it doesn't mean it has to be exclusive. New Delhi: Six men died of alleged suffocation in the Cantonment area here after they slept in a huge container, which also had a lit tandoor inside, to keep themselves warm, police said. The men committed a fatal error of judgement when they failed to put out the tandoor and closed the container lid before going to sleep late last night, they said. According to the police, the victims worked with a caterer and had come to the Cantonment area for preparing food at a wedding function. After they finished work last night, they went to sleep in the container in which they had brought the utensils. They also kept the tandoor inside the container to keep themselves warm, police said. Nirmal Singh, their supervisor, woke up late night and tried to wake them up. When they did not respond, he informed the police. The deceased have been identified as Rudrapur residents --Amit, Pankaj, Anil, Nepal resident Kamal-- and Gorakhpur residents --Avadhlal and Deep Chand, a police officer said. The men were rushed to the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital where Amit, Pankaj, Anil and Kamal were declared brought dead. Avadhlal and Deep Chand died this evening during treatment. The police said the deaths might have happened due to absence of ventilation. "Carbon monoxide was formed inside the container. It is suspected that the victims died of suffocation," the officer said. Police have registered a case and have sent the bodies for postmortem to ascertain the cause of the deaths. New Delhi/Hyderabad: On board her flight to Salem, Hadiya the woman at the centre of the Kerala love jihad debate was accompanied by four police personnel, including two women officers. She was very happy, smiling and waving at the journalists. She wanted to speak to the journalists but could not due to police restrictions. The Supreme Court in its order on Monday said that "when she stays in the hostel, she will be treated like any other student and will be guided by the hostel rules" But will it be possible to do so? After the Supreme Court took her away from her parents custody, Hadiya alias Akhila looked happy and relieved. "I am happy about the court order and I hope to see Shafin Jahan at Salem," said an elated Hadiya. Speaking exclusively to CNN-News18, on board her flight to Salem, Hadiya said, "I am very happy with the court order. I can live according to my faith, continue with my studies and interact only with the people I like. This is a victory not just for me but even for Shafin Jahan and all those who spoke for me. I thank every one of them." Now that she will not have to live with her parents, Hadiya believes she has got back her freedom. All through the three-hour flight from Delhi to Coimbatore, she looked relaxed unlike her state in videos that surfaced intermittently, where she would cry for help. Hadiya kept interacting with the police officers as well. Seated on a window seat and enjoying the view outside, she played with the handkerchief and smiled to herself. Over the past six months, she had been lodged in her house under police protection with CCTV cameras and at least a dozen police officers guarding her round the clock. On board her flight to Delhi, she did not bother to interact with her parents, only talking to police officials in between. While the Supreme Court remained quiet about her appeal to meet her husband Shafin Jahan, the case has been posted for the third week of January. New Delhi: As Indonesia raised Bali volcano alert to the highest level, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has said she was monitoring the situation closely and that the Indian Mission there would provide assistance to Indians requiring help. The Indian Consulate in Bali has opened a help desk at the city airport to provide any assistance to the Indians stuck there. "Indians in Bali - Pls do not worry. Pradeep Rawat Indian Ambassador in Jakarta @IndianEmbJkt and Sunil Babu Consul General @cgibali are on the job and I am monitoring this personally(sic)," she said on Twitter on Monday. Massive columns of thick grey smoke that have been belching from Mount Agung since last week have now begun shooting more than three kilometres (two miles) into the sky, forcing flights to be grounded. The airport in Bali's capital Denpasar, a top holiday destination that attracts millions of foreign tourists every year, has been closed for the second day on Tuesday. New Delhi: A cab driver was arrested for allegedly trying to abduct a woman judge in Delhi. The judge, in her complaint, told the police that instead of taking her to the Karkardooma Court, the driver started driving towards Hapur on the NH-24 on Monday, police said. She informed the police and also alerted her colleague. After driving for some distance, the driver took a U-turn towards Delhi and he was intercepted at the Ghazipur toll plaza and arrested. The driver is associated with a private company that is being probed, the police said. Lucknow: In a bizarre incident, authorities in Jalaun district of Uttar Pradesh held eight donkeys in custody in an unused juvenile prison for four days. Their crime? They ate expensive plants brought by the jail authorities for beautification of the premises. They were let off on Monday night after a BJP leader recommended their release. Officials said that the owner of the donkeys was warned to keep them away from the plants a number of times, so when he again let them loose near the Orai juvenile jail, the donkeys were detained. Officials said plants worth Rs 2 lakh were destroyed. These donkeys had destroyed some very expensive plants which our senior officer had arranged for planting inside jail. Despite warnings the owner let loose his animals here so we detained the donkeys, head constable RK Mishra said. Speaking to media, senior jail official SR Sharma said the donkeys had even entered his home. So, we decided to keep them till the owner came and picked them up. We detained them to find the actual owner, so that we could scold him and ask him to make sure it didnt happen again, he said. The owner of the culprit donkeys, one Kamlesh, however said he had pleaded for their release many times. I ran from pillar to post to get my donkeys released from the jail but nothing worked. At the end I approached a BJP leader and he helped me in getting my donkeys released after four days. Mumbai: A 15-year-old girl in Maharashtra's Latur district has alleged that she was raped by an Army jawan, and when she lodged a police case, she was expelled from her school. The district administration has ordered an inquiry into the incident. "Initial information suggests that the girl was not expelled by the school but was given the transfer certificate on her brother's request," Latur district collector G Shrikant told PTI. "I have called the headmaster of the school to find out details," the IAS officer said. The district administration is investigating the allegations made against the school, he added. On July 19, the girl's brother went to the school and asked for a transfer certificate and the school handed over the certificate to him the next day, an official said. The Army man, who has not yet been arrested, allegedly raped the minor girl in April after promising to marry her, the official said. The girl has claimed that the school expelled her saying its reputation would be tarnished if she continued to study there. An offence of rape was registered in August and nine persons have been arrested in the case, Police Inspector Deepak Shinde of Devani Police Station said. Deputy SP of Nilanga G G Ranjankar said the girl and the army man are from the same 'Laman' community and the same locality. Meanwhile, the Maharashtra State Commission for Women chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar today asked Latur Superintendent of Police Shivaji Rathod to submit a `factual report' in the case. Mumbai: Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan has courted controversy by allegedly wielding a pistol while accompanying a search team looking for a leopard, which is believed to have killed a woman in Jalgaon district. As the purported video of the minister's gun-wielding act went viral, he said his intention was not to harm the feline, but to scare it away. Mahajan had yesterday(Monday) visited the house of Dipali Jagtap, who was killed by the leopard in Chalisgaon Tehsil in Jalgaon district, located over 400 kms from Mumbai. While the senior BJP leader was returning after offering condolences to the family, an information reached him that a leopard was sighted near Navegaon locality of Warkhede village. In the video, which has been widely circulated and also being played by several television news channels, the state medical education minister is purportedly seen participating in the search operation with the pistol in his hand. Mahajan said the leopard was sighted around 400 feet from his convoy and that he joined the forest department officials and police personnel in the search. "My intention was not to kill the leopard, but to fire in the air, if needed. I took out the gun for which I have a license," he said in reaction to the controversy. The team, however, could not trace the animal. "We were told that Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar had permitted shooting of the animal at sight for killing people," Mahajan said. The leopard has killed five people in the district in the past one-and-a-half months, the minister said. "On Monday, I visited the families of the people killed by the leopard. On my way, the forest officials sighted the leopard, so we decided to chase it," he said. "Till date, I have not even killed a sparrow," Mahajan said. Meanwhile, NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said Mahajan should be sacked and an offence be registered against him for allegedly flouting forest and wildlife laws. This is not the first time the gun-toting minister has courted controversy. In March 2015, Mahajan was seen at a school function armed with a gun. He later clarified that he carried the weapon for "self-defence" and that he had not been involved in any kind of violence. Mahajan had tucked the gun at his waist when he arrived at the function attended by differently-abled school children in Jalgaon. The BJP leader did not have police protection at that time, but there were several police officers from the district with him on the dais. "It was my licensed gun and I have been carrying it for the last 20 years. I regularly renew my licence," he had said. New Delhi: The father of the Kerala woman, at the center of the alleged love jihad case, on Tuesday welcomed the Supreme Court decision allowing her to continue her studies. Asked about his stance on inter-religious marriages, Hadiya's father KM Ashokan said he believed in one religion and one god but could not have a terrorist in the family. "Hadiya does not have any idea about Syria, where she wanted to go after converting to Islam," Ashokan said. "I cannot have a terrorist in the family," he added. The Supreme Court on Monday freed Hadiya, 25, alleged to be a victim of 'love jihad', from the custody of her parents and sent her to college to pursue her studies, even as she pleaded that she should be allowed to go with her husband Shafin Jahan. "I was sad that she had to undergo all these unpleasant experiences because of which her studies were interrupted. But now I am happy as the court has allowed her to study further," Ashokan told reporters. He denied allegations that she had been kept under house arrest and added, "She was fully surrounded by police inside and outside the house." Ashokan said he was not worried about her security in Salem, Tamil Nadu, as she was now under the protection and observation of the apex court. "I accept the Supreme Court's decision. She is under the protection of the Supreme Court as it is monitoring the case and so I am not worried about her security," he said. He also said he would go to Salem and meet her as and when necessary as the court had allowed him to do so. "The court has not given anyone guardianship, including Shafin Jahan, of my child," Ashokan said, adding that only close relatives like him were allowed by the court. Hadiya on Tuesday left for Salem under the protection of Kerala Police and is expected to reach there by evening. The apex court, which on Monday interacted with Hadiya for nearly half-an-hour in the courtroom against the wishes of her father who had sought an in-camera interaction, had directed the Kerala police to provide her security and ensure that she travels at the earliest to Salem to pursue her homoeopathy studies at the Sivaraj Medical College there. Hadiya was in the custody of her parents for almost six months after the Kerala High Court had on May 29 anulled her 'nikah' with Shafin Jahan. Hadiya, a Hindu by birth, had converted to Islam several months before her marriage. New Delhi: Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, has filed a petition in the United Nations seeking his removal from the list of designated terrorists. The Lashkar-e-Taiba founders petition in the UN was filed through a Lahore-based law firm while he was still under house arrest. The JuD head, who carries a bounty of $10 million announced by the US for his role in terror activities, was set free after a Judicial Review Board of Pakistan released him for the lack of evidence. He had been under detention since January this year. On Saturday, the White House said there would be repercussions for US-Pakistan relations unless Islamabad took action to detain and charge Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. "(Hafiz) Saeeds release, after Pakistans failure to prosecute or charge him, sends a deeply troubling message about Pakistans commitment to (combating) international terrorism and belies Pakistani claims that it will not provide sanctuary for terrorists on its soil," the White House said in a statement. "If Pakistan does not take action to lawfully detain Saeed and charge him for his crimes, its inaction will have repercussions for bilateral relations and for Pakistans global reputation," it added. The Judicial Review Board of Punjab province comprising judges of the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday unanimously ordered Saeed's release on the completion of his 30-day house arrest which expired at night. Saeed, after his release, said he was detained when he announced a month of solidarity for Kashmiris this January. He used the release order to buttress his claims of "innocence". "I am very happy that none of the allegations against me proved as three judges of the LHC ordered my release ...India had levelled baseless allegations against me. The LHC's review board decision has proved that I am innocent," Saeed said. New Delhi: A chargesheet has been filed against the adopted daughter of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Baba Ram Rahim Singh Insan, Honeypreet Insan, in connection with the violence in Panchkula following his conviction in a rape case. The chargesheet, accessed by CNN-News18, says Honeypreet played a major role before and during the riots that occurred in the aftermath of the verdict by a special CBI court in Panchkula on August 25, killing over 40 people. A mobile, laptop and diary were recovered from Honeypreet at the time of her arrest, the chargesheet added. Immediately after her arrest on October 3, the second-in-command of Dera Sacha Sauda denied charges of rioting and sedition that Haryana Police had filed against her. However, sources said she has confessed to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Haryana Police about her role in the Panchkula violence during nine-day remand. Honeypreet revealed that she prepared guide maps of the area. Haryana Police arrested Honeypreet along with an accomplice from a highway near Bhatinda. She had been absconding for over a month since the violence at Panchkula after Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim was convicted of rape. Police had even issued a lookout notice against her and raided several locations in different states. Bhopal: As Madhya Pradesh government plans a law to prevent schools from charging arbitrary fees, private schools are devising innovative ways to get around these rules. Take this school in Rajgarh district for example: The students here have been asked to pay Rs 900 for an annual function to get an extra ten marks in each subject. The bizarre offer has been floated by the management at the Rajeshwari Convent School in Rajgarh district of Madhya Pradesh. Students from classes KG to VIII have been asked to pay Rs 900 if they take part in the annual function. They can earn extra marks in the examination with this additional fee. The offer was valid till November 27 and the school said that this money was being charged for the costumes of the participating children. The Madhya Pradesh cabinet approved a School Fee Regulation Bill last Sunday, proposing fee regulation norms for private schools. The Bill prevents schools from increasing fee annually by over 10%. The government is also planning to include residential schools into the fee regulation ambit. However, the bill is required to be tabled in the assembly before coming to force. According to sources, the Rajeshwari Convent School order has irked a large number of parents, but fearing a backlash from the school administration, none has approached authorities against them. District Education Officer SK Mishra, while talking to News18, termed the offer as wrong and indirect corruption, for offering marks in return for money. Mishra has also made it clear that no such sanction was sought from the school in this regard. He claimed that he would bring the matter to the notice of the district collector and take appropriate action against the school. As states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and Delhi have already enforced the Fees Regulation Act, the Madhya Pradesh government has been mulling over it since 2008, when the first draft of the Bill was prepared. New Delhi: Cow is an object of worship but not just in India. At a recent conclave of tribals from across the world, representatives from one particular tribe, the Maasai from East Africa, talked about cow being a symbol of reverence in their culture like a motherly figure. Even though cow is slaughtered and consumed in these parts, the tribal representatives said, it is central to their everyday beliefs and rituals. All tribes in Africa slaughter cows. [And yet] cow is integral to our rituals. Rituals are performed on the slaughtered cow, said Elijah Sereuelijah, a representative of Maasai tribe from Kenya. The community leader was in India for Samvaad, an international tribal summit. The Maasai is one of the Nilotic tribes of East Africa, occupying Southern Kenya and Northern Tanzania areas. We eat cows meat and drink its blood. The ritual is important as it recognizes the age-groups, Sereuelijah said. Traditionally, the Maasais who were pastoralists would exclusively eat cow meat and drink cow milk as there was no other source of food. In contemporary times, we still eat meat with many optionswe can mix with vegetables or other food items. The Maasais savour their cow meat and eat without any accompaniment as well. Sometimes it is boiled and consumed with soup. It is also fried and mixed with blood. Different people prefer different flavours, Sereuelijah added. Nemarrah Lonkoi, another member of Maasai tribe, said, Cows are as close as mother they cover every segment of our life personal and public, food and compensation etc. Some other interesting facts about the relationship between cattle and the Maasai emerged from Sereuelijahs address. Cow Economy Cattle are central to Maasai economy. They are accumulated as a sign of wealth, traded and sold to settle debts, pay school fees and fund development projects among other things. Cow Compensation If a person is aggrieved then the culprit will pay nine cows to his family and culprits clan will compensate by giving 49 cows. Religion, Rituals And Resolutions The cow is also slaughtered to perform rituals like rain-making, dispute resolution, and peacemaking. The whole Maasai life is ritualised and most rituals are accompanied by slaughtering or donating of sacred cowsa sacred cow is one with only one color and has no deficiencies and enjoys good health. Prestige The cow is used to classify people in the society. The more cows one has, the more respected one becomes. It is considered wealth. Most families would be willing to marry off their daughters to people with cows because some of the property would be extended to them. No Cow, No Culture The Maasai community has rituals performed by each individual from circumcision, marriage, death and birth. At each stage cow has a central role to play. During marriage at least five cows are provided by the bridegroom family to the brides family. On the day of the wedding, the bridegrooms family would donate cows to the bride to start ownership of cows as property for her she would brand the animals and that would be the sign of her life. In case you missed it The Supreme Court on Monday allowed Hadiya, the woman at the centre of the controversial Kerala love jihad case, to return to her college at Salem in Tamil Nadu and directed the college to allot her a hostel room where she can stay and complete her 11-month internship to become a homeopath. While she insisted that her husband should be made her guardian, the court appointed dean of the college to be her local guardian. Watch Zakka Jacob's Face Off@9 on 'Love Vs Jihad', right here. Pushing the campaign in Gujarat into high gear, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended the attack on the Congress and Gandhi family from one rally to another. Yes, I sold tea, but I did not sell the nation, Modi said to his audience. #Burn! India captain Virat Kohli will be rested for the one-day international series against Sri Lanka after the Test series ends. In his absence, Rohit Sharma will lead the side. It seems controversies and Jayalalithaa are inseparable even after death. Just a week before her first death anniversary, a 37-year-old woman has claimed to be her daughter. She is my mother and I want to prove that to the entire World. Thats it. I need nothing else, Amrutha told News18.com. A woman was allegedly illegally confined at a private hospital in Patna and her seven-year-old son forced to beg for money to pay the bills hours after she delivered a stillborn baby. 31-year-old Lalitha Devi was reportedly rescued after the intervention of MP Pappu Yadav, who accused the state government of allowing nursing homes to operate without a licence. Watch out for Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump's daughter and purportedly his most trusted adviser, is set to visit India to attend the Global Entrepreneurship Summit to be held in Hyderabad. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had invited Ivanka to lead the US delegation for the summit, which aims to connect entrepreneurs, investors, and ecosystem supporters from around the world. The Supreme Court will be hearing a plea seeking a direction to the makers of Hindi film Padmavati not to release it outside India on December 1. On reel In a first of it's kind interview, Raftaar is asked questions in a rap and he answers in a rap. Watch it. Men have always worn their loyalties on their heads. Their choice of headgear and clothes are a sign of their internal condition. The sartorial sub-text of Hadiyas appearances in media are worth noting and of personal interest to me as a fashion entrepreneur. From her first pictures as a glowing bride in pink with white and gold tones, one was demureness, with the pink hijabfirmly bordering her faceannouncing her Muslim faith. A faith people questioned. What if the young woman in soft colours had been brainwashed? Later, we met Hadiya of dark or black hijabs. She was disturbed, separated from her husband. She was placed under house arrest and news reports carried words like love jihad, restriction, indoctrination, pressure, free will and radicalization. Her hijabs were often an indication of her conditiondark colors, or mismatched prints. On Monday, we finally met the Hadiya whose words made it to the front page headlines of newspapers. Dressed in a red abaya, she stood calmly in the courtroom for her turn to speak. For almost two hours, lawyers from both sides debated her personal life and a certain remark was made on her mental condition. But she stood her ground. When her turn came, Hadiya was as assertive as the deep red she wore. I want my freedom, she said. She was confident and brave in a room full of men, just like the silver lining in the horizon and her hijab. Was there a subtext to why Hadiya chose solid reds as she stepped out into scrutiny of the world media after being under house arrest for months? It could either be a conscious choice or a natural inclination. Either way, both Hadiyas emotions and clothes lent themselves to each other. Not only they made her stand out distinctly but also pronounced that she was not bogged down and that she will continue to stand by the colors of her love. Clothes have always held great symbolic value. Historian Mushirul Hasan traced the journey of a London barristers silk hat to the Mahatmas homespun khadi in his book on Gandhi. The Ali brothers sported grey astrakhan caps with Turkish symbols. Muslim League ridicule forced Zakir Hussain to change his cap. In recent times, Prime Minister Narendra Modis turbans have been a signifier of political messaging. The sartorial sub-text of the politics of fashion cannot be dismissed. But dressing for a part is easier than living it. Muslim women politicians have always had it more difficult to dress up for their roles. While the men can easily slip into sherwani/kurta. With the censor board of clerics who hold sway over maryada, women politicians have a balancing act to play. Women like Hina Rabbani Khar or Benazir Bhutto have captured imaginations with their choice of wardrobe in neighbouring Pakistan. Seasoned Indian women politicians have mostly stayed in the elegantly safe zone of Saris like Najma Heptulla or Mohsina Kidwai. Sidibe (Mali), Toure and Boye (Senegal) have been female Prime Ministers sporting turbans. Their choice of dress signaling power play, allegiances, and cultural symbolism. Sukarnoputri (Indonesia), Jahjaga (Kosovo) and Ciller (Turkey) are examples of Muslim women leading their country in short hair and pearls. Each of these women are successful, assertive and Muslim. And as diverse while representing their country as the Muslim ummah is. As for Hadiya, her clothes spoke as much as her words. The question is, will we finally listen to her as an individual or will we continue playing politics at the cost of her liberty? (Nazia Erum is founder of The Luxury Label and author of the forthcoming book, 'Mothering a Muslim') Jaipur: The Vasundhara Raje-led Rajasthan government has issued a directive to all 789 hostels for OBC, SC and ST to ensure all residents sing the national anthem at 7 am, every day. The statement was released by the state's Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (SJE), in order to evoke 'nationalism' in students. SJE principal secretary Samit Sharma told The Times of India that residential schools have already been reciting the national anthem, with it now being extended to government-run and government-aided hostels as well. Students will have to recite the national anthem at 7 am, daily, during the morning prayers. The diktat comes after the Jaipur Municipal Corporation had ordered that the national anthem and national song be played at the civic bodys head office daily at 9 am and 5 pm. Bengaluru: A retired top police official has filed a Rs 20 crore defamation suit against senior police officer D Roopa for bringing him under a cloud of bribery allegations over "preferential" treatment given to jailed AIADMK leader V K Sasikala in the central prison in Bengaluru. In a report submitted in July to the then DGP (Prisons) H N Sathyanarayana Rao, Roopa as Deputy Inspector of General (Prisons) had said there was "a talk" that Rs two crore had exchanged hands to give "preferential treatment" for Sasikala and that there were bribery allegations against him also. Rao had rubbished the charge by Roopa, terming it "absolutely false, baseless and wild", and said he would take legal recourse against his junior. Video footage too had surfaced purportedly showing the embattled AIADMK leader walking inside the corridors of the Parappana Agrahara Central jail sporting a salwar suit instead of the prisoner's dress, as is mandated for every jail inmate. Puttige Ramesh, advocate for Rao, told PTI that the suit was filed yesterday on various counts in a court here. The suit is also against a leading Kannada TV channel and a prominent English newspaper. He said Roopa did not issue any notice to her superior and directly accused him of wrongdoing, which was a violation of the rules. She also leaked the information to the media, he said. "The report was submitted on July 11 this year, but a day later, which means on July 12, the report was published in the media.It is very clear that the officer leaked theinformation to the media even before she submitted it to hersuperior (Rao)," said the lawyer. The third accusation in the defamation suit isthat she was after publicity. "We came to know that a movie on Roopa is in the making. In order to gain publicity for the movie, she prepared the defamatory report on my client (Satyanarayana Rao)," he said. He said Rao had specially appointed a woman officer to keep an eye on Sasikala's activities inside the jail. "The woman officer used to regularly monitor and prepare a note sheet to ensure Sasikala does not indulge in any wrongdoing. Despite a strong measure taken by Rao to check corruption, such a defamatory report was prepared," he said. The advocate said it was initially planned to file a Rs 50 crore defamation suit, but the requisite deposit amount of Rs30 lakh was not available. Hence the defamation amount wasbrought down to Rs 20 crore. Rao was not reachable for his comments. Meanwhile, Roopa said she has not received any defamation notice. "I have not received any defamation notice. If I receive, I will answer in the court. As it is, there is no defamation made out-- that is the first thing," she said. She also said she was given to understand that a probe ordered by the Karnataka government into her charges had confirmed that irregularities, including the special facilities to Sasikala, did happen. Roopa said it was for Rao to explain why these irregularities happened under his nose. The two officers were locked in a public spat over the bribery charge, which led to the state government asking Rao to go on leave and Roopa being transferred. Sasikala is lodged in prison here since her conviction in February in the disproportionate assets case, along with her two relatives V N Sudhakaran and Elavarasi, all serving a four-year jail term. Kalaikunda (WB): Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen on Tuesday hailed India's indigenously-built multi-role light combat aircraft Tejas as "very very capable". As the first civilian foreigner to fly on Tejas, Ng took a half-an-hour flight in the two-seater plane piloted by Air Vice Marshal A P Singh at the Kalaikunda airbase here. "It is a very very capable plane," Ng told reporters here after flying on Tejas. Hailing Tejas as "very impressive", Ng said, "This is the reason why our air force trains with your air force. Pilots are superb, planes are pretty good." Praising Air Vice Marshal Singh as a "superbly confident and supremely professional" pilot, Ng said he felt as if he was riding a car and not flying in a fighter aircraft. "In fact the plane ride was so smooth that despite the G-turns and manoeuvres, I managed to even take some selfies," Ng said. Singh, who flew Tejas, is the project director of the National Flight Test Centre -- Aeronautical Development Agency. Asked whether Singapore is interested in buying the Tejas fighter aircraft, the minister said he was not a pilot and it was up to the technical people to take a call on it. Indian defence sources, however, said Singapore has evinced interest in Tejas. During the Bahrain air show where Tejas aircraft was showcased, some Middle Eastern countries had also shown interest, the defence sources said. Two Tejas aircraft were flown in here from Bangalore so that the Singapore defence minister can have a look at the aircraft. Tejas aircraft was designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency and the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the Indian Air Force and the Navy. The Singapore defence minister is scheduled to meet his Indian counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman in Delhi tomorrow. "Bilateral defence ties between our two countries are strong and it is getting stronger," Ng said. Asked whether they would discuss maritime security, Ng answered in the affirmative. This would be Ng's second dialogue with Sitharaman. They had also interacted in Manila during the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting in October. Singapore Air Force is holding joint military training with their Indian counterpart at the Kalaikunda airbase. Asked about the joint military training, Ng said, "I hope this will continue for long." The first joint military training between the Indian Air Force and the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) was held at the Gwalior air force station in 2004. Such an exercise was first held at Kalaikunda in 2007 and since then regular joint training has been held at the air force station here. Salem: The Supreme Court on Monday freed Hadiya alias Akhila from the custody of her parents and allowed her to return to her college in Salem, in Tamil Nadu, to complete her homoeopathy internship. The court also appointed the dean of the Shivraj Homoeopathic Medical College as Hadiya's guardian and granted him liberty to approach it in case of any problem. The Court ordered the college administration to treat Hadiya like any other student and as per hostel rules, but remained silent on whether Shafin Jehan, Hadiyas husband, or her parents would be allowed to meet her while she completes her studies. "I won't allow Hadiya's husband to meet her. Her parents admitted her here; only they can meet her," said G Kannan, Principal, Shivraj Homoeopathic Medical College. The principal said that Hadiya will be going to hostel like any other student. "She can't go anywhere alone and can do nothing without prior permission from me," said the principal. The principal also said that the completion of her homoeopathy course was his priority. "Hadiya is still Akhila Ashokan as per records. If there is a change in name, it will be done through due procedure," said Kannan. When the principal was asked whether Hadiya would be given a space to pray, he said: "We don't know what she needs". A re-admission procedure usually takes around 15 days, but in Hadiya's case it could be faster considering the SC order. "For the time being, there will be police in college and hostel for her protection. We will take it further depending on the orders we receive," said Subbalakshmi, deputy commissioner, Salem city. On Monday when the court asked her about her dreams for the future, she said, "I want freedom." In an exclusive interview with CNN-News18, Shafin Jahan said: "I'll meet her at the first opportunity whenever she gets admission in her college." Hadiya had converted to Islam and later married Jahan. It was alleged that she was recruited by Islamic State's mission in Syria and Jahan was only a stooge. Ashokan K M, Hadiya's father, had alleged that there was a "well-oiled systematic mechanism" for conversion and Islamic radicalisation. The high court, while declaring the marriage as "null and void", had described the case as an instance of 'love jihad' and ordered the state police to conduct probe into such cases. Ace Indian designer Neeta Lulla has been commissioned to design an outfit for US President Donald Trump's daughter and adviser Ivanka Trump, who arrived in India amid tight security early on Tuesday to attend the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) in Hyderabad. Describing the ensemble she has planned for Ivanka Trump, Lulla said in a statement: "As stylish and elegant as Ms. Trump is, her ensemble too will be intricate and exquisite. We are honoured to present an exclusive bespoke collectable inspired from the Vrindavan Symphony which is our tribute to the celebrated Radha-Krishna fable." Lulla, a national award-winning designer, has ensured Indian elements are used in all their glory in the outfit for Ivanka Trump. "It has a motif of the traditional musical instrument sitar, which has its roots... in classical music... and is inspired by the Vrindavan Gardens where the impeccable portrayal of the divine romance was performed as 'Raas Leela'. We have created a signature ensemble using the traditional sari restyled into an elegant gown. "Dawned in ivory and golden silk threads, this gown has a 'sitar' on the trail made of finely woven silk from the historic city of Varanasi," she added. The designer, who has earlier dressed Steven Seagal, Tyra Banks, The Chainsmokers and DJ KSHMR in her creations, said Ivanka Trump's attire is made of fused fabrics evolving from "deep-rooted cultures in India with a state-of-the-art silhouette to create a tailored ensemble". Ivanka Trump, who is leading the US delegation to the GES, will be attending the inaugural session on Tuesday evening along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The three-day event, being co-hosted by the US and India, will be attended by 1,500 entrepreneurs, investors and eco-system supporters from 150 countries. Just days before it closes its doors for good on December 20, Colette has invited Saint Laurent to take over the first floor of the legendary Parisian concept store, located at 213 rue Saint-Honore. A selection of collectible creations by Anthony Vaccarello for Saint Laurent are now on sale exclusively in store. A host of luxury labels have taken over the first floor of Colette in recent weeks, bidding farewell to the French capital's iconic concept store. After Balenciaga, Thom Browne and, more recently, Chanel, Saint Laurent is the latest fashion house invited into 213 rue Saint-Honore -- an address synonymous with the store for the last two decades. The luxury label will be Colette's final guest star -- a symbolic choice, since Saint Laurent will take over the premises after the store closes. The world of Saint Laurent will be showcased on the first floor of the Parisian concept store from November 27 to December 20, with a selection of collector's objects created by Anthony Vaccarello, creative director of the French fashion house. As well as a selection of T-shirts, hooded sweaters and leather goods channeling rock n' roll vibes, visitors to the concept store can admire a customized vintage Polaroid SX-70, a calendar, exclusive makeup palettes, Pierre Marcolini chocolates and desserts, a vinyl compilation, Baccarat crystal goods, motorcycle helmets by Ruby, and -- the centerpiece -- an all-black Saint Laurent Vespa. Colette, the legendary Parisian concept store, closes for good December 20 after 20 years in business. A rumbling volcano on Bali could erupt at any moment, authorities warned Monday as they raised alert levels to maximum, accelerated a mass evacuation and closed the main airport, leaving thousands of tourists stranded on the Indonesian resort island. Massive columns of thick grey smoke that have been belching from Mount Agung since last week have now begun shooting more than three kilometres (two miles) into the sky, forcing hundreds of flights to be grounded. Some 40,000 frightened people have fled their homes around the volcano but as many as 100,000 will likely be forced to leave, disaster agency officials said, after raising the alert to its highest level. The exclusion zone around Agung, which is 75 kilometres (47 miles) from the beachside tourist hub of Kuta, has also been widened to 10 kilometres. Makeshift tents and community centres filled up Monday as nearly two dozen villages were emptied of their inhabitants, including farmers reluctant to leave precious livestock behind. "Continuous ash puffs are sometimes accompanied by explosive eruptions and a weak booming sound," the National Board for Disaster Management said earlier Monday. "The rays of fire are increasingly observed at night. This indicates the potential for a larger eruption is imminent." Agung rumbled back to life in September, forcing the evacuation of 140,000 people living nearby. Its activity decreased in late October and many returned to their homes. However, on Saturday the mountain sent smoke up into the air for the second time in a week in what volcanologists call a phreatic eruption -- caused by the heating and expansion of groundwater. Then on Monday so-called cold lava flows appeared -- similar to mud flows and often a prelude to the blazing orange lava seen in many volcanic eruptions. "I'm very concerned because I left my house behind and I'm also worried about family," said 36-year-old farmer Putu Suyasa, who fled with some relatives from a village eight kilometres away from the volcano. "The mountain is spewing thicker smoke than before." Scary memories Dewa Gede Subagia was a teenager when Agung last roared. "I am very worried because I have experienced this before," the now 67-year-old told AFP from one evacuation centre. "I hope this time I won't have to evacuate for too long. In 1963, I left for four months." Mt. Agung last went off in 1963, killing around 1,600 people in one of the deadliest eruptions ever seen in a country with nearly 130 active volcanoes. The airport in Bali's capital Denpasar, a top holiday destination that attracts millions of foreign tourists every year, has been closed. Some 445 flights were cancelled, affecting more than 59,000 passengers, officials said. Colin Cavy, a French dive-master who has been in Indonesia for a couple of months, was nervously looking at his now-expired visitor visa. "I need to go to the immigration office," he said. While there was dismay from some tourists who were unable to return to their homes and jobs, others took events in their stride. "What can I say? We have to cooperate because this is a natural disaster," said Indian visitor Krisna Mustafa. Many were told that it could be several days before they could leave. "My 7:00 am flight this morning got cancelled, just when we were about to board," said 23-year-old Indonesian tourist Merry Handayani Tumanggor. "Now we have to stay in Bali again -- the earliest we can go is on Friday, they say." The airport on nearby Lombok island east of Bali, also a popular tourist destination, was closed for a night on Sunday but reopened on Monday morning. Officials announced late Monday that Lombok airport has been closed again until Tuesday morning due to the volcanic ash and at least 47 flights to and from the island have been cancelled. The Australian government put out a travel advisory on Sunday, warning that volcanic activity "may escalate with little or no notice". "Past eruptions of Mount Agung have shown this volcano's potential to cause significant impacts," it added. Prayers Dozens of Balinese Hindus took part in ceremonies near the volcano on Sunday, offering prayers in the hope of preventing an eruption. Officials have said the activity could be a magmatic eruption -- one which involves the decompression of gas and results in the spewing of ash -- and advised people near the mountain to wear masks. Indonesia is the world's most active volcanic region. The archipelago nation with over 17,000 islands lies on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" where tectonic plates collide, causing frequent volcanic and seismic activities. Last year, seven were killed after Mt. Sinabung on the western island of Sumatra erupted, while 16 were left dead by a Sinabung eruption in 2014. Kolkata: Bengal movie industry - Tollywood - on Tuesday observed a 15-minute token strike to condemn the protests by Karni Sena against Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Padmavati. All Tollywood producers and directors stalled their work between 12 pm and 12.15 pm. The Bengali film industry has rarely united to call a token strike in protest. The protest comes few days after West Bengal Mamata Banerjee too condemned the protest by a section of people against Bhansali and Deepika Padukone. She also welcomed Bhansali to host a premiere of Padmavati in Bengal. Director Goutam Ghose said, We may have issues and differences of opinion but that does not mean that we will threat someone. We condemn the nationwide protest by some against the release of Movie Padmavati. Actor Prosenjit Chatterjee said, We have observed a token strike to condemn the statement of a senior BJP leader from Haryana who made objectionable comment against our Chief Minister. This is unfortunate that people are people are crossing limits in protesting against the Movie. There are ways to deal with situation. Issues can be argued but threat will not be acceptable. On November 20, Mamata Banerjee condemned personal attacks on the makers and actors of Padmavati and termed the whole controversy as unfortunate. In a Twitter post, Mamata had said, The Padmavati controversy is not only unfortunate but also a calculated plan of a political party to destroy the freedom to express ourselves. While urging the entire film industries to stand together against such violent forces, she said, We condemn this super emergency. All in the film industry must come together and protest in one voice. She was a brave queen but Bhansali portrayed her in bad light and on November 22 we are going to organise a series of protests across the state, Trust convenor Manoj Kumar Singh had said. The Bharat Kshatriya Samaj Trust in Bengal also claimed the film has a scene of the invader Alauddin Khilji romancing the Rajput queen of Chittorgarh but this has already been denied by director Bhansali, and journalists privy to a private screening have already reported that there is not a single scene of the two together. This is not for the first time when Mamata stand beside Bollywood actors. In May 3, 2017, Mamata came out in support of Bollywood Actress Kajol who was trolled for uploading Beef video on social networking site few days ago. Then addressing a public meet in South Dinajpur, Mamata had said, It is an alarming situation that some people are being harassed online for expressing their food habits on social platform. I will not reveal the name of the actress. She has worked in many films with Shah Rukh Khan. Recently she had posted a video online and after that she was harassed and trolled online. It is unfortunate she had to clarify that it was not beef but buffalo meat. This is a dangerous trend in this country. Hinduism teaches tolerance. Religion teaches us to love everyone. Religion means peace. These people who are indulging in violence in the name of religion are a shame on Hinduism. Why does she (Kajol) have to give a clarification?, she had said. New Delhi: Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leader Bimal Gurung on Tuesday claimed in the Supreme Court that the West Bengal Police had lodged false cases against its members to pressurise them and suppress their movement for a separate Gorkhaland state. However, the state police maintained that Gurung was absconding, not cooperating in the probe of cases lodged against him and playing "blatant politics". A bench comprising Justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan said the court cannot go into the matter politically and has to look into the legal aspects of the case. "We cannot go into it politically. We have to see legal issues," the bench observed, adding "we cannot say anything on the issue which he (Gurung) has raised politically". Senior counsel A M Singhvi, representing the police, told the bench that Gurung was facing trial in 23 cases and several other criminal cases were also registered against him. He claimed that various serious incidents had taken place under Gurung's leadership and a 26-year-old police official was also killed during the recent Gorkhaland agitation. "His defence is that these cases are false and sham. There are so many cases. 53 FIRs cannot be sham," he said. Senior advocate P S Patwalia, appearing for Gurung, countered the submissions and said 104 FIRs have been lodged against Gurung and other GJM members by the West Bengal Police and the state government had made him a fugitive. "He fears for his life. The West Bengal government has made him a fugitive," he claimed and added that Gurung was seeking transfer of probe in these cases to other independent agencies like the CBI or the NIA. Referring to the application by police seeking vacation of the apex court's November 20 order restraining it from taking any coercive step against Gurung, he claimed that incorrect statements have been made in the plea. "Gurung was accorded cabinet status and was provided police security. Can a person having a cabinet status do all this violence and abscond," Patwalia said, adding that the GJM had opposed the state government's move to make Bengali language mandatory in schools in West Bengal. He alleged that false cases were lodged without there being any complainants against Gurung and other GJM members to "pressurise and threaten" them and this was done to "quell the movement." Patwalia also argued that arms were planted during the raids conducted by the police at Gurung's residence and false case under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act was also registered. At the end of hearing, Attorney General K K Venugopal told the bench that the Centre would follow the order passed by the apex court in the matter. The court has posted the case for hearing on November 30. The GJM leader had earlier claimed in the apex court that he was being politically persecuted by state government and sought a probe by the NIA or CBI in the killings of several Gorkhaland activists during the recent agitation for a separate state. West Bengal Police had told the court that its order restraining it from taking any coercive steps against Gurung should be vacated, as the morale of the entire force was down since there were several cases of serious nature against him. The GJM central committee had recently suspended Gurung for six months and appointed Binay Tamang as the party's new president. Gurung has approached the top court seeking independent probe into the alleged killings of Gorkhaland supporters during the recent protests. New Delhi: Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Tuesday asserted that AAP receives its donations only from 'aam aadmi' (common man), adding that the I-T notice questioning its funding was sent after Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's appeal to people of poll-bound Gujarat to vote out the BJP. His reaction came a day after the Income Tax department charged the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) with taking "hawala entries" worth Rs 2 crore from a Delhi-based operative even as it revoked the tax exemption, given to it for being a political party, for the assessment year 2015-16. Addressing a press conference here, Sisodia, who had brought voluminous documents containing the donors list, said the charges against the AAP funding were completely "baseless" and that the party would take all necessary steps to demolish the claims made by the Income Tax department. Citing the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) reports, the minister claimed the BJP and the Congress had the highest percentage of unaccounted donations. "This is an attempt to muzzle the voice of the AAP. The notice was sent after Kejriwal's appeal to the people of Gujarat to vote against the BJP in the upcoming state assembly polls," he said. Addressing party volunteers on AAP's 5th Foundation Day on November 26, Kejriwal had appealed to the voters of Gujarat to vote out the BJP, which has been in power in the state for nearly 22 years. Interestingly, the AAP got the I-T notice on November 23. The taxman, according to the penalty notice, had alleged that the Kejriwal-led party "incorrectly disclosed the hawala money as voluntary donations". The department had slapped the charges on the political party in its assessment order issued to it last week. It had determined the total taxable income of the AAP at Rs 68.44 crore, with a corresponding income tax of Rs 30.67 crore for the assessment year 2015-16. "We challenge that there is no other party who maintains the list of its donations as diligently as the Aam Aadmi Party. The donations, it has received, are from the 'aam aadmi' and not from any hawala operator," Sisodia said. Kejriwal had yesterday termed the notice as "height of political vendetta". The AAP is contesting on limited seats in Gujarat, where elections are slated for December 9 and December 14 in two phases. Party sources said it had received Rs 130 crore since its formation, and got the maximum donation of Rs 54.14 crore in 2014-15, the time when the party contested the 2014 Lok Sabha polls and 2015 Delhi Assembly polls. Bengaluru: Come this Wednesday, people in Bengaluru will have one more app-based cab to choose from. The brand new initiative wants to take on giants like US-based Uber and Bengaluru-headquartered Ola. But there is a difference. Unlike Uber and Ola, it is not backed by any corporate house or venture capital firm in US or Japan. The new cab hailing app, Namma TYGR, is backed by Janata Dal (Secular), the political party of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda. This is perhaps the first time that a political party is backing a cab firm. But what is the connection and why do the Gowdas want get into this business? The answer may lie in the upcoming Assembly election and vote bank. Most of the cab drivers who work for Uber and Ola in the city are from districts like Mandya, Hassan, Mysore, Tumkur, Kolar, Bengaluru Rural, Chamarajanagara in the in the old Mysore belt. The lucrative incentives initially offered by Uber and Ola attracted tens of thousands of young villagers towards this new job opportunity. While the big money continued for the first few years, the cab giants started reducing the incentives after competition heated up, making it unviable for many cab drivers. Thousands of drivers abandoned their cabs and returned to their villages in the first few months of this year. Others took to streets demanding better working conditions and incentives from Uber and Ola. JDS state chief H D Kumaraswamy sensed an opportunity and quickly extended his support to them. When the talks with the managements failed, he promised them that he will start his own app-based cab service to protect the interests of drivers and passengers. For this, he tied up with a Kolkata based start-up firm TYGR. The trial runs for this service started in September. According to Kumaraswamy, about 5,000 cabs will hit the streets on Wednesday. Speaking to News18, the former Karnataka chief minister said, I am not doing it for votes. The Assembly election is not the reason. Most of these cab drivers are villagers and are being exploited by bigger players. Many have sold their small piece of land to buy a vehicle. They were in bad shape. I heard their stories and wept. It is my humble initiative to help them to stand on their own feet. His father and JDS supremo, Deve Gowda, said it was a social obligation. Please dont link it to upcoming assembly polls. As Kumaraswamy has already clarified, it is a humanitarian venture by the JDS to help the poor cab owners and drivers. Namma TYGR fares are low compared to others. Even the people benefit from this. He said that Namma TYGR will soon have 10,000 cabs and they want to take it to 25,000 by next year-end. Namma TYGR drivers association leader Tanveer Pasha said that they will charge Rs 12.50 per KM for hatchbacks, Rs 14.50 for sedans and Rs 18.50 for SUVs. He also said that there will be no surge prices and they will not offer share rides as it is illegal. The market leaders Uber and Ola have chosen to remain silent on this new venture. The ruling Congress and the main opposition BJP also refused to comment. If all goes to plan, Kumaraswamy may ride the app cab to Vidhana Soudha after the elections due in April next year. Ahmedabad: While campaigning for the Gujarat Assembly elections in 2012, then chief minister Narendra Modi made a startling allegation against the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre. He claimed that they was on the verge of giving away the Sir Creek, a tidal estuary on the border between India and Pakistan in Kutch district, to Pakistan. He even wrote a letter to then prime minister Manmohan Singh just a day before voting. PMO issued a strong rebuttal to Modis letter, calling his claims unsubstantiated, untrue and mischievous, but the damage had been done. The 2012 Gujarat assembly elections were not just won convincingly, it paved the way for Modi to position himself as the tallest BJP leader to take on the then UPA government as the country headed for general elections in 2014. Now, the BJP is in power both in the Centre and Gujarat. It has been in power for three-and-a-half years at the centre and for 22 years in Gujarat. The question now is whether it is politically beneficial for Modi to play victim under the changed circumstances? Sample this statement in Modis first election rally at Bhuj on Monday. I am the son of this soil. The people of Gujarat have moulded me into what I am today. I will never forget this. But look at the kind of attacks that are being made against me. The people of Gujarat will not forgive those who are maligning my name by going to each and every corner of Gujarat. The Prime Minister, in all his rallies on Monday, took pains to describe how the Congress was not just anti-Gujarat, but how Gujaratis - right from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to Morarji Desai - were not given their due by the Congress party. Mixing the two potentially emotive issues of nationalism and Gujarati pride, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched his campaign in Gujarat on Monday with election rallies in Saurashtra and South Gujarat the two regions which go to polls in the first phase of the assembly election next month. Political observer Hemantkumar Shah believes the narrative of the Prime Ministers speeches have changed because the BJP is now in power in both Gujarat as well as at the centre. But more importantly, I believe the issues raised by him are not striking a chord with the people because he has been talking about Nehru and Sardar Patel and incidents that are decades old, Shah told CNN-News18. According to Shah, the question of accountability over demonetisation, GST and other basic issues ought to have been addressed by the Prime Minister, instead of talking about how Congress governments have been unfair to Gujarat and Gujaratis. Apart from this, during his rally in Jasdan in Rajkot, Modi claimed that the Congress was behind the downfall of four Patidar chief ministers in the state, from Babubhai Jashbhai Patel to Aanadiben Patel. However, senior journalist Hari Desai told CNN-News18, Babubhai Jashbhai Patels government did not fall because of the Congress. Two Jan Sangh MLAs defected, triggering off the collapse of that government. He added that it is strange, but the Prime Ministers rallies had no mention of issues faced by Gujarat. He has been talking of Nehru and Sardar Patel and about Pakistan and China. These clearly are not issues that people of Gujarat are faced with even as elections are to be held, he contended. Modi as the chief minister of Gujarat played the victim card to the hilt. That was the part of the political narrative he assiduously built around his persona. The chaiwala, the outsider who is up against the Lutyen's elite seamlessly fits into the discourse. The narrative worked very well when Modi was the challenger. The question now is will it work for Modi and BJP after more than two decades in power in Gujarat and three-and-a-half years in Delhi. Germany may need to change its constitution to allow it to strike back at hackers who target private computer networks and it hopes to complete any legal reforms next year, a top Interior Ministry official said on Monday. The plan could include disarming servers used in attacks and reflects growing concern about the frequency and intensity of such attacks. The industry is also raising pressure on the government to respond to the barrage, which ultimately could hurt Europe's leading economy. State Secretary Klaus Vitt told Reuters the government believed "significant legal changes would be needed" to allow such "hack back" actions. "A constitutional change may be needed since this is such a critical issue," Vitt said on the sidelines of a cyber conference organised by the Handelsblatt newspaper. "The goal is to get it done by the end of next year at the latest." Vitt said much would depend on the outcome of coalition talks in Germany of which cyber capabilities formed a part. Experts say it may be easier to enact the legal changes under a right-centre-left coalition, which has ruled for the past four years, than under a three-way coalition with smaller parties that Chancellor Angela Merkel initially tried to forge. Top German intelligence officials told parliament last month they needed greater legal authority to strike back in the event of cyber attacks from foreign powers. Vitt told the conference that changing threats and new modes of attack required different responses from government agencies including more "offensive" capabilities. "We must assume that purely preventative measures will not be sufficient to counter future attacks," Vitt said. He said no one would question the need for police to enter a house and disarm a sniper shooting at innocent people. "But what about servers that are used to launch cyber attacks that paralyze the IT (information technology) of hospitals or utilities, affecting hundreds of thousands of people?" Andreas Jambor, chief information security officer for RWE Generation SE, a unit of German energy giant RWE, welcomed the moves. "There's a war underway on the internet ... We want things to be sorted out," Jambor said. "Other countries are doing it and we should do it here as well." Andreas Ebert, head of security for German carmaker Volkswagen said any offensive action should be taken by the government. Arne Schoenbohm, president of Germany's BSI federal cyber protection agency, declined to give details about the legal concepts being developed. He said the need to target servers would likely make up just "0.01 percent of all cases." Tech And Auto Show | EP21 | Apple iPhone X, Suzuki Intruder 150 & More Dhaka: Bangladesh approved a $280 million project on Tuesday to develop an isolated and flood-prone island in the Bay of Bengal to temporarily house 100,000 Rohingya Muslims fleeing violence in neighboring Myanmar. The decision came just days after Bangladesh sealed a deal aiming to start returning Rohingya to Myanmar within two months to reduce pressure in refugee camps. A Bangladeshi government committee headed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina approved the plan to develop Bhashan Char island, also known as Thenger Char, despite criticism from humanitarian workers who have said the island is all but uninhabitable. Planning Minister Mustafa Kamal said it would take time to repatriate the refugees, and in the meantime Bangladesh needed a place to house them. The project to house 100,000 refugees on the island would be complete by 2019, he said. Many people are living in dire conditions, he said, describing the influx of refugees as "a threat to both security and the environment". More than 600,000 Rohingya Muslims have sought sanctuary in Bangladesh after the military in mostly Buddhist Myanmar launched a harsh counter-insurgency operation in their villages across the northern parts of Rakhine State, following attacks by Rohingya militants on an army base and police posts on Aug. 25. Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali appealed in September for international support to transport Rohingya to the island. Bangladesh, one of the worlds poorest and most crowded nations, plans to develop the island, which emerged from the silt off Bangladeshs delta coast only 11 years ago and is two hours by boat from the nearest settlement. It regularly floods during June-September monsoons. When seas are calm, pirates roam the nearby waters to kidnap fishermen for ransom. A plan to develop the island and use it to house refugees was first proposed in 2015 and revived last year. Despite criticism of the conditions on the island, Bangladesh says it has the right to decide where to shelter the growing numbers of refugees. Beijing/Taipei: China on Tuesday sentenced Taiwanese rights activist Li Ming-che to five years in prison for subverting state power, prompting Taiwan's ruling political party to label the verdict "totally unacceptable". Li, a community college lecturer and an activist at a human rights non-governmental organisation in Taiwan, went missing while on a trip to China in March. Chinese authorities later charged him with subverting state power. In the first hearing of Li's case in September, he confessed to subversion, according to videos of the hearing, though his wife refused to recognise the court's authority. Tuesday's verdict was handed down by the Yueyang City Intermediate People's Court in central Hunan province, according to a video of proceedings released by the court's social media account. A mainland Chinese rights activist, Peng Yuhua, tried alongside Li, was sentenced to seven years for the same crime. Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said that it was "strongly dissatisfied and regretful" of the result, calling for Beijing to allow Li to return to Taiwan. Beijing must ensure the health and well-being of Li, respect the law and continue to allow his family to visit him, the DPP said in a statement. Li's wife, Li Ching-yu, who had travelled to the mainland from Taiwan to attend her husband's hearing, was in attendance when the verdict was read, according to the videos. Li Ching-yu said in a statement sent to Reuters by her supporters that her husband had long realised that his rights work came with a cost and that there were "tigers in the mountains". "He came to understand early on that he must accept the torment of being made to accept guilt and of being imprisoned," she said. Peng had been the main actor in the subversion and Li had been an active participant, the court authorities said in the video. Both Li and Peng said that they accepted the ruling and would not appeal, according to the court's video. Ties between Beijing and Taipei have been strained since Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, leader of the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party, took office last year. Tsais refusal to state that Taiwan and China are part of one country has angered Beijing, as have her comments about human rights on the mainland. Dublin: Irish Deputy Prime Minister Frances Fitzgerald was under intense pressure from her own party to resign on Tuesday to avoid a snap election that is hours away from being called, a crisis that is casting a shadow over next month's Brexit summit. The opposition party propping up the minority government said the deputy prime minister's refusal to quit would force the country to the polls in December, a position that hardened on Monday. Ireland will play a major role in the Brexit summit next month, telling EU leaders whether it believes sufficient progress has been made on the future of the border between EU-member Ireland and the British province of Northern Ireland. In public, Fitzgerald's Fine Gael ministerial colleagues continued to back her. "There is certainly not a need for her to resign, the position of Fine Gael remains the same and the position of the Taoiseach (prime minister) remains the same," Simon Harris told reporters. A spokesman for Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, whom analysts say risks being badly damaged by the affair, said late on Monday the government stood behind her. However the front pages of the Irish Times, Irish Examiner and Irish Independent newspapers quoted unnamed Fine Gael lawmakers as saying Fitzgerald had to resign. One minister, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity as senior ministers were due to meet on Tuesday, said Fitzgerald was coming under serious pressure from within the party to resign and would have to go. Another lawmaker agreed. National broadcaster RTE quoted Fine Gael backbencher Hildegarde Naughton as saying "it will be difficult" for Fitzgerald to stay in office, the first public call from within the party for her to step down. Fitzgerald resisted calls to go on Monday from the majority of opposition parties after pressure mounted following the release of fresh documents about her disputed handling of a police whistleblower who alleged corruption in the force. Fianna Fail, whose backing Varadkar requires from the opposition benches to keep his government functioning, has said it will move a motion of no confidence in Fitzgerald at 2000 GMT on Tuesday unless she quits. A senior Fianna Fail lawmaker said he was hopeful Fitzgerald would resign or that Varadkar would "address the matter" before the confidence motion is tabled. "It's very clear from media reports and from talking to Fine Gael people behind the scenes that they are very much disturbed by this situation," Fianna Fail's Timmy Dooley told RTE. "I think what we need now is the wise heads in Fine Gael to get together, assess the situation and avoid an election." The border is one of three issues Brussels wants broadly resolved before it decides whether to move talks on Britain's divorce from the EU onto a second phase about trade, as Britain wants. Nairobi: Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta was sworn-in for a second five-year term in front of a rapturous crowd on Tuesday as riot police sealed off an area where the opposition planned a rival gathering and teargassed people trying to reach it. Kenyatta won a repeat presidential election on Oct. 26 that was boycotted by opposition leader Raila Odinga, who said it would not be free and fair. The Supreme Court nullified the first presidential election, in August, over irregularities. The extended election season has divided Kenya, a Western ally in a volatile region, and blunted growth in East Africa's richest economy. Odinga's supporters, many drawn from poorer parts of the country, feel locked out of power and the patronage it brings. Political arguments often have ethnic undercurrents, with Odinga's supporters pointing out that three of the country's four presidents have come from one ethnic group, although the country has 44 recognised groups. But such arguments seemed far from the happy crowds at the celebration, who cheered wildly as Kenyatta was sworn into office and as he received a 21-gun salute. "I ... do swear ... that I will always truly and diligently serve the people of the Republic of Kenya," Kenyatta said, his hand resting on a Bible. Before he arrived, a military band in gold and blue uniforms serenaded heads of state from Somalia, Rwanda, Uganda, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Zambia and other nations as they arrived at the stadium where the ceremony took place. More than 60,000 Kenyatta supporters, many clad in the red and yellow Jubilee party colours and carrying Kenyan flags, filled the stadium benches. Thousands of others waited outside. Some, chafing at the restrictions, overwhelmed police and streamed in. Officers were forced to fire teargas to control them. BURNING TYRES Supporters of Kenyatta - who won with 98 percent of the vote after Odinga's boycott - was the opposition to engage in talks and move on. "Im sure Uhuru will be able to bring people together and unite them so we can all work for the country," said Eunice Jerobon, a trader who travelled overnight from the Rift Valley town of Kapsabet for the inauguration, before the disturbance. But Odinga supporters say such talk of unity is tantamount to surrender. They accuse the ruling party of stealing the election, rampant corruption, directing abuse by the security forces and neglecting vast swathes of the country, including Odinga's heartland in the west. "A return to the political backwardness of our past is more than unacceptable. It is intolerable ... This divide cannot be bridged by dialogue and compromise," Odinga's National Super Alliance opposition alliance said in a statement. The opposition planned to hold a prayer meeting in the capital on Tuesday, saying it wanted to commemorate the lives of Odinga supporters killed during confrontations with the security forces over the election period. More than 70 people have been killed in political violence this election season, mostly by the police. Such killings are rarely investigated. A Reuters team at the scene of the planned rally said the area had been sealed off by seven truck loads of police in riot gear. Two water cannons were standing by and a helicopter hovered overhead. Police began firing teargas in nearby residential areas two hours before the rally was due to start, apparently attempting to prevent opposition supporters from gathering. Several roads were blocked by burning tyres, rocks, glass and uprooted billboards. Police shot in the air to disperse anyone trying to gather. But Dennis Onyango, a spokesman for Odinga, told Reuters on Tuesday morning they were still planning to hold the rally. Islamabad: When hardline Pakistani Islamists signed an agreement with the government on Monday to end a crippling blockade of the nation's capital, the text of their deal concluded by thanking the army chief who it said had "saved the nation from a big catastrophe". The effusive praise for General Qamar Javed Bajwa's role as mediator has triggered some concern among moderate politicians and criticism from a judge in Islamabad, where 36 hours earlier the civilian government had called in the army to restore order after police clashed with the entrenched Islamists. Seven people had been killed and nearly 200 wounded in an unsuccessful police-led operation to clear the Islamist protesters, who accused a government minister of blasphemy. Instead of sending in troops, General Bajwa requested a meeting with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqi Abbasi on Sunday. The next day, the government capitulated and met most of the Islamists' demands, including the resignation of Law Minister Zahid Hamid, who stood down. A High Court judge issued an order on Monday demanding the government explain why the military had helped negotiate the deal. Judge Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui said the army appeared to be overstepping its constitutional role, which requires it to "act in aid of civilian government when called upon to do so". Critics worry the military may be meddling in politics - always a concern in a country where the army has repeatedly seized power - rather than simply following the orders of the civilian administration. "The job of the military is to be subservient to the government's orders," said political analyst Zahid Hussain. "The military's role as facilitator has raised many questions." A ruling party spokesman said the army and government had acted in consultation and said the army did not balk at government orders. No evidence has emerged to contradict that account. The military itself did not respond to repeated requests for comment. Zahid said he was resigning "to take the country out of a crisis-like situation", according to state-run news channel PTV. 'ALARMING' Tehreek-e-Labaik, a recently formed ultra-religious party that has made punishing blasphemy its main campaign rallying cry, had blocked main roads into Islamabad for nearly three weeks, demanding Law Minister Hamid's removal. It blamed the minister for a tweak in the wording in an electoral law that changed a religious oath proclaiming Mohammad the last prophet of Islam to the words "I believe", a change the party says amounts to blasphemy. The government put the issue down to a clerical error and swiftly changed the language back. Insulting Islam's prophet is punishable by death under Pakistani law, and blasphemy accusations stir such emotions that they are almost impossible to defend against. Last week, the Islamabad High Court had ordered the government to remove the protesters, but not to use firearms. A clearing operation on Saturday quickly descended into chaos, with protesters armed with iron rods and stones battling police to a standstill and scores on each side hospitalised, after which the government called in the army. In an order made at a follow-up hearing on Monday, Judge Siddiqui said it appeared that the "role assumed the top leadership of the army is besides the constitution" and "beyond its mandate". The judge said it was "alarming" that Major General Faiz Hameed had signed the agreement as a mediator. Hameed is a senior member of the powerful Inter-Services Intelligence agency, in charge of counter-terrorism, two senior military officials confirmed. Ruling party official Jan Achakzai confirmed that Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and army chief General Bajwa had met on Sunday, but said the process was consultative and it did not constitute the military questioning orders. "The army... suggested the government resolve it through negotiations," Achakzai said, adding that the government, after deliberations, directed the interior ministry to meet the protesters' demands to avert further violence. "It was affecting the whole country," he said, adding the government had yielded "in the larger interest of peace and maintaining law and order". Tehreek-e-Labaik leader Khadim Hussain Rizvi gave his account of the army's role in ending the stand-off at a news conference on Monday. "So the general took personal interest and sent his team, saying 'we will become the guarantors, and have your demands fulfilled'," Rizvi said. "So we said, 'All right. That is what we want'." The military's press department did not respond to questions about Rizvi's account. Tensions between the military and the ruling party led by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif have occasionally broken out into the open. Sharif had last year rejected a plan put forward by the army to "mainstream" some hardline Islamist groups into politics, government sources have previously told Reuters, including a forerunner of Tehreek-e-Labaik. The Islamist party has denied it has any links to the army and the military declined at the time to comment on the report. New Delhi: The Pakistan government and Army received a tongue lashing from the Islamabad High Court on Monday for how the military mediated to end the sit-in protest blocking the entrance to the capital, Dawn reported. The court was referring to the situation that occurred on Saturday when the government launched an operation to remove protestors camped out at the Faizabad Interchange, Islamabads link to Rawalpindi. Dawn reported that on same day, Chief of Army Staff, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, had advised Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to "handle the Islamabad dharna peacefully". "Who is the Army to play the role of mediator?" Justice Shauqut Aziz Siddiqui asked. "Where does the law assign this role to a major general?" Police and paramilitary forces end up calling off the clearance operation after it turned deadly. Security forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets at the demonstrators but were met by stubborn resistance by protesters who blocked roads and torched vehicles. At least six people were killed and around 190 injured. The government then asked the military to help. However, the Pakistan Army, in response said that while it was "fully ready" to take action, a "few points need deliberation". Subsequently, no troops were deployed in the city. "This is proof of the military's involvement," the judge remarked. The court said that the administration has the right to call in the Army to control an emergency situation and the Army was bound to heed the call. "Soldiers who are inclined towards politics should turn in their weapons," the court added. Roughly 2,000 protesters from the Tehreek-i-Labaik Ya Rasool Allah Pakistan Party had blocked the main highway used by thousands of commuters since November 6, causing hours-long traffic snarls. The protesters were demanding the resignation of federal law minister Zahid Hamid over a hastily-abandoned amendment to the oath election candidates must swear by. They linked it to blasphemy and claimed the oath was softened to enable the participation of Ahmadis, a long persecuted minority sect. After negotiations late on Sunday night, the Pakistan government capitulated to the protesters' demand for Hamids resignation, among other conditions. This is the first time India has hosted the Global Entrepreneurship Summit. It is a symbol of the strengthened friendship between our two peoples, and the growing economic and security partnership between our two nations," Ivanka said in her address at the inaugural session of the GES. (Image: AP) The former Slovenian model toured each of the decorated rooms and wished the public a Merry Christmas in the name of her husband and family, including Barron, who had received with her the official White House Christmas tree that now stands in the Blue Room of the presidential residence. (Image: AP) A Lynchburg man was killed Monday in a moped crash, police said. Cedric Lamont Mays, 42, was driving the moped east on Campbell Avenue when he lost control, ran off the right side of the road and hit a stationary object, Lynchburg police said in a news release. The crash happened around 5:34 p.m. in the 2800 block of Campbell Avenue. No other vehicles were involved. Mays was pronounced dead at the scene. Eastbound lanes of Campbell Avenue were closed for about two hours after the crash. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Officer M.D. Bauserman (434) 455-6047 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-888-798-5900. Visit the Central Virginia Crime Stoppers website at www.cvcrimestoppers.org to enter a web tip, or text CVCS plus your message to 274637. Net neutrality vital, Rep. Goodlatte I really hope Rep. Bob Goodlatte is going to listen to what I have to say. I wanted to let you know my stance on the upcoming Federal Communications Commission vote to repeal net neutrality. I vehemently oppose the repeal. If the companies that are pushing this so hard get what they want, we the consumers will be completely and utterly taken advantage of. The internet is a wonderful and powerful thing as it currently stands. Changing the way people communicate will greatly impact everyone that uses the internet, which is nearly anyone you talk to. Often times, the free market is brought up to defend the repeal of net neutrality, however, there isnt a market that can flourish with the near monopoly that is being allowed already. I urge you to listen to your constituents and try to do everything in your power to stop the FCC from repealing net neutrality. This move is nothing more than a money-grab by major, well-established companies. Small businesses will perish. I am a young voter who will be paying very close attention to who does and says what in the next few months. Nothing would make me feel more comfortable than knowing that you actually listen to the people you represent. JACOB GEORGE Lynchburg Power, faith and LU Quasi-liberal that I am, I seldom find myself in agreement with the conservative columnist Cal Thomas. But he was spot on in his Nov. 24 column in The News & Advance, Lust for power utterly corrupts faith. Thomas charges modern evangelicals with preferring temporal power over faithfulness to a kingdom and King not of this world a charge that rings true to me. I have to wonder if Liberty University President and Trump promoter Jerry Falwell Jr. read that column and what he thinks of it. Falwell, readers may recall, has proclaimed Trump to be the dream president of evangelicals. Falwell was also the driving force in getting Trump to order the IRS not to enforce the Johnson Amendment prohibiting tax-exempt organizations from endorsing or opposing political candidates. Consider as well the latest addition to the LU campus a 252-foot tower designed to be the tallest building in Lynchburg. (Clearly, Liberty University is not high on the Christian virtue of humility.) When the tower opens next fall, it will house Libertys school of divinity and will feature a replica of the Liberty Bell at the top symbol of a secular rebellion. What especially disturbs me about this tower, however, is its ironic biblical resonance. Falwell and company would seem to be intent on showing their ministerial students all the kingdoms of the world and encouraging them to become politically active in them. (I am aware, of course, that the biblical original of this particular temptation took place at the top of a mountain rather than a tower. But Liberty does also have its monogram mountain.) All this makes me wonder just what kind of champions for Christ Liberty is intent on producing. Theocratic champions, perhaps? EDWARD PALM Forest A lesson we need to hear Regarding Loretta Zimmermans Nov. 25 letter to the editor about America being a culture of death, I whole heartedly applaud her truthful expose of Planned Parenthoods background and agenda for abortion, along with her reference to our societys apathy toward the murder of human life in the womb. It would be great if her letter were read in every middle school and high school in America. That could happen if Americans were truly tolerant to opposing views. Pastor ROBERT C. WILSON Appomattox Parliament of Zimbabwe has expelled five Zanu-PF legislators after the ruling party notified the august House that they no longer represent the interests of the revolutionary party. The expelled members are Messrs Ignatius Chombo, Saviour Kasukuwere, Professor Jonathan Moyo, Kudzanai Chipanga and Ms Mandiitawepi Chimene. The partys Extraordinary Central Committee meeting held a fortnight ago recommended the expulsion of the group for fomenting chaos and divisions in Zanu-PF. Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Cde Mabel Chinomona announced yesterday that by operation of the law, the constituencies were now vacant. The chair would like to notify this august House that on the 27th of November, 2017, Parliament was notified by the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front that the following members: Honourable Mandiitawepi Chimene (Makoni South), Kudzanai Chipanga (Makoni West), Professor Jonathan Moyo (Tsholotsho North), Ignatius Chombo (Zvimba North) and Saviour Kasukuwere (Mount Darwin South) have ceased to be members of Zanu-PF party and, therefore, no longer represent the interests of the party in Parliament, she said. The notification was signed by Honourable (Patrick) Chinamasa in his capacity as the Secretary for Legal Affairs of Zanu-PF. Cde Chinomona said the recall was made in terms of Section 129 (1)(k) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe. Section 129 (1) provides as follows: The seat of a Member of Parliament becomes vacant if the member has ceased to belong to the political party of which he or she was a member when elected to Parliament and the political party concerned, by written notice to the Speaker or the President of the Senate, as the case may be, has declared that the member has ceased to belong to it. Cde Chinomona said: Pursuant to the above, I do hereby inform this august House that vacancies have arisen in the following constituencies by the operation of the law: Makoni South, Makoni West, Tsholotsho North, Zvimba North and Mount Darwin South. The necessary administrative measures will be taken to inform His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission of the existence of the vacancies in line with Section 39 (1) of the Electoral Act (Chapter 2:13) as amended. After the announcement, Kuwadzana East Member of Parliament Advocate Nelson Chamisa (MDC-T) sought clarification on whether or not by-elections would be held to fill the vacancies given what Section 158 (3) of the Constitution provided. The Section says: Polling in by-election to Parliament and local authorities must take place within 90 days after the vacancies occurred unless the vacancies occur within nine months before a general election is due to be held in which event the vacancies may remain unfilled until the general election. In response, Cde Chinomona said their duty as Parliament was to notify the House and the President and it was up the Head of State and Government, together with ZEC, to decide on what to do with said vacant constituencies. Prior to the expulsions, Dr Chombo was Zanu-PF Secretary for Administration and Finance and Economic Development Minister, while Mr Kasukuwere was the National Political Commissar and Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing. Prof Moyo was a Zanu-PF Politburo member and Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development. Ms Chimene was Minister of Provincial Affairs for Manicaland province, while Mr Chipanga was the secretary for the Youth League. There were several other members of the G40 faction that the Central Committee recommended to be either expelled or suspended in terms of the ruling partys constitution after they allegedly usurped the powers of the former president Cde Robert Mugabe. We respect the fact that our President said we should let bygones be bygones. We do not seek retributive justice, neither are we looking for positions in this government, but we clearly dont want to see the same people who played a role in allowing Grace to capture Mugabe, play a leading role in this government and body politic. They should reform first, they cant seat in the politburo at this time, he said. Health Advisor to the President and Cabinet and former Minister of Health and Child Welfare Dr Timothy Stamps , who died on Sunday, has been declared a national hero. Dr Stamps, who was 81, died at Borrowdale Trauma Centre after a lung infection. Zanu-PF Secretary for Finance Dr Obert Mpofu announced the decision yesterday to Dr Stamps family at their home at Plot 6 Welston Road, Welston, in Goromonzi. Dr Mpofu was accompanied by other Politburo members that included spokesperson Cde Simon Khaya Moyo, Dr David Parirenyatwa and Cde Tshinga Dube. In his message, Dr Mpofu said the decision to confer Dr Stamps with the national hero status by the Politburo had been unanimous. We have been sent by His Excellency, the President (Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa), on behalf of Zimbabwe, to pass his condolences and deepest sorrow on the passing of our colleague, Dr Mpofu said. As you know, he (Dr Stamps) was keen on the welfare of the general populace, so we will miss him a lot. We have been requested by His Excellency to come and inform the family that he has been declared a national hero. This followed consultations within members of the Politburo who were unanimous in this decision and we are delighted that his colleagues decided that he be declared a national hero. Dr Stamps burial arrangements would be decided in consultation with the family. Dr Mpofu said they worked well with Dr Stamps. His name is like a family name in communities, he said. Dr Stamps eldest son, Kenyon, thanked Government for honouring his father, saying they had also planned a memorial service for him next week. We were planning a memorial next Wednesday, as you know, dad had a very much open door policy, was open to everybody, especially the less privileged, he said. He was loved by many people and didnt even turn down enemies, but as a family we are very grateful (for the national hero status). Dr Stamps was born in Wales on October 15, 1936 and came to Zimbabwe in 1968. He grew up in England where he became one of the youngest doctors in the United Kingdom at the time. Before independence, he worked for the then Salisbury (now Harare) Municipalitys health department and rose to become the citys chief medical officer. He clashed with racist authorities then by trying to facilitate access to health facilities for black people that were marginalised. Dr Stamps was appointed Minister of Health and Child Welfare in 1990, taking over from Dr Felix Muchemwa, a position he held until 2002. He is credited with playing a pivotal role in the fight against HIV and Aids. In 1999, he led an initiative to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV. His efforts, in collaboration with officials from his ministry, saw the creation of the National Aids Council through an Act of Parliament. In 2004, Dr Stamps founded the Dr Timothy Stamps Trust for people living with chronic conditions after being touched by their plight. The foundation also helps to ease the burden of non-communicable diseases in the country. Dr Stamps is survived by his wife, Cindy, six children and eight-grandchildren. herald Install the Newser News app in two easy steps: 1. Tap in your navigation bar. 2. Tap to Add to Home Screen. Judith Meisel says that when she was a teenager in the Stutthof concentration camp in western Poland, other prisoners told her: "Don't let us die without you mentioning what happened to us." The 88-year-old Minnesota resident has not forgotten: Her testimony helped German authorities indict two former guards from the camp where 65,000 people, including Meisel's mother, died, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. She identified one former guard, 94-year-old Johann Rehbogen, as the young SS officer who would taunt female prisoners as they undressed. Prosecutors say the men can't be tied to specific murders, but their work as guards made the killings possible. Meiselwho escaped along with her sister when inmates were sent on a "death march" away from the camp in 1945says she is willing to relive her horrific experiences to help prosecutors. "This process of seeking answers and finding justice for my mother gives new meaning to my life," she says. The two former guards have been charged as accessories to murder, the AP reports. They deny any knowledge of killings at the camp, where thousands were starved to death or froze. Prosecutors say prisoners were also gassed to death, shot, and killed with lethal injections. Authorities say Meisel and several other Stutthof survivors in the US could be called as witnesses if the former guards are deemed healthy enough to stand trial. (A pendant found at the Sobibor camp helped reunite a family.) Two weeks after the Washington Post published a bombshell story about Republican Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore attempting to initiate sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl when he was 32, the paper appears to have been the near-victim of an undercover sting operation by a right-wing organization. The Post reports that a woman who approached the paper with a story about having been impregnated by Moore when she was a 15 was likely affiliated with Project Veritas, an organization run by James O'Keefe that aims to discredit mainstream news outlets and left-leaning political groups by using false stories and secret recordings. The woman, Jaime T. Phillips, approached the Post via email the day after the first Moore story broke. During a series of interviews over the next two weeks, the woman told a Post reporter about her relationship with the former State Supreme Court judge, which she claimed led to an abortion when she was 15. The reporter was suspicious based on inconsistencies in the woman's story and Phillips' desire to know that her information would negatively affect Moore's election chances. This morning, Phillips was spotted walking into the Project Veritas offices in Mamaroneck, NY. O'Keefe refused to answer if Phillips was working for the organization. Phillips did not answer calls to her cellphone today. The Moore campaign has not responded to calls. (Read more Roy Moore stories.) As the Republican leadership in the Senate races to pass a sweeping tax reform bill this week, they're running into opposition from their own members. Two weeks ago, Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson came out against the bill in its present form, saying it favors large corporations over small businesses, CNN reports. And today, Steve Daines, R-Mont., joined his colleague as a "no" vote. "Sen. Daines has concerns with how the tax bill looks at main street versus large corporations," an aide to the Montana Republican said. "The Senator wants changes to the tax cut bill that ensure main street businesses are not put at a competitive disadvantage against large corporations." Both senators want the bill to do more for small businesses, which, under the current plan, will see a higher effective tax rate than corporations. Daines and Johnson are currently working with Republican leaders and the White House to fix the provision on so-called "pass-through" businesses, the Hill reports. With just 52 seats in the Senate, Republicans can't afford to lose another vote if Johnson and Daines remain "no" votes, but several other Republicans are still on the fence, New York Magazine reports. James Lankford, Bob Corker, Jeff Flake, and John McCain have all voiced concerns about how the bill will grow the deficit, and Jerry Moran has expressed reservations about getting rid of the Obamacare individual mandate. Susan Collins, meanwhile, is opposed to eliminating the estate tax and lowering the rate for people making more than $1 million a year, per Bloomberg. (Read more US Senate stories.) A US undersea rescue vehicle has arrived at the spot where an Argentine submarine vanished on Nov. 15, but with little hope of finding its 44 crew members alive. Shortly before it disappeared, the ARA San Juan reported water had entered the sub through a snorkel and reached a battery connection tray in the prow, causing "a short circuit and the beginning of a fire, or smoke without flame," Navy spokesman Enrique Balbi said at a news conference Monday, per the AP. "They had to electrically isolate the battery and continue sailing underwater to Mar del Plata using another battery circuit." The captain reported that the issue was contained, but the sub never reached its base, per Reuters. Instead, a noise detected some 250 miles off Argentinas southern coast suggests the 213-foot diesel-electric sub may have imploded, officials say. If only submerged, the sub's oxygen supply wouldve run out after seven to 10 days. Yet some 4,000 personnel from 13 countries are continuing to search for the vessel. On Monday, a Norwegian ship delivered the US Navy's remotely operated underwater vehicle and pressurized rescue module near the sub's last known location. Despite the prognosis, some remain optimistic about what it could find. "I know my son is going to return. I know that he will come back alive," says the mother of crew member Celso Oscar Vallejos, per CBS News. "The final word hasn't been spoken." Other family members have accused the Navy of sending an unfit vessel out to sea. But Balbi said the San Juan underwent "a check of the whole operating system" two days before departing Ushuaia on Nov. 8. "The submarine doesnt sail if that's not done," he said. (Read more submarine stories.) A former deputy chief of staff said Rep. John Conyers made an unwanted sexual advance toward her and touched her inappropriately twice in the late 1990s, the Detroit News reports in the latest sexual misconduct allegations against the veteran lawmaker. Deanna Maher, 77, who ran a Michigan office for the Democrat from 1997 to 2005, says there were three instances of inappropriate conduct. She says the first was in 1997, when she rejected his offer to share a hotel room and have sex. The others involved unwanted touching in a car in 1998 and unwanted touching of her legs under her dress in 1999, the AP reports. Conyers' attorney Arnold Reed says the allegations are uncorroborated and he questions why Maher would work for Conyers for so many years after the alleged allegations. She says her need for employment explains why she stayed on the job. "I needed to earn a living, and I was 57. How many people are going to hire you at that age?" she says. Maher says she didn't report the harassment because Conyers is a powerful man in Washington and she didn't think it would be taken seriously. Conyers, 88, announced Sunday that he is stepping down as the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee. He is being investigated over a report that his office paid $27,000 to settle a staffer's sexual harassment claim. (Read more John Conyers stories.) In July, World Animal Protection issued a report on the "thousands of elephants exploited for tourism" in Asia, with Thailand listed as a "main concern." One of those elephants, a well-known performer in films and ads, may have rebelled against his own conditions Monday, crushing to death his handler at Thailand's Chiang Mai Zoo, AFP reports. Ekasit, a 32-year-old, 5.5-ton elephant who has appeared in nearly 10 films and is contracted as a performer at the zoo until April, had been fed by owner Somsak Riengngen, who then unchained him so that he could drink and bathe, per Khaosod English. That's when, in front of Somsak's wife and others, Ekasit attacked Somsak with his trunk and tusks, an assault that went on for more than five minutes. "The elephant used his trunk to crush him," the zoo's director tells AFP, adding, per Khaosod: "This accident was an unpreventable tragedy." But some debate how unpreventable Somsak's death was. The WAP report notes that when they're not performing or giving rides, tourism elephants are often kept in subpar conditions, tethered by short chains, not fed well or given adequate medical care, and constantly surrounded by crowds and loud noiseand that's after they've been torn away from their mothers and put through training meant to "break their spirits and make them submissive." "Is it any wonder that some of these gentle animals eventually become fed up and fight back ... while confined to small enclosures that are a fraction of the size of their natural habitats?" PETA said in a statement. Somsak, said to be in his mid-50s, had worked for about 10 years with Ekasit, who'd never been reported as violent before. (A wildlife park employee was killed by elephants in South Africa earlier this year.) A West Virginia man was sentenced to five years' probation and 50 years of supervision for impregnating his 11-year-old daughter in 2011 and forcing her to get an abortion. Michael Joe Adkins of Ona entered a Kennedy plea two years ago, reports the Huntington Herald-Dispatch, which allowed him to concede that there was enough evidence for a conviction without admitting guilt. Cabell County Judge Paul Farrell imposed the sentence Nov. 16 under a plea agreement between the prosecution and defense, saying, "I'm just going to be blunt: I hope you screw up during those 50 years so I can send you to prison." Adkins will also have to register as a sex offender and undergo therapy, reports the AP. Farrell got the case after Judge Alfred Ferguson rejected a plea deal without prison. A family member told the judge that the victim, who is now 18, still lives in fear. Defense attorney Connor Robertson argued that his client has been under the court's supervision since 2011, his only issues have been minor speeding tickets, and the supervised period would only need to be a few years. Assistant prosecutor Kellie Neal said Adkins already received a huge break under the plea agreement. She said previously in court that the victim's testimony and other evidence would prove Adkins raped the girl at his home and she got pregnant. Amanda Adkins, the defendant's estranged wife and the girl's stepmother who pleaded guilty to child neglect in 2015, was sentenced to 18 months of probation and 10 years of supervised release, reports the Herald-Dispatch. (Read more child rape stories.) Seth Freed Wessler wrote a story last week for the New York Times that he describes to PRI as one of "real terror on the high seas": what amounts to "floating Guantanamos" in the Pacific, Coast Guard cutters sent far from US shores to bust smugglers trying to transport drugs from South America to Central Americafrom which point the drugs will move up to Mexico and, in all likelihood, the US. Thanks to US maritime laws, drug smuggling in international waters is seen as a crime against the US (even if there's no proof the drugs are coming here), making the detention operation legal. But notable are the conditions the smugglers are often kept in on the US vessels as they're brought here to be prosecuted: They're often chained to ships' decks and exposed to the elements, fed meager portions, and given buckets to use as toilets, which they have to clean out themselves. Wessler explains to PRI that the Coast Guard blames these conditions, and the length of the smugglers' journeys (he says the average detainee is dragged across the ocean for 18 days), on the fact that the cutters aren't equipped as detention centers. There are other logistical challenges: As it's transporting these smugglers back to the US, the Coast Guard keeps busting others along the way. But Wessler says the cutters often dock to refuel or give the crew a break, and that the detainees could be flown to the US from those ports. He adds many of the Coast Guard officials he's spoken to are "really uncomfortable" with the detention conditions, as well as how long they've had to hold people. More of his interview with PRI here, as well as his original story in the Timeswhich includes one Ecuadorian man's tale of being detained for 70 days before ultimately landing in a US federal prison. (Read more War on Drugs stories.) "If anybody told me four or five months ago we would be doing this, I would have said you are crazy." And yet the administrator for Hawaii's Emergency Management Agency says the state will resume testing Cold War-era nuclear attack sirens warning residents to "get inside, stay inside, and stay tuned" in response to the increased threat of an attack by North Korea. Vern Miyagi says tests of the sirens (listen here) will join pre-existing tests of a steady siren tone beginning Friday and continuing on the first business day of each month, report USA Today and the Washington Post. Residents of the islandswho can learn more from public service announcements and community meetingsare also advised to store provisions that will last two weeks in case of a nuclear attack or natural disaster. Miyagi says it's important to plan for every possibility, even one that would give residents a 15-minute warning of a nuclear attack. Some residents tell ABC News the siren could help them get to safety, while others say they would be sitting ducks regardless. Either way, the siren "makes this threat even more real," as one woman puts it. Though North Korean officials have referred to an attack on the US as "inevitable," Miyagi has attempted to calm fears by stressing that an attack remains unlikely. But he's competing with reports that North Korea has continued to conduct missile engine and fuel tests in the aftermath of its last missile test on Sept. 15, per the New York Times. Radio signals detected by Japan could also indicate a missile launch is being planned, reports Reuters. (Read more Hawaii stories.) Just days ago, a boat washed ashore in northern Japan. Aboard were eight men who said they were from North Korea. Now, another boat has been found just 45 miles north of the first, and it also held eightexcept all are dead. The 23-foot wooden "ghost ship" was discovered Sunday on a beach near Oga. It had no navigational devices and had lost a rotor blade. Some aboard had been "reduced to bones," and Kyodo News reports that the coast guard suspects it originated in North Korea, which sits about 450 miles away. Sky News reports foreign ships aren't an uncommon occurrence in Japan: 44 have washed ashore this year; 66 did so in 2016. The BBC presents a theory as to why: Some believe North Korea has been calling for more seafood to be fished in order to feed a hungry population. The increased demand may be leading its citizens to take boats that are in subpar condition far off its shores. And as a professor with Japan's Tokai University tells Sky News, the Sea of Japan "starts to get choppy when November comes. It gets dangerous when northwesterly winds start to blow." Kyodo notes the boat that carried the eight live men has vanished; police are reviewing both cases. (This ghost ship was found gutted by fire.) She says she only wanted to protect her daughter. Sarah Sims now faces the prospect of years behind bars after she sent her daughter to school with a digital audio recorder. Sims tells WAVY she first called and emailed administrators at Ocean View Elementary School in Norfolk, Va., to discuss bullying complaints made by her 9-year-old daughter, who's in fourth grade. When she didn't get a response by late September, Sims says she took matters into her own hands. She hoped the recorder would confirm her daughter's classroom was safe. It was instead confiscated by school administrators, who contacted police. Sims now faces a felony charge of intercepting wire, electronic or oral communications and a misdemeanor charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, reports CNN. Sims' lawyer says she was "shocked" and "appalled" by the charges, arguing the school should've engaged Sims in "a simple conversation" about her concerns. Sims says her daughter had been "kicked in her stomach and hit with a jump rope on the playground" while in third grade. "I removed her from the school because she was refusing to go," Sims notes. "She felt like she wasn't protected." Though the 9-year-old returned to school for the fourth grade, her complaints resumed, Sims says. "I thought [the recorder] would be a good way for me to learn the environment," she says, adding to WAVY: "If I'm not getting an answer from you, what am I left to do?" The school and Norfolk police have declined to comment. Sims' daughter has been moved to a new classroom. (An 8-year-old committed suicide after a bullying incident.) Women in Hollywood have been speaking out in droves against Harvey Weinstein and others, but one famous female is taking a different tack, noting, "There are two sides to this coin." Angela Lansbury thinks women "must sometimes take blame" for sexual misconduct perpetrated against them, the Telegraph reports. "We have to own up to the fact that women, since time immemorial, have gone out of their way to make themselves attractive," the 92-year-old actress, best known for her TV series Murder, She Wrote, said in a Radio Times interview. "And unfortunately it has backfired on usand this is where we are today." Lansbury, who said she never was the target of sexual misconduct, did add it's "awful" that woman can't "make ourselves look as attractive as possible without being knocked down and raped," that victims shouldn't be blamed, and that men shouldn't be allowed to get away with it. "I think a lot of men must be very worried at this point," she said. In a statement, Rape Crisis England and Wales slammed Lansbury for perpetuating a "deeply unhelpful myth," adding: "Rape is an act of sexual violence, power and control that has little to nothing to do with sexual desire. There is no excuse or mitigation for sexual violence, and there is no circumstance in which it's even partially the victim's or survivor's fault." BuzzFeed notes the other swift (and mostly harsh) reaction to her comments on social media. (Read more Angela Lansbury stories.) He was a Princeton University student researching Iran's Qajar dynasty for his PhD. Now, he's "extremely stressed, he has depression and he attempted to commit suicide, and he had multiple diseases," says his wife. Hua Qu spoke to NBC News about the plight of her husband, Xiyue Wang, who was in July sentenced to 10 years in prison in Iran after being convicted of "spying under the cover of research." The 36-year-old Chinese-born naturalized American citizen is being kept in Tehran's Evin Prison, and Qu says more than a year had passed without her seeing him. That changed, sort of, Sunday, when Iranian state TV aired footage of Wang, spliced with images of the CIA seal and Princeton's campus, all set to what the Washington Post calls "ominous" music. The segment accused Wang of trying to take around 4,500 documents from the country. "My husband is completely innocent," says his wife. "He is just a scholar, just a student, just a history nut." Princeton echoes that: "He was not involved in any political activities or social activism while he was in Iran; he was simply a scholar trying to gain access to historical records he needed for his dissertation," says an official. NBC notes Qu and the school have tried for months to secure his release in private. Now, she's calling for President Trump's assistance: "Only the US government can sort this out, only the US government can help us." The AP adds Congress must decide by mid-December whether to reimpose sanctions on Iran after Trump wouldn't recertify its compliance with a 2015 nuclear deal. Qu sees the video's timing as suspect. (Read more Iran stories.) Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will have a May wedding at Windsor Castle's St. George's Chapel, Kensington Palace announced Tuesday. Windsor Castle, west of London, is one of Queen Elizabeth II's main residences. The 15th-century chapel is as historic but more intimate than Westminster Abbey, where Harry's older brother, William, married Kate Middleton in 2011. Tuesday's announcement said that the queen would attend the wedding, which will be paid for by the royal family. The exact date was not revealed, reports the AP. The announcement added that Markle, who CNN notes attended Catholic school but isn't a practicing Catholic, will be baptized in the Church of England prior to the wedding. The church allows divorceesMarkle is oneto remarry. She'll also become a British citizen, though a rep for Markle wouldn't say if she would retain her American citizenship after the years-long process is complete. Prince Charles' wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, said she was "delighted" her stepson was marrying the US actress. "America's loss is our gain," she said. (Read the story of Harry's proposal here.) Jeen "Gina" Han's nicknamethe "evil twin"wasn't born from tabloid coverage of her 1997 trial. It was bestowed on her by Irvine, Calif., police, reports the Los Angeles Times, who branded the sister she plotted to kill the "good twin." Now, after 19 years in prison for her conviction on charges related to the 1996 attack on Sunny Han and her roommate, the state Board of Parole has recommended the 43-year-old be released. The AP reports Gov. Jerry Brown has 120 days to decide whether to approve or reject that recommendation, and the Orange County District Attorney's Office is leaning on him to do the latter, describing Gina in a letter as "very intelligent and still manipulative" and a threat to society. The twins were co-high school valedictorians in Campo, but their relationship broke down in the years that followed. Sunny accused her sister of stealing her BMW and using her credit cards. Prosecutors argued that Gina wanted her sister dead and recruited two teens to make that happen. As Gina waited in a car outside, Archie Bryant, 16, and John Sayarath, 15, gained entry to Sunny's apartment by pretending to sell magazines. They restrained her roommate, Helen Kim; Sunny managed to call 911 before she was tied up. An LAT article on the trial says the girls were put in a bathtub; receipts showed Gina had bought twine, duct-tape, Pine Sol, and garbage bags. But police were quickly on the scene, and Gina was sentenced to 26 years to life in May 1998. She claimed she never intended to kill her twin. Bryant was sentenced to 16 years; Sayarath, to 8, reports the Orange County Register . (This woman was arrested over her twin's death .) Sorry! This content is not available in your region The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on Thursday that it will enforce comprehensive measures to tackle social ills caused by drinking amid growing concern about the country's heavy culture of imbibing. Advertisements for alcoholic beverages will disappear from bus stops as well as the exteriors of buses in Seoul from September. Large discount stores will also be required to display liquor products more discreetly. Currently, 349 buses in Seoul carry alcohol advertisements, which generate about W295 million in annual profit for bus operators. Similar advertisements will also be banned from subway trains in the near future. Cuba marks the first anniversary of the death of revolutionary leader Fidel Castro on Saturday followed by municipal elections on Sunday that will usher in a new leader who for the first time in 60 years will not be a Castro brother. The island will hold a series of remembrances from Saturday through Dec. 4, the day Castro was laid to rest in a cemetery in Santiago de Cuba, where he launched the Cuban revolution. Fidel Castro's death on last Nov. 25 ushered in a nine days of national mourning. The Cold War icon, who defied U.S. efforts to topple him, died at the age of 90. By the time he died, Castro had been largely out of public view for nearly a decade because of ill health. He ceded the presidency to his younger brother, Raul Castro, in 2008 after intestinal troubles nearly killed him in 2006. State-run media reports that galas and vigils will be held around the country this week in honor of Fidel Castro. State television is running archived footage of Fidel Castro, and cultural institutions are dedicating their performances to his memory. Mumbai: Manushi Chhillar who has made India proud by clinching the coveted Miss World title at a glittering ceremony in China's coastal city of Sanya has expressed her desire to work in an Aamir Khan flick as the 'PK' star is well-known in the industry to make socially-relevant movies. The medical student from Haryana said she finds all the actors in Bollywood beautiful but Aamir and former Miss World Priyanka Chopra are her favourites. "I'll definitely want to work in an Aamir Khan film. I think he has some really challenging roles that he gives you. At the same time, his movies have a message and a connection to the society. So it'll be very interesting to do. In the actresses, my favourite is Priyanka Chopra," she was quoted while interacting with reporters. Interestingly, the coveted title was last won by Priyanka for India in 2000, just a year after Yukta Mookhey brought the crown home. Also Read: Miss World Manushi Chillar returns to India, inundated with heartfelt greetings at Mumbai airport (watch video) Manushi, a 20-year-old medical student from Haryana,had won Femina Miss India World 2017 in May this year. When asked if she has Bollywood plans up next, she said the film industry was not on her mind right now. "I am very excited how this year will turn out. I'll be traveling, visiting continents. We will be spreading awareness about menstrual hygiene where I'll be joined by my other Miss World sisters. That's what I am excited about right now." "Bollywood is something which isn't on my mind as of now. I really can't say anything about it," she added. Manushi said in the initial weeks of the beauty pageant, several contestants thought her to be an actor. Also Read: Miss World 2017: Priyanka Chopra congratulates her successor Manushi Chillar, gives her a SPECIAL advice "In the first week of the pageant, they thought I was a Bollywood actress. But jokes apart, we all are very similar. We didn't have any preconceived notions about each other. We go there with a fresh mind, there's a lot of curiosity to know each other," she said. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Harvey Weinstein has been accused by dozens of women of sexual abuse, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie, and Mira Sorvino. Now, Weinstein has been slapped damages claim in a London court by a woman who has accused the Hollywood producer of sexual assault. Personal injury lawyer Jill Greenfield says her client, who hasn't been identified, is seeking damages for "personal injury" plus expenses and "consequential loss" arising out of a series of sexual assaults by Weinstein. Civil claims for rape and sexual assault are exceptional in Britain. Greenfield's firm, Fieldfisher, said that this is the first such claim in Britain against Weinstein, who has been accused of sexual harassment and assault by more than 50 women. Papers for the claim have been filed at the High Court, but no date has been set for a hearing. British police are also investigating several sexual assault claims made by the woman against Weinstein.A For all the Latest Entertainment News, Hollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Prince Harry is all set to tie the knot with the Hollywood actress Meghan Markle in spring 2018. The couple recently announced their engagement on Monday where Prince stated that he knew Markle was the one from the first time he met her. While Prince Harry seemed much in love with Meghan, his wedding proposal for the lady unbelievable as well. Well, if you are thinking it to be an extravagant affair, then you really need to hold your horses. As Prince Harry popped the question to his lady love in the most simple yet adorable manner. According to the media reports, Harry had proposed Meghan over a roast chicken earlier this month. Reportedly, the couple was enjoying a quality time in his cottage in the grounds of Kensington Palace and were trying to roast a chicken when Prince Harry got down on his knee and popped the question to her. "She didn't even let me finish, she said, 'can I say yes? can I say yes?' and then there were hugs," Harry was quoted as saying. Isn't it one of the romantic proposals one has heard of? Interestingly, Meghan and Prince Harry, who have reportedly been dating each other for one and a half years now, were said to have met each other on a blind date. The media reports further suggested that while Harry had never heard of Markle before, Meghan was reportedly was largely ignorant about the British royal family. Well, while the newly engaged royal couple is happily engaged now, Prince Harry can't stop gushing about Meghan. "All the stars were aligned ... This beautiful woman literally tripped and fell into my life, I fell into her life," Harry was quoted as saying. He further added the 'Horrible Bosses' actress will be unbelievably good at her new royal role. "The fact that she'll be really unbelievably good at the job part of it as well is obviously a huge relief to me, because she'll be able to deal with everything else that comes with it," Harry added. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Hollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: A team of doctors from New Delhis BLK Super Speciality Hospital collaborated with Muhimbili National Hospital of Tanzanias Dar es Salaam to perform the first-ever kidney transplant in the African country. The surgery was conducted on a 30-year-old Tanzanian woman who was suffering from an end-stage kidney disease. She was on haemodialysis for over a year. Her brother donated a kidney to save her life. Both the donor and the recipient were recuperating well and should return to normal activities soon, Dr Sunil Prakash, director and head of the Nephrology department at the BLK Super Speciality Hospital, said. ALSO READ: Shocking! Man constipated since birth, doctors remove 13 Kgs of feces from 22 year-old "It is a matter of great honour that the first ever kidney transplant in Tanzania was performed by a team of Indian doctors," said Naresh Kapoor, executive director of the BLK Super Speciality Hospital. Dr. Jacqueline Shoo and Dr. Kisanga from the Nephrology Department at Muhimbili National Hospital in collaboration with Dr. Sunil Prakash, director and head of nephrology and Dr. Rajesh Pande, director Critical Care from the Delhi-based hospital were part of the surgery. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: As Indonesia raised Bali volcano alert to the highest level, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday said she was monitoring the situation closely and that the Indian Mission there would provide assistance to Indians requiring help. The Indian Consulate in Bali has opened a help desk at the city airport to provide any assistance to the Indians stuck there. "Indians in Bali - Pls do not worry. Pradeep Rawat Indian Ambassador in Jakarta @IndianEmbJkt and Sunil Babu Consul General @cgibali are on the job and I am monitoring this personally(sic)," she said on Twitter. Indians in Bali - Pls do not worry. Pradeep Rawat Indian Ambassador in Jakarta @IndianEmbJkt and Sunil Babu Consul General @cgibali are on the job and I am monitoring this personally. a Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) November 27, 2017 Massive columns of thick grey smoke that have been belching from Mount Agung since last week have now begun shooting more than three kilometres (two miles) into the sky, forcing flights to be grounded. The airport in Balis capital Denpasar, a top holiday destination that attracts millions of foreign tourists every year, has been closed, a move expected to affect tens of thousands of passengers. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and Srinagar MP Farooq Abdullah on Monday challenged the Centre, saying the latter first hoist the national flag at Lal Chowk in the heart of Srinagar city before claiming about unfurling it in PoK. Abdullahs comments drew flak from the ruling party BJP, with Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh asserting the National Conference leader was supporting the separatists and militants. He affirmed that the tricolour is being hoisted in all parts of the state, including Lal Chowk. Abdullah, who had recently claimed Pakistan Occupied Kashmir cannot become a part of India, said he only told facts and that what he spoke about PoK was the truth. They (Centre and BJP) are talking about raising flag in PoK. I ask them first you go and raise the tricolour at Lal Chowk in Srinagar. They cant even do that here and they are talking about PoK, he said. If you dont like to hear the truth, then live in the untruth. The truth is that (PoK) is not our part and this (J&K) is not their part. That is the truth, Abdullah said defending his comment that PoK does not belong to India. He was speaking to reporters after paying floral tributes to Congress leader and MP the late G L Dogra on his 30th death anniversary. Asked whether he was not hurting the Indian sentiment by making such comments, he retorted, asking What is Indian sentiment? You think I am not an Indian? Whose sentiments are you talking about? Those crooks, who dont sees our miseries. Who dont see the miseries of our border people? How they suffer when shelling starts? When asked to comment on the recent killing of an armyman on leave, he said the Centre should be asked the question as it claimed peace had returned to Kashmir after demonetisation. Abdullah deprecated the incident where two students did not get up when the national anthem was being sung in Rajouri district a few days ago. Honour to the nation is important and national anthem is most honourable, he said, adding the government should take action against them until they apologised and gave an undertaking that they would not repeat it. The National Conference leader said he was not aware if cases against stone pelters were being withdrawn. He wished good luck to the Centres special representative Dineshwar Sharma who is holding talks with stakeholders to restore peace in the restive state. Abdullahs comments on PoK and the national flag prompted criticism from Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh. Farooq Abdullah is strengthening separatists and militants with his controversial remarks because he is frustrated. He has forgotten that tricolour is being unfurled in all parts of the state including Lal Chowk, told reporters. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. According to Statistics Korea last week, 220,000 jobs were created last year, but openings in big conglomerates shrank by 90,000. Some 170,000 of the new jobs were created in new companies or through business expansion, but 260,000 positions were lost due to company closures or downsizing. More university graduates are opting for completely unexpected life path after failing to land coveted jobs in major conglomerates. The main reason is that major business groups slashed 90,000 jobs last year alone. Big businesses are companies that make W40 billion to W150 billion and employ more than 300 workers (US$1=W1,089). Some 3,800 firms in Korea fit that category. But the job situation has grown bleaker since 2015, when they still created 70,000 new jobs. The decline last year is partly due to a crisis in the shipbuilding and shipping industries as well as to cutbacks amid the corruption scandal that led to the ouster of President Park Geun-hye. This means graduates' chances of landing a secure, high-paying job are dwindling. The average monthly salary in big businesses last year was W4.74 million, twice the average in small and mid-sized companies (W2.24 million). Last month, youth unemployment reached 8.6 percent, the highest level for that month in 18 years. The development is driven by the decline of traditional manufacturing industries. The IT sector is booming, but that is less labor-intensive than traditional smokestack industries, and a growing number of businesses here move their factories abroad. Seong Jae-min at the Korea Labor Institute said, "Layoffs in shipbuilding last year caused jobs in big businesses to decline, while baby-boomers who were laid off at that time ended up opening their own businesses." Last year, 140,000 jobs were slashed in manufacturing and 20,000 jobs were created in the restaurant and hospitality industries, which are typically the kind of business early retirees open. Exports of bread-and-butter semiconductors continue to soar, but this is having only a minimal effect on job growth. Samsung invested W13 trillion into its semiconductor business last year but hired only 650 new people, and SK Hynix invested W6 trillion but hired only 250 graduates. Faced with slowing top-line growth, big businesses are cutting costs and minimizing new hires. Last year, 182 listed companies that generate more than W1 trillion in annual revenues hired just over a million workers, down 15,000 compared to 2015. From 2015 to 2016, big businesses' combined revenues grew W8.3 trillion and operating profit rose W6.5 trillion, but they still cut back on new hires. More businesses are shifting their factories overseas to avoid high labor costs and militant unions at home. Samsung's overseas hires rose from 240,000 in 2012 to 330,000 in 2015, but at home it hired only 93,200 workers, down 3.8 percent compared to 2015 and the third year of decline. The IT boom and factory automation are also hurting job growth. Banking is a prime example. Last year, 175 bank branches were closed and another 285 are scheduled to shut down this year as business moves online. Chennai: Akhila Ashokan popularly known as Hadiya, a 24-year-old woman from Kerala who converted to Islam to marry a Muslim man, is back to college to continue her studies. Hadiya travelled a distance of 170 kilometers from Coimbatore to Shivaraj Homeopathy Medical College in Tamil Nadus Salem amid tight security provided by the Kerala Police on Tuesday night. Shivaraj Homeopathy Medical College students including her classmates and teachers greeted her. According to reports, the security in college campus was beefed up by Tamil Nadu Police in accordance to the directives given by the Supreme Court on Monday hearing. Hadiya was seen wearing a yellow scarf. After a short meeting with her fellow students she whisked away to the managing director's office. After her meet with the college authorities she was taken to the college hostel, around five kilometers from college administrative building, in a police vehicle. Hadiya will be undergoing a 11-month internship at the institution as directed by the top court on Monday. Shivaraj Homeopathy Medical College principal G Kannan informed the media that she will resume her classes from Wednesday. He said, She will continue her course under her Hindu name Akhila Ashokan and she will be treated as other students. I will ensure she completes the course without a hitch. Prior leaving for the hostel Hadiya told the media that she requested permission to meet her husband from college officials. I hope they will allow me to meet my husband, said Hadiya. The college authorities said, We will go by the police advice. It is our responsibility to maintain her security. Hadiyas husband Shafin earlier in the day said, It was a big victory for him. I hope our separation will end gradually. The Supreme Court did not give any directives on me meeting her. I hope to meet her soon. Also read: Hadiya gets her 'freedom'; Supreme Court directs her to resume studies While Hadiyas father K M Ashokan, a former army man, said, If Shafin tried to harass my daughter, I will move to the court to restrain his moves. Her mother, Ponnamma, claimed that two of her classmates indoctrinated and converted her with the help of fundamentalist groups. What makes me sad is that she was forced to marry a man with extremist links, she said. Hadiyas return to college and freedom from her parents custody was possible due to the Supreme Court. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dipak Misra while interacting with Hadiya on Monday had asked her about her school, why she chose medicine as her study, what she does during her free time, what were her hobbies during her college days. The apex court after interacting with Hadiya directed her to resume her studies. Also read: Hadiya 'Love Jihad case: No need for NIA probe, Kerala govt tells SC The 24-year-olds marriage to a Muslim man and conversion had triggered widespread controversy across the country. Several political leaders and Hindu fundamentalists had termed her conversion as love jihad. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Hyderabad : Ivanka Trump, daughter and adviser to US President Donald Trump, on Tuesday, showered praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in her address at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Hyderabad. She said, What you are achieving here is truly extraordinary. From your childhood selling tea to your election as India's Prime Minister, you've proven that transformational change is possible. The senior White House adviser was participating in the Global Entrepreneurship Summit along with 1500 women entrepreneurs. Highlights of Ivankas speech # Thank You PM Modi for joining us today, for making India a symbol of democracy and beacon of hope for the world. # What you are achieving here is truly extraordinary. From your childhood selling tea to your election as India's Prime Minister, you've proven that transformational change is possible. # India has a true friend in the White House. # India is truly an inspiration to all of us all over us the world. Through innovative talent & entrepreneurial ability, you have made remarkable strides. # It's incredible to visit this ancient city (Hyderabad) brimming with transformative technology. # Indian spaceships have reached Moon and Mars. People of India inspire us all. # I am proud to see that for the first time a majority of 1500 women entrepreneurs are participating in such an event. For the first time ever, women make up 50 per cent of the people selected for this summit. # This summit is a symbol of growing economic and security cooperation between India and US. # Women entrepreneurs got less than 3 percent funding to establish businesses in 2016 # Today, more than 11 million women in the US own businesses. Also read| GES 2017: Trump's daughter Ivanka to stress on fuelling women-led businesses growth # In many countries women cannot even walk the streets without men. # The women entrepreneurs finance initiative will provide access to capital, network to women in developing countries. # Women still face steep obstacles in starting, growing and establishing their businesses. Also read| GES 2017: Ivanka Trump, Sitharaman to discuss opportunities for women entrepreneurship # We are committed to supporting women and men both inside and outside of their homes. # Women are more likely than men to hire other women. # The women here today represent the grit, determination of every woman. You prove to the world that we have the power to rise above the challenges we face. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Jammu: A Border Security Force (BSF) jawan was shot dead by his colleague after a scuffle at Madar camp in Jammu and Kashmirs Bandipora district, police said. An inspector general of police rank officer confirmed the incident. He said, A scuffle between two jawans led to the incident on Monday late hours. The deceased BSF jawan has been identified as Chandrabhan, a resident of Haryana. The officer denied revealing details of the incident. He said, We are investigating the matter. A case has been registered. He added the accused has been taken into custody. The Jammu and Kashmir Police have registered a case under relevant Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections including 302 against the accused jawan. A police officer deployed in Bandipora district said, The arrested has been identified as Ravinder Singh. He is a senior constable with the BSF. Also read: BSF ASI killed, 3 militants killed near Srinagar Airport; Operation ends, combing operation underway Sources in the BSF said, Senior officers of the force visited the Madar camp to take details of the incident. A parallel investigation has been launched by the BSF in the fratricide killing. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Ivanka Trump inaugurated the 8th Global Entrepreneurship Summit at Hyderabad on Tuesday. The three-day Global Entrepreneurship Summit event is themed around "Women First, Prosperity for All". India is hosting the event for the first time. The summit is taking place at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC) in Hitec City, the Information Technology hub. The inaugural session of the summit was addressed by Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. Ivanka Trump was next to deliver her speech at the summit. Ivanka's address was centered about women's rapid growth as world class entrepenuers and how India was a role model for the rest of the world to follow in terms of women empowerment. The summit focuses on women entrepreneurs and all eyes shall be on on US President Donald Trump's daughter and advisor Ivanka Trump. Ivanka Trump's 350-member delegation includes top administration officials and a large number of Indian-Americans. The summit will also feature 1,200 young entrepreneurs, mostly women. PM Modi will also host a dinner for the US President's daughter at Hyderabad's Falaknuma Palace. Here are the live updates: # Each of you young Indian entrepreneurs have the ability to create a New India 2022. You are the nation's wealth: PM Narendra Modi # India working to develop a comprehensive national energy policy says PM Modi at GES. # Through Jan Dhan Yojana and direct transfer scheme the government has brought informal sector into the banking system, says Modi at GES # India has been an incubator for innovations & entrepreneurship over the ages - PM Modi # Ancient Indian treatise, Charaka Samhita, introduced world to Ayurveda - PM Modi # Yoga is another ancient Indian innovation. Entire world now comes together, to celebrate Yoga Day on 21st June every year: PM Modi # Our many ports and harbors and world's oldest dockyard in Lothal bear evidences of ancient trade linkages: PM Narendra Modi # Women are an incarnation of Shakti - Prime Minister Narendra Modi # Women's empowerment vital to India's development. Every developmental project has had immense contribution from women - PM Modi # From our successful space projects to our government ministries, everything has women contributing to a great extent - PM Modi #PM Modi has began his address at the summit # It's incredible to visit this ancient city (Hyderabad) brimming with transformative technology: Ivanka Trump # India is truly an inspiration to all of us all over us the world. Through innovative talent & entrepreneurial ability, you have made remarkable strides: Ivanka Trump. # What you are achieving here is truly extraordinary. From your childhood selling tea to your election as India's Prime Minister, you've proven that transformational change is possible, says Ivanka Trump # I am proud to see that for the first time a majority of 1500 women entrepreneurs are participating in such an event - Ivanka Trump # Indian spaceships have reached Moon and Mars. People of India inspire us all, said Ivanka. # Hyderabad is the innovation hub of India. Prime Minister Modi is the symbol of democracy: Ivanka # What you are achieving here is truly extraordinary: Ivanka Trump to PM Modi at GEC # The people of India, I want to congratulate you as you celebrate the 70th anniversary of Independence: Ivanka Trump at GEC # PM Modi, Ivanka Trump inaugurate the event # Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao starts speaking at the inaugural ceremony of Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Hyderabad. # PM Narendra Modi meets Ivanka Trump at the GES venue #The Indian corporate houses are in full attendance #EAM Sushma Swaraj meets Ivanka Trump, Advisor to the US President and Leader of the US delegation # Ivanka Trump arrives at the venue # Venue gets packed for event Also Read: PM Modi flags off Hyderabad Metro Rail For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Mumbai: In an incident reported from Latur district of Maharashtra, a 15-year-old girl who was allegedly raped by an Army jawan in April has been expelled from her school. The school took the step to maintain the dignity of the institution say reports. "My school has suspended my admission saying their reputation will be tarnished if I continue to study there," the victim claimed. However, the district administration has a different story to tell. In our initial investigation, we have learnt that the girl was not expelled. Her brother had requested for a transfer, said Latur district collector G Shrikant. He added, We are still probing the incident. Things will be more clear after the inquiry is over. Another official said, The victim and her brother asked for transfer certificate on July 19. The school provided them with the certificate the very next day. The Maharashtra State Commission for Women chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has asked the Latur Police to submit a factual report in the case. The culprit is yet to be arrested. Madhya Pradesh: Cabinet approves death penalty for convicts raping 12-year-old and below Also read: Roopal Tyagi over Piyush Sahdev Rape Allegations: Gossip mongers to not jump to conclusions For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Miss World 2017 Manushi Chhillar while interacting with the media in Delhi said she as a doctor and a Miss World wants to make the world a better place for everyone. Things are already changing. I am happy that the tradition of celebratory firing during weddings is already being abolished, right after I was crowned, said Chhillar on the issue of Khap in Haryana. I am very grateful to the government of Haryana for all the privileges they are offering to me and one of them is of a position that I can take at a government office and I would really like to contribute to the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Aandolan, she added. Another difference that she wishes to make is in her home state of Haryana. "Right after I won even the state and national contests, a lot of young women had queries about it. I am hoping this win will encourage them to take a step ahead. I have been lucky to have very supportive parents but if there is someone who doesn't have support, they must still never give up. If you have the courage, you will make it through," said Chhillar. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Income Tax (IT) department on Tuesday conducted searches at over 25 locations in Delhi and the National Capital Region in connection with its tax evasion probe into the Panama Papers leak cases, official sources said. The I-T teams swooped down on three business groups, which had interests in metals and food processing, financial services and tyres, they added. The department had recovered about Rs 4 crore cash and jewellery during the ongoing searches in Delhi, Ghaziabad and Faridabad till now, the sources said, adding that a number of documents, computer hard discs and CDs were seized. The names and links of the business groups had featured in the PanamaBSE 1.08 per cent Papers and it was detected that these entities were "highly suppressing" their actual turnover and income, they said. At least 25 locations in Delhi-NCR were covered during today's search-and-survey operations, the sources added. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), which frames the policies of the IT department, had recently said that the probe into the Panama Papers leak cases had led to the detection of undisclosed wealth of Rs 792 crore and that the probe was on in "full swing". For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Mumbai: Railway Minister Piyush Goyal was hospitalised on Monday after he complained of uneasiness but was doing "fine" now, a senior railway official said. Before hospitalisation, Goyal visited suburban Elphinstone Road and Currey Road stations to take stock of ongoing construction of the Foot Over Bridges (FOBs) by the Army. Goyal complained of uneasiness after addressing a review meeting of senior Central and Western Railway officials at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus on Monday evening. READ: Bullet train project is a part of India's development plans: Railway Minister Piyush Goyal "After holding a review meeting with the officials,the minister complained of uneasiness due to acidity. Anambulance was called as part of protocol though he was fitenough to walk and preferred to travel in his own vehicle,"the official. ALSO READ: Piyush Goyal: Govt to soon take decision on dates for winter session of Parliament "He (Goyal) has been admitted to a private hospital and is fine now," he added. Goyal did not attend a scheduled press conference due to ill health. Visited Elphinstone Road railway station and reviewed the progress of Foot over bridge's construction. The Army has been working tirelessly to build the infrastructure within the given timeline. pic.twitter.com/ZhcqSorH7f Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) November 27, 2017 "Visited Elphinstone Road railway station and reviewed the progress of foot overbridge's construction. The Army has been working tirelessly to build the infrastructure within the given timeline," Goyal said in a tweet on Monday night. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the much-awaited Hyderabad Metro Rail on Tuesday. The prime minister, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao andA Telanganaas Information Technology Minister K T Rama Rao travelled by the metro from Miyapur to Kukatpally. A Telangana governor ESL Narasimhan and MoS Urban Development Hardeep Singh Puri were also present on the occasion.A A The 30 km-long first phase of the metro rail project is situated between Miyapur and Nagole station Its commercial operations would start the day after. LIVE UPDATES: # PM Narendra Modi inaugurates Hyderabad metro During its inaugural run, Modi and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao will travel by the metro from Miyapur to Kukatpally, and back. The trains would run from 6 am to 10 pm initially and the timings would be rescheduled to 5:30 am to 11 pm, depending on the traffic and demand, Telanganaas Information Technology Minister K T Rama Rao informed. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Ivanka Trump, the advisor and daughter of US President Donald Trump, on Tuesday arrived in Hyderabad to attend the Global Entrepreneurship Summit co-hosted by India and America. Amid tight security, she was welcomed by Indian ambassador to US Navtej Sarna and US ambassador to India Kenneth Juster with other senior officials at the airport. Ivanka is leading a delegation of senior Trump administration officials and entrepreneurs at the three-day Summit which will be held on Tuesday. Ivanka TrumpA is likely to stress on fuelling the growth of women-led businesses, saying closing the gender entrepreneurship gap world-wide could grow global GDP by as much as 2 per cent. In her key note address to the 8th annual GlobalEntrepreneurship Summit later in the day, she is likely to stress on ensuring women entrepreneurs have access to capital, access to networks and mentors, and access to equitable laws. To be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, more than 1200 young entrepreneurs, a majority of whom are women, from 127 countries would attend the summit. In addition some 300 investors and ecosystem supporters are also attending the mega event. Hyderabad: #IvankaTrump arrives for the GES 2017. PM Modi to also attend the summit pic.twitter.com/JXP4Yd1UVN a ANI (@ANI) November 27, 2017 The worldas largest gathering of young entrepreneurs is being co-hosted by India and the United States. #WATCH Ivanka Trump arrived in Hyderabad, late last night; will be attending Global Entrepreneurship Summit #GES2017 pic.twitter.com/3FozL12bF4 a ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2017 For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Alex Wong/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- First Lady Melania Trump hosted members of the press and children from Joint Base Andrews at an unveiling of this year's White House Christmas decorations on Monday. The theme this year, "Time-Honored Traditions," credited to Trump, is intended as a homage to 200 years of White House holiday customs. The decorations include 53 Christmas trees, 71 Christmas wreaths, more than 12,000 ornaments and a 200-pound gingerbread reproduction of the White House. The Grand Foyer and Cross Hall were decorated with multiple Christmas trees covered in crystal ornaments and artificial snow inspired by the "Nutcracker Suite" theme of the 1961 White House holiday decorations. The Red Room contained a smaller Christmas tree and decorations made of holiday treats and candies. There, the first lady sat with children from Joint Base Andrews to make holiday decorations out of gumdrops. A press release from the White House states, "Throughout the month of December, the White House will host more than 100 open houses and many receptions. More than 25,000 visitors will walk the halls taking part in public tours." Copyright 2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Park was to return to the dock with a fresh team of five court-appointed lawyers after her own legal team resigned en masse in protest against the court extending her detention, but she refused to meet them and cited health problems for her absence. Ex-President Park Geun-hye's trial resumed at the Seoul Central District Court after a 42-day hiatus on Monday, but the accused refused to show up. Park submitted a statement claiming to be suffering from back pains and swollen knees that require painkillers. Authorities in the remand jail where Park has been incarcerated said she is getting about 30 minutes of exercise a day outside her cell. Monday's court session ended after just 23 minutes. The court will decide whether to try her in absentia if she keeps refusing to show up. The judge said, "It is difficult to force her to show up for trial considering her status as an ex-president. We will postpone the trial [to Tuesday] and explain what she stands to lose if she is tried in absentia." The court-appointed lawyers have asked Park three times to meet with them, but the former leader apparently did not respond. One told reporters, "We will try our best to protect the rights of the defendant and uphold the objectives of the previous defense team." New Delhi : A woman in her early twenties was allegedly gang raped by her brother, father and two uncles, who believed she disgraced the family honour by eloping with a boy of a different commuity, in Uttar Pradeshs Muzaffarnagar. Uttar Pradesh Police officials have claimed to arrest all the four accused involved in the rape case. Police registered an FIR against the four accused on the directives of the Allahabad High Court. Police added that the victim in her complaint also mentioned that her family members threatened her of dire consequences if she informed the incident to anyone. She was also confined in her house for several days. A senior police officer of Muzaffarnagar said, The incident occurred in Dhaneda village few kilometers away from the city. He added, The victim told the police that the four accused while raping her repeatedly said that she is being punished for disgracing the honour of the family by eloping with boy of another caste. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: International Data Corporation (IDC)s report has claimed that Xiaomi has emerged as the market leader in the top 50 Indian cities in the Q3 2017 period. Further, it is closely followed by Samsung, Lenovo (including Moto), Oppo and Vivo. More than 50 percent of overall smartphone sales in the country have occurred in the top 50 Indian cities in the third quarter of this year. The Tier I cities which include the countrys top metros are considered to be the key volume driver for the Indian smartphone market. Delhi and Mumbai contributed one-fourth of the total sales in top 50 cities. Moreover, IDC has revealed that as far as the Tier II cities are concerned, Bhopal, Gurugram and Jaipur have reported a massive growth of more than 40 percent from the previous quarter. ALSO READ: Xiaomi launches Mi Exchange Programme in India in line company's expansion plans With the rise of 4G data penetration in India mainly from Tier I and Tier II cities are attracting brands who are currently diversifying their sales and marketing strategies. IDC in its India Monthly City-Level Smartphone Tracker has claimed that in the top 50 cities, Xiaomi ousted Samsung to take 26.5 percent of the market. READ: Xiaomi Redmi Y1 Lite, Redmi Y1 to go on sale on Amazon. Know its price, features Reports state that it has registered 120 percent growth in the period, while the Redmi Note 4 contributed to 40 percent of its volumes - becoming the highest selling smartphone across the cities. Dhaka: The Bangladesh High Court has upheld the death sentence of 139 and the life imprisonment of 146 convicted soldiers of the then Bangladesh Rifles over the killing of 74 people, including 57 Army officers, during the 2009 mutiny. The judgement comes after the court started delivering the verdict in the death sentence of the total 152 convicted soldiers at the border guards' headquarters.A "One thirty-nine will have to walk to gallows and 146 will be imprisoned for life," attorney general Mahbubey Alam told a media briefing, quoting the long verdict delivered by a three-judge High Court bench. The judgement comes four years after a lower court in Dhaka handed down capital punishment to 152 and life term to 158 soldiers of the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR). A bench started reading out the entire judgement on the death reference and appeal hearing of the trial of what is said to Bangladesh's biggest ever criminal case. A Dhaka court had awarded death penalty to 152 jawans and non-commissioned officers of the BDR, which was renamed as the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), in November 2013. The court had sentenced 158 to life imprisonment, 251 to imprisonments up to 10 years for the February 25-26, 2009 carnage, when 74 people, including 57 military officers serving in the then Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), were killed. "It appears from discussions and reviews before and after the BDR mutiny that it was a conspiracy by a quarter with vested interest to hamper the stability of the state and socio-economic safety," said the bench in its observation part of the judgement. The bench observed that it was "an attempt to destroy a trained and skilled professional force through conspiracy". The BDR jawans had been accused of masterminding the mutiny plots, torturing and killing their officers, looting their belongings or keeping their family members captive during the rebellion. They had also killed eight civilians, eight fellow BDR soldiers who apparently were opposed to the revolt and an army soldier apart from the 57 military officers. Legal experts had called it the country's biggest ever criminal trial in which some 800 ex-paramilitary soldiers had been accused of the murder of 74 people, including 57 military officers during the revolt in February 2009. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Three Pakistani nationals, including a nine-year-old girl, would be issued visas for their medical treatment in India, said External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday.A Swaraj was responding to a request by Danish Memon to grant a visa to his nine-year-old daughter Maria for treatment of thalassemia following which she asked the Indian High Commission in Islamabad to issue the travel document immediately. "Maria Danish - I am asking Indian High Commission in Pakistan to issue your visa immediately," she tweeted. Replying to another request by one Mariam Asim for medical visa for her father, Swaraj said India would issue the visa. "Pls contact Indian High Commission in Pakistan with your papers. We will issue the visa," Swaraj tweeted. The External Affairs Minister also assured another Pakistani woman, Fariha Usman, of granting visa after she requested for it. Maria Danish - I am asking Indian High Commission in Pakistan to issue your visa immediately. @DanishM10744644 pic.twitter.com/R0aGxbcvbe a Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) November 27, 2017 Pls contact Indian High Commission in Pakistan with your papers. We will issue the visa. @IndiainPakistan https://t.co/wf1Qoxxa2o a Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) November 27, 2017 On a report from @IndiainPakistan, we have approved medical visa for the liver transplant surgery of Ms.Sakina Younus in India. a Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) November 27, 2017 For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. A high-speed KTX rail service between Seoul and Gangneung, Gangwon Province will begin operating late next month, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said on Monday. Advance bookings can be made from Thursday for trains scheduled to begin service on Dec. 22. The service is intended to accommodate travel to the venues of the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. It will operate 18 times a day on weekdays -- with 10 departures from Seoul Station and eight from Cheongnyangni Station -- and 26 times on weekends. A one-way ticket to Gangneung will cost W27,600 from Seoul Station and W26,000 from Cheongnyangni (US$= W1,089). The service will reduce travel time from Seoul to Gangneung from 6.5 hours by regular train to 1.5-2 hours. Defense Minister Song Young-moo visited the Joint Security Area on Monday to check the route a fleeing North Korean soldier took last week. Multiple bullet holes marked the scene on the southern side of the JSA from shots fired by North Korean guards. Five bullet marks were found near the ventilator at Freedom House in the truce village of Panmunjom, where the soldier collapsed. The lower part of the wall and even a tree next to the building were dimpled with shots. Korea and China are about to start talks about enshrining new rules for services and investment in their free trade agreement, according to a diplomatic source in Beijing on Monday. The talks will be vital in preventing a recurrence of China's recent unofficial boycott of Korean services, where the tourism and logistics industries took the brunt. The FTA took effect on Dec. 20, 2015 but was focused mainly on manufactured goods. The two countries agreed to leave follow-up talks on services and investment until two years later because they found it impossible to get on the same page. China's service exports are growing rapidly and is expected to reach US$1 trillion in 2020. But Korea's service exports to China stood at a mere $20.5 billion in 2016, just 16 percent of the value of its goods exports ($124.4 billion). Of all 155 service sectors, China completely opened only six, including data processing and financial information exchange, to Korea in the FTA. Some 84 sectors offer limited access and 65, including education and defense, remain completely closed to Korean firms. Vancouver council votes to adopt controversial definition of antisemitism Vancouver has voted to adopt a definition of antisemitism that many jurisdictions have also embraced, but some human rights groups oppose it over fears it may... McConnell reelected Senate GOP leader: 'Not going anywhere' WASHINGTON Sen. Mitch McConnell was reelected as Republican leader Wednesday, quashing a challenge from Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, the Senate GOP campaign... Candace Cameron Bure calls backlash for her 'traditional marriage' comments attempts to 'assassinate my character' The "Full House" alum said Monday that movies at Great American Family will "keep traditional marriage at the core," provoking a wave of backlash from GLAAD and... Ukraine claims that a Ukrainian sniper made the second-longest combat kill ever With a claimed distance of 2,710 meters, a Ukrainian sniper claims to record the second-longest combat kill ever. Seoul: North Korea fires ballistic missile toward sea North Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile toward its eastern waters on Thursday, South Korea's military said, hours after the North threatened to... Amazon begins mass layoffs among its corporate workforce Mass layoffs are rare at Amazon, but the company has had rounds of job cuts in 2018 and in 2001 during the dot-com crash. On the warehouse side, the ecommerce... This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Each November, as Thanksgiving looms closer, America begins to pay more attention to an issue that is prevalent around the country year-round: hunger. Between the years of 2016-18, an average of 12.4 percent of Connecticut households were food insecure, according to most recent data from the Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A little over four percent of those households were considered to be "very low food secure households." These numbers have declined slightly since the period of 2013-15 when 13.1 percent of Connecticut households were food insecure, but a more troubling statistic is the increasing number of people who experience actual hunger in Connecticut. Despite the fact that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has shown that there has been a drop in food insecurity across the country, the drop in Connecticut has been smaller, Paul Shipman, spokesperson for the Connecticut Food Bank, told Hearst in 2018. Feeding America, which helps support the Connecticut Food Bank, as well as over 200 food banks across the country, releases an annual Food Insecurity Report breaking down hunger amongst the 50 states. The most recent report shows thatthe food insecurity rate in Connecticut in 2017 was 11.3. According to the 2017 Feeding America report, Litchfield County experienced the least food insecurity with a rate of 9.3 percent, followed by Fairfield County at 9.4 percent, Tolland County at 9.6 percent and Middlesex County at 9.7 percent. More News Stats: Hunger and poverty in Connecticut New Haven County is in worse shape with a 12.1 percent food insecurity rate. The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven supports local food banks and organizations battling hunger in the Greater New Haven area, which extends beyond just New Haven County to include parts of the Valley. In 2016, the foundation published The Community Progress Report, which found that "14 percent of Greater New Haven, and nearly one in four New Haven residents, did not have enough money for food," Matthew Higbee, the Research and Communications Officer, Grantmaking and Strategy, told Hearst in 2017. One issue that the Connecticut Food Bank has seen is the number of individuals who working more than one job, yet cannot afford to put food on the table. "What has become more apparent is that the people who visit us are working. They are working one or more jobs but they still struggle to make ends meet," said Shipman in 2018. Shipman attributed this to the rising cost of living in Connecticut. "Hunger impacts every community," said Shipman. "People would be shocked to know that they may have neighbors who are struggling because of a sudden loss of a job or a health emergency." For education technology entrepreneurs, things are looking up. On the heels of a four-year low in 2016, edtech investments are on a marked upswing, on pace to reach $1.4 billion by 2017's end by PitchBook's account. Still, edtech investments are likely to fall short of the $1.5 billion high-water mark of 2015. Especially with the U.S. federal education budget likely to face cuts for 2018, entrepreneurs and investors alike are eyeing edtech with cautious optimism. Related: 5 Challenges Facing Education-Tech Startups To be sure, 2017 has been a good year for edtech startups in certain niches. Introductory coding tool littleBits, for example, debuted a new kit this year to rave reviews and became the star of the year's National Principal's Conference. Some adaptive learning startups, such as Nearpod, had a good year as well. Nearpod announced $21 million in funding back in March, according to TechCrunch, which enabled it to debut more than 300 digital lessons in a partnership with Education.com. Investors also signaled interest in gamification platforms such as Classcraft, which turns attending school into a role-playing game over the course of a schoolyear. In September, PE Hub reported that Classcraft closed an impressive early-stage investment of $2.8 million to scale its tool. What do these edtech success stories have in common? They make learning fun for kids and easy for educators, and they've been rigorously tested both in and out of the classroom. While that might sound simple, educators have understandably high expectations for products that purport to improve student learning. Becoming the teachers pet. Administrative and support staff, who are often the ones ordering products for districts, often default to teachers' judgment when making classroom purchases. For entrepreneurs hoping to tap into the education market, teachers are the right people to reach. So what, exactly, are teachers looking for in an edtech product? Typically, they want to see that it: 1. Solves actual problems. Any product designed primarily to "wow" users won't work in education. Teachers and classrooms are stretched thin as it is, and a tool won't make its way into schools unless it's necessary. Unfortunately, many of the tools available at the moment simply aren't cutting it. Just 59 percent of teachers think the tech they use is meeting student needs, according to research from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The problem, more often than not, is that edtech companies assume they know what teachers and students need. When an edtech company decides to create a gamified math program, it's because it believes that's the only way to make math fun. But for every app that tries to gamify a subject, there are already thousands of teachers making it fun without a fancy new product. For the real story, talk to teachers about the challenges they experience every day. ClassDojo, for one, has succeeded because its co-founder Sam Chaudhary committed to listening to teachers, parents and students throughout the development process. As a result, ClassDojo solves a real teacher need: communicating student progress to parents outside of the parent-teacher conference. It's the type of problem that you wouldn't think about unless you're a teacher -- or talked to one. Now ClassDojo is used in 90 percent of U.S. K-8 school districts, as reported by the San Francisco Business Times. Related: 4 Startups Revolutionizing the EdTech World 2. Is tested and proven. In the early days of edtech, getting products into the hands of teachers was enough. Teachers would pilot the tool, and if their classes liked it, they'd ask administrators whether they could purchase it. These days, competition is much fiercer. So many products have hit the market that teachers don't know which are wise investments. Fortunately, edtech accelerators serve not only to help entrepreneurs develop their products, but also as trusted testing grounds. In 2015, the University of Virginias Curry School of Education created its Jefferson Education Accelerator to give promising edtech startups a jump-start. So far, none of the companies the accelerator has worked with have failed. Accelerators help entrepreneurs validate products, of course, but the trials don't end there. LEAP Innovations, for instance, works to match Chicago-area schools and edtech investment experts. Not only does this help teachers find the right technology, but it also helps edtech companies find the perfect audience for their products. 3. Has a plan for implementation and adoption. Over the past 20 years, we've seen great steps forward to modernize schools and classrooms. Today, nearly all schools are online, and 88 percent of classrooms have robust broadband internet, according to Education Superhighway's 2017 State of the States report. That broadband access is due, in part, to E-Rate, a program I was lucky enough to help create and launch in the late 1990s. But while broadband access is a real accomplishment for rural schools, in particular, not every teacher at newly connected schools instantly embraced online learning tools. Participating in the program reminded me that a tool alone can't change how a teacher approaches her day. Simply creating a new product isn't enough; edtech companies need to consistently support teachers as they adopt and implement that product in their classrooms. For example, there have been several programs to get iPads into schools. Although it seems like they'd be a big hit, taps and apps are a big shift from paper and pencils. Related: How Edtech Startups Are Using Technology To Up Their Game One company that bridged that gap was Schoology. The company's learning management system facilitated a one-to-one iPad implementation program for a school district in Pennsylvania. With Schoology's program, teachers could provide customized instruction for their students, making use of the tech they'd been provided. Don't make the "build it and they will come" mistake with teachers. Without a proven product that fulfills a need of theirs or their students, any attempts to sell to teachers will tank. Teachers know what they do and don't need in the classroom, and no amount of venture investment will change that. Related: #5 Ways to Produce Efficient Entrepreneurs By Changing the Way we Teach What Your Edtech Product Needs to Get a Gold Star From Educators Here's What the Leaders of the 11 Most Successful U.S. Companies Studied in College Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com The military is blasting broadcasts by loudspeaker along the heavily armed border with North Korea informing the North of the latest defection by a North Korean soldier. They are being told how the soldier was shot several times during his dramatic escape, but was saved by South Korean doctors and is recovering. Many consider the broadcasts a formidable weapon in the South's psychological warfare arsenal. One North Korean who defected in June and used to be a soldier along the border said he decided to escape after hearing about South Korea's rapid economic development from other defectors in these broadcasts. The latest defection could have a huge psychological impact on North Koreans, since it involved an elite soldier making a mad dash across the border braving a hail of bullets. The loudspeakers can be heard 10 km inside North Korea in daytime and as far away as 24 km at night. They are played two to six hours a day in a radio program format. North Korea is furious at the South Korean broadcasts. The South dismantled the loudspeakers amid a thaw in 2004 after trusting the North's pledge to halt provocations. At that time, North Korea indicated that its prime objective was to stop the broadcasts. North Korea was extremely nervous when South Korea resumed the broadcasts following a box-mine attack in the demilitarized zone in 2015 that maimed two South Korean soldiers, and again in January last year after the North's fourth nuclear test. For a regime as reclusive as North Korea's, information about the outside world can be far more destructive than American bombs. North Koreans are led by a dictator whose grip on power could be seriously undermined if truth about the outside world gets in. The BBC and a dozen other foreign and South Korean broadcasters are already reaching out to an estimated 3 million North Koreans to tell them how their leader is deceiving them. There are apparently many North Koreans who mill around near foreign embassies in Pyongyang trying to use their Wifi signals to access the Internet, and the North has more than 2.5 million smartphone users. Informing North Koreans about the atrocities being committed by their dictator can be a strong deterrent against further abuses. North Korea must be warned that further nuclear provocations will open the floodgates to outside information inundating the North. Reunification can only be achieved by weakening Kim's grip on power and letting his people learn the truth. President Moon Jae-in, in a speech marking the 64th anniversary of the armistice that halted the 1950-53 Korean War, proposed "mutually" ending cross-border provocations. That means the South could end the loudspeaker broadcasts in a tit-for-tat arrangement. This would be a serious mistake and surrender a vital weapon in the arsenal. Delta 9 was founded in 2012, and quickly became the fourth fully licensed producer and distributor of medical cannabis in Canada. Currently operating an 80,000 sq. ft. production facility in East Winnipeg, Delta 9 is focused on growing small batch, hand trimmed medical cannabis strains in its innovative, self-designed Grow Pod systems. As Manitoba has recently unveiled its proposed cannabis distribution model, which includes private sales, Delta 9 will work with Canopy Growth to continue to serve the local market with consistent high-quality standardized cannabis products, while gaining access to consumers across the country through Canopy Growth's online marketplace: www.tweedmainstreet.com . "We recognize the varied needs of our patients and through the CraftGrow program we aim to bring them the highest quality products from a variety of producers that each bring a unique offering forward," said Mark Zekulin, President of Canopy Growth Corporation. "This is the ninth participant in the CraftGrow program, and we are particularly excited to see one of the earliest established producers in our sector come on board. We want to promote the value of our platform approach and welcoming Delta 9's products to our shop speaks volumes to the CraftGrow program's potential." Canopy Growth's CraftGrow line aims to build an ecosystem of high-quality cannabis options for patients across the country. As the newest member of the CraftGrow family, Delta 9 will gain direct access to Canopy Growth's extensive operational, distribution, marketing and sales infrastructure through the Tweed Main Street online marketplace where a gram is shipped on average every 4 seconds. Its sector-leading fulfillment centre then ships these orders to customers all across the country. "Our company is excited to further our growing partnership with Canopy Growth," said Delta 9 CEO John Arbuthnot. "We are already working closely on a project to jointly serve the growing market in Manitoba; this project brings Delta 9's craft grown cannabis products to a wider national audience through Canopy's well-established CraftGrow network." Canopy Growth is committed to growing a thriving cannabis marketplace that offers diversity of producers and products to valuable customers. The CraftGrow program is an integral part of an effective cannabis ecosystem, and the addition of Delta 9 strengthens the program and supports ongoing success. Here's to Future CraftGrowth. About Tweed Tweed is a globally recognized cannabis production brand. It has built a large and loyal following by focusing on quality products and meaningful customer relationships. Tweed doesn't just sell cannabis, it facilitates a conversation about a product we've all heard about but haven't met intimately yet. It is approachable and friendly, yet reliable and trusted. As cannabis laws liberalize around the world, Tweed will expand its leading Canadian position around the globe. Learn more at www.tweed.com. About Canopy Growth Corporation Canopy Growth is a world-leading diversified cannabis company, offering distinct brands and curated cannabis varieties in dried, oil and capsule forms. Through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Canopy Growth operates numerous state-of-the-art production facilities with over 700k sq. ft. of licensed production, over 500k sq. ft. of which is GMP-certified. Looking forward to 2018, Canopy Growth and its affiliates are developing a production platform that will represent 3.2 million sq. ft. of indoor and greenhouse production capacity, all operated with world-leading production, quality assurance procedures, value-add post processing, research, and testing. Canopy Growth has established partnerships with leading sector names in Canada and abroad, with interests and operations spanning seven countries and four continents. The Company is proudly dedicated to educating healthcare practitioners, providing consistent access to high quality cannabis products, conducting robust clinical research, and furthering the public's understanding of cannabis. For more information visit www.canopygrowth.com. About Delta 9 Delta 9 Cannabis Inc., through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Delta 9 Bio-tech, is a licensed producer of medical marijuana pursuant to Health Canada's Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR). The company operates an 80,000-square foot, expandable, state-of-the-art production facility in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. For more information please visit www.Delta9.ca. Notice Regarding Forward Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "estimates", "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. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Canopy Growth Corporation, its subsidiaries, or its affiliates to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Examples of such statements include future operational and production capacity, the impact of enhanced infrastructure and production capabilities, and forecasted available product selection. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and Canopy Growth Corporation does not undertake an obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise unless required by applicable securities legislation. Neither the TSX Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE Canopy Growth Corporation For further information: Jordan Sinclair, Director of Communications, [email protected], 613-769-4196; Investor Relations, Tyler Burns, [email protected], 855-558-9333 ex 122; Director: Bruce Linton, [email protected] Related Links http://canopygrowth.com/ OTTAWA, Nov. 28, 2017 /CNW/ - On the heels of the Ontario's government's announcement today of its Long-Term Infrastructure Plan, the Cement Association of Canada (CAC) congratulates the government for taking a leadership role in ensuring infrastructure planning takes climate change into consideration. "The Cement Association of Canada has been a long-time advocate of taking a lifecycle approach to infrastructure planning", said CAC President and CEO Michael McSweeney. "The leadership the Ontario government is demonstrating today on climate change adaptation, mitigation and lifecycle planning will ensure Ontario is a leader in the transition to the low carbon economy." The Long-Term Infrastructure Plan states that, starting in 2019, lifecycle analysis will be implemented as a way to support evidence-based infrastructure decisions. The Plan aims to have a lifecycle analysis requirement for major infrastructure projects by mid-2020. Lifecycle analysis is a method for calculating the lifetime environmental impact of a product or service. It helps ensure that infrastructure investments deliver maximum economic, social and environmental value. "The cement industry has been a champion of this approach and looks forward to continuing our partnership with the Ontario government during its implementation," added Mr. McSweeney. "The cement and concrete industry shares responsibility for shaping prosperous, low-carbon, climate-resilient communities. We are part of the solution and are by your side to build for the clean economy." The Cement Association of Canada The Cement Association of Canada (CAC) is the voice of Canada's cement manufacturers. The industry provides a reliable, domestic supply of cement required to build Canada's communities and critical infrastructure. The CAC and its members are committed to the environmentally responsible manufacturing of cement and concrete products. In Ontario, the CAC's members are CRH Canada Group, Federal White Cement Ltd., Lafarge Canada Inc., Lehigh Hanson Canada and St Marys Cement - A Votorantim Cimentos Company. The cement and concrete industry contributes to 50,000 direct and indirect jobs across the province, generates over $6 billion in economic activity and supports a $37 billion construction industry. www.cement.ca www.rediscoverconcrete.ca SOURCE Cement Association of Canada For further information: Lyse Teasdale, Director, Communications, Cement Association of Canada, Tel: 613-236-9471, ext 211, [email protected] Related Links www.cement.ca The 76-year-old female patient who was operated on using the system had been diagnosed with severe aortic valve stenosis and defined as a high-risk surgical patient. The heart team discussed and defined the patient's anatomical features as a bicuspid aortic valve and asymmetric calcification, which raised the risk of dislocation during the valve implantation. They were of the opinion that the retrievable system would be the best fit for the patient. The retrievable system allows the valve to withdraw and reposition after release, avoiding adverse events as a result of a poor implant position and mismatch of the implanted valve, including valve translocation, severe paravalvular leakage, a negative impact on the bicuspid aortic valve and high degree atrioventricular block caused by conduction bundle compression. The system also reduces the complexity of the procedure, which, in turn, helps to promote the adoption and application of TAVR technology. "SAHZU's medical team has been closely working with Zhejiang Province's Cardiac Valve Research Institute and Venus Medtech's R&D team to study, develop and produce the heart valve products. The collaboration began with the VenusA-Valve and has led to the success for VenusA Plus," professor Wang added. "The product is a next-generation TAVR valve that delivers good performance in terms of release, retrievable stability, controllability and passing ability, thus offering great potential when it comes to clinical applications." The successful human implantation of VenusA Plus took place just four months after the launch of China's first TAVR valve VenusA-Valve. "Venus Medtech has continuously achieved technological breakthroughs," explained Venus Medtech CEO Zi Zhenjun. "We plan to roll out more innovative products going forward, demonstrating the company's strong competence in innovation and its ongoing commitment to serving patients." SOURCE Venus Medtech (Hangzhou) Inc. For further information: Wu Juan, +86-10-52723096, [email protected] VANCOUVER, Nov. 28, 2017 /CNW/ - Fireswirl Technologies Inc. (TSXV: FSW), "the Company", today announced its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2017. All figures are quoted in Canadian dollars. Financial statements and accompanying MD&A are available on SEDAR. Financial Highlights for Q3: For the three months ended September 30, 2017 ("Q3 2017"), total operating income was $143,194 compared to $16,043 for the same period in 2016 ("Q3 2016"). ("Q3 2017"), total operating income was compared to for the same period in 2016 ("Q3 2016"). Net loss from continuing operations was $330,830 in Q3 2017 compared to $318,662 for the same period in 2016. in Q3 2017 compared to for the same period in 2016. Net loss was $330,830 in Q3 2017 compared to $295,887 for the same period in 2016. in Q3 2017 compared to for the same period in 2016. The Company had a total net loss attributable to common shareholders of the Company of $292,178 compared to $307,275 for the same period in 2016. "The management team is continuing to expand its customer base in Asia and North America," Stated Henry Au, CEO, "We are pleased with the acquisition of AMZON and will continue to strengthen our competitive advantages." About Fireswirl and AMZON Fireswirl Technologies Inc. (TSXV: FSW) is focused on creating transactional revenue by engineering electronic and mobile commerce solutions for content providers. The Company's technology has broad applications for solutions requiring multiple payment interfaces, multicurrency and multi-language capabilities. Our solutions can be adapted to any industry seeking high volume or micro-payment solutions involving a wide base of users through internet or wireless applications. AMZON is one of the leading multimedia solution providers in Hong Kong. With its strong technological base, we have established long term business relationships with multi-billion enterprises such as Mass Transit Railway Corporation ("MTRC"), New World Development Company Limited ("New World Group") and China Overseas Holding Ltd. ("COHL"). AMZON has been deploying creative multimedia solutions for clients in sales & marketing as well as corporate and brand communication. The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or the accuracy of this release. This news release contains certain forward-looking statements that reflect the current views and/or expectations of Fireswirl Technologies Inc. with respect to its performance, business and future events. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, those relating to changes in the market, potential downturns in economic conditions, foreign exchange fluctuations, general demand, competition and our ability to implement our business plans and strategies in a timely manner or at all. These risks, as well as others, could cause actual results and events to vary significantly. Fireswirl Technologies Inc. does not undertake any obligations to release publicly any revisions for updating any voluntary forward-looking statements. SOURCE Fireswirl Technologies Inc. For further information: Further information can be found on the company at: www.fireswirl.com or contact: Fireswirl Technologies Inc., Ji Yoon, Interim CFO, Telephone: 604.216.7304, Fax: 604.677.6613, Email: [email protected], Website: www.fireswirl.com Ducks Unlimited Canada caps off Canada 150 celebrations by conserving more than 150,000 acres OAK HAMMOCK MARSH, MB, Nov. 27, 2017 /CNW/ - At Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC), we marked the country's birthday in a big wayby focusing on what we do best: conservation. With the help of supporters and partners across the country, this year we conserved and influenced more than 150,000 acres (60,703 hectares). From coast to coast, these acres encompass wetlands, native prairie grasses, tidal marshes and more. They are natural areas that are essential to Canadians and our wildlife. DUC's efforts will leave a lasting impression on places like: Cowichan-Koksilah Estuary in Cowichan Bay, B.C . DUC and its partners came together to ensure this coastal estuary continues to provide habitat to more than 230 species of birds. . DUC and its partners came together to ensure this coastal estuary continues to provide habitat to more than 230 species of birds. Shell Buffalo Hills Conservation Ranch in Arrowwood, Alta. Native grasslands and tame hay lands support approximately 159 breeding, migrating and wintering bird species. Native grasslands and tame hay lands support approximately 159 breeding, migrating and wintering bird species. Allan Hills , Sask . Ranchers worked with DUC to safeguard a landscape that supports waterfowl and 600 grazing cattle and their yearlings. . Ranchers worked with DUC to safeguard a landscape that supports waterfowl and 600 grazing cattle and their yearlings. Rural Municipality of Pipestone, Man . DUC's 150 th Conservation Agreement in Manitoba will keep wetlands on the landscape. . DUC's 150 Conservation Agreement in will keep wetlands on the landscape. Hullett Provincial Wildlife Area in Clinton, Ont . Completed maintenance work that keeps wetlands in this wildlife management area thriving. . Completed maintenance work that keeps wetlands in this wildlife management area thriving. Estrie, Que . By mapping the size, type and location of wetlands in communities like Estrie, DUC created an important resource that will help Quebec's provincial government honour its commitment to protect wetlands and waterways. . By mapping the size, type and location of wetlands in communities like Estrie, DUC created an important resource that will help provincial government honour its commitment to protect wetlands and waterways. Prince Edward Island . DUC conservation efforts provide important habitat to waterfowl, like Charlottetown's infamous black duck, Lucy and her broods. It has been a busy year and we went big. One-hundred-and-fifty-thousand acres big. These are just a few examples of DUC's conservation work in 2017. To experience the stories about how we celebrated Canada 150 in your community, visit our interactive map. Or reach out to us directly to learn more. Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) is the leader in wetland conservation. A registered charity, DUC partners with government, industry, non-profit organizations and landowners to conserve wetlands that are critical to waterfowl, wildlife and the environment. www.ducks.ca SOURCE DUCKS UNLIMITED CANADA For further information: Media Contact: Julielee Stitt, Communications Coordinator, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Office: 204-467-3270, Email: [email protected] Related Links www.ducks.ca Gore Mutual's campaign, which began on November 10, surpassed expectations and captured the attention of Canadians across the country on social media who rallied to nominate nearly 400 charities. In reaction to the outpouring of support, the company expanded its giving to award an additional 10 charities $1,000 each. "We were amazed by the magnitude of response and coordinated efforts from the public to have their charity recognized for their community work," said Heidi Sevcik, President and CEO of Gore Mutual. "In response, we quickly expanded our giving from six charities to sixteen. This campaign is important to our company as we continue to think holistically about our work and the positive impact we can make in our communities." The GivingTuesday gifts totaling $40,000 are the latest in a broad series of grants the company has made this year. This past January, Gore Mutual launched its 150 Ways campaign with the promise of giving $1 million to help Canadian communities in celebration of Canada's 150th anniversary. Nearing the close date of December 31, the company has surpassed its initial goal with help from its broker partners, granting more than $1.3 million dollars to the benefit of community hospitals, youth education and more. "As a modern mutual we're constantly refining the role of our company in society," said Farouk Ahamed, Board Chair at Gore Mutual. "We are looking for more ways to align our business and charitable efforts so that we place priority in caring for people, delivering positive social impact and building healthy communities." Following the closing of nominations on November 21, employees at Gore Mutual's offices in Cambridge and Vancouver selected six charities to each receive a $5,000 grant. Included were Hamilton's McMaster Children's Hospital Foundation, Children's Aid Foundation of Canada, Canadian Mental Health Association of Waterloo Wellington, Lisaard House in Cambridge, Alzheimer's Society of B.C. and Mental Illness Family Support Centre Society in Vernon, British Columbia. The campaign enthusiastically ends today as Gore Mutual staff and broker partners personally deliver cheques to the Canadian charities. "We're so encouraged to see Canadian businesses embrace the spirit of GivingTuesday. The donation from Gore Mutual is one of the largest we've seen this year," says Lys Hugessen, President of GIV3, one of the organizers of GivingTuesday. "Thank you to every Canadian who is making a commitment to giving back, as we turn our attention from shopping toward helping our communities." About GivingTuesday GivingTuesday was launched in Canada in 2013 by GIV3 and CanadaHelps.org. GivingTuesday is a day for the entire charitable sector and encourages all Canadians to join the movement and give and volunteer for charities of their choice. GivingTuesday was originally founded in the US by 92nd Street Y in partnership with the UN Foundation. Learn more about GivingTuesday at givingtuesday.ca. About Gore Mutual Founded in 1839, Gore Mutual is Canada's oldest property and casualty insurer, with over $410M in premiums and over $1BN in assets as of December 31, 2016. Based in Cambridge, Ontario and Vancouver, British Columbia, this Canadian-owned and operated mutual company employs over 350 people and is known for its investment in people, technology and innovation. With a long-standing commitment to genuine personal service, and with InsurTech partnerships such as BrokerLift, Gore Mutual is an unwavering supporter of its network of insurance brokers, who offer the highest standards of service, choice and advocacy to Canadian customers. Gore Mutual was voted the #1 insurance company by the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (IBAO) in 2014 and certified as a "Great Workplace" in 2017 for the second time. The Gore Mutual Foundation strengthens Canadian communities by supporting local initiatives and has donated more than $10M to over 650 charities. Learn more about Gore Mutual at goremutual.ca. SOURCE Gore Mutual Insurance Company For further information: MEDIA CONTACT: Shawn Despres, Communications and Online Marketing Specialist 1-800-265-8600, ext. 2676, Email: [email protected] Related Links http://www.goremutual.ca The Fox property was staked on October 26th and consists of two contiguous claims totaling 1,374 hectares located 15 kilometres north of Cameco's Key Lake uranium mill (Figure 2). Fox is surrounded by over 425M lbs of uranium (U 3 O 8 ) at an average grade of 5.2% U 3 O 8 in mined-out and undeveloped deposits at Key Lake, (Cameco and AREVA), Millennium (Cameco and JCU) and Wheeler River's Phoenix and Gryphon deposits (Denison Mines Corp., Cameco and JCU) all of which are within 25 kilometres of the Fox property. Importantly, both Millennium and Gryphon are primarily basement hosted deposits. Infrastructure in the area is excellent, with the southern edge of the claims being within one kilometer of Fox Lake road which provides year-round exploration access. According to Saskatchewan government records, no exploration drill holes have ever been completed within the boundary of the Fox property, despite the presence of a 4.5-kilometre-long zone of low magnetic susceptibility that spans the property in a north-south direction and may indicate the presence of prospective metasedimentary basement rocks. Mineralization at Cameco's Millennium deposit follows a similarly oriented trend. Depth to the sub-Athabasca unconformity, based on drill holes on nearby properties, is estimated to be between 205 and 400 metres. Exploration plans are being developed and will likely include initial geophysical surveying over the magnetic low trend followed by core drilling of high priority targets. East Rim The East Rim property was staked on November 2, 2017 and consists of seven contiguous claims totaling 6,703 hectares. This new property is located along the east margin of the Athabasca Basin, nine kilometres southwest of UEX Corp.'s West Bear high grade uranium deposit and nine kilometres west of Saskatchewan highway 905 (Figure 3). The property encompasses over 15 kilometres of a northeast trending magnetic low feature that may represent prospective metasedimentary stratigraphy. A large offset in the basin margin is observed in Saskatchewan government data and appears spatially related to the magnetic low feature, suggesting the presence of a major structural zone. According to Saskatchewan government records, only four exploration drill holes have ever been completed within the East Rim property boundary, none of which are located in the prospective magnetic low feature. Full Moon Consisting of 4,872 hectares in 12 contiguous claims, the Full Moon property was staked on November 7, 2017. Full Moon is located within four kilometres of AREVA's Moonlight uranium occurrence and six kilometres east of IsoEnergy's Geiger property (Figure 4). As with all of IsoEnergy's exploration properties in Saskatchewan, Full Moon is proximal to existing infrastructure, as it's within 18 kilometres of the McClean Lake uranium mill. Several prominent magnetic low trends with historic conductors are present on the Full Moon property, including a portion of the Tuning Fork conductor system that extends on to the property from Denison Mining Corp.'s Hatchet Lake project. Previous drilling at Tuning Fork has intersected intense basement clay alteration with weak uranium mineralization and strong uranium pathfinder mineralization. Similar to the Fox and East Rim properties, the Full Moon property is underexplored with only 17 historic drill holes within the property boundary. Additional Geiger Claims Finally, a total of 1,605 hectares was staked over eight claims on November 7th and 21st near the Geiger property (Figure 5). As the new claims are all within 5 kilometres of Geiger, they will be treated as an extension of Geiger henceforth. The new claims cover several magnetic low trends with local electromagnetic conductors. According to Saskatchewan government records, only five holes have ever been drilled on the new claims. All of these holes were vertical and were drilled in a tight cluster near drill hole Q24-1 which intersected 0.11% U 3 O 8 , 0.21% Ni and 0.17% Mo over 0.3 metres in basement rocks, just beneath the sub-Athabasca unconformity. Three follow-up holes were drilled within 200 metres of Q24-1 on section, and one was drilled 200 metres along strike to the south. The potential for additional basement mineralization in the area is considered to be excellent. Craig Parry, Chief Executive Officer commented: "These new claims are important additions to our Eastern Athabasca uranium property portfolio. The addition of these claims is consistent with our strategy of increasing our land position and target list at low cost in the world's premier uranium district. The new properties all satisfy our acquisition criteria with their location in the heart of the eastern Athabasca basin near several high-grade uranium deposits or occurrences, the presence of prospective geophysical signatures, a paucity of drilling, thin sandstone cover and location near important infrastructure. Our team is eagerly looking forward to exploring this new ground." Qualified Person Statement The scientific and technical information contained in this news release was prepared by Steve Blower, P.Geo., IsoEnergy's Vice President, Exploration, who is a "qualified person" (as defined in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects). Mr. Blower has verified the data disclosed. This news release refers to properties other than those in which the Company has an interest. Mineralization on those other properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization on the Company's properties. About IsoEnergy IsoEnergy is a well-funded uranium exploration and development company with a portfolio of prospective projects in the eastern Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan, Canada and a historic inferred mineral resource estimate at the Mountain Lake uranium deposit in Nunavut. IsoEnergy is led by a Board and Management team with a track record of success in uranium exploration, development and operations. The Company was founded and is supported by the team at its major shareholder, NexGen Energy Ltd. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulations 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 shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of any securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities referenced herein have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States absent registration under the U.S. Securities Act or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements thereunder. Forward-Looking Information The information contained herein 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 legislation. "Forward-looking information" includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including, without limitation, planned exploration activities and completion of the acquisition of the Property. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negative connotation thereof 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" or the negative connotation thereof. Such forward-looking information and statements are based on numerous assumptions, including among others, that the results of planned exploration activities are as anticipated, the price of uranium, the anticipated cost of planned exploration activities, that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner, that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms, that third party contractors, equipment and supplies and governmental and other approvals required to conduct the Company's planned exploration activities will be available on reasonable terms and in a timely manner and that the acquisition of the Property will be completed on the terms currently agreed to. Although the assumptions made by the Company in providing forward-looking information or making forward-looking statements are considered reasonable by management at the time, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking information and statements also involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual events or results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future events or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking information or statements, including, among others: negative operating cash flow and dependence on third party financing, uncertainty of additional financing, no known mineral reserves or resources, the limited operating history of the Company, the influence of a large shareholder, alternative sources of energy and uranium prices, aboriginal title and consultation issues, reliance on key management and other personnel, actual results of exploration activities being different than anticipated, changes in exploration programs based upon results, availability of third party contractors, availability of equipment and supplies, failure of equipment to operate as anticipated; accidents, effects of weather and other natural phenomena and other risks associated with the mineral exploration industry, environmental risks, changes in laws and regulations, community relations and delays in obtaining governmental or other approvals. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information or implied by forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or reissue forward-looking information as a result of new information or events except as required by applicable securities laws SOURCE IsoEnergy Ltd. For further information: Craig Parry, Chief Executive Officer, IsoEnergy Ltd., +1 778 379 3211, [email protected], www.isoenergy.ca; Investor Relations, Kin Communications, +1 604 684 6730, [email protected], www.isoenergy.ca This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate MILFORD Visitors to Silver Sands State Park are presented with a rustic beach environment that hasnt changed a lot since it became a state park in 1960. Those who go there still must suffer the indignities of portable toilets, and food and drink must be brought with you, or youll go hungry and thirsty. Theres nary a place to change out of a wet bathing suit, except under a large beach towel. For years, the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has had plans to upgrade the place to make it more like Connecticuts other shore-front parks, but a fired-up Gayle Slossberg, the state senator from Milford, on Tuesday blasted that idea, one that that would add a concession stand and upgrade visitor amenities. The build-out of Silver Sands State Park is a project that the state cannot afford and its one that we do not want, said Slossberg, who was backed up by the rest of Milfords Hartford delegation Republicans Charles Ferraro and Pam Staneski, and Democrat Kim Rose, as well as Mayor Benjamin Blake. Why would we want to spend nine million dollars to build out here when no one is asking for this, and more importantly, there are so many other needs that this state has? Slossberg asked rhetorically. The improvements call for a new concession building, restrooms and an office as well as a 4,700-square-foot maintenance garage. About 200 parking spaces would be added, too on many warm summer afternoons, the gates have to the closed to new arrivals because theres no place to park. And a new bath house complex would be constructed near the beach and consist of three buildings on an elevated deck. Also, plans call for a new boardwalk that would connect the existing beach boardwalk to the bath house and a short new boardwalk across the tidal wetlands will connect the existing main boardwalk to the new bath house. In 2011 the cross-park boardwalk was opened which merges with the city's Walnut Beach area. Slossberg said most of the people who use the park like it the way it is in its natural state. She added that the DEEP plans have environmental concerns, too. Were happy with this park just the way it is, she said. The state Bond Commission is considering the $9.1 million park improvement this week, and Slossberg said that since the state is still struggling with its finances the state should leave this idea on the shelf. The state has other important needs, such as education, that are not being met, she said. The project has been discussed by DEEP which oversees state parks, for years. I join everyone in their outrage at this project, said state Rep. Kim Rose. Wed be spending money that we dont have. Rep. Staneski agreed. Our credit card is maxed out, she said of state finances. I get a number of emails from constituents saying Please dont change our beach, said Rep. Ferraro. Slossberg made the announcement on the day she was to receive the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities State Legislator of the Year award. Slossberg will receivethe honor at CCMs annual dinner meeting Tuesday night at Foxwoods Resort. The park was created after Hurricane Diane destroyed 75 homes in 1955. At that point the city of Milford asked for help in restoring the beach. After land transfers were complete in 1960, Silver Sands became the state's fourth shoreline park, after Sherwood Island, Westport; Hammonasset Beach State Park, Madison and Rocky Neck State Park, East Lyme. jburgeson@ctpost.com CHESHIRE Residents will soon know who will replace Michael Milone as town manager. With the help of a Chicago-area search firm, the Town Councils search committee has gone from a field of 72 applicants to a final group of four. Council Chairman Rob Oris, who serves on the committee with fellow Republican Tom Ruocco and Democrat Peter Talbot, said interviews with the four finalists were concluded last week. The full council interviewed each of the finalists, Oris said. Now, its just a matter of sorting through who are first choice is. The field of four was selected from a group of seven, said Heidi Voorhees, one of the principals of the search firm GovHR USA of Northbrook, Illinois. Voorhees said she conducted phone or Skype interviews with many of the original field of 72 applicants and then made her recommendations to the councils search committee. The seven candidates that came from Voorhees recommendations then were interviewed by the the councils search committee. Sources have told the New Haven Register that were at least two internal candidates from that field of seven. Oris declined comment on whether any of the four finalists were already town employees. The Town Council is expected to meet in a closed-door session this week and Talbot has said the goal is to have Milones replacement selected by Dec. 1, which would allow the selection to be made by existing council members. Newly-elected Councilman David Veleber, who edged 1st District incumbent Michael Ecke in municipal elections earlier this month, will join the governing body as a new council is seated next week. Milone took over the town managers job from John Salomone in 2000. Before taking over that job, he spent the previous 10 years as Cheshires finance director. Before coming to Cheshire, Milone worked for 13 years in New Havens city administration, spending the last six years as the controller. luther.turmelle@hearstmediact.com Shanghai most attractive to foreign talent By:Wu Qiong | From:english.eastday.com | 2017-11-28 16:07 The number of foreigners working in Shanghai has exceeded 210,000 and most of them take management roles, as a roundtable meeting held last week reveals. As a staff member of the municipal human resources and social security bureau told the reporter, latest statistics show that there are 215,000 foreigners working in the city, account for 23.7% of the total number of expats working in the whole country. The number also lands Shanghai the top spot among its peers in China. Statistics also show that by the end of last year, there had been more than 140,000 overseas students who came to Shanghai for their job careers, and more than 5,000 startups in Shanghai were established by them, with the registered capital approaching 780 million dollars in total. So far, 1,011 high-caliber people from overseas have been selected for the national Recruitment Program of Global Experts, and 798 have been selected for the municipal Recruitment Program of Global Experts. Foreigners working in Shanghai come from more than 140 countries and regions. In 2016, the top three origin countries were Japan (20,000 people), the United States (18,000 people) and South Korea (10,000 people). They are engaged in different industries and sectors and 34% of them work in rental and business service industries. More than 40,000 foreigners serve full time in foreign-invested companies in Shanghai, among whom 33% are executives and 47% assume management roles. To attract more talent from overseas, Shanghai has developed more active and effective policies. Not long ago, the Jingan District government issued a pioneering measure to fund the human resource service industry, encouraging headhunting firms and recruitment agencies to recruit more talent. Courtesy of the CSP CLINTON A man arrested Sunday is accused of having nine and a half pounds of marijuana in his possession, according to police. Mohamed Jones, 21, of Eaton Street, Providence, Rhode Island, was charged with reckless driving, possession a controlled substance and possession with intent to sell, police said in the report. NEW HAVEN Adults 65 or older accounted for 40 percent of all fire-related deaths in 2015 despite only constituting 15 percent of the U.S. population, with the relative risk of dying in a fire for senior citizens being 2.7 times higher than for the general population, according to the U.S. Fire Administration Fire Risk Report. Orange Fire Marshal Timothy Smith said the disparity is relatively consistent throughout the nation, noting that areas with higher senior populations will have higher rates for fire-related deaths. A lot of its attributed to mobility issues, disabilities, reactionary skills arent there like they are with adults or young children or they cant self-evacuate or extricate themselves from a burning building, he said. Now Playing: The Winter Holidays. More time to spend with family and friends.Unfortunately there are significantly more house fires nationwide. Here's how to avoid them. Video: Veuer For Connecticut it is not clear if the specific nationwide numbers apply, due to missing information. Seven out of the 20 fire-related fatalities listed in 2016 in Connecticut do not list the individuals age. However, a state report on injury and death from 2000-04 showed the rate of death from fire for people 50 and older was about 4 times higher than that for people ages 10 to 49. There were an average of 30 fire-related deaths annually in those years, the state report noted. With advancing age, physical and mental capabilities decline, making it more difficult for older adults to clearly see, smell and hear, increasing the risk of death or injury from fire due to decreased senses, the fire administration report noted. Older people also can have physical disabilities or limitations that hinder their mobility, making it more difficult for them to react to the threat of a fire the way younger adults can. The October wildfires in the heart of California wine country claimed 43 victims, and didnt discriminate by age, killing young and old. But Charles and Sara Rippey, who was confined to a wheelchair, did not make it out. The couple, married for 75 years, lived in Napa for the past 35, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, a sister Hearst newspaper of the New Haven Register. They died together in their home, unable to escape the wildfires. Associated Press Their bodies were found by police inside the charred ruins of their Silverado Country Club condominium on Westgate Drive. He was 100, and she was 98, according to the Chronicle. Rippey apparently died trying to save his wife, one of their children told KPIX TV. Alzheimers disease, dementia and other disorders that affect mental functions also increase the risk of injury or death from a fire due to erratic or even potentially dangerous behavior and the inability to recognize a hazard, according to the report. You dont want to think, OK, Ill climb out of the window, if youre a person confined to a bed or have a walker or if you have difficulty walking normally. You have to make your plans reasonable, said New Haven Fire Chief John Alston. To compound this problem, older adults are more inclined to accidentally start a fire than younger adults. Sometimes, they are close to the source of a flame, and their clothes or bedding ignites, according to Smith. Cooking fires tend to be very common with the senior population because they forget they leave the stove on, and they walk away. Maybe, theres an early onset of dementia or other sort of mental issues going on. Or theyre cooking with a bathrobe and the bathrobe catches fire because they arent aware of it, he said. Heating, in particular, also represents an elevated fire danger to older adults, who frequently feel cold. When the central heating source of a home does not work properly, Alston said older adults will often rely on temporary sources of heat, such as legal or illegal portable space heaters, fireplaces or even cooking ovens. Its a difficult population to try to change their evacuation skills, but detection doubles your chance, doubles everyones chances, of escaping a fire, Smith said. So early detection of a fire is probably the best thing for the senior population. The sooner they know about, the sooner they can be made of aware it, the sooner they can start the self-evacuation to protect themselves. Smoke alarms are present in most homes, having saved many lives since the mid-1970s when their use was widely encouraged for the first time. While the number of senior citizens living in housing without smoke alarms or with alarms that do not work is not well-documented, Smith said senior citizens may not have access to smoke detectors and other equipment in poorer populations due to their inability to afford the detectors and/or the batteries. Cromwell Town Councilman Al Waters, 74, said he changes his smoke detector batteries religiously twice a year. Thats the big thing, he said of the simple action fire officials urge people to do during the Daylight Saving Time change. The American Red Cross has even coined the phrase, Time to Turn and Test. Waters said he is also vigilant about making sure passageways in his home are clear. I dont keep the areas of exit cluttered, Waters said. Often during emergencies, the elderly especially can become very disorientated, he said. Any impediments will make it difficult to make it outside to safety. Many may not even realize portions of their homes could be fire hazards, he said. Im out every day moving, Waters said. I just cant sit idle. There are people that, if theyre getting 60 years or older, probably their reflexes are not as fast. Waters said because hes so active, he has always taken the normal precautions when it comes to fire safety. West Haven Fire Department Chief Jim OBrien said residential sprinkler systems also help to reduce the risk of deaths and injuries, homeowner insurance premiums and uninsured property losses. While many homes do not have automatic extinguishing systems, despite them being found in hotels and businesses, OBrien said there is a major movement in the U.S. fire service to require sprinklers in all new homes. Smith said senior citizens are considered a target population for public education and intervention, explaining that as much as fire departments visit kids at schools and teach them the basics of fire safety, they also go to senior centers to teach senior citizens about senior fire safety and home escape. What were finding is when the seniors call us to come in and do a presentation, they want us there. So theyre truly interested in the subject and they want to learn it, as opposed to kids where the teachers are telling them they have to be there, he said. Thats a huge gap in between there. So a lot of these people, theyre upcoming seniors, they havent really had any fire safety education as theyre entering their golden years. jessica.lerner@hearstmediact.com; @jesslerner on Twitter File photo: Vulture and its eggs An investigative report has revealed how Nigerian politicians are now conjuring power with vulture eggs to win votes as youths turn to hunters, climb trees with rifle, bush lamp, cutlass to hunt for the eggs which is now costing N1m - N2m. Bird scientists have sounded the alarm that the vulture, a scavenging bird of prey, is going out of extinction in Nigeria because of the epic hunt for its eggs by fetish politicians, who allegedly use them to acquire mystical power making charms to win elections. Those who spoke to NDV, disclosed that the search by desperate politicians for the eggs has intensified as 2019 approaches, cautioning that appropriate measures be taken to safeguard one of natures chief vacuum cleaners from extinction. One of them, an Associate Professor, Department of Forestry and Natural Environmental Management, University of Uyo, UNIUYO, Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, Dr. Edem Eniang, told NDV that vultures were now endangered because some Nigerian politicians use the eggs highly demanded by native doctors for supernatural power and preparation of voodoo to win elections. A trader at Akparandem Market, Uyo, who trades in birds, Madam, Etiowuwan Imoh, confirmed that an egg of a vulture costs over N1million because of soaring demand. Politicians, who prefer anonymity, acknowledged in separate chats with NDV that some desperate power seekers could go to any length to win elections, but others feigned knowledge of the bizarre practice. Eniang lambasts fetish politicians Dr. Eniang, who confirmed that vultures were disappearing in the country, maintained that unscrupulous politicians were capitalizing on its spiritual potency to hunt the eggs for spiritual fortification. The vulture is a very special bird created by God to serve as a natural vacuum cleaner, they clean-up all available rubbish, but the politicians and favour seekers hunt and pick the eggs of these special creatures for their fetish needs, diminishing their population and not allowing the eggs to be incubated and hatched, he lamented. Eniang asserted: As it is, the existence of the vulture is greatly threatened, as Nigerian politicians hunt desperately for its eggs. The bird is so important that the United Nations set aside the first Saturday of September, every year, as World Vulture Day. Vultures vanishing The environmentalist bewailed, Today, vultures are disappearing; most people do not even realize the importance of the existence of the vultures. They help us to clean our environment by feeding on death decaying materials and save us from diseases that would have spread around from the decaying materials. Explaining the vultures role in the natural cycle, he said:, Mad persons, who die in our cities or along the highways are allowed to rot away on the surface of the earth, spreading diseases, but God created vultures to protect the environment. God in his wisdom created all things for the purpose of partaking in the ecosystem so that the balance of life will continue. Politicians engage youths to climb trees According to Eniang: They sometimes engage community youth to climb very high trees to get the eggs for them. These youth climb Iroko trees in the midnight to pick vulture eggs. They climb at darkest night knowing that the vulture does not see in the night to steal their eggs. Unfortunately, the vultures do not lay many eggs and they lay once in a year and the eggs are most hunted. He further said, Nigerian politicians are too desperate to get power. You do not need juju animism to win an election. Your antecedent and pedigree should pave the way for you, not the eggs of the vulture. Do not depend on the mystical potency of the vultures egg. N1m to N2m per egg Inquiries by NDV showed politicians spend as much as N1.2 million to buy a vulture egg untouched by human hands for spiritual power allegedly embedded in the egg, while the one touched by the human hand costs only N20, 000 in the local market. Besides politicians, businesspersons also seek the eggs for vulture for its alleged supernatural power. Stalking vulture eggs Vultures lay their eggs on treetops usually above 40 meters high in the forest. The common standard practice is contact hunters through go-betweens and they pay them lavishly to supply just one egg. It could take a month and more for a hunter to locate the nest of a vulture in the forest and make sure that the vulture had laid eggs before engaging people to climb the tree at night, knowing that vulture does not see in the night to harvest the eggs. Those, who climb, arm themselves with dane guns, cutlass and bush lamps to search tree tops for vulture nests, especially the ones with eggs. The providential hunters it was gathered removed the entire nest with the eggs so carefully that they do not touch the eggs with their bare hands. They drop their hunt into a sack bags and lowering it to the ground with the help of a long rope before climbing down the tree to take them home depending on how many eggs are in the nest. A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Elder Enefiok Ekefre, however, said it was speculative as nobody can boldly come out to admit knowledge of the use of vulture egg for spiritual purpose. Politicians practice voodoo, hypnotism - APC chieftain He said the constitution of Nigeria does not restrict any citizen from practicing any specific religion, saying, We have Christianity, Islam and African Traditional Religion. You can belong to any of the group, you will not have a problem with the constitution. Those politicians who go to shrines have their rights. Even in Latin America, they practice Voodooism. Some Nigerian politicians are in Ogboni and other fraternities. Some go as far as to India to import Hinduism. I know they do some funny things like hypnotism to influence any person or group of persons they want to influence, he said. Difficult to trade in vulture Trader Madam, Etiowuwan Imoh, who spoke to NDV, at Akparandem Market, said it was very difficult to trade in vultures because everything about it was very expensive. You must be a very rich business woman to trade in vulture eggs. The whole of my life savings from this petty trade cannot buy one vulture egg. Even if you buy the egg, who will buy from you? You have to wait for months before you can find one witch doctor who will ask for the egg. Here, the fresh egg goes for nothing less than N1.2 million, while the one that human hands have mistakenly touched costs over N20,000, she said. Source: Vanguard The 36 governors under the umbrella of Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, yesterday denied reports in some media that President Muhammadu Buhari has given them matching order to pay workers their salary arrears before Christmas.There was a discordant tune between the Chairman of Progressive Governors Forum and governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha and Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State on whether President Buhari ordered that salary arrears should be paid before Christmas.While Okorocha had said the order from the President was to clear the salaries with the expected payment of 50 percent Paris Club balance, El-Rufai said the Paris Club refund was not enough to clear salary arrears especially for states that were owing as there was no additional money to be given to such states apart from their fair share of the refund.But the NGF in a statement signed by Abulrazque Barkindo, Head, Media and Public Affairs, said, No mention of all workers arrears, was ever made, by President Muhammadu Buhari.The statement quoted the President as saying, For Nigerians without sources other than their salary, I am concerned that workers should be able to pay rent, school fees, buy drugs and take care of their families. I am so much concerned that people should have something to eat for Christmas.It explained that The governors had appealed to the president to once again authorize the Finance ministry and the other officials to hasten the payment of the remainder of the Paris and London Club loan refunds as they had factored the monies into their 2018 budgets.President Muhammadu Buharis instruction that the money be paid before Christmas, however, draws its background from the series of delays in the previous disbursements to the states by the Finance Ministry, which by commission or omission had exacerbated and indeed increased the number of months that workers are owed salaries.For example, the first bailout that President Buhari approved was not paid until October, four months after the president had given approval for the money to be paid. It was the same practice with the first tranche of the Paris-London Club repayment, which was approved in mid-2016 but took until December 2016 to hit the states accounts.It is imperative to add that the ParisLondon funds were legitimate funds of the states and not loans as several sources had thought.Barring any such happenstances, however, governors, who are equally very worried about their workers plights, are ready to wipe away workers tears by paying their emoluments before Christmas.The governors pledged to work assiduously towards ensuring that they make workers happy by paying their emoluments before the commencement of the Yuletide season.They hinged their pledge on the instruction by President Buhari that governors should be paid what was due to their states to ensure that workers spend Christmas with money in their pockets and a smile on their faces.According to the statement, This presidential directive was issued at a meeting between the governors and the president which held at the Aso Rock Villa, on Monday. Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose has challenged the former Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Mr. Abdullahi Maina, to go ahead and tell Nigerians those thieves he alleged were surrounding President Muhammadu Buhari in his government. He also said that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has become a meal ticket of the human rights activist, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN).Fayose also urged Maina to answer the corruption allegations against him as well as his fraudulent reinstatement.Governor Fayose described the Mainas interview shown on Channels Television yesterday, as explosive, saying he was sure that President Buhari will look the other way just as he did on the allegation of award of $25 billion contracts without following due process made by the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu against the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC); Dr. Maikanti Baru.In a statement on Tuesday by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose said he had again been vindicated on his position that the kind of corruption being perpetrated in President Buharis government was unprecedented and mind-boggling.He said; The Mainas challenge is another opportunity for President Buhari to prove to Nigerians that he is actually fighting corruption. But I am sure that since it, again, bothers on his closest men, he wont do anything.Governor Fayose said it was important for Maina to wash himself clean of the N2.1 Billion pension fraud that made him escape from the country and earned him dismissal from the civil service.The governor, who challenged Maina to name those in Buharis government that are thieves, also noted that There is no need waiting for the President to conduct public inquiry on the pension scam. Maina should just go ahead and tell Nigerians who the thieves among Buharis men are.Even after naming them, Maina should not expect any action from the President. Rather, he should be contented with satisfying his conscience and putting those Buharis men that he said are pretending to be saints in the court of public opinion.While maintaining his position on the self-appointed human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), over the allegation by the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), linking the lawyer to a N1 billion property on Gana Street, Maitama, Abuja, Governor Fayose said it was sad that Falana and his collaborators have turned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to their source of huge income.EFCC has become Falanas daily meal. Falana and his collaborators live on EFCC. They have turned themselves to brokers of bail and suppliers of lawyers to accused persons while at the same time buying seized properties at ridiculous amounts.Even the likes of Madaki, who have retired from service, have been brought back into the system so that he can continue to help them to perpetrate fraud, he said. The Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), the National Arts Theatre and some selected power plants under the National Integrated Power Projects (NI... The Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), the National Arts Theatre and some selected power plants under the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP) are part of the key national assets the Federal Government has concluded plans to sell, House of Representatives members were told yesterday.The purpose of the proposed sale is to generate sufficient revenue to finance the countrys annual budgets for the next three years (2018-2020).Director General of Budget Office Ben Akabueze, who told the House of Representatives Joint Committees on 2018-2020 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF)/ Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) about the plan, noted that the Federal Governments non-core assets from the mines and steel sector like houses and estates are part of items slated for sale.According to Akabueze, items for the 2018 budget would be financed from the revenue garnered from sales of the key government assets as well as national parks.He said proceeds from the privatisation of the assets would be used to finance the budget deficit of N2.005 trillion, much of which will be financed through domestic and foreign borrowings, adding that the aspect had been factored into the 2018 budget.The country, he said, was generating too little revenue, hence it was expedient to borrow.The Director General of Budget Office added that the reverse would be the case, if actually the assets were generating revenues.We are generating too little revenue, hence we are borrowing. If we generate enough, borrowing ratio will drop, he said.However, chairman of the joint committee, Babaginda Aliu, frowned at the absence of five Federal Government agencies he described as critical to the 2018 budget consideration and passage, which were invited to the session.He noted that notwithstanding the late submission of the MTEF/ Fiscal Strategy Paper, the committee was committed to streamline its activities to pass the document and ensure the budget is passed in record time.The Minister of State for Budget and Planning, Hajia Zaniab Ahmed, representative of the Governor of Central Bank, Adelabu R.A. and Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) Dr. Tunde Fowler made presentations during the session.Also present were the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance Alhaji Mohammed Isa Dutse, who represented the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun; and the Comptroller-General of Customs Col Hameed Ali was represented by Deputy Comptroller General of Customs in charge of T&T, Alu S.R. Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has criticised human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), over allegations by the Attorney General of t... Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has criticised human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), over allegations by the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), linking the lawyer to a N1 billion property he allegedly bought.Fayose said it was embarrassing, shameful, disgraceful that such a man of his stature, reputed to be a human rights activist, friend of the masses, crusader of justice and defender of democracy could be linked to such scandal.Addressing reporters in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, Fayose said: It is has become necessary to add my voice to the new scandal, where you find our supposed men of honour, defenders of democracy, crusaders of justice, people who want corruption stamped out of our land, allegedly traced to similar unfortunate purchases of alleged stolen property, especially, when such allegations are coming from the number one Minster of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN).The embattled former Chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, had accused Falana of buying the building, which was one of the properties he allegedly helped to seize from pension thieves and handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.Malami had, while testifying before the National Assembly, last week, echoed the allegation, saying the property was sold to a Lagos lawyer.But Fayose said: The disclosure by the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation that a Lagos-based lawyer was one of many highly placed Nigerians who allegedly were compensated by the EFCC and Ibrahim Magu with properties retrieved from corrupt government officials was initially taken with a pinch of salt.However, Mr. Falana, friend and defender of every obnoxious act by EFCC and Magu, has come into the open to not only give veracity to the allegation but also admit that he was the Lagos-based lawyer in question.Falana has, however, denied the allegation.Reacting to Fayoses comments, the Lagos lawyer said: You may wish to advise the garrulous governor of Ekiti State to prove the monstrous allegation. Since I pressured the state to charge Mr. Fayose and his armed goons with the cold murder of Dr. Ayo Daramola and Tunde Omojola he has been desperately to link with criminal activities, Mr. Fayose has once again to prove the allegation that I acquired any property illegally. The Nigerian president, Muhammadu Buhari has promised Nigerians that the N18,000 minimum wage will go up. President Buhari inaugurated ... President Buhari inaugurated the Tripartite National Minimum Wage Committee, noting that the last minimum wage instrument had expired. He said the governments move was to ensure a fair and decent living wage for workers.Labour leaders were excited about the development.Buhari said: You are all aware that during the period following the increase in petrol pump price in May 2016, a technical committee was established to examine and make recommendations to government on the measures to be adopted to cushion the envisaged painful effects of the increase on workers and the Nigerian populace at large.During the deliberations of the technical committee, which comprised government and organised labour, the need for the review of the National Minimum Wage was highlighted and recommendation to set up a committee to look into the level of minimum wage was made accordingly. I am glad that the recommendation is being acted upon today and we can all acknowledge that this is in line with our democratic process. I wish to thank all those who participated in that exercise, he said.The President stressed that the scope of the membership of the committee showed that it is all encompassing. He hoped that the outcome of its deliberations would be generally acceptable.Buhari urged the members to consider the National Minimum Wage and all matters that are ancillary to it with thoroughness and concern not only for the welfare of the workforce but the effect on the economy.He said: The subject of a National Minimum Wage for the Federation is within the Exclusive Legislative List of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). Accordingly, we should aim to go above the basic Social Protection Floor for all Nigerian workers based on the ability of each tier of government to pay.I say this because minimum wage is the minimum amount of compensation an employee must receive for putting in his or her labour and, as such, should be anchored on social justice and equity.Governments decision after considering your final recommendation will be sent as an Executive Bill to the National Assembly for it to undergo appropriate legislative scrutiny before passage into law.As is evident by the membership of the committee, state governors and private sector employers are part of this process. This will ensure ease of implementation of a new Minimum Wage nationwide.I am hopeful that the principles of full consultation with Social Partners and their direct participation would be utilized by the Committee, bearing in mind the core provisions of the International Labour Organisation Minimum Wage Fixing Convention No. 131 and Minimum Wage Fixing Machinery Convention No.26 (ratified by Nigeria).Accordingly, conditions of genuine Social Dialogue should prevail in the spirit of Tripartism and Collective Bargaining Agreements. I, therefore, enjoin you all to collectively bargain in good faith, have mutual recognition for each other and always in a spirit of give and take.The Committee is expected to complete its deliberations and submit its report and recommendations as soon as possible to enable other requisite machinery to be set in motion for implementation of a new National Minimum Wage, Buhari saidFormer Head of Service of the Federation Ama Pepple, is to chair the committeeThe Federal Government team is led by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, who is deputy chairman. The chairman, National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission,Chief Richard Egbule, is secretary.Others in the federal government team are the minister, Budget and Planning, Udo Udo Udoma; Minister of Finance Kemi Adeosun; head of the Civil Service of the Federation Winifred Oyo-Ita ; permanent secretary, General Services Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr. Roy Ugo.A team from the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) includes Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (South West), Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha (Souh East), Gombe State Governor Hassan Dankwambo (North East), Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike (South South), Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong (North Central), and Kebbi State Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu (North West). The director-general of NGF, A. B. Okauru, will be an observer.On the trade unions side, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) president Ayuba Wabba leads a team that includes comrades Peters Adeyemi, Kiri Mohammed, Amechi Asugwuni, Peter Ozo-Eson .In the Trade Union Congress (TUC) team, led by its president, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama , are Sunday Olusoji Salako, Alade Bashir Lawa and Igwe Achese, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) president.On the employers side are the director-general, Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), Mr Olusegun Oshinowo, Mr Timothy Olawale (NECA), Mr. Chuma Nwankwo (NECA); Mr Olubunmi Adekoje, Director-General, Federation of Construction Industry (FOCI); Alhaji Ahmed Ladan Gobir, chairman, Kaduna East Branch, Manufacturers Association (MAN), Otunba Francis Oluwagbenro (MAN); Hajia Muheeba Dankaka, president, Kano Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and Prince Degun Agboade, president, Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME)Ngige said: Today is a remarkable day because this is a journey we started in May 2016. In May 2016, the Federal Government of Nigeria decided to do appropriate pricing for petroleum products and because of that, the pump price of petroleum and kerosene and others had to take their real pricing.Coincidentally, some weeks before then, the Trade Union Congress and National Labour Congress (NLC) served the government a notice that the minimum wage would lapse in the next one month. They made a proposal to Mr. President on what they think will be the realistic national minimum wage.At the time the fuel price was increased, there was disquiet, resulting in industrial dispute between the labour unions on one side and the government on the other side.Those recommendations came to council and council approved them and set up a 30-man minimum wage committee.According to him, the minimum wage is aimed at removing the problem of what the International Labour Organisation (ILO) calls poverty pain. The League of Patriotic lawyers has called for the resignation of the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, Mallam Malami Abubakar over the reinstatement of former Chairman of Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina.Briefing newsmen yesterday, Chairman of the group, Mr. Abubakar Yesufu has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to rescue the anti-corruption crusade by showing the AGF the door.His words: The league wonders why it took this long for the Attorney General and Minister of Justice to name and shame the beneficiaries of pension scam. As the chief law officer of the federation, Malami owes us a duty to reveal the list of this pension scam. For refusing to reveal the beneficiaries of this humongous crime against our helpless pensioners, the Honourable Attorney General has not done well.Not the reference to Goodluck Jonathans complicity which is doubtful nor a reference to a Lagos Lawyer who purchased a property validly can assuage our call for the resignation of the Attorney General. Failing to resign, the league advised the President to give him the boot without wasting time. Nigeria is in dire need of leaders with the required courage to do what is right at all times owing to the present political realities, ... Nigeria is in dire need of leaders with the required courage to do what is right at all times owing to the present political realities, Senate President Bukola Saraki said yesterday.He said it was unfortunate that present day political leaders, who should know the right thing, have refused to do what was right.The Senate president said his father, the late Abubakar Olusola Saraki, stood out for his courage to take the right decision without fear.Saraki spoke just as Kwara State Governor Abdulfatai Ahmed said for any reform or restructuring to achieve its objective, Nigerians must do away with ethnic and religious cleavagesThe present agitation across the country, Ahmed said, were informed by failed institutions.Both Saraki and Ahmed spoke at the anniversary lecture in honoured of late Senator Abubakar Olusola Saraki organised by the Northern Union with the theme: National Unity and the future of Nigeria in Abuja.Saraki reminded the audience that before the much talk about restructuring takes place, the country must discuss its unity, adding that to do that, we must not be afraid to do the right thing.We all know what the right things are most times, but we are never ready to stand and do the right thing for this country, Saraki said.According to him, one thing that the late former Senate Leader popularly called Oloye had was courage and those of you that have worked with him will know that he has the courage to do whatever he believes in.It is that courage that we all need today. We need the courage to do what is right for this country. We need the courage to put Nigeria first not our state or religion but the courage to put the country first. So long as we continue to discuss this issue, we will continue to talk about the potential of Nigeria not the reality that Nigeria can achieve.Oloye saw it like that. Some go into politics as a business, where you go with 10 and get 100. But he went into politics with everything and there was no way it would have been rewarding to him politically for what he did to Nigerian politics because he gave everything. This is surely one lesson we should all learn, the Senate President said.Kwara State governor said what Nigerians needed at this point in time were institutions, which can guarantee them justice and equity and not holding on to some religious or ethnic belief without an institution to trust.Ahmed warned against the resort to ethnic and religious sentiments in the agitation for restructuring and reforms because poverty does not recognise ethnicity and religion.He said: As a people, we have not been able to put together our best capacity, rather we have allowed the concept of ethnic and religious differences to take charge of our affairs. We have forgotten that ethnic and religious differences and social cultural differences are merely environmental differences.We all stand out as one species of man before God almighty. Those differences should not be basis for determining delivery of goods and services. What should be the basis for delivery of goods and services is creating a platform of equity and justice. As a country today, we can see that there is a lot of clamour for restructuring, a lot of clamour for reforms and some even went to the extent of talking about secession.They are issues that required to be pondered on very seriously because they are a reflection of peoples loss of faith in the system that is expected to give them succour.When you lose faith in a platform that is supposed to give you succour, you will begin to seek refuge in cocoons such as ethnic, religious and socio cultural backgrounds. This tells us clearly that the time has come us to look at our differences and recognise them as strengths.Those who attended the lecture delivered by former Nigeria High Commissioner to Canada, Prof. Iyorwuese Hagher, include Ahmed, former Borno State Governor Mohammed Goni, former Niger State Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu, former Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau, former Anambra State Governor Chief Jim Nwobodo, former Benue State Governor George Akure, former Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda, former Deputy Senate President Ibrahim Mantu and others. The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has accused the federal government of approaching the Community Court of West Africa (ECOWAS court)... The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has accused the federal government of approaching the Community Court of West Africa (ECOWAS court) to strike out its suit of rights abuses. The group said it was the reason Its leader, Nnamdi Kanu had jumped bail. IPOB said it condemns in its totality the new strategy employed by the federal government to ensure that its leader was denied justice, when in the real sense he was being held by the Army. Mr Emma Powerful, media and publicity secretary of the group in a press release in Awka on Monday, stated that, Federal Government of Nigeria and her agents, seeking to frustrate the ongoing human rights enforcement process had applied to strike out the matter. He said It had become customary for this current APC government to abuse and violate human rights at will and when confronted with their deeds in a competent court of law, they resort to blackmail, cheap lies, misinformation and sometimes inducing a certain sections of the media to help them sway public opinion against victims of their cruel regime. Instead of addressing the substance of the charges against them before ECOWAS Court for nearly two years now, they chose instead their favorite method of trial by media and senseless smear campaign. The case of abuse of fundamental human rights by the Buhari regime brought by the leader of IPOB Mazi Nnamdi Kanu at the ECOWAS Court has been pending for two years, with the government employing all manner of delay tactics to frustrate the case. Now they are holding Nnamdi Kanu in their custody, having denied such publicly, they have finally woken up to ask the court to dismiss the charges against them after sanctioning and conducting the kidnapping raid in Afaraukwu on the 14th of September 2017. It will be fair to assume, going by the antics of this government, that their primary reason for the murderous raid on the home of the IPOB leader, was to remove him from circulation and truncate all legal matters involving him. The government think their plans will remain undetected forever but they are mistaken. Why didnt the Buhari regime bother to attend ECOWAS Court throughout the period Nnamdi Kanu was out on bail or in prison? Powerful said that the group has said uncovered that the abduction of Kanu in September was deliberate so as to stop him from appearing in court in October, so that he would be labelled as having jumped bail. The Nigerian community in South Africa says it has set up a legal desk to provide free legal services to members in that country. The Nigerian community in South Africa says it has set up a legal desk to provide free legal services to members in that country.Mr Adetola Olubajo, President, Nigeria Union, South Africa, said at the inauguration of newly elected officers of the union in Pretoria that the desk would be headed by a practicing lawyer.We want Nigerians in SA, to have free legal services henceforth; the desk will be headed by a qualified and practicing lawyer, the union`s Secretary-General, Mr Emeka Ezinteje, said in a statement.Other bodies inaugurated by the union as part of its programmes are National Help Desk, Hotlines, Skills Acquisition, and Entrepreneurship Programme.Olubajo highlighted the importance of using legal mechanism to achieve peace and unity among the various Nigerian communities in South Africa, noting that peace brings development.Unity of purpose is the key to every sustainable development. Continuous progress can only be achieved in a peaceful environment, he said.Mr Ogboro Omoh, legal officer of the union, said that services of the desk were free and urged Nigerians to contact it in time of difficulty to seek redress.Immediate past President of the union, Mr Ikechukwu Anyen was honoured with Grand Patron.Other Nigerians in South Africa honoured as patrons are Prof. Olalekan Ayo-Yusuf, Dr Benson Okoli, Dr Sola Irinoye, Dr Babatunde Ilori, Dr Emmanuel Chukwuma, Chief Anayo Iwgilo, Chief Benson Nwaogwugwu and Chief Charles Iguwa.Nigeria`s High Commissioner to South Africa, Amb. Ahmed Musa Ibeto, was represented by Mr Zachariah Ifu, the Minister in charge of consular matters at the high commission, while Mr Ibrahim Nayaya, head of the chancery at the consulate, represented the Consul General, Mr Godwin Adama. The Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has urged the Federal Government to ensure that the allegation over illegal purchase of proper... The Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has urged the Federal Government to ensure that the allegation over illegal purchase of property against a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, is properly investigated and not swept under the carpet. Fayose, made this call while addressing the press in Ado Ekiti on Monday. According to him, the report against the person of Falana, who is reputed to be a human rights activist, friend of the masses, crusader of justice and defender of democracy, was shameful. The embattled former Chairman of the defunct Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, had accused Falana of buying the building, which was one of the properties he helped to seize from pension thieves and handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), laid before the Senate a report linking the lawyer to alleged purchase of a N1 billion looters property located at 43 Gana Street, Maitama, Abuja. He said the property was sold to a Lagos lawyer. Falana, at the weekend was reported to have said the property he bought in Maitama District, Abuja, was from A Group Properties and not from the EFCC as alleged. However, Fayose said: Falanas attempt to be clever by half in the explanations he offered to justify his alleged atrocious act; whether or not he was a first degree or third degree buyer; his efforts to white-wash what is an alleged fraudulent deal and a betrayal of public trust and his desperate double speak to wriggle out of this tight corner, all fell flat on its face. Fayose, who insisted that truth must be told, added: We must call a spade a spade and what is bad is bad. It is sad, disgraceful and shameful that Falana, a supposedly social crusader, anti-corruption advocate, and friend of the masses, can be cited in such odious, obscene and offensive conduct. This must be the real reason why Falana always fall head over heels in defence of the EFCC and Magu, not minding the vicious violations of the constitutionally-guaranteed rights, freedom, and liberties of citizens. What we have always suspected has now been confirmed publicly and by no less a person as the Attorney- General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. When contacted yesterday, Falana speaking on telephone said: Why do you want my reaction? I have made my position clear. Didnt you read my comments? President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday made jokes about former Vice President Atiku Abubakars defection from the All Progressives Congre... Atiku, who is widely expected to join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), plans to seek the opposition partys presidential ticket to run in 2019.President Buhari told APC National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun at the Presidential Villa before the inauguration of the Tripartite National Minimum Wage Committee: Accept my sympathy for losing a senior member of your party.As the President walked into the hall he looked towards where Oyegun was and made the remark jocukarly. Many people laughed as Buhari made his way to his seat.There were indications yesterday that Northern leaders in the PDP are awaiting former President Olusegun Obasanjos verdict on Atiku before taking a position on the 2019 presidential ticket.Those believed to be in the race for the PDP ticket are ex-Governors Sule Lamido and Ibrahim Shekarau as well as Caretaker Committee Chairman Ahmed Makarfi, who is also a former governor.It was learnt that ex-President Goodluck Jonathan and Atiku are already reaching out to Northern leaders, including ex-President Ibrahim Babangida and other PDP founding fathers.These include Gen. Ibrahim Obasanjo, Gen. T.Y. Danjuma, Babangida, ex-Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, Gen. Aliyu Gusau, and others who played active roles in restoring democracy in 1999.It was learnt that the grip of the group made Jonathan to ask Atiku to beg Obasanjo.Based on Atikus resignation from APC, some key Northern leaders in PDP( especially those who wield influence behind the scene) met on Sunday in Abuja on the situation in the party.A source at the meeting said: We agreed to study the situation because other presidential aspirants are still coming up. There are rumours of ex-Governor Ahmed Makarfi and one or two Northerners in APC also joining the race in PDP.We took note of the fact that aspirants like ex-Governor Sule Lamido; ex-Minister of Education, Ibrahim Shekarau and Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo are unwilling to step down.But since Jonathan has been lobbying Northern leaders for Atiku, we believe we should wait for the verdict of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo on Atiku before taking a position.Obasanjo, as an institution, will not take a decision in isolation. He will certainly consult Babangida, Gusau, and other members of the military hierarchy before talking on his feelings on Atiku. And these military leaders have a way of agreeing on a common cause.If these past leaders give us the pathfinder, Atiku will know his fate. Jonathan is playing politics as if he could breathe down on PDP members and impose Atiku.But a source close to Jonathan said: From the look of things, Atiku may go far this time around. I think he is the most prepared from the North to confront President Muhammadu Buhari. Northern leaders may build a consensus around him.But there were fears last night that some of those who participated in the consensus politics and the search of the Northern Political Leaders Forum(NPLF) in 2011 may not back Atiku.Also, some members of the influential NPLF may part ways with the former Vice President.Some of the NPLF leaders include former Minister of Finance, Adamu Ciroma, the late ex-Inspector-General of Police M.D. Yusufu; former PDP National Chairman, Audu Ogbeh, who is now of the APC; ex-President of the Senate, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu ; ex-Governor Lawal Kaita; Alhaji Bello Kirfi, CON(Wazirin Bauchi); Amb. Yahaya Kwande ; Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim; A.B. Mahmud; Magaji Dambatta; Prof. Ignatius Ayua; and Mr. Ricky Tarfa(SAN), among others.Following a search by the NPLF, Atiku had beaten three presidential aspirants to emerge as the NPLFs consensus candidate in 2011.An influential figure in the defunct NPLF said: Some of us will not back Atiku because of the manner in which he emerged as a consensus candidate. With respect to the leaders of the Forum, we suspected some compromise.In spite of the fact that some of these aspirants and NPLF leaders ensured Atikus defeat at the presidential primaries on January 14, 2011, the wound of the consensus crisis has not been healed.Certainly, some NPLF leaders in PDP will not support Atikus bid. A few other NPLF leaders are now in APC and they will also resist his candidature.The position of some Northern leaders is to look for a neutral candidate and collectively work for him or her. Nigeria Senate on Tuesday moved to reconsider Mr. Ahmad Mahmud who was rejected last week as Resident Electoral Commissioner from Zamfara S... Nigeria Senate on Tuesday moved to reconsider Mr. Ahmad Mahmud who was rejected last week as Resident Electoral Commissioner from Zamfara State due to dissenting voices of two Senators from Zamfara state. The decisions followed plea by Senator Kabiru Mafara who came under Order 42 and 53 explaining that the matter of indegeneship which formed the basis of rejection has been settled. Mr. President, Distinguished Colleagues, I want to come under Order 42 and 53 to tell my colleagues that REC nominee from Zamfara has been confirmed that he hails from the state. He was born and brought up in Gusau, he schooled in Anka in Zamfara State. He was one time Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Zamfara State. What else can make one an indegene of a state? I want to plead with my colleagues to allow me bring the matter as a motion on Wednesday so that he can be considered, he added. In a voice votes, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu who presided over Tuesdays plenary ruled that the motion be debated tomorrow. Meanwhile, three nominees from Lagos, Dr. Rufus Akeji, Kebbi, Dr. Mahmud Isah and Zamfara, Ahmad Mahmud suffered rejection earlier in the year. Those of Lagos and Kebbi States were confirmed last week, leaving Zamfara that didnt receive approval of Senators Kabiru Mafara (Zamfara Central) and Ahmed Sani Yerima (Zamfara West ) with exception Senator Tijjani Kaura. "Oh God, please! Please help!" a female security guard begged on a 911 call as four teenagers broke out of the Harborfields Youth Detention Facility after midnight Nov. 15. Recordings released Monday of two 911 calls from staff at that Egg Harbor City facility reveal the violent and chaotic scene that unfolded as the teens assaulted a male guard and made their escape in an employee's stolen car. "My coworker, it's only us, he's bleeding and there's two inmates that are trying to break loose. We need help," the woman said frantically on the minute-long call. Another staff member from the residential wing of the facility also called 911. What followed the quick escape, according to county officials, was a brief police chase in the stolen vehicle and then on foot. Three were located and arrested about 10 hours later in Bridgeton, 35 miles away. Harborfields Youth Detention Facility in Egg Harbor City. (Google Maps) The last escapee, Michael Huggins, 18, who stands accused of murder, was found with a loaded gun in an Atlantic City apartment about 34 hours after his escape, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office. Needless to say, the mass breakout has shaken the small city where the state-run detention facility has been for decades. County Executive Dennis Levinson said the state has done nothing to reassure residents that they are taking steps to learn from the mistake and prevent similar escapes. Levinson said the escape was "kind of elementary" and "extremely preventable" if the staff had followed the facility rules. One of the boys asked for drink of water, and when the staffer opened his cell to oblige, he attacked the worker, Levinson said. "Protocol was broken," he said. "You don't go into a cell without backup and a cell is not to be opened after 11 p.m., and it was." The extent of the man's injuries were never made public but officials said he was treated and released from a hospital. The facility, which accepts defendants from Atlantic, Cumberland, Cape May and Salem counties, is owned by the county but run under contract by the state's Juvenile Justice Commission. Levinson said he spoke with someone from the commission about the breakout, but the official did not say that any changes would be made as a result of the incident. "I understand that mistakes happen but there has been no assurances given to the community of what they are doing to prevent this from reoccurring," he said. Meanwhile, his phone is still ringing with calls from concerned Egg Harbor City residents and officials who want the facility either better secured or shut down. After hearing the 911 call, Levinson said, the caller's panic is similar to what the community is still feeling. "Imagine being woken up in the middle of the night by helicopters flying and flood lights everywhere," he said, plus police searching yards and sheds in case the teens were hiding. "The public deserves better." State officials told him that the staffers on duty in the locked part of Harborfields do get some training at the Department of Corrections Training Facility in Sea Girt, but are not full corrections officers. They are instead called youth counselors or advisors. Like corrections officers inside locked facilities in New Jersey, they are not armed because of the risk an inmate might steal a weapon, Sheriff Michael Petuskey said. Levinson also objects to the state system that says it's OK for a murder defendant who has turned 18 to still be held in a youth detention facility. Huggins was 17 when, according to Cumberland County officials, he shot Davonte Lee, 21, in Bridgeton. He was indicted after turning 18 but his attorney, James Gerrow Jr., said state regulations dictate that a juvenile should remain in a youth lock-up if their alleged crimes occurred when they were under 18. Since the new charges he faces due to the escape came when he was 18, he is now being held in a jail, authorities said. Levinson said the state has not told him whether the other three escaped teens were returned to Harborfields or sent elsewhere. After the four were captured earlier this month, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said they were still investigating how the teens were able to travel around South Jersey after their escape. The office has not released any information on the investigation since that time. Rebecca Everett may be reached at reverett@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @rebeccajeverett. Find NJ.com on Facebook. A cyberstalker has been charged for the third time in three years with posting naked pictures of a woman he knows without her consent, authorities said. Daniel G. Pfeiffer, 28, of Old Tappan, was arrested Monday in Hackensack after an investigation that began when the photos were posted in October, according to Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal. The criminal complaint states Pfeiffer posted the photos "with the intent to emotionally harm the victim." Daniel G. Pfeiffer "Some of the postings included personal identifying information of the victim on the internet," Grewal said in a statement. By posting the materials, Pfeiffer violated a "final stalking restraining order" issued in September, according to the complaint. Pfeiffer is charged with stalking, invasion of privacy, cyber-harassment and contempt of a stalking restraining order, Grewal said. In 2015, Pfeiffer was arrested after investigators said he created social media accounts in a woman's name without her knowledge. Pfeiffer, who knew the woman, uploaded sexually explicit images of her online, authorities said. Pfeiffer was accused of engaging in sexually explicit chats and solicitations while pretending to the be the victim, authorities said at the time. In 2016, Pfeiffer was again arrested and charged with stalking and invasion of privacy after investigators said he posted nude and sexually explicit images of the woman online without her knowledge or consent. Public records show Pfeiffer pleaded guilty in 2016 to stalking as a repeat offender for the same victim. He was sentenced to five years of probation. On Sept. 15, Bergen County Superior Court Judge James Guida issued the restraining order prohibiting Pfeiffer from stalking the victim. Pfeiffer, who is unemployed, was being held in the Bergen County Jail pending a first appearance. Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Federal officials are warning anyone who has consumed raw milk in the past six months to see a doctor. The warning issued by the Center for Disease Control came a week after the New Jersey Department of Health ordered Udder Milk stop selling its raw milk in the state. A New Jersey woman came down with Brucella RB51, a rare but potentially serious germ after drinking raw milk delivered by Udder Milk in late September, officials said. She has since recovered. A person in Texas was sickened by raw milk in July but the cases aren't related, according to the Center for Disease Control. The CDC said people who drank raw milk should see a physician to obtain antibiotics. Pregnant woman are particularly at risk. Udder Milk has been distributed in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Rhode Island, but officials haven't determined where the milk was produced. The company is a "co-op on wheels" that makes deliveries People who have consumed the milk and other products made from Udder Milk raw milk should check themselves daily for fever for one month after they last drank the milk and watch for other brucellosis symptoms for six months. Symptoms include muscle pain, lasting fatigue, arthritis, depression, and swelling of the testicles. Untreated Brucella RB51 infection can result in long-term health problems like arthritis; heart problems; enlargement of the spleen or liver; and, in rare cases, nervous system problems like meningitis. RB51 can cause severe illness in people with weakened immune systems and miscarriages in pregnant women. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Three markers were unveiled Monday in Camden to commemorate locations at which slaves were sold here in the 1700s and 1800s. U.S. Sen. Cory Booker and U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross were among nearly two dozen speakers at a gathering in a historic site near the Camden waterfront, across the Delaware River from Philadelphia. "This is a sacred day," Booker said after the ceremony. "This is a very important moment to understand the painful, complicated, brutal truth of our state. We're a state that's still haunted by a legacy of bigotry, overtly racist laws, housing policy, redlining all these things we're still grappling with today." The two major locations for bringing slaves to market in New Jersey were Camden and Perth Amboy, according to the Camden County Historical Society, which launched research into the South Jersey sites and landed a $6,000 state grant to assemble and mount the markers. "In the 1700s approximately 800 persons were sold into slavery in at what was then called Cooper's Point (now Camden)," the society said. "There is documentation that enslaved persons were sold at the three ferry boat landing sites at Coopers Point, Cooper Street and Federal Street." Derek Davis, a historical society board member, who held up a photo of his great-great grandfather Henry Mathis who was born into slavery in Alabama in 1853 during the ceremony, helped launch the effort three years ago. "You always get the picture that all slavery was in the South, but it was all over," said Davis, 55, a local banking executive. "It's important this story be told." The three markers will be placed near locations where ferry landings were in the 1700s. "While the auctions held at three different ferries in Camden appear to be limited to the 1760s, these sales likely introduced upwards of 500 new slaves to west New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania," a statement from the society said. "The regular movement of slave vessels up the Delaware River began in the 1750s, arriving at docks along the Philadelphia shore. Between 1757 and 1766, 1,300 African slaves reportedly disembarked from the Guinea ships. In addition to the newly arrived Africans, the Cooper ferries served as a venue for selling previously owned single slaves and small groups of those held in bondage." The ceremony also included "prayers for ancestors" and moving readings and poems, including a passage from a historical society board member and poet, Sandra Turner-Barnes, who said research indicated the Cooper family, for which the ferries and large parts of the area are still named, once owned her relatives. "We can look and be proud of how far we've come," said Edna Davis, 73, of Camden who attended the ceremony. "We made it and we're the best of the best." The markers will be placed at the corner of Cooper and Front streets and along Delaware Avenue/Jersey Joe Walcott Boulevard at Federal Street and State Street. Bill Duhart may be reached at bduhart@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @bduhart. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Two sets of friends, families and children were affected by a head-on crash that killed 34-year-old Thomas Hughes and 30-year-old Michelle Wolf on Sunday. The accident, which occurred on Mauricetown Road in Maurice River Township around 10 p.m., took the lives of what family and friends say were goodhearted, outgoing, funny people. 'The guy that loved everyone' July 13, 2018, was going to be a special day for Tabitha Gifford. Gifford and her fiancee Thomas Hughes had set the July date to commit to one another that they would be spending the rest of their lives together. However, instead of using the coming days to talk to Tom about their upcoming wedding, she is planning on saying goodbye to the man she fell in love with. "He was the guy that everyone loved," Gifford said. "He would give the shirt off his back and the last dollar in his pocket to help someone and expect nothing in return." One example that Gifford gave was Gifford said that Hughes moved in with her to help take care of her sick grandmother. "He loved the Lord and made sure God was the center of our family," added Gifford. "If you needed a hug, he as a gentle giant would make it happen." Gifford and Hughes had a 3-year-old son Julian who Gifford said was very important to him. "He loved his son and me more than life itself. He called him Papa Bear. Julian made our world complete." Less than a half mile away from the site of the crash is the Wawa convenience store where Hughes worked. His coworkers shared the same sentiments as Gifford. Employees from other stores came to the store to cover for employees who were taking the loss of Hughes hard. One person who worked with Hughes at the store who knew him well was Kevin Green. Green and Hughes had worked at Wawa together for more than 10 years. "He was a great guy who would do anything for anybody," Green said. "He was always high-spirited. No matter what holiday was coming up, he always had some crazy get-up on that would make customers crack up whenever they came in, including this past Thanksgiving as 'Tom the Turkey.'" Aubree's Mom Jessica Wolf was the opposite of her older sister. She is the quiet sister while Michelle was the more outgoing one. "She was funny and the life of the party," Jessica Wolf said. "She was also really energetic. She could talk to anybody. It didn't matter where she was; she could have a conversation with somebody she didn't even know. That was her." Wolf said the Port Norris resident was also outgoing, willing to help out anyone, whether it was her family, friends or a stranger she had just met. "She honestly would do anything for anybody" Wolf added. "She would stop to help anybody, even talking to people, she was that kind of person who just didn't care who you were, she would go and help you. She loved her family more than anything." Jessica said Michelle was also a mother to 4-year old daughter Aubree. "Aubree loved her mom more than anything in the world. She was a great mom." Two substantial losses Now situated on both sides of the narrow, wooded section of Mauricetown Road are makeshift memorials to remember and honor both Wolf and Hughes. A GoFundMe page has also been set up for Thomas Hughes. The crash is under investigation by New Jersey State Police. Chris Franklin can be reached at cfranklin@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @cfranklinnews. Find NJ.com on Facebook ' New Orleans police said an attempted armed robbery was reported in the 2900 block of Esplanade Avenue on Monday, Nov. 27, 2017, the same block where an armed robbery was reported the previous day. (Google maps) The Rayville police chief wrote up one of his own officers for parking in a spot reserved for handicapped people. (Photo by Marc Bruxelle, iStock by Getty Images) This year's school performance results in New Orleans come amid the city's ongoing push to return all public schools to the Orleans Parish School Board's oversight as an authorizer. (Pixabay Photo) VIDEO Cum isi pun cenusa in cap soldatii rusi care s-au retras si de pe malul de est al Niprului, controlat de armata lor In this June 2015 photo, the Mississippi state flag is unfurled against the front of the Governor's Mansion in Jackson, Miss. (Associated Press file) President Donald Trump, standing left, holds up the card of Navajo Code Talker Thomas Begay, center, during their meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Monday, Nov. 27, 2017. Navajo Code Talkers Fleming Begaye Sr., seated, Peter MacDonald speaks at right. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)(Susan Walsh) Former President Donald Trump is preparing to launch his third campaign for the White House with an announcement Tuesday night. Trump is looking to move on from disappointing midterm defeats and defy history amid signs that his grip on the Republican Party may be waning. The former president had hoped to use the GOP's expected gains in last week's elections as a springboard to win his party's nomination by locking in early support and keeping potential challengers at bay. Instead, Trump now finds himself being blamed for backing a series of losing candidates in last week's midterm elections. J S Kiran, who was appointed as junior clerk in the District Mercantile Cooperative Society at Thycaud based on a recommendation from CPM district secretary Anavoor Nagappan, is the son of a former Kattakkada area secretary of the party. BARTLETT Two men face charges of manufacturing methamphetamine after authorities found their lab in a campground, according to the Fremont County Sheriffs Office. Law enforcement reported arresting the men on Nov. 25 after a K9 unit discovered stolen items and a meth lab near town. Deputies said they found an ATV which had been reported stolen from South Sioux City, Nebraska, and a camper stolen from Blue Springs, Missouri. Investigators also found other stolen items and equipment used to manufacture meth, they said. Both men face charges of drug precursor possession with intent to manufacture, one count of manufacturing meth under five grams and two counts of theft. The Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement assisted the Fremont County Sheriffs Office with the investigation. A spokesman for the Iowa Department of Corrections wouldnt talk about the transfer of one of Nebraskas problem prisoners to an Iowa prison facility. The Omaha World-Herald and Associated Press both reported that Erica Jenkins has been transferred from the Nebraska Correctional Center for Women in York, Nebraska, to the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women in Mitchellville. A Nebraska official confirmed Jenkins left the York facility. The World-Herald cited court records and the AP cited an unnamed Iowa official about Jenkins destination. Nebraskas online inmate locator lists Jenkins location as administration when checked Tuesday by The Nonpareil. Jenkins is serving a life sentence for the 2013 slaying of Curtis Bradford of Omaha. She is the sister of Nebraska death-row inmate Nikko Jenkins, who participated in Bradfords killing. Asked about the transfer by The Nonpareil, Cord Overton, communications director for the Iowa Department of Corrections, said Monday he could not comment on this particular individual. He would neither confirm nor deny that Jenkins was being held in Michellville. Speaking in general, Overton said prisoner exchanges occur for a variety of reasons including the safety of the inmate being exchanged or of other inmates, the safety of staff members, the proximity to security threat groups or gangs or the place an inmate in closer proximity to their family. Iowa currently has transfer agreements with 25 states, including Nebraska. Dawn-Renee Smith, spokeswoman for the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, told The World-Herald that she cannot discuss the reasons for the transfer because an inmates institutional file is not public. Smith has said that out-of-state transfers can occur only with an inmates permission. Smith said that the transfer did not require Nebraska to accept an Iowa inmate in exchange for Jenkins. Additionally, Nebraska does not have to pay Iowa to house Jenkins under the transfer agreement. Figures on the Iowa Department of Corrections website show the daily cost for prison incarceration of an offender being housed in Iowa is $98.85 or an annual cost of nearly $35,000. Results of a study published in 2016, which was based on 2012 expenditures, showed that Iowa had the lowest annual cost of incarceration for several Midwestern states. The figures cited in that story were Iowa, $32,925; Nebraska, $35,950; Wisconsin, $37,994; Illinois, $38,268; and Minnesota, $41,364. It is not uncommon for state correctional departments to exchange inmates on a fairly regular basis, Overton said. These exchanges might consist of a one-for-one switch, but more often they are in the form of reciprocity for future exchanges. The states that cooperate will ultimately break even financially, Overton said, while gaining a net advantage for everyone through improved security. So while one state might be gaining an incarcerated person, they will usually be exchanging another person through an agreement in the future, Overton said. At the end of the day, while the costs of the exchange will generally offset, the security that can be gained through such exchanges are advantageous. Jenkins currently faces assault and weapons charges for allegedly using a combination lock as an improvised weapon to assault Christine Bordeaux, Jenkins cousin, on Sept. 24, 2016. Bordeaux, who was also a prisoner at the York prison, suffered a concussion, a broken forearm and a fractured nasal bone. Bordeaux, who has also been transferred to an undisclosed out-of-state prison, testified against Jenkins, helping prosecutors obtain robbery convictions. Jenkins demanded that her cousin recant her testimony, and the assault allegedly occurred when Bordeaux refused. In addition to the assault and weapons charges Jenkins currently faces in connection with the Bordeaux incident at the York facility, she has been convicted of assaulting guards three times. Assistant Managing Editor Scott Stewart contributed to this report. Iowa officials say that 23 construction zone deaths over a two-year period is too high and they are trying to come up with a plan to address the issue. According to a recent Associated Press story, 10 people have died in work zone crashes statewide this year, compared to 13 deaths last year. Iowa Department of Transportation officials say speeding and distracted driving, such as texting behind the wheel, are contributing factors. The Legislature recently passed a state law prohibiting texting while driving. As of Oct. 31, officers had issued almost 500 citations for texting while driving, compared to 174 citations in 2016. Ten deaths in work zones is way too many, and it is a terrible number, said Steve Gent, director of the Iowa DOTs traffic and safety office in Ames. This is one of the areas that we continue to work on, not only on the primary highway system, but on county and city road systems. In addition to the law enforcement crackdown on texting while driving, transportation department officials are also increasing safety measures in an effort to combat work zone crashes. Efforts include having extra enforcement by state troopers and department officers, using electronic speed sensors, traffic sensors, and electronic message boards to warn motorists of problems ahead. Unfortunately, common sense suggests that with the increasingly anemic numbers of Iowa State Patrol road troopers there will be little help coming from that department. Since 2011, the Iowa State Patrol has seen nearly a 10 percent reduction in the number of road troopers. Figures compiled and published by the Cedar Rapids Gazette last month showed the patrol went from 296 road troopers in fiscal 2011 to 267 last year. While the Iowa State Patrol was set to graduate 18 new troopers from its 20-week academy in October, that will do little to offset state patrol retirements over the next decade. Current estimates suggest 15 to 20 troopers will become eligible for retirement annually for the next decade. Counting on the Iowa State Patrol to play a significant role in the reduction of work zone fatalities without substantially bolstering the number of troopers is, in our view, wishful thinking. Belgian art collective Time Circus built their first prototype of a giant Land Ship that will travel through Europe. Like a modern-day galley, the land ship will be propelled by the muscle power of the participating travelers. The journey is understood as a 21st century pilgrimage and will take an estimated 10 years. The Journey Along the journey, people can board the land ship and travel along for as long as they want to. Longer stops will be made in Marseille (France), Novisad (Serbia), Timisoara (Romania) and Elefsina (Greece). In 2018, land ship terminals will be built in these cities. Like bus stops, these will show how long it takes before the vehicle arrives. The start of the journey is planned for 2020. The Ship When we talked to one of the makers earlier this month in Antwerp, he said it was not yet clear whether the final vehicle would be a single monstrous land ship of 50 metres long, or a caravan of small ones the size of the first prototype, which is 13 metres long. He said they were also contemplating the use of draft animals or sails reminiscent of the ancient Chinese wheelbarrow. The vehicle or vehicles will be equipped with sleeping accommodation for at least 50 people. Confronting Bureaucracy Either way, the trip will be challenging, not only because of the physical effort involved, but also because of many other obstacles, from bridges over telephone lines to rules and regulations. Time Circus wants to obtain freedom of movement by gently opposing regulations with inventiveness and the use of the grey areas of the law, confronting the bureaucracy in a playful and witty way. The slowness of the journey gives ample space for meetings and interaction along the road. The main message of the project is to demonstrate that unexpected forces can develop through cooperation. It also wants to encourage the imaginative forces in the world, introducing alternatives that lie dormant. More info: Time Circus. Theres also a video (in Dutch). A man has been accused of burglaries at two laundromats in North Platte. About 8 a.m. on Nov. 21, a North Platte police officer was called to the laundromat at 1111 N. Adams Ave. According to police reports, a man had pried open a change machine at the business, stolen about $300 and caused nearly $1,000 in damage to the machine. Police identified the man in surveillance videos and began to search for him. Later that day, police were told of an attempted burglary at another laundromat at 115 E. 10th St. The business reported that a man had tried to break in the night before. He had entered the business while it was open but left after failing to pry open the locked office door. He returned after the business had closed, reports say, but also failed to pry open the main entrance. The man did not steal anything but did damage both doors. Police identified the same suspect in surveillance videos at the second store as well as the vehicle he was driving. The vehicle was found about 1 a.m. Nov. 22 and stopped near 200 S. Chestnut St. Police said the driver was the suspect from the videos. He was arrested on suspicion of attempted burglary, two counts of criminal mischief and theft by taking. While searching the suspect, police said, they also found several baggies with a white substance that tested positive for meth as well as drug paraphernalia. A passenger in the vehicle was also arrested on warrants stemming from another case. She was also suspected of false reporting, because she gave a fake name to officers during the stop. Rosati's Pizza, known for its thin-crust and deep-dish Chicago-style pizzas, will soon open a second location in Schererville. The Warrenville, Illinois-based chain, the second-largest restaurant chain in the Chicago area after Portillo's, has a sit-down family-style pizzeria that seats 100 at 5504 Lincoln Highway in Schererville. It plans to add a second, smaller Schererville location at Shoppes on the Boulevard on Indianapolis Boulevard, near the borders of Highland and Munster. The new shopping center is currently under construction just south of Steak & Shake. Rosati's will lease space in the new development, which also will include a McAlisters Deli and a Buona Beef. We are excited for Rosatis to join the already strong lineup of tenants within the development," Latitude Commercial Senior Vice President Brett McDermott said. "This leaves us with about 4,000 square feet remaining in which we are in talks with a few potential tenants on." The new Rosati's leasing space next to the McAlisters will focus mainly on takeout and delivery, according to a Latitude Commercial press release. Customers will be able to order pizza, pasta, sandwiches, salads and appetizers like garlic bread and fried ravioli. The existing Rosati's Pizza on U.S. 30 in Schererville focuses more on the dining-in experience and offers beer and wine. Rosati's, which has been "keeping it real since 1964," also has Northwest Indiana locations in St. John, Munster and Valparaiso. HAMMOND A 37-year-old Chicago man was sentenced Monday to five years in prison in connection with an undercover drug bust in Hammond. Tido Kirby also was ordered to serve three years of supervision following his guilty plea to a federal charge of distribution of heroin. According to court filings, Kirby sold four bags of heroin for $200 to an undercover police officer on Nov. 29, 2016, in Hammond, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Hammond. He then allegedly fled from police and dropped several more bags of heroin that were recovered. Kirby admitted before his arrest that he purchased 25 grams of heroin for $75 per gram each day from another individual, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. He also allegedly admitted to selling heroin to about nine to 10 regular customers. CROWN POINT A criminal court judge granted a bond reduction for a 32-year-old man accused of twice attempting to torch his ex-girlfriend's home in Hammond. Randall L. Gordon appeared Tuesday in Lake Criminal Court with defense attorney Lemuel Stigler. Stigler asked Judge Samuel L. Cappas to reduce the defendant's bond on charges of attempted murder and arson from $300,000 to $50,000, of which he'd be required to post 10 percent. He told the judge Gordon would live with his mother in Westmont, Illinois, if he posted bond. Cappas agreed to reduce Gordon's total bond to $90,000. He noted in his decision to not reduce it further that the defendant faces 120 years in prison, he was arrested in Tennessee on the charges and he is accused of engaging in a pattern of criminal activity. Gordon was charged in two separate cases filed in July and August with three counts of attempted murder, and two counts each of stalking, intimidation and arson. Gordon is accused of starting a fire Oct. 17, 2016, at his ex-girlfriend's residence in the 7500 block of Linden Avenue, according to court records. The woman said Gordon also left a fire burning outside her kitchen window July 23, which her boyfriend was able to extinguish before it spread. The woman told police Gordon harassed her for more than a year, including threatening to kill the woman, her 3-month-old son and her new boyfriend. The Lake Criminal Court was notified Oct. 16 that Gordon was arrested in Nashville, and he was extradited later that month to Lake County. When asked why he was in Tennessee, Gordon told the judge he was visiting family. INDIANAPOLIS A nine-term state representative from southeastern Indiana was chosen by House Democrats Monday to succeed state Rep. Scott Pelath, D-Michigan City, as caucus leader. State Rep. Terry Goodin, D-Austin, said he was humbled and grateful to be elected by the 30 House Democrats to spearhead efforts to enact their legislative agenda and add to their seats in the 100-member chamber at the 2018 elections. "I want to thank God for putting me in a position to be able to help others," Goodin said. "As we move forward, Democrats are going to have a new face and we're going to have a good message." Goodin was coy about which specific issues, beyond eliminating partisan gerrymandering, Democrats will champion when the House convenes Jan. 3 for the 10-week legislative session. "We're going to give the people in the state of Indiana their voice back, and that's going to be our No. 1 priority," Goodin said. He also declined to reveal his strategy to get Democratic candidates elected in 2018 as nearly all Republicans in the General Assembly have "safe" seats, due in part to district boundaries that favor GOP candidates. "If I told you all what it was today it wouldn't be considered a strategy," Goodin said. Goodin is one of the few remaining Democratic state lawmakers hailing from southern Indiana a region that once was a party stronghold. He's known for voting with Republicans more often than most of his Democratic colleagues, particularly to expand access to guns and increase penalties for violent crime. Though Goodin also has received help from successive Republican governors, and the Republican-controlled Legislature, for his home county, which was the center of a 2015 HIV outbreak tied to the repeated use of contaminated needles by drug addicts. The new House Democratic leader said he doesn't mind crossing the aisle to work with Republicans because he's learned, "You always attract more bees with honey than you do with brine." Goodin insisted the Democratic caucus is united behind him even though he only defeated state Rep. Phil GiaQuinta, D-Fort Wayne, on a 15-14 leadership vote that Pelath did not participate in. GiaQuinta said he was "a little disappointed" in the outcome, but he remains determined to work with Goodin to put forward an agenda House Democrats can be proud of and to help elect new members in 2018 and 2020. Goodin said he doesn't know whether he'll be kept on as leader after the 2018 elections. In any case, he plans to remain superintendent of Crothersville Community Schools and continue operating his family farm. Last week, Pelath announced he was stepping down as Democratic leader to spend more time at home with his family and newborn son. He also revealed that he won't seek re-election in 2018. Goodin said he's proud to follow in Pelath's footsteps: "He's a great man, he did a wonderful job and I just hope I'm able to build on the successes that Scott built as we move forward." "There's going be different voice, obviously with a little more southern twang to it, but we're going to have a unified voice," Goodin said. HOBART Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore fire officials have rescheduled a controlled burn for this morning at the Hobart Prairie Grove property. The fire, which had initially been planned last week but was canceled due to the weather, will be affect 10 acres on the 178-acre prairie property on the west side of Lake George in Hobart. "This smaller portion being burned today is directly north of the former Knights of Columbus property on South Liverpool, on the southwest side of Lake George," said Micah Bell, fire information officer for the national park. Burning only a portion of the property should make it easier to burn remaining acreage on a less windy day and reduce smoke impacts on neighbors, he said. Ignitions were set to begin at 9:30 a.m. Fire crews also planned to burn about 10 acres Tuesday at the 77-acre Dunewood Campground near Beverly Shores, Bell said. The fires were intended to reduce leaf litter and threat of wildlife to campers next year. A controlled burn Monday on 450 acres of woodlands west of the Douglas Center for Environmental Education on North Lake Street in Gary's Miller section went well, Bell said. Firefighters were checking the area Tuesday morning for visitor safety, and trails will be reopened as soon as possible, he said. A prescribed fire at the 191-acre Mnoke Prairie near Porter remained on a list to burn this fall, he said. The Mnoke Prairie is north of Beam Street and west of U.S. 20. Controlled burns help reduce fire hazards, fight against invasive species and restore natural habitat, officials said. HOBART It's been an eventful year at Hobart First United Methodist Church. The congregation has marked the 100th year of worship in its sanctuary with several celebrations, and the parish gained a major recognition along the way. The church at 654 E. Fourth St. has made it through the Indiana Historic Preservation Review Board to gain a nomination to be added to the National Register of Historic Places. Brad Miller, of Indiana Landmarks, said the Gothic-style church with arched stained glass windows is 99 percent there to obtain the national historic designation, and the most important part of achieving it is by getting through the state review. It has been a process, said the Rev. Rebecca Smith, pastor of the church. Miller said being added to the national list could be finalized by the end of the year. City Planner Sergio Mendoza described Hobart First's accomplishments as something very special. Mendoza said the efforts protect what the founders of the church established in the community. Although the sanctuary has been around for 100 years, the roots of the church are deeper. It all started in 1849, when services took place in a log cabin. Construction of a sanctuary began in 1871, and the building was finished the next year. After outgrowing that facility, the church started constructing the current sanctuary in 1916. It was dedicated in 1917. Mayor Brian Snedecor recently honored the parish for the milestone and its historic designation accomplishments with a proclamation. Snedecor said the church has a strong congregation that includes many who have been in leadership roles in Hobart. Thank you for your investment in the community, Snedecor said. The 100th anniversary of the sanctuary and historic designation have been exciting for the parish, but it isn't the only focus for the church. This is only the shell, Smith said of the sanctuary. The Rev. Larry Whitehead, a former Hobart First pastor, agrees there is much more ahead for the parish. God's purpose for Hobart First is not yet accomplished, said Whitehead, who is the North District Superintendent of the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. He said it will be nice to be on the National Register of Historic Places, but that isn't the reason the church was established. The best way to honor the past is to look to the future, Whitehead said. He said the people who first sat in the sanctuary pews were there to connect their hearts to God, and he encouraged members to help others make that same connection. Our mission is to fill lives with Jesus Christ, Whitehead said. MERRILLVILLE Business owners whose properties look sharp could earn a designation from the town. Clerk-Treasurer Eugene Guernsey has started a program to recognize aesthetically pleasing and well-maintained businesses in the community through a monthly award. Guernsey said many operations are doing their part to keep their facilities looking attractive, but others have gotten away from it. Besides lauding companies for improving the town's appearance, Guernsey thinks having the program in place can encourage others to put a stronger emphasis on maintaining their properties. Just put pride back in our neighborhood, he said. Town Council President Richard Hardaway said the program is a great idea and a way to show businesses if there is anything we can do to help them, we would. Guernsey said businesses don't need to do expensive and elaborate remodeling projects to gain the municipality's attention. Improving landscaping and decorating for holidays are among factors officials will consider when choosing award winners, he said. Guernsey said employees from his office, the Town Court and the Planning and Building Department will serve on the award selection committee. The employees will travel around town each month, taking pictures of businesses that stand out. The committee will review the selections and pick a business to honor for that month, Guernsey said. Representatives from selected businesses will receive a plaque during Town Council meetings. Guernsey said he hopes to expand to the property recognition program next year to include residences. A semitrailer crash snarled westbound traffic Monday afternoon near Grant Street in Gary on I-80/94, according to Indiana State Police. The semitrailer, which crashed at about 4:30 p.m. into a barrier wall at the interstate's 9 mile marker, initially blocked all lanes of westbound traffic, according to a news release from Indiana State Police. A witness told police the semitrailer went into the right shoulder and then suddenly jerked back into the lane, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle, the release states. The semitrailer overturned and then slid across all lanes of traffic, plowing through a concrete barrier and finally stopping in the eastbound express lane, the release states. The eastbound express lane was closed at the time of the crash, the release states. Crews were able to quickly get one lane open for traffic, and two lanes open by 6:45 p.m., the release states. The far left lane of traffic remained closed at 8 p.m. while crews worked to repair the concrete barrier. The semitrailer driver was identified by police as Khalil Abdelrahman, 49, of Indianapolis. He was transported by Gary EMS to Northlake Hospital in Gary with non-life-threatening injuries, the release states. The vehicle, owned by BA Logistics of Michigan City, was headed to Chicago from Hebron, Kentucky, according to the release. It was transporting 10,000 pounds of general freight when it crashed. The crash caused a large diesel and oil spill, which required clean up, the release states. For more updates go to nwi.com. HUDSON LAKE LaPorte County sheriff's police are investigating the shooting of two horses in the 7300 East block of Emery Road. Police were called to a residence Thursday regarding the horses being wounded, according to Capt. Mike Kellams. The deputy spoke with the property owner, who told police he first observed the injuries to the horses around 4 p.m. on Nov. 23. One horse was owned by the property owner, and the second was being boarded at the property. One horse appeared to have received a bullet wound in the right front leg and the other in the left front leg. The man told police he had been in contact with a veterinarian who said the wounds were not life-threatening and that it would be more dangerous to the animals to try to remove the bullets than leave them in place. The horses did not appear to have been affected by the wounds, said police. According to the officer, the wounds had the appearance of coming from a large caliber bullet. The horses are kept in a large pasture that is visible from the road. The homeowner told police he had not heard any gunshots prior to finding the wounded animals. The sheriffs office has also learned via social media that a cow in a nearby pasture, unrelated to the horse pasture, may have also been wounded by a bullet; however, no one has reported that to the sheriffs department, Kellams said. Anyone with information on this matter is asked to call Detective Sgt. Brian Piergelski at 219-326-7700, ext. 2539. VALPARAISO The Laborers International Union of North America Local 81 has again been turned down for property and personal tax exemptions on its new building at 3502 Enterprise Ave. in Valparaiso. The Indiana Board of Tax Review denied the request for educational and charitable exemptions upon appeal after they were first denied in September 2016 by the Porter County Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals. The state tax board said the union failed to prove that the portion of its building targeted for a tax exemption was used predominantly for qualified educational purposes during the 2014-16 tax years. "Union activities are not inherently exempt," the state ruled. The $1.2 million assessed value of the property translates to $34,500 in annual property taxes, said Porter County Assessor Jon Snyder. Union officials received the news Monday and were contemplating whether to appeal the decision further to the Indiana Tax Court, said bookkeeper Pat Hill. "We're tax-exempt everywhere else but Porter County," he said. The union local had been tax-exempt since 1918, he said. That ended when it completed its new facility in 2014 and made the required request for exemptions. "Two and two don't add up to four to me," Hill said. Snyder said, "Applications for exemptions from property taxes are taken seriously and are reviewed by the local Board of Appeals for accuracy and lawfulness. I am happy that the State Board of Review agreed with us in this case, and we will continue to strive for fair and accurate taxation throughout Porter County." The union had objected in its appeal to Snyder questioning during the initial hearing before the PTABOA, "how the average taxpayer benefits and saves tax dollars from the instruction at Local 81." While the union claimed the question called for a legal conclusion, the tax review board disagreed. The Indiana Tax Court ruled in March that the United Steelworkers Local 6787 in Portage is not primarily a charitable or educational entity, and thus its union hall and banquet center are not eligible for a property tax exemption. ST. JOHN A Lake Central High School teacher, who was arrested last week after a video of her allegedly doing drugs in an empty classroom went viral, has been formally charged with possession of a controlled substance, a level 6 felony, and possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor. Samantha Cox, 24, of Cedar Lake, was removed from the classroom Nov. 22 and held at the Lake County Jail until she posted a $10,000 bond later that same day. She has been placed on paid administrative leave from Lake Central, school officials said. The teacher allegedly told police after her arrest she purchased $160 worth of cocaine that morning before coming to school, according to court records released Monday by the Lake County Prosecutor's Office. Cox told police she usually purchased "dope" after school, but was feeling sick that morning, records state. She said she had used cocaine for four years, since her freshman year at college. Cox said she snorted the cocaine at 10:20 a.m. while alone in her classroom, records state. She said the door was locked, but students must have seen her through the door window. Authorities learned about the drug use after someone took video of Cox in an empty classroom and posted that video online. The footage spread quickly on the internet. The information was brought to the attention of school administration by student witnesses, and school administrators notified the St. John Police Department. A detective was dispatched to the school at noon and requested help from a drug-sniffing dog, records state. The dog alerted to the teacher's desk, where police located a plastic cigarette wrapper filled with rolled up pieces of tin foil, records state. Police also found a piece of paper wrapped up like a straw. Cox allowed police to search her vehicle, where they found a glass pipe and multiple small pieces of tin foil, torn plastic baggies and two rolled up pieces of paper, according to records. The records state Cox was polite and cooperative throughout the incident. Lake Central schools Superintendent Larry Veracco said Monday that Cox was in her second year as a teacher at the high school. She taught English 10 and 11. She was hired in 2016, soon after graduating from Purdue University Northwest in May. "She was popular with the students," Veracco said. "She did her student teaching at Lake Central High School, then we hired her. "It's a sad situation. We are happy that we got her removed from the classroom very quickly after being tipped off by a student. But we are also concerned about her welfare, too. She seemed to be a very good teacher," Veracco said. Cox graduated from Hanover Central High School in 2012 and was the salutatorian. She attended Purdue University Calumet, now known as Purdue University Northwest, graduating in May 2016. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in English and concentration in English teaching. Franciscan Alliance is launching a program in Northwest Indiana to assist pregnant women and mothers addicted to drugs. The Grace Project helps the women and their babies with everything from substance abuse treatment to housing and transportation. Franciscan has had the program in central Indiana since 2015 but is expanding it to northern and western Indiana, as well as the south suburbs of Chicago. "It can cover the cost of the treatment, to a ride to and from the hospital, to a hot meal, to an electric bill," said Rick Peltier, executive director of the Franciscan Health Foundation for northern Indiana. "There are so many needs surrounding this crisis. Franciscan wants to do our part of help any way we can." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has called neonatal abstinence syndrome, where babies are born dependent on drugs, an "often hidden consequence of the opioid epidemic." The incidence of the condition tripled between 1999 and 2013. In Indiana, babies are born dependent on opioids at a third more than the national average, according to data from the Indiana State Department of Health. Through the end of August, 15.7 percent of Indiana babies tested were addicted to opioids, compared to 10.7 percent nationwide. In utero exposure to opioids puts infants at risk for social, emotional and intellectual delays, and can impair long-term immunity and protection against pathogens, medical experts say. Then there are the withdrawal symptoms. "Babies can have seizures, shaking, tremors," said Joan Culver, administrative director of women and children's services for Franciscan Alliance. "They can be inconsolable. They can be difficult to feed. They can struggle with vomiting." The Grace Project helps pay for the women's treatment above what insurance will cover, the baby's medical expenses and everyday needs for the family. In the Indianapolis area, the program has assisted 31 families with a total of $36,000. "It's more than just treatment; it's helping the whole person," Culver said. "We need baby and mom to be in the right place." Franciscan is launching the program Tuesday to coincide with Giving Tuesday, a national day of philanthropy. To donate to the Grace Project, visit franciscanhealth.org/givingtuesday. This is the busiest time of the year, as were all reminded at least a dozen times between Thanksgiving and the New Year. I am thankful you have taken just a few minutes to read this. Much of the stress brought by the holiday season usually revolves around gifts. Who gets what? Does my uncle wear large or extra-large these days? Is my niece bringing her boyfriend to Christmas? It is ironic a time of such joy can bring so much stress as we try to create happiness for others. Allow me to help with those gift-giving tasks you still have on your plate and introduce you to CollegeChoice 529, a program sponsored by the state of Indiana. It offers an alternative to the typical gifts you may give. CollegeChoice 529 is an affordable, flexible opportunity to put money aside in dedicated college savings accounts for the special children in your life. The gift of education is not something children can outgrow, break or grow sick of before Valentines Day. Research suggests a child with as little as a dollar in a dedicated college savings account is up to four times more likely to attend college and graduate than one without a savings account. A CollegeChoice 529 account also brings special benefits for account owners and gift contributors. Earnings on your investments grow tax-deferred from federal and state taxes. Withdrawals for qualified expenses like tuition, room and board, books, fees and computers are exempt from federal and state tax. Account beneficiaries are welcome to use their savings at any higher education institution that accepts federal financial aid, not just Indiana colleges and universities. Last, Hoosiers who contribute to CollegeChoice accounts may also take advantage of the most generous state 529 tax incentive in the country: a credit equal to 20 percent of their contributions, worth up to $1,000 each and every year. That is money back in ones pocket that could be reinvested into a CollegeChoice 529 account. This holiday season, give a gift that wont wear out: the gift of college. The money you set aside in a CollegeChoice 529 account today will be invested and have a chance to earn more over time. Contributing by Dec. 31 could allow you to claim a valuable tax credit in just a few short months. 2017 marks the 20th anniversary of Indianas CollegeChoice 529 program. As of today, Hoosiers have saved more than $4 billion in more than 330,000 accounts. In 2016 alone, CollegeChoice 529 helped pay for $294 million in qualified education expenses. Giving the gift of college to your loved ones now can help you prepare for the same expenses and save a great deal later on. Visit www.collegechoicedirect.com to learn more and enroll today. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, from my family to yours! For years, we have been hearing the Republican Party was on the ropes: when Bill Clinton won in 1992 and 1996; when Barack Obama won in 2008 and 2012; when the tea party launched in 2009; when Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and company shut down the federal government for a few days in 2013. Remember when we were told voters were going to "punish" Republicans in 2014? Yeah, that was right before they handed the GOP control of the House and Senate. When Donald Trump roared into the primaries in 2015 and knocked out his more traditional GOP rivals one by one, and even since Trump's election, the media's go-to narrative has been how the Republican Party is fragmented and crumbling. Now we know it's the Democratic Party that's rotting from within. This isn't about the staggering loss of seats in state governments. It's about the sex scandals that have enveloped Hollywood and now the media and Washington. What's even more shocking than the reprehensible conduct itself is how intimately entwined these scandals are with the Democratic Party's politics, its operatives and their tactics. Let's start with Harvey Weinstein. One of the biggest Hollywood fundraisers for Democrats, he has become the poster boy for the most egregious sexual harassment and assault. Weinstein's attorneys had his victims sign iron-clad nondisclosure agreements that effectively covered up his behavior. PBS and CBS host Charlie Rose was fired this past week after eight women came forward with sordid stories of sexual harassment and abuse of power. New York Times reporter Glenn Thrush has also been suspended following accusations of sexual misconduct involving younger women at the Times and Politico. Remember Glenn Thrush? His was one of many emails released by Wikileaks that demonstrated how far in the tank the media was for 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Thrush sent a potentially negative story to Clinton campaign manager John Podesta for approval before publishing. Thrush's email read, in part, "Because I have become a hack I will send u the whole section that pertains to u (sic). Please don't share or tell anyone I did this." The Wikileaks email dump also exposed that Donna Brazile at the time, a contributing political correspondent at CNN was feeding debate questions to Clinton in advance of the event. Brazile lost her position at CNN and has written a best-seller, "Hacks," in which she gives her take on why Clinton lost the election. Among her revelations: The DNC was financially controlled and manipulated by the Clintons, to the political detriment of the other (and arguably more popular) Democratic candidate, Bernie Sanders. Brazile stepped in as DNC chair after Debbie Wasserman Schultz resigned in disgrace, only to be scooped up by Clinton and named "honorary" campaign chair. Wasserman Schultz's handsomely paid former IT staffer Imran Awan has since been indicted and is suspected of selling sensitive data to Pakistanis and Russians. Charles Manson's recent death brought disturbing reminders that even the Democratic Party's golden boy, Barack Obama, has unsavory alliances in his background. After the grisly murders of pregnant actress Sharon Tate and six others in July of 1969, Weather Underground founder Bernardine Dohrn said, "Offing those rich pigs with their own forks and knives, and then eating a meal in the same room. Far out! The Weathermen dig Charles Manson." Manson and his followers were murderous lunatics. Bernardine Dohrn (along with her husband Bill Ayers) was a communist revolutionary and domestic terrorist responsible for multiple bombings. Dohrn expressed admiration for the Manson murders. And Barack Obama launched his political career in her living room. The Democratic Party is riddled through and through with questionable affiliations and scandals. It's time for the Democrats to clean house. "Chicago man sentenced to 30 months for gun trafficking." This recent article caught my attention because of the leniency of the sentence. This person purchased more than 25 guns with the intention of selling them to other criminals and only received a 30-month sentence. He broke existing gun laws. The article states he received a longer sentence because at least eight of the firearms were discovered in the hands of convicted felons. A longer sentence? Really? How about 10 or 20 years? This is the exact problem law-abiding people complain about when they say punish the criminals and enforce the existing gun laws before you start making more laws that limit the rights of honest citizens. Steve Nowaczyk, Munster 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... Reference is made to an article by Hon Mary Karooro Okurut in the New Vision of November 21, 2017 titled Oil Pipeline: Uganda has cause for optimism. First, I would like to recognise the potential Uganda and Tanzanias extractive resources have to trigger economic growth, alleviate poverty and address inequality, enabling both countries to fulfil their respective visions. It is unfortunate, as Ms Karooro rightly pointed out, that the 1,445km East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) that is valued at $3.55 billion and promises massive economic fortunes (even if only 20 per cent of it will occupy Ugandan territory) has not received the attention it deserves. The primary reason for this is that discussions around Ugandas oil sector and related infrastructural developments have largely been an exclusive clubs affair, whose membership includes technical persons (ministries of energy and finance), foreign investors and the office of the president. Even when oil is a national resource, I am sure you would not hear people in your constituency in Bushenyi talk about it. The discussions are localised to Hoima and Buliisa where people are directly affected as their land is required for oil development and there are hopes for jobs. A number of times when oil discussion dominates public debate is when there is a scandal, the latest being the Shs 6 billion a few government workers rewarded themselves with for work they are paid to do. Uganda needs to do better in informing her citizens and engaging them in these important discussions. There are heightened expectations like those expressed by Hon Karooro, that the project will bring with it huge benefits in terms of job creation and other economic multipliers. While I appreciate some people will earn income during the construction of the EACOP, can we look at the bigger picture? Apart from casual labourers Karooro talked about, what other opportunities are there? Where are we purchasing the materials from? Shall we use cement from Uganda or China? What about the nails and screws? What of other materials that are needed? Uganda decided long ago to construct an oil pipeline. Yet hardly any Ugandans have been equipped with necessary skills in pipeline construction. Is there a group of welders from Katwe, for example, that meet the certification criteria to work on the pipeline, the oil refinery or central processing plants? What local content actions has government taken to ensure meaningful participation in the sector? Government needs to be strategic and invest in this sector, beyond paper work (polices and laws that are never implemented anyway). Whereas it is a foregone conclusion lives of people along the pipeline corridor that encompasses eight districts will change, there is scant hope it will be for the better. Evidence from the Chad-Cameroon pipeline corridor and other oil projects in Niger Delta region, or elsewhere on the African continent, have impoverished local communities, involuntarily displaced families and delivered few benefits in return. Experience from acquisition of land for the oil refinery in Hoima does not suggest the government cares that much for its people. Some of the 7,118 people that were affected more than four years ago have never been resettled or compensated. Currently, none of the districts has approved compensation and property rates for the year 2017/2018. What will they use to compensate those affected by the pipeline? As if that is not bad enough, our engagements in the districts of Kiboga, Lwengo, Rakai and Gomba revealed communities and their leaders are largely unaware of where the pipeline is going to pass, when and what that means to their lives. Government urgently needs to put out this information. As Hon Karooto indicated, the EACOP will be the longest heated pipeline in the world because Ugandas oil is waxy and viscous. She, however, says nothing about what environmental implications this otherwise important undertaking comes with. There is need for honesty about that as well as expected sources of funding for EACOP. Currently, external financing is required for 70 per cent of the project. The balance is expected from equity by the joint venture partners and the national oil companies in both Uganda and Tanzania. For Uganda, this will either come from national budget or external borrowing. Government needs to be transparent and openly discuss her financing options and contracts with its investment partners. While infrastructure projects such as EACOP have the potential to bring about positive economic effects, they also have the potential to leave the respective countries heavily indebted at a cost to future generations. The author is the executive director of Global Rights Alert. Austrian designer Klemens Schillinger has created a therapeutic replacement for smartphones called Substitute Phones. The Vienna-based designer made a series of five of these non-devices which feature a row of stone beads to imitate various motions typical to smartphone use, such as scrolling, zooming, and swiping. By using stone beads to emulate interaction with a phones touchscreen, Schillinger aims to create therapeutic tools that can provide the physical simulation that frequent smartphone users crave, and help them cope with the withdrawal symptoms of being away from their phones for long periods of time Photo: Klemens Schillinger The touchscreen smartphone has made it possible to escape into social media, Schillinger told Dezeen. We check emails and messages not only on public transport but also in social situations, for example when having drinks with friends. More and more often one feels the urge to check their phone, even if you are not expecting a specific message or call. These observations inspired the idea of making a tool that would help stop this checking behavior. The Substitute Phones bodies are made of black polyoxymethylene (POM) plastic, also known as acetal. Theyre a similar size and weight to typical smartphones, making the simulation more convincing. Marbled Howlite beads are integrated into the case in one of five designs and roll in place, simulating the frictionless feel associated with touchscreen use. They are designed in such a way as to allow users to perform various gestures associated with smartphones, such as swiping and pinching. Photo: Klemens Schillinger Some of these finger movements like zooming in, or moving up and down were born with the smartphone, the designer said. The Substitute Phones allow these movements to be felt by scrolling on the marbles that are integrated into the case, something which is a clear differentiation from fidget spinners or fidget cubes. Schillinger says that Italian writer and philosopher Umberto Eco inspired the project because he tried to quit smoking by substituting his pipe with a stick. Photo: Klemens Schillinger It was the same thing, but without the nicotine, just the physical stimulation, he said. I remembered this and thought to make phones that would provide the physical stimulation but not the connectivity. The Substitute Phone is Schillingers second project that aims to discourage people from using their smartphones and other mobile devices such as ipads. The first project, the Offline Lamp, was a typical table lamp that featured a drawer integrated into the pedestal. For the bulb to light up, a smartphone had first to be placed into and then locked in the drawer. Schillinger created both of the projects for an exhibition called #Offline Design for the (Good Old) Real World, which took place at Vienna Design Week from 29 September until 8 October 2017. The Substitute phone is not yet for sale, but Schillingers website promises that theyre coming soon and offers an email address for inquiries. This looks like an improved version of the NoPhone, with the beads offering some gesture familiarity. Mysterious boom sounds have baffled people all over the planet throughout the past year. There have been 64 recorded incidents within the last 12 months, with the majority heard on the east coast of the USA, but also reported everywhere from the Middle East to Australia. Experts have no clear answer as to the cause of these sounds, but theories range from Leonid shower meteorites exploding in the atmosphere to supersonic aircrafts. The most recent bang resounded over the US state of Alabama on November 14. Dubbed Bama boom, the noise shook houses and terrified locals. Residents notified authorities of a suspicious sound that rattled windows and seemed to originate on the northwest side of Lochbuie, Alabama. They could not figure out the source of the noise, however, and have ruled out an explosion as they could not find flames or an odor indicating one. Photo: U.S. Navy The Birmingham National Weather Service tweeted: Loud boom heard: we do not see anything indicating large fire/smoke on radar or satellite; nothing on USGS indicating an earthquake. Alabama locals took to Twitter to report the latest event. One user described it as an incredibly loud boom that shook the entire house. Previously, on October 10, a similar incident left Australians in Cairn confused and frightened. Two weeks after that another boom resounded over the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia, and reportedly at the same time, a blue meteor passed across the sky. Photo: Navicore/Wikimedia Commons It just got bigger and bigger, and it was just this big flash across the sky, and there were sparks coming off it, Port Lincoln local Lisa Watson told News Corp. I pulled up home, and I heard two massive bangs, maybe a second apart, and then the sky lit up again I just felt the whole earth shake twice. Other locations that have reported similar incidents include Swansea, Yorkshire, Lapland, and St Ives. According to some reports, these so-called Bama Booms are becoming more frequent. Bill Cooke, the head of NASAs Meteoroid Environment Office, recently admitted that his department does not have clear answer as to what is causing the mysterious loud noises. He states that the boom could not have been caused by the Leonid meteor shower, but adds that it might have been a bolide, which is a significant meteor that explodes in the atmosphere. The sound was not caused by a Leonid meteor, Cooke stated, Which is the light produced by a fragile bit of comet hitting the atmosphere at over 150,000 miles per hour. At such speeds, the particle does not last long, burning up completely at altitudes of 60 miles or so. Leonids never penetrate low enough into Earths atmosphere to produce sounds audible on the ground. The U.S. Geological Surveys Lakeview Retreat in Alabama picked up seismic data that showed a loud boom had occurred, and 600 miles away in southern Ontario The Elginfield Infrasound Array picked up a matching infra-sound signal beginning at the same time. According to Cooke, Nasa will continue to analyze the available data with the hope of determining the origin of the sound. There is a piece of Estonian land where men are a very rare sight. The island of Kihnu, located in the Baltic Sea, seven miles off the countrys west coast, is a domain ruled by women. This quaint place of pastoral tranquility and just 400 inhabitants is one of the worlds last matriarchal societies. Its not that the women of Kihnu have anything against men; its just that they have no choice but hold the social and administrative reins. Thats because the male population is away for months on end, providing for the small community by fishing. This leaves the ladies responsible for running things and they have been doing so for centuries raising the kids, working in the fields, and handling matters of governance. Photo: KalervoK/Wikimedia Commons The leader of this island community is Mare Matas, who doubles as president of the Kihnu Cultural Space Foundation. As she explains, Men were always a long time away from the island. And thats the historical reason why women become very strong, very independent. One thing the local ladies are particularly intent on achieving is the preservation of Kihnus traditions and heritage. Kihnu culture is interesting because we still wear traditional costumes as our everyday wearing. We have ancient folk songs still alive and dancesKihnu wedding songs and wedding traditions are more than 2,000 years old, Matas notes. Photo: Olev Mihkelmaa But its a tough job preserving a legacy when young people leave to pursue higher education or good jobs, often never to return. The island is popular with European tourists in the summer but other than that, there are no attractive opportunities to keep the youngsters from deserting the community. Im concerned every day that our unique culture can disappear. Its very valuable if those things still exist and survive in the modern world. Its really a miracle, says Matas. The good thing is that officials have not been sitting idly: Kihnus culture, more specifically its wedding traditions, have been recognized as a UNESCO Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Additionally, the Kihnu Museum has been renovated and conserves the local history, honors prominent residents, and keeps alive the islands customs and conventions. For all its uniqueness and idyllic atmosphere, Kihnu does have its challenges and living there may not be for the faint of heart. According to Matas, its a different lifestyle compared to that on the mainland and survival is harder. Still, the locals wouldnt have it any other way and believe that they inhabit the best place in the world. Hiltzik Media Strategies handles press for private equity firm Thoma Bravo as it inks a $1.6B deal to acquire Barracuda Networks, which provides security for cloud-based networks. The $27.55 per-share price is a 22 percent premium over the 10-day average Barracuda stock price prior to the Nov. 27 announcement of the transaction. Founded in 2003, Barracuda works with clients such as Microsoft and Boeing. It posted revenues of $188M and $4.2M net income for the six-month period ended Aug. 31. Thoma Bravo, which has assets of $17B, has invested in tech companies including McAfee and Compuware. BJ Jenkins, Barracuda CEO, said Thoma Bravo's investment "speaks to the value and strength of Barracuda's security platform." Hiltzik's Matthew Gorton represents Thoma Bravo, which has offices in Chicago and San Francisco, in the deal that is expected to close at the end of February. On the morning before Thanksgiving, adult and youth performers at the Omaha Community Playhouse excitedly gathered at a bus, ready to hit the road as part of a holiday tradition in its 39th year. A week earlier, members of Mannheim Steamroller left from Chip Davis farm and American Gramaphone studio north of the city, continuing a musical trek now in its 33rd year. Thursday, the band will play for the lighting of the National Christmas tree near the White House. Its a remarkable custom Omaha annually sending out two major Christmas productions around the country. Including rehearsals that start in Omaha in early November, both shows performers and crew members some local, some from elsewhere give a good chunk of time to traveling, spreading holiday cheer and living out of suitcases. And in the case of the Playhouse show, that includes students who bade farewell to their parents Wednesday and boarded with other cast members of A Christmas Carol. Were gone for four to five weeks, said Emma Johnson, 15, a sophomore at Marian High School. I take two suitcases one for clothes and personal belongings and the other for textbooks. I keep up with assignments, and I email my teachers every day. Emmas mom, Jen Johnson, said it was especially difficult sending her off on her first Christmas Carol tour when she was in seventh grade. Its still scary as a parent, putting your child on a bus, Jen said. You just have to trust and know this is such a neat opportunity. The Playhouse annually mounts the show on its Omaha main stage. The touring cast is from its professional wing, the Nebraska Theatre Caravan, managed by Kate Whitecotton. Over the past weekend, the caravan performed for four days in the ornate, Orpheum-like Ohio Theatre in Columbus. Last year the Columbus Dispatch called it a beloved national tour, and a Tennessee newspaper said it is one of the most widely viewed productions of the Dickens tale in the nation. Soon the show will tour South Carolina, Kentucky, Vermont, Massachusetts and New Jersey. Emma celebrates her 16th birthday Dec. 14 in St. Louis, part of a four-day stop at the Fox Theatre, where Jen will meet her. Then the show heads to four cities in the Sunshine State, ending Dec. 23 in Melbourne, Florida. The high-powered Mannheim Steamroller, meanwhile, sends out two tours. One opened Nov. 15 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Already this month, audiences have enjoyed the 18th-century classical rock take on Christmas music in the states of Georgia, Virginia, Tennessee, Washington, Oregon, Montana, Missouri, Illinois and Wisconsin. And it was bound to happen: Wednesday, both Omaha productions Mannheim Steamroller at the Mead Theatre and Christmas Carol at the Victoria Theatre will practically bump into each other, playing in the same city. Musically speaking, the Big O is taking Dayton, Ohio, by storm. Making a case for the Omaha area as a Christmas Capital, you could add a third touring group, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. For years the New York City-based band has rehearsed at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs and dined in downtown Omaha one year reportedly leaving a $10,000 tip at Sullivans Steakhouse. The heavy-metal, progressive-rock TSO opened this years tour at the Bluffs arena on Nov. 16. This Saturday it plays in why miss it? Dayton, Ohio. The tours hit lots of cities, aware of each other but independent. The most widely known persona is Chip Davis, who grew up in Ohio and attended college in Michigan but came to Omaha in the early 1970s as a TV-jingle writer. That led to the hit record Convoy and a movie starring Kris Kristofferson, based on the C.W. McCall truck driver Chip created. Mannheim Steamroller the name is from the German city where Mozart lived and from the word for an 18th century musical crescendo has sold more than 40 million albums, including 29 million Christmas albums. The annual tours are big business. Chip said he employs just short of 100 people, including musicians, crews and truck drivers. His musicians have played for two previous White House Christmas tree lightings, one for President Bill Clinton and one for President George W. Bush. (Thursdays ceremony with President Donald Trump will be shown Monday on the Hallmark Channel.) Besides the crisscrossing Mannheim tours in 80 cities, Davis has a group playing weekends at the Universal Orlando Resort. And he has a fourth group, a hit-and-run band that can assemble quickly if, say, a TV network calls for an appearance on a morning show. Its exciting, but it can be a grind, too. Among local musicians are Joey Gulizia, Chuck Penington, Glen Smith, Ron Cooley, Rebecca Kia and Bobby Kunkle. Mannheim plays Dec. 22 and 23 at the Orpheum in Omaha. The tour ends Dec. 30 in San Antonio. The 36-person Nebraska Theatre Caravan tour, which sometimes has sent out two groups, has one this year, staying in the eastern U.S. Adult performers audition with a booking agent elsewhere and then come to Omaha to rehearse. Jon McDonald of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, who plays Mr. Fezziwig and other roles, is in his 10th year on the Christmas Carol tour. Being Fezziwig, I think, is the best part of the show, he said. I get to throw that wonderful party. He said he appreciates the young performers, who have a chaperone-tutor he calls the child wrangler. Other children from Omaha are Nick LeMay as the young Scrooge; Mackenzie Reidy as Frances; and Sasha Denenberg as Tiny Tim. All are younger than Emma Johnson, who plays Belinda Cratchit and keeps up on her pre-calculus and other subjects. When she approached Marian High leaders about touring this year, she said, They were a little hesitant, like, Are you sure you can miss a month and a half of school? Emma, active in show choir, fine arts club, speech team, French club, robotics and more, assured them that she would not just be a student who disappeared. She does her homework, and the chaperone proctors her tests. Emma is now a tour veteran at balancing a checkbook and washing her clothes at hotels. Said her mom, Jen: This has made her a much more confident, independent young lady. At the tours end, Jen, dad Erik (EJ on KAT 103 country radio in Omaha) and Emmas brother, Simon, 14, will attend her final show and then head to Disney World. Steamrolling or caroling, Omaha leaves its mark on the Christmas season. COUNCIL BLUFFS The City of Council Bluffs plans to take legal action against a recent decision that could pave the way for a casino in Carter Lake, Mayor Matt Walsh said Monday evening. We are going to file a lawsuit, Walsh told outgoing Carter Lake Mayor Gerald Waltrip, who attended the Council Bluffs City Council meeting. Walsh cited the fact that there would be no gambling tax for the State of Iowa that other casinos must pay. We feel it would be detrimental to Council Bluffs and the State of Iowa, Walsh said. At the meeting, Waltrip told Walsh and the council that Carter Lake seems to be a punching bag for Council Bluffs and Omaha officials. I dont recall us ever interfering when Council Bluffs built three casinos, he said. The National Indian Gaming Commission recently issued an order affirming a 2007 decision allowing the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska to develop a casino on its Carter Lake property. Council Bluffs City Attorney Richard Wade noted that the tribe sought a casino in Carter Lake about 10 years ago but was unsuccessful. He said he hopes that same result happens again. We think theres good grounds of it (the decision) not moving forward, Wade said. Ron Cumberledge, Carter Lake City Councilman and newly elected mayor, said the new casino would benefit the consumer by driving more competition. Its a win-win for everybody, he said. This casino would create 1,500 new jobs, Cumberledge said, adding that tribal officials have assured him that they want to be good neighbors. I dont understand why Council Bluffs is spending tax dollars to fight a business in another community, Cumberledge said. UPDATE (5:45 a.m.) * Breezy northwest winds of up to 30 mph can be expected today in the Omaha area, behind a cold front that moved through the region early this morning. That front, and another moving through Wednesday night, will drop temperatures from the warm start to the week. However, temperatures through the week still will average about 10 degrees above normal for late November and early December. The week should remain dry, with a chance of rain entering the picture Sunday night and Monday. * The latest Omaha-area forecast, according to the National Weather Service office at Valley: Today Breezy and mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny with a high in the mid- to upper 50s. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Tonight Mostly clear with a low around 25. Wednesday Sunny with a high around 50. Wednesday night Partly cloudy with a low in the low 30s. Thursday Sunny with a high around 50. Thursday night Mostly clear with a low in the upper 20s. Friday Sunny with a high in the low 50s. Friday night Mostly clear with a low around 30. Saturday Sunny with a high around 55. Saturday night Mostly clear with a low around 35. Sunday Mostly sunny with a high around 55. Sunday night A chance of rain with a low in the low 40s. * * * A number of temperature records fell Monday, with some parts of Nebraska seeing the warmest weather on record for this late in the year. Given the prolonged dry weather that also has been occurring, horticulturists advise that people water trees, shrubs and new plantings, even if it means hauling out the hose. The mercury topped 80 degrees in parts of western Nebraska, and the Valentine area recorded its latest 80-plus-degree day of the year. Valentine hit 84 on Monday. Previously, that communitys latest 80-degree day had occurred about 10 days earlier in the calendar. Its a pretty big deal, considering that average temperatures for this time of year are in the 40s, said Nathan Jurgensen, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in North Platte. Nearly every official weather station in Nebraska matched or set records, from Scottsbluff to Omaha. While Omaha didnt set a record for the date, Mondays 67-degree high matched the record set in 1998. This month has been unusually dry Omaha has received only 25 percent of its normal November total, according to the weather service. Eppley Airfield has reported just 0.36 inches of rainfall so far this month, 1.10 inches below normal. And though the area had a wet October Eppley received 4.06 inches, 1.91 above the norm the top layer of soil has begun to dry out, and thats the layer that matters, said Kathleen Cue, horticulturist with the University of Nebraska Extension in Douglas and Sarpy Counties. Although trees and shrubs look dormant, that isnt the case, Cue said. Metabolic processes continue during winter, and the cells of plants depend on moisture to grow and move nourishment. Once the ground freezes, plants wont be able to access moisture in the soil, so they need to soak up a good supply in the fall, she said. Cue said homeowners do not need to turn on irrigation systems, especially because many people have paid to have their systems shut down for the winter. Just pull out the hose, she said. A weather pattern that has kept the Omaha area dry recently could make way for some wet weather next week, a forecaster said. Ryan McPike, a meteorologist with KMTV, said he expects precipitation in the Omaha area to return to a normal or a slightly-above-normal level in early December. But moisture really is not in our cards for the next seven days, he said. The last noticeable rainfall in the Omaha area occurred Nov. 17-18, when a half inch fell in Valley and 0.23 of an inch fell at Eppley, according to the weather service. Thats not enough to meet the needs of plants. Before turning on the faucet, Cue suggested that people distribute empty tuna or pet food cans near their plants as a way of measuring how much they are watering. Plants need an inch of water, she said. Even with rain potentially arriving next week, it remains advisable to water now, Cue said. The forecast for today through Sunday calls for continued dry and sunny conditions, with above-normal high temperatures in the low to mid-50s and overnight lows in the upper 20s to low 30s. The normal high for late November in Omaha is around 45 degrees. The normal low is around 25. LINCOLN Nebraska prison officials have declined to publicly identify the supplier of a new batch of lethal injection drugs they purchased to carry out the states first execution in 20 years. Scott Frakes, director of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, recently denied a Nov. 10 public records request from The World-Herald seeking communications between his staff and the source who sold four execution drugs to the state. Such documents constitute attorney work product, are subject to attorney-client privilege, are not public records and/or are confidential and exempt from disclosure, said a letter late last week from Dawn-Renee Smith, communications director for the Corrections Department. The department has turned over similar documents in past years. Smith provided no explanation as to why the department now considers such records exempt from the Nebraska Public Records Act. Corrections officials did release some inventory records and have previously said the drugs cost $10,500 and were obtained from a domestic supplier. In 2015, corrections officials spent $54,400 on lethal injection drugs that they never received from a broker in India, who in turn refused to refund the public funds. The law exempts from disclosure the work product of an attorney and a public agency that flows from preparation for litigation. But the law also requires the department to describe the contents of the withheld records and specific reasons for the denial. The prison spokeswoman declined Tuesday to answer follow-up questions seeking a more specific description of the records. Nor would she answer other questions intended to gain a better understanding of the departments basis for denial. The department withheld the same records sought independently by the ACLU of Nebraska. Danielle Conrad, the organizations director, said she suspects that the department acted in bad faith by falsely claiming attorney-client privilege for all of the requested records. She said that while Nebraskans have differing views on the death penalty, many across the political spectrum support governmental transparency. This is a shocking new low for the Department of Corrections and Nebraskas proud tradition of open government, Conrad said. Taylor Gage, spokesman for Gov. Pete Ricketts, said the department cited a legitimate reason for withholding the records. And he defended the departments track record of transparency. Among all state agencies and corrections departments nationally, it is arguably subject to the highest levels of scrutiny and transparency by the media, the Legislature and the public, Gage said. Late last year, the department sought to shield the identity of lethal drug suppliers when it proposed changes to Nebraskas execution protocol. But that provision was dropped after it was opposed by many of the people who testified at a public hearing on the protocol. The new death penalty procedure approved by the governor in January added a pharmacist or pharmaceutical chemist to the execution team. That persons role, the procedure says, shall be to deliver the lethal injection drugs to the execution chamber. One of the state laws cited in the departments denial letter says the identities of execution team members are confidential. That raises a question as to whether the department considers its drug supplier a member of the team. State lawmakers debated a bill last session that would have exempted records about lethal drug suppliers from the public records law. Legislative Bill 661 did not come to a vote and could be taken up again after the Legislature convenes in January. State Sen. John Kuehn of Heartwell, the sponsor of the bill, said he had not seen the departments basis for declining the records requests. But he argued that the states primary obligation should be to properly test the drugs and share the test results with lawyers for the condemned inmates. What value does the identity of the manufacturer of the drug provide? he asked. Earlier this month, the department announced that it had obtained four drugs for the execution of death-row inmate Jose Sandoval, the ringleader of a botched robbery in 2002 that left five people dead in a Norfolk bank. The department notified Sandoval on Nov. 9 that it intends to use four drugs in the following order: diazepam, fentanyl citrate, cisatracurium besylate and potassium chloride. Under the protocol, the Attorney Generals Office may not ask the Nebraska Supreme Court to issue a death warrant for Sandoval sooner than 60 days after the notification. Death penalty opponents have predicted that legal challenges over Nebraskas untried lethal drug combination will lead to further delays. LINCOLN A week after approving an alternative route for the Keystone XL, a Nebraska agency is being asked to reconsider that decision by both pipeline developer TransCanada and landowners opposing the project. A spokesman for TransCanada said Monday that its motion for the Nebraska Public Service Commission to reconsider is not about changing the route but to address some questions raised by the approval of the alternative mainline route by being allowed to file an amended application. (This) is not an attempt by TransCanada to have the PSC alter its approval of the alternative mainline route, said company spokesman Terry Cunha. As we outlined (last week), we continue to review the decision and its impact on the cost and schedule on the project. An attorney for landowners against the pipeline, Brian Jorde of Omaha, said that his reconsideration motion seeks to clarify that the PSC rejected the only route under consideration, the preferred route of TransCanada, and that a new application must be submitted to proceed with the alternative route. The PSC was only evaluating one thing, and one thing only. Then, surprise, here comes something out of left field, Jorde said. He asked the PSC to schedule oral arguments so that landowners can address TransCanadas request to merely amend its application. Jorde declined to discuss the arguments that may be raised at that hearing, saying he was reserving his comments until then. As of Monday, no ruling had been made on any of the motions, which were filed electronically over the Thanksgiving weekend. A spokeswoman with the five-member PSC said that the panel has up to 60 days to rule on such requests. The motions further complicate the Keystone XL project and could add further delays to the pipeline, which was proposed in 2008. Then-President Barack Obama denied a federal permit for the project in 2015, but that action was reversed after President Donald Trump took office in January. A federal lawsuit filed in Montana is contesting that decision, contending that an environmental review of the Keystone XL done in 2014 was inadequate. TransCanada has said it will decide in December if it will move forward with the Keystone XL project after reviewing whether there is enough financial support for the $8 billion project. Much has changed in the oil business since the 36-inch pipeline was proposed. The price of crude oil has plummeted and some major oil companies have pulled out of the Canadian tar sands region the source of oil for the Keystone XL seeking oil sources elsewhere that are more profitable and easier to extract. The Ricketts administration is keeping the faith with Nebraska voters who in 2016 strongly supported reviving the death penalty. The Department of Correctional Services announced Thursday that it plans to use a new combination of four drugs to carry out the next execution. The previous, three-drug protocol was replaced because the state could not legally obtain the drugs. Jose Sandoval, considered the ring leader of the 2002 Norfolk bank robbery murders, would be the first person executed using these drugs: diazepam, fentanyl citrate, cisatracurium besylate and potassium chloride. The states next step is for Attorney General Doug Peterson to request a death warrant. Its been a while. Nebraska last carried out the death penalty in 1997, when it executed murderer and rapist Robert E. Williams. Some members of the Legislature highlighted the delays in carrying out the death penalty as a key reason for repealing it in 2015. They had watched the state struggle to obtain the necessary drugs for lethal injection, and the courts had already outlawed using Nebraskas previous method, the electric chair. A referendum revived capital punishment. Now voters frustrated with the pace of the states latest implementation of the death penalty will need to practice patience. This new drug protocol, like others before it, will face legal challenges. The appeals process exists to reduce the likelihood of an innocent person being executed. Death penalty opponents say they plan to question the unproven protocol, although that might be an uphill legal battle. Opponents also continue to appeal the legality of involving a three-judge panel in Nebraskas sentencing process for capital cases. The incremental nature of the process was to be expected. The wheels of justice typically turn slowly in capital cases. But they are turning again, as sought by 61 percent of the Nebraskans who voted to restore the death penalty. A former Nebraska State Patrol investigator accused by authorities of stealing drugs while on the job and intending to distribute them to others pleaded not guilty Tuesday. A grand jury earlier this month charged Christopher G. Kober, 44, with acquiring drugs by fraud/diversion from January 2016 to March 17, 2017, and possessing with intent to distribute drugs within the same time period. The possible penalty for the two charges is 24 years in prison, more than $1 million in fines and four years of probation. U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan Bazis said Kober could remain free on his own recognizance. In March, according to court documents, Kobers wife called Bellevue police and pointed out numerous ammunition cans and a significant amount of prescription narcotics that were in their basement. Kober also is charged in Sarpy County with felony theft in connection with the ammo found in his home. 2008-2022 One News Page Ltd. All rights reserved. One News is a registered trademark of One News Page Ltd. by Graham Pierrepoint U.S. President Donald Trump has overseen a considerable change in staff at the White House in what has not even yet been a year of service as Commander in Chief as several heads rolled thanks to a number of controversies, though the big man himself has remained steadfast in his role despite criticism from various corners of the globe. Trumps first year in charge has perhaps been the most dramatic 12-month tenure in U.S. Presidential history and one of the major issues that has fallen under the microscope is his own familys involvement in White House dealings, with both daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner having taken important advisory roles in the West Wing. If reports are to be believed, however, it seems that Kushners role in the U.S. Presidency may be expected to see considerable scaling back. Kushner was instrumental in helping the Trump campaign succeed and his father-in-law put him firmly in charge of relations with China as well as various other projects, including a role as overseer of the White Houses Innovation Office. Not bad going for a real estate entrepreneur but with ongoing rumblings regarding Trumps campaign allegedly colluding with Russian agents growing ever more concerning for the main staff, it seems that cutting down Kushners role may well be on the cards. Watch: Kelly 'Discussed The Possibility' Of Jared Kushner 'Departing The West Wing' Inside reports including those published by The New York Times suggest that Kushners role at his father-in-laws workplace will be muted significantly as a result of the ongoing Russia probe. The Washington Post, too, weighs in on the potential for us seeing less of Kushner, stating His once-sprawling White House portfolio, which came with walk-in privileges to the Oval Office, has been diminished to its original scope. Its also being suggested that moves to reduce Kushners role at the White House are part of changes being brought by Chief of Staff John Kelly, who was instrumental in removing the controversial Anthony Scaramucci from his communications post and oversaw strategist Steve Bannon leave his advisory role . NowThis 14 Nov 2022 'We've been in every [U.S.] war' Native American veterans were honored for their service and sacrifice at the Smithsonian's.. Rumble 16 Nov 2022 A clique of highly-organized scholars has launched a multi-pronged attack on the moral teaching and dogma of the Orthodox Church. Rumble 06 Nov 2022 https://cb.run/BSnP Ethereum Merge and the hefty tax bill you could be in forEther (ETH) hodlers that dont play their cards.. Updated at 5:37 p.m. The former top two executives of the Bank of Oswego were convicted Tuesday of orchestrating a years-long conspiracy to conceal the bank's shaky financial condition, capping one of the longest and most expensive federal trials in Oregon history. The jury also found Dan Heine, the bank's co-founder and former chief executive, and Diana Yates, the chief financial officer, guilty of 12 counts of making false entries in the bank's books to hide bad loans. Heine, 70, once named Lake Oswego's citizen of the year, could spend much of the rest of his life in prison. Each count is punishable by 30 years imprisonment. Both defendants seemed stunned after the verdict was read in U.S. District Court in Portland, remaining in the courtroom with their legal teams long after the judge, jury and observers had departed. In June 2015 two months after a report in The Oregonian/OregonLive raised questions about the bank's business practices and the accuracy of its financial reports -- Heine and Yates were indicted on accusations they conspired to commit bank fraud over a five-year span. The case is believed to be the first criminal prosecution of senior bank management in state history. The case was complex, teeming with the arcane financial minutia of bank accounting and reporting rules. U.S. District Judge Michael Simon thanked jurors for their perseverance during the six-week trial. In the end, the jury believed the prosecution's argument that Heine and Yates falsified bank records to hide bad loans from regulators and the bank's own board. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 30 years. Michelle Kerin, who prosecuted the case along with Quinn Harrington, said the government will request jail time for both defendants. "Lying to bank regulators is a serious offense," she said. Simon set sentencing for March 5. Heine and Yates will remain free until then. The court battle is not over. Lawyers for both defendants vowed to fight on. "We believe deeply in Ms. Yates innocence of all crimes charged and plan to appeal the verdict," said Janet Lee Hoffman, her attorney. "Dan is very disappointed with the jury's verdict, which is not supported by the evidence presented to the jury at trial," said Jeffrey Alberts, Heine's lawyer. "He intends to move for the judge to set aside the jury's verdict and enter a judgment of acquittal as to all counts." Each defendant had been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and 18 counts of making false bank entries. It's a federal crime for bank officers to mislead bank regulators. When the bank began to falter in the recession-wracked economy in 2010, Heine and Yates took extraordinary and illegal steps to keep it afloat, prosecutors said. The tiny bank struggled unsuccessfully to survive the scandal, but its remaining assets and lone branch were acquired by another financial institution. The testimony of Geoff Walsh, a former bank employee and admitted felon, was central to the government's case. Heine hired Walsh a Lake Oswego native with countless connections -- as a loan officer in 2009, hoping to grow the sleepy institution. The strategy worked: The bank's total loans tripled to more than $180 million during Walsh's tenure. But Walsh's whirlwind deal making proved impossible to manage. It was made more difficult by Walsh's practice of keeping many customer files with him in his car. Walsh extended a number of loans to his local buddies. "These are a group of wealthy playboys, the kind of people that party together, traveled together, they do handshake deals for hundreds of thousands of dollars," Alberts said during the trial. At least one of the locals Walsh brought into the bank hailed the guilty verdict. Marty Kehoe, a Portland developer who borrowed nearly $2 million from the bank, said that when the FBI began asking tough questions about the bank, Heine "threw everyone under the bus," including Kehoe. "Dan Heine's nefarious activities finally caught up with him," Kehoe said. "I'm sure it's a relief to many of the people whose names he dragged through the mud to hide his own criminal activity." David Angeli, Walsh's attorney, said the verdict was vindication for Walsh. "We're very glad that Geoff finally had an opportunity during six days on the witness stand to tell the full story of what happened at the Bank of Oswego," he said. "And we're tremendously gratified that the jury believed him, and saw through Dan Heine's and Diana Yates's strategy of trying to deflect blame for their own actions onto Geoff. "Geoff had the character to step up and admit early on his role in this saga, while they chose to try to tear him down personally and professionally to avoid bearing the consequences of their own conduct. It didn't work." Walsh has pleaded guilty to other financial crimes unrelated to the bank. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 9. His sentencing guidelines could range from 21 to 33 months. The defendants spent millions on the case, quickly exhausting the approximately $3 million provided by the bank's insurance. The bank objected to the fees charged by Heine's New York law firm, which were as high as $900 an hour, according to court documents. The defense paid $750,000 just on expert witnesses. -- Jeff Manning 503-294-7606 Metro residents have two opportunities to weigh in on Gov. Kate Brown's proposed new regulations for industrial air polluters this week. The Department of Environmental Quality is hosting two public comment sessions in Portland to hear from residents on Cleaner Air Oregon, Brown's proposed new regulations for industrial companies that emit toxic compounds. The draft rules came in response to the toxic air crisis and resulting public health emergency in Southeast Portland last year. Bullseye Glass faced scrutiny after state regulators recorded high levels of cadmium, a heavy metal carcinogen, in the densely populated section of the city. Brown released the draft Cleaner Air Oregon plan in October, sparking a 60-day public comment period that concludes Dec. 22. The state's Environmental Quality Commission, a volunteer body appointed by the governor, is expected to vote on a final rules plan in July 2018. The plan has faced criticism and skepticism from both industrial interests and neighborhood groups. The former contends the state is considering moving forward with regulations without having a full accounting of what sources are contributing to air pollution, and places too much blame and burden on businesses for Oregon's air woes. The latter say the plan is too slow and wouldn't clean up Oregon's air until 2030 and doesn't go far enough to protect Oregonians against cancer-causing toxic compounds. A plan to help pay for the environmental rules thorough a one-time fee on some 2,525 permitted air polluters died in the Legislature in 2017. DEQ Director Richard Whitman has said the state would try again in 2018 to figure out how to pay for the plan. Meanwhile, the state continues to hold public meeting about the air regulations. State environmental officials say they've received 72 online comments on the rules so far. Previous meetings in Medford, Coos Bay and Corvallis drew a collective 103 people. A Tuesday meeting was scheduled in Pendleton. A DEQ spokeswoman said it expects at least 100 people to show up at the Portland meetings. About 15 staffers will be on hand both days to answer technical questions. The Wednesday meeting will occur at Portland Community College's Southeast Campus at 2305 S.E. 82nd Ave. from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday's meeting will be at the Oregon Convention Center, 777 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. People can submit comments online and find out more information about upcoming meetings in Eugene, Salem and The Dalles at cleanerair.oregon.gov. UPDATE: A previous version of this story incorrectly characterized pollutants as toxins. The appropriate use is toxic or toxic compounds. -- Andrew Theen atheen@oregonian.com 503-294-4026 @andrewtheen BY JOHN SCOTT An estimated 1 million workers in Oregon do not have a retirement plan at their job, and many others do not have adequate retirement savings. Oregon is responding to these challenges with OregonSaves, a program designed to provide every working Oregonian access to a private retirement account. Americans typically rely on employer-sponsored plans for retirement savings, yet nearly half of U.S. firms -- and 70 percent of small businesses -- provide no 401(k) or similar retirement benefit. This lack of access to a savings plan at work is one of the main reasons why so many Americans are not saving enough. In the OregonSaves plan, a percentage of each paycheck is automatically deposited into a Roth individual retirement account, also known as an auto-IRA plan. Oregon is the leading state to launch this kind of effort, which will begin enrolling participants this month. While the plan gives every Oregon worker without access to a retirement plan the opportunity to save, it doesn't require Oregonians to participate. Those who do can change their contributions at regular intervals. The program is a public-private partnership overseen by the Oregon Retirement Savings Board and run by a financial service provider from the private sector. The employee is the sole owner of the account, and the state never holds or has a claim to the funds. OregonSaves has the advantage that when employees change jobs, the retirement account moves with them. Employees can make their own investment decisions, yet like most retirement accounts, the program has default investments designed for workers at different stages of their career. OregonSaves is also designed to appeal to employers who don't offer a qualified retirement plan and are concerned that such a plan will impose financial or administrative burdens. Under OregonSaves, the role of employers is limited to facilitating their employees' contributions through the payroll system. Additionally, OregonSaves may help level the playing field for employers, by allowing businesses that don't offer plans to compete fairly for talented employees with businesses that do. The Pew Charitable Trusts, while neither supporting nor opposing state programs, has produced extensive research on such plans, including a recent national survey of more than 1,600 small and medium-sized businesses. In the survey, most business owners expressed support for the auto-IRA concept. More specifically, when asked about auto-IRA plans funded entirely by employees with auto-enrollment and pre-determined deductions, 86 percent of employers who don't offer plans answered that they either "somewhat" or "strongly agreed" with the concept. About half of surveyed businesses reported that they opposed a government-run plan, but 82 percent supported sponsorship by a mutual fund company. Because state programs similar to OregonSaves partner with mutual fund companies or similar firms, employer support for these programs may increase. Pew also surveyed workers without a retirement plan at small to medium-sized employers and found broad support for an auto-IRA program similar to OregonSaves. After hearing details of a hypothetical program -- including state sponsorship -- 63 percent of workers said they would participate in the program. Only 13 percent said they would opt out, with nearly a quarter of respondents unsure. More significantly, there was no meaningful difference in reactions between workers who were told they would be automatically enrolled at 3 percent of their pay and those who were told they would be automatically enrolled at 6 percent of pay. OregonSaves began piloting the program in July. According to the Oregon Retirement Savings Board, those who participated in the pilot saved more than $150,000 in just a few months -- or more than $100 per worker. The official launch, which will enroll workers at larger businesses, begins this month. Additional enrollments will continue every six months through June 2019. Since 2012, lawmakers in 40 states have introduced measures to create or study state-sponsored retirement savings plans for employees who otherwise wouldn't have them. Legislation has passed in California, Connecticut, Illinois and Maryland. Oregon is in the vanguard, and OregonSaves could be a model for a viable and sustainable savings solution. John Scott directs The Pew Charitable Trusts' retirement savings project. EUGENE Police arrested a Eugene woman accused of stealing money from the sale of raffle tickets. Eugene police spokeswoman Melinda McLaughlin said Monday that the president of the United Rotary Clubs of Lane County reported the theft in July, saying more than $5,000 in raffle ticket proceeds never made it into the organization's bank account. The investigation led the arrest of 42-year-old Corrine Koke, a club captain. McLaughlin said a detective discovered that Koke used the money to pay for living expenses. She's charged with first-degree theft. -- The Associated Press Tuesday 28 November 2017 11:01am The University of Otago has announced that City College will be renamed the Caroline Freeman College. The University of Otago is renaming City College the Caroline Freeman College, after the Universitys first female graduate, says Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne. Caroline Freeman enrolled at the University of Otago in 1875 and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree on 27 August 1885. She also won the Bowen essay prize, which was open to all New Zealand undergraduates. Caroline Freeman was a strong, pioneering woman. She walked to and from Green Island to attend her lectures while she also supported herself by teaching and tutoring, Professor Hayne says. One member of University staff commented publicly that had Caroline Freeman been a fighting man instead of a studious woman, she would have merited decoration for her pluck and perseverance. She went on to found her own private secondary schools in Dunedin and Christchurch - both named Girton College. The University of Otago was the first university in this part of the world where women could study. This is a part of our history that brings us great pride. I am very pleased to recognise that proud history by renaming our College after our first female graduate, Professor Hayne says. The name-change at the College which originally housed students from both the University and Otago Polytechnic takes effect on 1 January 2018, when the University takes full ownership of City College after buying the third owned by the Otago Polytechnic. The Polytech is opening its own student accommodation early next year and no longer requires places in this College. Professor Harlene Hayne says the University remains highly committed to providing pastoral care for its students. Professor Hayne says that Otagos residential colleges help students with their studies, provide pastoral care and foster opportunities for personal growth. They help students learn how to live respectfully in a diverse group and regulate their own behaviour. Students develop a strong sense of community, make life-long friends and have great fun. The Universitys residential colleges are forging closer links worldwide with other great collegiate universities like Oxford, Cambridge and the Universitys Matariki partner Durham. All focus on supporting students academically, personally and culturally to foster success rather than providing only minimally serviced student housing. As the leading institution in New Zealand in this area, we are looking overseas at the very top-level collegiate universities internationally to find our equal and benchmark against them, Professor Hayne says. The 210-bed City College in Cumberland Street, Dunedin, opened in 2000 and is run by the Dunedin City Tertiary Accommodation Trust, which is made up of representatives from both the University and the Otago Polytechnic. The Trust will wind up about April next year. University of Otago Campus and Collegiate Life Services Director James Lindsay says the 70 places Polytechnic students will no longer use at City College will increase capacity for University scholarship students. We have an increasing need in this area, and owning the College fits well with our goal to provide an outstanding residential college environment and student experience that will complement scholarly excellence. It will also provide additional decant space that will allow the University to continue to upgrade other colleges in the future. Mr Lindsay says the University has a strong and positive relationship with the Polytechnic, and our joint affiliation with them at the College over the years has helped to cement this. Otago Polytechnic Chief Operating Officer, Philip Cullen, agrees, and says the time is right for the Polytechnic to move on from the College. Our state-of-the-art student village is under construction, which will provide 231 beds for our students. Its our own facility in the heart of our Polytechnic campus, so it makes sense for us to focus our energies there. Caroline Freeman more background: Caroline Freeman was born to an English farming family near Halifax in England then emigrated to Otago as a child in 1858. The family farmed at Abbotsford and Caroline attended Green Island School, where she was Dux in 1866 and then served as the single-room, rural schools first pupil teacher from 1868 to 1872. She had no secondary education but kept studying and became infant mistress at the expanding, urban Caversham School in 1872. At University, she walked seven miles home to Green Island after lectures each day while also supporting herself by teaching. Finally, failing health forced her to take rooms in Dunedin. When she walked on stage to graduate from University, fellow students clapped, cheered, threw bouquets and burst into song. The Medical Schools Dr William Brown then spoke about higher education for women. She died of a heart attack at her home in Christchurch on 16 August 1914. Her pupils erected a tombstone to The beloved teacher and guide of many of New Zealand's girls. For more information, contact: Gail Goodger Communications Projects and Operations Adviser University of Otago Tel: +64 3 479 8946 The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriff's Office and the Midland Police Department. Compiled by reporter Kelly Dame. Sunday, Nov. 26 12:35 a.m. -- A motorist was arrested in the 400 block of Eastlawn Drive for second-offense driving while license suspended. 3:43 a.m. -- Police were sent to a South Saginaw Road address for a report of a domestic assault. 2:18 p.m. -- A deputy assisted a Michigan State Police trooper with a breaking and entering case in Homer Township. 3:05 p.m. -- A Lee Township man who owns property on West Gordonville Road that is being used as a scrap yard reported someone has been entering the property and building a fort inside a scrapped van, as well as breaking windows. 4:15 p.m. -- Deputies were sent to an Ingersoll Township adult foster care home for a dispute between two residents, ages 55 and 23. 8:25 p.m. -- A caller reported a Hope Township road was impassable due to water. The unimproved road has a posting that it might be impassable due to water, and nothing unusual was found. 9:50 p.m. -- Police responded to an assault in the 800 bock of Joe Mann Boulevard. Saturday, Nov. 25 12:07 a.m. -- Deputies conducted a well being check on a Lee Township man, 43. The man was taken to the emergency room for a mental health evaluation after he threatened to harm himself. 12:30 a.m. -- A Greendale Township man, 57, was arrested for drunken driving after a crash in Lee Township. Friday, Nov. 24 10:06 a.m. -- A Lee Township man, 44, reported a loose dog was in his yard and scaring deer he is raising in a pen. The owner of the dog was not found. 10:42 a.m. -- A deputy was sent to a Lee Township home to speak with the resident, age 82, who reported hearing gunshots close to his home. No hunters were found nearby. 5:14 p.m. -- A deputy issued a trespass warning at a Greendale Township home. 5:34 p.m. -- An Edenville Township home's mailbox was damaged. 8:03 p.m. -- A deputy was sent to an Edenville Township home after a neighbor reported something on fire was thrown out the door of a home. The resident said nothing on fire had been thrown outside, and there was no evidence of anything being on fire outside. 9:49 p.m. -- A Jerome Township home's mailbox was damaged. Thursday, Nov. 23 11:47 a.m. -- A Lee Township woman, 22, reported her home was burglarized. A fire safe, containing prescription medications, medical marijuana, jewelry and paperwork, was stolen. 3:54 p.m. -- A deputy investigated a personal protection order violation in Mount Haley Township, and found no violation occurred. 7:31 p.m. -- A Midland County Jail inmate caused $350 damage by breaking a window. A report is being sent to the prosecutor's office. 9:07 p.m. -- A Greendale Township man, 44, reported his 14-year-old daughter was solicited by an adult male through Facebook Messenger. The report is being investigated. 9:14 p.m. -- A deputy was sent to a report of juveniles throwing items at a Lincoln Township home. The kids were not found. I do not want to be the big looking glass of civilization but just the little pocket mirror of everyday life. Peter Altenberg There is something almost heartbreakingly special about being the first grandchild in the family. Other grandchildren may follow. But the first one, thats different. The first grandchild is the first of the next generation. So new. So special. Everything is a first in a long line of accomplishments babies have. First tooth. First steps across the floor with arms opened wide to welcome this new child. First word. First birthday. One candle on a cake. Second birthday. Two candles on a cake. Such miracles! Sophia is the first grandchild for John and Leann Sugden. Sophia is 4 years old now and lives in Texas with her mom and dad, Jenna and Chad Dammer. Her grandparents live in Michigan. The distance seems to get longer and longer as Sophia begins to understand what saying good bye means. It means that people she loves go away. That she doesnt get to spend time with them every day. It means missing someone. It means wishing you could see them. It means being lonely for them. When she was a baby, she didnt miss them at first, but then she began growing up and every time she had to say goodbye it began getting harder and harder. The summer she turned 2, she spent her vacation in Michigan and a video on Facebook shows her Uncle Jason pulling along a little skiff-like board with a rope attached to it and she is standing on the board being pulled in shallow water. Two years old and already learning to water ski. The summer she was 3, she didnt come to Michigan because her grandma and grandpa visited her in Texas. Last summer, when she was 4, she spent her vacation in Michigan again. And little by little it was becoming harder and harder to say good-bye without that empty feeling in her heart because now she knew what good bye meant. It meant no more sitting on Grandmas lap. No more time with just Grandma and her while her mom and dad went out in the evening leaving Grandma in charge. Sharing her burgeoning world with Grandma was a sort of miracle that never ended. It just grew bigger with every birthday. Sophia began understanding how love grows and how it feels to want someone in your life all the time. Christmas became visiting time and every time her grandma left it got harder and harder to see her leave. The last time she saw her grandma was in October and though they spent every minute together, it couldnt last because Grandma had to fly back home to Michigan. It was just too much seeing Grandma leave and Sophia stood there in front of her grandma crying and she said, I dont want you to go. I hear a lot about Sophia because I know her grandma and I can understand how Sophia feels. I was the first grandchild in the family, too. Grandparents become a lodestar in your life. They are always there. A fixed point. And you whirl around them your entire life. Even after they are no longer here. I lost Grandma when I had just turned 16. I was 41 when Grandpa passed away. When Leann told me about Sophia not wanting her to leave, I remembered a dream I had about my grandfather years ago, Before he died. Grandpa and I are standing on a porch and I am crying in the dream. Grandpa says to me, How can I leave if you wont let me go? The dream was so real I woke up crying. Leann and her granddaughter Sophia have many years of sharing to look forward to. In Texas. In Michigan. Sophia in school and then suddenly she will be graduating, going to college, meeting the young man she will eventually marry. Grandma, theres this boy Ive met. And no matter how much time goes by, Sophias grandma will always have that moment when her 4-year-old granddaughter stood in front of her crying and saying, I dont want you to go. To be a grandmother! To be a granddaughter! To be so loved! Sometimes Gods blessings come in unexpected moments that will be cherished forever. Virginia Florey is a freelance writer from Midland. Three Pocket Mirror books are now available. Childhood-The Distant Land, One Foot In Eden and We Were Young Together are available on Amazon, Kindle or by contacting ginnyflorey@gmail.com The Twitter ad seemed too good to be true: fares starting at $20 on JetBlue Airways. A few hours after the ad appeared last week on the social media site, it was gone, leaving would-be travelers frustrated that they missed the remarkable deal. Those who clicked too late ended up on a page advising: "This promotion has ended. Act fast! In some cases, a fare may not even last an hour." Such "flash" sales are a tactic used by the airline industry to fill empty seats during slow travel periods and lure travelers to an airline website where they may be tempted to book a more expensive flight. Airlines also have used flash sales to inflict economic pain on rivals. Cutting prices on routes dominated by competitors often forces the other airlines to try to match the lower fares. "It's like kids in the airfare sandbox, fighting," said George Hobica, a fare expert and president of Airfarewatchdog.com. But such flash sales are on the decline, industry experts say, partly because the airline industry has become more consolidated through mergers and acquisitions, which has diminished competition and reduced the need to undercut rivals with limited-time fares. And with demand for travel reaching record levels, carriers can sell seats without resorting to deep discounts. Flash sales are also used less often today because computer programs have made airlines more accurate at estimating the number of seats needed for a particular route so that empty seats are rarer. That means travelers looking for deep discounts are going to have fewer opportunities to book a bargain seat. Since 2008, the nation's biggest carriers have been buying smaller or weaker competitors, solidifying their dominance in specific markets and hubs throughout the country. For example, Delta and its regional carriers fly nearly 80 percent of all passengers who travel out of the nation's busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. American Airlines carries nearly 85 percent of all passengers at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. United Airlines is dominant in Newark Liberty International Airport, flying about 51 percent of all passengers who use the New Jersey airport. Combined, Delta, United, American and Southwest control more than 70 percent of all domestic flights in the U.S. Flash sales are now used primarily by low-cost airlines, such as JetBlue, as they continue to battle with the major carriers to win bigger shares of the country's most popular markets and hubs. A JetBlue representative declined to comment on the carrier's use of flash sales. Industry experts say the restrictions imposed on such sales are so numerous that the goal is not to make money from the low fares but to boost publicity and interest in the carrier. "From a marketing perspective, you want to get likes or visitors or Twitter followers," said Rick Seaney, who heads fare comparison site Farecompare.com. Usually, flash sales are over within hours or minutes. When JetBlue offered a $20 flash sale Aug. 30, it sold out in less than 60 seconds, according to the response from Twitter followers who tried unsuccessfully to book the bargain deals. Instead of flash sales, Delta, United and American say they are competing against low-cost carriers by offering bare-bones fares called basic economy seats which are offered on highly competitive routes but come with fees for carry-on bags, rebookings and many other extras. "We prefer to adjust prices on a longer-term basis including reducing fares when needed, based on demand," said Joshua Freed, a spokesman for American Airlines. "For us, flash sales are just not a great way to do that." Southwest, which has grown to be the nation's largest domestic carrier, has cut back on flash sales over the past decade as it has established itself as a dominant carrier across the country, according to industry experts. As a result, the Dallas-based carrier now offers flash sales primarily during the slow travel season to fill seats on flights mostly flown by leisure travelers to vacation spots. BLOOMINGTON The work of monitoring the well-being of individual civil liberties since the election of President Trump is never ending, according to the executive director of the Illinois chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. Its been a response to chaos. It makes it very hard to be strategic, said Colleen Connell, director of the statewide organization that has seen its membership spike from 15,000 to 75,000 in the past year. Connell and the ACLU is bringing its We the People Listening Tour to The Chateau Hotel and Conference Center in Bloomington. The event is 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday. The rapid pace of policy changes by the Trump administration makes it difficult to follow certain issues, but several key constitutional rights remain a concern, said Connell. Immigration, womens reproductive rights, and First Amendment rights, including religious freedoms, are high on the ACLU priority list. The presidents inner circle of advisers and supporters have helped shape an agenda on such major issues, said Connell. Theres more method to Trumps madness than whats apparent from the daily tweets and disruptions. Youre seeing a hostility toward our Constitutional structure that protects our individual rights, she said. In Illinois, the ACLU worked in the past year to support legislation to protect access to abortions and a bill to allow transgender and intersex people to change the gender marker on their birth certificates. The group also has "an ambitious criminal justice reform agenda" for Illinois in 2018, said Connell. SPRINGFIELD A Clinton woman who has pleaded guilty in federal court to embezzling money from a Clinton physician has asked for time to hire a medical expert for an opinion on whether her opioid use contributed to her criminal behavior. A hearing set for Tuesday to review a mental health evaluation for Veronica Luster was cancelled after her attorney asked instead for time to retain an expert on opioids. Luster, 48, who pleaded guilty in March to mail and wire fraud, was released on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond last week that requires her to remain at home except for medical and legal appointments. She was taken into custody Sept. 1 for a mental health evaluation. The defense raised the issue of Lusters mental fitness as she was scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 1 in U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois on the charges that could send her to federal prison for 20 years on each count. She also must pay $370,000 restitution under the terms of the plea agreement. Lusters 10-year use of prescription opioids was disclosed by defense lawyer Lee Smith in the motion requesting additional time to explore how the drugs Luster was given for chronic pain may have impacted her behavior. What the defense characterized as Lusters use of substantial amounts of opioids for pain management occurred during the decade she committed the alleged theft of more than $600,000 from Dr. Farrukh Kureishy, former president of Clinton Internal Medicine. Lusters abstinence from the painkillers over her 2 months in federal custody has had a profound and positive impact on her cognitive thinking, Smith argued in his motion. The defense lawyer also noted that he has witnessed differences in Lusters perception and communication following her return from custody. Recently the new guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discourage the use of opioids for treatment of long-term chronic pain, said Smith. Smith previously told Judge Sue E. Myerscough that his client suffers from chronic back pain and glaucoma and several other medical conditions. The experts report on Lusters opioid use could be presented as a mitigating factor at Lusters sentencing hearing that is now set for Feb. 2. Lusters evaluation by doctors at a federal facility in Fort Worth, Texas followed her claim that she may suffer from kleptomania, a disorder marked by the inability to refrain from stealing. In the governments motion in opposition to Lusters recent release, Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor Yanz argued that Lusters pending retail theft case in McLean County makes her a danger to the safety of the community. Video surveillance of a July 21 shopping trip to Von Maur in Bloomington shows Luster taking seven items valued at $448.90, including clothing, toys and a $250 Waterford Crystal vase, and placing them in a bag before leaving the store without paying, according to the federal court filing. In a victim impact statement provided to Myerscough in September, Kureishy, who employed Luster as an office manager, said he was forced to close his practice because of the theft losses. The doctor returned to a medical practice at Warner Hospital and Health Services in Clinton where he had worked before opening his office in 2004. BLOOMINGTON A Normal man whose sexual abuse case is at the center of a legal debate over whether sex offenders should have access to the internet was back in court Monday, after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review his case. Mark Minnis, 24, is charged with failing to report a previously disclosed Facebook account to Bloomington police in 2014 as part of his registration obligation as a sex offender. He was placed on the registry after his 2010 conviction on misdemeanor charges of having sex with a 14-year-old girl when he was 16. The charge was dismissed by McLean County Judge Robert Freitag who ruled that the Illinois law was unconstitutional based on his view that the requirements related to social media are overly broad. The Illinois Supreme Court reversed Freitag's decison in a 2016 decision that recognized free speech rights and that the right to publish comments anonymously extends to the internet, but concluded those rights are not absolute. The case was returned to McLean County after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review the case. On Monday, Freitag approved Minnis' request for a public defender to assist him with the case that is now set for a Jan. 22 status hearing. Minnis' case is on the national radar for lawyers watching cases involving similar First Amendment reviews related to sex offenders. State and federal courts are in the process of considering appeals of how sex offender laws are applied in many states. For example, a ruling in June by the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a North Carolina law barring sex offenders from social media websites that allow minors to have accounts. The balance between protecting the public from predators in their community and honoring the First Amendment rights of sex offenders was weighed by the high court in the decision that will likely be cited by the defense in the Minnis case. The Illinois Attorney General argued in the Minnis case that the internet must be closely monitored to ensure it's not used improperly by convicted sex offenders. BLOOMINGTON The City Council Monday approved a revised brick streets master plan, but did not commit to the funding levels proposed in a related list of projects over 10 years. In a related vote, the council did move one of those projects forward with approving a consulting contract for engineering services. However, approving the consulting services to begin the process of restoring a block of Monroe Street does not commit the council to the reconstruction project. The brick streets master plan proposes reconstruction of 10 blocks of brick streets and patching 20 more over 10 years, beginning with the streets in the worst condition. The Public Works Department initially proposed $400,000 a year for reconstruction costs and $100,000 per year for patching costs. A majority of the council expressed concerns about committing to the funding levels without first having a larger discussion on the budget and infrastructure needs. Ward 6 Alderman Karen Schmidt suggested stripping the spending levels out of the master plan, but added that brick streets should be considered when the city prioritizes its overall infrastructure needs. "I think it's dishonest of us that we have a plan here for $850,000 when we don't even know how big the puddle of water is that we have to spend on everything," said Schmidt. The plan without any funding levels was approved by a 6-3 vote, with aldermen Kim Bray of Ward 9, Diana Hauman of Ward 8 and Scott Black of Ward 7 voting against the measure as proposed by Schmidt. Black said he favored a master plan with the proposed funding levels included. The vote comes as the council has discussed recently cutting some city programs because of a projected deficit of about $3 million next year that could grow to $8.5 million by 2022 if revenue does not increase and the budget is not trimmed. The city, which has about 320 miles of streets, once had 41 miles of brick streets, but only 3.5 miles remain. Some brick streets have been lost since the 2009 plan was developed but never adopted. Ward 4 Alderman Amelia Buragas suggested the city use some of the $4.8 million earmarked for annual street resurfacing and sidewalk projects to preserve brick streets. The first brick street project Monroe Street between Clinton and Robinson streets was estimated to total $839,000, which was higher than city Public Works staff initially anticipated.That caused the plan's total estimated cost over 10 years to be revised from $5 million to about $7.4 million, said Public Works Director Jim Karch. When construction of a related water main is added in, the estimated project cost increases to a little more than $1 million. Bray said she struggled with a $1 million cost to restore Monroe Street as a brick street when it could be resurfaced with asphalt at a cost of $44,000. She suggested the city impose a special assessment for residents and businesses that want their brick streets restored. "I'm just struggling with how this is the city's bill," said Bray. "I am having a real hard time with that. The reason being is that when these streets were put in (100 years ago) they were the common construction. They are no longer the common construction." Bray, along with aldermen Hauman and David Sage of Ward 2, voted against awarding a $179,024 contract to Hanson Professional Services Inc. to provide engineering services related to design and construction work to restore the one block of Monroe Street as a brick street. The measure passed by a 6-3 vote. Residents asked in April to have their block of Monroe Street repaired as a brick street rather than resurfaced with asphalt after Buragas canvassed residents and made them aware of that option. It was that local reaction that brought the 2009 master plan back to the attention of the council. "I think this is an example of us trying to protect our historic neighborhoods and invest in them appropriately," said Black. "Maybe it costs a little bit more ... but ultimately what I'm looking at is an investment in a key area that is going to return dividends to the property owners." In other action, the council approved a funding agreement for the Small Business Development Center between the city, the town of Normal, Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council and Illinois Wesleyan University. By a 6-2 vote the council approved an agreement that calls for Bloomington and Normal to split their share of the cost 50-50, with each municipality spending $61,845 over three years. Schmidt recused herself from voting because she is employed by IWU. The center, located on the IWU campus, opened in March to assist in starting and/or developing small businesses in the community. Its primary funding is $80,000 in annual federal funds from the U.S. Small Business Administration passed through an Illinois Department of Economic Opportunity grant. BLOOMINGTON Instead of giving money to panhandlers on the street, downtown Bloomington merchants are urging people to place that change in collection boxes at their businesses. It's part of the Change to Make a Change initiative that came out of several community discussions after a May incident when someone poured tar on a downtown bench frequented by a homeless man. "It was kind of the eye-opening moment that woke us all up to the fact that we all share this world together and that this city center belongs to all us and what we can be doing in positive ways to make a difference," said Tricia Stiller, who served as Downtown Bloomington Association executive director before recently becoming the city's downtown development division manager. "I don't know who did that. No one approved of that, and I don't want this to turn into 'downtown hates the homeless' because that's really not what it was," said downtown business and property owner Doug DeLong. "I do think it was maybe a turning point where people realized that it's easy to say, 'Boy, I wish we could get rid of this problem,' but treating people like that is not the way we wanted to do it." "We just wanted to do something about people aggressively panhandling," DeLong added. Stiller anticipates the program will be up and running by the first of the year, if not sooner. "This is a proactive campaign to address panhandling in our community," she said. "This is one step in an ongoing conversation to ease the discomfort of life difficulties such as homelessness." "This is a collaborative effort," she added. "Our downtown merchants want to provide their patrons an opportunity to be helpful in a way that is positive ... rather than responding to someone who perhaps might approach you in the street." Donations to the Change to Make a Change campaign will be distributed among local service providers "who are already in the trenches doing such good work," said Stiller. They include PATH and the Salvation Army. "We're excited for this partnership and we like to to see them being proactive," said Angie Bubon, development director for Salvation Army of McLean County that operates a homeless shelter in the downtown area. "Not only is it an opportunity for fundraising, but it's also an opportunity for education and advocacy," she added. After the bench incident, an initial group of five or six merchants grew over several meetings to between 20 and 30 downtown property owners, business owners, retailers and residents. "It was a learning process for us," said DeLong. "This has been an ongoing issue with the downtown and no one knew what to do. We researched this and found that while there used to be laws against panhandling, most of them have been struck down (by the courts) because they are unconstitutional. You, as a U.S. citizen, have the right to ask another citizen for help." The Change to Make a Change idea came about through learning that other cities are using the concept to address panhandling, he added. "All of us are a little uncomfortable when someone asks us for money. We don't know whether to give them the money. We don't know if we are enabling them or whatever," said DeLong. "So the idea was that by giving money to a group we know, it is going to help them. We can still give money, but we aren't increasing the problem of panhandling by just encouraging it basically with giving people a dollar or two every time we see them." In addition to participating in community dialogues, DeLong, a graphic designer, put together materials, including a brochure to be given to the homeless with information about where they can obtain services to get help. He also designed a logo for stickers that participating merchants will place on their windows, denoting they are locations where donations can be made. "These funds can help us make sure that we don't have to cut services," said Bubon. "We are not just a place for (the homeless) to stay. We are a place for them to get help and support in job training, and we help them find housing. By donating to this campaign, you will be donating to those efforts." The Salvation Army Safe Harbor shelter, at 601 W. Washington St., can house up to 40 men and 18 women. In the winter, spaces in the building are converted into additional warming centers to provide beds for up to 80 people. Home Sweet Home Ministries, which is nearby but not downtown, also provides housing and services to the homeless. BLOOMINGTON The Salvation Army of McLean County's annual Make A Difference campaign is off to a slower-than-usual start, even as Salvation Army's Safe Harbor homeless shelter is filled to capacity. Salvation Army announced Monday that the campaign, which began Nov. 10 and ends Dec. 23, has raised $154,064.39. That's less than 30 percent of the campaign goal of $515,000. Included in the money raised so far is $51,869.09 from the 25 red kettles at stores throughout Bloomington-Normal and $102,195.30 from mail, online and other gifts. The Red Kettle goal is $255,000 and the goal for mail, online and other gifts is $260,000. While the Make A Difference campaign generally starts slowly and picks up steam as Christmas nears and temperatures drop, Salvation Army Development Director Angie Bubon said giving is lower than usual for late November. "With people doing more and more shopping online, brick-and-mortar stores are seeing less traffic, which affects how our kettles perform," she said. In addition, many Central Illinoisans donated generously earlier this fall to agencies providing relief after hurricanes devastated parts of Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and the American Virgin Islands, she said. "Sometimes, that (national giving) can lead to a drop in numbers for local fundraising," Bubon said. "We truly hope people will remember to also support the local efforts of The Salvation Army in their community," she said. Donations raised during the Make A Difference campaign account for nearly one-third of The Salvation Army of McLean County's yearly operating budget of $1.8 million. Donations support Safe Harbor, the food pantry, case management to help people out of poverty and an after-school program. "I encourage people to remember that there are people in our community who do not know how they are going to feed their family tonight or do not know where they will sleep," Bubon said. "The Salvation Army is here to help them and give them hope but we cannot do it without the support of generous donors." Kettles are scheduled to be up at the 25 retail locations from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays through Dec. 23. Donations also may be made at www.sabloomington.org or mailed to The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 3186, Bloomington, IL 61702-3186. People may sign up to be volunteer bell ringers at www.ringbells.org or by calling 309-829-9476, ext. 204. STREATOR One person is dead following the fourth house fire in a week in Streator. Streator Fire Department spokesman Bryan Park said at 2:39 a.m. Tuesday, a fire was reported at 307 Chicago St. Fire units arrived on the scene within four minutes and found heavy smoking coming from the one-story house, Park said. Firefighters learned that the resident was likely inside the home. The resident was removed and transported to OSF Center for Health-Streator by Advanced Medical Transport. The patient was pronounced dead at the hospital; the name is being held pending notification of family by the LaSalle County Coroner's Office. Two dogs also died in the fire. The fire was brought under control in about 40 minutes. Firefighters remained on the scene until about 9 a.m. There were no reported injuries to first responders. The home sustained severe fire, smoke and water damage to the kitchen and rear of the building. Other parts of the home sustained major smoke and water damage, Park said. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal, the Streator Police Department, and the Streator Fire Department. The fire department also was assisted by Vermilion Valley Dispatch, ComEd, Nicor, Illinois American Water and the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal. The fire department responded to two fires on Saturday that were determined to be accidental. The first was reported at 2:27 p.m. at 1303 N. Wasson St. Two dogs died in that fire, too. The fire began in the living room and caused moderate fire and smoke damage. The second fire, also accidental, was reported at 3:12 p.m. after smoke was reported coming from the basement of a home at 121 W. Hickory St. There were no injuries reported. Something is entirely wrong with a system that allows for this. Andrew J. Johnson, 29, of Decatur, has been involved in two wrecks that killed three people in 68 days. On Sept. 4, authorities said, he drove his pickup in front of a couple on U.S. 51 in Macon. Phil Jacobs, 80, of Pana, who was in the other vehicle, died eight days later from injuries. His wife, Norma Jean Jacobs, was injured. On Nov. 11, the grain-hauling semitruck Johnson was driving went across another section of U.S. 51 this time near Clinton and into the path of another car traveling north on the highway. Tony and Karen Hable both 57, of Clinton, and were active in their community and their church died. Two crashes. Three dead. Sixty-eight days. So why was Johnson able to drive after the first crash that claimed a life? Because even though Johnson was convicted of failure to yield on Sept. 28 for the first wreck and paid a $413 fine, the Illinois Secretary of States Office never got the accident report from the Illinois Department of Transportation. That meant they didnt start the process to take away his license. IDOT doesnt know what happened. Neither does the Secretary of State's office. That in itself demonstrates a major flaw in the reporting system. But theres even a more troubling aspect to this: Although state law says anyone convicted of a moving violation that killed someone is supposed to have his or her license revoked immediately, driving privileges arent taken away until 90 days after the Secretary of states office mails a notification letter. Ninety days. Three months. If someone is dangerous behind the wheel, why does the system allow 90 days to elapse? In Johnsons case, the Secretary of State's office never got the opportunity to revoke the license before the second wreck took place. The report arrived more than a month after Johnson was issued the ticket in the Macon crash, and the day after the Decatur Herald & Review requested information about the status of the license. Only then was it technically revoked. Secretary of State Jesse White is outraged at the reckless behavior by Mr. Johnson that took the lives of three people, a spokesman said. We agree. He should be. We all should be. These crashes involved the same highway and the same situation involving Johnson pulling in front another vehicle. Johnsons lawyer has refused to comment about the circumstances surrounding the deaths. There could be an explanation. But there is no clear reason why at least not yet it took so long for Johnson's license to be taken away. A flawed system allowed two more deaths to happen. We hope the Secretary of States office and IDOT have some answers. Some artists and visual storytellers in the Urban Sketchers community are using iPad Pro and Apple Pencil to capture the vibrancy and culture of the cities they live in and visit. Artists including San Francisco's Uma Kelkar, Hong Kong's Rob Sketcherman, Singapore's Don Low and Berlin's Omar Jamarillo say iPad Pro and Apple Pencil are a natural fit for drawing on location thanks to the mobility, flexibility and range of tools they provide. Founded in 2007, Urban Sketchers is a global community of artists dedicated to fostering the practice of on-location drawing. Urban Sketchers is celebrating their 10th anniversary this year. Uma Kelkar, San Francisco Uma is an award-winning plein air artist with command across multiple media. A member of Urban Sketchers since 2010, she started sketching on iPad Pro this year. She says, "On those super stressful days when art is actually necessary by not having to worry about spilling color, iPad Pro enables me to reconstitute myself." Rob Sketcherman, Hong Kong Rob is a self-taught artist whose work has taken him around the world on commissions and teaching workshops. A member of Urban Sketchers for over four years, Rob has been creating artwork exclusively on iPad for just as long, and began drawing on iPad Pro in 2015 when it was introduced. Rob says, "the flexibility [iPad Pro] offers fuels experimentation with line, texture and look, allowing any number of iterations. It's also very forgiving, expelling all fear of the dreaded blank page and of potentially 'ruining sketchbooks' in case an experiment goes awry." Don Low, Singapore Don has over 20 years of experience as a local illustrator and comic artist, and teaches drawing part time at two local universities in Singapore. A member of Urban Sketchers since 2009, Don began drawing on iPad Pro in 2015. Don says, "Technically, I love how Apple Pencil works seamlessly in terms of pressure and tilt sensitivity. It detects all kinds of pen pressure just like how I use dip pens on paper, but even better." Omar Jamarillo, Berlin Omar started drawing as a landscape architect and was invited to participate in an Artist-in-Residence program at the Opera House in Hanover in 2012 where he documented the making of a ballet performance in sketches. Since then, he has taught workshops around the world. A member of Urban Sketchers since 2009 and a part of the organization's advisory board, Omar began sketching on iPad in 2014. He started drawing on iPad Pro earlier this year. He says, "Using iPad Pro in combination with Apple Pencil gives you a very similar feeling to drawing on paper. I also appreciate that you can create a video of how the image was drawn." Customers can sign up for Today at Apple sketch walks hosted by these artists in San Francisco, Hong Kong, Singapore and Berlin at apple.com/today. About Making Comments on our Site: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit any comments. Those using abusive language or negative behavior will result in being blacklisted on Disqus. Im not sure if you saw this but I thought it was really cool. The Pope recently met with the some of the homeless population in his diocese during a private tour of the Sistine Chapel, set up for them. If only we had more bishops take this approach in the world. Its gotten me to start thinking, what would it look like in my community if we started to think creatively like this about ways to love and serve those in need. Today is Maundy Thursday which literally means the Washing Thursday. We remember the example that Christ sets for his apostles in humbling himself as a servant to serve them. I think this is a great example of creative service, and one I hope to follow. Heres the story: Pope Francis made a surprise personal visit to 150 homeless people on a special tour of the Sistine Chapel on Thursday, in the latest nod to his vision of creating a church for the poor. Francis greeted the visitors in the chapel where he was elected pope during a private viewing of its ceiling frescoes painted by Michelangelo more than 500 years ago. This is everyones house, it is your house, Francis said, according to a statement from the Vatican spokesman about the event at which no reporters, photographers or cameraman were allowed. Francis was known as the slum bishop in his native Buenos Aires for his frequent visits to shanty towns. Since taking over as the head of the worlds 1.2 billion Catholics, he has made concern for the poor a central plank of his papacy. The visitors are due to tour and have dinner in the Vatican museums, which attract about six million people a year paying at least 16 euros ($17) each. They will leave through an entrance usually reserved for prelates and employees. The Vatican said it was giving the 150 homeless, who usually frequent the area around St. Peters Basilica, a chance to admire the inside of buildings of which they usually only see the front steps. The visit was organized by the popes almoner Bishop Konrad Krajewski, who earlier this year started organizing showers and shaves in St. Peters Square for people who live rough. Krajewski is also credited with distributing 300 umbrellas forgotten by tourists to the areas homeless during a rainy spell in February. The chapel was closed to the public early on Thursday to allow the visit. From the personal better-late-than-never file: Sony released an eighth clip from The Star just before the film came out. This one focuses on banter between the camels voiced by Tyler Perry, Oprah Winfrey and Tracy Morgan. Check it out below the jump. Here is the clip: Meanwhile, Sonys Canadian division released a new TV spot in French: Check out earlier The Star trailers and other videos here: Thats the headline at the Washington Post today: Even sex is in crisis in Venezuela, where contraceptives are growing scarce. The report, in many respect, is old news two years ago, a spate of articles described the lack of contraception in the country (e.g., Breitbart, as a non-paywalled version) due to the economic crisis, and earlier this year, papers reported on the increasing degree to which women sought out sterilization (here, from the Miami Herald). Three years ago, the report was on the shockingly-high rate of teen pregnancies, cited at Reuters as one of the worst in South America with 23% of all births being from under-18 year olds, as a store mannequin display showed pregnant teen girl mannequins to draw attention to the issue, and this appeared to be a longstanding cultural issue, not as a result of any shortages in government-supplied contraceptives. The pro-government website Venezuelanaysis reported in 2015 that the government was preparing to provide 18 million condoms in that year, provided by the United Nations Population Fund, and claimed that shortages were caused by hoarding by private companies. Did this happen? No idea. And, with respect to the economic and political situation in Venezuela in general, there have been dramatic reports from the country for quite a while now; back last year, I expressed skepticism that the economy would lead to Maduro being forced out of power. Whats really going on? The most recent data for the birth rate is from 2015, and shows no disruption in the ongoing trend of decreases in birth rates from year to year. Are there increases in unplanned pregnancies being balanced out by decreases in planned pregnancies? So far as I can tell, the data isnt available. Which brings us to todays Washington Post article, which is, fundamentally, a chaotic, disorganized, anecdotal piece of reporting. The article starts by featuring a couple who were unable to acquire birth control pills, decided that going without sex wasnt an option, tried to be careful, but became pregnant. (What does try to be careful mean? Its not like driving a car, where, in the absense of well-functioning brakes you can try to be careful with slowing down well in advance of intersections. Was this an exceptionally-uncurious reporter? Was the couple actually practicing withdrawal?) The article continues by saying that Venezuelans are having sex despite lack of contraceptives and that doctors report (without firm statistics) an increase in unwanted pregnancies and STDs as a result. Irritatingly, despite being a nominally Catholic country, the only mention of Natural Family Planning (which, even if not for religious reasons, youd think would be a bigger part of the countrys reaction to shortages) is a statement that Mainstream media outlets have published articles about the counting method of contraception that women can use to calculate when they are ovulating and likely to get pregnant. though, to be sure, since this is a crummy article, one wonders whether there is more NFP education happening than just reports on calendar rhythm. Women purchase contraceptives on the black market, or get them when friends travel abroad. Three-packs of condoms costs the equivalent of several days minimum-wage pay; a months supply of birth control pills cost 1/3 of a months minimum-wage pay. The cheap brands of condoms available are reportedly unreliable though, at the same time, the article reports that men generally refused to use condoms anyway, and yet, STD rates have increased. (A doctor reports that she now sees 5 or 6 of every 10 patients having STDs, vs. 1 of 10 in the past are these numbers reliable, or does this mean that she sees fewer patients for other reasons, e.g., pregnancy visits?) Its all a bit of a jumble. Whats really going on? To be honest, I dont have the time, nor the language skills, to dig into the shortages in Venezuela, whether this particular shortage is persistent and ongoing, and how its impacting fertility statistics. But the story that the Post tells seems incomplete. One presumes that, a population accustomed to contraceptives, but sufficiently acquainted with the basics of how reproduction works, would do more than just hunt down black market supplies and forgo their next grocery-shopping trip or rather, would do less, changing their behavior accordingly, whether by using natural methods, or refraining entirely, or reducing the frequency to, say, special occasions. In fact, I rather assumed that sex being in crisis was a reference to exactly this. And it may be that this is exactly what is happening, to a large extent, anyway, but thats not what the reporter chose to see. Image: from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AOpened_Oral_Birth_Control.jpg Patna: After several attempts to establish ownership of the Janata Dal U and its election symbol of arrow, Sharad Yadav, the former party President and disgruntled ex-Nitish ally gave up on his various claims after the Election Commission once again rejected his plea to hand over the 'arrow' to him saying he would soon form a new party of his own to 'teach a lesson' to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. After being repeatedly snubbed by the Election Commission that ruled that the real leader of the JD-U was indeed Nitish Kumar and the symbol of arrow belonged to him, Yadav's surrogate Arun Srivastava announced that the Sharad faction of the party would form a new party after the Gujarat polls with Sharad Yadav as its President. Srivastava further said that the JD-U's only legislator in Gujarat Chhotu Vasava, a tribal leader, will contest the Gujarat elections under the banner of a new party named Bharatiya Tribal Party, BTP, with auto-rickshaw as its election symbol. "Sharad supporters will hold a convention after the Gujarat polls to form a new party. Until then, however, our candidates will contest seven seats in Gujarat under the banner of BTP in alliance with the Congress," he said. Nitish-led JD-U with Sharad Yadav as its President was in alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) until Kumar decided to break away from the NDA coalition in 2013 only to join hands with his sworn enemy Lalu Prasad Yadav and Congress. In 2015, Kumar formed the new government with Yadav and Congress what came to be known as the Grand Alliance of Bihar. This rag-tag coalition of politically ambitious leaders, however, crumbled under its own weight as Kumar pulled out of it earlier this year only to go back to the NDA despite strong protest by his own President Sharad Yadav. Patna: Despite his earlier denial that he was neither a criminal nor a terrorist, the son of Lalu Prasad Yadav, Tej Pratap Yadav on Monday, just days after threatening Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar Sushil Kumar Modi, issued threat to Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying he would skin him (khaal udherva lenge) if anything happened to his father. Angry over the withdrawal of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief's Z+ security cover provided by the National Security Guard (NSG), Tej Pratap, who has chosen to adopt the language of criminals since losing power, threatened the Prime Minister saying "Narendra Modi ji ka khaal udherva lenge". "If my father is murdered who will be responsible for it? Do you think my father's life has no value and only the life of the Prime Minister is valuable?" the former minister who is said to be working to fill the vacuum created by the taming of former 'bahubalis' like Mohammed Shahabuddin, Pappu Yadav, Sunil Pandey, and Anant Singh, said before a posse of reporters. As reported earlier, the elder son of Lalu and former Health Minister of Bihar had threatened Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi saying he would disrupt Modi's son's wedding on December 3 and will beat up the BJP leader in full view of his wedding guests. Facing strong backlash for his son's crude comments and the possible political fallout from it, the RJD chief assured Modi of no threat from Tej Pratap saying the BJP leader should go ahead and perform his son's wedding without any concern for violence. "Tej Pratap just hissed and Modi got so scared that he changed the venue of his son's wedding. The BJP leader does not need to be a such a 'darpok' (coward) and should go ahead with his son's wedding without any fear of anything. Our best wishes are with them," the RJD chief said. Meanwhile, an FIR was lodged against Tej Pratap by a BJP West Delhi MP Parvesh Sharma. "Tej Pratap Yadav could be facing jail time for threatening the Prime Minister of India. He would be well advised to retain a good defense lawyer because this is a pretty cut and dry case as he would be treated as the enemy of the nation," BJP West Delhi MP Parvesh Sharma said in Delhi. News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism. Tehran's Notorious Former Prosecutor Saeed Mortazavi Sentenced to Jail 11/28/17 Source: Radio Zamaneh The appeal court has finally sentenced Saeed Mortazavi, Tehran's former prosecutor to two years in prison in connection with the Kahrizak Detention Center scandal in 2009. After the 2009 disputed elected in Iran, over 100 prisoners were taken to Kahrizak Detention Center, beaten, some tortured and sexually abused and five died as result of injuries sustained while in custody. Saeed Mortazavi on cover of dily Etemad The news of Mortazavi's sentencing was reported by counsel to the Mohsen Ruholamini family whose son was killed under torture in Kahrizak. On Sunday, branch 22 of the appeal court found Saeed Mortazavi guilty of aiding and abetting in murder. MirMajid Taheri, Counsel to the Ruholamini famil announced that the court gave Mortazavi a reduced sentence for having shown remorse for his actions. Last Tuesday the appeal court convened to once again consider the charges against Saeed Mortazavi in connection with the Kahrizak Detention Centre. The court has convened on several occasions to consider these charges and Mortazavi was not present in the last court session. Mortazavi has not retained any counsel and has been presenting his own defence throughout the proceedings. This matter has been dragging in court for over eight years with court files now at 32 volumes and 15 thousand pages. The case involves corruption charges in connection with the Social Security Fund allegedly committed when Mortazavi was at the helm of Social Security Office as well as murder charges brought against him by the Ruholamini family. Last year, the lower court acquitted Mortazavi in connection with the Ruholamini matter and sentenced him to six months in jail as well as 46 million toumans in fines for the corruption charges. Mortazavi appealed the decision and the two decisions were thus submitted to the appeals court within the same file. Last May the appeal court accepted to review the matter. Read related report (in Persian) by Ghanoon daily Saeed Mortazavi was Tehran's prosecutor during Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's presidency. He was removed from his position when the death of prisoners under torture in Kahrizak was publicized. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad however did not withdraw his support for Mortazavi and immediately placed him at the helm of the Social Security Office. In September in an open letter, Mortazavi apologized to the families of the detainees who were killed in Kahrizak and expressed his remorse for the events that occurred under his watch. Saeed Mortazavi was Tehran's prosecutor during the mass protests of 2009 in Iran triggered by the allegations of vote fraud in the election victory of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Thousands of protesters challenged the vote count by taking to the streets in peaceful demonstrations. Many protesters were killed and arrested by the authorities in order to defuse the protests. A large group of demonstrators were arrested in Tehran in July of 2009 and under direct orders from Saeed Mortazavi sent to Kahrizak Detention Centre. Amir Javadifar, Mohsen Ruholamin, Mohammad Kamrani and Ramin Ghahremani died a few days after their arrest in the dismal cells of Kahrizak which was shut down once the news of the prisoners' death hit the headl China, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Iran seal deal to boost rail traffic 11/28/17 Source: Press TV China, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Iran have signed an agreement to increase the volume of cargoes shipped through the four countries to international markets by rail. The agreement was reached after a meeting between the representatives of the countries in the Kazakh city of Astana, according to a statement by Kazakhstan's railways KTZ. The participants also addressed the issue of establishing competitive tariffs for cargo transportation along the China-Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran (CKTI) rail route. "Noting the potential of the CKTI international transit corridor, the participants of the meeting spoke in favor of organizing a regular container service on this route," added the KTZ in its statement. Following the meeting, the parties identified responsible operators for the organization of container trains on CKTI and signed a protocol on its results. The statement further quoted KTZ's Vice-president for Logistics Sanzhar Yelyubayev as underscoring the need to create conditions for the development of container service, formation of stable container traffic, development of the client and freight base, and application of approved tariff rates for container service along the CKTI. The CKTI was officially launched in February when a container train proceeded from Turkmenistan to Iran. The test journey was conducted for adjusting the regular transportation on the new railway route, the Kazakh media reported. The train that was loaded with various goods had left from the Chinese city of Yeiu at the end of January, passed the distance of 7,908 kilometers, crossed the territory of Kazakhstan and reached the Turkmen border railway station of Serkhetyak. The Turkmen site of the new transnational railway route lies from Serkhetyak station to Serakhs on the Turkmen-Iranian border. This part is equal to 1,156 kilometers. The total length of China-Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran route is about 10,000 kilometers, and the journey that ends in the Iranian capital Tehran will take about two weeks. Iran, Armenia should make efforts to broaden economic ties: Foreign Minister Zarif 11/28/17 Source: Press TV Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who is on an official visit to Armenia, has hailed growing relations between the two countries, saying Tehran and Yerevan should work to broaden their cooperation in the economic sector. Zarif, who arrived in Yerevan at the head of a politico-economic delegation on Tuesday, discussed bilateral ties as well as regional and international developments with his Armenian counterpart Edward Nalbandian. Foreign Ministers of #Armenia and #Iran issue statements for press on the outcomes of their negotiations held in #Yerevan pic.twitter.com/sFL1p79p5f MFA of Armenia (@MFAofArmenia) November 28, 2017 He told reporters after the meeting with Nalbandian that Iran and Armenia enjoy close neighborly relations, calling for further enhancement of political and economic relations between the two nations. The top diplomat also took part in Armenia-Iran Business Forum, where he praised the "very close and growing relations" between the two countries and said there was no obstacle in the way of improving mutual ties. He further said there is ample ground for cooperation between the private sectors of both sides, stressing that Tehran and Yerevan need to benefit from their free trade zones and bolster their economic ties. The economic forum was attended by tradesmen and entrepreneurs from the two countries. see larger map Iran and Armenia have been recently intensifying efforts to promote their mutual relations. The two countries announced in early August that they had lifted their visa regime to enable their citizens to freely commute between the two countries. Iran is currently exporting natural gas to Armenia and is in return importing electricity from the country to support demand in its northern provinces. Iran reportedly exports nearly one million cubic meters of natural gas to Armenia per day. Officials in Tehran had previously said that the volume could increase to as high as six million cubic meters per day. Executives of the UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce (UKGCC), an organization working as the voice for British businesses looking to access and engage with the Ghanaian market, is ready for its maiden edition of an award ceremony, Business Excellence Awards and Dinner Gala. The event, expected to happen on Saturday, 2nd December 2017 at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra, is aimed at acknowledging excellence in business amongst companies operating here in Ghana. It will also create a platform for interactions between members of the chamber, top government officials of Ghana, as well as other key players in Ghanas corporate community. The CEO of the UKGCC, Tony Burkson, said We are all set for the first Business Excellence Award ceremony. With 16 categories of awards, this gala will celebrate not just Ghana, but our members and their businesses. We have members wining the Employer of the Year, Exporter of the Year, SME of theYear, Best CSR Project and Best Logistics Company. The rest are Best Brand of the Year, Most successful company of the year, Best Local Partner, Best Social Impact Project, Best Think-Tank, Best Engine Graduate, Best in Innovation and British Entrepreneur of the Year. Mr. Burkson further revealed that the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), Mr. Yofi Grant will be recognized by the chamber for driving trade between Ghana and the UK. Mr. Yofi Grant was instrumental in getting the green light for the Aqua Africa project as well as leading trade missions from Ghana to meet with UK trade delegations, and he has consistently lobbied for our members, he added. He also emphasized that the chamber provides assistance to Ghanaian companies investing in the UK. We will continue with our mission which is to push the trade agenda between Ghana and the UK, he stated. The Meeting and Events Director of Movenpick Ambassador Hotel, Oana Rugina congratulated UKGCC for the active work in Ghana as she expressed her companys excitement about the event. We are happy to be a partner in this wonderful event that seeks to grow the Ghanaian economy. She added. Top personalities expected to grace the ceremony include the President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E Nana Addo-Dankwa Akuffo Addo, and the British High Commissioner to Ghana, Iain Walker among others. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Deputy Director of Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), Maame Afia Akoto, cannot fathom why members of the Minority in Parliament are doing everything possible to tarnish Presidents Akufo-Addos dream towards free Senior High School [SHS] education. According to her, the National Democratic Congress [NDC] since the launch of free SHS have had nothing positive to say about the policy, even including the Ex-President, John Dramani Mahama. All comments from their [NDC] camp in relation to the policy are nothing to write home about. Indeed, why is their wish so strong to collapse the policy? They should be bold and tell us what is haunting them per this approach. Is it that they never believed we could implement it? she rhetorically quizzed. She was contributing to discussions on remarks made by the former president at NDCs Unity Walk held in Tarkwa over the weekend on Kasapa fms Morning Show. The Former President took a swipe at President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for rushing to implement the free Senior High School (SHS) policy, hinting of a possible reversal of the programme by a future National Democratic Congress (NDC) government since it is not mandatory. Why should the government introduce free education now when the Constitution says it should be done progressively? In fact, it is not by force to introduce free SHS now, Mr John Mahama underscored. The former president predicted that the challenges associated with the free Senior High School (SHS) policy would not cease unless there was a comprehensive funding strategy. But the MASLOC Deputy Director argues that the only truth to free SHS existence is for Ghanaians to keep the NDC in opposition for long, since they have no good conscience towards its success. Source: Elizabeth Semiheva Bedi/Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The police in Asokwa have been captured on video brutalising students from University Hall also known as 'KATANGA' of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). The students had allegedly clashed with their colleagues from Unity hall of the same university at an outdoor event. The police officers who refused to listen to the plea from the students were seen slapping and kicking the students as they dragged them to a waiting police van. Eight students were arrested and charged with rioting and causing damage to some vehicles but were later released to the security coordinator of the university. Meanwhile, the Ashanti Regional Police Command has condemned the brutality meted out to the students describing the action of the police officers as unfortunate and unprofessional. Deputy Ashanti Regional police PRO, Chief Inspector Godwin Ahianyo told TV3 on Monday that police are investigating the officers who misconducted themselves as exposed by the video. Source: Peacefmonline.com/Additional File From 3news Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Ashanti Regional Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Samuel Pyne and Communications Director of the party Kwasi Kyei have finally be given government appointment to serve on the board of Kumasi Abattoir which falls under SSNIT. The two were recognized after the partys foot soldiers, and serial callers started questioning the basis for their neglect by the government appointing authority after 2016 elections victory. Checks from the regional office of the party say, the two, received their formal appointments through Dr. Kwame Addo Kuffour, Board Chairman of Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) about three months ago. A source in the regional office of the party told Ultimate Fms Isaac Justice Bediako that, Sam Pyne in particular was disappointed in the appointment but couldnt reject it because of the respect he has for the former defence minister Dr. Addo Kuffour when he broke the news to him. Isaac, I can tell you that Sam is not happy with this abattoir board member appointment, he accepted it because of the respect he has for his Boss, Dr Addo Kuffour he said. He added, You know the contribution of Sam in NPPs election 2016 victory right, yet his loyalty and hard work has not been recognized by the appointing authority. This appointment according Dr. Kwame Addo Kuffour is just to keep him active, can you imagine that he asked. Ultimate Fms further checks revealed that, the two board member of the Kumasi Abattoir are entitled to 200 Ghana Cedis allowance per each sitting. Again they are also entitled to a weekly package of meat from the Kumasi Abattoir. Source: kasapafmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video National Organizer of the Opposition National Democratic Congress Mr. Kofi Adams says Former President H.E Jerry John Rawlings might join the party for their next unity. According to him, the former president is actively involved in the daily activities of the party though he has not been seen at their various unity walks. Speaking on Okay fm's "Ade Akye Abia" Programme, he indicated that as a member of the Council of Elders of the party, he is aware of the Unity walk and the restructuring process going on within the party. Justifying the absence of the former president at such gatherings,Kofi Adams stated; "invitations has been sent to him severally just like its sent to other council members who have not been able to honour them due to their busy schedules or may be attending to other pressing issues." The Kwesi Botchwey fact finding committee report actually recommended a healing tour under the auspices of the council of elders so i believe he might be joining other walks, it is just a matter of time , he added. The opposition party has been involved in a lot of activities including the Unity Walk to unite agitated members of the party after they suffered a humiliating defeat in the 2016 general elections. The walk was dubbed Unity Walk, first of its kind since the party lost power in 2016 was an idea of a former Mayor of Kumasi, Kojo Bonsu, and supported by the regional executives. The event, according to party executives, was to forge unity, peace, and tranquility in the party beset by post-election internal agitations. So far, four of such Unity Walks have been organized; the latest being the that took place at Tarkwa in the Western Region on Saturday, November 25. Similar events have already been held in Accra, Tamale and Cape Coast. However, the non involvement of the former leader of the party has left doubt in the minds of some sections of the public and many asking questions about the party's Unity which some think it is in a balance without the involvement of the former president, Jerry John Rawlings. But Mr Adams, a former Spokesperson for the Rawlingses stressed that, "former President Rawlings is likely to be part of our (NDC's) next Unity Walk." Source: Isaac kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A restaurant in western Pennsylvania is red-faced after a reported order mix-up that resulted in a 4-year-old boy downing half of an adult milkshake spiked with vodka. As WPXI-TV in Pittsburgh reports, the boy's mother, Brianne Mckee, said she was at the BRGR in Cranberry, Butler County, on Sunday when she ordered her son, Stryler, a smores milkshake to go. But it wasn't until Mckee checked the receipt that she learned the milkshake was the adult version with vodka. By that time, her son had downed half of the alcohol-spiked treat. From the WPXI interview: "You're just in such shock and you don't know to scream or cry or what you should do because you're supposed to protect your child," Brianne Mckee said. Meanwhile, BRGR issued the following statement to WPXI: "We sincerely apologize to the family involved. This is unacceptable and we are taking this matter very seriously." BRGR added it is reviewing training procedures on alcohol safety to make sure this doesn't happen again, WPXI said. However, Mckee insists it wasn't until she posted about the incident on Facebook that the restaurant reacted: "They didn't care. Nobody cared. And I'm getting loud it was like nobody had kids no one understood why I am so heartsick," Mckee told WPXI. The little boy was checked out by a doctor and appears no worse for wear. Two men have been charged with using drugs and violence to force six women to work in a prostitution ring that operated in four Pennsylvania counties and southern New Jersey, Attorney General Josh Shapiro said Tuesday. That ring was active in Lancaster, York, Philadelphia and Montgomery counties from 2014 until last month, he said. Charged in the case are Kenneth Crowell, 34, and Barry "Bear" Schiff, 50. Shapiro said Schiff already was in York County Prison when the human trafficking charges were filed. Crowell was arrested near Chicago over the weekend. Both men are charged with trafficking in individuals, corrupt organizations, involuntary servitude, conspiracy, drug possession and prostitution, the AG said. The grand jury indictment of Crowell and Schiff stems from an investigation that began when two undercover state troopers responded to a prostitution ad on the website Backpage. A phone number on that ad was linked to nearly 350 similar ads, on that site and Eros under the name "Adriana's Angels," investigators said The troopers met with one of the victims at a Lancaster County hotel. She said Schiff had recruited her from a York County strip club and that she wanted to escape his clutches, the grand jury presentment states. Schiff would brag about getting the women who worked for him hooked on Percocet and heroin, the woman testified. Another victim testified that Schiff sent her by Uber to Philadelphia to buy bricks of heroin for him. After she fled, he sent messages threatening her family, she told the grand jury. One woman, identified in the presentment as Victim 6, said Schiff treated her like a slave. "I felt like he had my whole life in his hands and could ruin it at any point in time," she told the grand jury. Shapiro said the arrests of Schiff and Crowell are the result of an investigation by his office, state police, Northern York County Regional Police, police in Dallas, Texas, and Millville, N.J., the North Star Initiative of Lancaster and the Anti-Human Trafficking Program of the Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia. A Commonwealth Court panel has rejected a convicted killer's claim that the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections is stealing inmates' money. The judges reached that conclusion Monday in an opinion issued by Senior Judge James Gardner Colins that deep-sixes a lawsuit by James A. Paluch Jr., who is serving a life sentence for a 1990 murder in Philadelphia. Paluch, 46, claimed prison officials are misusing and squandering money from the Inmate General Welfare Fund. That fund contains money inmates earn at jobs, along with income from sales at the prison commissaries and donations from individuals and groups interested in promoting the welfare of prisoners. Paluch contended that prison officials, specifically those at the prison at Albion, where he is housed, were violating his and other inmates' rights by using interest earned by investing the fund's money without adequate input from the prisoners. He argued, unsuccessfully, that prisoners should have a vote regarding how the interest earnings are used. At Albion, that income went to buy a scoreboard for the gym, stainless steel security furniture and seeds for the prison's greenhouse. Colins found the corrections department is immune from Paluch's suit. In any case, the judge concluded that while prisoners can control the principal in their welfare fund accounts, they don't control use of the interest earnings, which are to fund projects to benefit all inmates. State law mandates the creation of the welfare accounts, Colins noted. It also requires prisons to establish committees of staff and inmates to evaluate projects to be funded with the interest earnings. Inmates therefore have input regarding how that cash is used, but they do not have veto power over those spending decisions, Colins noted. Nor, he found, does Paluch have as valid argument that prison officials are violating his civil rights by seizing money that is his personal property "There is no Pennsylvania stature mandating that (Paluch) receive interest or investment income from the principal in his (welfare) account," Colins wrote. A 28-year-old Clearfield man is accused of multiple thefts at two schools in Palmyra. Mark Allan Martin committed the thefts between December 2016 and March 2017, Palmyra police said. He is accused of crimes at Palmyra Area Middle School and Northside Elementary School. Police did not describe what was stolen or the value of the items taken. Martin is charged with a misdemeanor count of theft by unlawful taking. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Dec. 21. The death of a 13-year-old boy is under investigation following an off-road vehicle crash in Berks County. The boy was critically injured when a Utility Terrain Vehicle crashed into a tree at around 10:35 a.m. Monday on the 3200 block of Irish Creek Road in Centre Township. The vehicle was driven by a 14-year-old boy and was also carrying two other 14-year-old passengers when the UTV struck the tree on the private driveway. The 13-year-old boy was taken to Reading Hospital where he was pronounced dead. By Douglas G. Reichley As interest in legislative redistricting reform grows, one is reminded that 50 years ago this December, delegates elected from across the Commonwealth convened in the Pennsylvania state House to open the first constitutional convention since 1873. Douglas G. Reichley (Pa. House photo) The authorization for the convention in 1967 succeeded after six previous failed attempts for a number of reasons. Following the defeat of the convention referendum in 1963, several groups such as the Pennsylvania Bar Association committed to rallying public support for the measure. Raymond Shafer, the Republican candidate for governor in 1966, also made the convention a priority during his successful campaign, and followed through with his pledge after winning office. Additionally, the referendum in 1967 prohibited delegates from considering any issue not specified by the ballot question. Very importantly, this meant the convention would not be allowed to consider the adoption of a statewide income tax, which was not enacted until 1971. Finally, the convention proposal was tucked in with eight other ballot questions in the spring of 1967. By burying the measure to approve the convention in the middle of the other measures, voters fell into a habit of voting yes on all nine ballot items. After passage of the ballot initiative, each party nominated two candidates from each of the 50 state senatorial districts for election as convention delegates in the fall of 1967, with the top three vote getters being elected to the Convention. Among the delegates, there was one former governor (William S. Scranton), two future governors (Dick Thornburgh and Bob Casey), a Pulitzer Prize-winning author (James Michener from Bucks County), a future U.S. Attorney (Robert E. J. Curran from Delaware County), and a number of legislative leaders including future Speaker of the House Rep. Herb Fineman (D-Phila.), and Rep. Robert Butera (R-Montgomery), the Republican Whip in the state House. The delegates were tasked with the considering five specific topics approved by the ballot measure including legislative redistricting, reducing the size of the General Assembly, and merit selection of appellate judges. The delegates were given only 90 days to meet from December 1, 1967 until the end of February 1968. As Gov. Thornburgh, Robert Curran, and Rep. Butera remembered, this truncated session meant delegates could not "kick the can down the road." Also, delegates were forced to sit in alphabetical order, leaving limited opportunities for blatant partisanship. Despite this altruistic approach, the convention was not free from pitfalls. As the convention's secretary, Michener reportedly used invitations to cocktail parties as a means of dispensing favoritism. Some delegates were disgruntled with their committee assignments. The convention was not considered "political," but lobbyists still buttonholed delegates to protect public utilities from the payment of property taxes. The press and public were generally apathetic. Although 150 delegates were elected from the senatorial districts, legislative leaders from the House and Senate were designated ex officio members. As Thornburgh noted, the legislators' presence was decisive when the first delegate proposal came before the full Convention to reduce the size of the Legislature and to reform the redistricting process. By relying on regional affiliations and latent partisan sympathies, the legislative leaders were able to rebuff the efforts to reduce the size of the House and Senate, or to remove the legislative leadership from controlling the redistricting process. Ironically, the last convention in 1873 increased the size of the Legislature on the grounds it would be much harder for the corporate barons of the time to bribe so many legislators. As lawyers by trade, Thornburgh, Curran, and Butera all had a professional interest in the judicial reform proposals. Thornburgh in fact introduced the first resolution of the convention to allow for merit selection of all judges and elimination of justices of the peace, but all that could be passed was a resolution to reduce the length of judicial terms to ten years. After the five referendum proposals were approved by the convention, the measures were adopted by the electorate in the 1968 general election. Any constitutional convention held today would probably still focus on legislative redistricting, reducing the size of the legislature, and judicial merit selection, but officials such as former Gov. Ed Rendell argue such an occasion should also allow for review of the constitutional language which addresses the state income tax and equitable state funding for education. Governors are faced with differing political landscapes, but the leadership they provide can encourage the discussion of constitutional reforms. After the pay raise fiasco for state government officials in 2005, when one would have thought the outrage to alter state government would have been at its highest, there was at best a muted effort to call for a new constitutional convention at that time. At the end of the day, it still comes back to the question: is the public motivated enough to demand change? Douglas G. Reichley is a judge of the Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas. He is a former Republican state House member from Lehigh County. By Robert Little As a health professional, I recognize how interconnected and fragile our water system is, from our streams down through the pipes that bring us our water. In many parts of Pennsylvania that system has been strained by industries like fracking and agricultural and changes in climate. The need for stronger clean water protections for communities is apparent but unfortunately the current federal EPA doesn't appear to agree. As I write this, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is repealing the 2015 Clean Water Rule which seeks to protect the nation's rain-dependent streams and wetlands from toxic pollution under the Clean Water Act. Rescinding the Clean Water Rule endangers the drinking water of 63 percent of Pennsylvania residents. The administration has also proposed significant budget cuts to EPA. Cuts to federal funds could leave states and local communities to fend for themselves to protect clean water and ultimately our health. Finished in 2015 with widespread support from public health and scientific organizations and the public, the Clean Water Rule restored federal protections to 49,000 miles of our state streams, which feed waterways like the Delaware and Susquehanna and provide drinking water to more than 8 million Pennsylvanians. The rule also protects wetlands, which help filter out pollutants and prevent flooding. There have been clean water successes in Pennsylvania resulting from public health protections. Industrial discharges have been reduced, and billions of dollars have been invested in wastewater treatment, sewage systems, and storm-water controls. Unfortunately, the struggle for clean water continues in most cities and counties in Pennsylvania. A mix of legacy water pollution sources and industrial activity create a clean water crisis in our state. In Pittsburgh drinking water is contaminated with lead; in the Delaware river rainwater runoff is tainted with industrial pollutants; more than 20,000 miles of streams still fail to meet the Clean Water Act's goals of being fishable and swimmable. Further, there are more than 200,000 orphaned and abandoned oil and gas wells, potentially contaminating ground water. Since 2007, at least 2,800 water-related complaints have been investigated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Oil and Gas Program. The state found links to the drilling industry in close to 280. Another 500 or so cases, are still being investigated. Thousands of Pennsylvanians have gone months, even years, without access to clean water at their homes as a result of the fossil fuel industry. These statistics tell us we need more protections NOT less. We need more funding for our public health programs. Regrettably, the state Department of Environmental Protection, which is charged with ensuring safe drinking water is woefully understaffed and underfunded. The federal Environmental Protection Agency notified Pennsylvania that its inability to enforce the law poses "serious public health implications." The EPA has threatened to take away the state's authority to run the clean drinking water program. From a public health perspective, it is clear we need strong, health-protective clean water laws. Without robust protections, drinking water can be contaminated by a host of waterborne pathogens and bacteria. Exposure to contaminated water can lead to health issues including: cancer, birth defects, neurological effects, learning disabilities, and asthma. Tell your elected officials that communities need stronger protections and more resources for our water to be safe. Our state government can help our communities receive clean water by increasing DEP's budget for safe drinking water inspections. At the federal level the Clean Water Act's safeguards like the Clean Water Rule must remain intact and funding for the EPA cannot be slashed or the public's health will be jeopardized. A physician, Dr. Robert Little is president of the Harrisburg chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility. By Jennifer Rubin Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., said everything he could say - even that there were no words to wipe away the sexual conduct he has already apologized for. ("I know there are no magic words I can say to regain your trust and that it's going to take time.") Jennifer Rubin (Washington Post photo) He sounded remorseful, not defiant. He said he'd cooperate fully with the ethics committee. He did not smear his accusers. And yet, one wonders if that will be enough to spare him, or if it should spare him. It took a churlish and santimonious Republican voice, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, to remind us that Republicans are behaving like hypocrites, like pols who never embraced and endorsed President Donald Trump, who has been accused of serial sexual misconduct by a list of women longer than even Roy Moore's known accusers. "The things he's already admitted to I find to be outrageous and offensive - and I do think on that alone he should consider resigning," Rubio told WFOR-TV in Miami. And would Rubio say the same of Trump? And if so, why not? So, here we are in a "whataboutism" dilemma, trying to differentiate between the accused sexual miscreants and yet not play partisan politics. We shouldn't overcompensate for "whataboutism" with an injudicious approach to running every public figure who has misbehaved out of public life. For one thing, we'd run out of public figures. There are some basic guidelines we might follow. For starters, no one who has endorsed Trump and has stood by him has the moral authority to judge political opponents accused of sexual misconduct. Rubio is an enabler of Trump; he is also a once-respected pol who helped normalize Trump and protect him from the consequences of his actions (sexual and otherwise). Whatever Rubio's motives now, unless and until he calls for a full investigation of Trump, pledges not to support his reelection and commits to throwing Moore out of the Senate if he is elected, he should pipe down about Franken and other Democrats. Rubio's moral compass is broken. His views on the topic therefore are worthless to all but his fellow partisans. Second, adults make moral and legal distinctions all the time. To spell it out, a serial child predator is worse than a serial adult sexual predator, who is worse than a crude comedian who had no business touching women without their consent. The conclusion that Moore doesn't belong in the Senate does not mean Franken should be thrown out. Franken deserves punishment, but the severity of that punishment does and should depend on the facts. Third, unfortunately, good people do bad things, and they need to be held accountable for their misconduct. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., called Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., an "icon," citing his role in opposing the Vietnam War and in the civil rights movement. She properly did not say he should be let off the hook for his alleged offenses against women. And that's the key takeaway - one can respect the accused and mourn the fall from grace of one's political idols, but that doesn't give them immunity for whatever actions they committed. Fourth, due process applies in courts and to a degree in the ethics procedures in Congress (although Congress can set rules of evidence, for example, that are quite different from those accepted in a court). It does not apply to voters urging miscreants to resign or not to seek reelection. It doesn't apply to other public figures who are expected to show moral leadership in evaluating conduct that brings disgrace on their party, their institution and our democracy. Finally, the notion that Trump's press secretary propagated, namely that Franken is a greater malefactor because he confessed and apologized, is morally obnoxious. Remorse should not necessarily spare the accused, but Trump's and Moore's refusal to come to terms with their alleged action and their indulgence in wild conspiracy theories (there is a report that Trump has said the "Access Hollywood" tape might not have been authentic!) make them worse, much worse, than someone who seeks to make amends. These are not easy situations, but we can avoid moral hypocrisy and blindness by distinguishing bad actors from worse ones, holding all politicians to a standard that like actions should result in like punishments regardless of party, and by treating accused who falsely smear their accusers harshly. Jennifer Rubin writes the Right Turn Blog for The Washington Post, which offers reported opinion from a conservative perspective. With the U.S. Senate Republicans determined to vote on their tax overhaul plan before the week is out, Cumberland County residents rallied on the Square in Carlisle to voice their opposition to the legislation that they see as harmful to low- and middle-income Americans. Gathered outside the old county courthouse in Carlisle during evening rush hour on Monday, an orderly, mild-mannered group of about 50 people from teenagers to senior citizens held signs and cheered as cars and trucks passed by flashing their lights and honking horns in support of their "Stop the Middle Class Tax Hikes" message. In between chants of "Not one penny for the 1 percent" and "This is what democracy looks like," the protesters made it clear the plan that the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office determined gives considerable tax cuts and benefits to Americans earning more than $100,000 but hurts the nation's poorest is the wrong way to go. According to a story in the Washington Post, the CBO determined the bill adds $1.4 trillion to the deficit over the next decade. That makes no sense to 15-year-old Jonah Langella of Shippensburg. "We already have a deficit," he said. "We're not helping people who have no money. We're actually helping people with millions in the bank so it's really counter-intuitive." "I don't know why rich people need this tax break. How many yachts, homes all over the world do you need?" Sue Milnes of Mechanicsburg said. "I really don't like anything about it. It's not fair, simply not fair." Carlisle area resident Tim Potts suggested a better plan would be to raise the minimum wage and give the $1.4 trillion that this plan will cost over the next decade to low-income working people. "You would get $1.4 trillion of economic stimulus because they would spend it. You give that money to the rich and you get no economic stimulus at all, they'll just figure out some place to put it," Potts said. "If you want to grow the economy, giving money to the poor people is the way to do it." Those attending the rally were hoping that their public display of opposition might get the attention of Pennsylvania's congressional delegation and send a message that the vote-getting sweeteners being added to the plan such as opening up drilling rights in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska and adding the Obamacare mandate repeal make it even less appealing to them. "I'm hoping that as time goes on as people learn more about this and analysis comes out that shows how bad this bill is that people are going to get smart and ultimately our legislators will do the right thing and vote against the bill," said Mark Laser of Carlisle. The Senate plan as it stood on mid-day Monday contained provisions in the House-passed version that simplified the tax code, lowered the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 20 percent and nearly double the standard deduction for individual taxpayers although the Senate plan to a slightly lesser degree. House and Senate Republicans maintain these changes will help wages grow, lead to job creation and get America's economy back on track. But there remain differences in the two chambers' plans for accomplishing this that would have to be reconciled with the House-passed version including how it treats pass-through businesses, the size of the child tax credit, and the health insurance mandate repeal to name a few. Nonetheless, several Senate GOP leaders voiced confidence on Monday that they will be able to deliver a tax reform package to President Donald Trump by his Christmas deadline. Emerging from a lunch with Trump, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, predicted the Republicans had the votes to pass the package and resolve the differences with the House version in short order, according to a New York Times story. That artificial deadline is another thing that Sherwood McGinnis of Carlisle finds wrong about the plan. He said the 1986 tax reform plan took months to pull together and a lot of changes were made. This one is being forced through in what he and others referred to as a flawed process to give the Republican Party a win in the first year of the Trump presidency. "This is not what we need a victory for the party," McGinnis said. "What we need is a victory for the American people. We need a program that is going to make the lives of everybody in the country much better and not just a small, a very small percentage." In this Monday, Nov. 20, 2017 photo, Chobani yogurt cups are displayed in New York. Chobani, the company that helped kick-start the Greek yogurt craze, is shrinking those words from its label as it hints it may expand beyond that food in an increasingly crowded yogurt market. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan) Voters in Prince Edward Island sent a second member of the Green party to the legislature on Monday night. PC Leader James Aylward, left, embraces Green Party candidate, and by-election winner, Hannah Bell as PC contender for the riding, Melissa Hilton, right, looks on at Bar 1911 in Charlottetown on Monday, November 27, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Morris Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard says it is an injustice that Ottawa isn't giving more public contracts to the Davie shipyard near Quebec City, shown in this November, 2012 file photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot People look at the memorial plaque in honour of the 13 students and one staff member killed for the 27th anniversary of the Polytechnique Massacre in Montreal on Tuesday Dec. 6, 2016. A pro-gun lobby group in Quebec is under fire for its decision to hold a rally at a memorial site for the 14 women who were killed at Ecole polytechnique in 1989. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz Just a few days before a key OPEC meeting, Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro named a military leader the nation's new oil supremo as it grapples with U.S. sanctions, overdue bond payments and dwindling production. Major General Manuel Quevedo will replace both former PDVSA president Nelson Martinez and oil minister Eulogio del Pino, Maduro said Sunday on the state television program Domingos Con Maduro. The time for a new oil revolution has come, Maduro said, waving his hands emphatically as he promised to rein in corruption at state oil producer PDVSA. Venezuela's government has embarked on a wide-reaching purge at PDVSA, with more than 50 officials of the company and its joint ventures arrested since August. Last week, Venezuela Public Prosecutor Tarek William Saab arrested the acting president of Citgo, PDVSA's U.S. refining arm, and promised to put more executives in jail. The company also asked employees last week to slash costs in half in an austerity drive that reflects the economic crisis that's hitting the OPEC nation. Spokesmen for Venezuela's oil ministry and PDVSA declined to comment. With More Oil than Saudi Arabia, Why is Venezuela Sliding Toward Default? Quevedo was formerly the housing minister and headed up the national social housing program known as Barrio Tricolor -- Tricolor Neighborhood in English. He will be replaced by General Ildemaro Villaroel Arismendi. Maduro has been steadily making the military his co-pilots to ensure that they sink or swim together and that he is coup-proof, said Helima Croft, a former Central Intelligence Agency analyst who directs global commodity strategy at RBC Capital Markets LLC in New York. Venezuela is part of a global deal between OPEC members and non-OPEC producers. Led by Russia, the group has voluntarily reduced production since the start of the year in a bid to drain a glut and boost prices. Oil ministers are due to meet in Vienna on Thursday to decide whether to extend those cuts beyond the end of March. Venezuela's internal problems mean that the producer with the world's largest reserves has pumped less than its own target. According to the latest report from the International Energy Agency, the cuts by Venezuela in October have been the second biggest among OPEC nations compared with a year ago: production fell by 240,000 barrels a day 1.91 million in October, from the same month in 2016. Earlier this month , the consultancy Rystad Energy warned some crude fields in Venezuela may see natural declines of as much as 30 percent next year. Corruption Probe Rumors about the shift had been circulating at PDVSA, but management was surprised by the announcement, said a person with direct knowledge of the matter. Maduro also announced additional cabinet appointments in a reshuffle that has resulted in other military leaders getting top posts. General Carlos Osorio has been appointed to the ministry of transportation and Jose Vielma Mora to the ministry of foreign trade, among others. Volatile oil prices have rocked PDVSA, which has seen crude output plummet and its refineries paralyzed. Profit fell almost 90 percent for 2016. Even after paying billions of dollars in the past month to make debt payments, PDVSA is behind on other bond interest payments, prompting credit rating companies to cut the firm's credit to selective default. 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 Ken Sze, who grew up in the family biz at Yokohama restaurant in Maple Shade, and his wife, Cortney Cohen-Sze, are in the soft-opening phase of Tuna Bar, a polished Japanese bistro in the new Bridge, at Second and Race Streets in Old City. (It's also around the corner from her boutique, Geisha House.) Its well-stocked drinking bar segues into a sushi bar, and an oyster/raw counter is awaiting final installation. Seating includes booths and intimate "deuces" facing the sushi bar. READ MORE: More photos. Menu is expanding beyond sushi/sashimi, steak, crudo, and a few cooked dishes, namely Sze's seafood specialties, to include robatayaki cooking and an omakase. Boxwood Design opted for clean lines, reminiscent of Walnut Street Cafe at 29th and Walnut Streets. It's open for dinner only, though lunch is on the way. Blossom Philadelphia, a human-services nonprofit based in Chestnut Hill, will transfer services at its group homes homes for intellectually disabled adults to other providers. Read more Under pressure from regulators, Blossom Philadelphia will transfer responsibility for the 89 intellectually disabled adults it serves in community homes to other service providers, the Chestnut Hill nonprofit said Monday. The move came about a month after the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services revoked the agency's license to operate the 32 facilities because Blossom failed repeatedly to fix problems and to report incidents as required by law. Additional violations included use of untrained staff as well as the failure to administer medications and get residents to medical appointments. Blossom, which was allowed to continue operating while it appealed the revocation, said in a news release that it would coordinate the transfer of the services at its homes to other organizations with the help of DHS's Office of Developmental Programs and Philadelphia's Office of Intellectual disAbility Services. "This decision was made after a thorough analysis of the residential program and our ability to continue to meet the needs of the adults we serve in our community homes," said Blossom's chief executive, Paula Czyzewski. Advocates welcomed the decision. "That's probably good news," said Marianne Roche, an intellectual-disabilities expert who worked in the industry for 50 years. "I respect them for this decision," said Kathy Brown McHale, CEO of SPIN Inc., another intellectual and developmental services provider in Philadelphia. Under Czyzewski, Blossom's chief executive since 2014, the 71-year-old nonprofit has been in turmoil. It has seen a complete turnover in senior management during her tenure. This year, she changed the organization's name from United Cerebral Palsy Association of Philadelphia. Effective July 10, Czyzewski, who had no previous experience in running residential programs, hired a staffing firm to supply direct-care workers for Blossom's 32 community homes, laying off 179 employees. That move exacerbated what were already deteriorating service levels for Blossom's residents, many of whom are in wheelchairs and can't speak, advocates and family members of residents said. Blossom said it would continue to operate day programs for adults and children with intellectual disabilities or autism and would explore the development of new services. A federal audit published Tuesday said New Jersey claimed $300.5 million in unallowable costs to Medicaid for special-education services, plus an additional $306.5 million in reimbursements using payment rates based on costs that were not properly established. The state incorporated into its rates more than $400 million in school employees' pension costs even though it has not made scheduled payments into the fund in nearly 20 years, the Office of Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services said. Under federal law, schools must provide special-education and related services to children with disabilities, but Medicaid covers only a portion of the evaluations used to determine whether children are eligible for special-education benefits. New Jersey, relying on rates developed by a contractor, Public Consulting Group, claimed reimbursement for ineligible expenses, the audit said. The report by the inspector general covered services from July 2003 through June 2015. It said New Jersey should pay back $300.5 million and work with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to determine how much of the $306.5 million it should pay back. The New Jersey Department of Human Services said the auditors were wrong and noted that the report is just the first step in a process that can be appealed within the federal Health and Human Services Department, and then in federal court, if needed. Students gather before eating and look over photographs as David Hodges, director of the Collingswood Farmers Market, hosts his second annual Thanksgiving for ESL students. Read more Arshad Ali, who emigrated from Pakistan to Philadelphia in 2014, was the first to arrive at David Hodges' feast. Setting down a pitcher of his secret-recipe turkey gravy, the host and chef in quick succession greeted Ali, Mardanny Reyes of the Dominican Republic, and Kenick Willie, from Indonesia. "I wanted to invite my students to experience something as [quintessentially] American as Thanksgiving," said Hodges, a longtime English as a Second Language teacher at Community College of Philadelphia. Given that President Trump is all about building walls and imposing travel bans, sharing roast turkey and all the trimmings, he added, "is a welcoming thing." Welcoming indeed: The vintage house on Knight Park in Collingswood that Hodges shares with his wife, Donna Schorr, came alive with world music and festive conversation on Friday as Hodges threw a post-Thanksgiving bash for his past and present students from around the world. Some guests came with classmates, but others knew only their beloved teacher. Hodges, 64, said his classroom is all about helping newcomers to America "take the training wheels [of their home language] off and speak English as much as possible." Several guests told me their ability to converse with friends and understand classroom instruction had greatly improved thanks to Hodges. And during the party, more than two dozen young men and women from vastly different cultures and languages but with English as their new common language socialized, sampled dishes, and posed for group selfies in front of the fire. "I had heard about Thanksgiving. A lot of my cousins are here and posted pictures about it on Facebook," said Ali, 24, who studied pharmacy in Pakistan and plans to continue those studies at Temple University. "This is a new experience for me," said Reyes, 17, who came to the United States two years ago, lives in North Philadelphia, and is studying psychology at CPP. As two dozen people from India, Vietnam, Ecuador, Belarus, Iraq, and other countries shared the signature American meal, Willie, 24, emerged as an energizer of the proceedings. "Who wants dates? Don't panic, they're organic," he said, passing around a container of dried fruits. "I just want to be happy and meet people, which is why I became a bartender," he added. "I like a gathering like this, with nice people," said Tahir Bendif, 31, an Uber driver from South Philly by way of Algeria. "I have no family here." Almost all of the dinner guests live in the city, many in the polyglot Northeast; they are in the United States legally, on student or work visas, going to school or working (or both), and hoping to become citizens. "The students I see are the successes, the ones who got here. And it's harder and harder to get here, harder to feel comfortable here," said Hodges, an emigre from Ohio who also is the director of the Collingswood Farmers Market. "In my classroom, we don't talk much about national politics or individual struggles. But some of us are friends on social media, and sometimes they share stories that can break your heart. And they have radically different opinions about how welcoming America is." Some of the guests told me they want more border security or stricter regulations to keep what one called "dangerous" people out of the United States. Others said some Americans are rude to foreigners. "Driving in Philly is tough," said Bendif, hastening to add that "I only focus on the positive, not the negative, things." Or as Willie, who also prefers to accentuate the positive, said: "Has anyone said to me, 'You're Asian, go back to Asia'? No." Sonu Varma, 27, a software engineer who moved from India to South Jersey in 2006 and now lives in Center City, said "some people are shortsighted and see anything new as threatening." Lately he's been surprised to hear more people expressing "racist opinions" than was common in the past. "What matters to me is how people treat me and how I treat them," he said. "No matter where they come from." Nashwa Altaan, 42, earned a degree in physics in her native Iraq. She does clerical work and lives in Northeast Philly. "Sometimes I get disappointed and tired," she said. "But I say to myself, 'I can do it. Keep going. Keep going.'" I can't imagine doing what Assia Sakalouskaya did: Getting off a flight from Belarus two years ago at age 27, knowing no one, with little understanding of English, and only "two bags and 800 bucks" to her name. She can laugh about it now. "I had nothing to lose. Now I live in Northeast Philly, which is like Russia. Everybody speaks Russian or Ukrainian. Sometimes I think I didn't leave," said Sakalouskaya, who earned a mathematics degree in Belarus and now works for a medical billing firm. But she has enough money for an apartment, and for clothing and other necessities. She no longer lives in a police state were dissenters can get thrown in jail. "I've seen Niagara Falls and New York City," she said. Preparing to leave, I asked Hodges how even the most lively and congenial of dinners can make a difference. "It can," he said. "It does. It makes a great deal of difference in our small international world." And I particularly appreciated Bendif's answer when I asked him a similar question. "This gathering," he said. "is the real example of the American people." Much has been made of the interracial nature of Prince Harrys relationship with the American actress. There has been criticism and outrage, vitriol and hate. But for me, the pending nuptials of two people so clearly enthralled with each another represent loves greatest byproduct: hope. If love can propel Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to look beyond the racial hatred that has taken hold in our politics and in our societies, perhaps there is hope for the rest of us. Perhaps, if we are willing to follow their example, love can defeat the scourge of racism. President Trump, who could botch a Pop-Tart, gave himself an unforced error Monday in a ceremony meant to honor World War II Navajo code-talkers who helped defeat the Axis. Trump, always a slave to petty impulses, went off course while praising the elderly Marine Corps veterans to take a swipe at Sen. Elizabeth Warren, referring to her (again) as Pocahontas. Trump went there because years ago Warren claimed Native American ancestry on some directories used by job recruiters. Reached by journalists after Trump's jab, Warren correctly said the president couldn't remain focused on what he was doing and indulged himself in a "racial slur" against her. I don't agree with Warren, but Chief David Stands With Song does. A resident of Cobbs Creek, he leads the Eagle Medicine band of Cherokee Indians, a tribe in Pennsylvania and New Jersey that is not officially recognized by the federal government as an indigenous nation. As it happens, he's not a babe in the woods when it comes to Trump, Warren and Pocahontas. I ask if it was a racial slur, and he responds: "Absolutely." "I've heard him use that term in reference to her in the past, and it is quite offensive," says the chief, whose given name is David Hughes. "A lot of people think Pocahontas was a myth, but she was a real person." Yes, she was, and an admirable one, so I don't see it as a slur, as some see "Redskins." I do see it as a put-down of Warren, deserved for some real cultural appropriation falsely claiming for personal benefit a heritage that is not hers. To me, Warren's unwarranted glomming of a culture is more serious than Trump's stupid remark, which was inappropriate in terms of time and location. "And the world spins on," says Chief David, with a light chuckle. A lot of people who have Native American ancestry don't claim it, he says, and perhaps Warren was being "culturally expedient." He suggests she might benefit from being more plugged into her culture. "I challenge people to do the research" if they believe they are related to Native Americans, he says. Warren has never presented documentation of her claim. Certainly that ceremony was the wrong time and place for Trump to revive one of his greatest hits. He stood in front of a portrait of President Andrew Jackson, a populist president known for many things, one of which was removal of American Indians from their ancestral lands. The Trump haters say it was deliberate and racist, but they are so rolled in their vitriol they can't think straight. Racist? Sorry, I don't see it that way. And deliberate for what purpose? No, it was accidental and stupid, allowed by staffers who have as much interest in American history as their boss has in dignity. Other Native American tribes have complained about Trump's use of Pocahontas, I know, feeling that is unauthorized appropriation of something that belongs to them. I wish they were as vocal about Warren's sticky fingers on their heritage. Bad behavior is bad behavior, no matter where it originates. One patient got a $3,606 bill for a four-mile ride. Another was charged $8,460 for a trip from a hospital that could not handle his case to another that could. Still another found herself marooned at an out-of-network hospital, where she'd been taken by ambulance without her consent. These patients all took ambulances in emergencies and got slammed with unexpected bills. Public outrage has erupted over surprise medical bills generally out-of-network charges that a patient did not expect or could not control prompting 21 states to pass laws over the years protecting consumers in some situations. But these laws largely ignore ground ambulance rides, which can leave patients stuck with hundreds or even thousands of dollars in bills and with few options for recourse, finds a Kaiser Health News review of 350 consumer complaints in 32 states. Patients usually choose to go to the doctor, but they are vulnerable when they call 911 or get into an ambulance. The dispatcher picks the ambulance crew, which may be the local fire department or a private company hired by the municipality. The crew, in turn, often picks the hospital. Moreover, many ambulances are not summoned by patients, but by police or a bystander. Betsy Imholz, special projects director at the Consumers Union, which has collected more than 700 patient stories about surprise medical bills, said at least a quarter concern ambulances. "It's a huge problem," she said. Forty years ago, most ambulances were free for patients, provided by volunteers or town fire departments using taxpayer money, said Jay Fitch, president of Fitch & Associates, an emergency services consulting firm. Today, ambulances are increasingly run by private companies and venture capital firms. Ambulance operators now often charge by the mile and sometimes for each "service," such as providing oxygen. If the ambulance is staffed by paramedics rather than emergency medical technicians, that will result in a higher charge even if the patient didn't need paramedic-level services. Charges range from zero to thousands of dollars. The core of the problem is that ambulance companies and private insurers often can't agree on a fair price, so the ambulance service doesn't join the insurer's network. That leaves patients stuck with out-of-network charges that are not negotiated, Imholz said. This happens to patients frequently, according to a recent study of more than half a million ambulance trips taken by patients with private insurance in 2014. The study, by two staffers at the Federal Trade Commission, found that 26 percent of these trips were billed on an out-of-network basis. That figure is "quite jarring," said Loren Adler, co-author of a recent report on surprise billing. The KHN review of complaints revealed two common scenarios leaving patients in debt: First, patients get into an ambulance after a 911 call. Second, an ambulance transfers them between hospitals. In both scenarios, patients later learn the fee is much higher because the ambulance was out-of-network, and after the insurer pays what it deems fair, they get a surprise bill for the balance, also known as a "balance bill." The Better Business Bureau has received nearly 1,200 consumer complaints about ambulances in the past three years; half were related to billing, and 46 mentioned out-of-network charges, spokesperson Katherine Hutt said. While the federal government sets reimbursement rates for patients on Medicare, it does not regulate ambulance fees for patients with private insurance. Those patients are left with a highly fragmented system in which the cost of a similar ambulance trip can vary widely from town to town. There are about 14,000 ambulance services across the country, run by governments, volunteers, hospitals and private companies, according to the American Ambulance Association. For a glimpse into the unpredictable system, consider the case of Roman Barshay. The 46-year-old software engineer, who lives in Brooklyn, was visiting friends in the Boston suburb of Chestnut Hill last November when he took a nasty fall. Barshay felt a sharp pain in his chest and back, and he had trouble walking. An ambulance crew responded to a 911 call at his friends' house and drove him four miles to Brigham and Women's Hospital, taking his blood pressure as he lay down in the back. Doctors there determined he had sprained tendons and ligaments and a bruised foot, and released him after about four hours, he said. After Barshay returned to Brooklyn, he got a bill for $3,660, or $915 for each mile of the ambulance ride. His insurance had covered nearly half, leaving him to pay the remaining $1,890.50. "I thought it was a mistake," Barshay said. But Fallon Ambulance Service, the private company that brought him to the hospital, was out-of-network for his UnitedHealthcare insurance plan. "The cost is outrageous," said Barshay, who reluctantly paid the bill after Fallon sent it to a collection agency. If he had known what the ride would cost, he said, he would at least have been able to refuse the ride and "crawl to the hospital myself." In a statement, UnitedHealthcare said: "Out-of-network ambulance companies should not be using emergencies as an opportunity to bill patients excessive amounts when they are at their most vulnerable." "You feel horribly to send a patient a bill like that," said Peter Racicot, senior vice president of Fallon, a family-owned company based outside Boston. But ambulance firms are "severely underfunded" by Medicare and Medicaid, Racicot said, so Fallon must balance the books by charging higher rates for patients with private insurance. Racicot said his company has not contracted with Barshay's insurer because they couldn't agree on a fair rate. When insurers and ambulance companies can't agree, he said, "unfortunately, the subscribers wind up in the middle." It's also unrealistic to expect EMTs and paramedics at the scene of an emergency to determine whether their company takes a patient's insurance, Racicot added. Ambulance services must charge enough to subsidize the cost of keeping their crews ready around the clock, said Fitch, the ambulance consultant. In a third of the cases where an ambulance crew answers a call, he added, they end up not transporting anyone and the company typically isn't reimbursed for the trip. In part, Barshay had bad luck. If his injury had happened just a mile away inside Boston's city limits he could have ridden a city ambulance, which would have charged $1,490, according to Boston EMS, a sum that his insurer probably would have covered in full. Very few states have laws limiting ambulance charges, and most state laws that protect patients from surprise billing do not apply to ground ambulance rides, according to Brian Werfel, a consultant to the American Ambulance Association. And none of the surprise-billing protections apply to people with self-funded employer-sponsored health insurance plans, which are regulated only by federal law. That's a huge exception: 61 percent of privately insured employees are covered by self-funded employer-sponsored plans. Some towns that hire private companies to respond to 911 calls may regulate fees or prohibit balance billing, Werfel said, but each locality is different. Insurers try to protect patients from balance billing by negotiating rates with ambulance companies, said Cathryn Donaldson, a spokesperson for America's Health Insurance Plans. But "some ambulance companies have been resistant to join plan networks" that offer Medicare-based rates, she said. Medicare rates vary widely by geographic area. On average, ambulance services make a small profit on Medicare payments, according to a report by the Government Accountability Office. If a patient uses a basic life support ambulance in an emergency in an urban area, for instance, Medicare payments range from $324 to $453, plus $7.29 per mile. Medicaid rates tend to be significantly lower. There's evidence of waste and fraud in the ambulance industry, Donaldson added, citing a study from the Office of Inspector General at the Department of Health and Human Services. The report concluded that in 2012 Medicare paid more than $50 million in improper ambulance bills, including for supposedly emergency-level transport that ended at a nursing home, not a hospital. One in 5 ambulance services had "questionable billing" practices, said the report, which noted that Medicare spent $5.8 billion on ambulance transport that year. Most complaints reviewed by Kaiser Health News did not appear to involve fraudulent charges. Instead, patients got caught in a system in which ambulance services can legally charge thousands of dollars for a single trip even when the trip starts at an in-network hospital. That's what happened to Devin Hall, a 67-year-old retired postal inspector in Northern California. While he faces Stage 3 prostate cancer, Hall is also fighting a $7,109.70 bill from American Medical Response, the nation's largest ambulance provider. On Dec. 27, 2016, Hall went to a local hospital with rectal bleeding. Because the hospital didn't have the right specialist to treat his symptoms, it arranged for an ambulance ride to another hospital about 20 miles away. Even though the hospital was in his network, the ambulance was not. Hall was stunned to see that AMR billed $8,460 for the trip. His federal health plan, the Special Agents Mutual Benefit Association, paid $1,350.30 and held Hall responsible for $727.08, records show. (According to his plan's explanation of benefits, it paid that amount because AMR's charges exceeded the plan's Medicare-based fee schedule, which is based on Medicare rates.) But AMR turned his case over to a debt collector, Credence Resource Management, which sent an Aug. 25 notice seeking the full balance of $7,109.70. "These charges are exorbitant I just don't think what AMR is doing is right," said Hall, noting that he had intentionally sought treatment at an in-network hospital. He has spent months on the phone calling the hospital, his insurer and AMR trying to resolve the matter. Given his prognosis, he worries about leaving his wife with a legal fight and a lien on their Brentwood, California, house for a debt they shouldn't owe. After being contacted by Kaiser Health News, AMR said it pulled Hall's case from collections while it reviews the billing. After further review, company spokesperson Jason Sorrick said the charges were warranted because it was a "critical care transport, which requires a specialized nurse and equipment on board." Sorrick faulted Hall's health plan for underpaying, and said Hall could receive a discount if he qualifies for AMR's "compassionate care program" based on his financial and medical situation. "In this case, it appears the patient's insurance company simply made up a price they wanted to pay," Sorrick said. In July, a California law went into effect that protects consumers from surprise medical bills from out-of-network providers, including some ambulance transport between hospitals. But Hall's case occurred before that, and the state law doesn't apply to him because of his federal insurance plan. The consumer complaints reviewed by Kaiser Health News reveal a wide variety of ways that patients are left fighting big bills: An older patient in California said debt collectors called incessantly, including on Sunday mornings and at night, demanding an extra $500 on top of the $1,000 that his insurance had paid for an ambulance trip. Two ambulance services responded to a New Jersey man's 911 call when he felt burning in his chest. One of them charged him $2,100 for treating him on the scene for less than 30 minutes even though he never rode in that company's ambulance. A woman who rolled over in her Jeep in Texas was charged a $26,400 "trauma activation fee" a fee triggered when the ambulance service called ahead to the emergency department to assemble a trauma team. The woman, who did not require trauma care, fought the hospital to get the fee waived. In other cases, patients face financial hardship when ambulances take them to out-of-network hospitals. Patients don't always have a choice in where to seek care; that's up to the ambulance crew and depends on the protocols written by the medical director of each ambulance service, said Werfel, the ambulance association consultant. Sarah Wilson, a 36-year-old microbiologist, had a seizure at her grandmother's house in rural Ohio on March 18, 2016, the day after having hip surgery at Akron City Hospital. When her husband called 911, the private ambulance crew that responded refused to take her back to Akron City Hospital, instead driving her to an out-of-network hospital that was 22 miles closer. Wilson refused care because the hospital was out-of-network, she said. Wilson wanted to leave. But "I was literally trapped in my stretcher," without the crutches she needed to walk, she said. Her husband, who had followed by car, wasn't allowed to see her right away. She ended up leaving against medical advice at 4 a.m. She landed in collections for a $202 hospital bill for a medical examination, a debt that damaged her credit score, she said. Ken Joseph, chief paramedic of Emergency Medical Transport, the private ambulance company that transported Wilson, said company protocol is to take patients to the "closest appropriate facility." Serving a large area with just two ambulances, the company has to get each ambulance back to its station quickly so it can be ready for the next call, he said. Patients such as Wilson are often left to battle these bills alone, because there are no federal protections for patients with private insurance. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, who has been pushing for federal legislation protecting patients from surprise hospital bills, said in a statement that he supports doing the same for ambulance bills. Meanwhile, patients do have the right to refuse an ambulance ride, as long as they are older than 18 and mentally capable. "You could just take an Uber," said Adler, co-author of the surprise-billing report. But if you need an ambulance, there's little recourse to avoid unexpected bills, he said, "other than yelling at the insurance company after the fact, or yelling at the ambulance company." This column is produced by Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent news service and program of the Kaiser Family Foundation. Pizza al taglio from Alice is cut from sheets. Read more The name of the pizzeria that soft-opened Monday on the corner of 15th and Locust Streets is spelled A-l-i-c-e, but you pronounce it the Italian way, ah-lih-che. Alice which drew crowds on Day 1 is the first American offshoot of Domenico Giovannini's celebrated Roman pizza al taglio shops. Giovannini gives his dough a 48-hour rise with limited yeast, and uses custom ovens. The pizza is light and easily digestible. Business starts in the morning with Italian pastries, espresso, and gelato from the nearby Gran Caffe L'Aquila. Management has wisely stationed employees up front to explain the ordering system. You line up for pizza, taking a number much as you would at a deli. The nearly two dozen varieties of topped rectangular pizzas are cut to order and sold by the ounce; figure on $4 to $5 a slice. (The pizzas, at least, are similar to the well-received Rione, which opened last spring at 102 S. 21st St.) Alice has a bar on the far side of the counter, dispensing wines, Italian beers, Aperol spritzes, and the like. At dinnertime, you can order off a light menu specialties include pastas priced under $20. Soft-opening hours are in flux. Spike Lee knows an arresting image when he sees it. The Dec. 8, 2015, Page One of the Philadelphia Daily News, with a shot of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump over the headline, "The New Furor," gets a brief revival as part of a montage at the beginning of the eighth episode of Lee's new Netflix series, She's Gotta Have It, based on his own 1986 film. The episode, "#LoveDontPayDaRent (IF YOU DON"T KNOW ME BY NOW)," opens on the evening of Nov. 8, 2016 Election Day, in case you've forgotten with a montage of front pages and other images and a song from Stew & the Negro Problem, "Klown Wit Da Nuclear Code," that begins, "A klown had a go at a reality show, which 24/7 played." The montage first shows a New York Daily News Page One declaring "Clown Runs for Prez" and showing an image of Trump altered to include a red nose and clown makeup. It's not the first time someone's been struck by the Philadelphia Daily News' page. "New York Daily News, you're on notice. There's a new contender for the 'most provocative' front page of the 2016 campaign," wrote Callum Borchers on the Washington Post politics blog The Fix that day, noting the "tight profile shot of Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump, right arm extended up and out at a 45-degree angle." The new She's Gotta Have It stars DeWanda Wise as Nola Darling, an artist living in Brooklyn's gentrifying Fort Greene neighborhood. "Very often, beautiful art is created in very ugly times. And we're entering a very ugly period," intones Wallace Shawn, who plays an art critic, as we see how several of the show's characters react to the election, including Nola, who paints a portrait of President Barack Obama with his wife, Michelle, and their daughters, Sasha and Malia. After that, She's Gotta Have It returns to its regularly scheduled programming, with a tight focus on Nola's private and professional concerns, which include juggling multiple lovers and trying to pay her rent through art. Rahim Islam, left, and Kenny Gamble, planning the 2nd annual Universal Juneteenth Parade and Festival in Center City earlier this year. Read more Universal Companies, a nonprofit that for decades has reshaped Philadelphia schools and neighborhoods, suspended its president and CEO after federal agents raided his home and office and notified him he's the target of an investigation. In a statement late Monday, Universal officials said it had placed CEO Rahim Islam on leave after the search warrants were executed late last week. The statement did not specify the nature of the investigation, or which agency was running it, but said the probe's target was Islam, not the nonprofit launched a quarter-century ago by famed music producer Kenny Gamble. "It definitely has nothing to do with Universal," said Devon Allen, a spokesman for Universal. "It's a personal legal matter." Islam and an attorney said to be representing him did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday. Universal focuses on developing affordable housing and operating charter schools. The nonprofit made news in April after it laid off school staff and office workers before the end of the school year to "ensure the stability of company operations." And last year, City Controller Alan Butkovitz raised concerns about its financial management and charter-school payments to related companies. Islam was one of the founding members of the nonprofit, along with Gamble, back in 1993. Gamble, with partner Leon Huff, gained fame in writing and producing music said to capture the "Sound of Philadelphia." Islam's profile page on the nonprofit's website says: "Under his direct leadership, Universal has been the conduit for over $1.5 billion of real estate development and investment and currently educated over 5,000 students in 12 schools (K-12.) The company is also one of the largest African American led businesses in Philadelphia, employing nearly 650 professionals across disciplines such as education, real estate, community development, social work, technology, finance, and preventative health." In 2013, he also helped found the Philadelphia Community of Leaders, a group of African Americans seeking to influence the political agenda in the city. Universal, in its statement, said it called an emergency meeting of the board of directors Friday evening, after the search warrants had been executed, and that Islam agreed to take an administrative leave. "The purpose of the board's decision was to allow Mr. Islam time to focus on his legal affairs," the statement said. Universal Companies now operates seven charter schools in Philadelphia: Universal Institute, a traditional charter school in Southwest Center City, and six former low-performing district schools that the School Reform Commission contracted with Universal to convert to charters as part of their academic turnarounds. Two of those "Renaissance charters," Vare Promise Neighborhood Partnership School in South Philadelphia and Audenried Promise Neighborhood Partnership Charter, a high school in Grays Ferry, have been in legal limbo for several years. The district's charter school office recommended that the SRC not renew the operating agreements for the schools for academic shortcomings and shaky finances. The SRC has postponed taking action several times and has not voted on the status of the two school's charters. Two more Universal charters are up for renewal this academic year. One of the attorneys representing Universal is Robert L. Archie Jr., a former School Reform Commission chair. Under Archie's leadership, the SRC in 2011-12 allowed Universal to use Audenried High School, at the time a three-year-old building, for free. It also paid for the building's custodial staff and upkeep, a deal worth $1.8 million in total. Archie did not respond to requests for comment Monday and Tuesday. Staff writers Kristen A. Graham and Martha Woodall contributed to this article. (NOTE from Vanguard founder John C. Bogle added 11/29, bottom): Vanguard Group, the Malvern-based investment giant that manages close to $5 trillion in clients' money, said Tuesday that it has registered a plan with the Securities and Exchange Commission to sell its first actively managed U.S. exchange-traded funds, starting next year. The funds will be targeted to "factors," or investing trends, such as recent high share prices (a "Momentum" ETF) and strong financial results ("Quality"). As stocks, exchange-traded funds are easier to buy and sell quickly than mutual funds, one reason Vanguard founder John Bogle, who preached a buy-for-the-long-term philosophy, initially resisted ETFs. So the latest Vanguard step, given the company's past culture, "is huge. It's the equivalent of Dylan going electric," cracked Eric Balchunas, fund analyst for Bloomberg Intelligence, in a social-media post. "The active ETF could be the end of mutual funds," said Matthew Topley, chief investment officer at Fortis Management, a King of Prussia investment adviser. "Anything a portfolio manager wants to express in a fund, can become wrapped into an ETF, at lower cost and much greater tax efficiency," because ETF sales don't trigger mutual fund-style underlying asset sales that could leave an investor liable for capital gains. Given Vanguard's low fees and its success at raising $1 billion a day in customer funds, often from competitors, in the last year, "good luck to everyone else," said Josh Brown, chief executive of Ritholtz Wealth Management, a $600 million-asset New York firm that sells Vanguard ETFs, among other investments, to its clients. The funds will give brokers new product to sell, but "Vanguard isn't pushing these new products onto individual investors," Dan Wiener, publisher of the Independent Adviser for Vanguard Investors newsletter, noted in a report to clients. Pointing out that most of the ETFs mirror existing Vanguard fund strategies, he said such "quantitative funds" have generally trailed Vanguard's own MidCap Index, Value Index, and other "basic benchmark" funds' returns. The company already sells low-fee index-based stock and bond ETFs which are stocks consisting of shares in other companies in competition with BlackRock, Barclays, and other industry pioneers, as well as active ETFs in Canada and Britain. The company manages about $710 billion in stock ETFs and $148 billion in bond ETFs. While ETF sales are growing fast, Vanguard's major product is mutual funds, both "active" funds, whose managers pick stocks, as well as "passive" funds tied to such indexes as the Standard & Poor's 500, which have become the company's best-known products. Vanguard was founded in the 1970s as a vehicle to sell actively managed Wellington Management Co. mutual funds, such as the Wellington and Windsor funds, which it continues to market (along with those managed in-house and by other firms) along with the indexed funds. (11/29: SEE NOTE FROM JOHN C. BOGLE BELOW) Vanguard has designed the new ETFs to be sold to institutional investors and by financial advisers such as the Ritholtz firm. Vanguard promised the funds will adhere to "rules-based quantitative" buying and selling by the fund managers at Vanguard Quantitative Equity Group, which currently manages $35 billion in Vanguard "factor funds" that buy and sell stocks based on measurable performance "rules." The new funds will be an "extension of our low-cost active lineup," Greg Davis, Vanguard's chief investment officer, said in a statement. The funds, most of which are similar to existing Vanguard mutual funds, all "seek to provide long-term capital appreciation" by investing in U.S. stocks that show these "factors" compared with other U.S. stocks: Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF, "lower volatility" stocks. Vanguard U.S. Value Factor ETF, "relatively lower share prices" compared with companies' "fundamental value." Vanguard U.S. Momentum Factor ETF, "strong recent performance." Vanguard U.S. Liquidity Factor ETF, "lower measures of trading liquidity." Vanguard U.S. Quality Factor ETF, "strong fundamentals." Vanguard U.S. Multifactor ETF, "relatively strong recent performance, strong fundamentals, and low prices relative to fundamentals." Vanguard also is adding a U.S. Multifactor mutual fund (minimum investment: $50,000 for Admiral shares) because, unlike with the other ETFs, it doesn't already have one. How much will these cost? Vanguard says "the five single factor-based ETFs will have an estimated expense ratio of 0.13 percent; the Multifactor ETF and Multifactor Fund will have an estimated expense ratio of 0.18 percent," below industry averages, according to data collected by Morningstar Inc. (NOTE ADDED 11/29: John C. Bogle is concerned that my brief account in this story will leave readers with an over-simplified view of Vanguard's early relationship to his previous employer, Wellington Management Co., which remains a manager of some of Vanguard's active funds. Below, I'm posting his note in its entirety:) "Hi, Joe: Very revealing story this morning. Nice work! "I have no comment about Vanguard's ETF strategy (that won't surprise you!), but I do need to correct your understanding of Vanguard's formation. "In September 1974, I created to Vanguard to administer the affairs of the former Wellington funds executive, financial, shareholder recordkeeping, and legal and compliance, etc., duties formerly performed by Wellington Management Company as well as overseeing and appraising Wellington's investment performance for our funds, their distribution results, and the fees the funds paid to Wellington. We were barred from engaging in investment management and distribution and marketing of fund shares. "Of course my goal was to engage in both of these board-prohibited activities. I was able to 'get around' them, first, by bringing out and managing, as it were, First Index Investment Trust in August 1976, and then by eliminating all sales commissions in February 1977, and thus abandoning the broker-dealer network that had served the funds for nearly half a century. (Going "no-load.") Result: within three years of our founding as an administrator, we had become the full-fledged fund complex that we remain today. Dare I say that it worked out well for investors? "But it wasn't easy. Indeed the SEC fought the distribution decision until 1981, when it gracefully conceded, and saluted our departure from the typical industry structure in which the money managers control the funds. "You have to love a good fight I do to change the investment world. Best, Jack" A Libyan militant accused of being a ringleader of the 2012 Benghazi attacks on U.S. facilities was convicted on terrorism charges Tuesday in the assaults that killed U.S. ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three other Americans. But the jury found the militant not guilty of the most serious of the charges, including murder. The case was seen as a test of detention and interrogation policies developed under the Obama administration to capture terror suspects overseas for criminal trial, with the result likely to factor into assessments of the suitability of civilian courts for terrorism prosecutions. The jury in Washington, D.C., deliberated for five days after a seven-week trial before convicting Ahmed Abu Khattala, 46, in the attack the night of Sept. 11 at a U.S. diplomatic mission that killed Stevens and State Department employee Sean Smith in a fire, and in a second attack that took place before down on Sept. 12 on a nearby CIA annex , where CIA contractors Tyrone S. Woods and Glen Doherty were killed by mortar strikes The jury acquitted Abu Khattala of all but four of the 18 charges against him. At trial, his defense team said Abu Khattala was drawn to the fiery scene in his hometown as a bystander. They questioned the credibility of three Libyan witnesses who testified they saw or heard Abu Khattala take steps to plan, execute or claim responsibility for the attacks. Prosecutors presented what they called "indisputable" records linking the times of calls on Abu Khattala's cellphone and surveillance video from the diplomatic mission attack that they said showed he was at least a key plotter. Abu Khattala was a leader in an extremist brigade that was part of a militia that sought to establish strict Islamist rule in post-revolutionary Libya. U.S. intelligence assessments have reported that several groups were involved in the attacks, including Abu Khattala's brigade and the militia. Stevens and Smith died of smoke inhalation after militants overran the diplomatic compound and set fire to the diplomatic villa. Woods and Doherty were killed on a rooftop at the CIA annex in a predawn mortar strike He was captured in June 2014 by U.S. commandos and interrogated and transported for 13 days aboard a Navy warship to the United States. Onboard, he was questioned by two teams, the first working in a classified operation to extract intelligence and the second a separate FBI team that collected evidence for his trial under the legal safeguards provided defendants in civilian court. He was charged with aiding or abetting the killing of the four Americans and wounding two other Americans, providing or conspiring to provide material support and resources to terrorists that resulted in death, destruction of government buildings and property, and a firearms violation. Abu Khattala has been the only person brought to court in attacks that saw the compound overrun. However, on Oct. 29, during his trial, U.S. authorities snatched a second suspect from Misrata, Libya, for prosecution in Washington. The suspect, Mustafa Al-Imam, has pleaded not guilty. Abu Khattala's trial moved the Benghazi inquiry from the partisan political realm, where Republican claims of a Democratic coverup continued throughout the 2016 presidential contest, into a courthouse where the jury of 12 District residents sorted through six binders of exhibits and hours of video evidence. The Trump administration recently showed a willingness to continue bringing terrorism cases in civilian courts, including additional Benghazi suspects. President Trump on Oct. 30 personally announced that "on my orders," U.S. forces captured the second Benghazi suspect, Al-Imam, to "face justice in the United States." Although several Republicans in Congress and conservative analysts called for a military tribunal for Abu Khattala, there were no such calls in Al-Imam's case. Brian Egan, a senior White House and State Department legal adviser during the Obama administration, said the trial affirmed the integrity of the U.S. justice system even under extraordinary circumstances. "That's important for the rest of the world to see, given the amount of respect our criminal justice system has internationally, and the fact that the Guantanamo Bay military commission system has been so heavily criticized," Egan said. "This case is really a good barometer for whether procedures the U.S. government put in place will prove to be useful." Before the trial began Oct. 2, Abu Khattala's defense moved to toss out his statements in military and FBI custody, arguing the 13-day detention without a lawyer present violated his legal rights and that the circumstances were so coercive they negated his signed waivers to a right to an attorney and against self-incrimination. The government won a critical ruling from U.S. District Judge Christopher R. "Casey" Cooper denying the motion, and upholding the government's flexibility in handling overseas terrorism suspects. The trial featured dramatic testimony from surviving State Department and CIA operators, some of them taking the stand under fake names and disguised in wigs and mustaches to protect their identities. Prosecutors also relied heavily on surveillance video taken by overhead drones and diplomatic compound cameras, and cellphone records the government obtained from Libyan authorities that listed call times and numbers but not the call contents. Key testimony came from three, paid Libyan informants all testifying under pseudonyms. They included an undercover Libyan businessman who received $7 million for aiding the U.S. by approaching Abu Khattala as a financial supporter after the attacks, collecting incriminating statements from him, and luring him to his capture. The witness, testifying as Ali Majrisi, said he was present in 2013 when in conversation Abu Khattala, urged to conduct more spectacular attacks like those of Al-Qaeda in Iraq, allegedly said of the 2012 attacks, "I intended then to kill everybody [all the Americans] there, even those who were at the [Benghazi] airport." Majrisi, who at one point told his secret American military handlers he was willing to kill Abu Khattala himself, rejected a $1 million payment as "insultingly low" before eventually receiving $7 million for his help in the investigation. The verdict came out of a challenging investigation. Months of sealed litigation and negotiations preceded the trial over tens of thousands of pages of classified documents about the case that the government turned over to the defense. The sides reached agreements on what information was relevant to the charges against Abu Khattala before dozens of declassified summaries were read into the record in open court in lieu of live testimony from classified sources. Prosecutors were pressed to prove events that erupted over a span of hours, five years ago overseas, in a place where the U.S. government had little presence and local authorities were weak and divided. Most physical evidence burned to the ground or was destroyed or looted, and FBI agents were given only eight hours, three weeks after the attacks, to access both sites, one testified in Abu Khattala's trial. As a result, prosecutors turned to phone records obtained under murky circumstances from Libya's telephone company, grainy nighttime video, and informants. "It could also be, not a lot of people in Benghazi wanted to cooperate with the U.S. prosecution effort," said Alice Hunt Friend, a Pentagon official who oversaw Africa security policy matters during the Obama administration from 2009 to 2014. One clear public lesson from the trial, she added, is "how very, very difficult it is to track individual terror threats to Americans" and to collect either the very detailed intelligence needed to prevent an attack, or the evidence to prosecute one afterward. "To go through the details of trying to marshal evidence sufficient to convict someone of a crime is a window into the kind of evidence needed in order to understand their tactics and to try to prevent" a future attack, Friend said, "It is an enormous challenge." A former deputy chief of staff for Rep. John Conyers Jr. of Michigan has accused the Detroit Democrat of unwanted sexual advances. Deanna Maher said the congressman harassed and touched her on three occasions while she ran the congressman's Michigan office between 1997 to 2005, the Detroit News reported. "I didn't report the harassment because it was clear nobody wanted to take it seriously," Maher told the paper. "John Conyers Jr. is a powerful man in Washington, and nobody wanted to cross him." Maher is the second former staffer to level sexual misconduct claims against Conyers, the longest-serving member of Congress. Last week, BuzzFeed reported on a 2015 settlement for $27,000 between Conyers and a former staffer over harassment claims. The Washington Post followed up with a complaint of harassment and verbal abuse by Conyers toward a Washington lawyer specialized in ethics who worked for the congressman in the 1990s. Conyers has denied any wrongdoing. The allegations have sparked a House ethics investigation, and the 88-year-old has given up his top spot as the ranking member on the House Judiciary Committee. On Monday night, Conyers's attorney Arnold Reed disputed the allegations from Maher. "At the end of the day, he's confident that he will be exonerated because he maintains that he has not done anything wrong," Reed told the Detroit News. Reed did not respond immediately to an email for comment on Maher's claims. Conyers' alleged harassment of Maher began shortly after she went to work for the congressman, according to her account to the newspaper. In September 1997, Maher said she was in Washington for an event with the Congressional Black Caucus. "I didn't have a room, and he had me put in his hotel suite," Maher told the Detroit News, adding that she rejected Conyers' offer of sex. A second instance of an alleged unwanted advance came in spring 1998, she said. Maher was riding in the passenger seat of a car the congressman was driving to Detroit Metropolitan Airport. "He was trying to feel me up with his right hand," she told the paper. "I kept pushing his hand away. Then he put his hand on my neck and started trying to tickle me. We were on I-75, and he was driving erratically. I was saved by the bell because we got pulled over by the police for the way he was driving." In 1999, Maher was with Conyers at a meeting with ministers in Highland Park when the congressman allegedly put his hand up Maher's dress and whispered in her ear, "I didn't know you had such great legs." Conyers' attorney Reed disputed the allegations. "At best, they are uncorroborated," he told the Detroit News. "At worst, they're just not believable. When you consider that they're flying down I-75, he is driving and has time to do all of that, they get pulled over by a police officer, and she doesn't tell him what's going on?" But two reporters told the newspaper they previously spoke to Maher about the claims in off-the-record conversations. Joel Thurtell, a former reporter with the Detroit Free Press, said he had discussed the harassment with Maher at the time of the incidents. "She told me about the sexual harassment claims, but at the time she didn't feel confident she wouldn't be hung out to dry and retaliated against." A Detroit News reporter also talked with Maher about Conyers's actions in 2013, the newspaper reported. Again, the former staffer was uncomfortable going public. Maher did officially complain about other behavior. In 2003, six unnamed staffers including Maher, the Detroit News reported filed an ethics complaint against the congressman. The allegations included Conyers using staffers to babysit his sons, drive him to events and work on a failed political campaign for his wife, Monica, on government time. In December 2006, Conyers agreed to stop using his staff in such circumstances. A historical marker installed at the southeast corner of Front and Cooper Streets, in front of the Walt Whitman Cultural Center. The marker, recalling the forcible transportation of African slaves to Camden in the 18th century, was unveiled at the Camden County Historical Societys Ancestral Remembrance Ceremony on Monday. Read more More than 250 years ago, a ship carrying what historians believe were Camden's first African slaves arrived at one of the city's highly trafficked docks, Cooper Street Ferry. On Monday, yards from Camden's first documented slave auction in 1727, outside what is now an arts center in Johnson Park, the city unveiled a historical marker a move county and state officials said will counter a rewriting of history seen in today's politics and the current debate over Confederate monuments. "Today, what we do is we tell the truth of who we are at a time where people are trying to push revisionist history," U.S. Sen. Cory Booker told a group of about 100 residents, county freeholders, and other officials, including U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross (D., Camden). "What we do here echoes throughout our nation at a time of urgency when it comes to recognizing the truth of our country. When you sanitize and you homogenize American history, what you do to it is, you lessen the greatness of our country," Booker said. At least 800 slaves were forcibly brought across the Delaware River from Philadelphia to New Jersey in the 18th century via three ferries owned by the slave-owning Cooper family, among the city's founders. The ferries greatly shaped the region, with businesses and homes emerging around the terminals. Later on, activity on the Delaware River attracted industries such as Campbell Soup Co. and the New York shipyard. While the Delaware River brought prominence and growth to Camden, Norcross said, it is also stained with "a sad history." He pointed to the far-right rally in Charlottesville over the summer as underscoring the need for the historical markers in Camden. Activist and 32-year-old paralegal Heather Heyer was killed at the August rally, where neo-Nazis were protesting against the planned removal of a Confederate statue. "Real American history, history that has facts, is starting to be interpreted a little bit differently," Norcross said. "How sad is that?" Two more markers will be installed in the spring at sites where slaves were imported into Camden: the northeast corner of Federal Street and Delaware Boulevard, once the Federal Street Ferry, and the southeast corner of State Street and Delaware Boulevard, once the Cooper's Point Ferry. Many of the slaves who were ferried from Philadelphia to Camden were forced to work on large South Jersey farms, said Camden County Historical Society board of trustees president Chris Perks. "It's a story that not everyone knows. We're trying to bring attention to it," Perks said. "Right now, there's a surge of historical marking around this topic." Over the last few years, the organization has flagged 20 sites in Camden with ties to slavery and the Underground Railroad. A $6,000 grant from the New Jersey Historic Commission allowed the group to begin marking the sites, along with help from the national nonprofit Middle Passage Ceremonies and Port Markers Project. Most known information on Camden's involvement in the Middle Passage a slave trade route between Africa, Europe, and America comes from slave auction advertisements in Philadelphia newspapers in the 1700s. The American Weekly Mercury printed Camden's first two documented slave auctions in 1727. Beginning in the 1750s, slave traders regularly began ferrying Africans to Camden's docks. In 1751, the Pennsylvania Gazette advertised the sale of a 26-year-old slave at the Federal Street Ferry. The ad noted that the unnamed man on sale "has had measles and smallpox." The ferry was owned by Daniel Cooper. The ferry services continued into the late 1700s until slavery was abolished in New Jersey in 1804 the last of the Northern states to do so. But the markers are personal for Camden County Historical Society member Sandra Turner-Barnes. Ten years ago, she learned through research that the Cooper family owned some of her ancestors. She is also a descendant of Joshua Sadler, a Maryland slave who escaped in 1820 and helped found a community of former slaves in present-day Haddon Township. She read aloud a poem titled "Camden Slave Block," which she wrote 10 years ago after learning about Camden's slave sites. Standing beside the marker, she said, "This is full circle for me." Civll War re-enactor, Joseph Becton listens to the recounting of contributions by US colored troops during the unveiling of historical storyboards at the Philadelphia National Cemetery, 6909 Limekiln Pike, on Monday afternoon, November 27, 2017. Read more For well more than a century, in the hush of Philadelphia National Cemetery, 350 former slaves and free blacks lay in rest beneath aged headstones, inscribed with names and dates but not a word of what they gave for their country. They were soldiers of the United States Colored Troops, a fierce force of nearly 180,000 men that made up one-tenth of the Union Army during the Civil War. But in the West Oak Lane graveyard, their monumental contribution seemed to have been buried with them. While storyboards in the cemetery told of its history, including the Confederates interred there, they made no mention of the African Americans who fought the Rebels and won. Now, under pressure from champions of that legacy, what has been described variously as an "oversight" and an "injustice" has been set right. The VA National Cemetery Administration has installed a storyboard recounting the history of the USCT, many of whom trained at Camp William Penn in Cheltenham Township and died on battlefields from Virginia to Texas. "It's a Christmas miracle," said Althea Hankins, director of the ACES Museum in Philadelphia, which preserves the history of black and minority military veterans. On Monday, about 30 people, including VA officials and community members who collaborated to provide prose, photos and designs, attended an unveiling ceremony at Philadelphia National Cemetery. The two-by-three-foot polymer storyboard with an aluminum frame is planted in the middle of Section C, where most of the USCT soldiers are buried on a sloping 13-acre field of white headstones. The sign has information on the troops, Camp William Penn, and the soldiers' deaths and burials. It also bears the words of Maj. Gen. Benjamin F. Butler following the 1864 Battle of New Market Heights in Virginia: "The colored soldiers by coolness, steadiness, and determined courage and dash have silenced every cavil of the doubters of their soldierly capacity." Twenty-five African Americans who fought in the Civil War received the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military honor. About 37,000 black troops died during the war, many before they even stepped on the battlefield because of diseases contracted amid deplorable conditions at the training camp. The cemetery is the resting place of Perry Hall, a corporal trained at Camp William Penn and partially blinded when a cannon misfired. He died in 1905. His great-grandson Cicero Green, 83, lives in Elkins Park. "I am extremely proud that they are finally recognizing the contributions the black soldiers made," said Green. "A lot of people just don't know about them." The storyboard joins three others that were installed three years ago at the Philadelphia National Cemetery. One chronicles the 155-year history of the cemetery, founded to receive the bodies of Civil War veterans already interred in nearby graveyards. The other two are dedicated to soldiers buried there: Valley Forge native Galusha Pennypacker, at 20, the youngest-ever brigadier general, and 184 Confederate soldiers wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg who died at nearby hospitals. Recent battles over Confederate monuments had little to do with the installation of the new storyboard, a process that began before the most recent controversies, said Gregory Whitney, who directs the Washington Crossing National Cemetery in Bucks County and oversees the region's four national cemeteries. Still, he said, "it was extremely important, based on our present environment with the Confederate situations, that the USCT be recognized." It happened quickly. Most of the storyboard content and design was completed in late August. The final mock-up was discussed on Oct. 20, and the sign was installed on Nov. 7. The storyboard campaigners have tentatively scheduled a bigger, more elaborate dedication of the marker on April 21, 2018. "I guess you say, the squeaky wheel gets the oil," said Joyce Werkman, president of Citizens for the Restoration of Historical La Mott, a preservation group that runs the Camp William Penn Museum in Cheltenham Township. Werkman was joined by supporters, who included veteran and history buff Ed McLaughlin of Flourtown; Robert Hicks, director of the Mutter Museum in Philadelphia; USCT reenactor Robert F. Houston; and World War II vet Benjamin Berry. Together, they did more than squeak. They made speeches, visited veterans groups, attended meetings, researched USCT history, and wrote letters. And when the government agreed to install the sign, the group pitched in to help. McLaughlin, who had downloaded thousands of USCT records from the National Archive, contributed his research and took photos of headstones. Werkman and the boards of the Camp William Penn Museum and La Mott historical group, of which Houston is a member, contributed photos and copy. Hicks wrote and edited one of the last drafts of copy, enlisted an installation designer from the Mutter Museum, and then represented the group during the editing process with government historian Jennifer Perunko. The storyboard is now one of three in the surrounding area dedicated to the USCT, Hicks said. A historic marker stands at the site of Camp William Penn in the La Mott section of Cheltenham. Another "barely legible" marker is nearby on Washington Lane, Hicks said. Houston is hoping that this will fuel an effort toward accomplishing a longtime goal of the Third Regiment USCT Reenactors and the Camp William Penn Museum: the creation of a local statue commemorating the contributions of the USCT. A mock-up already has been developed. Also looking ahead, McLaughlin would like to start an adopt-a-grave program that would pair veterans buried in the cemeteries with student groups and social organizations as a way to promote the cemetery and the soldiers' history. "I want people to understand what these soldiers went through the fear, the loneliness, the sacrifice," he said. "I want people to realize [the importance] of what we have here." The Rev. Al Sharpton (left) and attorney Joe Tacopina walk out of the State Correctional Institution in Chester after talking to rapper Meek Mill on Monday. Read more The Pennsylvania Superior Court on Tuesday denied Meek Mill's emergency motion to get out on bail while he appeals the decision this month by a Philadelphia judge to send him back to prison. But in what the Philadelphia-born rapper's lawyer called a victory, the appeals court ordered Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Genece E. Brinkley to rule on the bail petition Mill's lawyers filed two weeks ago and explain her reasons "without further delay." "This is good news," said the lawyer, Peter Goldberger, hired because of his expertise in appellate law to challenge the two- to four-year prison term Brinkley imposed on Nov. 6. The Superior Court's ruling came within hours of Mill's motion for an emergency bail order, which complained that Brinkley has not responded to any of Mill's post-sentencing appeals. "As of this filing, more than 10 days after submission [Brinkley] has taken no action not even to schedule a hearing on any petitioner's motions, and in particular not on the bail motion," the emergency habeas corpus petition says. Habeas corpus motions are typically a last resort after a criminal defendant has exhausted other avenues of appeal. And legally, Brinkley has 30 days to respond to Mill's Nov. 14 motions. In the Superior Court petition, however, Goldberger contended that the motion is allowed under state appellate rules "to seek transfer from unlawful to lawful form of custody such as bail, in this case as well as to obtain release from all custody." The motion describes Mill born Robert Williams as being in a "Catch-22" situation: He can't appeal his conviction and sentence to the Superior Court until Brinkley rules on his post-sentence motions, and she "refuses to do so." Brinkley, 61, a city judge since 1993, is prohibited from commenting on the controversy surrounding her by rules of judicial conduct. Her only response so far was on Nov. 17 when she canceled a bail hearing for Mill that had been scheduled through a clerical error. Since Mill was sentenced to prison for violating the terms of his probation in a 2008 drug and gun case, his management company, Roc Nation, has been marshaling his fans and supporters on his behalf. There have been protests outside the city's Criminal Justice Center, buses and billboards calling for the hip-hop star's release, and internet petitions that have been signed by hundreds of thousands of people. Some criminal justice reformers have used Mill as an example of the unfair and disparate treatment meted out to young black men caught up in the court system. On Monday, the Rev. Al Sharpton visited Mill at the state prison in Chester and promised to use his reputation as a civil rights activists and television personality to help Mill and other prisoners. Brinkley imprisoned Mill after he tested positive for using the prescription narcotic Percocet and was arrested in a St. Louis airport altercation and in a traffic violation involving a motorbike in Manhattan. In both arrests, authorities agreed to reduce the charges after Mill entered pretrial diversion programs. The city prosecutor and Mill's probation officer did not recommend that he be sentenced to a prison term for the violations. HARRISBURG The lyrics talked about Glocks and bullets and knowing where two specific police officers slept. The song referenced the Stanton Heights man convicted of killing three Pittsburgh police officers in 2009. It included the words: "Let's kill these cops 'cause they don't do us no good." Now, the state Supreme Court must decide if that rap song is protected free speech under the First Amendment, or if it constituted a "true threat" that properly resulted in a criminal conviction for terroristic threats and witness intimidation. The case, brought by Jamal Knox, 23, of Pittsburgh, one of two men who wrote and performed the song, will be argued before Pennsylvania's highest court Tuesday in Harrisburg. Knox, 23, and Rashee Beasley, 26, also of Pittsburgh, wrote and performed their song in 2012, and someone they say it wasn't them uploaded it to YouTube. Shortly thereafter, they were charged by Pittsburgh police who construed the song's lyrics as threats made specifically against Det. Daniel Zeltner and Officer Michael Kosko, both of whom had previously arrested the men. Following a nonjury trial before Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey A. Manning, both men were found guilty, and in February 2014, Knox was ordered to serve two to six years in state prison. He was released in December 2016. Knox appealed his conviction to the state Superior Court, which upheld it last year. But the state Supreme Court agreed to hear the case based solely on the issue of whether the song qualifies as a threat under the case law or if it is protected free speech. Knox's attorney, Patrick Nightingale, said no evidence was presented at trial that Knox intended to communicate a threat of violence against the officers. "The song was artistic in nature. As a gangster rap artist, Knox considered himself a poet, musician, and entertainer," he argued. "Rap music served as his vehicle for self-expression, self-realization, economic gain, inspiring pride and respect from their peers, and speaking on public issues including police violence, on behalf of him and others who may lack the courage or ability to speak on such issues. "Threatening police was not the intent of Knox's expression." Under U.S. Supreme Court precedent, Mr. Nightingale contended, "true threats are 'those statements where the speaker means to communicate a serious expression of intent to commit an act of unlawful violence to a particular individual or group of individuals.'" Even to be considered a threat, he said, the words need to be conveyed either directly or indirectly to the person in question. That didn't happen in this case, he said. Neither Knox nor Beasley uploaded the song to YouTube, and, Mr. Nightingale said, no proof was presented that they intended for the officers to hear it. But Assistant District Attorney Francesco Nepa said in his brief that the state Supreme Court denied review on the question of whether there was evidence that Knox uploaded the song, and that that issue should not even be considered. Nepa said the U.S. Supreme Court precedent cited by Nightingale does not require an intent to actually carry out the threat but instead is meant to protect the targets "from the fear of violence" and "from the disruption that fear engenders," as well as "from the possibility that the threatened violence will occur." In this instance, the officers said that they felt fearful when they heard the lyrics, he said. When they arrested Knox and Beasley, a loaded firearm was found in the car, "making the threats of violence expressed in the song that much more real," Mr. Nepa wrote, and the officers still were witnesses in the case against them at the time the song was written. Nepa contended that the song is a true threat that deserves no First Amendment protection, adding, "'artistic creation' does not give its creator license to say anything that he wants without fear of repercussion." In a friend-of-the-court brief, the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania argued that artistic expression is often disturbing, offensive, and shocking. "This is especially true of rap, Knox's musical genre," attorneys wrote. "As scholars of the genre have described it, rap is a form of political expression that gives voice to urban poverty, street crime, and limited life options, and a criminal justice system that sweeps up young men of color." To determine if the song represents a true threat, the ACLU brief continued, the court must determine the defendant's state of mind. "A review of the record reveals that the commonwealth did not meet this standard, failing to establish that Knox intentionally, with purpose, expressed and communicated a terroristic threat." pward@post-gazette.com, 412-263-2620 or on Twitter: @PaulaReedWard Firefighters battle a five-alarm blaze at the Barclay Friends Nursing Home in West Chester on Nov. 16, 2017. Read more Nearly two weeks after a five-alarm blaze destroyed a West Chester senior living complex, the four residents who died in the late-night conflagration were publicly identified Tuesday by the Chester County Coroner's Office. The victims were Mildred E. Gadde, 93, and Theresa J. Malloy, 85, and a married couple, Delores G. Parker, 89, and Thomas F. Parker, 92. All died of smoke inhalation, according to the coroner; the manner of death was pending. Their identification brings to a close one of the unanswered questions from the devastating fire at Barclay Friends that broke out around 10:45 p.m. on Nov. 16, sending 133 elderly residents and 15 staff members scrambling to safety and jolting families from their sleep. In surrounding homes, neighbors saw an orange glow and rushed to help. For nearly three hours, firefighters worked to extinguish the flames, which reduced a two-story assisted-living building to rubble and left investigative officials unable to enter the structure for days due to unsafe conditions. For days afterward, the only certainty was that four residents remained unaccounted for. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Chester County Fire Marshal's Office were still investigating the fire's cause and origin but were no longer on the scene at 700 N. Franklin St. Early this week, they continued to interview people in the hope of identifying additional witnesses, ATF spokeswoman Charlene Hennessy said. Because the ATF has found no evidence that the fire was set, the Chester County District Attorney's Office said it was longer involved in the investigation. Hennessy said no further updates from the ATF would be provided until Thursday. Late Tuesday, a few details emerged about some of the victims. Thomas Parker worked at the S.H. Bell Co., a warehousing and stevedore firm based in Pittsburgh, and served in the Army Air Force in World War II. Parker flew at least 15 missions during the war, according to Robert A. Coaltar, executive director of the Texas-based Army Air Corps Library and Museum. John M. Bell, owner of the Pittsburgh company, recalled that Parker was small in stature, so he was assigned as a nose gunner. "Because of his size, he fit in there," Bell said Tuesday. Parker was hired by Bell's father on June 1, 1952, as an accountant, and retired as the company's treasurer on April 1, 1990, Bell said. "He was a nice guy, a family man," Bell said. Parker and his wife were involved in Pittsburgh's South Avenue United Methodist Church, according to a receptionist there. A daughter and a son-in-law of the Parkers declined to speak with a reporter. Last week, Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan announced that four residents remained unaccounted for after the blaze. By Thanksgiving, remains of all four had been recovered, but authorities did not publicly identify any of the victims until Tuesday. Many questions about the cause of the fire, the building, and its sprinkler system remain unanswered by officials. Among them: Was the building's sprinkler system operating? Fraser Engerman, a spokesman for Johnson Control Inc., the parent corporation of Barclay Friends' sprinkler company, declined to comment when asked if the sprinkler system functioned properly during the Barclay fire. But he said his firm "is assisting authorities and currently gathering information to find out more details about the fire." Was there any recent work to the building's electrical, gas, or water systems? A review Tuesday by the Inquirer and Daily News of building permits provided by the Borough of West Chester for the facility does not appear to indicate permitted work in past months. Was the structure protected by a fire-suppression system with sprinklers in each room as well as in the attic? Officials for Barclay Friends declined to comment. A review of building plans and permits, only made available Tuesday afternoon, did not provide an immediate answer. What type of sprinkler system was installed? Spokesman Larry Elveru of Kendal Corp., parent company of Barclay Friends, declined to comment in an email, citing the ongoing investigation. Messages left with the Chester County fire marshal were not returned. What does the ATF say about the sprinkler system? The agency would not answer questions about the system. Its National Response Team had sole possession of the facility's plans and permits for at least the last week and they were only made available Tuesday afternoon. Based on news reports, what questions do fire-safety experts have about the fire? Richard Skinner, a former fire marshal in New Jersey who said he was a consultant involved in the Station nightclub fire in Rhode Island that killed 100 people in 2003, questioned whether the sprinkler system was fully operational. "If it was fully sprinkled, there is no way that building should have come down like that," Skinner said. He said that the system might not have been able to put out the fire but that it should have kept it from spreading. Staff writers Mark Fazlollah, William Bender, and Mari A. Schaefer contributed to this article. Alan Butkovitz is retiring after 12 years as the City Controller and he talks about his time in public service. MICHAEL BRYANT / Staff Photographer Read more It was as if Alan Butkovitz had rehearsed the line many times. Seconds earlier, the outgoing city controller had been cracking a joke about the response he expects to get after issuing one of his last critical audit reports. Asked about what his plans are once he leaves office, he abruptly stops laughing, straightens up in his seat, and places his forearms on the conference table. He'll take some time off, he says, and "see what comes." Then, the pivot: "I think a number of the issues we are talking with regards to the schools and the future of the city are important, and they need to be aggressively pursued from whatever position." After 12 years in an office he almost seemed to stumble into, and one he shaped as his own, Butkovitz got unexpectedly shoved out this year from within his own party. But at age 65, he's not riding off into retirement. Butkovitz wants to be mayor. He won't say it outright, and is far from officially declaring a challenge to Mayor Kenney in 2019. But he's been eyeing the mayor's seat since 2014 even hiring consultants for a 2015 bid he never launched and the campaign-like answers he gives in a nearly two-hour interview this month leave little doubt. He says he has been a "rebel" against the Democratic party. He says the city's financial situation is "worrisome." He finds a way, in a bit of intra-party blasphemy, to compare Kenney to President Trump. "The city's position on the real estate tax versus the wage tax is the same as the Trump and Paul Ryan position on federal taxes," he says, growing more frustrated with every word. "The tax cuts will go to people at the top, and the people that are going to have the tax increases will be lower in the income ladder. And that's the same thing we are doing locally." Such a bold poke-in-the-eye against a generally popular incumbent from your own party runs against the grain of city politics. But Butkovitz has never quite followed the usual script. After losing his state representative races in 1976 and 1982, the Temple grad and Wynnefield native figured he wasn't cut out for elected office. So he helped other campaigns. Then, in 1990, the seat representing the 174th District in Philadelphia's Northeast suddenly opened up. "I was the lawyer for the ward, and I was connected to most of the decision-makers," Butkovitz recalled. "All of a sudden the gates opened and what I thought would never be available was I was practically thrust into it." In his first year, he worked to repeal an income-tax exemption that had the support of most Democrats, a move that left him on shaky ground with his own party. After failing to get a leadership post in Harrisburg, Butkovitz started looking for his next gig. In 2004, he had been raising money for a possible state auditor general campaign when then-City Controller Jonathan Saidel decided against a reelection bid. With $270,000 already in his campaign coffers and no standout competition Butkovitz easily won the job, taking on an office that now has a $9 million budget and 140 employees. In his three terms as controller, he relished the chance to portray himself as the watchdog for City Hall finances and operations. He liked the power, maybe even the fights, so much so that the oft-staid Mayor Nutter once accused Butkovitz of having a "narcissistic personality disorder that seems to compel the need for constant public attention." (Butkovitz countered that Nutter would issue such insults when Nutter was trying to hide something.) His first year brought a public battle with Schools Superintendent Paul Vallas over how the school district was managing hundreds of millions of dollars. Butkovitz declared it his first real test, "my Bay of Pigs." In time, Butkovitz raised the office's profile with frequent news conferences whether criticizing a department's misuse of money or offering policy ideas to improve a sliver of city government. He moved from a mostly routine departmental audit operation checking on petty cash to issuing performance audits that looked at what departments did with public funds. His audits discovered that many police cameras weren't working, that rescue squad cars were late 40 percent of the time, and that the Department of Licenses and Inspections simply wasn't doing its job to keep the public safe. The reports usually were followed by rebuttals and criticism from the Nutter administration. Not all facts were there, officials would say. Or they were already addressing the situation, the administration contended. The clashes infuriated both office-holders and made for a toxic relationship. After Butkovitz released a report last year that said Nutter aide Desiree Peterkin Bell had used the nonprofit Mayor's Fund as a "slush fund," Nutter countered with his own statement calling Butkovitz "a snake, a liar, and a hypocrite." (The dispute still lives: An investigation into the fund by the Attorney General's Office is still pending.) Still, Butkovitz has struggled to be taken seriously by government officials, some who saw him as reactive and playing politics, and by political insiders who thought he was always looking for the next best thing. Despite having the establishment's support, he lost this spring's Democratic primary to Rebecca Rhynhart, a political novice who worked under Nutter and Kenney. Local Democratic Party boss U.S. Rep. Bob Brady said Butkovitz's ambitions might have cost him reelection. "Everyone knew he had intentions to run for mayor and figured he didn't want to be controller," Brady said. Butkovitz has a different opinion: He thinks ward leaders and other supporters assumed he was safe in the primary and focused instead on the controversial district attorney's race, leaving him vulnerable. Now he is poised to clash with someone else in his own party: the mayor. When Kenney came into office in 2016, Butkovitz hardly criticized the new mayor. That changed in Year Two of the Kenney administration, notably when Butkovitz started attacking Kenney's signature policy a tax on sugary beverages to pay for universal prekindergarten and the revamp of many of the city's parks, playgrounds, and recreation centers. The Kenney administration has aimed to discredit Butkovitz's criticism by saying he simply wants the beverage industry's backing for whatever his political future holds. As Butkovitz tried to link Kenney to Trump, the mayor's spokeswoman fired back by likening the controller to another controversial office-holder: Frank Rizzo. "The controller's suggested tax policy sounds an awful lot like Philadelphia in the age of Rizzo, with a ballooning wage tax that created economic problems for the city for decades," spokeswoman Lauren Hitt said Friday. "It's clear the controller's grasp of economics and tax policy is weak at best, which is why voters rejected him by an unprecedented margin." The constant clashes with mayors are an "inherent" part of the job, Butkovitz said. He can't say he didn't enjoy them. And if luck again turns his way, maybe he'll learn what it's like to be on the receiving end of a controller's attack. So, will there be a mayoral campaign? Butkovitz laughs. One point is undeniable, he says: He will not be running "for anything but mayor." A federal judge refused to block President Trump's choice of budget director Mick Mulvaney from serving as acting director of the prominent federal consumer watchdog agency on Tuesday, denying a request by Leandra English, the No. 2 official at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, to serve in his stead. In denying English's request for a temporary restraining order, U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly acknowledged that the case raised consitutional issues that would have to be resolved in further legal action. English, represented by former CFPB litigation counsel Deepak Gupta, indicated she would pursue an injunction. Kelly, a Trump appointee who joined the federal court in Washington in September, ruled after departing chief Richard Cordray resigned Friday and promoted English, his chief of staff, to deputy director and named her his successor as acting director. Trump responded by naming Mulvaney, triggering an unusual power struggle after English filed a lawsuit late Sunday. English argued that the 2010 Dodd-Frank act that established the agency after the financial crisis laid out a specific plan of succession authorizing the deputy director to take over until a White House nominee is confirmed by the Senate. English also argued that a sitting White House head of the Office of Management and Budget could not hold two hats by simultaneously heading the independent financial regulator. Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate had argued that Trump had authority under an earlier law, the 1998 Presidential Vacancies Reform Act, and cited supporting opinions by the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel and the CFPB's general counsel. The hearing followed two chaotic days when the rival appointees claimed to lead the bureau. On Tuesday, Mulvaney started a new Twitter account @CFPBdirector and posted a picture of himself at a desk with an American flag in the background. "Busy day at the @CFPB. Digging into the details," the tweet says. Meanwhile, English said too she was busy running the department. "Today, I plan on spending the day at CFPB headquarters taking calls and meetings with external stakeholders and bureau staff," English said in a statement Tuesday. The CFPB was created after the financial crisis to target unfair or abusive practices by financial institutions offering consumer products, including credit cards, mortgages and loans. Republicans have sought to rein in the agency for years as part of efforts to roll back banking industry regulations, saying it is unaccountable to elected officials and harms economic growth by unfairly burdening companies. The Trump administration got its chance to wrest control Friday, when longtime director Richard Cordray resigned and promoted his chief of staff, English to deputy director, saying she would serve as acting director until the Senate confirmed his permanent replacement. Trump hours later announced that Mulvaney would take the job. Democrats and consumer advocates have supported the CFPB's aggressive actions against big financial institutions, and in her lawsuit, English said Congress intended the bureau to be independent of political pressure from the White House. Asked by Kelly on Monday why the court should undertake the "extraordinary remedy" of blocking the president from exercising the power of his office, English's attorney said, "I don't deny it's extraordinary. This is an extraordinary case." English's attorney, Gupta, formerly the bureau's senior litigation counsel, argued that English properly took over under an explicit plan of succession set out by the Dodd-Frank law when it created the CFPB, providing for a deputy to serve as acting director until a successor is confirmed. Appointing Mulvaney, a "sitting White House official" and an outspoken critic of the bureau, to lead the agency would run counter to Congress's intent and explicit provisions, Gupta said. Gupta said English was not requesting that the president be barred from appointing a new bureau director subject to Senate confirmation, but that he be blocked from "appointing or recognizing" a temporary chief, and that Mulvaney be prohibited from taking charge. Gupta asked that the judge rule as "expeditiously as possible" in a way that could be immediately appealed. "Everyone needs to know who is director of the bureau," Gupta said. Gupta said that English also carried out bureau business Monday, going into the bureau Monday morning, emailing employees, and meeting with lawmakers including Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) in her capacity as acting director through the afternoon. Arguing for the government, Brett Shumate, deputy assistant attorney general for federal programs, said that the Federal Vacancies Act, enacted in 1988, gave the president the authority to appoint Mulvaney, citing a Friday memorandum by the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel, and a memo distributed Monday by the bureau's current general counsel. Mulvaney was at the bureau Monday, issuing orders, meeting with senior aides and reviewing transition briefing materials, Shumate said, and the imposition by a judge of a different leader would only sow more confusion and disruption. Asked by Kelly if the government would agree that English would not be fired to remove some of the urgency from the matter, Shumate said, he could not "give any representation or assurance on that score." Accused Philadelphia police officers included, top left to right, Thomas Liciardello, Perry Betts, Linwood Norman, and bottom left to right, Brian Reynolds, John Speiser, and Michael Spicer. Read more What's the cost of alleged police misconduct in Philadelphia? For the alleged misdeeds of a few narcotics officers, it's $2 million in civil case settlements so far, with at least $8 million more expected to come. The officers were cleared of criminal charges of roughing up drug suspects, stealing their money, and falsifying evidence in 2015, but the civil cases are mounting. Civil cases are a lot easier to win than criminal cases, which have a higher threshold of proof. The city has been quietly settling civil cases brought by a slew of people claiming to be victims. Most of the payouts have ranged from $1,500 to $85,000, but one went as high as $625,000, and future settlements could be much higher. Add to that the cost in human suffering. The Mayfair woman who received the $625,000 settlement spent three years in jail. She was convicted, but later cleared, of selling Xanax to an undercover informant in 2006. She testified that the drugs were used by her longtime companion to treat renal failure. A decade later, Marcia Hintz couldn't hold back the tears when she told reporters Chris Palmer, Samantha Melamed, and Mark Fazlollah about her experiences. The judge who convicted her believed the cop. That happens too frequently even though judges are required to consider evidence with equal care whether it comes from a police officer or a person charged with a crime. The city and District Attorney's Office aren't automatically accepting police testimony. As a result, they have tossed out 1,000 drug cases so far,with 240 more under review. How much court time and money was wasted on these cases is unknown. As for the accused narcotics cops, five are back on the payroll. One retired. A seventh pleaded guilty, testified against his former partners, and is testifying in the civil cases. In the wake of these and other cases, the city is taking steps to stop bad behavior. It is buying more police body cameras and hiring a new director for the Police Advisory Commission, which has been an ineffective watchdog. The new director must step up the commission's game and be more open with the public when police misbehave. Just as important, more needs to be done to address the tendency of some judges and juries to be biased in favor of police. This isn't just a Philadelphia problem. In high-profile cases in Baltimore, New York City, suburban Minneapolis, and elsewhere, judges and juries would not convict police accused of killing or injuring black suspects despite strong evidence. Judges and juries need to understand that good and bad cops wear the same uniform, and that it is the judges' and juries' role during a trial to try their best to tell the difference. Otherwise, faith in the justice system, which has taken some well-deserved knocks recently, will be further undermined. District Attorney-elect Larry Krasner campaigned on a promise to go hard on bad police behavior. That task is even more important given the misdeeds of his predecessor, Seth Williams, who is in jail for selling his office for vacations, furniture, and cash. Unless evidence presented by police is carefully scrutinized by the DA before charging suspects, Philadelphia will continue to pay a high price for tarnished justice. NASA's upcoming Europa Clipper mission will send a spacecraft to explore Jupiter's icy moon Europa. Over the course of 45 flybys, ranging from 2,700 to just 25 kilometers, the mission will explore whether or not the moon is habitable, and pave the way for a potential future lander that will directly search for the life. The spacecraft itself is on track to launch as early as 2022, providing the White House and Congress continue funding the mission at its required pace. But whether or not Clipper actually launches in 2022, and what rocket it uses, is another matter. NASA recently announced the first flight of the Space Launch System, which is the current rocket of choice, won't happen until at least December 2019, and more likely, closer to June 2020. This further complicates what was already a messy tangle of politics, programmatic challenges and orbital mechanics. When and how? NASA has debated the priority of Clipper with Congress since before the mission's inception. With an estimated price tag between $3 and $4 billion, according to a GAO analysis, the agency worries how Clipper will impact other planetary science programs. A line in NASA's 2018 budget request states the agency's current position as such: "NASA does not recommend acceleration of the launch to 2022, given potential impacts to the rest of the Science portfolio." Congressparticularly, Texas House Representative John Culbersonhas tried to alleviate those concerns by feeding more money to planetary science, earmarking $275 million directly to the Clipper mission for 2017 alone. That money came with a mandate, written into law, that NASA will launch the mission in 2022 using the Space Launch System. Just how much wiggle room NASA has on that mandate is tricky to decipher. Policy experts told me the only enforcement mechanism is pulling the project's funding, and if SLS isn't ready to fly, the directive could be a moot point, anyway. Furthermore, the requirement did not come with any additional money to make it happen; who would pay for an extra SLS flight remains unclear. NASA, perhaps skeptical that it can afford to fly Clipper on SLS without additional funding, also addressed the situation in the 2018 budget: "The Europa [funding estimates] above assumes an Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle [specifically, a Delta IV Heavy or Falcon Heavy], as the cost of an SLS flight is not yet known." NASA's official Clipper mission materials have also not adjusted to Congress's mandate, merely estimating a launch in the 2020s. Any other rocket besides SLSincluding SpaceX's upcoming Falcon Heavylacks the power to blast Clipper directly from Earth to Jupiter. A conventional rocket would rely on three gravity assists from Earth and one from Venus, increasing the transit time from about 2.7 years to 7.5 years. Because it's hotter at Venus, Clipper would have to carry thermal baffles and use materials that withstand higher temperatures, increasing the spacecraft's complexity. At the moment, the Clipper program is still designing the spacecraft with those Venus requirements in mind. SLS delay impact A Clipper launch aboard SLS in 2022 is even more uncertain in the wake of NASA's announcement that the first flight, Exploration Mission 1 (EM-1), won't launch until at least December 2019, and as late as June 2020. After that, there will be a 33-month pause while the rocket's ground systems are upgraded to handle a new upper stage. Direct-to-Jupiter launch windows have tight, 3-week constraints, and occur about every 13 months. The first launch window runs from June 4 through June 24, 2022. Even if SLS embarks on its first mission in December 2019, it won't be ready again by the end of the first window on June 24, 2022, and the next Clipper launch opportunity isn't until July 2023. That means NASA can't currently meet Congress's requirement that Clipper launch on SLS in 2022. This runs counter to recent statements made by William Gerstenmaier, NASA's associate administrator for human spaceflight exploration and operations, during a recent hearing held by the House space subcommittee. When asked if the SLS launch delay would impact Clipper timing, Gerstenmaier said, "There's really no impact there. We can support pretty much whatever the science mission directorate needs for that mission, and we'll figure out whether it occurs after the first flight or after the second flight to meet their needs." Why the 33-month delay? At the heart of this messy situation is the 33-month stand-down after EM-1. Here's the background: SLS was such an expensive, ambitious rocket, it couldn't be built all at once. NASA opted to make the vehicle design evolvable, getting more powerful over time with an advanced upper stage, and eventuallyso the plan goesliquid-fueled boosters. For EM-1, NASA is using an off-the-shelf Delta IV upper stage. The new upper stage, which will be introduced for the crewed, second flight (EM-2), will make the vehicle 13 meters taller. A 13-meter height change triggers a staggering amount of modifications to the mobile launcher, or MLthe tower holding all the rocket's support equipment, such as propellant, power, and access for pad workers. Last May we covered the new swimwear line that costume designers Reid Bartelme and Harriet Jung, otherwise known as Reid & Harriet Design, created based on Justin Peck costumes. The duo, known for their work with top companies including New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and Miami City Ballet, are just as skilled at creating whimsical yet streamlined costumes as they are at rethinking the role that design plays in dance. Designers are often seen as filling a need verse creating art, says Bartelme, noting that he and Jung often feel that theyre at the very bottom of the production totem pole. This fall, the twosome have taken matters into their own hands. As Resident Fellows at New York Universitys Center for Ballet and the Arts, Bartelme and Jung are taking a different approach to creating a ballet: starting with the designs. Bartelme and Jung equate this to the early 20th century model used by Sergei Diaghilevs Ballets Russes, where the composer, choreographer and designer had equal importance, contributing to the gesamtkunstwerk, or total work of art. Productions by the Ballets Russes featured designs by Pablo Picasso, Coco Chanel and Henri Matisse. Last week Bartelme and Jung presented their work in an informal seminar at CBA. They chose to work with The Nutcrackerseasonally appropriate, yes, but also the countrys most-performed ballet. In addition to the role of designer and director, Jung and Bartelme acted as dramaturges for their production, delving deep into the storied ballets history from page to stage. Rather than look at the way that companies interpret The Nutcracker today, they looked to the original story by E.T.A. Hoffmann and the later interpretation by Alexandre Dumas for inspiration. The result? A Nutcracker unlike any weve ever seen. Courtesy Reid and Harriet Design. Jung and Bartelmes Nutcracker is set in the 1950s. Why? It has a clear aesthetic as well as strong conservative conventions for Marie to rebel against in the second act. First off we see Maries family at their Christmas gathering. Smaller than the conventional Nutcracker party scene, this intimate celebration aligns more closely to Hoffmanns tale. Marie is set downstage in a simple blue dress, which the designers compare to the blue dresses worn by Alice in Alice in Wonderland and Dorothy in The Wizard of Oztwo other young, storybook women who feel confined by their respective societies and so escape to magical lands. Other details to note are the gilded owl clock on the wall, a detail included in Hoffmanns story, as well as the 1950s style cherry jello mold on the center of the table which will soon open up to expose a world within, Bartelme and Jungs replacement for the classic dollhouse. Courtesy Reid and Harriet Design. Here we get a glimpse inside the cherry palace, which the designers modeled off the palace in Disneys Cinderella (released in 1950). Drosselmeier, in his yellow suit and glass wig (details from Hoffmann), stands out among the cherry people. The mermaid and cabbage dolls in the center were inspired by the original stage notes. Bartelme and Jungs design for the mermaid doll came from the mermaid used in1950s advertisements for Chicken of the Sea tuna fish. Courtesy Reid and Harriet Design. The detailing on Bartelme and Jungs mouse costumes are based on Queen Elizabeths mid-century regalia; theyve even named their head mice Elizabeth and Philip. Courtesy Reid and Harriet Design. The Nutcracker himself is designed after one of the most popular toys in the 1950s: Mr. Potato Head. His violet suit and green miners cap come from Hoffmanns descriptions. Courtesy Reid and Harriet Design. Bartelme and Jungs Land of Sweets opens with a waltz of powdered sugar crystals instead of snow. Unlike traditional Nutcrackers, these costumes, like all to come in the land of sweets, are unisex. Reid and Bartelme see the magical land of the ballets second act as a representation of freedom and creativity, where the restraints of societyincluding gender normsare done away with. Courtesy Reid and Harriet Design. This is seen most clearly with the Dragee Fairy. Rather than sugar plums, according to Bartelme and Jung, the candy that the Sugarplum Fairy is named for in the original story are dragees, a hard Jordan Almond-like delicacy. The designers took dragee to the next leveldrag. Their lead fairy can be danced on or off pointe by either a man or a woman. Courtesy Reid and Harriet Design. Bartelme and Jungs versions of the divertissements come from Hoffmann and Dumas original descriptions. Instead of Chocolate, theyll have basins of whipped cream. Do we sense a little competition with Ratmansky? Courtesy Reid and Harriet Design. Hoffmanns silver swans with gold-banded necks will replace what is usually known as Coffee or Arabian. Courtesy Reid and Harriet Design. According to Jung, in the Hoffmann story Marie is described as being served a meal on Japanese porcelain. So Jung found a porcelain pattern from the Edo period in Japan and recreated it on these costumes. Theyre just tea cups, inanimate objects, instead of a caricature of a culture, she says. Courtesy Reid and Harriet Design. Unlike most of their descriptions, the replacement for Russian or Trepak comes from a line by Dumas; gigantic brioches. Courtesy Reid and Harriet Design. Bartelme and Jung felt that the Mother Ginger figure had become stale (no pun intended), and instead chose to use a type of gingerbread cookies that Hoffmann describes called springerle. Figures dressed in medieval garb will pop out of the cookies. Courtesy Reid and Harriet Design. Here we have the finale of the Land of Sweets, which Bartelme and Jung call the Dragee Cave. Alongside Japanese Tea, Whipped Cream, Gigantic Brioches and others are Pearl Headed Emerald Pages (a replacement for Balanchines child angels), a Candied Pear and a Poppy. Adjacent to the Dragee Fairy is Jung and Bartelmes replacement for the Dewdrop Fairythe Lily of the Valley Fairy. Courtesy Reid and Harriet Design. For Bartelme and Jung, the final pas de deux will become a pas de trois between Marie (we love her modern pant pajamas), the Dragee Fairy and the Nutcracker. In their version, Marie chooses to stay in the land of sweets and live an unconventional life. A 40-year-old Delaware State Police officer died Friday while on a run with his son, reports the News Journal. Sgt. Rodney H. Bond, a 14-year state police veteran, died unexpectedly near his home, Master Cpl. Melissa Jaffe said. Sgt. Rodney Bond (Photo: Delaware State Police) Medical examiners have not declared the cause of death yet and police cannot confirm, but Lighthouse Baptist Church of Delaware said on Facebook Bond died of a heart attack. Superintendent Col. Nathaniel McQueen Jr. asked the community to keep his family and members of the Delaware State Police in thoughts and prayers as they mourn the loss. Bond was in the criminal investigations unit and was the school resource officer supervisor. He also was a member of the Delaware State Police Honor Guard. A police officer shot and wounded a man suspected of stealing from a store at The Parks at Arlington mall who pointed a weapon at him Sunday afternoon, reports the Dallas Morning News. Two on-duty Arlington, TX, officers, who were in uniform, responded to a report of a theft about 4:30 p.m. at the Sunglass Hut at the mall, police Lt. Christopher Cook said. One uniformed officer stayed on the upper deck of the mall and the second was on the lower floor. Mall security staff also reported on a two-way radio that they were following the man, who had reportedly stolen two pairs of sunglasses, police said. Photo: Arlington PD/Twitter Police said the man fled from security and got on the escalator to the second floor, near the food court. He pulled out what police said was later found to be an imitation weapon and pointed it at the police officer on the first floor. Believing that it was a real gun, the officer fired at the man, striking him, Cook said. The suspect, who is in his early 20s, was taken to an area hospital. His condition was unavailable Sunday evening and authorities released no additional information. No other injuries were reported. Like almost everyone else in America, thieves tend to carry their cellphones with them to work. When they use their phones on the job, police find it easier to do their jobs. They can get cellphone tower records that help place suspects in the vicinity of crimes, and they do so thousands of times a year, reports the Associated Press. Activists across the political spectrum, media organizations, and technology experts are among those arguing that it is altogether too easy for authorities to learn revealing details of Americans lives merely by examining records kept by Verizon, T-Mobile, and other cellphone service companies. On Wednesday, the Supreme Court hears its latest case about privacy in the digital age. At issue is whether police generally need a warrant to review the records. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Senate Majority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said that he never turned down a meeting with former President Obama, but McConnell was lying. Video of McConnell: .@SenateMajLdr: "I never refused to go to a meeting that Pres. Obama calledThat strikes me as a lack of seriousness about the matter before us." https://t.co/pSJDxVD1mM pic.twitter.com/GKzssyfpDF ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) November 28, 2017 McConnell said, I never refused to go to a meeting that President Obama called. A bipartisan meeting. It never occurred to me that I could just say to President Obama, Im not showing up. That strikes me as a lack of seriousness about the matter before us. The Senate Majority Leader was lying. Mitch McConnell and Republicans refused to go to a bipartisan dinner with President Obama in 2011. The Huffington Post reported at the time: Obama spokesmen have generally avoided portraying the move as a deliberate brush-off by Republicans.An official statement from the White House ascribed the dinners move to Nov. 30 to scheduling conflicts, and White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters in an off-camera briefing on Thursday, Sen. McConnell does not make it a regular practice of showing us his daily schedule. Again, we are looking forward to sitting down with leaders on both sides on November 30. What the Democrats did wasnt act of disrespect to Trump. It was a message that if the government shuts down, the consequences will fall on Trump and the Republican majority in Congress. Blaming Democrats is not going to get them out of the mess that they are creating. Trump and the GOP are drowning, and Democrats arent about to throw them a life preserver. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print (Reuters) North Korea fired a ballistic missile, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported, citing South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff. The missile flew to the east and the South Korean military is analyzing details of the launch with the United States, South Koreas joint chiefs said, according to the report. Two authoritative U.S. government sources said earlier that U.S. government experts believed North Korea could conduct a new missile test within days, in what would be its first launch since it fired a missile over Japan in mid-September. (Reporting by Tim Ahmann in Washington; additional reporting by Mark Hosenball in Washington; editing by Dan Grebler) ``Let the memory of the Titanic be not about the failure of technology but about the enduring greatness of the human spirit,'' St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman said during the ceremony. ap photo By Gregg Aamot Associated Press ST. PAUL -- The voice of the Titanic, silenced for nearly 87 years, boomed deep and steady as one of the ship's bronze whistles recovered from the ocean floor was sounded twice. Thousands of people standing in city streets responded with cheers, applause and whistles after the brief blasts, which occurred about two minutes apart shortly after 4 p.m. Saturday. The whistle-sounding ceremony was held outside the old Union Depot where other artifacts from the Titanic are on display through April. ``That's great, that's great, that's great,'' enthused Thomas Goulding of Maplewood, who said he has been intrigued by the Titanic since he heard stories about the sunken ocean liner as a boy in Ireland. ``I love it. I've always been fascinated with the sea,'' Goulding said. Police estimated the crowd on the cold but sunny afternoon to be between 80,000 and 100,000 -- much higher than the 2,000 to 3,000 organizers had predicted. ADVERTISEMENT Songs like ``Mon Coeur S'Ouvre A Ta Voix'' (My Heart At Thy Sweet Voice) and others that were played by The White Star Orchestra as the ship sank were piped into the crowd while it waited for the three-bell whistle to sound. ``Let the memory of the Titanic be not about the failure of technology but about the enduring greatness of the human spirit,'' Mayor Norm Coleman said during the ceremony. The Rev. Francis Heofgen of St. John's University blessed the whistle and led a moment of prayer before it was sounded. Heofgen's presence was fitting because one of the Titanic victims was a Benedictine monk, Joseph Peruschitz, who was bound for St. John's Abbey where he was going to teach at the preparatory school in Collegeville. Peruschitz was said to be one of two priests who, at the very end, gathered passengers around them on deck as the ship began to sink. After the whistle sounded the second time, three bursts of white fireworks were set off from the roof of the depot to replicate the distress flares that were sent from the ship. The sound of the whistle was not as impressive as some had expected. ``It made a smooth, low roar that just kind of built. It wasn't as loud as I had hoped, but it was nice,'' said Dennis Horn, 51, of Eau Claire, Wis. ``I thought it sounded like a foghorn,'' his wife, Helen Horn, 51, said from her vantage point at a Union Depot doorway. ``I had hoped it would be more shrill and deafening.'' To avoid damage, workers sent compressed air rather than steam through the 750-pound whistle and used less pressure than it was designed to withstand. ADVERTISEMENT Air was blown through the whistle during tests last week to make sure it wouldn't crack from age and decades submerged in saltwater. Local promoter Erich Mische said his research shows the last time one of the Titanic's whistles was heard was 12:15 a.m., April 15, 1912, after the liner's collision with the iceberg. Other experts said the whistles remained quiet after the crash. They say the whistles probably sounded at noon April 14 during a routine test. The whistle sounded Saturday had adorned the foreward smokestack and was recovered from the wreck in 1993.@et Four score and seven years ago ... Majed Issac Ijong, the area man on the run after being accused of sexually assaulting a child, was found and arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service over the weekend in California. He's expected to waive extradition in a California court and be brought back to Rochester, where he'll face two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, all felonies. Other criminal charges are expected in connection with his flight from authorities. The investigation began Oct. 13, when deputies responded to a home in Stewartville for a report of disorderly conduct. It was the child's mother, who admitted to "flipping out" after learning about the alleged abuse. She told officers she reacted after her child told her Ijong had sexually assaulted her, the report says. ADVERTISEMENT The victim, who is younger than 13, told investigators Ijong had touched her genitals both under and over her clothing, the complaint says. The abuse included oral contact, the court document continues. At the time of the disclosure, Ijong was in detox; he was released before a law enforcement hold could be placed, and apparently immediately left the area. Officials believed he may have left the state; indeed, he did, said Sgt. Kirby Long of the Olmsted County Sheriff's Office. Ijong spent some time with family members in Las Vegas, but they kicked him out after discovering he was wanted by law enforcement, the report says. He then traveled to central California, where he also has relatives. Ijong was arrested in Pacific Grove , and remains in custody while awaiting extradition to Minnesota. The child's mother was allegedly with Ijong in Las Vegas, Long said; a female was with him at the time of his arrest in California, the report says, but it's unknown if it's the same woman. A Rochester man made his first appearance last week in Olmsted County District Court, where he faces multiple charges related to child pornography. Michael David Kleiber, 43, of 3528 19th Ave. NW, has been charged with 10 counts of dissemination of pornographic work involving minors, 10 counts of possession of pornographic work involving minors and one count of fifth-degree controlled substance possession. All are felonies. Kleiber remains in custody in lieu of $30,000 conditional bail and is due back in court Dec. 6. The investigation began in July, when an agent with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension discovered multiple items of apparent child porn had been downloaded by an internet subscriber in Rochester. The agent obtained a search warrant for the address; a hard drive found in a computer in a bedroom associated with Kleiber contained additional images and videos of child porn, the criminal complaint says. ADVERTISEMENT Officers assisting in the search of Kleiber's bedroom also recovered 5.3 grams of marijuana, more than two grams of methamphetamine and bottles containing various medication capsules, court documents say. Kleiber allegedly admitted the drugs found in the room belonged to him and were for personal use. The dissemination charges carry a maximum penalty of seven years in prison, a $10,000 fine or both. The child porn possession charges and the drug possession charge are both punishable by up to five years in prison, a $5,000 fine or both. A Rochester man is behind bars after police say he was driving with an alcohol content more than three times the legal limit to drive. Harland Morehart, 47, faces a felony DUI count after he allegedly rear-ended a vehicle that was stopped in front of him. Police already were aware of his driving conduct, said Capt. John Sherwin, thanks to a caller who was following the vehicle because "it was all over the road." As the caller spoke with dispatch, Morehart's car struck another vehicle at the intersection of 37th Street and North Broadway Avenue, the report says. The crash occurred about 8 p.m. Sunday. A preliminary breath test at the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center indicated an alcohol content of 0.29, Sherwin said. ADVERTISEMENT No injuries were reported. A retail makeover is on the way for the face of the Med City. In the local beauty business scene, it long has been rumored the national makeup, perfume, hair-care products and skin lotion chain, Ulta Beauty, longingly was looking at Rochester with its smoky eyes. It's no longer just a rumor. "I can confirm that Ulta Beauty has signed a lease for Rochester, MN. The store is scheduled to open in the late 2018," spokeswoman Carolyn Sutphensaid by email this week. In April, she said there were no plans for a location. So, it looks as if this project picked up speed in the second half of the year. ADVERTISEMENT Bolingbrook, Ill.-based Ulta, described as "the largest beauty retailer in the United States," is listed as a tenant in the new development under construction on the corner of South Broadway and Third Avenue. Twin Cities-based Ryan Cos.has been working on that project since 2015, when the company first started talking to Rochester Public Schoolsabout buying the former Golden Hill School. Eventually, Ryan bought it for $1.7 million, leveled the long-empty 36,000-square-foot school and started transforming the 8.8 acre site. The plan is to build four buildings, side by side, with a total of 54,500 square feet of retail space. Plans show Ulta in the southernmost of the four stores. Marketing brochures by Mid-America Real Estate also show a Marshallsstore as an anchor for the development. Marshalls, marked as occupying the largest of the four buildings, is a corporate sibling of the Massachusetts-based TJ Maxxchain that carries inexpensive clothes, home goods and other items. No one at Marshalls responded to confirm or deny a Rochester store is in the works. Assuming Marshalls does intend to open a store there, that leaves two other spaces available for other tenants next to Marshalls and Ulta. Mid-America also is listing an available outlot space, near Broadway, for a fifth retail or fast food building to possibly be built. Biz buzz The chatter is downtown Rochester has some pretty shops of its own in the pipeline. ADVERTISEMENT A hair studio and a nail salon both are rumored to be on the way for the city core. Hopefully, I'll have more those deals soon. CHATFIELD, Minn. In Chatfield, a farm of 30 cows is delivering much more than just milk, it's causing Baby Boomers to have flashbacks. Glass bottles of milk are delivered once a week to customers of Kappers Big Red Barn, a dairy that's becoming a staple in the Minnesota dairy industry. Bob Kappers grew up on a dairy farm in Spring Valley, and wife Jeanette thought the farm life "seemed like a good life." The good life they've built is a busy and fruitful one, with Kappers Big Red Barn not just focusing on milk, but items like cheese curds and ice cream. Butter will be added soon. The family business started with milk in 2004, and has branched out to cheese curds, which is now handled by their son Ethan Kappers. ADVERTISEMENT Adding cheese curds wasn't exactly a smooth process. They spent about a year finding ways to make the squeakiest, most fresh curds around. Changing to meet customer demands is at the heart of the business. This past summer, they added fried cheese curds after a successful run at Rochester's Thursday's on First. They're now looking at expanding their ice cream flavors. Son Jake Kappers handles the ice cream business. Jeanette said the family searches for the best farmers markets and places to put their products while interacting with their customers all the same. That's Kappers Big Red Barn's goal to reach customers and give them a service that isn't comparable to larger dairy operations. The family attends farmers markets in St. Paul, Apple Valley, Winona, and Rochester, creating a work schedule that Jeanette describes as "not much time off." Between milking cows, fixing the bottling machines, and trying to expand the product line, Bob said it's "always busy, but you're always together." Lucas Kappers, who milks cows, goes to the Apple Valley farmers market, and works on marketing and promotion for the farm, said growing up on a farm is "great" and that most children would never get to experience what he has. As a young man entering the dairy business, Lucas is confident and excited for all the opportunities in front of him. ADVERTISEMENT "You put a lot of work into getting one bottle, so you get people that really appreciate what you do," he said. "It's a great feeling." So indulge in the nostalgia by signing up for milk delivery or stop at the farm's shop, open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day, on County Road 5, just outside of Chatfield. And once the bottles of milk are delivered, don't forget to leave the empties on the porch, just like in the good old days. Kevin Paap 'humbled' by 13th MFB term By Matthew Lambert mlambert@agrinews.com EAGAN, Minn. Kevin Paap, the 13th president in the 99th year of the Minnesota Farm Bureau, was re-elected for a seventh term at the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting. Paap, a fourth-generation farmer from Blue Earth County, said he was "humbled and honored" to be re-elected. He was unopposed. ADVERTISEMENT For his three-year term, Paap said he'll focus on the 2018 farm bill, while trying to continue to find ways to improve crop insurance, improve prices for crops, and continue to improve on farmer and consumer relations. "Everything comes back to the importance of the family farm and making sure we're working in all of those areas," Paap said. One of the top priorities for the bureau in 2018 is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, according to Paap. The program is designed to help low-income individuals and families by offering nutrition experience through food stamps and other avenues. The projected 2018 Farm Bill has been debated to take billions from the program, something Paap said would deeply effect not only the United States Department of Agriculture but farmers in Minnesota as well. Paap said he was moved by the number of farmers from around the state who took time from harvesting to attend the annual meeting. He said this fall been stressful with crops not being as bountiful as farmers may have wanted. On the other hand, farmers have been blessed with good quality crops around the state, he added. Today, President Trump honored the code talkers, Native American soldiers who were deployed during the world wars to send messages between units in their native languages an almost unbreakable code. During World War II, Navajo men were recruited and used for this purpose. Surviving Navajos came to the White House for the event in their honor. After one of the code talkers gave a speech, Trump put aside his prepared remarks and spoke off the cuff. Here is the Washington Posts account of what happened next: You were here long before any of us were here. Although we have a representative in Congress who they say was here a long time ago. They call her Pocahontas, he said with a chuckle. But you know what? I like you. The audience was quiet. The Post cut off Trumps quote in mid-sentence. He said to the Indians, I like you because you are special. You are special people. (Emphasis added) Pocahontas was not amused by Trumps jab. Elizabeth Warren shot back, It is deeply unfortunate that the president of the United States cannot even make it through a ceremony honoring these heroes without having to throw out a racial slur. I agree its unfortunate (though not deeply so) not to make it through a ceremony without taking a shot at a political enemy, even one as obnoxious as Elizabeth Warren. But is calling a fake Indian Pocahontas a racial slur or just a tired joke? I say its the latter, but what I know? I couldnt stay out of trouble with certain Indians, real or fake. UPDATE: Warren also said: Look, Donald Trump does this over and over, thinking somehow hes going to shut me up with it. It hasnt worked in the past. It is not going to work in the future. Im pretty sure Trump doesnt think hes going to shut Warren up. He just knows a good punching bag when he sees one. JOHN adds: Ive gotten in trouble with lots of people over the years, but never (as far as I recall) with Indians. So I will just add this: the Presidents comment was obviously not a racial slur. He mocked Elizabeth Warren not because she is an Indianthat would be a racial slurbut precisely because she is NOT Native American, contrary to her repeated claims and her affirmative action-fueled career. Warren has been exposed as a liar, and for her to defend herself by playing the race card is really beneath contempt. James OKeefe had a brainstorm. He thought he could peddle a fraudulent Roy Moore sex scandal to the reporters of the Washington Post. Instead the reporters scoped out OKeefes fraud and reported that instead. The Post even traced the woman who dealt with its reporters to OKeefes offices in New York (video below). Mediaites Ken Meyer has a brief summary here; Hot Airs Allahpundit reports and comments at some length here. In the video OKeefe behaves like the media mavens who run from him in his ambush interviews. It is not an impressive performance on his part. Intending to embarrass the Post, OKeefe proved the papers diligence in this case. It remains an open question whether anyone outside OKeefes organization put OKeefe up to conducting this particular test. OKeefe has posted a video from his investigation of the Post here. It is incredibly stupid. If anything, it compounds the damage of his failed test. OKeefe now seeks to turn his exploding cigar into a fundraising opportunity. Although the cat had his tongue when the Post caught up with him outside his office, OKeefe conceded he had been busted in a fundraising email we received at 5:10 p.m. yesterday afternoon: Project Veritas Supporter, This morning as I walked to Project Veritas office, I was ambushed by reporters and a camera crew from The Washington Post. What were they after? Following months of undercover work within The Washington Post, our investigative journalist embedded within the publication had their [sic] cover blown. This is how undercover work goes. This isnt the first time that has happened, and it wont be the last time. The good news is . . . we already got our story. Now our team in a dash to beat The Washington Post to the presses. Can you help us finish this investigation? Our team must still review dozens of hours of footage, edit it down, fact check with our series of investigative techniques and then get the story out to the public. Now that the time pressure is really on, it makes it even more expensive work. If you havent done so already, please click here to donate so our team can launch our latest series exposing another so-called pillar of the Establishment Media. Ironically, this morning The Washington Post used the same ambush tactic that they have whined about Project Veritas using. They did so for the same reason we do: because its effective. These outlets refuse to expose the powerful and corrupt using these techniques. But when its their neck on the block, they suddenly become hardworking journalists using Project Veritass approaches. And they knew that they were going to be exposed, because in December of 2016 I announced it! CNN, The New York Times, powerful social media companies, The Washington Post and others were put on notice that in 2017 that they will be exposed by Project Veritas . . . and Project Veritas is not done yet! Watch a short [i.e., edited] video clip [omitted here, full video above] of the ambush from this morning. Below the video, please donate so our team can FULLY follow through on our promise to expose the Establishment Media in 2017 and 2018. Thank so much for all that you do, and as always . . . stay tuned. In Truth, James OKeefe Project Veritas P.S. Our cover was blown within the walls of the Washington Post, but we still got our story. Please help us finish the creative process to release this series in record time by donating here. And again, thank you for making our work possible. Just speaking for myself, Im going to pass on the requested donation. What a fiasco. UPDATE: Twitchy collects comments reflecting on the misguided nature of this project. Earlier today, Paul wrote about Elizabeth Warrens claim that President Trumps referring to her as Pocahontas was a racial slura claim that I think is ridiculous, as I said when I added my two cents worth to Pauls post. During todays White House press briefing, several Democratic Party reporters tried to take up the cudgels on behalf of their party and Sen. Fauxcahontas Warren. Press Secretary Sarah Sanders responded admirably. Here are the exchanges: Q Sarah, at the event that the President just did with the Navajo Code Talkers, he referred to Pocahontas being in the Senate. Why did he feel the need to say something as offensive to many people while honoring the Navajo Code Talkers these genuine, American heroes? MS. SANDERS: I think what most people find offensive is Senator Warren lying about her heritage to advance her career. Q But she said it was a racial slur. She said it was a racial slur. What is your response to that? MS. SANDERS: I think thats a ridiculous response. That should have put an end to it. But the Democratic Party reporters persisted: Steven. Q If I could follow up with that, because the President was speaking at an event to honor members of the Greatest Generation people who fought in World War II, who are in their eighties and nineties now. And the moment had many people online asking whether the President lacks decency. Whats your response to that notion? Im recalling all the times when reporters asked Barack Obamas press secretaries to comment on whether President Obama lacked decency. Actually, I thought he did, but I never expected to hear it from the White House press corps. MS. SANDERS: Look, I think the President certainly finds an extreme amount of value and respect for these individuals, which is why he brought them and invited them to come to the White House and spend time with them, recognizing them, and honoring them today. So I think he is constantly showing ways to honor those individuals, and he invited them here at the White House today to meet with them and to also remind everybody about what the historic role that they played many years ago. Kristen. Q Why is it appropriate for the President to use a racial slur in any context? This is known technically as begging the question. MS. SANDERS: I dont believe that it is appropriate for him to make a racial slur or anybody else. Q Well, a lot of people feel as though this is a racial slur. So why is it appropriate for him to use that? MS. SANDERS: Like I said, I dont think that it is, and I dont think that was certainly not the Presidents intent. Q Sarah, does he see MS. SANDERS: I think, like I said, I think the more offensive the most offensive thing Q Does he see political value in calling people out racially? MS. SANDERS: Im sorry? Q Does he see political value in calling people out racially? Why use that (inaudible)? Of course, President Trump didnt call Warren out racially, he called her out as a liar. As Sanders explained: MS. SANDERS: Look, I think that Senator Warren was very offensive when she lied about something specifically to advance her career. I dont understand why no one is asking about that question and why that isnt constantly covered. The Democrats can whine all they want, but I think most people understand that Elizabeth Warren is a liar and a poseur who falsely claimed Indian heritage to jump on the affirmative action bandwagon. There are at least a couple of reasons why Democrats dont want to acknowledge the real issue. As noted here a few days ago, Chancellor Angela Merkel is having trouble putting together a coalition government in Germany following a terrible showing in the last election. The German result was similar to the recent French election in one respect: it represents a repudiation of the main ruling parties. There is one big difference: while the French economy continues to stagnate, the German economy is arguably the best in the world right now, at least by its surface measures. Unemployment is below 4 percent. In fact, Timothy Garton Ash notes some unusual poll results about the voters for the new Alternative for Germany Party that is considered far right: In a 2016 poll, four out of five AfD voters described their personal economic situation as good or very good. This is not a party of the economically left behind. It gathers the discontented from every walk of life, but those who predominate in its ranks are educated, middle-class men. A leading CDU politician told me that the angry protest letters he gets from defectors to the Alternative will typically be from a doctor, businessman, lawyer, or professor. This strong presence of the educated upper middle class distinguishes German populism from many other populisms. In other words, the anti-establishment populism in Germany is not exactly identical with the white working class Trump voters of the upper midwest, though there are some similarities. (A lot of the AfD voters were concentrated in the former East Germany, which remains depressed relative to the rest of Germany, making it a bit like the forlorn factory towns of Ohio, Michigan, etc.) Ash puts his finger on the main factor: Culture, er, Kultur: Its the economy, stupid simply does not apply to Germanys populist voters. Rather, its the Kultur. (I say Kultur, rather than simply culture, because the German word implies both culture and ethno-cultural identity, and has traditionally been counterposed to liberal, cosmopolitan Zivilisation.) In a poll shown on German television on election night, 95 percent of AfD voters said they were very worried that we are experiencing a loss of German culture and language, 94 percent that our life in Germany will change too much, and 92 percent that the influence of Islam in Germany will become too strong. Feeding this politics of cultural despairto recall a famous phrase of the historian Fritz Sternis a milieu of writers, media, and books whose arguments and vocabulary connect back to themes of an earlier German right-wing culture in the first half of the twentieth century. This is a new German right with distinct echoes of the old. At this point, youre probably thinking (especially since Ashs article appears in the New York Review of Books), here we goAfD Germans are just like Trump votersracist Nazi xenophobes. But Ash goes on to explain at length how the German version of political correctness has created an understandable backlash, which is part of the point of Trump, and suggests old-fashioned liberalism (of the John Stuart Mill variety) as a better remedy: For the rank-and-file, it is yet more evidence that the liberal elites have so little time and respect for them that they wont look at us even with their asses. Worse still: they wont even let ordinary people say what they think. In a poll conducted in spring 2016 for the Freedom Index of the John Stuart Mill Institute in Heidelberg, only 57 percent of respondents said they felt that one can freely express ones political opinion in Germany today. Its therefore encouraging to see a growing number of German intellectuals advocating John Stuart Mills own response. Take on these arguments in free and open debate. Subject them to vigorous and rigorous scrutiny. Separate the wheat from the chaff. For as Mill famously argued, even a false argument can contain a sliver of truth, and the good sword of truth can only be kept sharp if constantly tested in open combat with falsehood. Otherwise the received opinion, even if it is correct, will only be held in the manner of a prejudice. . . The politics are such that the CSU certainly, and the CDU sooner or later, will move to the right on issues of immigration and identity, to try to win back the populist voteas center-right leaders have done in neighboring Austria and the Netherlands. Even the centrist Merkels interior minister, Thomas de Maiziere, wrote earlier this year in the mass circulation Bild-Zeitung that we are not Burqaa ludicrous sentence that may be translated as give us your votes rather than defecting to the Alternative. I wonder if the left in America might follow this advice? Maybe a few. Damon Linker of The Week seems to get it in his column out this morning: Im late coming to the story about the graduate student instructor, Ms. Lindsay Shepherd, at Wilfred Laurier University in Canada, who ran afoul of the universitys political correctness police for the thoughtcrime of showing in class a short video of Prof. Jordan Peterson of the University of Toronto, who objects to legislation requiring the use of the whole visible spectrum of self-generated gender pronouns. A student (or studentsthe university wont say if it was more than one) filed a complaint, which was all the tyrannical educrats at Laurier needed to dragoon Shepherd through a full-on 1984-style Orwellian inquisition by theget this titlemanager of Gendered Violence Prevention and Support. We might not have heard much more about this story, except that the resourceful Ms. Shepherd has the presence of mind to bring along a recorder and tape the hour-long inquisition. All hell has broken loose, and the university has apologized. I put apologized in square quotes on purpose, because this only happened because the universitys intellectual corruption has been fully exposed for all to see. Ive long had a hypothesis that universities want to conceal their craziness, and when an example of their intellectual corruption is exposed publicly (Ward Churchill at Boulder, Melissa Click at Missouri, etc), they run for the hills. Below is the full 42 minutes of the inquisition of Ms. Shepherd. Thats more than you might want to listen to, but try the first 8 to 10 minutes. And if you dont have time even for that, here are some key excerpts and delightful commentary from Raffi Grinburg at Heterodox Academy: In the meeting, Shepherd asserted that she was neutrally presenting a topic (the legally mandated use of new gender pronouns) that is in the current public discourse. Shepherd: [C]an you shield people from those ideas? Am I supposed to comfort them and make sure that they are insulated away from this? Like, is that what the point of this is? Because to me, that is so against what a university is about. So against it. I was not taking sides. I was presenting both arguments. But her supervising professor, Nathan Rambukkana, didnt want her to remain neutral. Shepherd: Like I said, it was in the spirit of debate. Rambukkana: Okay, in the spirit of the debate is slightly different than this is a problematic idea that we might want to unpack. Shepherd: But thats taking sides. Rambukkana: Yes. One side of this debate has seemingly become academic orthodoxy, which precludes the possibility that students might question it and think critically about it. In the words of Orwell from 1984: Orthodoxy means not thinkingnot needing to think. Orthodoxy is unconsciousness. Shepherds supervisors did not disclose any information about the complaint. Shepherd: I have no concept of how many people complained, what their complaint was, you havent shown me the complaint. Rambukkana: I understand that this is upsetting, but also confidentiality matters. Shepherd: The number of people is confidential? Rambukkana: Yes. Even the policy violation was unclear. Rambukkana: Do you understand how what happened was contrary to, sorry Adria, what was the policy? Joel: Gendered and Sexual Violence. Rambukkana: Gendered and Sexual Violence Policy. Do you understand how Shepherd: Sorry, what did I violate in that policy. Joel: Um, so, gender-based violence, transphobia, in that policy. Causing harm, um, to trans students by, uh, bringing their identity as invalid. Their pronouns as invalid potentially invalid. Shepherd: So I caused harm? Joel: which is, under the Ontario Human Rights Code a protected thing so something that Laurier holds as a value. Shepherd: Ok, so by proxy me showing a YouTube video Im transphobic and I caused harm and violence? So be it. I cant do anything to control that. These amorphous accusations are reminiscent of Kafkas opening lines from The Trial: Someone must have slandered Josef K., for one morning, without having done anything truly wrong, he was arrested. At Laurierand other universitiescan teachers be disciplined for being anonymously accused of violating an undefinable policy? If so, this has chilling implications for teaching and learning. Teachers will have to guess at what policies might protect students sensibilities, and eye their classrooms with fear. Each student is a potential accuser, so teachers must plan their lectures with the most easily-offended student in mind, taking account of all topics that could cause offense. In fact, since 2015 we have been hearing many reports of teachers self-censoring, teaching on tenterhooks, and cutting potentially controversial materials from their syllabi. Throughout the conversation, Shepherd continued to articulate the value of showing students conflicting ideas. Shepherd: But when they leave the university theyre going to be exposed to these ideas, so I dont see how Im doing a disservice to the class by exposing them to ideas that are really out there. The ideas are really out there: the clip Shepherd showed had recently aired on TV. But Rambukkana later explained that there are some perspectives for which a stance must be taken by the teacher. For example: Rambukkana: This is like neutrally playing a speech by Hitler. In a just world, this Nathan Rambukkana fellow would be fired, and forevermore employed only at Starbucks. I suspect youll find people just like him at most universities today. After a successful pre-market conference day, today ATF opens the market floor for the 5,200 participants expected in Singapore this week. The vibes for the 2017 edition are high again, as the APAC region is gaining momentum in the audio-visual business with more and more ventures taking place, platforms launched and original programming. China, India and Indonesia are the key countries taking important spaces on the ATF panels and the business itself. The first one continues to be the main focus of international companies, even it is a tough market because of its strict content policy that obligate them to re-direct their strategies; the second one is expanding its OTT market, with more players entering the digital world; and the third, which is the worlds fourth country in terms of population, is showing a strong diversification on the media industry. Several co-production and co-development agreements are being announced during the market, while the focus on technology/data developments remains fundamental. Actually, the combination of the strategies towards data + content was one of the main conclusions of the pre-market conferences. Pablo Gomez, head of media & digital, APAC, Kantar Millward Brown said it is not about one or the other, its about the currency of attention. And he further explained: Recent researches indicate that the average span of attention of a man is eight seconds. Nowadays, it is a hard duty to take the attention of consumers. Generation Z and young people in general are less receptive to ads. Thats why more data is not the solution: technology is not a substitute of creativity. Still, TV plays a key role in creating synergies with other media. An advertising piece works better when it combines vehicles, mixing digital + TV. Jan Rezab, CEO & Founder of Socialbakers went on the other direction on its presentation The inconvenient Truth. He encouraged media companies to use data and to build teams to work over it. You must stop ignoring data. It applies to every single step in the value chain. Check how companies like Apple, Google or Facebook, but also Vox, BuzzFeeds and Vice are using it, as well as programmatic advertising and technology to discover what are audiencess choosing to entertain. Social media has become mass media: five out of eight companies are reaching more than 1 billion people daily. The top broadcasters in the world are reaching on average 80-100 people. The difference is remarkable. The next panel, The Evolution of Storytelling, gathered some of the top OTTs in APAC. James Farrell, head of Amazon Prime, is putting emphasis on original content from India (kids content) and Japan (variety shows), while he confirmed the interest in more regional productions: 30 new seasons in Japan and 20 in India are under development. Janice Lee, MD, PCCW (Hong Kong) explained Viu (AVOD & SVOD models) reaches 15 markets in APAC and MENA, and it is producing 3-4,000 hours of Chinese-language content in Hong Kong, Indonesia and India. On average, our users watch 15 videos per week, or 1.2-1.5 hours a day, she said. Mark Britt, CEO & Founder, iflix added that every single OTT needs a unique content strategy to push bundaries: We are betting in new genres, as eSports, K-Pop and stand-up comedies that are working well. Peter Bithos, CEO and founder of HOOQ commented: 'We are firm believers in local content. But most TV shows that get made in SEA are high on quality but low on production values. through our HOOQ Originals, we want to push the envelope for edgier storytelling in Asia, but producing high quality content delivered in a seasonal format of 6-10 episodes'. All in all the panelists agree that there is a gap between data and content. For Farrell the first one works better when international content is involved, while the second one takes the control when we the focus is local production. There is a difference on what the people want to watch and what the people want to pay for, added Lee. The group goal is not to grow quicly but to invest out of the key areas of interest, underlined Bithos and Britt shed lights on the external factors: We depend on the evolution of the distribution and consumption businesses. We believe our business will consolidate in the next 3 to 5 years. Hary Tanoesoedibjo, president director, MNC Group remarked on The Might of Indonesia the strenght of this TV market and the evolution of the leading media conglomerate in the country: We started our business by the end of the 90, and we became the #1 media group in Indonesia. Creating our own IP has made the difference, but also the objective of making the company a regional leader. In the afternoon, Mediacorp, the Singaporean public broadcaster organized a visit to the Mediapolis @ One-North campus, where the company has moved all the operations in 2015/2016. After showing the Mediacorp Experience tour that tells the history of broadcasring (radio & TV) in Singapore to the visitors, the company offered a cocktail party headed by its CEO, Tham Loke Kheng: In spite of the deep changes of the industry our business remain local, where we can make the difference. We are here to stay and we are happy with the partnerships weve built in the last year. Fabricio Ferrara, from Singapore Is recreational marijuana about to be legalized in Michigan? Members of the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol believe so. State lawmakers, however, weigh in both ways on the issue. Earlier this month, the coalition turned in several cases of signed petitions to get the referendum either approved, or placed on a ballot for voters to decide. About 350,000 people signed the petitions, nearly 100,000 above the 252,000 signatures the state requires for the proposal to be looked at. The proposal is simple in theory; to make marijuana legal and regulate it the same way as alcohol and other controlled substances. Some state lawmakers dont see it that way. Im for recreational use of marijuana, said Rep. Frank Liberati (D-Allen Park), whose district includes parts of Dearborn Heights and Southgate. I like the idea to regulate it like alcohol. Prior to being elected to the Michigan House of Representatives, Liberati served as the president of the Allen Park Board of Education for seven years. He said the idea is not that simple and depending on how the proposal is written, he likely will vote against it. I also believe there is medicinal value in marijuana, he said. However, because of the way laws are worded and because he is against taxing medication he voted no on many of the medicinal marijuana laws. I was one of 11 no votes on that, Liberati said. I support it all but the excise tax. He said hes against taxing medicine that is prescribed by a doctor in any form, and because of that he hasnt supported current laws and wont support any new laws that dont address that issue. From my understanding, a lot of those (medical) regulations will be transferred over, he said. No medicine that I know of is taxed. Motrin can be bought over the counter and is taxed, but when a higher dose is used as a medicine its tax free. Marijuana should be done that way too. State Rep. Joe Bellino (R-Monroe) said he hasnt given it much thought until the petition is formally approved. He is the only member of the Republican Party to represent any portion of Downriver. His district is mostly in Monroe County, but also includes Rockwood, Gibraltar and Flat Rock. At this point, the petition seeking to legalize the recreational use of marijuana has not been submitted to the state, Bellino said. The signatures have not been vetted and I have not had an opportunity to review the petition language. As always, I will continue to seek input from my constituents as this issue continues to be reviewed. Bellino, a self-professed recovering addict, recently voted to fund a pilot program in Kalamazoo to help with the much-publicized national opioid crisis. As a recovering drug and alcohol addict, I can personally attest to the undeniable grip that opioids and other drugs intended to ease pain can have on a person, Bellino said. If we can use medical technology to identify which people are more susceptible to addiction, we can proactively prevent them from becoming dependent on the drug and its effects. Coalition spokesman Josh Hovey said the group has about 100,000 extra signatures, so getting the petition approved shouldnt be an issue. State Rep. Erika Geiss (D-Taylor) said the issue has many sides, and its not just about legalizing the drug for recreational use. I have not seen the final language that was approved, she said. In general, I have many concerns about legalizing it recreationally, especially in terms of how it affects employees. She said if an employer has a zero-tolerance policy, yet the drug is legal in the state it may cause confusion among workers on whether they can use it, and ultimately could cost people their jobs. Geiss also said she is concerned about how tests could be done to prove if someone was impaired or not. Unlike alcohol, marijuana is stored in fat cells and cant be determined when it was last used based on current testing, she said. She was referring to whether it was in a persons system from recent use, or if it had been days since the last use. Current tests cant determine the difference. State Rep. Darrin Camilleri (D-Brownstown Twp.) said he will support it because of the increased revenue streams it presents. Through legalization and regulation, we have an opportunity to raise significant revenue to help pay for state services, like repairs to our roads and bridges, he said. I look forward to the ongoing conversation as it continues into 2018. Other than the possible revenue streams created, Camilleri said hes seen polls that show a growing number of Michiganders support the proposal or something like it. Im supportive of this initiative and others like it that give voters the opportunity to weigh in and have greater influence in the legislative process, he said. Once formally approved, the potential legislation will go to both the state House and the state Senate for a vote. If both bodies approve it without changes, it would become law. If one or both bodies make any changes and then vote to pass it, the bill would require Gov. Rick Snyders signature, and the original proposal would then become a ballot initiative to go before voters. Geiss said that while she hasnt fully reviewed the proposed legislation in its current form, even if it passed like the medical marijuana laws in 2011, state lawmakers would still be forced to weigh in after the fact. The medical marijuana law was approved through a statewide vote, but lacked regulations on where it could be sold and who could grow it, buy it and use it. Like what we saw with the medical marijuana that passed, the Legislature still had to go back and create corrective legislation for it, Geiss said. The Legislature would still have to impose some types of rules around it. Well have to work with all of the various stakeholders to make it work. Unless approved by the Legislature, the proposal likely will be on November 2018 statewide ballots, along with the election of the next state governor. The proposed language would allow anyone 21 or older to legally possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana or up to 15 grams of marijuana concentrate. The sale up to the same amount also would be legalized, and people would also be allowed to grow up to 12 plants in their residences for personal use. If passed, cities and townships would be permitted to ban marijuana retailers and similar businesses within their boundaries. Much like alcohol, driving under the influence would be illegal. Public consumption also would be illegal under the proposed law. State Reps. Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit), Jewell Jones (D-Inkster), Cara Clemente (D-Lincoln Park) and Abdullah Hammoud (D-Dearborn) did not respond to requests for comment on this report. ( Read 4746 Times) Source : A two-day celebration to keep the tribal culture alive was organized this weekend. The venue was famous Azad Ground of Jhadol area and the crowd included local as well as foreigners who got mesmerized after seeing the cultural opulence and love for heritage. Performances like Gawari, Bhamai, and local folk dances left people exhilarated and amazed.Popularly known as Bhomat, the event also saw a child-fair which had more than 100 stalls by children. Stalls included an exhibition of development tasks being done by the organization in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujrat apart from eateries.Addressing the children in the Bhomat Mahotsav, former president of foreign affairs of Europe Berones Sandeep Verma, who was also presiding over the ceremony said that the Bhomat Festival is crafting its own niche on the world map. This program gives an identity to these children and they are getting overall development. Tribes are the root of our society and we should not forget that, said Verma.The founder Pundit Jeevatrat Sharma was earlier offered a tribute by all the present dignitaries. The manager of Rajasthan Bal Kalyan Samiti Girija Shankar sharma said that children from across 23 cities from Rajasthan, Gujrat, and Madhya Pradesh not only attended but also participated in the program.Coordinator of the festival Dr. SV Singh said that children took special interest and performed well to leave one and all electrified. Their exuberance was unmatched.The stage was totally digitized and children performed in traditional dresses. Audiences remained in the ground till late night to see the performances by kids.The exciting program also got some emotional touch as the wife of founder Pt. Jeevatram Sharma Mrs. Himmat Devi Sharma got a little emotional. She recalled that Mr. Sharma had started this organization 37 years ago in one room and then offered all that he had to take it to peak. HAMILTON TOWNSHIP Hamilton Township Director of Community Development Phil Sartorio is excited to see a significant amount of residential, retail and commercial development happening within the township. He recently provided an update on projects that are in development. 45 Mill Street INTEX Millwork Solutions plans to move into this 80,000-square-foot building before the end of the year. The firm manufactures PVC products such as pergolas, columns, newels, deck, porch and balcony railing systems, turned balusters, custom moldings, lattice, louvers, brackets, panels and more. It is expected to employ 75 workers at the facility. Liquor Mart Located at 4245 Route 40, the site of the former Caesars Restaurant. Construction is ongoing on phase one of a two-phase project. Phase one includes 12,000 square feet, while phase two will add another 9900 square feet. Hardy Discount Liquors Owner Surjit Parmar plans to open in the building currently housing the Tunney Real Estate office on Route 40 toward the end of 2017 following renovations in the building. The developer also plans to expand the building at a later time. Recovery Services of America Ownership of the property in the Township of Hamilton Business Park is presently clearing land to construct a three-story 47,000-square-feet building to add to the 25,000-square-feet facility presently occupying the site. Harding Homes This development at the intersection of Route 40 and New York Avenue is being constructed by Conifer homes. When completed, it will include 99 low- and moderate-income rental units and is being partially funded by post-Sandy federal funds. Lidl Supermarket Located at the northeast corner of the intersection of the Black Horse Pike and McKee Avenue, the company has received township approvals as well as a New Jersey Department of Transportation Highway Access approval. Gravelly Run Square Ownership representatives recently met with Planning Board professionals to discuss modifications to pad sites on the property located on the Black Horse Pike across from Hamilton Commons. Development of those pad sites, which could include businesses such as food service and banking, could include the construction of the roadway across the property from newly opened Volunteer Way to the Black Horse Pike. That would serve to alleviate traffic backups at the intersection of McKee Avenue and the Black Horse Pike. LINWOOD Educational success is not just about collecting the right information, but rather what is done with that information to improve student outcomes, Mainland Regional High School Superintendent Mark Marrone says. Marrone was speaking at a meeting Tuesday of school administrators and state Department of Education officials Tuesday at Mainland, part of a tour of the high school, which was recently named one of seven Lighthouse Districts in the state. We have a responsive educational community, Marrone said earlier Tuesday, just before the arrival of NJDOE Deputy Commissioner Peter Shulman. Before arriving at Mainland, Shulman visited another Lighthouse District, Cape May City Elementary School, on Tuesday morning. He has plans, along with Commissioner Kimberley Harrington, to visit all the Lighthouse Districts in the state to find out what they are doing right. The Lighthouse District designation, announced by the NJDOE in September with the latest PARCC test results, recognizes districts for illuminating the path toward academic growth and student success by achieving academic growth in English language arts and mathematics with diverse student groups. The DOE will hear from educators from all the Lighthouse Districts in order to highlight best practices. The visits are part of that initiative. State officials said Tuesday they are interested in efforts that could be scalable. Marrone said the positive data that won Mainland its recognition this year is a byproduct of the district responding to the needs of the community over several years. One of those needs was the changing demographics and economic situations of the members of its three communities: Somers Point, Linwood and Northfield. Marrone said the district started its after-school IMPACT program for students to earn or recover credits they may have missed due to being out of school. In addition, the district started a ninth-grade program for at-risk students to transition them to the high school experience. We did it last year, and we saw a number of kids improved, Marrone said. Mainland, Cape May schools recognized by state as Lighthouse Districts Mainland Regional and Cape May city schools were recognized Wednesday by the state Departmen Shulman said he has heard from teachers around the state that despite all the data collected on student progress by school districts, the teachers dont have access to that data. He said he was particularly impressed with Mainlands ability to share its data with educators in the district. Marrone admitted that at first, Mainland wasnt sharing enough data, and its still a work in progress. Dorsey Finn, Mainland coordinator of planning, instruction and evaluation, said the district also has been effective in evaluating its faculty members. Finn said the evaluations push teachers to implement rigorous coursework that will prepare students not just for college but for careers. Get teachers to look beyond June, Finn said. Marrone said he was proud and humbled to be leading a Lighthouse District. It gives validation that we are heading in the right direction, Marrone said. PARCC data helps school districts evaluate teaching methods, curriculum School districts around the state spend all year preparing students for the spring PARCC tes Marrone said he hoped the state Education Department was able to see that Mainland is a school that really loves its kids. And our teachers really have a passion for what they do, he said. NORTH WILDWOOD A dispute over the management of the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse has led city officials to change the locks on the lighthouses doors to keep out the current operators. On Monday, North Wildwood Solicitor William Kaufman sent a letter to the nonprofit Friends of Hereford Inlet Lighthouse, informing them the facility would remain locked until a professional curator could take inventory and determine what items inside belong to the local government or the nonprofit. The curator is scheduled to begin taking inventory Monday. It is clear that there is a disagreement between the Friends and the City regarding ownership of items within the lighthouse, the letter said. Therefore ... the locks on the lighthouse will be changed and no persons other than employees or State of New Jersey personnel shall have access to the interior of the lighthouse until each and every artifact, document or item of personal property that presently is within the lighthouse has been inventoried and cataloged and ownership of each item is definitely established. Squabble over management could leave Hereford Inlet Lighthouse in flux NORTH WILDWOOD One of the most iconic lighthouses in South Jersey is caught in a squabble Steve Murray, chairman of the Friends of the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse, said city officials, particularly North Wildwood Mayor Patrick Rosenello, are petty and the move was just a power play to take over the lighthouse. This was a punch in the gut, Murray said. Its as low as you can get. Murray added several members of the Friends have put personal items in the lighthouse for decoration, including his great-grandmothers dining room table, an antique rocking horse and an old train set that goes around the Christmas tree. North Wildwood leases the lighthouse from New Jersey. Friends of Hereford Inlet Lighthouse, however, operate the property through a contract with the city. Rosenello said there have been issues with the Friends over how they run and maintain the 143-year-old lighthouse. The citys issues include the groups leadership not turning in annual reports and bungling a state Department of Transportation grant application that cost the city $17,000, he said. After locking up the lighthouse, Rosenello said, city officials discovered a list of items Murray planned to take from the lighthouse illegally, including an old tax map that belongs to the city. Our decision to lock them out was absolutely the right thing to do, Rosenello said. (Murray) was planning to loot the lighthouse. Murray disputed the claim, saying the list is an inventory list of every item in the lighthouse that he compiled for the professional curator. Its just one lie after another with this guy, Murray said of Rosenello. Hes gone completely off the wall. Murray also has disputed the other claims the government made, saying he turned in annual reports every year and the Department of Transportation came back five years after the grant application to say there was an issue. At that point, the man who had written the application was retired and seriously ill. By the time they hired another firm to fix the application, the Department of Transportation skipped a grant payment of $17,000, he said. Murray said the Friends have contacted a lawyer and are waiting for advice on their next steps. The city intends to take over operations Jan. 1. CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE Retired Cape May County Prosecutor Robert Taylor says county officials are withholding his health benefits in retaliation for disagreements he had with members of the county freeholder board, according to a whistleblower lawsuit filed last week. Legal representatives from the county, however, said Taylors lawsuit is a baseless and frivolous attempt to get lifetime benefits to which he is not entitled. The allegations came to light after Taylor, who stepped down in September, filed a complaint Nov. 20 in Superior Court. In the document, he claims the freeholders, and specifically Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton, told him to use outdated drug statistics to downplay the extent of opioid addiction in the county. Taylor also said officials pressured him to fire a longtime assistant prosecutor who was leading contentious contract negotiations with the county. The County Counsels Office denied the allegations and vowed to fight Taylors lawsuit. It is disappointing but predictable that Mr. Taylor has chosen to attempt to try to bully his way, with frivolous and untruthful personal and political accusations, to a benefit he is statutorily ineligible to receive, the office said in a statement. Taylor said in the complaint the freeholders told him not to use accurate and updated data about the drug problem so as to directly portray to the media and indirectly portray to the citizens of Cape May County a false sense of control over said epidemic. Taylor said he told officials he did not want to use the stale numbers, but the freeholders threatened to stop additional funding for opioid-related initiatives within the Prosecutors Office. Theyre not seriously doing anything effectively to fight this problem, Taylor said in an interview. Attorneys for the county said Taylors lawsuit misrepresents the relationship the freeholders have with the Prosecutors Office. In a feeble attempt to support his baseless accusations and secure lifetime, taxpayer-funded health benefits, Mr. Taylor has even gone so far as to take advantage of the opioid epidemic to mask his selfish attempt to claim taxpayer-funded retirement benefits, the statement from the county reads. Taylor said he had to fight tooth and nail with the freeholders to get funding for increased staffing and resources. Cape May County investing heavily in regional bike path system In the near future, you may be able to ride your bike on designated paths and lanes from Som Its been a battle with the freeholders the whole 13 years I was there, he said. Representatives from the County Counsels Office said the county increased funding for the Prosecutors Office from about $2.7 million to $7.1 million during Taylors 13-year tenure. The county also added 32 positions, according to the statement. Taylor said those increases were mandated by a judge following contentious negotiations between the county and the Prosecutors Office in 2008. In another section of the complaint, Taylor states negotiations between the assistant prosecutors union and the county became so heated in 2016 and early 2017 that Thornton and county Human Resources Director Jeffrey Lindsay suggested he fire the unions lead negotiator. The negotiator is not named in the complaint, but Taylor confirmed in an interview she was former Assistant Prosecutor Christine Smith. Gov. Chris Christie nominated Smith in June to become a Superior Court judge. Taylor said county officials tried to prevent Smiths nomination after the contract talks concluded. He said those issues the alleged use of outdated opioid use data and the attempt to get rid of Smith were not factors in his decision to retire. Taylor, 70, reached the maximum age for the position and decided to retire instead of applying for a temporary extension. The complaint said Taylor is seeking to have his retirement benefits restored and receive punitive and compensatory damages. Taylor said he is eligible to receive lifetime health benefits because he worked in the Prosecutors Office for more than 34 years, 13 of them as prosecutor. New Jersey Gov.-elect Phil Murphy has suggested that the minimum wage in New Jersey be raised to $15 per hour. The current minimum wage is $8.44. Is this a good idea? Murphy has good intentions. He believes that anyone working a full-time job should earn a livable wage, regardless of the value that the worker provides to the employer. How has this worked in other states? In San Francisco, the local minimum wage is currently $13 per hour. It will gradually rise to $15 in six years. Because of high labor costs, companies like Cafe X are already starting to replace their unskilled labor with technological alternatives. To purchase coffee from Cafe X, customers place their orders using a Cafe X mobile app. When the customer arrives at the store, a white robotic arm, like those used in car manufacturing facilities, moves a paper cup, adds appropriate syrup levels and then brews the hot cup of coffee. The robotic arm then hands the coffee to the customer. A cup of coffee costs $2.95 at Cafe X. A similar cup of coffee is $3.75 at the labor-intensive Starbucks. Wendys, a fast-food restaurant chain that employs many unskilled, minimum wage workers, has decided to drive down rising labor costs by replacing some of its order takers with machines. Following the example of many convenience stores, like Wawa, Wendys plans to install self-ordering kiosks at about 1,000 of its locations by the end of 2017. With an expected cost of $15,000 for three units per store, the kiosks are expected to pay for themselves in two years. They will eliminate up to 5,000 minimum wage jobs. Wendys chief information officer, David Trimm, said that the kiosks are intended to appeal to younger customers and to reduce labor costs. They will allow Wendys customers to order with shorter lines during peak periods while increasing kitchen production. Raising the minimum wage is supposed to help unskilled workers, according to those who routinely support the wage increase. But the reality is that increases in the minimum wage hurt the people they are supposed to help. The reason is simple: An ever-higher government-required minimum wage makes unskilled workers unemployable. For many unskilled jobs, business owners are now able to choose between labor or buying a machine to do the work at a lower fixed cost and without benefits. The average businessperson wont stay in business without keeping costs down. American non-financial industries have average net profit margin of about 5 percent and are sensitive to wage scales. They cant afford to ignore the effect of mandated wage hikes vs. profitability in their attempts to keep costs down. In weighing the advantages and disadvantages of hiring unskilled workers or machines to get the work done, the rational businessperson asks, What will be my average annual costs for hiring and retaining workers over the expected lifetime costs of the machine? The numbers ultimately make the decision: Hire unskilled workers, or buy the machine. A full-time worker paid the minimum wage of $8.44 per hour will cost about $17,500 per year in wages. Health insurance, payroll taxes, regulatory costs (e.g., OSHA), workers comp and other labor-related costs will drive up that cost considerably. But if hiring workers at that wage will get the job done for less outlay than a robot, computers or other equipment, those workers will be hired. Raise the minimum wage to $15, and a few people the most skilled and reliable will see their wage rise to $15. The rest will lose their jobs. In addition, the machines that replace them will never be rude to customers, call in sick, sexually harass another employee or threaten to sue the business. A $15 per hour wage costs the business more than $31,000 per year. Add the 6.2 percent that the employer must pay for Social Security tax and the employer mandate for health care (if applicable) and the cost soars to more than $36,000 per year. There will not be many jobs for unskilled workers who cost the firm that much. Those pushing for the higher minimum wage argue from emotion in an appeal to compassion. But policy that springs from emotion rather than dispassionate analysis will fail to deliver the results compassion hopes for. A $15 minimum wage would be disastrous for unskilled workers and would clobber seasonal businesses, particularly those at the Jersey shore. Michael Busler, of Ventnor, is a professor of finance at Stockton University. Hunting close to home Hunting for the sport of it, in my opinion, is very sad, but hunting so close to my property is downright illegal. This is what happened recently right behind my house on Southampton Drive in Smithville, when someone shot a wild turkey that had just left my property. The shot was so close that all the birds flew out of the trees. This has got to stop, Ill be afraid to sit on my patio. Part of the reason I moved to this area was to encounter wildlife. The killing of this wild turkey was so unnecessary. Lois Werner Smithville Proud of flag and country What the American flag means to me: Freedom and democracy. Self-determination and government by the electorate. The flag, a symbol of our unbreakable will and fighting spirit, and blood of our armed forces, won through their valor, honor, loyalty, integrity, and unselfish commitment to duty to all. That is why I proudly stand at attention with a salute until the day I die. Frank Palazzo Atlantic City Impeach hated Trump President Trump is inexperienced, unpredictable, unconventional, unstable, self-centered, a bully, a hypocrite, greedy and a liar. I think he will take the world into war. He is not making this affluent country great, but taking it down in the eyes of the whole world. It is a shame and sin this egoist man was elected to the highest post of the country. Established politics means stability and wisdom to run the country and the world. It is time to impeach this monkey-minded president. Let both parties see, predict the dangerous outcome of this president, and impeach as early as they can without any delay. It will be the greatest humanity service to mankind. James Roja Somers Point Good show for Puerto Rico Amazing Ventnor, headed by Mike Einwechter, and the volunteer staff put on a great show for the Puerto Rico Relief Fund.The amazing stunt was Mike Pestrito playing his drums on top of a moving motorcycle. The Star Spangled Banner never sounded so good. Charlotte Josephs Ventnor A NASA exploration scientist set off on his mission to Antarctica being monitored by the Patient Status Engine, a physiological data collection platform which provides monitoring of individuals wirelessly and in real-time. (Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/610929/Isansys_Lifecare.jpg ) Dr Erik Antonsen, the Exploration Medical Capability Element Scientist, is performing a range of experiments including the evaluation of the Isansys monitoring system in extreme and remote environments. The Patient Status Engine is automatically capturing Dr Antonsen's physiological data through a suite of wireless wearable sensors which make up part of the Patient Status Engine. Two teams also equipped with the Patient Status Engine are monitoring his progress to view his healthcare status at all times. Dr Peter Lee, Cardiothoracic Surgeon at The Ohio State University, who helped initiate this demonstration, said: "Convenient, accurate, and versatile wireless medical monitoring is the future of physiological monitoring, whether it's in the hospital, home, or extreme environments. "Testing the Patient Status Engine and its sensors by NASA is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to its potential applications and capabilities." Throughout Dr Antonsen's voyage, the data, including his heart rate, respiration rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation and temperature, is being collected and analysed by the Patient Status Engine. This data is then being relayed back to Dr Lee's team in America, via satellite phone, where they are assessing its accuracy, validity, and acquisition. Communication links and integration with prototype medical data systems are also being assessed. The data collected will help NASA learn the best ways to monitor the physiology of future explorers, which is critical for its work to send humans beyond Low Earth Orbit, to the Moon, and eventually to Mars. Joe Swantack, CEO of STARK Industries which is working with Isansys to install the Patient Status Engine in extreme environments, said: "We're completely immersing the Patient Status Engine in the world's most extreme cold-weather environment, -40 to -50F; conditions that closely approximate a 'surface' EVA on a manned-mission to the red planet." Liz Swantack, Co-Director of Development and Nurse Consultant said: "We'll be wirelessly monitoring Dr Antonsen in the same way we're monitoring patients in hospital and healthcare communities. The physiological responses created beneath the cold-weather gear, monitored in real-time, will generate high-definition digitized data sets for further analysis." Follow Dr Antonsen's mission via his blog: https://erikantarctica.wordpress.com/ Isansys Lifecare Georgina Horton PR & Marketing Executive T: 01235 436225 M: 07852181898 Email: georgina.horton@isansys.com SOURCE Isansys Lifecare LONDON, November 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Vandermay's product development strategy will spotlight innovations, customer acquisitions and retention for the technology disruptor that currently powers more than 50,000 independents globally Lightspeed, a powerful cloud-based point of sale system for retailers and restaurants, announces John Vandermay to the role of Chief Technology Officer. Vandermay's appointment comes in the midst of incredible growth for Lightspeed, following the announcement that the company closed a GBP 125 million (US $166 million) series D round investment. In 2016, the retail tech innovator launched its omnichannel product, seamlessly merging in-store POS, eCommerce and mobile, empowering customers to sell anywhere, at any time. With over 25 years of software engineering and global leadership experience, John Vandermay joins Lightspeed from Visto (formerly Collective), an advertising technology company in NYC backed by Accel, Greycroft and iNovia. While at Visto as CTO, Vandermay lead the transformation of the company from an advertising media service provider to a technology platform by building a breakthrough SaaS enterprise advertising platform that seamlessly provided transparency and interoperability between the myriad of ad technologies. Before Visto, John spent three years at Dassault Systemes GEOVIA, where he was the Vice President of Product Development, and oversaw successful global engineering and product management. In addition to executive leadership roles in engineering at companies like Cognos and BlackBerry, he also led Engineering and Development at Omniture (now Adobe), where his contributions resulted in a SaaS digital-marketing platform that powered more than 350k transactions per second, expanded the portfolio to over 10 products and resulted in a successful IPO in 2006 and secondary offering in 2007, eventually leading to the sale of the company to Adobe in 2009 for $1.8 billion. "It's incredible to welcome John into our Lightspeed community, at the height of growth in our development sector. John's extensive experience in software engineering and product development will make him an invaluable asset to the Lightspeed team," said Lightspeed Founder and CEO Dax Dasilva "I am thrilled to join Lightspeed during this significant period of global growth and work alongside the team to advance development," said Vandermay. "Lightspeed is a team of breakthrough innovators, whose renowned advancements in omnichannel and POS technology allows restaurants, retail entrepreneurs, and business owners to seamlessly grow and manage their businesses." Lightspeed is also pleased to announce that John will curate a blog series entitled Lightspeed talks code. Read the first entry here. About Lightspeed Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Lightspeed is the most powerful cloud-based point-of-sale solution for independent businesses, in-store and online. Nearly 50,000 retailers and restaurateurs, processing over US $15 billion in transactions annually use Lightspeed to grow and manage their business. Lightspeed can be found in more than 100 countries, powering favorite local businesses, where the community goes to shop and dine. Founded in 2005, Lightspeed has grown to nearly 600 employees, with global offices in Canada, USA, Europe, and Australia. For more information, please visit: https://www.lightspeedhq.co.uk/ Facebook: Facebook.com/LightspeedHQ, Twitter: @LightspeedHQ and Instagram: @LightspeedHQ. Media Contact: Erin Rigby Dynamo PR lightspeed@dynamopr.com +44(0)203-946-6860 Source: Bradley Grill Director of Public Relations Lightspeed Bradley.Grill@lightspeedhq.com 514-616-2000 SOURCE Lightspeed POS Montreal CIC Middle East Helps Xeros Meet Growing Demand for Its Near-Waterless Laundry System MANCHESTER, New Hampshire, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Xeros, the innovator of polymer cleaning technologies, today announced a partnership with Consolidated International Corporation (CIC) Middle East to distribute and service its award-winning commercial laundry system in the UAE. The UAE has an exceptionally arid climate which receives less than four inches (100 mm) of rainfall a year. It is one of the most water-scarce countries in the world so the Xeros system with its dramatic reduction in water consumption is the perfect solution for hotels and commercial laundries in the region. Xeros have recently showcased this system at popular exhibitions in the region - The Hotel Show Dubai and Gulf Laundrex - and the response has been very positive. "CIC Middle East is a well-respected leader in the industrial laundry services industry and has proven experience in the UAE, and will be the spring board for future expansion in other Middle Eastern countries," said Mike Ferrand, Group Managing Director, Hotel and Lodging at Xeros. "The companies' deep industry knowledge and superior sales and customer support will be an asset for Xeros as we expand our presence in this growing luxury hotel market." Mohamed Hidayath, Director Middle East and Asia, at CIC Middle East explained, "We are very excited to partner with Xeros. We are certain their unique system will be very popular with sophisticated hotels as it enables them to deliver two key requirements, a high quality clean and dramatically reduced water consumption." As well as using up to 80% less water, Xeros uses up to 50% less energy and approximately 50% less detergent than traditional systems. The patented Xeros technology is also proven to remove tough stains including make-up, food, spa oils and blood often in just one wash. The Xeros Laundry System is currently available across Europe, North America and Australia and further expansion plans are underway. About CCIC Established in 1975, Consolidated International Corporation (CCIC) is a leader in the industrial laundry services industry. The company supplies and distributes laundry equipment, parts and supplies for a global customer base. About Xeros Cleaning Technologies Xeros Cleaning Technologies is part of the Xeros Technology Group plc. The Xeros Logo and Xeros are trademarks of the Xeros group of companies. Media Contact: Neal Stein 321-473-7407 neal@redjavelin.com Related Links https://www.xerostech.com SOURCE Xeros Technology Group 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 Washington, Nov 23 : Major American cigarette manufacturers will begin publishing anti-smoking ads in 50 dailies to correct the misleading statements they made over the years about the effects of smoking, a move that complies with a court order filed in 2006. On Wednesday, the Department of Justice announced in a statement that the ads will fill the US media starting from November 30 and into the next year, reports Efe news. On November 30, 50 of the major US newspapers, including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and The Washington Post will begin to publish full-page ads that should "clarify" to the public what the true effects of tobacco are, according to the department. In addition, from the beginning of next week, TV channels across the country will start running those ads for a year. The ads will include some of these phrases: "smoking kills, on average, 1,200 Americans every day", "smoking is highly addictive, nicotine is the addictive drug in tobacco" and "cigarette companies intentionally designed cigarettes with enough nicotine to create and sustain addiction". The legal case dates back to 1999, when former President Bill Clinton's administration (1993-2001) accused tobacco companies of deceiving the public about the risks of smoking and promoting cigarettes with cartoon ads to attract teenagers. The accusations were based on a special law called the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations Act (RICO), initially promulgated to combat organised crime groups like the mafia. As part of that process, in 2006, the District of Columbia Court ordered the companies Altria, its affiliate Philip Morris USA and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco to place advertisements in the US media to "correct" the misperception the public had for years about tobacco. The 2006 court order is set to be enforced from November 30, more than 10 years late, due to a large amount of counter-complaints filed by US tobacco companies. Bengaluru, Nov 23 : State-run Bharat Earth Movers Ltd (BEML) on Thursday said it has paid Rs 18 crore as 80 per cent dividend to the Union government for fiscal 2016-17. "The 80 per cent dividend for the last fiscal is the highest in the last five years and as against 40 per cent paid for the fiscal 2015-16," the company said in a statement here. BEML Chairman and Managing Director Deepak Kumar Hota presented the dividend draft to Defence Minister Nirmala Seetharaman in New Delhi. The Central government holds majority stake (54 percent) of 2.25 crore equity shares of Rs 10 face value of the company, aggregating to paid-up capital of Rs 22.5 crore. The remaining equity is held by the public, financial institutions, foreign institutional investors, banks and its employees. The city-based, Rs 3,500-crore firm serves the country's core military and civil sectors such as defence, infrastructure, mining, power, railways and metro rail. It operates in three industrial verticals spanning defence, mining and construction, railways and metro rail, with nine manufacturing units at Bengaluru, Kolar Gold Fields and Mysuru in Karnataka, Palakkad in Kerala, Hyderabad in Telangana and Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh. The company's scrip gained Rs 77.95 to quote at 1,701.95 per share at the end of Thursday's trading on the BSE as against Wednesday's closing rate of Rs. 1,623.90 and opening price of Rs 1,635. The share also touched a high of Rs 1750 and a low of Rs 1,625 during the intra-day trading sessions. Kolkata, Nov 24 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government of deliberately hindering industry investments in her state. "You tell industry don't go, don't invest your money in Bengal. Is it not a crime in a federal structure? Why central government is telling industry not to go to Bengal?" Banerjee asked here at the "India Today Conclave East 2017". She also questioned the pendency of projects in the state. "Why so many projects are pending? Pendency has become the tendency. There is no cooperative federalism. Super emergency is going on. Every industrialist in now under threat, under scanner. There is no voice of industry. All media (outlets), except one or two, are under scanner. This is sorry state of affairs... Never seen this type of arrogance and attitude," Banerjee said. The Trinamool Congress supremo said even leaders were not being allowed to voice their opinion on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "If I say something, their minister calls me and says 'why are you speaking against Narendra Modi'? I say this is my political right ... and they threaten us also sometimes like this. This is the situation. Where will we go? Democracy is under scanner," she said. Banerjee also reiterated her stand that the eastern states have been neglected: "Gujarat is Gujarat. I respect Gujarat. One shouldn't discriminate between different states. Every state is doing work. I don't want to discriminate between states. "Northeastern and eastern parts have been neglected from beginning. Problem is that you don't give proper justice to the people. I don't agree that we have to beg for everything." Dublin, Nov 25 : Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar said on Friday that he won't be seeking Tanaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) Frances Fitzgerald's resignation. In an evening news programme on Irish television channel RTE One, Varadkar said the case against Fitzgerald is "very flimsy", Xinhua news agency reported. "Decapitation of Tanaiste on trumped-up charges is not fair," he said. On Friday, Irish main opposition Fianna Fail (Republican Party) lodged a motion of no confidence against Fitzgerald. The opposition party alleged she was involved in a conspiracy aimed at smearing police whistleblower Maurice McCabe when she served as minister for justice and equality from 2014 to 2016. Fitzgerald rejected the allegations, saying that she was not part of any conspiracy to undermine McCabe. The no-confidence motion will be debated Tuesday in the Dail Eireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas, Ireland's parliament. Following the 2016 general election, Fine Gael (United Ireland Party) formed a minority government with some non-party TDs (members of parliament). The minority government was made possible by a confidence and supply agreement with Fianna Fail, which agreed to abstain in confidence votes. Analysts here say the no-confidence motion could collapse the opposition party's confidence and supply agreement with Fine Gael-led minority government and could lead to a general election, possibly before Christmas. "If we have to go to the polls, it's better to get it done before Christmas," Varadkar said in the news program. "If we don't resolve matters by Tuesday, then there will be a motion of confidence in the Tanaiste, effectively a motion of confidence in the government and if that motion is successful, well, then we will be into an election at that point," he said. "But we still have an opportunity, I think, over the next couple of days," he added. Fianna Fail's leader Micheal Martin said his party does not want a general election and that the issue could be resolved if Fitzgerald steps down. But Fine Gael insists the deputy prime minister did nothing wrong and should not be forced from her position. New Delhi, Nov 25 : External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday assured a medical visa to yet another Pakistani national who said that "after Allah you are our last hope". "India will not belie your hope. We will issue the visa immediately," Sushma Swaraj tweeted in response to a request from Shahzaib Iqbal from Lahore who said that a medical visa was required for the liver transplant of his cousin. "After ALLAH you are our last hope.. kindly allow islamabad embassy (meaning Indian High Commission) to issue us medical visa," Iqbal said in his Tweeter request. Sushma Swaraj also assured medical visas to two other Pakistani nationals seeking medical visas. "Yes. We will give you the medical visa," she said in response to a request from Sajida Baksh who said that she underwent a liver transplant but developed complications and now needed urgent follow-up. She also assured a visa to Kishwar Sultana who is awaiting liver transplant in a hospital in Noida. On Independence Day, the Ministry of External Affairs had announced that India would provide medical visas to all bonafide Pakistani patients. As ties between the two countries soured over various issues, the ministry had announced in May that only a letter of recommendation by then Pakistan Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Advisor Sartaj Aziz would enable a Pakistani national to get a medical visa for India. The action was termed "highly regrettable" by Islamabad, which said that asking for such a letter violated diplomatic norms and such a requirement had not been prescribed for any other country. However, a patient from Pakistan-administered Kashmir, seeking treatment in New Delhi for liver tumour, was given a visa on July 18. Sushma Swaraj then said that he needed no recommendation from the Pakistani government for a medical visa because the territory "is an integral part of India". Since August 15, however, Pakistani nationals seeking medical treatment have not been denied visas. Nay Pyi Taw, Nov 27 : Pope Francis arrived in Myanmar on Monday on his first papal visit to the country as part of a six-day two-nation South Asia tour. Francis has become the first pope to ever visit Myanmar. His visit comes amid an ongoing humanitarian crisis after the Myanmar military carried out operations against the Rohingya Muslim minority in Rakhine forcing some 620,000 Rohingyas to flee to Bangladesh. He arrived in Yangon where he will stay at the archdiocese's headquarters where he will hold an interfaith dialogue with Myanmar religious leaders, reports Efe news. On Tuesday, the pontiff will head to the capital city Nay Pyi Taw, where he will be officially welcomed by President Htin Kyaw and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. Pope Francis is also scheduled to attend a major Mass on Wednesday, after which he will hold a meeting with the Supreme Council of Myanmar's Buddhist monks and another meeting with bishops. On Thursday, he will officiate a new Mass dedicated to the children at the Cathedral of Santa Maria, and then meet Army chief General Min Aung Hlaing. According to some observers, the Pope is likely to act as a mediator for the humanitarian crisis in Bangladesh, which the UN has dubbed a "textbook example of ethnic cleansing". The military operation - which has killed hundreds of people and led to multiple rapes, burning of villages as well as crops since the end of August - has forced more than 620,000 Rohingyas to flee to Bangladesh. The President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Myanmar, Bishop Felix Lian Khen Thang, did not deny the Pope's possible role in mediation. The Holy Father can accelerate the reconciliation process between the two parties, the Bishop told Efe. The visit was organised before the crisis, when the Pope met Suu Kyi at the Vatican in May. After Myanmar, the pope will travel to Bangladesh on Thursday, becoming the first Catholic leader to visit Dhaka since 1986. In Bangladesh, Francis is scheduled to meet a small group of Rohingya refugees in a symbolic gesture. Cairo, Nov 28 : A group of Egyptian journalists gathered here for a silent vigil to honour the victims of last week's attack on a mosque in the Sinai Peninsula that killed more than 300 people. Despite a ban on public demonstrations, more than a dozen people congregated outside the offices of the journalists union in Cairo on Monday amid a large police presence, Efe news reported. Participants, holding candles and Egyptian flags, condemned the attack as contrary to the teachings of all religions. Last Friday's assault on al-Rawdah mosque in Bir al-Abd, 40 km west of the North Sinai capital of el-Arish, left 305 people dead -- including 27 children -- and 128 others wounded. As many as 30 assailants, one of them carrying an Islamic State banner, surrounded the mosque and opened fire on worshippers from the windows and door before entering the sanctuary to continue the slaughter, according to Egypt's public prosecutor. Witnesses said the perpetrators fled before security forces could reach the scene of the deadliest terrorist attack in Egypt's recent history. Several militant groups are active in that area of Sinai, including Al-Wilayat Sinai, which has pledged allegiance to Islamic State (IS) and has claimed responsibility for the recent attacks. The al-Rawdah mosque is attended by adherents of the current of Islam known as Sufism, which some fundamentalist Sunnis regard as heretical. Washington, Nov 28 : US President Donald Trump spoke over phone with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, discussing Syrian situation and other issues, said the White House. The two leaders agreed on the importance of the UN-based Geneva process as the only forum for achieving a political solution in Syria, the White House said in a statement on Monday, Xinhua reported. In the phone call, Trump and Macron also discussed the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, it saide. The UN Security Council on Monday urged all Syrian parties to participate actively in the Geneva political process without preconditions. The Geneva peace talks is scheduled for Tuesday but the Syrian government is yet to confirm its participation in the talks. The Syrian armed conflict broke out in 2011 and quickly turned into a full-fledged civil war. UN figures show that the war has killed more than 330,000 people and displaced millions in the country. Washington, Nov 28 : An American soldier has been killed in a non-combat-related incident in Iraq, the US Department of Defense has said. The soldier, who was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq, was killed on Saturday in Baghdad as a result of a non-combat-related incident, said the Pentagon in a statement on Monday, Xinhua reported. The soldier was assigned to the 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss in Texas, according to the statement. The incident is still under investigation. The Operation Inherent Resolve is the U.S.-led military campaign against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. London, Nov 28 : Veteran actress Joan Collins has lashed out at her son Alexander Newley for calling her former husband Anthony Newley a "paedophile". Collins says Alexander's claim is "absolutely untrue", reports dailymail.co.uk. "I think that Sacha's (Alexander) being extremely naive and not really knowing the meaning of that word because what Tony (Anthony) admittedly was, is he loved young women and young women of 17, 18, 19 years old. Not children by any means," Collins said on "Good Morning Britain". "Never in a million years would I have been married to somebody like that. Categorically, I can say that it is not true, that I never saw any of that kind of behaviour from Anthony," she added. Washington, Nov 28 : US First Lady Melania Trump has inaugurated the decoration of the White House for the first Christmas since she and her husband, President Donald Trump, moved into the presidential residence last January. "The president, (our son) Barron, and I are very excited for our first Christmas in the White House," the first lady said in a statement on Monday, Efe news reported. "As with many families across the country, holiday traditions are very important to us. I hope when visiting the People's House this year, visitors will get a sense of being home for the holidays," she added. The former Slovenian model toured each of the decorated rooms and wished the public a Merry Christmas in the name of her husband and family, including Barron, who had received with her the official White House Christmas tree that now stands in the Blue Room of the presidential residence. With this year's theme being "Time-honored Traditions," the State Floor, Grand Foyer and Cross Hall decorations celebrate the first White House Christmas with a specific theme, that of "The Nutcracker Suite" from President John F. Kennedy's 1961 Christmas. The Red Room tree is festooned with cookie ornaments and surrounded by peppermint candies, and in keeping with former first lady Nancy Reagan's favorite holiday decoration, two cranberry trees are mounted on tables there. The White House Green Room contains crafts, paper and classic design, and the mansion's Library features President Franklin D. Roosevelt's 1866 edition of "A Christmas Carol." Tribute is paid to so-called "Gold Star families" who have lost a loved one serving with the military in combat, and the first Christmas card send by a US president - signed by Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953 - is displayed along with that of Trump and earlier cards from the Obamas, among others. On Thursday, President Trump will preside at the traditional lighting of the huge Christmas tree to be installed on the National Mall in Washington. Tel Aviv, Nov 28 : An Israeli court has ordered global ride-hailing app Uber to stop two of its services here in the absence of proper travel insurance. The court banned UberDay and UberNight, the company's private-car services, while UberTaxi that takes requests via licensed taxi drivers has not been affected, Jerusalem Post reported late on Monday. "If they won't get insurance, I won't let them drive a meter," Tel Aviv District Court Chief Justice Eitan Orenstein was quoted as saying. The ruling came after the Ministry of Transportation issued an indictment against Uber in May, alleging it was operating without a government license. "It remains illegal for unregistered private drivers to ferry passengers in return for payment, as many of the private Uber drivers operate without studying safety regulations and undergoing any form of testing," the report added. "We are committed to continuing to cooperate with the authorities, to examine how our technology can provide reliable, cost-effective and safe transportation options," Uber Israel said in a statement. In September, Uber was banned from operating in London for flouting safety regulations. The company is under scrutiny after it revealed in November that two hackers "inappropriately accessed" names, email addresses and phone numbers of 57 million customers and drivers and the license numbers of around 600,000 drivers. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said that the company in late 2016 became aware that two individuals outside the company had inappropriately accessed user data stored on a third-party cloud-based service that it uses. New Delhi : Over the last weekend, tobacco advertisements were again seen across US media channels after decades of being banned. However, this time around, it was not by choice but by a court-imposed order to advertise the deadly effects of smoking. The move provides a grim reminder to potential and existing consumers of tobacco of its fatal repercussions. A part of it disturbingly points out that more people die of smoking each year than from murder, AIDS, suicide, drugs, car crashes and alcohol combined. As these adverts hit US screens, it seems like a good time for India to evaluate if it is doing enough to curb the prevalence of tobacco among its citizens. After all, India is the second-largest consumer and producer of the product. There have been some positive developments with regard to the tobacco industry over the last few years that need to be recognised. First, according to WHO's Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) that has been conducted twice in 2009-10 (GATS-I) and 2016-17 (GATS-II), the prevalence of tobacco use among adults has reduced by six percentage points from 34.6 to 28.6. The absolute number of tobacco users have fallen by about 8.1 million. There has also been a reduction in the exposure to second-hand smoking in public spaces from 29 per cent to 23 per cent. Second, till 2014 India was ranked 136 among 205 countries in the size of pictorial warnings on tobacco products. When it was mandated that 85 per cent of the product packaging should be covered in pictorial warnings in 2016, India jumped to the third rank. And it is now being increasingly recognised that pictorial warnings have a positive discouraging impact on tobacco consumers. The GATS-II report also found out that 61.9 per cent of adults thought of quitting because of pictorial warnings up from 38 per cent in its earlier round. Therefore, India's move to increase the proportion of pictorial depiction was well-founded. Third, GATS-II also revealed that the average expenditure on tobacco has increased since GATS-I, tripling for cigarettes and doubling for bidis and smokeless tobacco. This clearly has been due to increase in tobacco prices over the years owing to increased taxation. However, it is not enough to rest on these laurels and turn nonchalant on the issue. India suffers from some unique disparities in its tobacco industry which leaves immense scope for improvement on the consumption front. Unlike other countries where cigarette smoking accounts for a bulk of the tobacco consumption, the market share for cigarettes in India stands merely at 14 per cent. On the other hand, bidis account for 48 per cent of the market share and smokeless tobacco (SLT) for 38 per cent. This is mainly due to the sharp contrasts in pricing of cigarettes and bidis. The average per stick price of a cigarette is Rs 5.92, which is approximately 10 times the average per unit cost of a bidi or SLT. The fact that low income segments are the primary consumers of such cheaper form of tobacco points to the importance of the price factor in this trend. And since 70 per cent of the population falls in the low-income segment, commensurate taxation of these products to bring them at par with cigarettes can be an effective strategy to curb tobacco consumption across the country. It also makes economic sense to target the price points of bidis and SLTs instead of cigarettes since the price elasticity of the former is 0.9 while that of the latter is merely 0.4. This implies that if the price of bidis and cigarettes goes up by 10 percent, the demand of the former will fall by 9 percent while that of the latter will fall merely by 4 percent. Following such a strategy is a low hanging fruit for the government but seems quite run-of-the-mill to be considered a strategic solution. However, apart from the obvious health benefits that will accrue to the majority of the Indian population from such a move, there are also a few fiscal benefits for the government in the long run if pursued. According to the latest study done by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in India (MHFW), the total economic cost for treating tobacco-linked diseases of individuals aged 35-69 amounted to Rs 1,045 billion in 2011-12. This economic healthcare cost burden was more than five times the excise tax revenue collection done by the government from tobacco in the same year. This implies that for every 20 paise collection in excise tax on tobacco, the Indian government has to spend more than Rs 1 for tobacco-linked health issues. Therefore, any move to disincentivise consumption of tobacco seems like a win-win from every aspect. One only wonders why such a recourse has not been pursued sooner in public policy. May be it has been the utter lack of discourse on the matter. (Amit Kapoor is chair, Institute for Competitiveness, India. The views expressed are personal. He can be contacted at amit.kapoor@competitiveness.in. Chirag Yadav, senior researcher, Institute for Competitiveness, India, has contributed to the article) New Delhi, Nov 28 : With talk about India being asked to play a more active role in the Commonwealth, a British Minister has said that New Delhi has a "pivotal role" to play in the 52-nation bloc of countries that were once part of the British Empire. "India is not just the largest democracy in the world, it is a also a country with great history within the context of the Commonwealth," Lord Tariq Ahmad, Britain's Minister of State for the Commonwealth and the United Nations, told IANS in an interview here. "We were delighted by the royal visit here recently... as well as the warmth of the bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and India," he said. "From the comments of Prince Charles, it was very clear about the importance we lay on the Commonwealth and equally that India lays towards the Commonwealth." Ahmad, who is of Indian origin, said that his wife is of Pakistani heritage and their children were "products of the Commonwealth". "That's what the Commonwealth brings. This incredible tapestry, this incredible diversity of nations and people," he said. "I think India has a rich diversity and so, as the biggest nation of the Commonwealth in terms of people, as a nation which is clearly emerging as a great global player, it has a pivotal role to play in the Commonwealth." Ahmad, who was here to attend the Fifth Global Conference on Cyber Space, said that London and New Delhi were holding constructive discussions "to see how we can also demonstrably show India playing a much more significant role within the context of the Commonwealth". "We are seeing a new global India which is opening up to the world which presents huge opportunities," he said. "But let's also recognise that India is a key player in the family that is the Commonwealth and in that we are also partners. So, we hope that with India's growing role within the Commonwealth, there will equally be great opportunities for other countries within the context of the Commonwealth as well." With the world getting increasing multi-polar in the post-Cold War era, this grouping of former British territories has been losing relevance over the years. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave the 2015 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Malta a miss, then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh did not attend the 2011 meeting in Australia and the 2013 edition in Sri Lanka. Now, however, attempts are being made to give a fresh lease of life to the bloc with expectations of India playing a more active role. With next year's CHOGM to be hosted by Britain, Ahmad said the event this time would be attended by all heads of government. Stating that next year's summit is really focused on opening up, he added that the leaders' retreat will be a very important part of it. According to the British Minister, there are four key key themes in the run-up to next year's summit -- security, sustainability, prosperity and trade, and fairness. While the first theme is aimed at ensuring a secure Commonwealth, the theme of sustainability looks at some of the challenges of climate change, particularly for island states. "Recently, we have seen the challenges of climate change and the devastation things like hurricanes can pose for small islands," Ahmad said. "How can we build resilience within that second theme? How can we build the capabilities of small island states in dealing with natural disasters? How can we build sustainable fishing industries?" Ahmad said that the third element of prosperity and trade is aimed at opening up trade between the relevant nations of the Commonwealth. "How we can do not just things collectively as the Commonwealth 52 but bilaterally as the UK and India are doing and at other times groups moving together," he stated. As for the fourth theme of fairness, the British Minister said: "Whether you are a man or a woman, whether you are young or old, the Commonwealth is for everyone and we need to ensure fairness." Stating that the key word to strengthen the 52-nation bloc is partnership, he said that sometimes the most practical workable solution may be found in one part of the Commonwealth. (Aroonim Bhuyan can be contacted at aroonim.b@ians.in) Bengaluru, Nov 28 : Incessant rains in Karnataka in the last few months that damaged several crops have led to soaring vegetable prices across the state, state-run horticulture committees and private grocers said. "Due to heavy rains across the state, several crops have been damaged. There has been very less availability of everyday vegetables like onions, tomatoes and potatos, leading to rising prices," Gopal Gowda, Marketing Manager of Horticultural Producers' Cooperative Marketing and Processing Society (HOPCOMS), told IANS. As listed by HOPCOMS, an organisation under the state's Department of Horticulture, on Monday, onions were priced at Rs 67 per kilo and tomatoes at Rs 42 a kilo as against their earlier prices which ranged between Rs 30-35 per kilo. The prices of the politically sensitive vegetable, the onion, are likely to come down after the central government last week imposed a minimum export price of $850 per tonne (approximately Rs 54.8 per kilo) to increase domestic supplies, Gowda added. The central government moved after vegetable prices shot up across the country. "We are expecting the prices of onions to come down within another 15-20 days with the new harvest expected to hit the market," Gowda added. "Unprecedented rains have caused the aberrations in food industry as there has been a delay in sowing the crops, which in turn delayed the crop cycle," Vipul Mittal, the National Head for Fruits and Vegetables for online grocer Big Basket, told IANS over the phone. The prices of onions and tomatoes should have ideally been low during the winter with the harvest of their crops, Mittal added. Over the past six months, the prices of onions per kilo swung between Rs 14 and Rs 47 on the grocery e-tailer's website, while the average prices of tomatoes per kilo varied between Rs 27 and Rs 72. In June, the average price of a kilo of onions on Big Basket was Rs 14, while it rose to Rs 16 in July, then nearly doubled to Rs 31 in August. For the months of September and October, the average price of onions remained nearly the same as it was in August, then shot up to Rs 47 in November. With many of the private grocery retailers sourcing vegetables and fruits directly from the farmers, they could manage to keep the prices slightly lower than that of the market, said M. Venkateshwar Kumar, the Chief Executive Officer, South of Future Retail. "We have improved our way of sourcing our fruits and vegetables phenomenally over the last few months and have a way of procuring directly from the farmers. That helps in competitive pricing," Kumar told IANS. Karnataka is one of the country's major onion producing states, with Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Gujarat being the other leading producers. M.B. Raje Gowda, a professor at the University of Agricultural Sciences, estimated that the productivity of onions could go down by at least 70 per cent in the state owing to the heavy rains. "During June and July, the sowing months, the state had no rainfall at all, which affected the farmers who took to onion sowing. Then there were excessive rains which caused water-logging in farms across the state during August and September, destroying the crops," Gowda said. "Sowing area for onions on the whole in the state was less than 50 per cent of the area that is usually sown, out of which several crops were destroyed due to the rains. One can expect the output of onions to be affected by at least 70 per cent in Karnataka," he added. (Bhavana Akella can be contacted at bhavana.a@ians.in) New Delhi, Nov 28 : India is monitoring the situation in Bali where a volcano has erupted in Mount Agung, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Tuesday. The minister tweeted that she had spoken to Pradeep Rawat, the Indian Ambassador in Jakarta. "We have set up a facilitation centre at the (Bali) airport and are providing assistance to the stranded Indian nationals there. I am in constant touch with our mission," she said. Indonesian authorities on Tuesday extended the closure of Bali's main airport until Wednesday. Indonesian officials say Agung continues to erupt and spew water vapour and ash between 2,000 and 3,400 metres high above the crater. There is also seismic activity in the area. The Bali airport on Monday cancelled 445 domestic and international flights, leaving at least 59,000 passengers stranded. Bali is the main tourist draw in Indonesia, with an annual influx of around 5.4 million foreign tourists, according to official data. At least 22 towns near the mountain have been affected by the ash and authorities have recommended the use of protective masks for the population. Located in the east of the island, in Karangasem district, Mount Agung is far from most tourist attractions. New Delhi, Nov 28 : On the eve of the International Day of Solidarity with Palestinian People, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday reiterated India's support for the Palestinian cause. "On the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people, I reiterate India's steadfast support for the Palestinian cause," Modi said in a statement. "We hope for early realization of a sovereign, independent, united and viable Palestine, co-existing peacefully with Israel," Modi said. In 1977, the UN General Assembly called for the annual observance of November 29 as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. In his message, Modi said India was an active development partner of Palestine, engaged in extending technical and financial assistance to improve the lives of the Palestinian people. "We will continue to support the development and nation-building efforts of Palestine. "To this effect, India has increased training slots for Palestine under our flagship Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation programme from 100 to 150 annual slots. "Separately, educational scholarships have also been doubled in order to contribute to human resource development of Palestine." Modi also expressed hope for an early resumption of dialogue between the Palestinian and Israeli sides to move towards finding a comprehensive negotiated resolution. Beirut, Nov 28 : Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri has said that he will resign if the Hezbollah resistance movement refuses to remain neutral in the country. Hariri, in remarks to French broadcaster CNews, said on Monday that he would continue as Prime Minister "if Hezbollah accepted to stick by the state policy of staying out of regional conflicts from Syria to Iraq and Yemen". "They know we have to remain neutral in the region," Hariri was quoted as saying by Press TV. Hezbollah is an opponent of Hariri's Saudi Arabia-backed Future Movement though it is also a member of Hariri's coalition government. Hariri announced his resignation on November 4 in Saudi Arabia, shocking Lebanon and plunging it into political uncertainty. He accused Iran and Hezbollah of sowing strife in the Arab world, an allegation rejected by both sides. Shortly afterwards, Lebanese President Michel Aoun accused Riyadh of kidnapping Hariri. The European Union, France and Germany also called on the Saudis for his return. Hariri then travelled back to Lebanon and put his resignation on hold at Aoun's request in favour of a national dialogue. According to reports, Hariri had been forced to step down by the Kingdom over his failing to "confront" Hezbollah. "Lebanon cannot resolve a question like Hezbollah which is in Syria, Iraq, everywhere because of Iran. It is a regional political solution that needs to be done," Hariri said on Monday. He also rejected claims that he had forcibly resigned. He said he had written his resignation statement himself, countering allegations that it has been handed to him. The Prime Minister said he would keep to himself what happened in Saudi Arabia, implying that he did not feel free to expose what had actually transpired in the Kingdom. Nairobi, Nov 28 : Uhuru Kenyatta will be sworn-in on Tuesday in front of foreign dignitaries and thousands of supporters for his second term as Kenya's President. The swearing-in comes after Kenyatta's win in the October 26 presidential re-run, reports Xinhua news agency. "We have received many congratulatory messages from foreign countries and we have more than 43 delegations who have confirmed attendance," Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Monica Juma said. The swearing-in ceremony, which is being boycotted by the opposition, is being held amid tight security in the Kasarani Stadium here. Kenyatta won the re-run with 7.48 million votes in 266 out of 291 constituencies. Opposition leader Raila Odinga has mocked Kenyatta's "coronation". The original election on August 8 was held over again after being annulled by the Supreme Court on grounds of irregularities. Itanagar, Nov 28 : Arunachal Pradesh Governor B.D. Mishra has urged Army chief General Bipin Rawat to lower the height criteria for youths from the state, saying this was coming in the way of their joining the military. Mishra, a retired Brigadier, also requested Gen Rawat to increase the number of recruitment rallies in the state which borders China. The "height consideration ... is a natural handicap" for the youths to join the Army, he said. The Governor said youths of the state had aspirations but due to the remoteness of their living areas and lack of pre-recruitment training, "many aspirants have missed the recruitment opportunity in the past". Chandigarh, Nov 28 : The Punjab Assembly saw noisy scenes on Tuesday as opposition AAP legislators demanded a CBI probe into an alleged audio clip in which a lawyer is purportedly heard seeking money on behalf of a High Court judge to decide a case against AAP Leader of Opposition Sukhpal Singh Khaira. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislators stormed to the well of the House and did not allow Question Hour to begin. Khaira demanded a CBI probe against the lawyer who was allegedly acting as a tout for a High Court judge. Khaira said that vested interests were trying to fix him in a drugs case through unfair means. The Shiromani Akali Dal legislators attacked the Congress government for not implementing its promise of debt waiver for farmers in Punjab. The Akali Dal and AAP legislators were also involved in heated exchanges on the issue of drugs in Punjab. AAP legislators demanded that the report of a special investigation team (SIT) into the drugs racket be made public. Following the uproar, the Speaker adjourned the house for 30 minutes. AAP legislators later staged a walkout on the issue of the Assembly session being too short. They said the party's demand for a longer session was ignored. They have demanded that the session should be at least for seven days. Lucknow, Nov 28 : Bollywood producer-director Madhur Bhandarkar on Tuesday met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at his official residence and evinced interest in shooting for his next film in the state, officials said. Adityanath had a morning engagement with the noted director. Officials said Bhandarkar lauded the new film policy of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state. Uttar Pradesh has been pitching hard to attract Bollywood to shoot in the state. It was also a partner in the film festival in Goa where senior officials camped and met film personalities to discuss the benefits of shooting in the state, the officials added. Uttar Pradesh has drawn a large number of film producers in the past five years. Former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had rolled out the red carpet for shoots. Dozens of films were shot in different locations of the state. However, with the BJP coming to power, there has been a break in this as the film world views the present dispensation as a hardliner and does not want to "court unnecessary controversy", a known film personality told IANS. Dubai, Nov 28 : India's Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara has reclaimed the No.2 Test spot while skipper Virat Kohli stood static at No.5 in the latest ICC rankings, released here on Tuesday. Pujara, who stroked a brilliant 143 in the second Test against Sri Lanka in the Nagpur Test, leapfrogged England captain Joe Root and New Zealand captain Kane Williamson in the batting chart led by Australia skipper Steven Smith. Smith fired a magnificent unbeaten 141, his 21st century in his 57th Test, which was the cornerstone of Australia's 10-wicket victory over England in the Ashes opener in Brisbane. For Pujara, this is the third time the Saurashtra right-hander has claimed the second rank, having first reached the position after the Ranchi Test against Australia in March, and then again in August, after scoring 133 against Sri Lanka in Colombo. Pujara has been rewarded with 22 points, which have lifted him from fourth to second on a career-high 888 points. On the other hand, Kohli, who struck his fifth Test double-hundred in Nagpur, added 60 points to take his tally to 877 points. India opener Murali Vijay and middle-order batsman Rohit Sharma, who were the other centurions in the just-concluded Test, have also made impressive gains. Vijay has risen eight places to 28th position, while Rohit has shot up seven places to 46th spot. Meanwhile, a flop show in the Nagpur game saw opener Lokesh Rahul down by one spot to No.9, Ajinkya Rahane dropped two spots to 15th while Shikhar Dhawan also went down by a point to be positioned 29th. Among the bowlers, Indian left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja has reclaimed the second spot following his match figures of 5/84, while Australia's Mitchell Starc has returned to the top 10 in 10th position after his match figures of 6/128 helped him gain three places. Ravichandran Ashwin, who got the fastest 300 wickets in Tests, has consolidated his fourth position by gaining nine points and is now 42 points behind number-one ranked Englishman James Anderson who has dropped five points after claiming two wickets in the Brisbane Test. Other bowlers to improve their rankings include Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ishant Sharma of India, who have moved up one place each to 28th and 30th respectively, and Pat Cummins of Australia, who has jumped six places to claim 45th position. In the all-rounders' rankings, Ashwin has returned to third place in the list which is headed by Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh. London, Nov 28 : Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been stripped of the honour granting her the Freedom of the City of Oxford over her response to the repression of her countrys Rohingya Muslims. The Oxford city council voted unanimously to permanently remove the honour given to Suu Kyi in 1997 and said it did not want to celebrate "those who turn a blind eye to violence". Oxford councillors had previously voted to support a cross-party motion to remove the award and made the decision official in a vote on Monday evening, the Guardian reported. The vote comes as Myanmar's powerful Army Chief told visiting Pope Francis there is "no religious discrimination" in Myanmar. Councillor Mary Clarkson, who proposed the motion, said: "When Aung San Suu Kyi was given the Freedom of the City in 1997 it was because she reflected Oxford's tolerance and internationalism. "We celebrated her for her opposition to oppression and military rule in Myanmar. Today we have taken the unprecedented step of stripping her of the city's highest honour because of her inaction in the face of oppression of the minority Rohingya population." She added that the reputation of the city was being "tarnished" by "honouring those who turn a blind eye to violence". In 2012, Suu Kyi was celebrated with an honorary doctorate from Oxford and held her 67th birthday party at St. Hugh's college, where she studied politics, philosophy and economics between 1964 and 1967. But in recent months the Nobel Peace laureate has attracted growing criticism for her response to the Rohingya humanitarian crisis in Myanmar. In September, the governing body of St. Hugh's decided to remove a painting of her from its main entrance, days before the start of the university term and the arrival of new students. In October, undergraduates at St. Hugh's voted to remove the Myanmar leader's name from the title of their junior common room. So far, Oxford has decided not to reconsider Suu Kyi's honorary degree. But the university has expressed its "profound concern" over the Rohingya crisis. Kolkata, Nov 28 : Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen on Tuesday flew in India's indigenous fighter aircraft Tejas, and called it a "very good plane". "Privileged to be flown on the Tejas, India's own designed and manufactured fighter aircraft. A very good plane," the Singapore minister said in a tweet. He was flown in the plane at the Indian Air Force Station in Kalaikunda (West Bengal), the Defence Ministry said. Hen, who is on a tour to India, will arrive in New Delhi on Wednesday to hold second Singapore-India Defence Ministers' Dialogue with his Indian counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman. Yangon, Nov 28 : Pope Francis, who is on a state visit to Myanmar, met a group of 17 leaders from various religious faiths here on Tuesday, urging them to defend their identities and resist cultural colonialism. The Pope spoke in Spanish during the 40-minute meeting and drew a difference between unity and uniformity, warning that while unity was beautiful, an insistence on uniformity could lead to cultural colonialism, reports Efe news. "Everyone has their values, their wealth and their shortcomings. Each faith has their traditions, their wealth to give, and this can only happen if we live in peace," he said. The meeting was held at the archdiocesan headquarters, where the Pope is staying after he arrived here on Monday. The Bishop of the Pathein Diocese in Myanmar John Hsane Hgyi had opened the meeting, followed by leaders from Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, Anglican and Roman Catholic faiths, according to Vatican spokesperson Greg Burke. During the meeting, the pontiff urged Myanmar's religious leaders to understand the value of ethnic and religious differences they represented, rather than be daunted by them. He also met Buddhist leader Sitagu Sayadaw separately to discuss peaceful coexistence among communities in the country that has been in the spotlight for months over continuing atrocities against the Rohingya Muslim minority. The Pope will travel to capital Nay Pyi Taw later on Tuesday to meet President Htin Kyaw and Nobel Peace Laureate and the de-facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The humanitarian crisis of the Rohingya plays a crucial role in Pope Francis' visit to Myanmar. On Thursday he will head to neighbouring Bangladesh in an attempt to mediate the crisis, which the UN has dubbed a "textbook example of ethnic cleansing". The pontiff will become the first Catholic leader to visit Dhaka since 1986. In Bangladesh, Francis is scheduled to meet a small group of Rohingya refugees in a symbolic gesture. Kolkata, Nov 28 : President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday said Bengal has certain advantages as a border state but also certain responsibilities in guarding against forces of radicalism and extremism. "Being a border state gives Bengal certain advantages. It also gives it certain responsibilities. Forces of radicalism and extremism, some of them with cross-border linkages, seek to take advantage of our democratic spaces. We must guard against this," he said while speaking at a civic reception accorded to him here. Kovind, on his maiden visit to the state after taking over as President, expressed his gratitude to Bengal for the "warm welcome" and thanked Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for a unique gift. "I am happy to say that I am deeply touched by the warm welcome which has been accorded to me in the land of Bengal. I was more surprised when Chief Minister presented me a painting. She said this is her own painting. Honourable Chief Minister, I assure you that, of course, it will be in Rashtrapati Bhavan. But it will always remain close to my heart," he said. Hailing the state for its rich culture and history, he said: "There are few people anywhere in our country who have not been touched by Bengal or by some creation of Bengal. Somehow, in some manner, the state has touched every Indian and enriched the life of every Indian." Citing many freedom fighters from Bengal, he said three sons of Bengal - Rabindranath Tagore, Bankim Chanra Chattorpadhyay and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose - were instrumental for defining nationalism. "Our freedom came faster because of the energy they gave our people," he said. The President described Kolkata as the city with a heart and Bengalis as people with a heart. He also mentioned that nation building owed a lot to Bengal and the sacrifices and historical achievements of the people of the state. He noted that Bengal embraced refugees escaping from a brutal military crackdown in what was then East Pakistan. "It generously shared whatever little it had with those who had run away from oppression. We can never forget that. The world can never forget that," he added. Reminding the past glory of industrialisation in the state, he said: "Bengal was an early industrial and manufacturing centre in our country. Its economy must sing again in this age of digital and robotic technologies. Its farmers must be equipped with the latest agricultural knowledge to allow them to realise their potential." London, Nov 28 : Researchers have found a treasure trove of bacteria with the potential to fight HIV as well as tackle the world's antibiotic problem from soils in one of the highest, driest places on earth. Soils analysis from the Cerro Chajnantor mountain landscape of Chile within the Atacama Desert, revealed an extraordinary repository for actinobacterial 'dark matter' -- which comprises the vast majority of microbes that microbiologists are currently unable to cultivate. Actinobacteria are the keystone species in our ecosystems and are acknowledged as an unrivalled source of bioactive compounds. "We found that 40 per cent of the actinobacteria captured in samples could not be given ascribed names as they had never before been discovered," said Michael Goodfellow, Professor at Britain's Newcastle University . "This microbial seed bank represents an enormous untapped resource for biotechnology programmes, especially in an era where resistance to existing antibiotics is rapidly becoming a major threat to global health," Goodfellow said. The team also found one strain of bacteria that is proven to be an inhibitor of an enzyme that allows the HIV virus to reproduce itself. "This could provide essential clues for the development of anti-HIV drugs," Goodfellow said. "The discovery of new bacteria could potentially be used to create new treatments as work continues to tackle the antibiotics time-bomb," he noted. For the study, published in the journal Extremophiles, the team conducted analysis of soil samples taken from heights of 3,000 to 5,000 metres above sea level from the Atacama Desert, which is subject to a combination of extreme environmental conditions including the world's highest levels of surface ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Panaji, Nov 28 : Sanal Kumar Sasidharan's fight to have his Malayalam film "S Durga" screened at the 48th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) failed due to fresh title-related issues raised by the Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC). In a fresh twist to the "S Durga" saga, IFFI director Sunit Tandon said the film could not screened at the festival which closes on Tuesday. Tandon's letter to director Sasidharan said: "Following the (jury) screening, certain issues related to the certification of the film with reference to the title of the film were raised. This was referred to the CBFC for clarification. As a consequence to the orders of CBFC, the film cannot be exhibited till the issues are resolved." The film was dropped from the screening schedule of the Indian Panorama section of the IFFI along with another film "Nude", triggering controversy. Sasidharan intensified his fight for "justice" with a petition at the Kerala High Court last week. The court directed IFFI to screen the film at the festival after a censored version of the movie was screened for the jury. According to official sources, the jury voted 7-4 in favour of screening the film at the festival late on Monday night even as the festival was scheduled to end on the subsequent day. The CBFC has now claimed that the change in title from "Sexy Durga" to "S Durga" and then to "S### Durga" was problematic and that the Indian Panorama jury which watched the film on Monday had complained about the changes in the title. "Now we have received complaints from the IFFI jury at Goa that the title of the film on the title card is shown by the filmmaker as 'S### Durga' which has totally different implications and are effectively undermining and attempting to defeat the very basis of the title registration and changes effected thereby," Pratibha A, the CBFC regional officer from the Thiruvananthapuram division, said in a communication. The CBFC communique to the film's producer Shaji Mathew also directs that the film should not be exhibited because of violations under Rule 33 of the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules 1983. Meanwhile, Sasidharan and the film's actor Kannan Nayar staged a token protest near the IFFI screening facility here, against the refusal of the IFFI organisers to screen their film at the festival, despite the jury voting in the film's favour. "It is a bias we are facing. Our film is not 'Sexy Durga' now, it is 'Sexy Democracy'... They are imposing silence on us. They think it is just a filmmaker and a film they are silencing. They will come to your home and silence you. That is when you will realise how serious the threat iS," Sasidharan said. New Delhi, Nov 28 : Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan on Tuesday inaugurated a Green Waste Reprocessor (GWR) machine here at Nigambodh Ghat that will convert leaves and flowers into reusable religious offerings at the crematorium. The machine installed at the largest crematorium of Delhi will process all the horticulture waste generated or used during the last rites, into Havan Samagri which will be reused at the crematorium itself. The managing committee of Nigambodh Ghat said the Havan Samgri produced will be distributed free of cost to people who perform the Havan or Yajna there. The machine, first of its kind at a crematorium in Delhi, has been funded through MPLADS fund of the Minister. The Minister said the initiative is a step to save river Yamuna from pollution. "GWR is a promising machine which will reprocess flowers and leaves that come to the Ghat. Earlier it was either thrown away into the river, or would pile up as refuse which was removed by municipality trucks. Either way it added to pollution," the Minister said. The machine is produced by Clean India Ventures and can reprocess 100 to four tonnes of green waste per day. "Green waste constitute more than 60 per cent of urban waste... Municipalities can achieve a big relief from managing landfill sites to operating waste-carrying trucks if bulk generators of waste such as residential societies, vegetable mandis, temples, hotels etc installs a GWR machine," said Alok Gupta, Director, Clean India Ventures. New Delhi, Nov 28 : India and Russia have reiterated their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in security and counterterrorism, an official said on Tuesday. A Home Ministry statement said the issue was taken up by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Russian Federation Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev during a meeting in Moscow on Monday. The two leaders also reviewed the implementation of the Agreement on Information Security signed in October 2016. Both sides welcomed the ongoing cooperation and regular exchange of visits between the National Security Councils of the two countries. Rajnath Singh, on a three-day visit to Russia from November 27-29, also held discussions with Russian Minister for Emergency Situations Vladimir Puchkov on cooperation in disaster management. The two reviewed the progress on Agreement on Disaster Management signed in 2010. "Both sides agreed that EMERCOM of Russia will cooperate in the establishment of a National Crisis Management Centre in India," the statement said. They also agreed on a programme to train specialists and sharing of experiences and best practices in disaster management. The two leaders later signed a Joint Implementation Plan for 2018-19 for cooperation in disaster management. Rajnath Singh will visit the Federal Security Service of Russia and hold talks with its Director Alexander Bortnikov on Tuesday, the statement added. Tokyo, Nov 28 : Tokyo retained its position as the city with the most Michelin starred restaurants in the world with 314 of its restaurants making it to the 2018 edition of the celebrated Red Guidebook, the publishers said on Tuesday. Four three-starred Tokyo restaurants have maintained their position for 11 years, including Kanda, that serves Japanese Kaiseki cuisine, Sushi restaurant Sukiyabashi Jiro and French eateries Joel Robuchon and Quintessence. "My attitude toward cooking has been the same for 11 years; it is always a challenge to offer the best dishes to the clients. It is something constant, but I don't forget the essential things," Shuzo Kishida, chef of Quintessence told Efe news. Ramen restaurants Nakiryu and Tsuta, where a meal does not cost more than 1,000 yen ($9), have also kept their single star this year, although ramen - a noodle soup - is considered fast food in Japan. The renowned French guide book, considered the bible of gastronomy, awarded three stars to 12 restaurants, the highest rating in the French guidebook. The Japanese capital, which also boasts of 56 two-star and 155 one-star restaurants, and nine more stars as compared to last year, has now beaten Paris for the seventh consecutive year. Michael Ellis, international director of the Michelin guide, said that the local food, as well as the international cuisine, served in Tokyo was of great quality. The 2018 edition of the guidebook, which will be available in bookshops and online from December 1, includes 23 new restaurants and for the fourth consecutive year, included a section dedicated to 278 Japanese restaurants that are good value for money. Tokyo has got its own edition of the guide for 11 years now, which claims to select the best from among its 160,000 restaurants. New Delhi, Nov 28 : The government has said the expenditure incurred on the entire negotiation process under the ambitious Naga Framework Agreement cannot be made public as it will be prejudicial to national security interests. "It is intimated that the information sought on the expenditure of Naga Framework Agreement are highly sensitive in nature and sharing the details will be prejudicial to the national security interests," the Home Ministry said in an RTI reply to IANS. The information was exempted from disclosure under Section 8(1)(a) of the RTI Act, 2005, the reply added. Clause 8(1)(a) bars making public information, disclosure of which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, security, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the state, relation with foreign state or lead to incitement of an offence. The Home Ministry also declined to give information on the cost incurred on keeping the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Issak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) leaders in Delhi ever since the signing of the Naga Framework Agreement on August 3, 2015. The Agreement was signed between the Centre and the NSCN-IM after nearly two decades of negotiations. Many expect a final solution to the six decades of Naga conflict by the end of this year. Nagaland may get some political autonomy as part of the overall solution. Kolkata, Nov 28 : Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen on Tuesday flew a sortie in the trainer version of the Light Combat Aircraft at the Indian Air Force base at Kalaikunda in West Bengal, and called it a "very good plane". "Privileged to be flown on the Tejas, India's own designed and manufactured fighter aircraft. A very good plane," the Singapore minister said in a tweet. Hen, on a day's visit to Kalaikunda, was received at the air base by Eastern Air Command chief, Air Marshal Anil Khosla. The Project Director for Flight Testing at the Aeronautical Development Agency, Air Vice Marshal A.P. Singh was the pilot who flew the visiting dignitary in the LCA, a Defence Ministry spokesman said.A Hen also met and interacted with the Detachment Commander and other officers and men of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), who are presently at Kalaikunda undergoing their routine annual training. The Joint Military Training is scheduled to start in a few days at Kalaikunda wherein the RSAF pilots would fly their F-16s and their IAF counterparts, the Su-30. Speaking to the media, Hen praised the professionalism of the IAF and expressed satisfaction with the military cooperation between the two countries. Khosla said Joint Military Training provided a unique platform for mutual learning and exchange of ideas between two professional Air Forces. Hen will arrive in New Delhi on Wednesday to hold second Singapore-India Defence Ministers' Dialogue with his Indian counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman. Yangon, Nov 28 : Pope Francis on Tuesday delivered a keynote speech in Myanmar after meeting the country's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, demanding "respect for each ethnic group" but without referring to the persecuted Rohingya Muslim minority by name. Standing alongside Suu Kyi, the Pope spoke mostly in general terms. His highly-anticipated remarks may draw condemnation from human rights activists who blame the Myanmar Army for driving out hundreds of thousands of Rohingyas from the country. Although the Pope made no direct reference to Rohingyas, his speech was a strong defence of ethnic rights, the BBC reported. He said: "The future of Myanmar must be peace, a peace based on respect for the dignity and rights of each member of society, respect for each ethnic group and its identity, respect for the rule of law and respect for a democratic order that enables each individual and every group to offer its legitimate contribution to the common good." The Pope said Myanmar's greatest treasure was its people and that they had "suffered greatly and continue to suffer, from civil conflict and hostilities that have lasted all too long and created deep divisions. "As the nation now works to restore peace, the healing of those wounds must be a paramount political and spiritual priority." He added: "Religious differences need not be a source of division and distrust, but rather a force for unity, forgiveness, tolerance and wise nation-building." In her speech, Suu Kyi also made no direct reference to the Rohingya Muslims. However, she accepted the situation in Rakhine state had "most strongly captured the attention of the world". She said that "social, economic and political" issues had "eroded trust and understanding, harmony and co-operation between different communities in Rakhine". Suu Kyi has been criticized for her lack of action over the issue. She was stripped of the Freedom of the City of Oxford on Monday, with British councillors saying they no longer wished to honour those who turned a "blind eye to violence". Myanmar denied UN accusations that the treatment of the Muslim community amounted to "ethnic cleansing". It said the crackdown in Rakhine state, which began in late August, was to root out violent insurgents. The Pope is on the second day of a four-day visit to the country. In an earlier 40-minute meeting in Yangon with leaders of the Buddhist, Islamic, Hindu, Jewish and Christian faiths, he also made no direct reference to the Rohingyas, according to Vatican officials. He also met Buddhist leader Sitagu Sayadaw separately to discuss peaceful coexistence among communities in the country. On Wednesday, the Pope will celebrate a huge Mass in Yangon, Efe news reported. After Myanmar, he will move on to Bangladesh to meet a small group of Rohingya refugees in a symbolic gesture. The pontiff will become the first Catholic leader to visit Dhaka since 1986. Ghaziabad, Nov 28 : Armed robbers who initially pretended to be patients in need of urgent medical help barged into a doctor's house here on Tuesday and fled with cash, jewellery and other valueables worth lakhs of rupees, police said. The incident occurred at the Vasundhara residential locality when four men reached the residence-cum-clinic of neurologist Neeraj Agrawal and told the receptionist that they needed to see him. As the receptionist asked them to wait, they quickly scaled the staircase and barged into the first floor residence where the doctor, his wife and mother live. They overpowered the doctor, put a pistol at his head and told his wife to surrender all the valuables -- which she did. Within 15 minutes, they fled after bolting the house from outside. The frightened receptionist then phoned the police. "Raids are being conducted to nab the criminals," Inspector Sushil Kumar Dubey told IANS. New Delhi, Nov 28 : The CBI on Tuesday said it has booked five officials of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on charge of siphoning off government funds. The agency also carried out searches at 11 premises of the accused officials and private persons in Delhi, CBI spokesperson Abhishek Dayal told IANS. The CBI had registered a case against Under Secretary Sanjay Mehta, Section Officer Hemant, Assistant Section Officer R.K. Arora, Section Officer Vijay Pal and Assistant Section Officer Mahendra Singh, all posted in the Training Section of DoPT, and several others on charges of cheating, forgery and criminal conspiracy under the Indian Penal Code. According to the CBI official, the five officials were booked on Monday evening after a complaint from DOPT Director (Training) V.K. Sinha on September 9 that Mehta, Arora and Hemant had siphoned off government funds through fraudulent sanction orders. The complaint said it had been decided to place these officers under suspension. Jain reported that persual of records for 2017-18 revealed that of the total 67 payments made during the fiscal under Training for All scheme, totalling Rs 9.21 crore, eight bills of Rs 18.17 lakh were issued fraudulently in favour of five vendors: Institute of Public Sciences, Kapil Book Store, Kavita Ahluwalia, Institute of Public Administration and Sahej Trading Corporation. The complaint alleged that three sanction orders issued by the TFA Section were found to be issued fraudulently without the approval of the competent authority. Kolkata, Nov 28 : Legendary Bengali actor Soumitra Chatterjee would be handed over France's highest civilian award Legion of Honour during the 42nd edition of the International Kolkata Book Fair in January next year. France, which would also be the focal theme of this edition of the world's most attended book fair, is planning to present the award to the octogenarian actor on the inaugural day of the event in the presence of its Minister of Culture Francoise Nyssen, a senior French official said on Tuesday. "Soumitra Chatterjee is not just an actor, he is a legend. The award was announced in June. But we waited for the perfect occasion to hand him the award. The book fair seems to be a perfect backdrop as our Minister of Culture would also be present in the city at that time," Damien Syed, Consul General of France in Kolkata, said during the announcement and logo unveiling event of the book fair here. "It is a befitting occasion to hand him the award as a French minister would be visiting the city after seven years. We felt it would be more prestigious and impactful if he is handed over the award by the minister, who herself is a writer and a noted publisher in France," he pointed out. The upcoming edition of the book fair would be inaugurated by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at a new venue in Central Park Mela Grounds in Salt Lake and would be held from January 31 to February 11. Talking about the French connection to the Kolkata book fair, Syed said the French pavilion in this edition, entitled 'Experience: The Digital Journey of France', would focus on highlighting various aspects of Indo-French relations. "It is wonderful to see France as the main focus country in the Kolkata book fair. The French pavilion in the fair would be uniquely designed to portray different aspects of Indo-French relationships in the past, present and future," the consul general said. The ongoing 'Bonjour India Festival', organised by the cultural wing of the French Embassy in different Indian cities on the occasion of the 70th year of Indo-France diplomatic relationship, would observe its closing ceremony at the Kolkata book fair. Kolkata, Nov 28 : Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen on Tuesday flew in India's indigenous fighter aircraft Tejas, and called it a "very good plane". "Privileged to be flown on the Tejas, India's own designed and manufactured fighter aircraft. A very good plane," the Singapore minister said in a tweet. Ng was flown in the plane at the Indian Air Force Station in Kalaikunda (West Bengal), the Defence Ministry said. The flight, around half-an-hour long, was piloted by Air Vice Marshal A.P. Singh, the Project Director, Flight Testing at the Aeronautical Development Agency. Two Tejas aircraft were flown in from Bengalure to Kalaikunda, where a joint training is on between the IAF and Republic of Singapore Air Force, which has flown in six F-16C/Ds. The IAF has fielded its Sukhoi-30 fighter jets. Ng, on a day's visit to Kalaikunda, was received at the air base by Eastern Air Command chief, Air Marshal Anil Khosla. Talking to reporters at the airbase, he called Tejas an "excellent aircraft" and said it is "very impressive". He however did not confirm if Singapore has expressed any interest in buying the fighter. "I am not a pilot... it is for the technical people to take a call on it," he said. Ng, who is on a tour to India, will arrive in New Delhi on Wednesday to hold second Singapore-India Defence Ministers' Dialogue with his Indian counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman. An official statement from the Singapore Defence Ministry said Ng thanked the Indian Government for providing realistic and challenging training opportunities for the RSAF to hone its operational readiness. "(It was) very impressive, and this is the reason why our air force trains with your (Indian) air force. Your pilots are superb, planes (are) equally good, and the RSAF gets immeasurable value from training here with you, and (with) experienced pilots like you. We have been having bilateral air exercises since 2004, and I hope that these bilateral exercises will last very long," he said. The statement added that the bilateral training has grown in scale and complexity over the years to involve advanced aircraft and high-end training missions such as Dissimilar Air Combat Training and Mission-Oriented Training. In January this year, India and Singapore had renewed an agreement for RSAF to continue its joint military training with IAF for another five years. Under the agreement, the RSAF will have regular opportunities to train with the IAF's advanced Su-30 fighters. The agreement between the two air forces was signed first in 2007 and renewed in 2012. Mumbai, Nov 28 : The National Human Rights Commission and the Maharashtra State Women's Commission on Tuesday took serious note of a school reportedly asking a 15-year-old rape victim to leave on grounds that her continuance as student "tarnishes its reputation". Terming the incident as "a grave violation" of the victim's human rights, the NHRC has issued notice to the state government and Defence Secretary, while the MSWC has written to the Latur police and district administration, both seeking a detailed report on the shocking incident. According to local media reports, the girl was raped last April on the pretext of marriage by a soldier who visited his native village while on vacation, but later abandoned her. The victim and her family have claimed that the local police harassed her and allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 50,000 for lodging the complaint, and the case was only filed after they approached Latur's Superintendent of Police Shivajirao Rathod in August. After police visited the school to make investigations, the girl's family said she was asked to collect her transfer certificate and leave the school, ostensibly as the school authorities felt it harmed their reputation with repeated police visits to its premises. The school authorities denied the allegations, claiming that the girl's family had sought to make her leave the school as she was traumatised by the incident. MSWC Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar told media persons here that the Latur police have been directed to submit a detailed status report on the entire matter on top priority and indicated that a team would visit the victim. Congress legislator from Latur, Amit Vilasrao Deshmukh has offered all help to the victim in her quest for justice. Police said the soldier is accused of raping the girl sometime in April when he befriended her on the pretext of marriage, when he was on leave from duty, but later broke all contact with her. Terming the incident as "highly sadistic and unethical", the NHRC has ordered the Defence Secretary to inform about the departmental action taken against the accused soldier within four weeks. Abu Dhabi, Nov 28 : In a significant honour, India has been declared as the 'Guest of Honour country for the prestigious 15th Abu Dhabi Festival (ADF), a month-long festival celebrating art and culture, to be held in March 2018 in Abu Dhabi. It will see performances by 'The Merchants of Bollywood an Indian theatrical extravaganza, 'We The Living, a classical Indian dance inspired by Rumis 'The Human Being by the Tanusree Shankar Dance Academy and sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan. The announcement of India being the Guest of Honour country was made at a packed press conference at the Emirates Palace Auditorium on Monday, according to a UAE Embassy press release. The Festival will be held under the patronage of Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, UAE Minister of Tolerance. The selection of India as Guest of Honour country is significant as 2018 is being celebrated as the 'Year of Zayed', to mark the birth centenary of Sheikh Zayed, the founding father of the UAE and the country's first President. ADF 2018 will see the participation of more than 500 international artistes and 40 composers from 30 countries. Indian Artists of eminence will participate in the event. The India-related events will include workshops by Gilles Chuyen, who has been trained in France in Folk, Modern Ballet and Contemporary dance styles and as choreographer and works extensively with Bollywood; and Collaboration between Rajeev Kumar and UAE's Mohammed Mandi, both eminent calligraphists, from India and UAE respectively. Umm AL Emarat Park will showcase 'The Raghu Dixit Project', one of India's most exciting live acts with some of the finest musicians. Navdeep Suri, Indian Ambassador to the UAE, said: "It is a matter of pride that India has been chosen as the Guest of Honour for the 2018 edition of Abu Dhabi Festival. We look forward to working closely with Her Excellency Huda AlKhamis-Kanoo and her team to bring some of the finest elements of Indian culture to the arts loving people of Abu Dhabi." He said the "cultural effort that India or the Indian community has made in UAE has principally been directed toward the Indian community. By collaborating with ADF 2018 we hope to supplement these efforts to take Indian culture mainstream and make sure that there is a much better understanding of an India beyond Bollywood. That is why the focus is on showcasing some of India's magnificent diversity." New Delhi, Nov 28 : The Delhi High Court on Tuesday asked the city government to place before it the mapping of government schools in the national capital which provide science and commerce streams to students at the intermediate level. The court asked the Delhi government to file a response along with mapping of government and government-aided schools offering and not offering these two streams. The court posted the matter for February 26. The court was hearing a plea alleging that the majority of government schools here are not offering their students science and commerce streams at the intermediate level. In its affidavit, the Department of Education (DoE) of the Delhi government said that "science stream is available in 291 government and 76 government-aided schools and commerce stream is available in 743 government and 128 government-aided schools..." It further said that the DoE was divided into 29 zones, each having a small geographical area and every zone had sufficient number of schools equipped with science and commerce streams for Class XI and XII, so that students could opt for their desired stream. It stated that as per the data of the last five years, despite an increase in the number of schools offering science stream by nearly 18 per cent, the enrolment in the stream had increased by only 8.5 per cent. Similarly, despite an increase in the number of schools offering commerce stream by over 36 per cent, the enrolment in this stream had decreased by 0.6 per cent, it said, adding that adequate facilities were in place for studying science and commerce streams as per the demand of students. The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) had pointed out that the distribution of schools offering science and commerce streams is "alarmingly uneven". "Depriving students from taking science or commerce stream at intermediate level amounts to depriving them of their right to choose a profession or carry on any occupation, trade or business of own choice as guaranteed under Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution of India," the plea said. "It is evident from the government records that there are 'shadow pockets' in different regions of Delhi that do not offer science and commerce streams at all in their academic curriculum," stated the petition filed through advocate G.M. Akhtar. Thiruvananthapuram, November 28 : Minister for devaswoms Kadakampally Surendran has defended the LDF government decision to introduce ten per cent reservation for the economically backward among forward communities in appointments to devaswom boards in the state. In an article carried by malayala manorama newspaper on Tuesday, the minister said that the government was of the view that economic backwardness, just like social backwardness, should also be considered (while earmarking reservations). Just like the historic decision to appoint dalits as priests in temples under devaswoms, the decision to grant reservation to economically backward among forward castes was a significant decision that had become inevitable in the present times, the article said. Mr. Surendran called on the critics of the decision to desist from stoking casteist feelings with their narrow-mindedness and welcome the government decision instead. On criticisms of the government move, he alleged that some organisations were distorting the facts behind the government decision. Some people were striving tirelessly to take the sheen off the governments revolutionary decision by resorting to fake propaganda, the minister wrote. Dismissing criticisms that the government decision was ultra vires the constitution and aimed at sabotaging reservation as a whole, he clarified that Kerala (government) has not breached the stipulation of 50 per cent reservation (the ceiling for reservation prescribed by the supreme court). Since non-hindus are not appointed in devaswom boards, the 18 per cent reservation earmarked for them devolved to open merit. The government is only distributing this percentage of reservation proportionally among all communities, Mr. Surendran explained. Pointing out that (by virtue of this proportional distribution) the reservation percentages of other communities have also gone up, he called on the governments detractors to consider whether it was right to hit out at the government by concealing this fact. Reservation for Ezhava community rose from 14 per cent to 17 per cent. That of the SC/ST community increased to 12 per cent from 10. Also, reservation for hindu OBC communities excluding Ezhavas will go up from 3 per cent to 6 per cent, the devaswom minister wrote. Hyderabad, Nov 28 : The kin of the Nizam, the ruler of erstwhile princely state of Hyderabad, are disappointed over authorities not inviting them to a reception being hosted at one of his palaces in the city for GES delegates. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is hosting a dinner at Taj Falaknuma for Ivanka Trump, daughter and advisor of US President Donald Trump and other delegates attending Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) on Tuesday. Nawab Najaf Ali Khan, grandson of the 7th and last Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, said: It is highly disappointing and lamentable that the family of the 7th Nizam were not invited for the GES event being held in one of the palaces that represents 'our familial culture and heritage.' "I, being the grandson of the erstwhile Royal Family, deserve an invite as the Palace is an important landmark both in our family's history and also in the history of Hyderabad," he said in a statement. Khan said he had numerous communications over last 10 days with the authorities of Niti Aayog, who are responsible for handling the event but it evoked no response. Falaknuma, one of the grand palaces in Hyderabad, was the residence of the sixth Nizam, Mir Mahboob Ali Khan till his death in 1911. The palace was turned into star hotel about a decade ago after restoration by Taj Group. Rabat, Nov 28 : Moroccan King Mohammed VI on Tuesday congratulated Uhuru Kenyatta on being re-elected as Kenya's President. Kenyatta was officially re-elected with 98 per cent of the vote on October 26. He won the re-run with 7.48 million votes in 266 out of 291 constituencies. King Mohammed VI expressed his keenness to continue working with Kenya, boost cooperation between the countries and expand it to all sectors. "This should help us serve our peoples' shared interests and reflect the brotherly African bonds, mutual esteem and active solidarity between our countries," King Mohammed VI said in his message. Kolkata, Nov 28 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday heaped praise on President Ram Nath Kovind for maintaining a low profile while serving in the highest office in the country, saying that the post is above all politics. "The President's post is the highest post in the country. It is above all politics. Everyone in the country respects this position. And our President is such a person who always maintains a low profile," she said during a civic reception here on occasion of Kovind's maiden visit to the state after taking over as President. "I did not know earlier that he has served as a member of Rajya Sabha for a long time. When I worked as a Lok Sabha member, he used work as a Rajya Sabha Member. We did not realise that we have worked together because he always maintained such a low profile," Banerjee said. During the event, Kovind also expressed his gratitude to Bengal for the "warm welcome" and thanked the Chief Minister for gifting him one of her own paintings. Congratulating Kovind for his ascendancy to the "number one position in the country", the Trinamool Congress supremo appealed to the President to stay the way he is, so that his cordial relationship with the commoners remains the same. "Sir, I wish you stay this simple, I wish you keep maintaining such low profile while working in the number one position in the country. I hope you stay like this so that your relation with the commoners stay the same and brings you success," Banerjee added. New Delhi, Nov 28 : Aam Aadmi Party leader Manish Sisodia on Tuesday accused the Centre of misusing the Income Tax Department to exact revenge on his Aam Aadmi Party due to its appeal for a united battle against the BJP in the Gujarat assembly elections. Pointing out that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday asked the Gujarat voters to vote for any party they thought could defeat the ruling BJP, Sisodia said his party received the I-T notice of Rs 30.67 crore as a result of "vindictive action". "The Bharatiya Janata Party is shaken by the AAP's call for a united battle against it in the Gujarat polls. They feel how can any party talk about their defeat," the Deputy Chief Minister told the media here. Sisodia dismissed media reports that the AAP was summoned 34 times by the Income Tax Department but failed to show up. "We have appeared before the department officials every time we were called." Sisodia challenged the BJP and the Congress and other parties to manage fund collection with the "same transparency and accountability with which the AAP does it". "We have been keeping and maintaining books of accounts and other documents of each and every contribution reaching us through banking," he said, adding that "but the (central) government is saying the funds received from the common people, who have high hopes of good governance from us, are illegal and taxable". The Congress and the BJP on Monday asked the AAP to come clear on the tax notice that said the AAP had not disclosed an income of Rs 13.16 crore and that its total taxable income was Rs 68.44 crore for 2014-15 and 2015-16. These parties alleged that the AAP had failed to live up to its self-proclaimed standards of transparency and probity in public life. Sisodia cited the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) report on the BJP which said the ruling party at the Centre got Rs 461 crore as donations from "unknown sources" in 2015-16, accounting for nearly 81 per cent of its total income, and the figure for the Congress was 71 per cent or Rs 186 crore. "Yet, we are being targeted." "Since the beginning of AAP rule in Delhi, we have been targeted through various agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation, Enforcement Directorate, Comptroller and Auditor General of India, Election Commission, Delhi Police, and now the Income Tax Department," he said. Ahmedabad, Nov 28 : Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Tuesday accused PAAS leader Hardik Patel of betraying his Patidar community and claimed that the Congress will pay heavily in the assembly elections for portraying Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a "chaiwala" on social media. "The Patidar fight is no more for a community. It has become a private affair. The Patidars and the BJP are two sides of the same coin, they will vote for us," Rupani said at a conclave of India TV here. Rupani, who took over as Chief Minister in August last year, said the Patidars are well aware that Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leader Hardik Patel supports the Congress. "Hardik Patel has betrayed the Patidar community and they have come to know about it now. People are aware of the 'anti-Patidar' attitude of the Congress," the BJP leader said. He said the Congress had also made fun of the poor by portraying the Prime Minister as a 'chaiwala'. "The party has made fun of all tea-sellers and it has denigrated India in the eyes of the world. They will have to pay a heavy price (in the elections)," Rupani said. "This act exposes the Congress mentality that the Prime Minister should be from the Gandhi-Nehru family only. A poor man cannot become the Prime Minister. A 'chaiwala' cannot become the Prime Minister. The party President should also be from the family," he added. Rupani was reacting to a Youth Congress magazine which published a meme on Modi. When reminded that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also hailed from a poor family, Rupani said: "They were forced to do it (make Manmohan Singh the Prime Minister). Sonia Gandhi was going to become the Prime Minister but she could not even though the party wanted her to be." Rupani ridiculed as "baseless" Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi's charge that much of the Narmada river water was given to industrialists. "Around 78 per cent of the Narmada water is given to nearly 9,000 villages and 167 municipalities. We have given 20 per cent water for irrigation and only two per cent water to industries. Our first priority is drinking water, second priority is irrigation and the third priority is industries," he said. The Chief Minister claimed he had camped in Banaskantha for five days to carry out relief work during this year's floods while Congress MLAs were enjoying themselves at a five-star resort in Bengaluru. He said the BJP government had done much for the state's farmers and trading community and all issues relating to the Goods and Services Tax are being addressed. Bhubaneswar, Nov 28 : The Aluminium Association of India (AAI) and leading aluminium association ASSOMET and AMAFOND of Italy will sign a MoU for investing in a joint venture in the upcoming aluminium park at Angul in Odisha, an official statement said on Tuesday. The aluminium park is being developed by the National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) and the Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO). The MoU is likely to be signed during an Italian industry delegation's visit in January 2018. The Consul General of Italy Damiano Francovigh along with other officials on Tuesday met NALCO CMD and AAI Chairman Tapan Kumar Chand here and held discussions for industrial cooperation and collaboration between the aluminium industries of India and Italy. During the discussion, Chand proposed to the Italian industry delegation led by the Consul General and the Ambassador of Italy to India to visit NALCO and other industries in Odisha to which the Consul General agreed. "With large bauxite reserves and presence of major aluminium players like NALCO, Hindalco and Vedanta, Odisha is considered to be the aluminium capital of India. Global firms should come forward for investing in joint ventures with upstream and downstream units," Chand said. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday met the Consul General of Italy and invited the Italian companies to invest in a special industrial park meant for the handloom and auto industries. The Chief Minister also proposed to have a roundtable meeting with the CEOs of Italian companies during the 'Make in Odisha' Conclave in November next year. Consul General of Italy Damiano Francovigh said Italian companies are interested in doing business in Odisha. Gandhinagar, Nov 28 : As the fight for Gujarat intensifies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi will descend on the poll-bound state on Wednesday, with both stepping up their campaign ahead of the first phase elections on December 9. While Prime Minister Modi, campaigning for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), will be once again visiting the Saurashtra region and south Gujarat, Rahul Gandhi will first visit Diu and later Visavadar in Junagadh district and Amreli. Modi will hold four public meetings. He will arrive in the morning at Morbi, and address a large public gathering at Parshuram Pottery on Bhadiyad road at around 9 a.m. He will be accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel. Later he will visit Saurastra region's Prachi area and address a public meeting at Prachi Timdi in Sutrapada Taluka road. Here Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani will greet him and accompany him. In the afternoon, Modi will visit Palitana, a famed pilgrimage centre of the Jain community in Bhavnagar. The Prime Minister will address a public gathering near Palitana Circuit House. Palitana is believed to be the most sacred pilgrimage of the Jain community, the most prosperous community in the state comprising five per cent of the population and from which the Chief Minister hails. Modi's last public address will be at Navsari in south Gujarat in the evening opposite Tighravadi. He will be welcomed by BJP national Vice President Parshottam Rupala. After the address, he will fly back to Delhi. Rahul Gandhi is paying a two-day visit to Gujarat and will visit Gir-Somnath, Junagarh and Amreli on the first day of his two-day trip. This will be his sixth visit after the state assembly elections were declared and could be his last before the first phase of the elections. The Congress Vice President will arrive on Wednesday afternoon at Diu. Just like his prior visits to the state, he will begin his day and tour by visiting a Hindu temple, this time the famous Somnath temple and have 'darshan' there. Later, he will be welcomed by local Congress members at the district headquarters. Gandhi then will fly off to Visavadar in Junagadh district by chopper and hold a corner meeting there. From Visavadar, taking a chopper, the Congress leader will go to Amreli district and hold a corner meeting at Savarkundla. From Savarkundla, the Gandhi scion will travel to Amreli city by bus. He will address a public meeting in Amreli at around 7 p.m and stay overnight at Amreli Circuit House. Panaji, Nov 28 : Robin Campillo's French film "120 Beats Per Minute", about a passionate fight against indifference towards AIDS, won the prestigious Golden Peacock award for best film at the controversy-ridden 48th International Film Festival of India, which wound to a close on Tuesday. The film's actor Nahuel Perez Biscayart won the Silver Peacock in the best actor male category. Malayalam film "Take Off", which is loosely based on the evacuation of nurses from Kerala, who were stranded in Iraq's Tikrit, Iraq in 2014, won two awards at the festival's Indian Panorama section, winning Silver Peacocks for best direction (Mahesh Narayanan) and best actor female (Parvathy). One of Bollywood's greatest actors Amitabh Bachchan was also presented the Indian film personality of the year award. The awards were presented at a glittering ceremony at the Shama Prasad Mukherjee indoor stadium on the outskirts of the state capital. In a video address, the award-winning French actor Biscayart dedicated the award to all those who are afflicted by HIV/AIDS. "I dedicate the award to all people who are living the way, which is considered shameful. Be visible, get out, shout your pains. Try to change your reality. That's the only way we can live. If we live in shadows, nothing good will come for ourselves," he said. The Indian award winners Parvathy and Narayanan dedicated the film to the unsung nurses who work on the frontlines, bringing medical care and solace to soldiers and victims of conflict. "I dedicate this award to all nurses of Kerala and stood their ground (in Tikritq) and with hope and conviction and got out of the dilemma they were in," Paravathy said after receiving her award. Chinese writer-producer Vivian Qu won the Silver Peacock and a cash prize of Rs 15 lakh for best direction, for her film "Angels Wear White" about child sexual exploitation. "The story is about children, being assault victims. It is a Chinese story, but a story which is happening around the world," the director said via a video message. Bolivian filmmaker Kiro Russo's film "Viejo Calavera" won the Silver Peacock and cash prize of Rs 10 lakh, while Canadian director of Egyptian and Armenian descent, Atom Egoyan was awarded the lifetime achievement award. "It is a huge honour. I have always been influenced by Indian cinema and to be honoured by the country which has had a huge influence on me is a privilege," he said. The 9-day festival began on November 20, with Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi's film "Beyond the Clouds" and the closing film on Tuesday was Argentinian filmmaker Pablo Cesar's film "Thinking of Him". At the mega film event, nearly 192 films from 82 countries were screened during the nine-day affair. The festival's Indian Panorama section, screened 26 feature films and 16 non feature films, with Vinod Kapri's film "Pihu" opening the section in the feature film category and Kamal Swaroop's "Pushkar Puran" opening the non-feature film category. The festival also saw a host of allied activities, which included masterclasses conducted by Subhash Ghai, Shekhar Kapur, Egoyan, etc, apart from also hosting a series of panel discussions chaired by Ekta Kapur, Karan Johar, etc. The focus country for this edition of the festival was Canada and curated cinema from the North American country were screened in presence of leading Canadian actors and film personalities, who attended the event. IFFI this year, also paid homage to cinematic master spy James Bond, in a special section where nine films featuring the various leading actors who have essayed the iconic character, were screened. The 48th IFFI will also be known for the long-drawn controversy surrounding Malayalam film "S Durga", a film which along with another movie "Nude" were selected by the jury to be screened in the Indian Panorama section of the festival, but were controversially dropped. Three members of the jury resigned in protest while six others wrote to the I&B Ministry expressing concern. Despite the director Sanal Kumar Sasidharan's petitioning of the Kerala High Court and a re-screening for the jury, IFFI organisers had the last word on the festival's last day, citing objections by the Central Board for Film Certification for not screening the film. Imphal, Nov 28 : A two-day interaction between media persons of India and Myanmar stressed on the need for journalists to contribute meaningfully to the smooth translation of the Indian government's Act East Policy into concrete action. The inter-regional interaction programme saw seven resolutions adopted. Eleven journalists from Myanmar took part in the conclave. Representatives of the Press Council of India, Editors Guild of India, All India Radio and others from print and electronic media took part in the mega event. The conclave also underlined that there are many things the scribes of the two countries could do to improve trade and other relations. Highways ought to be improved, the meeting felt. The journalists said that both the countries should have a visa-free relationship. Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said he was happy with the successful meeting of the journalists of the two countries. During his recent visit to Yangon he had invited the Myanmarese journalists to visit Manipur during the 10-day Sangai festival held at four venue in Manipur from November 21. Biren said: "Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed his desire to host the interaction programme with an eye on the successful implementation of the Act East policy." New Delhi, Nov 28 : The Supreme Court on Tuesday said that the Lt. Governor of Delhi is expected to exhibit "constitutional statesmanship" in dealing with the democratically-elected government in administering the affairs of the national capital. The constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra said that there should be comity in the administration of the national capital and the difference of opinion between the Lt. Governor and the head of the elected government can't be on trivial issues. The constitution bench also comprising Justice A.K.Sikri, Justice A.M.Khanwilkar, Justice D.Y.Chandrachud and Justice Ashok Bhushan said this as the Central government told the bench that the administration of the national capital - that belongs to the entire country - was in "full control of the federal government". "There has to be comity of administration between Lt. Governor and the head of the elected government - Chief Minister," said Chief Justice Misra, also underlining: "There has to be some kind of collegiality between the Lt. Governor and the elected government." "The difference of opinion (between Lt. Governor and elected government) can't be trivial," he said, but also at the same time, clarifying: "We can't lay down the areas of difference of opinion." Taking it further, Justice Chandrachud said, "The issue of comity between the Lt. Governor and the elected government has to be real and that is why the Constitution itself provides for such an arrangement between the Lt. Governor and the elected government." Pointing to different political parties ruling at the Centre and in the States, he said: "The constitutional statesmanship is being exhibited by the Governors of various states across the country, particularly when the party in the power at the Centre and in the states are not the same." The court wondered what was the purpose of granting the constitutional status to the union territory, if such a statesmanship on the part of Lt. Governor is not shown. The constitution bench is hearing a batch of petitions by the Delhi government challenging the Delhi High Court order that held that the Lt Governor had the final authority in the governance of the national capital. The Centre is defending the High Court verdict. Addressing the bench, Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh said, that for all practical purposes, the Union Territory of Delhi is centrally-administered and all powers vests with the Centre. He said that no exclusive powers of any kind are vested in the council of ministers of the elected government and such an arrangment is not in national interest. He laboured to drive home the point that the real authority in case of the national capital is the Central government acting through an administrator called Lt. Governor and not the elected government. There is federal aspect in every matter concerning the national capital and there is clear delegation of power in favour of Lt. Governor, Singh told the constitution bench raising a grouse that the Delhi government was creating a "disharmony" in the wordings of the different provisions of the Constitution. At this, the CJI said: "We will fill the disharmony". Maninder Singh will continue his arguments on Wednesday. New Delhi, Nov 28 : Security agencies have arrested a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh for planning a terrorist strike in the city and carrying out reconnaissance of vital installations like Army camps and power projects in Jammu and Kashmir, an official said on Tuesday. The alleged terrorist, identified as Abdul Naeem Sheikh, was arrested two weeks ago in a joint operation conducted by the security agencies along with state police, an official said, adding that he was being tailed by the security agencies for a few months. A number of videos and photographs of vital installations of Army camps and power projects in Jammu and Kashmir have been recovered from Sheikh's possession, which proved that he did recce of these places, the official said. Other officials, close to the case, claimed that Sheikh had also done recce of Kasol in Himachal Pradesh as well as some nearby areas which are frequently visited by Israeli nationals and other foreign tourists. The security agencies have dubbed Sheikh as 'David Coleman Headley' as he had been working on his footprints and did recce of the same areas. Headley, a Pakistan-American, is serving a prison sentence of 35 years in a US jail for his involvement in terror activities and the 26/11 Mumbai attacks of 2008. Officials close to the case said that Sheikh was wanted by security agencies in various cases, including the Mumbai train attacks of 2006-2007. "Sheikh was nabbed by the security agencies at that time and was under trial. In August 2014, he managed to give the slip to security agencies and escaped when he was being taken from Dum Dum Central jail (Kolkata) to Mumbai to appear in court. He fled while the train was passing through the deep forests in Chhattisgarh," the official said. After fleeing from custody, Sheikh established a new sleeper cell under instruction from his LeT handler Amjad, the official said. "Sheikh then had done a number of reconnaissance operations in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh following the instructions of Amjad. He had targeted high profile tourist sites including Taj Mahal in Uttar Pradesh." The case has been handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for further probe, added the official. London, Nov 28 : India on Tuesday forwarded its candidature for re-election to the Council of International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in Category-B, representing the developing countries and countries with largest interests in international sea-borne trade. Announcing this here, Union Minister of Shipping Nitin Gadkari said in the event of India being re-elected, it would rededicate herself with renewed commitment towards the development of the objectives of the IMO. "It would leverage the opportunity to further strengthen the implementation of the IMO instruments, for the accelerated and sustained growth of the global maritime community," said Gadkari at the IMO. The IMO, known as the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organisation (IMCO) until 1982, is a specialised agency of the United Nations responsible for regulating shipping. Gadkari also said that India was committed to contributing to various efforts and initiatives of the IMO for safe, efficient, clean and secure maritime transportation for the benefit of mankind. Emphasising that India was alive to the possibility of a quantum jump in maritime activities on the Indian coasts, Gadkari said that India was upgrading the infrastructure and reforming the regulatory framework for ease of doing business. "Under flagship project of Sagarmala, six new major ports, 150 projects to modernise existing ports including construction of new berths, and 130 projects in rail and road sectors for last-mile connectivity have been identified requiring investment of $100 billion by 2025, of which, about $40 billion already stands spent," said Gadkari. "Also, 111 inland waterways fit for river navigation have been identified, of which 32 will be developed in the first phase at an estimated investment of $800 million. These projects provide major investment opportunities for the international community," he added. India is one of the founder members of the IMO and part of the IMO Council since, except in 1983-84. Gadkari expressed happiness that application of the "Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System or IRNSS" in the maritime field was being pursued in the IMO. "I am sure, the maritime community will benefit with the induction of this additional new facility," he said. Srinagar, Nov 28 : Dineshwar Sharma, the centre's special representative, visited Jammu and Kashmirs' Anantnag district Tuesday where over 30 delegations called on him. Authorities had made special security arrangements for Sharma's visit, with heavy deployments of police and the Central Reserve Police Force in the area. Officials said over 30 delegations including those of some surrendered militants and former stone-pelters interacted with Sharma. "Besides, delegations of sportsmen, Congress and civil society members also met the special representative during his visit to Anantnag," officials said. Among the demands raised by different delegations were issues of good governance, employment, return of hydro power projects from NHPC ownership to the state and restoration of peace through engagement with various stakeholders. During his current visit to the Valley, Sharma has visited Pulwama district and also met some delegations in Srinagar. This is his second visit to the state after he was appointed as centre's special representative to start a sustained multi-layered dialogue to address the Kashmir problem. New Delhi, Nov 28 : Six persons, who worked as caterers in marriage parties, died of asphyxiation while sleeping beside a 'tandoor' (an oven) kept along with the utensils in a tempo parked near a marriage venue in Cantonment area here, police said on Tuesday. Police said the incident happened late on Monday night but was reported to the police at around 2.30 a.m on Tuesday by one Nirmal -- a supervisor, who went to check on them in the vehicle. "The deceased -- Amit, Pankaj, Anil, Kamal, Awad Lal and Deep Chand -- all in the age group of 30-35, were natives of Uttarakhand and lived in a rented accommodation in Chandra Vihar in Nangloi area of west Delhi. They were taken to a nearby hospital where all of them were declared dead," Deputy Commissioner of Police Sibesh Singh said. "The deceased had gone for catering work in a marriage party in Delhi Cantt area. After the function was over, they loaded their utensils and 'tandoor' at the back of the tempo and went to another function venue on Mall Road at around 12.30 a.m," Singh said. "They were not aware of the fire still lit inside the oven and slept in the vehicle after covering it well. They died of smoke and asphyxiation," the officer added. Hyderabad, Nov 28 : US President Donald Trump's daughter and advisor Ivanka Trump and other delegates of Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) on Tuesday attended a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Taj Falaknuma here. Modi, Telangana Governor E. S. L. Narasimhan, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and some top politicians and industrialists dined with Ivanka on 101-seater dining table at the palace hotel. The guests were treated with a variety of delicacies including the famous Hyderabadi biryani. For other GES delegates, the dinner was arranged in the hotel lounges. Ivanka received a royal treatment as horse-drawn carriage of the Nizam era ferried her from the main gate to the palace atop the hill. She and other guests were greeted with a rose petal shower on entering the palace. The White House advisor also went around the palace, which was once the residence of the Nizam, the ruler of erstwhile princely State of Hyderabad. They all reached the palace after the inauguration of GES at Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC). Elaborate security arrangements were made as the palace is located in the old city of Hyderabad and is surrounded by densely populated neighbourhoods. The Nizam's suite, which used to be the private suite of the ruler of Hyderabad State and costs a whopping Rs 5 lakh to Rs 8 lakh a night was booked for Ivanka in case she stays at the palace. However, she returned to Trident Hotel, where she is staying. Modi reached to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport to fly back to New Delhi. Ivanka was the first high-profile foreign dignitary visiting the palace after it was converted into a star hotel a decade ago. It was Nawab Vaqar-ul-Umra, the Nizam's Prime Minister, who built the palace in 1893. Impressed by its magnificence, sixth Nizam Mir Mahboob Ali Khan bought it for himself and stayed there till 1911. Built over 32 acres, the scorpion-shaped and all-marble palace palace stands tall in its splendour and majesty atop a hill, at 2,000 ft above sea level and overlooks the old city of Hyderabad. Rome, Nov 28 : North Africa risks becoming a haven for jihadists but also a potential launchpad for terrorist attacks, while the Balkans region also poses a threat, Italy's Interior Minister Marco Minniti said on Tuesday. "The danger exists that North Africa can become a refuge (for terrorists) and not just a transit point but a base from which to launch attacks. "The Balkans are also a hive of radicalisation and have produced a high number of (jihadist) foreign fighters," he said during a speech here that assessed the terrorist threat in the wake of the Islamic State jihadist group's recent military defeat in Iraq and Syria spearheaded by the international coalition against IS. "After IS's military defeat, there is the very high risk of a terrorist response. The foreign fighters are fleeing and heading home under their own steam," Minniti said in the address at Rome's advanced police training academy. "The easiest routes are the ones taken by migrants... maximum international cooperation is needed," he warned. Paris, Nov 28 : United Nations culture organisation Unesco on Tuesday condemned Indian journalist Sudip Dutta Bhaumik's slaying last week in northeastern India, calling it "the ultimate form of censorship" and urging his killer to be brought to justice. "Journalists make a fundamental contribution to society by providing information which nurtures enlightened public debate," said Unesco chief Audrey Azoulay. "The assassination of journalists is the ultimate form of censorship. The prosecution of such crimes is essential to deter attacks against the media," she said. Bhaumik was a senior reporter for Bengali-language daily Syandan Patrika and local television Venguard. He was shot dead on November 21 near Agartala, capital of the state of Tripura by one of the bodyguards of an army officer he was scheduled to meet. Bhaumik's killing - the second murder of a journalist in Tripura in the past two months - caused a furore in the state and has raised concerns over the freedom of the press. Azoulay also denounced the killing of a Nigerian photographer, and called for an investigation into the incident. "I condemn the killing of Ikechukwu Onubogu," she said. Onubogu's body was found in Obosi town in the state of Anambras on November 15. Neither his family nor his colleagues at Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) had seen or heard from Onubogu since he had left home in the afternoon of November 12. "The perpetrators of this crime must be brought to justice in order to preserve freedom of expression, enshrined in both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights," Azoulay said. "Governments must also protect journalists," she added. Kolkata, Nov 28 : Expressing its solidarity with the cast and crew of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming "Padmavati", the Bengali film fraternity on Tuesday observed a "15 minute black out" denouncing the protests against the film. The entire Bengali film industry came to a standstill from 12 noon to 12.15 p.m., as actors, technicians, directors, producers and all other stakeholders joined the symbolic protest by wearing black badges and coming out of the studios, where pre- and post-production work on films and television serials were being held. The Eastern India Motion pictures' Association, the Artist Forum and the Federation of Cine Technicians and Workers had on Monday jointly called for the protest. Los Angeles, Nov 29 : Actress Liv Tyler says she and her father Steve Tyler have a family "bird-call" they make to help find each other in crowded places. "It's a super New York thing. Kids who grow up in certain neighbourhoods have a call so they can communicate with their gang. We learnt it off friends who grew up in the projects. If you're a few blocks away and you hear the call then you immediately turn round," Liv told thetimes.co.uk. She shared her father has one too. "His is really funny. It's good to have your family call. It's the only way to get anybody's attention," she said. By partnering with Mimbus to create this mixed reality solution for manufacturing, we are positioning schools to provide advanced training without accident risks and making the learning environment a safer place. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook reports that demand for workers trained in the latest welding techniques and devices will benefit from higher pay and greater job security for welding-related trades. To ensure that high schools, community and technical colleges offer students training in the latest advancements in welding, Silicon Valley-based mixed reality education provider, zSpace, today announced a partnership with Mimbus, a leader in vocational training solutions, to offer a new welding application and handheld simulator to give welders and boilermakers a competitive edge. Called Wave NG, the application uses zSpaces mixed reality environment to give students hands-on training with welding procedures; MAG and MMA, through a complete series of exercises on both processes that can be performed with the handheld welding simulator. Using the zSpace platform, students receive a multisensory training experience, welding from multiple angles while using their eyes, ears, and hands to master core skills of the welder's trade such as concentration, precision and dexterity. Compared to traditional welding training, students using Wave NG combined with the zSpace platform experience less equipment breakage and wear, as well as less risk of injury. When welding students learn with mixed reality, there is a 50 percent decrease in the time needed to complete the training and schools realize a savings of up to 30 percent of consumable costs. From shipbuilding, automobile and aerospace applications to the construction of buildings, bridges, and refineries, highly skilled welders are in high demand, said Paul Kellenberger, president and CEO, zSpace. "By partnering with Mimbus to create this mixed reality solution for manufacturing, we are positioning schools to provide advanced training without accident risks and making the learning environment a safer place. Welding training is a key issue today and we need to attract people to that trade as soon as possible, said Laurent Da Dalto, president and CEO, Mimbus. Having Wave NG running on zSpace today opens a new window and will help to promote these jobs at the earliest stage of the education. zSpace and Mimbus will be demonstrating the application at ACTE in Nashville, December 7 - 8, in zSpace Booth 929 and Mimbus Booth 659. About Mimbus Founded in 2011, Mimbus revolutionizes vocational training, by providing the instructors with innovative tools allowing to train their students faster, in a totally safe way and with lower costs. Specialized in the learning of manual skills, Mimbus offers a range of nearly 15 virtual training solutions covering the learning of about 20 manual trades, all of them connected to VULCAN, the unique platform that tracks, controls and adapts the student learning path for a more efficient training. Mimbus partners with Diginext, a simulation expert for high-end industry to develop Wave NG solution. Mimbus is a French company with a subsidiary based in Chicago, Illinois. About zSpace zSpace delivers the ultimate learning experience to inspire curiosity and accelerate understanding. Our product, zSpace, combines elements of AR and VR on an all-in-one computer. zSpace creates mixed reality computing experiences that are immersive, interactive, and lifelike. Among its numerous awards and accolades, zSpace was named Cool Vendor by Gartner, Inc., Best in Show at ISTE by Tech & Learning Magazine for three consecutive years and was ranked 2 years in a row on the Inc. 500 list of fastest growing companies. zSpace is a privately held, venture backed company located in Sunnyvale, California, and has been granted more than 25 patents for its innovative technologies. For more information, visit http://www.zspace.com, or follow on Twitter @zSpace. A-1 Moving & Storage A-1 Moving & Storage is thrilled to have won again and looks forward to maintaining exceptionally high standards in the years to come! A-1 Moving & Storage in Jupiter, Florida has earned the Atlas Van Lines Milton M. Hill Quality Award for the fourth consecutive year! The Milton M. Hill Quality Award is awarded every year to Atlas agents who have proven their exemplary quality of service by displaying outstanding dedication to professionalism and quality. Of over 430 independent Atlas agents operating in the U.S and Canada, this year only 38 qualified to receive the Milt Hill award for Quality. To qualify, agents must meet 12 standards of the World Class Commitment, including achieving the Hauling Excellence Award and accruing a superior rating in the areas of customer satisfaction, estimating, claims, safety and warehouse operations. A-1 Moving & Storage is a family company driven by excellence, professionalism and integrity. For this company, the Milt Hill awards are about celebrating employees dedication to treating customers like family. A-1 Moving & Storage takes pride in the growth experienced since its genesis in 1972. Their Atlas Van Lines awards are complementary to their 45+ years of exceptional service to their customers, and serves to validate that they are definitely doing something right. To receive the Milt Hill Quality award is quite a distinction, to earn it four years consecutively is a credit to the team. A-1 Moving & Storage is thrilled to have won again and looks forward to maintaining exceptionally high standards in the years to come! Bringing the strengths of OutMatch in talent selection and employee development together with Pomellos expertise in improving culture is a perfect match, and a huge step toward transforming the world of work. OutMatch, a leader in delivering actionable predictive analytics to build world-class workforces, today announced it has acquired Pomello, an analytics solution provider that helps companies understand and hire based on their unique CultureDNA, and improve employee engagement. The combination recognizes that people power great companies, enabling organizations to define and enhance their culture, hire employees that excel on the job, and keep them engaged, driving performance and profitability. With the acquisition of Pomello, OutMatch strengthens its unrivaled predictive and actionable workforce analytics. By not only predicting candidate success on the job, but now also measuring fit with a companys culture, OutMatch is expanding its ability to assist companies in hiring and developing the right employees for the right positions. This acquisition recognizes the growing importance of culture fit in helping companies build an exceptional workforce that drives productivity, customer satisfaction, and business success, said Greg Moran, President and CEO of OutMatch. Bringing the strengths of OutMatch in talent selection and employee development together with Pomellos expertise in improving culture is a perfect match, and a huge step toward transforming the world of work. Founded in 2012, Pomello has grown rapidly including revenue that has tripled this year with customers in multiple industries, including healthcare, banking, high tech, and manufacturing. Its technology benchmarks an organizations culture by gathering critical input on how employees view the companys core values, as well as their own motivators, and then measures candidates against that data to gauge culture fit. By continually engaging in the process, companies can better understand their CultureDNA and consistently improve it to enhance performance. This acquisition joins two companies that are truly better together, said Oliver Staehelin, CEO of Pomello. I appreciate the hard work and commitment of the Pomello team to helping our customers hire and develop happier, more engaged, more productive employees. As we continue to serve those clients and attract new ones, we are thrilled to become part of OutMatch, which shares our belief that people are at the core of business success. Pomello will maintain its offices and employees in San Francisco. It will continue to serve existing clients and work to attract new ones, while OutMatch and Pomello also pursue strategic opportunities to integrate the solutions each provides to customers. With an unequalled data set driven by scientifically proven candidate assessments, OutMatch processes 20 million assessments annually at over 200,000 locations, helping companies predict candidate success on the job, measure the impact of hiring, and continually refine their hiring process to propel productivity and profitability. Driven by its newly launched platform, OutMatch works with large, decentralized organizations with high-volume hiring needs in the hospitality, restaurant, retail, healthcare, and property management industries, including recognized names such as American Airlines, Adidas, Brinker International, CarMax, HCA Healthcare, and Hyatt. About OutMatch OutMatch is transforming the world of work by helping companies hire, retain, and develop great talent. How? We deliver actionable workforce analytics that predict employee performance, so you can hire the right peoplethe absolute best match for your jobsand develop them into stellar employees who drive improved customer satisfaction and increased revenue. For more information, visit http://www.outmatch.com or @OutMatchHCM. About Pomello Pomellos culture analytics solution provides companies with the tools required to understand and quantify their CultureDNA by gathering input directly from employees. We help companies understand the strength of their culture, the content of their culture, and its impact on performance. Founded at Stanford University, Pomellos technology is based on 30 years of research in Organizational Behavior, which has been validated over time and across multiple industries. For more information, visit http://www.pomello.com. Urjanet, the worlds leading provider of automated utility data, announced that it has been named to Deloittes 2017 Technology Fast 500, a ranking of the fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and energy tech companies in North America. Urjanet ranked sixth among 14 of Atlantas fastest growing companies and 149 overall based on three-year fiscal year revenue growth. 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. The company attributes its 735 percent growth to a world-class team dedicated to innovation and passionate about delivering solutions that simplify the complexity of utility data for customers. Were proud of our continued growth and the recognition that comes with it, said Urjanet chief executive officer Sanjoy Malik. Whether our customers are solving the biggest problems in global energy and sustainability management or they are bringing credit to the underbanked with alternative credit scoring, the Urjanet Utility Data Platform is the foundation for access to reliable utility data worldwide. Urjanet was also recognized by the Metro Atlanta Chamber (MAC) as one of the first seven companies out of 100 nominees to participate in the Backed By ATL program. The partnership marshals the resources of the MAC to further accelerate the growth and economic impact of the companies selected. This kind of recognition demonstrates why companies like Urjanet are an ideal match for the Backed By ATL initiative, said Jennifer Sherer, MACs vice president of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Urjanet represents the high growth potential, industry-changing innovation and forward-thinking leadership that will continue to have positive economic impact in metro Atlanta with the right support from our ecosystem. The company was also honored earlier this year with a 2017 Pacesetters award by the Atlanta Business Chronicle. The esteemed award recognizes Atlantas top 100 fastest-growing private companies. Urjanet ranked among the top 25 companies, and has been honored with this award for three consecutive years. About Urjanet: Urjanet is the global leader in utility data aggregation. Our technology collects, processes, and delivers data from over 4,000 electric, natural gas, water, waste, telecom, and cable utilities worldwide. The data we provide can be configured and integrated into any application to support your exact utility data needs. For more information, visit http://www.urjanet.com. # # # 5050 Tomken Rd Mississauga ON Our team members embody innovation, creativity, and collaboration, and we are excited to have a space that reflects those attributes. KUBRA, the leading provider of customer experience management solutions, today announced the expansion of its headquarters in Mississauga, Canada. The company has experienced exponential growth in 2017, hiring more than 100 employees across its North American operations with plans to fill another 30 software and technology positions by year end. In 2018, the company plans to hire 30 employees in the Mississauga location alone. On November 3, the building expansion was completed, and President and CEO, Rick Watkin, welcomed the 230 Mississauga employees into their new space with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The new space adds over 100 new workspaces, 3 conference rooms, 5 collaboration spaces, and a state-of-the-art kitchen and breakroom. The expansion adds nearly 15,000 square feet to the companys footprint. The new workspace was designed with our KUBRA family in mind, said Watkin. Our team members embody innovation, creativity, and collaboration, and we are excited to have a space that reflects those attributes. The open floor plan, vibrant colors, and fresh amenities were created to inspire our people and help attract new talent. This expansion marks another high point for KUBRA this year the company is also celebrating its 25th anniversary. KUBRA was started in 1992, providing outsourced printing and mailing services. Today, KUBRA has evolved to provide a full suite of customer experience solutions to the utility, government and insurance industries. In addition to the headquarters in Mississauga, KUBRA has four other locations within the United States, including its U.S. headquarters in Arizona and offices in California, New Jersey, and Texas. About KUBRA KUBRA provides customer experience management solutions to some of the largest utility and government entities across North America. Our portfolio includes billing and payment, mapping, mobile apps and proactive communications solutions for customers. With more than one billion customer experiences annually, KUBRA services reach over 40% of U.S. households. KUBRA is an operating subsidiary of the Hearst Corporation. Visit http://www.kubra.com for more information. Shango Delivers Their Donation to Breast Friends For Breast Cancer Awareness Month Weve gotten a whole new perspective for cannabis, said Breast Friends Co-Founder Becky Olson. The perseverance of the owners of Shango Premium Cannabis in the Portland area paid off for the Breast Friends charity when they were the beneficiaries of a check for $6,264.50 from sales of pink merchandise for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. After being turned down by three national breast cancer charities, the owners of five Shango dispensaries turned to Breast Friends, a smaller national group based in Tigard. Weve gotten a whole new perspective for cannabis, said Breast Friends Co-Founder Becky Olson. Shango owners representing five area dispensaries presented the check from pink merchandise sales at the Breast Friends annual open house. The group was celebrating receiving funds of nearly $30,000 from October events. The money will go toward support services. It was fabulous, Olson said of the event. I could not believe how big that check was both in physical size and the amount it was. That was incredible. We are so thankful. Shango donated 50 percent of net proceeds of pink merchandise sales in Oregon to Breast Friends. Retail pricing ranged from $15 to $26 for hats, T-shirts, socks and beanies. A lot of people came up to me and said they had no idea they were going to do that, Olson said. It was quite the surprise and they sent a large contingent to deliver it. Breast Friends believes that no woman should go through the cancer experience alone. Unfortunately, it happens. Women with friends and family nearby often fail to receive the kind of emotional, spiritual or physical support they need. Breast Friends programs are designed to ensure proper support is given and received. Every woman in America will be touched by breast cancer or other womens cancers in her lifetime. One in eight women will be diagnosed, and the other seven will know her. The goal is to reach the seven in order to help the one. If you want to do something to help breast cancer, we should look everywhere, Olson said. Were happy to become partners with Shango. We would love to make this a permanent relationship. Battling cancer for the fourth time, Olson has decided to give cannabis including CBD extractions, a try. Were going out to the Hillsboro store for a private session for breast cancer survivors to go in and have private conversations, Olson said. Shango sold pink and black merchandise at all five retail Oregon dispensary locations. Shango Forest Grove, Shango Hillsboro, Shango Harold, Shango Win Sivers and Shango Molalla dispensaries participated in the fundraising drive. This is an amazing opportunity for Shango to be able to help out a charity with the foresight to recognize the potential benefits of medical cannabis for both pre- and post-surgery situations, said Julie Dubocq, Controller at Shango. We admire their courage. Shango will be offering private sessions for anyone fighting cancer. Shango locations will be open on Sundays one week every quarter to start out. If someone fighting cancer needs special attention, we will give it to them, Dubocq said. Breast Friends has taken a pro approach to cannabis during their weekly internet radio show. There is so much of a misconception out there about marijuana and it was sad for me that some tuned out, but in the end it was awesome that so many did. Were going to make even more strides with awareness of therapies to turn to, Olson said. Olson said the show draws 10,000 to 15,000 downloads a month to the web outlet VoiceAmerica.com, a health and wellness channel at that airs live at 10 a.m. on Fridays and is archived by searching for Breast Friends on the site. Shango representatives will be guests on the show later this month. Breast Friends mission is helping women survive the trauma of cancer one friend at a time, said Allison Hancock, event and volunteer coordinator for the Oregon chapter. We are thankful for the support that Shango is giving to Breast Friends to raise awareness and help us continue to offer services and programs to women who are going through the cancer journey. Breast Friends is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for female cancer patients. The organization teaches friends and family specific ways to offer support, helps them understand what their loved one is going through, and suggests resources for the woman and for those who care about her. A number of programs developed by Breast Friends have proven valuable in assisting and reassuring the patient, her friends and family. Breast Friends governing body is made up of a national board including the two co-founders, executive officers, and board members who also oversee the Oregon affiliate. Breast Friends was founded in Oregon in 2000, the first of many affiliates. The group has helped thousands of local patients and their families and is the testing ground for all Breast Friends programs. The Oregon affiliate has a prosthesis, bra and wig closet and offers products free to women who have little or no funds available to purchase them. The groups Facebook page is Breast Friends of Oregon. Shango Premium Cannabis stores are located at Shango Forest Grove, 3821 Pacific Avenue, Building A, Forest Grove; Shango Harold, 8056 SE Harold St., (Located at 82nd and Foster), Portland; Shango Hillsboro, 1775 SE Tualatin Valley Highway, Building A, Hillsboro; Shango Molalla, 109 W Main Street, Molalla; and Shango Win Sivers, 6033 NE Win Sivers Drive, (by the airport), Portland. About Shango Shango is a premium cannabis brand licensed to a full range of award-winning cannabis products, including flower, extracts and cannabis-infused edibles, produced by select cultivators and processors in Oregon, Nevada and Washington. The Shango brand also is licensed to six full-service recreational and medical cannabis dispensaries in Oregon and Nevada. A recognized leader in the cannabis marketplace and industry, Shango sets the highest standards for product quality and consistency, and business conduct. Shango is committed to cannabis education and is a fierce advocate of the safe and responsible use of cannabis products. Wind F&I 2018 Infocast, the leading business intelligence and networking events producer in the wind industry, is excited to announce the return of the Wind Power Finance & Investment Summit 2018 on February 6-8, 2018 After a sold-out event last year with over 500 attendees, the event has moved venues to the Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in San Diego, CA to accommodate the increasing attendance. The summit will offer unique networking opportunities and will connect the entire spectrum of the wind industry at the highest levels. Now in its 15th year, the Wind Power Finance & Investment Summit is widely recognized as the leading gathering place for wind industry deal makers as it attracts the highest quality of industry participants on the conference circuit. Leading developers, investors, lenders, turbine suppliers, EPCs, and other key players continue to gather every year to gain valuable insights into the industry trends, latest market updates on the finance and investment landscape, and get deals done. Over 500 leading wind power professionals have participated: Acciona, AEP Renewables, AES, American Wind Capital, Barclays, Calpine, CIBC, CIT Group, CohnReznick, Deloitte, Deutsche Bank, DNV GL, Duke Energy, E. ON, EDP Renewables, Enel Green Power NA, Fidelity National Title, GE, Goldman Sachs, Iberdrola Renewables, ICF, HIS, Invenergy, ITC Holdings and many more. The event will be preceded by two Pre-Summit Events: the Pre-Summit Executive Briefing Wind Origination and Development Outlook, which will assess the wind origination and development landscape and the Pre-Summit Workshop Whats New in Wind Project Due Diligence? 2018 and Beyond, which will provide an in-depth look at trends and best practices in wind project due diligence. For more information, to register or to join as a sponsor, visit the event website at infocastinc.com/wind or contact Infocast at 818-888-4444. About Infocast For over 30 years, Infocast has produced the highest quality events, tailored to the needs of the industries we serve. We intensively research the marketplace, pulling from an extensive network of experts to give you the information and connections to succeed. Carnegie Council, Making Ethics Matter Founded by Andrew Carnegie in 1914, Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs is an educational, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that produces lectures, publications, and multimedia materials on the ethical challenges of living in a globalized world. Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs announces its December current affairs programs in New York City. To attend in person, please RSVP. Go to the online calendar at https://www.carnegiecouncil.org/calendar. Events take place at: Carnegie Council 170 East 64 Street, New York, NY 10065. Or watch them as live webcasts here: https://www.carnegiecouncil.org/live. Fractured Continent: Europes Crises and the Fate of the West Tuesday Dec 05, 8:00-9:15 AM ET William Drozdiak, The Brookings Institution In the wake of several crises now afflicting the continent, the dream of a United States of Europe is unraveling. Voters are abandoning traditional ways of governing in favor of authoritarian, populist, and nationalist alternatives. Europe is struggling to cope with an influx of nearly 2 million refugees, Britain has voted to leave the EU, and the single Euro currency threatens to collapse. What consequences do these events have for Europe, the United States, and the rest of the world? Tunisia: An Arab Anomaly Monday Dec 11, 6:00-7:30 PM ET Safwan M. Masri, Columbia University In a region beset by brutal repression, humanitarian disasters, and civil war, Tunisia's Jasmine Revolution resulted in a peaceful transition to a functioning democracy. What were the particular features that set Tunisia apart from its neighbors? Is the country a model that can be replicated in other Arab countries, or simply an anomaly? ABOUT CARNEGIE COUNCIL Founded by Andrew Carnegie in 1914, Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs is an educational, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that produces lectures, publications, and multimedia materials on the ethical challenges of living in a globalized world. Go to https://www.carnegiecouncil.org/. "We are very excited about the opportunity to be interviewed and included in Forrester's recent publication addressing Third-Party Risk Intelligence (TPRI)." said Lori Frank, Argos Risk President and CEO. Argos Risk, specialists in providing Third-Party Risk Management services for managing and monitoring B2B health and credit risk, is pleased to announce they were included in this years Forrester Research report. Forrester is highly respected and provides comprehensive research and insights. A few of the previous research documents included Assess Your GRC Program with Forresters GRC Maturity Model and The Forrester Wave: Digital Risk Monitoring. "We are very excited about the opportunity to be included in their recent publication addressing Third-Party Risk Intelligence (TPRI). Their extensive research provides immense value and points out the market volatility, increased cyber threats, and external non-financial factors forces risk professionals to manage third-party risk at a whole new level, said Lori Frank, Argos Risk President and CEO. Frank continues, As trends continue and businesses need better third-party risk context faster, demand for our services continues to increase. Third-Party Risk Intelligence (TPRI) solutions go beyond internal assessments and fill the gaps with external information including in-depth environmental and market factors which are updated in real-time. About Argos Risk Argos Risk, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, specializes in Third-Party Risk Management services. The company's web-based technology services assess the credit risk and B2B health of clients, vendors, partners, and competitors. Powered by their proprietary algorithms, known as Argonomics, their services deliver data via a real-time dashboard and daily alerts. Argos Risk monitors thousands of companies for clients in a broad array of industries including financial institutions, manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers and businesses of all types which enable companies of all sizes to proactively manage and monitor credit risk. For more information, visit http://www.argosrisk.com. About Forrester Forrester offers solutions and design strategies that are customer-led, insights driven, and fast. Their research gives you an insight and framework to win in the age of the customer while their analysts' provide subject-matter expertise and work to create forward-thinking strategies; weigh opportunity against risk; justify decisions; and optimize individual, team, and corporate performance. For more information, visit http://www.forrester.com. #banks-interest income Banks log record interest income through Sept. on rising rates Banks in South Korea earned record net interest income in the first three quarters of the year, helped by sharp rate hikes by the central bank, data showed Thursday. Their intere... #BTS BTS' Jin to release photo book before joining military Jin, a member of the K-pop megastar BTS, will put out his individual book of photography next month before joining the military, the group's management agency said Thursday. The... The UroLift System is the only BPH treatment available that is truly minimally-invasive Buffalo Medical Group today announced Dr. John Griswold has been designated as a UroLift Center of Excellence. The designation recognizes that Dr. Griswold has achieved a high level of training and experience with the UroLift System and demonstrated a commitment to exemplary care for men suffering from symptoms associated with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia or BPH. The UroLift System is the only BPH treatment available that is truly minimally-invasive, said Dr. Griswold. It can be performed in-office under local anesthesia without heating, cutting or removal of prostate tissue. Patients are able to get back to their normal routines quickly and can discontinue the use of medications. It is a privilege to offer my patients a breakthrough treatment option that offers real long-term results. Nearly 40 million men in the United States are affected by BPH. Not to be confused with prostate cancer, BPH occurs when the prostate gland that surrounds the male urethra becomes enlarged with advancing age and begins to obstruct the urinary system. Symptoms of BPH often include interrupted sleep and urinary problems, and can cause loss of productivity, depression and decreased quality of life. Five-year data from a randomized study shows the UroLift System offers not only rapid improvement, but also durable relief for patients with BPH. After five years, patients treated with the UroLift System continue to experience symptom relief with minimal side effects, with few patients requiring an additional procedure for relief. A second randomized clinical trial called BPH6 demonstrated that the minimally invasive UroLift System compares very well to the reference standard surgery, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), with regard to efficacy, and is superior to TURP at preserving sexual function and offering a more rapid recovery. Medication is often the first-line therapy for enlarged prostate, but relief can be inadequate and temporary. Side effects of medication treatment can include sexual dysfunction, dizziness and headaches, prompting many patients to quit using the drugs. For these patients, the classic alternative is surgery that cuts, heats or removes prostate tissue to open the blocked urethra. While current surgical options can be very effective in relieving symptoms, they can also leave patients with permanent side effects such as urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction and retrograde ejaculation. Dr. Griswolds office is located at 295 Essjay Road in Williamsville. About the UroLift System NeoTracts FDA-cleared UroLift System is a novel, minimally invasive technology for treating lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The UroLift permanent implants, delivered during a minimally invasive transurethral outpatient procedure, relieve prostate obstruction and open the urethra directly without cutting, heating, or removing prostate tissue. Clinical data from a pivotal 206-patient randomized controlled study showed that patients with enlarged prostate receiving UroLift implants reported rapid and durable symptomatic and urinary flow rate improvement without compromising sexual function. Patients also experienced a significant improvement in quality of life. Most common adverse events reported include hematuria, dysuria, micturition urgency, pelvic pain, and urge incontinence. Most symptoms were mild to moderate in severity and resolved within two to four weeks after the procedure. The UroLift System is available in the U.S., Europe, Australia, Canada, Mexico and South Korea. Learn more at http://www.UroLift.com. About Buffalo Medical Group Founded in 1946, Buffalo Medical Group, P.C., is among the first and largest multi-specialty physician practice groups in New York State. With more than 150 primary care, specialist and sub-specialist physicians as well as a team of more than 800 nurses, technologists and other health care professionals BMG records more than 850,000 outpatient visits annually at its main locations in Buffalo, Williamsville and Orchard Park as well as more than 10 satellite sites. For more information on BMG, visit http://www.buffalomedicalgroup.com/ Columbus Trust Study logo This year, we decided to dive deeper into demographics like gender and generation to help employers understand trust differences among these audiences. According to the second annual Columbus Trust Study (columbustruststudy.com), released this week by FrazierHeiby and Illuminology, both gender and generation play an important role in a persons likelihood to express trust in their organization's leadership. Results show Columbus women's trust in their organizations leaders diminishes with age, while Columbus mens trust remains the same over time. Ninety-seven percent of female Millennials report trusting their organizations leaders compared to 87 percent of female Gen Xers and 68 percent of female Baby Boomers. Conversely, Columbus men's trust in leadership stays steady, from 91 percent of Millennials to 86 percent of Gen Xers to 91 percent of Baby Boomers. In other Columbus Trust Study findings, women employed in central Ohio who trust their company leaders were more likely to report a positive personal experience with them than men. Twenty-five percent of women said they trust their leaders because of a personal experience, while only nine percent of men said the same. In year one of the Columbus Trust Study, we took the pulse of trust in central Ohio to find out how our region aligns with national stats, said Lara Kretler, vice president, FrazierHeiby. This year, we decided to dive deeper into demographics like gender and generation to help employers understand trust differences among these audiences. The 2017 Columbus Trust Study results revealed 37 percent of Millennials working for large organizations in central Ohio trust their leaders because they feel cared about. This finding compares to only 15 percent of Gen X and 11 percent of Baby Boomers citing this as a reason they trust their organizations leaders. The study also assessed a variety of factors that drive consumer perceptions of trustworthiness in various business sectors and the most trusted industries in central Ohio. It found that character judgment is always the primary trust driver for organizations, but specific drivers vary by industry with some more competency-based and others more connection-based. Retail, finance and healthcare organizations rank highest among trusted business types in central Ohio. About the Columbus Trust Study Created by FrazierHeiby, a strategic communications firm, and Illuminology, a market research firm, the Columbus Trust Study analyzes trust perceptions among central Ohioans. The study synthesizes its findings with other trust literature to help organizations build trust with employees, customers and the community. Trust is critical to any relationship especially in business and research shows a gradual erosion of public trust in nearly every major institution," said Orie Kristel, Ph.D., CEO of Illuminology. Understanding how specific demographics affect a persons ability to trust their organizations leadership is a crucial first step to fixing America's trust problem. Results are based on a poll of 450 randomly selected Franklin County residents and the study has a plus/minus confidence level of 4.7 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level. The second annual Columbus Trust Study is presented by the Central Ohio Better Business Bureau Center for Character Ethics. Visit columbustruststudy.com to learn more. About FrazierHeiby (FH) FrazierHeiby has helped businesses communicate better since 1983. FH recognizes that success lies at the intersection of creativity, informed strategy and integrated marketing solutions. The agency offers more than 50 best practice services in six core areas: marketing, public relations, social media, brand communication, crisis and issues management and internal communication. Backed by certifications, industry awards and proven methods, FH is dedicated to helping clients communicate better by building trust, connecting communities and delivering results. Visit FHcommunicate.com for more information. About Illuminology Illuminology uses high quality social science research methods and advanced analytics to help clients illuminate persuasion opportunities. The organization focuses its efforts and expertise in three areas: consumer insight, community affairs and community impact. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio and projecting across the United States, the market research firm helps organizations sell more and grow faster, communicate better and make and measure community impact. Enlarged veins are usually unattractive and often itchy or painful, as well. Active measures are necessary to permanently treat visible veins, and, fortunately, there are more choices and options than ever before. A November 9 article in Self magazine offers advice to readers on the steps that can be taken to defeat unsightly and often itchy or painful varicose and spider veins. The articles notes that, while such measures as massages and dry skin brushing might temporarily make one feel better, they have not been shown to have a permanent impact on actually improving enlarged vein issues. Moreover, steps such as compression socks can ease discomfort and may help to prevent additional enlarged veins later on, but they do not actually correct the enlarged veins that are already present. Washington State clinic Northwest Vein & Aesthetic Center says that the article highlights the fact that active measures are necessary to permanently treat visible veins, and, fortunately, there are more choices and options than ever before. Not long ago, the only effective treatment for varicose and spider veins was a larger surgical procedure referred to as vein stripping, says Northwest Vein & Aesthetic Center. While the name of the procedure caused a lot of concern amongst patients, the Center notes that it was reasonably effective. In more recent times, however, a new generation of far less invasive treatments has made vein stripping unnecessary. The clinic notes that the aim of these treatments is to find ways of causing veins to close off so that blood flow is redirected to healthy veins, relieving pressure and inflammation, and making veins disappear. Because the treatments are minimally invasive, the recovery time from this treatment is significantly shorter, and successful outcomes are extremely consistent. One of the most common forms of vein treatment today is sclerotherapy, the use of a medicated solution that is injected into an enlarged vein, causing it to close off; the clinic notes that many solutions are used and one proprietary solution goes under the brand name Varithena. Northwest Vein & Aesthetic Center adds that there are several other forms of treatment available to todays patients. Lasers, radiofrequency waves, a technique that combines mechanical and chemical energy called ClariVein, and an adhesive known as VenaSeal are among the most frequent alternatives. The Center adds that in addition to a number of less-invasive treatment options, there are also more choices when it comes to preventing discomfort. A combination of a local anesthetic and mild sedation is highly effective says the Center, but sometimes patients who are more nervous about the prospect of discomfort require more potent sedation. However, the Center adds that it provides an additional immersive virtual reality (VR) that helps patients relax and feel more comfortable by putting them in an extremely pleasant virtual environment. Northwest Vein & Aesthetic Center adds that, while varicose veins are not life-threatening, they are considered a medical problem which can become worse over time. Its therefore always a good idea to have enlarged veins looked at by skilled vascular surgeon who can suggest types of treatment. If there is itching or discomfort, vein treatments are covered by most medical insurance, says the clinic. Readers who would like to learn more about Northwest Vein & Aesthetic Center can reach the clinic at (253) 948-4378. The centers web site is at http://nwveins.com/. It has two Washington locations, in Olympia and Gig Harbor. Photo courtesy of Natalia Knezevic Photography and FSY Architects This project demonstrates how affordability and environmental sustainability can be achieved with effective coordination and a great team. Despite our incredibly aggressive goals, we were able to get the project completed on time and on budget by working together. Silver Star Apartments is the first Zero Net Energy multifamily affordable housing development in Los Angeles. Promise Energy designed and installed a Solar Photovoltaic system that covers both roofs on the project, and even incorporates vertical solar facades as a unique design element, visible from the projects courtyard. The 49-unit building in south Los Angeles, developed by local nonprofit A Community of Friends (ACOF), will provide homes and supportive services for formerly homeless veterans. Silver Star is LEED Platinum and Energy Star Homes certified, and aims to meet the Living Building Challenge Energy Petal Certification as well. Silver Star recently won the Sustainable Innovation Awards Project of the Year for 2017 from the Los Angeles chapter of the US Green Building Council. Dominique Hargreaves, Executive Director of the US Green Building Council Los Angeles said, We appreciate the time and energy it takes to deliver these types of high-performing projects. The jurors of the Sustainable Innovations Awards appreciated the innovations that you documented and agreed that your project was way beyond rating system requirements or code and really demonstrated excellence in design and construction as well as providing much needed supportive housing. ACOF engaged Promise Energy at the very beginning of the design process to collaborate with FSY Architects, and energy consultant Green Dinosaur to make the building as efficient as possible, and then fit enough solar PV to offset 105% of all site energy use, to make the building net positive. Special attention was paid to the solar orientation of each facade, and during the design process, the roof was expanded, and finally solar panels were placed vertically on the building to enhance production in order to meet the projects aggressive sustainability goals. Thanks to Green Dinosaur and Promise Energy, this building is completely solar powered, says Dora Gallo, Chief Executive Officer at A Community of Friends. This project demonstrates how affordability and environmental sustainability can be achieved with effective coordination and a great team. Despite our incredibly aggressive goals, we were able to get the project completed on time and on budget by working together. Promise Energy was an integral part of the team from the very beginning, and their enthusiasm and dedication throughout the process was critical to making Silver Star not just an incredibly energy efficient building that produces all its own power, but a safe, comfortable community for our tenants to call home. The project is all electric, with no fossil fuel combustion on-site, and the addition of Battery Storage system and advanced Energy Monitoring system by Promise Energy will enhance resilience by providing backup power to the community room.In addition, Promise Energy designed and installed a solar water heating system to offset 70% of the energy needed for water heating. Silver Star includes a number of sustainability features in addition to delivering zero net energy, such as quality air sealing and insulation installation implemented to greatly reduce envelope leakage and HVAC loads, as well as phase-change material in the walls to reduce heat gain. 100% of the units are ADA compliant, using universal design features that will assist residents as they get older onsite. Silver Stars proposed greywater system is expected to reduce potable water demand for the project by 40%, saving an estimated 500,000 Gallons of water per year. Jason Lorcher, founder of Green Dinosaur said, This was an exciting project to work on, not only because of the challenges we addressed, and the innovative solutions we delivered, but because of the commitment of the whole team to making this a truly high performance project. Delivering Zero Net Energy in a dense urban setting requires incredible attention to details - like how hot water is generated and distributed throughout the building, and every square inch of insulation to make sure that energy is not escaping or being wasted. Promise Energy was a great team player, assisting with multiple redesigns to meet our Zero Net Energy targets, as well as focusing on quality installation to ensure these systems will operate efficiently for years to come. Silver Star really proves that mid-rise urban buildings can be completely carbon neutral and produce all the energy needed for 50 people to live comfortably even in Los Angeles, said Adam Boucher, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Promise Energy. Silver Star Apartments will keep people cool even during the hottest days and provide a safe space even during extended blackouts, without relying on fossil fuels. This project is both a way to give back to the people who have served us, as well as building a model for a healthier, more resilient future. At the Grand Opening of this award-winning project, on Friday, November 17th, Mayor Eric Garcetti hosted Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair, Mark-Ridley Thomas, and city officials in a historic signing of a Memorandum of Understanding formalizing the countys commitment to provide health services and case management for residents while the city continues to develop affordable housing projects. The fight to end homelessness belongs to everybody in Los Angeles, said Mayor Eric Garcetti. Were standing together at all levels of government to get people the shelter and services they need more quickly and efficiently than ever before. About Promise Energy: Promise Energy Inc, is a full-service solar solutions provider, delivering integrated financing, design and installation for multifamily and commercial projects throughout California and the Western United States. Promise Energy partners with building owners and residents to save energy, and reduce operating expenses with solar water heating and solar photovoltaics. The company is currently working on solar for over 9000 units of affordable housing, as well as other market-rate and commercial projects. To find out more, contact us a http://www.promiseenergy.com. About ACOF: A Community of Friends mission is to end homelessness through the provision of quality permanent supportive housing for people with mental illness. Our projects and services promote sustainability and serve as a foundation for stability, health and well-being. ACOF was the first agency to successfully implement the permanent supportive housing model throughout LA County. We are one of only a handful of agencies that offer supportive and service-enriched affordable housing for homeless individuals and families living with mental illness in Los Angeles County. Our focus is to build housing for people who have less than 30% of area median income (AMI) and have a mental, physical, or developmental disability with a primary focus on AMI. We work to provide people with special needs safe and affordable homes that allow them to focus on their mental and physical health. ACOF currently houses over 2,000 individuals and families in our buildings. Go to https://www.acof.org for more information. OurHealth, Indianas leading provider of employer-sponsored primary care clinics, today announces a new partnership with Bosma Enterprises, a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting Indiana residents who are blind or visually impaired. The partnership grants Bosma employees and their dependents access to six primary care clinics in Indianapolis and a host of wellness programs aimed at decreasing overall healthcare costs and increasing health and wellbeing. The non-profit represents entrance into a new vertical for the eight-year-old healthcare player, which has traditionally focused on the professional services, municipal and education sectors. OurHealth provides an incredible resource for our valuable employees and alleviates the complicated burden of managing our healthcare programs, said Lou Moneymaker, CEO at Bosma Enterprises. The MyClinic solution was not only the most cost-effective option we reviewed; it was also the most flexible and convenient. Were thrilled to be able to provide this high-quality service to our employees. Its with great pride that we partner with Bosma Enterprises and help Lou and his leadership team continue to build upon their vision for providing superior health and wellness programs to all employees and dependents, said Ben Evans, CEO and co-founder of OurHealth. OurHealth is committed to working with its partners to enhance employee well-being and reduce long-term healthcare costs for employers. OurHealth customers see an average savings of 20 percent on healthcare costs, mostly in the form of reduced emergency room visits, savings on specialty referrals and drug costs. Its growing roster of clients includes OneAmerica, Genesys (formerly Interactive Intelligence), IceMiller, the City of Indianapolis and the City of Charlotte. OurHealth was founded in 2009 to solve three problems in the healthcare system: lack of access, poor outcomes and unaffordable cost escalation for employees and employers. In June of this year, the company announced a $37 million fundraising round lead by White Oak, which will be used to invest in marketing, sales and technology. Headquartered in Indianapolis, OurHealth recently expanded into North Carolina and further market expansion is planned for 2018. For more information about OurHealth, please visit http://www.ourhealth.org. About Bosma Enterprises Bosma Enterprises is a non-profit organization that assists Hoosiers who are blind or visually impaired. Bosma has roots dating back more than 100 years. Our experienced staff (more than half of whom are blind) offer personalized programs ranging from counseling, to job placement, to training for daily living skills helping adults gain the life skills they need to remain independent, and the job skills they need to stay self-sufficient. To learn more about how you can help our mission, or how our mission can help you, visit Bosma.org. About OurHealth OurHealth is a provider of onsite and near-site primary care clinics and wellness programming focused on enhancing the patient experience and lowering healthcare costs for businesses of all sizes. OurHealth offers a comprehensive healthcare approach to its clients and their employees, which includes primary care services, wellness services, onsite laboratory and medication dispensing services and referral guidance. OurHealth has clinics in Indiana, North Carolina, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. To learn more about OurHealth, visit http://www.ourhealth.org. Tulane SOPA is honored with this recognition," said Michael Wallace, the university's director of emergency and security studies. "College Choice is a thorough, credible, respected source of rankings in advanced education. The Tulane School of Professional Advancement (SOPA) ranks second among the 24 Best Online Master's Degrees in Homeland Security for 2017, according to College Choice, a respected authority on college and university rankings and resources. The independent online publication's research is based on the school's academic reputation, its affordability, the retention of students and their early salaries after graduation. Among the publication's data sources are the U.S. News and World Report, The National Center for Education Statistics, each school's website and PayScale. The full ranking is available here. "Tulane SOPA is honored with this recognition," said Michael Wallace, the university's director of emergency and security studies. "College Choice is a thorough, credible, respected source of rankings in advanced education. This impressive ranking validates the work of everyone in the Emergency & Security Studies program." Courses are available across Tulane's three campus locations and online, but it is possible to complete the M.P.S. program entirely online. The Emergency & Security Studies curriculum is aligned with the Naval Postgraduate School's Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS). The School of Professional Advancement's Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.) in Homeland Security Studies offers core classes to provide students with theoretical approaches and practical applications to intelligence and analysis, counter-terrorism, cyber-security, emergency and infrastructure management. M.P.S. graduates are prepared to work in emergency management, intelligence analysis, counter-terrorism analysis and cybersecurity. They are also ready for jobs in border protection and security, as well as infrastructure protection in local, state and federal government and the private sector. For more information, interested parties can call (504) 865-5555 or visit sopa.tulane.edu. The school's Uptown campus is located at 6823 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans, La. 70118. Tulane School of Professional Advancement addresses the needs of working adult students with four distinct master's degree programs, 26 undergraduate degrees and a variety of flexible certificate programs. The faculty includes working professionals and industry leaders, with an emphasis on networking and hands-on career preparedness. To accommodate working adults, class schedules include daytime, evening, weekend, and online options. Elite Steel & Supply, a Temple, Texas-based company announced today that it is now offering free quotes for metal buildings and supplies. Were very excited about this, said Garry Smith, owner and spokesman for Elite Steel & Supply. Weve always wanted to bring as much value to current and potential customers as we can. Providing quotes for metal buildings and supplies at no cost to customers ensures that were doing exactly that. Elite Steel & Supplys mission, according to Smith, is to provide premium metal roofing and metal building supplies direct from its mill to customers, while maintaining its focus on quality and customer service. Those interested in receiving a quote at no cost, can do so quickly and conveniently at http://elitesteelandsupply.com/get-quote. In addition, Elite & Supply empowers customers with one location for all of their metal and steel building needs. With the quickest turnaround in Central Texas, 24 hours in most cases and a large variety of inventory on hand for will-call pickup, Smith stressed that Elite Steel & Supply, is the perfect destination for metal buildings, steel buildings, steel barns, metal garages, metal roofing, metal building supplies, metal carports, carport and gazebo kits, metal sheds and more. Smith went on to point out that a great reason why customers should get a free quote from Elite Steel & Supply, is because the company is family owned and operated, which in turn means its internal communication, values and teamwork abilities behind the scenes are in sync. As a family, we respect each other and work together, in and out of the shop, Smith stressed, before adding, This cohesiveness ensures every department is doing its part and communicating with the other departments to offer you a seamless customer service experience. As a family owned business, we do not have a head office sending us generic policies or slogans. We live, work and play right here in Texas, and our customers are our friends, neighbors and peers. For more information, please visit elitesteelandsupply.com/about-us and elitesteelandsupply.com/products-and-services. About Elite Steel & Supply Family owned and operated. We are committed to offering personal service and superior-quality products, direct from our mill to you. We are your one-stop shop for metal and steel buildings and supplies in Temple, Texas. Elite is pleased to offer the fastest turnaround time in central Texas. Contact Details: Garry Smith 7575 Pegasus Temple, Texas 76501 USA Phone: (254) 773 4300 (254) 913- 2345 Source: Elite Steel & Supply Jim Scott, SVP Worldwide Human Resources Avoka is on track to increase the number of employees by 50% this fiscal year, with growth in all regions - Australia, North America and Europe. Avoka, the leader in digital customer acquisition for financial services, recently added key executives to its team as part of its global expansion. Jim Scott has joined as Senior Vice President for Global Human Resources, Colin Matthews joined as Senior Vice President for North American Sales and Account Management, and Nick Edwards as Director of Sales for Australia and New Zealand. The additions are part of continued record business expansion that will add 50% global headcount to the company during the current fiscal year. Jim Scott will have responsibility for leading and managing all aspects of HR functions at Avoka, particularly important in driving global expansion. Jim comes to Avoka with nearly 20 years experience in senior management roles and over 12 years as a Human Resources executive. Jim was the Vice President of Human Resources for Casey Industrial, and the Executive Director of Human Resources for Inflow, a Denver-based managed internet services company. He has experience managing business units in several U.S. markets, and spent two years living in London and leading the European operations for Frontier Videoconferencing. Jim is based in Broomfield (Denver) Colorado, Avokas North American headquarters. Nick Edwards joins Avoka in the Manly (Sydney) Australia office, after following the business closely for some 18 months. He has partnered with Avoka in his most recent role as Head of Sales for Australia and New Zealand for Experian Decision Analytics. In that role, he was responsible for the distribution of product through the financial services and telecommunications verticals as well as managing ongoing client relationships. As a member of the leadership team, he assisted in ensuring the overall health of the business, financially and culturally. As part of the APAC Future Leaders program, he was invested in the success of the business regionally. Prior to Experian, Nick worked at before that he worked at First Data and BlackRock managing financial institution relationships. With over 25 years in operational leadership roles, Colin Matthews brings a unique blend of go-to-market, business development and operational leadership experience to Avoka. Colin has held a variety of executive sales leadership positions at several leading fintech companies - helping drive two successful IPOs at Yodlee and LifeLock (ID Analytics). As Chief Client Officer at ID Analytics, Colin led business strategy, client success, sales and revenue growth. At Yodlee, he led top-line growth at top retail banks, online brokerages and financial portals. Prior to Yodlee, Colin led sales, strategic alliances and product management for FICOs Scoring Division spearheading distribution of their industry-leading FICO credit risk solutions to the top financial institutions in North America. Colin is based in the Broomfield Colorado office. One of our biggest accomplishments over the past year has been building our team with high quality, experienced individuals, said Philip Copeland, Avoka CEO and Founder. These latest executive additions reflect the momentum in our worldwide businesses and our ability to attract top talent. Avoka is on track to increase the number of employees by 50% this fiscal year, with growth in all regions - Australia, North America and Europe. About Avoka Avoka accelerates customer-centric digital transformation in financial services, government and other industries. Avoka Transact creates omnichannel customer acquisition and onboarding experiences that accelerate customer acquisition and time to market. Avoka was founded in 2002 and has digitized over 100 million transactions for 150+ global clients. Avoka is based in Denver, CO, London, England and Sydney, Australia. Visit us at http://www.avoka.com/. Complete Discovery Source (CDS), a leader in eDiscovery, today announced that Pete Smith has joined the company in the role of Senior Vice President of Sales. Pete will lead CDSs continued expansion into global markets, led by regional presences in California, London, and Toronto. Pete is a veteran of the legal document management industry who brings over 35 years of experience to his role at CDS at organizations including Xerox, Merrill Corporation, and First Advantage (now Consilio). He has a deep knowledge of the technology landscape and the challenges faced by legal practitioners handling increasing volumes of electronically stored information (ESI). Among his professional achievements, Pete has been recognized for his rigorous attention to a strategic sales process and focus on client relationships. Pete has a proven track record of motivating teams and building strong relationships both internally and with clients. Were thrilled that he will be part of CDSs continued growth, said Vinnie Budhram, CDSs Chief Administrative Officer. As a company, CDS shares my personal dedication to communication and team-building, said Pete about joining the company. I look forward to engaging with clients and demonstrating how CDSs solutions can help improve their eDiscovery experience. About Complete Discovery Source Complete Discovery Source (CDS) is a leading eDiscovery company, providing litigation technology and hosting, consulting, project management, and managed review to support the most complex discovery matters. CDS is the first choice of the Am Law 100 and Fortune 500 and is recognized as Best in eDiscovery by the National Law Journal. With a team of seasoned legal experts and technicians, CDS uses advanced, tested, and defensible services and software to support all stages and types of eDiscovery. Supporting a number of eDiscovery tools, CDS is an Orange-Level Best-in-Service Relativity Provider and provides one of the largest and highest volume footprints delivering that platform. CDS is headquartered in New York with regional offices in Chicago, Washington DC, Miami, and London. The company maintains highly secure ISO 27001 certified hosting and Type 2 SOC 2 audited data centers in North America and Europe. Complete Discovery Sources web site is http://www.cdslegal.com. We wanted to develop a platform that is in the integrators best interest and provide a plug and play solution for managed services for our customers that is secure and incredibly flexible, states Robert Lydic, Global VP of Sales at ISONAS ISONAS Inc., a leading Pure IP access control system manufacturer, today announced that the company is providing their certified partners a simple path to offering Access Control as a Service (ACaaS) with its integrator RMR license. Launched in 2016, Pure Access, is a cloud-based access control software application that provides users the ability to manage their access control from anywhere at any time, on any device. In addition to providing a modern user experience and interface, Pure Access gives ISONAS certified partners an off-the-shelf solution to build a recurring revenue business model in the access control space. In recent years, ACaaS has grown into a mainstream product offering. With more and more cloud-hosted platforms available, integrators now have the opportunity to provide managed access control and pivot to an RMR business model. By offering a long-term and manageable solution to their end users, integrators possess the ability to create greater customer retention and provide additional products and services to their end user. The ISONAS RMR license was created to help integrators minimize risk and increase monthly revenue with a simple model. In the access control space a number of integrators have created managed platforms, but that required them to invest heavily in hardware and software and cobble together a solution to make that work, says Robert Lydic, Global Vice President of Sales at ISONAS. We wanted to develop a platform that is in the integrators best interest and provide a plug and play solution for managed services for our customers that is secure and incredibly flexible. The ISONAS model allows the integrator to buy a single license and host an unlimited number of doors and up to 25 end users from a single login. It is an off-the-shelf managed platform that requires no hardware or infrastructure set up to start and removes all capital risk from the integrator. Many ISONAS long time certified partners have begun the migration to a recurring revenue business model and have experienced great success. A perfect example of a certified ISONAS integrator that is reaping the benefits of the RMR model is Nighthawk Group, LLC a Northwest Chicago based IP integration company serving small and mid-size business segments, non-profits, manufacturing, and educational K-8 facilities, both locally and nationwide. As the shift continues to cloud-based products in the access control market, Nighthawk Group began to explore their options for offering Access Control as a Service to its customers. ISONAS offered the simplest solution when it came to recurring monthly revenue and ISONASs Pure Access Cloud Platform was the winner. We had a desire to build an RMR business model and an ISONAS Managed Service offering fit perfectly into our plan, states Kevin Smith, President of Nighthawk Group. The ISONAS integrator platform allows us pricing flexibility to better match the actual number of doors a client has, versus a block of doors, and to build service models that align more closely with their needs. The platform also allows us to be more proactive in monitoring a clients environment. It eliminates the many issues associated with premise equipment, and provides for a more stable environment by always being current on software updates. Its advantageous for integrators to build a monthly revenue stream and be less dependent on project or seasonal revenue. As customers pivot to an ACaaS business model, they must do so in a strategic manner to ensure success. With manufacturers taking on the heavy lifting there is limited risk, but driving an RMR business model requires strategic pricing models and specific service offerings for customers. For further information on this topic, integrators can review the 5 keys to offering cloud-based access control as a resource when moving to an RMR model. ISONAS has empowered its certified partners with an RMR model that is second to none and continues to provide an open path to the future in hardware and software in the access control market. For further information, visit http://www.isonas.com. About ISONAS Inc. Since 1999 ISONAS has been revolutionizing access control with one simple solution and is todays leading manufacturer of Pure IP Access Control hardware. When paired with their industry leading cloud hosted software solutions or 3rd party full featured access control software, a complete access control platform is formed. An ISONAS system provides the perfect product solution for securing facilities while reducing costs and providing all of the advantages that Pure IP technology brings to the door. ISONAS is based in the global technology hub of Boulder, Colorado, and has one goal; to change the global access control market, and provide a product solution that is secure, reliable, trusted, and more technologically advanced than anything before. Today, the company is realizing that vision with the ISONAS solution installed globally in over 30 countries in a wide variety of vertical markets. ISONAS has been recognized as one of Boulder Countys fastest growing companies as well as by industry partners such as Milestone Systems, year after year for its powerful video and access control integration. For more information, visit: http://www.isonas.com or call 800-581-0083. ISONAS Company Contact: Melissa Stenger, VP of Product Management & Marketing ISONAS Inc. Phone: 303-951-7216 Email: melissas(at)isonas(dot)com ISONAS PR Contact: Monique Merhige, President Infusion Direct Marketing & Advertising, Inc. Phone: 631-846-1558 Email: monique(at)infusiondirect(dot)com Bravo Target Safety, a leading provider of industrial and oilfield emergency response and safety services, today introduced new Regional Manager Michael Coutu and announced that it will soon open a new facility in Fort McMurray. From its six locations in Alberta, Bravo Target Safety serves clients in the energy, chemical, mining and construction industries across Western Canada. Principal services include: emergency response, hydrocarbon firefighting, turnarounds and well control. The company uses industry-leading safety equipment and operates a dozen late model fire trucks one of the largest private fleets in the country. The Bravo Target Safety team distinguishes itself by providing unrivaled service, support and response times. Bravo Target Safetys new Regional Manager has more than 20 years of experience in the oil & gas sector. Having earned an Emergency Medical Technician diploma from Lakeland College, he has served as a full-time Emergency Response Officer for the last seven years most recently as Fire Captain with a leading Canadian integrated energy company, where he helped fight the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfires. Previously, he was a Construction Manager in Cold Lake and the regional President of an engineering company in Bonnyville. Michael Coutu started his career as a Civil Engineering Technologist in Calgary. We are actively supporting clients in the Fort McMurray region with teams from our other facilities, explains Michael Coutu, Regional Manager, Bravo Target Safety. In the coming weeks, we will open a new permanent facility in Fort McMurray with offices, shop space and a yard. Among many things, we will manage equipment maintenance locally and we expect to hire at least 20 full-time people within the first year. Of course, our personnel needs may scale dramatically in response to demand. As someone who has lived in Fort McMurray for several years, I am very pleased to be part of the Bravo Target Safety team and I look forward to contributing to my community. We are proud to be opening our new Fort McMurray facility and to have Mike as Regional Manager, says Kevin OBrien, CEO, Bravo Target Safety. He possesses a wealth of industry experience with unmatched expertise in emergency response and firefighting. He is also an ideal candidate to lead our Fort McMurray team because of his longstanding relationships with industry leaders in the region. Furthermore, he and his family are actively engaged in their community. On behalf of Bravo Target Safety, Id like to welcome Mike Coutu to our team. About Bravo Target Safety Bravo Target Safety is a leading provider of industrial and oilfield emergency response and safety services. Dedicated to the highest industry standards, Bravo Target Safety selects the strongest leaders, provides the best training and invests in the best technology and equipment. Headquartered in Lloydminster, Bravo Target Safety has facilities in Bonnyville, Calgary, Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Red Deer and soon in Fort McMurray. For more information, please visit http://bravotarget.ca/. Media Contact Mark Lowe, PRagmatic Communications mark(dot)lowe(at)pragcom(dot)com / (514) 499-9632 / (514) 576-2519 Finest Los Angeles Web Design Firms 10 Best Design is honored to release the names of the winners of its November 2017 awards for the top LA web development agencyEIGHT25MEDIA, Isadora Agency and SDG. Each month, 10 Best Design publishes a variety of awards for web design companies to assist businesses who are searching for potential vendors. First on the November list of top LA web development agencies is EIGHT25MEDIA. Headquartered in San Francisco, California, this company is home to many talented professionals who have a great deal of expertise in web design and development. They are very passionate about what they do, and they make it habit of working together for each of their clients in order to help them achieve the best online experience that they can, in order to reach their target audiences in the most effective way possible. They are happy to be part of a field where they can benefit people in both the business and consumer arenas, and they are aware of the role that a website can play in any company's comprehensive marketing strategy. Appearing second on the list is Isadora Agency, a leading web design firm headquartered in Manhattan Beach, Calif. This company is capable of providing assistance in various areas of design and development, including security measures, custom coating, and graphic design. They pride themselves on being able to provide their clients with a comprehensive suite of services when it comes to web design. They are well known for giving their clients happy surprises and going above and beyond the expectations of each of their diverse array of clients. In third place on the November list is SDG, a top web design firm based in Los Angeles, California. The business is completely driven by referrals and will not make a client pay for something that is not necessary. The primary focus of this group of talented professionals is mobile first-user-experience driven design. SDG has a team that is completely in-house and has very strong abilities in both design and coding. They also can help with web creation, Android applications, iOS applications, Shopify, and other clever consulting services. This company aims to please, no matter what they are doing for their clients. For more information about this months winners, visit http://www.10bestdesign.com. Shweiki Media presents a new webinar featuring expert tips for crafting a successful content strategy In this crowded, noisy virtual environment, it's hard for companies to get their messages heard, and it's not enough to just produce and promote content. It's critical to have a content strategy in place. At this point, everyone has recognized the need for content creation and content marketing, and audiences are being inundated with information as companies continuously crank out content. In this crowded, noisy virtual environment, it's hard for companies to get their messages heard, and it's not enough to just produce and promote content. It's critical to have a content strategy in place. To help marketers stand out from the crowd and get their messages heard, Shweiki Media has teamed up with Mark W. Schaefer - globally recognized marketing expert, consultant, speaker and bestselling author - to present a new, exclusive webinar on how to create a successful content strategy. In this webinar, Schaefer covers the following topics: -The current state of the Internet -Content saturation -Analyzing the competition -Recognizing advocates -The importance of responding to comments -And more! The webinar is available on Shweiki's YouTube channel and with an accompanying blog on shweiki.com. About Shweiki: Shweiki Medias mission has always been to help publishers improve by providing the most profitable, hassle-free printing experience possible. This includes guaranteeing the highest quality product, exceptional customer service, world-class communication, an on-time guarantee, and no surprises whether printing magazines, postcards, flyers or anything else. As a printer and publisher, Shweiki Media also believes that this hassle-free experience includes making their clients better. Utilizing relationships with industry experts, Shweiki Media strives to educate clients and help them thrive in the exciting world of publishingwhile having lots of fun along the way! For more great info from and about Shweiki Media, please check out our blog at shweiki.com/blog (and sign up for our FREE weekly expert webinars!), and subscribe to our Youtube Channel at youtube.com/shweikimedia. You can also follow us @ShweikiMedia and like us at Facebook.com/shweikimedia About Mark Schaefer: Mark W. Schaefer is a globally-recognized keynote speaker, educator, business consultant, and author who blogs at {grow} one of the top marketing blogs of the world. Mark has worked in global sales, PR, and marketing positions for 30 years and now provides consulting services as Executive Director of U.S.-based Schaefer Marketing Solutions. He specializes in marketing strategy and social media workshops and clients include both start-ups and global brands such as Adidas, Johnson & Johnson, Dell, Pfizer, The U.S. Air Force, and the UK government. Mark has advanced degrees in marketing and organizational development and holds seven patents. He is a faculty member of the graduate studies program at Rutgers University and is the author of five best-selling marketing books: Social Media Explained, Return On Influence, Born to Blog, The Content Code, and The Tao of Twitter, the best-selling book on Twitter in the world. Return On Influence was named to the elite Top Academic Titles of the year by the American Library Association, which declared it an essential and pathfinding book. Content Code was named one of the top five marketing books of 2015 by INC magazine. His books are used as textbooks at more than 50 universities, have been translated into 12 languages, and can be found in more than 750 libraries worldwide. He is the co-host of The Marketing Companion, one of the top 10 marketing podcasts on iTunes. Leading Los Angeles Firms 10 Best SEO has selected the winners of its Best Los Angeles SEO Agency awards for November 2017, giving RankLab the top prize. Dozens of search engine optimization agencies call Los Angeles, Calif., home right now. Without a doubt, potential clients benefit from having so many options to choose from, but they suffer as well. Sorting through all of these options and figuring out which ones are worth pursuing is a tedious task. Fortunately, the industry experts at 10 Best SEO recently launched their Best SEO Agency in LA awards. At RankLab, the SEO focus is on ecommerce and creating successful businesses. This helps to make the company stand out as one of the best Los Angeles SEO firms on the November list of winners. Experts for the agency work tirelessly to help clients thrive in a tough business environment. RankLab has helped hundreds of clients in the past and prefers to craft long-term relationships with its clients. From there, the agency creates a long-term strategy for search engine optimization success, and clients benefit from a skilled partner. The minds behind Websites Depot believe ease-of-use is the key to success alongside proper optimization. Therefore, Websites Depot builds websites from the ground up with a focus on SEO and functionality. As a top SEO agency, Websites Depot ensures clients websites are tailored to become noticed by search engines, and the user experience is designed to be nothing but smooth. Nothing beats a website optimized for the search engines, potential visitors, and overall success. Leading SEO agency Elite SEM is well-deserving of the November award. Dozens of marketing experts work for Elite SEM today. Each and every person knows the ins and outs of search engine optimization for websites of all backgrounds. For that reason, clients do not need to worry about time being wasted on the wrong pursuits. Elite SEM dominates the search engine rankings for its clients while offering a wide variety of other services as well. Clients need to put themselves in elite company to succeed. Choosing the Best Los Angeles SEO Firm is no easy task. In the end, 10 Best SEO considers dozens of factors when putting together its list. Any of the November 2017 recipients would provide incredible results for clients at the moment. Since this is a new award, the next batch of results will not come out for another month. Still, businesses and industry experts will eagerly await the newest recipients. 10 Best SEO has proven itself a leader in the SEO industry. For more information about this months winning firms, please visit http://www.10bestseo.com. Venture Resorts (https://www.cabinsofthesmokymountains.com), Gatlinburgs largest vacation rental company, today announced the opening of its new wedding facility at Gatlinburg Falls Resort. Were excited about the new facility, says Billy Parris, general manager of Venture Resorts, Weve always hosted weddings and receptions at Gatlinburg Falls Resort, but the new facility is fresh, improved space. Built in the style of a luxury mountain lodge, the wedding facility includes over 1,500 square feet of flexible event space. The facility can host receptions of up to 90 guests, with room left for a dance floor. According to Parris, the facility is designed to host a range of events, including wedding ceremonies, wedding receptions, or banquets and rehearsal dinners. Parris says the facility can also be used for meetings and other events. We can host up to 125 people in theater seating, and the facility features a full audio/visual suite, Parris says. The city of Gatlinburg has long been major wedding destination, being second only to Las Vegas in the number of weddings it hosts each year. To serve the large wedding market, Parris says that Gatlinburg Falls Resort offers a range of wedding packages, from simple, in-cabin weddings, to full wedding receptions that include catering, 3-tier wedding cake, music, flowers and photography/videography. Venture Resorts also offers cabin accommodations for bridge, groom and guests. The company rents more than 400 cabins in Gatlinburg and nearby Pigeon Forge. It offers four honeymoon packages for the bride and groom, plus the option for couples to design their own romantic package. We probably host more honeymoons than anyone in Gatlinburg, says Parris. To learn more about the companys honeymoon packages, visit: https://www.cabinsofthesmokymountains.com/packages-romance.php. For more information about Venture Resorts wedding facility and wedding packages, visit https://www.cabinsofthesmokymountains.com/gatlinburg-weddings.php. About Venture Resorts Venture Resorts is the largest luxury cabin rental agency in the Smoky Mountains, managing over 400 cabins within minutes of Great Smoky Mountain National Park and family-friendly attractions in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. For more information, call (866) 347-6659 or visit one of the companys web sites https://www.cabinsofthesmokymountains.com or https://www.cabinsofpigeonforge.com. InfoMC, a leading provider of cloud-based healthcare management and care coordination software, announced today the promotion of Jeff Branagh to Chief Operating Officer of the company. Jeff joined the company in October 2016 as Senior Vice President of Operations. Jeffs vast experience in healthcare, strategy, and product development has served the company very well. He has spent most his professional career working with large payer organizations across the country. Prior to joining InfoMC, Jeff served as Managing Director of Strategy and Innovation at LiquidHub, 11 years with McKesson Health Solutions / Portico Inc. holding various positions in Product Management, Sales and Client Delivery; as well as 10 years with Aetna in Operations, Technology and Program Management. InfoMC has experienced much success over the past 13 months under Jeffs focus and leadership. He has turned our implementation team into a profit center of continuous services, streamlined our development cycles into achievable and repeatable delivery; while improving product quality at the same time. We are so pleased to have him as a leader on our team, said JJ Farook, Chief Executive Offer. Im excited to take on this leadership position during such a monumental time in InfoMCs growth, said Branagh. Weve turned our attention at InfoMC to design and launch innovative population health solutions that advance high-quality care, improve access and increase member engagement. Our technologies are aimed at advancing our Client Partners goals to establish sustainable and scalable care models while reducing unnecessary healthcare costs. I look forward to continuing the expansion of our capabilities and optimizing our solutions focused on improving patient care in 2018 and beyond. About InfoMC InfoMC Inc. is a leading provider of cloud-based healthcare management and care coordination software designed to help close gaps in health care systems. InfoMC offers a suite of rules-based workflow, data exchange, and analytics products to health plans, managed care organizations, health systems, state, county and community health centers and programs, and Employee Assistance/WorkLife Programs. The InfoMC Coordinated Care Solution provides tools for optimal care coordination of complex or chronic physical and behavioral health conditions and populations, resulting in improved quality and cost of care outcomes. Were always honored to win an award, but its especially exciting when our own patients were the ones who nominated and voted for us. For the second year in a row, Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center has earned the award of Atlantas Best Laser Hair Removal Facility. This distinction comes from Best Self magazines Best of 2017 reader poll. Every year, Best Self hosts a Best of Atlanta contest. They accept nominations for top providers in over 180 health-related categories from thousands of people. With the nominees collected from the public, Best Self opens the contest for voting. The magazines readers as well as residents from every area of metro Atlanta vote for the providers who have helped them on their health and wellness journey. Through this process, Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center is proud to find that their patients were so satisfied as to vote them Atlantas Best Laser Hair Removal Facility for the second consecutive year. As Laser Lights Practice Administrator Jackie Madison explains, Were always honored to win an award, but its especially exciting when our own patients were the ones who nominated and voted for us. We work as a family to develop a personal relationship with every patient and to help them be the best they can be from the inside out. This award just motivates us to keep working toward providing each and every patient with a truly five-star experience. For Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Centers patients, the award comes as no surprise. On top of their exceptional laser hair removal results, the staff has also achieved great success for patients using nonsurgical fat removal, microneedling, nonsurgical skin tightening, laser skin resurfacing, laser tattoo removal, and dozens more. Serving the Atlanta community for nearly twenty-five years at Southern Plastic Surgery, double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Whiteman specializes in performing cosmetic and reconstructive procedures, and he expanded his reach by becoming the full owner of Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center in 2016. Today, Southern Plastic Surgery and Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center function as one practice with two locations, one for surgery and one for nonsurgical treatments, both with the same goal - helping patients find their confidence. About Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center is dedicated to raising the self-confidence of its patients through various laser skin treatments, non-surgical cosmetic procedures, and facial treatments, and has been for over 15 years. In 2016, double board-certified plastic surgeon David M. Whiteman, MD, FRCS(c) took over as full owner of Laser Lights to offer patients a more focused customer experience. With multiple unique lasers for every skin type, a wide variety of non-laser skin treatments, and some of the most advanced aesthetic technology available for non-surgical fat reduction, skin tightening, and more, Laser Lights can match each patient with the ideal procedures to meet their needs. Their list of services includes, but is not limited to laser treatments to remove hair, tattoos, blemishes, veins and wrinkles, as well as non-laser treatments for the face and body and medical grade skin care products. Gift certificates are also available, allowing your loved ones to select the perfect treatments for them. Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Centers goal is to help every patient look and feel their very best, all with a five-star experience. When you step into their offices, you join the family where they strive to foster a personal relationship with each patient to help them achieve their aesthetic goals and be the best they can be from the inside out. Patients considering non-surgical cosmetic treatments can find more information about Laser Lights Cosmetic Laser Center at http://www.atlaserlights.com. Patients who are considering plastic surgery can learn more about Dr. David Whiteman and the rest of the Southern Plastic Surgery team at southernplasticsurgery.com. ### We pride ourselves on choosing the perfect solution for our customers, we listen to the needs of our customer and fit them with the ideal hardware and service, said Mary Cheney, Marketing Supervisor at VoIP Supply. VoIP Supply, North America's Leading VoIP Solutions Provider, has been awarded the Editors Retail Choice Award for its Comprehensive Telephony Marketplace from Deal Crunch. Since 2002, VoIP Supply has provided expert knowledge to the VoIP industry and its customers. It has also provided unmatched product availability to over 125,000 customers worldwide. It is the companys mission to provide the highest level of service to all customers, while ensuring they are educated on the solutions they are purchasing. We pride ourselves on choosing the perfect solution for our customers, we listen to the needs of our customer and fit them with the ideal hardware and service, said Mary Cheney, Marketing Supervisor at VoIP Supply. While VoIP Supply is known for its telephony hardware, the company is shifting its focus to hosted solutions. Aiming to aid businesses to transition into services that provide savings in resources, capital and IT time. That is why our slogan is everything that you need for VoIP. With hosted solutions becoming more predominant in the industry, weve adjusted our focus to better support customers, Mary said. VoIP Supplys dedication to customers begins with a company culture rooted in a sense of family, togetherness, and service that goes beyond the telephone. That commitment, and a vast selection of hardware and services, has earned VoIP Supply our Editors Retail Choice Award for its Comprehensive Telephony Marketplace. About VoIP Supply VoIP Supply, LLC (http://www.voipsupply.com) is your trusted source for everything VoIP; from our large selection of name-brand hardware to our CloudSpan Marketplace. VoIP Supply provides you with a fully staffed inbound call center with licensed, certified and highly trained VoIP experts that can help you with any problem you might have. Whether you are a home user, business, reseller or service provider, VoIP Supply has the products, experience, and expertise to make your deployment a success. VoIP Supply is a three-time Inc. 500/5000 honoree, listed by Business First as one of WNYs Most Admired Companies, as well as being consistently ranked one of Western New York's Best Places to Work. VoIP Supply is also the first Certified B Corporation in Western New York. Our dedicated Solution Specialists are here to help, so call us today at 1-800-398-VoIP or visit our website at http://www.voipsupply.com About IndustryCrunch DealCrunch.coms IndustryCrunch is the only blog of its kind that highlights all of the retail industrys movers and shakers, up-and-coming startups and more. Stay informed with the latest industry news here. UBCF's Disaster Relief Event Serving Breast Cancer Patients, Survivors and Immediate Family Members UBCF is pleased to announce its first disaster relief event for breast cancer patients and survivors. The event, scheduled for December 9, 2017 in Doral, Florida, will provide assistance to women, men and children affected by breast cancer. The United Breast Cancer Foundation (UBCF) is pleased to announce its first disaster relief event for breast cancer patients and survivors. The event, scheduled for December 9, 2017 in Doral, Florida, will provide assistance to women, men and children affected by breast cancer and the recent natural disasters in Florida, including Hurricane Irma. UBCF has partnered with Good360 and Tempur-Pedic to donate high quality twin, full and queen-size Tempur-Pedic mattresses. In addition to the new mattresses, UBCF is giving away other household, personal care products, clothing and baby items generously donated by Bed Bath & Beyond and Buy Buy Baby. Other donors include: Keurig, Nike, Burts Bees, First Aid Beauty and The Honest Company. Cancer care is expensive and a large percentage of UBCF's clients come from low-income households. Often between medical bills and every day expenses UBCFs clients struggle to afford basic household items or a new mattress. The added stress of rebuilding after a natural disaster makes these purchases even more difficult and yet much more important. All items are available to breast cancer patients, survivors and their children 18 years or younger. Patients and survivors are welcome to travel from surrounding states. The application is available at http://ubcf.org/disaster-relief/ "I speak for my entire team when I say that UBCF is truly honored to be supporting the courageous women, men and children of Florida who are not only dealing with breast cancer but are now forced to rebuild their lives, said UBCF Executive Director, Ms. Stephanie Mastroianni. "Providing a good nights sleep with a new Tempur-Pedic mattress is the least we can do. UBCF thanks Tempur-Pedic, Good360, Bed Bath & Beyond and Buy Buy Baby, and CustomSpace warehousing. UBCF's next Tempur-Pedic mattress event is tentatively scheduled for Spring, 2018 in Melville, NY. For more information please contact UBCFs Director of Operations, Ms. Beth Reichart at 1-877-822-4287 x702 or email beth(at)ubcf.org. Background on UBCF UBCF is committed to offering breast health and wellness services focused on cancer prevention, screening, treatment and overall wellness. UBCFs mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of those affected by breast cancer and carries it out through seven life-supporting patient and family programs available to women, men and families nation-wide. UBCF never denies services to anyone regardless of age, race, gender, ethnicity, income or medical insurance coverage. People in need of breast health services may visit ubcf.org or call toll-free, 877-822-4287. Tax-deductible contributions may be made towards UBCFs programs. UBCF accepts vehicle and property donations as well. Contributions may be mailed to UBCF, P.O. Box 2421, Huntington, NY 11743, or donate through the Combined Federal Campaign, #77934. The TWAIN Working Group (TWG), a not-for-profit organization designed to provide and foster a universal public standard which links applications and image acquisition devices, today announced the addition of HazyBits as an Associate member of the TWAIN Working Group. HazyBits, a developer of carefully designed APIs that provide infrastructure for developers of modern applications to process huge amounts of data, has joined to make development contributions to TWAIN Cloud, a component of the new TWAIN Direct specification. TWAIN Direct is the first zero-footprint, mobile-ready version of TWAIN's royalty-free open standard protocol. It expedites development of applications accessing scanners, without requiring vendor-specific drivers. TWAIN Direct supports direct network communication between desktop or mobile applications and scanning devices, and addresses the need for something simple and direct that speeds along application development and results in a feature-rich end user experience. Said Dmitry Kolomiets, President at HazyBits, "We are excited to be a new Associate Member of the TWAIN Working Group. This standard is very important to the imaging industry, and it is clear that the TWAIN Working Group is doing what it should to move the standard in to the future with TWAIN Direct. Our group can add great value in the cloud portion of the specification development, to include building important infrastructure that will be open source based on our years of experience." HazyBits is a great fit for membership and an important piece of the development puzzle for TWAIN Cloud, part of our TWAIN Direct specification, says Jon Harju, Chair of the TWAIN Working Group and CTO at Visioneer Inc. Dmitry Kolomiets, President of HazyBits, has been making contributions to the group for some time with his cloud expertise under another member company. We are very happy to add his new company as an Associate Member of the group, and look forward to working with him into the future. About HazyBits HazyBits strives to adopt modern cloud technologies and bring advanced image processing and computer vision capabilities to developers of all kinds of applications. The experienced team of HazyBits engineers understand the importance of visual information, especially now when images can be acquired instantly using mobile phones. The HazyBits mission is to provide access to powerful instruments through carefully designed APIs, and to provide infrastructure that developers of modern applications can use to process huge amounts of data effortlessly - ultimately delivering user experiences previously unimaginable. https://hazybits.com/ About The TWAIN Working Group The TWAIN Working Group, established in 1992, is a not-for-profit association of industry leaders who have gathered to create a standard that benefits the imaging industry as a whole. TWAIN's purpose is to provide and foster a universal public standard which links applications and image acquisition devices. The ongoing mission of this organization is to continue to enhance the standard to accommodate future technologies. TWAIN generates multiple opportunities for application developers and users to access information and broaden the standard; through a developers forum (twainforum.org), main website (twain.org), Wikipedia page and online self-certification process. Current members of the TWAIN Working Group include Visioneer, Inc., Panasonic System Communications Company of North America, Avision Inc., ExactCODE GmbH, Fujitsu Computer Products of America Inc., InoTec GmbH Organisationssyteme, Kodak Alaris, Atalasoft, Microtek, Inc., Picture Elements, Dynamsoft, Epson, ABBYY, PDF Association, HazyBits and Hewlett Packard. More information about the TWAIN API and imaging standard can be obtained on The TWAIN Working Group's Web site at http://www.twain.org. Third-party logistics provider Kane Is Able, Inc. (KANE http://www.kaneisable.com) is pleased to announce that it has signed a letter of intent to acquire Vintners Logistics (http://www.vintnerslogisticsllc.com), a leading provider of warehousing and transportation for food and beverage products for wineries and food processing companies. The acquisition of Vintners Logistics, based in Kennewick, WA, further strengthens KANEs position in the wine and spirits market. The combination of Vintners Logisticss focus on delivering excellence to the wine-producing industry with KANEs award-winning, national footprint will provide agility and greater efficiencies to customers. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2018. I look forward to our combination with Kane Is Able, because of the great resources they will bring to bear in developing our capabilities. KANE possesses deep experience in wine and spirits and shares our passion for this business, said Robert Thompson, owner of Vintners Logistics. We believe we have a terrific cultural fit: two family-owned businesses that intensely care about our associates and our customers. Kane Is Able is joining forces with Vintners Logistics to establish an even stronger foundation of industry knowledge, talent, and heritage. Expansion into the Pacific Northwest fits perfectly into our strategic vision. We view our partnership as another step in bringing innovation and dynamic, customer-centric solutions to the industry, added Michael Gardner, president and CEO of Kane Is Able. Republic Partners (http://www.republicpartners.com), based in Chicago, IL, acted as an advisor in this deal. Republic Partners provides investment banking and strategic advisory services. About Vintners Logistics Vintners Logistics was founded by Robert Thompson in 2007 to provide food-grade, third-party warehousing and transportation services. Vintners Logistics consolidates food and beverage products and packaging materials for shipment in the Pacific Northwest, Northern California and other U.S. destinations. About Kane Is Able Kane Is Able is a third-party logistics provider that helps manufacturers and their retail partners efficiently and effectively distribute goods throughout the United States. Since 1930, KANEs mission is to deliver exceptional, value-added logistics services including omnichannel fulfillment, nationwide warehousing and distribution, contract packaging, cross docking, and transportation solutions. # # # Remitr Business Payments MoneyOS enables users to collect and make international payments from a single MoneyOS account, bypassing traditional expensive methods like bank wire and credit card. It's a new paradigm for international payments. Remitware was recently accepted into the prestigious Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) RegLab program to test and enhance MoneyOS to comply with international regulatory standards. International payments are currently dominated by wire transfers and debit/credit card based payment methods. MoneyOS enables users to collect and make international payments from a single MoneyOS account, bypassing both these traditional methods. In addition to facilitating transactions for businesses, MoneyOS allows financial institutions such as banks and other money transfer companies, to build their own cross-border payments offering on this platform and replace slow and expensive wire transfers. Intelligent algorithms coupled with partnerships with banks & other regulated financial institutions in various countries, allow MoneyOS to automatically and intelligently find the best route to ensure money flows across diverse payment networks like bank accounts, wallets and others new age payment instruments. MoneyOS uses machine learning technology to tackle complexities of cross-border payments, such as detecting patterns in money flow, routing of exceptions and intelligently processing unstructured data. Remitware Payments is joining ADGM RegLab program to launch MoneyOS as an innovative mechanism for international payments that is safe, compliant and secure. Remitware will be working closely with the regulators at ADGM's RegLab, to further develop and scale MoneyOS for global commerce and remittances. Mr Wai Lum Kwok, Executive Director of Capital Markets at ADGMs Financial Services Regulatory Authority welcomed Remitware to the 2nd RegLab cohort, saying, ADGM is committed to supporting the development and deployment of Fintech solutions that have the potential to make financial services more accessible, affordable and secure. We look forward to working closely with Remitware to test its innovative technology in a controlled and supervised environment. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Kanchan Kumar Co-founder & CEO of Remitware said, We are delighted to participate in ADGMs RegLab to accelerate our innovation in cross-border payments. We firmly believe that orbit shifting innovation in payments space requires an active regulatory support that is receptive to creating new models. With the ADGM RegLab association, we will bring to market innovations which would not have been possible to develop or scale in an uncertain regulatory environment. About Remitware Payments Canada Inc Remitware Payments is a regulated financial institution in Canada and has offices in USA, UAE and India. Remitware enables fast and low cost business payments on Remitr Business Payments (RBP) platform, leveraging its technology to provide the lowest exchange rates and most efficient fund transfer mechanism all day and night. Remitware Payments Canada Inc is a subsidiary of Remitware Payments Inc a US headquartered, payments technology company. Remitware provides a cutting edge International payments & settlements platform built for modern cross-border commerce from the ground-up, applying the latest in Internet technology. Remitware is founded by experienced entrepreneurs & bankers and is funded by marquee angel investors from USA, UK, Middle East, and Asia. Remitware is part of Ryerson Futures portfolio, MaRS growth program and In5 innovation hub of Dubai Internet City. About ADGM Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), an international financial centre (IFC) located in the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, opened for business since 2015. Recognised by the industry for its innovative, strategic and progressive initiatives, ADGM has been awarded as the Financial Centre of the Year (MENA) for two consecutive years. ADGMs three independent authorities, the Registration Authority, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority and ADGM Courts, enable registered companies to conduct business successfully and operate with confidence within an international regulatory framework with its own independent judicial system and legislative infrastructure based on the Common Law. Established by a UAE Federal Decree as a broad based financial centre and in line with the Abu Dhabis Economic Vision, ADGM is an extension of Abu Dhabis role as a reliable and responsible member of the global financial community. Strategically situated in Abu Dhabi, home to one of the worlds largest sovereign wealth funds, ADGM plays a pivotal role in positioning Abu Dhabi as a global centre for business and finance that connects the growing economies of the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. ADGMs foundation is anchored on three of Abu Dhabis strategic strengths - private banking, wealth management and asset management and will continually expand its financial services in response to the needs of its businesses and marketplace. ADGM is located on Al Maryah Island, a 114-hectare of financial free zone, housing world-class offices spaces, award-winning hotels, restaurants and life-style retail outlets. All these complement ADGMs international financial centre position as a vibrant destination in the capital city in Abu Dhabi. For more details of ADGM, please visit http://www.adgm.com or follow us on Twitter : @adglobalmarket and LinkedIn. Alison R. Smith "Alison will play a key role developing and maintaining relationships that spur growth across the impact investing landscape, commented Cornerstone Founder and CEO Erika Karp. Cornerstone Capital Group (Cornerstone) today announced that Alison R. Smith has been appointed to lead the Companys global business development efforts. Ms. Smith will be based in Cornerstones New York City headquarters and will report to Chief Investment Officer Phil Kirshman. Prior to joining Cornerstone, Ms. Smith served as vice president of marketing and membership at TIGER 21, a peer-to-peer learning network for high-net-worth investors, where she managed several promotional and communications programs and coordinated outreach for the organization. She also worked at Marina Maher Communications and the United Nations Association in various roles. She holds a B.A. from Ithaca College and earned an M.B.A. in Finance and Marketing from Fordham University Graduate School of Business. Erika Karp, Founder & Chief Executive Officer at Cornerstone, commented on todays news, We are delighted to welcome Alison to the team. She will leverage years of experience working with high net worth individuals to advance Cornerstones mission to drive sustainable and impact investing. We see significant opportunities across the world to align investment objectives with social outcomes. Alison will play a key role developing and maintaining relationships that spur growth across the impact investing landscape. Cornerstones mission is to apply the principles of sustainable finance across the capital markets, enhancing investment processes through transparency and collaboration. For investors looking for financial returns and to make the world a better place, Cornerstone is dedicated to systematically integrating the dimension of sustainability into investment decisions, delivering financial performance along with positive social impact. Ms. Smith commented: As sustainable finance gains momentum throughout the financial-services industry, Cornerstone continues to demonstrate significant market leadership. I look forward to working with the team and promoting the firms superior sustainable investing opportunities and ESG analysis. About Cornerstone Founded in 2013, Cornerstone Capital Group is a financial services firm based in New York. The mission of the firm is to apply the principles of sustainable finance across the capital markets enhancing investment processes through transparency and collaboration. In offering investment consulting and advising, investment banking, and strategic consulting services, Cornerstone works with asset owners, corporations and financial institutions, promoting new research in the field of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) analysis, and facilitating capital introductions for organizations around the world engaged in sustainable business practices. Path Interactive hosts performance artists The Bumbys at an annual holiday party. The bottom line is that fulfilled, motivated employees are a key component in doing any worthwhile work. Were going to continue investing in even more initiatives that make the Path Interactive experience rewarding for our employees and, in turn, for our clients. Path Interactive, a digital marketing agency based in New York Citys Flatiron district, has once again taken home top honors on the Ad Age Best Places to Work list. The prestigious list annually aggregates fifty companies with high employee satisfaction rates in the marketing, advertising, and media spheres. First landing on the list in 2016, Path Interactive again placed in the top 5 in 2017, securing the #4 spot in the recent iteration. Path Interactive offers its employees plenty of perks, including company-covered medical deductibles, unlimited time off, 401k matching, and weekly group fitness classes. However, Michael Coppola, the agencys co-founder and CEO, is quick to stress that these measures are not just a recruiting gimmick, but a genuine effort to try to make sure that team members are thriving and being rewarded for their efforts. He stated The bottom line is that fulfilled, motivated employees are a key component in doing any worthwhile work. Were going to continue investing in even more initiatives that make the Path Interactive experience rewarding for our employees and, in turn, for our clients. We expect great things for our company as we move into next year. The win comes in the midst of an exciting year for Path Interactive, which also recently landed on the Crains Best Places to Work list for the third year in a row and was named the 2017 North America winner of the Google Premier Partner for Display Innovation. The latter win was based on their work for talent acquisition suite, iCIMS, which broke ground by connecting offline conversions to impressions on the Google Display Network (GDN) and helping prove the indisputable value of display media as a digital marketing channel. (More information on their winning entry can be found at https://www.pathinteractive.com/blog/display/path-interactive-named-2017-americas-winner-googles-display-innovation-award/) Path Interactives momentum shows no sign of stopping. Asked about the companys future goals, co-found and COO, Michael Candullo, remarked, In addition to the prestigious honor of having a recognized workplace culture, our team continues to focus on successful outcomes for our clients. We have accelerated investment in technology and analytics to drive innovation and differentiate ourselves within the digital space. We are bullish on 2018 and beyond. The 2017 Ad Age Best Places to Work list was compiled as a joint effort between Ad Age and the Best Companies Group. Companies in pertinent industries were evaluated based on workplace policies, practices, philosophies, and demographics, which accounted for 25% of the ranking process, and on employee assessments of their experience, which accounted for 75% of the ranking process. The Best Companies Group analyzed these findings and compiled list results. See the full 2017 list of Ad Ages Best Places to Work here: http://adage.com/article/agency-news/places-work-2017/311248/ About Path Interactive: Path Interactive is a digital marketing agency headquartered in New York Citys Flatiron District. Their expertise spans a full range of marketing services including SEM and display management, SEO, website design and development, and social media marketing. Path Interactive's client list includes respected brands such as Zagat, Time Inc., Scholastic, Carmex, and Jackson Hewitt. They are recent winners of Googles 2017 Display Innovation Award in the Americas, the 2017 WebAward for Outstanding Achievement in Web Development, and the Award of Excellence and Distinction in the 23rd Annual Communicator Awards. They have appeared on the Crains Best Places to Work list in 2015, 2016, and 2017, and on the AdAge Best Places to Work list in 2016 and 2017, most recently ranking #4. Learn more about their work at http://www.pathinteractive.com. On November 21, 2017, Judge Cormac Carney of the Central District of California granted the governments motion to dismiss all charges against renowned cancer surgeon Mark Rettenmaier. Dr. Rettenmaier had been charged with multiple felonies after computer repair employees at Best Buy claimed to have found alleged contraband on one of his computers. The case drew national attention after Bienert, Miller & Katzman attorneys uncovered that Best Buy had numerous paid government informants working at its computer repair facility in Kentucky, where Dr. Rettenmaiers computer was sent for repair. Judge Carney held a lengthy evidentiary hearing where the defense proved that the affidavit used to obtain a search warrant for Dr. Rettenmaiers home contained numerous false statements and omissions. Notably, it wrongly omitted the fact that the alleged contraband on the computer submitted to Best Buy was located on the computers unallocated space, so that it was virtually inaccessible to Dr. Rettenmaier. Because the FBI misled the magistrate judge who issued the warrant, Judge Carney suppressed all evidence that the government had obtained with the warrant. The government chose not to appeal Judge Carneys Order and eventually decided to dismiss the entire case. According to defense counsel James Riddet, The governments decision to dismiss was not terribly surprising in light of Judge Carneys ruling, since the only evidence they had left was alleged contraband that Dr. Rettenmaier could not access and that could have gotten into the unallocated space of his computer without his knowledge. The case was extensively litigated by the trial team of James D. Riddet and Kenneth M. Miller of Bienert, Miller & Katzman, PLC in San Clemente, California. The attorneys of Bienert, Miller & Katzman routinely handle high profile criminal defense matters. Learn more at http://www.bmkattorneys.com. See United States v. Rettenmaier, United States District Court for the Central District of California, Case No. 14-00188-CJC. See United States v. Rettenmaier, United States District Court for the Central District of California, Case No. 14-00188-CJC. The Interim HealthCare Therapist of the Year is just one important way we honor the professionals who deliver much-needed therapy solutions and services to millions of Americans every day, said Larry Kraska, Interim HealthCare CEO and President. Interim HealthCare announced today the winner of the 2017 Therapist of the Year award, Wendy Shockley, SLP. Having been a Speech-Language Pathologist with Interim HealthCare of Greenville, South Carolina since November 2012, Wendy upholds the highest standards of care, compassion and commitment to clinical excellence and improving peoples lives. Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, Physical Therapy Assistants and Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants were all eligible to receive the award. The Interim HealthCare Therapist of the Year is just one important way we honor the professionals who deliver much-needed therapy solutions and services to millions of Americans every day, said Larry Kraska, Interim HealthCare CEO and President. We are thrilled to congratulate Wendy Shockley as our winner this year, whose talents distinguish her as an outstanding therapist, and we are incredibly proud of her accomplishments. Wendys accomplishments are abundant, having a steadfast approach to putting the patient and familys goals at the center of her plan of care, approach and treatment. She ensures that all care team members are aware of the outcomes the family and patient desire, so everyone can work seamlessly towards achieving those goals. According to her supervisor, Caroline McClellan, director of therapy services, although speech therapy has many different concentrations of practice, Wendy is adept at identifying and prioritizing the deficits that a patient may have. Further, one of the most important aspects is if a patient can communicate their wants and needs. This is an area where she says Wendy is particularly creative and successful. Wendy recently implemented communication boards with several ALS patients, making countless visits before and after hours because she recognizes the variations of patient ability during different times of the day, says McClellan. She sets her schedule to capture the good and bad moments so she can address all aspects of patient needs. Wendy also created a memory book with the family of a patient with progressive dementia. She helped the family organize key pictures to help the patient maintain recognition of family members while in the early stages of the disease. As her supervisor, I have received countless calls from patients and families about how she has changed their lives for the better. I simply could not be prouder of her, said McClellan. About Interim HealthCare Interim HealthCare Inc., founded in 1966, is a leading national franchisor of home care, hospice and healthcare staffing. It is part of Caring Brands International which also includes UK-based Bluebird Care and Australia-based Just Better Care, both well-known franchise brands in their countries. With more than 530 franchise locations in seven countries Caring Brands International is a global health care leader. Interim HealthCare in the United States is unique in combining the commitment of local ownership with the support of a national organization that develops innovative programs and quality standards that improve the delivery of service. Franchisees employ nurses, therapists, aides, companions and other healthcare professionals who provide 25 million hours of home care service to 190,000 people each year, meeting a variety of home health, senior care, hospice, palliative care, pediatric care and healthcare staffing needs. For more information or to locate an Interim HealthCare office, visit http://www.interimhealthcare.com. "Our partnership with Stevens is an example of how industries and universities can work together to advance one anothers missions, said Ralph Izzo, chairman, president and CEO of PSEG. Public Service Enterprise Group has partnered with Stevens Institute of Technology to further support their commitments to energy innovation, public service and developing science engineering and math (STEM) talent for the future. A $1.5 million grant to Stevens from the PSEG Foundation will support two parallel objectives and areas of strong mutual interest: Energy Innovation and Public Service. Stevens is proud to partner with PSEG, one of New Jerseys and the regions most highly respected companies and recognized as a major contributor to improving the lives of citizens and the economic vitality of the region, said Nariman Farvardin, president of Stevens. This partnership will lay the foundation for a strengthened and even more significant long-term relationship between PSEG and Stevens to further address the challenging issues regarding meeting societys most pressing energy needs. Our partnership with Stevens is an example of how industries and universities can work together to advance one anothers missions, said Ralph Izzo, chairman, president and CEO of PSEG. PSEG is proud to support the development and enhancement of educational programs that inspire students to pursue their interests in sustainability. Companies like ours will look to the next generation of innovators to help with issues such as climate change and energy independence. That requires people with the knowledge, curiosity and creativity. The Energy Innovation track of this three-year initiative will focus on faculty and student research capabilities in two key areas: energy conversion and storage. The research objectives in these areas will aim to advance the understanding of and technologies associated with flexible photo electronics and with the development of sustainable fuels. The partnership also will amplify Stevens institutional research capabilities in the energy domain in a manner that is guided by and responsive to industry priorities and concerns. Stevens is committed to invest in the partnership through new faculty positions, Ph.D. scholarships and undergraduate research scholarships. In addition, the acquisition of new technical instrumentation will significantly enhance research capabilities relevant to the energy topics proposed. The potential impact of this multifaceted research is enormous, Dr. Farvardin said. PSEG will continue to face existential challenges and opportunities in the years ahead as the energy industry faces disruptive forces. Through the collaborative efforts of this partnership, Stevens faculty will continue to pioneer high-impact research in strategic areas that are of significant consequence for the future of society. The Public Service track will focus on enhancing educational opportunities and cultural programing. The PSEG/Stevens partnership will increase participation in STEM education for underserved and economically disadvantaged youth by providing full-scholarships and related support for eligible students to participate in the WaterBotics summer camp experience for middle school students and Stevens Pre-College Programs for high school students. These experiences will provide young students with a glimpse into college life and inspire them to pursue a STEM-focused college education. Stevens and PSEG are dedicated to giving back to the community and making arts and cultural programming available to the citizens of Hoboken and the surrounding communities. The university expanded its public service offering during 2016-17 by launching OnStage at Stevens, a performing art series. As part of this initiative, PSEG will be the lead sponsor of OnStage at Stevens for the next three years. The transformative partnership builds on a long-standing relationship between Stevens and PSEG. A generous PSEG Foundation grant helped fund the construction of Stevens SURE (SUstainable and REsilient) House and its entry in the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon. The SURE House won top honors in the 2015 international competition. About PSEG Public Service Enterprise Group (NYSE: PEG) is a publicly traded diversified energy company with annual revenues of $9.1 billion. Its operating subsidiaries are: Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G), PSEG Power LLC, and PSEG Long Island. PSE&G is New Jerseys oldest and largest regulated gas and electric delivery utility, serving nearly three-quarters of the states population. PSE&G is the winner of the ReliabilityOne Award for superior electric system reliability. PSEG Power LLC is an independent power producer that generates and sells electricity in the PJM, New York and New England wholesale power markets. About Stevens Institute of Technology Stevens Institute of Technology is a premier, private research university situated in Hoboken, New Jersey overlooking the Manhattan skyline. Since our founding in 1870, technological innovation has always been the hallmark and legacy of Stevens education and research. Within the universitys three schools and one college, 6,900 undergraduate and graduate students collaborate closely with faculty in an interdisciplinary, student-centric, entrepreneurial environment. A range of academic and research programming spanning business, computing, engineering, the arts and other fields actively advances the frontiers of science and leverages technology to confront our most pressing global challenges. The university is consistently ranked among the nations elite for return on tuition investment, career services and the mid-career salaries of alumni. Stevens is home to three national research centers of excellence as well as interdisciplinary research programs in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity; data science and information systems; complex systems and networks; financial systems and technologies; biomedical engineering, healthcare and life sciences; and resilience and sustainability. Stevens is currently in the midst of executing a 10-year strategic plan, The Future. Ours to Create, which is growing and transforming the university, further extending the Stevens legacy to create a forward-looking, far-reaching institution with global impact. As a Qualified DSS Partner for NEC, Solect will act as a reseller and independent contractor to install, operate and maintain DSS, a pre-configured, fully-integrated AC energy storage platform. We are at the doorstep of the energy storage boom," said Ken Driscoll, CEO of Solect Energy. "Storage is like adding a turbo charger to your solar system. Solect Energy, Massachusetts leading commercial-scale developer of solar energy systems with over 400 installed projects, announced today that it is launching an energy storage division. In launching the new division, Solect has signed an agreement with NEC Energy Solutions, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NEC Corporation, to sell NECs DSS (Distributed Storage Solution) product line for commercial customers. NEC is one of the worlds leading energy storage solutions providers with more than 250MW (megawatts) of projects installed or currently under construction. We couldnt be more excited about our collaboration with NEC and the opportunity to bring tremendous additional value to both our existing and new customers, said Ken Driscoll, CEO of Solect Energy. We are at the doorstep of the energy storage boom and Solect is extremely well positioned to bring these new solutions to our commercial customers, saving them money and building resiliency. Since Massachusetts has some of the highest demand charges in the US, accounting for up to 70% of a commercial customers electricity bill, both Solect and NEC anticipate that Massachusetts will be one of the next major markets to see commercial-scale energy storage rapidly grow the way it has in California. Demand charges are based on a customers monthly peak load and, according to Solect's market analysis, up to 70,000 commercial customers in Massachusetts currently pay high enough rates to economically justify installing a storage system to even out their energy load profile and lower their demand charges. When paired with solar, the economics are even better due to tax advantages and other ways to monetize the benefits of both systems working together. As Massachusetts' leading commercial-scale solar energy provider, we are delighted to be working with Solect as a Qualified DSS Partner. Theres no doubt they are well positioned to become one of the leaders in the solar+storage market here in the Commonwealth, said Steve Fludder, NEC Energy Solutions CEO. Over the next few years, we expect energy storage to rapidly expand in Massachusetts as commercial customers look for additional ways to cut costs, reduce emissions and enhance resiliency. We look forward to working with the Solect team to capitalize on that growth. Storage is like adding a turbo charger to your solar system, said Driscoll. Whether you are a manufacturing company, a medical imaging facility or even a municipality, if you have high demand charges and you want to reduce them, you should be thinking about energy storage and pairing it with an existing or new solar energy system. As a Qualified DSS Partner for NEC, Solect will act as a reseller and independent contractor, installing, operating and maintaining DSS energy storage units. The DSS platform is scalable from 85kWh to 510kWh of energy storage capacity and offers from 100kW up to 710kW of power capability. As a standardized, UL safety-certified, AC-ready system including power conversion system, the DSS product is preconfigured in outdoor-rated enclosures, compliant with all relevant regulatory and environmental requirements and is backed by up to a 10-year product warranty. About Solect Energy Solect Energy is a full-service solar photovoltaic (PV) project developer and installer based in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, delivering smart solar and energy management solutions to help businesses and organizations reduce energy costs. As an industry leader in commercial-scale solar energy, Solect takes a practical approach to the development, installation and on-going support of each system. We partner closely with our customers, providing strong financial insight and solar technology expertise to optimize their investment while creating a positive impact on the environment. Solect currently has installed over 65 MW (megawatts) of commercial PV systems, with a primary focus on commercial, light industrial and institutional properties in New England. For more information, visit http://www.solect.com or follow us on Twitter at @SolectSolar. About NEC Energy Solutions NEC Energy Solutions designs, manufactures, and integrates smart energy storage solutions for the electric grid, behind the meter, and critical power applications. Its scalable distributed energy storage and control systems provide greater grid stability and flexibility to the benefit of both providers and users of electricity. In telecom, datacenter, and other industrial applications, its high performance lithium-ion battery systems provide better value than traditional lead-acid batteries in tough, critical power applications. Learn more at http://www.neces.com. 6th generation Rigaku MiniFlex X-ray diffraction system Rigaku Corporation is presenting its diverse lines of X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and Raman spectroscopy instrumentation at the 2017 MRS Fall Meeting and Exhibit, Sunday November 26 to Friday, December 1, 2017. The event is organized by the Materials Research Society and will be held at the Hynes Convention Center and adjacent Sheraton Boston Hotel.in Boston, Massachusetts. Rigaku, a global leader in X-ray analytical instrumentation, will be exhibiting at the event at booth #513. The conference is a leading event highlighting cross-disciplinary worldwide activity in materials research, gathering a diverse global audience of chemists, physicists, materials scientists, biologists, engineers and others. The event features over 50 symposia and is attended by as many as 6,000 researchers from around the world. Rigaku provides the worlds most complete line of X-ray analytical instruments and components, including benchtop XRD and XRF systems, X-ray optics and detectors. Materials analysis instrumentation from Rigaku ranges from benchtop devices, suited for researchers employing X-ray techniques, to high-end instruments with advanced analytical capabilities. Among the instruments featured at the event will be the sixth generation Rigaku MiniFlex benchtop X-ray diffraction instrument. The MiniFlex is a general purpose X-ray diffractometer that can perform qualitative and quantitative analysis of polycrystalline materials More information about the MiniFlex benchtop X-ray diffractometer is available at http://www.myminiflex.com. About Rigaku Since its inception in Japan in 1951, Rigaku has been at the forefront of analytical and industrial instrumentation technology. Rigaku and its subsidiaries form a global group focused on general-purpose analytical instrumentation and the life sciences. With hundreds of major innovations to their credit, Rigaku companies are world leaders in X-ray spectrometry, diffraction, and optics, as well as small molecule and protein crystallography and semiconductor metrology. Today, Rigaku employs over 1,400 people in the manufacturing and support of its analytical equipment, which is used in more than 90 countries around the world supporting research, development, and quality assurance activities. Throughout the world, Rigaku continuously promotes partnerships, dialog, and innovation within the global scientific and industrial communities. For further information, contact: Michael Nelson Rigaku Global Marketing Group tel: +1. 512-225-1796 michael.nelson(at)rigaku.com WillowTree, Inc Logo This week, Clutch recognized WillowTree, Inc. as a Global Development Leader in their first annual Global Leaders List. The annual report includes 477 companies across six industries, and each company is evaluated based on client reviews, market presence, and ability to deliver high-quality services. Clutch is a leading B2B research, ratings, and reviews firm in the heart of Washington, DC. In Clutchs Global Leaders List, WillowTree was named a Top Mobile App Development Company, a Top iPhone App Development Company, a Top Android App Development Company, and a Top Web Development Company. WillowTree also remains the No. 1 Mobile App Development Company and the No. 1 Web Development Company on Clutch. *Quote from WillowTree, Inc. CEO Tobias Dengel* Clutchs recognition is special to us because its data-driven; the proof that our approach to serving clients and building the best mobile products possible is working is right there in the reviews and ratings our clients have given us on Clutchs website. Were honored to be recognized and remain dedicated to achieving the highest-possible level of satisfaction for our clients." *About WillowTree, Inc.* WillowTree, Inc. is an application strategy, UX design, and mobile app development services company whose focus is to bridge the highest level of consumer UX with enterprise-grade security. WillowTree is an industry leader in field solutions, media delivery, loyalty programs and payments, and connected devices and works with brands such as GE, Johnson & Johnson, Time Warner, AOL, American Express, and Harvard Business Publishing. Clients trust WillowTree to guide and execute their mobile initiatives. Learn more about how WillowTree can help your business by visiting willowtreeapps.com. *About Clutch* Clutch is a B2B research, ratings, and reviews firm in the heart of Washington, DC, connecting small and medium businesses with their next technology provider. Clutchs methodology compares business service providers and software in a specific market based on verified client reviews, services offered, work quality, and market presence. Great Lakes Management Services Organization (MSO) is pleased to announce the appointment of Surya Desiraju as Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Desiraju brings over 20 years of operational leadership and process improvement experience to his new role at Great Lakes MSO. Most recently, he served as SVP at Adeptus Health, the largest operator of freestanding emergency rooms in the United States, where he was responsible for 103 locations and over $500 million in revenue across four states. Suryas proven track record of partnering with physicians to improve patient experience and clinical quality, in conjunction with rapidly growing an organization, makes him an inestimable addition to our team, said Bill Hughson, CEO of Great Lakes MSO. For four consecutive years, the efforts he led were awarded the Guardian of Excellence Award by Press Ganey for achieving patient satisfaction scores in the top one-percentile across all emergency rooms in the nation. Prior to joining Adeptus Health, Mr. Desiraju served as Regional Operations Director at DaVita for one of their fastest growing regions in the country, managing 22 dialysis facilities in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. His experience also includes operational and strategic leadership in the automotive industry (Ford Motor Company, TRW) and the high-tech industry (Texas Instruments). Mr. Desiraju received his MBA from McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin and his MS in Industrial Engineering from Wayne State University. About Great Lakes Management Services Organization Sterling Partners formed Great Lakes Management Services Organization (MSO) in February 2017 as a practice management services organization. Grand Rapids Ophthalmology partnered with the MSO to pursue growth opportunities, evolve clinical capabilities to better serve its patients, and to form strategic partnerships within industries related to eye care. If you are interested in learning more about a partnership with Great Lakes MSO, contact Dan Hosler at dhosler(at)seeitclear(dot)com. About Grand Rapids Ophthalmology Founded in 1982, Grand Rapids Ophthalmology (GRO) is the largest fully-integrated eye care medical group in West Michigan. It offers a full suite of eye care services from routine eye exams, contact lenses and glasses, to the most advanced medical and surgical treatments such as LASIK, cataract, cornea, retina, glaucoma, oculoplastics, pediatric, and both cosmetic and reconstructive eyelid surgery. GRO employs the largest number of eye care specialists and professionals in the region: 11 ophthalmologists, 19 optometrists, and 40 certified opticians; with a total of 400 employees at 12 locations. For more information, visit: http://www.seeitclear.com. About Sterling Partners Sterling Partners is a private equity firm with a distinct point of view on how to build great companies. Founded in 1983 and having invested billions of dollars, Sterling is guided by its stated purpose, INSPIRED GROWTH, which describes Sterlings approach to investing in differentiated businesses and growing them in inspired ways. Sterling provides valuable support to the management teams of the companies in which the firm invests through a deep and dedicated team of professionals, including a strong network of outside directors and advisors. The people at Sterling believe in ideas and ideals, in people and in partnerships that drive long-term success. For more information, visit: http://www.sterlingpartners.com. The Harry Chapin Food Bank does essential work providing a life line for nearly 160,000 people in the southwest Florida region who are struggling to make ends meet. Maine Pointe, a global operational implementation consulting firm raised $51,750 for The Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida at its annual company event held in Naples earlier this month. Founded in 1983, Harry Chapin is the only Feeding America food bank in the southwest Florida region. The organization is partnered with more than 150 agencies that provide direct services to those in need, including church food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, disaster relief agencies and more. The food bank provides food for about 28,000 individuals each week. We thank Maine Pointe for their generous support, said Richard LeBer, President and CEO of the Harry Chapin Food Bank. The holidays are nearly here and the need is great. This donation will enable us to help the nearly 160,000 people in Southwest Florida who are food insecure, meaning they may not know where their next meal is coming from. The money was raised during a fiercely competitive, fun team building event which took place on Naples beach at the start of Maine Pointes 2-day annual meeting. Representing Harry Chapin, Richard LeBer accepted the check, which was presented by Maine Pointes Chairman and CEO, Steve Bowen and his wife Deb. The Harry Chapin Food Bank does essential work providing a life line for nearly 160,000 people in the southwest Florida region who are struggling to make ends meet, said Steve Bowen, As part of our ongoing CSR program, we use our annual meeting to raise funds for a nominated charity. I can think of none more deserving of our support than Harry Chapin. All of us at Maine Pointe found taking part in this fundraising activity both enjoyable and incredibly rewarding, he added. Maine Pointe's commitment to CSR Our values of accountability, teamwork, character, service excellence and personal growth are at the heart of everything we do at Maine Pointe. We are committed to building a company that is sustainable, not only financially, but also socially and environmentally. We reflect this commitment in the way we work with our employees, contractors and clients and in terms of how we contribute to the wider community and the world around us. Our corporate social responsibility program highlights the work Maine Pointe already does and provides us with a framework for our future development to ensure that we continue to uphold our values and to do the right, honest and ethical thing at all times. About Maine Pointe Maine Pointe is a global implementation-focused consulting firm trusted by many chief executives and private equity firms to drive compelling economic returns for their companies. We achieve this by delivering accelerated, sustainable improvements in both EBITDA and cash across their procurement, logistics and operations to enable growth. Our hands-on implementation experts work with executives and their teams to rapidly break through functional silos and transform the buy-make-move-fulfill supply chain to deliver the greatest value to customers and investors at the lowest cost to business. We call this Total Value Optimization (TVO). Maine Pointes engagements are results-driven and deliver between 3.5:1-12:1 ROI. We are so confident in our work and our processes that we provide a unique 100% guarantee of engagement fees based on annualized savings. http://www.mainepointe.com About the Harry Chapin Food Bank An affiliate of Feeding America, the Harry Chapin Food Bank is the leading hunger-relief organization in Southwest Florida. The food bank solicits, collects and stores food for distribution to families and others in need through a network of more than 150 nonprofit agencies in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Glades and Hendry counties, providing food to about 28,000 people a week. In fiscal year 2016-17, The Harry Chapin Food Bank distributed 22.3 million pounds of food and other grocery items, including 6.6 million pounds of fresh produce. The food, valued at $37.3 million, is the equivalent of 18.6 million meals for people in need. The Harry Chapin Food Bank is recognized as a four-star organization by Charity Navigator, the national nonprofit watchdog organization. Please visit harrychapinfoodbank.org. To arrange an interview, please contact our Marketing Communications Director Stephanie Kimball at +1 617-842-7992 or skimball(at)mainepointe(dot)com We started by selling cameras and film over 70 years ago, and here we are in the digital age still helping people create better pictures, said Unique Photo President Alexander Sweetwood. For six years, Unique Photos New Jersey Camera Show has brought together photography enthusiasts, leading experts, top brands and acclaimed photographers for a three-day photography extravaganza. From December 8 to 10, the largest camera store in the state will transform its state-of-the-art flagship location into a destination for beginners to professionals seeking the hottest new cameras and accessories from leading vendors and instruction to sharpen their skills with 36 free workshops. Attendees can then put their education into action with innovative photo shoot opportunities. Held at Unique Photos superstore on Route 46 in Fairfield, the free show features special guests, models and performers each day, including Trail Boss Jeff Lenosky, a mountain biking legend who will demonstrate high-flying stunts for attendees to enjoy and photograph. Lenosky will also lead a seminar on how to create the captivating GoPro action videos that have made him famous. A real-life motor biker will also make an appearance for intriguing still photos. Professional photographer Rick Gerrity will lead a demonstration on how to capture a glimpse into this colorful world. Food trucks, raffles and giveaways round out the festivities. Attendees have the exclusive opportunity to experience and purchase the latest products at the lowest prices of the year through show-only sales from more than 30 of the industrys leading manufacturers. Free classes from basic to advanced and every level in between will be taught by renowned photographers and industry professionals. Classes range from camera basics, black-and-white imagery and film to landscape, portraiture, action photography, lighting, post-production Photoshop, and much more. We started by selling cameras and film over 70 years ago, and here we are in the digital age still helping people create better pictures, said Unique Photo President Alexander Sweetwood. We still sell film--along with the latest technologies in photography--and really enjoy bringing our exciting three-day Camera Show to the community. Manufacturers scheduled to attend include Sigma, Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic Sony, and Tamron. Attendees will have the opportunity to trade in their old camera gear, enjoy discounted sensor cleanings, and have the chance to win prizes throughout the show. Attendees also can check out the offerings at Unique Photos new custom framing service and explore its photo lab, where they can easily create custom photo albums, holiday cards, gift items and keepsakes in a modernized, comfortable environment. Unique Photos New Jersey Camera Show evolves and grows every year, with over 4,000 people attending last year. This year, the show is expected to attract more photo enthusiasts for its new classes taught by industry luminaries such as Guggenheim Fellow Alec Soth, Travel Photographer of the Year Bob Krist and award-winning commercial photographer Bobbi Lane. And for the first time at its camera show, Unique Photo is offering a class on film photography, taught by Shannon Stoia, who composes dramatic portraits using mainly 35mm film. The event is open to the public, and admission is free. To learn more or to register for a three-day pass, visit http://www.uniquephoto.com/njcamerashow. Space is limited for all classes, so pre-registration is encouraged. ### WHAT: New Jersey Camera Show WHEN: Friday, December 8: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday, December 9: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday, December 10: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. [EDITORS NOTE: BEST PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES] Friday, December 8, Motor Biker Photo Shoot, 12 p.m. 1 p.m. Saturday, December 9, Trail Boss Mountain Biking Stunts, 12 p.m. 1 p.m. Sunday, December 10, Model Photo Shoot, 12 p.m. 1 p.m. WHERE: Unique Photo 123 US Highway 46 West Fairfield, NJ 07004 973-377-2007 THE EVENT: Photo enthusiasts from beginners to professionals will be able to demo the newest camera and video equipment and accessories from leading manufacturers, participate in exciting photo shoots, have the opportunity to enjoy exclusive sales, and take free classes. COST: FREE INFORMATION: http://www.uniquephoto.com/njcamerashow ABOUT UNIQUE PHOTO Unique Photo is New Jersey's largest camera and video superstore offering the latest in photographic products and imaging technology. Its 50,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility in Fairfield, N.J. features a spacious photography retail store, multi-media learning center, professional photo lab, meeting space, gourmet coffee bar and WiFi lounge. Unique Photo recently expanded to Hoboken with a second store providing a full line of services for its customers. Additionally, Unique Photo is the top destination for photography education in New Jersey, hosting more than 1,000 amateur and professional photographers monthly for its classes. Unique University instructors include world famous photographers, industry guest lecturers and Unique Photos professional staff. For more information, visit http://www.uniquephoto.com or call 973-377-2007. ### Nelson Brothers Professional Real Estate plans to expand the existing Factory student housing community at Utah State University in Logan, Utah. Were changing the whole landscape of USU student housing, and were going to build, manage and fund the projects ourselves." Nelson Brothers, recently ranked No. 4 in real estate and No. 129 on the 36th annual Inc. 500, has broken ground on a third Factory student housing facility and plans to build two additional communities near Utah State University. Nelson Brothers currently owns and manages 10 Utah student housing communities, including Factory 1 and Factory 2, both of which serve USU. Were changing the whole landscape of USU student housing, and were going to build, manage and fund the projects ourselves, said Patrick Nelson, CEO of Nelson Brothers, who holds a masters degree in entrepreneurship from USU. Utah has been way behind in terms of the availability of really nice student housing complexes that have been coming out for the past decade all across the country. Factory 3 will expand the existing Factory student housing complex by 53 single-occupant and married-student apartments, along with a six-story parking structure. The existing Factory complex consists of six-story buildings housing 80 apartments, a total 479 beds, seven stories of parking, and amenities that include a double-decker hot tub, bowling lanes, a swimming pool, modern study areas, a rock-climbing wall, a cinema room, a yoga room, and 2GB WiFi. Nelson Brothers has also announced the purchase of property across from the USU campus for the planned Blue Haven community which will offer 374 beds and an open courtyard layout for a campus-extension feel. The multistate real estate firm based in Provo, Utah, and headquartered in Aliso Viejo, California, has also purchased property one block away from campus for the planned 420-bed Apple Tree Cove community. Both facilities are currently in design with plans for resort-style amenities exclusive to Nelson Brothers student housing communities, with groundbreakings anticipated in 2018. Nelson Brothers recent announcements and Inc. 500 ranking reflect the companys ongoing nationwide expansion trend, in which its realized a three-year sales growth of 3,111 percent for a total of $25.5 million in revenue. Thus far in 2017, the company has completed deals on nine properties with a combined value of $319 million. In 2016, Nelson Brothers closed on six properties, with $145 million in acquisitions. Overall, Nelson Brothers has grown the value of its portfolio more than 275 percent in the past two years alone. It holds nearly 40 properties across 14 states. Being ranked among some of the finest companies in todays economy is an incredible honor, Nelson said. To even be considered for the Inc. 500, a company must show minimum growth of 10-fold over the past three years. About Nelson Brothers Since its inception in 2007, Nelson Brothers has acquired and managed over $750 million in assets through the acquisition of 35 student housing properties and three assisted living properties across 14 states. For more information about Nelson Brothers, please visit http://www.nelson-brothers.com. Kingswood Capital Management LLC (Kingswood), an operationally-focused middle market private equity firm, announced today that Michael Niegsch has joined as a Principal. Michaels responsibilities will include all aspects of the investment process, including sourcing, transaction execution and investment oversight. Michael has an extensive background in control private equity investing, said Alex Wolf, Managing Partner at Kingswood. With over a decade of transaction experience, Michael has deep familiarity with complex middle market transactions involving businesses with operational improvement potential. We are pleased to welcome Michael to the firm as we continue to expand our team and scale the platform. Prior to joining Kingswood, Niegsch was a Principal at Comvest Partners, an operationally-focused middle market investment firm, where he was responsible for evaluating, executing and monitoring investments for Comvests private equity strategy. While at Comvest, Niegsch was a board member of BEL USA (d/b/a/ DiscountMugs.com), FastMed Urgent Care and Innovative Hearth Products. Before joining Comvest in 2010, Niegsch worked in investment banking at UBS Investment Bank and Morgan Joseph TriArtisan. Niegsch graduated from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Business Administration with High Distinction. Based on the impressive background of the investment and operating professionals, and the firms differentiated style of value-added investing, Kingswood represents a new and unique opportunity in middle market private equity and Im delighted to join their team, said Niegsch. I look forward to bringing my experience to Kingswoods growing platform and delivering value for Kingswoods investors through due diligence, transaction execution, portfolio company support and board memberships. About Kingswood Kingswood is an operationally-focused middle market private equity firm that invests in businesses in transition driven by operational, strategic, financial or market-driven change. In addition to access to capital, Kingswood brings a broad network of operational resources, relevant industry relationships and tailored solutions to strengthen businesses, realize strategic goals and enhance long term value creation. There has been a recent resurgence of syphilis infections over the last several years with rates of new infections increasing, particularly in high risk populations (such as MSM). Serologic tests in conjunction with clinical presentation remain the primary modes of diagnosing syphilis infections. Several serology tests are commercially available including standard EIA/CLIA treponemal tests, manual non-treponemal tests, automated non-treponemal tests, and a fully automated dual treponemal/non-treponemal multiplex test. This webinar will provide an overview of syphilis clinical presentation, diagnostic methods, algorithms, and it will compare assay performance. The speakers, listed below, will also present their performance data from evaluations of Bio-Rad Laboratories BioPlex 2200 Syphilis Total & RPR Assay and how the assay can be incorporated into a laboratorys syphilis testing algorithm. Attendees of this webinar will learn about the advantages and disadvantages of the two syphilis testing algorithms and how to compare the performances of different syphilis diagnostic assays. They will also gain a better understanding of how to incorporate different assays into a laboratorys algorithm. Webinar Speakers: Dr. Belinda Yen-Lieberman, professor of pathology at the Cleveland Clinic Dr. Alan Wu, professor of lab medicine at the University of California, San Francisco Dr. Vera Tesic, assistant professor of pathology at the University of Chicago Medicine LabRoots will host this webinar December 5, 2017, beginning at 8 a.m. PST, 5 p.m. CET. To learn more about this event and the speakers, discover the continuing education credits offered, or to register for free, click here. About LabRoots LabRoots is the leading scientific social networking website, which provides daily scientific trending news, as well as produces educational virtual events and webinars, on the latest discoveries and advancements in science. Contributing to the advancement of science through content sharing capabilities, LabRoots is a powerful advocate in amplifying global networks and communities. Founded in 2008, LabRoots emphasizes digital innovation in scientific collaboration and learning, and is a primary source for current scientific news, webinars, virtual conferences, and more. LabRoots has grown into the worlds largest series of virtual events within the Life Sciences and Clinical Diagnostics community. James L. Sherley, M.D., Ph.D., Founder and Director of Asymmetrex Stem cell biomedicine also includes drug development. In the November issue of the Scientist.coms monthly newsletter, Asymmetrex (Boston, MA) is featured with the global biotechnology marketplaces designation as a Supplier Insider. The November issue is Scientist.coms first edition of a new look for its newsletter, with the new name INNOV8. The makeover of the newsletter follows on the heels of the recent launch of the companys Innovation Hub. Asymmetrex is one of the innovative tools suppliers featured in this exclusive technology market designed to introduce cutting edge technologies to a selective group of pharmaceutical companies. Asymmetrex Director, James L. Sherley, M.D., Ph.D., shares, Selection by Scientist.com to be listed with the elite group of suppliers of new technologies to selective Pharma companies is a thrilling opportunity for Asymmetrex. Sherley hopes that the two-minute promotional video included for the newsletter feature will go a long way to getting Pharma companies to understand why specific stem cell counting will enable an incredible extension of the horizons of the drug development industry. Sherley emphasizes that, Stem cell biomedicine also includes drug development. The problem is that previously Pharma and Biopharma companies have not had a tool that allowed them to conveniently and routinely evaluate drug candidates effects on adult tissue stem cells. Now, Asymmetrexs AlphaSTEM Test service will allow them to identify drug candidates that are stem cell-activating or stem cell-toxic for stem cells from any tissue in the human body. Stem cell-activating drugs could improve stem cell transplantation treatments or accelerate wound healing. However, the greater impact for the drug development industry is predicted to be due to the new ability to detect stem cell-toxic drugs earlier in less expensive phases of drug development. By current estimates, each year, 4 to 5 billion dollars are spent by U.S. Pharma companies on drug candidates that fail in expensive animal studies or later in even more expensive phase II and phase III clinical trials because they cause chronic organ failure. A major cause of chronic organ failure is stem cell toxicity. Twenty to 30 percent of drugs fail in phase II and phase III trials because of intolerable toxicity. About half of these safety failures are due to chronic organ failure, which could be detected much earlier with the AlphaSTEM Test. So, Asymmetrex projects that it can save many of the Pharma companies in the Scientist.coms Innovation Hub hundreds of millions of dollars by earlier elimination of stem cell-toxic drugs from their pipelines. Sherley is confident that with any new innovation, marketing is the key to early adoption. Asymmetrex is ready for the lines for its AlphaSTEM Test service to begin forming soon with the special Pharma members of the Scientist.coms exclusive Innovation Hub. About Asymmetrex Asymmetrex, LLC is a Massachusetts life sciences company with a focus on developing technologies to advance stem cell medicine. Asymmetrexs founder and director, James L. Sherley, M.D., Ph.D. is an internationally recognized expert on the unique properties of adult tissue stem cells. The companys patent portfolio contains biotechnologies that solve the two main technical problems production and quantification that have stood in the way of successful commercialization of human adult tissue stem cells for regenerative medicine and drug development. In addition, the portfolio includes novel technologies for isolating cancer stem cells and producing induced pluripotent stem cells for disease research purposes. Asymmetrex markets the first technology for determination of the dose and quality of tissue stem cell preparations (the AlphaSTEM Test) for use in stem cell transplantation therapies and pre-clinical drug evaluations. Omaha Steaks is a name everyone knows when it comes to gift-giving... It is our pleasure to name them as our highest-rated Steak company in 2017. TopConsumerReviews.com recently gave their best-in-class ranking to Omaha Steaks, a leader among steak retailers. When it comes to meat, few things tempt the taste buds like a good steak. However, for most devoted meat lovers, getting the right cut at the right price can be a challenge. Fortunately, there are a number of online retailers that offer the ideal filet mignon, Porterhouse, or ribeye and can have it delivered perfectly-packaged directly to the home. Better yet, buying steak online makes it a simple-yet-tasty option for gift-giving. Who wouldnt love getting a well-marbled, flavorful delivery of beef for their next backyard barbecue or special occasion? The top online steak sellers have an ample range of gift options, from steaks and other cuts of beef to poultry, desserts, side dishes, and much more. Omaha Steaks is a name everyone knows when it comes to gift-giving, explained Brian Dolezal, of TopConsumerReviews.com, LLC. For almost 100 years, Omaha Steaks has been offering the best grain-fed beef from the Midwest to thousands of happy customers around the country. Their unconditional satisfaction guarantee ensures that your purchase whether its top sirloin, T-bone, poultry or even seasonings - will be everything you could want, or youll get a refund or replacement delivery promptly. And, if youre sending your steak as a gift, Omaha Steaks even offers a high-quality gift package and a personalized greeting card, making you the hero of the special occasion. Omaha Steaks tops our list among retailers offering Steak for purchase online. It is our pleasure to name them as our highest-rated Steak company in 2017. To find out more about Omaha Steaks and other Steak companies, including reviews and comparison rankings, please visit the Steak category of TopConsumerReviews.com at http://www.topconsumerreviews.com/steak/. About Omaha Steaks Omaha Steaks manufactures, markets and distributes a wide variety of premium steaks, red meats and other gourmet foods. These products are custom cut and packaged to serve the needs of various markets. Founded in 1917, this family-owned business is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska and sells its products through retail stores, mail orders, online, and direct to a number of foodservice vendors. About TopConsumerReviews.com TopConsumerReviews.com, LLC is a leading provider of independent reviews and rankings of hundreds of consumer products and services. From Steak to Beer Clubs and Jewelry, TopConsumerReviews.com delivers in-depth product evaluations in order to make purchasing decisions easier. Wholesale Property Depot (https:paycash4houses.net), the company that pays cash up front for homes in any condition, is helping Jacksonville residents relocate. Relocating, when you own a home, can be very problematic, says spokesperson Veronica Hernandez. Military families, those looking to take advantage of a fast down or upsize while the market is hot, divorcing couples, people that have inherited another home there are so many reasons why you may need or want to suddenly relocate, so why is it so hard? The traditional real estate market expects you to put up your own cash to repair and upgrade your house, then wait on the unstable market for months. Each month and each upgrade cuts into your equity and you lose a lot of money if you are maintaining your home while living in your new location. We thought, there has to be a better way, and there is! Sell your house to Wholesale Property Depot for cash so you can relocate quickly and easily. Since Wholesale Property Depot is a cash home buying company and not a real estate company, selling your home this way couldnt be easier. You simply contact the company and they take a look at it, where is, as is. No need to do any repairs or even clean the home. Youll get a cash offer even if the home has hurricane or flood damage, or is in serious need of a new kitchen. Once you accept the cash offer, thats it. Closing takes place in a matter of days and you can move on, unencumbered by a pricey real estate transaction, added Hernandez. Its time for a new way to sell houses, and we provide that for anyone in Jacksonville that wants to relocate, says Hernandez. Live in Jacksonville, Orange Park or Riverside in Florida and looking to move on fast? Visit paycash4houses.net, or call 904-531-3113 for a quote. Quotes are hassle-free and non-obligatory. About Wholesale Property Depot Wholesale Property Depot buys houses in Jacksonville, Florida, and we pay you for your house in cash! This means you can get a quick sale no matter what condition the house is in. Free yourself from the nightmare of cleaning, renovating and staging your home, and simply go the new and progressive way to sell your house in Jacksonville fast, for cash. Contact Details: Veronica Hernandez 6001-21 Argyle Forest Blvd. #32244 Jacksonville, FL 32244 Phone: 904-531-3113 Source: Wholesale Property Depot ### The topics and speakers for this years conference offer real education, insights and benefits our attendees can apply within their own organizations. Arrowhead Publishers unveils a growing roster of speakers for its 4th Annual Translational Microbiome Conference, to take place April 18-20 at Boston Marriott Long Wharf. The conference is designed to connect scientists at the forefront of microbiome research with pioneering companies investing to apply microbiome-based findings to innovate medical solutions. With a broad focus spanning multiple disease states (oncology, dermatology, inflammatory disorders, among others) attendees will have the opportunity to hear leading companies discuss the work they have underway and how they are meeting these challenges head-on to apply recent discoveries to a variety of disease processes, restoration of health, and improved outcomes. The topics and speakers for this years conference offer real education, insights and benefits our attendees can apply within their own organizations, said John Waslif, Managing Director of Arrowhead Publishers and Conferences. Speakers already confirmed for the conference include: Peter Christey, Ph.D., Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, General Automation Lab Technologies (GALT) GALTs innovative high-throughput microbiology platform can isolate multiple species from complex samples, such as soil and stool, allowing researchers to rapidly screen whole populations or engineered libraries. Dr. Christey is leveraging GALT tools to revolutionize how microbial studies are conducted, opening previously unreachable territories for scientists to explore. Olga Danilchanka, Ph.D., Microbiome Lead, Exploratory Science Center, Merck Dr. Danilchanka serves as Microbiome Lead for Mercks Exploratory Science Center, which focuses on the earliest stages of discovery research to better understand the underlying biology of human disease. Dr. Danilchankas team explores the most promising areas of emerging disease biology, including the role of the microbiome in disease, and works to gain new insights to inform Mercks ongoing drug discovery. Pinaki Panigrahi, M.D., Ph.D., Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Pediatrics; Director of Center for Global Health and Development, University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Public Health An elected fellow of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, Dr. Panigrahi has studied neonatal and child health issues in developed nations and in the developing world. His expertise spans necrotizing enterocolitis, neonatal infections, diarrhea, malaria, birth asphyxia, prematurity, stillbirths and nutrition. Mark Smith, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, Finch Therapeutics Finch uses machine-learning algorithms informed by high-throughput molecular data to reverse-engineer successful clinical experience with fecal transplantation. Rather than relying on in-vitro screening of a library of microbes, Finch uses this human-first discovery approach to identify strains that drive clinical outcomes and to develop therapies that deliver these microbial communities to patients. Paul Giannasca, Ph.D., Global Scientific Lead, GI Health, Nestle Health Science Dr. Giannasca identifies and manages new nutritional and technological platforms relevant for the Gastrointestinal Health strategy for Nestle Health Science. Dr. Giannasca holds multiple U.S. patents covering active and passive immunization against Clostridium difficile disease and has published more than 25 papers in the areas of infectious diseases, vaccine development, active and passive immunization and vaccine-induced protection. Other notable speakers participating in the 2018 conference include: David Kyle, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, Evolve Biosystems Ingmar Claes, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, Yun Probiotherapy Veronika Oudova, Chief Executive Officer, S Biomedic Travis Whitfill, Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer, Azitra Jennifer A. Wargo, M.D., Associate Professor, Department of Surgical Oncology, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center New additions to the conference this year are topic-focused tracks for nutrition and for skin. A parallel consumer track will again be offered. Each track will be closely focused on key issues in its specific industry and the challenges common to companies trying to enter the microbiome space in that area. Keynote address for the conference will be delivered by Emeran Mayer, M.D., Ph.D., Director, UCLA Gail and Gerald Oppenheimer Family Center for Neurobiology of Stress; Professor, Medicine; Professor, Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences; Professor, Digestive Diseases/Gastroenterology; Co-Director, CURE: Digestive Diseases Research Center; Professor, Physiology, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine Dr. Mayer has a career-long interest in clinical and research aspects of brain-body interactions, with a focus on brain-gut interactions in health and disease. A widely recognized expert for functional GI disorders, he is also recognized as one of the leading investigators in the world of chronic visceral pain and of the brain-gut axis. Further information about the 4th Annual Translational Microbiome Conference can be found at http://www.microbiomeconference.com. There are several ways for interested parties to engage in the conference. Request a conference brochure Submit a proposal for a speaking role Become an exhibitor Sponsor a panel session, lunch or refreshment break Submit a poster session abstract # # # Arrowhead Publishers and Conferences brings life sciences industry professionals together to help move research forward through learning, networking and professional growth. Arrowhead focuses on offering thoughtfully curated speakers, new research industry trends, case studies, emerging discoveries and the future focus of the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. Arrowhead conferences cover clinical development and cutting-edge research, regulatory issues and market dynamics, therapeutics, drug discovery and positioning, and emerging technologies for both clinicians and pharmaceutical professionals. SilverCrest Metals Inc Logo N. Eric Fier, CPG, P.Eng, President and CEO, remarked, These results are building on our previous drilling and underground sampling program, which has demonstrated intact semi-continuous high-grade mineralization for the Las Chispas and Giovanni veins." SilverCrest Continues to Intercept High-Grade Mineralization at Las Chispas Property, Extensions to Las Chispas and Giovanni Veins TSX-V: SIL | OTCQX: SVCMF SilverCrest Metals Inc. (SilverCrest or the Company) is pleased to release additional surface and underground drill results from its ongoing Phase II Exploration Program at the Las Chispas Property (the Property) located in Sonora, Mexico. The surface and underground drill program is designed to define readily accessible high-grade areas in the historic underground workings in the Las Chispas Vein and further define the Giovanni Vein. The Company is currently exploring nine of the 19 known epithermal veins on the Property with efforts focused on four of these veins to be incorporated into SilverCrests maiden resource estimate anticipated in Q1 2018. N. Eric Fier, CPG, P.Eng, President and CEO, remarked, These results are building on our previous drilling and underground sampling program, which has demonstrated intact semi-continuous high-grade mineralization for the Las Chispas and Giovanni veins. As part of our expanded Phase II Exploration Program, we intend to continue with underground drilling and channel sampling on the Las Chispas and Giovanni veins through Q1 2018. We remain on track to deliver a maiden resource estimate in Q1 2018 which will include the Las Chispas, Giovanni, William Tell and Babicanora veins. The most significant results for this release are in Hole LC17-72, which returned 4.0 metres grading 18.61 grams per tonne (gpt) gold and 696.2 gpt silver, or 2,092 gpt silver equivalent (AgEq, based on 75 (Ag):1 (Au) and 100% metallurgical recovery), including 0.8 metres grading 92.60 gpt gold and 2,890.0 gpt silver, or 9,835 gpt AgEq. Other significant results include Hole LC17-68 at 2.0 metres grading 5.85 gpt gold and 1,191.5 gpt silver, or 1,630 gpt AgEq, Hole LCU17-02 at 2.2 metres grading 9.42 gpt gold and 1,369.3 gpt silver, or 2,076 gpt AgEq, and Hole LCU17-04 at 6.3 metres grading 1.97 gpt gold and 241.4 gpt silver, or 389 gpt AgEq. The (Attached) table summarizes the most significant drill results (uncut, undiluted) for this release in the Las Chispas Area only; (See attached table of Drill Intercepts) Holes LC17-59, 62, 63, 64, and 71, and LCU17-01 and 06 intersected mineralization below the Companys 150 gpt AgEq cutoff. Hole LCU17-07 was replaced with 07A and hole LC17-67 was a lost downhole. Underground holes LCU17-02 to 07A tested for extensions of the Las Chispas Vein to the southwest and northwest, beyond the historic workings and intercepted the Tajo Chico Vein (see note below). Several un-named veins continue to be intersected and are under review for possible inclusion in the ongoing district-wide vein discoveries. Hole LC17-72 (4.0 metres grading 2,092 gpt AgEq) was designed to test the continuity of the Giovanni Vein and replicate the nearby Hole LC16-08 (7.2 metres grading 492 gpt AgEq). This unmined vein is readily accessible via the Las Chispas historic workings. The high-grade footprint for the Giovanni Vein continues to grow and further underground infill and expansion drilling in this area is underway. Hole LC17-58 (2.0 metres grading 246 gpt AgEq) was designed as a step-out hole to test the downward extension of the Las Chispas Vein mineralization. The hole intercepted high-grade mineralization approximately 400 metres to the southeast of previously announced drill results. Further surface drilling to potentially expand the Las Chispas high-grade footprint is planned for 2018. Hole LCU17-04 (6.3 metres grading 389 gpt AgEq) was designed to test the historic Tajo Chico Vein which is a high-grade splay of the Las Chispas Vein (see attached Figure). The hole intercepted the unmined high-grade extension of this vein. Further underground drilling is underway. Historic Las Chispas Mine underground workings have been open for over 80 years with minor backfill and no ground support. Several prominent high-grade historic pillars remain intact in the mine and are readily accessible via a historic haulage route (see attached Figures). With further detailed underground channel sampling, the Company will be assessing the optimal way to incorporate these pillars and intact mineralization into the upcoming resource estimate. These pillars could potentially be incorporated into plans for extraction of a permitted bulk sample for offsite processing in 2018. The Company anticipates completing its Phase II Exploration Program by mid-January which will include drilling a further 4,000 to 6,000 metres in the district, primarily on the Babicanora extension (see November 27, 2017 news release). SilverCrest remains on track to deliver a maiden resource estimate for the Las Chispas project in Q1 2018. The Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects for this news release is N. Eric Fier, CPG, P.Eng, and President and CEO for SilverCrest, who has reviewed and approved its contents. ABOUT SILVERCREST METALS INC. SilverCrest is a Canadian precious metals exploration company headquartered in Vancouver, BC, that is focused on new discoveries, value-added acquisitions and targeting production in Mexicos historic precious metal districts. The Companys current focus is on the high-grade, historic Las Chispas mining district in Sonora, Mexico. SilverCrest is the first company to successfully drill-test the historic Las Chispas Project resulting in numerous discoveries. The Company is led by a proven management team in all aspects of the precious metal mining sector, including taking projects through discovery, finance, on time and on budget construction, and production. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. These include, without limitation, statements with respect to: the strategic plans, timing and expectations for the Companys exploration, rehabilitation and drilling programs of the Las Chispas Property, including preparation of an initial extraction program for bulk sample testing and preparation of an initial resource estimate; information with respect to high grade areas and size of veins projected from underground sampling results and drilling results; and the accessibility of future mining at the Las Chispas Property. Such forward looking statements or information are based on a number of assumptions, which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: the conditions in general economic and financial markets; availability of skilled labour; timing and amount of expenditures related to rehabilitation and drilling programs; and effects of regulation by governmental agencies. The actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of risk factors including: the timing and content of work programs; results of exploration activities; the interpretation of drilling results and other geological data; receipt, maintenance and security of permits and mineral property titles; environmental and other regulatory risks; project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses; and general market and industry conditions. Forward-looking statements are based on the expectations and opinions of the Companys management on the date the statements are made. The assumptions used in the preparation of such statements, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements included in this news release if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law. N. Eric Fier, CPG, P.Eng President & CEO SilverCrest Metals Inc. For Further Information: SilverCrest Metals Inc. Contact: Fred Cooper, Investor Relations Telephone: +1 (604) 694-1730 Fax: +1 (604) 357-1313 Toll Free: 1-866-691-1730 (Canada & USA) Email: info(at)silvercrestmetals.com Website: http://www.silvercrestmetals.com 570 Granville Street, Suite 501 Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3P1 Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. 2017 Greencastle Holiday Ornament highlights history at Ebbert Springs. It is three consecutive Fridays of family fun in Greencastle PA. The Franklin County Visitors Bureau invites visitors to holiday fun at Greencastles Heritage Christmas, December 1, 8, and 15, 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Each Friday includes horse and carriage rides through downtown, cookie decorating, luminaries, carolers, holiday window displays, and a variety of music on the square. Enjoy a holiday train display at the 1909 Highline Train Station on South Jefferson Street. Children can bring their Letters to Santa to post in the special mailbox on the square. It is three consecutive Fridays of family fun in Greencastle PA. On the first Friday of Heritage Christmas, December 1, Allison Antrim Museum is holding a Christmas open house from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. The 1860 museum house, situated on the original land tract owned by town founder John Allison, is decorated as a Civil War era home. Della Robbia fruit arrangements in the Victorian concrete urns and transom of the front door welcomes guests. Roping on the banister, fresh magnolia and boxwood greens, and cedar tree decorated with dried fruit, gilded walnuts, Marzipan fruit candies, gingerbread cookies, antique candle holders, and Civil War flags will take visitors back to a much simpler time. Vintage toys, period furnishings, and an 1800s one-horse sleigh are on display throughout the museum house. In the German Bank Barn, enjoy the display of 1930s vintage boyhood toys. Susan Shaffer, of Joyful Arts Studio in downtown Greencastle, will lead guests during a come-and-go evening of painting a take-home Christmas ornament. Reservations can be made here or by calling 717- 658-2177. Residents of the Greencastle area hold an annual Light It Up decorating contest. Visitors can enjoy the twinkling handiwork of local residents as Greencastle and the surrounding Antrim Township sparkle for the holidays. Be part of selecting the winner by casting a $1 vote from December 8 to 18. Proceeds benefit the Greencastle Food Pantry. A visit to Greencastle is just one of many ways to explore Franklin County PA. The Franklin County Visitors Bureau invites all to explore history, arts and architecture, recreation, natural beauty, fresh foods and the warm hospitality of communities like Chambersburg, Greencastle, Mercersburg, Shippensburg, and Waynesboro. Franklin County PA is located just north of the Mason Dixon Line and is an easy drive to Washington DC, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. Discover more. plan a visit soon at ExploreFranklinCountyPA.com or by contacting 866.646.8060. Moran Family of Brands Co-Founder and CEO Barbara Moran-Goodrich Barbara Moran-Goodrich, CEO & Co-founder of Moran Family of Brands Moran Family of Brands, was recently featured in an article on the Success Magazine website discussing successful career opportunities in blue-collar industries. In the article entitled Its a Dirty Job (And These Entrepreneurs are Doing It), Moran spoke about the changes to the auto repair industry and getting her start in the family business. Moran Family of Brands is one of the nations leading franchises of general automotive repair, transmission repair, window tinting and driver safety products. In the article, Moran noted some of the changes she has seen in the industry, such as car engines being more computerized and complex than in the past. This change has helped drive Morans success since car owners are even less equipped to perform vehicle maintenance. She also acknowledged that it is harder to find skilled millennials to hire. Fewer people are going into the trades, she said. Although auto repair was one of five industries mentioned in the article to be a dirty job, it has led to more than 120 successful franchise owners throughout the Moran system. If you are interested in learning more about a franchise ownership opportunity with Moran Family of Brands, please visit the company website. ### About Moran Family of Brands: Moran Family of Brands is one of the nations leading franchisors of general automotive repair, transmission repair and automotive accessory centers. Based in Midlothian, Illinois, Moran Family of Brands provides specialty products and services in virtually every aspect of the automotive aftermarket through four individual brands and a total of more than 120 franchise locations nationwide including: Mr. Transmission, The Professionals; Alta Mere The Automotive Outfitters; Milex Complete Auto Care centers and SmartView Window Solutions. For more information on Moran Family of Brands visit http://www.moranfamilyofbrands.com. Theres an adage that a company is only as good as its people, and thats why representatives with Green Donation Consultants, a Fredericksburg, Virginia-based appraisal firm, is proud to announce the appointment of Mayurkumar Dankhara as its new Chief Operating Officer. Were excited, said AnnMarie Smith, CEO, and spokesperson for Green Donation Consultants. He is a proven leader, a quality which we believe will take us to the next level of success, thereby providing our customers with a direct benefit. Green Donation Consultants is the premier charitable donation consulting firm in more than 25 states. The company, which has been awarded multiple speaking engagements at national conferences to include US Green Building Council and Building Materials ReUse Association, has eight certified and designated personal property appraisers on its staff and a total of 30 support personnel making the company the single largest privately owned charitable donation consulting firm in the United States. As for the companys newly hired COO, Dankhara completed his Bachelor in Civil Engineering from India in 2007 and his Master of Science in Construction Management from Texas A & M University in 2010. Dankhara is also a member of the International Society of Appraisers. As Chief Operating Officer, he will a vital part of Green Donation Consultants exponential growth by providing good leadership in the mission of converting demolitions into deconstructions, Smith stressed, before adding, he has more innovations in mind to keep growing this company and its mission far into the future. For more information, please visit: grndonation.com. Green Donation Consultants Green Donation Consultants was established in 2005. Today, the company is much more than just an appraisal firm, placing a strong commitment to providing additional services throughout the entire donation process. Our firm has recently added a commercial division to help business owners take advantage of the non-cash charitable donation program too. Contact Details: AnnMarie Smith 4016 Plank Road Fredericksburg, VA 22407 USA Phone: 1- 800-870-3965 Source: Green Donation Consultants ### e-End President, Steve Chafitz, holds confiscated 50 caliber sniper rifle while standing next to other confiscated weapons to be destroyed. Hundreds of deadly assault weapons amassed by Washington area law enforcement agencies have been safely destroyed by a woman-owned company. Advanced tactical firearms of every size and caliber are confiscated by local police and federal agents during drug busts, traffic stops and search and seizures. Many of these are military grade firearms capable of penetrating bullet-proof vests, body armor and police cars. These weapons include: Fully automatic AR-15s, Kalashnikovs, 50 caliber sniper rifles, shotguns semi-automatic and fully automatic handguns; 50 caliber pistols, and some of the most advanced tactical rifles representing every size and caliber. These are the weapons of choice for organized crime syndicates, drug cartels, terrorists, and others seeking to inflict mass casualties. Many of these are the same assault weapons banned in Marylands Firearm Safety Act of 2013. Notably, The U.S. Supreme Court has just refused to hear arguments asking for the potential repeal of this act. If these weapons were ever to fall into the wrong hands, lives would be at risk; especially those of our police force, warns Arleen Chafitz, CEO of e-End, the woman owned company selected to destroy these weapons. Many of these confiscated weapons are powerful enough to pierce the door of a police car, fatally wounding the officers inside and exiting the car with enough force to fatally injure anyone on the other side. Some people wonder why police departments request armored vehicles, well, a firefight against criminals with these high-powered weapons could lead to massive law enforcement fatalities. Thats why they need armor to protect them. Getting these guns off the streets and destroying them properly is one step in helping to keep our police force a bit safer, claims Chafitz. Destroying deadly weapons in a safe and secure manner can prove to be a challenge. Many police departments accumulate massive arsenals of confiscated firearms needing to be rendered completely harmless. These caches of weapons are often removed from their secure sites and brought to less secured facilities for destruction. Transporting several hundred deadly rifles, shotguns and pistols to a destruction facility can be both a risky and expensive mission. SWAT teams are often deployed to chaperone a truckload of weapons on their journey to a destruction site. Steve Chafitz, e-End President, noted that The elite personnel needed to accompany these weapons can be taxing on the resources that could be better spent in other places, so we wanted to find a more efficient way to destroy these firearms; one that minimized risk and required less manpower. e-End found the solution by eliminating the need for the weapons to leave the secure facilities. Instead of bringing the weapons to e-End, e-End brings their specialized destruction equipment to the weapons. Our process saves time, money and is a lot safer than taking these weapons out of their secure storage. Now, we only need two on-site observers versus an entire SWAT team. With our mobile unit, we can destroy several hundred rifles, pistols, magazines and contraband in a couple of hours, adds Steve. As illegal firearms become more powerful and relatively easier to obtain, the need to destroy them becomes even more crucial. Each illegal weapon that disappears from the streets is one less potential danger to the community and law enforcement. e-End works closely with many state and federal agencies, explains Arleen. Due to security concerns, she would not comment on which specific agencies they assist. The police protecting our community deserve to be kept safe from the threat of these illegal weapons. We will continue working closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure these powerful firearms stay off our streets and are destroyed in an efficient and responsible manner, Arleen warns, With weapons like these, theres no room for mistakes. About e-End:e-End operates a secure facility in Frederick, MD and specializes in destroying a wide variety of classified data, and various controlled devices. This includes destruction of data containing hard drives, destruction of ITAR controlled devices, IT equipment, and tactical military devices. They routinely destroy body armor that has reached the end of its certified period of use. For further information contact Steve Chafitz, steve(at)eendusa.com. A Very Merry B&B Sweepstakes from BedandBreakfast.com The holidays are a time to give thanks and show our appreciation for the B&B community, and this sweepstakes gives us the chance to do just that. BedandBreakfast.com, the worlds largest bed and breakfast travel site, will host its first-ever Very Merry B&B Sweepstakes from November 28 to December 17, 2017. Four winners will receive a vacation package from BedandBreakfast.com and its partners for a 5-night stay in one of four destinations. Full sweepstakes details and rules visit: https://www.bedandbreakfast.com/info/a-very-merry-bb-sweepstakes This sweepstakes is the perfect opportunity to introduce our travelers to new destinations for their future B&B getaways, said Ryan Hutchings, Director of Global Marketing at BedandBreakfast.com. The holidays are a time to give thanks and show our appreciation for the B&B community, and this sweepstakes gives us the chance to do just that. How to Enter: Contestants may visit the sweepstakes website between November 28 and December 17 to fill out the entry form for a chance to win one of four vacation packages. The entry period for each vacation package will last for a total of five days, starting on November 28. November 28 - December 2: Dublin Ireland December 3 - December 7: Fort Myers, Florida December 8 - December 12: Sonoma, California December 13 - December 17: Northeast Kingdom, Vermont BedandBreakfast.com recently added the slogan, Savor Your Stay, to capture the relaxing experience of one of the oldest types of lodging. The B&B experience offers the freedom to slow down and live in the moment, experiencing unhurried enjoyment and delight. For the full sweepstakes terms and conditions, please visit the official sweepstakes rules page. About BedandBreakfast.com BedandBreakfast.com is the world's largest B&B travel site. With more than 10,000 properties worldwide and nearly 80,000 rooms, we help travelers discover and book unique small hotels, inns and B&Bs. Based in Austin, Texas, BedandBreakfast.com was founded in 1995 and is owned by HomeAway, the world leader in vacation rentals and a part of the Expedia, Inc. family of brands. 2017 HomeAway. All rights reserved. BedandBreakfast.com and the BedandBreakfast.com logo are trademarks of HomeAway. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. Cybereason, creators of the leading cybersecurity data analytics platform including endpoint detection and response, next-generation antivirus, and active monitoring services, today issued a new report titled The Year of the Defender detailing its five most significant cybersecurity predictions for 2018. 2017 has been a year filled with global ransomware attacks, nation-state attacks and thousands of damaging breaches sparing very few large enterprises, small businesses and consumers. So why is Cybereason cautiously optimistic about the possibility of Defenders improving their security hygiene in 2018? There are many reasons, including: Organizations have made small, yet meaningful strides around reducing the number of days to identify and contain a breach, according to the Ponemon Institutes 2017 Cost of Data Breach Study. In 2017, organizations took an average of 191 days to identify a breach, down from 201 in 2016. Meanwhile, containing a data breach took 66 days, compared to 70 days. Fileless malware attacks, particularly those attacks that leverage PowerShell and WMI are here to stay. The increase in attacks has prompted a change in detection capabilities, solutions and share of mind. Cybereason believes that there is no better time to improve the way teams handle fileless malware attacks and is optimistic that we will see this shift in 2018. Damaging ransomware attacks such as WannaCry and NotPetya made cybersecurity a board-level priority in 2017. During earnings calls, C-suite executives from global corporations discussed how NotPetya impacted quarterly and yearly revenue. As a result, Cybereason expects that this shift in prioritization will further empower the defender in 2018. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), a new E.U. regulation that governs how businesses protect the data and privacy of E.U. citizens will impact all global organizations. The major fines companies will bear in case of a data breach will makes security a hot topic for board rooms, who will try to minimize the risk of a financial loss. Cybereasons Cybersecurity Predictions Webinar On Tuesday, December 14, 2:00 pm ET, Cybereasons CSO, Sam Curry, and Senior Marketing Director, Lital Asher-Dotan, will host a webinar focused on the companys five 2018 predictions. To register, visit:https://www.cybereason.com/the-year-of-the-defender Additional 2018 Cybersecurity Predictions Supply Chain Attacks Increase and Remain Under Reported There were many publicized supply chain attacks this year, including M.E.Doc (leading to NotPetya), Kingslayer, CloudHopper, CCleaner, ShadowPad and PyPi. The rise in mega data breaches shifted the economics of private data, credit card and medical records data sold over the dark web. As their prices dropped, cyber criminals are now being pushed to look for efficiencies in their hacking operations. Cybereason believes that this dynamic will lead to an increase in supply chain attacks in 2018. Hackers will use third-party software vendors as an effective spread mechanism to gain access to multiple targets at once, increasing the effectiveness of their hacking operations. Destructive Attacks Do Not Let Up In 2018, destructive attacks (those that look to wipe out data on a computer instead of holding it for ransom) will increase. Junes NotPetya attack exemplifies this type of attack. Companies lost an estimated $1.2 million in revenues as a result of the attack. These attacks are relatively easy to execute, while causing a relatively high damage, making them attractive to less sophisticated players as well as some nation-state actors that use them as part of their operations. The Line Blurs Between APT Actors and Cybercriminals 2018 is the year in which the lines between nation-state players and other hacking groups become blurred. Leaked tools, techniques and knowledge from three letter agencies, makes advanced hacking a commodity. Many nation-state players outsource parts of their hacking operations to freelance hacking groups and lower-level cybercriminals groups, enabling them to up-level their game. In addition, nation state actors now use off the shelf, generic hacking tools to hide their tracks, making it hard to attribute a certain attack to a specific actor. Fileless Malware Attacks Become Ubiquitous Adversaries used fileless malware attacks, including PowerShell and WMI attacks frequently in 2017 and these are here to stay in 2018. There are many reasons for the popularity of fileless malware as an attack mechanism, including the abundance of free tools and scripts to execute malicious operations. Very few security tools are able to detect malicious fileless operations using PowerShell and WMI as they are embedded in the Windows OS. The good news is that as the popularity of these type of attacks increased, it finally wins security teams share of mind, and new protection, detection and response methodologies are underway. About Cybereason Cybereason, creators of the leading cybersecurity data analytics platform, gives the advantage back to the defender through a completely new approach to cybersecurity. Cybereason offers endpoint detection and response (EDR), next-generation antivirus (NGAV), and active monitoring services, all powered by its proprietary data analytics platform. The Cybereason suite of products provides unmatched visibility, increases analyst efficiency and effectiveness, and reduces security risk. Cybereason is privately held, having raised $189 million from top-tier VCs, and is headquartered in Boston, with offices in London, Tel Aviv and Tokyo. Learn more: https://www.cybereason.com/ Follow us: Blog | Twitter | Facebook Media Contact: Bill Keeler Director, Public Relations Cybereason bill.keeler(at)cybereason.com (929) 259-3261 Amphenol RF offers pre-configured RF test cables designed for high performance applications requiring minimal insertion and return loss. Heilind Electronics, a leading global distributor of electronic components and authorized distributor for Amphenol RF, has expanded its selection of interconnect solutions with the companys ATC-PS Series of amplitude and phase stable low loss test cables. These pre-configured SMA assemblies are designed for high performance applications that require minimal insertion and return loss. They are ideal for test and measurement applications up to 20 GHz, and each assembly is tested to ensure electrical and mechanical performance. These ultra low loss cable assemblies feature a robust strain relief construction to ensure stability of the center contact relative to the connector body. This rigidity allows for optimal performance and consistent phase stability of 5 degrees. ATC-PS connectors are precision machined from stainless steel to provide enhanced durability of over 5,000 mating cycles. Connectors are terminated to triple-shielded coaxial cable with FEP jackets, featuring strip braid construction to provide low attenuation with maximum shielding effectiveness. The ATC-PS Series of cable assemblies is available in standard lengths of 24, 36, 48 and 72, as well as 1 m. Custom lengths are available upon request. Visit Heilind's website for more information about the Amphenol RF ATC-PS Test Cables. About Heilind Electronics Heilind Electronics, Inc. (http://www.heilind.com) is one of the world's leading distributors of connectors, relays, sensors, switches, thermal management and circuit protection products, terminal blocks, wire and cable, wiring accessories and insulation and identification products. Founded in 1974, Heilind has locations throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, Singapore, Hong Kong and China. Follow Heilind on Facebook at facebook.com/Heilind and on Twitter at twitter.com/Heilind. News From Bulgaria The European Commission continues BEH investigation, Bulgaria refuses to plead guilty AUTHOR: publics.bg European Commission The Bulgarian Parliament obliged the Minister of Energy to undertake all measures safeguarding the national interest in the Commissions case against the country and the dedicated Deputy Prime Minister will execute the decision, the Deputy Chairperson of the Energy Committee, Tasko Ermenkov told journalists, BTA informed. The Commissions case is against Bulgarian Energy Holding (BEH), Bulgartransgaz and Bulgargaz for investigation of possible violation of an Article of the Treaty of the Functioning of the EU, which consists of a possible abuse of a dominant position on the gas markets in Bulgaria. Ermenkov was clear that the country will not plead guilty, so there will be no damages. He stressed that 179 of the 179 members of parliament present supported the decision. While there is no final decision by the Commission, Bulgaria has options and perspectives so that there would be no unnecessary expenditures. The maximum amount of the fine could be 330 mln euro, Minister of Energy, Temenuzhka Petkova announced on Sunday on the Bulgarian National Radio. She explained that an agreement with the Commission was pursued, but such was not reached. The next step is a prohibition decision, which would contain the amount of the fine, she added. Temenuzhka Petkova also said that an option such as in the case against Gazprom, related to restructuring, is not possible. She clarified that it was discussed with the Commission, but there was no agreement because the options were not in favour of the Bulgarian side. Answering a question if a possible fine could be avoided by privatising stakes of Bulgartransgaz, Petkova stated that matters of strategic infrastructure and national security should be handled very cautiously. The Minister of Energy underlined that the Parliaments decision not to admit guild in the case should be respected. As I previously said that the Bulgarian Parliament has already acted. We are a parliamentary republic, so what the Bulgarian Parliament has decided will be executed, she commented. Meanwhile, the European Commission continues its investigation of BEH and its subsidiaries for an alleged abuse of a dominant position on the natural gas market in Bulgaria, a Commissions spokesperson said, BTA reported, cited by Dnevnik. Brusselss opinion is that citizens and businesses in the EU should be able to benefit from competitive energy prices and security of supply. In order to compete on the Bulgarian gas market, suppliers require access to BEHs gas infrastructure and the Commission must ensure that everyone obtains non-discriminatory access, EU Commissioner for Competition, Margrethe Vestager, commented at the start of the procedure. Brussels is concerned that BEH and its subsidiaries are possibly hindering competitors access to key gas infrastructure they need for their successful operations on the market. The Commission has concerns that BEH and its subsidiaries have refused to give competitors access to the gas transmission network and the gas storage facility, as well as reserved capacity they do not need on the gas import pipeline. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was sworn in as the 5th President of the 4th Republic after winning the 2016 general elections on the back of successful campaign which was backed by a promising manifesto which was anchored on the economic development and the landmark Free SHS policy. READ ALSO: Even though the President has been able to implement some of his policies, there have some controversial instances which have put the President on the front pages for the not-so-good reasons. Business Insider Sub Saharan Africa chronicles 5 of them. 1. Inaugural speech Plagiarism The January 7 inauguration was earmarked to be the start of the competent Akufo-Addo regime and all ears were on the inaugural speech, which was expected to set the tone for a new level of possibility and good governance. Speech lovers were anxiously waiting for quotable quotes from the fluent president. Few minutes after the well-written and delivered speech, there were video evidences, which suggested that the President had plagiarized the speech of former US Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. This surely brought so much embarrassment to the new government as foreign new channels carried the story. 2. Ministerial appointments When it was confirmed that the President was going to work with a total of 110 ministers, the media took the story to the printers and scrutinized the decision of the President. The financial burden of managing an elephant government was unimaginable to some people but the President insisted that the ministers he has chosen are people he thinks can help him the fix the problems he inherited from the erstwhile Mahama administration. 3. Vigilantism and the release of delta 8 One of the major challenges of the Akufo-Addo government has been the inability to maintain internal security. There have been not less than 18 cases of vigilante violence since the NPP won the 2016 election and this has painted a bad image for the ruling party especially when they have been tagged a violent group in the past. 4. Corruption One area that the NPP hit hard on the NDC while in opposition was on corruption and one would have expected that we would never hear of the word under the NPP. However, there have been some allegations and controversial government deals including the Appointment Committee bribery case, the US$2.25 billion Bond saga and the BOST contaminated fuel scandal which have raised some questions about the integrity of the presidents appointees and whether they are really immune to corruption. READ ALSO: What these 8 African presidents looked like when they were young 5. Comments on Homosexuality In a recent interview with Aljazeeras Jane Dutton, the President, in response to a question on the legalization of homosexuality said, At the moment, I dont feel, I dont see that in Ghana there is that strong current of opinion that is saying this is something we need to deal with. It is not so far a matter that is on the agenda. Some individuals and groups including the Christian Council have come out strongly against the presidents comment insisting that the government must come clear on its policy directive on the issue of Gay rights. A woman who posed as a victim of Roy Moore, the embattled Republican Alabama Senate candidate whose campaign has been roiled by multiple allegations of sexual harassment and assault, appeared to be involved in a sting operation meant to disgrace The Washington Post, the newspaper reported Monday. During a two-week period, the woman, who said her name was Jaime Phillips, reportedly contacted two of The Post's reporters shortly after the newspaper broke the initial story on the sexual harassment allegations against Moore. Phillips' account went beyond The Post's original reporting and alleged that, in 1992, she had a "secret" sexual relationship with Moore and became pregnant when she was 15. "I knew it wasn't right, but I didn't care," Phillips reportedly told The Post's reporters during an interview. Phillips reportedly asked for a guarantee that Moore would lose the special election if she told her account. "So my whole things is, like, I want him to be completely taken out of the race ..." Phillips reportedly said to The Post. "And I really expected that was going to happen, and now it's not. So, I don't know what you think about that." Beth Reinhard, one of the reporters who interviewed Phillips, said in a text message that "she could not predict what the impact would be," according to The Post. Phillips then alleged in a text message that she felt "anxiety & negative energy" after a meeting with Reinhard, and said she wanted to meet with Stephanie McCrummen, a Post reporter who reported the first allegations against Roy Moore. "I'd rather go to another paper than talk to you again," Phillips said to Reinhard, according to The Post. Suspicions arose after a Post researcher discovered that a GoFundMe.com fundraiser from someone named Jaime Phillips was soliciting donations to fund a move to New York, to "work in the conservative media movement to combat the lies and deceit of the liberal [mainstream media]," the archived GoFundMe page described. "Um, yeah, I was looking to take a job last summer in New York, but it fell through," Phillips said after she was confronted with details about the GoFundMe.com page. "Yeah, it was going to be with the Daily Caller, but it ended up falling through, so I wasn't able to do it." Representatives from the Daily Caller denied having interviewed anyone named Jaime Phillips, The Post reported. "I think I probably just want to cancel and not go through with it at this point," Phillips said to McCrummen. "I'm not going to answer any more questions." Martin Baron, The Post's executive editor, made the decision to publish Phillips' comments, which were previously off-the-record. "We always honor 'off-the-record' agreements when they're entered into in good faith," Baron said in The Post. "But this so-called off-the-record conversation was the essence of a scheme to deceive and embarrass us. The intent by Project Veritas clearly was to publicize the conversation if we fell for the trap." "Because of our customary journalistic rigor, we weren't fooled, and we can't honor an 'off-the-record' agreement that was solicited in maliciously bad faith," Baron said. On Monday afternoon, James O'Keefe, Project Veritas' founder, defended the group by launching a series of attacks against The Post. "Hitting export on hidden camera footage into Washington Post shortly," O'Keefe wrote on Twitter. "Project Veritas vs Bezos 100mm monopoly. Fasten your seat belts." O'Keefe reportedly put out another statement Monday, in which he appeared to confirm that the organization attempted to swindle the Post: "Following months of undercover work within The Washington Post, our investigative journalist embedded within the publication had their cover blown." Special counsel Robert Mueller will interview White House counsel Don McGahn in the coming weeks as Mueller continues to investigate McGahn came under heightened scrutiny in September when The New York Times reported that he had blocked Trump from sending a letter to Comey outlining his reasons for wanting him fired. Legal experts have suggested that t "We told them how we had this information, how we had acquired it, and how we knew it was untrue," Yates said. She continued: "We told them that the conduct Flynn had engaged in [speaking to Kislyak] was problematic in and of itself. We said that the vice president was entitled to know that the information he was giving the American people was not true. And we told him we were concerned that the American people had been misled about what General Flynn had done, and that we weren't the only ones who knew about this." To charge someone with obstructing justice, prosecutors have to prove that "the defendant corruptly endeavored to influence, obstruct, or impede" an investigation, according to legal and national-security expertswriting for Lawfare. That element "is the hardest to prove, because it depends on showing an improper motive," the experts said. Insight into Trump's state of mind when he fired Comey and crafted the statement will be crucial as Mueller examines whether the president willingly tried to impede the Russia investigation. Trump's lawyers have argued that Comey is an unreliable witness and that Trump has the power to fire whomever he wants. But the White House has not fully explained why Trumpreportedly overruledhis advisers' warnings to be as transparent as possible about the Trump Tower meeting or why one of his personal lawyers, Jay Sekulow, told CNN in the days after the meeting became public that Trumpdid not play any role in crafting his son's initial statement. Here, too, McGahn likely has insight into Trump's state of mind around the time that he drafted the statement, making him a crucial witness as Mueller attempts to put pieces together. "As to the narrower legal question of obstruction of justice, the president's mental state would critical," Wright said. "Did he participate in crafting a cover story to hoodwink the American people or did he have congressional and criminal investigators in mind?" It is unclear whether Trump consulted McGahn before drafting the statement about the Trump Tower meeting. But if McGahn was called, then he was in a position to hear Trump's thinking "and to shape that thinking" through his legal advice, Wright said. If he wasn't consulted, that would likely signal to Mueller "either that Trump was profoundly unaware of the nature of his deteriorating legal environment or that he was avoiding legal advice because he did not want to be told to stand down," Wright said. In an interview with Joy News Obuor said the types of dresses the dancehall artist wears is bad and must be condemned. That [Ebonys dressing] is very bad. It is very bad. Again, in our vein as a union we will try to let the public know that they are in an acting role, Obour said. He added that the Ghanaian culture and moral values frowned on such dressing. He urged every musician to decorous in their ways of dressing. Lady Gaga could wear that same costume and nobody would cry or scream foul about it because the moral values of the country they are in different from that of the country we are in now. And so we are always advising our musicians to be quite decorous in their way of dressing. Ghanaians have in recent times expressed disdain with the way Ebony dresses. The musician exposes certain private parts of her body which many Ghanaians believe is indecent. Ebony almost suffered a wardrobe malfunction when her dress almost revealed her private regions whilst performing at the 4Syte TV Music Video Awards. Many were of the opinion that Ebony had gone too far when she almost exposed herself at the award show. However, her manager made it clear that it was Ebonys brand and there is nothing wrong about it. These customs still exist in the remote parts of this continent, many years after civilization. These ethnic communities practice certain traditions that will leave you shocked.They signify different aspects of life within the continent like achieving a new status on the social ladder or coming of age. Here are five of the most weird African Traditions brought to you by Pulse.com.gh 1.Blood-WaterBeverage In Tanzania and Kenya, the Samburu and the Maasai communities are regarded as the most hospitable. They would always welcome a visitor. These communities usually treat their guests with roasted meat. However, one may also, at times, be required to drink fresh blood either mixed in milk or oozing from a live animal. READ ALSO: 4 things that would make you love the Volta Region 2.Bull Jumping In the Hamar tribe of Ethiopia, there is an interesting initiation tradition as well. A tradition that harms not only the boy, basically. Firstly, the female friends of the boy to take the test dance and get beated by their elders, until they have actual wounds on their bodies. This shows their loyalty to their friends. After that, the boy has to announce his manhood by stepping over 4 bulls and making 3 turns back and forth. Actually, the boy announces his manhood in all possible ways, since he has to do this naked. 3.Lipstretching When a girl becomes a teenager in the Surma tribe of Southern Sudan, she begins the process of lip stretching. The girl has her bottom teeth removed to make space for a lip plate, which is increased in size annually. READ ALSO:10 beautiful photos from around the world that impressed us 4.Banyankoles potency test In Uganda, ones aunt is not only expected to advise a new bride but they also have to have sex with the groom as a potency test. Additionally, the aunt has to test the brides purity before the bride and groom are allowed to consummate their marriage.Another tradition directs the aunts to prove the potency by listening in or watching as the couple engages in sexual intercourse. 5.The groom wears a veil He made this announcement when he paid a courtesy call on President Nana Akufo-Addo at the Flagstaff House. "We are very interested in developing the small-scale, medium companies in [the] Ghanaian economy, he said, adding that the 25 million-euro should be used to acquire machinery for SMEs in Ghana. The Prime Minister said Italy has in the last 15 years invested a total of 7 billion euros in the Ghanaian economy. We are very proud what Italy has done in Ghana, he said. The Prime Minister further disclosed that at the next EU summit, the future of the youth would be discussed, adding, we are particularly proud of the role Ghana has played in contributing to the decision of the youth. The development of the skills of the youth is very important; it will help in preventing migration, Gentiloni said. The Prime Minister has meanwhile lauded Ghana for its strong democracy and stability, which he said, has made the West African nation an example to the African continent. The stability and democracy that Ghana has is an example to the whole African continent. The economic relationship between the two countries [Ghana and Italy] is very positive, he observed. He commended President Akufo-Addo for the warm reception given him. The conference was held on Saturday 25 November at the Lincoln Community School in Accra. Addressing participants at the conference, keynote speaker and principal of SOS-Herman Gmeiner International College Israel Titi Ofei raised concerns about the need for stakeholders to put priority on the quality of teachers churned out to handle students. He explained that a good curriculum is as important as the teaching staff. "Youve visited a school and established that you like the headteacher. They have a clear vision for their pupils, and the place has an orderly and friendly culture. Now it is time to consider taking your ward there? The quality of teachers should be the premium concern". People will definitely talk about putting up good structures, better feeding of students amongst other but the element of good education will be missing if teachers are not of good quality,he added. Participants also expressed gladness for being a part of such a powerful conference. The vast majority of these participants were public and private schools teachers from basic schools, ranging from pre-school to JHS levels. This year's program themed "Understanding; Knowledge in Action" marks TEN's 9th Teaching and learning conference in Accra. Akan proverb "Wo nsa Ekyi" which means "The back of your hand" was the inspiration for the theme of this year's conference. GTP donated fabric for all volunteers which represented the theme of the event as well as Kasapreko donating some bottles of water. Visual notes taking, a route to creative writing,the art of expression,developing creative mathematical thinkers, French workshop etc. In an interview with Aljazeera, the President is quoted as saying that gay rights are bound to happen a comment that has brought him under scrutiny from the opposition NDC and other Ghanaians. A lot has been said since then, but what does the Bible actually say about homosexuality? Here are five Bible quotes that boldly state that Ghana should do away with homosexuality: 1. 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10 Do not be misled. Those who are sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, men who submit to homosexual acts, men who practice homosexuality, thieves, greedy people, drunkards, revilers, and extortioners will not inherit Gods Kingdom. 2. Colossians 3:5 Deaden, therefore, your body members+ that are on the earth as respects sexual immorality,* uncleanness, uncontrolled sexual passion,+ hurtful desire, and greediness, which is idolatry.. 3. Leviticus 18:22 You must not lie down with a male in the same way that you lie down with a woman. 4. Romans 1:24, 26 God, in keeping with the desires of their hearts, . . . gave them over to uncontrolled sexual passion, for their females changed the natural use of themselves into one contrary to nature. 5. Mathew 19: 4-6 In an interview with Accra-based Adom FM, he said this makes it difficult to fight homosexuality in the country since it has permeated every facet of the society. His comments follow the controversy surrounding the presidents latest comments on homosexuality. President Nana Akufo-Addo said on Aljazeera that legalisation of homosexuality is bound to happen in Ghana if public opinion for it legalisation grows stronger. I dont believe that in Ghana, so far, a sufficiently strong coalition has emerged which is having that impact on public opinion that will say: Change it [the law], lets then have a new paradigm in Ghana." I think it is something that is bound to happen like elsewhere in the world, they are activities of individuals or groups, he said. Nana Akufo-Addos comments have, however, not gone down well with many Ghanaians, who feel that his comments suggest an endorsement of homosexuality. But the Minister of Information; Mustapha Hamid has clarified that the Nana Addo government has no intention to legalize same-sex relationship. Apostle Amoako Atta was optimistic President Akufo-Addo will not lead the legalization of such an act in Ghana. In a related development, Apostle Amoako Atta said Ghanaian Christians must love homosexuals instead of condemning them. Adjoa Oforiwaa who was a beautician apprentice gave up her apprenticeship to stay with the missionary whose name has been given as Frank. She lived with Frank for 3 years to help him head a church branch. Adjoa Oforiwaa is now accusing Frank of cheating and is demanding compensation for wasted time. In an interview with Kumasi-based Nhyira FM, Adjoa Oforiwaa alleged that Franks grandmother persuaded her to accompany him to the Salvation Army Church branch at Asamang in the Ashanti Region. She later discovered that Frank was in love relationships with other women. She complained to the family but they have failed to do anything about her complaints. Adwoa subsequently left for her parents house. Frank later brought her belonging signifying the end of the relationship. Later, other relatives came to apologize and appeal to Adjoa to return, with the assurance of compensation and performance of the marriage rites. None of these promises has since been fulfilled. Among the prostitutes included ladies, aged between 15 and 35 years. The 22 suspects are made up of 12 Nigerians, four Ghanaians, two Togolese, two Liberian, one Beninese and a Cameroonian and are reported to be in the commercial sex business for so many years. Some of the suspects including a medical doctor and a teenager nursing mother were also arrested. They operate around the Togo Embassy, Cantonments Post Office, Italian Embassy, Akufo-Addo round about among others. One of the arrested prostitutes said she has been in the commercial sex activity for 21 years. She said she has a child whom she sent back home to stay with her mother in Nigeria. The youngest suspect, who is 15 years old is nursing mother of a seven month old child. She said she always leave the baby in the care of her friend to seek for sex partners around the Togo embassy to make money to cater for her child. READ MORE: 32 Nigerian prostitutes arrested at Abeka Lapaz The pupil, who was in the man's class last year, insisted the pair were in love but her parents said he was a sexual predator who exploited his position of power. The girl later told the court that she thought she had been "manipulated". The man was given an 18-month suspended sentence by a court in Fontainebleau outside Paris after he was found guilty of sexually assaulting a minor aged under 15 while in a position of authority. He has been banned from working with minors. "I was completely out of control, I have no excuse," he admitted in court. "When I was with her she was just my girlfriend, not my pupil and not a 14-year-old girl," he said. There is no minimum age of consent in France, which does not treat sex between an adult and a minor as rape unless there is proof of force. The government has promised to change the law after a man was acquitted of rape earlier this month, as the jury found no evidence he had forced an 11-year-old girl to have sex. Currently, sex with a minor aged under 15 is classified as sexual assault, punishable by up to five years in prison. Adults wielding some form of authority over the child face heavier sentences. President Emmanuel Macron said he wanted a minimum age of consent of 15, in a speech on sexism to mark the UN's International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. "The Volcanic Ash Advisory shows that the plane routes have been covered by volcanic ash, this is dangerous for the flights," Indonesian AirNav official Wisnu Darjono said. Massive columns of thick grey smoke that have been belching from Mount Agung since last week have now begun shooting more than three kilometres (two miles) into the sky, forcing hundreds of flights to be grounded. Authorities on Monday warned that the rumbling volcano could erupt at any moment, as they raised alert levels to maximum and accelerated a mass evacuation. The international airport closure left thousands of tourists stranded on the Indonesian holiday island. Some 40,000 frightened people have fled their homes around the volcano but as many as 100,000 will likely be forced to leave, disaster agency officials have said. The moves have already raised the ire of trade unions and civil society groups at home, and now Washington has added its diplomatic voice to the swelling protests. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said the US administration regarded the draft law "with concern." As proposed, she said, the government's move "could undermine the fight against corruption and weaken judicial independence in Romania. "This legislation ... threatens the progress Romania has made in recent years to build strong judicial institutions shielded from political interference. "We urge the parliament of Romania to reject proposals that weaken the rule of law and endanger the fight against corruption," she said. LONDON Administrators of bust fashion brand Jaeger say they are unlikely to pursue action against the company's former owner over a controversial trademark sale. Better Capital, Jaeger's former owners, sold the brand's trademark rights to a vehicle called King's Landing Limited for 9.2 million shortly before the company's collapse. A shareholder group attacked the move in May and said they would not rule out court action. Administrator's Alix Partners said in its November report that is has been investigating the details of the trademark sale but early finds suggest that it is "not expected that actions can be pursued." The trademark was subsequently sold by King's Landing Limited to Philip Day, who owns the chain Edinburgh Woollen Mill and purchased the Jaeger in June. Alix Partners also said in its progress report written earlier this month that it estimates Jaeger has debts of 82.7 million. The bulk of its debts around 49 million are to unsecured creditors and Alix Partners expects most unsecured creditors to receive just 2p on the pound. That would mean the companies owned this money would share a little under 1 million between them. 33.3 million is owed to secured creditor King's Landing Limited. Alix warns that the prospect of paying off the remaining debt to King's Landing Limited is "uncertain" and they expect a "significant shortfall." Welcome to the Pulse Community! We will now be sending you a daily newsletter on news, entertainment and more. Also join us across all of our other channels - we love to be connected! Meghan Markle has more in common with Princess Diana than immediately meets the eye. On Monday, news broke that Prince Harry was engaged to marry American actress Meghan Markle. The prince designed Markle's engagement ring himself, using two diamonds from the jewelry collection of his late mother, Princess Diana. When asked what his mother would have thought of Markle, Prince Harry told the BBC that he thought she would have been "best friends with Meghan." "Oh, they'd be thick as thieves, without question," Harry said. "I think she would be over the moon, jumping up and down, you know so excited for me." Markle and the late Princess Diana come from very different backgrounds. However, taking a closer look at the pair, it's clear why the prince believes they would be best friends. Diana's and Markle's lives started very differently. Diana was born in 1961, into the Spencer family, a British aristocratic family with royal ancestry. She grew up on the grounds of Queen Elizabeth's private estate, Sandringham, in Norfolk. Markle, meanwhile, was born in Los Angeles in 1981. Markle comes from a more modest background. Her mother, Doria Ragland, is a yoga instructor and clinical therapist, while her father, Thomas W. Markle is a lighting director, the Telegraph reported. Ragland is African-American, and Markle is Caucasian. Both Markle and Diana's parents split when their daughters were young. Diana's parents separated in a high-profile case when she was six years old, and Markle's separated when she was just two. Markle's and Diana's paths to a royal engagement couldn't be more different. Diana was just 16 when she met Prince Charles. According to The Daily Times, Charles who was 28 at the time was visiting the Spencer "ancestral home" and actually dating Diana's elder sister at the time. The pair didn't grow close until a few years later. In her late teens, Lady Diana was working low-paying jobs and living relatively simply, despite her aristocratic heritage. Before Charles proposed in 1981, Diana was working as an assistant kindergarten teacher and living in a London apartment with three other women. Markle, meanwhile, is an established actress who has been married previously. Markle is best known for her role in the legal drama "Suits," but she has also acted in a long list of shows like "CSI: NY" and "Castle," as well as films including "Get Him To The Greek." She also founded the now-shuttered lifestyle website The Tig and has worked as a women's rights activist, as a part of the UN's Women's Political Participation and Leadership program. Markle and Prince Harry met in 2016, reportedly being set up at Harry's request when the prince was in Toronto to help plan the Invictus Games. The duo kept their relationship secret for roughly six months before going public. Once their relationships went public, both Diana and Markle were thrust into the spotlight. "Today, she is known to millions as 'Lady Di'. Her photograph graces countless tea towels, calendars and coffee mugs, and her brow-sweeping hairstyle is a national fad," The Daily Times reported in July 1981. Markle's profile similarly exploded as rumors of her relationship with Prince Harry grew in 2016. She became the most-Googled actress of 2016, as rumors of the romance exploded and were eventually confirmed late in the year. The burgundy dress that Markle wore to the Invictus Games in September, her first public appearance with Prince Harry, sold out in hours. The Telegraph called her influence " target="_blank"The Meghan Effect," as items that she wore or endorsed have skyrocketed in popularity. However, from the beginning, fame came with dark undertones. When Diana wore a strapless dress to her first official public appearance post-engagement, it was front-page news and that was just the start. Lady Diana was stalked by reporters, including one who slipped through a bathroom window in her kindergarten class to get a photo, according to The Daily Times. The media was especially obsessed with Diana's sexual history, reports Vanity Fair. The fixation was so great that her uncle, Lord Fermoy, was forced to read a statement publicly, declaring her a "bona fide" virgin. While at the time The Daily Times reported that Diana seemed unfazed by the attention, Vanity Fair reported that the lady was severely bulimic prior to the wedding, linking the eating disorder to the intense pressure. Markle's treatment shares some sickening similarities though, this time, the palace has done more to defend the prince's fiancee. As Markle's relationship with Prince Harry became more obvious, some people began slamming Markle due to her race and status as a divorcee. In November 2016, Kensington Palace issued a statement on Harry's behalf criticizing the "outright sexism and racism of social media trolls and web article comments" that Markle was facing. Since she began dating Prince Harry, it seems that Markle has been taking cues from the late Princess Diana on how she presents herself. Like most actresses, Markle spent many years building up her public profile. However, once her relationship with Prince Harry became public knowledge, the actress has mostly remained out of the limelight presumably, in part, because of the difficult role the media played in Diana's and Harry's own life. The only major interview the actress gave about the relationship, prior to the announcement of the couple's engagement, was to Vanity Fair. The magazine published a glowing profile of the actress as its cover story this September. "Whatever the future of their relationship, one suspects that, had she lived long enough to meet Meghan, Diana beloved for her philanthropy as well as her shy beauty would have approved," the piece concludes. While Vanity Fair wasn't wrong in its comparison, the cover story reveals how Markle also shared Diana's ability to use press and public appearances to win over people's hearts. Princess Diana has been on People magazine's cover 57 times more than any other person in the publication's history. While the princess was known for her commitment to social justice and her deeply held beliefs, Diana didn't often have the opportunity to actually speak out on these issues. "It is very surprising how little footage there exists of the Princess actually speaking," Eleri Lynn, who curated an exhibit on Diana's fashion, told Vanity Fair. "We all have a sense of what we think she was like, and yet so much of it comes from still photographs, and a large part of that [idea] is communicated through the different clothes that she wore." As a result, fashion was a key tool of communication for Diana a lesson Markle seems to have learned. Diana was one of the most influential people in fashion in the 20th century. If she wore a designer, she could immediately put them on the map. She was careful in her public appearance, working with designers to craft a public image, and shaped many of the most important trends of the time. "She was always very thoughtful about how her clothes would be interpreted, it was something that really mattered to her," Anna Harvey, Vogue's former deputy editor who helped the princess to craft her image, told the Telegraph. Markle, meanwhile, created her own fashion line. The "accessible" clothing range, "Meghan Markle Collection," was launched with Canadian retailer Reitmans, and every item is under $100. "I've been involved in every facet of [the design process], so it's really personal, she told Best Health in 2015. Since she began dating the prince, Markle has used her style choices to highlight lesser-known Canadian designers. After the engagement was announced, Prince Harry and Markle posed for photos at Kensington Palace in London. Markle wore a coat by the Canadian fashion brand Line a brand beloved by Canadians, but one that is pretty obscure outside the country. Soon after news broke that Markle wore a coat from Line on Monday, the brand's website was slow or crashed for many people. At the opening of the Invictus Games, her first public outing with Prince Harry, Markle highlighted two other Canadian brands: Mackage and Aritzia. It's a play straight out of Diana's handbook. The palace encouraged Princess Diana to promote British fashion designers, using her ability to give the entire industry a boost thanks to fans who would immediately try to copy her looks. Designers such as Catherine Walker (now a favorite of Kate Middleton) became go-tos for collaborations. Diana also used fashion as a way to promote charities and social causes. With the cameras following Diana wherever she went, she lived up to her nickname as "Princess of the People" with her extensive charity work. "Although she found the media's intrusion into her personal life 'intolerable,' Diana found a way to use this to bring attention to the people and the causes that needed it most," Harpers Bazaar reported. Fashion played a key part in her mission. In 1987, Princess Diana made headlines when she removed her gloves to shake hands with HIV-positive patients, during one of her many public visits to people suffering from HIV and AIDS. Markle has done the same, saying that famous people have the opportunity and responsibility to create change. "With fame comes opportunity, but it also includes responsibility to advocate and share, to focus less on glass slippers and more on pushing through glass ceilings," Markle wrote in an essay published in Elle in November 2016. Markle has participated in a number of humanitarian efforts, including involvement with Canada's World Vision Clean Water campaign, One Young World Summit, and UN Women. However, not everyone is always impressed by Markle's fashion choices. Twitter trolls slammed Markle for wearing casual jeans during her first-ever public appearance with Prince Harry, at the 2017 Invictus Games. Diana actually faced similar criticism. "She did clearly have fun with fashion," Lynn told Vogue, "and she took risks ... and experimented with her style. She was the first member of the royal family to be photographed wearing trousers to evening events." Sometimes the press would slam Diana for some of her more adventurous choices but that only further helped her style herself as a fashion icon in the long term. One final fashion similarity between Markle and Diana can be found in the American's engagement ring. Prince Harry designed the ring, which features two diamonds from Princess Diana's collection. Princess Diana was a fashion icon who used her fame to draw attention to crucial issues in the world. Diana died in a car crash when she was 36, and Harry was just 12 years old. However, her legacy is still remembered today in fashion, in humanitarian work, and in modernizing the monarchy. In many ways, Princess Diana's willingness to act as "The People's Princess" helped make it possible for Prince William to marry a commoner and Prince Harry to marry an American. With the palace's willingness to defend Markle, one hopes that the prince's fiancee can avoid the intense pressure and unfair scrutiny that Princess Diana dealt with. Markle has yet to have Diana's degree of influence but it's clear that she's both learned lessons from and wants to pay tribute to Princess Diana. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have announced that they will marry at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle in May 2018 a month after Kate Middleton is due to have her third child. A notice from Kensington Palace said the Queen has given permission for the wedding to take place at the chapel, where The palace also confirmed that the Royal Family will pay for the wedding, including the church service, music, flowers, and reception. Markle, who is American, will become a British citizen, according to the palace. The notice also said that she is a Protestant, and will be baptised and confirmed into the Church of England before the service. The marriage of Prince Harr... @ Kensington Palace The couple are planning the wedding themselves, according to The Telegraph, who reported that they want a "fun" wedding that the public can be involved in and is likely to be televised. Prince Harry's communications secretary Jason Knauf said: "They will be making sure it reflects who they are as a couple." He added that Windsor is a "very special place" for Harry and Meghan, who have spent time there during their relationship. Markle will also give up her current charity commitments, and will "begin a new series of charitable ventures as part of her new life in the UK," according to the Evening Standard. She will also become joint patron of the Royal Foundation, along with William, Kate, and Harry. The news comes after Prince Harry and Meghan Marklepublicly announced their engagementon Monday morning. Harry proposed to her in London earlier this month, and got an enthusiastic yes, which the couple described in a televised interview broadcast yesterday. They will live together in the grounds of Kensington Palace, and are set to carry out their first engagement together at an Aids charity event in Nottingham on Friday. Hugo Campbell-Davys is the founder of Urbanologie, a luxury lifestyle app for the high-net-worth jetsetters of the world. Urbanologie tells its "members" where to eat, sleep, drink, and play, whether they're in London, New York, Ibiza, Mykonos, Miami, LA, Dubai, or beyond. Business Insider met Campbell-Davys at an intimate lunch held on the 37th floor of the Walkie Talkie building at the exclusive Fenchurch restaurant a typical lunch for the Urbanologie founder. Table all set and the sun i... @ urbanologieguides The event was hosted by TCS World Travel, one of Urbanologie's partners who arrange once-in-a-lifetime holidays by private jet, no less for the superrich. It's at events like these that Campbell-Davys does what he does best networking. "My life is probably the opposite to everyone else's," he told Business Insider. "I'm out every night of the week but at the weekends I completely chill, and that's also when I'll do most of the writing for my guides." He added: "I just love people and bringing them together, whether it's for friendship or business." Rubbing shoulders with the worlds elite Campbell-Davys, a former nightclub promoter and PR agent, has mastered the art of working the room and keeping his finger firmly on the pulse of London's party scene and he's built a business out of it. Urbanologie is a private network that costs members 100 a year by invitation only to join. Members get the lowdown on the coolest and most exclusive places to be seen in their chosen city via an app which automatically updates upon touch down in a new place. From the latest pop-ups and residencies to the chicest private members' clubs, secret terraces, tucked away rooftop bars, clubs, and hotels, Campbell-Davys and his app will lead you to the creme de la creme, where you can expect to rub shoulders with the elite. #aboutlastnight with @itssa... @ urbanologieguides "Everything starts with an idea," he said. "We all like to surprise and delight people with 'By the way, you would love this place.' Our business is basically about sharing and connecting people with places and other people." Members can even direct message Campbell-Davys if they are curious about a specific haunt, and off he and his team will go to investigate alhough there seems to be little going on that he hasn't already sniffed out. "We cater to the mass affluent time-starved community," he explained. "But I'm always surprised at the level of my members." While he was reluctant to name the celebrities who are using the app, Campbell-Davys said: "Put it this way, our clientele ranges from several cast members of Made in Chelsea, to hedge fund managers, to Alain Ducasse (the world's only 21 Michelin-starred chef)." ... @ hugotaylorlondon He also invites A-listers within his wider network to write mini guest guides in which they reveal their favourite under-the-radar places. Rande Gerber business partner to George Clooney and husband of Cindy Crawford did one on Ibiza this summer in which he listed his best spots to chill, eat, and party while on the white isle. Me and @therealcindyc at 9:... @ randegerber Kelsey Grammer also wrote a piece after meeting Campbell-Davys at a fancy dinner at Boisdale in Mayfair. #aboutlastnight a most enjo... @ urbanologieguides Each day for Campbell-Davys starts with a gym session. "Discipline is very important," he said. "With a lifestyle like mine it's required." But it's not just any old gym he's working out in Urbanologie bases itself primarily at the exclusive South Kensington Club. This morning's Monday motiv... @ skc_london As well as the top-notch gym equipment, the wellness-focused club also boasts a Russian bath house, or "banya," and a Hamam. Campbell-Davys said he has even held business meetings in the SKC spa. With National Spa Week unde... @ skc_london ...But theres a lot of Champagne involved Most days involve a networking lunch. A recent highlight, he said, was a lunch with Justin Coghlan a co-founder of the Movember charity at the exclusive Restaurant Ours in Knightsbridge. "My god, that was a very, very, very, long lunch," he laughed. "But it's also really important to us that we do our bit for charity." Urbanologie's Instagram is packed with Campbell-Davys' snaps of delicious-looking dishes like this one. #fridayfeeling @bonniegull ... @ urbanologieguides "I'm based in Chelsea so I'm always at the Bluebird and the Chiltern Firehouse," he said. "In terms of my new favourite hangouts it's The Square, Mortimer House, Jean-Georges Vongerichten at The Connaught, and Rochelle Canteen at the ICA." It's a hard life, but someone's got to do it. Lunch is usually followed by back-to-back meetings with Urbanologie's luxury partners and then either an evening reception or a preview of a new opening. "There's inevitably a lot of Champagne involved," he said. Random #tuesdaymotivation e... @ urbanologieguides As far as the hot new openings he's anticipating, he referenced 85 Restaurant, the soon-to-be relocated Annabel's member's club, French restaurant Bagatelle London, acclaimed Turkish steakhouse Nusr-Et (made famous by Salt Bae, and Bob Bob Cite. "Urbanologie has a narrative that London is a great city but what's about to happen makes it even better," he said. By night you'll catch him hanging out at one of the capital's exclusive members' clubs usually 5 Hertford Street, the Devonshire Club if he's in the city, or Groucho "because they're open late," he said. Creating events for "like-minded people" My morning commute across #... @ urbanologieguides When we met, Campbell-Davys was getting ready to host a party for 100 people at the South Kensington Club that evening. Some members of Urbanologie are also members of the South Kensington Club. While the app is by no means an events business, part of what he does is help luxury brands to curate bespoke group settings with "like-minded" people in his network, where they can do business or at least forge initial relationships and the environment needs to be just right. He recently helped host an event with One & Only luxury resorts at Ashberg house, a 28 million luxury Chelsea villa that also happens to be opposite Hugh Grant's house. In addition to stamina and a healthy dose of charisma, Campbell-Davys said it takes perseverance to live this insane lifestyle. According to practice, bride price takes different form based on traditions and custom of the people. Sometime, it is an amount of money, property or other form of payment expected to be made by prospective groom's family. In Nigeria, the payment of bride price is essential for the validation of any marriage regardless of the tribe. Since there is no uniformity in the practice, here are some tribes in the Nigeria with a surprising tribe tradition. 1. Mbaise, Imo State Marrying the daughter of an Mbaise family can be very expensive. If the daughter is educated then the bride price could go even higher. According to unwritten tradition of the people, a bride/woman is an asset to the man. As such, the Mbaise people demand a bride price sometimes reaching up to N100,000 accompanied by a marriage list of things to buy that can total up to N800,000. 2. Bororo, Adamawa State The Bororo people are primarily a nomadic ethnic group. Although not as financially draining as other ethnic groups, it still requires a large number of resources. To marry a Bororo girl, you will be asked to bring live cattle which is usually between 10 to 50 live cattle. Also, the wealth of the suitor is also noted to be considered in fixing the desired bride price. 3. Ikwerre, Rivers State The Ikwerre people have extremely expensive bride prices and marriage lists produced by the bride's family. The bride price and marriage list can cost the suitor up to the sum of N1 million to get his bride. To the Ikwerre people, their daughters have been raised with dedication and any man that marries them should pay handsomely for them. 4. Kalabari, Rivers State The Kalabari people are also known to have some of the most outrageous bride price and marriage lists in Nigeria. For a typical wedding ceremony, the groom is subjected to many payments, one which include buying the bride's mouth. A Kalabari wedding can reach the sum of N1 million and beyond. 5. Ibibio, Akwa-Ibom State As a result of the Ibibio people being mostly agriculturalists, they believe that their daughters are raised to be strong and self-sustaining. Hence they are seen to have been groomed to support a man and help him raise a family. A bride price combines with the list of items demanded can result in the total of at least N700,000. 6. Efik, Cross Rivers State Efik people are known to have a rich cultural background and their marriage ceremonies are a clear indication of this. The marriage list is generated based on the financial ability of the suitor. Thanks for signing up for our daily insight on the African economy. We bring you daily editor picks from the best Business Insider news content so you can stay updated on the latest topics and conversations on the African market, leaders, careers and lifestyle. Also join us across all of our other channels - we love to be connected! Bali's Denpasar Airport will remain closed on Tuesday. The airport will be closed for a further 24 hours, until 7am local time on Wednesday when conditions will be reassessed again, the spokesman for the Indonesian National Board for Disaster Management said. Flights in and out of Bali were cancelled on Monday, following Ahead of Tuesday's closure announcement, Virgin Australia said their flights between Bali and Australia would be cancelled until after Tuesday. The airline said they were closely monitoring the volcano's activity, and that the aviation color code is currently red, indicating an "imminent" eruption. @Sutopo_BNPB this video tak... @ Lynn Marceau On Monday, 59,000 passengers on 445 cancelled flights including 196 international flights were affected, the airport said in a statement. Ash had been confirmed on the ground at Denpasar Airport, according toAustralia's Bureau of Meteorology. North Korea has fired an intercontinental ballistic missile that initial estimates show could be the highest altitude reached by the country's missile program. The ICBM, launched at about 3 a.m. Wednesday local time, flew east from South Pyongan Province, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a Yonhap News report. "North Korea launched an unidentified ballistic missile into the East Sea from the vicinity of Pyongsong, South Pyongan Province, at around 3:17 a.m. today," the Joint Chiefs said. A Pentagon official said in a statement that the missile traveled about 1,000 kilometers, or over 620 miles, and landed in the Sea of Japan, within Japan's exclusive economic zone. "The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) determined the missile launch from North Korea did not pose a threat to North America, our territories or our allies," Col. Robert Manning said. "Our commitment to the defense of our allies, including the Republic of Korea and Japan, in the face of these threats, remains ironclad. We remain prepared to defend ourselves and our allies from any attack or provocation." The missile reached an altitude of about 2,800 miles, US officials told ABC News. If initial estimates are confirmed, that will be the highest altitude reached by a North Korean missile. Homeland Security officials in Guam, a US territory that North Korea has previously threatened, issued a statement on Facebook saying there was "no immediate threat to Guam or the Marianas." A few minutes after South Korean forces detected the launch, they staged a "precision strike" missile exercise, the Joint Chiefs told Yonhap News. President Donald Trump gave a short statement on the missile during a press conference Tuesday: "I will only tell you that we will take care of it," Trump said. "We've had a long discussion on it." "We will take care of that situation," Trump continued. "Nothing changed, we have a very serious approach. We take it very seriously." Defense Secretary James Mattis also confirmed initial reports that the latest missile made a breakthrough in terms of North Korea's capabilities: "[The] missile went higher, frankly, than any previous shot they've taken," Mattis said. "It's a research and development effort on their part." "The bottom line is that its a continued effort to build a ballistic missile threat that endangers world peace, regional peace, and certainly the United States," Mattis continued. During a visit to South Korea earlier in November as part of his tour of Asia, Trump proposed making "a deal" with North Korea. "I really believe that it makes sense for North Korea to come to the table and to make a deal that's good for the people of North Korea and the people of the world," Trump said. "I do see certain movement, yes. But let's see what happens." After his trip, Trump designated North Korea a state sponsor of terrorism, allowing the US to impose additional sanctions against the country. Reuters reported earlier Tuesday that US government experts had seen indications that North Korea would conduct a missile test "within days." A Japanese government official said the country had detected radio signals indicating North Korea may be preparing for another ballistic missile launch, according to Reuters. The signals, however, were reportedly inconclusive satellite images did not show new activity, and North Korea has in the past deliberately sent misleading signals of an imminent launch. North Korea's previous missile test, in mid-September, raised alarms after it flew over Hokkaido, in northern Japan. That missile, fired at about 7 a.m. local time, initiated emergency alerts in Japan. Japan did not attempt to shoot down the missile, according to NHK, the country's public broadcast outlet. Before that test, North Korea conducted a series of launches, at one point averaging about one every two weeks. US President Donald Trump referred to Sen. Elizabeth Warren as "Pocahontas" during an event honoring Native American code talkers on Monday. "We have a representative in Congress who they say was here a long time ago," Trump said. "They call her 'Pocahontas.' But you know what, I like you, because you are special. You are special people. You are really incredible people." It wasn't the first time Trump used the name to bash Warren. It links back to when Scott Brown, Warren's Republican opponent in the 2012 race for a Senate seat in Massachusetts, "accused her of faking her Native American ancestry after reports surfaced that she listed herself as a minority in a directory of law school professors," Business Insider's Jeremy Berke reported. Even before Trump began using her name as an insult, Pocahontas has occupied a prominent place in American pop culture. But who was Pocahontas, and how did we come to be so fixated on her? First of all, she wasn't named Pocahontas it was a nickname that means something along the lines of "mischievous one." A colonist named William Strachey chronicled how 11-year-old Pocahontas would visit the settlers' fort at Jamestown and turn cartwheels with the English children, according to the book "Malinche, Pocahontas, and Sacagawea: Indian Women as Cultural Intermediaries and National Symbols." There's a reason we remember Pocahontas and not other members of her tribe and family. Her interactions with the English colonist John Smith had a major role in shaping her legacy. In December 1607, a Powhatan leader named Opechancanough captured Smith while he was exploring the Chickahominy River. Smith later claimed that Pocahontas disrupted his execution, throwing her body across his to protect him. In a 1616 letter to Queen Anne, he even wrote, "She hazarded the beating out of her own brains to save mine." Numerous historians, however, have said the event most likely did not happen as Smith described it if it even happened at all. He left his alleged encounter with Pocahontas out of his earliest writings, not mentioning it until 1624. And it wasn't the first time Smith had claimed to have been rescued by a young woman who intervened to save him from her male relatives. In "Pocahontas and the Powhatan Dilemma," Camilla Townsend writes that Smith said a young Muslim woman had protected him in a similar manner while he was enslaved in Turkey. Chief Roy Crazy Horse, who was a longtime leader of the Powhatan Renape Nation, wrote that Smith's account helped propel Pocahontas to lasting fame. "Of all of Powhatan's children, only 'Pocahontas' is known, primarily because she became the hero of Euro-Americans as the 'good Indian,' one who saved the life of a white man," he wrote. In 1613, a few years after Pocahontas was said to have saved Smith, an English captain named Samuel Argall lured Pocahontas onto his ship and took her hostage during the First Anglo-Powhatan War. Indian Country Today reported that the Mattaponi tribe's oral history says that she was raped in captivity and that her abduction separated her from her first husband and daughter. Ultimately, she converted to Christianity and was baptized as Rebecca. On April 5, 1614, she married a settler named John Rolfe, who had lost his wife Sarah after some English colonists were shipwrecked on Bermuda. Pocahontas and Rolfe had one child together, a son named Thomas. The marriage established what became known as "the Peace of Pocahontas," a lull in the fighting between the English and the Powhatan. The cash-strapped Virginia Company hoped to establish the couple as a "symbol of peaceful relations," according to Encyclopedia Virginia, so in 1616, Pocahontas, her husband, and her young son traveled to England for a publicity tour on a ship captained by none other than Argall. She would never return to Virginia. In March 1617, the family boarded the ship that would take them back to North America, but Pocahontas and Thomas became suddenly ill as they sailed down the Thames River. He survived. She did not. CBS has canceled its freshman drama "Wisdom of the Crowd" starring Jeremy Piven, Business Insider has learned. CBS will continue to air the original 13 episodes it ordered for this season but will not make more. "Wisdom of the Crowd" centers on an eccentric tech innovator, Jeffrey Tanner (Piven), who creates a crowdsourcing website to help him solve his daughter's murder. The series had an average of about 8.3 million viewers tuning in every week, though its high ratings may have been tied to its time slot on Sunday evenings. Still, "Wisdom of the Crowd" was an audience favorite despite being widely panned by critics. In the past month, five women have accused Piven of varying degrees of sexual misconduct. The reality-TV actress Ariane Bellamar said in a series of tweets last month that Piven groped her while she was on the set of HBO's "Entourage." Piven denied Bellamar's accusation in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. Shortly after Bellamar accused Piven, a representative for CBS said the network was aware of the accusation and was "looking into the matter." Other women soon came forward. In an Instagram post, the "Longmire" actress Cassidy Freeman accused of Piven of engaging in "predatory behavior." And an advertising executive named Tiffany Bacon Scourby said in an interview with People that in 2003 Piven pinned her down and ejaculated on her in his hotel room. Piven denied Scourby's account in a statement to People. "Let me be absolutely clear, this simply did not happen," he said. "I would never force myself on a woman, ever. I cannot speak as to why a person would create a story like this." Piven then wrote a lengthier statement on Twitter denying all of the accusations against him and offering to take a polygraph test. "We seem to be entering dark times allegations are being printed as facts and lives are being put in jeopardy without a hearing, due process or evidence," Piven said. "I hope we can give people the benefit of a doubt before we rush to judgment." Most recently, Anastasia Taneie, an actress, told BuzzFeed News in an article published last week that Piven groped her on the set of "Entourage" in 2009. Taneie said Piven grabbed her breasts and genitals and forced her up against a wall in a darkened hallway. Amy Meador also told BuzzFeed News that Piven assaulted her in 1995 at her home in Laurel Canyon. Meador said that after exchanging phone numbers at a coffee shop and setting up a date with Piven, the actor stood her up. Months later, Piven showed up at her home unannounced, she said. Meador told BuzzFeed News she invited Piven in to watch some TV, and then after about an hour, he tried to force himself on her. Meador said she was able to kick him off her and that Piven then locked himself in her bathroom with her phone for about 20 minutes before she could get him out of her home. Piven's representatives shared with BuzzFeed News the results of a polygraph test they said the actor took on November 13, during which Piven said he had never touched a woman's genitals without consent and again denied all the allegations against him, the report said. The polygraph examiner told the outlet that Piven passed the test. The group in a statement signed by its secretary, Ibrahim Adamu Zango described the sack of the 21,780 teachers as draconian and destructive. The committee also advised that teachers who do not make requisite qualifications after the grace period may then be dismissed. Condemning the sack of the teachers in Kaduna state, the group said Governor El-Rufai chose a ''totally unacceptable way'' to address the issue while his counterpart in Kano and Sokoto fashioned remedial programmes to train and retrain under-qualified teachers. Urging the governor to address other issues affecting education in Kaduna state, the group said 50% of pupils in public schools still sit o the floor while over 4000 schools in the state are without windows and doors. ALSO READ: We know that till date, pupils in 50 percent of public schools in the state sit on the floor due to absence of furniture. Most of the 4,250 public primary schools have no doors, roofs and windows. There are also no water and toilet facilities. Some of the schools are heavily over-populated. All these are fundamental problems that militate against good education for the teeming masses. They need to be tackled urgently if the government is really serious about reforming the system, the committee said. Recall that Kaduna State Government recently sacked 21,789 teachers for failing competency test. Meanwhile, two states, Kogi and Bayelsa government are planning to assess their primary school teachers to improve the state education. The drama after teachers' sack Immediately the government resolved to sack the teachers who failed the test, series of protest greeted El-Rufai's decision. The teachers, the labour and teachers union in the state clamped down on the government to rescind the decision to lay off the teachers. Primary school pupils also took to the streets in protest shouting Ba muso. However, Governor El-Rufai was riled to see pupils who were supposed to be in the classroom protecting against government decision about teachers who according to the government are not competent enough to teach the pupils. As a result, he released the test scripts of the teachers on Twitter. Discrediting the viral scripts, the NUT said the scripts the governor released were test scripts of carpenters employed by the same government to teach in primary schools. The NANS President, Prewar Benjamin, a 400 level student of Niger Delta University, Amassoma, was paraded on Monday, November 27 with his seven colleagues. According to the Tribune, the Police authorities gave the police gave the names of the other seven suspects as Asari Enagob, 400-level student; Suoguai Bina, 500 level student; Ibe Ogbonna, 300 level; Igbanibo Tari, 400 level; Ekperi Kenneth, 400 level Kemefie Ebimene, 200 level, all of the Niger Delta University. Chukwuma Lawrence, an HND2 student of Imo State Polytechnic is reportedly the eighth suspect. The event that led to the death of the student according to Bayelsa State Police Commissioner, Asuquo Amba took place at the at the Zone B election for coordinators of NANS at the Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State, between November 25 and November 26. ALSO READ:NDU students lament over fee hike ''It was a situation whereby students representing universities and higher institutions in the South-South Zone degenerated to the use of firearms that led to the death of a student. The students also involved themselves in robbery against innocent citizens. This leaves one to wonder about the future of our great nation. The development calls for a drastic action to curb this menace and a complete reorientation of our youths. Amba lamented the students' involvement in criminal activities saying they were supposed to be role models in the society. He added that three drivers, Ayo Kehinde, Jamiu Salahudeen and Nwanya Chinonso reported to the Police on Sunday, November 26 that the NANS president and his colleagues hijacked their vehicles and robbed them at gunpoint. The Chancellor of Covenant University in Ogun state and Landmark University in Kwara state in an interview said he plans to establish seven universities. When asked why he wants to found five more universities in addition to the two he already has, the Bishop said he is trying to avoid having too many students on one campus. ALSO READ: ''We are trying to avoid having too many students on one campus so that we will not lose the quality of the training programme. Otherwise, the quality would wear down gradually. But because of the present security challenge that the nation is facing, its normal for us to review our approach in a manner that does not create tension for workers and anybody else. ''We believe God to help us out of the crisis. So if there are no adequate mentioning of our programmes, it is to create adequate room to see these security issues overturned''. Meanwhile, the founder of the Living Faith Church has disclosed that the Church has not made any profit from the Covenant University which was established in 2002. Oyedepo argues that the tuition fee students pay at Covenant University is worth the service the institution renders. You will recall that Nigerians came for the Man of God in 2016 when he announced that the tuition fee increase was approved by God. ''Tuition fees hike has God approval''- Oyedepo 2016. The current tuition fee of the University was increased in November 2016 from N631,000 to N799, 500. According to Bishop Oyedepo, the tuition fees had God approval. However, the Man of God warned people to stop criticising Covenant University school fees or face God's wrath. The tuition fee of faith-based institutions in Nigeria always attracts controversy as people complain and accuse church founders of shortchanging their poor members who financially contribute to the establishment of the universities but can not send their parents to the schools. Punch reports that the 32-year-old Adejo reportedly tortured his 28-year-old wife with a belt, as well as butchering her with a machete during an argument. It was also gathered that apart from the brutal torture of his wife, Adejo also forced his wife to drink a local insecticide known as 'Otapiapia' which led to her death. The five-year-old son of the couple, Richard, who witnessed the ugly scene, reportedly told Punch reporters that after beating his mother, his father forced the dangerous insecticide down her throat. I am I am five-years-old. My daddy beat my mummy with a belt; machete her here [shows arms], machete her here [shows legs]. He used the belt on her here [points at face]; he forced my mummy to drink 'otapiapia' [insecticide]. . My daddy said my mummy should get out of the house. My mummy said no. In the night, my daddy woke my mummy up and said, Mosquito is too much, let me go and buy otapiapia. My daddy forced my mummy to drink it. She shook her head. She vomited. My daddy slapped my mummy. My mummy did not do anything to him. My daddy gave her one blow. My daddy kicked her. My daddy told her to get out of the house and carry her load. Small blood came out. My daddy slapped her, kicked her, machete her, blow her, and put 'otapiapia' in her mouth and in the food, the toddler said. Also speaking on the sad incident, the victims mother, Mrs. Kate Jonathan, said that their son had given more graphic details of the incident to family members, police authorities and officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice. She explained that her daughter had packed out of her matrimonial house five days to the incident and was living with her when she decided to return for a party at the childrens school and she never returned alive. I was called on the telephone by an unknown number around 4 pm on Sunday, November 12, 2017. The caller said, your daughters husband has killed her at Oworo. He dropped the call. Around 5 pm when I got to their house, I discovered that the house was locked up. There were two boys guarding the house and they refused to open the door to me, saying the owner of the house instructed them not to open the door. I didnt see my daughter or her husband. I was begging them to open the door when I saw Richard jumping up through the window. He saw me and asked the boys to open the door, but they refused. I broke the louvers of the window. The boy climbed a stool and said from inside, my father has killed my mother and taken her away. Mrs. Jonathan said she reported the case at the Oworonshoki Police Station where she was told that the suspect had already reported that his wife committed suicide by taking the local insecticide, Sniper. It was also learned that Adejo had already deposited the body of his wife in the Gbagada General Hospital mortuary and had also gone to obtain court documents to enable him to bury her without even informing her family. He was, however, arrested when he returned to the police station to obtain a certain document that the hospital demanded following the complaint by his mother-in-law. The suspect, according to the police, has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department [SCIID], Yaba. The police also ordered the removal of the corpse of the deceased from the Gbagada General Hospital mortuary to the morgue of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, for an autopsy. The victims mother who claimed to have visited the mortuary said Maureens had machete cuts and other torture marks on her body. My daughter, who worked as the manager of my chemical company had, about a week to the incident, complained that her husband said we would soon see her obituary. I sent my eldest daughter to accompany her to the house to know what happened. The man begged and said he was only joking. He said he really loved his wife. I insisted that she packed out of the house. She was in my house for three days before she said she wanted to return home because her childrens school would be having a cultural party. She left and went to the party with her husband on Saturday. It was that night that she was brutalized and killed by the husband. From what we saw in the mortuary, she had blood in her nostrils and deep cuts in her hands and legs. The victims mother asked that Maureens three children, namely, Richard, five; Henry, three; and Omowunmi, six months, be released to her. However, the 83-year-old mother of the suspect, Florence Adejo, has denied that her son murdered his wife, saying the deceased's family just wanted to implicate him. Madam Adejo said: He came to knock on the door of my house late that night. He fell on the ground and started weeping and lamenting that his wife had destroyed him. A crowd gathered in front of the house where I am the landlady. They tried to console him. He said his wife took Sniper. He said he thought it was a joke until their son, Richard, went to bring the container of the insecticide. She was taken to a private hospital where she was initially rejected before she was taken to the general hospital where she died. I was told her mother sells the insecticide and she brought it home for mosquitoes. Why she decided to drink it is what is beyond my understanding. My son said they didnt have any disagreement between them and she was not mentally ill. The State Police Public Relations Officer [PPRO], SP Chike Oti, who confirmed the incident and the arrest of Adejo, said investigations were ongoing into the incident. The man came to report that his wife committed suicide. The DPO put some questions to him. We thought we should investigate further to know what really happened because there are some doubts we need to clear on the matter. A friend of Maryam who is now in the Suleja Prison had said that Shagari was actually forced on Bello while he was madly in love with Maryam and divorced his first wife two weeks after the wedding so he could marry the woman who has now sent him to the great beyond. Shagari who could barely control her emotions on the day Bello was buried which would have been his 36th birthday, took to her Facebook page to post the tribute to her ex-husband, revealing that she left Bello so that his jealous wife will have peace. She began the tribute thus: I will love you always. You would have been 36 today. May Allah rest your beautiful soul as people continue to say your name every day; you were the kind of person to leave that kind of impact in your wake and slumber. Im sorry we drifted apart. I wanted you to have peace and was so proud of myself for letting her have you to herself. It wouldnt even come close to being enough, my darling friend. In different points of my life, you were everything. A brother who pulled my scarf when I did wrong; a friend who knew me best and we decided to get married out of pure friendship; how strong was that bond? And when we couldnt, we still found our way back to being friends, my darling. I dont have enough words. You once asked: What would you do if I die? I promptly started crying and abused you for suggesting you would die and I'd be around. Those tears shocked you. Well, if you could see me now, the thing that was most endearing to me that probably meant nothing to you was the way you never ever allowed me to cross the road without holding my wrist to do it for me. It used to infuriate me before I came to expect it and would be like, see this guy, before him, didnt I cross the road? Even when we fought, you held on; even if we didnt talk, you held on. It was funny, it was special because it was not the hand but the wrist, as if to assure yourself you wouldnt let go. That was who we were. Till I suggested I wanted your jealous wife to have peace. I wouldnt call; I said you would, and you did whenever you could and you saw me whenever you could. Bye, my love. May Allah link us up in Jannah. We will love Aleesha. Recall that Bello was reportedly stabbed to death by Sanda on Sunday, November 19, 2017, in their home in Abuja following a disagreement after she allegedly found another woman's text message on his phone. "The only reason I am desensitized to body shaming comments about me is because people have said it to damn much. At a point, it hurt but as I am now... It's nothing" she tweeted at the beginning of her Twitter thread. Dami Elebe's series of tweets wasn't only about her. She encouraged people to talk about how they handled their physical insecurities. "Help someone overcome an insecurity they get teased about by tweeting about how you overcame yours" she tweeted. With the hashtag #secured, Dami Elebe took us on a journey how she blocked out the body shamers from making her feel bad about herself and attempts to lose weight. ALSO READ: It's stupid body shaming celebs "We all have our insecurities. My fat belly annoys me because I love crop tops so much. So until I lose the belly by work or by knife, Imma rock a crop top, however, I can. Case in point my Avi. #Secured" tweeted Dami Elebe who is also the writer of the web series Skinny Girl In Transit. Before her inspirational thread, Dami Elebe called out a South African lady who body made fun of a recent picture of rapper Cassper Nyovest on the same day. While social media has taken the cake for bullying lately, many people were body shamed in real life. Secondary school or a stroll through the neighbourhood were hard for some. Getting teased and made fun of by bullies and mean kids was a daily routine for some which led to emotional wounds carried into adulthood. Then came social media to make things worse. With a tweet or comment, your day could go from okay to bad. Body shaming words like "lepa" and "orobo" bounced from social gists to social media convos and tossed at people who we felt didn't meet the ideal body shape. Let's not forget how short people have become the butt of jokes on Twitter. That's body shaming even if the jokes make your ribs hurt. I'm wearing a thick black vest, which is connected to a series of wires running to my arms, legs and glutes. A thick cable connects the vest back to the Miha Bodytec machine, a German training machine that intermittently delivers four-second bursts of electricity to individual muscles. My lats, middle back, lower back, glutes, quads, biceps, pectorals, and abs are all receiving direct electrical charges. This is the future of fitness, at least according to Mohamed Elzomor, the trainer manning the Miha Bodytec at Manhattans Core Club. Hes taking me through an Electric Muscle Stimulation (EMS) workout. The theory behind EMS is simple: when electricity stimulates your muscles for you, you can recruit more muscle throughout your entire body for every rep. EMS isnt new; its been used by physical therapists and rehab specialists for decades. But in recent years, its become such a popular workout recovery tool that several kits (such as PowerDot and the Marc Pro Plus) are now easily available for purchase on Amazon. It's also a hot trend among several Victorias Secret models like Alessandra Ambrosio and Alina Baikova, who routinely join Elzomor for sessions at the Core Club. To be clear, Elzomor isn't claiming that his shock box contains any muscle-building or fat-burning magic which is a good thing, too, because existing research lends limited support to EMS recovery and training techniques. One 2017 study of 21 male cyclists found that four weeks of EMS work didn't noticeably impact strength or endurance. Another study found that EMS could improve squat performance but it was best used if paired with more standard training methods. While EMS has been gaining ground in Europe, now the trend is set to take the United States by storm. Elzomor, who says hes one of three U.S. trainers certified to use the Miha Bodytec, says that by next year, youll see SoulCycle-esque EMS gyms offering group workouts. I wanted to find out whether it was legit, so I decided to try it for myself. Elzomor gets things started by firing up each muscle group at a time, delivering test pulses to figure out how much I can take. I feel each pulse cause tiny spasms in targeted muscles, and I notice my imbalances: my left lat is less responsive to the pulse than my right, and my left glute doesn't want to fire at the start. During the workout, I'm suddenly aware of those muscles, and I work hard to contract my left glute. But after the plank, as I get into a squat hold, I'm reminded of why this workout doesnt measure up to a true HIIT or weight room session. There are no truly challenging muscle-building exercises here. Instead, Im holding a low squat. The entire time, Elzomor has me talking. He wants to know if the charge running through each muscle is too high or too low, or if its painful. I tell him its not, but the conversation is important: its the only way he can gauge whether the current is challenging me enough. When the electric pulse hits my body, Elzomor has me flex my chest and biceps hard. We eventually progress to a split squat hold, and while this is challenging under the EMS pulse, its not nearly as hard as, say, a set of 225-pound deadlifts. He doesnt use weights because he says that with your muscles in slight spasm, theyre not in an ideal (or safe) position to be overloaded with weight. The impulses to my biceps, Elzomor says, are prompting 85 contractions a second. That doesnt leave my arms ready for the single, controlled contraction needed to curl a 35-pound dumbbell. This is where EMS falls short: if you cant train with progressive overload, you cant truly pack on muscle. The closest Elzomor comes to taxing my body with resistance comes three days later during my second EMS session, when, after a no-weight triceps kickback, he places his hands on my arms to offer light pressure. I do some isometric exercises, but they don't jack up my heart rate enough for true cardiovascular benefit. While I do wind up in a pool of sweat at the end, my heart rate, as measured on a WHOOP wristband, never exceeds 162 beats per minute, far less than my high-intensity interval training session. When we wrap up with bicycle crunches and sit-ups, I discover that the abdominals on my left side are slower to fire than the abs on my right side. When receiving that regular electrical impulse, they fire more cleanly, leading to a deeper burn on my situps. Could an EMS challenge a regular out-of-shape dude? Sure. So could a half-hour of HIIT, SoulCycle, or yoga, at a fraction of Elzomors $145-a-session cost at the Core Club. Two 20-minute EMS sessions have me convinced that this wont revolutionize your training life. BUT What EMS can do well is what Elzomor claims: it can support your other gym efforts by enhancing your mind-muscle connection. He says he trains many of his clients with standard gym practices, then supplements that work with twice-a-week EMS sessions. You need to do more than EMS [to see a difference], says Elzomor. You still have to go to the gym. EMS can also potentially enhance your ability to make certain muscle groups "fire." Often, desk jobs and sedentary lifestyles cause underutilized muscles to become less responsive; if you work in an office and don't regularly work out, there's a good chance that your lats and glutes, muscles that lengthen during sitting, aren't as "active" as they should be, which can hurt your posture. 20 minutes of EMS can help activate those muscles and build body awareness. The cryptocurrency, launched in 2009 as a bit of encrypted software written by someone using the Japanese-sounding name Satoshi Nakamoto, has had a roller-coaster ride that has taken it from just a few US cents to its current sky-high valuation. Traded on specialist platform, with no legal exchange rate and no central bank backing it, Bitcoin is monitored and regulated by its community of users, and is used to buy everything from pizza to a pint in a London pub. But it has attracted widespread criticism, from financial industry titans to governments. JP Morgan Chase boss Jamie Dimon in September slammed the unit as a "fraud" and said he would fire his employees if they were caught trading it, while China has shut down Bitcoin trading platforms and South Korea's prime minister Tuesday voiced fears it could lead the young to get involved in fraudulent crime. Still, the opposition has not stopped a dizzying surge in bitcoin this year, with its value jumping a 2017 low of $752 in mid-January to a record high above $9,895 Tuesday afternoon. Its value has rise about 45 percent in the past two weeks alone. Analysts say the popularity has been driven by growing interest from major investors and a decision last month by exchange giant CME Group to launch a futures marketplace for the currency, which has not been listed on a major bourse before. Big gains, big risks As its fortunes have improved, retail investors have also rushed to jump on to the Bitcoin bandwagon, although fears of a bubble are growing, having witnessed wild swings in the past. "The biggest issue with Bitcoin is that with no government backing or regulation, the gains may be big -- but the sell-offs can be equally as drastic," warned James Hughes, chief market analyst of Britain-based forex trader AxiTrader, in a note to clients. Transactions happen when heavily encrypted codes are passed across a computer network. Bitcoin and other virtual currencies use blockchain, which records transactions that are updated in real time on an online ledger and which are maintained by a network of computers. Hundreds of other digital currencies have been created since its launch, but Bitcoin remains by far the most popular. Its supporters insist it offers an efficient alternative to traditional currencies because it is not subject to the whims of a state that may, for example, devalue its money to boost exports. Commentators also suggest some are buying it as an alternative bet in times of global economic uncertainty. But critics point to its volatility, an apparent vulnerability to theft and its use in illicit purchases online. In one of the most high-profile scandals to hit the currency, major Tokyo-based bitcoin exchange MtGox collapsed in 2014 after admitting that 850,000 coins -- worth around $480 million at the time -- had disappeared from its vaults. Bitcoin's use on the underground Silk Road website, where users could use it to buy drugs and guns, was also presented as proof it was a bad thing. Despite concerns, most observers believe it is unlikely to suffer heavy falls soon. "There is no real catalyst on the horizon that is going to bring this down," Shane Chanel, from ASR Wealth Advisers in Sydney, told AFP. On Monday, October 23, 2017, President Muhammadu Buharipulled the trigger on Mainawho had been reabsorbed into the civil service after he was fired in 2013 for alleged pension fraud. Maina has been on the run before he was fired; but he's re-emerged from hiding now. In an interview with ChannelsTV, Maina addressed the president directly. Here's all he said: 1. Maina says he's very good at recovering stolen monies "I recovered money for last administration and I recovered money for this administration", he says. 2. Maina wants to be remembered as the truth merchant "Now, people dont know this. Let me explain this. Let me explain this for Nigerians because I want the truth to be told and I want people to know what is going on in Nigeria. "I am not afraid of anybody. Im saying the truth". 3. People around Buhari are lying to him According to Maina, the president is surrounded by all sorts of lying creatures. "Thank God our president stands for the truth. The unfortunate thing is that some people around him who he has given trust, are lying to him. This one I can attest to. I can give you instances, I can give you documentary evidences. "People portray themselves as if they are saints around the president. Its a lie". 4. Maina says he recovered over a trillion naira as former boss of pension reform task force "I recovered firstwe recovered as a team, N282B cash. "We recovered, aside from the N282B, we were able to bring information and caught 43 treasury suspects. "N1.6TR in cash, investments and property, were recovered", Maina says. 5. Maina says he's facing threats to his life "They have threatened me, they have threatened my lawyer, they have threatened my brothers, sisters, they have threatened us all. "They said I will be killed, in fact somebody threatened that my family will be annihilated if I go and testify. Now this issue isI asked Mr. President specifically. I said, Mr. President, if you really want to know the truth and you want to be fair to the whole nation, give opportunity for everybody to come and present". 6. Maina just wants an opportunity to meet Buhari "I'm appealing to you Mr. President, there are many things people are not telling you. When I get to that public hearing, Id tell you some things that nobody ever told you, Mr. President because I never had the opportunity to sit down with you and I tell you Mr. President, Id give you information and documents that would fetch you N3T now in Nigeria". 7. Maina says he'll show Buhari N1T quarterly Here's Maina in his own words: "If I dont do it, Mr. President, give me nine months, within the first three months, Ill show you N1T. Just like I showed you N1T in this 2017. Ill show you and Ill show you and Ill show you again". We are here to sentisise army officers and create awareness for them to see agriculture as a business and to strengthen the resolve of those in crops, aquaculture and animal husbandry. Food security is an integral part of national security; that is why the army, whose mandate is to provide national security, cannot afford to avoid attending to food security. Active participation of the army can never be seen as an incursion into an unfamiliar ground but a step in the direction that agrees in principle with one of its core mandate, which is ensuring peace. Ogbeh, who was represented by Mrs Winifred Ochinyabo, his Special Adviser on Special projects and General Duties, said the strength of a nation lay in its ability to feed itself. She noted that because security personnel were trained combatants and not business people, they were usually vulnerable in retirement. He said the ministry was determined to enlighten servicemen on the opportunities in agriculture with a view to broadening their knowledge on agribusiness. Mr Matthew Owolabi, the Director, Irrigation and Crops Development in the ministry, said the sensitization would strengthen them to choose any aspect of agriculture of their interest. Earlier, the Chief of the Army staff, Lt.- Gen. Tukur Buratai, who was represented by Maj.-Gen. I.R. Nicholas, Chief of Linguistics, said the sensitization would encourage them to fall back to agriculture. Brig.- Gen. Sani Kukasheka, Director Army Public Relations, said this in a statement issued in Maiduguri. He said that the troops had also cleared insurgents in their hideouts at Abusuriwa, Newchina, Bonzon, Usmanari, Goyayeri, Shitimari, Gashimari and Awaram villages in Bama local government area. Kukasheka explained that 8 insurgents were killed while many of them escaped in the affected villages, adding that three males; 12 females and 15 children were rescued from the insurgents. The army spokesman also disclosed that the troops also ambushed and killed six insurgents at Kumshe and Darel-Jamel villages. According to him, the arrested insurgent was handed over to the appropriate authorities for intonation. Troops of 202 Battalion of 21 Brigade Nigerian Army in Conjunction with elements of Mobile Strike Teams (MSTs) on Operations LAFIYA DOLE, in furtherance of clearance and blockade Operation DEEP PUNCH II, on Saturday Nov. 25, 2017, cleared Boko Haram terrorists enclaves in and amongst other villages in Bama Local Government Area of Borno." The troops whose continuous resolve in routing out the remnants of the suspected terrorists hibernating within the Brigades Area of Responsibility ensured that their superior fire power made the terrorists to flee in disarray, leading to the capture of one suspected terrorist while eight Boko Haram terrorists were neutralised." The gallant troops recovered four AK-47 rifles, three magazines, seven Dane guns, machetes, amongst other items." In addition, the troops also rescued three men, 12 women and 15 Children, among whom were an aged man and a woman held captives by the Boko Haram terrorists." The suspected terrorist has been handed over to the relevant authorities for further interrogation, while the rescued civilian captives are being attended to." Mustapha made the call when a delegation from the Road Safety Secretariat of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) visited him in Abuja on Monday. The delegation, led by the UNECE Economic Affairs Officer (Transport Division), Mr Robert Nowak, is in the country for a capacity building programme on implementation of the United Nations Road Safety Legal Instruments. At least 200 officials from road traffic administration agencies at the federal and state levels will undergo the training to be hosted by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Abuja on Tuesday. Mustapha said the frequent disregard for road traffic signs, signals and laws in the country was a major cause of accidents on the highways. The SGF, whose office supervises the FRSC, said building the capacity of road safety officials was a welcome development. He said the training would help FRSC officials to continually checkmate the excesses of motorists. He said the Federal Governments investment on road infrastructure could only become meaningful if the public made good use of the roads. We have invited all managers of road transportation from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory for this particular capacity building programme. We expect that the knowledge and skills they will acquire would be translated into action in their various jurisdictions to continue to sensitise our people on the need to obey traffic rules and respect road signs. There are traffic signs all over the roads, but we completely disregard them and that is a major cause of accidents on our roads. So, I believe that by the time they go back to their states, they will be able to cascade this information down to the people. And we would have a better road management system in place, he said. The Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, said the capacity building workshop was preparatory to the domestication of the UN conventions on road signs by the country. Oyeyemi said, the programme is also aimed at training all our directors of highways, state traffic management agencies, senior directors of the Federal Ministry of Works and officers of the FRSC. So, about 200 people are going to benefit from the programme fully sponsored by the United Nations. It is a positive development, and this is the first in Africa. It is a fallout of the 7th Annual Lecture Series of the FRSC of which UN Secretary Generals Special Envoy for Road Safety was the guest speaker. The SGF has set a target for us that by March, we should finish the domestication of the six UN conventions as they relate to road signs and signals. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the six conventions cover road traffic rules, road signs and signals, construction and technical inspection of vehicles and road infrastructure development. The Abia south lawmaker stated this while contributing to the debate on the 2018 Budget on Tuesday, November 28, 2017. Abaribe noted that the 2018 budget was predicated on "faulty foundations" going by the budget performance of 2016 and 2017. What are we discussing about a document that is totally fictitious? Abaribe asked. Senate leader, Ahmed Lawan raised a point of order on Abaribes choice of word. ALSO READ: 2018 budget is worse than nonsense, says Akintunde His words: To call a document presented to the National Assembly by Mr President 'fictitious' is totally unparliamentarily. I raised this point of order with the understanding that my brother, friend and colleague would see reason to withdraw this word (fictitious) and use anything that is parliamentary acceptable, Lawan cautioned. Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu who presided over plenary advised Abaribe to keep the language clean. And Abaribe did. Im just quoting the Senate leader in his speech. He said The 2018 budget is designed to consolidate on the achievements of the 2016 and 2017 budget," he continued. What was done in 2017 when less than 15% of that budget was released? Nothing was done. That was why I said the 2018 budget is fictitious. If that is the word that the Senate leader is bothered about, I withdraw the word fictitious and say that the 2018 budget is totally imaginary. Because nothing was done in 2017. That is a fact that we all know. In the leaders speech, he said that there was so much money that was received in 2017 and therefore, there is an estimate of N11 trillion to be gotten. But we know that as at last week, the total receivables that this government got was one-tenth of what was stated publicly. In what sense will the 2018 budget be predicated on an assumption that the facts have already destroyed? You are assuming 11 trillion, yet, getting one trillion. That is why I said that the 2018 budget is imaginary, he added. Akabueze disclosed this on Monday, November 27, at a public hearing organised by the House of Representatives joint committees on finance, appropriation, loans, debts and aids on the 2018-2020 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP). According to him, some of the assets would be used to finance the 2018 budget. Akabueze also told the Committee that the power generation plants constructed by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) under the NIPP on behalf of the government will also be sold. Some of the NIPP expected to be sold include Alaoji Power Station in Abia State, a 1074 Mega Watts (MW) capacity plant; the 561MW capacity Calabar Power Station; the Egbema Power Station, a 338MW simple cycle gas turbine plant and Geregu II Power Station in Kogi State with 434 MW capacity. Also to be sold are, the 450MW Ihovbor Power Station in Benin City; Olorunsogo Power Station, a 336MW plant located at Olorunsogo; Olorunsogo II Power Station with combined cycle gas turbine of 675 MW capacity; the Omoku II Power Station in Omoku with 225 MW capacity. Also to be sold are Omotosho II Power Station with 450 MW capacity and Sapele Power Station with 450 MW capacity. Other items to be sold are non-core assets from the mines and steel sector, houses, and estates. ALSO READ: All you need to know about Buhari's 2018 budget He said proceeds from privatisation of key government assets were factored in the 2018 budget, to finance especially the budget deficit of N2.005 trillion, much of which will be financed through domestic and foreign. Also joined in the suit filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, are the Federal Ministry of Finance, and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN). According to reports, Musa had earlier rejected the N325million offered to him by the Federal Government, insisting on his five percent commission of N860m. Whistle blower policy The Federal Government had promised to pay anyone who provides information that leads to the recovery of over N1b, will get a commission of five percent. According to Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, the Secretary of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, who was part of the team that drafted the whistle-blower policy, If you blow the whistle and the government recovers cash, you are entitled to between 2.5 per cent and five per cent. The maximum limit is five per cent. According to the policy, if you blow the whistle and it is below N500m, you get four to five per cent because the higher the amount that is recovered, the lower the percentage that is given. This is the global best practice. If the recovery is between N500m and N1bn, you get three to four per cent (commission). If it is N1bn and above, it is 2.5 per cent. Indeed, there is a clause that we included in the policy to say that the government may determine the amount to be awarded based on other criteria provided that the amount to be awarded doesnt exceed five per cent. In other words, the government may actually pay less than 2.5 per cent but nobody can be paid more than five per cent. The whistle-blower is seeking: A declaration that the plaintiff, the 4th, 5th and 6th defendants actively participated and are instrumental to the whistle-blowing or disclosure of information disclosed to the 1st defendant staff or officers which resulted to the 1st defendants (EFCCs) recovery of the sums $43.4m, N23.3m and 27,800 Euros at Flat 7 Osborne Towers. lkoyi, Lagos State. A declaration that the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants by themselves their agents or officers cannot exclude, deny or refuse to pay the sum of 2.5 to 5 per cent of the sum of $43.4m N23.3m and 27,800 Euros recovered by the officers or staff of the 1st defendants as a result of the disclosure or whistle blowing resulting to the recovery of the sum of $43.4m, N23.3m and 27,800 Euros of Flat 7 Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos State," Punch reports. The Whistle blower is unfit Recently, the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption chairman, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), said that the whistle-blower might run mad if he is given the commission. Oba Ewuare II said this at the palace of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar III in Sokoto on Monday. Our traditional institutions are the custodians of values and norms as they play important roles, especially at the grassroots. Our country has been faced with a lot of security challenges and therefore, it is very important to remind our people of the traditional norms and values that bind us together for a better Nigeria He lauded the untiring efforts of the sultan at building bridges of unity and understanding, in order to restore the harmony of the good old days. We are confident that the long-lasting relationship will bring hope and understanding among the people of the two kingdoms. He urged the Abubakar to intensify efforts at maintaining peaceful co-existence between the Sokoto Caliphate and Benin Kingdom that dated back to many centuries. Oba Ewuare II noted that the long-standing peace between the two kingdoms served as a stabilising factor at this critical time when, the country is in dire need of peace, understanding and development. He called for the continued support of both kingdoms to the government, in order to promote peace and security. Responding, Abubakar said that the Obas visit was symbolic in the light of the fact that two different cultures were coming together to further cement the bond of unity between the peoples of Sokoto and Benin. The sight of an Oba could be a lifetime experience; it is a great privilege for those that are here, as some may not have an opportunity to meet with him again throughout their life time." He said that the visit of the oba signified a blessing, adding that the exchange of royal visits across the nation would go a long way towards identifying those things that the people share in common and de-emphasise those that divide them. Before his departure, the president launched Nigeria's National Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism, and also met with Adamawa State governor, Jibrilla Bindow, and Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima. According to a statement signed by the president's Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, on Monday, the summit will take place between November 28 and 29. The theme of the summit is "Investing in the Youth for a Sustainable Development" and President Buhari will use the occasion to meet with a number of African Heads of State and their European counterparts. Adesina's statement read, "President Buhari will use the occasion of the summit to reiterate Nigeria's readiness to work with African and European countries to address the challenges affecting both continents, such as peace and security." The president will attend the official luncheon to be hosted by the Ivorien government in honour of the visiting 83 Heads of State representing 55 African countries and 28 European countries and other delegations. THE GUARDIAN NEWSPAPER Buhari orders governors to clear outstanding workers salaries President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday directed the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, to facilitate release of 50 per cent from the balance of the first tranche of Paris Club refund to the 36 state governors. Shell in eye of the storm over crimes in Ogoniland Three decades after alleged atrocities by Shell in Ogoniland, fresh evidence indicates the Anglo-Dutch oil giant may still have questions to answer. Why we are after Ayo Oke, Ekpenyong EFCC The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said it had obtained two separate warrants from a court to arrest a former director-general of Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Ita Ekpenyong, and an ex-boss of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mr. Ayo Oke. __________________________________________________ VANGUARD NEWSPAPER You must pay workers before Christmas, Buhari orders govs PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari Monday ordered the 36 governors to pay workers their salaries before Christmas so that workers will have a beautiful celebration. Govs agree to pay workers before Xmas PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, ordered the 36 governors of the federation to pay workers their salaries before Christmas, so they could have a beautiful celebration. Misau: FG moves to settle out of court A source in the Senate told Vanguard yesterday that the government has decided to intervene in the issue to avoid overheating the polity and not to allow the opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, take advantage of the situation to rubbish the federal government. __________________________________________________ THE PUNCH NEWSPAPER Atikus exit: Accept my sympathy, Buhari tells Odigie-Oyegun President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday sympathised with the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, over the exit of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar from the party. Clear salary arrears before Christmas, Buhari tells govs President Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday directed the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun; the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udo Udoma; and the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, to work with state governors to ensure the payment of outstanding Paris Club refund before the end of the year. Ibadan husband killer bags seven years for manslaughter A female lawyer, Yewande Oyediran, who was accused of killing her husband, Lowo, was on Monday sentenced to seven years imprisonment by Justice Muntar Abimbola of the Oyo State High Court, sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, for manslaughter. __________________________________________________ THISDAY NEWSPAPER Banking on the South, APC Says Atikus Exit of No Consequence The All Progressives Congress (APC) is not loosing sleep over the departure of a key chieftain of the party, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, from the party, expressing confidence that any opposition party bringing on board a Northern presidential candidate to challenge President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 elections, would not serve the interest of the Southern section of the country. Clear Workers Salaries Before Christmas, Buhari Challenges Governors President Muhammadu Buhari monday challenged the governors of the 36 states of the federation to pay up all salaries and arrears they owe their workers this festive season so they can have a befitting Christmas. Financial Clout of States Should Determine Next Minimum Wage, Says Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari has said the new minimum wage for workers in the country must take into consideration the ability of each tier of government to pay its workers. __________________________________________________ BUSINESSDAY NEWSPAPER NIPPs sale in fresh hitch as bidders seek to escrow payments While the Federal Government is seeking to raise letters of credit from the preferred bidders of the power plants it is putting up for sale, the proposed investors insists on keeping the sale value in an escrow account pending completion of the sale transaction Collapse of Nigeria industrial clusters leave Lagos-Ogun axis as only game in town The collapse of industrial clusters in the North, East and South South regions of Nigeria has left the Lagos Ogun cluster as the only major functioning axis for manufacturing and Foreign Direct Investments (FDI). Delivery on N100bn Sukuk bond road projects in jeopardy According to Daily Post, the sect members were killed during the clearing of terrorists hideouts in enclaves in Abusuriwa, Newchina, Bonzon, Usmanari, Goyayeri, Shitimari, Gashimari, Awaram amongst other villages in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State. The soldiers also rescued a total of 30 people duringtheir raids. The Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman in a statement, said The gallant troops were also able to recover 4 AK-47 Rifles, 3 Magazines, 7 Dane guns and Machetes, amongst other items. In addition, the troops also rescued 3 men, 12 women as well as 15 Children, among whom were an aged man and a woman held captives by the Boko Haram terrorists. The suspected terrorist has been handed over to the relevant authorities for further interrogation, while the rescued civilian captives are being attended to. Boko Haram has been defeated President Muhammadu Buhari recently said that Boko Harams wicked methods of using innocent children for suicide bomb attacks on soft targets are thelast kicks of a dying horse. Buhari said that the war had moved to the next phase, which would be intelligence-driven. With all the noise over Atikus decision to dump the APC and presumably flag off his 2019 presidential campaign from the platform of the opposition PDP, youd think the PDP presidential ticket is Atikus for the takingthat all he needs to do is show up and be handed the PDP presidential ticket on a platter. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The two major political parties in the land (APC, PDP) have zoned the presidency to the north of Nigeria. A few northern PDP politicians have been showing their hand as 2019 draws ever so close. Theres one Southwest politician in the mix as well. When Atiku finally joins the PDP to commence another presidential run, hed have these guys to contend with (and there'll be more as we welcome a new year). 1. Alhaji Sule Lamido This former Governor of Jigawa State commenced his 2019 presidential campaign long before Atiku decided he's had enough of the APC. There have been social media footage of Lamido holding up a fist from the roof of a car; and saluting chanting crowds in his home State and elsewhere in the north. Lamido has been aiming potshots at the APC and Buhari soon after the new governing party displaced the new opposition party at the center. Hes PDP through and through and Atiku would have him to deal with first. 2. Ibrahim Shekarau A few unnamed Governors on the PDP platform are already name-dropping this former Governor of Kano State as their preferred presidential choice. Shekarau hasnt publicly declared hell be running for president, but close friends and party members say hes nursing that ambition and testing the waters from time to time. 3. Ayodele Fayose With the PDP zoning its presidential ticket to the north of Nigeria, Ekiti State Governor Fayose stands no chance of emerging president any time soon. However, he's declared he wants to run and there was nothing anyone could do about that. Fayose is still a contender who'll have a say on whether his political party should hand Atiku the presidential ticket or not. And Fayose can be a tough customer. 4. Ahmed Makarfi Hes the caretaker chairman of the PDP whose job was steadying the ship when Ali Modu Sheriff attempted to drag the PDP down with him. Former Kaduna Governor Makarfi is preferred by a few Governors within the PDP ranks to fly the party's flag in 2019, not least for his avuncular and decent leadership credentials. One Governor told The Nation newspaper in confidence: Not all the PDP Governors have bought into the Atiku agenda, we are not united on him. If we have our way, some of us will go for Makarfi who has shown uncommon leadership in reuniting PDP. And those of us in this group are encouraging him to join the presidential race. Some of our leaders also prefer Lamido or Shekarau. If we have any issue with Makarfi, it is about rumours on his health and we have conducted our research, the ex-Governor is as fit as a fiddle. It is all propaganda. As I am talking to you, we have not been fully consulted by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Atikus candidature. At the end of the day, we will follow the rule of law, the partys constitution and go to the field to elect a presidential candidate. What if our members decide not to grant Atiku a waiver to contest the presidential primaries? He is a new member, he can as well queue like others. According to him, if elected as national chairman of PDP, our administration will work toward uniting the people of the country irrespective of tribe and religion. I have come here again for the second time to plead with you to vote for me as the national chairman of our party, the PDP. We will end the current divisive challenges being witnessed in our country today in order to ensure development, he said. The aspirant decried the 2016 national convention of the party in Port Harcourt where it could not produce a national chairman. We will prevail against the impunity that made us lose credibility among our supporters. We will revive and rebrand the PDP and bring back our aggrieved members who left the party due to perceived injustice, he assured. He said that under him as chairman, the party would devolve more power to the youths to enable them contribute to the development of the country. Responding, Chairman of PDP in the state, Mr Tanko Beji, said that the convention must be use to unite members. We have to build the PDP ourselves because the party belongs to all of us. Those who have worked for the sustainability of the party must be rewarded handsomely. Those that left the PDP and made a u-turn should go and queue behind those who stood firm during our trying period, he said. "The verdict has upheld the death sentence for 139 people," Attorney General Mahbubey Alam told reporters after the High Court handed down its judgement in Dhaka. "Nowhere in the world did anything happen like the way those 57 top army officers were killed," Alam said. In 2013 a court sentenced 152 soldiers to death for the grisly killings in which dozens of officers were shot, hacked to death or burnt alive before being dumped in sewers or shallow graves. One of those handed the death penalty died in custody, eight others had sentences commuted to life imprisonment and four were acquitted, Alam said. The sentences were condemned at the time by the UN rights chief, who expressed alarm at such a heavy punishment meted out in a mass trial. The mutineers stole thousands of weapons in February 2009 before going on a two-day killing spree at a barracks. Gnassingbe, who has been in power since the death of his father in 2005, has been the target of a wave of protests since late August calling on him to quit. Three more opposition marches are scheduled to take place on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Opposition stalwart Gilchrist Olympio said Gnassingbe and his government should accept a return to the 1992 constitution, which sets a 10-year limit for presidents. "Faure Gnassingbe must then accept the principle of not running in the presidential elections of 2020, to leave the field clear for democratic consultation," he told reporters. "The chance is being offered... to go down in history by creating the conditions for the peaceful change of power," he added. Olympio also called on the opposition to be united and plot a way forward, as well as announcing his retirement from politics. The 80-year-old's father Sylvanus, was Togo's first president after independence from French colonial rule in 1960. He was killed in a military coup in 1963 in which President Gnassingbe's father, General Gnassingbe Eyadema, took part. Gilchrist opposed the general for years after he seized power in 1967 but in May 2010 signed an agreement that brought his UFC party into government. A coalition of 14 opposition parties want the re-introduction of a two-term limit for presidents plus a two-round voting system at elections. At least 16 people have been killed in a series of protests, which have seen hundreds of thousands of people take to the streets across Togo. The opposition has rejected a government proposal for two-term limits because it is not retroactive, which potentially means Gnassingbe could stand at the 2020 and 2025 elections. In a note presented by lawyers to the Supreme Court, Junqueras and three other axed ministers in the formerly semi-autonomous region admitted that they have been dismissed. They "accept the application of Article 155", the constitutional provision which allowed the conservative government of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy to suspend Catalonia's regional authority on October 27. That step followed Puigdemont's declaration of independence, after a referendum on secession that took place on October 1, despite a court ban. Puigdemont is in self-imposed exile in Belgium. According to the court note, Junqueras and his fellow detainees accept Madrid's authority over Catalonia despite having "the deepest political and legal disagreement". "They do not give up their political beliefs in strictly peaceful and democratic ways and will work to reach an agreement that puts the decision on the future of Catalonia in the hands of citizens," it added. US District Judge Richard Berman on Monday told jury selection in a federal court in Manhattan that Turkish banker Mehmet Hakan Atilla would be the only defendant in what is expected to be a three to four week trial. "He is the only defendant in this trial," said Berman of 47-year-old Atilla, charged on six counts of violating US sanctions on Iran, bribery and money laundering. Atilla, the deputy chief executive of Turkish lender Halkbank, was in court Monday. There was no sign of Zarrab. If Zarrab has indeed agreed to cooperate with US prosecutors, he could potentially be called as a witness in the case, a potential embarrassment for the government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which has railed against the trial. His name was included on a nine-page list of people and entities that could either be mentioned or called to testify at Atilla's trial, listed as "alleged co-conspirator," according to The New York Times. The case has provoked the ire of Erdogan who has raised the issue repeatedly in official talks with US administrations under Barack Obama and President Donald Trump. Earlier on Monday, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag urged Washington to drop the case, saying it had "no legal basis" and should be "dropped or terminated". Bozdag, who is also government spokesman, said the aim of the case was to cause Turkey's economy to collapse with sanctions. 'Conspiracy' Zarrab was arrested by US authorities in March 2016 after flying with his pop star wife Ebru Gundes and their daughter to Miami for a Disney World holiday. Atilla was arrested this March. Ankara has called the case a "conspiracy" by the movement run by Pennsylvania-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen. Gulen is accused of ordering the July 15, 2016 attempted overthrow of Erdogan but strongly denies any involvement. Analysts say there is potential for embarrassing revelations and the risk of sanctions against one or more Turkish banks which could harm the economy. Zarrab was one of the main figures of a 2013 corruption scandal in Turkey that Erdogan also sees as a bid by Gulen to bring him down. US media reports have suggested in recent days that Zarrab may be seeking a plea bargain and shown willingness to testify against Turkey. Bozdag claimed there was "pressure" on Zarrab to confess to "slanderous" claims. US media reports have also said that Trump's former national security advisor Michael Flynn is being investigated for alleged talks with Turkey on deporting Zarrab and Gulen, in exchange for money. Turkey and Flynn's lawyers have denied any such negotiations. Separately, Turkish authorities were preparing to issue Interpol red notices for three ex-prosecutors on the run who oversaw the 2013 corruption probe, state-run news agency Anadolu reported. The case has highlighted longstanding distrust between national authorities and the indigenous Sami community, of which most victims and suspects are part of. An investigation was launched after the Verdens Gang newspaper (VG) last year published testimonies of 11 men and women claiming to have been assaulted in Tysfjord, a northern municipality located above the Arctic Circle with less than 2,000 inhabitants. A new police report identified 82 victims aged between four and 75, and 92 suspects, including three women, with some falling into both categories. Around 70 percent were members of the Sami, formerly known as the Lapps. Many were also followers of Laestadianism, a conservative Lutheran revival movement. Two people have so far been charged with 10 assaults in total, the police said, adding that more indictments could follow. The report showed that of the 151 sex assault cases -- including 43 rapes, three of them on children -- more than 100 were dropped mainly due to the statute of limitations. Some cases date as far back as 1953. 'Pain' and 'pride' "The police have no reason to believe that ethnicity or religious beliefs are an explanation to the assaults that took place," police officer Tone Vangen told a news conference. But she stressed that certain "mechanisms" in this community "have made it difficult for things to emerge". She said some suspects had turned to religion for repentance instead of the judicial authorities. There's "a strong need to close the ranks in the family in a situation where the Norwegian society is looking down on you," Vangen added. But she also apologised for police having failed to act after several complaints had been filed. Lars Magne Andreassen, director of a Sami cultural centre in Tysfjord, told AFP that he was divided between "pain" and "pride". "It's painful to note that there have been so many cases over so many years... and serious for some," Andreassen said but expressed "pride over society daring to break the silence". "In the Tysfjord case, silence of the victims was met with a similar silence from the authorities," he said. "It's not so much the fact that the Sami have a cultural problem which we should clean up but the fact that no one has listened to them," Andreassen added. "The scope (of the facts) is huge," the mayor of Tysfjord Tor Asgeir Johansen told Norwegian news agency NTB. "This is a small community and this of course affects it," he added. The Sami population is estimated between 40,000 and 60,000 in Norway but this figure is difficult to count accurately due to migratory flows and ethnic blends. Samis received an official apology from Norway's King Harald in 1997 for facing discrimination. Republican People's Party (CHP) chief Kemal Kilicdaroglu alleged members of the president's family, including his brother, transferred around $15 million to Bellway Limited, based in the low-tax British Crown Dependency of the Isle of Man. "We have all the records of this company. Was money sent to this company? Yes it was sent," Kilicdaroglu told CHP party members in Ankara. He then listed the alleged transfers made by family members including Erdogan's son, Ahmet Burak Erdogan, between 2011 and 2012 to the company. Other CHP members at one point chanted "Tayyip, resign!" during the speech. "You say to citizens, 'give taxes otherwise I will give a three-fold penalty' but you will have another established for your children, loved ones and send millions of dollars from Turkey!" Kilicdaroglu said. Erdogan at the weekend promised that he would "not stay one minute more as president" if Kilicdaroglu could prove his claims. Calling on Erdogan to resign in light of his accusations, Kilicdaroglu said: "If you are an honourable man, you will do what is necessary." It was not possible to immediately verify the CHP leader's accusations. Erdogan's lawyer Ahmet Ozel was quoted by state-run news agency Anadolu saying that the documents Kilicdaroglu presented were "fake". AKP MP Bulent Turan dismissed the claims as "foolish and unfounded" and said all the accusations were "lies". Turan also urged Kilicdaroglu to resign, arguing he had not proved his claims. Erdogan has yet to react to the claims but in speeches during the past week he has repeatedly railed against the CHP leader and his party. Bashar Warda, the Chaldean Archbishop of Arbil, hopes President Donald Trump's administration will redirect US aid to his persecuted people. And, in an interview in Washington with AFP, he suggested Christians could help quell tensions on frontline between Iraqi and Kurdish forces. US Vice President Mike Pence and the ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, have suggested redirecting funds from UN aid agencies to Christian charities. But with almost 20,000 Iraqi Christian families -- around 100,000 people -- driven from their homes, the bishop is calling for urgent action. "This is a just case," he told AFP of his people. "They are persecuted, they are marginalized and they are in need." Iraqis of all religions, of course, suffered greatly under Saddam Hussein's dictatorship and the conflicts that followed his overthrow in 2003. But smaller minorities, like the Christians and their neighbours the Yazidi, were targeted by extremists in the latest round of bloodletting. Frontline diplomacy The Islamic State group, the latest incarnation of Sunni Muslim violent extremism, unleashed what US officials have branded a genocidal campaign. For Warda and his supporters in US-based charity and church movements, it is thus only fair to ask Washington to treat their case differently. Iraq's Kurds have an autonomous region and militia that shielded them and the minority refugees they sheltered from the recent violence. The country's Arab Shiite majority is the focus of the Baghdad government's rebuilding efforts and receives aid from nearby Iran. And even the Sunni Arabs, some of whom fell under the Islamic State's sway, will be able to count on some support from wealthy Gulf countries. But the Christians -- and the Yazidis -- will be on their own, Warda warns, unless foreign donors step up to the plate. Already, Hungary and Poland have contributed to the cause, and the community now has high hopes that Trump's administration will help out. "You are not just helping them because they are Christians, but because they have been persecuted and left behind," he says. And Warda's trip to Washington is not just to tout a collection plate: he will argue that working with his network is a sound investment. Haley and Pence have made clear that they have concerns about the efficiency of US-led efforts -- but the church is hard at work. Ancient communities Already, Warda says, some 4,000 families have returned to rebuild the town they call Qaraqosh, Iraq's largest mainly-Christian community. But smaller villages on what is now the frontline between the forces of the Baghdad government and the Kurdish militia are at greater risk. One village where 60 homes had been rebuilt was abandoned a second time when these forces, once allies against the IS group, clashed. In another, the town of Telekuf-Tesqopa or Tel Eskof, 900 recently returned families live with their bags packed in case trouble flares again. Here again, however, Warda sees hope that with support, the church -- however marginal it is in strategic terms -- can help Iraq. The Baghdad-born cleric is now based in Arbil, capital of the autonomous Kurdish region, and is contact with churchmen in the Iraqi capital, too. On at least one occasion, when tempers frayed between Baghdad-aligned forces and the Kurdish peshmerga, Christians have sought to cool tensions. "So that was because of the church," he said. The Christians are grateful for the shelter they have received in Kurdish territory after the jihadists overran the plains around Mosul. But now they are keen to return home, where security permits, and they have no wish to be drawn into fighting between Arbil and Baghdad. "It's a political issue, and we hope that it will be solved via dialogue," he said. "Everyone knows violence is not the way to settle these issues. "In fact any military act in these areas would damage the whole reputation of the area and this would mean that the Christians would leave." Many Christians have left -- campaigners say the population has fallen from around 1.5 million in pre-war Iraq -- and others have been killed. Playing a lawyer in the hit television show "Suits", the 36-year-old actress with long flowing black hair was barely known in Britain when her name appeared on newspaper front pages last October. The tabloids based their report of a relationship between Harry and Meghan, who lived in Toronto, Canada, on pictures showing them wearing the same tricoloured wristband. The relationship was acknowledged last November by Kensington Palace, which handles communication for Prince Harry, in a most unexpected way. Exasperated by the media frenzy, the palace released a statement attacking the "sexism" and "racism" Meghan Markle faced on social media. It also blasted the press for "harassing" the actress. Four days earlier, The Sun, Britain's top-selling newspaper, ran a piece on its front page titled "Harry's girl on Pornhub," the adult video website. But the actress's only crime had been to take off her shirt while filming what the newspaper described as a "steamy scene" for her show "Suits," which then made it onto the pornographic website. The couple made their first official public appearance together in September, attending the opening ceremony of the third Invictus Games -- created by Harry for disabled or wounded soldiers and veterans. "We're two people who are really happy and in love," Markle told Vanity Fair shortly before the event. 'A woman who works' The daughter of an African-American mother and white American father of Dutch and Irish descent, Markle's parents divorced when she was aged six. She has half-siblings on her father's side, and grew up in Los Angeles, attending a girls' Roman Catholic college there. After graduating from Northwestern University School of Communication in 2003, Markle appears to have navigated her career without a hitch. Like Harry, she does humanitarian work. She is also telegenic, practises yoga and drinks detox drinks including "green juices," according to her Instagram account. Tabloids were quick to point out that the actress, three years Harry's senior, is divorced, unearthing pictures of her first marriage (2011-2013) with an American producer. However, none of this was enough to derail a royal wedding, which will take place early next year, according to Monday's announcement. Quite the contrary, says Penny Junor, Prince Harry's biographer: "I think that would be no problem at all, and the fact that she is of mixed race might even be a bonus," she told AFP. "It would show Harry, a senior member of the Royal Family, to be a thoroughly modern man -- not a precious, strange creature from another planet, which is how the royals are sometimes seen". Some believed, however, that her proud independence -- the actress had maintained a long-distance relationship with the prince for much of their courtship -- could be a source of contention for the Windsor family. "I've never wanted to be a lady who lunches -- I've always wanted to be a woman who works," Markle once wrote on her blog "Tig". 'Fiercely independent' Popular tabloid the Daily Mail wrote that it was "easy to see what happy-go-lucky Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have in common." "What's less clear is...what some female members of the Royal Family will make of a fiercely independent young woman". Beyond her role as an ambassador for the charity "World Vision Canada," which works to improve children's lives in developing countries, Markle regularly asserts the feminist beliefs she forged during her childhood in California. "Aged 11, she forced a soap manufacturer to alter an advert after she wrote a letter to then First Lady Hillary Clinton and other high-profile figures complaining that it implied women belonged in the kitchen," wrote the BBC. Nowadays, the actress also campaigns for women's rights alongside the United Nations. Sharing a stage with Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi in the capital Naypyidaw, he did not address the Rohingya crisis head-on but instead tip-toed around the unfolding humanitarian emergency. Peace can only be achieved through "justice and a respect for human rights", he said in a broadly-framed speech that also called for "respect for each ethnic group and its identity". The word "Rohingya", an incendiary term in a mainly Buddhist country where the Muslim minority are denied citizenship and branded illegal "Bengali" immigrants, was entirely absent from his speech. Francis has repeatedly defended the group, some 620,000 of whom have fled from Myanmar's Rakhine state to Bangladesh since August. Rights groups had urged him to tackle Myanmar about its treatment of the minority during his four-day visit, but the local Catholic Church had cautioned him against straying into the Rohingya issue. Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, has been ostracised by a global rights community that once adored her but is now outraged at her tepid response to the plight of the Rohingya. She spoke of the challenges her country faces as it creeps out of the shadow of five decades of military rule, but also did not reference the Rohingya. The government aimed to build the nation by "protecting rights, fostering tolerance, ensuring security for all", she said in a short speech, that gave a nod to global concern over the "situation in the Rakhine." The pope's peace mission is studded with pitfalls in Myanmar, where a monk-led Buddhist nationalist movement has fostered widespread loathing for the Rohingya. In recognition of those tensions his public speech was "very carefully worded", Myanmar-based political analyst Richard Horsey told AFP, speculating "he is likely to have been more forthright in private meetings with Myanmar's leaders." But the pontiff's words were of little comfort to Rohingya stuck in dire conditions in Bangladesh. "We are very much disappointed that he did not mention the Rohingya crisis," said Rohingya activist Mohammad Zubair from Kutupalong refugee camp, speaking of a religious leader who previously "even held prayers for the Rohingya". The Pope, The Lady and a General Late on Monday the 80-year-old pontiff received a "courtesy visit" from Myanmar's powerful army chief -- whose troops, according to the UN and US, have waged a campaign of ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya in Rakhine. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has firmly denied allegations of widespread brutality by his forces, despite the flight of hundreds of thousands who have recounted widespread cases of rape, murder and arson. His office said the general told the pope there was "no discrimination" in Myanmar, and he praised his military for maintaining "the peace and stability of the country". The Lady, as she is fondly known in Myanmar, finally came to power after elections in 2015 but has fallen from grace internationally for not doing more to stand up to the army in defence of the Rohingya -- whose name she will not publicly utter. Rights groups have clamoured for Suu Kyi to be stripped of her peace prize. Oxford, the English city she once called home, on Monday removed her Freedom of the City award for "inaction" in the face of oppression of the Rohingya. Just days before the papal visit, Myanmar and Bangladesh signed a deal to start repatriating Rohingya refugees within two months. But details of the agreement -- including the use of temporary shelters for returnees, many of whose homes have been burned to the ground -- raise questions for Rohingya fearful of returning without guarantees of basic rights. So far, the pontiff has received a warm welcome in Myanmar, whose Catholic community numbers just over one percent of the country's 51 million people. jpegMpeg4-1280x720But some 200,000 Catholics are pouring into the commercial capital Yangon from all corners of the country ahead of a huge, open-air mass in Yangon on Wednesday morning. Francis will travel on to Bangladesh on Thursday Next week Washington's top diplomat will attend ministerial meetings of the NATO alliance in Brussels and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna. At both sets of talks Russia's intervention in Ukraine will top the agenda and US allies in Europe will be looking for reassurance that President Donald Trump's administration has their back. Trump came to office this year seeking warmer ties with Moscow and has sometimes called into question the value of US alliances, but relations with President Vladimir Putin's Kremlin quickly soured. Now, Tillerson is heading to Europe with a tough message that the Western allies stand shoulder to shoulder to oppose "the enemies that threaten our security and oppose our way of life." In a major speech on US relations with Europe under Trump's "America First" foreign policy, Tillerson pledged that sanctions against Russia will remain in place until it helps restore peace in Ukraine. And he argued that attempts by two previous US administrations to thaw ties with Moscow had only led to Putin seizing the opportunity to invade Georgia in August 2008 and Ukraine in 2014. "Any resolution to the war that does not entail a fully independent, sovereign territorially whole Ukraine is unacceptable," Tillerson told an audience of policy-makers, scholars and reporters. "Russia chose to violate the sovereignty of the largest country in Europe... Our trans-Atlantic unity is meant to convey to the Russian government that we will not stand by this flagrant violation of international norms," he said. And Tillerson warned that the US and European Union economic sanctions which Moscow has lobbied so hard to overturn "will remain in place until Russia reverses the actions that triggered them." Before coming to office as Trump's secretary of state, Tillerson was chairman of US oil giant ExxonMobil, pursuing major investments in Russia, and an influential opponent of economic sanctions. But once in government he was confronted by Putin's intransigence over Ukraine and the Kremlin's determined military support for Syria's brutal strongman Bashar al-Assad and his Iranian allies. US intelligence has also concluded that Russian agencies attempted to interfere in the American presidential election to tilt it in his favor over Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. Trump furiously denies any collusion with Kremlin agents, but Congress and a special prosecutor are investigating meetings between figures in his campaign and Russians lobbying against sanctions. Moscow is also suspected of meddling in politics in several European countries, and authorities are investigating alleged links to populist movements and support for Brexit and Catalan separatism. Gas terminals In addition to stepping up US spending on military readiness in eastern Europe, including in Ukraine, Tillerson said Washington would help reduce Europe's need for Russian oil and gas. Speaking at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, he said US money and know how would help Croatia and Poland build liquefied natural gas terminals and Greece and Bulgaria lay a pipeline. "The Ukraine crisis also made clear how energy supplies can be wielded as a political weapon," he warned, vowing to help prevent big suppliers like Russia from "extorting" clients in Europe. And he spoke out against the Nord Stream 2 project to pipe Russian gas westwards under the Baltic and the parallel Turkstream plan in southeast Europe, both funded by Russian energy giant Gazprom. These pipelines, said Tillerson -- who once ran ExxonMobil's Russian subsidiary Exxon Neftegas and has a medal of friendship from the Kremlin -- are "unwise, as they only increase market dominance from a single supplier to Europe." HAMPTON Trustee and Public Safety Committee chair Kevin Hamilton brought to the boards attention on Monday a concern with large trucks speeding through the village streets causing a hazard to children exiting school buses and said a major offender is Allied Waste drivers. In response to these concerns, Police Chief Terry Engle will call Allied Waste to discuss the issue with them and Trustee Hamilton will correspond with the company alerting them that Hampton police will be increasing its coverage of the area in question. Trustee Hamilton also brought to the board a request from one of the villages police officers to drop his health insurance coverage with the village and, instead, take that benefit by increasing his pay by the amount that the village would have paid for his insurance. The officer intends to go on his wifes health insurance through her employer. Several concerns were raised by board members, such as whether they could do this in light of their obligations under the Affordable Care Act. The board referred the matter to the villages attorney, Graham Lee, who will report back to the board at its Dec. 11 meeting. Village Clerk Michelle Bergeson informed the board on Monday that Andrea Gryp has accepted the part-time position of administrative assistant. The board had approved hiring her at its Nov. 13 meeting. Ms. Gryp also holds the position of deputy clerk for the city of Silvis, a 20-hour-per-month position. She will work Tuesdays through Thursdays for Hampton and begins her tenure Tuesday, Dec. 5. In other action the board: Instructed Clerk Bergeson to draft a parking ordinance in response to a residents complaint that their mail delivery was impaired because neighbors are blocking access to her mail box. Approved the annual payment of $1,267.50 to Axon Enterprise Inc. Axon supplies body cameras and archives footage for the village police department. Exelon Generation is deeply committed to our employees, our neighbors and the communities we serve. Their health, safety and security is our No. 1 priority at all times. A recent Better Government Association story published in The Dispatch-Argus raised questions about the safety of Exelon Generations Illinois nuclear facilities, our commitment to environmental stewardship, and the effectiveness of our state and federal regulators. The story misrepresented the facts, which we believe the public should know. Contrary to BGAs claims, Exelon Generation is an industry leader in tritium monitoring, reporting and remediation. We were able to find, address and report many of the issues in the BGA story because weve invested more than $100 million since 2007 to upgrade monitoring systems and underground piping across our fleet. And we havent found a single case where our plants have caused drinking water to be unsafe. Any claims to the contrary are false. We closely monitor tritium at our nuclear stations to ensure public health, and we proactively report tritium releases to government regulators. Tritium is a naturally occurring radioactive form of hydrogen. It is also a byproduct of nuclear power. The highest concentration of tritium found in drinking water wells near our Illinois plants was less than 10 percent of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency drinking water standard. Drinking two liters of water at this concentration for a whole year is about the same radiation dose from drinking one glass of orange juice every week, or flying for one hour in an airplane. We are proud of our track record on environmental responsibility and the overwhelming community support we receive each year from residents and businesses in the Quad-Cities community. We have always been open and honest in communicating operational issues and that commitment will not change. Please visit our website (exeloncorp.com/safe-transparent-environmentally-consciousp) to learn more or attend one of the Community Information Nights we host at all our Illinois nuclear facilities each year. 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! A German-French consortium consisting of Hochtief Infrastructure and Vinci Consortium Grand Projects will carry out tunnelling of the twin bore 4.5km tunnels as well as construct five stations and two crossover and junction boxes. Hochtief is already engaged in a joint venture with Zublin in the construction of the Nordhavn branch of the metro, which is due to open in 2019, shortly after the completion of the cityring metro line. In addition, Austrian Rhomberg Bahntechnik, in a joint venture with Efacec Engineering and Systems, Portugal, have secured the contract for track laying, third rail power supply and surveillance systems. The latter company is already engaged in the Odense light rail project. Thethe trains and the automatic train control system will be supplied by Hitachi/Ansaldo STS and are not open for bidding, as the Sydhavn branch is a part of the Nordhavn line, where Ansaldo STS secured the contract. The Italian company also supplied the existing metro and the cityring line. The Sudhavn line starts from a two-level junction box, built in advance, and branches off the existing line at Snder Boulevard, utilising part of the link to the new depot before continuing along the harbour front before reaching an interchange with S-Train and future Copenhagen - Ringsted high-speed services at Ny Ellebjerg station. The line is due to open in late 2023, when the daily number of passengers using the metro is estimated to rise to 29,000. The state of Washington today could help decide the fate of a crude-by-rail export terminal proposed for the city of Vancouver. The Washington Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council will hold a public meeting and vote on Tesoro-Savage LLCs proposed Vancouver Energy terminal. The council last week released its final environmental review of the project, under study since 2013, which found a potential danger from spills, accidents involving trains, and other factors affecting emergency response times. Vancouver Energy is a joint venture of Tesoro Corp. and Savage Cos. Tesoro, a port tenant since 1985, and Savage have proposed leasing 42 acres at the port for a crude oil distribution facility that would include a rail unloading facility, storage tanks, and a vessel loading area. The $210 million project would bring up to 360,000 barrels of North American crude oil by rail along the Columbia River to the port daily, where it would then be loaded onto ships for transport to refineries in Alaska, California and Washington. The port is transited by BNSF Railway, Union Pacific Railroad, Canadian National Railroad and Canadian Pacific Railroad. Tesoro-Savage has agreed to a 10-year lease, and expects to create 175 permanent jobs on site, with 1,000 jobs total surrounding the project. The panel is scheduled to vote today for or against the proposal at a special meeting in Olympia. No comments will be taken at the meeting, which is open to the public. After the vote, the council will adjourn to an executive session to discuss possible litigation. Gov. Jay Inslee will make the final decision on the project following the councils recommendation. Russia asks Interpol to trace producer linked to theater director embezzlement case MOSCOW, November 28 (RAPSI) Russian prosecutors have forwarded a request to Interpol seeking to place producer Yekaterina Voronova, charged in the embezzlement case involving the Gogol Center theater director Kirill Serebrennikov, on its wanted list, the Prosecutor Generals Office has told RAPSI. Reportedly, Voronova was an executive producer of A Midsummer Night's Dream theater performance expected to be staged in framework of realization of the Platforma project. However, the performance has not been staged. In September, a Moscow court issued an arrest warrant for Voronova in absentia. Investigators allege that she has fled to Latvia. Serebrennikov was arrested in late August and then placed under house arrest. In early November, Moscows Basmanny District Court seized assets belonging to Serebrennikov including apartment, car, and money in the amount of more than 360,000 rubles ($6,000), over 60,000, and $4,000. 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 has been also arrested and put under house arrest on embezzlement charges. 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 said. Apfelbaum admitted that she controlled the movement of cash but pleaded not guilty to embezzlement. ECHR awards 10,000 to Bolotnaya case defendant MOSCOW, November 28 (RAPSI) The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on Tuesday held that the rights of Nikolay Kavkazsky, a defendant in the Bolotnaya Square riot case, had been violated in part during his detention, and awarded 10,000 in compensation to the applicant. In his complaint, Kavkazsky demanded 20,000 in compensation for material damage and 50,000 for moral harm. Public protests erupted on Bolotnaya Square in May 2012. The rally culminated in clashes between protesters and the police. Over 400 people were arrested, and scores were injured when protesters briefly broke through police lines. In late July 2012, the applicant was arrested and put in detention. He has been charged with participation in mass disorder accompanied by violence. His motions for the house arrest because of medical reasons have been dismissed. Only in August 2013, the Moscow City Court released the applicant from detention and put him under house arrest. In December of the same year, he applied for the termination of criminal proceedings against him under the Amnesty Act. Moscows Zamoskvoretsky District Court granted his motion and lifted the house arrest. Kavkazsky lodged an application with the European Court of Human Rights in January 2013. He complained that his arrest and detention had not been based on relevant and sufficient reasons and alleged that various aspects of his detention had amounted to degrading treatment. The applicant claimed that Russian authorities had violated provisions of Article 3 (prohibition of tortures), Article 5 (right to liberty), and Article 6 (right to a fair trial) of the European Convention on Human Rights (the Convention). According to Russias Government, the applicants detention was related to the gravity of brought charges. The Government also contended that Kavkazsky had been receiving regular medical care and that he had not raised any health issues before the public commission for the monitoring of detention facilities during their visits. They denied that he had lodged a formal complaint about the lack of medical assistance. The Strasbourg court held that there had been no violation of Article 3 of the Convention as regards the alleged failure to provide the applicant with adequate medical assistance. However, the Court found violation of the same article in respect of the conditions of transfer to and from court, and the confinement in a glass cabin in courtroom. According to the ECHR ruling, there has been also a violation of Article 53 of the Convention. The complaint under the Article 6 of the Convention was dismissed. Prosecutor seeks 7 years in prison for FSB officers in bribery case MOSCOW, November 28 (RAPSI) A prosecutor has asked the Moscow District Military Court to sentence former and acting officers of the Federal Security Service (FSB) charged with taking a 5-million-ruble bribe (about $85,000) from Turkish firm Esta Construction to 7 years in prison, lawyer Dagir Khasavov has told RAPSI. The defendants in the case are ex-officer Vlad Novikov and officer still in-service Karen Krayukhin. Earlier, investigators have registered a 10-million-ruble (about $170,000) civil lawsuit filed by a victim in this case, Turkish construction firm Esta Constructions lawyer Valerian Kochergin. He seeks 5 million rubles in compensation for property damage and 5 million rubles in moral damages. As previously reported, Novikov and Krayukhin have been arrested on suspicion of taking a bribe from the Turkish construction firm Esta Construction. Later, they have been charged with a large-scale fraud against foreign legal entity. Investigators claim that Esta Construction has been fined over 37 million rubles ($626,000) for violation of migration legislation. The companys lawyer in order to avoid payment of the fine asked the defendants for help in the termination of the case for 5 million rubles ($85,000). Lawyer Dagir Khasavov, however, told RAPSI that the money was transferred from Kochergin to Krayukhin as return of a debt. Esta Construction is a contracting company established by Bahattin Demirbilek in Moscow in 2006 and operating as a general contractor and project designer in international construction market, the firms website says. Putin signs bill on tax free system in Russia into law MOSCOW, November 28 (RAPSI) President Vladimir Putin has signed a bill introducing tax free system in Russia into law. The relevant document has been published on the official website of legal information. The legislation is to allow citizens of countries outside the Eurasian Economic Union to receive compensations for value-added tax (VAT) paid in Russia. The initiative envisages that retailers are to be granted the right to deduct VAT pertaining to the goods sold to foreign citizens from the total amounts of VAT payable. It also establishes 0% VAT rate for organizations providing VAT compensation services to foreign citizens. The law will take effect in steps. Some provisions will become effective within a month after official publication, others will come into force in January and October 2018. Republican plans to shake up how the tax code treats higher education have ruffled a great many feathers, with some arguing that Republicans would harm students by taking away needed assistance. On the contrary, the proposed Republican changes would restore much-needed transparency and address a system that benefits a higher-education complex at the expense of students and taxpayers. Many of the concerns about the GOP tax plan center on the elimination of two tax loopholes. One allows universities to provide tuition waivers to graduate students so long as they either teach or conduct research. In other words, these graduate students are receiving a significant financial benefit (sometimes worth upwards of $50,000) that is contingent on employment. For everyone else, such an arrangement would be considered taxable wage income, but this loophole allows graduate students to face a different set of rules. The other loophole set for repeal under the tax reform plan is the educational assistance deduction. Currently, the tax code allows employers and employees each to deduct $5,250 of tuition assistancethis deduction can go over this limit if the tuition assistance qualifies as a workplace fringe benefit. Elimination of fringe benefits has long been a bipartisan goal of policymakers. Another example is the exclusion of employer-sponsored health insurance, a policy with its roots in attempts to escape wage ceilings during World War II. The result is a policy that economists on the left and right agree is costly and distortionary. Furthermore, some studies have found that corporations receive back more value than the cost of tuition assistance itself. Given the effectiveness and financial logic of employer-provided tuition assistance, there is little need for taxpayers to subsidize programs that make financial sense on their own. These provisions were instituted for the purposes of helping students pay for higher education expenses, but they have instead had the effect of contributing to a system that distorts the cost of higher education. Tuition costs have spiked, and a study by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York found that increased federal dollars in education and rising tuition costs are directly connected. Federal tax treatment of higher education seems to be a likely culprit as a contributor to this distortion in tuition prices. Reform would also address imbalances in who receives the benefits of federal tuition assistance programs. While most would agree that low-income undergraduate students are most in need of assistance, most of the benefits of federal policy flow to better-off graduate students. Graduate-only borrowers, with a median debt approaching $40,000, have a five-year default rate of just five percent and generally go on to earn the highest incomes, but federal education policy tends to favor them disproportionately. Several debt-forgiveness programs such as Income-Based Repayment and Public Service Loan Forgiveness primarily benefit high-debt graduate students. Meanwhile, the highest default rates on federal student loans actually occur among students with relatively small amounts of debt attending public two-year or four-year proprietary colleges. Reforming the system to be less geared toward students that dont need federal help makes perfect sense. And the changes are not occurring in a vacuum; rather, theyre part of a broader package that lowers rates and simplifies the code for all taxpayers. The Tax Foundation estimates that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act would increase after-tax incomes by nearly three percent in tax year 2018. Untangling federal education policy from its current morass of competing tax credits and deductions will take some time, but the Republican plan is a good beginning. Rather than an attack on higher education, it is an attempt to correct inefficient and distortive measures long protected by an entrenched industry which benefits from them. Republicans are proving that they are serious about pursuing meaningful reform, even as lobbyists come at them from all sides. Andrew Wilford is an Associate Policy Analyst with the National Taxpayers Union Foundation. Follow him on Twitter @PolicyWilford. Jason Schauble resigned from his position as president of Utah silencer manufacturer SilencerCo. A spokesperson for the company cited a family health issue as the reason for Schauble's departure. Schauble was promoted to the role of president of SilencerCo in April 2017 after serving three years as the company's Chief Revenue Officer. Addressing rumors surrounding the nature of Schauble's resignation, SilencerCo spokesman Chris Conran was blunt. Jason wasn't fired, said Conran by telephone. He was an exceptional employee at SilencerCo. When asked what triggered Schauble's departure, Conran said, It would not be very respectful to discuss the particulars, but, it is a personal, family matter. We understand the importance of this family matter because it's Jason; he was like family with all of us. When asked about a successor, Conran was unable to comment on the company's plans to fill the vacant position. Schauble held executive-level positions at companies in the firearms industry since 2008. His resume includes roles as vice president of Remington Defense and as president of the firearm technology company TrackingPoint. RECOIL's Rob Curtis contributed to this report. The Tikka T3x Arctic is a beefed-up, scaled-down, all-around rifle designed for hard use by the Canadian Rangers. Now you can get one, too. Origins of the Tikka T3X Arctic Rifle Lets say you want a rifle for your journey to the ass end of the world. Something thatll run in a desert of ice, wind, and permafrost. Itll provide safety and sustenance, taking on predators and game in places so remote that youre as much a part of the food chain as the beasts you seek to dine on. You might want to consider the Tikka T3x Arctic. Its here that the Canadian Rangers, CRs for short, do their nations bidding. Not as soldiers or snipers, but as the eyes and ears of a national defense force. Hunters, guides, trappers hard-living men and women of the north, many of them able to say, Les Stroud? Never heard of her, likely with total honesty (even though hes Canadian ). The Canadian Rangers The CRs is a sub-component of the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve officially formed in 1947 to provide a limited military presence in the countrys remote northern, coastal, and otherwise barely civilized areas. Its a volunteer, part-time, civil-military force of about 5,000 people, split among five geographical regions. Were talking about them because were looking at the Tikka T3x Arctic through the lens of the Canadian Rangers requirements for its recently adopted C19 rifle. The T3x Arctic is the functionally, and practically identical commercial version of the issued rifle. Despite being issued rifles, The Canadian Rangers are not actually mandated with armed defense, says Lieutenant Colonel Russ Meades, Commanding Officer of the 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group. Theyre mandated with observation and reporting. Meades patrol group is 1,050 CRs, covering 2.7-million square kilometers. Thats about the area of everything in the continental U.S. west of Texas, minus New Mexico. The T3x's Mission Aside from performing sovereignty patrols, CRs provide a host of services within and beyond their communities. Search and rescue is a bread-and-butter mission, as is hosting Canadian military units when they operate in these remote locations. The CRs act as a community liaison and provide environmental expertise, wilderness education, guide services, and predator overwatch for the units during exercises. The CRs are issued rifles for a few reasons; the first is personal security. The Canadian wilderness is a CRs office, and its as wild as it is beautiful. Its a place where predators, small and large, need to be scared off or dispatched. Second, its a means of sustenance. Whether at home or out on patrol, CRs hunt. And, unlike traditional military units, the Rangers keep their service rifles at home where theyre free to train and hunt with them. The remaining uses trail off into recruiting efforts, the rare auxiliary law enforcement, and even rarer military action. The Tikka T3x Arctic Review Since the CRs stood up, the standard issue rifle for CR patrols has been the World War II-era Lee Enfield No. 4, Mk1 rifle. The bolt-action, .303 British caliber longarm is ideal for the harsh environment; the fact that its been in service with the unit for 70 years alone is testament of its suitability for the role. The old .303 was a great rifle in its time, Meades says, but its had its day. It could probably go on for many years to come, but the fact is were cannibalizing .303s right now because there just arent enough parts in the system anymore. This brings us back to the Tikka T3x Arctic. The CRs began searching for a replacement for the Lee Enfield No. 4 nearly 10 years ago. The search ended with the adoption of a Tikka rifle custom made for the CRs, type classified as the C19. The Tikka T3x Arctic is the commercial version of the C19 with no functional differences. The only differences are the CR crest laser etched on the C19 stock, the red hue of the C19s laminate stock (versus the T3x Arctics orange tones), and the contract requirement that dictates the C19 is manufactured by Colt Canada under license from Sako, Tikkas parent company. The commercial rifle is manufactured on the Sako/Tikka line in Riihimaki, Finland, and exported initially in limited numbers. Were spending a lot of ink talking about the CRs, because understanding their requirements explains a lot about the features of the rifle they chose. According to a report commissioned by Canadas Defense Research and Development directorate called Canadian Ranger Rifle: Human Factors Requirements Validation, the CRs mainly wanted a gun that addressed the No. 4s shortcomings namely it was heavy, big, and outdated. The CRs are a mobile force, moving about the northern expanse on all manner of locomotion. Rifles are strapped to dogsleds, lashed to snowmobiles, shoved into a small aircraft, stowed in boats, and, of course, slung over the shoulder. Smaller and lighter is easier and faster to stow and deploy. Aside from smaller and lighter, the Rangers wanted a rifle that met or exceeded the No. 4s durability and reliability, while improving on its accuracy. They also wanted to move to a modern intermediate caliber that offers more commercial ammunition choices than the dated .303 British round. Commercially available ammo is important to the CRs because, in addition to the 200 round per year allotment, CRs can run any other ammo they choose. The C19, and the Tikka T3x Arctic, checks all the boxes on the CRs wish list, but does that make it a good rifle or a committee-designed jack of all trades? Tikka T3X Arctic Ranger Action Despite the many advantages modern semi-auto rifles bring to the table, a bolt-action rifle is the most reliable firearm in the widest array of environments. Sure, you can keep an AR-10 running in the cold, but itll take time and energy away from whatever else is going on. And, when we say cold, we mean f#@king arctic cold. Meades says, Our more northerly patrols, say anything north of the 55th parallel, operate in -40, 50 degrees C. A bolt-action is absolutely essential because its just embarrassing when a bears coming at you and your semi-automatic seizes up. Argue if you will, but lubes freeze and condensation formed on warm metal freezes. Frozen things lead to problems that turn semi-autos into single shots if youre lucky. Running a bolt beats tapping a forward assist over and over when things get dire. Extreme cold is only one of the environments in which the rifle has to work. The coastal areas contain humidity, salt water, and sand. The Tikka T3x Arctic deals with these by way of stainless steel just about everywhere. The barrel, bolt and action are all stainless, including the newly designed extended stainless bolt handle thats unique to the C19/Arctic. It doesnt stop corrosion, but it slows it way down. A bonus is the way the stainless bolt runs in the action. Tikka actions generally have a feel all their own, but the Arctics full stainless action feels tongue-on-labia smooth. Itll make anyone who spent $1,200 on a custom 700 action question their decision. The Arctics action retains all the regular Tikka traits, including the two-stage safety, talon-like Sako-style extractor, constant tension ejector, broached machining. It adds the T3xs improved rail mount interface and a stainless 5-inch-long (shortened to accommodate the rear aperture sight which well get to), 0-degree Pic rail, and the slightly enlarged ejection port for easier single round loading. And the handier among you can modify this short action Tikka to run as a long action with relative ease. (Google it.) As smooth and reliable as the action is, we did find one dark spot. Single round feeding is improved with the T3x actions enlarged ejection port on most models, but the rim of single-fed .308 cartridges regularly hung up on the back wall of the Arctics CTR magazine, seizing the action. A jiggle of the rifle knocks the round forward and allows it to feed, but its an issue whenever the rifle is single-fed with the bolt all the way rear. We reached out to Sakos Miikka Tamminen, the product manager for this program, and he was unaware of this issue. He expressed genuine concern but wasnt able to get to the bottom of it by press time. Well update this article on the web when he gets back to us. Being men of action, though, we went ahead and fixed the issue ourselves. We did the unthinkable and took a Dremel to the rear wall of the $100 magazine. With a quarter moon ground off (see photo, left) the top and a little cold bluing, single rounds fed without issue. We acknowledge this calls for added attention when handling loaded mags due to the exposed primer, but its no different than lots of other mags. Speaking of the mags, were fans of the standard CTR mags that come with the Arctic. The 10-round, double-stack mags work flawlessly, single feed issues not withstanding, and impart the handling characteristics of a rifle with a magazine half that size. For the price of the Tikka T3x Arctic, though, we wish it came with more than one. Barrel Details The 20-inch, stainless steel, cold hammer forged, medium-heavy contour barrel is tipped with a U.S.-friendly 5/824-inch threaded muzzle thats home to half of one of the Arctics standout features: the aperture sights. The stainless barrel is just that no chrome lining, no fillers, just Sakos specified grade of stainless steel thats better suited to hammer forging than rack-grade stainless. It just happens that the steel made to withstand the higher deformation of hammer forging is also a little more corrosion resistant. New Frontier While theres a lot in common with existing Tikkas, theres a whole lot thats unique to the Arctic platform. These are the features that came in response to the CRs requirements, fueling the rifles premium price tag. So, the sights. Sakos Tamminen says the company couldnt find a sight on the market that gave them the combination of durability, ease of use, and range required for the CRs contract so Sako made its own. The steel sights are probably the single biggest contributor to the rifles key attribute: its fun as hell to shoot. The rotating drum rear sight has six apertures for ranges from 100 to 600 meters. Adjusting for elevation is straightforward turn a screw on the front sight to raise or lower the point of impact. The rear is a different animal. In order to make the sights as accurate and durable as possible, instead of a single shaft design, the Arctic rear sight uses a pair of bolts tensioning the carriage from both sides for maximum resistance to unintentional adjustment. Youre not just wearing gloves, youre wearing gloves inside beaver or seal mitts, says Meades of the Rangers operating in the -50 degree C temps. You dont have a lot of sense of feel there. Accordingly, the six-position aperture drum is all about the glove life, presenting a large surface from the top down thats easy to turn on purpose, but protected from accidental knocks by tall ears on the sides. The Arctics bottom metal is similar to the Tikka CTR, but it houses a completely new trigger developed for the C19/Arctic rifle. Its an adjustable two-stage trigger with a break that feels smooth and crisp with no overtravel. Set at 2.3 pounds, our Lyman trigger scale measured fluctuations of about 0.2 pound over and under for 10 pulls. This does not feel like a typical factory trigger. Tamminen describes it as an economical version of the Sako TRG trigger. He said its getting used in the Tikka TAC A1 now and will probably find its way to other Tikkas in the future. He says the Tikka two-stage withstood a heavy testing cycle, and has a seriously fast lock time, something the Sakos triggers are known for. Take Stock (of the T3x Arctic's Stock) The stock is another component developed for the Arctic. Its a highly stable, engineered wood laminate thats as tough as a steel beam, but way more comfortable to rest your cheek on. Its also got that distinctive coloration that we dig. When asked why wood instead of synthetic, the CRs Meades said the unit was simply distrustful of plastic in the cold and, at the same time, wanted something warmer and with more character than a synthetic stock could supply. Tamminen says they went with the orange hue on the Arctic to increase visibility of the rifle; remember, the CRs arent military, they want to be seen. He says the wooden stock might be easier to repair in the field using basic hand tools and adhesives, but acknowledges the choice likely came down to an aesthetic consideration made by the customer, as polymer stocks, like that of the Fins RK 95 assault rifle, have been in service in the frigid Laplandian north for years without issue. While wood stocks arent unique to the Tikka line, this one is. Its got that Sako-style cross bolt and aluminum spacer system. The cross bolt is needed to shore up the stock since the double stack CTR mag requires thinner walls. And the aluminum butt stock spacer system was designed for easy, semipermanent adjustments that accommodate seasonal clothing changes. The Tikka T3x Arctic stock itself is cut shorter than most for use with heavy winter clothing, the spacers added for temperate weather use. Tikka T3x Arctic Configuration In the stock setup, the Arctic is simply a gas to shoot. With days and days spent head down behind a Formula Onelevel precision rig this summer, the open-sight Arctic feels like hopping on a motocross bike and hitting the trails. With the largest aperture zeroed for 100 yards, popping clays on the berm under the zeroing target was doable. But the small targets really began popping when we honed in on the top of the 100-yard clays with the 200-meter peeper. The circle-in-a-circle sights proved accurate enough to reliably tag E silhouette steel at 300-plus yards while standing unsupported. To wring a little more accuracy from the Arctic, we took advantage of the 5-inch rail and added an optic, a Steiner T5Xi 3-15x50mm, using a 34mm ZRODelta DLOC M4X mount. The mount set the optic about inch above the rear sight wheel, with the mount hanging one section over the front edge of the rail. The stock is set up to run the onboard iron sights, so rather than chin weld, we added a Bradley Adjustable Cheek Rest to fill the gap. The Bradley rest provides a remarkably rigid platform for accuracy. While the CRs run the fore end slick and shoot in the prone unsupported, we arent afraid to use a little accuracy crutch. We added a carbon fiber Spartan 300 bipod. The bipod snaps magnetically into a cup that replaces the forward sling stud. Its 6 ounces of adjustable, on-call support. We like the adaptability, but the single attachment point means the base pivots too much on the flat-bottomed stock. Performance We started our testing with a couple hundred rounds of Remington UMC 150s to get the round count up without breaking the bank. With the barrel seasoned, and one cleaning session, we broke out the Magnetospeed and match ammo. We clocked and grouped three types of rounds. First up, Remington Premier Match 168-grain Matchking BTHP ran at 2,487 fps, with an eye-twitching S.D. of 37.2. Next up, Hornadys Precision Hunter 178-grain ELD X ran at 2,488 fps, with a very respectable S.D. of 12.3. Lastly, Federal Premium Gold Medal Berger 185-grain Juggernaut OTM ran at 2,471 fps with a 13.1 S.D. The Arctic got on famously with the Hornady, printing the best five-shot group of the day at 0.48 MOA. The Juggernauts made an impression too, with a 0.51 MOA. The Remington ammo was the third wheel, but still nudged a 0.85 group from the cold-souled fin. Our finding that the rifle likes em big seems to echo the Rangers findings, as we hear theyll issue 180-gr Nosler Accubonds with the C19. As far as reliability, we havent logged a malfunction, aside from the easily corrected single-feed hang-up issue. And 8 pounds dry isnt too bad for moving through the northern New England woods, the 20-inch barrel carrying well on a two-point sling. Tikka Arctic Value Looking at all the unique components Sako made for the C19 project, its no wonder the rifle is on the spendy end. From the muzzle back, theres new iron sights, reinforced wood laminate stock to hold the CTR bottom metal and mag, new two-stage trigger, winter trigger guard, stainless extended bolt handle, and stock spacer system. Essentially, this is a custom production rifle that provides both a unique capability and an uncommon aesthetic. Still, Tikkas known as a budget brand though this is no budget rifle when it comes to price or performance. Based on the accuracy, durability, and desirability of a product endorsed by one of the toughest user groups on the planet, the $1,900 street price seems reasonable. Add to that the flat-out fun factor the Arctic supplies when run au natural, and its more than palatable. Our only gripe is the lack of a second mag, and the fact we cant run a brake or a can on the threaded muzzle without losing the front sight. Given all the considerations in the Arctics pro column, the cons arent enough to stop us from admiring what Sakos made with the Tikka T3x Arctic. Tikka T3x Arctic Caliber: 308 Winchester Barrel Length: 20 inches Overall Length: 40.25 inches (no spacers) Weight (Unloaded): 8 pounds, 12 ounces (11 pounds, 12 ounces with optic and cheek rest) Magazine Capacity: 10 rounds MSRP: $2,099 URL: www.tikka.fi Accessories: Steiner T5Xi 3-1550 $2,275 ZRODelta DLOC M4X $279 Spartan 300 Bipod $395 Bradley Cheek Rest Elite Series $125 Price as Featured $5,173 To see other articles in this issue, subscribe here: RECOIL Issue 34 Corey Graff contributed to this article. Instead of failing young Indians, the government should now focus laser-like on education, skilling, healthcare, and the environment, says Mihir S Sharma. India is failing its young people. Not just because it is not providing them jobs and opportunities but also because it fails to provide them what they need to make their own fortunes. We have given them a poisonous environment, a healthcare system that is stacked against them, and an education that is either expensive or ineffectual -- and then told them to go out and be world-beating entrepreneurs or an effective industrial labour force. Are we kidding ourselves? Every winter, Delhi holds its breath for about three months. When I first moved to this city, you lived for the winter, for those magical few months when the city was transformed from a Serengeti mudhole or a Saharan sand dune into something approaching liveability. And now weve decided to ruin Delhis winter as well, with air thats the worst in the world. This is particularly bad for young people -- children growing up here particularly risk suffering permanent damage to their lungs, say doctors. Part of the problem is that externalities like good air simply arent part of the accounting that economists like to use -- if growth-focused economics ignores bad air, it argued, then GDP growth needs to be replaced as a policy target. Fixing problems like crop-burning has costs that can be clearly seen, and which would reduce efficiency and GDP; the benefits of fixing the problems that cause bad air arent that easy to account for, and might not show up in GDP that clearly. This is an argument worth revisiting -- not just because once again Delhi and the rest of the Indo-Gangetic plain has been blanketed by a cloud of dense brown smoke, but also because the other aspects of our approach to the basics of social infrastructure reflect this blindness to anything not captured directly by national income accounts. To think about this in a non-Indian context for a moment, consider the following fact, one that startles most non-economists: That the poorest American states have per capita incomes comparable to the United Kingdom, Japan, New Zealand, or France. But, frankly, would anyone choose to be born into the median family in West Virginia, Mississippi, or Arkansas rather than in one of the four countries I mentioned? What explains this paradox? A set of factors. For one, Americans work longer hours with lower productivity than the French. But, in addition -- and this is whats relevant here -- Americans spend a great deal more on healthcare than, say, the British do. This higher spending shows up as an addition to GDP -- its a fifth of national income in the US, as compared to a tenth in Britain. But, of course, youre getting a bad deal on healthcare if youre an American; Britain, in spite of spending less, has a life expectancy that compares with the top few states in the US. This is an artefact of the largely privately-run American healthcare system. American healthcare doesnt just cost more -- it sells a lot of unnecessary treatment as well, as long as its expensive. Americans have two or three times as many MRI scans and mammograms as other OECD countries, and almost a third more Caesarian sections than the latter. Meanwhile, other OECD countries have far more hospital days and doctors visits than the US. The National Health Service in the UK, for its many flaws, provides a reasonable product in terms of outcomes at a fraction of the cost. If tomorrow the UK were to shift to American-style private sector-led healthcare provision, its GDP would apparently shoot up -- Britons would spend on MRI scans while going to doctors less. But its health outcomes and its standard of living would decline. As India searches for GDP growth without spending public money, it might be tempted to expand its current healthcare system without reforming it. The thinking within the government -- which took office on a manifesto that promised universal healthcare -- is that private provision of critical health infrastructure with a complicated subsidised insurance system is the way to go. That would be a disaster for Indias workforce -- but it would look good in terms of macroeconomic numbers, and in terms of GDP growth. (And, of course, private hospitals -- many run or financed by politically connected persons -- would benefit.) The government would save its physical capital at the cost of young Indians human capital. A similar approach is being taken to education. Rather than searching for low-cost, universal, and accessible solutions that would deal with Indias human capital crisis, India has gone for a mix of poorly performing public schooling and expensive, inefficiently-regulated private schools. The Right to Education is, in the end, a shortcut. Nothing substitutes for public schools that actually work. But, of course, here inefficiency once again meets political ends -- and actually helps drive up GDP as Indian parents are gouged by private schools they can ill-afford. The government has made a big deal, rightly, about fiscal responsibility. It has also spent and spent on physical infrastructure, something if it worked harder on regulatory and legal frameworks could in fact be paid for by the private sector. But it has not spent as much mental energy or cash on human infrastructure -- on human capital. If, indeed, it is to dilute its commitment to the fiscal glide path for the deficit to three per cent of gross domestic product, it might be tempted to use that to push GDP higher, which obviously spending on physical infrastructure does. But that would mean that we continue to fail young Indians. Instead, the government should now focus laser-like on education, skilling, healthcare, and the environment. Healthy and well-educated young Indians will create the future for themselves that their government seems unable to provide. Build trust and confidence and don't pass on your powers in haste. Once the document is ready, go through it and understand thoroughly the powers that you are going to delegate, cautions Archit Gupta. Many professionals, businessmen and high-ranking corporate executives have such busy schedules that they need to delegate certain duties to others. Sometimes, this can include crucial tasks such as carrying out property transactions and executing contracts. That is when the power of attorney (PoA) comes in handy. While using PoA is definitely convenient, it also carries certain risks and is not something that one should do without due thought and care. What is a PoA? PoA is a document that gives a person the legal powers to act on behalf of another. It can be used to hand over power to someone to act on your behalf when you are not available or are not capable of carrying out your own dealings. Non-resident Indians (NRIs), who cannot be physically present in India to carry out the sale or purchase transactions of their properties, use it. The elderly, who are incapable or incapacitated, use it to allow someone to carry out financial transactions on their behalf. Those who lack expertise in certain manners use it to allow someone else to represent them or to execute contracts on their behalf. In India, PoA is most commonly used in property dealings, financial transactions, to execute contracts, file tax returns, and sometimes to represent a person before the authorities. The person who hands over power is referred to as the principal. The one who receives the authority is referred to as the attorney (and sometimes, the agent). That person may or may not be a lawyer. The principal makes a PoA in favour of an agent and delegates his authority to him. The PoA is a valid legal document. Third parties rely on it to transact with the agent instead of the principal. A PoA may be registered with a registrar or it may be notarised. Trust is the key A PoA should only be given to a person whom you can trust to act on your behalf, such as a family member or a close friend. Give it only to someone who is both responsible and loyal to you. Remember that even after you have given a PoA, you still have the power to act on these matters yourself. Hence, a PoA is not a complete ceding of your original rights, but only an authority given to someone to act on your behalf. By inserting a date of expiry, you can make it time bound. You can also revoke it if you wish to. If the principal dies during the term of the PoA, the latter stands automatically revoked and the heir mentioned in the will takes over. General versus special PoA There are two types of PoA -- general and special. A general PoA gives wide-ranging powers to the agent. The principal could authorise the agent to buy or sell property, conduct business on his behalf, and so on. No specific purpose is mentioned here. Instead, the agent is given powers to act on behalf of the principal in a wide range of matters. When handing over general power of attorney, the principal can decide to exclude some powers specifically, and the agent will not be able to act on those matters. In case of a special power of attorney, the principal authorises the agent to act on her/his behalf in specific matters only. In other words, only limited powers are given to the agent. For instance, special power of attorney may be used for the purpose of brokering specific agreements, to perform specific business-related tasks, close or operate bank accounts, undertake sale or purchase of equities and other investments, file tax returns, or represent the principal before the tax authorities. Minimise your risks The importance of choosing your agent with great care and discretion cannot be emphasised enough, especially in matters where doing so can have a big impact on your finances. In addition, you can also take a few steps to minimise your risks. Discuss at length with the person you plan to give authority to what s/he can and can't do on your behalf. Make the agent/attorney understand that whenever there is a matter of critical importance, it should be discussed with you thoroughly before s/he acts on those matters. Build trust and confidence and do not pass on your powers in haste. Engage professionals to draft the POA. Once the document is ready, go through it and understand thoroughly the powers that you are going to delegate. If you are giving general PoA to someone to handle property matters, you should exclude the right to sell or mortgage the property. Allowing someone to sell your property via PoA carries great risks. Such a PoA must be registered and the powers that are being handed over must be clearly spelt out. NRIs may also have to liaise with the Indian consulate in their country to authorise the PoA. Usually, when you authorise your chartered accountant to file and submit tax returns, or to represent you before the tax authorities, the risks are not very high. These are professionals who act on your behalf for a fee. They are unlikely to act in a way that harms your interests as doing so would jeopardise their future earnings from you. One way to protect your interests is to engage a lawyer to double check the agreements that your agent enters into on your behalf and ensure that your interests are not jeopardised. Also, include an indemnity clause in the agreements signed by your agent. Finally, put in place a will so that your heirs' rights are protected. In case of the principal's untimely death, there should be no uncertainty regarding whom his property and rights devolve to. Once the legal heirs take control of the property, they should fully understand their responsibility to file tax returns on time and pay all the taxes that are due. Archit Gupta is founder and CEO, ClearTax Kindly note that the lead image has been published only for representational purposes. Photograph: Kind courtesy Lucas/Creative Commons Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said she would discuss ways to promote women entrepreneurs and increase their participation in defence production and procurement during consultations with startups and industry chambers on December 4. "We have finalised December 4 as the date when I will be working with chambers of commerce and the startups; a huge list has been made to ensure that I interact with them to see women's participation and how they help defence ministry's production and procurement process," she said. The minister was participating in a panel discussion on opening opportunities for women entrepreneurs at the Global Entrepreneur Summit 2017. The session was moderated by chairman emeritus Cisco John Chambers and panelists include Ivanka Trump, daughter of and advisor to United States President Donald Trump. Sitharaman said that Indian startups have made and are making big contribution to the defence industry both in India and abroad. "We want to make sure that we leverage that opportunity ...and ensure that these startups are given equal playing opportunities when tenders are given out by the government asking for people to supply (goods and services)," she added. The minister said that startups face problems as under the existing rules companies cannot take part in the tendering process unless they had been in relevant business for a specified number of years or have achieved certain amount of turnover. The government, she said, was taking steps to remove such kind of rules which restricted the entry of startups in the tendering process. "I feel that startups do have a very big opportunity ...(they can) enter the defence industry, help India to procure and also probably export," she said. Speaking at the discussion, Trump said that the US government has been taking several steps to promote women entrepreneurship. She said governments can help these budding entrepreneurs by creating friendly environment and enhancing access to credit. Trump also asked people to provide mentorship as it was very critical for a startup. 'Now with many itchy-fingered ex-bosses being raked through the mud, their marriages ruined, their careers trashed, their finances hit, the inclination of many male hiring managers will be to hire fewer women,' believes Rajeev Srinivasan. Illustration: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com A virtual tsunami of accusations of sexual impropriety has come out in the US in the wake of the outing of Harvey Weinstein, a famous Hollywood producer and alleged serial sexual predator. Every day yet another stalwart of industry or media or politics loses his job because of accusations about long-concealed acts. Apparently, many women have been emboldened to come out with bitter tales of rape and molestation because they feel they will be taken seriously now, and also possibly because the man will suffer. There is also, in parallel, the furore over the film Padmavati in India. There is bitter irony in that many who unquestioningly support the American women are on the opposite with Rani Padmini: They ask whether she should have chosen suicide over the certainty of sex slavery, continuous gang-rape, and humiliation. We know from the terrible tales told by escaped Yazidi women like Nadia Murad what sex slavery is like. The parallels are chilling: ISIS attacked Sinjar because they wanted to capture Yazidi women; Alauddin Khilji attacked Chittor because he wanted to capture Rani Padmini. If you believe in the dignity of the individual and in freedom of choice you have to believe that a woman is entitled to choose about her own body. Sadly, but not surprisingly, India's leftists have demonstrated that they, with their #MeToo hashtags, support the American woman of today, but do not grant the same right to the 13th-century Indian Rani. I don't wish to equate the two instances, just to point out the wretched double standards of the dog-whistle virtue-signalers. Of course, instances of men taking advantage of (often younger) women over whom they have power are legion in today's India as well as in the US. Examples include the infamous Tarun Tejpal 'fingertips' episode, the story of unwanted attentions from Rajendra Pachauri as well as the many extra-curricular activities of Jawaharlal Nehru. There have also been for years revelations of religious figures (especially from the church, as in #ChurchToo, but not only) involved in sexual harassment of women, as well as pedophilia. There's also the remarkable case of Kerala movie star Dileep who allegedly issued a multi-crore rupee 'quotation' to have a young woman star sexually assaulted and video-taped, in an attempt to destroy her career and ruin her impending marriage, in revenge for her having revealed to his then wife that he was having an affair with his then girlfriend, now-wife. Tales of men forcing their attentions on women are not uncommon in ithihasa either, although often said women managed to extract certain promises: See matysagandhi Satyavati and Shantanu. In the Christian Bible, we have the aged King David 'ministered to' (whatever that means) by the young Abishag the Shunammite. The work of sociobiologists like E O Wilson suggest that it is normal for males to want to spread their genes by impregnating as many women as possible, thus giving a pseudo-scientific justification to the ancient art of seduction, by force if need be. There is also a related meme about the art produced by men. Claire Dederer wrote 'What Do We Do with the Art of Monstrous Men?' (external link)) in the Paris Review which suggests that men who are rapists and otherwise monsters to women should be ignored. She has a list: Roman Polanski, Woody Allen, Bill Cosby, William Burroughs, Richard Wagner, Sid Vicious, V S Naipaul, John Galliano, Norman Mailer, Ezra Pound, Caravaggio, Floyd Mayweather, Pablo Picasso, Max Ernst, Lead Belly, Miles Davis, Phil Spector... Dederer launches into a long discussion on Polanski who raped a 13-year-old girl, but produced masterpieces like Rosemary's Baby and Chinatown. But her ire is even more pointed towards Woody Allen, whom she calls the ur-monster, for sleeping with teenaged Soon-Yi, the adopted daughter of his partner Mia Farrow; and for the film Manhattan where his middle-aged character sleeps with the 17-year-old Mariel Hemingway. I can see her point: How could he? But I couldn't agree with the idea that because a man is a creep, his writing or his art should be boycotted. It is not that some of these great artists are monsters only to women; they are monsters to everybody, including their children and parents and everyone else they encounter. It's not just artists, either, it is leaders, sportsmen, businessmen too: An alarming number of famous men. And incidentally, some women too. It would be a little counter-productive, in a sort of American overkill political correctness -- those precious snowflakes who need 'safe spaces' on campus -- to boycott them all. I also felt a little protective about Naipaul partly because I consider him one of the greatest writers in English in the last few decades. So far as I know, he was a needy and obnoxious husband to his first wife, but his current (incidentally Pakistani) wife seems reasonably content, so why he is lumped with rapists is not clear (although I don't how monstrous many in Dederer's list are, or indeed, who they are). However, all things considered, the outing of these sexual predators has one ironic unintended consequence: It is mostly lefties who have been caught doing all the raping and groping and exhibitionism. Just look at the men who have been fired or lost their jobs: So far as I can tell, the vast majority of them are the odious types who piss off other men by being oily, unctuous 'feminists'. Now we know they are also hypocrites. For instance, Weinstein himself was seen as some uber-leftie Hollywood bleeding-heart for all the right feminist causes while harassing all those women. Or take a look at the list of 70-odd sex-abusers that Raya Sarkar, a young lawyer, crowdsourced from Indian women. Almost all, to a man, lefties. There are also some darker, unforeseen consequences: Blowback to the current outrage may get women turned away from jobs. Earlier, when the Indian government in its wisdom imposed a mandatory 6-month paid maternity leave provision, that also gave businesses a reason to not hire women. Now with many itchy-fingered ex-bosses being raked through the mud, their marriages ruined, their careers trashed, their finances hit, the inclination of many male hiring managers will be to hire fewer women. Let me hasten to clarify that I am not saying therefore that sexual predators should not have been identified and punished: They should have been, and they should be. It's simply easier for a male boss to say, 'Why bother with hiring women, and invite trouble'? Easier to deal with only men. There might even be genuine office romances which go sour, and one party or the other may wreak vengeance. A vengeful woman may make accusations of rape, when sex was in fact consensual; there was a wave of this sort of accusation, if I remember right, in Rajasthan. Draconian laws concocted by #SJW mean that the man is jailed immediately merely on the woman's word. It's like the 498b law about dowry that are used by wrathful, wily, women to jail innocent husbands and in-laws. I repeat, none of this is to gainsay that real crimes take place. But we need to think: Why are those most loudly proclaim their feminism and leftist sympathies for the subaltern also the most likely sexual predators? And this whole situation should not be become a witch-hunt in which the shrill and the militant hijack the genuine anger. For, both men and women will be losers. 'The BJP will be wiped out in rural Gujarat.' 'In urban areas, its tally may come down from 55 of the 60 urban seats it won in 2012 to 35 to 40 seats this time.' In what could perhaps be the first open admission of how untenable the coming together of the Dalits, OBCs and Patidars against the Bharatiya Janata Party will be if the BJP is trounced at the hustings, Dalit leader Jignesh Mewani says that despite these contradictions, Patidar leader Hardik Patel and he will together visit scheduled caste, scheduled tribe constituencies to campaign against the BJP. Mevani, 34, a lawyer and social activist -- who will contest the Gujarat assembly election from the Vadagam (SC) seat in Banaskantha district as an Independent candidate -- tells Archis Mohan that Hardik Patel, Alpesh Thakor and he have challenged Prime Minister Narendra D Modi, BJP President Amit A Shah and Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani for a debate on the 'Gujarat model' of development. Dalits, Patidars and Thakore communities have contradictions on the ground. Given that these communities have conflicting interests, how probable is it for these to united? Six years back, a non-governmental organisation had surveyed 1,589 villages of Gujarat. It found 98 types of untouchabilities within the Dalit community itself. For example, the Chamar community does not inter-dine with the Valmikis. But the Una incident unified all the Dalit sub-castes. That incident drove over three dozen Dalits to commit suicide by consuming poison, so deep was the feeling in the community (In July 2016, Dalit men were stripped and beaten by a group of self-appointed 'gau rakshaks', that fueled a Dalit agitation across the state). Our movement overcame internal contradictions and issues of identity. Similarly, Dalits, Patidars and OBCs have come together as all consider themselves victims of the so-called Gujarat model of development. I agree there are social, cultural and economic contradictions between the Dalits, Patidars and OBCs. But now the principal contradiction is with the BJP. The BJP is our common enemy and that has united us. I also agree that our contradictions would sooner or later surface. It does look improbable that Surat's safai karmacharis and the city's traders would have similar demands. In rural areas, there are contradictions between farmers and landless labourers. But at the current juncture, the discontent on the streets and markets of Gujarat is unprecedented. Patidar and Dalit youth have disrupted nearly a dozen public meetings of Amit A Shah and Narendra D Modi. An anganwadi worker stopped the PM's convoy and threw bangles at his vehicle. A BJP corporator in Vadodara was beaten up by local women. This Gujarat government has not lived up to Modi's claim of 'Sabka saath, sabka vikas'. It is wedded to the interests of big money. What is your assessment of the assembly election? While it is always difficult to forecast an election result, there has been substantial consolidation of anti-BJP votes. I believe the BJP would be wiped out in rural Gujarat. It has tried to reach out to traders in urban areas by recent GST-related announcements. But in the urban areas as well, its seat tally might come down from 55 of the 60 urban seats it had won in 2012 to 35 to 40 seats this time. I believe the BJP is unlikely to cross 80 seats (Gujarat has a 182 seat assembly). However, I also believe a free and fair election is difficult. It has become a question of the BJP's prestige to win Gujarat. They would go to any extent. If they lose Gujarat, they know they will lose India. Their corporate backers, who have invested in the current BJP leadership, will also support them to the hilt. So, are you campaigning for the Congress? We are not campaigning for any party. We are appealing to the people to vote against the BJP, not vote for the Congress. The BJP is different from most other political parties. I believe it is a fascist regime. Unlike the others, the BJP wishes to amend the Constitution and thrust a 'Hindu Rashtra' on us. Our movement has not shared the platform with any other political party, not even the Congress. We have our independent identity. If any other party comes to power or contests 182 seats, we will question them where they stand on Dalit issues. We have also asked Rahul Gandhi where he stands on Dalit issues. We are not going to contest elections (this interview was conducted before Jignesh decided to contest). I have not demanded tickets for myself or my associates. The next stage of our campaign is from November 26, Constitution Day, to December 6, Babasaheb's death anniversary. We will visit assembly constituencies reserved for scheduled castes, and also some of those reserved for scheduled tribes. Hardik Patel will also join me. The campaign will culminate with a public rally in Ahmedabad on December 6 where we expect in excess of 50,000 people to gather. These will be landless labourers, farmers, Dalits, Patidars, all communities which feel they have been victims of the 'Gujarat model'. Modi is expected to address several rallies across Gujarat. Wouldn't that change the narrative? Modi has already addressed three rallies and visited Gujarat at least 10 times in the past few months. But his public rallies have not clicked. The BJP's other planks, including 'vikas' have not clicked. Hardik Patel's purported sex CD has not clicked. Now they are relying on the communal card. We are telling people that they should ask BJP leaders about the price of diesel and petrol, not the Ram temple. We have exposed the hoax that this 'Gujarat model' is. I challenge Modi, Shah and Rupani to have a debate with Hardik, Alpesh and myself on the issue of development. Where do you stand on the Patidar community's demand for reservations? I do not have clarity on the issue. You would need to ask Constitutional experts on whether and how it can be done. But there is a larger question to this issue. Whether it's the Gujjars in Rajasthan, the Marathas in Maharashtra and the Patels in Gujarat, all of whom want reservation; and the Dalits and OBCs -- who already have reservation -- all of us need to ask the PM about the promise he made in 2014 of creating 20 million jobs a year. We need to question the government on basic issues of roti, kapda aur makan, price rise and corruption, and not allow them to divert attention by some purported CD of Hardik. What is your future political strategy? Post Una, our movement has given a sense of empowerment to the Dalit community. There is generally a feeling among Dalits that the 'manuwadi' (loosely the upper caste dominated) media doesn't give Dalit causes any space. But ever since Una, our cause has found a resonance in the media and across the country. The Dalit movement in Gujarat and our issues have been covered widely by the media. It has also been possible because we have an independent identity. As for a future political strategy, I can only say that I would not be rigid. I won't be politically stuck if only to remain ideologically pure. I hope my politics remains dynamic, but not for any personal interest and always for the larger good. Photographs: TOP: Prime Minister Narendra D Modi on the campaign trail in his home state Gujarat, November 27, 2017. Photograph: @narendramodi/Twitter BOTTOM: Jignesh Mevani, right, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, November 3, 2017 On a day when the Supreme Court pulled up chief ministers for passing comments on the movie Padmavati, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said his government was not in favour of allowing the release until the filmmakers issued a clarification to end the controversy. Kumar is the latest political leader to speak on the Sanjay Leela Bhansali film, which has been in the proverbial eye of the storm over allegations that it distorts history. I am not in favour of the movies release until its producer, director and all those who are associated with it offer a clarification putting the controversy to rest, Kumar said. He did not specify what clarification he was looking for. His comment comes on a day the Supreme Court took strong exception to statements made by persons holding high offices against the film, saying the remarks were tantamount to pre-judging the movie which is yet to be certified by the Censor Board. Bharatiya Janata Party governments in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat have either said that they will ban the film or demanded that objectionable content in it be removed. The film has been facing the wrath of various Rajput groups and political leaders, who have accused Bhansali of distorting history. Many groups have been protesting amid rumours that there is a romantic dream sequence between Rajput queen Padmini and Allauddin Khilji. However, Bhansali has said in an appeal that there is no dream sequence and it is all a rumour. Asked whether any instructions had been issued for a ban on the release of the movie in Bihar, Principal Secretary (Home) Amir Subhani earlier in the day said that they had received no such information. As the chief minister spoke his mind on the controversial film, Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Neeraj Kumar Singh reached the Bihar assembly premises with photographs of Bhansali and Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan garlanded with shoes and slippers pasted on his vehicle. Khan had said recently that Muslims never objected to Mughal-e-Azam though Anarkali was wrongly shown as Prince Salims beloved because the community was large hearted. Singh told reporters that he was a Rajput and could not tolerate any insult to Rajput sentiment. In the trailer of the movie, queen Padmini has been shown dancing, which is contrary to what history tells us about the legendary figure. I would have no objections if they had changed the name of the character. Filmmakers can portray a fictitious character in whatever manner they wish. But they cannot be allowed to portray historical figures in a distorted manner, the BJP MLA said. Singh also displayed a copy of a letter he wrote to Nitish Kumar, praying for a ban on the release of the film in the state. Image: Members of Rajput community chant slogans as they protest against the release of the Bollywood movie Padmavati. Photograph: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters 'Lord Rama is still in the same shape as he was before the disputed structure fell...' Exuding confidence that a grand Ram temple will be constructed in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Tuesday, November 28, said it will fulfil the aspirations of Lord Rama's devotees. Ayodhya, Maurya said, has never been a political issue, but a matter of faith. "Every Ram bhakt wants to see that Lord Rama does not languish in a taat (makeshift tent), but resides in thaat (grandeur)," he said. "Lord Rama is still in the same shape as he was before the disputed structure fell (when the Babri Masjid was demolished on December 6, 1992)... Every day he is worshipped as per traditions and rituals. But he is being worshipped under a taat," Maurya told Press Trust of India in an interview. His remarks come days after Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat made a strong pitch for building the Ram temple at the disputed site at Ayodhya, saying only the mandir would come up there and not any other structure. "Daily court hearing in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute case will begin on December 5," Maurya said. "I am confident that after the hearing, the judgment will come soon." "In place of tirpal (tent), a grand Ram temple will be built using stones on which carvings have been made by the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas," Maurya added. "Since the matter is in court, as a government, we can say that till the time the court delivers its judgment or there is an agreement among the parties (in the case), the construction of the Ram temple cannot commence," Maurya said. "However, the day the Supreme Court gives the judgment or an agreement is reached among the parties, construction work for the Ram temple will start without any delay," he said. Asked about Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's initiative to find a solution to the Ayodhya dispute, Maurya said, "If there is any initiative by anyone, then from the government there is no opposition to it. Those who have started the initiative must be having a roadmap." "But at the level of the government, we are waiting for agreement among the parties or a Supreme Court judgment. And we believe that it will be a favourable one," UP's deputy CM said. "Our religious scriptures prove that Ayodhya is the birthplace of Lord Rama and not a symbol of faith for Muslims. When the Mughal invaders came here, they destroyed many temples in order to insult Hindus," Maurya said. "For us, Ayodhya has never been a political issue and it will never be so in future. It is a matter of faith," Maurya said. "It is the SP (the Samajwadi Party), the BSP (the Bahujan Samaj Party) and the Congress who link politics with matter of faith." IMAGE: Actors dressed up as Rama, Sita and Lakshmana arrive by a helicopter decorated as the 'Pushpak Viman' during Deepotsav celebrations organised by the Uttar Pradesh government in Ayodhya in October. Photograph: Nand Kumar/PTI Photo With the Gujarat polls less than two weeks away, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday raked up the issue of an old United States diplomatic cable which allegedly quoted Rahul Gandhi as saying that 'Hindu terror is a bigger threat' in India than the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Tayiba, and sought his explanation. Addressing a press conference in Ahmedabad, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad referred to the cable which was leaked by the whistleblower website WikiLeaks and subsequently published in some newspapers in 2010. Prasad said Gandhi should be 'ashamed of linking' Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was then the chief minister of Gujarat, when he spoke about 'polarising figures in the BJP' during his purported conversation with a US diplomat. "In 2010, two years after the (26/11) Mumbai terror attack, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was on India tour. At the lunch organised for then prime minister Manmohan Singh, US Ambassador Timothy Roemer was sitting next to Rahul Gandhi and asked the Congress leader what he thinks about the LeT," Prasad said. "In his response, Rahul told Roemer that forget LeT, it is the Hindu terror of this country which is a bigger threat. The US envoy Roemer sent this conversation as a cable to his country. Later, that cable was leaked and published by London-based The Guardian newspaper," the minister said. Referring to the purported communication, Prasad said, the US envoy even wrote that the Congress 'general secretary' (Rahul Gandhi) was referring to the tensions created by some of the more polarising figures in the BJP such as Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi. "This is the level of the Congress and Rahul. It was indeed shameful that he tried to link Modi with it. We demand an explanation from Rahul on this. He should be ashamed of himself as he thinks that LeT is less dangerous that Hindu saffron terror. And now, he is visiting temples in Gujarat," the BJP leader said. Prasad's diatribe came a day after the prime minister accused the Congress vice president of applauding the release of LeT chief Hafiz Saeed in Pakistan, and asked why he hugged the Chinese ambassador during the Doklam standoff. He also lashed out at the Congress over a joint statement issued by India and Pakistan in Sharm el-Sheikh in July 2009. Prasad alleged that Manmohan Singh had accepted his Pakistani counterpart Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani's charge that India was interfering in Pakistan's restive Balochistan region. "During the talks between both the PMs (in Sharm el-Sheikh), Pakistan had said that they are worried about Balochistan as India is interfering in it (the region). Surprisingly, Manmohan Singh accepted Pakistan's worry about Balochistan, which was also mentioned in the joint statement," the minister said. Prasad said the instance of Manmohan Singh 'agreeing to Pakistan's concerns on Balochistan', at a time when the neighbouring country was spreading terror in Kashmir, amounted to 'bigger compromise with national interests'. "On one side, Pakistan is spreading terror in PoK and Kashmir, while on the other side Indian PM (Singh) agrees to Pakistan's concerns in Balochistan and that too just a few months after the 26/11 attack. There cannot be any bigger compromise with nation's interests than this one," he added. Commenting on former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah's challenge to the Centre to hoist the national flag at Lal Chowk in Srinagar before talking about unfurling it in PoK, Prasad said the tricolour is already flying high across the state. "Abdullah had also said that PoK should be given to Pakistan...Our tricolour is already flying high in the state and Pak-sponsored terrorism is losing its ground," he said. Responding to a query, Prasad said repealing Article 370 of the Constitution that gives autonomous status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir was indeed a part of the BJP's election manifesto. He said the situation in Kashmir has been improving gradually during the last two years. When asked about the statement of Lalu Prasad's son Tej Pratap following withdrawal of National Security Guard security to the Rashtriya Janata Dal supremo that he will get the prime minister 'skinned', Prasad said, Rahul Gandhi should also speak on this as RJD is an ally of the Congress. Photograph: PTI Photo The father of the Kerala woman, at the centre of the alleged love jihad case, on Tuesday welcomed the Supreme Court decision allowing her to continue her studies. Asked about his stance on inter-religious marriages, Hadiya's father K M Ashokan said he believed in one religion and one god but could not have a terrorist in the family. "Hadiya does not have any idea about Syria, where she wanted to go after converting to Islam," Ashokan said. "I cannot have a terrorist in the family," he added. The Supreme Court on Monday freed Hadiya, 25, alleged to be a victim of 'love jihad', from the custody of her parents and sent her to college to pursue her studies, even as she pleaded that she should be allowed to go with her husband Shafin Jahan. "I was sad that she had to undergo all these unpleasant experiences because of which her studies were interrupted. But now I am happy as the court has allowed her to study further," Ashokan told reporters. He denied allegations that she had been kept under house arrest and added, "She was fully surrounded by police inside and outside the house." Ashokan said he was not worried about her security in Salem, Tamil Nadu, as she was now under the protection and observation of the apex court. "I accept the Supreme Court's decision. She is under the protection of the Supreme Court as it is monitoring the case and so I am not worried about her security," he said. He also said he would go to Salem and meet her as and when necessary as the court had allowed him to do so. "The court has not given anyone guardianship, including Shafin Jahan, of my child," Ashokan said, adding that only close relatives like him were allowed by the court. Hadiya today left for Salem under the protection of Kerala Police and is expected to reach there by evening. The apex court, which yesterday interacted with Hadiya for nearly half-an-hour in the courtroom against the wishes of her father who had sought an in-camera interaction, had directed the Kerala police to provide her security and ensure that she travels at the earliest to Salem to pursue her homoeopathy studies at the Sivaraj Medical College there. Hadiya was in the custody of her parents for almost six months after the Kerala High Court had on May 29 anulled her 'nikah' with Shafin Jahan. Hadiya, a Hindu by birth, had converted to Islam several months before her marriage. Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed has filed a petition in the United Nations seeking the removal of his name from the list of designated terrorists on the ground that none of the allegations against him -- either related to terrorism or otherwise -- has been proved in the Pakistani courts. The banned Jamaat-ud-Dawah head, who carries a $10 million (Rs 64 crore) bounty on his head for terror activities, walked free on Friday after the Pakistan government decided against detaining him further in any other case. He was under house arrest since January this year. Lahore-based law firm -- Mirza and Mirza Law Associates -- has filed the petition on behalf of Saeed in the UN. Supreme Court Advocate Navid Rasul Mirza, the owner of this law firm said that his law firm had recently filed the petition in the UN. My law firm has filed the petition on Hafiz Saeeds behalf at the UN seeking removal of his name from its list of designated terrorists. My son Haider Rasul who is director of this firm is looking after this case, he said. Saeed, who is accused of having masterminded the November 2008 Mumbai attack that killed 166 people, was placed on the terrorism black list by the United Nations under UN Security Council Resolution 1267 in December 2008. To a question about any progress in the case so far, Mirza said: We have just filed the petition. Mirza was Additional Advocate General of Punjab Government (1993-1996) and Prosecutor General for the National Accountability Bureau, a government anti-graft body (2000-03). This is the first time that Saeed has hired a law firm other than that of his permanent counsel Advocate A K Dogar. In Pakistan, all cases of the JuD chief are being handled by Dogar. This firm to pursue his case in the UN has been hired in consultation with Dogar, a Jamaat-ud-Dawah office-bearer said. The office-bearer said Saeed has decided to challenge the UNs decision on the basis of different court decisions since 2009 in which no allegation either related to terrorism or otherwise -- has been proved in the Pakistani courts. He said the UNs decision to place Saeeds name on the list of terrorists had caused harm to his reputation as it appeared that this had been done on international pressure. We have enough ground to fight our case in the UN. The UN should take up our petition and remove Hafiz Saeeds name from the designated terrorists list, he said. Lashkar-e-Tayiba operations commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi was also placed on the terrorism black list along with Saeed. According to the UNSCs sanctions committee, the LeT leaders were subject to the assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo, set out in Security Council resolution 1822. The UNSC website says: Saeed is proscribed for being associated with LeT and Al Qaeda for participating in the financing, planning, facilitating, preparing or perpetrating of acts of activities by, in conjunction with, under the name of, on behalf or in support of both entities. India has repeatedly asked Pakistan to re-investigate the Mumbai terror attack case and also demanded trial of Saeed and Lakhvi in the light of evidence it had provided to Islamabad. A Lahore high courts Judicial Review Board last week unanimously ordered Saeeds release after the Punjab government failed to provide any evidence related to terrorism or otherwise before it. After his release, Saeed said the US, on Indias request, pressured Pakistan to detain him. I was detained on the pressure of the US on the Pakistani government. The US did so on the request of India, he claimed. India had expressed outrage over the decision of the judicial board to release Saeed, calling it an attempt by Pakistan to mainstream proscribed terrorists and a reflection of its continuing support to non-state actors. The JuD is believed to be the front organisation for the banned LeT which is responsible for carrying out the Mumbai terror attack in 2008. Saeed was put under house arrest after the Mumbai attack in November 2008 but he was freed by a court in 2009. Nine of the Mumbai attackers were killed by police while lone survivor Ajmal Kasab was caught and executed after a trial. IMAGE: Hafiz Saeed is showered with flower petals after he was released by the Pakistan government. Photograph: Mohsin Raza/Reuters The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked people holding public office to desist from reacting on the Deepika Padukone-starrer Bollywood flick Padmavati, saying such statements violated the rule of law and could prejudice the censor boards decision. Politicians of all hues, including some chief ministers, have recently made public statements, mostly against the film based on the saga of the historic battle of 13th century between Maharaja Ratan Singh and his army of Mewar and Sultan Alauddin Khilji of Delhi. When a matter is pending for consideration before the Central Board of Film Certification, how can persons in public authority comment on whether the CBFC should issue certificate or not? It will prejudice the decision of CBFC, a bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra said. The bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, termed as misconceived and dismissed a fresh petition seeking an order to restrain Viacom 18, the maker of the film and others, from releasing it abroad. It said when the courts were not making any observation keeping in mind that the CBFC has to perform its statutory duty, persons holding high offices should desist from making statements. The bench asked the CBFC to take the decision on the certification of the movie with utmost objectivity. In his plea, lawyer M L Sharma had also sought a direction to the Central Bureau of Investigation to register a case against director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and others for various offences including defamation and violation of the Cinematography Act. The bench expressed shock at certain objectionable contents of the petition and termed them unwarranted and scurrilous and ordered their deletion. The court said it was not imposing costs on the lawyer for filing such a petition as he was a practising lawyer of the apex court. It took serious note of the statements made by politicians, holding high public offices, on the movie, saying these tantamounted to pre-judging the movie which is yet to be certified by the CBFC. This is not done, the bench said, adding, One thing which we must say is that when the matter is pending and going to be dealt with by the CBFC, no one, who is holding public office, should be saying something which would tantamount to pre-judging and may prejudice the mind of CBFC. It should be borne in mind that we all are governed by the Rule of Law, it said, adding that when persons holding responsible positions say certain things on the content of the movie, it violated the rule of law. The bench asked Additional Solicitors General Maninder Singh and P S Narasimha to convey their views that such statements should not be made as they violated the principle of Rule of Law. At the outset, senior advocates Harish Salve and Shyam Divan, appearing for the producers, informed the court that there was no intention to release the movie abroad on December 1, as alleged. The petition had alleged that grave damage will be done to social harmony if the movie is allowed to be released outside India. Earlier too, the apex court had dismissed his plea seeking deletion of certain alleged objectionable scenes from movie. Viacom 18, the makers of the film, had said they have deferred the movies release which was originally slated for December 1. Image: A security guard walks past a poster of the upcoming Bollywood movie Padmavati outside a theatre in Mumbai. Photograph: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters In their first interview as a couple, the royal and his blushing bride-to-be reveal details about their romance, meeting of the families and that oh so important ring. IMAGE: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle met the press for an official photocall after their engagement was announced. The couple will wed in 2018. Photograph: Chris Jackson/Getty Images Meghan Markle barely let Britains Prince Harry finish proposing. It was a cozy night earlier this month at the couples Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace and the pair were roasting a chicken, the American actor said. Or trying to roast a chicken, Harry said, correcting her. It was so sweet and natural and very romantic. He got down on one knee, she said. As a matter of fact, I could barely let you finish proposing. I said, Can I say yes now? IMAGE: The British prince and his American actress fiancee were all smiles and were beaming as they posed for the shutterbugs after their engagement was announced. Harry, in the interview with the BBC, also said that he couldn't wait to start a family with Meghan. Photograph: Chris Jackson/Getty Images Much sought after details about Prince Harrys engagement to American actress Meghan Markle, best known for her role as Rachel Zane in Suits, were revealed during the couples first interview to BBC after their engagement was announced on Monday. The couple revealed that they first met on a blind date after being set up by a female friend -- and have tried to see each other every two weeks. Harry added: I fell in love with Meghan so incredibly quickly... All the stars were aligned -- everything was just perfect. It was this beautiful woman just sort of literally tripped and fell into my life - I fell into her life. Four weeks after they met, Harry persuaded Markle to join him on a five-day break in Botswana. He said: We camped out with each other under the stars... which was absolutely fantastic. IMAGE: The couple looked stylish as ever as they posed for the cameras. Meghan wore a white coat by Line the Label and wore minimal make-up. Harry looked dapper in a blue suit. Photograph: Chris Jackson/Getty Images During the interview, the couple was quite gigglish and candid too. Markle, who grew up in Los Angeles, said she didn't think of theirs as a "whirlwind" relationship. Harry recalled his first impression: I was beautifully surprised when I walked into that room and saw her. There she was sitting there. He thought, Im going to have to up my game. Shortly after their first encounter, during which they shared their passions and the changes theyd like to effect in the world, they decided another date was in order. What are we doing tomorrow? We should meet again, Markle recalled asking. Prince Harry was about to head off to Africa, and Markle was busy filming Suits We need to get the diaries out and find out how were going to make this work, Harry thought at the time. Meeting the royal family IMAGE: A person is seen reading the London Evening Standard with the news that Prince Harry has announced his engagement to Meghan Markle. Photograph: Darrin Zammit Lupi/Reuters During the interview it was also revealed that Meghan has met the Queen a few times and has become quite popular with the Queens corgis. Describing being introduced to the Queen, Harrys grandmother, Markle said: Its incredible, I think, you know, to be able to meet her through his lens, not just with his honour and respect for her as the monarch, but the love that he has for her as his grandmother. All of those layers have been so important for me so that when I met her I had such a deep understanding and of course incredible respect for being able to have that time with her. And weve had a really shes, she's an incredible woman. ALSO WATCH: Princess Diana would've been 'best friends' with Meghan: Prince Harry Harry added: And the corgis took to you straight away. To which Markle replied: Thats true. Harry joked: Ive spent the last 33 years being barked at - this one walks in, absolutely nothing. Markle, who has two dogs herself, said: Just laying on my feet during tea. It was very sweet. Harry added: Just wagging tails - and I was just like, argh. Markle said Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge had been wonderful to her, while Harry said both William and Kate had been amazing. Its been nine years since the dastardly 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai. More than 150 lives were lost when terrorists entered the countrys financial capital and laid siege to prominent locations, killing hundreds of innocents and scarring thousands of other lives forever. The Global Terrorism Index 2017 released by the Australia-based Institute for Economics and Peace provides a comprehensive summary of the key global trends and patterns in terrorism over the last 17 years in covering the period from the beginning of 2000 to the end of 2016. According to the report, this is the second consecutive year, deaths from terrorism declined. Over the two years there was a decrease of 22 per cent compared to the peak of terror activity in 2014. Terrorism deaths have fallen significantly in Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria. However, Islamic State defied this positive trend with over 9,000 deaths, primarily in Iraq and increased activity in OECD countries. Here's a map explaining how terrorism has affected the world in the past year The map clearly shows Iraq, Afghanista, Nigeria, Syria, and Pakistan topping the list of countries most affected by terrorism in the past year. India ranks eight on the list. FIVE MOST IMPACTED COUNTRIES The above chart shows the top five countries most affected by terrorism in 2017. As one can see, Iraq tops the list with 9,765 fatalities from 2,965 incidents of terror. India, which ranks eighth on the list, had 340 fatalities from 929 incidents. Here's more on the top five most affected countries. Iraq On May 30, an ice cream parlor in Karrada district of Baghdad, Iraq was attacked by an Islamic State suicide bomber, killing at least 26 people. According to the report, more than 90 per cent of the deaths in terror attacks in Iraq have been committed by the Islamic State. Photograph: Thaier Al-Sudani Levels of terrorism in Iraq were very low prior to the 2003 invasion. The destabilisation of the country led to a steady rise in terrorism and for the last 13 years it has consistently been the country most impacted by terrorism. In 2016, Iraq experienced its worst year with a 40 per cent increase in deaths. This increase resulted in 2,803 more deaths with a total of 9,765 people killed. Afghanistan Afghan officials inspect outside the German embassy after a blast in Kabul, Afghanistan. On May 31, a truck bomb exploded near the diplomatic building, killing over 115 and injuring another 400 people. According to authorities, the blast, which took place inside one of the most heavily fortified areas, was planned by the Haqqani network. Photograph: Mohammad Ismail/Reuters Afghanistan had the second highest number of deaths from terrorism in 2016. However this was 14 per cent lower than the previous year in large part due to reduced terrorist activity by the Taliban. While this reduced number of deaths provides some optimism, it is the second highest number of deaths recorded from terrorism in Afghanistan since the 2002 US invasion. Nigeria In Nigeria, the terror group, Boko Haram, has been responsible for majority of the attacks. Photograph: Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters Nigeria saw the biggest decrease in deaths from terrorism in 2016. Deaths dropped by 63 per cent from 4,940 in 2015 to 1,832. This is a further decline from the peak in 2014 when over 7,500 people were killed. This significant decrease has coincided with successful military actions against various terrorist groups coupled with a decline in domestic support for these groups due to their coercive approaches to recruitment and the pillaging of villages. Syria A bomb attack on a crowded bus convoy outside Aleppo in Syria claimed the lives of over 126 people on April 15. At least 80 of the fatalities were children. Photograph: Ammar Abdullah/Reuters -- Does the world care about these children? Terrorism in Syria is linked to the ongoing civil war which began in 2011. Prior to the conflict, Syria ranked 57 in the GTI and was better placed than the Netherlands. It now ranks fourth. This rapid deterioration highlights the devastating impact of the civil war. Pakistan A man mourns the death of a relative who was killed in a suicide blast at the tomb of Sufi saint Syed Usman Marwandi, also known as the Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine in Pakistan's Sindh province on February 17. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack. Photograph: Akhtar Soomro/Reuters For the third consecutive year Pakistan has witnessed fewer terrorist attacks and deaths. In 2016, there were 956 deaths from terrorism; the lowest number in a decade. This is a 12 per cent decrease from the previous year and a 59 per cent decline from the peak in 2013. These improvements are notable as Pakistan has a long history of high levels of terrorism and this years result is the best in a decade. India On July 10, terrorists killed seven Amarnath pilgrims, including six women, and injured 19 others as they struck at a bus in Kashmirs Anantnag district, in the worst attack on the annual pilgrimage since the year 2001. Photograph: Umar Ganie/ Rediff.com In 2016, India witnessed an increase of 18 per cent in the number of deaths resulting from terrorism when compared to 2015. However, this is still the third lowest number of people killed by terrorism since 2000. From 2002 to 2015, India has been ranked between second and sixth on the GTI. In the last two years Indias ranking improved to eighth. When it comes to India, the report states that despite the decrease in deaths over the last two years, the number of terrorist attacks have actually increased. There were 16 per cent more attacks in 2016 than in 2015 in continuing the four year trend of increasing attacks. Below are the worst attacks in India since 2011 mapped. As the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party battle it out for the Gujarat elections, scheduled to be held in two phases on December 9 and 15, Rediff Labs analyses which political leader has been making the most buzz. The graph above shows the number of articles that mention the candidates in the months of October and November. According to the data, Hardik Patel from the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti has been generating the most buzz. For more data driven journalism, check out REDIFF LABS Photograph: Amit Dave/Reuters There are indications that the Modi dispensation was disinclined to bring the VHP into the temple-mosque frame. Radhika Ramaseshan reports. When Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the Art of Living Foundation maker, initiated an effort to 'resolve' the Ayodhya tangle, he joined a line of past negotiators that included tantrik Chandraswami and Jayendra Saraswathi, pontiff of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham. There's a difference, though. Chandraswami and the Kanchi Shankaracharya were directly engaged by former prime ministers Narasimha Rao and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, respectively, when the Ayodhya dispute became too much of a hot potato to hold. It's unclear if the spiritual guru from Bengaluru was empowered by the Narendra Modi government to begin talks on Ayodhya with the Shia Waqf Board earlier this year and pursue the exercise with other stakeholders. Narendra Modi on fringe elements June 2015: Some unfortunate comments (on ghar wapsi) have been made, which were totally uncalled for. Our Constitution guarantees religious freedom to every citizen and that is not negotiable. August 2016: I get so angry at those who are in the gau rakshak business. A gau bhakt (cow devotee) is different, gau seva (cow protection) is different. I have seen that some people commit all kinds of crimes at night and wear the garb of gau rakshaks by day. June 2017: Violence in the name of gau bhakti is antithetical to Mahatma Gandhis views. July 2017: Some anti-social elements have made cow protection a medium for spreading anarchy. People involved in disturbing harmony in the country are also taking advantage of it. A well-placed government source denied 'overt' sanction, adding, "Such developments are welcomed by us because they blunt the disruptions caused by hardliners from both sides." An indication that the Modi dispensation was disinclined to bring the Vishwa Hindu Parishad into the temple-mosque frame. For fear that if it did, the latter's hotheads, lately turned to other faith-related causes like a ban on cow killing and conversions, might revert to Ayodhya, re-invigorated, and trigger an unwanted crisis. That the dynamic governing the Bharatiya Janata Party-VHP equation was changing subtly but surely was evident when Sri Sri called on Yogi Adityanath, the Uttar Pradesh chief minister, last week. Adityanath's mentor, Avaidyanath, had helmed the Ram Janambhoomi Nyas or trust, created to oversee construction of the Ram temple on the site of the demolished Babri mosque. Yogi participated in the temple movement as a youth and unfailingly attended every 'dharma sansad' or religious parliament the VHP convened, without being its member. As a CM, his response on the tete-a-tete with Sri Sri was tactful but with a hint that his heart was resolutely with Hindutva proponents. He was quoted welcoming 'efforts at any level' but took a swipe at 'one side' (read the Muslims) for 'running away from such discussion'. Vinay Katiyar, the BJP MP known for militant advocacy of a Ram temple, said when Sri Sri met him, he 'bluntly' told him the Shia Waqf Board he was talking with had no locus standi in the Ayodhya legal cases. "The real parties to speak to are the Sunni Waqf Board and the Babri Masjid Action Committee," said Katiyar. He also quoted to Sri Sri the Allahabad high court ruling of October 2010 that the land which housed the mosque should be divided three ways, among the two Hindu litigants and the Sunni Waqf Board. "I told him the board should relinquish its claim to end the problem," said Katiyar, former chief of the Bajrang Dal, the VHP's bellicose arm. In the Modi regime, the Ayodhya developments were apparently pulling in three directions: Yogi's dual identity as a CM and a 'Hindutvawaadi', the VHPs unwillingness to stay in business and the PMs strategy to marginalise the VHP. Champat Rai, its secretary general (international), said, "Today, he's not just a sadhu but the head of an important state," said Rai. Swami Nritya Gopal Das of Ayodhya, who heads the Ram Janambhoomi Trust, was emphatic that the Modi government, Yogi and the VHP were one entity. "We will never get a combination like this again. Modi's values are different from Vajpayee's. This is the most opportune time to build a temple," he said. The PM might not share this exuberance. As Gujarat chief minister, he'd sidelined the VHP and its feisty leader, Praveen Togadia, and demolished numerous wayside temples in Gandhinagar. Before the 2014 election, he built another bridge with a Hindutva constituency, independent of the VHP. He projected televangelist Baba Ramdev, Ramesh Ojha of Gujarat, and later Sri Sri. Now, he is projecting Yogi as a Hindutva icon. This month, his Mauritius counterpart, Pravin Jugnauth, personally requested Modi to send Yogi as chief guest for the islands Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas. IMAGE: Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, right, with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the latters official residence in Lucknow. Photograph: Courtesy @CMOfficeUP/Twitter Was Shell complicit in murder? Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 28 November 2017 Related Document(s) A Criminal Enterprise? Shell's Involvement in Human Rights Violations in Nigeria in the 1990s Cite as Amnesty International, Was Shell complicit in murder?, 28 November 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a1d39064.html [accessed 17 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. Oil giant Shell has a case to answer for its role in human rights violations including murder, rape and torture committed by the Nigerian military government in the 1990s. The victims were the Ogoni people, whose land has been devastated by pollution from Shell's operations. When the Ogonis organized in peaceful protest, the Nigerian government unleashed a campaign of appalling violence against them. Despite a raft of evidence linking Shell with the government's actions, no company executive has ever been made to answer for its involvement. The fact that Shell has never been held to account for this is an outrage, and one that sends a terrible message: if companies are rich and powerful enough, they can get away with anything. So, for the first time, Amnesty International has brought together the available evidence to paint a damning picture of Shell's role. From 1990 onwards, Shell knew that its requests for the security forces to intervene in the Niger Delta were likely to result in human rights violations. In 1990, Shell requested the assistance of a paramilitary police unit to deal with peaceful protesters at one of its facilities in Umuechem. The police attacked the village with guns and grenades, killing 80 people and torching 595 houses. Despite this atrocity, Shell went back to the Nigerian government for help in dealing with community protests. A clear pattern began to emerge: over and over again, Shell asked the government to intervene, and these requests were soon followed by violence and death. For example: A Shell memo shows that on 18 March 1993, Shell staff "pleaded" with the governor of Rivers State for a military guard while its contractors laid a pipeline. On 30 April, the army responded to community protests against the new pipeline by shooting and wounding 11 villagers at Biara village. Days later, on 4 May, Shell again asked the governor for "assistance". That same day, troops opened fire on community protests at Nonwa village, killing one man. Once again, a direct request from Shell led to human rights violations. Then, a memo from 11 May 1993 shows that Shell managers met senior government and security officials in Abuja "to mobilise support at top government levels". The head of the security service assured Shell that the Ogoni situation "would be over soon". Two months later, the military incited and participated in a new wave of armed attacks on Ogonis. Despite these violations, it was Shell's policy to provide security forces with logistical support. A 1995 statement from Shell Nigeria's then-chair Brian Anderson explained that it was company policy at the time to provide the Nigerian government with logistical support - including the use of its boats, buses and helicopters. Sometimes Shell's assistance directly facilitated human rights violations. For example, in October 1993 the company provided the army's transport to Korokoro village, when troops opened fire on protesters. Shell had no qualms about repeatedly offering logistical support to security forces it knew were committing human rights violations. Shell even paid money to a military unit responsible for violence. In December 1993, shortly after a military coup, Shell wrote to the new military administrator of Rivers State, highlighting the economic consequences of protests and naming communities, including in Ogoniland, where protests had occurred. One month later, the military administrator created the new Internal Security Task Force (ISTF), under the command of Major Paul Okuntimo. The ISTF began carrying out human rights violations almost immediately. On 21 February 1994, soldiers under Major Okuntimo's command shot at thousands of people who were peacefully demonstrating outside Shell's main compound. Then, on 3 March 1994, Shell paid Major Okuntimo and 25 of his men an "honorarium". An internal Shell memo explained that the payment was a "show of gratitude and motivation for a sustained favourable disposition towards [Shell] in future assignments". Shortly afterwards, the ISTF began a campaign of brutal raids in Ogoniland - killing, raping and torturing villagers. Shell knew all about these human rights violations. Major Okuntimo boasted of these raids on television, and they were widely reported. In July that year, the Dutch ambassador told Shell that the army had killed some 800 Ogonis. Shell also had insider knowledge. Company executives met regularly with top government officials, and discussed the government strategy for dealing with the Ogoni protests. Shell raised the Ogoni and Ken Saro-Wiwa as a "problem". The Ogoni crisis culminated in the executions of the "Ogoni Nine" by the Nigerian state. Among them was Ken Saro-Wiwa, a famous writer and leader of protests by the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP). Evidence shows that, at the peak of the crackdown in Ogoniland, Shell provided encouragement and motivation to the military authorities to stop the MOSOP protests, and specifically named Ken Saro-Wiwa. A memo describes how, at a meeting with President Sani Abacha on 30 April 1994, Brian Anderson raised "the problem of the Ogonis and Ken Saro-Wiwa". Anderson reported that he came away from the meeting with the sense that Abacha "will intervene with either the military or the police." Indeed, within a month Ken Saro-Wiwa and other MOSOP leaders had been arrested, unfairly accused of involvement in murder, and held without charge. The men were tortured and ill-treated in detention, before being found guilty in a sham trial and executed on 10 November 1995. The detailed records show that Shell knew the trial would be unfair and Ken Saro-Wiwa found guilty; but there is no indication in the available evidence of Shell trying to persuade the Nigerian military government to follow a less violent path in Ogoniland. Conclusion: Shell's conduct amounts to encouraging, and, at times, facilitating the horrific crimes and abuses committed by the Nigerian security forces in Ogoniland in the mid-1990s. The company, knowing that violence against local communities was almost certain to occur, asked for the security forces to deal with community protests. Shell provided logistical support to the army and police, repeatedly underlined to the Nigerian government how the country was financially dependent on oil, and even paid money to the security forces. Shell has always strongly denied these allegations. But the evidence paints a shocking picture of a corporation putting its interests above all else. The key question is: if Shell had not acted as it did, and had not pushed the Nigerian military and government, would so many people have been beaten, tortured, raped and killed? Amnesty International is calling on the authorities in Nigeria, and Shell's home states, the Netherlands and the UK, to launch a criminal investigation into the company's role in the human rights violations committed by the Nigerian security forces. Copyright notice: Copyright Amnesty International Morocco: Protesters, activists and journalists detained over Rif protests must be released Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 28 November 2017 Cite as Amnesty International, Morocco: Protesters, activists and journalists detained over Rif protests must be released, 28 November 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a1d39ec4.html [accessed 17 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. The Moroccan authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Rif protest leader Nasser Zefzafi as well journalist Hamid El Mahdaoui and all others detained in connection with the Rif protests and for peacefully exercising their human rights, said Amnesty International. "The crackdown on Rif protesters in recent months has been relentless. The authorities must free Nasser Zefzafi and others detained for protesting peacefully or covering demonstrations online. They are prisoners of conscience," said . Since May, security forces have arrested hundreds of protesters, including children and several journalists over the largely peaceful protests. At least 410 people are currently detained, some of whom were arrested from their homes. Many have already been convicted, with some handed harsh prison terms of up to 20 years, while others, including minors, have been held for up to six months in pre-trial detention. Protest leader Nasser Zefzafi has been detained for 176 days in prolonged solitary confinement, at the Ain Sbaa Local Prison, spending over 22 hours a day in individual cells with no meaningful human contact. Journalist Hamid El Mahdaoui has also been detained for several weeks in prolonged solitary confinement at the same prison. Prolonged solitary confinement, defined as for a period in excess of 15 days, violates the absolute prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. "Even though pre-trial detention should only be used as an exceptional measure and should never be used as punishment, the Casablanca court has refused release on bail for 50 of 54 defendants in the Rif trials." said Heba Morayef. The Casablanca Court of Appeals is currently trying Nasser Zefzafi and fifty-three others in connection with the Rif protest movement, or Hirak in Arabic. Most charges brought against protest leader Nasser Zefzafi and his co-defendants are inconsistent with Morocco's human rights obligations since they criminalise the peaceful exercise of the rights to freedom of assembly, association and expression. Charges include unauthorized protest, rebellion, "plotting to undermine internal state security", undermining "citizens' loyalty to the Moroccan state and to the Moroccan people's institutions", "incitement against the kingdom's territorial unity" and "insulting" public officials and institutions. Those charged with state security offences could, if convicted, face up to 20 years in prison. Some even stand accused of attempted murder and are facing possible life sentences. Protesters described torture and other ill-treatment, including heavy beatings, suffocation, stripping, rape threats and insults, inflicted by police upon arrest and during interrogation, sometimes to force them to "confess" to crimes. In July, the Minister of Justice announced investigations into at least 66 cases of suspected police torture or other ill-treatment of protesters in custody. Judges have also failed to exclude statements possibly extracted under torture as incriminating evidence against the defendants in their trials so far, in breach of Morocco's international anti-torture and fair trial obligations. The prosecution has also accused Zefzafi of "inciting protesters to assault security forces" during their attempt to arrest him on 26 May. Amnesty International has closely examined the charge sheet and the evidence submitted by the prosecution against Zefzafi. The act in question, according to the prosecution, was when Zefzafi pointed his finger at security forces, calling them "repressive forces" and praying out loud "asking God almighty for [his] martyrdom". Such words and acts do not amount to incitement to violence but constitute peaceful free expression. Moroccan courts have already convicted persons accused of direct involvement in occasional fringe clashes involving protesters throwing stones and Molotov cocktails, including on 26 March 2017 in Imzouren. In this case however, the prosecution accused most of the 54 defendants of generally "inciting", "participating" or being "complicit" in unrest without providing any evidence of their individual criminal responsibility with regards to any acts of violence. The prosecution focused the defendants' legitimate calls for or involvement in the protests including chanting peaceful slogans or purchasing fabric for banners or renting chairs for public meetings, or posting content about the protests on social media. It also focused on Facebook posts and the use of Facebook Live broadcast by activists as "incitement" to protest, and arrested bloggers and journalists who covered the protests on online news sites and Facebook. Activists Mohamed Jelloul, Nabil Ahamjik, Mohamed Majjaoui, Achraf El Yakhloufi, journalists Mohamed El Assrihi and Fouad Saidi, and others within the group of 54 defendants have been detained on charges such as "undermining internal state security", "incitement against the kingdom's territorial unity", "insulting" public officials and institutions and organising unauthorised protest, and must be immediately and unconditionally released. The prosecution has also accused journalist Hamid El Mahdaoui of failing to alert the authorities about phonecalls he received from a man who claimed he planned to buy weapons and send them to Morocco to trigger a "war" in Al Hoceima, in the Rif. The journalist told the court he did not know the man or take him seriously. El Mahdaoui, an outspoken journalist, already convicted several times previously for denouncing abuses by officials, must be immediately and unconditionally released. The prosecution has accused a minority of defendants of direct responsibility in specific acts of violence, including stone-throwing, arson and property damage. While Amnesty International has not been in a position to independently verify the evidence behind these claims, the court must guarantee the right to a fair trial for all defendants, including through the exclusion of statements elicited by torture, ill-treatment or coercion. Activists continue to face arrests in the Rif region and authorities continue to impose protest bans, including recently on 28 October in the towns of Nador and Al Hoceima on the first anniversary of the death of fishmonger Mouhcine Fikri. His fatal crushing in a garbage truck while attempting to recover confiscated swordfish had ignited protests that crystallized into the Hirak protest movement. Copyright notice: Copyright Amnesty International Israel/Palestine: UN Settlement Business Data Can Stem Abuse Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 28 November 2017 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Israel/Palestine: UN Settlement Business Data Can Stem Abuse, 28 November 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a1d3dd74.html [accessed 17 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. Ongoing illegal Israeli settlement activity highlights the urgency of the publication of a United Nations database of businesses that have enabled or profited from settlements, Human Rights Watch said today. The database will publicly identify businesses that contribute to rights abuses by operating in or with settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. In so doing, it will build pressure on businesses to stop doing business in and with settlements in order to meet their human rights responsibilities and for countries to respond to the Security Council's call in its Resolution 2334 to distinguish between Israeli territory and settlements in their dealings. In the year since the resolution passed with a 14-0 vote and a US abstention, Israeli authorities have accelerated settlement plans, passed a law legalizing the confiscation of private Palestinian land, and declared their intent to maintain settlements forever. "Israel's brazen disregard of the 2016 Security Council resolution, passed without opposition, reaffirming the illegality of settlements makes it all the more urgent for corporations to avoid entanglement in rights abuses inherent in settlement activity," said Sarah Leah Whitson, executive director of the Middle East division of Human Rights Watch. "The database can contribute toward establishing an authoritative list of corporations currently engaged in such activity." The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has been compiling the database after the UN Human Rights Council voted in March 2016 to establish it in March 2017. The Human Rights Council accepted the high commissioner's request to defer its publication "for one time only" until "no later than the end of December 2017." Settlements violate the laws of occupation. The Fourth Geneva Convention prohibits an occupying power from transferring its citizens into the territory it occupies and from transferring or displacing the population of an occupied territory within or outside the territory. Settlements also contribute to Israel's two-tiered discriminatory system in the occupied West Bank, restricting and stunting Palestinian development while subsidizing and supporting Israeli settlements built on land unlawfully seized from Palestinians. Companies have a responsibility under the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) to conduct due diligence and mitigate any harmful human rights impact of their activities. Business activity in settlements, by making it possible for Israel to build and sustain the settlements, contributes to serious violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law. Because abuses are inherent to the settlement enterprise, businesses do not have the ability to alleviate or mitigate them. Merely doing business with the settlements amounts to complicity in them. Therefore, businesses have a responsibility to cease doing business in or with Israeli settlements, Human Rights Watch said. Prohibited conduct would include locating or carrying out activities inside settlements; financing, administering, or otherwise supporting settlements or settlement-related activities and infrastructure; and contracting to purchase settlement-manufactured goods or produce. Countries also have obligations with regard to businesses in their territory or under their jurisdiction. The Fourth Geneva Convention requires states parties to ensure respect for the convention, barring them from providing aid or assistance to unlawful activities in occupied territories. The UN Guiding Principles call on countries to develop guidelines to ensure that businesses operating in conflict-affected areas, including in situations of military occupation such as the occupied Palestinian territories, respect human rights. In March 2016, the UN Human Rights Council passed Resolution 31/36, which called for the Office of the High Commissioner to "produce a database of all business enterprises" that "directly and indirectly, enabled, facilitated and profited from the construction and growth of the settlements." It further called on states to take "appropriate measures to help to ensure that businesses domiciled in their territory and/or under their jurisdiction, including those owned or controlled by them, refrain from committing or contributing to gross human rights abuses of Palestinians." The resolution called for the report to be submitted during the March 2017 session of the UN Human Rights Council. In February, the Human Rights Council accepted High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid al-Hussein's recommendation to defer the report "for one time only" and submit it "as soon as possible, but no later than the end of December 2017." By evaluating the activities of businesses in Israeli settlements, the database, which will carry the imprimatur of the UN, will signal to businesses the abuses inherent in settlement activities and, in so doing, help companies avoid inadvertently doing business in or with settlement and build pressure on them to stop these activities to ensure compliance with international standards, Human Rights Watch said. This information will also provide states with the information needed to carry out measures to prevent and address corporate involvement in rights abuses. The Human Rights Council resolution requests that the database be updated annually to reflect business practices as they evolve. In November 2016, Human Rights Watch wrote to the high commissioner's office with recommendations for the kinds of business activities and institutions to be included in the database. Earlier in November, the International Corporate Accountability Roundtable (ICAR) and a coalition of other groups working on corporate social responsibility wrote to the high commissioner's office calling for "prompt release of the database." "Settlement businesses unavoidably contribute to Israeli policies that dispossess and harshly discriminate against Palestinians, while profiting from Israel's theft of Palestinian land and other resources," Whitson said. "The database will build pressure on businesses to cease carrying out these activities and comply with their human rights responsibilities." Copyright notice: Copyright, Human Rights Watch HRW Submission to EU on Bilateral Dialogue with Vietnam Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 28 November 2017 Cite as Human Rights Watch, HRW Submission to EU on Bilateral Dialogue with Vietnam, 28 November 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a1d3e324.html [accessed 17 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. EU - Vietnam Human Rights Dialogue Human Rights Watch Submission November 2017 Human Rights Watch appreciates the opportunity to contribute to the ongoing preparations for the forthcoming EU-Vietnam human rights dialogue, scheduled to be held in Hanoi in December 2017. Vietnam's human rights situation deteriorated significantly in 2017. The Communist Party of Vietnam continues to monopolize power and punish anyone who challenges its authority. All political rights including freedom of opinion, assembly, association and movement are restricted. Religious groups can only operate under government's management. The authorities use various means to curb political and rights activism, including physical and psychological harassment, police surveillance, extra-judicial house arrest, arbitrary prohibitions on travel abroad and the application of pressure on employers, landlords and family members of activists. Police often subject rights campaigners to lengthy, bullying interrogation sessions. Authorities arbitrarily detain critics incommunicado for long periods without access to legal counsel or family visits. Many are sentenced to long terms in prison for violating vague national security or other draconian laws. Police frequently torture suspects to elicit confessions and sometimes respond to public protests with excessive use of force. Human Rights Watch recommends that the EU focuses on political prisoners and detainees and examines three key priority areas regarding the human rights situation in Vietnam: repression of freedom of speech, association, assembly and movement; repression of the right to freely practice religion; and police brutality. Related Content 1. Political Prisoners and Detainees Vietnam frequently uses vaguely worded and loosely interpreted provisions in its penal code and other laws to imprison peaceful political and religious dissidents. These include "activities aiming to overthrow the people's administration"; "undermining national unity policy"; "conducting propaganda against the State"; and "disrupting security." Vietnam also uses other articles in the penal code to target peaceful dissenters, including "abusing rights to democracy and freedom to infringe upon the interests of the State," "causing public disorder," and charges such as tax evasion. In June 2017, the Vietnamese National Assembly passed revisions to the penal code that will come into effect on January 1, 2018. Instead of repealing articles contrary to human rights standards, lawmakers introduced even harsher provisions, such as adding a new punishment to several of these articles that state "the person who takes actions in preparation of committing" a so-called crime such as conducting propaganda against the state "shall be subject to between one and five years of imprisonment." The revised penal code also holds lawyers criminally responsible for not reporting clients to the authorities for a number of crimes including national security violations. During 2017, the authorities arrested at least 22 rights bloggers and activists including former political prisoners Nguyen Bac Truyen, Truong Minh Duc, Nguyen Van Tuc, Nguyen Trung Ton, and Pham Van Troi for alleged national security-related violations. Rights campaigners Nguyen Van Dai and his colleague Le Thu Ha were detained since the EU-Vietnam Human Rights Dialogue in Hanoi in December 2015 without trial. In October 2017, Human Rights Watch established a new web page highlighting the cases of 15 of 105 people imprisoned for exercising their political or religious rights. The most recent convictions are of blogger Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh (also known as Mother Mushroom), sentenced to 10 years in prison in June; labor activist Tran Thi Nga to nine years in July; Nguyen Van Oai to five years in September; and Phan Kim Khanh to six years in October. Recommendations The EU should call on the Vietnamese government to: Immediately release all political prisoners and detainees, including those imprisoned or detained for exercising their rights to free expression, assembly, movement, or political or religious association and cease arresting and detaining others for such actions. Amend or repeal provisions in the penal code and other laws that criminalize peaceful dissent on the basis of imprecisely defined "national security" crimes. As an immediate confidence-building measure, allow access to prisoners and detainees by families, legal counsel, and outside observers from the EU and international humanitarian and human rights groups. The EU should also call for the immediate release of political prisoners or detainees who have health problems so that they can receive proper medical treatment. Some of the most urgent cases for immediate release are land rights campaigner Tran Thi Thuy, pro-democracy activist Ho Duc Hoa, and religious activist Ngo Hao. 2. Repression of Freedom of Speech, Association, Assembly and Movement Vietnam continues to suppress peaceful dissidents and activists and punishes them for forming organizations that the government views as hostile to its interests. The government bans all political parties, unions, and human rights organizations that are independent of the communist party. Physical assaults against rights bloggers and campaigners continued to occur frequently. In June 2017, Human Rights Watch published a report, "No Country for Human Rights Activists: Assaults on Bloggers and Democracy Campaigners in Vietnam," highlighting 36 incidents in which unknown men in civilian clothes beat rights campaigners and bloggers between January 2015 and April 2017, often resulting in serious injuries. Many victims reported that beatings occurred in the presence of uniformed police who did nothing to intervene. Domestic restriction of movement is used to prevent bloggers and activists from participating in public events such as pro-environment protests, human rights discussions, or attending trials of fellow activists. In February, Father Phan Van Loi was prevented from leaving his house to attend a religious ceremony. In May, prominent activists Pham Doan Trang, Nguyen Quang A and Nguyen Dan Que were prevented from leaving their house to meet foreign diplomats. Police also prevent rights campaigners from traveling abroad, sometimes citing vague national security reasons. Former political prisoner Pham Thanh Nghien was prohibited from leaving the country for a personal trip to Thailand in January. In April, Vu Minh Khanh was prohibited from leaving Vietnam for Germany where she was going to receive the Human Rights Award 2017 of German Association of Judges on behalf of her husband Nguyen Van Dai. In June, police prohibited former political prisoner Do Thi Minh Hanh to leave for Austria to visit her ill mother. In May, police prevented Polish-Vietnamese activists Phan Chau Thanh at Tan Son Nhat from entering Vietnam. In June, the authorities stripped former political prisoner Pham Minh Hoang of his Vietnamese citizenship and deported him to France. Recommendations EU should call on the Vietnamese government to: Bring press laws into compliance with article 19 of the ICCPR. Allow the publication of uncensored, independent, privately-run newspapers and magazines. Remove filtering, surveillance, and other restrictions on internet usage and release people imprisoned for peaceful dissemination of their views over the internet. Bring legislation regulating public gatherings and demonstrations into conformity with the rights of free assembly and association in articles 21 and 22 of the ICCPR. Address rural grievances about land rights and local corruption without resorting to excessive use of force or other human rights violations by strengthening the legal system and the independence of the judiciary, and making legal services available to the rural poor. Permit individuals the right to associate freely and peacefully with others of similar views regardless of whether those views run counter to the political or ideological views approved by the Communist Party and state. Immediately and unconditionally release all persons detained for peaceful activities to promote the rights of workers to freely associate, including the right to form and join trade unions of their own choice; to peacefully assemble to protect and advance their rights; and to exercise their right to freedom of expression on behalf of workers and their concerns. Immediately recognize independent labor unions. Ratify ILO Conventions No. 87 (Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize) and No. 98 (Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining). Immediately end government-sponsored vigilantism. Immediately end restriction of movement of rights bloggers and activists, both within, to and from Vietnam. 3. Repression of the Rights to Freely Practice Religion The government restricts religious practice through legislation, registration requirements, harassment, and surveillance. Religious groups are required to gain approval from and register with the government as well as operate under government-controlled management boards. While authorities allow many government-affiliated churches and pagodas to hold worship services, they ban religious activities they arbitrarily deem contrary to the "national interest," "public order," or "national great unity." Authorities frequently interfere with the religious activities of unrecognized branches of the Cao Dai church, the Hoa Hao Buddhist church, independent Protestant and Catholic house churches in the central highlands and elsewhere, Khmer Krom Buddhist temples, and the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam. Montagnards are subjected to constant surveillance and other forms of intimidation, arbitrary arrest, and mistreatment in security force custody. In detention, the authorities question them about their religious and political activities and possible plans to flee Vietnam. Over the past years, hundreds have fled to Cambodia and other parts of Southeast Asia. The Vietnamese authorities have responded to the flight of Montagnards into Cambodia by pressuring Cambodian authorities to prevent border crossings and deny those who do cross the right to seek asylum. Cambodian authorities, in turn, refused to register more than a handful as asylum seekers. In 2017, the People's Court of Gia Lai province convicted at least five Montagnards, including Ro Ma Daih, Puih Bop, Ksor Kam, Ro Lan Kly and Dinh Nong, for participating in independent religious groups not approved by the government. They were charged with article 87 and sentenced to between eight and 10 years in prison. Another common form of harassment against independent religious groups employed by the authorities is forced denunciation of faith and public criticism. In March 2017, seven Montagnards who participated in the outlawed Dega Protestant religious group were put on public criticism in a meeting attended by hundreds of villagers of Ia Ake commune, Phu Thien district, Gia Lai province. Recommendations The EU should call on the Vietnamese government to: Allow all independent religious organizations to freely conduct religious activities and govern themselves. Churches and denominations that do not choose to join one of the officially authorized religious organizations with government-sanctioned boards should be allowed to operate independently. End harassment, arrests, prosecutions, imprisonment, and ill-treatment of people because they are followers of disfavored religions, and release anyone currently being held for peaceful exercise of the rights to freedom of religion, belief, expression, assembly and association. Cease all measures to prevent Montagnards and other Vietnamese citizens from leaving the country and do not punish those who return. Ensure all domestic legislation addressing religious affairs is brought into conformity with international human rights law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) to which Vietnam and EU member states are parties. Amend provisions in domestic law that impinge on freedom of religion and belief, expression, association, or peaceful assembly in violation of the ICCPR. Permit outside observers, including United Nation agencies, nongovernmental organizations concerned with human rights, and foreign diplomats, unhindered and unaccompanied access to the Central Highlands, including specifically to communes and villages from which Montagnards have recently departed to seek asylum abroad. Ensure there is no retribution or retaliation whatsoever against anyone who speaks to or otherwise communicates with such outside observers. 4. Police Brutality Police throughout Vietnam have been abusing people in their custody, in some cases leading to death. In many of these cases, those killed were being held for minor infractions. A number of survivors said they were beaten to extract confessions, sometimes for crimes they maintained they did not commit. Although the government promised improvements after Human Rights Watch published its findings of police brutality, it appears that officers who have committed serious, even lethal, transgressions have only rarely faced the serious consequences the law requires. In May 2017, police in Vinh Long arrested Nguyen Huu Tan for allegedly conducting propaganda against the state. After his arrest, the police informed his family that he committed suicide by using a knife to cut his own throat. He allegedly found that knife in the bag of an investigator who left the room momentarily. His family protested the cause of death, pointing out many discrepancies between what they saw on Nguyen Huu Tan's body and a blurry police video recording. In August, Tran Anh Doanh reported that the police of Son Tay town (Hanoi) arrested him for suspected theft. During several hours of detention, the police allegedly beat him severely and forced him to admit guilt. In September, Vo Tan Minh who was arrested in April 2017 for possessing a small amount of heroin, died in the custody of the police of Phan Rang-Thap Cham (Ninh Thuan province). According to his family, there were bruises on his back, legs, and arms. The police initially alleged that Vo Tan Minh was involved in a fight, but later suspended five police officers and opened a case of "using corporal punishment." Recommendations The EU should: Express strong concern to Vietnamese officials about police abuse, emphasizing that it violates both Vietnamese and international law, that perpetrators should be punished, and that victims should receive remedy and compensation. Urge the government of Vietnam to establish effective accountability mechanisms. For instance, Vietnam should establish an independent police complaints commission to accept complaints from the public and to provide oversight over the "internal affairs" or "professional responsibility" unit of the police. The commission should be a statutory body with the legal authority to bring prosecutions or impose discipline if the internal affairs or professional responsibility unit fails to do so in cases in which credible allegations have been made. Press the government to amend the Criminal Procedure Code to facilitate the presence of lawyers or legal counsel immediately after arrest or detention so that: Lawyers or legal counsel only need to present their identity card and a certified copy of their license to meet their clients. Lawyers or legal counsel may meet their clients in private and for as long as necessary. Lawyers or legal counsel may be present at all interrogation sessions between police and detainees. Copyright notice: Copyright, Human Rights Watch 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. 'No preconditions' accepted from Syrian parties, UN envoy says ahead of Geneva talks Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 27 November 2017 Related Document(s) Security Council resolution 2254 (2015) [on the situation in the Syrian Arab Republic] Cite as UN News Service, 'No preconditions' accepted from Syrian parties, UN envoy says ahead of Geneva talks , 27 November 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a1d87a24.html [accessed 17 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. Ahead of fresh intra-Syrian talks on Tuesday in Geneva, the United Nations mediator said Monday that the crisis now has the potential to move towards "a genuine political process." "International players are clearly looking for some common ground based on the implementation of Security Council resolution 2254 (2015), and are urging Syrians to begin to find some common ground too," UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura told a Security Council meeting in New York via video link from Geneva. As mandated by resolution 2254, the talks focus on governance, a schedule and process to draft a new constitution and the holding of elections as the basis for a Syrian-led, Syrian-owned process to end the conflict. Mr. de Mistura said that in preparing for the eighth round of intra-Syrian talks, he called for "real" diplomacy, with his messages focused on several points, such as that the Government and a united opposition should engage in negotiations in Geneva without any preconditions and that all other initiatives should support this UN mediation process. He noted that some important meetings have recently taken place in Viet Nam's DaNang, Russia's Sochi, and Saudi Arabia's Riyadh that might help the Geneva process. In DaNang, Russian President Vladimir Putin and United States President Donald Trump affirmed that the political process "must include full implementation of Council resolution 2254. In Sochi, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad expressed, after meeting President Putin, his intention to "talk with anyone who is really interested in a political settlement." Mr. de Mistura, however, noted the Government has not yet confirmed its participation in the new round of the UN-facilitated Geneva talks. In Riyadh, an expanded opposition conference was convened last week, with all three groups mentioned in resolution 2254 present. The Syrian Negotiations Commission formed in Riyadh is travelling to Geneva. United support of international community and Security Council vital for progress "Assuming that both parties arrive in Geneva, we will be looking to move them into beginning serious discussions and hopefully negotiations. Let me make one thing clear: we will not accept any preconditions from either party," he said. He also stressed that more than 200 civil society actors will be engaged in the UN-led political process in Geneva over the next weeks. He said he is invited to participate in a preparatory meeting on Tuesday that France organized to bring together representatives of the five permanent members of the Security Council - China, France, Russia, United Kingdom and the United States - in Geneva. As for a large gathering on Syria in the near future that Russia is planning, Mr. de Mistrua said it is premature for him to say anything about that initiative. "I will continue to view this proposal and all other initiatives through the same prism: does it contribute to effective UN-led intra-Syrian negotiations in Geneva to implement resolution 2254," he said. Syria has been at war for the last six years. Half of its population have fled their homes, and, according to the UN's relief wing, some 13 million people require humanitarian aid, including nearly three million trapped in besieged and hard-to-reach areas. Reconstruction will cost at least $250 billion. "We see the emergence of international consensus, and we must begin to stitch the process into concrete results, enabling Syrians to determine their own future freely," Mr. de Mistura said. "The united support of the international community, centred on this Council, will be vital if negotiations are to move forward in a concrete way." Yemen's Sana'a airport opens after blockade; UNICEF says vaccine delivery 'cannot be a one-off' Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 27 November 2017 Cite as UN News Service, Yemen's Sana'a airport opens after blockade; UNICEF says vaccine delivery 'cannot be a one-off', 27 November 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a1d88074.html [accessed 17 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Monday warned that more than 11 million Yemeni children - almost every single Yemeni boy and girl - are in acute need of humanitarian assistance, despite the successful delivery of 1.9 million doses of vaccines to Sana'a airport on Sunday. "Yesterday's success cannot be a one-off," Geert Cappalaere, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa said Sunday at a press briefing in Amman, Jordan, welcoming the reopening of Sana'a airport, which enabled the agency's first humanitarian delivery in three weeks. Vaccines are urgently needed for a planned campaign to vaccinate 600,000 children across Yemen against diphtheria, meningitis, whooping cough, pneumonia and tuberculosis. "Today, it is fair to say that Yemen is one of the worst places on earth to be a child," he said. "The reason behind this is very straightforward: decades of conflict, decades also of chronic underdevelopment." Today it is estimated that every 10 minutes a child in Yemen is dying from preventable diseases, he added, noting that the outbreak of acute watery diarrhea and cholera this year is not a surprise, because the water and sanitation system throughout the country is almost entirely devastated and the health system is on its knees. "The war in Yemen is sadly a war on children," he said, calling on all parties to the conflict to stop fighting. Nearly 5,000 children have been killed or seriously injured over the last two and a half years alone, thousands of schools and health facilities have been damaged or completely destroyed, and two million children suffer acute malnutrition. Unfortunately, the vaccines stocks, despite the 1.9 million that UNICEF delivered on Sunday, are running out, Mr. Cappalaere said, calling for more vaccines to be delivered. He also stressed the urgent need for affordable fuel, as pumping water requires using generators in the absence of a national power grid. Meanwhile, on Saturday, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that following the announcement on 22 November by the Saudi-led coalition that Sana'a airport and Al Hudaydah seaport will be reopened for humanitarian and relief efforts, the UN submitted notification of humanitarian movements and static locations to the coalition to resume the transport of aid personnel and humanitarian cargo to northern parts of Yemen. Almost three weeks after the blockade was imposed, essential commodities like food, fuel, safe water and medical supplies have started running low in the country or have seen their prices skyrocket. There continues to be a grave risk of further death, disease and starvation. On 20 November, the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FewsNet) warned that should the blockade continue, many areas of Yemen are likely to experience famine within three to four months, said OCHA. UNESCO chief calls for investigation into killing of Nigerian photographer Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 28 November 2017 Cite as UN News Service, UNESCO chief calls for investigation into killing of Nigerian photographer, 28 November 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a1d884f4.html [accessed 17 November 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. The head of the United Nations agency defending press freedom on Tuesday denounced the killing of a Nigerian photographer, calling for an investigation into the incident. I condemn the killing of Ikechukwu Onubogu, said Audrey Azoulay, the Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), in a press release. The photographer's body was found in Obosi town in the state of Anambras on 15 November. Neither his family nor his colleagues at Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) had seen or heard from Ikechukwu Onubogu since he had left home in the afternoon of 12 November. The perpetrators of this crime must be brought to justice in order to preserve freedom of expression, enshrined in both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, Ms. Azoulay said. Governments must also protect journalists so as to prevent bloodshed from depriving the public of its right to access information, she added. UNESCO Director-General issues statements on violations of press freedoms and condemning the killing of media workers. Members of the legislatures Insurance and Real Estate Committee plan to go ahead with a hearing scheduled for Tuesday regarding the contract dispute between Wallingford-based Anthem Bue Cross-Blue Shield and Hartford Healthcare, though the two sides reached an agreement on Nov. 18. The previous three-year contract had expired on October 1, as Anthem and Hartford Healthcare battled over increases in the level of reimbursements that the insurer would provide for patients treatment. During the month-and-half long dispute, between 40,000 and 60,000 Hartford Healthcare patients who have Anthem insurance coverage were forced to pay higher out-of-network rates. The hearing is set to begin at 10 a.m. in Room 2C of the Legislative Office Building, according to state Rep. Sean Scanlon, D-Guilford, who is House chairman of the legislative committee. Plans for a hearing were scheduled before the agreement was reached between the insurer and the healthcare provider, which operates Hartford Hospital and Midstate Medical Center in Meriden. The first two hours of the hearing will feature testimony from representatives of the insurance company and the healthcare provider, as well as state Comptroller Kevin Lembo and Connecticut's Healthcare Advocate Ted Doolittle. The public will be able to give testimony starting at noon, Scanlon said. "While I'm glad that the two sides were finally able to reach a deal, their inability to reach one for seven weeks negatively impacted thousands of Connecticut families, Scanlon said . I think we owe it to the citizens of this state to find out what happened and how we can avoid prolonged disputes like this in the future. Its a little early to talk about some kind of legislative fix at this point; we first have to find out why this happened. Scanlon said his office has heard from people with truly unsettling stories whose lives were impacted by this dispute. Yale-New Haven (Health System) has negotiations coming up with Anthem next year, he said. I dont want to see what happened in central and eastern Connecticut, where Hartford Healthcare is the dominant player, happen here in our neck of the woods. Scanlon said he hopes anyone whose health care suffered as a result of te dispute should attend the hearing or e-mail testimony to instestimony@cga.ct.gov. Shawn Mawhiney, a spokesman for Hartford Healthcare, said the provider will be represented by Dr. James P. Cardon, the organizations chief clinical integration officer and chief executive officer of Integrated Care Partners. Hartford Healthcare-employed physicians as well as private-practice physicians are represented by Integrated Care Partners. Dr. Cardon was part of the negotiating team, Mawhiney said Monday. I think it is more appropriate that we let the hearing play out than comment at this point. An Anthem Blue Cross spokeswoman was not immediately available for comment on what representatives of the insurance company might tell committee members. luther.turmelle@hearstmediact.com It's no surprise that a place nicknamed "Sin City" would land at number one on a list of the most sinful cities in the U.S. What's less obvious are the Connecticut cities that also got a spot on the list. Financial site WalletHub analyzed 182 cities to determine the most sinful cities in the country and New Haven and Bridgeport made the cutalbeit not too high in the rankings. New Haven came in at 101 out of 182 and Bridgeport at 157. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate One speaker called her an educational warrior. Another said Sauda Baraka was a calming spirit on an often volatile school board. For nearly an hour during the public speaking portion of Mondays school board meeting, Baraka was showered with tributes and bouquets on what would be her last as a city school board member. She did not run for re-election. Fittingly, the meeting took place at the Geraldine Claytor Magnet Academy, a school Baraka helped shape into being. She kept the wheels on the bus when it got down to the nitty-gritty, said Ron Rapice, a teacher and member of the school building committee. The school that opened less than a year ago on the footprint of the former Longfellow School. Focused on science, technology, engineering, arts and math or STEAM the school is named after Geraldine Claytor, a school aide and volunteer who championed the rebuilding effort until her untimely death. Baraka picked up where Claytor, her friend, had left off. Howard Gardner, a fellow departing board member, called it visionary for Baraka to push to rename the school after Claytor, an ordinary person who performed extraordinary service to the district. Baraka called working with West End families to open a school that promised academic rigor, one of the highlights of a tenure that began in 2005. Her service was interrupted for a year when the school board was taken over by the state a move ultimately ruled illegal by the State Supreme Court. She created and led a Males of Color Ad Hoc Committee of the board that works to improve educational outcomes for the districts minority male students. She is also credited with pushing to make the school district only the second in the nation to require African American studies as a graduation requirement. You taught us politics, integrity and character can reside in the same house, Melissa Jenkins, director of literacy, told Baraka. Others thanked Baraka for helping them navigate through the system when they had problems with the district. A mother of five, Baraka once served as board chair and finished up her tenure as vice chair of the board and chair of the facilities meeting. We need to continue the fight for new facilities, Baraka told the board while giving her last facilities committee report Monday. There are a number of projects we need to get done, including Bassick and the Nutrition Center. Baraka later said she was humbled by the many expressions of love shared by individuals she has come to love and respect. I am eternally honored that they had faith in me to represent them on behalf of their children, said Baraka. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BRIDGEPORT - City Democratic Chairman Mario Testa was a no-show in court Monday as a police officer testified he was ordered to assist Testa and his hand-picked candidate for city council to collect absentee ballots for the special primary. Testas named echoed through the Main Street courtroom but there was no response as he was called to the witness stand before Superior Court Judge Barbara Bellis. The judge appeared perplexed as the hearings second scheduled witness, council candidate Michael DeFilippo, also failed to respond to his call to the stand. Robert Golger, the lawyer for both Testa and DeFilippo, told the judge that while both men had voluntarily come to court for the hearing on Friday, they would not attend again without a subpoena or court order. Are you telling me now that you are not producing Mr. Testa without a subpoena? the judge asked. Im not going to produce him without a subpoena, Golger responded. Is he here? the judge asked. He is in the vicinity, Golger said. Robert Keeley, who lost a primary for the second time for the seat in the 133rd district against the Democratic Party-endorsed candidates, is again seeking to have the judge overturn the results. He succeeded last month when Bellis ordered a new primary and continued the election for the district seat to Dec. 12. Keeley had lost that primary by a single vote which turned out to be in an absentee ballot that turned up during a recount. During the second primary on Nov. 14, Keeley lost by 18 votes. Keeleys lawyer, M. Leonard Caine III, later said the failure of Testa and DeFilippo to come to court Monday raises many questions. He said he is going to look at other means to get them in court. I want to look at other aspects of the law, he said. The third witness on the list was very willing to testify. Officer Paul Nikola said he was on patrol Nov. 13, when he was dispatched to the office of Police Chief Armando Perez. He (Perez) said Mario Testa needed someone to pick up absentee ballots, Nikola said. Nikola, a 30-year veteran of the police force, said he was surprised at the request since he had never collected absentee ballots before. Besides, another officer had already been assigned to the town clerks office to pick up absentee ballots from voters unable to bring them in themselves. I met him (Testa) at his pizza parlor and he introduced me to Mike, one of his workers who was putting together a list (of the absentee ballots). I gave him my phone number and he (Testa) said he was going to call me with the list, Nikola testified. I came to learn that Mike was Michael DeFilippo, he added. Nikola said he then drove around the citys North End in his police car as he was texted addresses to go to get absentee ballots. He said it was his impression that a majority of the addresses he was going to were of elderly or disabled people but acknowledged under questioning by Caine that one of the ballots was of a voter born in 1997 and another in 1981. On Alice Street he was told to take the ballot from the mailbox. Local lawyer Maximino Medina Jr., who had been appointed to monitor the primary by the judge, testified that on the morning of Nov. 14, he went to the mail room at City Hall where some absentee ballots had been delivered. He said the supervisor of the mail room, Jack McDowell, told him he had brought the bundle of 15 ballots over from the post officer but 12 did not have post marks. I asked Mr. McDowell if that was unusual and he said no, but he couldnt show me an example of it, Medina said. Residents of the Northbridge Health Care Center on Main Street get to vote in elections though a mandated program called supervised balloting in which employees of the citys Registrar of Voters process their ballots at the center. Democratic Registrar of Voters Santa Ayala testified at the hearing Monday that Northbridge residents often vote this way. But on the day of the special primary not one vote was cast at Northbridge. Voters refused to cast their ballots, Ayala testified. They were confused. But Medina testified that he went to the convalescent home on the day of the special primary and no one there appeared to know the voting was taking place. Testimony in the hearing is to continue Tuesday afternoon. BARKHAMSTED While area churches are preparing for Advent and the coming Christmas season, the First Congregational Church of Barkhamsted will hold its Sunday services at 10 a.m. at the Barkhamsted Community Center located next to the Town Garage at Barkhamsted, 33 New Hartford Road, Pleasant Valley. There is ample parking off Rte. 44. A traditional coffee hour follows the church service. For information, visit www.barkhamstedfirstchurch.org. Following the late August inspection of the roof and framing damage to our historic meeting house, the engineers did not think the building was safe for assemblies or any gatherings until the final repairs are complete. Members have been holding services at the Barkhamsted Senior Center, and for a variety of reasons they recently voted to relocate. All are welcome and all services are free. For more information call Rev. Susan Wyman at 860-379-7300. Messages to the church phone are no longer answered promptly, only once a week so it is best to call the pastor. Christmas for Children Toy Drive has begun TORRINGTON The Torrington Firefighters Association Local 1567 annual Christmas for Children Toy Drive has begun. Members are asking citizens for donations of new unwrapped toys and gifts for children from the age of infant to 18 years old. Gifts may include toys, clothing, electronics, video games, movies, bicycles, art supplies, board games, gift cards, etc. We also accept monetary donations. Checks can be made out to Christmas for Children. Donations can be dropped off at Torrington Fire Headquarters, located at 111 Water Street. All toys and gifts will be distributed to FISH, Friendly Hands, and Torrington Youth Services. Any questions please contact Brian Parks at 860-294-1407, Elliott Bickford at 860-485-4713 or Torrington Fire Headquarters at 860-496-5936. American Job Center offers training, workshops TORRINGTON The Connecticut Department of Labor and the Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board are offering a variety of training and employment workshops in December to assist area residents. Events are held at the Torrington American Job Center, 59 Field Street. Call the phone numbers listed to register. Advance registration is encouraged due to space limitations. In addition to these workshops, the Resource Room offers job-related Internet access and online application assistance. Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Veterans Representative appointments: Eligible veterans can receive veteran-specific re-employment services. Department of Labor Veterans Representative Lina Marte is available, by appointment, to meet with customers. Contact Lina at lina.marte@ct.gov or 203-437-3297. Interviewing Strategies and Techniques: Learn how to strategically prepare for critical job interview questions. Topics include company research, developing a candidate message, questions to ask the employer, closing the interview and following up. Call 203-437-3380 to register. Dec. 5, 9 - 11:30 a.m.:Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Information Session: Participants can review process and eligibility requirements for funding of job training programs through this federal employment initiative. No appointment is needed. Dec. 7, 14, 21, or 28, 9 a.m. 12 p.m.: Fundamentals of Resume Writing: Learn how to write a focused resume needed to secure job interviews and employment offers. Topics include thinking like an employer, strategies for developing essential parts of the resume, keywords, relevant vs. irrelevant information, formatting and cover letters. Call 203-437-3380 to register Dec. 12, 9 - 11:30 a.m.: Health Professions Opportunity Grant Orientation: Learn about careers in the healthcare field through the Careers Advancement Project. Eligible participants can receive training that will assist them in securing a job (and advance along a career) in the healthcare field. Contact Evelyn Lumfuakiadi at evelyn.lumfuakiadi@nrwib.org 203-574-6971 x435. Dec. 14, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS): Offers one-on-one-on appointments to review services/eligibility. The goal is to assist individuals with medical barriers to prepare for, obtain and maintain employment. Call (860) 496-3500 to register for the orientation. Dec. 15, 10 - 10:30 a.m.: Successful Job Search Strategies: Learn job search strategies to help successfully secure your next position. Topics include employer research, importance of preparation and organization in the job search, networking and using social media to establish a digital presence. Call 203-437-3380 to register. Dec. 19, 9 - 11:30 a.m.: Northwest Connecticut Construction Careers: Orientation for individuals seeking employment in construction-related fields. Session includes a review of pre-employment and job training criteria. Call 203-574-6971 x434 to register. Dec. 27, 9 - 10 a.m.: Computers Basics: Learn to use the mouse, keyboard, practice typing, navigate websites, set-up an email account, and learn about employment resources available through the Department of Labor website. Microsoft tutorials available. Call (860) 496-3500 to register. Dec. 29, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Disability Resource Coordinator: Meet with a staff person to learn how to access the various programs that offer services and supports needed to obtain and maintain employment. The emphasis is on abilities, not disabilities. Contact Gary Madison at gary.madison@nrwib.org or 203-574-6971 x442. ITXpress Program: Learn about training, credentials and employment opportunities through the TechHire ITXpress Program. Eligible participants can qualify to receive training that will assist them in securing a job in the Information Technology field (software developer, IT security, or computer programmer). Contact Angelo Santa Maria at angelo.santamaria@nrwib.org or 203-574-6971 x465. Ticket to Work: Orientation for Persons receiving SSI or SSDI benefits (NRWIB): Information for SSI/ SSDI beneficiaries, their friends and families, about advantages of participating in the Social Security Ticket to Work Program. The job center is an approved Ticket Employment Network. No obligation. Contact Gary Madison at 203-574-6971 x442 or gary.madison@nrwib.org to register. Free GED Classes: Call ED Advance at 860-567-0863 to inquire about registering to attend free GED classes hosted from 1-3 p.m. Monday and Wednesday at the Torrington American Job Center. WINSTED A former Winchester Parent Teacher Organization treasurer is accused of embezzling $13,000 from the organization. Jeni Shean, 41, who now lives in Pitson, Maine, turned herself in to police on Nov. 18 after learning of an outstanding arrest warrant charging her with second-degree larceny embezzlement, Winsted police said in a release Monday. The Winchester Police Department received a complaint from the president of the PTO at the end of May 2017 concerning irregularities with the book keeping records. Discrepancies with the PTOs financial records were discovered by the president and later verified through a forensic audit, police said. After an extensive investigation conducted by the Winchester Police Departments Criminal Investigation Division into these allegations that Shean, the organizations former treasurer, embezzled approximately $13,000 in funds from the PTO from 2013 through 2016, investigators interviewed Shean at her home in Maine. She denied the allegations. However, Shean had written numerous checks for cash from the PTOs checking account, police said. An arrest warrant was then obtained. We support our PTO and their quest to obtain justice for the loss of funds, the Winchester Public Schools said in a statement issued Monday afternoon. As noted in the official police press release, the current PTO was instrumental in forwarding this concern to our local authorities. Their outreach and transparency speaks to their commitment and dedication to the staff, students, and families of the Winchester Public Schools. Our current PTO is held in high regard, and this is no reflection of their work, commitment, or financial integrity. Winchester Public Schools is a separate financial entity from the PTO. Shean was released after posting $10,000 non-surety bail pending her arraignment Monday before the Superior Court in Torrington. Allentown, PA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 11/28/2017 --Buying a property for a new office or one's dream home should not take place without a proper title deed search in Allentown and Reading Pennsylvania. Many people who buy properties are not aware of this simple thing. The result is they often have to pay a heavy price later. All that can be avoided simply with a quick title deed search. A title deed search is mandatory and cannot be overlooked at any cost. In case any new property buyer decides to overlook it, then that person can face trouble later. For those who are unknown to the benefits of a title search, it is the process of determining from the public records what the rights associated with a piece of real property are. It helps in determining what the rights are and who owns the property. Before one agrees to purchase a piece of property, one has to be sure that the person selling the property is actually eligible for doing so. The buyer must ensure that the person from whom they are buying the property belongs to that person or not. One needs to be sure that they are getting all the rights to the property for which they are paying so much. 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Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen is warning opposition party members fleeing the country that they will soon be sent back from neighboring Thailand, where many have gone into hiding to escape persecution. In a speech addressing thousands of garment workers in the capital on Sunday, Hun Sen railed against Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) commune councilors who had resisted repeated calls from the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) to defect to Hun Sens side. Dont think I dont know where you are hiding, Hun Sen said in remarks aimed at CNRP party members who were elected to local commune posts in elections held earlier this year. Soon, you will all be deported, Hun Sen said. Hun Sens threats came on the Nov. 26 date of a third and final ultimatum by which members of the opposition CNRP, now formally dissolved by court order, were to have switched party affiliation in order to keep the jobs for which they had campaigned in June. He had first targeted those elected to the posts, setting an ultimatum for Nov. 16, the date on which the CNRP was dissolved, Hun Sen said in Phnom Penh on Sunday. When the elected CNRP officials were not convinced, I targeted the candidates who had also run, and this worked. They will now be given the seats of those elected officials who failed to join us, he said. A new ultimatum targeting opposition party hold-outs was set for Nov. 24, and then extended to Nov. 26, Hun Sen said. You will never be able to forecast what Hun Sen will do, he said. People inside the CPP cant even predict my moves, let alone members of the opposition. Out of a total of 5,007 opposition members elected to commune posts earlier this year, around 200 have now joined the CPP in order to keep their jobs, CNRP officials say, while pro-government media put the figure at a number about 10 times higher. 'Barbaric leader' Speaking to RFAs Khmer Service on Tuesday, CNRP deputy vice president Eng Chhai Eang, who now lives in exile in the U.S., slammed Hun Sens threat to force the return of CNRP party members from Thailand, calling the Cambodian prime minister a barbaric leader. But I dont believe that the Thai prime minister will do what Hun Sen wants him to do. The Thai authorities have a much better appreciation for human rights, he said. Though banned by order of Cambodias CPP-aligned Supreme Court, We are not going to create a new party, Eng Chhai Eang told RFA. Our main objective now is to move forward to the next national election. We are demanding the immediate release of [jailed party leader] Kem Sokha. We need to compete in the next national election as the CNRP. The international community is considering imposing sanctions on Hun Sens government, and we hope to see a solution come from that in the near future, he said. Kem Sokha was arrested on Sept. 3 for allegedly collaborating with the U.S. to overthrow the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP)charges the U.S. embassy has rejected. Cambodias Supreme Court on Nov. 16 unanimously ruled that the CNRP be dissolved for its part in the plot, essentially eliminating any competition to Hun Sen ahead of a general election scheduled for July 2018. Hun Sens government has faced widespread condemnation in recent months over its actions targeting the CNRP, as well as for orchestrating the closure of independent media outlets and cracking down on nongovernmental organizations. Reported by RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Nareth Muong. Written in English by Richard Finney. Authorities in the central Chinese province of Hunan on Tuesday sentenced a Taiwanese rights activist and NGO worker to five years' imprisonment for subversion. Lee Ming-cheh was sentenced by the Yueyang Intermediate People's Court to five years in jail for "attempting to subvert state power," while his co-defendant Peng Yuhua, a Chinese national, received a seven-year term. Lee appeared in video footage of the hearing released on the court's official social media account wearing a green sweater and glasses, listening to the judges read the sentence. Lee, a lifelong activist with Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party, had "gradually developed subversive ideas under the influence of anti-Chinese powers," the judge said. He had also set up chat groups to "vilify China." Lee and Peng indicated in court that they accepted the verdict and sentence, and said they had no plans to appeal. Lee's detention on arrival at the port city of Zhuhai on March 19 came after he gave online lectures on Taiwans democratization process, and managed a fund for families of political prisoners under the ruling Chinese Communist Party. The furor over his detention and confession to "crimes" linked to activities carried out in the separate jurisdiction of Taiwan has fueled fears that Beijing is seeking to extend its influence to the democratic island, which the Communist Party has never ruled. Lee pleaded guilty to charges of "incitement to subvert state power" at his trial on Sept. 11, the first foreign national to be held under new laws governing NGO activity in China. 'Face it together' Lee's wife Lee Ching-yu told reporters on Tuesday that she had been granted a very brief meeting with her husband on the day of the hearing, during which he had indicated to her that their conversation was being monitored. "I think my husband now needs to figure out how to face up to his current situation," she said. "He and I will face this together." Eeling Chiu, who heads the Taiwan Association for Human Rights, said the charges against Lee related only to activities he had carried out in Taiwan, a separate legal jurisdiction from mainland China. "It is totally unacceptable to charge, convict and sentence to five years ... a Taiwan resident for things posted online while he was in Taiwan," Chiu said. Taiwan's presidential office and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party called the verdict "unacceptable," and called on Beijing to release Lee immediately and to allow him to return to Taiwan. Taiwan documentary film-maker Lee Hui-jen, who is currently making a film about Beijing's growing political influence in Hong Kong and Taiwan, said Lee's fate could have a widespread chilling effect on Taiwan's cultural life. "Lee Ming-cheh was in Taiwan when he made those comments on [social media]," Lee Hui-jen said. "He didn't go blabbing out loud in public about how the Chinese Communist Party would eventually fall." Taiwan began its transition to democracy following the death of President Chiang Ching-kuo, in January 1988, starting with direct elections to the legislature in the early 1990s and culminating in the first direct election of the island's president, Lee Teng-hui, in 1996. Recent opinion polls indicate that there is broad political support for de facto self-rule in Taiwan, where the majority of voters identify as Taiwanese rather than Chinese. But while the Chinese Communist Party has never ruled the island, Beijing regards it as part of Chinese territory and has threatened to invade if Taiwan seeks formal independence. Reported by Chung Kuang-cheng for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Hwang Chun-mei for the Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. Several months after her bail status was officially lifted, top Chinese rights attorney Wang Yu and her family remain under tight restriction, unable to seek employment and banned from traveling overseas, RFA has learned. Wang, one of the first and most prominent of hundreds of human rights lawyers and associates swept up by Chinese authorities in a crackdown that started in July 2015, was "released" on bail alongside her husband and colleague Bao Longjun after being held for more than a year on subversion charges. But the family have been held under tight surveillance at an apartment chosen by state security police, cut off from friends and family, and the couple's son Bao Zhuoxuan, has developed depression after being prevented from going overseas to study, as previously planned. According to rights activist and family friend Ye Jingchun, Wang still holds a valid license to practise law. "Normally, if she wanted to practise general law, then she could probably transfer to a different law firm and start working normally again, but Wang's case is somewhat different," Ye said. "All of the firms she has contacted have said it would be 'difficult' for them to hire her, because the judicial authorities have already been in touch to warn them off hiring Wang Yu," she said. Ye said Wang hasn't worked in two years, while Bao has also been stalled in his progress through the "articles" stage of his professional training. "I don't feel optimistic, because they are going to do everything they can to put obstacles in her way," she said. "They are probably going to hold her to impossible conditions that she won't be able to stick to." "I don't believe the government has truly allowed her her freedom," she said. Ye said the family is currently relying on her elderly parents for food and is wearing hand-me-downs to try to make ends meet. Still being targeted Fellow rights lawyer Ma Lianshun said many of those detained in the July 2015 crackdown are still being targeted for persecution by the authorities, including the loss of their license to practise law. "All we can do is lodge a complaint; what else is to be done?" Ma said. "We're not going to start brandishing guns and knives." Ma said he is currently forced to work on cases with no human rights component to earn his living. "There are strict controls on what type of cases I am allowed to take on in future," Ma said. "I can't do anything that is complicated or politically sensitive." "This is how they control the legal profession; they are preventing us from speaking out." Calls to Bao Longjun's cell phone rang unanswered on Monday. Bao's former defense attorney Huang Hanzhong said the situation looks unlikely to improve in the absence of judicial independence in China. "Everyone in the judiciary is focused on a single value, and that value is the interests of the [ruling] Chinese Communist Party, not the rule of law," Huang said. "Bao Longjun and Wang Yu are going to try using every possible channel, including a lawsuit at the Supreme People's Court ... and complaints against high-ranking party law enforcement officials, ... to boost the profile of their case," he said. He said the travel ban on Bao Zhuoxuan is a typical example of "guilt by association" currently practised on the family members of legal detainees and other critics of the regime. "This is a classic case of guilt-by-association, which is strictly not permitted under Chinese law; it's unacceptable," Huang said. "As an adult citizen, Bao Zhuoxuan should enjoy the freedom to go overseas for tourism purposes, and also to pursue his studies." "Any attempt to prevent this is a violation of his rights as a citizen," he said. He said Bao Zhuoxuan had recently been diagnosed with depression by a private doctor. "It might not be very severe right now, but who knows what will happen if things carry on like this?" Huang said. Reported by Wong Lok-to for RFA's Cantonese Service, and by Gao Feng for the Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abdul Hassan Mahmud Ali (left), shakes hands with Kyaw Tint Swe, Myanmars union minister for the Office of the State Counselor, after they signed an agreement on the return of Rohingya Muslim refugees, in Naypyidaw, Myanmar, Nov. 23, 2017. Retired Bangladeshi diplomats, refugees and opposition leaders cast doubt Monday on the implementation of a new agreement between Bangladesh and Myanmar to repatriate hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims who fled violence in Myanmars Rakhine state since October 2016. Reactions from a cross-section of the Bangladeshi society came after officials in Dhaka revealed details of the agreement, which stipulates that the two countries will work together to start the voluntary repatriation process within two months from Nov. 23, the day they signed the document in Naypyidaw. We want to go back to our homeland Arakan if our security and safety are ensured, Mohammad Nur, general secretary of the Kutupalong camp in Bangladeshs Coxs Bazar district that houses about 300,000 Rohingya refugees, told BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service. Arakan is the old name for Rakhine state. The agreement does not identify the Rohingya by their ethnic groups name and covers only about 700,000 members of the minority who escaped to southeastern Bangladesh in two waves since late last year, including more than 620,000 who fled from an outbreak of violence in Rakhine in late August 2017. Another 300,000 or so refugees, who fled earlier cycles of violence, are sheltering across the border in Bangladesh. Buddhist majority Myanmar does not recognize the Rohingya as one of the countrys official ethnic groups. It has denied the group citizenship in Myanmar since 1982, effectively rendering them stateless. We, the Rohingya, must be recognized as one of the 135 ethnic groups in Myanmar and our citizenship must be given back, Nur said. Mustafa Kamal, a former Bangladeshi foreign secretary, questioned whether the bilateral agreement could ensure the safety of refugees who opt to return to Myanmar. The agreement was signed in line with the demands of Myanmar, he told BenarNews. This agreement cannot ensure the safety, security and dignity of the Rohingya. So, I think hardly any Rohingya would go back. Only U.N. peacekeepers could ensure the security of returning refugees, he said. Bangladesh has made a mistake by agreeing to resolve the problem bilaterally. We should have internationalized the issue. The agreement reflected the desire of Myanmar, not Bangladesh, Kamal added. The United States and the United Nations have accused members of Myanmars military of carrying out ethnic cleansing after launching a brutal counter-offensive at the end of August, when Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) insurgents attacked police and army posts in Rakhine. Human rights groups had documented cases of rape, killing and burning of Rohingya homes and villages in Rakhine. Terms of deal The signed memorandum of understanding between Bangladesh and Myanmar, a copy of which was obtained by BenarNews, does not state a deadline for finishing the repatriation process. Its also unclear how many refugees would want to return after fleeing from the violence. The document states there will be no legal consequences for refugees who decide to return to Myanmar unless they were involved with ARSA insurgents who were labeled as terrorists in the agreement. Myanmar will not criminalize (prosecute or penalize) returnees for illegal exit and return unless there are specific involvement in terrorist or criminal activities, the document said. The agreement also required the refugees to show proof of past residence in Myanmar. But, according to Rohingya activists, documents kept by many refugees were burned in their houses when they fled. The reality is different On Saturday, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali said the returnees would live in temporary shelters in Myanmar for a short time. He did not provide details. The agreement has protected Bangladeshs interests. We are happy with it, he told a news conference. The main issue is Myanmar has agreed to take its nationals back. Ali said the two sides had also agreed to allow the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to participate in the repatriation process. But Vivian Tan, a UNHCR spokeswoman, told CNN on Monday that the U.N. agency had not been consulted about the agreement between Myanmar and Bangladesh, even though the memorandum calls for significant UNHCR involvement. Humayun Kabir, a former Bangladesh ambassador to the United States, questioned Alis claim that the repatriation deal would serve Dhakas interests. We can expect that the Rohingya would go back. But the reality is different. Their houses were burned down. Their women were killed and raped by the military and the Buddhist groups, said Kabir, who is now vice president of the Bangladesh Enterprise Institute, a private think-tank. The Rohingya are unlikely to go back, unless there were guarantees from the international community, Kabir told BenarNews. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, secretary-general of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, agreed that the repatriation deal was skewed in favor of Myanmars interests. We are too upset. How much will they [Rohingya] have to go back? We do not know whether they would be safe in Myanmar, and would not be the victims of genocide again, he said. Anas Madani, the likely future leader of the conservative Muslim group Hefazat-e-Islam, told BenarNews that its members would like to see the Rohingya Muslims go back to Myanmar. But their safety and security must be ensured. Their government, with the support from the international community, must work out a mechanism to ensure the safety and security of our Rohingya brothers, he said. Human rights groups, meanwhile, have described the bilateral agreement as a public relations stunt. Six hundred twenty thousand Rohingya refugees have only just escaped one of the most brutal cases of mass persecution in recent times, Bill Frelick, refugee rights director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement. The idea that Burma will now welcome them back to their smoldering villages with open arms is laughable. Reported by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service. UPDATED AT 12:14 P.M. EST ON 2017-11-29 Pope Francis on Tuesday urged Myanmars leaders to "respect human rights" in a veiled reference to the countrys persecuted Rohingya Muslims who have been the target of a violent military crackdown that has forced hundreds of thousands to flee the country. The pontiff refrained from using the term Rohingya in discussions with officials, including State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi. Myanmar views the Rohingya as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and refers to them disparagingly as Bengalis. Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, the Catholic archbishop of Yangon, had cautioned Pope Francis not to use the highly divisive word during his four-day visit to Myanmar which began on Monday. The future of Myanmar must be peace, a peace based on respect for the dignity and rights of each member of society, respect for each ethnic group and its identity, respect for the rule of law, and respect for a democratic order that enables each individual and every group none excluded to offer its legitimate contribution to the common good, the pope said, addressing Myanmars de factor leader Aung San Suu Kyi and diplomats in the capital Naypyidaw. On Monday, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Myanmars military commander-in-chief, told the pontiff that no religious or ethnic discrimination existed in Myanmar despite evidence and allegations of ethnic cleansing in northern Rakhine where a military crackdown has driven out more than 620,000 Rohingya. Rights groups and some of the refugees who fled to neighboring Bangladesh have accused soldiers of indiscriminate killings, torture, rape, and arson, though both the army and the Myanmar government have denied the allegations. Rights groups also have published satellite images documenting the destruction of villages. The pope spoke publicly in late August about the persecution of the Muslims just after the military began its crackdown on the Rohingya in northern Rakhine in response to deadly attacks on police outposts by Muslim militants. For decades, Myanmar has subjected the Rohingya to systematic discrimination by depriving them of citizenship and access to basic services, though many have lived in the country for generations. After initial reports surfaced in late August of Rohingya fleeing the army crackdown in northern Rakhine, Pope Francis publicly said he was saddened by the news of the persecution of a religious minority, our Rohingya brothers and sisters. But on Tuesday, his public statements deliberately avoided any mention of the group or the violent campaign recently waged against it in ethnically and religiously divided Rakhine state. Unity is always a product of diversity, the pope told religious leaders representing different faiths in the commercial capital Yangon, the online journal The Irrawaddy reported, citing a briefing by Vatican officials. Everyone has their values, their riches as well as their differences, as each religion has its riches, its traditions, its riches to share, Pope Francis said. And this can only happen if we live in peace, and peace is constructed in a chorus of differences. Pope Francis will meet with Buddhist monks from the Sangha Maha Nayaka (Ma Ha Na), the government-appointed body that regulates the Buddhist clergy, on Wednesday in Yangon. After the pope leaves Myanmar on Thursday, he will head to Bangladesh where he will meet with a group of Rohingya in the capital Dhaka. Rohingya Muslim refugees from Myanmar wait to be called to receive food aid of rice, water, and cooking oil in a relief center at the Kutupalong refugee camp southeastern Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar, Nov. 28, 2017. Credit: AFP Applications to return The popes visit comes less than a week after Myanmar and Bangladesh signed an agreement to repatriate hundreds of thousands of Rohingya displaced by the August crackdown in northern Rakhine state and a second campaign in October 2016. The refugees are living in vast displaced persons camps in southeastern Bangladesh. The agreement, however, did not include information about the use of temporary shelters for those who return to Myanmar where their previous homes have been burned down. On Tuesday, Myint Kyaing, a permanent secretary of Myanmars Ministry of Labor, Immigration and Population, told RFAs Myanmar Service that the new agreement is based primarily on an existing one from 1993 under which Myanmar agreed to accept back refugees from Bangladesh if they could prove previous residency in the country. The agreement does not identify the Rohingya by their ethnic groups name and covers only about 700,000 who escaped to southeastern Bangladesh in two waves since late last year, including more than 620,000 who fled from the outbreak of violence in Rakhine in late August. Roughly 350,000 to 400,000 other refugees who fled earlier cycles of violence are sheltering across the border in Bangladesh. We are going to check and accept people who really lived in Myanmar, Myint Kyaing said. We gave cards or documents to each of them. If they cant show them, then we have a list of people who lived in the region with numbers in each household and their photos. The immigration ministry collects this list every year. Some rights groups have surmised that that many Rohingya refugees failed to take theri identification documents with them as they fled their burning villages in northern Rakhine during the two crackdowns. Those who plan to return to Myanmar must complete application forms and submit them with their photos, Myint Kyaing said. We will check their forms against the documents and photos we have, he said. If we find that they really lived in Myanmar and they were not involved with any terrorist group, then they will be accepted. Five sentenced, then let go Elsewhere in Yangon on Monday, Myanmar authorities sentenced five extremist nationalists to six months in jail on Tuesday for their involvement in a confrontation between Buddhists and Muslims in May in a neighborhood where monks had claimed that ethnic Rohingya Muslims were hiding illegally. Two people were injured in the melee in Mingala Taungnyunt township in the east-central part of the city, during which police fired warning shots in the air to disperse a crowd that had gathered following an altercation between monks and Muslim residents. Tin Lin Htike, Tin Htay Aung, Tin Htut Zaw, Ma Aung Aung Myint, and Phone Myint Mo were charged on May 9 with incitement to commit violence under section 505(c) of the countrys Penal Code, which carries a penalty of up to two years in prison and a fine. But because the men had already served six months in custody, they were immediately released, said their lawyer Aye Paing. They were sentenced today, and the judge said they could receive a deduction for their time in custody, he said. They are free today, because they have been detained for more than six months. Thuseitta and Pyanyar Wuntha, two monks from the Patriotic Young Monks Union who were arrested along with the five men for their involvement in the confrontation, were also charged with incitement in court on Tuesday, but they were not detained, he said. Reported by Khet Mar, Aung Theinkha, and Thinn Thiri for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. An ethnic Uyghur asylum seeker who applied for protection through the United Nations refugee agency has been detained in Dubai, according to the mans wife, who said she fears he may have been forcibly repatriated to China, where he could face imprisonment, torture, and other forms of punishment. Huseyin Imintohti was last heard from on Oct. 12, his Turkey-based wife Nigare recently told RFAs Uyghur Service, days after he sent her text messages indicating he was being sought by police in the United Arab Emirates. After his application for asylum was accepted by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Dubai on Sept. 1, Imintohti had been spending his days at the office and nights walking the city streets to avoid detention by local authorities, she said, adding that on Oct. 9 he had asked that she please follow up if you dont hear from me within three days. My last conversation with him was on Oct. 12, and after 4:22 p.m. local time that day, he never accessed the internet [on his cellphone] again, said Nigare, who lives with the couples three children in Istanbul. I believe that is the date of his detention, because prior to that we were in touch nearly every day, as he was unable to sleep without hearing the sound of our new baby's voice. Nigare said that soon after her husbands disappearance, his roommates in Dubai confirmed that he had been detained, but were unable to provide details. She has since been unable to contact them, she added. I have no friends or relatives in Dubai, so I can't get any information, she told RFA. Last week, I went to the United Arab Emirates embassy in Istanbul and asked about the case, but they said they had no idea and suggested I speak with the Chinese embassy in Dubai. I called them, but a staffer at the embassy hung up the phone when I mentioned the situation. A spokesperson with a UNHCR regional office in Jordans capital Amman told RFA they were unauthorized to discuss specific information about asylum seekers, when asked about his whereabouts and the status of his case. Repeated phone calls to the Chinese embassy in Dubai went unanswered. Deported from Turkey Imintohti, who is from Hotan (in Chinese, Hetian) prefecture, in northwest Chinas Xinjiang region, relocated to Istanbul in 2013. He married Nigare, who is also from Hotan, shortly after she moved to the city a year later. The couple rented out units from a small apartment building before closing their property management business and opening a cellphone store in Istanbuls working class Zeytinburnu district. According to Nigare, Turkish police took her husband into custody when he attempted to extend his residency permit in January, around the time Chinese authorities launched a campaign ordering Uyghurs living outside of China to return to their hometowns by the end of May. Imintohti was then sent to an immigration detention center in the seat of eastern Turkeys Erzurum province, she said, adding that she later learned Chinese authorities had issued an Interpol alert for her husband, which she believes was the reason Turkish authorities arrested him. Her husband endured a lengthy investigation into his case, during which the couples third child was born and he began to develop serious liver problems in detention, she said, leading him to accept deportation on May 26 from Turkey to Dubai, where he sought medical treatment. But Imintohti mistakenly believed he would be allowed to return to Turkey to reunite with his family six months after he was deported, she said, and only learned later that he could not reenter the country until five years had passed. Chinas consulate in Istanbul refused to issue a passport for the couples third child without confirmation of Imintohtis identity, so the family was unable to relocate to Dubai to join him. When he realized he would be unable to return to Turkey, her husband applied to the UNHCR in Dubai for asylum from China, Nigare said, and it was while his case was being reviewed that local authorities detained him. His visa for Dubai was valid until Nov. 7, she added. A Uyghur source in Dubai, who spoke with RFA on condition of anonymity, said that an unidentified person was asking around about Imintohti on Oct. 5, about a week before he is believed to have been arrested. I was having lunch at a Uyghur restaurant and a person sitting at the next table, who seemed like he was secret police, showed me a picture of Imintohti, and asked where he was staying, the source said. I said I had no idea, and he went on to ask every Uyghur diner at the restaurant. I havent seen or heard of Imintohti since then. Fate uncertain Imintohti was a former medical student at a university in Zhengzhou, in Chinas Henan province, but left school amid pressure by Xinjiang authorities, who his wife said routinely visited the campus to interrogate Uyghur students. Several Uyghurs had disappeared from the university while he was in attendance, Nigare said, adding that the experience had contributed to Imintohtis decision to leave China. But even when the couple was living abroad, Xinjiang authorities tried to use family members as leverage over them. His five brothers in Hotan were jailed and sent to political re-education centers, just because they sent money to us when we lost our property management business [in Istanbul], she said. Nigare told RFA she is fearful that Beijing may have pressured Dubai to forcibly deport her husband to China, where she said he is at risk of long-term imprisonment, torture, and even execution. In a statement issued Tuesday accompanying a new report that details the harassment of Uyghurs overseas, Washington-based exile group Uyghur Human Rights Project (UHRP) said that as China builds closer security relationships with countries around the world, including in the Middle East, these countries have used their own security forces to attempt to shut down political activities among Uyghurs in their nations, or even detain and deport Uyghurs living legally in their territory. The goal of such harassment is to discourage and disrupt political activism among Uyghurs living abroad, the group said, replicating the system of control that exists in Xinjiang. Fear of the consequences of speaking out against the Chinese government follows Uyghurs as they travel or immigrate abroad, said Omer Kanat, UHRPs director. The governments of nations which host Uyghur populations should push back against Chinese government activities directed against Uyghurs on their soil, he added. Reported and translated by Shohret Hoshur. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. Chain restaurants. They deserve their place in the restaurant cosmos as much as five-star, white-tablecloth establishments do. Take Mellow Mushroom, for example. It serves solid pub food at reasonable prices in a family-friendly environment. Whats not to like? Mellow Mushroom started as a pizza and sandwich shop in Georgia in 1974. Through the years, its grown to more than 90 franchise locations in the Southeast, including three in the Richmond area. A Carytown location sprang up a few years ago followed by one in Midlothian and another in Henrico County, both of which opened earlier this year. On a recent night, the Henrico location in the Short Pump area was busy, filled with what looked to be groups of friends, family and coworkers. Bartenders were cranking out beer and cocktails from a large bar, line cooks were busy at work in the open kitchen and the servers seemed to be having as much fun as the patrons. We started with the Spinach Artichoke Dip appetizer ($6), which was rich and buttery thanks to a cream sauce and lots of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. The sauteed spinach and artichoke were in ample supply as well. The Meatball Trio appetizer ($6) was the hit of the night, with three meatballs of perfect consistency not too tender, not too firm skewered and grilled with satisfyingly salty mozzarella on a bed of sweet Mellow red sauce. Stone oven-baked pizza is Mellow Mushrooms signature menu item. The chain hasnt changed its recipe for the crust, which is made from just six ingredients, since 1974, said Meredith Burleigh, the Henrico locations assistant general manager. Heres the thing about pizza: People tend to have very strong ideas about what they want in a crust pillowy! crispy! doughy! all of the above! so no one crust will ever please everyone. The crust on the House Special pizza ($13.79 for small) was chewy and firm but with an airy quality. The 10 toppings were generously applied, to say the least. The pepperoni, sausage, ground beef, ham, Applewood smoked bacon, mushrooms, black olives, Roma tomatoes, green peppers and onions whew! were fresh and tasty but overwhelmed the cheese and sauce underneath them a little. (Of course, the menu offers simpler pizzas with fewer toppings, if thats your preference.) The Chicken & Cheese Hoagie ($6.99 for half sandwich) featured tender grilled chicken with a hint of sweetness from teriyaki sauce. Provolone cheese, onions, mushrooms and green peppers were added to the mix. For dessert, theres a Brownie Sundae ($5.49) with a soft, warm brownie served with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce. On top: not the expected bright red maraschino cherry but a dark cherry, which was a nice touch. On the beverage side of the equation, this Mellow Mushroom puts as much passion into its craft beer selection as it does its pizzas. The bar has 42 beer taps (including a dozen rotating taps) pouring out a selection of local brews. Of course, youll find cocktails and wines on the bar menu, too. One of the appealing quirks of the chain is that every restaurant has a unique look and feel. The Henrico location is very Prohibition-era speakeasy, with a moonshine still as part of the welcome stand and round booths reminiscent of whiskey barrels. Outside, youll find the restaurants name in bright lights with the feel of an old-fashioned theater marquee as well as a 1930s Jaguar made from motorcycle parts near the front door. The look of the Midlothian location, on the other hand, nods to the founders of Mellow Mushroom, who were self-described hippies. The interior feels bohemian and free-spirited, incorporating lots of curved shapes and natural materials. Then theres the Carytown location with its murals themed around the passage of time incorporated with vinyl records that pay homage to former building occupant, Plan 9 Music. Because every Mellow Mushroom location sticks to a core menu, the food experience traditional pub fare emphasizing fresh ingredients should be much the same at each of the three Richmond-area locations. Half of the fun should be in trying out each to see how its theme is played out visually. A 58-year-old youth ministry director at a Chester church appeared in court Monday for the first time since he was charged with allegedly killing his family on Thanksgiving night. Christopher R. Gattis faces three counts of first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of his wife, Jeanett L. Gattis, 58; his stepdaughter, Candice L. Kunze, 30; and Andrew E. Buthorn, 36, his stepdaughters boyfriend. All three victims lived with Christopher Gattis in a home in the 14900 block of Dogwood Ridge Court, according to police, who found Buthorn in the front yard and the two women in the kitchen around 11:30 p.m. Thursday. It was Christopher Gattis who told the alarm company to send police, according to Elizabeth Caroon, a spokeswoman for the Chesterfield County Police Department. He was located outside the home and surrendered without incident. Gattis was arraigned Monday in Chesterfield General District Court and in Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. Why am I in two different courts? Gattis, who appeared by video from Riverside Regional Jail where he is being held without bond, asked the judge during his second arraignment. Because two of the victims were family members, those cases were heard in domestic relations court, while the case involving Buthorn was in General District Court. They will likely be combined if the charges are certified by a grand jury and brought up to Circuit Court. Gattis spoke clearly and calmly, though he hesitated at some of the legal questions, looking to someone off camera for prompting before answering. When he spoke, he tried to use his hands, which were cuffed together. Both judges denied setting bond and appointed him an attorney, who can request a bond hearing later. Gattis is due in court again in January. Following his hearings Monday, Grace Lutheran Church, where Gattis worked as the churchs youth director, released a statement saying he has been suspended without pay. A memorial service has been scheduled for family and friends to celebrate the lives lost in this tragedy, the church said, asking for privacy for the family. In 2012, Gattis was convicted of a misdemeanor assault charge in General District Court, but upon appeal to Circuit Court the case was dismissed after he agreed to pay the man he assaulted, according to court records. Kevin DeFord, who said he was delivering the newspapers with his 19-year-old son on Sept. 5, 2012, said his son had thrown the paper onto Gattis driveway and continued along Dogwood Ridge Court, which ends in a cul-de-sac. As DeFord circled back past Gattis home, he had an encounter with Gattis in the middle of the street. Gattis later apologized and paid DeFord less than $1,000 for his aggravation, DeFord said. The second court date in January 2013 was the last hed heard of Gattis until Monday. He was very agitated that day, DeFord said Monday. I remembered the name and I saw the stories over the weekend, but I hadnt put two and two together. I started thinking about how much further south this could have gone. Two years earlier, Gattis paid a $25 fine for a misdemeanor charge of public intoxication, and the charge was waived. No other court records were available to provide further insight into what happened Thursday night. A search warrant was filed in the case but has been sealed, according to the Circuit Court clerks office. Neighbors were shocked Thanksgiving night when their typically quiet cul-de-sac filled with police lights. Buthorns body lay covered in front of the home for hours. Chesterfield has nearly doubled its violent death total in recent days. Five homicides were reported earlier this year. With the triple slaying on Thanksgiving Day and the killing of a teenager in an exchange of gunfire with an off-duty Richmond police officer during an alleged robbery attempt early Monday, the total climbs to nine. Last year, the county had 10 homicides. A Prince George County police dog helped arrest a suspect on Monday, authorities said. The Prince George Police Department said in a news release that officers responded to the 18000 block of Loving Union Road after a report that someone had circled a home and struck trees, a fence, and a well cover before ramming a pickup truck into the front of the occupied residence. When they arrived, officers spotted a man in the drivers seat of the truck on the front lawn facing the house, police said. After several failed attempts to have the man comply with officers commands, a Prince George police officer released his patrol K-9, police said. The dog, K-9 Chace, entered the vehicle through an open window and engaged the suspect, giving officers an opportunity to safely make an arrest, authorities said. A loaded pistol was found in the truck near the driver, police said. The suspect, Joseph E. Perkinson, 48, of Sussex County, was arrested on charges of felony destruction of property, carrying a concealed weapon, driving under the influence and obstruction of justice. He had bite wounds on his left arm. Prince George police said they had not established any connection between Perkinson and the homeowner. Without the heroic efforts of K-9 Chace, the outcome of this situation very likely would have been more consequential, police said in the news release. Patrick Jett had been waiting most of his young life for the moment he could climb into the front of an ambulance and respond to whatever emergency awaited. For two years, he had been running calls with the Spotsylvania Volunteer Rescue Squad, responding to vehicle accidents or drug overdoses, general illnesses or diabetic reactions. Because he was underage, he sat in the back and followed directions from an adult. Jett was determined to change that. He took all the mandatory courses and got the necessary certifications to be the attendant in charge the one who would call the shots the moment he was old enough to do so. He knew what he had to do, and he put in the dedication and effort to make it happen, Kimberly Madison, the organizations rescue chief, said in the days before Jetts 18th birthday. I have no qualms or reservations about him being released. Hes totally ready to be out on his own. Jett is the only child of registered nurses Allen and Kathryn Jett of Spotsylvania County. Their combined DNA solidified his interest in all things related to the care of the sick or injured. Even before he turned 1, Jett was fascinated by sirens. His father was a volunteer with the Fredericksburg Rescue Squad, and Jett would wave to Dada whenever an ambulance passed even if his dad was right beside him. His first party was at the squad building and included a firetruck cake, which he promptly destroyed. A photo of him at age 2 shows the towheaded boy with a stethoscope around his neck, poised to listen to his fathers heartbeat. Jett had little interest in the G.I. Joes or Matchbox cars his father tried to play with him, or in video games as a teenager. But he did have a favorite stuffed bear named Mr. Bo. As a boy, Jett would put an oxygen mask over Mr. Bos nose and try to give it the same kind of breathing treatment he got for asthma. He was born like a 32-year-old man, his dad said. I want to be there Jett was about 11 when a nearby greenhouse blew up, and his interest in emergency services exploded. He felt the house shake and saw the plume of smoke from his front door. Then he heard the sound of help on the way. Within two or three minutes, there was a whole fleet of firetrucks on the scene, Jett said. They turned chaos into something manageable. So many resources, Jett thought, all activated in so little time. I want to be there, he told himself. At 14, he was old enough to volunteer for nonmedical duties at Spotsylvania Medical Regional Center, so he joined his dad on 12-hour Sunday shifts. He changed the sheets on hospital beds and answered phones and call bells. At 15, he piloted a floating program so trained volunteers could work throughout the hospital. By 16, he had put in nearly 1,000 hours. During slow times, doctors in the intensive care unit showed him patterns on electrocardiograms and how to interpret different values. They explained the contractions of the atrium and the correlation of the ventricles to what he saw on the printouts. I learned a lot of great things from a lot of great people, Jett said. Fire service wasnt for him At 16, Jett volunteered at the Chancellor Volunteer Fire Department with Kevin Dillard, who had run calls with his father in Fredericksburg. The teenager also signed up for paid shifts as an assistant field technician at LifeCare Medical Transports in Stafford County, where Dillard is president and CEO. Jett was the third person on the ambulance and helped get patients to medical appointments or other nonemergency meetings. Dillard was impressed with the young mans caring attitude and the phenomenal job he did. Its really refreshing to see that in somebody his age, Dillard said. Jett came to realize that the fire service wasnt for him, so he switched to the Spotsylvania Volunteer Rescue Squad. He became certified as an emergency medical technician and spent as much time as he could on calls or in the classroom. He took all the mandatory courses in hazardous materials, incident command and emergency situations to qualify as the person in charge of the ambulance. Ive never met a kid with such a singular focus, his father said. Boy, has he stuck to it Jett even arranged his school schedule around his medical commitments. The teen attended classes at Riverbend High School during his freshman and sophomore years, then enrolled in the Virginia Department of Educations Virtual Virginia program. The full-time and free program offers students in public, private or home-school classes the chance to earn a standard or advanced studies diploma through web-based courses. Jett graduated from high school in August, a year ahead of time. Hes got a full-time course load at Germanna Community College while working at Life-Care and volunteering with the rescue squad. Jett hopes to be accepted in its nursing program next fall and would like to be a nurse practitioner. He would love to work with patients with acute needs, preferably in an ICU. So many people graduate from high school, go to college and have no idea what they want to do with their lives, Dillard said. With Patrick, he set his mind to it and, boy, has he stuck to it. A birthday volunteer shift On Nov. 8, his 18th birthday, Jett worked the 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. volunteer shift at Spotsylvanias Company 4 station off Falcon Road near Fredericksburg Academy. His jump bag at the rescue squad was packed with all the necessary gear, and he checked and rechecked it. He told himself that he wouldnt be alone, that a more experienced paramedic could be dispatched as needed. Theres calls you never want to get, and theres calls you run all the time, he said, trying not to look at the clock too often. Youre just a little intimidated, but you keep a level head and do what you need to do. Heather Wilson, the driver, was the only volunteer on the squad with him. She also works with him at LifeCare and knew all about his countdown to adulthood. Trust me, Ive heard about it every day, she said. Then, on a serious note, she added that Patrick is pretty awesome. With patients, hes very understanding and empathetic, she said. He definitely knows his stuff. He got what he wanted The first two hours of the shift were uncharacteristically quiet. Jett suggested the crew go to McDonalds, where he got a soda since hed had a birthday dinner earlier in the day. At 8:06 p.m., the tones rang out for Company 4 and Jett announced: Thats us. He sprang from the break room, ready for his first call as an adult. He was nervous as the squad responded to an assisted living facility where a resident had an altered mental status. He started asking the patient questions but wasnt making much progress in getting answers, so a paramedic took over. Jett listened and wrote down, on his own hand, the mans vital signs. When the resident finally agreed to go to the hospital, Jett loaded him up and sat in the back with him. He listened to the patient rant for a while, nodded and said yeah in all the right places, and relayed the necessary medical information to the hospital. Once there, Jett handed the patient over to the on-duty nurse, answered her questions and filled out the paperwork. Before he headed back to the station, a security guard came over to say hello. David Holmes had seen Jett around the Spotsylvania hospital for about four years and often watched, from afar, as squads rolled up to the emergency room. Holmes saw the familiar face, the young man he describes as top flight, in the back of the ambulance. He was excited to hear that Jett had earned his place in the front seat. Christmas decorations are going up and the first weekend of December is full of festive events in Richmond, but the fall colors and fall temperatures are still hanging on for now. Take advantage of this mild and quiet weather pattern, because it probably wont last all the way through December. Friday evening Grand Illumination of James Center: Expect a seasonably chilly feel to the air as the temperature falls into the upper 40s after sunset. The sky should be mostly clear, with a light breeze from the north. Saturday morning Dominion Energy Christmas Parade: Look for a mostly sunny sky and conditions very similar to last years parade. The temperature will rise from the mid-40s at 10 a.m. to lower 50s by noon. Saturday evening A passing cold front should be uneventful, with just a few extra clouds in the sky and temperatures once again in the 40s. Sunday Sunday could be a touch warmer than Saturday, but still close to normal for early December. Otherwise it will be partly cloudy and dry. Next week There are signs that the weather pattern will shove sharply colder air from Canada to the East Coast around the weekend of Dec. 9-10. Its too early to pin down exactly when it arrives and just how low the readings will get, but plan for coat weather instead of jacket weather. Later this week, look for an updated story about that colder trend. A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. Roanoke police are asking for the publics help to identify the body of a young man found in the yard of a northwest Roanoke house Monday morning. Officers found the body about 7:15 a.m. in the 2400 block of Delaware Avenue, and police said Tuesday his death has been ruled a homicide and that he died from a gunshot wound. Police have not been able to identify the person, who does not match any of the departments current missing persons cases. His fingerprints did not match any prints in the state and federal database. The person is described as a black male, about 5 feet 9 inches tall and 125 pounds, in his mid-teens to early 20s. The person does not have any tattoos, scars or piercings. He has a small amount of facial hair on his chin. He was wearing a black hoodie with a Washington Wizards logo on it, black sweatpants with zippers on the cuffs and size 8 Air Jordan shoes. Neighbors said Monday that they heard gunshots the night before the person was found in a yard on their street. Officers received a report of shots fired in the area of Forest Park Boulevard and Grand Avenue nearly a mile from where the body was found about 10:42 p.m. Sunday, but officers who checked out the area didnt find anything, police spokesman Scott Leamon has said. Its unclear whether those gunshots are connected to the deceased person. The death is Roanokes 13th reported homicide this year. Twelve were reported last year, and the city has averaged nine homicides annually for the past five years. Anyone with information may call the Roanoke Valley Crime Line at 344-8500. One look at Wesley Fox and you could tell he was a U.S. Marine. That was the highest praise you could give him, said his wife, Dotti Fox. People would say I bet youre a Marine and hed say back to them I bet youre right. The Medal of Honor recipient and former Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets leader died Friday in Blacksburg at 86 years old from natural causes. Col. Fox served in the U.S. Marines for 43 years. He spent retirement as a deputy commandant for Virginia Techs Corps of Cadets before retiring from the university. He was the shining example of who a Marine should be, said Maj. Gen. Randal Fullhart, commandant of the Tech Corps of Cadets. Fox served in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He was 17 when he enlisted with the Marines as a rifleman after growing up in the Shenandoah Valley. Dotti Fox said he only intended to serve for four years before leaving the service, but thought being a Marine was too important to stop at the age of 21. He earned his Medal of Honor while serving as the commanding officer of a Marine unit in Vietnam. Despite being wounded twice during battle on Feb. 22, 1969, Fox led his men through heavy fire while refusing medical attention. Instead, he tended to other wounded Marines and he and his men eventually destroyed an enemy bunker forcing them to retreat, according to an account he gave to a Radford High School student group in 1999 as reported in The Roanoke Times. His indomitable courage, inspiring initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger inspired his Marines to such aggressive actions that they overcame all enemy resistance and destroyed a large bunker complex, according to the Medal of Honor citation read by President Richard Nixon. He was also awarded a Bronze Star and Purple Heart. During his lengthy career, aside from his combat role Fox served as a drill instructor, recruiter and military police officer. After retiring from the military in 1993, Fox came to Blacksburg to work at Virginia Tech to serve as deputy commandant for the corps first battalion, a position he held until he retired from the university in 2001. The entirety of his career was about being a leader and imparting ways to improve young peoples leadership, Fullhart said. One of the highlights for first year cadets annually was when Fullhart would interview Fox about his experiences in front of all of them. He was always someone who led by example, Fulhart said. Dotti Fox said her husband was always trying to set that example for students not just in the Corps, but also those in high school classes he regularly spoke with. Hed often wear his Medal of Honor at formal occasions. One of his goals was to show youngsters what the medal looked like so they could recognize what it meant, she said. He loved his country and he knew he could make a difference, Dotti Fox said. That was also reflected in the two books he wrote about leadership and his experiences, she said. His book Six Essential Elements of Leadership: Marine Corps Wisdom from a Medal of Honor Recipient is required reading for all first year Tech Corps of Cadets members. He is survived by his wife, three children, nine grandchildren, eight siblings and numerous nieces, nephews and in-laws. A local visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, at McCoy Funeral Home, 150 Country Club Drive S.W., in Blacksburg. Funeral services will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be determined. CHRISTIANSBURG The Starlite Drive-in Theater, a Christiansburg institution for more than half a century, wont have to turn down the sound system it installed last year, a judge ruled Tuesday. Judge Randal Duncan dismissed a town noise citation against Starlite owner Peggy Beasley, saying her business is exempt from noise restrictions. The exemption was one of several arguments the theaters attorneys pressed during a hearing in Montgomery County General District Court that lasted more than two hours. The judge ruled that the towns noise ordinance, as presently written, doesnt apply to sounds that businesses in certain zoning districts make as part of their operations. The burden was on the town to show that the Starlites sound levels exceeded what was necessary and incidental the town ordinance language for the activities permitted in a business, industrial or mixed-use zoning district, Duncan said. The town had presented no evidence on that aspect of the case. This one seemed pretty clear, defense attorney Gordon Shapiro of Roanoke said after the hearing. Shapiro and his partner Jon Kurtin also argued that Christiansburgs noise rules were unconstitutional, but Duncan denied their motions in this area. Beasley has a civil lawsuit in the countys circuit court that seeks to have the ordinance declared invalid. That lawsuit has been on hold pending the outcome of the noise citation. The Starlite had claimed to be exempt from the noise ordinance since town discussion of its sound began in 2016. Attorney Theresa Fontana, who represented the town in prosecuting the citation, said that the sound system the theater installed in early 2016 had become a nuisance for neighbors, who she said could hear it inside their homes. She said that town council had discussed the situation in June 2016 and that she had researched whether the theater was exempt and determined that it was not. Fontana said that while the Starlites customers need to hear movies, they dont need to hear it at a level that exceeds that of the noise ordinance. Christiansburg Police Chief Mark Sisson testified that he and the towns planning director had gone to the Starlite in June 2016 to meet with Beasley and make sure she understood that theater had to abide by the noise ordinance. The ordinance basically said citations could be issued if amplified music or other sounds could be heard more than 50 feet from their source or inside someone elses home. The ordinance said louder sounds were all right if a permit was issued such as for a parade and contained exemptions that included religious, school and sporting events, as well as the business exemption that Duncan cited in his decision. Christiansburgs ordinance carries a maximum penalty for violators of a $2,500 fine and/or 10 days in jail. Sisson said that he had met again with Beasley on Aug. 19 and Aug. 20, 2016, and stayed up until 1 a.m. listening to the theaters sounds in the neighborhood around it. He said that he told her that the sound was definitely a problem and recommended that she keep the volume of the new sound system set on 5 for the nights first movie and 4 for the second movie. Sisson said that his officers issued at least 10 warnings to the Starlite in 2016. The chief said he talked to Beasley again in April as the theater prepared for this years season. He said he gave her another copy of the ordinance and that Beasley told him she would try to comply with it but didnt think it was reasonable. I was trying to be a diplomat, Sisson testified. Town police Lt. Chris Heidt said that about 9:15 p.m. on May 26, he received a complaint about the Starlites volume from a resident on Flint Drive. Heidt said that from Flint, he could hear loud rumbling and roaring and yelling emanating from the Starlites showing of Guardians of the Galaxy. He issued a citation to the theater. But Beasleys attorneys said that in defining its exemptions, the town ordinance spoke only of whether sound was necessary to a business, not about how loud that sound should be. Shapiro said the theater had been operating since the early 1950s and for the most part, the town has adapted to the Starlite. After Duncans decision, Beasley and her attorneys described the theater as a community institution and resource. Beasley said that while there had been occasional complaints about noise or traffic around the theater, there had been nothing like this with a town citation and court cases. Kurtin said that Beasley and the theaters supporters would be glad to take part in discussions about re-writing the towns noise ordinance and predicted a revision would leave room for the Starlite to continue showing movies. This isnt a judicial matter, Kurtin said. The Salem City Council signed off on plans to pay a holiday bonus to employees Monday. The one-time bump is both a show of thanks, officials said, and a recognition that pay raises were put on hold this year pending the completion of a comprehensive salary study that is still underway. Hopefully, it will make their holidays a little bit better, City Manager Kevin Boggess said of Mondays proposal. The bonuses, which will cost a total of $194,200, are set to be paid Friday. Each full-time staffer will receive $246 after taxes. Permanent part-time staffers will see $123. The full payments made by the city, before taxes, will be $400 for each full-timer and $200 for part-timers. This is a nice way to thank our employees, whove contributed to making the city do so well this past year and whove been so patient while waiting for the pay study, said City Councilwoman Jane Johnson. The council unanimously approved the proposal. The bonuses will benefit a total of 525 local staffers, including employees of constitutional officers, officials said. In other business, the council granted a zoning permit to help ease the path for the redevelopment of the long-shuttered Valleydale Foods plant. While no final plans for that sprawling building have been set yet, its new owners envision it as a mixed-use destination offering apartments, commercial space and possibly a return of some light manufacturing jobs. Talks with potential tenants are underway, said co-owner Brent Cochran, who along with developer Ed Walker and other investors purchased the more than 160,000-square-foot property last February. No deals have been struck yet, he added, but the group is hopeful it will have more information to announce in 2018. The zoning permit approved Monday allows the project to consider a blend of uses. Approved activities range from restaurants and breweries to offices and art spaces. Lighter industrial uses are also permitted. The two-story plant has sat empty since Valleydale Foods pulled up stakes in 2006. The site became one of three Salem properties that Cochran, Walker and partners took on this year with the goal of revitalizing them. Crews are at work now renovating the old West Salem Body Shop building on Main Street. That project is currently slated to open in April with 18 apartments 14 upstairs and 4 downstairs and two restaurant spaces. Britain's Prince Harry poses with Meghan Markle in the Sunken Garden of Kensington Palace, London, Britain, November 27, 2017. [Photo/Agencies] The United Kingdom will witness another royal wedding next year after the Prince of Wales announced on Monday the engagement of his son, Prince Harry, to the US actress Meghan Markle. The engagement statement said that details about the wedding will be announced at a later date but it will take place in London and be the subject of intense international attention. The statement issued from Prince Charles's residence, Clarence House, said that the couple had become engaged earlier this month. Prince Harry has informed the Queen and sought and received the blessing of the Markle family. The statement said that the wedding would take place next spring. The couple will live in Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace in London after they are married. In the past members of the royal family had arranged marriages to someone from a similar background, normally from another European royal family to whom they were distantly related. Prince Harry, like his brother Prince William, will marry someone from a nonaristocratic background. Prince William met his wife Catherine Middleton when they were students at St Andrews University in Scotland. They married to become the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Prince William is second-in-line to the throne while Prince Harry is now fifth-in-line after being displaced by his nephew and niece. He will become sixth-in-line to the throne when his brother has his third child next year. There have been days of speculation about the engagement between Harry, a former military helicopter pilot, and Markle, an actor whose best-known role was in the US drama series Suits. It is not clear how Prince Harry, 33, and Markle, 36, met but they have been photographed at a series of social occasions. Earlier this year, Markle spoke for the first time about her relationship with Harry: "We're two people who are really happy and in love. We were very quietly dating for about six months before it became news, and I was working during that whole time, and the only thing that changed was people's perception," she told Vanity Fair. In a statement issued by Kensington Palace, Markle's parents said they were incredibly happy for the couple. "Our daughter has always been a kind and loyal person. To see her union with Harry, who shares the same qualities, is a source of great joy for us." The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge also expressed their congratulations. "We are very excited for Harry and Meghan. It has been wonderful getting to know Meghan and to see how happy she and Harry are together," they said in a statement. conal@mail.chinadailyuk.com (China Daily 11/28/2017 page12) Colleges and universities are reporting a surge in students being asked to verify information on their federal financial aid applications, a time-consuming process that school officials fear could derail low-income applicants. Every year, about one-third of all students who fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as FAFSA, must provide further proof that the information they supplied is accurate. The U.S. Department of Education can flag students for verification at random, but the odds increase if their application is incomplete or contains discrepancies. College financial aid administrators say they always anticipate contacting some students for additional documentation, but the numbers this year have skyrocketed. And they dont know why. University financial aid administrators say they are astonished by the rate of verifications. Many have received about the same number of FAFSA submissions as they did last year at this time, but the number of students being flagged has doubled in some cases. The department has sophisticated people that we hope are building in appropriate selection criteria in the methodology, but this year, there is no rhyme or reason to what theyre doing, said Mary Sommers, director of financial aid at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Did something change? Weve heard nothing to date. The Education Departments Office of Federal Student Aid said it is aware of the issue and is working to fix it. The department bases verification selection on several factors, including application patterns from the previous cycle, and some significant changes last year affected this years selection. Not only did the FAFSA season kick off in October instead of January, but changes were made in the requirements for tax information. That meant the patterns of when and how people applied for aid also changed, meaning the formula the department used in verification shifted. On top of that, the Internal Revenue Service Data Retrieval Tool, a popular online resource that lets students transfer tax return information, was disabled because of hackers. All of those factors have contributed to the higher than usual number of verification requests, according to the department. Officials say they are working to make the appropriate adjustments, and schools should see a reduction in students being flagged in several weeks. The student aid office plans to issue guidance to colleges and universities as soon as it has a fix place. In October alone, several public and private four-year colleges reported that the proportion of FAFSAs flagged for verification increased as much as threefold compared to the year before, according to data from the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. The trade group did not disclose the names of the schools. Around this time last year, Sommers said about 15 percent of new and returning students at the University of Nebraska at Kearney were selected for verification, but now 40 percent, or 890 people, have been flagged. The problem is especially acute among students who automatically qualify for a zero expected family contribution, meaning their household income is less than $25,000 a year. Out of 160 applications with that designation, 130 have been selected for verification, Sommers said. She worries that students who are the first in their family to attend college will be discouraged by being flagged and become weary of the application process. Sommers also works with Latino parents in the midst of becoming citizens who are nervous that verification will negatively affect their chances. Though she tries to allay those fears, Sommers is concerned those families might convince their children to consider only schools they can pay for out of pocket, or forgo college altogether. With billions of dollars in loans, grants and scholarships at stake, verification is meant to reduce the risk of fraud for the federal government and the colleges that use the FAFSA to determine student aid eligibility. The education department says it also wants to ensure that students have full access to the financial assistance to which they are entitled. Over the years, the department has streamlined the application process by allowing families to use the IRS tool to upload tax return information. Financial aid administrators say the data retrieval tool is supposed to lower the chances of being flagged because it mines verified information, but an increasing number of students who used it since the application went live in October have been selected for review. One Midwestern public research university said 30 percent of students who used the data tool this FAFSA cycle were flagged, compared to only 8 percent the previous season, according to the financial aid association. Another private college in the Pacific Northwest said more than 28 percent of families who used the IRS tool are being asked for more documentation, nearly triple a year ago. Nicholas Prewett, director of financial aid at the University of Missouri, said the proportion of students who used the IRS tool and were selected for verification soared from about 7 percent to 30 percent. He finds the numbers troubling because the tool has been promoted as an easier path to completion, yet students are still running into problems. This means increased workload for our staff and our students, Prewett said. His staff must contact and collect additional documents for more than 5,100 students who had been flagged for verification through Nov. 4, a caseload twice as high as the same period last year. We try to process these in a couple of days, but if youre looking at double the number of students ... its a lot more work, which is going to lead to additional backlog for our students. Delays in completing verification could take students out of the running for aid awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Most state financial aid deadlines are months away, so students who complete verification as soon as possible will still be eligible for that aid. Chinese sailors remembered 70 years on in Liverpool Xinhua | Updated: 2017-11-28 10:05 LONDON - Tributes were paid on Monday to 31 Chinese sailors who for 70 years have lain, virtually forgotten, in a cemetery, thousands of kilometers from their homes. A special dedication ceremony was held at Anfield Cemetery in Liverpool at the site where the sailors are buried. They had all served in the Dutch navy, carrying essential goods and supplies from North America to Europe in the force of hostile enemy action by German U-boat submarines. "They've lain here for 70 years or more, largely forgotten, and their sacrifice unacknowledged. Until now, most have not even had a gravestone as a permanent marker of their presence," said Walter Fung from the Society for Anglo Chinese Understanding in a eulogy to the sailors. Roel Broer from the Dutch War Graves Foundation lay flowers at a memorial to the sailors who all died during World War II or shortly thereafter. He said the graves of those who died in the war should be cared for and the history about what happened told to today's young people. Liverpool ceremonial Lord Mayor Malcolm Kennedy led civic tributes to the sailors at the ceremony, with a large contingent of the city's Chinese community in attendance. Events to mark the centenary of World War I has thrown a spotlight on civilian victims of the two world wars as well as the military. In his tribute, added he hoped the new headstones would bring attention to the sacrifice they made and act as a permanent record of their lives and their great contribution to the freedom of the world. Moira Kenny from the Liverpool organisation The Sound Agents, who organised the event, said: "John Campbell and I have spent many years recording the history of the Chinese community in our city. It is great that after so long these brave men have been remembered for their actions in what must have been one of the most terrifying battle grounds of the war, the Atlantic Ocean." "Most of these brave men died and even though they were with the Dutch navy. The Netherlands was still occupied, so they were brought for burial at the closest port, Liverpool," added Kenny. Wang Yuyu in a production of The Tempest in 2016. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] London-based theater student Wang Yuyu explores the isolation and invisibility of Chinese people and other East Asians living in Britain in her new one-woman show. The 24-year-old from Chongqing in Southwest China will perform The Invisible at the Blue Elephant Theatre in London. It tells the story of her experience of living in a foreign country from landing in London to making new friends. "I'm exploring the invisibility of Chinese people," she said. "Halfway through creating this show, it became a bit overwhelming because I realized it was such a huge topic. I wanted to talk about how everyone feels invisible at some point and also show that I'm like everyone else, I'm not that different." The show aims to "explore the vulnerability, homesickness and otherness of overseas Asian communities, offering a new perspective on current contemporary discussions around immigration, alienation and home. While some of the stories she tells during her performance are about herself, others are drawn from the experiences of friends. In one scenario, Wang talks about a job interview in which her interviewer asked her why she chose to study in the UK after attending university in China. She said the question took her by surprise. "That made me feel invisible, as if I didn't belong in Britain. Why was I here? I came all the way from my hometown to start something new and I felt invisible," she said. Wang also wanted to explore the vulnerability of a solo performance because "there is something beautiful about it". "A person, alone on the stage, outnumbered by the audience, it's intimidating but I can absorb the energy from these people," she said. Wang said she is not trying to educate her audience or make anyone feel uncomfortable, she is simply interested in sharing stories and, perhaps, promoting mutual understanding. "Instead of assuming the type of person I am because of my race, get to know me and where I come from," she said. Wang said she would also like to see more Chinese people and other East Asians step into the spotlight in Britain's theater industry. With that goal, she has started her own theatre company, Cheeky Chin. "There are so many Chinese and East Asians in Britain but I don't see many opportunities in the theater industry," she said. "I sometimes feel there is a stereotyping or discrimination, which is new to me, and this is something I want to work on." BOARD, Mildred Thompson November 26, 2017 Mildred Thompson Board, 87, of Christiansburg, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, November 26, 2017. She attended the Harbor of Hope Church in Christiansburg. Mildred was very supportive of her husband who has been in the ministry for 60 years having played the piano, organ, sang, and taught Sunday school for many years. She loved her family dearly and was a proud mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She enjoyed cooking, attending family functions, and going out to eat with her soul mate. She had a special talent of growing orchids and African violets. Mildred was preceded in death by a son, Freddie Lee Board; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Thompson; three sisters, and three brothers. Mildred is survived by her husband of 68 years, Dewey Layne Board of Christiansburg; her children, Rev. Stephen L. Board of Christiansburg, Patricia Board Aker and husband Randell of Ft. Chiswell, Donnie R. Board and wife, Cindy of Radford, Rebecca Board Underwood of Christiansburg, Donna Board McGrady and husband, Kevin of Christiansburg; eleven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at the Harbor of Hope Church in Christiansburg, Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 2 p.m. with Pastors Leon Alley, Wayne Poston, Craig Reed, and son, Rev. Stephen Board. Interment will follow at the Appalachian Conference Cemetery in Dublin, VA. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, November 28, 2017 at the Harbor of Hope Church. Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg By Chris Hurst and Hala Ayala Hurst was elected Nov. 7 to represent District 12 in the New River Valley in the Virginia House of Delegates, and Ayala to represent District 51 in Northern Virginia. Politics should be about making a difference in peoples lives. Instead, it seems like politicians are deadlocked, squabbling and being influenced by special interests. We decided to run for the Virginia House of Delegates because we believe things can be different. Here in Virginia, we can and must change how we govern: by putting people first, rising above the ugly partisan battles and standing independent of special interest influence. The truth is, we can and must be better so that we can make progress towards building a brighter future for our children. Thats why we are so excited to be some of the first candidates in the country to have signed on to Americas Goals, a new blueprint for state government supported by Future Now, a new organization pushing to reorient politics around goals and accountability. The goals reflect our values: good jobs, affordable quality healthcare, investing in children, empowering people over special interests, equal opportunity for all, sustainable infrastructure, and clean air, water and energy. Achieving these goals will create communities where all Virginians can thrive. Rather than mere political slogans, each goal has ambitious and measurable targets for the Commonwealth to achieve by 2030. That means, for example, more high-quality affordable healthcare, so Virginians live longer. It means that Virginians should be able to get a college or technical degree without crushing debt. It means that our roads, bridges, rails and airports should start working, and stop crumbling. Americas Goals present an inspiring vision for our future and help us measure what our government is doing (and not doing) to get Virginia back on the right track. Together, we can hold Richmond accountable for passing policies and making progress toward them. Most importantly, Americas Goals will help fix our broken, ugly politics. Rather than more fights about policies that never get anywhere or personalities that dont get along, they can help us come together around shared goals to move us forward. Thats why public officials in Virginia and throughout America should be focused on these goals. We ran for the Virginia House of Delegates because we have a vision for a better state government that does more to serve Virginians. Thats why we, and nearly one-fifth of incoming Delegates, have signed on to support Americas Goals. With our campaigns behind us, we look forward to pushing for progress toward these Goals in Richmond, and we invite all our colleagues and the Virginians who elected us to join us. Americas Goals are a set of measurable policy goals for states available at https://www.futurenowusa.org/the-goals/. November 28, 2017 Why the Palestinians Hate the Growing Israel-Saudi Detenteand Why They Shouldn't Dear Friend of FLAME: As you know, there's lots seething in the Middle East that affects Israel. Let's focus today on events dealing with Mahmoud Abbas and his misbegotten Palestinian Authority, then we'll turn to Iran's ominous march toward regional hegemony in our next issue. It was indeed a bad week for the Palestinians. An Israeli court ruled that the Palestinian Authority (PA) must pay $17 million in damages for a deadly 2001 terror attack against an Israeli family, killing the father, mother and brother (two infants, covered by their mother's bullet-riddled body, escaped the shooting). The PA provided the money and weapons used in the attack. Since much Palestinian tax money flows through the Israeli government, the families of the victims should be able to collect. Then the Trump administration told the Palestinians it would close their office in Washington, DC if the PA didn't cease actions against Israel in the International Criminal Court (ICC). A 2015 U.S. law requires shutting down the Palestinian mission if the Arabs initiate or support an ICC investigation of Israeli nationals for alleged crimes against Palestinianswhich the PA has done. While the Palestinians protested vehemently, they backed down . (One puzzles why President Obama didn't threaten the same thing.) But the Palestinian drama with the Trump White House didn't end there. Even as Trump prepares announcement of his team's Israel-Palestinian peace plan, prominent PA officials have already condemned the plan and its U.S. (Jewish) negotiatorsKushner, Greenberg and Friedmanfor being pro-Israel. Finally, the media report every day on increasing contacts between Israel and Saudi Arabia, plus Saudi Arabia's condemnation of Iran and Hizbollah Israel's most rabid and dangerous antagonists. What's more, Saudi Arabia is said to have been instrumental in pressuring Mahmoud Abbas to cease complaints against Israel in the ICC. While it would be an exaggeration to say that Israel and Saudi Arabia are friends, they're at least slowly becoming "frenemies." Which can't make the Palestinians happy. And which also brings us to this week's FLAME Hotline featured articleon why in fact the Palestinians should harness the Israel-Saudi detente to their advantage in forging a peace with Israel. Of course, the Palestinians being the people who never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity, you and I will be excused for our skepticism that this is possible. Above all, it's hard to find evidence that the Palestinians even want peace with Israel . Nonetheless, I think you'll profit from the perspective of Arab writer Hussein Ibish, who encourages the Palestinians to seize this opportunity as a last-gasp effort just to stay relevant. I hope you'll also quickly review the P.S. immediately below, which describes FLAME's long-running hasbarah campaign to stop the U.S. Congress from funding Palestinian terrorism. If you haven't yet, please email and call your U.S. Senators to encourage their vote for the Taylor Force Act, which could come up for a vote any day. Go right now to the U.S. Senate directory and choose your state: Your Senators, as well as their email address and phone numbers will appear. Please use bothit's one thing you can do to support Israel today. Best regards, Jim Sinkinson President, Facts and Logic About the Middle East (FLAME) P.S. Did you know: By subsidizing the corrupt Palestinian Authority (P.A.) with aid of some $450 million taxpayer dollars a year, the U.S. is also funding the P.A.'s program of paying salaries to Palestinian terrorists who have killed innocent Americans and Israelis? In order to make Americansespecially college and university studentsaware of this Palestinian practice of rewarding jihadi assailants and murderers with U.S. funds, FLAME has recently been publishing a new position paper: "U.S. Funds Palestinian Terrorism." This paid editorial has appeared in magazines and newspapers, including college newspapers, with a combined readership of some 10 million people. In addition, it is being sent to every member of the U.S. Congress and President Trump. If you agree that this kind of public relations effort on Israel's behalf is critical, I urge you to support us. Remember: FLAME's powerful ability to influence public opinionand U.S. support of Israelcomes from individuals like you, one by one. I hope you'll consider giving a donation now, as you're ablewith $500, $250, $100, or even $18. (Remember, your donation to FLAME is tax deductible.) To donate online, just go to donate now. Now more than ever we need your support to ensure that the American people and the U.S. Congress end our support of blatantly anti-Semitic, global jihadist organizations. As of today, more than 15,000 Israel supporters receive the FLAME Hotline at no charge every week. If you're not yet a subscriber, won't you join us in receiving these timely updates, so you can more effectively tell the truth about Israel ? Just go to free subscription . How a Saudi-Israeli Alliance Could Benefit the Palestinians There is far more opportunity than danger in the two countries' flirtation Hussein Ibish, Atlantic, November, 18, 2017 The flirtation between Israel and Saudi Arabia, which has been gaining momentum both publicly and privately in recent years, seems to be picking up even more steam now, especially on the Israeli side. Israel's Military Chief of Staff General Gadi Eizenkot gave a wide-ranging interview to a major Saudi website offering greater intelligence cooperation, among other overtures. Israel is co-sponsoring a draft Saudi UN resolution on Syria. And Israel's communications minister praised comments by the Saudi Grand Mufti that were highly critical of Hamas, and invited him to visit Israel. Reciprocal Saudi moves have been more subtle and often unofficial, yet signs of an increasing recognition of the potential value of working more closely with Israel to counter Iran are readily discernible in Gulf Arab discourse. Most attention on this issue has focused on Iran, because countering Tehran's growing regional powerparticularly as the war in Syria winds down, and with Iran and its allies gaining control of key strategic areas along the Syrian-Iraqi border-is uppermost in the minds of Saudis and Israelis alike. Both also feel keenly menaced by Iran's most effective Arab proxy, Hezbollah, which has emerged from the Syrian war much more powerful than before, and has engaged in conflicts around the region. But, especially if something more significant develops from these overtures, what might all this mean for the Palestinians? The instinctive Palestinian, and arguably more broadly Arab, reaction would be negative. The traditional assumption has been that the Palestinian cause benefits from a zero-sum attitude toward Israel by the Arab states that, at a minimum, demands a complete end to the occupation that began in 1967, before significant diplomatic progress with Arab states can be purposefully initiated. There's still a strong sense of betrayal about Egypt's separate peace with Israel in 1979; there's somewhat more understanding about why Jordan undertook a similar treaty with Israel following the Israeli-Palestinian Oslo Accords. Many Palestinians and their supporters are likely to instantly conclude that any meaningful efforts at building a new strategic relationship between Israel and Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia will be at their expense. This is certainly understandable, but it's by no means necessarily correct. In fact, there is every reason for Palestinians to see far more opportunity than danger in these potential developments. A new opening between Saudi Arabia and Israel wouldn't deprive Palestinians of anything they currently possess that has either real or potential value. It certainly wouldn't make the occupation worse or do anything that's likely to prolong it. To the contrary, given the political constraints the Gulf Arab countries face domestically and regionallyas well as their genuinely held (if sometimes, though unfairly, doubted by both Palestinians and Westerners) sympathy with the Palestinian cause-there are major limitations to how far Saudi Arabia and others could or would publicly go in developing closer ties to Israel. The Arab Peace Initiative, launched by Riyadh in 2002 and subsequently endorsed by both the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, initially held out full diplomatic and trade normalization for Israel with virtually the entire Arab and Muslim worlds as a major additional benefit to be acquired upon the conclusion of a peace agreement with the Palestinians. The Arab, and especially Saudi, position appears to have evolved lately to accept the virtue of "concurrence," whereby limited Israeli peace moves and concessions toward the Palestinians, such as restricting settlements in the occupied territories, would be matched by concomitant limited Gulf Arab gestures toward Israel, such as civil aviation cooperation or even some limited official meetings. The idea is that a virtuous circle could be created in which new paths to an eventual peace between Israel and the Palestinians, and then the full normalization with the Arab and Muslim worlds for Israel, can be accomplished. Naturally this isn't what Palestinians would ideally want, either as a process or, possibly, as an outcome. However, it may be the best they can hope for under the circumstances, and certainly seems to be the only game in town. Palestinians would be wise to remember how isolated and forlorn they were during most of the second Obama administration, with their issue essentially consigned to John Kerry's wish list and nothing more. They virtually disappeared from the international, and even the Arab, stage, and became an afterthought even though their cause continued to be exploited by a wide range of terrorist groups. But the potential for a new strategic relationship between Israel and Gulf Arab countries was one of the main reasons why the incoming Trump administration, to the astonishment of many, resurrected the Israeli-Palestinian issue and made it a central feature of the White House's agenda. Palestinians, particularly those associated with the Palestinian Authority and Palestine Liberation Organization, were utterly delighted to have been resurrected politically and diplomatically by this unexpected development. Now the Trump team says that, after studying the issue for 10 months, it is on the brink of coming up with its new plan for Israeli-Palestinian peace, which seems to be some version of the traditional two-state solution but almost certainly involves the "outside-in" approach of seeking momentum between the two parties by introducing a new Saudi and Gulf Arab role in outreach to Israel. Almost lost in the swirl of drama surrounding the mass arrest of prominent citizens in Saudi Arabia, the Houthi missile fired at Riyadh International Airport from Yemen, and the resignation of Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, was the telling fact that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was summoned to Riyadh for a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the midst of all that chaos. The meeting may have focused on the next steps in squeezing Hamas to give up more of its control over Gaza. But there was also speculation, particularly in the Israeli media, that the Palestinian leader was being told to prepare to cooperate with a forthcoming American peace effort if he values Saudi friendship. No doubt this all feels somewhat coercive to Palestinians, who, like the Lebanese, are often at the mercy of more powerful players. However, there isn't any other obvious path forward for Palestinians. Though they may have to adjust their expectations, they definitely stand to be net beneficiaries of a greater openness between Israel and Arab countries that, politically, would have to insist on movement on Palestinian issues in order to develop a new strategic relationship with the Jewish state. At least to some extent and at times, others might be negotiating on Palestinians' behalf, which is plainly sub-optimal. But there doesn't seem to be any other way of generating momentum on Palestinian concerns, and without this component, it's likely that the Trump administration will, like its immediate predecessor, quickly become fed up and walk away, leaving Israel relatively secure and prosperous and the Palestinians in a profoundly unenviable position. It's unlikely that many Palestinians share the degree of alarm that Israelis and Saudis feel about the growth of Iranian power in the Middle East, and particularly the emergence of an Iranian-controlled "land bridge" between Tehran and Lebanon and its Mediterranean coast. Yet this is a strategic game changer that, if consolidated, would greatly strengthen the regional clout of the most cynical exploiter of their issue in recent decades: Iran. Palestinians would be well advised to view the potential dialogue between Israel and Arab countries like Saudi Arabia as an opportunity to prevent their issues from being once again egregiously exploited or discarded. In the longer term, a wider opening between Israel and the Gulf Arab countries that are now largely driving the broader Arab agenda, especially when they collaborate with Egypt and Jordan, is currently the only viable path toward the resurrection of a process that can bring about, eventually, an end to the occupation and the realization of Palestinian independence. In the meanwhile, if it flourishes, such a new regional reality is bound to involve some benefits to Palestinians, and to keep their cause central to the strategic thinking of Washington and its key Middle Eastern allies. Therefore, it would be wise for Palestinians to look for ways of maximizing how this dynamic can work for them rather than indulging in knee-jerk denunciations and recriminations that will gain them nothing. HOME SUBSCRIBE DONATE PR FOR ISRAEL HOTLINE ARCHIVE ABOUT CONTACT US THIS MONTH'S AD APPEARED IN PUBLICATIONS REACHING 10 MILLION READERS IF YOU SUPPORT PUBLISHING FLAME'S BOLD PR MESSAGES, PLEASE HELP US!! FLAME is the only organization that defends Israel with paid editorial hasbarah messages placed in media nationwide every month: The dire threats from Iran, Hamas and Hizbollah, the injustice of BDS, Palestinian anti-Semitism and more. If you support a bold voice that tells the truth about Israel in American media, please donate now. FLAME'S WEEKLY HOTLINE E-NEWSLETTER FLAME's Hotline e-newsletter keeps you up to date on the most important pro-Israel advocacy issues and features our choice of the week's most informative and thought-provoking article on Israel and the Middle East. If you only subscribe to one pro-Israel news service, make it the FLAME Hotline. Omaan Jahangir TWO men have been jailed for attacking a drunk stranger they invited to a party. Sentencing Daniel Simpson and Omaan Jahangir, recorder Duncan Smith told them the incident was one of the most inhumane and disgraceful incidents he had heard in a long time. Jahangir (22), of Brunswick Road, Broom, and Simpson (27), of Wharncliffe Side, Morehall View, Sheffield, both admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm at an early hearing. They were both jailed for two years when they appeared on November 15 at Sheffield Crown Court for sentencing. The court heard the men had come across the 34-year-old victim, who was described as "incredibly vulnerable", at a petrol station at Herringthorpe Valley Road in the early hours of the morning on July 3 last year. The slightly built man was alone and drunk and was bundled into the car and driven to Dole Lane, Whiston. Daniel Simpson Recorder Smith said: "You tricked him into getting into your car on the premise of taking him to a party, but instead you took him to an isolated spot and kicked him about the head. "It beggars belief why you did that other than for the sheer enjoyment of seeing that man suffer. "You got in your car and drove off leaving him to his fate. "You didn't know how much damage you caused him - you didn't care at all. "It is the most inhumane set of circumstances I have come across in a long time." Det Con Dan Callaghan from Rotherham's Performance Crime Team, said after the hearing: "A member of the public found the victim with serious facial injuries laid out on the floor. "He required hospital treatment and it is a small mercy that his injuries were not far more severe. "An investigation was immediately launched and, working with the victim, we were able to identify a number of scenes that were then examined for forensic evidence. "The victim was not known to either defendant, which makes their initial approach to the victim and attack that much more concerning. "Through CCTV and automatic number plate recognition enquiries, we were able to identify the vehicle the victim was transported in by Jahangir and Simpson and we arrested Jahangir in the days that followed. "Simpson voluntarily attended at a police station to be interviewed in relation to the matter. "Targeting someone randomly and subjecting them to violence and threatening behaviour is unacceptable." The Samritans Purse Operation Christmas Child processing centre at the Talbot Lane Methodist Church is again in full swing with shoeboxes arriving daily. Helping out are pupils from The Willows School at Thurcroft, Joshua Toothill (left) and Morgan Troop with Hazel Adelbogun (right) district co-ordinator and Maureen Pearson, processing centre manager. 171940-5 TIME is running out to back a festive appeal to make Christmas happier for disadvantaged children. The Operation Christmas Child team is asking kind-hearted Rotherham residents to fill a shoebox with little presents to be flown out to children in Eastern Europe, Syria and Africa. But the deadline for donations is next Friday, December 1. Shoeboxes can be left at Asda in Aldwarke, Tesco Extra and Shoezone in the town centre, Madheads on Wellgate, Beauty by Pene inside Techniques at Broad Street, Parkgate, and Talbot Lane Methodist Church opposite the Town Hall. The processing centre, where all the boxes are checked and packed, is at Talbot Lane Methodist Church and will be open until Friday, December 1, from 10am to 4pm, for people to go along and help out or simply see the operation in action. Previous years have seen up to 3,000 shoeboxes collected. For more information, visit the Operation Christmas Child UK website at https://www.samaritans-purse.org.uk. De Beers said it is seeking expressions of interest from potential buyers for its Voorspoed mine in Free State, South Africa. The group said the decision to place Voorspoed mine on the market had been taken to provide the opportunity for responsible lower-cost operators to employ a different operating model that could potentially extend the mines operating life beyond 2020. I am very proud of the Voorspoed mine team, who have contributed so much to the operations success to date and ensured it has always operated to the highest standards of environmental and social performance, said De Beers Consolidated Mines chief executive Phillip Barton. However, based on our experience with other operations, we believe the most responsible course of action is to give other lower-cost operators the opportunity to purchase the mine and potentially extend its life, as this will maximise the benefit for the community and the mines workers. The Standard Bank of South Africa had been appointed as financial adviser to De Beers on the proposed disposal process of the mine. Potential buyers, said De Beers, would be required to exhibit a record of success technically and financially as well as meet all applicable regulatory and social requirements while economically and sustainably operating the mine. Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished A fresh diamond rush in Marange is spoiling the state-owned Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC)s monthly production target, according to a local weekly. The company had a monthly production target of 200 000 carats and expected to produce 2,5 million carats this year after acquiring equipment worth millions of dollars. The Zimbabwe Independent quoted Tryagain Mpofu, a resident of the local Chiadzwa area, as saying that hundreds of illegal miners had invaded the diamond fields again. Mpofu was accidentally shot and critically injured by ZCDC security details who were chasing after illegal miners. I was walking close to the ZCDC security fence when I came across hundreds of illegal miners running in the opposite direction, he said. I could not join them as I was on my journey home and there was no reason to run away because I was not part of the panners. The weekly reports that apart from the fresh invasion by illegal miners, the ZCDC was also still battling ongoing legal battles over the ownership of mining claims. This, it noted, had also contributed to the low production volumes. However, ZCDC chief executive officer Morris Mpofu said production had remained on the negative side of 200 000 carats monthly, owing to the migration programme which the company was undertaking. He said a conglomerate plant would be completed before the end of the year to pave way for the company to embark on kimberlitic mining which required huge investment. Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished Watco Companies, LLC Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Secretary Dave Ross joined a group of Wisconsin & Southern Railroad (WSOR) employees recently for a tour of the railroad. According to a post on Watco Companies website, this was the first visit of Sec. Ross to the railroad since he was appointed to his position in January 2017. Sec. Ross joined a team of WSOR employees as they inspected rail infrastructure between Madison and McFarland, comparing jointed rail with modernized continuous welded rail and viewing a recently rehabilitated Madison Subdivision along with a portion of the Reedburg Subdivision, which is scheduled to undergo a similar rehab project. WSOR noted that during the 90-minute trip, WSOR Trainmaster Tyler Crawford and Conductor Alex Blum discussed railroad crossing safety, trespassing, the WSORs service plan and customer base in the greater Madison area with the secretary. The WSOR is grateful for our partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and is looking forward to the exciting challenges that lie ahead, said Ken Lucht, WSOR assistant vice president of government and industry relations. We thank Secretary Ross for his strong support for freight rail and economic development here in the state of Wisconsin. Earlier this month, WSOR was awarded a $4.5-million state grant for the reconstruction of bridge B-316. WSOR explains that the 1,107-foot-long bridge will be the railroads third major structure spanning the Wisconsin River. In addition to the grant, WisDOT will provide a $564,730 loan for the project and WSOR will match the loan to cover the remaining project costs. WisDOT cited the project as necessary to improve the safety and operational efficiency of the Prairie du Chien to Madison rail line and reduce maintenance costs, as well as being important to sustaining economic growth in the area. Between the states financial backing of the project and the visit from the transportation secretary, WSOR says November was a very good month. Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (NYMTA) has awarded RailWorks Corp. subsidiary L.K. Comstock & Company Inc. two contracts worth a combined $74.3 million for underground electrical substations on the New York City Transit (NYCT) Canarsie "L" line in Brooklyn. Both projects will increase power capacity. Harrison Place is a 39-month project valued at $39.6 million at Harrison Place and Flushing Avenue, in the Bushwick neighborhood in the northern part of Brooklyn, N.Y. L.K. Comstock will design and build a 5,000-square-foot underground substation structure and install the associated electrical equipment. The 39-month Maspeth Avenue project, in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, involves building a 5,000-square-foot underground substation structure and installing associated electrical equipment, including two circuit breaker houses. This project is valued at $34.7 million. L.K. Comstock is proud to be working on expanding power capacity on Canarsie Line in Brooklyn, said Ben DAlessandro, president of L.K. Comstock. Once completed, these upgrades will help to increase the volume and reliability of train service on this vital subway line. The underground substation contracts with New York City Transit, along with a growing volume of transit-related work across the U.S. and Canada, have contributed a record backlog for RailWorks, noted President and CEO Kevin Riddett. RailWorks is pleased to be a part of continuing to improve, expand and construct new transit systems across North America. L.K. Comstock is one of the largest specialty electrical contractors in the U.S. Founded in 1904, the firm serves the transit industry and specializes in performing design support, engineering and installation, testing, start-up and construction and maintenance services. L.K. Comstock is based in East Farmingdale, N.Y., and performs work on projects throughout North America. It is a subsidiary of RailWorks Corp., which provides track and transit systems construction and maintenance services throughout the U.S. and Canada. In January 2017, NYMTA awarded a $223.3 million contract to L.K. Comstock & Company Inc. to upgrade the NYCT Queens Boulevard Line (QBL) signaling system and install communications-based train control (CBTC). (Agencia CMA Latam) - Alfred De Zayas, an independent expert on International Democratic and Equitable Order of the United Nations (UN), is in Venezuela to assess the political, economic and social situation in the country, said Jorge Arreaza, the Venezuelan Foreign Minister. "He is worried about the economic situation, the financial blockade against Venezuela and the way our external debt is being used to block access to resources for social investment for Venezuelans," Arreaza said. De Zayas will have unlimited access to delegations of Venezuelan institutions, the Popular Power, and civil society organizations. He will also closely follow the talks between the ruling party and the opposition scheduled to December 1 and 2 in the Dominican Republic. by Agencia CMA Latam For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com Economic News What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more. Indian shares opened lower on Tuesday, mirroring mixed cues from global as oil pulled back on supply worries and uncertainty lingered over the U.S. tax bill ahead of a Senate vote. Investors also kept an eye on rising bond yields in China and the change of the guard at the Federal Reserve. The benchmark BSE Sensex was down 50 points or 0.14 percent at 33,676 after closing marginally higher the previous day. The broader Nifty index was down 10 points or 0.10 percent at 10,389. Infosys, BPCL, NTPC, Power Grid and ONGC were among the prominent losers in the Nifty pack, while Maruti Suzuki and HDFC rose about 1 percent each. IDBI Bank rallied 2 percent after its board approved sale of 7.4 million shares in NSE. Punjab National Bank gained about 1 percent. The bank is selling up to 99.94 lakh shares in PNB Housing Finance through an offer for sale. TVS Electronics also rose by 1 percent after it received shareholder nod for a scheme of amalgamation between Prime property holdings and self. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Editors Pick Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., affiliated to food processing giant Tyson Foods, Inc., is recalling around 93,697 pounds of raw ground beef products, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service or FSIS announced. The reason for the recall was potential contamination with extraneous materials, specifically reflective mirror-like material. Discount retailer Target reported Wednesday that third-quarter net profit halved from last year, reflecting a 330 basis points drop in gross margins, driven primarily by markdowns in an increasingly challenging environment. Both earnings per share and quarterly revenues also missed analysts' estimates. The retailer also provided comparable sales guidance for the fourth quarter. Amid the speedy transition by automakers to electric vehicles, Ford CEO Jim Farley reportedly warned that EVs' production will result in significant job losses, but producing more parts in-house will help to mitigate this impact. While talking at an auto conference for the Rainbow Push Coalition in Detroit, Farley said EVs require 40 percent lesser workers than for producing cars and trucks power Sweden is burning Hennes & Mauritz AB brand clothes to produce energy. The incineration plant can burn any organic feed and it uses damp and soiled clothes from the retailer, reported www.mining.com. The H&M brand commented to Bloomberg that, "H&M does not burn any clothes that are safe to use. However it is our legal obligation to make sure that clothes that contain mold or do not comply with our strict restriction on chemicals are destroyed." In 2017 alone, around 15 tons of clothing from H&M were burnt in the energy plants, reports noted. The combustion plant uses all sorts of wastes and it imports garbage from other countries such as Norway to generate power. Sweden is reportedly recycles around two million tones of waste every year. Apart from that they import around 80,000 tons of trash from Norway. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Retired Marine Colonel Lee Busby has launched a long-shot write-in campaign in the race for Alabama's open Senate seat, saying he is dissatisfied with both the Republican and Democratic candidates. The move by Busby, a registered Republican and former top aide to White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, comes just two weeks before the special election on December 12th. Busby claimed in an interview on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" on Tuesday that his decision to run was not related to the allegations of sexual misconduct against Republican candidate Roy Moore. "The swirl that was going on, it's not that at all. I got no interest in it," Busby said. "I hope they get it sorted out, but it's not my interest. I was not a supporter beforehand." "I don't know Roy Moore, I've never met him," he added. "But there's a sense of self-righteousness that comes out of that campaign that bothered me. And I don't think it represents the majority of Alabama voters." Busby said he was not happy with the choice between Moore and Democratic candidate Doug Jones and suggested many Alabama voters feel the same. "The more people I talked to, the more sense that I got that there's this huge swath in the middle that feels like they're not represented there," Busby said. Busby, who served as vice chief of staff to Kelly when he was a three-star lieutenant general, denied being a spoiler candidate and argued he could draw votes from both Moore and Jones supporters. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Political News Another former staffer for Congressman John Conyers, D-Mich., has accused the longtime lawmaker of sexual harassment. Deanna Maher, who ran a Michigan office for Conyers from 1997 to 2005, told the Detroit News the congressman made three unwanted sexual advances toward her, including inappropriate touching. Maher said the first instance of harassment happened in September of 1997, when she rejected Conyers' offer to share his room at the Grand Hyatt in Washington and have sex. The other incidents involved unwanted touching in a car in 1998 and another unwanted touching of her legs under her dress in 1999, Maher told the Detroit News. Conyers' attorney Arnold Reed argued Maher's allegations are uncorroborated and questioned why she would continue to work for the congressman for so many years after the alleged incidents. "At the end of the day, he's confident that he will be exonerated because he maintains that he has not done anything wrong," Reed said. Maher told the Detroit News her need for employment and Conyers' status as a powerful Democratic lawmaker explains why she stayed on the job. Conyers announced Sunday he was stepping down as ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee amid an investigation by the House Ethics Committee over allegations that a former employee was fired because she would not succumb to his sexual advances. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Political News LAS VEGAS (AP) Miss Universe Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters didn't shy away when asked to comment on sexual harassment just after being crowned. "If women take hands and stand together, we are unbreakable," said the 22-year-old representative from South Africa, "and we can say no to the things that are wrong in the workplace, at home or wherever you might go." In the U.S., dozens of politicians, Hollywood executives and actors, and media personalities are facing accusations of sexual misconduct, sparked by a wave of allegations against movie mogul Harvey Weinstein. The topic arose during Sunday's competition when a fan-submitted question asked why it's important for men and women to work together to address the issue of sexual misconduct. Miss Jamaica Davina Bennett said men and women should come together to make sure no form of abuse, including sexual harassment, is tolerated. "Sexual harassment is a form of abuse, and no abuse should be tolerated whether in the workplace or in society," Bennett said. Nel-Peters, who recently earned a business management degree, was crowned during the event at The AXIS theater at Planet Hollywood casino-resort on the Las Vegas Strip. The runner-up was Miss Colombia Laura Gonzalez, while Bennett finished as the second runner-up. Nel-Peters is from the South African coastal community of Sedgefield in the Western Cape province. She helped develop a program to train women in self-defense in various situations after she was robbed at gunpoint a month after she was crowned as Miss South Africa. She also said she wants to champion other causes during her yearlong reign. "HIV/AIDS is a very big problem in my country South Africa, so I hope to stand as an advocate for that," she said after the event. She is the second woman from her home country to earn the crown. Ninety-two women from around the world participated in the decades-old competition. This year's edition had the most contestants ever, including the first representatives in its history of Cambodia, Laos and Nepal. Steve Harvey returned as the show's host despite botching the 2015 Miss Universe crowning. On Sunday, he poked fun at his mistake throughout the night. Three days after people in the U.S. celebrated Thanksgiving, Harvey told the audience he is "grateful for the Oscars," referring to the best-picture flub at this year's Academy Awards. Grammy-Award winner Fergie performed her new song "A Little Work" while the contestants walked down the stage wearing evening gowns. This year's judges included YouTube star Lele Pons, former judge of "America's Next Top Model" Jay Manuel and Wendy Fitzwilliam, the 1998 Miss Universe winner from Trinidad and Tobago. Nel-Peters earned a yearlong salary and a luxury apartment in New York City for the duration of her reign as well as more prizes. Donald Trump formerly co-owned The Miss Universe Organization with NBCUniversal. But the network and the Spanish-language broadcaster Univision quickly cut ties with him in 2015, when he offended Hispanics with anti-immigrant remarks in announcing his bid for the White House. Trump sued both networks, eventually settling and selling off the entire pageant to talent management company WME/IMG. Samoa bids farewell to a great friend last weekend. Lizbeth Cullity, the U.N. Resident Coordinator and U.N.D.P. Resident Representative in Samoa, ended her four year term and in the following piece, she talks about her experience on our shores. She writes: As I wrap up my work in Samoa, I contemplate the work and operations, as well as relations and friendships that I have been privileged to be a part of in my four short years in Apia. I arrived in November 2013 to take up the dual role of United Nations Resident Coordinator and U.N.D.P. Resident Representative for Samoa, the Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau. Having worked and lived in Haiti for over 20 years, I was familiar with living and working in a Small island developing State. Granted that the two countries are very different, in terms of environmental vulnerability, Samoa faces the same challenges as Haiti and other Small Island Developing States (S.I.D.S.) in the Pacific, the Caribbean and beyond. This challenge and others related to social, economic and political developments in S.I.D.S. were brought to the fore with the hosting of the Third International Conference on S.I.D.S. in September 2014 by the Government and people of Samoa. The Conference was a great success, and provided a further opportunity for the international community to articulate its support for the different needs and special case of S.I.D.S. It was also an opportunity for Samoa and other S.I.D.S. to underscore their respective and collective priorities, challenges, and achievements. From the time of my arrival to the convening of the S.I.D.S. Conference, my colleagues and I had the immense pleasure of working and collaborating closely with the Government of Samoa and many senior government officials, development partners, civil society organisations (C.S.Os) and the private sector to help organise the Conference, as well as showcase the work of the United Nations system in Samoa, and in the Pacific. As an ardent and effective advocate for S.I.D.S., Samoa chose a theme focused on sustainable development of S.I.D.S. through genuine and durable partnerships. As emphasised in the outcome document, the S.A.M.O.A. Pathway, these partnerships have, and will continue to help provide the means to implement commitments for sustainable development going forward. Early in my assignment, the Government of Samoa reiterated its call for the UN to Deliver as One. Based on this approach, U.N. agencies are encouraged to develop programmes where multiple agencies would work together to avoid having too many agencies with too many small projects working in parallel to one another. With this task set for me, I embarked on a mission to consult the 10-12 agencies based in Apia at the time to look for ways to join forces. Rather than continuing in our individual paths, we needed to forge closer relations and collaboration, particularly on gender equality and youth empowerment as requested by the Government. Additionally, at the heart of the new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (adopted in 2015) was a simple principle: leave no one behind. This too, in addition to Delivering as One, have been my mantra as we set about to implement the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. When we talk about improving the lives of the most vulnerable and reflect on how we are going to leave no one behind, it cannot be business as usual. So, we went out and talked to the Government, as well as schools, communities, civil societies and the private sector. We gained a better understanding as to how we could make that investment best through the expertise of the local context, local language and rapport building to make sure that we have real partnerships. I was pleased therefore that with the assistance of my colleagues in the UN Country Team two joint programmes were developed in 2015. The F.A.O., I.L.O., U.N.D.P., U.N.E.S.C.O. and U.N.V. joined forces as part of the Samoa One-UN Youth Employment Programme (YEP) in partnership with Government of Samoa, and various C.S.Os and the private sector. The One-UN Y.E.P. was developed to assist youth in developing knowledge and skills needed to enter the labour market, as well as provide them with additional support services to secure decent work opportunities in either formal or informal employment. The Samoa One-UN Y.E.P. has been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to support numerous initiatives, including enrolling 56 youth, some of whom were in conflict with the law, in vocational school. We also supported farming training in partnership with Women in Business in both Upolu and Savaii; specialised career training by the Samoa Culinary Association for young chefs and assistants; small business training by the Small Business Enterprise Centre; cultural training by the Samoa Culture Centre; and mentoring of young unemployed people for formal job interviews during two mass recruitment runs by major hotels and resorts in Apia. The Samoa One-U.N. Y.E.P. will continue to run in 2018, and will also endeavour to connect youth to jobs through an electronic hub (E-Hub) spearheaded by the Samoa National Youth Council, with links to the governments main employment website. I look forward to hearing more about progress in finalizing the E-Hub and, more importantly, its uptake by Samoan youth in finding jobs, including in cocoa and organic farming. U.N.D.P. and U.N. Women came together to launch the Increasing the Political Participation of Women in Samoa Project (I.P.P.W.S.) in partnership with the governments of Samoa and Australia, and with the support of several local partner organisations. The Project sought to increase community awareness of the importance of ensuring women in Samoa are able to engage in political leadership, as well as to work with women candidates in the run up to the 2016 elections, and to work with political parties to raise awareness on gender issues. There is no doubt to the depth of leadership of the women of Samoa. We see, and hear them in government, businesses, civil society, in their congregations, and in their communities. Some 24 women ran in the 2016 general elections, and five now serve their constituencies in Samoas national Parliament. The I.P.P.W.S. highlighted for me the size of the task we continue to face - changing the mindsets around womens roles in political leadership will take time and effort. Everyone has a role to play, and progress will not always be even. And while the 2013 constitutional amendment was a great step forward, the need for a quota to reach 10 per cent, plus the fact that it had to be triggered in 2016 to reach 10 per cent, shows us that challenges remain. A successor project to IPPWS is currently being developed, and I am certain this will yield more good progress for women, and Samoa. Come 2021, I hope there will be more women parliamentarians in Samoa without the need to trigger the 10 per cent quota. Samoa, like many S.I.D.S., lives at the frontline of climate change threats and sustainable development challenges. Devastation suffered by many during and in the aftermath of Cyclone Evan in 2012 highlighted our continued vulnerability to climate change. Many will have seen steady progress and changes being made around the Vaisigano and Lelata areas, which are amongst the many energy, environment and U.N.D.P.-G.E.F. funded programmes undertaken in Samoa. I want to highlight the importance of the approval by the Green Climate Fund in 2016 of a U.N.D.P.-facilitated climate change adaptation project focused on integrated watershed management for the Vaisigano River in Apia. This G.C.F. project will support concerted efforts by the Government to put in place a comprehensive flood management solution that will benefit over 26,528 people in the Vaisigano River catchment area, and 37,000 people indirectly. As we move into the cyclone season, I hope for fair weather and a quiet season for us all. During my four years in Samoa, I can say that much work was accomplished in close collaboration and partnership with the Samoa Government, C.S.Os and the private sector. Much more, however, remains to be done. The pace of change occurring around Samoa is unstoppable and Samoa and her people are vulnerable to changes and opportunities that accompany globalisation. Whatever the challenges, Samoa should not shrink from the opportunities of change. Through protecting the best of your culture and the willingness to embrace change where it is in your interest, Samoa can only reinforce its current position of influence among countries big and small. I cannot end this note without again thanking the Honourable Prime Minister and the Government and people of Samoa for your exceptional gesture of support and commitment to the United Nations through the One U.N. House our new home at Tuanaimato. The One U.N. House represents a concrete step towards assisting the UN system fulfill a demand made by the Government of Samoa in 2012, and which all S.I.D.S. request through the Samoa Pathway, for the UN to deliver better, together. The One U.N. House will encourage collaboration between U.N. agencies and facilitate knowledge sharing and rapport building. The U.N. in Samoa is a strong and capable team. We are devoted to ensuring respect for human rights, which means inclusive development, and to strengthening Samoas resilience in the face of climate change, amongst others. The Agencies have grown in our capacity to formulate and implement joint initiatives, and going forward, I know that Samoa and the U.N. Country Team will continue to strengthen its relations and delivery to ensure that no one is left behind. I have enjoyed my time in Samoa immensely and I shall miss its lush greenness, the warmth and generosity of the Samoan people and the dear friendships I have made. As I return to the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations - this time in Bamako, Mali - to assume the position of Chief of Staff of the Multidimensional Stabilization Mission to Mali (M.I.N.U.S.M.A.), I am confident that this beautiful nation with its strong identity and traditional culture will continue to evolve as it should. Faafetai tele lava, Samoa. A web application designed to help Samoa guide implementation of and reporting on human rights obligations and Sustainable Development Goals was the focus of a gathering at Sheraton Samoa Aggie Greys Hotel last Thursday. The Sadata workshop was attended by representatives from a number of government ministries. Supported by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the U.Ns Resident Coordinator, Lizbeth Cullity, spoke about the importance Sadata. Human rights are enshrined in the very Constitution of Samoa and the faa Samoa itself shares many of the core values of dignity and respect, she said. With these commitments and values comes an ongoing obligation to report. The process has the potential to be extremely powerful (but) it is not a small task. To take full advantage of the human rights system you have to be smart and that is exactly what Samoa is doing. You have had the vision to go further than any country before and develop Sadata. Sadata will be a publicly accessible website which tracks the progress of government to implement human rights and link to the S.D.Gs. Peseta Noumea Simi, Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, highlighted the importance of Sadata in simplifying procedures and processes to meet Samoas reporting obligations, and allow for a more coordinated approach to implementing the human rights instruments Samoa has signed up to. Members of the public will be able to log on at any time and access a wealth of information on the activities the Government and civil society have been carrying out to help further the enjoyment of rights in our country. The app, funded by U.N.D.P., N.Z. and O.H.C.H.R., was initially devised in Samoa by O.H.C.H.R. and National Human Rights Institution consultant, Ashley Bowe, who facilitated the workshop. There are a couple of databases out there to track human rights implementation but Sadata automates the data collection process and uses a sophisticated clustering system to reduce the amount of time needed to write reports and to eliminate duplication of activities all of which leaves civil servants with more time to do what they are best at, the development of Samoa, Mr. Bowe said. Participants of the workshop were impressed with what they saw with one commenting the most useful aspect was not just getting to know how to use Sadata for reporting to the UN but also how it could be used to collect data for our work purposes in developing policies. IMPACT Open Source Software, the basis for Sadata, is on the brink of being launched globally where it is already attracting significant international interest, showing that Samoa is at the forefront of human rights protection and prevention in the region and beyond. The National Mechanism for Reporting and Follow-Up, co-chaired by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Ministry of Women Community and Social Development is in the process of drafting a National Human Rights Implementation Plan, which once finished will be entered into Sadata and heralds a new era of data collection, reporting and transparency in Samoa. Lealali Lealali needs help. The 21-year-old from Faleula is looking for a job to support his family financially. He was on his way to his plantation yesterday morning when he caught up with Village Voice. I am not working at the moment but the only thing I am doing right now is working my plantation and this is my normal routine every day, he said. We dont sell things from our plantation, we just use it to provide food for our family. Mr. Lealali said only one person in his family is employed. My father is the only person in our family that has a job and basically thats our familys only source of income, he said. So working at the plantation is my only contribution to support my family because I dont have a job to earn money. Mr. Lealali laments the lack of job opportunities available to people like himself. Life here in Samoa is already hard and to me finding a job is extremely difficult especially for people like me who do not have the highest qualifications, he said. But this will not stop him from continuing to hunt for a job. If I get a job, I will be helping my father support our family together because life in Samoa is getting expensive. Everything is about money here in Samoa. And for this work as well I can come here whatever time I want and go back home whenever I want to, and I think that will not happen when I get a job. Mr. Lealali also added that he is ready to take any job that comes his way because he really needs money for Christmas season. I am just desperate for any job now not only to get money for my family but also Christmas season is coming and I really want to have money to buy things that I want. How do we begin to address the scourge of violence in our community today? One of the best ways is to love. Yes we know its hard to accept this, especially if you have been a victim of any form of violence. But the simple truth is violence cannot be the answer to violence. Hate and anger will also not help us get anywhere. You see to neutreulise the power of anything; we are called to use the strength of something that is its complete opposite. And we know violence is driven by anger, rage, bitterness harboured over time that can no longer be contained and hate. But love, compassion, care and being kind can go a long way towards solving our problems. Think of it this way, would the perpetrators of violence have acted the way they do if they were shown love and felt loved in the first place? Would they have continued in their ugly ways if they had not been hurt, abused and subjected to the vicious violent cycle in the past? We know countless studies have identified that hurt people will go on to hurt other people. The same goes for people who are angry, bitter and full of resentment. So imagine how things could be different if we lived in a community where love becomes the norm. Where respect, care and kindness are encouraged as opposed to hate and anger. The fact is when it comes to the ugly issue of violence, whether domestic, family, youth or whatever form, a lot has been said, written and done in an effort to eradicate it completely. But if we are honest, we have to accept the truth that we have a long, long way to go. We say this because every time we get to have a look at the statistics, they are not getting any better. If anything, they become grimmer by the day so that unless we find another solution soon, all we will do is throw our hands up in the air and give up. Its a natural thing to do when we keep banging our heads against the wall only to come up with the same result. But give up we shouldnt. For how can we? The future generations will hold us accountable for our failure to address an issue that has become so normal in the eyes of some people. This week, the issue of violence is back on the table. Down at the Tanoa Tusitala Hotel, some of Samoas brightest minds including Justices and Judges of the Court have been looking at ways to solve the issue. The three-day Empowering the Family Unit to Stop Violence conference has been prompted by the increasing number of cases of violence heard by the Youth Court and Family Violence Court. The conference hopes to identify preventative measures and strategies that can be used by the Courts and other relevant stakeholders to combat violence. At the official opening, Chief Justice His Honour Patu Tiavaasue Falefatu Sapolu, said the conference is a critical part of efforts to address the issue. It is my hope, from that the discussion and exchange of views, solutions will be identified to combat the causes of criminal cases particularly violence related offenses that these Courts have to deal with, he said. His Honour Patu also called for a community approach to addressing violence. He said the notion that it is only for the Police and the Court to deal with crimes committed in society is wrong, reminding that everyone has a role to play. A start has to be made by someone at some point and with respect I think this conference is a good way to begin, he said. Well the Chief Justice is correct. But it shouldnt be just a start; this should serve as another rallying call for action, a call for everyone to do their part. Of course its easier said than done. Looking at the amount of resources and attention that has been given to address domestic and family violence over the past few years, youd think wed make a dent on the problem by now. While we might have made some progress in some areas especially in terms of initiating public discussion and raising awareness about the issue - we are a long way from where we want to be in terms of translating those awareness campaigns into fruitful outcomes. Still we remain hopeful. That hope is deeply rooted in the fact that as a Christian country, one of the most basic principles of Jesus Christs teachings is to love one another including our enemies believe it or not. What is Biblical love? Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud, the scriptures spell out. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Perhaps this is what we should be talking more about today. Rather than continuing to magnify the problem, maybe its time we magnify the solution. Love we know is one of the most profound and powerful forces in the world today. And it can turn things around. Maybe this is what every parent should be teaching their young boys. This is what every church should be talking to their church members about. This is what the matai leadership in villages should be discussing rather than looking for a hole to punish someone for a few lousy cans of mackerel. We need to hammer this message home when it comes to relationships, whether its between husbands and wives, parents and children, villages and churches and so forth. Its time to do ourselves a favour, why dont we start walking the talk. Start by releasing forgiveness and by being kind to the person next to you. In many cases, that could be a husband, a wife, a child or your enemy. What do you think? Have wonderful Wednesday Samoa, God bless! Dear Editor, Re: Of course hes not a dictator, he is only the leader of a one-party state I think we should give this period of the H.R.P.P. and Tuilaepa rule the name: Tui Myth in the mold of the Tudor Myth of England of the 15th/16th centuries. There are some significant similarities. One of these is the belief that the government/king is divinely sanctioned. That means God watches over and governs the country through the leader/king. That has always been Tuilaepas shibboleth, which, unfortunately, may not and/or cannot be repudiated and refuted considering Samoas national motto of having been founded on God. The recent constitutional change making Samoa a Christian state adds to that whole belief and psyche. But as I said in one of my recent letters: The Samoa Christian churches, understandably, welcome and embrace the [change], but again theres hidden venom underneath it. The government can actually become the proverbial camel that will slowly but surely encroach and eventually take control of the tent (or Church). If the government can pass a law to nationalize a particular religion, what stops it from regulating that religion? The demarcation between church and state has become more indistinct and obscure as a result. The irony is that churches now think that they are rightfully and deservedly sanctioned and are given a mandate by the government and yet, at the same time, they are unknowingly ceding to the government some of their autonomy and supposed authority and independence. Therefore, churches/denominations better be ready and not be surprised when - not if - their ecclesiastical appointments, policies and practices will be infringed upon, if not dictated, by the government down the road. The government now has a vested interest in its religion nemesis. The camel is in. Yes, the animal (donkey or elephant in the US political context) certainly is in the tent already. And the divine right claim, ironically, is now being used against the clergy and the Church in Samoa requiring their ministers to pay taxes, for example. This sounds like something right out of an edict of a Tudor king. Practically, again, the church is now controlled by the government. Another similarity between the present government and the Tudor dynasty is found in how the people continue to view the P.M. and H.R.P.P. as being authoritarian. The government, however, can actually respond and - using one of the Tudor Myths claims and justifications for an evil king/ruler - say that it has been divinely called, too, to change and correct the peoples wicked and evil ways, if not become a scourge to them. In other words, an evil people deserves an evil ruler. And this kinda goes along with the democratic notion of people deserving their leaders because they elect them (albeit indirectly in Samoa) to begin with. Moreover, the P.Ms audacious and dictatorial tendencies may also be given validation and consolation by a popular notion articulated by a French political philosopher, Jean Bodin, who said, contextually, that the ... [Prime Minister], in whom the [power] resteth, is to give account unto none, but to the immortal God alone. This was said in defense of the monarchical style of government of Bodins time like the Tudor dynasty. Notwithstanding, the Bible has its own position in which the buck stops with the leaders: When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.~ Proverbs 29:2 (KJV) So either way, I guess, in a sense, it goes back to the people - if theyre mourning or rejoicing (or in emoji lingo, LOL!) - or if theyre evil or good. Samoa e, ala mai ia! LV Letalu A civil claim brought by the Associate Minister of Cabinet and Prime Minister, Peseta Vaifou Tevaga, against former Cabinet Minister, Laaulilemalietoa Polataivao Schmidt and others, in relation to a dispute about a nonu company, has been dismissed. The decision was delivered by Supreme Court Justice, Tafaoimalo Leilani Tuala-Warren, yesterday. In doing so, she has ordered the management of L.P.A. (Nonu Company) to be put back in the hands of Apulu Lance Polu, Martin Jonathan Schwalger and Danny Schwenke, Pesetas son. According to the Court ruling, Pesetas claim was filed against Apulu, Schwalger, Laaulilemalietoa and Maota Samoa Convention Complex Limited, Local Partners and Associates Limited and Aldan Civil Engineering Construction Company Limited. Peseta is represented by defence Counsel, Leuluaialii Olinda Woodroffe, while the defendants were represented by Semi Leung Wai. According to the Court ruling, Pesetas cause of action was prompted by what he claimed to be a breach of directors duties. He accused them of preventing him from participating in the decisions or activities of the L.P.A. or from entering L.P.A. premises. He accused Laauli of taking and having in his possession property of the plaintiff, including nonu juice and vehicles. Peseta also accused his former business associates of breaching their contract by putting secured land at risk and for the conversion of vehicles that belong to L.P.A. to another company known as Maota o Samoa. In Court, Justice Tafaoimalo pointed out the land in question was used as collateral to secure the loan which belongs to Aldan Company Limited where Peseta is a Director. The loan was from the Samoa National Provident Fund (S.N.P.F.) The arguments advanced therefore that the land is his (Peseta) land, is not technically correct, Justice Tafaoimalo. Peseta claims that the defendants breached a contract. There is no contract, written or oral between Aldan and the defendants which is before me and from which I can ascertain its terms with any certainty. There was no evidence that Peseta, as director of Aldan, unwillingly offered his land as security. The only evidence before me from Peseta himself, Polu and Laauli is that Peseta gave it willingly provided his overdraft was paid. Even when the possibility came up for the security to be replaced, he did not want the land to be released. The defendants on the other hand, took active steps to find a replacement security. The agreement for sale and purchase of the nonu farm and the valuation report shows real progress in finding a replacement security. Regarding the leasehold documents, Justice Tafaoimalo noted the valuation report and evidence heard at the hearing the purpose of the leasehold being for a nonu farm to grow the nonu and to replace Pesetas land. Before the acquisition of Nonu Farm, the nonu was collected from around Samoa. In any event, Polu and Schwalger have operated L.P.A. in a way that loan payments have been maintained, despite the challenges of a legal battle and the Court appointment of an interim manager. In December 2016, there were no arrears to the S.N.P.F. loan. The arrears have accumulated this year with the management of L.P.A. being out of the hands of its directors. L.P.A. sales were increasing as evident in its financial statements from 2013 to 2015. The noticeable drop was the expected sales for 2016, after these court proceedings commenced. Any attempts by the defendants at reconciliation were thwarted by Peseta. I accept the evidence of Laauli and Polu that Peseta would not consider reconciliation. Peseta cannot now put the blame on the defendants. His part to play in continuing to cause and sustain the division between himself and the defendants is not insignificant. Peseta had derived some benefit from L.P.A. in having his overdraft paid off and in the cash payments which I accept he received from L.P.A. of at least $20,000 according to Polu. According to Justice Tafaoimalo, its evident that Pesetas agreement to use Aldan land is conditional on how it benefits him. He used it for the loan initially to clear his overdraft, he then agreed for it to be released for a replacement asset. He is now saying that he does not want it released until Court proceedings have been determined as L.P.A. is receiving millions and he is not receiving any part of that money. The directors Polu and Schwalger are entitled to make decisions that they consider to be in the best interests of the company. Polu and Schwalger sanctioned the use of the trading name Samoa Nonu Delights, the opening of the bank account with Samoa Commercial Bank, the accepting of cash payments and the purchase of the leasehold for a nonu farm, all by way of resolutions passed at meetings of shareholders, (Polu and Schwalger holding 65 per cent of the shares), in an effort to keep L.P.A. operational and to attract revenue to maintain loan repayments. The fact that Polu submitted the trading name in the business licence renewal forms in 2014 and 2015 to M.O.R. shows that Polu and Schwalger were upfront about the use of the trading name Samoa Nonu Delights. Justice Tafaoimalo says there is no breach of contact as there was no contract or agreement between Aldan and the defendants with certain terms before me. This cause of action fails. In any event, loan payments were current as of December 2016. This is due largely to the fact that Polu and Schwalger found ways for L.P.A. to continue to operate. They created a trading name, opened another bank account, accepted cash payments and purchased leasehold for a nonu farm. Justice Tafaoimalo ordered that all causes of action be dismissed. Any change therefore to the share register made on the basis of the notice must be rectified accordingly under section 42 of the Act, if it has been changed, to reflect the directors and shareholders as follows. The directors of L.P.A. are Leiataua Danny Schwenke of Vaitele, Martin J. Schwalger of Aleisa and Apulu Lance Polu of Saleimoa. The shareholders are Leiataua Danny Schwenke with 35 percent (35,000 shares), Martin J. Schwalger with 32.5 percent (32,500 shares) and Apulu Lance Polu with 32.5 percent (32,500 shares); All interim orders and injunctions granted by the Court in favour of the plaintiffs are discharged immediately. The Court appointed manager is discharged and the management and regulation of L.P.A. is put back in the hands of Polu, Schwalger and Schwenke. And having defended this case successfully, counsel for the defendants is invited to file and serve a memorandum as to costs within 21 days of the release of this decision. Counsel for the plaintiffs may respond to that memorandum within a further 14 days. She also ordered that Aldans land is still subject to the mortgage with S.N.P.F. In moving forward, the parties need to either negotiate a replacement asset or agree to work together if this business venture is beneficial to Samoa. A young lady who wants to become a doctor in the future is Chanel Colleges top student for 2017. Lily Elder is already on her way after she was named the schools top Science student, helping her secure the coveted Chanel College dux prize for 2017. The 17-year-old is half Fijian, half Samoan. Her proud mother, Adriana Singh, was the first one to congratulate her when she received her award with tears of joy last week. She beamed as her mother, family and friends showered her with the leis of lollies, flowers and hugs. Speaking to the Samoa Observer, Lilly said she is grateful to God, her mother and everyone who supported her throughout her studies. I didnt expect this, she said with tears in her eyes, Im a bit lost for words right now. Lily wants to become a doctor. She said its something she has always wanted to do. Its a career that I know will help and support my family in the future, she said. I want to become a doctor and come in the next ten years to give back to Chanel College. Lilly is an only child. Her mothers father is Samoan. Another top achiever at Chanel College was the Year 12 Dux student, Talalupe Stowers. The body of 21-year-old Mormon missionary, Aaron Patiole, will be flown back to Australia for burial this week. More than $9,000 was raised through a fundraiser to help take Patioles body back to his homeland. A Police source who refused to be named said the driver had been found at Sapunaoa, a village of Falealili, where the hit and run occurred. The source said the driver had been charged with negligent driving causing death and with failing to report the fatality to police. The missionary was struck while he was walking with his companion. "Elder Aaron Ahkau Matapa Patiole, age 21, was killed when he was struck by a vehicle in Upolu, Samoa, as he and his companion were walking together," said Eric Hawkins, a spokesman for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in an earlier statement. Patiole had been in the Samoa Apia Mission since December, 2016. Love is the key to happiness, but the first step to pure contentment is acceptance. It is also said that a happy wife will result in a happy life. Maarten Von Oosten is a living testimony of this saying. It has been 50 years and he is still married to the Dutch girl that he never dreamt of settling with. We were both born in the Netherlands, Maarten said when he sat down with Dear Tourist yesterday. We were only children when we moved to Canada with our families. I told myself that I would never marry a Dutch girl but what do you know, it was a Dutch girl that won my heart. Yesterday, Maarten and his Dutch wife were in Samoa to celebrate their love. Being in the island of Samoa has been a blessing for them because they got to explore a different part of the world. There is a different atmosphere that we get to experience here in Samoa. There is so much positive and good energy that is found among the people. To love and to be loved, he said. The diverse scenery and the people are what they were looking for to celebrate their 50th year anniversary. We are on this cruise ship to celebrate love and the many years that we have been together. To be in Samoa is the perfect place because we see love everywhere among the people. They smile for no reason, very generous and always helpful. Maarten also shared the secret of their happy marriage. We enjoy so many things together. Like nature and also the Samoan country we are very interested in it. It is having similar interests and also a similar way of thinking that is very important. The 75-year-old said they lived in the same house for 49 years and they never wanted to relocate because they had a beautiful orchid greenhouse in their backyard. Even if it was just for a day in our beautiful paradise, the couple both agreed that they would not change a thing about Samoa. The father of two believes that the only thing that matters is happiness. If you are happy that is good it means you have everything you need. People create aspirations as a guideline to direct their paths on where they will head to next. Reaching the boarders of Samoa is nothing more than a dream coming true for best friends, Ayaka Makamura and Marina Matsuoka. We have been curious to visit Samoa in such a long time, said Ayaka. This is why we chose Samoa to be our final destination for our holiday, a place that we both have been keen to have a look at. It has been a dream come true to come here, said Ayaka. Travelling from Japan to Australia, then Cook Islands and now to the heart of the Pacific, she is happy to be here. We are both from Japan but Marina lives in Japan and I live in Australia. We travelled in Australia for two weeks. Went to Cook Islands and the last destination is Samoa. It feels good to be here and to also be able to explore, Ayaka told Dear Tourist yesterday. It was their passion in Polynesian dance that made them want to know more about the Polynesian culture. It was also during dancing that Ayaka made friends with some Samoans. The 29-year-old said she heard about Samoa through her friends who came to Samoa before. Their description of how beautiful Samoa was sparked excitement. For so long I have heard from some friends on how beautiful Samoa was, which is why we wanted to come. One thing for sure my friends were right, Samoa is beautiful. I wanted to come to Samoa long time ago and then I met Marina and she wanted to come and then we both booked our flights to come to Samoa, she said. Ayaka couldnt help but stand in adoration at how the Samoan people wear their traditional clothing even though there was no special occasion. We have a kimono, our traditional wear. But we barely wear it, only on special occasions like a wedding or only in summertime when we have a summer kimono. But we dont really use it only on special occasions, but what I love about here is that everyone always wear the lavalava or their two piece matching clothing for the women, she added. She believes that it is a good thing that the Samoan people still embrace their island wear and Polynesian colours. I think it is a beautiful thing that the people of Samoa still wear their lavalava with so much confidence. That is why I like the culture here. Ayaka has also mentioned that it is not just the culture that she is amazed with; it is the people as well, which is why she is thankful to be here. It is so beautiful here, the people are very friendly and the food is nice too. Thank you for everything, especially to the people who have helped us. The friends will be leaving this Sunday, but they are excited to spend some time in Lalomanu and buy some handicraft work as souvenirs before returning to their homeland. Federal prosecutors are investigating allegations that Uber deployed an espionage team to plunder trade secrets from its rivals. That has triggered a delay in a high-profile trial over whether the beleaguered ride-hailing company stole self-driving car technology from Google spinoff Waymo. The criminal investigation being conducted by the U.S. Justice Department centers on information contained in a 37-page letter describing allegations made by Richard Jacobs, Ubers former manager of global intelligence. Jacobs had the letter sent in May to an Uber lawyer. The letter contended Jacobs was wrongfully demoted and then fired for trying to stop misconduct by the company. The investigation wasnt publicly known until Tuesday, when it surfaced in a court hearing that was supposed to set the stage for a trial pitting Uber against Waymo, a self-driving car pioneer that started within Google eight years ago and is still a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., Googles parent company. Advertisement The hearing instead quickly turned into a forum raising more questions about the ethics and conduct of Uber. Over the last year, the San Francisco firm has been rocked by revelations of rampant sexual harassment inside the company, technological trickery designed to thwart regulators and a yearlong cover-up of a hacking attack that stole the personal information of 57 million passengers and 600,000 drivers. Jacobs, whose lawyer wrote the letter at the center of the courtroom drama, testified Tuesday that Uber had set up a secret unit to steal trade secrets from its rivals overseas. He didnt specify which competitors he believed Uber had been targeting, but said some of the stolen information involved drivers. His allegations had been kept under seal since the Justice Department passed them along to U.S. District Judge William Alsup last week. To protect itself against potential trouble, Uber frequently communicated on a service called Wickr that automatically erases messages, according to Jacobs. He also testified that the company relied on a surreptitious computer system to eliminate all digital trails, and that it dispatched its security team to train self-driving car engineers in Pittsburgh on how to conceal their electronic tracks. Ubers espionage team also hired contractors who employed former CIA agents to help with its surveillance, Jacobs said. Jacobs was Ubers manager of global intelligence from March 2016 until he was fired seven months ago. Pressed under questioning, Jacobs acknowledged the letter also alleged that Uber had stolen trade secrets from Waymo and other intellectual property in the United States. But Jacobs said that his lawyer was mistaken in making that allegation. He insisted he didnt know anything about Ubers espionage team trying to steal from anything in the U.S. Uber paid Jacobs $4.5 million as part of a confidential settlement after his firing, Jacobs said while being grilled by Waymo lawyer Charles Verhoeven. Part of that settlement can be withheld if Jacobs violates a provision requiring him not to say anything that would harm Uber. It is possible that he has been bought off by Uber, Alsup said of Jacobs during Tuesdays drama. Alsup described the allegations in the letter as scandalous and lashed out at Ubers legal team for not informing him about them before he was notified by the Justice Department. I cant trust anything you say because it has been proven wrong so many times, Alsup told Uber attorney Arturo Gonzalez. The judge also called Ubers espionage teams a plumbers unit doing bad deeds. Gonzalez repeatedly tried to convince Alsup that the allegations in Jacobs letter had nothing to do with Waymos case against Uber. The lawyer also argued that Uber used secretive communications channels for employee safety reasons. But the judge wasnt swayed. There is a 50-50 chance that this is going to turn out very bad for Uber, Alsup said. And there is a 50-50 chance that this will turn out to be a dry hole. In a statement defending itself, Uber pointed to Jacobs testimony that he wasnt aware of the company stealing any of Waymos trade secrets. None of the testimony [Tuesday] changes the merits of the case, Uber said. Alsup postponed the scheduled Dec. 4 start of the Waymo-Uber trial to give Waymo more time to gather evidence. Waymo is alleging that Uber has been building its own fleet of self-driving cars by using some of the trade secrets taken by former Waymo engineer Anthony Levandowski. Uber paid $680 million last year to buy a self-driving vehicle startup founded by Levandowski after he left Waymo. Alsup didnt immediately set a new trial date. He promised to make Jacobs entire letter publicly available. Meanwhile, a group of investors led by Japanese conglomerate SoftBank Group Corp. has offered to buy a sizable chunk of Uber but it wants a discount. It wants to buy shares from employees and existing investors at a valuation of $48 billion, a 30% discount on Ubers most recent valuation of about $68 billion, according to a person with knowledge of the matter. UPDATES: 3 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details from Tuesdays hearing. 11:15 a.m.: This article was updated with additional details about Richard Jacobs testimony and his tenure at Uber. 10:55 a.m.: This article was updated with additional details about Jacobs testimony and the Justice Department investigation. This article was originally published at 10:15 a.m. San Diegos Biolinq, a start-up thats developing pain-free blood glucose sensors, said Monday it has raised $10 million in venture capital led by M Ventures and Hikma Ventures. The money will help launch clinical studies required to get Biolinqs sensor technology approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, said Chief Executive Jared Tangney. Tangney declined to reveal too much about the technology but described it as minimally invasive and painless. Current continuous glucose monitoring systems involve tiny sensors inserted under the skin with needles and sometimes finger pricks to calibrate monitors. Advertisement Our first product is not just another continuous glucose monitoring technology, but a platform we built from the ground up with a focus on the end user, said Tangney. Our vision is to utilize our novel manufacturing approach to achieve low-cost and high uniformity, enabling factory calibration -- no finger sticks -- in a nickel-sized patch. Biolinq also named Dan Bradbury executive chairman of its board of directors. Bradbury is the former chief executive of San Diegos Amylin Pharmaceuticals, which was acquired by Bristol-Myers Squibb in 2013. Founded in 2012 by Tangney and Josh Windmiller both Ph.D. graduates of UC San Diego -- Biolinq was formerly named Electrozyme. It built printed electrochemical sensors for the wearable fitness market that detected biomarkers in sweat. Electrozyme raised a seed round of around $1 million led by Dallas Mavericks owner and Shark Tank star Mark Cuban. It also received about $2.6 million in grant funding from the National Institutes of Health. In 2015, the company changed its name to Biolinq when it pivoted from sweat sensing for athletes to monitoring blood glucose for diabetes. Biolinq now employs seven people but expects to expand to 20 employees over the next year, said Tangney. Grey Sky Venture Partners, Three Leaf Ventures, LifeSci Venture Partners and a group of high-net-worth individuals from the diabetes field also contributed to the round. We are leading this round of investment with an excellent group of co-investors, all with the same goal of making the convenient and painless monitoring of multiple biomarkers a reality for patients in need, said Edward Kliphuis of M Ventures, an affiliate of German-based Merck KGaA, in a statement. Hikma Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of London-based Hikma Pharmaceuticals. Chronic diseases like diabetes affect millions of people worldwide with a high prevalence in the Middle East and North Africa; markets we know well, said Lana Ghanem, managing director of Hikma Ventures in a statement. We look forward to working with the Biolinq team and our co-investors to bring this pioneering technology to patients. Business mike.freeman@sduniontribune.com; Twitter:@TechDiego 760-529-4973 A compromise plan that would permit the short-term rental of San Diego homes, including investment properties, remains largely intact despite concerns raised last month by the City Attorneys office. The proposal, authored by Councilmen Chris Ward, Scott Sherman, Mark Kersey and David Alvarez, has been revised slightly to address legal issues, but key provisions, including allowing owners to rent out up to three properties on a short-term basis, have not been eliminated. As the council gears up for a hearing Dec. 12 to consider long debated regulations governing rentals popularized by online platforms like Airbnb, Sherman released on Monday a revised version of the plan that is being supported by four of the nine council members. Advertisement While the draft ordinance reflects the input of City Attorney Mara Elliotts office, as well as city and mayoral staff, some of the key provisions are still likely to inspire lively debate both among council members and vocal opponents of short-term rentals. Unchanged are provisions that would allow owners to rent out a maximum of three properties on a short-term basis, while imposing a three-night minimum stay in San Diegos coastal areas. In addition, newly acquired investment properties could not be immediately rented out for periods of less than 30 consecutive days. Under the proposal, owners would have to wait a year before converting such properties to short-term rentals. Those three provisions remain areas of concern for Elliotts office, acknowledged Barrett Tetlow, Shermans chief of staff. We removed most of the legal issues and were down to areas everyone agrees are policy calls, and we make policy calls all the time, Tetlow said. The draft ordinance released by Sherman is one of two proposals the council will consider at the Dec. 12 hearing. At the other end of the spectrum is a proposal authored by Councilwoman Barbara Bry, who says that homeowners should only be allowed to rent out their primary residences on a short-term basis for no more than 90 days a year. The city planning department had been prepared last month to present three options to the council for consideration, ranging from the most permissive to one similar to Brys proposal. Council members were also planning to discuss their own proposals. However, just days before the scheduled hearing, Elliotts office released a memo raising numerous legal questions about the two council proposals. Her memo prompted the council to cancel the October hearing and reschedule it for early December. Elliotts office said it could not comment Monday on the legality of the revised ordinance released by Sherman but offered the following statement: Our office has advised the Mayor and City Council of the legal risks associated with a range of proposed regulations for short-term rentals. Our goal is to ensure that whatever regulations the Mayor and City Council support are legal and defensible in court. In her Oct. 17 memo, Elliott concluded that some of the provisions in the council proposals raised questions of equal protection by imposing different regulations for different types of short-term rental hosts. Brys office said Monday that its proposal has changed little because we believe we have a rational basis for moving forward with our proposal as-is. Among the provisions that were removed from the proposal being offered up by the four council members were references to specific dollar amounts for required permit fees. Also excised were the fine amounts for rentals that violate noise and nuisance regulations. Those would be defined later by city staff once new regulations are adopted, Tetlow said. Both changes were made on the advice of the city attorneys office, he noted. For more than 2- years, San Diegos elected leaders have been trying, without success, to agree upon a plan for regulating short-term rentals. Public hearings have drawn huge crowds, divided between home-sharing hosts who argue they have the right to rent out their properties on a short-term basis subject to reasonable regulations and residents who have complained for years that noisy vacationers have deprived them of their once peaceful neighborhoods. Councilman Chris Cate, who has been pushing for a permissive approach that he first introduced two years ago, said Monday he is generally supportive of the approach that Sherman and his three colleagues have taken. The places theyre coming from are in line with what we put forward 2- years ago, Cate said. It allows the activity to still occur while putting a large emphasis on enforcement. Business lori.weisberg@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-2251 Twitter: @loriweisberg iStock/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) -- Thousands more American troops are serving in Iraq and Syria than has been previously acknowledged by the Pentagon, a new report finds. According to the Defense Manpower Data Center's quarterly report from September, there were 1,720 American troops in Syria -- three times as many as the 503 troops in Syria that U.S. military spokesmen have told reporters. The Pentagon's personnel agency issues quarterly reports about how many American troops are serving in individual states and overseas countries. The same report showed there were 8,992 American troops in Iraq, almost 3,500 more than the official Department of Defense tally of 5,262. The Pentagon downplayed the DMDC's personnel numbers were initial estimates for given locations, including short-term deployments and the rotation of American troops in a given country. The DMDC numbers are not the official deployment count, the numbers that we provided -- the approximately 500 in Syria and approximately 5,000 in Iraq is the official deployment count, said Col. Rob Manning, a Pentagon spokesman. There are several other things that go into those numbers, it is a snapshot in time and have to also consider that number is quarterly ... our official deployment count has not changed." Earlier this year Defense Secretary James Mattis ordered a review of the actual number of U.S troops serving in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria beyond the official maximum force levels authorized by the Obama administration. Only the troop numbers for Afghanistan have been publicly disclosed. Manning said the Pentagon is not ready yet to provided updated U.S. troop numbers for Iraq and Syria. Some of that is based on operational security, some is based on agreements with partners and allies," he said. Were not at a point where we can make an announcement that differ from the numbers we previously stated. As recently as two weeks ago the Pentagon said there were about 14,000 American troops in Afghanistan, a reflection of the additional 3,900 American troops authorized by President Donald Trump in late August. But the DMDC's troop numbers for Afghanistan in September indicated they were higher than the latest official count. As of Sept. 30, the DMDC reported there were 15,282 American military personnel in Afghanistan along with 1,202 Defense Department civilians. However, the agency's previous quarterly report from June indicated there were already about 12,000 American troops in Afghanistan, a significantly higher number than the official U.S. tally of 8,400. "The data is meant to be just an initial estimate and starting point," a Pentagon official explained. "In addition to the permanently assigned personnel in a country, the data assisted in looking at the possible number of deployed personnel in an area." That might include the possibility that some of the units were actually counted as deployed even though they were stateside preparing for their deployment. It is unclear if the DMDC's reports for all the countries listed was fully accurate since there are some glaring discrepancies. In the West African nation of Niger, for example, the Pentagon said there are 800 American in the country. The DMDC's personnel reports from March and June said the number of American troops in Niger was in the low teens. In June, however, the White House's official notification to Congress under the War Powers Resolution indicated there were 645 American troops in Niger. Copyright 2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. CITY COUNCILS CARLSBAD The Carlsbad City Council is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. Dec. 5 in council chambers at 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive. Advertisement ENCINITAS The Encinitas City Council is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday in council chambers, 505 S. Vulcan Ave., when it will consider a resolution to support the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals legislation; consider amending the FY 2017-18 budget to cover its part of a joint technical feasibility study on Community Choice Energy with the cities of Oceanside, Del Mar and Carlsbad. A public hearing will be held to consider an appeal of the Planning Commissions approval of a nine-lot density bonus subdivision at 378 Fulvia St. OCEANSIDE To give the public more opportunities for input on the city of Oceansides first Master Plan for the Arts, a meeting is scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday in the Mission Branch Library Community Room, 3861 Mission Ave. Contact Arts Commission staff liaison CJ Di Mento at (760) 435-5614, or email arts_commission@ci.oceanside.ca.us. The city of Oceanside will conduct a public workshop at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall, 300 N. Coast Highway, on a draft Economic Development Element of the citys General Plan. The first hour will be an open house, with the public invited to visit a number of staffed stations to learn about and comment on various topics. The second hour will be a group presentation and question-and-answer session. Draft themes, goals, and policies will be posted to https://www.ci.oceanside.ca.us/gov/dev/planning/gpu at least a week before the workshop. Contact Principal Planner Russ Cunningham at rcunningham@ci.oceanside.ca.us or (760) 435-3525. POWAY The Poway City Council is scheduled to meet in special closed session to discuss the city attorney position at 6 p.m. Tuesday in council chambers, 13325 Civic Center Drive. A special closed meeting on the same subject is also scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday. SAN MARCOS The San Marcos City Council is scheduled to meet in special session at 9 a.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 1 Civic Center Drive, for a pension workshop. The council will then meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday. VISTA The Vista City Council has canceled its regularly scheduled meeting for Tuesday. laura.groch@sduniontribune.com CITY COUNCILS POWAY The Poway City Council met Tuesday and approved raising its facility rental fees and policies, and reauthorized appropriating $150,737 to the Community Development Block Grant Fund. The council awarded a bid of $3,196,008 for the Swim Center Renovation Project to Hamel Construction Inc., and approved adding $1,166,100 to the budget when the bid came in higher than estimated. An agenda item on a final plan for the Mickey Cafagna Community Center was postponed to the Jan. 9 meeting. Advertisement laura.groch@sduniontribune.com Comfort and Joy If Americans are famous for their ingenuity, wheres my refrigerated Christmas stocking, suitable for a gift six-pack? While that gift remains unavailable, a sleighload of hoppy holiday presents awaits the craft beer lover on your list. My top five for 2017: 1. Jonny Quirks Beer Adventures app launched late this year with a focus on Europe -- Berlin, Copenhagen, Paris, Rome, London and Quirks U.K. hometown, Manchester and a few U.S. destinations, led by San Diego. Advertisement Thats one of our most popular international cities, Quirk said. The app designs a beer tour itinerary on the fly. Just enter a location Knotty Barrel downtown, say. After 45 minutes, your phone will ask if you want to move on to your next destination or stay for another round. This app will take you to amazing places for food and beer, Quirk said. I guarantee it. 2. Neiman Marcus splurge-tastic Christmas Book check out Dolce & Gabbanas hand-painted refrigerator, $50,000 -- offers a range of options for homebrewers. BrewArt BeerDroid Beer Brewing Station ($835) can be run from your smart phone; the compact Pico Model C ($549) fits on a kitchen counter; while Pico Zymatic ($1,999) is a garage-filling brewhouse. 3. Curious about brewing, but reluctant to buy supplies and equipment? Start your homebrewing career with a party at Citizen Brewers, 5837 Mission Gorge Road, Suite A, San Diego. At this fully-stocked facility, you and up to five friends can brew and bottle a batch (72 22-ounce bottles, or one 50 liter keg) for $259 to $299. 4. Westvleteren XII is one of the worlds great beers, but the monks of Belgiums Saint-Sixtus Abbey produce limited amounts. For decades, sampling this prized quadruple ale required transatlantic airfare, but no longer. Beer of Belgium is one of several companies peddling this rare beer online, offering six 33-cl bottles (each 11 ounces and a splash) for $69. Add $53 for shipping and, gulp, a six-pack runs $121.50. If youre still game, visit beerofbelgium.com. 5. In Food on Tap (Countryman Press, $24.95), Lori Rice pairs simple recipes with delicious beer. How about a dinner of pale ale marinara meatballs and a pint of Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale, then a milk stout caramel tart with Belching Beavers Beavers Milk Stout? Kings of Beer Founders is famous for KBS, its boozy (11.8 percent alcohol by volume) imperial stout. But at a tasting of ales from this Michigan brewery, I was bowled over by the milder (6.5 percent), more subtle Porter. Roasted coffee, dark chocolate and walnuts initially dominate, giving way to field-fresh hops and a dry finish. The body is in the Goldilocks zone not thick, not thin, just right with tightly-defined flavors. In the 1700s, Britons and their American colonists drank porter by the hogshead. Still, in the mid-20th century the style was on life support. Founders Porter, this weeks King of Beer, reminds us of the treasure we almost lost. To everything there is a season, and this dark beer suits late fall days better than our previous King, ChuckAleks Cranberry Orange Gose (5 percent). That tart, salty German wheat beers season will come again. Ale-Right? The Washington Post recently reported on alt-right attempts to enlist brands as their own. This unsolicited attention from neo-Nazis is unwelcome, insist the targeted companies, which included the nations oldest brewery. D. G. Yuengling & Son, Inc. does not support, condone, associate or tolerate any groups mentioned in the Washington Post article, reads a statement from the Pottsville, Pa., brewery. As a company, our values support, and will continue to support, respect for all individuals, where people (will) be treated equally regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, and marital status. Did you know Originally a working class beer, porter was also embraced by the gentry. The Oxford Companion to Beer notes that George Washingtons favorite porter was brewed by one Robert Hare of Philadelphia... Beer Videos Twitter: @peterroweut peter.rowe@sduniontribune.com Mexicos top environmental official on Monday linked the arrest of the leader of a fishermans organization in the Baja California town of San Felipe to his involvement in the illegal totoaba trade in the upper Gulf of California. Sunshine Antonio Rodriguez, who heads the largest federation of fishing cooperatives in San Felipe, was detained Saturday evening by federal agents who stopped him as he was driving with his family from Mexicali to San Felipe. My understanding is that there are a number of complaints, and one of them is for illegal fishing of totoaba, Rafael Pacchiano Alaman, Mexicos environmental secretary, told journalist Carlos Loret de Mola during an interview for the Mexican network Televisa. Advertisement Listed as a critically endangered species, totoabas are giant fish endemic to Gulf of California. The fishs swim bladders are smuggled to Asia, where consumers believe in their curative powers. The bladders command such high prices that they have been called aquatic cocaine. Rodriguezs attorney, Enrique Acosta Fregoso, said in a telephone interview that the accusation against his client has no connection to totoaba trafficking. The attorney said Rodriguez is being accused of transporting a kilo of liquid methamphetamine, and that federal prosecutors have until 9 p.m. Monday to present charges before a judge. Rodriguez was in the custody of the Mexican federal organized crime unit, SEIDO on Monday. His wife was also taken into custody, Acosta said. This is completely a political matter, the drug was planted on him, Acosta said. We are gathering evidence to demonstrate that this is so. Rodriguez has been a vocal critic of the Mexican governments gillnet ban in Mexicos upper Gulf of California. Instituted in 2015, the ban has come with a compensation program for area fishermen, but critics say it has not been well managed, and fishermen have been anxious to return to the water. The principal aim of the gillnet ban has been to protect the vaquita porpoise, a species on the verge of extinction with fewer than 30 surviving individuals. But vaquitas have continued to die, drowning in the illegal nets set for totoaba. Rodriguezs arrest came days after he led a protest march in San Felipe decrying the ban. Environmentalists want to do away with all the fishermen, with their families, he said. Let them come and bring us jobs before doing away with the ones we have. On the heels of Rodriguezs arrest, protests have broken out in the Baja California capital of Mexicali as well as in San Felipe. Demonstrators have blocked entrances to the Mexican federal attorney generals office (PGR) and the airport in Mexicali, as well as the stopping traffic on the main highway leading to San Felipe. sandra.dibble@sduniontribune.com @sandradibble Recent movies Hidden Figures and Gifted focus on remarkable and under-recognized women. San Diego can claim an unsung prodigy of its own. Marjorie Rice died in July, but her legacy lives on. Although her occupation was housewife and she never went beyond a high school education, she solved a mathematical enigma that had befuddled genius geometrists for decades. On Oct. 25, her story was highlighted on the website Mental Floss, which noted that Rice made her discovery in a most unusual way after reading an article in her sons Scientific American magazine about geometric tessellations. These are shapes that can cover or tile a flat surface in an endless, repeating pattern. Advertisement Squares and triangles were no mystery but the tessellation of irregular five-sided shapes known as convex pentagons remained elusive. In 1975, when Rice read the article that triggered her imagination, nine complex pentagon tiling patterns had been identified, but more were believed to exist. She began doodling with convex pentagons and studying shapes in nature bees in clover, butterflies, roses, hibiscus blooms and shells. Her doodles were sent to tessellation expert Doris Schattschneider, who concluded the stay-at-home mom had discovered, not one, but four new patterns. She helped get the findings published in 1977. Two more patterns were subsequently identified, bringing the total to 15. Last July, a French mathematician using a super computer confirmed no more existed. Rice quietly died here that same month at age 92. Enrique Morones, center, of the Border Angels, led some students to Holtville for a brief ceremony in 2016 at a cemetery there to recognize the lives of migrants who died trying to cross into the United States and were buried as Jane and John Does. (Peggy Peattie / SDUT ) Border news: Enrique Morones, founder of the humanitarian Border Angels group in 1986, has launched a 30-minute podcast, Bad Hombre, at noon on Mondays. It features guest interviews and focuses on human rights, immigration reform and deportation issues. A lot is happening right now. We need to speak up, says Morones, whose show kicked off today. He is no stranger to the airwaves, having previously hosted two radio talk shows. Who is the bad hombre? That would be the fellow now living at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. in Washington, D.C., Morones says. Radio Santa returns: When the long-running KyXy 96.5 morning show Jeff and the Showgram was canceled in June, producer Little Tommy Sablan vowed to find a way to carry on his annual campaign to help a family facing hard times during the holidays. Called Breaking and Entering Christmas, he and his elf pals, after soliciting stories of local families in need from listeners, orchestrated a surprise visit bearing gifts. The good news is that Little Tommys tradition will continue in 2017 on Sunny 98.1 FMs Dave Mason show. It will air live at 6 a.m. on Dec. 5. diane.bell@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1518 Twitter: @dianebellSD Facebook: dianebell.news The city of San Diego recently cleared a major legal hurdle in its effort to force chemical giant Monsanto to pay tens of millions to clean up local waterways polluted with a class of cancer-linked chemicals, known as polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs. Federal and state regulators have in recent years tightened standards for cleaning up PCBs in bays, rivers and creeks. As a result, municipalities, such as San Diego, have shelled out millions to contain or get rid of the toxins. The lawsuit, brought by the city in 2015, alleges that the St. Louis-based corporation should bear at least part of that cost. Lawyers for the city contend that Monsanto knew for decades before the federal government banned PCBs in 1979 that the chemicals would result in widespread contamination and negative impacts to human and environmental health. Advertisement The company has maintained that it scaled back and then completely stopped making the PCBs as information came to light about their hazardous effects. The company produced the chemicals in the United States from 1929 to 1977. The case hinges on a novel legal strategy that could have widespread implications for corporate America. A law firm representing the city, Baron & Budd, has also brought similar lawsuits on behalf of a number of other municipalities, including Long Beach, San Jose, Berkeley, Oakland, Portland, as well as Seattle and Spokane, Wash. Were just excited to move towards trial on all the cases, said John Fiske, an attorney with the legal team working on the cases. We want to try as many of these as possible because we think thats where well receive the most justice for the taxpayers and the ratepayers who will be bearing the cost of removing PCBs. Monsanto made motions to dismiss in nearly all the cases. The motions rested heavily on a technical argument that a municipality had no legal standing to bring a public nuisance claim against the company. U.S. District Court Judge William Hayes in San Diego denied the corporations motion last week, following a string of similar decisions up and down the West Coast. The court finds that the city has alleged sufficient facts to establish that it has a property interest injuriously affected by the nuisance and that Monsanto assisted in the creation of the public nuisance, Hayes wrote in his recent ruling. Following the decision, Monsanto released this statement: This ruling is inconsistent with the courts prior rulings on similar issues, but it doesnt affect the substance of our arguments in this case. We will continue to aggressively defend ourselves The citys case is without merit, and we are confident we will ultimately prevail. PCBs were largely designed to insulate electrical equipment but were also used in everything from highway paint to pesticides. Scientists believe the chemicals rapidly spreading nature has contaminated nearly every human, fish and creature on the planet to some degree. Over the decades, PCBs have increasingly been linked to cancer, neurological damage, thyroid problems and reproductive complications. Monsanto is the only known manufacturer of PCBs in the United States. The port of San Diego has also brought a similar claim against Monsanto, choosing to represent itself using its own legal team. A motion to dismiss the lawsuit brought by the port was denied last year. The cases arent expected to go to trial before late 2018, according to the lawyers for the plaintiffs. If successful, the strategy against Monsanto could expand Californias public nuisance case law as it applies to corporate accountability where standard product liability cases wouldnt apply. Twitter: @jemersmith Phone: (619) 293-2234 Email: joshua.smith@sduniontribune.com Elected officials and affordable housing advocates united Monday to urge voters to tell their federal representatives to oppose a congressional bill they said would devastate financing for affordable rental housing. The House passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on Nov. 16 on a 227-207 vote, with support from no Democrats and all but 13 Republicans. Rep. Darrell Issa voted against it and Rep. Duncan Hunter was for it. Among other changes to the tax code, Housing Resolution 1 would eliminate multifamily housing revenue bonds and the 4 percent Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program, which provide incentives and credits to developers and investors in low-income housing. Advertisement Deacon Jim Vargas, president and CEO of Father Joes Villages, said the bill would be a setback to his organizations Turning the Key initiative to create 2,000 affordable housing units over the next four or five years. Does it mean we wont be able to build them? he said about losing the credits to investors. It doesnt necessarily mean that, but we would have to find that funding elsewhere. It is impactful. According to the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee, more than 10,500 affordable rental housing units have been created or preserved in the city of San Diego with 4-percent housing credits since 1997. The program helped fund the development of Celadon, the site of the news conference, which provides 248 affordable rental apartments, including 76 for formerly homeless people. If this program were to be lost because of this ill-advised provision of the current tax reform proposal, the nation would lose 1 million affordable rental housing units nationwide over the next 10 years, San Diego Housing Commission President and CEO Rick Gentry said. The U.S. Senate is expected to vote on its version of a tax reform bill this week. If passed, the full Congress would then work to address the differences in the bill under the process known as reconciliation. The Monday press conference also was attended by California State Senator Ben Hueso, San Diego City Council members Chris Ward and Barbara Bry, San Diego Regional Task Force on the Homeless CEO Gordon Walker, Interfaith Community Services CEO Greg Anglea and Local Initiatives Support Corporation Executive Director Ricardo Flores. Homeless Playlist On Now San Diego hepatitis outbreak continues to grow: 481 cases On Now Homeless entrenched in booming tent city along Santa Ana River On Now San Diego mayor agreed to homeless hub, then delayed, advocates say On Now Homeless outreach in San Diego On Now Video: Street Art: Portraits of San Diego's Homeless #8 On Now In poverty himself, 'Water Man Dave,' is the fearless saint of San Diego's homeless 5:41 On Now Video: Homeless living in cars find safe havens 2:21 On Now Street Art: Portraits of San Diego's Homeless #7 On Now Pitching a tent plan for San Diego's homeless On Now Homeless efforts get $80M boost for various services gary.warth@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @GaryWarthUT 760-529-4939 San Diego County resettled seven refugees in October, a new monthly low since at least fiscal 2007, according to data from the State Department. In June, the county reached its previous monthly low at 12 arrivals. Since refugees from the war in Iraq began arriving about a decade ago, San Diego County has led California in arrivals. It held on to that distinction last fiscal year despite several low months. Advertisement Five of Octobers new arrivals are from Iraq, and two are from Syria. The new low comes after President Donald Trump reduced the annual cap to 45,000 from more than double in previous years. Trumps administration also extended a ban on arrivals from certain countries until January. The U.S. as a whole resettled 1,248 refugees last month, according to the State Department. If arrivals continue on that trend, the country will resettle about 15,000 refugees, a third of the total allowed. Refugee arrivals have historically fluctuated significantly from month to month, sometimes dipping lower at the beginning of the fiscal year and accelerating toward the end to make sure the cap is reached. Mireille Cronin Mather, regional director for International Rescue Committee, said she doesnt think that will happen this time. If these policies are an indication, we strongly feel that we wouldnt see a push in arrivals in the last part of the year as in years past with administrations that have been supportive of the refugee program, Cronin Mather said. The slowdown is affecting family reunification, she said. Resettlement agencies receive funding for programs based on the number of refugees they resettle. Resettlement agencies also help people arriving with special immigrant visas and some asylees and refugees who move from other parts of the U.S. after being resettled. Including those groups, San Diegos agencies counted 95 new arrivals to the county, according to county data. Immigration Videos On Now New developments in family separation case 9:53 On Now A San Diego woman volunteered as a medic in Texas helping migrant families 2:35 On Now Immigration policy protests in Carlsbad nearly cancelled after permit issue 1:38 On Now When children are separated from their parents at the border, here is where they go next On Now Prospects of a deal for 'Dreamers' may hinge on separating Trump from hard-liners on his staff On Now What is DACA? On Now Border wall prototype contractors selected On Now Video: Ukrainian boxer wins asylum in U.S. On Now 30 apprehended after Border Patrol agents discover tunnel On Now Video: Kurdish diaspora prepare to vote on independence Follow me on Facebook for live updates about immigration news kate.morrissey@sduniontribune.com, @bgirledukate on Twitter With Giving Tuesday a day meant to encourage philanthropy and charitable giving around the corner, the state Attorney Generals office shared some tips to avoid becoming a victim of charity scams. As Californians give back to our communities this holiday season, its important to ensure the charities that support causes near and dear to our hearts are the real deal, Attorney General Xavier Becerra said in a statement. His office offered the following tips: Advertisement Check an organizations registration status: Charities operating in California and telemarketers soliciting donations here must register with the state and file annual financial reports. To view the charity registration status and financial records, visit the Registry of Charitable Trusts website at oag.ca.gov/charities. Give to trustworthy organizations: Do research before giving. Find out how an organization spends donations. Ask telemarketers questions: Ask telemarketers for the name of the fundraising organization, the name of the group benefiting from the solicitation, the percentage of the donation that will go toward the charity and the telephone number of the charity. Check with the charity to confirm that it authorized the solicitation and will actually benefit from your donation Be cautious of look-alike websites and organizations with similar names: Fraudulent websites may have similar URLs, purchased to lure in potential donors. Some bogus organizations use names that closely resemble those of well-established charities to mislead people. Be wary of social network fundraising: Find out what percentage is going to charity and whether you will be charged a fee. Protect your identity: Dont give your social security number or other personal information in response to a charitable solicitation. Dont give out credit card information to an unfamiliar organization. Some organizations sell or rent their donor lists to other groups. Breaking News Email: david.hernandez@sduniontribune.com Phone: (619) 293-1876 Twitter: @D4VIDHernandez An East County woman was killed and her husband was missing after the couple was swept down a river in Hawaii over the weekend on a trip that was supposed to be an early Christmas present. Gladys Novinger, 62, was found in a pool below Rainbow Falls State Park Saturday afternoon after she and George Novinger, 61, fell into the water while crossing the Wailuku River above the falls on the Big Island, Hawaii police said. Rescuers found Gladys Novinger unconscious and transported her to a hospital, where she later died, police said. An aerial search for her husband resumed Tuesday. Rainy weather caused flash-flood conditions and prevented a ground search, a fire department dispatcher said. Advertisement Novinger had told friends he was taking his wife to Hawaii as an early Christmas gift. Gladys Novingers son, Joseph Harmes III, said he was with the couple when they were swept away. They were the best of the best. It is beyond tragic. They are missed deeply, he said in an email. I will always carry them in my heart. And I dedicate my life to their legacy. The couple owned the Hacienda Vineyards in Rancho San Diego and were considered pillars in San Diegos international community. Gladys Novinger, who was born in Peru, served as Honorary Consul of Peru and founded the House of Peru about 16 years ago. She also was on the executive board of the Museum of Man in Balboa Park and the board of the Boys and Girls Foundation. She developed Hacienda Vineyards with her late father, Abelardo, in the 1990s. The business hosts destination vacations, retreats and other events. George Novinger recently retired as a diplomat for the U.S. State Departments Foreign Service, where he specialized in East Asian regional affairs and served in Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Brunei, Paraguay and Syria. Before retiring, he was the State Departments regional director of foreign missions in southwestern states, serving as a liaison to embassies and consuls in the southwest region of the U.S. Mark Robak, a member of the Otay Water District Board, said he attended a dinner at the couples home a few years ago when they were hosting a delegation of dignitaries from Japan Thats when he learned that Novinger was fluent in Japanese. George was a true Renaissance man, Robak said. The guy was really all over the world. Novinger was on the Jamul-Dulzura community planning group and was active with international groups, including the House of Pacific Relations, the San Diego World Affairs Council and the city of San Diegos International Affairs Board. He was always someone who knew the proper protocols to meet with international delegations, said Joel Day, executive director of San Diegos International Affairs Board. He would be the person representing San Diego when mayors or officials or delegations would come in to visit the city. He was sort of the face of San Diego. As chair of the boards public policy committee, Novinger led discussions about protecting refugees and new immigrants in San Diego and was instrumental in the board publicly opposing the travel ban issued by the Trump Administration earlier this year, Day said. Gladys Novinger had worked tirelessly on fundraising and promoting the building of a cottage for the House of Peru in Balboa Park construction that is set to begin next month, said Oscar Urteaga, the House of Perus vice president. He said George Novinger had volunteered to work as a type of project manager for all nine new international cottages that are planned. Both families have asked that if people want to make a donation, if they are inclined, to make it to the HouseofPeru.org in memory and recognition of Gladys and George, Urteaga said. Staff writer Karen Pearlman contributed to this report. karen.kucher@sduniontribune.com Customers and employees at a Walmart in El Cajon were evacuated early Tuesday after a construction crew ruptured a natural gas line in the west parking lot at Parkway Plaza. Workers broke the one-inch gas line around 8:15 a.m. at the mall on Fletcher Parkway, officials said. Utility workers secured the gas line before 11 a.m., and the mall was open for normal business, officials said. Walmart was the only store opened in the mall at the time of the break and employees and customers were ushered into a parking lot near the building, said Heartland Fire & Rescue spokesman Sonny Saghera. Advertisement karen.kucher@sduniontribune.com UPDATES: 12:30 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details. This article was originally published at 8:45 a.m. A San Diego sheriffs deputy is under criminal investigation, as two additional women have come forward with legal claims alleging that he improperly groped them under color of authority. Deputy Richard Fischer has been placed on administrative leave by Sheriff Bill Gore while investigators conduct separate internal and criminal probes of the accusations, a department spokesman said. Advertisement The county of San Diego also faces a lawsuit and two claims, which are required to be filed in advance of civil litigation, as a result of the allegations. The accusations, one of which dates back two years, could cost the county millions of dollars in legal settlements. San Diego attorney Dan Gilleon, who represents all three women, said the latest victims came forward after U-T Watchdog reported the first claim earlier this month. The only reason they spoke out was because of each other, Gilleon said in an email Monday. They found courage in each others willingness to come forward. Fischer, 31, has not responded to requests for comment. A man who said he was Fischers father told U-T Watchdog by telephone Monday that he would pass along a request to discuss the case. Sheriffs spokesman Ryan Keim issued a statement Monday about the widening allegations. The department placed Deputy Fischer on an administrative assignment and initiated concurrent administrative and criminal investigations immediately upon learning of the first allegation which was received in late October 2017, the statement said. Deputy Fischer is currently on administrative leave while the department conducts a thorough investigation of each complaint, the statement went on. The department is prohibited by law from releasing specific details of personnel investigations. However, allegations of this nature are taken very seriously and the department will take any appropriate actions at the conclusion of the investigation. Gilleon said department officials were slow to respond to the allegations against Fischer. One of his clients reported the deputys behavior last year, according to records released by Gilleon. The Sheriffs Department is not going out there trying to find other victims, the attorney said by email. Instead, it seems they commence an investigation only when I inform them that theres another victim. Gilleon registered his concern with both the District Attorneys Office and with Dianne Jacob, chairwoman of the county Board of Supervisors. A spokeswoman for District Attorney Summer Stephan declined to say whether the office is investigating Fischer; a spokesman for Jacob said the supervisor could not comment due to the ongoing investigation and litigation. The latest allegation comes from a San Marcos woman, on whose behalf Gilleon filed a claim against county officials on Sunday. According to the claim, the womans mother suffered a stroke in November 2016, two days after the death of her husband. According to the claim, the deputy responded to a 911 call related to the stroke, and he removed his jacket as though he planned to stay a while. According to the claim, the deputy told the woman she was hot and that she needed a hug. Without her consent, he then hugged (her) with a full embrace that included fondling of her buttocks with his hands and inappropriate massaging of her breasts with his own chest. The claim identifies the woman, but the U-T has a policy against naming victims of sexual crimes without their consent. According to the claim, the woman pushed Dep. Fischer away but he persisted. He asked her for a kiss, and when she said no, he tried to kiss her anyway. The claim says the woman was terrified and insisted that he leave, but before he complied, Dep. Fischer informed (her) that he would be in the neighborhood watching out for her, an obvious attempt to intimidate her into keeping quiet about his criminal behavior. The claim seeks more than $6 million, plus punitive damages against Dep. Fischer in an amount sufficient to punish him and his evil conduct, and to deter others from doing what he did. The claim references a lawsuit filed earlier this month, in which another woman claims Fischer repeatedly groped her during an unwarranted arrest in November 2015. She said Fischer continued to harass her, driving past her home and shining a light inside the residence. According to the complaint, the woman reported the behavior to the sheriffs Internal Affairs office in March 2016 and nothing was done. The claim from the San Marcos woman asserts that the county failed to act after the earlier complaint. Sexual harassment cases can be expensive for local governments. The city of San Diego paid more than $8 million in 2014 to settle claims filed by 13 women that a former police officer groped or molested them. The 18-year department veteran was sentenced to more than eight years in state prison, and served about half that time before being released last year on good behavior. Watchdog Videos On Now Sexual misconduct accusers worry deputy is being protected 6:16 On Now City funded $2-million waterfront bathroom 1:26 On Now Public water district charges customer for legal work, response to records request On Now Video: Tiny homes won't be reused amid housing, homeless crisis On Now Attorney General seeks documentation for Miss Middle East On Now Rep. Hunter probe covers possible fraud On Now Video: SDG&E delaying solar credit for some low-income housing tenants On Now Video: Former San Diego Junior Theatre teacher sentenced for sex with teen girl 0:24 On Now Video: Shelter volunteers believe they were fired for finding a dog a home 0:49 On Now McKamey Manor is leaving San Diego 3:35 jeff.mcdonald@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1708 @sdutMcDonald How many women and girls growing up in Southern California have dreamed of growing up to become a real life princess? Probably thousands. How many of them grow up to become engaged to a British prince and make that dream happen for real? One. The announcement of Prince Harry and Meghan Markles engagement sent the world into a frenzy and that includes intense scrutiny on the princes fiancees background. The world quickly found out that the Suits actress and philanthropist was born and raised in California. But what exactly are her Southern California roots? Heres what weve been able to find out. Markle grew up in Los Angeles and her mother still lives in the View Park-Windsor Hills area, according to The Los Angeles Times. She does not live, as the U.K.s Daily Mail reported last year, in Crenshaw. Her parents met at a Hollywood studio in the 1970s where Thomas Markle was a lighting director and Doria Ragland was a temp. Her father now lives in Rosarito, south of the San Diego border with Mexico, and whether he would be attending the wedding or not has been a hot topic among international news outlets and tabloids. The Daily Mail and others have been tracking his every move ahead of the royal wedding and even spotted him in San Diego. As a teenager, she attended Immaculate Heart High School in Los Feliz. Check out here high school yearbook photos here. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, a California girl who lives by the ethos that most things can be cured with either yoga, the beach or a few avocados, shes been quoted as writing on her former lifestyle blog, The Tig. Last year, a quick search of her social media accounts which have since been taken down brought up plenty about California, despite her residence in Toronto, Canada, where Suits was filmed. That includd a tweet saying she loves being a California girl. And she also had a tweet sharing the song Going Back to Cali by LL Cool J. As California girls (and men) are known to do, her Instagram page was filled with photos taken in Los Angeles with frequent use of #LA and #homesweethome in the captions. After the couples announcement, the Los Angeles Times asked locals what they thought of natives royal engagement, and the answers where pretty characteristic of the home of Hollywood. It's L.A., one Los Feliz resident said. "The most beautiful and amazing people live and come from here, so its not surprising. Read more from the newspapers profile of Markle here. On social media, many were rooting the Californian on. Email: abby.hamblin@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @abbyhamblin A 16-year-old Steele Canyon High School junior died in a head-on collision on his way to school Thursday, after getting into a minor crash about 24 hours earlier. Julian Fraire of El Cajon, who got his provisional driving license in September, veered into oncoming traffic on Steele Canyon Road in Rancho San Diego about 7:25 a.m., authorities said. The teen was driving a Chrysler Town and Country minivan southbound when he collided with a northbound Ford F450 pickup north of Vista Cielo Drive, California Highway Patrol Officer Kevin Pearlstein said. Advertisement The demolished minivan was knocked onto an embankment, into some bushes. Firefighters had to cut apart the wreckage to get the teenager out, but he did not survive, said Cal Fire Capt. Kendal Bortisser. It wasnt clear why Julian drifted out of his lane, but he had some sort of inattention, Pearlstein said. He said investigators would check the teens cellphone to see if he was using it right before the crash. Both drivers were going normal speeds and the roadway was straight in the area, Pearlstein said. Paramedics took the other driver, a 36-year-old Jamul man, to a hospital by ambulance for treatment of minor injuries. Steele Canyon Road was shut down between Via Caliente del Sol and Old California Way for four hours. Pearlstein said Julian was involved in another crash while headed to school on Wednesday Julian, driving a Volkswagen GTI, suffered a minor injury when he hit the back of another car in heavy traffic on eastbound state Route 94 near Millar Ranch Road. There was a separate rear-end type collision between two other vehicles in the same area about the same time, Pearlstein said. He said three juveniles suffered minor injuries in one of the crashes, and a single juvenile was hurt in the other crash. Pearlstein wasnt sure which crash Julian was in. Several people took to social media to express condolences over Julians death. One person posted on Twitter, a Steele Canyon student gone too soon. Sofia posted, Julian Fraire, youre in a place where there is no cruelty, corruption or violence. I pray that God brings peace to your loved ones. Eileen Poole, principal at Steele Canyon High, issued a statement saying extra grief counselors were brought in to assist students and staff. Our hearts go out to his family and friends, Poole said. New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/28/2017 -- The Norwegian construction industry grew by 4.2% in real terms in 2016, following an annual growth of 2.9% in 2015 and 2.5% in 2014. This growth can be attributed to the recovery in global economic conditions coupled with government spending on residential, infrastructure and commercial construction markets, as well as positive developments in domestic and regional economic conditions. The industry's value is expected to continue to grow over the forecast period (20172021), with investments in public infrastructure, energy, commercial and industrial construction projects, and improved consumer and investor confidence. A rise in permits for the construction of residential and non-residential buildings in the country is also expected to support the industry's growth over the forecast period. Under the National Transport Plan (NTP) 20182029, the government plans to invest NOK59.7 billion (US$7.1 billion) annually to develop road, rail and other transport infrastructure until 2029. Accordingly, the government plans to invest NOK1.7 trillion (US$202.7 billion) in the construction and maintenance of road infrastructure by 2029. To develop rail infrastructure, the government plans to invest NOK1.0 trillion (US$119.4 billion) by 2029. The industry's output value in real terms is expected to record a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.91% over the forecast period up from 2.79% during the review period. GET SAMPLE REPORT @ https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/2470874-construction-in-norway-key-trends-and-opportunities-to-2021 Summary Construction in Norway Key Trends and Opportunities to 2021 report provides detailed market analysis, information and insights into the Norwegian construction industry, including: - The Norwegian 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 Norwegian construction industry - Profiles of the leading operators in the Norwegian construction industry Scope This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the construction industry in Norway. It provides: - Historical (20122016) and forecast (20172021) valuations of the construction industry in Norway 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 Norway Key points to buy - Identify and evaluate market opportunities using 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 critical and actionable insight. - Assess business risks, including cost, regulatory and competitive pressures. - Evaluate competitive risk and success factors. Key Highlights - Expects the residential construction market to remain the largest segment, accounting for 43.7% of the industry's total value in 2021. Growth over the forecast period is expected to be supported by rising residential building permits and the government's efforts to reduce housing shortage. In addition, urbanization, population growth, affordable housing projects and positive developments in regional economic conditions are expected to support the demand for residential properties over the forecast period. - With robust and modern infrastructure vital for economic growth and competitiveness, the Norwegian government is focusing on infrastructure development. Under the NTP 20182029, the Norwegian government plans to develop 1,280km of new trunk roads and 380km of four-lane motorways with an investment of NOK311.6 billion (US$53.0 billion) by 2023. - The commercial construction market is expected to be supported by the government's plan to increase tourist arrivals in the country. Under the Strategy 20142020, the government plans to develop a web based tool box to enable development in the tourism sector, establish a connection within tour operators and travelers, and develop tourism sites in the country. - The government's plan to provide a high-speed internet connection and mobile network to all citizens by 2020 is expected to drive the growth of the energy and utilities construction market over the forecast period. Under the Digital Agenda for Norway, the government is planning to equip 90% of households with an internet connection speed of 100Mbps by 2020. - Expects institutional construction market to register a forecast-period CAGR of 3.24% in nominal terms, driven by the government's focus on educational infrastructure. In the 2017 Budget, the government announced a plan to invest NOK10.1 billion (US$1.2 billion) to build new 110 new free schools across the country by 2020. Table of Contents 1 Executive Summary 2 Industry Outlook 3 Key Issues and Developments 4 Market Data Analysis 5 Company Profile: Veidekke ASA 6 Company Profile: AF Gruppen ASA 7 Company Profile: Norconsult Holding AS 8 Company Profile: Vestfold Fjellboring AS 9 Company Profile: Selvaag Gruppen AS 10 Appendix ..CONTINUED About Wise Guy Reports Wise 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. Contact Us Email Us at: sales@wiseguyreports.com Reach Us at: +1 339 368 6938 (US) +44 208 133 9349 (UK) 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 check https://www.wiseguyreports.com/conferences For updating knowledge or for thoroughly understanding various terminologies, we also have vast list of seminars for your reference, for more information cordially check https://www.wiseguyreports.com/seminars Valley Cottage, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/27/2017 -- Cottonseed oil is an oil extracted from the seeds of cotton. Its production process involves pressing and extraction of oil from the cotton seeds followed by purification and refinement. The refinement of the oil is the key step as it helps in removing gossypol, a naturally occurring toxin that protects the cotton plant from damage. Cottonseed oil is essentially a by-product of the cotton industry along with cottonseed meal, hulls and linters. Over 10-15% of a cotton farmers income is expected to come from these by-products, making them considerably valuable products in cotton processing operations. Request For Report Sample: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2363 Market Dynamics of Cottonseed Oil Market: The edible oil market is a highly competitive space occupied by numerous types of oils. The presence of many substitute products is a considerable drawback for the cottonseed oil market. From a consumer point of view, this represents a highly trend-driven market. The introduction of a new and healthy oils is bound to eat into the market of traditionally used oils, at least for a certain time period. This is regarded as a reason for the severe fluctuations observed in cottonseed oil retail demand and market values. One key advantage in this scenario is in regard to the industrial use of cottonseed oils. The product is widely used in various food and beverage products. Such large scale operations rely on a consistent supply chain, which is going to get disturbed in the event of a change of base ingredient, and as such are not impacted by volatile market trends. Cottonseed oil is a good source of antioxidant- tocopherol. The other advantages enjoyed by cotton seed oil are a low relative price and easy availability in cotton producing regions. With the increasing public understanding of the composition of such oils, the fat and nutrient profiles of cooking oils become very important. Given the relatively high fraction of saturated fats in cottonseed oil, this becomes a significant constraining factor for the market. Market Segmentation of Cottonseed Oil Market: Cottonseed oil market is segmented by end-use application, raw material type and region. On the basis of end-use application, cottonseed oil market is segmented on the basis of retail, food processing, cosmetic applications and other industrial uses. The retail segment is centered on its use as a cooking oil. Given its high smoke point, cottonseed oil is mostly used for deep frying and baking. It is mostly used as a cooking medium and is also part of various fried and processed foods such as potato chips and French fries. Due to its ability to form a beta prime crystal, which enables a consistent texture and appearance, cottonseed oil is a major ingredient in whipped toppings, margarines, shortenings, spreads and icings. . Unlike other cooking oils cottonseed oil has a neutral taste, meaning it doesn't alter the natural taste of food being prepared over it. Due to this reason it is used as a salad oil, wherein enhancing the flavor of the salad ingredients is considered primal. Cotton seed oil is also used in several personal care or cosmetic products such as soaps, cosmetics and detergents. As mentioned above, untreated cottonseed consists of gossypol, a toxin present in cotton. Due to this reason, untreated cottonseed oil is used as an insecticide. Other minor applications of the product include its use in making rubber and explosives. On the basis of raw-material type, the market is segmented into genetically-modified (GM) cotton and non-GM cotton. The growing negative perception around GM crops makes this an important variable. Due to the promise of increased returns, many cotton farmers in the developing world switched to GM cotton over the last decade. It is estimated that GM cotton is cultivated in over 25 million hectares across the world, with over 75% of US cotton being genetically modified. This dominance of GM cotton is expected to decrease in response to growing consumer concerns and farmer protests across the world. Regional Outlook of Cottonseed Oil Market: Geographically, the global cottonseed oil market can be divided by major regions which include North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan, Japan and Middle East and Africa. Both on the production and consumption side, the market is heavily dominated by India and China. These countries produced and consumed over 55% of the total cottonseed oil made during the 2015-2016 period. Pakistan and Uzbekistan are the other major regions in the cottonseed oil market. This dominance by Asia countries is largely attributed to large amount of cotton cultivation in the region and the high domestic demand for low-priced cooking oil. United States (U.S.) is a major producer and consumer of cottonseed oil in the North American region. Unlike the Asian countries, U.S. also exports a considerable portion of its cottonseed oil to other regions. Brazil and Turkey are the other important regions in the market. Eastern European nations such as Azerbaijan are also important but are limited by weak domestic consumption. Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-2363 Key Market Players in Cottonseed Oil Market: Some of the key players of the market include, Cargill, Incorporated, Archer Daniels Midland Compan (ADM), PYCO Industries, Bunge Limited, Louis Dreyfus, Adani Wilmar (Fortune Foods), Maharashtra Solvent Extraction (P) Ltd, Oilseeds International, Ltd., maong the others. Deerfield Beach, FL -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/28/2017 -- The purpose of "Dried Processed Foods Market" report is to provide the newest industry data and Dried Processed Foods industry future trends, allowing consumers to identify the Dried Processed Foods market Application, Type, Manufacturers and Regions, Dried Processed Foods market Forecast up to 2022. The Scope of Dried Processed Foods Report: 2017 "Global Dried Processed Foods Market" lists the ruling vendors and provides the significant industry analysis of the key terms influencing the Dried Processed Foods market. Along with a consequential data of 2016, global Dried Processed Foods market report also provides forecast from 2017 to 2022 based on Dried Processed Foods industry volume and Dried Processed Foods revenue (USD Million). Get Sample of the Report: http://www.qymarketresearch.com/report/149954#request-sample The Dried Processed Foods Market report encompasses forecasts, analysis and discussion of trade facts, Dried Processed Foods market size, evaluation of market share and profiles of the famous Dried Processed Foods industry players on a global and regional level. Analysis of Dried Processed Foods Market: By Vendors Ajinomoto Nissin Kraft Heinz Nestle Unilever Acecook Vietnam B&G Foods Campbell ConAgra Foods General Mills Analysis of Global Dried Processed Foods Market: By Regions - Europe Dried Processed Foods Market(Germany, France, Italy, Russia and UK) - North America Dried Processed Foods Market (Canada, USA and Mexico) - Latin America Dried Processed Foods Market (Middle and Africa). - Dried Processed Foods Market in the Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa) - Asia-Pacific Dried Processed Foods Market (South-east Asia, China, India, Korea and Japan). Inquiry Here: http://www.qymarketresearch.com/report/149954#inquiry-for-buying Furthermore, The Dried Processed Foods analysis report includes the product that area unit presently in demand and accessible within the market together with their price break up, producing volume, import/export theme and contribution to the Dried Processed Foods market revenue globally. At the end of Dried Processed Foods market report provides you details concerning the industry research findings and conclusion that helps you to develop profitable market methods to achieve competitive advantage. Referral News Network: http://qymarkets.biz/ New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/28/2017 -- Synopsis The report provides detailed market analysis, information and insights based on almost 120 CIC projects in the Middle East and Africa for 45 countries. The report provides detailed metrics on the region's airport construction projects (as tracked by CIC) split by country, type and value. Detailed metrics are also provided for the top 10 countries. GET SAMPLE REPORT @ https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/1286497-project-insight-airport-construction-projects-middle-east-and-africa Summary Construction Intelligence Center (CIC) is currently tracking airport construction projects in the MEA with a total value of US$163.5 billion, which comprises projects from the announced to execution stages. The top 10 countries (in terms of the value of their project pipelines) account for 83% of the total value of airport construction projects in the region, with a total of US$135.6 billion. These are, in order of project value, the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Angola, Iran, Ethiopia, Libya and Benin. Scope The report provides analysis based on CIC projects showing total project values for the Middle East and Africa and analysis by stage and funding for the top 10 countries. Top project listings and top participants for the sector are also shown. Key points to buy Gain insight into the main drivers of activity and forecasts, and an understanding of key trends, analysis of projects by value for the Middle East and Africa market and its main countries, enabling clients to target products and services for each type of project. Read analysis of main project participants by value for the sector, enabling clients to target products and services for each type of project. Access top project data with location, value, stage and start date. Key Highlights Projects at the execution stage have a total value of US$118.9 billion, while those in the planning stage total US$28.4 billion. Projects in the pre-execution stage amount to US$15.5 billion, followed by projects at the pre-planning stage (announced and study phase) with US$680 million. The UAE leads airport project investment in the region, with US$52.2 billion, followed by Qatar with US$23.0 billion and Saudi Arabia with US$17.8 billion. Table of Contents 1. Regional Overview 2. Key Operators 3. Project Analytics by Country 4. Methodology 5. Disclaimer ..CONTINUED Contact Us Email Us at: sales@wiseguyreports.com Reach Us at: +1 339 368 6938 (US) +44 208 133 9349 (UK) 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 check https://www.wiseguyreports.com/conferences For updating knowledge or for thoroughly understanding various terminologies, we also have vast list of seminars for your reference, for more information cordially check https://www.wiseguyreports.com/seminars San Francisco, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/27/2017 -- Global Offshore Support Vessels Market: Overview Offshore support vessels are a crucial class of vessels essential for the smooth function of offshore oil and gas operations. Offshore support vessels fulfil all the logistical needs of offshore petroleum platforms. Due to this, they have taken on an important role in the global petroleum industry following the acknowledgment of the declining levels of petroleum in terrestrial reservoirs, which has led to intense focus on offshore exploration and production of petroleum. The global offshore support vessel market is thus likely to grow steadily in the coming years thanks to consistent utilization in the oil and gas industry. Global Offshore Support Vessels Market: Key Trends The prime driver for the global offshore support vessels market is the rising investment being made in underexplored regions such as Africa and Brazil for offshore petroleum exploration and extraction. The West coast of Africa and the East coast of Brazil have become important regional segments of the global offshore support vessel market and are likely to be developed further in the coming years, resulting in steady growth prospects for the global offshore support vessels market. Request Sample Copy of the Report@ https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=B&rep_id=2168 Other emerging economies such as China and India are also likely to increase their investment in offshore petroleum exploration in the coming years, which bodes well for the global offshore support vessel market. Meanwhile, the North Sea has also become important for the global petroleum industry and exploration and extraction projects in the region could also generate significant revenue for the offshore support vessels industry. On the other hand, the capital-intensive pricing dynamics of the offshore support vessel market have reduced the number of viable players claiming a sizable share in the global market. The steady decrease in petroleum prices in the last two years has also had an adverse effect on the global offshore support vessels market, as it has reduced the spending power of even some of the top companies in the global petroleum sector. Request TOC of the Report @ https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=T&rep_id=2168 Global Offshore Support Vessels Market: Market Potential Adapting to dire pricing dynamics has forced many offshore support vessel manufacturers to fold up or accept inconvenient mergers. According to 2017's Annual Offshore Support Journal Conference, this is likely to remain the status quo in the global offshore support vessel industry in the coming months, with many more players likely to turn to mergers in order to sustain their business. The expected recovery in the petroleum sector in 2017 and 2018 could bring comfort to the offshore support vessel industry. Offshore support vessels designed to minimize their environmental impact are likely to become popular in the coming years. Norway and other countries using the oilfields in the North Sea have been among the first to use electrically powered offshore support vessels, and vessels with onboard batteries could soon become the norm rather than exception in the global offshore support vessel industry. Battery systems can be retrofitted on many existing designs of offshore support vessels, which could further increase the scope of their adoption in the offshore support vessel industry. Get Discount @ https://www.tmrresearch.com/sample/sample?flag=D&rep_id=2168 Global Offshore Support Vessels Market: Geographical Dynamics North America, led by the U.S., is likely to remain the leader in the global offshore support vessel market in the coming years. Asia Pacific countries such as China and Latin American countries such as Brazil and Venezuela are also likely to feature prominently in the development of the offshore support vessel market in the coming years, whereas Western African countries could also benefit strongly from the increased offshore petroleum sector operations. Global Offshore Support Vessels Market: Competitive Dynamics The leading companies in the global offshore support vessel industry include Tidewater, Inc., Farstad Shipping ASA, Gulfmark Offshore, Inc., Havila Shipping ASA, Swire Group, Ltd., Siem Offshore, Inc., Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc., Bourbon Corporation SA, The Maersk Group, and Seacor Marine, LLC. With steady consolidation likely to be the order of the day for the offshore support vessels industry in the coming months, larger players could benefit significantly from acquisitions and profitable mergers. About TMR Research TMR Research is a premier provider of customized market research and consulting services to business entities keen on succeeding in today's 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. New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/28/2017 -- WiseGuyReports published new report, titled "Road Construction Projects: The Americas" Synopsis There is an estimated US$836 billion backlog of capital expenditure requirement for highways and bridges in the US. The report provides detailed analysis, information and insights based on 641 CIC projects in the Americas market. This report provides detailed analysis, information and insights based on 641 CIC projects in the Americas, including detailed metrics on the region's road construction projects (as tracked by CIC) split by country and value. Country profiles are provided for the top 10 countries including The US, Brazil and Canada. GET SAMPLE REPORT @ https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/2470869-project-insight-road-construction-projects-the-americas Summary Construction Intelligence Center (CIC) is currently tracking road-related construction projects in the Americas with a total value of US$315.2 billion, which includes projects from the announced to execution stages. If all projects proceed as planned, spending will reach US$47.9 billion in 2019 and will reduce to US$24.0 billion in 2021. The highest value of project completions will be in 2020, with a value of US$57.2 billion. The US accounts for the highest value of the project pipeline, with a value of US$150.3 billion, followed by Brazil with projects valued at US$48.5 billion. The two highest value projects are the US$15 billion Long Island Cross Sound Link in the US and the US$8.0 billion Autopista De La Prosperidad Development in Colombia. Leading contractors in the region are Granite Construction Inc and Kiewit Corporation. Scope The report provides analysis based on CIC projects showing total project values for the Americas and analysis by stage and funding for the top ten countries. The top 50 projects are listed for the region giving country, stage, value and km length if known. Ranked listings of the top participants for the sector are also provided showing the leading contractors, consulting engineers and project owners. Key points to buy - Gain insight into main drivers of activity and forecasts for the road construction sector. - Assess all major projects by value, start date, scope and stage of development for the region and top 10 countries to support business development activities. - Plan campaigns by country based on specific project opportunities and align resources to the most attractive markets. Key Highlights - The highest value of projects are at the execution phase with a total value of US$182.4 billion, followed by projects in pre-execution with US$56.1 billion. - Projects in the planning stage amount to US$54.5 billion, while those at the pre-planning stage total US$22.2 billion. - Based on the data available the Americas will add 54,274km of roads. - The US has the highest value project pipeline, with US$150.3 billion, followed by Brazil with projects valued at US$48.5 billion. - Public investment is responsible for funding the highest proportion of projects, with 55%, with joint public and private funding at 42% and only 3% of projects financed solely by private funding. - Assuming all projects tracked go ahead as planned, annual spending on the projects is expected to reach US$47.9 billion in 2019. - The top contractor in the region is the Granite Construction Inc followed by Kiewit Corporation. Table of Contents 1. Regional Overview 2. Key Operators 3. Project Analytics by Country 4. Methodology 5. Disclaimer About Wise Guy Reports Wise 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. Contact Us Email Us at: sales@wiseguyreports.com Reach Us at: +1 339 368 6938 (US) +44 208 133 9349 (UK) 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 check https://www.wiseguyreports.com/conferences For updating knowledge or for thoroughly understanding various terminologies, we also have vast list of seminars for your reference, for more information cordially check https://www.wiseguyreports.com/seminars New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/28/2017 -- Talc is a mineral composed of hydrated magnesium silicate and is an important industrial and commercial mineral. It has broad applications as an industrial mineral due to its resistance to heat, electricity and acids and oil and grease adsorption. Talc has extensive commercial use because of its luster, softness, purity, fragrance retention, softness and whiteness. It is the softest known mineral and has a rating of 1 on the Mohs hardness scale. It can be scratched by a fingernail and is also sectile that means it can be cut by a knife. It has a specific gravity of 2.5 -2.8 and has clear luster. Talc is slightly soluble in dilute mineral acids and insoluble in water. It is a metamorphic mineral and occurs due to metamorphism of magnesium minerals such as olivine, amphibole, serpentine and pyroxene in presence of water and carbon dioxide. Talc is a tri-octahedral layered mineral and has a similar structure to that of pyrophyllite. Request For Report Sample: https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/4609 Talc can be used as an ingredient in paints, roofing materials, ceramics, insecticides, rubber, talcum powder and insecticides among others. It is also used by the cosmetics industry, pulp and paper industry and food industry. Talc is often used to manufacture laboratory countertops and electrical switchboards due to its resistance to heat, acids and electricity. It is used by the cosmetic industry as a lubricant and as a filler by the pulp and paper industry. Talc is extensively used to make astringent baby powders that prevent rashes covered by a diaper. Talc is used by the pharmaceutical industry as a glidant (a substance that is added to powder to improve its flow ability) and by the food industry as an additive. In the European Union the additive number is E553b. In medicine, talc is used as a pluerodesis agent to prevent pneumothorax or recurrent pleural effusion. Talc is also an effective dispersing agent and anti caking agent and helps fertilizer plants and animal feeds to function efficiently and can be used for fertilizers. The paper and pulp industry remains the largest global end market for talc and is the key driving factor for the talc Industry. The automotive industry, ceramics industry and the paint and coatings industry are the other major consumers of talc. The use of talc as a filler in the paper industry is declining today but the use of talc for the manufacture of under the hood automotive parts is substantially increasing that has further lead to surge in demand for talc by the automotive industry. Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/toc/4609 Asia Pacific is the largest market for talc with China, India, Japan, Bhutan, and South Korea being the key markets in this region. The Indian talc industry is the world's third largest and continues to grow due to increase in domestic consumption. North America and Europe are other regions with a substantial market share of talc. Austria, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Macedonia, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Sweden and United Kingdom are the major consumers of talc in Europe. Some of the major companies dominating the talc market are Imerys talc, Mondo Minerals, Golcha Group, American Talc, IMI FABI, Nippon Talc, Minerals Technologies Inc, the Jai Group, Aihai Talc, Behai Talc, Shuiquan Talc, Xin Talc, Haumei Talc, Guiguang Talc and Xin Talc among others. Imerys talc is the world's leading producer of talc followed by Mondo Minerals. Its about to get personal The future of retail technology: health data, hyper-personalized purchasing Imagine going shopping and having your phone or fitness tracker make product recommendations for you based on your breath or the current physical state of your body. It is not science fiction. Its the future of retailing and health care digitization, according to researchers at University of South Carolinas College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management. In a new study published in the Journal of Research in Interactive Marketing, a team of researchers forecasts that consumers will increasingly be offered hyper-personalized products formulated upon a persons biomarkers indicators of a persons biological state that can be gathered through things like saliva, breath and blood samples. Technologies are now in place that will transform the consumer goods industries in the next five to ten years; most notably in health, Devices like these could become an even bigger part of shopping in the near future. wellness and beauty products, says professor Mark Rosenbaum, lead author of the study and chair of the retailing department. We envision consumers increasingly purchasing products, such as vitamins, meals and cosmetics, that are formulated based upon a consumers unique DNA sequence. According to the teams research, companies are already working to create product lines such as home-delivered meals and skin care that are customized based on analysis of a customers DNA sample submitted through an at-home blood test. Additionally, nutrition companies are partnering with wearable technologies, such as fitness trackers and skin-serve sensory patches, to notify wearers of bodily needs that can be satisfied through consumption of specific products. And while it might be nice to have the perfect shade of lipstick or reminders on what supplements you need to stay healthy, are consumers willing to trade privacy for convenience? A 2017 study that examined consumer attitudes toward new technology found that while consumers are wary about volunteering the data necessary for personalization, they still desire a tailored retail experience. The Oracle Retail 2025 Report polled 709 consumers and found that shoppers have a conservative appetite for retail technologies that require hyper-personal data to make decisions on their behalf and are more likely to accept intrusive technologies from a brand they trust. Slightly more than half of the respondents favor the idea of linking their wearable activity tracker to their pharmacy so they can suggest products to meet specific health and wellness needs. Technologies are now in place that will transform the consumer goods industries in the next five to ten years; most notably in health, wellness and beauty products." Mark Rosenbaum Whether or not consumers are ready to use hyper-personalized purchasing on a day-to-day basis, these technologies have lifesaving possibilities. Wireless communication technologies such as RFID-NFC and quantum ID tags have the potential to prevent consumers from knowingly purchasing counterfeit pharmaceutical drugs or infant formula, says Rosenbaum. This technology is being refined by luxury manufacturers who want to prevent counterfeiters from destroying brand equity. Yet, the impact could be profound in preventing deaths and injury from the consumption of fake and potentially poisonous medicine and supplements. Rosenbaum teamed up with the retailing department colleagues Karen Edwards, Jiyeon Kim, Jeff Campbell and Marianne Bickle for the recently published research, along with coauthor German Contreras Ramirez from the Universidad Externado de Colombia in Bogota. As far as the group is aware, they are the first to forecast the digitization of health retailing in a concise understanding. Combining our different perspectives helped us put forth a clearer understanding of the emerging trends in hyper-customized products, Rosenbaum says. We hope this research will guide further studies in hyper-personalization and help retailers and manufacturers realize that the future trend in retailing will be customization at the personal level. The new developments do not come without concerns, though. A major issue that consumer goods and retailers will confront is protecting consumers from hackers stealing their biomarker data, Rosenbaum says. In addition, there is not yet a legal precedent for products that incorrectly read a consumers biomarkers. Despite these legal issues, consumers, the health industry and retailers are poised to enter the next phase of digitization: a phase of hyper-personalization. Share this Story! Let friends in your social network know what you are reading about The 35 crew of the Seaman Guard Ohio, including six former British soldiers the Chennai Six were acquitted by an Indian court of Monday on weapons smuggling charges for which they were jailed for five years in January 2016. At last there is some form of justice, even if it cannot restore to the men the time lost since their arrest in 2013, said David Heindel, ITF seafarers section chair. The 35 seafarers and armed guards onboard the maritime security vessel were detained off the Indian coast in 2013 and were jailed for five years in 2016, despite charges have been dropped in 2014 by the Madras High Court. The ITF has been among the organisations that has supported the men since 2013 and helped to fund the appeal. Heindel, however, took aim at the US-headquartered owners of the Seaman Guard Ohio maritime security company AdvanFort. AdvanFort while initially supportive of the detained crew members later walked away leaving them stranded and unpaid in India. Unfortunately, one glaring injustice remains: the scandal of AdvanFort getting off scot free, having washed its hands of its employees. It is nothing short of shameful that our justice system allows them to get away with this, Heindel stated. But as we have witnessed over and over, this is the flag of convenience system that has been created. The Seaman Guard Ohio was flagged with Sierra Leone. The two-day forum hosted by China Classification Society reached general conclusions on ship design and technology and agreed that the industry needs to design ships differently and be more technologically innovative to reach world climate goals and counter cyber security risks. The shipping industry urgently needs new ship designs, equipment, propulsion systems and alternative fuels to achieve the CO2 reduction goals established by the Paris Agreement on climate change, and the specific objectives to be established for international shipping by the UN IMO as part of its GHG reduction strategy, the forum agreed. To achieve this, the shipping industry needs to use all available technology to a much greater extent, and increase technological innovation to reduce CO2 emissions to the ambitious degree required by the international community. The Tripartite forum has therefore established inter-industry working groups with the aim of developing a better understanding of current R&D efforts for the new technologies needed. At the same time, the critical importance of the safety of seafarers and the ships which they operate was also emphasised amid increasing concerns that new regulations governing ship designs aimed at further reducing CO2 emissions could potentially have adverse effects on the safe operation of ships. Finally, after a spate of recent cyber-attacks, there has been an increased awareness of potential cyber-threats facing the industry and the need to adopt new methods and standards to create more resilient digital systems on board. A more layered approach to a ships digital systems and greater segregation can increase safety, so that a single attack cannot readily spread to IT and other systems both on board the ship and ashore. It was agreed that before the next meeting in Korea next year, the industry partners would work together to develop new design standards, which will help raise the resilience of ships digital systems and make them more resistant to possible cyber-attacks. For over 16 years, Tripartite has provided an opportunity for representative associations of shipowners, classification societies and to discuss contemporary issues related to design, construction and operation of new and future ships. Hong Kong Shipowners Association is a regular participant. Koko condemns killing of Cebu City Brgy. Chairman Imok Rupenta Senate President Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III today condemned the ambushed slay of Barangay Chairman Felicisimo "Imok" Rupenta of Barangay Ermita, Cebu City, saying Cebu City lost a dedicated public servant who was loved by the masses. In a statement, Pimentel, who considered Rupenta a loyal PDP Laban stalwart in Cebu City, challenged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to extend extra efforts to apprehend the suspects for the early resolution of the case. Police reports said Rupenta was waylaid by four assailants riding in two motorcycles in Liloan town on Thursday night (November 23, 2017). The victim was driving his Isuzu pick-up truck with wife Jocelyn when the attackers blocked their path and started shooting. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he later expired. Pimentel said he was shocked upon learning of the killing of Rupenta whom he described as among the original diehards of the PDP Laban at a time when the party was still a struggling group during the martial rule of the late strongman President Marcos. "I call upon the police to immediately arrest the suspects and dig deep into the case because this may have something to do with his job as a no non-sense public servant. He was very much active in the campaign against illegal drugs," said Pimentel. He said the PDP Laban would always cherish the sacrifices of Rupenta, who in the company of the legendary "Inday" Nita Daluz, Elias Baquero, Atty. Democrito "Mokring" Barcenas and Tony Cuenco, anchored the party's fight against the dictatorship together with his father, former Senate President Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel Jr. Press Release November 28, 2017 GRACE POE ON EPOWERS BILL To refresh Secretary Roque's memory, the Traffic Crisis Bill in the House of Representatives has not even entered second reading. While in the Senate, the Emergency Powers Bill is already on second reading and nearing the end of the period of interpellations. Although not certified urgent, we have been conducting non-stop interpellations on the EP measure. Once the Senate concludes the period of amendments on the budget bill, then I shall resume interpellations on the EP. I doubt that it will pass this year, unless certified urgent. But with the help of my colleagues, we can have this passed on third reading early next year. For reference: Press Briefing of Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque November 27, 2017 ... RUTH/RADYO PILIPINAS: Thank you, Sec. Si Senator Grace Poe is asking for the President to signed up urgent bill, iyong emergency powers to resolve iyong traffic situation. SEC. ROQUE: We appreciate the concern of Senator Grace. But as of the time I left the House of Representatives which is only been a whole month, the House had already passed the traffic crisis bill. So it's a waiting action on the Senate. So really it's the Senates call whether or not to enact this traffic crisis bill into law. RUTH/RADYO PILIPINAS: Thank you, Sec. ... Source: https://pcoo.gov.ph/press_briefing/press-briefing-presidential-spokesperson-harry-roque-6/ When a rising Chinese American power broker became a partner in a proposed cannabis dispensary in San Franciscos Outer Sunset, he knew it would hit resistance. But David Ho sees himself as the perfect emissary to the mostly older Chinese residents and merchants who are deeply skeptical of the pot trade. Im the working-class, westside Asian American story, said Ho, who is a co-owner of the Barbary Coast medical cannabis dispensary that has applied to open at 2161 Irving St., on a block lined with grocery stores, dry cleaning shops and banks. Its fighting two appeals that will go before the Board of Supervisors on Dec. 5, pitting Ho and Barbary Coasts executive director, Jesse Henry, against persistent neighborhood activists many of them Chinese Americans who blocked another Sunset cannabis club application in October. The supervisors vote on whether to approve Barbary Coasts permit will be a critical test of Hos influence at City Hall. Cannabis has created deep divisions on the board, with some members advocating for a robust industry and others asking for zoning laws that would keep dispensaries out of their districts. A similar fight has engulfed the Chinese community. Its more conservative leaders successfully lobbied Mayor Ed Lee to call for a marijuana advertising ban on Muni it was approved by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agencys board of directors as well as a 1,000- foot buffer zone between every pot shop and the nearest school or day care facility. On the other side is the progressive Ho. He was born in Macau but grew up in the Sunset, attended Lincoln High School and spent 15 years as a tenant organizer for the prominent Chinatown Community Development Center. During that time, Ho became a protege of the late Rose Pak, who was instrumental in Lees election and a longtime political power in Chinatown. Ho campaigned for Lee as well as Supervisors Jane Kim and Ahsha Safai and former Supervisor David Chiu. Ho said he has opposed the more conservative base in the Chinese community on other issues, such as same-sex marriage. He calls the antimarijuana protesters at City Hall a small minority of very loud opponents. Im challenging the perception that this is a Chinese issue, he said. Cannabis has been used in China for 2,000 years. Hos enthusiasm for the cannabis business sets him apart from an older Chinatown player, Chinatown Neighborhood Association Chairman Pius Lee, as well as the 155-year-old benevolent organization the Chinese Six Companies, which wields political influence in the neighborhood. Last month, both organizations sent letters to the mayor proposing a 50-dispensary cap in San Francisco. The letters also asked for the Muni advertising ban, the 1,000-foot buffer and a prohibition on smoking inside cannabis stores, which has also been a point of contention at the board. Pius Lee told The Chronicle that he backed Supervisor Aaron Peskins recent call for a dispensary ban in Chinatown. Chinatown is too small, and it has too many senior citizens, he said. Its not appropriate to put marijuana businesses there. Yet Lee also said he respects Hos decision to invest in a cannabis store on the westside. Maybe its a good future, with good money, the older businessman said. While Lee and the other businessmen of Six Companies lean on the mayor, a spirited group of activists has for months held antimarijuana protests outside City Hall, the federal building on Golden Gate Avenue and at Sen. Dianne Feinsteins office downtown. Lead organizers Ellen Zhou and Teresa Duque helped sink the other Sunset dispensary in October, in collaboration with a right-wing organization called the Pacific Justice Institute, which filed the appeal of the application. For the past few weeks Zhou and Duque have rallied people to chase Ho and his business partners off of Irving Street. On Friday, Zhou sent an email blast to scores of media outlets and city officials, accusing the supervisors of bringing a dangerous drug trade to the westside, in spite of residents misgivings. We have immigrants (who) cannot vote, Zhou wrote. We have children and minors (who) cannot vote. Sunset resident Susanna Chan, who was born in Hong Kong but has lived on San Franciscos westside for decades, called the Irving Street dispensary a ridiculous idea. This reminds me of the 1840s, when the British brought opium to China, Chan said. Ho brushed those arguments aside, angry that a small group of immigrants including dozens of monolingual Chinese speakers had been exploited by a right-wing outfit. Jesse Henry, who co-founded the first Barbary Coast Dispensary at Sixth and Mission streets, is optimistic that Ho will build trust with residents in the Sunset and quell their anxieties about the Irving Street store. He was raised in the city, hes fluent in Mandarin and Cantonese. ... Hes a great community liaison, Henry said. Barbary Coast held 18 community meetings about the dispensary before it went before the Planning Commission in October, Henry said. Ho served as a Chinese translator at those meetings. When Chinese American partners attempted to open another Sunset district cannabis club in October, that strategy didnt work so well. Former Oakland Mayor Jean Quan and her husband, Floyd Huen, made news headlines when they turned from politics to pot and tried to open a new branch of the Apothecarium luxury dispensary at 2505 Noriega St. Huen struggled to defend their dispensary proposal at their hearing before the Board of Supervisors last month, during which opponents equated marijuana use with the opioid epidemic and said it would lure children into a life of addiction. Some called the club a form of gentrification. Being a 40-year organizer in the Asian American community, this is the first time Im on the other side of this many community members, Huen said at the hearing. Some in City Hall say Barbary Coast has better chances of success. Quan, who lives in Oakland and did not return phone calls Monday, seemed like an outsider. By contrast, Ho is a westside fixture. He described himself as steering between two worlds that arent quite converging. Im trying to help, he said. Rachel Swan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rswan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rachelswan This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate State Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, is making another effort to extend Californias nightlife past the current 2 a.m. cutoff. On Tuesday, he announced plans for a new version of a bill that would allow bars to stay open until 4 a.m. The move comes a few months after the Assembly Appropriations Committee replaced a previous version of the bill known as the Let Our Communities Adjust Late-night, or Local Act with a task force to study the implications of allowing bars to stay open later. The proposal would allow communities to decide whether certain bars can stay open past the current 2 a.m. cutoff. In the new version, the extension would only be granted to six cities whose mayors have supported the effort San Francisco, Oakland, Los Angeles, Sacramento, West Hollywood and Long Beach rather than the entire state. This will be at least the fourth time that a state senator has tried to pass a bill that attempts to extend the states nightlife hours. Wieners last version of the bill made it further through the Legislature than any previous versions by former Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco. At a Tuesday news conference at San Francisco Eagle a bar that would take advantage of the extension Wiener said he hopes the limited version of this bill will finally make it to the governors desk. People have a perception that nightlife is just about fun, he said. But its also about the culture of our community. ... People wonder why they are in a major metro area but cant find alcohol after 2 a.m. The effort to allow certain bars to stay open past 2 a.m. has widespread support from many in the restaurant and bar industry, who argue that the few extra hours would stimulate the states economy. Honey Mahogany, a drag performer and co-owner of Stud Bar, which has fallen on hard financial times, said being open later could double the bars revenue. Mahogany said the bar makes most of its money between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m., Mahogany said. Having to close at peak hours really hurts us, Mahogany said. We rely on bar sales to pay rent. But critics even some in the nightlife industry say it puts revenue ahead of public safety. Can you imagine a bunch of drunk people out in front of your house at 4:30 in the morning? Tim Sowards, a Bay Area resident who has been tending bar in San Francisco for 15 years, previously told The Chronicle. Its already bad enough at 2:30. Bruce Lee Livingston, executive director and CEO of Alcohol Justice, a San Rafael nonprofit advocacy, research and policy organization, said the new version of the bill is not much better than the old one. It targets a good chunk of the population of California, so it is not really a targeted bill, he said. The bigger problem is that it is the same concept. Instead of controlling the overconsumption of alcohol, what it does is promote drinking. Trisha Thadani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tthadani@ sfchronicle.com Twitter: @TrishaThadani Underground comics cartoonist and historian Trina Robbins, who began her career making science fiction illustrations and, in the 80s, became the first woman to draw Wonder Woman, is among the eight female artists whose work has been incorporated into fabric for the Prada spring/summer 2018 line. Robbins, who lives in San Francisco, said it is incredibly exciting to be one of the three English-speaking women whose work was chosen for the honor. Robbins, whose career includes a stint making custom-tailored clothing for rock stars in an East Village store, says that Prada contacted her and asked her to send samples of her work from the 60s and 70s. She hasnt seen the Prada fabric samples in person yet, but from the pictures thinks that the pattern was printed on several types of cloth. Im getting 10 items, from the line, she said, including six things for me and four for my daughter. This makes her happy, but I wanted one of each. (Bravo to a true feminist who always wants more.) Youll be able to recognize me because Ill be the woman walking down Market Street wearing comics on my coat, she said. How much will the garments cost? I cannot conceive of how much they will be selling for, she said. I mean, its beyond my ken. Youre speaking to the queen of San Francisco thrift shops. I dont know how much clothes cost in Macys. Considering the holiday season, Sean ODonnell complains: There is an emoji for the most sublime and plebeian libations: beer, Champagne, martinis, sake cocktails, whiskey and, of course, red wine. But none for white wine. ... Truly? Has our esteemed greater Bay Area nay, the northern half of our state been overlooked with a dismissive wave of a corkscrew? ODonnell urges equally outraged white-wine drinkers to voice your moral outrage and petty indignation on Twitter at #ViveLEmojiBlanc, and make a difference in the life (albeit brief) of a grape. Over the years, several readers have sent clippings from ads for the Neptune Society in which prospective customers are invited to seminars in cafes and restaurants. The irony, for example, is talking about cremation in a barbecue joint. But Kent Peterman has forwarded one with a perfect location. The site for Dec. 5-7 sessions in Crockett is a restaurant called the Dead Fish. Adda Dada reminds us that we are rapidly approaching the bicentennial of Emperor Norton, who was born on an unspecified date in 1818. The unspecificity of that date gives us a whole year to celebrate. Adda suggests that in homage to the emperor, the San Francisco Art Commission should create some formal honoring of all the eccentrics (current and past) of San Francisco. His own list begins with the Space Lady, who wore a helmet and played street music in San Francisco in the 70s and 80s (and according to her Facebook page, has a new record and is about to tour Australia). He goes on to include Sister Boom Boom, Frank Chu, Strange de Jim, Tom Sweeney, Gypsy Taub, Anton LaVey, Heklina and more. Plenty of time for other nominations, though. Neil Davis lives in Sebastopol, but that doesnt mean hes not a defender of San Franciscos icons. Having seen The Chronicles picture of portable toilets dolled up like the Painted Ladies of Alamo Square, he rises in defense of these classic Victorian houses. Whats next? A porta-potty cable car? A Coit Tower porta-potty? The tiling Millennium Tower? Grace Cathedral? Golden Gate Bridge? De Young? Alcatraz? The possibilities are endless and tasteless. This went through a design review committee? P.S. Learning that big business is trying to squeeze its way into the cannabis profit-makers tent, Julian Grant is speculating about the future: Pot-tery Barn, Trader Mary Janes and Bed, Bong & Beyond. Dire Warnings Gazette, No. 6: From Conversica, a company that employs artificial intelligence technology for fake tete-a-tetes in order to sell something via natural, two-way conversations: The company says it has discovered that Americans want A.I. to help them during the holidays. When asked how they would want an A.I.-powered assistant to help with a holiday purchase, the top choice was gift recommendations. But then, the question is what do you buy for Siri, the woman who has everything? Leah Garchik is open for business in San Francisco, (415) 777-8426. Email: lgarchik@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @leahgarchik Public Eavesdropping Can I buy you a bottle of water? Its vegan. Young woman to young man, overheard at a gym by John Kuhn Nicole Rivelli / Nicole Rivelli / Amazon Catch of the day is The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, a series created by Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino, about a 1960s housewife, played by Rachel Brosnahan, who decides to be a stand-up comic. The first season is available today on Amazon. CBS airs back-to-back new episodes of Survivor at 8 p.m. San Franciscans are famous for complaining about the citys homeless problem, high housing costs and fleeing middle class, and in the same breath, blasting affordable housing projects planned near them. The homeless encampments sprawling all over city sidewalks are outrageous! Build affordable housing for homeless people in my neighborhood? No way! So itll be an interesting test to see how a ballot measure planned for June fares with city voters. The love-it-or-hate-it group known as Yimby Action (for Yes in My Backyard) wants voters to make it easier for developers to construct 100 percent affordable housing and teacher housing. The measure, being reviewed by the city attorneys office and set to hit the streets soon for signature collection, would eliminate discretionary reviews for those two housing categories. That means that if a 100 percent affordable or teacher housing project met all zoning and other requirements, it would get the go-ahead automatically. It could speed the process for getting permits from several years to a few months, said Laura Foote Clark, executive director of Yimby Action. It would also mean residents who object to those sorts of projects in their own neighborhoods would have no recourse. You dont like the thought of homeless people being housed in your hood? Oh, well! Clark said she thinks most San Franciscans dont really value vacant land or parking lots more than affordable housing. But she said the current process prioritizes the angry neighbor over everybody else. When you make it so decisions are made at obscure hearings on Thursday afternoons, thats an inherently undemocratic process, she said. Most people dont even know that is a thing that you can go and say, I dont want those people in my neighborhood. And they really say it in San Francisco! They sure do. Listen to just about any public comment session when one of these projects comes up for debate, and youll want to grab a stiff drink. A few months ago, Clark moved from Noe Valley to SoMa near the Hall of Justice. Its not a move most people would choose, but she and her husband wanted to shorten their commutes. Her walk to work in Mid-Market is now just 15 minutes, but its miserable, she said. Youve got homeless people living on the sidewalks, she said. And then youve got fenced off, mostly empty parking lots. Its insane. Peter Cohen, who heads the Council of Community Housing Organizations, said hes not sure what Clarks ballot measure would accomplish, since a state law approved last year already streamlines the process for affordable housing development in cities that arent meeting their state-set goals for constructing new housing. One difference is that Clarks measure would be permanent and apply regardless of whether San Francisco meets its goals. Also, the state law doesnt cover some teacher housing. Cohen, a frequent critic of Yimby Action, said whats really needed to get more affordable housing built in San Francisco is money to do it, sites on which to build it and a shift toward prioritizing it over market-rate housing at City Hall. Clark admitted the June measure is starting small. But itll be a good test of what city voters think of her controversial group and its pro-development ideas. As with so much of San Francisco and its debate over housing, itll definitely be an interesting ride. I got a lot of response to Sundays column on the nastiness of the 16th and Mission BART Station. There is no shortage of stories of what Bay Area residents have encountered on their public transit trips, and many of them will make you lose your lunch. One tweet came from a woman who was taking her three kids into the city on BART to see The Velveteen Rabbit over the weekend. In the garage at the Fruitvale Station in Oakland, they found a pile of human feces. She tweeted a picture of it to me along with the words, This daily occurrence is just unacceptable. (Some people get unsolicited photographs of private parts. I get unsolicited poop pics.) Bevan Dufty, the BART board director whos been cleaning the 16th Street Station weekly since September, was tagged in the tweet, too. He responded that he texted and emailed the assistant general manager of operations for BART about the mess. It was cleaned up. Shes our customer, Dufty told me. She shouldnt have to come in contact with human waste. Dufty said he got a lot of gripes about the Civic Center Station after the column ran, particularly about the constant smell of urine on the platforms, and that hell focus on that station next. Does that mean hell actually be cleaning it like he does the 16th Street Station every Wednesday morning? 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. Oh yeah, youve got to learn whats going on, he said. I might have to pick a second day of the week and just clean twice. Hey, if all city officials took regular shifts cleaning various BART stations and city sidewalks, we might actually get somewhere. Ive been ragging on the city a lot lately, but its still a wonderful place in many respects. One of those is its propensity to adopt liberal policies before anybody else. In January, San Francisco became the first city in the country to require employers to provide fully paid baby bonding time for new parents. While Californias family leave law gives workers 55 percent of their wages for six weeks of bonding time, San Francisco required local employers to make up the rest. A new study out of UC Berkeley looked at the first six months of implementation and found a modest 6 percent increase in the number of San Francisco women who took bonding leave compared with the first half of 2016. But it found a far more notable increase of 28 percent in men taking bonding leave. State Sen. Scott Wiener, who sponsored the legislation while a city supervisor, said he was thrilled so many more men are staying home after their babies are born and hopes the culture continues to shift and encourages more new dads to do the same. The fact that men appear to be jumping at the chance is really great news, Wiener said. As someone who has two kids and knows the dread that comes with the first day your husband goes back to work after the baby is born, I also think its really great news. San Francisco Chronicle columnist Heather Knight appears Sundays and Tuesdays. Email: hknight@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @hknightsf This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Sometimes the best way to gaze into the future is to look back at the past. The 2018 governors election may be one of those times. With Californias vote less than a year away, many of the early polls seem closely divided between Who are those guys? and Do we really have an election next year? But somebody has to replace termed-out Gov. Jerry Brown, so a visit to the states history may give a hint about who the states next governor may, or may not, be. Democrat Delaine Eastin, for example, faces an uphill battle. California has had 39 governors if you count Jerry Brown twice and about the only characteristic they share is that every one has been a man. Not only that, but Dianne Feinstein (1990), Kathleen Brown (1994) and Meg Whitman (2010) are the only female candidates from major parties to make it past the primary. It gets worse. Four former attorneys general have become governor, along with 10 lieutenant governors, a couple of state treasurers and even a secretary of state that was Jerry Brown, age 32 but no superintendent of public instruction, the statewide office Eastin held for eight years, has made it to Californias top office. History also is working against Democratic state Treasurer John Chiang, since California has never had an Asian American governor, either. But as a Latino, Democrat Antonio Villaraigosa escapes the first ever onus, thanks to Romualdo Pacheco, a Santa Barbara-born Californio who served as governor for about 10 months in 1875. But as both Eastin and Chiang would argue, Someone has to be first. Jae C. Hong/Associated Press Really, though, Californias history shows that just about every gubernatorial hopeful has something working against him or her. Villaraigosa, for example, is the former mayor of Los Angeles, which is historically bad news in a governors race. Although mayors of San Diego (Pete Wilson), San Francisco (Washington Bartlett and James Sunny Jim Rolph) and Oakland (George Pardee and Jerry Brown) have become governor, the closest an elected L.A. mayor got to Sacramento was Democrat Tom Bradleys close loss to Republican George Deukmejian in 1982 and his not-so-close loss in a rematch four years later. There is an asterisk of hope for Villaraigosa, though. William Stephens, a lieutenant governor who became governor in 1917 after Gov. Hiram Johnson resigned to become U.S. senator, was acting mayor of Los Angeles for less than two weeks in 1909. While that seems to be encouraging news for Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, a former mayor of San Francisco, he might want to be careful what he wishes for. Bartlett and Rolph, the San Francisco mayors turned governor, both died in office. The states 39 governors have surprisingly little in common, said Alex Vassar, a legislative historian. Based on the past 80 years of California elections, its pretty clear that there are only four routes to becoming governor, he said. You can be a former Republican legislator, a Republican actor, a Democrat named for a color, or Culbert Olson. Associated Press 1975 Although it might be hard for Donald Trump to believe, California wasnt always a deep blue, Hillary Clinton- and Bernie Sanders-loving state. In fact, Olson, who was elected in 1938, was Californias first Democratic governor of the 20th century and one of only four since 1898. Those others would be the three Democrats named for a color: Brown, Brown (Jerry and his father, Edmund) and Gray (Davis). And while the proclivity California voters have shown for choosing GOP legislators for the states top office may sound like good news for Assemblyman Travis Allen, R-Huntington Beach (Orange County), its really been former Republican legislators like Pete Wilson, Deukmejian and Frank Merriam whom they preferred. California hasnt elected a sitting assemblyman as governor since J. Neely Johnson in 1856. Olson, a state senator from Los Angeles who also served in the Utah legislature, was the last state legislator to move up directly. None of the current candidates for governor are challenging one of the states longest-running political taboos. Since California became a state in 1850, there have only been three governors (J. Neely Johnson of Sacramento, Stocktons James Budd and Robert Waterman, from San Bernardino via Redwood City) from a county that doesnt touch either the Pacific Ocean or San Francisco Bay, and both of them were in the 1800s. That pretty much eliminates anyone from the Central Valley, the Inland Empire and the Sierra. Earl Warren, for example, grew up in Bakersfield but was Alameda Countys district attorney before he was elected attorney general and then governor in 1942. And while Hiram Johnson was born in Sacramento and practiced law there, he was an assistant district attorney in San Francisco when he was elected governor in 1910. California voters also have shown an unwillingness to back wealthy outsiders with backgrounds in business rather than elective office, which could be a roadblock for John Cox, a GOP businessman from San Diego County. But Cox, who was born in Illinois, and Chiang, who hails from New York via Chicago, both get a historical boost by coming from outside California. Only seven of Californias governors were actually born in the state: both Browns, Warren, Hiram Johnson, Rolph, Pardee and Pacheco. That number actually could be six, since Pacheco was born in Santa Barbara in 1831, when it was part of Alta California. Thats not really a surprise, said Vassar, who has studied the states political past. California has always been a state thats drawn people to it, he said, a wide and varied range of travelers looking to share in the California dream, politicians included. But if the states political history takes away, it also gives some hope. Of those seven California natives who became governor, four were born in San Francisco. Point, Gavin Newsom. John Wildermuth is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jwildermuth@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jfwildermuth This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WASHINGTON Sexual harassment allegations engulfing Rep. John Conyers, who has temporarily relinquished his post as ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, could open the door for a Bay Area veteran to fill what is considered one of the most powerful positions in Congress. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-San Jose, a member of Congress since 1994, made clear in June that she would vie for the top minority seat on the committee if the opportunity arose. Her office confirmed late Monday in an email that Lofgren is still interested in the post, but declined to elaborate. Lofgren, for her part, declined to comment. Lofgren would have to persuade a majority of the 194-member House Democratic caucus to select her over Conyers, who has only temporarily stepped aside until the harassment claims are resolved, and the No. 2 Democrat on the committee, Rep. Jerrold Nadler of New York. If Democrats retake the House majority in next Novembers midterm elections, whoever is the committees ranking Democrat would become chair of a committee many see as critical for taking on President Trump. Conyers, 88, of Michigan acknowledged Nov. 19 that he had settled a sexual harassment claim against him two years ago. Despite settling the claim, he vigorously denies allegations of wrongdoing and said he would like very much to remain as ranking member of the committee once the investigation is over. The 20-member Judiciary Committee plays a primary role in debates over immigration, voting rights, patents, antitrust law and many other controversial issues. It oversees impeachment charges brought against sitting presidents. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco has tried, at times unsuccessfully, to navigate a treacherous line between encouraging Conyers, the oldest and longest-serving member of Congress, to step down while trying not to appear to be forcing out a founder of the Congressional Black Caucus and the first African American to chair the committee. Pelosi came under intense criticism for calling Conyers in a Sunday morning television interview an icon who is owed due process. By Sunday afternoon, she had backpedaled, issuing a statement saying, Zero tolerance means consequences. Astrid Riecken/TNS Many Democrats had wanted Conyers to step down at the start of the year. He sometimes had appeared befuddled in public, and reportedly showed up twice in pajamas to important events. In June, Nadler and Lofgren engaged in a public tussle over who would eventually replace him on the Judiciary Committee after Nadler had begun holding private meetings to discuss the issue. Lofgren issued a public statement at the time putting herself in the running. Under Democratic caucus rules, seniority is only one factor in choosing committee leaders. Other factors include whether a candidate would add to diversity and degree of commitment to the Democratic agenda. Commitment is often measured in campaign dollars a sitting member has donated to Democratic candidates to help win back the House. According to Open Secrets, a group that tracks campaign finance, Lofgren has donated $150,000 of her campaign funds to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the partys House campaign arm, while Nadler has donated $22,500. Any battle between Lofgren and Nadler would be decided by House Democrats on a secret ballot, following a recommendation by the caucus Steering and Policy Committee. Lofgren is a longtime party leader on immigration issues and a fierce proponent of creating a citizenship path for so-called Dreamers, who came to the United States without papers as children. She has also long pushed for expanded work visas, known as H-1Bs, for the tech industry. Lofgren currently holds the top Democratic position on Judiciarys immigration and border security panel. Carolyn Lochhead is The San Francisco Chronicles Washington correspondent. Email: clochhead@sfchronicle.com This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The joint was jumping with joy, and 400 faithful fans, as the beloved Original Joes on Washington Square Park celebrated its 80th anniversary. Founded in 1937 by the late Florence and Tony Rodin, this once-humble eatery took root in the Tenderloin, serving up soul-satisfying Italian dishes atop an open-kitchen counter with 14 stools that crowned a sawdust-covered floor. Being a part of the fabric and history of San Francisco, means so much to me, said Rodins daughter, Marie Duggan, as she was swarmed by well wishers. But that didnt happen in one year. Or 10 or 25 years it took us 80 years! It also took a 2007 fire that destroyed their original Taylor Street restaurant. But Marie wouldnt be bowed by tragedy. Five long years later, the restaurant shes worked at since a teenager, rose again in North Beach, like a phoenix from the ashes. Tony Rodin, a Croatian immigrant, launched Joes just as America was coming out of the Depression and worked at the original restaurant for 65 years. Weve always served generous portions at good prices, recalls Marie. During the 30s, people lived in such deprivation they were ready for a good helping of spaghetti and meatballs. This third-generation family-owned business, now including its Daly City outpost, Original Joes Westlake, is run by her son, John Duggan Jr., and daughter, Elena Duggan. While technically retired, Marie and her husband, former stockbroker John Duggan, are often at Joes front door, warmly welcoming loyal guests and newcomers alike. That loyalty isnt limited to diners: Many waiters worked decades at Original Joes, including 83-year-old Dalton Davis, who clocked in almost 50 years with the family. Its always been like Damon Runyon at our place. During World War II, we welcomed everyone from Navy hoi polloi to regular sailors, said Marie, pointing to a photo-filled wall where hangs a poem she wrote about her folks restaurant: There are judges, cops and gamblers / Cabbies, priests and lawyers, too / They all meet at the counter / Over pot roast or beef stew. The crowd erupted in cheers as the Duggans former babysitter, SFFD Chief Joanne Hayes-White, presented a brass fire bell to hang in the bar. Happy 80th anniversary to Original Joes and the Duggans, she declared. One of the best families in San Francisco! Ring-a-ding: Dede Wilsey became a fan of the Salvation Army when she saw the movie Guys and Dolls at age 10. So prior to the 14th annual Salvation Army Holiday Luncheon honoring her support, Wilsey, decked out in a snazzy holiday green Andrew Gn suit outside the organizations Tenderloin district Kroc Center, commenced the charitable Red Kettle holiday season by ringing the signature bell. Recapping the 1955 musical, Wilsey recalled her favorite scene: Actress Jean Simmons, a Salvation Army sergeant, proclaims her love for gambler Marlon Brando by belting out the beautiful song If I were a bell, Id be ringing. The sold-out luncheon crowd responded, ringing up $500K for Salvation Army holiday programs and general fund providing meals, assistance, clothing, rehab, school supplies and wellness programs to tens of thousands of Bay Area children, families, homeless and seniors. While most know Wilsey as the Fine Arts Museums board chairman, or the determined fundraiser who elegantly empties pockets to build new-era EssEff institutions such as UCSFs Mission Bay Medical Center, she also quietly devotes her resources to numerous causes, including the humble Salvation Army. Dede is a friend whose dedication and commitment has changed the landscape of San Francisco forever, said Cindy Foley, Salvation Army Golden State divisional leader. As a long-standing Salvation Army ambassador, Dede exemplifies our mission of Doing the Most Good. Wilseys support and cultural passion also inspired after-school programs children learn string instruments or create art, often depicting Wilseys preferred subject matter: small white dogs. Also paying tribute: Designer Stanlee Gatti donated beautiful centerpiece blooms in Wilseys beloved pink-and-green color scheme. FAM trustees Jack Calhoun and Lorna Meyer Calas surprised Wilsey with an original rap tune. And Beach Blanket Babylon producer Jo Schuman Silver penned a clever tribute to Wilsey, the original Glinda for BBB founder Steve Silver, sung by cast member Shawna Ferris McNulty and set to Youre the Top. Shes got style / Pinks her favorite color / All the while / Shes like no other / Some might hit the deck when she wants your check / She wont stop! / Cause theres just no denying / Dedes the top! P.S.: Friday, Dec. 8, at 10 a.m., the Salvation Army hosts its 37th Celebrity Bell Ringing event in Union Squared led by previous Salvation Army honoree, S.F. Protocol Chief Charlotte Shultz. Fair play: City Hall was recently bathed in green as Mayor Ed Lee presented the key to the city to Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at a reception honoring the politician, here on his first official U.S. visit confabbing with West Coast tech companies that operate Irish hubs. Taste Catering President (and Limerick County native) Margaret Teskey jumped at the chance to co-sponsor the august gathering for 400 Irish and Irish American dignitaries. I wanted to pay tribute as only an Irish person can, explained Teskey of her hand-crafted menu. So I prepared a light supper you might receive at someones home in Ireland. She procured mostly Irish products importing Cashel Blue cheese and Wild Atlantic Way smoked salmon, a perfect pairing atop AndytownSF brown bread baked by Belfast native Michael McCrory. While touring City Hall, Varadkar, Ireland's first openly gay elected prime minister, posed for a photo with a bust of Harvey Milk, the slain board supervisor who was Californias first openly gay elected official. Varadkar reflected on how much, and how quickly, Ireland has evolved since it was dominated by Catholicism. Most significantly, Ireland became the first country in the world to constitutionally approve marriage equality by popular vote in 2015 a date coinciding with what would have been Milks 85th birthday. That Vardaker is gay doesnt matter to the Irish, says Teskey, whos now married to Jill Regan, her partner of 30 years. The Irish are a practical people whove pulled themselves out of famine, political struggles and recessions. They dont care about someones personal life the Irish just want their politicians to perform the best job possible. Catherine Bigelow is The San Francisco Chronicles society correspondent. Email: missbigelow@sfgate.com Instagram: @missbigelow An argument involving five men in the Mission District of San Francisco led to two of them being hospitalized with stab wounds, one of whom was in life-threatening condition, police said Tuesday. The bloodshed occurred about 6:20 p.m. in front of San Francisco General Hospital on the 1000 block of Potrero Street. Initially, two men who were roughly 19 or 20 years old approached two other men, ages 25 and 34, and a verbal altercation broke out, said Officer Giselle Linanne, a spokeswoman for the San Francisco Police Department. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A package mailed to the Alameda home of a police officer exploded and injured a woman who opened it, authorities said Tuesday, and U.S. Postal Service investigators are probing whether the incident is linked to a parcel bomb sent to an East Palo Alto residence in October. The package bomb was delivered Friday to a home on Lilac Street in the Bay Farm Island neighborhood of Alameda and the intended recipient was a police officer, said Sgt. Ray Kelly of the Alameda County Sheriffs Office. He said the package detonated around 4:15 p.m. when a woman opened it and suffered non-life threatening injuries. Kelly said that when bomb squad members arrived, they were told the woman who opened the package was the wife of the intended recipient. Kelly declined to release further details about the victim, whose name was not released. The incident is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the law enforcement arm of the USPS. U.S. Postal Inspector Jeff Fitch said the agency is also investigating the explosion of another package in East Palo Alto on Oct. 19. The person who opened that parcel also suffered non-life threatening injuries. ALSO Search fails to turn up any sign of teen missing in Yosemite At this point, were not speculating about a connection, Fitch said. He said evidence collected from the East Palo Alto incident was sent to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service lab in Washington, D.C., to be analyzed, and that remnants from the Alameda parcel bomb will be inspected at the same lab. Fitch declined to release details on the Bay Area parcel bombings, but noted that there is a task force working full-time to investigate the incidents. These instances are very, very rare, Fitch said. But one instance is too many. He urged anyone who receives unexpected packages that appear suspicious to call 911. If its anything you didnt order, or anything that looks not quite right, set it aside, he said. He declined to specify what security measures the Postal Service uses to prevent such packages from reaching homes, or how the parcels sent to the Alameda and East Palo Alto victims bypassed them. Sophie Haigney is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sophie.haigney@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SophieHaigney At nearly 600 pages, Ireland native John Boynes 10th novel for adults is what one might call epic. Or, to use another tread-worn phrase, sweeping. Spanning seven decades, from 1945 to 2015, the door stopper of a book checks every box when it comes to literary themes: a young protagonists coming of age, Great Love found and lost, hard-won triumph over prejudice, and so on. Yet despite its ambitious scope, The Hearts Invisible Furies also narrows in on something very specific. On a molecular level, it traces one mans life and struggles across two continents and three countries. At the same time, it also aims to chart the course of Irelands transformation from a bulwark of conservatism ruled by the ironfisted influence of the Catholic Church to the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage via the popular vote. The experiment works on both counts mostly. Boyne structures Invisible Furies in seven-year increments. The first begins in 1945, just as World War II is ending. The whopper of an opening sentence sets the stage for whats to come: Long before we discovered that he had fathered two children by two different women ... Father James Monroe stood on the altar of the Church of Our Lady, Star of the Sea, in the parish of Goleen, West Cork, and denounced my mother as a whore. From there, in a thoroughly captivating chapter, we learn of our protagonist Cyril Averys humble beginnings. He is born out of wedlock to a 16-year-old girl who, for fear of bringing shame to the family, is banished from her home. She flees to Dublin and shacks up with a pair of gents to start anew, one of whom she met on the train on the way over. After giving birth, she promptly hands over the baby to a little hunchbacked Redemptorist nun as soon as the umbilical cord is snipped. Somewhat to his detriment, Cyril is then adopted by a pair of unlikely guardians. Charles is a philandering banker soon to be jailed for tax fraud, while Maude a cold, chain-smoking novelist who shuns fame, not to mention a readership comes off like a bizarre hybrid of Ayn Rand and Anais Nin. Incessantly reminding Cyril that hes not a real Avery, the two are the opposite of modern-day helicopter parents. Still, Cyril pushes on. At age 7, he meets Julian Woodbead, the posh and infinitely charismatic son of Charles lawyer, Max. By 14, the two are roommates at boarding school, sparking not only a deep connection, but also at least for Cyril a lifelong obsession that extends far beyond the normal realm of friendship. Herein lies the crux of the book. Cyril, it turns out, has feelings for men during a time when such things are not to be discussed, let alone acted upon. But act upon them he does, first as a sexually repressed teenager exploring his forbidden urges in secret, then in dark alleyways and grubby bathroom stalls as an adult in his 20s and 30s. His partners, nearly always strangers, run into the hundreds. His escapades and search for true recognition take him from Dublin to a more liberal Amsterdam, where he embarks on his first real relationship, to New York City, and back to Ireland. On each of these stops over the stretch of many years, Cyril not only encounters prejudice some of which turns deadly but also gets embroiled in quite a few fiascos (hint: one involves his birthday suit and an altar). Cinematic and commercial, The Hearts Invisible Furies makes for entertaining reading. Boyne author of the internationally bestselling The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, a 2006 childrens book slotted to be made into a film, a play, a ballet and an opera certainly knows how to ramp up tension and manipulate readers emotions in scenes ripe with over-the-top coincidences and dramatic flourishes. One involving Cyril and his boyfriend Bastiaan, a rent boy named Ignac, and Ignacs drunk john is particularly riveting, although foreshadowing clues and parallels to an earlier scene in the book are obvious. Theres humor here too, though how many times you chuckle might depend on your attitude toward repetitive dialogue as shtick and not-so-subtle wordplay. Boynes tendency toward camp and raunchiness is big. After all, he dedicated the novel to John Irving, and the similarities show. Any opportunity to deliver a forehead-slapping punch line, Boyne takes it. But perhaps the most sincere and powerful emotion in the book and what elicits the books truest reward is rage. Boynes takedown of the church its intolerance, hypocrisy and deceit resonates throughout, as does his anger at his countrys hatred of Nancy-boys and condemnation of homosexuality. Still, theres poignancy in the books ending. By winding down Cyrils life in 2015 the year the Equal Rights Marriage Referendum was adopted in Ireland Boyne shows just how far Ireland has come and proves that even the most unlikely change or forward movement is never impossible. From post-World War II and the rise of the IRA, to the AIDS crisis and Reagan-era fallout, to the present day where the technology reigns supreme, The Hearts Invisible Furies covers it all. Cyrils journey, in many ways, comes full circle, too. As often happens with age, he suffers his allotted portion of unbearable loss, reunites with old acquaintances (though mums the word as to whom), and finds some small semblance of peace in his choices clarity, too. I look back at my life and I dont understand very much of it, Cyril says in a moment of self-reflection we can all relate to. It seems like it would have been so simple now to have been honest with everyone. ... But it didnt feel like that at the time. Alexis Burlings reviews have appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post and the Oregonian. Email: books@sfchronicle.com The Hearts Invisible Furies By John Boyne (Hogarth; 580 pages; $28) Facebook is using artificial intelligence to address one of its darkest challenges: stopping suicide broadcasts. The Menlo Park company said Monday that a tool that lets machines sift through posts or videos and flag when someone may be ready to commit suicide is now available to most of its 2 billion users (availability had been limited to certain users in the United States). The aim of the artificial intelligence program is to find and review alarming posts sooner, since time is a key factor in preventing suicide. Facebook said that it will use pattern recognition to scan all posts and comments for certain phrases to identify whether someone needs help. Its reviewers may call first responders. It will also apply artificial intelligence to prioritize user reports of a potential suicide. The company said phrases such as Are you OK? or Can I help? can be signals that a report needs to be addressed quickly. In the case of live video, users can report the video and contact a helpline to seek aid for their friend. Facebook will also provide broadcasters with the option to contact a helpline or another friend. Users are also given information to contact law enforcement if necessary. Weve found these accelerated reports that we have signaled require immediate attention are escalated to local authorities twice as quickly as other reports, Guy Rosen, Facebook vice president of product management, wrote in a company blog post. Facebook has been testing this program in the United States and will roll it out to most of the countries in which it operates, with the exception of those in the European Union. The company did not elaborate on why EU countries which have vastly different privacy and other Internet laws than the United States are not yet participating. But Facebook said it is speaking with authorities on the best ways to implement such a feature. The social network focused new energy on identifying and stopping potential suicides after Facebook experienced a cluster of live-streamed suicides in April, including one in which a father killed his baby daughter before taking his own life. The company said in May that it would hire 3,000 additional workers to its 4,500-employee community operations team, which reviews posts and other content reported for violent or otherwise troubling content. Hayley Tsukayama is a Washington Post writer. When Elon Musk gets a spacecraft to Mars, Budweiser wants to be there to toast him. The Washington Post reported that Anheuser-Busch , owner of the King of Beers, is sending 20 barley seeds with a SpaceX mission to the International Space Station thats scheduled for Monday, so researchers can see if they sprout more than 200 miles above Earth. Its the first step toward creating beer on the Red Planet, Anheuser-Busch said. Heres a frosty glass to success. Hail and well met WeWork is acquiring Meetup in a deal that combines a place to plop your laptop with a site to connect with people who share your enthusiasms. Terms of the deal werent disclosed, but Axios said Meetup, founded 15 years ago in New York, sold for $200 million. WeWork, which just got a big chunk of cash from SoftBank, is trying to expand beyond office rentals. Meetup users organize some 15,000 gatherings a day, the smaller company said. Liquid assets Is there something in the water? San Francisco leads the country in financial returns from the wet stuff, according to a new study from the Bay Area Council. The city generates $1.32 million of gross domestic product for every acre-foot it pipes in from Hetch Hetchy and elsewhere. Thats almost twice as efficient as New York City, according to the study. So when you see those Twitter engineers sipping Blue Bottle lattes on Market Street, think of how efficiently theyre hydrating the local economy. Daily Briefing is compiled from San Francisco Chronicle staff and news services. See more items and links at www.sfgate.com. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate This story originally appeared on Hoodline. New York-based Spacious is now offering co-working space in five locations across San Francisco. "We have a partnership with local restaurant owners who don't otherwise use their space before dinner service in the evenings during the week," said Preston Pesek, the firm's co-founder and CEO. The company, which has 15 locations in New York, launched on November 13th at Alta, Finn Town, Park Tavern, Press Club and The Elite Cafe. Because Spacious isn't a retailer, it's not subject to the city's rules governing chains that have more than 11 locations, said Gina Simi, a spokesperson with the Planning Department. Pesek said the company is in talks with Planning about the potential need to obtain additional permits to operate in established restaurants, but "we don't foresee a problem there," he said. "It doesn't appear to violate the building code as we see it." Because people commonly conduct business in eateries, "what we're doing is not dissimilar to what's already happening in a restaurant," said Pesek. "The fact that someone would open up a laptop at an otherwise empty restaurant table doesn't represent a use change in our opinion." When Hoodline asked Planning about the issue, Simi said "the use of these restaurants as co-working or office space is not considered an accessory use" because the service Spacious provides is "independent of the operation of the restaurant." If the company wanted to add a second principal use to a restaurant's premises, additional permits would be required, she said, but "depending on the zoning, it may either require a Conditional Use authorization, or not be permitted at all." As of this writing, Spacious hasn't officially submitted any applications, said Simi. In a statement posted on Spacious' blog, Pesek and co-founder Chris Smothers said their "goal is to provide a network of stylish, walkable workplaces that will help to reduce the pain of commuting across the city and the greater Bay Area." For $95 per month, members can access any Spacious location, which includes free coffee and tea, guaranteed high speed wi-fi, power outlets, along with quiet spaces to take a phone call or meet. Starting in January, the company will offer annual and quarterly plans. According to Pesek, renting a shared space through WeWork costs at least $300$400 each month, which makes Spacious "a compelling value proposition." Unlike a cafe, Spacious workspaces play music from "a work-friendly playist that's not intrusive or loud," said Pesek. "People find it an easy place to focus for long periods of time without being interrupted by either table service or too much noise." Because so many customers spend time in New York and San Francisco, expanding here made sense, said Pesek. "The kinds of users that have adopted Spacious in New York are the kinds that travel from city to city frequently," he said. The company plans to announce additional San Francisco locations early next year, with a goal of connecting "the entire Bay Area." For 2018, five more cities are on Spacious' expansion list, said Pesek. Finn Town's Director of Operations Katrina Parlato told Hoodline that Spacious boosted foot traffic and "has definitely brought in many faces." Press Club Co-Owner Andrew Chun said the partnership has the potential to bring in new customers while lowering his financial overhead. "You pay rent 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and you're only open for a small portion of that time," he said. "We're hoping it generates some revenue and utilization without having to do something that doesn't make sense, like opening up a wine bar at 10am." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Danville Police are searching for a special disability tricycle they believe was stolen over the holiday break from Del Amigo Continuation High School. Unknown individuals broke into the storage area holding the adult side-by-side tricycle sometime between Nov. 11 and Nov. 26, police said. RELATED: Northern California's most wanted: 3 more added to the list Police say the school purchased the trike in November. Its purpose was to allow disabled students to ride safely with the help of an instructor. The tricycle is blue and has a small amount of white paint on the right seat. It may make a screeching sound when the left break is applied. ALSO: Woman hurt when package bomb explodes at cop's Alameda home In a Facebook post, Danville Police responded to possible sightings of the tricycle around the area. The thieves have not been identified. MORE: Search fails to turn up any sign of teen missing in Yosemite Danville Police and Del Amigo Continuation High School did not respond to requests for interviews at the time of publication. Anyone with information on the incident may contact School Resource Office Kyle Rhoton at either (925)-314-3700 or krhoton@danville.ca.gov. This is an updating story. Read Annie Vainshtein's latest stories here. Send her news tips at avainshtein@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @annievain This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Santa Rosa police Monday arrested a man suspected of robbing two Sonoma County banks in September. Santa Rosa resident Jason Fuesz, 48, was booked into Sonoma County Jail on two counts of robbery and a parole warrant. Fuesz was convicted of bank robbery in 1995 and 2009, according to police. The first recent robbery occurred Sept. 13 at the Chase Bank at 2700 Yulupa Ave. in Santa Rosa. A man wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with the hood pulled up and a black bandanna over his face pulled out a semiautomatic handgun and demanded money from a teller, according to police. The sweatshirt had an unusual design on the left breast pocket and the back. The teller gave him cash and he asked for more, police said. He put the money into a worn paper bag and left the bank. In the second robbery, on Sept. 16, a man in similar clothes carrying a paper bag entered the Chase Bank at 1301 Guerneville Road in Santa Rosa, police said. He also pulled a handgun on a teller, and demanded more cash after the teller gave him a small amount. The man pushed the bandanna down from his face when a bank employee asked him to, police said. Santa Rosa police believed the same man was responsible for both robberies and identified the suspect as Fuesz during the course of their investigation. After tracking down his location, police stopped Fuesz while he was driving and arrested him without incident. Anyone with information about the cases can call the police departments Violent Crimes Investigation Team at (707) 543-3590. Callers may remain anonymous. Erin Allday is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: eallday@sfchronicle.com This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The Russia-U.S. relationship continues to be a topic of intense discussion on the national stage, but newly published maps, secretly drafted during the Soviet era, shed light on the shocking extent of U.S.S.R. intel on American cities during another moment of unrest between the two global powers. Soviets created these highly detailed maps, containing information like the locations of secret military buildings and the construction materials of public spaces, for nearly every global city including San Francisco. The maps have only recently come to light in a new book, "The Red Atlas: How the Soviet Union Secretly Mapped the World" by Alexander Kent, president of the British Cartographic Society, and John Davies, a lifelong map collector and enthusiast. According to Kent, the project is the biggest cartographic enterprise of the 20th century, and includes depictions of more than 2,000 cities. The level of detail suggests that the cartographers were creating maps for a future where communism would prevail, Kent said. After all, he added, knowledge is power. Now Playing: Classic Soviet cars, spy toys, and even archives of Checkpoint Charlie border guards, these were just a fraction of the items on display at the Wende Museum of the Cold War as it opened its new collection in Los Angeles on Sunday. Some 100,000 Cold War artefacts from 1945 to 1991 were exhibited to the public in Culver City. Video: Ruptly TV And the U.S.S.R.'s knowledge ranged from the precise location of secret military buildings information not publicly known nor depicted on American-made maps from the same time to the depths and flow speeds of rivers to the carrying capacity and construction material of bridges (including the Golden Gate). Kent says he was particularly shocked by the specific classification of buildings (military, industrial, etc.), which suggests that there must have been people on the ground gathering information. That is quite chilling, he said. Kent and Davies discovered the maps separately, in Latvia and Kazakhstan, being sold in local map shops almost 20 years ago. Even after almost two decades of research, Kent says the maps continue to reveal fascinating insights into the Soviet military mindset. They are also works of art, he added, and provide a chilling glimpse of what a Soviet future might have looked like. See a selection of the maps in the above gallery. Michelle Robertson is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @mrobertsonsf. Today, Nov. 27, would have been Jimi Hendrix's 75th birthday. Perhaps rock and roll's greatest electric guitarist, Hendrix became one of the 20th century's most influential musicians despite a mainstream career that lasted only four years. Hendrix died of asphyxiation after overdosing on barbiturates on Sept. 18, 1970. Here are seven things you might not know about Jimi. 1. DID NOT SEE HIS DAD UNTIL HE WAS 3. Jimi's father, Al, didn't get to hold his son until Sept. 1, 1945, nearly three years after he was born. Al, who served in World War II, was denied the standard military furlough afforded servicemen for childbirth and held in a stockade to keep him from going AWOL. Father and son met for the first time in Berkeley at the home of a family friend named Mrs. Champ. 2. ARMY OR JAIL: When he was 19, Hendrix was given the choice of serving in the Army or going to jail after he was caught twice riding in stolen cars. He chose the Army and was trained as a paratrooper. 3. KICKED OUT FOR MASTURBATING: The military life did not appeal to Hendrix. He began goofing off, received low marksmanship scores, missed bed checks and earned a demotion from private first class to private. Among the allegations cited in his discharge report, his captain listed "masturbating in the platoon area while supposed to be on detail." 4. THE RED HOUSE: Hendrix lived at at 1524A Haight St. in spitting distance of the famed Haight/Ashbury corner in San Francisco for a few years in the 1960s. The house was painted red in his honor. 5. HE OPENED FOR THE MONKEES?! In mid-1967, despite success in England, Jimi Hendrix was still relatively unknown in the United States. The hit pop band The Monkees were enthralled by Jimi and enlisted him for a tour. Unfortunately, their teeny-bopper audience wanted nothing to do with his cutting-edge psychedelic riffs and tried to shout him off the stage. The unlikely marriage lasted for seven tour dates. Jimi quit the tour, but it was rumored for years that the conservative Daughters of the American Revolution had pressured promoters to fire him because his stage act was "too erotic." It was totally false, of course a joke started by a music critic, but some publications printed it as straight news. 6. ODD VERSE: A line from Hendrix's "Purple Haze" is perhaps the best known of all mondegreens, or misheard lyrics. Instead of singing "Excuse me while I kiss the sky," people sing 'Excuse me while I kiss this guy." Supposedly Hendrix occasionally played along with the joke and occasionally did sing, "Scuse me, while I kiss this guy" to goof on the audience. 7. THE SONG INSPIRED BY LUMPY POTATOES: In 1967, Hendrix got in a fight with then girlfriend Kathy Mary Etchingham. The story goes that she had cooked a batch of mashed potatoes, but Jimi found them wanting. "We'd had a row over food. Jimi did't like lumpy mashed potato," she told Q magazine in 2013. "There were thrown plates and I ran off (to a friend's house). When I came back the next day, he had written that song about me. It's incredibly flattering." The song was "The Wind Cries Mary," one of the hits of Hendrix's breakthrough album, "Are You Experienced." Dominic Nicholls Even before they arrived in San Francisco as Adler Fellows with the San Francisco Opera, the Pati brothers, Pene and Amitai, were already musical stars in their native New Zealand. The two Samoan tenors together with their cousin, baritone Moses Mackay have a vocal trio called Sol3 Mio, whose crossover repertoire has informed two best-selling albums. Now the group (whose name is pronounced just like Sole Mio) is poised to make its first appearance before local audiences. Accompanied by conductor Robert Mollicone and the San Francisco Opera Orchestra, Sol3 Mio plans to deliver a program of holiday favorites, operatic works, crossover hits and songs from the South Pacific at the War Memorial Opera House on Friday, Dec. 1. WASHINGTON After Hurricane Maria damaged tens of thousands of homes in Puerto Rico, a newly created Florida company with an unproven record won more than $30 million in contracts from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide emergency tarps and plastic sheeting for repairs. Bronze Star LLC never delivered those urgently needed supplies, which even months later remain in demand by hurricane victims in the U.S. territory. FEMA eventually terminated the contracts, without paying any money, and re-started the process this month to supply more tarps for the island. The earlier effort took nearly four weeks from the day FEMA awarded the contracts to Bronze Star and the day it canceled them. Thousands of Puerto Ricans remain homeless, and many complain that the federal government is taking too long to install tarps. The island has been hit by severe rainstorms in recent weeks that have caused widespread flooding. It is not clear how thoroughly FEMA investigated Bronze Star or its ability to fulfill the contracts. Formed by two brothers in August, Bronze Star had never before won a government contract or delivered tarps or plastic sheeting. The address listed for the business is a single-family home in a residential subdivision in St. Cloud, Fla. One of the brothers, Kayon Jones, said manufacturers he contacted before bidding on the contracts assured him they could provide the tarps but later said they could not meet the governments requirements. Jones said supplying the materials was problematic because most of the raw materials came out of Houston, which was hit hard by Hurricane Harvey. He said he sought a waiver from FEMA to allow him to order tarps from a Chinese manufacturer and for more time, but FEMA denied the request. FEMA canceled the contracts Nov. 6, Jones said. The government notified the brothers a few days later that it would seek $9.3 million in damages unless they signed a waiver releasing the U.S. from any liability. The brothers agreed. To date, roughly $88 million in federal money has been awarded to four contractors, including Bronze Star, for tents and tarps, records show. Tami Abdollah and Michael Biesecker are Associated Press writers. Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Harry Pregerson, a Los Angeles jurist who embraced the underdog and let his conscience inform his rulings, has died. He was 94. Judge Pregerson, who was suffering from respiratory ailments, died Saturday night at his Los Angeles home surrounded by family, said Sharon Pregerson, his daughter-in-law. A few nights earlier, with his health seriously failing, he turned to his wife, Bernardine, and expressed a regret. The hard thing is that I dont have strength anymore to help people, recounted his son, U.S. District Judge Dean Pregerson. He was full of love, Sharon Pregerson said. He helped so many people. That was his mission. Thats why he got up every morning. Judge Pregerson, born in Los Angeles on Oct. 13, 1923, was one of the most liberal federal appeals court judges in the nation. He grew up in East Los Angeles, served as a Marine in World War II and suffered severe wounds in the Battle of Okinawa. He later graduated from UCLA and obtained his law degree from UC Berkeley. Dubbed a thug for the Lord by one attorney, Judge Pregerson was relentless in his efforts away from the bench to help the poor in Los Angeles. He worked to establish several homeless shelters and volunteered at one each Thanksgiving. His daughter, Dr. Katie Rodan, said that she nicknamed her dad the rescue machine when she was a teenager. He wants to save everyone, she said in a 2015 interview. He wants to save the world. On the bench, Judge Pregerson was often controversial. He stirred criticism when he refused to follow a 2003 U.S. Supreme Court ruling upholding Californias tough three-strikes sentencing law. Not long after the courts decision, he dissented in rulings that upheld life sentences, some for relatively minor crimes. His dissents were seen by some critics as insubordination, but Judge Pregerson was frank about putting his conscience first. My conscience is a product of the Ten Commandments, the Bill of Rights, the Boy Scout Oath and the Marine Corps Hymn, the Carter appointee said during his Senate confirmation hearing. If I had to follow my conscience or the law, I would follow my conscience. Judge Pregerson also angered some when he issued an order in 1992 to put a hold on the execution of Robert Alton Harris, who was already strapped inside the gas chamber. The Supreme Court later overturned Pregersons decision, and Harris was executed as planned. Conservatives railed at him for overturning death sentences and accused him of activism. Some prosecutors said they dreaded appearing before him. Judge Pregerson said he simply believed that many death row inmates had not been given fair trials. You read the record in these cases, and you see what happened and how defendants rights are not observed, he said. Judge Pregerson also was viewed by some as a federalist, a label most often worn by conservatives and libertarians. He favored restraints on the power of the federal government and wrote a decision saying federal authorities lacked authority to interfere with state medical marijuana laws. The U.S. Supreme Court later overturned the decision. His was a jurisprudence that was really based on the recognition of the dignity of every person, said UC Berkeley Law School dean Erwin Chemerinsky. For him, the law was much less about abstractions and much more about what it would mean in peoples lives, Chemerinsky said. Judge Pregerson took senior status in 2015 at the age of 92 after 36 years on the Ninth Circuit. The move reduced his workload, but he made it reluctantly, at his wifes urging. You know, at 92 you are not 82, the judge said in an interview at the time. You slow down a bit and need a little more rest. The injuries he suffered in the war also were hobbling him. He needed two ski poles to help him walk. He told the Los Angeles Times he viewed the bench as a way to improve the lives of others. I looked upon being a judge as a chance to help as many people as I could through the law, he said. And it has given me that opportunity, no doubt about that. A public square, a freeway interchange and a child care center in Los Angeles bear Judge Pregersons name. Civil rights lawyer Paul L. Hoffman, who teaches international human rights law at UC Irvine and Harvard University, called him one of a kind. He was so committed to social justice, Hoffman said. Christopher David Ruiz Cameron, a law professor at Southwestern Law School and a trustee of the Mexican American Bar Foundation, said Judge Pregerson lived most of his life on Los Angeles Westside and in the West San Fernando Valley, but his soul remained in the working-class Mexican American community of East L.A. where he grew up. Harry never forgot his roots, Cameron said. He identified with the struggles of Chicanos and practically considered himself one of us. The son of Ukrainian Jewish immigrants, Judge Pregerson made his home in Los Angeles Woodland Hills section, where he and his wife, Bernardine, raised their two children, Katie and Dean. Two years before taking a reduced workload, the judge lost his grandson, David, Deans son, in a hit-and-run. The elder Pregerson said the family would never get over it. He recalled that his father, a postal worker who fought in the trenches in World War I, told him life was a battlefield. You never know when you will get hit, the judge said. Judge Pregerson remained close to his adult children and grandchildren throughout his life. Besides his wife and two children, he is survived by four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Maura Dolan is a Los Angeles Times writer. WASHINGTON A federal judge ruled in favor of President Trump on Tuesday in his effort to appoint an acting head of the nations top financial watchdog agency, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. In a ruling from the bench, Judge Timothy Kelly declined to stop on an emergency basis the president from putting in place Mick Mulvaney, currently the White Houses budget director, as the acting director of the CFPB. In doing so, Kelly ruled against Leandra English, the CFPBs deputy director, who had requested an emergency restraining order to stop Mulvaney from becoming the acting director. LOS ANGELES For years, transgender men and women looking for genital surgery have primarily relied on doctors in private practice, sometimes paying tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket. Recent studies estimate that roughly 1.4 million adults, including 218,000 in California, identify as transgender. While not all of them want genital surgery, it can be prohibitively expensive for those who do. As a urologist at the UCSF Medical Center, Maurice Garcia had several transgender patients. He began looking for a place to receive training for genital surgery for transgender adults and adolescents, but with no academic medical centers in the United States that could offer such training, he traveled to England for a yearlong fellowship at University College London. When he returned to UCSF in 2014, he created the systems first transgender genital gender-confirming surgery program. FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. Families of Native American war veterans and politicians of both major parties are criticizing President Trump for using a White House event honoring Navajo code talkers to take a political jab at a Democratic senator he has nicknamed Pocahontas. The Republican president on Monday turned to a nickname he often deployed for Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren during the 2016 presidential campaign to mock her claims about being part Native American. He told the three Navajo code talkers on stage that he had affection for them that he doesnt have for her. It was uncalled for, said Marty Thompson, whose great-uncle was a Navajo code talker. He can say what he wants when hes out doing his presidential business among his people, but when it comes to honoring veterans or any kind of people, he needs to grow up and quit saying things like that. Pocahontas is a well-known historical figure who bridged her own Pamunkey Tribe in present-day Virginia with the British in the 1600s. But the National Congress of American Indians says Trump wrongly has flipped the name into a derogatory term, and the comment drew swift criticism from American Indians and politicians. Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to the Navajo Code Talkers, whose bravery, skill & tenacity helped secure our decisive victory over tyranny & oppression during WWII, Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain, a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War, tweeted Tuesday. Politicizing these genuine American heroes is an insult to their sacrifice. Warren said Trumps repeated references to her as Pocahontas will not keep her from speaking out. Now he seems to think that thats somehow going to shut me up, maybe keep me from talking about the consumer agency today, Warren said Tuesday after a protest outside the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Or keep me from talking about the tax bill that would favor giant corporations instead of working families. Hes wrong. Its not going to make any difference, Warren said. All he had to do was make it through the ceremony, she said. But that wasnt possible for Donald Trump. He had to throw in a racial slur. Trump made the comment as he stood near a portrait of President Andrew Jackson, which he hung in the Oval Office in January. Trump admires Jacksons populism. But Jackson is an unpopular figure in Indian Country because he oversaw the forced removal of American Indians from their southern homelands. The Navajo Nation suggested Trumps remark was an example of cultural insensitivity. Felicia Fonseca and Laurie Kellman are Associated Press writers. WASHINGTON President Trump said Monday that changes to the Republican tax bill are coming as he looks to win over holdout GOP senators in an effort to pass the package by the end of the year. With just a few changes, some mathematical, the middle class and job producers can get even more in actual dollars and savings, the president said in a tweet. Senate Republicans are considering a trigger that would automatically increase taxes if their sweeping legislation fails to generate as much revenue as they expect. Its an effort to mollify deficit hawks who worry that tax cuts for businesses and individuals will add to the nations already mounting debt. The effort comes as a second Republican senator, Steve Daines of Montana, announced Monday that he opposes the tax bill in its current form. Previously, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., said he opposed the bill, leaving Senate Republicans no room for error as they hope to vote on the bill this week. Both senators complained that the tax bill favors large corporations over small businesses. Republicans have only two votes to spare in the Senate, where they hold a 52-48 edge and anticipate Vice President Mike Pence breaking a tie. Trump and Senate leaders are trying to balance competing demands. While some senators fear the packages debt consequences, others want more generous tax breaks for businesses. In a boost for the legislation, Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky said he would back the measure. Trump hosted Republican members of the Senate Finance Committee at the White House on Monday. Afterward, Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, the No. 2 Republican in the Senate, said the plan is to vote on the current tax bill this week, then work out the differences between the Senate bill and one passed by the House earlier this month. But as of Monday, GOP leaders were still trying to round up the votes in the Senate to pass the bill. We always have to deal with everybody. Its not any one particular person, said Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, chairman of the Finance Committee. By Stephen Ohlemacher and Marcy Gordon are Associated Press writers. Deputies are searching for an inmate who went missing Monday from his work crew, the San Joaquin County Sheriffs Office said. Corey Hughes, 27, was last seen around 1:30 p.m. in the area of Interstate 5 and Country Club, the sheriffs office said. Officials released his mug shot, which shows his face tattoo that mimics a skull. WASHINGTON Democratic congressional leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer pulled out of a meeting Tuesday to discuss spending levels with President Trump after he tweeted that a deal with them was unlikely. The action signaled that Pelosi, the House minority leader from San Francisco, and Schumer, her counterpart in the Senate from New York, are prepared to use their leverage for issues that are important to Democratic lawmakers as they head into tense budget negotiations with Republicans to avoid a government shutdown by the end of next week. Among their top priorities is a path to legalization for Dreamers, the roughly 700,000 young immigrants who came to the United States as children without authorization. The Obama administration gave this group temporary protected status through its Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals policy, known as DACA. Trump reversed that policy Sept. 5 and gave Congress six months to resolve the issue. If Congress fails to act by March 5, Dreamers could face deportation. Republicans will probably need the votes of congressional Democrats to raise the debt ceiling and keep government running before the current funding expires Dec. 8. Pelosi and Schumer were set to meet with Trump, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., when Trump tweeted that Chuck and Nancy want illegal immigrants flooding into our country unchecked and that Democrats are weak on Crime and want to substantially RAISE Taxes. I dont see a deal! In a joint statement afterward, the two Democratic leaders said there was no point in the meeting following Trumps tweet. Given that the president doesnt see a deal between Democrats and the White House, we believe the best path forward is to continue negotiating with our Republican counterparts in Congress instead, they said. Republicans will need help from Democrats to get a deal done. Republicans have only a 52-48 majority in the Senate but will need 60 votes to pass a government funding bill. In the House, party conservatives have routinely refused to vote for spending bills, leaving the GOP leadership shorthanded on critical fiscal measures and handing leverage to Pelosi, who has had to deliver the necessary votes in the past. About a quarter of the Dreamers reside in California, with thousands in nearly every congressional district in the state. California universities, business groups and immigrant rights groups are putting intense pressure on members in both parties to give legal status to young immigrants who grew up as Americans but were prevented from obtaining passports and drivers licenses, legally holding jobs and enrolling in college as U.S. residents. About 4,000 Dreamers are enrolled in the University of California alone. Pelosi warned this month that House Democrats would not help Republicans keep the government open without a deal on DACA. California Sen. Kamala Harris became the first Senate Democrat to threaten to withhold support for any year-end spending bill unless the Dreamers win a path to citizenship. Although expanded immigration is generally toxic within the GOP, some Republicans, particularly California House members such as David Valadao of Hanford (Kings County) and Jeff Denham of Turlock (Stanislaus County), who represent heavily Latino districts, want legal status for young immigrants, providing the potential for bipartisan legislation. Republicans are arguing that action on the Dreamers isnt necessary before March 5, when tens of thousands of DACA recipients will begin to see their status expire, and could be deported. But by then, Democrats wont have nearly the leverage they have now with a government shutdown looming. Schumer said Democrats have a bunch of other priorities they want addressed in negotiations with Republicans as well. These include keeping domestic spending on pace with the GOPs demand for higher military spending, disaster aid for recovery from three recent hurricanes and the Wine Country fires, and reauthorizing the giant Childrens Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, which Congress allowed to lapse Sept. 30. The health program provides routine care for 9 million children and pregnant women, including 1.3 million living in California, which has the nations largest program and is set to run out of money by the end the year. The state receives $2.7 billion a year in federal funding through the program. In September, Pelosi and Schumer said Trump cut a verbal deal with them on raising the debt ceiling, appearing to leave Republicans in Congress out in the cold and giving Democrats the upper hand. Next weeks Dec. 8 deadline was set by that deal. At a dinner over Chinese food a week later, Pelosi and Schumer said Trump had agreed to try to reach accommodation for the Dreamers, without insisting on building a wall on the border with Mexico. Trump later denied that he had agreed to any such thing. McConnell and Ryan indicated Tuesday that they would lay the blame on Pelosi and Schumer for endangering soldiers on the battlefield if the government shuts down. McConnell said he had never refused a meeting with former President Barack Obama. We have important work to do, Ryan told reporters after the White House meeting, where two chairs for Pelosi and Schumer were left conspicuously empty. Carolyn Lochhead is the San Francisco Chronicles Washington correspondent. Email: clochhead@sfchronicle.com This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A San Leandro police officer faces criminal charges after admitting to having sex with a 17-year-old girl he met while working as an instructor in his departments Explorer program for young people interested in pursuing law enforcement careers, court records show. Marco Becerra resigned in late October after he confessed to being in a sexual relationship with the victim, a city police sergeant wrote in a court declaration. On Nov. 8, Alameda County prosecutors charged Becerra, 26, with three felony counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, known as statutory rape. I am upset and disappointed by the unethical and criminal behavior of one of our officers, Police Chief Jeff Tudor wrote in a statement to The Chronicle, which learned of Becerras arrest through a confidential source. These actions are absolutely inconsistent with the ethical standards of the San Leandro Police Department and we will not tolerate this type of behavior. The department has suspended its Explorer program while it conducts an internal review, the chief said. The program is designed to give young people, ages 14 to 19, a head start in a career in law enforcement through training and community work. Reached by phone Monday, Becerra who was once a San Leandro Explorer himself declined to comment on the charges, saying he needed to speak with his lawyer. The attorney, Michael Rains, said his client came right out and admitted there had been a relationship after he was confronted. This relationship in every sense was consensual, Rains said. There were strong emotional feelings by both parties, and despite that she was just shy of 18, the law says it was illegal. As a law enforcement officer he knows hes not above the law, Rains said. He accepted responsibility. He wanted to do the right thing. The department was tipped off to the alleged crimes Oct. 13, officials said, thanks to a call from a worker with the Alameda County Social Services Agency, who learned about the relationship and was required to notify authorities under the states mandatory reporting laws. Investigators then spoke to the victim, who is referred to in court papers as Jane Doe. She said she became friends with Becerra through the Explorer program and corresponded with him on the phone and through social media, police Sgt. Dan Leja wrote in a court declaration. Leja, who heads the departments special victims unit, said Becerra and the victim met at a location in San Leandro on at least three occasions Sept. 11, Sept. 26 and Oct. 12 and had sexual intercourse. In each case, officials said, the officer was off-duty. Becerra, who had been with the department for three years and was a member of the SWAT team, was placed on administrative leave after the victims interview. He confessed to the relationship Oct. 20 and resigned five days later, police said. Becerra has pleaded not guilty and is free on $25,000 bail. He is due back in court Jan. 10 for a pretrial hearing. San Leandro police officials said they did not make the case public out of concern for the victim and her family. They had to deal with the investigation already, Lt. Isaac Benabou, a department spokesman, said Monday. We decided we werent going to expose them to any more pain by publicizing this story. Explorer programs are offered by a number of Bay Area police agencies. San Leandros city website says its initiative is designed to prepare students to be active in the community, learn more about a law enforcement career, obtain valuable work experience, and take on more responsibility as a young adult. Those in the program attend weekly meetings, help out at city festivals and other events, and act as role players in SWAT and hostage negotiation drills. Evan Sernoffsky is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @EvanSernoffsky A 47-year-old Menlo Park man was arrested at San Francisco International Airport on Monday on suspicion of possessing thousands of child pornography images, after his wife tipped off authorities to the contents of his computer, officials said. The suspect, Matthew Coda, has been under investigation since September, when his wife first alerted investigators about images on his computer, said Detective Sal Zuno of the San Mateo County Sheriffs Office. The suspects wife contacted us and was able to provide us with information that her husband was in possession of child pornography, Zuno said. The investigation continued for several months, and with her help we were able to get evidence and images. Codas computer was seized, and about 3,000 images of child pornography were found on it, Zuno said. The sheriffs office obtained a warrant for his arrest. He was going to be flying in on a domestic flight and was going to be landing in San Francisco, so detectives met him at the airport, Zuno said. He said Coda was arrested at about 7 p.m. without incident. Zuno said that Coda works in a technical field in Mountain View and that he does not work with children. Coda was booked into Maguire Correctional Facility in Redwood City, and was being held on $200,000 bail. He was arraigned Tuesday. Zuno asked that anyone with information related to the ongoing investigation of Coda contact Detective Gaby Chaghouri at (650) 259-2314. Sophie Haigney is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sophie.haigney@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SophieHaigney We value your privacy. Focus Taiwan (CNA) uses tracking technologies to provide better reading experiences, but it also respects readers' privacy. Click here to find out more about Focus Taiwan's privacy policy. When you close this window, it means you agree with this policy. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) An evacuation center has opened at the YMCA's Mission branch for residents displaced by a gas leak and explosion in San Francisco's Bernal Heights neighborhood earlier today, according to city officials. PG&E workers have stopped the flow of gas at the site of the leak in the 3900 block of Mission Street, but residents who were evacuated from the surrounding area this morning have not yet been allowed back into their homes. The gas leak was reported shortly before 10 a.m. when firefighters were called to the 3900 block of Mission Street near St. Mary's Avenue to investigate a gas odor in the area, according to fire officials. At 10:14 a.m., an explosion occurred in the lower floors of 3987 Mission St., a three-story residential building, causing moderate damage to the home and blowing out its front windows. No one was inside the building and no injuries were reported. Firefighters evacuated 19 addresses on Mission Street, College Terrace and Bosworth Street. PG&E workers arrived on scene around 10:30 a.m. and had stopped the flow of gas as of shortly after 1 p.m. Fire officials said the leak appears to have been outside on the street in front of the building and it is unclear how the gas got inside. The 14-Mission and 49-Van Ness/Mission buses are rerouting around the area, according to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency. The evacuation center is located at 4080 Mission St. LONDON Newly engaged Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on Monday lifted the secrecy that had shrouded their 18-month romance, revealing they met on a blind date, bonded during a camping trip under the stars in Botswana and that Harry proposed over a roast chicken dinner at their London home, getting down on one knee to pop the question. Speaking just hours after the couples engagement was announced by palace officials acting on behalf of Prince Charles, Harry said he was thrilled when she said yes, and he placed an engagement ring of his own design on her finger that included two diamonds that had belonged to his mother, Princess Diana, set alongside a large central diamond from Botswana. Just an amazing surprise, said the 36-year-old Markle, an American actress known for her role in the TV legal drama Suits. It was so sweet and natural and very romantic. Did she hesitate? Not if Harry can be trusted. She didnt even let me finish, the 33-year-old prince said of his betrothed. The couple said they plan to marry in the spring, and Harry fifth in line for the British throne said he hopes to start a family. They seemed very much aglow as they sat on a sofa during their first joint interview and described their long-distance courtship, with Markle busy filming in Canada and Harry fulfilling royal duties in Britain. They said they saw each other every two weeks, despite the pressure, and put their relationship first. Markle, whose mother is African American and whose father is white, said she had been disheartened when early press coverage about their relationship focused on her mixed-race background. But she seemed thrilled to be joining the royal family and spoke glowingly about Harrys brother Prince William, his wife Kate and other senior royals. They will live in Nottingham Cottage on the grounds of Kensington Palace, where Harry proposed and where they will be neighbors with William and Kate. Markle already has brought one of her rescue dogs from Canada, while the other is staying with a friend for now. In many ways, their story mirrors those of engaged couples everywhere with some crucial differences. When they first went on vacation together, it was a five-day camping trip in the wilderness of Botswana where one hopes the royal protection officers gave them some space. And when Markle met Harrys grandmother for tea, she was sitting down with Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in British history. Markle said they managed to date for five or six months before the media found out, giving them an amazing amount of privacy as they got to know each other. She said she knew very little about the royal family when a mutual friend suggested a blind date with Harry. Markle had only one question: Is he nice? Their first date, for a drink, went well and they quickly decided to meet again. Harry said it took three or four weeks to persuade Markle to join him in Botswana. Taking that huge leap of only two dates and then going effectively on holiday together in the middle of nowhere and, you know, sharing a tent together and all that kind of stuff. It was ... fantastic. It was absolutely amazing to get to know her as quickly as I did, Harry said. The marriage represents the first blending of Hollywood glamor with the once-stuffy royal family, which has of late seemed less fixed in its ways, and brings a divorced American woman into a highly visible role. Markle was raised in the Los Angeles area. Her father is a Hollywood lighting director, her mother a yoga instructor and psychotherapist. Gregory Katz is an Associated Press writer. BEIRUT Lebanese President Michel Aoun launched consultations with the countrys political leaders over the governments future in the wake of Prime Minister Saad Hariris suspended resignation. Hariri resigned on Nov. 4 during a visit to Saudi Arabia, throwing his coalition government and the country into crisis. But he rescinded the move after returning home, to allow time for negotiations. 1 Syria war: Damascus and its allies clashed Monday with other nations at the annual conference of member states of the global chemical weapons watchdog, underscoring how politicized the body has become since Syria joined. Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad used the opening day of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons meeting to denounce an international investigation that last month accused Damascus of launching a deadly sarin attack in April. European Union representative Jacek Bylica, however, said the investigation showed a clear case of violation of the treaty outlawing chemical weapons and said the perpetrators of such horrific crimes must be held accountable. 2 Missing submarine: Water entered the snorkel of an Argentine submarine and caused one of its batteries to short circuit before the vessel went missing 12 days ago, a navy spokesman said Monday. Hopes for survivors have been largely crushed by reports of an explosion detected near the time and place where the ARA San Juan was last heard from on Nov. 15. Since then, there have been no signs of the sub or debris despite an intensive multinational search. Experts have said the 44 sailors aboard had only enough oxygen to last up to 10 days if the sub remained intact but submerged. Before the submarine went missing, the captain reported an electrical problem in a battery compartment and the vessel was ordered to return to its base in the coastal city of Mar del Plata. 3 Poland probe: Police issued a public appeal for witnesses Monday after unknown attackers smashed windows at a Muslim cultural center in the capital of Warsaw, while prosecutors opened a probe into a far-right protest in the south of the country over the weekend. About a dozen windows were shattered overnight at the Muslim center. No one was hurt. Acts of hatred and xenophobia are being reported more frequently in Poland since the Law and Justice party came to power two years ago. The government promotes Catholicism and refuses to take in non-Christian refugees as part of an European Union relocation plan, citing security concerns. 4 Secession poll: A month after Spain cracked down on Catalonias drive for independence, an opinion poll shows that less than a quarter of the regions residents would like the secession bid to continue after the Dec. 21 election. The poll published Monday in El Pais newspaper showed 24 percent of Catalans favor pressing ahead with independence after the election while 71 percent would prefer an agreement with the central government on resolving Catalonias problems within Spain. Spain fired Catalonias government, dissolved the regional parliament and called the election after lawmakers there declared independence Oct. 27. Former regional leader Carles Puigdemont is fighting extradition from Belgium. 5 India evictions: Police on Monday took the unusual step of using elephants in an attempt to evict hundreds of people living illegally in a protected forest in the countrys remote northeast. Police used bulldozers and the elephants in a show of force, and the forest dwellers responded by hurling rocks. Police commissioner Hiren Nath said five protesters were injured in a scuffle after police used tear gas in the Amchang forest area in Assam state. State Forest Minister Pramilla Brahma said the area is an elephant habitat and the unauthorized settlements were forcing the pachyderms to leave in search of food. Wild elephants have entered villages, destroyed crops and even killed people. Chronicle News Services SEOUL North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile early Wednesday for the first time in four months, defying President Trumps warnings to halt its weapons program and his decision to once again list the country as a state sponsor of terrorism. Trumps reaction to the launch was more muted than in the past, when he lobbed insults at the Norths leader, Kim Jong Un and threatened fire and fury that would totally destroy the North. We will take care of it, he told reporters in Washington. It is a situation that we will handle. The missile took off from around Pyongsong, a town northeast of Pyongyang, the capital, at 3:17 a.m., and it flew east for about 53 minutes before landing off the north of Honshu, Japans largest island, nearly 600 miles from the launch site. The missile was fired high into the air, reaching a maximum altitude of around 2,800 miles, in an arc similar to the Norths two previous intercontinental ballistic missiles, or ICBMs, which were launched in July. The distance traveled appeared to be significantly greater than that of the two previous ICBMs, which flew for 37 minutes on July 4 and for 47 minutes on July 28. David Wright, a senior scientist at the Union of Concerned Scientists, said the missile performed better than the two fired in July, with a potential range of more than 8,000 miles, able to reach Washington or any other part of the continental United States. Its pretty impressive, Wright said of the test flight. This is building on what theyve done before. Its muscle-flexing to show the U.S. that theyre going to continue to make progress. However, Wright noted that in an effort to increase the vehicles range, the North Koreans might have fitted it with a mock payload that weighed little or next to nothing. So the distance traveled, while impressive, does not necessarily translate into a working intercontinental ballistic missile, much less one that could deliver a thermonuclear warhead. Six minutes after the launch, South Korea conducted its own missile test off its east coast, demonstrating its ability to strike North Korean missile launching sites, the Souths military said in a statement. Choe Sang-Hun and Motoko Rich are New York Times writers. Welcome to Shakesville, a progressive feminist blog about politics, culture, social justice, cute things, and all that is in between. Please note that the commenting policy and the Feminism 101 section, conveniently linked at the top of the page, are required reading before commenting. Smartpay Holdings says it has made "significant progress" in the first half of the financial year, as lower wages boosted net profit and offset a drop in sales, while a takeover proposal progresses to due diligence stage. Net profit rose to $900,000 in the six months ended Sept. 30 from $500,000 a year earlier, the listed payment terminal supplier said in a statement. That was largely due to lower employment costs, which fell to $3.5 million from $3.7 million, while occupancy costs slipped to $397,000 from $564,000. The company employed 126 people as at March 31, but didn't update headcount in the latest accounts. Smartpay's revenue fell to $10.4 million from $10.7 million a year earlier. The company gave annual guidance for revenue between $20.5 million and $22.5 million, and net profit between $2 million and $3 million. In 2017, it reported $20.9 million in revenue and a $2.2 million profit. "The company has made significant progress in the first half of this financial year," Smartpay said. "We expect to see continuing growth in revenue and profits as we continue to execute our strategy." The company received a takeover proposal from Sydney-based investment firm Pemba Capital Partners in August which would see it buy all its shares at 23.5 cents per share, an 11 percent premium when it was announced. Earlier this month, Smartpay said it granted Pemba access to undertake due diligence on Smartpay, but there was "no certainty that the proposal will result in a binding offer for Smartpay." The company said today's increased profit was due in part from steady growth in Australian terminal numbers, which it expects to hit 5,000 this month and to have its growth rate increase due to its recent introduction of acquiring capability. "This is a significant milestone for the company as it allows us to offer a complete end-to-end eftpos offering without the limitations of our previous reliance on third party pricing for the core component of our eftpos market offering," Smartpay said. "We are progressing with a staged implementation program which will see us progressively release a number of acquiring products over the coming months." The introduction of the acquiring products will be staged over the latter part of the current financial year, meaning positive revenue impacts will fall mostly into the next financial year, it said. The revenue drop was due to its development team focusing on internal projects rather than external software development which can be billed to customers, and slightly lower revenue from its corporate customers in New Zealand, it said. The shares last traded at 22 cents, up 29 percent this year. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: CHI - 2023 Guidance Update TRA - Weblink for Turners Half Year FY23 Results Presentation General Capital (GEN:NZ) Concludes Goodwill Discussions General Capital (GEN:NZ) Announces Discussions on Goodwill KMD - Trading Update NZME updates investors on strategic progress IPL - Interim Results HY23 NPH - 2022 Full Year Results November 17th Morning Report GWC - WasteCo Reverse Listing - Special Meeting of Shareholders Silver Fern Farms, New Zealand's biggest meat company, has tapped Zespri International's chief operating officer Simon Limmer as its next chief executive, saying he adds experience in food, manufacturing and key markets such as China. Limmer will replace Dean Hamilton, who announced his resignation in July after three years in the role, a period that saw the original cooperative owner sell half the company and a controlling boardroom vote to China's Shanghai Maling. Limmer has worked for Zespri for nine years including COO and as general manager for China. Prior to that, he worked for France's Veolia. His experience "gives us confidence he will be able to continue our development as a consumer-oriented food business," said Silver Fern co-chair Rob Hewett. Limmer "has a clear affinity with NZ agriculture", experience leading large teams "and has a strong affinity and understanding for farmer-producers which is a critical part of the ongoing success of Silver Fern Farms. Limmer received the Prime Ministers Scholarship in 2010 and completed the INSEAD Singapore - Asian International Executive Programme, Silver Fern said. In 2015 he attended the Te Hono Movement NZ Primary Sector Bootcamp at Stanford University. Silver Fern posted a $30.6 million loss last year that included a $22.4 million impairment charge related to the Shangai Maling investment. Since then it has closed its plant at Fairton in what is the first move to address its processing over-capacity since Shanghai Maling came on board. The Shanghai Maling deal enabled Silver Fern to repay its debt, removing a threat from its banking syndicate to withdraw support. The company cut net debt to $107 million from $121 million a year earlier and halved its finance costs to $14.8 million, it said in January. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: CHI - 2023 Guidance Update TRA - Weblink for Turners Half Year FY23 Results Presentation General Capital (GEN:NZ) Concludes Goodwill Discussions General Capital (GEN:NZ) Announces Discussions on Goodwill KMD - Trading Update NZME updates investors on strategic progress IPL - Interim Results HY23 NPH - 2022 Full Year Results November 17th Morning Report GWC - WasteCo Reverse Listing - Special Meeting of Shareholders New Zealand shares dropped, led lower by big moves in Mercury New Zealand and Chorus, as Orion Health and Trilogy International dropped on first-half earnings. The S&P/NZX50 Index fell 34.61 points, or 0.4 percent, to 8,141.49. Within the index, 26 stocks fell, 14 rose and 10 were unchanged. Turnover was $239.8 million. "There have been a couple of reasonably big block trades that we've seen in the last while coming from offshore," said David Price, broker at Forsyth Barr. "Today we've had Chorus, Mercury, Fletcher Building to name a few. There have been some decent chunky sized trades and you've seen some weakness in the prices as the locals have had their appetites saturated." Mercury led the index lower, down 2.6 percent to $3.32, while Chorus fell 2.4 percent to $3.905 and Fletcher Building declined 1.5 percent to $6.73. Investors are waiting for the MSCI reweightings on Thursday, Price said. "It's relatively quiet heading into that, the volumes will be big on the day. Everyone's just poised and waiting for the upshot of Thursday." Kathmandu fell 2 percent to $2.42. Last week the outdoor equipment retailer said its first-quarter earnings were up despite sales dipping as it widened margins by selling less sale stock. "At the end of the day, the period they were talking about is largely irrelevant in terms of total sales," Price said. "What they were at pains to tell us was gross margins were up, because they didn't have all the clearance stock they had in the same period, the flipside was not having the clearance stock means you don't get the revenue. The New Zealand numbers looked quite weak on the face of it, so that initially had a bit of a rough time." Arvida Group was the best performer, rising 2.5 percent to $1.23. Scales Corp gained 2.4 percent to $3.90 and Summerset Group Holdings advanced 2 percent to $5.22. Outside the benchmark index, Orion Health fell 10.5 percent to 94 cents. The health software developer, whose shares have lost almost half their value this year, widened its first-half loss and lowered its outlook for the full year. The loss was $25.9 million in the six months ended Sept. 30 from a loss of $18 million a year earlier. Trilogy International fell 8.9 percent to $2.35. The scented candle and beauty products maker lifted first-half profit 17 percent to $4.1 million as it faced lower interest costs and earn-out payments, although the firm's underlying earnings were hit by skinnier margins. Smartpay Holdings rose 4.6 percent to 23 cents. It says it has made "significant progress" in the first half of the financial year, as lower wages boosted net profit and offset a drop in sales, while a takeover proposal progresses to due diligence stage. Net profit rose to $900,000 in the six months ended Sept. 30 from $500,000 a year earlier, largely due to lower employment costs, which fell to $3.5 million from $3.7 million. ERoad dropped 1.8 percent to $3.30. The logistics and fleet management firm widened its first-half loss as it ramped up spending to drive its US business, which it wants First NZ Capital to put under the microscope to see how it can drive faster growth. Turners Automotive Group dipped 1.3 percent to $3.12. New Zealand's largest second-hand vehicle retailer said first-half revenue and profit rose and it expects full-year pre-tax earnings to rise as much as 26 percent. Revenue rose 44 percent to $163.8 million in the six months ended Sept. 30, while net profit increased 18 percent to $10 million. Steel & Tube fell 0.5 percent to $1.99. This afternoon, Radio New Zealand reported the company had pleaded guilty to 24 criminal charges laid against it by the Commerce Commission for misrepresenting its seismic steel mesh. The company was not immediately available for comment. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: CHI - 2023 Guidance Update TRA - Weblink for Turners Half Year FY23 Results Presentation General Capital (GEN:NZ) Concludes Goodwill Discussions General Capital (GEN:NZ) Announces Discussions on Goodwill KMD - Trading Update NZME updates investors on strategic progress IPL - Interim Results HY23 NPH - 2022 Full Year Results November 17th Morning Report GWC - WasteCo Reverse Listing - Special Meeting of Shareholders Rangatira Investments, whose diversified investments include Hellers, the Rainbow's End theme park, and laboratory instruments distributor Bio-Strategy, lifted its cash holdings to $40 million in the first half after making no new investments. Wellington-based Rangatira added $9.8 million to its cash holdings by selling holdings in listed companies, according to its first-half report. Its equity portfolio fell to $28.8 million as at Sept. 30 from $31.6 million at March 31. "Over the period we looked at a broad range of investment opportunities, trying to find businesses which will become the next iconic New Zealand business," the company said. Operating earnings fell to $2.4 million in the first half from $4 million a year earlier, although net profit rose to $8.8 million from $5.9 million, reflecting $7.1 million in gains from investments compared with a $1.9 million gain in the same period last year. Rangatira said full-year operating earnings would be similar to 2017's $11.7 million, with Hellers, Rotorua's Polynesian Spa and Rainbow's End being seasonal businesses that earn more in the second half. The company said Auckland Packaging (APC) and Polynesian Spa "performed well" in the first half, with APC expanding into new categories and the Rotorua resort benefitting from tourism growth. Bio-Strategy, Hellers and Rainbow's End reported lower earnings in the first half, it said. Bio-Strategy was hurt by a downturn in Australian, although there have since been signs of recovery, while wet weather dented demand for Hellers products and visitor numbers at Rainbow's End, it said. The company sold its investment in Tuatara Brewing to DB Breweries in January. In today's announcement, it confirmed it is still in dispute with former shareholders of the brewery over an earnout payment. While the High Court had rejected a claim from the former shareholders, they were appealing the decision "and Rangatira is defending its position." Rangatira declared an interim dividend of 24 cents a share, up from 22 cents a year ago, payable on Dec. 11. The asset backing of its shares was lifted to $13.23 a share from $12.99 as at March 31. Its A Class shares last traded at $10.75 and the B Class shares were last at $10.55. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: CHI - 2023 Guidance Update TRA - Weblink for Turners Half Year FY23 Results Presentation General Capital (GEN:NZ) Concludes Goodwill Discussions General Capital (GEN:NZ) Announces Discussions on Goodwill KMD - Trading Update NZME updates investors on strategic progress IPL - Interim Results HY23 NPH - 2022 Full Year Results November 17th Morning Report GWC - WasteCo Reverse Listing - Special Meeting of Shareholders Synlait Milk founder and chief executive John Penno is to step down after 12 years leading the Dunsandel-based milk processor, whose shares have almost tripled since listing in July 2013. Penno will step down in the next 12 months in what the company said would be an orderly transition. He will stay on during an international search for his successor. Penno, who has spent a total of 17 years with the company, said he was " looking forward to getting back to my entrepreneurial roots and will be looking for opportunities to get involved with start-ups and young companies, which is where my wife, Maury, and I want to continue to make a contribution." Synlait has grown from a start-up in the early 2000s to a company with a market value of $1.4 billion today and customers including high-flying milk marketer A2 Milk. It was initially rebuffed in its attempts to go public by local investors and instead turned to China's Bright Dairy for equity capital to fund its growth. Bright Dairy now owns 39 percent of the company. In September Synlait posted an 11 percent gain in full-year profit and flagged further growth this year while signalling a move into branded consumer goods. Its shares touched a record high $8.25 on Oct. 30. "From this platform, the company is looking for a CEO with the skills and experiences to take Synlait up another level," chair Graeme Milne said in a statement. "We have already signalled to shareholders our intention to continue to develop our infant formula business, and enter new categories where there are significant opportunities." Discussing the move into new markets on a conference call in September, Penno said: "Up until now we've been strictly B2B, which has been very important during start-up." The company would move into branded products "where no conflict exists with existing partnerships" which meant it was "unlikely to be in infant formula", where companies such as A2 have very strong brands. "We do see areas in new categories that could be Synlait branded," he said. In August Synlait announced plans to triple sales of infant formula to Sichuan-based New Hope Nutritionals, which is already its second-largest customer for finished infant formula and its largest under a Chinese label. Synlait took a 25 percent stake in New Hope in 2015. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: CHI - 2023 Guidance Update TRA - Weblink for Turners Half Year FY23 Results Presentation General Capital (GEN:NZ) Concludes Goodwill Discussions General Capital (GEN:NZ) Announces Discussions on Goodwill KMD - Trading Update NZME updates investors on strategic progress IPL - Interim Results HY23 NPH - 2022 Full Year Results November 17th Morning Report GWC - WasteCo Reverse Listing - Special Meeting of Shareholders ASB Bank, the local arm of Commonwealth Bank of Australia, has restated its reported capital ratios after a miscalculation meant it fell short of compliance for the better part of a year. In September, the Auckland-based lender discovered it overstated its capital ratios for the September 2016, December 2016, March 2017 and June 2017 periods, which it has since addressed in its latest disclosure statement. ASB said it applied an incorrect definition of surplus common equity tier one capital in the calculations, which breached a condition of registration. On finding the mistake, the bank hired a professional services firm to review its compliance and other instances of historic non-compliance including two incorrect provisions and expected loss adjustments in its capital adequacy calculation, areas where internal risk management calculations were carried through to market risk capital calculations, and other minor technical mistakes. "These calculation errors have now been corrected for the three months ended 30 September 2017," ASB said in its latest disclosure statement. "These errors did not cause the bank to breach any of its required minimum capital ratios, or breach the minimum buffer ratio requirements of condition of registration 1C", which outlines the steps the bank has to take if its capital buffer gets too low. Banks' compliance has come under greater scrutiny this month after Westpac Banking Corp's New Zealand unit was censured by the Reserve Bank for a long-running breach of its obligations by using unapproved internal models, and forced to lift its minimum capital requirements. The central bank's six-monthly gauge on the health of New Zealand's financial sector is due for release tomorrow. ASB's total capital ratio of 13.8 percent as at Sept. 30 was well above the 8 percent minimum, while its buffer ratio was 5.7 percent compared to a 2.5 percent minimum. In its March quarterly disclosure statement, ASB noted it miscalculated its risk-weighted exposures for some non-retail facilities since March 2008, which overstated its capital ratios, while in the June statement the bank said it hired a firm to independently validate its capital ratio calculations, which found two minor issues that didn't affect the previously reported ratios. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: CHI - 2023 Guidance Update TRA - Weblink for Turners Half Year FY23 Results Presentation General Capital (GEN:NZ) Concludes Goodwill Discussions General Capital (GEN:NZ) Announces Discussions on Goodwill KMD - Trading Update NZME updates investors on strategic progress IPL - Interim Results HY23 NPH - 2022 Full Year Results November 17th Morning Report GWC - WasteCo Reverse Listing - Special Meeting of Shareholders Page Content A brief meeting between the Council of Ministers and Dutch State Secretary, Mr. Raymond Knops, was held on Monday, November 27, 2017. Parties discussed the steps that will be taken to actualize the reconstruction phase to ensure that the urgent aid for those persons that were affected by the hurricanes could commence. It was highlighted that short term projects which will have immediate impact on the lives of the people of Sint Maarten should be given the highest priority. Furthermore, the World Bank was indicated as the institution to manage all project requests for funding to ensure accountability and transparency. Both parties agreed that the meeting was constructive and set a basis for change in the cooperation between Sint Maarten and the Netherlands. Photo caption Dutch State Secretary, Mr. Raymond Knops & Prime Minister Rafael Boasman SACRIFICE THEM: Indiana nurse removed from hospital after saying white boys 'should be sacrificed to the wolves'Washington PostMore from Washington PostPublished:November 27, 2017Updated:November 27, 2017 10:21 AM ESTA headshot believed to be pulled from Baker's Twitter account.An Indiana hospital system says a nurse is no longer an employee after she was tied to a message on Twitter claiming white women are raising sons with the HIGHEST propensity to be a terrorist, rapist, racist, killer, and domestic violence all star.Officials at Indiana University Health said over the weekend they were investigating several troubling posts on social media that appeared to be made by a recently hired employee identified in news reports as Taiyesha Baker. IU Health spokesman Jason Fechner confirmed Monday that the employee no longer works there but would not say whether she was fired, citing company policies.A tweet from Bakers now-deleted Twitter account.The controversial tweet, which the Indianapolis Star reported was posted on an account named Night Nurse, said: Every white woman raises a detriment to society when they raise a son. Someone with the HIGHEST propensity to be a terrorist, rapist, racist, killer, and domestic violence all star. Historically every son you had should be sacrificed to the wolves .The account has since been deleted and re-created by another user, according to the newspaper.Indiana University Health said in a statement late last week that it was investigating the incident and would take appropriate action.IU Health (Google)IU Health is aware of several troubling posts on social media which appear to be from a recently hired IU Health employee, the hospital said Saturday in a statement. Our HR department continues to investigate the situation and the authenticity of the posts. During the investigation, that employee (who does not work at Riley Hospital for Children) will have no access to patient care.Hospital officials did not say where Baker worked or what she did.By Sunday afternoon, the hospital said, A recently hired IU Health employee tied to troubling posts on social media this weekend is no longer an employee of IU Health.Baker could not immediately be reached Monday for comment. State records show that she was licensed as a registered nurse Oct. 30 and that her license expires in 2019. ITs all about the USA and Russia. Usa uses Israel and Saudi to go against Russia's Syria and Iran. Both countries are using the middle east as a battle ground at the expense of the population there. They can get away with it because everybody there is deeply religious and so easily swayed by Russia and the states. If you can somehow get a miracle from God and make everybody in that region a scientific thinker, then they would say screw this and there would be peace. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Did you know that the reason all these people have died in Syria is because the USA wanted a pipeline through Syria to Europe from Saudi Arabia, to profit from gas, at the expense of Russia currently supplying it to Europe. Assad said no. OF course Russia is not going to like it. Thats why they are heavily involved in Syria and keeping Assad there. The States could not stand for that so then incited and armed a rebellion to expel Assad, who basically ran a secular government. Dont believe me, check world events leading up to it. Basically those hundreds of thousands of people died cause the USA wanted to supply Europe with oil, to grow more wealthy and to weaken Russia. Main reason why there is war in the middle East. USA, Russia, religion. By clicking Agree, you consent to Slates Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and the use of technologies such as cookies by Slate and our partners to deliver relevant advertising on our iOS app to personalize content and perform site analytics. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information about our use of data, your rights, and how to withdraw consent. Agree From a strictly economic point of view, Germans would have preferred a soft Brexit. A soft Brexit would benefit all sides whereas a hard brexit would hurt all sides. I think though that the Germans are looking at it from the standpoint of not wanting to risk a domino effect. In other words, while a soft Brexit might benefit the EU in the short term, it could also send the wrong message to other EU member states. Should more states leave, then the common market shrinks and suddenly EU businesses would need to deal with tariffs in every country. From that standpoint, they're probably looking at it as it's preferable to amputate the arm and save the body than to try to preserve the arm and put the rest of the body at risk. It's better to bite the bullet now than to suffer more pain later.I could see some possibilities. The EU accept that the UK delay Brexit but with an understanding that when it comes, Brexit will be hard. Alternatively, I could see a gradual move towards a hard Brexit whereby barriers rise gradually over time. In other words, an initially soft but gradually hardening Brexit into a hard Brexit over time.If Germany is telling its businesses to brace for impact, it might be wise for the UK government to give the same memo to UK businesses. No point giving them false hope.Meanwhile, the UK should seriously start to think about going the way of Singapore. Thank you for visiting the Daily Journal. Please purchase an Enhanced Subscription to continue reading. To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account. We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription. A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much! A Canberra girl who had children with a man accused of sexually abusing her as a child didn't tell her mother he fathered their first baby, a trial has heard. The girl's mother told the ACT Supreme Court she only found out the identity of her grandchild's father when the accused showed up on their doorstep after the infant was born, when the alleged victim was 15. The man, 58, a former political refugee from Central America, is on trial after he pleaded not guilty to two acts of indecency and five counts of sexual intercourse with a child under 16. Prosecutors say the girl was 14 when she met the man, then aged 40, as neighbours at a unit block in the 1990s. They allege he had kissed her on the mouth twice before their relationship turned sexual. The woman, now 32, gave evidence in court he had told her he wanted a relationship. She said he would "comment on how good I looked" and would "say he wanted to look after me". The woman said she told him her age after they'd had sex a couple of times. Senator Katy Gallagher in the Senate on Monday. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Sit back, relax and enjoy your coffee as you read what's making news today. Happy hump day! We're in for a partly cloudy day with light winds in the afternoon. Good news, we're in for 29 degrees and it will stay like that until the weekend. Labor senator Katy Gallagher faces a new battle over her citizenship status, with a 2015 statutory declaration stating she was "not a citizen or subject of a foreign country" attracting scrutiny in the ACT Legislative Assembly. The declaration was circulated on Tuesday after former territory speaker Vicki Dunne publicly questioned whether members may have been "provided with information that was inaccurate" when Senator Gallagher was nominated to fill a casual vacancy in early 2015. Daniel Burdon and Tom McIlroy have the story. ACT emergency departments have the nation's equal longest wait times The ACT will be the first Australian jurisdiction to ban greyhound racing, despite a last minute bid to delay the ban. As expected, two bills that will both dismantle the local industry and make the sport illegal passed the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday. Unions, greyhound owners and greyhound liberationists all protest in Canberra's Garema Place and outside the Legislative Assembly on Monday. Credit:Karleen Minney The Canberra Liberals made a last-ditch attempt to derail debate by referring the ban to a committee for scrutiny next year. Manager of Opposition business Andrew Wall said Mr Ramsay's "ultra-conservative" approach to sub judice meant he had failed to answer key questions about the legislation. Labor senator Katy Gallagher faces a new battle over her citizenship status, with a 2015 statutory declaration stating she was "not a citizen or subject of a foreign country" attracting scrutiny in the ACT Legislative Assembly. The declaration was circulated on Tuesday after former territory speaker Vicki Dunne publicly questioned whether members may have been "provided with information that was inaccurate" when Senator Gallagher was nominated to fill a casual vacancy in early 2015. Senator Katy Gallagher was likely ineligible to sit in the Senate before the 2016 election. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen The Assembly is this week expected to debate an Opposition motion to establish a select committee to investigate whether Senator Gallagher may have unintentionally misled the chamber. The former chief minister renounced any entitlement to British citizenship just before the 2016 election, acting on advice from Labor officials as she nominated for re-election. London: Qantas says the number of people willing to spend 17 hours cooped up in economy had surpassed the airline's expectations with forward bookings on the Perth to London route "really strong" and higher than expected, according to the company's chief executive. But Alan Joyce refused to detail the exact numbers: "We won't divulge them but I can say it's a significant improvement and next year in our financial results you'll eventually see that." Qantas will debut its longest flight, from Perth to London, in March and said demand has been higher than expected. Credit:Brent Winstone "So we're actually very optimistic about that service, it's actually performing at, or ahead of, our expectations and we think it's going to be a very, very strong route." Mr Joyce was speaking at the launch of Qantas' first lounge at Heathrow airport ending one of the peak first world problems experienced by the airline's top-tier customers who are forced to use the rundown British Airways lounge in Terminal 3. Qantas will mark 70 years flying to London next week and, in March, it will debut its longest-ever route between Australia's west coast and London flying a 787 Dreamliner. CBD was shocked to hear that former Leighton boss Wal King still has a coveted ASX chairman's crown. And the part-time pig hunter will get to keep it, if he passes muster with TerraCom investors this Thursday who get the chance to elect him to the board for the first time. Wal King. Credit:Sage Wal joined TerraCom as a director in May, one day after he stepped down from what was then his last ASX-listed board seat at Coca Cola Amatil. He was appointed chairman of TerraCom in September. The company's main asset is the Blair Athol coal mine, in central Queensland, which it acquired from Jean-Sebastien Jacques' Rio Tinto in May this year for the grand sum of $1. BHP is eyeing a possible $US2.1 billion ($2.8 billion) expansion of its Olympic Dam underground mine in South Australia, where it says the copper resource is so large it would take 500 years to deplete at the current rate of mining. Top BHP executives briefed investors and analysts on the global miner's Olympic Dam operations and hopes for expansion on Tuesday in Adelaide, and confirmed that the so-called Brownfield Expansion (BFX) option at Olympic Dam was likely to be considered by BHP's board in 2020. Olympic Dam in South Australia. Credit:Aaron Bunch But BHP executives stressed that any expansion at Olympic Dam would be "subject to strict capital allocation framework tests". Investors and analysts are touring the site this week. "We have a truly unique resource here at Olympic Dam. It has an enviable grade profile, which will be mined to coincide with attractive fundamentals in the copper market. It also has optionality to grow," said Olympic Dam asset president Jacqui McGill. The threat of apartment towers blocking crucial helicopter flight paths into hospital emergency landing pads has prompted the Victorian government to amend the planning rules. A planning scheme amendment gazetted last week protects 21 Victorian regional and city hospitals from encroaching development. Emergency helicopter flight paths to hospitals were under threat. It follows a landmark case late last year that saw Melbourne Council approving a $40 million, 15-level tower located 160 metres from the Royal Melbourne Hospital. The hospital wasn't consulted over the tower which intruded into critical chopper flight paths to the hospital's emergency landing zone. Two childcare centres in Melbourne's south-east have sold off the plan to a Chinese investor for $10.5 million. The centres sold on a yield of 6.3 per cent, slightly higher than average, reflecting a discount for purchasing two properties in one line, Savills Australia's Jesse Radisich said. A fully-leased childcare centre at Mornington has sold for $1.365 million. Mr Radisich marketed the assets with Julian Heatherich, Mark Stafford and Benson Zhou. Development and turnover of childcare centres has risen sharply in Australia over the past three years. Two former corporals from the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution are accused of conspiring to smuggle K2 inside for an inmate for $300 in October, according to court documents. Richard Fries, 53, and Ryan Tokar, 32, were arrested Oct. 21 by Nebraska State Patrol troopers following an investigation by the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services. Both have since resigned. Prosecutors charged the Lincoln residents last week with conspiring to convey an article to a prisoner. Fries faces an additional felony charge of delivery or distribution of a synthetic cannabinoid, according to Johnson County court documents. Tokar brought the K2 to the prison and tried to deliver it to a convicted murderer but no longer had access to that unit of the prison, investigators said in an affidavit for his arrest. Fries learned of the planned delivery after an inmate asked him when Tokar, Fries son-in-law, was going to bring his stuff, the affidavit said. Tokar and Fries talked about the delivery, and Fries put the K2 in his coat, went into the prison and left it for the inmate in a trashcan in his housing unit, investigators said. Fries resigned on Oct. 25, and Tokar resigned Nov. 6, said prison spokeswoman Dawn-Renee Smith. Department officials have no information to suggest this case is related to other K2 smuggling attempts at state prisons, she said. Both had been employed by the department less than a year. Fries and Tokar have since been released on bond. Neither has an attorney with the courthouse, and they couldnt immediately be reached for comment on the allegations against them. In Defence terms, a $3.4 billion decision is a pittance, a mere bagatelle. Last week's stunning decision, however, splitting the build of our new patrol boats (now called "offshore patrol vessels") between two companies in two states simultaneously revealed how our politicians are capable of both sheer brilliance and utter incompetence. By awarding most of the construction contract to highly capable Perth-based shipbuilder Austal, the government made a sensible decision. To do so, however, it needed to overturn all the rules that govern procurements. The government managed to cobble together a solution allowing it to seize a victory of sorts from a massively flawed selection process. The Lurssen-designed offshore patrol vessels that will be built in Australia. The decision has exposed the massive farce at the heart of Defence business. We pretend this is a process-driven outcome. In reality, it's the result of a three-way split: an attempt to balance the needs of the navy against those of the taxpayer, and then pitting those against the desires of industry. To understand why, look at the solution. Morning people blast into the day at an ungodly hour to enthusiastically get the worm with a smug look on their face. I was on my way to the supermarket to get ingredients for breakfast (which would have effectively turned out to be lunch) late one Saturday morning when I saw the familiar, smiling face of an early-riser I knew. They asked me what I'd gotten up to so far today and when I sheepishly replied "nothing" they began a monologue on their own weekend trajectory so far: an hour at the gym, a breakfast involving chia seeds, volunteer time at a food bank, and finishing up a university assignment. Dear morning people, waking up earlier doesn't make you a better person. Credit:Shutterstock In our culture the myth that waking up early is the key to a moral, productive life runs deep. Ancient Greek philosopher, Aristotle wrote, "Rising before daylight is to be commended; it is a healthy habit." United States' "founding father" Benjamin Franklin coined the irritating rhyme: "Early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise". Meghan Markle will not be the first glamorous American to make her mark on a monarchy. Though many have drawn comparisons between the actress and Wallis Simpson, the transatlantic divorcee at the heart of the 1936 abdication crisis, her closest predecessor is surely Grace Kelly: the beautiful, well-established screen star who, by the time of her marriage to Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1956, had shown the world what an injection of American charm could do for a royal family. On their wedding day six decades ago, America's big-screen sweetheart arrived in Monte Carlo to take her place beside the European prince who had swept her off her feet. Just in case the union of a stunning Academy Award-winner and the dashing Prince wasn't romantic enough already, Kelly arrived by ocean liner. Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pose for the media in the grounds of Kensington Palace in London on Monday. Credit:AP Both Kelly and Markle enjoyed whirlwind romances with their royal counterparts And Markle, like Kelly, will replace her acting career with philanthropic work. Yet such choices and opportunities were not generally available to a woman of Simpson's era and certainly not someone of her circumstances. Though like his great-great-uncle Edward VIII, Prince Harry has fallen head over heels for an American divorcee, Simpson's reputation could not be further from Markle's. Eighty-one years ago, revelations that the new king would be giving up the throne and following his heart, rather than his head (or the stern advice of the Establishment) provoked objections ranging from moral to legal. King Edward's mind could not be changed: he was convinced that he would not be able to "discharge my duties as King without the help and support of the woman I love". About 100 coral reefs within the Great Barrier Reef have been identified as having particular resilience that may help corals recover from bleaching and other threats. But researchers warn against relying on a "triage approach" to maintain the reef's health. Back-to-back bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef triggered widespread coral mortality especially in the northern regions. Credit:ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies The hardy "robust source reefs" about 112 in number or about 3 per cent of total coverage were found to be in cooler, outer reefs. Their location helped shield them from the recent back-to-back annual bleaching that had devastated corals, the Australian and British researchers found. Australia's $40 billion insurance industry is preparing to face fresh public scrutiny, as an increasingly confident group of Nationals MPs move to push a powerful commission of inquiry into the financial services sector through Parliament before Christmas. Much of the focus of the past week has been on banking misconduct, but the spotlight was thrown on insurers on Tuesday after Nationals MP Llew O'Brien said he would cross the floor and support the bill in defiance of government policy on the condition any probe investigates how the industry had treated customers with mental health conditions. Nationals senator Barry O'Sullivan, who will introduce the legislation on Wednesday, is negotiating with the Greens on amendments but both parties are confident the inquiry will pass the Senate and then House of Representatives. However the momentum has spooked the business community. The former head of the government's 2014 Financial System Inquiry, David Murray, rounded on the suggestion of a royal commission or inquiry. London: Qantas chief executive and prominent gay marriage campaigner Alan Joyce says parliament should approve the gay marriage bill without amendment, saying voters endorsed that piece of legislation when they voted 'yes' in the postal survey. The bill, written by Western Australian Senator Dean Smith, is being debated in the Senate this week. In late night sittings, the upper chamber rejected all amendments put forward to the bill so far, including one proposed by the government. Attorney-General George Brandis had suggested including a declaratory memorandum to recognise religious protections which could have placated opponents by allowing parents to remove children from classes if they are being taught about non-traditional marriage. But two amendments put forward by Senator Brandis were shot down on Tuesday night, significantly with Dean Smith voting against or abstaining on both. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is referring "a number of matters relating to citizenship and the operation of section 44 of the constitution" to the parliamentary committee that looks at electoral matters. "Australia is the most successful multicultural society in the world and around a half of our citizens were either born overseas or have a parent born overseas. These Australians may be citizens of another country and, as we have seen with several members and senators, not be aware of it," Mr Turnbull said in a statement. The committee has been asked "to examine how our electoral laws can be improved to minimise the risk of candidates being found to be ineligible in the future and what, if any, changes should be made to section 44 (i) of the constitution". Mr Turnbull says people "expect us to resolve the citizenship issue once and for all" and the inquiry "will help us ensure similar issues do not affect future parliaments". Revelations that Labor's Sam Dastyari told a Chinese benefactor his phone was most likely being tapped by intelligence agencies makes his position in the Senate "untenable", the Turnbull government says. Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop has accused Senator Dastyari of acting against Australia's national security interests and Attorney-General George Brandis said the revelations raised serious questions about his loyalties. Senator Brandis said the revelations were also a test for Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, who brought Senator Dastyari in from the cold by giving him the leadership role of deputy Senate whip earlier this year. Mr Shorten said while he receives regular confidential briefings from security agencies in his role as a major party leader, he denied sharing any of that information. Coalition tensions over a banking inquiry are close to breaking point with a former Nationals leader branding senior Liberal cabinet minister Christopher Pyne a hypocrite, and a sitting Nationals MP warning the Turnbull government against handing down "stone tablets from on high". Mr Pyne on Tuesday warned Nationals defying government policy by pushing for a banking inquiry - including leader Barnaby Joyce, who has signalled he is open to the idea - that "disunity is death" and the surest way to lose power at the next election. The frank rebuke prompted former Nationals leader and party elder statesman John Anderson to fire back that "when Christopher Pyne talks about disunity, he should do so standing in front of a mirror". Mr Anderson told Fairfax Media the kind of fissure opening up inside the Coalition over the push for a royal commission or some other inquiry into the banks would not have happened during the Howard era, during which he served for six years as deputy prime minister. At least three Labor senators will vote against the legalisation of same-sex marriage, but have backed down over religious exemptions to allow the bill a smooth passage through the Parliament. South Australia's Don Farrell, Tasmania's Helen Polley and Queensland's Chris Ketter all linked to the conservative shop assistants' union have signalled their intention to vote against marriage equality in coming days. Jacinta Collins, another "shoppies" veteran from Victoria, will effectively abstain by pairing her "no" vote with "yes" supporter Gavin Marshall, who is on secondment to the United Nations. Deborah O'Neill, from NSW, is also expected to vote no, or to abstain. The number of socially-conservative Labor senators is not sufficient to endanger passage of the bill, and their decision to vote against the bill is accepted by the party, which has granted all MPs a conscience vote on the issue of same-sex marriage. But merely to decide that conduct should not be the subject of the criminal law is a long way short of acceptance. By decriminalising consensual homosexual acts, the Australian community only began its long, halting journey to recognising the complete equality of gay people a journey first of toleration, then of acceptance, then of respect and, at last, of embrace. The decriminalisation of consensual homosexual acts removed a stigma which had blighted the lives of hundreds of thousands of Australians. There would, I daresay, be very few people today who would argue that the removal of that stigma was not a good thing although it is surprising to think that it only occurred so recently. Murray Hill's bill was the first step taken in any Australian Parliament to reform the laws discriminating against homosexual people the word "gay" had not entered the vocabulary at that time, at least not in the sense we use it today. In the quarter century that followed, all of the states and territories, under governments of both political persuasions, would follow suit. The last was Tasmania, where private consensual homosexual acts continued to be a crime until as recently as 1997. On Wednesday August 2, 1972, Mr Murray Hill, a Liberal member of the South Australian Legislative Council, rose to move the second reading of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act Amendment Bill. The effect of the bill was to provide that homosexual acts between consenting adult males should no longer be offences under the criminal law. Attorney-General George Brandis during the speech in the Senate. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen In the coming days 45 years since Murray Hill and his colleagues in the South Australian Parliament set Australia on that journey - this week in the Senate and next week in the other place we will complete it. These late spring and early summer days of 2017 will always be remembered as a time when the Parliament heeded the wishes of the overwhelming majority of Australians that ours should be a society defined by greater decency, truer equality, more perfect freedom. The full legal equality of gay people will, at last, have been recognised. Marriage equality will be a reality by Christmas. Profoundly important though the acceptance of same-sex marriage may be as a social change, its symbolic significance is even greater still. With the passage of this bill, we will demolish the last significant bastion of legal discrimination against people on the grounds of their sexuality. At last, Australia will no longer be insulting gay people by saying: different rules apply to you. So this bill is important not merely because it will enable gay people to marry, just as everybody else is able to marry. It is more important than that. After centuries of prejudice, discrimination, rejection and ridicule, it is both an expiation for past wrongs and a final act of acceptance and embrace. I want to reflect for a moment on the message this will send, in particular, to young gay people: to the boy or girl who senses a difference from their friends, which they find difficult to understand and impossible to deal with. In his first speech in the Parliament, my friend Tim Wilson spoke movingly of his own experience of confronting that knowledge, as a tormenting fear "that took an energetic 12-year-old and hollowed his confidence to eventually doubt his legitimate place in the world". How many hundreds of thousands of young Australians have known that fear? How many have lived with it, silently and alone? How many have failed to come to terms with it and been overborne by it? By passing this bill, we are saying to those vulnerable young people: there is nothing wrong with you. You are not unusual. You are not abnormal. You are just you. There is nothing to be embarrassed about. There is nothing to be ashamed of. There is nothing to hide. You are a normal person and, like every other normal person, you have a need to love. How you love is how God made you. Whom you love is for you to decide and others to respect. Wednesday November 15, when the result of the postal survey was announced, was a day the like of which Australia has seldom seen. At a time when the prevailing public mood is one of frustration and cynicism, that cynicism gave way to rejoicing. As the Prime Minister said: "The Australian people have spoken in their millions. they voted 'yes' for fairness. They voted 'yes' for commitment. They voted 'yes' for love." And, it is important to acknowledge, the people who were not persuaded about the desirability of change accepted the result with generosity and grace. Time for me to call it a day. What happened? the Senate voted in favour of same-sex marriage , the first time either house of parliament has done so; , the first time either house of parliament has done so; amendments to the legislation are being debated before it it sent ot the House of Representatives; before it it sent ot the House of Representatives; a banking inquiry seems almost certain ; ; enough National Party MPs are prepared to cross the floor to force the creation of an inquiry; to force the creation of an inquiry; this means Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull can either head off their actions by announcing some kind of inquiry or wait for events to unfold next week; and can either head off their actions by announcing some kind of inquiry or wait for events to unfold next week; and the government is unhappy with triple j because of its decision to move the hottest 100. My thanks to Alex Ellinghausen for his incredible work and to you for reading and commenting. You can follow me on Facebook. Alex and I will be back in the morning. Until then, good evening. Some of us may have heard that horseradish and garlic supplements help ease cold and flu. Blooms High Strength Horseradish and Garlic Complex claims it has Others, such as those promoted by Swisse and Blackmores, claim to be traditionally used in Western Herbal Medicine to provide symptomatic relief of sinusitis, hay fever and upper respiratory tract infections. And the Swisse and Blackmores products (and many others) add additional ingredients, commonly vitamin C, which is claimed to be beneficial for immune health. Using a 'traditional' method does not mean it's scientifically proven. Credit:Stocksy There are two categories of evidence allowed by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to validate indications or claims made for complementary medicines: scientific or traditional. A one-year non-parole sentence for a man who twice raped a sex worker at knife point was "manifestly inadequate", the Crown has argued on appeal. But his defence lawyers said the offences were "stale" and the sentence reflected the constructive, law-abiding life he had lived since committing the crimes in 1990. Rapist Robert John Hall may never have been caught had he not made a small mistake. Credit:Facebook Robert John Hall was 32 when he called a 23-year-old escort worker to his motel room in Kiama on the NSW south coast. There he taped bandages over her eyes and sexually assaulted her twice while holding a large knife near her body. "If you do that again I'll f---ing kill you," he warned when she tried to turn around. A two-year-old girl has died and eight others were injured after two cars collided head-on in Sydney's south west on Tuesday. Nine people, including three children, were injured in the crash on Mamre Road, near Abbotts Road in Kemps Creek about 1.30pm. The crash involved a passenger van carrying nine people and a commercial van carrying two people. Three children - two boys aged nine months and three years and a two-year-old girl - were taken to The Children's Hospital at Westmead, but the girl died after arriving at hospital. Dozens of migrant workers face losing their homes as authorities move to shut down suspected illegal boarding houses operating in Tamworth. Tamworth Regional Council said it had begun cleaning out the boarding houses, sending "notices of intention" to the owners of 12 premises "where investigations have led us to conclude they are illegally being operated". The notices were sent less than 24 hours after a Fairfax Media investigation revealed a network of potentially illegal boarding houses, the residents of which worked at the local meat processing plant run by Thomas Foods International. Thomas Foods does not operate the boarding houses. Thomas Foods is Tamworth's largest employer, supplying lamb and mutton to household names including Woolworths, Aldi, Coles and McDonald's. A BMW X5 that caused a multi-vehicle crash in Dundas contained a kilogram of the drug ice, which had exchanged hands at a south-west Sydney hotel on Monday, police allege. The vehicle was the subject of a targeted stop, as part of an interstate investigation into the supply of ice. Three people were arrested in a BMW in Dundas on Monday. Credit:NSW Police A man and two women were arrested when investigators from the Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad attempted to stop the car on Silverwater Road, Dundas, shortly after 2pm on Monday. The attempt led to a multiple-vehicle collision when the BMW failed to stop near an intersection. Police have spoken with five men who were allegedly involved in a naked Macca's run in Newcastle earlier this month, in what appears to be a bizarre dare. At about 6.40pm on Friday, November 10, a group of five naked men entered the McDonald's store on King Street in Newcastle. CCTV images taken from the fast-food store show the five men entering from the street in a single file, in broad daylight. Two of the men were holding "objects covering their modesty", police said. Two Sydney fishermen have caught a shark in the Georges River, prompting a safety warning from NSW Maritime. A post on Sydney's Fishing Forum Facebook page shows two men posing with what the Department of Primary Industries has confirmed to be a bull shark carcass in the shallows on Monday afternoon. The shark caught in the Georges River. Credit:Facebook "Caught this arvo half a kilometre down river from picnic point on the George's river," they wrote in the caption. The image has been shared more than 1300 times since it was uploaded. NSW Maritime were quick to share the post on Tuesday morning, warning readers to "take care out there". But locals do not seem concerned by the news of sharks lurking at the popular river. "In the 80's we lived 2 streets back from George's river and my dad raced grey hounds and I still remember him coming home and saying another local racer had the rear half of his 2 grey hounds eaten whilst out swimming them behind his tinnie," one user named Brad Street commented. A pub patron has become an unlikely hero when he used a bar stool to hit one of two armed men over the head as they tried to rob an East Brisbane hotel. Police said the robbers entered the Lord Stanley Hotel about 11.30pm on Monday night. A pub patron fought back against a machete-wielding robber by hitting him over the head with a bar stool in East Brisbane. Credit:Queensland Police Service One of the men brandished a gun and demanded an employee fill a bag with cash from the till while the other, armed with a machete, ushered three patrons inside from the smoking area and ordered them to lie on the floor. However a fourth pub patron emerged from the gaming room and use a bar stool to hit the machete-wielding bandit over the head. A Torres Strait Islander woman has been elected to Queensland Parliament for the first time, giving Annastacia Palaszczuk one more seat towards the 47 Labor needs to win office in its own right. Thursday Island-born child protection worker Cynthia Lui won the far north Queensland seat of Cook with 39 per cent of the vote, allowing Labor to reclaim the seat it had held with Billy Gordon last term. Labor MP for Cook Cynthia Lui, Aunty Rose Elu, Communities Minister (and Ministerial Champion for the Torres Strait) Shannon Fentiman and Aunty Ivy Trevallion during the campaign. At noon on Tuesday Labor had 44 seats, the LNP had 36 seats, Katters Australian Party had two seats, One Nation one seat, while independent and former Noosa councillor Sandy Bolton had won the seat of Noosa. Nine seats are still so close, including Aspley and Maiwar the old Indooroopilly seat - they are undecided. Women seeking abortions in regional Queensland after often marginalised and can face month-long waiting lists for an often unaffordable procedure that should be considered essential healthcare, a Brisbane-based abortion provider says. Kamala Emanuel considers herself a fly-in-fly-out worker providing terminations to women in Rockhampton once a fortnight, where she said the wait-list can stretch to four weeks. Australia's abortion laws are inconsistent and failing to keep up with modern medical practices. Sometimes people are waiting four weeks...it is just dreadful, Dr Emanuel said. "They have had this delay in procedure so it becomes more complex on occasions because of the technical limit that I am at with my capacity to perform procedures. Unfortunately for Amazon, Alexa will start behind the eight ball in Australia. If you're already using Google or Apple's subscription music services then it makes sense to stick with their smart speakers rather than defect to Amazon. Amazon missed the opportunity to get a foothold when it decided not to launch its Amazon Music subscription service in Australia last year alongside Amazon Prime Video. If Amazon Music still isn't ready to launch in Australia then perhaps it's better to keep the Echo speakers on hold. Of course in the US, Amazon Music and Video come as a package deal with the Amazon Prime express delivery service. If Amazon takes the same approach in Australia then its music and video services could gain a large user base overnight, but when Amazon Prime launches in Australia it will likely be limited to the major metro areas. It's quite possible Amazon will put Alexa, Amazon Music, Echo speakers and Fire TV all on hold until Amazon Prime is ready to go in Australia and then launch with a bang, rather than trickle out competitors to Apple and Google (which lines up with the "early next year" announcement). Alexa-powered Amazon Echo speakers might rule US smarthomes, but the online retail giant has a major fight on its hands considering Google and Apple's grip on Aussie homes and wallets. What would it take for your home to defect to the Amazon smart ecosystem? It's a finding that is destined to start a new round of arguments over the aircon remote. A new study covering more than 1.6 million people has revealed that 22 degrees is the perfect air temperature to live in. The study found 22 degrees was the ideal average temperature to live in. Credit:Joe Armao A city with an average annual temperature closer to 22 tends to have a population who are more agreeable, conscientious, emotionally stable and extroverted. The study is observational, and does not show cause-and-effect. But the scientists behind it theorise that better weather leads people to leave the house more often, leading to more social interaction, which encourages a friendlier personality. The Victorian government was trying to overcome a last stand on Tuesday evening by opponents of its voluntary assisted dying laws. The bill, which been subjected to nearly 100 hours of debate in both houses of Parliament, including two all-night sessions, would make the Victoria the first Australian state to legislate for voluntary euthanasia. Premier Daniel Andrews congratulates Health Minister Jill Hennessy on the passing of the bill in the lower house last month. Credit:Justin McManus The Andrews' government agreed on substantial amendments to overcome opposition in the upper house two weeks ago, including lowering the proposed life-expectency threshold from 12 months to six and committing more money to palliative care. The bill was due to return to the lower house on Tuesday to ratify amendments made in the Legislative Council last week but opponents were not going down without a fight. WA Premier Mark McGowan expects embattled MP Barry Urban to front parliament this week to address speculation over the legitimacy of his CV. Mr McGowan confirmed Mr Urban would not appear in parliament on Tuesday but was expected to make a statement on Wednesday or Thursday, adding he would have to have "very good medical reasons" not to do it. Barry Urban with Mark McGowan on the campaign trail. Credit:Facebook / Barry Urban Mr Urban was recently caught wearing an Australian Police Overseas Service Medal he was not entitled to. Questions have since been raised about his background, including his university education and time spent in the WA police force and British armed and police forces. Western Australia's Child and Adolescent Health Service is fighting accusations of negligence after a toddler was brought to Perth's children's hospital for burns treatment and ended up severely disabled. Sunday Mabior was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital with scald injuries on December 9, 2005 and two days later was in the intensive care unit, where she suffered lung failure and two heart attacks, which caused irreversible brain damage. Sunday Mabior was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital with scald injuries. Credit:Nic Walker The family's lawyer Theo Lampropoulos questioned what happened in those 48 hours at a civil trial in the District Court of WA that began on Tuesday. He told Judge Anthony Derrick the girl suffered Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), and hospital staff remained too focused on the possibility of it being caused by fluid overload even through sepsis was by far the most common cause. A student at Governor Stirling Senior High School has suffered serious head injuries after being 'egged on' by friends to do a backflip off a school balcony. Nine News Reporter Alice Pooley told Radio 6PR three other students had been suspended for filming the boy's attempt to jump from a second-storey balcony. The boy jumped from a balcony at Governor Stirling Senior High School. Credit:Google Maps "We understand this was actually a dare, the 13-year-old boy was dared to jump from that balcony, it's a second storey balcony, quite a fall you can imagine," she said. Ms Pooley said the incident occurred on Monday afternoon with the boy's family requesting privacy. New York: Fear of foreign interference in US domestic issues surfaced once again last week when the New York State Attorney-General suggested massive identity theft had corrupted the decision making process on so-called "net neutrality". Eric Schneiderman, the top law enforcement official in New York state, revealed a six-month investigation by his office had discovered hundreds of thousands of people across New York, California, Georgia, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas had their identities appropriated and misused to make public submissions to a Federal Communications Commission inquiry. The FCC is a government agency charged with regulating communications and media in the US. It had called for public comments on a controversial plan by the agency's chairman Ajit Pai to reverse net neutrality rules, which were established under the Obama administration in 2015. Net neutrality is the concept that all content on the internet is equal. The idea is that the internet is a public utility and that anyone, from consumers to amateur bloggers and entrepreneurs, has the same access to the web, at the same speed, as tech giants Google and Facebook. London: Hate speech and counter-terrorism measures may be fuelling a general rise in racism, xenophobia and discrimination in Australia, a UN committee says. Australian government officials were grilled in Geneva on Tuesday by the UN's Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, over a periodic report on our country's progress in tackling racism and disadvantage Members of the NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team during an arrest of suspects in New South Wales. Credit:Darbs Darby (Andrew Darby) It was Australia's first appearance before the committee since 2010. Verene Shepherd, the committee's rapporteur for Australia, welcomed our progress in adopting an anti-racism strategy, appointing a race discrimination commissioner and bringing in new health and justice programs for indigenous people. Tourists watch the Mount Agung volcano erupting at a temple in Karangasem. Credit:AP A report from local aviation navigation authorities showed that "aircraft flight channels are covered with volcanic ash", the ministry said in a statement. Ten alternative airports have been prepared for airlines to divert inbound flights, including in neighbouring provinces. A separate notice showed Lombok airport had been reopened, after an earlier closure overnight due to the eruption. Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar on Monday. There are 22 villages within 10 kilometres of Mount Agung's crater, which are home to about 100,000 people, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency said. More than 40,000 people have already fled their homes because of the volcano, according to the agency. Plumes of smoke were billowing out of the mountain top and explosions could be heard up to 12 kilometres from the peak. "Rays of fire are increasingly visible from night to the following day. This indicates the potential for a larger eruption is imminent," the agency said. Agung's last eruption in 1963 killed more than 1,000 people and razed several villages by hurling out pyroclastic material, hot ash and lava. Yet on Tuesday, life continued largely as normal in villages surrounding Agung, with residents setting up traditional markets and offering prayers as the volcano continued to spew tall columns of ash and smoke from its crater. Many residents who evacuated in September when the alert was last raised to the highest level have returned to their homes and farms due to worries over their livelihood and livestock. Indonesia's Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Centre (PVMBG), which is using drones, satellite imagery and other equipment, said predictions were difficult in the absence of instrumental recordings from the last eruption 54 years ago. It warned that if a similar eruption occurred, it could send rocks bigger than fist-size up to 8 km from the summit and volcanic gas a distance of 10 km within three minutes. The smoke has caused chaos for travellers hoping to leave the country - Denpasar airport said in a statement that 445 flights and 59,000 passengers had been affected on Monday alone. Two Australian travellers returning to Melbourne, Hena and Joshkun, were among hundreds who amassed at the airport on Monday, after being unable to change their Jetstar flight online. "We tried contacting the airline, that didn't work either," Hena said. "I am a dancer - I have shows, so I am missing rehearsals." The Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association said guests of affiliated hotels who were stranded by the airport's closure would be accommodated on Monday night free of charge. According to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology's Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) in nearby Darwin, there is "ash confirmed on the ground at Denpasar Airport" as well as ash at "FL300" - which refers to flight level at 30,000 feet - in the vicinity of the volcano. Airport spokesman Arie Ahsan said the airport closure was based on information from VAAC and the Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics. "The ash is very light in the airport buildings but what effects flights would be the thickness in the air," he said. Buses were being used to get a mixture of Indonesian and foreigner passengers to Padang Bai port and other destinations. "The authorities will meet every six hours to evaluate the conditions. We can't predict the outcome," he said. Airlines have set up customer service desks at the international terminal. A Jetstar staff member said that not many passengers had arrived because most already knew that the airport was closed and that there were no flights out. Those who had come had booked through travel agents and didn't know. Volcanic ash poses a potentially deadly threat to aircraft and passengers. Mount Agung is just over 72 kilometres from Kuta, and towers over eastern Bali at a height of just over 3000 metres. Delhi: A young Indian woman who has been fighting for the right to be a Muslim and live with her Muslim husband told the Indian Supreme Court she desired two things: "I want my freedom" and "I want to be with my husband". Of these two wishes, the judges granted the first. They struck a blow for personal liberty and against custody traditions, by telling Hadiya that she was free of parental control, could leave her parents' house, and resume her studies to become a homeopath. Hadiya who converted from Hinduism to Islam and married a Muslim man, arrives at the Kerala airport on Monday. Credit:Screengrab/Mirror Now Hadiya, 25, travelled from Kerala in the south, to the other end of the country, to the Indian capital, to win this right. She appeared before the judges because the Supreme Court expressly ordered her father to bring her so that she could speak for herself. The ruling ended a cruel confinement. Since May 25, on the order of the Kerala High Court, she has been under house arrest at her parents' home in Kottayam, Kerala, and denied visitors. With no phone or internet access, she has been isolated and confined by her own father, KM Ashokan, who in turn was backed by the Kerala High Court. Bangkok: As Aung San Suu Kyi prepared to meet with Pope Francis in Naypyitaw on Tuesday, Western outrage over her country's persecution of Rohingya Muslims contrasted sharply with the increasing confidence Asian investors are placing on her country. Bangkok-based construction company TTCL is one of the latest examples. It is finalising preparations for a $US3 billion ($3.9 billion) coal-fired power plant in Kayin state bordering Thailand. It joins a Thai beverage company which is acquiring three quarters of Myanmar's leading whiskey brand; a Philippines energy company looking at a solar power venture and a Japanese company pursuing a 45 billion yen ($405 million) development in Yangon. Myanmar de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Credit:AP The US and the United Nations have described Myanmar's treatment of Rohingya Muslims as "ethnic cleansing", yet companies are still keen on the potential promised by its semi-transition from military rule. "We're aware of the internal problems in Myanmar," TTCL chief financial officer Gobchai Tanasugarn said. "Still, some institutions from Thailand and export credit agencies are keen to give financial support." Seoul: North Korea fired a ballistic missile on Wednesday morning for the first time in more than two months, defying demands from US President Donald Trump to halt its weapons programs and raising the stakes in an increasingly tense stand-off with the United States and its allies. "North Korea launched an unidentified ballistic missile eastward from the vicinity of Pyongsong, South Pyongan province, at dawn today," the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. Pyongsong, in western North Korea, is about 32 kilometres north-east of Pyongyang, the capital. The launch was also confirmed by the Japanese Prime Minister's office. The Pentagon later said its initial assessment was that it was an intercontinental ballistic missile, which travelled about 1000 kilometres before splashing down in the Sea of Japan. It added that the missile did not pose a threat to the United States, its territories or allies. Bangkok: A chemical spill that devastated the coast of central Vietnam last year claimed another casualty when a 22-year-old blogger was sentenced to seven years in prison for posting reports on the disaster. After a brief, closed trial in Ha Tinh province, the blogger, Nguyen Van Hoa, was found guilty of spreading anti-state propaganda for producing videos and writing about protests over the toxic spill, news agencies reported. Blogger Nguyen Van Hoa, centre, stands on trial in Ha Tinhi, Vietnam, on Monday. Credit:AP The discharge, which occurred when a new Taiwan-owned steel factory flushed cyanide and other chemicals through its waste pipeline, killed marine life and sickened people along a 193-kilometre stretch of coastline. It is one of Vietnam's largest environmental disasters. Phil Robertson, deputy director of Human Rights Watch's Asia division, denounced the verdict. "The sentencing of Nguyen Van Hoa shows how profoundly the government's paranoid desire to maintain political control trumps notions of justice and human rights," he said. ~Tax and other related issues~ PHILIPSBURG:--- Information reaching SMN News states that three of the eight candidate Ministers whose names were submitted for screening have failed the process. SMN News learned those that failed are Franklin Meyers who was supposed to fill the vacant position of Prime Minister. It is understood that Meyers failed because of taxes for both him and his spouse, also a complaint was filed against Meyers by an RST agent who accused him of using violence during a house search at his brothers residence. The candidate for the Ministry of Justice Leona Marlin also failed the screening process due to the 2014 ship-jumping and nepotism related to the St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation. While the candidate for the Finance Ministry Michael Ferrier failed based on a court case he had with former French Senator and President of the Collectivity Louis Constant Fleming. According to information SMN News received, the new majority is back on the drawing board with candidates that denied the offer when they were first approached, those candidates are Jairo Bloem for Justice and Sharine Daniel for Finance. No names on the candidate for Prime Minister has been disclosed for the moment. In reaction to this article Attorney Jairo Bloem said that at this point of his life he is not considering to take up any public function. Suprema FaceStation 2 Takes Top Prize at the Detektor International Awards 2017 SEOUL, KOREA, Nov 23, 2017 (ACN Newswire) Suprema, a global leader in biometrics and security solutions, was recognized with the Best Product Award in the ID & Access Control category at the Detektor International Awards 2017, presented at the Stockholmsmassan (Stockholm International Fairs and Conference Centre) in Stockholm, Sweden on November 21. Detektor Best Product Awards were presented to the top companies of the year in each of four categories; Suprema in ID & Access Control, Axis in Alarm & Detection, Bosch in Video Surveillance and Genetec in IoT Security. The worlds fastest facial recognition terminal and the first to support Bluetooth shows Supremas commitment to maintaining its leadership in the global biometric access control market, said the jury of Detektor International Awards 2017. At Suprema, we are honored that our new FaceStation 2 has been acknowledged by the prestigious Detektor International Awards, said Hanchul Kim, Suprema Director of Global Sales. Recognizing both technological and practical innovation within a product, Suprema FaceStation 2 was selected by the jury as an innovative biometric security product that carries industry standards to the next level with its proven performance and reliability. Introduced earlier this year, FaceStation 2 has already been shipped to over 50 countries worldwide, and is positioned as the ultimate facial recognition access control solution in the market today, Kim added. FaceStation 2 opened a new generation in facial recognition technology, defying preconceived limits and delivering innovation exceeding the growing expectation of the markets. The Detektor International Awards is an independent program which annually recognizes manufacturers displaying the most genuine innovation and greatest originality in the opinion of Detektors international team of jurors. About Suprema Inc. Suprema is a leading global provider of biometrics and ID solutions. By combining world renowned biometric algorithms with superior engineering, Suprema continually designs and develops industry-leading products and solutions. Supremas extensive range of portfolio includes biometric access control systems, time & attendance solutions, fingerprint live scanners, mobile authentication solutions and embedded fingerprint modules. Suprema has worldwide sales network in over 130 countries and is one of the worlds Top 50 security company in its turnover (ranked in A&Ss Security 50, 2010-2015). For more information, please visit www.supremainc.com. Contact: Andy Ahn Suprema Inc. Head of Marketing andyahn@suprema.co.kr Source: Suprema Inc. Topic: Awards received Sectors: Security/Biometrics http://www.acnnewswire.com From the Asia Corporate News Network Copyright 2017 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. A division of Asia Corporate News Network. Everyone needs them, everyone wears them The manufacture of footwear goes back a long way in history: Even 40,000 years ago humans felt the need to protect their feet from adverse outdoor conditions. Several hundred centuries passed however, before the modern aesthetic footwear of the present was developed and consequently also manifold procedures for the manufacture of shoes. Whereas in the pre-industrial era shoes were crafted by shoemakers, today shoe manufacture is largely an industrial process. Nevertheless, the manual aspect of production is still a significant part of the process. The manufacture process is composed of three key sections: development and design, manufacture of shoe uppers and the actual shoe production. First, a sketch of the shoe is created, pattern pieces for the various upper parts are made and the shoe lasts are manufactured. The last is the interior profile to which the uppers are shaped and joined to the sole of the shoe. Next the various parts for the uppers are cut and glued or sewn together to create the shoe upper. The lower edges of the uppers are given a larger margin so that they can later be fixed to the inner sole of the shoe. Now the inner sole of the shoe, the insole, is made. It is the bottom part of the finished shoe, upon which the foot stands. The rest of the shoe is formed around the insole: the upper at the top and the outer sole underneath. The shoe is moulded around the last. The uppers cover it and the insole is attached beneath it. There are several different procedures for joining the uppers with the shoe base: in industrial production, they are usually glued or sewn. So that both soles are fixed securely, some footwear manufacturers roughen the edges of the insole in order to achieve perfect adhesion. The rough surface must however, be identical along the entire length and be the same width all the way round impossible to ensure and sustain long-term by hand. The system created by Vektor-Gruppe can remedy this. In close collaboration with the air motor specialists DEPRAG SCHULZ GMBH & CO., a robot system has been developed using a durable DEPRAG milling motor for fast and accurate results. DEPRAG air motors for special applications are particularly suited to the sustained, precise and consistent surface roughening of inner soles. The DEPRAG milling robot 27-030 with a grinding disc is the number one choice for connection to a robot. The long-life milling motors with top running precision have a space-saving design and are powerful in high torque ranges. They are available in the power class 400 W and with a torque range of up to max. 20,000 rpm. The combination of a flexible robot arm and permanently constant speed of the air motor ensures optimal results and increased working productivity. The air vane motors function according to a simple principle: The compressed air sets the rotors revolving in an eccentric cylinder into motion. In the rotor slits, there are vanes which are pushed outwards against the cylinder wall by the centrifugal force generated. Working chambers are created where the compressed air expands. Pressure energy changes into kinetic energy ? and as a result rotation occurs. In Russia, an innovative casual footwear manufacturer using the combination of the robot and DEPRAG milling motor is extremely impressed with the results: ?In the past we always struggled with connection issues between the inner and outer soles. It can be difficult to guarantee a secure hold at every point around the sole. The milling motor with top running accuracy and robot guidance now enables perfect roughening of the surface so that shoe manufacture is continuingly optimised?. Whether individual drive solutions or standard motors, DEPRAG has the perfect solution for almost every application: For uncritical production conditions where for example, a robust cast iron housing is sufficient, the BASIC LINE air motor is recommended. This motor series provides customers with a wide spectrum of choice from which individual applications can be developed and manufactured following the modular principle. The series is available in the power classes 200 W, 400 W, 600 W, 900 W and 1.2 kW with a wide speed range. All BASIC LINE air motors are equipped with a spline shaft. For more demanding specifications, such as use in a cleanroom in the food or pharmaceutical industries, the manufacturer offers the ADVANCED LINE product series of stainless steel motors featuring sealed, unlubricated, non-corrosive air vane motors. These sophisticated air motors are particularly space-saving and are the optimal solution for integration into handheld machines or systems. Their power range extends from 20 W to 1.2 kW, from small speeds to fast runners. The ADVANCED LINE vane motor is ATEX certified, reversible and even available with an integrated holding brake. The manufacturer also has the high-power range covered with their versatile product line POWER LINE offering a large power spectrum from 1.6 to 18 kW. POWER LINE air motors reach high starting torques with an unrivalled low power-to-weight ratio in comparison with electric motors. DEPRAG?s range of air motors is rounded off by their INDIVIDUAL LINE motor series. The pneumatic drives of the INDIVIDUAL LINE which are characterised by their low-cost, individual large-scale production. The standard program provides numerous options from which customised drive solutions can be developed and manufactured following the modular principle and therefore at an attractive price-to-performance ratio. The specialists at DEPRAG can realise a perfect solution for any application, whether it is a customised gear design, diverse spindle types or customer-specific attachment requests. They also have air motors on offer which are made from innovative materials such as ceramic. Vektor-Gruppe based in Moscow has grown to be a leading integrator on the Russian market. Originally specialised in the sale of welding machines ? today they are known as a prominent partner for the development of industrial systems and advanced technology automation solutions. DEPRAG SCHULZ GMBH & CO. has been focused on the working medium of compressed air for many decades. DEPRAG air motors are well established on the global marketplace. Innovation and continuous improvements to their existing production lines have ensured that the medium-sized machine builder has become one of the leading manufacturers of these machines. The owner-led family business employees 700 staff members and is represented in over 50 countries. When Nikita Floyd was 11 years old, his father took him to a job site in a low-income area of Washington, D.C., and put him to work picking up trash and mowing lawns. At the time, Floyd says he didnt want to do that kind of work for a living because, I didnt get paid for it, it was a chore. But when he grew up, Floyd recognized an opportunity. He launched his own landscaping firm, Green Forever, and was eventually awarded Business of the Year in 2014 by the Prince Georges County Chamber of Commerce. Nikita Floyd, Owner of Green Forever One of Green Forevers signature services is something Floyds father likely never would have dreamed of. Floyd specializes in maintaining green infrastructure the constructed wetlands, porous concrete and bioswales increasingly being built across the nation to help manage stormwater. Floyd came to the work through a Mentor/Protege program developed by Prince Georges County, Md., as part of its commitment to assisting local and minority-owned businesses. The program was part of an effort to comply with a federal mandate to reduce polluted stormwater runoff draining to the Chesapeake Bay. Prince Georges County didnt just want to comply with a federal mandate. Instead, county leaders sought a more holistic solution to the problem. The county wanted not only to reduce its polluted stormwater, but also to help the community along the way. The high road: A community benefits public-private partnership. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, the total investment gap for water and wastewater infrastructure in the United States is expected to be $105 billion by 2025. Increasingly, public agencies are looking to the private sector as a new way to help pay for underfunded public services and infrastructure. Sanjiv Sinha, Ph.D., is a vice president with Ann Arbor-based consulting firm Environmental Consulting & Technology, Inc. (ECT). With funding from the Great Lakes Protection Fund, Sinha is pioneering the application of market-based business concepts to stormwater work. He is leading market sizing studies and the development of business plans for the use of these new concepts in the Great Lakes basin. His work is profiled at www.p3greatlakes.org, a resource dedicated to assessing and, where appropriate, promoting the use of public-private partnerships (P3s) in the Great Lakes basin. Traditionally, looking at private sector has meant working with private investment to pay up-front costs for projects, allowing public agencies to build more quickly than slow public bonds would allow, and hopefully leveraging private sector efficiencies to lower cost, says Sinha. But new P3 models go beyond this to combine private finance with project delivery, management and maintenance, even linking outcomes to project performance and social goals. Prince Georges County entered into a novel kind of partnership agreement with Rhode Island-based Corvias Solutions, a consulting firm specializing in public-private partnerships for building and managing public infrastructure projects. The Clean Water Partnership is a Community-Based Public-Private Partnership (CBP3) between the county and Corvias Solutions. Through the 30-year agreement, Corvias executes and performs the finance, design, construction, operation and maintenance of Prince Georges Countys stormwater management programs. This means an entirely new approach to building new infrastructure one that looks beyond water to solving additional challenges identified in the community. We sign on to achieve the goals built from a delivery standpoint, but also broader policy objectives, and we assume the risk, says Greg Cannito, a managing director with Corvias. For example, in our performance-based system, its not just about delivering work on time and under budget. We also have socio-economic workforce development hiring goals. Prince Georges County was under a court order to meet EPA Clean Water regulatory requirements, which requires it to treat 15,000 acres of polluted runoff by 2025. As part of this goal, CWP has been tasked with treating up to 2,000 acres of these impervious surfaces by constructing green infrastructure on both public and private land. Prince Georges County set additional requirements to utilize certified local, small, minority- and women-owned businesses for 30-40 percent of the total project scope. Greg Cannito, Managing Director, Corvias High-road infrastructure is where youre utilizing infrastructure as a platform in order to achieve greater services and greater outcomes for the community, says Cannito. We help develop and design the program, assume long-term management as the private partner with the public entity, and if they want to finance it, we can do the financing as well. Then we procure for the local market, develop programs with the schools with the local subcontractor base, and make sure the work gets done in the way that the public partner is hoping. Finally, we measure that based on the already predefined outcomes they hope to achieve. The project has exceeded these goals under budget and on-time, according to Cannito. Weve saved by cutting the costs to achieve about 50 percent savings, and weve utilized 80 percent local, small, disadvantaged, county-based contractors, says Cannito. Designing the marketplace to gain private sector efficiencies How was the Clean Water Partnership able to deliver such outstanding results? According to Cannito, its all about leveraging the efficiencies of the private sector. Stormwater is a highly piecemealed, fragmented type of work that municipal governments or governments do in the traditional design/bid/build mode, says Cannito. We were able to aggregate the work and put it into more of a large-scale design/build/operate/maintain kind of manufacturing line. We were able to scale it. That gained us a lot of efficiency and economy of scale. Part of that process, says Cannito, was about taking the time to design the marketplace and create what he terms a demand-based pipeline of qualified labor to get the job done. Instead of just running out and designing the project and building it, we assess the subcontractor capacity of the marketplace. Its a little bit of a go slow to go fast approach, but what youll find is that the marketplace has the capacity. Nobody really takes the time to connect the dots. According to Cannito, many design-build projects undertaken in the public sector are missing opportunities to work with the private sector to leverage private competition and innovation. The public sector doesnt ask enough of the private sector, he says. "Typically in a lot of cases, theyll do an RFP for a project, and theyll prescribe so much that the private sector just bids on what they prescribe knowing that theyll change-order it later. Even if what they prescribe they know is not feasible, they know as long as they can check the box on that RFP, they can get selected and they can change order. This approach is really where instead of prescribing a scope to the private sector, its asking the private sector to provide proposals based on the outcomes that they want to be achieved. New approaches to green infrastructure financing Financing is another key area where public-private partnerships can change the paradigm for how public infrastructure projects are executed. According to Cannito, financing should follow project design to allow the public agency to identify clear goals. Too many people are so focused on going to get financing, they forget about structuring a really good project, he says. The public sector should really be focused on their goals and achieving those outcomes, and allow the private sector to propose innovative solutions. The better you can structure a projects goals, the public sector can have their pick of any type of financing that they want, which can be approached at a later stage. That may include a mix of public and private financing. Cannito says that private financing is not necessarily more expensive than public financing if you consider overall costs of execution, and has the advantage of being able to fund a project up-front, which means water quality benefits can be realized right away, as opposed to a decade down the road. Investors are attracted to project execution and surety, says Cannito. Having a program that is goal-oriented based on a broader vision is in line with the newer metrics of investors. And a project where you are getting the private sector to guarantee the surety of execution? Now youve taken the risk out of the projectand that makes it much more financeable for investors. One novel and promising approach to structuring financing is called an Environmental Impact Bond, whereby a private financial institution provides financing upfront and then the payer, the government entity who benefits from that solution, pays back the financing based on predefined performance. This type of financing shifts the risk away from the public agency and onto the private investors. Todd Appel is a vice president with Washington, D.C.,-based investment firm Quantified Ventures, pioneering a pay-for-success financing model that links investment performance outcomes. Appel recently worked with the D.C. Water and Sewer Authority to pilot a project to finance 20 acres of green infrastructure as part of the Districts consent decree to reduce its combined sewer overflows under the Clean Water Act. The District was on the hook to build $2.5 billion in tunnels to reduce CSO volume, but got an amendment to substitute 350 acres of green infrastructure to handle some of that reduction. So they were embarking on that and they were worried about the performance risk of the green infrastructure, would it actually reduce the volume of stormwater flowing into the sewer system under the consent decree? says Appel. They decided to do two things. One, start with a pilot. Theyll build green infrastructure on 20 acres initially. And secondly, finance that pilot with performance-based financing. So they issued a municipal bond of $25 million dollars for the design, build and maintenance of the green infrastructure on the 20 acres. And unlike a normal municipal bond, this one is tied specifically to the success of the green infrastructure in reducing the volume of stormwater. The investment is modeled based on expected outcomes and assigned probability ranges to create three payment tiers. The middle one is as expected, or the most likely outcome that covers a wide range of probable outcomes. For this range, D.C. Water pays out its normal cost of capital. But if its below expected, then the investors get close to zero percent interest. Effectively, the investors are providing an insurance policy to D.C. Water if the green infrastructure totally fails, says Appel. And if the performance is 'better than expected,' the investors get premium. So this environmental impact bond is a way of passing on some of the risks of a green infrastructure deployment to investors. To determine payouts, baseline data on performance is being collected in the field and follow-up data will be collected over four years. In year five, investors will know what tier the investment ended up based on performance, and will square up based on that. This was the first environmental impact bond issued in the country and the first instance of a municipal bond having an outcome-based payment, according to Appel. Quantified Ventures is now looking to replicate the program through a program funded by the Rockefeller Foundation to identify two U.S. cities in which to test this model of financing for green infrastructure. The firm is also working with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to select four communities in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed to finance its green infrastructure programs with environmental impact bonds. Clearly, while the concepts are new, many thought leaders are rapidly beginning to explore it. Can this work in the Great Lakes? So far, public-private partnerships have not been a part of stormwater management in the Great Lakes region, which still relies mainly on public funding to create and implement green infrastructure. Sinhas Great Lakes-focused team includes both Corvias and Quantified Ventures, as well as other companies that bring in cutting-edge, national expertise to the basin. Sanjiv Sinha, Ph.D., Vice President, Environmental Consulting & Technology, Inc. One key challenge to the use of these new concepts to water infrastructure is that there is a significant knowledge gap. So far, no one is advising communities or agencies by clearly articulating why they should even consider this approach, Sinha says. Sinhas team has analyzed several P3 frameworks for Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) and Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District that collectively serve dozens of Great Lakes communities, and has developed prototype business plans for implementation. We believe these frameworks are equally relevant in other regions across the Great Lakes and beyond, says Sinha. We do know the Great Lakes market has the appetite for large-scale green infrastructure. A report we recently published shows that five Great Lakes states can support well over a billion dollars of investment in green infrastructure. Sinhas work with the MMSD shows that there are significant values to be gained by the use of a CBP3. The MMSD is a regional wastewater utility with a 411-square-mile service area, serving 1.1 million people. The MMSD has built a deep tunnel system and has been able to reduce its combined sewer overflows to a point where they only occur once or twice a year now, meeting its obligations under the Clean Water Act. Despite this achievement, MMSD is looking to implement green infrastructure within its service area as part of its 2035 Vision, which calls for a goal of 740 million gallons of treatment via green infrastructure to be built. Were looking for green infrastructure to add a layer of additional capacity and resiliency where water falls, says Kevin Shafer, executive director of the MMSD. The benefit of green infrastructure is that its not only for stormwater quantity and quality, but that it also produces a whole host of benefits that gray infrastructure cant. So, whether its increased property values, better quality of life, aesthetics, what have you, there are so many other things that green infrastructure brings to the table. And Shafer is looking with keen interest at what has been happening in Prince Georges County, Washington, D.C., and elsewhere. We see green infrastructure, both the infrastructure and the maintenance of it, as a possibility of employing a variety of folks, to be able to give them a living wage to move forward, and as a way to revitalize and improve the quality of life in some of the lower-income areas, says Shafer. And were finding that gallon for gallon, green is at least cost-competitive with gray infrastructure. Shafer is looking into multiple ways of financing and implementing its green infrastructure goal. According to a report by ECT, MMSD stands to save $500 million in costs over 30 years by taking a CBP3 approach. But for Shafer, while compelling in looking out for ratepayers interests, the appeal goes beyond dollars and cents. As chairman of the board at the U.S. Water Alliance, Shafer is at the vanguard of a movement to integrate water quality into the entire quality of life of an area. It really is looking at this 'one water' approach, trying to not just improve water quality, but to improve neighborhoods, the livability of cities, increase economic development and benefit the quality of life of the entire area, says Shafer. That brings with it a lot of efficiencies that can also help meet some of these other social goals that were looking for as well. This Partner Content was produced by Issue Media Group for the P3GreatLakes Initiative. Find out more about green stormwater infrastructure and how public-private partnerships can work at www.p3greatlakes.org. His term also will be concurrent to a two-year term in youth prison to which he was sentenced in August by Judge Diane Druzinski in Macomb County Circuit Court for the assaults. He pleaded guilty to two counts in June... FOREST CITY | A Lake Mills man faces a felony charge after marijuana allegedly was found hidden in his underwear when he was booked into the Winnebago County Jail on a misdemeanor drug paraphernalia charge. Robert J. Gonzalas, 19, was arrested at 10:25 p.m. Saturday by the Lake Mills Police Department. He was in possession of a metal pipe and a wooden container used to smoke marijuana, according to a criminal complaint. A Lake Mills officer did a routine search of Gonzalas before he entered the jail in Forest City. A criminal complaint states Gonzalas was given the chance to hand over any contraband before going into the facility, but he did not. Jail staff then found a baggie of marijuana and a blunt in Gonzalas' underwear, according to the complaint. He was charged with possession of contraband in a correctional institution. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 1. -- Mary Pieper Georgetown, SC (29440) Today Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy in the afternoon. High 53F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mainly clear. Low near 30F. Winds light and variable. The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement A legal guide to space war Adelaide, Australia (SPX) Nov 27, 2017 A war in outer space sounds like the stuff of science fiction but it is something we need to consider. Its impact on everybody on Earth and its implications for future human space exploration would be devastating. Right now, there are laws that are relevant to the prospect of war in space, but currently it is unclear exactly how these might be applied. We and our colleagues from around the world - including experts from Australia, Canada, the United States, Russia and China - are undertakin ... read more 9 June School, Nov 27, 2017 (SPS) - The National Council (Parliament) celebrated on Monday at its headquarters in the School June 9, Sahrawi refugee camps, the 42nd anniversary of its creation in an official ceremony attended by Saharawi authorities and foreign delegations. The ceremony was marked by the presence of the President of the Republic and Secretary General of the Polisario Front, Brahim Gali, the Speaker of Parliament, Jatri Adduh, Prime Minister, Abdelkader Taleb-Omar, and members of the Government, National Secretariat of the Polisario Front, and Parliament. The event was attended by an important Algerian delegation composed of members of the Algerian National Council, a delegation from the Aragon region in Spain, and a delegation from Panama. President of the National Council Jatri Adduh addressed in his opening speech the important experience acquired by the Polisario Front and the Saharawi State in the field of the practice of democracy. The President of the National Council praised Algeria's firm support position for the Saharawi people and thanked the solidarity and support of the Spanish people for the just cause of the Saharawi people. (SPS) 062/SPS/TRA Bir Lehlou (liberated territories), Nov 28, 2017 (SPS) - President of the Republic, Secretary General of the Frente Polisario Mr. Brahim Gali has sent a letter of congratulation to His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, on the 57rd anniversary of the independence of his country, celebrated on November 28th each year. Brahim Gali, highlighted in his congratulations, the sacrifice and the long struggle of the Mauritanian people against the French colonization, which was crowned with the independence of Mauritania, adding that in spite of the scale of the difficulties, Mauritania has managed to achieve an important position internationally. He praised the efforts made by Mauritania, people and government, to set up a new Mauritanian state, expressing Saharawi peoples pride for the achievements attained by Mauritania over fifty-three years of sacrifices and meeting the challenges. President Brahim Gali reiterated to his counterpart the honest will and determination of the Saharawi Republic (SADR) to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood, friendship and neighbourliness between the two brotherly peoples, in a way that serves the interest of the two peoples and countries and peoples of the Maghreb as a whole, and bring peace, justice, stability and prosperity in the region and to face the risks that threaten the region, such as drugs and their relationship with organized crime and terrorist groups. SPS 125/090/TRA A New York City-based marketing firm has moved its Connecticut office to South Norwalk, with a consumer product brand company taking over its former location in Wilton. Under CEO Hampton Bridwell, Tenet Partners helps major corporations with a wide array of marketing tools, analysis and services as an example, the company created for Xerox a digital asset repository giving employees globally access to a single, trusted source for images, brand guidelines and other elements used in marketing materials. Federici Brands, which sells Time Bomb skin care and Color Wow hair products, is taking over the Wilton offices previously used by Tenet Partners, according to the real estate brokerage services firm Coldwell Banker Commercial. Federici Brands is subleasing from Tenet Partners more than 10,000 square feet of space at 15 River Road in Wilton, part of a complex where Blue Buffalo Pet Products has its headquarters. Formed from the 2014 merger of CoreBrand and Brandlogic, Tenet Partners has exited its former Brandlogic offices in Wilton to take up quarters in the Lock Building at 20 Marshall Street in South Norwalk. The company plans to maintain its New York City headquarters, according to Russ Napolitano, chief operating officer, in an email response to a Hearst Connecticut Media query. Other Lock Building tenants in South Norwalk include Discovery Capital, among the largest hedge funds in the world; Direct Wines, which sells vintages online; and Triax Technologies, which is in the process of doubling its workforce to 30 people as it sells a system to track construction equipment and alert project foremen when workers fall on the job. Besides Xerox, other Norwalk clients of Tenet Partners include GE Capital, Hearst Connecticut Media Group and the Stepping Stones Museum for Children. And the firm has several more in Connecticut, including The Hartford Financial Services Group, United Technologies Group and Yale University. And Tenet Partners publishes an annual index of the most powerful brands, ranking them according to consumer awareness and positive perceptions of brands. This years list was topped by Coca-Cola, Hershey and Bayer; with Amazon making the biggest leap jumping 25 rungs into the top 30, and Verizon Communications taking the biggest tumble. Alex.Soule@scni.com; 203-842-2545; @casoulman Given the intense news events of the past few weeks, it's clear that gender inequality remains a major obstacle women for in the workplace. Related: 15 Things Men Say That Get on Women's Nerves While many employers have tried to make improvements, change isn't coming fast enough. For this reason, Lean In and McKinsey & Company, in October, released the 2017 Women in the Workplace annual report to give leaders better insight into the problem. The report unveils one particularly interesting overlooked area: strategies for empowering managers to drive change. Many executives think that if they unveil a gender equality policy, improvement will naturally follow. But, the report's creators found that managers are failing in this area in multiple ways. Only 35 percent of women surveyed, for example, thought that their managers considered diverse candidates when filling positions. Even worse, only 34 percent said their company addresseed disrespectful behavior toward women. Of course, these percentages leave room for companies that are getting things right. Here's how some of them are helping managers be agents of positive change: Drill the message in. While senior leaders write the policies, managers make thousands of small decisions that impact these initiatives. They need to hear over and over why gender equality is important. That way, it becomes ingrained and a natural part of how they act. "This isn't about quotas and targets," Arlington, Va.-based Don Rheem said by email. He's CEO of employee engagement platform E3 Solutions and author of Thrive by Design. "This is about deeper understanding and self-awareness," Rheem said, "of how managers fall prey to conscious partiality and unconscious gender bias in the daily and weekly personnel decisions they make." Related: Why Women Entrepreneurs Have a Harder Time Finding Funding The CEO went on to say that repetitive communication is key. A one-time memo isn't enough. Furthermore, when leaders speak to employees, their words should reflect gender equality. This means avoiding gendered words. For instance, calling male employees by their first names but women as "Ms. Smith" isn't a sign of respect. It shows the leader views men and women differently. Stop scaring away female talent. Gender equality shouldn't start on a woman's first day at work. From the moment she thinks about applying for a job, she's judging whether she's being treated fairly. Hiring managers need to meet these expectations. As women applicants' first human interaction with a company, hiring managers should understand how their behavior reflects their company's level of dedication to gender equality. "To prevent unconscious biases from impacting hiring decisions, use gender-neutral language in job descriptions that will attract a diverse pool of applicants," advised Kelli Dragovich. She's the SVP of people at San Francisco-based recruiting platform Hired. Language is especially important when companies list the desired traits for a vacant role. Some words actually have a gendered connotation: Consider eliminating those typically associated with male behavior -- like "assertive" or "analytical." These words will result in fewer women applying. Holly Caplan, the Dallas-based author of Surviving the Dick Clique, explained that by not attracting female talent, hiring managers are limiting diversity and creating an unhealthy work environment. "We have to set the expectation with managers that women need to be part of their teams," she said in an email. "This will change behavior and give us the power to hire the right talent." Make men allies, not enemies. As it stands now, most managers are men. If males aren't on board with gender-equality initiatives, those policies will fail. Men need to understand their role in turning policies into action. "When I look back at the path my career has taken, in many cases it has been men who have sponsored and supported me," Jocelyn Mangan, COO of Oakland-based job search platform Snagajob, said via email. "Many of the male executives I speak to on a regular basis want to help women; they just don't know exactly how." So, if this is the case at your company, help male managers see what women face in the workplace. Provide training so they know how to mentor female talent. Most importantly, start a dialogue. "Women need to feel comfortable calling out bias when they see it. And men need to be able to express the impact of this, even if it is frustration or discomfort," St. Paul, Minn.-based Angela Beranek Brandt said by email. She's president of the National Association of Women Lawyers. "If the conversations are real," Beranek Brandt added, "there will be better understanding, which will lead to a more comfortable workplace for men and women." Silence doubt. "There is a collective loudspeaker in the workforce today that creates a consistent level of doubt, and conditions women to think that they can't move forward or lead," Austin-based Autumn Manning, co-founder and CEO of employee recognition platform YouEarnedIt, told me. Manning went on to point out that when she was young, a stream of discriminating phrases played in her mind. This led her to doubt her abilities. It took a strong female role model -- her mother -- to get her to stop listening to those thoughts. Related: When Company Culture Becomes Discrimination Managers can do what Manning's mother did: When they are supportive of women's strengths and skills, those women can see their own qualifications more clearly. This undoes the conditioning that undermines women's self-confidence and also boosts the company as a whole. Related: Over One-Third of Women Say Managers Don't Address Disrespectful Behavior Toward Women. And That's Your Fault. Artificial Intelligence May Reflect the Unfair World We Live in The 3 Keys to Hosting, Diversity-Wise, a More Inclusive Event Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com MASON CITY | Lime Creek Nature Center has scheduled two craft workshops in December for children and adults. The first, Cabinet Door Creations, is 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11. Participants will repurposing cabinet doors into chalkboards, Christmas signs and decor. The second, Christmas Crafts, is 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16. The program is for children accompanied by adults. All materials will be provided for both workshops, which are free. Registration is required for both events. Call 641-423-5309 to register. STAMFORD A city teen who has been free on bail since pleading guilty to a shooting in a drug deal gone wrong last year has been sent back to jail after a judge was told he has been doing drugs and ignoring his curfew. Savior Dominguez, 17, made a brief appearance Tuesday before Judge Gary White, who raised his bond by $200,000. Dominguez was one of two youths arrested after a New Britain teenager was shot in the chest on Stamfords East Side last November. The victim first told police he was in Stamford to purchase sneakers, but later confessed he was selling a quarter pound of marijuana. Dominguez, then 16, had the gun in his hand and pulled the trigger when the New Britain youth challenged the authenticity of the weapon, Senior Assistant States Attorney Maureen Ornousky told White. Dominguez pleaded guilty in August to one count of armed robbery and was allowed to stay out of jail on a $100,000 court appearance bond in order to obtain his high school diploma. Dominguez faces five to eight years in prison when hes sentenced in January. Ornousky said Dominguez had been staying out past his curfew and recent urine tests revealed he has been ingesting cocaine and smoking marijuana. Hes lucky he isnt standing here as a felony-murder defendant, your honor, Ornousky said. He shot an individual in the chest with significant blood loss. At this point, he is a threat to public safety. Defense attorney Andrew Gould argued Dominguez was doing well in his education program and he was on pace to receive his high school diploma before Christmas. But White said he was not taking more chances on the defendant. He seems to be struggling to get a bigger sentence, not a smaller one, White said. jnickerson@stamfordadvocate.com MASON CITY | The driver of a motorcycle who crashed into a bridge and fell into Willow Creek in downtown Mason City Monday afternoon has been identified by police. David Sappenfield, 64, of Clear Lake was rescued by Mason City Fire and Rescue after the crash. He has been cited for failure to maintain control. At about 1:30 p.m. on the northbound Highway 65 bridge, Sappenfield appeared to have veered off the road and crashed his 2002 Harley-Davidson motorcycle into a barrier and bridge guardrails before falling into the water. The motorcycle sustained an estimated $3,000 in damage, according to Mason City Police Chief Jeff Brinkley. It did not fall into the water with Sappenfield. Two firefighters climbed down a ladder to assist Sappenfield, who was able to make his way out of the water and onto the embankment. Mason City Fire Capt. Jared Ogbourne estimated the drop to be about 20 feet and into shallow water. Sappenfield was strapped to a stretcher pulled up from the creek by the ladder truck. The rescue took about 30 minutes. Sappenfield was transported from the scene to Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa. He was treated and released. I want to thank Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst for their tireless efforts to defend American-made biofuels and economic growth in rural communities. Our champions have been working diligently with the White House to ensure that regulators at the Environmental Protection Agency honor President Trumps commitment to a strong and vibrant Renewable Fuel Standard. As most Iowans know, homegrown biofuels are vital to the Hawkeye economy, supporting thousands of jobs and driving billions in economic activity. But the oil lobby has been relentless in its efforts to cut federal targets for biofuel production under the RFS. A proposal released in July by the EPA would set next years targets below current levels, with deep cuts to cellulosic biofuels made at facilities like POETs Project Liberty in Emmetsburg. These fuels represent exciting new revenue streams for farmers facing the sharpest drop in income since the 1980s. Fortunately, Iowa has champions who understand how to press our case in Washington, and the president has signaled his support. But the fight isnt over until the EPA announces final targets later this month, and we cant stop reminding regulators that zero growth isnt an option. Kelly Hansen, Hanlontown SCOTTSBLUFF The First State Bank Gift of Love Food Drive is drawing to a close Friday. Students at Roosevelt Elementary School in Scottsbluff, along with five other area schools, are scrambling to bring in the most non-perishable food items to win the exclusive preview showing of the holiday movie at the Midwest Theater. Becca Tompkins, director of marketing at First State Bank, explained the food drive. Its just another one of the branches of the Gift of Love program, Tompkins said. We do a canned food collection for the Valley Christian Neighbors in Need food pantry. We challenge the schools to collect canned goods and then we offer a prize to the school that brings in the most pounds of food. Tompkins said both Scottsbluff and Gering schools are involved in this years food drive. So the elementary school that collects the most amounts of pounds of non-perishable food items will receive a private viewing of the holiday movie that Billy Estes shows down at the Midwest Theater, she said. The Valley Christian Neighbors in Need uses the goods brought in from the food drive to fill holiday wishlist baskets, Tompkins said. Any food left after that goes to the local food pantry. Tompkins talked about the purpose of having the schools involved in the food drive. Elementary schools hold food drive for Gift of Love Jalissa Torres (left) and Gabriel Hernandez (right) stand next to one of Roosevelt Elementary Schools food drive drop off points. Its just another way for the kids to give back, for a means to get canned food collected and they get a pretty cool prize out of it as well, she said. Atziry Martinez, a fourth-grade student and member of the Roosevelt Student Council, explained the purpose of the food drive competition. Were doing this food drive to help the community, Martinez said. Its fun doing it because you get to bring all the cans, you get to tell your classmates to bring them and encourage them. First State Bank will be collecting and weighing the food from the schools Friday, Dec. 1. Trevor Teichroeb, the music instructor at Roosevelt, said he wants to get the community, not just the students, involved. One of the things we were hoping to do is to include the community in it, Teichroeb said. This week, if community members would be willing to bring food by, they can drop it off here in the office. Teichroeb encourages all community members to donate what they can to the food drive, not only to help the kids, but also to help the community. Wed just like to invite the community to participate too, because we want to win, Teichroeb said. Two people have been charged with burglary in separate cases. Bradley Metcalf, alias Bradley Crane, 22, of Scottsbluff, has been charged with burglary, a Class IIA felony. According to an arrest affidavit, Scotts Bluff County Sheriffs deputies were called to a rural home on Canyon Drive on Oct. 20. The owner of the home reported that two Hispanic men had been inside the home and left the area. The resident told deputies he had come home, walking through the front door, which was locked. When he went into the kitchen area, he said he heard a noise coming from the bedroom areas. He turned around to see one man come out of a bedroom area and out the front door. A second man also fled the residence. The man said that he made eye contact with one of the men and knew him. He identified the man as Metcalf, who he said he had known from previous employment at the Scotts Bluff County Detention Center. The man and a roommate surveyed the home and did not find any items initially that had been stolen. However, it did appear that the items had been readied to be stolen, with a duffle bag having been stashed with ammo, and an automatic rifle and ballistic vest located on a floor. Later, the homeowner said a magazine for a firearm had been stolen. Cash was also reported stolen. Metcalf is next scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 5. In another case, Amber Camacho, 30, of Scottsbluff, has been charged with burglary, a Class IIA felony. She is accused of burglarizing a storage unit in the 1000 block of West 26th Street. According to an arrest affidavit, police arrested Camacho on Nov. 25. Police made contact with Camacho after arrest a man, Michael Graves, who had fled as an officer was doing a routine night check of storage units. The man fell after running several feet and police made contact with him. Graves, who police knew had dated Camacho, denied burglarizing the unit, but said he had been assisting Camacho with removing items from the unit and placing them in a van. A van parked in front of the storage units had been previously tied to Camacho and was towed from the scene as evidence. The van was loaded with several items. Police made contact with Camacho at a Scottsbluff business. She allegedly denied being involved in burglarizing the units, claiming that she was homeless and sleeping in the area. Police arrested her. She is next scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 5. Scottsbluff Police Department Oct. 9 Police investigated a report of theft of funds from a victim by a caretaker. No arrests were noted in the report. Oct. 30 Officers investigated a vandalism in the 1000 block of 15th Avenue. Officers took a report of a stolen cell phone. Aaron Rahmig, 31, of Scottsbluff, was arrested on a Scotts Bluff County warrant. At Walmart, two 17-year-old juvenile boys, both of Gering, and one 15-year-old juvenile boy, of Gering, were cited charges of theft by shoplifting. Jesika Gillett, 20, of Scottsbluff, was arrested on a Scotts Bluff County warrant after a traffic stop in the 900 block of Highway 26. Police investigated damage to the Scottsbluff Fire Department storage unit. Oct. 31 Police investigated the theft of electricity from an apartment in the 1900 block of Third Avenue. Benjamin DeLosSantos, 43, of Scottsbluff, was arrested on a Scotts Bluff County warrant. Albert Cornelius, 36, of Scottsbluff, was arrested on a charge of second-degree assault in the area of Fifth Avenue and East Overland. John Harsh, 41, of Scottsbluff, was cited on a charge of driving under suspension. Rafus Stowe, 47, of Scottsbluff, was arrested on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana more than an ounce, possession of marijuana with the intent to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia during a traffic stop in the 2000 block of Avenue A. Nov. 1 Nancy Johnson, 65, of Scottsbluff, was cited on charges of no proof of insurance and no valid registration. She was cited again later on a charge of failure to yield to emergency vehicles. Officers investigated a report of a stolen vehicle, which lead to the discovery of fraud. No arrests have been made as of the time of the report. In the 2000 block of Avenue F, officers obtained a search warrant for a residence, finding 23 grams of marijuana. Two juveniles, a 17-year-old boy and 14-year-old girl, were cited on charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Manuel Lopez, 38, of Scottsbluff, was cited on a charge of possession of less than an ounce of marijuana. Officers investigated a report of a woman who had been threatened on Facebook. At Walmart, Camila Valdillez, 45, of Gering, and Raul Dominguez Jr., 43, were arrested on charges of theft by shoplifting. At Walmart, Heidi Moore, 23, of Scottsbluff, was arrested on charges of possession of a controlled substance and theft by shoplifting. Nov. 2 Scottsbluff Police investigated a child abuse intake. Police arrested a 16-year-old male on a Scotts Bluff County warrant. Officers invested a report of theft of fuel from the Northgate Ampride, 3302 Ave. B. A suspect was identified. At Home Depot, Kathy Pritchard, 28, of Scottsbluff, was cited on a charge of theft. A 16-year-old girl was cited on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of drug paraphernalia. At Walmart, Joshuah Swalve, 25, of Mitchell, was cited on a charge of theft by shoplifting. Officers investigated a report of theft at Country Auto Sales, 1821 E. Overland. A suspect was identified. Officers investigated a child abuse intake. Nov. 3 At Bluffs Middle School, two 13-year-old female students were cited on charges of fighting by mutual consent. At Walmart, Kateri NeverMissAShot, 20, of Scottsbluff, was cited on a charge of theft by shoplifting. Marrisa Sifuentes, 19, of Scottsbluff, was arrested on a Scotts Bluff County warrant after a traffic stop on Avenue I. She was also cited on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. Nov. 4 As officers investigated a disturbance on Broadway, Hunter Bollman, 23, of Minatare, was arrested on maintaining a nuisance and driving under the influence. In the 900 block of East 11th Street, officers investigated the theft of tools from a vehicle. Nov. 5 Three 16-year-old juveniles were cited on charges of minor in possession in the 1400 block of East 17th Street. Donna Zamarripa, 64, of Scottsbluff, was arrested on charges of driving under the influence. Officers investigated a theft at Jimmy Johns. A juvenile suspect was identified during the investigation. Nov. 6 Michael ODonahue, 55, of Scottsbluff, was arrested on charges of violation of a protection order. At Dollar General, 818 E. Overland, officers cited Lukas Camacho, 23 of Scottsbluff, on a charge of theft by shoplifting. Officers investigated the theft of tools from Creoll Ready Mix, 315 S. Beltline. No arrest had been made as of the time of the report. At Walmart, a 17-year-old girl and Emilee Reisig, 19, of Scottsbluff, were cited on charges of theft by shoplifting. In the 1200 block of Third Avenue, officers investigated a report of a theft from Munoz Construction. No arrests or citations had been made as of the time of the report. At Scottsbluff High School, a 16-year-old female and 17-year-old female were cited on charges of fighting by mutual consent. Officers investigated the theft of a purse at Walmart. Suspects were developed; No arrests had been made as of the time of the report. Nov. 7 In the 2500 block of Avenue A, Hugo Sanchez, 19, of Scottsbluff, was arrested on a charge of disturbing the peace. A juvenile female, age not identified, was cited on a charge of third-degree assault after an after school fight on Nov. 6. Officers investigated a report of theft in the 1700 block of Third Avenue. In the 2300 block of Avenue D, Spencer Drake, 31, of Scottsbluff, and Michael Mawhinney, 46, of Scottsbluff were cited on charges of disorderly conduct. Officers investigated a child abuse intake. Nov. 8 Officers investigated a child abuse intake. At 15th and E. 12th Street, Anessa Ortiz, 21, of Scottsbluff, was arrested on a Scotts Bluff County warrant. Alex Rascon, 23, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, was arrested on a Scotts Bluff County warrant. Patrick Rollins, 38, of Scottsbluff, was arrested on a Scotts Bluff County warrant in the 1800 block of Avenue F. Jolene Aguayo, 35, of Gering, was cited on a charge of driving under suspension. At Walmart, a 16-year-old girl was cited on a charge of theft by shoplifting. Officers investigated a report of theft by deception. A suspect has been identified but no arrest was noted at the time of the report. Nov. 9 Orrey Pickering, 31, of Scottsbluff, was arrested on a Scotts Bluff County warrant. At Bluffs Middle School, Sam Rodriguez, 24, of Scottsbluff, was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence and possession of an open container. Colby Mendoza, 26, of Scottsbluff, was cited on a charge of possession of an open container. Officers investigated a report of theft at a residence in the 00 block of South Street in Gering. Officers received a report of a protection order violation. Jason Anderson, 45, of Scottsbluff, was cited on a charge of theft by shoplifting in connection with a theft at Murdochs. Nov. 10 In the 500 block of W. 20th Street, Alexis Gonzalez, 33, of Scottsbluff, Kenneth Calvert, 27, of Fletcher, North Carolina, and Timothy Kling, 29, of Prestwyck, Connecticut, were cited for possession of drug paraphernalia. Kling was also cited for open alcohol container. A 15-year-old juvenile was cited on a charge of curfew violation. At Walmart, Luciano Montanez, 27, of Gering, was cited on a charge of theft by shoplifting. At Walmart, Consuela Gurrola-Rios, 37, was cited on a charge of theft by shoplifting. Jose Torres-Torres, 34, of Scottsbluff, was arrested on a charge of theft by shoplifting. At Walmart, Nicholas Miller, 18, of Alliance, and a juvenile, age not noted, were cited on charges of theft by shoplifting. Miller was also cited on a charge of possession of marijuana less than an ounce. A 17-year-old boy was cited on a charge of driving under suspension. Jessey Newberry, 28, of Scottsbluff, was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence. Nov. 11 Police investigated a report of theft from a motor vehicle in the 1900 block of Broadway. In the 800 block of W. 11th Street, Jeremy Serda, 28, of Scottsbluff, was cited on a charge of disturbing the peace. In the 600 block of East Eighth Street, Gilbert Makinster, 19, of Scottsbluff, Hunter Hancock, 20, of Scottsbluff, and Cheyenne Goin, 23, of Scottsbluff and two 17-year-old juveniles were cited on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Katie Zarasua, 25, of Scottsbluff, was arrested on charges of driving under suspension and no proof of insurance. At Platte Valley Bank, officers investigated a report of fraud. A victim reported $1,700 had been stolen from an account. Nov. 12 A 14-year-old boy, of Scottsbluff, was cited on a charge of curfew violation and providing false information. Alexandra Teters, 20, of Scottsbluff, was arrested on a Cheyenne County warrant after a traffic stop in the 100 block of East 17th Street. Police investigated vandalism to a vehicle in the 0000 block of W. 19th Street. In the 400 block of West 20th Street, police investigated a burglary in which tools were reported stolen. No citations or arrests had been made as of the issuance of the report. In the 100 block of East 15th Street, officers arrested Raymond Martinez, 52, of Scottsbluff, on charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Karla Valdez Perez, 24, of Scottsbluff, was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence. Nov. 13 Scottsbluff Police officers investigated three separate child abuse intakes. Scottsbluff Police investigated a protection order violation. Nathan Dubray, alias Nathan Tracke, 27, of Scottsbluff, was arrested on a warrant from an outside jurisdiction after officers responded to a disturbance in the 800 block of West 25th Street. Officers investigated a robbery reported in the 1700 block of Fourth Avenue. In the 1200 block of Fifth Avenue, officers arrested Bryce Wallace, 24, of Scottsbluff, on charges of possession of marijuana more than one ounce but more than one pound, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Nov. 14 Two juveniles were cited on charges of theft by shoplifting at Walmart. The juveniles ages were not identified. Officers investigated a child abuse intake. In the 1600 block of 12th Avenue, Angel Alvarez, 27, of Scottsbluff, was arrested on a charge of driving under suspension. In the 1900 block of Broadway, Jared Spurgeon, 19, was cited on a charge of driving under suspension and no proof of insurance. In the 400 block of W. 27th Street, officers responded to a report of a motor vehicle accident that turned into a disturbance. After investigation Amy Flores, 21, of Scottsbluff, was issued a citation on charge of disturbing the peace. Officers received a report of a shoplifting that occurred on Nov. 4 in the 2400 block of Frontage Road. Nov. 15 Jesus Cruz, 21, of Gering, was arrested on a Scotts Bluff County warrant. He was also arrested on a charge of possession of a controlled substance. At the intersection of Avenue B and W. 18th Street, Charles Little Elk, 34, of Scottsbluff, was cited on a charge of possession of an open container. A 12-year-old juvenile boy was cited on a charge of theft by shoplifting. Michael McNeely, 57, of Scottsbluff, was arrested on a Scotts Bluff County warrant. In the 200 block of E. 15th Street, Melisa Rice, 26, of Scottsbluff, and Lindsey Steyer, 34, of Scottsbluff, were cited on charges of third-degree assault. One of the women were transported to Regional West, however, the media report did not identify which woman was transported. Nov. 16 In the 1400 block of East 17th Street, police investigated a theft of auto parts and accessories. In the 2300 block of Frontage Road, Edna Weinmaster, 84, of Scottsbluff, was cited on a charge of possession of an open container. Police investigated a report of a stolen vehicle. The vehicle did not have an engine or transmission. At Walmart, David Retzer, 20, of Scottsbluff, was cited on a charge of theft by shoplifting. In the 700 block of West 25th Street, police investigated a burglary. Nov. 17 Gregory Rose, 33, of Scottsbluff, and Eric Pinkstaff, 31, of Scottsbluff, were arrested on Scotts Bluff County warrants. In the 1700 block of 11th Avenue, Arthur Albertson, 37, of Scottsbluff, was arrested on charges of possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana less than an ounce and possession of drug paraphernalia. On 16th Avenue, Douglas Clinesmith, 45, cited on charges of fictitious plates. At Walmart, Brian Brady, 37, of Torrington, was cited on a charge of theft by shoplifting. Police investigated a report of domestic assault in the 1600 block of Fourth Avenue. No arrests were noted in the media report. Police investigated a report of an altercation between an adult and a student that occurred at Bluffs Middle School. Further details were not listed in the media report. In the 1800 block of Broadway, Alexis Gonzales, 33, of Scottsbluff, was arrested on a Scotts Bluff County warrant. Nov. 18 At Railway Street and Avenue B, Samantha McCloud, 32, was arrested on a Scotts Bluff County warrant. In the 100 block of West 21st St., officers investigated a theft report. In the 1000 block of 15th Avenue, officers investigated a report of a stolen vehicle. In the 2300 block of Avenue D, officers arrested David Retzer, 20, of Scottsbluff, on a charge of burglary and Cali Downs, 18, of Scottsbluff, on charge of accesory to a felony. Nov. 19 In the 400 block of W. 16th Street, Aaron Rahmig, 31, of Scottsbluff, was arrested on a Scotts Bluff County warrant. On Avenue I, Robert Johns, 66, of Scottsbluff, was arrested on charges of driving under the influence and refusal to submit to a chemical test. Gabriel Archuleta, 34, of Scottsbluff, and Matthew Moore, 31, of Scottsbluff, were cited on charges of fighting by mutual consent in the 1400 block of 17th Street. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 27, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GFM Resources Limited (the Corporation) (TSX-V:GFM.H) is pleased to announce that, further to its June 30, 2017 news release, it has entered into a loan agreement (the Loan Agreement) with its new majority shareholder Metallorum Holding, S.A.P.I. de C.V., of Mexico (Metallorum) for the purpose of covering its operational needs. Under the terms of the Loan Agreement, Metallorum will make available to the Corporation with a line of credit in up to USD $2,000,000 per year. Advances made under the Loan Agreement bear annual simple interest calculated on the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 2%, calculated daily on the outstanding balance. Advances made under the Loan Agreement will be repayable on demand. There are no convertibility features on this Loan Agreement. Under the Loan Agreement, the Corporation has already received CAD $80,000 in funding from Metallorum. Concurrently, and in order to fund the local operations in Mexico of the Corporations subsidiary, GFM Resources de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (the Subsidiary), Metallorum also entered into a loan agreement with the Subsidiary (the Subsidiary Agreement), whereby Metallorum will make available for use by the Subsidiary up to MXN $40,000,000 per year (approximately USD $2,000,000 per year). Advances made under the Subsidiary Agreement will bear simple annual interest based on the Bank of Mexicos inter-bank loan rate TIIE (for its acronym in Spanish Tasa de Interes Interbancaria de Equilibrio) plus 2%, calculated daily on the outstanding balance. The Subsidiary Agreement has a term of two years. There are no convertibility features on this Subsidiary Agreement. Under the Subsidiary Agreement, the Subsidiary has received approximately CAD $113,000 to meet its obligations. Both the Loan Agreement and the Subsidiary Agreement are subject to the approval of the NEX Board of the TSX Venture Exchange. Metallorum is the controlling shareholder of the Corporation and holds 85% of its issued and outstanding shares. The Loan Agreement and the Subsidiary Agreement are considered related party transactions under TSX Venture Exchange Policy 5.9 and Multilateral Instrument 61-101- Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions. The loans are exempt from the shareholder approval requirement of MI 61-101 pursuant to section 5.7(1)(f) of such instrument for loans made on commercially reasonable terms that have no equity or voting component. The loans were approved by the independent directors of the Corporation and do not affect Metallorums security holdings in the Corporation. For additional information, please contact: Salvador Miranda, Chief Financial Officer Phone: (+1) 604 925 2839 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 press release. LINCOLN A judge has ordered Lancaster County Treasurer Andy Stebbing to stand trial on five felony charges related to accusations that he illegally sold cars. Stebbing was bound over to Lancaster County District Court last week on two counts of income tax evasion, two counts of falsifying vehicle titles and one count of selling cars without a license. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Stebbing, 53, has denied wrongdoing. During a Nov. 6 preliminary hearing, his lawyer argued that prosecutors failed to meet the burden of proving that a crime was committed and that Stebbing committed any offenses. Seward County Judge C. Jo Petersen wrote in an order that the state presented sufficient evidence that Stebbing sold used cars without a required dealers license and that he failed to report income from the sales on his tax returns. No date has been set for an arraignment hearing, which will allow Stebbing to formally enter a plea to the charges. Petersen presided over the case because Lancaster County judges recused themselves over a potential conflict of interest. Stebbing has said he intends to seek re-election to the Treasurers Office next year. The former sheriffs deputy would be trying for a third term. A teacher has been placed on leave after a racial slur was used by students acting out a scene in a social studies class at West Iredell High School. By Michael Boyd, jr. STE. GENEVIEVE HERALD While Ste. Genevieve County residents voted no to Amendment 3, the rest of the Show-Me State said yes to legalize marijuana, passing the measure on Tuesday (Nov. 8), according to unofficial results from the 2022 midterm elections. Missouri now is one of the 21 states, along with Washington, EDMONTON, Alberta, Nov. 27, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Changes to Albertas Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and Workers Compensation systems will save the lives of countless workers in Alberta, while also providing better support to workers who are injured at work. For the first time since it was introduced in 1976, Albertas Occupational Health and Safety Act will see comprehensive updates. For decades, Alberta has been at the back of the pack for safety, with a high worker injury rate compared to other jurisdictions in Canada. Bill 30: An Act to Protect the Health and Well-being of Working Albertans contains an expansion of rights and protections that are long overdue, and will have profound implications for workers. The nature of work has changed a lot over the last forty years, yet for decades previous conservative governments refused to step up to protect the lives of workers, said Gil McGowan, President of the Alberta Federation of Labour. These long overdue Occupational Health and Safety changes will put workers at the center of the workplace health and safety equation by building our OHS system on three fundamental worker rights: the right to know about workplace hazards, the right to participate in workplace health and safety programs and policies, and the right to refuse unsafe work. The new legislation ensures workers have a voice in workplace health and safety through Joint Work Site Health and Safety Committees or Representatives at work site with 5 or more employees. Joint health and safety committees are the norm at many unionized workplaces such as Suncor, the Imperial Oil Strathcona Refinery, TransAlta, Safeway, and throughout the public sector, said McGowan. These committees have been shown to be an effective way to engage workers and provide them a voice in ensuring a safer workplace. Another key change in the new legislation is that when stop-work orders are issued to address unsafe working conditions, workers will continue receiving pay and benefits. Not only will this encourage workers to step forward with health and safety concerns, but it will provide incentives for employers to quickly address the problem, said McGowan. For workers who are injured or killed on the job, changes to Workers Compensation will ensure broader and more comprehensive coverage. Those who are injured will be able to access better coverage with the elimination of the insurable earnings cap and improved survivors benefits, and with a renewed focus on getting them back to work. They will also see the creation of an independent Fair Practices Office to provide an ombudsman-type role within the workers compensation system. A robust Occupational Health and Safety system combined with an improved Workers Compensation system is an opportunity, not a threat, for employers, said McGowan. Better workplace health and safety will mean fewer injuries and deaths which is good in and of itself, but also means less lost work time, and a decrease in money paid to support the victims of workplace injuries and fatalities. Because the Workers Compensation Board Accident Fund was already funded at 133.8% at the end of 2016, employers shouldnt see their WCB premiums increase because of these changes. By empowering workers, this legislation will save lives. Many, many lives. This is a very good day for working Albertans, said McGowan. MEDIA CONTACT: Janelle Morin Alberta Federation of Labour 780-278-3640 or jmorin@afl.org CALGARY, Alberta, Nov. 27, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Western Investment Company of Canada Limited (Western or the Company) (TSX Venture:WI) announces that it has filed its interim financials statements and MD&A for the third quarter ended September 30, 2017 (Q3 2017). All results are presented in Canadian dollars. Readers should refer to the September 30, 2017 Management Discussion and Analysis Quarterly Highlights, and the consolidated interim financial statements for complete information, which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. About Western (www.winv.ca) Western is a publicly traded private equity company. Our purpose is to create long-term wealth for shareholders by building and maintaining a portfolio of strong, stable, and profitable Western-based companies and helping them to grow and prosper. Our strategy is to use our expertise and capital to grow already great Western Canadian businesses ultimately contributing to their success and legacy over the long run. CONTACT INFORMATION The Western Investment Company of Canada Limited Scott Tannas President and Chief Executive Officer (403) 652-2663 stannas@winv.ca Not for distribution to United States news wire services or dissemination in the United States. 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. Updated with closing share prices. Emerson CEO David Farr said Tuesday he will rebuild his company in smaller steps after giving up on his $29 billion bid to buy Rockwell Automation Inc. Focusing on more modest targets is Plan B for Farr, who had hoped to achieve his goal of dominating the factory-efficiency market with one big, bold acquisition. Rockwell Automation, which has dramatically outperformed Emerson this year in the stock market, rejected his offer even after he sweetened it twice. Clearly the Rockwell opportunity is dead and we're moving on, Farr said Tuesday on a conference call with analysts. We want to be a broad automation-solutions house. He vowed to forge ahead with internal investments, partnerships and acquisitions to broaden the company's expertise in automation. Emerson mostly serves the process side of the business, providing software and equipment for products made by combining ingredients, such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, beverages and oil derivatives. Rockwell is the leading supplier of controls for assembly lines. Emerson's decision concluded a campaign that became more aggressive earlier this month, when the Ferguson-based maker of manufacturing software and equipment released its third offer on the same day that Rockwell was scheduled to address investors. Rockwell rejected the proposal on Nov. 22, saying Emerson's sweetened $225-a-share bid in cash and stock didn't outweigh the risks in bringing together the automation companies. Emerson shares climbed 3.7 percent on Tuesday, closing at $64.15. Rockwell rose 3.2 percent to $197.13. "We liked seeing Emerson's aggressive push for this strategic asset," Deane Dray, an analyst at RBC Capital Markets, said in a note to investors. "We also commend Mr. Farr for not chasing Rockwell beyond the already lofty implied valuation." Emerson is getting a good start with a "back to basics" message, said Cowen & Co. analyst Gautam Khanna, who raised his rating on Emerson to outperform from market perform. Rockwell, based in Milwaukee, has maintained that it's better off alone with its successful Logix product that gives customers a single software platform to build on. In his rejection of Emerson's third offer, Rockwell CEO Blake Moret last week said that a combination would result in a "weakened position and dis-synergies." "We thank our shareowners for their input and support," Rockwell said in an emailed statement Tuesday. "The Rockwell Automation board and management team are committed to the execution of our strategy, which we are confident will continue delivering extraordinary shareowner returns." Farr, 62, has had his eyes on Rockwell for years. The acquisition would have helped him rebuild Emerson after he was forced to restructure two years ago by shedding a computer power-equipment business that he built over his 17 years as CEO. The unit had come under pressure from Asian competition and was dragging on Emerson's profits. As a result of the restructuring, Emerson's annual sales dropped to $15.3 billion from $24.5 billion in 2014. Farr on Tuesday pledged to increase Emerson's position in assembly-line automation, citing his experience in building the process-automation unit from the eighth-largest in the industry in the 1990s to become the biggest. "We're going to move forward aggressively,'' he said. "We're going to build this out just like we did back in the '90s when we were a minor, minor, minor player in the process world.'' Emerson will make investments internally, form partnerships and snap up smaller companies in deals ranging from $250 million to $1 billion each, he said. There may even be opportunities to buy businesses from General Electric, Farr said. GE is shedding at least $20 billion of assets as new CEO John Flannery reshapes the portfolio in an attempt to pull the manufacturer out of a slump. GE has said it would explore options for its lighting and locomotives operations but didn't detail all of the planned divestitures. Farr dashed analyst speculation that Emerson may split off the Commercial & Residential Solutions unit, which makes products ranging from garbage disposals to air-conditioner compressors. Emerson will continue to make acquisitions in the residential business, which accounts for 39 percent of Emerson's sales. The unit will close an acquisition of more than $200 million in about a month, he said. "We have no interest in changing this platform structure over the next several years," he said. "We have our two strong platforms and we like where we are at this point from the growth opportunities." Bloomberg's Richard Clough contributed. BRUSSELS The European Union has approved a five-year extension of the use of glyphosate, but French President Emmanuel Macron says he plans to ban the weedkiller in his country. After a drawn-out process, the EU backed the extension with a qualified majority. Glyphosates license was due to expire in mid-December. Germany cast a surprise vote for the extension, a move that divided the caretaker government in Berlin and could have repercussions on Chancellor Angela Merkels negotiations to form a grand coalition between Christian Democrats and Socialists. France remained opposed. Macron said Monday that he would take all measures necessary to ban glyphosate in France as soon as an alternative is available and in three years at the latest. Macron announced the move on Twitter. He ended his tweet by writing: #MakeOurPlanetGreatAgain. Environmentalists had hoped for an immediate EU ban. They claim that the weedkiller, used in Monsantos Roundup, is linked to cancer. Farmers, who say the substance is safe, had wanted a 15-year extension. EU nations had failed to find a compromise until Monday. EU health and food safety Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis said that when we all want to, we are able to share and accept our collective responsibility in decision making. One official said that 18 member states voted in favor, 9 against and one abstained. The decision taken today by a narrow qualified majority of Member States has locked the EU into another five years of toxic agriculture, said Bart Staes, a Green Party member of the European Parliament. This is a dark day for consumers, farmers and the environment. A ban on the widely used chemical would have shaken Europes agriculture sector. Pekka Pesonen, president of the Copa-Cogeca farmer group, welcomed the limited extension but insisted that glyphosate should have been reauthorized for 15 years after it was given a positive assessment by both the European Food Safety Authority and the European Chemicals Agency. Politically, Mondays approval proved toxic in Berlin. Germany voted for the extension over the objection of Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks, who said she had told Agriculture Minister Christian Schmidt by phone Monday that she was against it. Schmidt, whose Christian Social Union is the sister party to Chancellor Angela Merkels Christian Democratic Union, told the Rheinische Post that Germany had voted for the agreement because of conditions that will strengthen the role of biodiversity and animal protection. Recent commitments to clean energy from area companies and municipalities have been met with praise but also questions about feasibility, given the local grids reliance on coal. On Monday, Ameren Missouri proposed a new program that could help meet such goals. In a filing with the state Public Service Commission, Ameren said its Renewable Choice Program would enable certain customers to subscribe to wind energy for up to 100 percent of their average energy needs. The move comes on the heels of the utilitys September announcement that it will invest $1 billion in new wind generation its biggest commitment yet to renewable energy. This is really a follow-up from our plan filed in September, said Ajay Arora, Amerens vice president of environmental services and generation resource planning. This would provide a way for customers and cities looking to acquire renewable energy. Though he could not disclose specific companies, Arora noted that several of our large corporate customers have expressed interest in the program, which he said would be the first of its kind in Missouri offered by an investor-owned utility. Arora said Ameren has yet to determine where the programs wind energy would come from, though he voiced a preference for sourcing it as close to the customer as possible. He said the program has the option for Ameren to provide this need ourselves as the company adds more wind generation. Renewable energy advocates said the move was another welcome sign that Ameren recognizes the growing demand for wind power. Theyre finally recognizing that customers want clean energy, and thats significant, said Andy Knott, a representative for the Sierra Clubs Beyond Coal campaign in Missouri. The proposal needs PSC approval. Knott said prospective customers will want to ensure that they will not be locked into prices that could be undercut by wind powers plummeting costs. If the program proves viable, Knott said, it can help facilitate renewable energy commitments announced by cities and companies. The St. Louis Board of Aldermen recently passed a resolution intending to pursue 100 percent clean energy by 2035. Is it a fair program that adequately represents the falling price of wind? Because if its fair then, yeah, this should really bolster the corporate and municipal goals for clean energy, he said. During the approval process, Knott said, it will be interesting to see if any companies argue for having the right to shop for power purchase agreements on their own, rather than having utilities like Ameren serve as gatekeepers. Basically this is a power purchase agreement that is controlled by the utility, Knott said. It does not give the Walmarts or Anheuser-Busches of the world the freedom to go out there and make proposals and find the lowest price. They have to go to Ameren to find that. President Donald Trump is on the verge of subsidizing coal plants that would otherwise be driven out of business by cheaper, cleaner natural gas. A plan that would leave consumers footing a potential multibillion-dollar bill is expected Dec. 11, and Trump couldn't have chosen a more enthusiastic person to get it done: Neil Chatterjee, a Republican from coal country, who has spent years brokering seemingly impossible deals for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. Now he's cutting the biggest deal of his career and he's running out of time to do it. His role as chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the agency that oversees U.S. power markets, is temporary, with a replacement waiting in the wings. With precious little time, he's pushing a proposal to bail out failing coal plants, paid for by electricity customers. And he's treating this latest negotiation as seriously as a last-minute fight for votes in Congress. "I've tried to take Senator McConnell's approach," Chatterjee said in an interview last week. "What I learned from him will help me land this." In several interviews, Chatterjee laid out his strategy for success, revealing one likely framework for keeping money-losing coal plants alive. He describes it as "the most significant proposed change to market rules in decades." Trump made the rebirth of coal, unpopular because of its expense and its contribution to climate change, a central theme of his 2016 campaign. Since then, coal magnate Robert Murray has appealed directly to the president to halt the wave of coal-plant retirements. Murray said that without immediate government intervention, power generator FirstEnergy Solutions Corp. will be forced into bankruptcy, followed by his own company, Murray Energy Corp. Some other energy-generating companies oppose the payments. Three third-party studies put the cost of compliance between $311 million and $288 billion, depending on which plants are eligible and how the payments are structured. The payments mark a shift in strategy for Trump officials. Rather than attacking environmental regulations unfavorable to coal, the plan aims to slow coal's market decline. Coal, once the largest source of U.S. electricity generation, has seen its share of the power market dwindle to less than a third as natural gas emerged as a less expensive alternative. Between 2002 and 2016, more than 59 gigawatts of coal-fired power enough to supply 59 million homes a year went offline, thinning the economic prospects for coal producers. Murray is arguing that the subsidies would halt coal-plant retirements and keep 6,500 miners on the job. FirstEnergy says the payments would bolster the reliability of America's electricity grid. The plan also includes payments to nuclear plants which, along with coal generators, are able to store fuel on site. Natural gas and renewables generators typically don't. Chatterjee said he intends to act quickly and save as many plants as possible. Under his preferred approach, coal and nuclear plants would collect monthly payments from grid operators to keep them in the black, regardless of how much energy they generate. Those payments would come from electricity customers, primarily in the Midwest, who could see their monthly bills rise as soon as the spring. "This is entirely unprecedented," said Malcolm Woolf, head of government affairs at the clean-energy firm Advanced Energy Economy. "It's issuing an emergency lifeline for coal that's paid for by downstream customers." Other options, such as letting grid operators decide how and whether to compensate plants, would take longer, potentially delaying payouts until 2019. That's something Chatterjee said he would prefer to avoid. "What I don't want to have is plants shut down while we're doing this longer-term analysis, so we need an interim step to keep them afloat," Chatterjee told reporters earlier this month. The Energy Department's latest plan to rescue struggling plants came after Murray pushed the agency to provide direct assistance to FirstEnergy. In an Aug. 4 letter to Trump aide John McEntee III, Murray demanded that the agency issue emergency government orders allowing FirstEnergy's coal plants to operate when they'd otherwise be retired. Energy Secretary Rick Perry has issued two such orders since taking office, for coal plants in Oklahoma and Virginia. In the letter, Murray reminded McEntee that Trump had delegated a key plank of U.S. energy policy to Murray and FirstEnergy Corp. Chief Executive Officer Charles Jones. Murray, referring to National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn, recounted that Trump had instructed McEntee to "tell Cohn to do whatever these two want him to do." A few weeks later, Perry issued a plan more sweeping than the one Murray had initially proposed. "This is the single greatest action that has been taken, in decades, to support low-cost, reliable electric power in the United States," Murray said in an October statement. FirstEnergy spokeswoman Jennifer Young said the company is "encouraged by the discussions underway at FERC." She urged the commission "to move promptly to implement a plan that keeps these critical baseload assets in operation." More than 80 percent of the coal payments proposed by Murray and FirstEnergy could go to just five companies: FirstEnergy, NRG Energy Inc., Dynegy Inc., American Electric Power Co. and Talen Energy Corp., according to an analysis by the San Francisco-based clean-energy research firm Energy Innovation: Policy and Technology. Other likely beneficiaries include Exelon Corp., which has sought subsidies for its money-losing nuclear plants in New York and Illinois, and Public Service Enterprise Group Inc., which runs nuclear reactors in New Jersey. PSEG supports ensuring that "nuclear plants are not prematurely retired pending a long-term, market-based solution," said spokesman Paul Rosengren. Exelon said it urged the commission to act quickly "to halt the retirements of baseload nuclear units that are among the most resilient" in the industry. Talen Energy did not respond to a request for comment. Many companies that stand to gain from the plan have come out against it over concerns that it could upend wholesale power markets. Dynegy, with coal-fired capacity of about 9.5 gigawatts, enough to power 9.5 million homes, has asked FERC to reject the proposal. "Even from the perspective of a coal generator, the proposed rule should not be adopted because it would substantially, and potentially irreversibly, harm the nation's competitive electricity markets," the company said. NRG, with nearly 9 gigawatts of coal capacity as of August, also expressed reservations. "While the wholesale energy markets need reform, it would be a mistake for FERC to fight subsidies with more subsidies," said Marijke Shugrue, an NRG spokeswoman. AEP filed comments opposing the plan. Company spokeswoman Melissa McHenry said that FERC should do more analysis before adopting any proposal that would reward plants for resilience. Chatterjee needs three of the five FERC commissioners to pass his plan. The two sitting commissioners, Republican Robert Powelson and Democrat Cheryl LaFleur, raised concerns that the bailout would distort power markets. Two other commissioners including the incoming chairman are waiting to join the commission after the Senate delayed their confirmations. Democrat Richard Glick, who is presumed to oppose the plan, will be sworn in Wednesday. The timing for Trump's pick for chairman, Kevin McIntyre, remains unclear, though the Republican and former partner at the Jones Day law firm is expected to take over any day. He's previously indicated that he wouldn't support money-losing coal plants the same way Chatterjee has. "FERC is not an entity whose role includes choosing fuels for the generation of electricity," McIntyre said at a Senate hearing in September. "FERC's role, rather, is to ensure that the markets for the electricity generated by those facilities proceed in accordance with law." Chatterjee, who hails from coal-rich Kentucky, remained confident. "I'm hopeful that at least two of my colleagues, once they're sworn, will take my view," he said. Bloomberg's Dave Merrill contributed. NEW YORK, LONDON and HONG KONG, Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hazeltree, the leading provider of integrated buy-side treasury management solutions, today released its latest whitepaper addressing excellence in treasury operations from an institutional investor perspective. Treasury operations due diligence is expanding well beyond the historical focus on cash controls to include how well evolved and optimized a managers treasury function is, which is not only essential to minimizing counterparty risk, but key to reducing costs and adding incremental yield. Institutional investors are continuing their allocations to alternative investments at a rapid pace, with record inflows reported. This trend is likely to continue into 2018, with strong allocations to hedge funds, private equity, and real estate asset classes. That said, most of the allocations are going to the larger managers having consistent returns and more robust operations, with a clear focus on treasury. Capital allocations are skewed toward managers who can demonstrate: robust counterparty risk management, asset protection and transparency, timely liquidity, reduced funding and operational costs, and straightforward fees. Asset allocators are focusing beyond performance to consider concentration risk, counterparty exposure, borrow costs, margin requirements and cash management all now integral to their due diligence reviews and ongoing manager scrutiny, said Sameer Shalaby, CEO of Hazeltree. Fund managers should focus their attention on implementing structured treasury processes and technology to respond to their investor demands. The whitepaper, Institutional Investors Drive Treasury Operations Excellence, summarizes what treasury issues matter most to allocators and what sets managers apart from the crowd, and also includes a list of key questions relevant to treasury operational due diligence. To download a copy of the new whitepaper, visit http://www.hazeltree.com/news/ or contact a Hazeltree representative. About Hazeltree Hazeltree is the leading Treasury Management solution provider, serving hedge funds, asset managers, fund administrators, insurance companies and pension funds with powerful, proactive performance enhancement and risk mitigation capabilities that generate alpha from operations, reduce a range of risks and streamline operations. Hazeltrees integrated treasury management solution includes comprehensive cash management, securities financing, collateral management, counterparty management and margin management capabilities. Hazeltree is headquartered in New York with offices in London and Hong Kong. For more information, please visit www.hazeltree.com. Contact: Sameer Shalaby, President & CEO sshalaby@hazeltree.com 646.790.7250 ST. LOUIS Police have released the names of six people killed in the city over four days starting on Thanksgiving. The homicides brought the total for the year in the city to 190, St. Louis police said. At the same time last year, the city had 171 homicides on the way to a total of 188. There were 188 homicides in 2015 as well. The names released Monday by police include: Shelbyon Polk, 19, who was found dead with gunshot wounds to his torso about 9:30 a.m. Thursday in the 2600 block of Burd Avenue. He lived in the 1400 block of Yaqui Drive in Florissant. The address on Burd is in the Wells Goodfellow neighborhood. Reco Terry, 28, who was found dead of a gunshot wound to the head on the front porch of a home in the 5500 Block of Hebert Street about 4:30 p.m. Thursday. He lived in the 6400 block of Myrtle Avenue in Wellston, about a mile from where he was found dead. The Hebert address is also in the Wells Goodfellow neighborhood. Charles Keltz, 37, who was found shot to death about 7:30 p.m. in the 200 block of Quincy Street, in the Carondelet neighborhood. Thursday. He lived nearby in the 7000 block of Minnesota Avenue. Police believe he was beaten before he was shot. Police had no suspect information or motive in any of those cases. On Friday, three people were shot during an argument in the 3600 block of Iowa Avenue. All three were taken to a hospital, where David Dunn, 31, died. A 25-year-old man was hit in the hand and a 44-year-old woman was hit several times. They both survived. Police say they were arguing with a group of 3-5 males in the Gravois Park neighborhood when all three were shot about 4 p.m. Dunn had lived in the 8700 block of Wescott Avenue in Jennings. Another man was fatally shot about 5:50 p.m. Saturday in the 8200 block of Pelham Avenue, near North Broadway in the Baden neighborhood. Raymond Neal, 34, was found with gunshot wounds and was taken to a hospital, where he died. He had been in a fight with a male before the shooting, according to police. The sixth fatal shooting, on Sunday, claimed the life of Danielle Wilder, 26, police said. Officers called to a shooting found her dead in the 6300 block of Sherry Avenue in the Walnut Park West neighborhood about 6 p.m. She had been shot multiple times. Police had no suspects. Wilder had lived in the 5200 block of College Avenue. Authorities asked anyone with information to call CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-8477. JEFFERSON CITY Missouri residents will be able to board airplanes and enter federal installations using their current drivers licenses and identification cards following a decision by the federal government. In an announcement Tuesday, the Missouri Department of Revenue said the state has been granted a nearly yearlong waiver to begin complying with the federal REAL ID Act. Without the waiver, airports could have turned away Missourians attempting to board planes using their IDs beginning in January. The extension is the latest step in a lengthy tussle between Missouri and the federal government over tougher security features for drivers licenses that were rolled out in the wake of the 2001 terrorist attacks in New York. Missouri lawmakers have been at odds with the law since it went into effect in 2005, arguing that the provisions could allow state residents personal information to be hacked or misused. In 2009, Missouri approved a law prohibiting the Department of Revenue from complying with the new regulations, joining more than a dozen other states enacting similar bans. But support for that law began unraveling when contractors and truckers began having trouble getting into federal facilities in Missouri such as Fort Leonard Wood and Whiteman Air Force Base that require the enhanced IDs. This spring, the Legislature approved a plan to begin offering a federally compliant license. The new law allows people to have the option of getting an enhanced ID or continuing to use the noncompliant ID. The state is now in the midst of a two-step plan aimed at launching the new cards within the next 18 months. The first phase will focus on getting federal approval for the design of the new identification cards. The second phase is aimed at getting final approval by March 2019. Among the tasks is finalizing fingerprint background checks on Department of Revenue employees who work with drivers licenses and identification cards. Revenue spokeswoman Anne Marie Moy said the waiver runs through October 2018, which means the state will have to apply for a second waiver next year. CALGARY, Alberta, Nov. 27, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- High Arctic Energy Services Inc. (TSX:HWO) (High Arctic or the Corporation) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. J. Cameron Bailey to the position of Chief Executive Officer effective today. Mr. Bailey was most recently Managing Director, Investment Banking at Altacorp Capital responsible for Oil Field Services, Midstream and International Exploration and Development. He has had extensive experience as a founder, senior executive and board member managing the Canadian and international operations of oil field services companies. In addition, Mr. Bailey has relevant experience as a senior executive of public exploration and production companies in North America and emerging markets. He was formerly the founder and CEO of an E&P company operating in South America and founder and Chairman of an oil field services company operating in Canada and the United States. Michael Binnion, Executive Chairman of the Board commented, "After an extensive search for a new CEO, we are pleased that Cam has agreed to join High Arctic as our new CEO. We are confident that he will help to continue to deliver on High Arctics profitable growth and development while focusing on maintaining our strong safety culture and partnership with our customers. In addition, Cams background and skills are ideally suited to further High Arctics focus on business development, both organically and through acquisitions. He shares High Arctics vision of efficient and safe operations and our safety culture. I am pleased to welcome Cam to High Arctic on behalf of the board and it is fortuitous that we are touring our PNG operations this week to introduce him to this key part of our operations." About High Arctic High Arctic is a publicly traded company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol HWO. The Corporations principal focus is to provide drilling and specialized well completion services, equipment rentals and other services to the oil and gas industry. High Arctics largest operation is in Papua New Guinea where it provides drilling and specialized well completion services and supplies rig matting, camps and drilling support equipment on a rental basis. The Canadian operation provides well servicing, snubbing and nitrogen services and equipment on a rental basis to a large number of oil and natural gas exploration and production companies operating in Western Canada. For more information, please contact: Michael Binnion Executive Chairman of the Board Phone: 403-807-7375 Email: michael.binnion@haes.ca Brian Peters Chief Financial Officer Phone: 587-318-2218 Email: brian.peters@haes.ca On a Wednesday in May 2015, the Missouri Capitol press corps was in the middle of a good old-fashioned stakeout. Reporters crowded around the entrance to House Speaker John Diehl's office, waiting for the Town and Country Republican to emerge. Hours earlier, the Kansas City Star had posted an explosive report, with two-dozen screen shots of sexually charged texts between Diehl and a Capitol intern. "God I want you right now," Diehl, who was married with three children, wrote in one text. "I wish you could have me right now," the intern responded. At least one reporter speculated that Diehl would spend the night in his office rather than show his face to the scrum. But around 11 p.m., after hours holed up in his office, he came out. "It was very regrettable," he told reporters. "It was a stupid thing to do, and I'm sorry." Reporters wanted answers. How long had this been going on? Did Diehl send those texts? Why did he deny that he did write them when reporters starting asking questions weeks earlier? He said a statement he issued earlier that day spoke for itself. It didn't. Diehl, flustered, made his way down a Capitol staircase, with seemingly every journalist in Jefferson City following along. Someone picked Diehl up in the Capitol garage, driving him off into the night. By the end of the week, Diehl had resigned, his political career in tatters. In the months after Diehl's resignation, two other lawmakers resigned under clouds of sexually charged controversy. Sen. Paul LeVota, D-Independence, resigned in July that year following sexual harassment allegations involving Capitol interns. State Rep. Don Gosen, R-Ballwin, resigned the following February amid revelations that he had an affair while in office. The string of scandals placed the toxic work environment many women faced in the Capitol under a microscope. The House reviewed and toughened its policies on sexual harassment. The information communicated within this announcement is deemed to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014. Upon the publication of this announcement, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain. 28 November 2017 AFRICAN POTASH LIMITED ("African Potash" or the "Company") Blockchain Joint Venture Agreement and proposed Change of Name Joint Venture African Potash, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a Joint Venture agreement with FinComEco Limited a subsidiary of GMEX Group Limited. The agreement is to jointly develop and operate a range of platforms/projects and initiatives in the agricultural commodity markets sector in sub-Saharan Africa. This will be underpinned by the deployment of a complete blockchain-based agricultural ecosystem solution. This supply-to-demand chain links together smallholder farmers, small-scale traders, brokers, storage, transportation, and commodity buyers. It will help enable smallholder farmers to raise productivity andpotentially obtain a better price for their produce. In the longer term, it may provide opportunities for further income growth as well as opening alternative added-value opportunities including broader e-commerce-enabled enterprises. It is anticipated that demand will be driven by the provision of microloans by the Company direct to Small Scale farmers ("SSF"). The microloans are expected to bear interest at approximately 12% per annum, a rate which will be a significant disrupter in the countries of operation where farmers can pay well over double this rate. The portfolio of loans will be insured against non-performance. All supply chain financing and transaction logging will be by blockchain. This will offer a much more secure and cheaper alternative to present systems where they exist. Dealing direct with the farmer will limit government interference and cut out "the middlemen" and thereby potentially lower costs further. FinComEco, backed by GMEX, will ensure the purchase of agricultural commodities grown by the SSF through the deployment of existing warehouse receipt systems and commodity exchanges with secure payment of profit to the farmer after the repayment of the loan and interest to the Company. Shareholders will benefit both from the revenue from the sale of fertiliser and other inputs direct to SSFs, as well as the sale of outputs and from interest on the loans. Change of Name This joint venture with FinComEco to deploy an integrated microloan financed, token-based, input and output trading ecosystem is a significant step forward in our strategy to build a vertically integrated fertiliser business from initial resource through to selling directly to the farmer. Furthermore, it demonstrates the advantages the role of blockchain technology-based solutions can bring to commodity trading. In light of this significant development of the Company's strategy, the Board is proposing changing the Company's name to reflect the technology that will be core to its envisaged growth. A resolution to change the name of the Company to Block Commodities Limited will be proposed at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting, details of which will be sent to shareholders in due course. Rt. Hon. Mark Simmonds, non-executive director of African Potash, is also currently Chairman of FinComEco and was the former UK Foreign & Commonwealth office Minister with responsibilities for Africa, the Caribbean, UK Overseas Territories, International Energy and Conflict Prevention. Hirander Misra, Founder and Deputy Chairman of FinComEco and CEO of GMEX Group, said "We are delighted to be working with AFPO to transform the lives of smallholder farmers across sub-Saharan Africa. Our unique collaborative approach is delivering best-of-breed technology, standards and inputs (including seeds, fertilisers and pesticides) coupled with agricultural finance facilitation to link the supply to market side demand creating a holistic agricultural value chain." Chris Cleverly, Executive Chairman, said, "By linking agriculture to blockchain technology, the joint venture will facilitate agricultural value-chain efficiencies through provision of strategic value-added services. Demand for agricultural inputs will be driven by the provision of low cost microloans direct to Small Scale Farmers ("SSF") for them to purchase inputs from our designated warehouses; with repayment in the form of warehouse receipts of SSF outputs. In addition, other value-added services such as the provision of market information, training and capacity building will be provided, working together with FinComEco and other appropriate partners. The blockchain system tokens are expected to generate other e-commerce opportunities as demand evolves. This agreement represents a further step in our strategy to build a vertically integrated fertiliser business from initial resource through to selling, using blockchain technology, direct to the farm. This strategy is reflected in the proposed change of name to Block Commodities limited". The Company will make further updates in due course. The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the content of this announcement. **ENDS** For further information visit www.africanpotash.com or contact the following: For further information, please contact: African Potash Limited Chris Cleverly +44 (0) 20 7408 9200 NEX Exchange Corporate Adviser: Alexander David Securities Limited David Scott - Corporate Finance +44 (0) 20 7448 9820 James Dewhurst - Corporate Broking +44 (0) 20 7448 9820 About African Potash (AFPO) African Potash is an NEX Exchange-quoted company focussed on building a vertically integrated platform for the mining, production and distribution of fertiliser, primarily within Africa. The Company operates the Lac Dinga Project in the Republic of Congo, which is prospective for potash, a key source of potassium fertiliser, and has a trading agreement to supply and deliver fertiliser primarily to the African continent. For more information please visit http://www.africanpotash.com About FinComEco FinComEco, the financial and commodities ecosystem is fostering financial inclusion with social responsibility in collaboration with local stake-holders, development organisations, governments and the private sector with the aim of improving food security and economic diversity. The new electronic commodities exchange solution is establishing and reinvigoRating local spot exchanges and enabling trade across multiple regions with a focus on the agricultural sector to create a holistic secure financial system. It includes: Price discovery and transparency Electronic warehouse receipts Trade finance and micro lending facilitation as a distribution hub Risk management and hedging Integrated Electronic banking and payments platform Standards framework Traceability and tracking enablement Capacity building and education Operational and technology consultancy Working with trusted local partners Operational objectives include: Maximising the earnings potential for smallholder farmers Supporting smallholder farmers to thrive enabled with best of breed-of-technology and inputs (including seeds, fertilisers and pesticides), coupled with a unique Agri-finance business model to solve credit and financing issues. Leveraging as well as enhancing current logistics, warehousing and standards to establish a fully vitalised agricultural ecosystem efficiently linking supply to demand. FinComEco has proven its concept in Malawi at the Agricultural Commodity Exchange for Africa (ACE) through GMEX Group and is establishing fully regulated market places in other African countries and South-East Asia. Current shareholders include GMEX Group Limited, Saescada Limited and Houghton Street Capital Limited as well as individuals. For more information visit www.FinComEco.com About GMEX Group GMEX Group is a set of companies that offer sustainable and innovative solutions for a new era of global financial markets. Providing business expertise, the latest technology, connectivity & operational excellence delivered through an aligned partnership driven approach. It uses its extensive market infrastructure experience and expertise to create an appropriate strategic master plan with exchanges, clearing houses, depositories, registries and warehouse receipt platforms. The Group's key business solutions enable the creation and operation of cost effective electronic exchanges and post trade infrastructure in multiple asset classes including equities, debt, FX, derivatives and commodities. It operates in both developing and developed markets through the establishment of cohesive business and technology ecosystems. GMEX offers the added benefit of interconnection to multiple partner exchanges, to create global networks of liquidity. Based on current copper resources, the PEA analyzes an initial, two-stage, modular, 12 million-tonne-per-annum operation supplied by two adjacent six million-tonne-per-annum mines and a direct-to-blister smelter yielding an after-tax NPV8% of US$7.2 billion and an IRR of 33% over a 44-year mine life An initial six million-tonne-per-annum copper mine at Kakula can be developed for an estimated US$1.2 billion; subsequent expansions and smelter can be funded from cash flows or project finance Combined production of 12 Mtpa would rank Kamoa-Kakula among the worlds five largest copper mines, with projected annual production of more than 500,000 tonnes of copper Ivanhoe to explore acceleration options for building the first two mines at Kamoa-Kakula concurrently, and the potential for expanding production to 18 Mtpa and beyond Development of Kakula being fast-tracked with twin declines now underway; pre-feasibility study in progress Kakulas ultra-high copper grade expected to average 6.4% over the first 10 years, with mine-site copper cash costs of US$0.51/lb Ongoing drilling expanding and upgrading high-grade copper resources, particularly at the Kakula West Discovery KOLWEZI, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ivanhoe Mines (TSX:IVN) (OTCQX:IVPAF) Executive Chairman Robert Friedland and Chief Executive Officer Lars-Eric Johansson today welcomed the positive findings of an expanded, independent preliminary economic assessment (PEA) for the development of the Kakula Discovery at the Kamoa-Kakula Project on the Central African Copperbelt, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Given the dramatic expansion and upgrading of the copper resources delineated at Kamoa-Kakula during the past year, the new PEA incorporates potential increased mining rates that are 50% higher than the rates used in the December 2016 PEA. The KamoaKakula Project a joint venture between Ivanhoe Mines, Zijin Mining Group and the DRC government has been independently ranked as the worlds largest high-grade, major copper discovery by international mining consultant Wood Mackenzie. The three potential development scenarios examined include: Initial mine development scenario. The Kakula 2017 PEA evaluates the development of a six million-tonne-per-annum (Mtpa) underground mine and surface processing complex at the Kakula Deposit a discovery announced in early 2016 as the projects first phase of development. Expanded, two-mine development scenario. The Kakula 2017 PEA also includes an option for an integrated, 12 Mtpa, two-stage development, beginning with initial production from the Kakula Mine, to be followed by a subsequent, separate underground mining operation at the nearby Kansoko Mine, along with the construction of a smelter. Kamoa 2017 pre-feasibility study ( PFS ) . The Kamoa 2017 PFS evaluates the development of the Kansoko Mine as a stand-alone six Mtpa underground mine and surface processing complex that would be supplied with ore from the planned development of the Kansoko Sud and Kansoko Centrale areas of the Kamoa Deposit, which were discovered in 2008. The PFS refines the findings of the Kamoa March 2016 PFS, which envisaged a production rate of three Mtpa. The Kakula 2017 PEA and Kamoa 2017 PFS were independently prepared by OreWin Pty. Ltd., Amec Foster Wheeler E&C Services Inc., SRK Consulting Inc., Stantec Consulting LLC, Golder Associates Ltd., KGHM Cuprum R&D Centre Ltd. and DRA Global. The Kakula 2017 PEA is preliminary in nature and includes an economic analysis that is based, in part, on Inferred Mineral Resources. Inferred Mineral Resources are considered too speculative geologically for the application of economic considerations that would allow them to be categorized as Mineral Reserves and there is no certainty that the results will be realized. Mineral Resources do not have demonstrated economic viability and are not Mineral Reserves. A NI 43-101 technical report will be filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Ivanhoe Mines website at www.ivanhoemines.com within 45 days of the issuance of this news release. While not evaluated in the new PEA, Ivanhoe and Zijin also are exploring potential options to accelerate future production by building the Kakula and Kansoko mines concurrently as well as expansions to 18 Mtpa and beyond as exploration progresses at Kamoa-Kakula and on Ivanhoes 100%-owned exploration licences in the Western Forelands area to the west of Kamoa-Kakula, where drilling recently started. Kamoa-Kakula is, without a shadow of a doubt, the most disruptive Tier One copper project in the world today, said Mr. Friedland. The 12 million-tonne-per-annum development scenario clearly shows the economic potential for a phased development plan for Kamoa-Kakula to become one of the largest copper mines in existence. However, we are confident that there are more high-grade copper discoveries to be made in the area and the ultimate scale of operations at Kamoa-Kakula will be much larger. The exceptionally high copper grades, thickness and continuity of the Kakula Discovery really distinguish this project from anything we have seen during our 35-plus years in the industry. These unique characteristics should allow us to build a world-scale copper mine with an initial capital cost expected to be far lower than other operations of this size. Mr. Friedland noted that todays PEA announcement does not factor in the Kakula West Discovery, which is continuing to be expanded at a remarkable rate. The current study also does not factor in the ongoing drilling programs on new targets at Kamoa-Kakula or the companys 100%-owned Western Forelands exploration area. Additional exploration success could have a significant influence on the size, value and timing of the overall development plan; as such, the Kamoa-Kakula development plans will be reassessed and amended as the project moves forward to reflect ongoing exploration results. We remain focused on unlocking the full potential of the Kamoa-Kakula copper district while expediting the development of the initial Kakula Mine. The worlds current top copper mines are aging and their head grades are declining. Given the projected surge in demand for copper from the electric-vehicle revolution and renewable energy technologies, Kamoa-Kakula will be of significant strategic importance for auto makers and clean-energy companies looking to secure a long-term, reliable supply of high-quality copper, Mr. Friedland added. Mr. Johansson said that implementation of community-support initiatives are central to mine-planning considerations. We will be working with our partners Zijin Mining and the DRC government in developing Kamoa-Kakula into the worlds next great copper mine, generating widely shared economic benefits that will help to uplift local communities, and providing skills training to help ensure that area residents can qualify for the thousands of meaningful direct and indirect jobs that will be created. It is highly unusual by industry standards that, despite being in the early exploration and engineering phases of a project, Ivanhoe and Zijin are proud to be leading by example and have invested heavily in community development initiatives. Our joint efforts include the KNOW FOR SURE anti-malaria campaign utilizing revolutionary technology developed by Fio Corporation of Toronto, Canada. Other initiatives include fish and chicken farming, agricultural projects, and the construction of schools, roads and power infrastructure. Everyone at Ivanhoe Mines looks forward to showcasing our three mine development projects Kamoa-Kakula, Kipushi and Platreef to investors from around the world as the official site visit of the 2018 Mining Indaba conference that will be held in Cape Town, South Africa, in early February 2018. Those interested in attending our site visit should apply to our investor relations department as soon as possible. HIGHLIGHTS Potential initial six Mtpa mine at Kakula The PEA analyzes the potential development of an initial six Mtpa Kakula Mine at the Kakula Deposit in the southerly portion of the Kamoa-Kakula Projects discovery area. For this option, the PEA envisages an average annual production rate of 246,000 tonnes of copper at a mine site cash cost of US $0.45/lb copper and total cash cost of US $1.08/lb copper for the first five years of operations, and copper annual production of up to 385,000 tonnes by year four. An initial capital cost of US $1.2 billion for this option would result in an after- tax net present value at an 8% discount rate (NPV8%) of US $4.2 billion . The internal rate of return of 36.2% and project payback period of 3.1 years confirm the compelling economics for Kamoa-Kakulas initial phase of production. Kakula benefits from an ultra-high, average feed grade of 6.4% copper over the first 10 years of operations, and 5.5% copper on average over a 24-year mine life. A six Mtpa Kakula PFS is underway, with completion targeted for the second half of 2018. Kakulas surface box cut was completed on October 26 this year. Development of twin underground declines, similar to those at the nearby Kansoko Mine, has begun and is expected to take about a year to complete. The first blast for the declines was completed on November 16. Modular, integrated potential development of Kakula and Kamoa deposits, mining a combined total of 12 Mtpa The PEA also presents the development of a two-phase, sequential operation on Kamoa-Kakulas high-grade copper deposits. Initial production would occur at a rate of six Mtpa from the Kakula Mine, before increasing to 12 Mtpa with ore from the Kansoko Mine. As resources at Kakula and Kansoko are mined, the PEA envisages that production would begin at Kamoa North to maintain 12 Mtpa throughput over a 44-year mine life. For the two-phase sequential operation, the PEA envisages US $1.2 billion in initial capital costs. Future expansion at the Kansoko Mine and subsequent extensions could be funded by cash flows from the Kakula Mine, resulting in an after-tax net present value at an 8% discount rate ( NPV8% ) of US $7.2 billion and an internal rate of return of 33%. Under this approach, the PEA also includes the construction of a direct-to-blister flash copper smelter with a capacity of 690,000 tonnes of copper concentrate per annum to be funded from internal cash flows. This would be completed in year five of operations, achieving significant savings in treatment charges and transportation costs. The 12 Mtpa scenario delivers average annual production of 370,000 tonnes of copper at a total cash cost of US$1.02/lb copper during the first 10 years of operations and production of 542,000 tonnes by year nine. At this future production rate, Kamoa-Kakula would rank among the worlds five largest copper mines. A pre-feasibility study for a six Mtpa mine at Kansoko also has been examined In addition to the Kakula PEA , a PFS also has been completed for the development of a six Mtpa Kansoko Mine at the Kamoa Deposit, the projects original discovery area. For this option, the PFS envisages an average annual production rate of 178,000 tonnes of copper for the first 10 years of operations, and annual copper production of 245,000 tonnes by year seven. The initial capital cost of US$1.0 billion to develop this mine would result in an after-tax NPV8% of US$2.1 billion an increase of 109% compared to the after-tax NPV8% of US$986 million that was projected in the March 2016 Kamoa PFS. The internal rate of return is 24%, with a project payback period of five years. Potential phased mine developments to 18 Mtpa and beyond currently under evaluation for Kamoa-Kakula Ivanhoe is continuing to explore options to increase Kamoa-Kakula production to 18 Mtpa and beyond. In light of the successful step-out drilling at Kakula West, as well as the potential to find additional resources in high-priority targets located in the untested parts of the Kamoa-Kakula Project, development plans will be reassessed and amended as the project moves forward. Figure 1 describes the potential development scenarios and Figure 2 shows an overview of deposits included within Kakula 2017 PEA (six Mtpa and 12 Mtpa case) and Kamoa 2017 PFS (six Mtpa). Figure 1. Kamoa-Kakula PEA long-term development plan. http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/be51513a-e945-4b1d-a6d4-c7539ba5269c Figure 2. Overview of deposits included within Kakula 2017 PEA (six Mtpa and 12 Mtpa case) and Kamoa 2017 PFS (six Mtpa). http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f1ce9220-bf22-4b73-b6c6-adcb286a9ecc Summary of the PEAs key results for an initial Kakula Mine Very-high-grade initial phase of production is projected to have a grade of 7.3% copper in year four and an average grade of 6.4% copper over the initial 10 years of operations, resulting in estimated average annual copper production of 284,000 tonnes. Annual copper production is estimated at 385,000 tonnes in year four. Initial capital cost, including contingency, is estimated at US$1.2 billion. Average total cash cost of US$1.14/lb of copper during the first 10 years. After-tax NPV, at an 8% discount rate, of US$4.2 billion. After-tax internal rate of return (IRR) of 36.2%, and a payback period of 3.1 years. Kakula is expected to produce a very-high-grade copper concentrate in excess of 50% copper, with extremely low arsenic levels. Key initial projections from the Kakula 2017 PEA The study assesses the potential development of the Kakula Deposit as a six Mtpa mining and processing complex. The Kakula mill would be constructed in two smaller phases of three Mtpa each as the mining operations ramp-up to full production of six Mtpa. The life-of-mine production scenario provides for 108.4 million tonnes to be mined at an average grade of 5.48% copper, producing 9.4 million tonnes of high-grade copper concentrate, containing approximately 11.4 billion pounds of copper. The economic analysis uses a long-term price assumption of US$3.00/lb of copper and returns an after-tax NPV at an 8% discount rate of US$4.2 billion. It has an after-tax IRR of 36.2% and a payback period of 3.1 years. The estimated initial capital cost, including contingency, is US$1.2 billion. The capital expenditure for off-site power, which is included in the initial capital cost, includes a US$71 million advance payment to the DRC state-owned electricity company, SNEL, to upgrade two hydropower plants (Koni and Mwadingusha) to provide the Kamoa-Kakula Project with access to clean electricity for its planned operations. Mwadingusha is being upgraded first. The work is being led by Stucky Ltd., of Switzerland; the advance payment will be recovered through a reduction in the power tariff. The Kakula 2017 PEA is preliminary in nature and includes an economic analysis that is based, in part, on Inferred Mineral Resources. Inferred Mineral Resources are considered too speculative geologically for the application of economic considerations that would allow them to be categorized as Mineral Reserves and there is no certainty that the results will be realized. Mineral Resources do not have demonstrated economic viability and are not Mineral Reserves. Key results of the Kakula 2017 PEA for a single six Mtpa mine are summarized in Table 1. Table 1. Kakula Mine results summary for six Mtpa production. Item Unit Total Total Processed Quantity Milled kt 108,422 Copper Feed Grade % 5.48 Total Concentrate Produced Copper Concentrate Produced kt (dry) 9,400 Copper Recovery % 86.86 Copper Concentrate Grade % 54.94 Contained Metal in Concentrate Mlb 11,385 Contained Metal in Concentrate kt 5,164 Peak Annual Recovered Metal Production kt 385 10-Year Average Copper Concentrate Produced kt (dry) 517 Contained Metal in Concentrate kt 284 Mine-Site Cash Cost US$/lb 0.51 Total Cash Cost US$/lb 1.14 5-Year Average Copper Concentrate Produced kt (dry) 448 Contained Metal in Concentrate kt 246 Mine-Site Cash Cost US$/lb 0.45 Total Cash Cost US$/lb 1.08 Key Financial Results Peak Funding US$M 1,135 Initial Capital Costs US$M 1,231 Expansion Capital Costs US$M 318 LOM Average Mine Site Cash Costs US$/lb Cu 0.60 LOM Average Total Cash Costs US$/lb Cu 1.23 Site Operating Costs US$/t Milled 61.49 After-Tax NPV8% US$M 4,243 After-Tax IRR % 36.2 Project Payback Period Years 3.1 Initial Project Life Years 24 Table 2 summarizes the financial results and Table 3 summarizes potential mine production and processing statistics. Table 2. Kakula Mine financial results for six Mtpa production. Net Present Value (US$M) Discount Rate Before Taxation After Taxation Undiscounted 16,607 11,700 4.0% 9,940 6,919 6.0% 7,816 5,398 8.0 % 6,200 4,243 10.0% 4,955 3,353 12.0% 3,984 2,660 Internal Rate of Return 43.0% 36.2% Project Payback Period (Years) 2.9 3.1 Table 3. Kakula Mine average estimated production and processing statistics for six Mtpa production. Item Unit YEARS 1-5 YEARS 1-10 LOM AVERAGE Total Processed Quantity Milled kt 4,135 5,073 4,518 Copper Feed Grade % 6.80 6.42 5.48 Annual Concentrate Produced Copper Concentrate Produced kt (dry) 448 517 392 Copper Recovery % 87.46 87.29 86.86 Copper Concentrate Grade % 54.94 54.94 54.94 Contained Metal in Concentrate Copper Mlb 543 627 474 Copper kt 246 284 215 Payable Metal Copper Mlb 530 612 463 Copper kt 240 277 210 The Kakula concentrator production is shown in Figure 3 and the concentrate and metal production is shown in Figure 4. Figure 3. Kakula Mine estimated tonnes milled and head grade for the first 20 years. http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/94495246-c7aa-4917-9f09-0f92f93eefde Figure 4. Kakula Mine estimated concentrate and metal production for the first 20 years. http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e97ed643-13bb-41ae-a8ff-9c36127c6371 Table 4 summarizes unit operating costs. Table 5 provides a breakdown of revenue and operating costs. Capital costs for the project are detailed in Table 6. Table 4. Kakula Mine unit operating costs for six Mtpa production. US$/lb Payable Copper YEARS 1-5 YEARS 1-10 LOM AVERAGE Mine Site 0.45 0.51 0.60 Transport 0.31 0.31 0.31 Treatment & Refining Charges 0.15 0.15 0.15 Royalties & Export Tax 0.17 0.17 0.17 Total Cash Costs 1.08 1.14 1.23 Figure 5. 2018 Mine-site cash costs (includes all operational costs at mine site). http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/acc78017-43fa-43ec-93f3-368557edeadd Figure 6. 2018 C1 pro-rata copper cash costs (includes mining, processing, transportation and offsite realization costs). http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7b7f62b7-ec37-4ecb-922c-19b43d17e820 Table 5. Kakula Mine estimated revenue and operating costs for six Mtpa production. TOTAL LOM YEARS 1-5 YEARS 1-10 LOM AVERAGE US$M US$/t Milled Revenue Copper in Concentrate 33,346 384.31 361.76 307.56 Gross Sales Revenue 33,346 384.31 361.76 307.56 Less: Realization Costs Transport 3,418 39.93 37.21 31.52 Treatment & Refining 1,663 19.16 18.04 15.34 Royalties & Export Tax 1,935 22.29 20.99 17.85 Total Realization Costs 7,015 81.38 76.24 64.70 Net Sales Revenue 26,331 302.93 285.53 242.86 Site Operating Costs Underground Mining 4,679 39.94 44.65 43.16 Processing 1,308 12.00 12.14 12.06 Tailings 29 0.30 0.25 0.26 General & Administration 728 6.36 5.77 6.71 SNEL Discount -187 -2.12 -2.23 -1.67 Customs 104 0.91 0.99 0.96 Total 6,661 57.38 61.57 61.49 Net Operating Margin 19,670 245.55 223.96 181.37 Net Operating Margin 74.70 % 81.06 % 78.44 % 74.68 % Table 6. Kakula Mine estimated capital investment summary for six Mtpa production. Description Initial Capital Expansion Capital Sustaining Capital Total US$M US$M US$M US$M MINING Underground Mining 403 1,045 1,447 Capitalized Pre-Production 36 36 Subtotal 438 1,045 1,483 POWER Power Supply Off Site 71 71 Capitalized Power Cost 4 4 Subtotal 75 75 CONCENTRATE & TAILINGS Process Plant 146 84 159 389 Tailings 27 74 101 Subtotal 173 158 159 489 INFRASTRUCTURE Mine Surface Infrastructure 35 24 59 General Infrastructure 110 76 187 Rail Link 48 48 Subtotal 145 48 100 293 INDIRECTS EPCM 78 31 109 Owners Cost 95 20 115 Closure 75 75 Subtotal 173 51 75 298 CAPITAL EXPENDITURE BEFORE CONTINGENCY 1,004 257 1,378 2,638 Contingency 227 62 65 354 CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AFTER CONTINGENCY 1,231 318 1,443 2,992 Figure 7. Capital intensity for large-scale copper projects. http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1f8ae0fa-18c4-4ce7-9b78-4b886eef27df The after-tax NPV sensitivity to metal price variation is shown in Table 7 for copper prices from US$2.00/lb to US$4.00/lb. The annual and cumulative cash flows are shown in Figure 8. Table 7. Kakula Mine copper price sensitivity. After-Tax NPV (US$M) Copper Price - US$/lb Discount Rate 2.00 2.50 3.00 3.50 4.00 Undiscounted 4,135 7,921 11,700 15,478 19,253 4.0% 2,257 4,591 6,919 9,247 11,573 6.0% 1,654 3,529 5,398 7,267 9,135 8.0 % 1,195 2,722 4,243 5,764 7,282 10.0% 841 2,100 3,353 4,606 5,856 12.0% 567 1,617 2,660 3,703 4,744 IRR 18.9% 28.6% 36.2% 42.8% 48.6% Figure 8. Kakula Mine projected cumulative cash flow. http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cac389af-3b57-49b4-9812-9c198fad8e40 Expanded 12 Mtpa development scenario for the Kakula and Kamoa deposits The Kakula 2017 PEA also assesses the potential development of the Kakula and Kamoa deposits as an integrated, 12 Mtpa mining and processing complex, built in two stages. This scenario envisages the construction and operation of two separate facilities: first, an initial mining operation would be established at the Kakula Mine on the Kakula Deposit; and then a subsequent, separate mining operation would begin at the Kansoko Mine on the Kansoko Sud and Kansoko Centrale areas of the Kamoa Deposit. As this two-staged development scenario is based on currently delineated resources, it does not incorporate the mining of any resources that may be delineated at the Kakula West discovery or that may result from the ongoing drilling of high-priority targets located in the untested parts of the Kamoa-Kakula Project area. Each mining operation is expected to be a separate underground mine with a shared processing facility and surface infrastructure. Included in this scenario is the construction of a direct-to-blister flash copper smelter with a capacity of 690,000 tonnes of copper concentrate per annum. As the resources at the Kakula and Kansoko Mines are mined out, production would begin at Kamoa North to maintain throughput of 12 Mtpa to the then existing concentrator and smelter complex. The Kakula 2017 PEA is preliminary in nature and includes an economic analysis that is based, in part, on Inferred Mineral Resources. Inferred Mineral Resources are considered too speculative geologically for the application of economic considerations that would allow them to be categorized as Mineral Reserves and there is no certainty that the results will be realized. Mineral Resources do not have demonstrated economic viability and are not Mineral Reserves. Summary of the PEAs key results for the 12 Mtpa development scenario Very-high-grade initial phase projected to have a grade of 7.3% copper in year four and an average grade of 5.72% copper during the first 10 years of operations, resulting in estimated average annual copper production of 370,000 tonnes. Annual copper production is estimated at 542,000 tonnes in year nine, ranking Kamoa-Kakula as one of the five largest copper mines in the world. Initial capital cost, including contingency, is US$1.2 billion, with subsequent expansions from Kansoko and other mining areas, as well as the smelter, to be funded by cash flows from the Kakula Mine. Average total cash costs of US$1.02/lb of copper during the first 10 years, including sulphuric acid credits. After-tax NPV, at an 8% discount rate, of US$7.2 billion. After-tax IRR of 33% and a payback period of 4.7 years. Key results of this potential development scenario are summarized in tables 8, 9 & 10 and figures 9 & 10. Table 8. 12 Mtpa Kamoa-Kakula PEA results summary. Item Unit Total Total Processed Quantity Milled kt 444,276 Copper Feed Grade % 3.79 Total Concentrate Produced Copper Concentrate Produced kt (dry) 34,206 Copper Concentrate - External Smelter kt (dry) 9,744 Copper Concentrate - Internal Smelter kt (dry) 24,461 Copper Recovery % 85.97 Copper Concentrate Grade % 42.30 Cont. Metal in Conc. - External Smelter Mlb 10,627 Cont. Metal in Conc. - External Smelter kt 4,820 Cont. Metal in Blister - Internal Smelter Mlb 20,955 Cont. Metal in Blister - Internal Smelter kt 9,505 Peak Annual Recovered Metal Production kt 542 10 Year Average Copper Feed Grade % 5.72 Copper Concentrate Produced kt (dry) 758 Cont. Metal in Conc. - External Smelter kt 188 Cont. Metal in Blister - Internal Smelter kt 182 Mine Site Cash Cost (Including Smelter) US$/lb 0.63 Total Cash Cost (After Credits) US$/lb 1.02 Key Financial Results Peak Funding US$M 1,139 Initial Capital Costs US$M 1,235 Expansion Capital Costs US$M 3,647 LOM Avg. Mine Site Cash Cost US$/lb 0.91 LOM Avg. Total Cash Costs (After Credits) US$/lb 1.20 Site Operating Costs US$/t Milled 64.17 After-Tax NPV8% US$M 7,179 After-Tax IRR % 33.0 Project Payback Years 4.7 Initial Project Life Years 44 Table 9. 12 Mtpa Kamoa-Kakula PEA unit operating costs. US$/lb Payable Copper YEARS 1-5 YEARS 1-10 LOM AVERAGE Mine Site (ex-Smelter) 0.46 0.54 0.78 Smelter 0.05 0.09 0.13 Transport 0.27 0.23 0.21 Treatment & Refining Charges 0.12 0.10 0.09 Royalties & Export Tax 0.15 0.13 0.12 Total Cash Costs Before Credits 1.04 1.09 1.33 Sulphuric Acid Credits1 (0.03) (0.07) (0.13) Total Cash Costs After Credits 1.02 1.02 1.20 Assumes a sulphuric acid price of US$200 per tonne. Table 10. 12 Mtpa Kamoa-Kakula PEA copper price sensitivity. After-Tax NPV (US$M) Copper Price (US$/lb) Discount Rate 2.00 2.50 3.00 3.50 4.00 Undiscounted 10,638 21,313 31,970 42,598 53,213 4.0% 4,540 9,414 14,283 19,146 24,005 6.0% 2,969 6,492 10,008 13,522 17,033 8.0 % 1,913 4,549 7,179 9,808 12,435 10.0% 1,187 3,218 5,243 7,267 9,290 12.0% 679 2,282 3,879 5,475 7,069 IRR 16.6% 25.5% 33.0% 39.6% 45.5% Figure 9. 12 Mtpa scenario mill feed and grade profile. http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cd54aa77-fbdc-4d90-ac63-8af6b35a7ee8 Figure 10. 12 Mtpa scenario concentrate and metal production. http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0c296131-f14b-47a9-8378-88cca1104e1b Figure 11. Projected 12 Mtpa Kamoa-Kakula production (year-nine peak copper production shown) compared to the worlds projected top 20 producing mines in 2025 by paid copper production. http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dd23b712-66dc-4c28-a451-6b47f93183fd Figure 12. Nominal production and head grade of the worlds top 10 largest new greenfield projects. http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/68c44649-1c46-4b23-8ea5-2a42847914ae Summary of the key results for the Kamoa 2017 PFS In addition to the PEA, a pre-feasibility study (PFS) has been completed for the development of a six Mtpa Kansoko Mine at the Kamoa Deposit. This refines the findings of the Kamoa March 2016 PFS, which envisaged a production rate of three Mtpa. The PFS is based entirely on the Kamoa 2017 PFS Mineral Reserve, details of which are shown in Table 13. The PFS re-assesses the development of the Kamoa Deposit as a stand-alone six Mtpa mining and processing complex. The life-of-mine production scenario schedules 125.2 million tonnes to be mined at an average grade of 3.81% copper, producing 11.4 million tonnes of high-grade copper concentrate, containing approximately 9.2 billion pounds of copper. The economic analysis uses a long-term price assumption of US$3.00/lb of copper and returns an after-tax NPV at an 8% discount rate of US$2.1 billion, an increase of 110% compared to the after-tax NPV8% of US$986 million that was projected in the Kamoa 2016 PFS. It has an after-tax IRR of 24.2% and a payback period of 5.0 years. The estimated initial capital cost, including contingency, is US$1.0 billion. Key results of the Kamoa 2017 PFS for a single six Mtpa mine are summarized in Table 11. Table 11. Kansoko Mine results summary for six Mtpa production. Item Unit Total Total Processed Quantity Milled kt 125,182 Copper Feed Grade % 3.81 Total Concentrate Produced Copper Concentrate Produced kt (dry) 11,405 Copper Recovery % 87.52 Copper Concentrate Grade % 36.63 Contained Metal in Concentrate Mlb 9,211 Contained Metal in Concentrate kt 4,178 Peak Annual Recovered Metal Production kt 245 10 Year Average Copper Concentrate Produced kt (dry) 487 Contained Metal in Concentrate kt 178 Mine Site Cash Cost US$/lb 0.57 Total Cash Cost US$/lb 1.44 Key Financial Results Peak Funding US$M 1,070 Initial Capital Costs US$M 1,004 Expansion Capital Costs US$M 348 LOM Average Mine Site Cash Costs US$/lb Cu 0.64 LOM Average Total Cash Costs US$/lb Cu 1.51 Site Operating Costs US$/t Milled 45.21 After-Tax NPV8% US$M 2,063 After-Tax IRR % 24.2 Project Payback Period Years 5.0 Initial Project Life Years 26 The Kamoa-Kakula Project is a very large, stratiform copper deposit with adjacent prospective exploration areas within the Central African Copperbelt, located approximately 25 kilometres west of the town of Kolwezi and about 270 kilometres west of Lubumbashi. The Kamoa Copper Deposit was discovered by Ivanhoe Mines (then named Ivanhoe Nickel & Platinum) in 2008, followed by the discovery of the Kakula Deposit in early 2016. In August 2012, the DRC government granted mining licences to Ivanhoe Mines for the Kamoa-Kakula Project that cover a total of 397 square kilometres. The licences are valid for 30 years and can be renewed at 15-year intervals. Mine development work at the project began in July 2014 with construction of a box cut for the decline ramps for the Kansoko Mine. Ivanhoe Mines and Zijin Mining each hold an indirect 39.6% interest in the Kamoa-Kakula Project, Crystal River Global Limited holds an indirect 0.8% interest and the DRC government holds a direct 20% interest. Kamoa-Kakula Project Mineral Resource estimate The Mineral Resource for the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Deposit has an effective date of November 27, 2017. The Kamoa and Kakula Mineral Resources are summarized in Table 12 and are reported on a 100% basis. Table 12. Consolidated Mineral Resource Statement, Kamoa-Kakula Project November 27, 2017, 1% copper cut-off over minimum thickness of approximately 3 metres. Deposit Category Tonnes (millions) Area (sq. km) Copper Grade Vertical Thickness (metres) Contained Copper (kt) Contained Copper (billion lbs) Kamoa Indicated 759 50.7 2.57 % 5.5m 19,515 43.0 Inferred 202 19.4 1.85 % 3.8m 3,739 8.2 Kakula Indicated 349 9.8 3.23 % 12.6m 11,281 24.9 Inferred 59 3.0 2.26 % 7.0m 1,338 3.0 Total Kamoa-Kakula Copper Project Indicated 1108 60.5 2.78 % 6.6m 30,796 67.9 Inferred 261 22.4 1.94 % 4.2m 5,078 11.2 Notes to accompany Kamoa-Kakula Project Mineral Resource table. Ivanhoes Mineral Resources Manager, George Gilchrist, Professional Natural Scientist (Pr. Sci. Nat) with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP), estimated the Mineral Resources under the supervision of Dr. Harry Parker and Gordon Seibel, both RM of Society of Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME), who are the Qualified Persons for the Mineral Resource estimate. The effective date of the estimate is November 27, 2017, and the cut-off date for the drill data is May 16, 2017. Mineral Resources are estimated using the 2014 CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves. Mineral Resources at Kamoa are inclusive of Mineral Reserves. No Mineral Reserves are currently reported at Kakula. Mineral Resources are estimated assuming underground mining methods, a copper price of US$3.00/lb (Kamoa) and US$3.00/lb (Kakula), a cut-off of 1% total copper, an approximate minimum thickness of 3 metres, and that concentrates will be produced and sent to a smelter. Tonnage and contained-copper tonnes are reported in metric units, contained-copper pounds are reported in imperial units and grades are reported as percentages. Rounding as required by reporting guidelines may result in apparent summation differences between tonnes, grade and contained metal content. A new, expanded mineral resource estimate for Kamoa-Kakula, based on drill holes completed to the end of December 2017, is expected to be issued in January 2018. The new estimate will include initial resources for the Kakula West Discovery and the saddle area between the existing Kakula Mineral Resource area and the Kakula West Discovery. Kamoa 2017 PFS Mineral Reserve The Kamoa 2017 PFS Mineral Reserve has been estimated by Qualified Person Jon Treen, Senior Vice President, Stantec Consulting LLC, using the 2014 CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves to conform to the Canadian National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. The total Mineral Reserve for the Kamoa Project is shown in Table 13. The Mineral Reserve is based on the May 2014 Mineral Resource. The Mineral Reserve is entirely a Probable Mineral Reserve that was converted from Indicated Mineral Resources. The effective date of the Mineral Reserve statement is November 28, 2017. Table 13. Kamoa 2017 PFS Mineral Reserve Statement. Tonnage (Mt) Copper (%) Copper (Recovered Mlb) Copper (Recovered kt) Proven Mineral Reserve - - - - Probable Mineral Reserve 125.1 3.81 8,884 4,030 Mineral Reserve 125.1 3.81 8,884 4,030 Notes to accompany Kamoa 2017 PFS Mineral Reserve table The copper price used for calculating the financial analysis is long-term copper at US$3.00/lb. The analysis has been calculated with assumptions for smelter refining and treatment charges, deductions and payment terms, concentrate transport, metallurgical recoveries and royalties. For mine planning, the copper price used to calculate block model Net Smelter Returns was US$3.00/lb. An elevated cut-off of US$100.00/t NSR was used to define the stoping blocks. A cut-off of US$80.00/t NSR was used to define ore and waste for the mine plan. Indicated Mineral Resources were used to report Probable Mineral Reserves. The Mineral Reserves reported above are not additive to the Mineral Resources. The Kamoa 2017 PFS Mineral Reserve ranges between depths of 60 metres and 1,300 metres below surface and the average dip is approximately 17 degrees. Given the favourable mining characteristics of the Kamoa Mineral Resource, it is considered amenable to large-scale, mechanized, room-and-pillar mining or control convergence room-and-pillar (CCRP) mining. The arrangement of the declines at Kansoko Sud and the Mineral Reserve mining areas are shown in Figure 2. Combination of mining methods selected Mining methods in the Kakula 2017 PEA are assumed to be a combination of controlled-convergence room-and-pillar (CCRP) and drift-and-fill. For the Kakula Mine, drift-and-fill mining utilizing paste backfill was selected as the mining method for the thick high grade areas. This method was selected to maximize the extraction of the Mineral Resource where the selected mining height is greater than six metres and multiple mining lifts are required to achieve maximum extraction. The Mineral Resource that is between three metres and six metres will be mined using the CCRP mining method. At the planned Kansoko Mine, in the Kansoko Sud and Centrale areas the CCRP mining method was selected for ore zone depths of below 150 metres and mining heights of six metres or less. The design for the Kansoko Sud and Centrale mining areas is based on the Kamoa 2016 PFS mine design, which includes a service decline and a conveyor decline. The production rate envisaged in the Kamoa 2017 PFS is to six Mtpa compared to four Mtpa outlined in the 2016 Kamoa PFS. At Kakula, the deposit is planned to be similarly accessed by twin declines with a productive mining rate of six Mtpa. CCRP mining method is a form of room-and-pillar that includes a second phase of pillar reduction after the cut line has advanced. The in-panel pillars are designed in post destructive state allowing most of the pillars to be trimmed by mechanical means ensuring controlled excavation and monitoring of the convergence process. This method is productive and provides very good extraction rates at relatively low costs. The CCRP mining method has been successfully implemented by KGHM at its copper-mining operations in Poland for the past 20 years. Ivanhoe Mines engaged KGHM Cuprum R&D Centre Ltd. to study the applicability of this method to Kamoa. The results of the study indicate that the Kamoa Deposit is suited to the application of the CCRP mining method. Metallurgical test work and concentrator design Between 2010 and 2015, a series of metallurgical test work programs were completed on drill-core samples of known Kamoa copper mineralization. These investigations focused on metallurgical characterization and flow-sheet development for the processing of hypogene and supergene copper mineralization. In 2016, further bench-scale metallurgical flotation test work was carried out at XPS Consulting and Testwork Services laboratories in Falconbridge, Ontario, Canada. This test work was conducted on composite samples of drill core from the Kansoko Sud and Kansoko Centrale areas in the southern part of the Kamoa Mineral Resource area. The flowsheet developed was suited for the fined grained nature of the material and yielded positive results. Test work on a composite grading 3.61% copper produced a copper recovery of 85.4% at a concentrate grade of 37.0% copper. The second composite, grading 3.20% copper, produced a copper recovery of 89.2% at a concentrate grade of 35.0% copper using the same flowsheet. Additional bench-scale metallurgical flotation test work was carried out in 2016 on two chalcocite-rich composites from the Kakula Deposit at a Zijin Mining laboratory in Xiamen, China, and by XPS Consulting and Testwork Services. The initial composite, grading 4.1% copper, produced a copper recovery of 86% at a concentrate grade of 53% copper at the Zijin Mining laboratory in July 2016. The second composite, grading 8.1% copper, produced a recovery of 87% at an extremely high concentrate grade of 56% copper. The flotation tests were conducted using the circuit developed during the 2016 Kamoa pre-feasibility study. Average arsenic levels in the concentrate were measured to be approximately 0.02%, which is significantly lower than the limit of 0.5% imposed by Chinese smelters. Extremely low arsenic levels in concentrate are expected to attract a premium from copper-concentrate traders. The concentrator design incorporates a run-of-mine stockpile, followed by primary and secondary crushing on surface. The crushed material with a design-size distribution of 80% passing (or P80) nine millimetres (mm), is fed into a two-stage ball-milling circuit for further size reduction to a target grind size p80 of 53 micrometres (m). The milled slurry will be passed through a rougher and scavenger flotation. The high-grade, or fast-floating rougher concentrate, and medium-grade, or slow-floating scavenger concentrate, will be collected separately. The rougher concentrate is upgraded in two stages to produce a high-grade concentrate. The medium-grade scavenger concentrate and tailings from the two rougher cleaning stages, representing approximately 25% of the feed mass, will be combined and re-ground to a P80 of 10m before being cleaned in two stages. The cleaned scavenger concentrate then will be combined with the cleaned rougher concentrate to form the final concentrate. The final concentrate will be thickened before being pumped to the concentrate filter where the filter cake then will be bagged for shipment to market. Direct-to-blister flash smelter Under the 12 Mtpa scenario examined in the Kakula 2017 PEA, the construction of a direct-to-blister flash (DBF) smelter is envisaged, subject to further study on feasibility, scale and timing. Flash smelting is typically advantageous compared to other technologies as the energy costs are relatively low. The smelter is designed with a capacity of 690,000 tonnes of concentrate, and would operate at full capacity fed by Kamoa-Kakula copper concentrates until the end of the mine life. Concentrate would be first dried and sent to the DBF where it is smelted in the reaction shaft with oxygen-enriched air to produce molten slag containing oxide minerals, blister copper and SO 2 -rich off-gas. The oxidation reactions provide sufficient heat required to melt the charge, although a small amount of external fuel is used for process control purposes. Molten slag and blister copper collect in the DBF furnace settler and are intermittently tapped via dedicated tapholes. The slag is reduced in two electric slag cleaning furnaces operating in series to recover copper in the form of blister and alloy, respectively. The SO 2 rich off-gas is de-dusted, dried and sent to a double-contact-double-adsorption acid plant for production of high strength sulphuric acid which is sold to the local market. An on-site smelter offers numerous cost savings, including on treatment charges, certain royalties and transportation costs, particularly for the lower-grade copper concentrates from the Kansoko and Kamoa North mines. In addition, the sale of the sulphuric acid by-product would generate additional revenue. Sulphuric acid is in short supply in the DRC, and is imported for use in processing ore from oxide copper deposits. Transportation routes to international markets A phased logistics solution is proposed in the Kakula 2017 PEA. Initially, the corridor between southern DRC and Durban in South Africa is viewed as the most attractive and reliable export route. As soon as the railway between Kolwezi and Dilolo, a town near the DRC-Angolan border, is upgraded, the Kamoa-Kakula Projects production is expected to be transported by rail to the Atlantic port of Lobito in Angola. In addition, there is the potential to negotiate off-take arrangements with smelters in Zambia. Qualified persons The following companies have undertaken work in preparation of the Kakula 2017 PEA and Kamoa 2017 PFS: OreWin Overall report preparation, mining, logistics, power and economic analysis. MDM/Amec Foster Wheeler Mineral Resource estimation, processing and infrastructure. SRK Consulting Mine geotechnical recommendations. Stantec Mining and Mineral Reserves. Golder Associates Environmental and hydrogeology. The independent Qualified Persons responsible for preparing the Kakula 2017 PEA and Kamoa 2017 PFS, on which the technical report will be based, are Bernard Peters (OreWin); Dr. Harry Parker (Amec Foster Wheeler); Gordon Seibel (Amec Foster Wheeler); Dean David (MDM/Amec Foster Wheeler); William Joughin (SRK); and Jon Treen (Stantec). Each Qualified Person has reviewed and approved the information in this news release relevant to the portion of the Kakula 2017 PEA and Kamoa 2017 PFS for which they are responsible. Other scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Stephen Torr, P.Geo., Ivanhoe Mines Vice President, Project Geology and Evaluation, a Qualified Person under the terms of National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Torr is not independent of Ivanhoe Mines. Mr. Torr has verified the technical data disclosed in this news release. Wood Mackenzie provided data based on public disclosure of comparable copper projects for the compilation of certain figures used in this release; however, Wood Mackenzie did not review the Kakula 2017 PEA. Data verification and quality control and assurance Amec Foster Wheeler reviewed the sample chain of custody, quality assurance and control procedures, and qualifications of analytical laboratories. Amec Foster Wheeler is of the opinion that the procedures and QA/QC control are acceptable to support Mineral Resource estimation. Amec Foster Wheeler also audited the assay database, core logging and geological interpretations on a number of occasions between 2009 and 2015 and has found no material issues with the data as a result of these audits. In the opinion of the Amec Foster Wheeler Qualified Persons, the data verification programs undertaken on the data collected from the Kamoa-Kakula Project support the geological interpretations. The analytical and database quality and the data collected can support Mineral Resource estimation. Ivanhoe Mines maintains a comprehensive chain of custody and QA/QC program on assays from its KamoaKakula Copper Project. Half-sawn core is processed at its on-site preparation laboratory in Kamoa, prepared samples then are shipped by secure courier to Bureau Veritas Minerals (BVM) Laboratories in Australia, an ISO17025 accredited facility. Copper assays are determined at BVM by mixed-acid digestion with ICP finish. Industry-standard certified reference materials and blanks are inserted into the sample stream prior to dispatch to BVM. For detailed information about assay methods and data verification measures used to support the scientific and technical information, please refer to the Kakula 2017 Resource Update, June 2017 technical report available on the SEDAR profile of Ivanhoe Mines at www.sedar.com or under technical reports on the Ivanhoe Mines website at www.ivanhoemines.com. About Ivanhoe Mines Ivanhoe Mines is advancing its three principal projects in Southern Africa: Mine development at the Platreef platinum-palladium-gold-nickel-copper discovery on the Northern Limb of South Africas Bushveld Complex; mine development and exploration at the Tier One Kamoa-Kakula copper discoveries on the Central African Copperbelt in the DRC; and upgrading at the historic, high-grade Kipushi zinc-copper-lead-germanium mine, also on the DRCs Copperbelt. For details, visit www.ivanhoemines.com. Information contacts Investors Media Bill Trenaman +1.604.331.9834 North America: Bob Williamson +1.604.512.4856 South Africa: Jeremy Michaels +27.82.939.4812 Cautionary statement on forward-looking information Certain statements in this release constitute forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including without limitation: (i) the results of the preliminary economic assessment and the pre-feasibility study, including the future development of the Kamoa-Kakula Project as a six Mtpa underground Kakula Mine, integrated 12 Mtpa, two-stage development and a six Mtpa Kansoko Mine; (ii) the use of the controlled convergence room-and-pillar mining method; (iii) the expectation that concentrate with extremely low arsenic levels will attract a premium from traders; (iv) the expectation that the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Projects production is to be transported by rail to the port of Lobito once the the railroad between Kolwezi and Dilolo is rehabilitated; (v) the timing, results and completion of future studies; (vi) the expectation that the advance payment to SNEL will be recovered through a reduction in the power tariff; (vii) the expectation that the refurbished Koni and Mwadingusha hydroelectric plants will provide power to the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Project; and (viii) the expectation that an updated Mineral Resource estimate for the Kakula deposit will be completed in January 2018. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Ivanhoe Mines, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as may, would, could, will, intend, expect, believe, plan, anticipate, estimate, scheduled, forecast, predict and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved. These statements reflect the Ivanhoe Mines current expectations regarding future events, performance and results and speak only as of the date of this news release. As well, all of the results of the Kakula 2017 PEA and the Kamoa 2017 PFS constitute forward-looking information or statements, including estimates of internal rates of return (including an after-tax internal rate of return of 36.2% with a payback period of 3.1 years for the initial six Mtpa Kakula Mine option), net present value (including a project NPV of US$7.2 billion at an 8% discount rate in a two mine Kamoa and Kakula integrated development scenario and US$4.2 billion at an 8% discount rate for the initial six Mtpa Kakula Mine option), future production (including an average annual production rate of 284,000 tonnes of copper during the first 10 years of operations and production of 385,000 tonnes in year four for the initial six Mtpa Kakula Mine option), estimates of cash cost (including average total cash cost of US$1.14/lb during the first 10 years of operations for the initial six Mtpa Kakula Mine option), assumed long term price for copper of US$3.00 per pound, proposed mining plans and methods (including the potential to use the controlled convergence room-and-pillar mining method), mine life estimates, cash flow forecasts, metal recoveries, production of copper concentrate in excess of 50% copper with extremely low arsenic levels, and estimates of capital and operating costs (including initial capital costs of US$1.2 billion in either option considered in the Kakula 2017 PEA). Furthermore, with respect to this specific forward-looking information concerning the development of the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Project, Ivanhoe Mines has based its assumptions and analysis on certain factors that are inherently uncertain. Uncertainties include among others: (i) the adequacy of infrastructure (including the rehabilitation of the Koni, Mwadingusha and Nzilo 1 hydroelectric power plants and accessibility and viability of rail links); (ii) unforeseen changes in geological characteristics; (iii) changes in the metallurgical characteristics of the mineralization; (iv) the ability to develop adequate processing capacity; (v) the price of copper; (vi) the availability of equipment and facilities necessary to complete development; (vii) the size of future processing plants and future mining rates; (viii) the cost of consumables and mining and processing equipment; (ix) unforeseen technological and engineering problems; (x) accidents or acts of sabotage or terrorism; (xi) currency fluctuations; (xii) changes in laws or regulations; (xiii) the availability and productivity of skilled labour; (xiv) the regulation of the mining industry by various governmental agencies; (xv) political factors, including political stability; and (xvi) the completion of the railway upgrade between Kolwezi and Dilolo. This release also contains references to estimates of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves. The estimation of Mineral Resources is inherently uncertain and involves subjective judgments about many relevant factors. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The accuracy of any such estimates is a function of the quantity and quality of available data, and of the assumptions made and judgments used in engineering and geological interpretation (including estimated future production from the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Project, the anticipated tonnages and grades that will be mined and the estimated level of recovery that will be realized), which may prove to be unreliable and depend, to a certain extent, upon the analysis of drilling results and statistical inferences that may ultimately prove to be inaccurate. Mineral Resource or Mineral Reserve estimates may have to be re-estimated based on: (i) fluctuations in copper price; (ii) results of drilling, (iii) metallurgical testing and other studies; (iv) proposed mining operations, including dilution; (v) the evaluation of mine plans subsequent to the date of any estimates; and (vi) the possible failure to receive required permits, approvals and licenses or changes to existing mining licences. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indicators of whether or not such results will be achieved. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the factors discussed here, as well as unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of parties to contracts with Ivanhoe Mines and its subsidiaries to perform as agreed; social, political or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices (and copper in particular); limitations and availability of capital; and the failure of exploration programs or studies to deliver anticipated results (including the actual results of drilling and exploration activities), or results that would justify and support continued exploration, studies, development or operations. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this release are based upon what management of Ivanhoe Mines believes are reasonable assumptions, Ivanhoe Mines cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, Ivanhoe Mines does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this release. Ivanhoe Mines actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of the factors set forth in the Risk Factors section and elsewhere in the Ivanhoe Mines most recent Managements Discussion and Analysis report and Annual Information Form, available at www.sedar.com. Bennet Carr, headmaster at King Edward VI School, demonstrated the hazard students face with the use of a manakin. Photo: Mark Williamson Calls for vital road safety improvements outside a Stratford school have been rejected by Warwickshire County Council, a decision branded as disgraceful by the headmaster. Bennet Carr, headmaster at King Edward VI School, has long called for urgent safety improvements on Chapel Lane, warning that pupils lives are being put at risk by large vehicles mounting the pavement, just inches from the school gate. The matter was brought to a head earlier this year following a near miss in when a pupil was almost struck by a bus mounting the kerb. The problem stems from a line of parking spaces on Chapel Lane which when full, narrow the carriageway, forcing the drivers of large vehicles to mount the kerb on the opposite side of the road, or risk hitting the wing mirrors of parked cars. For Mr Carr the solution is to suspend six parking bays during school during school hours. However the council appear to have poured cold water on this idea after a recent letter to a parent from Cllr Jeff Clarke, portfolio holder for portfolio holder for transport and the environment, explained the council has no intention of making such a change. His letter reads: I understand that the parking situation in this location is of concern to the school and others locally. As a result of the concerns raised Warwickshire County Council have checked the geometry of Chapel Lane with comparison to vehicle dimensions as listed in the Metric Handbook, commissioned a risk assessment of the site and consulted with local representatives of the emergency services directly. The conclusion of these investigations is that Chapel Lane is wide enough to accommodate large vehicles and any vehicles which do mount the kerb do so by choice and not by necessity. If vehicles are mounting the kerb then instances of this should be reported to the Police Authority who has full powers of enforcement to deal with such a dangerous practice. There is therefore no road safety imperative for WCC to remove the parking spaces you refer to and the public amenity they provide. Confirming the councils stance last week a spokesperson told the Herald: The council has decided not to suspend the parking spaces on Chapel Lane, though this may be subject to review in the future. The councils decision has been met with anger and dismay by the school, with Mr Carr branding it ridiculous. Mr Carr said: They are saying that it is driver choice to mount the kerb because the carriageway is wide enough for large vehicles, but the truth is drivers have the choice of mounting the pavement or knocking off peoples wing mirrors. Given that choice drivers are forced to mount the pavement. I would invite Cllr Clarke to come here and stand with me on the pavement for an afternoon because it would cause chaos, large vehicles simply wouldnt be able to pass. I cannot believe the council want us to report every instance a large vehicle mounts the kerb, recent analysis of our CCTV system showed that this happened 84 times in one week. The decision not to suspend the spaces during school hours is purely a financial decision and I think that is a disgrace. I know public finances are tight but where pupils safety is concerned, money should not be a consideration. Its just neglect on the part of the county council. If the council wont suspend the spaces, I would call for them to install metal railings on the edge of the pavement, but they wont because they know large vehicles would not be able to pass. As long as the safety of our students is being put at risk I will continue calling for these changes The has been some cause for optimism this week though after the Stratford Tourist Bus, which regularly mounts the pavement outside the school, was permanently rerouted temporarily to avoid Chapel Lane. There are plans to permanently reroute the bus, but a final decision was differed on Friday. The move is something both KES and the bus company have been pushing for, though in his letter to the school parent, Cllr Clarke said this change has been proposed following a request by the bus company, not because of any safety concerns regarding its use of Chapel Lane. Mr Carr added: I applaud the council for rerouting the tourist bus, but that surely shows that they are aware there is a problem with large vehicles coming down Chapel Lane. Gisela Klein and John Profumo. FORMER Stratford-on-Avon MP John Profumo had a close relationship with a suspected Nazi spy, previously classified documents suggest. The National Archives has today, Tuesday, published 64 previously top secret files from the UK Security Service, MI5, covering a range of subjects and span the Second World War and post-war era up to the mid-1960s. Among them is a file on German model Gisela Hendrina Klein, who before arriving in the UK had been jailed in France on suspicion of espionage. It contains a briefing note from the Home Office which says Winegard met Profumo during a five- year stay in Oxford, between 1933 and 1938, while he was an undergraduate at Oxford University's Brasenose College and remained in 'close contact with him ever since'. Klein went to Paris in 1939 during German occupation and became the mistress of a Baron, with who she had a child, and was offered a job running a secret information service under the cover of a commercial information bureau. The document added that she was jailed in 1944 along with other German agents and collaborators when the Allies arrived in France, but an American army officer by the name of Edward Winegard, whom Klein had previously met, secured her release and later married her in Hamburg. The couple moved around Europe and in 1947/48 'were in trouble with the American Intelligence Service for having harboured the chief of a German spy ring'. Klein was later sacked from her job as a filing clerk in the Naval Department in Tangier, Morocco, when it was discovered that she had worked for the Germans during the war and was '100 per cent pro-German', the document said. It goes on to say that in 1949 she left her husband because he could 'no longer accept responsibility for her debts', but a year later admitted that his wife had left him after he discovered that she had been 'receiving endearing letters' from Mr Profumo that were written on House of Commons notepaper. The documents also show that the UK suspected her of trying to re-enter the country for 'blackmailing activities' and that she was refused a UK visa several times. Profumo told MI5 himself in 1945, while MP for Kettering in Northamptonshire, that he had 'got to know her well', described her as 'exceedingly clever' and that she had 'always claimed to be anti-Nazi'. In the early 1960s Mr Profumo, then the Conservative secretary of state for war and now Stratford-on-Avon MP, had a two-year affair with model Christine Keeler, who was also having a relationship with Russian military attache Yevgeny Ivanov. In March 1963 he told the House of Commons there was no "impropriety" in their relationship after being asked about it by opposition MPs who said they were concerned about the national security implications. However, more newspaper stories emerged and Profumo eventually admitted lying to the House, resigning from the cabinet and the Commons, and devoting the rest of his life to charity work. His fall from grace is often considered a contributory factor to the fall of the Harold Macmillan government. Labour would win under Harold Wilson's leadership in 1964. Personal files released by the National Archives today also include Second World War German intelligence agents and suspected agents, double agent operations, Soviet intelligence agents and suspected agents, Right-wing extremists, Communists, and suspected communist and Russian sympathisers. RENO, Nev., Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NuLegacy Gold Corporation reports that Mr. Charles G. Weakly has joined our geo-technical and exploration team as District Geologist. His addition will help accelerate our time table for achieving our goal of establishing a multi-million-ounce resource at our Red Hill property in Nevada. Known in Nevada as the gold finder, Mr. Weakly, BSc, Geo-Eng, has contributed significantly to the discovery of over ten million ounces of gold for Barrick Gold Corporation in several of their deposits in the Goldstrike district (19 years) and the Cortez district (3 years). The Cortez district has three established multi-million-ounce deposits immediately to the north-west of NuLegacys Red Hill gold property. Mr. Weakly expects to help NuLegacy achieve its stated objective of establishing a multi-million-ounce gold resource on the Red Hill property. His enrollment is part of the ongoing expansion/acceleration of our geo-technical teams capacity to follow up on the several discoveries made during the summer 2017 exploration program. We will likely add one, possibly two more geo-technical personnel during the winter to handle a much expanded 2018 drilling program. Im very pleased that Charles has joined us, said Albert Matter, NuLegacys Chairman. It furthers our mission of expanding our world class exploration team to meet our exploration and corporate objectives. Link to summers success: http://nulegacygold.com/i/pdf/2017-10-11_NR_NUG.pdf About NuLegacy Gold Corporation: NuLegacy is a Nevada exploration company focused on discovering additional Carlin-style gold deposits on its premier district scale 98-sq. km (38 sq. mile) Red Hill Project in the prolific Cortez gold trend of Nevada. To date NuLegacy has discovered the Icebergi Carlin-style gold deposits and has identified several more highly prospective exploration targets that are being drilled this year. NuLegacys Red Hill Project is located on trend and adjacentii to three multi-million ounce Carlin-type gold deposits (the Pipeline, Cortez Hills and Goldrush deposits) that are amongst Barrick Golds largest, lowest cost and politically safest gold minesiii. i An established exploration target of 90-110 million tonnes of 0.9 to 1.1 grams of gold per tonne. These figures are conceptual in nature and derived from a compilation of 149 historic and 111 NuLegacy drill holes. To date, there has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the target being delineated as a mineral resource. ii The similarity and proximity of these deposits in the Cortez Trend is not necessarily indicative of the gold mineralization in NuLegacys Red Hill Project. To date, there are no known resources or reserves on the Red Hill Property. iii As extracted from Barricks Q4-2013 and Q1-2014 reports. On Behalf Of NuLegacy Gold Corporation James E Anderson, Chief Executive Officer For further information, please phone 604-639-3640 or contact James Anderson (CEO) at james@nuggold.com, Albert Matter (Chairman) at albert@nuggold.com or Roger Steininger, (CGO) at roger@nuggold.com, or Frank Lagiglia (ICM) at frank@nuggold.com or visit www.nulegacygold.com. Dr. Roger Steininger, NuLegacys Chief Geoscience Officer is a Certified Professional Geologist (CPG 7417) and the qualified person as defined by NI 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects responsible for preparing and reviewing the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. 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 news release. This news release contains forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect managements current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect managements current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Readers 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 including, but not limited to, actual results of exploration activities, environmental risks, future prices of gold, operating risks, accidents, labor issues, delays in obtaining governmental approvals and permits, availability of financing and other risks in the mining industry. There are no known resources or reserves in the Red Hill Project and the proposed exploration programs are exploratory searches for commercial bodies of ore. In addition, the presence of gold deposits on properties adjacent or near the Red Hill Project is not necessarily indicative of the gold mineralization on the Red Hill Project. All the forward-looking statements made in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements and those in our continuous disclosure filings available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com including our annual managements discussion and analysis dated July 25, 2017 for the year ended March 31, 2017. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances save as required under applicable securities legislation. TORONTO, Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Goliath Resources Ltd. (TSX-V:GOT) (the Company or Goliath) is pleased to report initial channel, chip, and outcrop grab sample results from its Golddigger project. Goliath has an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Golddigger property. The property covers 14,220 hectares and is located on tide water south east of Stewart, British Columbia in the Golden Triangle. The property is situated within two kilometres of the unconformity between Lower Hazelton and Stuhini rocks, also known as the Red Line boundary where the vast majority of major deposits have been found within the Golden Triangle. Highlights include: Bulk sample recommended for the Anaconda Vein system to determine its economics Presence of gold mineralization over a strike length of 2.3 kilometers and 600 meters of exposed vertical extent at the Anaconda Vein system Anaconda Vein channel cut assayed 22.83 gpt Au eq over 2 metres incl. 5.81 gpt Au and 1,280 gpt Ag Anaconda Vein channel cut assayed 19.08 gpt Au eq over 1.7 metres incl. 5.57 gpt Au, 1,016 gpt Ag and 0.3% Pb Geological mapping, prospecting and channel sampling is recommended to outline the full geometry of the Gold Swarm zone in preparation for drilling Gold Swarm zone grab samples assayed up to 21.1 gpt Au, 214 gpt Ag, 3.23% Pb and 0.26% Cu in different samples Golddigger West Anaconda Vein The Anaconda vein system is a 110 metre-wide quartz vein with the confirmed presence of localized gold mineralization over a known strike length of 2.3 kilometres, and is exposed in vertical extent for 600 metres. The vein remains open along strike and to depth. Rope access teams collected 61.72 metres of chip and channel samples from the vertical face of the vein that ranged from 0.5 to 4 metres in length (link to maps & photos). Highlights included a channel sample grading 22.83 grams per tonne gold equivalent over 2 meters (including 5.81 grams per tonne gold, and 1,280 grams per tonne silver). An additional channel contained 19.08 grams per tonne gold equivalent over 1.7 metres (including 5.57 grams per tonne gold, 1,016 grams per tonne silver, and 0.3 percent lead) (see Table 1 below for highlights). Collectively, 159 chip and outcrop grab samples were taken from the vein and the surrounding rocks (see Table 1 below for highlights). Assays ranged from below the detection limit to 3.9 grams per tonne gold, 1,435 grams per tonne silver, and 0.15 percent lead in different samples. Highlights include a 0.6 metre chip sample containing 23.05 grams per tonne gold equivalent (including 3.9 grams per tonne gold, 1,435 grams per tonne silver, and 0.15 percent lead). An additional 0.5 metre chip contained 18.23 grams per tonne gold equivalent (including 3.29 grams per tonne gold, 1,120 grams per tonne silver, and 0.11 percent lead). Chip samples collected by rope-access teams were taken parallel to the dip-slope of the vein and thus do not represent the true width of the mineralized zone. Based on these highly mineralized results, the technical team has recommended a bulk sample be taken as the next step to determine the economics of Anaconda vein system. Golddigger East Gold Swarm Exploration in 2017 resulted in the discovery of the Gold Swarm zone with mineralization extending over an area of 115 by 95 metres. The zone remains open in all directions. The Gold Swarm zone is characterized by quartz veins, stockwork and breccia zones that are variably mineralized with pyrite, chalcopyrite, bornite and galena (link to maps & photos). Initial assays from outcrop grabs have returned grades up to 21.1 grams per tonne gold, 214 grams per tonne silver, 3.23 percent lead and 0.26 percent copper from different samples (see Table 1 below). Based on these very encouraging initial results, an extensive program including geological mapping, prospecting, channel sampling, soil and silt sampling has been recommended for the 2018 exploration season to outline the full geometry of the zone in preparation for drilling. The Gold Swarm zone and eastern side of the Golddigger property is underlain by inter-fingered bimodal volcanic rocks similar to the Iskut River Formation. The Iskut River Formation of the Hazleton Volcanic Group hosts the high-grade Eskay Creek deposit. The geologic setting in this under explored area has excellent discovery potential due to its location within Hazelton Group rocks, the same stratigraphic unit that hosts Auryn Resources Inc.s Homestake Ridge deposit and Pretium Resources Inc.s Brucejack deposit. The property is also situated within two kilometres of the unconformity between Lower Hazelton and Stuhini rocks, also known as the Red Line boundary where the vast majority of major deposits have been found within the Golden Triangle. Table 1: Golddigger Property Assay Highlights Sample Channel/Chip/Grab Zone Length (metres) Gold Eq (gpt)1 Gold (gpt) Silver (gpt) Copper % Zinc % Lead % W495063 - W495086 Channel Anaconda 1.70 19.08 5.57 1,016.00 0.30 W495052 Channel Anaconda 2.00 22.83 5.81 1,280.00 0.09 W495420 Chip Anaconda 0.60 23.05 3.90 1,435.00 0.15 W495424 Chip Anaconda 0.50 18.23 3.29 1,120.00 0.11 W495396 Chip Anaconda 0.45 10.85 3.12 575.00 0.15 W495426 Chip Anaconda 1.00 9.50 2.45 531.00 W495387 Chip Anaconda 1.40 3.63 1.47 146.00 0.38 W495425 Outcrop grab Anaconda 27.67 2.04 1,925.00 0.10 W495318 Outcrop grab Goldswarm 21.24 21.10 10.80 W495319 Outcrop grab Goldswarm 8.54 4.42 214.00 0.26 1.44 W495320 Outcrop grab Goldswarm 8.16 3.77 168.00 0.15 3.23 W495397 Outcrop grab Anaconda 5.69 1.96 281.00 W495384 Outcrop grab Anaconda 5.75 1.28 211.00 0.67 0.21 0.61 W495478 Outcrop grab Anaconda 4.78 1.10 277.00 W495830 Outcrop grab NE Gossan 3.08 2.20 34.50 0.54 W495829 Outcrop grab Metalbank 2.88 0.20 26.70 2.24 0.99 W495652 Outcrop grab Newgold 1.63 1.59 2.80 W495330 Outcrop grab Newgold 1.40 1.21 14.40 1AuEq based on metal prices (USD) on Nov 21, 2017: Au $1280.4 oz; Cu $3.0905 lb; Pb $1.1018 lb; Zn $1.45504 lb; Ag $17 oz Statements Mr. Roger Rosmus, CEO states: The Golddigger property is located close to tidewater access and in a geologic terrane that is host to multiple world class mineral deposits. We look forward to bulk sampling the Anaconda Vein and further developing the Gold Swarm zone as they both have the potential to become company makers. Dr. Stefan Kruse, Chief Consulting Geologist stated: We are extremely encouraged by the discovery of extensive gold mineralized zones in bedrock at Golddigger. The new Gold Swarm bedrock discovery zone at Golddigger, provides excellent potential to evolve into a very significant standalone discovery with multiple drill targets. We look forward to expanding on these exciting new discoveries with the planned upcoming 2018 exploration program. Other Stefan Kruse, Ph.D., P. Geo., Chief Consulting Geologist, is the qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, for Goliath Resources Limited exploration projects, and supervised the preparation of, and has reviewed and approved, the technical information in this release. All rock, channel and talus fine samples were crushed and pulverized at ALS Canada Ltd.s lab in Terrace, BC or in Reno, Nevada. ALS is either Certified to ISO 9001:2008 or Accredited to ISO 17025:2005 in all of its locations. The resulting sample pulps were analyzed for gold by fire assay and using multi-element aqua regia digestion. The coarse reject portions of the rock, channel and talus fine samples, as well as the pulps, were shipped to Goliaths storage facility in Terrace, BC. All samples were analyzed using ALS Canada Ltd.s assay procedure ME-ICP41, a 1:1:1 aqua regia digestion with inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) or inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) finish for 35 elements as well as the Au-AA24 lead-collection fire assay fusion procedure with atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) finish. Any results greater than 100 ppm for silver or 10,000 ppm copper, lead and zinc were additionally assayed using ALSs OG46 method particular to each element. This method used an HNO 3 -HCl digestion followed by ICP-AES (or titrimetric and gravimetric analysis). Gold values of greater than 10 ppm Au were assayed by the Au-GRA22 method which includes a fire-assay fusion procedure with a gravimetric finish. Blank and duplicates QA/QC samples were inserted into channels sample laboratory batches. Additionally, and 10% sub-sample of pulp and reject material was sent to Activation Laboratories in Ancaster, Ontario, for check-analysis. The reader is cautioned that grab samples are spot samples which are typically, but not exclusively, constrained to mineralization. Grab samples are selective in nature and collected to determine the presence or absence of mineralization and are not intended to be representative of the material sampled. In addition, the reader is cautioned that mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability and that proximity to known mineralization does not guarantee similar mineralization will exist on the properties. Gold equivalent assays are based on metal prices (USD) on Nov. 21, 2017: Au $1,280.4 oz; Cu $3.0905 lb; Pb $1.1018 lb; Zn $1.45504 lb; Ag $17 oz and are based on an assumption of 100% recovery. Further information regarding Goliath Resources Limited can be found at www.goliathresourcesltd.com. Contact Information: Roger Rosmus Chief Executive Officer roger@goliathresources.com +1-416-488-2887 x222 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. SAN MATEO, Calif., Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alluxio, formerly Tachyon, developer of the worlds first software system that unifies disparate storage systems at memory speed, today announced that Huatai Securities, the leading integrated securities group in China, has selected Alluxio Enterprise as the storage layer to power Huatais big data analytics. Alluxio enables Huatai to provide real-time risk analysis, investment recommendations, and innovative new products like data replay services. Huatai, founded in 1991, has more than 7,000 employees providing a wide range of financial services to its clients in China, from investment banking to private equity and wealth management as well as being Chinas largest firm in trading securities and bonds. Financial organization are increasingly leveraging big data to provide key insights and value to their customers, said Haoyuan Li, CEO of Alluxio Inc. Alluxio Enterprises memory-centric architecture and enterprise-grade security help Huatai meet its growing need for speed and stability while adhering to regulations and security and governance practices. Huatai deploys Alluxio Enterprise as the storage layer that unifies data from disparate sources at memory speed, providing high performance and a predictable SLA for leveraging even petabytes of data. Alluxio gives customers an easy-to-install integrated package, with an administrative interface as well as mission-critical features such as enterprise security, data replication and enterprise-grade support and professional services. Analyzing and modeling market data to power advanced products that enable financial services as well as consumer customers to make critical investment decisions is our core business, said Dr. Fan, Director of Platform Architecture at Huatai. With the introduction of Alluxio Enterprise, Huatai has successfully built a performant and scalable big data infrastructure to meet the performance and stability requirements across our business. With Alluxio Enterprise, Huatai transforms massive amounts of market data consumed daily into valuable insights to analyze market risk and provide investment recommendations. Now Huatai can access, store, and manage data across disparate storage systems on premise and in the cloud at memory speed. About Alluxio Alluxio is the world's first system that unifies data at memory speed. By allowing applications to access data stored in disparate storage systems at memory speed, Alluxio enables enterprises to manage data efficiently, accelerate business analytics, and ease the adoption of hybrid clouds. Venture-backed by Andreessen Horowitz, Alluxio, Inc. Alluxio was founded out of UC Berkeley AMPLab by the creators of the Alluxio open source project. For more information, contact info@alluxio.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook. Editorial Contacts Joe Eckert for Alluxio +1.203.300.2649 jeckertflak@gmail.com NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- URZ Energy Corp. (TSX-V:URZ) (OTCQB:URZZF) (URZ or the Company) is pleased to announce that the Company has commenced in-situ recovery (ISR) specific studies (including hydrogeology) on its Gas Hills, Wyoming uranium project. URZ has engaged external geological services and is performing an in-depth review of its large historic project data base, including electric logs, reports, cross sections, and maps. The review will be focused on the likely viability of the Gas Hills project containing uranium resources that are extractable by the ISR mining method. This mining method, where applicable, is typically more economic with less environmental impacts as compared to conventional open-pit or underground mining. Previous studies at Gas Hills have focused on open-pit operations. Gas Hills is the largest historic uranium mining district in Wyoming with approximately 130 million pounds of yellowcake production in the period from the early 1960s to the late 1980s. Based on a preliminary evaluation of the data base including a review of the 2017 Gas Hills NI 43-101 report prepared for URZ by BRS Inc.1, it has become apparent that the project possesses characteristics conducive to ISR mining. I am very pleased with the results of this preliminary evaluation of the comprehensive data base covering the Gas Hills properties, stated Glenn Catchpole, CEO of URZ Energy Corp. We now have additional confidence that some of the deposits in the Gas Hills uranium district have the potential for developing into producing in-situ recovery uranium deposits. Specifically, three of the Companys uranium deposits in the Gas Hills project area; Day Loma, George Ver and Loco-Lee are potentially suitable for ISR mining in terms of their grade, depth and hydrogeology. The table below presents the indicated resources for the three URZ properties in the Gas Hills taken from the Gas Hills NI 43-101 report. PROPERTY TONS (x 1,000) GRADE (% e U 3 O 8 ) Pounds (eU 3 O 8 ) Day Loma 1,342 0.110 2,948,000 George Ver 623 0.082 1,027,000 Loco-Lee 442 0.085 755,000 TOTAL 4,730,000 The Company, with the aid of consultant services, is currently preparing a development plan for the Day Loma, George Ver and Loco-Lee properties that will include further exploration and delineation drilling, core drilling, hydrogeologic studies, and detailed review of the data base acquired from Energy Fuels Inc. The drilling is expected to expand the total number of uranium resource pounds on these properties and could also move a portion of the uranium resources into a higher NI43-101 category. The core drilling will confirm the density of the sandstone in the zones of the uranium deposits and will determine the leachability of the uranium mineralization through laboratory testing. The hydrogeology studies will establish the injection and recovery flow rates of the aquifer where the uranium mineral is located and determine if there is adequate vertical hydrologic confinement in the mineralized zone aquifers. The other two deposits at Gas Hills, Rock Hill and Bull Rush, are most suited to conventional open pit mining due to their shallow depth and water table level. The Company believes that higher uranium prices will be required to pursue production of these projects. Financing The Company also wishes to announce a private placement of up to 2,225,000 units (Units) at a price of Cdn$0.45 per Unit for gross proceeds of approximately Cdn$1,000,000. Each Unit will be comprised of one common share and one-half of one non-transferable common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant will entitle the subscriber to purchase an additional common share for 18 months from the closing at a price of Cdn$0.75 per share, provided that in the event that the closing price of the common shares is CAD$1.10 or greater per share during a 10 consecutive trading day period at any time after the closing date, the warrants will expire 30 days after the date on which the Company provides notice of such fact to the holders thereof. Finders fees of up to 7% may be payable in cash or Units of the private placement. About URZ Energy Corp. URZ is a uranium exploration and development company that is primarily engaged in the evaluation, acquisition and development of prospective ISR uranium properties in the United States. The Company is led by an experienced management team including Glenn Catchpole as CEO. Mr. Catchpole is a licensed engineer with 39 years of uranium experience, including extensive work with Cameco Corporation on its Inkai Project in Kazakhstan. Additionally, Mr. Catchpole was the former CEO of Uranerz Energy Corporation (Uranerz) prior to its US$175 million acquisition by Energy Fuels Inc. in 2015. During his tenure, Uranerz successfully explored, permitted, built, and operated its Nichols Ranch ISR uranium project in Wyoming. The Company owns the Gas Hills, Juniper Ridge, and Shirley Basin properties in Wyoming as well as properties in Utah and Colorado. Contact Information - For more information, please contact: Glenn Catchpole, CEO and Director Tel: 1-307-421-7344 Email: gcatchpole@urzenergy.com Website: www.urzenergy.com Glenn Catchpole, Professional Engineer, a Qualified Person for the purpose of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101) has reviewed and approved of the disclosure of the scientific and technical information in this news release. 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. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. ForwardLooking Statements This news release contains forwardlooking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forwardlooking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forwardlooking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature, they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Additional information on these and other factors that could affect the Companys operations and financial results are included in reports on file with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and may be accessed through the SEDAR website (www.sedar.com). __________________________________________ 1See Amended and Restated Gas Hills Uranium Project Mineral Resources and Exploration Target, NI 43-101 Technical Report Prepared for URZ Energy Corp. by Douglas L. Beahm of BRS Inc. effective June 9, 2017 Young Tauranga filmmaker Tina Jeong has been crowned best of the best after winning First Place and Best Director in the 2017 International Youth Silent Film Festival New Zealand Regional Awards Final. The 18-year-old and her silent film Tonight were both celebrated at the red-carpet event held at Baycourt Community and Arts Centre last week. Along with receiving high praise for her film from 2017 celebrity judges, renowned actor and screenwriter Tim Balme and Bay of Plenty Film CEO Anton Steel, Tina also won a total of $2250 in prize money, which includes the $2000 first place prize sponsored by The New Zealand Broadcasting School. This means a lot to me as a student whos just finished school and doesnt have any money, says Tina. I would like to thank my teachers Mrs Beaufoy and Mrs Johnston for all their support and endless love, my friends who helped me make this movie by coming to film at a dark carpark in the middle of the night, and thank you to my parents I love you guys. It is the second year in a row the Year 13 Tauranga Girls College student has won a top honour in the annual silent filmmaking competition after she placed second in the 2016 IYSFF New Zealand Regional. Also joining Tina in collecting an award on the night was Gabriella Eaton, who won Best Actor for her work on Tonight. Metro Marketings Felcity Salter with celebrity judges Tim Balme and Anton Steel presenting Tina Jeong with her Best Director award. The other big winners on the night were Mosgiel brothers and second place getters Benaiah and Toby Dunn whose silent film The Chase won four awards and a total of $2250 in prize money, including the $1500 second place prize sponsored by The University of Waikato. Along with securing second place, The Chase also picked up three Best Of awards for Cinematography, Production Design, and Shot. And rounding out this years top three were Tauranga filmmakers Rose McMahon and Samuel Edwards with their silent film The Smile Shop. The duo not only won $1000 in prize money sponsored by Priority One, they each received a famed copy of a poster they designed for The Smile Shop as part of a Poster Competition introduced to the IYSFF New Zealand Regional for the first time this year. All of the top three filmmakers have been invited to the week-long International Youth Silent Film Festival Final and have their silent films screened during the IYSFF Global Awards Show, which will be taking place in Portland, Oregon, in June 2018. All of this years top 12 silent films were screened during the ceremony, with each featuring live musical accompaniment from award-winning organist and IYSFF composer Nathan Avakian who travelled especially from the United States to perform on Baycourts mighty Wurlitzer Organ. Baycourt Manager Megan Peacock Coyle thanks everyone involved in delivering this years competition, especially all of the young filmmakers who submitted entries into the 2017 IYSFF NZ Regional. Congratulations to this years award winners, all of your films were simply outstanding and I am amazed by what you have all created. I am really excited, we are in our second year of the IYSFF NZ Regionals and the bar has certainly been lifted in 2017. So thank you for putting your work out there, it is a very brave thing to do, and good luck for the future to all of our top 12 filmmakers I look forward to seeing all your names in lights in the future. Baycourt is very proud to present this event and we see it has an exciting way to showcase the wonderful and Mighty Wurlitzer, so I would also like to thank Nathan Avakian for coming all this way, it is a real honour and pleasure to see such a master on our Wurlitzer. And thank you to all the very generous sponsors, it warms my heart to see such an investment in the youth of our country. Its a wonderful blast of art deco, a stop-and-ogle landmark down Mainstreet Te Puke. Its the multi-screen movie complex, the historic Capitol Cinema. And its up for sale. Architecture aside, the building also boasts a large door to one side of the main screen which would give elephants from travelling circuses access to the main stage. The live circus shows of the 1930s and 40s were very popular. Brendon Bradley, of Bayleys Tauranga, says the Capitol has always kept abreast of cinematographic evolutions and leading movie-goer viewing habits. Its enabled the Capitol to remain profitable when similar operations in the big cities have wavered. He says the Capitol has the largest mega screen movie complex in the Bay of Plenty, as well as both digital and 3D technology. When the Capitol screened its first talkie movie, also in the 1930s, the cinema had what was believed to be the tallest movie screen in the Southern Hemisphere. It hasnt been all movies and elephants. In 1931, when the earthquake devastated Napier - also renowned for its concentration of art deco architecture - a monster earthquake relief concert raised money for Hawkes Bay residents. In 1945, a Victory Ball for VJ Day was held at the Capitol. Scores of soldiers from the Eastern Bay of Plenty were officially welcomed home by the community. Two years later, more than 800 people packed the Capitol to present tokens of appreciation to 174 returned servicemen and women. Each token was an envelope containing 17. The Capitol Cinema was a hub for the town they boxed there, the debutantes came out there, and there were balls, fundraising dances and musical concerts. In 1954 the Capitol was the first New Zealand cinema to be adapted to cinemascope widescreen movies. In 2003 it was among the first cinemas in the world to screen Lord of the Rings The Return of the King, when it rolled the film at one minute after midnight. Two years later the Capitol was among the first venues on the planet to screen Star Wars Episode III Revenge of the Sith, which was again screened at one minute after midnight. In 2009, the installation of a 3D system at the Capitol Cinema meant the theatre was the only one of its kind outside of Auckland to have such cutting-edge technology. Today, the cinemas four theatres range from a boutique 20-seater venue to the block-buster 200-seater playhouse in all a combined capacity of 413 seats. Now the freehold land, buildings and going concern Capitol Cinema business at 127-133 Jellicoe Street is for sale with offers closing on November 30. TORONTO, Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nutritional High International Inc. (the "Company" or "Nutritional High") (CSE:EAT) (OTCQB:SPLIF) (FRANKFURT:2NU) is pleased to announce that it has appointed Chris Ryan as VP, Marketing and Sales. The Company also wishes to provide an update on the acquisition of Calyx Brands Inc. ("Calyx") and on its strategy in the State of Nevada. Appointment of Chris Ryan as VP, Acquisitions, Brand Development Chris Ryan is a results-driven entrepreneur with 25 years diverse experience in hospitality, consumable goods manufacturing, tourism and education. Mr. Ryan began his career in sales and marketing at Molson Ontario Breweries and later went on to create, develop and operate seven hospitality establishments in Southwestern Ontario. He served as head of hospitality, procurement for the Canadian leg of the Red Bull Air Races. Mr. Ryan has recently served as Director, Entrepreneurship and Innovation at St Clair College as well as fulfilling the role of Chief Operating Officer for startup craft brewer, Walkerville Brewery and Chief Operating Officer for newly formed regional destination marketing organization, Windsor Essex Pelee Island. Jim Frazier, CEO of Nutritional High commented: "We're pleased to welcome Mr. Ryan to the Nutritional High family and look forward to his contribution to our sales and marketing efforts. Integrating marketing and distribution is key in penetrating the legal cannabis markets and achieving new milestones as we continue to grow sales and expand our branded footprint. Mr. Ryan also brings valuable experience that he acquired during his time in the hospitality and alcohol industries that will be important in staying competitive as the cannabis industry landscape continues to evolve." Update on Calyx Acquisition Since entering into the letter of intent ("LOI") with Calyx, the Company has been conducting due diligence on Calyx, which is progressing well. The Company wishes to provide further information on the terms of the acquisition. Consideration for the transaction will be US$1,850,000 of which US$400,000 will be payable in the form of common shares ("Common Shares"), US$500,000 will be in the form of cash, and US$950,000 will be payable six months after closing ("Post-Closing Consideration") in the form of cash or common shares, at the discretion of Calyx. Nutritional High will also pay to the Calyx vendors up to US$600,000 as a performance earn-out over two years based on meeting certain predetermined revenue targets. The Common Shares issued to the Calyx vendors at closing will be issued at a price that is lower of: (i) CAD$0.255; or (ii) the price at which the Nutritional High shares trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange on the day that is three trading days prior to the Closing Date. If, prior to the closing date the Sellers elect to receive Post-Closing Consideration in Common Shares, the Common Shares shall be issued at a price of CAD$0.255, and if the Sellers elect to receive Post-Closing Consideration in shares after the Closing Date the Common Shares shall be issued at the price at which the Shares close on the Canadian Securities Exchange on the day that is three days prior to the Post-Closing Consideration payment date. Termination of Agreement to Purchase Licenses in Nevada, Capital to be Redeployed to California The Company has terminated its agreement to purchase the provisional producer and processor licenses (the "Licenses") in Henderson, Nevada and a real estate property (the "Property") to which the Licenses are attached (please see press release dated January 25, 2017). Given opportunities developing in California for the Company to acquire existing and cash-flowing brands, management has decided to redeploy the significant resources earmarked to acquire and build the Henderson, Nevada, facility to other more imminent opportunities. The Company continues to explore efforts to enter the Nevada market on a "capital-light" brand licensing or contract manufacturing basis. In that regard, the Company is currently engaged in discussions with potential licensed operators with a view towards structuring a partnership in due course. The Company's management believes that re-deploying the funds into opportunities that are currently generating cash, as a part of the roll-up strategy, will result in a more immediate impact to creating shareholder value. Jim Frazier, CEO of Nutritional High comments: "Nevada is certainly still on our radar as a high- growth market. We will, in due course, enter the market with our premium brands of extract and infused products. We believe that seeking out less capital-intensive alternatives to penetrate the market offers the Company a superior path forward to create value for shareholders." About Nutritional High International Inc. Nutritional High is focused on developing, manufacturing and distributing premium and consistently dosed products in the cannabis-infused products industry, including edibles and oil extracts for nutritional, medical and adult recreational use. The Company works exclusively through licensed facilities in jurisdictions where such activity is permitted and regulated by state law. For updates on the Company's activities and highlights of the Company's press releases and other media coverage, please follow Nutritional High on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Google+ or visit www.nutritionalhigh.com. For further information, please contact: David Posner, Chairman of the Board Nutritional High International Inc. 647-985-6727 Email: dposner@nutritionalhigh.com NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR OTC MARKETS GROUP INC., NOR THEIR REGULATIONS SERVICES PROVIDERS HAVE REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. This news release may contain forward-looking statements and information based on current expectations. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Such statements include submission of the relevant documentation within the required timeframe and to the satisfaction of the relevant regulators, completing the acquisition of the applicable real estate and raising sufficient financing to complete the Company's business strategy. There is no certainty that any of these events will occur. Although such statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be correct. We assume no responsibility to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Company's securities have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or applicable state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold to, or for the account or benefit of, persons in the United States or "U.S. Persons", as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act, absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in the United States or any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Additionally, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information contained herein. All forward-looking information herein is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking information or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as required by law. The great and the good of the gastronomy world united on Monday night for the presentation of the second edition of SUR's 'Who's Who gastronomy guide' at the Puente Romano Hotel in Marbella. The guide, available with SUR on Wednesday. This bilingual guide will help the many thousands of visitors to Malaga province each year take advantage of the different cuisines that the Costa del Sol and inland areas offer. A gastronomy that is a landmark in Andalucia and much of Spain, on a level playing field with legendary Basque cuisine, according to Enrique Bellver, food critic for SUR. It is more than just a directory of good restaurants -the guide reviews nearly two hundred businesses on the Costa del Sol and inland, listing their address, telephone number, opening hours, average prices and a brief description about the type of food you can expect to receive there. It includes interviews with some of the chefs and also wine and gourmet product recommendations. The full-colour guide has sections for creative (restaurants whose menu continually evolves), classic, seafood and Asian cuisine, hotel restaurants, tapas bars and steakhouses. You can get your hands on a copy of the guide on Wednesday, free with every copy of the Spanish daily newspaper, SUR. The nose cone, or radome, of an F-14 Tomcat built in Marion decades ago is back home getting refurbished before heading to a museum in Georgia. Marion resident Harold Slemp heard that his nephew Peter OHare of Chattanooga, Tennessee, was passing through on his way from Richmond to Georgia with parts of a decommissioned F-14 Tomcat airplane and offered him a place to stop for the night. Slemp said he wondered if the nose cone of this plane had possibly been built in Marion at Brunswick, where many such military aircraft radomes got their start back in the 1960s and 70s. Turns out, it was. Slemps neighbor Art Thompson worked at Brunswick Corporation for 42 years. He has experience with the construction of those types of aircraft radomes. They enjoyed talking with OHare about the plans to move the Tomcat from where it has been on display at an airport in Richmond to the Museum of Flight in Rome, Georgia. The airplane, one of the last surviving Tomcats, was going to be shredded, OHare said. Richmond didnt want it anymore. When museum director Christine Lewis heard about it, she wanted the plane, so a fundraising effort has been established to pay for the estimated $40,000 move. OHare, a retired Marine officer and Warbird pilot who is now a commercial pilot for Delta, is a volunteer at the museum. He offered to go to Richmond to begin hauling sections of the plane to the museum. When it was discovered that the radome had been made in Marion at Brunswick, OHare wanted to stop and see the site that is now occupied by General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems. When they heard the story, General Dynamics offered to restore the radome. It is expected to be completed by the middle of December, but the public might get a look at it a bit sooner. If arrangements can be made, the radome may make an appearance in next Fridays Marion Holiday Kaleidoscope Parade. Slemp said VFW Post 4667 is excited about the possibility of including it in the parade and is working with him on how to make that happen. According to the General Dynamics website, The basic purpose of a radome is to protect antennae systems from the environment with minimal impact to electronic performance. Radome requirements typically include aerodynamic contour, structural and environmental reliability, and electromagnetic functionality. Many of the aircraft at the Museum of Flight in Georgia can fly, said OHare, but this F-14 Tomcat is not airworthy. It will be for display only. The museums airplane collection currently includes a T-28 Trojan Alpha Model, a T-28 Trojan Bravo Model, a 1946 Taylorcraft and a Beechcraft C-45. Vehicles include a tug and a M38A-1 Jeep. It is a very exciting prospect to host and display Georgias only Tomcat, a living relic that tells the story of brave men and women who have flown them in defense of our great nation, the museums website states. The Museum of Flight has been given the extremely unique opportunity by the National Naval Aviation Museum to bring one of the last surviving Tomcats to our museum. OHare said he believes some of the airplanes history includes being flown in Desert Storm I and II and at the end of Vietnam though it saw no combat then. It was shot down in Iraq I and was flown in Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global Terrorism War. It was also on the USS Teddy Roosevelt when George W. Bush made his famous Mission Accomplished speech and was seen in the movie Final Countdown with Kirk Douglas. OHare also met the pilot who flew the plane on its first mission. According to its website, The Museum of Flight (established in 2010) is dedicated to raising awareness of aviation and the important role it has played in shaping our nation's history. Not only do we provide displays, a vast collection of historic flight and military memorabilia and maintain these planes[but can also] be found promoting aviation with flyovers and static displays at various events and air shows around the southeastern United States. The cost to move the aircraft is nearly prohibitive so museum personnel have set up a GoFundMe site to collect donations for the move. Lewis contacted the F-14 Tomcat Association, which offered to publish the GoFundMe (https://www.gofundme.com/museum-of-flight-f14-tomcat) in its newsletter and website and on its Facebook page. The group also offered their expertise and to help guide museum personnel along the way. To learn more about the museum and this project, go online to mofts.org. SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A man choked the mother of his child twice inside a Syracuse apartment, police said. And when he was taken into custody minutes later, the man spit at the officer who arrested him, police said. Jamaal L. Jack, 24, of Syracuse, was arrested Nov. 16 by the Syracuse Police Department. He was arrested after a domestic violence incident in an apartment in the Valley. The assault happened around 11:11 p.m. at 142 Orlando Ave., police said in a felony complaint filed in Syracuse City Court. Jack assaulted a 21-year-old woman who he has a child with, said Sgt. Rick Helterline, a police spokesman. The attack started in a back bedroom in the woman's apartment, police said in a felony complaint. Jack put his hands around the woman's neck and pushed her down behind her bed, police said. He attacked the woman again by the apartment's front door -- putting his hands around her neck, forcing to her to the floor and choking her, police said. The woman could not breathe during the attack, police said. The woman was transported to Upstate University Hospital for treatment. She had a scrape on the front of her neck and struggled to swallow, police said. Officers arrested Jack at 11:30 p.m. He was wanted at the time on an outstanding warrant for an unrelated charge, police said. After his arrest, Jack refused to get in the back of a marked police vehicle, police said. The officer leaned into the car to pull Jack into the back of the vehicle, police said. That's when Jack turned his head toward the officer and spit, police said. The spit did not hit the officer, police said. For the domestic violence incident, Jack was charged with second-degree strangulation, a felony, and third-degree assault, a misdemeanor. For the incident involving an officer, he was charged with second-degree harassment, a violation. As of Tuesday afternoon, Jack remained in the Onondaga County Justice Center. Joe Washington, left, and Miequin Cheese, right. SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Syracuse police arrested two men they say took part in an exchange of gunfire last month that damaged two homes and injured a 79-year-old man. Court papers filed in Syracuse City Court say the victim was shot in the head, however, police have said a bullet pierced the windshield of the victim's car and grazed the top of his head. Police charged Miequin O. Cheese, 26, and Joe L. Washington Jr., 23, with second-degree assault and first-degree reckless endangerment, both felonies. Cheese also was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and a parole violation, for which he remains at the Onondaga County Justice Center without bail, according to the county website. There is no record of Washington at the county jail currently. State prison records show Cheese served a 3 1/2-year sentence, starting in December 2012, for a felony criminal possession of a weapon conviction from Onondaga County. He was released from Willard, a drug treatment campus operated by the state Department of Correctional Services, in August 2016. He was scheduled to be released from parole Nov. 22, 2018, records show. Police say Cheese was a passenger in a 2005 Mazda Tribute that Washington was driving when they "acted in concert" and "recklessly engaged in conduct which created a grave risk of death to another person" at 11:56 p.m. Oct. 18 in the 200 block of Furman St., court records say. Court records allege Cheese fired a loaded firearm at another person, in the exchange of gunfire. Investigators have said they do not believe the 79-year-old man was the shooter's intended target. After the man was shot, he drove himself down the street to the Furman & Salina Auto parking lot and asked for help. When officers arrived, the victim was conscious and able to speak, police have said. The man was then taken to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse for treatment. This wasn't the first time Cheese was involved in a shooting, records show. In 2008, Cheese, then 17, was the victim of a drive-by shooting on Syracuse's South Side. In that shooting, Cheese suffered a gunshot wound to his left arm, and the projectile traveled through his shoulder and lodged in the base of his skull, according to a police report. DEWITT, N.Y. -- Deputies are investigating the "suspicious" death of a woman whose body was found early Tuesday morning in the parking lot of a DeWitt motel. A Motel 6 employee called 911 around 1 a.m. after finding a woman on the ground in the parking lot, said Sgt. Jon Seeber, an Onondaga County Sheriff's Office spokesman. The motel is off of Carrier Circle at 6577 Baptist Way. When deputies arrived at the motel minutes later, they discovered the woman was dead. "Detectives are treating the death as suspicious and are actively reviewing the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident," Seeber said. Deputies asked anyone with information about the woman's death to call (315) 435-3081. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Peregrine Diamonds Ltd. (TSX:PGD) (Peregrine or the Company) is pleased to report microdiamond results from the CH-6 kimberlite at its 100% owned Chidliak diamond project (Chidliak) in Nunavut, Canada. The 2017 resource expansion drill program at the CH-6 kimberlite has confirmed that the high-grade CH-6 kimberlite extends from surface to 540 metres below surface (mbs), an additional 280 metres below the 260-metre depth of the current CH-6 Inferred Resource announced on April 7, 2017. The CH-6 kimberlite remains open below 540 mbs, the current limit of drilling. Caustic fusion microdiamond results released today from the 2017 drill program match well with pre-2017 microdiamond results for the KIM-L High Grade (KIM-L.HG, estimated at 4.16 carats per tonne (cpt) in the Inferred Resource) and the KIM-L Normal Grade (KIM-L.NG, estimated at 2.12 cpt in the Inferred Resource) kimberlite units. The 2017 diamond sample data below 260 metres have a very similar grade and size frequency distribution as the kimberlite contained in the Inferred Resource. The results of the 2017 program will form the basis of a revised CH-6 resource estimate, with the expectation of extending the categorized resource base from a depth of 260 mbs to 540 mbs. Tom Peregoodoff, Peregrines President and Chief Executive Officer, commented: The results we are releasing today confirm that the high-grade CH-6 kimberlite extends well below the current resource base of 260 metres. The microdiamond data from this years drilling clearly demonstrates that not only is the grade of this newly-defined extension of the CH-6 kimberlite very similar to that which we have previously defined, but also that we can expect the same macro diamond size distribution, which has important implications for future diamond valuations. The Peregrine team is now using this information as the basis for a new resource statement due in mid-February, in which we expect to add significantly to the overall diamond content of the CH-6 kimberlite, especially given the apparent increase in the KIM-L.HG unit which has an estimated Inferred Resource grade of 4.16 cpt. In addition, the presence of a very rare green diamond bodes well for the presence of other rare, coloured diamonds that could have a significant impact on the overall average prices eventually received for diamonds recovered from the Chidliak project. DIAMONDS RECOVERED FROM CH-6 BY CAUSTIC FUSION As reported on September 21, 2017, 10 core holes drilled in the 2017 summer season intersected a total of 2,450 metres of CH-6 kimberlite. Microdiamond assay results for all 10 core holes of CH-6 kimberlite are presented in Table 1, and represent all the kimberlite drilled in the 2017 season. Assay results for prior years are presented in Table 2, for comparative purposes. All assays were completed by caustic fusion at the Saskatchewan Research Council Geoanalytical Laboratories (SRC). The 2017 caustic fusion results support a coarse stone size distribution for all material sampled and reproduce diamond recovery rates for the previously defined KIM-L.HG, KIM-L.NG, and KIM-C units at the CH-6 kimberlite (Tables 1 and 2). The Company reported +1.18 millimetres estimated resource grades of 4.16 cpt for KIM-L.HG and 2.12 cpt for KIM-L.NG on April 7, 2016. KIM-L.HG contains approximately double the amount of diamonds in each sieve class than occur in KIM-L.NG. The SRC recovered 213 diamonds weighing 9.32 carats in commercial diamond sizes at +0.85 millimetres from the 1,936 kilograms of sample submitted in 2017, with KIM-L.HG reporting 2.1 times higher +0.85 millimetre diamond content than KIM-L.NG (Table 1). Grade-size plots of 2017 and prior years caustic fusion results can be viewed here: https://www.pdiam.com/assets/docs/2017-11-chidliak-2017-microdiamond-results.pdf TABLE 1: 2017 CH-6 CAUSTIC FUSION RESULTS Unit* Sample Weight (dry kg)* Numbers of Diamonds According to Sieve Size Fraction (mm) Total Diamonds Carats (+0.85 mm) +0.106 -0.150 +0.150 -0.212 +0.212 -0.300 +0.300 -0.425 +0.425 -0.600 +0.60 -0.85 +0.85 -1.18 +1.18 -1.70 +1.70 -2.36 +2.36 -3.35 +3.35 -4.75 KIM-L.HG 867.45 1401 907 577 359 283 165 71 50 19 4 2 3838 5.892 KIM-L.NG 996.25 887 569 334 211 126 71 33 19 8 1 2 2261 3.283 KIM-C 72.75 54 40 25 14 6 1 2 1 1 0 0 144 0.145 Totals 1936.45 2342 1516 936 584 415 237 106 70 28 5 4 6243 9.32 * Sample aggregation by unit based on Figure 14.6 of NI 43-101 Report dated August 19, 2016. TABLE 2: PRE-2017 CH-6 CAUSTIC FUSION RESULTS Unit Sample Weight (dry kg) Numbers of Diamonds According to Sieve Size Fraction (mm) Total Diamonds Carats (+0.85 mm) +0.106 -0.150 +0.150 -0.212 +0.212 -0.300 +0.300 -0.425 +0.425 -0.600 +0.60 -0.85 +0.85 -1.18 +1.18 -1.70 +1.70 -2.36 +2.36 -3.35 +3.35 -4.75 KIM-L.HG 1239.9 2685 1562 995 685 381 262 142 73 29 7 2 6823 9.441 KIM-L.NG 2813.63 2698 1750 1109 706 416 259 119 71 15 9 4 7156 8.740 KIM-C 309.3 347 252 118 69 25 17 10 1 1 1 0 841 0.439 Totals 4362.83 5730 3564 2222 1460 822 538 271 145 45 17 6 14820 18.62 Colours reported by the SRC for diamonds larger than the 0.85 millimetre sieve size are given in Table 3. The CH-6 diamonds recovered in 2017 are dominated by white and off-white colours with very minor grey or brown colours, as was the case in previous years. Yellow colours are more prominent in the 2017 batch, which also included four fragments of a unique green diamond recovered from one 8-kilogram sample. Reconstruction of the fragments produced a whole stone with dimensions of 2.4 x 1.7 x 0.8 millimetres. Green diamonds are rare, and those with saturated green body colours are exceptionally rare. Photos of the green diamond can be viewed here: https://www.pdiam.com/assets/docs/2017-11-chidliak-2017-microdiamond-results.pdf TABLE 3: COLOURS OF +0.85 MM CH-6 DIAMONDS RECOVERED BY CAUSTIC FUSION Colour (+0.85 mm) Pre-2017 2017 Stones described (n=) 512 213 % White/Colourless 39 41 % Off White 45 32 % Yellow 14 25 % Grey and Brown 3 <1 % Green 0 <1 DISTRIBUTION OF KIM-L.HG AND OTHER UNITS On September 21, 2017, the Company reported that two near-vertical core holes encountered typical CH-6 kimberlite to 532 mbs and 540 mbs respectively, beyond which the CH-6 pipe remains open at depth. The caustic fusion results reported in Table 1 permit fresh mapping of the distribution of the KIM-L.HG and KIM-L.NG units in core holes transecting the existing CH-6 resource (to 260 mbs), and extending to depths of 540 mbs. At depths shallower than 260 mbs, the 2017 results demonstrate that the KIM-L.HG unit extends beyond the volume represented in the existing resource model for KIM-L.HG. At depths beyond 260 mbs, KIM-L.HG is now recognized to 470 mbs and KIM-L.NG to 540 mbs, the latter representing the full depth range of kimberlite intersected to date at CH-6. The minor kimberlite unit KIM-C is recognized to 294 mbs in only one intersect drilled in 2017, and its distribution is consistent with the existing geological model for KIM-C. Currently all of unit KIM-C at CH-6 is defined as Target for Further Exploration (TFFE). The Company expects that a forthcoming updated mineral resource for CH-6 will support an expanded distribution for the high-grade KIM-L.HG unit. The volume occupied by the KIM-L.NG unit will also expand, specifically at depths beyond 260 mbs. The Company expects to complete the upgraded resource calculation by mid-February 2018. ON-SITE DENSE MEDIA SEPARATION PLANT Planning for the construction of an on-site Dense Media Separation (DMS) plant has commenced. An on-site DMS plant would allow for the processing and recovery of diamonds at Chidliak, thus expediting the advancement of CH-6, CH-7, and other kimberlites to feasibility. The initial review is focusing on site selection for a 10 tonne per hour installation leading to final plant design and permitting. Mr. Peregoodoff added: The installation of an on-site DMS plant is the next step in our evolution towards a commercial diamond mine at Chidliak. An on-site plant will enable the Company to effectively and efficiently take the existing diamond resources at CH-6 and CH-7 through feasibility and allow us to add to this growing resource base through the bulk sampling of additional kimberlites, including CH-1, CH-44, and the 4 hectare, CH-31 kimberlite, which existing size frequency distribution data indicate have coarse diamond size distributions and could form the basis of a Phase II diamond development at Chidliak. More information regarding the DMS will be made available as plans progress. QUALIFIED PERSONS Dr. Herman Grutter, Peregrines Vice President, Technical Services, is a Qualified Person and is responsible for the design of the Diamond Resource Development Program at Chidliak. Mr. Alan O'Connor, Peregrine's Program Manager, Chidliak Resource Evaluation, is a Qualified Person and is responsible for the design and conduct of field programs at Chidliak. Dr. Jennifer Pell, Peregrine's Chief Geologist, is a Qualified Person and is responsible for geological characterization and microdiamond sampling of core drilled at Chidliak. Dr. Grutter, Mr. OConnor, and Dr. Pell have reviewed this release and approve of its contents. ABOUT PEREGRINE DIAMONDS Peregrine Diamonds is a TSX-listed diamond exploration and development company with assets located in northern Canada and Botswana. Peregrines core asset is its 100-percent-owned, 277,997-hectare Chidliak Project, located 120 kilometres from Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut, where 71 kimberlites have been discovered to date, with eight being potentially economic. A Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) of a Phase 1 Diamond Development (CP1D) has been completed. The PEA highlights that the CP1D represents a robust, high-margin, ten-year, open-pit mining project with very attractive economics, including after tax NPV of C$471 million, IRR of 29.8% and a two-year payback. An Inferred Mineral Resource of 11.39 million carats in 4.64 million tonnes of kimberlite at an average grade of 2.45 carats per tonne has been defined for a portion of the CH-6 kimberlite. An independent diamond valuation by WWW International Diamond Consultants, of a 1,013 carat parcel of diamonds from CH-6, returned an average market price of US$213 per carat and modeled prices that range from a minimum of US$162 per carat to a high of US$236 per carat, with a base model price of US$188 per carat (all using the February 24, 2014 price book). In addition, a Target for Further Exploration (TFFE) of 2.34 to 3.75 million tonnes of kimberlite to a depth of 380 metres below surface has been identified at CH-6. An Inferred Mineral Resource of 4.23 million carats in 4.99 million tonnes of kimberlite at an average grade of 0.85 carats per tonne has been defined for a portion of the CH-7 kimberlite. An independent diamond valuation by WWW International Diamond Consultants of a 735.75 carat parcel of diamonds from CH-7, returned an average market price of US$100 per carat and modelled prices that ranged from a minimum of US$94 per carat to a high of US$155 per carat, with a base model price of US$114 per carat (all using the February 1, 2016 price book). In addition, TFFE of 0.90 to 2.36 million tonnes for a depth range of 240 to 320 metres has been estimated for the CH-7 kimberlite. A TFFE of 1.27 to 3.19 million tonnes to 250 metres depth has been estimated for the CH-44 kimberlite pipe. Additional details of the Chidliak 2016 PEA are available in a National Instrument (NI) 43-101 technical report titled Preliminary Economic Assessment Technical Report on the Chidliak Project, Nunavut, Canada and dated effective July 7, 2016, available on SEDAR and the Companys website. The Chidliak 2016 PEA is preliminary in nature and includes Inferred Mineral Resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as Mineral Reserves. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that the PEA will be realized. For information on data verification, exploration information, and resource estimation procedures, see the NI 43-101 technical reports entitled Mineral Resource Estimate for the Chidliak Project, Baffin Island, Nunavut and dated effective June 3, 2016 and Peregrine Diamonds Limited DO-27 Diamond Project Northwest Territories, Canada NI 43-101 Technical Report dated August 7, 2008, which are available on SEDAR and the Companys website. The potential quantify and grade of TFFEs identified above are conceptual in nature as there has been insufficient exploration to define a Mineral Resource. It is uncertain whether further exploration will result in any of these tonnages being delineated as Mineral Resources. Peregrine also controls the 8,494-hectare Lac de Gras Project in the Northwest Territories, located approximately 27 kilometres from the Diavik Diamond Mine. The nine-hectare, 72.1%-owned DO-27 kimberlite located at Lac de Gras hosts an Indicated Mineral Resource of 18.2 million carats of diamonds in 19.5 million tonnes of kimberlite at a grade of 0.94 carats per tonne, and it is open at depth. For further information, please visit www.pdiam.com or contact Mr. Eric Friedland, Executive Chairman; Mr. Tom Peregoodoff, President and CEO; Dr. Herman Grutter, Vice President, Technical Services; or Peregrine Diamonds Investor Relations at 604-408-8880 or at investorrelations@pdiam.com. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events, or developments that the Company believes, expects, or anticipates will or may occur in the future including, without limitation,proposed exploration and development programs, funding availability, anticipated exploration results, grade of diamonds and tonnage of material, resource estimates, anticipated diamond valuations, and future exploration and operating plans are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Forward-looking statements are made based upon certain assumptions by the Company and other important factors that, if untrue, could cause the actual results, performances, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future results, performances, or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the price of diamonds, anticipated costs, and ability to achieve goals. Certain important factors that could cause actual results, performances, or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: receipt of regulatory approvals; anticipated timelines for community consultations and the impact of those consultations on the regulatory approval process; market prices for rough diamonds and the potential impact on the Chidliak Project; and future exploration plans and objectives. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements and, even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things: availability and cost of funds; timing and content of work programs; results of exploration activities; interpretation of drilling results and other geological data; risks relating to variations in the diamond grade and kimberlite lithologies; variations in rates of recovery and breakage; variations in diamond valuations and future diamond prices; the state of world diamond markets; reliability of mineral property titles; changes to regulations affecting the Company's activities; delays in obtaining or failure to obtain required project approvals; operational and infrastructure risk; and other risks involved in the diamond exploration and development business. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, or otherwise. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly, undue reliance should not be put on such statements, due to their inherent uncertainty. SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The vacant building next to the Palace Theatre in Eastwood will remain standing... for now. The Syracuse Planning Commission denied a request from Bank of America to tear down the building it owns at 2366-2374 James St. In its 4-0 decision, the commission cited the city's land use policy and Eastwood's overlay guidelines, which are intended to preserve the neighborhood. The vote came at the end of a three-hour hearing at City Hall Monday evening, during which 19 Eastwood residents warned of the gaping hole the demolition would leave in a rebounding business corridor. The building in question is situated between the Palace Theatre and Bank of America's Eastwood branch on the corner of James Street and Hickock Avenue. Many speakers characterized Bank of America as an absentee landlord and a bad neighbor. Most said they were worried about Bank of America owning a vacant lot in the heart of Eastwood because they've seen how little the bank cares about the community and its existing property. Kathy Martin, who lives two doors down from the bank on Hickock Avenue, said she walks to the corner on a regular basis to pick trash off the bank's lawn and sidewalk. She's often pulled weeds from their overgrown landscaping along her street, she said. "The bank is not really a good neighbor," she said. "...And I own stock in the company. They just don't feel a part of the neighborhood." Bank of America has owned the building at 2366-2374 James St. since at least the early 1990s. The space has held offices, a deli and other businesses, but has been vacant for years. In that time, it's fallen into severe disrepair. Neighbors said the bank has made no effort to sell or maintain the building, and has even ignored one community leader's interest in purchasing it. Rather, the bank just wants the 12 parking spaces behind the building for its customers and employees. "They warehoused that building for that little bit of parking that's behind it," said Mike Behnke. Eastwood residents line up to voice opposition to Bank of America's plan to demolish a building it owns on James Street, Monday, Nov. 27, 2017. No one associated with the bank's ownership attended the meeting. Scott Shearing, of Bohler Engineering, attended and explained why the building needs to come down. Shearing could not answer for the bank's role as a neighbor -- he is simply the contractor hired for the demolition. The building is infested with animals and has water damage, Shearing said. It's become a liability to the bank and to its neighbors. "The useful life of the building itself is over," he said. Shearing said preparation for demolition began three weeks ago, including removal of hazardous materials. When asked, he was not sure if any permits had been secured for that work, which included removing the siding. Shearing said that siding contained asbestos. City Zoning Administrator Heather Lamendola said, to her knowledge, no permits were given. However, no one present was sure if a permit was required. The planning commissioners agreed that city staff should look into the permits immediately to see if work had begun improperly. The end result of the demolition, Shearing said, would be a vacant lot. It could eventually be turned into a parking lot, which would require commission approval. For now, it would be an empty grass lot. Most neighbors weren't concerned about the building's value as a historic relic. Rather, they didn't want a "missing tooth" on the James Street business corridor in Eastwood. Tearing down the building would leave a gap on the street, they said, and none were confident in the bank's commitment to maintaining an empty patch of grass. Minch Lewis, the former city auditor who lives in Eastwood, said demolition should be used only as a last resort. The bank should first make every effort to find a buyer who would take the building and rehab it. Many neighbors agreed with Lewis. And nearly all of them pointed to a potential buyer: Stephen Skinner, owner of the Palace Theatre. Skinner said he was approached by a local broker more than a year ago to discuss buying the building. He hadn't been inside. The broker told him it was appraised for $450,000. Skinner was interested. He kept in contact with the local broker and another in New Jersey. He had some concerns about the building, and didn't want to overpay. But talks were happening. Then, last fall, the communication stopped. Skinner said he was told the bank was "going in a different direction." He didn't hear anything more about it, despite attempts to contact the building's owners. Last week, he got a postcard in the mail saying the building was under consideration for demolition. Skinner said he would still be interested in buying the building. It's not about him, though. He said he wants someone who cares about the community to own it. At the very least, he'd like the building's owners to listen to the concerns of the neighborhood and open a dialog. The planning commission denied the request "without prejudice," which means Bank of America can try again. But commissioners stressed that their concerns mirrored neighbors' concerns and would need to be addressed. Primarily, what will be done with the property once the building comes down? SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he looks forward to working with Ben Walsh, Syracuse's incoming mayor, to get things done in the city. Cuomo said he believes the independent candidate won because Syracusans "... made a decision on the person and their qualifications and their vision as opposed to just their party label." Cuomo spoke with reporters this morning at LeMoyne Elementary School in Syracuse after announcing the state will provide $1.9 million to fund after school programs in Central New York. The governor does not get along with outgoing Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner, an outspoken critic of Cuomo who has said she may run against him next year. Despite their frosty relationship, Cuomo gave a shout-out during his speech to Miner, who attended the event. He thanked her for her service to the city. Cuomo said he's talked to Ben Walsh on the phone. Cuomo said when he was secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development he had a good relationship with Walsh's father, former U.S. Rep. James Walsh. "We worked together and did a lot of good things for Syracuse," Cuomo said. "He was a Republican and I was a Democrat and that came second to the fact that we were both New Yorkers. That's how his father operated and I believe that's how his son is going to operate." He said people in Syracuse are frustrated because they don't see enough progress. Syracusans don't want to hear "political baloney" and "he said, she said," but want to see elected officials fix the roads and make other improvements, Cuomo said. "That's how I want to work with the incoming mayor," he said. Here are other issues he discussed: Bashes tax reform proposal. Cuomo reiterated his opposition to tax reform plans being pushed by President Trump and Republicans in Congress. The proposal to eliminate the deductibility of state and local taxes will be "a crusher" for New York, he said. Cuomo said Rep. John Katko, R-Camillus, and other Republican members of the House from New York who voted for the tax plan should win the Benedict Arnold award. "It's treasonous to vote for a plan that's bad for New York," he said. Katko has said he supported the plan because most of his constituents would get a tax cut under the proposal. Running for president? Cuomo did not give a direct answer when asked if he will run for president. Her said he's running for re-election as governor next year. He said his administration has focused on revitalizing Upstate New York. "I want to finish what we started," he said. Why after school programs matter. After school programs are important because they keep kids off the street and enhance their education, he said. The Syracuse City School District will get more than $1.4 million to fund after school programs. Cuomo told LeMoyne Elementary School students participating in after school programs is "a lot more beneficial than going home to watch TV." COVINGTON, KY, November 28, 2017 - Ashland Global Holdings Inc. (NYSE: ASH) (the "company") today announced its intention to nominate Jerome A. Peribere as a new independent director for election at the company's upcoming 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "2018 Annual Meeting"). If elected, it is also intended that Peribere will serve as a member of the compensation committee. Consistent with the company's mandatory retirement policy set forth in its Corporate Governance Guidelines, George A. Schaefer Jr. will not be nominated for re-election to the board at the 2018 annual meeting. Ashland intends to nominate all other existing directors for re-election and expects the board will remain 11 directors. Peribere has served as the president and chief executive officer of Sealed Air Corporation since March 2013 and previously worked for 35 years at The Dow Chemical Company, where he held a variety of leadership roles throughout the world. He previously served as president and chief executive officer of Dow Advanced Materials, where he led the integration of the Rohm and Haas acquisition and delivered significant growth and cost synergies. Prior to that, he spent the majority of his career in Dow AgroSciences. "Jerome's extensive leadership and proven track record in the chemicals industry would make him a valuable addition to the Ashland board," said William A. Wulfsohn, Ashland chairman and chief executive officer. "With the addition of Jerome, six of the company's directors will have joined our board within the past three years, four of whom will have joined in the past year alone. These new directors underscore Ashland's commitment to regularly refreshing and strengthening the composition of our board. Our objective is to continue executing and delivering on our strategic plan to drive shareholder value and build momentum on our path to become the premier specialty chemicals company. We would also like to thank Cruiser Capital Advisors for their assistance in recommending Jerome to Ashland. We are confident that Jerome's industry experience, coupled with his deep understanding of global operations, strategy and integration, will benefit the Ashland board and all the company's stakeholders." "I am honored to join Ashland's board of directors and look forward to working with the board and management team as Ashland continues to position itself as a leading global specialty chemicals company," said Peribere. Charles J. Rose of Cruiser Capital Advisors said, "We believe that Ashland is a unique franchise with tremendous potential. Today's announcement gives us the utmost confidence that Ashland is committed and well positioned to deliver value to its shareholders. Jerome is a proven, effective leader, and we believe that adding his capabilities and experience to the Ashland board will further drive strong financial results." About Jerome Peribere Jerome Peribere is the current CEO of Sealed Air Corporation, a packaging company. He is retiring from Sealed Air at the end of December of 2017. Peribere joined Sealed Air as president and chief operating officer in September of 2012 and became chief executive officer effective March 1, 2013. Peribere is a 35-year veteran of The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) and has worked throughout the world in a variety of leadership roles. Previously, Peribere was the president and chief executive officer of Dow Advanced Materials, a $12 billion revenue unit of Dow serving customers in more than 130 countries. In this role, he led the integration of the Rohm and Haas acquisition and delivered significant growth and cost synergies. Previously, Peribere spent most of his career in Dow AgroSciences. Peribere is a director of Xylem, Inc. About Ashland Ashland Global Holdings Inc. (NYSE: ASH) is a premier global specialty chemicals company serving customers in a wide range of consumer and industrial markets, including adhesives, architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, food and beverage, personal care and pharmaceutical. At Ashland, we are approximately 6,500 passionate, tenacious solvers - from renowned scientists and research chemists to talented engineers and plant operators - who thrive on developing practical, innovative and elegant solutions to complex problems for customers in more than 100 countries. Visit ashland.com to learn more. C-ASH Forward-Looking Statements This news 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. Ashland has identified some of these forward-looking statements with words such as "anticipates," "believes," "expects," "estimates," "is likely," "predicts," "projects," "forecasts," "objectives," "may," "will," "should," "plans" and "intends" and the negative of these words or other comparable terminology. Ashland may from time to time make forward-looking statements in its annual reports, quarterly reports and other filings with the SEC, news releases and other written and oral communications. These forward-looking statements are based on Ashland's expectations and assumptions, as of the date such statements are made, regarding Ashland's future operating performance and financial condition, as well as the economy and other future events or circumstances. Ashland's expectations and assumptions include, without limitation, internal forecasts and analyses of current and future market conditions and trends, management plans and strategies, operating efficiencies and economic conditions (such as prices, supply and demand, cost of raw materials, and the ability to recover raw-material cost increases through price increases), and risks and uncertainties associated with the following: the impact of acquisitions and/or divestitures Ashland has made or may make, including the acquisition of Pharmachem (including the possibility that Ashland may not realize the anticipated benefits from such transactions); Ashland's substantial indebtedness (including the possibility that such indebtedness and related restrictive covenants may adversely affect Ashland's future cash flows, results of operations, financial condition and its ability to repay debt); the potential that Ashland does not realize all of the expected benefits of the separation of its Valvoline business; and severe weather, natural disasters, cyber events and legal proceedings and claims (including product recalls, environmental and asbestos matters). Various risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ materially from those stated, projected or implied by any forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties affecting Ashland that are described in Ashland's most recent Form 10-K (including Item 1A Risk Factors) filed with the SEC, which is available on Ashland's website at http://investor.ashland.com or on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. Ashland believes its expectations and assumptions are reasonable, but there can be no assurance that the expectations reflected herein will be achieved. Unless legally required, Ashland undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements made in this news release whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Information on Ashland's website is not incorporated into or a part of this news release. (TM) Trademark, Ashland or its subsidiaries, registered in various countries. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Investor Relations: Seth A. Mrozek +1 (859) 815-3527 samrozek@ashland.com Media Relations: Gary Rhodes +1 (859) 815-3047 glrhodes@ashland.com BOISE, Idaho, Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Washington State Health Care Authority announced the certification of Healthwise decision aids as part of an effort in Washington to put evidence-based information into the hands of its residents. Certifications were awarded to two decision aidsKnee Osteoarthritis: Is It Time to Think About Surgery? and Hip Osteoarthritis: Is It Time to Think About Surgery?that join two previously certified Healthwise decision aids about pregnancy. Knee and hip replacement surgeries, procedures considered by millions of people every year, are the most common inpatient surgeries and often require lengthy recovery and rehabilitation periods. By 2030, the number of knee replacements is projected to grow by 673%, and hip replacement surgeries are expected to triple. Healthwise decision aids present options in an unbiased manner, explain the risks and benefits of each option, and capture peoples values and priorities in a summary that can support a shared decision making conversation between patients and the care team. To receive certification, both decision aids met strict criteria, including steps taken to ensure zero conflicts of interest, a review of the content and cited clinical evidence, documentation of user testing, readability, and health literacy. The two certified decision aids about considering joint replacement surgery for osteoarthritis are part of a comprehensive Healthwise Shared Decision Making Program for Orthopedics. Its amazing how well health care works when people truly understand their health condition, their choices for treatment, and their own preferences for care. When this happens, people can work with their doctor to make the best health decisionone consistent with the medical facts and with their feelings and motivations, says Adam Husney, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Healthwise. Washington States innovative program helps make this shared decision approach a reality that will improve the care experience for patients and providers alike. Washington State recognizes the importance and positive impact of these tools and is certifying decision aids to promote patient and family engagement. Physicians in the state who use the certified aids as part of a shared decision making conversation stand to improve patient satisfaction by engaging patients in their own care and to receive higher protection against malpractice lawsuits. About Healthwise Healthwise is a nonprofit organization with a mission to help people make better health decisions. People have turned to Healthwise information more than 2 billion times to learn how to do more for themselves, ask for the care they need, and say no to the care they dont need. Healthwise partners with hospitals, electronic medical record (EMR) providers, health plans, care management companies, and health websites to provide up-to-date, evidence-based information to the people they serve. www.healthwise.org. 1.800.706.9646 Media Contact: Sonja Deines, Healthwise sdeines@healthwise.org | 208-489-8481 This page no longer exists or may have been moved.If you believe this is a mistake please email Welcome, DISH customer! Please note that we cannot save your viewing history due to an arrangement with DISH. Watchlist and resume progress features have been disabled. ACCEPT SEOUL, South Korea, Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ToolGen, Inc. (KONEX, 199800), a biotechnology company specializing in genome editing, today announced a poster presentation on its CRISPR technology at the upcoming American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting, being held December 9-12 in Atlanta, Georgia. The poster presentation entitled CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Diacylglycerol Kinase Knockout Potentiates Anti-Tumor Efficacy of Human Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cells will cover a study that explored a potential solution to tumors evading immune surveillance by deactivating T cells. Researchers strengthened T cell function by deleting Diacylglycerol kinase (DGKs) using CRISPR/Cas9. The study found that the observed biological effects may also yield new strategies for improving the efficacy of T-cell therapy in combination with signal 2 checkpoint inhibitors in clinical applications. Details of the presentation are below: Poster : 3182 - CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Diacylglycerol Kinase Knockout Potentiates Anti-Tumor Efficacy of Human Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cells Lead Author : In-Young Jung, MS Poster Session : 703: Adoptive Immunotherapy: Poster II Date : Sunday, December 10, 2017 Time : 6:00 - 8:00pm CT Location : Georgia World Congress Center Building A, Level 1, Hall A2 About ToolGen, Inc. ToolGen, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on the development and application of genome editing technologies. It creates and holds intellectual property rights for essential tools and technologies for editing the genetic information in microbial, plant, animal, and human cells. ToolGens mission is to translate the potential of its innovative platform technology into transformative products for biomedicine and agriculture. For more information, please visit www.toolgen.com. Contacts Company Seokjoong Kim +82-2-873-8168 Media Kirsten Thomas (508) 280-6592 Investors Tram Bui (646) 536-7035 Scientists from The University of New South Wales Canberra in Australia are taking the lead in the country's push to enter the space race. They launched the university's first miniature cube satellite into space last week and recently, opened up the nation's first space mission design facility. The Buccaneer Cube Satellite UNSW Canberra scientists had developed a miniature cube satellite called the Buccaneer alongside the Defence Science and Technology Group. They launched the Buccaneer on NASA's Delta 2 rocket from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The satellite, which is as small as a shoe box, is expected to perform several operations over the next weeks and months. These will include testing and commissioning its systems before it will undergo other experiments early next year. Minister for Defence Marise Payne said the satellite will help scientists understand more about the outer atmosphere, specifically the ionosphere, as it plays a major role in the nation's over-the-horizon radar. "Being able to avoid collisions in space is essential if we are to safeguard the space-based technologies upon which society depends," said Professor Russell Boyce, Space director of UNSW Canberra. "Our cubesats will play an important role in gathering data for this research, among other outcomes such as demonstrating space-based capability ranging from remote sensing to ultra-secure quantum communications." The Buccaneer is currently in stable orbit and scientists were able to establish communications. In addition to this satellite, the university also has another contract with the Royal Australian Air Force to develop three more spacecraft and accomplish two space missions within the next two years. These satellites are expected to be used for maritime surveillance, with the first launch in early 2018. Australia's First National Space Mission Design Facility UNSW Canberra officially opened the nation's first space mission design facility on Nov. 27. The facility is jointly funded by the university and the ACT Government. The French Space Agency, Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, is the one responsible for supporting and providing the software and training. Boyce said the Australian National Concurrent Design Facility (ANCDF) complements the test facilities at the Australian National University. It also places Canberra in a very good position, where it is now able to carry out future space missions from beginning to end. He added that Australia now has a facility that will allow scientists and engineers to develop and work out the technical and economic viability of future space missions. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OK2 Minerals Ltd .(TSX-V:OK) (the Company or OK2) is pleased to provide updates on its Kinskuch Lake project in the southern Golden Triangle and the Pyramid Project, located north of Dease Lake B.C at the northern edge of the Golden Triangle. The Kinskuch Lake project is a copper-gold porphyry project located in an emerging precious metals district. The tenure is surrounded by Hecla Mining, and neighbouring projects include the Dolly Varden Silver camp and the Homestake Ridge Au project. The geological model on Kinskuch is analogous to the world class Mitchell deposit at the KSM project (Seabridge Resources). Late season work at Kinskuch Lake identified a new zone of mineralization with an additional 14 grab samples grading from background values up to 7.2% Cu, 4.2 g/t Au and 21.6 g/t Ag in high-level porphyry mineralization. The new area is located approximately 750m south of the main trend of mineralization and is described as quartz sericite pyrite (QSP) altered diorite with high level stockwork veining, epithermal veining and skarn mineralization. The Kinskuch Lake project has seen a rapid evolution of the geologic model, where past operators targeting a vertical system, did not outline the horizontal setting of the porphyry mineralization. Work by the British Columbia Geological Survey, UBC Department of Geology and OK2 in the summer of 2017 determined that deeper core zone alteration and mineralization, which is typically tested with deep drilling is now present at surface. New sampling in these regions of interest have returned very promising results over 2.25km of trend with 42 rock samples returning an average of 0.57% Cu and 0.35 g/t Au (see news release dated Sept 12, 2017). These rock samples come from areas with limited or no historic sampling and some are from areas of recent glacial retreat. At the Eastern margin of this trend is a 200m deep drill hole, drilled by Canadian Empire Mining in 2003, which returned values of 0.86% Cu and 0.64g/t Au over 25m and bottomed in 50m of 0.33% Cu and 0.21 g/t Au (see news release dated Aug 17, 2016). Additional diamond drill holes on the property reported in the historic BC government assessment files include intervals of 1.22% Cu over 16.2m and 0.23% Cu over 43.7m from holes completed by Forest Kerr Mines in 1965. OK2 Minerals has received the data from its Airborne ZTEM survey flown in conjunction with Dolly Varden Silver and Hecla Mining Company on the Kinskuch Lake project. The company is awaiting the final technical report from our geophysical consultant that will incorporate the data from the airborne survey with the Companys recent mapping and rock sampling results. The 2017 exploration program on the Companys Pyramid project consisted of 11 RC drill holes (see news release dated Aug 14, 2017) and three diamond drill holes totalling 1,366 metres. The diamond drilling produced visually encouraging results, with mineralization encountered in the West Zone in two drill holes, spaced roughly 800m apart. All the drill core samples are currently being analysed at the SGS Canada laboratory in Burnaby BC and the company is awaiting the results. Follow up drilling in 2018 will include additional testing of the West Zone and new drilling in the East Zone. ABOUT OK2 Minerals Ltd. OK2 Minerals Ltd. is a Canadian-based junior exploration company comprised of highly qualified mining professionals with two very prospective copper-gold exploration projects, the Pyramid Project and the Kinskuch Project, both located in northwestern British Columbia on or within the Golden Triangle. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF OK2 MINERALS LTD. Per: Minaz Devji Minaz Devji, CEO and Director OK2 Minerals Mike Devji (604) 258-8666 mike.devji@ok2minerals.com Investor Relations Kin Communications 1-866-684-6730 (toll-free) ok@kincommunications.com This news release was prepared by Company management, who take full responsibility for its content. George Cavey P.Geo, Director, is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators and has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure in this release. The RC rock chip samples were prepared at the ISO certified SGS Canada Minerals in Burnaby, B.C. and analyzed at the SGS Canada Minerals facilities in Burnaby using a GE-IC14A procedure. IC14A is an Aqua Regia Digestion with an ICP-MS finish. The company routinely inserted known commercially prepared standards every 10th sample and did not detect any QC/QA concerns from the analytical results. 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. SARASOTA, Fla., Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HC Government Realty Trust, Inc. (HCGRT or the Company), today announced that it has completed the previously announced acquisition of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in San Antonio, Texas. A photo accompanying this release is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/91b88031-9ed7-4589-8461-23276f10a483 The San Antonio facility is a 38,756-square foot, single-tenant office building which was completely redeveloped expressly to meet the requirements of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The property is located at 1015 Jackson Keller Road, San Antonio, Texas and is 100% leased to the United States of America under a 10-year commitment ending in April 2027. The aggregate purchase price of the property was approximately $8.4 million and the selling broker was Cushman & Wakefield. The lease is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America. The Companys strategy is to acquire and operate built-to-suit properties leased to the United States of America that fulfill mission-critical or direct citizen service functions primarily located across secondary or smaller markets. HCGRT has identified more than 1,300 potential acquisition targets which fall within size ranges of 5,000-50,000 rentable square feet, and are in their first lease term after construction or retrofit to post-9/11 standards. The Companys real estate portfolio currently includes 13 properties representing approximately 269,000 RSF and houses tenants including the CIS, FBI, Social Security Administration, and Customs and Border Protection, among others. About HC Government Realty Trust, Inc. HC Government Realty Trust, Inc. was formed in 2016 for the purpose of acquiring and operating federally-leased properties, the leases for which are full-faith and credit obligations of the United States. Federally-leased real estate asset classes typically possess a highly stable tenant base, long-term lease structures and low risk of tenant turnover. The Companys portfolio of leased facilities is occupied by U.S. Government agencies, including a number of the largest and most essential agencies, such as the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Social Security Administration and the Department of Transportation. For more information, please visit our corporate website at www.hcgovtrust.com. About this Press Release This press release is neither an offer to sell, nor a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities of the Company, including without limitation the common stock. Any such offer is made exclusively through the Companys final offering circular dated November 7, 2016, as the same may be amended or supplemented (the Final Offering Circular). The Final Offering Circular, as supplemented, is available at: https://www.sec.gov/cgi-bin/browse-edgar?company=hc+gove&match=contains&action=getcompany. Forward-Looking Statements We make statements in this press release that are considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), which are usually identified by the use of words such as anticipates, believes, estimates, expects, intends, may, plans, projects, seeks, should, will, and variations of such words or similar expressions. We intend for these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are including this statement in this press release for purposes of complying with those safe harbor provisions. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views about our plans, intentions, expectations, strategies and prospects, which are based on the information currently available to us and on assumptions we have made. Although we believe that our plans, intentions, expectations, strategies and prospects as reflected in or suggested by those forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that the plans, intentions, expectations or strategies will be attained or achieved. Furthermore, actual results may differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements and will be affected by a variety of risks and factors that are beyond our control. For further discussion of the factors that could affect outcomes, please refer to the risk factors set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Final Offering Circular. We assume no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Media and Investor Relations Contact: Glenn Wiener / Michael Glickman Tel: 212-786-6011 / 917-397-2272 Email: gwiener@GWCco.com / mglickman@GWCco.com VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kenadyr Mining (Holdings) Corp. (TSX-V:KEN) (the Corporation or Kenadyr) is pleased to announce that it has entered into option agreements (the Option Agreements) with Realgold Resources Corp. (the Optionor) for the acquisition of 9 mineral exploration licenses (the Licenses) covering approximately 1,200 square kilometers of the most prospective gold ground within the Middle Tien Shan carbonaceous shale belt of the Kyrgyz Republic. The licenses cover most of the highly prospective rocks (Riphean carbonaceous shales) and occur within a strike length of 800 km from west to east. These licenses contain approximately 80% of the exposed Upper Proterozoic black shales found in Kyrgyz Republic, that are not within a protected area (i.e. National Park). Under the terms of the Option Agreements, Kenadyr, through its Kyrgyz subsidiaries, is required to advance as secured loans an aggregate of US$552,669.75 to certain subsidiaries of the Optionor. Upon completion of the advances and subject to compliance with all applicable laws of the Kyrgyz Republic, Kenadyr will be eligible to exercise its option to acquire the Licenses. During the period of the option, Realgolds subsidiaries will use the funds advanced under the Option Agreements to conduct exploration activities on the Licenses and to maintain the Licenses in good standing under Kenadyrs oversight. Alexander Becker, the CEO and a director of Kenadyr is an officer of a material subsidiary of Realgold and accordingly has abstained from voting in connection with the approval of the Option Agreements by the Kenadyr Board of Directors. Kevin Ma, the CFO of Kenadyr, is also the CFO of Realgold. The transactions contemplated by the Option Agreements are subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. A map accompanying this release is available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7e7b804a-c7d3-4dd8-ae68-f41d22c3cc1e Table of licenses: # Project Area (hectares) Location License ID 1 Arpatektyr 10,978 East of Kumtor 5135 2 Taldysu-Sarlytash 10,177 East of Kumtor 5317 3 Kyilu-Irtash 12,026 East of Kumtor 5147 4 Akbelsuu 12,875 West of Kumtor 5132 5 Kashkasu-Sandalash 12,681 NE Chaarat 5137 6 Kokuibel 15,067 NE Chaarat 5133 7 Chiimtash 3,634 East of Chaarat 5144 8 Kokiirim-Bardambot 34,251 Central black shale segment 5149 9 Usta-Sai 10,220 Central black shale segment 5131 Kenadyr is in possession of a complete data set, compiled during the Soviet era, for all license areas. This dataset includes all data from thorough regional, with follow up local, exploration programs. The dataset includes all geological and geochemical maps, maps of soil sediment geochemistry, stream sediment and pan concentrate geochemistry, airborne and ground geophysical surveys, compiled geologic reports and maps of all rock chip and channel sample locations and results as well as all known mineral occurrences. Area East of Kumtor During the 2017 field season, the three licenses east of Kumtor were examined by an academic reconnaisance team: Dr. Anatoly Gibsher, from the Novosibirsk Institute of Geology and Geophysics, and a well-known expert on gold deposits within the Asian and Siberian Upper Proterozoic carbonaceous shale formations, was the leader of the geological reconnaissance team. He stated: The geological setting is very similar to that at Kumtor. Within the licenses, and extending for many tens of kilometers are intensively altered and pyritized carbonaceous shales which belong to the same formation that hosts the Kumtor deposit. Area west of Kumtor The Akbelsuu License covers all the outcropping favorable black shale units to the west of Kumtor. The area has seen very little exploration work. North western (Chaarat) Areas In the north west of Kyrgyzstan, Kenadyr has acquired the option to the licenses surrounding both the Chaarat gold deposit and the Kuru-Tegerek gold deposit (operated by China Gold). The licenses also cover the outcropping carbonaceous shales which occur on strike to the east of the Chaarat Gold deposit. Central Kyrgyz licenses: Ustasai and Kokirim-Bardambot The Ustasai license covers a large pull-apart (rotated and extended) segment of the Talas Fergana Fault, arguably the dominant structural feature of Tien Shan Mountains, with a dextral strike-slip fault displacement of 240km. In this pull-apart segment covered by the license, the rocks are intensely altered and bleached with alteration thicknesses of more than 500m. A strong airborne potassium anomalies occurs over the alteration zone. The Kokirim-Bardambot license The license covers an area of 342 sq.km of highly prospective ground where carbonaceous shales outcrop in multiple erosion windows. The rocks in the erosion windows are highly altered and pyritized yet they were never assayed for gold during the Soviet expeditions. Kenadyr Summary and Strategy Statement Kenadyr Mining is focused on creating shareholder value, both through project acquisition and exploration towards resource definition, within the Kyrgyz Republic. Kenadyr achieves a balance of risk with a blended portfolio. The company owns the Borubai Project which hosts both the South Zone and East Zone (currently being drilled). Previous drilling included hole EZ-1-17 (50 meters at 8.15 g/t Au) from the East Zone and 40m @ 6.17 g/t Au in drill hole SZ-1-17, from the South Zone (see Kenadyrs news release dated November 14, 2017). These Zones are directly adjacent to the TBL Mine operated by Zijin. Complementing this, the company holds an unrivaled ground position covering the bulk of the prospective Black Shale Hosted Gold ground in the Kyrgyz Republic. Brian Lueck, P. Geo, a director of the Kenadyr and a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release. On behalf of the Kenadyr Mining (Holdings) Corp. Alexander Becker Dr. Alexander Becker Chief Executive Officer and Director For more information, visit www.kenadyr.com or contact Kevin Ma, CFO at info@kenadyr.com or (604) 687-7130. 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. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the future operations of the Company and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the future plans and objectives of the Company are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include the success for failure of the Company's proposed exploration activities on the Bourabi Project or its resource potential relative to the TBL Mine and other risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. 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 as expressly required by Canadian securities law. Purchases made via links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission The Louisiana Board of Regents plans to hire a new commissioner of higher education in early April 2018, officials said Tuesday. The panel hopes to have final interviews with the candidates on or close to April 4, said Robert Levy, chairman of the six-member search panel. Louisiana on the hunt for new higher education commissioner Louisiana could have a new higher education leader selected by December, as Commissioner Joe Rallo prepares to retire in June. Higher Education Commissioner Joe Rallo announced in August that he is retiring. Rallo, who has held the job since January 2015, tentatively plans to remain in the post through June. The commissioner oversees the state's 38 colleges and universities, which includes about 217,000 students. The system includes governing boards for LSU, Southern, the Louisiana Community and Technical College system and the University of Louisiana System. The fact that higher education in Louisiana often speaks with multiple voices, and oftentimes conflicting views, is something the next commissioner should know, regents said. The current search, like the one that resulted in Rallo's hiring, is being assisted by AGB Search of Washington, D.C. The firm is to be paid $110,000 for services and up to $15,000 for expenses. Three officials of the company met for about 90 minutes Tuesday with the search committee, which held its first gathering. Janice Fitzgerald, one of the consultants, said advertisements for the job will begin appearing on Dec. 18 and that it will be a national search. Fitzgerald said on Feb. 13 officials will sift through the initial list of those expressing interest in the post. Around mid-March another list will be compiled of those recommended for interviews with state officials. A mix of traditional and non-traditional candidates is expected. Jim McCormick, another AGB consultant, said there is a recent trend of physicians and attorneys expressing interest in top higher education jobs. Uma Subramanian, deputy commissioner for legal and external affairs, told the regents that the names of the initial wave of possible applicants do not have to be made public. Subramanian said that, when both the candidate and state officials show interest in a possible hiring, the name is subject to public disclosure. The key word is applicant, she said. Whoever succeeds Rallo will assume the job at a time when state aid for higher education has plummeted amid recurring budget problems. That annual aid has been cut from about $1.5 billion in 2008 to just over $800 million this year. The 2018 regular legislative session begins on March 12, just a few weeks ahead of an expected decision on the next commissioner. Rallo is paid $364,000 per year. U.S. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) didn't pull any punches when asked Monday afternoon about the recent raft of sexual harassment allegations across the nation, including those against prominent lawmakers like Sen. Al Franken and Alabama candidate Roy Moore. Kennedy said he'd like to see the facts presented by an ethics investigation before deciding whether to call for Franken's resignation, or Moore's if he were to win his race. Moore has been accused of pursuing relationships with teenagers as well as assault, while Franken (D-Minn.) has been accused of groping women. "But I don't have sympathy for people who act like pigs," he said Monday when approached by reporters. "I don't. It's wrong." Kennedy said he'd expect a similar investigation into Moore's actions if he is indeed elected in Alabama. "I don't even know when they have time to make movies in Hollywood because it looks like they're all busy molesting each other," he said. "But now we know it's on Capitol Hill, we know it's in the business community. "I guess I'm just naive. But I had no idea there were this many pigs in the world. And to all of them, I would say we're all human and all that, and I'm not saying we shouldn't extend them grace, but extending grace to people doesn't mean you don't have to face the consequences. And there is no excuse for this. None, zero, nada. You can pretty it up all you want to, it's still a pig." WASHINGTON A Louisianan nominated by President Donald Trump for a seat on the federal Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals will get a hearing before the Senate's Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, amid a lobbying campaign by pro-life and conservative groups for Sen. John Kennedy's support. Kyle Duncan, a 45-year-old Baton Rouge native and LSU law school graduate who's built a national profile as a D.C.-based legal warrior on conservative social issues, is up for a lifetime appointment on the appeals court. Wednesday's hearing will offer committee members including Kennedy, R-Louisiana a chance to grill Duncan over his record, experience, judicial philosophy and political views. Kennedy has remained tight-lipped on how he might vote on Duncan, telling The Advocate in recent weeks that he's still studying the attorney's credentials and wasn't ready to announce a position on his nomination. A spokeswoman for Kennedy, Michelle Millhollon, said Monday the senator is impressed with Duncan's "pro-life and pro-religious liberty" record. But Millhollon said the senator hoped to learn more about Duncan's expertise in other areas of the law at Wednesday's hearing. Kennedy "wants the benefit of a hearing before making a decision," Millhollon said. "The Senator does not know Mr. Duncan, and he wants to make an informed decision." Kennedy's public indecision has attracted attention from at least three national conservative groups who've enthusiastically backed the White House's decision to tap Duncan for the Fifth Circuit seat. The groups Americans United for Life, the Judicial Crisis Network and the National Right to Life Committee each launched campaigns in Louisiana urging the Senate to confirm Duncan. Dan Fagan: Is John Kennedy actually pro-life? We'll get a real answer this week If youre like me and believe the safest place in the world for a baby should be in a mother Duncan is one of two nominees with Louisiana ties for vacancies on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt, the chief judge of the New Orleans-based U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, was also nominated by the White House. A hearing for Engelhardt before the Judiciary Committee hasn't yet been scheduled. Wednesday's hearing for Duncan comes after the Judiciary Committee chairman, Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, announced he'd move forward on the nominations despite a lack of a positive "blue slip" from Kennedy. The blue-slip courtesy has traditionally allowed senators to wield considerable influence in federal judicial nominations in their states. Though the courtesy has been applied differently over the past century, committee chairs have generally waited for positive endorsements before moving ahead with a hearing. Grassley said Kennedy had no objection to holding a hearing for Duncan when he announced the move. Another Trump appeals court nominee David Stras of Minnesota will be considered on Wednesday despite objections from Sen. Al Franken, D-Minnesota. Liberal groups have raised objections to Duncan's nomination pointing to a long record of legal advocacy against gay, transgender and abortion rights and Senate Democrats are expected to oppose him. Because of the committee's narrow partisan split, Kennedy could cast a key vote. If Democrats all vote against Duncan, a "no" from Kennedy would scuttle his nomination, while Kennedy's support would likely clear him out of committee and send the nomination to the full Senate for confirmation. Senator Cassidy is working with President Trump to see good federal judges nominated in Louisiana, and will continue pushing the Senate to confirm them in a timely manner, Matt Wolking, communications director for Cassidy, said in a written statement Monday. The Wednesday hearing represents the latest step toward filling a number of vacant positions in Louisiana's federal courts. On Thursday, the committee will vote on whether to send a nominee for a Monroe-based judgeship in the federal Western District of Louisiana to the full Senate for a confirmation vote. Terry Doughty, currently a state judge in Franklin, Richland and West Carroll parishes, has already appeared before the committee to answer questions. If approved by the committee, Doughty would join a second Western District judicial nominee Lafayette attorney Michael Juneau in waiting for a confirmation vote from the full Senate. Trump has not yet named nominees for two other vacant judgeships in the 42-parish Western District, which includes courthouses in Monroe, Shreveport, Alexandria, Lafayette and Lake Charles. Trump has also nominated Barry Ashe, a partner in the New Orleans office of Stone Pigman Walther Wittmann, for a federal judgeship in the New Orleans-based Eastern District. But no hearing before the Senates Judiciary Committee a key hurdle for nominees has yet been scheduled for Ashe. Officials in the Trump administration have placed a great deal of importance on federal judgeships and GOP leaders in the Senate have made confirming nominees a top priority. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, changed Senate rules to diffuse a potential Democratic filibuster of U.S. Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch and has threatened to toss out other rules to speed along nominees if Democrats continued deploying a range of procedural obstacles to slow down the process. The Advocate has previously reported that Trump intends to nominate Wendy Vitter, currently the general counsel for the Archdiocese of New Orleans and the wife of former U.S. Sen. David Vitter, R-Louisiana, to a second vacant seat on the Eastern District. Vitters nomination hasnt been announced, however, and Sen. Bill Cassidy whose office vetted potential candidates for the seat also forwarded two other names along with Vitters to the White House. If Engelhardt is confirmed for a seat on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, itd also open up his former U.S. District Court position. The other key presidentially appointed positions in Louisianas federal court system the states three U.S. Attorney jobs have not yet been filled. Trump has nominated Brandon Fremin, currently the head of the criminal division in Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landrys office, for the Baton Rouge job. No hearings have been scheduled yet for Fremin and the White House hasnt yet named nominees for the other two jobs, although sources told The Advocate that Chaffe McCall law firm partner Peter Strasser is expected to get the nod in New Orleans. Unlike federal judgeships, U.S. attorneys served at the pleasure of the president and are usually replaced when a new administration takes office. Its not clear how quickly Senate leaders will move U.S. attorney nominees through the Senate. McConnell and Grassley have both said theyre placing a higher priority on confirming conservative judges than federal prosecutors. Editor's note: This story was updated after publication to correct the name of one of the groups participating in campaigns for Duncan. PORTLAND, Ore., Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PDX Partners, Inc. ("PDXP") (OTC:PDXP), a telecom company, announces that the company will be utilizing its net loss carry forward of over eleven million dollars ($11,000,000) USD to substantially impact shareholder value for the company. With a previous net operating losses in the millions in the telecom sector, we will have a very small tax bill the first eleven million dollars or so we make in the space, said Patrick Johnson, CEO. The more money we have in the bank at the end of the year the more valuable our stock will be which benefits everyone, he said. In 2016 the New York Times published fragments of now President Donald Trump's 1995 state tax returns showing a $916 million tax loss -- a loss that he likely carried forward to wipe out most or all of his tax liability for years. I was able to use the tax laws in this country and my business acumen to dig out of the real estate mess, Mr. Trump said on a campaign appearance in Colorado in 2016. Few others were able to do what I did. PDX Partners, Inc. was formed in 1997 and formerly called. My Social Income. The company offered several valuable communication products and services that created Value Networks for its customers which were extended to large groups of members, sales affiliates or other interested parties. The value of the network was its furnishing of free, unlimited, in-network services to all network members; low-cost local and long distance calling; access to numbers outside the network for all members; high-value customer calling services to all members including voice messaging, email services, conferencing services, fax via email, automated attendant and advanced call processing to all members. The company has recently entered into the iOS app market with plans to roll out new products as well as market existing iOS applications moving forward. "We are excited about what this means for our shareholders in the long term as we continue to find creative ways to positively impact our business and strengthen our balance sheet, said Johnson. About PDX Partners PDX Partners, Inc. (OTC PINK:PDXP) is a telecom company dedicated to creating revenue and shareholder value by marketing telecom products and acquiring other long term growth assets. The company was founded in 1997. For more information go to: www.pdxpartners.net. 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: PDX Partners, Inc. Patrick J. Johnson Chief Executive Officer (971) 258-8003 patrick@pdxpartners.net Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/janetnovack/2016/10/12/windfall-the-best-explanation-of-donald-trumps-916-million-tax-loss/#6cd3eb3165f5 https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/04/us/politics/donald-trump-taxes.html The annual Archbishop Hannan Community Appeal End of Campaign Reception of Catholic Charities took place at Cafe Reconcile. Catholic Charities, April 19, 2017 -- Michael Read, Shannon and Byron Adams Orleans Parish Sheriffs Office leaders face a reckoning at a hearing before U.S. District Judge Lance Africk on Jan. 29, when they may be for Domestic Animal Services will be able to destroy dogs they believe pose an unacceptable risk to public safety, under dangerous dog reforms that are expected to pass the ACT's parliament on Wednesday. The Barr government will beef up a bill introduced by the Canberra Liberals to address dangerous dogs, after a series of attacks culminating in the death of a woman last month. A series of high profile dog attacks in Canberra exposed the need for reform of the ACT's dangerous dog laws. The laws were championed by the late Liberal MLA Steve Doszpot but are likely to be rubber stamped by all three parties after weeks of backroom negotiations. The bill will increase declared dangerous dog licence application fees and renewals from $186.50 to $750 and make it mandatory to declare a dog dangerous if it attacks and kills or causes serious injury to a person. Entries are open for the 2018 ABR Calibre Essay Prize: original, unpublished non-fiction essays of any subject between 3000 and 6000 words, written in English. The judges are Andrea Goldsmith, Phillipa McGuinness, and Peter Rose. Entry fees are $15 for ABR subscribers or $25 for non-subscribers (the latter includes a free four-month subscription to ABR Online). Entries close January 15, 2018. First prize $5000, second prize $2500. See: australianbookreview.com.au The Tough Guy Book Club holds Canberra meetings at the Old Canberra Inn, 195 Mouat Street, Lyneham. The book to read for the month is announced at each meeting. It's a modern meeting place for men to discuss not just the works of literary greats, but issues that men tackle on a daily basis. It's free. Upcoming meetings are on December 6, 2017 and February 7, 2018, all at 7pm. For more information visit facebook.com/ToughGuyBookClub. What's on December 2: At Paperchain Manuka at 11am, "Meet the Pawthor" and "Book Pawing" of Pikelet, author of The Extraordinary Life of Pikelet: Memoirs of a Rescue Pup Called Pikelet Butterwiggle Stoll. Typed by Calley Gibson (Pikelet's Ma). December 3: In the foyer of the National Library of Australia, join author and illustrator Rhonda Garward for a reading of Tilly's Reed Adventure followed by craft activities, where children can create their own underwater world. Suitable for ages four to seven. All children must be accompanied by an adult. 11am, free. December 4: At Smith's Alternative at 7pm, performances by poets Miranda Lello and Sarah Rice. $5 on the door - includes open mic December 7: Have you heard about the sunken continent of Zealandia? Learn what Australian scientists have discovered about Earth's history and dynamics through the International Ocean Discovery Program, a marine research collaboration involving 23 countries. Professor Neville Exon explores how, through drilling and coring technology, scientists have been able to investigate cores of sediment and rock up to 3km under the seabed, revealing secrets hidden in the earth going back 200 million years. In association with ANU Press. National Library of Australia, 6-8pm. NEW YORK, Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- James Wright, an expert in customer experience, joins Bain & Company as Executive Vice President, Experience Innovation. In this role, Wright will work with Bains clients to drive engagement, increase brand loyalty, and generate value-creating growth across a holistic customer experience ecosystem. He is based in the firms New York office. Complex shopper behavior has created new challenges for many B2C and B2B companies. Yet, these same challenges also open new routes to profitable growth. Wright will work closely with Bains Customer Strategy & Marketing, Retail, and Digital practices to help clients build innovative customer and employee experiences. His work has included redesigning the customer experience for a number of retailers, developing new concepts for major restaurant chains, and improving the performance of consumer product brands. Technology is rapidly and radically changing customer expectations, said Gerard du Toit, who leads Bains global Customer Experience capability. The companies that want to win in this environment must deeply understand customer needs and wants, meet them in new and innovative ways, and connect with them on an emotional level in a manner that resonates with their brand. I am confident that James deep understanding of consumer behavior and the possibilities of digital will be a terrific asset to our clients looking to differentiate in customer experience and build leading brands. Wright has more than 20 years of experience working with the senior leadership of Fortune 500 B2B and B2C companies to navigate shifting consumer dynamics and uncover innovation opportunities beyond the current business. He brings a design thinking approach grounded in the principles of behavioral science, and deep knowledge of graphic, architectural and user experience design. Im excited to join Bain and work with an esteemed group of industry experts, who understand the importance of customer experience and the role design plays in creating business impact, said Wright. Together, well help clients own a greater share of the market, command price premiums, and increase their promoter base through deeper, more meaningful relationships with customers. Prior to joining Bain, Wright was a senior partner at Lippincott, a creative consultancy with services in brand strategy, design, innovation and culture change. He holds a B.A. in industrial design from Carnegie Mellon University. Editor's Note: To arrange an interview, contact Dan Pinkney at dan.pinkney@bain.com or +1 646 562 8102 About Bain & Company Bain & Company is the management consulting firm that the world's business leaders come to when they want results. Bain advises clients on strategy, operations, information technology, organization, private equity, digital transformation and strategy, and mergers and acquisition, developing practical insights that clients act on and transferring skills that make change stick. The firm aligns its incentives with clients by linking its fees to their results. Bain clients have outperformed the stock market 4 to 1. Founded in 1973, Bain has 55 offices in 36 countries, and its deep expertise and client roster cross every industry and economic sector. For more information visit: www.bain.com. Follow us on Twitter @BainAlerts. Media Contact: Dan Pinkney Bain & Company Tel: +1 646 562 8102 dan.pinkney@bain.com Developers will be able to try out new models of housing that don't fit with the ACT's current planning rules in a series of new demonstration housing precincts across Canberra. The government will start accepting pitches early next year from organisations and people who wanted to build sustainable and affordable housing, planning minister Mick Gentleman announced in the ACT Legislative Assembly on Tuesday. Housing construction in Gungahln in 2003. The ACT government will accept pitches for demonstration housing precincts to try out new models of housing that aren't allowed in the territory plan. Credit:Alan Porritt Mr Gentleman said the government was looking at using the precincts to measure the impacts of possible changes to the territory plan. "Canberra's architecture and construction industries have delivered many award-winning examples of housing projects that showcase environmental performance. However Canberra's overall low density presents many transport, environment, social and economic challenges for our city both now and into the future," Mr Gentleman said. Family, friends and colleagues of former Canberra Liberals MLA Steve Doszpot will celebrate his contribution to the ACT at a state funeral this Friday. During a tearful condolence motion remembering the prominent local politician, Chief Minister Andrew Barr announced Mr Doszpot would be given the state funeral. Former ACT Liberal parliamentarian Steve Doszpot with his wife Maureen. Mr Doszpot will be remembered with a state funeral this Friday. Credit:Jamila Toderas Loading Mr Doszpot's long-term parliamentary colleagues on both sides of the aisle gave heartfelt speeches in his memory as his wife Maureen and family and friends watched on from the Legislative Assembly public gallery on Tuesday morning. The number of University of Canberra students who finish their degrees within six years has reached a record low, new figures show, as the federal Education Minister warns institutions to keep a "laser focus" on their students' outcomes. Fewer than 60 per cent of UC's domestic undergraduates who started their degree in 2010 had finished by 2015. The figure was below the national average of 65.8 per cent and well below the 68.8 per cent UC recorded when data was first collected in 2005, representing one of Australia's worst drop-offs. The number of University of Canberra students completing their degrees within six years has reached a record low. Credit:Ryan Osland The University of Canberra's four-year completion rates were worse. Just 37.2 per cent of students who started studying in 2012 had finished by 2015 - a dramatic reduction on the 52.2 four-year completion rate recorded by the 2005 cohort. In contrast, the Australian National University was one of nine universities to record its highest six-year completion rate, with 81.1 per cent of domestic undergraduate students in the 2010 cohort finishing their degrees by 2015. ANZ Bank has sacked a "small" group of its bankers for taking illegal drugs at a work-related event and recently let another staff member go for sexually harassing a woman from a rival banking organisation at a separate outing. ANZ revealed the sackings in an all staff email sent on Monday by the bank's group executive talent and culture Kathryn van der Merwe that also detailed a massive surge in whistleblower cases at the bank. Ms van der Merwe described the behaviour in her email to staff as "unacceptable". "Earlier this year Shayne (Elliott, chief executive of ANZ) shared with line managers a true story where a small number of ANZ people used illegal drugs at an out-of-hours work-related event," Ms van der Merwe wrote. The world's biggest miner, BHP, is planning to deliver a total of $US1.6 billion ($2.2 billion) in productivity gains across its Australian mining operations over the next two years. But while BHP expects to lower unit costs by 10 per cent over the medium term, it is also hoping to lift its Australian iron ore production "run rate" to 290 million tonnes a year by the end of fiscal 2019. BHP said it would continue to find savings by bringing in expertise from other industries and better leveraging technology. Credit:AP Speaking to analysts and investors on Tuesday, BHP Minerals Australia president Mike Henry said he wanted the company to lift iron ore production to that run rate "as soon as possible". Mr Henry said BHP was working with government and local communities to increase its export licence. A faded Northcote shopping centre has sold for $34 million on a staggeringly-sharp yield of 3.47 per cent. A local private investor beat stiff competition to snap up Northcote Central, a 6657 square metre shopping centre on the corner of High and Separation streets. Northcote Central, on the corner of High and Separation streets, has sold for $34 million. CBRE agents Mark Wizel and Justin Dowers said 16 offers were made for the centre, which sold quickly after a second round of expressions of interest. They declined to identify the buyer, understood to be a local, whose plans for the centre are unknown. A residential developer was widely anticipated to buy the ageing centre which is on a large 9205 square metre site. The prenuptial agreement governing the marriage of the nation's militant construction and maritime unions will preclude the sharing of legacy multimillion dollar legal fines that may eventuate from the building union's court battles. Members of the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) and the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) have voted in favour of amalgamating into a new super union with 144,000. CFMEU national secretary Michael O'Connor and MUA national secretary Paddy Crumlin whose two unions intend to merge. Credit:Nick Moir Like any "marriage", MUA national secretary Paddy Crumlin said the unions would share resources, but he expected the CFMEU to take responsibility for its own legal fines and costs. "No one is picking up other people's financial responsibilities, that's not the basis of the marriage, that's a basis for divorce," he said. It's hard to grasp why Communications Minister, Mitch Fifield, felt the need to wade into JJJ's decision to switch the date of its Hottest 100 from January 26 to January 27. Just as it is not the business of a radio station, particularly one funded by the tax payer, to play politics by pressuring the Government to change the date of the national day, it is equally unseemly for the government to intervene in the station's programming decisions. If, as some of JJJ's defenders have claimed, the shift that will now see the top songs go to air on Saturday, January 27, next year was a simple scheduling issue everything be fine. All media organisations tweak their product to suit their consumers' lifestyles and preferences all the time. Melbourne's growing pains have become acute. For many thousands of people, this is undermining the liveability of the serial winner of the world's most liveable city accolade. The most pressing problem is a lack of transport infrastructure, which is why the state government has unleashed a frenzy of investment on roads and rail, following the failure of successive governments to anticipate the effects of rapid population growth. Credit:Paul Heyes And now it emerges that the growth is outstripping the capacity of Melbourne's schools. A stark illustration of this is the anxiety felt by parents seeking a place for their children at the new South Melbourne Primary, Victoria's first vertical state school. It's not yet open, but is already obliged to send rejection letters to aspiring families. Population growth is necessary and desirable. It drives economic growth by boosting demand and employment. English Lithuanian Vilnius, Lithuania, 2017-11-28 15:25 CET (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On the initiative and decision of the Company's Management Board the Ordinary General Shareholders Meeting of Vilniaus baldai AB (identification code 121922783, address Savanoriu ave. 178B, Vilnius, LT-03154) is to be held on 20 December, 2017 at 10:00 a. m. in Savanoriu ave. 178B, Vilnius. Registration of the shareholders will start at 9:30 a. m. Only the persons who are the shareholders of the Company at the end of the accounting day of the Ordinary General Shareholders Meeting (13 December, 2017) are entitled to participate and to vote at the General Shareholders meeting. Shareholders rights accounting day 08 January, 2018. Agenda includes: 1. Consolidated annual report. 2. Companys Auditors report. 3. Approval of the Consolidated and Company's financial statements for the year 2017 ended 31 August, 2017 4. Distribution of Company's profit. The Management Board of Vilniaus baldai AB approved the Companys draft resolutions of the Annual General Shareholders meeting that will take place on the 20th of December 2017: 1. Consolidated annual report. Shareholders of the public joint-stock company Vilniaus baldai AB are presented with the consolidated annual report of Vilniaus baldai for 2017 (There is no voting on this issue of agenda). 2. Independent auditor's report. Shareholders of the public joint-stock company Vilniaus baldai AB are presented with the independent auditor's report on the financial statements of Vilniaus baldai for 2017 (There is no voting on this issue of agenda). 3. Approval of the Consolidated and Company's financial statements for the year 2017 ended 31 August 2017. To approve Consolidated and Company's financial statements for the year 2017 ended 31 August 2017. 4. Approval of the Companys profit distribution for the year 2017 ended 31 August 2017: To approve Companys profit distribution: Undistributed retained earnings, brought forward 5 233 266 EUR Net result for the current year 4 422 779 EUR Profit (loss) not recognized in the income statement of the reporting financial year (21 479) EUR Distributable result 9 634 566 EUR Transfers to the obligatory reserves - Transfers to other reserves - To be paid as dividends* 1 049 292 EUR To be paid as annual payments (bonus) to the Board members - Undistributed retained earnings, carried forward 8 585 274 EUR * 0.27 EUR of dividends per one ordinary share. The documents related to the agenda, draft resolutions on every item of agenda, documents what have to be submitted to the General Shareholders Meeting and other information related to realization of shareholders rights are available at the office of Vilniaus baldai (Savanoriu ave 178 B, Vilnius) during working hours. The shareholders are entitled: (i) to propose to supplement the agenda of the General Shareholders Meeting submitting draft resolution on every additional item of agenda or, than there is no need to make a decision - explanation of the shareholder (this right is granted to shareholders who hold shares carrying at least 1/20 of all the votes). Proposal to supplement the agenda is submitted in writing by registered mail or delivered in person against signature. The agenda is supplemented if the proposal is received no later than 14 before the General Shareholders Meeting; (ii) to propose draft resolutions on the issues already included or to be included in the agenda of the General Shareholders Meeting at any time prior to the date of the General Shareholders meeting (in writing, by registered mail or delivered in person against signature) or in writing during the General Shareholders Meeting (this right is granted to shareholders who hold shares carrying at least 1/20 of all the votes); (iii) to submit questions to the Company related to the issues of agenda of the General Shareholders Meeting in advance but no later than 3 business days prior to the General Shareholders Meeting in writing by registered mail or delivered in person against signature. Shareholder participating at the General Shareholders Meeting and having the right to vote must submit documents confirming personal identity. Each shareholder may authorize either a natural or a legal person to participate and to vote on the shareholder's behalf at the General Shareholders Meeting. The representative has the same rights as his represented shareholder at the General Shareholders Meeting. The authorized persons must have documents confirming their personal identity and power of attorney approved in the manner specified by law which must be submitted to the Company no later than before the commencement of registration for the General Shareholders Meeting. Shareholder is entitled to issue power of attorney by means of electronic communications for legal or natural persons to participate and to vote on its behalf at the General Shareholders Meeting. The shareholders must inform the Company about power of attorney issued by means of electronic communications no later than before the commencement of registration for the General Shareholders Meeting. The shareholders must inform the Company about power of attorney issued by means of electronic communications no later than before the commencement of registration for the General Shareholders Meeting. The power of attorney issued by means of electronic communications and notice about it must be written and submitted to the Company by means of electronic communications. Shareholder or its representative may vote in writing by filling general voting bulletin, in such a case the requirement to deliver a personal identity document does not apply. The form of general voting bulletin is presented at the Companys webpage. If shareholder requests, the Company shall send the general voting bulletin to the requesting shareholder by registered mail or shall deliver it in person against signature no later than 10 days prior to the General Shareholders Meeting free of charge. The filled general voting bulletin must be signed by the shareholder or its authorized representative. Document confirming the right to vote must be added to the general voting bulletin if authorized person is voting. The filled general voting bulletin must be delivered to Vilniaus baldai, AB by registered mail (address Savanoriu ave. 178B, LT 03154 Vilnius, Lithuania) or in person against signature no later than before the day of the General Shareholders Meeting. Information related with the convened General Shareholders Meeting (notice on convocation of General Shareholders Meeting, information about Companys shares, draft resolution, etc.) are available at Vilniaus baldai AB webpage http://www.vilniausbaldai.lt. For further information please contact + 370 5 2525700. In the middle of her campaign to promote her latest movie, Rebel Wilson has placed a blanket ban on Fairfax Media. The Australian actor, 37, who is in her home town of Sydney ahead of the premiere of Pitch Perfect 3 on Wednesday night, refused a sit-down interview with the publication, banned it from attending the red carpet and cancelled staff invitations to the premiere. Wilson and Universal Pictures did not respond to numerous requests for a reason behind the censorship. However, it is believed that the Bridesmaids star is unhappy that a request she made to Fairfax Media chief executive Greg Hywood in 2015 was revealed during her defamation trial against Bauer Media in May. Former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce claims he is being stalked but won't deny flicking a man's hat off during a heated encounter in a New England pub. Fairfax Media can reveal the Nationals candidate was confronted in the Graman Hotel near Inverell on Monday night and questioned about family matters. When questioned by Fairfax Media on Tuesday morning, Mr Joyce won't deny he flicked the man's hat off his head during the confrontation, but said his "private life is private". "We've had death threats and now we've got stalkers," Mr Joyce said. Huang Xiangmo's Mosman mansion on Sydney's north shore. Credit:HuwLambert.com "This comes at a time when members and senators are under intense scrutiny over whether they hold dual citizenship. Of the 226 Australians elected at the 2016 federal election, the person whose allegiance to Australia is most in question is Sam Dastyari," Mr Brandis said. The Mosman meeting occurred more than a month after media reports in early September last year that ASIO's top spy, Duncan Lewis, had warned Labor "that some of their donors had strong links to the Chinese Government". Political donor Huang Xiangmo. Credit:Ryan Stuart Those same media reports also detailed dealings between Mr Dastyari and Mr Huang. Among them were that Mr Huang had paid a $5000 legal bill for Mr Dastyari, and that Mr Huang had told a Chinese Communist Party newspaper that "political demands and political donations" should be linked. Also among the revelations that damaged Mr Dastyari were comments he reportedly made at a press conference with Mr Huang that contradicted Labor policy on the South China Sea, and echoed Beijing's policy position. Mr Huang's Mosman house, scene of his October meeting with Senator Dastyari. Credit:HuwLambert.com These events led to Mr Dastyari's resignation from the Labor frontbench on September 7 last year. Two Labor sources have also confirmed that, shortly after these events, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten warned Mr Dastyari through a "back channel" that ASIO had concerns about Mr Huang. Mr Shorten's office declined to answer questions about if or when this occurred, although a source with first-hand knowledge of the ASIO warning relayed to Mr Dastyari said it was generic and did not contain any classified information known to Mr Shorten. Huang Xiangmo with Opposition Leader Bill Shorten in 2013. Credit:James Brickwood On Monday, Fairfax Media asked Mr Dastyari why he had told Mr Huang his phone was tapped, and why he advised him to move outside his house and not to speak near his phone. Mr Dastyari responded: "I reject any assertion that I did anything other than put to Mr Huang gossip being spread by journalists." Huang Xiangmo with former prime minister Kevin Rudd. Fairfax Media also asked Mr Dastyari why he met Mr Huang in person, rather than calling him, and why he thought a face-to-face meeting was appropriate weeks after the extensive public reporting about ASIO's concerns regarding Chinese Communist Party-connected donors. Mr Dastyari said: "After the events of last year, I spoke to Mr Huang to tell him that I did not think it was appropriate that we have future contact. I thought it was a matter of common courtesy to say this face to face." Huang Xiangmo and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer Mr Dastyari has since begun his public rehabilitation, and was promoted to deputy senate whip in February. Mr Dastyari said on Monday: "I have never received a security agency briefing, or received any classified information about any matter, ever. I've never passed on any protected information I've never been in possession of any." Huang Xiangmo with Foreign Minister Julie Bishop. His statement did not address what fellow Labor officials had told him about Mr Huang. Mr Huang, a billionaire property developer, has close ties to the Chinese consulate in Sydney and, until the weekend, headed a Sydney organisation aligned with the Chinese Communist Party's political lobbying and propaganda agency, the United Front Work Department. On Saturday, Mr Huang stepped down as chairman of the Australian Council for the Promotion of the Peaceful Reunification of China (ACPPRC), and was lauded as a "banner" and likened to a patriotic flag who had made "heroic achievements" in the past year. On September 14, 2016, weeks prior to the Mosman meeting, US ambassador John Berry said the US was concerned about Chinese government involvement in Australian politics, in remarks reported in connection to Mr Dastyari's dealings with Mr Huang. On September 28, also prior to the meeting, Mr Huang dispatched members of the ACPPRC for a meeting in Beijing with a senior Chinese government official, who directed the members to "make allies to obtain international support" and contribute to the "great revitalisation of the Chinese nation". ASIO began an assessment of Mr Huang's citizenship application in early 2016. The application remains blocked by ASIO and, earlier this year, national security officials interviewed Mr Huang at a secure Sydney CBD location. The legalisation of same-sex marriage has moved a step closer after the Senate effectively passed a same-sex marriage bill for the first time in Australian history on Tuesday. The bill breezed through its second-reading stage, and every amendment from Coalition senators was defeated in a debate that lasted late into the night. A proposal allowing civil celebrants to refuse to perform gay weddings - backed by Attorney-General George Brandis and Resources Minister Matt Canavan - was rejected 25 to 38 just after 11pm. Labor had earlier in the day announced it would vote as a bloc against all amendments, including those from the Greens, One Nation and David Leyonhjelm to be debated on Wednesday. The Coalition government should shed more public servants after cutting 3600 jobs last year, leading conservative backbencher Eric Abetz says. Senator Abetz, who was responsible for the bureaucracy under former prime minister Tony Abbott, said no "noticeable" impact on the government's service delivery had followed its cuts since in 2013. Senator Eric Abetz said the government should focus on downsizing the public service further. Credit:Fairfax Media After a public service commission report released on Monday showed the government had slashed its headcount to 152,095, the Coalition senator said the changes would save about $1 billion per year and help reduce the budget deficit. Senator Abetz, who oversaw the loss of about 15,000 Australian Public Service jobs, urged more cuts to agency staff and said the public would welcome the latest drop in APS employment. She does not wear make-up or perfume and dresses in second-hand clothes. When household items such as a bed or refrigerator need to be replaced, she has looked to street kerbs and online trading websites for other people's cast-offs. Tamara spends "almost half" of her income on renting a two-bedroom apartment in Marrickville. Credit:Katherine Griffiths But Tamara (who asked for her surname not to be published) still struggles to make ends meet in Sydney's overheated property market. Tamara pays $480 a week in rent "almost half" of her $50,000 income for a two-bedroom apartment above a shop on a busy road in Marrickville in Sydney's inner west. But Ryan warns that focusing on women's choices places the onus of gender equality on women. Professor Michelle Ryan says leaning alone is not enough. Credit:Les O'Rourke "It's a little bit of blaming the victim," she says. "If you blame women for workplace inequality, the solution is to fix women." A barrage of women's leadership programs and negotiation academies have sprung up and are aimed at changing women and they way they approach their careers. Professor Michelle Ryan says there has been a massive stagnation in gender equality. Credit:Les O'Rourke "What they don't do is address structural barriers," says Ryan. "What it really does is leave the status quo untouched. We should be looking at how context and our norms actually might shape and constrain women's choices. Our ambition and motivation and willingness to sacrifice do not occur within a social vacuum. They are shaped and constrained by organisational and social context." Ambition Ryan has been conducting research into ambition and says, while there is a stereotype that women are less ambitious than men, when you look at the data, it is much more complicated. Facebook's Sheryl Sandberg encourages women to lean in. Credit:AP In studies of undergraduate women doing police training and women doing doing surgical training, Ryan has found women are equally ambitious at the start but become less ambitious over time. "What's consistent is the fact these women have spent a fairly significant amount of time in a pretty male-dominated environment," Ryan says. "For women when they look up it's harder to project yourself forward. Being in a male-dominated environment may affect your ability to project yourself forward and express ambition." Ryan has found businesses and organisations can change feelings of fitting and belonging so, if people feel like they fit in, they will be more ambitious and committed. "Organisations need to provide a culture and context that fuel women's ambition and motivation rather than stymie it," she says. Work-life balance Another area of research for Ryan is work-life balance. "The best predictor of work-life balance was fitting in, feeling like you belong, feeling like people like you have made it," she says. But Ryan says most interventions on work-life balance are about time, such as offering part-time work and time for caring, such as maternity leave. "At worse they could exacerbate issues of fit and work-life balance," she says. "Who at the top works part-time?". Risk and sacrifice In a study this year of 870 middle managers at an international accounting firm, Ryan found "almost zero differences" between men and women in terms of their ambition and desire for work-life balance. But where they did differ was in women's willingness to sacrifice and take risks. Ryan says this is perhaps unsurprising as the benefits of making sacrifices and taking risks is not the same for women. "Just look at the gender pay gap, there is less benefit to taking risk," she says. "There are also potentially larger sacrifices to make in terms of norms that society has in terms of who looks after children, who is the primary bread winner. The take-home message here is women take a clear cost-benefit analysis when evaluating risk and sacrifice." Ryan says businesses need to provide women with something to lean towards. "Women's choices are important to look at, but we shouldn't necessarily take them on face value. We need to understand how they are constrained by context." A last-ditch attempt will be launched in parliament this week to stop the Victorian government handing the state's pokies venues a long-term jackpot worth up to $70 billion. Legislation for 20-year licences to operate gambling venues and relax ownership limits on the addictive poker machines was expected to be rubber-stamped this week by the state's upper house. The rules, which would replace the current 10-year licensing regime, were supported by both Labor and the Liberals in the lower house, despite frantic lobbying by anti-gambling campaigners. The Alliance for Gambling Reform says super-rich pokies operators such as Woolworths would be able to rip out up to $70 billion in gambling losses from the state's punters during the 20-year terms of the licences and that the parliament should pause before rushing through the legislation. MCLEAN, Va., Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Food Processing Suppliers Association (FPSA) and PROCESS EXPO have been recognized by the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) as part of their Art of the Show Competition for the PROCESS EXPO website designed by CSG Creative, a full service strategic marketing agency helping associations, trade show organizers, corporations and event promoters build brands, grow audiences and get results. Myprocessexpo.com and CSG Creative won best Show Promotion Website in the 201,000+ net square feet category. It is a pleasure to work with the team at CSG and being recognized for their work is truly the icing on the cake of their marketing efforts for our 2017 event, which reported growth in all categories, said David Seckman, FPSA President & CEO. Every two years we bring together the food and beverage processing and packaging industry to our biennial event. The new and improved website included valuable industry and show resources and improved navigation allowing the PROCESS EXPO audience to stay up to date on show info, while supplying them with timely, relevant content. Congratulations to CSG for a job well done and an honor well deserved. CSG Creative was responsible for several new features to the website that expanded the PROCESS EXPO attendees and exhibitors experience. Some of the numerous additions to the site include an interactive floor map displaying all the new activities and programs on the show floor through video, animations, and more. An expanded newsroom, a downloadable custom justification letter, an expansive exhibitor toolkit with custom banners and videos, email and social media sample copy, logos, and more. Industry sector pages that include benefits of the show, exhibitor categories, education sessions, and articles all specific to each sector. In addition, the site was set up to be reviewed and optimized for search engine rankings by an expert which boosted visibility of the show. One of the greatest tools an event has is the website and creating an engaging web experience takes expertise, creativity, planning, and strategic thought, says Paige Cardwell, President, CSG Creative. Its essential for a site to be both practical and well-designed while acting as an essential resource for attendees and exhibitors alike. The new myprocessexpo.com is a great example of an online destination that effectively conveys the onsite event experience. The 2019 PROCESS EXPO is scheduled for October 8-11, 2019 at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, IL. For additional information, visit www.myprocessexpo.com. The Food Processing Suppliers Association (FPSA) is a global trade association serving suppliers in the food and beverage industries. The Association's programs and services support member's success by providing assistance in marketing their products and services, overall improvement in key business practices and many opportunities to network among industry colleagues. Programs and services to achieve these objectives include PROCESS EXPO (industry leading trade show), electronic media marketing, education, market intelligence, research, and advocation of critical industry issues such as food safety, sanitary design of equipment, and global trade. FPSA members are organized in vertical industry councils which focus on specific needs and concerns that are unique to each industry sector. FPSA councils currently represent the Bakery, Beverage, Dairy, Prepared Foods and Meat sectors. For further information, Contact: Amy Riemer, Media Relations 978-475-4441 (office) or 978-502-4895 (cell) amy@riemercommunications.com Melbourne Express, Wednesday, November 29, 2017 Were sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. Were working to restore it. Please try again later. Dismiss Victoria has the best and worst university completion rates in Australia, according to new Education Department data. The figures also reveal that national completion rates have dropped to their lowest ever levels, with just 66 per cent of Australian students who started their degree in 2010 completing it within six years. Credit:Louie Douvis Federation University recorded the lowest completion rates for a mainstream university, with 36.4 per cent of students who started a course in 2010 finishing within six years. But deputy vice-chancellor Professor Andy Smith said the university had under-reported its completion rates, and the figures were higher. He said the university had introduced a new program to boost retention rates and also provided mentoring, tutoring and counselling services. It hasn't opened yet but the new South Melbourne Primary is already sending out rejection letters. Demand for the inner-city school is intense, with 105 students enrolled in its inaugural prep class. Christian Martin is excited about starting prep at the new South Melbourne Primary School next year. Credit:Joe Armao The Ferrars Street school, which will open next year, has space for 525 students. But if this scramble for places continues, Victoria's first vertical state school will soon be over its capacity by more than 200 students. A truck driver charged over the road death of an off-duty policewoman told another motorist in the minutes after the fatal crash that he knew his brakes weren't right, a court has heard. Samandeep Singh, 27, is charged with culpable driving and dangerous driving causing death over a collision that knocked First Constable D'Arne De Leo from her motorcycle on January 12 in Wantirna. Truck driver Samandeep Singh arrives at Melbourne Magistrates Court. Credit:David Crosling First Constable De Leo was on her way to work when she was hit at the intersection that connects Boronia Road to the EastLink freeway about 9am, and dragged under the truck. Motorists on Boronia Road that day told Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday that they heard Mr Singh sound his horn several times as he approached the intersection, and then saw the truck drive through the red light and collide with the policewoman's motorcycle before the truck stopped. London: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will get married at Windsor Castle in May, in the same chapel where Prince Charles and Camilla exchanged vows. In the meantime, Harry and his bride-to-be will tour the UK together so she can get to know the country and its people, beginning with a visit to Nottingham on Friday, a spokesman for Kensington Palace said at a media briefing on Tuesday afternoon. In a nod to the legacy of Harry's mother, Princess Diana, the Nottingham visit is in support of HIV/AIDS charities. The palace also dropped another hint that one of the couple's first overseas trips together will be to the Invictus Games in Sydney in October, though official plans have yet to be announced. VALENCIA, Calif., Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PDC Healthcare, a global leader of innovative identification and patient safety solutions, announced today the launch of DuraProtect, its newest line of laser patient identification wristbands. The new line of laser printable wristbands combines a protective laminate shield and advanced synthetic material to deliver optimized print and barcode scanning performance, improved protection and reliability, and ease of use for hospital clinicians. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7f38fe13-3153-4072-ba1d-e6a3ff6ea6dc Other shield-style laser wristbands may contain paper in the construction that can absorb moisture and make the patient ID unreadable if the laminate shield is compromised. DuraProtect features an advanced synthetic material that is moisture-resistant, and durable, providing dual-layer protection of patient identification information. DuraProtect provides cost savings for hospitals and is on most national group purchasing organization (GPO) contracts, helping hospitals and health systems increase contract compliance. Ninety percent of U.S. hospitals use one or more PDC Healthcare products, offering the opportunity for hospitals to standardize and consolidate product purchases to a single supplier for all identification wristbands and labels. DuraProtect is available in multiple formats and convenient drop-in replacements, enabling hospitals to easily upgrade their patient ID wristband system with minimal IT support required. Engineered through intelligent design and material science, DuraProtect resists fading, rubbing, moisture, alcohol, and hand sanitizer, along with other common hospital solvents. Hospital clinicians approached PDC Healthcare seeking a laminated style wristband that performed better than their current solution, said Owen Rooney, Patient ID Marketing Manager for PDC Healthcare. By investing in material science and intelligent design, we now have a superior laser wristband that minimizes patient ID errors and increases safety to meet hospitals needs. Made of a smooth comfortable material, DuraProtect features an adhesive closure that is tamper-evident and easy to apply. DuraProtect is compatible with leading laser printers, increasing convenience for hospital IT, clinicians, and admitting personnel. The laser-printable sheets are compatible with all laser printers. DuraProtect adult styles come in packs of 1000 sheets and the Mother/Father/Baby style comes in a pack of 500 sheets. About PDC Healthcare With over 60 years of experience, PDC Healthcare connects people, products, and technology worldwide through innovative identification systems for the safe and efficient management of patients and procedures. PDC Healthcare is the result of the merger between two industry leaders and pioneers in healthcare: Precision Dynamics Corporation (PDC) and The St. John Companies Inc. PDC Healthcare is a global leader and pacesetter in the development of wristband, label, medical records, and imaging systems. An originator of innovative technologies, the company introduced the first single-piece patient wristband, first bar code wristband system, first thermal printer wristband, first Smart Band RFID wristband system, and the award-winning PDC Smart Kiosk, among many other innovations. PDC Healthcare products are used by over 90% of U.S. hospitals and comprise a comprehensive range of solutions that provide positive ID and positive clinical outcomes, while meeting important guidelines of The Joint Commission, World Healthcare Organization, FDA, AHA, and HIPAA. Complying with ISO 9001 standards, PDC Healthcare follows a systematic, world-standard approach to ensure superior product design, manufacturing, and customer support services. For more information, visit www.pdchealthcare.com On Dec. 28, 2012, PDC Healthcare was acquired by Brady Corporation, (NYSE:BRC) a world leader in identification solutions for premises, products, and people. Media Contact: Leona Chavez PDC Healthcare 661.257.0233 x1351 leonac@pdcorp.com FAYETTEVILLE, N.C., Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Smithfield Foods joined forces with Harris Teeter to donate more than 25,000 pounds of protein to Second Harvest Foodbank of Southeastern North Carolina (SHFB). The donation was part of Smithfields Helping Hungry Homes initiative, a program focused on alleviating hunger and helping Americans become more food secure. Smithfields contribution, equivalent to more than 100,000 servings, will help those fighting hunger in communities across North Carolina, where one in six individuals are food insecure. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6496c894-76ea-40a4-a796-0e9a3b6bdd1a With the holidays upon us, we are incredibly thankful for this donation from Smithfield and Harris Teeter, which will deliver the gift of a complete meal to those we serve this season, said Ron Pringle, director of SHFB. This donation is extremely significant as it provides protein, an always in-demand item, to many who may not have been able to acquire this nutrient-rich resource otherwise. Smithfield and Harris Teeter representatives presented the donation to SHFB at an event that raised awareness of hungers impact in the local community. Members from all three organizations discussed the significance of protein donations in helping the more than 20 percent of individuals, including more than 27 percent of children, who face hunger each day in the food banks seven-county service area. "Harris Teeter is proud to stand with both Smithfield and SHFB in the fight against hunger to provide hunger-relief to our neighbors in need, said Danna Robinson, communication manager for Harris Teeter. "Were thrilled to see our continued partnership with Smithfield benefit the communities we call home through donations of much-needed, wholesome protein. Throughout its 2017 Helping Hungry Homes tour, Smithfield will make large-scale protein donations to more than 60 food banks across the country. Since 2011, Smithfield has provided more than 80 million servings of protein to hunger relief organizations through this initiative. At Smithfield, were proud to partner with Harris Teeter to present this donation of protein to SHFB, said Dennis Pittman, senior director of hunger relief for Smithfield Foods. As a global food company, its our privilege to provide food assistance to those in need and bring America one donation closer to ending hunger. For more information about Smithfield Foods Helping Hungry Homes initiative and a list of upcoming donation events, visit helpinghungryhomes.com. About Smithfield Foods Smithfield Foods is a $15 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield, Eckrich, Nathan's Famous, Farmland, Armour, John Morrell, Cook's, Kretschmar, Gwaltney, Curly's, Margherita, Carando, Healthy Ones, Krakus, Morliny and Berlinki. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com. About Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast North Carolina Since 1982, Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast North Carolina (SHFB) has partnered with more than 250 member agencies, including churches, charities, and schools. In 2014, SHFB distributed approximately 10.4 million pounds, which equates to about 8.7 million meals. SHFB takes a strategic, multifaceted approach that provides assistance to those in need in its seven-county service area; Bladen, Cumberland, Duplin, Harnett, Hoke, Robeson and Sampson County. When the Map the Gap report from Feeding America came out in 2015, it showed that nearly 1 in 6 North Carolinians depend on the food bank for food and other resources. Be part of the change and join us in the fight against hunger. For more information about Action Pathways programs and services, visit www.actionpathways.ngo or call (910) 485-6131. About Harris Teeter Harris Teeter, with headquarters in Matthews, N.C., is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Kroger Co. The regional grocery chain employs approximately 30,000 associates and operates stores in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Maryland, Delaware, Florida and the District of Columbia. Media Contacts: Dutch English THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, SOUTH AFRICA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD BE PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW PRESS RELEASE : REGULATED INFORMATION - INSIDE INFORMATION 28 November 2017, 16:30h CET BIOCARTIS LAUNCHES EQUITY PLACEMENT Mechelen, Belgium, 28 November 2017 - Biocartis Group NV (the "Company" or "Biocartis"), an innovative molecular diagnostics company (Euronext Brussels: BCART), announces today the launch of an equity offering to raise an amount of approximately EUR 60 million by means of a private placement via an accelerated bookbuild offering (the "Offering"), with the possibility to increase the size of the Offering to up to 8,933,950 new shares in total (representing up to approximately 20% of the Company's issued share capital). Biocartis currently envisages using the net proceeds to fund the expansion of the Idylla(TM) test menu and applications, its sales and marketing activities, the ongoing increase of its cartridge manufacturing capacity, and working capital and other general corporate purposes. The bookbuilding procedure will commence immediately. The Company will announce the results of the placement as soon as possible after closing of the bookbuilding in a subsequent press release. Trading in Biocartis shares on Euronext Brussels will be suspended during the bookbuilding period. Trading in the stock is expected to resume following the publication of the results of the Offering. J.P. Morgan, Degroof Petercam, KBC Securities and Kempen are acting as Joint Bookrunners in the Offering. As a strategic investment in connection with the recent collaboration announced between Genomic Health, Inc. ("Genomic Health") and Biocartis, Genomic Health intends to submit an order to the Joint Bookrunners for an amount of EUR 4 million. The Offering is open to institutional investors and such other investors as permitted under applicable private placement exceptions. Any final allocation to Genomic Health and participating investors, as the case may be, will be made based on customary, objective and pre-identified criteria. No guarantee has been given as to the final allocation to Genomic Health, or that any allocation will be made to them, or as to the size of any such allocation. In relation to the Offering, the Company has agreed with the Joint Bookrunners to a market customary 180 days standstill period on future share issuances, waivable by the Joint Bookrunners. --- END --- More information: Renate Degrave Manager Corporate Communications & Investor Relations e-mail rdegrave@biocartis.com tel +32 15 631 729 mobile +32 471 53 60 64 About Biocartis Biocartis (Euronext Brussels: BCART) is an innovative molecular diagnostics (MDx) company providing next generation diagnostic solutions aimed at improving clinical practice for the benefit of patients, clinicians, payers and industry. Biocartis' proprietary MDx Idylla(TM) platform is a fully automated sample-to-result, real-time PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) system that offers accurate, highly reliable molecular information from virtually any biological sample in virtually any setting. Biocartis launched the Idylla(TM) platform in 2014. Biocartis is developing and marketing a rapidly expanding test menu addressing key unmet clinical needs in oncology and infectious diseases. These areas represent respectively the fastest growing and largest segments of the MDx market worldwide. Today, Biocartis has twelve oncology tests and two infectious disease tests in its product menu. More information: www.biocartis.com. Press Photo Library available here. Follow us on Twitter: @Biocartis_. Important information: This communication is not a prospectus for the purposes of the Prospectus Directive (Directive 2003/71/EC and amendments thereto, including Directive 2010/73/EU, to the extent implemented in the relevant Member State of the EEA (as defined below)) and any implementing measure in each relevant Member State of the EEA (the "Prospectus Directive"). This communication cannot be used as basis for any investment agreement or decision. Acquiring investments to which this announcement relates may expose an investor to a significant risk of losing the entire amount invested. Persons considering making such investments should consult an authorised person specialising in advising on such investments. This announcement does not constitute a recommendation concerning the securities referred to herein. The information contained in this announcement is for general information only and does not purport to be full or complete. This announcement does not constitute, or form part of, an offer to sell or issue, or any solicitation of an offer to purchase or subscribe for shares, and any purchase of, subscription for or application for, shares. This announcement and the information contained herein are not for publication, distribution or release in, or into, the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, South Africa or any other jurisdiction where to do so would be prohibited by applicable law. Any persons reading this announcement should inform themselves of and observe any such restrictions. This announcement is not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States. It does not constitute or form a part of any offer or solicitation to purchase or subscribe for securities in the United States. The securities mentioned herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and may not be offered or sold in the United States, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The Company and its affiliates have not registered, and do not intend to register, any portion of the offering of the securities concerned in the United States, and do not intend to conduct a public offering of securities in the United States. An offer of securities to which this announcement relates is only addressed to and directed at persons in member states of the European Economic Area ("EEA") who are 'qualified investors' within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive ("Qualified Investors"), or such other investors as shall not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of Article 3.2 of the Prospectus Directive. In addition, any offer of securities to which this announcement relates is in the United Kingdom being distributed only to, and is directed only at, (i) 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, as amended (the "Order"), (ii) high net worth entities etc. falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order, and (iii) any other person to whom it may otherwise lawfully be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as 'relevant persons'). The offering of securities to which this announcement relates will only be available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe for, purchase, or otherwise acquire securities will be engaged in only with relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this announcement or any of its contents. No announcement or information regarding the offering, listing or securities of the Company referred to above may be disseminated to the public in jurisdictions where a prior registration or approval is required for such purpose. No steps have been taken, or will be taken, for the offering or listing of securities of the Company in any jurisdiction where such steps would be required, except for the admission of the new shares on Euronext Brussels. The issue, exercise, or sale of, and the subscription for or purchase of, securities of the Company are subject to special legal or statutory restrictions in certain jurisdictions. The Company is not liable if the aforementioned restrictions are not complied with by any person. Certain statements, beliefs and opinions in this announcement are forward-looking, which reflect the Company's or, as appropriate, the Company directors' or managements' current expectations and projections concerning future events such as the Company's results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, performance, prospects, growth, strategies and the industry in which the Company operates. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties, assumptions and factors could adversely affect the outcome and financial effects of the plans and events described herein. A multitude of factors including, but not limited to, changes in demand, competition and technology, can cause actual events, performance or results to differ significantly from any anticipated development. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement regarding past trends or activities are not guarantees of future performance and should not be taken as a representation that such trends or activities will continue in the future. In addition, even if actual results or developments are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement, those results or developments may not be indicative of results or developments in future periods. No representations and warranties are made as to the accuracy or fairness of such forward-looking statements. As a result, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release any update or revisions to any forward-looking statements in this announcement as a result of any change in expectations or any change in events, conditions, assumptions or circumstances on which these forward-looking statements are based. Neither the Company nor its advisers or representatives nor any of its subsidiary undertakings or any such person's officers or employees guarantees that the assumptions underlying such forward-looking statements are free from errors nor does either accept any responsibility for the future accuracy of the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement or the actual occurrence of the forecasted developments. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this announcement. Hawkshead Brewery to build 3M new brewery Lake District brewery Hawkshead has agreed a deal with German manufacturer Krones to build a new brewery in part of a 3 million two-site expansion scheme. Krones will install a turn-key 40 Barrel (6,500 litre) rapid-batch brewhouse, capable of multiple brews per day, on a site in South Cumbria, near the existing brewery. Hawksheads existing brewery at Staveley will continue in production, concentrating on small batch specialist and limited edition beers. It currently produces 7,000 barrels (11,500 Hectolitres) per year. Head brewer Matt Clarke says: Our current 20 Brl plant is the perfect size for innovation and experimentation. But we also need more volume. By adding the new Krones-Steinecker brew house, the best in the business, we will free up space at Staveley for more small-batch projects, including our barrel ageing programme. For the first time, we will have space, space to breathe and to grow. The new brewery will be built on a site owned by Hawksheads parent company, Halewood International, whose CEO Stewart Hainsworth, says: Hawkshead make great beers and cannot keep up with demand. We are investing both in a new brewery and in the existing one to grow Hawkshead but also to protect and develop its wide portfolio of innovative limited edition beers. Hawkshead is the real thing - an authentic modern craft brewery. We want to keep it that way, as it expands. Hawksheads founder and managing director, Alex Brodie says: The brewery is 15 years old and it has been straining at the leash for years. Halewoods backing allows us go to the next level. Hawkshead is known for its commitment to cask ale, which is 65% of current output, says Brodie. We will be expanding production of keg, can and bottle, but we will also grow cask. Cask ale is Britains craft. We believe in it and, more to the point, so do most beer lovers, especially here in the North. Mark Heath, sales director of Krones UK, says: This is an important and innovative project for us. Its our first 40 Barrel MicroCube system in the UK. It will be a showcase for us, demonstrating how rapid-batch brewing can future-proof a modern small brewery, giving it volume without the need to install a huge brew-house. We are delighted to have won the contract to help grow Hawksheads impressive range of flavoursome beers. 28 November 2017 - Sam Coyne The Drinks Report, news editor The Texas A&M University chapter of Phi Beta Kappa Society will host visiting professor of English Ayanna Thompson from George Washington University this week for a lecture titled "Shakespeare, Race, and Performance: What We Still Don't Know." Thompson is the author of several works -- including Teaching Shakespeare with Purpose: A Student-Centered Approach, Passing Strange: Shakespeare, Race, and Contemporary America, and Performing Race and Torture on the Early Modern Stage -- editor of Weyward Macbeth: Intersections of Race and Performance and Colorblind Shakespeare: New Perspectives on Race and Performance and a member of the editorial boards of the Shakespeare Quarterly, Renaissance Drama and Shakespeare Bulletin. Maria Guerrero's four children receive a variety of services from the Brazos Valley Rehabilitation Center -- counseling for obsessive compulsive disorder and adolescence issues for her teens, plus occupational, physical and speech therapies to help her 6-year old diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. But they may soon lose their health insurance, putting a financial burden on a family that has come to rely on the coverage. Speaking through a translator, Guerrero said all four of her children have health insurance through the Children's Health Insurance Program, or CHIP. Congress missed a Sept. 30 deadline to extend CHIP, putting health coverage at risk for almost 9 million children and 370,000 pregnant women nationwide who receive insurance through the 20-year-old program. According to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, there are 2,133 children covered by CHIP in Brazos County, 181 in Burleson County, 331 in Grimes County and 372 in Milam County. Anne Dunkelberg, associate director at the Center for Public Policy Priorities, said the key date is Dec. 9: Congress either needs to pass a bill renewing the funding, or state officials need to know if the federal Medicaid program will give Texas at least $90 million in redistribution funds, which Dunkelberg said "just buys us a little time" and extends the coverage through February. If neither of those happen, state officials will send out letters on Dec. 14 telling parents that their children's coverage will be gone in February. "Basically, you're looking at kids either going without insurance or having to try to get on a parent's plan at work or trying to get coverage through the marketplace," she said, referring to the Affordable Care Act's healthcare.gov website. Children who enroll in CHIP coverage are from families who earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid but too little to purchase private insurance. The insurance helps families pay for immunizations, doctor's visits, eye and dental exams and therapy services. "There's a lot going on in Washington, but we shouldn't let an important discussion like a tax reform bill make us forget about the well-being of Texas children," Dunkelberg said. Alina Fifer, chief executive of the Brazos Valley Rehabilitation Center, estimated that four families who receive services from BVRC have CHIP coverage. She said her staff is identifying other coverage options for those families, taking an individualized approach to working around the potential CHIP expiration. They also are seeing if those families qualify for a Medicaid buy-in program or can access health care through the ACA exchange, and, as a last resort because of limited funding, providing financial assistance. "The minute you initiate this dialogue, they're taken aback. They're just outraged when they hear that," Fifer said of the reaction from families unaware their children could be uninsured in February. "No family is ready to shell out $12,000, $15,000 every year, and that's just for the premiums." Guerrero's husband works six or seven days per week as a welder; she said his employer offers health insurance, but it is too costly for all six family members. CHIP has helped the Guerrero children -- ages 3 to 17 -- get counseling and therapy services, as well as medications and office visits for minor illnesses and viruses. The family is working with a social worker at BVRC to identify other options. Bruce Van Alstyne said he was "at wits' end" at the prospect of losing coverage for the speech and occupational therapies his 10-year-old son, Kristopher, has been receiving at BVRC since his autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. Van Alstyne said he received a letter around Nov. 17 informing him his son's CHIP coverage would be dropped at the end of January. Though he said the insurance is being taken away because his wife made more money than expected from her private violin lessons -- a financially inconsistent line of work where pay varies monthly, he said -- the Van Alstynes' coverage will end in February regardless, along with the nearly 400,000 children across Texas if Congress doesn't act soon. "I'm not saying I want a handout or a freebie or anything, but we're not making the kind of money ... where we can just shell out this money for this," Van Alstyne said. Partly in response to the unstable politics of health care coverage, Van Alstyne researches ways to help his son and family without having to rely on modern medicine and health insurance. He talks about the potential benefits of hemp and cannabis oils on those living with autism and the importance of eating food untouched by chemicals. "I'm doing my own research because I have to. I've been forced to do that," he said. Guerrero asked that congressional representatives think through legislative solutions and how they would impact others' lives. What Congress passes, she said, affects taxpayers' money. The whole possibility of CHIP being taken away, she said, makes families like hers feel hopeless. In a statement to The Eagle, U.S. Rep. Bill Flores said CHIP "provides Texas children with the health care they need to flourish and grow." Flores said CHIP's reauthorization "was held up by House and Senate Democrats throughout the summer and into the fall," leading Republicans to pass the CHAMPIONING HEALTHY KIDS Act on Nov. 3. The bill, which would reauthorize funding for CHIP and extend community health center funding, passed the House with 15 Democrats voting in favor. The bill would cut $6.3 billion from the Prevention and Public Health Fund, created by the Affordable Care Act, while funding CHIP for five years. "With many states facing funding shortfalls in the coming months, it is crucial that the Senate act on legislation that President Trump can sign into law to provide certainty for children and the families that rely on CHIP," Flores said in the statement. A 45-year-old College Station woman died Monday morning after a single-vehicle accident on Texas 6 near Rock Prairie Road. The accident happened around 7:30 a.m., snarling the northbound morning commute for about three hours before emergency crews cleared the scene. College Station police said Lori Hailey Marberry's sedan struck a concrete pillar at the Rock Prairie Road overpass. Marberry was pronounced dead at the scene. It's unclear what caused the accident. Officials said Marberry's vehicle entered the northbound lanes of the freeway near Rock Prairie Road, then veered left, striking a concrete median before crossing the road and hitting the pillar under the overpass. Marberry's Facebook profile says she attended A&M Consolidated High School and Sam Houston State University and worked at Brazos Paving Inc. No one was available at the Bryan business Monday afternoon to confirm Marberry's employment. Northbound Texas 6 traffic was reduced to a single lane around the accident scene until about 10:30 a.m. Police were continuing to investigate, and anyone with information was asked to call 764-3600. Nexenta Continues to Disrupt Hardware-Only Legacy Storage Market via Complete Software-Only Enterprise Storage Solutions, Services and Support Nexenta Extends its Capabilities for Any Hybrid or Multi-Cloud Deployment, on Any Hardware Infrastructure, Supporting Any Enterprise Application via Any Edge, Private or Public Cloud Data Center TOKYO and SANTA CLARA, Calif., Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nexenta (@Nexenta), the global leader in Open Source-driven Software-Defined Storage (OpenSDS), today announced it is raising $20 million to accelerate its global market growth and solidify its innovation and market leadership. SoftBank Corp. is leading the financing round along with a Strategic Distribution and Go-To-Market agreement. The round also attracts leading strategic and financial investors, including: Javelin Venture Partners, SV Booth Investments, SAB Capital, Lake Trail Capital, TRB Equity, and Tarkan Maner, CEO at Nexenta. Nexenta is continuing its massive market disruption where legacy hardware storage companies had dominated the industry for the past 30+ years. We are delighted with our solid market growth via our tight customer and partner relations, deep IP innovation and unmatched operational excellence. We believe with this strategic financing round supported by SoftBank and some of the leading global strategic and financial investors, Nexenta will extend its market and innovation leadership into new geographic, vertical and differentiated IP markets from IoT to Artificial Intelligence and Robotics and Big Data supporting any type of computing from the Edge to Core and Cloud Data Center Computing on any type of hardware or compute platform, via any protocol, for any app on any hybrid or multi-cloud deployment, said Tarkan Maner, CEO at Nexenta. SoftBank and Nexenta entered a strategic agreement that involves commercial dimensions around SoftBanks distribution and usage of Nexenta portfolio, and collaborative integrated OpenSDS systems development with SoftBank and its preferred hardware partners. SoftBank is focused on partnering with market-leading technology companies around the world. Nexenta is an innovator and disruptor with its deep IP portfolio, strong OEM relationships, and proven management team. We are excited to partner with Nexenta and realize the advantage of software defined storage at SoftBank and our eco-system partners, said Ken Miyauchi, President & CEO of SoftBank Corp. SoftBank and Nexenta will announce the details of the strategic investment and commercial agreement in Tokyo, Japan on Tuesday, November 28th at SoftBank HQs with a Signing Ceremony with an audience of joint customers, partners and press. About Nexenta Nexenta is the inventor and market leader in Open Software-Defined Storage (OpenSDS) with nearly 6,000 customers, 300 partners, 50 patents, and more than 1,800 petabytes of storage under management; disrupting one of the largest IT market segments nearing $100B in size by 2020. Nexenta uniquely integrates software-only open source collaboration with one of the most active communities with 45,000+ members, and a comprehensive vision around commodity hardware-centric OpenSDS innovation enabling any app, any cloud platform and any protocol to power the largest and most performant data centers globally in the most cost effective way. Nexenta OpenSDS solution portfolio is 100% Software-based. Nexenta provides organizations with Total Freedom protecting them against punitive legacy hardware vendor gimmicks via vendor-lock-in, vendor-bait-n-switch, and vendor-rip-n-replace. Nexenta also provides comprehensive enterprise-class support and services with All Love. Nexenta leads organizations with the "true" benefits of true Software-Defined Everything-centric cloud computing deployments. Nexenta enables everyday apps from rich media-driven social living to mobility; from the internet of things to big data; from legacy enterprise app deployments to do-it-yourself and web-scale cloud app deployments on all types of clouds private, public, and/or hybrid. Founded on an "open core platform Nexenta disrupts the legacy storage industry with its end-to-end scale-up and scale-out storage management software via integrated and advanced predictive management capabilities. Nexenta delivers its award- and patent-winning software-only unified storage management solutions along with enterprise-scale 24x7 global service and support with a market-leading global partner network, including Canonical, Cisco, Citrix, Dell, Docker, Google, HPE, IBM, Intel, Lenovo, Micron, Microsoft, Quanta, Samsung, Seagate, SoftBank, Supermicro, VMware, Western Digital, Wipro, and many others. Nexenta: 100% Software. Total Freedom. All Love. For more information, download the Nexenta Overview and visit www.nexenta.com, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Nexenta, NexentaStor, NexentaConnect, NexentaEdge and NexentaFusion are trademarks or registered trademarks of Nexenta Systems Inc., in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks, service marks and company names mentioned in this document are properties of their respective owners. Contact: Press Relations at Nexenta; pr@nexenta.com Making a return to our two favourite summer locations, Mount Maunganui and Nelson in early January 2023, we've got whiff of the first release lineup and me oh my, yes boy Lakewood, Colorado, Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FirstBank, Colorados second largest bank and one of the nations largest privately held banks, pumped free fuel for more than 500 unexpected commuters across Colorado in hopes they would Give It Forward to a charity of their choice on Colorado Gives Day (Dec. 5, 2017). The bank partnered with six gas stations in the greater Denver, Boulder, Summit County, Greeley/Evans and Colorado Springs areas to promote philanthropic giving on Colorado Gives Day, a 24-hour online fundraising program for state nonprofits. In total, they covered over $16,000 worth of gas bills at the pump. FirstBank is a big contributor of Colorado Gives Day and our nonprofit community, but we cant make an impact by ourselves, said Emily Robinson, COO of FirstBank. We need as many people as possible to support charitable organizations, and this Give It Forward campaign enables us to focus on a pretty important aspect of Colorado Gives Day the donors. Our hope is that this act of kindness inspires more Coloradans to give back to causes in their communities. This is the fourth year FirstBank has done its Give It Forward campaign (formerly known as Pay It Forward) to encourage donations for Colorado Gives Day. Last year, FirstBank executives and officers disguised themselves as grocery store baggers and surprised more than 100 unsuspecting shoppers with free groceries. Colorado Gives Day is an annual statewide movement to celebrate and increase philanthropy in Colorado through online giving. In partnership with Community First Foundation, the donations support over 2,000 local nonprofits. Since its inception in 2010, they have raised more than $145 million for charitable organizations. FirstBank has been a primary corporate sponsor of Colorado Gives Day for the last eight years, and is recognized as one of the most philanthropic companies in the state. For more information about Colorado Gives Day or to preschedule your donation, please visit www.coloradogives.org. For more information about FirstBank, go to www.efirstbank.com. About FirstBank FirstBank operates more than 115 locations in Colorado, Arizona and California. FirstBank is the largest locally owned banking organization in Colorado, serving more than 750,000 customers. Since 2000, FirstBank has contributed more than $57 million and thousands of volunteer hours to charitable organizations. FirstBank is unique in that a majority of its stock is owned by management and employees. For more information, go to www.efirstbank.com. # # # Member FDIC Equal Housing Lender Attachments: A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f1473e4d-fd9b-41d1-b3fd-656054ebc460 Attachments: A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/348ae593-1216-4115-a99d-b871a2263423 This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WESTON Aspetuck Land Trust has completed the purchase of 38 acres of forest in Weston off of Wampum Hill Road, expanding its existing 86-acre Honey Hill Preserve that extends into Wilton. The $367,000 acquisition is part of a much larger project to preserve 410 acres in one of the last undeveloped interior forest blocks in Weston and Wilton, Aspetuck Land Trust Executive Director David Brant said. Since its founding in 1966, the trust has protected 149 properties with more than 1,800 acres in Easton, Fairfield, Westport and Weston. Where the property lies is part of the last frontier of open space in our area, Brant said. There just arent that many big pieces of land available anymore. Theyve all been developed. So were really fortunate to be able to preserve it. Originally granted to the Sturges family by the English monarchy in the Colonial era, the 38-acre property was later purchased in 1927 by Chauncey Belknap, an attorney who led one of the largest firms in New York City. Aspetuck Land Trust used its own funds to buy the land from the Belknap family, in addition to a $200,000 grant from Audubon Connecticut and $50,000 from the William C. Bullitt Foundation. The trust also has a pending grant request that might cover up to 60 percent of the propertys value, with the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program. However, under the states recently approved budget, Connecticuts open space grant program faces cuts in 2018 and 2019. In the next two years, $10 million will be swept into the general state fund from the Community Investment Act account, which provides increased funding for open space, farmland preservation, historic preservation and affordable housing. The reality is that in the present political environment, financial resources for land conservation from both state and federal government sources are getting extremely tight, newly elected Aspetuck Land Trust President Don Hyman said in a statement. ALT and its 1,000-plus members, plus new supporters we hope to find in business and industry, will need to step up if we are to be able to save the diminishing open space beauty of Connecticut. This was a point Yale University environmental law and policy professor Dan Esty emphasized in a recent lecture sponsored by the land trust. In the past, land trusts might not have been in the front seat but theres no one there driving this effort now. It is up to land trusts like Aspetuck to drive the bus and get where we need to go, said Esty, who was commissioner of the Connecticut DEEP from 2011 to 2014. Aspetuck Land Trust maintains 45 trailed nature preserves and other conservation-only properties that provide passive recreation and educational opportunities for the public, while also preserving the plant and animal life of local communities. skim@hearstmediact.com; 203-842-2568; @stephaniehnkim It's easy to laugh at the companies of days gone by -- makers of buggy whips or VCRs, or even Blockbuster. The leaders in those industries didn't see the demise of their industries coming. But with automation on the horizon, countless more industries could soon find themselves on the chopping block, too, if they are not prepared. Researchers working with support from the Engineering Sciences Department at Oxford University determined that about half of todays jobs could be long-gone in a few years, succumbing to new inventions. The smartphone you use to make deals and the social networks you rely upon to distribute top-quality content have the power to destroy your livelihood. Related: There's a Lot More to AI Than Just Chatbots Worried? Dont be. Like fire, technology can be both friend and foe. Make sure its the former, and youll be fine; look the other way, and you could fade into obscurity. Get the upper hand by leaning in. You dont want to sidestep technology in favor of the good old days. At the same time, you shouldnt feel like youre at its mercy. The trick is to lean into technology rather than become consumed with fear, like forward-minded entrepreneurs in specific industries who love, not loathe, technological advances. Consider real estate. Millennials are snatching up homes, comprising more than a third of buyers, according to the National Association of Realtors. But millennials go about home searches differently than past generations. Most millennials, as well as Gen Xers, use agents, but they supplement the agent experience with internet-based perusing and remote visiting. Instead of heading to afternoon open houses, millennials tour homes from the comfort of their devices. Is it any wonder that Oxford Universitys finest believe artificial intelligence will replace 97 percent of in-person buyer-broker realtor experiences? Yet smart property managers and residential construction companies arent wringing their hands; theyre partnering with brokerage firms such as Marketplace Homes that offer high-tech solutions. Consequently, we arent reading those firms obits; were hearing about their buyer-friendly offerings that make discovering the perfect house a breeze. Related: Here's Is a Strategy For Making Yourself Irreplaceable Before Artificial Intelligence Learns to do Your Job Set yourself up for fabulous reviews, not a sorry epitaph. Ready to ditch the panic and shift to a tech future? Whether you represent real estate, transportation, retail or manufacturing, you can use four strategies to stay relevant: 1. Get knee-deep in demographics. It's time for you to get down and dirty and really investigate the demographics of your target audiences. Find out what they want, what they need, where theyre getting assistance and how you can help them. By creating a psychographic chart for each of your prospective consumers, you can get a truer view of their personalities, attitudes, lifestyles, interests and so much more. Then, you can use this outline to make wiser predictions about their buying behaviors. Companies such as TeleTech are innovators that connect companies with tools focused on technology-enhanced customer engagement. The more streamlined your process is, the less likely it is that a closed for business sign will be inevitable. 2. Offset everyday reality with virtual reality. In an era when behemoths such as Amazon, Kelly Services and American Express offer employees telecommuting options, location matters less and less. Although some types of businesses need brick-and-mortar spaces, work can often take place entirely in cyberspace. Could certain jobs in your company be handled remotely, maybe on a part-time or as-needed basis? Could you use this type of improved mobility to woo top talent and build stronger relationships between your company and customers? Look at what your biggest competitors are already doing in these arenas, and contemplate following suit. 3. Be ready to adapt if a robot takes your place. Let's be honest. Is it inevitable that your role will be replaced by technology at some point? As a business owner, you must accept that more jobs are being taken over by machines. Just check out the kiosks in McDonalds that accept orders; you can conveniently order a Big Mac without interfacing with humans. And Uber? Its testing driverless vehicles, disrupting transportation and shipping. Think you know that tools out there may one day replace you or the people you employ? Improve and enhance your skill set, as well as those of your key workers. Then, you can make the transition to a different role without feeling like youve been upended. 4. Push aside the fears and don your Holmesian cap. Dont allow yourself to focus on the question Why me? when Why not? is staring you in the face. Rather than see emerging technology as a fierce opponent, look at it as the beginning of a great problem-solving opportunity. Related: Artificial Intelligence May Reflect the Unfair World We Live in For example, customers in your field might be madder than heck because they arent getting the service they deserve. Could you utilize gadgets, software, data or other tech solutions to turn your business into the superhero everyone wishes would save them? When many airlines were involved in nightmares, Southwest Airlines used the crisis to promote itself as the friendly skies oasis. It worked, and it gained share and accolades. Machinery. Automation. Tech. Call it what you will, but advancements have always edged out antiquated ways of doing things. The more optimistic you are in the face of big changes, the more apt youll be to ride into the future securely, no buggy whip necessary. Related: Everything We Know About the iPhone X Why It Doesn't Pay for Companies to Break Promises After Completing an ICO How the Token Economy Helps Scale Influencer Marketing Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved This article originally appeared on entrepreneur.com This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate As you check off your holiday meal to-do list, did you remember to get yourself that chef's kitchen you've always wanted? No? Well, we have the right ingredients with the following seven homes currently on the marketall with the most tempting luxury kitchens. With these gorgeous rooms, you'll lack for nothing. Perfect appliances abound, and help will be at the ready because these roomy spaces easily accommodate extra sous-chefs ready to help prep, chop, and saute. And while turnkey cook spaces dont come cheap, these examples may whet your appetite for what youd like to see in your kitchen now, or in the future. Bon appetit! Price: $2,799,000 Delicious details: This Colonial-style home looks quaint but offers every modern amenity, along with gorgeous high-end finishes. The kitchen doesnt disappoint; it's finished with exposed wood beams and a dramatic cathedral ceiling for a two-story, light-filled space. Also included are a custom La Cornue range, two sinks, two refrigerators, and a huge island with seating. The space opens to a casual dining area with fireplace and family room, along with a solarium. New Canaan, CT realtor.com The post Eat In! 7 Knockout Homes With Delectable Kitchens appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com. Price: $2,275,000 Delicious details: The iconic residence from 1898 takes up three city lots and has gone through a total era-specific remodel. Behold an expanded state-of-the-art, eat-in kitchen that features a pass-through to the great room bar. With the kitchen sitting adjacent to the formal dining room, all festive meals will be a breeze to set up. And whipping up meals will be a joy with a huge center island, Wolf appliances, and threeyes three!ovens. Missoula, MT realtor.com Price: $6,488,888 Delicious details: If youre going for wow factor, welcome to this Saddle River estate. Located on a double cul-de-sac, the massive property offers an equally astoundingand award-winningkitchen design, complete with butlers pantry, two islands, two ovens, two sinks, a pot filler, and an embossed ceiling decor. The breakfast nook comes with a hand-painted dome ceiling. Eat it up! Saddle River, NJ realtor.com Price: $2,100,000 Delicious details: The sea-green kitchen of this Cape Codder reflects the ocean water just outside this beach retreat. The home has private beach access and is an easy walk to town to pick up groceries. It's also undergone a major renovation, showcased by the eye-catching kitchen. Described as professionally designed and award-winning, the cooking area comes with a center island with bar seating. Other key features include an electric cooktop, double oven, farm-style sink, and massive fridge. Harwich, MA realtor.com Price: $1,275,000 Delicious details: Welcome to your brand-new, award-winning kitchen. It features recessed lighting, hardwood floor, 9-foot-high ceiling, large island with quartz counter, wine fridge, and stainless-steel appliances. Alexandria, VA realtor.com Price: $4,750,000 Delicious details: This vacation home allows you to fully focus on the food. Along with a glorious infinity pool and 139 feet of lake frontage, this log cabinstyle home comes with a dreamy kitchen. The deluxe features include copper countertops, a La Cornue Chateau stove, granite island, and breakfast bar. Lake Geneva, WI realtor.com Price: $3,995,000 Delicious details: This brand-new contemporary has thrown everything into this kitchenincluding a glorious sink. The fully loaded designer space comes with four ovens (La Cornue Chateau and Viking), Sub-Zero refrigerators and freezers, Viking microwaves, Asko and Fischer & Paykel dishwashers, Scotsman ice makers, and a Wolf warming drawer. But there's so much more: A private bakery with all the bells and whistles is just off the kitchen, in addition to an oversize bar and wine cabinet. Scottsdale, AZ realtor.com SYRACUSE, N.Y., Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- If home ownership is one quintessential American dream, owning your own business is another. While a higher percentage of veterans are self-employed compared to non-veterans, the rate of veteran entrepreneurship has seen a significant decline. Forty-nine percent of veterans returning from service in World War II started businesses. Today the rate of post 9-11 veterans doing the same has fallen to 5.6 percent (from 12.3 percent in 1996). The question now becomes why are we losing a potential class of business owners who come out of the military well equipped with important skills and attributes for success as entrepreneurs? A new study of veteran business owners, conducted by the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University (IVMF) in collaboration with Bunker Labs, takes an in-depth look into factors that account for the motivation, success, failure or survival in veteran entrepreneurship. The report, Bridging the Gap, Motivations, Challenges, and Successes of Veteran Entrepreneurs, sees veteran business owners cite difficulty accessing capital as one of three core impediments to starting or expanding their businesses. Limited or no opportunities to network and difficulty developing mentorships were the other top blockers. The means by which veterans finance their business has wide-reaching impacts. For one, the average age of a veteran entrepreneur. Forty eight percent are 65 years old or older vs. 15.6 percent for all business owners. This in large part a consequence of their access to capital. As empty nesters, this group is through their most pressing financial responsibilities: raising children and paying off mortgages. Some also leverage their military retirement and healthcare to provide stability to a business. More veteran business owners59.4 percentuse personal and family savings for their businesses versus their non-veteran counterparts. Thats not true with business loans. A higher percentage of non-veteran entrepreneurs use bank loans. The challenge of accessing capital is, for some, due to regulatory restrictions on lending to their sector. A few also expressed experiencing predatory lending when seeking out bank loans. Speed to capital is a real challenge and predatory lenders are using that as a capture point, says Walter Allen, Founder, Acumen. Allen served in the Army. The continued loss of veteran-owned businesses that lack cash or financing will have an impact on our economy as veteran-owned businesses employ over 5 million U.S. workers and cover a payroll nearing $200 billion. This number could continue to go down as would the incomes for households of veteran entrepreneurs who have higher incomes and greater wealth. We cannot continue to watch as veterans become a smaller and smaller part of the U.S. entrepreneurial population, says Dr. Mike Haynie, IVMF Executive Director and Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation at Syracuse University. Veterans and entrepreneurship are a natural fit given their ability to take risks, be determined, think on their feet and survive challenges. We must continue to encourage them to pursue this path, and support them every step of the way. We know the who and the what when it comes to veteran entrepreneurshipbut weve never looked at the why and the how, and this study does just that, says Misty Stutsman, IVMF Director of Entrepreneurship and Small Business. The results provide a roadmap for those looking to support veteran-owned businesses and those businesses on their entrepreneurial journeys. Bridging the Gap, Motivations, Challenges, and Successes of Veteran Entrepreneurs includes a list of resources and a recommendations checklist to aid the prospective and current veteran entrepreneurs as well as veteran service organizations, financial advisors, institutions, leaders, and others helping the self-employed veteran. It is part of Operation Vetrepreneurship, a research project aimed at better understanding the needs of veteran and military-connected entrepreneurs. This is the first from that series of papers dedicated to the veteran business owner. Information from these reports hopes to further inform veteran and entrepreneurship service organizations on factors most influencing veteran entrepreneurs today, and encourage and support successful veteran entrepreneurship for decades to come. For more information please visit IVMF Research & Evaluation. Media Contact: Stephanie Salanger Director, Communications & Media Office of Veteran and Military Affairs Institute for Veterans and Military Families Mobile: 315.378.8171; Email: ssalange@syr.edu About the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University The Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) is the first interdisciplinary national institute in higher education focused on the social, economic, education, and policy issues impacting veterans and their families. Through its professional staff and experts, the IVMF delivers leading programs in career, vocational, and entrepreneurship education and training, while also conducting actionable research, policy analysis, and program evaluations. The IVMF also supports communities through collective impact efforts that enhance delivery and access to services and care. The Institute, supported by a distinguished advisory board, along with public and private partners, is committed to advancing the lives of those who have served in Americas armed forces and their families. For more information, visit ivmf.syracuse.edu and follow the IVMF on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. President and CEO of the Edwardsville YMCA Gary Niebur is retiring early next year. After serving as the mayor of Edwardsville for 20 years (1993 2013) and starting out as the YMCAs executive director in 1982, Niebur is stepping down with a record of success. His last day on the job will be Wednesday, Feb. 28 of 2018. YMCA Board President Mark Motley said Niebur will be missed, as he was and is a valuable asset to the YMCA facilities in the area. Gary has been instrumental in growing our Edwardsville YMCA to what it is today, which is one of the premiere Ys in the region. Hes had the vision and the drive to not only run an excellent facility several facilities for the community, but hes been able to get the community behind it as well and make it a place where kids and families feel welcome and have lots of great programs and activities they can participate in, Motley said. During Nieburs time as CEO, the YMCA raised over $10 million in donations, which prompted growth from one 15,000 square-foot facility to three facilities (The ESIC Center, the Allison Cassens Early Childhood Development Center and the Meyer Center) totaling over 140,000 square feet. Memberships at the facilities also grew exponentially from less than 1,000 memberships with 2,700 members to 6,600 memberships with 19,200 members. This in turn led to the YMCAs budget to increase from $163,000 annually to over $6 million in 2016. Motley said Niebur stood out above the rest when he was brought on as executive director and has made quite the impact during his time at the YMCA. I cant really speak to the group that hired him, but from what Ive been told, Gary just had a passion and a commitment to the community that was obvious and got people excited. So I think its clear he showed a real tenacity over the years in developing it and adding programs, Motley said. Thanks to Nieburs contribution as YMCAs CEO, in 2007, the Edwardsville YMCA was also awarded the Excellence in Facilities Award, by the YMCA of the USA, which designated the facility as one of the most successful in the country. With Nieburs retirement date coming up, the search committee has been in the process of selecting a new candidate for the CEO position. Niebur is also a part of the process and will work closely with the YMCA staff to select the designated candidate. Motley said so far, the search for a new CEO is going well. (The new candidate) is still to be announced. Were in the middle of the process right now. Its been a good process. Weve had a lot of good candidates to consider and we should have an announcement soon, Motley said. Going forward, Motley said the YMCA wishes Gary the best in his future endeavors and hopes to see the YMCA continue Garys legacy. I think we all hope for Gary that he gets well-deserved retirement where he gets to spend more time with his family, Motley said. For the Y, I think everybody is really excited where were at and excited about the future. I think we want to see the next leader build on Garys legacy and continue to do what it takes to serve the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon community. Date: 28 November 17 Not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful. CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. Post-stabilisation Period Announcement NO STABILISATION CARRIED OUT Further to the pre-stabilisation period announcement dated 28 November, 2017 BNP Paribas, contact: Rupert Lewis telephone: 020 7595 8222 hereby gives notice that no stabilisation (within the meaning of Article 3.2(d) of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU/596/2014) or the rules of the Financial Conduct Authority) was undertaken by the Stabilisation Manager(s) named below in relation to the offer of the following securities. Issuer: CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. Guarantor (if any): CEMEX Mexico, S.A. de C.V., CEMEX Concretos, S.A. de C.V., Empresas Tolteca de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., New Sunward Holding B.V., CEMEX Espana, S.A., Cemex Asia B.V., CEMEX Corp., CEMEX Finance LLC, Cemex Egyptian Investments B.V., CEMEX France Gestion (S.A.S.), Cemex Research Group AG and CEMEX UK Aggregate nominal amount: EUR 650,000,000 Description: 2.75% Notes due 5th Dec 2024 Stabilisation Manager(s): Active Books: BNP PARIBAS (B&D), HSBC, J.P. Morgan Passive Books: Banca IMI, BBVA, ING Offer price: 100.00 This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an invitation or offer to underwrite, subscribe for or otherwise acquire or dispose of any securities of the Issuer in any jurisdiction. This announcement is not an offer of securities for sale into the United States. The securities referred to above have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration. There has not been and will not be a public offer of the securities in the United States. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin EDITORIAL (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 28, 2017 08:00 1815 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2b0996b 4 Editorial #Editorial,hate-speech,#HateSpeech,hoax,#Hoax,social-media,#SocialMedia Free Different countries respond differently to hoaxes, fake news and hate speech. In Germany, the government enforces a law that imposes heavy fines on social media companies who fail to delete hate speech or fake news legislation that was effective in staving off possible meddling in the countrys general election last September. The United States stands in the opposite extreme to Germany. In the US, freedom of speech is a sacrosant principle eventhough it allows the vilest expressions toward minority groups and ethnicities. So, even when neo-Nazis spewed hatred and bigotry on the streets of Virginia in August this year, some were arrested only for disrupting public order and other minor offenses. Indonesia sits somewhere in the middle. We have the laws and regulations, but their enforcement has not been successful. The countrys criminal code (KUHP) has at least five articles that make it a crime for individuals to express animosity toward others. The types of hateful expressions defined by these five articles range from slander and insults, to filing a false written or oral report to authorities that could harm the reputation of others. Each carries a maximum prison term of four years. The Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law has also made it difficult for individuals to express their hate and prejudices online and on social media. But the problem with the ITE Law is that it was implemented to only target critics of the government, including President Joko Jokowi Widodo. For example, police in Central Java arrested last year Bambang Tri Mulyono for writing the book Jokowi Undercover, which presented dubious facts about Jokowi and his family. The law has also been used to crack down on offenses that have little to do with hate speech. In September, police used the ITE Law to arrest an individual responsible for creating the website nikahsirri.com, alleging that the controversial matchmaking site had offered prostitution services. Even when law enforcement agencies arrested those guilty of legitimately making hateful statements, it is sometimes difficult to persuade the court to deliver a punishment. Early in September, police arrested for the second time Alfian Tanjung, a firebrand cleric affiliated with the Jakarta-based Muhammadiyah University of Prof. Dr. Hamka (UHAMKA), after a court acquitted him of separate hate speech charges due to legal technicalities. The police themselves have been reluctant to pursue hate speech cases, especially if the suspects have a large following and are politically wired, like cleric Rizieq Shihab. It was against this context that the cleric of Indonesias largest Muslim organization, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), recommended that hate speech be considered a disgraceful act that must be deemed haram under all circumstances. According to the cleric, law enforcement against hate speech would provide a deterrent. With this statement, and as Indonesia braces for two successive election years in 2018 and 2019, the fight against hate speech just got a big political boost. Its time to get serious. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin M. Evan Fabio (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 28, 2017 12:24 1815 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2b1a950 3 Opinion workforce,#workers,#workplace,work,human-resources,employment,company Free The traditional method for hiring and establishing employer-employee relationships is rapidly transforming itself to seize the opportunity that digitization has delivered at everyones front door. The recent business climate has convinced me that the case for devoting half of our lives to one company is vaporizing at an unprecedented rate. The term gig economy describes a situation where temporary and flexible jobs are becoming ubiquitous while employers prefer to hire independent contractors or freelancers instead of full-time employees. The gig economy is a side effect of the enormous digitization wave across every industry, which enables workers to do their jobs from home or somewhere else. The trend is a cheaper alternative than traditional hiring practices. Hiring full-time employees is costly, as the company needs a larger budget to build a program and system designed for a long term purpose. Full-time workers have minimum wage, paid sick days, pension funds, or even maximum work hours. Employees in temporary contract, however, have none of these luxuries and choose to settle for the condition. Prime examples of such business entities are Uber and Airbnb. Uber is the biggest taxi company in the hemisphere and it doesnt even own a vehicle as its asset. Airbnb revolutionizes the way we book a room for stay-in and they do not own a single property. These two companies are the best showcases of how the gig economy changes the economic landscape as an intermediary between resource and opportunity. Private individuals and freelancers across the world provide unlimited array of skills or services but more often than not, they are struggling to keep pace to find the right opportunity. Uber, Go-Jek, and Grab survive against traditional taxi companies because they dont need to pay expenses which are considered unnecessary, and therefore can hire more drivers. What they are doing is not exactly earth-shattering, they just acknowledged how to utilize those idle resources earlier than anyone else on the market and they did it in a fashion that could attract every stakeholder. However, supply is only as useful as a rock without demand and fortunately this is not the case for the gig economy. According to the McKinsey Global Institute, independent workers make up 20-30 percent of the total working age population (162 million people) in Indonesia and at least 70 percent of them do it because they actually prefer it. Only 30 percent become one because out of necessity to make a living. Thus the current workforce possesses an entirely different perspective on the generally accepted way to make a living, which is especially apparent among millennials. The reason more people choose to embrace this career to fulfil the dream of having a good work-life balance. The gig economy improves companies profitability and makes it possible for casual worker to have a good work-life balance. However, what may seems like a great and innovative discovery perhaps just have its weakness immensely overshadowed by its strength. Uber was banned from London, to which it appealed, because of the companys failure to maintain its corporate responsibility. Several companies with identical business models also received similar backlash from the public because they ran their employees to the ground. The lack of details established in the contract and the vague boundaries on the responsibilities and rewards for workers and the company tend to cause more damage, especially to the workers. Therefore the gig economy is becoming more vulnerable than earlier perceived. Another major problem is that in the true nature of the gig economy social interaction will be an exclusive item. Being a part-time employee makes it harder for an employee to inherit a companys vision and cultural values, which can dilute a company characteristic in a customers perspective. Working separately at a fast pace also means building team chemistry is an inevitable struggle. The gig economy also affects full-time employees. Temporary workers are more attractive cost-wise, making it harder for full-time employees to get promotion or a raise. In turn, the room for loyalty when deciding ones future becomes scarce. If not managed carefully, the gig economy could prove to be costly for business. Major savings for companies also mean that workers who join the gig economy wave may not get paid well. Besides having more flexibility than their counterparts, their rewards are inconsistent and will be affected greatly by what kind of work they do, the risks, and the results. Having no protection towards outside threat and secured benefits also need to be taken into the equation when we are measuring if the decision to jump into the bandwagon is really worth the risk. As for millennials and fresh graduates, the best attempt to control the wave is to stand out and try to add as much value as possible to the marketplace. Before we even jump into the party, we cant afford to walk into the building without acknowledging what we are good at and what we are bad at. What we should be doing is to find the frequency that fits our skills -- because dancing to the drumbeat of the industry could only mean one thing: losing. *** The writer is a blogger who writes regularly about business and economy on evanfabio.com. --------------- We are looking for information, opinions, and in-depth analysis from experts or scholars in a variety of fields. We choose articles based on facts or opinions about general news, as well as quality analysis and commentary about Indonesia or international events. Send your piece to academia@jakpost.com. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 28, 2017 11:53 1815 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2b19b6b 4 Business Airlines,Mount-Agung,eruption,cancellation Free Many airlines have decided to cancel their flights to Bali for several days since Monday's temporary closure of I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport due to the eruption of Mount Agung on the resort island, kompas.com reported on Tuesday. The airport authority closed the airport at 7:15 a.m. on Monday for 24 hours and then extended the airport closure for another 24 hours at 7 a.m. on Tuesday. "It was decided to keep the airport closed until 7 a.m. [Wednesday], as the airport's airspace is still covered by volcanic ash," communications and legal division head Arie Ahsanurrohim at state-owned airport operator PT Angkasa Pura I (AP I) said on Tuesday. On Monday, Singapore Airlines canceled Bali-bound flights SQ938, SQ939, SQ942, SQ943, SQ946, SQ947, SQ948, SQ949, MI176 and MI175. The airline announced that passengers who had bought tickets before Monday for its Bali flights flying between Nov. 27 to Dec. 4 could reschedule their flights or get a refund. Malaysia Airlines has canceled all its Bali flights since Monday, saying that it would recommence flights on the Bali route when it was possible. Thai Airways has canceled all Bali flights from Monday to Saturday. The airline is allowing ticket holders of flights from Nov. 26 to Dec. 10 to reschedule their flights. Meanwhile, AirAsia canceled all its Bali flights from Nov. 25, with current ticket holders permitted to reschedule their flights within 30 days at no additional cost. Other airlines that have canceled their Bali flights include EVA Air, Cathay Pacific, Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Australia. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ni Komang Erviani (The Jakarta Post) Denpasar Tue, November 28, 2017 10:52 1815 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2b1813e 1 Business Bali-airport-closure,extension,Mount-Agung,eruption Free The closure of I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali has been extended by another 24 hours amid the ongoing eruption of Mount Agung. The resumption of operations at the airport is now scheduled for 7 a.m. on Wednesday. State-owned airport operator PT Angkasa Pura I (AP I) communications and legal division head Arie Ahsanurrohim said the decision was made during a meeting to evaluate the impact of the eruption on the airport. "It has been decided to keep the airport closed until 7 a.m. tomorrow, as the airspace of the airport is still covered by volcanic ash," Arie said on Tuesday. Arie explained that the decision was based on meteorological observation. "Volcanic ash from Mount Agung has spread to a height of 30,000 feet, and [the wind] is blowing in a south and south-westerly direction at a speed of about 5 to 10 knots, heading to I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport," Arie said. The international airport has been closed since 7:15 a.m. on Monday due to volcanic ash from Mount Agung, which erupted on Saturday. The closure affected 445 flights and saw at least 59,000 passengers stranded on Monday. Indonesia's Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Center has upgraded the alert status to the highest level. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (AFP) Paris, France Tue, November 28, 2017 07:44 1815 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2b0816b 2 National Mount-Agung,bali,Volcano,volcanic-activity,eruption Free Indonesian authorities have raised a maximum alert as Mount Agung on Bali -- an island that attracted nearly five million tourists last year -- threatens to erupt. Here's what experts say: - Already erupting? - Short answer: 'Yes' -- but things could get much worse. "What we are seeing at the moment are small explosions, throwing out hot gases and fragments of molten rock, or ash," explained David Pyle, a volcano expert at the University of Oxford in Britain. "The Agung volcano commenced a sustained ash eruption on Saturday, with plumes reaching 3,000 metres (nearly two miles) high," explained Mark Tingay, a geologist at the University of Adelaide in Australia. "The eruption has now moved on to the next, more severe phase, where viscous lava can trap gasses under pressure, potentially leading to an explosion." - Major eruption? - Several scientists remarked that Agung's recent behaviour matches the buildup to the devastating 1963 blast that left 1,600 people dead and ejected enough debris -- about a billion metric tonnes -- to lower global average temperatures a notch (0.2 - 0.3 degrees Celsius) for about a year. "Based on what we saw in 1963, the present activity is quite similar to the start of that eruption," said Pyle. "The probability of a large eruption is high, but this may take some days or weeks to unfold." David Rothery, a professor at The Open University in Britain, also sees a step-change on the horizon. "The volcano might at last be delivering the large eruption that has been feared for several weeks," he said. Jacques-Marie Bardintzeff, a volcanologist at Paris-Sud University, said that "all the warning lights are red." "My Indonesian colleagues and I think that Agung will erupt," he told AFP. Other scientists were more cautious. "We are still far from being able to forecast how eruptions are going to develop," said Carmen Solana, a volcanologist at the University of Portsmouth in England. "It could rapidly increase in activity and produce a vast eruption, or it could die down." - Worst case? - "The worst case scenario would be a repeat of the 1963 eruption, perhaps a little be larger," Pyle told AFP. "The main areas that will need to be evacuated are 10-12 kilometres (6-7.5 miles) from the volcano," he said. "There won't be a need for the whole island to be evacuated." Bali -- home to more than four million people and tens of thousands of tourists at any given time -- is four times the area of Greater London. Were Agung to blow its top, impacts would range from sulphur ash and potentially deadly lava flows to loss of tourism, the island's top source of revenue. "Air-fall ash is a respiratory hazard, kills crops, makes roofs collapse and can turn into devastating mudflows -- known as lahars -- as soon as it rains," said Rothery. While not toxic, ash is also a serious hazard to aircraft, and the reason all fights have been grounded at Bali's international airport. On runways, ash can make a plane slide out of control during takeoff and landing. "But the main risk is to the engines," said Guy Gratton, a visiting professor at britain's Cranfield University. It can solidify onto an engine's turbine blades, "reducing the efficiency, and potentially stopping it." A big blast would also produce "hot rock avalanches" down the flanks of the volcano, said Mike Burton, a professor at the University of Manchester in England. As the region enters its rainy season, the risk of mud-and-ash flows increases too. "They are extremely hazardous as they can flow quickly for long distances, scouring the land and damaging infrastructure, as well as posing a threat to life," said Burton. The impact on Bali's multi-billion dollar tourism industry would depend on how much of the island is blanketed in ash, along with the force and persistence of a major eruption. (**) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Lachlan Carmichael (AFP) Brussels, Belgium Tue, November 28, 2017 09:14 1815 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2b0ddb0 2 World EU,Germany,GermanyChancellorAngelaMerkel,health-concerns,weedkiller,weedkiller-glyphosate Free EU countries broke months of deadlock on Monday when they voted to renew the licence for the controversial weedkiller glyphosate for five years after heavyweight Germany surprisingly voted in favour despite health concerns. With the bloc's largest population, Germany's change of heart was instrumental in ending the stalemate within the 28-nation union over the fate of the pesticide, which some critics fear causes cancer. But its U-turn appeared also to reveal extraordinary tensions in Chancellor Angela Merkel's efforts to form a new governing coalition, after a minister in Berlin said German officials in Brussels had disobeyed direct orders to abstain on the vote. Glyphosate was introduced in 1974 by US agro-giant Monsanto under the brand-name Roundup. A WHO study found it was "probably carcinogenic" but later studies have disagreed. Eighteen of the 28 EU states voted in favour of the European Commission's proposal for a five-year renewal, with nine including France voting against, and one abstaining. "Today's vote shows that when we all want to, we are able to share and accept our collective responsibility in decision making," EU Health Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis said in a statement. - Europeans 'betrayed' - Divisions over the weedkiller within the EU have dragged on since June 2016, when its previous 15-year licence expired and an 18-month extension was granted. Environmental campaigners condemned Monday's decision. "Today's approval, even if only for five years, is a missed opportunity to get rid of this risky weedkiller and start to get farmers off the chemical treadmill," said Adrian Bebb of Friends of the Earth Europe. Greenpeace's Franziska Achterberg said: "The people who are supposed to protect us from dangerous pesticides have failed to do their jobs and betrayed the trust Europeans place in them." Monsanto's rival, the German chemical giant Bayer, also said it regretted the decision, voicing support for a 15-year extension of the licence for glyphosate. "Regulators and scientific bodies across the world, including in Europe... have carefully evaluated the component and decided that glyphosate is safe," it said in a statement. Two weeks ago the European Commission, the EU executive, fell short of the majority needed to renew the licence when it expires on December 15, as only half of the 28 member states voted for its proposal. Germany abstained from the last vote, but on Monday Berlin changed its mind after receiving assurances on animal welfare and private use of the weedkiller, a European source said. However, German Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks, of the Social Democrats who had initially refused to consider renewing their coalition with Merkel, said Agricultural Minister Christian Schmidt of the Merkel-allied CSU party had gone against her orders. "Exactly two hours before the beginning of the meeting... I declared clearly to colleague (Christian) Schmidt that I do not agree with an extension of the renewal of glyphosate," she said. But she said he had voted to renew the licence instead of abstaining as planned. The previous abstention was a compromise between opposition to glyphosate in the environmental ministry and support for it in the agriculture ministry. Merkel said Monday her party was ready to hold serious talks with the Social Democrats to form a government, warning that time is pressing as Europe faces a slew of challenges. But Social Democrat Bundestag representative Andrea Nahles said Monday's vote in Brussels represented "an obvious violation of trust on the part of the CSU". The decision marks a disappointment for the French government, which pushed unsuccessfully for only a three-year licence following widespread concern in the country over the chemical's health impact. French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted that he has asked the French government to look for alternative pesticides and ban glyphosate in France within three years. Paris will also lobby for the EU to change the way it determines the safety of chemical products, the prime minister's office told AFP. - Three million sign petition - Environmental campaigners like Greenpeace have been calling for an outright ban in Europe for glyphosate. Last month they handed the EU a petition signed by more than 1.3 million people backing such a move. Activists point to a 2015 study by the World Health Organisations (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer that concluded it was "probably carcinogenic". But 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 Organisation. Monsanto insists glyphosate meets the standards required to renew its European licence. (**) LEHI, Utah and SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ancestry, the global leader in family history and consumer genomics, today announced record sales for AncestryDNA kits during the four day Black Friday to Cyber Monday holiday weekend. The company more than tripled the number of kits sold during the same period in 2016, its prior record sales period. In the coming weeks, millions of people around the world will open their gifts and receive the best consumer DNA experience available. AncestryDNA is: The Best DNA Testing Service, according to review site, The Wirecutter The best selling consumer DNA product in the world, providing the most opportunities for customers to make new discoveries and connect with new family The most comprehensive look at a persons ethinc background, with 5x the number of ethnic regions of the nearest competing product The only service where more than 10 million new family connections are made every day The only DNA experience that enables customers to connect to the worlds largest collection of historical documents and family trees, providing an even greater chance to learn about ones family history and stories We are relentlessly focused on creating products and experiences that exceed the expectations of every Ancestry customer. We have doubled down on providing a richer, more detailed ethinicity experience and consumers are clearly responding, said Howard Hochhauser, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Ancestry. DNA testing is no longer a niche interest, its a mass consumer market, with millions of people wanting to experience the emotionally powerful, life-affirming discoveries that can come from simply spitting in a tube. Our customers own stories, and how they have taken what theyve learned and changed how they approach the future, are the strongest testaments to the positive impact we deliver. The company also announced that, for the first time in its history, the total number of AncestryDNA kits sold in single year has exceeded the total number of subscribers to the companys family history services. In October, the total number of customer samples in Ancestrys DNA database, the worlds largest consumer DNA database, exceeded six million. Contiuing sales strength, and Ancestrys second record-breaking holiday sales period in a row, further solidify the companys leadership in the consumer genomic market. More importantly for both existing and new AncestryDNA customers, the more people in the DNA database, the better the potential results for everyone. As more people take their test, Ancestry is able to continue to refine its ethinicty estimates, provide new ethnic regions, and expand the number of potential familial matches for customers. We are excited to welcome so many new customers to the Ancestry family, said Hochhauser. 2018 will bring a regular drumbeat of new experiences and enhancements across both DNA and Family History, as we continue to improve how we help you discover more about your past and inspire your future. About Ancestry Ancestry, the global leader in family history and consumer genomics, harnesses the information found in family trees, historical records, and DNA to help people gain a new level of understanding about their lives. Ancestry has more than 2.7 million paying subscribers across its core Ancestry websites and more than 6 million people in the AncestryDNA network. Since 1996, more than 10 billion records have been added to Ancestry's databases, and users have created more than 90 million family trees on the Ancestry flagship site and its affiliated international websites. Ancestry offers a suite of family history products and services including AncestryDNA, Archives, AncestryProGenealogists, Newspapers.com and Fold3. AncestryDNA is owned and operated by Ancestry.com DNA, LLC, a subsidiary of Ancestry.com, LLC. Media contact: Brandon Borrman 415.795.6786 bborrman@ancestry.com Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 28, 2017 18:38 1814 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2b2e84e 1 City sexual-harrasment,West-Jakarta Free Kebon Jeruk Police are investigating a sexual abuse case in which a father has been accused of molesting his two daughters in Kedoya, West Jakarta. Police said the daughters, age 14 and 16, reported the alleged sexual abuse to their mother on Sunday night. The older daughter said she had been abused by her father since she was in junior high school, while her younger sister claimed the abuse began this year. The eldest daughter also claimed her father had filmed her while she was using the restroom. She said the video footage was on her fathers phone. Both alleged victims said they had been afraid to report the alleged abuse. Their mother accompanied them to the police on Sunday night to file a report. The police have declared the father a suspect. The police have questioned the mother as a witness, while the alleged victims have undergone examinations at Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital in Central Jakarta. (rdi) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 28 2017 Governor Anies Baswedan has refused to respond to the planned reunion of a protest, also known as the 212 rally, by conservative Muslims at Monas in Central Jakarta on Saturday. This is the same group who demanded the prosecution of his predecessor, Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama. Thats none of my business, Anies said at City Hall when asked for a response on Monday. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 28, 2017 18:16 1814 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2b2bf9f 4 Business incentives,manufacturing-industry,Trade-Ministry,vocational-programs,labor-intensive-program,innovation Free The Industry Ministry will provide the manufacturing industry a main contributor to gross domestic product (GDP) with three tax incentives to try to boost the countrys economy, which has seen slow growth in recent years. The government will offer a 200-percent tax allowance for the manufacturing industry, which wants to invest in vocation programs to improve training and skills for their workers. [For example], if a company invests Rp 500 million (US$37,023), the government will provide Rp 1 billion in tax allowance, he said, as reported by kontan.co.id on Tuesday. He added that such a scheme had been successfully implemented in Thailand. The second incentive is for those who invest in innovative products, for which the government would offer 300 percent in tax incentives from the value of the investment, Airlangga added. The third is incentives for labor-intensive industries that focus on exports, of which the incentive would depend on the number of workers employed in the industry, the minister said. Airlangga said he had discussed the incentives with President Joko Jokowi Widodo and Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati. He hoped the scheme will be ready by the end of 2017. Sri Mulyani said she had not yet received the proposal, but she agreed that the government could give such incentives. The President has talked about the importance of investment in vocation to improve the skills and training of workers, she added. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 28, 2017 13:30 1815 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2b1e8c1 1 Politics setya,setya-novanto,graft-suspect,KPK,corruption,pretrial,pretrial-motion Free The South Jakarta District Court has appointed Kusno as the sole judge to handle the pretrial hearing requested by House of Representatives Speaker and graft suspect Setya Novanto. Kusno serves as the courts deputy head. Yes, we have appointed judge Kusno, Made Sutisna, the courts spokesperson, said as quoted kompas.com in Jakarta on Tuesday. Setyas pretrial hearing is scheduled for Thursday. Judge Kusno previously handled a pretrial motion requested by Irfan Kurnia Saleh, the director of military equipment supplier Diratama Jaya Mandiri. Irfan had filed a pretrial motion against being named a suspect by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in a case related to the purchase of an AgustaWestland helicopter. In the hearing, Kusno rejected the pretrial motion filed by the plaintiff. Kusno reportedly stated in a hearing he presided that it did not matter whether investigators named someone a suspect at the beginning, in the middle or at the end of their investigation. Unlike Kusno, Cepi Iskandar, who led the pretrial hearing requested by Setya in September, was of the opinion that investigators should have named the Golkar Party chairman a graft suspect at the end of their investigation rather than at the beginning. Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) said the KPK had to be careful in responding to the pretrial motion filed by Setya. The corruption watchdog expressed concern about the track record of Kusno. His siding with [efforts to] eradicate corruption is minimal, said ICW activist Lalola Ester. (ebf) Solar power cells are seen on a bamboo fishing deck on the waters of Jor Bay, Jerowaru, East Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), last week. Local fishermen use the solar panels, which were initiated under a program by a group of academics and environmentalists called the Blue Carbon Consortium to power their fishing-light lures.(JP/Tarko Sudiarno)(NTB), last week. Local fishermen use the solar panels, which were initiated under a program by a group of academics and environmentalists called the Blue Carbon Consortium to power their fishing-light lures.(JP/Tarko Sudiarno) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Anton Hermansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 28, 2017 15:02 1814 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2b21d93 1 Business Inalum,holding-company,Rini-Soemarno Free State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister Rini Soemarno has signed on Tuesday a document officiating the establishment of state-owned aluminum producer PT Indonesia Asahan Alumninium (Inalum) as the holding company of state mining companies. "The process of establishing the holding company started in 2015, when the SOE Ministry presented its SOEs development roadmap to the House of Representatives," Rini said on Tuesday, after signing the shares transfer document at her office in Jakarta. Under the document, Inalum will own 65 percent shares in PT Aneka Tambang (Antam), 65.02 percent shares in PT Bukit Asam, 65 percent shares in PT Timah and 9.36 percent shares in PT Freeport Indonesia. An extraordinary shareholders' meeting will be held jointly among Antam, Bukit Asam and Timah to officiate the shares transfer to Inalum, which is 100 percent owned by the government, Rini said, adding that the meeting would be held on Nov. 29 in Jakarta. She stressed that the government and the House would still retain control over the companies under Inalum, as before the shares transfer. Despite removing Persero [state-owned company] from their names, the companies will still be under the government's control and will still adhere to their public service obligations," she said. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 28, 2017 15:47 1814 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2b23af7 1 City Constitutional-Court,eviction,ruling Free The Constitutional Court (MK) has rejected on Tuesday a petition for a judicial review of a 1960 law that is frequently used by the city administration to facilitate evictions. The court said it could not find any legal basis for approving the petition, which was submitted by several evicted Jakarta residents. The petition was submitted in September 2016 by Rojiyanto, a former resident of Papanggo, North Jakarta, along with Mansur Daud and Rando Tanadi, former residents of Duri Kepa in West Jakarta. Rojiyanto was evicted by the city administration to construct the BMW park in North Jakarta, while Mansur and Rando said they were evicted in the interests of a private estate and not the public interest. Justice Maria Farida Indrati said the city administration's action was based on Article 33 of the Constitution, which mandates that the nations land, natural resources and water are controlled by the state and should be utilized in the interest of public welfare. The plaintiffs' evictions do not necessarily show that Law No. 51/1960 contradict the articles of the 1945 Constitution, because the government, in this case the local government, was repossessing land occupied by people who did not possess rightful ownership, Maria said in Tuesday's hearing led by Justice Anwar Usman. Jakarta Legal Aid Institution (LBH Jakarta) advocate Alldo Fellix Januardy said the law was drawn up in the 1960s, when citizens could occupy land freely. (dis) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Marchio Irfan Gorbiano (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 28, 2017 18:54 1814 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2b2fbae 2 Business OJK,fintech,regulation,P2P-lending Free The Financial Services Authority (OJK) aims to issue a regulation on financial technology (fintech) businesses by March next year amid robust development of the industry, OJK deputy commissioner Nurhaida said Tuesday. We expect to have the draft [of the regulation] by the end of this year, she said. However, if there are some issues that need to be addressed in depth, the [issuance] target might be moved to the end of March 2018. The OJK has so far passed a regulation on peer-to-peer (P2P) lending, a service provided by fintech players affecting 24 fintech firms under its auspice. Nurhaida underlined that the authority would seek a balance between regulating the industry for the sake of consumer protection and security and encouraging fintech businesses to further grow while monitoring dynamism in the fintech industry. If the fintech [industry] was getting bigger in terms of values, there might be stricter regulations compared to when it was still small, Nurhaida said, noting that the development of the industry was extraordinary. (lnd) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Melbourne, Australia Tue, November 28, 2017 10:43 1815 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2b11f0a 2 World Australia,terror-attack,New-Year Free An Islamic State sympathiser planned to buy a gun and kill as many revellers as possible on New Year's Eve in Melbourne's popular Federation Square, police alleged Tuesday after foiling the plot. The 20-year-old, born in Australia to Somali parents, was detained in a raid on a house in the Melbourne suburb of Werribee on Monday. He is expected to be charged over the coming days. Police claim he accessed a guide book online produced by Al-Qaeda on how to commit terror acts and use firearms, but was arrested before he could purchase an automatic rifle. "What we will be alleging is that he was intending to use a firearm to shoot and kill as many people as he could in the Federation Square area on New Year's Eve," said Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton. "It is a tremendous concern to us that (during) the festive season, when people are out enjoying themselves, that there is a potential plot to commit a terrorist act. That is a huge issue for us but that is why we put the resources in." He said the arrest meant the threat "has been removed". Federation Square is in the heart of the city, opposite busy Flinders Street train station and St Paul's Cathedral. It is one of the most popular places to see in the new year and would be packed on December 31. The foiled plot comes a year after police prevented another attack in the same area on Christmas Day, arresting several men who planned to use explosives, knives and guns to target the location. Patton said the man, who lived with his parents, had been on their radar since the beginning of the year, part of a small community of extremists that police have been monitoring. His behaviour had gradually escalated over time, but police believe he was acting alone. "The potential of the attack was catastrophic," said Patton, adding that the man was an "Islamic State sympathiser". Asked if he had been inspired by last year's Christmas Day plot, Patton said detectives were still investigating how he became radicalised. "We will be exploring where this person of interest got the idea from," he said. "Certainly, he becomes particularly energised when he sees other activities in the terrorist arena occurring." The man worked part-time at a computer repair business, with police raiding the facility. A person who knows the suspect told the Melbourne Herald Sun: "He is a very quiet guy. This is an absolute shock." Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (AFP) Melbourne Tue, November 28, 2017 07:38 1815 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2b077bd 2 World Melbourne,terror-plot,Islamic-State Free An Islamic State sympathiser planned to buy a gun and kill as many revellers as possible on New Year's Eve in Melbourne's popular Federation Square, police alleged Tuesday after foiling the plot. The 20-year-old, born in Australia to Somali parents, was detained in a raid on a house in the Melbourne suburb of Werribee on Monday. He is expected to be charged later Tuesday. Police claim he accessed a guide book online produced by Al-Qaeda on how to commit terror acts and use firearms, but was arrested before he could purchase an automatic rifle. "What we will be alleging is that he was intending to use a firearm to shoot and kill as many people as he could in the Federation Square area on New Year's Eve," said Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton. "It is a tremendous concern to us that (during) the festive season, when people are out enjoying themselves, that there is a potential plot to commit a terrorist act. That is a huge issue for us but that is why we put the resources in." He said the arrest meant the threat "has been removed". Federation Square is in the heart of the city, opposite busy Flinders Street train station and St Paul's Cathedral. It is one of the most popular places to see in the new year and would be packed on December 31. The foiled plot comes a year after police prevented another attack in the same area on Christmas Day, arresting several men who planned to use explosives, knives and guns to target the location. Patton said the man, who lived with his parents, had been on their radar since the beginning of the year, part of a small community of extremists that police have been monitoring. His behaviour had gradually escalated over time, but police believe he was acting alone. "The potential of the attack was catastrophic," said Patton, adding that the man was an "Islamic State sympathiser". Asked if he had been inspired by last year's Christmas Day plot, Patton said how he became radicalised was still being investigated. "We will be exploring where this person of interest got the idea from," he said. "Certainly, he becomes particularly energised when he sees other activities in the terrorist arena occurring." Australian officials have grown increasingly concerned over the threat of extremist attacks, raising the national terror alert level to "probable" in September 2014. Since then, 74 people have been arrested in 347 counter-terror investigations. Authorities say 13 attacks have been prevented in the past few years, including an IS-directed attempt to bring down a plane using poisonous gas or a crude bomb disguised as a meat mincer. Despite this, several attacks have taken place, including a cafe siege in Sydney in 2014 where two hostages were killed. TORONTO and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alectra Energy Services Inc. wanted to provide more timely and detailed water consumption information to their customers than their conventional drive-by/manual read data collection system could deliver. Utilizing LoRaWAN technology, QMC delivered a fixed-network solution with seamless integration from the existing water meters to LoRaWAN gateway provided by network operator, eleven-x. All hourly meter data is provided through QMCs cloud-based MeterConnex Service. This commercialized Internet of Things (IoT) wireless water meter project using LoRa technology is the first of its kind in Canada. QMC has partnered with Alectra Energy Services Inc. (formerly PowerStream Energy Services Inc.) to upgrade their existing stock of commercial and residential water meters to a wireless fixed network. The solution provides savings on operating expenses, improves asset management and customer-related business process such as billing. The project is geographically located in various cities from Vancouver to Toronto. QMC partnered with eleven-X to provide the design expertise and LoRaWAN Network. QMC and eleven-X jointly developed an encoded Meter Interface Unit (MIU) which is able to read Alectra Energy Services existing stock of Sensus water meters. Being able to utilize the existing meter hardware saved considerable cost and time on the project and avoided inconvenient shut-offs and disruptions to the tenants, according to James Easton, President & CEO of QMC. We now provide Alectra Energy Services with hourly interval data for all the water meters at the site. Were very excited to have partnered with QMC on this metering project that has been qualified for a much broader deployment across Canada. Its the first such LoRa-metering implementation in Canada and were pleased eleven-X has led the way with a terrific partner in QMC, said Dan Mathers, President and CEO of eleven-X. We look forward to the future metering buildout by QMC, while providing our expert networking and technical support. For Alectra Energy Services, fixed network wireless meter reading will eliminate expensive drive by/walk by meter reading and will enhance the billing and reporting experience for their customers. QMC provided us with the ideal solution for us to collect our water meter billing data wirelessly, explained Daniel Miller, Director Metering Services for Alectra Energy Services. It has enabled us to operate our business more efficiently in several areas. About Alectra Energy Services Inc. Alectra Energy Services is a subsidiary of Alectra Inc., a municipally-owned energy company with major offices in Hamilton, Mississauga and Vaughan, Ontario. Established in 2013, Alectra Energy Services provides submetering services in condominiums and commercial properties throughout Canada. About QMC QMC is an industry leading systems integrator and provider of integrated metering solutions to utilities, commercial, residential and institutional property managers and developers. Our vision of Sustainability Through Accountability empowers customers and end users to save water, energy and money. QMC has over 50 employees across offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto Ottawa and Montreal, and is a proud member of the LoRa Alliance www.qmeters.com About eleven-X Inc. eleven-X, a Contributing Member of the LoRa Alliance, is a next-generation network operator enabling the Internet of Things [IoT]. Our purpose-built Low Power Wide Area Network [LPWAN] is Canadas first and only coast-to-coast LoRaWAN network providing connectivity for low-cost sensors and devices for a variety of IoT applications. Our carrier-grade network enables customers in the private and public sectors to efficiently and cost-effectively manage assets, create and maintain Smart Cities, and realize environmental sustainability. Visit eleven-x.com for more information. For more information: QMC: James Easton, QMC Submetering Solutions, james@qmeters.com, 1-877-358-5155 Alectra Energy Service: Daniel Miller, daniel.miller@powerstreamenergy.com, 1-855-952-5280 eleven-X: Dan Mathers, dan.mathers@eleven-x.com, 1-266-887-001 Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 28, 2017 18:09 1814 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2b2bee6 1 City Cibubur,assault-case,police Free A member of the National Polices Mobile Brigade (Brimob) was allegedly assaulted and had his firearm stolen by unidentified men in Cibubur, Ciracas district, East Jakarta. The incident occurred on Monday afternoon at Cibubur Junction Mall when the police officer, identified as Brig. Lalu Agus Salim, reportedly met with a person identified as Mulyadi, a friend of a man who accused the alleged victim of being involved in a counterfeit money scam. After meeting at a coffee shop, the alleged victim was reportedly asked to follow Mulyadi to the parking lot in the basement of the mall, where five men allegedly attacked the victim, Ciracas Police chief Comr. Agus Widar said on Tuesday as quoted by tribunnews.com The victim was assaulted right in front of a musholla [prayer room] in the basement, Agus said. The officer was reportedly attacked again when running to his car to retrieve his firearm. One of the perpetrators reportedly grabbed the firearm. A witness said the alleged perpetrator tried to pawn the firearm at a shop, but store workers rejected his offer. East Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Andry Wibowo said all alleged perpetrators had surrendered to the police. (yon) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 28, 2017 14:37 1814 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2b21a29 1 Politics Prabowo-Subianto,Gerindra-Party,Central-Java,2018-regional-election,Anies-Baswedan-Sandiaga-Uno,Jakarta-gubernatorial-election,PDI-P Free The Gerindra Party says its chairman, Prabowo Subianto, is ready to participate personally in campaign activities in Central Javas gubernatorial election next year. Just like in the Jakarta gubernatorial election, Pak Prabowo is ready to join activities in the field, reaching out to voters down to the neighbourhood unit [RT] level. This is the strategy for our candidates to win, said the partys Central Java executive board (DPD) chairman, Abdul Wachid, as quoted by kompas.com on Monday. Pointing to the partys victory in the Jakarta election, Wachid said Gerindra was optimistic it could defeat the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggles (PDI-P) candidate pair in the province. Wachid said elements of Gerindras winning strategy in Jakarta, which saw Anies Baswedan and Sandiaga Uno elected as governor and deputy governor, respectively, would be replicated in Central Java. Those strategies yielded extraordinary success in the Jakarta election. We won it with the efficient use of resources. Those strategies were attractive for the voters -- strategies to win peoples hearts. Wachid said Prabowo was looking for candidates untainted by graft for the 2018 election in Central Java. Pak Prabowos message to all candidates is: Stay away from corruption, and please fight for the people, Wachid said. (ebf) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 28, 2017 18:28 1814 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2b2d84d 2 Business semi-processed-rattan,raw-materials,production,Regulations,exports Free Producers of semi-processed rattan continue to suspend production as they await for the issuance of a new regulation on rattan exports. Many of them halted operations as rattan farmers were reluctant to harvest the tropical palms with the absence of the new regulation, Indonesian Rattan Producers Association (APRI) deputy chairman Julius Hoesan said on Tuesday. The drop in rattan supply has also jacked up the price of the raw material, he added. [Relevant] ministers have agreed to allow rattan exports, but the regulation has yet to be announced, he said as quoted by kontan.co.id. Read also: New rattan regulation benefits exporters, furniture makers: Trade minister Since 2011, the government has banned rattan exports to help spur the domestic processing industry, particularly furniture. Julius further explained that the industry could absorb only 30 percent of the rattan supplied by local farmers, and therefore, business players sought to ship semi-processed rattan overseas. He added that the government could offer temporary permits as it provides training for producers to make use of various types of rattan. (lnd) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Anton Hermansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Tue, November 28, 2017 06:46 1815 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2b06b4b 1 National retailer,association,maritime-highway Free Retailers have pushed for access to maritime highway facilities to send their goods from western to eastern regions within the country. The maritime highway program focused on transporting basic needs such as sugar, rice, cooking oil, meat and construction material, said Indonesian Retailers Association (Aprindo) chairman Roy Nicholas Mandey in Jakarta on Monday. He said the association would discuss the request with the government. "We had no idea how to use the maritime highway," he said at the State Logistics Agency (Bulog). Under the program, one of President Joko Jokowi Widodos priority programs, the government prepares cargo ships to travel east from the western part of the country. The ships stop at a number of ports to drop off goods and load different goods to be transported to other ports. According to the Transportation Ministry, there are 13 routes operating under the program. Roy said that if retailers accessed the maritime highway's facilities, logistic costs to eastern Indonesia could be reduced by 15 to 20 percent. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Suherdjoko (The Jakarta Post) Semarang, Central Java Tue, November 28, 2017 19:21 1814 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2b307c4 1 National Klaten,Klaten-regent,bribery,bribery-case,KPK Free Sri Mulyani has been inaugurated Klaten regent, replacing her predecessor, Sri Hartini, who was been sentenced to 11 years in prison for bribery. The Semarang Corruption Court handed down in September a verdict in Haritinis case. Hartini was found guilty of accepting Rp 2 billion (US$ 148,104.40) in bribes while serving as Klaten regent in December 2016. While inaugurating the new regent in Semarang on Monday, Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo asked Mulyani not to follow the misdeeds of the previous regent, who was found guilty in a case to the related to the rotation of officials in the regency administrations working units. Lets support bureaucratic reform. This is how we build integrity and improve management. Bu Mulyani must lay a strong foundation for good governance, said Ganjar. He also asked Mulyani to involve the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in efforts to prevent corruption. Responding to the governor, Mulyani vowed to better manage the administration. Mulyani said she would let the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and the NasDem Party, the two parties that support her, to appoint her deputy. (hol/ebf) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Carole Landry (AFP) United Nations, United States Tue, November 28, 2017 08:59 1815 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2b0bc80 2 World Syria,SyrianPresidentBasharAssad,UN,United-Nations,peace-talks,Geneva Free Syrian peace talks set to open in Geneva this week hit a roadblock when President Bashar al-Assad's government refused to confirm it was attending and instead told the United Nations that no delegation would be arriving on Monday. The eighth round of UN-led talks, scheduled to begin on Tuesday, was seen as an opportunity to achieve progress toward ending the devastating six-year war after the opposition sent a united delegation to Geneva. UN envoy Staffan de Mistura, however, told the Security Council that during weekend talks with his deputy, "the government did not yet confirm its participation in Geneva but indicated that we would be hearing from them soon." "Last night, we received a message that the government would not travel to Geneva today," De Mistura said via videoconference from the Swiss city. Assad said last week, after a meeting in Russia with President Vladimir Putin, that he was ready for talks. "Naturally we know, and indeed expect, that the government will be on its way shortly," De Mistura said, "particularly in light of President Assad's commitment to President Putin when they met in Sochi." Amid the uncertainty over the Geneva talks, Russia has proposed holding a "congress" to bring together the government and opposition in Sochi, the Russian resort city on the Black Sea. But so far it has set no date for that gathering. Moscow is seeking UN support for the Sochi meeting, but De Mistura told the council that it was "premature" for him to declare his backing for the initiative. - US, France back Geneva talks - Western powers are concerned that Russia, which has sought a leading role in the peace process, will carve out a settlement that will largely favor its ally, Assad. US President Donald Trump said following a phone conversation with French leader Emmanuel Macron that the two agreed the Geneva talks were the "only legitimate forum for achieving a political solution in Syria." Turning to Syria's second key ally, Iran, Trump and Macron "also stressed the need to confront and reverse Iran's destabilizing activities in Syria," a White House statement said, without elaborating. The rocky start to the talks came as the Syrian army pounded Eastern Ghouta, outside Damascus, killing 18 people, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The regime's bombardment of Eastern Ghouta, one of the last remaining opposition strongholds, has killed more than 100 people in the past two weeks, according to the Observatory. After meeting in Riyadh last week, Syria's disparate opposition groups agreed to send a united delegation to Geneva, a move that was seen as a boost to prospects for a breakthrough. Despite the united front, Assad's delegation would, if it decides to attend, come to the negotiating table with the upper hand, since government forces have made gains in offensives backed by Russian military might. Around two-thirds of Syrians now live in regime-held areas that make up 55 percent of the country. - Potential for real talks - Following a closed-door session, Italian Ambassador Sebastiano Cardi, who holds the council presidency, told reporters that there was strong backing for the UN-led negotiations. "There is no military solution," said Cardi. "The meeting will start tomorrow so we really hope that all parties, including the Syrian government, will be present." The Geneva talks are to focus on holding UN-supervised elections and drafting a new constitution. Opposition demands for Assad to step down appear to have dropped off the agenda. "We will not accept any preconditions from either party," said De Mistura. "This crisis -- one of the worst in the history of the UN -- now has the potential, the real potential to move toward a genuine political process," he said. De Mistura will be meeting with the ambassadors from the council's five permanent members -- Britain, France, China, Russia and the United States -- in Geneva on Tuesday to discuss the upcoming talks. More than 340,000 people have died in the six-year war, half of the population has been displaced and the country lies in ruin after years of bombing campaigns and fierce ground assaults. Syria's reconstruction is expected to cost $250 billion, said the UN envoy. (**) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (AFP) Washington Tue, November 28, 2017 06:36 1815 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2b0603a 2 World Washington-Post-Express,media,allegation Free The Washington Post said Monday it was the target of an apparent "sting" operation that sought to plant a false story to discredit the newspaper's investigation of sexual misconduct allegations against Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore. The Post reported that a woman shared a dramatic story -- which could not be substantiated -- that Moore impregnated her when she was a teenager in 1992 and that she later had an abortion. But it said the woman, who was interviewed several times over two weeks, was seen entering the New York offices of Project Veritas, an organization which targets mainstream media organizations. Moore's alleged misconduct came to light after an investigation by the Washington Post, which recounted stories of women who claimed Moore molested or harassed girls as young as 14. Moore has denied the allegations and has rejected pressure from fellow Republicans to drop out of the special election to be held in December. On Monday, the Post said it did not publish an article based on the woman's allegations, noting inconsistencies in her story and an online post which cast doubts on her motivations. The newspaper did publish a nine-minute interview with the woman, identified as Jaime Philips, with a Post reporter. The Post said she denied working with any organization but that reporters witnessed her entering Project Veritas, which uses secret recordings intended to expose media bias. Project Veritas did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment. The Moore allegations have touched off a political firestorm, with his backers claiming he has been the target of political opponents even as his poll numbers fall. The Post said it decided to release the woman's comments despite an earlier agreement to be "off the record." "We always honor 'off-the-record' agreements when they're entered into in good faith," executive editor Martin Baron was quoted as saying. "But this so-called off-the-record conversation was the essence of a scheme to deceive and embarrass us. The intent by Project Veritas clearly was to publicize the conversation if we fell for the trap. Because of our customary journalistic rigor, we weren't fooled, and we can't honor an 'off-the-record' agreement that was solicited in maliciously bad faith." Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Pesona Indonesia) Jakarta Tue, November 28, 2017 10:32 1815 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2b11dad 2 News Tourism-Ministry-Pesona-Indonesia,tourism-ministry-wonderful-Indonesia,Banten,Indonesian-culinary Free The performance of Wayang Ajen marked the end of 30 Archipelago Culinary Icons Exhibition that was held at West Plaza of Serang City on Nov. 25. Wayang Ajen performed at 08:00 p.m. and attended by thousands of visitors. Prior to that, there was a learning session for children about wayang, where they were taught about the philosophy and even how to play it. By doing this, children are hoped to love the wayang tradition. For one full day, the Plaza was flocked with people who came to explore and try on traditional dishes such as Satai Maranggi, Satai Ayam Madura, Rendang Padang, Nasi Tumpeng, Es Bir Pletok and Kunyit Asam Solo. Two famous chefs, Sisca Soewitomo and Marco Lim also attended the event. According to Tourism Ministry's culinary and shopping tourism acceleration team head Vita Datau, the event aimed to promote According to the data, culinary tourism is the biggest GDP contributor to the creative economy industry. This means that 30 percent of the tourists spending is for food, said Vita. She also added that a dish can be developed and promoted widely if it has these three elements: Taste, look and easy to make. (asw) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Pesona Indonesia) Jakarta Tue, November 28, 2017 17:35 1814 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2b289e8 2 News Tourism-Ministry-Pesona-Indonesia,tourism-ministry-wonderful-Indonesia,East-Nusa-Tenggara Free East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) is going to hold Tour di Timor (TdT) 2017 on Dec. 9 12. The first TdT event will have a total route of 386 kilometers, divided into four laps. The Betun Public Field will be made into the starting point for the cyclists and they will discover plenty of tourist attractions throughout their journey from Malaka to Kupang, said NTT tourism department head Dr. Marius A. Jelamu. From the starting point, we will take participants to Motadikin Beach, he added. In Motadikin participants can enjoy the 10-kilometer coastline and see the life of fishermen. The first lap will be 70.8 kilometers long before reaching Atambua. These participants will stay overnight in Atambua, told Marius. The second lap of the event will tackle the 28.3 kilometers-route from Atambua to Kefamenanu North Central Timor (TTU). Cyclists will make a few stops at several tourist attractions like Motaain border, Gapura Adipura, Taman Makam Seroja, Kolam Susuk, Tanjung Bastian and Atapupu Wini Beach. After finishing the second lap, they will stay overnight in TTU before entering the third lap on the next day. The third lap will be 86.2 kilometers long with the finish line is at Soe South Central Timor (TTS). The fourth lap will be the longest lap with 110 kilometers, here participants will travel past Soe and the finish line will be in Kupang. Before arriving in Kupang, they will get to see tourist attractions such as Madu Polen, Camplong Swimming Pool, Mount Fatulue and the office of Kupang Regent. In every stop, they have to take pictures and post it on social media such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other platforms. The best photo will win an exciting prize, said Marius. So far there are already 600 people who have signed up for the event, 241 of them are from Timor Leste. Our target is 600 cyclists from Timor Leste, said Marius. (asw) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Pesona Indonesia) Jakarta Tue, November 28, 2017 12:35 1815 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2b1b1f0 2 News Tourism-Ministry-Pesona-Indonesia,tourism-ministry-wonderful-Indonesia,Bali-tourism,Mount-Agung,#MtAgungVolcano Free Indonesian Tourism Industry Association (GIPI) Bali is offering free accommodation for stranded tourists at the Ngurah Rai International Airport Bali that has been closed since Nov. 27 due to volcanic ash from Mount Agung. Not a single tourist should stay overnight at the airport, GIPI Bali together with Badung regional administration is providing free accommodation for tonight and tomorrow, if the airport remains closed, said GIPI Bali head, Gus Agung. Weve set aside two billion rupiahs for two nights, one room is allocated for two guests, Gus added. The accommodation also includes breakfast. In the era of social media, Gus Agung mentioned, unsatisfied tourists are free to express their frustrations. "But if they are served well with respect, they will also post their happiness amid the panicky situation," he added. Tourism minister Arief Yahya praised GIPI Bali for its initiative, "What is being done by the Badung regency and GIPI Bali is very good. This is what we call a long-term investment," he said. The two billion rupiahs is relatively small compared to Badungs average Locally-generated Income (PAD) in a year that is at seven trillion rupiahs. (asw) New York, Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AlphaPoint, a leading provider of blockchain technology, announced plans today at the Consensus: Invest conference for the AlphaPoint Public Network (APN), the worlds first public blockchain engineered from the ground up on Intel SGX technology. Users will be able to securely digitize real-world assets across both public and private blockchains, and monetize them across new markets. To fund development of the network, AlphaPoint announced plans for a pre-functional token sale to accredited investors, expected to launch in early 2018. Tokenization is the process of transforming any asset into fractional shares on a blockchain, providing breakthroughs in fungibility, time-to-liquidity, participant discovery, and ease of transfer. AlphaPoint foresees explosive growth in bringing historically-illiquid assets to market through the token model - including real estate, exclusive goods, debt, and commodities. With global financial assets amounting to over $225 trillion1 and the world becoming wealthier at an average rate of 5%2 per year, investors are searching for alternative diversification opportunities, evidenced by the record $954 billion3 parked in traditional private buyout funds to date. Shared blockchain infrastructure can create vibrant secondary markets for many of these assets, providing diversification opportunities to investors and alleviating the 20-30%4 illiquidity discount incurred by asset holders. The AlphaPoint Public Network (APN) has been architected as the most confidential, high-performance public blockchain for users to tokenize real-world assets and to develop and run decentralized applications. Unique differentiators include: Hardware-enforced confidentiality of asset data and smart contracts (via Intel SGX technology and AlphaPoint TrustedVM) Every asset tokenized on APN may be migrated across supported public and private blockchains (via AlphaPoints Chainbridge interoperability tool) Simplified blockchain development, utilizing mature programming languages such as JavaScript and TypeScript The primary mission of AlphaPoint is to enable our customers to digitize real-world assets and launch new markets. The proceeds from the planned sale to accredited investors will allow AlphaPoint to build a new public blockchain network that delivers on this mission at a new scale, said Salil Donde, CEO of AlphaPoint. An initial sale to accredited investors is expected to commence early in 2018. Participants in the sale will receive IOUs for future utility tokens to power services on the future open network. Proceeds from the sale will be used to build and operate the AlphaPoint Public Network. Please visit apn.alphapoint.com and sign up to receive updates. -Ends- About AlphaPoint AlphaPoint is a financial technology company helping make illiquid assets liquid. It provides institutions enterprise-grade blockchain technology enabling customers to digitize assets, launch markets, and manage assets. AlphaPoint is led by a seasoned team with over 400 years in capital markets and FinTech, with offices in New York City, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. For more information, please visit www.alphapoint.com. 1 Mckinsey & Co.s Global Institute Analysis: Financial Globalization 2 Credit Suisse: 2017 Global Wealth Report 3 Wall Street Journals: Small IPOs are Dying and Thats Good 4 Professor Damodarans (NYU Stern) The Cost of Illiquidity presentation: 20-30% is the rule of thumb for illiquidity discount Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Pesona Indonesia) Jakarta Tue, November 28, 2017 14:35 1814 1f87594453bb792833e1ece3a2b20366 2 News Tourism-Ministry-Pesona-Indonesia,tourism-ministry-wonderful-Indonesia,Sulawesi Free The Sulawesi Regional Tourism Coordination Meeting (Rakor) was held in Gorontalo and attended by six provinces, on Nov. 26. The Sulawesi Regional Tourism Coordination Meeting has pledged the support for [Tourism Ministrys] target of achieving 20 million international tourists. We are also supporting the target of 270 million local tourists traveling in Indonesia in 2019, said Central Sulawesi Governor Longki Janggola. The growth of tourism in Sulawesi is still hampered by the lack of access between regions hence we are focusing on this issue, Longki added. The Trans-Sulawesi railroad is going to be built as well as ports, facilities and transportation system that will connect different tourist attractions in Sulawesi. In the future, these six provinces will be connected with each other. It also includes a sub-regional partnership that covers Tomini Bay in the northern side and Bone Bay in the southern side along with speeding up the Sulawesi Cruise Line project, Longki said. Another point made during the meeting was about unifying the visions and missions of both provincial and regional/city administrations and to create a tourism brand identity for Sulawesi. 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Various advancements in the manufacturing of tractors such as incorporation of telemetry and GPS devices for tracking the location of tractors is another key trend being followed in the global agricultural and farm machinery market. Review Table Of Content at https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/tentative-table-of-content/191 Increase in demand for harvesting machinery and farm tractors is projected to fuel the overall market to grow since the aforementioned machinery are used for several purposes such as plowing, harrowing, planting and tilling. Rising awareness towards the use of high-end technology in agriculture to maximize the output is helping in increasing profit margins for farmers. Moreover, increasing population across the globe is, in turn, increasing the consumption of food which is posing heightened pressure to increase the food production. Since agriculture and farm machinery boosts the efficacy of food production. Increasing depreciation in agricultural land and modernization are some other factors accelerating the growth of global agriculture and farm machinery market. In addition, the incorporation of self-driven mechanisms, GPS systems, and monitoring systems aids in allowing the efficient and precise use of material and enhance the fuel economy. View Detail Study at https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/agricultural-and-farm-machinery-market Various multinational players are showing interests in investing huge funds especially in the emerging economies to expand their facilities worldwide. The governments of developing countries like India, China, Indonesia, Germany and Brazil are focusing on escalating the introduction of subsidies on farm machinery to promote mechanization in farming and agriculture. Furthermore, other companies are manufacturing low power tractors at affordable prices for small-scale consumers. In 2013, a tractor multinational company, John Deere launched the 5E and 4M tractors series to facilitate the needs of the small-scale farmers. Request Customization at https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/request-customization/191 Some major factors driving the growth of global agriculture and farm machinery market include innovations in technology, growing demand for advanced agricultural and farm machinery, mechanization in farming techniques, etc. Rise in per capita disposable income is another major element projected to propel the growth of global agriculture and farm machinery market. The global agriculture and farm machinery market is anticipated to witness highest growth in the Asia-Pacific region due to increasing investments by governments of various economies in the region followed by North America. Europe is anticipated to register the third highest growth due to rising advancements in new technologies in the agriculture and farm machinery products. Middle East & Africa and Latin America are also anticipated to witness significant growth in the global agriculture and farm machinery market over the forecast period. Make an inquiry for purchasing this report at https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/inquiry-before-buying/191 The global agriculture and farm machinery market can be segmented by product type and region. By product type, the global market is segmented into harvesting machinery, farm tractors, planting and fertilizing machinery, parts and attachments, plowing and cultivation machinery, haying machinery and other agricultural machinery. On the basis of region, the global agriculture and farm machinery market can be segmented into North America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East & Africa and Asia-Pacific. Some of the major players in the global agriculture and farm machinery market are Mahindra & Mahindra Limited, Deere and Company, CNH Global NV, AGCO Corporation, Iseki & Co., Ltd., CLAAS KGaA mbH, Alamo Group, Inc., J.C. Bamford Excavators Limited (JCB), Same Deutz-Fahr, and Yamabiko Corporation among others. Buy this premium research report at https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/buy-now/0/191 About Us Acumen Research and Consulting (ARC) is a global provider of market intelligence and consulting services to information technology, investment, telecommunication, manufacturing, and consumer technology markets. ARC helps investment communities, IT professionals, and business executives to make fact based decisions on technology purchases and develop firm growth strategies to sustain market competition. With the team size of 100+ Analysts and collective industry experience of more than 200 years, Acumen Research and Consulting assures to deliver a combination of industry knowledge along with global and country level expertise. Best, Frank Wilson Sales Manager | Acumen Research and Consulting Email: frank@acumenresearchandconsulting.com Ph - USA +1 716-2400-831 Asia-Pacific +912065600384 Web: https://www.acumenresearchandconsulting.com/ CALGARY, Alberta, Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- West High Yield (W.H.Y.) Resources Ltd. ("West High Yield" or the "Company") (TSXV:WHY) announces that it is proposing to complete a non-brokered private placement of up to $850,000 of units ("Units"). Each Unit shall be issued at a price of $0.35 and shall consist of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Common Share") and one-third of one common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each whole Warrant shall entitle the holder to purchase one additional Common Share at an exercise price of $0.55 for a period of one year from the date of issuance of the Warrant. The proposed private placement is subject to receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. The net proceeds of the private placement will be used for the continuation of the environmental base line study, environmental assessment study and mine plan and permit application and Industrial Quarry Permit application for its Record Ridge deposit near Rossland, British Columbia and general corporate purposes. The Industrial Quarry Permit sought under the Mines Act (British Columbia) will allow for the extraction and sale of up to 249,999 tonnes per annum of industrial rock. The Company is also in the process of developing potential customers with processing facilities and the ability to process the industrial rock. It is anticipated that industrial rock sales will provide cash flows from operations while continued mine plan and permit application efforts are being made. The Company also announces the release of its financial results and Management Discussion and Analysis for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 which have been filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. About West High Yield West High Yield is a publicly traded junior mining exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral resource properties in Canada with a primary objective to locate and develop economic gold, nickel and magnesium properties. For further information please contact: Frank Marasco President and Chief Executive Officer West High Yield (W.H.Y.) Resources Ltd. Telephone: (403) 660-3488 Facsimile: (403) 206-7159 Email: frank@whyresources.com Dwayne Vinck Chief Financial Officer West High Yield (W.H.Y.) Resources Ltd. Telephone: (403) 257-2637 Facsimile: (403) 206-7159 Email: vinck@shaw.ca Reader Advisory This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "objective", "ongoing", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe", "plans", "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information or statements. More particularly and without limitation, this press release contains forward looking statements and information concerning the terms of the proposed non-brokered private placement of Units, the proposed use of proceeds and the anticipated sales of industrial rock. The forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Company. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward looking statements and information because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information. Some of the risks and other factors that could cause the results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information include, but are not limited to: general economic conditions in Canada and globally; industry conditions, including governmental regulation; failure to obtain industry partner and other third party consents and approvals, if and when required; the availability of capital on acceptable terms; the need to obtain required approvals from regulatory authorities; stock market volatility; competition for, among other things, skilled personnel and supplies; changes in tax laws; and the other factors. Readers are cautioned that this list of risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is given as of the date hereof, and to not use such forward-looking information for anything other than its intended purpose. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Tegucigalpa, HONDURAS, Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Corporacion Dinant today announced that it has repaid fully the US$15 million loan it received from the IFC division of the World Bank in 2009, positioning the company to continue its growth throughout Central America, the Caribbean and beyond. Furthermore, the IFC has confirmed that Dinant has successfully completed all requirements listed in the IFCs Enhanced Action Plan, which accompanied the US$15 million loan, and the company is fully compliant with the World Banks Performance Standard 4 on community health, safety and security. In addition, Dinant is implementing the Voluntary Principles for Security and Human Rights (the first company in Honduras to do so) and has removed all firearms from the security guards at its plantations, extraction mills and manufacturing plants. Company Spokesman, Roger Pineda, commented, The IFC's loan to Dinant was granted to help us increase production capacity, upgrade our distribution network, enhance the surrounding natural environment, and expand economic opportunities for local communities, particularly in rural areas like the Aguan. Of course, we must continue to improve but, by all these measures and more, the IFCs loan to Dinant has been a tremendous success. Dinant is now widely recognized as an international benchmark in how to operate a successful business transparently and honestly in one of the most challenging regions in the world. Dinant has gained enormously from the expertise of the IFC, enabling the company to pass real benefits directly to neighboring communities throughout Honduras. Dinant employs 7,200 people, sources from hundreds of independent farmers, generates many millions of dollars in exports for Honduras, and contributes significantly to all economies in which it operates. Mr. Pineda continued, Crucially, Dinant is enhancing the lives of many people in regions of high levels of poverty and insecurity by creating thousands of sustainable jobs with company pensions and compensation levels above the national minimum wage, and by significantly improving the skills, education and health of local people. However, the repayment of the IFC loan is by no means the end of our investment in community engagement, the natural environment and modernized security; we shall continue to work hard to improve our operations further and maintain our position as a leader in these fields. About Corporacion Dinant Dinant is a family-owned consumer products manufacturer founded in Honduras in 1960. Its products are sold across Central America and the Dominican Republic, and exported to global markets. Dinant is fully implementing the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, an internationally accepted benchmark that strictly governs how it vets, recruits and trains its security men and women. The company removed all firearms from the security guards at its plantations, extraction mills and manufacturing plants in 2014. Dinant rigorously benchmarks its African Palm oil business against stringent international standards on economic, environmental and social impact. This material is distributed by Tricuro LLC on behalf of Corporacion Dinant. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, DC. Attachments: A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2a54b222-8232-42cc-b182-764d423a906a Attachments: A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1b7950a7-33b4-411b-a11f-1c7992d66221 CHICAGO, Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Narrative Science, the leader in advanced natural language generation (Advanced NLG) for enterprises, announced today that it has achieved Amazon Web Services (AWS) Machine Learning (ML) Competency status. This designation recognizes Narrative Sciences ability to deliver innovative and secure artificial intelligence solutions to enterprises that use AWS cloud computing services. Achieving the AWS ML Competency differentiates Narrative Science as an AWS Partner Network (APN) member that has built solutions that help organizations solve their data challenges and that offers SaaS/API based capabilities that enhance end applications with artificial intelligence. Attaining the AWS ML Competency demonstrates to its customers that Narrative Science has validated ML expertise on AWS. AWS is enabling scalable, flexible, and cost-effective solutions from startups to global enterprises. To support the seamless integration and deployment of these solutions, AWS established the AWS Partner Competency Program to help customers identify Consulting and Technology APN Partners with deep industry experience and expertise. Narrative Sciences relationship with AWS goes back to 2010, when Narrative Science chose to run its Advanced NLG platform, Quill, on AWS. Quill, which automatically transforms data into human-sounding narratives, relies on AWS and AWS Lambda to achieve scalability, reliability and run-time efficiency for its enterprise applications. Narrative Science is an industry leader in Advanced NLG technology and has been a trusted APN Partner for many years, said Joseph Spisak, Global Lead for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Partnerships, Amazon Web Services, Inc. We see many benefits for our customers that deploy Advanced NLG applications running on AWS and with Narrative Science in the AWS Competency Program, customers will be able to glean more insight into their data with greater scalability and agility. Narrative Science is honored to be one of the first companies to achieve AWS ML Competency status, said Stuart Frankel, CEO of Narrative Science. This is a key milestone in our relationship with AWS and was achieved through an in-depth technical evaluation of our platform and compliance with AWSs rigorous processes. Our team is dedicated to helping customers achieve their business goals by leveraging the agility of AWS. AWS is enabling scalable, flexible, and cost-effective solutions from startups to global enterprises. To support the seamless integration and deployment of these solutions, AWS established the AWS Partner Competency Program to help customers identify Consulting and Technology APN Partners with deep industry experience and expertise. To learn more about how your organization could benefit from Advanced NLG, visit: https://www.narrativescience.com/solutions. About Narrative Science Narrative Science is the leader in advanced natural language generation (Advanced NLG) for the enterprise. Quill, its Advanced NLG platform, learns and writes like a person, automatically transforming data into Intelligent Narrativesinsightful, conversational communications full of audience-relevant information that provide complete transparency into how analytic decisions are made. Customers, including Credit Suisse, Deloitte, MasterCard, USAA and members of the U.S. intelligence community, use Intelligent Narratives to make better business decisions, focus talent on higher-value opportunities and improve communications with their customers. Connect with Narrative Science Read our blog: http://www.narrativescience.com/blog/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/narrativesci Visit us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NarrativeScience Contact Information: Andrea Watts Marketing Associate +1-312-219-8111 awatts@narrativescience.com REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Paxata, a pioneer and leader in empowering all analysts to intelligently transform raw data into ready information instantaneously, announced today that it has achieved Amazon Web Services (AWS) Machine Learning (ML) Competency status, in connection with its Adaptive Information Platform for AWS. Paxata is one of the first AWS Partner Network (APN) Partners to achieve the newly launched AWS ML Competency. Paxatas solution helps organizations solve their data challenges and enable ML and data science workflows that enhance applications with machine intelligence. Paxata achieved the AWS ML Competency by passing a rigorous security audit and demonstrating technical proficiency, proven customer success, and validated ML expertise on AWS. The success highlights the value of Paxatas native scale-out, elastic architecture, which enables customers to truly leverage the cost-effective power of AWS services, like Amazon EMR, Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3), and Amazon Redshift. Paxatas data preparation solution helps data scientists and ML practitioners rapidly prepare and annotate their enterprise data for training of predictive models, which extends the value of Paxata and AWS across the enterprise for analytic workloads. Since our founding, Paxata has been helping analysts accelerate analytics and cloud data lake initiatives through interactive data preparation capabilities on a cloud-native architecture by helping to remove the primary bottleneck for any data project, said Chris Maddox, Co-Founder and VP Global Head of Business Development at Paxata. We are honored to be recognized as an Advanced Technology Partner in the AWS Partner Network (APN) and to have achieved the AWS ML Competency to help data scientists and ML practitioners innovate much faster with our scalable and flexible Adaptive Information Platform on AWS. Clean and annotated training data is the foundation of modern machine learning, said Joseph Spisak, Global Lead for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Partnerships, Amazon Web Services, Inc. It fuels state of the art algorithms in computer vision and natural language understanding; however, acquiring it takes time and resources. We are very excited to have Paxata join the AWS Machine Learning Competency Program to help our customers spend less time preparing their data and more time creating intelligence. AWS is enabling scalable, flexible, and cost-effective solutions from startups to global enterprises. To support the seamless integration and deployment of these solutions, AWS established the AWS Competency Program to help customers identify Consulting and Technology Partners in the APN with deep industry experience and expertise. Resources About Paxata Paxata is a pioneer in empowering business consumers to intelligently transform raw data into ready information, instantly with an enterprise-grade, self-service, scalable, intelligent platform. Our Adaptive Information Platform weaves data into an information fabric from any source, any cloud, or any enterprise to create trusted information. With Paxata, business consumers use clicks, not code to achieve results in minutes, not months. Companies around the globe rely on Paxata to get smart about information at the speed of thought. Be an Information Inspired Business. Paxata is headquartered in Redwood City, California with offices in New York, Ohio, Washington DC, and Singapore. Visit paxata.com or engage with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, or YouTube. Paxata Media Contacts: McCoin & Smith Communications Inc. chris@mccoinsmith.com rick@mccoinsmith.com 508-429-5988 978-433-3304 LAS VEGAS, Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NGINX, Inc., the engine delivering sites and applications for the modern web, today announced it has achieved AWS Networking Competency status. The company has also achieved Advanced Partner Status in the AWS Partner Network (APN). The Networking Competency status is awarded to APN Advanced Partners with proven technical capabilities and demonstrated customer success on AWS in aiding companies in adopting, developing and deploying networks in AWS. The Networking Competency demonstrates that NGINXs solution, NGINX Plus, a high performance load balancer, content cache, and web server, has been through thorough architectural and security reviews to conform to AWS best practices. Additionally, NGINX Plus can scale across multiple IPs and AWS Availability Zones, ensuring the health and availability of sites and applications worldwide. Customers can leverage AWS services such as AWS Cloudwatch, AWS Route 53 and AWS Auto Scaling, with NGINX Plus, ensuring a highly scalable and manageable solution that can be integrated into their cloud infrastructure. As a leading provider of tools that help companies adopt modern computing architectures, NGINX Plus is a natural solution for AWS users, said Paul Oh, Head of Business Development for NGINX. Were proud to achieve AWS Networking Competency status, building on our proven track record of accelerating many of the worlds largest sites and applications along with our award-winning software and support. NGINX recently announced the NGINX Application Platform as part of its commitment to helping customers implement faster and more robust application delivery strategies. Comprised of NGINX Plus for load balancing and application delivery, the NGINX WAF for security, and NGINX Unit to run the application code, all monitored and managed by the NGINX Controller. The NGINX Application Platform enables a more agile and rapid approach that embraces cloud development. To learn more about NGINX Plus for AWS, please visit www.nginx.com/partners/amazon-web-services. You can also visit NGINX at AWS re:Invent 2017 in Las Vegas in The Venetian, Booth #1800. To learn more about NGINX, please visit www.nginx.com, and join the conversation by following @nginx on Twitter. About NGINX, Inc. NGINX is the heart of the modern web -- helping the world's most innovative companies deliver their sites and applications with performance, reliability, security, and scale. The company offers an award-winning, comprehensive application delivery platform in use on more than 300 million sites worldwide. Companies around the world rely on NGINX to ensure flawless digital experiences through features such as advanced load balancing, web and mobile acceleration, security controls, application monitoring, and management. More than half of the Internet's busiest websites rely on NGINX, including Airbnb, Box, Instagram, Netflix, Pinterest, SoundCloud, and Zappos. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, with its EMEA headquarters in Cork, Ireland and APAC headquarters in Singapore. Learn more at https://www.nginx.com/ Contact: Press@NGINX.com Honolulu, Hawaii, Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Head lice infamously cause stress, disgust and embarrassment for millions of parents whose kids get infested each year. Hawaiis decision to end its no nit lice policy and allow students with head lice to remain in school while being treated is causing more families to seek a fast, safe, effective solution. Hawaii may be paradise but it has one problem common to most U.S. stateshead lice. Called ukus in Hawaiian, lice infestations are on the rise due to the decline in effectiveness of over-the-counter lice products. A 2016 study published in the Journal of Medical Entomology found that 98 percent of head lice in 48 states (including Hawaii) are now resistant to the active ingredients in drugstore lice products. Lice Clinics of America - Hawaii, (http://www.liceclinicshawaii.com) has been providing Maui residents with screening, diagnosis and treatment options for ukus for more than a year. All clinics are staffed by certified operators of the AirAlle device, an FDA-cleared medical device clinically proven to kill live lice and more than 99 percent of eggs (nits) using controlled heated air in about an hour. Clinic owner Barrie Desmond learned about the challenge of dealing ukus the way most parents do, when her daughter came home from summer camp with head lice. When my daughter came home with lice at summer camp, it was a nightmare, Barrie said. I knew there had to be a better way - and that is when I discovered Lice Clinics of America. We have been in business on Maui for one year - and are so excited to open our second location on Oahu. There has been a lot of media attention due to the state Department of Education changing its policy to allow children with lice to stay in school, Barrie said. Many parents are unhappy with the decision. But now they have a fast, safe, guaranteed solution available on Maui and Oahu. The Oahu clinic is located 250 Ward Avenue Suite 209 in Honolulu, and is open seven days per week by appointment. AirAlle treatments take about an hour, and come with a 30-day guarantee when all family members are treated or screened for head lice. With more than 300 clinics in 34 countries, Lice Clinics of America (www.LiceClinicsOfAmerica.com) is the largest network of professional head-lice-treatment centers in the world. Lice Clinics of America and AirAlle (www.airalle.com) are brands owned by Larada Sciences, Inc., which is headquartered in Murray, Utah. Attachments: A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/df50d55e-ca80-46c7-b538-8418cab8fb67 "I stand up and announce that his best mate's got to sit down and shut up or bugger off. Syosset, New York, Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Head lice infamously cause stress, disgust and embarrassment for millions of parents whose kids get infested each year. Parents in the Syosset area of Long Island no longer have to worry about treating the bugs themselves thanks to the opening of a new clinic, Lice Clinics of America. Lice Clinics of America Long Island (http://www.liceclinicslongisland.com) provides screening, diagnosis and treatment options for people infested with head lice. The clinic is staffed by certified operators of the AirAlle device, an FDA-cleared medical device that kills head lice and lice eggs using just heated air. Treatment using the AirAlle takes about an hour and has proven more than 99 percent effective in more than 300,000 treatments. The Syosset clinic is the second to open on Long Island, joining a clinic that opened in Lynbrook earlier this summer. Manager Jesse Curatolo is excited about the opportunity to help parents and children through a stressful time. I joined the Lice Clinics of America Long Island team because I see it as an opportunity to provide a service that families urgently need when they have lice, Jesse said. It feels great to be able to offer an immediate, affordable and guaranteed effective solution to people who are desperate for help. Lice Clinics of America Long Island is located at 47 Jackson Avenue in Syosset. The clinic is open seven days per week by appointment. The AirAlle and comes with a 30-day guarantee when all family members are treated or screened for head lice. The new clinic is one of more than 250 U.S. clinics in the Lice Clinics of America network. With clinics in more than 33 countries, Lice Clinics of America (www.LiceClinicsOfAmerica.com) is the largest network of professional head-lice-treatment centers in the world. Lice Clinics of America and AirAlle (www.airalle.com) are brands owned by Larada Sciences, Inc. Attachments: A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/93f2261d-dad6-4d40-bd17-ec9b0e98fe59 The British niche motorcycle maker Triumph, which has forged global partnership with Bajaj Auto to co-develop bikes, now said it is looking to sell around 1,300 units of its brand of motorcycles this year. The Pune-based auto maker Bajaj and Triumph Motorcycles had in August this year announced a non-equity global partnership for design, development and distribution of mid-range motorcycles, and the first co-developed bike is expected to be rolled out in 2021. Triumph Motorcycle is targeting to sell 1,300 units of its bikes during the current year in India with 10-15 percent growth, Managing Director Vimal Sumbly told PTI on the eve of the India Bike Week-2017. Triumph launched its brand of motorcycles in India in 2013, but started selling them only from 2014. The company has sold some 4,500 bikes in the Indian markets since its launch, Sumbly said. Triumphs portfolio includes high-powered bikes, such as the Rocket III, Daytona 200, SuperSports Daytona 675R, Tiger 800 and the iconic Triumph Bonneville family, among others. Sumbly also said that with the tie-up, the company expects to break into a new segment of riders through their 250-700 cc premium bikes. The tie-up will make premium motorcycles available at an affordable price for the bike enthusiasts, he said. Sumbly said that the to-be-launched bikes would be in mid-segment ones with 250-700 cc capacity which would be branded as Triumph though Bajaj Auto is collaborating to manufacture them. There is lot of collaboration between Triumph and Bajaj Auto and there is lot of synergy between two brands and thereby you will have a new set of customers in India with new set of bikes, Sumbly added. The association between the two bike manufacturers is expected to make the prices of bikes in this segment more affordable, he said. Title: The Universe Next Door; Author: New Scientist; Publisher: John Murray; Pages: 256; Price: Rs 499 Are the principles explaining the cosmic homes creation and functioning vital for our continued existence? How would our planet be sans its lunar satellite, if the dinosaurs continued to roam around, or humans didnt exist or did without bodies or suddenly get wiped out? Can we control climate, time, genetics or replicate matter? And what will eventually happen to us? These questions and many others like them across various spheres of science, and even history, as collected in this book may seem an exercise in imagination, but, as we learn, it has great relevance. For in trying to find their answers or visualise such scenarios, we come across explanations for several mysteries of life and its plane of existence. We may find how we have got to our present state, and what our future human and cosmic may hold. Introducing this collection of 55 parallel worlds and possible futures, Sumit Paul-Choudhury, Editor-in-Chief of popular science magazine New Scientist, admits that these imaginary universes, separated from our own by accidents of fate, gulfs of time, or chasms of quantum weirdness may seem the stuff of daydreams. He, however, notes that thinking about them can amount to more than amusing speculation. These kinds of questions are valuable because they force us to abandon basic assumptions about how the universe works. That helps us to separate accidents of fate from deep truths and can lead to answers far more intriguing than our intuition would lead us to expect, he says. And a galaxy of New Scientist writers, contributors as well as leading scientists, academicians and science communicators go on to dwell on a whole host of these matters, both universal and human. The issues can range from those overarching and immutable for instance the four fundamental forces of nature and what happens if we tinker with them (if we could, that is) to the course our history would have taken had it been subverted say, Nazis winning World War II or if Newton didnt exist or Einstein was ignored. Others relate to us on a more socially collective basis, concerning our present choices and future prospects whether all of us going vegetarian would be helpful (the findings may come as an eye-opener to both sides of thought), to more individual in nature, in both abstract (trying to figure out the basis of consciousness is it a state of matter?) to corporeal (can/will we exist without our bodies). But though the issues are complex and serious, the treatment is extremely lucid, accessible and vivid even witty where possible without trivialising the matter, to underline what a strange existence we are in or could be in. Take one striking example. Physics theory postulates a multiverse, where every possible world exists and there are infinite versions of all of us. Elaborating on the possibility, one of the contributors says in this many-world interpretation, every decision he (or we) may take in this world, creates new universes: one for each and every choice I could possibly make. He goes on to quip there may be one where Ive just written a paragraph which explains that more clearly. On the other hand, more stunning are the explorations about a world where humans are non-existent or where they suddenly get wiped out, and a world where all life humans, animals, plants, and microscopic organisms disappears. Then a view of what evidence of our life we may leave for our distant descendants is compellingly thought-provoking. While Indians with an interest in science rather than the spurious old glories and other obscurantist stuff that is being peddled at present will find this an absorbing read, others should also read it to understand how inconsequential the issues they go virulent about films, historical injustices and so on are in the greater scheme of things. As demand for the yellow metal continues to decline, the Indian jewellery sector has knocked on the doors of government to provide them some relief from higher import duty. The gems and jewellery industry has asked the government to pare import duties on gold from the current 10 per cent to 4-5 per cent. The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) has already made its representation to the Finance Ministry and the Commerce Ministry and is hopeful of favourable action on the import duty front before the Union Budget for 2018-19. Praveen Shankar Pandya, chairman of GJEPC said on Monday, India needs to reduce import tax on gold to 4-5 per cent from current 10 per cent, higher tax is hurting local jewellery sector. He expects exports to stagnate at $43 billion this year because of the existing high customs duty on gold, the implementation of the Goods & Services Tax, low global demand situation and the value added tax to be introduced by Dubai in January. Exports can increase only if the government brings down import duty and gives the industry an incentives package, Pandya added. J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday urged the Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba to ensure safety of Kashmiri separatists lodged in Delhis Tihar jail. She is reported to have raised question mark on the safety of Kashmiri prisoners inside the jail. Her telephonic talk with Gauba came after the pro-Pakistan separatist leader Syed AlishahGeelani in Srinagar on Monday evening released to media nine pictures of thrashed jail inmates. These pictures also became viral on the social media. Another separatist leader, Mirwaiz Umar Farooqon Tuesday on his tweeter account condemned the thrashing incident. However, authenticity of these pictures was yet to be confirmed as shooting such photos inside or out of the jail was a matter of investigation. Separatist leaders claimed that the prisoners were beaten up inside the Tihar jail. All Parties Hurriyat conference (APHC), has expressed deepconcern over miserable condition of Kashmiri detainees lodged in Tihar jail and urged international human rights groups to take serious note of it. BharatiyaJanata Party (BJP) on Tuesday urged the Election Commission of India to return guns of farmers which were submitted before the assembly elections, to enable them to protect their crops from wild animals. State convener of BJPs Election Cell, H N Kashyap said more than 70 percent population of Himachal Pradesh is dependent on production of agriculture and horticulture. But the farmers in lower areas of the state arent able to protect their crops which are almost ready for harvest, from the wild animals as they had deposited their weapons with concerned police stations for the safe conduct of assembly polls, he said. Kashyap said the assembly polls have been conducted peacefully in the state on 9 November and the farmers weapons should now be returned to them. BJP urges the EC to return their arms so as to enable them in protecting their crops from wild animals menace, he said. TORONTO, Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Talmora Diamond Inc. (CSE:TAI) announces that it has granted a total of 3,071,000 incentive stock options to the directors, officers and consultants of the company exercisable at a price of $0.05 per share expiring five years from the date of the grant. Project Summary Talmora holds 81 mineral claims (40,428 acres) straddling the 68th parallel on the east side of the Lena West diamond region of the Northwest Territories. Most of the claims are in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region with the remainder in the Sahtu Settlement Region. The Talmora property lies on the same favourable structure: Zone of Anomalous Mantle or Diamond Corridor(1) as the diamondiferous kimberlites at Darnley Bay and the significant diamondiferous Dharma kimberlite in the northeast corner of Great Bear Lake (13 diamonds >0.85mm weighing 0.9 carats recovered from 1457.37 kg of core by caustic fusion)(2). All three areas are located outside and east of the Cretaceous basin. The Zone of Anomalous Mantle corresponds with a left lateral displacement of the mantle in the area of Great Bear Lake, implying a northern extension of the "Slave Diamond Corridor through Lena West (3). Over $75 million has been spent in the Lena West region by other companies(4) on exploration which included the recovery of widespread KIMs with good diamond association chemistry including 18 diamonds in field samples(5). Canterra (previously Diamondex) presented evidence(6) that many of the KIMs recovered on the western side of Lena West are derived from secondary concentrations at the base of the Cretaceous sediments with a likely primary source to the east, probably outside the Cretaceous basin on the diamond corridor. KIMs within the Cretaceous basin and outside the basin have been exposed to glacial redistribution processes(7). The Lena West KIMs differ from those recovered at Darnley Bay but are similar to those from Dharma. The two Dharma kimberlites are small and have a limited range of KIM compositions so cannot be the source of all the Lena West KIMs. Multivariate cluster analysis confirms that the KIMs in the Talmora area have compositions that cover the full range of those found across Lena West and show marked differences to those KIMs recovered at Darnley Bay and Dharma(8, 9).. Ferricrete cobbles occur in tills on the Talmora property (especially down-ice of magnetic targets) and appear to be of local origin. Ferricrete ("laterite") provides evidence of a humid and tropical climate in the Talmora area that may have been the Eocene Thermal Maximum (55Ma) and indicates that the bedrock surface has not been deeply scoured by glaciation(9,10). Evidence of surficial weathered bedrock covering parts of the property has been corroborated by a recent GSC publication(11). Talmora sampling shows a strong correlation between KIMs in till samples and over forty magnetic anomalies with characteristics of kimberlite pipes. These targets have relatively low magnetic magnitude corresponding with a geological model of fresh kimberlite and an overlying thick layer of saprolitic weathered kimberlite intruding dolomite country rock and all covered by glacial overburden(8). The 2012 field program included the use of a small Packsack drill which penetrated the glacial till in 3 holes and ended in clay with characteristics of weathered kimberlite. Clay penetration was limited to ~1.2m with only one 25mm section of clay and drill cuttings recovered. Thirteen chromites, one picroilmenite, and fourteen altered and five fresh Mn-ilmenites were recovered in cuttings from one drill hole. Chromite compositions lie on a very narrow Fe/Mg crystallization trend line indicating a single population and nearby source. Six of the Mn-Ilmenites had diamond inclusion chemistry(7). There is scientific evidence pointing to Talmora being the source area of the Lena West KIMs and diamonds. Talmora is currently seeking financing to test targets on the property with a larger conventional drill with the objective of recovering fresh kimberlite for microdiamond analysis. References Davies, R. and Davies, A. W. (2013): Zone of Anomalous Mantle, Proceedings Volume of the 10th International Kimberlite Conference; Journal of the Geological Society of India, Springer, 14 p. www.SEDAR.ca postings: Sanatana Diamonds Inc. Dec 20, 2007 and Jul 16, 2008 Davies A.W. and Davies, R. (2016) "Seismic Velocity Model of Great Bear Fault Zone, NWT, Canada and its implications for diamond exploration; 35th International Geological Congress August 27th to September 4th, 2016 Cape Town, RSA www.SEDAR.ca postings: Sanatana Resources Inc Jul 10, 2012; Canterra Minerals Corporation Apr 19, 2010; Darnley Bay Resources Limited May 2, 2005, Apr 13, 2007 and May 1, 2009; Burnstone Ventures Inc. Jan 15, 2007; and Diadem Resources Ltd. Apr 27, 2012. www.SEDAR.ca postings: Canterra Minerals Corporation Jun 5, 2007 and Darnley Bay Resources Limited Jul 4, 2001. Agashev, A.M. , Kuligin, S.S., Orihashi, Y., Pokhilenko, N.P., Vavilov, M.A. & Clarke, D. (2008): The ages of zircons from the Jurassic sediments of Bluefish River slope, NWT Canada and the age of kimberlite activity Lena West. 9th International Kimberlite Conference, Extended Abstract No. 9IKC-A00170, 3 p. Davies, R. and Davies, A. W. (2013): Cluster Analysis of Chromites, Lena West Diamond Region, NWT, Canada; 35th International Geological Congress; August 27 - September 4, 2016 Cape Town, South Africa Davies, A.W. and Davies, R (2016); Talmora Diamond Inc. - Horton River Project Update; 44rd Annual Geoscience Forum, November 15-17, 2016, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada Davies, R. and Davies, A. W. (2016): Tropical Weathering in Area of Melville Hills, Northwest Territories; 44rd Annual Geoscience Forum, November 15-17, 2016, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada Davies, R. and Davies, A. W. (2017): Where Have All the Garnets Gone Lena West Paleo-Climate; 8th Oppenheimer De Beers Group Research Conference 17th & 18th October 2017 Viellette, J.J., St-Onge, D.A. and Kerr, D.E. (2013) Canadian Geoscience Map 111, Erly Lake, Surficial geology, Erly Lake, Northwest Territories-Nunavut,NTS 97-A: Geological Survey of Canada The scientific and technical portions of this news release were compiled, reviewed and approved by Alan W. Davies, P.Eng., P.G., who is the Vice-President of Exploration for Talmora Diamond Inc., a "qualified person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. For further information please contact: Raymond Davies, President & CEO Talmora Diamond Inc. Email: rayal.davies@sympatico.ca Telephone 416-491-6771 CAUTIONARY STATEMENT No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. This News Release includes certain forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization and reserves, exploration results, and future plans and objectives of Talmora, are forward-looking statements that 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 Talmoras expectations are exploration risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by Talmora with securities regulators. The Tripura and West Bengal governments on Tuesday offered government jobs, educational help and financial aid to the kin of a slain Tripura journalist, who was gunned down by a security personnel last week. Journalist Sudip Datta Bhowmik, 50, was shot by a Tripura State Rifle (TSR) rifleman in Radha Kishore Nagar, 25 km from Agartala, on 212 November. The Council of Ministers in a weekly meeting today (Tuesday) has decided to give Rs 10 lakh to Bhowmiks family. The cost of his teenaged daughters education would be borne by the state government, Tripura Information and Finance Minister Bhanulal Saha told the media. Chief Minister Manik Sarkar presided over the cabinet meeting. On the other hand, Trinamool Congress (TMC)s West Bengal Assembly member Sabyasachi Dutta accompanied by state party leaders on Tuesday visited the home of the slain journalist. Datta later told the media that TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee talked to Bhowmiks mother Putul Rani Datta Bhowmik over the phone and assured her that the Bengal government would provide a government job to the deceaseds son Samik, who is now studying engineering in an Odisha institute. Mamata Banerjee also assured to take the educational responsibility (by her government) of Bhowmiks daughter Samridhi (who is studying in Class VIII in a Tripura school), said Sabyasachi Dutta, who is also the Mayor of Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation. According to police, TSR second battalion rifleman Nandu Kumar Reang, following an altercation, shot dead Sudip Datta Bhowmik at the battalion headquarters in Radha Kishore Nagar. Reang was the bodyguard of battalion Commandant Tapan Debbarma, who is a senior Tripura Police Service (TPS) officer (1998 batch) and waiting for IPS nomination. The slain journalist had gone to meet Debbarma at the battalion headquarters. To probe the sensational killing, the state government earlier constituted a four-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by Deputy Inspector General of police Arindam Nath. The SIT has so far arrested four TSR personnel, including Debbarma, and his bodyguard. More TSR officials are likely to be arrested in connection with the journalists killing, an SIT member said. The Press Council of India (PCI) has taken suo motu cognizance of the killing and sought a report from the Tripura government. Demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the incident, several journalist organisations under a newly-formed platform Forum for Protection of Journalists (FFPJ) are continuing their agitation. FFPJ Convener Pranab Sarkar said a memorandum would be sent to President Ram Nath Kovind demanding a CBI probe into the killing of the journalist and protection to media persons. Bhowmik, who was a reporter with Syandan Patrika and local cable television channel Vanguarda, is survived by his wife, a government teacher, and two children. Earlier, 28-year-old TV reporter Santanu Bhowmik was hacked to death while covering an event of a tribal party in Mandai in western Tripura on September 20. The Congress has demanded a high-level inquiry into the murder. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has demanded a CBI probe and resignation of Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, who also holds the Home portfolio. Both parties observed a state-wide shutdown last week (on Thursday) to protest the killing. The ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) has criticised the BJP for politicising the journalists killing. State government is on the right track in probing the unfortunate killing, CPI-M central committee member Gautam Das told the media. Several educationists, including members of the Sikh community, on Monday opposed the proposal to change the name of Dyal Singh College to Vande Mataram Mahavidyalaya. At a meeting chaired by veteran journalist Kuldip Nayar and attended by BJP legislator Manjinder Singh Sirsa, the group passed a resolution to seek the Centres intervention to keep the college name unchanged after the 19th century social activist Dyal Singh Majithia. ALSO READ: DUs Dyal Singh College (Evening) is now Vande Mataram Mahavidyalaya We are not talking about the trust or its ownership. We are neither trustees nor do we claim to be his (Dyal Singhs) heir, Sirsa told reporters here. Its the matter of national pride. Dyal Singh College, Punjab National Bank, Tribune newspaper are the legacy of Dayal Singhji The name of the college cannot be changed at any cost. There is no reason to change the name. He said another meeting will be called soon to decide the next course of action. He added that they will make sure the issue was not given communal colour. Nayar said the move to change the name to Vande Mataram was not without a design and that it was a very serious matter. He, however, advised the attendees to explore all options of dialogue rather than resorting to rash talk or action. READ MORE: DUs Dyal Singh College body warns of case against Akalis The governing body of the college had announced on November 18 that Dyal Singh College (Evening) will be called Vande Mataram Mahavidyalaya. The decision entailed having two morning colleges as there is already a Dyal Singh College (Morning) in operation. The President of the Dyal Singh College Teachers Association opposed the decision of morning college as well, saying the premises were too cramped to house two colleges. Originally the building was supposed to support only 1,000 students but now there are 6,000. Now with the Evening college turning into Morning, this will go up to 12,000 The decision is going to affect us all, said Professor P.K. Parihar. Built on the estate of Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia, the college was first started in Lahore in 1910 and is called after its founder. The one in Delhi was built in 1959. A royal announcement on Monday (November 27) confirmed Britains Prince Harrys will marry his American actress girlfriend Meghan Markle next year. The announcement by Clarence House said the the prince, fifth in line to the throne, will marry Markle next spring and will live at Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace in London, reports the BBC. The couple, who have been dating since July 2016, got engaged in November. In a statement, Prince Harry said he was delighted to announce the engagement and had received the blessing of Markles parents. Prince Harry and Markle made their first public appearance as a couple in September. After a prolonged gap, Australia has unveiled its foreign policy White Paper which calls for strong economic ties with both India and China but emphasises that closer engagement with Beijing would be accompanied by frictions arising from different interests, values and political and legal systems of the two countries. India now sits in the front rank of Australias international partnerships. We are seeking much closer economic ties. Beyond an increasingly important economic relationship, our security interests are congruent, particularly in relation to the stability and openness of the Indian Ocean, said the White Paper released by Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbul. The White Paper has been unveiled days after Australia, India, Japan and the United States held their first quadrilateral meeting in the Philippines on the margins of the ASEAN Summit, in an obvious attempt to counter Chinas hegemonistic designs in the region. The lengthy document has a clear message for US President Donald Trump and for American policy-makers. Australia recognised there was a great deal of uncertainty in the US about the costs and benefits of its leaderships in parts of the international system. But Australia believed that the US engagement to support a rules-based order was in its own interests and in the interests of wider international stability, the paper said. The document observed that India and Australia have common interests in upholding international law, especially in relation to freedom of navigation and maritime security. We are both pluralist democracies. Our education links and Australias large and rapidly growing Indian diaspora add depth to these common interests. It added that India would remain the pre-eminent maritime power among Indian Ocean countries. Australia wanted to work with India as both countries invest in enhanced naval capabilities. We already conduct joint naval exercises and we are deepening our broader defence cooperation and expanding our information sharing. It went on to say, With India and others, we seek to strengthen regional architecture in the Indian Ocean ~ including the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) ~ and encourage more coordinated responses to developments affecting security in the Indian Ocean region. The White Paper said Australia strongly encouraged Indias strategic engagement with East Asia and the US. We will work with India in the East Asia Summit (EAS) and build on the growing strategic collaboration between Australia, India and Japan. Indo-Pacific democracies of Japan, Indonesia, India and South Korea were of first order importance to Australia, both as major bilateral partners in their own right and as countries that would influence the shape of the regional order, it added. At the same time, Australia would strengthen relations with China, now a major geopolitical player with the capacity to influence virtually all of Australias international interests. Arunachal Pradesh Governor B.D. Mishra has urged Army chief General Bipin Rawat to lower the height criteria for youths from the state, saying this was coming in the way of their joining the military. Mishra, a retired Brigadier, also requested Gen Rawat to increase the number of recruitment rallies in the state which borders China. The height consideration is a natural handicap for the youths to join the Army, he said. The Governor said youths of the state had aspirations but due to the remoteness of their living areas and lack of pre-recruitment training, many aspirants have missed the recruitment opportunity in the past. The Congress on Monday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to give a lesson on terrorism to a party whose history was full of lives lost in fighting terrorism. Accusing the BJP of trying to politicise the issue of terrorism, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala also questioned Modi over his silence on the issue of corruption. Surjewala targeted Modi for saying at a poll rally in Gujarat today that the Congress had applauded the release of a terrorist in Pakistan and party vice president Rahul Gandhi hugged the Chinese ambassador during the Dokalam standoff. At least dont give lessons to a party whose history is replete with sacrifices while fighting terrorists, he told the BJP. The Congress spokesperson, while talking to reporters here, hurled several charges and questions at the BJP. Wasnt the ISI, which is behind terrorist activities in India, brought to Pathankot and Uri by the Modi government after terror incidents there, Surjewala asked. Havent terror incidents increased during the (rule of) the Modi government? Hasnt the PDP-BJP government in J&K (Jammu and Kashmir) made separatist and terror sympathiser Asiya Andrabi a poster girl? Wasnt a BJP official found to be an ISI agent, he asked. He said the entire country was united in its fight against terrorism. The BJP might see politics in terrorism, but I would like to tell my BJP friends and PM Modi that the history of the Congress is full of martyrdom in fighting terrorism and thousands and lakhs of Congressmen have sacrificed their lives for India, he said. Surjewala also attacked Modi over corruption in the case of BJP President Amit Shahs son Jay and national security advisor Ajit Dovals son Shaurya, among others. The prime minister did not fulfil promises made to the people of Kutch in 2013 on providing water to their land, he said, responding to Modis remark that the Congress had stalled water supply to the region. Why did Narmada water not reach the land of Kutch? Has he (Modi) forgotten that he said in 2013 all dams and canals will be made in 16 months, he asked. Surjewala believed Modi looked worried while addressing the people of Gujarat. Modiji was looking worried and agitated. Dont be frightened. Just tell us what happened in 22 years in Gujarat? What happened to Gujarat businesses (after note ban and GST)? Why are traders in Surat and Rajkot, farmers of Kutch- Saurashtra feeling cheated? Just answer these questions, he said. In the milieu of forming alliances and gathering support from communities for Gujarat Assembly elections, it seems women have yet received the short-end of the bargain, with the focus mainly on votes division between Patidars, OBCs, Tribals, SC/STs, Thakors, and Rajputs. Gujarat elections 2017 are scheduled for 9 and 14 December. The ground reality suggests that Gujarat election has the least representation of women, who comprise nearly half the electorate. The political relevance, it seems is more on the caste and all political parties seem to give priority to communities and social segments, who have electoral relevance and can ensure winnability for party candidates. Women, who constitute nearly half the electorate for the coming elections, are given a shorthand by both the parties and given only 12 seats by the BJP and 10 seats by Congress. Here is arithmetic breakdown: The political arithmetic being minutely calculated by the Congress and BJP is to tap the politically relevant Patidar vote bank and BJP has fielded members of the community on 52 seats, whereas the Congress with a tie-up with Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leader Hardik Patel has given tickets to 42 Patidars. In all, the BJP has given tickets to 182 candidates for all the Assembly seats in Gujarat Election 2017. The Congress, on the other hand, has fielded its candidates on 176 seats leaving five seats for PAAS members and one seat for Jignesh Mevani. Patidars are spread all across Gujarat and the areas where they hold a marginally higher sway include, Ahmedabad, North Gujarat, Saurashtra, Charotar and Surat in South Gujarat. The community is considered a mainstay of Gujarat politics with about 50 seats being influenced by the Patidar community vote. So strong and relevant is the Patidar influence that for the first time both major parties have fielded Patidar candidates against each other on about 30 seats. Historically the way to Gandhinagar, the seat of power in Gujarat, depends on how the Patidars vote and their influence is clearly seen in the composition of the state cabinet, with 30 per cent of cabinet ministers from the community. BJP may be against Hardik Patel led PAAS, yet the party has given 32 per cent tickets to Patidars, to achieve its mission of achieving 150 seats. The Congress is also not behind and has given a total of 23 percent seats to Patidars along with OBCs, Tribals, and Dalits. BJP has always given tickets to new faces and has continued with the trend by declining tickets to 34 sitting MLAs, whereas Congress has declined tickets to only three MLAs and has repeated 40 last time MLAs as the party had earlier committed after the Rajya Sabha elections. BJP has also given tickets to 7 of the 12 Congress-defectors, who had joined the party at the time of Rajya Sabha elections. The five seats where the party has not offered tickets to Congress rebels include Prahlad Patel of Vijapur, Bhosle Gohil of Jasdan, Chana Choudhary of Vansda, and the other two being Shankarsinh Vaghelas son and son-in-law. The Congress and BJP have refrained from giving any representation to the young leaders even though both talk of bringing in new blood and ideas. The parties have also altered set parameters for age and the Congress has named 78- year-old Mohan Singh Rathwa from Jetpur-Pavi, this being the tenth time that he has filed his nomination form. Meanwhile, BJP has nominated 79-year-old Narayan Bhai Patel from Unjha for a record eighth time. The other important vote bank of the OBCs comprising of about 146 castes and sub-castes including communities of Thakor, Koli, Anjana Chaudhary, Rabari, Ahir, Mare, Dalwadi, Satwara, Panchal, Kadia, Prajapati have been given substantial weightage by both the parties. With BJP giving 58 seats and Congress 62 seats to members from the OBC community. The community has sway over 74 seats across Gujarat and of these, on 46 seats, the candidates from the same community are pitted against each other. The overall caste-based arithmetic by BJP comprises of Patidar 52, OBC 58, ST 28, SC 13, Brahmin 10, Jain 04, Kshatriya 12, Muslim 00, and others 05. For the Congress, the seat formula involves Patidar 42, OBC 62, ST 25, SC 14, Brahmin 06, Jain 02, Kshatriya 10, Muslim 06, and others 09. The Centre has withdrawn Lalu Prasad Yadavs Z plus VIP security cover of NSG commandos, evoking angry reactions from the RJD supremo and his two sons, who cried conspiracy, with one even threatening to skin Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Lalu Prasad accused the Narendra Modi government of hatching a conspiracy to frighten him so that he gives up his relentless fight for preserving communal harmony and social justice. The RJD chief, addressing a press conference in Patna, said, Lalu is not someone who can be frightened into submission. The public of Bihar will protect me. But if anything happens to me, the Nitish Kumar government in the state and the Modi government at the Centre shall be jointly responsible. His two sons Tej Pratap Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav reacted angrily to the governments decision. Tej Pratap, the elder son of the RJD boss, went ballistic, threatening to get Modi skinned. They are hatching a murder conspiracy against him (Lalu)If something happens to him, we will get the prime minister skinned (khal utarwa lenge), an angry Tej Pratap Yadav told reporters outside the state Assembly. If my father is killed who will take responsibility for this? asked Tej Pratap, a former minister and sitting MLA. When reporters said he was making derogatory remarks against the prime minister, he defended his comments and told the media persons to go and tell him (PM). Asked about Tej Prataps remarks, Lalu Prasad disapproved of the kind of language he used against Modi but noted the blood of anybody will boil if he finds his father at the receiving end of such a conspiracy. Tejashwi Yadav, the former deputy chief minister and the younger son of the RJD supremo, also attacked the Centre for downgrading Lalu Prasads security. By downgrading his security, the Centre is trying to frighten Lalu, who is working towards opposition unity. This is very mean-minded politics on the part of the BJP-led NDA government, Tejashwi Yadav told reporters. He also expressed apprehension that with a less strong security cover, the RJD chief had become vulnerable and now the Centre shall be held solely responsible if anything happens to Lalu. The former Bihar chief minister will now be given Z category security and be guarded by an armed commando squad of the Central Reserve Police Force, in accordance with the protocol of the scaled down cover, official sources said in New Delhi. Yadav will not have National Security Guard black cat commandos guarding him any more as they were withdrawn yesterday. The NSG only provides Z+ security cover. The decision was taken after the Union home ministry recently reviewed the threat levels of various VIP protectees, the sources said. Hitting out at the central government, Lalu Prasad said, We are the most vocal opponents of the Modi government which is driving the country towards dictatorship. Democracy is under threat. We have been fighting them resolutely. That is why my family and I have been implicated in so many false casesso that we get scared of the possibility of going to jail and give up our fight, he said. Lalu Prasad claimed that the decision to downgrade his security cover, which was provided to him under the UPA government, was another conspiracy by the Modi government to silence him. What else explains the move. They have not run short of security personnel. Every two-bit BJP leader enjoys Z plus security, the RJD chief alleged. I am travelling far and wide as part of my BJP bhagao, desh bachao campaign. This has rattled the party which thinks that by making me worry about my own safety it will be able to contain me, he said, adding that he would not give up his fight. Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Sushil Modi scoffed at the remonstrations over the scaling down of Lalu Prasads security, saying, Lalu se log darte hainLalu ko kisse dar lagta hai (People are scared of Lalu. Who does he fear?)'. On Sushil Modis jibe, Lalu retorted, BJP leaders are always darpok (cowards). Besides Lalu Prasad, the Centre also decided to withdraw Z+ CRPF VIP security cover of former Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi. The Hindustani Awam Morcha president Manjhi told reporters, I do not know on the basis of whose report the Centre has taken such a decision. I still face threat to my life. Manjhis Hindustani Awam Morcha is a part of the National Democratic Alliance in Bihar. Lalu Prasad also questioned the withdrawal of security cover of Manjhi, saying, It is well-known that he faces threat to his life from naxals. Tej Prataps remarks against the prime minister come days after he made objectionable comments against Sushil Modi, threatening to disrupt the marriage ceremony of his son on December 3. Citing security reasons, Sushil Modi changed the venue of his sons wedding to Veterinary College ground from Shakha field in Rajendra Nagar in the state capital. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday took the custody of a Pakistani Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist who was arrested along the Line of Control (LoC) in Handwara area of North Kashmir recently, officials here said. The terrorist, identified as Mohammed Amir Awan, was arrested by the Army on November 24 during an intensive search launched after an encounter in the area on November 21 that left three Lashkar militants dead. One soldier was also killed during the encounter. The matter was transferred to the NIA which registered a case yesterday and took the custody of the terrorist. During initial interrogation, the terrorist identified himself as Mohammed Amir Awan whose code in the Lashkar terror group was Abu Haamaz, the officials said. The terrorist told his interrogators that he hailed from Bardiya town of the port-city Karachi in Pakistan and was recruited and trained by the terror group. He was pushed into the Kashmir valley from Pakistan- occupied-Kashmir (PoK) for carrying out attacks on various important installations in the Valley, the officials said. The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday dismissed a fresh plea seeking to stall the release of the film Padmavati outside India. As per reports, the apex court noted that statements by persons holding high office is tantamount to pre-judging the movie as it turned down the plea against the films release. A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice AM Khanwilkar and Justice DY Chandrachud said: We are governed by the rule of law. When the matter is pending before the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for grant of certificate, nobody holding a responsible position should comment as it would amount to violation of the principle of the rule of law. Even though, the British Board Of Film Classification (BBFC) has cleared Padmavati for release in the UK on December 1, sources close to the filmmakers have said that there are no plans to release the film abroad. Back home in India, the filmmakers have already deferred the release. Starring Ranveer Singh (as Sultan Alauddin Khilji), Deepika Padukone (as Rani Padmavati, in the lead) and Shahid Kapoor (as Maharawal Ratan Singh), Padmavati is being distributed internationally by Paramount Pictures. The magnum opus sets out to tell the tale of Rani Padmavati the legendary Mewar queen known as much for her beauty and intelligence as she was for her courage, her husband Maharawal Ratan Singh a glorious Rajput ruler and a warrior king who fought till his last breath to defend his kingdom and his wifes honour and Sultan Alauddin Khilji an ambitious and obsessive invader. In India, Padmavati is in the eye of a storm following protests from conservative groups over alleged tampering with historical facts. Bhansali has been denying the contention. The release of the film, which was earlier slated for December 1 in India, has been deferred as the filmmakers are yet to secure a censor certificate. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CALGARY, Alberta, Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Prairie Provident Resources Inc. ("Prairie Provident" or the "Company") announces that the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") has accepted for filing the Company's notice of intention to make a normal course issuer bid ("NCIB"). Pursuant to the NCIB, Prairie Provident may repurchase from time to time up to a maximum of 4,900,000 common shares, at such times and in such quantities as the Company may determine, subject to applicable regulatory restrictions. Purchases under the NCIB may be made through open market transactions on the TSX and any alternative Canadian trading platforms on which the common shares are traded, based on the prevailing market price. Any common shares purchased under the NCIB will be cancelled. Transactions under the NCIB will depend on future market conditions. Prairie Provident retains discretion whether to make purchases under the NCIB, and to determine the timing, amount and acceptable price of any such purchases, subject at all times to applicable TSX and other regulatory requirements. The period during which Prairie Provident is authorized to make purchases under the NCIB commences on December 1, 2017 and ends on November 30, 2018 or such earlier date as the NCIB is completed or is terminated at the Company's election. Under TSX rules, not more than 21,517 common shares (being 25% of the average daily trading volume on the TSX of 86,069 common shares for the six months ended October 2017) can be purchased on the TSX on any single trading day under the NCIB, except that one block purchase in excess of the daily maximum is permitted per calendar week. The NCIB provides the Company with an additional capital allocation alternative with a view to long-term shareholder value. In circumstances where the prevailing market price of the common shares does not reflect what Prairie Provident believes to be the underlying value of its business and assets, a purchase of common shares for cancellation under the NCIB may provide an opportunity to enhance shareholder value by increasing the proportionate equity interest of remaining shareholders at an attractive valuation and improving per share metrics on an accretive basis. The Company has appointed AltaCorp Capital Inc. as its broker to make any NCIB purchases on its behalf. As of November 22, 2017, there are 115,887,699 common shares outstanding, of which 49,806,386 common shares are considered to be in the public float as not held by directors, officers or principal shareholders of the Company. Accordingly, the maximum number of common shares that may be repurchased under the NCIB represents approximately 4.3% of the number of common shares currently outstanding, and approximately 9.8% of the public float. ABOUT PRAIRIE PROVIDENT: Prairie Provident is a Calgary-based company engaged in the exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties in Alberta. The Company's strategy is to grow organically in combination with accretive acquisitions of conventional oil prospects, which can be efficiently developed. Prairie Provident's operations are primarily focused at Wheatland and Princess in Southern Alberta targeting the Ellerslie and the Lithic Glauc formations, along with an early stage waterflood project at Evi in the Peace River Arch. Prairie Provident protects its balance sheet through an active hedging program and manages risk by allocating capital to opportunities offering maximum shareholder returns. For further information, please contact: Prairie Provident Resources Inc. Tim Granger President and Chief Executive Officer Tel: (403) 292-8110 Email: tgranger@ppr.ca FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This news release contains certain statements that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws, which include statements regarding the Company's intentions or expectations with respect to the NCIB and any common share repurchases thereunder and its general strategy and areas of operational focus. Statements involving forward-looking information relate to future performance, events or circumstances, and are based upon internal assumptions, plans, intentions, expectations and beliefs. All statements other than statements of current or historical fact constitute forward-looking information. Although the Company believes that the assumptions, plans, intentions, expectations and beliefs upon which the forward-looking information is based, and the other material factors reflected therein, are reasonable, no assurance can be given that they will prove to be correct. In particular, there can be no assurance that Prairie Provident will make purchases under the NCIB, or that any purchases made will benefit remaining shareholders. Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information, which is inherently uncertain and subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, both general and specific, many of which are beyond the Prairie Provident's control, that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated or suggested in the forward-looking information. Certain such risks, uncertainties and other factors affecting Prairie Provident and its business are discussed in more detail in the Company's current annual information form and other documents filed by it from time to time with securities regulatory authorities in Canada, copies of which are available electronically under Prairie Provident's issuer profile on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com and on the Company's website at www.ppr.ca. Statements in this news release are made as of the date hereof, and Prairie Provident assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise them to reflect new information or future events or circumstances, or otherwise, except as may be required pursuant to applicable securities laws. Former media baron Peter Mukerjea, an accused in the sensational Sheena Bora murder case, on Monday told the court that his wife and key accused, Indrani Mukherjea, was trying to mislead the court and creating adverse publicity. Peter, through his lawyer Shrikant Shivde, was arguing on an application moved by Indrani, accusing Peter of playing a role in Sheenas disappearance. Shivde told the court that the application did not connect with the prayer of Indrani who had sought call data records (CDR) of Peter. She is using the media and misleading the court, Shivde told the court, adding that she was creating media publicity for creating a wrong perception by portraying herself as a victim. Shivde argued that if Indrani had a strong reason to believe it (that Peter has any role in Sheenas disappearance), she should have said it to the police during investigation. Peters lawyer argued that there was no basis for these allegations other than getting media publicity. He added that there was a systematic attempt to create prejudice. Indrani is creating an atmosphere which will prejudice the trial by making allegations against witness (Indranis former driver Shyam Rai who turned approver) and accused (Peter). It is contradictory to the prosecutions case, we will prove that during the trial, Shivde said. She is drawing a further strategy to distort the trial, he said and added that the application moved by Indrani was exculpatory i.e. evidence favourable to the defendant in a criminal trial that exonerates or tends to exonerate the defendant of guilt. Shivde argued that the court may reject Indranis application and ask her lawyers to file a proper application by providing the ground. Special CBi judge J C Jagdale will hear the arguments of Indrani and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) tomorrow. On November 15, Indrani had filed a plea in the court, saying her husband Peter Mukherjea might have caused her daughters disappearance out of greed and ill-will. Though she did not expressly accuse Peter of killing Sheena, Indrani said he and their former driver Shyamwar Rai could be behind her daughters abduction, making her untraceable and destroying evidence. She had said that she believed Peter and others might have manipulated the circumstances to frame her, and influence witnesses, situations and information that led to her arrest for the heinous crime that they may have committed, aided and abetted. She had prayed for the CDR of Peter for the period between January, 2012 and December, 2012, and from January, 2015 to December, 2015. While Peter had told the court that the application filed by Indrani was with an ulterior motive, the CBI also admitted that she filed the application with malafide intention. The alleged murder of Sheena Bora came to light in August, 2015 after Rai, arrested in another case, spilled the beans. Mumbai Police arrested Indrani, her former husband Sanjeev Khanna and Rai in the case. Later, Peter was also arrested. The victim was Indranis daughter from an earlier relationship. Sheena was in a relationship with Peters son. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday met Ivanka Trump, daughter and Advisor to US President Donald Trump, ahead of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) 2017 here. READ MORE: Ivanka Trump to visit Golconda Fort, not Charminar Hand in hand. EAM @SushmaSwaraj met @IvankaTrump, Advisor to the US President and Leader of the US delegation at #GES2017 in Hyderabad; had a productive discussion on women entrepreneurship and empowerment, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted along with a picture of the two holding hands. Hand in hand. EAM @SushmaSwaraj met @IvankaTrump, Advisor to the US President and Leader of the US delegation at #GES2017 in Hyderabad; had a productive discussion on women entrepreneurship and empowerment. pic.twitter.com/cbdGhhyn3G Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) November 28, 2017 Ivanka will be attending the inaugural session of the GES on Tuesday evening along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. READ MORE: Ivanka Trump arrives in Hyderabad to attend GES The three-day event, being co-hosted by the US and India, will be attended by 1,500 entrepreneurs, investors and eco-system supporters from 159 countries. Pushing the BJPs campaign in Gujarat into high gear, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday attacked the Congress and said he is ready to sell tea but will never sell the country, and asked Rahul Gandhi why he had applauded the release of LeT chief Hafiz Saeed. Modi, who started his high voltage campaign with rallies in Bhuj in Kutch district, Jasdan in Rajkot, Chalala in Amreli and Kadodara near Surat, took on the opposition party on issues related to China, Lashkar-e-Taibas Hafiz Saeed, the surgical strike as well as corruption. He accused the Congress vice president of applauding the release of a terrorist in Pakistan and asked why he hugged the Chinese ambassador during the Dokalam standoff. You are happy to hug the Chinese ambassador, you are clapping at the release of Hafiz Saeed, you cannot respect Indian Armys surgical strike But why did you speak about it? You could have just remained silent, he said in Bhuj, not specifying how and where Gandhi had hailed Saeeds release. Gandhi had recently tweeted: Narendrabhai, baat nahi bani. Terror mastermind is free. President Trump just delinked Pak military funding from LeT. Hugplomacy fail. More hugs urgently needed. The tweet had come after the release of LeT founder and 26/11 mastermind Saeed by a Pakistan court. Hitting out at the Congress over a recent meme targeting his chaiwala past, the prime minister said in Jasdan that he is being targeted by the main opposition party because of his humble background and for being born to a poor mother. They are feeling uneasy because a chaiwala became the PM. We used to read in books how the downtrodden get harassed by those in higher strata. But I never imagined they would stoop so low, Modi said in his speech in Gujarati at Jasdan ahead of the first round of polling on December 9. He said he gets messages from people threatening him that they would once again turn him into a tea-seller. I want to tell them that I am Modi, who is ready to sell tea but will never commit the sin of selling the entire country, he said, in an apparent reference to scams during the Congress-led UPA rule. Why are you mocking poverty? Why are you insulting a poor mother? he asked. In an apparent bid to woo the influential Patidars, who seem to be drifting towards the opposition party, Modi said the Congress harassed four former chief ministers of the community because of a grudge against Gujarat. Babubhai Jashbhai Patel, Chimanbhai Patel, Keshubhai Patel and Anandiben Patel belonged to the Patidar community. Without directly accusing the Congress of fanning the protests, Modi said the opposition had done everything to disturb the BJPs Anandiben Patel-led government. They fanned violence to disturb her. This Congress party harassed four Patidar CMs just because the people of Gujarat never accepted the party. At the Bhuj rally, Modi pitched the election as a fight between trust on development and dynastic politics. He asked the people of Gujarat not to forgive Congress leaders as they had levelled baseless allegations on the son of Gujarat who has a stainless public life. During his campaign in the state in the last few days, Gandhi had trained his guns at the Modi-led government over the Rafale fighter aircraft deal. He also alleged during his campaign that Modi is not a chowkidar (watchman) but a bhagidar (partner) in corrupt practices in BJP president Amit Shahs son Jay Shahs company. Modi said he had written a poem, saying that Gujarat is his atma (soul), while Bharat is his parmatma (God), that Gujarat is his mother and he her son. I have grown up on this soil, you Gujaratis know my plus and minus points, what was good in me has evolved due to this `mitti (soil) due to my mother (Gujarat), he said, seeking to emotionally connect with voters. The prime minister said Gujaratis will not forgive those attacking its child. Recalling Sardar Patel, he said the Congress should understand that Gujarat tolerated insults when atrocities were committed against him but the times had changed and they would not do so again. Narendra Modi said many people have come here for election campaigning and sprayed muck. Farmers prepare their land before the start of the monsoon season. In the same way, much muck has been sprayed here. It is good as it will help the lotus (BJPs election symbol) bloom. Modi referred to the 26/11 terror strike and the attack in Uri and asked what the difference was between one government and another, one leader and another. They killed our soldiers in Uri, our soldiers went inside their territory, conducted a surgical strike and came back. The next day a newspaper said they (in Pakistan) carried bodies in trucks, he said. Modi alleged that the Congress raised questions on the surgical strike in September 2016. They could not respect Indian Army, they asked questions like none of our soldiers was injured? None of them died? Have you any photo or video evidence? Had they gone to shoot a movie in Pakistan? he said. The second phase of elections to the 182-member Gujarat Assembly will be held on December 14. The votes will be counted on December 18. Has the Congress shot itself in the foot this time with the chaiwala jibe like it did in the 2007 polls when Sonia Gandhi called Narendra Modi maut ka saudagar? Ten years ago, the BJP turned the assembly election on that one salvo fired by Sonia and whipped up a sympathy wave that swept Modi back to power for a second term. This time, the BJP is hoping for a repeat performance with the chaiwala meme that Youth Congress posted on social media to mock Modi. The PM has made chaiwala the central theme of his campaign and is projecting the jibe as a personal insult and an insult to Gujarat and Gujaratis. Smriti Irani started the drumbeat almost as soon as the meme was posted. She said the barb only reflected Rahul Gandhis anti-Gujarat mindset. The Congress must have relived the 2007 fiasco because the high command ordered its youth wing to pull down the meme immediately. But it was too late. The BJP has been so much on the defensive in the ongoing assembly election because of local anger against demonetisation and GST that Modi hasnt been able to get going with his trademark personalised and emotional campaign. The chaiwala mishap by the Youth Congress may have given him the opening hes been looking for to hit the road. Theres only one hitch. He milked the same theme successfully in the 2014 Lok Sabha campaign. Then, it was Mani Shankar Aiyar who coined the unfortunate jibe and Modi shrewdly exploited the term as an elitist insult to a man from a poor family. Can the same trick work a second time? Pillar to post The Congress went from pillar to post in an effort to seek permission to host a photo exhibition on Indira Gandhi at a proper venue. The government blocked its efforts at every point, denying permission even for the use of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts. The exhibition was supposed to mark the late prime ministers birth centenary. Finally, the Congress had no option but to scale down its plans and compress the exhibition into the grounds of the Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum on 1 Safdarjung Road. Its a spacious enough venue but nothing as grand as the IGNCA. Since the bungalow is allotted to the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust, governments permission was not needed. The governments negative attitude turned out to be a blessing in disguise because the function that was held was small but intimate and warm. The Gandhi family was present in full force, including Priyanka who has been out of sight for a long time. All three mingled freely with the guests who had gathered and smilingly posed for selfies. Of course, the invitees were all Congress leaders and family friends. No-one from the government or the BJP or any other party was invited, underlining the deepening divide in the political class over what should be a collective national historical legacy. The exhibition displayed photographs of Indira Gandhi from childhood till the day she died. Outsider woes All roads lead to Gujarat in the ongoing election. BJP leaders, workers, campaigners and even hangers-on from every state have descended on Gujarat in a desperate bid to be part of the action and impress Amit Shah. Unfortunately, according to BJP circles in Gujarat, the presence of so many outsiders has introduced tensions because of socio-cultural differences in the style of functioning. BJP workers in Gujarat are very business-like and practical and hate to waste time hanging around in party offices. Most of them run businesses and shops and have to juggle their economic pursuits with their political work. For the last many elections, the tradition has been that they take time off from work for two months and devote themselves to campaigning for the party. And they work in a functional organised manner. This time, the influx from other states, particularly from north India, has upset this well-oiled machine. North Indian BJP workers bring a completely different style of electioneering which involves long hours of idle chatter over endless cups of tea. It has become a headache for local leaders who are spending more time than necessary trying to patch up mounting tensions between fellow Gujarati workers and outsiders. BJP circles say they are missing the authority and command of Narendra Modi. Although he is very much in charge, he is not the chief minister. He is now the prime minister and therefore a step removed. Gujarat gamble Congress circles say it is a strategic decision to anoint Rahul Gandhi Congress president in the midst of the battle for Gujarat. The move has been on the cards for some months now but was delayed because the party was waiting for two developments which were crafted to enhance Rahuls profile and image. One was the carefully planned trip to the US which included the successful talk show at Stanford University. The other was the meticulously planned campaign in Gujarat in which Rahul has focused in a single-minded manner on economic issues rather than confusing matters by bringing in secularism, communalism and the 2002 violence. Rahul won praise for his US trip. And in Gujarat, he seems to have struck a chord with his focused campaign. Congress elders led by Sonia Gandhi feel their patience has paid off and the time is now right for Rahul to take over the reins of the party. They also feel that the position of party president will give him added heft in Gujarat to take on Modi and Amit Shah. The question is whether Rahul can bring in the votes. If he pulls off a surprise victory, his image will soar. If Gujarat brings another loss for Rahul and the Congress, demoralisation will only deepen. Pope Francis on Tuesday delivered a keynote speech in Myanmar after meeting the countrys de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, demanding respect for each ethnic group but without referring to the persecuted Rohingya Muslim minority by name. Standing alongside Suu Kyi, the Pope spoke mostly in general terms. His highly-anticipated remarks may draw condemnation from human rights activists who blame the Myanmar Army for driving out hundreds of thousands of Rohingyas from the country. Although the Pope made no direct reference to Rohingyas, his speech was a strong defence of ethnic rights, the BBC reported. He said: The future of Myanmar must be peace, a peace based on respect for the dignity and rights of each member of society, respect for each ethnic group and its identity, respect for the rule of law and respect for a democratic order that enables each individual and every group to offer its legitimate contribution to the common good. The Pope said Myanmars greatest treasure was its people and that they had suffered greatly and continue to suffer, from civil conflict and hostilities that have lasted all too long and created deep divisions. As the nation now works to restore peace, the healing of those wounds must be a paramount political and spiritual priority. He added: Religious differences need not be a source of division and distrust, but rather a force for unity, forgiveness, tolerance and wise nation-building. In her speech, Suu Kyi also made no direct reference to the Rohingya Muslims. However, she accepted the situation in Rakhine state had most strongly captured the attention of the world. She said that social, economic and political issues had eroded trust and understanding, harmony and co-operation between different communities in Rakhine. Suu Kyi has been criticized for her lack of action over the issue. She was stripped of the Freedom of the City of Oxford on Monday, with British councillors saying they no longer wished to honour those who turned a blind eye to violence. Myanmar denied UN accusations that the treatment of the Muslim community amounted to ethnic cleansing. It said the crackdown in Rakhine state, which began in late August, was to root out violent insurgents. The Pope is on the second day of a four-day visit to the country. In an earlier 40-minute meeting in Yangon with leaders of the Buddhist, Islamic, Hindu, Jewish and Christian faiths, he also made no direct reference to the Rohingyas, according to Vatican officials. He also met Buddhist leader Sitagu Sayadaw separately to discuss peaceful coexistence among communities in the country. On Wednesday, the Pope will celebrate a huge Mass in Yangon, Efe news reported. After Myanmar, he will move on to Bangladesh to meet a small group of Rohingya refugees in a symbolic gesture. The pontiff will become the first Catholic leader to visit Dhaka since 1986. An Israeli court on Monday banned the international ride-sharing service Uber from operating in Israel because the company uses drivers reportedly lacking proper licenses and insurances. The Tel Aviv District Court said the US-based company could not be allowed to operate as the company is given 48 hours to halt its Uber Day and Uber Night services, which offer low fare rides through a car-pooling app, Xinhua news agency reported. The court order will become effective on Wednesday at 10 a.m. The verdict halted a pilot programme that Uber has been running in Tel Aviv over the past months through which the company hopes it could expand service to the rest of the country. The court ruling came after objections by Israels Ministry of Transportation, the Taxi Driver Union and GetTexi, a rival app-based company over Ubers use of non-professional drivers who lack business licenses and insurances. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. DENVER, Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RLH Corporation (NYSE:RLH) today strengthened its brand marketing team with the addition of Yvonne Choi as Chief Brand Officer Hotel RL. Choi will be directly overseeing the development, branding and marketing of the Hotel RL brand. Hotel RL, the companys upscale boutique brand, is focused on providing authentic and creative experiences. At the heart of each property is The Living Stage, a platform for local musicians, poets, authors, artists, community leaders and activists to share their message live and up close. Choi joins RLH Corporation from Cachet Hospitality Group, where she was Chief Marketing Officer for the past four years. Part of Cachets founding team in 2013, Choi led all marketing and branding strategies, including launching and establishing the Cachet corporate brand, building its luxury brands internationally, and managing key relations with owners and developers. Choi also was responsible for closing Cachets early deals, including Cachet Hotel Chengdu and Cachet Beach Cabo. Prior to Cachet, Choi held sales and marketing positions at SBE International and at the Corcoran Group, New York Citys premier real estate marketing company. The Hotel RL brand plays a key role in the companys development plans. Hotel RL provides something unique in the space, from The Living Stage to unparalleled technology offerings to its individualized philanthropic initiative, Project Wake Up Call the brand is designed for the modern traveler. Yvonne brings a wealth of experience developing award-winning brands and hotels. We are excited to have her on the team and know she will continue to bring innovation and unique ideas that Hotel RL is known for, said RLH Corporation President & CEO Greg Mount. To learn more about franchising with RLH Corporation, visit franchise.rlhco.com. About RLH Corporation Red Lion Hotels Corporation is an innovative hotel company doing business as RLH Corporation and focuses on the franchising, management and ownership of upscale, midscale and economy hotels. The company focuses on maximizing return on invested capital for hotel owners across North America through relevant brands, industry-leading technology and forward-thinking services. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.rlhco.com. Social Media: www.Facebook.com/rlhcorp www.Twitter.com/rlhco www.Instagram.com/rlhco www.Linkedin.com/company/rlhco Investor Relations Contact: Amy Koch O: 509-777-6417 C: 917-579-5012 Investor.Relations@rlhco.com Media Contact: Dan Schacter Director, Social Engagement and Public Relations 847-877-9420 dan.schacter@rlhco.com Organisation: The European Unions Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department (ECHO) Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda Reports to: Technical Assistant About US: The Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), formerly known as the European Community Humanitarian Aid Office, is the European Commissions department for overseas humanitarian aid and for civil protection. The European Union has been the second largest donor of humanitarian assistance since 2000. For humanitarian aid, the Commission works with about 200 operational partners, including United Nations agencies, the Red Cross/ Crescent movement and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Humanitarian Aid is channeled impartially, straight to victims, regardless of their race, ethnic group, religion, gender, age, nationality or political affiliation. Job Summary: The ECHO-Program Assistant will conduct activities to contribute to the delivery of an effective humanitarian response. The incumbent will actively contribute to assessments, monitoring and evaluations of projects, as well as to the analysis of the humanitarian context in the area of coverage. Responsibilities: Key Duties andResponsibilities: Responsible for situation assessments; Tasked with the analysis of ECHO partners proposals; In charge of monitoring, evaluation and coordination of projects; Responsible for reporting and programme administration; Work closely with partners in an advisory capacity. Qualifications, Skills and Experience: Qualifications, Skills and Experience: The ideal applicant for the ECHO Programme Assistant (PA) job opportunity should possessa first level university degree; At least five years of relevant working experience in the development and/or; humanitarian aid sector / INGOs / NGOs. If the candidate does not have a relevant university degree, ten years work experience in the humanitarian sector will be required; Extensive knowledge of the Logical Framework Approach and Project Cycle Management. Personal initiative; ability to work both independently and in a team, with ability to set priorities, and to work to tight deadlines; Show commitment, determination, reliability, a high degree of personal integrity and discretion; Ability to analyse and process complex information; ability to clearly and concisely convey information to others Fluent written and spoken English and Luganda are required with Excellent drafting skills; How to Apply: residents holding a valid working permit or able to obtain such working permit before the foreseen recruitment date should send their applications including a cover letter, a detailed CV, academic and employment certificates should be sent by e-mail to All suitably qualified and interested Ugandan nationals and otherresidents holding a valid working permit or able to obtain such working permitbefore the foreseen recruitment date should send their applications including acover letter, a detailed CV, academic and employment certificates should besent by e-mail to application@ppg.co.ug th December 2017 Deadline: 8December 2017 For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline Organization: Self Help Africa Duty Station: Uganda Reports to: Head of Programmes (Uganda) About US: Self Help Africa (SHA) is an International NonGovernmental Organisation implementing rural development, sustainable food and livelihoods security programmes in nine countries in Africa. SHAs vision is an economically thriving and resilient rural Africa with a mission to support sustainable livelihoods for Ugandas smallholder farmers. About Project: Improving Nutrition in Refugee Settlements in Adjumani District project is a pilot initiative of SHA Uganda that will start in 2018 in the South Sudanese Refugee settlement areas in Adjumani District. The project will specifically promote a range of Climate Smart Agriculture technologies to enable refugees to sustainably produce diverse high value nutritious foods. Job Summary: The Project Manager will provide leadership in the overall planning and implementation of the project. He/she is responsible for promoting a range of Climate Smart Agriculture technologies for the sustainable production of high value nutritious foods in refugee settlement areas, ensuring effective financial and budgetary control and taking a lead in processes to identify alternative funding opportunities for the continuation of these activities. Key Duties and Responsibilities: Program Management & Administration Manage and oversee technical, budget management, monitoring and reporting activities throughout the relevant project cycles to ensure efficient and effective implementation in line with SHA programme quality principles and standards, donor requirements and good practises Provide technical leadership in the development and implementation of strategies, standards, project plans, tools and best practises in nutrition that are aligned to the Government of Uganda requirements and effectively engage partners, donors and governments Proactively anticipate, identify and provide innovative solutions to project challenges and obstacles on a timely manner. Help identify, assess and strengthen partnerships, applying appropriate partnership concepts, tools and approaches Maintain clear, regular and effective lines of communication with all nutrition implementing partners to ensure effective project implementation and program impact Coordinate and monitor financial, material and human resources relevant to project needs. Through planning and oversight ensure project resources are available and used efficiently. Act as a contact person and represent the organisation with donors, INGO working groups, local partners and relevant local government and community actors. Participate in relevant forums and knowledge networks to collect and share promising practises in the area of nutrition Promote Self Help Africa work in Uganda and contribute to the Self Help Africa learning agenda Partnerships management and visibility Establish and develop effective working relationships with key stakeholders in the food security, nutrition and livelihoods response clusters. Active participate and represent SHAs strategic interestsin inter-agency planning and steering committee meetings for the District nutrition cluster Maintain close collaboration with the District Health Officer, Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and District Production office to ensure that SHAs approaches are visible and recognised. Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning In collaboration with the PMEL Coordinator, plan and coordinate the development of project Monitoring and evaluation plans and collect data including baseline, process monitoring, midterm review and final evaluation data. Plan and conduct project steering committee meetings and routine project performance reviews Coordinate internal and external monitoring and evaluation systems and reviews of the Project in line with SHA guidelines for community-led evaluations and quantitative data collection Contribute to collection, documentation and dissemination of good practice and learning from SHAs work in the country. Advocacy Programme Development Identify, analyse and champion critical advocacy issues in the food security and nutrition sector for smooth implementation of the project. Ensure coordination with other advocacy actors in the District and promote forms of synergy and cooperation Other functions: Undertake any other duties as assigned by the Head of Programmes Experience: Qualifications, Skills andExperience: The prospective employee must hold a University degree in Agriculture, Nutrition, Public Health, Community Development or relevant Food Security related degree At least three years of relevant work experience in Program management positions related to Nutrition and Food Security, preferably with an international NGO Strong reporting skills. Competence in MS Office (MS Word, MS Excel, MS Power point) Fluency in English, Luo, Madi or Swahili will be an added advantage How to Apply: a filled application form, indicating 3 referees, two of whom should have been direct supervisors to uganda@selfhelpafrica.net including your name and the job being applied for in the Subject Line. All suitably qualified and interested candidates are encouraged to senda filled application form, download here , with a cover letterindicating 3 referees, two of whom should have been direct supervisors touganda@selfhelpafrica.net including your name and the job being applied for inthe Subject Line. Deadline: 8th December 2017 find us on our facebook page For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com orfind us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline But the tribe has a long way to go Ivanka Trump, daughter and adviser to US President Donald Trump, said India has a true friend in the White House. Addressing the audience at the inaugural session of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit, she said India is one of the fastest growing economies and has embraced entrepreneurship in its truest sense. "Here in India, I want to applaud Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his firm belief that the progress of humanity is incomplete without the empowerment of women," Ivanka said. Emphasising on the summit theme 'Women First, Prosperity for All', Ivanka noted that when women work, it creates a unique multiplier effect. "Women are more likely than men to hire other women, and to give them access to capital, mentorship and networks. Women are also more likely to reinvest their income back in their families & communities." Here are the significant excerpts from her inaugural speech: "We must ensure women entrepreneurs have access to capital, access to networks and mentors, and access to equitable laws. Fueling the growth of women-led businesses isnt simply good for our societyits good for our economy. One study estimates that closing the gender entrepreneurship gap world-wide could grow our global GDP by as much as two per cent. In the last decade, women have made remarkable strides in starting new businesses... Today, more than 11 million women in the United States own businesses. They employ nearly 9 million workers, and generate over $1 trillion in revenue. Entrepreneurs are revolutionizing our economies, and improving our societies Only when women are empowered to thrive; will our families, our economies, and our societies reach their fullest potential. This years summit is focused on a theme that is key to our future: Women First, Prosperity for All. I am proud that for the first time ever, women make up the majority of the 1,500 entrepreneurs selected to attend. Some may have tried to convince you that the risk is too greatand the reward too small. But you are here today because you are not afraid to fail. You want to own your future... I want to congratulate you on all you have already accomplished. Today, we come together to celebrate what is happening here in #India, what is happening in the United Statesand all over the world: Entrepreneurs are revolutionising our economies, and improving our societies. You are rewriting the rules. This is the first time India has hosted the Global Entrepreneurship Summit. It is a symbol of the strengthened friendship between our two peoples, and the growing economic and security partnership between our two nations. Through your own enterprise, entrepreneurship, and hard work, the people of India have lifted more than 130 million citizens out of povertya remarkable improvement, and one I know will continue to grow under the leadership of Prime Minister NarendraModi." US President Donald Trump's daughter and adviser Ivanka Trump arrived in India early on Tuesday to attend the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES), beginning here later in the day. US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster, India's Ambassador to the US Navteej Sarna and senior officials of the central and Telangana governments welcomed her at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad around 3 am. "Warm welcome to a special guest. Advisor to the President of USA@IvankaTrump arrives in Hyderabad," tweeted Raveesh Kumar, spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs. She later drove to Trident Hotel in Hitec City, about two km from Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC), the venue of GES. State government officials had earlier said that she will stay in Westin Hotel in the same area. Ivanka, who is leading the US delegation, will be attending the inaugural session in the evening along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The three-day event being co-hosted by the US and India will be attended by 1,500 entrepreneurs, investors and eco-system supporters from 159 countries. Ivanka Trump in her address today is likely to stress on fuelling the growth of women-led businesses, saying closing the gender entrepreneurship gap world-wide could grow global GDP by as much as 2 per cent. In her key note address to the eighth annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit later in the day, she is likely to stress on ensuring women entrepreneurs have access to capital, access to networks and mentors, and access to equitable laws. According to excerpts of her speech, she would state that despite the soaring rate of female entrepreneurs, women still face steep obstacles to starting, owning, and growing their businesses. "Fuelling the growth of women-led businesses isn't simply good for our society, it's good for our economy. One study estimates that closing the gender entrepreneurship gap world-wide could grow our global GDP by as much as 2 per cent," she would state. Ivanka, who is a successful businesswoman, fashion designer and adviser to the US President, was invited by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the White House in June to speak at the summit. She is leading the US contingent at the summit themed 'Women First, Prosperity for All'. She would open her speech by stressing how all over the world entrepreneurs are revolutionising our economies, and improving our societies. "You are rewriting the rules," she would state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi set the tone for the BJPs campaign for the Gujarat Assembly polls as he addressed four rallies in a day in different parts of the state. He made Gujarati Asmita (Gujarati pride) as the central theme of his messaging for the state electorate, which is also being strongly wooed by the Congress with its new caste-based combination. The BJP has been looking at the Modi magic to tide over any negative sentiment arising out of the note ban, implementation of the GST and the angst of caste groups like the Patidars and dalits. Modi, in four speeches on Monday, gave ample indication of the saffron partys strategy to counter the Congress, which for the first time in the last two decades was in contention. Addressing the electorate mostly in Gujarati, the prime minister targeted the Congress and Rahul Gandhi by invoking incidents from the distant past to recent times. He is scheduled to address another set of four rallies on Wednesday. Drawing examples from the Congress treatment of another PM from Gujarat, Morarji Desai, to Uttar Pradeshs election campaign where even donkeys from Gujarat had become a talking point, Modis attack on the Congress and Rahul was strident. The Congress always defamed and disliked Gujarat. People of the state were well aware how the Congress had treated Sardar Patel and Morarji Desai, Modi said. Referring to an earlier event, Modi said to a largely enthusiastic crowd, Indiraji removed Morarji Bhai from the Cabinet. She nationalised the banks but did not open the doors of the bank for the poor. When we got the opportunity to serve, the first thing we did was to start the Jan Dhan Yojana and focus on financial inclusion. Morarji Bhai Desai was a successful finance minister and a believer in Gandhiji. The Congress mistreated him and even when he became PM, they troubled him, Modi said in Kadodara, a township on the outskirts of Surat. The rally was earlier slated to be held in nearby Kamrej but had to be shifted to Kadodara owing to chances of protests by Patidar groups. The prime minister also reminded the audience of his governments surgical strike on terrorists in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. He took a jibe at Rahul Gandhi for meeting Chinese diplomats when the Indian Army was involved in a face-off with the Chinese at Doklam. They rejoiced when Hafiz Saeed was released, Modi said with his trademark flourish. In the rallies, Modi repeatedly hit out at the Congress for promoting casteism and dynastic rule. The Congress dislikes me because of my poor origins. Can a party stoop so low? Yes, a person belonging to a poor family has become PM. They do not fail to hide their contempt for this fact. Yes, I sold tea but I did not sell the nation, Modi said to loud cheers from the crowd. Modi had started his election campaign by visiting the Ashapura Mata temple in Bhuj. The BJP had already deployed its central ministers, chief ministers and senior leaders to handle the campaign and travel all over the state to engage with voters. Yogi Adityanath, Devendra Fadnavis and Raman Singh have already been in Gujarat. As Gujarats election campaign picks up, the shrillness of attacks from rivals sides is only expected to go up. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday took up the attack on Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin's son Syed Shahid Yousuf in Tihar jail with Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba. Mehboob's call to Gauba came after Hurriyat Conference warned the government of dire consequences for assault on Shahid and other Kashmiri prisoners lodged in jails outside. The chief minister was concerned over reports of harassment and manhandling of some inmates from the state in Tihar jail in New Delhi, a government spokesman said in a statement. Taking a serious note of these reports, the chief minister spoke to the Union home secretary and requested him to intervene in the matter, the spokesman said. He said Guba assured her that the matter would be looked into and those found guilty of violating the rules will be dealt sternly. Shahid,42, was arrested by National Investigation Agency (NIA) on October 24 on charges of receiving secret funds for creating unrest in Kashmir. NIA has said Shahid has been arrested for receiving secret funds by transfer of money from a Hizbul operative Ajaz Ahmed Bhat alias Ajaz Maqbool Bhat from Saudi Arabia. The separatists have condemned the attack on Shahid and warned the government of consequences in case any harm comes to him and other prisoners from Kashmir. Shahid Yousuf, son of Syed Salahuddin, was beaten in Tihar jail due to which he suffered injuries in his arm and head,'' said a spokesman of Hurriyat Conference led by Ali Shah Geelani. ''The prisoners face life threats because they have been lodged with criminals.'' Joint Resistance Leadership of separatists comprising Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik also condemned the attack on Shahid. The detainees are being treated by the champions of democracy in total violation of basic norms of humanity,'' the JRL said in a statement. They even ignore the Supreme Court ruling with regard to the prisoners. The government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi may not be providing the exact cost of the Rafale fighter jet deal because it would raise security concerns about revealing the aircraft's classified capabilities, according to a top government official. The Indian Air Force had asked for at least 13 'India-specific' enhancements in the warplanes, which are not existing in any Rafale jet being operated by other countries including the French Air Force itself. Dassault Aviation, the aircraft's manufacturer, had recently delivered 11 Rafale jets to Egypt. And due to this customisation of specific capabilities, the ministry of defence would not like to divulge the cost details of the jets. In response to Congress allegations about the price of the Rafale deal, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman distanced herself from disclosing figures by citing security issues. However, the Congress was expected to raise the Rafale deal in the upcoming winter session of Parliament, where the main opposition party would stress upon the need to reveal the exact cost of the deal to justify the price negotiations. "Customisation of aircraft capabilities is being done as it was an emergency procurement. Over a dozen India-specific enhancement accessories are being fitted into the aircraft, which are out to do certain purposes," a senior MoD official told THE WEEK. Retired air vice marshal Manmohan Bahadur believed revealing the cost and other specifics would certainly compromise security. "First of all, there is a confidentiality clause in the agreement and secondly, we cannot disclose the specifics which IAF is targeting in the fighter jets," AVM Bahadur told THE WEEK. Without giving out specifics, an official disclosed that besides radar enhancements that will provide better long-range capability, the IAF also sought a significant capability enhancement in the ability to start and operate from 'high-altitude airfields,' like Leh or from parts of the Northeast. Another specific capability, which the IAF is looking at equipping these jets with the is a helmet-mounted display (HMD) through which pilots would be able counter many threats simultaneously. According to an IAF official, the customised Rafale jets for India will have a weapon suite much superior to the ones proposed in the earlier proposed deal for 126 medium multi-role combat aircraft that was negotiated by the Congress-led UPA government. The Rafales will include air-to-air weapons such as the Meteor beyond-visual-range missiles with ranges more than 150km, MICA-RF beyond-visual-range missiles with a range of more than 80km and the MICA-IR close-combat missiles with ranges of more than 60km. The air-to-ground weapons include the SCALP missiles with a range in excess of 300km. The induction of the Meteor and SCALP missiles will provide a significant capability edge to the IAF over Indias adversaries on both the eastern and western fronts. The delivery schedule of the 36 Dassault Rafales is 67 months and the first aircraft will reach the IAF by mid-2019 and the rest over the next 30 months. After hard negotiations lasting nearly 18 months, the IAF signed a euro 7.87 billion (approx Rs 59,000 crore) deal with the French government under a government-to-government agreement for purchase of 36 Rafale fighter jets in September 2016 from Dassault Aviation. During the negotiations, four factors were considered before inking the deal: basic cost of an aircraft, infrastructure and training, India-specific enhancement accessories and performance-based logistics. Apart from basic cost and expenditure on infrastructure and training, the IAF is closely eyeing performance-based logistics. As per the performance-based logistics agreement, the aircraft manufacturer would ensure that a minimum of 75 per cent of the fleet would always be available for operations. The country's front-line Sukhoi-30 has only 56 per cent fleet availability. Moreover, the Rafale has lesser turnaround time compared with other fighter jets in the IAF's inventory and can also can do five sorties in a day as compared with other two-engine fighter aircraft available, which have a sortie generation rate of three sorties per day. A day after the Supreme Court allowed Hadiya alias Akhila, a Muslim converted Kerala woman, to continue her study, the principal of her college at Salem said her husband would not be allowed to meet her. Earlier, while hearing the sensational 'Love Jihad' case on Monday, the top court had directed the institute to allow Hadiya to meet anybody as per the hostel rule. "I won't allow Hadiya's husband to meet her. Her parents admitted her here; only they can meet her," G. Kannan, principal of Shivraj Homoeopathic Medical College was quoted as saying by reports. Kannan also said that Hadiya cannot go anywhere alone and can do nothing without his prior permission. He, however, added that completion of her course was his priority. Hadiya, a 24-year-old woman, is embroiled in a religious conversion row after she converted from Hinduism to Islam and married Shafin Jahan, who, according to the National Investigation Agency, is a radicalised youth and an agent of Islamic State. Also Read: Hadiya returns to Salem college, vows to meet husband The principal's comment came even as Jahan said on Tuesday that he would meet his wife as the Supreme Court had not barred him from doing so. I don't need to approach the court seeking any clarification. The SC has not made any adverse remarks against me, Jahan said in Malappuram. The Supreme Court on Monday released Hadiya from the custody of her parents and allowed her to return to her college and appointed the dean of the homoeopathic college as her guardian. The top court also directed Tamil Nadu government to provide security for Hadiya for next 11 months. The NIA which probed the case had submitted that the woman was indoctrinated and that she may be incapable of giving free consent to marriage. It had also said there was a well-oiled machinery working in Kerala that was indoctrinating and radicalising society in the state. Jahan had moved the Supreme Court after the Kerala high court annulled their marriage, saying it was an insult to the independence of women in the country. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VANC Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VANC or the Company) (TSX-V:VANC) (OTCQB:NUVPF) announces today that as per the news release dated October 23, 2017 it has closed an oversubscribed non-brokered private placement for a total of 4,850,000 units (the Units) of the Company at a price of $0.15 per Unit for gross proceeds of approximately CDN$727,500.00. Its been a transitional year for VANC. Exceeding our goal on this private placement confirms that we have strong support for the new vision of the Company, commented Bob Rai, CEO of VANC. We can now look forward to completing the HealthTab acquisition and delivering on our commitment to support the evolving role of community pharmacists with innovative new products and technology. Each Unit consists of one (1) common share (the Common Share) and one (1) transferrable share purchase warrant (the Warrant). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one (1) additional common share on or before November 27, 2022 at a price of CDN$0.20 per Common Share. The warrants are subject to an accelerated exercise provision whereby in the event the closing price of the Companys common shares trades at $0.25 or higher for a period of 10 consecutive trading days, then the Company may, within five days of such event, provide notice by way of news release that the warrants shall expire on the date that is 30 days from the date notice is given. The securities issued are subject to a 4 month hold period that expires on March 28, 2018. The Company paid a finders fee of $3,300.00 (6% on $55,000.05) and 22,000 finders warrants (6% on 366,667 Units). Each finders warrant entitles the finder to purchase one (1) common share of the Company on or before November 27, 2022 at a price of $0.10 per common share. The proceeds will be used to complete technology acquisitions and toward ongoing operational and corporate expenses. About VANC Pharmaceuticals Inc. VANC Pharmaceuticals aims to become the partner of choice for forward-thinking pharmacies across Canada. With an established sales force, distribution network, and team of highly experienced professionals in pharmacy, point-of-care testing and health technology, VANC is growing beyond generics to provide pharmacists with innovative, value-added products and services to support their evolving business models and expanding role as front-line healthcare providers. For more information visit www.vancpharm.com On behalf of: VANC Pharmaceuticals Inc. Bob Rai Director and CEO Phone: 604-687-2038 Fax: 604-687-3141 Email: info@vancpharm.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements: Information in this press release that involves VANCs expectations, plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future are forward-looking statements that are not facts and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. VANC generally uses words such as outlook, will, could, would, might, remains, to be, plans, believes, may, expects, intends, anticipates, estimate, future, plan, positioned, potential, project, remain, scheduled, set to, subject to, upcoming, and similar expressions to help identify forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements include our expectation to complete the financing on the terms and in the amounts contemplated, insider participation in the financing, the use of proceeds, that our distribution channels will continue to expand, that the financing will be sufficient to allow the Company to obtain operational profitability, or that the Company will reach operational profitability and the Company's plans for technology acquisitions. Forward-looking statements reflect the then-current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates and forecasts of our management. Because forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors which are difficult to predict, our actual results, performance or achievements or the actual results or performance of the industries and markets in which we operate and intend to operate may be materially different from those anticipated in our forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve significant uncertainties and risks, should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results and will not necessarily be an accurate indication of whether or not such results will be achieved. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in our forward-looking statements, including the ability to obtain all necessary stock exchange and board approvals, our ability to negotiate and execute definitive documentation with subscribers and any finders and to fulfill any conditions precedent contained therein, the general level of interest to participate in the private placements and such other matters described in our public filings available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Accordingly, readers should exercise caution in relying upon our forward-looking statements and we undertake no obligation to publicly revise such statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required by law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that terms is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has never wasted an opportunity to talk of his veneration for India's original 'Iron Man' and the country's first home minister, Vallabhbhai Patel. He did the same as he arrived in Hyderabad on Tuesday amid tight security to attend two high-profile events. The PM, who landed at the Begumpet Airport on Tuesday afternoon, was received by Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, governor of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana E.S.L. Narasimhan and cabinet ministers and senior officials. Before proceeding to inaugurate the Hyderabad Metro Rail, he spoke to around 4,000 BJP workers at a function organised by the party, just outside the airport premises. He greeted the gathering of BJP workers in Telugu. I am very happy to be here. Hyderabad reminds me of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. He helped Hyderabad state merge with India and I salute him. In his five-minute speech, he also spoke about the sacrifices of the martyrs of the struggle for statehood for Telangana. Calling Hyderabad a marvellous city, he said the BJP was committed to developing Telangana state. The BJP does not discriminate against state governments based on politics. We support competitive corporate federalism and intend to help every state irrespective of who is in power. He also congratulated the BJP workers and their families for their contribution to the partys growth and declared that the BJP was the largest political party in the world. The PM was then flown in an Indian Air Force helicopter to Miyapur in Cyberabad. He unveiled a pylon at the Miyapur Metro Station, thus officially launching the metro services. Seated between Governor Narasimhan and Telangana IT Minister K.T. Rama Rao, Modi took a ride from Miyapur Station to Kukatpally. The train was driven by a female locomotive pilot. The PMs convoy then moved toward Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC) for the inauguration of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) in HITEC City. Gujarat will see more of Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi in the coming days. The Gandhi scion, who is all set to be elevated as the party president, will visit the poll-bound state for two days beginning Wednesday. This will be Gandhi's sixth visit to the state in the last couple of months. On Wednesday, he will arrive at the Diu air strip and from there he will head to Somnath temple to have darshan. He is slated to have a corner meeting in the afternoon at Visavadar, the place from where former BJP chief Keshubhai Patel hails from. He will also have a corner meeting at Savarkundla of Amreli district. After addressing a public meeting, he will have a night halt at Amreli. The second day's programme has not been approved as yet. However, if Gujarat Congress sources are to be believed, Gandhi, apart from having corner meetings, will address a public meeting in Bhavnagar from where state BJP president Jitubhai Vaghani is contesting. This is for the second time that Gandhi is covering Saurashtra region. The party expects that it can improve its tally in the region comparing to 2012 elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, too, is in Saurashtra region on Wednesday. He is slated to address public meetings in Morbi, Prachi, Palitana and late in the afternoon in Navsari, South Gujarat. Meanwhile, Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti leader Hardik Patel will have a road show in Morbi almost at the same time when Modi will be addressing a public meeting. In the evening, Patel will address a public meeting in Rajkot from where chief minister Vijay Rupani is contesting. Patel has claimed that there would be a huge turnout at his meeting. Despite an endorsement from the World Health Organization, the Union government is not likely to go ahead with a key provision in the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2014. The proposed amendment expands the definition of legal abortion providersto include nurses, auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs) and doctors practising Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Unani and Siddhato perform non-surgical abortions in case of pregnancies up to nine weeks. The decision to expand the ambit of abortion providers was part of a slew of changes proposed to amend the law on abortion. Though the union ministry of health and family welfare (MoHFW) is going ahead with most of the other changes, there was no clarity on when the bill would come up in Parliament, said Vandana Gurnani, joint secretary, MoHFW. Activists said the amendment to allow Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy (AYUSH) doctors and nurses to carry out abortion procedures was the most 'crucial one.' The other changes that the ministry was going ahead with include allowing a woman to seek the opinion of only one doctor before seeking an abortion in the second trimester (instead of two doctors), increasing the gestation limit for legal abortions from 20 to 24 weeks for women with vulnerabilities (rape survivors, women with disabilities), and allowing a woman to abort at anytime during the pregnancy if a fetal abnormality is detected. But experts working on the issue argued that expanding the base for trained abortion providersbeyond trained MBBS doctorswas the only way to increase access to safe abortions. Many countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal and South Africa allow other healthcare providers to perform non-surgical abortions, and India should follow suit, the experts said. This was the most important amendment to the MTP Act and would have helped poor women access safe abortion services. There's a huge shortage of doctors in the country, and this change would have helped plug that gap, said Vinoj Manning, director, Ipas Development Foundation, an NGO that works for safe abortions. According to various estimates, around 13 million abortions take place in India every year. Government data suggests that 8 per cent of maternal mortality was due to unsafe abortionsthis was the third leading cause of maternal deaths in India. Due to a shortage of trained doctors, many women end up going to untrained, illegal providers, said activists. The need for trained manpower was being seen as a 'crucial' need to reduce unsafe abortions. However, unfounded concerns around sex selection were dissuading policy makers from allowing other healthcare professionals to perform non-surgical abortions. Doctors countered these fears by reiterating that since sex determination is not possible in the first trimester, the government's concerns around sex-selective abortions in this case did not stand on a firm footing. According to the United Nations Population Fund and Ipas Development Foundation, 80-90 per cent of reported abortions took place in the first trimester (when the sex of the foetus cannot be determined). Though we are still awaiting the latest data on abortions, we know that there's a huge need. As of now, only gynaecologists and trained MBBS doctors can provide abortion services. And most trained doctors are concentrated in the cities. Mid-level providers such as doctors practising alternative medicine can easily be trained to diagnose pregnancies and provide medical abortion. Issues around safety and training can easily be taken care of in these trainings, Mumbai-based obstetrician Dr Nozer Sheriar said. However, Dr Hrishkesh Pai, secretary general, Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecological Societies of India, countered, There's no shortage of doctors in the country. The government only needs to ensure that doctors are able to reach rural areas by fixing the logistical gaps. We need to utilise the existing cadre of doctors better before we consider training other professionals. According to V.S. Chandrashekhar, CEO, Foundation for Reproductive Health Services India, in at least 13 states in the country, AYUSH doctors were allowed to administer some form of allopathic treatment. Besides, if skilled birth attendants facilitate normal deliveries, are trained to do per vaginal examination, and insert and remove the intra-uterine contraceptive device, why is there a hesitation to allow them to administer medical abortion? he questioned. Around 10 women in India die every day due to unsafe abortions, and these deaths, say experts, are 'entirely preventable.' Poor infrastructure in rural areas, lack of trained providers and mandatory consent of two doctors are being seen as some of the barriers in access to safe abortions. The defence minister of Singapore Ng Eng Hen on Tuesday flew a sortie in the light combat aircraft at the Indian Air Force base at Kalaikunda in West Bengal. The minister is on a days visit to Kalaikunda. He was received by Air Marshal, the air officer commanding-in-chief of the eastern air command, Anil Khosla. He was flown in Tejas, the first indigenous aircraft of Indian Air Force. Interestingly, the project director for flight testing at the aeronautical development agency, Air vice marshal A.P. Singh was the pilot who flew the visiting dignitary in the light combat aircraft. The minister also met and interacted with the detachment commander and other officers and men of the Republic of Singapore Air Force, who had already been at Kalaikunda to receive the minister. The Singapore force is stationed in Kalaikunda air base to receive training from their Indian counterparts. They would also impart their specialised training to Indian force. The joint military training is scheduled to start next week where Singapore Air Force would fly their F-16s and Indian air force would fly Su-30. Hen praised the professionalism of the Indian Air Force and expressed hope that military cooperation between two countries would continue. Air Marshal Khosla said, The joint military training provides a unique platform for mutual learning and exchange of ideas between the two professional air forces. For 45 minutes, I placed my life in the hands of Air Vice Marshall A.P. Singh as we flew 20,000 ft above the skies in the IAFs new fighter plane - Tejas. I have never met him before but my own air force, in Singapore who have been trained regularly with Indian air force pilots, say he is among the best, said Hen. So, as suggested by my air force, I decided to fly and it was easy for me. The plane ride was so smooth that despite the G-turns and manoevers, I managed to take a few selfies, said the minister with a grin. Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed, who is also the mastermind behind the Mumbai 26/11 attacks, filed a petition to the United Nations to have his name removed from the list of terrorists. The petition was filed filed through the Lahore-based law firm Mirza and Mirza. Saeed, the founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba, was placed under house arrest from January by the provincial government as per anti-terrorism laws. He was release on November 24 and ever since has been rallying for a free Kashmir and against ousted Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Read more: Freed, Hafiz Saeed vows to fight for Kashmir In May 2008, US had named him a specially designated global terrorist. Soon after the November 2008 teror attack on Mumbai, he was designated a terrorist by the UN under UNSCR 1267 (UN Security Council Resolution) in December 2008. The US had also announced a bounty of $10 million post the 26/11 attack. Post being freed from house arrest, US asked Pakistan to re-arrest Saeed and warned Pakistan of repercussions for failing to do so. Saeed was released from house arrest after a judicial body cited there was 'insufficient evidence' to detain him. Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri has said that he will resign if the Hezbollah resistance movement refuses to remain neutral in the country. Hariri, in remarks to the media, said on November 27 that he would continue as Prime Minister "if Hezbollah accepted to stick by the state policy of staying out of regional conflicts from Syria to Iraq and Yemen". "They know we have to remain neutral in the region," Hariri was quoted as saying by the media. Hezbollah is an opponent of Hariri's Saudi Arabia-backed Future Movement though it is also a member of Hariri's coalition government. Hariri announced his resignation on November 4 in Saudi Arabia, shocking Lebanon and plunging it into political uncertainty. He accused Iran and Hezbollah of sowing strife in the Arab world, an allegation rejected by both sides. Shortly afterwards, Lebanese President Michel Aoun accused Riyadh of kidnapping Hariri. The European Union, France and Germany also called on the Saudis for his return. Hariri then travelled back to Lebanon and put his resignation on hold at Aoun's request in favour of a national dialogue. According to reports, Hariri had been forced to step down by the Kingdom over his failing to "confront" Hezbollah. "Lebanon cannot resolve a question like Hezbollah which is in Syria, Iraq, everywhere because of Iran. It is a regional political solution that needs to be done," Hariri said on Monday. He also rejected claims that he had forcibly resigned. He said he had written his resignation statement himself, countering allegations that it has been handed to him. The Prime Minister said he would keep to himself what happened in Saudi Arabia, implying that he did not feel free to expose what had actually transpired in the Kingdom. Ireland's Deputy Prime Minister Frances Fitzgerald has resisted calls to resign as more evidence has emerged about her level of knowledge surrounding a plan to discredit an Irish police whistleblower. On November 27, documents revealed Frances Fitzgerald had received a letter discussing the action from an official, the media reported. At the time she was the Irish minster for justice. She faces a vote of no confidence in the Dail (Irish parliament) on November 28. A government spokesperson said it retained full confidence in Fitzgerald. The dispute has created a political crisis. In 2015, the O'Higgins Commission was established by the government to look examine malpractice allegations in the Garda's (Irish police) Cavan-Monaghan division. On the evening of November 27, it was revealed that the now tanaiste (Irish deputy prime minister) was personally sent a letter from one of her officials in July 2015, which discussed the "aggressive stance towards Sgt. Maurice McCabe at the commission". The letter is one of a number of documents published by the department of justice from a record trawl requested by Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Leo Varadkar. In a series of tweets on the evening of November 27, Fitzgerald wrote: "As Justice Minister I could not interfere with the O'Higgins Commission. This is confirmed twice in today's docs & has been confirmed by the Attorney General." A judge-led tribunal is also being held to establish whether senior Garda officers were involved in an alleged smear campaign against whistleblower Sgt Maurice McCabe. Fitzgerald also wrote: "The Tribunal will objectively judge the appropriateness of my conduct. I look forward to giving my evidence to the Tribunal early in January." Last week Fitzgerald faced questions in the Dail (Irish parliament) over an email she was sent by former Garda Commissioner, Noirin O'Sullivan, which outlined the legal strategy to be pursued against Sgt Maurice McCabe. Fitzgerald said she could not remember reading it. However she recently admitted she was made aware a year earlier than she had previously stated, that lawyers for the Garda were going to attempt to discredit Sgt. McCabe. Kenyan security forces fired teargas to control crowds trying to force their way into a stadium for President Uhuru Kenyattas inauguration on November 28, as riot police sealed off an area where the opposition planned to hold a rival rally. Kenyatta won a second five-year term on October 26 in a repeat presidential election boycotted by opposition leader Raila Odinga, who said it would not be free and fair. The Supreme Court nullified the first presidential election, in August, over irregularities. The extended election season has divided Kenya, a Western ally in a volatile region, and blunted growth in East Africas richest economy. Supporters of Kenyatta who won with 98 percent of the vote after Odingas boycott are urging the opposition to engage in talks and move on. Our responsibility after the political competition is to come together and work to build the nation, Kenyatta said. Hours before the inauguration was due to start, 60,000 Kenyatta supporters, many clad in the red and yellow Jubilee party colours and carrying Kenyan flags, filled the stadium where the ceremony will take place. Read more: Kenyatta to be sworn in as president post re-election in Kenya Others, chafing at being kept outside, overwhelmed police and streamed in. Officers then fired teargas in a bid to control them. Im sure Uhuru will be able to bring people together and unite them so we can all work for the country, said Eunice Jerobon, a trader who travelled overnight from the Rift Valley town of Kapsabet for the inauguration, before the disturbance. But Odinga supporters say such talk of unity is tantamount to surrender. They accuse the ruling party of stealing the election, rampant corruption, directing abuse by the security forces and neglecting vast swathes of the country, including Odingas heartland in the west. A return to the political backwardness of our past is more than unacceptable. It is intolerable ... This divide cannot be bridged by dialogue and compromise, Odingas National Super Alliance opposition alliance said in a statement. The opposition planned to hold a prayer meeting in the capital on November 28, saying it wanted to commemorate the lives of Odinga supporters killed during confrontations with the security forces over the election period. More than 70 people have been killed in political violence this election season, mostly by the police. The scene of the planned rally had been sealed off by seven truck loads of police. Two water cannons were standing by. Police began firing teargas in nearby residential areas two hours before the rally was due to start, apparently attempting to prevent opposition supporters from gathering. Reuters Pope Francis headed to Myanmar's capital city of Nay Pyi Taw on November 28, where heads of the government will officially welcome him on the second day of his visit to the country. In the capital, the pontiff will be received by President Htin Kyaw and will also meet de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, reports the media. He will then also have a meeting with the diplomatic corps accredited in the country, before returning in the afternoon to Yangon where he had arrived on November 27. Pope Francis began his visit to Myanmar on November 27 with a meeting with Army Chief General Min Aung Hlaing, architect of the military operations that caused hundreds of deaths and forced more than 620,000 members of the Rohingya Muslim minority to flee to Bangladesh. During the meeting, the pontiff expressed the need for the authorities to assume their responsibility during this period of ongoing political transition in the country, according to Vatican sources. General Hlaing in a statement said that in Myanmar "there is no religious discrimination" because "the country ensures religious freedom", and that the armed forces were "making efforts to restore and to ensure peace in the nation. Myanmar has no discrimination among the ethnics". The pope is also scheduled to attend a major Mass on November 29, after which he will hold a meeting with the Supreme Council of Myanmar's Buddhist monks and another meeting with bishops. The humanitarian crisis of the Rohingya plays a crucial role in Pope Francis' visit to Myanmar. On November 30 he will head to neighbouring Bangladesh in an attempt to mediate the crisis, which the UN has dubbed a "textbook example of ethnic cleansing". The pontiff will become the first Catholic leader to visit Dhaka since 1986. In Bangladesh, Francis is scheduled to meet a small group of Rohingya refugees in a symbolic gesture. FORT WORTH, Texas, Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- KMG (NYSE:KMG), a global provider of specialty chemicals and performance materials, today announced the Company will provide fiscal first quarter financial results on Monday, December 11, 2017 after the close of the market. At 5:00 p.m. ET that same day, KMG management will host a conference call to review the companys financial results. Listeners may access the conference call live via a dial-in number or audio webcast. Monday, December 11, 2017 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time Dial-in Numbers: Domestic: (844) 316-8066; International: (703) 736-7353 Conference ID: 5178707 The conference call will be webcast live via the Investors section of the Companys website at http://kmgchemicals.com. The conference call transcript will be archived on the KMG website. A replay of the teleconference will also be available for one week, starting at 8:00 p.m. ET on December 11, 2017. To access the replay, call (855) 859-2056 (domestic) or (404) 537-3406 (international) using conference ID 5178707. About KMG KMG Chemicals, Inc., through its subsidiaries, produces and distributes specialty chemicals and performance materials for the semiconductor, industrial wood preservation, and pipeline and energy markets. For more information, visit the Company's website at http://kmgchemicals.com. During the course of the conference call, KMG may make certain forward-looking statements 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. 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, successful performance of internal plans, product development acceptance, the impact of competitive services and pricing and general economic risks and uncertainties. KMG Investor Relations Eric Glover, 817-761-6006 Rahul Gandhi visited more than a dozen temples in the past two months in Gujaratmore than what Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a hindutva icon, did. It rings a bell. It is a change of strategy by the Congress. With demonetisation and Goods and Services Tax hitting the Gujarat traders hard, and the caste sentiments on the boil, Rahul has tweaked the partys game plan. As a result, there has been no reference of Muslims, or the 2002 communal riots. Am I not allowed to visit temples? asked the Congress vice president, responding to the criticism that followed his visits to major temples in the poll-bound state. I am a devotee of Lord Shiva. Let them say whatever they want to say. My truth is with me, he said. It was a rare declaration of faith from Rahul, though it was not his first high-profile temple visit. With his vermilion-smeared-forehead flashed everywhere, he aims to put to rest any whisper campaign over his Hinduness. His mother, Sonia, was often attacked over her foreign origin and faith. The change of strategy became visible when Rahul kickstarted the Gujarat campaign with a visit to the Dwarkadhish Temple on September 25. The priests showed him the entries of the visits of his father and grandmother, and recorded his visit by emphasising his Brahmin credentials. Indira Gandhi last visited the temple on May 18, 1980, and Rajiv on February 10, 1990. Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah had made temple visits central to their political strategy. Elaborate rituals during such visits had endeared them to the Hindu electorate. The Congress has to change the narrative of the campaign. If they go by traditional style, it will be very difficult for them to match the might of the BJP, said Prof Sanjay Kumar, director of Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, Delhi. Now, there is a conscious effort on the part of the Congress leadership to change the nature of the campaign by reaching out to those people and symbols, which they have not consciously done in the past. Rahuls temple run has not gone unnoticed. The BJP, especially, seems alarmed. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath mocked Rahul saying he did not even know how to sit in the Kashi temple. BJP general secretary Bhupender Yadav, who is in charge of party affairs in Gujarat, called it an election stunt. Visiting temples is part of Indian culture. But this must come naturally and not just during elections, he said. BJP vice president Vinay Sahasrabuddhe said the Congress leadership remembered God and the people only when they faced challenges. Congress MP Sushmita Dev, however, did not find anything unusual in Rahuls temple visits. Gujarat is a highly religious state. Requests had come from various communities asking Rahul to visit their local deities. Based on requests he can visit even a church and a mosque, she said. Though Rahuls temple visits did not help the Congress in the assembly elections in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh, he appears more surefooted this time around. I thank the BJP as the defeat in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections was the best thing to happen to me. The BJP had beaten me and abused me so much that it opened up my eyes, he said in a rare admission of his political journey during an interaction in Vadodara on October 9. There has been an effort by the Congress not to ignore Hindu sentiments ever since the Mathura chintan shivir in 2015. In 2014, the Congresss defeat was because of various factors, said Sanjay Kumar. One of them was large sections of voters seeing the Congress as a party engaging in appeasement of Muslims at the cost of neglecting the Hindus. In states like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Assam where the Congress is in direct contest with the BJP, the party expects to get the Muslim votes by default. Hence, what they are trying to do is to reach out to Hindus and give a message that they care for the majority community. HAMILTON, Bermuda, Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leaders of Bermudas global business sector highlighted the breadth, advantages and significant economic impact of the islands financial market during an awareness-raising cross-industry forum held in London today by the Bermuda Business Development Agency (BDA). Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2bcaa95b-e3ca-44c9-899a-cb70eeb4cf10 http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7bdeef31-44cc-4e6d-9984-f08a6cd6bfe7 http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/edb31e57-95aa-4327-8abb-47277d9619a2 Premier the Hon David Burt officially opened the day-long forum after meeting with Britains Prime Minister Theresa May. The Premier is in the city for the BDA event as well as annual Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) meetings and various Parliamentary events, followed by planned visits to Paris and Berlin later in the week. Our government supports events like this BDA forum, because its important to engage people from around the world to help accomplish our goals growing Bermudas economy, said the Premier. Bermuda has a very powerful story to tell as a well-regarded international financial centre known for robust regulation and leadership on transparency and compliance. We believe this is an excellent platform to talk about Bermudas role in supporting global economies. Its important, because we trade on that reputation. The forum attracted close to 250 delegates, encompassing a wide range of industries, to ME London Hotel in the citys West End. Featuring top regulatory and industry representatives in discussion panels, the agenda covered hot-button topics such as Brexit and the recent theft of Paradise Papers law-firm data, while emphasising the many elements that differentiate Bermudafrom the islands world-respected regulator and access to capital to its deep pool of valuable industry expertise. Speakers also examined the varied sectors that make Bermuda a centre of excellence, including re/insurance, captive insurance and insurance-linked securities, to asset management, family offices, and trust and private-client business. The forum has provided us with an opportunity to tell the Bermuda story at a critical juncture when the European spotlight is on international financial centres, said BDA CEO Ross Webber. Our jurisdiction has a compelling message, and people are beginning to understand that Bermuda really is different. Forum panels in the morning covered risk-industry topicsfrom insurance trends and the outlook for 2018 to why Bermuda remains the Worlds Risk Capital. Afternoon sessions focused on the rapidly-growing convergence of re/insurance and asset management, then moved to examine high-net-worth services, family governance and charitable trust structuring. The days line-up featured 25 Bermuda executives, including Bermuda Monetary Authority CEO Jeremy Cox; Bermuda Stock Exchange CEO Greg Wojciechowski; Association of Bermuda Insurers & Reinsurers President Brad Kading; Grainne Richmond, President of the Bermuda Insurance Management Association (BIMA); and Keith Robinson, Chairman of the Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners (STEP) Bermuda. Keynote speaker, Deputy Chair of Lloyds and Hiscox Chair Robert Childs, described Bermudas speed to market and detailed the many advantages Bermuda had lent to Hiscox. The forum gathered government, industry and regulatory experience to give attendees an opportunity to be exposed to the Bermuda market, said BMA CEO Jeremy Cox. That kind of collaboration is part of what has made Bermuda successful. Certainly, given the times were in, thats importantbecause theres been a lot of misinformation in the media about our jurisdiction. This has given us an opportunity to set the record straight. Other Bermuda-based executive participants included Mark Allitt of KPMG Bermuda; Sarah Demerling of Estera; BDA former chair and Hiscox Director Caroline Foulger; David Gibbons of PwC Bermuda; Ed Granski for Meritus Trust; Randall Krebs of Harbour International Trust Company; BDA Board member Jessel Mendes, of EY Bermuda; Michael Neff of Butterfield Bank; Michael Parrish of Marsh Bermuda; Peter Pearman of Conyers Dill & Pearman; Brian Quinn of Granite Management; Fozeia Rana-Fahy of MJM; Aon CEO Joe Rego; Andrew Smith of Qatar Re; Ariane West of Taylors in association with Walkers; Arthur Wightman of PwC Bermuda; Kim Willey of ASW Law; and Akilah Wilson of the BMA. We were very impressed by the support not just from Bermuda industry but from friends of Bermuda here in the UK, Webber added. We had over 20 different companies represented at our forum; thats a marvellous endorsement of the work of the BDA, and a great reflection of the collaboration of the Bermuda market. Its very rewarding to see Bermuda so well represented and supported. Overseas presenters included Richard Hay of Stikeman Elliott, London; Sian Hill of KPMG UK; and Samantha Morgan of RMW Law. Its about working relationships with the right people were not just marketing the jurisdiction, said Jessel Mendes, a BDA Board member and Partner at EY Bermuda. Were really selling, and I think thats critical. Its about working the relationships with the right people to bring business back to Bermuda. Today, the focus is on the relationship, on business development, and on sales. Thats a new mindshift and I believe credit for it goes to the BDA. Tomorrow, a second industry eventBeyond Convergencewill also take place at the hotel, focusing solely on insurance-linked securities. Organised by ILS Bermuda to dovetail with todays forum, it will provide a more detailed look at Bermudas success in attracting capital, expertise and clients to the sphere of alternative reinsurance. Featured speakers will include some of the same industry executives, including the BSXs Wojciechowski, the BMAs Cox, ABIRs Kading, and BDAs Webber. MEDIA CONTACT: Rosemary Jones Head of Communications & Marketing rosemary@bda.bm 441 278-6558 441 337-4696 CONNECTING BUSINESS The BDA encourages direct investment and helps companies start up, re-locate or expand their operations in our premier jurisdiction. An independent, public-private partnership, we connect you to industry professionals, regulatory officials, and key contacts in the Bermuda government to assist domicile decisions. Our goal? To make doing business in Bermuda smooth and beneficial. The man who sold Britains biggest technology company to the Japanese and two other firms to foreign vultures is sitting on the UKs takeover watchdog. Stuart Chambers, who was chairman of ARM Holdings when they were bought by Japanese Softbank, plays a key role in deciding whether takeovers should go ahead. Chambers was also chief executive of Pilkington glass when that was sold to Japanese investors, and later chairman of packaging company Rexam when that was bought by Americans. His appointment to the panel was branded a disgrace by a City investor. Philip Hammod greets Stuart Chambers outside 11 Downing Street James Anderson, who runs Scottish Mortgage, said Chambers failed to do his job properly when he recommended the takeover of ARM by Softbank to shareholders. He said: Its a disgrace that this man is on the Takeover Panel. Anderson claimed Masayoshi Son, chief executive of Softbank, was now boasting ARM can be bigger under his ownership than Google. Chambers, 61, justified the take-over by arguing it was supported by shareholders who were focused on short term gains. Yesterday he rejected Andersons criticisms, adding: I share his frustration but bluntly he was in a tiny minority. The capital markets are not prepared to take that long term a view. I do not understand the view that the chairman of a plc can advise a board to fly in the face of the wishes of 90pc of the shareholders. Thats an abrogation of fiduciary responsibility. Decisions of this nature are very difficult for both boards and shareholders alike. His row with Anderson erupted as both the Takeover Panel and the Government are reviewing their approach to foreign deals. There is growing concern that scrutiny of deals is too lax, with the weak pound making British firms more vulnerable to overseas buyers. A spokesman for the panel declined to comment last night. Barclay's high-end bank is eyeing a return to Asia and the Middle East less than two years after it sold out of the region. The lender sold its Asian private bank which targets wealthy customers to Singapores Overseas-Chinese Banking Corporation in 2016 as part of chief executive Jes Staleys plan to focus on the US and UK. But with the geographical market worth an estimated 3.7 trillion thanks to a surge in the newly-enriched middle classes, senior figures are reportedly plotting to return. Barclay is expected to capitalise on 3.7 trillion market in Asia European and US lenders are rushing to grab a share of the increasingly affluent market in Asia, with Credit Suisse, UBS and Citigroup all vying for clients. A couple who fell ill on holiday were billed 4,250 for backing out of a sickness compensation claim. In September 2016, Jackie and Steve Reeves were contacted by a cold-caller who asked whether they had fallen ill abroad. These types of calls are being made every day and have resulted in claims for holiday sickness soaring by 500 per cent since 2013 to 35,000 a year currently. Jackie, 71, and Steve, 62, had been laid low with a stomach bug on an all-inclusive Thomas Cook trip to Cuba in April 2016. The idea of claiming compensation hadnt crossed either of their minds. They had caught the virus half-way through their trip and spent several days confined to their hotel room, suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea. Targeted: In September 2016, Jackie and Steve Reeves were left with a 4,250 bill after being encouraged to make a holiday illness insurance claim At the time, they put the illness down to foreign food. But the caller claimed they were among hundreds of people who had suffered at the resort in Holguin, in eastern Cuba. Jackie, a GP receptionist, remembers him saying poor hygiene standards had put customers in danger. Jackie says she remembers birds flying into the hotel restaurant and pecking at the uncovered buffet, and that cats had also roamed through the dining and kitchen areas. The caller said he would get a law firm to sue Thomas Cook for compensation. In November 2016, the couple received a 34-page contract from Liverpool-based High Street Solicitors. The law firm which would not have been responsible for the cold-calling, done by a separate business said it would represent the couple on a no win, no fee basis. There is no suggestion the firm has been involved in any wrongdoing. The couple recall that the agreement they had signed and returned had stated fraudulent claimants would not be tolerated and the couple would be charged for all legal fees incurred if they had presented a false case. Jackie and Steve Reeves were contacted by a cold-caller It set out charges of 220 an hour for work done by a solicitor and 150 an hour for paralegals. Jackie doesnt remember reading about costs incurred if a client withdrew a claim. I knew we were telling the truth, so wasnt concerned, she says. She remembers that the firm rang to tell her how the case would progress. They said Thomas Cook would be very reluctant to take the case to court and would almost certainly settle and pay us compensation, she says. They said they were very confident that we would receive a payout. She was given a list of questions to answer in writing about how and when they fell ill. Jackie cannot recall hearing from the firm again, until she received a letter in April 2017. The letter said the couples claim couldnt be settled without obtaining medical records to prove that you do not have any allergies or any other symptoms that could have made you sick abroad. Jackie and Steve say they gave consent for the firm to look through their medical records. Jackie says the holiday cost 1,800, but she wasnt sure how much compensation they would get. In May, the couple each received a phone call from a private GP, who asked questions about their medical history. Then, in August this year, the couple received the news that Thomas Cook had rejected a settlement offer. An email to the couple from the solicitors said: Please do not see this as a negative . . . The longer they take to settle your claim, the more expensive it will be for them [Thomas Cook]. The law firm said that if it did not hear anything from Thomas Cook, it would instigate whichever court proceedings are most suitable to progress your claim. Jackie, 71, and Steve, 62, had been laid low with a stomach bug on an all-inclusive Thomas Cook trip to Cuba in April 2016 Jackie says: All of a sudden, I thought: This is getting out of hand. The issue had snowballed and had become far too much for me to take on. Going to court would be my worst nightmare. Then, on a holiday to Cyprus in August, the couple fell ill again. They concluded, rightly or wrongly, that they were susceptible to stomach bugs in foreign countries. We couldnt in all good conscience continue with the claim, Jackie says. We only claimed because the cold-caller was so persuasive. On their return to the UK, Jackie cancelled the claim and was told to expect a bill. She asked what she owed and why, and says she could have been knocked down with a feather when told they were liable for 5,400 in legal fees. The invoice they received said they must contact the office within seven days to discuss payment, or the matter would be passed to an enforcement team. Potential fees for backing out of the agreement had been mentioned on what appeared to be page 26 of Jackie and Steves legal contract. Money Mail has seen this and has tried to establish to what extent the clauses are commonplace for such claims. It stated that they could terminate at any time, but that the firm could require the client to pay the solicitors basic charges for the work done up to the date of termination and any counsels fees, insurance premiums and disbursements incurred up to that date. The couple ended up paying a discounted amount of 4,250. It was far more than we can afford, but I felt I had no other choice, says Jackie. A spokesman from High Street Solicitors says it is unable to comment on the specific case due to client confidentiality obligations. Money Mail is happy to make it clear that there is no suggestion that the firm has acted in breach of professional guidance or regulations. s.smyth@dailymail.co.uk When it comes to the real world of business, the Governments new Industrial Strategy has more holes than a colander. The principal criticism is the lack of financial heft. The same Government that is prepared to invest 56 billion on HS2, 40bn on extricating Britain from the EU and up to 32 billion on Crossrail 2 is proposing to spend a relative pittance on making Britain the most innovative economy in the world. It is committing an extra 2.3 billion to Research & Development in 2020-21. Why so little and why the wait for two fiscal years when we need to make the investment now if we are really going to be fit for Brexit? The British Government has been unsuccessful in its attempts to encourage investment into the motor industry Even when spending is ratcheted up to 2.4 per cent of total wealth by 2027, it will only then be equal to the OECD average which with the best intentions isnt going to turn the UK into a world-beater. But it is the massaging of the facts which enfeebles the strategy. There is a declaration that the UK rebuilt its motor industry by deliberately attracting investment from overseas. This is rewriting history. Much of the inward investment by BMW at Mini, for instance, arose out of desperation. In the case of Honda at Swindon, far from being encouraged by the British authorities they were cut loose. More recently Business Secretary Greg Clarks acceptance at face value of the preservation of jobs and investment by Peugeot, after buying Vauxhall, doesnt look worth the paper it was printed on after 400 jobs were summarily axed at Ellesmere Port. Among the four grand challenges outlined in the strategy is to maximise the advantages to UK industry from the global shift to clean growth. The Green Investment Bank (GIB) provided ministers with the ideal vehicle to drive an environmental agenda. Instead it sold the GIB and its key investments to the vampire kangaroo Macquarie for 2.3 billion. This in spite of the Aussie firms disastrous record at Thames Water where it shifted fund-raising and income offshore to the Cayman Islands, paid billions in dividends to overseas investors and dumped large amounts of raw sewage into the upper reaches of the Thames not far from Theresa Mays Maidenhead constituency. This does not suggests great environmental awareness in Whitehall. Business Secretary: Greg Clark A grand omission from the document is any reference to foreign takeovers. Britain will never be a technological leader in anything if it allows our best high tech and software enterprises to fall to the highest bidder. Softbank may have paid a handsome price for Cambridge-based ARM, pioneer of the internet of things, but the UKs ability to protect patents, intellectual property and people from fleeing overseas is limited. Softbanks ownership already has been weakened by selling a quarter of the company to investors in Saudi Arabia who may or may not be under luxury hotel arrest at the Ritz Carlton in Riyadh. This is hardly safe ownership for one of Britains great tech innovators with its brave ambitions, for instance, to deliver the nations first smart cities. One suspect the cities will be in Japan or Southern California before they reach Huddersfield, Burnley or Cheltenham. Similarly we can have no confidence that the small amounts of cash devoted to driving ultra-fast broadband will make a blind bit of difference. Over the last weekend, parts of Surreys suburbs were without broadband and service because Virgin Media was out of action. Many of our readers will have experienced the frustration of BTs second rate broadband services. More reliable and faster internet could have a direct impact on suppressed productivity. The pitiful assistance offered by government, together with rotten service levels by suppliers, are roadblocks to improved output that need urgent removal. It is good that the May government finally has discovered a vision for a post-Brexit Britain. But the resources, energy and ambition behind it do not cut the mustard. Selling Us Short Stuart Chambers is inheritor of the title of the person who sold Britain from previous incumbent Sir Nigel Rudd. Among the national treasures Chambers surrendered are glass maker Pilkington, global packaging champion Rexam and most significantly ARM. Now Chambers sits on the Takeover Panel, the enforcer of pledges made by overseas buyers when taking over British companies. Poacher turned gamekeeper or patsy? You pays your money and take your choice. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GFM Resources Limited (the Corporation) (TSX-V:GFM.H) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an exploration and evaluation agreement with Minera Auricup, S. de R.L. (Auricup) for exclusive access to conduct exploration and evaluation of the merits of a mineral concession (the Evaluation Agreement) of Auricups Baviacora concession (the Concession), located in the state of Sonora, Mexico. Under the terms of the Evaluation Agreement, the Corporation will pay for outstanding mineral rights of the Concession, will have exclusive access rights for a period of six months, and will obtain a minimum 15% ownership stake in the Concession. The starting of the six-month initial evaluation and exploration term is subject to Auricup negotiating the land access rights with the local communal land administration. If, for any reason, such access rights are not successfully negotiated within 120 days of the date of Evaluation Agreement, the Corporation has the option of demanding full repayment, or to obtain a similar stake in a different but equivalent mineral concession owned by Auricup. Should the initial exploration and evaluation under the present agreement be successful, the Corporation, at its sole option, has the exclusive right to negotiate an agreement to acquire a further interest in the Concession. The Corporation has paid the outstanding Concessions maintenance fees of MXN $1,431,671 (approximately CAD $95,000) as consideration for the evaluation rights. The Corporation drew down on its facility with Metallorum Holding, S.A.P.I de C.V., the Corporations majority shareholder, for this payment. The Evaluation Agreement is subject to the approval of the NEX Board of the TSX Venture Exchange. For additional information, please contact: Salvador Miranda, Chief Financial Officer Phone: (+1) 604 925 2839 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 press release. GFM RESOURCES LIMITED Suite 2000 - 1066 West Hastings Street Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6E 2X2 Tel: (+1) 604 925 2839 TRANSFER PROBE The boss of Standard Chartered, Bill Winters, is helping Singapore investigate a dubious 1.1 billion cash transfer. Bill Winters: Is assisting Singapore authorities over financial transactions LENDER BOOST Online firm Lendable, which lends money from big investors, has been given 300 million from Castle Trust. CAPITAL IDEA Start-up investor Balderton Capital has raised a 281 million fund for entrepreneurs. RICK PICKINGS Boris Collardi, the boss of Swiss bank Julius Baer, has defected to rival Pictet. BANKING BILL Banks spent 10.2 billion on consultants in 2016, Source Global Research said. STORE START-UPS To bring in new ideas, John Lewis is investing 100,000 in the dining app WeFiFo and the delivery service Exaactly. NUMBER CRUNCHING British tech firm Wandisco has joined Amazon on a cloud computing service to improve data transfer. MERGER NEWS Bosses at Worldpay expect its 9.3 billion merger with Vantiv to complete in January as it reported a 3.5 per cent rise in third-quarter profits to 62.5 million. SCRAP VALUE Steel firm GFG Alliance has pledged to recycle more of the 7.2 million tonnes of scrap exported every year in the UK. GENERATION GAIN Onshore wind farms Zephyr and Infinis Wind have merged to form Ventient Energy, now the UKs No3. NOBEL PRIZE The maker of Dulux, Akzo Nobel, is buying Thai powder coater V.Powder-tech. ENERGY SAPPING Non-executive directors Dr Yousef AlAwadi and Mohamed Yusof Rafie have resigned from Kuwait Energy. TOTAL SELL-OUT Oil firm Total is selling two Norwegian oil fields to rival Statoil for 1.08 billion. GAS GAIN AIM-listed explorer Prospex Oil & Gas has found gas at its 50 per cent-owned Romanian well. IN CREDIT The credit rating of miner Petropavlovsk has been raised from B minus to B by S&P. STORE BOSS Family-owned department store Fenwick has hired former Argos executive Robbie Feather as chief executive. BIGGER DIGGER Construction rental firm Plant Hire UK has bought 450 JCBs for 25million. Being able to afford a home in London is now so far out of reach for the average worker in the capital that a house or flat now costs 14.5 times the typical income, a new study reveals. The gap between earnings and house prices has nearly doubled in the past 15 years in the capital, the latest Hometrack UK Cities House Price index shows. However, while houses in London are still growing ever-more unaffordable, they are being outpaced by homes in Manchester and Birmingham. Affordability: House prices in London have reached a record 14.5 times average earnings The average price in Manchester rose by another 6.7 per cent in the year to October to 158,800, while the average price in Birmingham increased by 6.2 per cent to 155,600. Separate data published by Barclays Mortgages today also revealed that cities like Birmingham have seen house price hikes outstrip those seen in London. Within Birmingham, property prices in postcode B16 (Ladywood), have risen to an average of 171,121 in the past year, marking a 17 per cent increase, Barclays Mortgages said. Following a decade of sizable property price growth in London, the average increase in the capital was just 2 per cent in the last year. London's trendy Clapton area saw the biggest increase in property prices within the capital, but even here prices only rose 5 per cent. Even so, the UK housing market continues to show a big North-South divide as southern big cities are reaching record levels of unaffordability while some northern metropolis are actually more affordable than they were over the past decade. As well as London, other cities in the South such as Cambridge, Oxford and Bournemouth have also recorded double digit price to earnings ratios. In contrast, outside of the south of England affordability has remained pretty much unchanged, with the exception of Glasgow, Liverpool and Newcastle, where the current house price to earnings ratio is actually lower than the average over the past 15 years. It comes as prices across the UKs biggest cities accelerated to 6.1 per cent to 254,700 in the year to October, the highest rate of growth since September last year and above the UKs average growth rate of 4.7 per cent. Despite the recent price rises, homes in Manchester and Birmingham remained some of the most affordable in UK cities, with earnings ratio between 5 per cent and 13 per cent higher than the 15 year average. In regional cities outside of the south east house price growth remains robust as affordability is still attractive and unemployment continues to fall, said Richard Donnell, Research and Insight Director at Hometrack. This can be seen in cities such as Manchester and Birmingham where the current house price to earnings ratio is only slightly higher than it has been on average over the last 15 years,' he added. 'As long as mortgage rates remain relatively low and the economy continues to improve, there is a strong feasibility that house prices will rise steadily in regional cities over the next two to three years. All mortgage lenders put a cap on the amount an aspiring homeowner can borrower as a multiple of their income. London and Cambridge have become increasingly unaffordable over the past 15 years They are only permitted to offer 15 per cent of borrowers a multiple higher than 4.5 times earnings, so this tends to the the maximum level to which a household can borrow. Lenders tend to take into account the incomes of all of those looking to take out a mortgage. Nonetheless, even if a couple were both working full time in London on average salaries, they would still be way off the income required to buy an average home. Prices in London rose by another three per cent over the past year, although this was mostly being driven by commuter areas, with prices in central London actually flat or slightly falling. Hometrack expects this will continue over the next two to three years as house prices adjust to the levels that home buyers are prepared to pay. Prices in London and Cambridge are up 60 per cent in one decade alone. In contrast, prices in Glasgow and Liverpool are lower. House price to earning ratio in London and Cambridge is well above the average over the past 15 years House prices are in the process of adjusting to what buyers are willing or able to pay. Tax changes for investors and low yields have already reduced investor demand in London, Hometrack said. Mortgaged first-time buyer numbers are also down 15 per cent over the last three years. We expect Budget stamp duty changes to have limited impact in London as the greatest barrier remains the high level of income required to pass mortgage affordability stress tests, it added. Cambridge followed London, with the average home 14.3 times the average earnings in the city, while rising prices pushed the price to earnings ratio to 12.6 in Oxford, 10.1 in Bournemouth and 9.7 in Bristol. These cities have affordability ratios that are 20 per cent to 40 per cent higher than the long run average, Hometrack said. New proposal could prevent customers having access to all their funds A safety net that protects the publics cash during bank failures is under threat from European Union bureaucrats. The first 100,000 of a customers savings are protected under EU law when a lender goes bust meaning there is no risk the cash will be lost. But officials have backed a shake-up of the rules which could prevent customers withdrawing their money for months. At present, they are entitled to all their money in seven working days. It could affect thousands of British savers who put money in to some of the best-paying High Street accounts as they are offered by banks which hold a European licence rather than a UK one. Consumer groups warned it was an alarming step. Justin Modray of financial advisor Candid Money said: This smacks of dictatorship and would be incredibly worrying if it were to see the light of day. Most think that if they put money into an account, they can get it back whenever they want to. If that were to change it would cause a lot of unrest. Those affected would potentially be given a small amount of their cash to cover living expenses instead of being given their savings back as a lump sum if a bank goes bust. The authorities would decide how much this should be and could leave savers waiting for up to five days before they can get it. The plans were sneaked out in an opinion paper from the European Central Bank, produced at the request of Brussels politicians. Most banks that operate in the UK are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, which guarantees deposits up to 85,000. This rate is set alongside the 100,000 ECB limit. British banks will not be affected because it is likely to take place after Brexit. However, the ECBs protection applies to some foreign lenders which offer accounts in Britain and rely on deposit protection schemes in their home countries, which are drawn up in line with rules set by the ECB. Any change to the rules would need to be signed off in Brussels a process which could take years but the paper suggests the ECB is willing to consider drastic changes which might leave failed banks customers unable to immediately get their money. The paper says that countries could choose to only let customers withdraw a limited amount of deposits on a daily basis. Those affected should have access to an appropriate amount of their covered deposits to cover the cost of living within five working days of a request. ECB sources insisted there are no plans to make the 100,000 euro protection less safe. They said the aim is to allow pay-outs to be temporarily suspended if a lender gets into crisis, preventing a bank run and a total collapse. The paper adds that the ECB expects the powers to be exercised only in extreme circumstances, if at all. Eurosceptics warned it suggests eurocrats may have grave doubts about the stability of their banking system. Pro-Brexit Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg said: It raises the question of what financial catastrophe the ECB is getting ready for. CALGARY, Alberta, Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES Global Investments Capital Corp. (Global Investments or the Corporation) (TSXV:GLIN.P) is pleased to announce that it has successfully completed its initial public offering of 3,000,000 common shares of the Corporation (Common Shares) at a price of $0.10 per Common Share for gross proceeds of $300,000 (the Offering). After completion of the Offering, the Corporation now has 9,000,000 Common Shares issued and outstanding. Canaccord Genuity Corp. (the Agent) acted as the agent for the Offering and in connection therewith, the Corporation granted the Agent warrants (the Agents Warrants) which entitle the Agent to purchase up to 300,000 Common Shares at an exercise price $0.10 per Common Share. The Agents Warrants will expire 24 months from the date the Common Shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (the Exchange), which was November 28, 2017. The Agent also received a cash commission equal to 10% of the gross proceeds of the Offering, a corporate finance fee of $12,500 and was reimbursed for its legal fees and reasonable expenses. Concurrent with the closing of the Offering, the Corporation also granted options to acquire an aggregate of 900,000 Common Shares at an exercise price of $0.10 per Common Share to the directors and officers of the Corporation, which options expire five years from the date of grant. The Corporation is a capital pool company and intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering to identify and evaluate assets or businesses for acquisition with a view to completing a Qualifying Transaction under the policies of the Exchange. On November 28, 2017 the Exchange issued a bulletin approving the listing of the Common Shares (the Exchange Bulletin). As per the Exchange Bulletin the Common Shares commenced trading on the Exchange on November 28, 2017 and were immediately halted on pending the Exchanges receipt and review of the final Offering documentation. It is expected that the Common Shares will resume trading under the trading symbol GLIN.P on November 30, 2017. Investors are cautioned that trading in the securities of a capital pool company should be considered highly speculative. For further information, please contact: Global Investments Capital Corp. Trevor Peters - Director, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary Phone: (403) 669-4848 Forward-Looking Information Cautionary Statement Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or the Corporations future performance. The use of any of the words could, expect, believe, will, projected, estimated and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Corporations current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, the Corporations stated use of proceeds and its expectation as to the resumption of trading of the Common Shares on the Exchange is forward-looking information. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by this forward-looking information. The Corporation disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be expressly required by applicable securities laws. 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. MBABANE People of Mobeni Flats in Matsapha are reliving what Mbabane folk experienced during the water rationing days. Armed with plastic containers, the tenants form a long queue towards two water tanks which have been placed near the area to supply them with water. The tenants are among those who experienced water shortages after the storm which wreaked havoc in the area on Friday. Swaziland Water Services Corporation (SWSC) services were cut just after the storm. Areas such as Logoba, Ndlunganye and Eteni did not have a drop of water from the taps and as a result, residents were forced to make means of securing water to sustain them until everything returned back to normal. When the Times visited the flats, people were found queuing with the aim of getting water. The same was experienced in Mbabane during the El Nino season when water levels from the Hawane Dam dropped significantly, causing SWSC to effect water rationing. When sought for comment on Sunday, SWSC Public Affairs Manager Nomahlubi Matiwane said the company had received a lot of reports on the shortage of water. She said places like Manzini, Nhlambeni and Matsapha, where water to these other areas is sourced, were affected. Since electricity was also affected, it took a while before water could be pumped into the reservoirs. However, she said the company was working around the clock to address the situation. The storm affected water supply and reservoirs were drained empty. Filling them back up would take a while since it needs all taps to be closed so as to speed up the process, she said. Nonetheless, Matiwane said even though people continue to use water while pumping was ongoing, it was anticipated that overnight, more water would have been collected. Meanwhile, the flats that had their rooftops blown off during the storm have not yet been fixed with the debris still scattered all over the place. KABHUDLA The spate of robberies seem to continue unabated as a female nurse (59) was attacked by unknown people while in her house. The robbers tied her up and stole her valuable items, including a vehicle and cellphones yesterday morning. The incident happened at KaBhudla near the clinic during the early hours of yesterday. Information gathered is that the nurse, whose full name could not be ascertained, was asleep in her house when the unknown people pounced on her. She is said to have woken up and went to the bathroom, only to come across one of the men, who threatened her with a bush knife and had her mouth stuffed with pieces of clothing. The nurses hands were also tied at the back, while the robbers demanded money and other valuable items. Her vehicle, a black VW Polo registered ND 318 587, which had been parked outside, was used by the robbers as a getaway car. They had earlier demanded her bank cards and cellphone. They later left her tied and drove off in her car, which was eventually found yesterday at about 3pm abandoned at a place called Emaphopheni. It is suspected that the robbers abandoned the vehicle after it ran out of petrol. Information gathered from neighbours was that the nurse rarely drove the vehicle and mostly used public transport when commuting to her workplace. The nurse was rescued by some of her relatives after they realised that she was not reachable on her cellphone and her vehicle was no longer parked at her home. She was untied and the police were called to record statements on the incident. Upon arrival at her workplace yesterday, at New Thulwane Clinic, her colleagues said they did not want to comment on the incident as they feared the thugs would come after them. MPAKENI A female teacher tragically met her death after she threw herself in the way of her runaway car, in a bid to stop it physically on Sunday morning. The shocking incident occurred at the 59-year-old womans parental homestead, which is situated at Mpakeni, outside Hluti, where she had paid a visit over the weekend. Information gathered was that the teacher had already bid her brothers farewell, in preparation for her journey back to her marital homestead at Ntshanini when the incident happened, shortly after 9 am. Reports are that the victim put the car, an Isuzu LDV, on idling mode, but quickly realised that she had forgotten something inside the house while preparing to drive away. Witnesses said she then left the vehicle with its engine running and went back inside the house to collect whatever she had left behind. However, while she was still inside the house, she overhead screams of children, who were busy with other errands in the family yard when she left the vehicle, shouting that the car was moving. Apparently, the children were notifying her that her vehicle was moving, albeit without a driver to control it. The woman immediately left the house in haste to get control of her car. Indeed, she discovered that the car was moving and in a bid to stop the vehicle or prevent it from crashing on anything, she was prompted to make the decision to throw herself in the way of the moving automobile, trying to stop it physically with her own hands. DAVENPORT, Iowa, Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lee Enterprises, Incorporated (NYSE:LEE), a major provider of local news, information and advertising in 50 markets, has scheduled an audio webcast and conference call for Wednesday, December 6, 2017, at 9 a.m. Central Time. Lee plans to issue a news release before market open that day with preliminary results for its fourth fiscal quarter and fiscal year ended September 24, 2017. The live webcast will be accessible at lee.net and will be available for replay 24 hours later. Several analysts have been invited to ask questions on the call. Questions from other participants may be submitted by participating in the webcast. The call also may be monitored on a listen-only conference line by dialing (toll free) 866-564-7431 and entering a conference pass code of 340951 at least five minutes before the scheduled start. Participants on the listen-only line will not have the opportunity to ask questions. WEBCAST LINK: REGISTER HERE TO ACCESS AUDIO WEBCAST AND REPLAY ABOUT LEE Lee Enterprises is a leading provider of local news and information, and a major platform for advertising, with daily newspapers, rapidly growing digital products and nearly 300 weekly and specialty publications serving 50 markets in 22 states. Year to date, Lee's newspapers have average circulation of 0.9 million daily and 1.2 million Sunday, and estimated to reach almost three million readers in print alone. Lee's markets include St. Louis, MO; Lincoln, NE; Madison, WI; Davenport, IA; Billings, MT; Bloomington, IL; and Tucson, AZ. Lee Common Stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol LEE. For more information about Lee, please visit www.lee.net . Contact: Charles Arms Director of Corporate Communications IR@lee.net (563) 383-2100 The United Nations wants Libya\s internationally-backed government to agree to shut down 30 detention centers holding 15,000 migrants, most of whom will be sent back to their countries, the head of the IOM said Tuesday. The detention of the migrants, most of whom are fleeing poverty, has become a pressing issue after video footage showing African men sold in Libyan slave auctions sparked global outrage. At a Security Council meeting called by France, the head of the International Organization for Migration said he was working with the UN refugee agency on a plan "to try to empty the detention centers." "We need from the Libyans the agreement that we can empty these centers and I think they will agree to that," said William Lacy Swing by videoconference. Libya has become an enormous transit hub for sub-Saharan Africans seeking to reach Europe since the fall of dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011. Italy and the European Union have been providing financing, training and other aid to Libya to stop smugglers from taking migrants in flimsy boats across the Mediterranean, keeping them instead in detention centers. UN refugee chief Filippo Grandi said that many more migrants are being held by smugglers and traffickers in Libya, under the protection of "well-known militias." France requested the urgent meeting to push for a tough response by the top UN body after the footage aired by CNN showed migrants sold for as little as $400. French Ambassador Francois Delattre said he will propose names of migrant traffickers to be added to a UN sanctions blacklist that provides for a global travel ban and assets freeze. Libya rejected the report of the slave auctions as a campaign to portray the country as racist and accused African governments of failing to take responsibility for the well-being of their citizens. "Libya is the victim of a large-scale false media campaign of defamation to portray it as a racist country," said Libyan acting Ambassador Elmahdi Elmajerbi. The Libyan envoy said authorities are investigating the slave auctions but that the international community must adopt an approach that tackles "the root causes" of illegal migration. Any sanctions that target smugglers must also hit those traffickers operating outside Libya, he said. Ethiopia said the images of the slave auctions had sent shockwaves across Africa and beyond. "There is a need for urgent action to dismantle the slavery camps and destroy the criminal networks involved in this inhuman practice," said Ethiopia\s Ambassador Tekeda Alemu. "All necessary measures must also be taken to identify all those responsible for this unspeakable and barbaric crime and bring them to justice," he said. The reported slave auctions have raised questions about EU migration deals which UN officials have said have turned human traffickers into slave traders. Migration will dominate an EU summit with the African Union in Ivory Coast this week. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will attend. SOURCE: AFP North Korea fired a ballistic missile early Wednesday, South Korean military officials said, the first such launch in two months and just a week after the US slapped fresh sanctions on the hermit state and declared it a state sponsor of terrorism. The North has stoked international alarm over its banned nuclear missile programme but before Wednesday had not staged a missile test since September 15, raising hopes that ramped-up sanctions were having an impact. The missile flew east from South Pyongan Province, the military Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said. The US Pentagon said it had detected a "probable missile launch" from North Korea. South Korea\s military staged a "precision strike" missile exercise in response, Yonhap news agency said, also quoting the JCS. Seoul\s unification minister had on Tuesday said signs of unusual activity had been detected in North Korea, hinting at a possible missile test. The US last week unveiled new sanctions targeting North Korean shipping, raising pressure on Pyongyang to abandon it\s atomic weapons programme. Pyongyang condemned the move as a "serious provocation" and warned that sanctions would never succeed. In September the North conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test and staged an intermediate-range missile launch over Japan. SOURCE: AFP The importance of any speech is tricky to gauge. Occasionally, they can have great significance, like when Secretary of State Dean Acheson left South Korea out of the U.S. security umbrella in a speech to the National Press Club in 1950, an omission that, in a way, helped start the Korean War . But mostly they reside in the garbage bin of history. Theres a wide gulf between rhetoric and reality, and what is said for political purposes often has little to do with the impersonal forces that shape action. I remember watching then-Secretary of State John Kerry thunder away at a State Department briefing about Syrias use of chemical weapons in August 2013, thinking to myself that surely a U.S. military strike on Syria was imminent. (I even went on television and said as much. Thankfully, the internet saves all things, so I can always look back and relive my mistake.) At the time, I couldnt see how else Kerrys severe language could be explained. But of course, the U.S. decided not to strike, despite then-President Barack Obamas red line and despite Kerrys fiery speech. On Nov. 8, U.S. President Donald Trump gave us a new speech to consider. Addressed to South Koreas National Assembly, it had three main objectives. First, to convey to South Korea the gravity of the situation on the Korean Peninsula and the depth of the United States commitment to preventing North Korea from acquiring nukes that threaten American soil . Second, to begin building a case to the American people for the U.S. to fight again on the Korean Peninsula. And third, to scare Kim Jong Un, and any country that may support his regime, into capitulating before a war starts. The odds of Trump achieving the third objective are slim at best, which means he will soon face a grave decision. What he decides will define his presidency and shape the balance of power in East Asia for years to come. Peace Through Strength Trumps remarks to the National Assembly were effusive and complimentary, but the content of the message was no different from his prior comments about South Korea. In September, he took to Twitter to criticize Seoul for what he called appeasement of the North Koreans. Many feared at the time that Trumps comments may poison relations between Seoul and Washington. The tweets, however, were only an expression of frictions that already existed. The problem in the relationship started May 9 with the election of President Moon Jae-in, whose administration opposes a pre-emptive U.S. strike on North Korea . U.S. President Donald Trump (R) addresses the National Assembly in Seoul on Nov. 8, 2017. JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images This threw a wrench in U.S. plans. From an operational perspective, attacking North Korea without South Koreas help makes an already difficult operation close to impossible. There had been several signs in the first half of the year that the U.S. was preparing for military action against North Korea. In fact, at one point in May, three U.S. aircraft carriers had converged on the Western Pacific, and the U.S. seemed poised to strike. But Moons election forced the U.S. to slow its preparations and devote additional time to diplomacy. From a political perspective, Seouls defiance of Washington suggested weakness. Pyongyang intuited that there may be a split in U.S.-South Korean relations that it could exploit to bring about one of its long-cherished goals: the complete withdrawal of U.S. forces from the Korean Peninsula. Despite Trumps lofty rhetoric in Seoul, little has changed since the September tweets. South Korea and the U.S. still dont see eye to eye on what should be done about North Korea. As long as that is the case, the U.S. will find it difficult to convince the North that it should fear American threats. So although Trump was far more gracious speaking to the South Korean National Assembly than he was on Twitter, his message was the same: Peace in our time can be achieved only through strength. Trumps entire visit to Asia is symbolic, an attempt to shore up U.S. relations with key allies in the Pacific. But no ally is more important and more skeptical right now than South Korea, and no speech is going to allay South Koreas concerns. The Other Audiences Other parts of Trumps speech focused on the nature of North Koreas dictatorship. These remarks were directed not at South Korean lawmakers they are plenty familiar with their neighbors woeful economic situation and strict societal controls but at the American public. That Trumps speech was delivered at 11 a.m. Seoul time meant that it aired during prime-time hours in the United States. Trump laid out the reasons it is important for the United States to ensure that North Korea does not acquire nuclear capabilities. He made his argument from a security standpoint, an ethical standpoint and even a religious standpoint. But the two men Trump was speaking to most forcefully were Kim Jong Un and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trumps words for Kim have been consistently bellicose, and that trend continued in Seoul. But Trump also went out of his way to criticize China in the speech. At one point, he told a story about a baby born in North Korea whose father was Chinese. The baby, according to Trump, was killed and taken away in a bucket, deemed undeserving of life because of its ethnic impurity. He finished the story with a rhetorical question: So why would China feel an obligation to help North Korea? Trump is now in China, meeting with Xi. Publicly he has said nice things about the Chinese leader that he has been very helpful on the North Korea issue and that there are many areas where the U.S. and China will be able to cooperate, such as the much-ballyhooed but insignificant business deals that will be signed during the trip. But make no mistake the main topic of conversation between Trump and Xi is North Korea, and here, Trump has very little to be happy about. The U.S. president will demand to know why China has been selective in its enforcement of sanctions against North Korea, and why China is trading more with North Korea in 2017 than it was in 2016, even if it has abided by restrictions on importing North Korean coal. Xi will continue his charade of looking helpful on North Korea without actually helping. The obstacles that have blocked an attack so far are still in place. South Korea, the critical ally, remains unconvinced that the U.S. can protect Seoul from North Koreas artillery . The U.S. electorate favors an attack right now, according to recent polls, but once the fighting starts, support in the U.S. would decline faster than North Koreas resolve. And U.S. diplomatic efforts to denuclearize the peninsula are being stymied by China and Russia, both of which have an interest in seeing the U.S. bogged down and distracted with what is, from their perspectives, a side issue. It wouldnt take much to watch Trumps speech and come away thinking the U.S. is readying for an imminent attack on North Korea. (After 2013, I should know.) But it is more likely that this is a continuation of the U.S. attempt to cow North Korea into submission, not a cry to let slip the dogs of war. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate ALBANY A city water department employee accused of murdering two women allegedly boasted to a date he could easily get rid of people, court papers revealed. Edward Ted Mero, 30, also made allegedly incriminating statements about the deaths of the women while speaking to Albany police and inmates in the Albany County jail, according to the documents. The case goes to trial Wednesday. The 6-foot-8-inch, 400-pound Mero is charged with the Jan. 27, 2013, murder of his former roommate Megan Cunningham, in a fire and the Dec. 3, 2014, murder of Shelby Countermine, whose body was found months later dumped in a shallow grave in Coeymans. Four days before the alleged killing of Countermine, 23, Mero and a woman he met online went out on a date. The woman, a firefighter, told Mero she would like to put all of her ex-boyfriends on a ship and send them off to sea, court documents said. Well, you are a firefighter you could easily get rid of people, Mero allegedly told the woman. Us water guys, we can too. A fire destroyed Cunninghams body in the 12 Arcadia Ave. home she shared with Mero in Albany. Countermines remains were discovered by a jogger near Tracey Road in Coeymans, a parcel of woods located near a city water department right of way. Countermine had been killed by blunt force trauma. In September, Judge Peter Lynch ruled Meros statements to police would be allowed at the trial. On May 21, 2015, Mero told an Albany investigator that he and Countermine had a sexual relationship. He said he last saw her at his home on Dec. 3, 2014, the day prosecutors say he killed her. While speaking to the investigator, Mero expressed his concern that he had worried about the victims discovery the entire weekend prior to the interview. But at that point, the judge noted, no such discovery had been made. The tone of the interview abruptly changed when the investigator advised defendant that (police) had not released the victims identity until Tuesday, two days before the interview, Lynch stated. Mero indicated to the investigator that Countermine had been at his home and somehow fell. I dont think I killed her, Mero allegedly said. When the investigator asked him what that meant, Mero said: I dont know. I dont know. As far as when she was leaving, I dont know what happened. I dont know if she fell down when she was leaving the house, and I dont know. Like did she fall when she got down the street. I dont know what happened. I have no idea. I dont think I did anything to where ... she got hurt. You know, she fell and left the house. Moments later, Mero said, I dont think I did anything wrong to her. I just kicked her out. ... Im kind of blaming myself that she went missing because I should have seen her back home. Mero also blamed himself during the interview for the death of 23-year-old Cunningham, documents said. Mero, who was indicted in February, made further potentially damning statements to police and to inmates at the Albany County jail, where he is being held, court papers show. In late February, one inmate said Mero discussed the killings of both Cunningham and Countermine interchangeably. A second inmate alleged that Mero admitted only to the murder of Countermine, prosecutors said. I did the second one, but not the first one, Mero said, according to the documents. Cheryl Coleman, the defense attorney for Mero, questioned the use of inmates as prosecution witnesses. Its the exact type of case that they use jailhouse rats for, she said. That should tell you everything you need to know about this trial. In February, police officials announced Meros arrest in a news conference at State Police Troop G headquarters in Latham. At the time, a source close to the investigation told the Times Union police began to suspect Mero in Countermines death after they found a text message from him in a cell phone Countermine used the day she vanished. When police looked into Meros background, they discovered he had lived with a woman who died in a fire that had not been deemed suspicious. The judges ruling in September noted that when police responded to the scene of the blaze on Jan. 27, 2013, Mero spoke to a detective. Mero said Cunningham had been high on alcohol and marijuana and that he put her to bed about 2:30 a.m., left the home, drove around to clear his head and slept in his vehicle in his parents driveway. Mero faces 50 years to life in prison if convicted of second-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence. The trial will begin with three days of jury selection. Opening statements are set for Monday. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 SKIP DICKSTEIN Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Alex Brandon Show More Show Less 3 of 3 This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Watervliet The Army is pushing to end its relationship with the Arsenal Business & Technology Partnership, the economic development nonprofit that was created nearly 20 years ago to entice private sector companies to lease unused space at the Watervliet Arsenal, the U.S. military's main cannon manufacturer. The group is being told it must leave by Dec. 19. The Army informed members of New York's congressional delegation of its plans not to renew its contract with the Arsenal Business & Technology Partnership in a Nov. 2 letter. But Peter Gannon, the president of the Arsenal Business & Technology Partnership, says he was not informed until Nov. 14 that the contract with the Army, which expires Dec. 19, would not be renewed. Gannon said that while he and his five employees will have to leave the arsenal property at that time, he was told that the 15 tenants that the partnership oversees will not immediately have to go. He said, however, that it appears their leases will not be renewed. "There are some tenants that are relatively portable, but it's still a major disruption," Gannon said Tuesday. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, New York's senior senator, as well as Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Rep. Paul Tonko, whose district includes Watervliet, wrote the Army back on Nov. 17 asking it to reconsider the decision, which would likely impact the jobs of staff at the Arsenal Business & Technology Partnership as well as the dozen or so companies that lease space at the arsenal. "We strongly urge you to reconsider the strategic benefits of this partnership as well as its meaningful role in fostering economic development in New York's Capital Region since 1999," the letter from Schumer, Gillibrand and Tonko states. "We respectfully request a delay in the termination until alternative arrangements are assessed." The letter was written to Major General Clark LeMasters Jr., the commanding general of the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command in Warren, Mich. TACOM as it is known, oversees the Watervliet Arsenal along with other depots and Army manufacturing sites across the country. A spokesman for LeMasters did not immediately have a comment on the letter when asked about it on Monday. But he agreed to try and respond as quickly as possible to several questions about the Army's intentions. A spokesman for the Watervliet Arsenal, which is overseen by Commander Col. Joseph Morrow, referred questions to LeMasters. The Nov. 17 letter to LeMasters does allude to the idea that the Army needs the partnership and its tenants to leave to make space for a significant expansion of the arsenal's manufacturing capacity that could bring 200 jobs to the facility. The Army uses civilian workers and on-site subcontractors to make cannons and other weapon systems and parts. The Watervliet Arsenal recently revealed a $40 million expansion that will double its manufacturing capacity after winning several new contracts with the Army and military orders from other countries as well for cannon, howitzer and mortar parts. "With a need now to double our manufacturing capacity in the next four years to meet rising soldier readiness requirements, simply adding new machines is not enough," Morrow said in a Nov. 7 feature story published on the arsenal's web site. "We also need to increase our workforce size, but do so with skilled, capable people." The Arsenal Business & Technology Partnership's creation nearly 20 years ago came during a period of the 1990s when the Department of Defense was drastically cutting back the arsenal's budget and workload. The cuts led to repeated layoffs. Former U.S. Rep. Mike McNulty, D-Green Island, was one of the major forces behind the creation of the partnership. The partnership won a management contract in 2002 to market and lease unused space at the arsenal's 143-acre site, an agreement that was last extended five years ago. The latest agreement runs through this year. The partnership is credited with helping the arsenal survive the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission, or BRAC, military base closure process overseen by the Department of Defense in 2005. Today, there are about 15 private sector tenants that lease space managed by the partnership. Those companies have a total of about 150 employees, Gannon said. The partnership, which also provides veterans services, has an annual budget of $2.8 million and gets its funding through rents and a variety of government grants and other fundraising, although its federal funding has decreased in recent years. "Our track record and history speaks for itself," Gannon said. "We've had a very successful program. When there were lean years (for the arsenal), the partnership was a real bright spot." Contacted Tuesday about the Army's plans, Tonko said that he like others though the Army was being shortsighted in valuing the partnership's role in job creation at the arsenal. "This is disappointing news," Tonko said in a statement. "The Army, Watervliet businesses, workers, and the entire community have all benefited greatly during the nearly two decades that Arsenal Business & Technology Partnership has managed underutilized space at the Arsenal." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Albany A new low-power radio station run by advocates for environmental and progressive causes will be taking to the airwaves in Albany in January. The broadcast tower for WOOA-FM went up last week atop the roof of the Social Justice Center on Central Avenue in Albany, said Mark Dunlea, chairman of the not-for-profit Green Education and Legal Fund, which holds the station's federal broadcast license. Broadcasting at 106.9 FM, the 100-watt station should have a broadcast radius of about 10 miles, meaning it could cover about 300 square miles or so around the city, depending on topography. (Albany County contains about 530 square miles.) Dunlea said the station will be run by volunteers who will help local content, and will air nationally produced shows like Amy Goodman's "Democracy Now." The new station is racing to meet a Jan. 12 deadline to start broadcasting according to the terms of its license approval by the Federal Communications Commission. A longtime advocate for alternative energy, Dunlea is a member of People of Albany United for Safe Energy, 350 NYC and the People's Climate Movement New York. He was co-founder of the state and national Public Interest Research Group operations; the state Green Party; the Capital District Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild; the Social Justice Center; and the Hudson-Mohawk Independent Media Center. He is married to Judith Enck, the former regional administrator the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. During the past 15 years, Dunlea has hosted public affairs radio shows on WRPI in Troy and WBAI in New York City. Initial funds to support the new station came from the Troy-based, not-for-profit Sanctuary for Independent Media, which this summer began broadcasting its own low-power station in that city at WOOC (105.3 FM). Dunlea said WOOA is now raising funds to repay the sanctuary for its financial support, which paid for the Central Avenue tower and other broadcast equipment. He said the goal is $25,000, and that donation are tax-deductible. More information can be found online. Some of the funds that are raised, he said, will also support the opening of WOOS in Schenectady, another planned low-power station that is part of the sanctuary's network. The three stations will promote "social and environmental justice and freedom of expression," Dunlea said, with "commercial-free, hyper-local news and public affairs, plus shows highlighting local arts and culture." WOOA's programming will include news coverage of politics at the state Capitol, he added. Albany An Adirondack conservation group is urging billionaire investor Warren Buffett to remove obsolete oil tankers now being stored indefinitely on a rail line in the Adirondacks. Adirondack Council Executive Director William Janeway wrote last week to the Nebraska-based investor asking that rail cars owned by subsidiaries of Buffett's sprawling Berkshire Hathaway company be removed from the line. Owned by Union Tank Car Co. and North American Tank Co., the graffiti-scarred cars are being stored in Warren and Essex counties on a line owned by a Chicago-based company. "Not only is the storage of these cars in this location wrong and (we believe) illegal, their presence is starting to generate negative coverage in the New York Times and other media," Janeway wrote in a Nov. 22 letter to Buffett sent to his Omaha headquarters. "These junked oil tankers are not only unsightly, they also threaten the waters and lands of the surrounding area, and the success of the Adirondack Park as a tourist destination," wrote Janeway. "Rust and residual petroleum products from these tankers could potentially be released into the soil and adjacent waters. In addition, no one wants to paddle or hike along miles of junk tanker cars." No comment on the letter was immediately available from officials of Marmon Holdings, a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary that owns the two tank car companies, or from Union Tank Car Co., which a Marmon spokesman had referred earlier Times Union inquires to. Janeway called Buffett a "very smart and generous man. Maybe he doesn't know that his companies are dumping their junked oil tankers in the world's greatest park. We want to make sure he does know." The Saratoga & North Creek rail line ends between the Hudson and Opalescent rivers at the former Tahawus mine, on the edge of the park's famous High Peaks Wilderness Area. Ed Ellis, president of Chicago-based Iowa Pacific Holdings, which owns the rail line, has said the company could store up to 2,500 cleaned oil tanker cars on the railroad. That could occupy more than 25 miles. Most of the several hundred tankers now being stored there are DOT-111 models, which have been been pulled almost entirely from the national rail fleet that hauls crude oil because of safety concerns and stricter federal laws. The nationwide demise of the DOT-111, a workhorse for decades, has been driven by two forces: a glut of hydrofracked oil that has reduced overall rail shipments from the Bakken fields of North Dakota, and new federal safety laws adopted in late 2015 that require newer tanker designs for shipment of crude oil, ethanol and other explosive liquids. Shaped like a long black cylinder and able to carry 30,000 gallons or more of crude oil, the DOT-111 became infamous in the summer of 2013 when several of the tankers derailed and exploded in the small Canadian city of Lac-Megantic in Quebec, causing a firestorm that killed 47 people. That year, the model made up more than half of the U.S. rail fleet hauling crude oil, according to figures from the Association of American Railroads. A spate of other derailments and explosions involving DOT-111s followed the Lac-Megantic disaster, causing critics to call out the relative fragility of the DOT-111. Its presence in the crude fleet began to decline, falling to 32 percent in 2014. By the time Congress passed new laws in 2015 requiring the DOT-111 to be phased out for crude oil shipments by January 2018, the older tankers accounted for just 15 percent of the fleet hauling crude. That fell to just 4 percent in 2016, according to the Association of American Railroad. Those figures are mirrored in a recent federal Transportation Department report that found DOT-111s carried about half of all crude shipments in 2013, 32 percent in 2014, 16 percent in 2015 and just 2 percent in 2016. There were more than 58,000 of the cars in active service in 2013, hauling crude oil, the biofuel ethanol and other explosive liquids, according to the DOT report. By the end of 2016, that had fallen to fewer than 48,000 tankers. It is not immediately clear where those 10,000 cars went. DOT-111s can still be used to haul ethanol for another five years (until May 2023) and for other, less flammable liquids through May 2029. But when cars like DOT-111s go out of service and into long-term storage such as what is being done in the Adirondacks, owners don't have to report it to federal railroad regulators. THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL Amazon New series! Amy Sherman-Palladino ("Gilmore Girls") writes and directs this period comedy, which stars Rachel Brosnahan ("House of Cards") as Miriam "Midge" Maisel, a 1958 New York City woman who has everything she's ever wanted the perfect husband, two kids and an elegant Upper West Side apartment perfect for hosting Yom Kippur dinner. But her perfect life suddenly takes an unexpected turn when Midge discovers a previously unknown talent and leaves her comfortable, predictable (and boring) life on Riverside Drive to take the standup comedy world by storm. CHRISTMAS IN ROCKEFELLER CENTER NBC, 8 p.m. There's no doubt it will be festive! Gwen Stefani, Pentatonix and others perform as the massive Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center gets appropriately lit. Matt Lauer, Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker host. VIKINGS History, 9 p.m. Season premiere! Jonathan Rhys Meyers joins the series in Season 5, which kicks off with a two-hour premiere. Meyers plays Heahmund, one of the "warrior bishops" of old who, while devout, also fought on the battlefield. The new season begins with Ivar the Boneless (Alex Hogh Andersen) asserting his leadership over the Great Heathen Army, while Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick) reigns as Queen of Kattegat. Ivar's murder of his brother Sigurd sets the stage for vicious battles to come as Ragnar's sons plot their next moves after avenging their father's death. LITTLE WOMEN: DALLAS: "GIRLS' TRIP" Lifetime, 9 p.m. Season finale! The Wild West meets a wild bunch when the ladies head to a dude ranch. This will hopefully give them all a reprieve from the baby and romantic dramas that they've been dealing with at home. AMERICAN HOUSEWIFE: "GALA AUCTION" ABC, 9:30 p.m. After failing to get donations on her own terms, Katie (Katy Mixon) gives in to the dark side and teams up with Oliver (Daniel DiMaggio) to bribe rich Westport families to donate big-ticket items for the spring gala. Greg (Diedrich Bader) decides to take Taylor (Meg Donnelly) and Anna-Kat (Julia Butters) to a Revolutionary War re-enactment, which Taylor finds lame until she starts a revolution of her own. DESIGNATED SURVIVOR: "HOME" ABC, 10 p.m. While on a secret mission to Afghanistan, President Kirkman (Kiefer Sutherland) meets with two infamous warlords and must determine whom he can trust to hand over territories to the United States. Seth (Kal Penn) has a run-in with Washington D.C. police that jeopardizes his job, reputation and future in the White House. BRUNO MARS: 24K MAGIC LIVE AT THE APOLLO CBS, 10 p.m. Electric performer Bruno Mars gets his first primetime television special when he takes over the legendary Apollo Theater for an unforgettable musical spectacular.The hourlong event will include never-before-seen performances, and, to kick it off, Mars will present an epic musical number atop the Apollo's landmark marquee. Brought to you by the publishers of TV Guide. TV Guide 2017 This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Albany Scott Gilligan was sentenced to prison and taken away in handcuffs Monday morning, despite a late appeal from Mike McNulty, the retired congressman. "Scott is diligently addressing his addiction and has been sober for the better part of two years," McNulty wrote in a letter sent last week to Albany County Court. "Scott realizes that he committed a serious crime." Gilligan, as I've noted in prior columns, is a military veteran from Cohoes who committed a burglary while addicted to drugs and suffering from untreated post-traumatic stress disorder. The 48-year-old father has spent the months since his 2016 arrest addressing his addiction and trying to help other struggling veterans. More Information Contact columnist Chris Churchill at 518-454-5442 or email cchurchill@timesunion.com See More Collapse "I'm going to continue my sobriety and continue helping vets for the rest of my life," Gilligan said in court Monday. Gilligan's determination and attitude led advocates, including the New York State Council of Veterans Organization, a coalition of 32 groups, to ask District Attorney David Soares to punish Gilligan without sending him to prison. "Here's a kid who did something wrong," retired Marine Bob Becker, 78, the council's legislative director, told me earlier this month. "But he's put himself back together, and he deserves a second chance." Gilligan admitted his guilt within hours of the burglary and subsequently accepted the only plea deal the district attorney offered to him: 2 to 7 years in prison, but with eligibility for Shock Incarceration, a grueling boot-camp program that could shorten his sentence to six months. Advocates say the sentence is too harsh, and I agree. What's the point of jailing Gilligan? What good does it do? I asked those questions in prior columns. I'm still waiting for good answers. Meanwhile, I heard from people helped by Gilligan, including a man who knows him from one of the many Alcoholics Anonymous meetings Gilligan has been attending weekly. "I find his message to be a very powerful one," the man said. With no prior criminal record, Gilligan was an ideal candidate for a diversion program that would keep him out of prison while allowing him to continue treatment under probation and supervision. That includes Vet Track, the underutilized Albany County program created to acknowledge that veterans have special needs and deserve leniency for the costs of their service. But Soares refused to consider Vet Track or other diversion programs for Gilligan. All the pleas fell on deaf ears. Even the judge overseeing the case, William Carter, publicly said Gilligan should not be sent to prison an opinion he repeated in court Monday. "I would sentence you to probation if I could, but I can't," Carter said, adding that McNulty's advocacy "speaks volumes" about Gilligan. "I'm just sorry it wasn't enough," Carter said. McNulty, a Democrat from Green Island, retired in 2009 after 20 years in the House. He has long been a champion of veterans, and in court on Monday he sat near the crowd of 15 or so people who came to support Gilligan. Not all the testimony they heard was sympathetic. Mark Hennessey, owner of the Cohoes home burglarized by Gilligan, said the veteran robbed him of his sense of home as a safe place. Gilligan stole a TV, two iPads and a laptop. "I am the victim, not the defendant, as a certain local media outlet would lead you to believe," Hennessey said. My words in support of Gilligan were not meant to slight Hennessey or his experience, and I'm sorry if he feels otherwise. My intended point was that we can respect victims while also believing the special circumstances of some crimes demand nontraditional punishment. Why fill our prisons with the addicted when what they really need is treatment? Why claim that we respect veterans, only to send them to prison when they struggle after their service? Gilligan's attorney, Michael Feit, on Monday made an impassioned plea on his client's behalf, saying that the case has affected him deeply and noting that a then-addicted Gilligan committed the burglary on a drug dealer's demand. "Scott Gilligan had no choice," Feit said. "He was going to be a dead man if he didn't do this." Feit said, as did Carter, that Shock Incarceration is designed for 20-somethings and will be difficult for a 48-year-old to complete. The attorney accused Soares' office of turning its back "not just on Scott Gilligan, but on all veterans." Assistant District Attorney Benjamin Mastaitis did not directly respond, but said the plea offer was fair for a serious crime. Soares did not attend the sentencing. Gilligan, meanwhile, apologized to Hennessey when he spoke just minutes before being handcuffed and led past his tearful supporters. The veteran said he will not forgive or make excuses for what he did. "I committed this crime, 100 percent," Gilligan said. "I've got to face the music." cchurchill@timesunion.com 518-454-5442 @chris_churchill This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Schenectady So far this year, there has only been a single gun-related fatality in Schenectady. In 2016, that number was four. While there might be many reasons for the drop, Schenectady County District Attorney Robert Carney points to what he described as focused deterrence programs that over the past few years have put ex-cons and their associates on notice about the dire consequences if they don't put down the guns. The 4-year-old Schenectady STRONG (Support The Right chOice, No Gun-violence) is one strand of GIVE (Gun Involved Violence Elimination), a collaboration between the district attorney's office, Sheriff's Department, Schenectady Police Department and the Schenectady County Probation Department. GIVE, which incorporates clergy as well as community and neighborhood associations, was formerly known as Operation Impact, a program aimed at combating violence in high-crime areas. "We're telling them what will happen if a member of your group commits a gun crime, that we will come after the entire group for everything we can get," Carney said during a recent interview along with Jennifer Assini, bureau chief for intelligence and investigations. "We will target you because you are wreaking havoc on the community and we're not going to tolerate it." The hope is that these former felons and their friends will take that sobering message back to their buddies. At the same time, parolees, those on probation and their circle of friends are offered a variety of social services and resources ranging from resume writing and educational opportunities to help them stay out of trouble through the Center for Community Justice in Schenectady. The county and city have received an $800,000 grant from the state Division of Criminal Justice Services of which the DA's office and Police Department got $270,393 and $351,334, respectively, with sheriff's office and probation receiving lesser amounts. In Schenectady County, the funding is used to pay either all or some of the salary and benefits of police detectives, prosecutors and a crime analyst who focus on gun violence and a probation officer. "So it's been a pretty good year, and hopefully one of the reasons for that is the focused deterrence that we did and the actions that we took against Ku Gang getting those messages out," Carney said. "I think it's consistent with the message we gave them that we're going to come down hard on you." The DA is referring to a once notoriously violent gang in Schenectady that his office prosecuted for gun crimes, including a deadly shooting by one of their members in January 2016 over drug turf after they failed to heed warnings to stop the shootings. Several Ku Gang members are currently serving prison time for crimes. The Schenectady STRONG program focuses on groups and "takes a lot more preparation" beyond just obtaining a list of recently released parolees, Carney said. Several other Capital counties dealing with urban gun violence, including Albany and Rensselaer Counties, also participate in GIVE. "We'll look at their criminal history and see if they should go to this program," Carney added. "The idea is that you have to spend a lot of time analyzing your crime problem, amassing your intelligence about what groups are out there committing crimes organized groups, less organized groups, groups of friends, cliques." He said the intelligence includes a thorough analysis of police reports and arrests, gang tattoos, surveillance videos, and the institutional knowledge of some veteran cops. "Once all this intelligence is collected and the groups are identified, we then break it down further to identify who in each of those groups is under supervision mandate either parole or probation and we say, 'you must come and attend this meeting,' " Carney explained. That first such meeting was held in April 2016 at Schenectady County Community College. A second one was hosted by Mount Olivet Missionary Baptist Church in Schenectady in November 2016 after what Assini described as a "trigger event" that occurred following a gun-violence incident. Attendees heard from Carney, Police Chief Eric Clifford, the family member of a gun violence victim, a clergy person, a past offender, and a federal prosecutor. Carney acknowledged that his and the police chief's message usually doesn't go over as well as those from others like the relative of a shooting victim or a reformed thug. Clifford said they don't accuse anyone of being violent, but that the people at the gathering are usually part of a group that has engaged in criminal behavior. "Some people might perceive it as a threat but for the most part it's reality," Clifford said. "We aim to empower them to become good productive citizens and we offer help should they need that." He thanked the commissioners at the state Division of Criminal Justice Services for all their support. Assini said that the participants normally fall into two groups: those who are most likely to instigate and perpetuate violence or are a potential target or victim because of who they hang around. Schenectady STRONG also includes a component called custom notification where a team of police detectives and parole and probation officials visit the home of the parolee's close family, friends and associates in hopes of getting them to exert some positive influence on that person. "The reception has been good," added Assini of that aspect of the program. "The other advantage of that is you don't have to have the person mandated to attend, they are not necessarily under supervision, and there's enough street intelligence, so you can get to a broader group." Carney said his office has heard from people who get the message. "The whole idea is to try to change behavior by giving people information that might be helpful to them," said Carney. pnelson@timesunion.com 518-454-5347 @apaulnelson This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate REDDING Oliver, a three-year old black horse, stood in the middle of his stable recently, adorned in a red blanket and a Santa hat with antlers. Oliver was rescued in September from a kill pen in Oklahoma. After spending seven weeks in quarantine to treat a respiratory problem, he arrived at Moonlight Farm about two weeks ago, making him the fourth horse saved this year by the new Rising Starr Horse Rescue. Right now, hes Oliver the Other Reindeer, said Kelly Stackpole, owner of Moonlight Farm and founder of Rising Starr. She and some Rising Starr volunteers are slowly introducing him to the outfit he will wear in the upcoming Georgetown Christmas Parade on Dec. 10. When Oliver short for Oliver Twist arrived at the farm, he was unbroken and could not be groomed. But slowly, volunteers have gotten him used to wearing a blanket and letting them take care of him. Stackpole said it will still be another month before she lets someone ride him, and probably wont actively start looking for a permanent home until the spring, after hes better trained. This guy is really relaxed, she said. The more we work with him, the friendlier he gets. Oliver has scars all over his body, which Stackpole suspects were formed when his previous owners left him untended in a pasture. We had to teach him it was OK for us to touch him, she said. Hes starting to enjoy grooming. She said she dont know much else about his past but believes he is nearly four years old and a quarterhorse. Stacey Young, who helped Stackpole found Rising Starr, said shes pleasantly surprised by the new rescue organizations success so far. I didnt expect us to do four by now, she said. Theyve all ended up with really good homes. Rising Starr was incorporated in 2015. It began fundraising and was able to take in its first horse, Griffin, in September 2016. Last August, Griffin was adopted by a family in Salisbury after they saw him at the Hampton Classic one of the largest outdoor horse shows in the country. Hes doing so well, Stackpole said. It was a match made in heaven. She and some Rising Starr volunteers visit Griffin and will continue to check up on him, and on any other horses that are adopted, for two years. Rising Starr will also have to approve the new owner if he is adopted again. The organization rescued Rory, a thoroughbred cross, in June and found him a new home in October. They also rescued Colley, a white pony, who was adopted by a veterinarian in Westport. Both were set to go to a kill auction. It feels good, but even if we could save 400 horses, we couldnt put a dent in the number slaughtered every year, Stackpole said. The only way we can make a dent is to teach our volunteers the reality and responsibility of what goes into taking care of these guys. She said its important to educate people about the slaughter of former racehorses, which are often brought to kill pens because their owners have no further use for them. The animals suffer while theyre in the kill pens, often without food or water, waiting to be shipped in cattle cars to Mexico or Canada for slaughter. A lot of people dont realize this is going on and that theyre young and healthy when they go into the kill pen, Stackpole said. Spreading this awareness will be easier when Rising Starr is able to buy a trailer to take rescued horses to schools and nursing homes to share their stories. The group is halfway to its $5,000 fundraising goal. The trailer will also help them pick up other rescued horses. Stackpole said the group spent $3,400 in the last year on shipping horses. To volunteer or donate, email RisingStarr100@gmail.com or call 203-257-8345. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate ALBANY Are the state Senate's warring Democrats headed back to the altar? The potential repair of the longstanding rift between the chamber's mainline Democratic Conference and the eight-member Independent Democratic Conference seemed closer to realization Tuesday after almost seven years apart. Despite and you probably saw this coming a few hurdles. On Tuesday evening, a day after the state Democratic party issued a set of ultimatums designed to bring the two conferences back into alignment, IDC leader Jeff Klein appeared to agree to the reunification terms. In a statement, Klein said the party's "assurance that our progressive legislative agenda will be advanced is a victory for the people of New York." Because Andrea Stewart-Cousins, leader of the mainline Democrats, had already agreed to the terms of the state party blueprint when it was rolled out Monday evening, Klein's statement seemed to clear the way for a shift in power in the last remaining bastion of Republican power in state government. Democrats in the Senate are currently split up as follows: There are 23 members of the mainline conference, eight members of the IDC, plus the wild card of Democrat Simcha Felder, A Democrat who since arriving in the chamber has caucused with the Republicans but has expressed a willingness to return to the Democratic fold if conditions change. Here are the steps on the path to Democratic control of the Senate, with potential obstacles included: If Democrats win special elections to fill two Senate vacancies that will be created in January, there will be 32 Democrats in the Senate enough to control the majority. But those special elections likely won't take place until after the state budget negotiation is slated to conclude at the end of March, which means the current Republican-IDC partnership could remain in force through at least half of the 2018 legislative session. The plan would have a Democratic majority coalition share certain leadership responsibilities and have the unusual power of approving each other's deputy conference leaders. The plan came with ultimatums: If the IDC doesn't go along, the state party would support primaries against its senators. If the mainline conference doesn't go along, the state party would support a change in its leadership. The plan is not explicit about what to do with Felder. Why does all of this matter? Since the formation of the IDC in 2011, mainline Democrats have howled that the IDC's partnership with the GOP has blocked consideration of key progressive agenda items such as the development of a single-payer health care system, campaign finance reforms, abortion protections and more. The IDC has countered that their coalition agreement helps get bills to the floor that otherwise wouldn't make it bearing in mind that, with Felder, the Republicans currently have the 32 votes needed to control the chamber. After the reunification proposal was released publicly Monday evening, Klein repeated his complaint that the mainline Democrats aren't all supportive of certain progressive causes. While calling the proposal "very exciting," he called for both conferences to agree to a legislative agenda that includes codifying the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision on abortion into state law and enacting a single-payer health care system. Klein also said the letter outlining the plan was heavy on politics but light on policy "merely a political document that's not something myself or the members of the Independent Democratic Conference can accept," he told the Buffalo News. (Klein did not respond to the Times Union's interview request.) But as the sun set, the logjam broke. In addition to Klein's statement, state party Chairman Byron Brown said in a statement that after "discussion and clarification," Klein and the IDC had accepted the terms of the unity plan, the same as the mainline Democrats and their leader Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins did Monday evening. "To further our unity solution for the New York State Senate and define each other's position, there is no doubt all Democrats agree that a united Democratic delegation will take up a progressive agenda," sad Brown, the mayor of Buffalo. "It is also clear that there can be no progressive advancement while some Democrats are sitting with Republican conservatives. The entire point of this unification effort is to advance the Democrat's substantive progressive agenda." Republicans said they fully expect to grow their majority in 2018. "In the meantime, we are hopeful that everyone involved will continue to work together to move this state forward because it is the best interest of the people of New York," Senate GOP spokesman Scott Reif said in a statement. It's unlikely that the pressure on the IDC will let up any time soon. Some on the party's left flank expressed dismay that the status quo would be preserved through passage of the state budget. Zephyr Teachout, Cuomo's 2014 gubernatorial primary challenger, tweeted that "Cuomo and Klein are still playing reindeer games with the IDC" as Republicans make a mess of federal policy. After it was announced that the IDC had accepted the reunification plan, Teachout remained unmoved. "Klein flipped again and now is a yes," she tweeted. "But I say hell no, and will (be) out in force supporting every primary challenger 2 the IDC. Since this is deal not to do anything except delay special elections and allow a Republican budget, we have to double and triple the heat!" mhamilton@timesunion.com 518-454-5449 @matt_hamilton10 This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate ALBANY The former Army sergeant and Purple Heart recipient who shot a fellow soldier in the neck for no apparent reason has been booted out of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. Thomas Prasenski who has been showing up as an honoree to various Purple Heart ceremonies in the Capital Region was stripped of his membership and rank as commander with the Albany chapter 446 of the order. "When he joined the order, he had an honorable discharge," said John Bircher III, the order's national public relations director. "Then he got recalled to duty and committed the crime." But Prasenski, who shot Dwayne Cole leaving him paralyzed from the chest down, kept that information from the order. Bircher said they didn't know he had a bad conduct discharge until members read a story about the February 2007 incident in the Times Union in September. "You have to be of good moral character to be in the order," Bircher said. "We did our own investigation into it and found out it was true. Obviously shooting someone and then doing time for it is not honorable." More for you Thomas Prasenski has a Purple Heart and a dark past Cole is pleased that Prasenski was booted out to the order. "That's good," said Cole who won't reveal where he lives for fear Prasenski will come after him again. "That was the right decision to make. To do what he did to another service members, someone on his own team is a disgrace." Prasenski, who did not return a call Tuesday about the matter, received a Purple Heart for an injury he suffered in Iraq in June 2006. When he was sent back to Iraq in December of that year, he was not issued a firearm and was ordered to remain on base. The night of the shooting, he grabbed his commander's 9mm to shoot Cole. At the time of the shooting, Prasenski said to Cole, "since you can dodge IEDs, let me see if you dodge this bullet." Prasenski was convicted at a military court-martial June 6, 2008, and sentenced to 54 months on Feb. 17, 2011. He was also demoted to private and received a bad conduct discharge, one step above dishonorable, Army files indicate. When he got out, he returned to upstate New York where he is originally from and began to work with the Albany chapter of the order. Bircher said that when Prasenski showed up to various events in Schenectady, Malta and Halfmoon where he was photographed with U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko, state Senator James Tedisco and Assemblymembers Carrie Woerner and Angelo Santabarbara, he was not dishonoring veterans. "But he was misrepresenting himself," Bircher said. "There is a fine line to draw between misrepresenting yourself and dishonoring veterans." Cole said the whole thing "still leaves a bad taste in my mouth." "He took away my abilities and he ended my military career," Cole said. "I wish he could know what it feels like." State Police and forest rangers were searching for an injured hunter or hiker Monday night in Greene County. The state Department of Environmental Conservation is also involved in the search around the area of Lake Hathorne in the town of Greenville, located on the northern border of the county. The Christmas season is officially upon us, and with it comes the tradition of purchasing a fresh-cut tree to bring home for the holiday. Those who have already done their tree shopping may have experienced sticker shock when picking up their tree at the local lot, however: The country is in the midst of what tree growers are calling a shortage with prices increasing at many places. The recession is largely being blamed as the reason we're experiencing higher prices at lots. Christmas trees take about 10 years to grow for retail, according to National Christmas Tree Association spokesman Doug Hundley, which is why consumers are mostly seeing the slowdown in selection and the increase in prices now. "In 2007, we were at the beginning of our recession and tree sales were down, prices were down, farmers didn't have the space in their fields to replant because they weren't harvesting as many," Hundley said. Now Playing: Bill Norquist explains why his family operates a small Christmas tree farm off of Black Rd., outside of Los Gatos. Video: Bill Disbrow "There was a slowdown in planting 10 years ago, and that's what's leading to this: it's not the fires, it's not the weather, it's just the planting rhythm of this crop is very long and we can't grow them fast." And while that may be true, some family tree farmers in the Santa Cruz Mountains say the California drought did prevent many new plantings from taking root and surviving, potentially further limiting the local supply. Ken Orsow, manager and former owner of Christmas Tree Jamboree in the Bayview district of San Francisco, noticed the increase in prices. Orsow noted that prices jumped "dramatically" in the last three years, saying he's looking at $5 to $10 more per tree than last Christmas. "This is the most expensive I've seen the trees hit in my lifetime," Orsow said. "Some of the trees are costing as much as $70 just for the wholesale of the tree. That's a lot of money." Orsow's worked with Christmas trees for about 50 years by his estimate, and he's guessing that there may be another year of raised pricing before the market slows down. "It's a commodity: Prices go way up, (then) it goes way down," Orsow said of the trees. "I've always tried to stay even on the pricing, but when it goes up this far, there's no way that you can not raise the price of your trees. You have to at least match what you've been raised. "This is a community lot for the people down in the Bayview and Hunter's Point area, and I've always tried to keep the prices way, way down," he added. "If I go up $5 or $7 wholesale, that's what they go up on my retail." The majority of Christmas trees are grown in North Carolina and Oregon, and this is the first time in years that both states are in short supply, according to Hundley. Oregon largely supplies the West Coast with its trees and its shortage will largely affect California pricing. Noble firs in Oregon are particularly experiencing growing issues, beyond the pullback from growers over the recession. Willamette Valley experienced a "practically nonexistent" crop of Nobles for about 15 years, before finally reaping a good crop in 2016. That tree species is expected to continue commanding a much higher pricing. "There is a shortage of Noble trees grown in the Northwest and it is expected to last eight years or more, so prices for Nobles will definitely rise probably from 5 to 10 percent this year," according to Sam Minturn executive director of the California Christmas Tree Association. The national group is predicting a 5 to 10 percent increase across the country for all trees, saying higher prices are also expected to happen with East Coast tree lots purchasing from North Carolina suppliers as well, according to Hundley. The hope is that the market will return to normal before 2020. "It'll take some patience, the Christmas tree growers since 2010 have been planting heavily, and we think this undersupply or tight market will pass in just a couple more years," Hundley said. One suggestion to avoid a limited selection of trees is to head to local farms that allow customers to choose and cut down their own tree. Places such as the Little Hills Christmas Tree Farm in Petaluma grow their own trees and reported that they're not experiencing the shortages and raised prices that lots featuring trees from commercial growers are seeing. "This is a good time to visit a local tree farm as they nearly all grow more than one species of tree," Minturn said. "We haven't heard of any shortages with them unless they were affected by the forest fires such as the one in the Santa Rosa area." Now, the shortage doesn't mean that Christmas tree lots are empty of trees, but it will become difficult for procrastinators to pick up a last-minute tree. Retailers and experts are suggesting customers pick up their trees earlier this year in order to avoid slim pickings later in December. The Associated Press contributed to this report. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate GALLATIN State Environmental Conservation Officer James Davey and his partner were investigating a complaint of trespassing and shots fires in rural Columbia County on Nov. 29, 2016, when Davey was accidentally shot by a poacher. On Monday, nearly one year later, he returned to work. "While the story could have been much worse, (Officer) Davey is once again on duty enforcing New York state's laws against poachers and polluters thanks to the quick action of his partner, Lt. Liza Bobseine, and an unwavering dedication to recovering from his injuries," said Paul Larrabee, a spokesman for the PBA of New York State, which represents the officers. Previous: DEC officer shot while investigating illegal hunting When Davey and Bobseine arrived on the scene that night, they found what appeared to be fresh vehicle tracks leading into a cut cornfield. As the officers walked into the darkened field, Alan Blanchard illegally fired his high-powered rifle and struck Davey's thigh. Bobseine administered first aid until an ambulance arrived to take the officer to the hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery. A year of recovery lay ahead. Blanchard was charged with felony assault, to which he later pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to six months in county jail, 100 hours of community service and five years probation. The hunter also was ordered to pay Davey $20,000 in restitution. Previous: DEC calls for hunting safety after 4 deaths, 3 injuries In the wake of Davey's injuries and recovery, the PBA of New York State is calling for state lawmakers to pass legislation that ensures all state law enforcement officers have three-quarter disability benefits when they are injured in the line of duty, "The FBI reports that game wardens are nine times more likely to be assaulted in the line of duty than other police officers," Larrabee said in a statement Monday. The spokesman said Davey does not have access to this type of disability benefit and cannot retire early. "It is simply wrong, after his sacrifice, that the option of a viable disability benefit is not available, and he is forced back into the field," PBA director Jason DeAngelis said in a Monday statement. A bill that would offer disability retirement benefits to state environmental conservation officers, state forest rangers, state university police officers and regional state park police all of whom are represented by the PBA of New York State was passed in the state senate in June but foundered in an assembly committee. The legislation is sponsored by state Sen. Martin Golden, R-Brooklyn, and state Assemblyman Peter Abbate, D-Brooklyn. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Joel O'Keefe, the notorious Washington County felon whose escape from State Police custody in Ballston in 1994 prompted a two-week manhunt, remains in a maximum security prison because he has not found a suitable place to live, according to the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. O'Keefe was eligible to leave Five Points Correctional Facility in Romulus on Saturday but remained in custody Tuesday, agency spokesman Pat Bailey said. O'Keefe has yet to find adequate housing, Bailey said. The onus to find outside housing that meets state requirements is on the prisoner, Bailey said. Traditionally, prisoners or those connected with them on the outside find housing before they are released from prison. O'Keefe, 57, was serving 14 to 29 years at the maximum-security prison in the Finger Lakes and was approved for conditional release to Washington County, officials said. On Sept. 23, 1994, O'Keefe, a native of Easton, was being transported from the Washington County jail to the Saratoga County jail when he took off from the back of a State Police car as it was stopped at a traffic light at Routes 50 and 67. More than 200 troopers, correction officers, deputies and environmental conservation officers used police dogs, infrared equipment and heat-seeking helicopters to scour Saratoga County for O'Keefe, who had stolen a car in Saratoga Springs. O'Keefe drove to Salem in Washington County and then to Bennington, Vt., where police captured him at a Subway shop two weeks after his escape. O'Keefe pleaded guilty to the June 27, 1994, first-degree burglary of a home in Round Lake where police said he sodomized a woman at knifepoint after locking her daughter in a closet. He had been charged with first-degree sodomy, first-degree sexual abuse and first-degree unlawful imprisonment. The guilty plea to burglary resolved the case. O'Keefe was also serving time for several attempted escapes while in prison. The troopers transporting O'Keefe in 1994 were disciplined for handcuffing him in front and not behind his back after he complained that it was painful. ALBANY - A man stole a tip jar from a Central Avenue pizza parlor and then stabbed a restaurant worker who chased him to get the jar back, police said. Elijah Vonwergers, 22, was arrested shortly after police were called to the New York Pizzeria, 328 Central Ave., at 12:10 a.m. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate ALBANY A federal judge sentenced a former accounting manager for Cargill at the Port of Albany to five years in prison Tuesday for ripping off at least $3.5 million from the global agricultural giant over a decade. "You really did become greedy and piggish," Judge Mae D'Agostino told the defendant, Diane L. Backis of Athens, at the sentencing in U.S. District Court. She described the crime in which Backis charged customers below cost, made false accounting records and meddled with payment procedures to enrich herself as "insidious." Backis, 52, sat beside her attorney, Scott Iseman, as the judge told her she did not buy the defense argument that Backis stole money to help relatives and friends in need. "There has never been any proof of that for me," the judge said, noting the thefts benefited the defendant. "I really don't believe that you were being a female version of Robin Hood." Backis must pay $3.6 million in restitution, which includes $139,000 to the Internal Revenue Service. The judge imposed two years of supervised release when Backis leaves prison. D'Agostino rejected a request from Backis' attorney to recommend she be placed in a federal prison in Danbury, Conn. The judge said she would leave that up to the federal Bureau of Prisons. When given a chance to speak, Backis, speaking rapidly, said: "I know that what I did was wrong and after my sentence I will continue to work to repay everyone." Cargill, based in Minnetonka, Minn., is the largest privately held corporation in the United States. It employs 120 people in Albany, where it receives, stores and sells grain products. Backis, who spent three decades working for the company, had a reserved parking space where she parked her BMW. Among other duties, she sold grain to customers in the Capital Region and was responsible for accounting of those sales, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Wayne Myers. "The defendant was trusted by Cargill to negotiate prices for grain worth millions of dollars," the prosecutor noted in a pre-sentencing memo to the judge. "She betrayed that trust by selling grain at prices dramatically below Cargill's cost." The prosecutor said Backis made false entries in Cargill's accounting software to conceal the crime, then deleted the entries. "By reversing the false entries, inventory at the Port of Albany was booked as depleted, but the commensurate revenue was no longer booked as a receivable," Myers informed the judge. "The defendant, therefore, was able to receive incoming payments from customers for delivered products 'off the radar' and without Cargill's accounting team anticipating prompt receipt of those payments." Payments from Cargill's customers were required to go to a lockbox controlled by a third party. The invoices automatically generated by the company's software instructed customers to send their payment to the third party. Instead, Backis created hundreds of fraudulent invoices in Microsoft Word instructing customers to send payment to her at the Port of Albany. Between December 2006 and June 2016, Backis deposited at least $3,115,610 into her personal accounts, she admitted. The final total was more than $3.5 million. In a victim impact statement, Claude J. Nebel, a vice president and director of global security for Cargill, said in addition to losses for the company estimated from $25 million to $50 million, the crime cost Cargill hours for manpower, attorneys and auditors. He said the company has been forced to look over its operations globally to "ensure this type of thing doesn't happen again." In an email, Cargill spokeswoman April Nelson told the Times Union the company fired Backis in 2016. "Cargill customers were not adversely affected by the fraudulent activity," the spokeswoman said. "We conducted a thorough investigation of Cargill's controls and trading systems and are confident this was an isolated incident. We are satisfied that the criminal justice process has now come to an end." Not everyone is satisfied. Jim Czub, a cash grain, corn and soybean farmer from Schaghticoke who attended the sentencing, told the Times Union outside court that Backis' theft forced him and other local farmers to lower their prices. Otherwise, he said, they would be continue to be undersold by the low prices at Cargill due to Backis' fraud. Asked what he thought of the sentencing, he said: "Light." U.S Navy FILE(WASHINGTON) -- A U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon surveillance plane had an unsafe interaction with a Russian SU-30 fighter jet this Saturday that used its afterburners as it flew in front of the American plane over the Black Sea, according to a U.S. official. It was the first unsafe encounter for a U.S. military aircraft in months. According to the U.S. official, the Navy plane was flying over the Black Sea when it was intercepted by a Russian SU-30 "Flanker" fighter. At its closest point, the Russian fighter came as close as 50 feet to the Navy aircraft, but it was a maneuver flying in front of the American plane that has led to the U.S. labeling the encounter as unsafe. Moving from right to left, the Russian fighter then activated its afterburners as it flew in front of the American plane. The official said the Russian fighter's move caused a turbulence wake in front of the American plane that led it to roll as it flew through it. The Pentagon has deemed the Russian aircraft's maneuver as an "unsafe interaction." This weekend's unsafe interaction is the first unsafe encounter in months involving a Russian aircraft. The U.S. military uses various criteria aside from distance to determine whether an encounter with a foreign military vessel or aircraft should be classified as unsafe. For example, the speed of an aircraft and rate of closure can factor more than a close distance in an air encounter. Such was the case in May over the Black Sea when a Russian fighter's coming within 20 feet of a P-8 aircraft was deemed "safe and professional." At the time, a U.S. official said that was the case because both aircraft visually identified each other and the Russian aircraft approached the American plane in a professional manner. Copyright 2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate If you returned to social media after a holiday weekend break, your feed was likely filled with mentions of a controversial New York Times profile of a Nazi sympathizer living in Ohio. Many criticized the article for being "too soft" on its subject, 29-year-old Tony Hovater. Some even called the story a "puff piece." The article, which was published online Saturday and appeared in the Times' Sunday paper, follows Hovater as he goes about his daily life, eating at Applebee's with his fiancee and boiling pasta in his kitchen, all the while explaining his white nationalist political views to Times reporter Richard Fausset. In the first several paragraphs of the profile Fausset describes Hovater as "the Nazi sympathizer next door, polite and low-key" with innocent, apolitical tattoos. More for you New York Times faces backlash over half-baked profile of white... Following the article's publication, New York Times readers, political activists and celebrities took to Twitter to skewer the piece. A common criticism was that the newspaper's portrayal of Hovater served to "normalize" his extreme beliefs. The Atlantic parodied the Times article with a satirical piece headlined "Nazis are just like you and me, except they're Nazis." Click through the slideshow above to see some of the most retweeted responses to the New York Times' article "A voice of hate in America's heartland." Others pointed out that the Times linked to a website that sells swastika armbands when referencing the white nationalist group that sells the product (a group that Hovater helped establish). The New York Times removed the link in response to readers' criticism, the paper's national editor Marc Lacey said. In an online response to the outpouring of criticism, Lacey wrote, "Our reporter and his editors agonized over the tone and content of the article. The point of the story was not to normalize anything but to describe the degree to which hate and extremism have become far more normal in American life than many of us want to think." "We understand that some readers wanted more pushback, and we hear that loud and clear." Fausset also published a separate article online Saturday that didn't directly address readers' criticism, but acknowledged his reporting's shortcomings. "There is a hole at the heart of my story about Tony Hovater," Fausset writes, explaining he wasn't able to fully understand what had radicalized his subject. Read Alix Martichoux's latest stories and send her news tips at amartichoux@sfchronicle.com. State Police in Plattsburgh are asking for the publics help in solving a 20-year-old homicide in Peru. One of the last times Walter C. Fedorwich, 88, was seen, he was speaking with two white men dressed in biker apparel at the end of his driveway on State Route 22. They appeared to be operating a dark-colored vehicle. 2017 marks the 40th anniversary of hospice care at Milford Care Centre in Limerick, pioneered by the Little Company of Mary (LCM) Order, which celebrates its 140th anniversary this year, and both milestones are recorded in a newly published book. The book, entitled A Journey of Hope, written by Sister Brigid Finucane, LCM, one of the three pioneering Sisters who worked in the original hospice in Milford, chronicles the history of the Order, including Mary Potters radical social and caring work in difficult economic circumstances in 19th century Victorian Britain. It also records the Orders arrival in Ireland to St Johns Hospital, Limerick in 1888. Its publication was partly prompted by the many enquiries received from the public over the years about the history and heritage of Milford House, author Sister Brigid explained. Founded by the Venerable Mary Potter in a disused stocking factory in Hyson Green, Nottingham, England in 1877, the LCM Order first provided hospice care for people with life-limiting conditions in the Mid-West Region in 1977. The book records how, in 1923, the Sisters purchased the Georgian Milford House at Castletroy near Limerick and established a Novitiate there. Space was allocated in the building for nursing home beds five years later. Responding to the changing care needs of the wider community, LCM Sisters set aside nine beds at Milford House specifically for hospice care in 1977 in what was a highly progressive move in Irish healthcare at the time. As the book explains, Milford Hospice has undertaken a number of expansions since then, with the provision of a range of inpatient and day care services at standalone premises at Milford. Extensive Hospice-at-Home and other community palliative care services throughout the Mid-West were also added by Milford Care Centre (MCC) as well as expanded nursing home facilities in Milford. A Journey of Hope also highlights how, coinciding with Milford Hospices 40th anniversary, a major development project is now at an advanced stage, involving the provision of a new purpose-built 34-bed hospice to serve Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary and the expansion of the existing Nursing Home from 47 beds to a 68-bed nursing home. Both of these facilities, on completion, will feature enhanced facilities for patients, relatives and staff, including all single occupancy rooms for both patients and residents. This Project remains on target to start accommodating palliative care patients and their families in early 2018, while it is expected that remedial works to the Nursing Home will be completed in the last quarter of 2018. The publication also sets out to acknowledge the selfless contribution made by the many LCM Sisters and Milford Care Centre personnel, led by chief executive Pat Quinlan, down through the decades. It is also a tribute to the patients and residents of Milford and their families, and the many volunteers, fundraisers, benefactors, and associates. Special guest speaker at the launch was RTE Religious and Social Affairs Correspondent, Joe Little and other speakers were Pat Gilmartin, Chairperson of MCC Board of Directors, Sister Brigid Finucane, author of the book and Pat Quinlan, Chief Executive, Milford Care Centre. A Journey of Hope' will be available at Milford Care Centre and in the Hospice Shop in Thomas Street, Limerick. All proceeds generated will form part of the fundraising income to support the work of Milford Hospice in 2018. Moyne Drama Group will take to the stage of Moyne Community Centre on Thursday 30th November with the Richard Harris comedy Stepping Out. The play will run for four nights, commencing at 8.15 pm sharp each night, closing on Sunday 3rd December. "Stepping Out", set in an English country village, charts the lives of eight women and one man (and the pianist) who each week attend a local tap dance class held in their church hall. Over the course of several months we meet the group and all have a story to tell. Initially all thumbs and left feet the group are just getting to grips with the basics when they are invited to perform at a Charity Gala. Can they "Tap Their Troubles Away" before the big night? The group, directed this year by Susan Troy, are very excited to be doing this play fresh from the West End and are proud to be the first group in Ireland to perform it. We have a strong talented cast on stage with Esther Hogan, Helena Bermingham and our 2016 Director Joanne Bannon, joined by Maria McElgunn and Rosalie Butler, our Choreographer, both members of Thurles Musical Society. Maureen Claffey, Geraldine Delaney, Edel Delaney, Michelle Maher and Johnny Fogarty were all part of the 'Sive' cast to reach the All Ireland Confined Drama Festival in Rossmore, Co. Cork in 2013 which was also directed by Susan. All of the cast have tread the boards down through the years and are no strangers to Moyne Community Centre. Set design and construction has been under the watchful eye of Jason Moore, Ger OKeeffe & Tadhg Ryan and ably assisted by PJ Claffey, Ailbhe Hayden and Liam Troy. Music is a hugely important part of this play and audiences can enjoy tapping their toes to some beautiful numbers such as I Got Rhythm and Tea For Two along with some other old favourites. As always, we advise patrons to get in early as pre-booking is not available and you can only get your tickets on the door. Baltimore 911 Call Center Struggles With Dropped Calls, High Wait Times In the case of an emergency, we have been taught to immediately call 911 three digits that can save a life. Unfortunately, callers in crisis are not getting the immediate responses that they need nor deserve, especially in Baltimore City, Maryland. Residents are not only placed on hold but are experienced dropped calls, forcing the City Council to investigate and rectify the mess. According to the Baltimore City Fire Department, Baltimores 911 call center is the busiest in the state. The question that is being raised is whether there are enough agents and operators to keep the call center running smoothly and efficiently. This means answering every call and not allowing any to be discarded, which can put immense pressure on the operators just trying to assist those in need. We just dont have the staffing we need, Councilman Brandon Scott said. Our citizens are getting the running message that at peak times, we have more calls coming in than people to take them. Prior to 2009, Baltimore had approximately 35 operators every shift versus 12 to 18 operators in 2017, according to the Fire Department. It is not just Baltimore that is suffering from dropped 911 calls, either. Earlier this year, the FCC began researching abandoned calls out of Dallas, Texas. Originally thought to be ghost calls, where a phone dials a number repeatedly without the phone owner knowing, it was soon discovered that the calls were actually abandoned calls. This means the caller hangs up before the dispatcher can answer the call. Typically, the emergency callers number will come up and the operator is responsible for making sure that the caller is safe; that was not happening, as resident Bridget Alex shared. I don't care what they call it, Alex said after her six-month-old boy, Brandon, died after calls to 911 went unanswered. Had they did something, my son would probably be still here in my arms, and I wouldnt be pleading with them. So explain to me, how did I lose my son that day?" In Baltimore, the wait times are approximately six seconds, but can be longer with a multitude of emergencies coming in at once. In both Baltimore and Dallas, the common solution appears to be more staffing for higher efficiency. Without that, callers will continue to be disgruntled, leading to call center employees being subject to discipline and feeling helpless when, in reality, call center scheduling and staffing are at fault. How long is too long to wait for a 911 call to be answered? Edited by Erik Linask [November 27, 2017] AHF Marks World AIDS Day with Concerts and Events in over 30 Countries: 'KEEPING THE PROMISE-AHF 30 YEARS' AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, will host a series of concerts and events across the world during the week leading up to the Dec. 1 commemoration of World AIDS Day. All activities will share a common theme - "Keep the Promise on HIV/AIDS!" - a call to action and a reminder to world leaders that with 1 million people still dying of AIDS every year, the epidemic is far from over. This year's tribute will coincide with activities marking AHF's 30-year anniversary, a historic milestone for an organization that began as a small community hospice and rose to become the largest NGO provider of lifesaving HIV treatment and services with over 830,000 clients in care. World AIDS Day activities will include a wide variety of events, such as free concerts featuring top celebrity performers in Haiti, Mexico City and the United States. Screenings of the AHF documentary "Keeping The Promise: AHF 30 Years" will run in multiple locations. AHF will also provide free HIV testing services, distribute condoms and hold interactive awareness-raising events throughout Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe and the U.S. In Las Vegas, AHF will host a small reception and screening of the new one-hour documentary, 'Keeping the Promise-AHF 30 Years' at The Mob Museum in downtown Las Vegas. Through interviews with key AHF stakeholders from over the years coupled with archival video footage culled from AHF's 30 years of advocacy, care and activism, 'Keeping the Promise-AHF 30 Years' was made by Foxhound Productions and tells a compelling story of AHF's history while offering a glimpse of, and road map to its future. WHAT: AHF COMMEMORATES WORLD AIDS DAY and 30-YEAR ANNIVERSARY of the ORGANIZATION WHEN: Friday, DECEMBER 1st, 2017 7:00pm Small Reception 8:00pm Private Film Screening WHERE: The Mob Museum 300 Steward Avenue Las Vegas, NV 89101 WHO: AHF staff and Community Partners VISUALS: There will be a registration desk at the museum lobby to direct guests. "This event will enable not only AHF staff but also our community partners to see the extent of AHF's work and impact around the globe," said Patricia Bermudez, Director of Business and Program Development. "It is important to highlight our various programs and advocacy efforts because they ultimately are centered around the most important part of our work, which is our clients." "This year's World AIDS Day is particularly meaningful for AHF because it marks several historic milestones for us, including AHF having over 830,000 patients in our care around the world as we celebrate our 30th anniversary this year," said AHF President Michael Weinstein. "When AHF began as the AIDS Hospice Foundation in 1987, we were facing dire circumstances and a lot of uncertainty at the beginning of the epidemic. Each day we were fighting just to keep AIDS patients from having to die in the streets or overcrowded hospitals. Today, even though millions of people with HIV worldwide are thankfully living longer, healthier lives due to access to better medical treatments, the urgency of winning the war against AIDS here in the U.S. and around the globe has diminished. Our hope is that our big-concert events will help keep the spotlight on the need for nations to keep their promise to do all they can to stop HIV/AIDS from claiming additional lives." According to UNAIDS, over 36 million people are living with HIV/AIDS around the world. Each year nearly 2 million people become infected with the virus and 1 million die of AIDS-related causes. While millions of people today are accessing lifesaving antiretroviral therapy, millions more still desperately need it. The end of the epidemic is only possible if governments and world leaders Keep the Promise on AIDS. About AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) In 1987, a group of activists founded AIDS Hospice Foundation in Los Angeles to provide a final resting place for terminally ill AIDS patients. Three years later, as lifesaving antiretroviral medical therapy was introduced, AIDS Hospice Foundation changed its name to AIDS Healthcare Foundation in 1990 to signify its new focus on being a medical provider to people living with HIV/AIDS. AHF funds its mission to rid the world of AIDS through a network of pharmacies, thrift stores, healthcare contracts and other strategic partnerships. Today, as the largest global AIDS organization, AHF currently provides medical care and/or services to over 830,000 individuals in 39 countries, including in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region and Eastern Europe. To learn more about AHF, please visit our website: www.aidshealth.org, find us on Facebook (News - Alert): www.facebook.com/aidshealth and follow us @aidshealthcare. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171127005923/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 27, 2017] AHF Marks World AIDS Day with Concerts and Events in over 30 Countries: "Keeping the Promise: AHF 30 Years" AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, will host a series of concerts and events across the world during the week leading up to the Dec. 1 commemoration of World AIDS Day. All activities will share a common theme - "Keep the Promise on HIV/AIDS!" - a call to action and a reminder to world leaders that with 1 million people still dying of AIDS every year, the epidemic is far from over. This year's tribute will coincide with activities marking AHF's 30-year anniversary, a historic milestone for an organization that began as a small community hospice and rose to become the largest NGO provider of lifesaving HIV treatment and services with over 830,000 clients in care. World AIDS Day activities will include a wide variety of events, such as free concerts featuring top celebrity performers in Haiti, Mexico City and the United States. Screenings of the AHF documentary "Keeping the Promise: AHF 30 Years" will run in multiple locations. AHF will also provide free HIV testing services, distribute condoms and hold interactive awareness-raising events throughout Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe and the U.S. In San Diego, AHF will host a screening of the new one-hour documentary, "Keeping the Promise: AHF 30 Years" at Landmark Theaters - Hillcrest Cinemas in San Diego. Through interviews with key AHF stakeholders from over the years coupled with archival video footage culled from AHF's 30 years of advocacy, care and activism, "Keeping the Promise: AHF 30 Years" was made by Foxhound Productions and tells a compelling story of AHF's history while offering a glimpse of, and road map to, its future. WHAT: AHF COMMEMORATES WORLD AIDS DAY and 30-YEAR ANNIVERSARY of the ORGANIZATION WHEN: Tuesday, NOVEMBER 28th, 2017 6:30 p.m. Private Film Screening WHERE: Hillcrest Cinemas 3965 Fifth Avenue Suite 220 San Diego, CA (News - Alert) 92103 WHO: AHF staff and Community Partners VISUALS: There will be theater personnel available to direct guests. "This event will enable not only AHF staff but also our community partners to see the extent of AHF's work and impact around the globe," said Patricia Bermudez, Director of Business and Program Development. "It is important to highlight our various programs and advocacy efforts because they ultimately are centered around the most important part of our work, which is our clients." "This year's World AIDS Day is particularly meaningful for AHF because it marks several historic milestones for us, including AHF having over 830,000 patients in our care around the world as we celebrate our 30th anniversary this year," said AHF President Michael Weinstein. "When AHF began as the AIDS Hospice Foundation in 1987, we were facing dire circumstances and a lot of uncertainty at the beginning of the epidemic. Each day we were fighting just to keep AIDS patients from having to die in the streets or overcrowded hospitals. Today, even though millions of people with HIV worldwide are thankfully living longer, healthier lives due to access to better medical treatments, the urgency of winning the war against AIDS here in the U.S. and around the globe has diminished. Our hope is that our big-concert events will help keep the spotlight on the need for nations to keep their promise to do all they can to stop HIV/AIDS from claiming additional lives." According to UNAIDS, over 36 million people are living with HIV/AIDS around the world. Each year nearly 2 million people become infected with the virus and 1 million die of AIDS-related causes. While millions of people today are accessing lifesaving antiretroviral therapy, millions more still desperately need it. The end of the epidemic is only possible if governments and world leaders Keep the Promise on AIDS. About AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) In 1987, a group of activists founded AIDS Hospice Foundation in Los Angeles to provide a final resting place for terminally ill AIDS patients. Three years later, as lifesaving antiretroviral medical therapy was introduced, AIDS Hospice Foundation changed its name to AIDS Healthcare Foundation in 1990 to signify its new focus on being a medical provider to people living with HIV/AIDS. AHF funds its mission to rid the world of AIDS through a network of pharmacies, thrift stores, healthcare contracts and other strategic partnerships. Today, as the largest global AIDS organization, AHF currently provides medical care and/or services to over 830,000 individuals in 39 countries, including in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region and Eastern Europe. To learn more about AHF, please visit our website: www.aidshealth.org, find us on Facebook (News - Alert): www.facebook.com/aidshealth and follow us @aidshealthcare. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171127005926/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 27, 2017] Republic Airline and Lewis University Sign College's First Pilot Partnership Agreement Republic Airline has signed a partnership agreement with Lewis University for pilot development and career progression, the college aviation program's first agreement with an airline. With the addition of this aviation program, Republic now works with 23 schools across the United States to help students fast-track their careers as commercial airline pilots. "Pilot development opportunities continue to be a primary focus at Republic. We're thrilled that Lewis University is joining our cadre of flight program partners," said Tonya Gilbert, Republic Airline Managing Director of Talent Acquisition and Associate Experience. "Our increased engagement and support on campus allows students - and their parents and guardians - to see the future they can have in the airlines, hopefully attracting more students to the college programs and the career." The partnership enables flight students at collegiate aviation programs to interview with the airline as early as their sophomore year. Students meeting Republic's qualifications will receive a conditional offer of employment, transitional support to Republic's commercial training program, and be eligible to receive a signing bonus of as much as $15,000. Republic pilots train to fly the Embraer E170 and E175 aircraft, the most advanced commercial aircraft in our industry. "This partnership formalizes our Republic Airline relationship, which our students already have benefited from in recent years on an informal basis," said Dr. Ryan Phillips, co-chair of Aviation Transportation Studies at Lewis University. "This agreement serves as a launch pad for many more opportunities for our students in the future." For more on the Republic Airline Pilot Cadet Program, please visit http://www.rjet.com/en/Cadet.aspx. About Republic Airline: Republic Airline, based in Indianapolis, operates a fleet of approximately 190 Embraer 170/175 aircraft and offers scheduled passenger service with 950 daily flights to 100 cities in 35 U.S. states, Canada, the Caribbean and Central America. The airline provides fixed-fee flights operated under its major airline partner brands of American Eagle, Delta Connection and United Express. The airline employs about 5,500 aviation professionals. Visit www.rjet.com for more information, follow the company on Instagram, Twitter and YouTube, and connect on Facebook or LinkedIn. About Lewis University: Lewis University is an innovative and entrepreneurial Catholic university offering market-relevant undergraduate and graduate programs to 6,500 students. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Lewis University is nationally recognized for preparing intellectually engaged, ethically grounded, globally connected and socially responsible graduates. Visit http://www.lewisu.edu for further information. Note to editors: For more information, please contact Scott Thien, Republic Airline Corporate Communications, at (317) 471-2540 or [email protected]. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171127006058/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] INVESTOR ALERT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP Reminds Investors of an Investigation Involving Possible Securities Fraud Violations Relating to Tezos' ICO Levi & Korsinsky announces it has commenced an investigation into Tezos concerning possible violations of federal securities laws in relation to Tezos' Initial Coin Offering (ICO). On October 18, 2017, Reuters (News - Alert) published a report alleging that Tezos is "in danger of falling apart" due to an "acrimonious dispute" between its founders, Arthur and Kathleen and Breitman, and Johann Gevers, president of the Tezos Foundation. According to Reuters, Swiss law dictates that the Foundation remain independent, however, the Breitmans are seeking to oust Gevers and restrict the Foundation's responsibilities. Kathleen Breitman has suggested that participants in the Tezos fundraiser contributed "donations" with no expectation of a return on their investment. Following thi news, the value of Tezos Tokens futures contracts dropped as much as 60%, according to the futures/derivatives markets which track their value. To obtain additional information, go to: http://www.zlk.com/pslra-sbm-cc/tezos or contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. either via email at [email protected] or by telephone at (212) 363-7500, toll-free: (877) 363-5972. Levi & Korsinsky is a national firm with offices in New York, California, Connecticut and Washington D.C. The firm's attorneys have extensive expertise in prosecuting securities litigation involving financial fraud, representing investors throughout the nation in securities and shareholder lawsuits. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171127006064/en/ [November 28, 2017] Adoreboad's Emotion AI The Future Of CX Measurement BELFAST, Northern Ireland, November 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Adoreboard, a leading Emotion AI software solution, has been named for using, "common sense reasoning with affective computing," for Customer Experience improvements, according to the October 2017 Forrester report, The Future of CX Measurement . Adoreboard is cited in a section of the report entitled, "Upgrade to Analytics That Drive Action". Adoreboard's Emotion AI solution, Emotics, produces what is known as Decision Ready Insights, enabling executives to use Artificial Intelligence to make CX-impacting decisions in a more informed and responsive way. The Forrester report, written by Principal Analyst, Maxie Schmidt-Subramanian, explained, "Emotion analysis vendor Adoreboard uses common sense reasoning with affective computing, an AI technology to create an index for each primary emotion in Plutchik's wheel." Yannis Kotziagkiaouridis, Global Chief Analytics Officer of Wunderman, who have been successfully applying Adoreboard's Emotics solution worldwide, says it provides a disruptive technology-led approach by revealing previously unattainable insights on customer emotion. "When it comes to harnessing emotion to improve customer experience, Adoreboard is a true innovator. We believe data should lead to deeper understading of consumer emotion and motivation. The decision-ready insights Adoreboard provides are a great complement to our work in delivering experiences for consumers in the moments that matter most to them." Adoreboard's Emotics solution can understand how emotions are expressed in any text contained in product reviews, surveys, social media posts or online comments by customers. This opens up new possibilities for CX professionals to improve the customer journey by making changes that can be prioritized by strength of emotional response. Research by Adoreboard shows that the customer's voice has a new champion sitting at the highest levels of power in businesses with the mandate to improve customer experience. The number of Fortune 100 companies with the role of Chief Customer Officer has increased by 20 per cent in the last three years. "With mass-market products and services becoming increasingly commoditized, Customer Experience is the new competitive battleground for brands and enterprises," said Michael Crossey, Board Member and Director at Adoreboard. "Working with some of the world's leading brands and agencies, we have seen first-hand the impact that the deep, granular insights provided by our Emotics solution can have on improving Customer Experience. Adoreboard reveals highly detailed, often previously unknown issues that impact customer experience, allowing executives to take immediate action to fix current problems, and prioritise CX investments for maximum business impact over the medium to long term." Adoreboard, which began six years ago as a Queen's University Belfast spin-out, has been adopted by agencies across the top five largest ad networks globally, including Wunderman, Havas, McCann, along with major brands such as Unilever, Three and Telstra Wholesale. Notes to the editor About Adoreboard Established in 2011, Adoreboard is a leading Emotion AI software solution providing decision ready insights to world leading brands like Unilever and Three. It's Emotion AI can measure how the world feels about brands online. Adoreboard's mission is to place customer emotion at the heart of every customer experience decision and create 1 million customer centric brands as a result. Originally a spin out of one of the UK's leading research universities Queen's University Belfast, Adoreboard was named the 'Best Tech' company by the ITLG Silicon Valley Global Technology Summit chaired by former Chairman and CEO of Intel Corporation Dr Craig Barrett. Link: http://www.adoreboard.com/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 28, 2017] NEXT Biometrics and Tactilis Demonstrate First-Ever Biometric Smart Card Using Flexible Sensor Compliant with International Standards CANNES, France, Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NEXT Biometrics (Oslo Bors:NEXT) and Tactilis today demonstrated the first smart card using flexible fingerprint sensor technology compliant with international standards. Tactilis has integrated NEXTs advanced large area flexible sensor technology into its biometric-system-on-card (BSoC) to deliver a higher level of security and outstanding user experience for financial, governmental and access control mass markets. The demonstration is taking place here this week at TRUSTECH 2017. NEXTs advanced large-area flexible sensor delivers the security and reliability that will help move the use of biometric smart card technology into widespread adoption by the industry, said Ritu Favre, CEO of NEXT Biometrics. Working together with Tactilis we are able to deliver a product that can be manufactured in volume and which meets the stringent standards requirements demanded in real life implementation. The NEXT NB610 flexible fingerprint sensor has been incorporated into smart cards developed and manufactured by Tactilis that are compliant with the ISO 17839 standard defining the implementation of biometric system-on-a-card devices. This is the first ISO 17839 compliant smart card with flexible fingerprint sensor technology. Tactilis has already integrated NEXTs non-flexible sensor, the NB 5510 (announced in 2016), into smart cards that are currently shipping to customers. We strongly believe large and flexible sensors are absolutely necessary to rovide fast one-touch verification and exceptional user experience, while simultaneously providing the highest level of security for the card issuer and the card user, said Michael Gardiner, CEO of Tactilis. Ease of enrollment and the ability to work with existing installed infrastructure will also allow for rapid low-cost adoption. We partnered with NEXT because their sensor technology and long-term strategy help us deliver products that meet the new BSoC industry standards and user preferences necessary for mass market adoption. NEXT Biometrics and Tactilis are demonstrating the new smart card during TRUSTECH Nov. 28-30 in Booth LER C019 at the Palais des Festivals. About NEXT Biometrics Enabled by its patented NEXT Active Thermal principle, NEXT Biometrics (www.nextbiometrics.com) offers large high-quality area fingerprint sensors in both rigid and flexible formats. The sensors can be implemented in a wide range of product formats, including smart cards, notebooks, time and attendance, USB-sensors, smart card readers, secure tokens and access control systems, and many more. NEXT Biometrics Group ASA is a publicly-listed company headquartered in Oslo, Norway and with sales, support and development subsidiaries in Seattle, Silicon Valley, Taipei, Prague and Shanghai. About Tactilis Tactilis (www.tactilisltd.com) provides a biometric smart card that has the convenience and capability to replace all current forms of card identification and completes the chain of trust in identity and information security. The powerful biometric system-on-card utilizes a live fingerprint scanner to securely verify the cards rightful users identity and authorize transactions with a single touch of a finger. Multiple applications can be implemented within one card successfully. Tactilis is headquartered in Singapore, having operations and development in Malaysia and Portugal and with sales in Hong Kong. For additional information, please contact: Investor Relations: Ritu Favre (CEO), [email protected] Knut Stalen (CFO), [email protected] Media: Tom Beermann, [email protected] 408-807-9475 Brian Dobson, [email protected] 203-613-2222 [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 28, 2017] MRF Tyres Onboards 42Gears Mobility Management Suite BANGALORE, November 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- 42Gears Mobility Systems, a leading provider of digital workspace technologies, announces that MRF Tyres has selected 42Gears EMM Solution to provide secure access to MRF product application on the tablets in the exclusive stores. 42Gears solution allows MRF to remotely manage the MRF application and push app updates. Further, the digital signage solution enhances customer engagement by turning the Lenovo tabs into kiosks during idle time. (Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/517153/42Gears_Mobility_Systems_Logo.jpg ) MRF has provided Lenovo Android tablets in more than 400 exclusive stores across India, with a pre-installed product presentation application to its in-store sales representatives for product demonstration and customer feedback. When not in use, these tablets are also used as kiosks to display product videos. However, these open devices were prone to misuse and also it was difficult to provide secure access to product application for improving customer experience. With the help of 42Gears EMM Solution, MRF wa able to secure the tablets and prevent device misuse within the dealer stores. It also made device management and support very easy for MRF.42Gears not only secured access to the product application but also ensured a high customer engagement through its efficient digital signage solution. Abhay Koranne, Senior Vice President, 42Gears Mobility Systems, said, "MRF required a simple and easy to use solution which would enable them to solve their mobility challenges. They found our EMM solution to be an exact fit for their specific requirement. Not only did our products match their price preference, we were also able to successfully deliver mobility solutions that worked in tandem with their current workflow." About 42Gears 42Gears Mobility Systems provides SaaS and On-premise UEM solutions. It offers enterprise-ready products to help companies secure, monitor and manage enterprise mobile devices, desktops, IoT and more. More than 7,000 customers across 106 countries use 42Gears for managing BYOD and Company Owned Device devices deployment scenarios. 42Gears products are used in verticals like healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, education and retail. For more information, please visit http://www.42gears.com. About MRF Tyres MRF Tyres, the largest manufacturer of tyres in India, is headquartered in Chennai, India. In early 1960s, the company started exporting tyres to U.S. and Beirut. Today, it has a global presence across 65 different countries with tyres rolling out of 6 interdependent facilities built across 450 acres, 3,000 strong dealer networks and 180 different offices. For more information, please visit https://www.mrftyres.com/. Media Contact: Manisha Singh [email protected] +91-9886603629 Marketing Head 42Gears Mobility Systems [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 28, 2017] Cytovance Biologics, Inc. announces Bexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. has chosen Cytovance to manufacture the protein component and active ingredient of Bexion's first clinical compound, BXQ-350 OKLAHOMA CITY, Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cytovance Biologics, Inc. (Cytovance), a leading full-service contract development and manufacturer of mammalian and microbial biologics, today announced that it has been chosen by Bexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Bexion) to manufacture the protein component and active ingredient of Bexions first clinical compound, BXQ-350. An ongoing supply of this protein will support Bexions continued drug development efforts, including planned Phase II clinical trials. BXQ-350 is a unique formulation of the human lysosomal protein, Saposin C (sphingolipid activator protein, or SapC), and the phospholipid dioleoylphosphatidylserine (DOPS). Cytovance and Bexion are working on the scale-up process in anticipation of increased drug requirements. As Bexions need for BXQ-350 has continued to increase, Cytovance has been very responsive to our requests, stated Dr. Ray Takigik, Founder and CEO of Bexion. From scheduling multiple protein runs to improving our process, their team has provided welcomed expertise. Bexion recently completed a successful First-in-Human Phase 1a dose ranging study in adult patients with advanced solid tumors, where BXQ-350 was shown to be well tolerated at all five doses with no dose limiting toxicities observed and with no serious adverse events attributed to the therapy. Phase 1b is now underway. Cytovance is very excited to be a part of such an innovative project with Bexion, says Mike OMara, VP of Manufacturing at Cytovance Biologics. We are delighted to support Bexion by ongoing manufacturing of BXQ-350 in our cGMP state-of-the-art facilities. About Cytovance Cytovance Biologics, Inc. is a full service CDMO and was founded in 2003. At Cytovance, we provide unparalleled support to biopharmaceutical companies to move new, safe medicines from the lab bench to those who need them most. Were committed to a healthier world. Cytovance offers a comprehensive range of development and cGMP manufacturing services. For more information, visit www.cytovance.com Media Contact: Cheryl Tuck | [email protected] About Bexion Bexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a privately-held biotech company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative cures for cancer. Bexions first-in-class biologic, BXQ-350, has demonstrated selective tumor targeting with the potential for clinical efficacy in a broad range of cancers. In 2013 the NCI awarded Bexion a prestigious Bridge Award of $3MM to support testing of BXQ-350 in the clinic. In February 2015, the FDA granted Bexion Orphan Drug status for Saposin C, the active ingredient in its proprietary drug BXQ-350, for the potential treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a type of brain cancer. In June 2015, Bexion won a Tibbetts Award by the Small Business Administration for exemplifying the very best in innovation. For more information, visit www.bexionpharma.com Media Contact: Margaret van Gilse | 859.757.1652 | [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 28, 2017] Enghouse Systems Acquires XConnect GmbH Acquisition Establishes Enghouse Networks Presence In Germany MARKHAM, ON and DUREN, Germany, Nov. 28, 2017 /CNW/ - Enghouse Systems Limited (TSX:ENGH) announced today it has acquired XConnect GmbH, from XConnect Global Networks Ltd. Headquartered in Duren (outside of Cologne), XConnect GmbH provides carrier change processes and number portability services to telecommunication providers in Germany. Its software enables the movement of telephone numbers and voice data services among operators and carriers. "With over 70 customers, XConnect GmbH establishes EnghouseNetworks in Germany and provides a base to sell XConnect as well as Enghouse products," said Sunil Diaz, General Manager, Enghouse Networks. "We are very pleased to welcome XConnect GmbH's customers and employees to the Enghouse Networks organization." About Enghouse Systems Limited Enghouse Systems Limited is a leading global provider of enterprise software solutions serving a variety of vertical markets. Its strategy is to build a more diverse enterprise software company through strategic acquisitions and managed growth within its business sectors: Contact Center, Networks (OSS/BSS) and Transportation/Public Safety. Enghouse shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:ENGH). Further information about Enghouse is available at www.enghouse.com. About XConnect GmbH & XConnect Global Networks Ltd. XConnect GmbH is a specialist in Germany in the area of phone number porting, phone number allocation and porting data. The ICCS Professional (Inter Carrier Communication System) product offers one of the latest software solutions for telephone providers for phone number administration and porting in this area. XConnect Global Networks Ltd. will continue to operate on a global basis its number information and interconnect services for telecom operators, A2P messaging providers and CPaaS players. SOURCE Enghouse Systems Limited [November 28, 2017] Kyowa Hakko Kirin Announces FDA Acceptance for Filing and Priority Review Designation of Mogamulizumab's Biologics License Application Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co., Ltd. (TOKYO:4151) (President and CEO: Nobuo Hanai, "Kyowa Hakko Kirin") today announces that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for review the Biologics License Application (BLA) for mogamulizumab to treat Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma (CTCL) in patients who have received at least one prior systemic therapy, and has granted Priority Review status. This BLA is supported by the data from the MAVORIC (Mogamulizumab anti-CCR4 Antibody Versus ComparatOR In CTCL) study, the largest global randomized clinical trial of systemic therapy in CTCL. The FDA has granted mogamulizumab Priority Review status, which is available to drugs that would be significant improvements in the safety or effectiveness of the treatment, diagnosis, or prevention of serious conditions when compared to standard applications. The Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) action date for the BLA is June 4, 2018. "I am delighted that the FDA accepted the BLA for mogamulizumab with Priority Review and this is another significant achievement for our subsidiary, Kyowa Kirin Pharmaceutical Development," sad Mitsuo Satoh, Ph.D., Executive Officer, Vice President Head of R&D Division of Kyowa Hakko Kirin. "We will keep working with Regulatory Authorities such as FDA to make it available to patients with CTCL in the US as soon as possible." Mogamulizumab was first approved in Japan in 2012 for other hematological malignancies and in 2014 for use in CTCL. FDA has granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation status to mogamulizumab for the treatment of Mycosis Fungoides (MF) and Sezary Syndrome (SS), in patients who have received at least one prior systemic therapy. MF and SS are the most common subtypes of CTCL. The Kyowa Hakko Kirin Group companies strive to contribute to the health and well-being of people around the world by creating new value through the pursuit of advances in life sciences and technologies. About Mogamulizumab Mogamulizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody (mAb) directed against CC chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4), which is frequently expressed on leukemic cells of certain hematologic malignancies including CTCL. Mogamulizumab was produced using Kyowa Hakko Kirin's proprietary POTELLIGENT platform, which is associated with enhanced antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). About MAVORIC MAVORIC is a Phase 3 open-label, multi-center, randomized study of mogamulizumab versus active comparator in patients with MF and SS who have failed at least one prior systemic treatment. The study was conducted in the US, Europe, Japan and Australia, and randomized 372 patients. About CTCL (Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma) CTCL is a rare type of non-Hodgkin's T-cell lymphoma. The two most common types of CTCL are MF and SS, and depending on the stage, the disease may involve skin, blood, lymph nodes, and viscera. In advanced stage CTCL is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171128005661/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 28, 2017] RSi Chosen to Share Best Practices at Europe's Largest Customer Success Event MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- RSi (Retail Solutions, Inc.), the global leader in retail execution and data management, has been invited to participate in Gainsight's Customer Success Event in Europe. This event is the main customer success event in Europe and is taking place in London on November 28th through 29th. Stuart Careford, Vice President of Worldwide Customer Success, and Ryan McCarthy, Senior Director of Global Customer Success Operations, will share RSi's best practices created for customers with the launch of Gainsight. "We are honored to be invited to speak at Pulse Europe," commented McCarthy. "At RSi we are committed to being at the forefront of Customer Success Management and Gainsight is certainly helping us deliver on that promise," added McCarthy. Careford and McCarthy will be speaking on Tuesday, November 28th from 2:05 PM - 2:45 PM in the Success Showcase track. They will offer an executive briefing surrounding RSi's successful implementation of Gainsight which supports RSi's new multi-dimensional customer success management practice. With customer experience being a top priority, RSi is transforming the way they manage customer success with four cornerstones of focus: (i) account management, (ii) centralizing all customer data points, (ii) using that data to generate prescriptive actions, and (iv)establishing automated business rules to streamline customer management workflows. RSi's evolution of customer success management has taken shape over a three year journey including the implementation of Gainsight. "At RSi, we are continually looking for the best way to support our customers and serve them before needs arise," said Careford. "We have a dedicated team led by Ryan that has made tremendous gains using the robust platform offered by Gainsight," continued Careford. With over 1200 CPG customer accounts globally, RSi has over 100 people in various customer success roles (support, account management, managers, training, etc.) working around the clock that are devoted to customer success management. Powered by Gainsight, RSi aims to deliver exceptional account management, with well documented business plans and objectives for each account. This will ensure sufficient resources are allocated to the appropriate customer teams, provide clear follow up on actions after all meetings, accelerate resolution of any potential production issues, and improve the communications surrounding introductions of new features or products. About Retail Solutions, Inc. (RSi) RSi transforms data into value -- in the store, on the shelf and with shoppers worldwide. To achieve operational clarity and measure performance daily, the world's leading companies turn to RSi to transform their data into actionable insights. As the leader in data management and retail execution, our goal is to bring operational clarity to our customers so they can operate their business more successfully. From solving out-of-stocks to driving inventory down, from optimizing sales strategies to determining marketing ROI, RSi helps to cut costs and improve sales. For over thirteen years we have been a trusted, massive data and analytics partner to more than 225 retailers and over 500 CPG companies, including such household names as Colgate-Palmolive, Nestle, the Procter & Gamble Company and Unilever. RSi is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Walmart Stores, Inc. To learn more about the company, visit: www.retailsolutions.com Media Relations: Jessica Tobey | Industry Relations RSi - Retail Solutions, Inc. 201 Ravendale Drive Mountain View, CA 94043 [email protected] View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rsi-chosen-to-share-best-practices-at-europes-largest-customer-success-event-300562346.html SOURCE Retail Solutions, Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 28, 2017] Mogo Launches MogoProtect to Help Protect Canadians Against Identity Fraud Product addresses growing incidence of identify fraud from data breaches Subscription-based offering represents Mogo's fifth product and highlights power of the company's digital platform Opens up significant new revenue opportunity for Mogo VANCOUVER, Nov. 28, 2017 /CNW/ - Mogo Finance Technology Inc. (TSX: MOGO; OTCQX: MOGOF) ("Mogo" or the "Company"), one of Canada's leading financial technology companies, today announced it has launched MogoProtect, a new digital solution to help consumers protect themselves against identify fraud. "With data breaches happening almost daily, most people don't realize they've been compromised until the damage is already done. The potential effects of identify fraud financial losses, reduced creditworthiness can be devastating, making it more important than ever for everyone to watch for signs of suspicious activity and unexpected inquiries into their credit file," said David Feller, Founder and CEO of Mogo. "With MogoProtect, we are introducing a highly convenient and affordable mobile first solution to help Canadians detect potential fraud and stop it before it becomes a real issue. At $8.99 per month, it's roughly half the price of comparable solutions in the market, and we believe MogoProtect offers an unmatched, mobile-first user experience." In a recent Gallup poll, Americans ranked identity theft as their single greatest worry1, in part because of the potential impact on their financial life. Take the recent story of a Canadian woman whose identity was stolen, allowing thieves to get two mortgages in her name that totaled CDN$500,000. After she investigated her own case, she found out that the thieves had tried to borrow money at 12 or more financial companies. Nobody can prevent identity theft but a solution like MogoProtect would have alerted her when any of those lenders did an inquiry into her Equifax credit bureau, which would have given her a chance to help stop the fraud before it happened. "There are approximately 26 million Canadians with a credit score and, increasingly, we believe every Canadian will need a solution like this because the consequences of identity fraud can be so severe," added Greg Feller, President & CFO of Mogo. "Not only does this product represent a significant new evenue opportunity for Mogo, it highlights the power and value of our technology platform, as this product was conceived, built and launched within three months a tremendous achievement by our team. This subscription revenue stream aligns with our strategic focus on growing the other product revenue and fees segment of our business, and we will continue to introduce new fee-based products in the coming quarters, including our new cryptocurrency account in the first quarter of 2018. These innovative products will help us achieve our target of 800,000 to 1,000,000 members by the end of 2018." MogoProtect monitors your Equifax credit bureau and notifies you by push notification and email whenever a company makes an inquiry, which happens when you consent to a credit check while opening a new bank account or completing an application for credit. If you notice a suspicious inquiry, MogoProtect will guide you through the next steps to help prevent the fraud. "Our mission is to empower Canadians to manage their financial health in the most convenient way possible, and we plan to eventually offer all the solutions that someone needs to manage their financial health, all from one convenient digital account," continued David Feller. "We chose MogoProtect as our fifth product, because we truly believe that identity fraud is one of the greatest risks to consumers' financial health. In studying the market, we also noticed a big gap in both a mobile-first solution and an affordable one. MogoProtect is meant to solve this gap." MogoProtect is seamlessly integrated into the MogoAcccount and can be accessed through the Mogo app (iOS and Android versions). Mogo's multi-product platform includes: Canada's first free credit score monitoring solution first free credit score monitoring solution MogoProtect: A simple and affordable mobile solution to help protect against identity fraud MogoMortgage: Digitally led mortgage experience which was recently awarded Best Use of Mobile Technology by the Canadian Mortgage Association MogoCard: Canada's first digital spending account accessible through the Mogo Platinum Prepaid Visa first digital spending account accessible through the Mogo Platinum Prepaid Visa MogoMoney: Canada's first full-spectrum consumer loan solution with a "Level-up" program that rewards consumers for consistent payments with lower rates or higher loan amounts first full-spectrum consumer loan solution with a "Level-up" program that rewards consumers for consistent payments with lower rates or higher loan amounts Upcoming MogoCrypto: A trusted way to buy & sell Bitcoin, launching in Q1 2018 1 http://news.gallup.com/poll/221270/cybercrime-tops-americans-crime-worries.aspx About Mogo Mogo (TSX: MOGO; OTCQX: MOGOF) a Vancouver-based financial technology company is focused on building the best digital financial services experience for the next generation of Canadians. Mogo's platform currently delivers five innovative products designed to help consumers get in control of their financial health. Built mobile first, users can sign up for a free MogoAccount in only three minutes and get access to free credit score monitoring, identity fraud protection, the Mogo Platinum Prepaid Visa Card, mortgages and personal loans. The platform was engineered to deliver multiple financial products at scale and enable the launch of additional new innovative products, including the Company's recently announced MogoCrypto account which is expected to launch early in 2018. With more than 500,000 members and growing, Mogo continues to execute on its vision of becoming the financial brand for the next generation of Canadians. To learn more, please visit mogo.ca or download the mobile app (iOS or Android). Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Mogo's member growth, platform, brand, current products and plans to launch new products including the recently announced MogoCrypto account. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual financial results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the estimated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements and the forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Mogo's growth and its ability to expand into new products and markets are subject to a number of conditions, many of which are outside of Mogo's control. For a description of the risks associated with Mogo's business please refer to the "Risk Factors" section of Mogo's annual information form dated March 7, 2017, which is available at www.sedar.com. Except as required by law, Mogo disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, events or otherwise. SOURCE Mogo Finance Technology Inc [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 28, 2017] ToolGen, Inc. Announces Poster Presentation on CRISPR Technology at 2017 American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting SEOUL, South Korea, Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ToolGen, Inc. (KONEX, 199800), a biotechnology company specializing in genome editing, today announced a poster presentation on its CRISPR technology at the upcoming American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting, being held December 9-12 in Atlanta, Georgia. The poster presentation entitled CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Diacylglycerol Kinase Knockout Potentiates Anti-Tumor Efficacy of Human Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cells will cover a study that explored a potential solution to tumors evading immune surveillance by deactivating T cells. Researchers strengthened T cell function by deleting Diacylglycerol kinase (DGKs) using CRISPR/Cas9. The study found that the observed biological effects may also yield new strategies for improving the efficacy of T-cell therapy in combination with signal 2 checkpoint inhibitors in clinical applications. Poster : 3182 - CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Diacylglycerol Kinase Knockout Potentiates Anti-Tumor Efficacy of Human Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cells Lead Author : In-Young Jung, MS Poster Session : 703: Adoptive Immunotherapy: Poster II Date : Sunday, December 10, 2017 Time : 6:00 - 8:00pm CT Location : Georgia World Congress Center Building A, Level 1, Hall A2 About ToolGen, Inc. ToolGen, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on the development and application of genome editing technologies. It creates and holds intellectual property rights for essential tools and technologies for editing the genetic information in microbial, plant, animal, and human cells. ToolGens mission is to translate the potential of its innovative platform technology into transformative products for biomedicine and agriculture. For more information, please visit www.toolgen.com. Contacts Company Seokjoong Kim +82-2-873-8168 Media Kirsten Thomas (508) 280-6592 Investors Tram Bui (646) 536-7035 [November 28, 2017] Healthcare Industry Players Can Leverage Patient Engagement Analytics to Enhance Their Patient Monitoring Process - Quantzig Quantzig, a global analytics solutions provider, has announced the completion of their latest patient engagement study on the healthcare industry. The client, a renowned healthcare services provider, wanted to better understand the role of the patients regarding the health behavior and the interaction with the health care system. The main objective of the client was to gain insights related to disease management. Also, the client wanted to improve patient satisfaction levels and offer efficient healthcare delivery. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171128005638/en/ Patient Engagement Analysis Assists a Client to Enhance Their Patient Monitoring Process. (Graphic: Business Wire) According to the patient engagement analysis experts at Quantzig, "The healthcare industry is shifting toward a value-based model. And to deliver the most affordable healthcareto patients, major organizations in the healthcare industry are adopting patient engagement analysis." The old healthcare model of treating critical illnesses is slowly evolving into a model with increasing focus on the disease prevention, patient, and the ongoing management of chronic diseases. Today's healthcare industry allows consumers to take charge of their health in a new way. Additionally, with the increasing patient awareness, renowned players in the healthcare services space are relying on patient engagement analysis to go on par with the consumer's preferences. Request a free demo to see how Quantzig's solutions can help you. The solution offered by Quantzig helped the client to better manage chronic diseases and improve the quality of healthcare services. The client was able to deliver cost-effective medical assistance to the patients while promising better health care quality. Also, the client was able to improve the process of care and ultimately patient satisfaction. This patient engagement analysis solution provided benefits that helped the client to: Improve the overall health outcome and increase patient engagement Understand the health conditions and proactively make better-informed decisions To know more, request a free proposal This patient engagement analysis solution offered predictive insights on: Educating patients about their responsibility and improving quality and safety Enhancing financial and operations efficiency To know more, request a free proposal View the complete patient engagement analysis study here: https://www.quantzig.com/content/health-care-services-patient-engagement About Quantzig Quantzig is a global analytics and advisory firm with offices in the US, UK, Canada, China, and India. For more than 12 years, we have assisted our clients across the globe with end-to-end data modeling capabilities to leverage analytics for prudent decision making. Today, our firm consists of 120+ clients, including 45 Fortune 500 companies. For more information on all of Quantzig's services and the solutions they have provided to Fortune 500 clients across all industries, please contact us. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171128005638/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 28, 2017] Myomo, Inc. to Present at the 10th Annual LD Micro Main Event Myomo, Inc. (NYSE American: MYO) ("Myomo" or the "Company"), a commercial stage medical robotics company, today announced that it will be presenting at the 10th annual LD Micro Main Event on Tuesday, December 5th at 9:30 AM PST / 12:30 PM EST at the Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel in Los Angeles, CA (News - Alert). Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Paul R. Gudonis will be presenting, as well as meeting with investors. A live audio webcast of the presentation will be available online at the Investor Relations page of the Company's website. An archive of the event will also be available for those unable to listen live. The LD Micro Main Event is the largest independent conference for small/micro-cap companies and will feature 250 names presenting to an audience of over 1,000 attendees. In addition, there will be a variety of speakers/panelists discussing topics of interest to investors and issuers, along with coordinate evening events. About Myomo Myomo, Inc. is a commercial stage medical robotics company that offers expanded mobility for those suffering from neurological disorders and upper limb paralysis. Myomo develops and markets the MyoPro product line. MyoPro is a powered upper limb orthosis designed to restore function to the weakened or paralyzed arms of patients suffering from CVA stroke, brachial plexus injury, traumatic brain or spinal cord injury, ALS or other neurouscular disease or injury. It is currently the only marketed device that, sensing a patient's own EMG signals through non-invasive sensors on the arm, can restore an individual's ability to perform activities of daily living, including feeding themselves, carrying objects and doing household tasks. Many are able to return to work, live independently and reduce their cost of care. Myomo is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with sales and clinical professionals across the U.S. For more information, please visit www.myomo.com. About LD Micro LD Micro was founded in 2006 with the sole purpose of being an independent resource in the microcap space. What started out as a newsletter highlighting unique companies has transformed into several influential conferences annually. In 2015, LDM launched the first pure microcap index (the LDMi) to exclusively provide intraday information on the entire sector. For those interested in attending, please contact David Scher at [email protected] or visit www.ldmicro.com/events for more information. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the Company's future business expectations, including the therapeutic benefit of the Company's products, which are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual results due to a variety of factors. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward looking statements for many reasons, including, without limitation, risks related to regulatory approval and market acceptance of our products, and the other risk factors contained in our filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission. More information about factors that potentially could affect Myomo's financial results is included in Myomo's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company disclaims any obligation subsequently to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171128005786/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 28, 2017] Tavisca Solutions Wins TravelMole - ITB Asia Pacific Award Again PUNE, India, November 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Tavisca Solutions, a leading travel technology products and solutions provider, has continued its winning streak and been conferred with the prestigious TravelMole - ITB Asia Pacific Award again this year. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150604/748192 ) Tavisca's efforts towards transforming travel brands into technology-centric market leaders were recognized by industry enthusiasts, who voted them as winners in the category of 'Best Travel Technology Provider' for the 10th TravelMole - ITB Asia Pacific Awards 2017. This accomplishment reflects their partner satisfaction and industry recognition. The winners were selected from a shortlisted list, deliberated by an expert panel of judges who determined the best nominations from all applications received in August. The TravelMole Asia Pacific Award is bestowed upon pioneer travel businesses and destinations that innovatively utilize different realms of digital technologies for enhancing visitor experiences or solidifying their online presence. Bein at the forefront within the industry is a matter of great pride for Tavisca. Mahendra Yadav, CEO, Tavisca Solutions, said, "Winning this award again has been a huge honor and we would like to thank everyone for their overwhelming support and truly respect their faith in our technical excellence within the travel industry." TravelMole's 65,000 travel trade Asia Pacific newswire subscribers were asked to place their nominations in August. A expert panel of judges determined a shortlist for each category in September. Voting by TravelMole's 65,000 subscribers from the travel trade in Australia/NZ and Asia Pacific markets took place over few weeks after the nomination. In association with ITB Asia 2017, the TravelMole Asia Pacific Awards 2017 celebrates its 10th year anniversary, recognizing excellence of travel industry vendors, destinations, resellers, technology and payment solution providers, whose websites, e-commerce, social media, mobile and IT deployment represent the best of the best. About Tavisca Solutions Tavisca Solutions powered more than 2.5 million travel bookings (2016) for leading B2C, membership-based travel and B2B travel companies globally. Tavisca Solutions helped travel brands transform themselves into technology-centric market leaders in travel, empower their vision and scale their business. They recently launched OneConnect - The only travel supplier integration you will ever need. Established in 2008, Tavisca has emerged into a team of travel technology specialists with over 300 dedicated personnel and a state-of-the-art development center in India, and the sales and marketing office in the U.S. For Products and Demo Queries Contact: [email protected] Press and Media Contact: [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 28, 2017] Innovid Releases Insights from Survey of Brand Marketers on Video Marketing Strategies and Expectations for 2018 NEW YORK, Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Innovid, the worlds leading video marketing platform, today announced the release of a report titled, Where are Brand Marketers Taking Their Video Strategy in 2018? The report presents the results of a survey completed by 140 marketing decision-makers at top brands, conducted this summer by Brand Innovators in partnership with Innovid. The survey queried brand marketers on how they perceive their brands' adoption of the latest video advertising strategies, their beliefs about integrating data, their adoption of KPIs to determine success, and what their plans and expectations are for 2018 regarding their use of video to better connect with consumers. The survey results showed that marketers grade themselves quite harshly when asked about their video advertising usage. Very few companies currently report themselves as leading-edge when asked about innovation in their video marketing strategies and tactics to appeal to today's consumers, with only six percent characterizing their brands as innovators in video. However, marketers do have a video vision for 2018, and almost 80 percent of respondents stated that they will increase their video advertising in 2018 to build stronger relationships with viewers. Moreover, they show widespread optimism about how they envision the coming year. Innovid partnered with Brand Innovators to conduct this survey hoping get honest feedback from leading companies about their video marketing efforts and expectations for the future, said Beth-Ann Eason, president, Innovid. Many marketers seem to be coming down hard on their own video marketing efforts, but it is also clear that there is so much untapped potential and optimism about video marketing and its impact on consumers to be harnessed in the year to come. Innovids expertise in partnering with brands to develop ideo marketing strategies enables them to solve real business problems through data-driven creative campaigns with concrete measurement and results. Additional key highlights from the survey include: Marketers are being held back by three key hurdles: budget, lack of in-house expertise and prioritization. Funding is the gating factor in video advertising volume for the vast majority of marketers, though 79 percent of companies will be increasing their video advertising efforts in 2018. of companies will be increasing their video advertising efforts in 2018. Marketers are uninformed about the costs associated with deploying customized video ads. 45 percent of respondents dont believe that creative can be customized into hundreds of variants for less than $20,000. of respondents dont believe that creative can be customized into hundreds of variants for less than $20,000. Interactive TV ads are currently underutilized because there is a general lack of knowledge about the capabilities that current video advertising technologies provide. Quite a few companies (35 percent) rely completely on agencies to deploy their video assets, showing a lack of adequate in-house video marketing expertise. rely completely on agencies to deploy their video assets, showing a lack of adequate in-house video marketing expertise. Facebook and YouTube currently dominate the overall video ad spend, while mobile, which currently accounts for a quarter of ad spend, is still somewhat of an afterthought. OTT video platforms currently account for 9 percent of video ad spend and are expected to rise significantly. of video ad spend and are expected to rise significantly. Most marketers (90 percent of respondents) understand the value of using digital key performance indicators (KPIs) in measuring the effectiveness of an online ad campaign, as opposed to using more traditional KPIs. We were pleased to work with Innovid to conduct this survey as it generated critical industry insights about the current and future state of video marketing, said Marc Sternberg, Co-Founder, Brand Innovators. The results show the lack of widespread understanding of the current state of video, budgetary barriers, and the unmet potential that video advertising has to connect with consumers on a one-to-one basis. The results also demonstrate the optimism of marketers and the huge potential that video marketing has to really explode in the next couple years. The white paper is available for download at http://www.innovid.com/bi-whitepaper. For more information about Innovid, please visit www.innovid.com or follow us on Twitter @Innovid. Press Contact for Innovid: Rachel Conforti Email: [email protected] Phone: (212) 966-7555 (ext. 242) About Innovid Innovid is the worlds #1 online video marketing platform, delivering more video than any company across PCs, tablets, mobile phones, smart TVs and streaming devices. Innovid helps leading advertisers and agencies leverage the power of data to create interactive and personalized video that delivers 80 percent higher performance than traditional pre-roll. Most recently, Innovid was featured in Business Insiders 19 Most Interesting Ad-Tech Startups of 2017. Please visit www.innovid.com for more information. About Brand Innovators Founded in 2011, Brand Innovators is the largest professional organization of brand marketers, with a community of over 7,000 marketing professionals from Fortune 500 and other leading brands throughout the United States and the UK. The Brand Innovators Advisory Board includes some of the most innovative brand marketers and change agents in the marketing and media industries. For more information, visit www.brand-innovators.com. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 28, 2017] Canada's Combat Ship Team: BAE Systems, CAE, Lockheed Martin Canada, L3 Technologies, MDA and Ultra Electronics Join Forces to Deliver Canadian Surface Combatant Proposal OTTAWA, Ontario, Nov. 28, 2017 /CNW/ -- Two days prior to the procurement closure date, Lockheed Martin Canada (NYSE: LMT) has confirmed delivery of the proposal for the Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) program signifying that the acquisition has moved to the next critical phase. BAE Systems, CAE, Lockheed Martin Canada, L3 Technologies, MDA and Ultra Electronics are partnering as Canada's Combat Ship Team for the Royal Canadian Navy's future fleet of surface combatants. Canada's Combat Ship Team is offering the most advanced and modern warship design, the Type 26 Global Combat Ship (GCS), with high-tech platform innovations from prominent Canadian companies. The solution includes the internationally renowned Canadian-developed combat management system, CMS 330. Canada's Combat Ship Team's approach to the CSC project exclusively parallels the Canadian Government's Defence Policy, which is the foundation for the offering: Strong, Secure and Engaged. STRONG. Canada's Combat Ship Team's approach to the strategic objective STRONG is to provide the right ship for the Royal Canadian Navy that surpasses baseline requirements with minimal change. This solution represents the lowest development risk and is underpinned by Canadian doctrine; interoperability with five-eyes nations and other NATO allies; ability to achieve safety certification and security accreditation; ease of operation, maintenance and sustainment; and ease of upgradeability to address future capabilities. SECURE. Under the pillar of SECURE, Canada's Combat Ship Team's offering focuses on ensuring successful program execution by bringing together a pan-Canadian team who have proven, demonstrated and current pedigree in performing complex defence contracts in Canada; who have well-established infrastructure, employees, security clearances and facilities in place today; who have demonstrated their commitment and reliability to successfully execute the project by their substantial investments in CSC and in meeting all procurement deadlines; and therefore who are poised to perform the CSC program, Ready on Day One . ENGAGED. Embodied throughout Canada's Combat Ship Team's offering is our multifaceted approach to achieving the strategic pillar ENGAGED. The underlying principles implemented focus on partnership with all stakeholders and, equally important, maintaining sovereignty of the CSC solution in Canada, which can only be achieved by having the solution and capability developed "at home" by Canadians. Canada's Combat Ship Team is living proof that capability investments made in Canada result in sustained jobs not only through long term sustainment of its system and products, but also extend to exports which leverage Canada's investments to other nations adding more jobs to Canadian industry. This team recognizes the significant benefits that Canada will receive with the implementation of Canada's Combat Ship Team's strategic objective to bring the jobs "home" to Canada and therefore collectively become the Home Team . Quotes "The Type 26 Global Combat Ship is a flexible, next generation warship design which offers a low risk and affordable solution for the Canadian Surface Combatant program. With the UK Type 26 program running ahead of CSC, our Canadian ship will benefit from lessons learnt on the UK program. This schedule also allows Type 26 the opportunity to be the most advanced Canadian Surface Combatant. Canadian companies such as W.R. Davis Engineering in Ottawa, Rolls-Royce in Peterborough and L3 MAPPS in Montreal have already begun work on delivering high-technology systems for the UK's Type 26, demonstrating the skills and capability available from the Canadian supply chain." Anne Healey, Country Director, Canada, BAE Systems "Building on our proud Canadian history of more than 70 years, we are honoured to join forces with this pan-Canadian team that has been assembled for CSC. CAE welcomes the opportunity to leverage the strengths of ourcombined organizations to support the Government of Canada and Irving Shipbuilding to deliver a modern, capable warship with an integrated training system that aligns with the Future Naval Training Strategy. CAE is dedicated to offering customers the most innovative training solutions to achieve the highest levels of operational readiness and performance." Joe Armstrong, Vice President and General Manager - Canada, CAE "The Defence Policy released earlier this year announced the Government's new vision for the Canadian Armed Forces, and as a Pan-Canadian team, our approach to CSC implements these Defence Policy pillars where we are offering the right ship for the Navy to enable them to be STRONG; we are offering proven, Canadian pedigree of companies to ensure successful program execution is SECURE; and we are offering a solution that ensures sovereignty is maintained by bringing the direct jobs on CSC home to Canada so that we are ENGAGED and able to sustain the CSC ships throughout their lifespan. Lockheed Martin Canada has been Canada's trusted Combat System Integrator for more than three decades, and our team can be counted on to deliver affordable solutions, sustained job creation, and technology development in Canada for export potential. We'll employ our proven collaborative partnership model to successfully manage the highly complex systems integration process including integrating our CMS 330 Combat Management System with the Type 26 Global Combat Ship and leverage the innovation and talent here at home which will ultimately result in unprecedented economic outcome for Canada." Rosemary Chapdelaine, Vice President and General Manager, Lockheed Martin Canada Rotary and Mission Systems "We are proud to be a member of Canada's Combat Ship Team. With a strong Canadian footprint, we are in a unique position to leverage our established Canadian companies to deliver Canadian marine technologies, systems integration support, and through life in service support to the team in a number of areas including integrated communications, electro optic and infrared sensors, torpedo handling systems, and integrated platform management systems." Mike Greenley, President, L3 WESCAM "As one of Canada's leading space and defence companies, MDA's participation in this team is very strategic. For MDA, in addition to providing world-class operational CSC capability to the Canadian Forces, this project will be a major enabler in achieving significant future MDA exports from Canada and the resulting growth in jobs and business in Canada a continuous corporate strategy for MDA since 1969." Dave Hargreaves, Vice President Aerospace and Defence, Surveillance and Intelligence, MDA "As a long-time participant in Canada's defence community, Ultra Electronics is delighted to be a member of Canada's Combat Ship Team. It is truly a privilege to be able to provide our world-leading Canadian designed and developed underwater warfare products to this uniquely assembled team to deliver Canada's future surface combatant." Ken Walker, President, Ultra Electronics Canada Quick Facts In June 2016 , following Industry engagement, the Government of Canada announced that it would proceed with a procurement package based on a Total Ship Reference Point. For industry, this meant combining the efforts of a warship designer and combat systems integrator into a consolidated proposal. , following Industry engagement, the Government of announced that it would proceed with a procurement package based on a Total Ship Reference Point. For industry, this meant combining the efforts of a warship designer and combat systems integrator into a consolidated proposal. BAE's Type 26 has been selected by the Royal Navy and steel has been cut on the first of a planned eight ships. Due to its current stage in the lifecycle, there is no obsolescence in the design and it therefore offers the lowest risk to build in Canada . . The Type 26 Global Combat Ship can undertake a wide range of roles from high intensity conflict to humanitarian assistance, including anti-submarine warfare and air defence. It is flexible, versatile and highly survivable with an extremely low acoustic signature. Built for the Royal Canadian Navy's doctrine, tactics and operations, Lockheed Martin Canada's innovative Combat Management System CMS 330 was developed in Canada as a result of 34 years' experience and knowledge of Canadian and NATO naval operations. as a result of 34 years' experience and knowledge of Canadian and NATO naval operations. Members of Canada's Combat Ship Team are currently delivering on the final stages of Canada's HALIFAX-class Modernization Project. Combat Ship Team are currently delivering on the final stages of HALIFAX-class Modernization Project. Collectively, our team employs more than 9,000 Canadians in over 40 facilities across the country with an established presence on both coasts. Our collective Canadian supply chain consists of approximately 4,000 contracts Canada -wide. About BAE Systems BAE Systems is a world leading shipbuilding, support and maintenance company with the skills and expertise to design, build, integrate, test, commission and support complex warships. BAE Systems has a strong track record of collaboration with customers and industrial partners worldwide to share technology and skills - helping countries grow their naval and industrial capabilities. Canadian industry is already integral to the Type 26 Global Combat Ship program. About CAE As a globally-recognized training systems integrator, CAE is committed to providing defence and security forces world-class training centres, training services, and a comprehensive portfolio of training solutions. CAE is headquartered in Canada and has employees in 15 locations across the country. About Lockheed Martin Canada Lockheed Martin Canada has a proud legacy of providing innovative naval systems and sustainment solutions for Canada and abroad. For more than three decades, Lockheed Martin Canada has demonstrated its capability and commitment to the Royal Canadian Navy as the Prime Contractor and Combat System Integrator for the HALIFAX Class Frigates. About L3 Technologies A leading provider of communication, electronic and sensor systems used on military, homeland security and commercial platforms, L3 Technologies is also a prime contractor in aerospace systems, security and detection systems, and pilot training. With over 50 years of business operations in Canada, L3 has a strong Canadian presence with L3 MAPPS, L3 MAS, L3 Communication Systems Canada and L3 WESCAM that each have experience working on technologies and projects for the Royal Canadian Navy. About MDA MDA's business provides technology solutions to commercial and government organizations worldwide. The Company's established global customer base is served by more than 6,500 employees operating from 21 locations in Canada, the United States and internationally. MDA focusses primarily in the Communications and the Surveillance and Intelligence sectors, and has supported the Royal Canadian Navy for over two decades. About Ultra Electronics Based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Ultra Electronics is a part of the Ultra Electronics Group, an international electronics company. Ultra Electronics has been delivering sophisticated, cost-effective, and innovative solutions to the defence market for 70 years. Ultra Electronics has been extremely successful in transforming its research investment into the technologically advanced underwater battlespace sensor systems that it delivers to both Royal Canadian Navy and internationally. Today, Ultra Electronics is recognized worldwide for its expertise in hull mounted sonar, towed active and passive arrays, sonar sensors, and underwater acoustics. For more information about our team, visit our website: www.canadascombatshipteam.com or follow us on Twitter @CSCHomeTeam. View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/canadas-combat-ship-team-bae-systems-cae-lockheed-martin-canada-l3-technologies-mda-and-ultra-electronics-join-forces-to-deliver-canadian-surface-combatant-proposal-300562323.html SOURCE Lockheed Martin [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 28, 2017] IGEL Teams with Imprivata to Improve Productivity for Healthcare Organizations IGEL, a world leader in endpoint management software for the secure enterprise, today announced that it is teaming with Imprivata, the healthcare IT security company, to improve the productivity and efficiency of healthcare professionals. By combining the power of the IGEL OS with the features and functionality available through Imprivata OneSign SSO, the two companies are providing doctors, nurses and clinicians with secure, quick and easy access to clinical applications and critical patient information through their IGEL OS-powered endpoints. "Today's hospitals and healthcare organizations are under tremendous pressure to reduce costs and improve the productivity of their increasingly mobile workforces, while at the same time ensuring compliance with security and privacy mandates," said Simon Clephan, vice president, Business Development and Strategic Alliances, IGEL. "IGEL's collaboration with Imprivata is all about helping healthcare organizations achieve these objectives. By simplifying access to patient data through the integration of Imprivata OneSign into IGEL OS-powered endpoints, doctors, nurses and clinicians can gain rapid access to patient records, regardless of where they are working within the organization." Security, Ease of Management and Improved Access with IGEL and Imprivata IGEL OS 10.04 is the latest 64-bit Linux-based solution that is built for today's mobile enterprises. With IGEL OS, organizations can convert any x86 device into an IGEL-powered endpoint, and control every desktop from one, easy-to-manage platform - the IGEL UMS. Organizations of all sizes and across all vertical markets can also easily implement the highly manageable IGEL OS on existing, even aging, devices. This allows them to capitalize on the full benefits of virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) and Windows 10 without high desktop refresh costs. Adding to these benefits, are the additional security layers offered by the IGEL OS. As a Linux-based system, it is nearly immune to ransomware and cyberattacks, allowing the use of Windows-based applications without the risk. Imprivata OneSign Single Sign-On takes the security of patient data one step further by addressing the access challenges faced by doctors, nurses and clinicians. Significantly reducing clicks and eliminating the need to remember or enter application usernames and passwords, Imprivata OneSign has been proven across thousands of healthcare environments around the world. The solution can be used with all types of applications, saving healthcare providers as much as 45 minutes every shift, improving satisfaction levels, and driving EMR adoption. Colorado Hospital Drives End-User Satisfaction with IGEL and Imprivata Parkview Medical CenterSpadafy, which recommended the IGEL Universal DesktopTM thin clients, along with the IGEL Universal Management SuiteTM (UMS) and Imprivata OneSign. Sam Potter, applications analyst for Parkview Medical Center said, "We tested IGEL alongside several other thin client solutions. What won us over was the ease of use and management capabilities available through the IGEL UMS. The IGEL solution, combined with Imprivata OneSign is now becoming a favorite among our doctors and clinical staff at our residency clinic. Since the upgrade, in fact, many have asked us to extend the IGEL and Imprivata deployment to all of our exam rooms." "We've been a partner of IGEL's for many years now and we are pleased to be teaming with them again to provide our mutual customers, like Parkview Medical Center, with access to all of the features and functionality available now through Imprivata OneSign," said Stephen Furstenau, Director of Business Development, Imprivata. "Together, we are making it possible for healthcare organizations to provide their workers with quick and easy access to Citrix (News - Alert), VMware or Microsoft-powered virtual desktops, and eliminating repetitive, manual log-ins with automated processes that enable providers to obtain information more efficiently, so that they can spend more time with their patients." To experience the capabilities of the IGEL OS, Universal Desktop ConverterTM (UDC) and UMS, download here, or request free evaluation hardware. About Imprivata Imprivata, the healthcare IT security company, provides healthcare organizations globally with a security and identity platform that delivers authentication management, fast access to patient information, secure communications, and positive patient identification. Imprivata enables care providers to securely and efficiently access, communicate, and transact patient health information to address critical compliance and security challenges while improving productivity and the patient experience. For more information, please visit www.imprivata.com. IGEL on Social Media Twitter: www.twitter.com/IGEL_Technology Facebook (News - Alert): www.facebook.com/igel.technology Google (News - Alert)+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/101270758605662221044 LinkedIn (News - Alert): www.linkedin.com/company/igel-technology YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/IGELTechnologyTV About IGEL IGEL delivers powerful unified endpoint management software that is revolutionary in its simplicity and purpose-built for the enterprise. The company's world-leading software products include the IGEL OS, Universal Desktop Converter (UDC), IGEL Cloud Gateway (ICG), IGEL UD Pocket (UDP (News - Alert)) and Universal Management Suite (UMS). These solutions enable a more secure, manageable and cost-effective endpoint management platform across nearly any x86 device. Additionally, IGEL's German engineered and manufactured thin, zero and all-in-one client solutions deliver the industry's best warranty (5 years), support (3 years after end of life) and management functionality. IGEL enables enterprises to precisely control all devices running IGEL OS as well as Windows OS from a single dashboard interface. IGEL has offices worldwide and is represented by partners in over 50 countries. For more information on IGEL, visit www.igel.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171128005225/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 28, 2017] Tarsus Group's Cloud-based Consolidation Solution to be Showcased in CCH Tagetik Webinar STAMFORD, Connecticut and LUCCA, Italy, November 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- CCH Tagetik, part of Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting and a leader in global performance management software solutions, today announced that it will host the live webinar, "Modernize Your Consolidation Today!," from 3:00 to 3:45 p.m. GMT/10:00 to 10:45 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, December 5. (Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/492891/Tagetik_Logo.jpg ) During the webinar, Mark Pennington, group controller for Tarsus Group, will discuss the company's transition from Oracle Hyperion Enterprise to CCH Tagetik's cloud-based CPM solution. Tarsus Group is an international business-to-business media company with interests in exhibitions, conferences, education, publishing, and online media. The company has 80 legal entities operating in multiple currencies. "Our business had long outgrown the Hyperion system," said Pennington. "We specifically decided to focus our search for a replacement solution on cloud solutions for several reasons. We wanted a solution that could be easily used by our local teams and easily maintained without IT support. We also wanted to avoid performance lags, particularly in remote locations. "In addition to modernizing our consolidation function, CCH Tagetik has dramatically reduced manual processing, allows for easy integration with our ERP systems, and automates the modeling of foreign exchange rate fluctuations," continued Pennington. "With CCH Tagetik's Collaborative Office, we also now have the ability to perform accurate, comparative reporting for events - a critical requirement since these events are our core revenue. CCH Tagetik's multidimensional capabilities lets us report on events by product group, industry, egion, or other critical criteria." The CCH Tagetik solution has now been live at Tarsus Group for more than a year. "Tarsus Group's experience demonstrates that a move to the cloud is a practical option for any company, no matter its complexity or unique requirements," said Nick Nesbitt, general manager for CCH Tagetik UK and Ireland. "Our UK team worked with Tarsus to implement the solution in 75 working days, and today, a self-sufficient Tarsus system administrator provides the minimal support required." The webinar will feature a live demonstration of CCH Tagetik's consolidation functionality, including: The benefits of unifying consolidation, budgeting, forecasting, disclosure reporting, and analysis on a unified platform. Features that foster collaboration among business stakeholders. How audit trails, diagnostic checks, and automated validation ensure data accuracy from source to final reporting. Workflow management functionality that allows activities to be performed simultaneously, distributing accountability and expediting processes. For more information and to register for the complementary webinar, click here. About Wolters Kluwer Wolters Kluwer (AEX: WKL) is a global leader in professional 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 Tax & Accounting is a leading provider of software solutions and local expertise that helps tax, accounting and audit professionals research and navigate complex regulations, comply with legislation, manage their businesses and advise clients with speed, accuracy and efficiency. CCH Tagetik, a part of the Tax and Accounting division, provides solutions to CFOs for Corporate Performance Management. For more information about our solutions and organization, visit www.wolterskluwer.com and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Media Contacts: Greta Bartoli CCH Tagetik +39-058-396-811 office [email protected] Linda Galloway insidHR Communications +1-303-863-8620 office +1-203-733-7446 mobile [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 28, 2017] Federal Heath Awarded Digital Signage Services for Beaumont Independent School District EULESS, Texas, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Federal Heath has been awarded the digital signage services contract with Beaumont Independent School District. The award is to convert their current exterior signs with color electronic messaging centers for 20 schools and two administrative offices. The electronic message centers will allow Beaumont to easily update messaging from a central location to one or more of the signs, especially in emergency situations like amber alerts. In addition, the new LED technology will help to communicate messages to students, parents, and the community, quickly and effectively. "The town of Beaumont was hit hard by the effects of Hurricane Harvey," said Account Executive Jeff Lee. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to those affected and for a quick rebuilding process. Federal Heath is proud to be involved in helping Beaumont replace and modernize their signage." The cloud-based software controlling the electronic message centers allows Beaumont to inform their sins anytime, anywhere, from any device. The product warranty is for seven years on both parts and labor. Also included is training, technical support, and content creation. About Beaumont Independent School District Based in Beaumont, Texas, with more than 19,000 students and encompassing more than 153 square miles in Jefferson County in Southeast Texas, Beaumont Independent School District was established in 1983. The district has approximately 29 K-12 schools and two administrative offices focused on preparing the next generation for lifelong success. For more information, visit https://www.bmtisd.com About Federal Heath Federal Heath, a leader in the visual communications industry, offers innovative, comprehensive and consistent solutions using Lean manufacturing and skilled account management teams to exceed customer requirements and satisfaction. From nationwide conversions and custom signs to maintenance programs, construction re-imaging, high-impact digital printing and on-premise engagement, Federal Heath is currently one of the few signage providers providing its global customers complete turnkey solutions. Federal Heath has more than twenty offices nationwide, including five state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. For more information about Federal Heath, please visit us at www.federalheath.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/federal-heath-awarded-digital-signage-services-for-beaumont-independent-school-district-300560619.html SOURCE Federal Heath Sign Company, LLC [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 28, 2017] CEO Laila Danielsen of Elliptic Labs a Winner in 14th Annual Stevie Awards for Women Business Leaders Elliptic Labs CEO Laila Danielsen was honored with third place for "Female Entrepreneur or the Year" as part of the prestigious Stevie Awards. These awards are the world's top honors for female entrepreneurs, executives and the organizations they run. The 2017 awards received entries from 25 nations and territories, some 1,500 nominations in all. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171128006025/en/ Elliptic Labs CEO Laila Danielsen is honored with third place for "Female Entrepreneur or the Year" as part of the prestigious Stevie Awards. (Photo: Business Wire) Announced in New York City on November 17, the 14th Annual Stevie Award winners were chosen by more than170 professionals around the world, with the competition held by the creators of the notable International Business Awards and American Business Awards. Danielsen won in the consumer products category. Helping Danielsen step ahead of other finalists were her achievements during four years of running Elliptic Labs, where she has guided the company from a small startup into the leader in ultrasound virtual sensors. Under her direction, the company's technology has been turned into groundbreaking products now incorporated into devices. One of those products is INNER BEAUTY, ultrasonic virtual proximity sensor technology that is behind the world's first bezel-less smartphone, the Mi MIX, from Xiaomi, which has been called "the Apple (News - Alert) of China." The first model was released in 2016 and INNER BEAUTY was also inside the latest iteration, now in mass production. Not only is the Mi MIX the fastest-selling smartphone in China but has helped kick off an entire movement for bezel-less phones worldwide. Another innovative product created during Danielsen's tenure is INNER PEACE, a technology advance that takes presence detection to new levels and is aimed at the fast-multiplying market for intelligent personal assistants and similar devices. While reinventing products and strategies at Elliptic Labs, Danielsen has built up her international team, opened offices in San Francisco and China (Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen), and brokered successful deals with top-tier companies including Qualcomm (News - Alert), Xiaomi, Samsung, Cirrus, Murata and Knowles Electronics. "We play in a hugely competitive market but despite the challenges, we never forget that success comes if you offer products that have a dramatic impact on phone design and that also help users interact more naturally with their devices," said Danielsen. INNER BEAUTY and INNER PEACE are trademarks of Elliptic Labs. All other trademarks or service markets are the responsibility of their respective organizations. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171128006025/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 28, 2017] City of San Diego Defeats Monsanto's Motion to Dismiss PCB Contamination Lawsuit On Wednesday, November 22, the City of San Diego defeated Monsanto's motion to dismiss the City's lawsuit alleging PCB contamination of the City's stormwater system. The case, San Diego Unified Port District and City of San Diego v. Monsanto Company, et al., Case No. 3:2015cv00578, was originally filed on March 13, 2015. The City filed a separate, amended complaint on August 3, 2015, and filed a second amended complaint on November 28, 2016. The Court's ruling defeats Monsanto's motion to dismiss the City's second amended complaint. Judge William Q. Hayes in the Southern District of California ruled that the City provided sufficient facts to support its allegations that the City's stormwater system was affected by the presence of PCBs produced by Monsanto. The motion to dismiss also noted that the City has alleged sufficient facts to support its claim that the PCB contamination has created a public nuisance, and that the filing was not impacted by any applicable statutes of limitations. "We are incredibly pleased with this ruling which clearly and definitively states that the City of San Diego is moving towards trial to hold Monsanto responsible for polluting the City's stormwater system," said John Fiske In its lawsuit, the City of San Diego alleges PCBs manufactured by Monsanto have contaminated the City's stormwater system, causing a public nuisance to the stormwater system and the dry-weather runoff management system, as well as to San Diego Bay. Due to the extent of Monsanto's PCB contamination, the City of San Diego will spend millions of dollars to retrofit its stormwater and dry-weather runoff management systems to reduce, remove, and manage PCB contamination. Monsanto was the sole U.S. manufacturer of PCBs from the 1930s to the 1970s when Congress banned the manufacture of PCB-containing products. Monsanto's PCBs are toxic, cannot be contained to their original application, and remain in the environment. The chemicals are carcinogenic and can contaminate food supplies, including fish in San Diego Bay. In 2013, The State of California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment issued a consumption advisory for San Diego Bay, recommending that residents avoid eating shiner perch and topsmelt caught in the Bay, and that children and women of childbearing age should also avoid eating any barred sand bass, spotted sand bass, yellowfin croaker, leopard shark, and gray smoothhound shark caught from the Bay. The City is represented by Baron & Budd, P.C., a national law firm, and by Gomez Trial Attorneys, of San Diego, Calif. In addition to San Diego, the firms also represent the State of Washington, the Port of Portland, and the Cities of Long Beach, San Jose, Berkeley, Oakland, Portland, Seattle, and Spokane in litigation against Monsanto arising from PCB contamination of water supplies. ABOUT BARON & BUDD, P.C. The law firm of Baron & Budd, P.C., with offices in Dallas, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Austin, Los Angeles, and San Diego, is a nationally recognized law firm with a nearly 40-year history of "Protecting What's Right" for people, communities and businesses harmed by negligence. Baron & Budd's size and resources enable the firm to take on large and complex cases. The firm represents individuals and government and business entities in areas as diverse as dangerous pharmaceuticals and medical devices, environmental contamination, the Gulf oil spill, financial fraud, overtime violations, deceptive advertising, automotive defects, trucking accidents, nursing home abuse, and asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171128006217/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 28, 2017] Rice U.'s Jones Graduate School of Business now accepting applications for new online MBA program HOUSTON, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The top-ranked Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University is now accepting applications for [email protected], a new online Master of Business Administration degree for professionals across the country. Rice Business is ranked among the best business schools in the nation. The school placed 10th among the 2017 Best Business Schools, according to Bloomberg Businessweek. Rice Business has also earned notable rankings from Financial Times, U.S. News & World Report and the Princeton Review. [email protected] will match the rigor and world-class reputation of the school's on-campus offerings, empowering future business leaders to pursue innovation and nourish bold ideas that challenge typical conventions and adapt to an evolving business landscape. "The launch of our online program marks a significant milestone for our school as we prepare to welcome a new group of business leaders to our family," said Peter Rodriguez, dean of Rice Business. "[email protected] will make our outstanding programs accessible to working professionals who don't live in Houston. Their contributions will, in turn, strengthen our existing programs, allowing students and faculty to draw new inspiration from diverse experiences and industries across the U.S." The new online program consists of 54 credit hours that can be completed in as little as two years. Students complete two Residential Intensive Learning Experiences, which will allow for collaboration among classmates and professors in business settings at the Rice campus in Houston and abroad. Powered by 2U, Inc., the online platform features weekly live class sessions, a highly interactive mobile app and engaging asynchronous course content. The first application deadline is May , and the first cohort of students will begin classes in July. Visit onlinebusiness.rice.edu for additional curriculum information and application requirements or contact an admissions counselor at [email protected]. The online MBA program is currently pending approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. About the Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University The Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University is consistently recognized by rankings publications for its top-tier programs, which include the Rice MBA, Executive MBA and MBA for Professionals. The school is internationally known for the research and thought leadership of its faculty. For more information on Rice MBA programs, visit business.rice.edu. Courses are taught by a dedicated, nationally recognized team of professors who integrate insights from their own research and business experience into the classroom and help students understand both core business fundamentals and specialized, applied topics in the context of the rapidly evolving business landscape. Degree programs include the full-time MBA, MBA for Professionals, Executive MBA, the new [email protected], coordinated MBAs in engineering or professional science, a dual MD/MBA with Baylor College of Medicine, Ph.D., Master of Accounting and undergraduate business minor. The business school also offers a full schedule of executive education open enrollment and customized courses for business and industry, along with certificates in finance and accounting, health care and leadership. For more information about and insights from Rice Business faculty research, visit the school's Rice Business Wisdom website, ricebusinesswisdom.com. Follow the Jones Graduate School of Business via Twitter @Rice_Biz. Follow Rice News and Media Relations via Twitter @RiceUNews. About 2U, Inc. 2U partners with great colleges and universities to build what we believe is the world's best digital education. Our platform provides a comprehensive fusion of technology, services and data architecture to transform high-quality and rigorous campus-based universities into the best digital versions of themselves. 2U's No Back Row approach allows qualified students and working professionals around the world to experience a first-rate university education and successful outcomes. To learn more, visit 2U.com. Media contact: Jemila Woodson, Senior Manager, Program Public Relations, 2U, Office: 301-892-4419 View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rice-us-jones-graduate-school-of-business-now-accepting-applications-for-new-online-mba-program-300562891.html SOURCE 2U, Inc.; Rice School of Business [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [November 28, 2017] UPDATE: AncestryDNA Breaks Holiday Sales Record for Black Friday to Cyber Monday;More Than Triples Kits Sold Versus 2016 LEHI, Utah and SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 28, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ancestry, the global leader in family history and consumer genomics, today announced record sales for AncestryDNA kits during the four day Black Friday to Cyber Monday holiday weekend. The company more than tripled the number of kits sold during the same period in 2016, its prior record sales period. In the coming weeks, millions of people around the world will open their gifts and receive the best consumer DNA experience available. AncestryDNA is: The Best DNA Testing Service, according to review site, The Wirecutter The best-selling consumer DNA product in the world, providing the most opportunities for customers to make new discoveries and connect with new family The most comprehensive look at a persons ethnic background, with 5x the number of ethnic regions of the next leading competitor The only service where more than 10 million new family connections are made every day The only DNA experience that enables customers to connect to the worlds largest collection of historical documents and family trees, providing an even greater chance to learn about ones family history and stories We are relentlessly focused on creating products and experiences that exceed the expectations of every Ancestry customer. We have doubled down on providing a richer, more detailed ethnicity experience and consumers are clearly responding, sad Howard Hochhauser, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Ancestry. DNA testing is no longer a niche interest, its a mass consumer market, with millions of people wanting to experience the emotionally powerful, life-affirming discoveries that can come from simply spitting in a tube. Our customers' own stories, and how they have taken what theyve learned and changed how they approach the future, are the strongest testaments to the positive impact we deliver. The company also announced that, for the first time in its history, the total number of AncestryDNA kits sold in a single year has exceeded the total number of subscribers to the companys family history services. In October, the total number of customer samples in Ancestrys DNA database, the worlds largest consumer DNA database, exceeded six million. Continuing sales strength, and Ancestrys second record-breaking holiday sales period in a row, further solidify the companys leadership in the consumer genomics market. More importantly for both existing and new AncestryDNA customers, the more people in the DNA database, the better the potential results for everyone. As more people take their test, Ancestry is able to continue to refine its ethnicity estimates, provide new ethnic regions, and expand the number of potential familial matches for customers. We are excited to welcome so many new customers to the Ancestry family, said Hochhauser. 2018 will bring a regular drumbeat of new experiences and enhancements across both DNA and Family History, as we continue to improve how we help you discover more about your past and inspire your future. About Ancestry Ancestry, the global leader in family history and consumer genomics, harnesses the information found in family trees, historical records, and DNA to help people gain a new level of understanding about their lives. Ancestry has more than 2.7 million paying subscribers across its core Ancestry websites and more than 6 million people in the AncestryDNA network. Since 1996, more than 10 billion records have been added to Ancestry's databases, and users have created more than 90 million family trees on the Ancestry flagship site and its affiliated international websites. Ancestry offers a suite of family history products and services including AncestryDNA, Archives, AncestryProGenealogists, Newspapers.com and Fold3. AncestryDNA is owned and operated by Ancestry.com DNA, LLC, a subsidiary of Ancestry.com, LLC. Media contact: Brandon Borrman 415.795.6786 [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] By Azernews By Kamila Aliyeva Russia believes that the Iranian nuclear deal is under threat of collapse. This was stated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at a meeting of the Russian International Affairs Council: RIAC, RIA Novosti reported. Major agreements that we consider to be an example of constructive multilateral cooperation, in particular, the situation around the Iranian nuclear program, are under threat of scrapping, he said. The Iran nuclear deal was negotiated in July 2015 between Iran, the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council - the U.S., France, Britain, Russia and China as well as Germany. By ratifying the plan, Iran agreed to scale down its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. The nuclear deal has become a hot topic for discussion since U.S. President Donald Trump, who constantly voices anti-Iranian rhetoric, took the office. Despite eight reports by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) which confirm Tehrans compliance, on October 13, Trump, long been known as the main critic of the landmark deal, declared his view of the JCPOA, which was reached under his predecessor - Barack Obama. Trump announced that he would not certify Irans compliance with the deal. At the same time he did not challenge the compliance of Iran at the international level. The move paves the way for Congress to put new restrictions on Iran. It now has less than 60 days to decide whether to reimpose economic sanctions on Tehran which were lifted under the nuclear accord in 2016. The other parties to the agreement - Britain, Germany, France, Russia, China and the European Union - have all reaffirmed their commitment to it and called on the U.S. not to step out. However, it is believed that Trump would not recommend the Congress to re-impose sanctions in order to reach a compromise with many congressional leaders who stand for keeping the deal at least with some changes. In case sanctions are applied, the U.S. would find itself in breach of its commitments. This means a unilateral withdrawal from the agreement, which will damage the reputation of the U.S. in the eyes of world community. IN HIS RESPONSE TO PROSECUTOR MEAN JEAN: EXEC FRANK WHITE PUSHES BACK AGAINST ALLEGED CRIMINAL JUSTICE DISPARITY!!! Jackson County Executive responds to Prosecutors decision to quit Jail Task Force KANSAS CITY, Mo. Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. has issued the following statement after receiving a letter late this afternoon from Prosecuting Attorney Jean Peters Baker that she is quitting the Jail Task Force. While I am disappointed that the County Prosecutor chose to quit the Jail Task Force, I want to make sure that everyone knows that I remain committed to involving the community in this process. I firmly believe that the people of Jackson County deserve, and we need, their input as we move forward. The work of this task force goes well beyond the specifics of any one incident in our jail, or quite frankly, whether a new jail is ultimately needed. This task force has been asked to look at our criminal justice system and engage in an open and honest discussion about: Who should be in the jail? Who is there now? Why are they there? Finally, are all defendants treated equally and fairly? As I told the Prosecutor when she originally accepted my appointment, I was grateful and honored that she would be willing to serve. I am hopeful that she will change her mind and once again, agrees to participate in this very important community discussion. ### The war of words is ramping up the the Courthouse and the latest update offers broader implications for residents throughout the metro.To wit . . .Herearned a quick response and possibly a hint at how this crisis is going to play out . . .TKC faith interlude . . . Whoever came up with this cynical strategy might not realize that straining Democratic allegiances before we go into midterm 2018 elections is a move that will get push back from higher up the Democratic Party ladder and threatens to blow this dispute up even further if we're all going to play the race card.Nevertheless, take a look at a message that deserves it's own post . . .Developing . . . Man charged with killing young KCK mom heads to trial for the third time KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- A man accused of killing a young mother is expected in court Monday. This will be the third time Antoine Fielder has been tried in the murder of Kelsey Ewonus. Police found Ewonus's body inside a parked car in Kansas City, Kan., in June of 2015. Like it or not, the appeal writes itself despite some horrific deets involved in this troubling case. Here's a comprehensive follow-up on a horrific story that so many news outlets have forgotten . . . Early police report says man shot by off-duty officer in Costco entered store yelling, pointing gun LENEXA, Kan. - A preliminary police report is shedding some light on what may have led up to a shooting in a Lenexa Costco on Sunday. According to the report, a 58-year-old suspect came into the store yelling and pointing a handgun at people inside, threatening them. According to witnesses at the scene and a great deal of social media chatter . . .. . . The po-po and media are working to keep this angle quiet and seem to, justifiably, want to focus on the heroic acts of a 22-year-police veteran. Read more: Investors in the warehousing property market are starting to be more active in certain locations in Greece The sale of two major Greek ports Piraeus and Thessaloniki to international investors is getting analysts optimistic about the countrys prospects. The warehousing property market is largely dependant on the economy and the purchasing power of the population. Until recently, Greeces economic performance has left much to be desired: According to the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT), between 2007 and 2016, the countrys GDP fell from 250 billion to 184 billion, or 26.5%. According to Trading Economics, Greeces national debt increased from 103% of GDP volume in 2006 to 179% in 2016. According to Eurostat, between 2008 and 2014, production was fell annually by an average of 5%. According to the IMF, the unemployment rate grew from 7.8% in 2008 to 27.5% in 2013. According to a study by diaNEOsis, Greek nationals living below the poverty line grew from 2.2% in 2009 to 17.1% in 2013. All of this has had a negative effect on the Greece real estate market, including its warehousing property segment. As a result of the 2008 financial crisis, investors and tenants pulled out of the market. The demand for land to build warehouses faded and rental rates started to decline. However, the market has stabilised since 2016, and Greeces economic performance has started to improve: The IMF anticipates 2.8% economic growth for 2017. The EU expects Greeces GDP to grow by about 2.2% annually between 2017 and 2019, while Trading Economics predicts a 1.2% growth by 2020. In summer 2017, Fitch upgraded its credit rating outlook for Greece from CCC to B- (Positive), while Moodys upgraded it from Caa3 (Stable) to Caa2 (Positive); According to EU estimates, its national debt will fall from 180.8% of GDP in 2016 to 170.1% in 2019. In 2015, overall industrial production grew by 1% in 2015, and by 2.4% in 2016. The unemployment rate has fallen by 6 percentage points since 2013. The IMF predicts its further decline to 18.8% over the next three years, while Trading Economics expects it to decrease to 16.5%. In view of this optimism, investors in the warehousing property market are starting to be more active in certain locations in Greece. Major markets The main advantages of the Greek warehousing property market are its location and transport infrastructure. Located in Southeast Europe the country is the gateway between Africa and Asia. Greece has 46 airports, over 100 seaports and a vast network of motorways and railroads. Some experts believe the country may become a major node in Europes transport network in the future. Greeces major warehousing property markets Athens and the outskirts of Thessaloniki are located near the countrys two largest ports. The majority of Athens property in the industrial warehousing segment is concentrated in the citys northern, eastern and western suburbs (Aspropyrgos, Lykovrisi, Metamorfosi, etc.), as well as near the port of Piraeus and south of the capital. The largest numbers of warehouses are located in the northern and western suburbs (over 2 million m in total). According to the Urban Land Institute, less than 5% of warehouses above 5,000 m are vacant there. On the outskirts of Thessaloniki, most warehouses are located in the industrial park of Sindos, near the port and European highways E75 and E79. Major transactions Major foreign players have been entering Greeces logistics market over the last couple of years: In 2016, Chinese shipping company COSCO acquired 51% of the Piraeus Port Authority for 280.5 million, with an option to increase its ownership share to 67% over the next five years. Italian rail operator Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane bought 100% of the Greeces TrainOSE for 45 million in 2016. In 2017, the Fraport Greece joint venture (73.4% of which is owned by the German Fraport AG and 26.6% by the Greek Copelouzos Group) took over 14 Greek airports (including one of the largest of them, Thessaloniki International Airport "Macedonia"). The Thessaloniki port is undergoing privatisation. In June 2016, Thessaloniki Port Authority named the consortium of Deutsche Invest Equity Partners, Belterra Investments and Terminal Link as the preferred bidder for the acquisition of 67% of the port operator for 232 million. Analysts are observing an increase in market activity. Consulting company Danos reported a quicker conclusion of transactions in Q2 2017, while Cushman & Wakefield noted a significant increase in the demand, especially from retail and e-commerce companies, as well as 3PL providers. One of the biggest transactions so far in 2017 was Motor Oil Hellas purchase of 15 million of warehousing facilities near the city of Kavala. According to Cushman & Wakefield, in 2017, Greek supermarket AV Vassilopoulos invested 40 million in the construction of warehouses in the town of Mandra, while Papastratos, a Philip Morris affiliate, declared its readiness to put 300 million into building three warehouses in Aspropyrgos. Rental and yield rates Rental rates in Greeces warehousing property market segment have been growing in sync with the countrys GDP, falling during the recession. According to NAI Hellas, the rental rate for warehousing facilities in the Greek prime property market segment grew from 4/m2 per month in 2004 to 6/m2 per month in 2008. In 2009, due to the economic crisis, the demand fell drastically and in some instances the rental rate declined by 1/m at once. According to Cushman & Wakefield, the rental rate for warehouses in Athens has been pegged at 4/m for the past five years. According to JLL estimates, warehouses in Greece are rented out at roughly the same rate as Bucharest, Warsaw, Lisbon, Prague and Rome. At the same time, warehouses in Greece have a yield that is almost double Europes average. They bring 11% per annum in Athens versus 4.5% in London, 4.9% in Frankfurt, 5.2% in Paris, 5.75% in Barcelona and 6.75% in Warsaw. However, the average warehousing property yield in Athens is declining. According to Cushman & Wakefield, it fell from 13% in 2013 to 11% in June 2017. As the rental rate is not changing, a decline in the yield indicates that warehouses are getting more expensive and the industrial segment of the Athens property market is becoming less risky. George Kachmazov, managing partner at Tranio The location of the property is critical, as always. If the warehouse has been constructed using modern technologies, is in a good location and has reliable tenants, the investment is good, considering the situation in Greece today. Firstly, the property has high yields, and secondly, warehouses are the retail of the future. Undoubtedly, warehouses will become more popular in Greece, and will appreciate like they have in Germany and other more developed markets. Buying warehouses in this country for major players who have experience investing in Greece and want to diversify their portfolios with high-yield and high-risk assets. For others, we recommend investing in tourist property. Yulia Kozhevnikova, real estate expert at Tranio.com Tranio.com is an international overseas property broker with a network of 700 partners worldwide and a catalogue of more than 110,000 listings in 65 countries. The company publishes daily news, high quality analysis on foreign realty, expert advice, and notes on laws and procedures related to buying and leasing properties abroad so that readers can make their property decisions with confidence. The return of the Parthenon Sculptures to Greece will be rightfully hailed by the whole Greek nation as well as its thriving tourism industry The Premier of the Australian state of Victoria called for the return of the Parthenon marbles to Greece during the unveiling of a replica of the famous frieze on Sunday. We demand and continue to demand the restoration of the injustice done by Lord Elgin two centuries earlier. This is not just my personal opinion but a standing demand of the Victoria government and all the parties that are part of it and will not change until this injustice has been restored, Victoria State premier Daniel Andrews noted. The Andrews government has voiced their support for the restitution of the famous Greek artefacts and have been joined by other politicians including the head of the Victoria state opposition Matthew Guy and the Assistant Minister to the Treasurer Michael Sukkar. The unveiling of the replica Parthenon frieze was set up by Melbournes Greek community and will adorn the Greek Centre in Melbourne. Present also at the event was popular Greek Australian entertainer Mary Coustas, as her alter ego Effy. 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: Bryan Ledgard License: CC-BY-SA Source: greekcitytimes.com Extroversion plays a key role in the recovery of its Greece's stricken economy and further promotion of its booming tourist industry Enterprise Greece is expanding actions aiming to enhance the extroversion of Greek enterprises in 2018, in cooperation with the countrys institutional agencies. The organisation plans and implements a comprehensive and representative programme each year, which aims to promote extroversion of Greek companies and strengthen Greek exports. Christos Staikos, president of Enterprise Greece said: The increase of exports is a very positive message for the export potential of Greek economy. We will assist export activities by Greek enterprises and we think that cooperation with institutional agencies and sectors of the economy is essential to boost their extroversion, which is the main strategic goal of Enterprise Greece. In this framework, the organisation focuses on boosting a cooperative ecosystem with chambers, local authorities, universities, research agencies and local cooperative enterprises. Enterprise Greece's goal is to promote the countrys regions as incubators of business activity with a series of actions, such as: specialised marketing actions, partenariat, inviting buyers from other countries, networking meetings, foreign diplomatic mission visits and information seminars. It organised 30 seminars in the January-November period this year in cooperation with local chambers and unions in several cities around the country. The organisation plans to further enrich its action programme in 2018. 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: banksnews.gr Masdar, Abu Dhabi future energy company, has signed a project development agreement (PDA) for the worlds largest floating 200-MW solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant with Indonesian power company PT Pembangkitan Jawa-Bali. Masdar, Abu Dhabi future energy company, has signed a project development agreement (PDA) for the worlds largest floating 200MW solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant with Indonesian power company PT Pembangkitan Jawa-Bali (PT PJB), a subsidiary of the state electricity company Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN). The plant will cover an area of 225 hectares atop the Cirata Reservoir in the West Java province of Indonesia. The 6,000-hectare Cirata Reservoir already powers a 1GW hydroelectric power station. The agreement was signed in Jakarta by Iwan Agung Firstantara, president director of PLN, and Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, chief executive officer of Masdar. Also present at the signing were Arcandra Tahar, Deputy Minister of Indonesias Ministry of Energy & Mineral Resources, Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ghafli, Ambassador of the UAE to the Republic of Indonesia and representatives from the Indonesian investment agency Badan Koordinasi Penanaman Modal (BKPM). PJB is excited and looking forward to working with Masdar, said Firstantara. We believe this project development agreement is a milestone in the development of other floating PV solar power plants; this 200MW project will be the largest project of its kind in Indonesia and PJB-Masdar will be a pioneer of floating PV technology. Inshallah, developing this project will be a great success and a proud achievement for Indonesia. Todays signing marks the entry of Masdar into South East Asia and our first project in floating solar power, said Al Ramahi. The agreement with PT PJB for the worlds largest floating solar power plant demonstrates Masdars ambition as a global renewable energy leader and the strength of our industry partnerships. One of the advantages of floating solar power in tropical countries like Indonesia is that it enables renewable energy development in forested regions generally unsuitable for conventional solar power. The successful deployment of the Cirata project paves the way for the installation of floating solar power on another 60 reservoirs across Indonesia. The planned 200MW floating PV project will be mounted on 700,000 floats moored to the bed of the Cirata reservoir and connected by electrical cables to an onshore high-voltage substation. Besides producing clean power, the facility will provide shading against the sun, reducing evaporation from the reservoir and limiting the growth of algae. The PDA signing follows the agreement of an MoU between PT PJB and Masdar in July this year to collaborate on finding sustainable solutions to Indonesias rapidly growing energy demand, with a focus on projects in the Java-Bali and Sumatra regions. With a population of more than 250 million, Indonesia is the largest country in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Indonesia has set a renewable energy target of 31% by 2050. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the country has the potential to produce more than 700 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy, including 532.6 gigawatts of solar power. Since 2006, Masdar has invested in renewable energy projects with a combined value of US$8.5 billion; the companys share of this investment is US$2.7 billion. Masdar commercialises advanced technologies by deploying them at scale. Examples include Hywind Scotland, the worlds first utility-scale offshore wind farm; Gemasolar in Spain, the first solar thermal power plant producing electricity 24 hours a day; and London Array, currently the worlds largest offshore wind farm in operation. Last year, a Masdar-led consortium was appointed to build the 800MW third phase of the Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai, quoting a record low price for solar power generation. Masdar will be showcasing its global renewable energy project portfolio at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, taking place from January 13-20. TradeArabia News Service Iran has invested about $1 billion on developing the first phase of Shahid Beheshti Port in Chabahar, according to a senior official from the port. Chabahar Port enjoys a high geopolitical status in transit and transshipment to Central Asian states and Afghanistan at the lowest price, Behrouz Baqaei, general manager of Sistan-Baluchestan Ports and Maritime Department, was quoted as saying in an Iran Daily News report, citing IRNA. With the launching of the first phase of Shahid Beheshti Port, he noted, 100,000-tonne ship will be able to call at the port. Baqaei stated that the development project of the port is in its final stages and President Hassan Rouhani will visit Chabahar to inaugurate it in the near future. India has committed $500 million to Chabahar Port to open a trade and transport route to landlocked Afghanistan, as well as the resource-rich countries of Central Asia. New Delhi plans to send seven shipments of wheat to Afghanistan via Chabahar until the end of January. Chabahar Port, located in the Sistan-Baluchestan Province, lies outside the Gulf and can be easily accessed from India's western coast, added the report. The Omani promoter of a stalled open ocean fish farm venture hopes to realunch the project off Al Khabourah on the sultanates North Al Batinah coast. The proposed Al Sahwa mariculture project centres on the cultivation of amberjack fish, a high-value sashimi-grade product coveted in Japan and the Far East, a report in the Oman Daily Observer said. Warith al Kharousi, CEO of Al Safwa Group & Partners, said the company is hopeful of kickstarting the process of getting the relevant approvals early next year, under the relicensing procedures introduced during the recent Tanfeedh Labs for the fisheries sector, the report said. He added that if that happens, they are confident of commencing production of amberjack by the 2019-2020 timeframe, with output ramped up to 8,000 10,000 tonnes per annum by 2023. The ambitious project, first unveiled about five years ago, has been allocated a 150-hectare offshore site some 15 km off the Al Khabourah shoreline. The rising global demand for petrochemicals reinforces the fact that the sector is key for regional countries to grow and increase their gross domestic product (GDP), said an industry expert. Participating in the ongoing 12th annual Gulf Petrochemicals & Chemicals Association (GPCA) Forum in Dubai, Equates president and CEO, Dr Ramesh Ramachandran, said: During 2016, the Gulfs combined petrochemical and chemical capacities exceeded 142 million tonnes with sales surpassing $76 billion and exporting more than 70 million tonnes. Clearly, these figures show the regions impact on the global industrial sector with petrochemicals being the Arabian Gulfs second main source of income, he said. Kuwait-based Equate Group, a global producer of petrochemicals, is a key sponsor of the forum to support the pioneering role of the Gulfs industrial sector. The event which kicked off yesterday (November 27) will conclude tomorrow (November 29). The forum gathers over 2,000 top executives from petrochemical and chemical companies as well as government bodies and other entities from around the globe to discuss various topics, said a statement. Every key component of GDP growth such as foods, clothing, packaging and transportation is served and supported by our industry. On the other hand, there are also headwinds for the Gulf. The regions producers clearly see the challenges posed by protectionism as well as new capacities resulting from shale gas, he added. Our growth strategy has enabled us to overcome this challenge and be the first Middle East-based petrochemical producer to build a world class facility in the US Gulf Coast. Diversifying our asset base is an important component for us to sustain our growth, he said. Overall, we have to maintain our progress to serve our customers who are also growing. Naturally, markets influence strategy and supply should follow the markets, he stated. As a global enterprise, Equate launched its 2025 Sustainability Strategy that is linked to the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS). We firmly believe that sustainability is a key component for growth through creating added value by focusing on the key pillars of education, community, economy, environment, health and safety, Ramachandran concluded. As part of its participation in the event for the 12th consecutive year, Equate sponsored a professor and students from the College of Engineering & Petroleum at Kuwait University to attend the forum and interact with other delegates, it said. The initiative is part of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with the university aimed at partnership and collaboration in industrial and academic fields, it added. TradeArabia News Service ON THE MOVE: Mizuho Gets New FI Head, Macquarie Snags Credit Suisse Trio Mizuho International has named a new head of fixed income who joins the bank after 24 years with Credit Suisse. Zahra Peerbhoy onboarded the Asian bank and will be responsible for Mizuhos international fixed income sales and trading, structured solutions and derivatives. Peerbhoy worked most recently as a managing director within the Credit Suisse's global markets business. If you have a new job or promotion to report, let me know at jdantona@marketsmedia.com Integral, a financial technology partner to foreign exchange participants, said it appointed Vikas Srivastava as Chief Revenue Officer with responsibility for growing company revenues across all client segments including banks, brokers, and asset managers. In this newly created role, Srivastava, who has over 30 years of experience in trading and sales, will manage sales, business development and solutions to ensure that Integral continues its singular focus of helping its customers outperform their competition in foreign exchange markets. Prior to joining Integral, Srivastava was founder and CEO of Cogence Capital, a quantitative trading company. For more than a decade before that he held numerous senior management positions at Citigroup in New York, leaving as its global head of e-commerce for the fixed income division. Vikas began his career at Barclays Global Investors in San Francisco where he became the Head of Currency Trading and Risk Management. Agency brokerage BTIG continued its recent hiring spree and landed David Hobert for the firms Foreign Exchange (FX) team. Based in New York, Hobert will help to expand BTIGs global FX sales presence, and will focus on developing new business.. Joining as a Managing Director, he spent several years in a senior Business Development role at Autonomy Capital. Previously, he held management and sales roles in New York and London including Head of Emerging Market Sales at UBS and RBC, and Head of Local Market Sales at Lehman Brothers. He will report to Alan Circle and Martin Ferraro, Managing Directors and Co-Heads of Foreign Exchange Trading at BTIG RBC Capital Markets has just hired Morgan Stanleys head of fixed income modelling, Vasily Strela, as global head of FICC quantitative strategies. Strela joined Morgan Stanley in 2009 from J.P. Morgan, where he was an executive director in quantitative research. Before this, he was head of emerging market quants in at Bear Stearns, having had the misfortune to join in June 2007, less than a year before its collapse in March 2008. Before this, he was head of emerging markets quants at Morgan Stanley. Michael Bailleux left TradingScreen after ten years in total to move to Trafix in its institutional Sales department. 1 2 next For more information on related topics, visit the following channels: Search News Archive : Fast Travel News Promotion Via Search, Social Media + Email Follow Us On : CITYMAX HOTELS ANNOUNCES THE OPENING OF CITYMAX HOTEL ASWAN IN EGYPT Industry: Hotels Citymax Hotels made its debut in the historic city of Aswan in Egypt with the soft opening of Citymax Hotel (TRAVPR.COM) UAE - November 28th, 2017 - Citymax Hotels made its debut in the historic city of Aswan in Egypt with the soft opening of Citymax Hotel Aswan last week. Owned by Egypt Holland for Touristic Investments, this 4-star hotel is superbly located in Kornish Al Nile in close proximity to Aswans key tourist attractions. The hotel features 79 rooms equipped with all modern comforts and amenities. Russel Sharpe, COO, Citymax Hotels, stated, It is exciting to open our first hotel outside the UAE and underpins our commitment to grow our portfolio in the region. Aswan is a prominent city in Egypt and has tremendous potential for growth. We are delighted to enter the destination at this strategic time. Citymax Hotel Aswan is a beautiful property, conveniently located for both business and leisure travellers. Designed for todays travellers, it offers its guests a comfortable and affordable stay with all the little extras that make a difference be it the free connectivity, extra value or space. At Citymax Hotels we go beyond service to create memorable experiences. Citymax Hotel Aswan boasts outstanding leisure facilities including an outdoor swimming pool and cafe, sauna, jacuzzi and an all-day-dining restaurant. Decorated in contemporary style, some rooms offer beautiful Nile river views while others overlook the city landscape. Aswan is Egypts third largest city and an important administrative, commercial and touristic centre situated at the foot of the Nile Valley. Home to many granite quarries, it was the ancient Egyptians gateway to Africa. While there is a lot to see here, it a place where one can truly relax. The river flows gently down from Lake Nasser around dramatic black-granite boulders and palm-studded islands. Colourful Nubian villages run down to the water and stand out against the backdrop of the west banks desert. Egypt Air runs daily flights from Cairo to Awan and back. It is also well connected by train, road and sea. Notes to editors About Citymax Hotels Citymax Hotels is part of the hospitality division of Landmark Group and has been developed as an affordable lifestyle hotel brand with a vision to lead the mid-market hospitality sector offering unique guest experiences at extraordinary value. With a superb portfolio of both owned and managed hotels strategically located in prime business and leisure hubs, the company is expanding rapidly in the UAE as well as other key markets in the Middle East. Citymax Hotels differentiates itself in the mid-market sector with outstanding dining and recreational venues, welcoming people to enjoy lifes little extras by transforming faceless hospitality with vibrant simplicity. The experience is further enhanced by exclusive tie-up with Shukran, the regions largest loyalty programme offering members fabulous benefits each time they stay or dine at Citymax Hotels. Follow @citymaxhotels on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and tag photos with #CitymaxHotels For more information please visit: www.citymaxhotels.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 Tribune News Service Chandigarh, November 28 A 10-year-old class-IV student of Sharda Sarvhitkari Senior Secondary School, Sector 40, was injured as he was allegedly thrashed by his classmates in front of the school gate today. The victim has been identified as Piyush Puri, a resident of Maloya. The victims father Amit Puri stated that his son had a minor fight with his classmates during school hours. He added that his son was leaving for home after the school closed in the afternoon when he was beaten up. Although there were no external injuries, my son was having breathing problem when he was brought home. He had received injuries on chest and head. His classmates tried to strangulate him, the victims father said. The boy was taken to the PGIMER where he was admitted. His condition is stated to be stable. He has been kept under observation, said Puri. He added, The school management took no action. I called one of the schoolteachers, but she didnt provide me the number of the Principal. The lone teacher who came to the PGIMER left without meeting us. On the other hand, school director BS Kanwar refuted the allegations. The boy had been beaten up by his classmates but there was no major injury. He was provided first aid at the school. I am at Delhi but have checked facts with the school, he added. The police were informed about the incident following which a daily diary report (DDR) was lodged at the Sector 39 police station. The victims kin are yet to provide the names of the four students who attacked the boy. Hasan Suroor Hasan Suroor OVER the past 25 years there have been so many twists in the Ayodhya/Babri Masjid dispute that they could well fill a whole quiz show. Yet, in fact, nothing has changed on the ground, as is evident from RSS leader Mohan Bhagwats typically shrill threat to build a Ram Mandir exactly at the same spot where Babri Masjid stood. And lest anyone missed it, he repeated it in slow motion: This is not a populist announcement. This is a firm fact and is not going to change. What Bhagwat, in effect, was saying was that the ongoing judicial process is meaningless. Because irrespective of the judicial verdict Ram Mandir alone will be built (on the disputed site), nothing else will be built. His remarks were clearly intended to put pressure on the Supreme Court which is due to start final hearings in the Ram janambhoomi case next week, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the demolition of the Babri Masjid. Similarly, hardline Muslims insisting on rebuilding the mosque at the site are unlikely to accept any verdict not favourable to them, according to those familiar with the Muslim mood. Right now they are saying they will abide by any Supreme Court verdict but thats because theres an expectation that they will win the case, said Prof Tahir Mahmood, former chair, National Minorities Commission. So, for all the toing and froing over the past quarter century, the rival positions remain as polarised as they were on December 6, 1992, when an RSS-BJP inspired maurading mob pulled down the mosque. Bhagwats remarks reflect the same disregard and contempt for judicial processes that the Sangh Parivar demonstrated when it destroyed the mosque after giving a solemn undertaking to the highest court in the land that no harm would come to it. Meanwhile, the SCs suggestion for a settlement through mutual negotiations has come as a godsend to the RSS allowing it and its fraternal groups to divide the Muslim community by pitting Shias and Sunnis against each other. Its trying to co-opt a section of Shias to do its bidding by promising them patronage and legitimacy in return. And the strategy is working: a full-blown row has erupted between UPs Shias and Sunnis, with the two sides now engaged in a slanging match among themselves as though the mandir-masjid dispute is between them rather than a clash over majoritarian bullying. This follows UP Shia Waqf Board chairman Syed Waseem Rizvis dramatic announcement at a press conference flanked by Mahant Narendra Giri, chairman of the All India Akhara Parishad an organisation of Hindu saints and sadhus that the board has submitted a draft proposal to the Supreme Court offering to give up the Muslim claim on the disputed site and requesting that a one-acre land be granted in Lucknows Hussainabad area for Muslims to build a masjid-e-aman (mosque of peace). It says it has reached a long-term settlement with the concerned Hindu brothers and stakeholders, and cites instances in Muslim countries where mosques built by unjust people were removed to other sites. What the board is disingenuously touting as its own creative solution has the Parivars fingerprints all over it, regurgitating its well-known line that Ram janambhoomi is the exclusive preserve of Hindus and Muslims have no business there: mandir wahin banega, it insists, but as a gesture Muslims may be given land elsewhere to build a grand mosque. Im struggling to spot the difference between this and the boards proposal, which further claims that Shias are the sole legitimate stakeholders, dismissing Sunnis as interlopers and fanatics who do not want an amicable settlement with Hindus. This has infuriated Sunni groups. Generally, I dont have a lot of time for groups like the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and the Babri Masjid Action Committee both regressive organisations which have done more harm than good to Muslim interests. But, in this instance, they are right to question the Waqf boards claims. It must explain the basis of its claim that its acting on behalf of the entire Muslim community, and that its proposal enjoys the support of all stakeholders. On whose behalf has he brought this draft proposal? He (Rizvi) does not enjoy the confidence or recognition of either the Sunni or the Shia sect, retorted AIMPLBs counsel in the case and its senior member Zafaryab Jilani. And its a question that Sunnis and Shias alike are asking. Leading Shia organisations and scholars have been quick to dissociate themselves from Rizvis move. Indeed, the All India Shia Personal Board has publicly slammed it, with its spokesman Maulana Yasoob Abbas making clear that it is certainly not ready to give up the mosque landand does not agree to what Rizvi or the Shia Waqf Board has claimed. Its important to remember that despite their differences, Shias and Sunnis have consistently taken a common stand on the Ayodhya issue which is diametrically opposite of the Rizvi-BJP compact. Readers might be curious whos Rizvi and what is he doing in BJPs company. A look at his revolving-door politics explains everything: he began his career with the Samajwadi Party (SP), defected to the BSP, returned to the SP and was expelled over allegations of corruption. Thats when he landed up in the BJP. Conspiracy theories abound about his real motives, but we shall let that pass. The real question is: why was the BJP so keen to embrace him despite being aware of his reputation considering that some of the cases of alleged forgery were, in fact, reportedly registered under BJP rule. The answer is simple: for years, the BJP has been wooing UPs, and especially Lucknows Shias because of their dominant social position as heirs to the erstwhile ruling elite. Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, the only Cabinet minister in the Modi government, is a Shia; so is the only minister in the Yogi Adityanaths government. And it was the BJPs Kalyan Singh government which lifted a historic ban on taking out large Muharram processions in Lucknow to woo Shias. Thus, over the years, the BJP has built a small Shia constituency in UP but it is playing a dangerous game by preying on the Shia-Sunni divide. The tactic might help it in the short-term, but a fragmented and weakened community of 180 million people will only further fuel sectarianism at a time when the country is already being torn apart by sectional polarisation. In the pursuit of its short-term gains, has the BJP ever pondered the long-term national security implications of what it is up to? The writer is a London-based commentator Faizan Mustafa Faizan Mustafa VC, NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad Individualism is the central theme of civil liberties under our Constitution. Individual autonomy in terms of choices of food, dress, religion etc has now been upheld by the apex court in the nine-judge Bench privacy judgment. Conversion to another religion as well as the option of marrying a person of one's own choice are an integral part of individualism with which the state and others should have no concern. Thus, courts cannot probe the validity of marriage if the two adults have married under applicable personal law. In fact, if two adults are living together without marriage, the court is similarly powerless and cannot pass a moral judgment on their living together without lawful marriage. Even in cases of adultery, when a husband is not faithful to his wife and has sexual relations with another woman, it is only his wife who can file a criminal complaint. Criminal law is not supposed to enter our bedrooms. The debate on love jihad is politically motivated and has ulterior motives. Love jihad is a bogey. In a country of our size, assuming, though not accepting even if a few hundred such cases are there, this cannot be termed as love jihad or an organised effort by some Muslim radicals to convert Hindu girls. A number of Muslim kings did marry Rajput girls and did not force them to convert. They rather enthusiastically celebrated Hindu festivals with them. Leading politicians of all parties, including the BJP, do have Muslim wives. No one ever called their marriages as love jihad. It is a sad commentary of our judicial system that first the Kerala High Court declared Hadiyas marriage as illegal and now in spite of two hours hearing in an open court and her bold and courageous testimony that she had converted to Islam on her own and wants to live with her husband, the Supreme Court has not granted her permission to live with her husband. Hadiya who is 26 years of age will now stay in a hostel. The only redeeming feature of the order is that she has now been taken out of her father's custody. On the contrary, the Rajasthan High Court recently permitted a similarly situated girl converted Hindu girl to go with her husband. Hadiya is 26 years of age and should be allowed to make her personal decisions as a matter of right rather than some privilege granted to her by the court. Hats off to this brave girl who withstood all family, police and media pressures. Her husband is lucky to have such a wife. The Indian law, in fact promotes, so called love-jihad by permitting marriages between persons belonging to different faiths. The Special Marriage Act governs inter-religious marriages. It is strange that the Kerala High Court which itself was convinced due to the girl and boys testimony in this case that it is not a case of undue influence on the girl suddenly made a u-turn when it was informed of marriage between the two. Media debates on love jihad should not influence the independent judicial mind. Here, marriage happened after a matrimonial advertisement was given by the girl and, therefore, it is not a case of love jihad. In a similar matter, another Bench of same High Court recently took another approach and refused to intervene. Thus, there is no consistency in the judicial response. Parental custody ends on the child attaining maturity. In this case, the girl attained maturity eight years ago, yet her custody was given to her father by the High Court. Her individual autonomy to take her own decisions had been seriously undermined. No father can impose his decisions on his adult children. The Kerala High Court judgment reflects patriarchy as it considers women vulnerable. Moreover, the validity of a marriage cannot be decided by any high court if the parties are adult. Moreover, power can never be exercised in a writ jurisdiction. No right of the father has been violated just because his adult daughter married a man of different religion. Unfortunately, the apex courts order of November 27, 2017, has yet again enforced patriarchy. It has not unequivocally accepted complete autonomy of the adult Hadiya to choose her spouse. Religious laws give undue importance to guardianship. In the Manusmriti, we are told that a woman is never independent in childhood she is dependent on her father, in adulthood on her husband and in old age on her son. A country which wants a uniform civil code cannot make a fathers consent to the marriage of an adult daughter mandatory. Today, the rights revolution, which our Constitution ushered in, is under serious threat. Freedom of speech is being curtailed in the name of sedition even in violation of the Supreme Court's order that mere words do not amount to sedition; books are banned and films are censored because we do not trust individual judgments anymore; rightist governments are more interested in protecting the reputation of imaginary characters such as Rani Padmavati; right to privacy is being curtailed in the name of the Aadhaar card and now even freedom to marry a person of one's choice is under threat and may be termed as terrorist activity. Authoritarian governments world over do not believe in the rights discourse. They talk in terms of larger 'public interest' and their jurisprudence is generally dutycentric. Unfortunately, lately it seems that even our judges who jealously guard their own rights do not demonstrate similar enthusiasm in protecting citizen's liberties. The Indian Supreme Court has yet another occasion like the privacy case to demonstrate its unflinching commitment to individualism and freedom of choice. Criminal law cannot enter the bedroom Houston, November 28 The foster mother of a three-year-old Indian girl, who was found dead in a culvert in the US state of Texas last month, has managed to get her bail bond reduced to US$ 100,000 from US$ 250,000 but she would remain under house arrest and wear an ankle monitor. Sini Ann Mathews, 35, was arrested last week after investigators said she and her husband, Wesley Mathews, left their adopted daughter Sherin Matthews at home, without adult supervision for about 90 minutes, while they went out for dinner with their biological daughter on October 6. Sherin was found dead in a culvert about 1 km from her home in suburban Dallas on October 22. Wesley was arrested and charged with felony injury to a child, which carries a sentence of up to life in prison. He is still in the Dallas County jail on a US$ 1 million bond. During yesterday's hearing, Dallas County Criminal District Court Judge Stephanie Fargo reduced Sini's bond from US$ 250,000 to US$ 100,000. But ruled that she would remain under house arrest and wear an ankle monitor. Richardson police argued Mathews was a flight risk and said before she was arrested she asked her pediatrician for shot records so that her 3-year-old biological daughter could "go to India". The judge also asked Mathews to surrender her passport. The department received information that Sini requested her biological daughter's shot records last month and they believe she may have planned to flee to India, possibly with a fake passport, Richardson police Detective Jules Farmer said. Sini's defence attorneys were calling for her bond to be reduced to the typical amount for a child endangerment charge (US$ 500), which Sini faces after it was discovered she and her husband left Sherin home alone in the hours before her disappearance. They argued there were no indications Sini planned to flee or produce a fake passport and if she requested shot records for her daughter, it was so the girl could be taken to stay with family in India but Sini would not follow. The girl is currently staying with family in the Houston area. Before the judge made her decision, the prosecution did not mince words in closing arguments. "This woman is wicked enough to leave a 3-year-old in her house while she and her husband goes to dinner," said First Assistant Mike Snipes with the Dallas District Attorney Office. "That shows a level of depravity in this woman's heart in and of itself". Sherin was adopted by Wesley and Sini, a couple from Kerala, two years ago. As an infant she had been found abandoned in Gaya in Bihar and later put up for adoption. Born Saraswathi, the tragic end of this child's life is being mourned by thousands across the world. "The Dallas County Medical Examiner's Office is continuing to work on determining the cause of death. Those results will be made available when complete," Richardson Police said in a Facebook post. Sherin's death prompted External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to ask the Indian Embassy in the US to be actively involved in the case and keep her informed. She also sought a probe into the adoption process of Sherin. PTI Vishal Joshi Tribune News Service Kurukshetra, November 28 Sonu Malik, a resident of Sarsa village in the district, on Tuesday gave his consent in the court to undergo a polygraph test in the murder case of his three children. Investigating officer (IO) Prateek Kumar said the scientific examination would be helpful in solving the crime in which Sonus name had cropped up. He said Sonu agreed before the judicial magistrate at Pehowa subdivisional court to undergo the examination. The IO said an appointment with experts at Forensic Science Laboratory at Madhuban would soon be sought for the polygraph test of the suspect. Sonus cousin Jagdeep Malik has been arrested for allegedly murdering Sameer (11), Simran (8) and Samar (3). In his initial police statement, Jagdeep had alleged that he killed the kids at the behest of Sonu as the latter allegedly had an extramarital affair. Though Jagdeep later retracted and claimed he committed the crime to grab Sonus agriculture land, we are looking for supportive scientific pieces of evidence, said Prateek, the SHO of Pehowa. Meanwhile, police remand of Jagdeep was extended by four days today. Besides Jagdeep, the police have arrested three others for supplying an illicit weapon and bullets allegedly used in the crime. The three siblings disappeared from their village on November 19. On November 21, their bodies were retrieved by the Kurukshetra police from a forest area in Morni hills in Panchkula. The remains were traced on the information given by Jagdeep. Pratibha Chauhan Tribune News Service Shimla, November 28 Even as party leaders made claims of repeating Congress government in the state, more than 15 party candidates demanded expulsion of senior leaders, including former ministers and MLAs, for working against the official Congress nominee in the recently concluded Assembly elections. The State Executive of the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC), which met here today to discuss the poll prospects of the party, saw candidates give vent to their anger against some established leaders, especially former ministers and MLAs for working against them to ensure their defeat. Besides the district and Block Congress Committee presidents, a large number of candidates were also present at the meeting. It is reliably learnt that HPCC president Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu has received more than 150 complaints for expulsion of party leaders and workers on disciplinary grounds. The Congress has already expelled 47 leaders, including former MLAs, Shimla MC councillors and leaders who were chairmen and vice chairmen in the Congress Government. Sukhu is learnt to have advised the candidates to have a rethink on their demand for expulsion of leaders, at least till counting on December 18. I have asked them to send their complaints through the BCC and the DCC and also a request from the candidate so that the GHPCC can take a final call on expelling those who worked against Congress interest, said Sukhu. Some of the candidate like Pawan Thakur from Sarkaghat accused former minister Rangila Ram Rao of working against him. Congress candidate Lakhwinder Rana from Nalagarh pointed out that party rebel Hardeep Bawa, who had been expelled from the party for contesting as an Independent, continued to be the state INTUC president. He demanded that since he was no longer even a primary member of the party, he must be removed as INTUC president. There were demands to expel more party leaders from Dharamsala even though eight have been shown the door. Similar complaints of party leaders working against Congress nominee were received from Nachan, Nahan, Baijnath, Dharamsala, Palampur, Jwalamukhi, Darang, Indora, Badsar, Bhoranj, Nalagarh, Jhandutta, Shimla, Sarkaghat and Anni. Some of the candidates, while appreciating ticket distribution in which many leaders having organisational background were given a chance, rued that lack of election funds and publicity material proved to be a major handicap. Those who attended the meeting included minister Dhani Ram Shandil, Prakash Chaudhary, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries - Nand Lal, Rohit Thakur and Inderdutt Lakhanpal, MLAs Kishori Lal, Ajay Mahajan, Mohan Lal Brakta and senior office-bearers, including Ram Lal Thakur, Chander Kumar, Harshwardhan Singh, Harbhajan Singh Bhajji and Rangila Ram Rao. Resolution supporting Rahul as AICC chief passed The HPCC passed a resolution backing the nomination of Rahul Gandhi as AICC president. Sukhu said Gandhi had worked to strengthen the party with a renewed zeal. He said AICC president Sonia Gandhi would continue to remain the inspiration and guiding force for the Congress party. She has very ably guided and strengthened Congress party over the last 19 years and we will continue to look up to her for guidance and leadership, said Sukhu. 150 complaints received Ravinder Sood Palampur, November 28 To get a high security registration number plates (HSRPs) for commercial and non-commercial vehicles in Palampur has become a difficult task, as the company, which has been assigned the job, has failed to deliver the number plates in the past two months despite collecting money and documents from owners of the vehicles. It is also alleged that the high security number plates being supplied by the company are of inferior quality. However, the district administration is unconcerned with the situation and no steps have been initiated to streamline the system and ensure better quality plates. However, Balwan Chand, SDM, Palampur, said the contract for the manufacturing and installation of the high security number plates had been assigned to a private company by the Director, Transport, Shimla, therefore, he was helpless to initiate action. He said people should approach the authorities at Shimla. Information gathered by The Tribune revealed the Director, Transport, had assigned the job to a private company of Delhi to issue HSRPs. The company neither had any machines at Palampur to print the number plates nor manpower to deliver it on time. Before awarding the contract, the Director failed to verify the credentials of the company and awarded the contract. It is evident from the fact that so far, the company had deputed only one person in Palampur to collect the money and documents. However, no machines have been installed so far. In the absence of adequate manpower and equipment, the residents have to wait for months and visit the SDM office time and again to collect the number plates. Over 500 vehicles are registered every month with the licensing authority at Palampur. Raj Kumar, a senior citizen outside the office of SDM, told The Tribune that he had deposited the fee and documents two months ago and despite repeated visit to the SDM office he had not received the number plates so far. There were hundreds of vehicle owners in the town who had been waiting for the number plates for the past three months despite paying the fee on time. Majid Jahangir Tribune News Service Srinagar, November 28 Even as the J&K Police continues its investigation into the killing of Territorial Army jawan Irfan Dar, 23, in Shopian, the Army suspects that Territorial Army deserter Zahoor Thokar may have been part of the group that killed him. Army officials said initial investigations point out that Zahoor was part of the three-member militant squad that shot dead Dar in an apple orchard at Sazan in Shopian on Saturday. We have certain reasons to believe that Zahoor was involved in the killing of the TA soldier. But confirmation is still awaited, an Army officer privy to the investigations said. He said three militants had intercepted his car and shot him dead. Dar, who was on leave, was not abducted as the initial report stated. We also came to know through our sources that Zahoor was spotted around the area after the killing of Dar, another Army officer said. Zahoor of Sirnoo, Pulwama, had deserted his unit in north Kashmirs Baramulla in July along with a rifle and three magazines and later joined militant group Hizbul Mujahideen. It was for the first time that a Kashmiri soldier had deserted the Army and joined militant ranks. There have been instances in J&K when policemen have joined militant outfits. The officer said the motive behind the killing of Dar was not yet known and investigation was underway. Police sources said Zahoor and Dar were course mates in the Territorial Army and knew each other well. They had also joined the Army the same year. Superintendent of Police, Shopian, Ambarkar Shriram Dinkar, said: Dar was fired with an AK-47 rifle. We are following the investigations. His close contacts and friends are being questioned. We are close to identifying the militants involved in the killing. Dar is survived by his father, mother and three younger siblings. 3 off-duty security men killed this year This year three off-duty security personnel have been killed by militants in Kashmir. In May, militants had abducted and killed Lt Ummer Fayaz of Kulgam. The officer had gone to Shopian to attend his cousins wedding. In September, militants shot dead BSF constable Mohammad Ramzan Parray at Hajin in Bandipora Jammu, November 28 Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today spoke to Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba and expressed concern over the alleged manhandling and harassment of inmates from J&K at Tihar Jail in New Delhi. An official spokesperson said the Chief Minister took a serious view of the reports and spoke to the Union Home Secretary, asking him to intervene in the matter. The Union Home Secretary has assured the Chief Minister of a thorough probe into the incident and punishment to the culprits for violating the jail manual, the spokesperson said. The Delhi High Court has reportedly ordered an inquiry into the incident and termed as very disturbing the alleged attack on inmates of a high-risk ward in Tihar Jail on November 21 night. The High Court observed this while hearing a public interest litigation by advocate Chinmay Kanojia, who had alleged that his client Shahid Yousuf, currently being investigated by the National Investigation Agency and undergoing trial, was beaten up without any reason by Tihar Jail employees. Shahid Yousuf is the son of Syed Salahuddin, the head of the United Jihad Council. On Monday, the Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Geelani had expressed concern over the alleged miserable condition of Kashmiri detainees in Tihar Jail and accused the jail authorities of harassing the Kashmiri prisoners. In a recent incident, Shahid Yousuf, son of Syed Salahuddin, was severely beaten up, and received injuries on the head and arm, a Hurriyat spokesperson had said. TNS Tribune News Service Jammu, November 28 Living away from their homeland for the past 27 years, displaced Kashmiri Pandits are demanding panchayats-in-exile in Jammu, which will allow them to vote in the panchayat elections, which are expected to be held in the coming months in the state. Displaced community members, whose original constituencies are in Kashmir, cannot take part in the panchayat and municipal elections in Jammu, thus depriving them of their democratic rights. The BJP (Displaced Cell) is demanding that the migrant camps at Jagti, Muthi, Nagrota and Purkhoo be declared panchayat blocks to ensure flow of developmental funds. The funds will allow development of locals, including areas inhabited by Pandits. Due to the migration of the community from the Valley in 1990, people have been deprived of their rights to participate in the municipal and panchayat elections, said GL Raina, BJP MLC. The BJP Kashmir Displaced District, a party unit established to coordinate with Pandit voters, has urged the Election Commission to abolish the M-Form, which the displaced Pandits have to fill ahead of every Assembly and parliamentary election. M-Form is a major stumbling block for voters belonging to the displaced community as they have to go through a complex procedure to prove that they are migrants. This harassment should end, said Chand Bhat, president of the BJP (Displaced Cell). The form was introduced by the Election Commission after the exodus of 3.50 lakh Pandits from the Valley in 1989-90. It has restricted their participation in the democratic process, depriving them of fundamental rights. Demand right to vote The panchayats-in-exile will allow the displaced Pandits in Jammu to vote in the panchayat elections, which are expected to be held in the coming months in the state Vikas Sharma Tribune News Service Jammu, November 28 Though the state government has ordered the Chief Education Officers to carry out the safety audit of government schools, there is no separate provision of providing financial grant to carry out even the necessary repair/maintenance of the buildings that are in a dilapidated condition. The schools have been utilising the improvement fund, which is collected from the students at the time of admission, for the repair/maintenance work. There are a total of 12,419 government schools in Jammu division, including 7,219 primary schools, 3,764 middle schools, 923 high schools, 306 higher secondary schools, 34 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas and 173 mobile schools. Total 7,00,096 students are enrolled in government schools, including 3,59,607 boys and 3,40,489 girls. The sorry state of affairs can be gauged from the fact that not even a single penny has been released as the annual grant under the state plan. The government schools are receiving grants only under the flagship schemes like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA). There is no annual maintenance grant for high schools and higher secondary schools, but the primary and middle schools are also getting meagre funds. Primary schools get an annual grant of Rs 5,000 to carry out maintenance, which means Rs 416 per month. Similarly, middle schools get an annual grant of Rs 12,000 i.e. Rs 1,000 per month. Under the RMSA, high schools and higher secondary schools are entitled to an annual grant of Rs 50,000, but there is no separate grant for repairs. Of 50,000, Rs 25,000 is to be utilised for science i.e. for purchase of chemicals and upgrading laboratories, etc, Rs 10,000 is for purchasing books while the remaining 15,000 is to pay electricity and water bills, telephone charges, etc, principal of a higher secondary school claimed. Ever since the state government has announced fee waiver for girl students, there is poor collection of improvement fund in co-education schools while girls schools have no funds at all, he said. According to official figures, more than 1,000 government schools in Jammu division are still running from rented accommodations. A majority of such government schools are in far-flung districts. In Jammu district, nine schools do not have a building, informed JK Sudan, Chief Education Officer, Jammu. No aid for high schools Under the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan, high schools and higher secondary schools are entitled to an annual grant of Rs 50,000, but there is no separate grant for repairs. Moreover, ever since the state government has announced fee waiver for girl students, there is poor collection of improvement fund in co-education schools. Principal of a higher secondary school Jammu, November 28 Pakistani troops opened fire at Indian posts along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district in violation of the ceasefire, police said. "Pakistani troops resorted to firing in Jhangar forward area from 1845 hours to 1900 hours," a senior police officer said yesterday, adding that further details were awaited. Last night's violation of the ceasefire came after a lull of over a week in firing by Pakistani troops at Indian posts. Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire for three consecutive days between November 15 and November 17 in Jammu and Poonch districts. An Army jawan was injured in the exchange of fire in Poonch. On November 2, a BSF jawan was killed when Pakistan Rangers attacked a patrol party along the International Border in Samba district. A girl was injured when Pakistani troops opened fire from small arms along the LoC in Karmara belt of Poonch district on October 31. On October 18, eight civilians, including a two-year-old child, were injured in heavy Pakistani shelling in Poonch. PTI Suhail A Shah Anantnag, November 28 The Central governments special representative for Jammu and Kashmir, Dineshwar Sharma, today told students in south Kashmirs Anantnag town that gun was never going to be a solution to anything. Gun is never a solution to anything. It is my personal belief and I am telling you this because some among you sometimes think that it is a solution. It is not, a student quoted Sharma as saying after meeting him. As per reports, locals, a majority of them students, met the interlocutor at Dak Bungalow in Anantnag today. This was Sharmas second visit to restive south Kashmir. He visited Pulwama on Sunday and met over a dozen delegations there. Sharma, as per reports, met around 30 delegations in Anantnag today. Of them, nine delegations comprised students from various colleges and schools of Anantnag district. Rest of the delegations comprised mainstream political workers, including Congress and the BJP leaders, civil society members and minority Sikhs and Kashmiri Pandits. Sharma reached Anantnag around 10 am and spent more than eight hours meeting the delegations. Although the media was not allowed inside the venue, students who met Sharma talked to mediapersons after they left the venue. Students said they raised some important issues with Sharma, including resolution of the Kashmir issue and amnesty to students booked for stone-throwing. We told him that there has been a lack of sincerity in the Centres approach. On the one hand, they call us their own and on the other, we get shot at with pellets, which in other parts of the world are used on animals, a student who met Sharma said. Students said they talked about the student protests that had rocked the Valley earlier this year and asked Sharma to take back a detailed analysis of why the protests had taken place. I told him that the education sector will continue to suffer unless sincerity is shown in bringing peace to the Valley, a girl student said. Students said Sharma assured them that he would take back an honest report from the ground. He also told the students that gun was in no way a solution and youngsters should desist from thinking that it (picking up arms) could bring about anything positive. The other delegations, which met Sharma, also sought a sincere approach towards the resolution of the Kashmir issue. The Congress delegation led by Shangus MLA Gulzar Ahmad said it had sought engagement of the Hurriyat Conference in the dialogue process. We have sought engagement of every stakeholder, including the Hurriyat Conference, Gulzar told mediapersons. The Pandit delegation, among other issues, sought the Centres help in a proper rehabilitation process.tion sector will continue to suffer unless sincerity is not shown in bringing peace to the Valley, a girl student said. Students said Sharma assured them that he would take back an honest report from the ground. He also told the students that gun was in no way a solution and youngsters should desist from thinking that it (picking up arms) can bring about anything positive. Pankaj Vasudeva From understanding the intricacies of nanotechnology to exploring a career in real estate, Canadian universities have a wide spectrum of specialised programmes for undergraduates, graduates and researchers. These inter-disciplinary programmes provide an additional skill-set to students to take up challenges in the respective industry. NanoFAB The Electrical and Computer Engineering Research Facility at University of Alberta's Faculty of Engineering has a one-of-its-kind NanoFAB (Fabrication & Characterisation) Centre. This open-access facility provides equipment, infrastructure and expertise to students and researchers from different faculties. Companies engaged in R&D also utilise equipment and infrastructure worth $110 million at the facility. The university and National Research Council of Canada (NRC) have partnered to launch UAlberta/NRC Nanotechnology Initiative for research, discovery and innovation in the field. The centre focuses on training and helping students in their undergraduate, Master's and PhD programmes by providing them with crucial data. Streams to choose from: Undergrad nano specialisation programme (one-year): Computer Engineering: Nanoscale System Design; Electrical Engineering: Nanoengineering; Engineering Physics: Nanoengineering. Eligibility: Five high school subjects English, Maths, Maths (Calculus), Chemistry, Physics. All students study common courses in the first year. Admission to second-year specialisation and degree routes is determined through preference, grade point average (GPA), and course load, calculated at the end of first year. Forestry Given Canada's rich biodiversity, its universities lay special emphasis on the management and conservation of natural recourses, especially forests. Jorma Neuvonen, Director, Special Projects, says, finding ways to convert trees and biomass into materials that can be used in everyday life is essential to reduce carbon footprint. "Research is on to explore the utility of nanocellulose (wood extract at nano scale) especially in the construction industry given that it is stronger than steel," he says. As part of the initiative, the University of British Columbia runs five undergraduate programmes ranging from forest conservation to wood products processing. University's Advanced Wood Processing Centre gives students a hands-on experience in processing wood and creating things of different shapes and sizes. Courses on offer: Undergraduate: BSc in Natural Resources Conservation, BSc in Forestry, BSc in Forest Sciences, BSc in Wood Products Processing and latest inclusion Bachelor of Urban Forestry Graduate: Research-intensive degrees: PhD; Master of Science in Forestry; Master of Applied Science in Forestry Professional programmes: Master of International Forestry; Master of Sustainable Forest Management; Master of Forestry. Eligibility: Undergraduate: Class XII in science stream; Graduate: Four-year bachelor's degree in engineering, forestry or medicine; PhD: Bachelor's degree plus Master's degree or MPhil degree. Real Estate Despite an industry with burgeoning demand for trained professionals, only a handful of country's management institutes offer courses to cater to the needs of real estate. Canadian universities have taken the lead in starting real estate programmes both at undergraduate and graduate levels. Westman Centre for Real Estate Studies at the Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary, is one such inter-disciplinary initiative where students can take up real estate studies as BCom concentration or MBA specialisation. Options at hand The undergraduate programme is a capstone course involving real estate finance, planning and development, finance, legal, marketing, etc. BCom students can study real estate concentration in the third and fourth years, while MBA students can choose their specialisation in the second year. A peek into some specialised programmes offered by Canadian varsities NAIT Simulation Centre Manpriya Singh A voracious reader, an accidental author, a passionate photographer, a corporate honcho, a historian Im not a historian, Ive become one, Amardeep Singh will cut you there and especially in context of the series of his two books starting with Lost Heritage: The Sikh Legacy in Pakistan and moving on to his latest, The Quest Continues: The Sikh Legacy in Pakistan. Before he even gets talking about his unparalleled and unique journeys all through the 126 cities and villages in Pakistan, there are a couple of things he wants to clarify and never be misquoted on. This book is not about Sikhism, this book is about heritage and legacy. How the legacy is beyond Nankana Sahib and Panja Sahib (the only places that this generation popularly knows and attributes to Pakistan) and how that legacy is also being kept alive. Moving on, This is not a book, its an experience. Which he shares exhaustively in the book, both visually and through words! These are visual travelogues talking about all things of historical value, both tangible and intangible, which I am trying to put forward for the generations to come. Change of track A corporate executive for 25 years (his last job before his first visit to Pakistan was a large portfolio as a regional head with American Express). After I joined the corporate world back there, I became as good as someone who is a photographer and has played with words, he laughs, highlighting the myopic financial mindset of the companies. Anyway, the journey started after the decision to visit Pakistan comes up one fine day and finally, I wanted to visit the place of mother and father. That was the truth, but as an Indian when you apply for a visa you cite religious reasons for the visit. As an Indian born, I was denied the visa to Muzaffarabad. However, the visa officer spoke in Punjabi and was from the place where my mother belonged to. He adds, I became dead honest with him, spoke in Punjabi and he issued me a 30-day visa. While in Pakistan That was it. Pakistan was waiting to happen. The way people connected. Its not as bad as we think. They are also humans and they are also Punjabis. But, unfortunately, we only know of them as terrorists. After the first book came out, a call from the embassy of Pakistan followed. Fortunately, they recognised my work and how it was an objective, balanced approach to shared history of both countries. Thats when the second book materialised. The research, documentation, the journey, has all been put together in the format of two books, in less than three years. The pace at which I travelled was insanely rapid. For the first book, it was 36 cities in 30 days and for the second, it was 90 cities and villages in 40 days. There are references to Bulle Shah, Prahlad, the frescoes, where they come from, the monuments, the language! Do you know Maharaja Ranjit Singhs was such a glorious empire and it was him who actually captured Kashmir? Do you also know that Hari Singhs Nalwas forces made 27 kilas? he asks. Awaiting re-discovery While on his travels, there are no history lessons, but just about enough information, followed by visuals to get anyone interested in the legacy and heritage. Both lost and one that is still surviving! Do you know there are people there who are not Kaurs or Singhs or dont have beards and turbans, but are actually sustaining the principles and practices of Baba Nanak, he shares, while flipping through a photograph where you can actually see a Muslim cleric serving langar. Or a Muslim sitting outside a mosque and saying Sat Sri Akal to him. Its not just about hordes of Baba Nanak followers in that region, he clarifies, Its not just Sikhism, there is a whole lot of Jain legacy waiting to be explored as also Muslim legacy in East Punjab. So do we expect yet another sequel soon? Well, both my previous books were unplanned. How can I plan this one? We just hope it happens soon! manpriya@tribunemail.com Rachna Khaira Tribune News Service Jalandhar, November 28 A 21-year-old youth from Jalandhar was shot dead in front of his house in Jackson city of Mississippi, US, on Monday. Sandeep Singh had migrated three years ago. His father Balwinder Singh, a Punjab Police head constable, said he was working at a relatives store. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) He along with two friends closed the store at 8 pm, but his car developed a snag. The owner asked them to stay back. At 11 pm, Sandeep tried to restart the car and was successful. The three drove to their apartment but as soon as they stepped out of their vehicle, three armed assailants robbed them of cash and valuables, his father said. Just as the assailants were to leave, Sandeep moved towards the car to park it in the garage. One of the assailants, fearing Sandeep was about to pull out a weapon, opened fire, killing him on the spot, Sandeeps body is expected to arrive home by Saturday. A police probe is on and CCTV footage procured. Jupinderjit Singh Tribune News Service Chandigarh, November 28 The Aam Aadmi Party today sought to make the alleged audio-tape scandal the focus of the days business in the Punjab Assembly by insisting on a commitment from the government for a CBI inquiry into the matter. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) While the Capt Amarinder Singh government brushed aside the issue saying it was a judicial matter, the AAP and alliance partner Lok Insaaf Party (LIP) later in the day took up the matter with the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, submitting a written complaint during a nearly half-an-hour meeting with Chief Justice SJ Vazifdar, who was accompanied by two senior judges. Leader of Opposition Sukhpal Khaira and LIP MLA Simarjit Singh Bains represented their parties. Bains had yesterday released an audio-tape allegedly featuring a conversation between a former Deputy Advocate General, Amit Chaudhary, and an ex-PCS officer, TK Goel, in which Amit claims that Rs 35 lakh was paid to a judge for rejecting a review petition filed by Khaira on quashing his summoning by a Fazilka court over his alleged links with drug smugglers. The parties first tried to raise the matter during the Question Hour but were not allowed to do so. Later, at the outset of the Zero Hour, Khaira demanded a CBI inquiry. Demanding a discussion, he even named a senior Akali and Congress leader behind the conspiracy against him. However, Speaker Rana KP Singh said it was a judicial matter. CM Capt Amarinder remained silent on the issue. AAP MLA Kanwar Sandhu backed the arguments of Khaira, saying the scandal was an expose and not a judicial issue. The demands by both the MLAs drew an angry response from the Akali Dal MLAs, who raised slogans against AAP MLAs and their suspicious links. Meanwhile, Sandhu demanded tabling of the report of a Special Investigation Team into the role of links of politicians with drug smugglers. Azhar Qadri Tribune News Service Darchik/Matayan (Kargil), Nov 28 Before the harsh winter comes, Khalida Bano has to cross the pass of blizzards Zojila and retreat to a different life. It is a hard choice for Bano and her family. They have to migrate before a snow wall of 40-60 feet blocks Zojila and the freezing temperature makes it unbearable to live in Matayan, Banos village. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Matayan is located in frontier Kargil districts Drass sub-sector, which has a forbidding introduction the second coldest inhabited place in the world. Dont ask about the winter here, Bano, 30, said. If you come here in winter, you will not be able to see this house. It will all be under snow, she said of her two-storeyed mud and rock house located at the foot on a barren mountain. The primitiveness of life in Kargil the site of the last war between India and Pakistan and a region of rugged and hostile landscape varies from village to village. Kargil, located along the Line of Control which is manned round the year by soldiers who nestle on mountaintop posts in freezing conditions, is one of the most backward districts of Jammu and Kashmir and has a population of 1.4 lakh. More than half of Kargils residents are officially categorised as living below the poverty line. The district also houses poor infrastructure facilities with its 192 medical institutions one district hospital and 102 medical aid centres having a bed capacity of 170. Matayan is the first habitation beyond Zojila and it has basic facilities a middle school and a medical aid centre. Even though it is only 120 kilometres from Srinagar, the village and its residents are caught in a time warp. During the six months of extreme winter, the frontier district remains cut off from the rest of the world. Its only road link which snakes through the mountains and the high-altitude Zojila pass is usually closed by November 15, but is opened for a few days thereafter, weather conditions permitting. This village gets divided. Some go to the other side of Zojila and some to Drass and Kargil to live with relatives or on rent, Bano said. Kangan, a township on the other side of Zojila pass in Kashmir valley, is Banos winter home. The family then waits for the winter to end before returning to Matayan in early summer to continue farming. Winter temperatures can plummet to minus 40 degrees Celsius. There is no arrangement here for winter. There are no doctors and no firewood, Bano said. For centuries, the Matayan villagers had no idea of a world beyond the pass. When the snow melted in the summer of 1999 and opened the road to Kargil, it also unfolded a war as the Pakistani army had taken over mountain peaks overlooking the highway and shelled the incoming convoys. The villagers of Matayan were asked to move and, for many, it was the first time they made an arduous journey across the pass. We travelled by foot to Sonmarg and Kangan, Khadija, a wrinkle-faced mother of four, recalled. Sonmarg, a meadow resort, and Kangan, a township, lie on the other side of Zojila pass. Matayan is not an exception in Kargil, one of the two districts that form Ladakh region. In the shepherd village of Hondurman, the residents whose major income is generated by working as porters to mountaintop Army posts migrate from their summer huts to winter huts, located on opposite ridges. November is a busy month in Kargil. Hundreds of trucks make the hard journey to the district with stocks of rice, flour, firewood and everything that is essential to survive a winter in isolation. The stocks are stored before the winters first snow. Many shops, groceries and motels are run by ethnic Kashmiris, who are readying to resign to their homes in Kashmir before the winter comes, leaving the main market half-deserted. Life in Darchik In the terraced village of Darchik, home to goat herders who have lived in isolation for centuries, Tashi Dawa prepares for the 70th winter of his life. I have spent my entire life in this village, Dawa said, uncomplaining about the lack of facilities. We dont have enough money to migrate anywhere, he said. Darchik is nearly 300 km from Srinagar and is a remote village in Kargils Batalik sector. The villagers, who believe they are of Aryan descent, live a self-reliant life by herding goats and farming. A bus travels twice a week to this village of 80 families. The government doesnt really care for us, he said. Whether we die or live, it doesnt matter. New Delhi, November 28 As Indonesia raised Bali volcano alert to the highest level, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has said she was monitoring the situation closely and that the Indian Mission there would provide assistance to Indians requiring help. The Indian Consulate in Bali has opened a help desk at the city airport to provide any assistance to the Indians stuck there. "Indians in Bali - Pls do not worry. Pradeep Rawat Indian Ambassador in Jakarta @IndianEmbJkt and Sunil Babu Consul General @cgibali are on the job and I am monitoring this personally(sic)," she said on Twitter yesterday. Massive columns of thick grey smoke that have been belching from Mount Agung since last week have now begun shooting more than three kilometres (two miles) into the sky, forcing flights to be grounded. The airport in Bali's capital Denpasar, a top holiday destination that attracts millions of foreign tourists every year, has been closed for the second day today. PTI New Delhi, November 28 A cab driver was arrested for allegedly trying to abduct a woman judge, police said on Tuesday. The judge, in her complaint, told the police that instead of taking her to the Karkardooma Court, the driver started driving towards Hapur on the NH-24 yesterday, they added. Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) She informed the police and also alerted her colleague, the police said. After driving for some distance, the driver took a U-turn towards Delhi, they said, adding he was intercepted at the Ghazipur toll plaza and arrested. The driver is associated with a private company that is being probed, the police said. PTI New Delhi, November 28 The body of an Indian recovered after a merchant ship sank off the coast of Japan in October has been exhumed and brought to Manila. The DNA sample was sent to Chennai, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Tuesday. "This is an update on my tweets dated 18th November," Sushma Swaraj said. "All islands in the region are alerted by Philippine Coast Guard. The mortal remains of one person have been exhumed and brought to Manila. The DNA sample is being taken to Chennai," she said. On November 18, External Affairs Minister said that after the MV Emerald Star with 26 Indians on board sank on October 13, 16 persons were rescued, while the remaining 10 could not be found. Stating that there was extensive search by Japan and the Philippines which was joined by the Indian Navy, she said that Philippine Coast Guard reported that a decomposed body with a life jacket marking Emerald Star was found on October 28 on the island city of Banua and was buried there. The External Affairs Minister said she has asked Indian Ambassador to the Philippines Jaideep Mazumdar to have the body exhumed and brought to Manila for identification by DNA. Those missing after the ship capsised, included Captain Rajesh Ramachandran Nair, Second Officer Rahul Kumar, Third Officer Giridhar Kumar Subramaniam, Chief Engineer Shyam Singh Rajput, Fourth Engineer Suresh Kumar Subbiah, Junior Engineer Ashok Kumar Chauhan, Gurumurthy Perumalsamy, Silambarasan Malavaranan, Gowtham Murugan and Bevin Thomas. Japan's 11th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters based in Naha, Okinawa, on October 13 said it had received an emergency call from the 33,205-tonne ship around 2 a.m. The Japan Coast Guard said it had dispatched patrol boats and aircraft to rescue the missing crew, but the operations were hampered by a raging typhoon. Following this, the External Affairs Ministry said that 11 crew members were rescued by the ship Densa Cobra, registered in Xiamen, China, and five more by Samarinda, registered in the Philippines. IANS Prateek Chauhan Tribune News Service New Delhi, November 28 A woman passenger and an Air India duty manager slapped each other at the Indira Gandhi International Airport on Tuesday morning after she was denied boarding for reporting late, police said. The incident took place after the Ahmedabad-bound woman passenger, a resident of Panchkula in Haryana, had an argument with the official. A woman passenger was told by a counter staff that she would not be able to check in because she was late for the flight. This led to an argument and the staff directed her to the woman duty manager and there was an argument and an altercation, an Air India spokesperson said. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Sources in the airline said the passenger allegedly slapped the duty manager. The duty manager also hit back, DCP, Airport, Sanjay Bhatia, said. Arguments started between the passenger and Air India woman staff and the passenger slapped her. The woman staff in retaliation also slapped her, Bhatia said. The passenger later called the police and went to the police station. Both the passenger and the Air India staff later apologised to each other and the issue was amicably resolved, the spokesperson added. With PTI Hyderabad, November 28 Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj held separate meetings with US President Donald Trump's advisor Ivanka Trump who heads a US delegation at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit on Tuesday. The ministry said in a statement that the two had productive discussion on women entrepreneurship and empowerment. Ivanka, who is an advisor to US President Donald Trump, is here to attend the three-day summit in Hyderabad. #WATCH Ivanka Trump arrived in Hyderabad, late last night; will be attending Global Entrepreneurship Summit #GES2017 pic.twitter.com/3FozL12bF4 ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2017 Ivanka Donald Trump's daughter is heading a delegation of senior Trump administration officials and entrepreneurs at the summit, which she will later inaugugurate with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. US is co-hosting the summit, which is expected to host more than 1,200 young entrepreneurs majority of whom women from 127 countries. In addition some 300 investors and ecosystem supporters are also attending the mega event. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) The world's largest gathering of young entrepreneurs is being co-hosted by India and the United States. It is "a testament to the strong friendship between our two people and the growing economic and security partnership between our two nations," Ivanka told reporters during a preview of her India visit. Ivanka, 36, has travelled to India before, but this is her maiden trip to the country as a senior presidential advisor. Accompanied by several top administrations official, a large number of Indian-Americans are part of her delegation, which numbers 350 from 38 states. Prime Minister Modi had personally invited Ivanka to participate in the GES, which is being held in India for the first time, when he travelled to the US in June. This year's summit theme, 'Women First, Prosperity for All', demonstrates the Trump administration's commitment to the principle that when women are economically empowered, their communities and countries thrive, she told reporters last week. Five per cent of entrepreneurs at GES are 30 years or younger. The youngest entrepreneur is 13 and the oldest entrepreneur is 84. Ivanka said she aims for this summit to serve as an open and collaborative environment for the exchange of ideas, to broaden networks, and to empower entrepreneurs to take their ideas and passion to the next level. "The US and India will continue to work together to increase economic opportunities and inclusive growth. I very much look forward to my visit and to seeing Prime Minister Modi and Foreign Minister Swaraj once again," she said. The summit would also be the first major engagement of the new American Ambassador to India, Ken Juster. "Amazing first week in India! Thanks so much for the warm welcome. Looking forward to exploring this fascinating country. Excited to begin my journey in Hyderabad at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit!" he tweeted last week. PTI/Agencies Hyderabad, November 28 Ivanka Trump, US President Donald Trumps daughter, on Tuesday said reducing gender gap in the labour force by half can help boost Indian economy by over USD 150 billion in the next three years and reiterated her fathers words that India has a true friend in the White House. In her keynote address at the 8th annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES), she showered lavish praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is going to build India as a thriving economya beacon of democracyand a symbol of hope to the world. What you are achieving is truly extraordinary... from your childhood selling tea to election as Indias Prime Minister, she said. Through your own enterprise, entrepreneurship and hard work, the people of India have lifted more than 130 million citizens out of povertya remarkable improvement and one I know will continue to grow under the leadership of the prime minister, she added. Ivanka, who is the adviser to the White House, said, Here in India, I want to applaud Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his firm belief that the progress of humanity is incomplete without the empowerment of women, she stressed. India, she said, is one of the fastest growing economies in the world and has a true friend in the White House. President Trump earlier this year said India has a true friend in the White House, Ivanka recalled. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Fuelling the growth of women-led businesses isnt simply good for our societyits good for our economy. One study estimates that closing the gender entrepreneurship gap worldwide could grow our global GDP by as much as 2 per cent, she said. Ivanka, 36, a businesswoman, fashion designer and the eldest daughter of the US President, was invited by Modi during his visit to the White House in June to speak at the Summit. She is leading the US contingent at the Summit themed Women First, Prosperity for All. She opened her speech by stressing how all over the world entrepreneurs are revolutionising our economies, and improving our societies. You are rewriting the rules, she said and went on to talk about this years GES theme. This years Summit is focussed on a theme that is key to our future: Women First, Prosperity for All. I am proud that for the first time ever, women make up the majority of the 1,500 entrepreneurs selected to attend. Women, according to Ivanka, can help lead the way in closing this gap and ushering in a new age of greater prosperity. We must ensure women entrepreneurs have access to capital, access to networks and mentors, and access to equitable laws, she added. While her trip to India has been hogging media limelight, questions have been raised about whether her message of empowering poor women matches her actions. Critics have faulted her for failing to use her leadership role to call out labour and human rights abuses and her refusal to take a public stand on alleged abuses in her brands own supply chain. PTI New Delhi, November 28 Singapore may not possibly be keen to buy any make in India military equipment, but its Defence Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen made a sortie in the trainer version of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas at the Air Force base at Kalaikunda in West Bengal today. The Project Director for Flight Testing at the Aeronautical Development Agency, Air Vice Marshal AP Singh, flew the visiting dignitary. I am not a pilot, said Dr Ng, when asked if Singapore plans to buy the Tejas. But I can say it felt like I was riding in a car, it was really smooth... and it is very impressive. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) This is a shot in the arm for the Tejas programme, which has been criticised for delays. The Singaporean air force is in India with six US-made F-16s for annual joint exercises. For a month now, about 100 personnel have been stationed at Kalaikunda. Singapore has very little airspace and has been leasing out the Kalaikunda base for its drills since 2004. TNS Hyderabad, November 28 Hard selling his government's reforms, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday invited global entrepreneurs to come to India saying that it provides an investment friendly environment where restrictions have been removed and archaic laws abolished. Speaking at Global Entrepreneur Summit 2017, he said over 1,200 outdated laws have been scrapped, 87 rules for foreign investment eased in 21 sectors and several government processes have been taken online. "To my entrepreneur friends from across the globe, I would like to say, 'Come, Make in India, Invest in India', for India and for the world," he said. "I invite each one of you to become a partner in India's growth story. And once again assure you of our wholehearted support." Ivanka Trump, US President Donald Trump's daughter and adviser to the White House, is leading a US delegation to the summit and gave the keynote address. Stating that an investment-friendly environment needs to be stable from the macro-economic perspective, Modi said his government has succeeded in containing the fiscal and current account deficits as well as curbing inflation. "Our foreign reserves have crossed $400 billion, and we continue to attract large foreign capital flows," he said. To young entrepreneur friends from India, he said: "Each of you has something valuable to contribute towards creating a New India by 2022. You are vehicles of change and instruments of India's transformation". Listing out business friendly measures the government has undertaken, Modi said loans worth Rs 4.28 trillion (Rs 4.28 lakh crore) have been sanctioned under the entrepreneurship loan scheme, MUDRA. Under the 'Atal Innovation Mission', Tinkering Labs are being opened in more than 900 schools to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among children, he said. After taking electricity to almost all villages, a new scheme, 'Saubhagya' will provide electricity connection to all the unelectrified families by December 2018, he said, adding that a programme to provide high-speed broadband Internet to all rural areas by March 2019 has also been launched. "We are working on developing a national gas grid. A comprehensive national agency policy is also in the pipeline," he said. The Prime Minister said the taxation system has been overhauled with the launch of GST, while the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code has been introduced to ensure timely resolution for stressed ventures. "We have recently strengthened this further, preventing wilful defaulters from bidding for stressed assets," he said. "Tough measures have been adopted to tackle the parallel economy, check tax evasion and control black money." The government, he said, understood that an environment of transparent policies and a rule of law providing a level playing field are necessary for entrepreneurship to flourish. Modi said Aadhaar, the world's largest biometric based digital database, covers over 1.15 billion people and digitally authenticates over 40 million transactions daily. "We now digitally provide monetary benefits of various government schemes to the beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer using Aadhaar," he added. On financial inclusion, he said almost 300 million bank accounts with deposits of over Rs 685 billion have been opened through the Jan Dhan Yojna. "These brings previously un-banked sections of society into the formal financial system. Of these, 53 per cent accounts are women. We are steadily working towards a less cash economy and have launched a Unified Payment Interface App called BHIM. In less than a year, this platform is facilitating almost 280,000 transactions daily," he said. Modi said India has been an incubator for innovations and entrepreneurship over the ages. Stating that the government's Start-Up India programme is a comprehensive action plan to foster entrepreneurship and promote innovation, he said the scheme aims to minimise the regulatory burden and provide support to startups. PTI Jupinderjit Singh Tribune News Service Chandigarh, November 27 Legislator Simarjit Singh Bains of the Lok Insaaf Party, an AAP ally, today released an audio-tape to prove a plot against Punjabs Leader of Opposition (LoP) and AAP MLA Sukhpal Khaira, who has been summoned by a Fazilka court for questioning on his alleged links with drug smugglers. Bains and his brother Balwinder Singh released a 17-minute recording in which former Deputy Advocate General Amit Chaudhary puportedly tells former PCS officer TK Goel that Rs 35 lakh had been paid to a judge to ensure that Khairas review petition in the High Court, that the charges against him be quashed, was dismissed. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Chaudhary, claiming he had received the text of the court order a day before it was pronounced, is heard saying it had been pre-decided that non-bailable warrants against Khaira would be cancelled but his review petition in the High Court dismissed. Chaudhary, who was DAG during the SAD-BJP tenure, told The Tribune that the audio-tape had been manipulated. He said he had met Goel, one of his clients, a number of times but no such conversation took place. Goel, a former PCS officer, was recently dismissed from service on corruption charges. He could not be contacted. Bains said he would submit a video-recording of the Chaudhary-Goel meeting and reveal the date, time, place of the conversation either to the CBI or the High Court. Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh refused to be drawn into the controversy. Asked if he would order a CBI inquiry as sought, he replied: Let courts decide the matter. Later in the day, Bains and Khaira submitted a memorandum to Governor VP Singh Badnore to press for the demand. Urging the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court to take suo motu action, Khaira said it was his suspicion that SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, Congress minister Rana Gurjit Singh and SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia had connived against him. An FIR was registered under the NDPS Act against Khairas aide Gurdev Singh and eight others on March 5, 2015, in Jalalabad, alleging links with drug smugglers in Pakistan. It was alleged that Khaira and the smugglers had been in touch on the phone. But Khaira was not questioned by the police. On October 31 this year, a Fazilka court sentenced the nine to 20 years jail. Acting on a public prosecutor's application, describing Khaira and staff as the kingpins of an international drug racket, the court summoned Khaira, personal security officer Joga Singh, PA Manish and two more Charanjit Kaur and Major Singh Bajwa and issued non-bailable warrants. Khaira then moved the HC, which dismissed his petition while cancelling the warrants. Tribune News Service Chandigarh, November 28 The Shiromani Akali Dal has condemned the action of the Congress of rejecting the motion presented by it on the renaming of Dyal Singh College in Delhi and said its action once again proved that it had anti-Punjabi and anti-Sikh mindset. In a statement released here today, party spokesman Manjinder Singh Sirsa said it was most unfortunate that while rejecting the motion presented by the Akali Dal, the Congress forgot the contribution of Dyal Singh Majithia in establishing the countrys first bank, which was Punjab National Bank, The Tribune newspaper and host of educational institutes besides a social organisation for the better future of the people of the country. Sirsa said not only Dyal Singh Majithia made a great contribution, but also his father Lehna Singh Majithia, who was a great general of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who thrice conquered Afghanistan. Lehna Singh Majithias elder son General Ranjodh Singh was also a great fighter. He said even historians had acknowledged their contribution. He said that it was most disgusting that the Congress had failed to recognise their services. A federal jury on Monday struck down a civil lawsuit filed by a Montana state inmate claiming his civil rights were violated while he was incarcerated in the Lewis and Clark County Detention Center. Duane Belanus, 40, filed the lawsuit in 2012, alleging his rights to be free from cruel and unusual punishment were violated by county employees who allowed him to be beaten by other inmates in 2009, according to court documents. He alleged that the assault left him with with permanent facial disfigurements, severe migraines, chipped teeth, ringing in the ears, a popping jaw, nightmares, anxiety, a broken nose and a broken jaw. Belanus is currently incarcerated on two separate life sentences in connection with the kidnapping and rape of a woman with whom he once had a relationship. He alleged in his handwritten complaint that those accused of sex crimes and other offenses disliked by other inmates were kept away from the general population prior to July 11, 2009, and that he was "seriously assaulted" after being moved to the general population despite voicing concerns to jail staff. "I, and others, were housed in segregated housing due to our crimes," the complaint says. "The over-crowding of the jail forced the supervisors of The Detention Center to make an executive decision to place us into General Population." The complaint alleges that a staff member told other inmates about the charges against Belanus, which led to the "hate crime" against him, and that staff members should have been trained to not disclose information about inmates. It also says officers failed to act on Belanus' concerns even after witnessing other inmates calling him names and making threats, and that he suffered in pain for several hours before being transported to the hospital after the attack. Belanus sought to have Sheriff Leo Dutton suspended and fined, and other officers suspended, fined and/or fired. He also wrote that the state is responsible for all medical bills he acquired while in jail, and that his constitutional rights were violated when he was sentenced to pay for his own medical costs as restitution. The jury decided that none of the three officers on duty violated Belanus constitutional rights and awarded him no damages. Independent Record editor Jesse Chaney contributed to this report. Sanjeev Singh Bariana Tribune News Service Chandigarh, November 28 The Question Hour today witnessed sloganeering by AAP and SAD-BJP MLAs over the issues of drugs and farm debt waiver, respectively. During the half-an-hour session, ministers replied to at least five questions from Congress MLAs. The Congress camp led by the CM chose to ignore the din, even as the AAP and SAD MLAs came face-to-face in the well of the House, following which Speaker Rana KP Singh adjourned the House for half an hour. The AAP-LIP MLAs sought a CBI inquiry into the judicial bribery audio tape. The SAD-BJP wanted to know why the farm loan waiver had not been implemented. When the session began, former Finance Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa stood up and demanded an adjournment. They wanted a discussion on loan waiver. Former Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia led the slogan-shouting brigade, saying, Kisani karza maaf karo (give loan waiver to farmers) and Lara lappa lai rakhdi, kisani karze chadai rakhdi (making empty promises to farmers and giving no relief). Meanwhile, MLAs of the AAP-LIP alliance entered the Well of the House and alleged that Leader of the Opposition Sukhpal Khaira was being framed in a drug case. They were holding photos of Majithia with Bittu Aulakh, a drug case accused. Shortly, the SAD-BJP camp came up with pictures of Khaira with Dara and Gurdev Singh, both allegedly involved in the drug racket. Among the Congress MLAs who asked questions, Gurkirat Singh sought details of the number of unclaimed vehicles in various police stations. The CM replied that the police stations had 21,134 two-wheelers and 10,792 four-wheelers. The DGP had initiated the process for their disposal at the earliest, he said. In reply to a question by Navtej Singh Cheema regarding the non-receipt of degrees by students of Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Health Minister Brahm Mohindra said these would be handed over within three months. Dharambir Agnihotri asked about the teacher policy for border districts. Education Minister Aruna Chaudhary replied that a policy was being framed, with emphasis on special recruitment for the area. Kuljit Singh Nagra flagged the unavailability of doctors in his constituency (Fatehgarh Sahib) and the need for more schools. Tarsem Singh wanted to know if the Local Government Department would ensure that the women elected on 50 per cent reserved seats. Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu assured him that the matter would be addressed. Tribune News Service Chandigarh, November 28 Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Tuesday said they had moved an adjournment motion on the debt waiver. Addressing the media on the sidelines of the second day of the Assembly session, Sukhbir said the government had announced the waiver but had failed to implement it. Farmers have become defaulters as they did not pay their bank loans, waiting for the waiver. This is a big dhokha with the farmers. The credibility of the government is zero. The foremost duty of the government is to save farmers, but farmers are committing suicide and holding the CM responsible for that." Regarding the short Assembly session, the SAD chief said the government should just call obituary reference session. There is no discussion on important issues, he added. The Congress and AAP are in cahoots. Thats why Sunil Jakhar and Navjot Singh Sidhu raised the drug issue against Bikram Majithia, who has been absolved by the courts. But they did not raise the issue against Khaira, he said. They are attacking us, but no issues confronting the state are being addressed. As many as 289 farmers who committed suicide were paid homage on Monday, but they are not doing anything for the farmers. Even SAP of sugarcane was raised by just Rs 10 per quintal against the Rs 30 raised by Haryana, he said, adding that there was conflict of interest as the government wanted to favour politician-owned private sugar mills, including that of a favourite minister of the CM. Sukhbir claimed that Khaira had concocted the audio clip scandal to deflect attention from the drug case in Fazilka. Tribune News Service Dehradun, November 28 The issuance of notices to the industry by the Biodiversity Board and faulty rice policy were some of the issues brought forth by businessmen during a state level meeting of the Udyog Mitra Samiti. The meeting was held in the presence of Chief Secretary Utpal Kumar Singh here today. Members of the PHD Chambers of Commerce listed number of problems during the meeting. Anil Taneja, Regional Director, PHD Chambers of Commerce, said, Around 850 notices regarding payment of five per cent cess were issued by the state Biodiversity Board without fulfilling the formalities. Their interpretation of the exemption clause in the Act is at variance with that of the industry. He claimed that the industry was suffering huge losses due to bottlenecks in faulty rice policy. The issue of the defunct ESI facilities for the industry workers was also raised at the meeting. Rajiv Ghai, co-chairman of the chapter, drew attention towards the poor infrastructure on the NH-74 connecting Haridwar, Kashipur and Rudrapur. The bridges that connect industrial estates are in bad shape and need urgent repair, he said. Later, the Chief Secretary advised the Biodiversity Board not to issue notices casually and said that work on the Haridwar-Dehradun highway would be started soon. He said the Centre would release Rs 80 crore for the fourlaning work. Tribune News Service Dehradun, November 28 The three-day International Conference on Himalayan Environment and Development will start here tomorrow. Addressing a press conference here today, Shridev Suman Universitys Vice- Chancellor Dr US Rawat said that the conference would deliberate on every aspect of Himalayan environment and development. He said the main focus of the conference would be to bring together both academicians and social scientists to address the concerns of the Himalayan region. Dr Rawat said the issues of climate change particularly the rising temperature was a matter of urgent concern. Rapid melting of glaciers in the Himalayas is directly affecting the livelihood of the inhabitants in the region, Dr Rawat pointed out. Convenor of the conference Prof Harsh Dobhal said that as many as 11 sessions would be held during the conference and a total of 300 research papers would be presented. Academicians and intellectuals from India and abroad will attend the conference. The conference is being organised by Doon University and Sridev Suman University. HNB Garhwal Universitys Dr SP Sati was also present at the news conference. Nairobi, November 28 Kenyan police fired tear gas and clashed with both ruling party and opposition supporters on Tuesday ahead of the swearing-in as president of Uhuru Kenyatta after two disputed polls that have left the nation deeply divided. As foreign and local dignitaries poured into the 60,000- seat Kasarani stadium in Nairobi for the ceremony, the opposition attempted to gather for a memorial rally honouring the more than 50 people killed, mostly by police, in four months of political upheaval. However, police fired volleys of tear gas and beat opposition supporters, prompting running battles in the area, an AFP reporter said. Chaos also erupted at the Kasarani stadium as a crowd of Kenyatta supporters attempted to force their way into the venue, prompting police to fire tear gas. I just want to see President Uhuru Kenyatta because I voted for him, why are we being beaten like NASA (the opposition coalition), said Janet Wambua, who was among the angry crowd. Joseph Irungu of the interior ministry planning committee had said there was space for 40,000 people who did not get in to watch the event on big screens outside the stadium. However no such screens were provided, further angering the crowd. Around 13 mostly African heads of state are expected to attend the ceremony where Kenyatta, 56, will be sworn in for his second and final five-year term. These include the presidents of South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia and Somaliaamong others. Prime ministers, foreign ministers and special envoys will represent other African nations, as well as Qatar, Serbia, Ukraine and the United Arab Emirates, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is also attending. Kenyattas inauguration comes after the Supreme Court validated his victory in last months rerun poll. However, the swearing-in may not draw a line under the countrys political crisis with his defeated rival Raila Odinga vowing to fight on. The NASA coalition has described Tuesdays inauguration as a despotic coronation. The electoral strife goes back to an August 8 poll that was annulled in September by the Supreme Court, citing irregularities and illegalities. The court ordered a rerun in October that was boycotted by the opposition, handing Kenyatta a landslide of 98 percent of votes cast by just 39 percent of the electorate. The disputed election season has split the country along ethnic and regional lines, although political violence has not reached the scale of that which followed a 2007 poll when 1,100 were killed. Odinga, denied the presidency for a fourth time this year, believes that he was cheated and the 72-year-old has refused to recognise the result. He has promised to find a third republicfollowing independence from Britain in 1963 and a new constitution adopted in 2010 as well as to continue a programme of protests and economic boycotts aimed at undermining Kenyattas dictatorship. AFP Berlin, November 28 The mayor of a small town in western Germany known for pursuing liberal migrant policies was stabbed in the neck at a kebab shop on Monday evening and seriously hurt in an attack that officials suspected was politically motivated. The conservative mayor of Altena, Andreas Hollstein, appeared at a news conference on Tuesday to describe the attack which left him with a 15 cm long cut on his neck, covered in a white plaster. I feared for my life, said the mayor who has received a German integration prize from Chancellor Angela Merkel. He said the attack took place in an atmosphere of growing social tension. The attacker asked him if he was the mayor, before saying: You let me die of thirst and let 200 refugees into Altena, Hollstein recalled. Then the man plunged a 30 cm long kitchen knife into him. Police said the suspect, identified only as Werner S., had been arrested. They believed his motives were xenophobic and political, although they took it to be a spontaneous attack, adding he had alcohol in his system. The attack comes as Germany struggles to deal with an increasingly fractured society. Many voters are still angry about the influx of more than 1.6 million people seeking asylum in the two years. In a September poll, some 13% of Germans voted for the far-right Alternative for Germany which campaigned hard against Merkels open-door migrant policy. It brings us no further forward if we transmit political views with hate, Hollstein said. He said his wife had warned him about possible attacks due to his policies but he was determined to continue his work. I will push for refugees and for other people in a weaker social situation, he vowed, thanking the owner of the shop and his son for saving his life. Reuters Naypyitaw, November 28 Pope Francis on Tuesday urged the leaders of majority-Buddhist Myanmar, mired in a crisis over the fate of Muslim Rohingya people, to commit themselves to justice, human rights and respect for each ethnic group and its identity. The Pope avoided a diplomatic backlash by not using the highly charged term Rohingya in his addresses to officials, including leader Aung San Suu Kyi. However, his words were applicable to members of the beleaguered minority, who Myanmar does not recognise as citizens or as members of a distinct ethnic group. Francis made his comments in Naypyitaw, the countrys capital, where he was received by Suu Kyi, the Nobel peace laureate and champion of democracy who has faced international criticism for expressing doubts about the reports of rights abuses against the Rohingya and failing to condemn the military. The future of Myanmar must be peace, a peace based on respect for the dignity and rights of each member of society, respect for each ethnic group and its identity, respect for the rule of law, and respect for a democratic order that enables each individual and every group - none excluded - to offer its legitimate contribution to the common good, he said. Myanmar rejects the term Rohingya and its use, with most people instead referring to the Muslim minority in Rakhine state as illegal migrants from neighbouring Bangladesh. The Pope had used the word Rohingya in two appeals from the Vatican this year. But before the diplomatically risky trip, the Popes own advisers recommended that he not use it in Myanmar, lest he set off a diplomatic incident that could turn the countrys military and government against minority Christians. Human rights groups such as Amnesty International, which has accused the army of crimes against humanity, had urged him to utter it. A hardline group of Buddhist monks warned on Monday, without elaborating, that there would be a response if he spoke openly about the Rohingya. Richard Horsey, a former UN official and analyst based in Yangon, said the Popes speech was very cautiously worded and crafted to avoid antagonising local audiences. Reuters Naypyidaw, November 28 Pope Francis called for respect for rights and justice in a keenly-watched address in Myanmar on Tuesday, but refrained from any mention of the Rohingya, or allegations of ethnic cleansing that has driven huge numbers of the Muslim minority from the country. Sharing a stage with Myanmars leader Aung San Suu Kyi in the capital Naypyidaw, he did not address the Rohingya crisis head-on, instead tip-toeing around the unfolding humanitarian emergency. Peace can only be achieved through justice and a respect for human rights, he said in a broadly-framed speech that also called for respect for each ethnic group and its identity. The word Rohingya, an incendiary term in a mainly Buddhist country where the Muslim minority are denied citizenship and branded illegal Bengali immigrants, was entirely absent from his speech. Francis has repeatedly defended the group, some 6,20,000 of whom have fled to Bangladesh since August. Rights groups had urged him to tackle Myanmar on its treatment of the minority during his four-day visit. Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, has been ostracised by a global rights community that once adored her but is now outraged at her tepid response to the plight of the Rohingya. She spoke of the challenges her country faces as it creeps out of the shadow of five decades of military rule, but also did not reference the Rohingya. Myanmars government aimed to build the nation by protecting rights, fostering tolerance, ensuring security for all, she said in a short speech, that gave a nod to global concern over the situation in the Rakhine. The popes peace mission is studded with pitfalls in Myanmar, where a monk-led Buddhist nationalist movement has fostered widespread loathing for the Rohingya. Late on Monday the 80-year-old pontiff received a courtesy visit from Myanmars powerful army chiefwhose troops, according to the UN and US, have waged a campaign of ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya in Rakhine state. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has firmly denied allegations of widespread brutality by his forces, despite the flight of hundreds of thousands of people who have recounted widespread cases of rape, murder and arson. His office said he told the pope there was no discrimination in Myanmar, and feted his military for maintaining the peace and stability of the country. Early yesterday the pontiff met leaders from Buddhist, Muslim, Baptist and Jewish faiths in Yangon. The conversation centred around themes of unity and diversity, with the pope sharing a prayer and giving a very, very beautiful speech, according to Sammy Samuels, a representative from the small Jewish community. The Lady, as she is fondly known in Myanmar, finally came to power after elections in 2015 but has fallen from grace internationally for not doing more to stand up to the army in defence of the Rohingya - whose name she will not publicly utter. Rights groups have clamoured for Suu Kyi to be stripped of her peace prize. Oxford, the English city she once called home, on Monday removed her Freedom of the City award for her inaction in the face of oppression of the Rohingya. Just days before the papal visit, Myanmar and Bangladesh signed a deal to start repatriating Rohingya refugees within two months. But details of the agreement including the use of temporary shelters for returnees, many of whose homes have been burned to the ground raise questions for Rohingya fearful of returning without guarantees of basic rights. Francis will travel on to Bangladesh on Thursday. So far, the pontiff has received a warm welcome in Myanmar, whose Catholic community numbers just over one per cent of the countrys 51 million people. But some 2,00,000 Catholics are pouring into the commercial capital Yangon from all corners of the country ahead of a huge, open-air mass tomorrow morning. Zaw Sai, 52, from Kachin state, found space for himself and his family to camp out in a churchyard. We feel very pleased because we are from different ethnicities but are one in our religion, he told AFP. AFP No injuries were reported after a Helena school bus was hit by a pickup truck and tipped onto its side Monday morning. The school district's Superintendent Jack Copps said two students and an attendant were on a special education bus traveling to Four Georgians Elementary School when it was hit by a truck pulling a trailer at the intersection of John G. Mine Road and Green Meadow Drive about 7:15 a.m. Montana Highway Patrol Trooper David Gleich said the bus driver was attempting to cross the intersection when the "angled collision" occurred, causing the bus to go 15 feet off the road, hit a power box and roll one-quarter turn. The bus driver, John Bagley, was cited for failing to yield, Gleich said. Two adults and two juveniles were in the bus, and two people were in the pickup, he added. Copps said the driver, who has years of driving experience, is on administrative leave until the district receives a full incident report. A safety officer from First Student, the company that provides the school district's bus service, will come and investigate what happened. Copps said a video feed from inside the bus is typically recorded to observe students. He said he didn't know whether there is any video evidence that can be used to determine if the driver was distracted. Once a full report can be reviewed, Copps said First Student will make a recommendation on whether to keep the driver, but school district officials can reject a recommendation if they have safety concerns. Both students on the bus were wearing seat belts. "I think the belts probably prevented injury," Copps said. Although not required by law, Copps said all of the school district's buses have seat belts. "We were fortunate that one of the first individuals on the scene was a school nurse," he said. After the students were examined by the nurse, they were released to their parents. There will be no mistaking an Anthem when you see one coming down the road. Mack has dumped the conservative Pinnacle set-back axle model in favor of this show-stopper. Photos: Jim Park Macks new Anthem tractor took me completely by surprise. I wasnt expecting it to look the way it does. Mack has traditionally been pretty conservative with its styling, but the Anthem puts boots to that notion. Not since Navistar tapped into the retro vein with its LoneStar back in 2008 has a truck maker put forward such a highly styled and striking truck. Mack says its hoping to regain a larger share of the highway market, lost because of its aging Pinnacle model. Comparatively speaking, the Pinnacle is vanilla pudding compared to the Anthems New York Italian-style cheesecake. With many of todays highway tractors taking on a similar and familiar shape, albeit with styling cues unique to each OEM, Macks Anthem stands out from the crowd. With its bright metal accents around the headlights and the grille, the large squared-off fenders and the iconic bulldog hood ornament, it goes unabashedly against the jelly-bean grain. Im sure when Macks designers conducted their driver interviews they must have heard time and time again that customers wanted a truck that looks like a truck. Mack has delivered big-time on that wish. We are definitely an American brand. We were born here, we were raised here, and we literally helped build this country, said John Walsh, vice president of marketing and global brand for Mack Trucks. We wanted to make sure that the truck we rolled out is unmistakably Mack, unmistakably American. The name Anthem speaks to that American spirit, and I think we have captured that very well. Drivers will take to this truck because of its looks, but once they are in the door, so to speak, theyll find that the interior has been totally revamped as well, with a new dash layout, new trim options, a few new control interfaces and equally bold styling. The sleepers are all new, too, and Mack for the first time offers a stand-up area within the dimensions of the cab. Drivers no longer need to duck when sliding out of the drivers seat and heading for the bunk. Despite its decidedly non-aerodynamic appearance, Mack says the Anthem is actually 3% more aerodynamically efficient than the Pinnacle model it replaces. Mack says the improved aerodynamics coupled with new downsped powertrain packages and turbo compounding provide up to 11.8% better fuel efficiency compared to baseline Mack models with previous-generation GHG 14 engines. The Anthem features the latest 2017 engine innovations, including the wave piston, common-rail fuel injection, and turbo compounding on some models. Engine ratings go from 325-425 hp and 1,260-1,560 lb-ft on the MP7, while the MP8 ratings go from 415-505 hp with 1,460-1,860 lb-ft. Ratings for the MP8-TC are 385-445 hp and 1,460-1,860 lb-ft. All engines are available with Macks Maxidyne, Maxicruise, Econodyne and SuperEconodyne power profiles. The updated mDrive automated transmissions offered with the Anthem include the optional 13- and 14-speed variations which add one or two low-ratio creeper gears for heavier hauling as well as the reinforced and ruggedized HD version, which is designed to handle the more frequent shifts that come with heavy loads. The Anthem comes three years into Macks extensive rebranding crusade. While the Granite model remains the top-selling conventional straight truck in the U.S., Mack says, it admits its long-haul market share has been hurting. Roy Horton, director of product strategy, says the focus over the past three years has been to deliver products that bring value to customers top concerns, including fuel economy, driver recruitment and retention, uptime, and total cost of ownership. Anthem addresses those design imperatives with flashy styling that will certainly appeal to a good chunk of the driver population, along with an efficient powertrain, significant gains in aerodynamic efficiency, and new connectivity packages intended to improve fleet uptime and lower operating costs. Mack stayed with a tried-and-true chassis and driveline for the Anthem, and the basic cab structure and doors havent changed. What has changed is blindingly obvious, and it will certainly help put Mack back on the long-haul radar screen. The dash panel is decked out with big, firm and very tactile rocker switches, a 7-inch touchscreen display (optional) and new home for the mDrive shifter pad. Its available in three trim levels, Standard, with gunmetal trim, Premium (shown) with aluminum trim, and Ultra with woodgrain trim. New inside and out The five-year design project that became the Anthem began with the premise that the truck had to look like a Mack and it had to be aerodynamic. You can see hints of the CH model in the frontal shape, some RD and maybe a little SuperLiner, too, says Macks highway product manager, Stu Russoli. There are lots of vertical and horizontal lines, he says. Its very structural, very strong looking. Very Mack. Well have to take Macks word on the aero efficiency improvement number, but 3% is pretty significant these days. If you look closely, you can see where some of those gains might come from. The big square fenders are swept back at the front. The headlights nestle into a roughly 45-degree cut, and they are swept back quite far, allowing for a smoother transition between the front and the sides of the truck. The hood contour is more steeply sloped than the Pinnacles, and the top rear edge has a flair on it to help sweep the air up the windshield and around onto the doors. The bumper includes covered tow-hook ports, a lower air dam, and a close-out flange between it and the hood for better air flow. An optional sun visor is aerodynamically neutral, and the tall roof on the 70-inch sleeper model is smooth and includes a tab at the back to help guide the airflow over the front edge of the trailer. Its all pretty subtle, aerodynamically speaking, but Mack says it works. Theres little else you can call subtle about the Anthem. The hood and bumper are each three-piece designs for ease of repair, and the hood and side mirrors are both breakaway-style. The placement of the optional hood mirrors seems a bit odd when youre standing outside looking at them, but they are in just the right place when viewed from the drivers seat. Mack says they are designed like that to help with the airflow around the main mirrors. Mack has fitted some nice textured grab handles on the transition panel between the cab and the sleeper. They are solid as a rock, and just where I like them. You can grab hold of the bar before you even lift a foot off the ground. The Anthem comes with two styling choices: lots of chrome and bright trim around the grille, fenders and headlights, or none at all. I like the black trim, as, to my eye anyway, it makes the truck look sleeker. Theres even a trim option available called Black Dog that features a black paint scheme, black wheels, half-fenders for the drive wheels and black MACK across the front of the grille. That particular truck seemed to be the most popular with the folks who stopped to look at the trucks while we were journeying between Allentown, Pennsylvania, and the North American Commercial Vehicle Show in Atlanta on a two-day, 800-mile test drive. The dash A-panel from the drivers perspective. Mack offers the industrys only flat-bottomed steering wheel, which provides a little more belly or thigh room. The interior has been vastly modernized, and like the outside, very boldly styled. Among the changes from the old Pinnacle dash is a repositioned mDrive selector. Its now much closer to the driver and lower on the dash. There are DIN-ports in the dash for various bits of equipment like the 7-inch infotainment touchscreen display, an ELD, or storage slots. Atop the dash is a clever smartphone holder that keeps the phone in place on a horizontal axis, with a neat little cable trough and a nearby USB power port so you wont have wires dangling all over the dash. There are about half a dozen USB ports around the truck, so finding a power outlet should be much less of a problem than with earlier models. The A-panel is all-new too. While quite striking, its functional and very easy to look at. It features large tach and speedo displays with crisp white lettering and LED back light for a sharp white appearance. The six standard gauges, oil and water temp, fuel and DEF levels and primary and secondary air pressure gauges, have a distinctly automotive look to them. Between the tach and the speedo is nestled the 5-inch Mack Co-Pilot display. Its home to dozens of driver-programmable screens with everything the driver needs to know about the truck, the trip and maybe even the price of tomatoes. There are two sleeper options for the Anthem: 42-inch flat-top and a 70-inch stand-up model with optional upper bunk for team operations. The interior height directly behind the drivers seat is just shy of 7 feet. The stand-up model is one of the nicest sleepers Mack has ever offered, with tons of storage, up to 27 cubic feet in the premium model. There are cupboards, cubby holes, cabinets and shelves everywhere you look, from right above the drivers head and all the way across the back wall of the sleeper. And theres still room for a fridge, a desk, a flat-screen TV mount, a 52-quart capacity fridge with a slide-out drawer, and a microwave oven cabinet. The sleeper interior is a roomy and airy space thats not the slightest bit claustrophobic. A pair of side windows helps with that, along with some tasteful accent lighting and reading lamps. The Mack Anthem daycab. I drove this truck about 500 miles on the first day of the trip. Its a 6x2 with a liftable pusher axle. We were loaded to 79,000 pounds GVW and we kept up with the pack with our 11L 425-hp, MP7 engine. The drive In whats becoming a bit of a rarity these days, a group of trucking journalists had two full days in the truck. We covered 800-some miles from Allentown to the Nextran Mack dealership in Duluth, Georgia. There were 10 trucks in the convoy and only seven reporters, so we did a fair bit of slip-seating to get a taste of all Mack had to offer. I spent the majority of the time in a pair of day cabs, first the premium-spec 6x2 model with an MP7-425e 425 hp, 1,560/1360 lb-ft engine pulling a tank loaded to very close or even a little over 79,000 pounds. The other was the economy model, with the lower-end interior, likely destined for work in a city P&D or local operation. It had the same engine, but taller gears and a much lighter load. The 425-hp MP7 did a yeomans job on the steep and longer grades on the Virginia I-81 section of the route. The mDrive had the Economy/Performance option, and it did a better job on the hills in P mode than in E, but not that much better. When you can spend 500 miles in a day cab a still feel like you want more, the truck maker did something right. Its spectacularly quiet inside, for one thing, and the new premium seating Mack is using is butt-huggingly comfortable. The standard-level seating in the other day cab was very nice as well. Certainly a huge step up from what drivers used to find in their city trucks. I found the new dash layout functional and easy to navigate, with all the stuff I needed within easy reach. It was nearly dark by the time we pulled into Greensboro at the end of the first leg of the trip, so I got to see the dash in night-lighting trim, and I got to see how good the new LED headlights are. Winners, both. To the left and right of the steering column are two controllers, this one for the turn signals and wipers. Theres a new hood latch to mention; its under the grille at the center of the hood. Its a bit tricky to find at first, but one yank and the hood all but pops up by itself. Its on a counter spring to help with the lifting. Because there are cables and latches involved, one hopes they will last the life of the truck. Under the hood, the driver checkpoints are all pretty easy to get at, and the splash guards dont get in the way at all. Since many of the changes to the Anthem are cosmetic, its hard to say that they impacted the ride and handling of the truck, which was up to Macks previous high standards. I think Mack has produced a truck that will have broad driver and fleet appeal. The styling is certainly a departure for Mack. Judging by the crowds that gathered each time the convoy pulled into a truck stop or rest area, Id say Mack has tapped nicely into the American drivers sense of style. I think its fair to say that Mack will soon see its long-haul market share start to grow. Collinsville is bringing back its popular Hometown Christmas Variety Show for a second year this December. There will be three performances this year, running nightly at 7 p.m., Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 7-9, with all of them taking place at Herrons Crown Opry Theater on Main Street. This two-hour Dickensian-themed variety show will feature around 80 performers singing and dancing to both traditional and contemporary holiday music, along with vintage carolers to welcome visitors. Rachel Chronister, event organizer, said shes looking forward to the second installment of the show, especially since its keeping the festivities local for residents to enjoy. Im just excited to bring it to the Owasso and Collinsville community, she said. Its a real vintage experience; its a great thing to do for families, dress up, its just a beautiful atmosphere to sit and relax. The performance will support three of the nonprofit missions in Collinsville Dividing Bread, Main Street Ministries and Arubah Community Clinic with all of the tickets sales going to them. The sponsors are American Bank of Oklahoma, Hometown Insurance Agency, Collinsville Kids Academy, T&S Plumbing, Collinsville Collision Center, Collinsville Family Pharmacy, City of Collinsville, Collinsville Chamber of Commerce and Collinsville Downtown, Inc. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased online anytime by visiting the Hometown Christmas Facebook page or in person Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Collinsville Chamber of Commerce. For more information, call the Collinsville Chamber of Commerce at 918-371-4703 or Collinsville Downtown, Inc. at 918-371-5530. The Tulsa Police Department continues to search for a man who officers said shot his girlfriend inside a north Tulsa apartment Monday afternoon. Tulsa Public Schools spokeswoman Emma Garrett Nelson said three north Tulsa schools were locked down for about an hour Monday while police responded to the shooting at the Comanche Park Apartments, near 36th Street North and Peoria Avenue. Police said Monday night that the woman reported being shot by her boyfriend in the couple's living room during an argument. A dispatcher said the woman was alert when she was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital and is expected to recover. Officers said they saw the shooter leave the apartment through the back door and run north into a wooded area. Police had not reported finding the man as of Monday night. Alex Torres has his good days and his bad days. On his good days, he can drive and get around the house with a cane and rates the pain in his lower back about 8 on a scale of 1 to 10. On his bad days, he cant get out of bed, said Torres, who is featured in the Tulsa World Neediest Families series this Christmas season. Torres, 40, began to suffer deterioration of his spine in his early 30s. From his mid-30s he has had unrelenting pain and has undergone a series of treatments. Sixteen months ago, his doctors told him he needed immediate major back surgery. At the time, Torres was on vacation from his job as a travel agent and customer service representative at Trase Miller Technologies. While he was on medical leave, the company dissolved following a corporate merger. Doctors removed 4 inches of his lower spine, replacing it with cadaver bone. They had to open him up from the abdomen and from the back to put in metal plates and screws to hold the new bone in place, he said. Torres hasnt been able to work since. After a yearlong recovery process, he underwent another surgery in September to remove the metal plates and screws and to sculpt the cadaver bone, which had fused with his own spine but not properly, he said. Medical expenses and other bills piled up. Before his travel agent job, Torres worked for 15 years in security/law enforcement and as an English-Spanish translator. He is a graduate of Central High School and has 34 hours of college credit in graphic design and criminal justice. A single father, Torres lives with his two oldest daughters, Alajandra, 13, and Isabella, 16. For years they had been in Union Public Schools, but on Monday they started at McLain High in Tulsa Public Schools because Torres 2005 Chevrolet Malibu broke down, and he could no longer drive them to school. They were devastated, he said. They were very much settled at Union. Their friends were all there. During the times when he has been bedridden, he said, his daughters have stepped up, doing the cooking, the cleaning, the laundry, whatever they could do. They never shrank back from the challenge. Not having a working car also has limited Torres time with his youngest daughter, who lives with her mother, he said. Torres said he is thankful for all the assistance the family has received from The Salvation Army and other agencies and from family and friends. And he is looking forward to getting back on his feet and pursuing a new career in graphic arts. Tulsa police arrested a man Monday after a 13-year-old girl alleged that the man abused her weekly for three years. The girl disclosed to her mother, and subsequently police, that Roberto Valentino Mendez-Galindo, 51, allegedly sexually assaulted her multiple times during a three-year period, according to a probable cause affidavit. Police arrested Mendez-Galindo on Monday on four complaints of child sexual abuse and two complaints of first-degree rape, according to jail records. He is being held without bond. The 13-year-old girl told police the abuse began in 2014. Police state in the affidavit that the girl would stay at Mendez-Galindo's residence every Friday. They also state in the affidavit that Mendez-Galindo, who is known to the girl, allegedly abused her every Friday. Mendez-Galindo allegedly told the girl that "if he ever saw her with a boyfriend he would kill her and the boy," police state in the affidavit. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and Walker County, Texas authorities also requested jail authorities to hold Mendez-Galindo. He has an oustanding warrant in the Texas county for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, according to court records. Montana U.S. Sen. Steve Daines is balking at his partys tax reform bill, saying Republicans arent doing enough for "main street" businesses. Daines said in a press release Monday that he wouldnt vote for the tax bill unless it did more for main street businesses, a term his staff later said referred to pass-through businesses. Pass-through businesses are usually small enough that individual owners report business income on their personal tax returns. However, they're not all main street businesses. People with passive investments report capital gains as pass through-income. Businesses with up to $10 million are considered small by federal definition. Two-thirds of our job creation comes from main street businesses, and Im doing what I can to make sure all of America is stronger and more competitive, Daines said in the press release. Before I can support this bill, this improvement needs to be made. I remain optimistic and will continue working with my colleagues to find a solution. Daines tweeted Monday that he spoke with President Donald Trump about the tax plan over the weekend. The Senate is expected to vote on the Republican tax bill this week. The bill currently offers a 43 percent tax cut to corporations and temporary cuts for individuals. Montanas Democratic Sen. Jon Tester said he also couldnt support the tax bill as is, because it passes a $1.5 trillion debt to future generations. The Senate bill as currently drafted saddles our kids and grandkids with more crushing debt by adding nearly $1.5 trillion to the deficit, Tester said in an email. And it raises taxes on Montana families, forces cuts to Medicare, and benefits wealthy out-of-staters at the expense of hard-working Montanans. There are other Montana-specific concerns with the tax bill, like Montana losing its share of federal oil gas and coal royalty payments. The federal government splits those revenues with states where the leases are located. Montanas share of royalty payments last fiscal year was $23 million, according to the state Department or Revenue. Those payments would end under congressional pay-as-you-go rules intended to prevent lawmakers from cutting taxes without also cutting spending. The Office of Management and Budget identified the elimination of the royalty payments, which were tabulated for each state by the left-leaning Center for American Progress. Current tax cuts leave a $1.4 trillion hole in the budget over the next decade. The deficit isnt lost on social services advocates like Heather OLoughlin, co-director of the Montana Budget and Policy Center. Medicaid and Medicare are slated for shrinkage. Tax benefits for the poorest Americans taper off early as benefits for wealthy Americans continue. This bill actually results in higher taxes for lower-income families over time. In fact, those with incomes below $30,000 would experience, on average, reduced after-tax income by 2025, OLoughlin said. One the reasons poor people lose benefits early stems from changes to the Affordable Care Act, namely the elimination of the mandate that individuals have health insurance or pay a fine. The Congressional Budget Office estimated two weeks ago that 13 million fewer people would have health insurance with the mandate gone. OLoughlin said people exiting the market would result in higher insurance costs for people who stayed. Daines supports eliminating the individual mandate, which he calls a tax on poor people. In 2015, slightly more than 30,000 Montanans paid fines totaling $14 million. Montanas labor unions criticized Daines concerns about breaks for pass-through businesses, saying that pass-through companies would become a tool used by rich people to avoid taxes. His demands will result in the richest Americans setting up more pass-through businesses, robbing billions of dollars from Social Security and Medicare and potentially adding even more to the deficit, said Al Ekblad, Montana AFL-CIO executive secretary, in a press release. OKLAHOMA CITY Gov. Mary Fallin has yet to set a date for a statewide vote on medical marijuana, and some groups are now pushing for the measure to be placed on the June 2018 primary ballot. The state could vote on State Question 788 in either the June primary or the November general election. The confusion over the date of the vote has been exacerbated by a leadership dispute at Oklahomans for Health, once the lead proponent behind SQ 788. Chelsea Marlett Kennedy, a member of the pro-medical marijuana groups Patients and Activists for 788 and the Oklahoma Initiative, said many people are now urging Fallin to put the measure on the statewide gubernatorial primary ballot in June. This Page Is Under Construction - Coming Soon! Why am I seeing this 'Under Construction' page? UN Resident Coordinator in Ethiopia, Ms Ahunna Eziakonwo-Onochie, during CRRF Launch UNHCR/Diana Diaz ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - The Government of Ethiopia today formally launched the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF), effectively paving the way for the implementation of the nine pledges it made at the Leaders Summit on Refugees in September 2016 in New York. Through the pledges, which serve as a vehicle for implementing the CRRF in the country, Ethiopia seeks to promote refugees self-reliance through an improved and sustainable response that combines wider support to host communities, furthering peaceful coexistence and inclusion of refugees into national development plans. Ato Solomon Tesfaye, State Minister at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) reconfirmed the governments commitment to a significant shift in the way it responds to the needs of refugees, including a gradual transition from a camp-based protection model to supporting refugee directly within host-communities. The Government of Ethiopia, while maintaining its doors open to refugees, envisages to gradually put an end to the encampment policy in the next ten years and progressively advance the out of camp and local integration options, he said, calling up on the international community for its renewed firm commitment to maximize its support for the realization of the nine Pledges. Ethiopia is one of the 193 UN Member States that adopted the New York Declaration in September 2016 and pledged to undertake a number of policy measures to transform the lives of refugees including though the expansion of its Out of Camp Policy, issuing work permits and other vital documents to refugees and allowing them to engage in gainful employment, including through job creation in its industrial parks. Mr. Daniel Endres, UNHCRs Director of the CRRF Task Team, said CRRF has already started transforming the lives of refugees in Ethiopia as witnessed by the increase in the overall school enrolment rate of refugees and the issuance of vital documents, including birth certificates to refugee children. The pledges Ethiopia made and the actions its taking today are exemplary and inspire many African States, he said and added that the country needs to be supported to realize its ambitious objectives. Representing the donor community, H.E. Mr. Michael Raynor, the US Ambassador to Ethiopia, described the launch of the CRRF as a significant milestone and pledged on behalf of the US government and the donor community to support the government and UNHCR in their effort to implement the pledges. The launch event at the Hilton Hotel in Addis Ababa was attended by representatives of a wide range of stakeholders, including refugees, government line ministries, diplomatic missions, humanitarian and development organizations as well as UN agencies who all voiced support to the initiative and expressed readiness to help Ethiopia and UNHCR and its partners successfully implement the nine pledges. Ms Ahunna Eziakonwa-Onochie, the UN Resident Coordinator in Ethiopia, congratulated the Government and UNHCR for successfully launching the CRRF which serves as a vehicle for implementing the governments pledges. Ethiopias practical pledges are proof of the fact that generosity has little to do with wealth but it only needs a big heart. She also pledged support and commitment on behalf of the UN in Ethiopia. Working under the overall supervision of the Office of the Prime Minister, the government has developed a road map to guide the implementation of the pledges and a Steering Committee set up to oversee the process. The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development and the Administration for Refugee and Returnee Affairs co-chair the Steering Committee together with UNHCR. The Pledges are in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Ethiopias second Growth and Transformation Plan (GTPII). The CRRF was adopted within the framework of the New York Declaration, where endorsing States reaffirm their commitment to the rights and obligations of refugees under international law. Currently, Ethiopia hosts some 890,000 refugees, mainly from South Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea and Sudan. For more information, please contact: In Ethiopia, Kisut Gebreegziabher, [email protected], +251 911208901 ASSOMET and AMAFOND of Italy to invest in Aluminium Park in Odisha Bhubaneswar, Nov 28 (UNI) Aluminium Association of India (AAI) and leading aluminium association ASSOMET & AMAFOND of Italy will soon sign a MoU for investing in joint venture in the upcoming Aluminium Park at Angul in Odisha. The Aluminium Park is being developed by leading Navratna central public sector National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) and Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO). The Consul General of Italy Damiano Francovigh along with other officials today met NACLO Chairman cum Managing Director Tapan Kumar Chand, CMD and the Chairman of AAI here and held discussion for Industrial cooperation and collaboration between Aluminium Industries of India and Italy. During the discussion Chand proposed the Italian Industry delegation led by Consul General and Ambassador of Italy to visit NALCO and other Industries in Odisha to which the Consul General agreed. With large bauxite reserves and presence of major aluminum players like NALCO, Hindalco and Vedanta, Odisha is considered to be the aluminium capital of India,the NALCO CMD said adding that the global firms should come forward for investing in joint ventures with up-stream and down-stream units NALCO sources said the MoU is scheduled to be signed during the next visit of the Italian Industry delegation in January 2018. UNI DP KK At least 17 killed in gold mine dispute on Mali-Guinea border CONAKRY, Nov 28 (Reuters) A two-day skirmish between Guinean and Malian villagers over control of a gold mine that straddles the countries' joint border killed at least 17 people, a government official in Guinea said on Tuesday. Villagers in both countries lay claim to the zone's rich underground deposits, which have lured thousands of people to work in unregulated small-scale mines along the border. Artisanal gold mining, conducted with rudimentary tools, is a key source of income in both Mali and Guinea, but poses numerous safety risks, including frequent mine collapses. US Senate advances same-sex marriage bill 17 Nov 2022 | 10:50 AM Washington, Nov 17 (UNI) The US Senate voted on Wednesday to proceed to debate on legislation that would codify same-sex marriage protections in the country. see more.. Chile announces first monkeypox death 17 Nov 2022 | 10:46 AM Santiago, Nov 17 (UNI) Chile recorded its first monkeypox death of an elderly man with underlying pathologies, who was diagnosed on September 29, the Ministry of Health announced. see more.. Tycoon launches $25bn fund for Ukraine reboot 17 Nov 2022 | 10:42 AM Canberra, Nov 17 (UNI) Australian mining billionaire Andrew Forrest has launched a fund that is expected to raise $25 billion initially to help rebuild war-torn Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the move. see more.. North fired SRBM into East Sea: SKorea 17 Nov 2022 | 10:33 AM Seoul, Nov 17 (UNI) North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) into the East Sea on Thursday, its first missile provocation in a little over a week, according to the South Korean military. see more.. China sentences Taiwanese activist to five years in jail for subversion BEIJING, Nov 28 (Reuters) A Chinese court on Tuesday sentenced Taiwanese rights activist Li Ming-che to five years in prison for subverting state power, according to the court's official social media account. Li, a community college lecturer and an activist at a human rights non-governmental organisation in Taiwan, went missing while on a trip to China in March. Chinese authorities later charged him with subverting state power. In the first hearing of Li's case in September, he confessed to subversion, according to videos of the hearing, though his wife refused to recognise the court's authority. Election avoided if deputy PM resignation confirmed - Irish opposition DUBLIN, Nov 28 (Reuters) The opposition party propping up the government of Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar on Tuesday said it expected that a snap election would be avoided if the reported resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Frances Fitzgerald is confirmed. Irish state broadcaster RTE on Tuesday reported that Fitzgerald had agreed to resign in a move that would defuse a crisis that threatened to have a negative impact on Britain's Brexit negotiations. The government declined to comment. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin "has put huge personal effort into resolving this issue and averting a general election - and it looks like that may well have been achieved," Fianna Fail finance spokesman Michael McGrath told RTE radio, citing "unconfirmed reports" of her resignation. Grenade thrown at French troops in Burkina Faso wounds three before Macron's arrival PARIS, Nov 28 (Reuters) A grenade thrown at French soldiers wounded three civilians in the Burkina Faso capital of Ouagadougou shortly before the arrival of French President Emmanuel Macron, Radio France International reported on Tuesday. The grenade was thrown late on Monday, just hours before Macron was due to speak before a university audience at Ouagadougou, the radio station, citing security sources, said. Two hooded individuals threw the grenade from a motorbike before fleeing the scene, the radio said. There was no immediate comment of the incident at Macron's office. Infosys enters into partnership with State of Rhode Island Mumbai, Nov 28 (UNI) IT Major, Infosys has entered into a multi-year partnership with the State of Rhode Island to establish an Infosys Design and Innovation Hub. The company will also hire 500 American workers in Rhode Island over the next five years,company said in a filing with BSE. The Design and Innovation Hub, which intends to apply for Qualified Jobs and Rebuild Rhode Island incentives, will help close the gap for design and human-centric skills in technology fields. ''partnership with Rhode Island marks another important step forward for Infosys in the United States.The states educational institutions, design-rich environment, and economic development tools,positioned Rhode Island competitively for this type of specialist partnership,'' said Ravi Kumar,President, Infosys ''This will enhance our ability to provide design- driven, digital technologies across the country and enable breakthrough innovations at the intersection of industry and design for our clients'' Mr Kumar added. UNI JS AW1349 SAN DIEGO There is a debate raging within the media over our favorite subject: the media. Someone told me recently that Americans are information rich and knowledge poor. One reason for this is that journalism is broken. We just can't agree on how to fix it. Consider the contrasting views of former New York Times reporter Linda Greenhouse and Emmy Award-winning former CBS reporter Sharyl Attkisson. Each has written a book detailing her experience as a journalist and offering thoughts on where the profession is headed. In Greenhouse's book, "Just A Journalist: On the Press, Life and the Spaces Between," she writes: "The opposite of objectivity isn't partisanship, or needn't be. Rather, it is judgment, the hard work of sorting out the false claims from the true and discarding or at least labeling the false." As Greenhouse sees it, a journalist doesn't just have the right to express opinions but the obligation to do so if it is in the pursuit of truth. And, she insists, journalists have every right to be voters and activists because they don't stop being citizens when they enter the profession. She also thinks the job's standards can be too rigid. Attkisson sees things differently. As she spells out in "The Smear: How Shady Political Operatives and Fake News Control What You See, What You Think, and How You Vote," she thinks the media is in a mess of its own making. The public doesn't trust the media anymore, she says, because journalists have violated their own standards. As Attkisson said in a recent video for the digital media organization PragerU: "We in the business of journalism have exempted ourselves from the normal rules that used to govern us, and so the most egregious kinds of reporting errors are becoming more common." She added that most Americans "want their news straight up," and they're not getting it that way. The secret is out. Organizations used to ask me to speak about stories that the media covers. These days, they ask me to talk about the media itself -- and its propensity toward "fake news." How did the Fourth Estate get this far off course? Here are 10 mistakes that my colleagues and I have made in just the last year that hurt our credibility: We've broken our own rules. Reporters are supposed to keep their opinions to themselves. Anchors are supposed to tell you the news, not tell you what to think. We've divided up into teams. In the age of Twitter, Facebook and other social media sites that encourage direct interaction, journalists who work for different companies are free to snipe at one another. We're surrounded by the likeminded. The industry is not diverse. Many journalists are white, come from the same socioeconomic backgrounds, went to the same schools, and live in cities. We take criticism personally. Despite belonging to a profession that thrives on criticizing others especially elected officials many journalists have thin skin. We've become too comfortable with hypocrisy. The recent wave of sexual harassment scandals involving media figures Charlie Rose, formerly of PBS and CBS News; Mark Halperin, formerly of ABC News and NBC News; and Michael Oreskes, formerly of NPR and The New York Times, etc. shows that journalists don't do a good enough job of policing their own backyard. We try to be social workers and social engineers. Our job is to constantly try to tell better stories. That's it. Instead, we've gotten sidetracked into the totally different mission of making better people and building a better society. We take our cues from Washington and New York. These big cities have been given free rein in shaping the national discussion, while paying too little attention to what matters in small towns and rural areas. We let our bias show. Many of us are anti-Trump and pro-Democrat. We don't even bother to hide it anymore. In fact, many of us seem proud of our activism and partisanship. We tell ourselves that the ends justify the means. This is especially true in our battles against "deplorables," including the one in the White House. We haven't done a good job of telling our own story. Readers don't know the difference between editorials, columns and news articles. Television viewers confuse reporters, anchors and commentators. We've mixed it all together. So how does the media get back on track and rebuild the public's trust? We have to stop being defensive, be more introspective, and admit we have a problem. We need to look in the mirror and confront what we've done wrong. Then, every day, on the job, we have to make it our mission to improve our craft and win back our audience. Ours is a remarkable country. We need a media worthy of it. Ruben Navarrette is a columnist for The Washington Post. Kenyan president to be sworn-in as opposition prepares rival rally By Duncan Miriri and George Obulutsa NAIROBI, Nov 28 (Reuters) African heads of state arrived for President Uhuru Kenyatta's inauguration on Tuesday as riot police sealed off an area where the opposition planned a rival gathering and teargassed people trying to approach it. Kenyatta won a second five-year term on Oct. 26 in a repeat presidential election boycotted by opposition leader Raila Odinga, who said it would not be free and fair. Kenyan president to be sworn-in as opposition prepares to hold rival rally By Duncan Miriri and George Obulutsa NAIROBI, Nov 28 (Reuters)Kenyan security forces fired teargas to control crowds trying to force their way into a stadium for President Uhuru Kenyatta's inauguration today, as riot police sealed off an area where the opposition planned to hold a rival rally. Kenyatta won a second five-year term on Oct. 26 in a repeat presidential election boycotted by opposition leader Raila Odinga, who said it would not be free and fair. Libya pressing group to restore water supply to capital TRIPOLI, Nov 28 (Reuters) Libyan authorities are attempting to negotiate with a group that has cut water supplies to the Libyan capital for the second time in two months to press for the release of a jailed ally, an official said on Tuesday. The group shut down pipes pumping water to Tripoli and other coastal towns at the al-Hasawna well system south of the capital, said Tawfiq Shwehaidi, a manager at the Great Man Made River in the eastern city of Benghazi. "Today is the fifth day in a row that the water has stopped and we are trying to negotiate with them," he said. Madras HC sets aside conviction of US ship crew, frees 35 crew" Madurai, Nov 27 (UNI) Madras High Court Madurai Bench today set aside the conviction of 35 crew members of the United States-based anti-piracy vessel MV Seaman Guard Ohio by a lower court here for unlawfully straying into Indian territorial waters without valid documents and acquitted them from all the charges. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) detained MV Seaman Guard Ohio, a Sierra Leone-flagged vessel of AdvanFort, the U.S based company that provides maritime security for cargo and merchant ships from Somalian pirates for violating the International Maritime Border rules and straying into Indian waters off Kanyakumari coast on October 12, 2013. Tamil Nadu Q branch police officials subsequently arrested all the 35 crew members, including 23 foreign nationals under various sections of Arms Act 1959 and the Essential Commodities Act and seized 35 firearms, 5682 ammunitions, 102 magazines, travel documents, logbook and impounded the vessel on October 18, the same year. Man beaten to death after tiff over jacket New Delhi, Nov 27 (UNI) A 29-year old man died after he was allegedly by his friend following a tiff over jacket in East Delhi's Anand Vihar area on Monday. According to police, the victim Balbir was accompanied by his friend Shankar to Anand Vihar from where he had to board a bus to his native place in Uttar Pradesh but soon an altercation ensued between the two over a jacket that escalated to a fight and Balbir was hit with a stick that led to his death on the spot. Police added that the duo were in inebriated state when the incident took place. Further interrogation is on. Roadside bomb kills eight in Afghanistan - local official KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Nov 28 (Reuters) A roadside bomb planted by the Taliban killed at least eight civilians including three women and a child in Afghanistan's Kandahar province on Tuesday, a local official said. The victims of the blast in Kandahar's Maroof district "were going from Maroof district center to their village when a newly planted Taliban bomb hit their car," said Zia Durani, a spokesman for Kandahar police. The southern province of Kandahar has long been a Taliban stronghold. Durani provided no evidence to support the assertion of Taliban responsibility. The group has not claimed the attack. Saudi Arabia's advisory council studying proposals to protect whistleblowers RIYADH, Nov 28 (Reuters) Saudi Arabia's Shura Council, a top advisory council to the government, is studying proposals for protection of people who report financial crime, local media reported, following the government's anti-corruption crackdown. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has launched an inquiry into graft that has resulted in the detention of a dozens of princes, senior officials and businessmen. The Shura Council does not have legislative powers, but it can propose laws to the king and the cabinet. Thai police arrest 16 protesting against coal-fired power plant BANGKOK, Nov 28 (Reuters) Thai authorities have arrested 16 people who were protesting against the construction of a coal-fired power plant, drawing criticism of the military government from rights activists and environmentalists. The planned power plant in the southern province of Songkhla will consist of two 1,000-megawatt units, and is part of a power development plan to 2036, but activists object to its expected environmental and health impact on communities in the area. The 16 protesters were arrested on Monday as they travelled from Thepa district, the site of the plant, to the provincial capital to present a petition to Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who was due in the city on Tuesday for a meeting. In 2015, a large, multi-state corporation reported Montana sales of more than $1 billion. It paid $50 in tax. In fact, it paid only $50 in tax for five years in a row, 2011 to 2015. It had company, so to speak; 81 other multi-state firms out of the top 500 companies, based on Montana sales, paid the minimum tax of $50 in 2015. Their Montana sales ranged from $8.6 million to $1.009 billion. Thirty-two of them also paid the minimum tax for five years in a row. (In addition, 156 firms out of the top 500 paid less than $500 in tax in 2015.) Now sales do not equal profit, on which corporations are taxed, but if youre not making a profit on a billion bucks' worth of sales, youve got a problem. Or, maybe youve just got a crackerjack tax lawyer, which makes more sense. I raise this point in light of the impending vote on the Senate tax package which cuts the corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 20 percent. I fully expect that U.S. Sen. Steve Daines will vote for it, but I would hope that this, and one more example, might at least give him pause. Montana corporate tax uses as its starting point the taxable income that is reported on the federal form, but you cannot extrapolate the amount of federal taxes paid from the amount of Montana taxes paid. Nonetheless, there is a significant relationship between them, so its very possible those same companies paid very little in federal tax as well. Based on that, it seems that there are corporations that already do pretty well in lowering their federal tax liability without any more help from Congress. Because of the secrecy of corporate tax information (it was public information when President Taft championed it in 1909), it is difficult for legislators or members of Congress or the Senate to fully understand the effects of tax legislation on corporations other than relying on the truthfulness of the corporations themselves. It is not easy to make an informed decision if you cant get information, leaving gut feeling and lobbying as the major influences on a senators vote. The second example speaks to the belief religion, almost that corporate tax cuts increase jobs and will spur a corporate relocation to America, thus repatriating taxes. In 2013, the Boeing Aircraft Corporation, which has done business in Washington state for over 100 years, informed Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee that unless Boeing got considerable tax and labor concessions, they would be building their facility to produce the Boeing 777X elsewhere. In a seeming panic, Inslee called a special session of the legislature, although it would be only two months before their regular session. Within three days Boeing was granted the largest tax cut every granted by a state: $8.7 billion. The Machinists Union also granted concessions. The result? In the next four years Boeing cut 12,655 jobs in Washington state. (Los Angeles Times, May 2.) If Boeing feels no loyalty to the state in which they thrived for 100 years, what loyalty do American corporations that have moved overseas have to America? Corporate patriotism is notable for its absence. On at least two levels the Senate tax bill is bad for the nation; it wont work and will increase the deficit. I hope Senator Daines cares enough about that to vote against the bill. (Montana tax data supplied by the Tax Policy and Research Bureau, Montana Department of Revenue.) October 18 2017 Photography by Ross Fraser McLean Japanese architect Kengo Kuma has toured Dundees dramatic V&A Museum as the finishing touches are made to the ambitious build ahead of its grand unveil next year.Seeing the finished exterior of his 80.1m creation for the first time Kuma praised progress made thus far which sees the cliff-like cast stone panels of the V&As norther outpost reach out into the River Tay.Kuma said: The realisation of the strong facade is great. We were able to express the dynamic scale of the interior, too - just as we had planned.In the past I visited Scotland many times, this very beautiful country, and I'm truly in love with the Scottish landscape and nature."I really hope, once finished, this project will attract many people from the UK, and around the world, to the city and the museum."I hope as well that people from Dundee will use it as an everyday part of their city; that they will go there to enjoy the building with its surrounding public space and find a harmonious relationship between the museum, the riverside, the city and themselves.Construction began on the build back in March 2015 with practical completion expected by December, ahead of its public opening in the summer. (Nov. 28, 2017) -- The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) is kicking off the holiday season with Toys for Tickets. In partnership with the UTSA Student Government Association and the Elf Louise Christmas Project, Campus Services is hosting the donation drive as part of its Citation Donation Days. Now through Tuesday, Dec. 5, customers can receive 50 percent off one outstanding parking citation with the donation of a childrens toy. Toys must be new, non-violent and a minimum $5 value. To participate in the campaign, bring the donated toy to Campus Services in the Multidisciplinary Studies Building (MS 1.01.52) on the Main Campus or in the Frio Street Building (FS 1.506) on the Downtown Campus. Campus Services also welcomes donations without citations. Similar to the Peanut Butter Parking Campaign at the beginning of the fall semester, Campus Services uses Citation Donation Days as an educational initiative and opportunity for the university to serve the local and campus communities. After the weeklong Toys for Tickets event concludes, Campus Services will deliver the donations to Elf Louise for distribution to children and families in need in the San Antonio community. UW President Grants Release Time to Attend Holiday Market University of Wyoming President Laurie Nichols will allow two hours of release time for employees to attend the UW Holiday Market Friday, Dec. 1. Staff Senate sponsors the market, which runs from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts. The scheduling of release time should be a collaborative discussion between employee and supervisor to ensure the effective and efficient operation of the unit. More than 50 vendors will offer for sale a wide assortment of products. The market also will feature door prizes and refreshments. For more information about the Holiday Market, click here. UW Professor Listed Among Most Highly Cited Researchers for Fourth Consecutive Year Xiaohong Liu, a professor in UWs Department of Atmospheric Science and the Wyoming Excellence Chair in Climate Science, was listed in Clarivate Analytics (formerly Thomson Reuters) Highly Cited Researchers 2017 for the field of geosciences. This is the fourth consecutive year he has been recognized. (UW Photo) For the fourth consecutive year, Xiaohong Liu has made Clarivate Analytics (formerly Thomas Reuters) list as one of the worlds most highly cited researchers in the field of geosciences. Liu, a UW professor in the Department of Atmospheric Science and the Wyoming Excellence Chair in Climate Science, was listed in the prestigious Clarivate Analytics Highly Cited Researchers 2017. Highly Cited Researchers 2017 represents some of the worlds most influential scientific minds from 21 scientific fields. More than 3,300 researchers earned this distinction by writing the greatest number of reports officially designated by Essential Science Indicators as Highly Cited Papers -- ranking among the top 1 percent most cited for their subject field and year of publication (2005-2015). Only articles and reviews in science and social sciences journals indexed in the Web of Science were considered. I am thrilled to be named to the list again this year, Liu says. This shows continuous impacts of the work done by my group on the scientific advancement in the fields of aerosols, clouds, climate and their interactions. Liu has received numerous awards and honors, including Pacific Northwest National Laboratorys Exceptional Contribution Program Award and Outstanding Performance Award; the World Meteorological Societys Young Scientist Award and its Mariolopoulos-Kanaginis Award (honorable mention) for papers in atmospheric environmental research; the Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellow at Fraunhofer Institute for Atmospheric Environmental Research, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany; and was elected into the 100 Talent Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Liu also heads up a research project where he uses the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)-Wyoming Supercomputing Center (NWSC) in Cheyenne. His project goal is to better understand the role of black carbon emitted by wildfires and mineral dust lofted into the atmosphere from arid regions on precipitation, snowpack and climate variation in the Rocky Mountains. This will ultimately lead to better climate prediction capabilities. Liu also is a major developer of aerosol and aerosol-cloud interaction schemes in NCARs Earth System Model. He edits the journal Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, and the Journal of Meteorological Research. He has served as a guest professor at the Institute of Atmospheric Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, China, and Nanjing University in China, where he advises doctoral students. For more information about Liu, go here. AkzoNobel will finalise the acquisition of V.Powdertech in the coming weeks The acquisition of V.Powdertech will bring new technologies and services to complement AkzoNobels global technology portfolio and business in various market segments, such as architectural and automotive coatings. The transaction includes all relevant technologies, patents, and trademarks, as well as a manufacturing plant in Samutsakhon, Thailand. In addition, the employees of V.Powdertech will be joining AkzoNobel, bringing with them product and market expertise to serve an expanded customer base in the region. We are pleased to welcome our new colleagues to AkzoNobel. This business is an excellent strategic fit and will further strengthen our leading market position in powder coatings in Southeast Asia. With V. Powdertechs strong brand, we will be able to offer a broader range of products and services to more customers and target new growth segments, said Ruud Joosten, AkzoNobels COO of Paints and Coatings. Completing this acquisition will secure AkzoNobels position as one of the largest powder coatings players in Southeast Asia. The valuable addition of V. Powdertechs state-of-the-art manufacturing plant further strengthens AkzoNobels manufacturing footprint in fast growing markets in the region, providing a solid foundation to accelerate profitable growth. The transaction is expected to be completed in the coming weeks. AkzoNobel creates everyday essentials to make peoples lives more liveable and inspiring. As a leading global paints and coatings company and a major producer of specialty chemicals, AkzoNobel supplies essential ingredients, essential protection, and essential colour to industries and consumers worldwide. Backed by a pioneering heritage, the companys innovative products and sustainable technologies are designed to meet the growing demands of our fast-changing planet, while making life easier. Headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, it employs approximately 46,000 people in around 80 countries, while the company portfolio includes well-known brands such as Dulux, Sikkens, International, Interpon, and Eka. Consistently ranking as a leader in sustainability, it is dedicated to energising cities and communities while creating a protected, colourful world where life is improved by what it does. Dulux Professional sponsors Vietnam Property Award 2018 Dulux Professional, a consolidated paints and coatings solution for professional customers by leading global paints and coating company AkzoNobel, officially became the Silver Sponsor of Vietnam Property Awards 2018. AkzoNobel brings colour to Vietnamese schools AkzoNobel, a leading global paints and coatings company and manufacturer of the Dulux and Maxilite brands, is implementing the AkzoNobel Accompanies You to School project with the commitment of recoating numerous schools in Vietnam to help pupils to greet the new school year. The dish was imported to Hoi An from Fujian Province in China when Chinese traders came to this city long time ago. For a dessert thats so elegant, black sesame soup is surprisingly easy to make, requiring only a handful of ingredients such as black sesame, coconut, rice flour, sugar, sinh a (Radix Rehmanniae) and thuc a (Rehmannia glutinosa). The dish is cooked in a metal pot and is usually sold by street vendors. This sweet soup is the tastiest when it is served hot. The dish is served hot in small portion; very mild, not too sweet and is claimed to be very good for health. Joyous: Local children play in a sea of buckwheat flowers. - VNS Photo Truong Vi The one-month event includes a variety of activities, such as photo exhibitions, buckwheat flower arrangement displays, an exhibition of products from buckwheat flowers, musical performances and recreations of some ethnic peoples festivals. Addressing the opening ceremony, Tran uc Quy, vice chairman of Ha Giang Provinces People Committee and also head of the management board, said that the festival is one of the provinces activities aimed at promoting tourism. Ha Giang has been endowed with many magnificent unspoiled landscapes. With the aim of turning our difficulties into momentum for development, the local authorities and ethnic people have constantly made great efforts and worked together to reduce poverty, Quy said. Together with strengthening agricultural production, the province has chosen tourism as one of the key industries. Beautiful fields of buckwheat flowers, framed by magnificent limestone mountains, have become a highlight attraction for tourists to Ha Giang Province in recent years. The province hopes to draw more tourists by showcasing its natural attractions. First held in 2015, the festival aims to promote and popularise the image of Ha Giang Province among both domestic and international tourists. While promoting tourism in the region, the festival is also expected to improve the livelihoods of the local ethnic people. Thousands of tourists are expected to attend the event, which will run until the end of this year. Buckwheat is cultivated for its grain-like seeds, which are used to make specialty foods by ethnic minorities in the mountainous region. The crop is often planted around September. From late October to early November carpets of buckwheat flowers are in full bloom, making for a spectacular sight. The hills and mountains are covered by the white and pink of the flowers. The flower symbolises love and happiness, so many couples shoot their wedding photos in these fields. SPRINGFIELD A Clinton woman who has pleaded guilty in federal court to embezzling more than $406,000 from a Clinton physician has asked for time to hire a medical expert for an opinion on whether her opioid use contributed to her criminal behavior. A hearing set for Tuesday to review a mental health evaluation for Veronica Luster was canceled after her attorney asked instead for time to retain an expert on opioids. Luster, 48, who pleaded guilty in March to mail and wire fraud, was released on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond last week that requires her to remain at home except for medical and legal appointments. She was taken into custody Sept. 1 for a mental health evaluation. The defense raised the issue of Lusters mental fitness as she was scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 1 in U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois on the charges that could send her to federal prison for 20 years on each count. She also must pay $370,000 restitution under the terms of the plea agreement. Lusters 10-year use of prescription opioids was disclosed by defense lawyer Lee Smith in the motion requesting additional time to explore how the drugs Luster was given for chronic pain may have impacted her behavior. What the defense characterized as Lusters use of substantial amounts of opioids for pain management occurred during the decade she committed the alleged theft from Dr. Farrukh Kureishy, former president of Clinton Internal Medicine. Lusters abstinence from the painkillers over her 2 months in federal custody has had a profound and positive impact on her cognitive thinking, Smith argued in his motion. The defense lawyer also noted that he has witnessed differences in Lusters perception and communication following her return from custody. Recently the new guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discourage the use of opioids for treatment of long-term chronic pain, Smith said. Smith previously told Judge Sue E. Myerscough that his client suffers from chronic back pain and glaucoma and several other medical conditions. The experts report on Lusters opioid use could be presented as a mitigating factor at Lusters sentencing hearing that is now set for Feb. 2. Lusters evaluation by doctors at a federal facility in Fort Worth, Texas, followed her claim that she may suffer from kleptomania, a disorder marked by the inability to refrain from stealing. In the governments motion in opposition to Lusters recent release, Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor Yanz argued that Lusters pending retail theft case in McLean County makes her a danger to the safety of the community. Video surveillance of a July 21 shopping trip to Von Maur in Bloomington shows Luster taking seven items valued at $448.90, including clothing, toys and a $250 Waterford Crystal vase, and placing them in a bag before leaving the store without paying, according to the federal court filing. In a victim impact statement provided to Myerscough in September, Kureishy, who employed Luster as an office manager, said he was forced to close his practice because of the theft losses. The doctor returned to a medical practice at Warner Hospital and Health Services in Clinton where he had worked before opening his office in 2004. The first container block train connecting Vietnam with China Earlier on November 25, VNR and China Railway (CR) jointly held a ceremony to welcome the container block train at Dong Dang Station in Vietnam's northern province of Lang Son. The train departed from Huanggang Station in Nanchang city, Jiangxi province, China, on November 22 and arrived at the Yen Vien Station in Hanoi on November 25. The train includes 33 containers of 40 feet in length, carrying Chinese goods exported to Vietnam such as office furniture, food and car spare parts, among others. After arriving Vietnam, the train will travel back to China carrying Vietnamese goods exported to China, such as agricultural products, minerals, and electronic products, among others. The transportation using the container block train has brought about considerable benefits to customers, as it has helped to shorten the transport time to only four days instead of 15 days by sea. It has also halved the freight rate in comparison to the freight via road transport. It is scheduled that, the VNR and CR will operate one route per week before increasing it to three routes per week. According to the VNR, the two sides are working to operate more train routes from other Chinese provinces to Vietnam and are attempting to transport goods from Europe, Russia and Middle-Asian countries through China to Vietnam. Exports to Indonesia recorded the highest growth, at 53%, followed by Singapore (45%), Hungary (34%), India (33.7%) and Poland (33%). The Vietnam Leather, Footwear and Handbag Association predicted that the footwear sectors production will enjoy a growth rate of 5% this year compared to last year, while the export value of footwear and handbags will reach nearly US$18 billion, or a 10% rise a year-on-year. Vietnam is aiming for US$24-26 billion in leather, footwear and handbag exports by 2020, US$35-38 billion by 2025 and US$50-60 billion by 2035. Industry 4.0 is impacting Vietnam's workforce. Do you think that Industry 4.0 is causing increasing unemployment threats to Vietnamese workers? According to the ManpowerGroup report A skills revolution, manufacturing has seen the greatest technological disruption. As the so-called Fourth Industrial Revolution takes hold, total employment has declined while output has skyrocketed. Between 1990 and 2014, manufacturings share of total employment fell across almost all advanced economies including Japan (-34 per cent), France (-33 per cent), the US (-31 per cent), and Germany (-25 per cent). Digitalisation is by no means reserved for manufacturing, and white-collar work is being transformed as well. There are more monthly visits to virtual health advisors on the WebMD network than there are to doctors across the US. In the legal world, 60 million disagreements among eBay traders are handled using online dispute resolution rather than lawyers and judges three times the number of lawsuits filed each year in the entire US court system. Finance is bracing itself for disruption, from clerks and client-facing employees to market analysts. Up to 54 per cent of finance jobs are at risk, more than any other skilled industry in the US, after investments in financial technology tripled between 2013 and 2014 to reach $12.2 billion. Add retail into the mix, where 47 per cent of day-to-day activities performed by salespeople could be automated with current technology, and that soars to 86 per cent for the sectors accountants, bookkeepers, and other data-processing workers. Vietnam is no exception, and the roadmap is similar to those in more developed nations. The Vietnamese government has recently applied new technology to replace family record books with ID cards for demographics management. This is a good example of how digitalisation will replace office workers. That also means white-collar workers have to learn new skills to become employable in the age of Industry 4.0. The future workplace need not be embattled between humans and robots. Vietnam still has time to equip its workforce with updated skills to stay competitive in the digital era. Automation can only go so far, replacing simple and repetitive tasks. I would like to emphasise that creativity, emotional intelligence, and cognitive flexibility are skills that will tap human potential and allow people to augment robots, rather than be replaced by them. Vietnamese companies are taking steps to increase their workforce quality in response to Industry 4.0. Do you think that their preparations are enough to keep up with the developments? Our latest survey shows that choosing to offer training and development to existing staff to address a severe talent shortage could be considered the most effective solution in most sectors. More businesses are choosing to develop their workforce by collaborating with universities and vocational training institutions. However, this relationship is not strong enough. For example, businesses have not yet participated in or contributed ideas to the detailed development of training programmes. In addition to a qualified and suitable workforce, technology is the golden key to businesses success in the age of Industry 4.0. Therefore, Vietnamese businesses need to invest in technology to increase their efficiency and competitiveness. However, about 99 per cent of Vietnamese enterprises are considered small- or medium-sized. They lack capital, technology investment, and manufacturing management experience. That is the reason why they face, and will continue to face, many difficulties. Businesses need support from the government so that they can quickly innovate, improve their competitiveness, and keep up with Industry 4.0 to maximise their opportunities. Businesses in Vietnam should prepare employees better in terms of skills and up-to-date technology. Companies need to change the way they recruit talent, applying digital applications in their recruitment and training. How have foreign investors in Vietnam prepared for Industry 4.0 in terms of workforce quality? The need for continuous learning is imperative, as it is a required ability for the local workforce to stay competitive and employable in this changing world of work. Intel Products Vietnam has decided to invest $20 million to send students abroad for training, before returning to work for the firm. Italian companies in Vietnam offer training to existing or new recruits to build a talent pipeline for themselves. They are also preparing a close relationship with schools for practical training programmes. Since 2012, Samsung has invested more than VND38 trillion ($1.73 billion) through its co-operation with universities to develop high-quality human resources in Vietnam. Indonesian authorities have now raised the highest alert warning for Bali's Mount Agung volcano. (Photo: AFP/Sonny Tumbelaka) About 40,000 people have already left communities near Mount Agung but that figure is set to more than double, the Disaster Mitigation Agency said, as massive columns of thick grey smoke spew from the volcano. An eruption could be imminent officials warned, as they raised the alert to the highest level and expanded the exclusion zone to 10km. A spokesman of Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency, Sutopo Purwo Nogoho, said there are still people within the zone who have declined to evacuate. "They say there is no danger as their area was not affected by the 1963 eruption," the spokesman tweeted. Massive columns of thick grey smoke have been pouring out of Mount Agung since last week and they shot more than 3km into the sky early on Monday, prompting the island's international airport to be closed, leaving thousands of tourists stranded. Debate erupted over the inclusion of the private sector in the Law on Anti-Corruption, Photo: Le Toan The legislature is scrutinising the draft amendments to the existing Law on Anti-Corruption. One of the new points in the draft is that the law, which is now applied to state-run agencies and firms, is also to cover non-state firms, including publicly-held companies, credit organisations, and investment funds as pilot non-state entities. The drafts Article 106 states that publicly-held companies, credit organisations, and investment funds have to issue regulations on transparency in their organisational structure and operation, and on responsibility of their heads, including chairmen, CEOs, general directors, directors, and chief accountants. Meanwhile, Article 107 of the draft also states that these companies, organisations, and funds are required to maintain transparency and control over their heads assets. This is aimed at protecting the interest of stakeholders and depositors. They also have to issue regulations on the declaration of their heads assets and income, and be subject to inspections from the governments, ministries, cities, and provinces. Under the existing Law on Anti-Corruption, only state-run agencies and firms are subject to these regulations. However, according to drafters, these regulations must be applied to non-state enterprises because they will help enhance enterprises role in anti-corruption, and the development of corruption-free and healthy business culture plays a very important role in both state and non-state sectors. However, these new provisions have gotten poor reviews from both experts and firms. While the proposed changes to the law can appear justifiable in the abstract, given the Criminal Law provisions that are already in existence, there is a danger that the changes could have a chilling effect on legitimate business while adding little in the way of deterrence to the illegitimate, Tony Foster, managing partner of law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer Vietnam, told VIR. Nguyen Quang Vu, a business lawyer from Venture North Law Limited, told VIR that the provisions are irrational. Moreover, private firms have their own regulations about asset transparency and control and supervision over all activities of their heads. Thus the state should not interfere in their activities. Private firms often have many stakeholders, whose interests are protected by the law and the firms regulations. The stakeholders are responsible for their assets, not the state, Vu said. Despite this disagreement, many National Assembly members are putting their weight behind the new provisions. Deputy Nguyen Quang Dung of the central province of Quang Nam said it would be necessary for the new law to cover non-state firms and those working for these firms, because this will be in line with the existing Criminal Law, which also covers these entities with specific punishments. Like many deputies, Tran Tat The, representing the northern province of Ha Nam, also said that corruption in the non-state sector has been growing rampantly and with complexity, especially in the areas of loaning, bidding, contracting, and in unofficial costs like gifts, tours, or job generation. Finally, all the costs of this type of corruption are paid by consumers who have to buy products at high prices, The said. The fact that the new law covers the non-state sector is in line with the United Nations Convention against Corruption in which Vietnam is a signatory. According to deputies Do Van Binh from the northern port city of Haiphong and Nguyen Van Khanh from the southern province of Binh Duong, one of the biggest challenges is found in the complicated connections between state-owned agencies and firms with non-state enterprises in trading materials and goods. The most corruption can be seen in public services and projects in administration, construction, road projects, education, and healthcare, Khanh said. If we focus the fight against corruption only in the state sector, without the non-state sector, the desired result cannot be gained, Binh said. But lawyer Vu argued, If the state-run agencies operations are made transparent, no private firm would dare to bribe them. [Without corruption,] this is the thing that a private firm never wants to do. Nguyen Manh Tien, senior sales manager of CBRE Vietnam, said Ho Chi Minh City was suffering an oversupply of high-end apartments and sales was slow although developers were directly offering customers incredible preferential support. Hanois apartment market have also started performing signs similar to Ho Chi Minh Citys as supply has been fast increasing while the secondary market is becoming dormant and several high-end apartment projects are offering promotions. A CBRE report released last week revealed that the new apartment supply in the second quarter was 4,587 units and in the latter half of the year, there would be around 10,000 new units launched, pushing the 2010 total new supply in Hanoi close to 20,000 units. Several high-end projects such as Richland Southern, Mulberry Lane and Tricon Towers have started to offer discounts, bank financing support and favourable payment terms to quicken sales. However, Tien said Hanois property market had its own features and it was not likely to suffer an oversupply like Ho Chi Minh City. Tien said many developers in Ho Chi Minh City were financially strong companies that led to the rapid construction of housing projects and the oversupply. However, the story is different in Hanoi. The present new supply in the capital can be large in comparison with the new supply of previous years but is still much smaller than Ho Chi Minh Citys. And it takes a long time for Hanoi to have the plentiful pipeline supply as in Ho Chi Minh City. Besides that, customers in Ho Chi Minh City often borrow money from banks or mortgage property to invest into apartment market. Whenever the market has the fever, they pour all of money into, but ready to sell at lower prices to cut loses when the market has trouble, said Tien. Hanoi-based customers with large available savings can contend much longer and not accept to sell their property at low prices, added Tien. The evidence can be shown by successful launching of apartment projects in the first half of 2010 in the primary market such Dang Xa new urban area in Gia Lam district, Ecopark in Van Giang district, Hung Yen province, The Pride in Ha Dong district. The developers got good turnover as 99 units of Dang Xa new urban area was sold out within two days of launch, 90 per cent of nearly 600 units at Ecopark within one week and 50 per cent of total units in the first launch of The Pride was purchased. By Thanh Thuy Polish President Andrzej Duda came to visit Vietnam after State President Tran Dai Quang's invitation The Polish economy ranks 23rd over the world and 6th in the European Union (EU). It is also the largest economy in Central Europe with a GDP of $510 billion. Poland has become one of the largest exporters over the world, with a total export turnover of $204 billion in 2016. This economy was unique in the EU as it avoided the 2007-2008 economic depression. It has been steadily growing for the past 26 years with a record high growth in EU. In September 2017, FTSE Russell, a reputable international index company announced raising Polands status from emerging market to developing market. In order to further strengthen the close and friendly relations between the two countries, the meeting between Polish President Andrzej Duda and his spouse with the Vietnamese alumni of Polish universities on November 27, 2017 was the first meeting during their official state visit to Vietnam this week. President Duda highly appreciated the contributions of the Vietnamese alumni of Polish universities in promoting bilateral relations. When you studied overseas in Poland, you were considered as representatives of Vietnam in Poland, when you returned to your hometown to work, you were representatives of Poland in Vietnam. Thank you for your very important role in developing bilateral relations, stated the president. Polish President Andrzej Duda and his spouse with the Vietnamese alumni Currently, there are approximately 30,000 Vietnamese people living in Poland, including 300 students. The Vietnamese community in Poland ranks fifth in Europe, behind France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Czech Republic. We hope that this figure will rise in the future. Education for Vietnamese students is an important task because they have become key people in the governance and management system of your country, as well as good friends of Poland to introduce and advertise Poland to Vietnamese people, said the president. Pham Khoi Nguyen Pham Khoi Nguyen, chairman of the Vietnam-Poland Friendship Association (VPFA) and former Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, confirmed that the Vietnamese alumni from Polish universities have been solid in their professional and management capacities, with respectable work ethics. Despite the geographic distance, we usually follow Polands development. We are delighted and proud of Polands socioeconomic achievements in recent years. Poland is a modern country, plays an active role in the EU, and peoples lives have steadily improved, said Nguyen. On this occasion, the Polish president awarded medals to Vietnamese individuals and a Polish flag to VPFA to recognise their contributions to spurring and developing the solidarity, friendship, and co-operation between the two countries. The Vietnamese alumni of Polish universities consider Poland their second home Poland is now the first-ranking partner of Vietnam in East-Central Europe, while Vietnam is Polands seventh-ranking partner outside the EU. Two-way trade turnover has been increasing fast, and Vietnam retains a trade surplus towards Poland. In 2016, two-way trade turnover hit $790 million (Vietnamese export exports were $598 million and imports $192 million). Particularly in the first nine months 2017, this figure was $730 million. Due to political stability, its central position in the EU, and high-quality human resources, Poland is also an attractive investment destination. The state visit of the Polish president to Vietnam also facilitate the businesses of the two countries to explore and promote co-operation opportunities of trade and investment. Viettel made hefty profit by selling apartments to its staff Previously, according to the Conclusion No.1203/KL-TTCP published on May 16, 2017 by the Government Inspectorate of Vietnam, Viettel suffered a loss of VND40.63 billion ($1.79 million) after investing and then divesting from the project. The Government Inspectorate of Vietnam proposed the Ministry of National Defence to ask Viettel to review its after-tax profit from selling apartments at the CT2 project. According to a representative of Viettel, in early October, Viettel conducted the review of financial data from the 2011-2014 period, and confirmed that the after-tax profit of VND49.48 billion ($2.18 million) came from selling apartments at CT2 Building at the Trung Van project to its staff. Simultaneously, Viettel has enough data to prove the above profit figure and is willing to take responsibility for the legality of the above-mentioned data. Viettel added that it recovered the total proceeds of VND154.84 billion ($6.8 million) after divesting from the project, VND12.44 billion ($547,606) higher than the initial investment capital, ensuring the safety of the investment capital according to the investment planning approved by the Ministry of National Defence. Viettel is currently the No.1 Vietnamese brand in technology and telecommunications, and has valiantly fought its way to the Top 100 most valued telecom companies around the world. It has made large contributions to national production and facilitated national defence as well as co-operated with other factories and agencies to invest in qualified projects. Viettel Global to list 2.24 million shares on UpCOM Viettel Global JSC (a subsidiary of Viettel Group), plans to list 2.24 million shares on the Unlisted Public Company Market (UpCOM), according to newswire Vnexpress. Viettel construction subsidiary to list on UpCOM Viettel Construction JSC, a subsidiary of Viettel Group, received permission to list 47.1 million shares on the Unlisted Public Company Market (UpCOM), according to newswire Cafef. Viettels Peru branch makes $45-million 4G investment Bitel, a mobile telecommunications brand from Peru owned by Vietnamese military-run Viettel Group, has poured an additional $45 million to expand its 4G network in 2017, making Bitel the telecommunications service provider with the largest 4G network in Peru, according to newswire ITCnews. Three telecom giants test mobile number portability Thee major telecom network providers - Viettel, VinaPhone and MobiFone - started testing mobile number portability (MNP) on Thursday, which allows subscribers to keep existing mobile number when switching networks. DECATUR The Old King's Orchard Community Center will host an information session on Job Corps, a federal worker training program run by the US Department of Labor for young people between the ages of 16 and 24. The session is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the community center, 815 N. Church St. Job Corps offers paid-for training programs in Chicago and Joliet, and pays for housing costs as well, according to the Central Illinois Outreach Coordinator Madison King. The areas of training are certified nurse's assistant, pharmacy tech, building construction technician, culinary arts, cement and masonry, security, tile setting, carpentry, painting, material handling and distribution, computer technician, and office administration. After completion of training, Job Corps also offers job placement services. King said the Chicago training site, called the Paul Simon Center, is accepting applications for mainly young people who do not currently have jobs. "They might have to be on a wait list, but it isn't more than a few months," King said. According to figures from the Labor Department, Job Corps serves about 60,000 young people nationally at any given time. For those who have not yet completed high school, the program also assists participants in getting their diploma first before moving on to job training in the trades. For questions or more information, contact Madison King, Job Corps' outreach coordinator for the Central Illinois region, at: 309-422-7521, or king.madison@jobcorps.gov. The Ministry for Heritage has announced that three new interpretation panels have been placed within our Old Town in order to provide information on our Medieval History, namely our Islamic and Spanish Periods. Royal Engagement On behalf of Her Majestys Government of Gibraltar and of all the Queens loyal subjects on the Rock, the Chief Minister has sent his congratulations and best wishes to Prince Harry and to Ms Meghan Markle on the occasion of their engagement. In his letter, Mr Picardo also offered the couple a standing invitation to visit the Rock. Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images In his latest head-scratcher, Donald Trump suggested that the Access Hollywood tape in which he discussed grabbing and kissing women without their consent is not real. (Although he already apologized for what he said on it.) To avoid any confusion, Access Hollywood host Natalie Morales reminded viewers of Monday nights episode that the tape they have of the president is very real. We wanted to clear something up that has been reported across the media landscape. Let us make this perfectly clear: The tape is very real, Morales said. Remember his excuse at the time was locker-room talk. He said every one of those words. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders wasnt as clear when asked about the tape during a press briefing on Monday. Look, Sanders said. I said that [Trump] already addressed it, and that we didnt have any updates on that. I said what he didnt like and what he found troubling were the accounts that are being reported now. Photo: Alexander Koerner/Getty Images In the weeks since the New York Times first published its bombshell expose on Harvey Weinstein, the former Hollywood power player continues to feel the professional repercussions of dozens of women stepping forward to reveal decades of alleged sexual harassment, sexual assault, and rape at his hands. In addition to losing his position at the Weinstein Company, the disgraced producer has lost his standing within the industry, earning a lifelong ban from the Producers Guild of America and Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, as well as expulsion from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Now, more than a month after launching an investigation into the former studio head, the Directors Guild of America has reportedly ousted Weinstein from its ranks as well. According to Variety, Weinstein has reportedly resigned and the DGA scrubbed his name from its website. (On IMDB, Weinstein is listed as co-director of 1986s Playing for Keeps and director of 1987s The Gnomes Great Adventure, featuring the animated character David the Gnome. ) Its unclear, though, whether Weinstein opted to resign of his own volition or as was reportedly the case with the PGA stepped away before a more permanent ban could be imposed. A guild representative told Variety on Monday, We have no further comment. However, the DGA did comment on October 21 to confirm that it had begun internal disciplinary proceedings. As the Directors Guild of America explained at the time, The DGA has a long-standing practice of not commenting on internal union matters, but has decided to make an exception in this case to acknowledge the filing of charges. However, because of due process concerns that are a part of federal requirements for labor unions, the DGA cannot comment further. Photo: Lifetime Depending on whom you ask, the Hallmark Channel and its saccharine slate of movies were either sent by God himself or orchestrated as a torture device for Dantes fifth circle of hell. For Meghan Markle the newest addition of Britains royal family, thanks to her engagement to noted ginger hunk Prince Harry it meant employment opportunities! During her tenure on Suits, Markle acted in two quintessentially soapy Hallmark films, both of which featured her as a lovestruck heroine who just doesnt know what her heart wants anymore. (Guy A, Guy B, ugh! Too many options!) I think Hallmark is such an amazing network to work for, she once said. Its really heartwarming and affirming and validating. Especially in this day and age, its so nice for families to be able to all watch programming together. With stories like this, it keeps it really light and easy. And it makes everybody feel good. At the end of a long day, thats what I want to watch! Lets take a trip down memory lane and revisit Markles Hallmark movie duo, a.k.a. what youll be watching this holiday season. Daters Handbook (2016) Markle portrays Cassandra, a successful businesswoman who just cant decide who she wants to fall in love with. So, she throws out her standard dating dos and donts and lets a popular book dictate all of her decisions. It starts off well, but when she begins falling in love with two very different guys, she doesnt know whom to choose. (Or if the books checklist is actually a good thing, for that matter.) You have to follow your heart to find your true love, Markle said while promoting the movie. At the end of the day, when it comes down to finding the person that youre right for, thats not the person youre going to play games with. I think following her heart has really ended up proving to work out well for Cass, and I think for a lot of women watching this, I would give them that same advice. Ah, if she only knew her future. When Sparks Fly (2014) Rounding out Hallmarks iconic Fourth of July film slate, Markle portrays a Chicago journalist named Amy who briefly returns to her hometown for a holiday assignment. And in an unsurprising twist, matters of the heart follow: She begins to reignite romantic feelings for her high-school boyfriend who conveniently never left town, while still latching onto her hotshot older boyfriend who frequently leaves her to travel to exotic European destinations for work. (Played by Bettys dad from Riverdale!) We wonder whom shell choose. Photo: Justina Mintz/A24 The Disaster Artist, James Francos telling of the making of Tommy Wiseaus The Room, is a lot of things. Its a big, loopy comedy about a strange movie that shouldnt have existed, let alone found love. Its the best thing our ever-restless boy Franco has ever made. Its the first time Franco has acted alongside his brother Dave, the adorable baby Franco. And in part, The Disaster Artist can be read as a spinoff of the real, public relationship of James, the oddball, and Dave, the cheery all-American. On the press tour for the movie, Dave has explained why he staged a moratorium from working with his brother for the decade or so hes been acting professionally. Understandably enough, he never wanted anyone to think he was riding coattails. But, after a while, hes said, it felt like the right time. The right time, certainly: Dave has indeed managed to establish his own name. And maybe, also, the right project one that centers on a much-exaggerated, fun-house-mirror version of the Francos own bond. The facts of The Room are remarkable enough: Very much despite itself, it would make Wiseau a cracked auteur and deathless dreamer famous. But what really animates The Disaster Artist is the beautiful union between Wiseau and his lead actor, a Neutrogena-clean California kid named Greg Sestero. And thats where the real-life Francos come in: To portray this kind of twisted bond, maybe you needed brothers. Maybe you needed these brothers. The Disaster Artist is adapted from Sesteros memoir of the same name (subtitle: My Life Inside The Room, The Greatest Bad Movie Ever Made). The book was written with the great nonfiction practitioner Tom Bissell, one of the millions sickly enchanted by the cockamamie charms of The Room. (In 2010 in Harpers, Bissell wrote the definitive piece on The Room, charting how it went from a deeply failed dramatist masterpiece to a midnight-movie phenomenon.) When Sestero approached Bissell to write the memoir, Bissell demurred, assuming at first it was to cover fairly standard on-set travails. It turned out, however, that Sestero and Wiseau had a bizarrely compelling, totally unlikely friendship behind them. As the book recounts, Sestero met Wiseau when he was 19 or 20, in an acting class. Sestero was an unthreatening handsome young white man in the heady days of One Tree Hill, and so situated for success. Wiseau was, and is, a strange man of indeterminable age and vague Eastern European descent, obsessed with Hollywood dreams that would look, to anyone but him, preposterously out of his reach. The two would end up living together in L.A. and falling into the kind of mutually beneficial, mutually destructive intimacy rarely seen out of, say, long-term wedlock. Sestero would briefly enjoy the inklings of a career: For one, he had the starring role in Retro Puppet Master. But when both of their careers stalled, theyd collaborate on The Room, a movie in which everyone involved was sure it would end in ignominious obscurity. Casting himself as Wiseau, surely, was a no-brainer for James. The role allows him to play big, trotting out a caricature of an accent, a look, an identity. (All three are actually faithful to the real Wiseau.) Which is perfect, because ever since pivoting from would-be star into the multi-hyphenate whatever the hell he is today, James has more or less been playing an outsize character. Its unclear what exactly the character is, even to James himself. Fundamentally, though, hes a happy-go-lucky experimentalist weirdo. How could James not love Tommy Wiseau? Hes a maniac who rejects a polite society he barely understands; he has no discernible skill, no particular artistic bent. Its unclear if hes ever even seen a movie. He is redeemed, however, by his unquenchable desire to make one. Early in Jamess career, we saw him as the kind of guy to get plugged, willy-nilly, without much choice, into this or that Hollywood franchise. The whole time, though, what James saw was someone with his own volition. Someone a lot more akin to Wiseau: a man who is an artist, if only because he says so. And so casting Dave as Sestero, too, must have made perfect sense. All these years, through talk-show appearances and magazine interviews, Dave has basically been playing the straight man to James. Over and over, with a big grin and oodles of reserves of love and pure good will, Dave has deflected questions about Jamess various personal and creative dalliances. For Dave, the story of Sestero has parallels, too. Early in his career, Dave paid rent with small bits on Greek and 7th Heaven, the exact stuff Sestero was aiming for. Dave would go on to prove he had a scrappy, subtly dark screen presence all his own. But every working actor knows the sting of casting-room rejection. And every working actor imagines the version of their lives in which the rejections just kept coming, steadily, forever. There but for the grace of God go I, starring in Retro Puppet Master, and then never working again. When siblings make movies together, they almost always work behind the scenes. The practice goes back decades and spans genres, from David and Jerry Zuckers slapstick to the tragic city stories of Albert and Allen Hughes to the blockbustering of Lana and Lilly Wachowski. A look at the contemporary landscape produces all varieties of examples, too. Like Jay and Mark Duplass, the once and future kings of mumblecore. Or Kate and Laura Mulleavy, the Rodarte designers behind the Kirsten Dunst mindfuck Woodshock. Or Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne, the Belgian brothers who make critics swoon. Any given creative duo has a past; a sibling duo has one that goes all the way to birth. Josh and Benny Safdie, who made this years kaleidoscopic crime movie Good Time, split their childhood between a responsible mother in Manhattan and a manic father in Queens who introduced them to stuff like A Clockwork Orange way too young and purposefully blurred the line between reality and fiction after viewings of Kramer vs. Kramer. Hed say, Im Dustin Hoffman, shes Meryl Streep, Benny told me, when I interviewed them for the Fader. Were 7 and 9 or whatever it is. Were going back to our mom like, Youre selfish and you just wanna live your life and you dont wanna be our mom What makes a collaboration between siblings so compelling is exactly that kind of shared history. It forever defines aesthetics, ambitions, influences, dynamics. For the most part its implied, informing the work quietly. Its rare for siblings to direct each other, as James does with Dave here, and also to co-star alongside one another. But its what makes the Franco x Franco collab work. The particular thing that The Disaster Artist is adding to the annals of sib flicks is a winking riff thats palpable. While theyve never officially worked together, James and Dave have appeared together onscreen before, at least once. It was back in 2008. James was still doing the Tobey Maguireera Spider Mans. Daves IMDb was a bare cupboard. The bit was a short video series for Funny or Die called Acting With James Franco. In the garishly lit living room of an abandoned McMansion ready for squatters, James stands cocky, with wild hair and a leather jacket. Dave, giddy next to him, wears a polo, a shaggy haircut, and what might be bootcut jeans. For a few gleeful minutes, James hectors his little brother to dredge up emotion by recalling the death of a pet cat Dave apparently never really knew. Then they start recalling the time Dave walked in on James pleasuring himself. Winningly, Dave never breaks character. Hes the sane man in an insane world. Even in this short, dumb video there is a beautiful bit of connectivity. You can see it, there: Daves been preparing to be the Greg Sestero to Jamess Tommy Wiseau for years. The Disaster Artist is the story of a movie called The Room and the legacy it somehow won. Its the story of Sestero and Wiseau and how sometimes the hardest friendships are the ones that mean the most (Honestly: when the title card came up saying Greg and Tommy still talk every day, I damn near cried). Somewhere, a few layers underneath all that, maybe, a little bit, its the story of the brothers Franco as well. DECATUR Developers targeting the corner of U.S. Business 51 and West Ash Avenue declined to say Monday what businesses they hope to bring to the site, despite heated questioning from neighbors concerned about traffic and property values. Representatives of Northbrook-based GMX Real Estate Group, LLC, which is seeking to rezone 1.6 acres near the high-traffic intersection, were vague when asked about potential retail tenants during and after an informal meeting they hosted at the Decatur Public Library. Recent projects by the company include a Portillos restaurant in Homewood, McDonalds in Danville and Downers Grove, and shopping centers in Homewood and Palatine. GMXs co-manager Andrew Goodman said after the meeting they have been speaking with several family-friendly, quick-service restaurants that want to be part of the proposed project, a 10,400-square-foot shopping center. We have some potential users that directed us to this location and said this would be a terrific location for them to locate their businesses, Goodman said, adding they would be sprinkled into the development with family-friendly, non-gambling retail businesses. But until we have firm commitments with binding leases, our edict is to not divulge too early who our clients may be. The Decatur City Council ultimately must approve rezoning that would allow the development, and a vote has not yet been scheduled. The project is hotly opposed by dozens of concerned residents, who spent more than an hour Monday night peppering the developers with questions about the project and how it will impact the surrounding neighborhood. The sometimes-emotional rhetoric was similar to the last time a developer attempted to bring a commercial property to the area in the northern part of Decatur. In 2015, representatives from the Aldi grocery store chain looked to open a new location at the site. But after months of public hearings and petitions to stop the project, the council voted in October 2015 to reject the rezoning of the area for Aldi. The corner is desirable to developers because of its high traffic count and location near other retail. Walgreens, Panera, Walmart and other businesses are across the highway. But on the west side of U.S. Business 51 are well-established neighborhoods, many with residents who have lived there for decades and say they do not want the area disrupted by more retail, and the traffic it brings. For some of them, the past few weeks have felt like deja vu. Its like the same thing over again, said Pam Ambeau, who has lived at her home since 1977 and would live right next to the proposed development. "I just don't understand ... I guess it's suppose to help the Decatur economy, but to me it doesn't seem like much help when you're starting to go into the neighborhoods to have something built." GMX sent letters, dated Nov. 9, to most of those who live in the area, informing them of the possible development and inviting them to Monday nights meeting to learn more. Even before the meeting, Julie Bresnan said she did not see much difference between this project and the failed Aldi one, which she also adamantly opposed. The concerns she had with Aldi, from increased traffic and negative impact on the property value of surrounding homes, were the same she said she had with the new project. Youre just adding more traffic to our street, and its already crazy enough, in my opinion, said Bresnan, who has lived in her home, directly across the street from the planned development, since 1993. The site of the total 1.6 acres planned for development includes four homes and an empty lot. If built, the shopping center would have space for two restaurants, two retailers and 82 parking spots. Many residents questioned why GMX couldnt choose another area for the project, pointing to areas such as the fields on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive behind Walmart, or empty storefronts in Brettwood Village or on Pershing Road. Why tear down a perfectly good neighborhood for this? said Bob Hohlbauch after the meeting. Hohlbauch, along with his wife Judy, have lived in the neighborhood for 46 years and would live across from the facilitys dumpster as currently planned. Nothing has changed for the better, and there are several other places they can build this place. When asked after the meeting about considering other locations, Goodman said there likely is a reason the empty strip malls and undeveloped land in Decatur have stayed that way: their locations are no longer appealing for potential businesses. If the current plan is rejected, Goodman said his clients might walk away rather than look for another Decatur location. For some prospective businesses, this is a bullseye intersection, if you will, he said. GMX has already submitted a petition to rezone for planned development, said Deputy City Manager Billy Tyus. The item is expected to come before the city's Plan Commission at its Dec. 7 meeting. The commission will make a recommendation to the council, which will consider the matter at an unspecified time. "We're in the process, and part of that process is working with and informing the public, hearing from the public, and going through the steps necessary to make a decision on it," Tyus said. GMX representatives hoped to have final approval by the end of the year, though Goodman said after Mondays meeting that they may push it back in order to address several of the issues brought up by residents. Some changes could include enhanced landscaping and buffers between the businesses and surrounding residences and items such as barriers to better direct the flow of vehicles in and out of the parking lot. As for how the possible development came about, Tyus said there has continued to be "significant interest" from developers for the site since the council voted down the Aldi project just over two years ago. The council voted that plan down by a 4-3 vote, with former Councilman Chris Funk joining Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe and Councilwoman Dana Ray in support of the plan. Former Councilman Jerry Dawson joined current council members Pat McDaniel, Bill Faber and Lisa Gregory in voting the measure down. Moore Wolfe, McDaniel and council members Chuck Kuhle and David Horn were present at Mondays meeting. Kuhle and Horn, who were not on the council when the Aldi project came for a vote, said after the meeting that they would keep an open mind about the project. Horn said that he hoped the developers would address some of the residents concerns before bringing the project up for a council vote. Kuhle said council was in a tough situation, saying he would have to try and balance the citys need for new revenue with the residents concerns about how the project could affect them. It definitely is an inconvenience for these residents, Kuhle said. But on the other hand, were trying to grow Decatur, and to turn business away is a tough call. LINCOLN As mayor of Lincoln, Seth Goodman is interested in an outside visitors first impression of the town. Any concerns for those traveling by train should be eliminated following the 10 a.m. Dec. 5 ribbon-cutting ceremony for the official reopening of the renovated historic $4.1 million Lincoln Station in downtown Lincoln. Its a great addition for Lincoln, Goodman said, and its also a great addition for those coming though by train because it will be the first thing they see when they stop. The Lincoln Station High Speed Rail Project is a multiyear undertaking that involved site acquisition, site preparation and construction. The original depot, constructed in 1911, has been fully renovated and retains much of its historic character and details, according to site plans. The north freight building has been renovated as the new passenger rail station for use by Amtrak patrons. In addition to the renovation on the freight building, everything else is new, including the parking lots, sidewalks, lighting and landscaping. The shelter sits on a platform near where Abraham Lincoln christened the city in 1853. Most of the building, 101 N. Chicago St., was closed to the public in 1972, but was sold and renovated in 1977 and named the Depot Restaurant. The restaurant and catering hall was last known as McCartys at the Depot, but it closed in 2013. Two old Illinois Central Railroad passenger cars and two cabooses were removed from the property in 2015. Most of the funding for the project came from a federal High Speed Rail Initiative grant administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation to introduce better performance and higher speeds on the Union Pacific Railroad tracks between Chicago and St. Louis. Transportation Secretary Randy Blankenhorn said the state has been working with city officials for years on the project. With the modernization, customers will have smoother rides, upgraded stations, crossing and signal improvements for safety and guarantees of better on-time performance," he said. For Lincoln, the completion of the 3,700-square-foot project means much more, Goodman said. We are really excited to find ways that our local residents can also utilize the depot, he said. Its huge and has the potential to add a business or two, if that is what the city council wanted to do. Additionally, they are through with all of the work, and the streets that we had to close during some of the renovation project will never have to close again. An estimated 450,000 people travel through Lincoln each year on the train. Beginning next year, trains will be able to travel more than 100 mph on portions of the route from Chicago to St. Louis. A former Waco school district substitute teacher was sentenced to 15 years in prison Monday for the long-term sexual abuse of a boy beginning when the boy was 12. Judge Ralph Strother of Wacos 19th State District Court sentenced Jacoby Jerome Aclese to 15 years in prison, to be followed by 10 years of probation. Aclese, 30, pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual assault of a child, sexual assault of a child and four counts of indecency with a child. Aclese entered his guilty plea without the benefit of a plea bargain from prosecutors. The judge sentenced Aclese to prison on the first count and placed him on probation for 10 years on the remaining counts. However, he stacked one probation term onto the prison sentence, meaning Aclese will serve a 10-year term of probation after he completes his prison sentence. The Bellmead man must serve at least 71/2 years in prison before he can seek parole. Jacoby obviously is disappointed at having the judge sentence him to prison and probation, said Acleses attorney, Jason P. Darling. However, he is ready to get this behind him and is remorseful for what he put the victim through. A 19-year-old Bellmead man reported in March 2016 that Aclese, a family friend, had been sexually abusing him for seven years. Aclese was a substitute teacher for Waco schools from August 2010 to June 2011 and again from February 2012 to February 2013, according to WISD spokesman Kyle Debeer. Aclese was terminated in March 2013 for improper conduct and is not eligible for rehire, Debeer said. Aclese was fired after a junior high student alleged Aclese exposed himself to the boy during a tutoring session, Darling said. Aclese denied the allegations, but Waco school officials fired him and red flagged his file, preventing him from getting another substitute teaching job, Darling said. Darling said no charges were filed from the boys outcry and Aclese was able to get the red flag removed from his file after an administrative law hearing. The incidents involving the 19-year-old family friend, for which Aclese is going to prison, were not reported until about three years after the students allegations, Darling said. Staff writer Shelly Conlon contributed to this report. Held on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, Giving Tuesday follows the traditional retail holidays of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday. It was founded by New York's 92nd Street Y and the United Nations Foundation. The idea is to follow all that frenzied commercialism with a day dedicated to supporting nonprofit organizations and services. Here are 5 things you need to know about observing Giving Tuesday, or #GivingTuesday for social media purposes: Illinois has its own campaign. Called #IlGive, the campaign is organized by Forefront, a statewide membership association for nonprofits and public agencies. It helps participating nonprofits share their message and collect donations online. Forefront collects an administration fee of somewhere between 5.7 and 6.7 percent from all donations, although donors can opt to cover that themselves. Last year, the #IlGive campaign (pronounced "I'll give") raised $11.3 million for various social service agencies and organizations across the state, according to its website. You can shop in person for organizations to help in Decatur. For the third year, First United Methodist Church will host many local nonprofit organizations in one spot, so potential donors can find out about the services each provides, ask questions and make informed choices about where their money is going. The event is 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. at the church, 201 W. North St. Cant make it? Most organizations, in Macon County and elsewhere, advertise donation opportunities on their websites and Facebook pages. Many, such as the Habitat for Humanity ReStore and Decatur Family YMCA, are also hosting special donation events at their facilities today (Tuesday). Facebook fights (indirectly) led to the creation of Decaturs event. Jennifer Horton-Motter, director of children and family ministries for the church, said she came up with the idea for the event in 2015 while staying up late with her newborn baby. As she scrolled through Facebook, she was inundated with arguments about whether stores should be open on Thanksgiving and posts about Black Friday shopping. Then she saw an ad for Giving Tuesday, which was the first time she had heard of it. My brain in the middle of the night put those concepts together, that we could better be spending our energy in our community, she said. I thought, Wouldnt it be nice if there was a place where you could shop to give away your money, to help someone else? Thats how it formed in my head. The communitys generosity grows every year. The first event was organized in about four weeks. It featured 16 nonprofit organizations that raised roughly $13,000 between them. Last years event had more than two dozen participating organizations, which collected a total of $18,000. This years event will be the largest with 28 organizations, but Horton-Motter said she hasnt set a fundraising goal. I want people to give freely from their heart, she said. Its not all about money. Giving Tuesday also offers a chance to find volunteer opportunities that fit your interests and lifestyle, or simply to learn about resources that are available in the community so that you can spread the word. There are no hard sells or guilt trips, Horton-Motter said. She brings her children to the event and encourages others to do so, allowing them to learn how to research and decide how to spend their resources. Her 10-year-old son was so impressed last year by his conversation with a representative from Relay for Life of Macon County that he saved money all year to donate today (Tuesday). All I have seen is just pure friendliness and pure joy, that people come to learn what it is that someone else does, Horton-Motter said. The people that work for these agencies and organizations are very passionate about what they do and getting the word out about what they do. But when it comes to taking out a mortgage on our family homes, the startling fact is that four in five Australians opt to borrow from one of the big four banks. The global financial crisis, which crippled banks elsewhere, only increased the major four's stranglehold over the Aussie market. Amid stability concerns, regulators green-lighted the takeover of Bankwest by Commonwealth Bank. Westpac devoured St George, in what former competition tsar Allan Fels has since labelled "a mistake". "In a few short months, we saw the biggest reversal of banking competition since the Depression," Fels has said. The Rudd government's bank funding guarantee only compounded the big four's advantage, with smaller banks charged a higher premium to reflect their higher risk. Today, Australia's big four hold 81 per cent of the total value of all outstanding mortgages on owner occupied property, up from 75 per cent pre crisis, according to data from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority. In this post-GFC era, the banks laud their roles as pillars of stability. In the banker's mind, maintaining their record-busting profits is good for all Australians. No profit level is too much. In a recently launched campaign titled "Australian Banks belong to you", the Australian Bankers' Association stressed that 80 per cent of bank profits are returned to shareholders, who comprise mostly Australians through their superannuation. What is not mentioned is that excessive bank profitability also comes at a cost to Australians. Indeed, for most, the savings from a more competitive banking sector shaving a few extra basis points off their mortgage rate would far outweigh the benefit in retirement of a slightly bigger nest egg from outsized bank share gains. As for stability, it's true that banks occupy a systemically important role in the Australian economy. Indeed, banks are as core a part of our financial plumbing as the sewerage pipes running under your house. Only, instead of earning a return on equity (shareholder funds invested) similar to a utility company like AGL of 7 per cent, Australia's big four banks enjoy returns of around 15 per cent. Compare that to Bank of America, which returns just 7 per cent. High returns on equity are usually an indicator of high risk. Investors must be rewarded for their gamble. Medical device company Cochlear, for example, delivers a return on its equity of 45 per cent. But how risky is an investment in a company that can't fail, by government decree? In reality, the high returns on equity enjoyed by Australian banks owe in large part to the higher leverage they hold. Australian banks are some of the most heavily exposed to household sector debt in the world. Aussies would rather sell their kids than miss a home loan repayment. But our high household debt remains a key vulnerability, not just for banks, but the economy as a whole. Even more important, then, that the issuers of that debt be held to high account for their behaviour. That behaviour has fallen well short of acceptable standards in recent times. Time and time again, bank chiefs have been embarrassed by systemic failures within their organisations. Their financial planners have dudded customers. Their insurance arms have denied funds to the dying. Their ATMs have been unwittingly used by criminals for money laundering. Their employees have manipulated key money markets. What confidence can the public have that such failures are the exception, not the rule? Banks have long fought the idea of a public inquiry. Instead, the Turnbull government has thrown at them a new bank levy, penalties on executives and now a victims compensation fund. Bank chiefs are hauled to Canberra twice a year to be grilled by parliamentarians. As they should be. These are not the titans of free enterprise, but the heads of key institutions in Australian society. It was the economist John Kenneth Galbraith who formulated the idea of "countervailing power". In a free market, the price of goods and services would be determined by free bargaining. In reality, markets are dogged by imbalances, such as the power imbalance between employers and employees. Some "countervailing" powers, like trade unions or consumer groups, are needed to even the field to produce efficient outcomes. And so it is with the massive power wielded by Australia's banking sector. A public inquiry would act as an important countervailing force against the banks. It would also serve to remind politicians and policy makers - who increasingly find comfortable jobs in the banking sector after departing public office - of their important role in checking the power of banks. Hugh White, a provocateur among his academic colleagues, publishes a Quarterly Essay this week that reads like a Tom Clancy novel a version, perhaps, of Red Storm Rising. In this case White is not describing the possibility of war between NATO and the Warsaw Pact, but conflict between the US and China over the latter's encroachments in the South China Sea. According to this scenario Washington and Beijing venture to the brink of nuclear conflict, before a US president unnamed pulls back with the words in a tense White House situation room: "I'm not willing to risk a major war." Leaving aside White's version of superpower conflict that might be retitled "Red Star Rising", no one could reasonably say in 2017 that a confrontation between a rising power and a status quo power in our neighbourhood is out of the question. Following the worldwide excitement surrounding the royal engagement of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, there is one (probably quite) sad man sitting in Los Angeles: Markle's ex-husband Trevor Engelson. When reading through the films that Trevor Engelson has produced, it's difficult to avoid the suspicion that he might be slightly bitter about Markle's new engagement. With titles like License to Wed and Remember Me, one can only imagine a single tear rolling down this man's left cheek this morning. Trevor Engelson & Meghan Markle in 2011. Credit:Newscom / Alamy Stock Photo But who really is Trevor Engelson? About him In what was surely icing on the cake for retailers marking Cyber Monday, one of the biggest online shopping days on the calendar, Meghan Markle's engagement announcement outfit has caused websites to crash and the pieces to sell out worldwide. For the official announcement of her engagement to Prince Harry on Monday, the Suits actress wore a white wrap coat by Canadian label LINE, a celebrity favourite. The images that went around the world immediately sent the LINE website into meltdown, with the label telling USA Today the coat, which originally sold for $CAD700 ($823), had sold out. "We are incredibly honoured that Meghan chose to wear a LINE coat to mark this very special occasion," LINE president and co-founder John Muscat reportedly told USA Today. It's built a reputation for romantic lace dresses but the honeymoon is over for Australian label Lover. The brand, which launched in 2001, went into voluntary administration over the weekend, with administrators Ferrier Hodgson hoping a buyer will rescue the brand. Lover founders Nic Briand and Susien Chong with model Phillpa Gleeson outside their shop at The Strand arcade. The brand has entered voluntary administration. Credit:Lee Besford "Lover is a renowned independent Australian fashion brand and retailer. The company employs approximately 25 employees operating from its stores in Bondi Junction, Sydney CBD (the Strand Arcade) and through its online site as well as wholesale distribution channels," a statement on Ferrier Hodgson's website said. Ryan Eagle, who is jointly overseeing the process with Morgan Kelly, told Fairfax Media on Monday night it was not yet known what debts the company had. The Pap smear as we know it is disappearing from our lives. We'll get to that. But first, I need to get something off my chest. Paps - no longer two years apart. Credit:Stocksy See, whenever the topic of Pap smears is raised, as it occasionally is between women who are dreading an upcoming appointment, my most embarrassing smear test moment comes to mind. I was laying down in my GP's office, ready for the uncomfortable moment. I'd had to bring along my then one-year-old daughter, who was on the floor playing with a tub of toys the doctor had placed there for just such occasions. So far, so good. The teenager who was knocked unconscious and left "bleeding from his ears" after what police describe as a "coward punch" in the middle of the schoolies precinct at the Gold Coast, has spoken about the alleged attack. Taliesin Tardrew-O'Meara, 19, said he has very vague memories of the alleged assault but was sure that it had changed his life. Taliesin Tardrew-O'Meara, the 19-year-old East Lismore man who police will allege was 'coward punched'. Credit:Nine News Gold Coast You hear so many stories of it happening to people and it changes our lives completely, he told Nine News Gold Coast. My next memory (after the assault) was being in the ambulance, but my memory is really foggy, I dont remember much at all. Hundreds of the world's top websites routinely track a user's every keystroke, mouse movement and input into a web form even before it's submitted or later abandoned according to the results of a study from researchers at Princeton University. And there's a nasty side-effect: personal identifiable data, such as medical information, passwords and credit card details, could be revealed when user's surf the web, without them knowing that companies are monitoring their browsing behaviour. A yet to be fully-caffeinated person browses the web. The Princeton researchers found it was difficult to redact personally identifiable information from browsing behaviour records. Even, in some instances, when users have switched on privacy settings such as Do Not Track. The research found that third party tracking services are used by hundreds of businesses to monitor how users navigate their websites. This is proving to be increasingly challenging as more and more companies beef-up security and shift their sites over to encrypted HTTPS pages. On Tuesday morning, Ali's father spoke briefly to media from the front yard of his brick veneer home. The 20-year-old Werribee man is taken into custody. Credit:Victoria Police He denied his son would have harmed anyone, and then quickly went back inside, where police are still searching. "He's very innocent," the man's father said. Police at the accused man's family home in Werribee on Tuesday. Credit:Jason South Sheikh Isse Musse from Werribee Mosque said he knew Ali's father well, seeing him at the mosque several times a week. He saw his children less often. His father had worked exceptionally hard as a taxi driver to provide for his children, and his wife took care of the home. The suspect was allegedly planning to shoot and kill as many people as he could in Federation Square. Credit:Victoria Police "He's a very hardworking man, always on the road," Sheikh Musse said. Police seized several bags of evidence from the family's home, including a large framed picture. Victoria Police deputy commissioner Shane Patton (left) and AFP assistant commissioner Ian McCartney. Credit:Justin McManus The couple had moved to the home because they did not feel safe in the government housing they had been provided after arriving from Somalia more than a decade ago. They were worried about drugs in the area, particularly. Fireworks over Melbourne CBD on New Years Eve. Credit:Melbourne City Council "They wanted the children away from that area," Sheikh Musse said. The couple had toiled to ensure their children could go to the private Al-Taqwa College, an Islamic school in Truganina The college declined to comment on Tuesday. A neighbour said the "beautiful family" had lived in the house for at least a decade. "They're just lovely, everyday, people," she said. The man's father had apologised to her on Tuesday morning for the hassle regarding the arrest. "I believe he didn't know anything," the neighbour said. "I just felt like he was more heartbroken." The neighbour arrived home on Monday afternoon after picking up her daughter from school to find eight to 10 police cars lining the street. "It was quite frightening." The 20-year-old man was arrested on the corner of Synnot and Bridge streets in Werribee, which is a shopping area one street behind the suburb's main retail strip, just after 3pm on Monday. 'A very, very quiet boy' Warsame Hassan, the owner of Wix Computers in Footscray where the accused man worked, said 10 to 12 police officers stormed the store on Monday and took a computer, a hard drive and CCTV footage from the shop. Mr Hassan described the man as a quiet boy who did work experience at the store for about two to three hours at a time, sometimes one or twice a week, sometimes less. "He was a very, very quiet boy. He never spoke much. It was a shock," Mr Hassan said. He said he had met the young man's father at the Virgin Mary mosque in Werribee. His father wanted him to do work experience so he could go to university next year and eventually get a job in the computer industry. Al-Qaeda guidebook and other extremists The young man was in possession of an al-Qaeda guidebook on how to carry out terrorist attacks and is an Islamic State sympathiser, police allege. "He has accessed documents produced by al-Qaeda Arabian Peninsula ... a guidebook in respect to how to commit a terrorist act and also how to use firearms, guns and handguns and rifles," Mr Patton said. "He is associated with other persons in the Victorian extremists community ... it is a very small community of extremists. "This is a person who would become particularly energised when overseas events occurred. He expressed a great amount of interest in committing an attack himself." Mr Patton reassured the community the man was acting alone and no threats were ongoing. "We are not looking for any other suspects," he said. Authorities are still investigating how the young Werribee man became radicalised, Mr Patton said. Police do not believe he is linked to any mosques in Melbourne. They would not reveal if his family or friends knew of his intentions. This is his first time in custody. He is expected to be charged later on Tuesday with engaging in acts in preparation for a terrorist offence and collecting documents to facilitate a terrorist act. Victoria Police, Australian Federal Police and ASIO were involved in the investigation that resulted in the young man's arrest. No ongoing risk Police Minister Lisa Neville said police were continuing their investigation, but had foiled another threat. "Absolutely police were aware of this very early and had been monitoring," she said. "There was never any point in which there was a significant risk. I can absolutely assure Victorians that this has eliminated the risk." Ms Neville said Victorians should be confident to make plans for New Year's Eve. "There is no ongoing risk to the Victorian community." An estimated 450,000 people flock to Melbourne's CBD to ring in the new year in the city. Security has been ramped up in recent years, particularly last year after police foiled a Christmas Day terror plot. Hundreds of uniformed police swarmed the city last New Year's Eve, particularly near St Paul's Cathedral and Flinders Street Station which were both targets of the Christmas terror plot. Specialised squads including water police, mounted branch, operations response unit and air wing were deployed across the state. The normally bustling airport on the Indonesian resort island of Bali is a near- ghost town, dotted by anxious Australian tourists desperate to get home. The Mount Agung volcano lies a fair distance - about 70 kilomteres away - but the threat it poses is very real, and visible. A group of surfers from Sydney wait for updates on their cancelled flight. Credit:AAP Activity at the mountain has ramped up in recent weeks culminating with the cancellation of flights in and out of Bali this week due to a large ash cloud thrown up by the volcano. Indonesia has raised its alert for Mount Agung to the highest level, warning of the risk of a lava eruption is "imminent". A new online program aims to teach anxious children targeted by bullies how to be more confident in social situations and arm them with skills to help them cope. The Cool Kids Taking Control anti-bullying program is designed for children who are highly victimised and experiencing high levels of anxiety and researchers at Macquarie University looking for children across Australia who fit this criteria to take part. Anxious children are more likely to be targeted by bullies. Credit:SHIZUO KAMBAYASHI Dr Sally Fitzpatrick, project manager for PAVe, Preventing anxiety and victimisation through education, in the Department of Psychology, said a parent and their child would work through the course together and have weekly access to a psychologist. "We know that kids who are bullied tend to be more anxious," Dr Fitzpatrick said. Anonymous West Australians are reporting crucial information to Crime Stoppers more than ever before, with over 54,000 contacts made to the organisation last financial year. In an interview with WAtoday Crime Stoppers WA chief executive Vince Hughes revealed the Crime Stoppers WA website would soon feature a multilingual capability to provide better access for people whose first language might not be English, but who wish to report crime and suspicious activity. Almost 70 per cent of Crime Stoppers' online traffic is derived from mobiles phones. Credit:Glenn Hunt Establishing a bigger footprint in regional WA communities, particularly in Indigenous areas, is also high on the agenda for next year, Dr Hughes said. While phone calls are still the preferred method for people to reach out to the agency, online reporting has skyrocketed in the past 12 months by more than 60 per cent. Washington: President Donald Trump said there was a "Pocahontas" in the US Congress on Monday during a meeting with Native American World War Two veterans in an apparent derogatory reference to Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. After listening to one veteran speak at length about his experience as a "Navajo code talker" during the war, Trump heaped praise on the veterans and said he would not give prepared remarks himself. "You were here long before any of us were here," Trump said. "Although we have a representative in Congress who they say was here a long time ago. They call her Pocahontas." Trump repeatedly referred to Warren as "Pocahontas," the name of a famous 17th-century Native American, during his presidential campaign in a mocking reference to Warren's having said in the past that she had Native American ancestry. CHICAGO Two wealthy businessmen seeking the Democratic nomination for Illinois governor have released partial tax returns on the same day they filed candidate petitions for the 2018 primary. J.B. Pritzker is an heir to the Hyatt hotel fortune. He released three years of state and federal returns Monday. He and his wife reported about $16 million in total income last year, paying roughly $4.6 million in state and federal taxes. Pritzker's campaign said trusts benefiting Pritzker paid $154 million in state and federal taxes from 2014 to 2016. Chris Kennedy, nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, released partial 2016 returns showing $1.3 million in total income for him and his wife. They paid about $216,000 in state and federal taxes. Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, a former businessman, earned $90 million last year, paying about $23 million in taxes. New Braunfels, TX (78130) Today Cloudy early with partial sunshine expected late. High around 60F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies during the evening will give way to cloudy skies overnight. Low 44F. Winds light and variable. Rebecca Kocsis and Trey Toland are two out of 14 students who were recently nominated by Congressman David McKinley to attend U.S. Service Academies. "My dad called me. He brought me out into the yard because he was working on the farm and he showed me that I got a nomination and it was really exciting and it meant a lot. For someone to think that highly of me and to nominate me to an academy something so prestigious means so much to me," said Kocsis. "It's a great honor. It feels amazing to be able to give back to my country in this amazing way," said Toland. Both Rebecca and Trey's desire to serve started at a young age. "I knew that I wanted to do something in the military on the front lines and my parents told me that I had to go to college, so around 8th grade I started doing research on colleges and the military and I stumbled across the Naval Academy. By the time that I am a freshman there is a summer STEM program that the Navy puts on so I applied to it and got in and ever since I just feel in love with it," said Toland. The application process wasn't easy. "You have to write essays. You have to fill out little parts of an application. It's basically like a college application and you have to wait and then you have to interview," said Kocsis. But they are hoping their hard work will pay off and lead to an acceptance. "Hopefully I get into the Naval Academy and then I would like to be an officer in Marine infantry," said Toland. "The Naval Academy is absolutely my top one and West Point is my second one, but I am willing to go wherever because I just want to give back to my country. I would like to be one of the firsts in my close family to serve," said Kocsis. To learn more about the other nominations, click on the Related Links tab to your right. Fort Polk, LA (71446) Today Some clouds in the morning will give way to mainly sunny skies for the afternoon. High around 55F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Clear skies. Low 31F. Winds light and variable. Email To : Multiple e-mail addresses must be separated with a comma character(maximum 200 characters) Email To is required. Your Full Name: (optional) Your Email Address: Your Email Address is required. Christmas comes to the Homeplace 1850s Saturday after Thanksgiving By The Associated Press Nov. 28, 2017 | 11:23 AM | FLAGSTAFF, AZ Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona is tweeting that President Donald Trump's "politicizing" of a ceremony honoring Native American veterans was "an insult to their sacrifice." McCain doesn't cite the president by name in his tweet Tuesday. He says the nation owes a debt of gratitude to the Navajo Code Talkers for helping secure victory over tyranny and oppression during World War II. He then adds: "Politicizing these genuine American heroes is an insult to their sacrifice." During a White House event Monday, Trump revived past mocking comments he's made about Sen. Elizabeth Warren for claims she made about being part Native American. Trump said: "We have a representative in Congress who they say was here a long time ago. They call her Pocahontas. But you know what, I like you." IT WAS A BUSY & SUCCESSFUL THANKSGIVING FOR NC HIGHWAY PATROL IN WNC THE 2017 I-40 CHALLENGE s this years Thanksgiving Holiday season came to an end, troopers were out in full force to monitor traffic violations in hopes of reducing motor vehicle collisions. In support of this effort, the State Highway Patrol partnered with eight other states across the nation, participating in the 2017 I-40 Challenge. This initiative placed troopers every 20 miles along the major interstate during the most heavily traveled periods throughout the holiday. The operation was held from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 22 and from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 26. The campaign focused on the reduction of fatal collisions along the I-40 corridor, which coincides with the Vision Zero initiative. Troopers not assigned to work the I-40 campaign monitored other major interstates and secondary roadways. While the I-40 Challenge initiative focused on crash reduction two days throughout the holiday period, the Vision Zero initiative will continue throughout the rest of the year. Statewide Statistics/All Roadways Total Fatal Collisions - 16 DWI Arrest - 445 Seatbelt Violations - 2547 Speeding Violations - 10,518 Move Over Violations - 50 Total Citations Issued - 24,614 I-40 Challenge Statewide Statistics/ I-40 Corridor Total Fatal Collisions - 0 DWI Arrest - 5 Seatbelt Violations - 107 Moving Violations - 762 Non-Moving Violations - 329 Total Citations Issued - 1,163 Request for specific county statistics should be referred to the respective countys local State Highway Patrol office. ### If you would rather not receive future communications from North Carolina Department of Public Safety, let us know by clicking here. North Carolina Department of Public Safety, 4201 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, A report recently released by Armenias National Academy of Sciences Food Risk Assessment Center shows that residents in Yerevan, the country's capital, are equally at risk from consuming dangerous levels of chemicals through their fruits and vegetables than residents of Syunik, a southern province where mining is widespread. Davit Pipoyan, who heads the Center and is a PhD in nutritional science, told Hetq that they measured the trace amounts of copper, nickel, lead, arsenic and cadmium in all types of fruits and vegetables. Their findings show that the risk factor in Yerevan is 3.67, much greater than the accepted level of one. (Samples were taken from tomatoes, apples, peppers, lettuce and carrots). While Pipoyan says that the produce tested didnt show high concentrations of chemicals, due to the amounts consumed, the risk factor increases to unacceptable levels. The Center found that, on average, Yerevan residents consume 480 grams of fruits and vegetables per day. This amount rises to one kilogram per day during the summer, resulting in a higher risk of ingesting harmful levels of chemicals. Pipoyan told Hetq that while conducting research in Syunik, they found basil samples to have the highest level of chemical concentrations. Luckily, basil isnt consumed in great quantities. When asked if the government is aware of the issue, Pipoyan noted that due to the close connection between business and government, the state apparatus isnt all that concerned with consumer safety. I raised this issue in this very office with our three ministers agriculture, environment and health. All three, it seemed, seriously listened to what I said. It was Minister of Agriculture Ignaty Arakelyan who only promised to do something. But hes carried out none of his promises. This inaction is bad for him and the country, said Pipoyan. The scientist says that the government must draft a comprehensive plan of action that includes the input of all the three ministries mentioned. Pipoyan says that the government asked the Center to come up with a plan, replete with proposals, and it did so. It has never been implemented, he says. The scientist laments the fact that Armenia lacks an effective agrarian policy and that the government lacks the wherewithal to regulate the market and farming processes to the benefit of consumers. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Armenian military officials, with the intercession of the International Red Cross, today returned the body of an Azerbaijani soldier to Azerbaijani officials along the Yeraskh-Sadarak stretch of the border Armenian soldiers had found the body of the Azerbaijani army captain on November 23 near a military position along the southwestern border with Azerbaijan. The site was described as a strip of no man's land straddling the border. Armenias defense ministry claims the dead man had committed crimes at the base he was serving at and had taken flight. Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan today received visiting Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif in Yerevan. Noting the recent increase in visits by top officials between Yerevan and Tehran, President Sargsyan said they allowed for greater care to be used when furthering relations between the two nations that share centuries of friendship. The Armenian president said that in the 25 years after establishing diplomatic relations, the two countries have built bridges of mutual respect, understanding and friendship. Thanking Sargsyan for his warm reception, Minister Zarif conveyed the greetings of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and his thanks to the Armenian president for sending a letter of condolence regarding the recent earthquake in Iran. Minister Zarif said enhancing relations with all its neighbors was a priority for Iran and the Armenia has always been regarded as a very good neighbor. Sargsyan and Zarif talked about the need to strengthen economic ties and cooperation in several mutually beneficial sectors. Alexandre Varbedian, banned from entering Armenia since 2002, has taken his case to the courts in Armenia, seeking to get his name removed from a list of undesirable foreigners compiled by the countrys National Security Service (NSS). Varbedian, a genealogist by profession, had moved from France to Soviet Armenia at the age of five and received his education in Yerevan. He moved back to his birthplace, Marseille, in 1975. Although he acquired French citizenship, he also kept his Soviet passport with him. After Armenia's independence, that transformed to Armenian citizenship at his own request. However, a law abolishing dual citizenship was passed in 1994 and Varbedian was deprived of his Armenian citizenship three years later. However, in the period from 1998 to 1999 and then from 1999 to 2002, Varbedian lived in Armenia thanks to residence permits he acquired through the Armenian Ministry of Education and Science as well as the Ministry of Culture. In 2002, his permit was not extended, and no reason was cited for the rejection. Nevertheless, in 2002, the A1+ news site wrote The deadline on the Armenian residence permit of the President of the Essence Union, French citizen Alexandre Varbedian, has expired. Alexandre Varbedian has been told that he will no longer be given permission to reside in Armenia because he belonged to a sect. The Essence Union is ready to collaborate with the Armenian Apostolic Church, Varbedian assured, but such proposals have not been met with a reply. The Union has proposed a program called Nation and New Millennium. According to Union members, this is a curative program that has been planned for years, tasked with keeping society from foolishness and sin. Hetq spoke to Varbedians attorney Ani Chatinyan regarding the legal suit, who said that her client contacted the Helsinki Citizens Assembly (Vanadzor) for assistance in 2016. Chatinyan says that the Assembly contacted the NSS for clarification and was told that Varbedian was being banned because there is credible evidence that he is a member of an organization whose aim is to endanger the security of the Republic of Armenia. The attorney labels the allegation as absurd and unfounded. Submit an event for Around Town by emailing calendar information to bnr-news@wiscnews.com at least three business days before the event date. For a complete listing of calendar events for the next week, visit baraboonewsrepublic.com. Today Support group: 3-4:30 p.m., Maplewood Sauk Prairie, 245 Sycamore St., Sauk City. Alzheimer Dementia Support group offers free meetings the fourth Tuesday of each month. Reservations not required. For more information, call Theresa Grimes at 643-3383. Pizza fundraiser: 4:30-8 p.m., People Helping People, Pizza Ranch, 916 Gateway Drive, Baraboo. Community Impact Night. Ten percent of the evening sales and all donations raised will help feed those in need for Christmas. Public hearing: 7 p.m., Baraboo Municipal Building, 135 Fourth St., Baraboo. Public hearing on the Preliminary Resolution and the Assessment Report. All interested persons or their agents or attorneys may appear and be heard concerning the matters contained in the report. For more information, visit cityofbaraboo.com. Wednesday , Nov. 29 CPR class: 5-9 p.m., Reedsburg Area Medical Center, lower level conference room, 2000 North Dewey Ave., Reedsburg. This Heartsaver AED course includes adult and pediatric CPR, foreign body airway obstruction and the use of a defibrillator. Cost is $50 and includes the instruction book and two-year certification card. For more information or to check availability, call 768-6240. Class size is limited. Thursday , Nov. 30 Hospice training: 4-8 p.m., Agrace Hospice and Palliative Care, 1670 South Blvd., Baraboo. Volunteers are needed to visit and provide companionship to local hospice patients. For more information, an application and to schedule orientation, call 608-327-7163. Gift wrap workshop: 6:30-8 p.m., Rock Springs Public Library, 101 First St., Rock Springs. During this free gift wrap workshop participants will learn simple ways to create wrapping paper and will make some to take home. Space is limited; to register, call 608-522-5050 or email rockspringslibrary.com" target="_blank">director@rockspringslibrary.com. For more information on library programs, visit rockspringslibrary.com. Play: 7 p.m., University of Wisconsin-Baraboo/Sauk County, R.G. Brown Theatre, 1006 Connie Road, Baraboo. Story Theatre a compilation of Aesops fables and Grimms fairy tales will be performed. Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students, and $5 for children 10 younger and UW-Baraboo/Sauk County students. For more information, call 608-355-5238, or visit baraboo.uwc.edu/campus/arts/theatre. Friday , Dec. 1 Bazaar: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Maplewood of Sauk Prairie, activities room, 245 Sycamore St., Sauk City. Maplewoods Bazaar will offer home-baked cookies, bars, bread, pies and craft items made by the residents. Proceeds go to the Resident Council for the residents use. Book sale: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friends of the Baraboo Public Library, Baraboo Public Library, 230 Fourth Ave., Baraboo. Book prices start at $1. For more information, call 608-356-6166 or visit baraboopubliclibrary.org. Holiday parade: 6-7 p.m., Downtown Spring Green. Holiday Light Parade. For more information, visit springgreen.com. Dinner theater: 6:30 p.m., Walnut Hill Bible Church, Expeditions, E11844 Highway DL, Baraboo. Dinner theater production of The Buzz in Bethlehem will offer a unique approach to theater in which attendees play a role as travelers to Bethlehem for the census. Appetizers and dinner will be provided. Tickets are $16 each or $14 for a group of eight or more. Tickets are available online at buzzinbethlehem.com. Live theater: 7 p.m., Sauk Prairie Theatre Guild, River Arts Center, 105 Ninth St., Prairie du Sac. A Christmas Carol will be performed. Tickets available online at sptheatreguild.org, at River Arts on Water Gallery, 590 Water St., Prairie du Sac, call 643-5215 or at the door. Play: 7 p.m., University of Wisconsin-Baraboo/Sauk County, R.G. Brown Theatre, 1006 Connie Road, Baraboo. Story Theatre a compilation of Aesops fables and Grimms fairy tales will be performed. Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students, and $5 for children 10 younger and UW-Baraboo/Sauk County students. For more information, call 608-355-5238, or visit baraboo.uwc.edu/campus/arts/theatre. Concert: 7:30 p.m., The Village Booksmith, 526 Oak St., Baraboo. Joelle Austin will perform. For more information, call 608-355-1001 or visit villagebooksmith.com. Saturday , Dec. 2 Santa breakfast: 8-11 a.m., Spring Green Fire Station, 327 S. Winsted St., Spring Green. Free annual breakfast with Santa Claus. For more information, visit springgreen.com. Bazaar: 8 a.m. to noon, Maplewood of Sauk Prairie, activities room, 245 Sycamore St., Sauk City. Maplewoods Bazaar will offer home-baked cookies, bars, bread, pies and craft items made by the residents. Proceeds go to the Resident Council for the residents use. Blood drive: 8 a.m. to noon, American Red Cross, Hillpoint VFW Hall, S6088 Highway 154, Hillpoint. To make an appointment or for more information, call 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org. Book sale: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friends of the Baraboo Public Library, Baraboo Public Library, 230 Fourth Ave., Baraboo. Book prices start at $1. For more information, call 608-356-6166 or visit baraboopubliclibrary.org. Open house: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., River Arts on Water Gallery, 590 Water St., Prairie du Sac. Holiday open house with gift items, local artists, giveaways, door prizes, workshops, classes and more. Guest Artist Holiday Trunk Show from 1-4 p.m. This event is free to attend and open to the public. Organization program: 10 a.m., La Valle Public Library, 101 W. Main St., La Valle. Organizing expert Penny Johnson at 10 a.m. Dec. 2 for a program on organizing photographs. Johnson will share how to store, arrange, file and enjoy digital and paper photos and slides while learning to set up a personal Photo Action Plan to keep the collection safe and accessible today, tomorrow and forever. For more information, call 608-985-7323. Live theater: 2 and 7 p.m., Sauk Prairie Theatre Guild, River Arts Center, 105 Ninth St., Prairie du Sac. A Christmas Carol will be performed. Tickets available online at sptheatreguild.org, at River Arts on Water Gallery, 590 Water St., Prairie du Sac, call 643-5215 or at the door. Dinner theater: 6:30 p.m., Walnut Hill Bible Church, Expeditions, E11844 Highway DL, Baraboo. Dinner theater production of The Buzz in Bethlehem will offer a unique approach to theater in which attendees play a role as travelers to Bethlehem for the census. Appetizers and dinner will be provided. Tickets are $16 each or $14 for a group of eight or more. Tickets are available online at buzzinbethlehem.com. Full moon hike: 7-8:30 p.m., Devils Lake State Park. Guided two mile walk/snowshoe hike along trails by the light of the full moon. Wear proper footwear and clothing for winter weather. Meet at the Steinke Basin parking lot. For more information, call 608-356-8301. Play: 7 p.m., University of Wisconsin-Baraboo/Sauk County, R.G. Brown Theatre, 1006 Connie Road, Baraboo. Story Theatre a compilation of Aesops fables and Grimms fairy tales will be performed. Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students, and $5 for children 10 younger and UW-Baraboo/Sauk County students. For more information, call 608-355-5238, or visit baraboo.uwc.edu/campus/arts/theatre. Holiday concert: 7:30 p.m., First United Church of Christ, 504 Washington Ave., Sauk City. Christmas With The Niskas, the vocal threesome presents a concert of traditional and pop holiday selections in a variety of musical genres. Tickets are $23 at the door and available online at theniskas.com. Sunday , Dec. 3 Santa: 8 a.m. to noon, St. Aloysius School, gym, 608 Oak St., Sauk City. Breakfast with Santa serving an all-you-can-eat breakfast of baked eggs, pancakes, and more. Also Sinsinawa bread, cookie walk, raffle tickets, chance raffle prizes and a Scholastic Book Fair. Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for kids and free for younger than 3; available at the door. Open house: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., River Arts on Water Gallery, 590 Water St., Prairie du Sac. Holiday open house with gift items, local artists, giveaways, door prizes, workshops, classes and more. Fingerprint Painted Ornaments Workshop from 10 a.m. to noon for kids ages 5-10, with a parent or guardian present. For more information and to register, visit riverartsinc.org/workshop-fingerprint-ornaments. Cost is $40 per artist team of one adult and one child. From 1-4 p.m. a Book Signing is scheduled for seven local authors. This event is free to attend and open to the public. Dinner theater: 1 p.m., Walnut Hill Bible Church, Expeditions, E11844 Highway DL, Baraboo. Dinner theater production of The Buzz in Bethlehem will offer a unique approach to theater in which attendees play a role as travelers to Bethlehem for the census. Appetizers and dinner will be provided. Tickets are $16 each or $14 for a group of eight or more. Tickets are available online at buzzinbethlehem.com. Play: 1 p.m., University of Wisconsin-Baraboo/Sauk County, R.G. Brown Theatre, 1006 Connie Road, Baraboo. Story Theatre a compilation of Aesops fables and Grimms fairy tales will be performed. Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students, and $5 for children 10 younger and UW-Baraboo/Sauk County students. For more information, call 608-355-5238, email tom.mcevilly@uwc.edu or visit baraboo.uwc.edu/campus/arts/theatre. Live theater: 2 p.m., Sauk Prairie Theatre Guild, River Arts Center, 105 Ninth St., Prairie du Sac. A Christmas Carol will be performed. Tickets available online at sptheatreguild.org, at River Arts on Water Gallery, 590 Water St., Prairie du Sac, call 643-5215 or at the door. Gamblers meeting: 6-7 p.m., Sauk County Gamblers Anonymous, SSM Health St. Clare Hospital, Crane Room A, 707 14th St., Baraboo. Ongoing meeting meets every Wednesday and Sunday. Full moon hike: 7 p.m., Ice Age Trail Alliance, Lodi High School, pool parking area, 1100 Sauk St., Lodi. Wear appropriate clothing, shoes and bring a flashlight if possible; walking stick recommended. Children and leashed dogs are welcome. Hot chocolate and cookies served. For more information, Bill at 608-843-3926. Advent festival: 7 p.m., St. Joseph Church, 304 East St., Baraboo. Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, an evening of scripture, music and prayer. Monday , Dec. 4 Career workshop: 10-11:30 a.m., Madison Area Technical College, 300 Alexander Ave., Reedsburg. Free career counseling for displaced workers, recent high school graduates or individuals who want to make a career change. For more information, visit madisoncollege.edu/career-employment-events. To schedule an appointment with Paul Anderson of the Counseling & College Success Department for one-on-one counseling, email panderson5@madisoncollege.edu or call 608-524-7753. Tree lighting: 5:45 p.m., Friends of Sauk Prairie Healthcare, Sauk Prairie Hospital Conference Center, 260 26th St., Prairie du Sac. Love Lights Tree Lighting Ceremony. For more information, call 643-7257. A man arrested after a drunken brawl allegedly told officers he would use his knowledge of chemistry to carry out a revenge bombing. Police say 31-year-old Milwaukee resident Dustin B. Colvin made the threat Oct. 21 as officers were investigating a fight at the Great Wolf Lodge in the village of Lake Delton. In the early morning, two Lake Delton Police Department officers and one sergeant responded to the hotel for a report of a physical disturbance in progress, according to a criminal complaint. Officers reportedly located a room where noises had been heard, and knocked on the door. A bloodied man, with an eye wound swollen to the size of a grapefruit, opened the door, and officers reported seeing blood and hair on the floor and walls. The man told officers he was roommates with Colvin and that they both attended Milwaukee Area Technical College. They had been at a conference hours earlier, the man said, and went out drinking after. The two men allegedly began to fight after a drunken argument over rent money. An officer who interviewed Colvin reported that he gave untruthful answers and made comments that he was going to hurt the other man when they got back to Milwaukee. When confronted about his statements, Colvin allegedly admitted to lying because he didnt want to get kicked out of school. Dustin stated he was a chemist and would make a bomb to get revenge on officers who unjustifiably arrested him, the officer reported. Dustin added he was going to bring a Vegas situation to the Wisconsin Dells area for getting him kicked out of college. After he was transported to the jail for booking, prosecutors said Colvin was uncooperative and that five deputies had to restrain him. The Sauk County District Attorneys Office has charged Colvin with threatening an officer, battery, disorderly conduct and resisting an officer. Editor's note: This article was updated Nov. 30 to correct the name of the college the two men attended. U-Haul has purchased a West Baraboo shopping center, setting up a showroom in a long-dormant Maurices clothing store, and will use a shuttered Sears store for storage space rental. The national moving company closed on its purchase of WestDayl Plaza at the end of October, and opened its showroom Nov. 6. We wanted to get a showroom up and be a part of the community, said Adam Sonnleitner, president of U-Haul in southwestern Wisconsin. In recent years, U-Haul has served Baraboo-area customers through four local dealers. The company will continue to work with those dealers, Sonnleitner said, while also offering truck rentals, storage, moving supplies and trailer rentals at its new West Baraboo retail location. Sonnleitner said U-Haul was drawn to the location because it offered expansive, available retail space and ready access to the new, four-lane U.S. Highway 12 route. Renovating existing stores, rather than building new, avoided the need for an estimated 1,400 tons of metal and 6,500 tons of concrete. Sonnleitner said 8,000 tons of construction debris was kept out of landfills. We do like to repurpose old buildings, he said. Covering 16 acres, WestDayl was once a retail hub, featuring a grocery store, Walgreens pharmacy, Cost Cutters hair salon and JCPenney store, in addition to Sears and Maurices. Walgreens, Maurices and Cost Cutters moved in recent years, and JCPenney closed. That left the grocery as the shopping centers only operating business. Festival Foods will remain, renting its space from U-Haul. Baraboo Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bobbie Boettcher said she hopes the new owner will reinvigorate the shopping center. U-Haul is a respected brand. Were lucky to have them, she said. Its great to see fresh activity at WestDayl. U-Haul hopes traffic pouring off Highway 12 at the Highway 136 exit will bring customers to U-Haul and other businesses that may rent space at WestDayl. We can pull them right off the highway, Sonnleitner said. It comes down to location. He said the company hasnt determined how much space it will use, or how much it might rent or lease to other businesses. After renovations are complete, climate-controlled storage will be available next year. Were kind of in the very, very early stages of it, he said. We havent decided exactly what were going to do with it. On-site manager Ray Pooler will lead a staff of at least five employees. U-Haul is open six days a week. Baraboo School Board members on Monday questioned the efficacy of the states school report cards. The Baraboo School District passed the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction assessment with an overall score of 69 out of 100 points, earning a three-star rating of meets expectations. Several schools within the district also received individual report cards. Al Berhman, Gordon L. Willson and North Freedom Elementary schools earned four-star overall grades of exceeds expectations, while East Elementary and Jack Young Middle schools received three-star scores of meets expectations. Baraboo High School came in below with a two-star grade of meets few expectations. District leaders questioned what comparisons can be made between schools and what specific information can be gleaned from the overall score. Sometimes when you get a government using a weighting system like this, it becomes very difficult for us to say where our goals are and what are we trying to achieve, said board member Doug Mering. We cant be driven entirely by a test score or by a report card. The report cards underwent significant changes as part of Wisconsin Act 55 beginning in the 2015-2016 school year. The changes included the addition of variable weighting to address the impacts of poverty on student achievement, a new model for measuring student growth and a legislative requirement to drop the Badger Exam in favor of the Forward Exam. The changes marked the third time standardized state testing was altered in three years. The 2016-2017 report cards comprise multiple years of data, despite the different tests. The scores are derived from one year of the Badger and two years of the Forward exams for grades three through eight, and the ACT Plus Writing in grade 11. For the second year, the report cards used a five-star rating system. The stars corresponded to one of five categories: fails to meet expectations, meets few expectations, meets expectations, exceeds expectations and significantly exceeds expectations. During a presentation to the board, Director of Teaching and Learning Nicholas Karls explained that each schools individual score is calculated differently based on its percentage of economically disadvantaged students. Economic disadvantage percentage is determined by the number of students who receive free and reduced-price lunches. Take a look at Al Behrman Elementary, where they sit somewhere close to 70 percent (economically disadvantaged), Karls said. Only five percent of the report card is weighted on student achievement, and 45 percent is weighted on growth. By contrast, North Freedom Elementary Schools economically disadvantaged population is about 39 percent. Its student achievement score is weighted about 22 percent toward its overall score and growth is around 28 percent, he said. District Administrator Lori Muller said the variable weighting makes it difficult to compare report cards between schools and across districts. Youre really not comparing apples to apples, she said. Districts and schools within the state receive a score from zero to 100 on the report cards based on student test scores in English language arts and mathematics, as well as student growth, closing gaps between student subgroups, and measures of readiness for graduation and post-secondary success. Student subgroups are groups of 20 or more students who share similar characteristics, such as socioeconomic status, language abilities or physical and learning disabilities. To improve Baraboo High Schools score which missed a three-star meets expectations grade by roughly one point Karls said administrators and faculty will work to close gaps between subgroups by providing additional support to students who have disabilities, and students who are economically disadvantaged. Our next steps will be to further dive into the data and develop an action plan with our staff, he said. In addition, student interviews are going to be conducted to see if any trends emerge related to barriers students might experience. Mueller added that several positive data points for the high school were not included in this years assessment and could become positive factors moving forward. We know next school year the report cards will include data that wont be weighted, but will include data to show advanced placement coursework and workforce certification, she said. Then in the 2019-2020 school year, theyre saying they will start to factor that into the overall calculation of the report card for the high schools. Sometimes when you get a government using a weighting system like this, it becomes very difficult for us to say where our goals are and what are we trying to achieve. Doug Mering, Baraboo School Board member NAAE Convention, Dec. 4-9: I will be attending the National Association of Agricultural Educators Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. I serve on the NAAE Executive Board and I am running for President-elect. The election will take place Dec. 9. If I am elected, I will serve one year as the president-elect and then serve the following year as the president of the NAAE. Dec. 6, Late Start and Parent/Teacher Conferences: I will not be here for parent/teacher conferences, but if you have any questions or concerns you may call or email me. Dec. 11, State FFA Officer Visit: Sam Jesse, the State FFA Sentinel, will be visiting Columbus and presenting to all of the Agriscience classes. Dec. 18, FFA Meeting: 7 p.m., middle school meeting, 7:30 p.m., chapter meeting. The meeting will be held in the high school ag room 107. Dec. 14-16, NICC Foundation Gift Wrapping: The FFA will be helping one of these nights. We will select a date soon and share in the next email. Agricultural Food Science: The students focused on the chemical basis of food and organic compounds in food this week. They completed a lab on refrigeration and freezing, analyzing the use-by dates and what would happen to the food product if it was not kept frozen or cold. The students finished up the week with a food science lab. The students wore their lab coats, goggles, and food safety gloves to prepare a tasty chemical mixture. All of the ingredients were labeled with their chemical names. The students had to follow the lab procedure to figure out what they were making. In the end they all enjoyed some peanut brittle. Agricultural Careers and Leadership: The students spent the week creating an E-portfolio using Google sites. They completed a resume and cover letter and then posted these items along with six artifacts, proving the skills and knowledge they have developed. The students will be sharing their E-portfolios on Monday. Last week the students also had an etiquette lesson on how to do a proper handshake and greeting. They also learned how to properly sit in a chair for a job interview. Food, Forests and Wildlife: The students learned about Wisconsins Fun Faces of Agriculture and looked up Wisconsin Agricultural products from A to Z. They were to take note of the Wisconsin agricultural products they ate during Thanksgiving dinner. Animals, Plants and Food Science: The students finished up their project creating an agricultural exchange box for a school in Vale, Oregon. The students each typed a couple of sentences about themselves in a letter to the students in Oregon. They all created one slide in a slideshow that Mrs. Crook will share with the Vale teacher and they sent a box of Wisconsin agricultural products and information about Columbus to Oregon. They started their food science unit last week, brainstorming food preservation methods. After nearly a year of threats, the Trump administration made its most aggressive move to date against a familiar target of its ire: California and its immigration policies. Late Tuesday evening the department filed a federal lawsuit against the state and its top officials to stop a cluster of so-called "sanctuary state" bills -- a move that puts the administration on offense but is nonetheless likely to generate heated litigation over the boundaries of immigration authority. The lawsuit is the latest broadside from the Trump administration against so-called "sanctuary cities" -- a broad term referring to localities that abide by some measure of non-cooperation with federal law enforcement -- and amid an already heightened level of tension with California. Trump administration officials have repeatedly attacked sanctuary jurisdictions and local officials as harboring dangerous criminals. Attorney General Jeff Sessions is expected to announce the case on Wednesday in California's capital, Sacramento, during an event with a state law enforcement association. "The Department of Justice and the Trump administration are going to fight these unjust, unfair, and unconstitutional policies that have been imposed on you," Sessions will tell law enforcement officers at the California Peace Officers Association gathering on Wednesday, according to a copy of his prepared remarks. "We are fighting to make your jobs safer and to help you reduce crime in America. And I believe that we are going to win." California Governor Edmund G. Brown and Attorney General Xavier Becerra, both named defendants in the lawsuit, sharply condemned it as a meritless. "At a time of unprecedented political turmoil, Jeff Sessions has come to California to further divide and polarize America," Brown said in a statement. "Jeff, these political stunts may be the norm in Washington, but they don't work here. SAD!!!" "No matter what happens in Washington, #California will stay the course and enforce all our laws and protect all our people," Becerra tweeted. The California laws at issue limit state and local police cooperation with federal immigration authorities in a variety of ways. One prohibits private employers from voluntarily cooperating with federal immigration law enforcement and requires that employers give workers a heads up about potential worksite inspections, a second restricts local law enforcement from sharing information about the release of criminal immigrants to federal agents and prohibits their transfer to federal custody, and a third allows the state to inspect federal and Department of Homeland Security documents, which DOJ considers off limits to local authorities. "The provisions of state law at issue have the purpose and effect of making it more difficult for federal immigration officers to carry out their responsibilities in California," Justice Department lawyers argue in the suit, further calling the laws an "obstacle to the United States' enforcement of the immigration laws and discriminating against federal immigration enforcement." California passed the laws last year in what officials hailed as a rebuke of President Donald Trump's aggressive immigration enforcement agenda. Test for states The suit will test how much leeway states have to shield immigrants from detection. The Justice Department says that the federal power to determine immigration policy is well settled and California's laws conflict with those federal prerogatives in novel ways. But the legal thrust of the case also puts the Trump administration in the delicate position of relying on a 2012 Supreme Court decision that effectively blocked some of Arizona's sweeping attempts aimed at lessening the number of undocumented immigrants on the grounds that the state could not pursue policies that undermined federal law -- known as "preemption." The justices delivered a split decision, however, and declined to block the most hotly debated provision, requiring state police officers to demand the papers of anyone suspected of being in the country illegally. In addition to the ongoing litigation over sanctuary cities, the mayor of Oakland, California, recently drew sharp rebuke from federal officials when she announced in advance that Immigration and Customs Enforcement were preparing to hold enforcement operations in her city, which officials said allowed some priority targets to evade capture. "We will continue to exercise our legal right to exist as a sanctuary city," Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf said in a statement on Tuesday's lawsuit. "We will continue to inform all residents about their Constitutional rights, and we will continue to support California's sanctuary status." States and cities say their policies are protecting the best interest of their citizens. States say they should not have to spend their limited resources on a federal responsibility and a perception the local law enforcement works with immigration officials hurts community relations. The Justice Department has struggled in federal courts to pressure localities on sanctuary policies. Federal courts have blocked the Trump administration from taking away funds on grounds that jurisdictions don't cooperate on immigration enforcement, aside from a small piece of federal law that requires local authorities to share information on an individual's citizenship and nationality "status." President Donald Trump, during an event at the White House honoring Navajo code talkers Monday, referenced his nickname for Sen. Elizabeth Warren, "Pocahontas," a label he has long used about the Massachusetts Democrat. "I just want to thank you because you are very, very special people. You were here long before any of us were here," Trump said. "Although, we have a representative in Congress who has been here a long time ... longer than you -- they call her Pochahontas!" He then turned to one of the code talkers behind him, put his left hand on the man's shoulder and said: "But you know what, I like you. You are special people." Trump did not name Warren. The comment, met with silence from event attendees, revives an insult the President has long thrust upon Warren but restated a high-profile meeting with the Native American war heroes. "It is deeply unfortunate that the President of the United States cannot even make it through a ceremony honoring these heroes without having to throw out a racial slur. Donald Trump does this over and over thinking somehow he is going to shut me up with it. It hasn't worked out in the past, it isn't going to work out in the future," Warren told MSNBC shortly after Trump's remark. Conservatives have previously criticized Warren for claiming that she is part Native American, and the senator's heritage became an issue during her Senate campaigns. Trump has seized on the attacks and has regularly called Warren "Pocahontas." The attack dates back to his 2016 campaign. "Pocahontas is at it again," he tweeted in June 2016. "Goofy Elizabeth Warren, one of the least productive U.S. Senators, has a nasty mouth. Hope she is V.P. choice." He added, "Crooked Hillary is wheeling out one of the least productive senators in the U.S. Senate, goofy Elizabeth Warren, who lied on heritage." And earlier this month, he added, "Pocahontas just stated that the Democrats, lead by the legendary Crooked Hillary Clinton, rigged the Primaries! Lets go FBI & Justice Dept." He has also made used the nickname privately. Sources told CNN earlier this year that during a meeting with senators at the White House, Trump taunted Democrats by saying "Pocahontas is now the face of your party." Trump has routinely given his political opponents nicknames, but the slight against Warren is one of his most culturally insensitive. Warren says she is, in fact, part Native American, citing "family stories" passed down through generations of her family. "I am very proud of my heritage," Warren told NPR in 2012. "These are my family stories. This is what my brothers and I were told by my mom and my dad, my mammaw and my pappaw. This is our lives. And I'm very proud of it." The legitimacy of Warren's heritage has been widely debated and Scott Brown, her 2012 Senate campaign opponent, has even suggested Warren take a DNA test to prove her heritage. Harvard Law School in the 1990s touted Warren, then a professor in Cambridge, as being "Native American." They singled her out, Warren later acknowledged, because she had listed herself as a minority in an Association of American Law Schools directory. Critics seized on the listing, saying that she received preferential treatment for questionable Native American heritage. Warren contends that her career was never furthered because of her Native American genealogy. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has called a mandatory meeting with Assembly staff this week to address ways workers can report sexual harassment. Its the first action to address sexual harassment taken by state legislative leaders in the wake of an avalanche of allegations against prominent lawmakers, entertainers and journalists. None have involved people in Wisconsin. The Assembly takes reports of sexual harassment very seriously and we want to make sure all staff are comfortable and familiar with how to make a report and explain the process that occurs if one is made, Vos, R-Rochester, wrote in an email to staff last week. The meeting comes at a time when Congress and state legislatures are grappling with allegations of sexual harassment and assault. Allegations have been leveled against U.S. Sen. Al Franken, D-Minnesota, U.S. Rep. John Conyers, D-Michigan, several state lawmakers and Republican Senate-hopeful Roy Moore of Alabama. The claims of sexual misconduct and harassment made against lawmakers followed a cascade of similar allegations against movie producer Harvey Weinstein, comedian Louis C.K. and high-profile media figures such as Roger Ailes and Bill OReilly of Fox News and Charlie Rose of CBS and PBS. Also last week, Department of Administration Secretary Scott Neitzel asked heads of state agencies to review with their staff members the states policies related to sexual harassment. In the email, Neitzel emphasized that state law allows employees to be fired instead of disciplined for harassing a person while on duty. While most harassment claims may not be as obvious a violation as some we have recently seen in the media, all allegations need to be taken seriously and appropriately reviewed, he wrote. Vos wrote in his email to staff that the Legislatures human resources director will be at the Tuesday meeting in the Assembly chamber to discuss the Assemblys procedures on reporting sexual harassment. Lawmakers are not required to attend the meeting, but Vos said in the email that legislators are encouraged to attend. A spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, said the office would discuss whether to hold a similar meeting. Zero tolerance According to Assembly Chief Clerk Patrick Fuller, the Assemblys policies prohibit discrimination of any kind and ban sexual harassment. According to the official policy manual all staff receive and must sign a document stating the Assembly will not tolerate discrimination or harassment, and is committed to preventing or stopping it whenever it may occur. Complaints of harassment should be made to the Legislatures human resources office, according to the policy, though the policy does not specifically address sexual harassment. Staff are also given a pamphlet including the Department of Workforce Developments complaint process for staff who feel they have experienced discrimination, which outlines the best methods for managers to handle allegations of harassment, Fuller said. The pamphlet also defines sexual harassment emphasizing sexual harassment can occur when there is a disparity of power, not just when men and women work together and that harassers can be supervisors, co-workers and also people who dont work for the Assembly but communicate and work with Assembly staff. In the Senate, harassment and discrimination also are prohibited and staff are given policies regarding sexual harassment that specifically outline how to file complaints. According to Senate Chief Clerk Jeff Renk, staff making a complaint can file one through an informal process to resolve the unwanted situation or through a formal complaint that aims to ensure that appropriate action can be taken right away. It defines sexual harassment as verbal, visual, or physical. It can be overt, as in the suggestion that a person could get a raise in salary or promotion by submitting to sexual advances, according to the policy. Sexual harassment can also consist of persistent, unwelcome attempts to change a professional relationship to a personal one. The informal process allows staff to complain verbally or in writing, and provides more confidentiality, while the formal process requires a detailed complaint be filed in writing, according to the Senates policy. The Senate also prohibits retaliation against employees and establishes timelines within which supervisors and human resources staff must resolve complaints. Records denied Fuller and Renk last week denied a request made by the Wisconsin State Journal under the states open records law for complaints of sexual harassment filed with their offices over the last 10 years. To the extent we have any records, release of any records responsive to your request would have a negative/chilling impact upon employees informing the Legislature of their concerns via the internal complaint process and the ability of the Legislature to be appropriately informed of and to timely respond to and resolve such concerns/complaints, they wrote in each of their letters of denial. The purpose of an employer internal complaint process is to instill employee confidence in his/her employer in resolving such concerns in an appropriate, timely and as confidential as possible manner (without having to file a formal, costly and public lawsuit). Fuller and Renk said releasing the records related to complaints and investigations compromises the privacy rights of victims, witnesses, and others. The increased level of embarrassment would have a chilling effect on future witnesses or victims coming forward, contrary to public policy, they wrote. Vivid, dark red splotches of blood show where people were shot and killed by the hundreds inside Egypt's al Rawda Mosque during midday prayer last Friday. A 17-year-old boy, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals, recalled the scene outside the Sufi mosque as the massacre began. "I saw a man in army uniform," he said. "He opened fire on us. The bullets were ricocheting off the walls, hitting people in the legs and back." When the attackers left, he went inside to search for his father among the dead. "He was on his side. It looked like he was shot up close in the head when he was already down," he said. He and others who spoke to CNN said the entire incident lasted roughly an hour. Mohamed, another eyewitness who asked CNN to refer to him only by his first name for his safety, was at another mosque down the street when he saw several four-wheel vehicles driving up to the al Rawda Mosque. "I heard shooting and screaming and shouting, so I ran toward the mosque. I saw four people I know who work for the army, and they were firing at the attackers, but they ran out of ammunition. One of them, Ahmed, was killed after he finished his ammunition." According to the official narrative, the death toll from the attack, the bloodiest in modern Egyptian history, stands at 305, including 27 children. These accounts, as well as the video and still photographs in this report, were provided by CNN's Sinai stringer, Mona El Zamlout. For several years, Egyptian authorities have barred CNN and all other international news organizations, as well as most Egyptian news media, from entering the northern Sinai peninsula. On Saturday, Egypt's Public Prosecutor issued a statement saying that the attackers arrived at the al Rawda mosque in five SUVs, some wearing combat fatigues, some masked, heavily armed, and bearing the black banner of ISIS. "The ones who were masked spoke like Bedouin," eyewitness Mohamed recalled. "The ones with their faces exposed, however, spoke with Cairo accents, they were big, and had long hair." ISIS's affiliate here, known as Wilayat Sinai or Sinai Province, has yet to claim responsibility for the massacre, and may never do so, says H.A. Hellyer, senior nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council and Royal United Services Institute. "The chatter that you've seen online, even from people that support ISIS, was quite a lot of shock and horror at what happened on Friday," Hellyer says. Friday's attack was the first time Wilayat Sinai targeted a Muslim house of worship. In the past, their violence was focused on army and police checkpoints and positions in the northeastern Sinai. In the past year, they've attacked a Coptic cathedral in Cairo, a church each in the Nile Delta city of Tanta and the Mediterranean port of Alexandria. In October 2015, the group claimed responsibility for the downing of Metrojet flight 9268, killing all 224 passengers and crew on board. "With the Christian attacks," says Hellyer, "it seemed aimed at creating some sort of divide within Egyptian society the radical groups could then take advantage of. They failed. Now they're going after anybody that doesn't support what they want to do." It's possible that they specifically targeted the al Rawda mosque because it is affiliated with a local Sufi order, the Jaririya. Sufis are Islamic mystics and have traditionally shunned violence. ISIS considers Sufis to be heretics, and in Syria and Iraq, they have destroyed Sufi shrines and bulldozed or dynamited the tombs of Sufi saints. In November 2016, Wilayat Sinai kidnapped and beheaded Sulaiman Abu Haraz, a widely respected 100-year-old Sufi sheikh. According to one resident of the town, the militants threatened the mosque five separate times, ordering those responsible to stop holding Sufi gatherings. They refused. Another theory is that the attack was in revenge for local residents' cooperation with Egyptian security forces. Whatever the motive, the result is a town that's been shattered by mass murder. Some estimates place a quarter of the community's men dead. Until now, the town of al Rawda had largely been spared the violence that has plagued this part of the Sinai. Six of 40-year-old Salama's relatives were killed in the attack. He and his extended family had fled to al Rawda from the fighting in his hometown of Shaikh Zawaid, near the border with Gaza. "We came here two years ago because al Rawda was the safest and most peaceful town, but by God we aren't going to stay here." New Energy Leadership Centre another first for Africa Wits Business School has launched a new African Energy Leadership Centre (ELC), a first for South Africa and the continent. The ELC will be a hub of teaching and research aimed at addressing the issues of energy shortages in Africa as well as the skills deficit in an industry which is of vital importance to economic growth on the continent. Africa has vast untapped energy potential and will be one of the fastest growing regions for power demand in the next decade. And yet the regions development is hampered by energy shortages, said Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Postgraduate Affairs at Wits University, in his opening address at the launch of the ELC at the Wits Business School (WBS). Among those attending the launch was Maurice Radebe, Deputy Vice President: Energy and Sustainability at Sasol and Norman Ndaba, Partner: Africa Power & Utilities Sector Lead: Advisory Services at EY, both of whom were key drivers of the initiative from an industry perspective. There is a scarce skills crisis in the energy sector which must be addressed. The energy workforce is aging, and fewer young skilled workers are entering the industry as access to energy training and education is limited. In fact, many have to go overseas to receive training which is very costly, said Dr Rod Crompton, newly-appointed Director of the ELC. Energy in Africa is increasingly being provided by the private sector and we need to equip future leaders to manage the challenges of this burgeoning sector, an environment which is becoming increasingly interconnected and interdependent, he said. Crompton explained that the ELC will offer both a Postgraduate Diploma and a Masters degree in Energy Leadership, as well as executive education short courses and seminars, and that the Centre will engage with historically disadvantaged research universities across Africa. I am honoured to be the first director of the first African Energy Leadership Centre and thank all those who have worked hard to get to this day, including the Wits Business School for having the vision, and to our funding partners, the Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA) who have generously given R5 million towards the Centre," he said. Raakshani Sing, Executive Manager at CHIETA said, We are very excited to embark on this partnership with WBS which is in line with our mandate to provide world class education and training in the energy and chemicals sectors. We hope for a long and mutually beneficial partnership towards the growth of the African energy value chain through innovation, transformation and research. Professor Imraan Valodia, Dean of the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management at Wits said he was thrilled to witness the first step in an ambitious and exciting plan. I thank Mr Radebe and Mr Ndaba for their commitment to WBS and for freely offering their time and expertise, our partners, CHIETA and to Rod Crompton for accepting the challenge of leading the ELC into the future. He has the drive, knowledge and intellectual gravitas to ensure that the Centre plays a critical role in African energy research and thought leadership. Each year, public school districts in Wisconsin are required to share their restraint and seclusion statistics with their local school boards. Share your opinion on this topic by sending a letter to the editor to tctvoice@madison.com. Include your full name, hometown and phone number. Your name and town will be published. The phone number is for verification purposes only. Please keep your letter to 250 words or less. Spencer Johnson cuts Jeremiah Edwards' hair at JP Hair Design in Madison, near the entrance of the Men's Health and Education Center, which opened inside the barbershop in October. The health center aims to improve the health status of black men, said Aaron Perry, who runs it. Toshiba completes Mangiarotti sale 28 November 2017 Share The sale of Toshiba Corporation's 70% holding in Italian heavy equipment manufacturer Mangiarotti SpA to Westinghouse UK Holdings Ltd has been completed after receiving approval by the US Bankruptcy Court of New York. Toshiba has written off EUR110 million ($128 million) of debts owed to it by Mangiarotti as part of the transfer. Westinghouse Electric Company in September 2014 acquired Mangiarotti, which manufactures components for the energy and process industries, including nuclear island equipment, pressurisers, steam generators and heat exchangers. Westinghouse's parent company, Toshiba, in June 2015 acquired 70% of Mangiarotti, the remaining 30% being retained by Westinghouse. Toshiba on 31 October announced it had agreed to sell its stake in Mangiarotti to Westinghouse UK Holdings for EUR1.00 ($1.16), with Mangiarotti to be deconsolidated from Toshiba Group after the transfer. As a result, Toshiba said it would incur non-operating losses including a JPY2.9 billion ($26 million) loss before income taxes for the third quarter of FY2017, ending 31 March 2018; an expected impact of the equivalent amount in its October 2017 business results forecast; and a write-off of JPY14.6 billion in the third quarter of FY2017. The company said it had made provision for these amounts and the impact on Toshiba's non-consolidated business results for FY2017 would therefore be limited. A transaction whereby Toshiba agreed to acquire Westinghouse UK Holding's 52% stake in Japan's Nuclear Fuel Industries for $1.00, also announced on 31 October, is still being executed, Toshiba said. Westinghouse Electric Company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection with US courts in March and is undertaking strategic restructuring, as a result of "financial and construction challenges" in its two US projects to construct AP1000 power plants. Researched and written by World Nuclear News Related topics EU's Energy Union becoming a reality, says Commission 28 November 2017 Share The European Commission has published its third report on progress made in delivering and implementing the Energy Union. European trade body Foratom has again highlighted the importance of nuclear energy in achieving the project's objectives. The Energy Union, launched in February 2015, is a flagship project of European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker, whose vice president Maros Sefcovic is in charge of achieving the Energy Union goals. The first report on the State of the Energy Union was published in November 2015, with the second following in February 2017. The European Commission published its Third Report on the State of the Energy Union on 23 November. According to the report, "Thanks to progress in 2017, the EU is on track to implement the Energy Union project and deliver jobs, growth and investments." "The energy transition should be socially fair, lead to innovation and be based on a future-proof infrastructure, while enhancing security of supply," the Commission said. "The European Union's investment instruments and its foreign and development policies underpin Europe's energy transition. In all these areas, considerable progress was made in 2017." The report said it is important to "continue rapidly delivering a number of enabling measures, to ensure that the transition to a low-carbon economy fully contributes to the modernisation of Europe's economy". This will help member states to comply with the jointly agreed 2020 and 2030 energy and climate targets and with the wider Energy Union objectives, it said. "Now is the time to mobilise all of society - citizens, cities, rural areas, companies, academia, social partners - to take full ownership of the Energy Union, take it forward and engage in developing the solutions of the future," it says. The Commission said the EU must "accelerate our cooperative efforts and deliver on our commitment to complete the Energy Union by the end of the current Commission mandate". It added, "By 2019, the Energy Union must no longer be a policy. It must be a reality." "Like the past year, 2018 too should bring important deliverables," the report states. "There has to be real progress in adopting the legislative framework, implementing the enabling framework and securing the involvement of all parts of society." Foratom, the European nuclear trade body, welcomed the publication of the European Commission's report. It said it believes that Europe "must continue to focus on achieving its ultimate goal of cutting CO2 emissions and transitioning to a low-carbon economy whilst at the same time ensuring security of energy supply and jobs in Europe. To do this, the EU must continue to make use of all the best tools available, especially nuclear energy." Foratom director general Yves Desbazeille said: "The Energy Union should ensure that all low-carbon technologies can compete on a level playing field. Accelerating the decarbonisation of Europe, in line with the Commission's goals, has to include nuclear energy, which contributes to all the European Union's key energy objectives: security of supply, competitiveness and environmental sustainability." He noted, "Not only is nuclear a low-carbon energy source, it also ensures that people and businesses have an integral part of a socially-fair energy transition." Researched and written by World Nuclear News Related topics Russian and Brazilian firms to cooperate in nuclear power 28 November 2017 Share Russia's Rosatom has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Brazilian companies Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras (Eletrobras) and Eletrobras Termonuclear SA (Eletronuclear) to promote cooperation in nuclear power. It includes the possible construction of a new nuclear power plant in Brazil, Rosatom said. The MoU also covers services, including operation, maintenance and decommissioning work; nuclear fuel management; the life extension of existing nuclear power plants in Brazil; education and training of nuclear power personnel; and developing public awareness of Brazil's nuclear power programme. The document was signed yesterday by Kirill Kopmarov, Rosatom's first deputy director general for corporate development and international business, Wilson Ferreira Junior, Eletrobras president, and Leonam dos Santos Guimaraes, Eletronuclear acting president. Komarov said the MoU has "laid a foundation" for bilateral cooperation between the two countries. "Cooperation between Russia and Brazil has seen renewed life in recent years," Komarov said. "We are implementing projects in the framework of the nuclear fuel cycle and nuclear medicine. The signing of this MoU marks a new phase in our partnership. Brazil has substantial experience in using nuclear technologies and has big plans for the development of its national nuclear sector," he added. A Russian-Brazilian joint working group will define the framework of cooperation for implementation of the programme. The two countries signed an inter-governmental agreement on cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy in September 1994. Brazil has two nuclear reactors, Angra 1 and 2, which generate 3% of its electricity, and a third under construction. Its first commercial nuclear power reactor began operating in 1982. Four more large reactors are proposed to come on line in the 2020s. Researched and written by World Nuclear News Related topics Associate Editor John Nichols has been with The Capital Times since 1993 and has become one of Wisconsin's best-known progressive voices. He is the author of seven books on politics and the media and he also writes about electoral politics and public policy for The Nation magazine. UK, South Korea to extend nuclear cooperation 28 November 2017 Share A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in nuclear energy was signed yesterday between the UK and South Korea. The agreement calls for greater collaboration in the construction of new nuclear power plants and the decommissioning of old ones. Clark (left) and Un-gyu sign the MoU (Image: Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy) The MoU was signed in London by South Korean minister of trade, industry and energy, Paik Un-gyu, and UK secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy, Greg Clark. The signing followed discussions on the expansion of nuclear cooperation between the two countries, including the construction and dismantling of nuclear power plants. Un-gyu noted that South Korea has over 40 years' of reactor operating experience, as well as experience in the development of nuclear technology. In a statement, the Korean energy ministry said Clark vowed the UK government has a "clear commitment to support" foreign investment in UK nuclear new build projects. State-run utility Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco) has previously said it is considering taking a stake in NuGeneration, the Toshiba-led joint venture planning to construct the Moorside nuclear power plant in Cumbria, England. The plant was originally planned to feature Westinghouse AP1000 reactors, but with Korea's involvement there have been suggestions the reactor design could be changed to Kepco's APR1400. Kepco nuclear operator subsidiary Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP) confirmed in July it is in talks about "cooperation" with Horizon Nuclear Power, which is planning to build two large Advanced Boiling Water Reactors at Wylfa Newydd, in Wales. At that time, KHNP said Hitachi Japan had proposed cooperation with Horizon, its fully-owned UK project company, and that "KHNP is in the early stages of examining various aspects of cooperation from a practical point of view". South Korea could benefit from the UK's experience in decommissioning nuclear power plants. Kori unit 1, which was permanently shut down in June, is the first South Korean reactor to enter decommissioning. Researched and written by World Nuclear News Related topics European nations have some of the highest average life expectancies in the world. However, most countries in Eastern Europe have lower life expectancies than those in the western part of the continent. It is generally believed that higher income leads to a better access to good health and nutrition. Most Eastern European countries were part of the former Soviet Union, and did not become independent nations until after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. The economies of these nations are still recovering from the past damages, and this could be one of the reasons for the discrepancy in average life expectancy between Western and Eastern European countries. In all of the nations listed below, the average life expectancies of females are greater than that of males. In some of the Eastern European nations, the gender gaps in life expectancies are some of the highest in the world. The European nations with the lowest life expectancies are listed below: Three Countries with the Lowest Life Expectancy in Europe Moldova, Russia, and Ukraine have the lowest life expectancies in Europe. The life expectancy at birth in these countries is 71 years. Moldova The infant and maternal mortality rates in Moldova are 12.59 and 41 deaths per 1000 live births, respectively. The average life expectancy of males is 66.55 years and 74.54 years for females. Only 4.2% of the country's GDP is dedicated to public expenditures on health. The country has only 264 doctors for every 100,000 people. The country struggles to combat a high incidence rate of MDR tuberculosis, one of the highest in the globe. Russia Russia has the largest gender gap in terms of life expectancy in the world. The life expectancies of males and females in Russia are 64.3 years and 76.1 years, respectively. Thus, women in Russia live nearly a decade longer than the men. Possible explanations for this shocking difference in life expectancy between the two genders include political, economic, and lifestyle factors. Alcoholism is also considered a significant factors that is killing Russian men earlier than the women. However, there is little conclusive evidence to identify the exact reasons responsible for the gender gap. In 2012, cardiovascular disease was the single biggest cause of death in the country, accounting for 55% of all deaths in Russia. Ukraine Ukraine is one of the few countries in the world in which the population is rapidly decreasing. In fact, the death rate in Ukraine (16.3 deaths per 1,000) exceeds the birth rate (11 births per 1,000). Lifestyle choices, like heavy alcohol consumptions or smoking, are considered significant contributing factors to the comparatively low life expectancy in Ukraine. The average life expectancy for males and females in Ukraine are 66.34 and 76.22 years, respectively. Three Countries with the Second Lowest Life Expectancy in Europe Belarus, Bulgaria, and Latvia have the second lowest life expectancies in Europe. The life expectancy at birth in these countries is 74 years. Belarus Belarus also suffers a similar fate as Ukraine and has a rapidly depleting population. During the Second World War, the country experienced a massive decrease in population, from 9 million to 7.7 million between 1940 and 1951, respectively. Following a period of steady growth until 1999, the nations population started to decrease again. The life expectancy for males and females in Belarus is 66.53 and 787.1 years, respectively. Bulgaria The average life expectancy of males and females in Bulgaria is 70.62 years and 77.55 years, respectively. The country has one of the highest death rates on the continent. Cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and respiratory illnesses are the three biggest causes of death in the country. However, HIV rates in Bulgaria are one of the lowest in the world. Latvia Latvia also has one of the lowest life expectancy rates in Europe. The country has a relatively high mortality rate of 704 per 100,000, which is the fourth highest in Europe. Smoking-related diseases are common causes of death given the high rates of smoking in Bulgaria. The death rate from injury in Latvia is the second highest in Europe. Future Trends With rapidly improving economies and advances in healthcare facilities, the average life expectancy is expected to increase in all parts of Europe. This increase is expected to be more pronounced in countries with low life expectancies than those with already high average life expectancies. The scientific name for taro is Colocasia esculenta. The plant belongs to the Araceae family, and it is widely cultivated for its leaves, corms, and petioles which are consumed as vegetables. Taro is native to Southeast Asia and Southern India, but it is widely neutralized as it spread by cultivation to other parts of the world. It grows in paddy fields with abundant water or upland areas with sufficient rainfall or supplemental irrigation. Flooded cultivation of the crop yields a higher harvest as compared to dry-land farming. In the year 2014, the top five taro producing countries from across the world produced about 10.2 million metric tons of taro corms. The Top 5 Taro Producing Countries In The World 1. Nigeria Nigeria is the number one producer of taro in the world. The crop is also known as old cocoyam in the country, and locals from the Igbo community call it ede. It is a staple food in the state, and its methods of preparation include frying, boiling, or roasting. According to FAOSTAT, Nigeria accounts for approximately 32% of the world share in taro production. The country produced 3,273,000 metric tons of old cocoyam corms in 2014 from a cultivated area of 639,980 hectares. 2. China Taro features widely in Chinese cuisine. When steamed, stir-fried, or boiled, the vegetable is taken as a main dish. Taro cake, a savory pastry dish whose main ingredients are taro and rice flour is traditionally eaten during celebrations of the Chinese New Year. China ranks second in taro production globally, according to FAOSTAT. In 2014, for example, the country produced 1,884,987 tons of taro corms, which comprised 18.6% of the world share. The total land area under cultivation was about 97,601 hectares. 3. Cameroon The crop is also called macabo or cocoyam in Cameroon where it is a staple food. The country is the third top producer of taro worldwide. In 2014, Cameroons production was 1,672,731 metric tonnes, constituting 16.5% of the total yield from around the world. The harvested area was around 172,324 hectares. Although the plant is cultivated throughout the country, it does better in areas with higher precipitation, especially in forest zones. 4. Ghana Taro is a staple crop in Ghana and natives of the country call it cocoyam. They use cocoyam leaves to make popular local sauces like egusi and palaver sauce. It is also used to make cocoyam chips, baby food, and fufu as a substitute for plantains when they are out of season. According to FAOSTATs statistics, Ghana is the fourth highest producer of taro corms in the world. The country produced 1,299,000 metric tons of cocoyam in 2014 from a cultivated area of 200,000 hectares. 5. Papua New Guinea Taro is the fourth root crop in terms of production in Papua New Guinea after sweet potato, cassava, and yam. It ranks second as a staple root crop in the country after sweet potato. Taro farming in the country is mainly subsistence. The country produced 274,620 tons of taro corms in 2014, contributing 2.7% to the total production around the world. The yield was from a cultivated area of approximately 36,620 hectares. Papua New Guinea is the fifth top taro producing country. Venezuela is located on South Americas northern coast, and the country shares its land borders with Brazil, Guyana, and Colombia. The nation is roughly triangular in shape and has an extensive northern coastline of 2,800 km. Venezuela encompasses a total area of 916,445 square km and has an estimated population of 31,568,179. The country has incredible biodiversity and a wide range of habitats, which range from the eastern Andes to the western Amazon Basin. What Is the Capital of Venezuela and Where Is it Located? The capital city of Venezuela is Caracas. Like most of the world's national capitals, Caracas is also the most populous city in the nation. The city is located along the Guaire River in Venezuelas northern part, where it is separated from Caribbean Sea coast by the Cerro El Avila mountains. The city has an area of 777.1 square km and a population of 1,943,901 people. The city's average elevation is 3,000 ft above sea level and its highest point of elevation is 4,600 ft. Caracas experiences a tropical savanna climate. History of the Capital City of Venezuela Prior to the arrival of the Spanish in Caracas, the area was inhabited by the indigenous people of the region. The first attempt by the Spanish to establish a plantation in the region in 1562 failed. However, in July 1567, the Spanish overcame the resistance of the natives people and laid the foundations of modern-day Caracas. Diego de Losada is credited as founder of the city. A decade later, the city became the capital of Venezuela Province, which was a Spanish colony. In the 18th century, the struggle for independence from colonial rule began in Venezuela. Caracas experienced several rebellions during this independence movement. After many unsuccessful uprisings, two decisive battles, the Battle of Carabobo and the Battle of Lake Maracaibo, finally resulted in Venezuelas independence from colonial rule. Caracas was named capital of the sovereign nation. Current Role of the Capital of Venezuela As the seat of Venezuala's national government, Caracas is home to the nation's important government buildings. These include the President of Venezuelas official residence, which is named the Palacio de Miraflores, and the Federal Legislative Palace, which serves as the meeting place of the National Assembly. Other federal government buildings, ministries, and departments, and the foreign embassies are also based in Caracas. Shopping centers, banks, and service companies make up the service sector of the citys economy. Textiles, chemicals, iron products, and leather are some of the important industries based in Caracas. In addition to the political capital, Caracas is also the cultural capital of Venezuela. The city has numerous attractions like theaters and museums. However, Caracas is also known for its high crime rate, and in 2015 was named the city with the highest per capital murder rate in the world. This high crime rate is one of the biggest deterrents to the development of a successful tourism industry in the nation. Another factor is poor transport infrastructure. However, the Venezuelan government is making several attempts to upgrade the tourist facilities in Caracas and the rest of the country to encourage more visitors to the naturally beautiful country. Haiti is a Caribbean nation that shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic. The Spanish were the first Europeans to settle on Hispaniola, led by Christopher Columbus in December 1492. The Spanish settled on the eastern side of the island, which is currently the Dominican Republic. French explorers arrived shortly thereafter, and settled on the western part of the island that is now Haiti. Historically, the indigenous population of Haiti were the Taino people. However, the spread of European diseases killed most of the Taino population, and the few who escaped disease became slaves of the early French settlers. Given the harsh living and working conditions, the Taino people were wiped out completely within a generation or two. Since the French did not have enough labor to work the sugar plantations, they imported slaves from Africa. Eventually, the African population became large and fought for their independence. Under the leadership of Toussaint LOuverture, Africans gained independence, and most of the European population either died or were evicted. Therefore, the majority of Haiti's population are of African ancestry. Today, over 90% of the Haitians are of Sub-Saharan African origin. According to the World Bank, Haitis population was approximately 10.85 million in 2016. There are two major languages spoken in Haiti: Creole and French. French is the official language, however most Haitians speak Creole. Ethnic Composition of Haiti Most of the Haitian population is made up of black Africans. However, many other ethnic groups have inhabited the land and continue to impact its growth. These ethnic groups include Poles, Jews, Italians, Arabs, Chinese, Indians, French, Spanish, and Germans. Most of these groups have intermarried with the blacks, leading to another group known as the mulattoes. Although Haitis official language is French, the country is not considered a Francophone nation, since most of the population speaks Creole, rather than French. Africans in Haiti make of 95% of the population, while the other ethnic groups constitute of only 5%. African Ethnic Groups in Haiti A large percentage of Haitians are of African descent. Sadly, colonial slave masters did not keep proper records regarding the origins of African slaves. However, through genetic testing, most Haitians can trace their ancestry to three West Coast African Nations: Benin, Congo, and Nigeria. Thus, slavery played a significant role in the ethnic composition of the Haiti nation. As part of the Americas, it is unlikely for anyone to guess that Haiti has such a large African population. However, a good understanding of the country's history helps explain its ethnic composition. Pictures: Work on Ty Pawb remains on track for spring 2018 opening This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Nov 28th, 2017 Work converting one of Wrexhams former indoor markets into a multi-million pound facility remains on schedule for its grand opening in spring 2018. Contractors have been on site at Ty Pawb (Everybodys House) in the ex-Peoples Market since the start of the year; converting the former market hall into a mixed-use markets and arts space. Funding for the development has been well documented, despite the frequent confusion / comments online over who funded what and what it could be spent on. As reported previously there has been 700k Vibrant and Viable Places funding from Welsh Government, the Arts Council Wales contributing 2.3 million and Wrexham Council funding 1.5million of the build. Now new images released by Wrexham Council of the 4.5 million* arts, market and community space, show that individual stall holder areas have been built and partitioned, along with open areas and the main gallery. Work also progresses on a two-story window and entryway, which will allow access and light into the building from Market Street. Painting has also started on the exterior of the building, with further renovation work due to start this week. Once complete the facility will become home to 20 market stalls and three food outlets with open seating into the market space. The art element of the building will be made up of two gallery spaces, one of which will be climate controlled to allow for a wider variety of exhibitions to be brought to Wrexham. A performance room, flexi/community art space and studio space. In October 2017 the first batch of events and exhibitions were confirmed: Wal Pawb: a large-scale arts installation by artist Katie Cuddon Dydd Llun Pawb itself, and a follow-up exhibition showing its success Is This Planet Earth?: a group exhibition looking at the future of our planet from an environmental viewpoint, brought together by independent curator Angela Kingston The return of the Wrexham Open: submissions of artworks are welcomed from anybody, regardless of age or background Shiftwork: an exhibition of work by artists from the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) community Three touring exhibitions: including high profile displays from the Craft Council and Arts Council Collection. The famous and popular figures featuring in these exhibitions will be announced very soon Weaving Communities (working title): a living display in the lead up to and during the Craft Council exhibition The gallery will also be open to exhibition spaces known as baggy spaces during the times between fixed displays and exhibitions, parts of the gallery will be open to community groups or stakeholders to display their own work. Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Communities, Partnerships, Public Protection and Community Safety, said: We know that work at Ty Pawb will be very much of interest of the general public, and that people are keen to know whats going on inside the building while work takes place. Im very pleased to report that work progresses on schedule, and we remain on target for our official opening on Dydd Llun Pawb. Last week also saw the official launch of the Ty Pawb logo, which has been designed by Cardiff-based branding experts, Elfen. *The figure quoted throughout the process has been 4.5 million, however recent Wrexham Council releases have listed the figure at 4.2 million. We have queried to see if there has been any changes or mistakes with the funding and will update as and when we know! New U.S. citizens take the Oath of Allegiance during a naturalization ceremony in a hearing room at the Wisconsin state Capitol in Madison, Sept. 19, 2017. The UK Electoral Commission is investigating whether the Vote Leave campaign in the 2016 referendum on British membership of the European Union (EU) breached its 7 million spending limit. Vote Leave was the officially designated representative of those advocating exit from the EU. It was fronted by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Environment Secretary Michael Govestill figureheads of the strident pro-Brexit wing of the Conservative government. The commissionwhich regulates electoral spendingis also investigating fashion design student Darren Grimes and his social media campaign BeLeave, which received 625,000 from Vote Leave. While it was permissible for Grimes, a registered independent leave campaigner, to spend up to 700,000 in the referendum campaign, it is alleged that the funds he received were paid directly to Canadian-based data analysts AggregateIQthe social media analyst firm employed by Vote Leave. Veterans for Britain is also under investigation for the 100,000 it received from Vote Leave, which it also spent on AggregateIQ's services. Under election funding guidelines, campaigns must declare if they are working with others. All the campaigns deny any wrongdoing. The Commissions announcement came as the Good Law Project threatened a legal challenge over an earlier decision to drop an investigation into the spending of Vote Leave and others. Good Law's website, which states its objective as using the law to deliver a progressive society, describes Brexit as a terrible idea. And if the people agree we think they should be able to stop it. The Commission denied its reopening of the investigation was in response to the legal threat. A review of information submitted previously had given reasonable grounds to suspect an offence may have been committed, it said. It will investigate if Veterans for Britain, Grimes and Vote Leave delivered incorrect spending returns and whether Vote Leave exceeded its spending limit in the referendum. If proven, relatively paltry fines of up to 20,000 can be levied for each offence. The Commission has warned, however, that if further potential contraventions and/or offences were identified they would be referred to the police. The traducing of democratic norms by a handful of billionaires is a matter of serious concern. But this is not the real target of the Commission, or the political agenda from which it is working. The EU referendum was the most expensive in British political history. Some 32 million was officially spent on the campaign, with Leave receiving 16.4 million in donations to Remain's 15.1 million. The ties between Vote Leave and numerous other Brexit groups with the right-wing of the Tory Party and the UK Independence Party are well known. Although a minority position in ruling circles, Brexit was favoured by a number of oligarchs and hedge-fund operators. Their opposition to the EU has nothing to do with its anti-democratic and pro-austerity policies, but aims to dismantle all remaining impediments to their untrammeled enrichment by eradicating even minimal regulations on workers' rights and health and environmental standards. The Remain campaign has even more friends in high places, however, whose interests are just as reactionary as their opponents. Supported by the majority of the political establishment along with NATO, the EU and significant sections of the City of London, Remain reflected the strategic concerns of British imperialismnot just for preserving European trade but also its role as a central linchpin of the US-led global military-intelligence apparatus, which depends on its role as Washington's key ally in Europe. Official government policy was in favour of Remain, which distributed propaganda to this end from Downing Street. Then US President Barack Obama appeared in Britain to call directly for a Remain vote. If one were to try to quantify the monetary value of such publicity it would vastly surpass any official spending limits. None of those leading the complaints over potential spending breaches in the referendum are concerned with this, however, because it cuts across their self-serving agenda. Their objection is not to the influence of a super-rich cabal over political life per se, but that their faction of the ruling elite lost. The referendum delivered a shock vote narrowly in favour of Leave, by 51 percent to 49 percent, opening an existential crisis for the British bourgeoisie. This reflects a global shift in the tectonic plates of geopolitical relations, at the centre of which is the historic decline of the United States, and which is the motive force behind an ever more hysterical campaign targeting Russia and China for military action. Two further investigations are underway by the commission over the allegedly undeclared services provided by Cambridge Analyticaa US-owned firm based in London, to the unofficial campaign, Leave.EU. This was bankrolled by the multi-billionaire insurance tycoon, Arron Banks, who also funded the UK Independence Party, formerly led by Nigel Farage. The commission is investigating whether Banks is the true source of non-commercial loans totaling 6 million made to Leave.EU and whether Better For The Country Limitedof which he is a directoracted as an agent for other parties in donating 2.3 million to five registered campaigners. Outside the commission, the other parties is defined more explicitly as dark Russian money. The Observer alleged that AggregateIQ and Cambridge Analytica are connected through an intellectual property license, which created a binding 'exclusive' 'worldwide' agreement 'in perpetuity' [for] all of AggregateIQ's intellectual property to be used by SCL Elections (a British firm that created Cambridge Analytica with [Robert] Mercer). Mercer is a hedge fund billionaire with close ties to former Trump adviser and fascist Steven Bannon and Farage and Banks in Britain. An article by Carole Cadwalladr in the Observer earlier this year placed Cambridge Analytica at the centre of an Alt-right network that played a role in both Trump and Brexit campaigns. Cadwalladr expressed concerns at the ability of billionaires to lay the basis for an authoritarian state, utilising the type of psychological operations employed by the military to effect mass sentiment change. Her material on the common political and economic agenda of such firms with billionaire fascists and sections of the military establishment is important. But it was employed to give the existing political set-up a clean bill of health. Claiming that the strategic objective of such operations is to smash the mainstream media and replace it with fake history and alternative facts, Cadwalladr asserts that, in contrast, government in the US, like Britain, is bound by strict laws about what data it can collect on individuals. But, for private companies anything goes. This whitewashes the massive illegal Prism surveillance network and other covert programmes, operated through the US National Security Agency and GCHQ in Britain. The exposure of this and other criminal activities led to the hounding of Julian Assange and Edward Snowden and the imprisonment of Chelsea Manning. For the Observer and its sister newspaper, the Guardian, social discontent is the result of psychological manipulation by the Alt-right or foreign actors. This is used to justify state censorship of social media and anti-Russian warmongering. Cadwalladr's article began with warnings by MI6 and security analysts of the role of hostile states in subverting the democratic process, before asserting that the transatlantic links that bind Britain and America, Brexit and Trump, so tightly also wrapped Russia in its tight embrace. No evidence is presented to back up this assertion, other than a map shown to the Observer indicating that SCL and Cambridge Analytica have worked in Russia, Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine, Iran and Moldova and some employees had travelled to Russia. Such allegations are viewed by a section of the ruling elite as a means of overturning the Brexit result. Once again, the so-called liberals lead the way. Guardian journalist George Monbiot previously cited questions over the funding of the referendum as a means of annulling the result. Brexit should be halted until the means by which the result was obtained have been thoroughly investigated, he wrote. A public inquiry into potential serious breaches of electoral law should be convened, he argued, which could result in the referendum being annulled and repeated. The Electoral Commission investigation could yet lead in this direction. In what can only be described as a stage-managed publicity stunt, the director of the Consumer Financial Protection Board, Democrat Richard Cordray, resigned abruptly on Friday after promoting his chief of staff, Leandra English, to the long-vacant position of deputy director. English then declared herself to be Cordrays successor and acting director, under the provisions of the Dodd-Frank bill, which established the CFPB in 2010 to act as an extremely limited, essentially toothless consumer watchdog on the depredations of US financial institutions. The Trump White House, momentarily confused by the maneuver since Cordray had been expected to resign a week later, hastily named Budget Director Mick Mulvaney the acting director of the CFPB, and instructed English to report to Mulvaney as his deputy. On Sunday night, English filed a civil lawsuit with the US District Court for Washington DC, seeking a declaratory judgment that she was the rightful CFPB director. However, the CFPBs own general counsel, Mary McLeod, issued a memorandum to the agencys employees instructing them that Mulvaney, as the nominee of the president, had the legal authority to direct the agency. On Monday, Mulvaney visited the CFPB and took possession of the directors office, announcing that he was halting all new hiring and regulatory actions for 30 days, pending a review of the agencys operations. While the 1,600 employees of the agency are concerned about an imminent threat to their jobs and livelihoodMulvaney is an open enemy who, while in Congress, described the CFPB as a sick joke and advocated its abolitionthe actions of Cordray, English and their Democratic congressional supporters are purely a political stunt. There is little doubt that Trump has the authority, as president and head of the executive branch, to name interim replacements for vacancies at any executive agency. This authority is further codified in legislation enacted as recently as 1998. The CFPB has been the subject of political posturing by both Republicans and Democrats since it was established six years ago in the wake of the 2008 Wall Street Crash. The Dodd-Frank bill, which created it, was an effort by the Obama administration and the Democrats, who then controlled Congress, to pretend to crack down on Wall Street while actually doing very little. The Republicans, for their part, treated the CFPB as the second coming of the Bolsheviks, claiming that the tiny agency, with little enforcement power, was a threat to US financial markets and to the capitalist system itself. Each capitalist party has used the agency for its own political purposes, while the CFPB itself has been nothing more than a minor annoyance to Wall Street. In six years of operation, it has been responsible for fines and restitution to consumers totaling $12 billion, or $2 billion a year. This amounts to barely one percent of the net profits of the US financial industry ($173 billion in 2016), and less than one half of one percent of bank revenues alone (over $400 billion and rising every year since the 2008 crash). Cordrays own role personifies the uses of the CFPB as a political cover. He was named to head the agency after Obama caved in to Republican opposition to Elizabeth Warren, his initial choice. Warren parlayed her undeserved reputation as a scourge of the bankers, and victim of the Republicans, into a successful campaign for a US Senate seat from Massachusetts. Cordrays fixed five-year term runs until July 1, 2018, so he was practically the sole Obama appointee to continue serving in the Trump administration. But he decided to abandon the post eight months earlyand thus cede control of the CFPB to Trumpin order to seek the Democratic nomination for governor of Ohio. He then engineered the handover of authority to English, setting off the subsequent media firestorm, to jet-propel his own political campaign. More broadly, the obvious determination of the Trump administration to stamp out even a fig leaf of accountability for the big banks allows the Democratic Party as a whole to adopt the stance of opposition to Wall Street. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer met with Leandra English and Elizabeth Warren Monday afternoon, and then denounced Trump for putting the fox in charge of the henhouse. So says the paid agent of the foxes, who has received more campaign contributions from Wall Street than anyone else in Congress. Schumers deputy, Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois, hailed the CFPB, declaring, Wall Street hates it like the devil hates holy waterperhaps uttering an inadvertent truth, since the CFPB is precisely as useless as holy water in fighting the domination of Wall Street over the US economy. All over the world, governments are slashing health care spending in the name of promoting efficiency and cost savings, on the grounds that there is no money. The reality, however, is that these cuts have as their direct outcome the early deaths of masses of peoplecollateral damage for the further enrichment of the financial oligarchy. A study of the terrible impact of spending cuts of more than 100 billion in the UK alone, with the loss of more than 1 million jobs, provides an indication of the worldwide impact of the ongoing destruction of health care and essential services. A joint report by Oxford and Cambridge Universities and the University of London (UCL) finds that savage cuts to the UK National Health Service (NHS) and Social Care provision could result in nearly 200,000 excess deaths by the end of 2020 in England. The effects of health and social care spending constraints on mortality in England: a time trend analysis, published in the British Medical Journal, BMJOpen, estimates 45,000 extra deaths have occurred between 2009 and 2014 and predicts a further 152,141 deaths from 2015 to 2020a staggering 100 a day. The research links increasing mortality rates to the cuts to health and social care spending, first begun under a Labour government, then continued by successive Conservative governments to pay for the 1 trillion bailout of the banks after the 2008 global financial collapse. From 2001 to 2010, it states, the absolute number of deaths in England decreased by an average of 0.77% per year. From 2011 to 2014, the number of deaths increased by an average of 0.87% per year. Older people account for most additional deaths. Though the overall number of deaths in hospital fell in the period studied, this masks the fact that the elderly and frail are being pushed out of hospital and are dying needlessly in their own homes or in care homes. A combination of factors is responsible, including cuts to spending on social care, and a shortage of hospital and community nurses. Total local authority spending on social care for older people decreased by 1.57 billion in just six years to 2016, leading to the closure of 95 care homes. The study associated each per capita 10 decrease in social care spending with five extra care home deaths per 100,000 of the population. Spending on social care in England fell by 1.19 percent a year between 2010-2014, despite the projected increase in the number of 85-year-olds in the populationtestimony to the historical legacy of the NHS, which for decades has been free at the point of need. Patients are being discharged from hospital before they have properly recovered because of the pressure to free up beds. Elderly people with multiple health problems are callously referred to as bed blockers. The report notes, Emergency medicine departments (A&E) saw 900,000 (4.6%) more attendances in 2015/2016 compared with the previous year, and 4% more emergency hospital admissions. Over the past two years, the number of elderly patients waiting over 12 hours in A&E [Accident and Emergency] has trebled, and there has been a 31% increase in delayed hospital discharges. Between 2010 and 2012 nurse numbers dropped by approximately 6,000, which... translates to approximately 10% of expected deaths for that period. There are currently 24,000 nursing vacancies due to years of pay restraint and cuts to training places. Since the abolition of bursaries, nursing applications are down by 20 percent. Britains planned exit from the European Union will make things even worse as a third of nursing applicants have come from the EU. To close the mortality gap, the report concludes that the NHS budget would need to be increased by 6.3 billion each year to 2021, a total of 25.2 billion. Instead, in last weeks budget, Chancellor Phillip Hammond announced a derisory extra 2.8 billion for the NHS. In its post budget analysis, the Institute for Fiscal Studies forecasts declining productivity, growth and earnings every year until 2022. It says that the NHS is facing the tightest funding constraints since the 1980s. With annual spending growth of 4 percent before the financial crisis falling to the present 1 percent, and an aging population, the NHS is stretched to breaking point. The BMJOpen report does not consider different mortality rates in reference to regional or class differences. However, it points out that social care is means tested and privately delivered; factors that may influence access and quality. Since 2010, the NHS has been deliberately run down, with the 20 billion of cuts planned by the Labour government under Gordon Brown imposed by the incoming Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition. A further 26 billion in efficiency savings is to be imposed by 2021, with the British Red Cross warning of a humanitarian crisis. Labour and its allies in the trade union bureaucracy continue to collude in the destruction of health and social care in local authorities throughout the UK. Just weeks after the election of Jeremy Corbyn as party leader in 2015, he and Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell instructed Labour councils to continue to impose austerity and refrain from setting illegal budgets. One of the BMJOpen studys co-authors, Professor Lawrence King of the Applied Health Research Unit at Cambridge University, said, It is now very clear that austerity does not promote growth or reduce deficitsit is bad economics, but good class politics. This study shows it is also a public health disaster. It is not an exaggeration to call it economic murder. The term echoes what Friedrich Engels, the co-founder of scientific socialism, described in his 1845 work, The Condition of the Working Class in England, condemning the British ruling class for social murder due to the fetid water supplies, cramped housing and disease that afflicted working-class districts. Faced with the damning study by reputable academics from some of the UKs top universities, the government issued the usual counter of political biasthe same response made to an earlier Oxford University research report published by the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine showing that there were 30,000 excess deaths in 2015 compared to the previous yearthe biggest leap in more than 70 years. On Tuesday, November 21, the Flint City Council passed a motion to sign a 30-year contract with the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA), the regional entity that took over the Detroit public water system in January 2016, for the provision of wholesale water services to Flint. The city, still suffering from the lead poisoning crisis prompted by its switch to the Flint River as a source of drinking water in 2014, has been receiving water via a temporary arrangement with the Detroit-based water system, its former supplier, since state officials approved reverting to this source in late 2015. The move occurred a full year and a half after residents began protests over tainted, odorous and discolored water, which later proved to be poisonous owing to lead levels far exceeding that allowed by federal standards. Since 2015, the city government has been engaged in a series of temporary patchwork measures. To begin receiving water from the GLWA, it was compelled to negotiate a leasing arrangement with its intended alternative water supplier, the Karegnondi Water Authority (KWA). As part of its previous deal to receive water from the KWA in the future, the city had sold to the KWA a six-mile section of pipeline connecting itself to the GLWA system. To revert to the GLWA, the city needed access to the very asset it had just sold. Financially speaking, however, far more significant was the prospect of Flint paying for its ongoing water supply from GLWA while still bearing its assigned portion of debt issued by the KWA to build a separate, redundant pipeline. The supply agreement the city originally signed with the KWA while under the rule of the state-dictated emergency management law, required Flint to pay approximately $7 million per year in debt servicing. Notwithstanding the disaster that ensued following Flints termination of its previous agreement with GLWA forerunner Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD), Flint remains compelled to make the KWA-related payments. Effectively, Flint faced the prospect of seeing water payments go from $13 million per year to more than $20 million. As matters stand, a 2016 study of 500 large water systems across the US found that Flint had the most expensive rates, nearly triple the average for public systems in the US Midwest. The burden is compounded by the low earnings of many area workers following decades of deindustrialization. As a result, the average Flint home is paying 7% of its income for water, far more than the 3% ceiling recommended by the UN. The temporary arrangement with the Detroit system existed for more than one year when, in June 2017, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) sued the city in federal court to compel it to make longer-term arrangements. The GLWA had proposed the 30-year agreement, which it said would result in annual water rate increases of from two to four percent. The agreement also included the GLWA crediting Flint for bond payments made by the city to the KWA, thereby holding its water bill roughly constant, at least initially. In its legal action, the MDEQ argued that the failure of the City of Flint to have in place a long-term agreement with a water supplier meant that public health would be threatened. Flint residents were, as would be expected, skeptical of the newfound interest in their health taken by a state agency that for eighteen months rejected their evidence of being harmed by the water provided to them and today insists that the water is safe to drink, based on US Environmental Protection Agency regulations publicly acknowledged as outmoded, and even though more than 15,000 homes in Flint have yet to have their lead service lines replaced. (See: Banks, bondholders driving the legal conflict over Flints water supply ). In the MDEQ lawsuit, issues of federal and local authority were invoked not in accordance with the facts of the case, but with a predetermined end in mind. In his initial ruling, Judge David Lawson held for the MDEQ and insisted upon the courts jurisdiction by arguing that the Citys failure to sign a long-term supply agreement threatened the city with bankruptcy (because it would be overpaying for its ad hoc arrangements) and any such insolvency would threaten its ability to provide clean water, thereby threatening public health, which was intended to be protected under the federal Clean Water Act. Through this tortured logic, the judge aimed to compel the agreement with the GLWA. The only alternative, Lawson argued, was the signing of a similar deal with the KWA, an arrangement made unaffordable by the requirement that the city water treatment plant would need expensive upgrades to handle Karegnondis water supply, which, unlike GLWA, is untreated. The key unanswered question is what drove the urgency of the case. Local, state and federal officials were in no hurry when in 2014-15 the city residents were being poisoned. Only after attempting to blackguard those like Virginia Tech Professor Marc Edwards and Flint pediatrician Dr. Mona Attisha who brought forward incontrovertible evidence of the damage to residents health, and failing at that, did the bureaucracies chart a new course. A deal with the GLWA had to be signed, they insisted. Residents naturally suspected the motives of all involved. The mayor, Karen Weaver, while fighting a recall effort on the November 7 ballot, advocated signing the GLWA deal as early as April. The City Council, deeply implicated in all that has previously transpired, and led by Scott Kincaid, a challenger to the mayor in the recall, had temporized and sought a second opinion, contracting an independent auditor to examine the GLWA deal. The KWA kept itself largely in the background. All factions of the political establishment, from the Republican Snyder administration to the Democrats in the mayors office and on the city council, are beholden to the banks and bondholders responsible for this crisis, and are deeply discredited. Last month, Weaver survived a recall election with 7,709 votes, fewer than the 9,000 voters who signed petitions to remove her. With no faction of the Democratic Party providing any alternative, however, 81 percent of registered voters stayed away from the polls. In the event last Tuesday, the council reversed its opposition to the deal that it had maintained since Weavers announcement in April supporting it. The matter was decided with a 5-4 majority and only following the seating of five new members of the council who had been elected two weeks earlier. Voting in favor were Eric Mays, Maurice Davis, Santino Guerra, Herbert Winfrey and Jerri Winfrey-Carter. Voting against were Kate Fields, Monica Galloway, Louis Griggs and Eva Worthing. Davis, Guerra, Winfrey-Carter, Griggs, and Worthing are all new to the Council. The 3-2 split among this group, in favor of the deal, provided the majority. As the state strong-armed the council to sign with the GLWA in 2017, Michigan governor Rick Snyders administration charged a series of state officials with crimes in an attempt to shield the governor from responsibility for the disaster in Flint. If any more proof were needed of the state administrations callous disregard not only for Flints public health, but even public opinion, Snyder recently appointed Eden Wells, a top state official criminally charged in the Flint water crisis investigation, to head a new council tasked with improving Michigans response to emerging public health threats. Preliminary hearings are now being held for Wells, Michigans chief medical executive, on charges of obstruction of justice, lying to an officer, and involuntary manslaughter in connection to the Flint water crisis. Wells allegedly interfered with efforts by independent researchers studying a deadly Legionnaires disease outbreak in Genesee County. The researchers linked the switch to the Flint River to the disease, which resulted in 12 deaths and 89 illnesses The Flint-GLWA-KWA deal contains no guarantee of water provision to residents. In Flint, as elsewhere, water is not a right, but solely a commodity, and one increasingly unaffordable. As if to prove the point, the GLWA recently announced price increases of 4.2% for Detroit suburbs. And in its agreement with Flint, there is no cap specified on what the GLWA may charge the city. The relevant section of the contract (Section 7) begins, Customer [Flint] agrees to pay for all water supplied by GLWA from the GLWA System at such charges as GLWA may establish. The only restriction is that charges must comply with Michigan law and be reasonable in relation to GLWAs costs. A single official from Flint will sit on the GLWA board that approves rate increases. Throughout the past year, many residents voiced opposition to not having any part in the choice of the water source, but the reality is that the choice on offer was an illusion. Never did an official present an alternative based on social need. In fact, it was noteworthy during MDEQ legal action that Judge Lawson insisted, in an October 23 ruling, that the only alternative to bankruptcy for Flint involved increasing revenue for the city water system. As with other officials, he foresaw both higher rates and more punitive measures for those who still refuse to pay for water they argue to be unsafe. In this, he is in good company: The entire corporate and financial elite and both corporate-controlled parties reject the principle that water should be a social right and they insist that the working class be made to pay more for thisand every othernecessity, and pay dearly. What is required is the guarantee of safe drinking water to all Flint residents, the replacement of all lead water mains and supply lines, cancellation of the KWA debt, the indexing of water bills to workers incomes, and a permanent ban on both water shutoffs to residents and any privatization of water supply. Medical and educational services should be extended free of charge to all those in Flint whose health has been damaged by the poisoned water, and those who have been forced to relocate must be compensated for any damage to the value of their homes by the water catastrophe. Records of all discussions between officials from the City of Flint, Genesee County, the State of Michigan and federal government regarding the new water contract must be made public. As recent studies have demonstrated, lead poisoning is widespread throughout US cities and rural areas and is particularly concentrated in working-class and poor neighborhoods. To oppose this, the battle in Flint must be broadened into a powerful struggle by the entire working class against capitalism, a system that subordinates every aspect of life, and life itself, to the insatiable appetites of the financial overlords. Following the failure of Jamaica coalition talks, the Greens are emphasising their readiness to function as a party upholding the interests of the state, even if they end up serving in opposition. A federal party congress held by the environmentalists in Berlin on Saturday agreed to remain open in the future to participating in government. We Greens continue to be prepared to assume responsibility, and remain ready for talks, states the main motion, which was adopted by approximately 850 delegates. This also applies to participation in a minority government. The congress had originally been intended to pave the way for the Greens joining a federal government together with the conservative Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) and the Free Democrats (FDP). But after the collapse of exploratory talks and the change of course by the SPD, which is now orienting towards a continuation of the grand coalition with the CDU/CSU, the Greens are no longer needed as a governing partner. This has only encouraged the environmental party to stress its role in securing order and stability. The congress frenetically applauded the 14-member negotiating team, which went beyond our pain barriers in search of compromise, as the congresss main motion put it, and adopted the CSUs and FDPs right-wing positions on refugee and tax policies in particular. We thank the negotiating group for their efforts, stated the congress motion. Parliamentary leader Anton Hofreiter, who participated in the negotiations as a representative of the partys left wing, declared to the assembled delegates, We were convinced that we could have achieved something good for our country if the FDP had not evaded its responsibility. Several other speakers accused the FDP and its leader, Christian Lindner, of an irresponsible approach to state affairs. With his decision to break off the exploratory talks, Lindner cost the Greens a role in government they thought was secure. Green Party leader Cem Ozdemir accused Lindner of lacking the necessary humility for tasks that are sometimes bigger than oneself. For the Greens, by contrast, the slogan that appeals is the country comes first, the party second. Jurgen Trittin, who bore joint responsibility for the Agenda 2010 as Environment Minister in Gerhard Schroders government, described the FDP as a chauvinist welfare party and a right-wing bourgeois protest party. However, the Greens saved their praise for the CDU and even the CSU. Die Welt cited public remarks made by Ozdemir, who said that what was at stake was the stability of the Federal Republic of Germany, the assumption of responsibility for our entire republic and patriotism. The newspaper commented cynically that this sounded like hackneyed black-red and gold ideas from a policy paper authored by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. Even the friendly you offered by the CSUs Alexander Dobrindt was accepted by Ozdemir, even though the CSU politician previously described the Green leader as the political arm of rioters, stone throwers and arsonists, Die Welt noted. The union parties, including the CSU, have never been so close. The Greens are now presenting themselves as the guarantor of a Germany they would not have accepted for years after their founding in the late 1970s. On the issue of strengthening the domestic state apparatus in particular, the Greens and Bavarian law-and-order party are fully united. Michael Kellner, the federal head of business operations for the Greens, stated that with the failure of Jamaica, the chance had been lost to establish a new balance between security and constitutionality. In the Jamaica talks, a programme for the rule of law was within reach, said Kellner. We all wanted to increase the numbers of police, we wanted to invest in the justice apparatus, we had found money to expand the state prosecutors at the state level, who are really working to the limit of their abilities. The speakers at the Green Party congress all stressed that the Greens are ready to do anything to prevent social and political upheavals, and new elections in particular. We are ready to talk with all democratic parties and to compromise so as to bring Europe and Germany further ahead, stated Ozdemir. At the same time, the Green leader appealed to the FDPs voters to support his party. The Greens would stand on the side of start-up entrepreneurs, businessmen and artisans still wondering why the FDP left the talks, he said. The Greens are seeking to win FDP supporters who are not anti-European and who dont want to roll back the state. I would like to make an offer to this section and say, the liberal party in Germany is Bundnis 90/the Greens, asserted Ozdemir. Parliamentary leader Katrin Goring-Eckhardt, who together with Ozdemir led the Greens negotiating team, offered a Green tinge to this appeal to FDP voters. In the next four years, we want every bee, every butterfly and every bird in this country to know: we will continue to work for them, she proclaimed. Like the CDU and SPD, the Greens want to avoid new elections at all costs, and resolve the government crisis with a conspiracy among the establishment parties. They fear that an open political conflict will enable workers to intervene into political events, bring their interests to bear and find an audience for a socialist programme. The Greens readiness to support a CDU/CSU minority government or serve as a loyal opposition to the grand coalition will only strengthen the right wing in the AfD. The AfD became the third largest party at the election, because the anger at the grand coalitions anti-social policies was suppressed and found no progressive, socialist outlet. Bitter negotiations over post-Brexit arrangements with the European Union threaten to destabilise governments in the UK, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Britain is due to exit the European Union in March 2019, raising the possibility that the border between the north and south and the Irish Sea will become an external customs and tariff barrier to Fortress Europe. The issue has therefore pitched a divided British government against the EUs 27 member states, including the Republic. The EU has made a resolution of the border issue one of the three preconditions for moving forward onto talks with the British government on Brexit trade terms. Brussels is placing maximum pressure on the Conservative government of Prime Minister Theresa May to agree to pay a 40-50 billion divorce settlement that is meant to be agreed in one weeks time. The Irish government has made clear it will veto any border solutionand therefore any Brexit dealof which it does not approve. This has potentially catastrophic consequences for cross-border trade and for the economies of both parts of the island. Politically, it threatens the survival of Mays government but, more fundamentally, calls into question both future Anglo-Irish relations along with the power-sharing arrangements between the nationalist Sinn Fein and the pro-British Unionist parties. Inaugurated by the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, the arrangements ended the 30-year armed conflict known as The Troubles. Britains Tory government depends on the vote of ten Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MPs in a confidence and supply arrangement made necessary by the disastrous election result in June. This means that the DUP can veto any Westminster policy it doesnt agree with. Northern Ireland has not had a functioning government since early this yearwhen the Northern Ireland Executive was collapsed by Sinn Fein seizing on a long running scandal over the misallocation of British government funds. Two subsequent elections, one in Northern Ireland and one in Westminster and months of desultory talks failed to revive the power-sharing government between Sinn Fein and the DUP. Despite the collapse of the Stormont Assembly, the DUPs stranglehold on Mays weak and divided government has been strengthenedalong with her reliance on the hard-Brexit wing of her own party. In the 2016 Brexit referendum, Northern Ireland voted by a clear majority, 56 to 44 percent, to remain in the EU. However, the DUP are fervent Brexiteers with intimate connections to the Tory right. Earlier this month the British government, egged on by the DUP, took the first steps towards re-imposing direct rule over Northern Ireland from Westminster. A budget to allow public services to continue to function in the absence of regional government was pushed through by Northern Ireland Secretary of State James Brokenshire. Last week, the situation became yet more fraught when the Republic of Ireland was also pitched into an electoral crisis. A long running scandal around the state framing of whistle blower, Maurice McCabe, who exposed fraudulent and corrupt police practices and was falsely accused of being a paedophile, has led to successive police and government resignations. The main opposition party, Fianna Fail, and Sinn Fein, which operates on both sides of the Irish border, are calling for the resignation of Tanaiste (deputy prime minister) Frances Fitzgerald of Fine Gael over her role in the affair. Recently appointed Taoiseach (prime minister) Leo Varadkar has refused. Fianna Fail, which props up the minority Fine Gael government, responded by threatening to pull out of a confidence and supply deal. That would precipitate a snap general election just days after the crucial December 14 summit between the EU and the British government. Both sides are in talks seeking to avoid such an outcome. Fianna Fail are also under pressure from Sinn Fein who recently dropped opposition to entering a coalition agreement as a minority party. Gerry Adams retirement announcement last weekend would facilitate such a governmental role by removing the leader most associated politically with the Irish Republican Armys campaign against British rule in the North. Adams departure brings nearer the prospect of Sinn Fein simultaneously being in government in Northern Ireland and acting as king makers in the Republic. Brexit has proved to be an unmitigated economic and political disaster for Irish capitalism, north and south. Until Brexit, the Irish Republic, for all the nationalist posturing of its leading parties, broadly shadowed the trajectory of its former imperial master and leading market. Ireland even joined the EUs forerunner, the European Economic Community, on the same day as Britain, in 1973, at a time when Northern Ireland was occupied by tens of thousands of British troops. As a member of the European trade bloc, the once impoverished republic attracted vast amounts of US and EU investment aimed at exploiting cheap English-speaking labour with access to European markets. Indeed the peace process in the North was underpinned by the fact that both Britain and Ireland were in the EU. The US, Britain and the EU worked to create the conditions for the island to be economically integrated, and investment to be directed towards the increasingly isolated north. As a result, over the past 19 years, the economically irrational 300-mile border that was once scarred by hundreds of checkpoints, fortresses and patrolled by the British Army effectively ceased to exist. Tens of thousands of goods vehicles, commuters and bargain seekers cross it every day. A recent EU paper reported 142 areas, including the environment, health, agriculture, transport, education, tourism, energy, telecommunications, broadcasting, inland fisheries, justice and security, and sport in which current cross border activity was underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement and EU law. Brexit poses other problems for the republic. Statistics vary, but 2014 figures suggest that Irish trade with the EU, at 109 billion, is more than double its 52 billion trade with Britain. However, external trade, even if ultimately destined for Europe, still passes through Britain. A recent Financial Times article quoted the Irish Exporters Association stating that two thirds of Irish goods directed towards European and even global markets currently cross the Irish Sea to use the British motorway infrastructure and access to the Channel Tunnel. All parties and governments, including the DUP, therefore agree that there should be no return to a hard border. But there is no unity on how this can be done, or where the line marking the EUs boundary should fall. The DUP and the British government have ruled out any special status, or bespoke solution for Northern Ireland that would allow the rules of the EU single market and customs union to continue to be mirrored in the North. They have also ruled out checks at British and Northern Irish ports, claiming this would undermine Northern Irelands status as part of the UK. The Irish governments European Commissioner, Philip Hogan, warned that Ireland would continue to play tough to the end. He did so knowing that he has EU backing, with chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier recently Tweeting, Strong solidarity with Ireland...Irish issues are EU issues. There is a strong element of political brinksmanship, but all sides are behaving with extraordinary recklessness over the future of an island whose most recent civil war only ended two decades ago. For the working class, the situation is fraught with the danger of heightened sectarian conflict amid a continued descent into austerity. Only through a united struggle for the abolition of all national borders and the founding of a United Socialist States of Europe can workers advance their interests. Los Angeles is great for kids! The Getty Museum has a fun area for younger children, a beautiful garden and scenery and so many outdoor sculptures. Ours loved riding the white train all the way to the top. The Natural History Museum is so amazing! There are so many interactive exhibits, and depending on the season, they may have a visiting butterfly or spider enclosure set up. Its adjacent to the Rose Garden at USCs campus. Police in Hyderabad, the state capital of Telengana in southern India, have rounded up and removed hundreds of beggars from the city ahead of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) on November 2830. The GES is hosted by NITI Aayog, a leading Indian think tank, in partnership with the US government, and will be attended by 1,500 entrepreneurs from 170 countries. The event will be addressed by Ivanka Trump, the US presidents daughter and one of his advisors. She leads the US delegation and was invited by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his US visit in June. Modi will also address the summit. Expulsion of the poor from the city began on November 7, after Hyderabad Police Commissioner M. Mahender Reddy issued a prohibition notice under Section 144 of criminal procedure code 1973. It will ban begging on city streets till January 7. Police immediately began rounding up hundreds of beggars from bus terminals, railway stations and other public places, transporting them to shelters or so-called rehabilitation centres. According to the Associated Press (AP), an estimated 6,000 beggars would be shifted to these centres for fingerprinting and told they could face jail if they are found begging again. A homeless shelter spokesperson told AP that Hyderabad had about 13,000 beggars. The Indian Express reported that the Telengana state government wanted the city presented as a global capital which meant ensuring that no beggars are seen around. In other words, the visible presence of the poor would discourage entrepreneurs from attending the GES and undermine the efforts of Indias central and state governments to attract investment. According one estimate, there are over 400,000 beggars in India, a figure that underscores the disastrous situation facing millions of workers and the poor. Unable to find any progressive solution, the Indian ruling elite is desperately trying to hide the social catastrophe. According to the GES website, the summit will highlight Indias enabling environment for innovation and entrepreneurship, including actions by the government to increase the ease of doing business, eliminating unnecessary regulations, and supporting startups. Not surprisingly, Hyderabad Police Commissioner Reddy attempted to cover up the fact that the expulsion of beggars was directly related to preparations for the GES. Announcing the ban, he claimed that the poor were begging in an indecent manner and that children and handicapped people were blocking road junction traffic. This was dangerous to the safety of the vehicular traffic and the public in general, he declared. Hyderabad director general of prisons V.K. Singh, however, made clear that the police operation was a permanent drive against beggars and that the state government had been trying to figure out what to do about them for the past 30 years. He noted that begging has been a criminal act in Andhra Pradesh since 1977. Singh even claimed the anti-begging measures were about fighting crime. There is a mafia or a network behind this who force people to beg or kidnap some children and force them into begging, he declared. The theme of the Hyderabad summit is Women First, Prosperity for All, which, according to the event website, places special emphasis on empowering women entrepreneurs and the role they play in making communities more prosperous and secure through enterprise. The enormous social gap between Ivanka Trump, as well as the scores of government officials and other business delegates, and the vast majority of Hyderabad city dwellers is reflected in the high security preparations for her GES visit. On November 21, the Times Now news channel reported that the Hyderabad police have stepped up security measures throughout the city. Times Now noted that Washington has told local authorities not to disclose even the smallest details relating to Ivanka Trumps schedule because the threat perception to her is very high. Deputy Commissioner of Police of South zone Hyderabad, V. Satyanarayana, told the ANI news agency that there is the five-tier security system. The inner cordon will be looked after by US Secret Service and SPG [Special Protection Group, which provides security to the Indian Prime Minister], followed by Telengana intelligence wing, while the outer cordon will be looked after by law and order police. Local police have reportedly conducted a cordon and search operation against residents living in and around the Falaknuma Palace where Trumps daughter is expected to have dinner with international delegates. Police have ordered nearly 3,500 residents in the area not to allow strangers or their relatives and friends to come to their homes during the summit. These measures are not new. Hyderabad police conducted a similar operation in 2000, when then US President Bill Clinton visited the city. Prior to the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, slums were demolished and thousands of beggars pushed to the outskirts of the metropolis. Some sections of the Indian media have raised concerns about the extent of the latest police operation. A November 12 editorial in the Hindustan Times entitled Concealing Hyderabads beggars during Ivanka Trumps visit is insensitive, meaningless, made the obvious point that forcing beggars from streets would not address urban poverty. These measures are not even a temporary solution, the editorial declared, but insults human dignity and tries to mask the real reasons why people are on the streets. It concluded by calling on the government to address the root cause of the problem by giving people alternative forms of work so that they will not have to demean themselves by asking others for sustenance. Such measures will never be implemented by the Indian capitalist class and its political elite, which, after more than seven decades of national bourgeois rule and nearly three-decades of pro-market reforms, has produced staggering social inequality and pushed millions into extreme poverty. A recent report by French economists Lucas Chancel and Thomas Piketty entitled Indian income inequality, 1922-2014: From British Raj to Billionaire Raj? has revealed that the top 1 percent of income-earners in India capture 23 percent of all income while the top 10 percent garner 55 percent of all income. At the other end of the scale the poorest 50 percent of Indians receive just 15 percent, with an average annual income of just $US705. Latin America The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature. Peruvian and Chilean copper miners take strike action Workers at Southern Copper walked out November 22 in an indefinite strike over economic issues. The action involves over 3,000 workers at the companys Cuajone and Toquepala mines and Ilo refinery in southern Peru. The two largest unions at the mines are involved, although several smaller unions did not join the walkout. Workers protested on the train tracks leading from the mines to the refinery. Police arrested 24 workers and injured three others while dispersing the protest with tear gas and rubber bullets. Management claims its operations were not affected by the action. It is the second strike at Southern Copper this year, after a walkout in April that lasted two weeks. Meanwhile, workers at the Escondida copper mine, the worlds largest, in Chiles northern Antofagasta region downed their tools on November 23. The workers Union No. 1 called the limited action following the firms announcement of layoffs of about 120 operators. The strike involved some 2,500 miners. Minera Escondida, owned by BHP Billiton, was the scene of a 43-day work stoppage (http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2017/03/28/wkrs-m28.html) last February and March. The union called off the strike without achieving any gains. The layoffs represent about three percent of the Escondida workforce. Management claims that the adjustments are needed to streamline the production process. The union disputes that statement, saying that the growth of productionand of production targetsis inconsistent with a reduction in personnel or operations. The union cited high participation in the walkout and said that it would call another limited action this week if Escondida did not rescind the layoffs. Mexican hospital workers strike over lack of supplies, poor working conditions Doctors and nurses at the Aurelio Valdivieso Civil hospital in Oaxaca City, in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca, began an indefinite strike on November 22. The medical workers, members of the National Health Workers Syndicate (SNTSA), took the action to press their demands for supplies and medications, demands that the Health Secretariat had promised to meet. The immediate catalyst for the walkout was the failure of the Health Secretary to provide uniforms for this year; the striking workers are now demanding cash for the clothing. However, shortages of supplies and equipment are severe. Doctors claim that the hospital has less than half of needed medications and that X-ray and PET scan devices often do not work. Representatives of SNTSA subsection 07, which has about 1,800 members, met with the Health Secretary, but had not reached an agreement as of November 24. Meanwhile, in the northern city of Juarez, Chihuahua, interns and resident doctors at the Juarez General Hospital stopped work November 23 to demand better security measures when working in high-risk zones. The strikers are demanding a signed protocol to be followed in instances of high risk in insecurity zones. Representatives of the striking workers and trainees began meetings with authorities from the State Fiscal Board, the Autonomous University of Juarez and the Security Board on November 24. Argentine health professionals to strike over firings The Syndical Health Professionals Federation of Argentina (Fesprosa) called a one-day strike to protest firings at the Posadas Hospital in El Palomar, a town in the Greater Buenos Aires urban agglomeration. The walkout, scheduled for December 1, will be a protest against the sackings of four employees, two pharmaceutical workers and two technicians. Fesprosa claims that the firings were in retaliation against the union for a recent court ruling in its favor regarding extension of the night shift from 10 to 12 hours. Union head Jorge Yabkowski accused the administration of drawing up a blacklist for firings, and warned that there were more planned in the near future. Fesprosa called an assembly for November 28, and a mobilization and march to the Health Ministry on the day of the strike. The United States As UPS aircraft mechanics confront demands for massive cuts to benefits, union warns of possible strike The union for aircraft maintenance workers at United Parcel Service in the US said that massive cutbacks in health benefits demanded by management might provoke a strike over the busy holiday period. The 1,300 workers, members of Teamsters Local 2727, are facing demands for increases in health care costs per family of as much as 430 percent. Any strike would likely be illegal under reactionary provisions of US labor law that severely restrict the right to strike on the part of air transport employees. Airline contracts never expire, they only become subject to amendment. To be in a legal position to strike, the mechanics would have to be released from negotiations by the National Mediation Board, something the government has refused to do despite repeated requests on the part of the union. Mechanics voted for strike authorization last year, but talks have dragged on. UPS mechanics are stationed at more than 90 airports around the country. UPS exceeded its earnings estimate in the third quarter of 2017, taking in over $1.2 billion in net income. New York hospital workers authorize strike action by large margin Technical workers at Nyack Hospital in Nyack, New York voted by a 93 percent margin November 22 to authorize strike action after working four months without a contract. The vote came after a rally by the 130 members of the Communications Workers of America Local 1103 the previous Saturday that failed to move the hospitals Board of Directors. The workers, who include surgical technicians, respiratory therapists, and CAT scan and radiology technicians are seeking higher wages to bring them to parity with other hospitals, and improved health care coverage. The last wage increase under the old five-year contract was two percent. Contract talks began six months ago and have gone nowhere since last September. Nyack Hospital, which joined the Montefiore Health System in 2014, began a $22.2 million construction project in December of 2016 to add an addition to house its emergency department and outpatient facility. Management has declared that the current negotiations must conform to the long term viability of Nyack Hospital. Canada Quebec aluminum workers set for strike or lockout Over 1,000 workers employed at the ABI smelter in Becancour, Quebec, northeast of Montreal, could be on strike or locked out this week after a near-unanimous vote last week to reject the companys latest contract offer. The ABI smelter is the second largest in North America and is jointly owned by Alcoa and Rio Tinto Alcan, who have been in contract talks with the United Steelworkers/Syndicat des Metallos (USW) since early September. The main issues in dispute are a proposed two-tier pension plan by ABI that would disadvantage younger workers, and provisions for seniority rights in cases where workers are being transferred between jobs. Workers have been involved in job slowdowns in the days leading up to the vote and last Monday a group of 70 or more retired ABI workers briefly blocked entry to the plant in protest. CEZinc refinery workers end 9-month walkout Following the ratification of a new agreement, 371 workers at the CEZinc refinery in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Quebec will be returning to work December 3. The walkout continued for nine and one-half months as the United Steelworkers isolated the refinery workers determined struggle. The facility is the second largest zinc processing plant in North America and is co-owned by Noranda Income Fund and Glencore Canada Corp. One of the main issues in the dispute was pensions. The company demanded cuts to pensions despite the pension plan being overfunded. In announcing the settlement, the United Steelworkers said that the workers had successfully resisted demands for pension cuts. The union said it had agreed, however, to the elimination of the holiday premium. Toronto parking attendants set to strike Workers employed by the Toronto Parking Authority (TPA) in Green P parking lots voted almost unanimously in favor of strike action last week after working for months without a contract. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) called for a strike vote after abruptly halting negotiations earlier this month in the face of employer demands for a four-year wage freeze and deep concessions in benefits and job security. Although talks resumed late last week, the union claims it will not be intimidated into a contract that degrades the quality of jobs. Toronto youth shelter workers looking to strike Workers employed by Turning Point Youth Services in Toronto are set to go on strike December 2 if agreement on a new contract isnt reached before then. The workers, who provide youth counseling services, shelter and residential care, are members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and have been without a contract for almost four years. Union leaders say it is surprising that talks are not progressing but that the strike date could be extended if there is movement in negotiations. The employer says they have already made contingency plans for a strike, although services will be suspended. Contract talks resumed this week and are reportedly ongoing. SUWANNEE COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) - UPDATE: The Florida Highway Patrol confirmed that a Florida A&M University student has died after a crash in Suwannee County Sunday. FHP responded to the crash in Suwannee County Sunday, where 19-year-old Emojah Mullings was ejected from the car. The crash happened on I-10 westbound on Sunday, November 27 at 4:02 p.m. Troopers say a Toyota Camry with 4 occupants traveled off of the roadway and onto the north shoulder where it overturned, struck several stumps, and a wire fence before coming to rest in a field on the north side of Interstate 10. Mullings was ejected from the car during the overturn and was in critical condition at Shands UF in Gainsville. Troopers say she was pronounced dead on Monday at 2:49 p.m. FHP reports that Mullings was not wearing a seat beat. Three of the four occupants were students at FAMU. Mullings was a sophomore broadcast journalism student from Central Florida according to the FAMU School of Journalism & Graphic Communication. Ms. Mullings was a very engaged student and very full of life. She was active in the student body in several organizations and displayed promise for success in the journalism industry, said Dhyana Ziegler, Ph.D., interim dean of the School of Journalism & Graphic Communication. This week, the University says it will offer grief counseling to students and FAMU faculty and staff who knew Mullings. Students are planning a vigil to honor Mullings life and contributions to the campus community. This crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information is urged to call Cpl. Gabriel Keyes at 386-515-5003. PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - An 86-year-old woman has been arrested after police say she robbed a bank at gunpoint in University City on Tuesday afternoon. University of Pennsylvania police responded to a robbery call at the TD Bank at 3735 Walnut St. around 2 p.m. on Tuesday. The staff at the bank told officers the woman, identified as 86-year-old Emily Coakley, demanded $400 while displaying a gun. Police arrested Coakley without incident and recovered a revolver. Coakley has been charged with aggravated assault, robbery, and other related offenses. Copyright 2017 CBS. All rights reserved. CHAUTAUQUA, NY (RNN) - A New York woman was walking her dogs when she was fatally shot by a hunter who mistook her for a deer, according to the New York Post. Rosemary Bilquist, 43, was out walking Wednesday evening when she was shot. After being transported to an Erie hospital, she died from her wound. Bilquist's husband wrote on Facebook that, "I will miss you and love you forever and I know you dancing in heaven with your Momma and all of our friends and family that we have lost." Authorities said 34-year-old Thomas Jadlowski said he believed he saw a deer in a field nearly 200 yards away when he fired on Bilquist. After firing, there was a scream. Realizing his mistake, he rushed over to her, applied pressure to the wound and called 911. No charges have been filed against Jadlowski, but an investigation into the incident is ongoing. Copyright 2017 Raycom News Network. All rights reserved. After a three-year search, the owners of Tipsy Cow just off the Capitol Square are opening a second location, this one in Sun Prairie. "It has been a long road to get here, but we are really excited," said Michael Banas, who owns the 7-year-old bar and restaurant with Patrick O'Halloran and Sue Kirton. The three are all partners in the new venture. Banas and O'Halloran also co-own Lombardino's on the Near West Side and are currently in Italy to gain inspiration for that restaurant. The Sun Prairie Tipsy Cow will be the first tenant in a new building at the Shoppes at Prairie Lakes, a giant retail and office development that includes Costco, Cabela's, Target, and a Marcus Palace Cinema. It will be in building G, Unit 107. The new restaurant is expected to be open by next summer, Banas said. Tipsy Cow Downtown is in a historical flatiron building, and the unique space is sometimes inefficient with its basement kitchen, Banas said. "With new construction, we are able to design it to capture the timeless bar feel, but have the efficiencies needed for todays restaurant requirements," he said in an email. "We are very much trying to keep it simple and comfortable which is what I think the current Tipsy Cow does as well." The new restaurant will expand on the offerings of the current Tipsy Cow because it will have a larger kitchen with more equipment. "Madison has really embraced Tipsy Cow and were so proud of what it has become," Banas said. "We know we have more we can do under the concept, but are very limited with the kitchen size Downtown." They liked the Prairie Lakes development because it's close to downtown Sun Prairie and also accessible from the East Side of Madison, Banas said. They expect to draw customers from the nearby Palace Cinema and a new hotel going up across from Cabela's. Also, Sun Prairie itself is growing. It was one of four Dane County communities Madison, Fitchburg and Verona were the others among the top 10 to gain population in Wisconsin from 2015 to 2016, according to census estimates. Before Tipsy Cow, the partners opened King & Mane, a restaurant offering an American spin on Mexican and Spanish cuisine, in the same location at 102 King St. It didnt make it, and now two new taco places on and near the Square are thriving. "It has been great to see. We love Mexican food," Banas said of the trend. Tipsy Cow kept many dishes from King & Manes menu and they've been well-received. The PBR-battered fish taco started at King & Mane continues to be Tipsy Cow's "most sought-after special," he said. Banas said he and his partners took their time deciding where to put their second location. A couple other spaces they looked at fell through, including a spot in Monona. He's not ready to say if they will continue to grow beyond Sun Prairie. "We are taking it one step at a time," Banas said. "This new location will be larger than Tipsy Cow Downtown and we just want to concentrate on making it the best that it can be." Tipsy Cow has been successful because of its great employees and quality food, he said. "We love cooking up Knoches beef, topping it with Wisconsin cheese and Nueskes smoked bacon and serving it on a buttery bakery bun. "Taking the familiar and exceeding your expectations. That is our goal every day." China's BAIC to export cars from Mexico to U.S., Canada in 2018 Chinese car-maker BAIC, which assembles cars in the Mexican state of Veracruz, said on Friday that it plans to export cars from Mexico to the United States and Canada starting in 2018. Chinese private airline orders Boeing's Dreamliners to expand long-haul services Boeing and Okay Airways, one of China's 1st privately-owned airlines, said that they finalized an order for five Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners on Wednesday, with which Okay Airways will expand its long-haul services. If you are sending a Letter To the Editor, please be sure to follow these rules: Letters have a firm 200-word limit and will be edited for grammar, clarity and accuracy. The person who signs the letter must be the author. Anonymous letters will not be considered. Letters must address the editor, not a third party. We will not print form letters, libelous letters, business promotions or personal disputes, poetry, open letters, letters espousing religious views without reference to a current issue, or letters considered in poor taste. Letters reflect the opinion of the writer. The Yakima Herald-Republic cannot verify the accuracy of all statements made in letters. Writers are limited to one published letter per calendar month. YORK Damien Hartman, 24, of York, was sentenced to probation on Monday for not complying with the Nebraska Sex Offender Registry requirements. In April, 2013, he was sentenced to a term of 2-5 years in prison after being convicted of third degree sexual assault of a 3-year-old child. He was released from prison in the spring of 2016. According to court documents, the York Police Department received reports that Hartman was living in a short-term apartment/motel facility in York. They began to look for him after finding he had not registered his address as required and that he had told people he was planning to move to Florida. They found Hartman was staying at the local mission and he was arrested for non-compliance. In December of 2016, Judge James Stecker sentenced Hartman to three years of traditional probation. But this fall, he was back in District Court, facing allegations that he had violated the terms of that probation. You were charged with making terroristic threats and domestic assault (for which he was then convicted), you havent been employed, you are not in treatment, you failed to show up for testing four times and you admitted to using marijuana six times, Judge Stecker said to Hartman during earlier court proceedings. Hartman admitted to all the violations. During earlier factual basis proceedings, York County Attorney Christopher Johnson reiterated the details about Hartmans law violations in June. He did not have a job as required, he didnt participate in programming and during all home visits (by probation) he was sleeping. He failed to show up for testing and admitted to using marijuana. On Monday, during District Court proceedings, Johnson said the pre-sentence report prepared by probation officers presents a conundrum because they were recommending probation based on Hartmans future participation in programming, if he would comply with terms of his probation. But he was also convicted of a crime while he was on probation. He continued to use marijuana, up until as recent as a month ago. He is suitable for a straight sentence. Hartmans attorney, York County Public Defender Nancy Waldron told Judge Stecker that her client has been attending employment classes and he had a sex offender evaluation last week but the findings werent yet available to be presented to the court. We are asking that probation be continued, Waldron said. I saw you a week ago in Seward County and I continued your probation in that case, Judge Stecker said to Hartman. I will do the same here, the same probation order. You are showing some progress. You need to stay on that path. Gov. Scott Walkers program to boost early literacy has stalled with state funding depleted, no effort to solicit private donations and the oversight council unable to convene enough members to conduct business, according to a legislative audit released Tuesday. The fifth Legislative Audit Bureau review of the program could also be its last. The Joint Legislative Audit Committee has introduced legislation that would eliminate the statutorily required annual review. The Read to Lead Development Fund was created in 2012 and has received nearly $500,000 in taxpayer funding since then, with almost all of it being expended on school districts, nonprofits groups and reading programs. The Read to Lead Development Council solicited no grant applications last year and as of June 30 only had $2,219 available to distribute, according to the audit. The fund was designed as a public-private effort it continues to receive about $23,000 a year in state funding but so far the council has not sought any private funding, the audit found. Officials from the Department of Children and Families, which administers the program, told auditors they couldnt solicit private funding because of state ethics and lobbying laws, though a 2013 opinion from the Government Accountability Board said the council could solicit funds if it followed certain guidelines, the audit said. Under the law creating the program, the 22-member reading council has the sole authority under the law to solicit private funding, but it hasnt had a quorum at any of its three meetings from the past year, according to the audit. The audit recommends a change in state law that would require the council to solicit private funds. In 2013, a legislative audit found Walker had yet to appoint members to the council and its initial $400,000 from the taxpayers had not been spent. The next year the fund awarded about $205,000 in grants to seven out of 214 applicants, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel previously reported. In the 2015-17 budget, Walker transferred oversight of the council from his office and the Department of Administration to the Department of Children and Families with the Department of Public Instruction providing support for grant administration. DCF has since taken sole responsibility for the program. DCF spokesman Joe Scialfa said the agency is implementing audit recommendations. He said the agency has developed a process for filling the councils 12 vacancies and has identified several qualified applicants. Links on the DCF website to records of many of the councils previous meetings were not working Tuesday. Scialfa said those links were being fixed. Walker, who announced the program alongside state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Evers, has touted the Read to Lead initiative along with the importance of reading for student success. In Walkers 2010 campaign he laid out a goal of ensuring all children can read by third grade, and in the months leading up to the 2012 recall election he announced the creation of the council as part of a schools package. Last year on Read Across America Day, he issued a statement saying we continue to invest in initiatives like Read to Lead, which improve literacy in Wisconsin through early screenings, teacher development, and investments in effective programs to help make sure every student in our state is able to build a successful future from a great education. In response to the audit, Walker spokesman Tom Evenson didnt address the audit findings. But he said Walkers latest state budget increases K-12 funding by $636 million to an all-time high in dollars not adjusted for inflation. Governor Walker is strongly committed to student success, Evenson said. News Washington, DC - Ambassador Thomas A. Shannon, Under Secretary for Political Affairs, met with Secretary General Galvao to address common interests in our bilateral relationship and the region. The Under Secretary reaffirmed the close partnership between the United States and Brazil and our shared commitment to increasing economic growth, investment, and job creation in both countries. The two leaders emphasized the importance of cooperation on security issues, including the challenges in Venezuela. Health News Rochester, Minnesota - When we say Let's talk turkey, it isnt about how to prepare the meat, but rather, how to use the holidays as a time to start talking to your provider and family members about your end-of-life wishes. Talk turkey is a challenge to share what matters most to you about how you want to be cared for. Making a point to set aside the precious time to speak honestly and openly about your end-of-life wishes can be a special gift to those that you love. Its also a reminder to talk to your provider when you are in for routine checkups. If you were very ill, your doctors would respect your wishes as much as possible. But, we can't honor your choices if we don't know what they are. Thats why those 18 and older are encouraged to complete an advance directive. An advance directive is anything that tells your doctors what kind care you want if you are too ill to express yourself. A Power of Attorney for Health Care (POA HC) designates a person to make decisions for you if you are unable to speak for yourself. You also may clarify what care you prefer and if you have any limits. Depressing, some people groan. Ill make those big decisions when the time comes. Its human to want to put off thoughts of death and dying. Unfortunately, a health care crisis can happen at any time, at any age. I have witnessed, firsthand, when a patient is faced with a debilitating illness or a devastating accident and families who havent had these discussions often are left agonizing over What would my loved one want? Personal care preferences are put in motion when doctors believe a person isnt able to make his/her own decisions. In Wisconsin, a Power of Attorney for Health Care form gives a designated decision maker the right to make decisions. Without the form, even a spouse may need to attain legal guardianship to make health care decisions for a loved one. Going through the legal system adds time and money to an already stressful situation. So, after the turkey meal and before turning on the TV, give yourself and your loved ones the gift of preparation: Talk about your wishes with those close to you. Seek guidance, if desired, from your provider and/or religious leader. Fill out an advance directive to make your wishes known. Where do I find a Power of Attorney for Health Care form? The form is free, and you dont need an attorney to fill it out. Its readily available at: Honoring Choices Wisconsin Honoring Choices Minnesota Mayo Clinic Health System Your local library How do I fill out the form? If you dont know where to get started, dont worry. There are plenty of resources to help you. If you find the language intimidating, dont be afraid to ask for help from: Your provider Your local hospital Spiritual care, palliative care, social services and hospice workers all can help you. Your countys Aging and Disability Resource Center Its uncomfortable, but tell your family, I know this is hard to discuss. Emphasize why its important by saying, I want to make it easier on you during a medical crisis. What better time to have the conversation than during the holidays, when family members are gathered together? Talking about whats important at the end of life is one of the most meaningful gifts we can give each other. Yuma News Yuma, Arizona - Join the Arizona Western College Music Department for its Formal Student Recital at 1 p.m. on Sunday, December 3, at the AWC Main Campus Theater, 2020 S. Ave. 8E. The recital will celebrate the progress of music students who participate in private studies at AWC, displaying a variety of instrumental and vocal solo performances during the event. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Professor Deltrina Grimes at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (928) 344-7574. Yuma News Yuma, Arizona - November is National Native American Heritage Month and this year the International Team, in partnership with Northern Arizona University-Yuma Social Work students, will be holding a celebration in that honor at Arizona Western College. First celebrated in 1990, Native American Heritage Month was established to recognize the significant contribution the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S. In an effort to grow awareness about local Native American heritage and culture, AWC and NAU-Yuma students have invited members of the Cocopah Indian Tribe and the Quechan Indian Tribe to celebrate the influence of the tribes on the AWC community. Tribal members will be performing traditional song and dance while also displaying pieces of art. The celebration will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 29, in the 3C Breezeway on the Yuma Main Campus, 2020 S. Ave. 8E, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Community, students, faculty, and staff are invited to attend this free event. The International Team, an AWC Student Organization, is comprised of those enrolled as international students as well as students interested in broadening their understanding of the world. For more information, email Aybuke Keehn at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call at (928) 344-7699. Yuma News Yuma, Arizona - On Friday, September 15, 2017 the Yuma Police Department was informed of the arrest of one of our police officers, while off duty, in San Diego, California. On Friday, September 15, 2017 at 4:23 a.m., San Diego Police Officers responded to a sexual assault call. 33 year old Jared Elkins was taken into custody and later booked into San Diego County Jail on sexual assault charges. Jared Elkins has been a police officer with the Yuma Police Department for 7 years. The Department is in the process of placing him on administrative paid leave until further notice. On Wednesday, November 15, 2017 a criminal complaint was filed by the San Diego County District Attorneys Office against Jared Elkins for multiple felony offenses. Jared Elkins was scheduled to be arraigned in San Diego Superior Court on November 27th at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. Jared Elkins remains on administrative paid leave until further notice. Yuma News Yuma, Arizona - A state-mandated recount of Yumas close election for City Council confirms that Karen Watts has been elected to the third and final seat, the City learned Tuesday. The City is now accepting applications for the 2018 Neighborhood Leadership Academy (NLA). Applications are available here or on the neighborhood involvement page of the Citys website, www.yumaaz.gov, (click on Departments, then Community Development and look for Neighborhood Involvement, or simply search for Neighborhood Leadership from the home page). There is no fee to apply or attend. The first deadline for applications is Dec. 16; however, class size is limited, so prospective applicants are encouraged to apply early. Academy participants will meet this year for three-hour sessions on Thursday evenings every week from Jan. 4 through April 18, culminating with a graduation event April 26. A maximum number of 25 Yuma residents are selected for a single academy from the group of applicants. The NLA is an effort to ensure that the goals of the City are shared at the neighborhood level and neighborhood issues are at the forefront of policy decisions considered by the City Council. The NLA supports the formation of neighborhood associations and empowers residents in a neighborhood to seek a better quality of life that is citizen-driven and focused. In a creative learning environment, the NLA brings together some of the City of Yumas leading representatives to equip participants with valuable insight and direction about understanding the City Charter, roles and responsibilities of City Council and City administration, an understanding of how City government works and its role in community affairs. Graduates from the Neighborhood Leadership Academy are prepared for appointments to official City boards and commissions and are ready to serve if asked to work with City staff and Council on ad-hoc committees focusing on special issues and topics, and on community events. Past graduates have reported that they leave better informed and prepared to participate in community boards and commissions and neighborhood associations. NLA also prepares individuals to serve in elected City offices. Current Deputy Mayor Edward Thomas and Councilmember-elect Jacob Miller, for examples, are NLA graduate For additional information on the Neighborhood Leadership Academy or questions regarding the application, call City of Yuma Neighborhood Services at 928-373-5187. Paris: Three civilians were wounded in Burkina Faso on Monday after a grenade was thrown at French troops, shortly before President Emmanuel Macron touched down in the country, a security source said. "Two hooded individuals on a motorcycle threw a grenade towards a French army vehicle" as it made its way to a barracks in the capital Ougadougou housing French special forces, a security source said on condition of anonymity. Three residents were wounded, one seriously, in the attack which took place at 0800 GMT, the source added. Ahmedabad: Taking a dig at the opposition Congress ahead of Gujarat polls, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Tuesday told Zee News that neither Rahul Gandhi nor the person writing his speech do their background research. Rahul doesn't do his homework, neither the person writing his speech. The world is pointing at the success of GST, but he is calling it Gabbar Singh Tax. Calling Congress a party with the political dynasty, the minister said, BJP is not a family-oriented party. It is under no pressure. We all work hard towards the welfare of the party. Anyone can climb on the top. But look at Congress? Who's there apart from Rahul Gandhi. Rahul campaigned in Manipur, Haryana, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Assam, Manipur everywhere. What happened? The result is for all to see. In this country, 13 Chief Ministers are from BJP. Prime Minister and President are also from BJP. And this is not because of the family dynasty but because of the hard efforts put in by leaders like Modi, Amit Shah and many others, added Prasad. How can Gujarat succeed with Rahul, who's only been mocking the state. I am proud of Gujaratis. They are hard working people. In 22 years of BJP rule, businessman and industrialists have understood how this BJP was beneficial for them, he said while referring to GST. Under Modi's rule, not a single corruption has taken place, said the minister. Reflecting on Gujarat and BJP's development model in the state, the minister said that investment has become an important part of every state. But it was first started by Modi here. On state Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, the minister it's unfair to compare a chief minister to a Prime Minister. The minister also spoke on Hafiz Saeed and terrorism. Earlier, Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) Hardik Patel also spoke at the event. Mexico City: At least 18 people have been killed after a truck overturned in the Mexican state of Puebla, the police said. The accident occurred along a mountain road in the municipality of Tepango de Rodriguez, according to an official report released by Puebla`s public security authorities on Monday, Xinhua news agency reported. Nine men and nine women were killed, most of whom were travelling in the cargo section of the truck. A preliminary police report found that the vehicle seemed to have a brake failure, which caused it to crash and roll over, adding that the death toll could rise to 19 as one victim was in critical condition in hospital. Prosecutors have opened an inquiry into the cause of the accident. HENAGAR: Embattled Republican U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore said on Monday the allegations of sexual misconduct against him were evidence of the moral failings of leaders in Washington and meant to distract attention from the real issues. Hitting the campaign trail for the first time in more than two weeks, when the charges first disrupted the race, Moore said the allegations were false and malicious and politicians in both parties were desperate to see him fail. "This is simply dirty politics. It`s a sign of the immorality of our times," Moore told about 125 supporters who jammed a rural community center in northeast Alabama, speaking just over two weeks before a Dec. 12 special election to fill the Senate seat vacated by Jeff Sessions when he was appointed U.S. attorney general earlier this year. Republican lawmakers in Washington, including Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, have rushed to distance themselves from Moore and called for him to step down from the race after he was accused by several women of sexual assault and misconduct when they were teenagers and he was in his early 30s. Reuters has not been able to independently verify those allegations. Moore said the allegations were designed to distract from "the true issues" facing people and that Senate leaders understood he was difficult to manage and did not want to deal with him. "Politicians will stop at nothing to win an election," said Moore, who has accused the media of joining in the effort to malign him. Outside the rally, a man wearing a Moore sticker pushed away a cameraman as he attempted to film Moore`s arrival, local media reported. A reporter for the Birmingham News, in a tweet, identified the man as Tony Goolsby, the DeKalb County chairman for the Moore campaign. President Donald Trump defended Moore last week, but a White House official said Trump would not campaign for Moore before the Dec. 12 special election. Trump has repeatedly slammed Moore`s Democratic opponent, Doug Jones, a former U.S. attorney, calling him a liberal and saying that Jones would not vote for a tax overhaul plan now being debated in Congress. Republicans hold a slim 52-48 majority in the Senate and are eager to maintain their advantage to pass Trump`s legislative agenda on taxes, healthcare and other priorities. But Republican Senator Richard Shelby of Alabama told reporters on Monday he had not voted for Moore, writing in a candidate instead. He did not say whom he wrote in. Moore had largely stayed off the campaign trail and avoided questions since the allegations first surfaced in the Washington Post. The Jones campaign has taken notice and begun criticizing his absence. Before the rally, a Moore representative warned the crowd against any "outbursts" and said Moore would not be taking questions. Washington: The hackers' targets: The former head of cybersecurity for the US Air Force. An ex-director at the National Security Council. A former head of the Defense Intelligence Agency. All were caught up in a Russian government-aligned cyberespionage campaign. None was warned by the FBI, despite an agency policy that calls for notification. The bureau repeatedly failed to alert targets of the Russian hacking group known as Fancy Bear despite knowing for more than a year that their personal emails were in the Kremlin's sights, an Associated Press investigation has found. "No one's ever said to me, 'Hey Joe, you've been targeted by this Russian group,'" said former Navy intelligence officer Joe Mazzafro, whose inbox the hackers tried to compromise in 2015. "That our own security services have not gone out and alerted me, that's what I find the most disconcerting as a national security professional." FBI policy calls for notifying victims, whether individuals or groups, to help thwart both ongoing and future hacking attempts. The policy, which was released in a lawsuit filed earlier this year against the FBI by the non-profit Electronic Privacy Information Center, says that notification should be considered "even when it may interfere with another investigation or (intelligence) operation." The FBI did not immediately respond to requests on the details of its notification policy. Late last week, it declined to discuss its investigation into Fancy Bear's spying campaign, but did provide a statement that said in part: "The FBI routinely notifies individuals and organizations of potential threat information." Three people familiar with the matter including a current and a former government official said the FBI has known the details of Fancy Bear's attempts to break into Gmail inboxes for more than a year. A senior FBI official, who was not authorized to publicly discuss the hacking operation because of its sensitivity, said the bureau had been overwhelmed by an "almost insurmountable problem." The AP conducted its own investigation into Fancy Bear, dedicating two months and a small team of reporters to go through a list of 19,000 phishing links provided by the cyber-security firm Secureworks. The list showed how Fancy Bear worked in close alignment with Kremlin interests to steal tens of thousands of emails from the Democratic Party , the AP reported this month. But it wasn't just Democrats the hackers were after. The AP identified more than 500 US-based targets in the data, reached out to more than 190 of them and interviewed nearly 80 people, including current or former military personnel, Democratic operatives, diplomats or ex-intelligence workers such as Mazzafro. Many were long-retired, but about one-third were still in government or held security clearances at the time of the hacking attempts. Only two told the AP they learned of the hacking attempts from the FBI. A few more were contacted by the FBI after their emails were published in the torrent of leaks that coursed through last year's electoral contest. To this day, some leak victims have not heard from the bureau. One was retired Maj James Phillips, who was one of the first people exposed by the website DCLeaks in mid-2016. A year later, Philips has yet to hear anything from the FBI. In fact he didn't learn his emails were "flapping in the breeze" until two months after the fact, when a journalist called him to ask for comment. United Nations: The UN Security Council has urged all Syrian parties to actively participate in the Geneva political process without preconditions and to support efforts to ensure its success. Sebastiano Cardi, President of the Security Council, told reporters on Monday after closed-door consultations on Syria that the council reiterated a political solution must be forged through the Geneva process, Xinhua reported. The council members also stressed respect for Syria's sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity, Cardi said. Although the Syrian opposition has formed a unified group for Geneva talks following negotiations among them in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the Syrian government has not confirmed its attendance at the new round of Geneva talks. "The meeting will start tomorrow and we really hope that all parties, including the Syrian government, will be present," Cardi said. Briefing Monday's Security Council open meeting, UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura said the "moment of truth" has arrived for the Syria talks. "The meeting will start tomorrow and we really hope that all parties, including the Syrian government, will be present," he added. Initially, he said, the participants should focus on a work plan, particularly on principles as well as the constitutional and election "baskets." All other initiatives should support the UN mediation process, he said. Asked by reporters to comment on the Syrian government's failure to confirm its presence at the Geneva talks, chief UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said, "participation of the Syrian government is very important." Several diplomats at the UN also expressed their hope that the Geneva talks will be able to produce positive outcomes given the fact that the Syrian opposition has formed a unified negotiating committee. French ambassador to the United Nations, Francois Delattre, saw a better chance for the Geneva talks as the Syrian opposition has reached a deal at the auspices of Saudi Arabia. "We very much welcome the great progress achieved in Riyadh by the Syrian opposition to establish a unified, credible and pragmatic group that will be able to negotiate in Geneva," he told reporters before walking into the Security Council chamber for the Syria meeting. The important outcome in Riyadh helps reinforce the importance of the Geneva process and brings about a new chance and new opportunities, said Delattre. He stressed that any political initiative must be compatible with the Geneva process in order to succeed. PATNA: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is the latest among the state Chief Ministers to join the 'ban Padmavati' chorus. Nitish has reportedly said that Sanjay Leela Bhansali's period drama 'Padmavati' will not be released in Bihar till the producers and director of the film make necessary changes in the film. His statement on Padmavati comes hours after the Supreme Court dismissed a fresh petition seeking to stall the release of movie Padmavati outside India. The top court further directed officials holding responsible positions to avoid commenting on the film, since it amounts to pre-judging it. Such kind of statements are violative of the principle of Rule of Law as Censor Board is yet to certify the movie," said the apex court. The SC was listening to a plea filed by lawyer Manohar Lal Sharma, seeking direction to delete certain objectionable scenes from the movie. The petition also sought prosecution of filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Recently, the government in poll-bound Gujarat announced a ban on the movie saying Padmavati will not be screened in the state till the assembly elections are over. Gujarat goes to poll on December 9 and 14, and the counting is to take place on December 18. In a press conference on November 22, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said that apart from the Kshatriya Samaaj, other communities also expressed apprehension about the release of the film. "Till the issues are resolved, Padmavati will not be screened in Gujarat," said Rupani. He also tweeted, "The Government of Gujarat will not allow #Padmavati - a movie hurting sentiments of Rajputs - to get released in the State. We can't allow our history to be distorted. We believe in freedom of speech & expression but any foul play with our great culture is not tolerated. (sic)" Sanjay Leela Bhansali's controversial period drama, Padmavati, has been in dire straits for a while now. Several right-wing groups have been vehemently opposing the film on the grounds that it supposedly degrades the honour of the Rajput queen, Rani Padmini and shows her in a bad light. Bhansali`s magnum-opus, starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, and Shahid Kapoor, has been mired in a slew of controversies for allegedly tampering with historical facts. Patna: Acrimonious exchanges were on Tuesday witnessed inside the Bihar Legislative Assembly between Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi and leader of the opposition Tejashwi Yadav over the issues of corruption under the present regime and benami property allegedly amassed by the latter. As soon as Speaker Vijay Kumar Choudhary rejected a notice for adjournment motion on various scams served by opposition members, Yadav stood up and said, "This is a very important matter. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who was earlier known for good governance, is now regarded as 'Bhishm Pitamah' of corruption". "Not a day passes when people in Bihar do not open newspapers or switch on TV expecting news of a new scam", Yadav, younger son of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad, alleged. Sushil Modi reacted angrily to this, saying Yadav "should tell the house about benami property worth about Rs 1,000 crore amassed by him into which CBI was inquiring. At the age of 28, he has become owner of so many properties". Yadav retorted, "at times I am told that I am a child (a reference to a recent remark by the CM) and at the same time I am also accused of corrupt deals". "I was the Deputy CM for a considerable period of time. I want to know whether I was guilty of any corrupt deal during the period. On the other hand, the name of the CM has figured in a murder case and even a fine has been slapped on him by a court in that connection", Yadav alleged. Sushil Modi sarcastically replied "had he explained his position earlier, he would have been sitting even now on the Deputy CM's chair". The senior BJP leader was referring to collapse of Grand Alliance comprising JD(U), RJD and Congress over the issue of graft charge on Yadav. Earlier, proceedings of the House commenced in a surcharged atmosphere with some CPI(ML) MLAs carrying placards and shouting slogans demanding a stop on violence against dalits. This evoked angry outbursts from the ruling side. Later, RJD member Abdul Bari Siddiqui told the Chair "members of the ruling side are behaving in a manner in which the opposition has been known to behave". State Minister Nand Kishore Yadav reacted angrily saying the ruling side "will not allow the opposition to manipulate the proceedings in an arbitrary manner". Later, as members were dispersing after the Speaker announcment adjournment of the House before lunch, Bhai Virendra of the RJD and Virendra Singh of the JD(U) nearly came to blows inside the house over allegations and counter allegations in the trade of sand and stone chips. Bhai Virendra was heard remarking "I only said that people from the ruling side are known to have mafia-like interest in sand and stone chips trade, but to this Virendra Singh reacted in an abusive manner". As angry exchanges continued between them, some members tried to pacify the two MLAs. Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav later told reporters "our party has lodged a complaint against the use of abusive language by the JD(U) MLA and the Speaker has promised that he will look into it". He also alleged "Sushil Modi has tutored his MLAs to provoke us to resort to violence so that they could later defame us before the media". New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday took exception to people holding official positions making adverse comments about the Hindi film Padmavati, saying these breached the principle of rule of law. The court also said people in position of responsibility should not comment on the film as it may prejudice the censor board. A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice AM Khanwilkar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud said: "We are governed by the rule of law. "When the matter is pending before the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for grant of certificate, nobody holding a responsible position should comment as it would amount to violation of the principle of the rule of law." The court also junked a petition by lawyer Manohar Lal Sharma objecting to the offshore release of the film Padmavati. Taking exception to Sharma's plea, the court said it was unwarranted. New Delhi: Ali Abbas Zafar's big release 'Tiger Zinda Hai' (TZH) is all geared up to hit the screens on December 22 this year and the excitement is only palpable. Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif are coming back to sizzle the silver screens after a hiatus of five long years. The trailer and first song of TZH titled 'Swag Se Swagat' not only hit the right chords amongst the audiences but also made several records. Now, after the 'Swagilicious' success of the first song, the makers teased the first look of the next one titled 'Dil Diyan Gallan'. This romantic number will reportedly be launched in a big way. There are a reports that it will be launched at Salman Khan's 'Bigg Boss 11' platform. Pinkvilla.com quoted a source as saying, A song like this needs a huge launch. This is their most passionate, romantic track ever and the makers have decided that the two should perform together to launch the song. People just cant get enough of Salman and Katrina and they are sizzling together in the song. Them performing together will only heighten the anticipation of seeing them on screen when Tiger releases in the theatres. Adding, the source said, Salman will woo Katrina on Bigg Boss by doing the Waltz with her just like in Dil Diyan Gallansvideo. Watch out for their breath-taking chemistry. TZH is a sequel to 2012 blockbuster 'Ek Tha Tiger' and was helmed by Kabir Khan. New Delhi: In the wake of the Supreme Court directing Hadiya to be taken to college for her studies, her father KM Ashokan on Tuesday expressed happiness, adding he had always wanted her to study. The apex court, during a hearing on the Kerala `love jihad` case yesterday, said the college should allow the hostel facility to Hadiya and also ordered her college dean to be her guardian after she requested for it. "We never abused her. I am happy with the Supreme Court. I was worried about her education and wanted her to study. Now I am happy," Ashokan told the media. This decision was taken after the court questioned Hadiya in the case, where she told the apex court that she wanted to be with her husband. The 24-year-old has been in the headlines after she became a Muslim following her marriage to Jahan. Hadiya said she had married Jahan out of her own will and not forcibly. The top court will now hear the matter next in the third week of January. Earlier, the NIA had submitted a status report in a sealed cover to the top court in connection with the case. The apex court has been hearing Hadiya`s case after Jahan approached the top court following the Kerala High Court annulling his marriage with Hadiya. While Hadiya`s parents have been alleging that her marriage was a case of `love jihad` and that she was converted to Islam forcibly, Hadiya has refuted these claims so far. New Delhi: The Congress on Tuesday urged Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to move the court against the increase in Delhi Metro fare hike. "The Delhi government should approach the court against the (decision) to increase Metro fares," Delhi Congress unit chief Ajay Maken told reporters here. He said the Congress will move the court if the Aam Aadmi Party government failed to do so. The Delhi Metro Rail Corp (DMRC) hiked the fares from October 10, the second this year after the May hike, despite opposition from the Delhi government and other quarters. Taking a dig at Kejriwal, Maken said: "Kejriwal has enough money to pay lawyers and on advertisements but why can`t he spend some money for the benefit of Metro commuters?" The Congress leader suggested subsidy by the Delhi government to DMRC to maintain fares within the reach of the common man. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi while delivering a speech at the inauguration of 3-day Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) in Hyderabad on Tuesday said that his government created Aadhaar- the worlds largest biometric based digital database. He further said, "The worlds largest biometric based digital database currently covers over 1.15 billion people and digitally authenticates over 40 million transactions daily. We now digitally provide monetary benefits of various government schemes to the beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer using Aadhaar." PM Modi added that the government is steadily working towards a less cash economy and has launched a Unified Payment Interface App called BHIM. In less than a year, this platform is facilitating almost 280 thousand transactions daily. "To my entrepreneur friends across the world, I would like to say come make in India, invest in India, for India and for the world," Modi said. To entrepreneurs here from all over the world, I assure you Indias whole-hearted support and urge you to come Make in India and Invest in India. For India and the World: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/RDxcPZU6s0 NITI Aayog (@NITIAayog) November 28, 2017 He further added that a historic overhaul of the taxation system has been recently undertaken, bringing in the GST across the country. "My govt has launched the Atal Innovation Mission and are opening Tinkering Labs in more than 900 schools to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among children," Modi said. Prime Minister also said that his government has taken several steps to improve business environment. The jump in ease of doing business is a result of this initiative. "His government has taken several steps to improve the business environment. The jump in India's ranking in the World Bank's ease of doing business report, from 142 to 100, in three years, is a result of this. We have improved on indicators like dealing with construction permits, getting credit, protecting minority investors, paying taxes, enforcing contracts and resolving insolvency," PM said. Overhauling the taxation system. pic.twitter.com/CPMvC75bfb PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 28, 2017 The inaugural session of the summit was also addressed by, Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and Ivanka Trump. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today met Ivanka Trump, daughter and adviser to US President Donald Trump, on the sidelines of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit. Trump, who is also a fashion designer and a businesswoman, was invited by Modi during his visit to the White House in June to speak at the Summit. She is leading the US contingent at the Summit, which has 'Women First, Prosperity for All' as its theme. Modi will host dinner for her at the famous Falaknuma Palace Hotel this evening. About 1,500 delegates from 150 countries and territories are taking part in the three-day Global Entrepreneurship Summit. Dublin: Ireland's Deputy Prime Minister Frances Fitzgerald has resisted calls to resign as more evidence has emerged about her level of knowledge surrounding a plan to discredit an Irish police whistleblower. On Monday, documents revealed Frances Fitzgerald had received a letter discussing the action from an official, BBC reported. At the time she was the Irish minster for justice. She faces a vote of no confidence in the Dail (Irish parliament) on Tuesday. A government spokesperson said it retained full confidence in Fitzgerald. The dispute has created a political crisis. In 2015, the O'Higgins Commission was established by the government to look examine malpractice allegations in the Garda's (Irish police) Cavan-Monaghan division. On Monday evening, it was revealed that the now tanaiste (Irish deputy prime minister) was personally sent a letter from one of her officials in July 2015, which discussed the "aggressive stance towards Sgt. Maurice McCabe at the commission". The letter is one of a number of documents published by the department of justice from a record trawl requested by Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Leo Varadkar. In a series of tweets on Monday evening, Fitzgerald wrote: "As Justice Minister, I could not interfere with the O'Higgins Commission. This is confirmed twice in today's docs & has been confirmed by the Attorney General." A judge-led tribunal is also being held to establish whether senior Garda officers were involved in an alleged smear campaign against whistleblower Sgt Maurice McCabe. Fitzgerald also wrote: "The Tribunal will objectively judge the appropriateness of my conduct. I look forward to giving my evidence to the Tribunal early in January." Last week, Fitzgerald faced questions in the Dail (Irish parliament) over an email she was sent by former Garda Commissioner, Noirin O'Sullivan, which outlined the legal strategy to be pursued against Sgt Maurice McCabe. Fitzgerald said she could not remember reading it. However, she recently admitted she was made aware a year earlier than she had previously stated that lawyers for the Garda were going to attempt to discredit Sgt. McCabe. London: Six Britons who were among 35 crew on a US-operated anti-piracy ship serving jail terms for illegal possession of weapons were released from an Indian prison on Tuesday after their court acquittal. The six were collected from prison by British embassy officials and were seen being driven away. "Officials from the UK embassy came and took them after completing their paperwork," Murugesan, deputy inspector general of prisons in the southeastern city of Chennai, told AFP. A high court on Monday overturned five-year jail terms passed on the six Britons, three Ukrainians, 14 Estonians and 12 Indians in January 2016. New Delhi: The Income Tax (I-T) department on Tuesday conducted searches at over 25 locations in Delhi and the National Capital Region in connection with its tax evasion probe into the Panama Papers leak cases, official sources said. The I-T teams swooped down on three business groups, which had interests in metals and food processing, financial services and tyres, they added. The department had recovered about Rs 4 crore cash and jewellery during the ongoing searches in Delhi, Ghaziabad and Faridabad till now, the sources said, adding that a number of documents, computer hard discs and CDs were seized. The names and links of the business groups had featured in the Panama Papers and it was detected that these entities were "highly suppressing" their actual turnover and income, they said. At least 25 locations in Delhi-NCR were covered during today's search-and-survey operations, the sources added. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), which frames the policies of the IT department, had recently said that the probe into the Panama Papers leak cases had led to the detection of undisclosed wealth of Rs 792 crore and that the probe was on in "full swing". Over a year after the Washington-based International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) made the documents public, the CBDT had said it had found 147 of a total of 426 cases "actionable". "The Income Tax department conducted inquiries in all the 426 cases, inter alia, by making 395 references to 28 foreign jurisdictions. "Based on an analysis of the information obtained and the investigation conducted, the outcome so far indicates 147 actionable cases and 279 non-actionable cases (non-residents or no irregularities)," it had said earlier this month. The Panama Papers contained brief particulars of 426 Indians or Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs). The Centre had constituted a multi-agency group (MAG) of investigating agencies in April last year to probe these instances. The MAG has so far submitted seven reports to the Centre. Ghaziabad: Armed robbers who initially pretended to be patients in need of urgent medical help barged into a doctor`s house here on Tuesday and fled with cash, jewellery and other valueables worth lakhs of rupees, police said. The incident occurred at the Vasundhara residential locality when four men reached the residence-cum-clinic of neurologist Neeraj Agrawal and told the receptionist that they needed to see him. As the receptionist asked them to wait, they quickly scaled the staircase and barged into the first floor residence where the doctor, his wife and mother live. They overpowered the doctor, put a pistol at his head and told his wife to surrender all the valuables -- which she did. Within 15 minutes, they fled after bolting the house from outside. The frightened receptionist then phoned the police. "Raids are being conducted to nab the criminals," said inspector Sushil Kumar Dubey. Lucknow: After contesting the Uttar Pradesh civic polls separately, BJP's alliance partner, the Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP), is now planning to put up its candidates for 12 seats in three districts of Gujarat for the Assembly polls there. "Our alliance with BJP is not at the national level. We also want to contest assembly polls for some seats in Gujarat with BJP. A message was sent to BJP president Amit Shah a fortnight back but we did not get any reply. Our party will contest on 12 seats in Vadodara, Vapi and Surat," SBSP chief Om Prakash Rajbhar told PTI. He said that in these 12 constituencies, there are people from eastern UP. If Amit Shah gives us some seats we will agree otherwise we will contest, Rajbhar, a cabinet minister in the Yogi Adityanath government in UP, said. "We are following the alliance in UP but in the civic polls, as there was no agreement, both of us are contesting," he said. Rajbhar had on November 6 announced contesting civic polls stating that as his party did not get a "positive response" from the BJP, he had to take the decision to go alone. He had said that "time will tell" whether contesting the urban local body polls separately will affect his party's ties with the BJP. Rajbhar has also said that his party may contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections separately "if the BJP persists with such an attitude". The SBSP has four MLAs in Uttar Pradesh. In the 2017 UP Assembly election, the BJP along with its allies -- Apna Dal(S) and SBSP -- bagged an overwhelming 325 seats in the 403-member Legislative Assembly. The BJP had won 312 Assembly seats (out of 384 it contested), while Apna Dal(S) won nine seats out of 11 it had contested. The SBSP grabbed four seats out of eight it contested. Ahmedabad: Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Tuesday accused the Congress of misguiding the Patidar community over the issue of reservation and asked the party to reveal the roadmap under which it has promised a quota to them over and above the 50 per cent cap set by the Supreme Court. Prasad, while referring to seven different Supreme Court judgements, including a landmark judgement in 1992, alleged that the Congress' reservation talk is "height of political opportunism" aimed only at getting Patidar votes during the next month's Gujarat Assembly polls. "Congress is now talking about reservation to Patidars. This is height of political opportunism. I want Congress to reveal their roadmap as to how they would breach the 50 per cent cap set by the SC," the law minister said. "Is it a mere eyewash or cheating? If it is being done for getting votes, then it must stop," Prasad told reporters here. "There are seven different judgements about reservation, including the 1992 Indra Sawhney judgement, which clearly says that we can't cross the 50 per cent cap," the minister said. The Supreme Court had also made it clear that any law about reservation does not become immune to judicial review just by putting it into the 9th schedule of the Constitution, he said. Last week, Patidar leader Hardik Patel announced his support to the Congress for the upcoming Gujarat polls, stating that the party has promised to give reservation under Article 31(C) of the Constitution, if voted to power. Hardik had said that reservation formula given by the Congress for his community will be over and above the present 50 per cent quota and opined that the 50 per cent cap set by the Supreme Court was just a "suggestion" and can be breached if the sate government wants. On this, Prasad said Article 31(C) was introduced in 1971, while all the reservation-related judgements were delivered only after that. "Now, Congress is trying to open the doors through Article 31(C), which was introduced in 1971. Since all the judgements came after that, it is clear that the SC must have considered all the provisions of 31(C) while giving verdicts. I request the Congress not to cheat Patidars for getting their votes," he said. Chandigarh: Haryana Police on Tuesday filed a chargesheet against Honeypreet, the closest aide of the rapist sect chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, and other accused in connection with the August 25 violence in Panchkula and other places in Haryana following conviction of the sect chief. The 979-page chargesheet was filed by the special investigation team (SIT) of the Haryana Police before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate in Panchkula, adjoining Chandigarh. Honeypreet and several other sect functionaries and followers were booked by police on charges of sedition, inciting violence and criminal conspiracy. Honeypreet, whose real name is Priyanka Taneja, was arrested on October 3 after remaining fugitive for 38 days after the August 25 violence. She has been lodged in the Central Jail, Ambala, 45 km from here, since October 23. The SIT took Honeypreet to various locations in Haryana to establish evidence of her involvement in the violence. A court in Panchkula had in September issued arrest warrants against top Dera functionaries -- Honeypreet, Aditya Insan and Pawan Insan. All three were booked by the Haryana Police on charges of sedition, inciting violence and being involved in a conspiracy to help the Dera chief escape after his conviction by a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court on August 25 on two counts of rape of female disciples in 1999. Ram Rahim has been sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of over Rs 30 lakh. His rape conviction led to violence in Panchkula and Sirsa in Haryana, leaving 41 people dead and over 260 injured. Isolated incidents of violence were also reported from Delhi and several places in Punjab.The Haryana Police had sounded an international alert against all three. Honeypreet`s ex-husband Vishwas Gupta had alleged illicit relations between her and the sect chief.The woman -- who has been claiming to be Ram Rahim`s "adopted daughter" -- starred as the lead heroine in five films he directed, produced and acted in over a period of three years. Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday raised question on the welcome given to US President Donald Trumps daughter Ivanka Trump, who joined Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Hyderabad. Taking to Twitter, the Samajwadi Party leader, who is the son of former chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, said that those who protest against dynasty politics are today busy welcoming a foreign dynast. ! . . Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) November 28, 2017 This came on a day when Ivanka Trump met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the global summit in Hyderabad on Tuesday. The Prime Minister presented her a wooden box of Sadeli craft. This craft technique of fabricating geometric patterns in wood is native to Surat. It involves fabricating geometric patterns in wood. The box was traditionally used for decorating doors, windows and furniture. Now, it is also used for embellishing jewellery boxes, containers and photo frames. Addressing the summit later on Tuesday, Ivanka lauded Modi saying his rise from being a tea seller to the Prime Minister of the country showed that transformational change was possible. She said that Modis achievements were extraordinary. With PM Modi on the dais, she congratulated Indians on celebrating 70 years of Independence. "You are celebrating it as the world's largest democracy, and one of the fastest growing economies on the earth," she added. Ivanka also showered lavish praise on PM Modi who is "doing well to build India as a thriving economy - a beacon of democracy - and a symbol of hope to the world. What you are achieving is truly extraordinary". Later, Ivanka attended a gala dinner with PM Modi at the Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad. Famous for its huge Nizam-era table which can seat 101 guests at a time, the palace-turned-plush hotel is one the key landmarks of the city. The dinner was hosted by the Union government. Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao was among those present for the dinner. New Delhi: The government has said the expenditure incurred on the entire negotiation process under the ambitious Naga Framework Agreement cannot be made public as it will be prejudicial to national security interests. "It is intimated that the information sought on the expenditure of Naga Framework Agreement are highly sensitive in nature and sharing the details will be prejudicial to the national security interests," the Home Ministry said in an RTI reply to IANS. The information was exempted from disclosure under Section 8(1)(a) of the RTI Act, 2005, the reply added. Clause 8(1)(a) bars making public information, disclosure of which would prejudicially affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, security, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the state, relation with foreign state or lead to incitement of an offence. The Home Ministry also declined to give information on the cost incurred on keeping the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Issak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) leaders in Delhi ever since the signing of the Naga Framework Agreement on August 3, 2015. The Agreement was signed between the Centre and the NSCN-IM after nearly two decades of negotiations. Many expect a final solution to the six decades of Naga conflict by the end of this year. Nagaland may get some political autonomy as part of the overall solution. New Delhi: Predicting a record 150 seats for BJP in the upcoming assembly elections, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said the party's leadership, its policies and intention will help it win by a record margin. Speaking at Zee News' Game of Gujarat Conclave, Rupani hailed PM Narendra Modi's past achievements in the state and his leadership at the Centre. "There is no comparison between the kind of leaders we have and those in the Congress camp. Can you really compare PM Modi with anyone in Congress?" he said. "Our visionary leadership - combined with our strong policies and clean and defined intentions will ensure BJP gets more than 150 seats in a never-seen-before result." Highlighting that the elections - scheduled for December 9 and 14 - are a golden opportunity for people in the state, Rupani said Congress' current state means Gujaratis will reject the party completely. "BJP has formed governments in 18 states. This not only shows how much faith people have in our party but also shows where Congress is at. It saddens me to see what state Congress has deteriorated to." New Delhi: Having been accused of featuring in a secretly-filmed sex CD, a fiery Hardik Patel on Tuesday lashed out on questions being raised on his personal life. Expressing his shock at accusations made against him, Hardik said that there were more pressing matters at hand rather than to establish if it is indeed him in the sex CD. "It is not of anyone's concern if it is me in the CD. Why should I answer questions about my personal life? The CD is completely false, you give me Rs 2 crore and I can put (Vijay) Rupani's face in the video," he said at Zee News' Game of Gujarat Conclave. Once again accusing BJP of using 'dirty tactics', Hardik said the CD was a ploy to deviate focus from the real issues that face people of Gujarat. He did admit though - on a lighter note - that he should be more cautious. "From now on, I will keep windows shut even when I take a bath." (Also read: Game of Gujarat Conclave - CM Rupani predicts record win for BJP) The purported sex clip of Hardik went viral on social media following which the Patidar quota stir leader claimed the CD was morphed and circulated at the behest of the BJP. The video appears to have been shot in a hotel on May 16, 2017. The authenticity of the CD cannot be independently verified. The Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) convener had previously tweeted that "Gujarat wants to see the CD of development in the state not of a 22-year-old boy." Nitin Patel, 61, is the incumbent Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat. He is looking to retain his seat in the Mehsana Constituency. Patel was among the favourites to take over as Chief Minister after the resignation of Anandiben Patel in 2016 in the wake of the Patidar reservation agitation. He took charge as the Deputy Chief Minister to Vijay Rupani. Patel was first elected to the Gujarat Assembly election in 1990 from the Kadi constituency. He was reelected from the same constituency in 1995 and 1998, before losing in the 2002 election by a slender margin. He won in Kadi again in 2007. He moved to the Mahesana constituency and won in the 2012 election. Nitin Patel became a minister in the Gujarat cabinet in 1995, with charge of the Health Department. In 1999, he was appointed the minister for Small and Medium Irrigation; and Roads and Buildings Department. He was given charge of the key Finance portfolio in 2001 and was shifted to the Revenue portfolio un 2002. From 2007, he was minister for Irrigation, Water Supply, Urban Development Housing. His profile saw significant expansion when he was minister for Finance, Health, Medical Education, Family Welfare and Transport from 2012. He retained a high profile in the government till his appointment as Deputy Chief Minister in 2016. Patel was born in Visnagar. He dropped out in the second year of college had worked in the cotton and oil businesses before his entry into politics. New Delhi: A herd of donkeys in Uttar Pradesh's Jalaun district were recently put behind bars for allegedly committing the 'crime' of feasting on expensive plants outside Ural jail here. After being kept in detention for four days, they were let loose on Monday. There is no word on whether they learnt their lesson. In what can only be termed as an extremely bizarre case of official high-handedness, the donkeys were accused of destroying the plants outside the jail despite their owners reportedly being repeatedly warned to not let the animals wander. The plants apparently cost several lakhs. "These donkeys had destroyed some very expensive plants which our senior officer had arranged for planting inside jail and despite warnings, the owner let loose his animals here. So we detained the donkeys," head constable RK Mishra told ANI. In a state where the police machinery was previously put into action to locate a minister's missing buffalos, the donkeys failed to get any political backing for four days before a local politician came to the rescue and posted the bail amount. Interestingly, UP - notorious for its high crime rate - has begun cracking down on criminal activities in recent weeks. Putting animals in the lockup though would hardly be much to bray about for the police force here. NEW DELHI: Mumbai attacks mastermind and Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed has filed a petition in the United Nations, asking his name to be struck off from the list of global list of designated terrorists. Saeed, who is also the co-founder of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), filed the UN petition through a Lahore-based law firm while he was still under house arrest. Saeed was designated as a global terrorist by the UN under the Security Council Resolution 1267 in December 2008, following the 26/11 Mumbai attacks in which 164 people, including six Americans, were killed. He carried a bounty of $10 million on his head for terror activities. Last week, he was freed by Pakistan after being under house arrest for 297 days. His release was met with global outcry. Expressing outrage on his release, the Ministry of External Affairs said, "India, as indeed the entire International community, is outraged that a self-confessed and a UN proscribed terrorist is being allowed to walk free and continue with his evil agenda." The White House too condemned his release, calling for his immediate re-arrest and prosecution. The US further said there will be repercussions for US-Pakistan relations unless Islamabad took action to detain and charge Saeed. "(Hafiz) Saeeds release, after Pakistans failure to prosecute or charge him, sends a deeply troubling message about Pakistans commitment to (combating) international terrorism and belies Pakistani claims that it will not provide sanctuary for terrorists on its soil," said the White House in a statement. With Agency Inputs Hyderabad: Ivanka Trump on Tuesday hailed Narendra Modi's journey from being a tea-seller to the Prime Minister of India, and also congratulated citizens of the country for inspiring people all around the world. In Hyderabad to attend the Global Entrepreneurship Summit, Ivanka - daughter of US President Donald Trump, said PM Modi is a symbol of democracy and his journey has been incredible. " I would like to thank Mr Narendra Modi for having me here. His journey from being a tea-seller to the Prime Minister of India is great. What you are achieving here is incredible," she said. "I would also like to congratulate Indians for being an inspiration to people all around the world. You have shown you are not afraid to fail and are going beyond the ordinary. You have the grit, the perseverance and a will to succeed." Ivanka also hailed Indo-US friendship and said ties between the two countries will only grow closer in the times to come. "We are committed to even better relations between our two great nations," she said. A vocal supporter of women empowerment, Ivanka also spoke highly of women entrepreneurs in India. "I especially want to congratulate the women entrepreneurs here today," she said. "Many women become entrepreneurs out of necessity. Fueling the growth of women-led businesses is not only good for the society but for the nation. Here in India, I want to applaud PM Modi for his firm belief that the progress of a community is incomplete without empowering women." SALEM: Kerala woman Hadiya, the alleged love jihad victim, on Tuesday reached here to complete her studies at a Salem homeopathy college. College principal G Kannan said she would continue her course under her Hindu name Akhila Ashokan. The Supreme Court on Monday set Hadiya free from the custody of her parents and directed that she be allowed to complete her studies at a Salem homeopathy college. The 25-year old will be undergoing a 11-month internship at the institution as directed by the apex court. Wearing a yellow scarf, she was whisked away to the Managing Director's office soon after arrival at the college campus in Salem, a town in Western Tamil Nadu. Later, emerging from the office after about half-an-hour later, Hadiya said she has sought permission to meet her husband. "I think they will allow," she told reporters. Replying to a question, she said security was not necessary for her. But at least for two days security will be there, she added. Later, she was taken in a police vehicle to the college hostel, located about five km away from here. Can't have 'terrorist' in the family: Hadiya's father The father of the Kerala woman on Tuesday welcomed the Supreme Court decision allowing her to continue her studies. Asked about his stance on inter-religious marriages, Hadiya's father K M Ashokan said he believed in one religion and one god but could not have a terrorist in the family. "Hadiya does not have any idea about Syria, where she wanted to go after converting to Islam," Ashokan said. "I cannot have a terrorist in the family," he added. Hindu woman from Kerala who converted to Islam, told the Supreme Court that she wants "freedom and release". The SC directed that she be allowed to complete her studies at a Salem homeopathy college in Tamil Nadu. After a prolonged proceedings in the open courtroom, the top court did not accede to Hadiya's plea that she should be allowed to go with her husband. She also told the court she wanted "freedom" to live and profess Islamic faith. The bench headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, which interacted with Hadiya for nearly half-an-hour in the courtroom against the wishes of her father who had sought an in-camera interaction, directed the Kerala police to provide her security and ensure that she travelled at the earliest to Salem in Tamil Nadu to pursue homeopathy studies at Sivaraj Medical College there. She expressed her desire to complete her house surgeon internship and pursue her career as a homeopathic doctor. "Freedom, release", Hadiya said in response to a question from Justice Chandrachud "What is your dream for the future?" She was in the custody of her parents for last eight months. Hadiya was in the custody of her parents for almost six months, after the Kerala High Court had on May 29 anulled her 'nikah' with Shafin Jahan. Hadiya, a Hindu by birth, had converted to Islam several months before her marriage. The court fixed the plea of Jahan, challenging Kerala High Court's order annulling his marriage with Hadiya, for hearing in the third week of January next year. Kerala HC had termed it a love jihad case Earlier, a bench of former CJI Jagdish Singh Khehar and Justice DY Chandrachud had ordered the premier probe agency to launch a probe into the conversion and marriage of the Kerala Hindu girl, who was known as Akhila but allegedly converted to Islam and changed her name to Hadiya, to a Muslim man, Shafin Jahan. The marriage had taken place in 2016. Shafin on September 16 filed a plea requesting the top court to call off the NIA probe, alleging that the investigation agency "is not being fair". Justice RV Ravindran, a retired judge of the apex court, is supervising the investigation. The Kerala HC on May 25 had declared as "null and void" the marriage of 24-year-old Hadiya. It had described the case as an instance of 'love jihad' and ordered the state police to conduct probe into such cases. Shafin Jahan filed another plea in SC challenging the HC order saying it was an "an insult to the independence of woman in India". Jahan has claimed Hadiya, a homeopathy student in Kerala, converted to Islam of her own volition two years prior to their marriage and sought direction to Hadiya's father to present her in court. However, Hadiya's father maintained that his daughter was a "helpless victim" trapped by a "well-oiled racket" which used "psychological measures" to indoctrinate people and convert them to Islam. Hadiya's father plea says Jahan is a criminal and his daughter was trapped by a network with connections to Popular Front of India and even the Islamic State. It was alleged that the woman was recruited by Islamic State's mission in Syria and Jahan was only a stooge. Hadiya was a homeopathy student in Kerala when she converted to Islam and changed her name. Jahan had met her with his family in August 2016 in response to her posting on a marriage website and they got married in December 2016. But in August 2016 itself, her father had approached high court with a habeas corpus petition, alleging his daughter had been radicalised by some organisations and they had also influenced her to marry a Muslim man so that she is out of the parents' custody forever. He had also apprehended that there could be a plan to send her to Syria to work with extremist organisations such as IS since the man she married had been working in the Gulf. New Delhi: Maharashtra minister and BJP leader Girish Mahajan has courted controversy after a video emerged in which he is seen with a hunting party in pursuit of a Leopard which has reportedly killed five villagers in Jalgaon district. Mahajan, who was previously seen with a revolver at a function for specially-abled children, was once again seen with the revolver as he joined the search party for the animal which has, according to local media reports, been terrorizing villages in the district. With him were DM, DFO, Additional SP and several villagers. After the video emerged, however, the minister clarified that he had taken out his revolver in self-defence rather with the sole intent of hunting the animal. "The leopard has killed five people in the district in the past one-and-a-half months. On Monday, I visited the families of the people killed by the leopard. On my way, the forest officials sighted the leopard and so we decided to chase it down," he told mediapersons. "Being a legislator and guardian minister of the district, I wanted to participate in the operation, instead of sitting safely in my car." New Delhi: Security agencies have arrested an alleged Lashker-e-Toiba operative and said that he was carrying out reconnaissance of vital installations. Officials were quoted by PTI as saying that the accused, identified as Abdul Naeem Sheikh, a resident of Aurangabad in Maharashtra, was arrested from Varanasi recently after being tailed by security agencies for a few months. It is alleged that Sheikh had visited Kashmir where he had carried out a recce mission involving some vital installations, including Army camps and power projects. The officials claimed that he had also visited some places in Himachal Pradesh, especially Kasol. The security agencies have claimed that Sheikh had been roped in on the same lines as David Headley, a Pakistan- American, who is at present serving a prison sentence of 35 years in a US jail for his involvement in terror activities and the 26/11 Mumbai attacks in 2008. Headley is said to have made periodic trips to Pakistan for LeT training and performed five spying missions in Mumbai to scout targets for the attacks in 2008. He was arrested at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago while on his way to Pakistan in October 2009. (With PTI inputs) Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday heaped praise on President Ram Nath Kovind for maintaining a low profile while serving in the highest office in the country, saying that the post is above all politics. "The President's post is the highest post in the country. It is above all politics. Everyone in the country respects this position. And our President is such a person who always maintains a low profile," she said during a civic reception here on occasion of Kovind's maiden visit to the state after taking over as President. "I did not know earlier that he has served as a member of Rajya Sabha for a long time. When I worked as a Lok Sabha member, he used work as a Rajya Sabha Member. We did not realise that we have worked together because he always maintained such a low profile," Banerjee said. Today, Government of West #Bengal gave a civic reception to Shri Ram Nath Kovind ji, Honble President of India, at Netaji Indoor Stadium. This is the first visit to #Kolkata by the Honble President after assuming the office of the President. My FB post: https://t.co/vuGyxpqDmv pic.twitter.com/XzzOBVV4Cu November 28, 2017 The Honble Governor of West Bengal, distinguished personalities, representatives from the world of industry, academics, culture and sports felicitated the Honble President. Some pictures of todays occasion are uploaded here for all of you. pic.twitter.com/BGzyYjTwpo Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) November 28, 2017 During the event, Kovind also expressed his gratitude to Bengal for the "warm welcome" and thanked the Chief Minister for gifting him one of her own paintings. Congratulating Kovind for his ascendancy to the "number one position in the country", the Trinamool Congress supremo appealed to the President to stay the way he is, so that his cordial relationship with the commoners remains the same. "Sir, I wish you stay this simple, I wish you keep maintaining such low profile while working in the number one position in the country. I hope you stay like this so that your relation with the commoners stay the same and brings you success," Banerjee added. NEW DELHI: Days ahead of Gujarat polls, former Finance Minister and senior Congress leader attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party or BJP for their Modi-centered election campaigns. In a series of tweets posted on Tuesday, the Congress leader wrote, Mr Modi's campaign is about himself, his past and the alleged disdain of Gujarat and Gujaratis. Has he forgotten he is Prime Minister of India? The Gujarat election is not about Mr Modi, the individual. It is about the promised achhe din that has not come in 42 months, he added. Lashing out the BJP's Gujarat developmental model, Chidambaram wrote, Why does PM not talk about joblessness, lack of investment, collapse of SMEs, stagnant exports and price rise? Because he has no answers to the hard reality. The Congress leader further wrote, Mr Modi has forgotten that Gandhiji was an Indian and son of Gujarat; Gandhiji was, and is, revered as Father of the Nation; and Gandhiji's chosen instrument to lead the freedom struggle was the Congress party. PM and BJP may now desperately embrace Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, but the redoubtable Sardar had rejected the BJP's parent RSS and its divisive ideology. The Prime Minister on Monday addressed several rallies in Gujarat, including Bhuj and Rajkot, where he asked the Congress to not mock his poor origins. Hitting back at the Congress over chai wala jibe, saying, PM Modi said, I sold tea but I did not sell the nation. The battle for Gujarat has intensified with both Congress and BJP launching scathing attacks at each other. The Gujarat elections will be held on December 9 and 14, with counting on December 18. Jaipur: Shri Rajput Karni Sena, which is leading the protest against noted film director Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming movie Padmavati, has now called for a CBI probe into the Nahargarh Fort incident where a dead body was recently found hanging. Calling it a conspiracy to instigate communal tension, Shri Rajput Karni Sena chief Lokendra Singh Kalvi demanded that a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the matter be ordered. On November 24, a body was found hanging on the ramparts of Jaipur's Nahargarh Fort with a threat note engraved on the rocks against the protester of the movie 'Padmavati'. Kalvi said the message engraved on the stone seems to be a threat for the Karni Sena. "The Nahargarh incident was just to rake communal tension in the country. The threat has been issued to us. I want CBI to probe the case. CBI should probe whether Sanjay Leela Bhansali's people are involved in this matter," he said. The death was initially speculated to be a suicide case, but when the police reached the spot they found a message written on the rocks stating - "We do not hang effigies only, in protest of Padmavati". The brother of the deceased has also demanded an investigation into his death and alleged it to be a case of murder. Padmavati has landed in troubled waters over what the protesters call ''blatant distortion of historical facts'' by its makers. The film was expected to be released on December 1 but it has now been deferred. Actress Deepika Padukone plays the titular role of Rajput Queen Padmavati in the controversial film. The film also stars Shahid Kapoor and Ranvir Singh in the lead roles. New Delhi: The Supreme Court will on Tuesday pass an order on the plea filed by senior advocate Prashant Bhushan seeking quashing of the appointment of Gujarat cadre Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Rakesh Asthana as Special Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Bhushan had earlier dubbed Asthana`s new posting as `illegal`. He further said that Asthana`s name figures in the diary of Sterling Biotech, against which the CBI itself has registered an FIR.Earlier in August, the CBI`s Delhi unit had registered an FIR against three senior Income Tax Commissioners for accepting bribes from the Gujarat-based Sterling Biotech and Sandesara Group of Companies. The FIR said that a "Diary 2011" existed which was found during raids on a company. According to reports, the diary also contained Asthana`s name. Bhushan, on behalf of NGO Common Cause, has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the apex court seeking to quash Asthana`s appointment in accordance with the Vineet Narain case. The Common Cause in their petition said that the government did not follow rules and regulations while the appointment of the CBI Director. The petitioner alleged that the government wanted to appoint its own choice as interim CBI Director "even if it meant bypassing the statutory law, the norms of propriety, and the directions contained in the Vineet Narain`s judgement". "The judgment in Vineet Narain`s case had clearly held that the tenure of CBI Director would be two years. This was to ensure that there is no ad-hocism in the appointment and functioning of the CBI Director," the petition states." Therefore, the petitioner submits that the government must be directed to comply with the mandate of the law and call for the meeting of the selection committee as per the DSPE Act, 1946 as amended by Lokpal Act, 2013," the petition adds. 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. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition filed by Prashant Bhushan challenging the appointment of Rakesh Asthana as special director of Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI). Bhushan had earlier dubbed Asthana's new posting as 'illegal.' He further said that Asthana's name figures in the diary of Sterling Biotech, against which the CBI itself has registered an FIR. Earlier in August, the CBI's Delhi unit had registered an FIR against three senior Income Tax Commissioners for accepting bribes from the Gujarat-based Sterling Biotech and Sandesara Group of Companies. Bhushan had also alleged that the government wanted to appoint its own choice as interim CBI Director "even if it meant bypassing the statutory law, the norms of propriety, and the directions contained in the Vineet Narain`s judgement". (With ANI inputs) Singapore: Oil prices slipped in Asian trade on Tuesday amid uncertainty over a possible extension of output cuts by major crude producers and expectations of higher supply as the Keystone pipeline restarts. Brent futures had fallen to $63.72 a barrel by 0753 GMT, down 12 cents, or 0.2 percent, from their previous close. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures were down 29 cents, or 0.5 percent, at $57.82 a barrel, after falling 1.4 percent in the last session. US crude touched $59.05 a barrel on Friday, the highest level since mid-2015, fuelled by the outage of the Keystone pipeline, one of Canada`s main crude export routes to the United States. But TransCanada Corp this week said it would restart the 590,000 barrel-per-day pipeline at reduced pressure later on Tuesday after getting approval from U.S. regulators. Uncertainty over Russia`s determination to join with other major oil producers in extending crude production curbs beyond next March has weighed on oil markets. Members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and other key producers, including Russia, will meet on Nov. 30 to discuss whether to continue with the cuts after they agreed last January to withhold 1.8 million bpd of output. United Arab Emirates energy minister Suhail bin Mohammed al-Mazroui said on Tuesday that while the meeting would not be easy, he was personally optimistic producers would reach an agreement that served the market. Saudi energy minister Khalid al-Falih said the oil market should wait for the outcome of this week`s OPEC meeting when asked on Tuesday in Dubai about how long producers might extend their cuts. Russia`s economy was negatively affected in October by the ongoing curbs, which saw Moscow agree to cut output by 300,000 bpd, Economy Minister Maxim Oreshkin said on Nov. 23. Goldman Sachs said the outcome of the meeting was "much more uncertain than usual", adding that the market faced downside risks. "We view risks to oil prices as skewed to downside this week as we believe current prices, timespreads and positioning already reflect a high probability of a nine-month extension," the bank said. Consultancy Wood Mackenzie said it looked as if producers had nearly concluded an agreement to extend cuts until the end of next year. "(But) if the production cut agreement ends in March 2018, our forecast shows there would be a projected 2.4 million bpd year-on-year increase in world oil supply for 2018," Ann-Louise Hittle, vice president, macro oils, said in a note on Monday. Some traders are starting to consider the possibility that while producers will agree to extend the curbs, the scale of the output cuts will be reduced from the current 1.8 million bpd, said Ric Spooner at Sydney`s CMC Markets. "It would provide continued certainty for the market, avoiding the sharp sell-off that could accompany a cold turkey exit ... (and) mitigate the risk to OPEC and Russia of precipitating further loss of market share by encouraging competitors with higher prices," Spooner said. San Francisco: Japan`s SoftBank Group Corp is offering to purchase shares of Uber Technologies Inc at a valuation of $48 billion, a 30 percent discount to its most recent valuation of $68.5 billion, a person familiar with the matter said on Monday. The investment, which was approved by the Uber board in October, would also trigger a string of governance changes at Uber that would limit some early shareholders` voting power, expand the board from 11 to 17 directors and cut the influence of former Chief Executive Travis Kalanick. The investment and board moves are supported by new Chief Executive Dara Khosrowshahi and come at the end of a year of scandals and change for Uber, including the announcement last week that executives covered up a major hack in 2016. The consortium of investors led by SoftBank and Dragoneer Investment Group plan to take a stake of at least 14 percent in the ride-services company. The tender offer will launch on Tuesday, sources told Reuters, and investors have nearly a month to respond. The SoftBank-led investor group will acquire two of the new board seats, with the remaining four going to independent directors. If there are not enough interested sellers, SoftBank can still walk away from the deal. SoftBank is also expected to make a separate $1 billion investment in the company at the $68.5 billion valuation. Another person familiar with the deal said the offer price was in line with what investors had been expecting. SoftBank`s offer is close to what Uber was worth in 2015, when shares were priced a little less than $40 apiece for a $51 billion valuation, according to data from PitchBook Inc. Even at the discounted price, Uber is the world`s second-highest valued private venture-backed company, after China`s ride-service company Didi Chuxing, and the offer is a chance for early investors to lock in substantial profits and for employees to cash in shares that have to date only had value on paper. Shareholders, including employees, with at least 10,000 shares are eligible to sell. Nearly all secondary transactions, when a new investor purchases from existing shareholders, come at a discount to the company`s valuation. However, the 30 percent discount is steep given Uber`s plan to launch an initial public offering in 2019, said Phil Haslett, co-founder and head of investments at secondary marketplace EquityZen. Usually valuation cuts of this size happen when a company is at risk of being sold at a heavy discount, which Uber is not. "It really comes down to a re-pricing of Uber`s value," Haslett said. Since it was valued at $68.5 billion more than a year ago, the company has been hit by scandals, including accusations of sexual harassment. It has also weathered federal criminal probes into software Uber used to deceive regulators and allegations of paying bribes to authorities in Asia, and a lawsuit by Alphabet Inc`s self-driving unit Waymo, accusing Uber of stealing trade secrets. Most recently, Uber revealed that the data of 57 million Uber customers and 600,000 drivers had been stolen in a breach more than a year ago, and that the company had paid two hackers $100,000 to cover it up. Since then, governments across the globe have launched investigations into the incident. The scandal raised questions about whether SoftBank would try to renegotiate the deal for better terms. But Uber said on Friday it had informed SoftBank about the data breach prior to informing the public. However, our information at the time was preliminary and incomplete, a spokesman said. A person familiar with the matter said SoftBank would have already factored any negative impact from the breach into its negotiations with Uber. Bloomberg reported the offer price earlier on Monday. JAIPUR: The Vasundhara Raje-led Rajasthan government has a new rule in place to invoke nationalism among students. Nearly 40,000 residents of approximately 800 hostels have been asked to sing the national anthem at 7 am daily. The notice was issued by the state department for Social Justice and Empowerment (SJE). The national anthem is to be sung along with daily morning prayers. The directive reportedly came into effect on Sunday, 26 November. Department director Dr Samit Sharma claimed that several residential schools are already following this practice. In October, the Jaipur Municipal Corporation made it compulsory for all its employees to sing the national anthem in the morning and Vande Mataram in the evening. City mayor Ashok Lahoty further added that 'those who don't want to sing can go to Pakistan'. Last year, the state education department had made 'surya namaskar' compulsory in schools. It was later made optional. Srinagar: A BSF jawan was allegedly shot dead by his colleague inside a camp in Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said today. Constable Chanderbhan, a resident of Haryana, was shot at and killed allegedly by his colleague Ravinder Singh late last night inside the BSF camp at Madar in Bandipora district, a police official said. He said Singh has been taken into custody while Chanderbhan's body has been sent for post-mortem. Police have registered a case under Section 302 of the RPC and started an investigation, the official said. Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday expressed serious concern over the alleged harassment and physical torture of Kashmiri prisoners at the Tihar Central Jail in New Delhi. Official sources said the Chief Minister spoke to Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba on the telephone. "The Chief Minister sought the Home Secretary`s intervention into the alleged harassment and manhandling of Kashmiris in Tihar Jail. "The Home Secretary promised a thorough probe into the alleged incidents and punishment to those found guilty," an official said. Among those allegedly tortured inside the Tihar Jail on November 21 was Shahid Yusuf, son of Muzaffarabad-based Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin. New Delhi: A Delhi court on Tuesday granted the National Investigation Agency (NIA) custody of an alleged Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) operative who was arrested by the army near the Line of Control (LoC) in Handwara area in Jammu and Kashmir last week. A day after taking custody of the LeT operative, identified as Mohammed Amir Awan, the NIA on Tuesday produced him before District Judge Poonam Bamba in Delhi's Patiala House court that sent him to the anti-terror agency's custody for 10 days. Awan was arrested by Indian Army personnel on November 24 from Handwara area of north Kashmir and later handed over to the NIA to file a case against him and start a probe. The NIA registered a FIR on November 26 and then took Awan in its custody. Awan hails from Bardiya town near the port city of Karachi in Pakistan, according to the NIA investigators. He was called by a particular code name after joining the LeT. The terrorist had been asked by his Pakistan-based handlers to carry out attacks on various important installations in Jammu and Kashmir, the NIA added. A man dressed as an armyman was on Tuesday arrested in a hotel in Kanpur. According to The Times of India, the police arrested the man following a tip-off about him being present at a hotel close to the Kanpur Central railway station. Report said that information regarding the suspect came from Army intelligence sources. He was later identified as Vivek, hailing from Bihar. Following the arrest, he was interrogated by senior police officials. Army uniforms and some documents were recovered from his possession by the police. He was arrested from Hotel Ganges, which falls under the Collectorganj police station area. Bengaluru: Incessant rains in Karnataka in the last few months that damaged several crops have led to soaring vegetable prices across the state, state-run horticulture committees and private grocers said. "Due to heavy rains across the state, several crops have been damaged. There has been very less availability of everyday vegetables like onions, tomatoes and potatos, leading to rising prices," Gopal Gowda, Marketing Manager of Horticultural Producers` Cooperative Marketing and Processing Society (HOPCOMS), said. As listed by HOPCOMS, an organisation under the state`s Department of Horticulture, on Monday, onions were priced at Rs 67 per kilo and tomatoes at Rs 42 a kilo as against their earlier prices which ranged between Rs 30-35 per kilo. The prices of the politically sensitive vegetable, the onion, are likely to come down after the central government last week imposed a minimum export price of $850 per tonne (approximately Rs 54.8 per kilo) to increase domestic supplies, Gowda added. The central government moved after vegetable prices shot up across the country. "We are expecting the prices of onions to come down within another 15-20 days with the new harvest expected to hit the market," Gowda added. "Unprecedented rains have caused the aberrations in food industry as there has been a delay in sowing the crops, which in turn delayed the crop cycle," Vipul Mittal, the National Head for Fruits and Vegetables for online grocer Big Basket, told IANS over the phone. The prices of onions and tomatoes should have ideally been low during the winter with the harvest of their crops, Mittal added. Over the past six months, the prices of onions per kilo swung between Rs 14 and Rs 47 on the grocery e-tailer`s website, while the average prices of tomatoes per kilo varied between Rs 27 and Rs 72. In June, the average price of a kilo of onions on Big Basket was Rs 14, while it rose to Rs 16 in July, then nearly doubled to Rs 31 in August. For the months of September and October, the average price of onions remained nearly the same as it was in August, then shot up to Rs 47 in November. With many of the private grocery retailers sourcing vegetables and fruits directly from the farmers, they could manage to keep the prices slightly lower than that of the market, said M. Venkateshwar Kumar, the Chief Executive Officer, South of Future Retail. "We have improved our way of sourcing our fruits and vegetables phenomenally over the last few months and have a way of procuring directly from the farmers. That helps in competitive pricing," Kumar told IANS. Karnataka is one of the country`s major onion producing states, with Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Gujarat being the other leading producers. M.B. Raje Gowda, a professor at the University of Agricultural Sciences, estimated that the productivity of onions could go down by at least 70 per cent in the state owing to the heavy rains. "During June and July, the sowing months, the state had no rainfall at all, which affected the farmers who took to onion sowing. Then there were excessive rains which caused water-logging in farms across the state during August and September, destroying the crops," Gowda said. "Sowing area for onions on the whole in the state was less than 50 per cent of the area that is usually sown, out of which several crops were destroyed due to the rains. One can expect the output of onions to be affected by at least 70 per cent in Karnataka," he added. Mumbai: Reliance Communications Ltd`s shares fell sharply on Tuesday after media reports of creditor China Development Bank pursuing insolvency proceedings against the Indian telecoms firm, raising concerns about its ongoing debt overhaul plan. China Development Bank (CDB) filed an insolvency petition against Reliance Communications (RCom) at India`s National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) to recover about 114.6 billion rupees ($1.8 billion), reports from ET Now and other media said late on Monday. A source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Tuesday that CDB had initiated the insolvency proceedings on Friday and that RCom owes the bank upwards of $1.5 billion. CDB declined immediate comment on the matter. RCom and NCLT could not be reached immediately. RCom had said in a statement after market hours on Monday that it had not yet been served with any notice of the application from CDB. RCom also said it remains engaged with all lenders including CDB and was confident and committed to a debt restructuring plan with the support of all its lenders. A case by CDB could complicate RCom`s debt restructuring process as other lenders may take similar steps. Shares in RCom were trading down 4.5 percent in mid-morning trade after having fallen as much as 9.4 percent earlier. With a net of debt of 443 billion rupees as of end-March, RCom is the most leveraged listed Indian telecoms company, and along with its rivals has been hit badly by a price war with upstart rival Reliance Jio, which is controlled by India`s richest man, Mukesh Ambani. RCom, controlled by Ambani`s younger brother, Anil, is attempting to convert roughly 70 billion rupees of its debt to equity via a strategic debt restructuring plan. As part of the plan, the company is under a debt standstill and hence there are no payments of interest or principal being made to RCom lenders or bondholders. The local arm of Sweden`s Ericsson is already trying to drag RCom to bankruptcy court and is seeking a total of 11.55 billion rupees from the Indian company and two of its subsidiaries. The Ericsson lawsuit, however, has yet to be admitted by the court. MUMBAI: Following a scuffle between Maharashtra Navnirman Sena workers and hawkers in Vikhroli, a suburb of Mumbai, party chief Raj Thackeray called a meeting of senior party leaders at his residence to review the situation. As per a report, Thackeray questioned his leaders why his partymen were beaten at the hands of hawkers. During the meeting, Thackeray asked his party workers to be more assertive and informed them that if any of his party workers gets beaten by an outsider, he would be shown the doors. "I want workers who will beat up others," Thackeray told his men at the meeting. The meeting took place at Thackeray's residence 'Krishnakunj' over Sunday's assault on the party's Vikhroli division head Vishwajit Dolam and two others. On Sunday, at around 8.30 pm, at least three MNS party workers arrived at Vikhroli and asked shopkeepers to change the nameplates of the establishments to Marathi. While doing so, a scuffle broke out between a hawker and the MNS workers following which the partymen were roughed up by a group of hawkers present at the spot. On October 28, another MNS worker, Sushant Malvade, suffered a fractured skull after being thrashed by hawkers in Malad. Following the assaults on his party workers, Thackeray called an impromptu meeting at his house, thus indirectly provoking his leaders to take revenge on the politics of Marathi signboards in the city. Soon, a large group of MNS workers reached the spot and attacked the hawkers. The Vikhroli police rushed at the spot and shifted the injured to a local hospital. Mumbai Congress president Sanjay Nirupam warned Raj to stop 'goondagardi' or else his men will frequently get beaten up. "The Vikhroli incident is humiliating. I don't want a repeat. If we can't protect ourselves, how will we pick up people's cause?" Raj is said to have asked his men during a closed-door meeting. His son Amit is said to have visited the injured party men at a hospital. New Delhi: After making India proud at a global platform, Miss World 2017 Manushi Chhillar returned to Mumbai amid much fanfare and aplomb. The 'beauty with brains' received a warm reception at the airport and later went to seek blessings of Lord Ganpati at the famous Siddhivinayak Temple. In India, Manushi held her first press conference and during the interaction session, the gorgeous beauty revealed about her Bollywood favourites. BollywoodLife.com quoted her as saying, All the actors are very beautiful & talented but I would like to work with Aamir Khan. I think he has really challenging roles to give & his movies give a message and connect with the society. My personal favourite actress is Priyanka Chopra. It took 17 years for India to win back the Miss World title, which was last bagged by Priyanka Chopra in 2000. Manushi was crowned Miss World 2017 on November 18, 2017, by outgoing titleholder Miss World 2016 Stephanie Del Valle from Puerto Rico. The young and gorgeous Manushi is the sixth Indian woman to win the crown. New Delhi: 20s is a fun period and anyone would love to return to their youth! However, along with all the fun and games, there are things that happen once you enter your 20s. These become priceless life lessons. Life spares none, and well, when your 20, everything ain't fun! 1. First Heartbreak? Don't worry, we've all been there Well the moment you enter your 20s, if you are still in a relationship with your high school sweetheart, chances are that this is the time it's going to end. No, we don't mean to demean high- school relationships. It is great if your worked out just fine! But in the kind of world that we live in today, heartbreak has become a way of life and the first one usually comes up in your early 20s. So hang in there, you're not alone. Heartbreak teaches you how to live life, independently, on your own terms. 2. It is not just about fun 20s is a fun age, sure! But it isn't always like that. Your notion of being in 20s might be seriously flawed as a teenager but once you enter the real world, you realise there's more to life than having fun. As Monica Geller says, 'Welcome to the real world! It sucks, you're gonna love it!' 3. You don't need people to stay happy Well, when you're a teenager all you need are your friends to have fun and stay happy! But in your 20s, you explore a lot of new places, change jobs, work with different people, hence you never really get settled to one set of friends. Guess what? You don't need them as much as you think you do! Taking a solo trip is one of the best things you could do. So stop convincing your co-workers for that trip you want to take, pack your bags and go, alone! 4. There is no end to learning Thought you would be done with studying after school/college? Sadly, No. You forgot that precious masters degree, darling! 5. You will never have it all sorted out, and that's okay It is okay to not know what career path to take! It's okay to not be a pro at handling relationships and it is okay to have time to time issues with your inner self. You're just in your 20s, it's okay! New Delhi: During a spacewalk outside the International Space Station (ISS) under the Russian program, Russian cosmonauts took samples with cotton swabs from the stations external surface, probing places where the accumulation of fuel wastes were discharged during the engines operation or at places where the stations surface is more obscure. These samples were sent back to Earth for examination. Now, Russian cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov has revealed that somehow, the samples contain living bacteria. While they are being studied on Earth, they don't pose any sort of danger, Shkaplerov told Russian news agency TASS. It turns out that somehow these swabs reveal bacteria that were absent during the launch of the ISS module. That is, they have come from outer space and settled along the external surface. They are being studied so far and it seems that they pose no danger, the Russian astronaut said. Some terrestrial bacteria also survived on the space stations external surface, though they had remained within a space vacuum for three years. In addition to that, they underwent sharp swings in temperature from minus 150 to plus 150 degrees Celsius, he noted. The bacteria entered the space station through tablet Pcs and various other materials that are placed aboard the ISS for long periods to study their behavior in outer space. Shkaplerov will be the head of the next space station crew, which is set to take off to the worlds sole orbiter on December 17. Chennai: The District Education Officer (DEO) in Tiruvallur district near here has completed his inquiry into the alleged incident of girl students of a government school being asked to wash toilets, said an official on Tuesday. "We have completed the inquiry into the incident and the report has been sent to the Director - Education. Now it is for the Director to decide on the report," an official of the Education Department in Tiruvallur told IANS over phone. According to him, some girl students were asked to clean the school toilets, failing which, they were threatened they would be sent out of the school. The official said as per the inquiry report, the alleged incident had been proved to have happened. He said the school teachers said on the day when the alleged incident happened, the regular scavengers were on leave and hence the students were asked to clean the toilets. It is not known when the school teachers asked the students to wash the toilets. An official in the Tiruvallur District Collectorate told IANS that the District Collector had ordered strict action against the school officials who had ordered the girls to clean the toilets. New Delhi: Search engine giant Google has released the final preview build of Android 8.1, a small update to Android Oreo, which is due next month for official launch to consumers. However, this will be a big update for the owners of Pixel 2 as it supports the phone`s `Visual Core`, an imaging chip Google included but wasn`t ready to activate at the launch of the phone. This preview update includes near-final Android 8.1 system images for Pixel and Nexus devices, with official APIs (API level 27), the latest optimizations and bug fixes, and the November 2017 security patch updates. You can use the images for compatibility testing or to develop using new Android 8.1 features like the Neural Networks API and others, an Android Developers Blog wrote. The Neural Networks API provides accelerated computation and inference for on-device machine learning frameworks like TensorFlow Lite -- Google's cross-platform ML library for mobile -- as well as Caffe2 and others. TensorFlow Lite is now available to developers, so visit the TensorFlow Lite open source repo for downloads and docs. TensorFlow Lite works with the Neural Networks API to run models like MobileNets, Inception v3, and Smart Reply efficiently on your mobile device, it added. Also, for Pixel 2 users, the Android 8.1 update on these devices enables Pixel Visual Core -- Google's first custom-designed co-processor for image processing and ML -- through a new developer option. Once enabled, apps using Android Camera API can capture HDR+ shots through Pixel Visual Core, the blog said. New Delhi: Telecom regulator Trai on Tuesday issueed recommendations on Net neutrality, saying that service providers should not enter into pacts which discriminate on content. Trai in its recommendation has favoured tweaking of licencing norms of players to ensure restriction on discrimination in Internet access based on content. Supporters of Net neutrality back the principle that the entire Internet traffic should be available to everyone on equal terms without any discrimination based on business considerations of service providers. The Trai's recommendations comes at a time when there is a debate raging over Net neutrality globally. The US regulator, Federal Communications Commission, has said recently that it plans to roll back the "Net neutrality" rules the were adopted in America in 2015. Kolkata: Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen on Tuesday flew a sortie in the trainer version of the Light Combat Aircraft at the Indian Air Force base at Kalaikunda in West Bengal, and called it a "very good plane". "Privileged to be flown on the Tejas, India`s own designed and manufactured fighter aircraft. A very good plane," the Singapore minister said in a tweet. Hen, on a day`s visit to Kalaikunda, was received at the air base by Eastern Air Command chief, Air Marshal Anil Khosla. The Project Director for Flight Testing at the Aeronautical Development Agency, Air Vice Marshal A.P. Singh was the pilot who flew the visiting dignitary in the LCA, a Defence Ministry spokesman said.A Hen also met and interacted with the Detachment Commander and other officers and men of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), who are presently at Kalaikunda undergoing their routine annual training. The Joint Military Training is scheduled to start in a few days at Kalaikunda wherein the RSAF pilots would fly their F-16s and their IAF counterparts, the Su-30. Speaking to the media, Hen praised the professionalism of the IAF and expressed satisfaction with the military cooperation between the two countries. Khosla said Joint Military Training provided a unique platform for mutual learning and exchange of ideas between two professional Air Forces. Hen will arrive in New Delhi on Wednesday to hold second Singapore-India Defence Ministers` Dialogue with his Indian counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman. London: Myanmar`s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been stripped of the honour granting her the Freedom of the City of Oxford over her response to the repression of her countrys Rohingya Muslims. The Oxford city council voted unanimously to permanently remove the honour given to Suu Kyi in 1997 and said it did not want to celebrate "those who turn a blind eye to violence". Oxford councillors had previously voted to support a cross-party motion to remove the award and made the decision official in a vote on Monday evening, the Guardian reported. The vote comes as Myanmar`s powerful Army Chief told visiting Pope Francis there is "no religious discrimination" in Myanmar. Councillor Mary Clarkson, who proposed the motion, said: "When Aung San Suu Kyi was given the Freedom of the City in 1997 it was because she reflected Oxford`s tolerance and internationalism. "We celebrated her for her opposition to oppression and military rule in Myanmar. Today we have taken the unprecedented step of stripping her of the city`s highest honour because of her inaction in the face of oppression of the minority Rohingya population." She added that the reputation of the city was being "tarnished" by "honouring those who turn a blind eye to violence". In 2012, Suu Kyi was celebrated with an honorary doctorate from Oxford and held her 67th birthday party at St. Hugh`s college, where she studied politics, philosophy and economics between 1964 and 1967. But in recent months the Nobel Peace laureate has attracted growing criticism for her response to the Rohingya humanitarian crisis in Myanmar. In September, the governing body of St. Hugh`s decided to remove a painting of her from its main entrance, days before the start of the university term and the arrival of new students. In October, undergraduates at St. Hugh`s voted to remove the Myanmar leader`s name from the title of their junior common room. So far, Oxford has decided not to reconsider Suu Kyi`s honorary degree. But the university has expressed its "profound concern" over the Rohingya crisis. Beijing: In Xinjiancun, a ramshackle village of migrant workers on the far southern fringe of Beijing, demolition machinery tears into buildings as residents drag out the last of their belongings under the gaze of police and security staff. A citywide fire safety blitz prompted by a deadly blaze this month is forcing thousands of migrant workers out of their homes and businesses, igniting unusually direct criticism of city government measures seen by some people as unfairly targeting the vulnerable underclass. Beijing`s municipal government launched the 40-day "special operation" targeting fire code and building safety violations after a Nov. 18 apartment fire in Xinjiancun killed 19, almost all of them migrants. The Beijing government said it had acted on more than 25,000 violations in the operation`s first week, which is described as purely "for the lives and safety of the people". Tens of thousands of people are believed to be affected, activists said. While restaurants and shops not up to code in more affluent areas have not been immune, the safety blitz has mostly targeted outlying parts of Beijing where enforcement of construction codes has tended to be lax, and where migrant workers congregate due to cheaper rent. "To say that this special operation is to drive out the `low-end population` is irresponsible and baseless," the Beijing government said in a statement carried by state media on Sunday. "Some of the migrant population choose these places to work and live in, but they don`t understand the danger they`re in." One resident said her family of six, including her nine-month old grandson, had been suddenly rendered homeless, spending the previous night huddled in the back of their minivan in sub-freezing temperatures. "We are also Chinese people. Why are we being treated this way?" said the woman, from central China`s Hubei province. "What are we to do, where can we go to raise grievances? No one dares to," she said, asking not to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter. INTIMIDATING TACTICS Local authorities attributed the Nov. 18 blaze to faulty electrical wiring in an illegally modified two-storey property housing shops and a cold storage facility in the basement, with the top floor subdivided into small, crowded living quarters. More than a dozen residents of Xinjiancun said at least 50 uniformed security guards and "chengguan" - an urban management force which assists police - had smashed their stores` signage and issued threats to ensure compliance. The Beijing city government and the Daxing district government, which covers the southern part of the city, did not respond to requests for comment. Xia Xiaocong, a 44-year-old supermarket owner, said he was told to move everything out and leave within 48 hours, after security guards cut his electricity and trashed the front of his shop. "I told them I have all the legal documents, and they said you have to close and get lost," he told Reuters inside the damaged store, its shelves emptied. Residents and supermarket staff confirmed details of Xia`s account. In Dingfuzhuang, a logistics hub in Beijing`s east, residents on Saturday said authorities had cut off electricity and running water to force them out. "In 2008, it was `Beijing Welcomes You`," said Liang Yinghui, from northern Hebei province, referring to the slogan of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. "Now, in 2017, Beijing loathes you, and wants to throw you out." CRITICISM AND CENSORSHIP An open letter to the Chinese government from more than 100 prominent academics, lawyers and intellectuals said the measures against Beijing`s migrant population were "illegal, unconstitutional and seriously trampled on human rights". Such open criticism of government is increasingly rare as officials have clamped down on various aspects of civil society under President Xi Jinping. Some non-profit groups that sought to offer assistance said they have been obstructed by police, with their online advertisements blocked by censors. Tongzhou Jiayuan, a private community service centre in Beijing`s Tongzhou district, said it was shut by police soon after posting a notice on social media welcoming struggling migrant workers to come and stay. On Monday, Beijing party secretary Cai Qi said authorities should have given more time for residents to relocate and called for the operation to be carried out in a more orderly fashion, according to the official Beijing Daily. Some 8.23 million Beijing residents came from outside the capital, almost 40 percent of its population of nearly 22 million, according to a 2016 report by the state-run Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. While the city says the clean-up is for safety, it is also consistent with policies to control growth. In September, the central government approved Beijing`s plan to cap its population at 23 million in 2020. Ma Zhitao, 32, who arrived in Beijing at the start of the year to work as a labourer in the hope of providing a better life for his 10-year-old son back home in rural Shaanxi province, said he was now forced to return home. "I thought it would be different," said Ma, whose power and water had been cut off at his home in Dingfuzhuang. "It`s the capital after all." Beijing: A Chinese court sentenced Taiwanese democracy activist Lee Ming-cheh to five years in prison on Tuesday on charges of attempting to subvert state power, further souring cross-strait ties. Lee sat nervously as the three-judge panel read the sentence at the Yueyang intermediate people`s court in central Hunan province following a trial denounced by human rights groups as "unfair". The court also deprived him of his political rights for two years. A Chinese co-defendant named Peng Yuhua was sentenced to seven years in prison and he also lost his political rights for two years. The court said both men stated that they would not appeal their sentences. Lee had confessed to the charges during his trial in September, stating that he had written and distributed online articles that criticised China`s ruling Communist Party and promoted democracy among other topics. "This is an absolutely outrageous sentence that was handed out today, following on from an unfair trial," said Amnesty International China researcher William Nee. "Lee Ming-cheh should not have to spend a day in jail, since everything he did - peacefully discuss current events and historical issues on social media - is expressly protected under international law," Nee told AFP. Taiwan`s presidential office and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party called the verdict "unacceptable". "We urged the Beijing authorities to release Lee and allow him to return to Taiwan soon. We regret that Lee`s case seriously damaged cross-strait relations," the presidential office said in a statement. China sees self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory waiting to be reunified. Beijing: Senior Chinese military official Zhang Yang committed suicide at home on Nov. 23 after authorities launched an investigation against him, state media said on Tuesday. Zhang, a member of the powerful Central Military Commission, was being investigated over links to fallen military officials Guo Boxiong and Xu Caihou, the official Xinhua news agency said. Islamabad: Newly-appointed Chinese ambassador to Pakistan, Yao Jing said the USD 50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a source of prosperity for Pakistan and the rest of the region. He stated this at the third CPEC media forum jointly organised by the Chinese Embassy here and the Pakistan-China Institute (PCI), according to a statement by PCI. Yao said CPEC was a major priority for the Chinese leadership, and he would put in his best efforts to get it implemented in a letter and spirit. The envoy expressed pleasure that CPEC's implementation was being fast-tracked and said he was confident that the people of Pakistan would be the major beneficiary of this initiative. "It is also a source of prosperity and peace for the entire region, CPEC's ownership goes to the people of Pakistan and its other stakeholders," he said. Yao spoke about the important role of the media, noting that Pakistani media has always been positive towards China. He proposed that the media representatives should be invited to visit CPEC projects, enabling them to see themselves its implementation process and socio-economic impact on the local people. He assured that he would have regular interaction with the media to seek support in carrying forward their collaborative socio-economic partnership. The embassy of China, he added, will keep facilitating the media in promoting Sino-Pak friendship. During his long diplomatic career, Yao said Pakistan has always been most important for him, and he will fulfil his new responsibility for the country's well-being with devotion and commitment. He said he was looking forward to contribute in making the CPEC a symbol of Sino-Pak cooperative partnership. PCI said that Yao was delivering his first speech at any public forum after his appointment as new envoy to Pakistan. After presenting his credentials to Pakistan's president in a few days, Yao said he would start his official engagements and wished to maintain close interaction with the media friends, seeking their support to take full advantage of the CPEC's opportunity and keep the people aware of its enormous benefits. Chief Executive of China Economic Net website Wang Xudong in his keynote address hoped that the forum will provide them a good opportunity for promoting media-to-media relationship. CPEC is drawing the world's attention and getting popular among Chinese people, he added. State of New York: US President Donald Trump is "actively considering" moving the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, his vice president said on Tuesday, evoking a campaign promise that the administration had sidelined. Mike Pence made the remarks in a keynote address at an event in New York commemorating the 70th anniversary of the UN vote for partition of Palestine, which led to the creation of the state of Israel. "President Donald Trump is actively considering when and how to move the American embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem," Pence told the gathering of UN ambassadors, diplomats and Jewish leaders. On June 1, Trump decided against any immediate move, shying away from what was a major campaign promise by signing a legal waiver that keeps the embassy in Tel Aviv. "It`s a question of when, not if," a US official said at the time. "He doesn`t think the timing is right, right now." During his campaign for the White House, Trump expressed support for moving the embassy but did not renew the call -- which would anger Palestinians and Arab states -- when he visited Jerusalem this year. Congress passed a law in 1995 making it US policy to move the embassy to Jerusalem, symbolically endorsing Israel`s claim on the city as its capital. But the law contained a clause that has allowed each president since to issue and renew a six-month waiver on carrying out the move. Pence, who is to visit Israel next month, on Tuesday attended a symbolic re-enactment of the November 29, 1947 UN General Assembly vote, on the eve of its 70th anniversary. The event was held at the Queens Museum, where the General Assembly partition vote took place. The main building of the museum served as the temporary home of the UN shortly after its founding, from 1946 to 1950. Cairo: Egyptian security forces killed 11 suspected "terrorist elements" during a raid on a hideout for militants providing support for jihadists in the northern Sinai, the interior ministry said on Tuesday. A ministry statement said police were still identifying the suspected militants killed in the raid in Ismailiya province after they opened fire on security forces approaching the hideout. Militants carried out a bomb and gun assault on a mosque in Rawda village in North Sinai province on Friday, killing 305 people -- the deadliest in Egypt`s recent history -- in an attack thought to have been carried out by the Islamic State group. It is widely believed in Egypt that the massacre took place at the mosque because Sufi Muslims worshipped there. The raid on the hideout was part of a security campaign in the province of Ismailiya around the Suez Canal separating the Sinai Peninsula from the rest of the country, and in the Nile Delta province of Sharqiya. Police were pursuing leaders of "terrorist groups in North Sinai that aimed to carry out a series of hostile operations targeting important and vital buildings and Christian churches," the statement said. Security forces were able to identify "a group of these elements and the hideouts they were using to hide, train, and store means of logistic support ahead of smuggling them to terrorist groups in North Sinai". The statement said police also arrested six suspected militants and three people thought to have smuggled communications equipment to them. It said weapons, ammunition and communication devices were recovered. Tel Aviv: Hamas is due to end its decade-long dominance of Gaza by Friday in its biggest step yet towards Palestinian unity, but hopes raised by a reconciliation deal have already given way to doubts. The Palestinian Authority is supposed to take control of the strip by December 1 under a landmark unity deal signed in October, but its power is likely to be limited to civilian affairs for now -- and perhaps only partially. Hamas`s armed wing, which includes some 25,000 militants, remains a major force in the Gaza Strip and has no plans to relinquish its weapons despite calls for it to do so. Officials from Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas`s Fatah have also criticised what they call the slow progress so far in transferring control -- civilian or otherwise -- to the PA. Still, any handover is likely to be heralded by Palestinian leaders as a major breakthrough in their efforts to end the 10-year split between Islamist movement Hamas and Fatah, based in the occupied West Bank. Gazans hope it will help alleviate suffering in the blockaded enclave of two million people, where basic infrastructure such as electricity and clean water are severely lacking. "All we want is to improve the economic situation and open the borders," said Abu Abed Abu Sultan, 53, formerly a tailor in a company that exported to Israel before the blockade began and now a coffee seller. "We don`t ask for a lot -- we just want to live like the rest of the world. I am afraid reconciliation will fail like the last times." Gazans have reason to be doubtful considering previous reconciliation attempts have failed, but few initially thought the latest accord, mediated by Egypt, would have even made it this far. Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip in 2007 in a near civil war with Fatah after a dispute over elections won by the Islamists. Since then, Israel and militants in Gaza have fought three wars, the latest a devastating 2014 conflict. Israel has kept the strip under a blockade for more than a decade, while Gaza`s border with Egypt has also remained largely closed in recent years. Beyond that, Abbas issued a series of punitive measures against the Gaza Strip earlier this year to pressure Hamas, including cutting electricity payments, further worsening an already severe power crisis. Faced with deteriorating conditions, Hamas turned to Egypt for help and in turn came under pressure to reconcile with Abbas`s Fatah. A deal was signed on October 12 in Cairo setting out parameters for reconciliation. The first major deadline was kept, with Hamas handing over the Gaza Strip`s borders to the Palestinian Authority on November 1. It was a precursor to the December 1 deadline for Hamas to give up control of the strip. But in recent weeks, PA officials have signalled that true reconciliation will not be possible unless Hamas hands over security control. In a reference to Hamas`s armed wing, Abbas has spoken of wanting to avoid a situation akin to Hezbollah in Lebanon, where the Shiite movement`s militia wields major power. Hamas officials have signalled a compromise is possible concerning police, but they flatly refuse to disarm its armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades. "With all the difficulties inherent in the Egyptian-led process and concerns about the timing and modalities of the Palestinian Authority`s assumption of full civilian and security control of Gaza, the process must not be allowed to fail," UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process Nickolay Mladenov has said. "If it does, it will most likely result in another devastating conflict."Other major stumbling blocks lie ahead. Hamas is labelled a terrorist group by the United States, the European Union and Israel. It has faced pressure to disarm and recognise Israel, but Hamas officials say both are out of the question for now. A technocratic unity government could be formed to avoid potential issues internationally with Hamas`s participation, or the Palestinians could agree to stick with their existing government for now. Some analysts say progress in the reconciliation effort may be difficult to judge. "Maybe this reconciliation process will take just too much time or a long time, so we won`t know whether it`s going to succeed or not in the foreseeable future," said Mkhaimar Abusada, political science professor at Al-Azhar University in Gaza. "And we will just see some kind of gradual steps by Hamas and Fatah to try to tell the Palestinians that the process is moving -- it`s moving very slowly, but at least it`s moving forward." Tel Aviv: A large explosion and fire have rocked an area of Tel Aviv resulting in casualties, though it appeared the incident was accidental, Israeli media reported early Tuesday. The explosion and fire occurred at a hardware store in the Jaffa area, reports said. There were conflicting reports on casualties, with Haaretz newspaper saying three people were killed, while other news media reported several others were seriously wounded. Police could not immediately be reached for comment. Haaretz reported that the incident was likely not criminal, though an investigation was ongoing. SINGAPORE: Indonesian business tycoon Hary Tanoesoedibjo said on Tuesday he did not plan to stand in the country`s 2019 presidential election, and would support current President Joko Widodo if he chose to run. "Looking at the constellation today, I think President Jokowi will run again and I am in the position to support him," he told Reuters at the Asia TV Forum in Singapore, making use of an informal name by which Indonesians refer to Widodo. Asked if he would stand, he replied: "No, I don`t think so." DUBLIN: Ireland`s scandal-hit deputy prime minister resigned on Tuesday, averting a government collapse and potential snap election that had threatened to complicate Brexit talks next month between Britain and the European Union. Opposition parties had demanded Frances Fitzgerald step down after the release of fresh documents about her disputed handling of a police whistleblower who alleged corruption in the force. Fianna Fail, the main opposition party, which props up Fine Gael Prime Minister Leo Varadkar`s minority government, said her resignation meant a December election would be avoided. It had warned it might force a snap poll if Fitzgerald refused to quit. "Today I made the decision to tender my resignation to the Taoiseach (prime minister), stepping down with immediate effect," Fitzgerald said in a statement. "I have decided on this occasion to put the national interest ahead of my own personal reputation. I believe it is necessary to take this decision to avoid an unwelcome and potentially destabilising general election at this historically critical time." Ireland`s political crisis exploded in the run-up to a key Brexit summit next month at which Varadkar is set to play a major role. He must tell fellow EU leaders whether he believes sufficient progress has been made on the future of the border between Ireland and the British province of Northern Ireland. The border -- the only land frontier between Britain and the EU -- is one of three issues Brussels wants broadly resolved before it decides whether to move talks on Britain`s divorce from the EU onto a second phase about trade, as Britain wants. While Varadkar has likely avoided the prospect of having to travel to Brussels in a caretaker capacity, his handling of the crisis has badly damaged him, his governing Fine Gael party and relations with its Fianna Fail opponents. While Fitzgerald`s ministerial colleagues continued to back her in public ahead of the cabinet meeting at which she stood down, Tuesday`s newspaper front pages were full of quotes from unnamed Fine Gael lawmakers and ministers saying she had to go. Some Fine Gael members who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity said they were furious with Varadkar and Fitzgerald`s handling of the crisis, having been forced to spend four days strongly defending the deputy prime minister since it broke. Members of the opposition Labour and Sinn Fein parties and political analysts said as Fitzgerald resigned that an election was still likely to follow in the next three or four months. "Whatever happens today, the timeline of this administration is very much foreshortened by the events of the last two weeks," Labour leader Brendan Howlin told national broadcaster RTE. "I think right now he (Varadkar) has probably lost the dressing room, you can see that in today`s newspapers, and he`s done some damage to himself and the stability of the government too," added Howlin, a former cabinet colleague of Varadkar. The crisis was the first major test of the 38-year-old prime minister who succeeded Enda Kenny in June. With a reputation as a straight-talker, he has been likened to French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau by colleagues excited at the prospect of a generational shift. While an opinion poll on Saturday gave Fine Gael a one-point lead over Fianna Fail, bookmaker Paddy Power said on Tuesday that it made Fianna Fail slight favourites to win the most seats at the next election. The two centre-right parties are fierce rivals but disagree little on policy. A three-year confidence and supply agreement between them is due to run until this time next year. "I think there is damage (but) nobody is enhanced by this debacle. I don`t think either party comes out of it particularly well," said Theresa Reidy, a politics lecturer at University College Cork, referring to Fine Gael and Fianna Fail. "But Fine Gael are in government so they are more damaged by it." Kabul: An Afghan official says an intense gun battle has erupted between Taliban and Islamic State affiliate insurgents in eastern Nangarhar province. Attahullah Khogyani, provincial governor's spokesman, said Tuesday that hundreds of families are displaced from villages in Khogyani and Sherzad districts. Khogyani said an operation involving air and ground forces was begun to eliminate both insurgent groups from the area. Six civilians were wounded and there are reports of dozens of casualties among the insurgents, he said. Sherzad, Khogyani and Hasarak districts in Nangarhar are strategic because they link with neighboring Logar province as well as the capital Kabul. In April, the US military used the Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb, or MOAB, against an Islamic State group tunnel complex carved in the mountains in Nangarhar province. Nay Pyi Taw: Pope Francis headed to Myanmar's capital city of Nay Pyi Taw on Tuesday, where heads of the government will officially welcome him on the second day of his visit to the country. In the capital, the pontiff will be received by President Htin Kyaw and will also meet de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, reports Efe news. He will then also have a meeting with the diplomatic corps accredited in the country, before returning in the afternoon to Yangon where he had arrived on Monday. Pope Francis began his visit to Myanmar on Monday with a meeting with Army Chief General Min Aung Hlaing, architect of the military operations that caused hundreds of deaths and forced more than 620,000 members of the Rohingya Muslim minority to flee to Bangladesh. During the meeting, the pontiff expressed the need for the authorities to assume their responsibility during this period of ongoing political transition in the country, according to Vatican sources. General Hlaing in a statement said that in Myanmar "there is no religious discrimination" because "the country ensures religious freedom", and that the armed forces were "making efforts to restore and to ensure peace in the nation. Myanmar has no discrimination among the ethnics". The pope is also scheduled to attend a major Mass on Wednesday, after which he will hold a meeting with the Supreme Council of Myanmar's Buddhist monks and another meeting with bishops. The humanitarian crisis of the Rohingya plays a crucial role in Pope Francis' visit to Myanmar. On Thursday he will head to neighbouring Bangladesh in an attempt to mediate the crisis, which the UN has dubbed a "textbook example of ethnic cleansing". The pontiff will become the first Catholic leader to visit Dhaka since 1986. In Bangladesh, Francis is scheduled to meet a small group of Rohingya refugees in a symbolic gesture. Beirut: Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri has said that he will resign if the Hezbollah resistance movement refuses to remain neutral in the country. Hariri, in remarks to French broadcaster CNews, said on Monday that he would continue as Prime Minister "if Hezbollah accepted to stick by the state policy of staying out of regional conflicts from Syria to Iraq and Yemen". "They know we have to remain neutral in the region," Hariri was quoted as saying by Press TV. Hezbollah is an opponent of Hariri`s Saudi Arabia-backed Future Movement though it is also a member of Hariri`s coalition government. Hariri announced his resignation on November 4 in Saudi Arabia, shocking Lebanon and plunging it into political uncertainty. He accused Iran and Hezbollah of sowing strife in the Arab world, an allegation rejected by both sides. Shortly afterwards, Lebanese President Michel Aoun accused Riyadh of kidnapping Hariri. The European Union, France and Germany also called on the Saudis for his return. Hariri then travelled back to Lebanon and put his resignation on hold at Aoun`s request in favour of a national dialogue. According to reports, Hariri had been forced to step down by the Kingdom over his failing to "confront" Hezbollah. "Lebanon cannot resolve a question like Hezbollah which is in Syria, Iraq, everywhere because of Iran. It is a regional political solution that needs to be done," Hariri said on Monday. He also rejected claims that he had forcibly resigned. He said he had written his resignation statement himself, countering allegations that it has been handed to him. The Prime Minister said he would keep to himself what happened in Saudi Arabia, implying that he did not feel free to expose what had actually transpired in the Kingdom. IANS Seoul: The trial of disgraced former South Korean president Park Geun-Hye will proceed without her, a court said today, following a hiatus of more than 40 days as she boycotted proceedings. Park, who was ousted earlier this year over a sprawling corruption scandal, has refused to appear for her trial, angry at the court's decision last month to extend her detention by six months. The ex-president's legal team quit last month over the decision, accusing the court of bias. Park has since refused to cooperate with a team of state-sponsored defence lawyers appointed by the court, and failed to appear for her trial on Monday and Tuesday. "We have a lot of things to do, including the questioning of many witnesses. Taking into account the limited time... We cannot delay the trial any longer," presiding judge Kim Se- Yoon said Tuesday. The court-appointed defence lawyers repeatedly sought to interview Park at the detention centre where she is being held, but she refused to see them, the Yonhap news agency said. Park, 65, submitted a letter to the detention centre on Monday, saying she cannot appear at her trial because of her health problems. The centre reported to the court that Park has been taking painkillers for back pain and a swollen knee, and has made clear her intention to not appear at the trial. Authorities at the detention centre said they were unable to force Park out because of her status as a former president of South Korea. Park, South Korea's first woman president, was impeached by parliament in December after months of mass protests over accusations of graft and influence-peddling. South Korea's constitutional court upheld the decision in March, removing her from office. Her trial started in May. Talks aimed at ending the war in Syria restarted Tuesday with the Damascus regime enforcing its will, warning the United Nations it would not tolerate any discussion of President Bashar al-Assad`s ouster from power. Assad`s negotiators did not travel to Geneva for the opening of the UN-backed talks, delivering another blow to the negotiations that have achieved little through seven previous rounds. Opposition representatives, united in one delegation for the first time, were scheduled to meet UN mediator Staffan de Mistura on Tuesday. After arriving in Geneva late Monday, rebel delegation chief Nasr al-Hariri told reporters that his camp was still insisting on Assad`s removal as part of any peace deal, defying calls for moderation. Damascus had initially refused to confirm it would attend the talks with the opposition maintaining its hardline stance on the president, but the UN and Syria`s official Sana news agency have announced that government representatives will arrive on Wednesday. But before agreeing to come, Assad`s envoys secured key concessions from de Mistura. "During intense discussions over the last two days, de Mistura pledged to the government delegation that there would not be any... discussion of the Riyadh statement", an opposition text that references Assad`s ouster, a source close to the government told AFP. Keeping the Assad issue off the table may also suit de Mistura, who has said he wants this round to focus on a new constitution for Syria and UN-supervised elections.The UN envoy had voiced hope the coming round would mark the first "real negotiation" on a possible deal to end the six-year war which has claimed more than 340,000 lives and left Syria in ruin. Well ahead of the talks, de Mistura had warned the opposition that intransigence on the Assad issue might no longer be tenable. In September, he said the opposition needed to be "realistic" and accept that "they didn`t win the war", a statement supported by facts on the ground. Backed by Russia`s decisive military support, Assad`s government has regained control of 55 percent of the country, including major cities including Damascus, Aleppo, Homs and Hama. The rest is carved up between rebel factions, jihadists and Kurdish forces. The decision last week by Syrian opposition groups to send a single delegation to Geneva raised hopes of a possible breakthrough. The new rebel negotiating team includes members of the Saudi-backed High Negotiations Committee (HNC), which insists on Assad`s departure, as well as representatives of groups based in Moscow and Cairo that have a more moderate stance on the president. But without a formal notification from the rebel side that its position had softened, the talks may remain deadlocked. That could spell more trouble for the UN`s peace push, which has been overshadowed by negotiations spearheaded by Moscow. Russia and its fellow regime ally Iran, along with rebel-backer Turkey, have hosted negotiations in the Kazakh capital of Astana that led to the creation of four "de-escalation zones" which produced a drop in violence, though deadly air strikes and battles continue in some areas. Western powers are concerned that Russia is seeking to take a leading role in the peace process and will carve out a settlement that will largely favour Assad. US President Donald Trump said Monday following a phone conversation with French leader Emmanuel Macron that the two men agreed the Geneva talks were the "only legitimate forum for achieving a political solution in Syria." De Mistura was also scheduled to meet the ambassadors from Security Council permanent representatives -- Britain, France, China, Russia and the United States -- in Geneva on Tuesday to discuss the talks. Geneva: Syria`s government has confirmed that it will take part in peace talks in Geneva this week, the UN said on Tuesday, after an announcement that it may not show up had delivered a blow to the negotiations. "The government delegation has not yet arrived but (UN envoy Staffan de Mistura) has received the message that they are planning to arrive tomorrow," UN spokeswoman Alessandra Vellucci told reporters. The eighth round of talks is seen as a chance for the UN to revitalise its push to end the six-year war, which has killed more than 340,000 people and left Syria in ruin. De Mistura has stressed the urgent need for progress towards a political solution and had been bolstered by the fractured opposition`s decision to form a unified negotiation team for the first time. London: Turkey's Prime Minister said Tuesday that the "Astana process" to revive the Syrian peace process, led by Russia, Turkey and Iran, is working alongside the UN's long-running Geneva discussions rather than competing with them. "This process is not competing with the Geneva process," Binali Yildirim said during an address at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in London. "Astana peace talks, trilateral meetings, (are) not an alternative to Geneva, what we try to do is prepare infrastructure for solution(s)... In Geneva," he said. Russian President Vladimir Putin, alongside Iran and Turkey, has stepped up diplomatic and military initiatives focused on Syria in recent months, including holding seven meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan. He also hosted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad last week for three hours of talks aimed at laying the groundwork for progress in the long-dormant peace process. The flurry of activity has resulted in the establishment of four "de-escalation" zones inside Syria. This small measure of success contrasts with THE stalled efforts at ending the war in Geneva. The UN said the Syrian government had not yet confirmed that it would attend talks with the opposition due to restart there on today. "We have achieved certain progress in terms of de- escalation and reducing the tensions in the country and moving toward a cease fire," Yildirim added at his IISS talk. But the Turkish prime minister reiterated his country's determination to see Bashar al-Assad leave power. "Look how things evolved in Syria, who caused Syria to be in the situation that it is today -- it all happened because of the regime, because of Assad," he said. He added in the long-term, "Assad cannot possibly survive in Syria, we have to accept this". Yildrim also took the opportunity to reaffirm Turkey's commitment to NATO, but noted the tensions over American alliances in the fight against Islamic State (IS). He reiterated that Ankara views the Kurdish PYD group, and its armed wing the YPG -- part of the US-led coalition fighting IS -- as "terrorist organisations". BANGKOK: Thai authorities have arrested 16 people who were protesting against the construction of a coal-fired power plant, drawing criticism of the military government from rights activists and environmentalists. The planned power plant in the southern province of Songkhla will consist of two 1,000-megawatt units and is part of a power development plan to 2036, but activists object to its expected environmental and health impact on communities in the area. The 16 protesters were arrested on Monday as they travelled from Thepa district, the site of the plant, to the provincial capital to present a petition to Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who was due in the city on Tuesday for a meeting. "This incident shows the true face of Thailand`s military dictators, who have committed a long list of abuses and repressions since the May 2014 coup," Sunai Phasuk, Thailand researcher for U.S.-based group Human Rights Watch, told Reuters. Six protesters were injured in a scuffle with police, said anti-coal activist Supat Hasuwannakit. "The use of force was uncalled for," Supat told Reuters. A few police officers were injured, police said, adding that the 16 had been charged with blocking traffic, assaulting authorities, and resisting arrest. Police have requested that a court detains them. Tara Buakamsri, country director for Greenpeace Southeast Asia, said in a statement the action against the protesters reflected a "complete failure" by the government to promote a peaceful and inclusive society. "The Thepa power plant has no legitimacy to be built," the group said. The first unit of the power plant is due to begin operating in 2021. Its environmental health impact assessment was completed in August and is pending approval by the National Environment Board. Geneva: A United Nations women`s rights panel called on Myanmar on Tuesday to provide "an exceptional report" within six months on rapes and sexual violence against Rohingya women and girls by its security forces in northern Rakhine state. In a rare request, only its fourth ever since 1982, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women asked the Myanmar government to provide details on women and girls killed since the army crackdown began in late August, which drove more than 600,000 people to flee to Bangladesh. The watchdog panel said it had also "requested information on investigations, arrests, prosecutions, convictions and sentences or disciplinary measures imposed on perpetrators, including members of the armed forces, found guilty of such crimes". YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS. The 7th meeting of the member states of the 1999 2nd Protocol of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict began on November 27 in the UNESCO HQ in Paris. Elections of members of the committee on Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict was held on the sidelines of the meeting, the foreign ministry told ARMENPRESS. 10 countries nominated their candidacies for 6 vacant positions. The following countries were elected Italy, 48 votes, Armenia 44 votes, Cambodia, 43 votes, Japan, 42 voted, El Salvador, 39 votes, Egypt 32 votes. Armenia was re-elected for 2017-2021. Armenia was first elected as member of the committee in 2013. YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS. Vice Speaker of the Parliament Arpine Hovhannisyan on November 28 had a meeting with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Germany to Armenia Bernhard Matthias Kiesler, press service of the Parliament told Armenpress. The sides highly appreciated the current level of Armenian-German relations and attached importance to the further development of bilateral ties, as well as deepening of inter-parliamentary relations. During the meeting a number of issues relating to the development of inter-parliamentary ties and cooperation in different international platforms were discussed. YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS. The Development Foundation of Armenia (DFA) has received concepts for Noah Ethnographic District from four leading companies and presents them to experts for opinions. The electronic versions of all 4 projects, as well as the questioner for opinions are available here: http://bit.ly/2AacYFw . The opinions of ethnographers, architects, tourism specialists and the larger public will be gathered and presented to the investors, after which the winning company will be selected, the DFA told Armenpress. The American AECOM (http://www.aecom.com/about-aecom/), the British ARUP (https://www.arup.com/), the Lebanese ERGA (https://www.erga.com/) and the American SWA (http://www.swagroup.com/) companies, which have 30-60 years of successful experience in tourism destination development all over the world, have submitted their proposals. The DFA has requested the participants to create concepts which will represent the best of architecture, customs and traditions, cuisine and handicraft of different regions of Armenia. The CEO of the DFA Armen Avak Avakian noted: The district that will be constructed in Yerevan within the scope of this investment project will increase Armenias tourism diversity and attractiveness. As per business logic of the project, after getting acquainted with the culture and architecture of Gyumri or Lori, for instance, the tourists will become more eager to visit the regions and explore more. Earlier, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the DFA Karen Karapetyan announced about the construction of the district which, based on preliminary calculations, will bring around 150mln USD investment to Armenia. After the selection of the best project, the winner will develop the master plan of the district by February. The construction is expected to start in spring. YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS. The body of an Azerbaijani soldier which was discovered outside a military position in the south-eastern section of the Armenian border will be transferred to the Azerbaijani side on November 28, Armenian defense ministry spokesman Artsrun Hovhannisyan said. Earlier on November 23 the defense ministry of Armenia said a body of an Azerbaijani serviceman was found outside a military position on the Armenian state border. According to intelligence info, the deceased soldier was a company commander, who had fled a base after a criminal incident. Armenia had said it is willing to hand over the body to Azerbaijan with mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross. YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS. Armenian foreign minister Edward Nalbandian held a meeting on November 28 with Irans foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Yerevan. During the meeting Nalbandian welcomed Mr. Zarif and mentioned that friendly, multifaceted and mutually beneficial relations exist between Armenia and Iran, which are based on the centuries of friendship between the two peoples. Thanking for the invitation and warm reception, the Iranian FM said that his country attaches special significance to comprehensive partnership with Armenia, and expressed certainty that high-level mutual visits enable to strengthen and enhance those relations. The Iranian minister expressed gratitude for the condolences and solidarity from Armenia for the deadly recent earthquake in Iran. Both sides mentioned that during the 25th year of establishing diplomatic ties, the Armenian-Iranian relations have dynamically developed, by including new fields. The sides noted that tourism volumes have greatly increased since the visa waiver of last year. The ministers discussed issues related to boosting bilateral commercial cooperation, and exchanged ideas over the upcoming 15th session of the intergovernmental committee in Yerevan next year. Mr. Zarif mentioned that a large group of businessmen are included in his delegation to take part in the Armenian-Iranian business forum. Nalbandian and Zarif touched upon the establishment of the EEU-Iran cooperation. The sides also discussed the implementation of the agreement over the Iran Nuclear Deal, which Armenia supports. Minister Nalbandian briefed his Iranian counterpart on the joint efforts of Armenia and the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairing countries for the exclusively peaceful settlement of the NK conflict by appreciating Irans balanced and principled stance on the matter, based on international rights. Nalbandian and Zarif participated in the opening of the Armenian-Iranian business forum later in the day. YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS. Armenia has created favorable conditions which enable to make beneficial investments and do business successfully, foreign minister Edward Nalbandian said at the opening ceremony of Armenian-Iranian business forum in Yerevan, reports Armenpress. Such forums are an important platform for the representatives of public and business circles of the two countries to discuss the existing opportunities and problems in the bilateral trade-economic field, to determinate the future steps aimed at boosting the cooperation between our countries. I hope this forum will contribute to further use of Armenias investment opportunities by Iranian businessmen. The reforms in Armenia plan to establish more favorable regimes, clarify the guarantees given to foreign investors, enable the businessmen to use the current and expected additional privileges in Armenia, the contemporary mechanisms of solving the investment disputes, consistently cut and simplify a number of procedures, the Armenian FM said. According to him, among the advantages of making investments in Armenia is that the country has a privileged trade regime with numerous countries. The FM stated that new opportunities have been created by Armenias membership to the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). The goods produced in Armenia with zero customs fees and without administrative barriers can freely enter the 180 million consumer market of the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union. Moreover, our country has a free trade agreements with almost all countries, the FM said. He noted that Armenia, the only country among the EAEU states with a land border with Iran, can act as a gateway for entering the CIS, EAEU states, as well as the EU. In this sense we attach importance to the North-South road corridor which is at construction stage as the shortest transit route connecting the ports of the Persian Gulf with the Black Sea ports. Armenia is also actively supporting the agreement on free trade zone between the EAEU and Iran, the FM said, adding that the FEZ to be created in Syunik will contribute to strengthening the economic ties with Iran and more effective utilization of Armenias economic potential. The respective agencies of the two countries have signed a memorandum of understanding which aims at outlining the main cooperation directions in the field of free economic zones between Armenia and Iran, FM Nalbandian said. YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS. Under the mediation of the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) Armenia Office the body of soldier has been transferred to the Azerbaijani side, Zara Amatuni, communications officer at the ICRC Armenia, told Armenpress. By the mediation of the Red Cross the body of the soldier has been handed over to the Azerbaijani side, she said. On November 23 the Armenian defense ministry released a statement according to which the Armenian military discovered the body of an Azerbaijani soldier in the morning of November 23 outside a military position stationed in the south-eastern section of the Armenian state border. The body was found in the neutral zone. According to intelligence, the dead soldier is a captain, company commander of the Azerbaijani military, who escaped a military base after a crime. The Armenian defense ministry expressed readiness to hand over the body of the soldier to Azerbaijan with mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross. YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS. From the proclamation of Armenias independence up to today the relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran have recorded a dynamic growth, and as two neighbors there is no obstacle for the development of relations between the two countries, Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said at the opening ceremony of the Armenian-Iranian business forum in Yerevan, reports Armenpress. I am very happy to have this opportunity to meet with the business representatives of Armenia and Iran. I want to state that the relations between Armenia and Iran have a centuries-old history, and we are happy that Armenians have also selected Iran as their country and today they are our very warm and good citizens. We didnt spare any efforts in the defense field and even during the Iran-Iraqi war people were killed. Armenians are also leading citizens in the economic field, the FM said. According to him, the governments of the two countries should create favorable conditions for the development of relations between the two peoples, scientists and businessmen. We have worked on creating political and legal infrastructures for the cooperation, and the documents, which should have been signed between the two states aimed at facilitating investments, trade turnover, are already signed, the Iranian minister said, adding that the key goal is the development of economic relations, and the private sector plays vital role here. I am happy that the two countries have potential for the cooperation. Iran recorded a key progress in science and innovative technologies: it is among the worlds leading countries in this field, he said, adding that the two countries can really have a mutually beneficial cooperation in the energy field. He also emphasized the fields of agriculture and livestock. The Iranian FM also touched upon the creation of joint factories, assuring that the Iranian side can provide the raw material, and the final stage of the process, meaning, the production part can be provided by Armenia, and then the products can be exported to other countries. In order to implement this project we should be able to use the opportunities of the free economic zone, he said, adding that Iran is holding talks with the EAEU. YEREVAN, 28 NOVEMBER, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 28 November, USD exchange rate up by 0.04 drams to 484.21 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 1.84 drams to 575.77 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.02 drams to 8.30 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 2.28 drams to 644.14 drams. The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals. Gold price up by 70.16 drams to 20158.63 drams. Silver price up by 0.80 drams to 266.21 drams. Platinum price up by 203.58 drams to 14758.19 drams. YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Karen Karapetyan received on November 28 the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Government of Armenia, greeting the guest the Premier noted that Armenia-Iran relations are on a high level, and the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two states is marked this year. According to the Head of the Executive, despite the fact that a lot has been done, there are a lot of joint achievements, there is still much to be done. Karen Karapetyan particularly noted that being neighboring friendly countries, Armenia and Iran have great potential to develop trade and economic partnership and despite this years increase in export-import, the current indicators do not reflect the real potential for the development of bilateral economic relations. I am very happy Armenian-Iranian business forum opened in Yerevan today, while the session of the Armenian-Iranian intergovernmental joint commission is scheduled in December. In October I had a rather promising visit to Iran and we reached agreements over developing partnership in various fields. The Government of Armenia is extremely interested and is ready to raise trade turnover to a new level, Karen Karapetyan said. Conveying the warm greetings of First Vice President of Iran Eshaq Jahangiri to the Armenian Premier, FM Zarif noted, Your visit to Iran was very important and was a success. We perceive Armenia as a good neighbor. Our relations have a much longer history than 25 years, and those relations are a valuable capital for the two states, from which we should be able to derive benefits. Mohammad Javad Zarif shared the opinion with the Armenian Premier that the current situation of the bilateral economic relations does not correspond to the high level of Armenian-Iranian political dialogue and Iran is also interested in activation of economic relations with friendly Armenia. The Armenian Premier and the Iranian FM discussed issues related to the cooperation in the sidelines of the free trade zone to be opened in Meghri in December. Karen Karapetyan noted that considering the tax privileges granted to business and those special regimes that Armenia possesses with different institutions and countries, the free trade zone will be a good platform for businessmen from Armenia, Iran and the third countries. Mohammad Javad Zarif noted that the Iranian side is interested in the soon opening of Meghri free trade zone and is ready for cooperation in that format. The sides also exchanged views on cooperation in energy sphere, both in bilateral and multilateral formats. Premier Karapetyan thanked the Iranian authorities for the careful attitude towards Armenian monuments in Iran and conveyed his warm greetings to First Vice President of Iran Eshaq Jahangiri. YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 28, ARMENPRESS. The delegation led by Minister of Economic Development and Investments of Armenia Suren Karayan visited Meghri free trade zone. ARMENPRESS reports the Minister toured around accompanied by Chief Advisor to the Prime Minister of Armenia Gagik Martirosyan, architectures and constructors. Suren Karayan got acquainted with the construction works of the first stage of Meghri free trade zone and the existing problems, giving adequate instructions on site. The works are in the completion phase. The opening of the first stage of Meghris free trade zone is scheduled on December 15. LOS ANGELESWhile it's been clear for quite some time that many of the politicians and bureaucrats in Washington, D.C., have little understanding of the U.S. Constitution, and most particularly the First Amendment that was added to it, without which many of the Founders would have refused to sign the document, that same ignorance has apparently now taken over at least a couple of members of the Los Angeles City Council. The issue is software filters to screen out "objectionable content" on computers at the city's public library, and Councilman David Ryu and Councilwoman Nury Martinez are all for it. "Libraries are places of learning; they are a place for communities to connect, for individuals to empower themselves with information, and for children to grow and explore. They are not a place for lewd content or behavior," Ryu told CBS-LA last week. "Reports of individuals using illegal drugs and viewing online pornography are wholly unacceptable. Our families and children deserve better." Trouble is, although the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the Children's Internet Protection Act case in 2004 that Congress could withhold funds from public libraries that failed to take steps to block access to the allegedly "objectionable" material, the result has been a hodgepodge of responses across the country, with some libraries installing software filters on all computers, or just ones that could be accessed by children, while others opted for hardware solutions: Placing opaque barriers around the computer screens and relocating some of them to areas where there would be minimal pedestrian traffic. Until now, L.A. has chosen the latter approach, but depending on how the Council votes when the Ryu/Martinez bill hits the floor, that could change ... and one organization that opposes that change is the adult industry trade organization Free Speech Coalition. "Librarians and patrons should not have to tolerate lewd behavior or drug use in public," Free Speech Executive Director Eric Paul Leue agreed in an email to LA Weekly's Dennis Romero, "but limiting what people access online is anathema to free speech, and antithetical to the free flow of ideas. Filtering software sounds like an easy solution, but we know that such software often casts an egregiously wide net, blocking not only sexually explicit content but also sexual health information, LGBTQ sites and sites like ours, which contains no sexual imagery whatsoever but discusses issues relevant to the adult industry." Indeed; according to the American Library Association's Deborah Caldwell-Stone, "According to legal complaints, some libraries are denying users access to websites that discuss Wicca and Native American spirituality; blacklisting websites that affirm the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities while whitelisting sites that advocate against gay rights and promote 'ex-gay' ministries; and refusing to unblock webpages that deal with youth tobacco use, art galleries, blogs, and firearms. School librarians, teachers, and even Department of Education officials are openly complaining that the overzealous blocking of online information in schools is impairing the educational process." Also subject to blocking: information on sexual health, self-examinations of breasts to detect cancer, and even circumcision and labiaplasty. But while Ryu has stated that "Libraries are supposed to be for learning, not lewdness. No parent should ever have to worry that their child will be exposed to sexually explicit images and videos," Leue voiced concern about the extent of the filtering being proposed. "The councilmembers' motion wrongly suggests that 'pornography' is easily identifiable and clearly defined, rather than a shifting concept that depends on views of those policing it," he stated. "In the past year alone, we've seen magazines like Cosmopolitan attacked as pornography in conservative districts, just as we've seen crackdowns on LGBTQ content and imagery, and mere nudity elsewhere. No one should be comfortable with state-funded employees determining what is or isn't acceptable for adults to read or research, or what ideas are or aren't detrimental to public health." That's hardly a new idea. For instance, back in 2005, The New York Times' "Ethicist" Randy Cohen made the case for library freedom: "Libraries should provide for the free exchange of ideasnot just ideas you or I find palatable, not just ideas suitable for 5-year-olds. And librarians should not be forced to censor patrons' reading, let alone eject them for looking at disturbing images." And just last year, the American Library Association noted that, "The lack of access to certain content poses a big obstacle for individuals who do not have home Internet access. Their research can be viewed as 'incomplete' simply because much of their access is denied, and these individuals rely on public computers for much or all of their school work in this digital age." "Artists like Mapplethorpe, Larry Sultan and Jeff Koons certainly grace public library shelves, though they deal with the same explicit themes in the same manner," Leue added. "Censoring adult content may seem simple in practice, but history of libraries is crowded with literature, from Fanny Hall to the Kinsey Report to Heather Has Two Mommies, that was not long ago deemed obscene or harmful by censors." No date has yet been announced for when the Council will take up the Ryu/Martinez proposal. LOS ANGELESJessica Drake, Wicked Pictures contract star, has signed on to produce The Cowgirls The Guide to Ride. The feature-length instructional movie will showcase the versatile premium sex machine in various scenes of solo and partnered play. For this project, Im aiming to produce a pieceand several mini piecesthat will showcase The Cowgirl, familiarize folks with its features and uses, and also show demos of different people with it in action, Drake said. I'd like for this to be a springboard for those who watch it, to encourage them to try it out whether solo or partnered, and to also give them ideas for other uses. Drake is widely recognized for her ongoing work spreading the message of sexual health and wellness through personal appearances, her own writings, media articles and interviews. Drake has been a vocal advocate for sex education through her award-winning instructional series Jessica Drakes Guide to Wicked Sex, which she hosts, writes, directs and produces. For The Cowgirls Guide to Ride video, Drake says her vision is for the video to inspire people to get creative in the bedroom. Id love to remind people that sex can be creative and experimental and fun, Drake said. Often, I get a sense that couples get too serious and try too hard when they want to improve their sex lives. The Cowgirl is fun and adventurous. I can't wait to show it off! The Cowgirls partnership with the award-winning superstar comes on the heels of the company joining forces with celebrity photographer Deborah Anderson. At COTR, we are greatly inspired by the work of all of the women that use their platform to promote sex-positivity, said Alicia Sinclair, founder and CEO of COTR, the parent company behind The Cowgirl brand. Were extremely proud to offer a premium female-made product, supported by promo material and education that are also produced by women. I am a huge fan of Alicia and all of her brands the way pleasure is meshed with sexual heath is exactly what I get passionate about, and my passion is what motivates me, Drake said. All of her products are things I would and DO use, and often incorporate into seminars and workshops. The Cowgirl is a premium riding sex machine offering over 1,200 RPM of ultra-powerful vibrations with easy-to-operate vibration and rotation control. It comes with a global adaptor, making it safe for use anywhere in the world, and can be operated remotely via a smartphone app. For more information about The Cowgirl, contact alicia@cotrinc.com or visit RideTheCowgirl.com. French artisan bakery Paul is to open a new site in Hammersmith Broadway, West London next month, taking its number of UK shops to 36. The 693sq ft bakery, set to open on Monday 4 December, is located in The Broadway Shopping Centre, directly opposite the tube entrance. It will serve up Pauls signature range of breads and handcrafted patisserie, Viennoiserie, salads and sandwiches, alongside coffee and hot seasonal products such as soup, croques and quiches. Hammersmith Broadway is one of West Londons major transport hubs, said Jean-Michel Orieux, chief executive of Paul UK. We feel that the addition of Paul Bakery to the centre, with its exclusive range of traditional French handcrafted bakery and fine patisserie, will be well received by commuters and tourists alike and we look forward to welcoming them through our doors soon. The majority of Paul UKs other locations are in London, with stores in Marble Arch, Notting Hill Gate and Marylebone, and a couple outside the capital in Newbury and Oxford. 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. Trump could end illegal subsidy Obama gave Congress and staff, forcing legislators to live under ACA guidelines Health policy experts say President Donald Trump could rekindle Obamacare repeal efforts by killing the handouts insulating Congress from the program's costs.said Katherine Restrepo, health care policy analyst at the John Locke Foundation.Critics say an executive action by former President Barack Obama is the issue. He directed the Office of Personnel Management to declare Congress a small business, letting Congress and its 13,000 employees skirt the law forcing members and workers to buy policies on Obamacare's individual health insurance exchange.Instead, they participate in the small business exchange intended only for companies with 50 or fewer employees. Members of Congress and their staffs receive subsidies covering up to three-fourths of their premium costs. Those subsidies aren't available on the individual exchange.The Obama administration's action was illegal, said Naomi Lopez Bauman, director of health care policy at the Arizona-based Goldwater Institute. But he did it to entice Congress to keep the law in place. Trump could push Congress to act if he directed OPM to move the elected officials into the same exchanges their constituents must maneuver, she said.Congress and its employees receiveLopez Bauman said.Officials at 40 organizations signed a letter sent to Trump dated July 21 demanding he end theThomas Miller, a resident fellow at the Washington, D.C-based American Enterprise Institute, is skeptical. Miller, who teaches a class at Duke University School of Law, said if Trump took that action Congress simply would figure out another way to maintain the benefit.Miller said.It might be reprehensible, but Congress breaks the laws it passes all the time and gets away with it, Miller said.Miller said. If voters are angry, then they should elect new representatives to create a better health care system.Carolina Journal queried the 13 members of North Carolina's congressional delegation and both U.S. senators for their positions on the congressional subsidies. Only three responded.U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-5th District, said asserting that Congress receives a special subsidy to purchase Obamacare plans "is frankly absurd."Members of Congress and their staffs receive the same employer premium contributions that other federal employees receive, and that mirrors what most private-sector workers enjoy through employment-based health benefits, Foxx said.to ensure they received no special treatment, Foxx said.Acknowledging frustrations over "the seemingly glacial pace" of repeal and replacement, Foxx said she voted more than 70 times to partially or fully repeal Obamacare.said U.S. Rep. Robert Pittenger, R-9th District.He co-sponsored the No Obamacare Subsidies for Congress Act that year. This year he helped to introduce and pass a bill to close a loophole that inadvertently gave members special consideration on health care.Pittenger said the SenateU.S. Rep. Mark Walker, R-6th District, chairman of the influential Republican Study Committee, this year co-sponsored the American Health Care Act. It would have removed the congressional exemption from Obamacare.On Nov. 14 Walker introduced an amendment to the House tax reform bill to eliminate the individual mandate. The mandate levies a financial penalty on those who don't buy insurance. Spokesman Jack Minor said Walker hopes that amendment sparks renewed repeal efforts.Minor said. Though unsure of the legal aspects of Trump rescinding the congressional exemption, he said Walker supports any measures that lead to repeal.Skyrocketing Obamacare premiums, high co-pays and deductibles areMinor said. Terminating the individual mandate would give swift relief to those who can't afford either Obamacare policies or the fine.to repeal Obamacare, Minor said. Postmodern academia no longer searches for truth. Except in the physical sciences, objectivity is too often replaced with moral relativism, "critical theory," and the "lived experience" of individual scholars. But none of this is new. It is an outgrowth of the cultural problems C.S. Lewis observed 75 years ago in one of his shortest and densest works: Abolition of Man. Contemporary Perspectives on C.S. Lewis' 'The Abolition of Man': History, Philosophy, Education, and Science , published by Bloomsbury, revisits this work to honor its 75th anniversary. Its point is to help digest Lewis' heady work and remark on its enduring cultural relevance.Contemporary Perspectives is divided into nine chapters, each written by a different C.S. Lewis enthusiast in a related field. These chapters cover philosophy, natural law, education, teaching English, political inclination, theology, science, techno-futurism, and how That Hideous Strength relates to Abolition of Man. The result is inconsistent but ultimately worth the read. Of particular significance are Lewis' ideas about education.In Abolition of Man, Lewis takes the pseudonymous The Green Book to task for dangerous ideas which he believes will have a catastrophic cultural impact, and which will create "men without chests." The Green Book is a primary school textbook that teaches subjectivism. Lewis' chief concern is that children will be taught to use their heads, but not have the character to make good choices as a result of the teaching its authors put forth. In this, Lewis was on point. In fact, Lewis' cautions are even more needed today, as his warnings 75 years ago went largely unheeded. Now we find ourselves in the situation Lewis foresaw-men afraid of making moral judgments; people who will sayWhen objective truth is rejected, all foundation for virtue disappears.Nowhere is this problem more obvious than in higher education. Allen Bloom decried universities 30 years ago for behaving asSince then, universities have continued in the same direction. As David Clemens explained here It is this attitude that allowed UNC-Chapel Hill to offer fake classes to student-athletes and then describe the outcome as "fair" when there was no punishment.Mark Pike of the University of Leeds explains Lewis' insight into this type of problem in the education chapter of Contemporary Perspectives. He does an excellent job of fleshing out Lewis' ideas presented in Abolition of Man and making them easy to understand. He breaks down Lewis' concerns, explains the difference between classical and modern values, and the way in which moral relativism devalues education.This chapter also helps clarify what Lewis meant by "Tao" or "natural law." Pike explains that although Lewis is well known as a Christian apologist, he does not argue for theism in Abolition of Man. Instead, he uses sources from different ancient and religious sources to make a case for humans being born with certain knowledge of right and wrong-of this natural law, this objective value being part of what makes us human and distinct from the animals. It is this concern-that modern education is ripping out this heart of man by teaching subjective truth-that Lewis, standing firmly in the tradition of Aristotle, finds so alarming, and which Pike highlights in this section on education.Another aspect Pike tackles is the difference between inappropriate behavior and wrong character, an important distinction for Lewis and something that modern education often ignores. As professor Richard Cocks wrote last year for the Martin Center,Educating towards "tolerance" for immoral behavior is another concern for Lewis, and rightly so-a different professor notes Overall, Contemporary Perspectives provides a modern, relevant look at a 75-year-old academic work-but only an overview. Almost every chapter feels like an introduction to something that needs to be fleshed out, but this book does not allow for that. Sadly, some chapters, such as the one on philosophy, read as a rehash of Lewis' ideas without additional illumination. Other chapters, including the one on science, neatly apply Lewis' timeless observations to modern problems.For Lewis devotees, the book complements Lewis' ideas in Abolition of Man. Some chapters feel like repeats, but others genuinely add a different dimension to Lewis' arguments. At its best, the book showcases Lewis' almost prophetic voice on the issue of subjective vs. objective truth, drawing from his different works to help flesh out important points.In order to understand Contemporary Perspectives, reading Abolition of Man first is essential. Being familiar with Lewis' other works before picking up the book would be an asset, but isn't strictly necessary. The Ransom Trilogy by Lewis, particularly That Hideous Strength, would be the most relevant of Lewis' other works to have read.The biggest downfall of this collection is the inconsistency in layout and flow of the chapters. And, as in any compilation, the reader is often left wanting more. For those wanting a soft read on Lewis, this is not the book for you.For those wanting academic essays on Lewis, this is a fitting tribute to the 75th anniversary of a great work. The book recognizes Lewis' impressive foresight and reminds us of the continuing need to hear Lewis' message. It would certainly be a worthwhile investment for contemporary academics and educators to read these Contemporary Perspectives on C.S. Lewis' 'Abolition of Man'. It is a valuable reminder that even after 75 years, Lewis' observations on education are as relevant as ever. The First Family will celebrate their first Christmas in the White House with a nod to tradition. This year's theme, "Time-Honored Traditions" was designed by First Lady Melania Trump to pay respect to 200 years of holiday traditions at the White House.In the East Wing, visitors find a tribute to our service members and their families with the Gold Star Family Tree, which has been decorated with gold stars and patriotic ribbon. Visitors are encouraged to write a message to their loved ones who are on duty or abroad on the digital tablets provided.After passing through the East colonnade, visitors will see the China Room, which honors the holiday traditions of dining and hospitality. The room is set up for a family Christmas dinner, with the table displaying the china from President Ronald Reagan. Then, visitors will see the Library, which features President Franklin D. Roosevelt's 1866 edition of "A Christmas Carol," as they recall the time-honored custom of reading Christmas stories to loved ones.On the State Floor of the White House, the Grand Foyer and Cross Hall celebrate the first themed White House Christmas, which was the "Nutcracker Suite" in 1961. The Green Room honors the festivities of crafts, paper, and classic design. The Blue Room holds the official White House Christmas tree, which is decorated with glass ornaments depicting the seal of each State and territory. The Red Room hosts delightful holiday treats, and has been decorated with peppermints, candy, and cookies. The State Dining Room holds a traditional gingerbread house, which depicts the South facade of the White House and features Mrs. Trump's signature Christmas wreaths."The President, Barron, and I are very excited for our first Christmas in the White House," said First Lady Melania Trump. "As with many families across the country, holiday traditions are very important to us. I hope when visiting the People's House this year, visitors will get a sense of being home for the holidays. On behalf of my husband and Barron, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and joyous holiday season."Throughout the month of December, the White House will host more than 100 open houses and many receptions. More than 25,000 visitors will walk the halls taking part in public tours.White House The Casa Jasmina project (previously) is an automated smart house designed to be made of open source hardware, with the needs of the people who live there not the corporations who extract rent from them in mind. It was built by Jasmina Tesanovic playwright, musician, war-crimes journalist, Boing Boing contributor and Bruce Sterling science fiction writer, digital art curator, design theorist in Turin, Italy, the home of Arduino, and with the help of local makerspaces and Arduino itself. In this 30-minute video ("The Closing Act of IAM Weekend 17 celebrated in Barcelona, on April 27-30, 2017"), Tesanovic and Sterling (a married couple) lay out the history, design philosophy, technical realities, and aftermath of the project. You couldn't ask for a better half hour of advanced, entertaining material on how the Internet of Things could be made to help people, rather than control them. (via Beyond the Beyond) Wells Fargo didn't limit its fraud to robbing 2,000,000 ordinary depositors, struggling mortgage borrowers, 800,000 car loan borrowers, mom and pop businesses, and home owners the bank's top foreign-exchange desk bankers robbed hundreds of the company's large business customers, in a move that inflated the Fargo execs' annual bonuses. The forex bankers charged commissions of 1% to 4% (the industry standard is 0.15% to 0.5%) but they also lied to their customers about this commission, promising lower rates, then creaming off massive commissions and hoping their customers would never check their math. When they got caught, they blamed the discrepancies on "time fluctuations." Foreign-exchange bankers received bonuses that were only based on the amount of money they brought into the bank, a marked difference from how other financial institutions calculate them. Wells Fargo told The Wall Street Journal that it changed the compensation make-up earlier this year. Wells Fargo overcharged hundreds of customers in pursuit of bonuses: report [Jacqueline Thomsen/The Hill] (via Naked Capitalism) (Image: epSos.de, CC-BY) James O'Keefe, a right-wing troll with a criminal record, tried to trick the Washington Post by directing a female associate to falsely tell a reporter from the newspaper that Alabama Republican U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore raped her when she was 15 then forced her to get an abortion. O'Keefe's organization secretly recorded the woman telling the lie to a Washington Post reporter, most likely because O'Keefe was hoping the reporter would say that the paper would use this information to prevent Moore from being elected. The Washington Post didn't fall for it. Via CBS News: The woman, Jaime T. Phillips, appears to work with Project Veritas, an organization that attempts to secretly record deceptive conversations with journalists in an effort to discredit mainstream news outlets and expose what they claim to be media bias. The Post interviewed her over the course of two weeks, identifying falsehoods and inconsistencies in her story along the way. In her unsubstantiated story, she claimed to have a sexual relationship with Moore as a 15-year-old, which she claimed led to an abortion. In the interviews, Phillips would ask reporters for their opinions on how her false story, if made public, could affect the Moore campaign. Ultimately, The Post did not publish her story, and Phillips insists that she is not connected to any larger organization. One reporter confronted her on the alleged deception, also noting a suspicious internet post made by Phillips. Monday morning, Post reporters saw Phillips walk into the offices of Project Veritas. The organization's founder James O'Keefe declined to answer any of The Post's questions about the encounter with Phillips or her employment at Project Veritas when confronted outside of the organization's office. We thank our sponsor for making this content possible; it is not written by the editorial staff nor does it necessarily reflect its views. Do you dream of becoming a digital nomad? Ever since our shift to remote and hybrid work models, many folks have transitioned or are considering careers that allow them to work from READ THE REST FILE PHOTO: Visitors cheer with beer during the opening day of the 184th Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, September 16, 2017. REUTERS/Michaela Rehle/File Photo Thomson Reuters If you're planning a trip to Prague, you're in luck the city has some of the cheapest prices for beer around the world. Deutsche Bank analysts collected data on how much it costs to get a half liter beer in a neighborhood pub in the expat area of a major cities around the world. Prices are current as of 2017. Beers are the cheapest in Prague, Czech Republic at $1.30. Johannesburg, South Africa is close behind, where buying a beer will set you back about $1.70. In Lisbon, Portugal, it will cost you about $2.00. On the flip side, you're going to have to shell out more for the same sized beer in cities like Oslo, Norway ($9.90), Singapore ($9.00), and Hong Kong ($7.70). Prices for beers in major American cities tend to be on the higher end compared to cities around the world. New York City saw the most expensive prices stateside at $7.40 a beer, but Boston isn't far behind at $7.20. Check out the full list of beer prices in major cities below. cost of beer1024 Andy Kiersz/Business Insider NOW WATCH: A 'beer sommelier' explains how pouring a beer the wrong way can give you a stomach ache See Also: SEE ALSO: 27 cities around the world where expats are happy, rents are affordable, and jobs are plentiful A former New Democrat MP will attempt to convince the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court this week to include Canada in her investigation into possible war crimes in Afghanistan, CBC News has learned. Craig Scott, an Osgoode Hall law professor who was defeated in the 2015 election, will hand deliver a 90-page brief to the court in the Hague, arguing that successive federal governments "abdicated" their responsibility to investigate reports of torture. He is urging Fatou Bensouda, who has been the ICC's chief prosecutor since 2012, to make key Canadian politicians and military officers "central to any investigation." The filing, a copy of which was obtained by CBC News, says the current Liberal government and the former Conservative administration had many opportunities to investigate claims that suspected Taliban militants, captured by Canadians but handed over to Afghanistan's notorious intelligence agency, had been tortured. "Canada cannot now be trusted with second chances," Scott wrote. Last week, Bensouda announced that an investigation into possible war crimes in Afghanistan would take place and confirmed for the first time the United States would be implicated in the probe. The probe would involve alleged crimes by U.S. armed forces and the Central Intelligence Agency, she said in a statement, adding that "there is a reasonable basis to believe that war crimes and crimes against humanity have been committed" in Afghanistan. Call for 'credible investigative process' Afghan National Security Forces, the Taliban, and its offshoot Haqqani network are also on the list to be investigated. Where the allegations of war crimes came from is unclear. But Scott, in his brief implicating Canada, said he believes that in this country there is "considerable evidence that has not yet come to light" and claims there are people within the system who are ready to speak up. Story continues "We are quite confident there are multiple persons across various departments in the Canadian federal civil service who know much, but who are wary of coming forward, until there is a credible investigative process that stands a chance of not being stymied in the way of every other process in Canada regarding detainees to date," Scott wrote. "There is a proactive duty on the relevant state policing authorities to investigate war crimes when information about the possibility of such crimes comes to the attention of the authorities." Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, who did three tours in Afghanistan as a reservist and intelligence officer, has in the past said Canadian troops served with "absolute credibility and honour" and abided by the Geneva Conventions on the treatment of prisoners. His office, however, declined to comment over the weekend on the latest development and referred questions to Global Affairs Canada. A spokesperson for Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said Canada is a stronger supporter of the ICC. "Torture is abhorrent and illegal. Torture and other forms of cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment or punishment are contrary to Canadian and international law and are against Canadian values," said Alex Lawrence in an email. "Canada is a signatory to all Geneva Conventions and Protocols. Canadian Armed Forces personnel deployed on operations respect the CAF Code of Conduct, and all applicable Canadian domestic and international law, including the Geneva Conventions and the UN Convention Against Torture. The CAF takes any allegations of torture and other cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment or punishment very seriously." Long-running battle In 2006, at the beginning of the combat mission in Kandahar, the Liberal government under Paul Martin signed an agreement with Kabul that required prisoners to be transferred into Afghan custody. Unlike Britain and the Netherlands at the time, Canada had no right to check on their condition afterward. The Conservative government of former prime minister Stephen Harper moved to fix the flaw after published reports revealed abuse may have taken place. It also eventually installed a rigorous system of monitoring that lasted well after the combat mission ended in 2011. Any state that knowingly hands over a prisoner to torture is guilty of a war crime under international law. In its statement last week, the ICC took note of Canada's actions, but offered no hint about whether it believed this country had done anything wrong. The issue became a political powder keg in 2009 for the Conservatives when diplomat Richard Colvin testified before a Commons committee that he had repeatedly warned the military and the government about conditions of torture in Afghan jails. The Conservatives fought a series of legal battles with Amnesty International Canada and the B.C. Civil Liberties Association, which tried to have the system of transfers halted. It also faced a public hearing into the conduct of military police, who were in charge of the transfer system. The refusal by the Harper government to hand over related documentation almost cost the Conservatives power in 2009 when the Liberals were prepared to move a motion of contempt. Scott tried unsuccessfully to force the current Liberal government, under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, to conduct a full inquiry into the handling of prisoners. Legal warning Responding to a written question in the House of Commons, posed by the NDP, the government recently said there has been no investigation conducted by either civilian or military law enforcement into possible war crimes. The brief argues that the Canadian government and military has had 10 years of reports about possible violations, and has failed to look into it. "There is a proactive duty on the relevant state policing authorities to investigate war crimes when information about the possibility of such crimes comes to the attention of the authorities." A Federal Court judge, in one of the legal battles involving Amnesty International, warned that even though he was upholding the Conservative government's arguments there was the possibility the issue could end up before the ICC. "Canada was given fair warning by its own judiciary almost a decade ago," Scott wrote. "It's now time that for the world to learn that the ICC is indeed not a 'legal 'no-man's land.'" By Marine Pennetier OUAGADOUGOU (Reuters) - France's President Emmanuel Macron told African youths on Tuesday that he belonged to a new generation of French leaders who would build partnerships with the continent rather than tell it what to do. But a youth protest against him, stones pelting one of his delegation's vehicles and a botched grenade attack on French troops hours before his arrival in Burkina Faso's capital Ouagadougou showed the hostility that still lingers after decades of an often tense France-Africa relationship. Macron was also subjected to rowdy student questions at the university after his speech in Ouagadougou, and was sometimes left fruitlessly hushing as he struggled to get his answers heard above the crowd. In his speech, peppered with references to African nationalists such as Nelson Mandela and Burkina's revolutionary leader Thomas Sankara, Macron promised a break with a past in which France often seemed to call the shots to former colonies. "I am from a generation that doesn't come to tell Africans what to do," Macron said, prompting applause. "I am from a generation for whom Nelson Mandela's victory is one of the best political memories." The 39-year-old is on a three-day visit to Burkina Faso, Ghana and Ivory Coast aimed at boosting cooperation in education, the digital economy and migration. "I will be alongside those who believe that Africa is neither a lost continent or one that needs to be saved," he said. The grenade attack missed the French soldiers but wounded three civilians hours before Macron arrived. No group claimed responsibility. Stones were thrown at a delegation convoy, however Macron was far away from it at a meeting with his Burkina counterpart, Roch Marc Kabore in the presidential palace. Dozens of local youths clashed with security forces in the center of the capital throwing stones. Police responded with teargas. Protesters burnt T-shirts with images of Macron and carried slogans including "Down with new-colonialism" and "French military out of Burkina". BREAK WITH PAST? It was not the first time a French president has promised to break with past French politics on the continent. Macron's predecessor Francois Hollande declared while visiting Senegal in 2012 that "the time of La Francafrique is over", referring to a shadowy network of diplomats, soldiers and businessmen who manipulated African leaders for decades after independence. But it comes at a tense time, when French troops are being sucked deeper into a years-long battle to quell Islamist militancy in the Sahel region. France has 4,000 troops deployed there, and there are mixed feelings about their presence - highlighted in a bitter row between France and Mali over the deaths of 11 Malian troops being held captive by Islamist militants in a French air strike. The French are pinning their hopes on the so-called G5 Sahel force being set up by regional country's with French and American backing. It launched a campaign on Oct. 28 amid growing unrest in the desert reaches of the region, where jihadists allied to al Qaeda or inspired by Islamic State roam undetected. Macron earlier told journalists G5 had been too slow to get established. He said he would call for greater co-operation between Europe and Africa to tackle human trafficking and he touted a European initiative to rescue African migrants from being enslaved in Libya. The exchange with heckling students was typical Macron, who during his presidential campaign often managed to turn initially hostile crowds in his favor by answering questions head on. "You speak to me like I'm a colonial power, but I don't want to look after electricity in Burkina Faso. That's the work of your president," he retorted to one hostile questioner. (Refiles to remove extraneous repeated references to capital) (Additional reporting by John Irish, Richard Lough and Michel Rose in Paris; Writing by Tim Cocks; Editing by Richard Balmforth and Alison Williams) Two Manitobans travelled to Mexico recently to study one of the most endangered sea mammals in the world and document a last-ditch effort to save them from extinction. There are fewer than 30 vaquita porpoises left in the world, and they live in the Gulf of California between the Baja California Peninsula and the western coast of Mexico. Fishing in the gulf, also called the Sea of Cortez, has been banned in an effort to protect the vaquita, but their population continues to rapidly decline. Kristin Westdal, known as the Beluga Queen in Churchill, is a marine biologist and is consulting with international marine scientists. Her husband, Winnipeg filmmaker Chris Paetkau, filmed the plight of the vaquitas for the Discovery Network. Paetkau says illegal fishing threatens the vaquita because fishers set illegal nets in an effort to catch a fish called totoaba, whose bladders sell for thousands of dollars in China. "That's where the conflict comes in, is that this is a fishing village and people need to make money and they need to eat," Paetkau said in an interview with CBC's Up to Speed. Paetkau followed the efforts of a group called Vaquita CPR, which was attempting to live capture, and possibly breed, one of the rare porpoises. Due to their small dorsal fins, they can be hard to spot, Paetkau said. "You need basically flat, calm seas, and that's hard to get sometimes in the Sea of Cortez," he said. The group managed to capture two porpoises a young calf and an mature female, which died after being captured. "Live capture had never been done before so there was no way of knowing what was going to happen on the CPR side. This was a shot in the dark, a last ditch effort, a Hail Mary," Paetkau said. Illegal fishing The Discovery Channel piece also follows a crew from the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, a non-profit marine conservation group, aboard a ship tracking illegal fishers for the Mexican government. Story continues Paetkau says some of the illegal totoaba fishing is tied to criminal cartels, and fishers go out at night to lay the illegal nets. Under the cover of darkness, the Sea Shepherd crew follows fishing boats using radar, and once they come within about a kilometre of the boats, they send out a drone equipped with infrared cameras to take pictures of the fishers setting the nets. The crew also pulls up and destroys so-called ghost nets, which have been set and forgotten. "They're there to basically fill the gap between what the government is supposed to do and their capacity or incapacity to do it," Paetkau said. The population of vaquita porpoises has dropped by half every year for about the last five years, and experts believe there could be as few as 15 left, Paetkau said. Paetkau has spent much time studying Manitoba's marine life along the coast of Hudson Bay and says there are lessons we can learn from the plight of the vaquitas. "Marine issues are interconnected all throughout the world and it's not unusual to hear of issues in one place that are similar to another place," he said. "So what I would like ultimately is that for us in Manitoba, for sure, is that we recognize the true treasure that we have and to make sure that that stays the way it is." Top stories of the hour include the ones related to Shraddha murder case updates and Delhi civic poll. Police are likely to look into the increase in the water bill for the flat that was rented out to Shraddha murder case prime accused Aaftab Ameen Poonawala in the Chhatarpur area of Delhi, which is suggestive of the fact that thousands of litres of water was used to remove blood stains after the crime. The BJP has released 'Dilli ke thugs' posters, slamming Aam Aadmi Party leaders over corruption ahead of the MCD poll. 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. . Elder of Ziyon..27 November '17..I just came across a tweet by Andrew Bennett about the notorious historian and ardent Israel-hater Ilan Pappe, who claims that a shadowy Jewish elite deceives the world with a false peace process to mask its true intent: the imprisonment of Palestinians. Indicating his disdain for Pappes views, Bennett added a quote from the Nazi publication: This is the freedom they promise us/The freedom we see where Judah rules/Behind prison walls and bars/Within a dark prison sits/A humanity that longs for true freedom/And longs for rescue and release.I found the quote striking because of the line where Judah rules. Of course, the Nazis imagined the oppressive rule of Judah everywhere; but all too obviously, todays anti-Israel activists remain indebted to the Nazi idea that Jewish rule is intolerable, even if it extends only over a tiny sliver of the Middle East.When I looked up the quote, I found that it had appeared in the issue of 17 June 1943 of Open Educational Resources OER Textbooks Join Day-One Access Programs in Campus Bookstores Rice University's OpenStax textbooks are now being made available through digital access programs from VitalSource and RedShelf at bookstores run by Follett and Barnes & Noble Education. These mainstay digital textbook providers allow colleges and universities to operate inclusive access programs in which students are billed for all their digital textbooks and resources at registration. Now these same institutions will be able to include OpenStax content for free or for a "marginal platform fee." The open educational resources textbook provider also recently announced a relationship with a company that will help the organization develop additional OER content. The model of inclusive access is also known as "all students acquire," "day-one access," "includED," "digital discount," "digital direct access," "enterprise solutions" and "first day." Students don't have to hunt for their own textbooks; they're charged for course materials at the start of the semester or term to gain access to the content even before classes begin. RedShelf and VitalSource distribute digital materials to the majority of campus bookstores in the U.S., including independent stores and stores operated by Barnes & Noble Education and Follett. By including the OpenStax books in their catalogs, the materials will be more "discoverable" and easy to access as any other publisher content on the digital platforms. "OpenStax is committed to providing our free textbooks to all students," said Richard Baraniuk, founder and director of OpenStax and a Rice professor of engineering, in a press release. The partnerships, he noted, would enable the organization to "meet faculty and students where they are by providing our content in the delivery methods that work for them and alongside the value-added services they prefer." Jennifer Kneafsey, a biology instructor at Tulsa Community College, said she anticipates that the arrangement will bring the open textbook model to more schools, faculty and students. "In a way, OpenStax is the original 'inclusive access' their books have always been available on day one because they are freely available online," she said. "I'm glad that OpenStax is making sure that free, peer-reviewed, openly licensed options are still available to students in this new model." OpenStax will also be tapping the talents of military spouses in a new work arrangement with Freedom Learning Group, a company that develops digital courseware. FLG employs remote workers, many of whom are stationed overseas. The subject matter expert teams "consist of PhDs, attorneys, scientists, college professors and a variety of other exceptional fields," explained Stacey Ecelbarger, FLG vice president and co-founder. "Military spouses are an underemployed American resource, and OER is an underutilized education resource. We're excited to be a catalyst for the success of both.'' OpenStax is a nonprofit initiative of Rice, supported by multiple philanthropic partners, including the Laura and John Arnold Foundation, the Arthur & Carlyse Ciocca Charitable Foundation and Ann and John Doerr. Before we go any further, let's first define net neutrality. It sounds like something too nebulous and theoretical to be at the center of the potential demise of the internet as we know it. But the concept is not out-there at all. "Broadly, I would say, [net neutrality] is the freedom to go wherever you want on the internet, use whatever service you want, and the internet service provider can't interfere with that," says Ernesto Falcon, a legislative council at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a nonprofit that is dedicated to defending digital civil liberties. One of Falcon's focuses is on open internet issues. Advertisement "As a legal matter, the ISP industry are considered 'common carriers,'" Falcon explains. "What that means is, they're required by law to operate in a non-discriminatory way in providing their communication platform. They can't block a website, they can't throttle or slow down access to websites in order to extract extra rent and they are not allowed to engage in any sort of exclusive deals with other internet companies to prioritize one set of traffic over another." The proponents of net neutrality fear that, without the current laws, that's exactly what the big ISPs will be able to do: control the flow of content. And that could have all sorts of consequences, including limiting competition and the flow of free speech. "As an economist, I know that when you have less competition, you see less innovation to benefit consumers and you also see higher costs for consumers," says Roberto Angulo, CEO and co-founder of AfterCollege.com, a career network for college students and recent graduates. AfterCollege was one of hundreds of smaller companies that sent a letter to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai in April urging him to keep the regulations governing net neutrality. Instead, earlier in November, Pai a Trump appointee declared his intention to strike down the existing Obama-era rules ensuring net neutrality in a statement he called the "Restoring Internet Freedom Order." Pai says the current rules "depressed investment in building and expanding broadband networks and deterred innovation." His statement didn't even make it out of the FCC offices before it was blasted. FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, that same day, called Pai's order a "plan to roll back internet rights," and said in a statement, "This is ridiculous and offensive to the millions of Americans who use the Internet every day." More from Rosenworcel: "Our internet economy is the envy of the world because it is open to all. This proposal tears at the foundation of that openness. It hands broadband providers the power to decide what voices to amplify, which sites we can visit, what connections we can make and what communities we create. It throttles access, stalls opportunity and censors content. It would be a big blunder for a slim majority of the FCC to approve these rules and saddle every internet user with the cruel consequences." TUESDAY, Nov. 28, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- More than 60 percent of opioid overdose deaths involve people who suffer from chronic pain, a new analysis reveals. Many of them also struggled with depression or anxiety, the investigators found. The findings stem from a study that examined the medical backgrounds of more than 13,000 men and women who died from an opioid overdose between 2001 and 2007. "The frequent occurrence of treated chronic pain and mental health conditions among overdose decedents underscores the importance of offering substance use treatment services in clinics that treat patients with chronic pain and mental health problems," said lead investigator Dr. Mark Olfson, a professor of psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center. "Such a strategy," he said in a center news release, "might increase early clinical intervention in patients who are at high risk for fatal opioid overdose." The number of Americans who died from an opioid overdose quadrupled from 1999 to 2015, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To explore the role that chronic pain plays in opioid abuse and deaths, the researchers focused on Medicaid enrollees who had died after an overdose. More than half of the 13,000 included in the analysis had been diagnosed with chronic pain in the year before they died. Roughly a third had been diagnosed with a drug use disorder in that year. In addition, more than half had filled prescriptions for either opioids or benzodiazepines (sedatives or depressants), with many having sought out both drugs. Combining the two is very risky, as it can lead to a life-threatening case of extremely shallow breathing known as "respiratory depression," the researchers said. Still, fewer than 1 in 20 of people included in the analysis had specifically been diagnosed as having had an opioid use disorder during their last month of life. This "suggests that dropout from drug treatment is common before fatal opioid overdose," Olfson said. "Improving treatment retention, with contingency management or other effective behavioral interventions, might help lower the risk of fatal overdose in these patients," he said. The current findings were published online Nov. 28 in the American Journal of Psychiatry. More information The U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse has more on the opioid abuse crisis. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp LinkedIn Email Telegram New York, November 27, 2017 The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Pakistani security forces to immediately release journalist Khalil Afridi, who police are holding without charge in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Authorities detained the correspondent for the Khyber News TV channel on November 24 after an explosive device was found under a car he had rented, according to news reports. Pakistani authorities should immediately release Khalil Afridi and conduct an efficient and thorough investigation into who planted a bomb under his car, said Steven Butler, CPJs Asia Program Coordinator from Washington D.C. It is outrageous that Pakistani forces should detain and question the victim of an attack on press freedom, rather than focusing on the hunt for the attackers. Afridi had rented a car in the town of Jamroud and was traveling to the Khyber tribal region with four other journalists when the bomb was discovered, according to Iqbal Khattak, director of local press freedom group Freedom Network Pakistan, and an article from the U.S. Congress-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, whose correspondent, Farhad Shinwari, was in the car. The group was covering a vintage car rally in the Khyber region. People in the next vehicle saw the explosives hanging underneath the journalists car and alerted them at a checkpoint near the town of Landi Kotal, according to RFE/RL. A Pakistani bomb-disposal unit then defused 2 kilograms of explosives from the bomb, the radio station reported. Police detained Afridi and Shinwari as well as journalists Mehrab Afridi, Umar Khan, and Imran Khattak, in addition to the man who spotted the bomb, Mian Sajid, according to news website Dawn. Police also took Hussain Ali, an employee of the Landi Kotal Press Club, into custody after they learned he had helped fix a punctured tire on the rental car, according to Dawn and the news site Pakistan Today. Following a 12-hour interrogation, police released everyone except Afridi and Ali, according to RFE/RL. The released reporters did not provide information about their detention, but Sajid suffered severe mental stress, according to Dawn. Separately, Pakistans media regulator ordered a media blackout on November 25 following the deployment of troops in the capital Islamabad to quell two weeks of violent protests that have left more than 250 people injured, according to news reports. The protesters are calling for the law ministers resignation over allegations of blasphemy, according to the reports. Pakistani authorities took all private television channels off the air and social media sites including Twitter and Facebook were blocked for approximately 28 hours, according to the press freedom group director Khattak and media reports. In another separate incident, a Peshawar court ordered an inquiry into a police officers accusations that journalist Umar Cheema defamed him in an article published in 2010. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police Deputy Inspector General Fasihuddin had previously filed a damages suit against Cheema for the same story. Last year, authorities ordered Cheema to pay 1 million rupees (US$9,500), according to Dawn. Cheema, a CPJ 2011 International Press Freedom Awardee, has frequently faced harassment and threats for his coverage of politics, national security, and corruption, CPJ has documented. These incidents continue a trend in press freedom violations in Pakistan, including arrests and violence, CPJ research shows. 48th International Film Festival of India held in Goa Published: November 28, 2017 The 48th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) was held in Panaji in Goa. The closing ceremony was held at Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium in Bambolim. Legendary Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan was honoured with the Indian film personality of 2017 award. Acclaimed Canadian filmmaker Atom Egoyan was honoured with the lifetime achievement award. Other Category Awards Best film award: 120 Beats Per Minute (French movie) directed by Robin Campullo. Best director award: Vivian Qu for Angels Wear White (China). Special Jury Award: Take-off (Malayalam film-India). Best Actor (Female) award: Parvathy. Best Actor (Male) award: Nahuel Perez Biscayart for his performance in 120 Beats Per Minute. Best Debut Feature Film Director award: Kiro Russo for film Dark Skull (Spanish). ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal: Kshitij-A Horizon (Marathi movie) directed by Manouj Kadamh. Film Beyond the Clouds directed by Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi was opening film this year, while Pablo Cesar-directed Indo-Argentine film Thinking of Him was the closing film. Around 200 films from 82 countries were screened during nine-day event. International Film Festival of India (IFFI) IFFI is biggest state-backed film festival and conducted jointly by Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Directorate of Film Festivals and Government of Goa. It was founded in 1952 and since then held annually in Goa. IFFI aims at providing common platform for cinemas of world to project the excellence of the film art. It also seeks to contribute to create awareness for understanding and appreciation of film cultures of different nations in context of their social and cultural ethos and promote friendship and cooperation among people of the world. Month: Current Affairs - November, 2017 Topics: Amitabh Bachchan Atom Egoyan Entertainment Entertainmetn Film Festivals IFFI 2017 International Film Festival of India National Latest E-Books India, Greece sign Air Services Agreement Published: November 27, 2017 India and Greece have signed Air Services Agreement (ASA) and MoU on Cooperation (MoC) in field of New and Renewable Energy. The agreements were signed after bilateral talks between External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj and her visiting counterpart Minister for Foreign Affairs of Greece Nikos Kotzias in New Delhi. The two ministers held detailed discussion on all aspects of bilateral relationship. They also re-affirmed commitment to further expand cooperation in mutually beneficial spheres. Air Services Agreement (ASA) ASA is signed between countries to decide on number of flights that airlines can fly into each others countries. Under it, there is no restriction on flights or seats. The ASA between India and Greece will allow airlines from Greece to operate unlimited flights to six Indian metropolitan airports and Indian carriers can fly to Greece without any such restriction. It makes Greece first country with which India has open sky arrangement under our new civil aviation policy 2016. Month: Current Affairs - November, 2017 Topics: Air Services Agreement India-Greece National Renewable energy Latest E-Books : MLA , 41 By PTI: Poonch Jammu, Nov 27 (PTI) For the first time after resumption of the cross-LoC bus service on the Poonch-Rawalakot route this month, 21 residents of Jammu and Kashmir today travelled across the border to meet their relatives, officials said. As many as 51 Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) residents also arrived here, while four PoK residents returned by the bus, they said. advertisement The weekly bus service, popularly known as paigam-e- amun or message of peace, resumed on November 6 after remaining suspended for nearly four months owing to heavy Pakistani shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district. While 126 residents of PoK came to this side since the resumption of the service, nobody travelled from here apparently due to apprehension of ceasefire violation and subsequent suspension of the service, the officials said. Of the 126 PoK residents, 14 returned last week. With the arrival of a fresh batch of 51 PoK residents today, a total of 177 passengers have arrived here from across the border. Billed as the biggest confidence building measure, the bus service was started on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route in the Kashmir Valley in April 2005 and the Poonch-Rawalakot route in the Jammu region on June 20, 2006 to facilitate easier trade and travel between the divided families of Jammu and Kashmir and PoK. The trade between the two parts of Kashmir started in October 2008 on barter system. PTI TAS ABA GVS --- ENDS --- Through the month of November, we remember and honor the millions of Ukrainians who were starved to death in the early 1930s as a result of the brutal Soviet-era policies under Stalin. The barbaric seizure of Ukrainian land and crops leading to the Holodomor, or death by hunger, was one of the most atrocious acts of the twentieth century and turned Europes breadbasket into a land of immense human suffering. In the late 1920s and early 1930s, the Soviet regime consolidated its grip on the former Russian empire. In Ukraine, the Soviet Unions main food-producing region, the Soviet regime instituted a highly unpopular policy of forced collectivization, confiscating private land, equipment and livestock, and forcing farmers to work as day-laborers on state-owned, factory-like collective farms. The regimes merciless policies produced an artificial famine that killed more than three million people. In a written statement, State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said, Commemorating the Holodomor is a solemn occasion, but we also celebrate the resilience of Holodomor survivors, who carry with them the memory of loved ones lost during this horrific man-made famine. Ultimately, the Soviet regime failed to destroy the identity and independence of the Ukrainian people. The United States stands with the people of Ukraine as we commemorate this Soviet-manufactured tragedy and condemn efforts to deny it as a historical fact, Nauert continued. We also reaffirm our commitment to a secure and prosperous Ukraine, free from external aggression and occupation, and able to choose its own future. The United States condemns in the strongest terms the horrific terrorist attack at a mosque in Egypts North Sinai province. In a tweet shortly after the attack President Donald Trump said, Horrible and cowardly terrorist attack on innocent and defenseless worshipers in Egypt. The world cannot tolerate terrorism. We must defeat them militarily and discredit the extremist ideology that forms the basis of their existence! The massacre at the mosque that left 305 dead is the deadliest terrorist attack in modern Egyptian history. No one has claimed responsibility for the bombing and assault, but Egyptian law enforcement officials have said they believe the Islamic State-Sinai Province, a 6-year-old terror cell that swore allegiance to the Islamic State, was responsible. In response, the Egyptian military carried out airstrikes against hideouts used by terrorists believed to be behind the attack, the military said in a statement. The airstrikes destroyed hideouts containing weapons, ammunition and explosive material. In a statement, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said "there can be no tolerance for barbaric groups that claim to act in the name of a faith but attack houses of worship and murder the innocent and defenseless while at prayer. The international community must continue to strengthen its efforts to defeat terrorist groups that threaten the United States and our partners and we must collectively discredit the extremist ideology that forms the basis of their existence." During a phone call with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, President Trump offered condolences to the people of Egypt. He condemned the attack and reiterated that the United States will continue to stand with Egypt in the face of terrorism. The international community, he added, cannot tolerate barbaric terrorist groups and must strengthen its efforts to defeat terrorism and extremism in all its forms. The United States and Tunisia have a strong partnership that is based upon mutual interests and shared values. The bilateral relationship with Tunisia extends more than 200 years, when Tunisia became one of the first countries in the world to recognize the newly formed United States. Similarly, in 1956, following Tunisias independence, the United States was the first major power to recognize Tunisian sovereignty and establish diplomatic relations. Since that time, said Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan, "our partnership has continued to grow, thanks to the efforts of the Tunisian citizens who in 2011 took courageous steps to embrace democracy, human rights, and freedom as a means to achieve equality and social dignity." The United States is proud to support Tunisia's efforts to improve security, develop democratic institutions and practices, and foster economic growth. In 2017, the United States increased its development and military assistance to Tunisia by more than 30 percent over 2016 levels to $205.4 million. Deputy Secretary Sullivan and his Tunisian counterparts discussed the critical economic reforms and anti-corruption measures the Tunisian government is working to put into action. These reforms will bring about increased economic growth and prosperity, trade relations, foreign investment in Tunisia, and access to markets for Tunisian products. The U.S. supports Tunisias continued efforts to encourage inclusive economic growth and improve its business climate. Discussions also focused on the importance of mutual security. "We must consolidate gains against ISIS and deny safe havens to those terrorist groups who continue to probe for opportunities to regroup in North Africa and threaten the United States and our partners, including Tunisia. The recent terrorist attacks that occurred both here in Tunisia and in New York underscore the importance of our continued collaboration to ensure mutual security, which is more critical now than ever before," said Deputy Secretary Sullivan. The United States looks forward to a growing relationship with Tunisia based of economic growth, security, and shared democratic values. EU Financial Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici. Thierry Monasse On December 6, Brussels will propose turning the EUs bailout mechanism into the European version of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The proposal, to which EL PAIS has had access, scales back initial ambitions because of Germanys reticence to support bolder plans. With initial firepower of 500 billion, which could be boosted up to a further 20%, the new European Monetary Fund will bail out member states in exchange for reforms, as the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) has done in the past with Greece, Ireland and Portugal. The ESM also issued a loan to Spain in 2012 to recapitalize its banking sector. All the most relevant decisions, such as raising capital or bailing out a member, will require a unanimous vote The new agency will also handle a future anti-crisis budget for the euro zone and have the ability to borrow from the markets. Its been nearly 16 years since the first euro bills and coins entered the daily lives of Europeans, begins the draft proposal to create the EMF. The 47-page document represents a small revolution for the euro zone. Brussels is aware that the euro is a young currency with flaws that are difficult to fix due to the North-South divide and the irreconcilable differences between the various economic policy cultures. The euro has survived the EUs great crisis, but it is caught in a low-intensity warfare between creditors and debtors. Faced with the danger of disintegration, European institutions are launching a reform based on three pillars: the European fund (which might end up being called the European Stability Mechanism), a eurozone budget to deal with financial crises, and a super-minister to oversee the EU economy [see box below]. The economic union is more solid than it was before the crisis, but it is still incomplete, reads the document. The new EMF would be like a bridge linking the minimum goals sought by Paris and Brussels with the maximum concessions that Berlin is willing to make. Germany has pushed to ensure that the new mechanism takes charge of overseeing fiscal policy but avoids creating a EU budget. But French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker have been actively pursuing a more ambitious reform. The economic union is more solid than it was before the crisis, but it is still incomplete According to the draft document, the current ESM will morph into the EMF, which will come to the rescue when a member state has trouble borrowing from the markets. The loan program will include requirements for adjustment and reforms. The new agency will have a board of governors (the EUs finance ministers) and a board of directors chaired by Germanys Klaus Regling, current managing director of the ESM. All the most relevant decisions, such as raising capital or bailing out a member, will require a unanimous vote. Bailout amounts will require a qualified majority of 85% of votes, compared with 80% now. This automatically awards veto power to Germany, France and Italy. Spain, representing 12%, will still lack this veto power in the new EMF. A super-minister Besides creating a European version of the IMF and an anti-crisis budget, Brussels is planning to appoint a new super-minister to deal with the EUs economic and financial affairs, according to a draft proposal to be presented on December 6. This new appointee will also be vice-president of the European Commission and head of the Eurogroup, which regularly brings together finance ministers at informal meetings. The super-minister will also represent Europe at world forums such as the G20 or IMF. This post is the next natural step toward completing monetary union and streamlining a complex organizational chart. The ministers main task would be to coordinate economic policies. English version by Susana Urra. Two of the men accused of raping an 18-year-old in Pamplona in 2016. Julian Rojas (EL PAIS) An 18-year-old woman who has never had group sex before who has never performed the sort of sexual practices described in the prosecutor's report decides to quickly find a place where she can have an orgy with a group of men she met in the street seven minutes ago, and about whom she knows nothing: not even their names or even how many of them there are. She then has sexual relations with all five of them, saying next to nothing at all, and all of this without the use of a condom. On the morning after the alleged rape, the woman grabbed a female police officer by the arm and said: Dont leave me alone, please This is the version of events of the defense lawyers for the accused, public prosecutor Elena Sarasate explained in a packed court on Monday as she presented her offices report during the final phase of a trial into the alleged rape of a young woman by five men during the Running of the Bulls festival in Pamplona in 2016 a case that has attracted widespread attention in Spain and beyond. Sarasate spoke slowly as she explained that the five defendants all in their 20s, one of whom is a civil guard and another a member of the military had admitted to previously having had unprotected group sex and filming the act. In other words, they knew exactly what they were doing. That is why, on that night in July 2016, when the young woman was taken to a doorway of a building in Pamplona, she found that she was surrounded, the prosecutor continued. Public prosecutors call for lengthy jail terms Public prosecutors have called for the five men accused of raping an 18-year-old during the 2016 Running of the Bulls in the northern Spanish city of Pamplona to spend 22 years and 10 months behind bars. The prosecutor has also called for the young woman to be paid 100,000 in damages for the alleged attack, which was filmed by the defendants. During the trial, the young woman admitted that the five defendants did not use force to take her into the doorway where they then allegedly raped her. Instead, two of them took her by the hand. It is this detail that prosecutors believe lends credibility to her story. She could have invented threats and didnt do so, the office said in its report. Prosecutors also noted the woman did not know the five men accused of rape before the alleged attack and there were no spurious reasons for her to report them to the police. But the office noted the declarations of the accused in court contained serious contradictions and that the men knew what was going on and knew it well, adding that the men had admitted in court to having taken part in unprotected group sex before, and to having filmed those acts. The prosecutors office said the attitude of the victim was passive during the rape. The five defendants restrained her, not with force, but they restrained her and that one of the men opened her mouth with his fingers and put his penis inside. Crimes related to sexual aggression, privacy offenses and the robbery of a cellphone had all been clearly demonstrated, said the office. Why would they have stolen her phone if the sex was consensual? the prosecutor asked. The logical thing would have been to swap numbers, not steal the phone. In a state of shock, the young woman closed her eyes and submitted to what was happening, hoping it would be over as soon as possible. Not even in her worst nightmares could she have imagined something like this, Sarasate said of the case, which has been become known as La Manada (The Pack) in Spain due to the name of the WhatsApp group used by the defendants. The events of the attack were carried out using violence and intimidation and the evidence is completely convincing, said the prosecutor on Monday. What didnt take place was any form of consent, she noted, referring to video footage of the incident taken by two of the defendants which shows the young woman surrounded by the five men with their trousers pulled down. Does anyone think that in that moment if she says I dont want to do this or I dont like this they would let her just walk away? the prosecutor asked rhetorically. The account offered by Sarasate attempted to demonstrate that the 96 seconds of video footage of the alleged rape of the young woman key evidence in the trial shows someone in a state of panic who is moaning with pain rather than pleasure. The prosecutor also attacked the version of events given by the defendants with a series of questions. If the woman had, as they argued, said she could have sex with two or with five, why had she originally told police, while still in shock, that there had been four men? And if the accused men said they had all been together talking about having sex, why did the images show a spread-out group with the young woman only walking with one of the men? Why did she say she had kissed one of the men before the alleged rape if this could damage her credibility later? The prosecutor also asked why the woman, after meeting the men, had called a friend to try and meet up if the intention of the six people was to have sex. Crucially, Sarasate also questioned why the young woman appeared in the video footage of the alleged rape with her eyes closed, not saying a word and not moving despite the assertion of the accused that she had participated in the sexual acts that took place. Why would a group of men who had had consensual sex with a woman leave her half naked while one of the defendants, the civil guard, stole her cellphone only to throw away the SIM card and the case after leaving the scene? The prosecutor also expressed outrage at the defense teams argument that it could not have been rape as the woman did not try and defend herself by biting their penises. The account of the victim is objectively believable, said Sarasate, noting the young womans testimony had been consistent and adding: The victim is not exaggerating They knew exactly what they were doing Public prosecutor Elena Sarasate The prosecutor also drew attention to police and psychologist reports that noted the woman had been found crying with such bitterness and was so disconsolate that she caught the attention of a couple on a night during a festival where nearly everything goes and where almost nothing catches anyones attention. The prosecutor explained that the young woman didnt hesitate when the couple said she should call the police and she later struggled to explain to officers what had happened. A year-and-a-half later she is still in treatment. On that morning in July 2016, she grabbed one of the female police officers by the arm and said: Dont leave me alone, please. English version by George Mills. The Madrid pavilion at the Guadalajara International Book Fair. Hector Guerrero Madrid has taken center stage, showcasing the best of its literature and culture at its newly-opened exhibition pavilion at the Guadalajara International Book Fair the most important gathering of publishers in the Spanish-speaking world. Madrid is the capital of Ibero-American culture; the vanguard of the book world Raul Padilla, head of the Guadalajara International Book Festival The Spanish capital, which is the city of honor at this years festival, opened the spectacular pavilion on Saturday. Speaking at the launch, the mayor of Madrid, Manuela Carmena, described the exhibition space as a place of light. I want others to fall in love with Madrid just as I have, she added. The pavilion was designed by Madrid-based architect Alberto Campo Baeza and is made up of a soaring black cylinder, which is brightly illuminated inside. Inside, the space features books from the Spanish capitals most notable authors, such as philosopher and writer Fernando Savater and novelist and former war correspondent Arturo Perez-Reverte. I want others to fall in love with Madrid just as I have Madrid Mayor Manuela Carmena As well as panel discussions and talks from emerging and established writers, organizers have also planned a series of music concerts, theater performances, cinema screenings and visual art exhibitions. Spanish music groups including Vetusta Morla, Xoel Lopez and Leon Benavente are set to perform, and playwright Juan Mayorga will also present his work The Cartographer. Madrid has been described by Raul Padilla, head of the Guadalajara International Book Festival, as the capital of Ibero-American culture; the vanguard of the book world. English version by Melissa Kitson. Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited Ivanka Trump to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) during his visit to the US in June. Ivanka Trump is leading the US delegation at the GES 2017 in Hyderabad. Photo: Reuters. By India Today Web Desk: India has rolled out the red carpet for Ivanka Trump, US president Donald Trump's daughter, who will lead the US delegation at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) 2017 in Hyderabad. Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited Ivanka Trump, who is the adviser to the US president, for the GES in India during his US visit in June. advertisement Accepting the Prime Minister's invite, Ivanka had tweeted, "Thank you, Prime Minister Modi, for inviting me to lead the U.S. delegation to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in India this fall". Delighted to have met you at the White House. Look forward to welcoming you in India for the Global Entrepreneurship Summit later this year. https://t.co/QhQUoDdFtL- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 27, 2017 LEADING A LARGE US DELEGATION This is the first time that GES is being hosted in South Asia since its inception in 2010. Of the 1,500 participants at this year's GES in Hyderabad, about one-third entrepreneurs are from the US, another one-third from India and rest from across the globe. With a large US delegation arriving in India for the GES 2017, it is fitting to have someone from the Trump administration leading them when Narendra Modi is himself leading the Indian delegation of investors at the event. IT IS ABOUT WOMEN THIS YEAR The focus at this year's GES is supporting women entrepreneurs. The summit's theme is 'Women First, Prosperity for All' and women from nearly 127 countries are set to participate in this three-day event. Having a woman entrepreneur--Ivanka has a successful clothing brand--leading the US delegation in India is likely to send a strong and positive message to women investors and entrepreneurs participating in the GES 2017. Thank you for the warm welcome. Im excited to be in Hyderabad, India for #GES2017. https://t.co/1U08h5L9Rm- Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) November 28, 2017 GIVING A BOOST TO INDO-US TIES The GES, although a global event, is largely billed as an India-US initiative this year aimed at strengthening the ties between the two countries and the Modi-Trump administration. In that perspective, getting one of the most powerful people in the United States to lead the delegation is a perfect coup for the Modi regime. Narendra Modi perhaps had all these factors in mind while inviting Ivanka Trump for the GES 2017 in Hyderabad. --- ENDS --- Catalan ex-deputy premier Oriol Junqueras. CARLES RIBAS Former Catalan government officials being held in pre-trial detention have sent the Spanish Supreme Court a document requesting their release on the grounds that they respect the effects of an emergency constitutional provision that had them removed from office. Ousted deputy premier Oriol Junqueras and seven other ex-regional ministers have been in jail since November 2 Ousted deputy premier Oriol Junqueras and seven other ex-regional ministers have been in custody since November 2 after appearing before a judge at the Audiencia Nacional, Spains High Court, to answer charges of rebellion, sedition and misuse of public funds over the illegal independence drive. Since then, the case has been taken over by the Supreme Court, which was already handling a similar case involving the speaker of the Catalan parliament. Unlike Junqueras and his aides, speaker Carme Forcadell was not placed in custody after she pledged to respect Article 155 of the Constitution at her court hearing. Former Catalan officials at the High Court in Madrid. LUIS SEVILLANO Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy invoked Article 155 for the first time in Spains modern democratic history after separatist deputies in the Catalan parliament voted in favor of a unilateral declaration of independence in late October. Under these emergency powers, the entire Catalan government was removed and early elections called in the region for December 21. The premier, Carles Puigdemont, fled to Belgium to avoid action by the Spanish courts, which had summoned him to answer similar charges as other government officials. He has since begun campaigning for the December election with a new political platform called Junts per Catalunya. Carles Puigdemont fled to Belgium to avoid action by the Spanish courts The High Courts decision to send Junqueras and his aides to preventive prison stands in contrast with the Supreme Courts different line of action with Forcadell, who was released after posting bail of 150,000. Four other members of the Catalan parliament speakers committee who faced similar charges were released and told to pay 25,000 within a week, while a fifth was released without bail. Now, the jailed ex-officials are hoping to receive similar treatment from the Supreme Court, which has taken up their case as well. In their petition for release, they inform Justice Pablo Llarena that they will abide by the effects of Article 155, even if they are not giving up on their political beliefs, which they will defend using the channels of dialogue and negotiation. Junqueras and his aides will challenge Article 155 using the relevant legal channels According to the document, the petitioners consider that this article in no way allows for the cessation of the members of the [Catalan] government, or the appropriation of the roles of the presidency, or blocking the parliaments activities, but they have decided to abide by its application and challenge it using the relevant legal channels. The defense notes that they are not giving up on defending their political convictions through strictly peaceful and democratic channels, and will work toward the goal of reaching a deal that will put the decision about the political future of Catalonia in the hands of citizens. Economic impact The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is the latest agency to warn about the potential effects of the Catalan crisis on the economy. "The persistence of tensions in Catalonia could reduce consumer and business confidence, slowing domestic demand more than projected," the OECD says in an analysis about Spain published on Tuesday. The conclusions are very similar to those reached previously by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Bank of Spain. The OECDs growth forecast for the Spanish economy in 2018 is 2.3%, the same as the Spanish government predicted in the forecast it sent to Brussels. Madrid has warned that the Catalan crisis could cost the economy three-tenths of a point, or around 3 billion. Political tensions in Catalonia have increased uncertainty, reads the OECD report, which nevertheless states that growth in Spain is projected to moderate but remain robust in 2018 and 2019. English version by Susana Urra. Iran's judiciary has once more drawn attention to itself for issuing astonishing verdicts. In one instance, it convicted Saeed Mortazavi, Tehrans prosecutor-general at the time of the 2009 upheavals, to two years in prison for being accessory to murder in the death of a detained protester in prison. In another second instance, Mostafa Hamedani a lawyer representing a group of workers in different case against Mortazavi, has received 10 months in prison and 40 lashes simply being accused of defaming the same Mortazavi. He has received this harsh verdict simply for talking about Moratazavi's conviction, nothing else. In December 2013, the Iranian parliament published an investigative report accusing Mortazavi of financial corruption during his time (2012-2013) as the head of the countrys Social Security Organization. The parliaments investigation had concluded that Mortazavi had bribed some members of parliament, cabinet ministers of President Ahmadinejad, and the presidents deputy with hefty gifts. He had also illegally transferred 138 companies, including Iran Air and two major steel factories owned by the Social Security Organization to Irans tycoon Babak Zanjani, who was later sentenced to death for stealing $2.7 billion from oil sales on behalf of the Ahmadinejad government. Following these revelations, Hamedani, on behalf of his clients who were beneficiaries of the Social Security Organization, sued Mortazavi for illegal use of financial assets and embezzlement of hundreds of million dollars. After almost two years, the court of first instance convicted Mortazavi in November 2016, but gave him a mild sentence. Hamedani gave an interview to Iranian journalists announcing that he will appeal the verdict. According to the lawyer, the same interview has been the basis for his conviction. He has told the News Agency ILNA that he has been convicted just for revealing the conviction of Mortazavi by the court of first instance, something that should have been public information to start with. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 Trend: Ivanka Trump, senior advisor to President Trump and the Presidents representative at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in India, recognized the achievements of 15-year old Reyhan Camalova from Azerbaijan. In her remarks, Ms. Trump said: Also here today with us is Reyhan Camalova from Azerbaijan. Reyhan is 15 years old. But that hasnt stopped her from founding a company that harvests energy from rainwater. Reyhan has a powerful motto Light up one house at a time. Reyhan, each home you light up is illuminating the world. We are all inspired by your brilliance and hard work. Thank you. Please stand. The Global Entrepreneurship Summit is the preeminent annual entrepreneurship gathering that convenes emerging entrepreneurs, investors and supporters from around the world. GES 2017 will create an environment that empowers innovators, particularly women, to take their ideas to the next level. Through two and a half days of networking, mentoring, and workshops, GES empowers entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas, build partnerships, secure funding, innovate, and find their target customers -- creating new goods and services that will transform societies. Reyhans travel to and participation in the Global Entrepreneurship Summit, as well as the travel of her mentor, Leyla Taghizade, was fully sponsored by the United States Department of State. The United States Embassy provides major support to entrepreneurship in Azerbaijan through cultural & professional exchanges, as well as through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). When women and girls have the necessary skills and access to opportunities, they gain financial freedom and confidence in themselves. The U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan is pleased to have been a part of supporting Reyhans success and highlighting her exceptional achievements. On Reyhans project: Research shows that the billions of gallons of water which fall in rain all over the world have the potential to be used as energy if harnessed correctly. To solve this problem, Reyhan, in cooperation with her school friends and physicists created the Rainergy device, which produces electricity from falling rain. It consists of four main parts: a rain collector, water tank, electricity generator and battery. The rain collector fills the water tank with rain water ,which then goes through an electricity generator at high speed, creating electricity. The energy is then stored in the battery, helping relieve pressure on power grids, and allowing yet another option for access to power for underserved communities. Details added (first version posted on 12:43) Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 By Elchin Mehdiyev - Trend: The Armenian government is a threat to the whole world, US political analyst Peter Tase said. Tase made the remarks at an international conference entitled "Azerbaijans multiculturalism model: ethno-cultural diversity" in Baku Nov. 28. The Azerbaijani people suffered a lot due to Armenias actions, Tase said, adding that Armenia destroyed Azerbaijans ethnocultural heritage and caused great harm to the country's environment. Unfortunately, Azerbaijan is neighbors with Armenia, which has a terrorist government, he said. Proceeding from my investigation, I can say that the Armenian government is a threat to Europe, the whole world," Tase said. Unfortunately, the EU, the US, the world main forces remain silent at the violence against humanity committed by Armenia against the Azerbaijani people, he said. I call on the world community to pay attention to the crimes committed against humanity by the Armenian fascist regime. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 Trend: The OSCE monitoring held on the border between Azerbaijan and Armenia near Azerbaijans Qazakh district on Nov. 28 passed without incidents, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said Nov. 28. The monitoring was held under the mandate of the OSCE chairperson-in-office personal representative, said the ministry. On the Azerbaijani side, the monitoring was held by Simon Tiller and Mikhail Olaru, who are field assistants of the OSCE chairperson-in-office personal representative. On the Armenian side, the monitoring was held by field assistants of the OSCE chairperson-in-office personal representative, Ghenadie Petrica, Ognjen Jovic and Martin Schuster. 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. 28 Trend: One of the two Armenian saboteurs Arsen Bagdasaryan, detained by Azerbaijan, is still in detention, Eldar Samadov, deputy head of work group of Azerbaijans State Commission for Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons, told reporters in Baku Nov. 28. He was answering the question about Bagdasaryan's whereabouts. He was arrested for committing a crime on the contact line, Samadov said. The official went on to say that Bagdasaryan is not a prisoner of war, because he was arrested under a court decision. Bagdasaryan, a professional military man and a member of the intelligence-provocation group of the Armenian armed forces, crossed the line of contact of Azerbaijani and Armenian troops in the direction of Aghdam district on Dec. 26, 2014. He was detained by servicemen of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces and handed over to the law enforcement agencies. Following that, a criminal case was initiated at the Azerbaijani Military Prosecutors Office. Bagdasaryan was charged under articles 218.2, 29,120.2.1, 29,120.2.7, 29,120.2.12, 29,282.2 of the Criminal Code and the criminal case was sent to the court in order to complete the investigation. Crimes committed by Bagdasaryan were fully proved during the trial and he was sentenced to a worthy and fair punishment. Samadov further said that certain work is being carried out together with international organizations with regard to the other detainee, Zaver Karapetyan. He is still detained in Azerbaijan, said Samadov adding that detention conditions comply with all international norms and standards. International organizations can visit him at any time in line with humanitarian law, he noted. Headline changed, details added (first version posted on 141:53) Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 By Samir Ali Trend: Thanks to necessary measures taken with the mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the body of Azerbaijani serviceman, Bahruz Jalilbayli, was handed over to Azerbaijan on Nov. 28, a representative of the ICRC, Ilaha Huseynova, told Trend. Earlier, Azerbaijans Defense Ministry said in a message that the body of Bahruz Jalilbayli was found on the contact line at the Armenia-Azerbaijan border in the direction of the Ordubad District of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, near the positions of the Armenian armed forces on Nov. 23. 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. 28 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz. On behalf of the people of Azerbaijan and on my own behalf, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you and your people on the occasion of the national holiday of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania Independence Day, said President Aliyev in his letter. I believe that Azerbaijan-Mauritania relations will always develop on the basis of friendship and cooperation, noted the head of state. On this remarkable day, I wish you robust health, success in your activities, and the friendly people of Mauritania peace and prosperity, added the Azerbaijani president. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of a new building of Tartar Museum of History and Local Lore. The head of state cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the museum. The president was informed that construction of the new building of the museum started last year. The two-storey museum houses two exhibition halls. The museum features a total of 2,000 exhibits highlighting Azerbaijans rich history, traditions and culture. There is also a photo section here depicting national leader Heydar Aliyevs visits to Tartar district. The museum also has a 40-seat conference hall. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 Trend: An international conference entitled Azerbaijans model of multiculturalism: ethno-cultural diversity kicked off in Baku Nov. 28. The event is organized by the State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons in partnership with Baku International Multiculturalism Center (BIMC), and institutions of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS). Officials of the Department on Inter-Ethnic Relations, Multiculturalism and Religious Affairs of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan, Center for Strategic Studies under the President of Azerbaijan (SAM), Heydar Aliyev Center, Baku International Multiculturalism Center, MPs, representative of government bodies, heads of youth organizations that are members of the National Assembly of Youth Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan (NAYORA), leading research fellows of ANAS Institute of the Caucasus Studies, Law and Human Rights, political analysts, journalists and researchers from Israel, the United States and the UK attended the conference. Representative of the board of the Azerbaijani-Armenian Civil Peace Platform, Armenian scientist, historian Arthur Agajanov and public activist Rima Sarkisova, members of the Albanian-Udi Christian community, local and foreign media representatives also took part in the event. The main goal of the conference is to maintain tolerance and ethno-cultural diversity which is a vital part of President Ilham Aliyev`s well-thought-out and successful policy, increase the role of intercultural dialogue, and promote Azerbaijans exemplary model of multiculturalism. Addressing the conference, secretary of the State Commission, head of the working group Ismayil Akhundov highlighted the purpose of the event and gave detailed information on the issues to be discussed. The conference participants familiarized themselves with the publications presented by the State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons and Baku International Multiculturalism Center. By PTI: poll duties New Delhi, Nov 28 (PTI) About 32,000 personnel of the central armed forces such as the CRPF and the BSF along with nearly 60,000 from the state police are likely to be deployed for the upcoming Gujarat Assembly elections, officials said today. Around 320 companies of central armed police forces are being made available to the Election Commission for deployment in election duties in Gujarat. advertisement The security personnel will reach Gujarat in batches and all will be deployed as per the recommendations of the poll panel, a home ministry official said on condition of anonymity. A company of central armed police comprises 100 personnel. In addition to the central police personnel, nearly 60,000 state police personnel are also expected to be deployed in Gujarat. Elections to the 182-member Gujarat Assembly will be held on December 9 and 14. PTI ACB ASK ASK --- ENDS --- Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the inauguration of the Tartar-Seydimli-Garadaghli-Sarov highway Nov. 28. Chairman of Azeravtoyol OJSC Saleh Mammadov informed the president of the technical indicators of the highway. The two-lane Tartar-Seydimli-Garadaghli-Sarov highway is 29.5km in length and 8m in width. Light poles, traffic signs, and informative boards were installed along the highway. A bridge measuring 34.8m in length and 10.5m in width was constructed on the Incachay River over the road. The president cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the newly constructed highway. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 By Elchin Mehdiyev Trend: Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan proved by his deeds that he is the successor of fascist Garegin Nzhdeh, Arye Gut, head of the Israel branch of the Baku International Center for Multiculturalism, said. He was speaking Nov. 28 in Baku at an international conference on the theme Model of Azerbaijani Multiculturalism: Ethnic and Cultural Diversity. Gut noted that Azerbaijan is one of the few countries where different nations live peacefully. Traditions of multiculturalism in Azerbaijan can become an example for other countries, he noted. Azerbaijan will contribute to further spreading of tolerance in the world, he added. Gut stressed that Armenia occupied Azerbaijans lands, there are over one million refugees and IDPs in the country, but despite this, anti-Semitism has never been observed in Azerbaijan, and this is something to be proud of. 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. 28 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has viewed conditions created at a newly built residential complex for 1,170 IDP families in Tartar district. President Ilham Aliyev visited IDP Pakiza Mammadovas house. Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister, hair of the State Committee for Refugees and IDPs Ali Hasanov informed the President that 1,170 apartments occupy a total area of 88,000 square meters. The four-story buildings have 120 one-room, 504 two-room, 472 three-room and 80 four-room apartments. The new residential complex features all necessary infrastructure facilities, including a school, a kindergarten, a music school, an administrative building, a community club, and medical centers. The head of state viewed the 1,200-seat school at the complex. The school also features information about the Maragha-150 monument which exposes the territorial claims of the Armenians against Azerbaijan. After familiarizing himself with the canteen and library of the school, President Aliyev met with representatives of the district's general public and IDPs, and posed for photographs together with them. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 Trend: President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of Flag Museum in Aghjabadi. The head of state cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the museum, and then viewed it. The museum`s collection features the map of the khanate period in Azerbaijan, medieval warriors` clothing, flags of different states that existed in the territory of Azerbaijan, coats of arms of Azerbaijani cities dating back to the 19th century, ancient coins, documents relating to Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, constitutions of Azerbaijan SSR and independent Republic of Azerbaijan, state attributes, photos of President Ilham Aliyev`s inauguration, as well as different postage stamps, orders and medals. The museum has an auditorium, several conference halls, electronic library and other administrative rooms. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of Museum of History and Local Lore in Aghjabadi after renovation. President Ilham Aliyev viewed conditions created in the museum. The museum was built in 1980. The renovated two-storey building houses administrative rooms, a 60-seat conference hall, and exhibition halls. There are photo sections here depicting national leader Heydar Aliyev`s, and President Ilham Aliyev's visits to Aghjabadi district. The museum features a total of 4,782 exhibits, 360 of which are being displayed at the exhibition hall. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev viewed conditions created at military unit in Tartar district Nov. 28. Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov reported to President, Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev. The military unit, which occupies a total area of six hectares, features headquarters, three barracks, a 360-seat canteen, different purpose warehouses, and a 100-car parking lot. Hasanov informed President Aliyev of the operational conditions on the frontline. Details added (first version posted on 12:19) Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 Trend: An international conference entitled Azerbaijans model of multiculturalism: ethno-cultural diversity kicked off in Baku Nov. 28. The event is organized by the State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons in partnership with Baku International Multiculturalism Center (BIMC), and institutions of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS). Officials of the Department on Inter-Ethnic Relations, Multiculturalism and Religious Affairs of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan, Center for Strategic Studies under the President of Azerbaijan (SAM), Heydar Aliyev Center, Baku International Multiculturalism Center, MPs, representative of government bodies, heads of youth organizations that are members of the National Assembly of Youth Organizations of the Republic of Azerbaijan (NAYORA), leading research fellows of ANAS Institute of the Caucasus Studies, Law and Human Rights, political analysts, journalists and researchers from Israel, the United States and the UK attended the conference. Representative of the board of the Azerbaijani-Armenian Civil Peace Platform, Armenian scientist, historian Arthur Agajanov and public activist Rima Sarkisova, members of the Albanian-Udi Christian community, local and foreign media representatives also took part in the event. The main goal of the conference is to maintain tolerance and ethno-cultural diversity which is a vital part of President Ilham Aliyev`s well-thought-out and successful policy, increase the role of intercultural dialogue, and promote Azerbaijans exemplary model of multiculturalism. Addressing the conference, secretary of the State Commission, head of the working group Ismayil Akhundov highlighted the purpose of the event and gave detailed information on the issues to be discussed. The conference participants familiarized themselves with the publications presented by the State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons and Baku International Multiculturalism Center. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 Trend: As part of his visit to Aghjabadi district, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev has viewed the conditions created at a military unit of the Ministry of Defense. Minister of Defense Zakir Hasanov reported to Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev. The headquarters, military hostels, a canteen, medical point and other necessary buildings were built in the military unit. The headquarters has service rooms and a conference hall. All conditions have been created here. President, Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev visited the military hostels and viewed the social and living conditions created for the personnel. President Ilham Aliyev was also informed about an interactive training and practice system. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has today attended the inauguration of a bread and flour plant in Aghjabadi district. Minister of Economy Shahin Mustafayev informed the head of state that there are more than 160 bread plants in Azerbaijan with 2,200 tons of daily production capacity. The bread and flour plant in Aghjabadi district covers a total area of six hectares. The facility consists of two production areas. The National Fund for Entrepreneurship Support under the Ministry of Economy allocated a 1.4 million manats preferential loan for the construction of the plant with a total cost of four million manats. The daily production capacity of the plant is 20 tons. The plant manufactures seven types of bread and 20 types of flour products. President Aliyev launched the facility, watched the production process and viewed the finished products. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend: The first meeting of ombudsmen of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Northern Cyprus will be held in Ankara, Turkish media reported Nov.28. The meeting will be held on Dec. 14-15.It is expected that Tajikistan will also be represented at this meeting. At the meeting, after consultations with the Ombudsman's Office of Azerbaijan, a decision may be made to establish an association of ombudsmen of Turkic-speaking countries. By PTI: New Delhi, Nov 28 (PTI) Six men died of alleged suffocation in the Cantonment area here after they slept in a huge container, which also had a lit tandoor inside, to keep themselves warm, police said. The men committed a fatal error of judgement when they failed to put out the tandoor and closed the container lid before going to sleep late last night, they said. advertisement According to the police, the victims worked with a caterer and had come to the Cantonment area for preparing food at a wedding function. After they finished work last night, they went to sleep in the container in which they had brought the utensils. They also kept the tandoor inside the container to keep themselves warm, police said. Nirmal Singh, their supervisor, woke up late night and tried to wake them up. When they did not respond, he informed the police. The deceased have been identified as Rudrapur residents --Amit, Pankaj, Anil, Nepal resident Kamal-- and Gorakhpur residents --Avadhlal and Deep Chand, a police officer said. The men were rushed to the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital where Amit, Pankaj, Anil and Kamal were declared brought dead. Avadhlal and Deep Chand died this evening during treatment. The police said the deaths might have happened due to absence of ventilation. "Carbon monoxide was formed inside the container. It is suspected that the victims died of suffocation," the officer said. Police have registered a case and have sent the bodies for postmortem to ascertain the cause of the deaths. PTI SLB SRY --- ENDS --- Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 Trend: President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the inauguration of Flag Museum in Sabirabad district, where he arrived from Aghjabadi. The head of state cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the museum. The construction of the Flag Museum started in February and ended this September. The building of the museum features two exhibition halls and a number of other rooms. The museum`s collection features the map and flags of the khanate period in Azerbaijan, medieval warriors` clothing, coats of arms of the Azerbaijani cities dating back to the 19th century, ancient coins, constitutions, emblems, flags, postage stamps, orders and medals relating to Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, Azerbaijan SSR and independent Republic of Azerbaijan. The area of the square of the Flag Museum has recently been expanded to two hectares. Landscaping work was carried out, green areas were laid out, new lightning system was installed here. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 Trend: President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the Sabirabad Industrial Hub. Minister of Economy Shahin Mustafayev informed the head of state about the work done to create industrial hubs in Azerbaijan. The first industrial hub in Azerbaijan was established in Neftchala by the relevant order of President Ilham Aliyev. There are nine plants and a small workshop in Neftchala Industrial Hub, which was inaugurated with the participation of the head of state this September. Neftchala Industrial Hub created 474 jobs. Another industrial hub will be established in Masalli in accordance with the order of the Azerbaijani president dated June 13, 2016. The head of state was informed that Masalli Industrial Hub will occupy a total area of 10 hectares. The construction of the facility started this July and will end in April 2018. Masalli Industrial Hub will create 600 jobs. President Ilham Aliyev was also informed of Hajigabul Industrial Hub, construction of which is to begin January 2018. Sabirabad Industrial Hub will cover an area of 20 hectares. President Ilham Aliyev laid a foundation stone for Sabirabad Industrial Hub. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 Trend: As part of his visit to Sabirabad district, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of a 205-bed district central hospital. The head of state cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the hospital. Minister of Health Ogtay Shiraliyev informed the head of state that the hospital was built in the 1970s. The hospital occupies a total area of 4.77 hectares. A hospital complex consisting of three four-story buildings was built on a 1.2 hectare area. The construction of the hospital's new building started in 2012 and ended in October 2017. The hospital will employ 553 medical workers, including 70 doctors. The hospital was supplied with the state-of-the-art medical equipment and devices. President Ilham Aliyev then met with representatives of the district's general public and the hospital staff. Doctor Elmira Zeynalova and farmer Fatma Huseynova thanked President Ilham Aliyev for his attention and care. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 Trend: President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the opening of the Galaghayin-Osmanli-Chol Beshdali-Zalgaraghaj-Chol Aghamammadli-Azadkand-Mughan Ganjali highway in Sabirabad district after major overhaul. The head of state was informed that the two-lane highway is 6 meters in width. Road safety poles, traffic signs, and informative boards were installed along the highway. President Ilham Aliyev cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the newly reconstructed highway. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 Trend: President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has visited a poultry farm of Sabirabad Gushchulug Ltd. in Nizami village in Sabirabad district. Minister of Economy Shahin Mustafayev informed the head of state that over the past years the National Fund for Entrepreneurship Support under the Ministry allocated 133.4 million manats in preferential loans to 40 poultry farms. The farms were supplied with the state-of-the-art equipment made by the leading companies of developed countries. The poultry farm in Sabirabad is an affiliate of Hajigabul Gushchulug Ltd. Founded in 1978, Hajigabul Gushchulug Ltd. is the first privatized poultry farm in the country. The facility currently produces one million eggs per day. The farm exported 5.5 million eggs to Iraq and Afghanistan this year. It is planned to increase the volume of export to 10 million eggs by the end of the year. The farm plans to export 4.5 million eggs to the United Arab Emirates, Russia and Belarus. The National Fund for Entrepreneurship Support under the Ministry of Economy allocated one million manats in preferential loans for the construction of the poultry farm in Sabirabad. The farm plans to produce 109 million eggs, 1,400 tons of poultry and 750,000 heads of hens. The facility will create 150 permanent jobs. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 Trend: As part of his visit to Sabirabad, President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has attended the inauguration of the newly renovated Sugovushan-Garalar-Gafarli-Ahmadabad-Narimankand-Hashimkhanli highway. Chairman of Azeravtoyol OJSC Saleh Mammadov informed the head of state that the two-lane highway is 43 km in length and 6 m in width. Road safety poles, traffic signs, and informative boards were installed along the highway. President Ilham Aliyev cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the newly renovated highway. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: The Azerbaijan-Romania intergovernmental commission will hold a meeting in January 2018, Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Khalaf Khalafov said Nov. 28 at an event dedicated to the Great Union Day of Romania in Baku. He noted that the meeting will give impetus to further development of relations in economy and will help define new goals of economic cooperation. Details added (first version posted on 20:03) Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: The Azerbaijan-Romania intergovernmental commission will hold a meeting in January 2018, Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Khalaf Khalafov said Nov. 28 at an event dedicated to the Great Union Day of Romania in Baku. He noted that the meeting will give impetus to further development of relations in economy and will help define new goals of economic cooperation. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 Trend: The adoption of the final declaration, which once again confirms and supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Eastern Partnership member countries, at the Eastern Partnership Summit of the European Union is a great diplomatic achievement of Azerbaijan. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev made the remark at a meeting with representatives of the Tartar community and internally displaced persons after familiarizing with the conditions created in the new residential complex built for 1,170 families of IDPs in Tartar. Therefore, according to the head of state, ways to resolve the conflict should be based on this historical truth, justice and international law. "I am sure that it will be this way, Azerbaijan will restore its territorial integrity. We can not allow the establishment of a second Armenian state on our land. All authoritative international organizations recognize Nagorno-Karabakh as an integral part of Azerbaijan and made many decisions, adopted resolutions proving this. We provide the world with information about the historical past of Nagorno-Karabakh," President Aliyev said. President Aliyev said that the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan is recognized, supported by the whole world, and all international organizations have their say in this regard. "The most authoritative among them is the UN. The UN Security Council adopted four resolutions calling for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces from the occupied lands. That is, the international community has said its word on this issue," the head of state said. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 Trend: A documentary "Light behind window" has been presented at "October" cinema in Moscow. Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, author and executive producer of the film Leyla Aliyeva attended the ceremony. The film's production was carried out with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and Baku Media Center. Prior to the screening of the film, Leyla Aliyeva, the film's screenwriter and director Oleg Schommer, and Alexandra Abidennova who played one of the main parts in the documentary, took the stage. Oleg Schommer highlighted the plot of the documentary. He thanked the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, vice-president of the Foundation Leyla Aliyeva and Baku Media Center for their contribution to the film. Leyla Aliyeva thanked the audience for their interest in the documentary. She also thanked director Oleg Schommer. "This film is about good and evil. With this film we want to say that we are bound to each other, and we are all part of a whole. When we treat others kindly, we are kind to ourselves, and when we hurt someone, we do hurt ourselves as well. The main thing is that our hearts are in love, and love is the greatest force in the world," Leyla Aliyeva said. The ceremony was attended by Russia's well-known cultural and public figures, students, and actors from the film itself. By Siraj Qureshi: A five-year-old child died after he was pushed into a drain by a nine-year-old boy in Agra. The shocking murder only came to light after the deceased child's body was found floating in the drain ten days later. The accused has been apprehended by police. Usha Devi, the mother of deceased Ayush, told India Today that her son, a kindergarten student of St Francis Convent, had disappeared from home 10 days ago when neither parents were there. They found out he went missing on their return. advertisement Neighbours told them Ayush had gone out with nine-year-old kid Ajay (name changed) who claimed he had left Ayush at a shop in a nearby locality. However Ayush couldn't be found at the shop either. Fearing the worst, Pappu informed the police who interrogated Ajay. But he could not give a clear answer so the police filed a case of kidnapping against Ajay. On November 27, a factory worker spotted a kid's body floating in a nearby drain - it was identified as Ayush. Additional Superintendent of Police Shlok Kumar told India Today Ajay and his parents were brought to the police station for interrogation and prima facie, it was established that Ayush and Ajay had a fight near the drain and Ajay kicked Ayush, causing him to fall in the drain and drown. Senior physician Dr SK Kalra said if a kid aged between 7 and 12 years has committed an act that is against the law, then it does not entail a criminal offence until the intention behind the offence is established. Contrary to the Pradyuman murder case in Gurgaon where the intention for the murder has been established by the CBI, this case appears to be that of accidental death and the kid is subject to juvenile justice laws in such case as the mental development of kids aged between 7 and 12 years is considered to be incomplete and they cannot be tried under the Indian Penal Code. --- ENDS --- Details added, title changed (first version posted on 12:07) Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 By Azad Hasanli - Trend: The national observatory will be established in Azerbaijan to monitor labor market until 2020, Azerbaijani Minister of Labor and Social Protection of Population Salim Muslimov told reporters in Baku Nov. 28. The minister said that this issue will be discussed today with international organizations, including the World Bank (WB), the European Union (EU), the European Training Foundation and others. Muslimov added that the EU will help Azerbaijan to create the observatory. Speaking about the importance of creating the observatory, the minister stressed that today the ministry is unable to assess the labor market alone, therefore, the creation of the observatory is a very important step. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 Trend: Baku Higher Oil School (BHOS) student, future engineer, who scored 700 entrance points Gabil Aliyev said in an interview that he is in the right place and in right hands. Gabil, who is Gabil Aliyev who scored 700 entrance points during the admission examination for the higher schools? I was born in Baku in 2000 and finished with distinction Turkish Deyanet Vagfi Baku Turkish Lyceum. My family is composed of 5 persons. My father is chemical engineer, my mother is philologist, my brother is a schoolboy and my elder sister is a higher school student. Two years ago, my sister having scored high admission points, 662, was admitted to faculty of law. Could you please elaborate on your successes and which of them are you mostly proud of? Still at school, I always had distinctive grades. For instance, when I was 11 year student I became bronze medal winner during the Republican Chemistry Competition. I finished the secondary school with gold medal. For that period, they were the successes I was mostly proud of. As for this period I am most of all proud of collecting 700 points which made my family happy and winning the Presidential scholarship which I regard the greatest achievements. Gabil, knowing that with 700 points you opened the doors of all higher schools, why did you select Baku Higher Oil School? Frankly, I did not do this choice by chance. After long search me and my family preferred BHOS. Along with offering high quality education BHOS is involved in training specialists, providing diverse conditions for students social development and their future career opportunities. Our readers are curious about what a student should do to achieve his/her goals? In my opinion, the most important is discipline. It is absurd to learn the materials meant for 11 years within one year. The learning process should be systematic starting from early school years in order to be able to comprehend and master the program of senior years. In addition, you should work hard to achieve your goals, as behind every success there stands hard work. However, one should find the time for rest as tiredness might cause attention distraction during examinations. What motivates you in life most of all? Trust of my family, my friends their encouragement turned to be motivation for me during the period for preparation for examinations. Because of distraction of attention during the first entrance examination I collected 680 points, during second examination I gathered 700 points and made my family be proud of me forcing me to continue my work for even greater achievements. This fact does motivate me. Gabil, what would you advise to the future students who are reading your interview? I would advise them to learn more about the specialties and the higher schools they are interested in. They should learn the opinions of senior year students and graduates. In addition, they should not leave the choice to be made by others, their choice should be made in favor of the higher school which is involved with multifaceted training of specialists having specialization you are interested in. Sometimes higher schools fail to justify hopes students and their parents. From this point of view, I am happy to tell that I am in the right place and in right hands. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 By Nigar Guliyeva Trend: Uzbek pawnshops and microcredit organizations will be able to raise more funds. The Central Bank of Uzbekistan amended the Rules for the conduct of financial transactions by microcredit organizations and the Rules for activity and operations of pawnshops, according to which prices and tariffs for services provided by microcredit organizations and pawnshops are determined only in national currency. Furthermore, the types of means attracted by pawnshops and microcredit organizations are specified: loans from legal entities and physicals; funds from commercial banks. The aggregate volume (balance) of attracted funds should not exceed their actually formed charter capital. Previously, the volume of raised funds could not exceed 50 percent of the actually formed authorized capital of the pawnshop or microcredit organization. The total assets of non-banking credit organizations of Uzbekistan as of Oct.1 2017 amounted to about 200 billion soums, the balance of credit investments - 178.4 billion soums, total capital - 153.4 billion soums. Currently, 76 non-bank microcredit organizations operate in Uzbekistan, of which 30 are microcredit organizations and 46 are pawnshops. According to the Central Bank of Uzbekistan, since Oct.1, 2017 the minimum level of the statutory fund of newly created microcredit organizations should be 2 billion soums and pawnshops - 500 million soums. The operating microcredit organizations and pawnshops should bring the statutory funds up to the established minimum requirements before Jan. 1, 2019. The official exchange rate for Nov.28 is 8095.88 UZS / USD. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 By Nigar Guliyeva Trend: Uzbekistan will soon establish air communication with Afghanistan. The first flight from Kabul to Tashkent will be carried out Nov. 29, Uzbek media reported. Reportedly, the Afghan airline Kam Air will operate code-sharing flights. Uzbekistan Airways is a partner in this direction with the right to sell tickets for the flight under its own code. The air communication between the two countries opens on the eve of the visit of the President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani to Uzbekistan, scheduled for early December. In early 2017, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan signed in Kabul a "road map" to increase trade between countries up to $1.5 billion. Furthermore, the parties reached an agreement on organizing long-term supplies from Uzbekistan to Afghanistan. The supplies will cover up to 300,000 tons of mineral fertilizers, 2,000 units of agricultural machinery, up to 250,000 tons of wheat and other products in demand in Afghanistan annually. Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Nov. 28 By Diana Aliyeva Trend: The National Bank for Foreign Economic Activity of Uzbekistan offers loans of the Export-Import Bank of Korea (Korea Eximbank) for the purchase of goods, equipment and services from South Korea, said the Uzbek bank in a message. The period of loans is up to 7 years. Additional information can be obtained in branches of the Uzbek national bank. The National Bank for Foreign Economic Activity of Uzbekistan was established by a presidential decree in September 1991 and is the major bank representing the countrys banking system on international financial markets. The bank has 90 branches and offices in all economically important regions of Uzbekistan, and a subsidiary Asia-Invest Bank in Moscow. The national bank accounts for more than 70 percent of the total foreign trade turnover of Uzbekistan. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 By Azad Hasanli - Trend: The average salary of top bank managers in Azerbaijan is 8,000-10,000 manats, Zakir Nuriyev, chairman of the Azerbaijan Banks Association (ABA), said at the presentation of the platform for the UNEC2B labor market in Baku Nov. 28. Such data has been obtained through the poll conducted by the ABA in the countrys banking market, he said. "This salary is quite competitive from the point of view of the international banking market." Today, about 16,000 people work in Azerbaijan's banking sector, he said. Despite that the number of employees in this sector has decreased over the last two years, banks have been strengthening their human resources since the second half of the year, he said. Nuriyev added that banks are still experiencing serious shortage in accountants, IT specialists and representatives of other professions. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: The first train will be sent today from Turkey to Azerbaijan via the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway, the Turkish media reported Nov. 28. Reportedly, the train will arrive in Baku within 96 hours. The first freight train was sent via the new BTK railway from Kazakhstans Kokshetau on October 24. The train consisted of 32 containers loaded with grain. The BTK railway was constructed on the basis a Georgian-Azerbaijani-Turkish intergovernmental agreement. The railways peak capacity will be 17 million tons of cargo per year. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 By Anvar Mammadov - Trend: Baku will host Azerbaijan-Belarus business meeting within the framework of the visit of a Byelorussian delegation to Azerbaijan on Dec.7, the Azerbaijani Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO) reported. The Belarusian delegation headed by the Mayor of Grodno city Mieczyslaw Goy will include representatives of seven Belarusian companies operating in various fields. The meeting was organized by AZPROMO with the support of the Economy Ministry of Azerbaijan. Trade with Belarus during 10 months of 2017 amounted to $113.15 million, which is 42.7 percent higher than the same period last year, according to the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: The first Turkish economic summit will be held in the countrys Sanliurfa province, Turkeys Economy Ministry told Trend. The summit will be held Dec. 22-23 this year, according to the ministry. The summit will be held with the participation of economy ministers of a number of countries, the ministry said. Such countries as Azerbaijan, Iran, Qatar, Greece, Japan will take part in the summit, the topic of which will be the discussion of economic issues. As part of the first economic summit, Turkey will have an opportunity to acquaint participants with the plans for the development of the Turkish economy Vision 2023 and Vision 2071. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: Turkey has sent its first train via the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway to Azerbaijan, the Turkish State Railways (TCDD) said in a message. The train consisting of 32 containers and carrying 650 tons of cargo left the Turkish province of Mersin for Azerbaijan. The train is expected to arrive in Baku in 96 hours. The first freight train was sent via the new BTK railway from Kazakhstans Kokshetau on October 24. The train consisted of 32 containers loaded with grain. The BTK railway was constructed on the basis a Georgian-Azerbaijani-Turkish intergovernmental agreement. The railways peak capacity will be 17 million tons of cargo per year. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu By PTI: New Delhi, Nov 28 (PTI) Global automation firms ABB and Kawasaki today came together to share knowledge and promote benefits of collaborative robots, particularly those with dual arm designs. "ABB and Kawasaki Heavy Industries will join forces to share knowledge and promote the benefits of collaborative robots, in particular those with dual arm designs," a joint statement, issued in Zurich in Switzerland today, said. advertisement According to the statement, the global cooperation will become effective immediately. Under the new framework, which is the worlds first to focus on cobots -- short for collaborative robots -- both companies will independently continue manufacturing and marketing their own offerings while working together on joint technical and awareness opportunities, it said. This includes educating policymakers, NGOs and the public about the benefits of collaborative automation, and creating common industry approaches to safety, programming and communications, it added. Collaboration between people and robots, machines and processes is getting increasingly important as production in many industries has shifted from larger lots with little variation to low volumes with a high mix. This means more variability and more human intervention. Collaborative automation allows people and robots to each contribute their unique strengths ? people offer process knowledge, insight and improvisation for change while robots offer tireless endurance for repetitive tasks. The cooperation also represents collaboration across borders, with ABB as Europes largest robot supplier and Kawasaki one of Asias industrial giants. "The scale and pace of change in the robotics industry today is unimaginable," said Per Vegard Nerseth, Managing Director of ABBs Robotics business, in the statement. Nerseth said, "Beyond the technologies behind collaborative automation, there is also a need for innovative new ways of working together and creating common industry approaches to safety, programming and communications." "Collaborative robots, especially those with two arms capable of human interactions, can greatly contribute to society and help the world cope with labour shortages and an ageing workforce. We see high potential in expanding collaborative applications and processes where people and technology work together to create solutions," said Yasuhiko Hashimoto, Managing Executive Officer and General Manager, Kawasaki Robot Division. PTI KKS ARD --- ENDS --- Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 By Anvar Mammadov Trend: Rufat Mammadov, head of Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO), has been re-elected as vice president of the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA), Azerbaijans Economy Ministry said Nov. 28. This decision was made in a meeting of WAIPA General Assembly and the 22nd Annual WAIPA World Investment Conference, held Nov. 27-28 in Dubai. WAIPA is a non-governmental organization founded in 1995 in Geneva under Swiss law. The number of its members is constantly growing and it currently includes 170 agencies from 130 countries. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 By Ali Mustafayev Trend The Kazakh Government has submitted a strategic plan for development of Kazakhstan until 2025. The plan describes how the life of citizens of the country is expected to change in the next 7 years. The project was presented by Minister of National Economy Timur Suleimenov and published by the Ministry of Economy of Kazakhstan. Under the strategic plan, the GDP per capita should grow to $46,000, life expectancy should increase from 72 to 75 years, and the GRP (Gross Regional Product) gap between the regions will decrease from 3.2 times to 2.7 times. By 2025, the exports of non-primary goods and services should increase from 44.6 percent to 50 percent, and the share of small and medium businesses in GDP should grow from 26.8 percent to 35 percent. It is planned to ensure the growth of the national currency loan portfolio from 18 percent to 50 percent of GDP. It is also expected that government agencies will be more client-oriented, the banking sector more stable, and the judicial sector less corrupted. The state's share in the economy will decrease, the barriers for small and medium businesses will decline and the use of new technologies will increase. Tehran, Iran, November 26 By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend: Gas power plants are going to be promising sites for investment in Iran, since the country is rich in gas reserves and its gas output is on the rise. In July, Amir Hossein Zamaninia, Irans deputy oil minister for trade and international affairs, said Irans gas production would rise to 1 billion cubic meters a day by the end of the year from that times 800 million cubic metres (mcm) per day. In the seventh month of the current fiscal year (September 23-October 21), gas power plants in Iran received a daily average of 196 mcm of gas. Iran's power plants generated over 222.185 TWh (terawatt-hours) of electricity since the beginning of the current Iranian fiscal year (March 21) till Nov. 17, according to the latest weekly statistics, published by Iran's Energy Ministry. The figure indicates a rise by 7 percent compared to the same period of the preceding year. The Iranian government prefers exporting gas-generated electricity rather than directly exporting gas, citing added value. Irans electricity export increased by 14 percent up to 5.647 TWh from the beginning of the current fiscal year to Nov. 17. The capacity of gas-fired power plants in this period grew by 1.1 percent to reach 27,258 MW, accounting for a share of 35.1 percent of the countrys total power generation In the meantime, the nominal capacity of Iranian power plants has increased by 1.3 percent to stand at 77,446 megawatts (MW). Combined-cycle power plants added 1.6 percent to their capacity to stand at 19,790 MW, taking a share of 25.6 percent of the countrys power generation. The capacity of distributed power generation (DG) as well as combined heat and power (CHP) systems increased by 12.1 percent to reach 1,027 MW. Some 1.3 percent of the countrys total generation capacity went to the DG and CHP systems. The capacity of thermal power plants stood at 15,829 MW and did not demonstrate any changes compared to the preceding year. The share of thermal power plants was 20.4 percent. Iran has launched 37 projects to increase its capacity for producing power from solar energy by 400.27 MW. The country has also four projects under construction for producing 198.2 MW from wind. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Nov. 28 By Huseyn Hasanov - Trend The 28th meeting of the Energy Charter Conference, an inter-governmental organization, kicked off in Ashgabat Nov. 28 and will run until November 29. The heads and representatives of the energy ministries of the organizations member-states and observer countries, a number of international and regional organizations will participate in the meeting, Energy Charter Conference said in a message. The work of the Energy Charter Conference will consist of two parts: statutory and ministerial. The agenda of the event includes the results of the activity of the Energy Charter Conference in 2017, as well as a wide range of issues related to the further improvement of its work and promotion of cooperation to ensure sustainable energy in the future. An energy exhibition will be held as part of the event. The adoption of the final document is expected to be adopted following the event. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: Growth of global oil demand will slow down significantly by 2030, George Kobulia, senior partner at McKinsey & Company, global management consulting company, said at the fourth international conference entitled Oil refining and petrochemistry of the Caspian Sea and Central Asia in Baku on Nov. 28. He said that the slowdown in GDP growth and reduction in the worldwide oil intensity will limit the growth in demand for oil in the long term. Despite the slowdown in oil consumption growth, increase in processing capacities continues at accelerating rates, the expert added. Kobulia noted that the growth of primary processing capacities will be concentrated in Asia and the Middle East. A significant portion of Middle Eastern oil products will be exported to South Asia, further increasing the glut of the market in this region, Kobulia said. According to forecasts, by 2025, the net increase in imports of light oil products in Southeast Asia will be 628,000 barrels per day by limiting the maximum load of Asian energy hubs at 78 percent. Despite the fact that global production of fuel oil with sulfur of less than 0.5 percent can satisfy all demand for bunker fuel, it will be impossible to mobilize all these volumes, he noted. In the baseline scenario, global refining volumes increase by 2.5 million barrels per day, added Kobulia. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 By Huseyn Valiyev - Trend: Azerbaijan's State Committee for Standardization, Metrology and Patents is ready to provide necessary support to start-ups operating in the business incubation center of High Technologies Park of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and High Technologies in registration of patents, Deputy Chairman of the State Committee Niyazi Rahimov told Trend. Rahimov said that the activity of the State Committee is linked with the registration of rights, and the activity of start-ups is linked with the encouragement of innovative entrepreneurship, which is closely interrelated. "We are working closely with the High Technologies Park and when receiving applications for the registration of patents, we immediately respond to them. Since the beginning of the year, the State Committee for Standardization, Metrology and Patents of Azerbaijan issued about 50 patents," Rahimov said. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 By Nigar Guliyeva Trend: The Asian Development Banks (ADB) Board of Directors has approved a $45 million loan to help improve the quality of rural primary healthcare services in Uzbekistan. The Bank reported that the project will help expand the scope of service delivery and bring those new services closer to the people. There is a pressing need to improve the quality of healthcare, especially in underserved areas of the country, said Megan Counahan, Health Specialist at ADBs Central and West Asia Department. ADB will work closely with the Government of Uzbekistan to improve services by providing modern equipment and health workforce development," Counahan added. The Primary Health Care Improvement Project, the first ADB health project in Uzbekistan since 2004, will strengthen primary health care services in rural areas by providing modern equipment to each of the 793 newly established family polyclinics. The equipment will increase the chances of overcoming Uzbekistans key health challenges, particularly those relating to heart disease, antenatal care, and chronic disease prevention. The project will further enhance the skills of the health staff in those clinics by training almost 3,000 health technology operators, doctors, and nurses. It will also institutionalize key monitoring tools including pilot testing a digital health management information system, starting with the rural region of Sirdarya, and lead the way for the Ministry of Health to use those results to improve access, coverage, health, and well-being across the country. ADB, based in Manila, is owned by 67 members48 from the region. In 2016, ADB assistance totaled $31.7 billion, including $14 billion in cofinancing. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 By Ali Mustafayev Trend: Kazakhstan intends to enter the white list of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and subsequently conclude agreements with the Caspian states on recognition of professional proficiency certificates, the Ministry of investments and development of Kazakhstan said in a statement. Presently the countrys ship registries include about 300 vessels. The working personnel of the mentioned ships include more than 1,500 people. At the same time, the share of Kazakh citizens in the crews is slightly more than half (52 percent). Kazakh citizens in the command staff accounts only for 25 percent from the whole staff on all the mentioned ships. The maritime administrations of the Caspian countries will conduct an audit to study the compliance of Kazakh sailors training system with international standards to conclude agreements on the recognition of professional proficiency certificates of Kazakhstan. In this regard, the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping is currently inspecting the educational institutions and training centers of the country. To date, Kazakh sailors and students of the Kazakhstan Maritime Academy are being trained in the training centers of Russia and Azerbaijan. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Nov. 28 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: Director of Turkmenistans State Service for Combating Economic Crimes Mammetkhan Chakyev presented his report at a session of the Cabinet of Ministers in the countrys eastern Lebap province, the Turkmen government said in a message Nov. 28. The inspections in the province revealed facts of abuse of authority, bribery and corruption by the heads of Serdarabat, Dovletli and Galkynysh districts, as well as by the director of the Galkynysh cotton ginning enterprise of the Lebap provinces agricultural production association. Such negative phenomena as bribery and corruption in our country must be completely eradicated, said Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, according to the message. He expressed dissatisfaction with the activities of leaders of the province, who admitted numerous violations when carrying out government instructions. Heads of three districts and several other officials have been dismissed. Charygeldi Charlyev, head of the Lebap province, has also been dismissed form his position. Tanryguly Atakhallyev, who headed the countrys central region Ahal province, will replace him. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Nov. 28 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: The Turkmen Foreign Ministry has hosted a meeting with Alfredo Nieves Portuondo, new ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Cuba to Turkmenistan (with residence in Baku), the ministry said in a message. The diplomat presented copies of his credentials. The Turkmen side expressed its readiness to render all kinds of assistance and support to the ambassadors activity in strengthening bilateral cooperation. The sides noted the intention to build up comprehensive cooperation and readiness for joint work on its further activation, said the message. During the meeting, the parties noted the importance of expanding the legal framework between the two countries and intensifying contacts between the business structures of the two countries. The sides also expressed interest in the development of relations in the fields of culture and sports, healthcare sphere. By Indrajit Kundu: Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday filed a criminal defamation suit against his former party colleague Mukul Roy. The move comes just a day after a local court in Alipurduar district issued a show cause notice to the newly inducted BJP leader for allegedly violating an order passed by it. "Today I have filed a defamation case. The matter is sub-judice. Please wait for the verdict. I have full faith in the judiciary. People of Bengal have already given them a befitting reply in the ballot box, now wait for the court to do the same," Banerjee said. advertisement Earlier, a district court in Alipurduar had passed an injunction prohibiting Roy from making any public statement against Banerjee after the later moved a petition. However, despite the court order, Roy while addressing a press conference in Kolkata had levelled fresh charges against chief minister Mamata's Banerjee's nephew last week. Roy had alleged that Abhishek had applied for ownership of the "Biswa Bangla" trademark with the approval of his aunt, and party supremo Mamata Banerjee. "The accusations against me are totally false and baseless. They are all motivated," Banerjee said, while personally appearing before the court on Tuesday. "If Mukul Roy can prove allegations against me, I will quit politics. Otherwise he will have to leave Bengal," he challenged. Banerjee's lawyer said that a criminal defamation suit has been filed against the BJP leader under section 202 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Last week, Mukul Roy too had filed a criminal defamation case against the Trinamool Congress MP at New Delhi's Patiala House Court alleging that the legal notice sent to him was defamatory. The case will come up for hearing on December 1. --- ENDS --- Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 By Khalid Kazimov Trend: Iran has attracted about $800 million in investment to develop its free economic zones over the last four years. In the meantime, the officials are in talks to conclude worth of $4.5 billion of investment agreements to develop the countrys free economic zones, Tasnim news agency reported. According to the report, the news was disclosed during a conference on the economic and investment opportunities in Iran. Iran currently has seven free economic zones. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 By Fatih Karimov Trend: Iran's exports of food and agricultural products to Azerbaijan witnessed a fall by 18 percent in terms of value during the first half of the current fiscal year (March 20-Sept. 22). The Islamic Republic exported $17 million worth of agricultural and food products to the neighboring country, which makes 1 percent of Irans overall exports in the sector. A report released by the Federation of Iranian Food Industries Association reveals that Azerbaijan was 18th destination of the Iranian agricultural and food products in the six-month period. Iraq was main importer of agricultural and food products from the Islamic Republic. Tehran sold $1,028.2 million worth of food and agricultural products to the country, which was equal to 45 percent of the Islamic Republics overall food and agricultural exports. However, Irans agricultural and food exports to Iraq registered a decline by 6 percent in terms of value year-on-year. After Iraq, Afghanistan ($285.5 million), the UAE ($115.7 million), Pakistan ($106.8 million), Germany ($79.5 million), Turkey ($89.8 million), Russia ($52.4 million) and Hong Kong ($50.5 million) were among other top destinations for Irans food and agricultural exports. Irans food exports to Qatar registered a huge rise by 288 percent to $33.5 million in the period. The Islamic Republic's exports to Turkey also registered a significant rise by 69 percent. The highest negative growth belongs to Vietnam, where Tehran exported $19.6 million worth of agricultural and food products, 71 percent less year-on-year. Iran exported $2,274.1 million worth of agricultural and food products in the first half of the current fiscal year, 3 percent less year-on-year. North Korea could complete its nuclear weapons program, including a nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the United States mainland, next year, authorities in South Korea said Tuesday, USA TODAY reports. "North Korea has been developing its nuclear weapons at a faster-than-expected pace," Cho Myoung Gyon, South Korea's unification minister, told reporters in Seoul. The unification ministry is an executive department that promotes Korean reunification. Cho said 2018 will be a key year for North Korea as its marks the 70th anniversary of its establishment. His remarks were published by South Korea's Yonhap news agency. North Korea conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test in September. Defense experts disagree over Pyongyang's nuclear and missile capabilities, although recent test launches over Japan suggest it is making advancements. There is also disagreement over how the West should deal with the threat of a nuclear armed North Korea. President Trump has consistently said that years of American-led diplomatic efforts and money have produced few results, and threatened war. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has said that Washington would be willing to sit down with Pyongyang for talks. Last week, the White House placed additional sanctions on North Korea and re-listed it as a state sponsor of terrorism, a largely symbolic move. Kenya's security forces on Monday destroyed six Al-Shabaab training camps in an ongoing operation to flush out militants from the vast Boni forest in the coastal town of Lamu, Xinxua reported. Director of Operation Linda Boni Joseph Kanyiri said weapons including AK-47 rifles, bomb-making materials, food and medicine were recovered during the operation in the forest that lies along the border with Somalia. "We have destroyed six Al-Shabaab camps inside Boni Forest. The temporary camps were used as hideouts for the terrorists to conduct attacks in various parts of Lamu," said Kanyiri. He said "many" Al-Shabaab militants were killed and others injured during the operation. "We have killed many Al-Shabaab terrorists and many others fled with gunshot wounds. We are in hot pursuit," he Kanyiri. Kanyiri urged Al-Shabaab returnees who have secretly slipped back into Kenya to voluntarily avail themselves for rehabilitation so they are not treated as suspects. A good number of Al-Shabaab militants have been killed by Kenyan security forces since the start of Operation Linda Boni in 2015. Most of the militants who had infiltrated the forest have abandoned the camps and fled to Somalia, according to military and police sources. Militants of the 300-man Jeysh Ayman, an Al-Shabaab cell, used the vast Boni forest as an operational base for recruiting and waging terror attacks in the Coast region. A number of people, including security officers, have been killed in attacks by militants who often use improvised explosive devices (IEDs). North Korea fired what the US Pentagon said appeared to be an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that landed close to Japan on Wednesday, Pyongyangs first test launch since sending a missile over its neighbor in mid-September, Reuters reported. North Korea fired the missile a week after US President Donald Trump put North Korea back on a US list of countries that Washington says support terrorism. The designation allows the United States to impose more sanctions, although some experts said it risked inflaming tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Trump said of North Koreas latest test missile: It is a situation that we will handle. Trump said the launch did not change his administrations approach to North Korea, which has included new curbs to hurt trade between China and North Korea, which it sees as important to deterring Pyongyang from its ambition to develop a nuclear-tipped missile capable of hitting the United States. Pentagon spokesman Col. Robert Manning said the Pentagons initial assessment was that an ICBM was launched from Sain Ni in North Korea and traveled about 1,000 km before splashing down in the Sea of Japan. The missile did not pose a threat to the United States its territories or allies, the Pentagon said. US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said the ICBM went higher than any shot Pyongyang has taken. Japans government estimated that the missile flew for about 50 minutes and landed in the sea in Japans exclusive economic zone, Japanese broadcaster NHK said. A North Korean missile on Aug. 29 was airborne for 14 minutes over Japan. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Tokyo was requesting an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council. We can never accept this violence and have strongly protested to North Korea, Abe told reporters. He called on all countries to strictly implement sanctions against Pyongyang. South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said Wednesdays missile was fired from Pyongsong, a city in South Pyongan Province, at around 1817 GMT over the sea between South Korea and Japan. The South Korean military said the missile had an altitude of around 4,500 km and flew 960 km. Minutes after the North fired the missile, South Koreas military conducted a missile-firing test in response, the South Korean military said. Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said the missile reached an estimated altitude of 4,000 kilometres and broke up before landing in Japans exclusive economic zone. He said it was judged to be ICBM class given the missiles lofted trajectory. Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported three projectiles were fired, the nearest landing 210 kilometres west of Japans northern mainland, suggesting the missile broke into pieces. Japans Kyodo news agency, quoting the defense ministry, said there were no reports of any damage. US stocks briefly pared gains on the news but the S&P 500 index was up almost one percent at the close. A US intelligence official said the initial indication was that the engine was not significantly more powerful than the Hwasong 14 which Pyongyang tested in July. A 2,800-mile altitude, a 600-mile range, and a splash-down in the sea initially indicates that this was another test of the re-entry vehicle more than one of the missile, its engine, or its guidance system, said the official, who was studying incoming data on the launch. Two US government sources said earlier that US government experts believed North Korea could conduct a new missile test within days. After firing missiles at a rate of about two or three a month since April, North Korea paused its missile launches in September, after it fired a missile that passed over Japans northern Hokkaido island on Sept. 15. The US officials who spoke earlier declined to say what type of missile they thought North Korea might test. Last week, North Korea denounced Trumps decision to relist it as a state sponsor of terrorism, calling it a serious provocation and violent infringement. Trump has traded insults and threats with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and warned in his maiden speech to the United Nations in September that the United States would have no choice but to totally destroy North Korea if forced to defend itself or its allies. Washington has said repeatedly that all options are on the table in dealing with North Korea, including military ones, but that it prefers a peaceful solution by Pyongyang agreeing to give up its nuclear and missile programs. Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: The Turkish Air Force attacked the positions of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) terrorists in northern Iraq, the Turkish General Staff said in a message Nov. 28. According to the message, air operations are held in Asos region in northern Iraq. Over 40 PKK strongholds were destroyed during the operations. The conflict between Turkey and the PKK, which demands the creation of an independent Kurdish state, has continued for more than 30 years and has claimed more than 40,000 lives. The UN and the European Union list the PKK as a terrorist organization. Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 28 By Rufiz Hafizoglu Trend: Some 98 drug dealers were detained in Ankara, Turkey as a result of a special operation, Ankaras police said in a message. According to the message, all detainees are Turkish citizens. Operations against drug dealers will continue throughout the day. The minimum age of Turkish citizens who started using drugs is 13 years old, the average age 36 years old, the maximum age - 65 years old. Thus, 2.9 percent of the country's population account for drug addicts aged 15-24, 2.8 percent - those aged 25-44, 2.3 percent - drug addicts aged 45-64. Some 18 percent of the total number of people arrested in the country in 2016 accounted for drug dealers. More than 300,000 people have been detained in Istanbul for using and selling drugs over the past four years. Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu KYODO NEWS - Nov 28, 2017 - 21:22 | World, All Pope Francis met with Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi to discuss the plight of the country's persecuted Rohingya Muslims, among other issues, and appealed for greater tolerance and respect for minority ethnic and religious groups. In a speech in the capital Naypyitaw, the pope called for "peace based on respect for the dignity and rights of each member of society, respect for each ethnic group and its identity, respect for the rule of law and respect for a democratic order that enables each individual and every group -- none excluded -- to offer its legitimate contribution to the common good." Without referring specifically to the Rohingya, the pope said Myanmar's different religions, "by drawing on deeply held values...can help us to uproot the causes of conflict, build bridges of dialogue, seek justice and be a prophetic voice for all who suffer." "Religious differences need not be a source of division or distrust, but rather a force for unity, forgiveness, tolerance and nation building," he said at the gathering of authorities, representatives of civil society and the diplomatic corps. Pope Francis did directly mention the situation in Myanmar's westernmost Rakhine State, from which over 620,000 Rohingya have fled across the border to Bangladesh since late August to escape violence. Suu Kyi, in a speech at the same gathering, said her government wants to make Myanmar's ethnic diversity a source of its strength "by protecting rights, fostering tolerance and ensuring security for all." "It is incumbent on us to continue the task of building a nation founded on law and institutions that will guarantee each and everyone in our land justice, freedom and security," she said, also without mentioning the Rohingya. The pope's historic four-day visit to Myanmar is the first ever by the head of the Roman Catholic Church to the country, which counts over 670,000 Catholics among population of 51 million people. It comes amid mounting international pressure on its government over the dire situation in Rakhine, which has been described by the United Nations as ethnic cleansing. Suu Kyi said she is aware that the Rakhine crisis has captured the world's attention. "As we address longstanding issues -- social, economic and political -- that have eroded trust and understanding, harmony and cooperation between different communities in Rakhine, the support of our people and of good friends who only wish to see us succeed in our endeavors has been invaluable," she said. The first papal trip to Myanmar comes after the Vatican formally established diplomatic ties with it in May, during Suu Kyi's visit to the Holy See. Pope Francis met with her on the second day of his visit. He plans to hold a mass prayer in Yangon on Wednesday, after which he will visit Bangladesh where more than 800,000 Rohingya languish in squalid refugee camps along the two countries' border. During a meeting Monday evening with military chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, the pope stressed the importance of religious freedom and said peace and prosperity can be achieved through mutual respect. The commander-in-chief told him that Myanmar is "practicing freedom of religion" and that there is no "religious discrimination" in the country, and no discrimination against ethnic minorities, the military later said in a statement. The military denies reports of atrocities committed by security forces in Rakhine, including gang rape, execution-style killings and the razing of entire villages, and insists its operations there have merely been to restore stability and eliminate the threat of terrorism. The situation evolved into a crisis on Aug. 25 when Rohingya militants carried out coordinated strikes on police posts, prompting a harsh crackdown in which atrocities were allegedly committed by the security forces and Buddhist extremists targeting the Rohingya community as a whole. While not mentioning the Rohingya by name in his speech Tuesday, apparently out of consideration for his hosts, Pope Francis is on record as lamenting "the persecution of our Rohingya brothers and sisters" and calling for them to be given "their full rights," in public remarks he made in late August. Catholics in Myanmar fear reprisals by nationalist groups if the Pope's visit is seen to focus even more international attention on the Rohingya issue. Many Buddhists in the country view the Rohingya as illegal migrants from Bangladesh -- a view shared by the government -- even though some have been living in the country for generations. A deep-seated fear of Islam displacing Buddhism in the country is also being exploited by rightwing Buddhists. KYODO NEWS - Nov 27, 2017 - 13:58 | All, Feature Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko held a welcome ceremony for Luxembourg's Grand Duke Henri at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Monday, as the two countries mark the 90th anniversary of diplomatic ties. During their 15-minute meeting, the 83-year-old emperor asked Luxembourg's head of state, who has visited Japan more than 10 times, about his predecessor and father Jean, according to the Imperial Household Agency. Grand Duchess Maria Teresa was initially scheduled to accompany the 62-year-old grand duke, but she gave up the plan for health reasons. Instead, Princess Alexandra joined her father. During his stay in Japan as a state guest through Thursday, Grand Duke Henri is scheduled to visit a facility of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency in Tsukuba, northeast of Tokyo, and hold talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry. A team of astronomers used data from both the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope and ESA's Gaia satellite to directly measure the 3D motions of individual stars in a nearby galaxy. The achieved accuracy is better than anything previously measured for a galaxy beyond the Milky Way. The motions provide a field test of the currently-accepted cosmological model and also measure the trajectory of the galaxy through space. The results are published in Nature Astronomy. Astronomers from the Kapteyn Astronomical Institute and Leiden Observatory, both in the Netherlands, used data from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope and ESA's Gaia space observatory to measure the motions of stars in the Sculptor Dwarf Galaxy. The Sculptor Dwarf is a satellite galaxy orbiting the Milky Way, 300 000 light-years away from Earth. Only by combining the datasets from these two successful ESA missions -- produced more than 12 years apart -- could the scientists directly measure the exact 3D motions of stars within the Sculptor Dwarf Galaxy [1]. The is the first time this has been achieved with such accuracy for a galaxy other than the Milky Way [2]. Davide Massari, lead author of the study, describes the precision of the research: "With the precision achieved we can measure the yearly motion of a star on the sky which corresponds to less than the size of a pinhead on the Moon as seen from Earth." This kind of precision was only possible due to the extraordinary resolution and accuracy of both instruments. Also the study would not have been possible without the large interval of time between the two datasets which makes it easier to determine the movement of the stars. The Sculptor Dwarf Galaxy is a dwarf spheroidal galaxy, which are among the most dark matter dominated objects in the Universe. This makes them ideal targets for investigating the properties of dark matter. In particular, understanding how dark matter is distributed in these dwarf galaxies allows astronomers to test the validity of the currently-accepted cosmological model. However, dark matter cannot be studied directly. "One of the best ways to infer the presence of dark matter is to examine how objects move within it," explains Amina Helmi, co-author of the paper. "In the case of dwarf spheroidals, these objects are stars." The information gathered about the 3D motion of stars in the Sculptor Dwarf Galaxy can be translated directly into knowledge of how its total mass -- including dark matter -- is distributed. The new results show that stars in the Sculptor Dwarf Galaxy move preferentially on elongated radial orbits. This indicates that the density of dark matter increases towards the centre instead of flattening out. These findings are in agreement with the established cosmological model and our current understanding of dark matter, taking into account the complexity of Sculptor's stellar populations. As a side effect of the study, the team also presented a more accurate trajectory of the Sculptor Dwarf Galaxy as a whole as it orbits the Milky Way. Their results show that it is moving around the Milky Way in a high-inclination elongated orbit that takes it much further away than previously thought. Currently, it is nearly at its closest point to the Milky Way, but its orbit can take it as far as 725 000 light-years away. "With these pioneering measurements, we enter an era where measuring 3D motions of stars in other galaxies will become routine and will be possible for larger star samples. This will mostly be thanks to ESA's Gaia mission," concludes Massari. ### Notes [1] The team measured the proper motions of roughly a hundred stars in the Sculptor Dwarf Galaxy. For a smaller subset of ten stars, chosen among those with the smallest errors, the astronomers could also retrieve from the literature an estimate of the radial velocity, which quantifies the stellar motion along the line of sight. Using the proper motion and radial velocity measurements, they were able to reconstruct how these stars move in three dimensions. [2] The data used contain images taken with Hubble's Advanced Camera for Surveys in 2002. Newer positions of individual stars were taken from the Gaia, which was observed between 2014 and 2015. More information The Hubble Space Telescope is a project of international cooperation between ESA and NASA. Gaia is an ESA mission to survey one billion stars in our Galaxy and local galactic neighbourhood in order to build the most precise 3D map of the Milky Way and answer questions about its structure, origin and evolution. A large pan-European team of expert scientists and software developers, the Data Processing and Analysis Consortium (DPAC), located in and funded by many ESA member states, is responsible for the processing and validation of Gaia's data, with the final objective of producing the Gaia Catalogue. The international team of astronomers in this study consists of D. Massari (University of Groningen, The Netherlands), M. A. Breddels (University of Groningen, The Netherlands), A. Helmi (University of Groningen, The Netherlands), L. Posti (University of Groningen, The Netherlands), A. G. A. Brown (Leiden University, The Netherlands) and E. Tolstoy (University of Groningen, The Netherlands). Image credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, ESA/ATG medialab, Digitized Sky Survey 2 Links Images of Hubble - http://www.spacetelescope.org/images/archive/category/spacecraft/ Gaia webpage - http://sci.esa.int/gaia/ ESA Gaia release - http://sci.esa.int/gaia/59806 Science paper - http://www.spacetelescope.org/static/archives/releases/science_papers/heic1719/heic1719a.pdf Contacts Davide Massari Kapteyn Astronomical Institute Groningen, The Netherlands Tel: +31 50363 4094 Email: massari@astro.rug.nl Amina Helmi Kapteyn Astronomical Institute Groningen, The Netherlands Tel: +31 50363 4045 Email: ahelmi@astro.rug.nl Mathias Jager ESA/Hubble, Public Information Officer Garching bei Munchen, Germany Cell: +49 176 62397500 Email: mjaeger@partner.eso.org Prime Minister Narendra Modi and American President Donald Trump's daughter (cum advisor) Ivanka Trump inaugurated the Global Entrepreneurship Summit 2017 being organised in Hyderabad today. But what is the summit all about? By India Today Web Desk: Hyderabad is hosting the first south-Asian edition of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) as we speak. And as all know, United States' First Daughter Ivanka Trump is one of the many high-profile guests attending it, heading the United States delegation to the Summit.WHAT IS GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP SUMMIT? The Global Entrepreneurship Summit is an annual event that gathers emerging entrepreneurs, investors and supporters from around the world. The summit holds different workshops, panels, ignite talks, pitch competitions, mentoring, networking sessions, etc., as described in their website. advertisement This year, the Global Entrepreneurship Summit is being organised by the NITI Aayog, in collaboration with the government of the United States, and its theme is "Women First, Prosperity for All," focusing on supporting women entrepreneurs. #GES2017 is focused on a theme that is key to our future: Women First, Prosperity for all first, Prosperity for all. I am proud that for the first time ever, women make up the majority of the 1500 entrepreneurs selected to attend.?? @IvankaTrump #WomenAtWork pic.twitter.com/r1YFoAAybd- U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) November 28, 2017 WHERE IS IT BEING HELD? The GES 2017 is being held in Hyderabad at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre. The GES has previously been held in Washington DC, Istanbul, Dubai, Marrakech, Nairobi, Kuala Lumpur, and Silicon Valley. WHEN IS IT BEING HELD? The GES 2017 kickstarted today (November 28), with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ivanka Trump stealing the show by inaugurating India-made bot, Mitra. The summit will go on till November 30. WHO ALL ARE ATTENDING IT? As mentioned earlier, the summit will see many high-profile guests, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Minister Sushma Swaraj and Ivanka Trump. Some of the many speakers at the GES 2017 will be chef and entrepreneur Vikas Khanna, ICICI Bank Managing Director and CEO Chanda Kochhar, Dell CCO Karen Hughes Quintos, BankBazaar.com CEO and Co-Founder Adhil Shetty, etc. --- ENDS --- Anthony Scaramucci, incoming White House communications director, speaks to the media during the daily press briefing at the White House, Friday, July 21, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Officials at Tufts University in Massachusetts have postponed an event with Anthony Scaramucci after the former White House communications director threatened a lawsuit over an opinion piece published in the student newspaper. The Boston Globe reports Scaramucci was scheduled to speak at the Medford university's Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy on Monday. Earlier this month, 26-year-old Camilo Caballero wrote a piece in The Tufts Daily newspaper criticizing Scaramucci's position on a Fletcher advisory board. Scaramucci's lawyer said Nov. 21 they would take legal action unless the graduate student and newspaper retracted "false and defamatory allegations of fact." Caballero says Scaramucci is trying to prevent him from using his First Amendment rights. Scaramucci said Sunday he's not limiting free speech, but he wants to defend himself against "factually inaccurate" attacks. He took to Twitter to explain further asking for an apology. This is not the first time the former financier has stirred the pot. After inking a deal to sell his firm SkyBridge Capital to Chinese conglomerate HNA last year, a deal which is still pending, Scaramucci laid in wait for a position in the Trump administration. That was slow to materialize, partly due to infighting among Trumps former lieutenants Steve Bannon and Reince Priebus, as reported by FOX Business. Scaramucci eventually was appointed to White House communications director, only to flame out in days due to a rant that was deemed inappropriate and offensive, giving him the title of the shortest person to hold that role in history. Before his White House stint, Scaramucci was a contributor to FOX Business and FOX News. He earned a B.A. in economics at Tufts University and went onto to earn a J.D. at Harvard Law School. Information from: The Boston Globe, http://www.bostonglobe.com The Associated Press contributed to this report. Related Articles Amazon (AMZN) may be known for bargains, but the price of a single share of the e-commerce behemoth could be too expensive for many retail investors. After a blockbuster holiday shopping weekend, it hit a record high of $1205 per share on Cyber Monday, representing 58% year-to-date growth. But buying Amazons pricey stock isnt the only way to get exposure to the e-commerce giant, analysts from BMO Capital Markets argued in a recent research note. There are alternative ways to make money off Amazon, they say. One option is owning the companies that power Amazons booming e-commerce business. Alternatively, you could take the opposite approach by investing in anti-Amazon companies. Own the logistics of Amazon Amazons so-called logistics include not only the packing, shipping and transportation industry, but also infrastructure providers like telecom and tech giants. From day to day, you still need the companies to turn on Amazon, Brian Belski, Chief Investment Strategist at BMO Capital Markets, tells Yahoo Finance. He named a few companies on the logistics chain for Amazon: AT&T (T) and Yahoo parent company Verizon (VZ) offer internet infrastructure to make shopping online possible; meanwhile, International Paper (IP) supplies almost half of the cardboard boxes used by Amazon. If you only own Amazon (stock), its not a diversified way to own Amazon, Belski says. He says investing in Amazons business across industries can reduce the idiosyncratic risk of owning a single stock. This resembles a pick-and-shovel strategy in investment, which means putting money in providers of necessary equipment for a company, rather than its end product. Employees sort packages at the Amazon distribution center warehouse in Saran, near Orleans, France. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer While most of the aforementioned companies dont entirely rely on Amazon to generate revenue, some have reported attractive returns in the online retail revolution. Big-name investor Louis Navellier recommended Packaging Corp. of America (PKG), a major producer of containerboard for Amazon, during an interview with CNBC. Story continues They are benefiting immensely from online sales, Navellier says. The stock of the Illinois-based manufacturer has gone up by 31% since the beginning of this year. Own anti-Amazon companies In their research note, the analysts at BMO Capital Markets note that at some point the party will be over for Amazon if its actually valued on earnings. To hedge against that risk, it suggests investing in a few anti-Amazon companies: Competitors with comparative advantages and big players in capital-intensive areas. Despite challenges faced by brick-and-mortar stores, BMO analysts see wholesalers like Costco (COST) and discount retailers like Walmart (WMT) still being able to compete against Amazon. In September, Home Depot (HD), the largest US home improvement chain, got a bullish call from BMO which named it among 14 stocks that can be the most insulated from Amazons disruption with enough unique product and service attributes. Even if youre not interested in investing in the retail industry at all, BMO says you can still own the anti-Amazon theme by looking into areas where the tech giant hasnt set foot in, including hospitality, waste management and the energy sector. Krystal Hu covers e-commerce for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter. How young consumers fueled Alibabas 90% in mobile Singles Day sales Think youre buying on Amazon? Its actually from Alibaba How Amazon is eclipsing Walmarts best efforts to dominate e-commerce "Poor me," wrote journalist Amit Malaviya in a Facebook post, lamenting about how he has been mistaken in news articles for BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya for years now. By India Today Web Desk: Spelling. If you think it doesn't matter, you better wake yourself up from the utopic dream and deal with the reality. Spellings matter, for proper nouns as well. One person who will vouch for this from rooftops must be Gurgaon-based journalist Amit Malaviya. And he had to, after a long time enduring the damage, speak up about what happened to him on Facebook and Twitter. advertisement Does his name ring a bell? If you're not social media-savvy, chances are bleak. For those of you who don't know, BJP's national IT head is a man named Amit Malviya, and he is often in the news for, well, not exactly good reasons. In the day and age of social media and digital journalism, we often pick up pictures from peoples' social media profiles and tag individuals related to a news piece on Twitter, Facebook and like platforms. Here is where the golden rules of spellings and double-checking come into play. Taking to Facebook and Twitter, "poor" common man Amit Malaviya lamented about how he is repeatedly mistaken for Amit Malviya. Most recently, a news article published in a Malayalam opinion website on the BJP IT cell head used Malaviya's picture. When Malaviya's friend came across it, she/he shared it with him and told him that he is in "deep, deep trouble". Malaviya, then, shared screenshots of the article on Twitter, and tagged the real Amit Malviya, virtually shaking his head at "the standard of journalism these days,". Hey @malviyamit, felt like sharing this with you as the level of misunderstanding has reached a new level now. Don't know if this is +ve or -ve, but a friend warned me I'm in deep trouble. Lol! Also shows the standard of #journalism these days. Can anyone translate? pic.twitter.com/tVXFHbWnwx- Amit Malaviya (@amitmalaviya) November 25, 2017 On Facebook, Malaviya complained about "Google journalism". "No need to check, no need to verify. Download and use," he ranted. Here is his full Facebook post: "A story of mistaken identity I am getting unwanted attention these days. Thanks to Amit Malviya, the IT cell head of BJP. I still remember when an ace TV anchor told me 5-6 years ago that he followed my namesake on Twitter thinking it was me. Don't know how many times such a mistake happened. Over the years, Modi wave and Amit Malviya's role in it changed things a lot and I was often dragged into controversial tweets by being mis-tagged. That continues, rather intensifying. advertisement The latest is, an ex-colleague from my previous job in Bengaluru today shared this news clip with me and warned me that I'm in 'deep deep trouble'. Not that I got scared. But I pity this Google journalism. No need to check, no need to verify. Download and use. Poor me. Now I don't know if I have been painted black or portrayed a hero in this news piece. Given the controversies Malviya's tweet on Nehru-Hardik linkage has led to, it's an easy guess." For future reference, this is BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya, who goes by the Twitter handle @malviyamit : Amit Malviya. Source: Twitter ...and this is common man Amit Malaviya. We think he would like to be left alone now. Amit Malaviya. Source: Twitter --- ENDS --- It has been more than a month since the last earnings report for D/B/A Chubb Limited New CB. Shares have lost about 3.5% in that time frame, underperforming the market. Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to the stock's next earnings release, or is it due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts. Chubb Limited Q3 Loss Narrower Than Expected, Down Y/Y Chubb Limited reported third-quarter 2017 operating loss of 13 cents per share, narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 26 cents. Loss compared unfavorably with earnings of $2.88 in the year-ago quarter. The quarter largely suffered due to three consecutive hurricanes and two successive earthquakes, having induced the company to incur loss. Catastrophe losses were $1.5 billion or $3.27 per share in the quarter. Including one-time integration and merger-related expenses of 8 cents, amortization of fair value adjustment of acquired invested assets of 11 cents and net realized gains of 17 cents, net loss of 15 cents per share compared unfavorably with $2.88 per share earned in the year-ago quarter. Quarter in Detail Net premiums written improved 4.3% year over year to about $7.9 million in the quarter. Net premiums earned increased 1.3% to $7.8 million. Premiums benefited from one-time unearned premium reserve (UPR) transfer in 2016 were partially offset by merger-related underwriting actions. Net investment income was $893 million, up 7.5% from a year ago. Property and casualty underwriting loss was $784 million compared with underwriting income of $1 billion in the year-ago quarter. This loss is attributable to huge catastrophe loss incurred in the quarter. Combined ratio deteriorated 2480 basis points (bps) to 110.8%. Segment Update North America Commercial P&C Insurance: Net premiums written declined 0.7% year over year to $3.1 billion. Combined ratio deteriorated 2340 bps to 109.6%. North America Personal P&C Insurance: Net premiums written increased 18.1% year over year to $1.2 billion. Combined ratio deteriorated 3640 bps to 120.8%. Overseas General Insurance: Net premiums written increased 1.2% year over year to $2 billion. Combined ratio deteriorated 2040 bps to 101.6%. North America Agricultural Insurance: Net premiums written increased 9.1% year over year to $926 million. Combined ratio deteriorated 150 bps to 90.4%. Global Reinsurance: Net premiums written surged 45.8% year over year to $191 million. Combined ratio of 187.4% deteriorated from 66.3% in the year-ago quarter. Life Insurance: Net premiums written increased 1.3% year over year to $539 million. Financial Update Cash balance was $1.1 billion as of Sep 30 2017, up approximately 13.6% from the end of 2016. Total shareholders equity grew about 4.6% to $50.4 million as of Sep 30, 2017. Book value per share was $108.74 as of Sep 30, 2017, up nearly 5% from year-end 2016. Operating cash flow was $1.8 billion in the quarter. Share Repurchase Update Chubb spent $232 million to buy back 1.6 million shares in the quarter. Story continues How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then? Following the release, investors have witnessed a downward trend in fresh estimates. There has been one revision higher for the current quarter compared to three lower. D/B/A Chubb Limited New Price and Consensus D/B/A Chubb Limited New Price and Consensus | D/B/A Chubb Limited New Quote VGM Scores At this time,Chubb Limited's stock has a poor Growth Score of F, a grade with the same score on the momentum front. However, the stock was allocated a grade of B on the value side, putting it in the top 40% for this investment strategy. Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of D. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in. The company's stock is suitable solely for value based on our styles scores. Outlook Estimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock. The magnitude of these revisions also indicates a downward shift. Interestingly, the stock has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We are looking for an inline return from the stock in the next few months. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report D/B/A Chubb Limited New (CB) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research WASHINGTON FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said his family has been harassed at his home following his proposal to repeal many of the agencys net neutrality rules. Internet regulation activists have crossed the line by threatening and harassing my family. They should leave my family out of this and focus on debating the merits of the issue, Pai said in a statement. Pai told Fox & Friends on Monday that the harassment crosses a line. One sign, shown on the show, read, They will come to know the truth. Dad murdered democracy in cold blood. The signs were placed outside his neighbors house by an unidentified person. Pai told the show that the sign was a little nerve-racking, especially for my wife whos not involved in this space. The FCC will vote on Dec. 12 whether to roll back 2015 rules that prohibit internet service providers from blocking or throttling content, or from selling fast lanes so major companies can get speedier access to consumers. Net neutrality activists say such rules are necessary to prevent the internet from being walled off, where access is restricted by ISPs or where certain sites have an unfair advantage over others. But in the interview, Pai argued that light-touch regulations served the internet well before the rules were put in place. All we are simply doing is putting engineers and entrepreneurs, instead of bureaucrats and lawyers, in charge of the internet, Pai told Fox & Friends last week, adding that they wanted to return to the free market consensus that started during the Clinton years that served the internet economy in America very well for many years. Pais chief of staff, Matthew Berry, has also posted some of the racist and threatening tweets sent to Pai. His wife has received threatening messages at her workplace, according to an FCC source. Story continues Public internet advocates who oppose the FCCs pending action condemned the harassing messages. Jessica Rosenworcel, an FCC commissioner who favors the current rules and opposes Pais proposal, said on Twitter that the harassment was unacceptable. Under any circumstances. Former FCC Commissioner Michael Copps, who is critical of Pais proposal, wrote on Twitter that anyone who uses hate speech against him is no ally of mine. Racism and xenophobia are never in the public interest. Net neutrality means inclusion and bringing everyone regardless or tradition, creed, or station in life to the table. Then-FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler also faced protests outside his home in 2014, as the agency was devising its latest version of net neutrality rules. Wheeler eventually backed a robust approach in which internet service was reclassified as a common carrier. That allowed the FCC a legal foundation to establish stronger rules. Pai is also proposing to roll back that common carrier designation and to classify the internet as an information service. Related stories What the Repeal of Net Neutrality Will Mean for Hollywood FCC Eyes Raising TV Station Ownership Cap Amid Sinclair-Tribune Merger Review FCC Chairman Proposes Repeal of Net Neutrality Rules Subscribe to Variety Newsletters and Email Alerts! The Federal Communications Commission is unfazed by reports that many of the comments against net neutrality posted on its website may be fake. Reports emerged last week that of the 22 million responses received on the subject, over a million individual comments individual comments individual comments may have come from spam campaigns that support FCC chairman Ajit Pais repeal of the Obama-era consumer protections. That hasnt stopped the commission from pushing ahead with its vote on the matter on December 14. Data scientist Jeff Kao shared his own analysis in this Medium post last week, which showed at least 1.3 million anti-neutrality comments came from a single spam campaign disguised as a grassroots movement. Hes not the first person to sound the alarm New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman cited a Gravwell study that showed just 17 percent of submitted comments were actually unique, with that fraction overwhelmingly pro-neutrality. But Kaos analysis went further, claiming that only around four percent could be considered truly unique, and its likely that over 99 percent of those were pro-neutrality. Kao used this image to illustrate his research into bots posting fake comments on the FCC website in support of killing net neutrality. His caption: "Spot the fake comment. Surprise theyre all fake." I worked on this alone over the span of two weeks during the times I was not in class and was able to reach a conclusion on the organic, non-campaign comments, Kao tells Inverse. Many other data scientists have offered similar analyses. The FCC is more concerned about the pro-neutrality side. Brian Hart, director of the office of media relations for the FCC, tells Inverse the most suspicious activity came from those in favor of net neutrality. More than 7.5 million comments consisting of the same letter coming from around 45,000 e-mail addresses. Hart also claimed that a single e-mail address in Russia was responsible for over 400,000 pro-neutrality comments. Story continues We do not purge form letters, such as these, from the record as we err on the side of keeping the public record open and do not have the resources to investigate every comment that is filed, Hart tells Inverse. Kao disputes the notion that the FCC does not have the resources, though. Most commercial internet platforms will take measures to filter out spam and PR hacking attempts, either on the front-end or the back-end this is standard practice, Kao says. The proceeding has been taking comments for months with all the resources at the FCC chairs disposal, it feels to me more a problem of resource allocation. Questions linger over the commissions handling of the consultation, which was by far the largest in its history. It feels disingenuous for them to cite a swirled public record, fail to allocate resources to it, and then say that its impossible to sort out, Kao says. Meanwhile, there are several net neutrality protests planned for the the coming weeks, and heres exactly what AT&T, Verizon, Charter, and Comcast say about net neutrality. Photos via Jeff Kao, Getty Images / Ethan Miller Photos via Jeff Kao, Getty Images / Ethan Miller Written by Mike Brown More articles by Mike Follow Mike on Twitter tweetshare More From Inverse Tehran (AFP) - Iran and Turkey signed a deal Sunday with Qatar aimed at boosting commercial ties with the Gulf state which is under blockade by its Arab neighbours, Iranian state television said. The broadcaster's website said the agreement provides for the creation of a "joint working group to facilitate the transit of goods between the three countries". It also said the three nations aimed to tackle "obstacles to sending goods from Iran and Turkey to Qatar". Qatar's relationship with Shiite-dominated Iran, seen as the major rival to Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia in the Middle East, is one of the major factors underpinning the crisis between Qatar and its former allies. Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt all cut ties with Qatar in June, accusing Doha of backing extremism and fostering ties with Iran, charges that Qatar denies. Since the crisis erupted, Iran and Turkey -- whose relations have warmed considerably in recent months -- have sought to help break Qatar's isolation, including by increasing food exports to the emirate. Motley Fool Carnival says it will use the proceeds from this debt offering to pay off principal on existing debt (i.e., roll over the old debt), as well as for general corporate purposes. In theory, this should mean that Carnival will be paying off notes that carry higher interest rates, with money from new notes that cost it less in interest. Logically, when we consider that interest rates have been trending higher as the Fed continues to hike its targeted federal funds rate, it seems more likely that Carnival would end up paying more on any new debt it issues, than what it pays on the debt it's replacing. Several major advertisers have said they will suspend advertising campaigns on YouTube after their ads were found displayed with videos that had racked up millions of views by depicting children in threatening or compromising situations. Many of those viewing and commenting on the videos have been described as pedophiles. Advertisers suspending their YouTube advertising including Mars Inc., Adidas and Diageo, maker of spirits including Tanqueray and Captain Morgan, according to the Wall Street Journal. The videos were highlighted early last week in a BuzzFeed report which described a vast, disturbing, and wildly popular universe of videos that included live-action footage of children depicted in threatening situations or in bedclothes. YouTube responded by taking down many videos and announcing that it would enforce community guidelines more strictly. Get Data Sheet, Fortunes technology newsletter. Then on Thursday, the Times of London reported that major brand advertisements were showing alongside similar videos, and that they had attracted comments from hundreds of paedophiles, explicitly linking advertisers to perhaps the most reviled behavior on Earth. The implication that YouTube has been abetting pedophiles follows a string of revelations of disturbing content hiding in plain site on the Google-owned platform. Google has recently been pushed to remove content promoting extremist views and terrorism, after leaving such content unmonitored for years. YouTube was also recently pressured to remove disturbing content from its YouTube Kids platform, including cartoons of popular kids heroes engaged in bizarre and violent activities. The situation reflects a larger challenge facing social media platforms including Facebook and Twitter. While the companies grew thanks in part to strong stances in favor of freedom of speech, the same policies attracted harassment, trolling and fringe content. Those behaviors have proven hard to stop using algorithms, suggesting that effectively policing these now-massive systems will require human labor on a large scale. BAMAKO, Nov 17 (Reuters) - Industrial gold production in Mali, Africa's third biggest producer, is on track to exceed earlier forecasts for this year, a government official said on Friday. Mali's industrial miners produced 46.9 tonnes of gold last year, but the government said in May that production in 2017 would slip to about 45 tonnes as the country waited for new mines to come online next year. Mamadou Sidibe, deputy director of the government's Cell for Planning and Statistics, did not give an updated forecast for 2017 production. But output for the first nine months hit 35.2 tonnes, five percent higher than projected, he told Reuters. Major investors in Mali's gold sector include Anglo Gold Ashanti and Randgold Resources. Sidibe said 2017 output would be boosted by last month's start of production at B2Gold's giant Fekola project. Fekola and Hummingbird Resources' new Yanfolila mine are expected to hit full production next year. The government, meanwhile, said earlier this year that it expects informal artisinal miners to produce 50 tonnes of gold this year, more than double last year's haul of 20.1 tonnes. If so, total production from industrial and informal mines could top 95 tonnes, a more than 40 percent rise on last year. The gold industry contributes around a quarter of the West African government's revenues and exports last year were valued at $2.2 billion. (Reporting by Tiemoko Diallo; Writing by Aaron Ross; Editing by Edward McAllister and Alexander Smith) MEXICO CITY, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Monsanto Co said on Thursday that Mexico's agriculture sanitation authority SENASICA had revoked its permit to commercialize genetically modified soy in seven states, criticizing the decision as unjustified. Monsanto said in a statement that the permit had been withdrawn on unwarranted legal and technical grounds. The company said it would take the necessary steps to safeguard its rights and those of farmers using the technology, but did not elaborate. SENASICA officials could not immediately be reached for comment. Mexican newspaper Reforma cited a document saying the permit had been withdrawn due to the detection of transgenic Monsanto soya in areas where it was not authorized. Monsanto rejected that argument, saying in its statement that authorities had not done an analysis of how the soy on which their decision was based was sown. The revocation applies to the states of Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosi, Veracruz, Chiapas, Campeche, Yucatan and Quintana Roo and follows a 2016 legal suspension of the permit. (Reporting by Dave Graham and Noe Torres; editing by Richard Pullin) By PTI: Washington, Nov 28 (PTI) Amputees can learn to control a robotic arm with their mind even several years after an amputation, through electrodes implanted in the brain, according to a study led by an Indian-origin scientist. Researchers at the University of Chicago in the US showed that the areas of the brain used to control the amputated limb and the remaining, intact limb can create new connections to learn how to control the device. advertisement "That is the novel aspect to this study, seeing that chronic, long-term amputees can learn to control a robotic limb," said Nicho Hatsopoulos, professor at University of Chicago. "But what was also interesting was the brains plasticity over long-term exposure, and seeing what happened to the connectivity of the network as they learned to control the device," said Hatsopoulos, senior author of the study published in the journal Nature Communications. Previous experiments have shown how paralysed human patients can move robotic limbs through a brain machine interface. The study is one of the first to test the viability of these devices in amputees as well. Researchers worked with three rhesus monkeys who suffered injuries at a young age and had to have an arm amputated to rescue them four, nine and 10 years ago respectively. In two of the animals, they implanted electrode arrays in the side of the brain opposite, or contralateral, to the amputated limb. This is the side that used to control the amputated limb. In the third animal, the electrodes were implanted on the same side, or ipsilateral, to the amputated limb. This is the side that still controlled the intact limb. The monkeys were then trained to move a robotic arm and grasp a ball using only their thoughts. The scientists recorded the activity of neurons where the electrodes were placed, and used a statistical model to calculate how the neurons were connected to each other before the experiments, during training and once the monkeys mastered the activity. The connections between neurons on the contralateral side - the side that had been controlling the amputated arm - were sparse before the training, most likely because they had not been used for that function in a long time. However, as training progressed, these connections became more robust and dense in areas used for both reaching and grasping. Researchers found that first the connections were pruned and the networks thinned, before rebuilding into a new, dense network. advertisement "That means connections were shedding off as the animal was trying to learn a new task, because there is already a network controlling some other behavior," said Karthikeyan Balasubramanian, a postdoctoral researcher who led the study. "But after a few days it started rebuilding into a new network that can control both the intact limb and the neuroprosthetic," said Balasubramanian. PTI MHN SAR MHN --- ENDS --- FILE - In this Sept. 13, 2017 file photo, Director of the Office of Management and Budget Mick Mulvaney departs after a television interview at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) Office of Management and Budget (OMB) director Mick Mulvaney said on Monday that he would not decimate the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) during his tenure as acting director, despite his history as a harsh critic of the watchdog agency. When asked by reporters whether he would effectively destroy the CFPB, Mulvaney replied, no, we are going to follow the law. Mulvaney is currently at the center of a battle for the acting director position, after CFPB deputy director Leandra English filed a lawsuit on Sunday night to bar him from assuming the role. As stipulated under Dodd-Frank, English would be next in line to serve as interim head of the agency until a permanent director is nominated and approved. However, on Friday, President Donald Trump appointed Mulvaney to the slot, citing the ability to do so under the Federal Vacancies Act of 1988. In a letter to employees on Monday, Mulvaney instructed CFPB staff to disregard any instructions you receive from Ms. English in her presumed capacity as Acting Director. Afterward, he told reporters, we want to make it clear to the folks who are working here that we didnt consider her to be the acting director. Still, Senators Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) have scheduled a meeting Monday afternoon with English. Despite the lawsuit and confusion, Mulvaney said he had a really smooth morning. Mulvaney previously called the CFPB a sick, sad joke, but he joins a host of Republicans who would like to see the bureaus power tempered. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told FOX Business in June that its improper for the CFPB to be funded out of the Fed rather than Congress and to have a director who cannot be fired at will by the president. This agency should be subject to proper review and not subject to one person acting on their own, he said. Regardless of whether Mulvaney maintains power over the near-term in the bureau, Trump is likely to nominate a Republican that will pare down some of the CFPBs independent authority. Story continues [Over] the long-term it shouldnt make a difference since the position will ultimately be filled by a Trump nominee, Thaya Knight, associate director of financial regulation studies at the Cato Institute, told FOX Business. That nominee, if the names current circulating are any indication, will likely favor a different approach to policy than that pursued by [former CFPB director] Richard Cordray since many of them have been critical of the agency. Knight noted that those who have condemned the CFPB over the power wielded by the director, should consider whether the problem is actually the structure of the agency and not the individual in charge. Related Articles By Devika Krishna Kumar NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices eased on Tuesday, weighed down by uncertainty over the outcome of an OPEC meeting this week at which an extension to its price-supporting oil output cuts will be discussed. Prices also briefly came under pressure after a fire broke out at Exxon Mobil Corp's 362,300 barrel-per-day (bpd) Beaumont, Texas, refinery. Firefighters have since put out the blaze but the small crude unit is shut, sources said. Brent crude oil ended the session down 23 cents, or 0.4 percent, at $63.61 a barrel. U.S. crude settled 12 cents, or 0.2 percent lower at $57.99, after falling 1.4 percent in the previous session. Prices extended losses after data from industry group the American Petroleum Institute showed crude inventories rose by 1.8 million barrels in the week to Nov. 24 to 457.3 million, compared with analysts' expectations for a decrease of 2.3 million barrels. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries is heading for tougher-than-expected policy talks on Thursday. Its leader Saudi Arabia is pushing to extend output cuts by nine months while non-member Russia is hesitating due to worries that the market could overheat. Oil output from Russia's Far Eastern Sakhalin-1 project is set to rise by about a quarter from January, sources with knowledge of the plan told Reuters, signaling Moscow may find it hard to comply with output cuts in tandem with OPEC for the whole of next year. A joint OPEC and non-OPEC technical committee recommended extending the deal until the end of next year, with an option to review it in June, two sources with knowledge of the matter said. Iraq's oil minister said he supports an extension of the oil cuts while his counterpart from Kuwait said the group had not yet agreed on the duration of a possible extension. "We believe that the outcome of this meeting is much more uncertain than usual," Goldman Sachs analysts said. Story continues "We view risks to oil prices as skewed to the downside this week as we believe that current prices, time spreads and positioning already reflect a high probability of a nine-month extension," the Goldman analysts said. The market had expected OPEC to extend the cuts of 1.8 million bpd beyond March until the end of 2018 to clear the overhang in global supplies, but this is now less certain. Citigroup's head of commodity research expects OPEC to extend the deal until the middle of next year, rather than the end. But anything less than an extension until the end of next year will cause a sell-off in the price, Citi's Ed Morse added. Standard Chartered echoed that sentiment, saying anything beyond a plain vanilla rollover is likely to confuse the oil market. "We think that the oil market has already almost fully priced in an extension of the OPEC and non-OPEC output deal to the end of 2018 ... We think OPEC should err in the direction of over-tightening the oil market, and pull back later if needed." Consultancy Wood Mackenzie projected that if the production cut agreement ends in March 2018, there would be an estimated 2.4 million bpd year-on-year increase in world oil supply for 2018. U.S. crude touched $59.05 on Friday, its highest since mid-2015, fueled by the outage of the Keystone pipeline, one of Canada's main crude export routes to the United States. But TransCanada Corp said on Tuesday it restarted operations on the 590,000-bpd pipeline at reduced pressure. The company has no timeline on when U.S. regulators will allow it to return to full capacity, a TransCanada spokesman said. Traders said they expect reduced flows from Keystone into the U.S. futures trading hub of Cushing, Oklahoma to keep seasonal inventory builds in check. API data showed crude stocks at the Cushing, Oklahoma, delivery hub fell by 3.2 million barrels. (Additional reporting by Christopher Johnson and Amanda Cooper in London and Keith Wallis in Singapore; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Chris Reese) In 2016, Americans spent $3.45 billion on Cyber Monday. Theyll likely spend even more this year, as the online retail holiday has continued to grow since its inception. But internet retailers like Etsy, as well as Twitter, Reddit, and other online businesses, are warning that if the FCC moves forward with derailing net neutrality, big e-commerce could quickly become a thing of the past. In a public letter shared in Google Docs Monday, businesses begged FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to maintain its current net neutrality rules. Pais recently proposed plan would gut net neutrality in the U.S., giving internet service providers the power to control what websites Americans get speedy access to, essentially on a pay-to-play basis. In other words., businesses will likely be forced to pay big internet service providers like Verizon a fee in order to guarantee that internet users who are Verizon customers will have access to their site. If they dont pay, a business could run the risk of their site running really slowly for Verizon customers or not running at all. Businesses may have to pay a toll just to reach customers, the letter reads. This would put small and medium-sized businesses at a disadvantage and prevent innovative new ones from even getting off the ground. An internet without net neutrality protections would be the opposite of the open market, with a few powerful cable and phone companies picking winners and losers instead of consumers. The letter argues that the open internet has paved the way for economic growth so far, and that changing this model could have disastrous results. Because of the open internet, a web developer can launch a business out of their own apartment, an aspiring fashion designer in Wyoming can sell clothes in Los Angeles, or a caterer can find new customers in their town. Because of net neutrality, consumers and businesses have unfettered access to one another, increasing competition and consumer choice. Story continues Pais plan for a more regulated internet could be approved by the FCC as soon as they meet on December 14. Many protests are planned across the country leading up to the commissions vote. Photos via Unsplash / Kaitlyn Baker Photos via Unsplash / Kaitlyn Baker Written by Grace Lisa Scott More articles by Grace Lisa Follow Grace Lisa on Twitter tweetshare More From Inverse By Liana B. Baker and Paresh Dave SAN FRANCISCO, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Chipmaker Qualcomm Inc and private equity firm JMC Capital Partners are looking to sell their stakes in a joint venture that operates more than 1,300 free WiFi kiosks fashioned from old phone booths around New York City, according to people familiar with the matter. The move is the latest twist in the project overseen by Daniel Doctoroff, former chief executive of news and data provider Bloomberg LP and former deputy mayor of New York City. He now runs Sidewalk Labs, an urban development unit of Google parent Alphabet Inc. Doctoroff is chairman of a Sidewalk Labs subsidiary that is the top investor in the joint venture. Qualcomm and JMC are working with an investment bank to explore the sale of their stakes in CityBridge, the venture that is behind the LinkNYC WiFi project, the people said, asking not to be identified because the matter is private. Qualcomm is seeking to exit the venture because it views it as non-core, while the private equity firm JMC is aiming to generate a profitable return on its investment, the people said. Qualcomm and Sidewalk Labs declined to comment. JMC did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A spokeswoman for New York City's Information Technology & Telecommunications Department said in a statement that the city would have to approve any changes and so far "nothing has been presented to us. Any decision we make has to center around continuing the success of the program and ensuring New Yorkers best interests are met. LinkNYC emerged in 2014 as part of a 12-year contract with New York City to replace 7,500 payphone stands and was expected to generate $500 million in revenue for the city's coffers. LinkNYC said on Wednesday that since they launched in 2016 more than 2.7 million people had registered to use the kiosks, which also have phone charging stations and free calling services. Qualcomm and JMC each invested about $25 million into the joint venture in 2014, the sources said. Story continues Another $50 million came from an outdoor advertising company and a software firm that were later bought by Sidewalk Labs and merged under the name Intersection. LinkNYC kiosks generate revenue through ad sales. Sidewalk Labs, which already owns more half of the joint venture through Intersection, could be a potential acquirer of the stakes, according to one of the people familiar with the matter. Sidewalk Labs declined to comment on its potential interest. Large wireless carriers such as Verizon Communications and AT&T could potentially be good partners as well in the joint venture, according to the sources. Verizon and AT&T could not immediately be reached for comment. Sidewalk Labs' Intersection expanded its network of Internet kiosks to London in June, turning on the first of 1,000 expected to be installed with Britain broadband provider BT and a local advertising firm. On Wednesday, Sidewalk Labs announced plans to open 100 kiosks in Philadelphia without any business partners starting next year. (Reporting by Liana B. Baker and Paresh Dave in San Francisco; Editing by Cynthia Osterman) [caption id="attachment_7484" align="alignleft" width="245"] Jim Schultz of Cozen O'Connor.[/caption] After just under a year in the White House, James Schultz is returning to Cozen O'Connor to chair the firm's government and regulatory practice group. Schultz, whose first full day back at the firm was Monday, said he had committed to returning to private practice in late 2017 when he agreed to take the position in President Donald Trump's administration late last year. As associate White House counsel and special assistant to the president, he worked on ethics and compliance issues, particularly with regard to staff and senior officials. Schultz said he had never intended to take another federal government position just two years after rejoining Cozen O'Connor from the Pennsylvania Office of General Counsel. But "it's not a job you say no to," he said of the White House role.Ongoing investigations into ties between Trump's presidential campaign and Russia had no effect on Schultz's decision to leave the White House, he said, given that he had always planned to return to Cozen O'Connor after a year. He said the investigation "really just serves as crowd noise and distracts from the policy agenda were trying to advance as an administration." Schultz's work at the White House included matters related to ethics and compliance, congressional oversight, government contracting, procurement, trade, and transportation and infrastructure. He also assisted in selecting a judicial nominee for the U.S. Court of Appeals for Third Circuit, because of his knowledge of the region. Trump nominated University of Pennsylvania Law School professor Stephanos Bibas in June, and he was confirmed earlier this month. Most of his work was focused on making sure White House staff and nominees followed financial disclosure and conflict of interest requirements, Schultz said, but that did not include the Trump family. "In the beginning, there was a lot of attention given to the White House staff because they were so successful in the business arena," Schultz said. "Its a more challenging job than when you have someone whos been a government employee their whole career." Back at Cozen O'Connor, where he will be based in both D.C. and Philadelphia, Schultz said he will likely expand his practice to include federal government issues. Transitioning back into the practice isn't much of a challenge because the firm maintained his client relationships during his absence, he said. As for future government roles, he said he'll evaluate any future offers as they come. Schultz said his practice works hand-in-hand with the lobbying group at Cozen O'Connor Public Strategies. That affiliate recently made a significant addition, bringing on five lobbyists from Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, whose practice is among the top 10 in New York City. Having served in high-level positions in Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania, I am thrilled that Jim will return to Cozen OConnor to lead our government and regulatory practice, Cozen OConnor CEO Michael Heller said in a statement. As we continue to expand our services in Washington, D.C., and across the country, Jims experience and expertise will be invaluable to our clients. These modern-day instances of animals ending up behind bars will get your goat! Here's a quick list of such animals who have been locked up by police in India and abroad. By India Today Web Desk: Yesterday, we heard the sad news of a herd of donkeys being detained in Uttar Pradesh's Jalaun district. Didn't hear about it? Well, they were, for eating and destroying plants worth around Rs 5 lakh outside a jail. For what it's worth, the accused donkeys were released later, but only after four days of detention. advertisement Does that baffle you, the detention of animals? Hold your horses, for donkeys ain't the only ones to ever end up behind the bars for 'committing a felony'. During the Middle Ages the practice of trying and condemning animals was common in Europe and the British Isles and later in the New World. But these modern-day instances across the globe just get your goat! Here's a quick list of animals who have been locked-up by police in India and abroad: BLEAT THIS A goat was turned in to the police by a vigilante group in Nigeria, which claimed it was an armed car thief who had used black magic to transform himself into a goat to escape arrest after trying to steal a Mazda 323. Uh, thinking of an animagus, anybody? Also, In June 2013, three goats were detained by officers in Chennai after they were accused of damaging a police vehicle. And, Another goat was tried in a Sydney court after being charged with vandalism -- snacking on a flower bed outside the city's Museum of Contemporary Art. COO DE GRACE In 2010, Indian police held a pigeon after it was alleged to be a Pakistan spy. Found by a local resident near the Amristsar border, the bird had a ring around its foot and a Pakistani phone number and address stamped on its body in red ink. PRIMATE FACIE In 2011, authorities in Pakistan's Punjab province arrested a trespassing monkey. Having wandered into Cholistan, across the border from India, it was given a home in Bahawalpur Zoo. FELINE FELON In June 2013, a cat was detained by Russian police, after it was caught trying to enter a prison near Moscow with mobile phones and chargers taped to its body. Also, In January 2013, a cat was detained in Brazil with contraband goods for prisoners taped to its body. The incident took place at a jail in Arapiraca city and the confiscated items included drill bits, files, a mobile phone and charger, and earphones. advertisement HEE HOW? In 2008, a burro (small donkey) bit and kicked two men near a ranch in Chiapas state in Mexico. It was jailed for assault and battery and kept in a cell normally reserved for those arrested for public drunkenness and other disturbances. BROUGHT TO TUSK Criminal charges were brought against an elephant in Kerala, in January 2013, after it killed three women at a religious festival after going berserk. After this incident, the elephant was banned for three months from participating in festivities and processions. MURDER IN THE PEN A camel had to spend a night behind bars for murdering a buffalo. The incident reported from the North West Frontier Province in Pakistan on January 1, 2007, occured after the owners had tied the animals near to each other. The camel fell upon the buffalo, bit it in the chest, gave it numerous blows with its front legs and killed it. And you thought committing a felony is 'inhuman'! --- ENDS --- The most important chart you need to know today is the yield curve. But dont yawn, it has huge implications for the economy and your portfolio. Over the past year, short-term rates have surged while long-term rates have held steady, sending the yield curve to its flattest levels in a decade. Now Morgan Stanley analysts predict the curve will be completely flat by 2018. US Treasury Yield Curve Morgan Stanleys Matthew Hornbach explains that as the Fed continues to gradually raise rates, it puts upward pressure on short-term yields. Concurrently, as global central banks expand their balance sheets, that puts downward pressure on long-term rates. Both those phenomena working in tandem will cause the curve to flatten such that, in 3Q18, all Treasury yields will be in the lower end of that 2.00-2.25% range. If growth is better than expected, we think short-end rates rise more, Hornbach writes. If growth weakens more, or sooner, we expect strong demand for U.S. duration, which will weigh on long-term rates. What are the market effects? One of Morgan Stanleys top trades is to bet on the shrinking spread between 2 and 30-year Treasury yields, targeting an eventual spread of 10 basis points (currently, its 58 bps). Also, a flattening yield curve spells trouble for banks, which generate money from the gap between long-term loans and short term deposits. So its no surprise that financial stocks (XLF) have trailed the S&P 500 (^GSPC, SPY) this year. Treasury Yield Spread Finally, an inverted yield curve has predicted the past 7 recessions. Flattening isnt the same thing as inverting, but it is one step closer. Morgan Stanley notes that we are not on recession watch now, and peg the 12-month probability of recession at 25% [but] by 2020, that probability grows to near certainty. CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - Nov 28, 2017) - News Release - TransCanada Corporation (TRP.TO) (TRP.TO) (TransCanada) will host its annual Investor Day in Toronto today where it will provide a financial update and review strategic plans for its natural gas pipelines, liquids pipelines and energy businesses. "Today, our $86 billion high-quality portfolio of energy infrastructure assets is performing very well," said Russ Girling, TransCanada's president and chief executive officer. "Looking forward, we are advancing $24 billion in commercially secured near-term growth projects that will expand and extend our asset footprint across North America." As those projects enter service, TransCanada expects comparable earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) to grow at an average annual rate of approximately 10 per cent between 2015 and 2020. Significantly, over 95 per cent of the Company's EBITDA is expected to come from regulated businesses or long-term contracted assets. At the same time, the company continues to advance a series of additional opportunities that are expected to result in further growth in EBITDA beyond 2020. The portfolio is comprised of more than $20 billion in projects in development including Keystone XL, the Bruce Power life extension program and Coastal GasLink as well as numerous other organic growth projects that are expected to emanate from TransCanada's natural gas pipelines, liquids pipelines and energy businesses in Canada, the United States and Mexico. "Based on the confidence we have in our business plans, today we are reaffirming that we expect to grow our common share dividend at an average annual rate at the upper end of an eight to 10 per cent range through 2020," added Girling. "We are also extending our outlook to 2021 when we expect the common share dividend to grow by an additional eight to 10 per cent. Notably, our dividend outlook is supported by expected growth in earnings and cash flow with strong dividend coverage ratios, providing us the financial flexibility to prudently fund our significant capital program." Story continues On November 9, 2017, TransCanada announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.625 per common share for the quarter ending December 31, 2017. The quarterly amount equates to $2.50 per common share on an annualized basis and represents a 10 per cent increase over the amount declared in 2016. TransCanada's Board of Directors has increased the common share dividend in each of the last seventeen years, from $0.80 per common share in 2000 to $2.50 per common share in 2017. Today's investor event will be webcast beginning at 8 a.m. EST (6 a.m. MST). Interested parties may participate in the webcast available on TransCanada's website in the Investors section at https://www.transcanada.com/en/investors/events/. A copy of the presentation and the webcast, which will be archived and accessible for replay, will be available on the website. With more than 65 years' experience, TransCanada is a leader in the responsible development and reliable operation of North American energy infrastructure including natural gas and liquids pipelines, power generation and gas storage facilities. TransCanada operates one of the largest natural gas transmission networks that extends more than 91,500 kilometres (56,900 miles), tapping into virtually all major gas supply basins in North America. TransCanada is the continent's leading provider of gas storage and related services with 653 billion cubic feet of storage capacity. A large independent power producer, TransCanada currently owns or has interests in approximately 6,200 megawatts of power generation in Canada and the United States. TransCanada is also the developer and operator of one of North America's leading liquids pipeline systems that extends approximately 4,800 kilometres (3,000 miles), connecting growing continental oil supplies to key markets and refineries. TransCanada's common shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges under the symbol TRP. Visit TransCanada.com to learn more, or connect with us on social media and 3BL Media. Forward Looking Information This release contains certain information that is forward-looking and is subject to important risks and uncertainties (such statements are usually accompanied by words such as "anticipate", "expect", "believe", "may", "will", "should", "estimate", "intend" or other similar words). Forward-looking statements in this document are intended to provide TransCanada security holders and potential investors with information regarding TransCanada and its subsidiaries, including management's assessment of TransCanada's and its subsidiaries' future plans and financial outlook. All forward-looking statements reflect TransCanada's beliefs and assumptions based on information available at the time the statements were made and as such are not guarantees of future performance. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is given as of the date it is expressed in this news release, and not to use future-oriented information or financial outlooks for anything other than their intended purpose. TransCanada undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information except as required by law. For additional information on the assumptions made, and the risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from the anticipated results, refer to the Quarterly Report to Shareholders dated November 8, 2017 and the 2016 Annual Report to shareholders filed under TransCanada's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov. Non-GAAP Measures This news release refers to EBITDA, a financial measure which does not have a standardized meaning as prescribed by U.S. GAAP and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. EBITDA is calculated on a consistent basis from period to period and is adjusted for specific items in each period, as applicable. For more information on Non-GAAP measures, including a reconciliation to the most closely related GAAP measures, refer to TransCanada's Quarterly Report to Shareholders dated November 8, 2017. Democrat Durbin: Wall Street hates CFPB like the devil hates holy water GOPs Thune: Trump pick Mulvaney will run things but battle will continue Mick Mulvaney is a rightwing hardliner who co-sponsored legislation to eliminate the CFPB. Photograph: Andrew Harnik/AP An Obama-era agency that a senior Senate Democrat said Wall Street hates like the devil hates holy water will have two acting directors on Monday, after the White House countered its directors resignation and promotion of an ally by naming its own man to take temporary charge. One Senate Republican said the unusual situation, with each side claiming legal justification, could end up in court. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) was set up after the financial crash of 2008 to protect ordinary Americans from abusive practices by banks, mortgage companies, pay day loan operations and debt collectors. Its director, Richard Cordray, proved an aggressive watchdog, for example fining Wells Fargo a record amount over its misselling of bank accounts. Republicans opposed to tough regulation of the financial sector think the agency has been too aggressive. Democrats back it. One of the architects of the legislation that created the agency, the former Massachusetts representative Barney Frank, told CNN on Saturday: We gave a lot of attention to how to structure the CFPB and how to protect its independence, because its job is to go after some very powerful forces in the economy. The point is, we intend[ed] what Cordray was doing to have this kind of autonomy. Cordray resigned on Friday but made a play to maintain control, naming the agencys chief of staff, Leandra English, as deputy. Under the Dodd-Frank legislation, English would thus lead it until the Senate confirmed a presidential nominee. That can take months. Donald Trump countered by naming Mick Mulvaney, director of the Office of Management and Budget, to the deputy director role. White House officials speaking to reporters on Saturday cited the Vacancies Reform Act (VRA) of 1998, and a memo by Steven Engel, the new head of the justice departments Office of Legal Counsel, as providing the presidents authority to do so. Story continues Its a watchdog agency. Wall Street hates it like the devil hates holy water and theyre trying to put an end to it Senator Dick Durbin Trump devoted less detail to the issue, tweeting that the CFPB had been a total disaster as run by the previous Administrations [sic] pick. Financial Institutions have been devastated and unable to properly serve the public. We will bring it back to life! The argument is drawn on partisan lines. English is a longtime ally of Cordray, who is a Democrat rumoured to be considering a run for governor in Ohio. Cordrays resignation statement highlighted Englishs in-depth knowledge of agency operations and staff. Before joining the CFPB, she served at the Office of Management and Budget and the Office of Personnel Management. Mulvaney is a former Republican congressman from South Carolina, a hard-right deficit hawk and founder of the House Freedom Caucus. He was elected in the Tea Party wave of 2010 and has been an outspoken critic of the CFPB, which he called a joke in an interview in 2014. One White House official said he expected Mulvaney to take charge on Monday, with English as his deputy. Senator John Thune of South Dakota agreed, telling Fox News Sunday Mulvaney will be on the job and hell be calling the shots over there but adding: Ultimately, this may end up in court. Richard Cordray arrives to testify on Capitol Hill in 2014. Photograph: Yuri Gripas/Reuters Other senators emphasised the depth of division. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the No 2 Democrat in the Senate, told CNNs State of the Union he had read the relevant provision in Dodd-Frank, which said: When the director steps aside, the deputy director shall be in charge of the agency, not may, shall be in charge. So now theres an effort by Mick Mulvaney and the attorney general [Jeff Sessions] to push [Mulvaney] into this position so that he can take away [the CFPBs] power. It's the most out of control, unaccountable federal agency in Washington, they can get into anybodys business Senator Lindsey Graham Remember, this was the agency that fined Wells Fargo $100m for defrauding people who were saving there and creating phoney accounts. Its a watchdog agency. Wall Street hates it like the devil hates holy water and theyre trying to put an end to it. The South Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham countered: I think the presidents on good ground here to appoint somebody under the vacancy statute. [The CFPB is] the most out of control, unaccountable federal agency in Washington, really no oversight at all, they can get into anybodys business. I dont think they add much at all to consumer protection and they sure add a lot to increasing costs for midsize banks that had nothing to do with the financial collapse. Leading figures in the House also took sides. Jeb Hensarling, Republican chair of the financial services committee, said Mulvaney would fight not only to protect consumers from force, fraud, and deception but will protect them from government interference with competitive, innovative markets and help preserve their fundamental economic opportunities and liberties. The House Democratic leader, Nancy Pelosi, said in a statement: All Americans should be deeply concerned about the White Houses cynical decision to flout the law and attempt to put the ringleader of its dangerous, anti-consumer protection policies in charge. The public deserved a champion that protects them from predatory bankers and lenders, she said, not the leadership of a Wall Street pawn who denigrates consumer protection as a sick, sad joke. (Photo: HuffPost) (Photo: Joshua Roberts / Reuters) TOP STORIES (And want to get The Morning Email each weekday? Sign up here.) THE BATTLE FOR THE CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU CONTINUES While Mick Mulvaney, President Donald Trumps pick to run the CFPB, installed a hiring freeze, the dueling acting director Leandra English told reporters that Mulvaney has no authority at the agency. Attorneys for both sides squared off in court yesterday. [Reuters] [Tweet | Share on Facebook] ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO DISCREDIT THE WASHINGTON POSTS ROY MOORE REPORTING Has backfired after reporters uncovered a sting attempt by Project Veritas to get the Post to publish a false victim account. [HuffPost] TURNS OUT WELLS FARGO HAS BEEN OVERCHARGING FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEES The news comes just over a year after the bank was fined over widespread illegal practices of opening accounts without customer knowledge. [HuffPost] ACCESS HOLLYWOOD REFUTES TRUMP: THE TAPE IS VERY REAL Access Hollywood hosts are incredulous that President Donald Trump reportedly raised questions recently about the authenticity of his videotaped boast about grabbing womens genitals. [HuffPost] TRUMP UNDER FIRE FOR USING POCAHONTAS SLUR DIRECTED AT ELIZABETH WARREN At a Navajo event. [HuffPost] WHERE CONGRESS STANDS ON TAX CUTS Matt Fuller reports Senate Republicans are looking to make a deal. [HuffPost] ACTRESS ACCUSES WEINSTEIN BROTHERS OF SEX TRAFFICKING In a new lawsuit. And Jeremy Pivens new CBS show has been canceled after 13 episodes in light of the sexual assault allegations against him. [HuffPost] WHATS BREWING IF YOU HAVENT WATCHED PRINCE HARRY AND MEGHAN MARKLES ENGAGEMENT VIDEO You should. They could not be any more in love and relatable amid it all. We cant get enough of their first engagement photos, how he proposed, that ring and its connection to Princess Diana, and how Markle is making her mark on the royal family. J.K. Rowling waded in to defend the couples union after critics came after Markle for her divorce. And Twitter even has a conspiracy theory that Michelle Obama sparked the romance. [HuffPost] Story continues CONGRATS TO LADY BIRD Which has taken the title of best-reviewed movie in Rotten Tomatoes history. If that doesnt bode well for an Oscar run, we dont know what does. [HuffPost] PEOPLE ARE A TAD CREEPED OUT By this Christmas chamber in the White House decorations. [HuffPost] THE BRANDS OFFERING AN ALTERNATIVE To fast fashion which results in one garbage truck full of textiles being thrown away every second. [HuffPost] DICTIONARY.COM OFFERS UP A SAD COMMENTARY ON 2017 By making complicit the word of the year. Happy holidays to you too, Dictionary.com. [HuffPost] BEFORE YOU GO Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. By Michael Hirtzer CHICAGO, Nov 28 (Reuters) - U.S. ethanol producers, looking to relieve a growing domestic glut, are hunting for new international fuel markets to replace China and Brazil after trade disputes slashed exports to those top buyers. Without new markets, U.S. producers may have to pare output after spending hundreds of millions of dollars on biofuel production plants in recent years. Currently, the most promising potential destinations for U.S. fuel exports appear to be Mexico and India, industry executives said. China and Brazil accounted for 41 percent of the 1.17 billion gallons the United States exported last year. Shipments to the two shriveled in September, making U.S. exports for that month the smallest in more than a year. "There are only so many times you can replace your top market," said Tom Sleight, president of the U.S. Grains Council, which officials said has been calling on potential buyers in Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria. China's demand plummeted by more than 100 million gallons this year after it removed a preferential tariff rate. Brazil's imports tumbled after it put a quota on imports in September to protect its domestic producers. To drum up new customers, Illinois-based ethanol producer Marquis Energy has sent executives to India, China, Thailand and the Philippines, promoting the corn-based fuel additive as a smog and oil-import fighter. "I've had a lot of people over there almost nonstop over the last three months," the company's chief executive Mark Marquis said of the hunt for buyers in Asia. Archer Daniels Midland Co and Flint Hills Resources also have stepped up efforts to sell into Mexico, traders said. U.S. ethanol prices have slid to nearly a two-year low as daily domestic production last week hit a record 45.1 million gallons, making the search for new export markets more urgent. Output this year could reach about 16 billion gallons, nearly triple that of 2007. U.S. exports fell since hitting 2.5 million gallons per day in the first eight months this year. Shipments to Brazil sank to 19 million gallons in September, the smallest monthly volume in more than a year. Exports to China through September were just 60,880 gallons, a precipitous drop from 198 million gallons a year earlier, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data. Story continues The marketing effort could pay off in Mexico, whose energy regulatory commission (CRE) is to vote soon to ease the flow of fuel imports through state-run Pemex facilities to several Mexican states bordering the United States. If approved, significant new volumes of gasoline blended with 10 percent ethanol could begin flowing in 2018 into Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas states, CRE Commissioner Luis Guillermo Pineda told Reuters. "The largest supplier is logically the United States, but it can be from anywhere," Pineda said of the ethanol blend. Ray Young, ADM's finance chief, last month told analysts Mexico could be importing 200 million gallons annually by 2019. U.S. ethanol exports to Mexico last year totaled about 30 million gallons. U.S. inventories reached 920 million gallons in the week ended Nov. 17, up 16 percent from a year earlier, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said. Ethanol futures have fallen to $1.36 per gallon on the Chicago Board of Trade, down 20 percent from their 2017 high in April. U.S. producers are pitching China and India on ethanol's smog-fighting potential. This month, United Airlines canceled flights to India's capital, New Delhi, citing heavy smog as a public health emergency. China ordered Beijing and more than two dozen other cities to start meeting limits on airborne pollution starting this month. Ted McKinney, a USDA official interviewed during a biofuel-promotion trip to India, expressed optimism that country could import much more U.S. ethanol for cars and trucks. But others were not so sure. India's government wants to promote biofuel production using its own agricultural waste, said Jai Asundi, research coordinator at Bengaluru-based think tank Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP). "There is a potential for producing ethanol from locally available sources without depending on imports," Asundi said. (Additional reporting by David Alire Garcia in MEXICO CITY, Mayank Bhardwaj in NEW DELHI and Yashaswini Swamynathan in BANGALORE; Editing by Gary McWilliams and David Gregorio) About a month has gone by since the last earnings report for KLA-Tencor Corporation KLAC. Shares have lost about 3.5% in that time frame, underperforming the market. Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to the stock's next earnings release, or is it due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at its most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts. KLA-Tencor Beats Earnings and Revenue Estimates in Q1 KLA-Tencor Corporation reported first-quarter fiscal 2018 earnings of $1.80 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 17 cents. The figure surged 55.2% from the year-ago quarter Revenues increased 29.2% from the year-ago quarter to $969.6 million, which comfortably surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $943 million. The figure was almost in line with the high end of managements guidance of $910-$970 million. Products revenues (almost 78.5% of total revenues) increased 35.4% year over year to $760.8 million. The figure was better than the consensus estimate of $740 million. Services revenues (21.5% of total revenues) increased 10.5% from the year-ago quarter to $208.8 million, which was also better than the consensus estimate of $202 million. Stable Shipments Drove Top Line Shipments in the first quarter were $977 million, up 0.6% sequentially and within the guidance of $945 million to $1.025 billion. New orders totaled approximately $3 billion on a year-to-date basis in 2017. Foundry customers accounted for 40% (as compared with guidance of 42%) of shipments, 46% of memory (as compared with guidance of 46%) and 14% of logic. In terms of end market, Wafer Inspection, Service, Non semi (includes back-end component inspection business) and Patterning (includes shipments from reticle inspection business) contributed 46%, 21%, 3% and 30% of shipments, respectively. KLA continues to experience strong growth for its Wafer Inspection solutions. Management stated that new capacity addition by Wafer manufacturers and adoption of more complex architectures by IC customers are driving demand for new bare wafer products. These are needed to support more stringent wafer flatness and process tool cleanliness specifications in advanced technologies. Story continues Moreover, Gen 5 broadband plasma wafer inspection platform continues to gain momentum in the marketplace. Management expects the solution to continue to support customers in development of 7-nanometer (nm) technology. It is also expected to have a larger role on the development and ramp of the 5-nm, node. Geographically, Korea, the United States and Taiwan contributed 34%, 19% and 17% to shipments, respectively. China accounted for 10% of shipments in the quarter. Management noted that China was strong both in terms of both process control adoption and market share gains. Operating Details KLAs gross margin expanded 60 basis points (bps) on a year-over-year basis to 63.7%. The year-over-year growth was driven by favorable product mix and operating leverage. Operating expenses, as percentage of revenues, declined 330 bps from the year-ago quarter to 26%. As a result, operating margin expanded 390 bps to 37.8%. Balance Sheet KLA ended the quarter with cash and short-term investments balance of $3.06 billion, up $39.7 million from the previous quarter. Cash from operations was $374 million in the quarter and free cash flow was $358 million. Guidance For second-quarter fiscal 2018, KLA expects shipments of $945 million to $1.025 billion. Revenues are expected between $930 million and $990 million. Management expects foundry orders to be approximately 20% of shipments in the second quarter. Memory shipments are anticipated to be 60%, with NAND representing 55% of the mix. Logic is currently projected to be 14% of the shipment. KLA expects gross margin in the range of 63% and 64%. Operating expenses are expected to be $260 million. How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then? Fresh estimates followed an upward path over the past two months. VGM Scores At this time, KLA-Tencor's stock has a nice Growth Score of B, though it is lagging a bit on the momentum front with C. The stock was allocated a grade of C on the value side, putting it in the middle 20% for this investment strategy. Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of B. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in. Based on our scores, the stock is more suitable for growth investors than momentum and value investors. Outlook The stock has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). We are expecting an above average return from the stock's in the next few months. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report KLA-Tencor Corporation (KLAC) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research USGS Hawaii Volcano USGS Hawaii's Mount Kilauea erupted Thursday morning at 4:00 a.m. local time. The eruption sent ash clouds as high as 30,000 feet. Ash clouds wreak havoc on modern airliners and their jet engines. On Thursday, Mount Kilauea on Hawaii's Big Island erupted at 4:00 a.m. local time on Thursday. The explosive eruption sent ash clouds 30,000 feet in the air and has forced more than 1,000 people to flee. Kilauea's eruptions have been building in intensity over the past couple of weeks. Earlier this week, the US Geological Survey raised its alert level to red, indicating that a major eruption is imminent and is a hazard to those on the ground and in the air. Not only can eruptions rain down debris and leave rivers of lava, volcanic ash in the air can wreak havoc on commercial airliners. The most famous run-in between a plane and a volcano occurred on June 24, 1982, when British Airways Flight 009 inadvertently flew through an ash cloud emitted by an erupting Mount Galungung. At the time, the Boeing 747 was cruising at 37,000 feet on its way from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to Perth, Australia, when the flight's captain was notified of an electric discharge called a St. Elmo's Fire that enveloped the plane's engines in an odd glow. In fact, the discharge enveloped all of the 747's leading edges. Almost immediately, the jet's engines began to fail and the cabin filled with a sulfuric smoke. Soon, all four engines failed, leaving the jumbo jet to glide along while the pilots worked to restart them. The plane lost 25,000 feet of altitude before the pilots got the engines restarted at 12,000 feet. It was later discovered that molten ash had clogged up the jumbo's four Rolls-Royce turbofan engines. By the time the plane reached 12,000 feet, the ash had cooled, solidified, and broken off; allowing the engines to start again. But the ash had also caused other issues for the pilots. Even with the engines restarted, poor visibility made flying difficult. The ash had been effectively sandblasting the plane at 350 mph which turned the front windows nearly opaque. Fortunately, the pilots were able to land at Jakarta Airport using a side window. All 248 passengers and 15 crew on board the plane made it to safety. Story continues All four engines, as well as the 747, were severely damaged as a result of the incident. In 1989, KLM experienced a similar incident when one of its 747-400s suffered quadruple engine failure after flying through an ash cloud emitted by Mout Redoubt in Alaska. Again, the flight was able to restart its engines after descending to 13,000 feet and make an emergency landing in Anchorage. Fortunately for those of us flying, airlines have learned their lesson. Flying near volcanic eruptions is dangerous for everyone involved and very expensive for the airlines. NOW WATCH: BlackRock's $1.8 trillion bond chief shares an epiphany he had that reshaped his entire economic outlook See Also: SEE ALSO: Southwest is selling discount one-way tickets for as low as $49 until Friday FOLLOW US: on Facebook for more car and transportation content! For Immediate Release Chicago, IL November 28, 2017 Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. IDXX, Luminex Corporation LMNX, Masimo Corporation MASI, Align Technology Inc. ALGN and The Cooper Companies Inc. COO. Here are highlights from Mondays Analyst Blog: 5 MedTech Stocks to Beat Tax Hazards with Positive Returns The latest $1.5-trillion tax reform plan has been a landmark achievement for President Trump. As usual, in its initial stage, the nation gave mixed reactions on the controversial bill. While a few Americans slammed the new plan as a job killer,' others found it to be an excellent opportunity to fix a broken tax code.' While the bill claims to primarily focus on the easing of tax woes for middle-class Americans, the massive cut in corporate taxes tells a different story altogether. In fact, a research report by CNBC reveals that Frank Clemente, executive director of Americans for Tax Fairness, slammed the new tax code as a "a big giveaway to millionaires and corporations," neglecting the ones who are in real need of it. Now, it is to be seen whether the bill is fated to meet an overall failure or it gets to fulfill its promises of inclusive economic growth. Whats in it for MedTech? They are cutting taxes on the wealthy and taking health care away from millions, Senate Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Customer Base to Shrink While the reduction in corporate taxes will encourage the development of expensive cutting-edge MedTech products, the question over its profitability looms large. This is because with a higher number of uninsured and lesser deductions on healthcare costs, the industry is likely to witness a shrinking customer base, indicating a decline in demand for expensive medical procedures and devices. Story continues Tax Decision on MedTech Devices Impending The MedTech community has been hopeful since Trump proposed policies that entailed the abolition of the infamous 2.3% medical device sales tax. Such high taxes forced companies to lay off employees, limit research and development activities, and reduce capital investment. Furthermore, AdvaMed, a leading American medical device trade association, had referred to the medical device tax as a significant drag on medical innovation. Notably, small device companies suffered the most. Amid such worries, a repeal of the tax paradigm is expected to resume an aggressive pace of hiring and investment among the 9,000 America-based medical device manufacturers, instilling investor confidence in the stocks. Per data provided by the medical device trade group (in a Ken Blackwell article published by The Daily Caller), the partial two-year repeal of the MedTech tax had resulted in a roughly 83% rise in research and development (R&D) investments by MedTech players. The comeback of the tax in 2018 will lead to a $15 billion rise in taxes, largely discouraging R&D activities. Undoubtedly, the future of the U.S. MedTech industry depends on the Republicans decision on the 2.3% medical device tax. Key Picks Per Trump, the democrats have established a lousy healthcare model. However, with a complete medical device tax renovation, it is being widely believed that a new set of streamlined rules will benefit the medical device space. Meanwhile, stocks with strong fundamentals will give you assured returns amid this tax conundrum. We have zeroed in on five stocks that sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and boast strong fundamentals. Notably, all these stocks promise long-term expected earnings growth rate of 10% or more. IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. Headquartered in Delaware, NJ, IDEXX is a developer, manufacturer and distributer of products and services, primarily for the companion animal veterinary, livestock and poultry, water testing and dairy markets. The company also sells a series of portable electrolytes and blood gas analyzers for the human point-of-care medical diagnostics market. The company continues to demonstrate solid growth globally on strong international expansion. Managements innovation-based global strategy is leading to CAG Diagnostics growth. Notably, IDEXX expanded its cloud technology portfolio with the addition of rVetLink. Solid organic revenue growth along with a raised guidance for 2017 buoy optimism. The stock has a long-term expected earnings growth rate of 20.4%. IDEXX has a Zacks Rank #2. Over the last year, IDEXX has added 29.6%, higher than the broader industrys gain of 24.5%. Luminex Corporation Luminex develops, manufactures and markets proprietary biological testing technologies with applications throughout the life sciences and diagnostics industry. The companys open-architecture multiplexing xMAP (Multi-Analyte Profiling) technology is sold worldwide and is used by leading research laboratories as well as major pharmaceutical, diagnostic and biotechnology companies for conducting biological tests. Luminexs Assay business is likely to be its key growth driver over the long term. The company also witnessed favorable tidings at the regulatory front in the third quarter. In this regard, the recent CE-IVD mark for the ARIES Norovirus Assay, the FDA approval of ARIES C. difficile Assay and the reimbursement approval of VERIGENE assay in Japan are noteworthy. Luminex is on the verge of completing its clinical study for Group A Strep and is close to submitting the same for FDA review. The stock has a long-term expected earnings growth rate of 16.3%. Luminex has a Zacks Rank #1. Over the last month, Luminex has returned 7.7%, much higher than the broader industrys 3.4%. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Masimo Corporation Irvine, CA-based Masimo develops, manufactures and markets a family of non-invasive monitoring systems. The companys flagship product Signal Extraction (SET) Pulse Oximetry is used to monitor blood oxygen saturation levels and protect against hypoxemia and hyperoxemia. We believe the company's expanding product portfolio will be a key catalyst. Wider adoption of its non-invasive patient monitoring technology will help the company gain traction. Masimos SET pulse oximetry business represents considerable growth opportunities in international markets. Moreover, the FDA 510 (k) approval for the Radius 7 wearable and the O3 regional oximetry device are significant positives. Masimo has a Zacks Rank #2 and promises a long-term expected earnings growth rate of 10.1%. Over the last three months, Masimo has returned 7.6%, higher than the broader industrys 6.5%. Align Technology Inc. Based in California, Align manufactures and markets a system of clear aligner therapy, intra-oral scanners and CAD/CAM (computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing) digital services used in dentistry, orthodontics, and dental records storage. We are encouraged by the companys solid InvisAlign Technology prospects and growth in North America and internationally, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. A strong summer season performance drove Invisalign growth in the global teen market. We are also upbeat about the companys signing of a distribution agreement with Patterson Dental. The companys receipt of two U.S. patents for SmartTrack InvisAlign Aligner material buoys optimism as well. Align has a Zacks Rank #1, and promises long-term expected earnings growth of 28.9%. Over the last three months, the stock has returned 45.5%, way higher than the broader industrys 5.2%. The Cooper Companies Inc. Cooper, based in Pleasanton, CA, is a specialty medical device company operating on a global basis. The company is poised to gain from an expanding product portfolio and increasing penetration in International markets. Accretive acquisitions are also a key catalyst for the long term. The company has been seeing strong growth at its CooperVision business segment of late. Notably, the segment banks on the MyDay, Clariti and Biofinity silicone hydrogel lenses platforms. The CooperSurgical segment also delivered strong sales in the quarter. A strong guidance for fiscal 2017 instills our confidence in the stock. Cooper recently completed the acquisition of Procornea. This added a leading ortho-k technology to Coopers lens portfolio and marked its foray into the emerging myopia controlled markets. The stock has a Zacks Rank #2 and an expected earnings growth rate of 10.8%. Over the last year, the stock has added 43.9%, much higher than the broader industrys 19.9%. Will You Make a Fortune on the Shift to Electric Cars? Here's another stock idea to consider. Much like petroleum 150 years ago, lithium power may soon shake the world, creating millionaires and reshaping geo-politics. Soon electric vehicles (EVs) may be cheaper than gas guzzlers. Some are already reaching 265 miles on a single charge. With battery prices plummeting and charging stations set to multiply, one company stands out as the #1 stock to buy according to Zacks research. It's not the one you think. See This Ticker Free >> Want more stock market analysis from this author? Make sure to follow @Ryan_McQueeney on Twitter! Wall Streets Next Amazon Zacks EVP Kevin Matras believes this familiar stock has only just begun its climb to become one of the greatest investments of all time. Its a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in pure genius. Click for details >> Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/zacksresearch Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Zacks-Investment-Research/57553657748?ref=ts Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates. Media Contact Zacks Investment Research 800-767-3771 ext. 9339 support@zacks.com https://www.zacks.com Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performancefor information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Luminex Corporation (LMNX) : Free Stock Analysis Report Masimo Corporation (MASI) : Free Stock Analysis Report IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. (IDXX) : Free Stock Analysis Report Align Technology, Inc. (ALGN) : Free Stock Analysis Report Cooper Companies, Inc. (The) (COO) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Aam Aadmi Party has so far released two lists and named 20 candidates for the Gujarat Assembly election. By Kritika Banerjee: As Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi battle it out in Gujarat, one man missing from the action is Arvind Kejriwal whose Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is also contesting the election. AAP has so far released two lists for the Gujarat Assembly election and named a total of 20 candidates. While the party may release more names in the days to come, it may not contest on all the 182 Assembly constituencies in the state. advertisement The seats on which AAP is contesting are Bapunagar, Unjha, Rajkot (West), Danilimda, Lathi, Chhota Udepur, Padra, Karjan, Pardi, Gondal, Kamrej, Gandhinagar (North), Botad, Katargam, Rajkot (East), Surat (East), Karanj, Palanpur, Gandhidham and Jamnagar (Rural). FLIP-FLOP ON CONTESTING GUJARAT The party, led by Arvind Kejriwal, which initially had plans to go all out in Gujarat and take on the Narendra Modi-Amit Shah combine on their home turf, seems to be almost missing in action. Following its no-show in Goa and below expectation performance in Punjab and the drubbing in the MCD polls, AAP was divided on whether it should, at all, contest Gujarat election, with many saying that the party may drop the idea. AAP, however, now seems to be fighting only on selected seats where the party feels the BJP's popularity is on the wane. AAP's flip-flip on contesting Gujarat election, however, seems to have not gone down well with the party cadre, who were working since the last few years to prepare the ground for the polls. More than 2,000 volunteers and at least 100 local leaders of AAP recently joined Congress. Some even accused AAP leadership of working as BJP's B-team. CONGRESS WARY OF THE B-TEAM While the jury is still out on whose side AAP is or if it is not on anyone's side, the label of "B-team" is something that seems to have stuck with Arvind Kejriwal-led party. Despite its seemingly friendly overtures to Congress in the run-up to the Gujarat election, the Grand Old Party is sceptical about AAP. Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken recently told Mail Today that AAP has "strategically contested only in states with incumbent BJP governments, taking away the anti-incumbency votes that would have otherwise gone to Congress". AAP's decision to not contest in Himachal Pradesh but in Gujarat has also raised eyebrows. "Himachal is geographically closer to Delhi than Gujarat... But they chose to contest only in Gujarat and there too, on all the 11 seats where they have announced their candidates, the BJP stands to benefit from it? How else can this be read?" Maken had said after AAP announced its first list for Gujarat election. advertisement FIGHTING THE BJP, SAYS KEJRIWAL AAP, however, has maintained that it is fighting the BJP in Gujarat. "If somewhere AAP is winning, then give your vote to AAP. If any other party is winning, give vote to them, but defeat the BJP," Arvind Kejriwal said during AAP's national conference marking five years of the party. "I request the people of Gujarat to give your vote to that candidate or party who can defeat the BJP," Kejriwal said, accusing BJP of "dividing society on communal lines". AAP has also backed Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani who is contesting as an Independent candidate in the Gujarat election. AAP's support to Mevani, who has been in talks with Congress, seems to be yet another attempt by Kejriwal-led party to posture itself as against BJP rule in Gujarat. AAP's ambivalent strategy on Gujarat can go either way--help the party open its account in Gujarat or confuse the voters and make them swing the other side. ALSO WATCH: Congress self goal before Gujarat polls: Youth wing deletes tweet with meme on tea-seller Modi --- ENDS --- advertisement DG vs. TJX: Which Stock Is the Better Value Option? For Immediate Release Chicago, IL November 28, 2017 Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include Visa Inc. V, Amazon.com AMZN, IBM IBM, Google GOOGL and Overstock.com Inc. OSTK. Here are highlights from Mondays Analyst Blog: Blockchain: Disruptive Technology Here to Stay The digital currency (or cryptocurrency) markets continue to swell with bitcoin the most popular online token surging to a new record in trading today, at over $9,700. It has been a phenomenal 2017 for bitcoin, which has soared a staggering 870% year to date. Such has been the growing interest in the cryptocurrency market that bitcoins main rival ethereum also hit an all-time high of $425.55 during the Thanksgiving weekend. Despite what many refer to as 'a massive speculative bubble that is destined to end badly for investors,' the market cap for cryptocurrencies has exploded since the beginning of 2017, growing seven-fold in value to around $285 billion as of Friday, and still climbing at a rapid clip. To put the market value in perspective, it is now ahead of financial services major Visa Inc. While financial theorists continue to argue whether bitcoin and other major digital currencies' dizzying rally is a bubble or not, the underlying technology that sits behind them blockchain is here to stay. Blockchain: Disruptive Technology with Wide Range of Applications Blockchain is the world's leading software platform for digital assets. It was first developed as the technology platform maintaining the bitcoin transaction database -- a shared ledger with real-time auto updates that can process and settle payments in minutes using computer algorithms, without the requirement for third-party verification. Story continues Since then, the technology has gone mainstream with uses in an array of industries, from finance to insurance. In fact, some observers believe that blockchain has the potential to be as disruptive for the global financial services industry as Amazon.com was for retail. Promising a major paradigm shift, blockchain technology can usher in cheaper and faster processes with its ability to digitize transactions smoothly and efficiently. Organizations Focused on Developing Blockchain Solutions Earlier this month, a consortium including European energy majors announced the development of a blockchain-based digital tool for commodities trading. The venture, expected to start by the end of 2018, is being backed by banks ABN Amro, ING and Societe General. Once it takes off, the platform aims to move away from physical trading using traditional paper documentation, to smart and secure electronic contracts managing transactions from trade entry to final settlement. Given the versatility and the infinite possibilities of the tool, it's quite obvious that such a technology could easily be expanded far beyond commodity trading and into other avenues. Recently, eleven companies including New York-based blockchain firm Axoni as well as a couple U.S. banking giants successfully completed a blockchain-based pilot project for processing equity swaps. The six-month experiment achieved success across swap transaction aspects such as amendment and termination of operations, stock splits, and dividends. Meanwhile, tech giant IBM is working on a new blockchain banking solution to help simplify complex and costly cross-border financial transactions by reducing settlement time and lowering the cost of completing global payments for businesses and consumers. Number of Active Corporate Investors Swelling Per a report by data firm CB Insights, Google and Goldman Sachs are among the most active corporate blockchain investors, vying with the likes of Japan-based financial services firm SBI Holdings, Citigroup and Overstock.com Inc. -- a merchant services provider. Reflecting the interest of big business in the technology, the report also found that the number of firms putting their money in blockchain companies hit a record high of 91 this year, while there have been 42 equity investment deals by corporations aggregating $327 million. This is slightly below the $390 million recorded in the whole of 2016. In particular, companies like Overstock are preparing themselves to cash in on the cryptocurrency bandwagon by launching an exchange for the digital coins. Investors believe that the inevitable acceptance of these payment modes across a wide spectrum of businesses will result in handsome earnings and revenue growth going forward. No wonder that the Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock hit a four-year high recently on mounting excitement around the company's venture into blockchain. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Potential of the Blockchain Considering the numerous benefits of blockchain and its almost unlimited usage, the technology platform has the potential to revolutionize transactions by reducing complexity, cutting costs, boosting accuracy and lowering counterparty risk. Will You Make a Fortune on the Shift to Electric Cars? Here's another stock idea to consider. Much like petroleum 150 years ago, lithium power may soon shake the world, creating millionaires and reshaping geo-politics. Soon electric vehicles (EVs) may be cheaper than gas guzzlers. Some are already reaching 265 miles on a single charge. With battery prices plummeting and charging stations set to multiply, one company stands out as the #1 stock to buy according to Zacks research. It's not the one you think. See This Ticker Free >> Want more stock market analysis from this author? Make sure to follow @Ryan_McQueeney on Twitter! Wall Streets Next Amazon Zacks EVP Kevin Matras believes this familiar stock has only just begun its climb to become one of the greatest investments of all time. Its a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in pure genius. Click for details >> Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/zacksresearch Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Zacks-Investment-Research/57553657748?ref=ts Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates. Media Contact Zacks Investment Research 800-767-3771 ext. 9339 support@zacks.com https://www.zacks.com Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performancefor information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) : Free Stock Analysis Report Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) : Free Stock Analysis Report Overstock.com, Inc. (OSTK) : Free Stock Analysis Report Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) : Free Stock Analysis Report Visa Inc. (V) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research By Emelia Sithole-Matarise CHISHAWASHA, Zimbabwe (Reuters) - Robert Mugabe's face "glowed" with relief when he agreed to step down as Zimbabwe's president last week under pressure from the military and his party after 37 years in power, the priest who mediated his resignation said on Sunday. Father Fidelis Mukonori, a Jesuit priest who is a close Mugabe friend, laughed off a report by the privately owned Standard newspaper that Mugabe cried and lamented the betrayal by close lieutenants when he agreed to resign. "When he finished his signature his face just glowed, no weeping unless there were angels weeping somewhere," Mukonori told Reuters after mass at the Chishawasha Catholic mission just outside the capital Harare. "For me it was a sign that he was accepting that 'ah this is done', he is relieved, not that he is aggrieved but relieved." He said Mugabe realised it was the end of the road two days before he resigned, when he saw 60,000 Zimbabweans protesting and demanding he quit at the Harare grounds where he was inaugurated as prime minister in 1980. His signed resignation letter was read out on Tuesday, as parliament heard a motion to impeach him. Sources have told Reuters Mugabe was defiant when he met army top brass on Nov. 16 - which was the start of an extraordinary five-day standoff between Mugabe and Zimbabwe's supreme law on one side, and the military who had seized power, his party and Zimbabwe's people on the other. The 93-year-old president finally accepted defeat only after he was sacked by his ZANU-PF party and faced the ignominy of impeachment. Mugabe's fall after 37 years in power was spurred by a battle to succeed him that pitted his former deputy Emmerson Mnangagwa, who had stood by him for 52 years, and Mugabe's wife Grace, who is 52. NEW TEAM Mnangagwa was sworn in as president on Friday and all eyes now are on whether he will name a broad-based government or select figures from Mugabe's era. Mukonori said Mugabe had wanted a gradual and smooth transition of power to Mnangagwa, whom he had fired as vice president two weeks ago, but this was thwarted after Mnangagwa failed to immediately return from exile in South Africa. The Standard newspaper, which has been critical of Mugabe and his government over the years, urged Mnangagwa to "walk the talk on graft". At his swearing in ceremony, Mnangagwa said he valued democracy, tolerance and the rule of law and would tackle corruption. He has also urged citizens not to undertake "vengeful retribution". The new government is already moving to bring some of Mugabe and his wife's close associates to court. Former finance minister Ignatius Chombo faced magistrates on Saturday on corruption charges. He did not enter a plea. Chombo was among several members of a group allied to Grace who were detained and expelled from the ZANU-PF after the military seized power in "Operation Restore Legacy" which it said was meant to remove the "criminals" around Mugabe. Chombo, who told the court he was forcibly removed from his home on Nov. 15 by armed men in military uniform, was detained until Monday when his bail application will be heard. He was led away in leg irons together with ousted head of the ZANU-PF's influential youth league Kudzanai Chipanga. (Editing by Alison Williams) Reports from Pakistan say the authorities have detained at least nine people over the killing of a couple who had contracted a marriage without permission from their elders. Police in the southern port city of Karachi said on November 27 that the couple was killed by relatives last week on the orders of a tribal council, known as a tribal "jirga." They said the victims, identified as 24-year-old Abdul Hadi and Hasina Bibi, 20, hailed from the northern Kohistan district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, and married in Karachi about 1 1/2 months ago. Officer Qasim Hameed said Hadi's father and other relatives were arrested after the couple's bodies were found in a Karachi graveyard on November 26. The men confessed to murdering the couple with knives upon the orders of a jirga for dishonoring their Pashtun culture, Hameed said. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah expressed anger over the killings, saying: "This is Karachi, not a tribal area. How was a jirga held here?" Hundreds of "honor killings" are reported in Pakistan every year. In September, police said they were searching for dozens of members of a tribal council who ordered a teenage couple to be electrocuted by their families after they eloped. The couple -- a 17-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl -- were said to be ethnic Pashtuns from Karachi. Police said the fathers and two uncles of the couple had been arrested in the case. And in June, a 12-year-old girl from the northwestern tribal district of Khyber was killed by her family after she eloped with a boy. Local official Niaz Muhammad told RFE/RL that the alleged killers -- one of the girl's uncles and his son -- were detained along with two members of the boy's family. With reporting by AP and Dawn "Men of loose morals" is the term that Tajik prosecutors want added to the country's laws to combat prostitution. Prostitution is illegal and considered a misdemeanor in Tajikistan. But under current legislation, only women are liable for committing the offense. Now the Prosecutor-General's Office has called on parliament to amend the law to introduce punishments for men engaged in prostitution. The agency is drafting a bill for submission to parliament in early 2018, says Farrukh Raufov, a high-ranking official at the Prosecutor-General's Office. The agency wants punishments for men to be "harsher" than for the women, Raufov said. That could reflect the relative standing of men in Tajikistan's conservative society, but it could also stoke fears of an official crackdown targeting gay and other LGBT groups that already face public pressure in the predominantly Muslim Central Asian republic of around 8 million. Tajikistan's Code of Administrative Offenses stipulates about a $110 fine for prostitution. Repeat offenders can face fines of up to around $120 as well as up to 15 days in detention. However, the wording of the law is sufficiently vague and it can be argued that it applies only to female sex workers. Prosecutors argue that in practice the wording has led to the law to be used only against women, while men have largely escaped punishment when caught by police. The prosecutors are now proposing to add the phrase of "men of loose morals" to the Administrative Code to target men involved in prostitution either as clients or sex workers. Punitive measures for such males would be twice as harsh as those for women, if the bill becomes law. They would face up to a $220 fine, while repeat offenders could receive fines of up to $440 and up to 30 days in detention. "The bill is aimed at preventing prostitution and promoting the moral well-being of society," Raufov said. "It's a supply-and-demand concept. If there are no men looking for the service of prostitutes, there won't be such women." The bill is expected to apply to male sex workers, including among members of LGBT communities that already face official discrimination. Tajikistan came under widespread criticism in October after drawing up a registry of more than 300 lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. The Prosecutor-General's Office said the move was aimed at preventing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases as well as protecting sexual minorities. There are no official statistics on the exact number of female sex workers in Tajikistan. In January, Interior Minister Ramazon Rahimzoda said police raids had uncovered some 280 brothels across the country and registered 1,991 female prostitutes, a majority of them aged 18-30. Earlier statistics provided by the state Women's Affairs Committee in 2013 stood at 1,641. Many female sex workers say widespread poverty and unemployment have forced them to prostitution. Among other measures to tackle prostitution among women, Tajik authorities have introduced so-called morality classes for sex workers to attend lectures by police officers, doctors, and community leaders. At such sessions, police and doctors explain legal liabilities and the risks of sexually transmitted diseases, while community leaders give advice on alternative career training options. The morality classes were first launched in southern city of Qurghon-Teppa in 2016. johnl23 wrote: I had a quick question that's a bit unusual I was hoping to get some guidance on. I've applied to a number of schools in Round 1 and gotten a good number of interviews. On several of those applications, I had to list my number of direct reports, which at the time was 4 staff. However, I recently learned that two individuals on my team are going to be assigned to other duties due to some changes in my broader team's workload, which should happen relatively quickly. We're looking to backfill their positions, and already have one candidate in our pipeline that should start in the next few months. The other spot, however, will likely take until the second quarter of 2018 to find and onboard a replacement. I'm worried that it is disingenuous to not update the business school's I've applied to as to this situation, as I know that direct reports are part of the evaluative process. I also believe (could be wrong) that the number of direct reports is one of the things that is checked during post-acceptance verification. I was thinking of sending those schools that asked for that information a note explaining the situation, but didn't know if that would be unecessary or make it seem like I was not being truthful the first time around. Any guidance would be helpful - thank you very much for taking a look. 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 johnl23,Congrats on the interviews! I wouldn't worry too much about that. A change from 4 to 3 (or even 2) is unlikely to make a significant difference on their decision. And as far as I know, they employment verification does not include that info -- typically just your title, dates of employment and salary are checked. And I also think you have a really good explanation for why it changed since you applied. But if you're concerned about your schools not having all the facts, you could send a simple email with the update.Hope this helps!Kate_________________ ys933 wrote: I am going to apply mid ranked business schools full time MBA programs in United States. (below top 50 B-schools) Here is my profile: Age: 22 Undergraduate Degree: CGPA 2.40 (but one of the best and hardest electrical engineering department and university in Turkey) IELTS: 7 (which is OK for mid-ranked schools) Work Experience: 1 Year (including full time summer internships and family business) GMAT: 580 (Q49 V20) (However, I am going to take once again in 13th of December) Recommendation Letters: From two professors in my school, whom earned their degrees from top US schools I know my profile is not so strong, so my target is mid ranked schools they are: (Also, those are the ones that did NOT make work experience as a must) 1-Syracuse University 2-Northeastern University 3-UC Riverside 4-California State University Long Beach 5-Stony Brook University 6-University of Miami 7-Case Western Reserve 8-San Diego State University Can you please evaluate my profile for those schools? Also a last thing , for those schools above did my profile can be enough or from the upcoming GMAT what score should I get for strenghten my profile. Can you please tell your ideas school by school like: 1-approx. 650 2-now can be also ok 3-dream and so on... I am very eager to go to an MBA program in this age and I will issue it in my purpose of statement essays too. I will be very very happy for any comments ideas and advices Have a good day.... Helloo,I am going to apply mid ranked business schools full time MBA programs in United States. (below top 50 B-schools) Here is my profile:22CGPA 2.40 (but one of the best and hardest electrical engineering department and university in Turkey)7 (which is OK for mid-ranked schools)1 Year (including full time summer internships and family business)580 (Q49 V20) (However, I am going to take once again in 13th of December)From two professors in my school, whom earned their degrees from top US schoolsI know my profile is not so strong, so my target is mid ranked schools they are:(Also, those are the ones that did NOT make work experience as a must)1-Syracuse University2-Northeastern University3-UC Riverside4-California State University Long Beach5-Stony Brook University6-University of Miami7-Case Western Reserve8-San Diego State UniversityCan you please evaluate my profile for those schools?Also a last thing, for those schools above did my profile can be enough or from the upcoming GMAT what score should I get for strenghten my profile.Can you please tell your ideas school by school like: 1-approx. 650 2-now can be also ok 3-dreamand so on...I am very eager to go to an MBA program in this age and I will issue it in my purpose of statement essays too.I will be very very happy for any comments ideas and advicesHave a good day.... 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 Hello ys933!I am glad you've found some schools where work experience is not a must, as you are definitely on the younger side of most applicants! One question on your recommendation letters -- is it possible to get one academic letter and one professional one (like from a supervisor of an internship?). Most schools like to see professional letters, though I understand in your case why that might be difficult to do, especially with the family business involvement.As for your schools, I think the first two may be more stretches -- Syracuse recommends a minimum of 600 GMAT and Northeastern also has a 600+ average. But the others seem like reasonable targets.Given your lower GPA, I do think giving the GMAT test one more shot is a great idea, to try to cross that 600 mark and also to get that verbal score up. Your quant is excellent!Make sure you articulate your passion for doing your MBA now in your essays, and also communicate a clear / specific picture of your intended career path.Best of luck!Kate_________________ cg07 wrote: And another question, what do you think of taking the early decision route? You think this would boost my chances? Thank you again for the help. Posted from my mobile device Nisha Trivedi mbaMission Senior Admissions Consultant 35 positive reviews on GMATClub, 2020 Top 20 of admissions consultants across the industry per P&Q: https://poetsandquants.com/2020/08/26/best-mba-admission-consultants-of-2020/ 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 Signature Read More Hi, and thank you for writing! You have elements of a strong profile, with progressive work experience, a solid and balanced GMAT score, and good extracurricular involvement. I don't think that the GMAT will necessarily take you out of the running for these schools - however, definitely address the reasons for the GPA in your optional essay (the circumstances certainly are understandable) and state that you feel that your GMAT and work performance are more accurate indicators of your potential. Applying early decision could certainly help, as long as you can highlight in your applications why XX program is a good fit for you based on your research/interations with the community.I hope that helps! Let me know of any other questions_________________ A fresh breath of dairy air is just what the doctor might soon recommend. European studies have suggested farm kids are less likely to develop asthma and other immune-based diseases. Building off of that research, personnel at the Marshfield Clinic Research Institute recently looked into the variation of microbiota associated with dairy farmers compared to nonfarmers. Conducted in central Wisconsin, the study looked at organisms in the nose and mouth of 21 dairy farmers and 18 nonfarmers working office-based jobs. The group, led by Sanjay Shukla, found that the community of bacteria found on the bodies of healthy dairy farmers was more diverse than those found on nonfarmers. The farmers nose had 2.15-fold more organisms than the others. Additionally, dairy farmers had 1.5-fold more organisms in their mouth. Overall, they were also more likely than nonfarm residents to have lower levels of Staphylococcus spp., which can be opportunistic pathogens causing disease. Researchers believe this is the link that exists between health and farm life. They hope to continue studying the connection particularly as it relates to the bacteria levels being associated with lower rates of health events. We still do not know much about the microbial occupational exposure of farmers, and this study provides some basic understanding of dairy farmers microbiome, Shukla said. But we need to do functional studies on repeated sampling on a larger cohort to understand the microbiomes contribution to farmers overall health and disease. To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com. (c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2017 October 16, 2017 The Mount Agung volcano eruption continues. Airport at the Indonesian tourist island of Bali closed for a second day in a row. By India Today Web Desk: The Mount Agung volcano eruption has brought Bali to a standstill. Tuesday marks the second day when the airport at the Indonesian tourist island of Bali will be closed. Authorities have started the evacuation process yet again. Tens of thousands of tourists have also been advised to evacuate or avoid the nearby regions. More than 400 flights were canceled on Monday and nearly 60,000 travelers affected. advertisement Mount Agung has been hurling clouds of white and dark gray ash about 3,000 meters (9,800 feet) above its cone since the weekend and lava is welling in the crater, sometimes reflected as an orange-red glow in the ash plumes. Its explosions can be heard about 12 kilometers (7 1/2 miles) away. (Image Source: Reuters) The local airport authority said Tuesday that closure for another 24 hours was required for safety reasons. Volcanic ash poses a deadly threat to aircraft, and ash from Agung is moving south-southwest toward the airport. Ash has reached a height of about 30,000 feet as it drifts across the island. Watch: Timelapse footage of Bali's Mount Agung volcano erupting. Read more: https://t.co/kY9NGVksXM pic.twitter.com/O6XkE2Kf97- Reuters Top News (@Reuters) November 27, 2017 Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency raised the volcano's alert to the highest level Monday and expanded an exclusion zone to 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the crater in places from the previous 7 1/2 kilometers. It said a larger eruption is possible, though a top government volcanologist has also said the volcano could continue for weeks at its current level of activity and not erupt explosively. (Image Source: AP) (Image Source: AP) Meanwhile, the Indian Consulate in Bali has set up a helpdesk to assist Indian nationals stuck in Bali. Consulate General of India, Bali has a helpdesk at Bali airport to assist Indian nationals in Bali affected by Mt. Agung eruption. It's operational from 9 am & is on 2nd floor of International terminal. Please approach us for assistance. @IndianDiplomacy @MEAIndia @IndianEmbJkt.- India in Bali (@cgibali) November 27, 2017 India's external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj also tweeted out on it saying, "Indians in Bali - Pls do not worry. Pradeep Rawat Indian Ambassador in Jakarta @IndianEmbJkt and Sunil Babu Consul General @cgibali are on the job and I am monitoring this personally." Indians in Bali - Pls do not worry. Pradeep Rawat Indian Ambassador in Jakarta @IndianEmbJkt and Sunil Babu Consul General @cgibali are on the job and I am monitoring this personally.- Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) November 27, 2017 Authorities have told close to a 1,50,000 people to leave homes that are in close proximity to the volcano, though as of Monday tens of thousands stayed because they felt safe or didn't want to abandon livestock. advertisement "Authorities will comb the area to persuade them," agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said at a news conference Monday. "If needed we will forcibly evacuate them." About 25,000 people already have been living in evacuation centers since September when an increase in tremors sparked concerns. Volcanologist Erik Klemetti at Dennison University in Ohio said Agung's 1963 eruption was big enough to cool the earth slightly but it's unclear whether this time it will have a similar major eruption or simmer for a prolonged period. (Image Source: Reuters) "A lot of what will happen depends on the magma underneath and what it is doing now," he said. Bali is Indonesia's top tourist destination, with its Hindu culture, surf beaches and lush green interior attracting about 5 million visitors a year. Indonesia's Directorate General of Land Transportation said 100 buses were deployed to Bali's international airport and to ferry terminals to help travelers stranded by the eruption. The agency's chief, Budi, said major ferry crossing points have been advised to prepare for a surge in passengers and vehicles. Stranded tourists could leave Bali by taking a ferry to Java and then traveling by land to the nearest airports. (Image Source: Reuters) advertisement Ash has settled on villages and resorts around the volcano and disrupted daily life outside the immediate danger zone. "Ash that covered the trees and grass is very difficult for us because the cows cannot eat," said Made Kerta Kartika from Buana Giri village. "I have to move the cows from this village." Indonesia sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" and has more than 120 active volcanoes. With inputs from Associated Press --- ENDS --- 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 From a troublemaker to being troubled, here's why Shilpa Shinde has become an easy target for contestants in the house. By Parmita Uniyal: Shilpa Shinde, the 'maa' of the house, is most of the times seen in the kitchen, either cooking, cleaning or gossiping with her gang; or should we call kids? The 40-year-old former Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai star is one of the strongest contestants of Bigg Boss 11 and as per popular opinion will most likely end up as one of the finalists or even winner. She's also one of Salman's favourites, and has rarely been questioned by him on Weekend Ka Vaar. Yet, she's one of the most bullied contestants on the show. And we wonder, why? advertisement In the first few weeks of Bigg Boss 11, her only agenda in the house was to trouble Vikas Gupta who she felt wronged her by playing a crucial part in her ouster from Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai. Host Salman Khan, however, played the mediator between the constantly fighting duo and now the two have become great friends. Post patch up with Vikas, Shilpa's focus shifted to her 'kids' which initially worked for her. Her motherly image has shielded her from Salman's Vaar on Weekend. The fact that she chooses her battles, and doesn't react to every single things being said to her, also puts her in good light. But it is her inability to handle all the bullying that has made her an easy target in the house. Her 'kids' are aware of the their mother's popularity and they are shamelessly cashing in on it by picking fights with her. First, it was Akash who betrayed her and insulted her in front of the whole house, in the name of winning the trust of other contestants. Of late, Arshi too has been targeting Shilpa unnecessarily saying that she is favouring Puneesh and Bandgi over her. They both know, that by doing this, they are making themselves safe. Other housemates also find Shilpa vulnerable because she doesn't take stand for herself. Hina in the past has body shamed Shilpa by calling her "bhainsi aunty" and drum. She had earlier commented on her poor English. Priyank Sharma too said nasty things about Shilpa and Arshi's bodies by calling them bull. Benafsha after her elimination admitted to being rude to Shilpa in her last week and said that she wanted to undo her act. Vikas Gupta has called Shilpa mentally challenged and made fun of her broken marriage. The fact that her own gang members Akash and Arshi are crossing their limits with her proves that either Shilpa is playing a victim card or is genuinenly not understanding their insults. It's high time Shilpa took a stand for herself and give it back to her haters, including Hina, Arshi, Akash, Priyank and others. --- ENDS --- Kabul, Nov 28 (IBNS): At least 11 people, including three children, were injured in a blast in central Logar province of Afghanistan on Tuesday, media reports said. The blast took place in Pul-i-Alam, apparently targeting provincial deputy police chief Mohammad Ayub Wardak, who escaped unhurt, the governors spokesman was quoted as saying by Pajhwok Afghan News. The suicide blast took place at around 10: 30 am. A doctor at the provincial civil hospital, Samiullah, told Pajhwok Afghan News that they had been delivered 11 injured people, including three children. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. Toronto/Beijing, Nov 27 (IBNS): To bolster the job sector, Kathleen Wynne, the Premier of Ontario, announced over $600 million in new agreements which would create 583 new jobs in Ontario, during a programme in Beijing, China, media reports said. Two-way trade in science and technology between Ontario and China in 2016 was 42 percent of the regions bilateral trade and amounted reportedly to about $18 billion. During the present Ontario-China meeting, 25 agreements were signed by both Ontario and Chinese businesses and institutions. Ontario's OTT Financial Group and China's Tencent Cloud are working together to build a Business Accelerator Centre in Toronto, to foster entrepreneurship as well as introduce applications of internet technologies, and provide funding, technology and administrative support to start-up businesses. Development of Tencent Cloud markets in Canada are also being planned. Wynne was quoted by the media as saying, "China and Ontario have a long history of collaboration, especially in the science and technology sector. Countless Ontario businesses have already forged strong relationships in China, and the agreements signed today signal that our relationship continues to grow. By connecting more of our businesses, scientists, engineers and experts around the globe, we can fuel innovation, create good jobs and ensure Ontarios businesses remain competitive in a fast-paced global economy." Together, the projects are valued at $15 million. Queen Financial Group signed a cooperation agreement with China's Taihe Group and Funding Investment Management, valued at $500 million, to co-sponsor the establishment of the Haichuang Fund, a high-tech talent innovation venture equity investment fund. Western University signed an agreement with the China Automotive Battery Research Institute (CABRI), valued at $3.35 million, to establish a joint laboratory to develop next-generation all solid-state batteries for electric vehicles. An announcement was also made that CABRI had registered a new Canadian-based R&D company. Wynne also discussed business with Diane Wang, CEO of DH Gate, a leading business-to-business e-commerce provider that offers a platform for small and medium enterprises and Em Roblin, founder and managing director of Circles2, on her way to promote women's participation in entrepreneurship and women's economic empowerment. Later she met Wan Gang, China's Minister of Science and Technology, where she re-signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was originally signed in 2008. This further strengthened Ontario and China's joint commitment to research and innovation collaboration and facilitated a revenue of over $30 million in joint funding for collaborative industry and academic research projects. More than $14 billion is spent each year reportedly on Research & Develpment (R&D) on globally recognized technology and R&D companies in Ontario like Apple, Google, IBM and Amazon. Ontario is also planing to boost the number of graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by 25 percent. Wynne is likely to discuss plans with Feihe International to build their first infant milk formula production facility outside the mainland, which would cost over $225 million. If an agreement is reached, it will reportedly create around 277 jobs in Kingston. The Premier said that Ontario would support the project with a $24.1 million investment through the Jobs and Prosperity Fund, which facilitates businesses, business associations and entrepreneurs to get funding for projects to enhance productivity and help them compete in the global marketplace. Michael Chan, Ontario's Minister of International Trade, was quoted by the media as saying, "Through Ontarios Global Trade Strategy, the province has committed to help businesses diversify their exports and make valuable connections by expanding their global footprint. Todays signings in Beijing signal a strong start to the China mission and are a testament to the strength and diversity of Ontarios economy." (Reporting by Asha Bajaj) Image: Facebook Ottawa, Nov 28 (IBNS): The House of Commons in Canada has cleared the marijuana bill, brought by the federal government, as the country is heading towards the legalisation of weed consumption by next year, media reports said. The C-45 bill will next be going to the Senate. The passage of the bill in the House enables the federal government to move an inch closer towards their aim to legalise marijuana from next summer. The bill has been passed in the House by a voting margin of 183-99. Now the biggest challenge for the federal government is to ensure an easy passage of the bill in the Senate where the Conservatives would likely to oppose the legalisation of marijuana. Some of the provinces even stated they are not yet ready to legalise marijuana. The Conservatives are however favouring the legalisation but a year after the current deadline of July 2018. On the other hand, the New Democratic Party (NDP) supported the Liberal government's move to legalise marijuana. Apart from legalising, the federal government has also decided to make an age of majority to use recreational marijuana and also to decide on the retail network of stores where the marijuana could be sold. However, youth in possession of cannabis will not be criminalised from henceforth. But any car driver or passenger will not be allowed to consume cannabis. On the other hand, IBNS has received a mixed reaction towards the legalisation of the cannabis in Canada. Police chiefs across the country are divided over the legalisation of the cannabis. Some advocacy groups are even debating over the matter. IBNS learnt that some of the advocacy groups even opine that the legalisation, perhaps, is too early for the country. (Reporting by Suman Das) Image: Creative Commons The CSO article called attention to a number of specific projects including phishing attacks on targets in Western governments and industries, as well as the evasion of internationally-enforced embargos for the purpose of securing banned dual use technology and further expanding the regimes arsenal of tools for cyberattacks and the development of more conventional weapons. The article notes that both the hacking and the smuggling efforts are frequently traceable to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, which reportedly oversaw security breaches of American infrastructure and financial systems. The lead-in to the article was the recent press attention that has been given to the case of Behzad Mesri, the Iranian hacker responsible for stealing intellectual property from the HBO television network and attempting to leverage it for the extortion of six million dollars. Mesri is not currently in US custody, but he has been indicted in absentia in an apparent effort to send a message to other Iranian hackers that their identities will likely be found out and they will not be safe in countries that are allied to the US. The public exposure of Mesris case is also reportedly part of an effort by the White House to bring attention to various instances of illegal behavior by Iranian nationals with known ties to their government. This effort reflects US President Donald Trumps assertive policy toward the Islamic Republic, and it may help his administration to build consensus both within the US government and among US-allied states for the expansion of sanctions and other forms of pressure on the Iranian regime. Continuing this trend, the US government is currently engaged in efforts to declassify information linking Tehran to missiles that have been fired in Saudi Arabian territory by the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Of particular concern is one missile that was shot down over King Khaled International Airport on November 4, making it the deepest penetration of Saudi territory by the Iran-backed militant group. Foreign Policy Magazine reported upon the pending declassification on Monday and described it as part of a public relations blitz by the Trump administration at a time when European partners remain resistant to an Iran policy that could be seen to undermine the 2015 nuclear agreement with that country. Critics of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action maintain that its failure to address Irans development and transfer of ba llistic missiles is an unacceptable oversight, and even some defenders of the agreement such as French President Emmanuel Macron have called for a separate deal to contain those activities. Tehran has repeatedly rejected such calls, insisting that it will accept no foreign imposition on its defensive capabilities. In lieu of ballistic missile provisions in the JCPOA itself, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution calling upon the Islamic Republic to voluntarily avoid further work on such nuclear-capable weapons. But Foreign Policy indicated that the Iranians took this as a green light for them to proceed according to their own preference. They have done so openly, and they are widely suspected of using their expanded capabilities to increase the missile range of militant proxies including but not limited to the Houthi. Irans ongoing missile activities thus stand alongside recent hacking efforts, where they represent a more conventional threat to Western interests. Iranian hardliners themselves are eager to call attention to this fact, as Al Jazeera emphasized on Sunday. The Qatar-based news outlet reported upon recent comments by Brigadier General Hossein Salami, the deputy head of the IRGC, declaring that the Islamic Republic would further expand its missile range if it perceived a threat emanating from Europe. Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei recently issued a statement limiting the range of all Iranian missiles to 2,000 kilometers, and while the IRGC accepted this limitation it also insisted that it was technically meaningless, in that the countrys missile range could be lengthened almost immediately if the limit was rescinded. Salami reiterated this claim on Saturday in an interview with state television, saying, If we have confined the range of our missiles to 2,000 kilometres until today and have not increased it any further, it is not because of a lack of technology, because we have no limitations for the range of our missiles in technological terms. Al Jazeera also quoted the IRGCs commander, Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari as saying that the 2,000 kilometer limit is enough to put Iranian missiles in range of most US interests and forces in the Middle East region. Such commentary is indicative of the ongoing growth of anti-Western rhetoric coming from the IRGC, the Iranian military, and political hardliners. Last week, it was reported that Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi, the new commander of the countrys naval forces had insisted Iran would soon be able to execute plans to send warships to the Atlantic and even the Gulf of Mexico. In order to continue enjoying our site, we ask you enter in the text you see in the image below so we can confirm your identity as a human. Thank you very much for your cooperation. By PTI: Ahmedabad, Nov 28 (PTI) With the Gujarat polls less than two weeks away, the BJP today raked up the issue of an old US diplomatic cable which allegedly quoted Rahul Gandhi as saying that "Hindu terror is a bigger threat" in India than the Pakistan-based LeT, and sought his explanation. Addressing a press conference here, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad referred to the cable which was leaked by the whistleblower website WikiLeaks and subsequently published in some newspapers in 2010. advertisement Prasad said Gandhi should be "ashamed of linking" Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was then the chief minister of Gujarat, when he spoke about "polarising figures in the BJP" during his purported conversation with a US diplomat. "In 2010, two years after the (26/11) Mumbai terror attack, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was on India tour. At the lunch organised for then prime minister Manmohan Singh, US Ambassador Timothy Roemer was sitting next to Rahul Gandhi and asked the Congress leader what he thinks about the LeT," Prasad said. "In his response, Rahul told Roemer that forget LeT, it is the Hindu terror of this country which is a bigger threat. The US envoy Roemer sent this conversation as a cable to his country. Later, that cable was leaked and published by London-based The Guardian newspaper," the minister said. Referring to the purported communication, Prasad said, the US envoy even wrote that the Congress General Secretary (Rahul Gandhi) was referring to the tensions created by some of the more polarising figures in the BJP such as Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi. "This is the level of the Congress and Rahul. It was indeed shameful that he tried to link Modi with it. We demand an explanation from Rahul on this. He should be ashamed of himself as he thinks that LeT is less dangerous that Hindu saffron terror. And now, he is visiting temples in Gujarat," the BJP leader said. Prasads diatribe came a day after the prime minister accused the Congress vice president of applauding the release of LeT chief Hafiz Saeed in Pakistan, and asked why he hugged the Chinese ambassador during the Dokalam standoff. He also lashed out at the Congress over a joint statement issued by India and Pakistan in Sharm el-Sheikh in July 2009. Prasad alleged that Manmohan Singh had accepted his Pakistani counterpart Syed Yousuf Raza Gilanis charge that India was interfering in Pakistans restive Balochistan region. "During the talks between both the PMs (in Sharm el- Sheikh), Pakistan had said that they are worried about Balochistan as India is interfering in it (the region). Surprisingly, Manmohan Singh accepted Pakistans worry about Balochistan, which was also mentioned in the joint statement," the minister said. advertisement Prasad said the instance of Manmohan Singh "agreeing to Pakistans concerns on Balochistan", at a time when the neighbouring country was spreading terror in Kashmir, amounted to "bigger compromise with national interests". "On one side, Pakistan is spreading terror in PoK and Kashmir, while on the other side Indian PM (Singh) agrees to Pakistans concerns in Balochistan and that too just a few months after the 26/11 attack. There cannot be any bigger compromise with nations interests than this one," he added. Commenting on former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullahs challenge to the Centre to hoist the national flag at Lal Chowk in Srinagar before talking about unfurling it in PoK, Prasad said the tricolour is already flying high across the state. "Abdullah had also said that PoK should be given to Pakistan...Our tricolour is already flying high in the state and Pak-sponsored terrorism is losing its ground," he said. Responding to a query, Prasad said repealing Article 370 of the Constitution that gives autonomous status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir was indeed a part of the BJPs election manifesto. advertisement He said the situation in Kashmir has been improving gradually during the last two years. When asked about the statement of Lalu Prasads son Tej Pratap following withdrawal of NSG security to the RJD supremo that he will get the prime minister "skinned", Prasad said, Rahul Gandhi should also speak on this as RJD is an ally of the Congress. PTI PJT PD NSK SK --- ENDS --- In the new movie, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, and everywhere else, Frances McDormand means business. McDormand plays Mildred Hayes, a woman filled with anger over the unsolved rape and murder of her daughter. She begins a noisy, public campaign to hold the town's sheriff responsible for not finding the killer. Mildred puts up billboards near the sleepy Missouri town where they live. The signs messages insult the sheriff and demand action. In some ways, it is hard to separate the character of Mildred from the equally uncompromising McDormand. In the film, Mildred is a strong and determined force because McDormand is one, too. Mildred seems like the heroine we need in real life, at this moment especially. The darkly humorous and violent spirit of outrage in Three Billboards has touched a nerve with moviegoers, perhaps more than any other film this fall. The movie opened in New York and Los Angeles last weekend. It also showed at the 2017 Venice film festival where it won the award for movie writing. Three Billboards also won the audience award at the Toronto International Film Festival in Canada. The movies director, Martin McDonagh, talked about the timing of the movie. Its great to be putting out a film with such a strong woman lead character, he said. Even just two months ago before anyone had seen it, I wasn't sure how it was going to be taken. We thought it was a good film with great performances but we worried that the darkness in the story might not allow people to laugh, he said. The Irish playwright and filmmaker wrote the part for McDormand after meeting her at a party several years ago. He praised McDormand for her film work and as a person. He said she is not toeing the Hollywood line, and not doing what's expected of her. Her Three Billboards co-star, Sam Rockwell, agrees. She has to do it a certain way. It's part of who she is and it's part of who Mildred is. There's something burning in her, just like those billboards. There's something burning in Frances, he said. The performance places McDormand in an early lead for an Academy Award next year. She won a best actress Oscar for her 1997 performance in Fargo. She has been nominated for three other Academy Awards, as well. Anita Katz of the San Francisco Examiner called McDormands Mildred a raging force of purpose with a caring heart. McDormand says what moves her these days is a strong, new interest in work, now that her son has reached adulthood. McDormand, who is 60 years old, says the chance to play a protagonist was a gift at her age. In her words, I was ready for it. She says she seeks women characters who, in her words, stand on their own in the dramatic arc of the storytelling. The movie also has an excellent performance by Rockwell. In his characters story and others, Mildred's campaign unsettles the established order. It's timely, Rockwell says of the film. It's speaking to a lot of things that are going on in this country. It's talking about racism and misogyny. Ultimately I think it's about love and redemption, but I think it has a lot of anger in it -- a healthy amount of anger. McDormand herself does not exactly share Mildred's rage. But she does connect with the film's demand for truthful discussion of issues and change. Like everything in our culture, the more women that wield power, the more stories will be told, says McDormand. She says America lags behind the international landscape of women being in power. So, she says, it's time for us to catch up. Im Ashley Thompson. And I'm Caty Weaver. Jake Coyle of the Associated Press wrote this report. Caty Weaver adapted it for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story mean business - expression. to be very serious; to be earnest sheriff - n. an elected official who is in charge of enforcing the law in a county or town of the U.S. billboard - n. a large sign, usually for advertisements, that is next to a road, on the side of a building, etc. outrage - n. extreme anger : a strong feeling of unhappiness because of something bad, hurtful, or morally wrong toe the line - expression. to follow rules; to do what is expected raging - adj. very wild and violent misogyny - n. a hatred of women wield - v. to have and use (power, influence, etc.) lag - v. to move more slowly than others : to fail to walk or move as quickly as others landscape - n. a particular area of activity Bangladesh has approved a plan to temporarily house 100,000 Rohingya Muslims fleeing violence in neighboring Myanmar. The plan would put the refugees on Bhashan Char, an island in the Bay of Bengal that floods frequently. Bangladeshs government approved the plan on Tuesday to develop the island, despite criticism from humanitarian workers. They have said the island is nearly uninhabitable. The decision came days after Bangladesh completed talks to start returning the Rohingya refugees to Myanmar. Planning Minister Mustafa Kamal said it would take time to return the refugees. In the meantime, Bangladesh needs a place to house them. The project to house refugees on the island would be complete by 2019, he said. Many people are living in dire conditions, he said. He described the rising number of refugees as a threat to both security and the environment. A plan to develop the island and use it to house refugees was first proposed in 2015. The island regularly floods between the months of June and September. That is monsoon season for the area. It is two hours by boat from the nearest settlement. When the sea is calm, pirates sail around nearby waters and kidnap fishermen for ransom. More than 620,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled to Bangladesh since the military in mostly Buddhist Myanmar launched a severe counter-insurgency operation against them. The operation across Rakhine state followed attacks by Rohingya militants on an army base and police posts. Meanwhile, Pope Francis said the future of Myanmar depends on respecting the rights of each ethnic group. But he did not use the word Rohingya in his speech to civilian leaders of the country. Myanmars Catholic Church has asked the Pope to avoid saying Rohingya, because doing so could lead to strong reaction against the small Catholic community in the Buddhist-majority country. Myanmar does not recognize the Rohingya as citizens. The Pope plans to visit Bangladesh on Thursday. His visit does not include a visit to a refugee camp. But he is expected to meet with a small group of Rohingya in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. I'm Ashley Thompson. Hai Do adapted this story for Learning English based on Reuters news report. Ashley Thompson was the editor. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story uninhabitable - adj. not safe or suitable to live in dire - adj. very bad ransom - n. money that is paid in order to free someone who has been captured or kidnapped counter-insurgency - n. action by an army against people who fight the government Pope Francis met Monday with Myanmars military chief before the official start of his visit to the Southeast Asian country. The Vatican did not provide many details of the Popes 15-minute courtesy visit with General Min Aung Hlaing. The general oversees security in Rakhine state, where the military has conducted so-called clearance operations against Rohingya Muslims. Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said the Pope and the general spoke of the great responsibility of the authorities of the country in this moment of transition. The meeting took place in the residence of Cardinal Charles Bo, the archbishop of Yangon. He has resisted international pressure to condemn Myanmars military operations against the Rohingya as ethnic cleansing. After the meeting, the general's office said in a statement on Facebook Myanmar has no religious discrimination at all. It also said the military performs for the peace and stability of the country. The meeting was originally planned for Wednesday, after the Popes scheduled meeting with the countrys civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi. The Vatican did not say why the meeting took place earlier than planned. Myanmars Catholic Church has publicly urged the Pope to avoid using the term Rohingya because the group is not a recognized minority in the country. The Popes spokesman did not say if the Pope used the term in his meeting with the general. The leader of the Roman Catholic Church, however, has previously prayed for the Rohingya Muslims, calling them his "brothers and sisters. He has also spoken out against violence in Rakhine state. Pope Franciss visit was planned before the latest wave of violence in August, in which a group of Rohingya militants attacked security positions in Rakhine. Myanmars military responded with brutal attacks that resulted in hundreds of thousands of Rohingya fleeing to neighboring Bangladesh. More than 620,000 Rohingya have since fled to Bangladesh, the next stop on the Popes Asian trip. The Popes schedule does not include a visit to a refugee camp. But he is expected to meet with a small group of Rohingya in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. I'm Jonathan Evans. Hai Do adapted this story for Learning English based on VOA and AP news reports. Ashley Thompson was the editor. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story courtesy - adj. done to be polite clearance - n. the act or process of removing (people) Early results in the Honduran presidential election show that a television host has a surprise lead over the countrys current leader. But both candidates are claiming victory after Sundays voting. With 58 percent of the votes counted, Salvador Nasralla had 45.17 percent of the vote and President Juan Orlando Hernandez had 40.21 percent. I am the new president-elect of Honduras, Nasralla wrote on Twitter after the results were announced. Hernandez said in a brief statement that he had won. He asked supporters to wait for vote counts to come in from rural areas, where he has greater support. The countrys election court said it will wait until all the votes are counted to release the results later in the week. A close result could lead to further tensions in Honduras, which has suffered years of severe gang crime and drug wars. Hernandez has been credited with lowering a high murder rate, increasing economic growth and cutting the deficit since he took office in 2014. But he has also been accused of connections to illegal financing. His opponents also claim that he is plotting a power grab. Hernandezs attempt to win a second presidential term was divisive in Honduras. The country is still dealing with the effects from a 2009 coup. Former President Jose Manuel Zelaya was ousted after proposing a vote on lifting term limits. Zelaya was at Nasrallas side on Monday morning. Many people believe that the former president may be a major beneficiary if Nasralla wins. A U.S. official said he did not think Hernandez would now be able to catch Nasralla in the vote count. He called this a real stress test for Honduras democratic institutions and the leadership and character of its political figures. The United States views Hernandez as a reliable ally in handling drug trafficking, gangs and migration. The U.S. has longstanding military ties to Honduras and few among current Central American leaders. Nasralla has not suggested he would reduce security cooperation with the United States. But U.S. officials do not trust his links to Zelaya. Im Jonathan Evans. Gabriel Stargardter and Gustavo Palencia wrote this story for Reuters. Jonathan Evans adapted it for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ Words in this Story beneficiary n. a person, organization, etc., that is helped by something; someone or something that benefits from something Ships carrying food aid arrived in Yemen last weekend. The Reuters news agency reported that a ship carrying about 6,000 tons of flour was given permission to stop at the Yemeni port of Hodeida. The United Nations World Food Program said about 27,000 tons of wheat arrived on Sunday at the Red Sea port of Saleef. The port is under the control of forces opposed to Yemens government. The aid shipments arrived after Saudi Arabia and its allies eased a nearly three-week long blockade. Yet aid agencies say millions of people, including many children, are at risk of death from starvation in Yemen. Many at risk of death Geert Cappelaere is with the UN Children's Fund,or UNICEF. He says Yemen is one of the worst places on Earth to be a child. He is urging all sides involved in the conflict to not block the shipment of humanitarian aid. Cappelaere is UNICEFs Middle East director. He said that more than 11 million Yemeni children are in need of humanitarian assistance. He said that number includes almost every single boy and girl in the country. He estimated that every 10 minutes, a Yemeni child is dying from a preventable disease. "I reiterate my plea to everyone with a heart for children, indeed not to prevent us from delivering what is urgently needed and massively needed." Cappelaere noted that aircraft carrying 1.9 million doses of vaccines landed Saturday at Sanaa International Airport. Those vaccines are designed to protect from the diseases diphtheria, tuberculosis and meningitis. The UNICEF official told reporters on Sunday that far more supplies are needed. "Yesterday was just a very small step. It is a very tiny step, it may sound huge - 1.9 million doses of vaccine, but there are many more millions of vaccines needed, if we want to prevent that there will be a break in the routine immunization in the country, there are many more supplies needed." Aid prevented by the blockade About seven million people are at risk of starvation in Yemen. Their survival depends on international assistance. But a Saudi-led coalition blocked off land, sea and air travel to Yemen on November 6 after a missile attack on Riyadh. The Saudis stopped the missile attack. The government blames Iran for the attack and for arming the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Irans government denies the accusations. Last week, the Saudi-led coalition promised to ease the blockade on the Sanaa airport and Hodeida. A U.N. official said close to 5,000 children have been killed or injured since the start of a Saudi-led campaign in support of the Yemeni government in 2015. Two and a half million people have fled the violence. Mohammed Khadeesh is one of about 120 people living in a camp in Yemens south. "The Houthis were firing from the north of our place and the resistance from the south, shooting towards us and flying over us. We fled and arrived here with our children two months ago. And for the past two months, we haven't received anything: no mattresses, no aid, nothing." The displacement and the blockade have worsened the crisis. Urgent humanitarian need includes water pumps to help control the spread of cholera and fuel needed to transport supplies. Zlatica Hoke and Kenneth Schwartz reported this story for VOANews.com. Phil Dierking adapted their report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. How do you think aid should be delivered to countries in conflict? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story dose - n. the amount of a medicine, drug, or vitamin that is taken at one time immunization - n. a vaccine to prevent infection by a disease Target Corporation has a long history dating back to 1902. The company began as Goodfellows Dry Goods, operated by George Dalton, and later changed its name via a progression of mergers and acquisitions. The first Target store was opened in Roseville, Minnesota in 1962 as the discount division of the parent company. The idea was discount or low-priced items could still be fashionable and desirable. After meeting great success in the home territory, the concept went public in the late 1960s was later expanded on a national level during the 1980s. Target Corporation is now the 7th largest retailer in the US and is projected to bring in more than $113 billion in revenue for fiscal 2023. The department stores were shed in 2004 so today Target operates as a general merchandise retailer that serves on-trend items at discounted prices. It is known as a big box retailer and is a member of the S&P 500. The company listed about 2,000 stores in mid-2022 and had plans for growth. The company offers an assortment of everyday, household, and food goods in a bright and cheery atmosphere. It has set itself apart from other low-priced retailers as the chic choice for savvy shoppers. The companys stated purpose is to help families discover the joy of everyday life and it does so by offering quality products that families can afford. The company sells its products through a chain of stores as well as eCommerce. eCommerce is about 20% of Targets total revenue and was boosted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Services like delivery, same-day pickup, and access to thousands of necessary and discretionary items are also driving adoption. Target also offers amenities like cafes and opticians, and it hosts Starbucks inside the stores. Target Corporation has paid and increased its dividend for more than 5 decades. The company issued its 53rd consecutive distribution increase in calendar 2022 bringing the total annual payout to $4.32. In late October 2022, the payout was worth 2.7% in yield and came with a 40% payout ratio and a 9% distribution compound annual growth rate. Target is a leader in ESG and giving back to the community. Among its many endeavors is to return 5% of its profits to community charities as well as to inspire its employees to volunteer. Volunteers donate more than 1 million man-hours per year. By PTI: Chennai, Nov 28 (PTI) British High Commissioner to India Sir Dominic Asquith KCMG today called on Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit and Chief Minister K Palaniswami here. During the brief meeting at the Raj Bhavan, the governor presented to him a shawl, memento and replica of the famous Lord Brahadeeshwara Temple in Thanjavur, an official release said. advertisement The High Commissioner also called on chief minister K Palaniswami at the Secretariat, official sources said. "The meeting was a courtesy call," they said. State industries minister M C Sampath, British deputy high commissioner in Chennai Bharat Joshi, industries department principal secretary Atulya Mishra were present during his interaction with the chief minister. PTI VIJ BN --- ENDS --- By PTI: Chennai, Nov 28 (PTI) British High Commissioner to India Sir Dominic Asquith KCMG today called on Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit and Chief Minister K Palaniswami here. During the brief meeting at the Raj Bhavan, the governor presented to him a shawl, memento and replica of the famous Lord Brahadeeshwara Temple in Thanjavur, an official release said. advertisement The High Commissioner also called on chief minister K Palaniswami at the Secretariat, official sources said. "The meeting was a courtesy call," they said. State industries minister M C Sampath, British deputy high commissioner in Chennai Bharat Joshi, industries department principal secretary Atulya Mishra were present during his interaction with the chief minister. PTI VIJ BN RBS --- ENDS --- The following companies are subsidiares of Ingersoll Rand: 13125882 Canada Inc., 211 E. Russell Road LLC, 4458664 Canada Inc., ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES ASIA PTE. LTD., ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES BORROWER S.C.A., ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED, ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES LLC, ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES MIDDLE EAST FZE, ACCUDYNE INDUSTRIES SERVICES LIMITED, ASTRUM IT GmbH, Accudyne Industries Acquisition S.A r.l, Accudyne Industries Canada Inc., Accudyne Industries S.A r.l., Air Dimensions, Air Dimensions Inc., Albin Pump SAS, BOC Edwards Global Low pressure Air business, CISA S.p.A., Cameron-Centrifugal Compression, Comercial Ingersoll-Rand (Chile) Limitada, Comingersoll-Comercio E Industria De Equipamentos S.A., CompAir, CompAir (Hankook) Korea Co. 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Ltd., Gardner Denver Austria GmbH, Gardner Denver Bad Neustadt Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Gardner Denver Belgium NV, Gardner Denver Brasil Industria E Comercio de Maquinas Ltda., Gardner Denver CZ + SK sro, Gardner Denver Canada Corp (Canada), Gardner Denver Cyprus Investments II Limited, Gardner Denver Cyprus Investments Limited, Gardner Denver Deutschland GmbH, Gardner Denver Engineered Products India Private Limited, Gardner Denver FZE, Gardner Denver Finance II LLC, Gardner Denver Finance Inc & Co KG, Gardner Denver France SAS, Gardner Denver Group Svcs Ltd, Gardner Denver Holdings Limited, Gardner Denver Hong Kong Investments Limited, Gardner Denver Hong Kong Ltd, Gardner Denver Iberica SL, Gardner Denver Inc., Gardner Denver Industries Ltd., Gardner Denver Industries Pty Ltd., Gardner Denver International Inc., Gardner Denver International Ltd., Gardner Denver Investments Inc., Gardner Denver Italy Holdings S.r.L., Gardner Denver Japan Ltd., Gardner Denver Kirchhain Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Gardner Denver Korea Ltd., Gardner Denver Ltd., Gardner Denver Machinery (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Gardner Denver Nash Brasil Industria E Comercio De Bombas Ltda, Gardner Denver Nash LLC, Gardner Denver Nash Machinery Ltd., Gardner Denver Nederland BV, Gardner Denver Nederland Investments B.V., Gardner Denver Oy, Gardner Denver Polska Sp z.o.o., Gardner Denver Pte. Ltd., Gardner Denver S.r.l., Gardner Denver Schopfheim GmbH, Gardner Denver Schopfheim Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Gardner Denver Schweiz AG, Gardner Denver Slovakia s.r.o., Gardner Denver Sweden AB, Gardner Denver Taiwan Ltd., Gardner Denver Thomas GmbH (f/k/a ILMVAC GmbH), Gardner Denver Thomas Inc., Gardner Denver Thomas Pneumatic Systems (Wuxi) Co. Ltd., Gardner Denver Thomas Real Estate GmbH & Co KG, Garo Dott. Ing. Roberto Gabbioneta S.r.l., Ghh-Rand Schraubenkompressoren Gmbh, HASKEL EUROPE LTD., HASKEL HOLDINGS UK LIMITED, HASKEL INTERNATIONAL LLC, Hamworthy Belliss & Morcom, Haskel France SAS, Haskel Sistemas de Fluidos Espana S.R.L., Hibon Inc., Highspeed Newco LLC, Hingerose Limited, ILMVAC (UK) Ltd., ILS Innovative Labor Systeme, ILS Inovative Laborsysteme GmbH, INGERSOLL RAND ITS JAPAN LTD., INGERSOLL-RAND (CHANG ZHOU) TOOLS CO. LTD., INGERSOLL-RAND (CHINA) INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURING CO. LTD., INGERSOLL-RAND CHINA LLC, INGERSOLL-RAND COMERCIO E SERVICOS DE MAQUINAS E EQUIPAMENTOS INDUSTRIAIS LTDA., INGERSOLL-RAND DE PUERTO RICO INC., INGERSOLL-RAND INDUSTRIAL COMPANY B.V., INGERSOLL-RAND INDUSTRIAL SP. Z O.O., INGERSOLL-RAND INDUSTRIAL U.S. INC., INGERSOLL-RAND PHILIPPINES INC., INGERSOLL-RAND SPAIN S.A., INGERSOLL-RAND U.S. HOLDCO INC., IR HPS Holdco. Inc., ITO Emniyet, Ingersoll Rand Cyprus Investments Ltd., Ingersoll Rand Finance LLC, Ingersoll Rand Global Investments LLC, Ingersoll Rand Global Ventures LLC, Ingersoll Rand Hong Kong Investments Limited, Ingersoll Rand Inc., Ingersoll Rand Investments (SG) Pte. Ltd., Ingersoll Rand Investments B.V., Ingersoll Rand Schweiz Investments Gmbh, Ingersoll Rand Technology R&D (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand (Australia) Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand (China) Investment Company Limited, Ingersoll-Rand (Guilin) Tools Company Limited, Ingersoll-Rand (Hong Kong) Holding Company Limited, Ingersoll-Rand (India) Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Ab, Ingersoll-Rand Air Solutions Hibon Sarl, Ingersoll-Rand Beteiligungs Und Grundstucksverwaltungs Gmbh, Ingersoll-Rand Colombia S.A.S., Ingersoll-Rand Company Limited (Uk), Ingersoll-Rand Company South Africa (Pty) Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Cz S.R.O., Ingersoll-Rand De Mexico S.A. De C.V., Ingersoll-Rand Equipements De Production S.A.S., Ingersoll-Rand Holdings Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Industrial Ireland Limited, Ingersoll-Rand International (India) Private Limited, Ingersoll-Rand International Holding Llc, Ingersoll-Rand Italia S.R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Italiana Manufacturing S.R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Korea Holding Llc, Ingersoll-Rand Korea Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Lux Investments II S.A R.I., Ingersoll-Rand Lux Investments S.A R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Luxembourg Industrial Company S.A R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Machinery (Shanghai) Company Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Malaysia Co. Sdn. Bhd., Ingersoll-Rand S.A. De C.V., Ingersoll-Rand Services And Trading Limited Liability Company, Ingersoll-Rand Services Company, Ingersoll-Rand Services Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Singapore Enterprises Pte. Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand South East Asia (Pte.) Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand Superay Holdings Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Technical And Services S.A.R.L., Ingersoll-Rand Technologies And Services Private Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Technology R&D (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Ingersoll-Rand Tool Holdings Limited, Ingersoll-Rand Trading Gmbh, Ingersoll-Rand Vietnam Company Limited, Instrum Rand JSC, Interflex Datensysteme, Ir Canada Holdings Ulc, Ir Canada Sales & Service Ulc, Ir France Sas, Kryptonite corp, Lawrence Factor Inc., LeROI, LeRoi International Inc, MILTON ROY (HONG KONG) LIMITED, MILTON ROY (UK) LIMITED, MILTON ROY EUROPA B.V., MILTON ROY EUROPE SAS, MILTON ROY INDUSTRIAL (SHANGHAI) CO. LTD., MILTON ROY LLC, MILTON ROY US PURCHASER INC., MP Pumps Inc., Maximum AG Technologies Inc., Maximus Solutions, Mb Air Systems Limited, Nash Elmo, Officina Meccaniche Industriali Srl, Oina VV, Oina VV Aktiebolag, Plurifilter D.O.O., Pt Ingersoll-Rand Indonesia, Robuschi, Runtech Systems, Runtech Systems (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Runtech Systems Inc., Runtech Systems OY, SEEPEX, Seepex (M) SDN, Seepex Australia Pty Ltd, Seepex Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft mit Beschrankter Haftung, Seepex France S.a.r.l., Seepex GmbH, Seepex Inc., Seepex India Private Ltd., Seepex Italia SRL, Seepex Japan Co. Ltd., Seepex Nordic A/S, Seepex OOO, Seepex Pumps (Shanghia) Co. Ltd., Seepex UK Ltd., Shanghai CompAir Compressors Co Ltd, Shanghai Compressors & Blowers Ltd., Shanghai Ingersoll-Rand Compressor Limited, Shenzhen Bocom System Engineering Co., Superay, Syltone, TIWR Real Estate GmbH & Co. KG, Tamrotor Marine Comp AS Norway, Tecno Matic Europe s.r.o., Thomas Industries Inc., Trane Technologies, Tri-Continent Scientific Inc., Vacuum and Blower Systems division, Welch Vacuum Equipment (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Zaxe Technologies Inc., Zeks Compressed Air Solutions Llc, Zinsser Analytic, Zinsser Analytik GmbH, Zinsser NA Inc., and crayon interface. Read More Clothing is pretty universal these days -- meaning, everyone is wearing yoga pants off the mat. To downplay your nationality, avoid items with flags, eagles, sports team logos and university names. Sneakers and hoodies are fairly common in most destinations. For style and repeat wears, choose darker colors, such as black and navy. Choose basics like simple sweaters, T-shirts, a blazer, dark-colored jeans and A-line skirts you can pair with tights. Scarves add a dash of color plus warmth; bring costume jewelry that you can layer on for evening activities. I would choose a sleek backpack or cross-body bag; if possible put a little lock on your bag, so no one can slip their fingers inside. Eagle Creek has some good options, as does PacSafe and LL Bean. I usually travel with a foldable backpack for more casual destinations and a cross-body bag from Cath Kitson for more sophisticated places. Huochebang and Yunmanman, Chinas two biggest apps for Uber-like truck services, have agreed to merge, creating a company valued at more than USD2 billion, people familiar with the matter said. Wang Gang, a backer of Yunmanmans and an angel investor in ride-hailing giant Didi Chuxing, will become the chief executive officer of the new entity, the people said, asking not to be identified because the information is private. The companies are already in the process of seeking new funding to sustain their rapid pace of expansion, the people said. The merger would end a costly and frosty battle and create a dominant player in a domestic trucking market estimated to be worth 5 trillion yuan ($753 billion). Its the latest corporate tie-up to emerge from an increasingly competitive technology sector, the most prominent being the marriage of Didi Chuxing and Ubers Chinese business. Yunmanman representative Johnny Xu, who this month denied the pair were considering a merger, didnt respond to requests for comment. Julia Zhu, a spokeswoman for Yunmanman, said she couldnt immediately comment. Jarry Yan, a spokesman for Huochebang, also declined immediate comment. Wang doesnt currently hold an executive position with either company. He previously held management roles at e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and its Alipay affiliate before becoming an angel investor in Didi. Yunmanman and Huochebang known also as Truck Alliance compete in a sector where more than 200 outfits are fighting for a slice of business. While 80 percent of the countrys cargo is carried by road, trucks often spend hours standing empty in vast parking lots and their drivers rely on typically chaotic service centers to find their next load. Both companies are backed by investors with deep pockets and use technology to match drivers with cargoes via their smartphones, as well as sell truckers toll cards, gasoline, tires and second-hand vehicles. Yunmanman, formally known as Jiangsu Man Yun Software Technology Co., has backing from Sequoia Capital and Yunfeng Capital, the venture fund co-founded by billionaire Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma. Truck Alliance, which has been valued at more than $1 billion, has Tencent Holdings Ltd., Baidu Capital, Hillhouse Capital, International Finance Corp. and All-Stars Investment Ltd. on its side. Lulu Yilun Chen, Bloomberg Rescuers were searching for 12 missing sailors from a Chinese cargo ship that sank yesterday after colliding with another vessel in the mouth of the Pearl River near the southern city of Guangzhou. The bulk carrier loaded with sand collided at 3 a.m. with a ship carrying steel, news reports said, citing a government statement. Two sailors from the ship that sank and the 11-member crew of the other vessel were rescued, China National Radio, China Central Television and the Chinese News Service reported. Rescuers were searching the area with 30 vessels and a helicopter, the reports said. They said the cause of the collision was under investigation. Taiwanese crime thriller The Bold, The Corrupt, The Beautiful claimed three top Golden Horse movie awards, including best feature film. Veteran Hong Kong actress Kara Wei said on stage that her best actress win for the film fulfilled a wish. Her co-star, 14-year-old Vicky Chen, became the youngest best supporting actress winner for her role in the film by Taiwanese director Yang Ya-che. Chinas Vivian Qu won the best director award for the dark drama Angels Wear White, which addressed the theme of child sexual assault. I am really happy, because this movie talks about social problems. And I think nothing is more important than [that] this movie reaches its audiences, she said in accepting the award at Saturdays ceremony. Chinas Tu Men credited luck for being named best leading actor for his role as a bankrupt businessman in the film Old Beast. Five Golden Horse awards, the Chinese-language equivalent of the Oscars, went to the black comedy, The Great Buddha. Taiwanese director Huang Hsin-yao was named best new director and the film was also honored for best adapted screenplay, best cinematography, best original film score and best original film song. The black-and-white film about two people who discover their bosss dark secret from a car dashboard cameras footage shows the struggles of the underclass and exposes political corruption. A former top Chinese general under investigation for major corruption has killed himself, official media reported yesterday, denouncing his death as a despicable act to escape punishment. Zhang Yang had been placed under investigation in late August on suspicion of bribery, having a large amount of property that he could not account for and other acts of that seriously violated laws and regulations. The Xinhua News Agency and state broadcaster CCTV said Zhang hanged himself on Thursday at his home, to which he had been confined during the investigation. No other details were given. Zhang had formerly headed the Political Work Department under the dual government and ruling Communist Partys Central Military Commissions that oversee the Peoples Liberation Army. The reports said investigators closed in on Zhang using testimony given by two other former top generals, Xu Caihou and Guo Boxiong, who had earlier become high-profile targets of President Xi Jinpings sweeping anti-corruption campaign. Xu and Guo had also been Central Military Commission members. Xu died of cancer in 2015 before facing court martial, while Guo was sentenced to life in prison last year. Since coming to power in late 2012, Xi has launched a wide-ranging crackdown on corruption that has felled scores of mid-to-high-ranking officials. That has while strengthened Xis iron grip on the party and military, while eliminating political threats and helping make him the most powerful Chinese leader in a generation. The campaign has been criticized outside China as trampling on the legal system since it is spearheaded by the ruling partys internal disciplinary body rather than state prosecutors. Its targets are often publicly vilified even before facing trial, and no exception was made for Zhang, who had just turned 65, the standard retirement age for high- ranking officers. This formerly powerful, high-ranking general used this despicable manner to end his life, the official PLA Daily newspaper said on is microblog. Zhang Yang used suicide to evade the punishment of the party regulations and state law, an act of great odiousness. Corruption has long been considered rife within the PLA, with some top generals reported to have accumulated stunning fortunes in both cash and gifts, including golden statues of Mao Zedong and cases of expensive liquor stacked to the ceiling in underground caches. Along with the selling of ranks and positions, such practices are believed to have severely damaged morale, discipline and combat preparedness in the worlds largest standing military. The 2.3 million-member PLA is the worlds largest standing military while China has seen its defense budget grow rapidly to make it the worlds second biggest behind the U.S. AP Considering the recent situation in Bali, the Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) raised the Travel Alert to the Indonesian destination to Level 2. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also issued a security alert. At the moment the level of alert for the Agung volcano has reached the maximum level of 4. All activities in the area within a radius of 8 km around the crater and within a radius of 10 km North-Northeast, Southwest-South-Southeast of the crater are prohibited, the travel alert reads The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Consulate-General of China in Denpasar alerted Chinese citizens not to travel to Bali during this period. Chinese citizens already in Bali should maintain maximum alert, strengthen security precautions to ensure their personal safety and avoid traveling to areas close to the volcano. From information gathered through the Macau travel industry, currently there are no tour groups organized by Macau travel agencies in Bali. Until the present moment GGCT has received 1 request for information and no requests for assistance. The director of Hong Kongs Travel Industry Council, a non-statutory industry watchdog, has said that mainland visitors to the HKSAR are still being forced to shop in the city, as part of the terms of what are known as zero-fee tours. He is calling for the agencies to put a halt to such tactics in order to preserve the positive image of Hong Kong tourism. The tour groups in question do not charge to bring mainlanders from China to Hong Kong, but also dont visit the citys sights either. Instead, they head straight for retail shops and earn commission from sales. Joseph Tung, the head of the Travel Industry Council, said that his organization has been prevented from inspecting the relevant tour agencies on the basis that it is a non-statutory body and cannot mandate inspections. Many of the people who join such groups are elderly residents of the mainland, coming from non-urban areas in the northeast and southwest of China. Since they may not be informed about Hong Kong and its culture, disputes sometimes arise when they are forced to shop. However, most of the time the complainants could not even tell us the name of the agency or the tourist guide, which makes it really hard for us to follow up, he said. According to Hong Kongs The Standard, he suggested that authorities in the city such as police, immigration and customs officials should step up their enforcement. We have reflected this to the national department many times, but they said if the agency is unknown, there is nothing they can do except to pass it to the Public Security Bureau, added Tung. He said his hope for improvement now lies with the upcoming government statutory body, the Travel Industry Authority. In the first of two days dedicated to discussing matters under the Secretariat for Security related to the Policy Address for 2018, the attention of lawmakers centered mostly on the decision from the government to create a new bureau for civil protection matters, which will replace the current ad hoc operations of the Civil Protection Operational Centre (COPC). Yesterdays plenary session of the Legislative Assembly (AL) saw doubts raised by several lawmakers over the competencies, location, staff and even the need for the creation of such a bureau, named the Civil Protection and Contingency Coordination Bureau (DSPCCC). Almost all of the lawmakers that requested to question the Secretary Wong Sio Chak had concerns on the topic. Launching the topic was lawmaker Agnes Lam who queried Wong on the real differences between this new model [of Civil Protection] and the current one under the COPC. She asked, What kind of equipment should it have? What were the flaws detected [during the evaluation] that led to the decision to create this new bureau and how will it merge with the current services? The doubts were reinforced by lawmaker Kou Hoi In, who wanted to know the capacity and competencies of such an entity and in what way will it be able to intervene and to mobilize other services. Lawmaker Ella Lei went a little further and questioned even the concept and structure of the DSPCCC claiming that the creation goes against the policy of rationalization of staff and simplification of procedures implemented by the government regarding public entities. The lawmaker urged Wong to present the real benefits and expected results from the entity, noting that according to the plan revealed by the government, it will require a total of eight buildings and venues. Replying to the many questions on the DSPCCC, Wong noted that the new bureau will have two main areas of work: Alarm, and Response and Rescue, noting the security forces that currently take care of all the works regarding emergencies. Wong justified the decision on the back of chief executive orders after the passage of Typhoon Hato, which called for a revision of the old procedures and the creation of new procedures, adding, all opinions are still welcomed on this matter. According to the security chief, After hearing the opinions of the specialist entities from China we have created several measures, the creation of the DSPCCC is one of them, adding, We must acknowledge that the system in place in China has obtained very good results, justifying the decision from Macau as a replication. Wong explained that the DSPCCC is presided over by the security forces but also integrates civilian organizations and entities. The idea is to centralize the coordination of the operations because, as Wong mentioned, At the moment each one [of the entities related to Civil Protection] are taking care of their own backyards and there is no integration. Wong also took the opportunity to point the finger at society. Typhoon day become synonymous with a day to play mahjong, to skip school and to take strolls around the city All this came to add pressure to the civil protection authorities, he said, adding, The underpass of Sai Van Bridge should be only for emergency vehicles but there are many people there. We must review our mindset. The work of civil protection is not exclusive to the government; society has its own share. We have the need to reform [the whole] system no doubt about that but the main point is the lack of coordination and that is why it is necessary to create the DSPCCC. Justifying the need for a permanent system, Wong said, last year alone, the Unitary Police Services (SPU) activated the COPC on a total of eleven occasions, mainly to face situations regarding crowd control and others. But according to the secretary, it is not only about storms. Acts of terrorism prevention and response, health-related incidents, like for example the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. If something like that occurs again, it will be also under the responsibility of this department. Wong also reaffirmed that the director of the DSPCCC will be responding directly to him. He said that these are high level duties that integrate the work of several police departments and that includes the authority to arrest people. Replying once more to the lawmakers, the secretary also reaffirmed that the creation of the DPCCC comes in result of the evaluation that we did with the group of experts from China. Nevertheless, the creation of such Bureau was presented to the public already on September 6 during a press conference from the Commission for Reviewing and Monitoring the Improvements of the Response Mechanism to Major Disasters, chaired by the chief executive. Public car parks to close after signal 8 hoisting Replying to the questions of lawmakers on other measures that the government is plannig to implement in order to minimize possible damage during severe typhoons, Wong Sio Chak stated that public car parks will be closed after signal 8. He said that the measures aim to avoid people getting trapped inside such venues as occurred during Hato. Several lawmakers also questioned the secretary and his team during yesterdays plenary session regarding the new mechanism for border control that will apply for the first time a one-stop border control system. On the matter, Wong explained that for this new model that we will put in place first for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, we are already talking with the mainland authorities to coordinate the application of the new model. This will transform the process [of immigration check- point], eliminating the double procedure while exiting Macau and while entering the mainland. Wong also noted that there will be three systems: an automatic system, a manual system and a double-tender where the authorities of both sides are making the system accept all kinds of documents. We have been preparing our human resources for this over the last couple of years, said Wong, adding that for now the office responsible for such tasks is the office of the chief executive but, in the near future, we will have a department only responsible for such duty. Questioned by lawmaker Pang Chuan on the case of the car-hailing service Uber and whether the government has found a solution to [legalize] the operations of such companies, Wong refused to comment, saying only that he will transmit the message to the relevant department. RM Pope Francis arrived yesterday on a visit to Myanmar and Bangladesh to encourage their tiny Catholic communities and reach out to some of Asias most peripheral and poor, but the big question looming is whether hell utter the word Rohingya while hes here. The will he or wont he? issue has dominated debate before Francis trip, which began yesterday and ends with a youth rally in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Dec. 2. Upon arrival in Yangon, the pope was greeted by local Catholic officials and his motorcade passed by thousands of Myanmars Catholics, who lined the roads, wearing traditional attire and playing music. Children in traditional dress greeted him as he drove in a simple blue sedan, chanting Viva il papa! (Long live the pope) and waving small plastic Burmese and Holy See flags. Posters wishing Francis a heartiest of welcome lined the route into town. En route from Rome, Francis greeted journalists on the plane and apologized for the expected heat, which was 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 Celsius) upon his arrival and is expected to rise during his stay. In Myanmar, Francis will meet separately with the countrys civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, its powerful military chief and Buddhist monks. Hell greet a delegation of Rohingya Muslims and meet with Bangladeshs political and religious leadership in Dhaka. Masses for the Catholic faithful and meetings with the local church hierarchy round out the itinerary in each country. Myanmars local Catholic Church has publicly urged Francis to avoid using the term Rohyingya, which is shunned by many locally because the ethnic group is not a recognized minority in the country. Rohingya in recent months have been subject to what the United Nations says is a campaign of textbook ethnic cleansing by the military in poverty-wracked Rakhine state. Francis, though, has already prayed for our Rohingya brothers and sisters, and any decision to avoid the term could be viewed as a capitulation to Myanmars military and a stain on his legacy of standing up for the most oppressed and marginalized of society, no matter how impolitic. Being a religious leader Catholic leader means that he is well-regarded, but of course there is this worry if he says something, people might say, OK, he just came to meddle, said Burmese analyst Khin Zaw Win, a former political prisoner. So, I think a lot of diplomacy is needed, in addition to the public relations. The trip was planned before the latest spasm of violence erupted in August, when Rohingya militants attacked security positions in Rakhine. Myanmar security forces responded with a scorched-earth campaign that forced more than 620,000 Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh, where they are living in squalid refugee camps. Nicole Winfield, Yangon, AP The Chennai police filed the FIR against Bala and two other journalists for staging a protest against the cartoonist's earlier arrest. By India Today Web Desk: Tamil Nadu cartoonist Bala is in legal soup once again as a fresh FIR has been registered against him. The Chennai police filed the FIR against Bala and two other journalists for staging a protest against the cartoonist's earlier arrest. Chennai: Another FIR registered against Cartoonist Bala and journalists protesting against the arrest of Bala. The cartoonist was arrested for drawing a cartoon criticizing TN CM&; ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2017 advertisement Bala was arrested in the first week of November after a defamatory case was registered against him on account of a caricature that allegedly depicted state Chief Minister Edappadi Palanisamy in a distasteful manner. The caricature was published following an incident where a couple and their two children self-immolated at the collectorate, alleging police inaction on a usury complaint. ALSO WATCH | Cartoonist Bala G mocks Tamil Nadu CM E Palaniswami, arrested --- ENDS --- Sands China recently hosted its second invitational matching session for local SME suppliers at The Venetian Macao, which was targeted on hotel operation supplies and equipment. In support of its F.I.T. programme (Financial Support, Invitational Matching, and Training and Development), these invitational matching sessions provide a platform for local SME suppliers to present and demonstrate their products and services to potential users and buyers at Sands China properties. The goal was to enhance communication between vendors and users, and to improve the procurement success rate. Sixteen local SME suppliers were directly connected with approximately 200 buyers and users from Sands China departments, including recreation, food and beverage, hotel operations, facilities, and housekeeping. In addition, members of the Macau Hotel Association were invited to attend, as were representatives from the procurement team of Marina Bay Sands in Singapore and the procurement teams of Macaus other resort operators in a bid to foster more business opportunities for local SMEs and more direct communication and exchange within the industry. Participating in the event, Chan Ka Seng, manager of S. Long Trading noted that the matching session provides an opportunity for SMEs to showcase their products to potential buyers. Chan said that the company mainly exports their products to the U.S. and Japan and has only recently developed the market in Macau. For SMEs in Macau, there is less opportunity to contact multinational companies. Its hard to find the channel to directly go through the procurement department in a hotel, he said. Chan hopes that more gaming operators can also hold similar matching sessions in the future to allow SMEs to grow and expand their network. Meanwhile, another participant, Golden Fok, managing director of Tai Fung Hotel Accessories Sourcing Co., noted that such events would allow them to communicate with their end-users, avoiding any mismatch of expectation. There are still challenges for local SMEs but its good that gaming operators are actively providing different platforms for them to get into the right channel, said Fok. The F.I.T. programmes first invitational matching session was held during the programs launch in April, and focused on food and beverages. Sands China purchased nearly 160 products from local SMEs participating in that session, totalling over MOP2.1 million. Future invitational matching sessions will target other specific areas, such as furniture and lighting. LV Trade will be high on the agenda when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visits China next week in a bid to boost business ties with the worlds second-largest economy. The Dec. 3-7 trip comes as Trudeau wrestles with free-trade pacts in North America and with other partners in Asia. The visit is aimed at promoting a progressive trade agenda and tourism initiatives that will create good, middle class jobs and seeking greater cooperation on fighting climate change, according to a statement Sunday from Ottawa. A closer relationship also means more opportunity to hold regular, frank dialogue on human rights issues like good governance, freedom of speech, and the rule of law, Trudeau said in the statement. I look forward to meeting again with Chinas leaders to strengthen our relationship and set the stage for even greater trade and investment cooperation. Canada has explored opening full-blown free trade talks with China, and the National Post newspaper earlier this month cited unidentified diplomatic sources as saying the next trip there would open those discussions. But Sundays statement didnt mention this, and Trudeau in the past has suggested an agreement with China could be difficult because of differences over human rights and other issues. The feasibility study and exploratory talks are almost done, Chinas Ministry of Commerce said in response to a request for comment about the National Post report. To facilitate a free-trade agreement between China and Canada is not only significant to deepening bilateral economic ties, it would also be conducive to boosting economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region, according to the statement from the ministry. This definitely is significant, said Gai Xinzhe, an analyst at Bank of Chinas Institute of International Finance in Beijing. If its announced, it would be Chinas first new free-trade talks with a major developed economy following the 19th Party Congress, which emphasized a greater opening up. China earlier this month announced a major change to give foreign investors more access to its financial system following President Xi Jinpings pledges for greater reform during a twice-a-decade Communist Party meeting in October. Next year will mark the 40th anniversary of Chinas historic reform and opening up that spurred decades of rapid growth. Trudeaus office said hell meet with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing, then visit Guangzhou to meet with Li Xi, the recently appointed party chief of Guangdong province, the southern industrial powerhouse with an economy larger than Mexicos. China was Canadas second-largest trade partner after the U.S. last year, with almost USD70 billion in total trade. Merchandise shipments to China rose 4 percent to almost $21 billion in 2016, led by forest and agricultural products, copper and iron ore, and motor vehicles, according to the governments statement Sunday. The Asian nation is Canadas largest and fastest-growing source for foreign students and the third- largest source of tourists, it said. Canadian trade negotiators are already in talks with the U.S. and Mexico on a modernized North American Free Trade Agreement. Canada is also part of the 11-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership, though it has held up a deal to salvage the pact as it pushes for some changes. The TPP doesnt include China and is seen as a potential check on the countrys expanding economic clout in the region. Talks on the China-backed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, an alternative trade pact, are set to drag on into next year. Bloomberg A court in central Vietnam yesterday sentenced an activist to seven years in prison for producing online videos and interviews related to an environmental disaster that instigated anti-government protests, in the authorities latest crackdown on dissent. Following a trial that lasted half a day, Nguyen Van Hoa was convicted of spreading anti-state propaganda by the Peoples Court in Ha Tinh province. He was also charged with using social media platforms including Facebook to spread documents that defamed the government, the state-run online Ha Tinh newspaper reported. It said Hoa also sent distorting articles to reactionary groups in exile for financial support. In April last year, Taiwanese-owned Formosa Plastics Groups steel complex in Ha Tinh province dumped toxins into the ocean that killed hundreds of tons of fish along 200 kilometers of coastline in four central provinces. It was one of Vietnams worst environmental disasters. The incident devastated the regions seafood and tourism industries and sparked protests against Formosa and the local government for its allegedly slow response to the disaster. The Taiwanese company was ordered to pay compensation of USD500 million. The Ha Tinh newspaper said 22-year-old Hoa had directly arranged for the videos, photos and interviews related to the disaster to be posted on social media to instigate protests against the government. Vietnam opened up to foreign trade and investment three decades ago and has one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia, but the Communist government continues to have almost no tolerance for dissent. International human rights groups and some Western governments often criticize Vietnam for jailing people for peacefully expressing their views, but Vietnams government says only lawbreakers are punished. In the last 12 months, police have arrested at least 28 people and charged them with vaguely interpreted national security violations, according to New York-based Human Rights Watch. More than 100 activists are currently serving prison terms for exercising their basic freedoms of expression, assembly, association and religion, the rights group says. AP The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture has asked the Tertiary Education Services Office (GAES) to launch an investigation regarding the terms of University of Macaus (UM) rector, Wei Zhaos, contract. Weis resignation from the UM will take effect on December 31. The following day, he will join the American University of Sharjah, located in the United Arab Emirates, as Chief Research Officer. An anonymous complaint sent to the UM claimed that if this occurs, Zhao Wei would be in breach of his contract with UM as it has a clause that requires a cooling off period. Last week, the UM issued a statement which denied the existence of such a clause: Prof Wei Zhao submitted his resignation to the Chief Executive in accordance with established procedures and obtained the approval from the Chief Executive. According to the stipulations regarding the professional career grades for academic staff stated in the Charter of the University of Macau, there are no requirements for a cooling-off period. As for where Prof Wei Zhao will go after leaving his post, the university respects his decision. Yesterday, Alexis Tam noted that Wei Zhao delivered his request to his superior asking for resignation, and that the request was approved. Regarding whether Wei Zhao violated his contract with UM, Tam said that once there is a conclusion from the GAES investigation, it will be announced. Zhao has served as the eighth rector of the University of Macau since 2008. Before joining the University of Macau, Professor Zhao served as the Dean of the School of Science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the U.S. Following his resignation, Yonghua Song has been appointed the ninth rector of the UM and will assume office on January 9, 2018. The University Council unanimously recommended Song to the Chief Executive as the only candidate for the post, which the CE accepted. The newly-appointed rector has held several leadership positions at U.K. and Chinese universities, and has actively promoted internationalization and institutional cooperation. In a UM press release, Song says that he is particularly familiar with the development and operational models of higher education institutions in Europe, the United States and Asia. Song was previously a member of the Standing Committee of the China Communist Party (CPC) at Zhejiang University. JAPAN-N. KOREA Japan is stepping up patrols and urging local authorities and fishermen to be on the alert after several boats thought to be from North Korea, some carrying dead bodies, were found on its northern coast. INDONESIA Rain-triggered landslides and floods have killed 11 villagers on Indonesias main island of Java, an official said yesterday. AUSTRALIA Police have arrested a man accused of planning a mass shooting for New Years Eve in a crowded Melbourne square. Ali Ali, a 20-year-old Australian-born citizen with Somali parents, was trying to obtain an automatic rifle to attack the downtown Federation Square in Australias second-largest city. BANGLADESHs High Court has upheld a verdict by a trial court sentencing 139 border guards to death for their actions in a 2009 mutiny in which 74 people, including 57 military commanders, were killed. EGYPT Authorities say security forces have killed at least 14 Islamic militants in Sinai and an adjacent Suez Canal province following the massacre at a village mosque in the northern part of the peninsula last week that killed 305 people. KENYA President Uhuru Kenyatta was sworn in for a second term yesterday in what some hoped would be the end of months of election turmoil, which Kenyatta said stretched the country almost to the breaking point. But violence continued, with at least one person killed as police fired rifles and tear gas to break up a large opposition gathering. IRELANDs deputy prime minister resigned yesterday to avert a parliamentary vote that would have collapsed the government and triggered a snap election at a crunch time for Brexit negotiations. BRAZIL For the second time this year, a small hot-air balloon also known as a lantern has set fire to the velodrome built for last years Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Local media showed firefighters standing on the roof of the building putting out the fire. COLOMBIA An Israeli man built a Latin American network of hostels that provided drugs and prostitutes for backpackers, a Colombian official said Monday after the suspect was deported. OPEC Energy ministers from both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates dodged questions yesterday about whether OPEC will extend the cartels oil production cuts, saying the decision will come at a planned meeting in Vienna later this week. NIGERIA Africas most populous city is aiming to become a cultural hub for the continent, as the boisterous city of Lagos hosted the AFRICAN Culture and Design festival. Exhibits included a mix of traditional and modern art, with the goal of expanding awareness of Africas creative talents. (HealthDay)For patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and prior cerebrovascular accident (CVA), ablation is associated with reduced risk of recurrent stroke, according to a study published online Nov. 13 in the Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology. Thomas Jared Bunch, M.D., from the Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, Utah, and colleagues examined outcomes for AF ablation patients receiving their first ablation (139 patients), AF patients who did not receive ablation (416 patients), and CVA patients without clinical AF (416 patients). Patients had prior CVA, as determined by medical chart review, and five years of follow-up. The researchers found that patients with AF ablation had higher rates of hypertension and heart failure (P < 0.0001), but the prevalence of diabetes was similar between the groups (P = 0.5). The AF, no ablation group had higher five-year risk of CVA (hazard ratio, 2.26; P < 0.0001) and death (hazard ratio, 2.43; P < 0.0001) than the ablated group. The five-year risk for CVA (hazard ratio, 0.82; P = 0.39) and death (hazard ratio, 0.92; P = 0.70) did not differ significantly when comparing AF patients with ablation to patients without AF; however, the risk of heart failure was increased (hazard ratio, 3.08; P = 0.001). "In patients with AF and a prior CVA, patients undergoing ablation have lower rates of recurrent stroke compared to AF patients not ablated," the authors write. Several authors disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical and medical technology industries. Copyright 2017 HealthDay. All rights reserved. In hyperactivated macrophages, gasdermin D forms a limited number of pores -- enough to release IL-1 but not enough to kill the cell through pyroptosis. The macrophages stay alive and retain their phagocytic capacity, continuing to ingest microbes while stimulating memory T-cell formation via IL-1. Other proteins, like the cytokine TNF-alpha, are released through the classic secretion-signal pathway. Credit: Charles Evavold, Boston Children's Hospital Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have identified, for the first time, the molecule that enables immune cells to release interleukin-1 (IL-1), a key part of our innate immune response to infections. Findings were published online today by the journal Immunity. IL-1, first described in 1984, is the original, highly potent member of a large family of cellular signaling molecules called cytokines, which regulate immune responses and inflammation. Several widely used anti-inflammatory drugs, such as anakinra, block IL-1 to treat such conditions as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic inflammatory diseases, gout and atherosclerosis. IL-1 is also a target of interest in Alzheimer's disease. Yet until now, no one knew how it gets released by our immune cells. "Most proteins have a secretion signal that causes them to leave the cell," says Jonathan Kagan, PhD, an immunology researcher in Boston Children's Hospital's Division of Gastroenterology and senior author of the new study. "IL-1 doesn't have that signal. Many people have championed the idea that IL-1 is passively released from dead cells: you just die and dump everything outside." Recent work elsewhere at Boston Children's, for example, demonstrated that a protein called gasdermin D punches holes in the membranes of infected cells by forming pores. This releases IL-1 and other cytokinesbut it also kills the cell, through an inflammatory cell-death program called pyroptosis. In the new study, Kagan and first author Charles Evavold showed that gasdermin D also enables the release of IL-1 from living immune cells. Dead macrophages (stained blue) don't make good infection fighters, unlike their living kin (green). It turns out macrophages don't need to die in order to release IL-1. Credit: Charles Evavold, Boston Children's Hospital Stayin' alive The idea of all immune cells sacrificing themselves to deliver IL-1 never seemed right to Kagan. Immune cells need to stay alive to carry out their other jobs, like stimulating the formation of memory T cells that provide long-lasting protective immunity. Last year, Kagan, Ivan Zanoni, PhD, and colleagues reported in Science that IL-1 can be released from living dendritic cells, immune cells that present antigens to T cells. They showed that dendritic cells can enter a hyperactivated state in which they secrete IL-1, boosting their ability to rally memory T cells. But the question of how IL-1 gets released remained unanswered. The new study involved hyperactivated macrophages, immune cells that engulf and ingest pathogens. "We found, in hyperactivated cells, that gasdermin forms enough pores to let IL-1 pass through, but not enough to kill the cell," says Kagan. These living macrophages release IL-1, ingesting fungi (stained red) all the while. The bright green spots are inflammasomes, large protein complexes that detect danger signals and stimulate gasdermin D to form pores allowing IL-1 to pass through. Credit: Charles Evavold, Boston Children's Hospital A path to better vaccine adjuvants? The immune response is like a yin-yang: If it's too weak, you're susceptible to infections; if it's too strong, the system can tip toward autoimmune disease and, in the face of a serious infection, sepsis. Gasdermin D inhibition is under study as a way of curbing inflammation-related diseases and sepsis. But Kagan's team is looking at the flip side, exploring gasdermin D as a target for stimulating IL-1 release from living, working cells to make vaccines more potent and long-lasting. "For strong vaccination, you need to activate memory T cells, so you need a way to release IL-1 from living cells," says Kagan. Interestingly, recent work shows that alum, the primary vaccine adjuvant in use today, works by activating inflammasomes. Inflammasomes are large protein complexes in cells that detect danger signalsand they're known to activate gasdermin D and pyroptosis. Could gasdermin D be stimulated directly, in a way that does not kill the cell, to allow IL-1 out and dial up the immune response to vaccines? That's the idea Kagan's lab is exploring now. The lab is also exploring how a lipid called oxPAPC, which hyperactivates dendritic cells, supercharges memory T-cell activation by promoting IL-1 release through gasdermin D pores. Intermediate magnification micrograph of a low malignant potential (LMP) mucinous ovarian tumour. H&E stain. The micrograph shows: Simple mucinous epithelium (right) and mucinous epithelium that pseudo-stratifies (left - diagnostic of a LMP tumour). Epithelium in a frond-like architecture is seen at the top of image. Credit: Nephron /Wikipedia. CC BY-SA 3.0 Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy in the United States, resulting in an estimated 14,100 deaths and 22,500 new cases in 2017 alone. This high mortality is primarily caused by resistance to therapy and the diagnosis of ovarian cancer after it has already metastasized, which occurs in approximately 80 percent of patients. A new study from Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center (SKCC) at Thomas Jefferson University investigator Christine Eischen, PhD, provides new insights into the mechanisms contributing to ovarian cancer. The Eischen group focused on the role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), which have emerged as key regulators of genes. By evaluating the molecular changes that occur in large cohorts of ovarian cancer patients, the researchers were able to identify several lncRNAs that are linked to the disease. These lncRNAs were reproducibly altered in patients, and are responsible for a shift in cellular function that contributes to the metastatic properties of the cancer cells. The research, which appears in a recent issue of Nature Communications, was spearheaded by lead author and bioinformatician Dr. Ramkrishna Mitra, a postdoctoral associate in the Eischen laboratory. Dr. Mitra undertook a large-scale bioinformatics approach to evaluate over 700 ovarian cancer molecular profiles from four patient cohorts. This analysis led to the identification of several lncRNAs that are overexpressed in a particular subset of ovarian cancer, those that are thought to be the most aggressive. Further analysis revealed that overexpression of these lncRNAs in turn changed the expression of proteins that regulate a well-known developmental process, termed the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT is important for cell migration and invasion - two characteristic of metastatic cancer cellsstrongly suggesting that the link between lncRNAs and EMT contributes to the metastatic progression of ovarian cancer. Following up on this idea, the researchers found that one of the lncRNAs was directly implicated in patient outcomes. "Overexpression of one of the lncRNAs, DNM30S, was significantly correlated with worse overall ovarian cancer patient survival," said Dr. Eischen. Based on these observations, the researchers suggest that targeting of the lncRNAs might represent a viable treatment strategy for ovarian cancer. To test this idea, they experimentally reduced the expression of the DNM30S lncRNA, which resulted in reduced ovarian cancer cell migration and invasion. In future work, the Eischen laboratory aims to further understand the role of lncRNAs in ovarian cancer, and potentially translate their findings into clinical applications to reduce ovarian cancer metastasis. More information: Ramkrishna Mitra et al. Decoding critical long non-coding RNA in ovarian cancer epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, Nature Communications (2017). Journal information: Nature Communications Ramkrishna Mitra et al. Decoding critical long non-coding RNA in ovarian cancer epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition,(2017). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01781-0 The doctor warned breast cancer patient Joelle Smith that her hair would fall out on Day 14 of chemotherapy treatment in 2002. The prediction came true two weeks later when her hair started coming out in chunks while she washed it in the shower, so her husband helped her shave her head. "I just felt like I stood out as a cancer patient," Smith said. "I didn't want that to be what people saw me as." Smith went into remission, but was diagnosed with stage 4 four breast cancer in 2012. After trying a few other types of treatments, she learned this summer that she would have to go through chemotherapy once more. But this time, she kept her hair thanks to a device new to Charlotte. Many may not have heard of the DigniCap Scalp Cooling System because of the high cost, which insurance doesn't normally cover. The system also isn't common, with only two in North Carolina. The long treatment process can also be uncomfortable. Oncology Specialists of Charlotte obtained one of the devices in March. Another is at Wake Forest Baptist Health Comprehensive Cancer Center in Winston-Salem. In July, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded its use to treat all patients receiving chemotherapy for solid tumor cancers. Previously, it was just for breast cancer patients. Smith, 51, was told about the treatment option when she learned she would have to go through chemotherapy once more - daunting news. Just the word "chemo" reminded her of feeling sick and tired, and losing her hair. Back in 2002, Smith was bald for about six months and during that time, she wore lots of hats and bought a wig she never used. "I couldn't wait for it to grow back," she said. Smith decided to use the DigniCap system, factoring in an out-of-pocket cost of $400 a treatment, not covered by insurance. In total, Smith said she paid $3,200 for 8 times using the treatment, but she finished chemotherapy keeping her hair. "It's been worth it," she said. Dignitana, which makes DigniCap devices, hopes to add more locations in North Carolina, said spokeswoman Melissa Bourestom. "While scalp cooling does not yet have universal insurance coverage, we are working with third-party payers to change that and also work with patients directly to assist them in filing for reimbursement where available based on their insurance plan and coverage," she said. To those who can't afford the system or similar devices, a national nonprofit, HairToStay, offers need-based grants to help patients pay some of the cost. The maximum subsidy is usually about $1,000, according to the organization. Patients whose income is 300 percent of the federal poverty level, or $36,180 for an individual or $73,800 for a family of four, would qualify. HairToStay offers subsidies for other cold cap treatments, including kits that can be shipped to patients: Arctic Cold Caps, Chemo Cold Caps, Penguin Cold Caps and Wishcaps. Patients sometimes use online fundraisers to raise money for the treatments. Charlotte also has services for women who lose their hair during chemotherapy, including Carolina Breast Friends, which offers services at 1607 E. Morehead St. at the Pink House. "We provide wigs and scarves free to women with breast cancer," said Pamela Young of Carolina Breast Friends. "Many women come in with a friend or family member, and we make the experience as positive and fun as we can in our try-on room." The organization also holds a monthly "Be Beautiful, Be You" workshop with a fashion consultant that teaches wig, scarf and make-up styling and celebrates the intrinsic beauty of each woman, she said. For patients who choose scalp cooling treatment, not everyone will keep all of their hair. In an FDA clinical trial of 101 women who used the DigniCap system, about two-thirds lost less than half of their hair. For Smith, using the system meant a long process that she described as uncomfortable. First, she soaked her hair with water, then parted her hair down the middle and put on a papery blue bonnet to hold moisture against her head. Next, she put on the tight-fitting silicone cooling cap, followed by an insulating neoprene cap, like the material used in wetsuits. Then Velcro straps held everything in place close to the scalp. The caps are really tight and once on, she said she would stay cold for four hours. "Liquid coolant circulates throughout the silicone cap, delivering consistent and controlled cooling to all areas of the scalp," according to Dignitana. The scalp is cooled to just above freezing, "reducing delivery of chemotherapy to the scalp," according to Dignitana. Even during July and August she would struggle to warm up. "I would get in my car that is probably 100 degrees (Fahrenheit) in the middle of summer, and I would drive all the way home for about 20 minutes with the windows up and the air turned off," Smith said. "Just baking, and it would feel so good to me." Besides helping patients keep some hair, the DigniCap system also allows hair to grow back faster, said Dr. Dipika Misra, who works at Oncology Specialists of Charlotte. "It does help that they are not faced with their cancer diagnosis everyday when they look in the mirror," she said. Keeping her hair made going through chemotherapy a lot easier, Smith said. Recent scans have shown no sign of cancer, Smith said, but she is continuing with another chemotherapy drug that doesn't result in hair loss, to keep treating microscopic cancer cells that are likely still around. Her thick blond hair is cut to just below her ears, a longer style than what she had been wearing before the treatments. That was a precaution in case she needed to cover thinning or spottiness. During the time she was receiving treatments, she had to be careful with heat products, and could not wash her hair as often or dye it. "I was worried about my gray roots for sure," she said. But those soon will be gone - she has a hair color appointment scheduled in December. 2017 The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, N.C.) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The Toilet Revolution was started to improve quality of life and boost tourism. The campaign will not only make things easy for tourists but also beneficial for the domestic population. By India Today Web Desk: Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged his citizens to march on its "revolution" of cleaning dirty and foul-smelling public bathrooms. "Toilet issues are not petty matters but an important aspect of improving infrastructure in urban and rural areas", Xi said. This step was taken to improve quality of life and boost tourism. Toilet Revolution, as a campaign, will not only make things easy for tourists but is also beneficial for the domestic population. advertisement Apart from installing toilets at public places, the Toilet Revolution aims at improving hygiene and sanitation in public restrooms. The campaign basically focused on increasing 'three star rated' toilets at popular tourist destinations. The "Toilet Revolution" was launched in 2015 to make public restrooms more tourist friendly. "The toilet issue is no small thing, it's an important aspect of building civilised cities and countryside. This work must be a concrete part of advancing our country's revitalisation strategy and we must make great efforts to fill these shortcomings that affect the quality of life of the masses." said Xi while speaking to People's Daily in China. Xi, who took office in 2012, believes that the initiative will pave way for "civilised" urban and rural environment in China. The President made a point to visit rural areas and ask villagers whether they had proper sanitation or not. "In rural areas, some toilets were little more than makeshift shelters surrounded by bunches of corn stalks, and some were open pits next to pigsties," said a Chinese agency named Xinhua. Public bathrooms in China lack toilet paper and other necessary items and it has worked against its image in terms of boosting tourism. According to National tourism administration, China is expected to upgrade more than 70,000 toilets by the end of this year. 64,000 toilets are likely to be built or improved between 2018 and 2020. United Nations has declared 19 November as World Toilet Day. Chinese government took step further by declaring it 'China Toilet Revolution' day as well. Social media appreciated the initiative taken up the Chinese president. --- ENDS --- (HealthDay)Seniors with a fractured hip need surgery as soon as possible or they could suffer life-threatening complications, a new Canadian study concludes. Having surgery within 24 hours decreases the risk of hip fracture-related death. It also lowers odds of problems such as pneumonia, heart attack and blocked arteries, the researchers found. "We found that there appears to be a safe window, within the first 24 hours," said lead researcher Daniel Pincus, a doctoral student with the University of Toronto. "After 24 hours, risk began to clearly increase," Pincus said. U.S. and Canadian guidelines recommend hip fracture surgery within 48 hours of injury, but it's likely that many people don't receive care that quickly, he noted. In the United Kingdom, guidelines call for surgery within 36 hours, but hospitals often fail to get patients promptly into the operating room, Pincus added. Rates range from 15 percent to 95 percent among U.K. hospitals, according to the report. Oftentimes, there's no operating room or surgeon available, or other patients are awaiting surgery, Pincus explained. "There's a triage system and these patients historically were not prioritized," he said. "Sometimes there's medical reason for the delay, but that's very rare. We're starting to realize there's almost no reason why a patient should be delayed." Delay also likely occurs because doctors approach these elderly patients with a good deal of caution, said Dr. Harry Sax. He is executive vice chair of surgery for Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. "The perception is that if you're old and you've broken your hip, that you're going to have a lot of other [health problems]," said Sax, co-author of an editorial accompanying the new study. "Therefore, I need to spend several days running tests on you to try to make sure I can get you through the hip fracture surgery. " To see how this delay affects the health of patients, Pincus and his colleagues evaluated data on over 42,000 people treated for hip fracture at 72 hospitals in Ontario between April 2009 and March 2014. The patients' average age was 80. The investigators compared patients based on whether they had surgery before or after 24 hours. Overall, about 12 percent of hip fracture patients died within the month following their surgery. However, patients who got surgery within 24 hours were 21 percent less likely to die during the following month, compared with those who had a delay in surgery, the findings showed. Those patients also had lower complication rates. They were 82 percent less likely to develop a blood clot in the leg veins (deep vein thrombosis); 61 percent less likely to have a heart attack; and 49 percent less likely to suffer a blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolism). They were also 5 percent less likely to develop pneumonia during the month following surgery. "The problem is the longer you sit in bed, the more likely you are to get pneumonia and blood clots. The unfixed bone is continuing to flick off little bits of fat, which can go to the lungs," Sax said. "The delay doesn't necessarily make things better. It could make things worse." People with an elderly relative facing hip fracture surgery should ask the health care team to get their loved one into surgery as soon as possible, with as little additional testing as possible, Pincus and Sax said. "A prompt evaluation to make sure there's nothing quickly correctable should be done, but otherwise the patient should move to the operating room as quickly as possible," Sax said. Families should ask doctors about every test, scan or screen that delays the surgery, Sax said. "The question needs to be, what is the information that you're going to gain and how would that change your management of this patient," Sax said. "There are very few things you find with all this expensive testing that you can do anything about." The patient would be best off in a hospital that has a specific program to manage elderly people with hip fractures, Sax added. These programs have a team of surgeons, geriatricians, anesthesiologists and other professionals well-versed in the procedure. "If you can find a hospital that does that, the chances are your outcomes are going to be better," Sax said. The study was published Nov. 28 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. More information: Daniel Pincus, doctoral student, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Harry Sax, M.D., executive vice chair, surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles; Nov. 28, 2017, Journal of the American Medical Association Daniel Pincus, doctoral student, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Harry Sax, M.D., executive vice chair, surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles; Nov. 28, 2017, For more on hip fractures, visit the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Journal information: Journal of the American Medical Association Copyright 2017 HealthDay. All rights reserved. Human skin structure. Credit: Wikipedia Some individuals' skin appears more youthful than their chronologic age. Although many people try to achieve this with creams, lotions, injections, and surgeries, new research published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology indicates that increased expression of certain genes may be the key to intrinsically younger lookingand younger behavingskin. "It's not just the genes you are born with, but which ones turn on and off over time," said lead author Alexa B. Kimball, MD, MPH, a dermatologist and President and CEO of Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, who conducted research for the study while previously at Massachusetts General Hospital. "We found a wide range of processes in the skin affected by aging, and we discovered specific gene expression patterns in women who appear younger than their chronologic age." To produce a comprehensive model of aging skin, Kimball and her colleagues collected and integrated data at the molecular, cellular, and tissue levels from the sun-exposed skin (face and forearm) and sun-protected skin (buttocks) of 158 white women ages 20 to 74 years. As part of the study, the team looked for gene expression patterns common in women who appeared years younger than their chronologic age. The physical appearance of facial skin was captured through digital images and analysis. Skin samples were processed for analysis and saliva samples were collected for genotyping. The analyses revealed progressive changes from the 20s to the 70s in pathways related to oxidative stress, energy metabolism, senescence (aging) and skin barrier. These changes were accelerated in the 60s and 70s. Comparing sun-exposed and sun-protected skin samples revealed that certain genetic changes are likely due to photoaging. The gene expression patterns from the women in the study who were younger appearing were similar to those in women who were actually younger in age. These women had increased activity in genes associated with basic biologic processes, including DNA repair, cell replication, response to oxidative stress, and protein metabolism. Women with exceptionally youthful-appearing facial skin in older age groups also had higher expression of genes associated with mitochondrial structure and metabolism, overall epidermal structure, and barrier function in their facial epidermal samples, as well as dermal matrix production. A better understanding of the genes associated with youthful-appearing skin may point to new strategies to enhance factors that slow the skin's aging process. This work also confirmed that ultraviolent (UV) exposure is a main driver and accelerator of skin aging. "We were particularly surprised by the identification of a group of women who not only displayed a much more youthful skin appearance than would be expected based on their chronological age, but who also presented a specific gene expression profile mimicking the biology of much younger skin. It seems that their skin looked younger because it behaved younger," Kimball noted. "Improving our understanding of which choices and factors led to this specific profile is likely to be of great interest across the ages." A CT scanner is a unique feature of state-of-the-art ambulances called mobile stroke units. Credit: May Nour, M.D., Ph.D. "Time is brain." That's the mantra of physicians who warn that those with stroke symptoms need immediate medical attention. The sooner a stroke is treated, the greater the possibility of saving brain cells and achieving recovery. Now, about a dozen hospitals nationwide are evaluating and treating patients faster with mobile stroke units. These special ambulances are equipped with a CT scanner, an imaging technician, a paramedic, a nurse, a neurologist or telemedicine connection to a neurologist, and the clot-busting medicine tissue plasminogen activator, known as tPA. In an ischemic strokethe most common type, caused by a clot blocking blood flow to the braintPA can improve recovery chances if administered within three hours, or up to 4 hours for some patients. "Time is so critical," said James Grotta, M.D., director of stroke research in the Clinical Innovation and Research Institute at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center in Houston, where the first mobile stroke unit was launched in the United States in 2014. "It gets it all moving faster," Grotta said. "The idea is to get more treated in that first hour." The concept began in Germany, where Grotta visited in 2012 to learn about that country's mobile stroke response. Then he oversaw the start of the mobile stroke unit in Houston. When stroke is suspected based on a 911 call, the mobile unit is dispatched within a 7- or 8-mile radius, allowing evaluation of the patient at the scene. Or, the mobile unit may meet a patient halfway after transport in a regular ambulance. In some cases, the patient may start feeling better and it's determined a stroke isn't occurring, or medical officials may suspect a hemorrhagic stroke, a less common type that occurs when a vessel ruptures and bleeds into the brain. For those diagnosed with an ischemic stroke, tPA treatment can commence. Another advantage is quicker triage for patients needing a procedure to remove the clot using a stent retriever, Grotta noted. Approximately one-third of stroke patients reached by a mobile stroke unit get treated in the first hour after stroke symptoms start, compared with less than 1 percent who are treated at the emergency room, Grotta said. May Nour, M.D., Ph.D., reviews brain images from CT scans performed inside UCLA Healths mobile stroke unit. Credit: UCLA Health "It starts with the patient calling 911," he said. "Recognizing, and not ignoring, the symptoms of a stroke is critical." Symptoms can include face drooping, arm weakness and speech difficulty. Approximately 800,000 Americans each year have a stroke, the nation's fifth-leading cause of death. The University of California, Los Angeles launched a mobile unit in September after working closely with local government officials to address regulatory issues, said May Nour, M.D., Ph.D., an interventional neurologist and medical director of the UCLA Arline and Henry Gluck Stroke Rescue Program. Although the benefits and cost-effectiveness must be scientifically proven before there is wider use, Nour hopes to soon have enough mobile units to cover all of Los Angeles County. "Anything that's new takes time," she said. "We are doing the tough task of banding together nationally and internationally to evaluate the evidence." A study in The Lancet Neurology in September 2016 did not find statistically better outcomes in pre-hospital treatment versus conventional treatment. But the study, limited by a small number of patients, suggested mobile unit treatment might lead to improved results. Researchers said a large-scale trial is needed. Grotta's team is conducting a large randomized trial through PCORI, the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute. Along with Houston, mobile stroke units in Memphis, Tennessee, and Denver, Colorado, are participating to examine patient outcomes during weeks when a mobile unit is dispatched versus other weeks of standard treatment. A separate analysis will look at the costs of implementing a mobile stroke unit versus the cost savings that result from better outcomes for patients. The price for a mobile stroke unit ranges from $600,000 to $2 million, according to the consortium PRESTO, the PRE-hospital Stroke Treatment Organization. Making a physician available through telemedicine rather than in person can save money in staffing and has been determined to be just as accurate, Grotta said. Hospitals usually pay for the units through philanthropy because insurance reimbursements don't cover the startup costs and cover little of the clinical activities performed in the unit, he said, but more research may show clear cost benefits. Nour believes cost-effectiveness ultimately will be proven with the positive impact on patients' lives. "Proving cost-effectiveness will allow this innovative stroke care delivery platform to be accessible to all stroke survivors by changing the infrastructure of prehospital care," she said. "But we need to show that." More information: Alexander Kunz et al. Functional outcomes of pre-hospital thrombolysis in a mobile stroke treatment unit compared with conventional care: an observational registry study, The Lancet Neurology (2016). Journal information: Lancet Neurology Alexander Kunz et al. Functional outcomes of pre-hospital thrombolysis in a mobile stroke treatment unit compared with conventional care: an observational registry study,(2016). DOI: 10.1016/S1474-4422(16)30129-6 The more times metastasised melanoma has mutated and the patient's immune system has been activated against the tumour the better the chances of survival after immunotherapy. This is what emerges from a research collaboration between Lund University in Sweden and Herlev university hospital in Denmark. The findings are now published in the scientific journal Nature Communications. Using the body's own immune system to combat tumours, an approach known as immunotherapy, has brought a major breakthrough in cancer care. Whereas we previously had no treatments able to increase survival for certain cancer diagnoses, it is now possible to treat advanced melanoma, for example. One such immunotherapy method currently under clinical trial on patients with advanced melanoma is adoptive T cell therapy. The treatment is demanding both in terms of resources and for the patient, who needs to be in a condition to withstand it. Sharpens the T cells In simple terms, the treatment entails first removing the patient's own T cells from the tumour. T cells are the part of the immune system that recognises tumour cells. The patient's cells are then cultured in the lab and subsequently injected back into the patient. "The aim is for them to seek out and fight the tumour and the circulating tumour cells," explains Goran Jonsson, researcher at Lund University. He is collaborating with Herlev university hospital in Copenhagen, which is one of few hospitals in Europe currently conducting clinical trials of this form of immunotherapy. Although the treatment outcomes are promising, only just below half of patients respond to this immunotherapy. "Between 10 and 20 per cent of those affected by advanced melanoma can be cured with a single treatment of adoptive T cell therapy. On the other hand, the treatment is very intensive, and has many side effects. It is therefore important to be able to predict which patients stand to benefit from the treatment, so that we give it to the right ones," say Inge Marie Svane and Marco Donia, physicians at Herlev university hospital and researchers at the University of Copenhagen. The more mutations, the better In order to find such markers, the researchers studied a group of 25 patients who had all undergone adoptive T cell therapy for advanced melanoma, because they either did not respond to previous treatment or had a recurrence of disease during previous treatment. The researchers analysed tumour cells from the patients at the molecular level. This revealed that the more mutations the tumour had, the better the result of the T cell therapy. "We could show that the more mutations there were, the better. This is linked to the fact that every time the tumour mutates, new antigens are produced, known as neoantigens, that the T cells recognise as alien and want to fight. More mutations means more neoantigens for the immune system to discover," says Goran Jonsson. It's like a game of hide and seek: the more people join, the easier it is for the person searching to find those who are hiding. The researchers also saw that the survival rate was better if the part of the patient's immune system that infiltrates the tumour was active, even if the immune cells had not defeated the tumour. "Because this treatment is not practised in many places in the world, the group of patients we can study is not very large, but our results clearly show a group of patients that can be identified on the molecular level who will have long-term benefits from the treatment," says Goran Jonsson. More information: Martin Lauss et al. Mutational and putative neoantigen load predict clinical benefit of adoptive T cell therapy in melanoma, Nature Communications (2017). Journal information: Nature Communications Martin Lauss et al. Mutational and putative neoantigen load predict clinical benefit of adoptive T cell therapy in melanoma,(2017). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01460-0 OPTIMISTIC is an innovative program developed and implemented by clinician-researchers from the Indiana University Center for Aging Research and partners to decrease avoidable hospitalizations of long-stay nursing facility residents. Credit: Indiana University Center for Aging Research The initial phase of OPTIMISTIC, an innovative program developed and implemented by clinician-researchers from the Indiana University Center for Aging Research and partners to decrease avoidable hospitalizations of long-stay nursing facility residents, reduced these events a striking 33 percent, according to an independent evaluation prepared at the request of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation which funds the OPTIMISTIC study. The evaluation also found that nearly one in five of all hospitalizationsboth avoidable and unavoidablewas eliminated by OPTIMISTIC. By lowering Medicare expenditures $1589 per nursing home resident per year, OPTIMISITC produced a total Medicare spending reduction of nearly $13.5 million and a net savings of over $3.4 million from 2014 to 2016. OPTIMISTIC, an acronym for Optimizing Patient Transfers, Impacting Medical quality and Improving Symptoms: Transforming Institutional Care, is one of seven demonstration projects funded across the country by CMS Innovations through the Initiative to Reduce Avoidable Hospitalizations among Nursing Facility Residents through placing additional resources in nursing homes. OPTIMISTIC was among the projects with the strongest performance. OPTIMISTIC's four-year initial phase focused on enhanced clinical care. Nurses and nurse practitioners were embedded in 19 central Indiana nursing homes providing direct support to long-stay residents and their families as well as education and training to facility staff. These specially trained health professionals also led care management reviews of long-stay patients to optimize chronic disease management, reduce unnecessary medications and clarify care goals. "Long-stay nursing home residents typically have high rates of multiple chronic illnesses including dementia," said IU Center for Aging Research and Regenstrief Institute scientist Kathleen Unroe, MD, MHA, co-principal investigator of OPTIMISTIC's first phase. "Keeping these complex patients in the nursing facility is often the right choice. There is a lot of care we can provide in the nursing facility settinga familiar place with staff and providers who know themthat spares the resident and their family the difficulties associated with a transfer to a hospital. When we can do that safely we should." The care of long-term nursing home residents with these conditions is often fragmented by hospitalizations and re-hospitalizations which is especially burdensome to frail older adults. The likelihood of reduced functioning and overall negative impact on their health after discharge from the hospital is significant. "This independent evaluation confirms that OPTIMISTIC is really a "home run" improving quality of care, reducing burdensome transfers, and saving money at the same time," said Chief of IU School of Medicine's Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics Greg Sachs, MD. Dr. Sachs, also an IU Center for Aging Research and Regenstrief Institute scientist and co-principal investigator of the first phase of OPTIMISTIC, indicated that the team is eager to find ways to spread the OPTIMISTIC clinical model. OPTIMISTIC has received more than $30 million in total funding from CMS. "We are excited both by the results of the independent evaluation and by the fact that we have three years remaining on this project to continue to build on our successes in Phase 1 with an expanded group of partners across the state," Dr. Unroe, a geriatrician, said. She is the principal investigator of OPTIMISTIC's second phase which allows nursing homes to access financial reimbursement through Medicare for care of long-stay nursing homes residents in place. The link between addiction and mental health disorders may be firmly established in scientific circles, but treatments designed to address them together are uncommon. Some University of Maryland researchers may be taking a promising step to tackle two such intractable, but often related conditions: alcoholism and post-traumatic stress disorder. Dr. Bankole Johnson, an addiction and brain science expert and professor of psychiatry in the University of Maryland School of Medicine, is leading a team launching a five-year study of the effectiveness of a drug called pregablin for treating alcoholism and PTSD together. Known commercially as Lyrica, pregablin is now used to treat epileptic seizures, nerve pain and anxiety. Past studies also suggested it helps treat alcoholism, but that use has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "There is a lot of suffering among people with PTSD and people with alcoholism, and they are at extreme risk for harming themselves," Johnson said. "So this could be particularly important for treatment." Johnson said doctors use drugs to treat anxiety or to detox a patient, but there is little research into what works for both. Researchers are recruiting people in Baltimore who served in combat roles in the military or were victims of domestic abuse, for example, and turned to alcohol, perhaps to "self-medicate." Johnson said pregablin is promising because it modulates over-active neurotransmitters, or chemical signals, from nerve cells that control the drive to use alcohol and the effects of anxiety. Some users say it has Valium-like effects, but Johnson said it's far less addictive. Any discovery of a medication to treat alcoholism and a severe mental health disorder could help reduce a persistent problem, he said. While opioids such as heroin and fentanyl have grabbed most of the headlines because of a surge in related overdose deaths, alcohol continues to kill people. Nationally, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that alcohol use led to about 88,000 deaths each year from 2006 to 2010. A new report from the Trust for America's Health counted more than a million deaths tied to alcohol, drugs and suicide in the past decade, with alcohol deaths up 37 percent and suicides increasing 28 percent from 2010 to 2015. The group says it points to an epidemic of pain, despair, disconnection and lack of opportunity and the need for a "national strategy to improve resilience." Benjamin F. Miller, chief policy officer for the Well Being Trust and a contributor to the report, noted that in 2016, 44.7 million U.S. adults experienced a mental health problem, 20.1 million had a substance use disorder and 8.2 million had both. He said the numbers are likely undercounted by far. He said only 1 in 10 who need treatment for a substance use disorder got it and 4 in 9 who need mental health services get them. Frequently treatment isn't coordinated, significantly dampening its effectiveness, said Miller, also a senior adviser in the University of Colorado School of Medicine's department of family medicine. "I applaud the researchers for their work; this is tremendously important for people on the ground," said Miller about the Maryland team's study. "It is a wonderful step in the right direction. Though people need a whole lot more help." Too often, Miller said, the approach in research, as well as health care delivery, is treating each disease a person has independently. Researchers even tightly control participation in studies to get a clear picture of how a drug works on a single condition, Johnson said. But patients rarely have only one condition. Even if each is initially addressed medically, with mental health and substance use disorders, a need remains for ongoing counseling and support services for the long term. That's especially true with the most complex and severe cases involving PTSD, said Dr. Lawrence V. Tucker, medical director of the Laguna Treatment Hospital in California, one of several facilities operated by American Addiction Centers, which specializes in co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Tucker said he uses medications related to pregablin now on patients with dual diagnoses but said he'll be looking for results of the Maryland study. New evidence of effectiveness could inform his decisions on which drugs he uses and for how long. Still, he agreed that these cases call for long-term therapy - sometimes just to understand the root of the disorders. Young men, he said, are especially resistant to discussing trauma. Left alone, these patients will most certainly begin using alcohol again. "Someone can get 30 or 60 or 90 days of treatment, but if the root of evil isn't addressed, if you don't address the PTSD, guess what happens? They relapse," he said. "People need to learn how to be sober." 2017 The Baltimore Sun Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. While the holidays are a time to be enjoyed with family and friends, they also are a time when signs of addiction may be observed. Baylor College of Medicine's Dr. Thomas Kosten discusses the signs that families can look out for that their loved one may be struggling with an addiction, which can be exacerbated during the holidays. "Addictions are usually thought of in terms of chemical addictions; that is, substances that people take too much of and as people take them repeatedly over time they become dependent on them," said Kosten, professor in the Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and director of the division of alcohol and addiction psychiatry at Baylor. "They need more and more to get the same type of effect so they are escalating their use all of the time." The other component of dependence is withdrawal, Kosten said. When someone stops taking a drug after they have been using it every day, they can experience withdrawal syndrome. Symptoms of withdrawal are associated with hyperarousal so the heart will beat faster, which may increase blood pressure and feelings of anxiousness. "If a person is in significant withdrawal from opiates, for example, then families may notice that the person is really sick and it looks like they have a bad case of the flu. With other drugs of abuse, like sedatives, a person may actually have a seizure if they stop using them," Kosten said. Kosten explained that another sign of addiction may be that the family member is gone a lot because they are looking to obtain more of the drugs. It also becomes harder and harder for them to live up to the obligations they have to their spouse, child or job. One of the most overt signs of addiction is when a person overdoses on the drug, Kosten added. He cautioned that this does mean they die of the overdose but have a serious episode. He said one of the most important ways you can help a loved one if you think they are struggling with an addiction is to say something to them. "If notice that your family member is not acting right, point it out and ask why. They might lie about it but you shouldn't be discouraged by that; you may not get to their heart and soul immediately," Kosten said. "There doesn't need to be a big intervention with 10 to 20 people there, all it takes is one or two people to just get the addict's attention. Also, don't be afraid to use tough love if needed." For those in need of addiction resources in the Houston area, Kosten recommends reaching out the Council on Recovery. For those with an alcohol addiction, he suggests finding out more about Alcoholics Anonymous. "I think professional help usually makes the most sense, and you should go to someone that has some expertise in this field," he said. "Treatment also is dependent on what type of drug is being abused." Down's syndrome, also known as trisomy 21, is one of the most common genetic diseases. Researchers from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and ETH Zurich (ETHZ), Switzerland, have recently analysed the proteins of individuals with trisomy 21 for the first time: the goal was to improve our understanding of how a supernumerary copy of chromosome 21 could affect human development. Published in the journal Nature Communications, the research shows that trisomy 21, far from only affecting the proteins encoded by the chromosome 21 genes, also impacts on the proteins encoded by the genes located on the other chromosomes. In fact, the cells are overwhelmed by the protein surplus generated by the triplicated genes, and cannot regulate the amount of proteins. These results provide new insight into Down's syndrome and its symptoms based on the study of proteins, revealing the different outcomes of an excess of chromosome 21 on cell behaviour. The symptoms of Down's syndrome, the most common genetic disease, include facial dysmorphism, intellectual impairment, poor muscular tone and congenital heart disease. The syndrome results from the presence of three chromosomes 21, which explains why research until now has focused on analysing DNA and transcriptome (all the messenger RNAs synthesised from genes of our genome). "Nevertheless," explains Stylianos E. Antonarakis, honorary professor in UNIGE's Faculty of Medicine, "the proteins are highly informative molecules since they are more closely linked to the clinical signs of the syndrome. Studying them makes it possible to posit new hypotheses about the cellular mechanisms disturbed by trisomy 21." However, analysing all the proteins from clinical samples is technically a very difficult task which is why the UNIGE researchers joined forces with a team led by Professor Ruedi Aebersold from ETHZ, who is a world expert in proteome studies. The scientists succeeded in quantifying 4,000 out of the 10,000 proteins synthesised by skin cells a world premiere using SWATH-MS, a new mass spectrometry technique developed by ETHZ. The protein differences between the cells of Down's syndrome and a person without the genetic anomaly are low (1.5 times higher for the proteins produced by the chromosome 21 genes). They are difficult to detect with traditional techniques, meaning that it has been necessary to wait for an ultra-sensitive method to be developed in order to detect the tiny variations. "What's more, the aim was only to analyse the protein variations due to the genetic anomaly, and not the variations that can be attributed to individual differences. So, we worked on fibroblastic cells from a pair of female twins who shared the same genetic background, except that one has trisomy 21 and the other doesn't," adds Christelle Borel, a researcher in the Department of Genetics and Development at UNIGE's Faculty of Medicine. Deficient self-regulation cellular mechanism discovered A detailed examination of the twin's samples revealed several major findings to improve our understanding of the impact of Down's syndrome on cells. Significant quantitative variations were observed in the proteins that are not encoded exclusively from genes on chromosome 21 but that also from genes that map to other chromosomes. Trisomy 21 causes an overdose of mRNA and proteins that dysregulate the cellular functions of the affected individual. The researchers then observed a cellular mechanism for self-regulating protein production, which was capable of counteracting an unusual overabundance of proteins. Under normal conditions, this mechanism helps correct minor excesses and regulates the amount of protein needed by our cells. But, because of an extra chromosome 21, which itself encodes proteins, the cells are left with a surplus of proteins and the self-regulating mechanism is no longer able to control and restrict the quantity. "For the first time," says Professor Antonarakis, "we have a comprehensive analysis of the proteins deregulated by trisomy 21, which may explain the causes of the different symptoms of Down's syndrome." The UNIGE geneticists also found that trisomy 21 also affected the cell's various sub-structures, especially the mitochondria, which are responsible for the cell's energy processes. But here the problem is the very opposite: the proteins that make up the mitochondria are excessively diminished and affect their correct functioning. The last result was validated with samples from other patients with trisomy 21: it showed that the type of proteins affected is also extremely important for understanding what causes the symptoms. "In general terms, protein turnover is accelerated in the trisomic cells. Then there are two kinds of proteins," says Christelle Borel. "The first assemble as a complex to perform a precise function. The second, on the other hand, operate alone. We discovered that it is the proteins in complexes that are degraded most quickly in the trisomic cells, which is something that could not have been discovered before." In fact, the proteins that assemble regulate mutually and naturally by forming the complexes, meaning their surplus is controlled. By contrast, there is an excess of solitary proteins that are not eliminated by the cell because they are functional alone. New perspectives for research in medical genetics The UNIGE geneticists, in collaboration with the ETHZ experts, have taken a major step forward in our understanding of trisomy 21 by going beyond the gene and transcriptome to reach proteins. These initial discoveries, together with the demonstration of the technical feasibility, open new perspectives for research, since the methodology can be applied to other genetic diseases. "We now need to find which of the deregulated proteins are responsible for each particular symptom of Down's syndrome. Then we need to see if new discoveries are possible for other types of cells such as neurons or heart cells, severely affected by trisomy 21," concludes Professor Antonarakis. More information: Yansheng Liu et al. Systematic proteome and proteostasis profiling in human Trisomy 21 fibroblast cells, Nature Communications (2017). Journal information: Nature Communications Yansheng Liu et al. Systematic proteome and proteostasis profiling in human Trisomy 21 fibroblast cells,(2017). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01422-6 By Divyesh Singh: A 20 year old college student battles for her life in KEM hospital in Mumbai after being attacked by her former boyfriend. The incident took place in a hotel room at Dadar in central Mumbai, on Monday. The victim Aarti Sharma's throat was slit by her ex-boyfriend Ajmal Shah (21) using a blade. A heavy object was used to attack her as well. The victim and accused are residents of the Antop Hill locality and reportedly were in a relationship for a few months. advertisement According to police, the victim left home under the pretext of attending college but she came to Hotel Afsar near Dadar station at 11:30 am with Ajmal Shah. They spoke to the hotel manager Iqbal Kunhey requesting a room.They were given a room after furnishing ID proof. The hotel staff heard commotion soon after and manager Kunhey along with a few staffers rushed the room occupied by the couple. They frantically tried to open the door as they heard the victim scream inside the room. The door was bolted from the inside. "When hotel staffers managed to open the door they saw the victim in a pool of blood while accused was holding a blade while his wrists bled" said a senior police officer from Bhoiwada police station. Ajmal Shah was overpowered by the hotel staff and the blade was taken from him. Victim Aarti Sharma was rushed to KEM hospital while Shah was taken into custody after medical care. The victim remains critical as she received a cut on her throat and a heavy blow to the head which resulted in massive blood loss. A case of attempted murder has been registered against Shah who revealed to the police that he was angry at Sharma for dating someone else --- ENDS --- The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN or Chinese Navy) commissioned two new Type 056 Corvettes (Jiangdao class) in the past two weeks. Guangyuan (hull number 552) was commissioned on November 16th during a ceremony at Guangzhou naval base. Suining (hull number 551) was commissioned on November 28th in Guangdong province. Both vessels are Type 056A variant specialized in anti-submarine warfare (ASW). The People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN or Chinese Navy) commissioned two new Type 056 Corvettes (Jiangdao class) in the past two weeks. Guangyuan (hull number 552) was commissioned on November 16th during a ceremony at Guangzhou naval base. Suining (hull number 551) was commissioned on November 28th in Guangdong province. Both vessels are Type 056A variant specialized in anti-submarine warfare (ASW). Navies from other countries will benefit from the on-going work performed for the F-110, a vessel with an Aegis Combat System adapted to respond to conventional and asymmetric threats in coastline operations. This AESA radar will be an option for any frigate with similar requirements to the F-110. Under this agreement, both companies will work together to fulfill customer needs. The F-110 frigate is the Spanish Navys future multi-mission surface vessel, due to see operations in the next decade. With production expected to begin in 2018, the first F-110 frigate would be commissioned in 2023 equipped with the first Aegis Weapon System integrating the new solid state S-band radar. Lockheed Martin and Indra have been collaborating since 2009 to develop a state-of-the-art S-band solid state radar for Spains F-110 Frigate Program, and their cooperation in S-band naval radars dates to 1997 when Indra began supplying components for the SPY-1D radar. Over those 20 years, Indra has delivered components to every Aegis Combat system for the U.S. Navy and all five international Aegis partner navies. Under this new radar partnership, nearly a decade of joint funding and technical collaboration has been invested to combine and mature the best of Lockheed Martin and Indra S-band solid state radar technologies. The industrial cooperation between Lockheed Martin and Indra has always been strong, but for F-110 it will go to the next level, said F-110 Program Manager Capt. Manuel Martinez Ruiz. The joint development of a new solid state S-band radar is a cornerstone of the F-110 Program and a strategic element of our defense industrial plan in Spain. Lockheed Martin has made significant investments in our solid state radar technologies including an open architecture design that more easily facilitates integration with other systems and components, said Michele Evans, vice president, Lockheed Martin Integrated Warfare Systems and Sensors. Our history working with Indra and our complimentary investments in solid state radar technology make this a natural extension for our partnership and we look forward to seeing this solid state radar aboard F-110 and future air defense platforms around the world. The Spanish Navy operates five Aegis-equipped Alvaro de Bazan-class (F-100) frigates equipped with the Lockheed Martin-developed Aegis Combat System and SPY-1 radar. F-110 will aim to evolve the strong partnerships between U.S. and Spanish industry established during the development and fielding of the first four ships of the F-100 program and expanded for F-105. Lockheed Martin has been a strong technological partner for the Spanish defense industry for over 20 years, Indra Defense and Security General Manager Manuel Escalante said. Our components have been part of every SPY-1D radar system during those two decades, and with this recently signed Heads of Agreement, both companies are ready to pursue other worldwide opportunities. We are very excited to see this partnership expand to bring together the best of Spanish and U.S. solid state technologies for this new state-of-the-art radar, and we look forward to the next 20 years of working with Lockheed Martin to deliver the most capable naval radars to the world. Armen Azatian was surfacing from a spearfishing dive in Monterey Bay when he heard a bloodcurdling scream, DailyNews reported. It was his 25-year-old son, who had just fought off what he said was a great white shark that ripped into his thigh and lower leg. The elder Azatian didnt witness the attack, but realized immediately something catastrophic had happened his son had never cried since he was a baby. It was like lightning struck my head and it was cracking, Armen Azatian of Northridge said, as he recalled the attack and its aftermath on Sunday while his son underwent a second surgery to repair his badly damaged leg. It was horrifying; his muscles were torn apart, said Azatian, a psychiatrist who worked for a year as a surgery intern but had never seen anything as gruesome. Grigor Azatian was spearfishing with his dad. While his dad went off in search of prey, Grigor took photos with an underwater camera, then dove in again with his spear. It was then he saw the great white and, he told his dad, the shark saw him and appeared to swim away. Grigor surfaced to warn his father of the shark, and while he scanned the water waiting for his dad to surface, the shark returned from behind and attacked. The shark grabbed him and didnt let him go, and took at least two bites mid-thigh and below the knee, Armen Azatian said his son told him. He tried to fight with the shark. I dont think he could do much, maybe pushing, moving his legs. Grigor had lost track of his spear, and couldnt reach his knife, which was strapped to the leg near the sharks mouth. But he punched the sharks face and kicked. At one point, the creatures nose rose above the water, and he looked into its left eye. He managed to free himself, screaming, then swam about 20 yards to the dinghy. His father surfaced about 30 yards away and reached the boat shortly after. Laying with his mangled leg in the boat, Grigor asked that his constricting wetsuit be cut open then directed his father in how to undo the lock on his knife. He was very calm, Dr. Azatian said. He just said he cannot breathe well. His dad grabbed a float line and wrapped a tourniquet around his sons leg. After the attack, Grigor underwent a two-hour surgery. A surgeon emerged and said he was guardedly optimistic, and that Grigor had not suffered great tissue loss. One of his muscles, the long, thin sartorius that runs down the thigh, remains at risk. Despite the severe wounds, Azatian contemplates how much worse it could have been. That shark might have dragged him down, he said. Those sharp teeth might have hit a major artery, or taken a bigger hunk of muscle. A bite that grazed his arm might have gone deeper. The second surgery Sunday was successful, Azatian said, and another will be performed later this week. Gold prices decline Trade Representative of Russia: Trade turnover with Armenia sets new record Copper falls in price Gas explodes in Fatih district of Istanbul, 10 people injured Oil prices go down Meteorite that fell in Britain contains key information about how oceans and life formed on Earth Gamer drinks 12 energy drinks in ten minutes and ends up in hospital Sweden to provide Ukraine with new military aid worth $287 million Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania meet conditions for joining Schengen zone Oil prices may reach $120 a barrel and stay at this level for 2 years Zelenskyy receives 'signals' that Putin wants direct talks Security Service of Ukraine puts Ramzan Kadyrov on wanted list Unidentified men open fire at market in Izeh city in southwestern Iran Karen Donfried tries to explain State Department's decision to exempt Azerbaijan from 907th Amendment Philip Reeker says U.S. administration representatives have no access to Nagorno-Karabakh Rimac Nevera sets speed record for production electric cars Reeker: Pace and depth of current talks between Yerevan and Baku demonstrate potential to resolve conflict FBI director considers TikTok threat to US National Security Bob Menendez says Ukraine supplies Azerbaijan with phosphorus bombs it used in Karabakh Delegation headed by Speaker of Armenian Parliament is in Tbilisi Austin: U.S. intends to continue supplying weapons and aid to Ukraine during winter Armenian politician charged with abuse of office, money laundering Karen Donfried says Armenia and Azerbaijan have historic opportunity to establish lasting peace Bob Menendez: How can the U.S. justify security assistance to the Baku regime? Azerbaijan fires at residents of Sarushen village of Artsakh Head of Portugal's Finance Ministry: EU countries must work faster on energy intervention Kuwait executes 7 prisoners Czech Republic plans to train up to 4,000 Ukrainian servicemen next year Ukraine once again asks US for powerful drones Belarusian border guards shoot down drone intruding into airspace from Ukraine Armenian Deputy PM: Regional electricity export opportunities significantly increased Greek authorities temporarily ban export of firewood from country Azerbaijan protests to France in connection with Senate resolution Blinken calls on Aliyev to observe ceasefire and limit provocations Pashinyan: We're advancing rights of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh. Pashinyan: Armenia invites Azerbaijan to sign framework agreement on peace Pashinyan: Most of the arable land of 4 villages in Tavush Province is occupied by Azerbaijanis Armenian Prime Minister: Let the opposition loudly reject Russia's proposals 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: Armenia submitted its proposals for peace treaty to Azerbaijan, we are waiting for a response 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 Poland says Ukrainian missile could be cause of explosion 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 By PTI: (Eds: Repeating with correction in para 3) By Sajjad Hussain Islamabad, Nov 28 (PTI) Newly-appointed Chinese ambassador to Pakistan, Yao Jing said the USD 50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a source of prosperity for Pakistan and the rest of the region. He stated this at the third CPEC media forum jointly organised by the Chinese Embassy here and the Pakistan-China Institute (PCI), according to a statement by PCI. advertisement Yao said CPEC was a major priority for the Chinese leadership, and he would put in his best efforts to get it implemented in letter and spirit. The envoy expressed pleasure that CPECs implementation was being fast-tracked and said he was confident that the people of Pakistan would be the major beneficiary of this initiative. "It is also a source of prosperity and peace for the entire region, CPECs ownership goes to the people of Pakistan and its other stakeholders," he said. Yao spoke about the important role of the media, noting that Pakistani media has always been positive towards China. He proposed that the media representatives should be invited to visit CPEC projects, enabling them to see themselves its implementation process and socio-economic impact on the local people. He assured that he would have regular interaction with the media to seek support in carrying forward their collaborative socio-economic partnership. The embassy of China, he added, will keep facilitating the media in promoting Sino-Pak friendship. During his long diplomatic career, Yao said Pakistan has always been most important for him, and he will fulfil his new responsibility for the countrys well-being with devotion and commitment. He said he was looking forward to contribute in making the CPEC a symbol of Sino-Pak cooperative partnership. PCI said that Yao was delivering his first speech at any public forum after his appointment as new envoy to Pakistan. After presenting his credentials to Pakistans president in a few days, Yao said he would start his official engagements and wished to maintain close interaction with the media friends, seeking their support to take full advantage of the CPECs opportunity and keep the people aware of its enormous benefits. Chief Executive of China Economic Net website Wang Xudong in his keynote address hoped that the forum will provide them a good opportunity for promoting media-to-media relationship. CPEC is drawing the worlds attention and getting popular among Chinese people, he added. PTI SH KUN --- ENDS --- advertisement YEREVAN. New comprehensive and enhanced partnership agreement signed between Armenia and EU shows that the EU and Eurasian Union are not enemy structures, but alternatives the content of which may even overlap, member of the European Parliament Frank Engel told Armenian News-NEWS.am. Armenia and the European Union have signed the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement last week following the Eastern Partnership summit. Asked whether the new deal is a crucial change in EU-Armenia relations, Engel said it proves the will of both sides to engage in a structural and strategic partnership together. It also underscores the European outlook of Armenia, which must not become entangled in a purely Russian web of sectoral alliances. The very existence agreement also shows that EU and Eurasian Union are not enemy structures, but alternatives the content of which may even overlap, MEP said. Engel described the Eastern Partnership program as a partnership between the EU and its members and six Eastern European states which belong to the same continent and civilization. However, I don't think the EU should contemplate further enlargements at the present time. That is not exclusion for the future, but a focus on setting the agenda straight for the present. Only an EU drastically more capable of action, also on external matters, will eventually be able to accommodate new members, he added. Three suspected Islamist extremists were killed in a raid by Bangladesh police just days before the Pope is due to arrive in the country. The suspects opened fire and threw bombs at Rapid Action Battalion police who cordoned off a house where they were hiding near the border with India, officials said. "We called on them to surrender. But they responded by opening fire and throwing bombs. Moments later we heard loud explosions inside the house," Major Ashraf, an RAB officer, told AFP. The officer said a search of the tin-roofed house in Chapai Nawabganj district in the northwest of the country was being completed. RAB deputy head Colonel Anwar Latif Khan told AFP that "three people who were involved in Islamist militancy were killed" in the explosions. RAB officials said the house was raided following a tip-off. Pope Francis arrives in Bangladesh on Thursday for a three-day visit, the first by a Vatican leader in 31 years. The visit will be dominated by the plight of more than 620,000 Rohingya Muslims who have fled ethnic unrest in Myanmar and taken refuge in Bangladesh. YEREVAN.- Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan received on Tuesday Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif, the press service of the Armenian Presidents Office reported. Greeting the guest, the President of the Republic talked with satisfaction about the mutual high level visits between the two states, and emphasized that those visits give an opportunity to strengthen further the interstate relations based on the centuries-old friendship between the two peoples. During the meeting President Sargsyan once again expressed solidarity to the friendly people of Iran over the recent devastating earthquake and expressed conviction that Iran will eliminate the consequences within a very short period. President Serzh Sargsyan noted that during the 25 years of the diplomatic relations the two states have built relations based on friendship, mutual understanding and respect. The President hoped that those relations will be continued in the future as well. Serzh Sargsyan underlined that Armenia conducts open and sincere dialogue with its Iranian partners and is interested in the development of friendly Iran and regional stability. Thanking for the reception, Foreign Minister Zarif conveyed the warm greetings of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to Serzh Sargsyan and thanked for both being present at the inauguration ceremony of the Iranian President and for sending condolence telegram on the occasion of the earthquake. The Iranian FM stressed that development of relations with neighbors is a foreign policy priority for Iran, and Armenia has always been a very good neighbor for Iran. According to Mohammad Javad Zarif, though 25 years have passed since Armenian-Iranian interstate relations were established reinforced with close political ties, the relations between the two peoples date back centuries ago. Minister Zarif underlined that the people of Iran have special respect towards the Armenian people, including the Armenian community in Iran. The interlocutors highlighted the strengthening of economic relations and development of cooperation on various spheres of mutual interest. To the assessment of FM Zarif, the Armenian-Iranian economic relations do not correspond to the current high level political relations between the two countries. He informed the President of the Republic that issues related to the development of that sphere were the main point of his negotiations with his Armenian counterpart. The Iranian Foreign Minister noted that the Armenian-Iranian business forum held in Yerevan is also directed to the strengthening and deepening of economic relations. President Sargsyan and Foreign Minister Zarif also talked with satisfaction about the partnership of the two countries in international institutions. By PTI: (Eds: Updating with fresh inputs) By Sajjad Hussain Islamabad, Nov 28 (PTI) The USD 50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was a major priority for Chinas leadership, the new Chinese envoy here has said, vowing that he would put in his best efforts to get it implemented. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a planned network of roads, railways and energy projects linking Chinas restive Xinjiang Uyghur autonomous region with southern Pakistan and the strategic Gwadar Port on the Arabian Sea. advertisement Addressing the third CPEC media forum jointly organised by the Chinese Embassy here and the Pakistan-China Institute (PCI), ambassador Yao Jing said the CPEC is a source of prosperity for Pakistan and the rest of the region. He said the ambitious CPEC was a major priority for the Chinese leadership, and he would put in his best efforts to get it implemented in letter and spirit, according to a statement by the PCI. Yao welcomed Pakistans efforts to fast-track the CPECs implementation and said he was confident that the people of Pakistan would be the major beneficiary of this initiative. "It is also a source of prosperity and peace for the entire region, CPECs ownership goes to the people of Pakistan and its other stakeholders," he said. Yao spoke about the important role of the media, noting that Pakistani media has always been positive towards China. He proposed that the media representatives should be invited to visit the CPEC projects, enabling them to see themselves its implementation process and socio-economic impact on the local people. The embassy of China, he added, will keep facilitating the media in promoting Sino-Pak friendship. During his long diplomatic career, Yao said Pakistan has always been most important for him, and he will fulfil his new responsibility for the countrys well-being with devotion and commitment. He said he was looking forward to contribute in making the CPEC a symbol of Sino-Pak cooperative partnership. Chief Executive of China Economic Net website Wang Xudong in his keynote address hoped that the forum will provide them a good opportunity for promoting media-to-media relationship. CPEC is drawing the worlds attention and getting popular among Chinese people, he added. PTI SH KUN AKJ AKJ --- ENDS --- WASHINGTON: Scientists have developed solar- powered smart windows with tunable glazing that can control the heat and light inside a home, saving up to 40 pct in an average building's energy costs. The system developed by researchers at Princeton University in the US features solar cells that selectively absorb near-ultraviolet (UV) light, so the windows are completely self-powered, inexpensive and easy to apply to existing windows. "Sunlight is a mixture of electromagnetic radiation made up of near-UV rays, visible light, and infrared energy, or heat," said Yueh-Lin Loo, from Princeton. "We wanted the smart window to dynamically control the amount of natural light and heat that can come inside, saving on energy cost and making the space more comfortable," said Loo. The smart window controls the transmission of visible light and infrared heat into the building, while the new type of solar cell uses near-UV light to power the system. "This new technology is actually smart management of the entire spectrum of sunlight," said Loo. Since near-UV light is invisible to the human eye, the researchers set out to harness it for the electrical energy needed to activate the tinting technology. "Typical solar cells made of silicon are black because they absorb all visible light and some infrared heat - so those would be unsuitable for this application," Loo said. In the study published in the journal Nature Energy, the researchers described how they used organic semiconductors - contorted hexabenzocoronene (cHBC) derivatives - for constructing the solar cells. They chose the material because its chemical structure could be modified to absorb a narrow range of wavelengths - in this case, near-UV light. To construct the solar cell, the semiconductor molecules are deposited as thin films on glass with the same production methods used by organic light-emitting diode manufacturers. When the solar cell is operational, sunlight excites the cHBC semiconductors to produce electricity. At the same time, the researchers constructed a smart window consisting of electrochromic polymers, which control the tint, and can be operated solely using power produced by the solar cell. When near-UV light from the Sun generates an electrical charge in the solar cell, the charge triggers a reaction in the electrochromic window, causing it to change from clear to dark blue. Read Also: Instagram Adds New Filters To Combat Online Bullying Netflix Adds Surround Sound Technology To Original Content A huge number of plant species underlies the remarkable biological diversity found in the tropical forests of Central and South America. Costa Rica alone has more than 12,000 species of plants. Yet biologists are not quite sure what drove the astounding diversification of plants in this region. Kathleen Kay, an associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at UC Santa Cruz, studies an especially diverse group of tropical plants called spiral gingers. With a new $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Dimensions of Biodiversity program, Kay is leading a collaborative research effort using spiral gingers to investigate the evolutionary origins of tropical biodiversity. Spiral gingers originated in Africa and dispersed to the Americas about 1.5 to 7 million years ago. In the New World, the initial colonizers evolved into more than 60 different species, one of the fastest examples of "adaptive radiation" (diversification into new forms) in plants. Kay's team, which includes investigators at five universities, will test different explanations for why new species evolved so rapidly in the tropics. One hypothesis is that species adapted to the stable year-round climate of the tropics are unable to tolerate a wide range of conditions, leading to geographic isolation and the evolution of new species separated by varied topography. Alternatively, diversification may be driven by interactions between plants and other organisms, such as pollinators and herbivores, which may vary from place to place. Spiral gingers are found mostly in the forests of Costa Rica, Panama, western Colombia, and Ecuador, but they occur in a wide range of environments and soil types. "Some grow right on the beach in salt spray, and others grow deep in the forest, where it is so dark you can't even measure the light with a standard light meter," Kay said. "And some grow way up in the mountains at elevations of 5,000 feet." Spiral gingers also interact with many different animals, including different species of hummingbirds and orchid bees that pollinate their flowers. There are specialized beetles that feed on the young leaves of spiral gingers, and ants that provide protection from herbivores in exchange for nectar. The flowers of spiral gingers come in different colors and shapes to attract different types of pollinators. Bee-pollinated flowers have stripes on their petals and a lip where bees can land, whereas hummingbird-pollinated gingers have bright-red tube-shaped flowers full of nectar. "Two species can occur in the same place but with different flower shapes for attracting different pollinators," Kay said. Forest reserves To understand which types of interactions are more important in driving the evolution of new species, Kay and her collaborators will combine several different approaches, including observational studies, field experiments, and genetic mapping. They plan to start field work in forest reserves in Panama and Costa Rica in April 2018. Observational studies will help the researchers determine which characteristics of the plants are important for adapting to physical conditions, such as soil type or the amount of sunlight, and which are important for interactions with other organisms. Experiments in the field and in greenhouses will investigate how well different species of spiral gingers tolerate changes in environmental conditions or interactions with different organisms. Researchers will also do cross-pollination experiments and test the performance of hybrids. Intensive genetic studies will enable the researchers to identify genetic markers for specific traits and to reconstruct the evolutionary history of different species of spiral gingers. The study will help guide conservation efforts by giving scientists a better understanding of the biology of tropical plants and how they are adapted to their environments. It will also provide valuable opportunities for students, with at least 50 undergraduates and several graduate students expected to take part in the study. The team will contribute to field courses that regularly visit their field research sites, including Spanish-language courses that attract primarily Latin American students. Kay has been involved in these courses at field sites in Costa Rica and Panama for the past 12 years. The research team is also dedicated to increasing local capacity in biodiversity science by hiring and training local field assistants at each field site. "I have hired people straight out of high school who have no experience in the forest, but live right there, and they have gone on to have really nice jobs in the field of biology," Kay said. "They come to appreciate the tropical forest as their backyard, in a way they wouldn't really get without these opportunities." In addition to Kay, the other principal investigators for this project are Dena Grossenbacher at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, an expert in ecological niche modeling and phylogeny; Santiago Ramirez at UC Davis, an orchid bee expert; Jennifer Funk at Chapman University, an ecophysiologist; and Carlos Garcia-Robledo at the University of Connecticut, an expert on plant-herbivore interactions. Douglas W. Schemske, professor emeritus of plant biology at Michigan State University, who did pioneering research on spiral gingers and was Kay's Ph.D. adviser, will be involved with some of the experimental and writing aspects of the project. According to reports, the accused driver, identified as Rajeev, tried to abduct the lady judge who hailed his cab today morning. By Chirag Gothi: Acting fast on a complaint made by woman judge against a cab driver, the Delhi Police today thwarted an attempt of assault and/or abduction. According to reports, the accused driver, identified as Rajeev, tried to abduct the lady judge who hailed his cab today morning. The woman panicked when the driver started driving in the wrong direction- towards Hapur on NH24. He took a U-turn when he saw her making frantic calls for help. advertisement The driver is working with a private cab company. A case has been registered at the Gazipur police station. --- ENDS --- The air pollution level is hovering at 350 in some parts of Delhi and NCR. Levels of PM 2.5 stand at 174 at present, which is twice the permissible limit. It is also being predicted that PM 2.5 levels will increase to 226 in the coming three days. By Mail Today Bureau: The onset of winter is here and with decrease in temperature, air pollution is expected to rise, bringing the smog back in Delhi. According to weathermen, weak western disturbances have started moving towards Northwest India and Himalayan areas. Due to this weather system, higher areas in the Himalayas are expected to receive light snowfall. As a result of this weakening of the system, open areas and fields in northern India will witness clear skies but wind speed is likely to slow down. advertisement As the western disturbances will move further towards northern India, the temperature will dip during night in these open areas. As this situation will prevail, open areas are predicted to see the return of smog and moisture levels will also witness an increase resulting in high humidity levels, thus increasing pollution in Delhi. The air pollution level is hovering at 350 in some parts of Delhi and NCR. Levels of PM 2.5 stand at 174 at present, which is twice the permissible limit. It is also being predicted that PM 2.5 levels will increase to 226 in the coming three days. "Delhi will see light fog on Wednesday this week and the temperature during night will dip to 8 degree celsius in the Capital," said Devendra Pradhan, DDGM, weather department. The wind speed is expected to stablise and experience less movement which would result in a higher possibility of rise in levels of air pollution and return of smog in the Capital. Along with Delhi and NCR, adjoining states of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana will also see inflow of cold winds. If this happens, experts say the temperature in northern India will see a further dip in temperature by two to three degree celsius. Experts have also predicted an increase in the probability of strong western disturbance in the first half of December, which indicates snow and rain in several parts of northern India. This is expected to set the tone for severely cold weather. The Delhi government has been quick to issue a health advisory on Monday, noting that "mornings in the Capital are smoggy due to high moisture content, particulate matter, pollution and lack of wind movement". The advisory asks citizens to resort to carpooling and public transport as much as possible and walking or use of non-polluting mode of transport for short distance. "Avoid going outdoor during early morning and late evening for walk or outdoor physical activity as pollution levels are maximum during this time," it said. --- ENDS --- advertisement By Sneha Agrawal: His wife Radha is now Hayat Khan, 32-year-old Anil Kumar learnt in Delhi High Court. And she was carrying another man's child. Anil, the father of a five-year-old boy, had filed a complaint in the HC, urging that the police be directed to find his missing wife. He suspected that she was in the clutches of a man named Nasuruddin who may have also forced her to change her faith. He had another grievance as well - since the filing of a complaint in August 2016, the Safdarjung Enclave Police had not acted. He told the court that he just wanted to know his wife's whereabouts. advertisement The matter was being heard by justices Vipin Sanghi and PS Teji. On Monday, Radha told the judges at the in-chamber hearing that she wants to continue living with Nasuruddin as she has converted into Islam and even performed nikah. Anil, who was also present there, was told that he would be given a divorce. The court, however, showed extreme disappointment with the conduct of the police. It ordered action against the erring investigation officer and station house officer of Safdarjung Enclave who did not act for over a year on Anil's complaint and only acted after the he approached the HC. "Had police acted in time, the situation would have been different. The five-year-old son has been left without the love and care that he is entitled to from his mother," the court observed. The counsel for Delhi Police told the HC that the matter regarding the action against the erring investigation officer in the case had been sent to the senior officer for action. Anil and Radha got married in 2010. He works as a security guard in Lajpat Nagar and lives at the Khanpur JJ Colony. Nasuruddin was his neighbour. Anil claims that his wife never gave any hint of an extramarital affair. "I work as a security guard for at least 12 hours a day. With a meagre salary of Rs 8,000-9,000 I have tried my best to take care of my family. I never realised that she was planning to escape with another man from our neighbourhood," he said. Anil told the court in his petition that one day he saw his wife roaming around with Nasuruddin in a park outside Safdarjung Hospital after they had gone to collect medicine. "I confronted the man and asked him not to interfere in our family affair. Since then she was missing." Since then, Anil was taking care of their son all by himself. "I am pained to see that my child has been forced to grow up without the love of his birth mother who left him for another man. Had she been there, our life would have been prosperous and we would have been able to send my child to school," he said. advertisement For the last eighteen months, Radha was living in northeast Delhi's Jafrabad area with Nasuruddin, who is a tailor. "The police force needs to be more responsive towards the complaints from the public at large and not throw them in the dustbin," said the HC. The court asked the police commissioner to file a status report on the action taken within two weeks. The next date hearing is December 18. After a brief reunion, Anil and Radha have decided to move on with their lives. Anil has plans to focus on his son, while Radha is living a new life as Hayat Khan and waiting for the birth of her child. --- ENDS --- By PTI: Islamabad, Nov 28 (PTI) Democracy has been repeatedly murdered in Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif lamented today as he said "Prime ministers are removed, hanged, arrested and sent in exile" in the country. In an apparent reference to the power struggle between the establishment and elected representatives in Pakistan, the ousted prime minister termed the events of the past 70 years in the country as "unfortunate". advertisement Addressing Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) workers at the Punjab House here, Sharif, the party chief said civilised nations progressed by adopting democratic values whereas democracy was repeatedly murdered in Pakistan, the Express Tribune reported. "What has been happening in the country for the past 70 years is very unfortunate," he said. "Sometimes the prime minister is removed, at others he is hanged. Sometimes he is arrested and at others sent in exile," the 67-year-old leader was quoted as saying by the Dawn news. He was apparently referring to his own ouster by former dictator Gen. Pervez Musharraf in 1999 in a coup, forcing him to go on exile to Saudi Arabia and the Supreme Court disqualifying him this year in the Panama Papers case. He also referred to the execution of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in 1979. Sharif said that all civilised countries in the world had progressed through democracy, while dictatorships had failed to deliver everywhere. The relations between Pakistans civilian government and the powerful Army have long been fraught, with the military ruling the country for nearly half of its 70-year history. Reiterating his stance over the Supreme Courts July 28 verdict in the Panama Papers case that disqualified him, Sharif said the decision was contrary to facts and did not get approval from the masses. The apex court had directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to file graft cases against Sharif and his children in the accountability court, directing the trial court to decide the cases within six months. Sharif said he had a lot of issues to speak about to the media, which he will do at an appropriate time. Earlier in the day, he appeared before an accountability court in Islamabad which is hearing multiple corruption cases against him and his family members. PTI AKJ AKJ --- ENDS --- By PTI: London, Nov 28 (PTI) Garlic may help fight chronic infections, according to a study that shows ajoene, an active sulphurous compound found in the garlic may prove as an effective drug when used with antibiotics. Researchers show that the garlic compound is able to destroy important components in the bacterias communication systems, which involve regulatory RNA molecules. advertisement "We really believe this method can lead to treatment of patients, who otherwise have poor prospects. Chronic infections like cystic fibrosis can be very robust," said Tim Holm Jakobsen, from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark. The study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, documents ajoenes ability to inhibit small regulatory RNA molecules in two types of bacteria. "The two types of bacteria we have studied are very important. They are called Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa," said Jakobsen. "They actually belong to two very different bacteria families and are normally fought using different methods. However, the garlic compound is able to fight both at once and therefore may prove an effective drug when used together with antibiotics," he said. Previous studies have shown that garlic appears to offer the most powerful, naturally occurring resistance to bacteria. In addition to inhibiting the bacterias RNA molecules, the active garlic compound also damages the protective slimy matrix surrounding the bacteria, the so-called biofilm. When the biofilm is destroyed or weakened, both antibiotics and the bodys own immune system are able to attack the bacteria more directly and thus remove the infection. PTI SNE SAR SNE --- ENDS --- A government statement said reports, submitted to the CM in the last 10 days, hinted on lapses in implementation of pro -people schemes and that resolution of complaints and referral to private hospitals for free surgery were not happening properly. Mail Today had reported that free medicine and surgery schemes were not fully implemented at the hospital. By Priyanka Sharma: Days after Mail Today highlighted major lapses in the medical facilities at Delhi government's GB Pant hospital, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has now pulled up the GB Pant officials. He has given a week's time to the director and other officials for resolving all issues and report back to him at earliest. Mail Today had reported that free medicine and surgery schemes were not fully implemented at the hospital. advertisement Taking the cognisance on MT's report, Kejriwal has given a week's deadline to the hospital administration for report submission. A government statement said reports, submitted to the CM in the last 10 days, hinted on lapses in implementation of propeople schemes and that resolution of complaints and referral to private hospitals for free surgery were not happening properly. After listening to GB Pant's medical director, Kejriwal said any additional help for the betterment of the hospital would be provided, but the lapses should be done away with immediately. --- ENDS --- By PTI: (Eds: rptng after dropping words in 6th para) Tiruvallur (TN), Nov 28 (PTI) Some students of a government girls higher secondary school here were allegedly asked to clean toilets by a teacher prompting authorities to order an inquiry today, an official said. The alleged incident happened at the R M Jain Government Girls Higher Secondary School here which has about 1000 students studying from class six to 12. advertisement However, it is not clear as to when the incident occurred. Some Tamil television channels today aired visuals purportedly showing a girl in uniform scrubbing a toilet floor with what appeared to be small piece of cloth. The girl cleaning the toilet could be heard weeping. She is also heard asking another girl to fetch some water. In the video footage, the girl appears and pours water on the floor. A district education official told PTI: "We have conducted an inquiry today and forwarded our report to higher authorities." Three children were allegedly asked to clean the toilets by a teacher, he said. The students were present at the inquiry, he said, without elaborating. Local channels reported that the official also questioned the school headmistress. PTI VGN BN --- ENDS --- By PTI: New Delhi, Nov 28 (PTI) Shares of Glenmark Pharmaceuticals today fell by over 3 per cent after the company said the US health regulator has made seven observations post an audit at its Baddi manufacturing unit. The stock dipped 3.28 per cent to end at Rs 571.80 on BSE. During the day, it dropped 3.54 per cent to Rs 570.25. advertisement On NSE, shares of the company slipped 3.22 per cent to close at Rs 571.65. In terms of equity volume, 1.85 lakh shares of the company changed hands at BSE, while over 20 lakh shares traded on NSE during the day. Glenmark said its Baddi unit contributes approximately 10 per cent of the revenue of the US sales. "The Baddi unit of Glenmark Pharmaceuticals underwent an US FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) audit from November 6 -11, 2017. The USFDA issued seven observations through the form 483," Glenmark Pharmaceuticals said in a BSE filing. "We are in the midst of providing a comprehensive response to the observations and would be replying to the FDA shortly on the observations," it added. The company, however, did not elaborate on the nature of observations. PTI SUM SBT --- ENDS --- die Reply Thread Link it just keeps getting worse. Reply Thread Link I honestly hope one of police departments investigating him (is it 4?) manages to charge him with something. Stepping down from Weinstein co w/ a golden parachute isnt enough. He needs to be punished. Reply Thread Link Sack of shit. Reply Thread Link Fucking die bitch. Please die. Reply Thread Link I hope he remains fucked over until eternity. Reply Thread Link when will this fucker get arrested Reply Thread Link I mean technically he should have been arrested years ago but ya know our system is so corrupt that he was out there paying the DA to make things go away. Reply Parent Thread Link i can't believe how cheap they are. 25,000 to make a federal felony go away! Reply Parent Thread Link *googles her* lol ok Kadian, like you didn't know going up to his room where this was going, ok girl... Im all for bringing this pig down but some women willingly participate in casting couch and make it ok for men like him to think they can do it, she seems like one of those women. Edited at 2017-11-27 11:24 pm (UTC) Reply Thread Link another HW victim speaking out? Reply Parent Thread Link Lmao you're so pathetic Reply Parent Thread Link You're getting really desperate for reactions, aren't you? Reply Parent Thread Link jfc :( Reply Thread Link Every single time I see post about him on here I get excited that its news of his death only to be disappointed, then upset and ultimately I am just left angry because of what this fucker did. Reply Thread Link He got away with this shit for a looooong time, it's disturbing. Reply Thread Link Hollywood protected him Reply Parent Thread Link bc Hollywood was participating Reply Parent Thread Link ughhhhhhhhhh Reply Thread Link Lmao I love the edits. A+ Reply Parent Thread Link this has been rumored for years right? I remember people were saying kris pimped Kendall out at Cannes. Reply Parent Thread Link Oh god, I know we like to joke about Kris being kind of an exploitative momager but I really hope this isn't true. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Right omg I was wondering when Cannes would get exposed Reply Parent Thread Link Gross but I wouldn't be surprised, especially after reading your other comment. :/ Reply Parent Thread Link Dustin Hoffman sexually assaults women Reply Thread Link Hollywood really cares for victims tho Reply Parent Thread Link i'm disappointed they didn't revoke it Reply Parent Thread Expand Link That was my first thought, too. Reply Parent Thread Link serious question, and i know i'll be attacked, it's ontd. but his interview when he talks about playing tootsie, in 2013. his response about women, how he had been brainwashed growing up on how to treat women, and i know he was an adult in 1985, but could he maybe been crying and pausing because of the things he knows he had done in the past? that maybe years after his perverted bullshit it hit him how fucked up men can be? have you seen the interview? i know it's hard to believe in this day and age, because let's face it..men. but it is possible to realize what a horrible person one can be and change. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link yay jordan and omar little atlanta! Edited at 2017-11-28 03:28 am (UTC) Reply Thread Link yeah people forget that these and the critics awards don't really make a damn of a difference (especially when there are always a couple of movies released at the very end of the year that most people don't see till january), but it gives you an idea of what the nominees for actual big awards could be. these are also for indie movies so they don't speak for all Reply Parent Thread Link mte. Huppert won last year Reply Parent Thread Link Bless you for this, awards season is always so exhausting because there are too many enthusiastic newbies weeping over the injustice of their face losing out on a fucking nothing award. Reply Parent Thread Link Yes, so great when Woody Allen supporters do something endearing, Reply Parent Thread Link I'm actually sitting through this cringefest... Also, Sofia Coppola truly has no personality. Edited at 2017-11-28 03:00 am (UTC) Reply Thread Link well her performance in Godfather 3 definitely confirms this Reply Parent Thread Link And in 1. She was worse in that. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link so you're saying she's as thrilling as her films Reply Parent Thread Link Congrats to Jordan and the cast of Mudbound. But they could have excluded Dustin Hoffman. Reply Thread Link who is dis yt man? wrap it up Reply Thread Link Dee's hair is awesome. Reply Thread Link Wtf are Gotham awards? I thought it was some Batman themed shit Reply Thread Link lmao Reply Parent Thread Link Oh that's how you pronounce novitiate. Reply Thread Link Come through Jordan!!! Reply Thread Link These jury members are... interesting. Reply Thread Link oh dear omg i'm watching this on fb's app and holy shit at all the angry emojis Edited at 2017-11-28 03:23 am (UTC) Reply Thread Link Most of them are probably from CMBYN fans who are mad that Get Out is sweeping lmao Reply Parent Thread Link no no, i mean the angry emojis are going WILD with dustin hoffman's tribute right now Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I liked CMBYN, but I hate its stans. Any loss it takes this season, however small, I shall drink their tears. Even better if it comes via something like Get Out. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link It gives me so much life that Atlanta and Get Out both won. <3 Reply Thread Link I watched Midnight Cowboy for the first time recently. It was objectively good but possibly one of the most unpleasant movies I've ever watched. Reply Thread Link That's a pretty accurate description, lol Reply Parent Thread Link Yeah, my take was pretty much that I appreciated it, but did not enjoy it. Reply Parent Thread Link Yeah this is how I felt about it too tbh :/ It's not a movie I would necessarily see myself revisiting. Which is fine because they never show it anyway. Reply Parent Thread Link lol this whole thing is so pathetically petty and hilarious. men are so sensitive Reply Thread Link not whining like a little baby because someone acknowledged that i have privilege and money Edited at 2017-11-28 04:39 pm (UTC) i can guarantee you that if i had armie's money and limitless chances to do what i love, i would be pulling a gabby: https://twitter.com/GabbySidibe/status/422748363738472448?s=17 not whining like a little baby because someone acknowledged that i have privilege and money Reply Parent Thread Expand Link It is! I love it! Reply Parent Thread Link I wish they'd all just say they wanna fuck Armie and go. All their ott reactions are ridiculous. As I said in the other post, these men could not handle 1% of what women face online and what women in the industry face. They're so pathetic lol. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link ia Reply Parent Thread Link Right? AHP is getting way more attacks for this dumb article than Hammer is and she's still on twitter, doing her job and remaining unbothered. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link mte Reply Parent Thread Link Seriously, just say you wanna fuck him and dgaf if hes a mediocre actor who gets roles bc of his looks. You dont have to get all righteous about toxic journalism to protect the sanctity of your boner, shit. Reply Parent Thread Link imagine if everyone reacted like this every time someone like JLaw got called mediocre and privileged....... fucking ridiculous Edited at 2017-11-28 04:26 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Link for real Reply Parent Thread Link Xavier thirst for any straight pink dick is really embarrassing Reply Parent Thread Link why are ppl taking buzzfeed so srsly? it's buzzfeed. Reply Thread Link their longform stuff is solid Reply Parent Thread Link compared to tumblr, sure. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link it's funny that over the U.S. election cycle I saw many legitimate news sources refer to Buzzfeed in their articles and news. I mean, they have pretty solid stuff nowadays between all the quizzes and puppy gifs. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link https://www.buzzfeed.com/thomasfrank/muellers-russia-probe-may-now-include-flynns-dia-tenure https://www.buzzfeed.com/josephbernstein/sources-mcmaster-mocked-trumps-intelligence-in-a-private (MUST READ) https://www.buzzfeed.com/craigsilverman/conservative-fb-pages-spreading-false-claim-about-blm also their longform is good too but somebody mentioned it already. because buzzfeed news is pretty good... https://www.buzzfeed.com/tomphillips/we-found-45-suspected-bot-accounts-sharing-pro-trump-pro (MUST READ)also their longform is good too but somebody mentioned it already. Reply Parent Thread Link oh xavier be quiet and go interact w some poc so you can start including them in your bleach white films Reply Thread Link I was so surprised when I found out his dad was egyptian... He should remember his roots and cast some brown people smh Reply Parent Thread Link probably has a lot of self hatred, tbh. my best friend is indian (born in canada) and you should fucking see how she talks about indian people. it's sad, because she clearly uses the same lense to look at herself :/ Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Myeahh but the quebecois Is pretty strong. It's common in Montreal/Quebec Reply Parent Thread Link Xavier's thirst will never stop him from commenting on literally everything. Reply Thread Link Men love to call women bitter. lol it has to be one of their go-to insults. Weird how neither Armie or Xavier could dispute anything that was written in that piece tho. None of these dipshits have an ounce of self-awareness. At this point I wish I went back to having no idea who Armie is. jfc you'd think he was jesus or something lmao. Reply Thread Link I don't know him. Reply Parent Thread Link The other insults men love: crazy, emotional, slutty, uptight Reply Parent Thread Link Enough.gif Hes mediocre, dont care how mean the article was. Get over it already Reply Thread Link everyting about this is crazy Reply Thread Link LMAO. White men will defend other white men from even the most innocuous shit. Like, this is what you want to get all holier-than-thou on? Armie Hammer's blandly attractive yet ultra-rich mediocrity? Xavier, just admit you want to fuck Armie and are jealous that she has a PhD in this. Edited at 2017-11-28 03:48 pm (UTC) Reply Thread Link anne helen petersen is a hack so this is all a lil bit delicious for me Reply Thread Link WOULD SOMEONE PLEASE STOP AND THINK OF THE MEN FOR ONCE? lmaoooo Reply Thread Link Edited at 2017-11-28 03:49 pm (UTC) YOU GUYS LEAVE TWEE BAKING SODA ALONE! #WHITEPOWDERSMATTER Reply Parent Thread Link lol Reply Parent Thread Link Good Lord. Armie is a rich white man, he'll be perfectly fine. These defenses of him aren't needed. Reply Thread Link Jesus, this non-story just keeps going and going and going. Reply Thread Link lmao ikr Reply Parent Thread Link Making a story even worse than it is all by your own doing. Trump teas! Reply Parent Thread Link Lmao mte Reply Parent Thread Link armie's getting all the publicity no one would give him before Reply Parent Thread Link Lmao ikr I'm cackling Reply Parent Thread Link Seriously, I'm shocked lol Reply Parent Thread Link lol for real Reply Parent Thread Link mte, they should have just ignored it. Reply Parent Thread Link lmao my first thought Reply Parent Thread Link lol Reply Parent Thread Link LAWLS, to be THIS upset over basically being called a beautiful flop. Reply Thread Link By Nagarjun Dwarakanath: Sivraj Homeopathic Medical College in Salem had turned into a fortress with tight security cover as Hadiya reached here on Tuesday evening. She was welcomed by the college principal and the dean. Kerala Police then handed over paper work to the college administration and mentioned that they would be responsible for Hadiya henceforth. Hadiya said that she never asked for the tight police security cover that she got. "I never [wanted] such security for me, I am happy to continue my studies,"said Hadiya. advertisement The medical college dean will be Hadiya's guardian as instructed by the Supreme Court and they have briefed her that she cannot go anywhere alone and she cannot contact her husband Shafin Jehan. Principal Kannan said that the college welcomed Hadiya and are prepared well to let her continue her studies. "Hadiya will attend classes from tomorrow, she is residing at the college hostel at the moment. Our college students have also welcomed Hadiya," added Kannan. Earlier, Hadiya flew from Delhi to Coimbatore and was escorted to Salem by road with tight security cover provided both by Kerala and Tamil Nadu police. The Supreme Court bench, headed by CJI and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, had directed the college and the university to re-admit Hadiya and grant her hostel facilities. Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner of Police Subbbulakshmi said that Hadiya will be given security whereever she goes round the clock. "Hadiya's security will [continue] all through the day for a few days at least, as law and order situation must be taken care of," said Subbulakshmi. Earlier, the Kerala High Court nullified the marriage and called it it as an instance of 'love jihad', following which husband Jahan moved the apex court. The High court also directed NIA to probe the incident under the supervision of retired Supreme Court judge, Justice R V Raveendran. Watch: Kerala love jihad 'victim' Hadiya first time on camera: Forced conversion or choice? --- ENDS --- Thats so cute lol Reply Parent Thread Link .@michaelb4jordan reveals his #1 dating rule: https://t.co/ebaIfqwN0C pic.twitter.com/RkCw4OfG5k ESSENCE (@Essence) November 28, 2017 I was like "oh is he talking about fucking women on the first date or whatever shit he said" "Always pick up the tab, at least at first anyway and she never touches a door knob," the 30-year-old replied to the question regarding to his number one dating rule. Well that's better. I was like "oh is he talking about fucking women on the first date or whatever shit he said"Well that's better. Reply Thread Link i see he got some media training Reply Parent Thread Link uhmmm... I literally thought he was Michael Jordan's son.... I just assumed her was a Michael Jordan Jr. FOR YEARS Reply Thread Link i'll always root for fnl alumni. his parents are super cute. Reply Thread Link i feel the same about FNL alum lol. it's amazing to me that besides MBJ and kyle chandler, landry is arguably the most successful one. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link oops..fixed it :P Reply Parent Thread Link mte how basic. Reply Parent Thread Link lmaoo Reply Parent Thread Link LOL Reply Parent Thread Link fr zzz Reply Parent Thread Link meh Reply Thread Link male posturing is so unberable Reply Thread Link Learn more about LiveJournal Ratings in Hello! Your entry got to top-25 of the most popular entries in LiveJournal!Learn more about LiveJournal Ratings in FAQ Reply Thread Link oh no D: i guess i need to educate myself Reply Parent Thread Link What did he say/do Reply Parent Thread Link he said frank ocean should use female pronouns i think Reply Parent Thread Link whattttt Reply Parent Thread Link lol at this starting off with his cars and workout routine... like we get it. can't deny how cute he is though. Reply Thread Link He is so fine. Every time I see him in the Black Panther trailer, it make me more excited to see it. Reply Thread Link this was actually great, but this weak chinned nigga was saying all the right things so people like me would stop sideeying him- i still dont trust it!!! His parents are cute though Reply Thread Link question #74: why don't you have a chin? Reply Thread Link Q: What's the craziest rumor you've ever heard about yourself? A: That I don't date black women. nnnnnnnn Reply Thread Link im lmfaoooo Reply Parent Thread Link PHOTO: CITY OF NEW ORLEANS Real-Time Crime Center Opens in New Orleans The center, which cost more than $5 million, is part of a citywide public safety plan. New Orleans public safety officials recently announced the opening of the new Real Time Crime Monitoring Center. The center, which cost more than $5 million, is part of a citywide public safety plan. The Real Time Crime Center will act as a 24/7 command center for citywide cameras, license plate readers, and other technology that will be useful to public safety officials at the local, state, and federal levels. The center will be equipped to provide instant intelligence information to the New Orleans Fire Department, New Orleans EMS, and New Orleans Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (NOHSEP) and their public safety partners. In-house video technicians will be able to help law enforcement analyze video footage. These technicians and the data the center collects will support the work of emergency responders and incident commanders in the field, providing important information to quickly assess emergency situations and make important decisions in real time. "Through the center, we are able to act based on more information we gather in real time," said Aaron Miller, Director of New Orleans Homeland Security and Emergency. "We will also be able to communicate better intelligence in real time with our law enforcement on the ground to ensure they are making the best informed decisions possible." Residents and businesses will also have the opportunity to connect with the Real Time Crime Center and register public-facing cameras on their properties. This will allow officials to expand their reach through those cameras, as well as contact someone if a crime occurs on or near a user's property. Michael Harrison, New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Chief, said he believes the new equipment the center provides will help deter criminals. "We will see you, we will know who you are, we will be able to apprehend you. We believe that will certainly give us the capacity to build great cases on the back end, but it will give us a great deterrence effect on the front end," Harrison said. I invited Prof. Dmitry Karshtedt to provide this discussion of todays oral arguments in Oil States. Note, Prof. Karshtedt filed an amicus brief in the case supporting the petitioner. Read the transcript here. DC By Prof. Dmitry Karshtedt This mornings argument in Oil States v. Greenes Energy saw a highly engaged bench. The wide-ranging argument covered everything from the expected topics of the public-private right divide and the significance of the Privy Councils adjudications of patent rights to perhaps more surprising angles involving government takings and even disputes between travelers and airlines over lost bags. Some of the main themes of the argument: Does the PTAB in the IPR exercise judicial power at all? How, if at all, are IPRs are different from reexams? What about the patentees settled expectations? Do they justify some form of heightened judicial review before an issued patent in existence for some time can be taken away? Are Due Process issues fundamentally tied to the Article III question raised in this case, or should power and process be distinguished? Can the PTAB adjudicate infringement? Do Federal Circuit appeals represent constitutionally adequate Article III supervision of the PTAB? Allyson Ho, Oil States counsel, lead with the argument that Inter Partes Reviews (IPRs) embody an unconstitutional transfer of judicial power to decide claims of private right between private parties without party consent or adequate Article III supervision. Justice Ginsburg asked almost immediately whether IPRs merely allow for correction of the PTOs own errors. Ms. Ho then made an important strategic decision in conceding that, while ex parte and inter partes reexams (though a closer case) present permissible, examination-like error-correcting proceedings, IPRs differ from those earlier mechanisms because they more closely resemble an adjudication of a private-party dispute in which the PTO acts as an arbiter. Justice Kagan and Chief Justice Roberts questioned whether there is really a salient difference between IPRs and reexaminations, as the latter too allow for a process by which a third party informs the PTO that particular prior art may render an issued patent unpatentable after all. Ms. Ho, in response, stressed the high degree of third party involvement and the trial-like nature of the proceedings. In addition, she argued that in case of settlement, the PTAB generally does not complete the IPR. The argument then moved toward the role of Congress in creating the patent right. Surely, suggested Justice Kennedy, Congress can validly limit the patent term and perhaps even shorten the patent term after issuance, so why not IPR? The response appeared to be that a grant of a patent cannot be conditioned on giving up structural rights, harkening to the discussion of the unconstitutional conditions doctrine in the petitioners reply brief. Even though Congress can create rights, there is a constitutional limits on how those rights can be restricted. The Chief Justice then mentioned the law of takings, suggesting that the government can take actions that devalue the right, with the Fifth Amendment sometimes entitling the aggrieved rights-holder to compensation. The discussion then moved on to topics that have been particularly well-aired in party and amicus briefs. First, Justice Ginsburg continued to press the error correction point, pointing out that IPRs are relatively narrow in scope in that only issues of novelty and non-obviousness with specific types of prior art can be resolved in those proceedings. Ms. Ho responded that, be that as it may, 80% of IPRs also involve concurrent district court litigation, with infringement actions getting dismissed when PTAB invalidates the patent at issue. Second, Justice Gorsuch brought up the McCormick Harvesting case and its possible constitutional basis, a point which Ms. Ho embraced, but Justice Kagan then suggested that McCormick, rather, was resolved on statutory grounds. There was no further discussion of McCormick. Ms. Ho then returned to the line between IPRs and reexams, and the earlier point that the former are really about deciding a cause between parties in a trial-like proceeding. Justice Breyer, at this point, suggested that, even if this were so, non-Article III tribunals do this all the time anyhow, as when resolving disputes between travelers and airlines over lost luggage. In addition, Justice Breyer suggested, doesnt the Patent Acts phrase subject to the provisions of this title puts patentees on notice that post-issuance non-Article III patentability determinations are possible? A point was repeated that IPRs are about an agency figuring out whether it made a mistake, with third party-input, as frequently happens in many administrative proceeding. Moreover, Ms. Ho was questioned as to how much third-party participation is needed to make a process unconstitutional. She returned to the idea of significant third party-control. Justice Gorsuch then brought up the point that, if patents are private rights, no non-Article III adjudication of any sort is permissible. A question then arose whether analysis would change if the IPRs existed since 1790, the year that the first Patent Act was passed, and the discussion then moved to the Privy Council. Justice Kagan observed that the role of the Privy Council in adjudging patentability over time waned but was not eliminated. Before reserving time for rebuttal, Ms. Ho made the point that the patent laws were closely intertwined with the common law from the time of the Statute of Monopolies. Mr. Christopher Kise, arguing for Greenes Energy, argued that IPRs simply reexamine the propriety of the original patent grant, which is not a judicial function. The action is not to extinguish the patent but simply to decide that it should not issue. In addition, argued Mr. Kise, even if the Court had to get to the public-private right distinction, it should readily conclude that patents are public rights that can be adjudicated outside Article III tribunals. At this point, an interesting question came from Justice Breyer what about settled expectations of the patentee after some time from issuance goes by? What about investments and reliance interests? The implication seemed to be that, while of course patents can always be invalidated by courts, perhaps heightened judicial review is needed to take patents away after some time in their existence. The Chief Justice then raised the point of Due Process and PTAB panel-stacking, and whether Congress power to take away patents can allow patent validity to become a pure policy tool of the executive branch. Mr. Kise contended that Due Process problems, if any, should be considered on a case-by-case basis. Justice Sotomayor brought up the point of judicial review of PTAB determinations at the Federal Circuit, to which Justice Gorsuch responded that the PTAB is not an adjunct of the district courts and can issue self-executing judgments. He also brought up the issue of vested rights in land grands. To that, Mr. Kise responded that land is core property interest in the way that patents are not, because the latter depend on the federal statute and exist for an instrumental purpose of promoting the progress of useful arts. He also contended that process issues should be separated from power issues. As Malcolm Stewart began arguing for the government, the Chief Justice framed the point of bitter versus the sweet whether the government can condition the grant of a patent on anything it likes, including stacking of the deck in PTAB proceedings. Mr. Stewart responded that, even if there were a Due Process problem, Due Process does not require Article III, as public employee tenure protection cases show. He also mentioned that expanded panels are not unlike en banc panels in the federal circuit courts, and exist principally to correct panels that diverged from precedents. Justice Breyer then brought up the issue that the IPR statute is applied retroactively to the patent at issue in this case. Mr. Stewarts response was that patents could be reexamined since 1980 and could be invalidated in certain proceedings before then, and they could always be invalidated by courts. Returning to the public-private rights debate, Chief Justice Roberts discussed the Schor test and whether the multi-factor analysis of Schor is conducive to investment backed-expectations. Mr. Stewart contended that, whatever the test, PTAB adjudicates private rights because liability for past money damages are not involved. The question then came up whether the PTAB can adjudicate infringement, to which Mr. Stewart responded that probably not because money damages are involved. Justice Gorsuch then asked whether the PTAB can perhaps declare non-infringement, to which Mr. Stewart responded that there is no tradition of the PTOs making that determination. Justice Gorsuch asked about the PTOs tradition of cancelling patents, and Mr. Stewarts response was that the issue is really about deciding patentability, which the PTO has been doing since 1836. In rebuttal, Ms. Ho reiterated her point that Congress cannot condition a grant of a patent on taking away litigants structural rights and reinforced the point that appeals are not a sufficient form of Article III supervision. She ended with the point that, again, IPRs resolve disputes between two private parties. 28 Nov No longer able to keep quiet about certain fans' obsession about her real relationship with Alden Richards, Maine Mendoza recently posted a letter on her official blog to express her thoughts about her fame and freedom. The actress, who shot to stardom following the Kalyeserye, or soap opera parody that is part of the noontime show, "Eat Bulaga!", posted a long letter following the criticisms from fans over rumours of romance between her and actor Jake Ejercito stemming from Ejercito's recent Instagram Story. Thanking her fans for their support for the last two years, she warned that a majority of fans may be turning their backs on her by the end of the letter. She wrote, "I used to be really amazed by the support AlDub was getting back then. I was overwhelmed by all the attention and support you are giving us. When everyone was taking things lightly and we were all just so happy. Do you still remember the good ol' days? Back when things are so not complicated? Still worth remembering up to this time." She admitted that while she is grateful for all the support, she felt like living in a box meaning that she is unable to do what she wants and say what she feels. "[...] every time I try to express my thoughts and feelings, some of you tend to misapprehend and invalidate them in so many ways. Telling me I am not supposed to feel that way because I am "rich and famous". Telling me I have no right to be sad and hurt because I have everything a person could ask for. Judging, blaming and getting mad at me for expressing what I truly feel just because you do not agree and it is inconvenient for you. Dictating me what I should feel and should not feel. Those who say I do not have to feel happy but I am blessed and I must thank them (and they are) because "I do not have them"." "Do not get me wrong, I am thankful for everything I have right now. And I have the Lord and the people who helped and supported me along the way to thank for that. I just could not take how some people feel so entitled in so many things, not just career, ultimate personal life. Sometimes I ask myself, who really did me? Is God or them? Do they own my entire life to dictate me in almost everything? Why so? How much should you love the person? Will you try to control according to your wishes? Because you think that's right? Because you think he'll be happy?" Story continues She then dropped the truth bomb, saying, "[...] you deserve to know the truth that at this very moment Alden and I are just friends. We are a love team. I hope you understand that I am here because I love making people happy. I am blessed to be in Eat Bulaga because I get to do what I want to do, and I get to be with such amazing people. I was never into money or fame. All I want in this life is to be free and happy. And I am certain that no amount of fame and money can ever give me genuine happiness." Mendoza stated that she owes this to everyone who have been dragged into the situation, who are bashed and ridiculed by overzealous fans. "It hurts me seeing them being hurt. It hurts me how some of you are so capable and so proud of throwing so much hate on others- especially on people who care about us. Family and friends outside the industry are being taken into the wrong context, even if they do not have anything to do with the issues thrown at us. I wish we could give them respect. I understand that you're only protecting us, and I'm thankful for everything you do to defend us, but I hope you understand that it is not necessary to underestimate the personality of others," she said. Finally, Mendoza thanked the fans again for their love and support, and hope that they will give her the freedom she deserves in exchange for the joy she has given them through her work. (Photo source: Maine Mendoza Instagram) Phuket, Thailand 27 November, 2017: JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa together with Marriott Vacation Club Phuket Beach, Marriott Vacation Club Mai Khao Beach, Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa, Phuket Marriott Resort and Spa, Nai Yang Beach and Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach honoured recently a total of 71 associates who have been serving the company for the past 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years. The Annual Marriott Milestones Gala Dinner and Long-Serving Awards Ceremony, which was held at Mai Khao Ballroom of JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, gave recognition to 71 associates who have completed 5, 10, 15, 20 years of service thus far and the man of the night, the role model for our Marriott associates, Mr. Trevor Denman May, General Manager of Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach who have already put in 25 years of service with the Marriott International. Mr. Oriol Montal, General Manager of JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, said: Every year we recognize our associates who have been with Marriott hotels & resorts for their milestone years at our long service dinner. This year, we made it more memorable night as six of Marriott properties in Phuket hosted this associates appreciation event together for the first time ever. I believed that it will get bigger and stronger as we will have even more associates who will reach 5 to 25 years since the successful merger with Starwood. We now have a new way of thinking about our priorities and a mission of Bridging Culture and Inspiring Discovery Around The World. We focused on the basics: delivering great experiences for our guests and taking care of each other. On behalf of management team, we would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thanks to all of you. We appreciate your hard work, dedication and commitment. Congratulations to those that have made it to their 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 year anniversaries. 2017 is a phenomenal year of our JW Marriott Resort & Spa as well as the Marriott International. Currently we are very grateful to have our 856 dedicated associates, who been working with us and bringing their professional skills to make guests everlasting memories. Our success story remains incomplete without the support of our associates. Not only have they made us as a team but also helped us reach out to the world. We will be continuing our best to take good care of our associates as we believe in our core values Take care of associates and they will take care of the customers growing with them and continue to provide them nothing less than the best. With their support, we wish to reach new heights next year said Khanisthanee Kanhdanisdha, Director for Human Resources of JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa in Phuket. November 2017, Krabi End the year with a little personal pampering throughout December 2017 at So SPA with French luxury beauty brand LOccitane. Start with a detoxifying 30-minute Steam Treatment followed by a 60-minute exfoliating Body Scrub, and then finish with a 60-minute Relaxing Aromachological Massage. Single price: THB 4,000++ Couple price: THB 7,000++ Group of 4 people: THB 12,000++ (pre-sign upon reservation required) Discover your personal spa sanctuary at our award-winning So SPA with LOccitane. For more information or to make a reservation, please contact 075-627-800 or email h6184-th@sofitel.com Business schools in Africa must equip future business leaders with political skills, if business education is to play a significant role in combating systemic corruption, says research from the University of Bath. Dr Tahiru Azaaviele Liedong, Assistant Professor of Strategy in the School of Management, says that business schools cannot solely rely on developing an individual's ethical outlook to counter corruption; they must also give students pragmatic political skills to draw on in the face of bribery and corruption in the public sector. He calls on business schools in Africa to nurture students into future 'institutional entrepreneurs' by exposing them not only to the sources of corruption and the effects of corruption on firms and communities, but also to the approaches and strategies that could be deployed by the business community to bring about political transparency and public accountability. He notes that business schools should add corporate political activity to their curricula, as this would give students a grounding in strategies that firms can use to influence their political environments, from mobilising other stakeholders to shape government policy and speaking out against corrupt practices, to spearheading collective attempts to change values and behaviour. In 2016, the United Nations estimated that corrupt practices cost developing countries $1.26 trillion a year - money which could be used to fund public infrastructure, provide social services or alleviate abject poverty. The private sector is not the major source of the corruption related problems in Africa, but often finds itself the victim of corrupt procurement and adverse policy decisions. Managers who try to combat the menace often get isolated, victimised or 'burned out'. Others are simply unable to withstand the pressure of systemic bribery because they lack the skills required to stamp it out. Dr Tahiru Azaaviele Liedong said: "The onus is on business schools in Africa to empower future business leaders to act to strengthen State institutions and ultimately eradicate corruption." "Much has been written about the menace of corruption in Africa and considerable work has been done to curb it, but the gains are not significant. We need new ways of using business education to fight corruption because ethical business leaders will always struggle to fight systemic corruption if their main response is to fall back on passive resistance, such as refusing to collude or pay bribes." Dr Liedong says that training students to become politically skilled 'institutional entrepreneurs' and managers will help companies to play an active corporate citizenship role, adding: "The key to combating corruption in Africa is good governance and well-functioning institutions, and business schools can take a prominent role in this regard by acting as agents for positive and institutional change across Africa." Dr Liedong has rich industry experience, having worked in investment banking, treasury, development banking and management consulting both in Africa and the UK. He hopes that his research will generate dialogue that will make African business education relevant and effective in the fight against corruption in Africa. More information: Tahiru Azaaviele Liedong, Combating Corruption in Africa through Institutional Entrepreneurship: Peering in from Business-Government Relations, Africa Journal of Management (2017). DOI: 10.1080/23322373.2017.1379825 The first grain harvest of the APV system being gathered. Credit: Hofgemeinschaft Heggelbach / Olivia Schmid Until now, acreage was designated for either photovoltaics or photosynthesis, that is, to generate electricity or grow crops. An agrophotovoltaics (APV) pilot project near Lake Constance, however, has now demonstrated that both uses are compatible. Dual use of land is resource efficient, reduces competition for land and additionally opens up a new source of income for farmers. For one year, the largest APV system in Germany is being tested on the Demeter farm cooperative Heggelbach. In the demonstration project led by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, solar modules for electricity production are installed directly above crops covering an area of one third hectare. Now the first solar harvest of power and produce has been collected on both levels. "The project results from the first year are a complete success: The agrophotovoltaic system proved suitable for the practice and costs as much as a small solar roof system. The crop production is sufficiently high and can be profitably sold on the market," explains Stephan Schindele, project manager of agrophotovoltaics at Fraunhofer ISE. "Agrophotovoltaics (APV) has the potential to open up new space that is urgently needed for the PV expansion in Germany. At the same time APV can mitigate the conflicting interests between agriculture and open space PV systems for viable land. Before market readiness, however, other sectors and differently sized systems still must be tested. Also, the technical integration must be further advanced, for example, the implementation of storage," remarks Prof. Hans-Martin Henning, Institute Director of Fraunhofer ISE. Winter wheat, potatoes, celeriac and clover grass were the first crops to be tested. The south-west orientation and the extra distance between the five meter high rows of bifacial glass-glass PV modules ensured that the crops were exposed to uniform solar radiation. Solar module shading reduces crop yield total balance positive The results from the first harvest were, for the most part, promising. "The crop yield of clover grass under the PV array was only 5.3 percent less than the reference plot," reports Prof. Petera Hogy, agricultural expert at the University of Hohenheim. The yield losses for potatoes, wheat and celeriac are between 18 to 19 percent and therefore somewhat higher." "From the perspective of agricultural science, agrophotovoltaics is a promising solution for increasing both the land use efficiency and the share of renewable energy provided by the agricultural sector," stresses Prof. Iris Lewandowski, Head of the Department of Biobased Products and Energy Crops, University of Hohenheim. The experts agree that it is important, however, to gather more experience over the next few years and analyze other crops before making final conclusions. Solar Array Produces More Than Average The 720 bifacial solar modules produce solar electricity not only on the front side but on the back of the photovoltaic modules with solar radiation reflected from the surroundings. Under favorable ambient conditions, e.g. snow cover, twenty five percent additional electricity yield can be achieved. From an energetic stand point, the dual use principle of agrophotovoltaics is much more efficient than solely planting energy crops, accounting, after all, for 18 percent of agricultural land use in Germany. With an installed power of 194 kilowatts, the photovoltaic array can supply 62 four-person households with electricity. In the first twelve months, the array produced 1266 kilowatt-hours electricity per installed kilowatt, one third more than the average value of 950 kWh/kW in Germany. The power production from the experimental field matched well to the daily farm load. About 40 percent of the electricity produced on the farm was used directly to charge the electric vehicles and process the harvested crops. In summer, the load demand could be almost completely met by the photovoltaic system. Thomas Schmid and the other Demeter farmers aim to increase their self-consumption up to 70 percent by optimizing their consumption behavior and installing an electricity storage system. The surplus PV electricity is fed into the Elektrizitatswerke Schonau, an electric utility company based on 100% renewable energy and a partner in the project. Since the idea of agrophotovoltaics was first initiated by Prof. Adolf Goetzberger, who founded Fraunhofer ISE in 1981, several large APV plants have been installed worldwide. On the other hand, only a few of these APV plants are designated as research sites. In the "APV Resola" project, researchers are investigating the economic, technical, societal and ecological aspects of the technology in a pilot plant under real conditions for the first time. The research project is supported by funds from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Research for Sustainable Development (FONA). The project goal is to develop APV system technology into a market-ready product. "In order to provide the necessary proof-of-concept before market entry, we need to compare further techno-economical applications of APV, demonstrate the transferability to other regional areas and also realize larger systems," explains Stephan Schindele. For example, possible applications shall be explored in combination with fruit, berries, hops and wine crops and with technologies such as energy storage, special films with organic solar cells and solar PV water treatment systems. "Besides investment from industry and research policy, appropriate political measures supporting the technology are of vital importance for a successful market entry," adds Stephan Schindele. Already in 2014, Fraunhofer ISE and the Wuppertal Institute, supported in tandem by the University of Hohenheim, made a joint statement proposing that agrophotovoltaics be considered separately in invitations for tender while in the test phase. Provided by University of Hohenheim Taken at the National Science Foundations McMurdo Station in Antarctica, this selfie made its way to the space station on Nov. 20 using a technology called Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN). NASA engineers Mark Sinkiat, Peter Fetterer and Salem El-nimri held up a picture of Vint Cerf, a distinguished visiting scientist at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory who helped develop the technology. Credit: NASA NASA is boosting cyber to space with benefits for Earth. On Nov. 20, 2017, a selfie snapped from the National Science Foundation's McMurdo Station in Antarctica demonstrated technology that can enable the future interplanetary internet. Called Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN), the technology is NASA's solution to reliable interplanetary data transmissions when vast distances or alignments of celestial bodies may disrupt communications. Though Antarctic researchers are not communicating across interplanetary distances, McMurdo's remote location and minimal infrastructure make it an ideal candidate to benefit from this technology. DTN bundles data and transmits as many bundles as it can when a communication path opens. If a bundle fails to transmit, it goes into storage and waits for the next communication path to open, then sends it. If the bundles were all part of a single file, the file can be reassembled at the final destination. How did an Antarctic selfie get to the space station via DTN? Starting at McMurdo, DTN software on a mobile phone sent the picture on its journey to the International Space Station. The bundles traveled from the McMurdo ground station to NASA's White Sands Complex via the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS). Then, a series of DTN nodes forwarded the bundles to NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, which is the access point to the operational space station DTN network. The bundles were forwarded to the space station via another TDRS link where they were then routed to the Telescience Resource Kit (TReK) demonstration payload. The final DTN node extracted the picture data from the DTN bundles that originated from Antarctica. The payload reassembled the original picture and displayed it onboard the station. Astronaut and Flight Engineer for Expedition 53 and 54, Mark Vande Hei set up a space station camera to capture the final step of the Disruption Tolerant Networking technology demonstration. A computer on the station displayed the Antarctic selfie. Credit: NASA "This demonstration really highlights 'internetworking' using DTN," said David Israel, a space communications architect at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. "DTN provides the means for routing data between two endpoints within two individual networks that cannot have a continuous path between them." Unlike the familiar computer-to-computer IP connection, the technology allows for temporary disruptions and long delays like those that can be experienced by spacecraft as well as remote locations on Earth. "We're cutting our teeth on this software, in real field conditions," said Patrick Smith, technology development manager for polar research support with the NSF-managed U.S. Antarctic Program. "The simplicity of transmitting from a smart phone could have significant implications for increasing and diversifying the science we support in the polar regions. This represents a vision of how our remote autonomous field research instrumentation might operate one day." Also in Antarctica, the South Pole TDRS Relay System supports NSF science data and network connectivity. In the mid-1990s, NASA and NSF teamed up to better connect Antarctica to the rest of the world by using NASA's Space Network. They utilized satellites that were past their intended operational life in a particular orbit. The now decommissioned TDRS-1 satellite is just one of several satellites that have found a second operational life supporting Antarctic researchers. Credit: NASA Data transmission has always been a challenge for Antarctic researchers. With scant civil infrastructure and very few providers able to service the geographic South Pole, the data demand far exceeds the combined network capabilities for research stations on the continent. Communication disruptions can have serious consequences for researchers, because data must be regularly assessed with colleagues for quality assurance and adjustments. "The Antarctic is an excellent analog for space operations," Smith noted. "Researchers are conducting important scientific investigations, operating in extreme conditions, with minimal infrastructure, so it's not surprising that we are using NASA space technology to advance science in the Antarctic." Israel suggests there are many more potential terrestrial applications for DTN. "Any remote location on Earth that experiences limited network connectivity is a candidate for DTN," he said. "Relief to disaster zones could potentially be improved with better communications using the software on mobile devices by maximizing the use of intermittent access or spotty availability." NASA is boosting cyber to space using a technology called Disruption Tolerant Networking. The technology will help overcome several space communications challenges, benefiting missions in Earth orbit and those farther out in the solar system. Disruption Tolerant Networking also has future Earth-based applications. Credit: NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center The most recent demonstration provided an opportunity for both NASA and NSF to exercise DTN in a scenario analogous to future applications. NASA hopes to expand DTN use and discover even more applications. The agency is working to standardize DTN through the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems and with the Internet Engineering Task Force, and has released implementations of DTN protocols through open-source software. Provided by NASA Experts say social media platforms need to be more involved in content moderation and to work on better complaints reporting. Credit: Rami Al-Zayat/Unsplash Most Australians are concerned about their privacy online and are worried about privacy violations by corporations, according a new University of Sydney report. Nearly half of the respondents to a major survey are also concerned about government invading their privacy. University of Sydney researchers are calling for a number of measures to be taken to improve digital rights in Australia. 1. Address privacy concerns to earn trust Australian governments need to address concerns about privacy if they want to improve trust in the online environment, and in programs to promote expanded data use both by governments and by corporations. 2. Give Australians more control of their data The federal government should consider taking up recommendations from recent Australian Law Reform Commission and Australian Productivity Commission inquiries, giving Australians more control over their data and more enforceable legal rights in the area of privacy. 3. Tackle the influence of data analytics Australians are concerned about use of data, and think that some use of data analytics and targeting by advertisers are beyond the pale especially in the electoral sphere. Digital platforms must work harder to address these concerns effectively. 4. Re-assess plans to centralise public data Australians are prepared to make some trade-offs between privacy and other interests. But current policy moves to collect and centralise more data through My Health Record or a Digital ID program look like pushing beyond what Australians are comfortable with. 5. Safeguard private posts from employers Digital rights to privacy while at work are a major concern for Australians. Employment relations policies need to protect workers from prospective or current employers accessing their private social media data. 6. Make work fairer for gig economy workers The gig economy has led to new forms of work, driven by online platforms. Australians expect to see this precarious work better regulated via targeted employment policies. 7. Improve moderation of online discussions Australians agreed that there should be more regulation of online discussion environments. Social media platforms need to have greater involvement in content moderation and to work with government and citizens to ensure they are providing 'easy', responsive complaints reporting. 8. Explore legal options for harmful speech As significant numbers of Australians face new forms of risky and harmful speech online, government needs to explore law reform to address new privacy and speech rights breaches. 9. Teach citizens about the digital landscape Australians need better education in media law, content regulation and public comment guidelines given their social media publishing is increasingly open to public scrutiny. More information: The report is available online: ses.library.usyd.edu.au//bitst sAustraliareport.pdf Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed has moved the UN asking that his name should be removed from the list of designated terrorists. By India Today Web Desk: Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed has moved the United Nations asking that his name should be removed from the list of designated terrorists. Lashkar-e-Taiba founder's petition to the UN was filed through the Lahore-based law firm Mirza and Mirza, while he was still under house arrest. Navid Rasul Mirza has served as the Prosecutor General for Pakistan in the National Accountability Bureau and as the Advocate General of Punjab from March 2015 to January 2016, had filed for Saeed's de-listing. advertisement A review board of the Lahore High Court ordered him to be freed last week after authorities failed to file any formal charges against him since his house arrest in January this year. The United States of America recently warned Pakistan of "repercussions" on US-Pak ties if 26/11 Mumbai terror attack mastermind and Chief of terrorist network Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), Hafiz Saeed is not re-arrested. Saeed is a notorious terrorist who stands accused of having masterminded the November 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 166 people, including six American citizens. With inputs from Hamza Ameer ALSO WATCH | Hafiz Saeed's lawyer AK Dogar: Pakistan govt did not produce Indian dossiers in court --- ENDS --- Credit: University of Stirling Burning chillies can deter elephants from ravaging crops in African and Asian communities, according to a new study involving a University of Stirling researcher. Crop foraging by elephants can destroy a year's supply of food in just one night and, as a result, many of the highly endangered animals are killed in retaliation on a daily basis. It is the main source of conflict between food security and elephant conservation in both Africa and Asia. Dr Rocio Pozo, of the University of Stirling, has carried out the first study assessing the effectiveness of burning exclusively chilli-briquettes made from dung and chillies - in altering elephant behaviour. Dr Pozo was a PhD researcher at the University of Oxford when she conducted the study as part of the Ecoexist Project in Botswana. Significantly, Dr Pozo discovered that burning briquettes during the night triggered a change in elephant movement trajectories turning them from predominantly nocturnal creatures to diurnal. Dr Pozo, who joined Stirling in September, believes the study, published in Oryx, could help to improve the perception local communities have about elephants and increasing their tolerance towards living with wildlife. Credit: University of Stirling She said: "Although chillies have been widely used in areas of elephant crop foraging, this is the first replicated and randomised field experiment to assess the effectiveness of chilli-briquettes in altering space-use and behaviour in Africa. "Our findings suggest that, within a period of two weeks, elephants identified the location and time at which the briquettes were smouldering. In response, they modified their spatiotemporal behaviour to cross chilli sites either before or after the presence of chilli smoke. "Once the chilli-briquettes were removed, or exchanged for briquettes without chillies, elephants returned to the sites within a period of 24 hours." She added: "This is an excellent non-lethal and low-cost opportunity for local farmers to keep elephants away from their crops or properties in the short term. However, we hope that it will also provide a long term benefit by helping to decrease negative perceptions of elephants and therefore combining them with land-use managements in the field." Dr Pozo, from the Faculty of Natural Sciences, was working as an Ecoexist Research Fellow as part of her PhD at the University of Oxford when she conducted the research between the villages of Seronga and Beetsha in the eastern Okavango Panhandle, Botswana, over a five-month period. This area was chosen as it included some of the most populated villages along the Okavango River, which attracts a large number of elephants due to the availability of water. Burning chilli-briquettes - made from elephant dung and dried chillies - can deter elephants from ravaging crops in African and Asian communities. Credit: University of Stirling With the help of local assistants, she built and tested more than 600 briquettes made from a ton of elephant dung and hundreds of kilograms of dried chillies. Once all of the briquettes were dry, the team lit them, according to randomised treatments across 10 experimental sites located along a 30km area. All experimental sites were checked every morning and evening and the number of elephants and the types of herds using the areas were recorded. Camera traps were also used at each site to photograph the exact times at which elephants approached the briquettes with chillies and those without. "All of this gave us a good idea of how efficient chilli-briquettes were at deterring elephants' trajectories in the eastern Panhandle at times when elephants were more likely to be encountered around people's fields and properties," Dr Pozo explained. The approach also has an additional benefit to local farmers as other countries in Africa have showed it by providing extra income thanks to the sale of chillies for other purposes. Significantly, other groups in Africa are now implementing Dr Pozo's chilli-briquette protocol. More information: Rocio A. Pozo et al. Chilli-briquettes modify the temporal behaviour of elephants, but not their numbers, Oryx (2017). DOI: 10.1017/S0030605317001235 Journal information: Oryx CT scan of the Mariana snailfish. The green shape, a small crustacean, is seen in the snailfish's stomach. Credit: Adam Summers/University of Washington The ocean's deepest fish doesn't look like it could survive in harsh conditions thousands of feet below the surface. Instead of giant teeth and a menacing frame, the fishes that roam in the deepest parts of the ocean are small, translucent, bereft of scalesand highly adept at living where few other organisms can. Meet the deepest fish in the ocean, a new species named the Mariana snailfish by an international team of researchers that discovered it. The Mariana snailfish (Pseudoliparis swirei) thrives at depths of up to about 8,000 meters (26,200 feet) along the Mariana Trench near Guam. The team published a paper describing the new species this week in the journal Zootaxa. "This is the deepest fish that's been collected from the ocean floor, and we're very excited to have an official name," said lead author Mackenzie Gerringer, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Washington's Friday Harbor Laboratories. "They don't look very robust or strong for living in such an extreme environment, but they are extremely successful." Snailfish are found at many different depths in marine waters around the world, including off the coast of San Juan Island, where Gerringer is continuing research on the family of fish. In deep water, they cluster together in groups and feed on tiny crustaceans and shrimp using suction from their mouths to gulp prey. Little is known about how these fish can live under intense water pressure; the pressure at those depths is similar to an elephant standing on your thumb. A specimen of the new species, Mariana snailfish. Credit: Mackenzie Gerringer/University of Washington This new species appears to dominate parts of the Mariana Trench, the deepest stretch of ocean in the world that is located in the western Pacific Ocean. During research trips in 2014 and 2017, scientists collected 37 specimens of the new species from depths of about 6,900 meters (22,600 feet) to 8,000 meters (26,200 feet) along the trench. DNA analysis and 3-D scanning to analyze skeletal and tissue structures helped researchers determine they had found a new species. Since then, a research team from Japan has recorded footage of the fish swimming at depths of 8,134 meters (26,686 feet), the deepest sighting so far. "Snailfishes have adapted to go deeper than other fish and can live in the deep trenches. Here they are free of predators, and the funnel shape of the trench means there's much more food," said co-author Thomas Linley of Newcastle University. "There are lots of invertebrate prey and the snailfish are the top predator. They are active and look very well-fed." Researchers recover a trap after it landed on the bottom of the Mariana Trench. Credit: Paul Yancey A handful of researchers have explored the Mariana Trench, but few comprehensive surveys of the trench and its inhabitants have been completed because of its depth and location, Gerringer explained. These research trips, conducted while Gerringer completed her doctorate at University of Hawai'i at Manoa, involved dropping traps with cameras down to the bottom of the trench. It can take four hours for a trap to sink to the bottom. After waiting an additional 12 to 24 hours, the researchers sent an acoustic signal to the trap, which then released weights and rose to the surface with the help of flotation. That allowed scientists to catch fish specimens and take video footage of life at the bottom of the ocean. "There are a lot of surprises waiting," Gerringer said. "It's amazing to see what lives there. We think of it as a harsh environment because it's extreme for us, but there's a whole group of organisms that are very happy down there." Footage from the 2014 research cruise on R/V Falkor will also run in the BBC's "Blue Planet II" series, which is now airing in the U.K. The research team also filmed another new species on this cruise, the ethereal snailfish, living at great depths in the Mariana Trench.The Mariana snailfish's location was its most distinguishing characteristic, but researchers also saw a number of differences in physiology and body structure that made it clear they had found a new species. With the help of a CT scanner at the UW's Friday Harbor Laboratories, the researchers could look in close digital detail to study elements of the fish. The authors acknowledge the broad collaboration needed for deep-sea science, particularly in this discovery, and decided the new fish's scientific name should reflect that collaborative effort. The fish is named after a sailor, Herbert Swire, an officer on the HMS Challenger expedition in the late 1800s that first discovered the Mariana Trench. More information: MACKENZIE E. GERRINGER et al, Pseudoliparis swirei sp. nov.: A newly-discovered hadal snailfish (Scorpaeniformes: Liparidae) from the Mariana Trench, Zootaxa (2017). DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4358.1.7 Journal information: Zootaxa This animation shows a series of collision events at STAR, each with thousands of particle tracks and the signals registered as some of those particles strike various detector components. It should give you an idea of how complex the challenge is to reconstruct a complete record of every single particle and the conditions under which it was created so scientists can compare hundreds of millions of events to look for trends and make discoveries. Credit: Brookhaven National Laboratory For the first time, scientists have used high-performance computing (HPC) to reconstruct the data collected by a nuclear physics experimentan advance that could dramatically reduce the time it takes to make detailed data available for scientific discoveries. The demonstration project used the Cori supercomputer at the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC), a high-performance computing center at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California, to reconstruct multiple datasets collected by the STAR detector during particle collisions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC), a nuclear physics research facility at Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York. By running multiple computing jobs simultaneously on the allotted supercomputing cores, the team transformed 4.73 petabytes of raw data into 2.45 petabytes of "physics-ready" data in a fraction of the time it would have taken using in-house high-throughput computing resources, even with a two-way transcontinental data journey. "The reason why this is really fantastic," said Brookhaven physicist Jerome Lauret, who manages STAR's computing needs, "is that these high-performance computing resources are elastic. You can call to reserve a large allotment of computing power when you need itfor example, just before a big conference when physicists are in a rush to present new results." According to Lauret, preparing raw data for analysis typically takes many months, making it nearly impossible to provide such short-term responsiveness. "But with HPC, perhaps you could condense that many months production time into a week. That would really empower the scientists!" The accomplishment showcases the synergistic capabilities of RHIC and NERSCU.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science User Facilities located at DOE-run national laboratories on opposite coastsconnected by one of the most extensive high-performance data-sharing networks in the world, DOE's Energy Sciences Network (ESnet), another DOE Office of Science User Facility. "This is a key usage model of high-performance computing for experimental data, demonstrating that researchers can get their raw data processing or simulation campaigns done in a few days or weeks at a critical time instead of spreading out over months on their own dedicated resources," said Jeff Porter, a member of the data and analytics services team at NERSC. Billions of data points To make physics discoveries at RHIC, scientists must sort through hundreds of millions of collisions between ions accelerated to very high energy. STAR, a sophisticated, house-sized electronic instrument, records the subatomic debris streaming from these particle smashups. In the most energetic events, many thousands of particles strike detector components, producing firework-like displays of colorful particle tracks. But to figure out what these complex signals mean, and what they can tell us about the intriguing form of matter created in RHIC's collisions, scientists need detailed descriptions of all the particles and the conditions under which they were produced. They must also compare huge statistical samples from many different types of collision events. Cataloging that information requires sophisticated algorithms and pattern recognition software to combine signals from the various readout electronics, and a seamless way to match that data with records of collision conditions. All the information must then be packaged in a way that physicists can use for their analyses. Cori, the newest supercomputer at the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC), is a Cray XC40 with a peak performance of about 30 petaflops. Credit: Brookhaven National Laboratory Since RHIC started running in the year 2000, this raw data processing, or reconstruction, has been carried out on dedicated computing resources at the RHIC and ATLAS Computing Facility (RACF) at Brookhaven. High-throughput computing (HTC) clusters crunch the data, event-by-event, and write out the coded details of each collision to a centralized mass storage space accessible to STAR physicists around the world. But the challenge of keeping up with the data has grown with RHIC's ever-improving collision rates and as new detector components have been added. In recent years, STAR's annual raw data sets have reached billions of events with data sizes in the multi-Petabyte range. So the STAR computing team investigated the use of external resources to meet the demand for timely access to physics-ready data. Many cores make light work Unlike the high-throughput computers at the RACF, which analyze events one-by-one, HPC resources like those at NERSC break large problems into smaller tasks that can run in parallel. So the first challenge was to "parallelize" the processing of STAR event data. "We wrote workflow programs that achieved the first level of parallelizationevent parallelization," Lauret said. That means they submit fewer jobs made of many events that can be processed simultaneously on the many HPC computing cores. "Imagine building a city with 100 homes. If this was done in high-throughput fashion, each home would have one builder doing all the tasks in sequencebuilding the foundation, the walls, and so on," Lauret said. "But with HPC we change the paradigm. Instead of one worker per house we have 100 workers per house, and each worker has a taskbuilding the walls or the roof. They work in parallel, at the same time, and we assemble everything together at the end. With this approach, we will build that house 100 times faster." Of course, it takes some creativity to think about how such problems can be broken up into tasks that can run simultaneously instead of sequentially, Lauret added. HPC also saves time matching raw detector signals with data on the environmental conditions during each event. To do this, the computers must access a "condition database"a record of the voltage, temperature, pressure, and other detector conditions that must be accounted for in understanding the behavior of the particles produced in each collision. In event-by-event, high-throughput reconstruction, the computers call up the database to retrieve data for every single event. But because HPC cores share some memory, events that occur close in time can use the same cached condition data. Fewer calls to the database means faster data processing. In high-throughput computing, a workload made up of data from many STAR collisions is processed event-by-event in a sequential manner to give physicists "reconstructed data" the product they need to fully analyze the data. High-performance computing breaks the workload into smaller chunks that can be run through separate CPUs to speed up the data reconstruction. In this simple illustration, breaking a workload of 15 events into three chunks of five events processed in parallel yields the same product in one-third the time as the high-throughput method. Using 32 CPUs on a supercomputer like Cori can greatly reduce the time it takes to transform the raw data from a real STAR dataset, with many millions of events, into useful information physicists can analyze to make discoveries. Credit: Brookhaven National Laboratory Networking teamwork Another challenge in migrating the task of raw data reconstruction to an HPC environment was just getting the data from New York to the supercomputers in California and back. Both the input and output datasets are huge. The team started small with a proof-of-principle experimentjust a few hundred jobsto see how their new workflow programs would perform. "We had a lot of assistance from the networking professionals at Brookhaven," said Lauret, "particularly Mark Lukascsyk, one of our network engineers, who was so excited about the science and helping us make discoveries." Colleagues in the RACF and ESnet also helped identify hardware issues and developed solutions as the team worked closely with Jeff Porter, Mustafa Mustafa, and others at NERSC to optimize the data transfer and the end-to-end workflow. Start small, scale up After fine-tuning their methods based on the initial tests, the team started scaling up to using 6,400 computing cores at NERSC, then up and up and up. "6,400 cores is already half of the size of the resources available for data reconstruction at RACF," Lauret said. "Eventually we went to 25,600 cores in our most recent test." With everything ready ahead of time for an advance-reservation allotment of time on the Cori supercomputer, "we did this test for a few days and got an entire data production done in no time," Lauret said.According to Porter at NERSC, "This model is potentially quite transformative, and NERSC has worked to support such resource utilization by, for example, linking its center-wide high-performant disk system directly to its data transfer infrastructure and allowing significant flexibility in how job slots can be scheduled." The end-to-end efficiency of the entire processthe time the program was running (not sitting idle, waiting for computing resources) multiplied by the efficiency of using the allotted supercomputing slots and getting useful output all the way back to Brookhavenwas 98 percent. "We've proven that we can use the HPC resources efficiently to eliminate backlogs of unprocessed data and resolve temporary resource demands to speed up science discoveries," Lauret said. He's now exploring ways to generalize the workflow to the Open Science Grida global consortium that aggregates computing resourcesso the entire community of high-energy and nuclear physicists can make use of it. More information: Mustafa Mustafa et al. STAR Data Reconstruction at NERSC/Cori, an adaptable Docker container approach for HPC, Journal of Physics: Conference Series (2017). DOI: 10.1088/1742-6596/898/8/082023 American families blend a mix of religious identities and traditions today more than ever. The interfaith dynamics are reflected in day-to-day life, but they can become even more apparent during the holidays. Keren McGinity, adjunct assistant professor of American Studies and research associate at the Hadassah-Brandeis Institute, has written two books on the subject of interfaith marriages: "Still Jewish: A History of Women & Intermarriage in America," and "Marrying Out: Jewish Men, Intermarriage, and Fatherhood." McGinity is also the inaugural director of the Interfaith Families Jewish Engagement graduate program at Hebrew College. McGinity took some time to answer questions from BrandeisNow about interfaith marriages and the winter holidays. What do we know about how interfaith couples treat holidays and traditions? The phenomenon commonly referred to as the "December Dilemma" signifies the manifold tensions and decision making that intermarried couples face regarding reconciling two different faiths at a particular time of year. Everything from how to decorate the house, whether to celebrate both Chanukah and Christmas, one or neither, is subject to discussion. How strongly one partner feels about his or her own faith often determines whether the couple celebrates in a way that honors both religious traditions or focuses primarily on one of them. There is no one cookie-cutter correct way for interfaith couples to navigate holidays other than to do so respectfully. Also, it's very important to realize that "interfaith" can be a misnomer. In some cases faith/faithless is more accurate such as in Jewish families in which one parent is not Jewish but does not actively practice another religion. Are interfaith marriages trending in one direction or another in the US? When did this trend begin and have there been cultural factors that influence this change? Interfaith marriages have been steadily increasing over time in the United States, first among Christians of different denominations and then between Christians and Jews. Between 1930 and 1960 marriages between Catholics and Protestants became more widespread, while marriage between Jews and Christians remained less common. Before 1970, only 17 percent of Jews intermarried. Over the past fifty years, interfaith marriage rates skyrocketed to 58 percent among Jews who married in 2000 or later. Multiple factors influenced this increase including liberalism, ecumenism and social integration, a decline in overt antisemitism, and Jews becoming more secular. As interfaith marriages have become more common in the US, have we seen a change in how interfaith families treat the holidays? Yes. As interfaith marriages have increased, Chanukah's significance has sometimes been over-emphasized to counterbalance the commercialization of Christmas. The growth in Chanukah merchandising and Jewish events in public spaces has meant that interfaith families have more decisions to make about how to handle the holidays. As interfaith marriages have become more common, interfaith families strive to make compromises in order to keep the peace in their homes and with extended family members. It has become increasingly important for couples and families to figure out how to honor both Jewish and Christian traditions in their own right rather than blend them. In other words: to celebrate rather than diminish differences. By recognizing the distinctiveness about holidays and traditions, interfaith couples can create authentic celebrations, converting a December dilemma into December delights in their own unique ways. Acknowledging the sanctity of Christmas and the historical reality and meaning of Chanukah fosters a family culture of mutual respect, enabling interfaith families to alleviate the pressure of trying to create a nonsensical holiday that encompasses both. By preserving what is uniquely Jewish or uniquely Christian about holidays, interfaith marriages are opportunities for partners to learn about their own and each other's traditions, and to teach their children about them. Children of interfaith marriages can celebrate a parent's holiday as a way of honoring that parent yet identify with the other parent's religion and culture. Are there usually differences in how these traditions affect men and women? The main difference in how traditions affect men and women is regarding the division between domestic and paid labor and how that influences consumer and producer behavior. Women have and continue to do the bulk of the shopping for presents, as well as cooking and cleaning. Men continue to be the primary breadwinners, in part due to the gender pay gap, whose contributions to the holidays often entail paying for what women buy. That is not to say that women do not work or men do not shop. They do; but holidays are a reflection of the larger labor forces at play in American society throughout the year. How do these differences effect the Jewish community? This gender difference has major implications for the Jewish community. Intermarried Jewish women raise Jewish children more frequently than do intermarried Jewish men whose wives of other faiths and backgrounds shoulder more of the childrearing responsibilities. The Cohen Center's 2015 study of millennial children of intermarriage found, for example, that children with a Jewish mother had more formal Jewish education, Jewish ritual practices, and informal Jewish social opportunities than those with a Jewish father. My study of intermarried Jewish men found that although men may be adamant about raising Jewish children, the lack of equal parenting due to American gender norms inhibits their doing so equally effectively as intermarried Jewish women. In addition, the lack of consensus between branches of Judaism about patrilineal descent means that Jewish men in interfaith marriages are not equally assured of their children's Jewish identities as women are whose children are unanimously considered Jewish according to matrilineal descent. The cy.PIPES system could help virtual reality/augmented reality developers synchronize tools that create environmental conditions like heat or wind. CyUtil LLC, a startup launched by Chauncey Frend of IU's Advanced Visualization Lab, is commercializing the system. Credit: Indiana University A high-tech startup founded by an Indiana University information technology programmer/analyst allows developers to synchronize tools that provide immersive environmental conditionslike fans that create wind or lamps that create heatwith the visuals and sounds of their virtual reality or augmented reality system. CyUtil LLC has launched a system called cy.PIPES, or Programmable Immersive Peripheral Environmental System. Chauncey Frend, the company's founder, is a programmer/analyst in IU's Advanced Visualization Lab, part of the UITS Research Technologies division and the IU Pervasive Technologies Institute. He has been working on immersive environmental systems since he was an undergraduate student at IUPUI. "I created cy.PIPES to easily plug-and-play the user's choice of 4-D effects devices along with the Unity game engine. Dynamic factors like wind direction are automatically computed with cy.PIPES, and effects are rendered to users as they would expect from the virtual environment they are immersed in," Frend said. "I wanted to prove it is possible to easily and inexpensively hook up environmental conditions to virtual and augmented reality systems." Frend's research on cy.PIPES was published in a 2015 issue of the SPIE Electronic Imaging publication track. It was named Best Research Demonstration at IEEE VR 2016 and is being used by IUPUI informatics students and at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Frend submitted an invention disclosure to the IU Innovation and Commercialization Office, which has applied for patent protection. He started CyUtil after he licensed the intellectual property from the IU ICO. Frend has launched an online funding campaign for cy.PIPES. He said the company's next steps include reaching out to developers at creative studios to ask them to apply cy.PIPES to their content. The business model will include him listening to early adopters' reviewsregardless of their sector, industry or usageand improving the tool. "Virtual reality can be used for a variety of experiences like green energy training, alternative energy education, racing simulators, flight simulators, real estate tours, historic tours of ancient ruins and others," Frend said. "These experiences become more immersive by adding and synchronizing environmental conditions. Wind, heat, smells and tactile details can help developers make their world. The sky is the limit." The unborn and the mammalian infant are highly dependent on maternal investment. The more independence the offspring gains, the weaker the effects of maternal stress on the offspring if such stress occurred late during pregnancy only. Credit: Kittisak Srithorn A new study has been published that suggests babies are physically affected by the stress level of their mother during pregnancy. It has been previously found that adversity in the womb enhances or hampers offspring development and performance. Researchers from The Universities of New Mexico and Gottingen, as well as the German Primate Center, have now proposed a hypothesis that largely predicts why there are highly variable patterns in the growth rates of disadvantaged offspring across 719 studies on 21 mammal species. "The idea is that prenatal stress affects offspring in two different ways depending on the timing of the stressor during pregnancyyielding different outcomes before birth, after birth, and after weaning" says Andreas Berghanel, evolutionary anthropologist at The University of New Mexico and lead author of the study. For example, prenatal maternal stress late in gestation causes mothers to invest less energy in their offspring, which leads to slower grow in the womb and during infancy. Once the baby has reached nutritional independence, however, they are no longer affected directly by their mother's provisioning, and consequently grow at the same rate as non-disadvantaged offspring. Thus, maternal stress late in gestation leads to slow growth during dependent phases, but doesn't affect growth later. By contrast, prenatal maternal stress early in gestation additionally causes the fetus to be entirely reprogrammed to deal with a reduced life expectancy. To "make the best of a bad job," the early challenged offspring switches to an accelerated pace of life and grows and matures faster than unchallenged offspring to ensure that it reproduces before it dies. Once set on the fast track, the offspring under early prenatal maternal stress remain on this trajectory even after weaning and therefore overshoot the usual body size for age throughout development. "These new results may bear some translational value for understanding why girls start their menstrual cycles earlier in poorer neighborhoods." In combination, an infant's acceleration of their developmental processes together with a deceleration due to reduced maternal investment could then cancel each other out during phases of intense maternal investmentgestation and lactation. It is not until the infant is nutritionally independent that the programming effects become clear. This new comparative study finds all of these predictions are supported in a large sample of studies that each measured the effects of prenatal stress on offspring size and growth compared to an unchallenged control group. "We found that stress during late gestation reduces offspring growth during dependence, resulting in a reduced body size throughout development, whereas stress during early gestation results in largely unaffected growth rates during dependence but accelerated growth and increased size after weaning," says Berghanel. All stressors seem to have the same effect, and the results are stable across a variety of experiments. Whether mothers were exposed directly to stressors via food restriction or other adversities or were experimentally manipulated to increase their "stress hormones" for example, cortisol, the patterns of offspring growth across developmental stage relative to the timing of the stressor remained the same. These new results may bear some translational value for understanding why girls start their menstrual cycles earlier in poorer neighborhoods, why teenage pregnancies are more frequent in disadvantaged families, and why adverse conditions during early development, particularly in formula-fed children, often lead to obesity and other metabolic health problems later in life. Maternal stress during gestation causes numerous effects on infant physiology that extend well into adulthood. Empirical tests of this hypothesis across mammals suggest that the timing of the stressor during gestation and a simultaneous consideration of maternal investment and adaptive growth plasticity effects are crucial for a full comprehension of prenatal stress effects on offspring growth. The results support an adaptive life history perspective on maternal effects that is relevant for evolutionary biology, medicine, and psychology. More information: Andreas Berghanel et al. Prenatal stress accelerates offspring growth to compensate for reduced maternal investment across mammals, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2017). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1707152114 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Provided by University of New Mexico Caves within a karst subterranean estuary are filled with separated fresh (green), brackish (gray) and saline (blue) waters. Within the subterranean estuary, methane (CH4) and other forms of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) created during the decomposition of soil from the overlying tropical forest sustain a complex cave-adapted ecosystem. Credit: Brankovits et al In the underground rivers and flooded caves of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, where Mayan lore described a fantastical underworld, scientists have found a cryptic world in its own right. Here, methane and the bacteria that feed off it form the lynchpin of an ecosystem that is similar to what has been found in deep ocean cold seeps and some lakes, according to recent research by Texas A&M University at Galveston, the U.S. Geological Survey and a team of collaborators from Mexico, The Netherlands, Switzerland and other U.S. institutions. The research, conducted by scientists who are trained in cave diving in addition to their other expertise, is the most detailed ecological study ever for a coastal cave ecosystem that is always underwater. In fact, the scientists had to use techniques that had previously been used by deep-sea submergence vehicles to be able to study the environment. "The opportunity to work with an international team of experts has been a remarkable experience for me," said David Brankovits, who is the paper's lead author and conducted the research during his Ph.D. studies at TAMUG. "Finding that methane and other forms of mostly invisible dissolved organic matter are the foundation of the food web in these caves explains why cave-adapted animals are able to thrive in the water column in a habitat without visible evidence of food." The study was conducted in the Ox Bel Ha cave network of the northeastern Yucatan, which is described as a subterranean estuary because the flooded cave passages contain distinct water layers consisting of freshwater fed by rainfall and salt water from the coastal ocean. This subterranean estuary complex covers an area approximately the size of Galveston Bay, the seventh largest surface estuary in the United States. Project Field Team Members (left to right) David Brankovits (TAMUG), Jake Emmert (Moody Gardens), John Pohlman (USGS), and Francisco Bautista De La Cruz (Speleotech). Credit: Jacob Pohlman The freshwater portion of the caves and the sinkholes, which are used to access the caves and are referred to locally as cenotes, are important sources of freshwater for communities throughout the Yucatan. Methane in the caves forms naturally beneath the jungle floor and migrates downward, deeper into the water and caves. Normally, all of the methane formed in soils migrates upward, towards the atmosphere. This sets the stage for the bacteria and other microbes that form the basis for the cave ecosystem. The microbes eat both the methane in the water and other dissolved organic material that the freshwater brought with it from the surface. The microbes then fuel a food web that is dominated by crustaceans, including a cave-adapted shrimp species that obtains about 21 percent of its nutrition from methane. "The processes we are investigating in these stratified groundwater systems are analogous to what is happening in the global ocean, especially in oxygen minimum zones where deoxygenation is a growing concern," says John Pohlman, a coauthor of the study and a USGS biogeochemist whose work from the early 90s motivated the research. "Although accessing these systems requires specialized training and strict adherence to cave diving safety protocols, relative to the complexity of an oceanographic expedition, the field programs we organize are simple and economical." Cave passage and diver within a section of the Ox Bel Ha cave system where the current study was conducted. The guideline seen alongside the diver that provides a continuous route to the surface is one of many safety standard the divers follow. Credit: HP Hartmann. One surprising finding was how important the dissolved organic material like methane was to the caves' food web. Prior studies had assumed that the majority of organic material that feeds the microbes of caves came from vegetation and other detritus in the tropical forest that washed into the caves from the cenotes. However, deep within the caves, where the study was conducted, there is very little of that surface debris, so the microbes depend on methane and the other dissolved organics percolating downward through the ceiling of the caves. Tom Iliffe, a professor in the Marine Biology Department at TAMUG who has been studying the biodiversity, evolution and conservation of marine cave animals for nearly 40 years, remarks, "Providing a model for the basic function of this globally-distributed ecosystem is an important contribution to coastal groundwater ecology and establishes a baseline for evaluating how sea level rise, seaside touristic development and other stressors will impact the viability of these lightless, food-poor systems." More information: D. Brankovits et al, Methane- and dissolved organic carbon-fueled microbial loop supports a tropical subterranean estuary ecosystem, Nature Communications (2017). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01776-x Journal information: Nature Communications Picture of the GRS 1758-258 microquasar, obtained with the Jansky Very Large Array radiotelescope at 5 GHz frequency radio waves. The white line shows the Z-shape path formed by the relativistic plasma produced in the core region, where the black hole is located. Credit: Universidad de Barcelona Researchers from the Institute of Cosmos Sciences of the University of Barcelona (ICCUB) and the University of Jaen have described, for the first time, the structure of a Z-shaped galactic microquasar. This astronomical object is considered to be a small-scale version of a winged radio galaxy, so far considered among the distant potential emitters of gravitational waves. The main conclusion of the study, published in Nature Communications, is that not all winged radio galaxies are sources of gravitational waves. Microquasars are an astronomical objects fed by stellar black holes, which are smaller than the ones at the center of radio galaxies. They produce radio jets in opposite directions. "We determined that the Z-shaped morphology of the studied microquasar, the GRS 1758-258, can be explained with hydrodynamic interactions with the surrounding medium," says Josep M. Paredes from ICCUB. Extrapolated results suggest that this scenario could work in winged radio galaxies, since these objects follow the same physical laws. So far, it was thought that those radio galaxies were X or Z shaped due the merger of two black holes, a process in which gravitational waves are generated. When these waves are produced at such a long distance, it is not possible to distinguish them individually, and gravitational wave background noise is created. "Our results show that not all winged radio galaxies would be the origin of gravitational waves, which was commonly believed so far," says Valenti Bosch Ramon, researcher from the ICCUB. "Some of them owe their structure to hydrodynamic processes that would not create these kind of waves. Considering these results, the background of gravitational waves would be weaker than thought so far," concludes the researcher. In order to determine the Z-shape of the GRS 1758-258 microquasar, several observations were made with the Jansky Very Large Array in New Mexico. The results were added to all the observations of the same microquasar that were carried out in previous decades. Gathering all this data made it possible to reach the required sensitivity to describe the Z-shape of GRS 1758-258 and deduce the processes that form it. More information: Josep Marti et al. A galactic microquasar mimicking winged radio galaxies, Nature Communications (2017). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01976-5 Journal information: Nature Communications The bacterial peptide (blue) attaches to a fibronectin fibre (white) over several binding sites. Credit: Samuel Hertig Bacteria are able to attach themselves to tissue fibres with the aid of a 'nano-adhesive'. Just how they achieve this was investigated a few years ago by Viola Vogel, Professor of Applied Mechanobiology at ETH Zurich, using computer simulations at CSCS. The researchers simulated how the bacterial nano-adhesive a peptide thread with several binding sites strung together like pearls adheres to what are called fibronectin fibres. These form part of the fibrous network in which cells are embedded. Where there is a lesion, the fibronectin fibres become severed. Bacterium senses tensional state of tissue fibres Intact tissue fibres are held under tension by the pulling force from cells in the fibrous network. When fibronectin fibres are stretched by forces, simulations of this process showed that the distances between the individual binding sites on fibronectin, as bridged by the bacterial peptide, grow too large and hence the bacterial nano-adhesive becomes largely detached. At the time, the researchers had not expected such results. These suggested that the Staphylococcus aureus bacterium, whose adhesion was used in the simulation, might in the course of its evolution have developed a nano-sensor to detect the tensional state of fibronectin fibres. In order to 'successfully' infect a lesion, the dreaded bacterium probably binds itself to severed and therefore structurally relaxed fibres. However, little is known about the tensional state of tissue fibres and their effect on physiological processes in degenerative changes in tissue, for example. There is also a lack of methods suitable for measuring the minuscule forces that cells exert on tissue fibres. Viola Vogel and her research group are therefore working on nano-sensors that can do the job: inspired by the simulations, they developed a bacterial peptide able to recognise the tensional states of fibronectin in tissue. Such a peptide could be used both in therapy and diagnostics. Supercomputer-predicted nano-sensors were tested successfully in animals Now, tests on the synthetically produced peptide in cell cultures as well as in tumour tissue from animal models have given the researchers positive results. Because the peptide binds to un-tensioned fibres only, it can visibly reveal which tumour tissue fibres are under tension. The research findings were published today in the scientific journal Nature Communications. Cells are surrounded by extracellular matrix fibres, which they stretch and thereby change their functionality. The cell nuclei (blue) are shown together with fibronectin fibres (green), whereby the relaxed fibres are stained with a bacterial peptide (red). Credit: Viola Vogel group, ETH Zurich In order to test whether the peptide indeed binds only to un-tensioned fibres, the researchers added to the cell culture medium a special optical 'nano-probe' they had developed. This probe is only usable in cell cultures, where it changes colour to indicate the tensional state of the fibres. In addition, the researchers tagged the synthetically produced peptide with an additional fluorophore in order to visualize where it binds in cell culture. Furthermore, tumour tissues were stained with special colour-tagged peptide and antibodies that bind to all fibronectin, where they rendered visible all fibronectin fibres in the tumour versus the relaxed fibres as marked by the peptide. Not every fibre is under tension Detailed examination of the tumour revealed to the scientists' astonishment that the peptides did not bind to all of the fibronectin fibres, though a sign that not every fibre in the tumour is under tension. "However, we cannot yet say why tensioned fibronectin is more abundant in some areas of the tumour than in others," says Vogel. In order to find out whether the bacterial adhesive is suitable for diagnostic purposes as well, researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) led by Martin Behe and Roger Schibli injected radioactively tagged peptides into the animal model. This enabled the scientists to identify where the peptide binds in the organism. "Besides the well-perfused organs such as kidneys, liver and spleen, the peptide mainly accumulated in tumour tissue," says Viola Vogel. This was also where it remained the longest. The scientists hope that the peptides will be able to serve as diagnostic markers of tumour tissues and of other degenerative diseases. The peptides could be used for radiation therapy or for delivering active pharmaceutical ingredients to the diseased site, for example by binding an active ingredient to the bacterial peptide, whereupon the peptide's binding sensors bring the active ingredient straight to its target. The great advantage of peptides is that they are much smaller than nanoparticles and antibodies. "These little molecules can therefore penetrate much better and deeper into dense tumour tissue," says Vogel. Examining possible applications Both the results and Vogel's novel research approach in the quest for new methods of diagnostics and therapy have attracted attention: in addition to an ERC and a recently awarded SNF grant, the renowned Charite university hospital in Berlin has conferred on Viola Vogel an Einstein Professorship that will enable her to fund two positions, making it possible to combine the new technique with clinical research. In cooperation with PSI, Vogel also intends to investigate which types of tissues and diseases can be best targeted by the peptide. It has been a long road from the first simulations at CSCS and laboratory tests to animal models, Viola Vogel points out. The experimental sciences routinely take a critical view of research based on simulations. But the ETH professor refutes this perception: "Through simulations we try to sharpen our thinking about molecular processes." The researcher is convinced that the present findings could not have been achieved without simulations. "This brings us clearly to the point where simulations have predictive value," says Vogel. More information: Simon Arnoldini et al. Novel peptide probes to assess the tensional state of fibronectin fibers in cancer, Nature Communications (2017). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01846-0 Journal information: Nature Communications Rapper Meek Mill is back in prison in Pennsylvania for violating the terms of his probation. According to officials, Mill left the state without permission, did not meet with his probation officer, tested positive for Percocet, failed to complete community service and got into a fight at an airport. Mill's case has drawn new attention to how probation and parole violations contribute to extremely high rates of incarceration in the United States. These high rates of incarceration are in part driven by reimprisonment of formerly incarcerated individuals, known as recidivism. More than half of people who are released from prison in a given year in the United States will return within five years, a phenomenon that has come to be known as prison's "revolving door." Reducing the prison population requires a deeper understanding of what drives the revolving door. The results of our recently published study show how parole, even more than probation, plays a key role. Studying prison's revolving door In 2012, we set out to understand what drives recidivism in collaboration with Jeffrey D. Morenoff and Anh P. Nyugen, sociologists at the University of Michigan. Based on previous scholarship, we considered three possible explanations for why so many convicted felons return to prison. The first is that individuals sentenced to prison may simply be prone to committing crimes. In this explanation, prison itself plays no important role in what happens next. If this explanation is correct, we would observe the same levels of imprisonment even if these individuals were given probation supervision in the community instead of prison. A second explanation is that prison causes inmates to become more likely to commit a crime upon release. Imprisonment may disrupt ties to family and community, enhance the stigma of a felony conviction, create or exacerbate mental health problems or socialize inmates into criminal ways of thinking. A third explanation is that instead of prison itself, it is the intensity of parole supervision that follows prison that increases the risk of returning to prison, compared to probation. Eighty percent of those sentenced to prison in the U.S. are released early to serve out the remainder of their sentence under supervision, typically called parole. However, some individuals convicted of a felony do not always serve time in prison. Many are sentenced to another kind of supervision called probation. Probation is usually less intensive than parole. Like Mill, people who violate the terms of their parole or probation supervision can be reimprisoned without committing a new crime. A natural experiment To test these hypotheses, we obtained data on every person convicted of a felony in Michigan from 2003 to 2006 from the Michigan Department of Corrections and other state agencies more than 100,000 individuals. We followed them through parole or probation violations, convictions for new felonies and returns to prison over a five-year period. Then, we compared the trajectories of those who were sentenced to prison and released on parole to those sentenced to probation. We relied on what social scientists call a "natural experiment." We noticed that Michigan, like many states, randomly assigns cases to judges. This policy explicitly recognizes that different judges will assign different sentences to similar defendants based on their own professional judgment and taste. The state does this for the sake of fairness, and to prevent defendants and prosecutors from "judge shopping." Imagine a courthouse with two judges, Judge Tuff and Judge Jentle. Judge Tuff is more likely to sentence individuals to prison, all else equal. Some defendants will go to prison rather than serve probation only because they were randomly assigned to Judge Tuff rather than Judge Jentle. Similarly, others will serve probation rather than go to prison only because they were randomly assigned to Judge Jentle rather than Judge Tuff. This random assignment of judges mimics the way a scientist would design a randomized, controlled experiment in the lab. There are no obvious differences between who gets randomly assigned to one judge and who gets assigned to the other. For all intents and purposes, the groups are identical. So if one group ends up with stricter sentences, it's likely due to the judge's predilections rather than to anything specific to the individual defendants and their crimes. Imprisonment begets imprisonment We found that the revolving door is not simply the consequence of imprisoning the most crime-prone individuals. Being sentenced to prison, rather than probation, increased the probability of serving additional time in prison within three years after release by 18 to 19 percent. Our results also demonstrate that imprisonment for parole violations rather than convictions for new felonies accounts for a large majority of this effect. We found no evidence that imprisonment increased overall criminal behavior after release. Rather than being due to differences in criminality between prisoners and probationers, this finding suggests that the parole supervision treats individuals who violate more harshly than probation supervision. In Michigan, the most common parole violations that lead to reimprisonment are moving residences without notifying the parole officer, possession of a weapon that is not a firearm, failure to register as a sex offender, substance abuse and driving without permission. Taken together, these results imply that the rise in incarceration in the United States over the last 40 years is, in part, a self-generating or accelerating process. Although serving time in prison does not appear to lead to less crime after release, it does reduce crime during the period of imprisonment simply because people are isolated from society. Criminologists refer to this effect as "incapacitation." However, the incapacitation effect is smaller than one might expect. Only 5 to 8 percent of those sentenced to probation rather than prison were convicted of a new felony in the first year after their sentence, when almost all of the prisoners were still in prison. Reducing mass incarceration Our results have important policy implications. First, probation could be used more frequently as an alternative to imprisonment. The cost savings associated with probation is large relative to the incapacitation effect of imprisonment. Our results show that a prison sentence does little to reduce criminal offending after release relative to offending by probationers. Second, because parole violations played a substantial role in the growth of the prison population, giving technical parole violators punishments other than prison has great potential to shrink the prison population. The next step is to develop a better understanding of which alternative punishments are most effective at reducing crime and preventing future involvement in the criminal justice system. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. By PTI: New Delhi, Nov 28 (PTI) Smartphone maker Huawei claims to have almost doubled shipments of Honor smartphones in India this year as compared to 2016. "Honor shipped 98.8 per cent more devices in 2017 (to India) than in 2016," Honor President George Zhao told PTI. Huawei sells Honor smartphones online. He said that with increase in sales, the company is planning to further ramp up its manufacturing facility in India. advertisement Honor is planning to start selling artificial intelligence (AI) enabled smartphones in India early next year which, it says, will be able to sense who is using the phone, translate messages as per preference of the phone owner etc. The company in China launched V10 smartphone for RMB 29,999. As per industry sources, Huawei may launched in V10 in India market for under Rs 40,000 a unit -- at almost half the price of AI enabled that has been launched by two other companies in the India. "India is a key market for Honor and we will bridge the gap between our global and India launches going forward. We are looking to time our India launches in tandem with global launch and going by that, we should be seeing the new AI phones in India as soon as they are launched in the overseas market," Huawei Consumer Business Group Vice President - Sales, P Sanjeev said. The company has plans to launch Honor 7x phone in December which is expected to be priced around Rs 15,000 and will be first phone in that price category with 15.06 centimetre display, split screen, dual lens camera, 16 megapixel and 2 MP on rear side and 8 MP on the front, according to sources. PTI PRS MKJ --- ENDS --- Credit: Vladislav Zhitenev/Lomonosov Moscow State University An ancient image of a two-humped camel has been discovered in the Kapova cave (Southern Urals). The age of the painting is preliminarily estimated to be between 14,500 and 37,700 years, a time when there were no camels in the Southern Urals. This discovery confirms researchers' belief that artists in the Upper Paleolithic could migrate over long distances. The image of a camel's shape is painted in red ochre and partially outlined with charcoal. This unique discovery was made by Eudald Guillamet, a well-known restorative specialist from Andorra, who was invited by the State Office of Protection of Cultural Heritage of Bashkiria to clean the cave of graffiti. "This painting, cleared on the polychrome panel "Horses and Signs," which has been well-known since the late 1970s, has no analogues in the art complexes of the caves of France and Spain, but does have some resemblance to the camel painting from the Ignatievskaya cave. Now it will probably become a significant image in the Upper Paleolithic cave bestiary of the Southern Urals," says V.S. Zhitenev, head of Moscow State University's South Ural archeological expedition and leading researcher for the Kapova and Ignatievskaya caves. "The age of the drawings in this panel cannot be accurately established yet, but the results of uranium-thorium dating of the calcite deposits on which the image is painted, and which cover it, unambiguously show that the time period during which the drawing was made was during the Upper Paleolithic age, which is no earlier than 37,700 years ago and no later than 14,500 years ago. In the course of excavating the Kapova cave, only the upper layer of deposits with traces of activity of Paleolithic artists, about 17,000 to 19,000 years ago, has been dated so far," concluded the scientist. The artistic features and arrangement of the images, as well as the traces of human activity in the cave, show that the traditions of organization of underground sanctuaries in the Upper Paleolithic originated in the Franco-Cantabrian region. However, at such a distance from the main European cluster of cave sites with wall paintings, local specifics in the development of graphic traditions inevitably arose. The long evolution of the traditions of cave art in the region is revealed by the fact that people living in the Southern Urals during the Ice Age painted not only the images of horses, bisons, mammoths, and woolly rhinoceroses that were widespread in European caves, but representations of the local fauna as well. Analysis of stone tools confirms the assumption. "It is very significant that this camel vividly confirms the theory of the Volga-Caspian direction of the connections among the people who created the sanctuary in the Kapova cave. This direction was earlier grounded in the use of ornaments from fossil shells brought from the Caspian region. Moreover, this direction is very interesting in terms of a possible way that the traditions of creating cave sanctuaries with wall paintings could have been spread, if we consider the Carpathian caves with Ice Age wall paintings," explains Vladislav Zhitenev. "Equally important, along with the discovery of the camel painting, is the fact that fragments of the shape of another animal, apparently a mammoth, were cleaned off. This is the first well-preserved painting of a woolly giant from the Ice Age on the middle level of the cave. Cleaning calcite off from the newly-discovered figures confirmed the theory of a significant similarity in the general structure of the visual panels, with leading images of horses, and large geometric shapes, in which one may see representations of animals. The similarity in the arrangement of vertical and horizontal figures (or rather, explicit compositions) on panels located on two different floors indicates a profound connection between the ideas expressed by the Paleolithic artists. The upper and middle levels are connected by a thirteen meter high vertical well." In December, archeologists from Moscow State University will continue researching Paleolithic art in the Kapova and Ignatievskaya caves. In winter, the walls of the underground halls and galleries are much drier than in the summer, which makes it easier to reveal the smallest details of the paintings. Monitoring of the state of the wall paintings will also continue, with the aim of studying the impact of dynamic factors of the underground environment on geochemical processes related to the destruction of wall paintings. It is carried out in a joint project with specialists from Shulgan-Tash Nature Reserve. Kapova cave The Kapova cave is located in Bashkiria, 400 km away from Ufa, on the territory of Shulgan-Tash nature reserve. The cave is one of the most famous sites containing Paleolithic parietal art in Europe. Among the images depicted, one can come across such vivid representatives of mammoth fauna as wooly rhino, bison, horse, and, of course, the wooly mammoth itself. The wall paintings were created about 17 000 - 19 000 years ago. Figures of fish and a zooanthropomorhic figure (a mixomorph combining human and animal traits), rarely seen in European sites, are of special interest. The principal array of images in the Kapova cave are unidentifiable spots of red pigment, which are partially blurred shapes, partly the remains of erased drawings, and partially traces of Paleolithic artistic activities of unknown origin. Some of the found traces of artistic activity are finger-painted lines, fingerprints and, possibly, prints of the lower part of the palm. The microstratigraphic position of the remains of intentionally erased images, above which the Paleolithic artist painted new animal shape and signs, has been revealed in some panels. Schematic and photo of the enclosure designed to change the environment around a sound source. Made by 3D printing out of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic, the encloser greatly enhances the power of low-frequency sounds. Credit: Jiajun Zhao In any orchestra, the lowest notes are made by the largest instruments; for example, in the string family, the double bass resonates much lower notes than the violin because it is four to five times larger. The same is true for loudspeakers. Large speakers, known as woofers, are required to produce clear bass notes while small speakers, like those in mobile phones, produce high tinny noises that don't do justice to recorded music. Jiajun Zhao and Ying Wu from KAUST, with coworker Likun Zhang at the University of Mississippi, have proposed a new miniaturized device that can emit deep, powerful sounds using so-called subwavelength technology. "A traditional audio setup combines small loudspeakers for high frequencies and large woofers for low frequencies, which is bulky and clumsy," says Zhao. "We use structural resonances to build a miniaturized loudspeaker system that works as well as traditional ones." The structural resonances proposed by the researchers involve putting a sound source in a ring-shaped enclosure made from high-density brass with coiled air-filled channels. The air channels reduce the overall speed of the sound, which enhances low-frequency sounds and suppresses higher sounds. "Through the resonance of the air inside the channels, a lot more of the electric power of the source is converted to sound power than would otherwise be the case," explains Wu. Computer simulations of this design showed that the enclosure not only enhanced low sounds but also emitted powerful sound in all directions around it. This overcomes another limitation of traditional loudspeakers, which tend to emit sound in only one direction. The next step was for Zhao and coworkers to build and test a real version of their enclosure design. "When a cell phone source is enclosed by the structure, more than 200 times the sound power is emitted than when the structure isn't there," says Zhao. "We are happy to see that our design doesn't just work on paper but also in reality." Now finished his postdoctorate at KAUST, Zhao will soon move to work in the energy industry in Houston, but he is very grateful for his time at the university. "Being at KAUST is a unique experience," he says. "I learned a lot from my supervisor Dr. Wu, who provided valuable advice not only on my research but also my career development. Furthermore, the experts that are invited each year to KAUST to give seminars helped me to establish wide connections within the research community of my interest." UQ mobile radar deployed for thunderstorm monitoring. Credit: Kathryn Turner An Australian spring wouldn't be complete without thunderstorms and a visit to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology's weather radar website. But a new type of radar technology is aiming to make weather radar even more useful, by helping to identify those storms that are packing hailstones. Most storms just bring rain, lightning and thunder. But others can produce hazards including destructive flash flooding, winds, large hail, and even the occasional tornado. For these potentially dangerous storms, the Bureau issues severe thunderstorm warnings. For metropolitan regions, warnings identify severe storm cells and their likely path and hazards. They provide a predictive "nowcast", such as forecasts up to three hours before impact for suburbs that are in harm's way. When monitoring thunderstorms, weather radar is the primary tool for forecasters. Weather radar scans the atmosphere at multiple levels, building a 3-D picture of thunderstorms, with a 2-D version shown on the bureau's website. This is particularly important for hail, which forms several kilometres above ground in towering storms where temperatures are well below freezing. Bureau of Meteorology 60-minute nowcast showing location and projected track of severe thunderstorms in 10-minute steps. Credit: Australian Bureau of Meteorology In terms of insured losses, hailstorms have caused more insured losses than any other type of severe weather events in Australia. Brisbane's November 2014 hailstorms cost an estimated A$1.41 billion, while Sydney's April 1999 hailstorm, at A$4.3 billion, remains the nation's most costly natural disaster. Breaking the ice Nonetheless, accurately detecting and estimating hail size from weather radar remains a challenge for scientists. This challenge stems from the diversity of hail. Hailstones can be large or small, densely or sparsely distributed, mixed with rain, or any combination of the above. Conventional radars measure the scattering of the radar beams as they pass through precipitation. However, a few large hailstones can look the same as lots of small ones, making it hard to determine hailstones' size. A new type of radar technology called "dual-polarisation" or "dual-pol" can solve this problem. Rather than using a single radar beam, dual-pol uses two simultaneous beams aligned horizontally and vertically. When these beams scatter off precipitation, they provide relative measures of horizontal and vertical size. Therefore, an observer can see the difference between flatter shapes of rain droplets and the rounder shapes of hailstones. Dual-pol can also more accurately measure the size and density of rain droplets, and whether it's a mixture or just rain. Together, these capabilities mean that dual-pol is a game-changer for hail detection, size estimation and nowcasting. Into the eye of the storm Dual-pol information is now streaming from the recently upgraded operational radars in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. It allows forecasters to detect hail earlier and with more confidence. However, more work is needed to accurately estimate hail size using dual-pol. The ideal place for such research is undoubtedly southeast Queensland, the hail capital of the east coast. When it comes to thunderstorm hazards, nothing is closer to reality than scientific observations from within the storm. In the past, this approach was considered too costly, risky and demanding. Instead, researchers resorted to models or historical reports. The Atmospheric Observations Research Group at the University of Queensland (UQ) has developed a unique capacity in Australia to deploy mobile weather instrumentation for severe weather research. In partnership with the UQ Wind Research Laboratory, Guy Carpenter and staff in the Bureau of Meteorology's Brisbane office, the Storms Hazards Testbed has been established to advance the nowcasting of hail and wind hazards. Over the next two to three years, the testbed will take a mobile weather radar, meteorological balloons, wind measurement towers and hail size sensors into and around severe thunderstorms. Data from these instruments provide high-resolution case studies and ground-truth verification data for hazards observed by the Bureau's dual-pol radar. Since the start of October, we have intercepted and sampled five hailstorms. If you see a convoy of UQ vehicles heading for ominous dark clouds, head in the opposite direction and follow us on Facebook instead. How to report for uqhail. Unfortunately, the UQ storm-chasing team can't get to every severe thunderstorm, so we need your help! The project needs citizen scientists in southeast Queensland to report hail through #UQhail. Keep a ruler or object for scale (coins are great) handy and, when a hailstorm has safely passed, measure the largest hailstone. Submit reports via uqhail.com, email, Facebook or Twitter. We greatly appreciate photos with a ruler or reference object and approximate location of the hail. Combining measurements, hail reports and the Bureau of Meteorology's dual-pol weather radar data, we are working towards developing algorithms that will allow hail to be forecast more accurately. This will provide greater confidence in warnings and those vital extra few minutes when cars can be moved out of harm's way, reducing the impact of storms. Advanced techniques developed from storm-chasing and citizen science data will be applied across the Australian dual-pol radar network in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. Who knows, in the future if the Bureau's weather radar shows a thunderstorm heading your way, your reports might even have helped to develop that forecast. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. One drop of liquid, a cutting-edge laser 3-D-printer and a few hours are all it takes to make a fidget spinner smaller than the width of a human hair. The tiny whirligig was created by researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences to illustrate the facility's unique resources and expertise available to scientists across the world. The microscale fidget spinner measures only 100 microns wide, or one tenth of a millimeter, but the capabilities it represents are enormous. "We felt like it would be an interesting demonstration for younger people who may not know that the federal government maintains these user facilities around the country, which anybody can use as long as they submit a successful proposal," said ORNL's Adam Rondinone. The Nanoscribe machine that built the fidget spinner is also used by researchers to create microfluidic and micromechanical devices for scientific applications. The instrument uses a focused laser to convert a liquid into a solid at a microscopic level. This process, much like 3-D printing, allows researchers to precisely design and build complex designs to make functional microscale devices with moving components. Watch a video of scientists creating and testing the fidget spinner here. More than 650 researchers used CNMS resources last year to conduct wide-ranging experiments in nanomaterials synthesis; nanofabrication; imaging, microscopy and characterization; and theory, modeling and simulation. CNMS is a Department of Energy Office of Science User Facility. Credit: Oak Ridge National Laboratory "Our job is to offer cutting-edge experiments, instrumentation and expertise, to help other scientists to achieve their goals," Rondinone said. All the tools at CNMS are available through the facility's user program, which is open to users from academia, the private sector, and research institutes worldwide. Access is free of charge to users who publish the results in the open literature. Because of this, Rondinone explains, researchers at companies may be less aware of the resources available to them, or hesitant to use them. "We work with industrial partners to help them identify fundamental science questions that we can answer and then publish in open literature, without jeopardizing their intellectual property," he said. The team plans to build an interactive microscopic fidget spinner exhibit as part of ORNL's Traveling Science Fair. "It's a compelling way for us to reach out to the next generation of scientists," Rondinone said. By PTI: New Delhi, Nov 28 (PTI) The ICSE board has reduced the pass percentage for class 10 and 12 examinations from 2018-19 academic session in order to bring parity with the marking scheme of other boards. The pass percentage for class 10 has been lowered from 35 to 33 per cent and for class 12 from 40 to 35 per cent, a senior board official said. advertisement The HRD Ministry had in May constituted an Inter-Board Working Group (IBWG) to deliberate upon multiple examination related issues including scrapping of moderation policy. Among several recommendations made by IBWG was having same pass percentage by different boards. "In view of the panels recommendations, the Council for Indian School Certificate Examination (CICSE) has decided to lower its pass percentage for class 10 from 35 to 33 per cent and for class 12 from 40 to 35 per cent," the official said. "The objective of the change is to bring a close uniformity with other boards in the country. The change will be implemented from next academic session," he added. PTI GJS RT --- ENDS --- Christian Lacroix to launch online marketplace platform to sell direct-to-consumers BOSTON and PARIS Nov. 28, 2017 Mirakl, the leading marketplace platform provider, today announced a partnership with Christian Lacroix to launch an innovative Brand Platform to sell menswear, womens accessories and lifestyle collection on christian-lacroix.com. The Brand Platform marks the first time the brand will sell directly to customers online, and showcases the universe of Christian Lacroix unique collection of products. Nicolas Topiol, Chief Executive Officer, Christian Lacroix, selected the Mirakl Marketplace Platform for its focus on operating innovative marketplaces. The digital project integrates leading technology from Mirakl, Magento, HiPay and Borderlinx, and is being implemented by the Digital Agency Colorz. Christian Lacroix is an iconic luxury brand famous for its initial disruption of the 80s-fashion scene bringing vibrant colors and mix and match of fabrics, patterns and inspirations in a then monochrome fashion world, said Topiol. Since then the House of Christian Lacroix has evolved into a lifestyle brand touching its aficionados with a wide offering of product categories from fashion accessories, to menswear and art de vivre collections. With the launch of our digital commerce platform, we are looking to expand our distribution and be in direct contact with our customers worldwide. Our 30thAnniversary and its celebration provide the perfect opportunity to launch our direct to consumer initiative. Were tremendously excited to be working with Nicolas Topiol and the Christian Lacroix team, said Philippe Corrot, co-founder and CEO, Mirakl. We have a uniquely shared vision. Mirakl believes the future of commerce is in the platform revolution where retailers and brands need to become platform operators to embrace the future of commerce. The Christian Lacroix Brand Platform perfectly exemplifies this vision with the team creating an online network to sell their multiple product categories and to provide the full universe of products to Christian Lacroix brand aficionados. Our platform is perfectly designed to launch this new business model, our team of experts is here to help them capitalize on the platform revolution with the marketplace model. About Christian Lacroix Since the creation of the fashion house in 1987 by LVMH, the House of Christian Lacroix lays the foundation for a colorful, exuberant and unique style. The Hispanic inspirations, colors, innovative forms make a sensation and are a breath of freshness in the fashion circles. The brand is sold worldwide, with collections of products as varied as mens ready-to-wear, womens accessories and Home decor. The Christian Lacroix brand subsists through timeless values. The result is a fabulously richly entwined universe, which can be continually reinterpreted, re-mixed and illuminated. The Christian Lacroix brand is fundamentally contemporary and dynamic. About Mirakl Mirakl gives retailers and brands a fast path to increase customer value by launching an online marketplace. The increased value exceeds customer expectations by providing more products, at better prices, with superior service. The Mirakl Marketplace Platform automates the hard things: Seller onboarding, product data management, service quality control, and order distribution; on an API-based solution thats modular and easy to integrate. Over 140 customers operating marketplaces in 40 countries trust Mirakls proven expertise and technology including Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Best Buy Canada, Carrefour, Darty, Galeries Lafayette and Halfords. Founded in 2012, Mirakl helps companies provide a better customer experience as part of their omni-channel strategy. For more information: www.mirakl.com. Other Point of Sale News: Inventory needs to be managed and managed well, or you are going to get in recurring trouble, and lose your credibility and hard-earned conversions, whether Read more News VMware Rips Microsoft for Azure 'Bare Metal' Migration Solution Microsoft this month provoked VMware by announcing a preview of a "bare metal" VMware stack that runs on Microsoft Azure hardware. The preview, called "VMware virtualization on Azure," was described as part of Microsoft's announcement last week that introduced Azure Migrate. The free Azure Migrate service, which is currently available, provides discovery and assessment services for moving multiserver VMware-based applications over to Azure infrastructure. Microsoft claims that Azure Migrate can "right-size" applications by discovering CPU, disk, memory and network dependencies. If it works well, Azure Migrate would be expected to generate VMware's ire, of course, but perhaps in a quiet way. However, VMware mostly raised strong objections about Microsoft's VMware virtualization on Azure preview, which Microsoft described as an interim step for specific workloads that may be "more challenging to migrate to the cloud." This bare metal deployment on Azure infrastructure is not something that VMware supports, as was made crystal clear by Ajay Patel, senior vice president for product development at VMware Cloud Services. "This offering [Microsoft's VMware virtualization on Azure] has been developed independent of VMware, and is neither certified nor supported by VMware," Patel stated, in a VMware announcement. Microsoft claimed that the VMware virtualization on Azure preview was being offered "in partnership with premier VMware-certified partners." However, Patel objected, stating that "no VMware-certified partner names have been mentioned nor have any partners collaborated with VMware in engineering this offering." Patel noted that VMware has partnered with Amazon Web Services to support VMware Cloud on AWS, which is a jointly engineered effort that's fully supported by VMware. It also partnered with IBM to support IBM Cloud for VMware Solutions, which similarly permits VMware workloads to run from IBM's cloud infrastructure. Microsoft Azure, though, isn't one of those clouds supported by VMware. "Our experience has shown public cloud environments require significant joint engineering to run enterprise workloads," Patel wrote. "Hence, we cannot endorse an unsupported and non-engineered solution that isn't optimized for the VMware stack. VMware does not recommend and will not support customers running on the Azure announced partner offering." Further details about Microsoft's migration tools for VMware users will be available in a Microsoft Web presentation scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 28 via this link (requires signup). However, when it's clicked, that signup page stated that the event will actually happen on Dec. 13. Speculation about the technical issues associated with Microsoft's announcement was discussed this week in a podcast hosted by Keith Townsend, principal at The CTO Advisor. He noted that cloud infrastructures typically lack Layer 2 data link support, which complicates matters for those organizations trying to move to the cloud. Townsend's guest during the podcast, Tim Carr, a cloud automation specialist at Ahead, said that he was most excited by Microsoft's Azure Migrate announcement because of the difficulties associated with data migration issues when bringing over applications to the cloud. It's difficult to reconcile the different database management types, he indicated. Carr also noted that a lot can happen with such cloud moves from a networking perspective, particularly with regard to ensuring high availability for applications. Kinder Morgan (KMI) reported earnings 30 days ago. What's next for the stock? We take a look at earnings estimates for some clues. Investors seeking momentum may have First Trust Germany AlphaDEX Fund FGM on radar now. The fund recently hit a new 52-week high. Shares of FGM are up approximately 47.3% from their 52-week low of $34.17/share. But could there be more gains ahead for this ETF? Lets take a look at the fund and the near-term outlook to get a better idea of where it might be headed. FGM in Focus FGM focuses on providing exposure to the German equity market. The fund has key holdings in the Industrials, Consumer Discretionary and Real Estate sectors, with an allocation of 24.3%, 23.3% and 16.2%, respectively. FGM charges investors 80 basis points in fee per year. Its top holdings include Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Rheinmetall AG and Wirecard AG with a little over 14% of the assets allocated to them (see all European Equity ETFs here). Why the move? Of late, German markets have been in the spotlight. Optimism related to the countrys politics has been increasing. Social Democrats (SPD) are scheduled to meet with Merkels Christian Democratic Union (CDU) later this week for talks of a grand coalition. This has led to a rally in German equities as political stability is expected. More Gains Ahead? Currently, FGM has a Zacks ETF Rank #3 (Hold) with a Medium risk outlook. So it is difficult to get a handle on its future returns one way or another. However, the fund has a weighted alpha of 44.6. So, there is a promising outlook ahead for those who want to ride this surging ETF a shade further. Want key ETF info delivered straight to your inbox? Zacks free Fund Newsletter will brief you on top news and analysis, as well as top-performing ETFs, each week. Get it free >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report FT-GERMANY (FGM): ETF Research Reports To read this article on Zacks.com click here. By David Morgan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. Senate Republican tax bill strongly backed by President Donald Trump faced potential opposition on Monday from two Republican lawmakers who could prevent the sweeping legislation from reaching the Senate floor. Senators Ron Johnson and Bob Corker, both members of the Senate Budget Committee, said they could vote against the tax package at a Tuesday hearing that Republican leaders hoped would send the legislation to a full Senate vote as early as Thursday. Each senator is seeking different changes to the legislation. Their opposition could create the first major hurdle for the Republican tax overhaul in the Senate, where political infighting killed the party's effort to overturn the Obamacare healthcare law earlier this year. Corker, a prominent deficit hawk, said he wants his fellow Republicans to add a backstop measure to prevent tax cuts from ballooning the deficit. Johnson said he wants a bigger tax break for "pass-through" businesses, which include small mom-and-pop enterprises as well as some large, non-corporate businesses. "If we develop a fix prior to committee, I'll probably support it, but if we don't, I'll vote against it, Johnson's office quoted him telling reporters in his home state of Wisconsin. Republicans have only a one-vote majority on the 23-member budget committee. The potential "no" votes surfaced after Congress' Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) estimated the Republican bill would expand the $20 trillion national debt by $1.4 trillion over a decade. Republicans have said that economic growth spurred by tax cuts would generate enough new tax revenue to eliminate any new deficit. But Corker said JCT is not expected to release a full macroeconomic analysis of the tax bill ahead of a Senate vote, making a safeguard provision necessary. "I'm not threatening anything. I'm just saying it's very important for me to know that we've got this resolved," Corker told reporters. Asked if he could vote no on the tax bill at the committee hearing, he replied: "Very possible. Yeah. Sure." Story continues Corker and other Republican deficit hawks, including Senator James Lankford, have been holding talks with Senate tax writers and the administration about adding a provision that would raise tax rates if revenues fall short of expectations. "We cant afford to ignore the debt and deficit issues," Lankford told reporters. "To me, the big issue is how are we dealing with debt and deficit, do we have realistic numbers and is there a backstop in the process just in case we dont." Republicans see the tax bill as their last chance to score a significant legislative achievement in 2017 and save face with voters in next year's congressional midterm elections. Since Trump took office in January, he and his fellow Republicans have passed no major legislation, despite controlling both chambers of Congress and the White House. The Senate bill would slash the corporate tax rate to 20 percent from 35 percent after a one-year delay. It would impose a one-time, cut-rate tax on corporations' foreign profits, while exempting future foreign profits from U.S. taxation. Financial markets have rallied since Trump's stunning 2016 election victory, partly on hopes of tax cuts for businesses. The Senate bill would deliver these, although its impact on individual Americans and families would be more mixed. BILL WOULD HURT THE POOR, CBO SAYS Meanwhile, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), another nonpartisan research unit of Congress, said the number of Americans with health insurance would fall by 13 million by 2027 under the Republican tax bill, which would repeal an Obamacare federal fine meant to encourage people to buy health insurance. Such a change would shrink the supply of healthy, young people insured and drive up healthcare insurance premiums. The CBO said this would make people with incomes below $30,000 net losers under the bill. Most of those earning more would be net winners, especially those with incomes between $100,000 and $500,000, it said. Democrats, who call the bill a give-away to the rich and corporations, are expected to oppose it in the Senate. The House of Representatives approved a tax bill by a 227-205 vote on Nov. 16. No Democrats voted for it. Thirteen Republicans opposed it. If the Senate Budget Committee approves the tax bill on Tuesday, it will allow Republicans to use a parliamentary procedure known as reconciliation to pass the measure on a simple majority in the 100-seat Senate, which they control by a slim 52-48 margin. Without reconciliation, the legislation would need 60 votes, allowing Democrats to prevent its passage. Senate Republican leaders did not appear on Monday to have enough votes to pass the legislation, with about a half-dozen Republicans viewed as potential "no" votes. But in a positive sign for Trump's agenda, Republican Senator Rand Paul said on Monday he would support the bill. Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski has also signalled support. (Additional reporting by Makini Brice, Susan Heavey and Tim Ahmann; Editing by Kevin Drawbaugh and Cynthia Osterman) By PTI: Kolkata, Nov 28 (PTI) Cautioning against the forces of radicalism and extremism, President Ram Nath Kovind today said West Bengal, being a border state, must guard against them. "Being a border state gives Bengal certain advantages. It also gives it certain responsibilities. Forces of radicalism and extremism, some of them with cross-border linkages, seek to take advantage of our democratic spaces. We must guard against this," he said at a civic reception by the state government at the Netaji Indoor Stadium where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee felicitated him. advertisement Kovind is on a two-day visit to the state from today, his first since assuming office. Referring to the Centres Act East Policy, the president said that West Bengal is crucial to the programme which is beneficial for the eastern and north eastern states as well as the neighbouring countries. "The ambitious Act East Policy embarked upon by the government of India involves building connectivity projects and taking economic initiatives. These would be of mutual benefits to the eastern and north eastern states as well as to neighbouring countries. The people of Bengal are crucial to this programme," he said. Recalling the states contribution to the freedom struggle, he said that Bengal was in its forefront. With the country scheduled to celebrate 75 years of freedom in 2022, Bengal should lead in the effort for a "better India". "In 2022, India will be celebrating 75 years as a free country. This will be an occasion to reach certain developmental milestones for our people, and to create a better India. For this, we need to invoke the same idealism and fervour that contributed to our freedom movement," he said. Kovind said that Bengal has been central to the countrys national identity. "Our national anthem Jana Gana Mana was written on the soil of Bengal by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore ... Bengal has a great history ? but it is for each one of us to ensure that Bengal also has a great future." The state was an industrial and manufacturing centre in the country. Its economy must "sing again" in this age of digital and robotic technologies. "Its green fields and hard-working farmers must be equipped with the latest agricultural knowledge to allow them to realise their potential," the president said. Thanking the state government for organising the programme, Kovind said that he was not a stranger to Bengal. "I have been visiting the state and I have been coming to Kolkata for decades now. I would say I have long been an admirer of Bengal and its culture and history." advertisement Thanking the President for visiting the state, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, "We are touched. The Presidents post is the highest post in the country. We want you to be our friend, philosopher, guide and advisor." PTI SCH SUN KK RT --- ENDS --- Mercedes British driver Lewis Hamilton celebrates winning the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix in Singapore on 17 September. (PHOTO: Agence France-Presse) The Competition Commission of Singapore (CCS) has fined three companies a combined total of almost $610,000 for bid-rigging related to the provision of electrical services for the Formula One (F1) Singapore Grand Prix over three years. An infringement decision has been issued against The Cyclect Group, HPH Engineering and Peak Top Engineering, said CCS in a press statement. The Clyclect Group is comprised of three business entities: Chemicrete, Cyclect Electrical and Cyclect Holdings. The Commission began its investigations after it received a complaint about the matter. On 8 December 2014, the F1 tender was advertised by Faithful+Gould Project Management on behalf of Singapore GP, inviting suppliers to bid for the provision of lighting and electrical items for F1 events from 2015 to 2017. Faithful+Gould received a total of four bids from Chemicrete, Cyclect Electrical, HPH Engineering and Peak Top Engineering. On 23 April 2015, after assessing the bids, Faithful+Gould awarded the F1 Tender to Cyclect Electrical. However, CCS investigations revealed that the Cyclect Group had approached and separately colluded with HPH and Peak Top to rig the bids in their submissions for the F1 tender. Instead of HPH and Peak Top independently preparing their own competitive bids, the Cyclect Group prepared different price schedules with final bid prices for HPHs and Peak Tops submissions for the F1 tender, which were higher than Cyclect Electricals final bid price for the F1 Tender. This was to ensure that the Cyclect Group had a higher chance of winning the F1 Tender with its prepared lower bid price. It also assisted in preparing HPHs responses to Faithful+Goulds tender clarification questions. Two businesses fined over GEMS tender Separately, The Cyclect Group and HPH were also fined a total of $17,000 for bid-rigging in relation to the provision of asset tagging services for the GEMS World Academy (Singapore) campus in Yishun. GEMS received a total of three quotes, including quotes from Chemicrete and HPH. On 31 March 2015, the GEMS Tender was awarded to Chemicrete. Story continues CCS investigations revealed that Chemicrete had sought HPHs assistance to support Chemicrete in winning the GEMS tender. To this end, Chemicrete prepared a quote for HPH that was higher than Chemicretes own quote. HPH then submitted this to GEMS. CCS chief executive Toh Han Li said, Bid-rigging is one of the most harmful types of anti-competitive conduct as it distorts the competitive bidding process, thereby preventing businesses from getting the best value for their tenders. Tenderers must independently prepare their bids and refrain from participating in any discussion, coordination, or plan which is anti-competitive in nature. More Singapore stories: Brazil is ready to send at least 750 peacekeepers to join a United Nations force patrolling the Central African Republic, a Brazilian general said Tuesday. General Ajax Porto Pinheiro, who headed Brazil's former UN mission in Haiti, known as MINUSTAH, said the army was ready to respond to a UN request for reinforcements in the impoverished African country. "The timing is not precise, but we think our troops will go to Central Africa by March or April," he told AFP. This would first require government and congressional approval, he added. The United Nations voted this month to boost its struggling MINUSCA mission in the Central African Republic by 900 troops. The Security Council set a new ceiling for troops at 11,650, up from 10,750. An additional 2,080 police are authorized to serve as peacekeepers. Pinheiro said Brazil had been looking for a new peacekeeping role ever since its 13-year Haiti operation ended in September. "The possibility of intervening in Central Africa has been studied in depth since May," he said. However, the new mission will be "more challenging," he warned. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who has warned of a risk of ethnic cleansing in the Central African Republic, pushed for a beefed up MINUSCA force, saying it has reached its limits in coping with growing violence. West Africa's biggest solar power plant goes onstream on Wednesday as Burkina Faso, one of the world's poorest countries, inaugurates a novel scheme to boost renewables and cut energy dependence on its neighbours. The 55-hectare (135-acre) plant at Zagtouli on the outskirts of the capital Ouagadougou will be able to churn out 33 megawatts -- enough to power tens of thousands of homes. Presiding over the opening ceremony will be Burkinabe President Roch Marc Christian Kabore and his visiting French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, whose country partially funded construction of the facility. "For the past six weeks the plant has been in a test phase with production of 14 MW, and will reach a peak of 33 MW during December, sufficient sunshine permitting," said the site's construction manager, Stephane Nosserau. "This is west Africa's largest plant in terms of installed capacity," added construction overseer Saidou Nana. The plant's 129,600 260-watt solar panels are capable of annually pumping out 56 gigawatts -- equivalent to five percent of current production -- into the network of national power firm Sonabel, he said. "We import energy from Ivory Coast and there have been difficulties obtaining supplies at times," said Nana. "That is why we decided with financial backers to provide Sonabel with a source of energy from photovoltaic panels to respond to the public's needs, which are growing at an annualised 13 percent," he explained. The added power will help reduce power shortages, said Nana, which greatly hamper the economy. Burkina Faso produces only about 60 percent of the electricity it consumes -- and just 20 percent of the overall population is hooked up to the grid. Many people use wood or butane gas bottles. - Solar boon - The 47.5-million-euro cost of the plant ($56.7 million) has been funded via 25 million in donations from the European Union and a loan of 22.5 million from France's development agency. Cegelec, part of the French firm Vinci Energies, built the facility, designed to be a pilot scheme. "With the financing terms that we have, the price per kilowatt-hour is considerably cheaper than for thermal production, which will allow us to reduce operating costs within Sonabel," Nana said. Energy produced by the Zagtouli plant will cost some 45 CFA francs (seven euro cents; 8.4 US cents) per kilowatt-hour. That is around a third of the 145 CFA francs per kilowatt-hour it costs to produce electricity at fossil-fuel plants, according Sonabel's operations manager, Daniel Serme. Zagouli's capacity is dwarfed by some of the behemoths emerging in the fast-growing sector of sun-powered energy. The world's biggest solar plant is a 648-MW facility in Kamuthi, in India's Tamil Nadu state. A 40-MW solar plant on a lake over a collapsed coal mine in Huainan, China, is the largest floating solar-powered generator globally. Despite such comparisons, Burkina Faso has big ambitions. Located in the Sahel belt on the rim of the Sahara, the country has sunshine aplenty. It hopes to meet 30 percent of its electricity needs from photovoltaic solar panels by 2030, and -- maybe one day -- become self-sufficient in electricity production. Ghana, as well as Ivory Coast, export electricity to the landlocked country to meet its needs. A 17 MW extension is already being planned at the Zagtouli site to take overall production capacity to 50 MW. Other schemes in the pipeline include two solar plants, one further west at Koudougou (of 20 MW) and a 10 MW version at Kaya, northeast of the capital, Nana said. President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday kicked off his maiden African tour by vowing to declassify secret French files on Burkina Faso's assassinated leader, Thomas Sankara, hailed as a revolutionary hero in many parts of the continent. The threat of terrorism has cast a shadow over Macron's swing through West Africa, with three civilians being wounded in an attempted grenade attack on French troops in Ouagadougou, the Burkinabe capital, shortly before his arrival late Monday. "Two hooded individuals on a motorcycle threw a grenade towards a French army vehicle" as it made its way to a barracks housing French special forces, a security source told AFP on condition of anonymity. The three-day trip aims to boost France's influence in West Africa, taking him from Burkina Faso -- bearing the brunt of jihadist attacks in the Sahel -- to a European-African summit in Ivory Coast and finally to Ghana, a former British colony. After meeting Burkinabe President Roch Marc Christian Kabore, Macron touched on one of the country's greatest traumas -- the killing of its revered leader Sankara, 30 years ago. All French files on the event will be made available for Burkinabe investigators, Macron said. - 'Africa's Che Guevara' - "At present, except for documents which are classified and categorised as secret, the files are available and open to Burkinabe justice," Macron said. "I have made a clear undertaking and I have just told President Kabore: these documents will now be declassified for Burkinabe justice, which will have access to all the documents on the Sankara affair." Sankara, a charismatic young army captain dubbed "Africa's Che Guevara", was cut down in a hail of bullets on October 15, 1987 on his way to a special cabinet meeting. The putsch -- which many Burkinabe today suspect had a French role -- brought Sankara's close friend Blaise Compaore to power. Compaore himself ruled Burkina Faso with a rod of iron until October 2014, when he was ousted by a popular uprising. About a dozen people have been charged in connection with Sankara's assassination including soldiers from the presidential security unit. Compaore, who is in exile in Ivory Coast, is the subject of an international arrest warrant over the killing. Macron's schedule Tuesday including an address to university students, a visit to a school and a meeting with members of the French community in Ouagadougou. On Wednesday, he will attend the inauguration of a major solar power plant on the outskirts of Ouagadougou that has been built by a French company and partially funded by a French development agency. Leftwing demonstrators erected a barricade and burned tyres on a road leading to the university ahead of Macron's speech there, as riot police were deployed. - Migration and security - Macron's advisers say his main message in the tour will be to stress a partnership of equals with Africa, based on education and entrepreneurship. In his university speech, Macron notably spoke of the scars of the colonial period. "There were mistakes and crimes, great things and happy stories... (but) the crimes of European colonisation are indisputable," Macron said, describing it as "a past which has to pass." But regional security concerns will also be discussed, especially at a summit of the European Union and African Union on Wednesday and Thursday, which will bring together more than 80 leaders from the two continents. European leaders are desperate to find ways to stem the flow of African migrants across the Mediterranean without leaving them to the mercy of traffickers in transit countries such as Libya, where they face torture, rape, and -- as a CNN report showed recently -- being sold into slavery. Macron will also seek international backing for a new, five-nation African counter-terrorism force, which France hopes can eventually take over the fight against jihadist groups in the Sahel region. Ouagadougou has suffered two recent Islamist terror attacks -- a shooting spree in January 2016 that left 20 dead and a similar assault by gunmen in August that killed 19. French special forces have been present in the country since 2010 to help regional governments tackle jihadist violence in the Sahel, particularly in neighbouring Mali. The disturbances near the university came after criticism of Macron in chatrooms on local social media. Common criticisms include the lucrative contracts French companies sweep up in the region as well as Paris' historical support for African autocrats. Dhaka's archbishop is confident that Pope Francis will use a rare visit to Bangladesh to underscore the plight of Rohingya refugees and those displaced by climate change. Cardinal Patrick D'Rozario, the highest-ranking member of the Catholic clergy in Bangladesh, said Monday the pontiff would bring "inspiration and love" to a region where millions are afflicted by conflict, poverty and rising sea levels. The papal visit was not just for Bangladesh's tiny Catholic community, he said, but for all those facing hardship in the impoverished Muslim-majority nation of 160 million people. "Everyone has these questions in mind: will the Pope talk about the climate change? Will he talk about the Rohingyas? Will he say something about the workers of Rana plaza disaster?" he said, the latter referring to a 2013 building collapse, which killed more than 1,100 garment workers. "We have high hopes he will talk about all these issues, which is very realistic. We truly hope he will respond." The 80-year-old pope has been vocal about the rights of the poor and climate change, a pressing issue in low-lying riverine Bangladesh where coastal villagers are already being forced from their homes by rising sea levels. But the persecution of the Rohingya -- a Muslim minority from Myanmar's Rakhine State -- has been pitched as the focal point of his visit. More than 620,000 of the group have fled mainly Buddhist Myanmar for Bangladesh since August, amid a campaign of army violence described by US and UN officials as ethnic cleansing. Most now live in squalid camps in Bangladesh where a shortage of aid and critical supplies has created a humanitarian emergency. Francis has championed the rights of refugees around the world and suggested he would raise the persecution of the Rohingya during his highly sensitive South Asia tour. He has called the Rohingya his "brothers and sisters" in repeated entreaties to ease their plight. Arriving in Myanmar Monday -- marking the first ever papal visit to the country -- Francis met with the powerful army chief accused of overseeing the brutal campaign to drive the Rohinyga out. But during the 15-minute meeting in Yangon, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing told the pope that "Myanmar has no religious discrimination at all" according to a Facebook post published by the general's office. Francis will on Tuesday hold talks with Myanmar's de-facto leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi. He will travel to Bangladesh on Thursday, where he will meet a group of Rohingya in Dhaka. D'Rozario said Francis would also conduct a mass-prayer at Suhrawardi Udyan, a colonial-era green park in the capital, with at least 80,000 Catholics expected to join. It marks the first papal tour of Bangladesh since Pope John Paul II visited in 1986. Christians make up less than 0.5 percent of Bangladesh but the minority has played a prominent role in its history. Even today, schools and hospitals run by Catholic missionaries provide a lifeline for poor communities. FILE PHOTO: Supporters form the words "China! Free Li" during a protest to urge for the release of Taiwan human rights advocate Lee Ming-che, also known as Li Ming-Che, who according to videos of his hearing released by Chinese authorities confessed to attempting to subvert the Beijing government, in Taipei, Taiwan September 17, 2017. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu/File Photo (Reuters) By Christian Shepherd and Jess Macy Yu BEIJING/TAIPEI (Reuters) - China on Tuesday sentenced Taiwanese rights activist Li Ming-che to five years in prison for subverting state power, prompting Taiwan's ruling political party to label the verdict "totally unacceptable". Li, a community college lecturer and an activist at a human rights non-governmental organisation in Taiwan, went missing while on a trip to China in March. Chinese authorities later charged him with subverting state power. In the first hearing of Li's case in September, he confessed to subversion, according to videos of the hearing, though his wife refused to recognise the court's authority. Tuesday's verdict was handed down by the Yueyang City Intermediate People's Court in central Hunan province, according to a video of proceedings released by the court's social media account. A mainland Chinese rights activist, Peng Yuhua, tried alongside Li, was sentenced to seven years for the same crime. Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) said that it was "strongly dissatisfied and regretful" of the result, calling for Beijing to allow Li to return to Taiwan. Beijing must ensure the health and well-being of Li, respect the law and continue to allow his family to visit him, the DPP said in a statement. Li's wife, Li Ching-yu, who had travelled to the mainland from Taiwan to attend her husband's hearing, was in attendance when the verdict was read, according to the videos. Li Ching-yu said in a statement sent to Reuters by her supporters that her husband had long realised that his rights work came with a cost and that there were "tigers in the mountains". "He came to understand early on that he must accept the torment of being made to accept guilt and of being imprisoned," she said. Peng had been the main actor in the subversion and Li had been an active participant, the court authorities said in the video. Story continues Both Li and Peng said that they accepted the ruling and would not appeal, according to the court's video. Ties between Beijing and Taipei have been strained since Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, leader of the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party, took office last year. Tsais refusal to state that Taiwan and China are part of one country has angered Beijing, as have her comments about human rights on the mainland. (Reporting by Christian Shepherd in Beijing and Jessica Macy Yu in Taipei; Editing by Michael Perry and Tony Munroe) A Chinese court sentenced Taiwanese democracy activist Lee Ming-cheh to five years in prison on Tuesday on charges of attempting to subvert state power, further souring cross-strait ties. Lee sat nervously as the three-judge panel read the sentence at the Yueyang intermediate people's court in central Hunan province, according to a video posted on the tribunal's social media account. Taiwan and human rights groups immediately denounced the ruling as "unacceptable" and "politically motivated". Lee -- an NGO worker who was arrested during a trip to the Chinese mainland in March -- is the first Taiwanese person to be convicted in China on the political charge, according to Taiwan's Judicial Reform Foundation. A Chinese co-defendant named Peng Yuhua was sentenced to seven years in prison. The court said both men stated that they would not appeal their sentences. President Xi Jinping, who consolidated power at a Communist Party congress last month, has cracked down on dissent and tightened control on civil society since taking office in 2012. Lee had confessed to the charges during his trial in September, stating that he had written and distributed online articles that criticised China's ruling Communist Party and promoted democracy among other topics. His wife, Lee Ching-yu, who attended the sentencing, said her husband had "paid the price" for his ideals. "Fighting for human rights for the disadvantaged is a commitment that must be made to push for the enhancement of human civilisation... I want to express again that I am proud of his dedication," she said in a statement. Amnesty International East Asia research director Roseann Rife called for Lee to be "immediately and unconditionally released", saying he had committed no crime. "Lee Ming-cheh is the victim of a politically motivated prosecution... He is the latest to suffer under the Chinese authorities' relentless attack against human rights and democracy activists," Rife said. Taiwan's presidential office and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) called the verdict "unacceptable". "We urged the Beijing authorities to release Lee and allow him to return to Taiwan soon. We regret that Lee's case seriously damaged cross-strait relations," the presidential office said in a statement. China sees self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory waiting to be reunified. - 'Political show' - Former DPP lawmaker Wang Li-ping tried to go to the court with Lee's wife, but Wang was expelled from mainland China upon arrival at Changsha airport. Lee has long supported civil society organisations and activists in China, according to Amnesty International, and was said to have frequently travelled between the mainland and Taiwan. He had shared "Taiwan's democratic experiences" with his Chinese friends online for many years and often mailed books to them, said the Taiwan Association for Human Rights. After Lee went missing, Chinese authorities confirmed he was being investigated for suspected activities "endangering national security". In the lead-up to the trial, Beijing repeatedly ignored Taipei's requests for information on Lee's whereabouts and details of the allegations against him. His wife had called his trial a "political show". When he pleaded guilty in September, Lee told the court: "I know that my behaviour definitely violated Chinese law". Lee's wife, a friend and two officials from Taiwan's semi-official Strait Exchange Foundation were allowed in. "A Taiwanese who has valid documents and the reason for her visit to China is clear, it's just to accompany the family of a man on trial and to stay for two nights with return ticket already booked but she can be expelled anytime for no reason? I am speechless," Lee Ching-yu said in an earlier statement. Relations between Beijing and Taipei have worsened since Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen took office in May last year, with China cutting off all official communications with the island. Beijing wants Tsai to acknowledge the island is part of "One China", which she has refused to do. Nicole spent nine months this year locked up at home, where his parents "beat and humiliated" him for wanting to transition to female, before escaping and seeking refuge in Russia's first LGBT shelter. The sanctuary, in a guarded complex on the edge of Moscow, can take up to 14 people. It opened in April to house gay men fleeing Russia's Chechnya region after revelations of jailings and police torture there. Then in October, gay support group Moscow Community Center opened up the shelter to other LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) people who are homeless or vulnerable. The idea to create such a space in Russia had been long discussed but the crackdown on Chechen gays helped the Moscow Community Center to raise funds, said director Olga Baranova. "We opened this shelter for all those LGBT people in Russia who are suffering." These include people who are transitioning, those thrown out by their families and others who have lost jobs or been attacked, she said. The three occupants who spoke to AFP all come from the Caucasus region, where, they said, entrenched homophobia is rife. Nicole, whose long dark hair is tied back in a ponytail, is from ex-Soviet Azerbaijan while the others are from Russia. After Nicole, who uses masculine forms when talking about himself, grew his hair long and started taking female hormones, his family locked him in their flat for long periods. "From January to September, I was locked up and they wouldn't let me out," he said, adding that he barely moved from the couch and had suicidal thoughts as he was unable to take hormones. His parents finally agreed to let him leave for Russia and helped him buy a ticket but threatened to kill him and themselves if he ever came back. "When I got here, I couldn't stand on my feet, my muscles had atrophied," he said, saying he suffered pain and swollen legs for days from long lack of use. "I was fighting a battle with myself, with my inner self, with my appearance," he says. - 'Build a new life' - The occupants of the refuge said they saw no future in Russia and, with help from its organisers, plan to go abroad. Nicole is still taking female hormones and recently had his testicles removed. He moved to the shelter after asking the United Nations for support and hopes to eventually move to the Netherlands. "I have a few operations ahead and I want to build a new life and get new ID papers. Here I won't be able to do that," he said. Dressed in a T-shirt and jeans, he appears extremely nervous, meeting in the Moscow Community Center's office. Another resident Grigory Chibirov, 22, is confident with bright blond hair and blue nail varnish. "I feel safe there, among my own kind," he says of the shelter. "We're all friendly and support each other -- because no one else does." Coming from Vladikavkaz, a city in North Ossetia, he said his parents and brothers felt "disgraced" by him being gay. "I can't live there because of who I am," he said simply. He was bullied from a young age in the region bordering Chechnya and his family even forcibly shaved his hair off when he dyed it. "Fearing for my life, I left," he recalled. As an adult, he says he has been sacked from jobs, been attacked and had people yell "fag" at him in the street. He plans to move to France and wants to work in fashion. "In this country I won't be able to fulfil my potential," he says. And he doubts things will improve. "Maybe in 50 or 100 years -- but it's unlikely to happen while (President Vladimir) Putin is in power," he says. He cites recent laws, including one banning "propaganda" of gay relationships to minors. The homophobic climate means almost no celebrities have come out. Gay pride events are regularly banned and crushed by riot police. - 'A second family' - The shelter offers a stay of six weeks in rooms with two or three beds, with free food, advice and counselling. It has had 37 applications since last month from all over Russia including Moscow and the far north -- more than twice the number of available places -- Baranova said. She stresses the organisers pick people with an achievable plan for their stay while trying to offer appropriate help to the rest. Most residents are gay men, while around a quarter are transsexuals and 20 percent are women, Baranova said. One transsexual resident, 31-year-old Nika comes from Karachai-Cherkessia region in the North Caucasus. She plans to go to France for hormone treatment and surgery. With carefully painted dark lashes, she says she had been threatened by relatives over her orientation, but feels safe in the shelter. "It gives you a roof over your head and security," she says. "I gained a second family." Two Spanish-born musicians with modern takes on flamenco were separately nominated Tuesday for the Grammy for Best World Music Album, breaking into a category long dominated by a small pool. Vicente Amigo and Concha Buika, who have both been on the scene for two decades, are among five contenders for the prize to be unveiled on January 28 in New York as part of the music industry's annual gala. Amigo was nominated for "Memoria de los Sentidos" ("Memory of the Senses"), a return to traditional flamenco by the Seville guitarist who has collaborated with Sting and Algerian rai star Khaled. "Memoria de los Sentidos" earlier in November won the Latin Grammy for Best Flamenco Album at the Spanish- and Portuguese-language music awards in Las Vegas. Buika, also a past Latin Grammy winner, incorporates flamenco but brings in a range of influences including African rhythms and jazz. Born in Mallorca to parents from Equatorial Guinea, Buika -- who often goes only by one name -- was nominated for "Para Mi" ("For Me"), a succinct album of five emotionally rich songs. Also enjoying a nomination for the first time was Anat Cohen, a New York-based Israeli clarinetist who set out to explore choro, the early Brazilian popular music that emerged in the 19th century at the same time as jazz was forming in New Orleans. She was nominated for "Rosa Dos Ventos" ("Wind Rose"), a collaboration with an ensemble calling itself the Trio Brasiliero. Cohen was separately nominated for Best Latin Jazz Album for work with another Brazilian musician, seven-string guitarist Marcello Goncalves. Among the artists who have become favorite nominees for Best World Music Album is Tinariwen, the ensemble of Tuareg musicians from northern Mali who have frequently teamed up with Western rock artists and in recent years recorded outside their conflict-hit homeland. Tinariwen, which won Best World Music Album in 2012, was nominated this time for "Elwan" ("Elephants"), which blends heavy guitars and Saharan rhythms with appearances by indie artist Kurt Vile and alternative rockers Mark Lanegan and Alain Johannes, who have both played with Queens of the Stone Age. The South African all-male choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, which has won four Grammys, was nominated for "Shaka Zulu Revisited: 30th Anniversary Celebration." The album revisits its successful "Shaka Zulu" album released in 1987, just after the group rose to international prominence by appearing on folk-rock legend Paul Simon's "Graceland." The I-T Department also says that the money received as donations in its bank account was not recorded in the books of accounts of the party. By Meetu Jain: When it comes to political parties filing their returns before the income tax, the details are usually treated as the gospel. It is rare that there an occasion when returns filed by political parties are actually taken up for scrutiny, according to the Association for Democratic Reforms. Which is why the hawk-eyed vigil being kept on the Aam Aadmi Party and its tax records should come as a surprise. Or perhaps not. advertisement In fact, tax officials say the number of cases taken up for scrutiny varies between 0.001 per cent to 0.004 per cent, as per the ADR. In the past 10 years, apart from the AAP the only other party that has faced the taxman is the Nationalist Congress Party. The NCP's returns for FY 2006-07 were taken up for scrutiny because the party's books declared nil income for that fiscal. The litigation dragged on endlessly for the NCP and the assessment order that finally came admitted that the party's returns were in order, recalls Laxmi Sriram, programmer at the ADR. What the NCP could perhaps have in common with the AAP is that is that both had fallen out with the Centre. While AAP's relations with the Modi government are well documented, the NCP's tax notice was a secret that the party never made public. The fact that it was a UPA ally did not really matter to the taxman. Pawar's handling of the wheat crisis and the Maharashtra political crisis amongst other issues had strained relations to breaking point, enough to put the tax man on the Maratha's tail. Which is why a tax notice to the AAP is now passe. In the latest offensive the Income Tax Department has served a Rs 30.67 crore tax notice to the party. The notice also mentions that the AAP had not disclosed income worth Rs 13.16 crore. The notice says the party's total taxable income was Rs 68.44 crore for the financial years 2014-15 and 2015-16. The I-T Department also says that the money received as donations in its bank account was not recorded in the books of accounts of the party. The notice says the AAP had also not recorded full details of at least 461 donors who had donated Rs 6.26 crore, each donation amount exceeding Rs 20,000. The tax department says the AAP had not disclosed donation of Rs 36.95 crore on its website and the party had failed to respond to 34 opportunities given to it. The ADR says as opposed to a political party, the figure for scrutiny of all assessees across the country for other categories is 0.01 per cent, a clear indication that the tax department puts more faith in the rulers then the ruled. advertisement "There are several political parties that never file their returns or even put up the details of donations received on their website. In fact, even for those who file their returns with the income tax and the Election Commission, all that the authorities insist is that the paperwork should be in order. The content of what the documents contain doesn't matter as long as the returns are filed," admits Sriram. The ADR too only does an analysis of what is filed or declared by the political parties before the government. And what is declared voluntarily too is usually riddled with holes. --- ENDS --- By Kanupriya Kapoor and Slamet Kurniawan KARANGASEM, Indonesia (Reuters) - Indonesia kept the airport on Bali closed on Tuesday as ash from an erupting volcano swept the holiday island, leaving thousands of tourists stranded, and authorities tried to persuade villagers living near the crater to leave their homes. A total of 443 flights, both domestic and international, were affected by the closure of the airport, about 60 km (37 miles) from Mount Agung which is spewing smoke and ash high into the sky. "Aircraft flight channels are covered with volcanic ash," the transport ministry said in a statement, citing aviation navigation authorities. The airport - the second-biggest in Indonesia - will be closed at least until 7 a.m. on Wednesday (2300 GMT on Tuesday), the ministry said. Frustration at the airport was starting to boil over, with an estimated 2,000 people attempting to get refunds and reschedule tickets. "There are thousands of people stranded here at the airport," said Nitin Sheth, a tourist from India. "They have to go to some other airport and they are trying to do that, but the government or authorities here are not helping." Others were more relaxed. "No, theres not a lot of information ... very little. (But) its all right. Were on holidays so it doesnt matter. We dont know whats going to happen but we can get back to the bar and have another drink," said Matthew Radix from Perth. The airport operator said 201 international flights and 242 domestic ones had been hit. Ten alternative airports had been prepared for airlines to divert inbound flights, including in neighbouring provinces, the operator said, adding it was helping people make alternative bookings and helping stranded travellers. The airport on Lombok island, to the east of Bali, had reopened, authorities said, as wind blew ash westward, towards the southern coast of Java island. PRAYERS Agung towers over eastern Bali to a height of just over 3,000 metres (9,800 feet). Its last eruption in 1963 killed more than 1,000 people and razed several villages. Story continues On Tuesday, however, life went on largely as normal in surrounding villages, with residents offering prayers as the volcano sent huge billows of ash and smoke into the sky. Some villagers who fled in September, when the alert was last raised to the highest level, have gone home despite government warnings. On Monday, authorities said 100,000 residents living near the volcano had been ordered to get out of an 8-10 km (5-6 mile) exclusion zone, warning a larger eruption was "imminent". While the population in the area has been estimated at anywhere between 63,000 and 140,000, just over 29,000 people were registered at emergency centres, said Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, a spokesman for the Disaster Mitigation Agency. "Not all people in the danger zone are prepared to take refuge," he said. "There are still a lot of residents staying in their homes." Indonesia's Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Centre has warned that an eruption of a size similar to that seen in 1963 could send rocks bigger than a fist flying a distance of up to 8 km (5 miles), and volcanic gas a distance of 10 km (6 miles) within three minutes. Monitoring has shown the northeastern part of Agung's peak had swollen in recent weeks "indicating there is fairly strong pressure toward the surface", the centre said. (Reporting by Kanupriya Kapoor, Slamet Kurniawan, Nyimas Laula and Reuters Bali stringer in BALI, and; Bernadette Christina Munthe, Cindy Silviana and Fransiska Nangoy in JAKARTA; Additional reporting by Angie Teo and Ed Davies; Writing by Fergus Jensen; Editing by Michael Perry, Robert Birsel) With the Islamic State group routed at last, one of the oldest Christian communities in the Middle East has a chance to reoccupy its ancestral towns. But the Chaldean and Syriac people of the Nineveh plain in Iraq need support to rebuild to their homes and are still anxious that fighting will return. Bashar Warda, the Chaldean Archbishop of Arbil, hopes President Donald Trump's administration will redirect US aid to his persecuted people. And, in an interview in Washington with AFP, he suggested Christians could help quell tensions on frontline between Iraqi and Kurdish forces. US Vice President Mike Pence and the ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, have suggested redirecting funds from UN aid agencies to Christian charities. But with almost 20,000 Iraqi Christian families -- around 100,000 people -- driven from their homes, the bishop is calling for urgent action. "This is a just case," he told AFP of his people. "They are persecuted, they are marginalized and they are in need." Iraqis of all religions, of course, suffered greatly under Saddam Hussein's dictatorship and the conflicts that followed his overthrow in 2003. But smaller minorities, like the Christians and their neighbors the Yazidi, were targeted by extremists in the latest round of bloodletting. - Frontline diplomacy - The Islamic State group, the latest incarnation of Sunni Muslim violent extremism, unleashed what US officials have branded a genocidal campaign. For Warda and his supporters in US-based charity and church movements, it is thus only fair to ask Washington to treat their case differently. Iraq's Kurds have an autonomous region and militia that shielded them and the minority refugees they sheltered from the recent violence. The country's Arab Shiite majority is the focus of the Baghdad government's rebuilding efforts and receives aid from nearby Iran. And even the Sunni Arabs, some of whom fell under the Islamic State's sway, will be able to count on some support from wealthy Gulf countries. But the Christians -- and the Yazidis -- will be on their own, Warda warns, unless foreign donors step up to the plate. Already, Hungary and Poland have contributed to the cause, and the community now has high hopes that Trump's administration will help out. "You are not just helping them because they are Christians, but because they have been persecuted and left behind," he says. And Warda's trip to Washington is not just to tout a collection plate: he will argue that working with his network is a sound investment. Haley and Pence have made clear that they have concerns about the efficiency of US-led efforts -- but the church is hard at work. - Ancient communities - Already, Warda says, some 4,000 families have returned to rebuild the town they call Qaraqosh, Iraq's largest mainly-Christian community. But smaller villages on what is now the frontline between the forces of the Baghdad government and the Kurdish militia are at greater risk. One village where 60 homes had been rebuilt was abandoned a second time when these forces, once allies against the IS group, clashed. In another, the town of Telekuf-Tesqopa or Tel Eskof, 900 recently returned families live with their bags packed in case trouble flares again. Here again, however, Warda sees hope that with support, the church -- however marginal it is in strategic terms -- can help Iraq. The Baghdad-born cleric is now based in Arbil, capital of the autonomous Kurdish region, and is contact with churchmen in the Iraqi capital, too. On at least one occasion, when tempers frayed between Baghdad-aligned forces and the Kurdish peshmerga, Christians have sought to cool tensions. "So that was because of the church," he said. The Christians are grateful for the shelter they have received in Kurdish territory after the jihadists overran the plains around Mosul. But now they are keen to return home, where security permits, and they have no wish to be drawn into fighting between Arbil and Baghdad. "It's a political issue, and we hope that it will be solved via dialogue," he said. "Everyone knows violence is not the way to settle these issues. "In fact any military act in these areas would damage the whole reputation of the area and this would mean that the Christians would leave." Many Christians have left -- campaigners say the population has fallen from around 1.5 million in pre-war Iraq -- and others have been killed. But hopefully, Warda prays, 2018 will be the year when those left behind will rebuild their homes and centuries-old churches by the Tigris river. Uhuru Kenyatta was sworn in as president of Kenya on Tuesday following two disputed polls and waves of deadly protests. Here are the key developments in the divisive election drama: - Tensions on voting day - Voters turn out in large numbers on August 8 after a tight race between Kenyatta and Raila Odinga, his longtime rival. Many fear a repeat of the violence that after the 2007 election left more than 1,100 people dead. Early results give Kenyatta a comfortable lead but are immediately rejected by Odinga, who claims hackers broke into the electoral commission database and manipulated the results. The official results, published on August 11, give Kenyatta 54.27 percent to Odinga's 44.74 percent. Violent protests erupt in Odinga strongholds. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights says 37 people are killed, most of them by police. - Historic annulment - Odinga files a complaint to the Supreme Court. In a shock announcement on September 1, judges declare the results of the poll "invalid, null and void" and order a re-run within 60 days. The annulment is a first for Africa. The date for a new election is later set as October 17. - New vote postponed - After the Supreme Court releases a detailed judgement lambasting the handling of the vote, the election commission on September 21 pushes back the re-run to October 26. Kenya's chief prosecutor on September 23 orders an investigation into the commission. Late September the ruling Jubilee Party introduces a bill seeking to resolve "ambiguity" in the electoral law. The opposition condemns the move as an effort to render legal some of the "irregularities and illegalities" cited in the Supreme Court's cancellation of the vote. - Odinga pulls out - Protests erupt in early October as Odinga calls on his supporters to pressure the government to overhaul the election commission. At least three people are killed in the violence that follows. On October 10 Odinga withdraws from the re-run, saying the election panel has failed to make needed reforms. He also says this does not mean his battle is over. - Commissioner quits - One of Kenya's seven election commissioners, Roselyn Akombe, announces on October 18 that she has quit and fled the country. The commission chief Wafula Chebukati also casts doubt on his organisation's ability to hold a credible vote, accusing both major parties of interference. Odinga tells a rally of thousands of supporters the same day that there will be "no election" and calls for nationwide demonstrations on polling day. - Kenyatta wins again - A fresh election is held on October 26, with Kenyatta winning 98 percent of the vote as Odinga's call for a boycott is held. Kenyatta hails his crushing win as vindication of his August victory. Odinga meanwhile says Kenya is moving towards "outright dictatorship". On November 20, the Supreme Court dismisses two petitions to overturn the October election, upholding the result. On Tuesday, crowds pour into a Nairobi stadium for Kenyatta's swearing-in ceremony. Opposition supporters attempt to hold a rally for the more than 50 killed in four months of upheaval, but are met by volleys of tear gas and running battles with police. burs/ser/ri Turkish-Iranian gold mogul Reza Zarrab will not stand trial in New York for allegedly defying sanctions on Iran, leaving a Turkish banker alone in the dock when opening statements are due to begin Tuesday. In a case that has inflamed tensions between Turkey and the United States, all signs now suggest that 34-year-old businessman Zarrab has cut a deal with prosecutors and agreed to plead guilty, which could potentially still see him testify. US District Judge Richard Berman on Monday told jury selection in a federal court in Manhattan that Turkish banker Mehmet Hakan Atilla would be the only defendant in what is expected to be a three to four week trial. "He is the only defendant in this trial," said Berman of 47-year-old Atilla, charged on six counts of violating US sanctions on Iran, bribery and money laundering. Atilla, the deputy chief executive of Turkish lender Halkbank, was in court Monday. There was no sign of Zarrab. If Zarrab has indeed agreed to cooperate with US prosecutors, he could potentially be called as a witness in the case, a potential embarrassment for the government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which has railed against the trial. His name was included on a nine-page list of people and entities that could either be mentioned or called to testify at Atilla's trial, listed as "alleged co-conspirator," according to The New York Times. The case has provoked the ire of Erdogan who has raised the issue repeatedly in official talks with US administrations under Barack Obama and President Donald Trump. Earlier on Monday, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag urged Washington to drop the case, saying it had "no legal basis" and should be "dropped or terminated". Bozdag, who is also government spokesman, said the aim of the case was to cause Turkey's economy to collapse with sanctions. - 'Conspiracy' - Zarrab was arrested by US authorities in March 2016 after flying with his pop star wife Ebru Gundes and their daughter to Miami for a Disney World holiday. Atilla was arrested this March. Ankara has called the case a "conspiracy" by the movement run by Pennsylvania-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen. Gulen is accused of ordering the July 15, 2016 attempted overthrow of Erdogan but strongly denies any involvement. Analysts say there is potential for embarrassing revelations and the risk of sanctions against one or more Turkish banks which could harm the economy. Zarrab was one of the main figures of a 2013 corruption scandal in Turkey that Erdogan also sees as a bid by Gulen to bring him down. US media reports have suggested in recent days that Zarrab may be seeking a plea bargain and shown willingness to testify against Turkey. Bozdag claimed there was "pressure" on Zarrab to confess to "slanderous" claims. US media reports have also said that Trump's former national security advisor Michael Flynn is being investigated for alleged talks with Turkey on deporting Zarrab and Gulen, in exchange for money. Turkey and Flynn's lawyers have denied any such negotiations. Separately, Turkish authorities were preparing to issue Interpol red notices for three ex-prosecutors on the run who oversaw the 2013 corruption probe, state-run news agency Anadolu reported. The allegations against Erdogan's inner circle -- which centred on the illicit trading of gold with Iran -- posed one of the biggest threats to his rule. AFP News Kenya's former president Uhuru Kenyatta arrived Tuesday in eastern DR Congo's main city of Goma, as fresh clashes with M23 rebels occurred just to the north, sending thousands fleeing. Troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) were battling M23 fighters in Kibumba, 20 kilometres (12 miles) north of Goma, security officials and local residents said. The M23 has recently seized swathes of territory in North Kivu province, displacing tens of thousands of people in their advance. Kibumba is considered one of the last obstacles to the rebels before Goma, a commercial hub of one million people on the Rwandan border. On Tuesday afternoon, rumours that the M23 was approaching sent a fresh wave of people fleeing to the Kanyaruchinya displacement camp, south of Kibumba. About 40,000 people are currently in the camp, according to its head. A security official who asked for anonymity said that people began to flee after seeing soldiers themselves retreating towards Goma after clashes with M23 rebels. North Kivu's military governor, General Constant Ndima, urged people to remain calm late Tuesday. "I want to reassure you... Loyalist forces are containing the enemy on the heights of Kibumba," he told reporters. The crisis has cratered relations between the DRC and its smaller central African neighbour Rwanda, which Kinshasa accuses of backing the militia. Uhuru Kenyatta, a mediator for the seven-nation East African Community (EAC), arrived in Goma on Tuesday and visited Kanyaruchinya. He told reporters late Tuesday that the stories he had heard were "heart-breaking". "I cannot ignore what I have seen," Kenyatta said. "I must say to all parties: You cannot negotiate in the face of human catastrophe". - 'De-escalation' - Kenyatta's visit to the DRC is the latest in a round of diplomatic bids to defuse the crisis in the impoverished country's volatile east. The former president landed in the Congolese capital Kinshasa on Sunday for talks, following on the heels of a visit from Angolan President Joao Lourenco. The EAC has also called for a "peace dialogue" in Kenya's capital Nairobi on November 21. In addition, the bloc has agreed to send a peacekeeping mission to eastern DRC. Kenyan troops arrived in Goma over the weekend, as part of that operation. On Monday, Kenyatta urged armed groups to put down their arms and return to the negotiating table. "There is nothing that can be gained through the barrel of a gun," he had told reporters. On Tuesday, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he had discussed the situation with Rwanda's Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta, on the margins of the G20 meeting in Indonesia. "I underscored the United States deep concern about the continuing violence in eastern DRC, and called on Rwanda to take active steps to facilitate de-escalation," he said in a tweet. - Rebel return - Biruta, for his part, tweeted that Rwanda is committed to regional diplomatic mechanisms to bring peace to eastern DRC, as well as to finding a political solution to the crisis. Over 120 armed groups roam the region, many of which are a legacy of regional wars which flared at the turn of the century. The M23 -- a mostly Congolese Tutsi group -- first leapt to prominence in 2012 when it briefly captured Goma before being driven out. But the rebel group returned in late 2021 after years of dormancy, claiming the DRC had failed to honour a promise to integrate its fighters into the army, among other grievances. It captured the strategic town of Bunagana on the Ugandan border in June. In recent weeks, the rebels have also won a string of victories against the Congolese army, edging closer towards Goma. The DRC expelled Rwanda's ambassador in late October amid the renewed M23 offensive. Despite official denials from Kigali, an unpublished report for the UN seen by AFP in August pointed to Rwandan involvement with the M23. Rwanda accuses the Congolese government of colluding with Hutu militants who fled across the border after the 1994 Rwandan genocide. hbm-at/eml/kjm Amnesty International on Tuesday called for Shell to be prosecuted for allegedly helping Nigeria's military to commit human rights abuses in the oil-rich south in the 1990s. The London-based global rights watchdog said the oil giant should be tried in Nigeria, as well as Britain and Netherlands where it has its head office. Shell's Nigerian subsidiary strongly denied the charges, calling them "false and without merit". Audrey Gaughran, director of global issues and research at Amnesty, said it was "indisputable that Shell played a key role" in events in Ogoniland in the 1990s. "But we now believe that there are grounds for a criminal investigation," she added in a statement after publishing a cache of documents relating to the turbulent period. A criminal file will be prepared and submitted to the authorities "with a view to prosecution", she said. The Dutch prosecutor's office said it would examine the Amnesty report. "If we find a reason to open an enquiry, we will do so" a spokesman for the public prosecution service said, according to the Dutch news agency ANP. Amnesty alleged that the oil major "repeatedly encouraged" Nigeria's military to deal with community protests in Ogoniland, which is part of the Niger Delta region. It claimed the company was aware that "would lead to unlawful killings, rape, torture, the burning of villages" and even provided transport for troops. "That it has never answered for this is an outrage," it added. - 'Murderous attacks' - Community unrest forced Shell to quit Ogoniland in 1993 but the company still maintains a network of pipelines in the area. Amnesty said Shell and the Nigerian military government at the time operated as business partners and had regular meetings to discuss the protection of their interests. "Internal memos and minutes from meetings show Shell lobbying senior government officials for military support, even after the security forces had carried out mass killings of protesters," it said. "They also show that on several occasions Shell provided logistical or financial assistance to military or police personnel when it was well aware that they had been involved in murderous attacks on defenceless villagers." On November 10, 1995, Ogoni activist and writer Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight of his compatriots were executed on trumped-up murder charges. That led to Nigeria's expulsion from the Commonwealth. The nation was readmitted in 1999 after its return to civilian rule. A spokesman for the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC), said: "Amnesty International's allegations concerning SPDC are false and without merit. "SPDC did not collude with the authorities to suppress community unrest and in no way encouraged or advocated any act of violence in Nigeria. "We believe that the evidence will show clearly that Shell was not responsible for these tragic events." Shell remains a major oil operator in Nigeria, accounting for much of the country's daily output of some two million barrels per day. Turkey's main opposition party leader on Tuesday claimed he had documents to prove President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's family sent millions of dollars to a company in a tax haven. Republican People's Party (CHP) chief Kemal Kilicdaroglu alleged members of the president's family, including his brother, transferred around $15 million to Bellway Limited, based in the low-tax British Crown Dependency of the Isle of Man. "We have all the records of this company. Was money sent to this company? Yes it was sent," Kilicdaroglu told CHP party members in Ankara. He then listed the alleged transfers made by family members including Erdogan's son, Ahmet Burak Erdogan, between 2011 and 2012 to the company. Other CHP members at one point chanted "Tayyip, resign!" during the speech. "You say to citizens, 'give taxes otherwise I will give a three-fold penalty' but you will have another established for your children, loved ones and send millions of dollars from Turkey!" Kilicdaroglu said. Erdogan at the weekend promised that he would "not stay one minute more as president" if Kilicdaroglu could prove his claims. Calling on Erdogan to resign in light of his accusations, Kilicdaroglu said: "If you are an honourable man, you will do what is necessary." It was not possible to immediately verify the CHP leader's accusations. Erdogan's lawyer Ahmet Ozel was quoted by state-run news agency Anadolu saying that the documents Kilicdaroglu presented were "fake". AKP MP Bulent Turan dismissed the claims as "foolish and unfounded" and said all the accusations were "lies". Turan also urged Kilicdaroglu to resign, arguing he had not proved his claims. Erdogan has yet to react to the claims but in speeches during the past week he has repeatedly railed against the CHP leader and his party. When Kilicdaroglu previously demanded to know whether Erdogan was aware that his family were "sending millions of dollars of money to tax havens", the president responded by suing him for hundreds of thousands of dollars last week. By PTI: Dubai, Nov 28 (PTI) India will be the guest of honour country at the UAEs prestigious month-long annual cultural festival, the largest classical arts event in the Gulf region. The festival celebrating art and culture will see the participation of over 500 international artistes and 40 composers from 30 countries in March next year. Eminent Indian artists, including musician Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and, dancer and choreographer Gilles Chuyen, will attend the festival. advertisement Navdeep Suri, Indian Ambassador to the UAE, said that it is a matter of pride that India has been chosen as the Guest of Honour for the 2018 edition of Abu Dhabi Festival. "By collaborating with Abu Dhabi Festival (ADF) 2018, we hope to supplement these efforts to take Indian culture mainstream and make sure that there is a much better understanding of an India beyond Bollywood. That is why the focus is on showcasing some of Indias magnificent diversity," he said. Suri expressed hope that ADF 2018 will provide opportunity to non-Indians to enjoy Indian culture and Indians to enjoy cultures of participating countries. PTI CORR UZM --- ENDS --- By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United States threatened on Tuesday to take further action against the South Sudan government if it does not end violence and allow United Nations peacekeepers to do their job, but U.N. sanctions are unlikely as Russia has warned against such a move. A month after U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley visited South Sudan and met with President Salva Kiir in the capital Juba, she told the U.N. Security Council: "Words are no longer sufficient." "The United States is prepared to pursue additional measures against the government or any party, for that matter if they do not act to end the violence and ease the suffering in South Sudan," said Haley, who was the most senior member of President Donald Trump's administration to visit South Sudan. The Trump administration imposed sanctions in September on two senior South Sudanese officials and the former army chief for their role in the civil war and attacks against civilians. However, any U.S. push for the U.N. Security Council to take further action against South Sudan is likely to be resisted by veto power Russia. The council sanctioned several senior South Sudanese officials on both sides of the conflict in 2015, but a U.S. bid to impose an arms embargo in December 2016 failed. "It is counterproductive to impose targeted sanctions, counterproductive to impose an arms embargo, such measures will not help to break this deadlock and will only further exacerbate the crisis," Russia's Deputy U.N. Ambassador Petr Iliichev. South Sudan spiralled into civil war in late 2013, two years after gaining independence from Sudan, and a third of the 12 million population has fled their homes. The conflict was sparked by a feud between Kiir, a Dinka, and his former deputy Riek Machar, a Nuer, who is being held in South Africa. A fragile peace deal in South Sudan broke down last year and East African bloc IGAD has been trying to revive it. Story continues "We view as unjust the ongoing attempts to place all blame for the persistent unabated violence on Juba alone, it has done its role, now the opposition must reciprocate," Iliichev said. U.N. sanctions monitors reported earlier this month that despite the catastrophic conditions across South Sudan, armed forces, groups and militias - particularly those affiliated with Kiir and Vice President Taban Deng Gai - continued to "actively impede both humanitarian and peacekeeping operations." (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Cynthia Osterman) The Vans Shop Riot 2017 Finals will take place at Pier 15 Skatepark in Breda, Holland this coming weekend (1st-2nd December). With 5000 on the line then the teams whove made it through will definitely be going for it expect all the gnarly skateboarding you can shake a clog at and keep an eye out for our coverage dropping once the event is done! In the meantime, glean the necessary information from the flyer and press release below then check out previous legs to see whos in the finals After almost a year of rioting, the Vans Shop Riot finals take place this weekend at Pier 15 Skatepark, Breda, Holland. With a strong list of finalists the fourteen shop teams from across Europe will battle it out to determine who will be crowned champions for 2017. Bana (Portugal) who won last years riot in dramatic fashion will be early favourites, however Titus (Germany) are close behind after their formidable consistancy previously highlighted throughout the 9 years of Vans Shop Riot. That said, with many newcomers having made it to the finals and Burnside leading the charge from Holland, expect to see a close run finals with some of the best skateboarding witnessed in 2017. The Vans Shop Riot series was created back in 2009 with the intention of promoting the grass roots of European skateboarding, fostering team spirit and championing your local skate shop. The success of the series illustrates just how impressive our continents skate shops, skateboarders and scene really is, whilst also showing Vans commitment to our community. This will be highlighted even greater in the weekends finals. Alongside the event Vans will be exhibiting artwork by Richt who has supported the 2017 riot from start to finish with his unique designs. Without having to hike big distances, visitors of the Hrebienok resort can find mini replicas of 10 Slovak and one Polish mountain chalet from the Tatra area. Font size: A - | A + More information about travelling in Slovakia Please see our Please see our Spectacular Slovakia travel guide For more than a year, miniatures of mountain chalets from the Tatras have been exhibited in the old jurors towers at the Hrebienok resort in the High Tatras, brought to life after several decades of not being used. The visitors of this resort can see them without greater effort and within a short time, the SITA newswire wrote on November 26. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement The creator of these miniatures is the Poprad-based visual artist Peter Trembac. We considered that older people as well tend to visit the Tatras, who are not able anymore to walk to the chalets; also families with small children, Trembac presented the original intention of the exhibition, as quoted by SITA. The exhibition is educational and instructional, since aside from the models, we also have panels about local flora, and a brief description of the animals living in the Tatras in Slovak and English. Currently, 10 chalets on the Slovak side of the Tatras are being exhibited, and one from the Polish side. The exhibition leads visitors from the western part of mountains to the east. It starts with the Chata pod Soliskom Chalet, followed by the Majlathova Chata (Chalet near Popradske Pleso Lake), by the Chata pod Rysmi Chalet, Zbojnicka, Teryho and Zamkovskeho Chata; and the oldest Tatra shelter for hikers, i.e. Rainerova Chata, Trembac said, as quoted by SITA. We continue to the Skalnata Dolina Valley, where we have Skalnata Chata, then there is Chata pri Zelenom Plese, and it all ends with the Plesnivec chalet. The latest asset is the Polish chalet, in the Dolina Piatich Polskych Plies (Valley of the Five Polish Mountain Lakes). "Currently, I'm working on another Polish one, the Murowaniec Chalet," the artist added, as quoted by SITA. What is the Tatra chalets exhibition about? The atmosphere in the towers is enhanced by the replicas identical to the originals through photos on the windows with panoramic views of the valleys where the chalets are located. One miniature took about two to three months to complete, and Trembac worked solely with natural materials. He noted it required enormous patience. The chalets are tiny, I often worked with a magnifying glass, he told SITA. The worst thing to do was the frame, since I had to make a precise proportion with the original, to make it identical, and then details were added. The artist says modelling interested him when he was still a child. Despite the fact that he spent a lot of time in the Tatras, he knows the chalets well and visited them in the past. Photographs of them also helped photographs, especially with those chalets being renovated and rebuilt. Roma women living in Slovakia have reported discrimination, segregation and abuse connected with reproductive health services. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Roma women living in Slovakia report discrimination, segregation and abuse when obtaining reproductive health services, according to a report from the Centre for Reproductive Rights and the Slovak organisation Centre for Civil and Human Rights (Poradna), released on November 27. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement The Centre, together with the field worker and Roma human rights monitor for Poradna, Agata Duchonova, prepared a report in which Roma women talk about their problems. The report, called Vakeras Zorales Speaking Out: Roma Womens Experiences in Reproductive Health Care in Slovakia, documents the personal stories of 38 Roma women from marginalised communities who reported discrimination and abuse in reproductive and maternal health care facilities in eastern Slovakia. The report also recommends systemic steps and measures the Slovak authorities should take to respect the human rights of Roma women, like implementing and investing adequate resources into appropriate programmes to improve Roma womens access to quality services. Roma women should be treated with dignity and respect when seeking reproductive health care, said Leah Hoctor, regional director for the Europe Program at the Centre for Reproductive Rights. The Slovak government must take concrete steps to ensure that Roma women get the care they need free of gender and racial discrimination. What the report disclosed about the treatment of Roma women Many of the womens accounts in the report outline experiences of segregation in maternity care departments, racial harassment and humiliation, neglect, physical restraint and abuse during childbirth, and failures related to informed consent and decision-making with regard to medical treatment. For a long time Roma women have shared with us their personal stories of suffering reproductive rights abuses, said Duchonova. Roma women often speak about humiliation, verbal abuse, lack of adequate health care and denial of information, even segregation in maternity wards. We believe that this report should receive attention from the public, and that the Slovak authorities should take effective measures towards meaningful change. An estimated 400,000 Roma live in Slovakia, comprising 7.45 percent of the countrys population. Vakeras Zorales Speaking Out is a joint publication of the Centre for Reproductive Rights and Poradna. The report is based on interviews from October 24-27, 2016 conducted by the Centre and Poradna. During the interviews, testimonies were collected from 38 Roma women living in four marginalised Roma communities in the districts of Spisska Nova Ves, Gelnica, and Presov in eastern Slovakia. The women were interviewed about their experiences in reproductive health care facilities over the past five years. More Slovaks stress the protection of national sovereignty, patriotism and Christianity against Islam than those focused on support for a liberal democracy, European integration, multiculturalism and diversity. Font size: A - | A + Young people in Slovakia are inclined toward radical views more than towards supporting diversity, despite a society-wide emphasis of threats of extremism, a recent survey found. The survey, carried out by the Institute for Public Affairs (IVO) in July and September this year, found that younger people between 18 and 39 years of age are inclined toward extremist views, the Sme daily wrote on November 28. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement IVO analyst and the study's author Marian Velsic explains this with the fact that the young have always been close to radical opinions. The poll showed that 81 percent of Slovaks aged between 18 and 39 would object to having an extremist as a neighbour and at the same time they object to a Roma family (80 percent) or a Muslim family (71 percent) in their neighbourhood. More than half of young people (54 percent) in the country would have a problem with people living close who are migrants from economically weaker countries, and about two-fifths would object to various sexual minorities and people of Asian or African background. The research paper Young People and the Risks of Extremism, which focused on the rise of radicalism and extremism in Slovakia, stated that the younger generation predominantly leans towards conservative political streams, the SITA newswire wrote. What the polls revealed about the views of Slovak youths Two-thirds of respondents (66 percent) are ready to protect national sovereignty, nearly three-fifths (57 percent) want to protect Christianity against Islam, and about half of Slovaks aged between 18 and 39 are inclined toward patriotism (54 percent) and pan-Slavic togetherness (48 percent). Support for liberal democracy, the deepening of European integration, multiculturalism, and diversity comes close to 30 to 40 percent of Slovaks. IVO considers it positive that as many as 65 percent of young people reject an authoritarian regime as a political direction, SITA reported. In the view of the expanding extremism in Slovakia, it is particularly worrying to find that the protection of the 'white race' is an ideology close to 45 percent of young people, Velsic said, adding that another manifested factor is low tolerance to otherness. On the other hand, the young have always been inclined toward radical views, Velsic said for Sme, adding that this is connected with age and lack of experience, and usually, this trend becomes weaker with growing experience and a more specific shaping of views. The capital of Vietnam will receive a new smart public lighting system from Slovakia. Font size: A - | A + Asseco Central Europe signed a memorandum on cooperation on November 27, concerning the supply of smart public lighting. It is one of the biggest projects of public lighting exchange in the world, whose value should amount to $150 million in the next 10 years, said Deputy Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini, who is visiting Asia on a business trip, as quoted by the SITA newswire. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement "This is the first step for Asseco Central Europe," Pellegrini said, as quoted by SITA. "It will not only replace the present lighting technology with state-of-the-art LED lighting but will manage the system. This project, on the one hand, will significantly reduce the electricity consumption of the city, which is one of the largest cost items in Hanoi's budget, but will also increase the quality of lighting as well as improve public safety." Individual lighting points may serve in the future for other smart city projects, Pellegrini added, as cited by the TASR newswire. Another Slovak activity in Vietnam is expected to be Slovak children TV broadcasting, and the construction of the Tower of Friendship in Ho Chi Minh City by a Slovak investor. The Slovak delegation led by Pellegrini met with Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang in Hanoi on November 27. The Vietnamese head of state praised the fact that a number of top representatives of the Southeast Asian country had received their education in Slovakia. He added that a growing number of Slovak entrepreneurs are showing interest in investing in Vietnam and he pledged to do the utmost to create suitable conditions for this purpose. "There are not many countries in the world where a Slovak can speak in Slovak with the top representatives of the country," said Pellegrini after the talks, as quoted by TASR. This offers excellent foundations not only for political but economic cooperation, he added. The delegation included Finance Minister Peter Kazimir, Economy Minister Peter Ziga and a group of 30 entrepreneurs. The volume of trade between Vietnam and Slovakia has increased 80-fold since 2008, according to Pellegrini. But it mostly flows from the former to the latter country. 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The Russian battle tank, which played a key role in the 1965 and 1971 India-Pakistan wars, will be installed on the premises of the Defence & Strategic Studies Department of the varsity on Wednesday, said an official release by SPPU. advertisement "The tank will be installed on the premises of the Defence & Strategic Department in the presence of General officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Command Lieutenant General P M Hariz on Wednesday," it said. The Defence & Strategic Studies Department of the SPPU has a long association with armed forces, and many senior defence officials have received doctorates from the department. "The Defence has also instituted Chhatrapati Shivaji Policy Chair and senior official from the Army is appointed to the chair for two years," said Dr Vijay Khare, head of the D&S Studies, SPPU. He said that besides the academic exchange, General BC Joshi Lecture is organised every year by the Indian Army and the Defence & Strategic Studies Department jointly. PTI SPK KRK --- ENDS --- Contrary to other cities like Vienna or Prague, there are actually no public phones in the Slovak capital Font size: A - | A + Prior to the arrival of mobile phones there were phone booths on almost every corner of Bratislava. But after mobile technology was established and ordinary people were able to afford mobile phones, public phones started to disappear from the streets. First, the telecom operator took down the devices, leaving the booths for new purposes. But this plan has failed and the booths actually transformed into illegal advertising areas, further worsening the visual pollution in Bratislava. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Bratislavas Old Town borough did not like this development and opted for a radical solution. In late October it began removing the booths from its streets. So far it has removed six booths while removing the remaining 43 in the following months. Based on the evaluation of the construction office, these booths are illegal advertisement constructions, said Radoslav Stevcik, mayor of the Old Town. We have valid permission to remove all former 49 booths. It took the Old City council almost three years to gain permission to remove the booths owned by Zion Media Corporation with its registered office on the Caribbean island of Dominica. The borough opened the proceedings in 2013 and its construction office issued the permission for the removal of the booths in mid December 2016. The situation was complicated by the fact that the Old Town had to deliver the documents to the owner while the national post office company Slovenska Posta does not deliver mail to this island, specified Stevcik. In spite of a time-consuming process of delivering documents to the island of Dominica, we managed to complete the entire process, said Stevcik, adding that neither did the owner respond to the verdict about removing the booths or removing the first six. In central Slovakia, snow is expected by noon. The Donovaly resort in central Slovakia had snow as early as October. (Source: SITA) Font size: A - | A + On November 29, Slovakia will be hit by a wave of snow, the Slovak Hydro-meteorological Institute (SHMU) warned. It issued a first, lowest, grade warning. The warning goes for the whole of the country, except for the extreme south-east, the TASR newswire wrote. The snow will last until the evening of Thursday, November 30. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement In central Slovakia, snowfall, with a coverage of between 10 to 40 centimetres in depth, is expected by Wednesday noon. Illustrative stock photo (Source: Sme - Jan Kroslak) In the west, the snowfall is expected to start on Wednesday evening and meteorologists predict a depth of 5 to 15 centimetres. In the eastern Slovakia, 10 to 30 centimetres of snow could fall from Wednesday evening, according to TASR. The only obstacle to better tax system evaluation is high taxes and payroll tax burden. Font size: A - | A + Though the system of paying taxes in Slovakia has not changed much compared with last year, its evaluation has improved in the overall ranking. The country ranked 49th out of 190 countries surveyed in the Paying Taxes 2018 study issued by the World Bank and consulting company PwC, moving up by seven positions. Compared with the other countries in the Visegrad Group (V4) region, it scored the best, the SITA newswire reported. Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement Skryt Remove ad Article continues after video advertisement The only obstacle to better tax system evaluation is high taxes and payroll tax burden, especially in connection with labour, PwC informed. Time taken to comply with taxation is good, but not enough The ranking was prepared based on the legislation valid at the end of 2016. The basic parameters for Slovakia, which include the total time needed to comply with taxation, and the time needed to comply with profit, labour and consumption taxation, did not change. It still takes 192 hours to comply with the taxation of a case study company, while the firm needs 46 hours for profit tax, 62 hours for labour tax, and 84 percent for consumption tax. The better position in ranking was impacted by the change in the evaluation of the tax systems of other countries, SITA reported. The time necessary to comply with taxes in Slovakia is the shortest in the V4 region. In the Czech Republic, which placed 53rd, it is 248 hours, while in Poland (51st) it is 260 hours and in Hungary (93rd) 277 hours. Slovakia, however, still has big reserves when compared with the countries with the best ranking in this parameter. In Estonia, for example, which placed 14th the total time required is only 50 hours, SITA wrote. Tax burden high Slovakias position from the point of the total tax burden is much worse, though. The Total Tax & Contribution Rate amounts to 51.6 percent, which is 12 percentage points more than the average of the European Union countries and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), where it amounts to 39.6 percent. It is even higher than the average of all surveyed countries, which amounts to 40.5 percent. Regarding its tax legislation at the end of 2016, Slovakia has the fifth highest tax burden in the EU and EFTA countries, the report reads, as quoted by SITA. The labour tax amounts to 39.7 percent, while profit tax is 10.5 percent and other taxes 1.4 percent of the total tax and contribution rate. Apart from the continuing electronisation of tax administration, the reduction of the labour tax rate and the simplification of the tax system, including the tax rates structure, may contribute to improving the tax grade of Slovakia, said Christiana Serugova of PwC Slovensko, as quoted by SITA. The latest legislative changes that increase the caps for payroll tax levies and the threat to abolish the limits for health transfers will not improve Slovakias position in comparison with its close neighbours, she added. China Pharma Holdings, Inc. develops, manufactures, and markets generic and branded pharmaceutical, and biochemical products primarily to hospitals and private retailers in the People's Republic of China. The company offers products in the form of dry powder injectables, liquid injectables, tablets, capsules, and cephalosporin oral solutions. Its products include Cerebroprotein Hydroloysate injection to treat memory decline and attention deficit; Gastrodin injection for tiredness, loss of concentration, poor sleep, and traumatic syndromes of the brain; Propylgallate and Ozagrel Sodium to treat cerebral thrombosis, coronary heart disease, and after surgery complications; Alginic Sodium Diester injection for ischemic heart, cerebrovascular, and high lipoprotein blood diseases; Bumetanide injection to treat edema diseases; and Candesartan for hypertension. It also provides Roxithromycin dispersible tablets for pharyngitis and tonsillitis; Cefaclor dispersible tablets for tympanitis, lower respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infections, and skin/skin tissue infection; Cefalexin capsules for acute tonsillitis; Andrographolide for sore throat caused by upper respiratory tract infection; Clarithromycin granules and capsules; and Naproxen Sodium and PseudophedrineHydrochlorida sustained release tablets. In addition, the company offers Hepatocyte growth-promoting factor, Tiopronin, Compound Ammonium Glycyrrhetate S, and Omeparzole for the treatment of digestive diseases. Further, it provides Vitamin B6 injection; Granisetron Hydrochloride injection to treat nausea and vomiting caused by radiotherapy and chemotherapy during the treatment of malignant tumors; Noni Enzyme, a food supplement; sanitizers; and masks. The company offers its products through distributors, as well as through its network of 16 sales offices and approximately 1,000 sales representatives. China Pharma Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1993 and is based in Haikou, the People's Republic of China. By PTI: Amaravati, Nov 28 (PTI) Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu today said that the universities in the country should become centres of excellence and produce multi-skilled students of tomorrow. He rued that none of the universities in the country are world-class in terms of excellence and said India has good varsities but it needs excellent ones. "It is very painful to note that not one of our 760 universities is world-class with that excellence. There are good universities in the country but we need excellent universities," Naidu said here. advertisement The vice-president was addressing a meeting after inaugurating the Andhra Pradesh campus of the Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) at Inavolu village here. "There is every need for institutes of higher learning to raise standards, improve pedagogy, enhance research activities and form greater linkages with the industry so that students are well-equipped to face the challenges of a globalised world. "Digital technologies are playing a lead role in the world now and universities must produce multi-skilled students of tomorrow," he added. Naidu appealed to the universities, both public and private, to focus on enhancing skills, knowledge and raising the standards and then compete at the world-level. "With proper infrastructure, facilities and opportunities, our universities can excel," he said. The vice president expressed hope that once the Indian economy strengthens, the government will spend more funds on education and higher learning. "The Centre and the states are not able to rise to the expectations of spending 6 per cent of the Gross domestic product(GDP) on education because of competing requests and aspirations from every section of the society. "There is so much pressure for housing, roads, trains, airports, ports, metros...prime minister is doing his best," he said. "India is going for a great transformation and we must all look for the future. I am sure once the economy strengthens, definitely the governments will be able to spend more on education and higher education also," Naidu said. Focus should not only be on education for all but quality education, the vice-president said. "India is emerging as a powerful nation. Everyone will soon have access to quality healthcare and quality education." "Education should become a powerful tool for the social, economic and cultural transformation of the country with strong moral and ethical values," the vice-president remarked. Observing that a guru (teacher) has a special place in the society and the life of a student, Naidu quipped, "Google can never replace guru. Google is important and informative but even to Google something you need a guru." Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and VIT Chancellor G Viswanathan, among others, attended the event. PTI DBV RSY KJ --- ENDS --- advertisement Total Energy Services Inc. provides various products and services to the oil and natural gas industry primarily in Canada, the United States, and Australia. It operates through four segments: Contract Drilling Services, Rentals and Transportation Services, Compression and Process Services and Well Servicing. The Contract Drilling Services segment offers contract drilling services to oil and gas exploration and development companies. As of December 31, 2021, it operated a total fleet of 95 drilling rigs. The Rentals and Transportation Services segment provides drilling, completion and production rental equipment, and oilfield transportation services in western Canada and in the United States. This segment owned and operated a fleet of 79 heavy trucks. The Compression and Process Services segment offers gas compression services; and designs and packages skid style compressors and proprietary trailer-mounted compressors under the NOMAD brand in Canada and the United States, the European Union, Australia, and Mexico. It had 53,800 horsepower of compression in its rental fleet. The Well Servicing segment offers well services. This segment operated a total fleet of 83 well servicing rigs across Western Canada, mid-western United States, and Australia. The company was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. By PTI: Maharajganj (UP), Nov 28 (PTI) The 84 km-long Indo-Nepal border has been sealed ahead of the third phase of civic polls tomorrow. The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) is enforcing the sealing of the border, District Magistrate and Electoral Officer Virendra Kumar Singh told reporters. "Only emergency vehicles will be allowed across the border during this period," he said. advertisement The threat of Maoists and the porous Indo-Nepal border are the two biggest challenges during the third phase of municipal polls in Maharajganj and the International Border has been sealed to tackle this, the official said. Cameras have been installed on trade and transit points along Indias border with Nepal to prevent illegal movement of people. Security along the borders has been stepped up in the wake of reports that anti-social elements could infiltrate into the country and disrupt the polling, according to a top official here. The third phase of polling will be held in 26 districts across the state.PTI COR SAB DV --- ENDS --- "ZyXEL PK5001Z devices have zyad5001 as the su (superuser) password, which makes it easier for remote attackers to obtain root access if a non-root account password is known (or a non-root default account exists within an ISP's deployment of these devices)," the vulnerability description reads. "For an attacker that finds a new IoT vulnerability, it would be easy to incorporate it into the already existing Mirai code, thus releasing a new variant," Dima Beckerman, security researcher at Imperva, told The Hacker News. "Mirai spread itself using default IoT devices credentials. The new variant adds more devices to this list. Still, we can't know for sure what other changes were implemented into the code. In the future, we might witness some new attack methods by Mirai variants." Secure Your (Easily Hackable) Internet-Connected Devices While tracking botnet activity on their honeypot traffic, security researchers at Chinese IT security firm Qihoo 360 Netlab discovered a new variant of Mirai the well known IoT botnet malware that wreaked havoc last year.Last week, researchers noticed an increase in traffic scanning ports 2323 and 23 from hundreds of thousands of unique IP addresses from Argentina in less than a day.The targeted port scans are actively looking for vulnerable internet-connected devices manufactured by ZyXEL Communications using two default telnet credential combinationsandto gain root privileges on the targeted devices.Researchers believe (instead "quite confident") this ongoing campaign is part of a new Mirai variant that has been upgraded to exploit a newly released vulnerability (identified as CVE-2016-10401 ) in ZyXEL PK5001Z modems.Mirai is the same IoT botnet malware that knocked major Internet companies offline last year by launching massive DDoS attacks against Dyndns , crippling some of the world's biggest websites, including Twitter, Netflix, Amazon, Slack, and Spotify.Mirai-based attacks experienced sudden rise after someone publicly released its source code in October 2016. Currently, there are several variants of the Mirai botnet attacking IoT devices.The biggest threat of having the source code of any malware in public is that it could allow attackers to upgrade it with newly disclosed exploits according to their needs and targets.This is not the very first time when the Mirai botnet targeted internet-connected devices manufactured by ZyXEL. Exactly a year before, millions of Zyxel routers were found vulnerable to a critical remote code execution flaw, which was exploited by Mirai.If you own any internet-connected device at home or work, change its default credentials. Keep in mind; Mirai malware scans for default settings.Go into your router's settings and disable remote management protocol, specifically through Telnet, as this is a protocol used to allow one computer to control another from a remote location. It has also been used in previous Mirai attacks.Last but not the leastalways keep your internet-connected devices and routers up-to-date with the latest firmware updates and patches. Issues of concern to people who live in the west: property rights, water rights, endangered species, livestock grazing, energy production, wilderness and western agriculture. Plus a few items on western history, western literature and the sport of rodeo... Frank DuBois served as the NM Secretary of Agriculture from 1988 to 2003. DuBois is a former legislative assistant to a U.S. Senator, a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Interior, and is the founder of the DuBois Rodeo Scholarship. Not only are Vietnamese restaurateur reaching out to foreign brands to import their business models, global franchisors now view Vietnam as a huge potential market to expand their network. Popular global franchise brands like Little Caesars, Jumbo Group, The Boiling Crab, and Element Fresh have all sat down with Vietnamese partners in preparation for their entry into the 94-million-strong market. Presently, Vietnam is already home to 71 foreign restaurant franchises, including big players like McDonalds, Starbucks, Burger King, and BBQ Chicken. Most of these franchises are currently flourishing in the countrys largest hubs of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, but others are beginning to target growing cities such as Da Nang and Hai Phong to further cement their foothold. William Schreiber, vice-president of international development for U.S. pizza chain Little Caesars, said he had traveled to Vietnam 15 times in search of opportunities to ink franchising deals with local businesses. The third-largest pizza chain in the U.S., Little Caesars already has over 5,000 locations in 18 countries, but Vietnam is looking like the first country in Southeast Asia to earn a franchising deal with the company. Recently, Singaporean seafood restaurant group Jumbo also partnered with a Vietnamese company to launch the franchise locally, having made successful entrances in China and Japan. Other popular franchises like Grimaldis Pizzeria, Boiling Crab and Presotea have announced their intention to open stores here. A KFC restaurant in Hanoi. Photo: Tuoi Tre A lucrative business With prices that target middle-income earners, restaurant franchises are becoming increasingly popular with the younger generation in Vietnam as a go-to place for dining, hanging out with friends, and meeting with business partners. Vietnam-based Golden Gate Group, one of the first in the country to conduct business with foreign franchisors, has until now successfully imported and operated 22 restaurant franchises ranging from barbecue, hot pot to beer clubs. In 2016, the firm reported revenue of VND2,628 billion (US$115.77 million), a 524-percent growth rate on 2013. With its current network of 201 locations across Vietnam, it is estimated that the firm will reach 400 locations by as early as 2018. According to Hoang Tung, owner of the Vietnamese pizza chain Pizza Home, the cost of franchising a popular brand can amount to VND1 billion ($44,000), not to mention a percentage of revenue paid regularly to the franchise owner. People line up outside Vietnam's first Starbucks restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City on its opening day, February 1, 2013. Photo: Tuoi Tre A cut-throat race Despite the overwhelming number of success stories in Vietnam, in reality many brands have been forced to depart the market after finding themselves falling behind in a dog-eat-dog environment. Examples include fast-food restaurant Subway and coffee houses such as Gloria Jean's Coffees, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and N.Y.D.C. Not many Vietnamese franchisees have the experience to run restaurant franchises on a large scale, which often results in fatal mismanagement once the number of locations reaches the hundreds, an official from the Ministry of Industry and Trade asserted. They still have a lot to learn from foreign restaurateurs. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Most Southeast Asian stock markets ended lower on Monday amid concerns of a regulatory crackdown in China, while Vietnam shares closed near a decade high led by real estate and utility stocks. Chinese shares fell as sentiment took a hit from rising bond yields after Beijing stepped up a crackdown on shadow banking and other riskier forms of financing, with higher borrowing costs threatening to squeeze corporate profits. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose early in the session tracking Wall Street gains on Friday, but was last down 0.9 percent, slipping further from a 10-year peak scaled on Thursday. Meanwhile, Shanghai shares fell 0.9 percent to a three-month low. Vietnam shares recorded their highest close since Dec. 2007, helped by gains in Vingroup JSC, up 2 percent, and Petrovietnam Gas Joint Stock Corp, up 1.1 percent. The Philippine index recovered part losses to end marginally lower as gains in real estate and energy stocks were outweighed by losses in the consumer discretionary and staples. "It is more of a continuation of last week's profit-taking," said Fio Dejesus, an equity research analyst at RCBC Securities in Manila. Heavyweights SM Investments Corp and Ayala Land Inc ended 1.4 percent and 1.1 percent lower, respectively, as investors cashed in after last week's gains. SM Investments climbed 1.9 percent last week while Ayala Land gained 4.1 percent. "Most of our covered stocks are already priced in, with the exception of consumer stocks which still have quite a bit of upside in our view," added RCBC's Dejesus. Singapore's benchmark index fell 0.2 percent on Monday as lenders DBS Group Holdings and United Overseas Bank Ltd, each lost about 0.7 percent. On the other hand, Malaysian shares added 0.2 percent, helped by gains in telecom and utilities stocks. Electric utility Tenaga Nasional, up 1.2 percent, was the biggest contributor to index gains. Indonesia's index of its 45 most liquid stocks recovered from an early decline to end the day 0.1 percent higher. A government divestment roadshow in Singapore for brewer Sabeco piqued investor interest though the stock fell 5 percent ahead of the government revealing plans to divest its 90 percent stake. In 2009, investors only needed VND50 billion ($2.2 million) in charter capital to establish a private university. This means that in just eight years, the required capital investment to open a new university in Vietnam has increased by 20 times. To avoid pouring so much money into such a risky venture, investors are now hunting for existing universities to acquire, massively inflating the valuation of universities. University rush T., one investor who already owns a number of colleges, said he had been looking to buy a university for months without success. It costs too much and takes too long to open a new university, T. said. Buying an existing one is much more convenient. However, universities that sold for, say, VND300 billion [$13.22 million] in the past are now demanding double that. A university in southern Dong Nai Province has put itself up for sale at VND600 billion ($26.44 million), and has already refused offers from investors of VND400 billion ($17.62 million). Compared to the cost of establishing a new university, our price is still a bargain for investors, considering the condition of our facilities and the number of students we currently have, the universitys owner explained. In comparison, in 2013, Van Hien University in Ho Chi Minh City was bought for only VND75 billion ($3.3 million). Hong Bang International University, one of the most popular private universities in Ho Chi Minh with thousands of enrollments each year, was sold for VND500 billion ($22.03 million) in 2015. Apart from the tremendous initial investment, it takes at least a few years to complete all the necessary paperwork for opening a new university, another investor said. Meanwhile buying a university is essentially just buying the legal status of its owner, which is easier and quicker. Hong Bang International University. Photo: Tuoi Tre Diverged investment According to Vu Khac Chuong, rector of the Saigon College of Arts, Culture and Tourism, the institution has been sought after by investors from the moment it received approval to upgrade its status to a full university. However, Chuong said he had declined offers less than VND200 billion ($8.81 million). We still need investors, but only those who can pay at least VND500 billion [$22.03 million], Chuong explained. This is a long-term investment for the greater good of the school, and we need investors who share the same vision. P., director of higher education at a foreign education group based in Ho Chi Minh City, said his company had also had to adjust its investment goals after struggling to buy a university in the current climate. We are now targeting universities that are having trouble or junior colleges that have had their status upgrade approved in order to diverge our investments, he said. We aim to make a large and long-term investment so that we can have a say on the school board. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! By PTI: with HC panel New Delhi, Nov 28 (PTI) The Tihar Jail authorities today said they would cooperate with the three-member fact-finding committee, formed by the Delhi High Court to inquire into an incident, in which 18 inmates were allegedly beaten up by the jail staff on November 21. The jail authorities said they would ensure a proper security for the inmates, so that such incidents did not recur. advertisement Yesterday, the high court had described the alleged attack on the inmates, who were lodged in a high-risk ward in jail number 1 of the central jail, on the night of November 21 as "very disturbing". The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) petition filed by a lawyer, Chinmay Kanojia, who had alleged that his client Shahid Husuf, currently being investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and undergoing trial, was beaten up without any reason by the Tihar Jail staff. After the incident was brought to its notice on November 22, the court had set up a committee comprising its senior judicial officers to look into the matter. The committee, in its report, had said the inmates were beaten up without any justifiable reason. The court posted the matter for further hearing on December 19 and directed the authorities to ensure the safety and security of the inmates, who were beaten up. PTI SLB RC --- ENDS --- An investigation uncovered the mastermind behind the attempted hijacking of a commercial plane as well as his accomplices. >> Skyjacking in Vietnam: P2 52-minute life-and-death ordeal >> Skyjacking in Vietnam: P1 First hijackers Following a 52-minute ordeal on June 28, 1978, in which crew members, flight attendants and guards resisted the planes hijackers, four of the men were killed, before the plane landed at Da Nang Airport. Chau Dinh Dung died on the spot after the grenade he had thrown at the cockpit door bounced back and detonated next to him. As the plane approached Da Nang Airport to land, realizing their plot had failed, two of the hijackers, Tran Van Thao and Chenh Senh Cong recklessly jumped from the exit door of the jet. Perhaps intending to make their escape via the Cam Le River, they ended up dead on Cam Le Bridge instead. Another hijacker, Chau Dinh Kinh, jumped to his death on the runway at Da Nang Airport as the plane was taxiing after landing. Earlier, upon receiving the captains hijack alert and emergency request for permission to return to Da Nang Airport, the combat force, officers and canine police from the municipal Department of Public Security lay in wait. As soon as the jet came to a complete stop, the rescue squads moved in. Hijackers! Drop your weapons if you want to spare your lives. Raise both hands and walk down one by one, they urged on loudspeakers. The perpetrators then silently walked down and accepted their fate. The injured were rushed to hospital while local police gathered evidence for their investigation. One of the hijackers, who held me at gunpoint, was a frequent flyer who had secretly observed the crew and midair guards before, Huynh Thu Cuc, one of the two air hostesses on the flight, said. While feigning unconsciousness on the floor, she heard the voice of another hidden hijacker telling his underlings to coerce Ngo Kim Thanh, the other stewardess, into getting the cockpit crew to open their door. Cam Le Bridge in Da Nang as it is today, where two of the hijackers jumped to their deaths from the seized jet on June 28, 1978, Photo: Tuoi Tre Who was the mastermind? Colonel Nam Ha, now 89, former deputy director of the Department of Public Security in then-Quang Nam-Da Nang Province, said that he had led the investigation into the unprecedented case. An important clue lay in a plaster statue of late President Ho Chi Minh. No one aboard the seized flight admitted to taking the statue there, until a boy aged seven or eight said that the object was his. The boys testimony shed light on multiple questions surrounding the case. He was the son of Nguyen Van An, a sapper captain under the former Saigon regime who resided in Cam Le District. A thorough check of the list of passengers on the flight revealed that a man named Ly Quang, who lived in Hoa Vang District, was on board at the time of the hijacking. However, Quang stayed home that day as he had lost his papers. Col. Ha and his team subsequently reached the conclusion that An had used the papers he had stolen from Quang to board the flight. When the grenade was detonated on Ans command, several passengers, including An himself and his three children, were injured. From An, investigators established links to his accomplices, including Suong Ans wife, Hue, Mai and Son. An later admitted to conspiring to hijack the plane and attempting to force them to divert to Hong Kong to gain political asylum, according to Col. Ha. An met Chau Dinh Kinh in early June, 1978, and the two agreed on a plot before luring potential accomplices. An cut a plaster statue of late President Ho Chi Minh in half and hid a pistol inside it, writing the following words on its outside: Fragile. Handle with Care. Quang Nam-Da Nang Education Department to Ho Chi Minh City Academic Affairs Office. An then gave the statue to his son, who brought it on board. The countrys civil aviation sector was in its infancy at that time. Security guards checked the figurine featuring Uncle Ho casually and let the boy go through, Cuc said. In September 1978, the Central Military Procuracy began legal proceedings against An and his accomplices. One month later, the Military Tribunal sentenced An to death and handed down jail terms of two to eight years to each his underlings. A merit certificate is presented to Huynh Thu Cuc, one of the brave air hostesses on the hijacked flight. Photo: Tuoi Tre Bizarre coincidence The DC4, numbered 501, also had a bizarre fate. The day An, the conspirator, was executed, Pham Duc Nam, the captain of the hijacked flight, was steering the plane loaded with relief rice to Pakse, in the heart of Champasak Province in Laos. As we were approaching the Vietnam-Laos borderline, the jet inexplicably burst into flames, Nam recalled. The crew sought permission to return to and land in Da Nang City within around 15 minutes. Realizing we wouldnt make it to Da Nang Airport, the crew decided to make an emergency landing on a paddy field on an islet on the Thu Bon River, whose water level was high at the time, Nam said. With the plane failing to drop its landing gear, the crew had no choice but to perform a belly landing. We made our escape as soon as the jet hit the ground. The government later allowed residents to disassemble it for scrap metal, he added. Tragically, the crew failed to spot a woman and her son on the paddy. The jet crushed the mother to death but spared her sons life. We werent aware of the heartbreaking story until one day later. The incident has troubled us ever since, Nam said sadly. The surviving son grew into adulthood, but was killed during military service some years later. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The father of a seven-year-old girl who was allegedly tortured with a heated iron bar in southern Vietnam has denied any wrongdoing and accused the girls teacher of pressuring his daughter into believing her version of the story. The girl, N.H.N.T., has allegedly been a victim of constant domestic violence since moving in with her father and stepmother after her parents divorced. On Friday, a teacher at the local school in Kien Giang Province that T. goes to discovered burn marks on her face and arms, which she confessed were the result of her father using a heated iron bar on her skin. Efforts by authorities to separate the girl have been in vain, since both T. and her alleged abusers have repeatedly denied the acts, claiming that she had fallen over on a hot grill. On Sunday afternoon, provincial officials visited the house of Nguyen Van Hoa and Tran Thi Kieu Tien, T.s father and stepmother, for the third time since the news broke to try to convince them into handing T. over to social workers. According to Tien, the accident that led to T.s wounds happened roughly a week ago, when the couple were in the middle of grilling some pork knuckles using an electric grill. Tien said that T. tumbled over the power cord and fell into the heated grill, causing the burn marks. When asked to show the grill as evidence, Tien took out an unused grill that was still inside its box, suggesting it was bought to support their story. T.s father, Hoa, even accused T.s teacher of pressuring his daughter into saying that she had been burnt with a heated iron bar. She told me that her teacher had asked her whether the wound had been caused by me using a heated iron bar and threatened to give her to the police if she didnt said yes, Hoa claimed. Even after she said it was an accident, the teacher continued to pressure her until she said she had been hit by her father. Tran Thi Kieu Tien, the stepmother of T., shows authorities an electric grill which she claimed was the cause of T.s wounds, November 26, 2017. Photo: Tuoi Tre Separation not immediately possible Cao Hung Cuong, chairman of Vinh Hoa Phu Commune in Kien Giang, where the girl lives, said the separation of T. from her alleged abusers was not immediately possible," as both the couple and the girl had denied any actual abuse. Additionally, it was only after approximately one hour of persuasion that Hoa and Tien agreed to let the authorities take T. to a local clinic to have her wounds treated, and only on the condition that T. would return to their custody afterward. Hoa was also made to sign a written pledge to take the best care of T. upon her return. According to Can Tho City-based lawyer Nguyen Truong Thanh, in cases like this it is advisable for the birth mother to file a lawsuit that challenges the fathers custody in order to provide legal grounds for authorities to proceed with separating the victim and her alleged abusers. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The manager of a childcare center in Ho Chi Minh City has been arrested after being caught beating children at the venue in an expose by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspapers undercover reporters. Police officers have apprehended and begun legal procedures against Pham Thi My Linh, owner of the Mam Xanh daycare facility in District 12. The decision was made following approval by the districts Peoples Procuracy, an official confirmed on Tuesday morning. The violence at the venue was revealed in a video by Tuoi Tre last weekend. Linh, who is over 40, along with her two assistants Quynh and Dao, both in their 20s, were filmed slapping, kicking, and hitting children with various objects. The children are between two and five years old, whose parents are mainly factory workers at local companies. The women were filmed physically abusing children in their care during meals, bath time, and before nap time, despite their relentless crying. Pham Thi My Linh hits a young girl during bath time at the Mam Xanh childcare facility. Photo: Tuoi Tre After the footage was published, members of the public have vented their anger on the daycare workers and expressed sympathy for the children and their parents. The Peoples Committee in District 12 and local police officers subsequently initiated an investigation into the case. Linh, Quynh, and Dao were then summoned to the police station to give statements. Officers also gathered evidence from parents of the young victims. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Ho Chi Minh City authorities are set to apply specific measures, including the installation of surveillance cameras, to end the physical abuse of children at local kindergartens and childcare facilities. The municipal Peoples Committee convened a meeting with relevant agencies on Monday afternoon to seek solutions to child abuse, following a recent article by Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper. The story shined the spotlight on the Mam Xanh childcare facility in Distinct 12, where its manager and employees had been discovered beating children aged two to five on a daily basis. Speaking at the gathering, Bui Thi Diem Thu, deputy director of the citys Department of Education and Training, said that daycare centers have mushroomed across the southern hub due to increasing demand in recent years. However, the oversight of these venues is still limited, Thu assessed. The local education sector is responsible for letting such a serious case develop, the official remarked. In a bid to prevent similar cases, Thu suggested the installation of CCTV cameras at local kindergartens and childcare facilities. The proposal was backed by the municipal Department of Police as surveillance cameras provide close monitoring of the situation at these places. However, the locations of such devices should be taken into careful consideration in order not to violate human rights, another police official stated. Following the discussion, the municipal education department was tasked with formulating a detailed plan for the installation of CCTV cameras at kindergartens across the city. The cameras will be added to all rooms except for bathrooms and other sensitive areas. In addition to existing safety requirements, new childcare centers will need to have surveillance cameras installed in order to be granted a legitimate license. In another relevant development, the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee on Monday ordered a comprehensive inspection of non-public childcare facilities across the metropolis. Any action that violates the law and well-being of children must be severely punished, Deputy Secretary of the citys Party Committee Tat Thanh Cang said in a statement. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A judge at a district-level court in Vietnam has been relieved of his post after asking for coffee money from a litigant. Tran Thanh Toan, judge of the Peoples Court in Tran Van Thoi District, Ca Mau Province, has been dismissed, the court confirmed on Monday. The decision came after members of the Ca Mau courts disciplinary board reviewed the case and cast their votes during a closed-door ballot. Toan was also ordered to apologize to the litigant for his actions and returned the money he had taken. According to previous reports, during 2016, Toan received a request from Nguyen Van Duc, a resident of Tran Van Thoi District, who was asking to be allowed to divorce his wife. Duc was then taking care of his two children after his wife had left him some years earlier. In order to expedite the case, the judge had repeatedly asked Duc to offer him some under the table money. By July 14, 2017, Ducs request had been approved finally. However, the man passed away from liver disease the following day. Ducs family then asked Toan to verify that the two children were orphans and therefore able to receive official support from local authorities. The judge continued to ask for money to get the work done. Frustrated, Nguyen Thi Dung, Ducs younger sister, reported the case to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper. Dung revealed one of the text messages from Toan as evidence. My child is sick and will be brought to Ho Chi Minh City. Consider this helping each other, I'm in diffculty. Send me VND2 million [US$88], the judge said in the message. Representatives from the Peoples Court in Tran Van Thoi District later worked with Dung to gather all the necessary information for their investigation. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A man in north-central Vietnam has been sentenced to seven years in prison for spreading anti-state propaganda with funds from reactionary groups. The man, 22-year-old Nguyen Van Hoa, has also been barred from leaving his place of residence for three years after the conclusion of his jail time. The verdict was reached on Monday morning by the Peoples Court of Ha Tinh Province, which tried Hoa for spreading propaganda against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. According to Hoas indictment, between 2013 and 2017 he ran a number of Facebook accounts that shared posts, videos and photos that distorted the truth and went against the lines and policies of the Communist Party and the State. During and following the Formosa environmental scandal last year, which involved mass fish deaths along the central coast of Vietnam, Hoa was found to have played a direct role in the shooting of staged videos and photos that were uploaded on his social media accounts to incite anti-government protests. Hoa also re-published and shared posts written by other hostile subjects, the indictment read, and sent his photos and videos to foreign media agencies to spread the hurtful propaganda. In return, he received sponsorships from extremists and reactionary individuals and organizations in order to fund his operation. Hoa pleaded guilty to the charges at the Peoples Court on Monday. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnams transport ministry startled local passengers on Monday by announcing a new rule changing what kinds of documents would be accepted as valid identification at all Vietnamese airports, only to retract the rule 24 hours later, saying that mistakes were made in the drafting of the controversial regulation. According to Circular No. 45, signed by Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The and effective from January 15, 2018, documents including drivers licenses, Party member cards, press cards and airport security cards would no longer be accepted as valid ID for passengers 14 years and above. The same documents were also to be deemed invalid ID for foreign passengers when boarding domestic flights, according to the circular. Vietnamese passengers are currently only allowed to use the following papers as identification to pass airport checkpoints: a valid passport, visa, or border crossing paper, a temporary residence card, ID card, military ID card or National Assembly delegate card. Any valid ID must contain basic information including full names, dates of birth, places of residential registry and a stamped photo. Foreign passengers can use a valid passport, border crossing paper, visa, or permanent or temporary residence card. Flyers who lose their passport must obtain a paper from the consular agency of their country or written verification of their passport issued no later than 30 days from the day of travel. Drafting errors The new rules were announced by local media on Monday afternoon, sparking outrage among some passengers, who said it was unreasonable to deem authorized papers with personal information and verified photos of the flyers, such as a drivers license or Party member card, invalid. In a surprising turn of events, Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Ngoc Dong told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper later the same day that there had been drafting errors that led to the omission of documents including a Party member card, press cards and drivers licenses from the list of accepted documents. In the next couple of days, the Ministry of Transport will issue a document to rectify the circular, Dong said. The changes to the airport ID were originally proposed by the transport ministry-run Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam. According to an official from the aviation authority, the proposal was initially intended to invalidate the airport security card as an accepted airport ID, but there were errors in the final draft of the document. The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam briefed the transport ministry on the so-called mistakes late on Monday. Waterway traffic under the Long Bien Bridge in Hanoi was blocked on Tuesday as a military team began to retrieve an American war-era bomb recently found near one pillar of the Vietnamese capitals iconic structure. The traffic suspension was in effect between 12:30 pm and 4:30 pm, according to the northern chapter of the Vietnam Inland Waterways Administration. The bomb was found at a location five meters away from the P13 pillar of the Long Bien Bridge and on the Tu Liem-Trung Ha water route, passing through Ngoc Thuy Ward, Long Bien District. Local residents first noticed a strange object under the bridge last week and immediately notified local authorities. Officers from the High Command of Capital Hanoi and High Command of Military Engineering inspected the scene on Sunday and confirmed that the object is a bombshell before beginning to prepare a plan to retrieve it. A diver jumps into the Hong (Red) River to retrieve a bomb in Hanoi, November 28, 2017. Photo: Tuoi Tre The location of the bomb is marked with a plastic container. At around 1:30 pm on Tuesday, the retrieving process started with divers approaching the bomb and tying a robe around it. At 2:10 pm, the explosive was successfully taken ashore and was immediately transferred away from the bridge. The bombshell measures about two meters in length and 0.5 meters in diameter, and might have been among the bombs dropped on northern Vietnam during the U.S. destruction war in the 1960s. Military engineers and divers discuss before retrieving the bomb. A diver begins to approach the bomb location. A diver discusses with officers during the retrieving task. The bomb is transported away from the Long Bien Bridge after the successful retrieval. Commuters stop to watch the bomb retrieval on the Long Bien Bridge. One of Hanois landmarks, the 2.5-km cantilever Long Bien Bridge, spanning the Red River, was built in 1903 by French architect Gustave Eiffel, who designed the Eiffel Tower 14 years earlier. From 1899 to 1902, more than 3,000 Vietnamese took part in the construction. The bridge was once named Doumer, after Paul Doumer, the Governor General of French Indochina and later the French President. At that time, it was one of the longest bridges in Asia with a length of 1,682 meters. Long Bien Bridge Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! More women have come forward to level allegations against former Burkes Backyard host Don Burke, after revelations from Fairfax and ABC. A Current Affair said it had received further complaint since its Monday night interview, in which the host denied key allegations. One of those was ACA reporter Alison Piotrowski (pictured), previously a radio producer at 2UE where Burke worked. She recalled working with him for an outside broadcast at the Easter Show. I got held up at security, I was late and by the time I arrived, Don tore shreds off me for being late. But then half an hour later, he came up to me and said all was forgiven because I had a great arse, she said. I later reported it to the management as inappropriate and was told that I didnt have to work with him anymore. But I certainly wasnt the only young female producer who was put in a position like this. There were plenty of other girls who went through far more confronting experiences at 2UE compared to what I experienced. 7:30 also returned to the scandal with more stories. Journalist Amanda Pepe flew from Broken Hill to Sydney after Burke allegedly invited her to Sydney to take up a role in a new upcoming program. The conversation was very sexually charged and all of his conversation for the entire time we were together was talking about his sexual exploits, other people hed slept with, how theyd reacted, she claims. The intent was very clear that he expected to have sex, that hed paid for the room, that I more or less owed it to him, and it was very uncomfortable. Fairfax reporter Kate McClymont told ABC since the story broke she has received hundreds of emails and phone messages. Theres been a complete avalanche of information. Ive never actually experienced anything like this, she said. A former MP has said they had to complain about his behaviour at an Australia Day ceremony. But a lot of them are former workers who worked at Burkes Backyard. Its interesting that the pattern of complaints is very very similar. Relentless bullying, harassment and just making women feel small an unvalued. Burke has denied allegations. Fetch TV is joining forces with the anti-piracy group Australian Screen Association as an associate member. ASA members, who include Village Roadshow, Walt Disney, Co. Universal, Sony, Paramount, Warner Bros & 20th Century Fox, have previously revealed they would start suing individual pirates for copyright infringement. Fetch TV is a strong supporter of the ASA initiatives designed to address the piracy epidemic in Australia, and welcomes the opportunity to contribute as an Associate Member, Fetch TV CEO Scott Lorson said. We look forward to working with the ASA and its members on targeted and effective strategies to improve the prospects of all legitimate players in the creative industries. The ASA brought a landmark court case against iiNet alleging it authorised piracy by failing to stop customers from illegally downloading movies. The ASA lost the case and an appeal to the High Court in 2012. Source: Lifehacker No group claimed responsibility for the attack which comes as Iraqi forces are conducting the last military operations against the Islamic State group in the country. File photo of suicide bombings in Iraq in June 2017 By AP: Iraqi police and hospital officials say a bombing in southeast Baghdad has killed 11 people. The officials say the attack late Monday night targeted a popular shopping district and left also 26 civilians wounded. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. No group claimed responsibility for the attack which comes as Iraqi forces are conducting the last military operations against the Islamic State group in the country. advertisement IS has repeatedly claimed responsibility for insurgent-style attacks in Iraq as the extremists have slowly lost territory across the country over the past three years. Last week Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said Iraq is poised to declare victory against IS after the group is driven out of the western desert near the Syrian border. --- ENDS --- Mike Sneesby still remembers the race to get Stan launched on Australia Day 2015 before Netflix landed in March. The Stan CEO had signed a deal with Sony six months earlier for titles including Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad when there were still major technology hurdles to overcome. We were in a race to finish our content deals. It was literally, for a year prior to launch, a team of people on technology, content, marketing, working around the clock, he recalls. We knew that Netflix would be there and we wanted to be there first, and we ended up getting there first. If you dont sign this deal you wont have a business I remember calling up David Gyngell to say Im signing a deal worth tens of millions of dollars. But full disclosure the technology isnt working yet, we havent tested the platform, its not delivered, the tech guys are concerned and there are risks around that. He said If you dont sign this deal you wont have a business. If you do sign the deal you might have a business. So I signed it and 2 weeks later we terminated our technology vendor and started from scratch rebuilding the technology platform. It turned out to be the right thing to do. Stan now has over 800,000 active subscribers and revenue at over $100m a year. Sneesby, a former Director of Strategy at NineMSN, credits his shareholders Nine and Fairfax as backing the ambitious company when it mattered. You cant deliver half a line-up and go to market with Netflix, he suggests. You have to sign up to some really big commitments to either produce or acquire licensed content. Theres no way to just invest a little bit and see how the business goes. Youve got to be all-in and our shareholders have been prepared to do that. Im the bloke who stands out the front but anytime I put a plan together its the team who say We can do this and they turn around and go and do it. The consumer would sniff that out straight away Yet Stan has built up a brand separate to Nine, including not being lumbered with any issues surrounding the legacy of Free to Air. As much as we like to leverage the opportunities between the two businesses, we have our own acquisition, programming and originals team, our own marketing team. If we just operated under Nines silos the consumer would sniff that out straight away, he insists. It wouldnt be genuine. One quiet consultant in the platforms early days was Andrew Denton, a point which Sneesby seems surprised to learn has emanated. He was a consultant particularly in the early days when we were moving into original production. He had a great relationship with Nine and David Gyngell, so it was an opportunity for us to have someone with great experience in the production industry and contacts. But he didnt have a desk at Stan. The category was taking off and he was the guy who had stepped back a bit and it was an opportunity to see this new thing that was growing. Stan did move into development with Wolf Creek (S2 debuts on December 15) and Enemies of the State, a Lionel Murphy drama by Tony Jones and Robert Connolly (it remains in development). The first original commission, No Activity has since spawned a US adaptation -a move that clearly paid off. At 4 months in the business we had less than 100,000 subscribers, hoping it would become something to support original productions. But we had to take the bet. We found a show that we really thought could be great, Sneesby explains. What drives subscriptions is big first-run, exclusive shows The Showtime deal was also pivotal to the platforms young existence. Sneesby also highlights Sherlock, Billions, Better Call Saul, Twin Peaks, Wolf Creek, No Activity and The Other Guy as key events. Each one of those shows has a very significant spike in subscriber sign-ups. I havent listed every single show in our premium, but across our 35 internally we talk about Tier A and Tier B shows based on how much investment we put into the marketing of the shows. Were a content and marketing engine and all of those marketing campaigns drive to a premiere date. What drives subscriptions is big first-run, exclusive shows either our originals or licensed acquisitions. Stan also has new local drama Romper Stomper launching on January 1st and has confirmed new US drama Rise for March. Sneesby is also vigilant in reading feedback from users online. Im a fanatic on social media in terms of reading and analysing the comments on your site, Whirlpool, Twitter, Facebook and I insist all of my management do the same. I tell my technology guys all of the stuff on Whirlpool that is making you angry, is all f***ing real, he reveals. Thats the reality that you are delivering for them so you better have a look at it rather than making up excuses for it. SVOD holds up better through the late evening. As expected Saturdays and Sundays are the biggest traffic days with Fridays a very close third. New sign-ups follow the same trend. And while he didnt disclose viewing numbers, Sneesby confirmed that peak viewing time is after 9pm. The peak time for Free to Air is somewhere around 8 -8:30 and our time is about an hour after that. But in Free to Air it drops off fairly quickly after that, while SVOD holds up better through the late evening. At 12:00 it drops off very dramatically. Its that moment where you go Its midnight, Im out! Stan is now priced at 3 entry levels: a 4K package for $15, a HD package at $12 and an SD package at $10 a month. Finally, Sneesby also has a tip for eager viewers surrounding premiere dates, most of which are Thursday at midnight. This is a TV Tonight tip. On any of the technology platforms it takes time to propagate the show out. So if you want to meet a midnight deadline, we almost always publish a little bit early. Theres a very good chance a lot of people will start seeing it from 11pm the night before. By Jussi Rosendahl HELSINKI, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Finland's biggest retailer S Group, which put its Russian growth plans on hold after the Ukraine crisis in 2014, is now back in expansion mode, a company executive said on Tuesday. The cooperative group, which accounts for more than 40 percent of Finland's grocery sales, operates 16 Prisma hypermarkets and stores in St Petersburg. Several Finnish companies, including retailers Stockmann and Kesko (LSE: 0BNS.L - news) , have pulled back from Russia in recent years following an economic slowdown there and a slide in the rouble currency. But with the economy now picking up, S Group is planning to double its number of hypermarkets and supermarkets in St Petersburg in the next five years, possibly starting from 2018, said Executive Vice President Jorma Vehvilainen, who is in charge of the retail business. "Our Russian operations as a whole are starting to show positive cash flow. The St Petersburg region is developing well already, it is a huge market with a lot of growth potential," he told Reuters by phone. "This kind of market business requires a certain critical volume to become profitable." S Group's retail business in St Petersburg, which covers about 4 percent of the city's overall market, is currently loss-making, Vehvilainen said. Prisma's rivals there include X5 and Lenta (Frankfurt: A1XEVQ - news) . Vehvilainen said the company was also looking to open smaller convenience stores, as well as new hotels on top of the three it already has in the city. "St Petersburg is easily reachable from Finland, logistically," he said, adding the retailer was not looking to expand elsewhere in Russia. Moscow in 2014 imposed an embargo on products including meat and dairy from the European Union and other countries in retaliation for Western economic sanctions over Russia's involvement in the Ukraine crisis. S Group sees the quality of Finnish food as a major competitive advantage. However, Vehvilainen said the embargo had not affected Prisma's selection much. "The bigger worry has been the weak purchasing power. The consumer behaviour correlates very much to the exchange rate." S Group's operations in Finland, the Baltics and Russia include groceries, hypermarkets, hotels, restaurants and a bank. Last year it had total sales of about 11 billion euros. (Reporting by Jussi Rosendahl; Editing by Mark Potter) The cocaine canisters were dropped over Kent by Rudi Sels before being picked up (PA) A pilot from Belgium is facing jail for dropping more than 2.5 million of cocaine into the Kent countryside from his light aircraft. Rudi Sels, 65, from Balen, near Antwerp, was extradited to face a charge of conspiracy to smuggle 31kg of the class A drug into Britain. The National Crime Agency had the sophisticated operation under surveillance and watched as Sels and other plotters scoped out the airdrop site in advance. Following the delivery in June last year, barrels containing cocaine were seized from a Faversham builders yard. At a hearing at the Old Bailey, Sels pleaded guilty to his involvement in the smuggling plot. The National Crime Agency had the sophisticated operation under surveillance (Rex) Three British men have already received lengthy prison sentences for their roles. Prosecutor Adrian Flasher said Sels was under surveillance when he met two of the UK plotters at the Golden Lion pub in Rochester. He went with them on a scoping trip to arrange the drop in a field on June 23 last year. The former Belgian army serviceman was seen loading up his plane in Belgium bound for Le Touquet in France. Officers observed canisters wrapped in tape dropped out over Kent and picked up in a Land Rover. MOST POPULAR STORIES ON YAHOO UK Will Donald Trump get an invite to Prince Harry and Meghan Markles wedding? Tiny attraction in Sports Direct carpark is dubbed Britains worst ice rink by parents Sadiq Khan to BAN fast food chains within 400m of London schools Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia vows to rid the world of Islamic terrorism More than 200,000 people tried to buy a gun in the Black Friday sales Mr Flasher said it was a carefully planned and sophisticated plot. In January, co-defendants Andrew Barrett, 42, of Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, was jailed for 16 years, Michael Mealing, 42, of Corsham, Wiltshire, received 12-and-a-half years, and Jonathan Hart, 61, of no fixed address, was handed 10 years and nine months at the Old Bailey. The court heard that Sels had been given a suspended prison sentence in Belgium for possession of cannabis and having a weapon some six months before the cocaine plot. Story continues Sels pleaded guilty to his involvement in the smuggling plot at the Old Bailey (Geograph) In January 2015, police had raided his home and found 103 cannabis plants, scales, bags and a lecture on cultivating the drug as well as a forbidden weapon. Rupert Hallowes, mitigating, told how Sels had a colourful career as a top helicopter pilot. Previously, he flew high level dignities around the world and during the Cold War, he had been sent on secret missions with the SAS, he said. The defendant, who lost his wife eight years ago, retired on an army pension but continued to fly commercially. Mr Hallowes suggested Sels may have embarked on the plot because he got bored. Judge Mark Dennis QC will sentence Sels later. SWNS

Feeling under the weather? Try the rom-com remedy three in five Americans say its their go-to movie genre when down for the count.

Thats according to a new poll of 2,000 millennial parents of kids ages 4-12, where theyre also watching action and adventure movies (37%) and series like Harry Potter or the Hunger Games (36%).

When sickness strikes, more than four in five (82%) spend most of their time in their bedroom, with 42% staying put on the couch in their living room.

This may contribute to the fact that the average parent watches five hours of TV or movies each sick day.

Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Delsym, results showed how respondents are optimizing comfort with their favorite things.

Results revealed that respondents get sick about three times per year.

Respondents were more likely to prefer old favorites than to wrap their heads around new content when feeling ill. (23% vs 15%).

When parents are sick with their children, the most popular movies to watch are the Harry Potter series (32%) and the Toy Story series (32%).

They also watch movies like Frozen (30%), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (28%) and Moana (25%).

More than half (56%) of respondents have a go-to or favorite feel-better comfort movie, with the average person saying they can watch it four times in a row without getting sick of it

In fact, 45% of those admit they can watch it more than four times and one in 10 of those (11%) even say they can watch it an infinite amount of times.

In total, respondents have watched their feel-better movie about 34 different times.

This movie has been respondents favorite for about six years, perhaps because it reminds them of good times (61%) and makes them laugh (53%).

Parents report feeling relaxed (54%), happy (48%) and calm (40%) after watching their favorite movie.

Almost two-thirds (63%) of parents agree that theyve passed their love of their favorite movie along to their child.

Nothing brings a family together quite like movie night, and nothing makes movie night better than a feel-good flick that fills you with warm, fuzzy feelings especially when youre sick. We understand that feeling better means more than just relieving your cough symptoms its about cozying up on the couch as you and your family work to feel better together, said Albert So, Marketing Director, Upper Respiratory Brands at Reckitt, including Delsym.

The survey also delved into how respondents are remedying their ailments by caring for their five senses.

In order to alleviate their symptoms, parents tend to want to taste soup (42%) and hot beverages like tea or coffee (26%).

They also want to touch things like their favorite blanket (40%), their significant other (19%) and their pet (14%).

When it comes to smell, respondents like to breathe in something clean like fresh linens (42%), medicine (36%) and something cooking in the kitchen (26%).

And while trying to feel better, respondents like to listen to music (58%) and their friends and family talking (29%).

When a family member is under the weather, the entire household is caught in the storm and that daily routine can be thrown off course, bringing with it discomfort and chaos. Families not only need fast-acting relief, but they need comforting remedies to help them navigate that storm, said So. Whether its moms chicken soup, your go-to feel better movie or cozying up with your kids, whatever it is that makes you feel better can go a long way.

Survey methodology:

This random double-opt-in survey of 2,000 millennial parents of kids aged 4-12 was commissioned by Delsym between October 6 and October 10, 2022. It was conducted by market research company OnePoll, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society and have corporate membership to the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Burundi's main opposition grouping said it is boycotting peace talks that resumed on Tuesday in Tanzania, leaving little chance that the negotiations will end simmering political violence that has claimed hundreds of lives. Burundi has been gripped by unrest since April 2015, when President Pierre Nkurunziza announced he would stand for a third term, which the opposition said violated the constitution as well as a 2005 peace deal that ended the civil war. He won a vote largely boycotted by the opposition, but protests sparked a government crackdown that has killed more than 700 people, displaced over 400,000 to neighbouring countries and left the economy moribund. The International Criminal Court is investigating whether pro-government forces committed war crimes including murder, torture and rape. Burundi, which has withdrawn from the court, is refusing to recognise the investigation. Exiled opposition grouping CNARED said former Tanzanian president Benjamin Mkapa, who is facilitating the Nov. 28-Dec. 8 round of talks in Arusha, had not invited them. We have always asked the facilitator to invite CNARED as an opposition bloc, but he has refused and rather decided to select some of our members who will take part to the dialogue without our consent, said CNARED spokesman Pancrace Cimpaye. At the end of October, Burundis cabinet adopted draft legislation seeking to change the current constitution to allow Nkurunziza to run for a fourth term in the 2020 election. The proposed amendments, likely to go to a referendum by next year, seek to abolish the two-term limit and lengthen the presidential terms to seven years. CNARED says amending the constitution will worsen the crisis. (Editing by Jeremy Gaunt) Rasta777/Shutterstock.com Fossil fuels currently dominate the production of electricity and heat. Although renewable energy accounts for around a quarter of electricity produced in the UK, the production of central heating is dominated by natural gas, which supplies around 70% of UK heat demand (the UK has been a net importer of gas since 2004). There are fewer low carbon alternatives for heat production than there are for electricity. Solar hot water and biomass are the two main touted alternatives. Solar hot water is usually produced at a domestic level and requires access to a south facing roof. Biomass can be used as a heat source but may be constrained by availability and the transportation of fuel. And so it is unclear how future heat demands could be met from low carbon sources. Geothermal heat is one solution that offers a low carbon, secure and continuous energy source. Classic geothermal regions such as Iceland and New Zealand capitalise on their volcanic landscapes by capturing the steam and hot fluids produced as a result of tectonic activity. Geothermal fluids in the UK are over 100C and hot enough to drive turbines, produce electricity and also supply heat. Also, geothermal fluids may issue naturally at the surface as hot springs and geysers, avoiding the need to drill to access them. Burben/Shutterstock.com Of course, the UK is not characterised by such tectonic activity. But we believe that abandoned deep mines contain good geothermal potential. Geothermal potential The deeper you drill into the Earth, the warmer it gets. Geologists call this the Earths geothermal gradient, driven by heat produced at the Earths core that radiates towards the crust. In non-tectonic areas, temperatures increase on average by around 25C per kilometre. This means we can predict what temperature may be encountered at any specific depth. But extracting geothermal energy from these warm depths is only possible if water is present and is able to flow from the rock. Heat and water flow are essential for extracting geothermal energy. Story continues Abandoned coal mines, therefore, seem incredibly promising due to their networks of flooded galleries and shafts lying at depths of up to several hundred metres below the surface. One can be almost certain that the water flow necessary for deep geothermal wells will be found in these flooded underground voids. The risk of not finding flowing water underground can inhibit deep geothermal developments elsewhere. Vast volumes (over 15 billion tonnes) of coal have been extracted from deep mines in the UK over the last century. To put this into context, if this extracted coal were spread over the UK land surface, this would result in a five cm deep layer of coal across the country. Today, UK coal production from deep mining has declined to almost zero and the nation recently celebrated its first coal free day of power generation, in April 2017. Eco-friendly coal mines Think about this. The volume of coal extracted compares to an equivalent void volume underground. On this basis (once allowing for subsidence), we estimate that the abandoned mines of the UK contain around two billion cubic metres of water at temperatures which are constantly around 12-16C, and in some instances higher still. If heat corresponding to a 4C temperature drop was removed from this volume, around 38,500TJ of heat could be liberated. This conservative estimate could provide enough heat for around 650,000 homes nationally. Clearly, you wouldnt want to take a bath or heat your home with water at these low temperatures, but using a heat pump, the water temperature could be upgraded to more useful temperatures of 40-50C. A heat pump takes energy from a source such as water within an abandoned mine and lifts it to a more useful temperature. You can think of it working like a fridge: if you put food at room temperature in a fridge, after a while it will be cooled to the temperature of the fridge. The heat removed from the food is lost from the back of the fridge, which is why this area feels warm. The radiators in a home are effectively the same as the back of the fridge. A heat pump uses electricity to boost the temperature but for every kW of electrical power used, the heat pump will produce three to four kW of heat. This is why heat pumps are a low carbon alternative to gas boilers. Next steps So we know that the UK has sufficient potential for geothermal heat production in its extensive mines. The next consideration, then, is proximity to the heat demand. Given the low temperatures involved, the heat source needs to be close to the end user to minimise losses. Many UK towns and cities grew due to their coal reserves, meaning that centres of heat demand and areas of abandoned mines often coincide, making them ideal targets. The UK governments fifth carbon budget sets out plans to decarbonise heat by stating that one in 20 homes should be connected to a heat network by 2030. This is an ambitious challenge but abandoned mines could make a significant contribution here. Minewater district heating schemes have already been successfully developed at several locations. One early example was developed at the Ropak packaging plant in Springhill, Nova Scotia, in 1998. A minewater and heat pump system that uses minewater at 18C provides heating and cooling for the 13,500-square-metre site leading to huge savings in avoided fuel-oil costs. And at Heerlen in the Netherlands, a larger scheme has been operating since 2008, supplying heat to 500,000 square metres of commercial and residential buildings. Areas planned for new development in former mining areas make ideal targets as they provide an opportunity to incorporate the necessary above ground infrastructure. But if coal mines are to decarbonise heat, we need to deploy these systems in more places. Is this possible? We think so. The fact that many coalfields are overlain by urban centres means that there is certainly good potential for many former mining areas. Although abandoned mines provide a lower temperature resource than deeper geothermal sources, they are systems known to flow copious quantities of relatively warm water and provide a readymade subsurface store of heat. There is a delightful irony that the legacy of the dirtiest of fuels, coal, now has the potential to deliver a low carbon energy future. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. The Conversation The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. (Reuters) - The emergence of bitcoin in 2009 as the first decentralized digital currency using cryptography as a security feature has spawned more than 1,200 new digital crypto-currencies, with coins, or tokens, sold by crypto-currency firms to fund their projects one of the fastest growing applications. With more than $3 billion raised in "initial coin offerings" (ICOs) this year so far, dozens of regulators around the world have responded with some form of regulations or guidelines. Here are some responses: ABU DHABI The Financial Services Regulatory Authority adopted a technology-neutral approach in its guidelines released in October. The regulator said as long as the virtual tokens were used to enable or facilitate a regulated activity, they were generally permitted. ANGUILLA The British territory in the Caribbean has said it planned to enact a law covering the registration of initial offerings of "utility tokens" that give buyers access to a service or a product. The law, called the Anguilla Utility Token Offering Act, establishes the registration process for a crypto-currency offering. CAYMAN ISLANDS The Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA) has not made any public comment about ICOs, but coin issuers are required to register as a provider of a "money services business." CHINA Beijing banned the sale of crypto-currencies and tokens outright in September this year, saying in a statement ICOs have disrupted the economic and financial order. Any individuals or organizations that have completed fund-raising through a coin offering should make arrangements to return the funds, and ensure that the legitimate rights and interests of the investors are protected. DUBAI The Dubai Financial Services Authority has issued a warning on ICOs in September, but in an emailed response to Reuters it said it needed to review the types of ICOs and their potential impact on investors and markets, before formulating its views on any need for action. Story continues GIBRALTAR The British territory said in September that starting from January 2018 it would have a new regulatory framework for firms operating or based in Gibraltar using the blockchain technology. ISRAEL The Israel Securities Authority (ISA) has announced a plan to form a panel to regulate initial coin offerings and consider to what extent securities regulations would apply to coin sales. JAPAN Japan's Financial Services Agency has issued a warning in late October about the risks of investing in ICOs. Although Japan has no specific laws on ICOs, they may be regulated by two existing laws: the Payment Services Act and the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act. MALAYSIA The country's Securities Commission warned investors in September that digital coin offerings may be unregulated, possibly exposing them to fraud. It said such sales could also be parts of money laundering schemes or the financing of terrorism. SINGAPORE The Monetary Authority of Singapore said in August while in general it did not regulate virtual currencies, it would do so if the digital tokens constituted products subject to Singapore's Securities and Futures Act. SOUTH KOREA The nation's financial regulator in September prohibited domestic companies and startups from participating in ICOs and said that those involved would face "stern penalties." South Korea has no plans to regulate bitcoin trading. SWITZERLAND While its Financial Market Supervisory Authority does not have rules designed specifically for ICOs, some parts of the procedure may be covered by existing regulations depending on how such an offering is structured, the regulator has said. The authority said in September that it had started to investigate a number of ICOs for possible breaches of Swiss law. UNITED KINGDOM The Financial Conduct Authority warned in September that coins issued in public offering were subject to extreme volatility, often carried little or no investor protection, and were high-risk given their unregulated nature and early stage of many projects. It is now considering whether to introduce specific regulations on digital coin sales. UNITED STATES The Securities and Exchange Commission has declared that public token sales are subject to federal security laws. Tokens can be considered securities, and therefore, may need to be registered unless a valid exemption applies. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission has said crypto assets may also be regarded as commodities. (Reporting by Gertrude Chavez-Dreyfuss and Angela Moon; Editing by Tomasz Janowski) ISRO is also expected to fly 600kg spacecraft designed by TeamIndus on its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) before March 31, 2018. By India Today Web Desk: India eyes at least one rocket launch every month in 2018 from its Andhra Pradesh spaceport at Sriharitkota. It was confirmed by a top space official today. "We are planning to have at least one launch mission a month in 2018 to deploy satellites in the earth's orbit for various applications," said Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman AS Kiran Kumar. advertisement According to Kumar, there has been an increase in the budget in view of the missions. "For 2018-19 and 2019-20 financial years, we are looking to receive increased budgets from the country in view of the missions," he told media on the sidelines of the inauguration of a Gallery on Space Technology at the Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum in Bengaluru. ISRO was given a budget of about Rs 9,000 crore for 2017-18. The first of the missions ahead is likely to be the launch of Cartosat-2E remote-sensing spacecraft along with 28 nano and micro-satellites in early January if delayed from December end. On Chandrayan-2 mission, Kiran Kumar said the work on realising the satellite was in full swing. The launch is likely to take place by the first quarter of 2018. Meanwhile, the state-run ISRO is also expected to fly 600kg spacecraft designed by TeamIndus on its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) before March 31, 2018, for the city-based firm to win the Google Lunar XPRIZE. "There are still a lot of discussions that are going on with TeamIndus regarding the launch," the ISRO chief said. TeamIndus is the only Indian team among the five finalists competing for the $30Amillion Google Lunar XPRIZE, a competition is meant to challenge and inspire engineers and entrepreneurs from around the world to develop low-cost methods of robotic space exploration. Adressing a gathering of students at the opening of the space technology gallery, Kiran Kumar said, "You're at the prime moment where India as a country is surging ahead. India has got every potential to be the number one in the world, for which each of you must put in your best efforts." "It is never too late to do anything in science and technology. We can always make a mark. When we put in our best efforts, no one can beat us," the ISRO head asserted. Former ISRO Chairman and National Education Policy Committee Chairman K Kasturirangan, and National Council for Science Museums Director General AS Manekar were also present at the event. advertisement -With IANS inputs ALSO WATCH | ISRO launches GSLV Mark III with GSAT-19 communication satellite successfully from Sriharikota --- ENDS --- By Marine Pennetier OUAGADOUDOU (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday played down reports of a grenade thrown at French soldiers shortly before his arrival in Burkina Faso's capital, saying much worse attacks linked to "deadly ... terrorism" targeted the country. The grenade, which wounded three civilians, was thrown late on Monday, just hours before Macron was due to speak before a university audience at Ouagadougou, RFI radio station said. "Let's put things in perspectives and keep our cool," Macron said in a news conference at Burkina Faso's presidential palace. "It's only a grenade, I don't forget the deaths your people had to suffer yesterday, and in the weeks and months before," he said, adding: "And they are victims of what? Not to a reaction to a visit by France's President. They are the victims of terrorism, of the deadly obscurantist terrorism against which we are all fighting with determination." Later, on Tuesday, stones were thrown at one of the vehicles that were part of the French delegation, Macron's spokesman said, adding that the French president was not in that car but speaking with Burkino Faso's president, Roch Marc Kabore. Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel are due to address an European Union-Africa summit in Abidjan this week, focusing on education, investment in youth and economic development to prevent refugees and economic migrants from attempting the treacherous journey across the Mediterranean. (Additional reporting by Danielle Rouquie, Sudip Kar-Gupta; Writing by Michel Rose and Ingrid Melander Editing by Jeremy Gaunt) CONAKRY (Reuters) - A two-day skirmish between Guinean and Malian villagers over control of a gold mine that straddles the countries' joint border killed at least 17 people, a government official in Guinea said on Tuesday. Villagers in both countries lay claim to the zone's rich underground deposits, which have lured thousands of people to work in unregulated small-scale mines along the border. Artisanal gold mining, conducted with rudimentary tools, is a key source of income in both Mali and Guinea, but poses numerous safety risks, including frequent mine collapses. "There are five dead on the Guinean side and 12 dead on the Malian side," said Cheick Mohamed Diallo, prefect of the town of Mandiana in eastern Guinea. A witness on the Guinean side of the border said the villagers fought each other with firearms and bladed weapons. The fighting has ceased, local resident Cheikh Keita said, but the situation remained tense on Tuesday. A similar incident occurred in February 2015, when Guinean miners killed three Malian nationals in a fight over a gold discovery. (Reporting by Saliou Samb; Writing by Sofia Christensen; Editing by Aaron Ross and Richard Balmforth) SKOPJE (Reuters) - Macedonian authorities detained a former interior minister and a number of lawmakers and political activists on Tuesday on charges related to violence in parliament in April which pushed the Balkan country into a political crisis. Along with Mitko Cavkov, a former interior minister and police chief, authorities detained at least three parliamentary deputies of the rightist VMRO-DPMNE party, several party officials, actors and leaders of a Macedonian nationalist movement that spearheaded the April protests. In a statement, the office of the Prosecutor for Organized Crime and Corruption said it had ordered a formal investigation against 36 people including Cavkov. "After considering and analysing the evidence, the prosecutor has issued an order for a formal investigation ... on suspicion they committed ... terrorist threatening of the constitutional order and security," it said. The statement did not provide details on how many suspects remained at large. On April 27, protesters stormed parliament and assaulted Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, the leader of the Social Democrats after his party and its ethnic Albanian allies elected an Albanian parliament speaker. Dozens were injured in subsequent clashes with police. The opposition VMRO-DPMNE, which ruled the country since 2006 until elections in 2016, reacted to the detentions by calling for a protest in downtown Skopje for later on Tuesday. Macedonia was without a functioning government between 2015 and April 2016 due to political turmoil over a wiretapping scandal that brought down the VMRO-DPMNE party bloc. The April riots marked the worst crisis in Macedonia since 2001 when Western diplomacy helped drag the country from the brink of civil war during an ethnic Albanian insurgency, promising it a route to membership of the European Union and NATO. The parliamentary crisis ended in May when Zaev formed a coalition government with ethnic Albanian parties which represent a third of the country's two million population. Macedonia, which won independence from former Yugoslavia in 1991, has made little progress towards EU and NATO membership due to a name dispute with Greece. (Reporting by Kole Casule; Writing by Aleksandar Vasovic; Editing by William Maclean) By Khalil al-Ashawi and Sarah Dadouch MAREA, Syria/BEIRUT (Reuters) - Shaven-headed former jihadists filled a classroom in northern Syria as a Muslim cleric taught them a more moderate form of Islam than the version they had imposed in Islamic State's self-proclaimed caliphate. Their class was in a new rehabilitation centre for Islamic State members set up in the town of Marea, north of Aleppo, in an area controlled by Syrian rebel groups backed by Turkey. The centre, set up in October, is meant to address a problem emerging across swathes of Syria and Iraq - how to handle thousands of people living there who joined Islamic State as it enforced its brutal rule. Islamic State used public killings and torture to enforce its draconian religious code, sexually enslaved captive women and slaughtered prisoners of war and members of enemy tribes. Its self-styled caliphate is now on the verge of defeat, having lost large tracts of its territory and most of its major towns and cities in both Syria and Iraq. Although some IS members came from abroad out of conviction, many others were local people who joined the group to protect themselves or earn money, according to an official at the centre. There are 25 ex-members now at the centre where they take classes in religious doctrine and law. Psychological counselling is mandatory; some get individual sessions to help wean them off extremist ideology. The centre is funded by the director as well as small donations, and its staff are all volunteers. Marea was besieged, but never captured, by IS. Last year, rebels backed by the Turkish army drove IS out of nearby areas. Judges in rebel-held areas have tried Islamic State members who were captured or defected, and their sentences have included time at the centre, guarded by a security team. The centre evaluates former jihadists each month and shares its views with local authorities, which base their release decisions on the centre's recommendations. Story continues INFORMANTS Dressed in long-sleeved orange shirts and black vests, the ex-jihadists listened to lecturer Sheikh Mohammad al-Mahmoud, who asked them questions about Islamic rulings. No one answered. "Why did you join Islamic State and force Islam on people if you don't even know these answers?" he asked. Civilians across Syria and Iraq often reject former IS militants, holding them responsible for killing people from the area and destroying the towns and cities they entered. But not all former IS members at the centre were armed insurgents, the centre's lawyer said. "In the brutal administrative areas where Islamic State was, the overwhelming majority (joined) to protect itself or to have the bare minimum to live," Ibrahim Najjar said. Some people joined just to obtain a canister of cooking gas, he added. IS militants also tended to marry locals' daughters, he said, initially targeting the daughters of influential families and in later years marrying daughters of small families, calling on family ties to recruit fathers and brothers as informants. HEAVEN AND FREEDOM In an interview with Reuters at the centre, former IS member Khalil Abdul-Ghafur spoke in formal Arabic - Islamic State's preferred version of the language - until the centre director reminded him to switch back to Syrian dialect. The 14-year-old from a village near Aleppo said he joined the jihadist group after insurgents arrived. He took lessons in sharia (Islamic law) and trained to use both light and heavy weapons, before IS dispatched him to al-Bab, near Marea. He was wounded twice, both times returning to the militant ranks after he recovered. He only left IS when he found out rebels had detained his father over his membership of the group. Asked why he joined Islamic State, Abdul-Ghafur was at first silent. "I don't know what to tell you. They used to show us video clips," he eventually said. "And they talk to us about heaven and freedom and all that." He did not elaborate on life after Islamic State, only saying the centre has good food, clothes and lessons. But he intends to go back to school when he is released, having not completed his education because his school was bombed. Ersin Khizri, 22, left his home in Ukraine and travelled to Syria with his wife and baby daughter to join IS ranks, in which he fought in Iraq. He left the group in January because he found it unjust, he said, turning himself in to rebels in Syria. "It's over: there is no more Daesh left," he said, using an Arabic acronym for Islamic State. "I don't know what the outside situation is like." The men in the centre watch movies and play chess in their spare time, smoking the cigarettes that were banned under IS. They are divided into three categories: those who did not commit crimes against civilians, those who did, and foreign members. Housed in a former school, the centre holds ex-jihadists from the Caucasus, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Tunisia, Iraq and other countries. Hussein Naser, the centre's director, said the men will stay there for no more than a year, mainly because it does not have the capabilities to hold them longer. "The goals of the centre are to defeat the extremist ideology of the IS members that we have, ensuring their safety when they leave the centre and that they can live with civilians," Naser said. (Writing by Sarah Dadouch; Editing by Angus McDowall and Mark Heinrich) With a focus on women-led businesses, the Global Entrepreneurship Summit2017 kicks off today in Hyderabad. Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with White House advisor Ivanka Trump will inaugurate the event shortly. By India Today Web Desk: For the next three days, Hyderabad will play host to the first south-Asian edition of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES), which is being organised by the NITI Aayog in partnership with the government of the United States of America. GES 2017 will see high-profile names and personalities descend on Hyderabad, the most notable among them being Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior White House advisor and the daughter of American President Donald Trump, Ivanka. advertisement Ivanka, who is leading the US delegation for GES 2017, arrived in Hyderabad early Tuesday morning, while PM Modi arrived around an hour after noon. The GES has previously been held in Washington DC, Istanbul, Dubai, Marrakech, Nairobi, Kuala Lumpur, and Silicon Valley. This year's summit will highlight the theme "Women First, Prosperity for All" and focus on supporting women entrepreneurs. HERE ARE THE LIVE UPDATES FROM THE FIRST DAY OF GES 2017: "To my entrepreneur friends from across the globe, I would like to say: Come, Make in India, Invest in India - for India, and for the world. I invite each one fo you to become a partner in India's growth story. And once again assure you of our whole-hearted support." PM Modi concludes speech inviting everyone to come and invest in India. A historic overhaul of the taxation system has been recently undertaken, bringing in the GST across the country: PM Modi .@startupindia is a comprehensive action plan to provide support to startups. More than 70 million loans have been transferred to Women Entrepreneurs: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/xq4XnVt3Xo&; NITI Aayog (@NITIAayog) November 28, 2017 "Numerous incubation centres have been created in various universities to nurture innovative startup ventures to become scalable and sustainable." The number of smartphone users in India is projected to grow to over 500 million by 2018. This offers immense potential for the growth of any entrepreneurial venture, in terms of outreach and job creation: Modi "The digital world we live in today is based on the binary system, the foundation of zero was done in India." The summit not only connects Silicon Valley with Hyderabad but also showcases the close ties between India and America: Modi Women warriors fought to defend India: Modi Women are incarnation of shakti. Women empowerment vital for growth and development. Indian women continue to lead in different walks of life. Women scientists have contributed immensely. The theme, 'women first, prosperity for all' makes this edition of GSE stand out. In Indian mythology, women is an incarnation of Shakti- the Goddess of power, we believe women empowerment is vital to our development: PM Narendra Modi at #GlobalEntrepreneurshipSummit pic.twitter.com/xcRf0cVwgk&; ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2017 "Happy to host global summit, " says PM Modi as he begins his address. "This year's Summit is focused on a theme that is key to our future: WOMEN FIRST, PROSPERITY FOR ALL. I am proud that for the first time ever, women make up the majority of the 1500 entrepreneurs selected to attend." What you are achieving here is truly extraordinary. From your childhood selling tea to your election as India's Prime Minister, you've proven that transformational change is possible: Ivanka Trump at #GlobalEntrepreneurshipSummit pic.twitter.com/1nfAlCq6zR&; ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2017 Transformational change has been proved by you (PM Modi), from selling tea in your childhood to becoming Prime Minister of India: Ivanka .@IvankaTrump: Its wonderful to be in this ancient city (#Hyderabad) brimming with transformative technology now, your tech centers may even outshine your world-famous #Biryani.&; GES2017 (@GES2017) November 28, 2017 "As President Trump said, India has a friend in the White House." Indian spaceships have reached Moon and Mars. People of India inspire us all, said Ivanka. It is incredible to be in this ancient city brimming with technology, says Ivanka as she begins her address. Hyderabad is the innovation hub of India. Prime Minister Modi is the symbol of democracy: Ivanka .@TelanganaCMO K. Chandrasekhar Rao delivers a welcome address at the opening plenary of #GES2017. pic.twitter.com/9vhzpMZv8C&; GES2017 (@GES2017) November 28, 2017 Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao welcomes PM Narendra Modi, Ivanka Trump, Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj, Minister of Defence Nirmala Sitharaman and other delegates. PM Narendra Modi and Ivanka Trump officially open GES. Following their meeting, PM Modi and Ivanka Trump took a tour of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit venue. On the sidelines of the GES 2017, Ivanka Trump met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two met each other with their respective delegations. Before meeting with PM Modi, Ivanka Trump interacted with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. The two were seen leaving their meeting "hand-in-hand" after "productive discussion on women entrepreneurship and empowerment." Hand in hand. EAM @SushmaSwaraj met @IvankaTrump, Advisor to the US President and Leader of the US delegation at #GES2017 in Hyderabad; had a productive discussion on women entrepreneurship and empowerment. pic.twitter.com/cbdGhhyn3G- Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) November 28, 2017 The Prime Minister, clad in a sombre white-black outfit, was received by Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao at the Hyderabad airport. #Telangana: PM Narendra Modi arrives in Hyderabad where he will inaugurate Metro Rail Project and #GlobalEntrepreneurshipSummit later today, CM K Chandrashekhar Rao received him at the airport. pic.twitter.com/jqdXMM7KKi- ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2017 Prime Minster Narendra Modi has arrived in Hyderabad. While the GES inauguration is undoubtedly the biggest event of the day, PM Modi will also flag off the Hyderabad Metro (Read our ten-point guide to the Hyderabad Metro). You can read the complete PTI report on Ivanka Trump's speech at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit here. News agency PTI has gotten access to excerpts of Ivanka Trump address meant for the GES summit. Her speech will likely stress on fuelling the growth of women-led businesses, and closing the gender entrepreneurship gap world-wide, PTI reported. The #GES2017 stage is set and we're waiting for you. Make it here before 2 pm! pic.twitter.com/63lkOEE5E7- GES2017 (@GES2017) November 28, 2017 Ivanka Trump, who arrived early Tuesday morning, will address a GES session soon after PM Modi inaugurates the event. She is also expected participate in a panel discussion with Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on opening up of opportunities for women entrepreneurs. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Global Entrepreneurship Summit 2017, where US President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka is a special guest (Twitter/GES2017) One of the main objectives of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit will be to provide a platform for entrepreneurs, especially women entrepreneurs, to pitch ideas to investors, a tweet from the official GES 2017 account said. The motto of GES 2017, the tweet added, is: "Women First, Prosperity for All!". #GES2017 by the numbers: Women will represent 52.5 percent of #entrepreneurs, #investors and #ecosystem supporters at GES 2017. This is the first time that women have been the majority of participants at a GES! pic.twitter.com/TX6dzlrYZH- GES2017 (@GES2017) November 26, 2017 Meanwhile, the city of Hyderabad is bracing for a troubled Tuesday as VVIP movement is likely to throw the city's traffic out of gear. Several schools have declared a holiday while traffic police in both Hyderabad and Cyberabad have put in place a number of restrictions. Read our complete guide on the traffic restrictions in Hyderabad here. At this edition of the Global Entrepreneur Summit, around 52.5 per cent of the participants will be women, making this the first GES where women will be in majority. #GES2017 starts today! The world will experience 3 days of networking, opportunities & mentoring to bring nations together through entrepreneurship. Stay tuned. pic.twitter.com/sDrjL21sPm- NITI Aayog (@NITIAayog) November 28, 2017 "Indians and Americans don't just share an affinity for democracy. We share a vision of the future." - Sec. Tillerson #GES2017 #USIndia70 #USIndiaDosti pic.twitter.com/tEKE2CuVWy- U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) November 28, 2017 Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj and Minister of Defence Nirmala Sitharaman too will be at GES 2017. They are expected to address the forum over the next two days. Ivanka Trump was received in Hyderabad by Kenneth Juster, the newly appointed US ambassador to India, and Navtej Sarna, New Delhi's ambassador in Washington. While Ivanka has been to India before, this is her first visit as a senior White House adviser. PM Narendra Modi had invited Ivanka earlier this year during his visit to the US. Warm welcome to a special guest. Advisor to the President of the USA @IvankaTrump arrives in Hyderabad. She is leading the US delegation to the eighth edition of Global Entrepreneurship Summit 2017 pic.twitter.com/HNh29RNAfg- Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) November 27, 2017 (With inputs from agencies) --- ENDS --- ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish academic Fikret Baskaya was briefly detained on Monday as part of an operation targeting members of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militant group, state-run Anadolu news agency said. Twelve other suspects were detained along with Baskaya, it said. Further information about the other suspects' status was not immediately available. Baris Yarkadas, a lawmaker from the main opposition CHP, wrote on Twitter that Baskaya, 77, had been detained at his home in the capital Ankara at 6.30 am (0330 GMT) and that police had seized some of his personal possessions. Baskaya, who is an author and university lecturer, was later released after giving a statement to police, another CHP lawmaker, Murat Emir, said in a tweet. He added that Baskaya was detained over an article he wrote on Nov. 7, called "Real Terror is State Terror," in which Baskaya said Turkey's Kurds suffered oppression at the hands of authorities. The investigation is ongoing despite Baskaya's release, Emir said. Anadolu said arrest warrants had been issued for a total of 17 people on allegations of aiding the PKK and spreading the group's propaganda on social media. Operations to detain the other suspects were ongoing. The PKK launched a separatist insurgency in southeast Turkey in 1984 and more than 40,000 people have been killed in the conflict. It is designated a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the United States and European Union. (Writing by Daren Butler and Ali Kucukgocmen; Editing by Dominic Evans) SWNS

Red-faced council chiefs have been forced to send back Britain's saddest Christmas tree after locals were left so shocked they thought it was a joke.

The partially brown 16ft spruce, which seemed to be missing several branches, was erected in the centre of St. Helens, Merseyside, earlier this week.

But locals were left fuming at the sub-standard conifer, with one claiming that theyd been given the worst tree in England for two years in a row.

Residents also joked that it might be a re-potted version of last years festive failure, which was so bare the only light on the tree was the sun shining on it.

Meanwhile, others branded the fir disgusting and called for more spending on Yuletide celebrations.

The tree has been branded a 'laughing stock' after it was put up in Church Square earlier this week, with one resident saying he thought it was a prank.

Embarrassed officials from St Helens Borough Council later accepted that the spruce did not meet our standards and agreed to replace it within 24 hours.

One wrote: If it hadnt have been so poor last year, Id have agreed it was a mistake this time around. I think the council chanced their arm on a cheap tree again.

Surely someone saw it and picked it out? And surely it would have some resemblance when unpacked?

The Norwegians manage to get a decent one all the way to Trafalger Square every year without incident!

It isnt important per se, but things like this are a visual representation of the town at large. Last years was uninspired, lacking effort and depressing. I think we all deserve better.

Another angry resident added: Disgusting. Typical St. Helens council trying to line there own pockets as per usual instead of spending money on the town or the towns people.

Im not surprised the council are a laughing stock and no one trusts them anymore.

A further local said: The poor tree looks like its been dug up years ago ..might even be last years tree that had tried to be replanted and sadly failed to thrive for this year ...if they fork out on LOADS of lights it will shine I'm sure .....

While another resident added: Two years in a row we have probably the worst in England.

This years ill-fated tree follows controversy over St Helens previous Christmas fir, which had no lights after the council decided to forgo illuminations for it all together.

At the time, Resident Paul Whittaker, who took a picture of the sun peeking through the spruces leaves, joked that it was the only light that would featured on the sad tree.

But it seems local organisers were quick to take note of the criticism this time around after they hastily released a statement saying the tree would be replaced.

A spokesperson said: Hello everyone, just to let you know we're not happy with this tree either.

When the tree is unwrapped it is our first chance to look at it too and this does not meet our standards.

We can assure everyone that this tree will be replaced with a new one in the next 24 hours!

Rainford's Christmas Trees, who supplied the local fir, added that large spruces dont always come through the transportation process well and were finding a replacement.

A spokesperson for the business said: "We installed this tree, when its in the forest trees look great, when you take them from their natural surroundings, cut them down bale them up, transport them then put them up again, big trees dont always come through the process that well.

We recognised this after it was erected and was allowed to open out and immediately organised a replacement.

Britains newspapers were overwhelmingly positive towards the announcement of a Royal Wedding (PA) Yesterdays announcement of a Royal Wedding was unsurprisingly the main story on the front pages of UK newspapers this morning. Pictures of a beaming Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were unavoidable across the national papers following the news of the couples engagement. After a 16-month romance, Harry revealed how he got down on one knee as they cooked a chicken dinner at Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace, with Meghan saying she could not wait to say yes. THE ROYAL WEDDING 2018 MORE COVERAGE ON YAHOO UK Meet the Markles: The family Prince Harry is joining as he marries Meghan Royal wedding planners get to work: 13 things to do before Harry and Meghans big day From Charles and Diana to Kate and William: A history of royal engagements (gallery) Terence Blacker: My guide to Britain for Princess Meghan Who is Meghan Markle, Prince Harrys fiancee? Most of the papers seem to channel the same message: they couldnt be happier for the royal and his soon-to-be wife. Here is how the papers view the newly engaged pairs happy news: The Sun kept it simple with a full page devoted to Harry and Meghan The Sun had Harry and Meghan dominating the front page of todays edition, with the pair looking lovingly at each other. The paper revealed Harry spent six months designing the ring also shown on the font page which features a massive square-cut diamond from Botswana and two stones from Dianas jewellery collection. An expert estimates the ring is worth 50,000 but with the use of the late Princess Dianas diamonds as side stones, this ring, like Kates before it, is of inestimable worth. The Daily Express features the happy couple gazing into each others eyes, showing The Look of Love The Daily Express also uses the beaming picture of the couple arm-in-arm, calling it the look of love. Like The Sun, the paper also showed off the engagement ring. The Daily Mail feature the stars were aligned quote that Harry spoke about in the couples interview last night The Daily Mail calls Harry and Meghans interview with BBCs Mishal Husain one of the most open and extraordinary royal interviews ever, saying they talked with refreshing candour about the proposal. The paper also devoted their entire front page to the couple. Story continues Metro had a Royal Wedding special, declaring Meghan to be Ones One Sticking to similar themes, Metro splashed their entire front page with a picture of the couple and the engagement ring. The paper said their look of love says it all and describes Meghan as Ones One. The Daily Star are pushing for the country to have a Bank Holiday on the big day The Daily Star produced a Royal engagement special but went with a slightly different line, arguing that the country should be given a Bank Holiday for the Royal Wedding. The beaming couple waving to photographers and quotes from Harry feature on The Times front page The Times placed Harry and Meghan on the top half of their front page, with journalist David Sanderson describing Meghan as a refreshing departure from the mould of staid tradition. The Guardian comment on the changing attitudes to race with regards to the Royal Wedding The Guardian decided to focus on the issue of race and the Royal Wedding. Afua Hirsh said their upcoming marriage demonstrates the changing faces of Britains attitude to race and that their marriage will bring into reality what the British establishment lacked the imagination to conceive of as possible 17 years ago that a senior royal can love, and marry, someone whose ethnic heritage is not just different to his, but the heritage that has always been most othered in Britain black and African. The Mirror also feature a full front page devoted to the newly-engaged couple Another full front page for the couple in the Daily Mirror, who mention Harrys belief that his mother and beautiful bride-to-be would be thick as thieves. Writer Polly Husdon says its just impossible not to be thrilled for the happy couple, praising lucky, lucky duck Meghan for the publics warm reaction to the announcement. The Daily Telegraph focus on the Queens corgis loving Meghan The Daily Telegraph leads with the picture of the pair gazing adoringly into each others eyes and points to the sweet anecdote that the Queens corgis took to her straight away. The paper breaks down the stages of their relationship, from how they met set up by a mutual friend to what the future holds, possibly starting a family in the near future. Digital neuroscience company Cambridge Cognition Holdings has released positive results from a pilot study to evaluate cognition and mood using wearable technology, in patients with major depressive disorder, at the 2017 International CNS Summit in Boca Raton, Florida. The AIM-traded firm said the study was sponsored by Takeda Pharmaceuticals, and used Cognition Kit technology, which was developed in a joint venture between Cambridge Cognition and Ctrl Group to measure mood and cognition in real world settings. Collecting data in normal, day-to-day circumstances was a growing trend in the healthcare industry, the Cambridge Cognition board explained in its update on Tuesday. Pharmaceutical companies now aimed to demonstrate evidence of successful real-world outcomes, to differentiate their products in a competitive market while also satisfying the demands of payers and patients. Cambridge Cognition said real-world evidence could help improve health outcomes for patients, reduce medical costs and demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of a treatment. However, conducting studies outside of a clinical setting and gaining compliance from patients when unsupervised had been challenging to date, it added. In the reported study, 30 participants aged between 18 and 65 with a clinical diagnosis of mild to moderate depression, who had been prescribed antidepressants, took part over a six-week period, being assessed daily at regular intervals using Apple Watch devices. The researchers found that patients were highly compliant with the wearable Cognition Kit technology on a daily basis to evaluate their mood, at 95% compliance. and cognitive health at 96% compliance. Cambridge Cognition said the data collected with Cognition Kit showed how wearable technology could be used to collect real-world evidence reliably - even in challenging patient groups - and how it could also aid communication between patients and clinicians, ensuring symptoms were detected early. We are delighted by the study results, said Cambridge Cognitions director of research and innovation, Dr Francesca Cormack. These findings demonstrate that high frequency, near-patient testing using Cognition Kit software on wearable devices is accurate and well-tolerated by patients with excellent levels of compliance. This is of huge significance, demonstrating a feasible technology platform for enabling the pharmaceutical industry to collect real world evidence. Nicole Mowad-Nassar, vice-president of external partnerships, at Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA, added that the initiative was an excellent example of the work being done at Takeda to build a body of evidence for new ways of measuring outcomes in mental health. Technology like Cognition Kit allows us to create real time objective measurements for assessing effects in depression that could transform patient care by increasing our ability to estimate clinical conditions and support earlier engagement between the patient and clinician, Mowad-Nassar explained. We are encouraged by the study results and look forward to learning more about the intersection of technology and healthcare. Constrained organic growth from the ongoing malaise in the Resources sector meant the current 'risk and reward' relationship in Intertek shares was "unattractive", Credit Suisse said, although looking further out more acquisitions would help remedy that. In the medium-term, the testing and inspection equipment-maker's organic growth was seen returning to mid-single digit levels, but in 2017 it would remain at 1.3%, the Swiss broker said, due to the above headwinds. However, its strong cash generation and low levels of debt led the broker to pencil in further acquisitions. Net debt at the group stands at just 1.1 times its operating profits, whereas the company is targeting between 1.5 and 2.0 times EBITDA. That and some tweaks to its estimates for Intertek's earnings per share between 2017 and 2019 - from FX movements and a recent acquisition - have led the broker to raise its target price on the stock from 3,200p to 3,500p. More specifically, Credit Suisse upped its EPS estimates for those three years by 1.0%. Nonetheless, those near term growth prospects and the 20.3 2018 price-to-earnings multiple the shares are sporting lead the analysts to keep their recommendation at 'Underperform'. Ahead of the firm's 26 May trading statement, Credit Suisse also cautions that Intertek is the most exposed of the major TIC names to a negative impact on global trade from current "high" geo-political tensions. Other downside risks to monitor are further pressure in the oil and gas markets and rising costs for M&A as competition for assets increases. Upside risks to watch for Credit Suisse said, included more M&A activity, a more rapid improvement in oil and gas markets, increased operational leverage resulting from strength in the Product division and/or further progress with internal efficiency projects. Rolls Royces revenues were set to grow more slowly in the short-term but the drop in sterlings value was set to give the manufacturers bottom-line a big boost over the short-to-medium term, analysts at Credit Suisse said. Following an analysis of the trends in parking and retirement of aircraft powered by the companys engines, the Swiss broker said revenues in 2016 and 2017 would increase by 100 and 200 basis points less than it had previously anticipated. Among the trends mentioned in the report was the recent 42% jump in the number of parked aircraft that used the firms engines over the past 18 months, versus a flat parking rate for the overall fleet. That trend would continue for the Trent 500 turbines (used in the A340) and the Trent 800 series (Boeing 777), although the Trent 700 would obtain some relief from the A330, the Swiss broker said. Older platforms, such as the RB211s (747, 767) and Trent 500s (A340), were also set to be retired at a worse pace than its peers, analysts Olivier Brochet and Ashlee Ramanathan said in a research report sent to clients on 1 July. Brexit might add to this retirement risk, they added. The business jet segment was also under pressure, adding to the problems in Rolls Royces civil aerospace division, they said. Credit Suisse also adjusted its forecast for original equipment and aftermarket downwards. For the first half of 2016, the analysts projected PBIT of 14m (versus 456m last year) together with a cash outflow of 1.04bn. Nonetheless, the drop in sterlings value versus the US dollar and the single currency (USD/GBP assumption moving from 1.45 to 1.35, and EUR/GBP from 1.30 to 1.20) saw their estimates for the companys profits before interest and taxes boosted by 9%, 12%, 14% over 2016 to 2018. Hence, their target price - based on a 2018 sum-of-the-parts valuation - on the shares was lifted from 543p to 590p. Brochet and Ramanathan stuck to their 'underperform' recommendation. California jury make decision for damages related to Itanium-based servers A jury in California have ordered Oracle to pay $3bn in damages to Hewlett-Packard Enterprise after a case related to HP's Itanium servers, according to a spokeswoman for the Redwood-based company. Oracle decided to discontinue development of software to be used with HP's Itanium servers, as it claimed that chip processor Intel had made it clear that the device had a limited lifespan. HP argued during the case that it had an agreement with Oracle ensuring that support for the servers using the chip would continue. HP argued it had an agreement with Oracle ensuring support would continue. On Thursday, the jury decided that damages to the tune of $3bn should be paid, but Oracle confirmed that they are going to appeal. HP said that they feel justified by the verdict. "HP is gratified by the jury's verdict, which affirms what HP has always known and the evidence overwhelmingly showed," John Schultz, executive vice president and general counsel of Hewlett Packard Enterprise. Dorian Daley, a legal counsel for Oracle said in a statement that "we intend to appeal both today's ruling and the prior ruling". Westminster has reached an agreement with Brussels, in principle, on its so-called Brexit 'divorce bill', according to the Daily Telegraph. The report saw Sterling rapidly cut its losses to trade 0.24% higher at 1.3351 as of 1806 GMT, which was up from an intraday low of 1.3220. Depending on the methodology used to calculate it, the final amount of the bill would be in a range of between 45bn and 55bn (48.95bn), lower than the European Union's initial demand for 60bn, according to sources from both sides. It was reportedly the UK's chief negotiator, Oliver Robbins, who secured the deal amid "intense" back-channel talks towards the end of the previous week. News of the agreement came ahead of what the newspaper labeled a "crucial" lunch between the Prime Minister and EU Commission chief Jean Claude Juncker scheduled for 4 December. Developers, landlords cashing in on ground rent clauses, according to HomeownersAlliance Home buyers across the UK may have to shell out 4bn to extend their leases on their properties, according to a report from the HomeOwners Alliance (HA). The report said 1.57m British 'owner-occupiers' did not own their home in the eyes of the law and called for leasehold to be scaled back in favour of commonhold. Were these numbers to be included in official government figures, the true rate of homeownership in the UK (which is already declining) would plunge to just 58.9%, a figure comparable with the early 1980s, the report stated. The HA said there was an increasing trend for new build homes being sold as leasehold, with developers selling on the lease to a separate company for a healthy profit. New landlords then cash in with ground rent clauses that often double the price and make a property almost unsaleable. It added that the current system of commonhold where owners have freehold but share responsibility for the building had been a massive disappointment with virtually no impact. The report said this was due to developers increasingly selling new build houses and flats as leasehold in order to reap a profit later. Why would a housebuilder hand over commonhold ownership to flat buyers, when it can retain the freehold and sell that freehold on to investors at a premium a few years down the line, and collecting ground rent and administration fees in the meantime? the report stated. The report found that only 58% of leaseholders surveyed by the HA said they knew the length of their current lease, and of those that did 24% said that it was under 80 years. This is typically seen by agents and mortgage lenders as the point at which the lease begins to adversely affect a propertys value and mortgageability, the HA said. Analysis of these figures suggests that over 4bn will need to be paid to freeholders by leaseholders to extend these leases over the coming years, it added. The group's chief executive Paula Higgins said the government needed to legislate to avert a full-blown crisis. Unscrupulous and avaricious actors within the property industry are using sharp leasehold practices to line their own pockets and fleece householders, she said. Developers and estate management companies rely on leasehold to bamboozle consumers, charge exorbitant administration fees, ever increasing ground rents and render properties unsellable. Higgins said the problem was made worse by the fact that many estate agents were ignorant about leasehold and fail to inform and educate their customers properly. Further research by the HA showed that less than half of adverts on popular property websites were clear as to the correct tenure of a property with only 49% of flat listings specified whether the property was a share of freehold or a leasehold property. In addition, 24% were specific about the length of time left on the lease. John Healey, the opposition Labour Party's housing spkesman said: This report shines new light on the difficulties faced by some homeowners who own their home on a leasehold basis. Often in the dark about the exact terms of their lease and currently unprotected from punitive terms including huge rises in rip-off ground rents." "From your childhood selling tea to your election as India's Prime Minister, you've proven that transformational change is possible," Trump said. By India Today Web Desk: Ivanka Trump, the eldest daughter of United States President Donald Trump as well as his advisor, in her keynote address today at the 8th Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) 2017 in Hyderabad today said India has a true friend in the White House and called Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rise from being a tea-seller "exemplary". "What you are achieving here is truly extraordinary. From your childhood selling tea to your election as India's Prime Minister, you've proven that transformational change is possible," a warm and cheerful Ivanka Trump said at the mega business event, which focuses on women this year. advertisement Ivanka said that despite the soaring rate of female entrepreneurs, women still face steep obstacles to starting, owning, and growing their businesses. "Fuelling the growth of women-led businesses isn't simply good for our society - it's good for our economy. One study estimates that closing the gender entrepreneurship gap worldwide could grow our global GDP by as much as 2 per cent," she said. Earlier in the afternoon, Modi met Ivanka on the sidelines of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit. The Press Information Bureau released a picture of the two warmly shaking hands but did not immediately give details of what transpired at the meeting. "Thank you for the warm welcome," Ivanka tweeted. "I'm excited to be in Hyderabad, India for #GES2017." PM Modi will host a dinner for her at the famous Falaknuma Palace Hotel, boasting of the world's largest dining hall, this evening. "The people of India: I want to congratulate you as you celebrate the 70th anniversary of your independence," the 36-year-old daughter US First Daughter said in her address at the GES in Hyderabad. Hailing the host city, Telangana's capital Hyderabad, she said, "It is incredible to be in this ancient city brimming with technology. I am proud to see that for the first time a majority of 1500 women entrepreneurs are participating in such an event." Ivanka, who is a successful businesswoman and fashion designer, was invited by Modi during his visit to the White House in June to speak at the Summit. She is leading the 350-member US contingent at the summit themed 'Women First, Prosperity for All'. --- ENDS --- When Brittany Holtzclaw transferred to the University of North Georgia (UNG) in fall 2005 she thought she was going to be an accountant. "I liked numbers," said the 2007 graduate of the Mike Cottrell College of Business. "I thought I was going into accounting." But fate intervened, leading Holtzclaw from one job opportunity to another. In 2016, she landed the job as the director of Logistics, Energy, Agribusiness, and Food Processing (LEAF) with the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Then in October 2017, Holtzclaw found herself hand-delivering Atlanta's bid to become the second headquarters for Amazon, an American electronic commerce and cloud computing company based in Seattle. Holtzclaw, 33, led the team that developed the proposal for Amazon. "I'm still trying to figure out how that happened," she said, referring to being selected for the 24-hour whirlwind trip to deliver Atlanta's proposal to Amazon's headquarters in Seattle. "I felt excited because I was representing a whole team of people that worked really hard to put this response together." Now, she and representatives of the other organizations Metro Atlanta Chamber, Georgia Power Co., Georgia EMC and Electric Cities of Georgia LLC have to wait and see if their efforts will be rewarded. Amazon received 238 proposals from different cities in North America. "They have the proposal in their hands," Holtzclaw said. "They are internally going through the bids." She said the next step is for Amazon to narrow its choices and visit select cities before making a final decision. Recent reports indicate a short list will be compiled Dec. 1, with the decision being made next year. "I hope we are in the next phase," Holtzclaw said. "But who knows where they want to go and what they are truly looking for that will put certain cities above the rest." The Gwinnett County native explained the team spent six weeks producing a package highlighting Atlanta's assets, including the HartsfieldJackson Atlanta International Airport, the University System of Georgia, the educated workforce, and the business-friendly environment of Georgia's capital city. "We are the No. 1 state for doing business," she said. "We hear from other states how well we partner together to help companies locate to Georgia." That sentiment fuels Holtzclaw. Her job is to recruit companies to the capital city and the state by promoting the assets of each community. She also works to entice companies to expand in Georgia. "I go to work every day knowing that I am helping to create jobs for Georgians," she said. "It's a big impact." She is confident her team's proposal will impact Amazon. "Everyone is speculating right now," she said. "We put a lot of hard work into it, or blood, sweat and tears as everyone says." Thomson Reuters Corporation provides business information services in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. It operates in five segments: Legal Professionals, Corporates, Tax & Accounting Professionals, Reuters News, and Global Print. The Legal Professionals segment offers research and workflow products focusing on legal research and integrated legal workflow solutions that combine content, tools, and analytics to law firms and governments. The Corporates segment provides a suite of content-enabled technology solutions for legal, tax, regulatory, compliance, and IT professionals. The Tax & Accounting Professionals segment offers research and workflow products focusing on tax offerings and automating tax workflows to tax, accounting, and audit professionals in accounting firms. The Reuters News segment provides business, financial, and international news to media organizations, professional, and news consumers through news agency and industry events. The Global Print segment offers legal and tax information primarily in print format to legal and tax professionals, governments, law schools, and corporations. The company was formerly known as The Thomson Corporation and changed its name to Thomson Reuters Corporation in April 2008. The company was founded in 1851 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Thomson Reuters Corporation operates a subsidiary of The Woodbridge Company Limited. Ivanka Trump's second look during her India visit is not exactly memorable, to put it mildly. By India Today Web Desk: There has been a lot of pomp and show around Ivanka Trump visiting Hyderabad today. Advisor and daughter to the American President, Ivanka is currently in Indian to attend the Global Entrepreneurship Summit 2017, and will be dining with Prime Minister Narendra Modi later tonight. While her first public appearance saw her flaunting a rather subdued black outfit --with Indian-ish classy white-pearl embellishments--her second appearance has not lived up to the same level of class; this one's quite the polar opposite, in fact. advertisement For the actual summit, Ivanka Trump wore this gaudy, green, silk dress that did do a good job of flaunting the entrepreneur's svelte figure; but that's literally all that the dress did well. Everything else--from the ostentatious yellow and pink flowers to the weird overlapping neck with a keyhole--was an absolute let-down. Pictures courtesy: Twitter/@Iamtssudhir While the colour of the silk dress was a magnificent, royal green, the contrasting yellow-pink flowers took away from the natural magnificence of the silk cloth. The weird keyhole neck that the dress boasted of actually gave the outfit a Kimono-type feel. For the uninitiated, a Kimono is a traditional Japanese garment for women. Ivanka Trump with Indian minister of External Affairs, Sushma Swaraj, at GES 2017. Pictures courtesy: Twitter/@Iamtssudhir What made matters even worse for Ivanka was her choice of shoes. It's understandable that Ivanka wanted to wear comfortable pumps for the occasion--thanks to all the running around during the summit--but did she have to do it at the cost of colour-coordination? Black pumps with a royal green, printed silk dress made no sense whatsoever. Had she just replaced these with a mild-pink or even a yellow pair of pumps--to go with the flowery print on the dress--it would've worked wonders for her look. Hope your next appearance isn't as disappointing, Ivanka! --- ENDS --- In her inaugural address, Ivanka specifically called out three businesswomen who represented the vision, ambition and grit of every woman entrepreneur in the world. One of them is an Indian. By India Today Web Desk: The eldest daughter of United States President Donald Trump as well as his adviser Ivanka Trump is in India to attend the 8th Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) 2017 in Hyderabad. In her inaugural address, Ivanka specifically mentioned three women entrepreneurs in the audience who represented "the vision, the ambition, the grit of every entrepreneur" of the summit. advertisement "You are saving lives, creating jobs and bringing hope to our communities. You are transforming our societies one business and one customer at a time. You prove to the world that we have the power to rise above the challenges of our day and to pioneer our pathways forward, and to leave our mark on this moment in history," said Ivanka. One of three entrepreneurs is an Assamese businesswoman named Rajlakshmi Borthakur who is based in Bengaluru. Borthakur is the CEO and founder of TerraBlue XT. "When her son began having seizures at young age, [Borthakur] decided to create her own solution to better monitor his help. She invented a smart glove that predicts, manages and detects different diseases and disorders using artificial intelligence. Now her company TerraBlue aims to make specialty healthcare accessible even in remote places of India," Ivanka said of Borthakur. BORTHAKUR'S TELEMEDICINE INNOVATION Through TerraBlue XT's telemedicine platform, epileptic patients and their families can avail treatment and counselling via teleconference with prominent neurosurgeons and experts from different parts of the country. The audience at Hyderabad's International Convention Centre applauded Borthakur when Ivanka asked her to stand. Ivanka said that despite the soaring rate of female entrepreneurs, women still face steep obstacles to starting, owning, and growing their businesses. "Rajlakshmi your courage and determination is truly remarkable," applauded Ivanka in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the audience. I felt great that she (Ivanka Trump) took my name among so many entrepreneurs. I am thankful to her for giving me & my company the publicity: Rajalakshmi Borthakur, entrepreneur #GlobalEntrepreneurshipSummit- IndiaTodayFLASH (@IndiaTodayFLASH) November 28, 2017 SAN FRANCISCO'S WOMAN ENTREPRENEUR Another woman entrepreneur who Ivanka felicitated in her address was Dara Dotz from San Francisco. "Dara has spent a decade serving under-served communities around the world. She witnessed first-hand that many times people need very simple items - a bucket for carrying water, splint to treat an injury, a part to fix a generator," said Ivanka. Dara is the co-founder of Field Ready which provide life-saving supplies through 3-D printer and responds to disasters all over the world. advertisement "Through her innovative solutions, Dara is saving lives and bringing hope to thousands of communities," said Ivanka. 15-YEAR-OLD AZERBAIJAN ENTREPRENEUR Reyhan Camalova is from Azerbaijan, and her name drew the maximum applause during Ivanka's speech. "You won't believe this, but Reyan is just 15. But that has not stopped her from founding a company that harvests energy from rain water. Reyan has a powerful motto - Light up one house at a time. Reyan, each home you light up is illuminating the world. We are inspired by your brilliance and hard work," said Ivanka. The eldest daughter of the America's first family was effusive about the attendees of the summit. "In the City of Pearls, the greatest treasure is you - entrepreneurs, innovaters and social workers," she said. Ivanka Trump applauds women entrepreneurs at GEC 2017 --- ENDS --- How do you give up that much and still retire yourself? asks Ken Dychtwald, CEO of AgeWave, a research and consulting company that focuses on age-related issues. If caregiving looms in your future and it likely does if youre a daughter, an only child or the one (if you are, you know what I mean) take time now to protect your financial life. Step 1: Calculate the gap Think you or your parents wont need long-term care? Guess again. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that 70 percent of adults who live to age 65 eventually do, and nearly half require paid care. Thats a pricey proposition. The average cost of a full-time home health aide is nearly $62,000 a year, according to the latest data from insurer Genworth Financial. A semiprivate room in a nursing home runs about $95,000. Ask your parents about the size of their nest egg, how quickly theyre spending it, whether they have long-term care insurance and how much equity they have in their home. If they wont discuss this, a compassionate financial adviser may be able to bring you together. Compare your parents assets against their projected expenses and you have your gap. Step 2: Fill the gap without going broke Look for free resources: Use the National Council on Agings BenefitsCheckUp tool to find federal, state and private benefit programs that apply to your situation. Make a budget: Figure out what you can contribute, physically and in dollars, toward closing the gap. A 2018 Northwestern Mutual study found that 48 percent of future caregivers dont plan at all for the financial burden. AARPs Long-Term Care Calculator can help you estimate potential costs in your area. Ask your siblings what they can pitch in: Just because youre delivering the care doesnt mean you have to foot the entire bill. Every dollar you dont spend can be put away for the future, so you dont perpetuate this cycle with your kids. Step 3: If a gap remains, consider Medicaid Medicaid can cover long-term care, but your parent or parents may need to spend down assets to qualify. In most states, a single nursing home resident can have only $2,000 in countable assets; for a married couple who are both applying for coverage, its $3,000. If only one parent is in a nursing home, the other spouse can generally keep one-half of assets, up to a total of $137,400 (not including their house). But rules differ by state, and the calculations can get complicated. Contact an elder-law attorney for help. You can locate one on the website Elder Law Answers or in the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) online directory. Step 4: Regardless of the gap, look into getting paid If your parents have sufficient resources, consider talking to them about paying you for caregiving. But talk to a lawyer first about drawing up a contract, advises Miles P. Hurley, a certified elder-law attorney in Atlanta. This document should address issues such as the number of hours a day youll spend on providing care and whether doing so will require you to quit a job, Hurley says. Its important that the caregiving agreement is written carefully so that it doesnt violate Medicaid regulations about spending down assets. (Without documentation that payments from a parent to a child are for care services, Medicaid might consider the money a gift rather than a legitimate transfer of assets.) Again, youll want to involve a lawyer, preferably from the state where your parent lives. Government programs offer another potential way to get paid as a family caregiver, especially if your parent served in the military. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) operates two programs that provide financial support and resources for military caregivers the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) and the Program of General Caregiver Support Services (PGCSS). You can get information about these programs at their websites, or by calling the VA caregivers support line at 855-260-3274. Medicaid can also pay family caregivers in some circumstances, but eligibility and benefits vary from state to state. Contact your state's Medicaid program for information. Step 5: Protect your own earning ability If youre midcareer, its very challenging to leave a job for family responsibilities such as caregiving and then step back into the workforce at the same salary, notes C. Grace Whiting, executive director of NAELA. Sometimes, physically caring for someone in need may seem to be your only option, she acknowledges, but it may make more sense to keep working while fulfilling your caregiving responsibilities. "The pandemic and the Great Resignation have made clear how important it is to accommodate employees who are caring for someone," Whiting adds. "Employers are realizing they should focus on the long-term picture rather than taking a 'penny wise, pound foolish' approach that ignores the value of having workers who also take care of people in their lives. Research by the Society for Human Resource Management has found that it costs six to nine months salary to replace an employee, so its not surprising that many employers believe its less expensive to make an accommodation. Saying to your employer, Im a family caregiver, is not as taboo as it once was, says Lisa Winstel, chief operating officer at the Caregiver Action Network. Employers are realizing that many employees juggle both work and caregiving responsibilities caring for spouses, parents or even children with significant health needs. Jean Chatzky is an award-winning personal finance journalist and best-selling author of books including Women with Money: The Judgment-Free Guide to Creating the Joyful, Less Stressed, Purposeful (and Yes, Rich) Life You Deserve. Editor's note: Patrick J. Kiger contributed reporting to update this article, originally published Nov. 27, 2017. It has been updated with more recent data on the economics of caregiving. But eliminating the mandate would leave 4 million more Americans uninsured by 2019 and 13 million by 2025, according to Congressional Budget Office estimates. With fewer younger, healthier people obligated to pay for health insurance, average overall premiums in the individual market would rise about 10 percent annually in most years over the next decade, the CBO said. Older Americans ages 50 to 64, who typically pay higher insurance premiums, would bear the brunt of the mandates demise. According to the AARPs Public Policy Institute analysis, heres how premiums would rise in 2019 in the individual marketplaces for health care under the Senate plan. Premiums for 50-year-olds could increase by an average of $890, rising to $9,780 a year. Premiums for 55-year-olds could increase by an average of $1,110, rising to $12,200 a year. Premiums for 60-year-olds could increase by an average of $1,350, rising to $14,860 a year. Premiums for 64-year-olds could increase by an average of $1,490, rising to $16,420 a year. Actual premium hikes would vary by state, with some states seeing much higher increases for older adults. In Maine, a typical 64-year-old could see her premiums rise by an average of $1,750 a year, and someone of a similar age in Alaska could face premiums that are $2,150 higher, on average. A lot of people will have sticker shock, says Paul Van de Water, senior fellow at the nonpartisan Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. According to the CBOs latest analysis of the Senate plan, those earning more than $100,000 a year would receive the greatest benefits from the tax overhaul, whereas those earning less than $30,000 would be worse off. By 2027 most Americans earning less than $75,000 would be worse off, the CBO and the Joint Committee on Taxation said in a report released Sunday. The Senate plan would increase the deficit by about $1.44 trillion over the next decade, according to the report. The proposal also would cut $25 billion from Medicare in 2018 alone. The House has already passed its own tax-reform plan, which keeps the individual mandate. But differences in the House and Senate proposals must be reconciled into one version before a tax bill is sent to President Trump. Security sources said inputs have been received that very soon, Hafiz Saeed would be in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir to push terrorists into India in view of frequent elimination of terror commanders. By Ajay Kumar, Ajit Kumar Dubey, Manjeet Negi: Even as security personnel prepare to further intensify their operations in the winters to break the backbone of terror infrastructure, forces have received inputs that Pakistan would now use 26/11 attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed to revive terror activities in the Valley. Senior Army sources said the coming two to three months of the harsh winters would be crucial for security agencies because if they are able to further eliminate the top terror leadership, it would make it difficult for the groups to sustain their operations in the state. advertisement In 2017, after Gen Bipin Rawat took over as Army chief, the Army, local police and other paramilitary forces have been able to kill 202 terrorists, including 25 commanders. Some of these commanders had been in the business of terrorism for over a decade. "The terrorist leadership is in disarray due to the relentless operations and terror groups have become almost leaderless due to the kills. We will keep the tempo going in the winters as well to make it difficult for them to survive," a source said. Sources said in recent months, the number of kills by security forces has been more than the number of recruits taken in by terror groups and most terrorists operating now are relatively new. Sources said Pakistan would try to send in more terrorists in Kashmir in the coming months, but their chances of succeeding would be very slim due to snow and extra vigilance along LoC. "The focus of operations would be to eliminate as many terrorists as possible during the winter," a source said. Meanwhile, security sources said inputs have been received that very soon, Hafiz Saeed would be in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir to push terrorists into India in view of frequent elimination of terror commanders. Top security sources said one of the main reasons to release Saeed from jail by Pakistan has been to rejuvenate terrorism in Kashmir. "Though he has been active in jail as well but now, he will be sent to forward areas in PoK to motivate terrorists sitting in launch pads to carry out attacks on security forces," said the source. Saeed was in jail for almost eight months but was released last week as Pakistani authorities didn't produce any evidence against him, after which a Pakistani court released him. In 2017, the number of attacks being carried out by terrorists on security forces has come down drastically since the troops are now going all out for search and destroy operations as could been seen from the recent mission in Hajin of Bandipora district, where they went to the terrorists' hideout and killed them. About the role of Pakistan in J&K, sources said infiltration attempts were at an all-time high with 291 bids by jihadis to sneak in along the LoC till September 30 against 165 attempts in the corresponding period last year. advertisement The push from Pakistan is far greater than ever as they are getting frustrated in their attempts to change the atmosphere in the Valley which was visited by around 12 lakh domestic tourists this year. --- ENDS --- Events this week include an opera at NSU, Winterfest and Miss Aberdeen Looking for something to do this week, check out an opera at NSU, Winterfest or the Miss Aberdeen coronation. Here's what you should keep in mind before heading to this eco-friendly, adventure paradise in Kerala. By India Today Web Desk: If the picturesque landscape of God's Own Country, Kerala, wasn't enough, the State has now introduced yet another attraction that will surely lure a lot of travel enthusiasts. We are talking about the newly inaugurated Jatayu Earth's Center, located in Chadayamangalam, about 50 km from Trivandrum. A one-of-kind centre for adventure, the Jatayu Earth's Center is the brain child of renowned film director and sculptor, Rajiv Anchal. Located about 1000 ft above the sea level, the centre comprises a colossal, concrete sculpture of Jatayu, the mythical bird from the epic Ramayana. It is 200 ft long, 150 ft wide and 70 ft tall, thus making it the largest functional bird sculpture in the world. advertisement Also Read: The journey of a city boy scaling an unexplored Himalayan mountain The centre, spread across 65 acres of land, opened its gates in August this year and has already witnessed adrenaline junkies from various parts of the country come and indulge in adventure sports. And if this centre is the next destination on your list, here are certain things that you need to know before making the bookings. Picture courtesy: Facebook/Jatayu Adventure Center Picture courtesy: Facebook/Jatayu Adventure Center 1. To take part in the adventure activities, a group of at least 10 people will be required for booking the centre, mentions the official website. A very large group, on the other hand, should contact the centre directly. 2. Prices generally start from Rs 3500, per person. However, one can avail discounts if visiting in larger groups. Picture courtesy: Facebook/Jatayu Adventure Center 3. A day-long adventure training program will be conducted under the guidance of a professional team. The package booked will include about 15 challenging adventure activities, along with outdoor paintball, trekking through the wild and a beautiful view of the sunset from the Jatayu hilltop. 4. Only people, above the age of 14, will be allowed to take part in the adventure activities, reported The Better India. --- ENDS --- He also said that Sharad Yadav has voluntarily given up primary membership of the JD(U) by participating in anti party activities. By Anand Patel: The Janta Dal (United) has warned rebel leaders led by its former national president Sharad Yadav, against using its election symbol and party office address. Party Secretary General and Spokesperson K C Tyagi has said that despite the Election Commission rejecting the claim of Sharad camp and giving a verdict in the favour of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the rebel leaders were still using JD(U) symbol in their functions and party's official address on their letters. advertisement Mr Tyagi warned that the party will take legal action against the leaders for misusing JD(U) symbol and address. "We want to tell the rebel leaders one last time to refrain from doing so, else we will be forced to send them legal notice through our lawyer," said Mr Tyagi.JD(U) Spokesperson also attacked Sharad Yadav for accusing the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government of witch hunting. "Sharad Yadav no more enjoys favour of our National President Nitish Kumar and was removed from position of leader of JD(U) in the Rajya Sabha, subsequently he was removed as Chairman of Parliamentary Committees," said Mr Tyagi. He also said that Sharad Yadav has voluntarily given up primary membership of the JD(U) by participating in anti party activities, and that the matter of his Rajya Sabha membership is pending before the Chairman who has categorically ruled out referring the matter to the ethics committee, the issue will be decided soon in our favour. Reacting to corruption allegations against the Nitish Kumar Government in Bihar, Mr Tyagi said that these were part of political mudslinging by the Lalu Yadav's Rashtriya Janta Dal. The Chief Minister has himself recommended CBI enquiry into the allegations of wrong doings in the Srijan case. Former Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav today attacked the NDA Government with several corruption allegations in the Bihar Assembly. The JD(U) spokesperson alleged that these were a ploy to take public attention from multi crore scams by the RJD chief being investigated by the central agencies. Hitting out at the RJD supremo's son Tej Pratap Yadav threatening to 'skin down' the Prime Minister for scaling down security, Mr Tyagi said that those who are so powerful that they talk of skinning the Prime Minister don't need any security in the first place. "This is a disgraceful comment against the respected Prime Minister of our country, they are threatening to skin our Prime Minister, strict actions should be taken in this case," he added. Watch the video below: India Today Conclave East 2017: Sushil Modi hints at an alliance with Nitish's JD-U for 2019 Lok Sabha election --- ENDS --- Relatives of a 22-year-old, who died while undergoing treatment, resorted to violence and ransacked the hospital after alleging that the patient died due to medical negligence. The mob also attacked the journalist covering the incident. By Divyesh Singh: A hospital in Kalyan near Mumbai faced the brunt of angry relatives of a 22-year-old who died while undergoing treatment. The incident took place at the Holy Cross hospital in Kalyan, where Rohit Bhoir from Varap village was admitted after he complained of chest pain on Sunday. The doctors reportedly had admitted him to the ICU, and he was on ventilator support when he died on Sunday. Angry relatives and family members of Bhoir alleged that he had died due to negligence of doctors at the hospital. advertisement This led to a heated argument between the relatives and the hospital staff. Relatives, who were upset with the hospital staff's attitude, called for more people, and within a short time a mob of around 300 people gathered at the spot. The angry protestors then resorted to violence and started ransacking the hospital. They reportedly attacked the hospital staff as well. The doctors and nurses somehow managed to alert local police about it but before police could arrive the hospital was ransacked. A journalist working with a local news portal reached the spot and was covering the incident when some of the angry relatives attacked him. The journalist identified as Ketan Bitawadkar suffered severe head injury and fractured his hands in the attack. Somehow he was rescued by locals and then admitted to the hospital. Police had to send in teams of RAF (Rapid Action Force) and SRPF to control the mob at the hospital. While some of protestors were detained, police officials from the MFC police station are recording statements of witnesses and hospital staffers. --- ENDS --- Dalmia Bharat Group has awarded their OOH mandate to Dentsu Aegis Networks OOH Media & Experiential agency Milestone Brandcom for the Eastern region following a multi-agency pitch. The business will be handled by the agencys Kolkata office. This win adds to the growing kitty of Milestones clients in India. Milestone Brandcom shall provide OOH Media & Experiential Service to Dalmia Bharat Group, which includes Planning , Buying & Creative Innovations of Outdoor Media & Experiential communication across six states in East region which includes Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Sikkim, UP and WB. On the newly formed partnership, BK Singh, Group Marketing Head, Dalmia Bharat Group said, We have very strong confidence on the long term growth opportunity of the Indian cement industry. We have ambitious plans to leverage this opportunity through our core experience and proven expertise of the industry. A capable partner like Milestone Brandcom will certainly bring in critical contributions and help in this process. We welcome Milestone Brandcom onboard." Indrajit Chatterjee, Executive Director - Sales & Marketing (East), Dalmia Bharat Group said, We are the fastest growing cement manufacturer in Eastern India with unique multi-brand portfolio and have an ambitious growth plan for this region. We want to leverage expertise of Milestone Brandcom in this market to establish all our brands. Anirbal Paul Chowdhury , Asst. Executive Director - Marketing (East), Dalmia Bharat Group said, To reach the leadership position in East market, it is important to build up strong brand equity and OOH media plays a pivotal role to create desired brand awareness. We found Milestone Brandcom has the bandwidth and market knowledge to guide us to optimize media spend and help us with innovative ideas to create differentiation in the market. Dalmia Group Cement is one of the leading Cement brands in the country in terms of annual turnover. In the East, especially in Orissa and Bengal, Konark cement is a household name and carries solid equity among the customers. Milestone Brandcom is the largest and most awarded OOH Media & Experiential agency in India in terms of Network , turnover & clientele. Nabendu Bhattacharyya, CEO & MD, Milestone Brandcom said, We are excited at the prospect of partnering with Dalmia Bharat Group to comprehensively leverage OOH to engage with their consumers across brands & markets. I truly believe, OOH promises a great brand engagement through innovative outdoor solutions and drive conversations around their brand promise. We hope to deliver value on back of our ability to mine data and research for them and create some disruptive iconic campaigns for them through this association. We look forward to serve them with best of our ability. Motorola, the brand that invented mobile phones 44 years ago, is attempting to help people achieve a better phone life balance and liberate consumers from smartphone mindlessness. Kick starting the initiative around Diwali, the brand tapped into World Hello Day on 21st November to go bigger in their endeavour to provide a better balance between mobile phones and life. Smartphones have reshaped the way we live and interact with each-other . In India, there are 300 million smartphone users, a number that is projected to grow by 50% in the next few years. Smartphones have helped connect people in countless and incomparable ways and helped bridge the digital divide, and link people in real time to valuable resources, friends and family. However, in the process of coming together in the virtual community, Motorola as a brand realised that people have started losing themselves in their real lives. As people across India check out their phone-life balance, here are some interesting insights gathered so far: 86% Indians check their phones repeatedly without anything changing 45% Indians find it easier to stay away from their families for a week than their phones 58% Indians use their phones while they are using the toilet 7 out 10 Indians, get onto their phones, even before getting out of bed In order to stop this mindless usage of smartphones, the brand has partnered with an expert, Shyleswari M Rao, Director - VedVyaas Inner Space & Dean Consultant - Indian Society of Applied Behavioural Science in India to better understand the relationship between phone usage and life and spread the message of having a healthy phone life balance. This association will help raise awareness around the mindless usage of phones by engaging students across universities. Rachna Lather, Marketing Head- Motorola Mobility said,We are living in a hyper connected age where we are losing out on real relationships due to the mindless usage of our smartphones. At Motorola, we focus on creating phones that support our life, without becoming the center of it. Through this initiative we intend to raise awareness for a better phone-life balance to change our virtual communication to real conversations by usage of smartphones in entirely new and meaningful way CIC Middle East Helps Xeros Meet Growing Demand for Its Near-Waterless Laundry System MANCHESTER, New Hampshire, Nov. 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Xeros, the innovator of polymer cleaning technologies, today announced a partnership with Consolidated International Corporation (CIC) Middle East to distribute and service its award-winning commercial laundry system in the UAE. The UAE has an exceptionally arid climate which receives less than four inches (100 mm) of rainfall a year. It is one of the most water-scarce countries in the world so the Xeros system with its dramatic reduction in water consumption is the perfect solution for hotels and commercial laundries in the region. Xeros have recently showcased this system at popular exhibitions in the region - The Hotel Show Dubai and Gulf Laundrex - and the response has been very positive. "CIC Middle East is a well-respected leader in the industrial laundry services industry and has proven experience in the UAE, and will be the spring board for future expansion in other Middle Eastern countries," said Mike Ferrand, Group Managing Director, Hotel and Lodging at Xeros. "The companies' deep industry knowledge and superior sales and customer support will be an asset for Xeros as we expand our presence in this growing luxury hotel market." Mohamed Hidayath, Director Middle East and Asia, at CIC Middle East explained, "We are very excited to partner with Xeros. We are certain their unique system will be very popular with sophisticated hotels as it enables them to deliver two key requirements, a high quality clean and dramatically reduced water consumption." As well as using up to 80% less water, Xeros uses up to 50% less energy and approximately 50% less detergent than traditional systems. The patented Xeros technology is also proven to remove tough stains including make-up, food, spa oils and blood often in just one wash. The Xeros Laundry System is currently available across Europe, North America and Australia and further expansion plans are underway. About CCIC Established in 1975, Consolidated International Corporation (CCIC) is a leader in the industrial laundry services industry. The company supplies and distributes laundry equipment, parts and supplies for a global customer base. About Xeros Cleaning Technologies Xeros Cleaning Technologies is part of the Xeros Technology Group plc. The Xeros Logo and Xeros are trademarks of the Xeros group of companies. Media Contact: Neal Stein 321-473-7407 neal@redjavelin.com Aiken, SC (29801) Today Some clouds in the morning will give way to mainly sunny skies for the afternoon. High 53F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Clear. Low 26F. Winds light and variable. November 27, 2017 QAIM, Iraq Flags of Iran-backed Asaib Ahl al-Haq (League of the Righteous) with their distinctive arm thrusting a gun upward over a green Iraq against a white background, a strip of red and a Quran below fluttered at the checkpoint into Qaim, above a dusty, barren wadi below. When Al-Monitor visited the area Nov. 6, the checkpoint was manned by Asaib Ahl al-Haq fighters and members of the fellow Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) militia Kataib Hezbollah, also long backed by Iran and a part of which continues to fight on the Syrian side of the border alongside the Syrian regime. Referring to the capture of the Karableh and Saada areas of Qaim from the Islamic State (IS), Col. Moussa Hamad al-Karbouly told Al-Monitor in Karableh, PMU fighters from the south were the first to enter. Karbouly leads the local Sunni PMU force, Liwa Aaly al-Furat (Upper Euphrates Regiment). Many local forces in the area have taken to using the terms main PMU, southern PMU and Shiite PMU to distinguish among outside paramilitary groups and local fighters, who are often somewhat inappropriately referred to as tribal forces. Aaly al-Furat has members from several different tribes and receives monthly salaries from the Baghdad government, as do other PMU factions. It does not answer to any tribal leader, although it does maintain good relations with the various sheikhs in the area. Anbar province is a predominantly Sunni region, and tribal traditions and links are strong. Aaly al-Furat has 500 men, who were trained by Danish Special Forces at the al-Asad air base farther east, also in Anbar, and equipped by the United States, Karbouly said. Other local forces have received training from the international coalition as well, while many non-local PMU forces have received support from Iran and Iranian advisers. Attempts to identify the vast number of Shiite and Sunni PMU forces in terms of brigade numbers designated by the PMU Commission have thus far resulted in more confusion than clarity. Karbouly said IS lost Karableh and Saada to the primarily southern, Shiite PMU forces: Kataib Hezbollah, the Imam Ali Brigade, the Abbas Division, Asaib Ahl al-Haq and the Ali Akhbar Brigade. While these southern PMU factions took control of the two areas near a damaged but accessible bridge over the Euphrates River that would later be used for the subsequent Rawa operation, Aaly al-Furat fought alongside the army to retake the T1 area, some 25 miles southeast of Qaim, phosphates facilities and then the border area of Husaybah. Karbouly fought alongside Col. Ali Fendi, an Iraqi army commander of the 28th Brigade's 1st Regiment and with whom he had worked for many months on previous operations in the Anbar cities of Sagra and Anah. On Nov. 6, three days after Qaim was declared retaken, Karbouly said he was disappointed that his group had not been designated to be the first to enter his native Karableh, because, he believes, it would have fostered greater trust among the civilians, most of whom had left for internally displaced persons camps or to elsewhere, where they would be screened prior to being allowed back into the city. Aaly al-Furat entered Karableh only after it was taken. Karbouly said his main priority was to check homes for possible improvised explosive devices and booby-traps, a major danger in IS areas that in some places has led to more deaths than the fighting itself. Asaib Ahl al-Haq had retaken the area and set up checkpoints, but had not bothered to clear the homes of explosives, Karbouly said. Asked whether problems had arisen with Asaib Ahl al-Haq, Karbouly told Al-Monitor, We havent had any problems with them, yet. So long as they leave. Non-local PMU forces left prior to the subsequent operation that began Nov. 11 to retake Rawa, the last IS-held town in Iraq, Lt. Gen. Qassem Mohammedi, the head of the Jazeera Operations Command, told Al-Monitor on a nearby desert front Nov. 14, roughly a week after Al-Monitors first meeting with Karbouly in liberated Qaim. Later that day, Karbouly said in an interview at a temporary base his forces were using in Karableh that a number of non-local PMU forces were still there, but that Asaib Ahl al-Haq had gone back to Baghdad. Several Asaib Ahl al-Haq flags, insignia and graffiti still covered the walls throughout the Karableh district and its still mostly uninhabited streets. According to Karbouly, only 10 families had remained in the area. Only a few dozen more had returned by mid-November. Aaly al-Furat has taken part in all the major battles in western Anbar since receiving training and weapons. In late September, just after the Iraqi army and local PMU forces retook the city of Anah, Karbouly had told Al-Monitor, When I met with Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in July, he told us that his intention was to have the tribal forces on the front line [during the fight to win back the western Anbar]. As for the battle for Anah, Karbouly said, Even the Norwegian, Danish and US special forces were 500 meters [0.3 miles] behind us. The Iraqi army and local PMU forces were on the front line. There were no non-local PMU forces or Counterterrorism Services involved. Anah, about 62 miles east of Qaim, became the base where many of the officers involved in the Qaim battle would meet, sleep and use the internet, in part because it was the only place in the area that got cellphone reception. It is considered one of the safer parts of western Anbar. Al-Monitor's reporter spent the nights of Nov. 13-14 with local families in the city. Aaly al-Furat searched about half the city of Anah, Karbouly said. [Initially,] some 250 vehicles of Anbar tribal forces from all areas and over 1,000 men [from local PMU forces had taken part], he said. But Lt. Gen. Qassam Mohammedi expelled the others from the city after there were some cases of theft. Also, we were afraid acts of revenge might be carried out on the population, which had just been under IS for over three years. He voiced special concern about possible transgressions by fighters from Haditha, a nearby city that lost many fighters and civilians during a lengthy siege but never fell to IS. Due to tribal traditions, revenge is sometimes exacted on the relatives of those who killed if the killers themselves cannot be found. Parts of the Iraqi armys 7th Division and Aaly al-Furat then took control of security for the city, Karbouly said. We built a good relationship with the population. The civilians were very helpful because we gave them security, but they were scared. IS had told them that we were all Shiites and that we would kill them and take their women. So when we went to their homes, we introduced ourselves. We gave our full names, said where we were from. We used local fighters to liberate their own areas. This then resulted in better intelligence about IS where they had been, who had been with them, and so forth, said Karbouly, who had worked as a police officer in Qaim prior to the IS takeover of the city. This did not happen in his own area, he said, as Mohammedi had told him that they didnt need them there. Some officers who spoke to Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity said the decision was instead most likely made by the international coalition, which wanted the nonlocal forces they had trained to take the strategic area near the border. November 25, 2017 The conflict between the United States and Iran is causing new problems for the Iranian-backed armed Shiite factions in Iraq. But cracking down on the militias might harm Washingtons interests in Baghdad and spark a crisis between the Iraqi government and the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU). While Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi is trying to strike a balance to tame armed Shiite factions and earn US support, Iran hawks in Washington are seeking to add armed factions affiliated with the PMU to the list of terrorist organizations. In the US House of Representatives, Rep. Ted Poe, R-Texas, introduced a bill in early November called Iranian Proxies Terrorist Sanctions Act of 2017 that calls for imposing terrorism-related sanctions on Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba and Asaib Ahl al-Haq. The bill, which has only attracted five cosponsors to date, was referred to the Foreign Affairs Committee on Nov. 3. Before Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba was formed in 2013, the United States designated its leader Akram al-Kaabi as a terrorist in 2008 per Executive Order No. 13438, on the grounds of causing chaos in Iraq and threatening the stability and security of the alliance forces which were in Iraq before retreating completely in 2011. Poe introduced his bill less than a month after US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert described Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the deputy commander of the Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, as a terrorist following reports that hes opened a recruiting station in Kirkuk. Recent statements of various US Congress members indicate that they hope to designate additional Shiite factions as terrorist organizations. While a harsher tone is being adopted in Iraqi statements against Washington, member of the parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee Hanan al-Fatalawi called on the Iraqi Foreign Ministry Nov. 17 to summon the US ambassador to Baghdad to find out the reasons behind the future US war on the PMU. The fight that Washington is waging against some PMU factions will open a new political battlefront on Iraqi territories with dangerous indicators such as the reaction of these factions and the stance that Abadis government might take. The PMU-affiliated Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba accused Abadis government of taking orders from the US Congress, which described the movement as a group affiliated with the Iraqi security formations on the terrorist lists, according to its spokesman Nasr al-Shumari. Hashem al-Musawi, another spokesman for Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, told Al-Monitor, The United States is trying as hard as possible to foil the Islamist resistance project. But we will not stand idly by facing these classifications, and we will take the right stance at the right time. Although Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba released a statement priding itself on being designated as a terrorist organization, a threatening tone prevailed indicating potential impediment to Washingtons interests in Baghdad. The United States considers the Iranian-affiliated Shiite factions a threat to its interests in Iraq, and even in Syria. For that reason, it wants to control the movement of these groups as part of the vision of the Iraqi government. Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba and Asaib Ahl al-Haq are also present on Syrian territories. It seems Rep. Poe made a smart decision by seeking to classify the two factions fighting in Syria as terrorist entities while ignoring other factions that are no less dangerous. Washington would then justify its decision to the Iraqi government by saying that these factions are fighting illegally in Syria. The PMU did not notice this distinction, as its spokesman Ahmad al-Asadi condemned the bill listing Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba and Asaib Ahl al-Haq as terrorist organizations, noting, The two movements are affiliated with the PMU and are part of the Iraqi state. Asadi told Al-Monitor, The US decision targets the resistance factions that have played a huge role in the war against the Islamic State [IS], which constituted a global threat. The US designation of PMU leaders and movements as terrorists would inevitably embarrass Abadis government once again. Some consider this designation part of Washingtons conflict with Tehran in the Middle East. Adnan al-Sarraj, a Shiite politician close to Abadis government, told Al-Monitor, The PMU is part of Iraqs military institution and has played a key role in the war on terrorism. The United States should not involve us in its tug of war with Iran. Al-Monitor found out Nov. 18 in Baghdad that Naim al-Aboudi, the spokesperson for Asaib Ahl al-Haq, had said that the movement asked the Iraqi government to take an official stance regarding the US bill that offends the Iraqi unity and sovereignty. Asaib Ahl al-Haq, established and headed by Qais al-Khazali, considers the US bill insignificant because the movement is committed to national laws. Youssef Ibrahim, an independent expert who follows up on Iraqi affairs, rules out any military clash in the near future in Iraq between US-blacklisted factions and US forces in the areas of these factions deployment. Any US insistence on classifying the PMU factions as terrorist entities will complicate the domestic Iraqi situation in the post-IS phase and risk creating a new US conflict with the armed factions that have tight relations with Iran, the United States archenemy. Abadi has taken several measures to bring the PMU under government control, including the PMU law passed by the parliament in 2016 that disassociates all PMU factions from their leaders and affiliated political parties and brings them under the leadership of the prime minister. The Iraqi government does not want to lose Washington as a strategic ally, which led the international coalition in the war against IS. Correction: Nov. 29, 2017. An earlier version of this article left it unclear that proposed legislation to designate certain Shiite militias in Iraq as terrorist entities is only in its very early stages in Congress. November 28, 2017 Members of the Alevi religious community are on edge after vandals targeted several homes in eastern Turkey, recalling earlier violence against the countrys largest minority and rousing fears that a surge in nationalism is stoking ethnic tensions. Late last week, assailants painted an ominous red X on 13 homes in the predominantly Alevi district of Cemal Gursel in Malatya, a conservative city of nearly 800,000 people, said the head of a local Alevi group, adding police had yet to make any arrests. We know this wasnt a couple of hooligans because they knew which houses on which streets to target. It was definitely carried out in a deliberate and organized way, Mehmet Topal of the Pir Sultan Abdal Cultural Association told Al-Monitor. We have seen these markings before. The same tactic was used in 1978 in the nearby city of Kahramanmaras before right-wing gangs murdered 100 Alevis, Topal said. More than a 100 other Alevis were killed in three more massacres over the next two decades. Minorities in Turkey fear ethnic and religious nationalism sparked by a resurgence in fighting between the state and Kurdish militants in 2015 and a military coup attempt last year will make them vulnerable once again to rights abuses or outright violence. Religious rights have been restricted under the state of emergency introduced in the wake of the coup, the US State Department said in its annual report on religious freedom. Isolated attacks on synagogues and churches since this summer have terrified Turkeys tiny population of non-Muslims. There is a toxic environment in Turkey for all ethnic and religious minorities, especially since the aborted coup with the surge in jingoism, Aykan Erdemir, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington, told Al-Monitor. Alevis have also become victims of scapegoating and hate crimes. What compounds the problem is Turkeys culture of impunity. Perpetrators of hate crimes know that they will be treated extremely leniently by courts and often walk free, said Erdemir, a former lawmaker in the main opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP) who drafted legislation with tougher penalties for hate crimes that parliament failed to pass. The Alevis, heterodox Muslims who make up as much as 20% of the Turkish population of 80 million people, have long complained of official discrimination and a lack of government protection. Their faith draws from both the Shiite and Sunni branches of Islam, as well as Sufism and more ancient practices indigenous to Anatolia. They include both ethnic Turks and Kurds. The state does not grant cemevis, where Alevi men and women pray together, the financial and legal benefits enjoyed by Sunni mosques, despite a 2014 European Court of Human Rights ruling that Turkey discriminates against Alevis by not recognizing them as houses of worship. Turkey has disregarded another order from the European court to amend compulsory religious education, opposed by many Alevis for its exclusive focus on Sunni Islam. The prospects for such liberal reforms now seem even more remote, said Topal. The increase in nationalism and authoritarianism has cast darkness over this nation. Basic freedoms have been suspended under emergency rule, and pursuing your rights is considered a crime, he said. Whenever things start to go bad in these lands, Alevis become targets, whether fomenting Alevi-Sunni clashes is intended to create general chaos in the country or to intimidate us to leave our lands. A devout Muslim, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has rolled back some restrictions on the expression of Sunni Islam under Turkeys secular constitution, pledging to raise a religious generation. The increasing place of Islam in the public sphere in the schools and in public discourse necessarily puts Alevis at odds with the state, said Howard Eissenstat, a Turkey researcher at St. Lawrence University and a senior nonresident fellow at the Project on Middle East Democracy. Turkish laicism was never value-neutral towards Alevi [and] Turkish nationalism always had a Sunni tinge but Alevis recognized that the most likely alternative was something even more self-consciously Islamic and Sunni. Alevis tend to espouse a more liberal lifestyle than their Sunni peers and see secularism as their best safeguard against Sunni dominance. Erdemir estimates that 90% of Alevi voters support the opposition, with two-thirds of those casting ballots for the secularist CHP and the rest backing the pro-Kurdish Peoples Democratic Party (HDP). Erdogans Justice and Development Party (AKP) traces its roots to a banned Islamist political party. Erdogan has over the years occasionally sought to win over Alevis, promising openings that would expand their rights and, in earlier elections, put Alevi candidates on the AKP ticket. As prime minister, he was the first to visit a cemevi, and he apologized for the 1938 massacre of thousands of Alevis in Tunceli province. But he has also marginalized the Alevis, denigrating cemevis as cultural centers and repeatedly pointing out CHP Chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglus Alevi background. A more overt menace is the AKPs promotion of civilian loyalists who can turn into vigilante mobs, as occurred during the counter-coup in 2016. In Malatya, where religious and ethnic fault lines lurk just beneath the surface, crowds shouting Allahu akbar destroyed a bookstore to protest the coup. The AKP's increasing reliance on popular mobilization has increased the potential for violence or mob action, Eissenstat said. In a highly volatile and politically charged environment, small conflicts have the potential to escalate dangerously. After the recent vandalism, Topal said AKP and nationalist lawmakers expressed their opposition to the incident, and the Malatya police released a statement condemning the attacks for trying to incite hatred and enmity among people in order to divide them. Two days after the Alevi homes were vandalized, an Armenian church association was pelted with stones when the office was empty. Only a few dozen Armenians still live in Malatya; they made up a third of its inhabitants before genocide during World War I annihilated the countrys Armenian population. Turkey denies that those killings amounted to genocide. More recently, three employees of a Bible publishing house, including a German national, were tortured and murdered in Malatya in 2007. Nine years after the murders, a court sentenced three men to life and two military officers to lesser terms in a case some believe was a conspiracy to destabilize Erdogans government. Minorities worry that they could again be pawns of shadowy forces that seek to exploit the countrys current discontents, said Garo Paylan, an HDP lawmaker and an ethnic Armenian. His family is originally from Malatya. They remember what happened to their grandparents, or even their mothers and fathers, and they know that it is in the current kind of environment that crimes can occur, he told Al-Monitor. Im not saying that the AKP wants that to happen. Some powers use minorities as a form of manipulation against each other [knowing] people are biased against these identities, he said. And what's more, this will not be the first 'second marriage' in the Royal family. By India Today Web Desk: Being a Royal comes with its own set of cons. Back in the day, one of the biggest cons was that of not being able to marry a person who's been married even once before, as long as the former spouse of this person-in-question was alive. With the recent announcement of Prince Harry's engagement to actress Meghan Markle, the Royals' age-old rule of not marrying a divorcee has again come to light. Why? Because Meghan Markle has been married in the past, to producer Trevor Engelson. advertisement Meghan, now 36 years of age, was only 23 when she met Trevor, in 2004, according to reports. The two tied the knot in a Bohemian ceremony in September 2011, in Jamaica, but got divorced in 2014. Meghan Markle and Trevor Engelson during their wedding celebrations, back in 2011. Picture courtesy: YouTube Not the first 'second marriage' What's interesting to know, however, is the fact that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's marriage is not going to be the first 'second marriage' in the Royal family. Harry's father, Prince Charles, had divorced Princess Diana (in 1996) before marrying Camilla Parker-Bowles in 2005. 'Royal sacrifices' in the past The Royal family, however, was not always open to second marriages. In 1955 Princess Margaret (Queen Elizabeth II's sister) was forced to sacrifice her relationship with Group Captain Peter Townsend, her late father's equerry, because he had an ex-wife--despite him accusing her of infidelity. Princess Margaret was told that she would have to renounce her rights of succession in order to go through with the wedding. She ended up marrying Antony Armstrong-Jones (1st Earl of Snowdon) in 1960, choosing to stay true to "the Church's teachings that Christian marriage is indissoluble". Just 19 years before Princess Margaret's affair with Gp Capt Townsend, her uncle, King Edward VIII, abdicated after just 326 days on the throne in order to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson. King Edward VIII's decision to do so pushed the British royalty into a constitutional crisis, thanks to Church of England's teaching that remarriage is not allowed if the former spouse is still alive. On the wings of change Things, however, have changed for the Royal family now. The Queen giving permission for Prince Charles to marry divorcee Camilla Parker-Bowles in 2005 was a case in point. Thanks to his dad's decision to marry Camilla Parker-Bowles then, it should be smooth-sailing for Prince Harry and Meghan Markel, when they do tie the knot, expectedly in the Spring of 2018. His Royal Highness Prince Harry and Ms. Meghan Markle are "thrilled and happy" to be engaged. Here they appear at a photocall at Kensington Palace Gardens this afternoon, on the day their engagement is announced. A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on Nov 27, 2017 at 8:24am PST --- ENDS --- advertisement November 28, 2017 The Donald Trump administration plans to ask Kurdish fighters in Syria to return US weapons loaned for the fight against the Islamic State (IS), but the administration is not ending all support despite growing pressure from NATO ally Turkey. The message from White House and Pentagon officials on Monday appeared to walk back assertions from Turkeys top diplomat that Trump had promised to cease support to Kurdish elements of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Turkey considers the groups Kurdish faction, the Peoples Protection Units (YPG), to be a terrorist group. Once we started winning the campaign against [IS], the plan and part of the process is to always wind down support for certain groups, White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said at a briefing on Monday. Now that we're continuing to crush the physical caliphate we're in a position to stop providing military equipment to certain groups. But that doesn't mean stopping all support of those individual groups. One US official told Al-Monitor that the Pentagon never sought to provide permanent arms to YPG factions of the SDF, but rather loaned them out for the duration of the conflict against IS in Syria. Throughout the operation, the Pentagon declined to put timelines on the monthslong battles to take back control of Raqqa and other Syrian towns, which proceeded more quickly than anticipated. US Department of Defense officials said that support to the Syrian Kurds would continue for the time being, subject to a review thats been ongoing ever since Trump authorized enhanced military support to US-backed forces earlier this year. Recently, the US government provided communications equipment to the Raqqa Internal Security Force, a Kurdish and Arab police unit charged with stabilizing the area after the fall of IS, and coalition officials say they have received no orders to stop giving out Pentagon equipment in Syria. We are taking a hard look at the adjustments that need to be made to support our Kurdish partners, said Col. Rob Manning, a Pentagon spokesman. Over the summer, the US-led coalition to defeat IS said it had set up a monitoring database complete with serial numbers in an effort to keep weapons delivered to the YPG out of the wrong hands. So far, there have been no changes to the levels or types of support that we are providing to the SDF, a coalition official told Al-Monitor. The Defense Department said it had shared lists of major military equipment provided to the YPG such as heavy machine guns and Humvees with Turkey to ensure their safe return, and it intends to take back large vehicles and heavy or crew-served weapons once IS has been defeated. The effort is not unprecedented. Many of the Pentagons efforts to recoup weapons are classified, but other attempts to track supplies to armed groups have suffered from poor record-keeping. In May, Amnesty International obtained a US government audit that faulted the Army for failing to properly track more than $1 billion in equipment destined for the Iraqi army, Shiite militias and Kurdish peshmerga forces. The report follows a 2015 research report by Action on Armed Violence, a UK-based arms monitor, that found the Pentagon lacked records for more than half of the 1.45 million weapons handed out in Iraq and Afghanistan. And in the early 1990s, the CIA spent millions of dollars in Afghanistan to recover Stinger anti-aircraft missiles given to jihadi groups during the conflict against the Soviet Union, with limited success. More recently, the Pentagon said it had been able to recuperate some heavy weapons from Shuhada al-Qaryatayn in Syria after the United States cut ties with the group because it decided to take on pro-Bashar al-Assad forces rather than focus on IS. US officials, however, said they were unable to recover trucks and other material handed out to the group. With those problems in mind, getting weapons returned to the United States from the YPG and keeping them away from militant groups such as IS will be easier said than done, experts say. Theres only so much you can do from afar to make sure the weapons stay with the intended recipient, especially on the battlefield, said Matt Schroeder, a senior researcher with Small Arms Survey, a Geneva-based project that tracks weapons and munitions around the world. Its extremely difficult with nonstate actors because oftentimes they dont have depots built for this purpose. The 2018 National Defense Authorization Act, Congress key defense policy bill, allocates another $500 million to the fight against IS in Syria until next September, equipping an additional 5,000 rebel troops with AK-47s, heavy machine guns, sniper rifles and more than $21 million in stipends. That figure includes arms for Syrian Kurds and the creation of temporary facilities that could be used to stage forward operations and hold stocks of arms and ammunition supplied from US facilities in Kuwait and Jordan, creating a possible buffer against battlefield proliferation. But with IS nearly defeated on the battlefield, Pentagon officials say they are not sure how much of that money they will ask Congress to appropriate. Only about 3,000 IS fighters are believed to remain in eastern Syria and western Iraq, down from nearly 45,000 militants at the height of the self-declared caliphate in 2015. The effort to recoup arms from the YPG could also be made more difficult as Russia pushes for a political settlement in Syria that would empower President Bashar al-Assad. The Syrian leader has sought to reassert control throughout the war-torn country, including in Kurdish-dominated areas in the north that are eyeing more autonomy from Damascus. These people fighting for their perceived freedoms, are they going to hand back their guns? asked Iain Overton, the executive director of Action on Armed Violence and the leader of the 2015 survey of US arms delivered in Iraq and Afghanistan. The effort to recoup the weapons could shed light on the Pentagons classified accounting procedures, said Overton, giving Congress and independent watchdogs a better sense of US arms policy. He said that prior Pentagon policy has focused on arming nation-states that can track and monitor equipment, as opposed to nonstate actors. The question is, where are these loans recorded? Overton told Al-Monitor. It opens up a whole new Pandoras box of how the United States is arming groups around the world. Chinas Baidu and Xiaomi have teamed up to collaborate on various Internet of Things and artificial intelligence technologies, though the specific details of the partnership remain limited. The tie-up was announced today at the first developer conference held by Xiaomi in its home city of Beijing, China, officially marking the union of two large companies based in the Far Eastern country. While little is known about the partnership as of this time, both companies revealed that they intend to pursue opportunities in various relevant fields such as deep learning, voice recognition, computer vision and the development of Baidus AI-based conversational operating system called DuerOS. While the announcement marks the first time that Baidu and Xiaomi have made their collaboration public, they confirmed DuerOS has already been baked into some of Xiaomis products. In other words, the alliance primarily serves to formalize the existing partnership, though it remains unclear how long the two have been working together. The Beijing, China-based web services company has been relying on partnerships with hardware firms that manufacture smartphones, smartwatches, smart TVs, and home appliances to make DuerOS available to as many end users as possible and has opted not to charge a license fee for the software. As part of its partnership with Xiaomi, Baidu is also not expected to charge the Chinese original equipment manufacturer a license fee for DuerOS. Earlier this month, Baidu introduced the DuerOS Prometheus Project as part of efforts to advance its conversational AI service. The project includes a vast pool of conversational AI datasets as well as $1 million in funding for AI skills development and conversational AI projects in collaboration with various partners. This is not the first time, though, that Baidu and Xiaomi have made inroads in IoT and AI. In October last year, Baidu officially announced its AI-powered voice keyboard called TalkType. For its part, Xiaomi disclosed its investments in AI last March during a discussion that saw its Chief Executive Lei Jun confirm the move. This July, Xiaomi unveiled the Mi AI speaker, an Internet-enabled device that can connect to a smartphone and supports various AI technologies. New details about the circumstances surrounding the unexpected postponement of the Waymo-Uber trial came to light, with one ex-employee of the ride-hailing startup admitting to past corporate espionage efforts sponsored by the company. Richard Jacobs, a former official of Ubers Strategic Services Group which is now said to be operating under a different name, testified in front of federal prosecutors on Monday and took the public stand earlier today to confirm that Ubers corporate surveillance endeavors were highly organized during his time at the company, having involved a robust ephemeral messaging system and employees trained to destroy any communications deemed sensitive, Bloomberg reports. People who were part of the secretive operation that only little Uber employees were supposedly familiar with also received legal training in regards to using attorney-client privilege labels attached to written materials they didnt want discovered but decided against immediately destroying, Mr. Jacobs testified, suggesting rogue corporate behavior. Trade secret theft was one of the groups main tasks, albeit its operations exclusively targeted overseas rivals, according to the testimony. The latter point is significant as it signals the ex-officials account will not be enough to significantly help Waymos case, with Alphabets subsidiary claiming that one of its former engineers downloaded thousands of protected documents before handing them over to Uber while joining the startup but without providing any concrete evidence to support such claims. The San Francisco, California-based firm is allegedly using a LiDAR design somewhat similar to that of Waymo, although a number of legal experts remain unconvinced that will be enough to prove trade secret theft, less the plaintiff manages to provide irrefutable evidence that Uber wouldnt be able to come up with such a technology on its own. The secretive group that practiced corporate espionage was led by Joe Sullivan, Ubers former Chief Security officer who was fired last week after it came to light he helped cover up a massive hacking attack suffered by the company in 2016 which compromised approximately 57 million people around the world. With Mr. Jacobs testifying he has no knowledge of any domestic corporate espionage efforts on Ubers part, the best Waymo will likely be able to get from his account is additional ammo to cast more doubt over the (dis)honesty of the defendants general business practices. That still wont be nearly enough for a win as the burden of proof lies on Waymo and its not up to Uber to undeniably prove it didnt use the trade secrets taken from Alphabets self-driving unit. The Honor 7X will be introduced to India simultaneously with its global launch scheduled for December 5th, the local branch of the Huawei-owned phone maker confirmed on Monday. The Android mid-ranger will be an Amazon exclusive in India, with Honor revealing it will go on sale in the South Asian country on December 7th. No additional details on the matter have been provided by the original equipment manufacturer, though the Honor 7X itself isnt a mystery, having already been announced in China last month. The smartphone is presently on sale in Honors home country where it starts at 1,299 yuan, or approximately $196, suggesting that its price tag in India may hover around the 12,000-rupee mark. The Honor 7X boasts a 5.93-inch display panel with an FHD+ resolution of 2,160 by 1,080 pixels arranged in an 18:9 (2:1) aspect ratio. Besides sporting relatively minimal bezels, the handset also features the HiSilicon Kirin 659 SoC clocked at 2.36GHz and is equipped with 4GB of RAM, as well as 32GB of storage space at a minimum. Models with 64GB and 128GB of internal flash memory are also available in China, though only the 64GB version of the device has been confirmed for a global release so far. Likewise, while the handset was initially introduced in Blue, Black, and Gold, its currently unclear whether all three of its color options will be available in India, or if Honor perhaps ends up debuting some exclusive variants of the phone in the country. Regardless, every Honor 7X model comes with a microSD card slot that supports up to 256GB of additional storage. In practice, the device should perform similarly to the Mate 10 Lite that Honors parent commercialized earlier this fall with mostly the same specs. The rear panel of the Honor 7X accommodates a dual-camera setup with a 16-megapixel main sensor and a 2-megapixel supporting module, whereas an 8-megapixel camera is featured on the front of the device. The handset ships with a 3,340mAh battery which isnt removable and runs Android 7.0 Nougat-based build of Huaweis EMUI out of the box. Coming as a follow-up on the Honor 6X, the Honor 7X is predicted to enjoy a positive reception in India, largely due to its focus on offering high value for money. Tumblrs founder and chief executive officer, David Karp, has announced his resignation from the company he founded ten years ago. In a post on Twitter, Karp shared a screenshot of the farewell letter he said he sent to his team at Tumblr, thanking them for what he considers an honor for steering the company over the past decade. It remains unclear what future career path Karp plans to take. Karps resignation comes a few months after the completion of Verizons acquisition of Tumblr-owner Yahoo last June for $4.48 billion. Under the terms and conditions of the acquisition, Verizon and Yahoo will share the responsibility and any legal liabilities for the hacks into millions of Yahoo accounts that came to light after Verizon announced the acquisition bid last year. Still as part of the acquisition agreement, Verizon intended to merge Yahoo and AOL into a new single company called OATH, which now encompasses a variety of publications and brands such as Yahoo Sports, The Huffington Post, Engadget, TechCrunch, Tumblr, and Flickr. The acquisition also led to the resignation of former Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer from the search engine company, which she led since July 2012. Tumblr was acquired by Yahoo in 2013, during which it was agreed that Karp would be receiving a cumulative amount of $110 million as a Yahoo employee to be paid over the course of four years. Meanwhile, Tumblrs Chief Operating Officer Jeff DOnofrio is set to replace Karp as the new CEO of the company, though it is not immediately clear whether or not his appointment is on an interim basis as Tumblr has not commented yet on whether it is looking for a permanent replacement to Karp. Before launching Tumblr in 2007, Karp served as president of New York City-based Davidville from January 2006 through to December 2007, according to his LinkedIn account. Previously, he worked for UrbanBaby for more than three years as a computer personnel, starting in December 2002 until January 2006. Prior to that, he was also a web development intern at Frederator Studios from July 2001 to December 2002 after he held a sales position with Tekserve in New York City from July 2000 to July 2001. Motorola Mobility is already working on the follow-up to its recently released Moto X4 mid-ranger, known industry insider Evan Blass suggested earlier today by sharing an image that appears to depict the logo of the upcoming device. The render that can be seen above comes over half a year after Mr. Blass shared the logo of the then-unannounced Moto X4, thus being the first source to reveal the official moniker of the companys Android-powered handset. No additional details have been provided by the insider, though its understood that the Moto X5 wont launch before mid-2018, with the Moto X4 still being a relatively new device that only became available for sale in October after being introduced in the run-up to IFA 2017 in late August. While the Moto X lineup used to consist of high-end devices, the Moto X4 wasnt introduced as a premium offering but one designed to compete in the upper mid-range segment of the smartphone market. The Moto X5 will presumably be part of the same price range that hovers around the $450 mark, depending on the country and the exact model. A dual-camera setup should also be part of the package seeing how the Moto X4 already introduced a two-lens imaging system and its successor is unlikely to revert to a single-sensor solution. In terms of other specs, logic dictates the Moto X5 will improve on at least some of the Moto X4s internal hardware, albeit no concrete information on the matter has yet been unveiled. For reference, the Moto X4 came equipped with a 5.2-inch FHD panel and Qualcomms Snapdragon 630 SoC. The device was available in two variants, with the more affordable one having 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal flash memory, whereas the premium model boasted twice that storage space and 4GB of RAM. The cheaper version of the handset also received an Android One revision in the United States and whether its follow-up also becomes part of Googles pure Android program will likely depend on the commercial success of its predecessor. The Moto X4 has been extensively leaked for months leading up to its release, so it may not be too long before first details on the Moto X5 emerge as well. A new report by MoffetNathanson Research expects the failed merger of Sprint and T-Mobile to lead to tougher times for the former. Both T-mobile and Sprint, the third and fourth largest carriers respectively, had been in talks for a pretty long period of time, before finally calling off their merger altogether at the beginning of the month. A new report out today, though, suggests that the failed merger could have some positive effects on the market in the long run, but Sprint is set to find competing in the market much harder. Although the prospect of a merger would have significantly improved both carriers position against their rivals by adding $50 billion in value, the report claims that the overall result for consumers could have been much more negative. After all, by losing a carrier, the remaining three would face less competition, thus pricing pressure, as well as the need to improve their overall services and offers would be reduced. Not only this, but the need for competitive promotions would have also weakened, another negative effect for consumers. As a result, the overall outcome for wireless customers is likely to be positive. Customers arent the only ones that will be affected, though, with Sprint expected to face some hard times in the future. By pulling out of the deal Sprints $38 billion debt and its plans to spend billions on expanding its network will force it to focus solely on profits instead of increasing its market presence, therefore reducing competition for the remaining three carriers. In addition to this, the companys economic situation is likely to result in a decrease in promotions and marketing on the carriers behalf in order to cut costs. For the time being, though, Sprint has announced its intention to raise prices in order to invest in its network and counteract its lack of competitiveness. In terms of the remaining three carriers, the outlook is expected to be much more positive from a financial point of view. The lack of competition from Sprint and the companys new focus on sustainability rather than market share is expected to boost net adds for all three remaining carriers. For Sprint, though, with the competition likely to increase in the future, as well as their lack of money, itll remain to be seen how the company continues to survive as a standalone company. Lenovo and Motorola will inevitably release progenitors in the Moto E series of budget smartphones, and according to prominent leaker Evan Blass, a Moto E5 Play will be among them. Blass has an incredible accuracy rate with his leaks and rumors, and Moto has found some measure of success in the Moto Z2 Play, lending a bit of credence to this rumor. Blass actually Tweeted about this as a response to his previous Tweet about the Play variant making a return in next years Moto G series. If these leaks are both true, it will cement a multi-pronged approach to each individual line in Motos repertoire, with the possible exception of the Moto X series, which had a Play version back in 2015, but did not get one with the release of the Moto X4 this year. Moto E devices tend to focus on wringing the best possible experience out of bottom-of-the-barrel specs, but the Play variant in each series is almost invariably a spec downgrade. Since this years Moto E4 used a Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 processor, its to be expected that next years Moto E5 will use the newer Snapdragon 435, which is roughly comparable to the Snapdragon 600 found in older flagships like the HTC One M7 and Samsung Galaxy S4. This means that the Moto E4 Play could be a return to the Snapdragon 410 platform that powered this years Moto G4 Play and various members of the Moto E family dating as far back as the second generation. The current generation of the Moto E lineup is represented by the Moto E4 and Moto E4 Plus. The standard Moto E4 boasts a Qualcomm Snapdragon 427 processor alongside 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage, all sitting behind a 5-inch 720p screen and powered by a 2,800mAh battery. The Moto E4 Plus spices things up with a bigger battery, as well as a 5.5-inch 1080p screen. The cameras are the same between the two phones on the front, with both sporting a 5-megapixel unit, but the stock Moto E4 opts for an 8-megapixel rear shooter, while the back camera on the Moto E4 Plus is a 13-megapixel affair that rivals some older flagships and current budget devices. Phones in the Moto E lineup typically dont break the $200 barrier in price point. Samsung has acquired Fluenty, a startup that develops artificial intelligence solutions for messaging applications, the South Korean tech giant has confirmed. The AI startup employs ten people, most of which are former employees of South Korean internet firms Naver and Kakao, and since 2015, it has developed a number of software offerings that focus on using AI in developing chatbots and recommending smart replies. One of the firms products is the Fleunty app, an application that can recommend and send messages from either a smartphone or a smartwatch with just a press of a button. The software works with a number of existing messaging platforms, including Messenger, Whatsapp, and Google Hangouts. The company claims that the AI engine that powers its application has been trained on more than 700 million public conversations available on the internet. To protect the users privacy, the app uses encryption to ensure that the information sent to Fluentys servers stay secure while the messages and replies of the user are anonymized, which means that the data cannot be traced back to an email address or any other identifiable information. Aside from the application, another software offering from Fluenty is the Smart Reply API. This software package allows any third-party to utilize the companys AI engine not only in creating smart replies but also in sending deep links. Deep Links provide individuals with important information from the internet, including manuals, maps, and even videos. It is highly likely that these technologies will be consolidated into Bixby, Samsungs AI-powered virtual assistant, primarily to improve the conversational capabilities of the assistant. Fluenty is also informing the users of its AI platform, at least in Korea, that its services will shut down by the end of the year. This is not the first time that Samsung has acquired a startup in an effort to enhance the features of its virtual assistant. November last year, the company purchased the US-based startup Viv Labs, a firm that was founded by software developers who once worked on Apples voice assistant, Siri. Earlier this year, the South Korean smartphone manufacturer also acquired the Greek text-to-speech company Innoetics. Aside from the voice recognition technologies, the startup is also reported to work on Bixby Vision, a feature of the virtual assistant that recognizes objects and attempts to provide relevant information related to the object. It is probable that Samsung will purchase more startups in the future, as it seeks to further improve Bixby. Samsung has now filed for several new patents in its home country of South Korea which all appear to be tied to smartphone antenna and sensor placements. Thats not necessarily groundbreaking but could indicate that the company is trying to avoid having to put an iPhone or Essential PH-1 style notch on the screen to house the hardware. The most obvious device Samsung could feasibly use the patents to create is the companys Galaxy S9, which isnt slated for release until sometime in early 2018. That would make sense given the bezel-free design of the devices in the patents. Although that aspect of the patents doesnt necessarily give anything away on that front, there arent too many other reasons for a manufacturer to put antennas or sensors normally allocated to the bezels into the frames instead. The patents themselves point to various placements for those components within the frame of the device itself. Thats not necessarily a new thing, as several smartphones prior to these patents have embedded the antenna in the frame with widely mixed results. While some devices of the past fared relatively well and didnt experience any issues while others such as Apples iPhone 4 resulted in the company having to actively address problems with dropped calls and network connections. Samsung likely just wants to avoid having to deal with those types of PR nightmares and is examining a variety of placements in order to determine which, if any, is most viable. Obviously, they cant, or at least it is extremely unlikely, that they will all be used. However, by filing several patents at once, the company is protected from possible infringement cases which could be brought to bear if one or two of the designs meet its expectations but is under a patent snapped up by another OEM. Leading to the speculation that this patent is directly linked to Samsungs upcoming and as-yet-unannounced Galaxy S9, is that the fact that the next flagship from the company will reportedly arrive with an unheard-of 90-percent screen-to-body ratio. That much display real-estate doesnt leave a whole lot of room for sensors or antenna, even with todays latest advancements. So it makes sense that Samsung would be exploring its options before finalizing its design. By PTI: Kashmiri prisoners New Delhi, Nov 28 (PTI) The Union Home Ministry today sought a report from the Director General of the Tihar jail in the wake of media reports that a scuffle involving Kashmiri prisoners took place at the prison, leading to injuries. However, official sources said, as per the preliminary information, Syed Shahid Yusuf, son of Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin, who is also lodged in Tihar jail in connection with terror funding cases, was not assaulted. advertisement The ministry has asked the Director General of the Tihar jail to submit a report as early as possible detailing the incident and the action taken so far. The home ministry has also requested Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal to direct the appropriate authority to review the security arrangements in the high security prison and taken necessary measures wherever needed, the sources said. They said, as per the preliminary information, three prisoners were found to be having unauthorised materials and when the jail officials tried to remove them, the inmates resisted and had to be overpowered. Details about the prisoners involved in the incident were awaited, the sources said. Asked whether Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had telephoned Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba enquiring about the Tihar incident, a home ministry official stated that the home secretarys interaction with constitutional authorities are in the nature of privileged communication and hence the ministry can neither confirm or deny any such interaction. Earlier, reports from Srinagar said Mehbooba spoke with Gauba about social media reports on the alleged assault of Kashmiri prisoners in Tihar jail and urged him to ensure their safety. Mufti spoke to Gauba after photographs of injured Kashmiri undertrials surfaced on social media sites here, state government officials said. "A prison is considered to be the safest place but the alleged incidents that have come to light put a question mark on it," she said in a statement. PTI ACB SKL ASK ASK --- ENDS --- Samsung is currently in the process of testing the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus with Android 8.0 Oreo, Dutch tech blog Galaxy Club reported Tuesday, suggesting that the companys upcoming flagship duo wont run the latest version of Googles mobile operating system once its released. Albeit no additional information on the matter has been provided by the source, the possibility that the Galaxy S9 lineup runs Android 8.0 instead of 8.1 out of the box seems highly plausible, with Samsungs Galaxy S-series devices generally launching with the latest major iteration of the mobile OS and rarely receiving an upgrade to Googles incrementally revised firmware builds. As that state of affairs is believed to be unchanged in the immediate future, the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus will likely jump directly to Android P from 8.0 Oreo, much like the Galaxy S8 family is now set to be upgraded to Oreo from Android 7.0 instead of later builds of Nougat. Software development for a major smartphone is usually a prolonged affair and one of the main reasons why Samsung isnt optimizing every single Android build for its devices but usually sticks to major OS iterations, albeit some exceptions still apply. According to recent reports, the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus will mostly provide incremental upgrades over their predecessors and wont be significantly different to them in terms of design or even specs. The larger device is believed to feature 6GB of RAM instead of 4GB and both are expected to be powered by the Snapdragon 845 that Qualcomm has yet to announce, but base storage configurations and screen sizes are said to remain the same. The two handsets will also succeed the dual-camera setup of the Galaxy Note 8, possibly with some minor improvements, and the same goes for the rear-facing fingerprint sensor that should be repositioned and situated more centrally. While Samsungs main flagships usually launch in late winter around Mobile World Congress, the largest phone maker in the world is now rumored to unveil them as early as mid-January, being expected to bring both handsets to the latest iteration of Consumer Electronics Show taking place in Las Vegas, Nevada. Its still unclear whether an earlier reveal will translate to a pre-MWC commercial release, with some insiders claiming that it wont and that the Galaxy S9 lineup will only make a cameo at CES 2018 before officially launching closer to MWC 2018. Samsungs shares have dropped by 4.2-percent, following a new outlook of the company tied to the tech giants leading sales industry from Morgan Stanley. More specifically, the firm lowered its target stock by 3.4-percent because of a turnaround in NAND memory prices, which had been on the rise for several quarters and are now beginning to fall. Another firm, HMC Investment & Securities, on the other hand, reportedly claims that Morgan Stanleys reported new outlook may be more reactionary than the situation calls for. The somewhat conflicting view on Samsung shares comes down to the fact that Samsung is not the only company in that sector of the market. Meanwhile, SK Hynix shares also fell by 3.6-percent, following Morgan Stanleys report. However, HMC views Samsung as being in a better position in the market than its competitors Not only is Samsung currently experiencing a 47-percent increase in shares for the whole year, while the company is also expected to report both record shipments and income. The firm also believes that Samsungs predominant sector namely, NAND chips for data center solid-state drives is still going strong and that lower prices on NAND will encourage a healthy number of shipments and increased demand. Additionally, HMC points out that increase in demand for components from other areas of technology in which Samsung excels, including OLED technologies, will likely help to offset at least some decreases in its NAND sales. Thats likely at least partially due to the fact that the company has a contract to supply Apple with OLED displays for its iOS devices. With that said, the outlook may not be anything for Samsung to worry too much about. The drop in shares is, after all, much lower than the percentage dropped during the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 recall which saw shares drop by 7-percent. This is also the lowest point for shares over the month, but not over the longer term. In the meantime, Samsungs smartphone sales are also doing well. So this turn of events may not have as profound of an impact on its overall position in the market as it may have otherwise had. Sony combined its expertise in audio with the Google Assistant, and came up with the best Google Assistant Speaker currently on the market. At IFA back in late August, a number of companies debuted their own Google Assistant and Alexa-enabled speakers. Sonys LF-S50G was also announced, and its finally available now. It was one of the more popular speakers to be announced, given Sonys history with audio quality in its other products, and the fact that it is going to cost the same as the Google Home, just $129. Now the Sony LF-S50G has been in our hands for a couple of weeks and its time to talk about the good, the bad and the ugly of the LF-S50G. Specs Advertisement The LF-S50G is a 360-degree speaker, which is quite common these days with various speakers. It is the size of a satellite speaker, about 48mm, with a sub woofer of 2.09-inches. The speaker itself weighs about 26 ounces, so it is a bit heavy, but thats to be expected. It does support both 2.4GHz and 5GHz WiFi networks, and is set up through the Google Assistant. It does use Bluetooth 4.2 for connectivity as well and supports A2DP, AVRCP profiles and has a frequency range of 20Hz to 20,000Hz. It does also have a IPX3 rating, which means that is splash proof, but definitely not waterproof. This is so that it can sit in the kitchen without getting damaged by splashes from the sync or what have you. In the Box Advertisement Theres not much included in the box, you have the Sony LF-S50G along with its power cord and some paperwork. Thats really about it as far as the contents go inside the box. However, when you do take the speaker out of the box, be careful as the outershell does come off, and it wasnt on securely in our unit (which could also be true for retail units). This could mean that Sony is going to offer different colored shells for the LF-S50G, instead of just the black and white colors we currently have. Hardware Advertisement Coming from Sony, there are certain expectations with the LF-S50G, which includes a great build quality, and that is exactly what you have here. Its a cylinder-style speaker here, with a fabric grille. More and more speakers are using fabric on their grilles since they are able to still get sound out of the speaker without affecting it that much, while also making the speaker look rather unique. Now we have the white model here, which does look really nice, although the black one would likely look better, especially with the LED clock on the front. You can adjust the brightness of the LED clock here with the dimmer switch that is located on the base of the LF-S50G. The bottom of the LF-S50G is silver, which does pick up dust rather quickly, but luckily you wont be touching that part to often. Its not metal, but faux metal, which is still fine, as it does give it a rather nice look. On the back there are a couple of buttons. One is for turning off the microphone, and the other is for Bluetooth pairing. Youll also notice that there is a NFC logo on the back of the LF-S50G, making it easy for you to pair it with your smartphone. This is a feature that Sony has been including in its headphones and speakers for quite a few years, making it easy for you to see where the NFC logo is and pair it quickly. Although that isnt really needed with this speaker, due to the Google Assistant being on-board. Advertisement There are some gesture controls on the Sony LF-S50G, similar to the Google Home, you can move your finger clockwise or counter-clockwise to adjust the volume, you can also tap the top of the speaker to activate Google Assistant without saying OK Google. But the gesture controls are rather hit or miss. Sometimes they will work perfectly fine without any issues at all, and other times it wont work at all. So to adjust volume, its easier to just say OK Google, set volume to 35% or something similar. The hardware on the Sony LF-S50G is definitely the best on any Google Assistant-enabled speaker right now. Of course, there also isnt a whole lot of competition in the space right now, making that easy for Sony. Theres basically the JBL LINK series, Google Home series and then the Sony LF-S50G, but there are plenty more coming. Right now, until the Google Home Max arrives, the Sony LF-S50G might be the best one available, at least in terms of design. Sound Quality Advertisement The sound quality on the LF-S50G doesnt really live up to the expectations that many would have for Sony. Sony is very good with audio, and has some of the best headphones and speakers on the market, like the WH-1000X M2, which are said to be the best pair of noise cancelling headphones out there. Now that isnt to say that the sound quality on the LF-S50G is bad, its still good, but not as good as some might expect it to be from Sony. The main issue with the sound quality on the LF-S50G is that it doesnt have the range of some of the others in Sonys portfolio, and it actually falls short of some of the Alexa speakers, the higher-end ones not the Echo Dot. Being that this is a 360-degree speaker, it does fill the entire room with sound, and it does sound good, but the bass isnt exactly there. After using a number of Sonys Extra Bass speakers, youd expect a bit more bass from the LF-S50G. It does, however, have really good mids and highs which are crisp and clear, even at higher volumes. But Bass is where it lacks. For most people, this wont be an issue at all. It will really only affect audiophiles out there that want the best of the best, and can truly tell the difference between the sound from different Sony speakers. That said, if you are buying this for the occasional music streaming session, and mostly for Google Assistant support, then this definitely wont be an issue for you. Advertisement Google Assistant The main reason why anyone would buy the Sony LF-S50G, Google Assistant. Unlike with third-party Alexa speakers, Google Assistant doesnt treat third-party speakers different. To setup the LF-S50G, you will go into the Google Home app and set it up like a Chromecast or Google Home, and it should also prompt you to set it up. The setup process is quite simple, as it always has been. After a couple of minutes, youll be all set to start using the LF-S50G. Now this does have Chromecast support, which means if you have a Chromecast or Android TV, you do have the option of asking the LF-S50G to play something on your TV using the Google Assistant. Advertisement The Google Assistant works just as well as it does on the Google Home. It can control your smart home products like light bulbs, thermostats and much more. You can ask the Google Assistant for weather details, whats on your calendar and so much more. However, we did notice that the microphones inside the LF-S50G are a bit more sensitive than the Google Home. So if you are watching TV or a YouTube video and someone says OK Google there is a chance itll pick it up and start listening for a command. This didnt happen often, so its not as sensitive as the iHome AVS16 that we reviewed, which was very, very sensitive. And most people really wont notice the difference here either. So thats a good thing, as you wont need to keep the mic on mute for the majority of the time. On the front of the LF-S50G, where the clock is, that is where the Google Assistant lights will appear. There are four LED lights just above the clock, and they do show up in different colors, though the yellow and blue looks really close to the white LEDs and the only one that really looks different is the purple one. So Google Assistant is here, and it works just as youd expect, theres really no differences here between Google Assistant on the LF-S50G and the Google Home. Which helps to make this a great option. Wrap Up The Sony LF-S50G is a great looking speaker that just happens to have the Google Assistant built-in. Now most people will go for the Google Home Mini or the Google Home, since they are now discounted at most places and the Home Mini is much cheaper. But those that really want to stream music over Google Assistant, should take a look at the LF-S50G. It does streaming audio really well, not to mention the LF-S50G would look really good on a bookshelf in your living room or even on your desk at work. Its hard to go wrong with the LF-S50G. But if you are looking for something with the best audio quality available, then you might want to look elsewhere. Especially with the Sonos One being available with Alexa and it getting Google Assistant early next year. There will be plenty of competition coming to this space, and hopefully Sony can keep up with that competition and bring its audio prowess over to the smart speaker realm. Sonys rumored mobile design language that the company will supposedly introduce next year may stick with 16:9 display panels instead of following the latest industry trends and opt for screens with an aspect ratio of 18:9, i.e. 2:1. That possibility was suggested by a series of HTML5 benchmarks recently uncovered by Dutch tech blog MobielKopen, with all of their subjects being devices bearing model numbers that are believed to belong to Sonys upcoming handsets. The model numbers start with the letter H thats indicative of them being meant for a 2018 release, much like Sonys Xperia-branded smartphones launched over the course of this year had model numbers starting with an F. While HTML5 tests never show the true resolution of devices subjected to them, even the fact that their screens are listed as 360 x 640 ones seemingly confirms theyll be 16:9 affairs. The design philosophy thats meant to replace Sonys OmniBalance aesthetic will supposedly be called Mirai and be radically different to the previous look, according to reports from mid-September. No concrete information on what Mirai may actually entail has yet emerged online, albeit the newly uncovered HTML5 tests and some previously sighted benchmarks all suggest that a widescreen image format is not something that Sony is keen on replacing. The Japanese original equipment manufacturer delivered a wide variety of devices over the course of this year, yet all of them shipped with regular-sized bezels while the competition kept introducing one bezel-less device after another. That state of affairs led to the 2017 Xperia devices look like more conventional smartphones with relatively small screen-to-body ratios while manufacturers such as Samsung and LG managed to deliver full-fledged phablets with small physical footprints. As Sony is one of the only remaining OEMs willing to deliver highly portable flagships like the Xperia XZ1 Compact, a move to a bezel-free aesthetic would make sense for the company as it would allow it to additionally reduce the size of its offerings while delivering same-sized screens. However, with essentially every bezel-less display module on the market taking advantage of an aspect ratio taller than 16:9, it remains unclear whether Sony is presently developing its own panels or isnt prioritizing bezel reduction with its 2018 Android phones at all. A high-profile trial between Waymo and Uber was delayed on Tuesday after U.S. District Judge William Alsup concluded that the defendant withheld evidence from him, saying that denying Waymos postponement request would be a huge injustice in light of these revelations, Reuters reports. The development marks the second delay of the legal battle between the two tech giants which was originally meant to start in October but was pushed back to next Monday, December 4th. No specifics of the supposedly withheld evidence have been shared by the judge who only said the public will hear everything in due time. Waymos second postponement request was filed yesterday after Alphabets self-driving subsidiary uncovered new evidence pertaining to its trade secret theft lawsuit against Uber. The unspecified evidence was handed over to the United States Department of Justice at some point last week, after which the agency disclosed it to Judge Alsup. The Mountain View, California-based company only said that the evidence is related to the contents of a letter authored by one of the defendants security analysts and addressed to an Uber lawyer. The reason why the contents of the letter were shared with Judge Alsup isnt clear since such level of information sharing isnt a standard judicial practice, at least not this close to trial. In a statement sent to some media outlets, Uber reiterated its looking forward to finally see the day its allowed to argue its case in court, suggesting that Waymo is stalling. Alphabets unit has yet to issue a comment on the matter in any capacity. Its still unclear how long will the latest delay take, though a new trial date will presumably be pushed to late January. The case between Waymo and Uber may stall yet again if criminal charges are brought onto Uber as part of the proceeds, according to some experts. Judge Alsup already asked the federal government to investigate Waymos claims of a trade secret theft thats criminal in nature. Should the Northern California U.S. Attorneys office thats reportedly handling the probe suspect such a state of affairs and believe it can prove it, the criminal charges it would file in such a scenario would take precedence over any demands from Waymo. The existence of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 has been prematurely confirmed by China Telecom which listed the device earlier today and promptly pulled it from its website, but not before one user was able to download its official press render attached to the product page. The image that can be seen above shows what appears to be a rose gold variant of the device, though its still unclear how exactly will this particular color option be officially called. Regardless, the handset itself is seemingly identical to the previously spotted prototypes and renders, with the mobile service provider essentially confirming that Xiaomis next Android mid-ranger will adopt a tall display panel with an aspect ratio of 18:9, i.e. 2:1. According to the same source, Xiaomis upcoming smartphone will feature a 5.7-inch LCD panel with an HD+ resolution of 1,440 by 720 pixels, whereas its newly uncovered image shows relatively minimal bezels and a clean-looking front with no physical Home button in sight. The circular fingerprint reader has been installed on the back of the device and is depicted as being centered approximately a third of the way down its rear plate, being situated immediately below a dual-LED flash and a single-lens camera setup. The primary imaging system of the device was listed by China Telecom as a 12-megapixel affair, whereas the front-facing module supposedly takes advantage of a 5-megapixel sensor. The handset is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 and Snapdragon 626, depending on the exact series, though no significant differences in real-world performance are expected between the two, with both octa-core chips having a maximum operating frequency of 1.8GHz. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 features 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal flash memory, according to the same listing which doesnt mention a microSD card slot, though that doesnt necessarily mean one wont be part of the package. The handset is listed as being 151.8 72.8 7.7mm in size and weighing 157g, in addition to featuring a 3,300mAh battery which isnt removable. Xiaomis latest mid-range offering runs Android 7.1 Nougat-based MIUI and is priced at 1,399 yuan, which translates to approximately $212. The handset will start retailing in China on December 10th and should also make its way to India in the near future, though theres still no word on whether it will officially receive a wider release. Nevertheless, a number of Chinese resellers that ship internationally should still pick up the handset shortly after its commercial debut. Former Union minister and deputy leader in Rajya Sabha, Anand Sharma, accused Modi of an 'unhealthy mindset' and of misleading the people of Gujarat on several counts. By Mail Today Bureau: Modi's salvo in poll-bound Gujarat, the Congress party reacted sharply to his allegations against the Nehru-Gandhi family on Monday. From dynastic politics to questions on Jawaharlal Nehru's contribution to Gujarat, the party took on Modi with a point-by-point rebuttal. Former Union minister and deputy leader in Rajya Sabha, Anand Sharma, accused Modi of an 'unhealthy mindset' and of misleading the people of Gujarat on several counts. advertisement "The PM today said that the country's first prime minister has not done anything for Gujarat. It is wrong and far from truth. We condemn it. It was in Gujarat that Nehru initiated the Amul cooperative movement, set up the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad, National Institute of Design, formed Gandhinagar, the state's capital, ONGC's complex at Ankleswar was set up and ports like Kandla and Dahej were developed. It is not right on the part of the PM to speak like this," Sharma told reporters at the party headquarters in the Capital on Monday afternoon. Further countering charges of dynastic politics propagated by the party, Sharma said that prime ministers like Lal Bahadur Shastri and Manmohan Singh came from humble backgrounds, and that none of the Gandhis were part of the government over the last three decades. "The Congress was led by stalwarts like Mahatma Gandhi, Subhas Chandra Bose, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Gopal Kishna Gokhala and Madan Mohan Malviya. Rahul Gandhi, being an elected representative, was asked by the then prime minister Manmohan Singh to join him, but he did not do so during the 10 years of UPA government. The Congress has never told the BJP who to elect as its chief. So the PM should also stop worrying about the Congress and focus on his party instead," Sharma said referring to Rahul's imminent elevation as party chief. "The BJP is clearly very disturbed over the increasing support for Congress in Gujarat and is trying to mislead people by making false statements. Modi should refrain from making such statements because the Congress can deny them with facts," he added. "It is time to ask what has the Modi government done for Gujarat. In fact, it is better left to the people of the state and the country to judge his performance. He (Modi) should not give certificates of honesty to his government, which is full of tainted people and is trying to put a lid on big scams." --- ENDS --- BarcelonaSpains Central Electoral Board has banned all members of the public manning polling stations on December 21 from wearing the yellow ribbon on the lapel that symbolises support for the members of the Catalan government, the leader of Omnium and the former leader of the ANC who are currently in jail. According to Spains election oversight body, the decision stems from the need to observe absolute neutrality during the vote. El Pais and Nacio Digital report that this measure will also affect the representatives of the political parties who will monitor the polls on site. The Board notes that Article 93 of the Loreg [Polling Act] establishes that no electioneering will be allowed inside or around polling stations. The ruling has been sent to the PSC, the political party that submitted the inquiry to the Board. Deputy Editor-in-ChiefEight years ago today, twelve Catalan newspapers published a joint editorial, "The Dignity of Catalonia", warning of the disastrous effects for the constitutional system that began in 1978 if the Constitutional Court ruled against the Statute approved in referendum three years earlier. The editorial denounced that "there are those who dream of drastic surgery to ruthlessly uproot Spains complexity". And it ended up warning the public opinion and the Spanish political class: "We are not facing a weak society, prostrate and willing to stand by impassively and witness the deterioration of its dignity". It is worth noting that among the newspapers that ran the text, which caused a huge upheaval in Madrid, were La Vanguardia and El Periodico. Two years earlier, in November 2007, then-President of the Generalitat Jose Montilla had warned in a conference in Madrid that there was a growing emotional distance in Catalonia with respect to Spain. "I believe that the first test of institutional loyalty is to warn of the severe political consequences over the medium and long-term of the serious emotional disaffection in Catalonia towards Spain and the common institutions", he said in a speech that has gone down in the short history of the pre-process for sovereignty. The conclusion is that during the 2006-2010 period everyone was aware in Catalonia that any ruling that disfigured the Statute would have catastrophic consequences for the relationship with Spain. And huge efforts were made to warn Madrid of this danger. From the socialists to business organizations, which in 2007 had called for the management of El Prat Airport, everyone knew that if the Statute failed, something serious would follow. It was on everyone's tongue. Alarm reached an all-time height over maneuvers to influence the Constitutional Court, which were not concealed, and for leaks to the media, which increasingly added more ominousness to a newborn Statute that at that moment was in full force. A double pact But the Spanish government didn't pay heed, and applied its legal mechanisms without a second thought, humiliating Catalonia by amending a text that was the result of a double political pact (the Catalan Parliament and the Spanish Congress), and had been approved by the people in a referendum. In these circumstances, would it have been possible for any other result than something similar to the sovereignty process that we have come to know so well? It would have been very difficult. The nature of Catalan society has certain characteristics (a strong national identity, deep feelings for self-government, etc.) that led to this kind of reaction to recover its lost dignity. Montilla was right, as was the joint editorial. But things got even worse after the ruling. The power transfer process ground to a halt when the bilateral commission was allowed to wither (a few days ago Mariano Rajoy boasted in a radio interview that he had never transferred any powers to Catalonia). The third additional provision on infrastructure investment was ignored, and since 2014 Spains regional financing system, which has been the umpteenth deception, has expired. And on top of everything, the PP has begun a process of recentralization that has made the Statute moot... Catalonias independence movement was born on the grave of the Statute agreement. That was the origin, as everyone knows, and nobody did anything. Now imagine that the ruling on the Statute had been different: that it had ruled that the text was fully constitutional; that the financing system should respect the criteria of order and position; that infrastructure investment should be set on the average of Catalonia's share of GDP; that the Catalan Taxation Consortium had been put into effect; that the Catalan Justice Council foreseen in the Statute had been implemented; that Catalan could be the "preferential language" of the administration and schools without a hitch. And the most important piece: that the Spanish government was loyal to its commitment to the application of advanced autonomy. The errors of the Catalan sovereignty movement Without all that, how could you not expect a part of Catalan society to revolt? The sovereignty process and its leaders could be accused of many things of lacking realism, of naivety, of having hidden their own weaknesses, of having been victims of a kind of mirage tied to the gigantic demonstrations that made them think that they had more support than they did-- but in no case could it be argued that the movement is an invented phenomenon or promoted by spurious interests. It has been the response from a specific society, that of Catalonia, to a specific offensive by a homogenizing Spanish nationalism that is now trying to blame the victim and present itself as a solution before those same businesspeople who 10 years ago demanded that Barcelonas El Prat airport be managed locally and who today applaud those who then turn them down. The Vasundhara Raje-led BJP government in Rajasthan, in a new move, has made national anthem mandatory for at all OBC, SC/ST government hostels in the state. By Sharat Kumar: The Jaipur Municipal Corporation's diktat making the national anthem mandatory for all government employees had made headlines. The employees were ordered to sing the national anthem in the morning and the national song before leaving for the day. Now, the Vasundhara Raje-led BJP government in Rajasthan has made national anthem mandatory at all government hostels under the Department for Social Justice and Empowerment (SJE) in the state. advertisement The Department for Social Justice and Empowerment runs the OBC, SC and ST hostels in the state. The national anthem is to be played at 7 AM every day. An order issued mandates all 789 government hostels to have its residents assemble in the morning and the national anthem sung. The order was issued yesterday (November 27). Department for Social Justice and Empowerment Principal Secretary Dr Samith Sharma said that the custom of singing the national anthem is not new. It was not being followed since past few years and that was the reason behind issuing a new order to make it a daily practice. WATCH VIDEO | Raje government: Singing national anthem must for all hostellers --- ENDS --- Assured Legal Solutions is set to formally welcome its co-founder, Chris Cruikshank, from Norton Rose Fulbright (NRF) on Friday. The appointment will bring the specialist boutique firms lawyer headcount to six.Cruikshank resigned from the NRF partnership in Australia in September and was just serving his notice period. He joins former NRF special counsel Nicola Cosgrove, who already started at the boutique in August.With more than 15 years experience, Cruikshank is a restructuring and insolvency specialist. At NRF, he led teams acting on prominent matters, including the administration of Howards Storage World and the receivership of Dick Smith. He acts for banks, financial institutions, financial advisers, and insolvency practitioners on debt structuring.He was a partner at NRF in Sydney for nearly six years after returning from Latham and Watkins in London, where he worked for two years.With his strong restructuring credentials, we can now cover the full spectrum of financial legal advice to our clients, Cosgrove said.In addition to Cosgrove and Cruikshank, the firms lawyers are John Holmes, Roy Siciliano, and Joshua Kwong. Law graduate Aden Bates is also with the firm.Holmes and Kwong also came from NRF. Holmes, who was a partner, once led the firm's banking and insolvency practice, as well as the Sydney Office as chair. He became a consultant in 2012 and spent 19 years at NRF. Kwong was an associate for more than three years, while Siciliano came from CommBanks Bankwest division, where he was senior legal advisor.The team is completed by Araceli Robledo, business development manager, and Belinda Comber, executive assistant. Both also moved from NRF.Assured Legal Solutions, which focuses on commercial and financial legal services for SMEs and their lenders, has a flat structure. With the exception of Cosgrove and Cruikshank, who are also identified as co-founders of the firm, all of the boutiques lawyers have the lawyer title. The firm has no hourly rates and bespoke fee structures are agreed upon with clients at the beginning of every relationship or matter.The boutique specialises in finance, property, corporate and commercial, dispute resolution, commercial litigation, bank lending, corporate restructuring and workouts, and formal insolvency advice. Global firm targets Asia Pacific clients with office of the future Bird & Bird has announced a new office which it says will particularly benefit its clients in Asia Pacific and the US. The office isnt a traditional one and its in the Netherlands but the firm says that it will benefit its international clients who will be able to use it as a workspace when they visit Amsterdam. The firm already has an office in The Hague and the new location will not have permanent employees. Instead it will be used as a meeting space for lawyers and clients. "We see our 'office of the future' as a meeting place where the cooperation between clients and our lawyers goes far beyond the current way of working, says Marcus Huisman, Bird & Birds Netherlands managing partner. Working together with our clients on matters, sharing knowledge, improving and developing our products and services with them, driven by their needs - that's how we see the future. Amsterdam already has a fast-growing tech and digital sector client base for the firm but the European Medicines Agency will relocate to the city from the UK due to Brexit. This will bring increased opportunity for the firm too. International firm considers alternative structure in London Reed Smith is reportedly considering converting its London office to an alternative business structure to open up new options for growth. If the firm does convert it would make it easier to bring in non-lawyer equity holders and third-parties to its business to offer clients more than just legal services. Legal Week reports that the firm is consulting with partners globally and informed staff internally on Tuesday. The move to an ABS would ease the progress to public listing in the future although the firms spokesperson says this is not being considered currently. Hong Kong lawyers among those commended by United Nations Four lawyers from HFW have been commended by the United Nations Security Council for their work with the Hostage Support Partnership. The partnership is a collaboration between HFW, Les Edwards of the risk management company, Compass Risk Management and John Steed, of the non-governmental organisation Oceans Beyond Piracy. Hong Kong based partner George Lamplough and senior associate Hao-Ling Yau; together with London partner Richard Neylon and senior associate Michael Ritter; are members of the HSP. The four were among those recognised for their work in securing the release of 26 hostages from the vessel "Naham 3". The hostages had been held by Somali pirates for more than four and a half years. The separation of the Australian and UK operations of ASX-listed Slater and Gordon will include a transition period of up to 18 months during which time the Australian firm may still be financially obligated for UK defaults.Although the two parts of the business will seek to end parent guarantees following the recapitalization of the firm, the parties have agreed a transition period which may take up to 18 months.While the agreement means that the Australian public company and its subsidiaries will be released from their obligation to pay, guarantee, or otherwise secure the payment of, any secured debt in respect of the UK operations from the Implementation Date; there is provision for certain guarantees, specifically the UK firms major office leases.If, during the transition period, the UK operations default on the UK leases and/or other material contracts the subject of the parent guarantees, and those parent guarantees have not yet been released, the Company may be liable for any unpaid amounts under those contracts at the time of default, a statement from Slater and Gordon to the ASX reads.The ending of the obligation for the UK firms secured debt will mean a reduction in the Australian firms secured debt of $636.6 million.A shareholders meeting is taking place next week to vote on the recapitalization plan.US-headquartered law firm Sedgwick has seen another team exit with its London-based insurance team joining RPC.Among the two new partners is Naomi Vary who will launch the firms political risk team and join up with the firms existing Singapore-based team led by Geraldine Bourke.Meanwhile, Karen Morrish will become RPCs seventh professional indemnity partner.Global firm DLA Piper has launched a new online resource focused on company formation, growth and expansion.Accelerate is aimed at investors, start-ups and entrepreneurs and will showcase successes and provide how-to guides for business owners to understand common early-stage issues."Setting the foundation for a successful startup can be among the most challenging and rewarding business endeavors, and Accelerate is meant to ease the process with early and efficient counsel and 'Garage to Global' services," said Victoria Lee, global co-chair of DLA Piper's Technology sector. "Our global platform is unique, and this new resource showcases our ability to support global expansion, even for companies in the earliest stages and most competitive markets." The Law Society of England and Wales was found to have misled consumers in an advertisement for the organisations Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS), a UK government watchdog has found.Reversing a decision handed down in June, the Advertising Standards Authority said that the Law Society misleadingly exaggerated the membership requirements of the CQS. The watchdog took issue with the Law Societys ad claiming that all Law Society Conveyancing Quality Scheme firms go through rigorous examination and testing to demonstrate that they have a high level of knowledge, skills, experience and practice.The ASA found that in the four years to the end of 2016, just 12 firms received visits from the Law Society regarding the CQS. Between 2014 and 2016, 291 of 293 applications under the scheme were granted. More than 3,000 firms have CQS accreditation.The ASA ruling comes after the UKs Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) ruled earlier this year that the Law Society was in breach of competition law. The tribunal said that the Law Society abused its dominant position by requiring accredited firms buy Law Society training to maintain their CQS qualification.We acknowledge the ASA councils ruling and have taken steps to amend the advertisement. The advertisement was never intended to mislead consumers, the Law Society said. The intention of the CQS scheme has always been to promote the highest standards of conveyancing practice and ensure consumer and lender confidence in conveyancing transactions. William Guy Gilbert Mark John Gibson Marcus Clarke Paul Lawrence Ehrlich Michael Wolf Wise Paul James Hayes Craig William Dowling Scott William Stuckey Michael Geoffrey Rees Gronow Garry John Fitzgerald Julian Paul McMahon AC Scott Robert Johns Suresh Rajkumar Senathirajah Minal Vohra David Joseph Nicolas Purcell Mark Anthony Irving Stephen Howard Parmenter Claire Michelle Harris Robert Andrew Heath Lisa Michelle Nichols Sally Amanda Flynn Stewart John Maiden Lisabella Gianna De Ferrari Twenty three new senior counsel have been welcomed by the Victorian Bar.We warmly congratulate Victorias newest silks, said Dr Matt Collins QC, president of the Victorian Bar. These new appointments recognise exceptional leadership and excellence at our bar.The new silks were selected from 85 applicants. The bar said that 18 of the 69 men who applied, or 26%, were appointed. It said that five of the 16 women who applied, or 31%, made the cut.Our new silks are of the highest calibre and their appointments recognise their skill and achievements. We are pleased to see the number of women applying for silk increasing, and our membership increasingly reflecting the composition of the community we serve, Collins said.The Honourable Anne Ferguson, the chief justice of Victoria made the appointments after consultations with the bar, the profession, and the judiciary.The Victorian Bar is very grateful for the involvement of the chief justice and her court in the process of appointing senior counsel, and pays tribute to the former chief justice, the Honourable Marilyn Warren AC, for her leadership in the appointment of silks over many years. The Bar also thanks the senior members of our bar, the Law Institute of Victoria and senior members of the profession for their support and assistance in the rigorous process by which candidates are evaluated, Collins said. I am confident that the silks appointed today will further strengthen the Bars reputation as the leading source of independent, strategic legal advice, analysis and advocacy.The new silks are: Following an investment of $500 million, the Fiat plant in Ferreyra, Cordoba, Argentina will start production of the Cronos in mid-December. The assembly complex will focus exclusively on the newcomer, with the Siena, Grand Siena, and Palio going the way of the dodo to make way for the Cronos.Despite the fact itll be manufactured in Argentina, Fiat designed and developed the Cronos in Brazil, which is the biggest export market for the model in South America. Underpinned by the MP-S (Modular Platform Sedan), the subcompact-sized sedan features a trunk volume of more than 520 liters and comes as standard with a 109 horsepower 1.3-liter engine.Codenamed Firefly and part of the Global Small Engine family, the 1.3er features two valves per cylinder, translating to 8 valves in total. The 16-valve E.torQ engine, on the other hand, displaces 1.8 liters and is rated at 139 horsepower. Both plants come as standard with a stick shift, but customers can update their cars to an automated manual (for the Firefly) or an Aisin-developed conventional automatic transmission (for the E.torQ).Other than the three-box design, another way the Cronos differs from the Argo is the different grille and location of the fog lamps. The automaker argues the newcomer shares only the headlights and hood with the Argo Just like the Figo was designed and developed in Brazil, the Cronos is expected to make the trip to India at some point in 2018 to replace the Linea. In this part of the world, the B-segment sedan will have to prove itself against the likes of the Maruti Ciaz , Hyundai Verna, and Volkswagen Vento. HDi The Opel range has gone from bad to worse in recent years, and it almost seemed like the manufacturer had lost its mojo completely as it just couldn't launch a desirable model anymore. And even when it did (the new Insignia isn't bad, for example), there were so many other poor cars surrounding it in the Opel showroom, that buyers just didn't feel like taking the risk.In a time when SUVs and crossovers sell by themselves, Opel isn't doing all that great in these segments either. It launched a few models during the past few years, but they never really felt like serious contenders on the market. Peugeot won't really put a heavy mark on Opel models before 2024, but the air of change should make itself felt way before that, and the next Mokka X is the best example. Expected to debut in 2019, the new crossover appears to have grown slightly, meaning it could go head-to-head with some of the market's heavies like the Nissan Qashqai, for example, or even the much improved Dacia (Renault) Duster.The Germans have started testing the new model, but since this is the first time it's been caught on camera, the complexity of its camouflage is completely understandable. Even so, we do get to see the crossovers proportions, and they seem to be entirely different. It looks like the new Mokka will be much less compact than the current model, gaining a more svelte silhouette instead.Nobody likes a porky car, so we guess that's good news. The prototype isn't wearing production headlights and taillights, but the radiator grille is definitely sitting much lower, suggesting the entire front end design might be drastically changed.The PSA affiliation should make itself felt in the new model's engine lineup, which is actually great news. The French have always had excellent small diesel engines, and theunits fitted in Citroen and Peugeot's models (and some MINIs and BMWs) make no exception. Expect four-cylinder turbos to slot under the hood as well, and even some hybrid units if PSA's announcement is to be believed. Opel has been trying to position itself as the leading mass-market brand in onboard technology, but losing its links to General Motors places it at a disadvantage when it comes to the latest gimmick everyone's after these days, which is autonomous driving. The French haven't announced too much progress in this area, so unless they're the quiet doer type, then they're probably lagging behind.We'll know more about the Opel Mokka X as the time until its release runs out and more spottings, preferably with less camouflage and more final elements show up. Whatever the case, there is only one viable option for the French-owned German manufacturer, and that's to succeed. The new Mokka X might be one of the models that help it achieve its goal. This Paint To Sample Neunelfer is the kind that can keep one in front of the screen for quite a while. And it seems that the rear-engined delight looks even sweeter in real life.At least that's what Porsche Beaverton, the dealer that houses the Porscha, explains on Instagram: "Another day, another paint to sample Targa 4 GTS! This time in Emerald Green... the pics don't do it justice, this paint is so deep you could dive in,"The pair of photos showcasing the Porsche also allows us to check out the dark exterior details of the sportscar, from the black Targa bar to the carbon finish of the door mirror caps.Nevertheless, purists will always wonder why the 991 incarnation of the Neunelfer saw Zuffenhausen mixing the GTS and the Targa badges. You see, this part of the Porsche fanbase expects the three-letter badge to stand for the halfway point between the civilian 911 line-up (read: Carrera models) and the GT3, allowing those who get behind the wheel to feel the motorsport genes of the latter.Well, with the added weight of the Targa, questions such as the one above aren't expected to stop.Fortunately, the turbocharging brought by the 991.2 mid-cycle revamp brought a torque boost, thus addressing the matter mentioned above.In the end, it's all about the fact that Porsche isn't willing to spread the Turbo badge to the Targa, so the German automotive producer chose to go for a slightly less aggressive setup, choosing the GTS badge instead. Who knows? Perhaps this will change with the next-gen 911 , which has already left its initial testing stages behind. The same can be said about any minivan out there, but now we're talking about Honda 's model, so we'll focus on the Odyssey . This very simple insight into what makes people buy this type of vehicles can be seen in the way the manufacturers develop them, but also in the way they advertise them.A minivan commercial that doesn't feature kids (or at least the traces they leave - things like toys, food crumbs, mayhem) should receive a prize just for that, but sadly this one from Honda fails to do that. It is called "Keep the Peace," and it's about two giant monsters fighting over a bus.Raising kids is hard and if you've made the mistake of not stopping after the first, your problems haven't doubled, but increased ten-fold. Mathematics doesn't work the same way when kids are involved, and even the biggest angel can turn into a veritable Godzilla when another kid their age is around.Honda knows that, and so it came up with a very neat feature that sees the two seats in the second row slide outward and away from each other, creating a no man's land between the two belligerents. And even though all parents love their kids, they're also the first to admit they can be a handful at times, so Honda will undoubtedly get away with suggesting they are nothing more than tiny giant monsters. The Odyssey has other cool features that parents might appreciate when trying to negotiate a peace truce with their kids. Things like cabin talk (that will relay the driver's and front passenger's voice in the back through speakers or headphones) and cabin watch (video feed of the rear seats on the main central display) can be just as useful for keeping the peace sometimes as the ability to put some physical space between the two mongrels. #lamborghini #terzomillennio #santagatabolognese A post shared by Mitja Borkert (@mitjaborkert) on Nov 22, 2017 at 10:58pm PST #home#lamborghini #nicetomitja #terzomillennio #lamborghiniterzomillennio @gianpietro.pasquali A post shared by Mitja Borkert (@mitjaborkert) on Nov 23, 2017 at 7:47am PST #Home #lamborghiniterzomillennio with My Fantastic Assistent @robertarobbi @gianpietro.pasquali #santagatabolognese A post shared by Mitja Borkert (@mitjaborkert) on Nov 23, 2017 at 7:50am PST #Fantastic #result#photoshooting @matthiasmederer @ramp.space @michael.koeckritz #lamborghini #terzomillennio #lamborghiniterzomillennio #nofuelneeded #nofuel A post shared by Mitja Borkert (@mitjaborkert) on Nov 24, 2017 at 10:49am PST Mitja Borkert, who previously served as Porsche design boss (he moved to the Raging Bull in March last year) is fully enjoying his reign in Sant'Agata Bolognese and we mean this in a literal sense - the penning specialist took the concept around the automaker's home town.The designer also likes his Instagram posts effervescent, so he took to social media to share the electric adventure with us. From a photo shoot taking place in an abandoned gas station (the irony is strong with this one) to letting children act as if the uber-expensive concept car was their toy, the glimpse-into-Lamborghini's-future machine went on quite an adventure.Of course, there are things we could complain about, such as the fact that we didn't get to see the concept moving under its own electron juice-derived power. Oh, and there would also be the start contrast between the microscopic ground clearance and any ideas on actually driving the thing around town.However, the sheer sight of the Terzio Millennio in real-world landscapes is enough to make us leave such details aside.In fact, we'd be more interested in actual details about the supercapacitor technology that could allow the thing to leave conventional batteries out of the mobility game. Nevertheless, neither Lamborghini, nor Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Lamborghini's technical partner for this proposal, went to far when talking about the tech side of the electric hypercar.So, until we get our keyboards on more info regarding the future of the Italian automaker, we're inviting you to check out the eye candy below. The commission observed that human rights of the victim were violated during the handling of the case by the police who demanded Rs 50,000 to file the FIR The family of the 15-year-old victim was harrassed by the police and the victim's school By Shivendra Srivastava: National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to Director General of Police of Maharashtra about a case pertaining to 15 year old girl in Latur, Maharashtra. The girl had approached the police to complain against an army person who she said raped her after promising to marry her and fled. The girl was then expelled from the school she was studying in on grounds that 'the incident will be a blot on the reputation of the institution'. advertisement Along with DGP Maharashtra, the notice has been issued to Chief Secretary of Maharashtra and Collector and District Magistrate, Latur. The factual reports are sought within four weeks. The commission has also sent a copy of the proceedings to the Union Defence Secretary informing him about the departmental action taken against the guilty army official. The response is sought in four weeks. Reportedly, when the victim and her family approached the local police, they were harassed and a demand of Rs 50,000 was made to get the complaint registered. An FIR was registered only after the intervention of the police superintendent. The NHRC has observed that, based on the media reports, the attitude of the local police and school administration was highly sadistic and unethical. NHRC has previously established and instructed that such cases must be dealt with utmost care and all co-operation should be extended to the victim so that he/she comes out of the trauma. In this case, NHRC observed that the concerned police officers acted in heartless manner and school took steps which resulted in the human rights violation of the victim. --- ENDS --- HP BMW still makes some of the most exciting cars in the world, and the M5 is no exception. Like its main rival, the Mercedes-AMG E63 S , it has switched to offering standard all-wheel-drive.To keep fans of RWD shenanigans happy, the M5 also has a RWD mode, which Mat demonstrates with some drifting on the Estoril track in Portugal. The only thing is that it seems he broke the car.Anyway, this clip is mainly a quick walkaround of the features which we heard about but were very eager to see up close. Besides the regular M5, BMW also brought a safety car version, which has been decked out with carbon fiber features like the front splitter, side skirts, rear diffuser, exhaust tips and trunk spoiler. Even the wheels are special!Inside, the normal model has highlights like a new steering wheel with programmable M buttons and a carbon-trimmed dashboard. Like the M4, it's got glowing emblems in the backrests, plus it matches every luxury feature that the 5 Series offers, including gesture controls and the ability to pass other cars on the highway on its own, stay within its lane and even come to a stop.The safety car, meanwhile, features extra buttons for the light bar and really cool 1-piece bucket seats. The most important part of any M car remains the engine, and the M5 continues to use a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8. But the news is that the engine is now larger than on every German competitor and produces 600, 40 more than before, but slightly down on the E63.M-specific brakes are standard, but buyers can opt for carbon ceramic units if they want to track the car. That's what we see in the video. Textron will build a new clean-sheet-design large-utility twin turboprop, and have it ready for delivery by 2020, the company announced on Tuesday. The new airplane was developed with launch customer FedEx Express, which has long depended on Cessna Caravans for its delivery fleet. The Cessna SkyCourier 408 will have almost twice the cargo space of the Caravan 208 and will add a large cargo door to support container operations. The aircraft will fulfill a gap in this market segment, said Textron CEO Scott Ernest. The 408 also will improve fuel efficiency, reliability and operating costs over the current fleet, according to FedEx Express CEO David Cunningham. FedEx Express, which currently operates 300 airplanes in 45 countries, has signed on for 50 airplanes, with options for up to 50 more. The airplanes sell for $5.5 million. The aircraft will be driven by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-65SC turbines, with a cruise speed of up to 200 knots and a 900-NM range. The cockpit will be equipped with Garmin G1000 avionics. The flat-floor cabin can handle up to three large shipping containers, with 6,000 pounds of maximum payload. The passenger variant will accommodate up to 19 seats. Both configurations will offer single-point pressure refueling to enable faster turnarounds. The company sees a broad market for the new airplane well beyond FedEx. We see the whole freight industry as something that is going to double in the next 15 years, so we are investing in that market, Ernest told CNBC. A report by Moody's Investors Service, out today, looks in-depth at how the ratings agency assesses climate change risks such as extreme heat, rising sea levels, extreme weather events, "nuisance" flooding and more for state and municipal governments that are becoming more severe over time. Why it matters: The report which explores both underlying trends and climate "shocks" from extreme events offers a window into how specialists view the long-term fiscal risks from climate change. How it matters: The report catalogs different effects, such as how climate "shocks" can weaken a region's economic output and the valuation of its tax base. Also, emergency response costs can challenge a local government's fiscal flexibility. Another example: Local governments may face increased debt burdens to finance the repair and replacement of infrastructure. Key quote: "This will be a growing negative credit factor for issuers without sufficient adaptation and mitigation strategies," they note in a summary. Bottom line: "The interplay between an issuer's exposure to climate shocks and its resilience to this vulnerability is an increasingly important part of our credit analysis, and one that will take on even greater significance as climate change continues," the report states. "We are always seeking to be as transparent as we possibly can with respect to how we go about reaching our ratings conclusions," Michael Wertz, a senior analyst with Moody's, tells Axios. In their words: A bipartisan group of Congress members are introducing a bill today that would target revenge porn and extortion using explicit online material. The details: The Ending Nonconsensual Online User Graphic Harassment (ENOUGH) Act would prohibit sharing private, explicit images without consent. It's sponsored by Sens. Kamala D. Harris (D-Calif.), Richard Burr (R-NC), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.). Speier had introduced a similar bill last year. "Perpetrators of exploitation who seek to humiliate and shame their victims must be held accountable," Harris said in a statement. "It is long past time for the federal government to take action to give law enforcement the tools they need to crack down on these crime." The goal: The bill aims to strike the balance between preventing nonconsensual sharing of images while preserving free speech. Our thought bubble: Revenge porn and extortion are sometimes a part of sexual harassment and other misconduct. Even if the bill doesn't ultimately pass, the fact that Congress members have signed on shows increased awareness around the issue after numerous sexual harassment scandals have been exposed. Chicago and Illinois' Cook County are suing Uber over the 2016 data breach that implicated 57 million driver and passenger accounts and the company's decision not to publicly disclose it until this month, per the Chicago Sun-Times. The paper notes that the city's mayor, Rahm Emanuel, is the brother of an Uber investor and is seen as having been favorable to the ride-hailing company in the past. Why it matters: State, local and federal officials aren't happy about the breach, with attorneys general around the country investigating the issue and members of Congress writing to the company about the hack on Monday. What they're saying: "We take this matter very seriously and we are happy to answer any questions regulators may have," said an Uber spokesperson in a statement. iHeartRadio's top country music radio host Bobby Bones is launching the Nashville Podcast Network, a podcast network built to lure Middle Americans into podcasts. The network will include six other podcasts to give listeners an inside look at the lifestyle and pop culture in Nashville, Tennessee, with the hope of drawing country music listeners in rural communities into iHeart's podcast network. Why it matters: iHeart sees a business opportunity in bringing podcasting to a more diverse audience including the center of the country, which is having trouble discovering content that resonates with them. The company is the second-largest podcast publisher in the U.S. behind NPR, with 525 original and branded podcasts, according to Podtrac. "My goal is to bring the lifestyle and culture of Middle America to the podcast world, reaching an audience that has yet to be reached, by offering a broad range of content," says Bobby Bones. The network will launch with a new podcast called "Good Company with Jake Owen," featuring the country music star and Bones riffing about life and music. iHeart is hoping to leverage its massive terrestrial radio footprint to get migrate listeners over to podcasts, where there are more diverse revenue opportunities. "By leveraging our more than 850 radio stations across the country, we have the unique opportunity to introduce new podcasts to more than a quarter billion broadcast listeners some of which may only be hearing about podcasting for the very first time," says Chris Peterson, senior vice president of podcasting for iHeartMedia. Podcasting has typically catered to more high-end, urban audiences, and podcasts featured on popular distribution channels, like iTunes, are often produced from urban areas where the biggest distributors and podcast networks are located. Most listeners in the U.S. are highly educated, have higher household incomes and work full-time, according to Edison Research's latest podcast survey. Data: Edison Research; Chart: Chris Canipe / Axios What's next? "Whats going to grow podcasting is more mass appeal content," says Tom Webster, vice president of strategy and marketing at Edison Research. Sen. Jeff Merkley says domestic solar manufacturers should be helped by incentives instead of tariffs to compete with cheap imports, putting the Oregon Democrat on the side of most of the solar industry and against an Oregon-based manufacturer seeking tariffs from President Trump. Why it matters: Merkley personifies the challenge facing clean-energy advocates in the pending solar trade battle: He wants to support renewable energy whenever possible, but one of his constituents is telling him cheap imports is hurting his home-state solar manufacturer. Merkley's comments to Axios, made earlier this month on the sidelines of a climate conference in Bonn, Germany, are the first the senator has made on the trade case. "I would like to see us to take an approach that would assist the American companies so they could lower their prices and compete with industry at lower prices," Merkley said in the interview. He said subsidies to U.S. companies would be a "real win-win." Two foreign-owned but U.S.-based solar manufacturers Georgia-based Suniva and Oregon-based SolarWorld are asking the Trump administration to impose tariffs on cheap solar imports. Most experts say tariffs would hurt deployment of American solar energy because the U.S. industry depends heavily on cheap panels from China and other Asian countries, but there's less consensus about how big the impact could be, while other experts say a remedy could at least temporarily help domestic panel makers. For the record: A SolarWorld representative said the company appreciated Merkley's advocacy but added: "We believe that an appropriate remedy by the President to save and rebuild U.S. solar manufacturing must include tariffs and quotas as well as funding or incentives." What's next: The United States Trade Representative holds a hearing on the trade case Dec. 6, and the White House has a Jan. 12 deadline to make a final decision. A Trump administration official has said the president is likely to issue tariffs on solar imports, given his protectionist bent. Merkley didn't go into detail about what kind of incentives he could support, but according to the senator's office, he wouldn't rule out a remedy that could impose quotas on the amount of imports allowed or auction of import licenses, the latter which works kind of like a tariff in that it imposes an extra cost on imported solar panels because companies would have to buy import licenses. Flashback: Merkley supported a similar, though much narrower, trade case a few years ago, where SolarWorld asked for tariffs against Chinese imports only. This latest case is asking for tariffs against all imports of the most popular kind of solar panel, under the argument Chinese companies have outsourced their manufacturing to other Southeast Asian countries to get around earlier trade barriers. Between the lines: Merkley is taking a more cautious approach this time around, largely because it's a broader trade request. Oregon's senior senator, Democrat Ron Wyden, has been more outspokenly critical of what cheap imports are doing to domestic solar manufacturers. Go deeper: Check out my recent Harder Line column on this topic: America's Chinese solar dilemma. Republican leaders Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan declined an invitation from their Democratic counterparts Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi to meet without President Trump. Schumer and Pelosi pulled out of the meeting at the White House after Trump tweeted he didn't "see a deal" coming together with them. "There is a meeting at the White House this afternoon, and if Democrats want to reach an agreement on these issues, they will be there," McConnell and Ryan said in a joint statement. Kim Jong Un looks up at the sky at what is said to have been a missile launch on Aug. 29, 2017. Photo: KRT via AP Video North Korea has launched an intercontinental ballistic missile toward South Korea for the first time in two months. Japan detected radio signals last night that North Korea may have been preparing to fire a missile, per Reuters. South Korea has fired pinpoint missiles into the water in response, Defense Secretary General James Mattis told reporters. Why it matters: The missile "went higher, frankly, than any previous shots they have taken," Mattis said. "It's a research and development effort on their part to continue building ballistic missiles that could threaten everywhere in the world basically," he said. Be smart: Eurasia Group's Ian Bremmer tells Axios: "Small tit for tat for the [U.S. government's] state sponsor of terror announcement. This shouldn't be a headline." OPEC ministers are huddling in Vienna this week where talks will culminate in a Nov. 30 meeting about the future of the production-limiting agreement between the cartel, Russia and some other producers. Why it matters: The near-term future of oil markets and the competitive landscape for U.S. producers rides in part on whether an agreement is reached to extend the roughly year-old deal under which producers have jointly cut 1.8 million barrels per day and what the particulars would be. The agreement and intense interest in its future signals how the U.S. production boom has upended the global crude oil market, forcing longtime heavyweights Saudi Arabia and Russia to make difficult tradeoffs between prices and market share and driving new cooperation that has an uncertain future. What to watch: Analysts are certain there will be an extension of the deal beyond the first quarter of next year, when it's currently slated to expire. The big questions are how long and whether there are changes to the production levels. Crystal ball: A Barclays research note making the rounds Monday morning forecasts either a six-month or nine-month extension, but predicts that oil ministers will punt on a very pivotal question. "Whether or not the countries extend and the duration of the deal are not the relevant questions in our view. We believe the level of the cut is what really matters, and we assign a low likelihood to this detail being announced on November 30," it states. Player to watch: Vladimir Putin. One dynamic getting some attention in recent days is Russian producers' angst at continued output limits and whether Putin will again override those concerns. Speaking on CNBC on Sunday, RBC Capital Markets analyst Helima Croft said markets have been expecting the deal to be extended through the end of 2018, but now there's some uncertainty. "Now there has been a new jittery-ness coming into the market because the Russians don't look quite as solid as they did a few weeks ago, and a number of the major Russian corporates have been very public about their displeasure about extending the agreement beyond Q1 of 2018," she said, adding that if Russia doesn't extend the cuts, prices could drop. To be sure: A piece in the Wall Street Journal looks at the potential market effects of extending the deal. They report: "Some [OPEC] members, along with outside analysts, say that OPEC could overstimulate the market and send prices too high next year. That, in turn, risks depressing demand for crude." Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has said that Padmavati will not be released in his state till the film team offers a clarification. By India Today Web Desk: On the day that the Supreme Court pulled up the Centre for comments by people in 'responsible positions holding public offices' on Padmavati, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has now joined the 'ban Padmavati' chorus. Kumar said that Padmavati will not be released in Bihar till the producers and director of the film give adequate clarification on it. advertisement Nitish Kumar's statement comes after his counterparts in Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan; and in Gujarat, Vijay Rupani, have already announced a ban on the film. STATES ON THE PADMAVATI ROW The Gujarat government has said that Padmavati will not be screened in the state till the Assembly elections. Gujarat goes to poll on December 9 and 14, and the counting is to take place on December 18. In a press conference on November 22, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said that apart from the Kshatriya Samaaj, other communities also expressed apprehension about the release of the film. "Till the issues are resolved, Padmavati will not be screened in Gujarat," said Rupani. "Such issues spoil the environment. The threat of violence can spoil the environment during elections. Keeping law and order issues in mind, Padmavati will not be released in Gujarat. The Home department has initiated the process to look into the matter," said Rupani. He also tweeted, "The Government of Gujarat will not allow #Padmavati - a movie hurting sentiments of Rajputs - to get released in the State. We can't allow our history to be distorted. We believe in freedom of speech & expression but any foul play with our great culture is not tolerated. (sic)" The Government of Gujarat will not allow #Padmavati - a movie hurting sentiments of Rajputs - to get released in the State. We cant allow our history to be distorted. We believe in freedom of speech & expression but any foul play with our great culture is not tolerated.- Vijay Rupani (@vijayrupanibjp) November 22, 2017 Sanjay Leela Bhansali's controversial period drama, Padmavati, has been in dire straits for a while now. Several right-wing groups have been vehemently opposing the film on the grounds that it supposedly degrades the honour of the Rajput queen, Rani Padmini. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said that he would take a decision on whether Padmavati will be released in the state only after the film is cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). "We will not allow anyone's sentiments to be hurt. We don't think it is right to ban (a film) before censor board's decision," he told ANI. advertisement Incidentally, the CBFC delayed the certification of Padmavati after the makers failed to submit all the documents required. The release of the film has now been pushed indefinitely. "This might be his personal opinion; the government has nothing to do with it. We have issued him a show cause notice," Manohar Lal Khattar said, when prodded about Haryana BJP's (Bharatiya Janta Party) chief media coordinator Suraj Pal Singh Amu, who was booked by the Gurgaon Police on Tuesday. Suraj Pal Amu was vocal in his support of the bounty of Rs 5 crore announced by the Meerut Kshatriya Samaj on the heads of Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Deepika Padukone. When a complaint was lodged against him, he declared that his voice will not be subdued and threatened to "set fire to each screen in the country". Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh maintained a somewhat neutral stand on Padmavati. While he was strictly opposed to violence and threats issued by some agitated protesters, he told IANS that anyone whose sentiments were hurt by the distortion of historical facts had the right to protest. He emphasised that protests and threats were not the same thing. advertisement Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan voiced his support for the protestors and said that Padmavati will not be allowed to release in the state even if it is cleared by the censor board. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that if action is being taken against the people issuing threats against Sanjay Leela Bhansali, action should be taken against the director as well for hurting sentiments. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, however, took the opposite route and said that she condemned this 'attack on freedom' and that it was 'super emergency'. Padmavati stars Deepika Padukone in the titular role, Shahid Kapoor as her husband, Maharawal Ratan Singh, and Ranveer Singh as Alauddin Khilji. ALSO WATCH | Padmavati row: Yogi Adityanath justifies threats against Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Deepika Padukone --- ENDS --- With administration and leadership aides frantically negotiating with holdout senators, the Senate's tax vote scheduled for late this week could lapse into next week. That would raise everyone's blood pressure: Everything is fragile. A senior administration official told me: "We're still getting it done in a matter of a couple months, instead of a couple of years. It's OK if it takes a few extra days." told me: "We're still getting it done in a matter of a couple months, instead of a couple of years. It's OK if it takes a few extra days." The bill is in the ugly sausage-making phase, with senators taking advantage of their leverage to make demands. At least six GOP senators are holding out (John McCain and Jeff Flake of Arizona, Bob Corker of Tennessee, Susan Collins of Maine, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Steve Daines of Montana). sausage-making phase, with senators taking advantage of their leverage to make demands. At least six GOP senators are holding out (John McCain and Jeff Flake of Arizona, Bob Corker of Tennessee, Susan Collins of Maine, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Steve Daines of Montana). Lose three of those, and the bill is dead. of those, and the bill is dead. McCain says he's undecided. His concerns? "A lot of things." he's undecided. His concerns? "A lot of things." Will be drama to the end: The well-wired Chris Krueger of Cowen has "~8 Republican Senators on fence/lean-no ... Any slippage, and momentum goes other direction with Alabama Senate election [Dec. 12], and shutdown negotiations next week." The state o' play, from more than half a dozen senior Republicans interviewed by Swan: "High concern" about Corker of Tennessee and Johnson of Wisconsin: They're simply not on board yet, and they both have a vote in the Budget Committee a vital procedural step scheduled for 2:30 p.m. today. about Corker of Tennessee and Johnson of Wisconsin: They're simply not on board yet, and they both have a vote in the Budget Committee a vital procedural step scheduled for 2:30 p.m. today. If Johnson votes against this, there's no hiding! Everyone will pile up on him. And there's no telling what Trump will do. against this, there's no hiding! Everyone will pile up on him. And there's no telling what Trump will do. A problem for McConnell & Co: Johnson and Corker sit on opposite ends of a Catch 22 seesaw: Johnson wants lots more money for "pass-through" businesses. But every extra dollar you give him is another dollar that will blow out the deficit and worry deficit hawks like Corker, Flake and McCain. for McConnell & Co: Johnson and Corker sit on opposite ends of a Catch 22 seesaw: Johnson wants lots more money for "pass-through" businesses. But every extra dollar you give him is another dollar that will blow out the deficit and worry deficit hawks like Corker, Flake and McCain. A senior GOP aide: "It's unclear what exactly that Senator Johnson wants. ... It's potentially hundreds of billions of dollars." Be smart: House leaders are insisting on a conference committee to work out the vast differences between the two chambers' tax bills: They say they don't have the votes for the Senate bill, and won't swallow it whole.That's a whole new minefield. How It's Playing ... N.Y. Times lead story: "TAX WRANGLING AIMS TO SWEETEN GAINS OF WEALTHY." Japan's SoftBank Group today is expected to launch its long-awaited tender for Uber shares, with an opening gambit that would value the company at around $48 billion, as first reported by Bloomberg. Bottom line: This deal is unlikely to get done at that price. SoftBank has spent the past month engaged in price discovery, and is now low-balling so as to make its eventual increase look generous. Expect some early employees to bite, given that it's exhausting to be a paper millionaire who has to keep dodging rent collectors. And all indications are that chairman Garrett Camp will tender shares. Former CEO Travis Kalanick has said he won't sell, while later-stage investors are unlikely to participate, given the prices they initially paid. The real questions revolve around early investors like Benchmark, First Round Capital and Menlo Ventures, which may feel the governance changes tied to this deal will create more long-term value than what is being lost in the short-term. And then there is the Google Ventures wildcard, particularly given the Waymo litigation and its sister firm's recent investment in Lyft. Reminder that the most recent 409a valuation works out to around $60 billion, and the discount on that number is far more consequential than the discount on the last private funding round. Potential sellers will have 20 business days to tender, and expectations are that most paperwork will be submitted late in the process. If the tender were to fail, SoftBank could restart the process in January. Three days ago I would have said that most sellers will value Uber's strong financial performance and continued growth more than its many PR nightmares, particularly given that a new CEO is now in charge. However, the revelation that Dara Khosrowshahi told SoftBank about its 2016 data breach weeks before telling the public has taken some shine off his nascent regime. Speaking of the hack, some valuation context: SoftBank is asking for around a 30% discount to Uber's last valuation. Equifax currently is trading 21% lower to its pre-hack price, and obviously the Equifax situation was much more consequential for users. Go deeper: The case for Uber at $95 billion Former guerrilla leaders and peace activists attend an event marking one year since the signing of Colombia's peace accord with rebels Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, FARC, at Colon theater in Bogota, Colombia, Friday, Nov. 24, 2017. Photo: Ricardo Mazalan / AP. Colombians remain divided over the year-old peace deal that ended a 50-year long war in the country, and the country's political elite faces a profound crisis of legitimacy. Graft scandals have hit every branch of the government over the past year, and corruption now eclipses security as a top concern for voters. More than 80 percent of Colombians say they have a negative view of all political parties. Why it matters: There is an important connection between the problem of corruption and the prospects for peace. Making peace agreements stick is never easyjust ask former-Yugoslavians, Rwandans, or Salvadorans, for starters. In an increasingly polarized society, a government that lacks trust and legitimacy will have an especially difficult time providing the public goods that are indispensable to anchor peace and prosperity. Whether that dynamic changes after next March's presidential election is the critical question for Colombia today. Go deeper: Watch my video explainer on the situation in Colombia recorded on location in Bogota with a bonus orthographic lesson. Sign up for Eurasia Group Media's Signal newsletter. The president told reporters he "would absolutely blame the Democrats" for a government shutdown and doubled down on his comments that Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi are "weak on crime" and "weak on illegal immigration." He also added that he expects the Senate's tax bill to pass. Asked about North Korea's most recent missile launch, Trump said "we will take care of it," but did not provide specifics. The backdrop: The tax bill just passed in a committee vote, and North Korea's missile was fired toward South Korea. And Schumer and Pelosi skipped a bipartisan meeting with Trump at the White House Tuesday. Sen. Elizabeth Warren responded to President Trump's reference to her as "Pocahontas" during an event to honor Navajo code talkers at the White House, saying it was "deeply unfortunate that the President of the United States cannot even make it through a ceremony honoring these heroes without having to throw out a racial slur." Warren's full quote: "You know, this was supposed to be an event to honor heroes. People who put it all on the line for our country. And people who because of their incredible work saved the lives of countless Americans and our allies. It is deeply unfortunate that the President of the United States cannot even make it through a ceremony honoring these heroes without having to throw out a racial slur. Look, Donald Trump does this over and over, thinking somehow he's going to shut me up with it. It hasn't worked in the past. It is not going to work in the future." The Supreme Court was closely divided this morning as it debated whether the federal patent office should be able to cancel patents it has previously granted a dispute that could put billions of dollars on the line for pharmaceutical companies. Why it matters: The case before the court on Monday involves patents for a piece of fracking equipment. But drug makers could profit handsomely if the court puts an end to these patent cancellations. The details: The Patent and Trademark Office can invalidate a company's patents when those patents are challenged by a competitor and that process is a lot cheaper and easier than challenging a patent in court. The Supreme Court's conservative justices questioned today whether the process is too easy, Reuters reports, while its more liberal bloc said the patent office should be able to correct its own mistakes. Threat level: Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, the drug industry's leading trade group, urged the high court to put a stop to patent cancellations. "The pharmaceutical industry invests hundreds of billions of dollars in researching and developing new treatments to improve the health and welfare of the public across the globe. Those investments make sense only because the resulting intellectual property is respected as property," PhRMA said in a brief. Some of the industry's leading critics, including AARP, weighed in on the other side. They feared that a more onerous system of patent challenges would help drug makers stave off competition from cheaper generic versions of their products. The Koch Brothers are investing $650 million to support Meredith Corp.'s takeover of Time Inc., and insist that they won't have any managerial or editorial influence over the combined magazine publisher. But no one involved with the deal will say that the promise of passivity is codified in anything beyond press releases, and the prospect of a strong financial return is anything but certain. Why it matters: The investment could give the GOP mega-donors proximity to a news publications like Time and Fortune, plus widely-read lifestyle magazine People. Bull case for Koch The combined company would have the sixth largest U.S. digital audience, just below Amazon and above Comcast/NBC. Meredith sees more than a half-billion dollars in synergy savings, and a source says it expects to also divest some struggling Time Inc. brands (on top of assets already for sale, including Time UK, Sunset, Golf Magazine and Essence). Meredith has managed to maintain profitability, and has seen its stock price consistently rise since a March 2009 nadir. Meredith does own a bunch of local TV stations, and there could be some new upside given recent relaxation of federal ownership rules. Koch will receive an 8.5% cash-pay dividend with some equity upside on its perpetual preferred shares, which is bit reminiscent of how Carlos Slim's investment into The New York Times Co. was structured. Bear case for Koch Most of Time Inc.'s top brands have struggled to turn once-lucrative print businesses to digital money-makers, due to the volatile advertising climate perpetuated by Google and Facebook. Moreover, 59% of Time and Meredith's combined revenue, and 25% of its EBITDA, come from print (ads plus circulation). As you might have heard, print is a declining business no matter how popular People remains in waiting rooms. Meredith is taking on a lot of debt to finance the acquisition. It promises that it plans to deleverage quickly, but too much debt has been an albatross around Time Inc.'s neck since it was spun out of Time Warner in mid-2014. Time Inc. has spent the past year restructuring its business and editorial teams to meet the demands of a new digital publishing economy. It's unclear how the companies will merge assets specifically, but it's possible that the deal could result in another laborious restructuring. No other financial sponsor or corporate was willing to pay this sort of price when Time Inc. went up for auction earlier this year. Moreover, shares were trading at just $10 before rumors of the Meredith bid surfaced. Comment: Meredith says that the Koch investment is passive. No managerial or editorial influence, nor a board seat or board observer rights. And, to be sure, Koch has made plenty of passive, minority investments in the past, including a $2 billion infusion into private equity-backed Infor earlier this year. But when Axios asked a Time spokeswoman if the Koch passivity was written into the equity commitment letter or any other relevant documents, she told us to call Meredith. Same thing happened when we asked a Koch spokesman. But Meredith has not responded to my repeated inquiries on this point, and there is nothing about it in the 84-page merger agreement. Bottom line: The bears are stronger than the bulls on this merger, and the Kochs' background makes it very tough to believe that this is a purely financial play. Already, the NY Times suggests there could be a data play combining Time Inc. subscriber info with with voter info held by Koch-owned i360. Or perhaps the Kochs would have an inside track on a divestiture, particularly if either TIME Magazine or Fortune were to be sold. But Time (Inc.) could prove us wrong. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is still trying to persuade some of the holdouts. Photo: J. Scott Applewhite / AP Senate GOP leadership along with President Trump is scrambling to get the support of holdout senators for the tax bill when it reaches the Senate floor. Talks seemed to be going well on Tuesday, although no concrete commitments seem to have been made, and many members aren't showing their cards yet. Be smart: Holdout members are being given hope for candy without vegetables. Everything they want and seem to be potentially getting costs money that Republicans really don't have to spend. Paying for it could end up being painful. Here's what the holdouts are saying: Sen. Susan Collins: Trump told senators at lunch today that he would support adding in a $10,000 property tax deduction to the tax plan, as the House bill did, according to Collins. She's been calling for this. Trump also told senators he would support the Alexander-Murray health care proposal and the Collins-Nelson reinsurance bill if the Affordable Care Act individual mandate is repealed, according to both Collins and Sen. Lindsey Graham. This is exactly what Collins has asked for in exchange for repealing the mandate. "I am happy to report that I am making progress on the issues that matter most to me...I think they're eager to help me get to yes." Sen. Bob Corker: Told reporters he would vote for the bill in the Budget Committee markup over an "agreement" about how the tax plan will play out given different scenarios of economic growth. In a statement, Corker said it was a trigger mechanism to ensure greater fiscal responsibility should economic growth estimates not be realized. Other Republicans say that means tax increases, and insist theyll never vote for it. ""I'd rather drink weed killer, Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana told reporters. "If I vote for that thing, consider me drunk. Sen. Steve Daines: Told Axios he was "pleased" after his discussion with Majority Leader Mitch McConnell today about the tax negotiations since he felt he had been "listened to on fighting on behalf of Main Street businesses," but was mum on whether he was any closer to a "yes" vote. Sen. Ron Johnson: Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi say they won't attend a bipartisan meeting at the White House Tuesday after President Trump tweeted: "they want illegal immigrants flooding into our Country unchecked, are weak on Crime and want to substantially RAISE Taxes. I don't see a deal!" The meeting invitation still stands, Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Speaker Paul Ryan have said they plan to be there. Schumer and Pelosi offered to negotiate with McConnell and Ryan alone, but the Republican leaders declined, saying, "If Democrats want to reach an agreement on these issues, they will be" at the White House. The Democrats' full statement: "Given that the President doesn't see a deal between Democrats and the White House, we believe the best path forward is to continue negotiating with our Republican counterparts in Congress instead. Rather than going to the White House for a show meeting that won't result in an agreement, we've asked Leader McConnell and Speaker Ryan to meet this afternoon. We don't have any time to waste in addressing the issues that confront us, so we're going to continue to negotiate with Republican leaders who may be interested in reaching a bipartisan agreement. "If the President, who already said earlier this year that 'our country needs a good shutdown,' isn't interested in addressing the difficult year end agenda, we'll work with those Republicans who are, as we did in April. We look forward to continuing to work in good faith, as we have been for the last month, with our Republican colleagues in Congress to do just that." The Republicans' full statement: The White House's full statement: "It's disappointing that Senator Schumer and Leader Pelosi are refusing to come to the table and discuss urgent issues."The President's invitation to the Democrat leaders still stands and he encourages them to put aside their pettiness, stop the political grandstanding, show up and get to work. These issues are too important."The meeting will proceed as scheduled with Speaker Ryan, Leader McConnell and administration officials who are committed to getting things done. If the Democrats believe the American people deserve action on these critical year-end issues as we do, they should attend." Trump's tweet: The Armenian military repatriated on Tuesday the body of an Azerbaijani soldier who was reportedly found dead on Armenias border with Azerbaijans Nakhichevan exclave last week. The handover facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) took place at another section of the Nakhichevan frontier. The Defense Ministry in Yerevan released several photographs that showed Armenian military personnel carrying a stretcher covered with a white sheet at a fortified border post. They were accompanied by three ICRC officials, one of whom held up a Red Cross flag. According to the ministry, the Azerbaijani soldier was found on Thursday lying dead in front of an Armenian army post facing eastern Nakhichevan. A ministry statement released on Tuesday insisted that he was an army captain. The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry has said, however, that the dead soldier, identified as Bakhruz Jalibeyli, was a 19-year-old conscript who deserted his unit after committing an unspecified crime. So far it has said nothing about the circumstances of his death. The ICRC similarly assisted in the handover to Baku in February of the body of another Azerbaijani soldier who was shot dead at another section of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border last December. Yerevan said that his death was the result of an attempted Azerbaijani incursion into Armenia which also left three Armenian servicemen dead. Sexy Durga, directed by Sanal Kumar Sasidharan, will not be screened at IFFI, despite the Kerala High Court Order. By Shivangi Thakur: Filmmaker Sanal Kumar Sasidharan has been having a tough battle with the IFFI (International Film Festival of India) jury, to get his film Sexy Durga screened at this year's festival. There has been much controversy around two films, Nude and Sexy Durga, as they were initially dropped from IFFI, the seven-day festival in Goa that ends today. advertisement After much hassle, the film's controversial name was changed, and certain scenes were censored. As per an order from the Kerala High Court, a special screening of the film was held for the IFFI jury. Nevertheless, there was much uncertainty around the fate of the film, and Sasidharan did not receive a clear answer on the status of the film. The festival, which started on November 20, comes to a close today. And it looks like S Durga will not be screened, even though a majority of the jury voted in favour of the screening. Sasidharan is planning to protest today, against what his film has had to deal with at IFFI this year. He, however, has found support in film industries down South. The film will be screened at the International Film Festival of Kerala, as a "mark of protest" and "political resistance" against the Centre's move to drop the movie from IFFI even after it was selected by an expert jury, according to Kamal, the chairman of Kerala Chalachitra Academy (Kerala Film Academy). Rahul Rawail, the head of the IFFI jury refused to comment, or confirm the news. He said they have submitted their verdict to the Information and Broadcasting ministry, it's up to them now to go ahead with it. Since the matter is sub-judice, Rawail refused to comment on the subject. Sasidharan, the director of Sexy Durga, wrote on Facebook that the Kerala Chalachitra Academy Chairman has unofficially hinted their wish to screen his film at IFFK. "Though I have no official communication till now, I welcome any such move from the Academy to recognise a film which brought so much of accolades to Malayalam (cinema). If they come up with a positive proposal with due acknowledgment, then I will also accept the proposal. But I want to make it very much clear, that the decision of Academy will not affect the Kazhcha Indie Film Festival (KIFF 2017) announced by Kazhcha Film Forum. KIFF will be there without any change as decided early," wrote Sasidharan. advertisement Earlier, it was announced that KIFF is being being organised as a corrective measure against such a "rejectionary" attitude adopted by the Academy and IFFK in promoting a parallel cinema movement. ALSO WATCH: Violence over Padmavati, Sujoy Ghosh quits jury after S Durga, Nude controversy --- ENDS --- Irans Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met with President Serzh Sarkisian and other Armenian leaders on Tuesday during a visit to Yerevan that appeared to focus on ongoing efforts to expand Armenian-Iranian economic ties. He arrived in the Armenian capital with a large group of Iranian businessmen who held a one-day conference with fellow entrepreneurs from Armenia. Zarif and his Armenian counterpart Edward Nalbandian opened the forum before holding talks. There are quite good opportunities for expanding economic relations between the two countries, Zarif told an ensuing joint news conference with Nalbandian. Energy and cargo transit are very important areas of our cooperation with Armenia, he said. We also attach importance to our cooperation on science and technology. Nalbandian said, for his part, that they discussed ways of increasing bilateral commerce and preparations for next months meeting in Yerevan of an Armenian-Iranian intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation. In that context, he stressed the importance of a planned free-trade deal between Iran and the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union which is strongly backed by Armenia. According to official Armenian statistics, Armenian-Iranian trade stood at a relatively modest $197.4 million in the first nine months of this year. It was up by 10 percent from the same period in 2016. Zarif was reported to tell Sarkisian later in the day that the current scale of Armenian-Iranian business dealings does not befit the high level of political relations between the two friendly nations. The two men agreed on the need to bolster economic ties and develop mutually beneficial cooperation in various areas, reported the Armenian presidential press office. It said Zarif called Armenia a very good neighbor of Iran. Economic issues dominated Zarifs separate meeting with Prime Minister Karen Karapetian. They discussed, among other things, the upcoming launch of a free economic zone in Armenias southeastern Meghri district bordering Iran. According to an Armenian government statement, they agreed that the tax haven for manufacturing firms could give a major boost to Armenian-Iranian business ties. The statement added that Armenian-Iranian energy projects were also on the agenda of Karapetians talks with the chief Iranian diplomat. But it did not elaborate. Karapetian met with Irans President Hassan Rouhani, First Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri, Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh and Energy Minister Sattar Mahmoudi when he paid an official visit to Tehran in October. He reportedly discussed the possibility of a trilateral deal that would enable Armenia to import cheap natural gas from Turkmenistan via Iran. No concrete agreements to that effect have been announced so far. The Armenian premier on Tuesday described his trip to Iran as quite promising. Armenias government is extremely interested in qualitatively changing and raising our trade to a higher level, he told Zarif. 28 November 2017 10:35 (UTC+04:00) By Fuad Aslanov It is a well known fact that the Armenian Army and Armenian military units located in the occupied lands of Azerbaijan are in a deplorable situation and hazing and lack of discipline reign there for many years. The Armenian army officers often abuse their soldiers, as well as steal and sell their clothes and food. There are also many deaths of Armenian soldiers in mysterious circumstances. The Armenian newspaper Hraparak has recently published an interview with a serviceman of one of Armenian military units deployed in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. The soldier spoke about poor-quality hygiene products given in the army and, consequently, constant requests to parents to send socks, soap, toothpaste and so on. The serviceman also said that to receive the parcels sent by the families, soldiers are required to give 1,000 drams ($2.5). This interview caused serious anxiety in the military circles of Armenia and the separatist regime. The publication immediately received a call from Karabakh and was required to tell the respondents name. The employee of the so-called prosecutors office from Khankendi added that journalists are obliged to disclose the source, otherwise they will be criminally liable for a false denunciation. Moreover, the military unit was checked. They even summoned a regiment in Martakert (Aghdara), talked with servicemen, demanding to name the person who gave the interview, says the newspaper. Obviously, in this way, the Armenian military leadership wants to block sources of leakage and root out the desire of servicemen to give interviews. This is not the first time that Armenian media have received threats from the government structures. In 2014, the Special Investigation Service of Armenia demanded from Hraparak and ilur.am to inform where they got information about the fact that the head of the Shirak police department Vardan Nadaryan had beaten a wrestler, three-time European champion Artur Aleksanyan. The media refused to name the source and appealed to the Constitutional Court, noting that it is enough for a journalist to disclose the source once, and he will lose confidence of the sources, and the society will lose the right to information. However, the pressure on Armenian media that disclose criminal facts about the army and the government continues to this day. This once again proves the mendacity of the Armenian authorities who are ranting that they have complete freedom of speech in the country. Meanwhile, thousands of Armenian soldiers in the country's military units and units located in the occupied Karabakh are counting the days until the term of their military service ends. The lack of discipline is the number-one problem that has not been eliminated there for many years, and it, consequently, causes physical and mental issues of servicemen and even their deaths. For instance, this June, a sergeant of Armenian army killed his fellow soldiers as revenge for bullying. In July, Junior Sergeant Vardan Melkonyan was found hanged in a military unit. Later, his fellow soldier was arrested on suspicion of committing violent acts against the late sergeant. In late August, three soldiers serving in the Armenia-occupied Aghdara, the same region where the soldier who gave interview is serving, were brutally beaten by senior ranks and insulted in front of the whole military personnel. The officers beat the hungry and thirsty soldiers because they refused to dig the ground under the sun. These are a very few of dangerous incidents taking place in the Armenian army almost every day. All this is accompanied by terrible conditions of military service. Due to the wide-spread corruption in the military units, many Armenian soldiers cannot receive even the minimum of the necessary daily provision. The servicemen are fed with poor-quality food, while unsanitary conditions prevail in military units. Contagious diseases, especially the infectious ones are wide-spread there. All of the above, reasonably, makes Armenian parents try to find any opportunity to keep their sons far from the horror of Armenian army. However, mainly sons of Armenian officials are granted such a privilege. Young men from ordinary Armenian families have to waste two years of their lives in suffering. Their parents, in turn, have to live all this time in a constant limbo, as they cannot be sure their sons will come back home safe and sound, not being killed or crippled by some fellow soldier or officer. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 November 2017 10:21 (UTC+04:00) By Trend Over the past 24 hours, Armenias armed forces have 122 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said on November 28. 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. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 November 2017 11:57 (UTC+04:00) By Rashid Shirinov The fact that all countries and international organizations recognize Nagorno-Karabakh as an integral part of Azerbaijan greatly disturbs Armenia. Therefore, the Armenians constantly try to carry out provocations against Azerbaijan on the international arena. This time they did it in the Georgian capital Tbilisi. An exhibition titled Revival of seven young artists from the so-called Nagorno-Karabakh Republic was opened in Tbilisi at Ayartun center of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Georgia. Soon after that, the Georgian Foreign Ministry made a statement saying that holding of exhibitions, conferences or other events somewhere by any separatist regime, whether unrecognized so-called NKR or Abkhaz separatists is undesirable. The ministry noted that Georgia itself suffers from separatism, and this event in Tbilisi was not organized by the government line. Azerbaijani Embassy in Georgia, in turn, noted that the relevant structures of Georgia were informed about this issue, and the concern of official Baku was brought to their attention. Meanwhile, the Azerbaijani Embassy in Latvia prevented another Armenian provocation. The exhibition titled Armenia on old maps: 6th century BC - 20th century was opened in the National Library of Latvia, where the Armenian Embassy, among other maps, attempted to exhibit a map with the territories of Azerbaijan occupied by Armenia. In this regard, Azerbaijani Embassy in Riga sent a note to the Foreign Ministry, the National Librarys management and had a meeting in the Latvian Foreign Ministry. The embassy brought to their attention information on Armenians falsification of the regions history, as well as the fact that international organizations such as NATO, UN, OSCE PA, EU, OIC recognize the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, and many regulations and resolutions were adopted in this regard. The Azerbaijani Diaspora organization Ojag in Latvia also sent letters on the inadmissibility of demonstrating such a map, which violates the norms of international law. Director of the Latvian National Library Andris Vilks expressed regret and apologized in his reply letter, noting that the library management was unaware that the content of the exhibition could violate the norms of international law. Thus, the provocative map was excluded from the exposition, and the exhibition soon ceased its work. Armenian diaspora often uses international exhibitions to distort the essence of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue and present this region of Azerbaijan as Armenian. However, Azerbaijan timely prevents such provocative attempts. 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. --- Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 November 2017 15:25 (UTC+04:00) By Rashid Shirinov More than three years have passed since two Azerbaijanis Dilgam Asgarov and Shahbaz Guliyev were captured by the Armenian armed forces while visiting their native places and graves of the loved ones in the occupied Azerbaijani Kalbajar region. Azerbaijan continues efforts to provide justice and to free the hostages. "An appeal is sent to international organizations for release of Azerbaijani hostages Dilgam Asgarov and Shahbaz Guliyev, and work on this is underway," Eldar Samadov, deputy head of the work group of Azerbaijans State Commission for Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons, told reporters in Baku on November 28. Asgarov and Guliyev have not been released due to Armenias non-constructive and inhuman position, he said, expressing hope that under President Ilham Aliyevs leadership, it would be possible to release the hostages. The two Azerbaijanis were detained by Armenian armed forces in July 2014, while the third captured Azerbaijani Hasan Hasanov was murdered. Later, Asgarov and Guliyev were illegally judged by the unrecognized courts of a separatist regime in Nagorno-Karabakh. Following an expedited judicial process in December 2015, Asgarov was sentenced to life imprisonment and Guliyev to 22 years. Azerbaijans State Committee on Affairs of Refugees and IDPs, the State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons and other agencies have repeatedly urged international organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, to assist in release of Guliyev and Asgarov, but the problem remains topical yet. --- Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 November 2017 13:10 (UTC+04:00) By Aygul Salmanova Sericulture, an ancient and important agricultural sphere, for centuries occupied a unique place in Azerbaijan. The government of Azerbaijan seeks to revive this ancient industry, which may become one of the most important segments of the non-oil economy. Recently President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree approving the "State Program for Development of Silkworm Breeding and Sericulture in Azerbaijan in 2018-2025". According to the decree, the state program is approved to develop silkworm breeding and sericulture, increase export potential in this sphere, and ensure employment of rural population. The Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Economy will collaborate to take necessary measures stipulated in the state program. The history of sericulture in Azerbaijan dates back to almost fifteen hundred years and has very rich history. When it comes to silk in Azerbaijan, the first place that comes to mind is ancient city of Sheki, which once considered the largest center for the production of silk and silk farming in the Middle Ages. Delicate fabrics, beautiful clothes, and colorful kelagayis (silk headscarf) manufactured by Sheki craftsmen from raw silk, were exported to foreign countries, so the city became famous for its silk throughout the world. In the Soviet period, Azerbaijan ranked second after Uzbekistan for the production of silk cocoon, but was considered first in fiber quality. The country annually produced 7,800 tons of raw cocoons in 1960-1970. Azerbaijan produced only 236 kilograms of silk in 2015, while in 2016 this figure amounted to 71 tons. According to estimates, the volume of silk production by the end 2017 is expected to increase by 2-3 times. -- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 November 2017 17:00 (UTC+04:00) By Trend Azerbaijan will join the Patent Law Treaty (PLT), the administrative functions of which are handled by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Niyazi Rahimov, deputy chairman of the countrys State Committee for Standardization, Metrology and Patent, told reporters in Baku on November 28. Rahimov noted that the legal compliance of Azerbaijans law On Patents with the legal norms of the PLT was studied jointly with the WIPO. At present, a project of initiatives is being prepared related to the relevant changes in Azerbaijans legislation, and the project will be submitted to the government in the near future, he added. After these processes are completed, it will be possible to talk about Azerbaijans joining the PLT. First of all, it is envisaged that an applicant, having applied for a patent for an invention, will receive a temporary priority, Rahimov said. If earlier, when submitting an application, an applicant was also required to submit a number of documents and pass a number of procedures, the PLT makes it possible to define among countries a single standard that simplifies these procedures, Rahimov noted. In particular, this standard will simplify getting information when an application for a patent was filed for the first time. This, on the one hand, eliminates bureaucratic aspects encountered by an inventor, and on the other hand, minimizes the work carried out by the national patent structure. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 November 2017 19:00 (UTC+04:00) By Trend Rufat Mammadov, head of Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO), has been re-elected as vice president of the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA), Azerbaijans Economy Ministry said on November 28. This decision was made in a meeting of WAIPA General Assembly and the 22nd Annual WAIPA World Investment Conference, held Nov. 27-28 in Dubai. WAIPA is a non-governmental organization founded in 1995 in Geneva under Swiss law. The number of its members is constantly growing and it currently includes 170 agencies from 130 countries. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 November 2017 12:16 (UTC+04:00) By Laman Ismayilova The Taste of Italian Movies Film Festival, held within the framework of Week of Italian Cuisine in the World, started in Baku on November 27. Italian films, including " Inspector Montalbano" (November 28), "When Italy ate in black and white" (November 29), "General kitchen art" (November 30) will be screened as part of the event. All films will be shown in the Cineclub Hall for four days at Landmark III Hotel and Business Center (Nizami street 90A). At the same time, guests have a chance to taste delicious Italian food and win international prizes. Admission to the film festival is free. The Italian Cuisine Week is held every year in different countries with the support of the Foreign Ministry and International Cooperation of Italy. It's an annual event which celebrates Italys incredibly varied regional cuisine and food traditions with a wide array of events promoting culinary culture and flavours to millions of consumers worldwide. This event takes place in over 100 countries across the world. Notably, the first ever festival of Azerbaijani cuisine will take place in Italy on November 29-December 1. Along with various dishes of the national cuisine, Azerbaijani wines, pomegranate juice, tea and other products will be presented at the festival. --- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 November 2017 12:58 (UTC+04:00) By Trend Suicide-encouraging flu antiviral drugs of Japanese origin are not sold in Azerbaijan, the Center for Analytical Expertise of the countrys Healthcare Ministry told Trend on November 27. Earlier, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan disseminated information on 54 recorded attempts of children and teens to fall to their death from windows after using such drugs as Tamiflu, Laninamivir and Relenza in the country. In particular, these drugs cause abnormal behavior among children and teens, and it has not been recommended for them to take Tamiflu in Japan for already several years. Commenting on this information, the Center for Analytical Expertise of Azerbaijans Healthcare Ministry said in a message that Tamiflu of only German, French, Italian and the US origin is imported and sold in the country. No complaints regarding these drugs have been received, the message said. The ministry constantly monitors the quality of all medicines that have passed state registration. As for the other two drugs - Laninamivir and Relenza, they are not included in Azerbaijans state register of medicines at all, and, therefore, not sold in the country, the message noted. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz The intercontinental ballistic missile landed in the Sea of Japan, causing panic in the international community. By India Today Web Desk: As the test firing of a ballistic missile by North Korea has staked world diplomatic ties, US President Donald Trump in a statement said that the US "will take care of it". Addressing reporter Trump said that "it is a situation we will handle". Meanwhile, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said that North Korea is continuing to build missiles that can "threaten everywhere in the world". advertisement North Korea test fired a ballistic missile 10-weeks after its last test in September 2017. The intercontinental ballistic missile landed in the Sea of Japan, causing panic in the international community. South Korea's presidential office said it was holding a National Security Council meeting at 6 a.m. Wednesday local time to discuss the launch. The UN Security Council President Sebastiano Cardi is also scheduled to brief the Security Council on the issue on Wednesday. About a week ago, the Trump administration declared North Korea a state sponsor of terrorism, further straining ties between governments that are still technically at war. Washington also imposed new sanctions on North Korean shipping firms and Chinese trading companies dealing with the North. Japan's ambassador to the UN Koro Bessho also condemned the test firing. "We criticize their behavior in the strongest terms possible," he said. Pentagon spokesman Col. Rob Manning said the missile was launched from Sain Ni, North Korea, and traveled about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) before landing in the Sea of Japan within 370 nautical kilometers (200 nautical miles) of Japan's coast. It flew for 53 minutes, Japan's defense minister said. Scientists dub it as North Korea's longest-range test till date. --- ENDS --- 28 November 2017 14:48 (UTC+04:00) By Rashid Shirinov Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan surprised with his last week speech at the Brussels Summit of EU leaders and heads of state of the Eastern Partnership, this time denying the existence of well-known UN documents on the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Sargsyan, being loyal to his pinciple of stating fake statements on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, said the UN has never adopted resolutions on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. It is worth to remind Mr. President that the four resolutions can be easily found on the Internet and their content is very clear. These documents, adopted in 1993, condemn the occupation of Azerbaijani territories, stress the unacceptability of appropriation of territory by force, confirm the inviolability of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and borders of Azerbaijan and demand the immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian occupation forces from Azerbaijani lands. Just to underline for President Sargsyan that the very document that the Armenian leadership has been ignoring for almost quarter-century. Earlier, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan made a similar provocative statement, saying that implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions is allegedly not on the agenda of Karabakh talks. This statement is as ridiculous as the one made by Sargsyan, since the Minsk Group, the OSCEs structure designed to find a peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, bases its activities on these resolutions of the UN Security Council among other documents. Both the Armenian president and FM, of course, are well aware of what the four resolutions demand, but as they are contrary to Yerevans aggressive occupation policy, the countrys officials come up with unprecedented fairytales with a vain hope that someone will believe in them. --- Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 November 2017 15:34 (UTC+04:00) By Trend The OSCE monitoring held on the border between Azerbaijan and Armenia near Azerbaijans Qazakh district on November 28 passed without incidents, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said on November 28. The monitoring was held under the mandate of the OSCE chairperson-in-office personal representative, said the ministry. On the Azerbaijani side, the monitoring was held by Simon Tiller and Mikhail Olaru, who are field assistants of the OSCE chairperson-in-office personal representative. On the Armenian side, the monitoring was held by field assistants of the OSCE chairperson-in-office personal representative, Ghenadie Petrica, Ognjen Jovic and Martin Schuster. 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. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 November 2017 14:44 (UTC+04:00) By Rashid Shirinov The body of an Azerbaijani soldier, Bahruz Jalilbayli, who left the place of service at his own will after committing a military crime, was taken by the Armenian side. Eldar Samadov, deputy head of the work group of Azerbaijans State Commission for Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons, made the remarks to reporters in Baku on November 28. Currently, negotiations are underway with relevant structures in order to return his body to the Azerbaijani side, said Samadov, adding that the public will be informed about this in the coming days. Jalilbayli was called up for active military service on January 5, 2017. Recently, Azerbaijans Defense Ministry said in a message that his body was found on November 23 on the contact line at the Armenia-Azerbaijan border in the direction of the Ordubad region of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, near the positions of the Armenian armed forces. Following the incident, Azerbaijans State Commission for Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons appealed to international organizations to return the body of the Azerbaijani serviceman. Since a war in the early 1990s, Armenian armed forces have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan's territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding regions. More than 20,000 Azerbaijanis were killed and over 1 million were displaced as a result of the large-scale hostilities. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding districts. --- Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 November 2017 17:53 (UTC+04:00) By Trend One of the two Armenian saboteurs Arsen Bagdasaryan, detained by Azerbaijan, is still in detention, Eldar Samadov, deputy head of work group of Azerbaijans State Commission for Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons, told reporters in Baku on November 28. He was answering the question about Bagdasaryan's whereabouts. He was arrested for committing a crime on the contact line, Samadov said. The official went on to say that Bagdasaryan is not a prisoner of war, because he was arrested under a court decision. Bagdasaryan, a professional military man and a member of the intelligence-provocation group of the Armenian armed forces, crossed the line of contact of Azerbaijani and Armenian troops in the direction of Aghdam district on Dec. 26, 2014. He was detained by servicemen of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces and handed over to the law enforcement agencies. Following that, a criminal case was initiated at the Azerbaijani Military Prosecutors Office. Bagdasaryan was charged under articles 218.2, 29,120.2.1, 29,120.2.7, 29,120.2.12, 29,282.2 of the Criminal Code and the criminal case was sent to the court in order to complete the investigation. Crimes committed by Bagdasaryan were fully proved during the trial and he was sentenced to a worthy and fair punishment. Samadov further said that certain work is being carried out together with international organizations with regard to the other detainee, Zaver Karapetyan. He is still detained in Azerbaijan, said Samadov adding that detention conditions comply with all international norms and standards. International organizations can visit him at any time in line with humanitarian law, he noted. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 November 2017 10:17 (UTC+04:00) By Trend Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree approving the "State Program for Development of Silkworm Breeding and Sericulture in Azerbaijan in 2018-2025". According to the decree, the state program is approved to develop silkworm breeding and sericulture, increase export potential in this sphere, and ensure employment of rural population. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 November 2017 11:46 (UTC+04:00) By Trend Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree to establish the Sabirabad Industrial Zone on November 27. According to the decree, the industrial zone is being created in the countrys Sabirabad district to support the activity of small and medium enterprises operating in the industrial sector, ensure sustainable development of the non-oil sector, and increase employment in the production sector. The Azerbaijan Investment Company has been entrusted to organize and regulate the activity of the Sabirabad Industrial Zone. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 November 2017 16:49 (UTC+04:00) By Trend President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, having completed his visit to Tartar, has arrived in Aghjabadi region for a visit. The head of state laid flowers at a statue of the national leader in the Heydar Aliyev Park in the center of the city of Aghjabadi. Head of Aghjabadi District Executive Authority Shahin Mammadov informed President Aliyev of the landscaping work carried out around the statue and in the region. Then President Aliyev attended the opening of Flag Museum in Aghjabadi. The head of state cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the museum, and then viewed it. The museum`s collection features the map of the khanate period in Azerbaijan, medieval warriors` clothing, flags of different states that existed in the territory of Azerbaijan, coats of arms of Azerbaijani cities dating back to the 19th century, ancient coins, documents relating to Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, constitutions of Azerbaijan SSR and independent Republic of Azerbaijan, state attributes, photos of President Ilham Aliyev`s inauguration, as well as different postage stamps, orders and medals. President Aliyev has also attended the opening of Museum of History and Local Lore in Aghjabadi after renovation. The head of state viewed conditions created in the museum. The museum was built in 1980. The renovated two-storey building houses administrative rooms, a 60-seat conference hall, and exhibition halls. There are photo sections here depicting national leader Heydar Aliyev`s, and President Ilham Aliyev's visits to Aghjabadi. The museum features a total of 4,782 exhibits, 360 of which are being displayed at the exhibition hall. The President attended the inauguration of a 100-seat orphanage-kindergarten No 4 in Aghjabadi, whose construction was initiated by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. President Ilham Aliyev cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the orphanage-kindergarten. The head of state viewed conditions created here. The three-storey building was supplied with all necessary equipment. All conditions were created here for children. Amusement facilities were installed and green areas laid out in the yard of the orphanage-kindergarten. President Ilham Aliyev attended the inauguration of the Olympic Sport Complex in Aghjabadi district. The head of state cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the complex. Minister of Youth and Sports Azad Rahimov informed President Ilham Aliyev of the conditions created here. The construction of the complex started in June 2012, and ended this November. All necessary infrastructure has been created at the complex which occupies a total area of five hectares. The complex features wrestling and judo, boxing, weightlifting gyms, as well as a 937-seat universal sports halls. The sport complex also includes table tennis and billiard courts, gym and fitness halls, summer cafe, shop, booking office, rooms for supervisors, coaches, and referees, and a number of other rooms. The complex also houses a 810-seat football stadium, as well as mini football, volleyball pitches and tennis courts. The Olympic Sport Complex features a 50-seat state-of-the-art hotel. After touring the complex, President Ilham Aliyev met with representatives of the district's general public and local athletes, and posed for photographs together with them. As part of his visit to Aghjabadi district, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev has viewed the conditions created at a military unit of the Ministry of Defense. Minister of Defense Zakir Hasanov reported to Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev. The headquarters, military hostels, a canteen, medical point and other necessary buildings were built in the military unit. The headquarters has service rooms and a conference hall. All conditions have been created here. President, Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev visited the military hostels and viewed the social and living conditions created for personnel. President Ilham Aliyev was informed about an interactive training and practice system. He further attended the inauguration of a bread and flour plant in Aghjabadi district. Minister of Economy Shahin Mustafayev informed the head of state that there are more than 160 bread plants in Azerbaijan with 2,200 tons of daily production capacity. The bread and flour plant in Aghjabadi district covers a total area of six hectares. The facility consists of two production areas. The National Fund for Entrepreneurship Support under the Ministry of Economy allocated a 1.4 million manat preferential loan for the construction of the plant with a total cost of 4 million manats. The daily production capacity of the plant is 20 tons. The plant manufactures 7 types of bread and 20 types of flour products. President Ilham Aliyev launched the facility, watched the production process and viewed ready products. The plant created 50 jobs, with average monthly salary being 400 manats. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 November 2017 11:26 (UTC+04:00) By exporting 519 million cubic meters of gas to Turkey in September, Azerbaijan has become the country`s second largest gas supplier. According to Turkeys Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EMRA) report, 3.232 billion cubic meters of gas was transported via pipelines, 448 million cubic meters via LNG terminals. Turkey imported 337.48 million cubic meters of natural gas from Azerbaijan in August of 2017. With 2.1 billion cubic meters of gas exported, Russia remains Turkey`s largest gas supplier. Iran is the third largest with 518 million cubic meters. Azerbaijan exported 4.74 billion cubic meters of gas to Turkey in January-September of this year. -- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 November 2017 11:45 (UTC+04:00) By Sara Israfilbayova The European Commission has sent a letter to the European Investment Bank (EIB) calling on allocating a loan to two sections of Azerbaijani gas pipeline project. Reportedly, the bank is considering loans in excess of 2 billion euros to two sections of the pipeline, from Azerbaijan to western Turkey and from Greece to southern Italy (TANAP and TAP). The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the European Union's nonprofit long-term lending institution established in 1958 under the Treaty of Rome. The letter, dated July 13, said the project was vital and irreplaceable for the diversification of EU gas sources and security of supply, which made clear the importance of the project to the EU. Europes commitment must therefore not wane, Sefcovic and Canete wrote, adding they hoped the EIB and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) would give financial backing to the pipeline thereby to exemplify that European Union patronage over the Southern Gas Corridor continues. The EBRD Board of Directors approved $500 million worth loan for TANAP on October 18, 2017. The loan was issued for a period of 18 years. The EBRD has allocated more than 3 billion euro to Azerbaijan for implementation of 160 projects since 1992. One of the main priorities of the EBRD in Azerbaijan for 2017 is support the local corporates with direct financing. The EBRD continues to pursue investments in energy projects, especially where there is a gap to improve efficiency and energy security. TANAP project envisages transportation of gas from Azerbaijans Shah Deniz field to the western borders of Turkey. The gas will be delivered to Turkey in 2018 and after completion of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline's construction natural gas will be delivered to Europe in early 2020. The length of TANAP is 1,850 kilometers, with an initial capacity of 16 billion cubic meters of gas. Around six billion cubic meters of this gas is meant to be delivered to Turkey, with the remaining volume to be supplied to Europe. TAP is a part of the Southern Gas Corridor, which is one of the priority energy projects for the European Union. The project envisages transportation of gas from Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz Stage 2 to the EU countries. The pipeline will connect to the Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) on the Turkish-Greek border, run through Greece, Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before coming ashore in Italys south. TAP will be 878 kilometers in length (Greece 550 kilometers, Albania 215 kilometers, Adriatic Sea 105 kilometers, and Italy 8 kilometers). TAPs shareholding is comprised of BP (20 percent), SOCAR (20 percent), Snam S.p.A. (20 percent), Fluxys (19 percent), Enagas (16 percent) and Axpo (5 percent). --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 November 2017 16:27 (UTC+04:00) By Sara Israfilbayova World oil prices decline on Tuesday amid uncertainty of the fate of the OPEC+ deal, as well as on industry news from the U.S. Brent crude futures are at $63.2 per barrel, down 0.27 percent, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures are down 0.53 percent at $57.8 per barrel, according to RIA Novosti. Traders wait for the meeting of oil and energy ministers of all 24 states of the agreement on reducing the production of "black gold". The meeting of OPEC+ will be held on November 30 in Vienna. A meeting of the Joint OPEC-Non-OPEC Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC), which includes Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Kuwait, Algeria, Oman and Russia, will take place in Vienna on November 29. Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on November 27 that almost all members of the deal are in favor of extending it. Nevertheless, traders remain cautious, as there is no certainty whether the agreement will eventually be extended at the meeting in Vienna and for how long. Goldman Sachs said the outcome of the meeting was much more uncertain than usual, adding that the market faced downside risks. We view risks to oil prices as skewed to downside this week as we believe current prices, timespreads and positioning already reflect a high probability of a nine-month extension, the bank said. Crude prices also remain under pressure from reports on the restoration of the Keystone pipeline of TransCanada after repairs. Previously, TransCanada closed part of the Keystone pipeline after the leakage of 5,000 barrels of oil in the U.S. state of South Dakota. The leak was detected after the signal of a drop in pressure. Later the company reported that they collected after the accident 44,400 gallons (about 1,000 barrels) of oil. OPEC and other major oil producers such as Russia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brunei, Equatorial Guinea, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Oman, Sudan, and South Sudan reached an agreement in December 2016 to remove 1.8 million barrels a day from the market. OPEC and its partners decided to extend its production cuts till March 2018 in Vienna on May 25, as the oil cartel and its allies step up their attempt to end a three-year supply glut that has savaged crude prices and the global energy industry. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz The Pentagon in a statement said that the missile was an ICBM that was launched from Sain Ni in North Korea. The missile travelled for about 1,000 km and splashed down into the Sea of Japan. By India Today Web Desk: North Korea test fires ballistic missile from Pyongsong; Japan PM office confirms North Korea has fired another ballistic missile on Wednesday, South Korea's news agency Yonhap news agency reported. According to Yonhap news agency, the ballistic missile was fired from an area north of Pyongyang. "North Korea launched an unidentified ballistic missile into the East Sea from the vicinity of Pyongsong, South Pyongan Province, at around 3:17 a.m. today," South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said. advertisement The missile launch was also confirmed by Japanese Prime Minister's office and said that the missile landed in Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone. Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said that President Trump was briefed about the missile while the missile was still in air. .@POTUS was briefed, while missile was still in the air, on the situation in North Korea.- Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) November 28, 2017 Colonel Robert Manning, the Director of Press operations at the US Department of Defense (DOD) in a statement to NK news said that the DOD detected a probable missile launch at 1:30 pm EST. He further added, "We are in the process of accessing the situation and will provide additional details when available". The Pentagon in a statement said that the missile was an ICBM that was launched from Sain Ni in North Korea. The missile travelled for about 1,000 km and splashed down into the Sea of Japan. This is the first missile launch since September 15 when North Korea launched an intermediate ballistic missil over Japan. (With inputs from agencies) --- ENDS --- 28 November 2017 10:58 (UTC+04:00) By Trend A minister of export is needed in Iran, considering the fact that there is no logical order in the export affairs of the country, an economic activist believes. "Appointing a minister for exports would be the most effective solution to fix the problems that exist," Hassan Mortaja told Trend November 25. He said that the creation of export consortiums to prevent individual moves by businessmen will be offer great help to the betterment of Irans exports status. He said Iran needs to follow successful governments in order to improve its exports citing China and Turkey as two examples. "The Chinese government grants 4,000 euros to each businessman in the country to stage booths at international exhibitions in Iran. It also gives them 2,000 euros to for refinement of their booths. But Iranian businessmen always face hardships in staging exhibition booths." Mortaja also noted that Iranian businessmen also need to help improve Irans status in the international market. "They need to offer the best and highest quality of their products, put marketing and customer satisfaction high on agenda, and even care about how they appear as the representatives of Iran." "It is also expected that Iranian trade attaches in other countries appear active in assessing markets and the economic situation of their country of mission and to have a critical view of the market, things in which we witness some weakness." Mortaja expressed pity over the fact that successful Iranian tradesmen are not in any special way connected to Iranian embassies. "These people believe the embassy cannot have a role in their success. However, the creation of an economic department in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which can later result in a more robust economic aspect to our embassies, can be of great importance." Mortaja, who was an exhibitor in Baku Expo 2017 and is going to arrange Ashgabat Expo 2018, said according to Asian Development Bank, as the oil prices have fallen, statistics show that Turkmenistans industrial imports are on the rise, which constitutes a great part of the countrys imports value, $5 billion, providing a good market for Iran. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 November 2017 11:30 (UTC+04:00) By Kamila Aliyeva The control system of Russian anti-aircraft missile systems S-400, which Turkey will acquire from Russia, will be under control of the Turkish side. This was stated by Turkish National Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli, according to the ministrys message. He noted that the S-400 cannot be integrated into the NATO air defense system, but at the same time, the Russian SAM will not damage the defense system of the alliance. The system of radar identification of targets (one's own, another's) will also be integrated into the Russian SAM, Canikli stressed. Turkey will receive the first S-400 SAM of Russian production in 2019. The S-400 is Russia's next-generation air defense system, carrying three different types of missiles capable of destroying aerial targets at a short-to-extremely-long range. The weapon is capable of tracking and destroying all existing aerial targets, including ballistics and cruise missiles. Reportedly in July 2017, Turkey reached an agreement with Russia to purchase the S-400. Under the $2.5 billion agreement Ankara would receive two batteries of the antiaircraft missile from Moscow within the upcoming year and then produce two more batteries in Turkey. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on September 12 that Ankara had signed an agreement with Moscow on the acquisition of the S-400 SAM, and the deposit has already been paid. Then in mid-October Erdogan noted that Turkey had discussed with Russia and the question of the possible acquisition of the S-500 system. The deal on S-400 raised eyebrows among Ankaras fellow NATO members and caused concerns as they are supposed to only buy compatible weapons systems from other members. Turkey has the second-largest military force in NATO, after the U.S., but ties among the NATO allies have worsened last July after a failed coup attempt. Relations further deteriorated following an April referendum which expanded the powers of the president. Ankara also objects to some NATO members military support for Syrian Kurdish rebels, who are linked to PKK terrorists. --- Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 November 2017 14:23 (UTC+04:00) By Kamila Aliyeva Kazakhstan and Iran can complement each other in the field of agricultural industry. This was announced by Irans Agriculture Minister Mahmoud Hojjati at a meeting with Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister Askar Myrzakhmetov who headed the Kazakh delegation to Tehran. Issues of lifting the restrictions on import of Kazakh wheat, attracting investments, speeding up the approval of certificates for several types of livestock products and providing the Iranian party with requirements for cattle importation and frozen and chilled beef from Kazakhstan were discussed during the meeting. We are an importer of barley, oilseeds, red meat and light and heavy livestock and Kazakhstan can supply our demand in these areas. In return, Iran is among the biggest producers of dairy, milk powder, eggs and poultry. There is demand in Kazakhstan for these products and Iran can supply them, Hojjati said, Mehr News Agency reported. The official added that there is high capacity in Kazakhstan for expanding aquaculture due to abundant water resources. Iran is the biggest producer of coldwater fish and trout in the world. We are ready to export these products and cooperate in producing these types of fish in Kazakhstan, he said. The Iranian side also expressed its readiness to provide seeds of rice varieties. To this end, an appropriate plan for the implementation of the investment project will be developed. Myrzakhmetov, who is also Kazakhstans minister of agriculture, said his country is ready to meet part of Irans demand for rice by cultivating the seeds of Iranian rice in Kazakh farmlands. Following the visit, the agreements on the possibility of launching joint investment projects in the production and processing of rice and priority oilseeds with their further export through the ports of the Caspian Sea to Iran were reached. As part of his visit, Myrzakhmetov also held a meeting with Iranian Minister of Industries, Mine, and Trade Mohammad Shariatmadari, during which the sides discussed issues of lifting the restriction on import of Kazakh wheat and the abolition of the flag tax by the Government of Iran with the aim of creating equal conditions between Kazakhstan and Iranian shipping companies in the Caspian Sea. The Iranian side expressed its readiness to waive visas for commercial purposes. The purpose of the trip was to reach agreements on attracting foreign investments to the agro-industrial complex, achieving mutually beneficial bilateral agreements and increasing the export potential of the agricultural sector, according to the statement of Kazakh Agriculture Ministry, Kazakh media outlets reported. Kazakhstan will ship 200 tons of meat to Iran until the end of the year, the ministry said. An agreement on the supply of 200 tons of mutton until the end of the year has been signed between companies in West Kazakhstan region and Iranian representatives. Since the beginning of the year, the region shipped 80 tons of mutton to Iran, the Kazakh ministry said in a message. Moreover, the message noted that particular attention is paid to the work on obtaining access of Kazakh livestock products to the Iranian market. In July 2017, veterinary requirements for the supply of live sheep and chilled lamb from Kazakhstan were agreed upon with the Iranian side. As a result, this year, exports of live sheep and chilled lamb have started while exports of flax and rape increased and sunflower exports resumed. Currently, the economic cooperation between the two states remains close to the result of the previous year with $273 891 million, during the first half of 2017. A large share in general trade turnover between the countries account for the export from Kazakhstan to Iran. Kazakhstans export to Iran amounted to $892.503 million in 2014, $565.791 million in 2015 and $550.518 million in 2016. In the first half of 2017 the level of export amounted to $239.756 and it is expected to reach the level of the previous year. --- Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 November 2017 13:37 (UTC+04:00) By Kamila Aliyeva Russia believes that the Iranian nuclear deal is under threat of collapse. This was stated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at a meeting of the Russian International Affairs Council: RIAC, RIA Novosti reported. Major agreements that we consider to be an example of constructive multilateral cooperation, in particular, the situation around the Iranian nuclear program, are under threat of scrapping, he said. The Iran nuclear deal was negotiated in July 2015 between Iran, the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council - the U.S., France, Britain, Russia and China as well as Germany. By ratifying the plan, Iran agreed to scale down its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. The nuclear deal has become a hot topic for discussion since U.S. President Donald Trump, who constantly voices anti-Iranian rhetoric, took the office. Despite eight reports by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) which confirm Tehrans compliance, on October 13, Trump, long been known as the main critic of the landmark deal, declared his view of the JCPOA, which was reached under his predecessor - Barack Obama. Trump announced that he would not certify Irans compliance with the deal. At the same time he did not challenge the compliance of Iran at the international level. The move paves the way for Congress to put new restrictions on Iran. It now has less than 60 days to decide whether to reimpose economic sanctions on Tehran which were lifted under the nuclear accord in 2016. The other parties to the agreement - Britain, Germany, France, Russia, China and the European Union - have all reaffirmed their commitment to it and called on the U.S. not to step out. However, it is believed that Trump would not recommend the Congress to re-impose sanctions in order to reach a compromise with many congressional leaders who stand for keeping the deal at least with some changes. In case sanctions are applied, the U.S. would find itself in breach of its commitments. This means a unilateral withdrawal from the agreement, which will damage the reputation of the U.S. in the eyes of world community. --- Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 November 2017 15:57 (UTC+04:00) By Kamila Aliyeva S&P Global Ratings has revised its long-term corporate credit ratings on KazTransOil JSC (KTO), KazTransGas JSC (KTG) and its subsidiary company Intergas Central Asia (ICA) to stable from BB to BB-. The ratings of KTO and KTG have been lowered after a similar action with the ratings of their direct owner KazMunaiGas. We believe that both companies are state-related entities and do not revise our assessment of the likelihood of granting extraordinary support to companies by the government of Kazakhstan, S&P statement said on November 28. "At the same time, we believe that these subsidiaries cannot have a rating higher than the parent company's rating, since there are no effective mechanisms to protect against potential negative interference from KMG whose stand-alone credit profile (SACP) has b level. Thus, the downgrade of KMG's ratings caused a similar action in relation to KTO and KTG, according to the report. S&P sees KTG as a company with moderate strategic importance for the KMG group, and it is believed that there is a moderately high probability of providing KTG with timely and sufficient extraordinary support from the group in a situation of financial stress. At the same time, we assume that this support will most likely be provided directly from the government, and not from the parent company. As a result, our long-term rating of the company KTG reflects its assessment of SACP and currently does not take into account the allowance for possible support from the state, the report said. The outlook for KTG's stable rating reflects a similar outlook on its direct owner's rating, KMG. Any negative or positive rating actions with respect to KTG will most likely be due to similar rating actions with respect to its parent company, rather than a change in the SACP estimate, which we are currently assessing at the level of bb, S&P analysts explained. With regard to the national company KazTransOil, it is stated that KTO has a high strategic importance for the KMG group. We believe that there is a high probability of providing KTO with timely and sufficient extraordinary support from the state in a situation of financial stress. At the same time, we assume that this support will most likely be provided directly from the government, and not from the parent company. At the moment, we do not take into account an allowance for possible support from the state, which is due to the relatively high SACP rating of KTO at the level of bb+ (in comparison with the parent company), S&P believes. The stable outlook according to the rating of the KTO reflects a similar forecast for the rating of its direct owner, KMG. Any negative or positive rating actions in relation to the KTO are likely to be caused by similar rating actions with respect to the parent company, rather than a change in the assessment of the credit quality of the KTO, the message said. On November 23, 2017, the rating of the national oil company KazMunayGas was lowered to the level of BB- with a stable outlook. --- Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 28 November 2017 17:32 (UTC+04:00) By Kamila Aliyeva Kazakhstan will simplify the visa regime with China, India, the EU and the Persian Gulf countries until 2025, according to the draft decree of the Kazakh President on approval of the country's strategic development plan until 2025. Legislation will be improved, especially in the area of liberalization of the visa and migration regime of the Republic of Kazakhstan in relation to the five priority markets for tourism - Russia, China, India, EU countries, the Persian Gulf. To simplify the process of filing documents for an entry visa, issuing invitations and obtaining a certificate with the decision of the state body, a visa and migration internet portal will be organized, an online visa issuance procedure will be introduced and the mechanism for issuing ADS visas will be improved, the draft document said. The document was published on November 28 on the website of the Kazakh National Economy Ministry. The process of passing through the states physical borders with the unification of the visa and migration regime will be simplified. "At the same time, the regime of visa-free transit for 72 hours will be introduced for passengers of the first priority countries. Online payment practices directly at the checkpoints without the use of administrative arrest and the expectation of a court decision will be introduced for violation of the migration regime, the document said. The project developers plan to solve the task of developing export-oriented services through the adoption of these measures. The barriers to the development of services export will be removed and the services provided on the external markets with significant export potential will be promoted. These services consist of travel services, including medical and educational tourism, financial and business services, transit transport and space services, the draft decree said. Earlier, the Kazakh Foreign Ministry suggested creating an integrated online system of migration control in order to digitalize migration flows. The system will register foreign citizens automatically and issue e-visas. Currently, in addition to a visa, Kazakhstan requires foreigners to obtain a migration card, which is issued by the Border Service of Committee of National Security after registration with the local authorities. Cards are required and issued upon arrival to visitors aged 16 and above. --- Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Here are seven things ASC leaders should know for Nov. 28, 2017. 73% of cataract surgeries performed at ASCs in 2014 A new study, published in JAMA Ophthalmology, examined ASC utilization rates for cataract surgery finding approximately 64.2 percent of 237,046 patients underwent cataract surgery at an ASC in 2014. https://www.beckersasc.com/asc-turnarounds-ideas-to-improve-performance/73-of-cataract-surgeries-performed-at-ascs-in-2014-up-32-4-since-2001.html Tenet Healthcare names Sandi Karrmann SVP, chief human resources officer Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare appointed Sandi Karrmann senior vice president and chief human resources officer, effective immediately. Ms. Karrmann is succeeding Robb Webb, who is retiring from Tenet. Providence files letter of intent to build ASC to prepare for Walla Walla General Hospital deal Renton, Wash.-based Providence Health & Services is negotiating with Roseville, Calif.-based Adventist Health to purchase Walla Walla (Wash.) General Hospital. Providence filed a letter of intent to build an ASC at the location. California ASC whistle-blowers file wrongful termination suit Two former employees filed a lawsuit against Santa Barbara (Calif.) Surgery Center alleging they were wrongfully terminated after reporting noncompliance with medical regulations, failure to maintain sterile techniques and unlawful opiate control. The pair also alleged age discrimination in their firing and made sexual misconduct claims. Kernersville Endoscopy Center proposes new ASC Kernersville (N.C.) Endoscopy Center submitted a certificate-of-need application to shift two endoscopy rooms from its Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Piedmont Endoscopy Center to a proposed ASC in Kernersville. The Joint Commission's 4 National Patient Safety Goals for ambulatory healthcare The Joint Commission released its 2018 Ambulatory Health Care National Patient Safety Goals. The organization has four main goals for ambulatory healthcare with a number of specialized goals related to each. North American Partners in Anesthesia's Drs. Thomas Suarez, Aaron Zuckerberg named 'Top Doctors' Baltimore Magazine included North American Partners in Anesthesia's Thomas Suarez, MD, and Aaron Zuckerberg, MD, among its "Top Doctors" in anesthesia. More articles on improving performance: Tenet Healthcare names Sandi Karrmann SVP, chief human resources officer: 4 things to know Providence files letter of intent to build ASC to prepare for Walla Walla General Hospital deal: 5 takeaways Gartner: 15 top healthcare supply chains in 2017 A Merrimack County Superior Court judge dismissed a case brought forth by an 84-year-old New Hampshire physician who claimed the state pressured her into closing her solo practice, according to New Hampshire Public Radio. Anna Konopka, MD, surrendered her medical license to the state earlier this month to settle allegations brought by the New Hampshire Board of Medicine. While the details of the allegations are sealed, the state's claims stem from at least two separate instances, including Dr. Konopka's refusal to register with the state's mandatory opioid-monitoring program, which requires a computer. Dr. Konopka does not own a computer nor does she know how to use one. "The problem now is that I am not doing certain things on computer," Dr. Konopka previously told ABC-36 News. "I have to learn that. It is time consuming. I have no time." During a hearing earlier this month, she said she agreed to the NHBM's terms under duress, an act which has since caused her patients to suffer, as many of them are low-income and live in rural areas, according to New Hampshire Public Radio. "The Court has admiration for Dr. Konopka's devotion to her patients. Under these circumstances of this case, however, Dr. Konopka has failed to demonstrate that the extraordinary remedy of an injunction allowing her to continue to practice medicine is appropriate. To hold otherwise would be to ignore the process established by the legislature to regulate the practice of medicine in this state," the judge wrote in his opinion of the case, New Hampshire Public Radio reports. Dr. Konopka has filed a motion with the judge to reconsider, and filed affidavits from roughly 30 patients supporting her case, according to the report. Tulare (Calif.) Regional Medical Center shut down Oct. 29, but officials are planning to reopen the facility after terminating Tulare-based HealthCare Conglomerate Associates' contract to manage to the hospital, according to The Valley Voice. Tensions have flared between HCCA and the Tulare Local Healthcare District for months. The hospital filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy in late September, and one month later HCCA suspended operations at the hospital. In a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notice sent to hospital workers in October, HCCA said the "sudden and unexpected" bankruptcy filing is what prompted the company to suspend operations at Tulare Regional Medical Center. In late October, the bankruptcy court granted the district's request to sever its contract with HCCA, and the district board voted to suspend the hospital's license to prevent the state from shutting down the facility if HCCA exited without a clear handover plan in place. The hospital district still has significant progress to make before Tulare Regional Medical Center can reopen. Kevin Northcraft, president of the Tulare Local Healthcare District, said Tulare Regional Medical Center Interim CEO Larry Blitz will provide a timeline for reopening the facility at a meeting Wednesday. The timeline must be approved by state health officials, according to the Visalia Times-Delta. "We have been working with state health officials," Mr. Northcraft told the Visalia Times-Delta. "They have been very cooperative. They understand this is a medical emergency." More articles on healthcare finance: 8 hospitals with strong finances Oregon health system seeks to eliminate 100 jobs, cut workers' pay to avoid shortfall Banner Health's net income nearly triples States are bracing to potentially lose Children's Health Insurance Program funding amid federal legislative uncertainty, according to The Washington Post. Here are five things to know. 1. Congress did not renew funding for CHIP prior to a Sept. 30 deadline. CHIP covers roughly 9 million low-income children, as well as 370,000 pregnant women. 2. Without action from Congress, Arizona, California, Minnesota, Ohio, Oregon and Washington, D.C., could see CHIP funding dry up by Dec. 31 or early January, according to the report, which cites data from Georgetown Universitys Center on Children and Families. Other states, such as Virginia and Texas, are also slated to run out of funding by early next year. The report notes some states will be forced to completely shut down their childrens health programs if Congress doesn't act. 3. In total, nearly 12 states are preparing for funding to run out. For some states, such as Virginia, this preparation includes drafting letters to warn families their childrens insurance may be eliminated, according to The Washington Post. 4. Congress could extend funding before January, although it is still unclear if this action will occur. 5. If CHIP funding is not extended, CMS said affected states that have to end their childrens health programs will be responsible for deciding whether enrolled children are eligible for Medicaid or whether their family will need to gain coverage through an ACA plan, according to the report. Read the full report here. The Supreme Court pulled up the Centre for comments on the film Padmavati by politicians and people in responsible positions. By India Today Web Desk: The Supreme Court today pulled up the Centre on the Padmavati row. While dismissing a PIL by a lawyer, Manohar Lal Sharma, that sought a stay on the film, the court questioned the Centre as to how people in 'responsible positions holding public offices' could 'make statements on a movie that has not been cleared by the CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification)'. advertisement The Supreme Court's comment seems to be directed at the chief ministers of various states who have voiced their disapproval for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmavati. "All concerned people, holding responsible posts must be guided by rule of law and shouldn't venture into passing comments on films which haven't been cleared by CBFC. It'll prejudice minds of board members while taking a decision," the Supreme Court bench said on Padmavati. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said last week that the film will not be allowed to release in his state even if the censor board cleared it. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that if action is taken against people who are offering bounties on the heads of Bhansali, action should be taken against the filmmaker too for hurting sentiments. Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani echoed his Madhya Pradesh counterpart by saying that the state government will not allow Padmavati to release in the state. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, meanwhile, welcomed the film with open arms. Speaking at the India Today Conclave East 2017 in Kolkata, Banerjee said, "If they cannot release it in any other state, we will give special arrangement for Padmavati. Bengal will be very happy and Bengal will be proud to do that." The Supreme Court went on to add, "Discussion within the citizenry is a different thing, but how can people in responsible positions issue such statements? The Supreme Court directs Centre to ensure that people in public offices and holding powerful positions shouldn't comment on a movie which hasn't been cleared by CBFC." Slamming the Centre, the court also said that such statements (the kind that have been issued on Padmavati) create an atmosphere of prejudice against the movie." The protests against Padmavati have now dipped, after the Shri Rajput Karni Sena tried to work out a truce with Sanjay Leela Bhansali. There have been unprecedented and country-wide protests against the film. From attacks on Bhansali to rewards being announced on beheading the director and lead actor Deepika Padukone, Padmavati has been in the middle of a veritable storm since the beginning of this year. advertisement The film was initially scheduled to release on December 1, but has now been pushed indefinitely. It is yet to receive a clearance from the censor board. Padmavati stars Deepika Padukone in the eponymous role as the Rajput queen of Chittor, Shahid Kapoor as Maharawal Ratan Singh and Ranveer Singh as Turkish emperor Alauddin Khilji. STATES ON THE PADMAVATI ROW The Gujarat government has said that Padmavati will not be screened in the state till the Assembly elections. Gujarat goes to poll on December 9 and 14, and the counting is to take place on December 18. In a press conference on November 22, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said that apart from the Kshatriya Samaaj, other communities also expressed apprehension about the release of the film. "Till the issues are resolved, Padmavati will not be screened in Gujarat," said Rupani. "Such issues spoil the environment. The threat of violence can spoil the environment during elections. Keeping law and order issues in mind, Padmavati will not be released in Gujarat. The Home department has initiated the process to look into the matter," said Rupani. advertisement He also tweeted, "The Government of Gujarat will not allow #Padmavati - a movie hurting sentiments of Rajputs - to get released in the State. We can't allow our history to be distorted. We believe in freedom of speech & expression but any foul play with our great culture is not tolerated. (sic)" The Government of Gujarat will not allow #Padmavati - a movie hurting sentiments of Rajputs - to get released in the State. We cant allow our history to be distorted. We believe in freedom of speech & expression but any foul play with our great culture is not tolerated.- Vijay Rupani (@vijayrupanibjp) November 22, 2017 Sanjay Leela Bhansali's controversial period drama, Padmavati, has been in dire straits for a while now. Several right-wing groups have been vehemently opposing the film on the grounds that it supposedly degrades the honour of the Rajput queen, Rani Padmini. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said that he would take a decision on whether Padmavati will be released in the state only after the film is cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). "We will not allow anyone's sentiments to be hurt. We don't think it is right to ban (a film) before censor board's decision," he told ANI. advertisement Incidentally, the CBFC delayed the certification of Padmavati after the makers failed to submit all the documents required. The release of the film has now been pushed indefinitely. "This might be his personal opinion; the government has nothing to do with it. We have issued him a show cause notice," Manohar Lal Khattar said, when prodded about Haryana BJP's (Bharatiya Janta Party) chief media coordinator Suraj Pal Singh Amu, who was booked by the Gurgaon Police on Tuesday. Suraj Pal Amu was vocal in his support of the bounty of Rs 5 crore announced by the Meerut Kshatriya Samaj on the heads of Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Deepika Padukone. When a complaint was lodged against him, he declared that his voice will not be subdued and threatened to "set fire to each screen in the country". Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh maintained a somewhat neutral stand on Padmavati. While he was strictly opposed to violence and threats issued by some agitated protesters, he told IANS that anyone whose sentiments were hurt by the distortion of historical facts had the right to protest. He emphasised that protests and threats were not the same thing. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan voiced his support for the protestors and said that Padmavati will not be allowed to release in the state even if it is cleared by the censor board. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that if action is being taken against the people issuing threats against Sanjay Leela Bhansali, action should be taken against the director as well for hurting sentiments. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, however, took the opposite route and said that she condemned this 'attack on freedom' and that it was 'super emergency'. Padmavati stars Deepika Padukone in the titular role, Shahid Kapoor as her husband, Maharawal Ratan Singh, and Ranveer Singh as Alauddin Khilji. ALSO WATCH | Padmavati row: Yogi Adityanath justifies threats against Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Deepika Padukone --- ENDS --- Robert Eardley, the senior vice president, CIO and chief information security officer at Houston Methodist Hospitals in Texas, will replace Joy Grosser as CIO at Cleveland-based University Hospitals, effective Feb. 19, 2018, the hospital confirmed to Becker's Hospital Review. Ms. Grosser left the system in October for the CIO post at Seattle-based University of Washington Medicine. Jennifer Carpenter, vice president of IT clinical systems, has been serving in the interim. As CIO at UH, Mr. Eardley will lead initiatives to leverage IT performance and work with administrative and clinical leaders to deploy additional strategies. Mr. Eardley brings roughly 24 years of healthcare IT experience to UH, a system where he previously served as vice president and associate CIO from 2007 to 2011. In 2006, he served as ambulatory and business systems division information officer at UH. Editor's Note: This article was updated Nov. 28, 2017, at 5:01 p.m. to reflect additional information provided to Becker's Hospital Review from University Hospitals. Funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program expired Sept. 30, and as Congressional lawmakers have stalled to renew funding, Colorado has become the first state to warn its residents that their children may lose their insurance by Jan. 31, according to the Los Angeles Times. Unless Congress approves federal funding for CHIP, which is funded jointly by states and the federal government, Colorado's Child Health Plan Plus will run out of funding Jan. 31, and families will be forced to explore private insurance options, reads a letter the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing sent Monday to families enrolled in CHP+. If renewed funding is not passed by late December, the state plans to inform residents of other insurance programs for which they may be eligible. CHIP provides insurance coverage to 9 million children nationally, and though the program has traditionally received bipartisan support, House Republicans and Democrats have been unable to agree on a way to fund it. The Senate Finance Committee drafted a CHIP renewal plan, but lawmakers did not specify how the program would be funded. Jackson, Miss.-based G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center reportedly continued to pay Mohamed Eleraky, MD, PhD, his annual $339,177 salary despite suspending his operating privileges in 2013, according to WLTX-19 News. According to a lawsuit, Dr. Eleraky was initially suspended in July 2013, but was not provided with a reason for his suspension despite numerous inquiries. The hospital reportedly suspended him following questions about his treatment of five anonymous patients, the report states. The lawsuit states Dr. Eleraky received a second letter in April 2014 informing him his clinical privileges at the hospital had been suspended. The suspension remained in place for two years, during which "[Dr. Eleraky] was relegated to sitting in his office with no job responsibilities [and] had no effective opportunity to have the actions taken against his privileges reversed," according to the lawsuit. The hospital fired him in August 2016 after Dr. Eleraky allegedly complained to the federal VA department about his inability to resolve the suspension, according to the report. Dr. Eleraky has since rejoined the hospital staff, but "is not in a patient care position, nor will he ever be until it is clear he has the requisite skills to practice neurosurgery," G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center Director David Walker, MD, said in a statement, according to WLTX-19 News. Dr. Eleraky is currently awaiting direction from the VA to regain privileges to conduct surgery at the facility, which expired during his two-year suspension. Despite suspending Dr. Eleraky and barring him from conducting surgery and treating patients, the VA hospital continued to pay him his annual salary, amounting to more than $1 million during the course of three-and-a-half years, according to the report. In a statement to WLTX-19 News, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs said VA Secretary David Shulkin, MD, "has made clear that any VA doctors who were hired for clinical positions are required to practice in a clinical position caring for patients. If the medical center leadership does not feel Dr. Eleraky is able to resume surgical duties, we will ensure he is moved to caring for patients in a clinical, non-surgical capacity, and adjust his salary downward to reflect his new role." The spokesperson also said the department is "exploring whether additional grounds exist to pursue other disciplinary actions for Dr. Eleraky with a new set of facts." To read the VA department's full statement, click here. Editor's note: Becker's Hospital Review reached out to the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center for comment and will update as more information becomes available. Police are investigating whether a 40-year-old medical researcher, whose body was found in an eighth-floor bathroom of New York City-based NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center Sunday, suffered a fatal overdose, New York Daily News reports. Authorities discovered Miguel Crespo, PhD, unconscious on the bathroom floor at the hospital just before 3 p.m. Sunday. While investigators previously said they found vomit near Dr. Crespo's body, police sources said they also found aluminum foil and a pen cap, materials that may be used to snort certain types of drugs, the report states. The New York City medical examiner reportedly examined Dr. Crespo's body Monday and said further examination is necessary to determine his exact cause of death. Police reportedly do not suspect foul play, according to the report. Dr. Crespo was hired to conduct medical research at New York City-based Weill Cornell Medical College in 2011, according to his LinkedIn profile. In a statement to Becker's Hospital Review Monday, a spokesperson for NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center said, "Weill Cornell Medicine is saddened by the death of our colleague Miguel Crespo, PhD. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends." Birmingham, Ala.-based UAB Health System is discussing a potential management agreement to prevent a 60-year-old rural hospital J. Paul Jones Hospital in Camden, Ala. from closing, according to the Birmingham Business Journal. UAB has entered into a nonbinding memorandum of understanding with J. Paul Jones Hospital. Under the potential agreement, the rural hospital would become a managed associate of UAB Medicine. In addition, the agreement would potentially create a state healthcare authority to own and operate the facility. J. Paul Jones Hospital's board of trustees previously announced the rural hospital would close as a result of high operating costs and dwindling reimbursement rates. "Small hospitals, in particular those in Alabama's underserved, rural counties, are under tremendous financial pressure," Will Ferniany,PhD, CEO of the UAB Health System, told the Birmingham Business Journal. "Several have closed over the past few years, and the outlook going forward looks bleak. We welcome the opportunity to work with the dedicated health care professionals in Wilcox County to find a way to keep the doors of this hospital open." The former general counsel of WellCare, Thaddeus M.S. Bereday, has been sentenced to six months in prison for his role in a $35 million healthcare fraud scheme, according to the Department of Justice. Mr. Bereday, former WellCare CEO Todd Farha, former CFO Paul Behrens, and former WellCare employees William Kale and Peter Clay were indicted March 2, 2011, for allegedly submitting fraudulent documents to Florida's Medicaid program to inflate the costs of behavioral healthcare services. Federal prosecutors said the scheme took place from July 2003 through October 2007. A federal jury in Florida convicted the four other individuals following a 13-week trial in 2013. However, Mr. Bereday did not take part in the trial due to health-related issues. Mr. Bereday pleaded guilty June 27 to one count of making a false statement in connection with healthcare matters. In addition to his prison term, Mr. Bereday was ordered to serve three years of supervised release and to pay a $50,000 fine. More articles on legal and regulatory issues: 8 latest healthcare industry lawsuits, settlements Georgia hospital, affiliates to pay $12.9M to settle billing fraud allegations Sutter Health destroys evidence in antitrust case over inflated prices The former employees of a Los Angeles dialysis center and a California ambulance company pleaded guilty to Medicare fraud charges Monday. Maria Espinoza, a former administrative assistant at DaVita Doctors Dialysis of East Los Angeles, pleaded guilty to conspiring with an employee of San Fernando, Calif.-based Mauran Ambulance to defraud Medicare. As part of the scheme, Ms. Espinoza received kickbacks for referring dialysis patients to Mauran, after which Mauran billed Medicare for nonemergent transportation services. Mauran's former quality improvement coordinator, Aharon Aron Krkasharyan, pleaded guilty to submitting fraudulent claims to Medicare. In his guilty plea, Mr. Krkasharyan admitted to conspiring with other Mauran employees to bill Medicare for ambulance services that individuals did not need. Mr. Krkasharyan also admitted he and his co-conspirators told Mauran emergency medical technicians to alter paperwork to make patients' medical conditions appear as if they required ambulance services. The scheme resulted in more than $6.6 million in fraudulent claims submitted to Medicare. Medicare paid at least $3.1 million of the claims. Three other former Mauran employees including the company's owner and its general manager previously pleaded guilty to charges in the case. All five defendants agreed to pay back Medicare as part of their plea agreements. Oluwafemi Charles Igberase pleaded guilty Nov. 15 to misusing a Social Security number to fraudulently obtain a medical license in Maryland, according to the Department of Justice. According to his plea agreement, Mr. Igberase came to the U.S. in October 1991 on a nonimmigrant visa. He subsequently obtained fraudulent Social Security numbers using other names and false identifying information. To practice medicine and get into a residency program in the U.S., Mr. Igberase obtained three certifications from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates using fraudulent Social Security numbers between 1992 and 1998. The ECFMG revoked or suspended two certifications in December 1995 after learning they were obtained using fraudulent information. However, using the third ECFMG certification under the name Charles John Nosa Akoda, Mr. Igerbase was admitted to a residency program in New Jersey. In 2011, Mr. Igberase used a fourth fraudulent Social Security number to obtain a medical license in Maryland. He went on to practice obstetrics and gynecology and obtained medical privileges at Dimensions Health, a Maryland system serving residents of Prince George's County. In 2012, Mr. Igberase used his fake identity to submit a Medicare Enrollment Application. The application was denied after officials realized Mr. Igberase did not provide an accurate Social Security number. Under the plea agreement, Mr. Igberase will be sentenced to six months in prison and three years of supervised release. Dimensions Health is also involved in litigation over Mr. Igberase's fraudulent use of Social Security numbers. Two former patients sued Dimensions in federal court, alleging there are at least 1,000 women who saw Mr. Igberase while he was using the fake name. The complaint does not challenge Mr. Igberase's competence to practice as an OB-GYN. The plaintiffs claim they suffered significant harm due to the fact that the physician did not use his real name. They further allege Dimensions was negligent in either hiring Mr. Igberase or granting him privileges that allowed him to practice at its facilities. Dimensions claims it owed the plaintiffs no legal duty to ensure the physician was not using an assumed name or that his Social Security number belonged to him. More articles on healthcare industry lawsuits: Ex-WellCare general counsel gets prison time for role in $35M fraud scheme 8 latest healthcare industry lawsuits, settlements Georgia hospital, affiliates to pay $12.9M to settle billing fraud allegations Some medical experts and healthcare administrators are making the case that if an individual's addiction to opioids is directly rooted in hospital-based care, the hospital should be penalized, according to a recent report from NPR. Such a policy could result in post-surgical opioid addiction being placed on the same tier of adverse outcomes as certain hospital-acquired infections. Here are five things to know. 1. In a September Health Affairs blog, Michael Schlosser, MD, CMO for Nashville, Tenn.-based Hospital Corporation of America, along with two other physician executives, argued that hospitals should be on the hook for opioid addiction if the adverse outcome develops after care for a high-cost, high-volume condition that could have been prevented by adhering to evidence-based practices. 2. While the authors of the blog acknowledged it would be difficult for hospitals to monitor all patients prescribed opioids after surgery, they said hospitals should attempt to do so. "Addressing long-term opioid use as a hospital-acquired condition will draw a clear line between appropriate and inappropriate use, and will empower hospitals to develop evidenced-based standards of care for managing post-operative pain adequately while also helping protect the patient from future harm," Dr. Schlosser told NPR via email. 3. The implementation of such a policy could conflict with current reimbursement practices that link patient satisfaction surveys to payment. However, portions of these surveys that address patient pain are moving away from questions that ask patients if their pain was adequately addressed in favor of questions that ask if providers communicated with the patient about their pain. 4. There are no firm federal guidelines for prescribing opioids post-surgery. While the CDC released opioid prescribing guidelines for chronic pain in 2016, the recommendations contain few references to acute pain. However, there is some emerging evidence that could eventually be used to frame opioid prescribing best practices for acute pain. One such study published in September in JAMA Surgery determined optimal post-surgical opioid prescriptions last between four and nine days. 5. Andrew Kolodny, MD, director of Physicians for Responsible Opioid Prescribing and co-director of the Opioid Policy Research Collaborative at Brandeis University's Heller School in Waltham, Mass., told NPR there are many physicians prescribing opioids without a firm grasp on what opioid withdrawal symptoms look like. Dr. Kolodny also said viewing post-surgical opioid addiction as a hospital-acquired condition is an idea worthy of consideration. "We're in the midst of a severe opioid epidemic, caused by the over-prescribing of opioids," Dr. Kolodny told NPR. "Putting hospitals on the hook for the consequences of aggressive opioid prescribing makes sense to me." Note: The headline of this article formerly said "hospital-acquired infection" and was corrected to "hospital-acquired condition" 11/28. More articles on opioids: Baby boomers and millennials most harmed by opioid crisis Study: Medication therapies cheaper than detox for opioid addiction treatment Medline creates fentanyl-resistant gloves for emergency medical workers From a healthcare consumer perspective, it increasingly strikes one that the healthcare insurance market is a story of haves and have-nots. The haves include those that work for companies of a certain size, at which the companies can access insurance at very expensive but somewhat rationalized costs (think $16,000 to $20,000 per family per year, with employees contributing roughly $5,500), people on Medicare, and crazily enough people on Medicaid. (Again, the concept of a "have" here solely relates to the availability of healthcare coverage. It is by no means meant to understate the challenge of being in such poverty to be eligible for Medicaid.) The have-nots include a vast number of people trying to buy insurance directly from insurance companies. Here, one increasingly hears that whether one is rich or poor, the costs are horrendous. Family costs for PPO plans seem to fall in the $20,000 to $25,000 range for many families, and even higher for those with preexisting conditions. From a provider perspective, Medicare is a mixed bag depending on the type of provider. From a hospital's perspective, it seems to be fine overall. From a physician's perspective, many seem to find it woefully inadequate. One of the great challenges of the ACA is it set up an additional healthcare system of subsidies around insurance markets, mandates and so forth. It added complexity and costs, but also helped provide an additional basket of coverage for a good deal of uninsured Americans. Regardless of political perspectives, rather than building another healthcare finance system, it seems that a simple approach would be to build on an existing system that, while imperfect, seems to work fairly well. As an ardent capitalist at heart, the idea over the years of expanding a government program of any sort, including Medicare, has always led me to a negative conclusion. I.e., would it cause the kind of regression in our healthcare system that exists in systems in England or Canada, where care is famously inadequate or requires waiting months for certain types of care? In contrast, at some point, does the cost of healthcare for those who don't work for a large company and aren't eligible for Medicare or Medicaid make the system so expensive that there is good reason to offer a Medicare option for such people? This demographic makes up a large part of the population, and it seems that the private insurance market is offering them only very expensive choices for health plans. Much of my sense of the cost of private healthcare insurance comes anecdotally from listening to diverse family and extended family around the Thanksgiving table, for instance. That stated, I do sense the cost of insurance for a family has moved from quite expensive to extremely and back-breakingly expensive. Sadly, I'm losing confidence that the core free market can fix it. By PTI: (Eds: Recasting overnight story) Jammu, Nov 28 (PTI) Pakistani troops opened fire at Indian posts along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmirs Rajouri district in violation of the ceasefire, police said. "Pakistani troops resorted to firing in Jhangar forward area from 1845 hours to 1900 hours," a senior police officer said yesterday, adding that further details were awaited. advertisement Last nights violation of the ceasefire came after a lull of over a week in firing by Pakistani troops at Indian posts. Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire for three consecutive days between November 15 and November 17 in Jammu and Poonch districts. An Army jawan was injured in the exchange of fire in Poonch. On November 2, a BSF jawan was killed when Pakistan Rangers attacked a patrol party along the International Border in Samba district. A girl was injured when Pakistani troops opened fire from small arms along the LoC in Karmara belt of Poonch district on October 31. On October 18, eight civilians, including a two-year-old child, were injured in heavy Pakistani shelling in Poonch. PTI AB SMN KJ --- ENDS --- Following a lost bid to manage Delaware's Medicaid program, UnitedHealth Group will lay off 138 employees, The News Journal reports. UnitedHealth will end its managed care partnership with the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services Dec. 31. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and AmeriHealth Caritas will take over management of the state's Medicaid program Jan. 1. After the layoffs, UnitedHealth's Delaware workforce will decline to 122 employees. However, UnitedHealth spokesperson Jessica Buechler told The News Journal some employees affected by the layoffs may be rehired internally, or hired by competing payers. Earlier this month, UnitedHealth announced it is cutting 381 jobs in Arizona after losing another contract to manage government benefits. More articles on payer issues: Is a Medicare option for all the only practical means to solve the healthcare insurance crisis? Nothing has changed, yet we're walking on eggshells: 6 questions with former COO of the Massachusetts Health Connector Patients, payers and partnerships: Trends show accreditation Neel Anand, MD, received the Andrew M. Swanson, MD, Memorial Spine Award from New York City-based Hospital for Special Surgery's alumni association. Here are five points: 1. The award honors HSS alumni who excel in spine education, research, practice or humanitarian efforts while demonstrating leadership, academia, clinical innovation and societal involvement. 2. The Andrew M. Swanson, MD, Spine Awards were created in 2009 to honor Dr. Swanson for his compassionate medical care and serves. 3. Dr. Anand is a professor and director of spine trauma at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. He is also the founder of Los Angeles-based The Anand Spine Group. 4. Pioneering minimally invasive spine surgery, Dr. Anand has been a part of various FDA trials dating back 15 years. He underwent fellowship training at the University of Florida Spine Health Centers in Gainesville and Hospital for Special Surgery. 5. Dr. Anand is a member of the North American Spine Society, Scoliosis Research Society and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. New technologies and techniques continue to benefit spine surgeons and spine patients and will help drive the industry in the future. International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery's Coding and Reimbursement Task Force Chair Morgan Lorio, MD, of Hughston Clinic in Nashville, Tenn., discussed opportunities and challenges in the industry's future with Becker's Spine Review. Question: How has the spine industry evolved over the past decade? Where do you see the industry heading? Dr. Morgan Lorio: We have seen tremendous innovation in spine surgery in the last decade, however the cost of research and development is extremely high and thus, most innovation has been industry driven, not government/institutional driven. Surgeons are still in the best position to conceptualize new techniques and technologies based on their clinical experience. However, once the idea is conceived, there is a gigantic amount of work to be done to get a product to market. New technologies require a tremendous amount of engineering effort, regulatory investment, as well as the development of a significant amount of clinical evidence to achieve payer coverage. The bar is higher now which means it takes longer to do all this work; so the overall cost to bring a product from idea to full commercial availability has risen dramatically. As to specific technologies, I think 3-D printing in particular will play a much larger role in spine surgery in the next decade as we have a stronger push toward patient-centered medicine. Q: What challenges will spine surgeons have to overcome in the next 10 years? Are the developments of minimally invasive surgery hindering physicians? ML: There are many benefits to minimally invasive spine surgery for patients and surgeons alike. The challenge is ensuring proper valuation and reimbursement of these procedures so that patients have wide access to high-quality surgeons with extensive training in these techniques. In some cases the length of the procedure may be shorter than open surgery, but the intensity and skill set required to deliver quality outcomes is much higher. The valuation and reimbursements of minimally invasive spine procedures often dont reflect this difference. Emerging technology/minimally invasive surgery is expensive to develop, intensely challenging to perform, and proven beneficial to the patient and the hospital; it should be valued appropriately so as to ensure broad patient access. As a group, surgeons will need to work hard to make sure that the relevant stakeholders fully understand this issue over the next 10 years. Q: How has the introduction of bundled payments affected spine surgery? What trends do you see between spine surgery and bundle payments? ML: We have not yet seen mandatory bundled payment programs for spine surgery similar to the mandatory joint replacement models (CJR) coming from CMS. Spine surgery is very nuanced, with marked heterogeneity, and thus cannot easily be standardized to a one-size-fits-all model. Bundled payment initiatives must be surgeon-focused and surgeon-driven if they are to work for all. Q: What work has the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery done to promote and develop the spine industry? ML: ISASS has been and remains the best forum for surgeons to come together to advance the science of spine surgery. Whether a surgeon is looking for cutting-edge, hands-on educational courses, advocacy with payers and regulators, or a high-quality, research-focused annual meeting, ISASS has your back. ISASS is an organization that sets the politics aside and gets concrete things done to help spine surgeons do their best job while providing the best spine care for patients. NI Water now has complete ownership of clean water production here after acquiring Kelda Water Services' (KWS) holdings in four plants for over 100m, it announced today. KWS, the owners of Yorkshire Water, had holdings in treatment points in Antrim, Coleraine, Craigavon and Magherafelt, which provide almost half the treated water in the province. But Kelda Group, owner of KWS, put all its non-regulated businesses of KWS up for sale, leading to NI Water's decision to buy out its partner. Project Alpha was the UK's largest water public-private partnership (PPP), set up in 2006 to help NI Water hit EU Drinking Water Quality Standards. The sale saw NI Water pay KWS 28m for the equity and acquire around 80m debt. The deal, which was supported by the Department of Infrastructure (DoI) and the Department of Finance (DoF), is expected to allow some 80,000 non-domestic payers to make savings, as well freeing up funds for the economy. NI Water chief executive Sara Venning said: The value generated by this transaction will allow the company to apply a downwards pressure on tariffs. It also represents an opportunity for NI Water to reduce its ongoing running costs which releases public expenditure for reinvestment elsewhere. Len OHagan, chairman of NI Water, said: We are pleased to announce the completion of the purchase of the Project Alpha companies. This brings back into NI Water ownership all clean water production in Northern Ireland. This represents a strong fit with NI Waters strategy to provide clean safe drinking water to our customers and to do so in a way that secures efficiencies for our customers and for the public purse. Economist John Simpson said the buyout has saved NI Water in the long-run. As with public-private partnerships, the real value of the contract was to get the investment when it was needed and before it could be financed directly by NI Water, he said. Now NI Water will have saved significant sums by bringing the assets into NI Water. He described NI Water as one of the most profitable trading organisations in Northern Ireland. This is partly because of the special financial structure put in place at the time of its creation as a wholly-owned state trading organisation, he added. Ms Venning also said the transaction will see NI Water add approximately 30 KWS staff members to its team, adding: We look forward to working with them even more closely as part of the NI Water group. Peter May, permanent secretary at the Department for Infrastructure, said: When the opportunity arose to bring the contract back into government, the department, in consultation with NI Water and DoF, carefully considered the value for money against the benefits to be gained. The outgoing minister indicated that where affordability and value for money were proven, purchase of the contract could proceed. The completion by NI Water of this transaction will allow them to secure further value to the public purse and will also create an opportunity to free up significant additional operating resource. We welcome the initiative taken by the board at NI Water in pursuing the opportunities created by the acquisition. The KWS acquisition marks the second major announcement NI Water has made this month. Last week it revealed that it had started work on a 7m solar farm that will see it build 27,000 solar panels on a 33-acre site to support the firms Dunmore Water Treatment. Work on the site should be finished by 2018 and is expected to save the company 500,000 a year in energy costs. As well as the KWS PPP project, NI Water also entered into Project Omega, a 25-year Public Private Partnership contract to upgrade, operate and maintain existing wastewater treatment works and wastewater pumping stations across seven NI locations. It is run by joint venture Glen Water Ltd. However, NI Water says it has no plans to purchase the project. Around 350 jobs could be created and $1bn (750m) generated for the economy as Canadian giant Dalradian submits a planning application for its controversial goldmine in west Tyrone. The company revealed it had secured a 46.3m investment following seven years of exploration on its 300-acre site at Curraghinalt. It says operation of the mine would generate $1bn for the economy over 25 years. Dalradian's chief executive Patrick FN Anderson told the Belfast Telegraph work would begin within 18 months of a positive planning decision. "This is an exciting day for Dalradian and for Northern Ireland. It is the culmination of seven years of exploration, engineering and environmental work on the Curraghinalt deposit and financings that have raised more than C$260m (152.9m) for our work in Northern Ireland. "We have transformed the project from a small, early-stage deposit to one of the best gold projects on the planet." It has also taken out advertisements in the Press to publicise what it says are the economic benefits of the plan. Mr Anderson said: "Building and operating a mine at the Curraghinalt deposit will create at least 350 permanent direct jobs and is expected to give a $1bn boost to the local economy over the 25-year life of a mine in the planning application. This will be one of the largest foreign direct investments to be made in Northern Ireland in recent years." Mr Anderson said among the 350 jobs created in the area will be roles for engineers, administrators, construction workers, miners and surveyors as well as other positions. He said the company would also be working with the local colleges to create the skills needed for some of the roles over the mine's lengthy lifespan. "This mine will be there for a very long time and we want the roles to be filled by those living in the area so it is important to us to invest in education." And he believes the goldmine will outlast its projected 25-year contract: "We have some Canadian mines similar to the site in Tyrone that we have been working on for 75 years and we expect it to be much longer than that here." The company plans to extract 100,000 ounces of gold from the Tyrone site in year one with an anticipated 160,000 ounces extracted in year six. There are currently 100 people working on the exploration site where the firm has created 2km of tunnels underground so it can "work in a safe fashion," Mr Anderson said. However, the project has faced sustained public opposition - including over the use of cyanide in the gold-mining process. But Mr Anderson said: "Everything that we have done has be designed as a safe project. Northern Ireland, and the EU, have the safest and most stringent regulations and we welcome a full enquiry so we can explain and demonstrate to the local people how safely we carry things out." He said that the site had already welcomed 800 visitors from the area to allow Dalradian to explain its processes. The finance for the project was aided by Orion and Osisko, two of the top mine finance groups in the world. The former deputy chief executive of Titanic Belfast has now stepped into the top job. Judith Owens, who has worked at the attraction since it opened in 2012, is succeeding Tim Husbands. She's the latest businesswoman to fill a top role in the tourism and events sector, after Catherine Toolan was appointed Waterfront Hall and Ulster Hall managing director last year. Before joining Titanic Belfast, she was head of operations and house manager at the Waterfront and Ulster Hall. Mr Husbands left to take up a new role as chief executive at Westport House, a historic attraction in Co Mayo. More than 100 cycling enthusiasts from companies and organisations across Northern Ireland who took part in a fundraising event for Youth Action organised by Davy Private Clients Opening a new office of a stockbroking firm in 2007 might seem like a kamikaze move. But Stephen Felle of Davy Private Clients thinks that if they hadn't taken the plunge to open in Belfast then - unaware of the tumult that was to follow for world markets in the credit crunch - it might never have happened. Stephen is chief executive of Davy Private Clients UK. The Meath-born father-of-three has led the Belfast office and its growth through four acquisitions and has also overseen the opening of a London office for Davy. He lives in Dublin with his wife Michelle - the marketing director of Musgrave, which owns a wholesale business as well as retail names like Centra and SuperValu - and their three sons. They have 10-year-old twins, Joshua and Cillian, and Richard, who's six. Dublin-based Davy Group is the top wealth manager on the island of Ireland with overall assets under management of over 14bn (12bn) and around 670 staff. In Northern Ireland, its most recent acquisition was a big-hitter as it acquired the wealth management business of Danske Bank - made up of 1,100 portfolios - for close to 10m. Davy has also bought over PFC, Graham Corry Cheevers and Square Seven Financial Planning in Northern Ireland in recent years, with its four deals making it roughly the third-biggest wealth manager in the province. "We first started negotiations with Dankse in March or April and reached agreement on a deal in early July," Stephen says. "There were tough elements to it. We're trying to get the best deal for Davy while they naturally wanted the best deal for Danske. But they are very fair people to deal with." Danske Bank brings around 500m of assets under management into Davy. "It also gives us a partnership with one of the most, if not the most, prominent names in banking in Northern Ireland," says Stephen. "And we have also entered into exclusivity so that we can become wealth managers for their high net-worth clients." Following the Danske deal and the transfer of 10 staff, they now have 77 staff and around 1.8bn in assets under management. That's up from 120m in assets before its acquisition trail began. "We had to make the decision to shape up or ship out and thankfully made the decision to shape up." By pursuing a career in financial services, Stephen followed in the footsteps of his father, who worked in Bank of Ireland as a bond trader but died at the age of 42. After a degree in economics at University College Dublin, Stephen worked for NCB Stockbrokers. He then joined Goodbody Stockbrokers, before leaving for rival Davy in 2004. Three years later, in the throes of an economic boom and months before the worst financial crisis the world had experienced since the Great Depression, the Belfast office opened. "In hindsight, it probably looked liked bad timing come 2012 or 2013, but if we hadn't done it then, we possibly would never have done it," he says. "We opened in 2007 with the same view which went with the global economic outlook and the Celtic Tiger outlook at that time." Four years later, the world looked very different. "But the tougher and braver decision was to sit it out through the downturn. And in 2013 we had to look at the business we had built up. "It was small and sub-scale in both the Davy context and the Northern Ireland context and we knew that if we wanted to have a meaningful presence we would have to invest quite significantly. "We wanted to have 1bn of assets within five years but we have greatly surpassed it, though the decision some time ago could have been to close it." Earlier this month the Dublin operation announced the launch of a $50m private equity fund for its private investors. And the attitude to investment among clients - who are high net-worth individuals - tended to differ in Northern Ireland compared to the Republic when it first opened. "Ten years ago we noticed that there was a much higher risk/debt appetite in the Republic of Ireland versus Northern Ireland," says Stephen. "Ten years on, and a swingeing recession later, we see a similar level of investor conservatism in both north and south." He says attitudes to wealth on both sides of the border are similar. "The vast majority of our clients are conservative about preserving wealth and making sure it's there for the next generation. They are not flaunting their wealth." His first task is to get to know a client. "We'll do a full assessment on attitude to risk and people certainly are asking much more probing questions about what can go wrong. "There is more awareness as to the risks due to the bruises of the FTSE falling by 40% in 2008." Discussion of risk is timely as he reveals Davy is beginning to regard UK investments as more risky thanks to Brexit and the lack of definite progress in talks between the UK and EU. We speak the day after the Chancellor's first full Autumn Budget, in which Philip Hammond revealed downward revisions for GDP growth. "Brexit is now emerging as not a friend economically of the UK and even less so for Northern Ireland," says Stephen. "The border has become a stop issue in relation to moving onto the matters of what the divorce cheque will be. It has become a pawn. I'm somewhat dismayed that there doesn't seem to have been any joined up thinking or cohesive thinking between north and south. Brexit poses its own challenges for the Republic even excluding the border issue, and the absence of local governance here in Northern Ireland means it's the worst possible time for there to be no meaningful channels between Northern Ireland and Dublin. "In terms of Davy's own business, it hasn't hurt us, but in terms of where our money is invested for clients - many have invested in UK equities and other UK investment instruments like gilts, private equity, and real estate. "As we head into 2018 we're somewhat more cautious in light of what's happening and we're particularly cautious on the UK. So we'll look away from the UK and instead at the US and European markets at greater speeds than we might have seen. "An orderly run-up to 2019 is what we had all expected after the initial shock had subsided. "We thought it would all have been worked out and would have been shocked to think that here we are, 18 months later, with nothing resolved." Financial services has been in the news for the wrong reasons with the expose of dubious tax arrangements overseas in the Paradise Papers. He says tax planning and working with tax advisers and accountants is part of Davy's work. "We've seen some celebrity and high profile names being bandied about regarding the off-shore structures that they had used. But in terms of the mainstream, high net-worth clients we might deal with in NI - the entrepreneurs, business owners, retirees, employees - we have a huge level of tax compliance. "Some of the more opaque structures the Paradise Papers have sensationalised wouldn't be something we'd use in Davy." And he says he still enjoys stockbroking. "The two elements of the career that really appealed to me 20 years ago still do now. "Firstly, there's the investment side of it, and the fact that an occurrence today - something as tangential as political vote in Germany or an oil spill in the US - can have an instant effect on people's investments, the values of pension funds and stocks and shares. That excitement had always interested me. "Then there's the whole people part of it. Our offices in Belfast, London or Dublin have the most brilliant analytical brains who can try to predict what might happen and enjoy communicating it. That's the bit of it I love. "Now I tend to be more involved in the management, strategic and executive bit but I love the client side - getting out and meeting people, understanding their business and how it is that they became successful or wealthy." Looking back, he reflects that he had a gradual introduction to stockbroking through his father. "It was easier then. The advice I've been given is to always hire people that are brighter than you. The calibre of person that we see now is much higher than it would have been." The profession does bring some stress. "If a doctor makes a wrong decision it has serious consequences for a patient and for us there can be financial consequences which mean that a client can't retire at age 60, or can't buy that holiday home or help their children out. "We really take that responsibility very seriously." Growth in its London office will be next. "To date that's been organic growth but to gain a meaningful footprint in wealth in London it will have to be by acquisition. Belfast as our UK experiment, if you will," he says. "And if we buy something in London in 2019, Belfast will remain the operation hub for finance and legal compliance." The first ever team from Ulster University to compete in University Challenge have spoken of their pride after they clinched a place in the quarter-finals of the popular quiz show. Last night the team, who have an average age of 50, defeated competitors Warwick University to go through to the next round of the BBC2 show. After answering a 30-minute whirlwind of questions on topics as diverse as coats of arms, phobias and monkeys, the team topped the leaderboard 170-140 and were congratulated by no-nonsense host Jeremy Paxman. Team spokesperson Matt Milliken from Comber, who is studying for a PhD in Education at Jordanstown, revealed that the students had never dreamed of making it this far. "We are very proud to have got so far while representing Ulster University and Northern Ireland," he told the Belfast Telegraph. "Before our first appearance, team captain Iain Jack and I were having a pint, and we said that as long as we didn't embarrass ourselves by getting the lowest-ever score it would be okay. "There were around 128 teams in the running for the show, and that was whittled down to about 28 teams. "We lost our first match against Edinburgh University, but as we were the 'highest losers' we were able to get a second chance and competed against St Anne's College, Oxford. When we beat them, we qualified to compete against Warwick. "We are the oldest team in the competition and the Warwick team were much younger than us. To now find ourselves in a situation where we will be guaranteed a further two appearances on screen is just incredible." In addition to Matt and Peterhead native Iain, the other members of the UU team are Kate Ritchie from Waringstown, Co Down, and Cathal McDaid, from Buncrana, Co Donegal. Matt also revealed that acerbic host Jeremy Paxman has a "softer side". "You are aware that he has an aggressive side, but after the show you go to the green room and have some cold beer, and even colder pizza, and he is just there having a laugh with the competitors," he explained. "I think he has a softer side that you don't always see. He is easygoing, but I wouldn't like to get on the wrong side of him!" Despite the on-screen competitiveness which exists among teams, Matt describes the atmosphere as "not too cut-throat" backstage, and says that many friendships are forged during the competition. And as news of their win became public knowledge last night, the local team gathered to celebrate with dinner and - true to form -a pub quiz. "It's fun - part of it is the craic," Matt laughed. "We only got involved with University Challenge because we all enjoy quizzes so much!" Pupils who feature in the films for the BBC Appeal Playing Our Part with Tara and Barra. From left Joshua Archer, Orlaith McEvoy, Caoilainn Gribbon and Leon Cox As a student, I spent seven years working part-time in a large Belfast city centre department store. I really enjoyed my job, earning my own money, meeting new people and chatting to them. I remember when I started the job I was based in the household section, decking out the shelves and advising customers. Often customers, particularly older people, would come in to buy something like new sheets or towels or often just to browse, but they'd almost always stop for a chat. They'd talk about everything from the weather to the colour of the stock in store, to stories about their families and their childhood memories. I enjoyed the conversation and on many occasions customers, particularly elderly ones, would thank me for taking the time to talk to them. They'd tell me how I'd been the only person they had spoken to that day. The poignancy of those comments wasn't lost on me, even as a young student with plenty of friends around me. Many years later as part of my job as a reporter at BBC News NI, I interviewed an older man as part of a story I was working on. Through the years I've interviewed hundreds of people. I'm trained to always move on to the next story, not become too attached, even in the toughest and most emotionally-charged situations. But sometimes as a journalist, a character, a personal story or moment will resonate and stay with you. One experience that stayed with me happened when I was interviewing an older man at a cookery class in a further education college. He said he'd that he had signed up for the class to gain some cooking skills. He confided that his wife had died a few months earlier, and he talked about how she'd looked after him, meaning that he'd never cooked a meal in his life, and that now was the time to learn. But it was obvious to me, as I observed him joining in with the conversation with his fellow students, that he hadn't just signed up for a cookery class. Just as importantly, he was there for some company too. It's easy for us to believe loneliness only affects people later in life, but unfortunately that's not the full story. The truth is that the feeling of being alone and isolated can affect anyone, for any number of reasons. For some, the experience is temporary but for others the effects of loneliness can be harder to deal with and overcome. And admitting to feelings of isolation is difficult, so many people struggle on, suffering in silence. The important thing to remember is, any of us can experience loneliness at different times in our lives, for a number of reasons - from bereavement to divorce, from adolescence to getting older and being unable to leave the house, or from unemployment or taking on new caring responsibilities, the list is endless. For many people, these feelings pass with time but for others, loneliness can become a difficult or prolonged problem. And it can be something that people feel embarrassed about admitting, or even talking about. Acknowledging a problem is usually the first and most important step in overcoming it. With loneliness, it's vital that we seek help and support each other. Loneliness may not be a mental health issue in itself, but it can lead to mental health problems over time. It's interesting how issues around loneliness and mental health have been explored by best-selling authors. Earlier this year, I hosted several BBC events as part of the Mountstewart Conversations and I was lucky enough to interview two brilliant authors who've written about these subjects - Gail Honeyman, author of the award-winning novel Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, and Cathy Rentzenbrink whose A Manual For Heartache is based on her own experience of loss. The central character in Gail Honeyman's novel is 40 years old. She leaves work every Friday and returns on Monday morning without having spoken to another soul all weekend. When I interviewed her, Gail was keen to point out how it's not difficult to imagine why someone could find themselves in a similar position through no fault of their own. And many of us can relate to what it feels like to be on the outside, looking on at the world and beginning to accept it as the norm. Reading Gail's book and hearing her talk about it, made me think about how we treat our colleagues, our friends and our neighbours. Life is fast and everyone is so busy these days that it can be easy to forget that just because someone is quiet or reluctant to take part in conversations, it doesn't mean they wouldn't appreciate being included once in a while. The least we could do is ask. Cathy Rentzenbrink describes the 'social glow' that we can get simply by reaching out, or being kind, to someone else. She lost her brother when they were both teenagers and her feelings of grief and loss were so overwhelming that it took many years for her to find joy in life again. And she writes about how building connections to other people was crucial in her journey. In today's world, social media can keep us connected like never before. But it can also heighten our feelings of isolation if we see other people living what seem to be full and busy lives while we feel ours doesn't measure up. When I heard about BBC Northern Ireland's new broadcast appeal, Playing Our Part: Everybody Needs Somebody, I jumped at the chance to get involved. It's such a worthwhile campaign and aims to raise awareness of the effects of loneliness and to offer advice, guidance and ideas on how everybody can do something - big or small - to help someone in need. It's a subject that I've always been interested in and this appeal will give it some added prominence. My colleague Barra Best and I have made our own films about loneliness to show that this issue can affect anyone, no matter what age or social background. These films will be shown on BBC Northern Ireland television over the next couple of weeks. They are particularly poignant because of the everyday situations that they describe. There will also be stories, features and reports across the BBC's airwaves, encouraging as many people as possible to get involved with the appeal. One of the things that I like most about this appeal is the practical advice on what people can do to help. It might be something as simple as starting a conversation, or asking a neighbour if there's anything they need, or just making a little bit of time for an older friend or relative. These are all small things that don't take a lot of effort - but the difference they can make to someone's life, particularly when they're feeling low can be huge. The important thing to remember is we can all help overcome loneliness by recognising that everybody needs somebody and not just at this time of year. I always find it's true what they say that everyone you meet is fighting a battle - and sometimes it's only years later that you find out what that battle was. No matter how busy life was back in my student days, I always took the time to listen and chat to our customers. I had no way of knowing what they were going home to. For more information about the BBC NI's Broadcast Appeal Playing Our Part, Everybody Needs Somebody, go to bbc.co.uk/niappeals or www.changeyourmindni.org Former Northern Ireland secretary of state Peter Hain has said he is on the side of the Republic in the ongoing stalemate over how to solve the question of a post-Brexit Irish border, saying they were taking a "logical standpoint", while the British Government had no solutions or proposals. The issue of how the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic has dogged the Brexit talks, with Dublin ministers saying there can be no progress to trade talks until a workable solution is presented. "They are putting the logical point across in that we should remain in the customs union and single market," Lord Hain told the BBC Stephen Nolan show. "The point would be that we could protect our economy, jobs and, given the intertwining nature of the economies of the Republic and UK, it would protect the economy. "It would maintain progress." On Monday the Labour back bench MP Kate Hoey suggested if border controls were introduced, the Republic's government should pay for them. Read More Lord Hain continued: "Many in the DUP take the same stance as Kate Hoey, that the border is not our problem, it is theirs to sort. "If border becomes an external customs frontier there will have to be all sorts of checks and barriers - and that would be disastrous. "I don't see how if we are not going to maintain a Northern Ireland presence in the customs market - and I understand Arlene Foster's position she will not agree to Northern Ireland being separate to rest of UK - but then the logic of that points to staying in the customs union and single market. "There is an argument for Northern Ireland to stay within the single market and customs market... that is the only, most sensible option for everybody." Lord Hain said he "feared the worst" and the "most sensible outcome" was for the UK to remain as part of the single market and the customs union. "The government is stumbling toward a cliff face," he continued. "They don't know what the future trade agreement will be. The EU is our biggest market by far. There are no proposals yet, there is no plan and we are hurtling toward March 2019. "This is the most ill-thought out strategy that I can ever remember in 50 years in politics. There is a lot of rhetoric and dogma, but there is no plan. "By far the most sensible outcome is to stay in the single market and customs union - because what is most important to families is jobs, trading and services being maintained. "And having a go at the Irish Government is not a sensible way to proceed." Lord Hain also said Prime Minister Theresa May was to blame for the ongoing political stasis in Northern Ireland. He said had she "rolled up her sleeves" and called a summit many months ago power sharing may have been restored. He added: "I don't think it is one party's fault, it is everyone's fault.... everyone is at a loss as to why the politicians are not doing what they are paid to do." By India Today Web Desk: Beyhadh actor Piyush Sahdev's bail plea has been rejected and the actor has been shifted to Arthur Road Jail, according to Tellychakkar. "The Beyhadh actor's first bail plea was rejected and when he filed for the second plea, the court held the same ground. He has been shifted to Authur Road Jail and his family and friends are not allowed to meet him. The victim was perplexed and refused to say anything because she did not want herself or her family to be dragged into the controversy," a source told Tellychakkar. advertisement Piyush, who has worked in shows like Devon Ke Dev Mahadev and Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke, was arrested last week on allegations of raping a 23-year-old aspiring actress, on pretext of marriage. According to Hindustan Times, the actor had met the woman through mutual friends and soon moved in with her; he then proposed marriage to her after two months of their relationship. When the woman found some objectionable photographs of him with another girl, they had a nasty fight and the actor apparently refused to marry her. The woman then approached the police on November 20 and filed a rape case against him. --- ENDS --- Police have re-issued their appeal for witnesses following a fatal road traffic collision in Belfast city centre last week.. Lorraine Burrows died as a result of the one-vehicle crash on November 21. Read More The 48-year-old was hit by a truck on Great Victoria Street/Wellwood Street area of the city. Inspector David Gibson said: I would appeal to anyone who was in the area at approximately 8am on Tuesday November 21 and may have witnessed this incident to contact police. I would also appeal to any motorist who has a dashcam in their vehicle that may have recorded this collision to also contact Police. We can be contacted on the non-emergency number 101, please quote reference 198 21/11/17. Charged with two attempted murders following a triple stabbing in north Belfast is to undergo psychiatric assessment, a court has heard. A man charged with two attempted murders following a triple stabbing in north Belfast is to undergo psychiatric assessment, a court has heard. Ryan Collagan, 23, appeared before the city's Magistrates Court accused of attacking two men at his York Park home in the early hours of Saturday. Police called to a disturbance found a man inside the house with stab wounds to his head. Two others were discovered a short distance away in the Shore Road area. One of them had sustained wounds to the neck, while the third underwent surgery for abdominal injuries. Entering the dock dressed in a grey tracksuit, Collagan spoke only to confirm he understood the two attempted murder charges against him, replying: "Yes." Serious wounds and bruising to his head, face and ear were clearly visible. An investigating detective told the court he could connect him to the alleged offences. No application for bail was mounted during the brief hearing. Defence solicitor Sarah McKeown disclosed plans to seek an expert opinion and placement. She said: "It's hoped we will be in a position to obtain a psychiatric assessment, any bail application would probably be with a mind to having a placement in a secure hospital facility." Ms McKeown added that medical professionals were present in court, and indicated an intention to have registered intermediaries for her client at subsequent proceedings. District Judge Fiona Bagnall remanded Collagan in custody to appear again by video-link on December 19. As the accused was being led back to the cells he waved to a large number of relatives and friends in the public gallery. Two Belfast men have each been jailed for 15 months for a spate of burglaries across south Belfast (stock photo) Two Belfast men have each been jailed for 15 months for a spate of burglaries across south Belfast. Aaron Trotman Kingston of City Way and Ryan Robert McFadden, formerly of Dunluce Avenue, pleaded guilty at Belfast Crown Court to five burglaries between them, attempted burglary, attempted burglary with intent and handling stolen goods. McFadden, who had six drug convictions, also pleaded guilty to having four diazepam tablets. Prosecutor Mark Farrell told the court that the first burglary took place at 12.30am on January 20 this year at a house in Camden Street. A man's wallet, watch and keys were stolen. Three hours later a neighbour in the same street rang 999 and said an intruder was trying to get into his bedroom. The burglar fled and it was discovered items including an iPad, laptop and money were missing. Later that day, there was a burglary on the Lisburn Road and two attempted break-ins at flats on Fitzwilliam Street. Mr Farrell said police recovered stolen items from the defendants' addresses later. The court heard both defendants had 66 convictions each for offences such as burglary and theft. Kingston's defence barrister Stephen Toal told the court their motivation was "drugs from the very start". McFadden's barrister Joel Lindsay said: "If you drew a circle on a map, all the burglaries took place within a short space from where he was living. "He got himself involved with a den of vipers, a nest of vipers who were living together, using drugs and committing burglaries." Jean at her door where the robbers forced entry into the house Jean McMorris with her daughter Niree after her home was broken into and cash and jewellery were stolen A 74-year-old widow has been left "heartbroken" after callous burglars stole her wedding and engagement rings, as well as her late husband's wedding band. The thugs also ripped the pages out of Jean McMorris's precious bible. Jean's home at Irish Street in Londonderry was ransacked shortly after 7.30pm on Saturday evening while she visited her daughter's nearby home. The gang took her engagement and wedding rings as well as her late husband Herbie's wedding ring. They took jewellery her husband had given to her in their years together, stole money the pensioner had been saving for a family holiday and ripped the pages from the family Bible, scattering them all over her living room. The gang had earlier tried to break into her daughter Niree's home, just four doors down. Fighting through tears, Jean told the Belfast Telegraph she no longer feels safe in her home. "My daughter Niree and I were invited down to my daughter's house on the next street on Saturday evening," she said. "Niree got a phone call to say that someone had tried to break into her house. "We went there and her son said two men had tried to get in but they made off when the dog started barking at them." Jean said they called the police, and she went home. She added: "When we arrived we found the door had been busted open. We knew straight away that someone had been in. "Everything was laying everywhere. It was such a shock. "The pages of my Bible were spread all over the sofa, pages were ripped and scattered everywhere. I had money in my bag in the living room and they took it all, it was money to keep me going for the week. "My great grandson was getting baptised on Sunday, I had some money in a card to give to him, it's all gone, there's nothing left, they took it all." Jean said she was upset by the loss of sentimental jewellery, branding the culprits "scum". She added: "They went upstairs into all the rooms and went through my drawers. "I had to take off my wedding and engagement rings as I have arthritis in my fingers. They took them both, the rings my husband gave me, and they took his wedding ring too that I gave him on our wedding day. It was so special to me. "It's away now and I'll never get it back. "I had some money saved to go on holiday in the new year and it's all gone. The people who did this are scum. When you live to this age you don't think that there are people around who would do something like this to you. It is devastating. "I don't feel safe. I have my faith and I'm just asking the man above to help me." Jean's daughter Niree said that her mother is not in good health and that she has been left traumatised. She warned others to be vigilant. "Everything can be replaced, the money, the things," she said. "But the rings are so sentimental. "My father is dead now over 30 years, my mother is married over 50 years. It's heartbreaking. "We will always have our memories in our hearts of the rings and jewellery, but it's the sad fact that they were rummaging through her things in her house. "This is meant to be my mother's safe haven and the fact that they have encroached on that and made her very vulnerable." PSNI Detective Sergeant Ray Phelan urged anyone who can help to contact detectives at Strand Road on 101, quoting reference 1272 of 25/11/17. Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Omagh estate agent William Sayers has been fined and banned from the road An estate agent from Omagh seen veering over the road in his Mercedes whilst over the drink-drive limit in the early hours was spotted by an off-duty police officer. William David Edward Sayers (52), of Crevenagh View, was detected in the Ballybogey area near Portrush in October. A prosecutor told Coleraine Magistrates Court yesterday that at 3.34am on October 22 police received a report of a suspected drink-driver. The prosecuting lawyer said an off-duty police officer saw a red Mercedes car driving slowly for no apparent reason, swerving and breaching the white line. Sayers was followed and stopped and after on-duty police arrived at the scene, the defendant was found to have had a reading of 90mcg per 100ml of breath. The limit is 35. A defence lawyer said his client had been out on the north coast and after a row with his partner had driven off but when detected was on his way back to "make good" with her. Banning the defendant from driving for 16 months and fining him 350, District Judge Peter King said on the night in question the defendant had been a "complete and utter menace" and a danger to road users. It reported a rise in the average house price from 123,257 in July 2016 to 131,690 in the same month this year an increase of 8,433 House prices in east Belfast are going up faster than anywhere else in Northern Ireland - with an average rise of more than 8,000 in the last 12 months. That's according to new report which has identified the most thriving postcodes in the UK's top 20 cities and revealed the areas that are out-performing the rest. Unveiling its first ever Postcode Property Index, Barclays Mortgages said Belfast's BT5 saw prices rise by 6.6% year-on-year. It reported a rise in the average house price from 123,257 in July 2016 to 131,690 in the same month this year - an increase of 8,433. The findings also illustrate that at a time when the national housing market is showing signs of cooling, individual postcodes around the UK appear to be bucking the trend. Graham Bailie of Barclays Northern Ireland said BT5 has seen its house price growth significantly out-perform that of the wider city for various reasons, such as affordable housing, a number of good schools in the area and its position within a commuter belt supported by good transport links. "It's fascinating to see the individual postcodes where property prices are growing at a very fast pace, particularly in Belfast, where prices in east Belfast are outstripping the city's overall growth," he said. The new report suggests that house price growth in the area is likely to be as a result of increased numbers of young families moving there and its village feeling with coffee shops, delis and traditional grocers and butchers ensuring it remains high on the list for potential buyers. Chris Kirk, director of John Minnis Estate Agents, said that properties in east Belfast "are flying at the minute". "There's a shortage of properties, with fewer available, so demand is strong," he said. "Buyers are even coming from south Belfast and outside the local area - a few years ago that would never have happened. "Ballyhackmore and the Belmont Road are cosmopolitan, trendy areas. There's a buzz about the place and people are keen to live in such areas." Ryan Andrews, director of Reeds Rains, said he wasn't surprised by the report's findings. "The schooling in BT4/5 is very good, with primary schools being particularly strong," he said. "Also, the east of the city is good value when compared to the south or south-east, and there is an abundance of period or traditional property which people tend to like. "East Belfast has changed dramatically over the last five to 10 years. "There are a number of exciting new eateries, shops - the nightlife has come on leaps and bounds." Samuel Dickey, partner at Simon Brien Residential, said that, while prices have gone up "right across Belfast", BT5 "is particularly popular because of the Ballyhackamore area". Mr Dickey added: "There is an abundance of new eateries and the schooling is some of the best in Northern Ireland. "And it's not just family homes we're seeing rises in, it's investment homes as well." Neil Templeton, director of Templeton Robinson, said the "renaissance of local shopping areas in east Belfast" could explain the report's findings. He added: "Gilnahirk, Belmont Road and Ballyhackamore have all experienced this, and also have excellent schooling which is attractive to buyers. East Belfast has definitely grown in popularity, with more and more people looking to purchase there." Hundreds of luxury and designer goods will be going up for auction this Thursday at Wilsons Auctions. The auction will feature a selection of eight high-value Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi cars, BMW and Yamaha motorcycles. Over 20 designer watches including Audemars Piguet, Hublot, Rolex, Breitling and Rolex will also be up for grabs. Additional items include a range of designer handbags and purses from Yves Saint Laurent, Celine, Givenchy and Chanel, gold and diamond jewellery, silver and gold ingots as well as a 42" Panasonic Smart TV and a 40" Samsung Smart TV. The Belfast Land and Property Auction will take place directly after the Unreserved Government Auction with over 40 Lots ranging from residential and commercial properties in the UK and across Europe. Wilsons Auctions will be supporting Northern Ireland Hospice by auctioning a collection of 19 Fender Stratocaster on its behalf during its Unreserved Government Auction. Donated to the charity by a private donor, a number of the guitars have been signed by famous rock stars including the Rolling Stones Bill Wyman, Motley Crues Vince Neil, Guns n Roses axeman Slash, Creams Jack Bruce and Def Leppards Belfast-born guitarist Vivian Campbell. One guitar, a 2002 US Custom Shop-made seafoam green Strat boasts signatures from Bad Company and Free drummer Simon Kirke, fellow Bad Company member Mick Ralphs, Jack Bruce and Rolling Stones legend Bill Wyman. Among the most desirable in the collection is a 1977 American-made maple-wood Strat which also carries Jamie Moses autograph, the respected session guitarist best-known for his work with Queen, Amy Winehouse, Bob Geldof and Mike and the Mechanics. Full proceeds from the sale of the guitars will go back to the charity and bring vital funds to Northern Ireland Hospices care services. Police have since arrested and charged a man in connection with the incident in north Belfast. A 19-year-old man has been arrested and charged with robbery and possession of an offensive weapon in north Belfast. The arrest follows an incident in the Ardilea Street area of the city in the early hours of Monday morning. Detective Sergeant Keith Wilson said: Shortly before 1:50 am of today it was reported that a delivery driver was stopped and threatened by a man who demanded money before making off. "Police have since arrested and charged a man in connection with the incident." He is due to appear in court on December 22. The Northern Ireland Assembly spends almost 20,000 a year translating a handful of Irish language contributions into English, it can be revealed. Over the last five years, the Assembly spent around 18,000 annually on translating MLAs' contributions in the chamber for the Speaker, as well as translating the small sections in Hansard, the official report of proceedings, from Irish into English. That figure dropped to just under 10,000 for the 2016/17 financial year following the collapse of the Assembly in January. The Assembly Commission also spent 1,387 translating a leaflet relating to tours of Stormont in 2014/15 into 11 languages, including Polish, Lithuanian, Irish, Portuguese, Slovak, Mandarin, German, Italian, French, Spanish and Ulster Scots. The sums have emerged following an Assembly Question asked by Ulster Unionist MLA Andy Allen. A spokesperson for the Commission clarified to the Belfast Telegraph that the costs related to a "limited interpretation service" provided to the Speaker and clerks during sittings, as well as for Hansard. SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone is among those who makes some of his contributions in Irish and he defended the costs. "It's not a large amount of money - and it's really all about respect. It's a courtesy so that others know what you're saying," he said. An Assembly spokesperson said: "The costs relating to Hansard that were provided in the response to Mr Allen are in respect of the provision of a limited interpretation service to the Speaker and Clerks at Table, and the subsequent reporting in the Official Report, of any Irish used in the Chamber. "If a Member should speak in Irish, the contribution is translated into English and relayed to the Speaker and Clerks at Table. In addition, the words that the Member spoke in Irish are reported in that language in the Official Report of that sitting. "The service is provided by a permanent member of Assembly staff and agency workers. "The permanent member of staff is not employed full-time on the interpreting/translation services and provides other editorial services during plenary sittings and non-sitting days." The revelation comes as Stormont remains suspended following the resignation of then Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness. Several rounds of talks have taken place between the political parties since then but so far have failed to reach a resolution. One of the major sticking points has been over an Irish Language Act for Northern Ireland, with the DUP refusing to back Sinn Fein's repeated calls for one. Such an act is expected to include the recognition of Irish as an official language in Northern Ireland, which may include wider use in the Assembly. The Irish language previously sparked controversy in 2014 when DUP MLA Gregory Campbell started a speech with "Curry my yoghurt" as a way of mocking MLAs who start their speeches in Irish. He was barred from addressing the Assembly for a day for failing to apologise. Prashant Bhushan had challenged the appointment of the senior Gujarat cadre IPS officer as a Special Director of the CBI. By India Today Web Desk: The Supreme Court today rejected a petition filed by senior lawyer Prashant Bhushan challenging the appointment of senior Gujarat cadre IPS officer Rakesh Asthana as a Special Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Common Cause, the petitioner NGO, had opposed Asthana's appointment, saying it was illegal as his name had surfaced in a diary recovered during a raid conducted by the Income Tax department at the offices and other premises of a Gujarat-based company called Sterling Biotech Ltd, which is being investigated by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate. advertisement A bench of Justices RK Agrawal and AM Sapre said "the writ petition is dismissed". The apex court had on November 24 reserved the order in the matter. The Centre had opposed the plea, saying Asthana had an outstanding career and had supervised over 40 high-profile cases like the coal blocks allotment scam, the AugustaWestland chopper deal, and various black money and money laundering cases. Last week, the Centre had said Asthana has an "unblemished record"; just a few months ago he was described as an "outstanding" officer. Before being appointed Special Director, Asthana was the Additional Director, CBI. But Common Cause had raised questions regarding Asthana for his alleged proximity to Sterling Biotech Group. "The company is under investigation by the Enforcement Directorate for alleged money laundering involving Rs 5,000 crore and Asthana's name figuers in a diary seized by the Income Tax Department in 2011," Bhushan had told the court, challenging his appointment over principles of institutional integrity. Bhushan said as per the government rules, he had not declared his assets in 2016 and that itself disqualified him from being even considered for appointment to a higher post. --- ENDS --- Hundreds of Northern Ireland school pupils face having their GCSE computer science coursework binned after the answers were leaked online. The BBC reports that the leak affects pupils taking AQA, OCR, Pearson and Eduqas board subjects. The Northern Ireland CCEA is not affected. Pupils in years 11 and 12 are affected, however, it is not known how many as final numbers for those taking the tests are yet to be submitted. Last year almost 700 pupils were entered for the tests from the boards concerned in Northern Ireland. Detailed solutions of the assessment were discussed online by students and possibly teachers who had already completed the task and viewed thousands of times. However, it is not known where the leaks originated from. The coursework represents 20% of the overall final mark for the subjects. Exam regulator Ofqual said it was considering options in how to address the matter and possible alternatives. It said once it became aware of the leak it had to immediately act. "The apparent extent of malpractice in this qualification leads us to believe that it is no longer possible for exam boards to ensure that grades awarded next summer will fairly reflect the ability of all students unless changes are made to the assessment arrangements," a statement said. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, London, after the announcement of their engagement. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday November 27, 2017. The much-anticipated news was confirmed by the Prince of Wales in a brief statement issued by Clarence House. See PA story ROYAL Wedding. Photo credit should read: Eddie Mulholland/Daily Telegraph/PA Wire Unionist politicians have rushed to congratulate Prince Harry after his engagement to actress Meghan Markle was announced yesterday. Their long-anticipated engagement was announced by the Prince of Wales yesterday morning with a statement saying the couple, who have been dating for 16 months, will marry next spring. There did not appear to be any goodwill expressed to the couple from senior nationalist politicians. It stood in contrast to the late Martin McGuinness, when he wished Prince William and Kate Middleton a long and happy marriage, as I would any young couple, in 2011, ahead of the Queens visit here. However, DUP leader Arlene Foster was left red-faced after she congratulated Prince William in a tweet instead. The message was soon deleted and replaced with one sending good tidings to the correct prince. She later said: Todays announcement is wonderful news and I want to congratulate the Royal couple, HRH Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on this joyous occasion. As a nation we look forward to their Royal wedding expected in spring 2018. From Northern Ireland we send our best wishes. Blame for the gaffe was laid at the door of a DUP worker by Mrs Foster. I stopped tweeting personally a long time ago. Genuine typo by a member of staff. Guilty of tweeting too fast. There goes any chance of an invite!! :-) AF TUV leader Jim Allister joked: I suppose it could have been worse, she could have said Prince William and Mrs Merkel (German Chancellor). But I express my congratulations to Prince Harry and Ms Markle. A wedding is always a cheerful occasion for the nation, its good for Prince Harry and the Royal family. UUP councillor Diana Armstrong said: In my role as chairperson of the local NSPCC Charity Committee I had the honour of being recently presented to Prince Harry. He took a great interest in our work and how it was part of the local community. The news this morning of his engagement to Meghan Markle is great news for society in general. DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds tweeted: Wonderful news! Sending the best wishes of north Belfast on this great occasion. Carla Lockhart, DUP MLA, said: Very many congratulations to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. I wish them very many happy years together. And Alliance Party MLA Stewart Dickson congratulated the happy couple, adding: This is a time for celebration. A Co Antrim man attempted to scare off a rival wheelie bin cleaner by threatening to put a bullet in his head, a court has heard. William Thomas Gamble (54), of Garryduff Road, Ballymoney, admitted a charge of attempted intimidation. The defendant had issued a series of remarks aimed at stopping a competitor approaching potential customers regarding bin cleaning services, Coleraine Magistrates Court heard yesterday. A prosecutor said the defendant also told the rival: "I will put you in a wooden box." The incidents happened in May and June last year when a man told police there had been a series of incidents of "harassment and intimidation in relation to a wheelie bin cleaning business in the Coleraine and wider area". The prosecutor said at some stages the injured party recorded Gamble by using a mobile phone. On one occasion the defendant approached the man in the Mountsandel area of Coleraine and said he would "trample him into the ground" and after a half-hour tirade the other bin cleaner was left shaken. In June last year the victim was cleaning bins in Coleraine when Gamble approached and again told him to stay away from customers "or else I will put a bullet in your head". The prosecutor said that when interviewed Gamble agreed he used obscene language, telling the man to go back to New Zealand, but denied making the bullet remark. Previously in court, Gamble admitted the one charge he faced. Defence barrister Eoghan Devlin said it was "bizarre" behaviour but happened at a time of "unusual stress in his life". The barrister said his client asked him to explicitly apologise to the victim. Mr Devlin said the "unsavoury" incidents had flared up but Gamble then "came to his senses". Judge King noted the defendant had already taken action himself to get help with issues he was facing but he said the court viewed such attempted intimidation seriously. Regarding the New Zealand remark, the judge told Gamble: "You are fortunate not to have this prosecuted on the basis of hostility." He ordered Gamble to do 75 hours of unpaid work; placed him on probation for a year and banned the defendant from contacting the other bin cleaner for two years. Relatives of people shot dead by soldiers and RUC officers during the Troubles have protested at Stormont against Government proposals to introduce a "statute of limitations" Relatives of people shot dead by soldiers and RUC officers during the Troubles have protested at Stormont against Government proposals to introduce a "statute of limitations". The proposal would prevent security force members being prosecuted for offences during the early days of the Troubles. Yesterday relatives expressed outrage at the move. John Teggart, whose father Danny was killed in Ballymurphy in 1971, said the move would lead to an "amnesty for all". "It is disgraceful where you have a statute of limitations put in by the British Government, actually inserted into the consultation paper," he said. "How can families like ourselves co-operate with the consultation when you have a statute of limitations in it?" It emerged yesterday that the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has advised the Government a ban on prosecuting soldiers and police officers would amount to an amnesty. The commission also said the move may also breach international human rights law. In advice to the Government supplied in June, the commission said if the statute of limitations "were held to excuse acts constituting gross human rights violations and abuses this would be incompatible with human rights law". DUP leader Arlene Foster said last week that she was "concerned" about a possible amnesty for police and soldiers. Sinn Fein MLA Gerry Kelly said: "This has come out of nowhere, people are very angry about it." Drugs paraphernalia which was found on the floor of a toilet cubicle by a member of the public in CastleCourt shopping centre earlier this month The number of call-outs to remove drug paraphernalia from public areas in Belfast surged by more than 1,470% in the last three years, shocking figures reveal today. Items including needles, syringes, foils and swabs have been left in places such as parks, playing fields, public toilets, footpaths and car parks. The number is expected to be higher as not all drug-related litter is reported. An increase in items indicates Belfast may also have seen a rise in street injecting, a charity warned. The report, by drug policy think-tank Volteface, shows that between 2014 and 2017, call-outs spiralled from 42 to 661 - up 1,473%. It has prompted calls for Belfast City Council to introduce drug consumption rooms, where users can take class A drugs under the supervision of medical professionals. In Glasgow and Dublin, public health authorities are identifying sites and undergoing tendering processes for these rooms. The report recommends that other areas in the UK, including Belfast, should follow the lead of Glasgow and Dublin. The UK Government has previously rejected a call from an advisory body to introducing rooms. Street injecting has been proven to increase the likelihood of drug users catching HIV or Hepatitis C, experiencing other injecting-related complications, such as abscesses, wounds, deep vein thrombosis and overdosing. Concern is growing over Belfast's drug epidemic. In September SDLP councillor Paul McCusker said the city had seen 37 drug-related deaths in just nine months - including 19 in the north Belfast area - and 45 drug-related deaths during 2016. Today's figures come days after a horrified mum found a toilet floor in a shopping centre strewn with drugs paraphernalia. The woman said she feared for the safety of children and other shoppers after finding what appeared to be up to five needles, three syringes and an empty vial lying discarded in toilets in CastleCourt shopping centre. And it June it was claimed a heroin addict was seen 'shooting up' in a toilet at Belfast City Hall, before fleeing half-naked in front of shocked visitors. The Advisory Council for the Misuse of Drugs, which provides guidance to the Government, recommended that drug consumption rooms should be introduced to reduce drug-related deaths and related issues. The main concern with drug consumption rooms are their legality, and the report identifies the laws which would challenge their operation in Belfast. Thelma Abernethy, director of Addiction NI, said: "Over this last year we have seen an increase in drug use across Northern Ireland and this is and important way in responding to the need. Drug consumption rooms provide safety for users and communities and provide an important opportunity for engagement with this group of user to reduce harm through a range of supports. "There is a massive education piece to be done with communities around drug use prior and during the introduction of consumption rooms. Addiction NI will use this report to support the ongoing discussions." A spokeswoman for Volteface said that drug consumption rooms are effective in reducing street injecting, the number of syringes discarded in a vicinity, drug-related deaths and needle sharing. She said: "Evidence shows that drug consumption rooms do not increase drug use, frequency of injecting, drug dealing, drug trafficking or drug-related crime in the surrounding environment. "Legal barriers can be overcome if a pilot was allowed to operate under police discretion. "There is flexibility within the law for the police to take a reasonable approach to law enforcement, exercising discretion in the public interest. "Pilots operating on a discretionary legal basis could then be used to build the case for legislative change." A Belfast City Council spokeswoman said: "Belfast City Council has been working with partners to improve the collection of data relating to requests for the service to remove drug litter with more robust statistics becoming available since 2015. "The increase in figures can, in part, be explained by the introduction of a new scheme initiated and advertised since June 2016, with assistance from Belfast Policing and Community Safety Partnership in which council now removes drug litter beyond its own facilities more broadly to locations in Belfast it does not own. "We are aware that drugs and associated litter is an issue of growing concern for the public and continue to work with our partners to address this." She added: "Pro-active measures include a dedicated telephone number for members of the public to report the discovery of drug-related sharps, specifically designed sharps disposal units in automatic public conveniences across the city and training and awareness for business. "Our work to improve our services in this area is always under review." If the Burmese authorities do not heed the call of the international community over the Rohingya crisis, Britain will press for agreement on further EU measures which could include targeted sanctions, a Foreign and Commonwealth Office minister has said. Asia and the Pacific minister Mark Field, who said he had returned from Burma last wee k for the second time in seven weeks, described the situation of the Rohingya people as "heart-breakingly appalling". Addressing MPs during a Westminster Hall debate, Mr Field spoke about the "unspeakable sexual violence" suffered in the crisis, stating the Government had deployed two civilian experts to Bangladesh and could increase this. He said: "If the Burmese authorities do not heed the call of the 6 November UNSC (United Nations Security Council) presidential statement we will be returning to EU partners to press for agreement on further measures which could include targeted sanctions." He added: "We will be giving very serious consideration to trying to work out the appropriateness of such sanctions including to try and discover whether there is any property or companies that are owned by the military from Burma." Up to 1,000 people he said were crossing the border into Bangladesh each day, a movement of people on a "colossal scale". Mr Field said: "Last Thursday Bangladesh and Burma signed a memorandum of understanding on the return of refugees to Rakhine. We understand that a joint working group will be set up within three weeks with the aim of processing returns to commence within two months." The Government, he said, would press for quick progress on the implementation of this agreement but "will be absolutely clear that any returns must be safe, voluntary and dignified and there must be appropriate international oversight". He added it was in his view "too early" to even talk about voluntary returns at this stage. He said: "The Foreign Office will remain steadfastly determined to ensure as far as we can the safe return of the Rohingya people, to ensure access for humanitarian aid and to hold to account those who are responsible for these harrowing crimes." His comments came as Labour's Roberta Blackman-Woods (City of Durham) who led the debate, recalled her visit to refugee camps as part of a cross party delegation, describing their "vast scale". She said she was told the camps needed to house the new refugees were "equivalent to a city larger than Manchester, establishing almost overnight with no infrastructure, housing, water, sanitation". Tory Philip Hollobone (Kettering) who also went on the trip, said the treatment of the Rohingya people was ethnic cleansing "pure and simple". He said: "Returning stateless people to remain in a stateless state in their country of origin isn't good enough. These people require their nationhood given to them." He added: "We need to stimulate further contributions from other countries, particularly Muslim countries, because we're dealing here with a Muslim population and there are lots of rich Muslim countries in the world who frankly should be stepping up to the plate rather more." Mr Field responded: "This is a global humanitarian catastrophe...I think to try and frame it in an ethnic way would be the wrong way forward." A row over the future of Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald could lead to a snap election Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he was doing everything he could Crisis talks between Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin to avert a general election broke up on Monday night without resolution. Discussions are due to resume on Tuesday morning before a crucial vote of no confidence in Ireland's deputy premier Frances Fitzgerald is scheduled to take place, potentially causing the Irish Government to fall. A spokesman for the Taoiseach said there was "serious engagement on both sides" during Monday night's talks. He added: "All remain keen to avoid an election in the interest of the country." Earlier Mr Varadkar again stressed his support for Ms Fitzgerald, who is under renewed pressure to resign over her handling of a police whistleblower scandal. It emerged on Monday that she was emailed in 2015 about an alleged "aggressive stance" towards Sergeant Maurice McCabe while she was justice minister - deepening the political crisis. It was one of three emails she was sent about the legal strategy of the Garda force against the whistleblower. She received lines to take in public on the officer, who was taking part in a judicial investigation into policing in the Irish midlands. The new emails emerged as the future of Ms Fitzgerald's ministerial career hung in the balance. She has said she cannot recall the contents of that message. However, a department of justice civil servant wrote that the minister had "noted" the email. Despite ongoing calls for her resignation over her handling of the original 2015 email that revealed attempts to discredit the Garda whistleblower, a spokesman for Mr Varadkar insisted on Monday night that the Taoiseach continues to stand by her. The confirmation of the Taoiseach's ongoing support came as Mr Varadkar and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin met for crisis talks in a bid to prevent a snap election having to be called. Ms Fitzgerald also showed no indication of stepping down when she took to Twitter on Monday night to defend herself. She tweeted: "As Justice Minister I could not interfere with the O'Higgins Commission. This is confirmed twice in today's docs & has been confirmed by the AG (Attorney General). "The Tribunal will objectively judge the appropriateness of my conduct. I look forward to giving my evidence to the Tribunal early in January." Sinn Fein parliamentary representative Donnchadh O Laoghaire said: "The case for the defence for Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald has been unravelling for days. It has now collapsed." Ms Fitzgerald was contacted on May 15, 2015 and July 4, 2015 by officials in the Department outlining the strategy of the former Garda Commissioner, or top officer, Noirin O'Sullivan. One of the messages from Ms Fitzgerald's officials said the Commissioner phoned to let him know they had received media queries about Sgt McCabe. "They were asked was it the case that Sgt McCabe was looking to be taken out of the traffic unit in Mullingar and was it the Garda Commissioner who had instructed counsel to adopt an aggressive stance towards Sgt McCabe at the O'Higgins Commission." According to emails released by the justice department on Monday night, an official emailed Ms Fitzgerald on lines to take if Sgt Maurice McCabe was raised with her. He said Ms Fitzgerald should stress her belief "that Sgt McCabe is a valued member of the force". Fianna Fail, which has been supporting the minority Fine Gael-led government, has demanded the resignation of Ms Fitzgerald over the affair. Last-ditch negotiations, which could see a radical overhaul of justice affairs, are said to have been constructive. "We are trying to find a middle way that allows the Government to continue and continue with the important work we are doing, particularly with Brexit and ensuring that we have necessary legislation through," the Taoiseach said. "We are doing everything we can." If no compromise is reached then it will lead to the collapse of the delicate confidence and supply arrangement that was supposed to see Mr Martin's party support the minority Fine Gael Government until the passage of the Budget in late 2018, and abstain in any no-confidence motions against ministers. The Taoiseach said only Sinn Fein wanted an election. Mr Martin has refused to back down on a motion of no confidence in Tanaiste Mrs Fitzgerald. It is scheduled for Tuesday night and, if Fianna Fail follows through with it, the confidence and supply pact would be broken and the Government would fall. If the Dail is dissolved, Mr Varadkar would be reduced to the role of caretaker Taoiseach when he travels to Brussels for the summit. The crisis has erupted at a time when Ireland's stance on Brexit, in particular its call for Northern Ireland to adhere to an EU customs framework, is threatening to thwart the UK Government's desire to progress negotiations with Europe on to a future trade deal. Crisis talks are underway in Dublin, with the prospect of a General Election before Christmas hanging in the balance. It is being reported Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald has resigned Ireland's deputy prime minister Frances Fitzgerald has said she resigned over her handling of a whistleblower scandal to avoid an "unwelcome and potentially destabilising" snap election. In a move which salvaged the minority Government, the former tanaiste said she had acted with integrity and responsibility throughout her political career. Mrs Fitzgerald said she was putting the national interest ahead of her personal reputation. "It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve in Government, but I believe it is necessary to take this decision to avoid an unwelcome and potentially destabilising general election at this historically critical time," she said in a statement. "I have always believed in fairness and equality and these principles have guided my work as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, as Minister for Justice and Equality, and now as Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation." The resignation was revealed at a cabinet meeting and came hours before a planned motion of no confidence in her. The scandal revolves around Mrs Fitzgerald's knowledge of an aggressive legal strategy against a respected Garda officer during a private inquiry in 2015. And it threatened the fragile agreement which sees opposition party Fianna Fail prop up Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's minority Government. Not only that, but the fallout is casting a long shadow over December's key Brexit summit, where the future of the border between the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland could be determined. In her resignation statement, Mrs Fitzgerald thanked the Taoiseach, who had stood by her and previously insisted he did not want her to stand down. She said he had shown the same courage and determination to protect her good name as he showed in 2014 when he defended whistleblower Sergeant Maurice McCabe and described him as distinguished. "What I admire most about the Taoiseach is that he has always believed in doing what was right - not what was popular or politically expedient," she said. "I will always be grateful for his confidence and support and for giving me the opportunity to serve in a Government that is making a real difference in people's lives at a critical time in our history." Mrs Fitzgerald acknowledged that continuing in a ministerial role risked destabilising the fragile minority Government. Head over to Independent.ie for full coverage of events as they unfold. Just hours after announcing her resignation as Ireland's deputy premier, a defiant Frances Fitzgerald sent a clear message to her opponents that she was not going away for good. The outgoing Tanaiste smiled broadly as she arrived at a selection convention in Finnstown Castle, Dublin, on Tuesday night to put herself forward as a candidate in the next general election. She refused to answer questions from the waiting media as she quickly walked into the venue where she was greeted by her supporters from her Dublin Mid-West constituency. "I'm not too bad considering all that has happened", she told well-wishers. Several people offered hugs and words of support to the woman at the centre of a political crisis that almost collapsed the Government. The selection conventions were convened days ago when a pre-Christmas election looked likely. Although that election was averted earlier in the day by Ms Fitzgerald's resignation the Government has been badly weakened by the controversy. It is thought an election could be called within a matter of months. Despite resigning "for the good of the country" Ms Fitzgerald has remained defiant that her political career was not over. Shortly after announcing she was stepping down as Tanaiste she went on Twitter to announce: "Just to confirm Dublin Mid-West @FineGael Selection Convention is still going ahead this evening in @FinnstownDublin and I will be putting my name forward for Selection. Looking forward to meeting local members." The 67-year-old's history with Fine Gael dates back more than 25 years. Ms Fitzgerald has been a TD since 2011, and also served between 1992 and 2002. She also met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and the two were seen leaving a discussion on women entrepreneurship and empowerment. PM Narendra Modi meets IvankaTrump, Advisor to the President of United States, on the sidelines of Global Entrepreneurship Summit-2017 (Photo courtesy: Twitter @PIB_India & @narendramodi)) By PTI, India Today Web Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Hyderabad today on a day-long visit. He is in the city to inaugurate the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) and has met Ivanka Trump, the advisor and daughter of US President Donald Trump, at the event. PM Modi also inaugurated the Hyderabad metro rail. PM Modi as well as Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao took a ride in the metro on its maiden run. Ivanka also touched down in the city in the early hours today to attend the GES, co-hosted by India and the US. advertisement On the sidelines of the GES 2017, Ivanka Trump met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two met each other with their respective delegations. The two also took a tour of the GES venue. Before meeting Modi, Ivanka interacted with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj as the two were seen leaving a discussion on women entrepreneurship and empowerment. Governor of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana ESL Narasimhan, Telangana CM Rao, Union Minister of State for Home, Hansraj Ahir, several Telangana ministers and BJP leaders were among those who welcomed PM Modi at Begumpet Airport. The prime minister also addressed a party meeting after arriving here this afternoon. The 30-km-long first phase of the metro rail project between Miyapur and Nagole, having 24 stations, would be thrown open to the public from tomorrow. The prime minister is scheduled to attend a dinner tonight at the Falaknuma Palace (now a luxury hotel), built during the Nizam era, before concluding his Hyderabad visit. (With PTI inputs) --- ENDS --- Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he was doing everything he could Ireland's Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has vowed to be a beacon for truth after his deputy resigned to avoid a snap election over her handling of a whistleblower scandal. Paying tribute to Frances Fitzgerald as a good woman who did not get a full or fair hearing, Mr Varadkar said parliamentary questions on issues related to the affair will be reviewed. "She always supported whistleblowers and enshrined a code of ethics in An Garda Siochana to protect them," he said. "In the past few days a drip-drip of information may have made certain things seem greater than they are. "There was a feeding frenzy, and it became impossible for her to get a fair hearing based on the full facts. "I hope that will change in the period ahead." Mrs Fitzgerald became embroiled in a scandal over the handling of Sergeant Maurice McCabe after questions began to be asked over a month ago about who knew what and when about an aggressive strategy being employed by lawyers for the then Garda commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan against the whistleblower. She initially said she had forgotten an email which notified her of the approach. Subsequently it emerged she had received at least three emails on the issue in 2015. She was told not to intervene. Mrs Fitzgerald initially insisted she had done nothing wrong and that she had no hand, act or part in the strategy. She was also backed to the hilt by the Taoiseach. But she resigned with the scandal threatening to bring down the minority Government as the opposition party Fianna Fail insisted it would not row back on its no confidence motion, breaking a key pledge in the confidence and supply deal that has kept Fine Gael in power for the last 18 months. Her departure salvaged the Government as next month's Brexit negotiations reach make or break point on the question of the Irish border. But Mrs Fitzgerald walked away adamant about her handling of the affair. "It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve in Government, but I believe it is necessary to take this decision to avoid an unwelcome and potentially destabilising general election at this historically critical time," she said in a statement. "I have always believed in fairness and equality and these principles have guided my work." Many on the opposition benches believe the affair has done long term damage to the minority Government and an election is now only weeks or months away. Mrs Fitzgerald said she was putting the national interest ahead of her personal reputation. She also praised the Taoiseach and said he had shown the same courage and determination to protect her as he showed in 2014 when he defended Sgt McCabe. "What I admire most about the Taoiseach is that he has always believed in doing what was right, not what was popular or politically expedient," she said. "I will always be grateful for his confidence and support and for giving me the opportunity to serve in a Government that is making a real difference in people's lives at a critical time in our history." Mrs Fitzgerald said she would be vindicated at the Disclosures Tribunal, which is investigating the treatment of Sgt McCabe and a smear campaign being perpetrated against him in some Garda, media and political circles. The Taoiseach described Mrs Fitzgerald as an exemplary member of government and colleague and one of the most reforming justice ministers in the history of the state. He said he believed she would be vindicated and repeated his insistence that she had no hand or part in the legal strategy employed against Sgt McCabe. "I hope calm, measured reading of the evidence will show that the Tanaiste acted appropriately, and I hope the Charleton (Disclosures) Tribunal will establish this conclusively in the weeks ahead, and that she will have her good name vindicated," he said. "I expect her to continue to play a full role in political and public life including at the highest level." The Taoiseach gave a commitment that future parliamentary questions on justice issues will be dealt with as fully and openly as possible. "These events have reminded us of some of the ways Maurice McCabe was undermined, when he shone a light in some very dark places," he said. "As Taoiseach I am determined to shine the brightest of lights into the darkest of places, so that we arrive at the truth and have true accountability." Burmas leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been stripped of her Freedom of Oxford award. Councillors on the city council took the unprecedented step amid widespread concern about her lack of action in dealing with the suffering of the Muslim Rohingya population in Burma. It is the latest snub for Ms Suu Kyi after her portrait was removed from her alma mater of St Hughs College, where she studied for a degree in philosophy, politics and economics between 1964 and 1967. In a statement following a special council meeting on Monday, councillor Mary Clarkson said: When Aung San Suu Kyi was given the Freedom of the City in 1997 it was because she reflected Oxfords values of tolerance and internationalism. We celebrated her for her opposition to oppression and military rule in Burma. We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference Today we have taken the unprecedented step of stripping her of her citys highest honour because of her inaction in the face of oppression of the minority Rohingya population. The burning of their villages has been independently confirmed by satellite images, and the UN has called the situation a textbook example of genocide yet Aung San Suu Kyi has denied any ethnic cleansing and dismissed numerous claims of sexual violence against Rohingya women as fake rape. Oxford has a long tradition of being a diverse and humane city, and our reputation is tarnished by honouring those who turn a blind eye to violence. We hope that today we have added our small voice to others calling for human rights and justice for the Rohingya people. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya people have fled to Bangladesh amid reports of atrocities in Rakhine at the hands of the Burmese military. Earlier this month Prime Minister Theresa May said Burmas treatment of its Rohingya Muslim minority looks like ethnic cleansing and the countrys military and governing authorities must take full responsibility. Expand Close Bob Geldof arrives at City Hall in Dublin to hand back his Freedom of the City of Dublin (Tom Hanon/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Bob Geldof arrives at City Hall in Dublin to hand back his Freedom of the City of Dublin (Tom Hanon/PA) Her comments came after Live Aid founder Bob Geldof handed back his freedom of the city of Dublin in protest at the same honour being held by the Burmese leader. A three-member panel of the Parole Board decided against directing the release of Tracey Connelly (Metropolitan Police/PA) The mother of Baby P will spend another two years at least behind prison bars after officials refused to release her from custody. Tracey Connelly, 33, was jailed in 2009 for letting her partner and his brother torture her 17-month-old son Peter to death. Peter, first known as Baby P in a case that shocked the nation, died in north London in August 2007. He suffered more than 50 injuries despite being on the at-risk register and receiving 60 visits from social workers, police and health professionals over the final eight months of his life. A series of reviews identified missed opportunities when officials could have saved the toddler's life if they had acted properly on the warning signs. Tracey Connelly had hoped to be released before Christmas but Parole Board chiefs ruled that she is still a danger to the public and should not be freed from jail. The mother of the 17 month-old son was released on licence in 2013 but recalled to jail 18 months later, after being accused of selling indecent images of herself. In December 2015, the Parole Board refused to release her, but said she was entitled to another review in two years. Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle walk away after posing for the media in the grounds of Kensington Palace in London, Monday Nov. 27, 2017. It was announced Monday that Prince Harry, fifth in line for the British throne, will marry American actress Meghan Markle in the spring, confirming months of rumors. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, London, after the announcement of their engagement. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday November 27, 2017. The much-anticipated news was confirmed by the Prince of Wales in a brief statement issued by Clarence House. See PA story ROYAL Wedding. Photo credit should read: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, London, after the announcement of their engagement. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday November 27, 2017. The much-anticipated news was confirmed by the Prince of Wales in a brief statement issued by Clarence House. See PA story ROYAL Wedding. Photo credit should read: Eddie Mulholland/Daily Telegraph/PA Wire Britain's Prince Harry and his fiancee US actress Meghan Markle pose for a photograph in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace in west London on November 27, 2017, following the announcement of their engagement. Britain's Prince Harry will marry his US actress girlfriend Meghan Markle early next year after the couple became engaged earlier this month, Clarence House announced on Monday. / AFP PHOTO / Daniel LEAL-OLIVASDANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images Britain's Prince Harry and his fiancee US actress Meghan Markle pose for a photograph in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace in west London on November 27, 2017, following the announcement of their engagement. Britain's Prince Harry will marry his US actress girlfriend Meghan Markle early next year after the couple became engaged earlier this month, Clarence House announced on Monday. / AFP PHOTO / Daniel LEAL-OLIVASDANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 27: Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace on November 27, 2017 in London, England. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been a couple officially since November 2016 and are due to marry in Spring 2018. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Chris Jackson/Getty Images) Britain's Prince Harry and his fiancee US actress Meghan Markle pose for a photograph in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace in west London on November 27, 2017, following the announcement of their engagement. Britain's Prince Harry will marry his US actress girlfriend Meghan Markle early next year after the couple became engaged earlier this month, Clarence House announced on Monday. / AFP PHOTO / Daniel LEAL-OLIVASDANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 27: Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace on November 27, 2017 in London, England. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been a couple officially since November 2016 and are due to marry in Spring 2018. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Chris Jackson/Getty Images) LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 27: Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace on November 27, 2017 in London, England. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been a couple officially since November 2016 and are due to marry in Spring 2018. (Photo by Eddie Mulholland-WPA Pool/Getty Images) Britain's Prince Harry and his fiancee US actress Meghan Markle pose for a photograph in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace in west London on November 27, 2017, following the announcement of their engagement. Britain's Prince Harry will marry his US actress girlfriend Meghan Markle early next year after the couple became engaged earlier this month, Clarence House announced on Monday. / AFP PHOTO / Daniel LEAL-OLIVASDANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, London, after the announcement of their engagement. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday November 27, 2017. The much-anticipated news was confirmed by the Prince of Wales in a brief statement issued by Clarence House. See PA story ROYAL Wedding. Photo credit should read: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire Britain's Prince Harry and his fiancee US actress Meghan Markle react as they pose for a photograph in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace in west London on November 27, 2017, following the announcement of their engagement. Britain's Prince Harry will marry his US actress girlfriend Meghan Markle early next year after the couple became engaged earlier this month, Clarence House announced on Monday. / AFP PHOTO / Daniel LEAL-OLIVASDANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, London, after the announcement of their engagement. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday November 27, 2017. The much-anticipated news was confirmed by the Prince of Wales in a brief statement issued by Clarence House. See PA story ROYAL Wedding. Photo credit should read: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, London, after the announcement of their engagement. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday November 27, 2017. The much-anticipated news was confirmed by the Prince of Wales in a brief statement issued by Clarence House. See PA story ROYAL Wedding. Photo credit should read: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire Britain's Prince Harry and his fiancee US actress Meghan Markle arrive to pose for photographs in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace in west London on November 27, 2017, following the announcement of their engagement. Britain's Prince Harry will marry his US actress girlfriend Meghan Markle early next year after the couple became engaged earlier this month, Clarence House announced on Monday. / AFP PHOTO / Daniel LEAL-OLIVASDANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images Britain's Prince Harry and his fiancee US actress Meghan Markle pose for a photograph in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace in west London on November 27, 2017, following the announcement of their engagement. Britain's Prince Harry will marry his US actress girlfriend Meghan Markle early next year after the couple became engaged earlier this month, Clarence House announced on Monday. / AFP PHOTO / Daniel LEAL-OLIVASDANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images Britain's Prince Harry stands with his fiancee US actress Meghan Markle as she shows off her engagement ring whilst they pose for a photograph in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace in west London on November 27, 2017, following the announcement of their engagement. Britain's Prince Harry will marry his US actress girlfriend Meghan Markle early next year after the couple became engaged earlier this month, Clarence House announced on Monday. / AFP PHOTO / Daniel LEAL-OLIVASDANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, London, after the announcement of their engagement. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday November 27, 2017. The much-anticipated news was confirmed by the Prince of Wales in a brief statement issued by Clarence House. See PA story ROYAL Wedding. Photo credit should read: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire Britain's Prince Harry and his fiancee US actress Meghan Markle pose for a photograph in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace in west London on November 27, 2017, following the announcement of their engagement. Britain's Prince Harry will marry his US actress girlfriend Meghan Markle early next year after the couple became engaged earlier this month, Clarence House announced on Monday. / AFP PHOTO / Daniel LEAL-OLIVASDANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images Britain's Prince Harry and his fiancee US actress Meghan Markle pose for a photograph in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace in west London on November 27, 2017, following the announcement of their engagement. Britain's Prince Harry will marry his US actress girlfriend Meghan Markle early next year after the couple became engaged earlier this month, Clarence House announced on Monday. / AFP PHOTO / Daniel LEAL-OLIVASDANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images Britain's Prince Harry stands with his fiancee US actress Meghan Markle as she shows off her engagement ring whilst they pose for a photograph in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace in west London on November 27, 2017, following the announcement of their engagement. Britain's Prince Harry will marry his US actress girlfriend Meghan Markle early next year after the couple became engaged earlier this month, Clarence House announced on Monday. / AFP PHOTO / Daniel LEAL-OLIVASDANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images Britain's Prince Harry stands with his fiancee US actress Meghan Markle as she shows off her engagement ring whilst they pose for a photograph in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace in west London on November 27, 2017, following the announcement of their engagement. Britain's Prince Harry will marry his US actress girlfriend Meghan Markle early next year after the couple became engaged earlier this month, Clarence House announced on Monday. / AFP PHOTO / Daniel LEAL-OLIVASDANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 27: Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle during an official photocall to announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace on November 27, 2017 in London, England. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been a couple officially since November 2016 and are due to marry in Spring 2018. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Chris Jackson/Getty Images) Prince Harry and bride-to-be Meghan Markle are to marry in May at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, Kensington Palace has announced. The American actress, who will become a senior HRH on marrying into the royals, also intends to become a British citizen. As the couple make preparations for their big day, Ms Markle, a protestant who went to a catholic high school, will be both baptised and confirmed, ready for the religious ceremony. The royal family will pay for the wedding, including the church service, the music, the flowers and the reception, the palace said. Harry's communication's secretary Jason Knauf said Windsor was a "very special place" for Harry, and that he and Ms Markle had spent time there together during their 16-month romance. He said the couple were delighted to be holding the wedding in the "beautiful grounds of Windsor". Mr Knauf said the couple, who were grateful for the warm wishes from the public, would be putting their stamp on their wedding day. "They will be making sure it reflects who they are as a couple," he said. Kensington Palace also revealed that Harry and Ms Markle will carry out their first official engagement together in Nottingham on Friday. John Profumo was MP for Kettering from 1940 to 1945 (PA) John Profumo, the Tory minister forced to quit after a notorious 1960s sex scandal, also had a long-running relationship with a glamorous Nazi spy who may have later tried to blackmail him, newly-declassified records suggest. Fashion model Gisela Winegard met Profumo at Oxford in the early 1930s before working for German intelligence in Paris during the Second World War, according to MI5 files published on Tuesday. The Security Service papers also include claims made by her American husband Edward Winegard in 1950 that the couple separated in September that year because of her endearing letters from John Dennis Profumo written on House of Commons notepaper. At the height of the Profumo Affair in 1963, MI6 sent a letter and files to MI5 investigations head Arthur Martin about Profumo and Winegard, whose maiden name was Klein, outlining her wartime and postwar exploits. In it, MI6 officer Cyril Mackay wrote: Although it is not particularly relevant to the current notorious case, Geoffrey thought you might like to have for your files the attached copy of a report from our representative (redacted), dated 2nd October 1950, which makes mention of an association between Gisela Klein and Profumo which began ca 1933 and had apparently not ceased at the time of this report. Expand Close John Profumo's political downfall came in 1963 when he was implicated in the scandal that came to bear his name (PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp John Profumo's political downfall came in 1963 when he was implicated in the scandal that came to bear his name (PA) The 1963 letter goes on to discuss a rejected 1951 application by Mrs Winegard, now reunited with her husband, for a UK visa. At the time of the application, the later MI6 letter reveals, authorities believed the Winegards had recently engaged in blackmail activities and now think it possible their intended visit to the UK may be connected with this. The papers do not say who the intended target of their blackmail efforts might be. The visa application, for a six-week pleasure visit, listed Jack Profumo, MP for South Cattering(sic) as a reference, the files show. Mr Profumo was MP for Kettering from 1940 to 1945 and for Stratford-upon-Avon from 1950. The declassified records show that Dusseldorf-born Winegard: :: Had been ordered to leave the UK in 1935 and 1936 for working as a fashion model while on non-working visas. :: Was reported as being on intimate terms with the German Military Attache in Paris in 1938, leading the Home Office to recommend she be barred from entering Britain. :: Ran a secret wartime information service for the Nazis in Paris, under the cover of a commercial information bureau which also saw her visit Italy and Greece. :: Was the mistress of, and had a child with, a high-ranking German officer. :: Was imprisoned for espionage after the Allies liberated Paris in late 1944. Edward Winegard was her US Army jailer and married her after getting her released. :: Came to the attention of the US Secret Service post-war and accused of harbouring the on-the-run chief of a German spy ring while living in the south of France. :: Was sacked by the Voice of America radio station in Tangier in early 1950 when her pro-German sympathies and imprisonment were revealed. Profumo himself told MI5 about Winegard, the archives reveal. His political downfall came in 1963 when, while Secretary of State for War, he was implicated in the scandal that came to bear his name. The lurid disclosures of high-society sex parties and claims he had shared a mistress, Christine Keeler, with a Soviet defence attache enthralled and scandalised the nation. He quit politics and devoted himself to charity work, going on to receive the CBE before dying aged 91 in 2006. Bangladesh army soldiers take positions near the headquarters of Bangladesh Rifles in Dhaka in 2009 (AP Photo/Pavel Rahman, File) Bangladesh's High Court has upheld a verdict which sentenced 139 border guards to death for their actions in a 2009 mutiny in which 74 people, including 57 military commanders, were killed. The trial court sentenced 152 people to death in 2013, but in response to an appeal, the High Court commuted the sentences for eight of them to life in prison and acquitted four others. Another man died during the 370 days of proceedings before Monday's High Court verdict. A total of 846 people, mostly border guards, are facing trial. The border guard mutiny on February 25 and 26 2009, took place two months after the prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, took office. Hasina returned to power in 2014. A three-member panel of High Court judges said in issuing its verdict that the border guards were "most brutal" and "cold-blooded" murderers. Attorney General Mahbubey Alam said after the verdict that the defendants can appeal to the Supreme Court. Defence lawyer Aminul Islam said he would advise his clients on whether to appeal after seeing the full text of the judgement. The mutiny was an acid test for Hasina's then-government, with the influential military unhappy over the government's decision not to make a counter-assault in fear of more casualties. The border guard headquarters were closely surrounded by homes and businesses in the capital, Dhaka. Hasina had offered an amnesty to quell the revolt, but rescinded the offer when dozens of bodies were found in sewers and mass graves. The amnesty offer and the government's overall handling of the case strained the military's relationship with Hasina, but she vowed to punish those responsible. Human rights groups earlier criticised Bangladesh for the mass trial, saying it would not aid justice. New York-based Human Rights Watch said at least 47 suspects had in custody. It also said the suspects have had limited access to lawyers, and little knowledge of the charges and evidence against them. Bangladeshi authorities have denied the allegations. Republican senator John McCain has joined families of Navajo war veterans who were honoured at the White House in condemning Donald Trump over a "Pocahontas" jibe at a Democratic senator. The families said they were dumbfounded that the president used the event to take a shot at Elizabeth Warren, demeaning their work with an unbreakable code that helped the US win the Second World War. Mr Trump had welcomed three Navajo code talkers to the Oval Office, calling them "incredible" and "very special people", but he then added: "We have a representative in Congress who they say was here a long time ago. They call her Pocahontas. "But you know what, I like you." The Republican president has repeatedly mocked the Massachusetts senator for claims she has made about being part Native American. Native American leaders have called Mr Trump's past attacks on Ms Warren offensive and distasteful, and she quickly denounced his comments, saying: "This was supposed to be an event to honour heroes, people who put it all on the line for our country, who, because of their incredible work, saved the lives of countless Americans and our allies. "It is deeply unfortunate that the president of the United States cannot even make it through a ceremony honouring these heroes without having to throw out a racial slur." Marty Thompson, whose great-uncle was a Navajo code talker, said: "It was uncalled for,. He can say what he wants when he's out doing his presidential business among his people, but when it comes to honouring veterans or any kind of people, he needs to grow up and quit saying things like that." Pocahontas is a well-known historical figure but the National Congress of American Indians says Mr Trump has wrongly flipped the name into a derogatory term. Arizona Republican senator John McCain, a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War, tweeted: "Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to the Navajo code talkers, whose bravery, skill & tenacity helped secure our decisive victory over tyranny & oppression during WWII. Politicizing these genuine American heroes is an insult to their sacrifice." White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said a racial slur "was certainly not the president's intent". The Navajo Nation suggested Mr Trump's remark was an example of "cultural insensitivity", and they resolved to stay out of the "ongoing feud between the senator and President Trump". "All tribal nations still battle insensitive references to our people. The prejudice that Native American people face is an unfortunate historical legacy," Navajo Nation president Russell Begaye said in a statement. AP The accused reportedly told the victim that he would help her husband secure bail and also get rid of the charges he faces. By Divyesh Singh: A police inspector's wife filed a complaint with Khadakpada police station in Kalyan under the Thane police commissionerate alleging that on September 26, her husband's friend raped her. The 42-year-old complainant stated she was alone at her residence when the accused visited her and then raped her. He then threatened to defame her if she told anyone about the incident. advertisement The victim's husband faces charges of corruption and for giving threats and had been jailed for the same when the incident happened. The accused happens to be trustee of an educational institution with connections to political leaders. He reportedly told the victim that he would help her husband secure bail and also get rid of the charges he faces. The accused had demanded Rs 5 lakh, which the victim gave him, but he kept making excuses after accepting the payment. On September 26, when the victim was alone at her residence, the accused visited her and then raped her. When the victim threatened to inform her husband about it, he reportedly grabbed her by the neck and threatened to kill and defame her if she uttered a word about the ordeal. The victim's husband was recently released on bail after which she informed him about the incident. The husband then finally convinced her on Monday to file a complaint, following which a case of rape and threat was registered against the accused. --- ENDS --- Pope Francis has said Burma's future depends on respecting the rights of each ethnic group, an indirect show of support for Rohingya Muslims, but disappointed human rights activists by failing to use the word "Rohingya". Francis also did not mention a recent military crackdown on the Rohingya - described by the UN as a textbook campaign of "ethnic cleansing" - as he delivered a speech to Burma's civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other diplomats in the capital Naypyitaw. But he lamented how Burma's people have suffered "and continue to suffer from civil conflict and hostilities", and insisted that everyone who calls Burma home deserves to have their basic human rights and dignity guaranteed. Rohingya Muslims have faced state-supported discrimination in the predominantly Buddhist country for decades, deprived of citizenship and unable to access basic services such as education and health care. In August, the army began what it called "clearance operations" in Rakhine state following an attack on police posts by Rohingya insurgents. The violence, looting and burning of villages has forced more than 620,000 Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh. In the most anticipated speech of his week-long trip to Burma and Bangladesh, Francis expressed support for Ms Suu Kyi's efforts to bring about reconciliation among different groups after decades of military dictatorship, and insisted that religious differences in must never be a cause for division or distrust. "The future of Burma must be peace, a peace based on respect for the dignity and rights of each member of society, respect for each ethnic group and its identity, respect for the rule of law, and respect for a democratic order that enables each individual and every group - none excluded - to offer its legitimate contribution to the common good," he said. His avoidance of the term "Rohingya" and his encouragement for Ms Suu Kyi's government disappointed activists and human rights groups who have criticised her for what they consider a weak response to the military crackdown. Phil Robertson, deputy director of Human Rights Watch's Asia division, said: "The Rohingya have been stripped of so many things but their name should never be one of them, and we hope that the Pope will use the word Rohingya in his Mass (on Wednesday)." Kyaw Naing, a Rohingya Muslim who lives in a camp in Rakhine state, said : "We were very happy and hopeful on his visit. But since the Pope is not allowed to call out the name 'Rohingya', we wonder how bad the human rights situation is in Myanmar (Burma). He is the holiest man in the world but it's so sad to see that even the holiest man cannot call our identity." The term "Rohingya" is shunned by many in Burma because the ethnic group is not a recognised minority in the country. Ms Suu Kyi referred to the "situation in the Rakhine" in her speech to Francis in the huge conference centre in Naypyitaw, but used the conflict as an opportunity to thank those who have supported the government as it seeks to "address long-standing issues - social, economic and political - that have eroded trust and understanding, harmony and co-operation" in Rakhine. She said the government's aim is to carry forward the peace process and strengthen Burma's diversity "by protecting rights, fostering tolerance, ensuring security for all". Francis arrived in Naypyitaw after meeting leaders of Burma's different religious groups, and also a prominent but controversial Buddhist leader who has criticised the Rohingya. The Pope stressed a message of "unity in diversity" in his 40-minute meeting with Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Christian and Jewish leaders and told them they should work together to rebuild the country, Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said. Francis's meeting with Buddhist monk Sitagu Sayadaw was undertaken "in an effort to encourage peace and fraternal coexistence as the only way ahead", Mr Burke said. AP Donald Trump will travel to Capitol Hill on Tuesday to personally lobby Republican senators (AP) Donald Trump has hinted that he could accept changes to his key tax bill as he looks to win over holdout Republican senators in an effort to pass the package by the end of the year. In a morning tweet, the president said: "With just a few changes, some mathematical, the middle class and job producers can get even more in actual dollars and savings." He suggested openness to making unspecified changes to the way millions of "pass-through" businesses are taxed, a sticking point for some legislators. Mr Trump and Republicans have set as a vital political goal the passage of tax overhaul legislation by the end of the year. The House of Representatives recently passed a 1.5 trillion dollar (1.1 trillion) bill, and Senate Republican leaders hope to muscle the bill through this week. The package blends a sharp reduction in top corporate and business tax rates with more modest relief for individuals. Mr Trump is meeting five members of the Senate Finance Committee who are on board with the Republican plan, and will travel to Capitol Hill on Tuesday to personally lobby Republican senators. In a boost for Republican efforts, senator Rand Paul of Kentucky said he would back the measure. "I'm not getting everything I want - far from it. But I've been immersed in this process. I've fought for and received major changes for the better - and I plan to vote for this bill as it stands right now," Mr Paul said. Republicans have no votes to spare in the Senate, where they hold a razor-thin 52-48 edge. Holdouts include Susan Collins of Maine, who has objected to a provision in the Senate bill repealing the requirement under the Obamacare programme that everyone should have health insurance. Ms Collins has said that issue should be dealt with separately from the effort to overhaul the tax code. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin has already declared his opposition to the bill, saying it does not cut business taxes enough for partnerships and corporations. Bob Corker of Tennessee, and John McCain and Jeff Flake of Arizona also have concerns about the bill and its impact on the nation's deficit. Last week, Mr Trump promised to "give the American people a huge tax cut for Christmas". AP A cat walks on a dock near the Mar de Plata Naval Base, in Argentina (AP) Water entered the snorkel of an Argentinian submarine and caused one of its batteries to short circuit before the vessel went missing 12 days ago, a navy spokesman has said. Hopes for survivors have been largely crushed by reports of an explosion detected near the time and place where the ARA San Juan was last heard from on November 15. Since then, there have been no signs of the sub or debris despite an intensive multinational search. Experts have said the crew had only enough oxygen to last up to 10 days if the sub remained intact but submerged. The navy said last week that before the submarine went missing, the captain reported an electrical problem in a battery compartment and the vessel was ordered to return to its base in the coastal city of Mar del Plata, about 250 miles southeast of Buenos Aires. Navy spokesman Enrique Balbi told reporters on Monday that the captain said water had entered through the snorkel when the sub was charging batteries. The water went through the ventilation system to a battery connection tray in the prow and "caused a short circuit and the beginning of a fire, or smoke without flame", he said. Mr Balbi said the captain later communicated by satellite phone that the problem had been contained. "They had to electrically isolate the battery and continue sailing underwater to Mar del Plata using another battery circuit," Mr Balbi said. The San Juan, a German-built diesel-electric TR-1700 class submarine, was commissioned in 1985 and was most recently refitted in 2014. Some family members have denounced the navy's response to the disappearance and the age and condition of the vessel. President Mauricio Macri has promised an investigation. The navy says more than a dozen countries are still helping search for the sub in area where the explosion was recorded about 270 miles off the coast of Argentina. Mr Balbi said a Norwegian ship carrying the US Navy's underwater remotely operated vehicle and its pressurised rescue module was expected to arrive to the search zone later on Monday. AP ein Google-Unternehmen Google-Dienste anzubieten und zu betreiben Ausfalle zu prufen und Manahmen gegen Spam, Betrug und Missbrauch zu ergreifen Daten zu Zielgruppeninteraktionen und Websitestatistiken zu erheben. 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Sofern relevant, verwenden wir Cookies und Daten auerdem, um Inhalte und Werbung altersgerecht zu gestalten. Wir verwenden Cookies und Daten, umWenn Sie Alle akzeptieren auswahlen, verwenden wir Cookies und Daten auch, umWahlen Sie Weitere Optionen aus, um sich zusatzliche Informationen anzusehen, einschlielich Details zum Verwalten Ihrer Datenschutzeinstellungen. Sie konnen auch jederzeit g.co/privacytools besuchen. By PTI: (Eds: Updating with more inputs) By Aditi Khanna London, Nov 28 (PTI) Holding each others hands and gushing love, Prince Harry says that his falling in love "so incredibly quickly" with fiancee Meghan Markle on a blind date was a confirmation to him that "stars were aligned" and "everything was just perfect". In his first interview after announcing his engagement yesterday, the 33-year-old, fifth in line to Britains throne told the BBC that he proposed Markle, three years older to him, earlier this month over a "standard, typical" dinner of roast chicken at their Nottingham Cottage home in Kensington Palace in London. advertisement "He went down on one knee," overwhelmed Markle said, adding "it was just an amazing surprise. It was so sweet and natural and very romantic." Harry and Markle were seen laughing, joking and chatting with each other through out the interview. The 36-year-old Suits actress was wearing a stunning three stone diamond engagement ring, designed by Prince Harry himself, which has two stones from Princess Dianas personal collection. The ring has at its heart a diamond from Botswana, a country where the couple have spent time together over the last year and a half, with a golden band. Harry described how this beautiful woman just sort of literally tripped and fell into my life, I fell into her life and said she would have been best friends with his late mother. "She didnt even let me finish. She said Can I say yes. Then there were hugs and I had the ring in my finger. I was like Can I give you the ring?. It was a really nice moment. Just the two of us," Harry recalled. "The fact that I fell in love with Markle so incredibly quickly was confirmation to me that all the stars were aligned, everything was just perfect," he said. The couple revealed that they had met on a blind date set up by a mutual friend in London last July and got to know each other camping in Botswana, South Africa. "I think about three, maybe four weeks later I managed to persuade her to come and join me in Botswana. And we camped out with each other under the stars... she came and joined me for five days out there, which was absolutely fantastic," said Harry. The prince also revealed that he had not been aware of Markle before their first meeting as he had never watched her television show. Markle, who is already involved in humanitarian work and is a womens advocate with the United Nations (UN), confirmed that she would be moving away from her acting career to focus on her new royal role. advertisement The star of US legal drama said she was looking forward to focusing more energy on the causes that are important to her. "I know that she will be unbelievably good at the job part of it (royalty) as well," Harry said. The couple are due to get married in spring next year, with speculation that the wedding is likely to take place in May 2018 after Prince William and Kate Middletons third child is born in April. Earlier, Clarence House, the office of Harrys father Prince Charles, had announced that the pair had sought and received the blessings of Queen Elizabeth II. Harry revealed that during their meeting, his grandmothers corgi dogs had instantly taken to his bride-to-be. PTI AK AMS DPB AKJ DPB --- ENDS --- Dr. Marsha Bordner has captured the remarkable career of her husband, Harold Brown, in Keep Your Airspeed Up: The Story of a Tuskegee Airman. The couple were scheduled to talk about the book at the Bowling Green Performing Arts Center, but the event has been postponed to a later date. By Bonnie Blankinship Drs. Marsha Bordner and Harold Brown began in very different places and years apart, but when their lives trajectories brought them together in 1987, they formed a romantic and professional bond that has lasted for 30 years. They have built strong legacies as pioneers in Ohio higher education and as role models for women, African-Americans and the power of hard work to achieve success. Bordner, president emerita of Terra State Community College, and Brown have collaborated on a book about his service in the United States Army Air Force. Published in August by the University of Alabama Press, Keep Your Airspeed Up: The Story of a Tuskegee Airman chronicles Browns experiences with the fabled World War II military fliers, the first African-American pilot squadron. It also shares his life after the war, as a career military man and later a leader in Ohio higher education and community service. As an English major, I know a good story when I hear one, Bordner said of the decision to undertake writing the book. What drove me and what was my passion was that this group of men changed the course of history; they were the leaders in civil rights long before the 60s. I knew it was important not to lose their stories. This is entirely Harolds tale, and Im the weaver of the tale.Tuskegee Plane Bordner, who holds bachelors and masters degrees from Bowling Green State University and a Ph.D. from Ohio State University, said, I appreciate my BGSU education. It made me a better writer, editor and critical thinker. Brown, 93, was born in Minneapolis and fell in love with airplanes when he was in the sixth grade. He wanted to become a military pilot an aspiration that was not available to black people at the time. He lived in a fairly integrated community for most of his young life. I didnt know what segregation was in Minnesota, he said. We had Polish, Swedish, Jewish, Mexican kids in our small, K-6 school and our neighborhood. Then the Depression came and there was 35 percent unemployment. Suddenly with the war, things were working in my favor. Doors were wide open for youngsters to enlist in the military. His older brother was drafted in 1942, and his parents realized he would be next. At first only those with college degrees could train to become pilots, but soon so many were needed that they accepted people with only a high school degree, Brown said. I was 17 when I passed the exams and was accepted. The good news was, I would get to fight the war the way I wanted to. He enlisted and entered military flight training at Tuskegee, Alabama. Although it allowed him to achieve his dream of being a pilot, Tuskegee also placed him squarely in the middle of Southern anti-black discrimination whenever he ventured off base a situation that would persist long after the war. Life outside the eventually integrated military did not keep up with life within it, Brown and his fellow airmen found. But in his Red Tail squadron, as they were known for their planes signature markings, Brown was part of the crucial effort of escorting the heavy bombers deep into German territory on bombing raids. If it seems harsh and barbaric now, it was just the job we had to do to the best of our ability, he said. You accepted the fact that this was a war of survival. We were there to protect the bombers and get them up and then home safely. Today, among his numerous speaking engagements, Brown travels about with the Red Tail Squadron, an inspirational group of veterans who teach children and adults about the war and service to country. Their mottos are: Aim high. Believe in yourself. Use your brain. Be ready to go. Never quit. Expect to win. Perhaps it was those directives that helped get him through the war and impelled him to accomplish all he has in his life. But sheer bravery must be among his qualities as well. Brown is a three-time survivor of crash landings; only one of them truly frightened him, he said. In the first one and in the second one, I was under complete control. In the third one I was not in control, he said. That occurred when he crashed in the United States while he was an instructor on a training flight after the war. The pilot of the plane he was in and the pilot of a second plane unwittingly flew straight toward one another in heavy cloud cover until it was almost too late. Miraculously, one chose to turn his plane down and the other up, avoiding a head-on collision, but at 3,000 feet above the ground their planes clipped and they came down. After all the perils he faced during the war, I didnt want to die so close to home! Brown said. The other two crashes occurred during the war. The first time, he managed to land on an abandoned airstrip after being hit my enemy fire. It was damaged, but my skills allowed me to bring the plane down safely, Brown said. Near the end of the war, he survived a second attack by parachuting out of his plane, only to be faced by an angry mob of citizens who clearly wanted to kill me, he said. We were trained to get as far away from the target as we could if we crashed, he said. After all our bombing of their territory, when you come floating down they get a little upset, to say the least, he said wryly. I was looking death in the face, and I said to myself, Youre going to die at only 20. He was saved by a local constable who walked him to another village where they barricaded themselves in a little pub. The constable even put a round in Browns rifle, and they stayed there until military police picked him up and took him to a prisoner of war camp. By then, the Germans had nothing, Brown said. With the Allies closing in, the prisoners were marched and then taken by train and bus to other camps until the war finally ended and the prisoners were liberated. They waited impatiently in Le Havre, France, at transition Camp Lucky Strike, where they were deloused, showered and given new uniforms before being shipped back to the States where, despite their heroism in the war, the Tuskegee Airmen faced the same old, same old segregated rules whenever we stepped off base, Brown said. After a 23-year career fighting in World War II, serving during the Korean War and representing his country in the Strategic Air Command, he left the military as a lieutenant colonel and earned masters and doctoral degrees. Having many years experience teaching adults, he made a smooth transition to higher education, he said. He retired as vice president for academic affairs at Columbus State Community College. Like Bordner, he was devoted to equality and making opportunities available to more people, beginning with what was then the technical college system. Bordner and Browns writing collaborations go back to when they met. He came to serve as interim vice president for academic affairs at what became Clark State Community College in Springfield, Ohio, where she was an academic dean. So, technically, Harold was my boss, she said humorously. His charge was to facilitate the schools transition from a technical institute to a community college, part of a statewide movement toward expanding the mission of its technical colleges in order to increase opportunities for students. Marsha worked with one other person on research and she was an outstanding writer, Brown said. With her Ph.D. and her English degree, she had the skills. We put together a five-chapter proposal for the school. They helped the school develop numerous degree programs that would articulate with state four-year colleges and provide a pathway to higher educational achievement, leading Clark State to be viewed as a model for other technical schools in making the transition to community college. Both eventually moved on to other colleges, maintaining a long-distance relationship amid busy schedules until about 10 years ago, when they finally were able to settle together in Port Clinton, Ohio. From the time they met, Bordner was intrigued by his stories of his war experiences and, after they married, began writing them down, recording his and his brothers reminiscences and collecting memorabilia. Over their 30 years together she gathered tons of information, Brown said. But as a busy college president, it was hard to find the time to do anything with it all. After I retired in 2012, it was time to write the book, she said. I had Harolds stories and I added a fair amount of history on my own to place it all in its historical context. The stories are all his and the writing is all mine. Their paths might never have crossed but for their shared values. Bordner said that after obtaining her degrees, she almost went into social work but, believing everyone should have a shot at higher education, she chose that path instead. I felt that the two-year college system was a good fit for me. And working with students who had not had educational opportunities really touched my heart, and I saw that with hard work and support they could succeed. Bordner eventually rose to become president of Terra. Under her leadership, the college converted to the semester system; raised $2 million for a capital campaign; built a new skilled-trades center; completed a major renovation project that created a wing for music and the arts and another for nursing and allied health; and developed several new programs in health careers. In June 2011, the colleges board of trustees renamed a recently renovated campus building the Marsha S. Bordner Arts and Health Technologies Center. She was BGSUs 2012 August commencement speaker. Bordner and Brown will be among the keynote speakers for the BGSU/Bowling Green Beyond the Dream events in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Their presentation will be held from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 12 at the Bowling Green Performing Arts Center at Bowling Green High School, 530 W. Poe Road. The UKs business department has secured a major multi-million pound investment with a leading Life Sciences firm, MSD, known as Merck and co. in North America. The UK Government is going to unveil its flagship industrial strategy White Paper which is aimed at improving productivity and bolstering investment. The UKs business department has secured a major multi-million pound investment with a leading Life Sciences firm, MSD, known as Merck and co. in North America. It has also said that this deal is a huge vote of confidence in the Governments industrial strategy for the future. While details of MSDs plans are expected to be unveiled later, the investment by the global healthcare company will involve creating a new world class hub in the UK, which will help ensure innovative research into future treatments for patients and pioneering medicines are completed in Britain. According to the news reported by The Herald, The new venture, at an as yet undisclosed location, will create a new world-leading life sciences discovery research facility in the UK, supporting a total of 950 jobs in high-skilled and high-value research roles. The investment has been secured through the upcoming Life Sciences Sector Deal, one of four such deals the Government is set to confirm later today and announce details in the weeks ahead. Alongside the Life Sciences Sector Deal, Whitehall will confirm it has agreed deals with the construction, artificial intelligence and automotive industries. Each deal, said the Department, represented a new strategic and long-term partnership with Government, backed by private sector co-investment. Business Secretary Greg Clark said: Powered by new technology, new industries are being created, existing ones changing and the way we live our lives as workers, citizens and consumers transformed. He insisted the UK was an open, flexible economy, built on trade and engagement with the world with a competitive business environment, renowned for innovation and discovery and with commercial and industrial sectors, that were competitive with the best in the world. Admitting Britains productivity performance had not been good enough and was holding back our earning power as a country, Mr Clark added: This Industrial Strategy deliberately strengthens the five foundations of productivity: ideas; people; infrastructure; business environment and places. By acting together as a nation, and in a sustained way, to improve the underperforming conditions for productivity we can drive up our earning power, he added. The White Paper follows extensive engagement by Government with industry, academia and business bodies, which submitted almost 2,000 responses to the Green Paper consultation earlier in 2017. In the Strategy, the Government identifies four grand challenges, global trends that will shape the countrys rapidly changing future and which it made clear the UK must embrace and lead to ensure it harnessed all the economic and social opportunities they brought. The first four are - *Artificial Intelligence. The Department said the rise of AI was changing the world and the UK had to be at the forefront of this data-driven revolution and grasp the opportunities it presented through the AI Sector Deal. *Clean growth. The global shift to clean growth presented huge opportunities for innovation that Government and industry must take advantage of by backing the development, manufacture and use of low carbon technologies. *An ageing society. To effectively meet the needs of an ageing population, the Department said the UK must harness innovations in medical care, technology and services. *Future mobility. From driverless cars to drone-delivered goods, the way people, goods and services were transported was evolving rapidly and the UK needed to be a world leader in shaping what the future of mobility looked like. The Department said that the investment is built on the announcement made by the Government last week that its ambition was to deliver a step-change in the level of investment in research and development, rising from 1.7 per cent to 2.4 per cent of GDP by 2027. This, it added, could mean around 80bn of additional investment in advanced technology in the next decade, helping to transform whole sectors, create new industries, and support innovation across the country. By PTI: By Aditi Khanna London, Nov 28 (PTI) Britains Prince Harry will marry his American actress girlfriend Meghan Markle at St Georges Chapel in Windsor Castle in May next year, Kensington Palace said today. The Royal Family will pay for the wedding, including the service, music, flowers and the reception. The 36-year-old Markle, a protestant Christian, will be baptised and confirmed into the Anglican faith before the wedding, the palace said. advertisement The Suits actress also intends to become a British citizen and will work towards it in the coming years. Prince Harrys communications secretary Jason Knauf described Windsor as a "very special place" for the couple, saying they had spent time there together since meeting in July 2016. The announcement has confirmed the speculation that the couple was due to get married in May next year after Prince William and Kate Middletons third child is born in April. The 33-year-old Harry, fifth in line to Britains throne, in his first interview to the BBC after announcing his engagement yesterday said that he proposed to Markle over a "standard" dinner of at their Nottingham Cottage home in Kensington Palace in London. The couple said that they had met on a blind date set up by a mutual friend in London last July and got to know each other while camping in Botswana, South Africa. "He went down on one knee. It was just an amazing surprise," Markle said, adding that the experience was " so sweet and natural and very romantic". "The fact that I fell in love with Markle so incredibly quickly was confirmation to me that all the stars were aligned, everything was just perfect," Harry said. Markle is already involved with humanitarian work and is a womens advocate with the United Nations. Earlier, Clarence House, the office of Harrys father Prince Charles, had announced that the pair had sought and received the blessings of Queen Elizabeth II. Harry revealed that during their meeting, his grandmothers corgi dogs had instantly taken to his bride-to- be. PTI AK MRJ MRJ --- ENDS --- By PTI: (Eds: Updating with fresh inputs) By Aditi Khanna London, Nov 28 (PTI) Britains Prince Harry will marry his American actress girlfriend Meghan Markle at St Georges Chapel in Windsor Castle in May next year, Kensington Palace announced today. The Royal Family will pay for the wedding, including the service, music, flowers and the reception. The 36-year-old Markle, a protestant Christian, will be baptised and confirmed into the Anglican faith before the wedding, the palace said. advertisement The Suits actress also intends to become a British citizen and will work towards it in the coming years. Prince Harrys communications secretary Jason Knauf described Windsor as a "very special place" for the couple, saying they had spent time there together since meeting in July 2016. The announcement has confirmed the speculation that the couple was due to get married in May next year after Prince William and Kate Middletons third child is born in April. The 33-year-old Harry, fifth in line to Britains throne, in his first interview to the BBC after announcing his engagement yesterday said that he proposed to Markle over a "standard" dinner of at their Nottingham Cottage home in Kensington Palace in London. Harry, one of the worlds most eligible bachelors, said he and Markle got engaged earlier this month. The couple said that they had met on a blind date set up by a mutual friend in London last July and got to know each other while camping in Botswana, South Africa. "He went down on one knee. It was just an amazing surprise," Markle said, adding that the experience was " so sweet and natural and very romantic". "The fact that I fell in love with Meghan so incredibly quickly was confirmation to me that all the stars were aligned, everything was just perfect," Harry said. Markle, daughter of an African-American mother and white American father, is already involved with humanitarian work and is a womens advocate with the UN. Earlier, Clarence House, the office of Harrys father Prince Charles, had announced that the pair had sought and received the blessings of Queen Elizabeth II. Harry revealed that during their meeting, his grandmothers corgi dogs had instantly taken to his bride-to- be. PTI AK MRJ KUN --- ENDS --- By PTI: New Delhi, Nov 28 (PTI) The Centre today told the Supreme Court that the process of publication of National Register of Citizens (NRC) could cause unrest in Assam as lakhs of people may lose their citizenship in the exercise. It said that the deadline fixed by the apex court for updating the draft NRC was December 31, 2017, and its publication may result in serious law and order problem in the state. advertisement Attorney General K K Venugopal made the submission while arguing in a another case relating to fixing of accountability for damage to life and property during protests. "Large scale work is going on in updating the NRC in Assam. Lakhs of people will be included in the NRC while lakhs of people may lose citizenship. Government of India is apprehensive about large scale agitation on publication of the updated list," he told a bench of Justices Adarsh Kumar Goel and U U Lalit. The AG said the Centre was mobilising forces to check any untoward incident in the state as the date of publication of draft NRC was nearing. The apex court was told that as on November 22, a total of 3.29 crore claims have been made for inclusion in the NRC, which is being prepared to identify illegal migrants. The NRC of 1951 is being updated for Assam in accordance with the tripartite agreement between the state and central governments and All Assam Students Union (AASU) arrived at in 2005 to implement the 1985 Assam Accord. A separate bench of apex court is already supervising the process of updating the draft NRC as per the Assam Accord. PTI MNL ABA SJK ARC --- ENDS --- Widespread late-spring falls are predicted to soak much of Australia's south-east in coming days, with conditions described as "tropical" in areas used to much milder conditions. The combination of a low pressure system and associated troughs will bring rain to inland Victoria and NSW from Friday onwards, Tom Hough, a meteorologist from Weatherzone, said. Thunderstorms are possible before then, with storms a chance for Tuesday afternoon in Sydney. They may return on Saturday when 10-20 millimetres of rain is forecast. "There's a fair amount of instability and moisture around," Mr Hough said, adding that localised falls could reach 60 millimetres or more on Saturday for areas near Canberra. All Australian doctors aged 70 or over will have to undergo regular health checks to prove they are fit to practise, as part of a new plan to weed out dangerous medical professionals. Those who work in isolation, such as solo GPs, will also face additional scrutiny, as will those who have received multiple proven complaints against them. Older doctors will have their health checked. Credit:John Taggart But doctors will not have to resit their exams every five years. The announcement was made by the Medical Board of Australia on Tuesday, as part of planned professional performance requirements to pinpoint risky doctors. Toddler Mason Lee would have been "miserable" in the hours before his death from a tear to his small intestine, a court has heard. Mother Anne Maree Lee, stepfather William Andrew O'Sullivan and teenager Ryan Robert Barry Hodson are facing a committal hearing in Brisbane Magistrates Court to determine whether they will stand trial for 21-month-old's manslaughter. A pediatric surgeon told the court on Tuesday Mason had bruises "all over his body" when he died in June 2016, and that the toddler would have been "miserable" from the fatal injury to his abdomen. AAP The mother, stepfather and a teenage acquaintance of Queensland toddler Mason Lee have been committed to stand trial for his manslaughter. Mason was just 21-months-old when he died in 2016 from a rupture to his small intestine, believed to have been caused by blunt force trauma. Mason Lee was found dead at a Caboolture home, north of Brisbane, on June 11. After a two-day hearing, Anne Maree Lee, William Andrew O'Sullivan and Ryan Robert Barry Hodson were on Tuesday committed to stand trial in the Brisbane Supreme Court at a later date on the charge of manslaughter. The hearing was told Mason was covered in bruises when his lifeless body was handed over a fence to a paramedic in the early hours of June 11. While Australia's big four banks are concerned about the prospect of a banking royal commission, it may well be the least of their worries. In fact, in the next few years they may well have their lunch eaten by technology companies such as Google, Amazon or Apple. A study across 22 countries, recently released by global management consulting firm Bain & Co, reveals 60 per cent of US consumers would be willing to get financial products from a tech company like Amazon, Google, PayPal or Apple. More importantly, consumer confidence in these companies was higher than consumer confidence on banks. The 'big four' banks could be up for some competition from the tech sector. Credit:Paul Rovere This is a kick in the guts for traditional banking. In the big picture of things, the role of banks is to be the trust agents in the economy. People trust them with their money, and trust the banks to settle transactions on their behalf. But if that trust is broken - and evidence suggests it certainly is - it opens a void that technology companies can fill. Australian banks really are at risk here. Just last week, Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell pointedly said that Australian banks "miss the point" when it comes to small business. Her point is that banks are more interested in lending against property than they are in lending against cash flow. The man who allegedly planned to commit mass murder on New Year's Eve once claimed he had been approached by ASIO to spy on terror plotters. Ali Khalif Shire Ali told a forum that ASIO attempted to recruit him because they suspected he knew Farhad Jabar, the 15-year-old boy who shot dead a police employee in Parramatta, and other extremists. The 'Innocent Until Proven Muslim' forum was held in Melbourne on November 14, 2015 - six weeks after Jabar killed Curtis Cheng. Mr Ali, who told the forum his name was Ali Shire, and was 18 at the time, said the intelligence agency first approached him at home when his parents were out. In the coming days 45 years since Murray Hill and his colleagues in the South Australian Parliament set Australia on that journey this week in the Senate and next week in the other place we will complete it. But merely to decide that conduct should not be the subject of the criminal law is a long way short of acceptance. By decriminalising consensual homosexual acts, the Australian community only began its long, halting journey to recognising the complete equality of gay people a journey first of toleration, then of acceptance, then of respect and, at last, of embrace. Murray Hill's bill was the first step taken in any Australian Parliament to reform the laws discriminating against homosexual people the word "gay" had not entered the vocabulary at that time, at least not in the sense we use it today. In the quarter-century that followed, all of the states and territories, under governments of both political persuasions, would follow suit. The last was Tasmania, where private consensual homosexual acts continued to be a crime until as recently as 1997. On Wednesday, August 2, 1972, Mr Murray Hill, a Liberal member of the South Australian Legislative Council, rose to move the second reading of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act Amendment Bill. The effect of the bill was to provide that homosexual acts between consenting adult males should no longer be offences under the criminal law. Profoundly important though the acceptance of same-sex marriage may be as a social change, its symbolic significance is even greater still. With the passage of this bill, we will demolish the last significant bastion of legal discrimination against people on the grounds of their sexuality. At last, Australia will no longer be insulting gay people by saying: Different rules apply to you. I want to reflect for a moment on the message this will send, in particular, to young gay people: to the boy or girl who senses a difference from their friends, which they find difficult to understand and impossible to deal with. In his first speech in the Parliament, my friend Tim Wilson spoke movingly of his own experience of confronting that knowledge, as a tormenting fear "that took an energetic 12-year-old and hollowed his confidence to eventually doubt his legitimate place in the world". How many hundreds of thousands of young Australians have known that fear? How many have lived with it, silently and alone? How many have failed to come to terms with it and been overborne by it? By passing this bill, we are saying to those vulnerable young people: There is nothing wrong with you. You are not unusual. You are not abnormal. You are just you. There is nothing to be embarrassed about. There is nothing to be ashamed of. There is nothing to hide. You are a normal person and, like every other normal person, you have a need to love. How you love is how God made you. Whom you love is for you to decide and others to respect. Australia may have been slow to reach this day we are the last of the English-speaking democracies, and one of the last countries in what was once called Western Christendom to embrace marriage equality. But when that day did come, it came triumphantly, it came joyously, and it came, most importantly, from the Australian people themselves. Like all of the best and most enduring social change, it was not imposed from above. The will for it germinated in the hearts and minds of the people. Now that the Australian people have spoken, it is for us, their elected representatives, to respond. And so, let us now complete the task which they have set us, and for which so many of us have worked for so long. George Brandis is the Attorney-General. Communications Minister Mitch Fifield has described Triple J's decision to move the Hottest 100 countdown from Australia Day as "dumb" and told the public broadcaster to reconsider. The youth-focused radio station announced on Monday that it would no longer hold its popular annual countdown on January 26 after surveying tens of thousands of listeners, 60 per cent of whom supported it being moved. The announcement also follows a campaign to shift the date from Australia Day out of respect for Indigenous Australians, many of whom see the current date as a celebration of invasion by European settlers. While Indigenous musicians, the Greens and others have welcomed the move, it has been met with an immediate backlash. Senator Fifield condemned it as "an attempt to de-legitimise Australia Day" and said he would be asking the ABC board to reverse the decision. The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued a show cause notice to the Home Secretaries of Punjab and Haryana on the issue of sanitization of various Deras located in their respective states. By Manjeet Sehgal: The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday issued a show cause notice to the Home Secretaries of Punjab and Haryana on the issue of sanitization of various Deras located in their respective states. The court while hearing a contempt of court petition moved by senior Punjab and Haryana High Court advocate Mahendra Singh Joshi asked the state governments to explain why the 2014 court orders pertaining to the Dera sanitization were not implemented. advertisement The petitioner, who has made Haryana Home Secretary a party, had informed the court that Haryana government did not follow 2014 court orders in which the state was asked to sanitize the Deras on a regular basis in order to prevent illegal activities in the name of religion. Citing the recent Panchkula and Sirsa violence which took place in August this year, the petitioner said that had Haryana sanitized Dera Sacha Sauda, the violence may not have happened. "The sanitization drive was carried out on papers only in 2014 as the police officials who visited Dera had returned empty handed as they were not allowed to venture inside the secret hideouts of madera chief. Even the recent sanitization drive was also very formal as it was carried after all the illegal weapons were moved out of Dera," Mohinder Singh Joshi told India Today. The petitioner has also cited a 2010 Indian Army alert in which the authorities were alerted about the weapon training programmes organised by army and police officers at Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters. The High Court has added to the woes of Haryana government which is at a receiving end on the issue of violence caused by Dera goons in the state. Poor handling of the case had raised many questions about state government's stand towards the controversial Dera and its goons. --- ENDS --- Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams Its finally ready for a byte! The long-awaited Apple Store in Fort Greene will have its grand opening this Saturday. The high-end technology giants shop on the bottom floor of the luxury 300 Ashland tower is now the second in the borough the first opened on Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg last summer. Rumors of an Apple Store moving into Americas Downtown had been ripening for years, back when former Beep Marty Markowitz penned an electronic missive to the firms late founder Steve Jobs on his fancy iPad asking him to open an outpost of the California-based company in Kings County in 2010. The first as this newspaper brilliantly predicted in 2012 moved into Williamsburg in July 2016, and then in November 2016, Apple honchos signed a 10-year lease for space in developer Two Trees 32-story tower, according to the Real Deal. The Flatbush Avenue Apple Store will join a mini Whole Foods Market thats set to open in 2018, a branch of the Brooklyn Public Library, a home for the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts, a Brooklyn Academy of Music cinema, and 379 apartments in the tower near Ashland Place and Lafayette Avenue. Reach reporter Julianne Cuba at (718) 2604577 or by e-mail at jcuba @cngl ocal.com . Follow her on Twitter @julcuba. In the Burg: The Bedford Avenue Apple Store. Community News Group / Dennis Lynch Apple Downtown Brooklyn (123 Flatbush Avenue near Hanson Place in Fort Greene). Grand opening Dec. 2 at 10 am. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams A motorist struck and killed a 14-year-old boy as he rode his bike in Greenwood Heights on Nov. 25, police said. Edwin Ajacalon was crossing Fifth Avenue along 23rd Street at 6 pm, when the driver collided with him from behind the wheel of his grey sedan as he traveled along Fifth Avenue heading towards Sunset Park, according to police. A surveillance camera mounted outside a Fifth Avenue eatery captured footage of the lethal impact, and shows the drivers vehicle cruising at a high speed before hitting and dragging the bicyclist down the block towards 24th Street. Paramedics who arrived at the scene found the teen unconscious, and rushed him to Methodist Hospital on Seventh Avenue, where he was pronounced dead, cops said. The force of the crash tore Ajacalons battery-powered bike in half, the scattered pieces of which were found strewn along the block between 23rd and 24th streets, along with the boys shoes and red hat. The driver remained at the scene following the wreck, and police declined to press charges pending the results of an ongoing investigation, officials said. An eye-witness who said she was working at a nearby eatery and saw the collision described the driver as rushing to make a changing traffic signal when he struck the boy. The kid was standing over there and ready to cross when the car sped up trying to make the light, said Diana Popoca, who spoke through a translator. The light was changing, so he sped up. Sheer force: The collision that claimed the life of a 14-year-old boy in Park Slope tore his battery-powered bike in half. Photo by Paul Martinka The motorist first tried to flee the scene after the collision, Popoca said, but the driver of another car maneuvered that vehicle to block him from leaving. The witness claimed that four people then spilled out of the cornered sedan, one of whom managed to escape on foot despite a crowd of bystanders that detained the other three. When he tried to run there was some other car close by that drove in front of it, so he couldnt run, she said. Ajacalon emigrated from Guatemala last year, and delivered food for a local restaurant to support his parents, who stayed in the Central American country when the boy moved to Brooklyn, according to his uncle, Estuardo Vicente. The family is soliciting donations in order cover the cost of transporting the teens body to his parents village, according to an assistant for Borough President Adams. They just want to be able to send their sons body back, said Denise Felipe-Adams, who has worked with the family since Ajacalons death. If theres anything possible to help that, please extend yourselves to them. The beep rallied with other pols including councilmen Carlos Menchaca (DSunset Park) and Brad Lander (DPark Slope), and state Sen. Jesse Hamilton (DProspect Lefferts Gardens), on Nov. 27, advocating installation of speed cameras throughout Brooklyn in the wake of the boys death. The police department is looking at cameras to make a determination if the operator of the vehicle was speeding, he said. Thats why we need more speed cameras in the city. Reach reporter Colin Mixson at cmixs on@cn gloca l.com or by calling (718) 260-4505. The Guardian newspaper has today reported that a confidential study conducted by the UK government and the European commission has listed 142 cross-border activities on the island of Ireland that would be negatively impacted by a hard Brexit. The list was based on work initiated by the UK government in August after a request from Brussels to help negotiators on both sides understand what the impact on citizens would be, amid concerns that a position paper published by the British focused solely on trade, and ignored, for example, aspects of the Good Friday peace agreement. According to the report, heart surgery in Dublin for children from Northern Ireland would be affected as well as cancer treatment in Derry for people from the Republic because patients, clinicians and ambulances are free to move across the border without checks. Mobile phone roaming could also be affected. Speaking to the Guardian, a source familiar with the exercise said, "We are now working with the European commission on an ongoing mapping project to make sure we have a full understanding of what is involved." Source: www.businessworld.ie Euro zone government bond yields were pinned to recent lows on Tuesday as the Irish government teetered on the brink of collapse, casting a shadow over a key Brexit summit next month. A snap election looms in Ireland after the opposition party propping up the minority government said the Tanaiste's refusal to quit would force the country to the polls next month. A motion of no confidence in the minister in question, Frances Fitzgerald, is due at 2000 GMT on Tuesday unless she quits. Ireland is set to play a major role in December's Brexit meeting, telling EU leaders whether it believes sufficient progress has been made on the future of the border between EU-member Ireland and the British province of Northern Ireland. "I think the issue is already contributing to the yield levels and if we have snap elections and then if a Brexit deal is in jeopardy then it will have a major impact," said DZ Bank analyst Sebastian Fellechner. "It could lead to a risk-off environment and be a disruptive factor in this very calm market," he said. Most euro zone bond yields edged lower in early trade, with 10-year German yields -- the benchmark for the region -- dropping to 0.33, barley 2 basis points off the November lows. Ireland's bond yield spread over Germany's widened a touch to 24 bps, just a shade off the one-month high hit last week. The yield on 10-year British Gilts also dropped to 1.245 percent, a shade off a 2-1/2 week low hit on Monday. Competing news that British banks could cope with a "disorderly" Brexit without needing to curb lending or be bailed out by taxpayers pushed UK stocks higher. Outside of Europe, investors will also pay close attention to Federal Reserve chair nominee Jerome Powell, with his confirmation hearing expected later on Tuesday. Powell has already made remarks supportive to current Fed chief Janet Yellen, saying the Fed's easy money policy has paid off by bringing millions back to work without any clear sign it has thrown markets off kilter. It is also an important week for tax overhaul plans in the world's biggest economy. A U.S. Senate Republican tax bill strongly backed by President Donald Trump faced potential opposition on Monday from two Republican lawmakers who could prevent the sweeping legislation from reaching the Senate floor. (Reuters) Source: www.businessworld.ie Ireland was on the verge of a snap election on Monday after the opposition party propping up the minority government said the Tanaiste's refusal to quit would force the country to the polls next month. The political crisis that deepened dramatically late on Monday has left the country's two main parties with less than 24 hours to head off a general election in a dispute that cast a shadow over a key Brexit summit next month. Ireland will play a major role at the meeting, telling EU leaders whether it believes sufficient progress has been made on the future of the border between EU-member Ireland and the British province of Northern Ireland. The pressure on Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald mounted on Monday following the release of fresh documents about her disputed handling of a Garda whistleblower who alleged corruption in the force. Fianna Fail, whose backing Varadkar requires from the opposition benches to keep his government functioning, has said it will move a motion of no confidence in Fitzgerald at 2000 GMT on Tuesday unless she quits, a position that hardened on Monday. "I think the Tanaiste should recognize that unless she does stand aside, she is going to force this country into an election nobody wants, that nobody needs and is not in the country's interests," senior Fianna Fail MP Jim O'Callaghan told national broadcaster RTE. "I don't see any other method out of this." Varadkar has insisted that if the motion is not withdrawn, he will be forced to hold an election before Christmas, a prospect EU officials say would complicate the EU Brexit summit on Dec. 14-15. A compromise had appeared possible earlier in the day when senior members of both parties struck a more conciliatory tone, but the momentum shifted instantly upon the release of the new documents. Fitzgerald said last week that she did not recall receiving an email in May 2015 that detailed an attempt to discredit a police whistleblower whose allegations of widespread misconduct in the force cost her predecessor his job as justice minister. The correspondence released on Monday showed Fitzgerald also received two more emails about the strategy in July 2015, but she resisted calls from all parties to resign, saying an ongoing a judge-led tribunal should judge her conduct in January. A spokesman for Varadkar, who is due to meet Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin again on Tuesday morning in a bid to avoid the election, said the government was standing by Fitzgerald. However, some Fine Gael members who spoke on condition of anonymity were livid, and local media reported that a number of the party's ministers privately said she must step down. The headline on the front page of Tuesday's Irish Examiner newspaper read, "Ministers desert Fitzgerald as pressure rises." While an opinion poll on Saturday gave Fine Gael a one-point lead over Fianna Fail and suggested another minority government as the most likely outcome, Dublin City University politics lecturer Eoin O'Malley said Monday's events would also hurt them. "Fine Gael would be going into the election where they are seen to be the belligerent party, probably seen to be the one that caused it. It ... could be a career-ending election for the loser," O'Malley said, adding that an election was inevitable unless Fitzgerald quit. The crisis has erupted at a particularly sensitive point in the Brexit talks. Foreign Minister Simon Coveney, who continued to support Fitzgerald, reiterated on Monday that not enough progress had been made on the border issue and that he had the full backing of all members states on the EU's negotiating side. "We are in the process in the context of Brexit negotiations of ensuring that we influence what are going to be historic decisions for this country... The last thing we need right now is an election in the middle of all that," he told RTE. The border is one of three issues Brussels wants broadly resolved before it decides whether to move Brexit talks on to a second phase about trade, as Britain wants, and the Irish crisis steadied sterling on Monday, after it posted its biggest weekly rise in more than a month. "The next couple of months are crucial for the future of Ireland," said Kevin O'Rourke, professor of Economic History at Oxford University, who has written extensively on Ireland's role in the Brexit talks. "Provoking an election right now would be utterly irresponsible." (Reuters) Source: www.businessworld.ie New figures published today by the Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland (BPFI) show that mortgage approvals put in another strong performance in October 2017. The volume of approvals grew by 20% year on year (yoy). With the average mortgage size growing by 12% yoy, this translates into growth by value of 35%. Over the three months to the end of October, the value of approvals grew by 26% yoy. While this is down on the growth rates seen earlier in the year, it illustrates that the mortgage market remains on an upward trajectory. Goodbody Stockbrokers believe this is very much driven by the firsttime buyer cohort, with the value of approvals up by 42% yoy. Approvals for movers grew by 11% yoy. Buy-to-let mortgage lending remains surprisingly moribund, representing a very small proportion (4%) of total lending. Re-mortgaging continues to grow (+24% yoy by volume), albeit at a much slower pace than earlier in the year. According to Goodbody Stockbrokers, "We are forecasting mortgage lending of 7.3bn (+28%) in 2017 and 8.6bn in 2018 (+19%), with net lending to also turn positive over the period. Based on the momentum in approvals, these forecasts are on track. On the policy front, the Central Bank is to announce the results of its annual review of macro-prudential mortgage rules later today. After the slight easing last year, we do not expect any changes to be announced." Source: www.businessworld.ie The agreements will expand Chinas Belt and Road initiative to cover all of the central and eastern European nations, bringing the total number of foreign countries included in the initiative to 70. Above, the first China Railway Express freight train running to Prague from Yiwu, departs from the eastern Chinese city in September. Photo: IC Chinas Belt and Road initiative will expand to include all 16 central and eastern European countries (CEEC), Premier Li Keqiang said on Monday in Budapest, as he announced billions of dollars of financial support for the region. The country will sign agreements with Estonia, Slovenia and Lithuania during Lis meeting with CEEC leaders to include the three countries in the Belt and Road initiative, he said in a speech at the Sixth Summit of China and Central and Eastern European Countries. The move will expand the signature initiative of President Xi Jinping unveiled in 2013 with the aim of strengthening ties with countries in Asia, Africa and Europe, primarily through infrastructure investment and construction to cover all the central and eastern European nations. It will also bring up the total number of foreign countries included in the Belt and Road program to 70, according to the Chinese government-run website devoted to the initiative, yidaiyilu.gov.cn. The China Development Bank, one of the countrys three policy lenders, will provide funds equivalent to 2 billion euros ($2.4 billion) through development-oriented financial cooperation loans to the China-CEEC Inter-Bank Association, which was officially established on Monday, Li said. The second phase of the China-Central and Eastern Europe Investment Cooperation Fund, totaling $1 billion, will be mainly spent in the 16 European countries, he said, according to a transcript of his speech published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday. Chinese companies invested more than $9 billion in the 16 countries last year, triple the $3 billion recorded in 2012. Bilateral trade rose 4.3% in 2016, he said, even though Chinas total foreign trade fell by 6.8% that year. In the first nine months of the year, the growth rate in bilateral trade picked up to 14.1%, he said. He did not provide any value for two-way trade. Chinas imports of agricultural products from the 16 countries increased by 13.7% annually on average between 2012 and 2016, he said, adding that the country will increase purchases of the regions products, such as meat, dairy, aquatic products, fruit, honey and wine. Li also urged the early launch of a feasibility study on extending to Austria a railway line linking the Greek port of Piraeus with Budapest. He said China will support the building of logistics centers in the CEEC as part of an Asia-Europe transportation network. Contact reporter Fran Wang (fangwang@caixin.com) Prevention of financial risk is of utmost concern to regulators here. In the central banks quarterly report on monetary policy, released Nov. 17, the term financial risk was mentioned 19 times. A few days later, an article titled Hold the line and do not let financial risks blow out appeared in the Communist Partys flagship newspaper, the Peoples Daily, penned by central bank governor Zhou Xiaochuan, and was seen as another strong market signal. Financial risk in China has yet to reach a blowout point, but it has climbed to a level that is certainly not negligible. Therefore, the financial industry should return to common sense and to its original purpose, as President Xi Jinping said. That means that financial institutions and local governments should stay away from dodgy or so-called no-cost businesses and practices. The financial industry should also prioritize servicing the real economy, which should be the essence of the industry. Decision-makers at the top havent lowered their guard against financial risk; risk prevention has long been a top policy objective. In fact, it has gained importance since the annual Central Economic Work Conference in December last year, to the every-five-year National Financial Work Conference in July. Although the market remains divided on the severity of financial risk in China, the issue has garnered more attention recently. Terms that describe risk such as black swan, grey rhino and Minsky moment are entering peoples daily conversation. Shouting about financial risk is not meant to create fear and pessimism, but to make sure preventive measures are in place, such as adopting an appropriate monetary policy, so that China can avoid dire developments. Though Chinese economic fundamentals are good, we should not overlook the possibility that financial-market risk could flare up as leverage ratios and defaults rise. In the article by Zhou, Chinas national leverage ratio stood at 247% at the end of 2016, with the ratio of the corporate sector at 165%, well above the level considered dangerous internationally. High leverage goes against the common sense of doing business within your means, an act of chasing after excesses instead of building the real economy. Local government debts pose the largest risks in Chinas financial and fiscal arenas. Worse still, the scale of hidden debts remains elusive. A large portion of such debts is in fact bank loans. Although the central government has tried to rein in local debt issuance and encourage more public-private partnerships, some local governments have resorted to other means some of which are fraudulent to work around the red tape. For instance, they might re-leverage by disguising their debts as equity investments, offering guarantees illegally, with improper procurements. Some industry funds have even become dodgy fund-raising platforms for local authorities. The suspension of the 30 billion-yuan subway project in Baotou city in Inner Mongolia was a result of over-borrowing to fund an overly ambitious project. Projects like this sometimes manage to amortize the financial pressure over time, but if they need to continue to borrow more to cover previous debts, the projects can snowball into so-called Ponzi financing, and almost inevitably a Minsky moment would follow. It is helpful to look through the lens of the history and function of finance. Once finance deviates from the real economy, it loses its foundation for healthy development. But in recent years, Chinas financial industry has shifted even further away from the real economy. Not only are investment returns on traditional industrial sectors falling, small and medium enterprises are facing more restricted or costlier access to funding, which hinders the countrys economic transformation. On the other hand, many financial institutions are spending enormous amount of energy on profiteering from regulatory and other loopholes. They scramble to expand into shadow banking, asset management and cash loans, while risk builds up underneath stellar earnings figures. Internet finance companies going under and bond defaults are inevitable consequences of deviating from common sense and original purpose. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary for regulators to clean up the industry. Otherwise they are not doing their job. Returning to common sense and original intent should not be applied to the financial industry only. Behind the financial risk facing us now is a complex web of factors: a structural imbalance of the real economy, unsatisfactory corporate governance, regulators inexperience in managing countercycles, regulatory loopholes, insufficient market access for foreign institutions, and more. Therefore, any measure requires substantial planning and coordination. An imminent task ahead will be speeding up financial regulatory reforms, and redefining each agencys role by activities they oversee, not institutions. As the development of mixed financial services is far ahead of our regulatory structure, financial risk may grow where there is a vacuum or an overlap of oversight. The establishment of a financial stability committee, with an office sitting inside the central bank, will strengthen regulators ability to prevent risk from growing. The industry has high hopes for this committee, and expects it to coordinate efforts among agencies and proactively improve their supervisory tools. Meanwhile, decision-makers should take account of evolving market conditions, learn from other countries, and create a better working relationship between the central bank and the three financial regulators. That way we could avoid a situation in which no agency takes ownership during crises, or in which agencies step on each others toes during good times. Prevention or tackling systemic financial risk requires a thorough knowledge of actual risks. Governments at various levels should rein in their budgets, taking account of intergovernmental fiscal relations and the modernization of governance. Research also shows that while corporate debts are piling up, state-owned enterprises are more indebted than private ones. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to forge ahead with state-sector reform, restructuring or bankruptcy of zombie companies. We should also widen funding access for small to medium enterprises, by getting rid of systemic and policy obstacles, in order to better service the real economy. Thanks to strong economic growth, and partial opening of the capital market, China has yet to experience a complete cycle of economic crisis. While that is fortunate, it also explains why we do not have a robust learning curve. Therefore, lessons from other countries are valuable to us. Some people might say that China is not going to have a financial crisis, because governments at every level are sitting on massive assets, particularly land resources. That view is extremely shallow and toxic. Prevention of systemic financial risk requires a framework and strategies. To actually return to common sense and original purpose, we must push ahead with financial reforms, and widen market access for foreign institutions, in order to create our own anchor to keep us away from systemic financial risk. Prasad further said that Gandhi should respond why he believes LeT is not dangerous for the country, but Narendra Modi is? By Jumana Shah: Taking forward Narendra Modi's attack on Rahul Gandhi that the Congress compromises with national interest, Union law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said Rahul Gandhi had officially told the US Ambassador Timothy Roemer that Hindu terrorism were a bigger threat than the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Citing a UK-based newspaper report, who has used the Wikileaks documents as a source for a story of December 2010, Prasad said, "Gandhi thinks the LeT, who is responsible for killing scores of people in the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai, is less dangerous than 'radicalised Hindu groups'." advertisement "And this is just within few months of the Mumbai terror attack. The report also says that Rahul was referring to then BJP chief minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi who he described as a polarising figure," he added The newspaper report, shared by Prasad in a presser in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, is based on a leaked cable by WikiLeaks. 'The cable contained details of Rahul's conversation with the envoy at a luncheon hosted by Prime Minsiter Manmohan Singh at his residence in July 2009 in honour of visiting US secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Responding to the ambassador's query about Lashkar-e-Taiba's activities in the region and immediate threat to India, Rahul said there was evidence of some support for the group among certain elements in India's indigenous Muslim community. However, Rahul warned, the bigger threat may be the growth of radicalized Hindu groups, which create religious tensions and political confrontations with the Muslim community,' the newspaper says, quoting the WikiLeaks cable. Prasad further said that Gandhi should respond why he believes LeT is not dangerous for the country, but Narendra Modi is? Another issue Prasad raised was that then Prime Minister of Congress, Manmohan Singh also compromised on national interest in Sharm-el-Sheikh in July 2009. Flashing a joint statement released by the government at the time, Prasad outlined, "Gilani mentioned that Pakistan has some information on threats in Balochistan and other areas. Repeating Modi's allegation that Congress and Rahul Gandhi had insulted the Indian Army by questioning the surgical strikes as 'Khoon ki Saudagari', Prasad said, "Under the brave and fearless leadership of Narendra Modi, we have empowered the Indian Army. And you can see that in the last few years, no new LeT terrorist stays alive for very long." Reaching out actively to the Patidar community, Prasad said, "Kapil Sibal, who is the Congress's advisor on this matter, is an able lawyer. He has been a law minister and I&B minister, so am I. Why is he misleading the Patidar youth? What is the Congress's actual plan to cross the 50% cap on reservation. Is it an empty promise for Vote ki Saudagari? There are six orders of Supreme Court, four of them by five judge Bench each and one of an eight judge bench that has categorically refuted it." advertisement A document shared by him says in the Nagraja Vs UOI 2006 (8) SCC 212; (5 judges) Para 110 also states that a law can be challenged when reservation goes upto 50%, the court would take them up. Subsequently and states very specifically that even if the state has reasons for such reservation but goes against the cap it is liable to be set aside. Prasad's statement adds, that the court is also of the view that any law merely by putting in the IXth Schedule of the Constitution will not ensure that it is immune to challenge and it must answer the doctrine of basic structure and must not be violative of FRs as it was held in the I.R. Coelho vs State of TN, 2007. Launching another attack on Congress for ignoring Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, he said, "We never said Sardar Patel was our leader. We say he was yours. We are just questioning your treatment of him. Why was Sardar given a Bharat Ratna all the way in 1991? Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, members of the Nehru Gandhi family were prime ministers of the country for 40 years after Sardar's death. But it was when PV Narsimha was PM that Sardar was finally recognised as a Bharat Ratna." advertisement Prasad posed this as another question to Rahul Gandhi as to why they ill treated Sardar all these years and are waking up now to own him up? --- ENDS --- Sales in China of new-energy vehicles rose from around 8,000 in 2011 to more than 500,000 last year, amounting to 40% of global output. Photo: Visual China It was something of a shock to the auto world when China announced that it will join the U.K. and France in totally banning the sale of internal combustion vehicles. Although no specific date for the ban has been announced, this long-term commitment set the general tone for the future of automakers who want to sell cars in the worlds biggest vehicle market. Sales in China of new-energy vehicles (NEVs) a category that includes hybrid cars as well as those powered exclusively by batteries or hydrogen fuel cells have risen from around 8,000 units in 2011 to more than 500,000 last year, 40% of global output, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. This huge increase has been driven by a series of national policies to charge up this fledgling market. How will subsidies change? Beijings subsidization of NEVs began in 2010, when Beijing identified the sector as one in which the country could leapfrog its foreign rivals and perhaps come to dominate. What came along with the subsidies was an exponential growth in sales. However, the sheer number of manufacturers including those without the relevant qualifications rushing into the sector meant that there may be too many electric cars now being produced. The Chinese authorities said they have started an investigation into overcapacity in the sector. Generous, years-long subsidies have placed a massive financial burden on the government with one expert estimating in 2015 that the program will cost central and local governments more than 400 billion yuan ($60.4 billion) more than Luxembourgs gross domestic product in 2016 during the five years through 2020. With the downsides of state handouts, which have also led to widespread fraud, becoming apparent, China announced that it will completely phase out the subsidies by 2020. Caixin has learned that the phasing-out process will accelerate. Beijing intends to slash subsidies by 20% from next year, instead of as in 2019 as originally planned. What is the future of state support for NEVs? To replace the subsidies, the government plans to roll out a quota program. This means that the burden of supporting NEV development will be borne instead by carmakers, who will have to ensure that a certain ratio of sales come from low- and zero-emission vehicles. When the program, which went through a one-year public consultation, was formalized in September, some companies were relieved to find out that they had an extra year to prepare. Under the latest cap-and-trade program policy, automakers must obtain a certain amount of credits which are related to the various types of NEVs in 2019, instead of in 2018, as previously planned. This amount will rise by a fifth in 2020. This amount of credits could amount to 4-5% of actual vehicle sales for most foreign automakers, according to analysts. How has the industry reacted to the quota program so far? When the draft plan came out last year, German manufacturers expressed concerns that the rigid quota system will leave them lagging behind their Japanese and American counterparts, who have an edge in low-emissions vehicle technology. In a proactive measure to meet Beijings demands, Volkswagen in May announced that it will establish its first first-ever wholly-electric car joint venture with Chinese partner JAC Motors, dedicated to producing electric vehicles in the country. Others have since announced similar plans, including Americans General Motors and Ford, and French and Japanese alliance Renaut-Nissan. Still, some foreign brands are concerned that Beijing may be pushing the electrification revolution too fast and too aggressively. Jochem Heizmann, CEO and president of Volkswagen Group China, has called for Beijing to refrain from setting stricter quota standards in the years after 2020, as targets for subsequent years have yet to be issued under the current policy framework. He said that market forces should have a say in consumer product choices. What about the new electric car permit? Beijing started issuing permits that allow companies to produce only electric vehicles in bid to foster competition in the predominantly state-owned auto industry in June 2015. Compared with getting a license to produce traditional cars, acquiring one of the permits requires firms to meet less-strict standards and jump lower technological hurdles. Many companies have rushed to grab such permits, with 15 companies obtaining such licenses from the government, including Volkswagens joint venture with JAC. But Beijing cancelled the initiative in June due to concerns that allowing so many companies to enter the market may create a glut, leaving at least 20 companies who have filed applications high and dry. To avoid being elbowed out of the increasingly competitive market, smaller players have begun to partner with larger companies. For example, internet entrepreneur William Lis electric car company NIO has announced a partnership with JAC. Will foreign ownership restrictions be lifted? China has long banned foreigners from owning more than 50% of any automaking venture with a Chinese partner. But by June 2018, the current limit will be eased as long as automakers are producing new-energy cars in free trade zones, according to the Foreign Ministry. In addition, Beijing has relaxed its rules and allowed foreign carmakers to form a third China joint venture if that venture makes NEVs. Previously, all foreign firms were limited to just two auto joint ventures. Contact reporter Mo Yelin (yelinmo@caixin.com) The China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC) published regulatory letters Tuesday requiring three insurers to rectify their practices regarding corporate governance, compliance and risk controls. Photo: Visual China. Chinas insurance watchdog cited Kunlun Health Insurance Co. in a regulatory letter for violations in shareholding arrangements after a year-long review of the Beijing-based insurers opaque ownership. The agency said it would impose sanctions. The China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC) published regulatory letters late Tuesday requiring three insurers including Kunlun Health to rectify their practices regarding corporate governance, compliance and risk controls. The CIRC ordered Kunlun Health, Taishan Property & Casualty Insurance Co. and Yong An Insurance Co. to fix a range of problems covering board operations, internal auditing, information disclosure, and management of related-party transactions, among others. The commission said it based its findings on inspections of the companies operations between February and April. The companies are required to submit a report by Dec. 30 on their steps to correct the problems. In the letter to Kunlun Health, the CIRC said it found shareholding violations and would issue further regulatory measures, without giving details of the violations or potential penalties. Kunlun Health became the fourth insurer identified by the CIRC for shareholding violations amid regulators efforts to crack down on related-party transactions and the use of proxy shareholders to dodge regulations and obtain control of financial institutions. Since last year, Chinas financial regulators have tightened scrutiny of financial companies shareholding structures and clamped down on proxy shareholders in a bid to rein in market manipulation and excessive leverage in the financial market. Last month, the CIRC issued similar letters to J.K. Life Insurance, Sino-Conflux Insurance Co. and Chang An Property & Liability Insurance Ltd for shareholding violations. The CIRC hasnt disclosed further measures for those companies. The ownership of Kunlun Health has come under scrutiny in the Chinese news media since last year, with reports citing business registration records as showing that at least four shareholders were linked to Guo Yingcheng, the chairman of property developer Kaisa Group, and his family. The reports fueled questions whether the companies are proxy shareholders that allow Guo and his family to exert absolute control over the insurer. On February 17, the CIRC in its first-ever open questioning of an insurer published an open letter on its website demanding to know whether the four companies that became new shareholders of Kunlun last December were connected to Kaisa Group or the Guo family. The CIRC also asked about the source of money the companies used to purchase the stakes. In a February 24 response to the CIRC, Kunlun Health denied any links between the four shareholders and Kaisa Group or the Guo family, saying the companys equity was fairly distributed among 14 shareholders without an absolute controller. The four shareholders at issue are Shenzhen Hongchangyu Business Management Consulting Co., Shenzhen Zhenglaida Industrial Co., Shenzhen Zhengyuanda Technology Co. and Shenzhen Taiteng Material Trading Co. Together, they hold 30.96% of Kunlun Health. Business registration records showed that the four companies shareholders or executives have the same names as those in Kaisa Groups affiliated companies. On March 1, the CIRC asked more questions about the four shareholders in a follow-up to Kunlun Healths earlier replies. The CIRC ordered the company to submit a written response by March 6 and post it on the companys website for public disclosure. So far, the CIRC hasnt disclosed Kunlun Healths response to its second round of inquiry. A source close to the CIRC told Caixin that Kunluns equity ownership is so complicated that it takes time to unravel. Caixins investigation also found a Kunlun Health link to Tomorrow Holding Group, one of the most acquisitive conglomerates and the investment vehicle of billionaire Xiao Jianhua, who has been assisting mainland authorities with unspecified investigations since January, according to several overseas media outlets. Kunlun Healths disclosure documents showed that Hangzhou Yongyuan Network Technology Co. is its third-largest shareholder with 14.86%. Caixin has learned that Hangzhou Yongyuan is one of many affiliate companies of Xiaos Tomorrow Group. Kuala Lumpur, 28 November 2017 CapitaLand and CapitaLand Malaysia Mall REIT Management Sdn. Bhd. (CMRM), the manager of CapitaLand Malaysia Mall Trust (CMMT), jointly held the first CapitaLand Volunteer Day in Malaysia today, in conjunction with their annual signature corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme My Schoolbag. More than 150 Malaysia-based staff volunteers took part in the full-day volunteerism activity, which involved refurbishing children charity homes and giving out school and daily necessities to underprivileged children. This year, 322 children benefitted from a donation of RM165,000, which was made possible with funding from CapitaLands philanthropic arm, CapitaLand Hope Foundation (CHF). CapitaLand launched CapitaLand Volunteer Day in 2013 in Singapore, during which the company provided staff time off from work to contribute towards enhancing the lives of underprivileged children. CapitaLand extended the initiative to its staff in China the following year, and to Vietnam in 2015. For the inaugural CapitaLand Volunteer Day in Malaysia today, staff volunteers were divided into teams to help refurbish three children charity homes in three states namely Desa Amal Jireh in Selangor, House of Hope in Penang and Rapha Childrens Home in Kuantan. These homes cater to the educational and shelter needs of orphans and abandoned or abused children. Mr Tan Seng Chai, Group Chief Corporate Officer of CapitaLand Limited and Executive Director of CHF, said: CapitaLand has always held the belief that corporates can play an important role in contributing towards the building of an inclusive and caring society. Our corporate value of nurturing staff to build and care for the community is encapsulated in our company credo Building People. Building Communities.. By helping underprivileged children with their education and shelter needs, we hope to create a positive multiplier effect for their families and improve social mobility. Mr Tan added: To encourage staff volunteerism, CapitaLand staff can take up to three days of paid Volunteer Service Leave each year. The CapitaLand Volunteer Day is another of our initiatives to encourage staff to dedicate their time to serve the community. This is consistent with our commitment to sustainable corporate giving, which goes beyond financial contributions. By promoting staff volunteerism, we hope to create a shared bond among our staff to contribute positively towards the society. Our aim is for CapitaLand to not just be a commercial success but also a company that gives back to and grows with the community. The Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC) has released the preliminary answer keys for the written exam to recruit Agriculture Extension Officer Grade-II in agriculture and cooperation department of the state on its official website. Candidates can download their answer keys from the official website. When was the TSPSC AEO exam conducted? The TSPSC AEO exam was held on November 22, 2017. How to download the answer keys for AEO exam? Visit the official website of TSPSC. Click on the link for ' Preliminary Key for Agriculture Extension officer Grade-II (Notfn.No. 51/2017)'. Enter the TSPSC ID and Password on the login page. Click on Login. About TSPSC AEO notification & exam pattern: The post of Agriculture Extension Officer is for Agriculture and co-operation departments. The commission had published the recruitment notification for 851 AEO posts in the state of Telangana. The examination for AEO will consist of two papers - Paper I and Paper II. Paper I will comprise of General Studies and General Abilities. Paper II will have the concerned subject agriculture (Diploma level) There will be 150 questions in each paper, for 150 marks and thus the total mark for the exam will be 300. Rules to raise objections: Candidates can raise objections to the answer keys online through the TSPSC website from November 29, 2017. They can submit their objections only in English and only as per the order of questions appearing on the screen with the question numbers allotted by TSPSC. Representation received after December 5, 2017, will not be taken up. Also read: TSPSC AEE Recruitment 2017: Apply Now! By PTI: investors New Delhi, Nov 28 (PTI) Taking strict action against an illegal money-pooling activity, Sebi has directed Sunplant Constructions three former directors to refund the money that the Kolkata-based firm had raised from the public through issuance of securities. The refund has to be made along "with an interest of 15 per cent per annum", Sebi said in an order. advertisement The regulator, through an order passed in December 2015, had already directed Sunplant Constructions and its other directors to jointly and severally refund the money raised by the firm through the issuance of redeemable preference shares (RPS). The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) found that Sunplant Constructions had collected a little over Rs 24 crore by issuing redeemable preference shares (RPS) to over 2,000 investors in 2010-11 and 2011-12. The shares were issued to over 50 people and accordingly, the offer of RPS qualified to be a public issue and required compulsory listing of securities on a recognised stock exchange. However, the firm did not comply with the provision. Among other requirements, the firm was to register a prospectus with the Registrar of Companies (RoC) under the Companies Act, which it failed to do. "I find that Yoganand Prasad, Ameet Singh, Girija Shankar Kumar jointly and severally with SCL (Sunplant Constructions Ltd) and other directors as mentioned in the order dated December 31, 2015, are liable to refund the amounts collected from the investors with interest at the rate of 15 per cent per annum," Sebi Whole Time Member Madhabi Puri Buch said in an order dated November 27. The regulator noted that Singh was a director of SCL in 2010-11, Kumar a director in 2010-11 and 2011-2012 and Prasad was the director only for a day -- October 1 to October 2, 2011, during the time of the issuance of shares. Accordingly, Sebi has asked the firms three former directors to refund the money collected by the company, during their respective periods of directorship through the issuance of the RPS from investors, with an interest of 15 per cent per annum. After completion of refund, they have been directed to file a report of such completion with Sebi, within three months, certified by two independent chartered accountants. In case they fail to comply with the order, Sebi may recover such amounts in accordance with provisions of securities laws. Further, Sebi has prohibited Singh and Kumar from the securities markets till the refund and a further four years from the date of completion of the refund to investors. Also, they have been restrained from associating themselves with any listed public company during the period under review. advertisement However, the regulator has imposed similar restrictions on Prasad, but the quantum is different. He has been barred from the capital markets for at least one year. PTI SP ARD --- ENDS --- If you have just started your journey in an online casino or are looking for a new site to play,... Al Jouf Cement Company to export 72,000tpa to Jordan 28 November 2017 Al Jouf Cement Company signed a sales and marketing contract with the Saudi Industrial Export Company (SIEC) on Sunday, according to a statement released on Tadawul. This follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding back in October. The agreement will see 72,000tpa of cement exported to Jordan. The financial impact of this contract will be announced in 1Q18. Published under Joey Ghose new CEO of Raysut Cement ICR Newsroom By 28 November 2017 Omans Raysut Cement Co has appointed Joey Ghose as new CEO of the company, effective 2017, reports the company in a filing to the Muscat Securities Market. It is expected Mr Ghose will bring his extensive experience in the cement industry to bear as he addresses the challenges faced by the company. Changes to the income tax law in Oman resulted in a 60 per cent fall in 9M17 profit for the producer and local market competition and tough export markets have contributed to lower sales volumes. Group-wide operating profits declined by 55 per cent to OMR8.15m (US$21.2m) in 9M17 when compared with the equivalent period in 2016, when operating profit reached OMR18.05m. Published under Adelaide Brighton awards power contract to Infigen ICR Newsroom By 28 November 2017 Australias Adelaide Brighton has awarded Infigen Energys Lake Bonney wind farm the contract to supply power to two cement plants north of Adelaide and a quarry on Yorke Peninsula. The deal is understood to extend over five years and involve a larger volume of power than the 88GWh transaction signed last week with Pacific Hydro by 14 firms, cities and municipal agency, reports the Australian Financial Review. The Adelaide Brighton deal will involve supply from Infigen's existing portfolio, primarily from the Lake Bonney venture in German Flat, South Australia, Infigen CEO, Ross Rolfe, was quoted as saying. Adelaide Brighton CEO, Martin Brydon, said the building products maker "sought a direct relationship with a generator able to deliver firm price over the long-term, given electricity is an important input to our overall business". "Certainty of supply and cost in a changing market environment is essential to Adelaide Brighton and achieving this while supporting renewable based generation is a positive additional outcome," Mr Brydon said. Published under Scientists recently made a big discovery inside one of the pyramids in Egypt. Using exciting new technology, they found a hidden void that could help solve a number of mysteries. After calling it the discovery of a century, researchers speculate on what it might mean. Although those conclusions take time, the finding itself marks quite an occasion. No very big structure has not been discovered inside the Khufu pyramid since the Middle Ages, Mehdi Tayoubi, co-founder of the nonprofit that led the research, later told Vox. 1. The pyramid commemorates a godlike figure Newsweek reports that the Egyptians built the Great Pyramid during the fourth dynasty, between 2580 and 2560 B.C. It honors the pharaoh Khufu, who ruled the ancient civilization for decades. His subjects considered him godlike, and construction took tens of thousands of workers up to 20 years. It stands at 450 feet high and 750 feet wide. Today, we categorize it as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. 2. It even impressed the ancient Romans The pyramid held the record as the worlds tallest man-made building until 1300, Vox explains. Thats 3,800 years. It also fascinates us as much as the ancients. The Romans considered the pyramid about as ancient as we do them. Even today, it still holds many mysteries. This is definitely the discovery of the century, said archaeologist and Egyptologist Yukinori Kawae, a National Geographic Emerging Explorer. There have been many hypotheses about the pyramid, but no one even imagined that such a big void is located above the Grand Gallery. 3. We still dont understand the new discovery Scientists used a program called ScanPyramids to find the void inside. They later determined it stands about as large as the Statue of Liberty. We dont know for the moment if its horizontal or inclined, [or] if it is made from one structure or several successive structures, said study coauthor Mehdi Tayoubi, president and co-founder of the Heritage Innovation Presentation Institute. What we do know is that this void is there, that it is impressive, [and] that it was not expected by any kind of theory. According to an article in Nature, the void measures 100 feet in length and 26 feet in height. It sits right above the Grand Gallery, a 153-foot long room that connects the chambers of the pyramid. The newly-discovered chamber includes a similar cross section to the Grand Gallery, indicating that the two must connect. 4. It may hold undiscovered treasure Kate Spence, senior lecturer in Egyptian Archaeology at the University of Cambridge, told Newsweek the chamber probably featured in the pyramids construction. What they seem to have found is a linear anomaly above a gallery, which is a very complex piece of construction in the center of the Great Pyramid, she explained. If you look at the cross section of the pyramid, above the kings chamber there are a whole series of little chambers, she continued. [Those] are roofed with incredibly heavy big granite blocks. My suspicion is what they are looking at is the remains of a constructional ramp probably for getting those blocks into place. Spence later explained that the pyramids unique shape complicates things. No similar structures exist, so scientists have no means of comparison. Since no written records of their construction exists, scientists must interpret it themselves. 5. We cant tell what lies inside without going in Salima Ikram, an Egyptologist at the American University in Cairo, said we must not drill into the structure. Theres lots of heavy, thick rock, and by drilling something, you dont know how you will affect the entire thing, Ikram explained. If theres something behind the Mona Lisa, would you want to wipe her clean and see whats behind her? You really have to preserve the integrity of the monument. Some Egyptologists said the void itself doesnt hold much intrigue, but others say it points to how the structure was created. When youre dealing with creating a monument to house the immortal remains of an individual who bridges heaven and Earth, and whose ascendance to the stars helps assure the perpetual prosperity of Egypt, I dont think [this void] was a cost-cutting measure, said archaeologist Adam Maskevich. Regardless, all experts agree more research must be conducted. 6. The project used common molecules in a new way Science Magazine explains ScanPyramids used particle physics for probing the internal structure of the pyramids in a non-invasive way. The technology also uses muons to detect anomalies within the pyramids. Every minute, tens of thousands of muons move through every square meter on Earth. The heavy particles weigh in at 207 times bigger than electrons. Those negatively charged particles travel through hundreds of meters of stone before absorption, acting like X-rays for structures. 7. It all starts with space explosions Kyle Cranmer, a particle physicist at New York University, explained that the particles originally form in space. Energetic events like star explosions shoot atomic nuclei across the universe at almost the speed of light. After these high-energy particles reach our planet, they slam into the atmosphere like bullets. Subsequently, they hit the nuclei of other atoms and ricochet around. According to The New York Times, Nobel Prize-winning physicist Luis Alvarez previously used the technology to investigate chambers in the Pyramid of Khafre in the 1960s. With the improved technology, other scientists use it to examine the inside of volcanoes, as well as the irradiated Fukushima nuclear reactor. 8. Researchers used a device you can make at home To use the muons, researchers placed a muon detector in a nearby pyramid chamber. These detectors use tile-sized photographic films to count the number of muons coming through the structure. By measuring the distance they bounce, scientists then measure the void. Feeling scientific? Vox notes that you can also build your own muon detector at home. You can even turn your smartphone into one. You might not discover any new voids in your own home, but why not try? Follow The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! You Wont Believe Whats on This Abandoned Island in New York City Manhattan is one of the most densely populated and most expensive places to live in the world. The real estate market is cutthroat, with tiny overpriced apartments often selling as quickly as theyre listed. Looking for a doorman building with a view of the park? Then get ready to spend many millions of dollars. But heres something you may not know: almost within spitting distance of the Big Apple, a 20-acre island sits abandoned and unused. The land is situated about 1,000 feet from the South Bronx shoreline and could in theory house luxury high rises or businesses. So why is it abandoned and littered with crumbling building and graffiti? Read on to discover the history and uncertain future of North Brother Island. 1. Practically no one is allowed to go there These days, only the birds are allowed to explore the crumbling structures of this strategically situated island. Journalists require permission from NYCs Department of Parks and Recreation and even with their go-ahead, they need personal escorts during their visit. The same goes for South Brother Island, a smaller landmass nearby. And its not just people who have abandoned the island. Parks and Rec officials say that smaller mammals such as rats, chipmunks, and mice are practically nonexistent. 2. Death has plagued the island for centuries The first inhabitants docked at North Brother Island in 1614 and stayed until 1885. In 1904, a steamship named the General Slocum exploded in flames beside the island. The coming weeks saw thousands of decomposing bodies wash up on the shores. 3. The island once served as a quarantine facility In the 1880s, the island was used as a way to quarantine sick Manhattanites to keep them from infecting the entire city. As contagious diseases such as smallpox and typhoid ran rampant, health officials shipped infected parties off to the islands sick wards in hopes of containing the spread of disease Mary Mallon, better known as Typhoid Mary, was one of the islands most famous patients. She was quarantined on North Brother Island until her death in 1938. 4. The crumbling buildings are hauntingly beautiful Of the original 40 buildings on the island, only 26 remain. Many of the structures are overrun by trees and vines, with crumbling facades that are only shadows of their former beauty. Journalists from Business Insider said: It feels like wandering around a post-apocalyptic playground at times. Visitors are forbidden from entering any of the buildings because most are on the verge of collapse, but they are allowed to sneak pictures through the windows. At the height of occupancy, the island housed dormitories, a church, a lighthouse, and a morgue. 5. The buildings housed wounded soldiers during WWII The largest structure on the island is a four-story, 83,000 square foot building called The Tuberculosis Building. It cost $1.2 million and was completed in 1943, though it never housed a single TB patient. Once WWII broke out, the building was used for recovering wounded veterans. 6. North Brother Island failed as a rehab facility After soldiers found homes and a vaccine for tuberculosis emerged, city officials had a hard time figuring out a practical use for the islands medical facilities. In 1952, it became a rehabilitation camp for troubled teens, offering three to five-month programs that were ultimately deemed as failures. Once the rehab program ended in 1963, all the people abandoned the island permanently. 7. Police keep a close watch North Brother Islands proximity to Rikers Island Correctional Facility means that police are always on high alert, scanning the shores for escaped convicts. Despite strict rules about visiting and the heavy police presence on the East River, some of the buildings are tagged with graffiti thanks to occasional trespassers. 8. It could all disappear in the next 35 years With sea levels rising up to 2.5 feet around New York City, a severe hurricane could potentially cover the whole island in water and swallow up any of the remaining structures. 9. The island has an uncertain future Despite the potential value of the land, the fate of the island is unclear. The city took ownership of the whole place in 1963 after the last people left and it has remained mostly untouched ever since. The once beautiful buildings have fallen into disrepair and most are beyond saving at this point. Will North Brother Island ever return to its former glory? Probably not, but with time, attention, and money, its possible that this mysterious place could find new life. Read more: What You Dont Know About Niihau, The Forbidden Island of Hawaii Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! Can We Stop Complaining About Reformation Celebrations Already? No reputable historian or theologian believes Luther intended the negative side-effect of dividing the church. Though the precise date marking the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation has now passed, commemorations and celebrations will continue through the year's end. Likely, therefore, so will articles explaining why the Reformation ought not to be celebrated. As Ross Douthat observes, even "in official ecclesiastical circles the rule is to speak of the Reformation in regretful tones." (Unless, strangely enough, that ecclesiastical circle encompasses the Vatican, which marks the occasion with a commemorative Martin Luther stamp.) The most common explanation for lament is, of course, that the Reformation divided the Christian church. Catholic historian Richard Rex concisely summarizes: "In 1500, western Christendom was a seamless robe. By 1600 it was a patchwork quilt." A simplistic (but not inaccurate) response to this simplistic (but not inaccurate) assertion will observe the heavy lifting that word "western" is doing. That is, any talk of a "seamless robe" has to ignore the enduring division of Christendom already inaugurated 500 years earlier, when the Western Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches mutually excommunicated one another. But, one might reasonably counter, neither Catholics nor Orthodox celebrate the schism of 1054. And there is even less reason to celebrate the Reformation because, unlike that earlier East-West schism, it precipitated a century of warfare. True, but as Adam Serwer recently observed in a different context: "Many Americans died in the Revolutionary War; neither the United States nor Great Britain today regards its outcome as lamentable. Few regret that George Washington and King George III didn't sit down at a table and hash out a compromise. Almost no one wrings their hands today about the uncivil tone of the Boston Tea Party, or the colonists' stubborn insistence on self-governance." Not only does neither party involved in America's War for Independence regard its outcome as lamentable; one party actually celebrates that outcome every July 4th. It is perfectly understandable that the British don't join in the celebration. But we can admire them for resisting the urge to scold Americans for rending the seamless robe of the British Empiredespite the fact that, unlike the Protestant reformers, it was the express intent of the American colonists to effect division. Both Protestants and Catholics articulating the "Reformation-as-tragedy" thesis sometimes pause to acknowledge that Luther's intention was never to divide the church. But Catholics especially might be expected to pause a little longer over this fact, since "intention" plays such a prominent role in Catholic moral theology. No less than the celebrated Thomas Aquinas is credited with first articulating the important "principle of double effect." "Nothing hinders one act from having two effects," he wrote, "only one of which is intended, while the other is beside the intention." The implication is that one might licitly act with the intent of effecting some good, even while recognizing that an unintended bad effect might also result. If your heart stops, I might do chest compressions with the intent of getting it beating again, even though I foresee the possibility of ribs being bruised or even broken in the process. Unless you've got a death wish, though, it would be churlish to complain about sore ribs instead of celebrating your life having been saved. No reputable historian or theologian believes Luther intended the negative side-effect of dividing the church. Indeed, they will explain that Luther himself refused to believe that the church had been divided. Professing the same creed as all Christians, he confessed the church to be one by its very nature, even if not visibly so. (Just as he confessed with the creed that the church is holy by its very nature, despite much visible evidence to the contrary.) He simply rejected the facile equation of the true church with a particular visible institution. Instead, he famously explained, "a child seven years old knows what the Church is, namely, the holy believers and lambs who hear the voice of their Shepherd." Or, as his theological heir C.F.W. Walther put it, "The true Church, in the most real and most perfect sense, is the totality of all true believers." Richard Rex asserts that "Luther invented the concept of the 'invisible church.'" Strictly speaking, that's false for a number of reasons. But even if it were true, it ignores the fact that this very concept was implicitly but necessarily embraced by Catholicism at the Second Vatican Council. From antiquity it was claimed that "there is no salvation outside the church," and for more than a millennium "the church" was popularly understood as the visible institution of which the pope was the head. With Vatican II, however, it was asserted that even those who "do not know the gospel of Christ or his Church" can "attain to salvation." If salvation is impossible outside the church, and yet is possible for those outside of communion with the visible institution under the papacy, it necessarily follows that the church, in its essence, is other than this visible institution. Yes, the (institutional) unity of the (western) church was (unintentionally) undone in the 16th century. Yes, even this might be deemed tragic. And, yes, especially tragic were the wars following on that division. But simply tossing "Luther," "division" and "wars" into the same sentence, as many do, and hoping readers draw the conclusion that Luther caused the division, which caused the wars, is grossly misleading. When Peter Leithart recently asked, "How did a Reformation committed to the gospel, catholicity, and unity shatter the Western church and dismantle medieval Christendom?" he answered bluntly: "The Roman Catholic Church was one of the main culprits." His reasoning is that "Luther was excommunicated ... without receiving a serious, much less a sympathetic, hearing." So he asks the even more pointed questions: "What if the Catholic Church had recognized Luther, as many Catholics do today, as a 'witness to the gospel'? What if the Catholic hierarchy had listened?" Those are counterfactual questions, and so cannot be answered with any degree of certainty. But it is possible to answer the question of why the hierarchy did not listen, or even seriously engage Luther's ideas with their own ideas. As Catholic historian and Reformation critic Brad Gregory explains, "they didn't really want to respond in kind, defending the Church and its teachings and practices in print, lest they give the impression that Christian doctrine was somehow in doubt or there was actually something questionable to debate." But Gregory acknowledges yet another reason for not engaging Protestants with mere words: "there was no reason for Catholic Church authorities to think, in the 1520s, that the Protestant Reformation would be any different from medieval heretical movements that had arisen in preceding centuries and been suppressed...Albigensians in southern France, Waldensians in the Alps, Lollards in England, and Hussites in Bohemia." Wait, what? That allegedly seamless robe had in fact been rent multiple times in the centuries immediately prior to the Reformation? But force of arms sufficed to patch it (seamlessly?) back together again? The Catholic church didn't think it necessary to engage in intellectual debate with Protestants, because it assumed they could also be silenced by fire and sword? It sounds a bit like lamenting this division of the church is actually lamenting the fact that, in this instance, violence didn't work. But it certainly didn't fail for lack of trying. Within months of Luther's death, pope and emperor entered into an agreement to begin the forcible suppression of Lutheranism, leading to the Schmalkaldic War in Germany. Two decades later, the first in a long series of French conflicts was touched off by the massacre of Protestants worshipping at Wassy. The most well-known episode of the subsequent French wars is the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre, again of Protestants. When news of it reached Pope Gregory XIII, hewhat's the word?celebrated by having a commemorative medal struck and frescoes of the massacre commissioned for Vatican walls. Later, the Thirty Years' War was responsible for nearly eight million casualties, was sparked by the emperor again trying forcibly to impose Catholic uniformity in his territories. Some modern scholars object to calling these conflicts "Wars of Religion," because religion in the 16th century simply could not be disentangled from other spheres of life, such as politics and economics. Because the wars were never only about religion, Brad Gregory himself cleverly refers to them as "the wars of more-than-religion." But if one wants to be clever, one might simply call them the Wars of Roman Aggression. This is the light in which one must understand Gregory's ambiguous acknowledgement that "the only forms of Protestantism that survived...were those that received sustained support from political authorities." Well, yes, if Catholic authorities consistently attempted to eradicate Protestants, it's hardly surprising that their movement would only survive if more sympathetic authorities protected them from violence. Which is why Richard Rex is to be admired for his more honestly direct statement of the case: "Nowhere did Protestantism, once introduced, disappear except as a result of strenuous persecution." If one has a basic grasp of these factsas even critical Catholic scholars like Richard Rex and Brad Gregory certainly doit should not be difficult to understand why Protestants continue to celebrate the Reformation. The intention and primary effect (whatever other secondary effects resulted) of the reformers was to restore to primacy what they understood to be the biblical gospel. To the extent that this gospel continues to be cherished by Protestants, they will of course want to celebrate that restoration. No less will they want to celebrate the fact that its profession was preserved despite every attempt to suppress it with violence. Even those Catholics who, with the Vatican, recognize Luther as a "witness to the gospel," and who, with Aquinas, recognize the double-effect distinction, might therefore hesitate to decry such celebrations. And those who recognize, again with the Vatican, that war and bloodshed is not a price worth paying for institutional unity might even celebrate the Reformation for bringing home the futility of believing and acting otherwise. Korey Maas is assistant professor of history at Hillsdale College. Feminism Faces Reckoning for Aiding and Abetting Sexual Predators The day of reckoning is here. With a rash of sexual harassment allegations against them, powerful men like Harvey Weinstein, Al Franken, and Roy Moore are facing a day of reckoning. Ironically, so is feminism a movement that claims to fight for women's rights, but clearly has done a miserable job living up to its own billing. As social critic Caitlin Flanagan recently argued in a scathing piece in the Atlantic, feminism betrayed women in the 1990s when it chose to defend Bill Clinton rather than the victims of his alleged sexual harassment, assault and rape. Now, women are finally realizing that feminism is not the great champion of women. It is, as Flanagan noted, "a weaponized auxiliary of the Democratic Party," willing to sacrifice its dubious principles on the altar of political expediency. When news of Bill Clinton's alleged sexual misconduct with young intern Monica Lewinsky first surfaced, Betty Friedan, the woman credited with launching second-wave feminism, said: "Whether it's a fantasy, a set-up, or true, I simply don't care . . . Clinton has started the national childcare policy, and appointed some very strong women. He has also stood firm on abortion." Similarly, feminist writer Nina Burleigh crudely declared that she not only was willing to overlook Clinton's predatory ways, she'd actually perform a sex act on Clinton "just to thank him for keeping abortion legal." But perhaps the greatest betrayal of women came in the form of a 1998 New York Times editorial written by feminist icon Gloria Steinem. In it, she grossly minimized Clinton's misdeeds, claiming that his alleged groping of Kathleen Willey (whom Steinem curiously noted was "old enough to be Lewinsky's mother") was not sexual harassment, but merely "a gross, dumb, and reckless pass." She also characterized as a "pass" Clinton's alleged groping and indecent exposure of himself to Paula Jones in a hotel room. "Even if the allegations are true," Steinem wrote, "the President is not guilty of sexual harassment," but merely a "candidate for sex addiction therapy." Gloria Steinem's defense of Clinton was "one of the most regretted public actions of her life," Flanagan wrote. Steinem's piece in the New York Times "slut-shamed, victim-blamed, and aged shamed," and urged "compassion for and gratitude to the man the women accused." Yet even now, Steinem is not apologizing for what she did. Neither is celebrated feminist Hillary Clinton, who reportedly tried to silence Bill's victims, including Juanita Broaddrick, the woman he allegedly raped in 1978. In the 1990s and subsequent decades, feminism revealed itself to be shockingly Machiavellian. At a critical time, when the nation's attention was trained on the plight of women exploited by a powerful man, feminism essentially told female victims to suck it up and move on. Is it any wonder that women like actress Natalie Portman have been rendered numb to the sexual harassment they've routinely endured? Portman recently disclosed that when the allegations against Weinstein first surfaced, she thought, "Wow, I'm so lucky that I haven't had this." Then on further reflection she realized she's been the victim of sexual harassment a hundred times, but had learned to dismiss it as "part of the process." "I've had discrimination or harassment on almost everything I've ever worked on in some way," she said. Feminism also told powerful predators like Bill Clinton that if they support liberal causes, they can have their way with women and feminists will have their back. Is it any wonder that the Harvey Weinsteins of this world took this message and ran with it? Let's face it. We're in this current cultural moment because of feminists, not in spite of them! But it's not just feminists' protection of predators that has contributed to the epidemic of sexual harassment and abuse in this country. The entire ideology of feminism renders women as tools for men. Take their keystone political platform abortion. What is abortion other than a get-out-of-sex-free card for men, absolving them of any responsibility for their actions? Feminists continue to champion abortion like it's an essential means of liberation for women, but nothing could be further from the truth. Women don't want abortions; men do. In fact, a study reported in the Medical Science Monitor found that 64-percent of women who abort feel pressured to do so. Similarly, Frederica Matthewes-Green, who talked to hundreds of women about their decision to abort for her book, Real Choices, found that women aren't having abortions because they are poor, or because a child would interfere with school or career plans. They're having abortions because the men in their lives tell them to do so. Matthewes-Green reported that 88-percent of the women she interviewed said their trip to the abortion clinic was not a choice, but a capitulation. They didn't feel empowered; they felt isolated, overwhelmed and sad. "No woman wants an abortion as she wants an ice cream cone or a Porsche," Matthewes-Green concluded. "She wants an abortion as an animal caught in a trap wants to gnaw off its own leg." Yet abortion remains enshrined as the holy grail of feminism. The National Organization of Women (NOW) names so-called "reproductive justice" as one of its five main campaigns. Reproductive Rights is also cited as one of the Women's March main "unity principles." Feminism's commitment to abortion is downright fanatical. As one of Hillary Clinton's biographers, Dr. Paul Kengor, once wrote, "(Abortion) is Hillary's hill to die on. I believe Hillary Clinton would give her life for Roe v. Wade." Abortion is necessary to achieve feminism's goal of making women the functional equivalents of men. But women aren't the functional equivalents of men. Perhaps someone should inform feminists that women have a womb; we nurse babies; and we'd prefer to have our unique maternal functions protected, rather than obliterated. We'd also prefer feminists to call predatory men to account not just the Bill Clintons and Harvey Weinsteins, but the "Alexes" and "Martys." These are the guys who bragged to a Vanity Fair reporter about their "Tinderellas," the dozens of girls they've slept with and discarded after finding them on dating apps like Tinder and Hinge. Feminists should be up in arms over the wanton abuse of women inherent in the current hookup culture; instead so-called "third-wave" feminists are actually promoting it. These "sex-positive" or "porn-positive" feminists are so deceived that they actually think freely prostituting one's body is somehow in women's best interests. Heavily influenced by the message of the sexual revolution, these daughters of second-wave feminists believe sexual freedom is essential to women's freedom and, as a result, oppose controlling or limiting sex in any way. Sadly, their errant ideology is killing them. As a female student at Boston College told Vanity Fair, "Sex should stem from emotional intimacy, and it's the opposite with us right now, and I think it really is kind of destroying females' self-images." Her classmate agreed and added, "But if you say any of this out loud, it's like you're weak, you're not independent, you somehow missed the whole memo about third-wave feminism." Unfortunately, men haven't missed the memo on third-wave feminism. They've hopped on it just as gleefully as Weinstein would on a hot actress. But it's sick and perverse and horribly misogynistic. And it's about time women, and those who love them, begin saying so. And to those conservatives, who like Friedan and Steinem are saying they don't care if Roy Moore is guilty of molesting young women: as long as he's pro-life, they'll vote for him. May history deal with you every bit as harshly as it is dealing with Friedan and Steinem today. Conservatives care about conserving timeless principles. But if you are willing to sacrifice the principle of protecting women and children for political gain, you are not a conservative; you are a grotesque pragmatist. Your day of reckoning should not be any less severe than those in whose footsteps you are walking. But for the rest of us, let's make today a day of reckoning for feminism and reject it once and for all. And instead, let's embrace God's vision for womanhood one that honors and values women as women, and refuses to use them as tools, but instead protects and cherishes them. Advocate Shrikant Shivde representing former media tycoon Peter Mukerjea in the Sheena Bora murder case, told the special CBI court that his wife and key accused in the case, Indrani Mukherjea, was trying to mislead. By Vidya : Advocate Shrikant Shivde representing former media tycoon Peter Mukerjea, an accused in the 2012 Sheena Bora murder case, told the special CBI court that his wife and key accused in the case, Indrani Mukherjea, was trying to mislead the court. He said, "She is using the media and misleading the court" adding that she was creating media publicity for creating a "wrong perception" by portraying herself as a victim. advertisement Indrani had earlier filed an application asking for Peters call data record of 2012 and 2015 to be called for. In the letter she accused Peter of abducting Sheena with help of their former driver Shyamvar Rai who is a key witness in the case. Shivde told the court, "If Indrani believed what she is now claiming then she should have informed the investigators of this case at that time itself." He added that this was a systematic attempt to create prejudice against peter. "She is drawing a further strategy to distort the trial," he said requesting that court to reject Indrani's application. Special CBI judge JC Jagdale will hear the arguments of Indrani and that of CBI on Tuesday. Although, CBI has already filed a two page affidavit stating that the allegations leveled by Indrani are with ulterior motive and malafide intention and that even if the CDR's are called for they might not be of evidentiary value. According to Khar police and later CBI who investigated the case, Sheena Bora was murdered in 2012 by her own mother Indrani. Police got to know about this case after Rai was arrested for illegal possession of arms in 2015 and he told the police about the gruesome murder. Rai later turned an approver in the case while Indrani, her former husband Sanjeev Khanna and later Peter were arrested in the case. --- ENDS --- Why Following Jesus Requires That We Act to Stop Climate Change It is no secret that U.S. evangelicals have not exactly led the charge for strong climate action over the years. As countries from around the world converged on Bonn, Germany earlier this month to discuss the global response to climate change, evangelical Christians were among them. Representing congregations, college campuses, and denominations from across the U.S., we came with a simple message for negotiators, citizens, and vulnerable frontline communities alike: we stand with you. It is no secret that U.S. evangelicals have not exactly led the charge for strong climate action over the years. Historically, evangelical Christians have been the group most likely to be skeptical of the science of climate change and wary of proposed solutions. In 2015, 51 percent of evangelicals said they believe that global warming is occurring, compared to 63 percent of the total U.S. population. But evangelical Christians have every reason to take steps to defend God's creation and to ensure that all people have access to clean air, pure water, and a stable climate. In the same 2015 poll, evangelicals were the most likely among all U.S. Christians to agree that God expects people to be good stewards of nature. That's because evangelicals love and cherish the words of scripture, and the Bible is filled with affection for the created world. Genesis 1 says that God looked on the world he had made and called it good not once, not twice, but seven times. In Genesis 2, God commands his image-bearers to "serve and protect" creation (Gen. 2:15). When God is teaching the Israelites how to be his people after rescuing them from Egypt, he mandates that not only the people but the land that sustains them shall be respected (Lev. 25:1-5). The Psalms are filled with God's love for his created world for no apparent reason than its own intrinsic goodness (Ps. 19, 24, 104, among others). And don't even get me started on the jaw-dropping beauty of Job 38-41's divine soliloquy. What's more, scripture speaks unequivocally of the requirement for the people of God to love God and to love our neighbor. While woven throughout scripture's tapestry, it is summed up perfectly by our Savior in Matthew 22 when he responds to the question, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" With over 600 to choose from, this was surely meant as a trap for the rabble-rousing itinerant rabbi. Jesus expertly replies with what has become the Christian rule of faith for millennia: to love God with everything you've got, and to love your neighbor as you love your own self. If this is the summary of the entire Law and the prophets, as Jesus declares later in the same passage, then we evangelicals would do well to pay attention. And if God loves his worldas scripture clearly attestsand if the cultures and livelihoods of our neighbors around the world are being threatened by a changing climateas headlines, scientific reports, and firsthand accounts all confirm is occurring at an alarming ratethen acting to address the threat of climate change isn't optional. It's what it looks like to follow Jesus in the 21st century. That's why I and other evangelicals traveled to Bonn for COP 23. We went to proclaim to our brothers and sisters around the world that we believe them when they tell us that their homes, families, and very lives are being threatened by rising seas, acidic oceans, and crop-destroying droughts. We went because we are trying to love God by loving the world that he loves. We went because we are trying to love our neighbors by fighting for their right to live their lives on a habitable planet. We went because we are trying to get better at following our Lord and Savior. This was the first global climate change conference since the Trump Administration announced his intent to pull the U.S. out of the Paris Agreement, making us the only nation in the world with our back turned on the spirit of global climate action. But as our government turns its back, evangelicals must open our hearts. Kyle Meyaard-Schaap is the National Organizer and Spokesperson for Young Evangelicals for Climate Action. Christians now seen as 'dangerous', says Tim Farron warning of 'threat to liberalism' Tim Farron is warning Christianity is seen as 'dangerous' and 'offensive' after the former Liberal Democrat leader quit in July saying it was impossible to be an evangelical Christian and head of his party. Warning of a 'threat to liberalism' Farron will say the UK is descending into 'groupthink, pack mentality and depressing conformity' in a lecture tonight. 'If you actively hold a faith that is more than an expression of cultural identity, a faith that forms the centre of your world view, you are deemed to be far worse than eccentric. You are dangerous. You are offensive,' he will say. It comes after Farron faced repeated questioning about his faith during the 2017 general election campaign, particularly around whether he thought gay sex was a sin. He ducked the question on multiple occasions, saying his personal view didn't matter and pointing to his voting record which is largely in favour in increasingly gay rights. But after intense pressure Farron eventually resigned as leader, issuing an extraordinary resignation statement saying: 'To be a political leader and to live as a committed Christian, to hold faithfully to the Bible's teaching, has felt impossible to me.' In a lecture tonight for the religion think tank Theos, Farron will admit he handled those questions badly and 'demonstrated a lack of wisdom' but will argue 'liberalism will eat itself, is eating itself, may already have eaten itself'. He will say: 'My experience is that although liberalism has won, it is now behaving like the established Church of the empire in the 4th and 5th centuries. It has gained ascendancy and lost itself in the process. It isn't very liberal any more.' He will attack secularism saying it is 'staggeringly arrogant and obviously wrong' to think 'the absence of faith is the neutral position, and that the holding of a religious faith is eccentric'. He will say: 'What appears now to be happening is that while the absence of faith is still thought to be the neutral position, holding a faith is only considered to be tolerably eccentric if it is merely cultural. But if your faith actually affects your world view in any way that puts it at odds with the mainstream, then your faith is considered to be malign and intolerable.' He goes on: 'So there is no neutrality. Absence of faith is a valid world view, but it has no right to supremacy. If you believe it does have that right, then I respect your view, but you are not a liberal.' Farron, who has been MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale since 2005, became a Christian at the age of 18. His July statement prompted praise from Church leaders as well as warnings about the nature of his resignation. In it Farron said he was quitting the leadership after joining his party aged 16. 'It is in my blood, I love our history, our people, I thoroughly love my party. 'Imagine how proud I am to lead this party. And then imagine what would lead me to voluntarily relinquish that honour. 'In the words of Isaac Watts it would have to be something "so amazing, so divine, (it) demands my heart, my life, my all".' 'Final Fantasy' news: Square Enix to launch a gallery event as part of 'Final Fantasy's' 30th anniversary Square Enix is still in the middle of celebrating the 30th anniversary of the "Final Fantasy" video game series. After the Pop-Up experience in November in London, Square Enix is launching an event called "Legacy of Art" on Dec. 2 in California. "Final Fantasy" producer Shinji Hashimoto made the announcement of the creative event through a video uploaded on YouTube. Hashimoto said, "The year is coming to a close, but activities for the FINAL FANTASY 30th Anniversary aren't stopping!" He also mentioned that Square Enix will welcome the holidays with the "Legacy of Art" event. "As you know the Holidays are a time of thanksgiving and tidings, and with that, we'd like to formally announce the FINAL FANTASY 30th Anniversary Gallery event," he added. The gallery will be open to fans and the public until Jan. 7, 2018. The gallery will feature artworks "from the legacy of the FINAL FANTASY franchise." Other activities are also planned for the visitors according to the producer. The "Legacy of Art" event will be held at the Gallery Nucleus at Alhambra, California. Gracing the opening day will be world renowned Japanese artist Toshiyuki Tanaka. Square Enix and the organizers of the events have not released further information about other guests. Fans are also hoping for the gaming company to provide updates about upcoming Square Enix video games like "Kingdom Hearts 3" and the remake of "Final Fantasy 7." The Pop-Up event that took place on London from Nov. 3 to Nov. 5 was a huge success with thousands of "Final Fantasy" fans attending. Square Enix creator Hironobu Sakaguchi commended millions of fans for their unending support to the "Final Fantasy" franchise. "From all of you who had played we received your enthusiasm and that passion is what drives us creators. So we created this FINAL FANTASY world together," Sakaguchi said. Getting over evolution: Is Charles Darwin's theory still controversial for Christians? Today marks the anniversary of an iconic book's publication: Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species, first released in 1859. The day has long been remembered (known to some as Evolution Day), and lamented by some religious believers. But is Darwin's culture-shifting theory still controversial? Darwin's work is considered to be the foundational document for modern understandings of evolutionary biology although scientific consensus has progressed and in some ways deviated from some of his ideas. At its heart it has come to represent the idea that humankind was not 'created' in its current form but as a species has evolved over a process of millennia, descending from apes and developing through natural selection. It has been characterised as a cornerstone of secular, naturalistic materialism since it supposedly pushed God and the Bible's account of creation out of the picture. It certainly did spark a new antagonism between science and religion, promoting a popular caricature between reasonable science and irrational faith. Was our world the work of an intelligent designer, or just the result of indifferent evolutionary processes? It's worth noting that Darwin himself intended no such fight: he believed in God, and though he admitted his theology was 'a muddle' his main struggle with Christianity was not about how humankind came to be, but the existence of pain today. Although his theory certainly challenged prevailing paradigms, and presents a puzzle for theologians trying to understand our origins Darwin didn't see his work as a 'God-killer'. But a century and a half later, what is to be made of On The Origin of Species? Among mainstream Christians today, evolutionary theory isn't that controversial. That is largely because, contrary to popular caricature, science isn't the enemy of faith. Darwin himself had an American friend, Asa Gray who believed evolution and Christianity to be perfectly compatible. It's easy to imagine Christians just retooling their theology in the wake of Darwin to, for example, be a little more relaxed about interpreting the six-day Genesis account of creation. But thinkers as early as fourth-century theologian Augustine understood Scripture to be complex, and warned against taking literally what wasn't intended as such. A more mature understanding of the relationship between biology and the Bible puts it thus: 'Science is about how things work, religion understands what they mean.' Christians have historically sought truth not just from the book of revelation (Scripture) but from the book of nature (the world around us, as mediated through scientific wisdom). In a world divinely made, all truth is God's truth including the details about how exactly we got here. That means it's not woolly liberalism to read the Bible's first chapters as they were intended: an ancient account detailing humanity's identity, purpose, and ultimate 'origin' rooted not in blind forces but in a personal creator God. Modern groups like BioLogos make the case for 'an evolutionary understanding of God's creation', with key evangelical leaders like NT Wright, Francis Collins and John Ortberg standing behind them. Pope Francis has also supported such an embrace, saying God is not 'a magician with a magic wand'. Of course some still resist. Young Earth Creationists (YEC) passionately contradict evolution theory, insisting in an earth created between six and ten thousand years ago with mankind not descended from apes but from Adam and Eve as Genesis says. One prominent YEC, Ken Ham, is clear that all we need to know about where we came from is in the Bible those who say otherwise are opposing God. As he put it: 'No scientist witnessed the origin of man, and evolutionary scientists only believe there were intermediate evolutionary links between an ape-like ancestor and man because they have disregarded God's Word and substituted their own fallible opinions in its place.' But Ham's brand of creationism, though popular, is in the minority. One recent YouGov study found for example that amongst Brits and Canadians, most accept evolutionary theory. Meanwhile one in five UK atheists (and one in three in Canada) agreed that evolutionary processes couldn't explain human consciousness. Perhaps that remains the only tension with evolution for religious believers, not that it's inherently wrong but that it doesn't say enough. That it's one thing to say how we got here, but another to say why. That life is full of beauty, love, wonder - and must be about more than just a 'survival of the fittest'. On life's inherent meaning and origin in God, on its hope through God's grace and redemption - on these existential tenets Christians shouldn't be expected to shift. Even Darwin, who ended his life an agnostic, couldn't deny some meaning behind reality. He wrote to Asa Gray: 'I cannot anyhow be contented to view this wonderful universe and especially the nature of man, and to conclude that everything is the result of brute force.' He later described the 'impossibility of conceiving that this grand and wondrous universe, with our conscious selves, arose through chance'. As it seems Darwin grasped, you could and should understand the facts of how humans came to be, but when it comes to 'origins' evolution isn't all we need. You can follow @JosephHartropp on Twitter How should Christians pray for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle? A royal wedding; how delightful. Who wouldn't wish Prince Harry and Meghan Markle well? It's a happy story, and very much one for our times. He's a handsome enough prince, but she is no Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty. She's an intelligent and successful person in her own right, who doesn't need rescuing by anyone. And the days when his type was expected to marry someone suitable have largely gone at least in what remains of European royalty, of which the UK's is by far the grandest and most successful survival. He can marry whom he likes, though what geneticists unromantically call 'assortative mating' means she's likely to look the part. What, then, should Christians pray for them? Above all, perhaps, that they should be able to share as much of their lives as possible with each other, rather than with other people as well. There is no point in praying they'll have a 'normal' life. There's no such thing; what's normal to one person is very odd to another. They will be, to a large extent, in the public eye. Both of them are used to that, but that doesn't mean they have to like it. And they will be pulled apart from each other by the demands of duty, too; Harry is well aware of what it takes to be a member of 'the Firm', as the family is called, and Ms Markle is finding out. Every married person faces tensions as they try to find space for each other. It's likely that these two will face more than most. For many people, they represent something quite fundamental in our shared national life. The unspoken contract with the Royal Family is that it's meant to represent us at our best, as we would really like to be, which is why it's such a big deal when they fall short and why the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are so greatly respected. In that sense, a large proportion of the population feels they have a stake in their happiness. Furthermore, there's something about that word 'prince' that taps straight into the primal stories we hear from childhood. Princes marry beautiful princesses whom they have saved from well, whatever and they all live happily ever after. Mess with that storyline at your peril and there's no shortage of ruthless paparazzi eager to point out every flaw in the perfect romance. Hence the need to pray for their lives together. That their love will endure after the heady stage of being 'in love' passes. That they'll be able to treat other people's expectations and demands with respect, but not as particularly important. That they'll live with shared goals as well as shared affections; and that they'll experience the presence of God throughout their future together. Everyone loves a wedding, and a royal wedding in particular. It's a sign of hope in the future. But this wedding mustn't just be a symbol of our own hopes and dreams even ones long dashed. It's the earthy and practical coming together of two real people for life; and it's in this gritty reality that marriages are forged and God is present. Follow Mark Woods on Twitter: @RevMarkWoods Iranian Christian convert loses appeal against 10-year prison sentence for 'missionary activities' An Iranian convert to Christianity has had his 10-year prison sentence for 'missionary activities' upheld after losing his appeal, World Watch Monitor has reported. Naser Navard Gol-Tapeh was sentenced in May alongside three Azerbaijanis, and all four men were given 10-year sentences for 'missionary activities' and 'actions against national security' in Iran. However, the three Azerbaijanis Eldar Gurbanov, Yusif Farhadov and Bahram Nasibov were released from Iran in November 2016 and, according to WWM, are unlikely to be forced to return, despite their representatives also failing to overturn their verdicts during the hearing on November 12. The four men were arrested after security agents raided a wedding party in Tehran in June 2016, according to WWM. They spent four months in prison before being released on bail, after which the Azerbaijani men travelled home. The charges were described as 'unwarranted and unjustifiable' by Mervyn Thomas, the chief executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW). According to the advocacy group Article 18, 21 Christians have been sentenced to long prison terms in Iran since May. Iran is ranked 8th on the Open Doors 2017 World Watch List of the 50 countries in which it is most difficult to live as a Christian. In 2016, over 193 Christians were arrested for attending these prayer meetings and Bible studies in 'house churches' according to WWM. Plight of Christians in Pakistan highlighted in wake of blasphemy crisis Anti-blasphemy protests in Pakistan have highlighted the fragile position of the country's religious minorities, including Christians, World Watch Monitor (WWM) has said. The group pointed out that Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan, the Islamist political party at the heart of the protests, has accused riot police of being dominated by Christians and other religious minorities. At a press conference on Sunday night, highlighted by WWM, Tehreek-e-Labaik spokesman Muhammad Afzal Qadri said: 'It looks like non-Muslims were conducting the operation. There were very few Muslims. When our respectable leader was asking them not to attack the movement for the finality of the Prophethood [that Muslims must declare they believe Muhammad is the final prophet], very few of them gave back a positive gesture...From this, we inferred that non-Muslims had been deployed [to deal with the protestors]. You know that Christians, Hindus and Ahmadis are part of the police, paramilitary force and law enforcement agencies.' The chairman of Voice of Minorities Pakistan, Amir Bashir, told World Watch Monitor that Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan had 'disgraced minorities serving the country in law enforcement agencies and armed forces'. He added: 'The leadership must extend an apology as Christians have given sacrifices for the country.' The developments emerged as the charity Open Doors told Christian Today that religious freedom for Christians and others is under 'severe pressure' in Pakistan, where society 'is becoming increasingly Islamic'. An Open Doors spokesperson said: 'Society in general is becoming increasingly Islamic in Pakistan, the situation is becoming more difficult for Christians. We hear stories of Christians being treated aggressively simply for wearing a cross and have been told that cars with Christian stickers are more likely to be stopped by the police. Open Doors campaigns for freedom of religious belief to be implemented in all countries and campaigns for change in countries such as Pakistan where this freedom is under severe pressure.' Pakistan is ranked fourth on Open Doors' 2017 World Watch List of the 50 countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian. The newest World Watch List will be out on January 10, 2018. The blasphemy crisis has seen weeks of violence in Islamabad that left at least seven people dead and hundreds wounded, and protests which spread to major cities across the country including Karachi and Lahore. The Islamist leader whose group has been clashing violently with Pakistani security forces, leaving Islamabad paralysed for weeks, yesterday finally called off the sit-in protest today after forcing the law minister to resign, which was the group's key demand. The deadly controversy revolves around a slight amendment to the oath which election candidates must swear. Now, the government has reportedly agreed to take action against those who were responsible for making changes in the oath about finality of prophethood, known as the the Khatm-i-Nabuwwat oath in the Elections Act 2017. In October it emerged that in the now abandoned revised form of the oath, the words 'I believe' had replaced the originally drafted 'I solemnly swear' and the clause relating to Khatm-e-Naboowat has not been made applicable to non-Muslim candidates. The government blamed the change on a clerical error and swiftly restored the original format, but now the minister responsible has gone, and the protests have been abandoned. 'On the assurance of the Chief of Army Staff, we are calling off the sit-in,' Khadim Hussain Rizvi told a crowd of around 2,500 demonstrators from the previously obscure Tehreek-i-Labaik Ya Rasool Allah Pakistan, who have occupied a main highway into the capital since November 6. This followed reports on state media that the law minister, Zahid Hamid, had had his resignation accepted by the prime minister. The decision by the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to capitulate to the demands of the protesters underlines the influence of extremist religious groups in the nuclear-armed nation. According to Reuters, Islamist parties are unlikely to win a majority in the elections expected next August, but could play a major role. The oath row follows a series of recent blasphemy and persecution cases against Christians in Pakistan. In August, a Pakistani Christian boy was sentenced to death after he was arrested and charged with burning pages of the Quran. Asif Massih, 18, was taken into custody on August 12 after an alleged incident took place in Jam Kayk Chattha village, near the town of Wazirabad, in central Punjab province. In October, a Christian boy was reportedly beaten to death by police in Pakistan on Monday in an apparent revenge attack after the boy was in a fight with a Muslim classmate who tried to bully him into renouncing Christianity. That case followed the killing of another Christian student in August, when Sharoon Masih was beaten to death by at least one Muslim classmate during school hours in Punjab's Vehari district. Pope Francis walks tightrope in Myanmar as UK MP returns from 'heartbreaking' visit to Rohingya in Bangladesh Pope Francis avoided using the term 'Rohingya' during and after talks with Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi today, on the second day of a visit fraught with tension over the issue of 'ethnic cleansing' against the Muslim minority group. The Pope did, however, urge respect for 'each ethnic group' in his address, urged a future of peace and offered support for democratic government in the country. 'The future of Myanmar must be peace, a peace based on respect for the dignity and rights of each member of society, respect for each ethnic group and its identity, respect for the rule of law, and respect for a democratic order that enables each individual and every group none excluded to offer its legitimate contribution to the common good,' Francis said. The Pope earlier met leaders of several faiths in the majority-Buddhist country, calling for 'unity in diversity' but so far making no public mention of the Rohingya who have fled en masse to Bangladesh since a military crackdown began three months ago. Francis will also travel to Bangladesh, where more than 620,000 Rohingya have fled to escape what Amnesty International has dubbed 'crimes against humanity'. Separately, the Tooting MP Rosena Allin-Khan spoke of her 'heartbreaking' trip to Bangladesh organised by Christian Aid to see the charity's work on the ground in response to the Rohingya crisis. Myanmar's army has denied accusations of murder, rape, torture and forced displacement that have been made against it. 'Unity is always a product of diversity,' Pope Francis told leaders of the Buddhist, Islamic, Hindu, Jewish and Christian faiths in the city of Yangon, according to Vatican officials who gave a briefing on the 40-minute meeting. 'Everyone has their values, their riches as well as their differences, as each religion has its riches, its traditions, its riches to share. And this can only happen if we live in peace, and peace is constructed in a chorus of differences,' he said. Aye Lwin, a prominent Muslim leader who was at the meeting, told Reuters that he had asked the Pope to appeal to Myanmar's political leaders 'to rescue the religion that we cherish, which could be hijacked by a hidden agenda'. Only about 700,000 of Myanmar's 51 million people are Catholic. Thousands of them have travelled from far and wide to see him and more than 150,000 people have registered for a Mass that Francis will say in Yangon on Wednesday. The Pope later flew to the capital, Naypyitaw, where he met President Htin Kyaw, writing in the guest book at the presidential palace: 'On all the beloved people in Myanmar, I invoke the divine blessings of justice, peace and unity.' He then went into talks with Suu Kyi, the Nobel peace laureate and champion of democracy who has faced criticism from around the globe because she has expressed doubts about the reports of rights abuses against the Rohingya and failed to condemn the military. The Rohingya exodus from Rakhine state to Bangladesh began after August 25, when Rohingya militants attacked security posts and the Myanmar army launched a counter-offensive. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson last week called the military operation 'ethnic cleansing' and threatened targeted sanctions for 'horrendous atrocities'. Myanmar's government has denied most of the accusations made against it, and the army says its own investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing by troops. Myanmar does not recognise the Rohingya as citizens nor as members of a distinct ethnic group with their own identity, and it even rejects the term 'Rohingya' and its use. Many people in Myanmar instead refer to members of the Muslim minority in Rakhine state as illegal migrants from Bangladesh. The latest developments on the papal visit, the first to Myanmar, came as it emerged that Rosena Allin-Khan, the British MP for Tooting in south London, has returned from a 'heart-breaking' trip organised by Christian Aid to Bangladesh where she saw first-hand the effects of the Rohingya crisis. Christian Aid has been helping all communities displaced by the fighting in Myanmar's Rakhine State, and Rohingya Muslims who have crossed the country's border into Bangladesh as refugees. Allin-Khan visited the work that the charity is doing in response to the crisis in Cox's Bazar, at south east Bangladesh. Christian Aid deployed a response team shortly after the crisis began and launched an appeal in September to help raise funds specifically for this work. Allin-Khan, a former humanitarian aid doctor, wanted to see the makeshift health clinic that Christian Aid and its local partners have set up in Jamtoli camp where a medical team of doctors, paramedics and nurses treats between 200 and 300 people per day. Allin-Khan said: 'Over 600,000 people have fled Myanmar and made their way across the border into Bangladesh since the end of August. The camps are overcrowded and sanitation is a problem. Living conditions will deteriorate even further unless the humanitarian response is scaled up. 'People are exhausted and desperate for food, shelter and clean water. Several people I spoke to have been left traumatised after having lost loved ones or through witnessing shocking violence. I listened to their stories of fleeing Myanmar and crossing over to Bangladesh. What they've been through, what they're dealing with, it's heart-breaking. 'With the camps being made up of 80 per cent women and children, I treated women who were so malnourished that they simply couldn't feed their starving babies who were dying in my arms. Christian Aid and other charities are doing all they can to meet the basic and urgent needs of these displaced people.' Additional reporting by Reuters. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle opt for church wedding in St George's Chapel at Windsor Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will have a church wedding at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle next May, Kensington Palace announced on Tuesday. The American actress, who is a Protestant Christian and went to a Catholic high school, will be baptised before the service, the palace added. She also intends to become a British citizen. The Royal Family will pay for the wedding including the church service, the music, the flowers and the reception after the Queen gave permission for the chapel to be used. The smaller and more intimate venue means the couple have chosen not to follow either Harry's father, Prince Charles, in getting married at St Paul's cathedral, or his brother, Prince William, in getting married in Westminster Abbey. St George's was the venue where Prince Charles' marriage to Camilla was blessed by then Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams following their civil ceremony in Windsor Guildhall. Justin Welby, the current Archbishop of Canterbury, is expected to take the service as is tradition for royal weddings but neither Kensington Palace nor Lambeth Palace has confirmed any further details. The chapel holds 800 people as opposed to the 2,000 capacity of Westminster Abbey and was predicted to be the couple's choice. Harry's communication's secretary Jason Knauf said Windsor was a 'very special place' for Harry, and that he and Ms Markle had spent time there together during their 16-month romance, according to Press Association. He said the couple were delighted to be holding the wedding in the 'beautiful grounds of Windsor'. Speculation as to whether the couple would opt for a church wedding mounted as questions were raised about Ms Markle's status as a divorcee. However the Church of England allows people who have been divorced to remarry in church in 'exceptional circumstances' as long as the priest officiating is happy certain criteria has been met. But the CofE's guidance for remarrying divorcees suggests the priest in charge holds at least two interviews with the couple to check they are suitable. According to the guidance Prince Harry and Ms Markle can expect some awkward questions such as 'what have you learned from your previous marriage?' and 'has there been healing of past hurts?' Prince Harry, Meghan Markle engagement news: Buckingham Palace reacts Before the recent announcement of an engagement between Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle, the Buckingham Palace released a statement protecting the privacy of the couple. A spokesperson revealed that they "would not give a running commentary on Harry's love life." This came at a time when bookmakers had suspended all betting on Prince Harry and Markle's engagement while awaiting the announcement of the engagement of the 33-year-old royalty and the "Suits" actress. "Royal watchers would love a Christmas engagement announcement, and as far as we're concerned it's coming imminently," a spokesperson for Ladbrokes previously said in an interview with Daily Mail a few days before the news broke. The Prince of Wales is delighted to announce the engagement of Prince Harry to Ms. Meghan Markle. pic.twitter.com/zdaHR4mcY6 Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) November 27, 2017 With the recent announcement, various rumors have now been laid to rest. First, the engagement ring is confirmed to contain diamonds from Princess Diana's personal collection. That said, while previous rumors said that it would include diamonds from Princess Diana's brooch, the actual ring also has a diamond from Botswana, where the couple has spent much time together. Meanwhile, another insider claimed that fans should expect a summer wedding. With the announcement revealing that the couple plans to wed around spring of next year, predictions have shifted to a March ceremony. As for their respective family's reactions, Prince Harry's suit was accepted and blessed by Markle's parents, who later released a statement via the official Twitter account of Kensington Palace. They expressed happiness that their daughter found a like-minded partner, and concluded with, "We wish them a lifetime of happiness and are very excited for their future together." Ms. Markle's parents, Mr. Thomas Markle and Doria Ragland have wished the couple 'a lifetime of happiness.' pic.twitter.com/H4kpTgpkYE Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) November 27, 2017 On the other hand, the British royal family has also warmly welcomed the American actress. According to a spokesman from Buckingham Palace, grandparents Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip are "delighted" and "wish [the couple] every happiness." Prince Harry's older brother, Prince William, and wife, Duchess of Cambridge, Kate, also released a statement saying, "We are very excited for Harry and Meghan. It has been wonderful getting to know Meghan and to see how happy she and Harry are together." Conveys through lawyer that the allegations of Sheena's abduction made against Peter Mukerjea were leveled 'under stress' By Vidya : Indrani Mukerjea's lawyer watered down the allegations made by Indrani against Peter Mukerjea of 'abducting' her daughter Sheena Bora. Indrani's lawyer Sudeep Pasbola told the CBI special court that, 'some words may have been inadvertently written in the application'. He went on to state that such words were result of the emotional stress caused due to prolonged jail time that Indrani is serving. advertisement Indrani had earlier filed an application asking for Peter's call data records of the year 2012 and 2015 to be called for. In the letter she accused Peter of abducting Sheena with help of their former driver Shyamvar Rai who is a key witness in the case. Peter Mukerjea's lawyer then had alleged that Indrani was trying to mislead the court. Indrani's lawyer Sudeep Pasbola however pressed the court today to 'look at the relevance of the Call Data Record (CDR) and ignore the rest of the letter 'The quality of the CDR obtained beyond a certain time is not good. Hence, CBI investigating officer K K Singh had raised an issue about the admissibility of the CDR. However, CBI advocate Bharat Badami told the court that it has already called for the CDRs of accused Indrani, co-accused Sanjiv Khanna along with Indrani's former driver Shyamvar Rai. He argued that as Peter is facing accusations of conspiracy, his CDR should also be obtained. This was opposed by Peter's lawyer Amit Ghag saying that there no grounds to obtain Peter's CDR if the allegations against him in the letter are withdrawn. To this Indrani's lawyer suggested that 'he is not withdrawing them' Watch: Full speech of Ivanka Trump at GEC 2017 --- ENDS --- Teen beheads statues of Jesus and Mary, posts shocking selfie on social media Kids do the most foolish things in order to appear cool. A teenager from Dulwich Hill, New South Wales fell prey to that after he decapitated religious figures and posted a selfie on social media. A teenager beheaded the statues of Jesus Christ and Mary outside St. Paul of the Cross church, according to Channel 7. The 19-year-old then posted photos online of him holding the broken pieces while smoking a cigarette. Instead of receiving raves, the teenager was roasted on social media. He promptly turned himself over to the authorities after he was threatened by netizens, the Gospel Herald reported. "Soooo he got scared because people found out who he was now he wants police to protect him. Praying for you, you need Jesus!" an angry social media user wrote. "So shameful! Makes no sense, was it self defense??? Some people have no respect or limits, and he has surely crossed the line," another added. However, not all the comments were harsh. People from the faith community even extended a hand of friendship to the boy who made the huge social media faux pas. "We would like to invite him for a rosary. We don't blame him, rather the devil that lives within that tempts us and make poor decisions daily," one person wrote. "Yes we are in a time of hardship and our religion is being tested but we must remain in the footsteps of Christ," wrote another. "He would not show any hate toward this young bloke and so we should not either. Forgive and forget; this is what we are taught. If God Himself can forgive this lost gentleman then so should we." For his part, the teenager also issued a statement of apology to the Greek Orthodox church and community "for offending you." "It was not my intention," he said. 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' cast news: Lisa Rinna meets Jennifer Lawrence It is a little less than a month before the reality television show by Bravo, "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills," returns with a brand new season. In fact, Bravo has already released an exciting trailer in the past week, which means that the crew is probably still busy shooting the show. American Actress, Jennifer Lawrence, has been reported to meet one of the cast members, Lisa Rinna. The meeting left Lawrence starstruck. In a report by People, Lawrence bumped into Rinna on Nov. 24, Friday at a restaurant in New York City. Just like any normal die-hard fan, Lawrence was screaming with delight. She affectionately hugged Rinna when the two were introduced. Naturally, Lawrence posted the moment on her social media, wherein viewers saw her exuberant reactions towards the meeting. Rinna was with her 16-year-old daughter, Amelia Gray Hamlin. It is not exactly news that Lawrence is not afraid to show that she wears her heart on her sleeve. According to Bustle, Hamlin was as cool as a cucumber throughout the screams and the adoration that her mother was receiving during the meeting. Perhaps, Hamlin is already used to the kind of attention that her mother gets by now. However, it is also important to note that Lawrence is not just any other person, but an Oscar Award-winning actress. It appears that Lawrence is an avid fan of reality television in general. Us Weekly reported that in 2014, Lawrence also posted on her social media about meeting one of Rinna's cast members in "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills," Lisa Vanderpump at Sur which is one of her restaurants in Los Angeles, California. Earlier this month, Lawrence hosted the "Jimmy Kimmel Live" show, and revealed that she is also a big fan of "Keeping Up With the Kardashians. "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" returns on Dec. 19 at 9 a.m. EST. Theresa May under pressure from Tory MPs as Catholics braced for U-turn on faith schools Catholics are bracing themselves for a government U-turn that would block new Catholic faith schools from opening, Christian Today understands. Ministers are preparing to backtrack on a manifesto commitment to remove the 50 per cent cap on free schools admitting pupils on the basis of religion. In another sign of Theresa May's weak hold on power officials are 'laying the groundwork for a U-turn' that would effectively be a 'form of Catholic discrimination', a senior source in Parliament told Christian Today. Although Theresa May and government officials are thought to be in favour of removing the restriction, the Education Secretary Justine Greening is understood to be personally opposed to allowing faith schools to select pupils on the basis of faith. Another source said Greening is 'throwing her weight around' and using the Prime Minister's weakness to rescind on a manifesto promise. While humanist campaigners say the current laws prevent discrimination and promote diversity by forcing all new faith schools to award half of places irrespective of faith, the Catholic Education Service says it effectively means Catholic pupils are turned away from Catholic schools simply because they are Catholic. It breaks the Church's Canon Law to refuse a Catholic pupil a school place on the basis of their faith and so no new Catholic schools have been opened since the cap came into force under the Tory-Lib Dem coalition government. After the Conservatives won the election a number of Catholic dioceses invested thousands of pounds in plans for new schools on the basis of the manifesto promise and are now being forced to pause those projects as the threat of a U-turn grows. The Prime Minister is now coming under pressure from her own backbenchers to implement the policy with the Department for Education refusing to answer whether it still supported removing the cap. Sir Edward Leigh, Tory MP for Gainsborough and a leading figure in favour of the change, told Christian Today the 'cap has failed in its objectives and its only significant effect now is to act as a barrier to the creation of Catholic free schools'. He said: 'The Prime Minister was right to announce that it would be scrapped accordingly, and we included it in our Conservative manifesto during the general election campaign. We have been encouraging the Education Secretary to enact this as soon as possible so that the Catholic dioceses which have invested tens of thousands into planning for new schools can get on with their work. 'There is a shortage of Catholic school places and this needs to be alleviated as soon as possible.' Catholic bishops have launched a campaign to pressurise Greening to follow through on removing the cap, which would not require a vote in Parliament. A petition, backed by the head of the Catholic Church in England Wales Cardinal Vincent Nichols, aims at convincing Greening to implement the policy, pointing out she previously admitted the current 'rule has been ineffective and adversely affects Catholic families'. The Government promised the Catholic Community to scrap the ban on new Catholic schools. Write and tell them to keep their promise:https://t.co/P91Kon4dfT Cardinal Nichols (@CardinalNichols) November 22, 2017 Most Rev Malcolm McMahon, Archbishop of Liverpool, said: 'The Bishops of England and Wales are resolved that the presence of the admissions cap is not a secure basis for founding of Catholic schools. 'Being Catholic should never be a barrier to getting into a Catholic school. We'd be failing our young if our community was to let this happen. 'That's why we're urging all Catholics and those who support the principle of parental choice to write to the Secretary of State for Education, to tell her about the strength of feeling on this issue.' The petition launched by the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales reads: 'By forcing Catholic schools to turn away Catholic school children on the basis of their faith, the very principle of a Catholic parent's right to choose a Catholic education is under threat.' A spokeswoman for the Department for Education told Christian Today ministers would make an announcement on faith schools in due course but gave no indication of a timescale. The list of French anti-American writers is long: it is its own unique genre, one found nowhere else in such abundance. Already, in 1793, Talleyrand, in exile before he would become French foreign minister, wrote in Philadelphia that Americans possessed neither conversation nor cuisine. He also famously observed, These Americans, they have 32 religions but only one dish, roast beef with potatoes. The genealogy of contemporary anti-Americanism is traceable to the beginning of the nineteenth century, to a Catholic France arrayed against a Protestant America, and then to the twentieth century, when a socialist France confronted a capitalist America; always just beneath the surface is the idea of a civilized France set against a supposedly uncivilized America. French anti-American literature, which Jean-Francois Revel analyzed perceptively in Anti-Americanism, is faithful to an eternal code: our civilization versus their lack of culture; our spirituality versus their brutality. Beneath these changing ideological masks, we might perhaps discern a rivalry between two nations that claim to be universalist. Americans have seized the torch of human rights from France, or at least the claim to embody them. In his new book, Civilisation: Comment nous sommes devenus americains (Civilization: How We Became Americans), the media-friendly Parisian philosopher Regis Debrayconscience of the French intelligentsia, former comrade of Che Guevara, and now conservativerenews the genre and provides, after a long philosophical meditation, a new report on the state of Franco-American relations. To summarize Debrays take too briefly: French civilization is finished; we have been absorbed by the American empire; and what remains for us is the refinement of decadence. In an epigraph, Debray cites the revered Catholic philosopher Simone Weil, writing in 1943: Just as the Nazification of Europe prepared the Nazification of the world, so the Americanization of Europe would prepare the worlds Americanization. The second misfortune is lesser than the first, but in both cases humanity as a whole would lose its past. Debray apparently considers this frenzied passage prophetic. He does not spare us the platitude of an America without history: The making of America was one of constant self-renewal. Europe did the opposite by reinjecting a long history into its present. This is a debatable prejudice; Debray has little understanding of how much Americans worship their own four centuries of history, to which can be added the histories of all the peoples that constitute the American nation. With Debray, a brilliant style often gets the better of meaning: The European Union is the self-destruction of Europe. For Debray, civilization is ineffable, so it is not necessarily a contradiction that his America is seen entirely from Paris. Unlike many of his anti-American predecessors, Debray does not claim to have visited America or to have reported the horrors he discovered there in the manner of Celine, a rabid anti-American novelist, or of Georges Duhamel in Scenes de la vie future (A Panorama of Our Future). After visiting the United States in 1929, Duhamel, a respected novelist and member of the French academy, described the country as a mechanical, soulless society. His outlook can be summarized by his observation that American womens legs are too beautiful: as if they were mass-produced. The surprise in Debrays book is that not all is hateful in the America that has supposedly conquered the French people. France, according to Debray, is caught between the best and the worst that America has to offer. The best includes the movements to liberate women, blacks, and gays that, crossing the Atlantic, also liberated the French; the best also refers to the American writers, musicians, and artists who have enriched the French aesthetic universe and to the technological liberation that was made in America, from the washing machine to the Internet. The worst, for Debray, is popular culture, such as Beyoncethough we must ask whether French popular music is any better. Worst of all, as Debray sees it, is that the French chose none of this, neither the high nor the low; the American empire imposed it, in the same way that Rome made vassals of conquered peoples, even while granting them Roman citizenship, which acculturated them even more. Unlike the Romans subjects, the French were not made subjects through war, Debray argues, but rather through the power of images, cinema, television, and the Internet. He writes that the GAFA [Google Apple Facebook Amazon] mechanism will integrate young Muslim immigrants better than any effort to make them French; their superficial Islamic beliefs will drop away. Citing Georges Bernanos, another icon of anti-Americanism, Debray sees the mechanism as a conspiracy against all of lifes interior space. Here, he falls back into the most simpleminded anti-Americanism. Debray reminds us that the French owe individual freedom to English philosophers and gastronomy to Italian cooks. Does he mean to suggest, then, that good and bad ways exist of mixing cultures? Its hard to say. He also seems to believe that the worst form of resistance to the American empire is the European project. Debray never offers a definition of French civilization, but he clearly doesnt see it as European. He execrates the European Union as a globish-speaking supermarket, failing to acknowledge that it has pacified a continent on which war was long endemic. As I closed Debrays sometimes delirious, sometimes amusing, welter of a book, it struck me that the America that we are told about in Paris does not really exist. As is the case with many anti-American expressions, Debrays book is not about a real society but rather a mental construction, a devil that will supposedly explain all the changes in French society that we dislike. In truth, what Debray calls America is modernity itselfFrances as well as that of the United States. Translated by Alexis Cornel Photo by Marc Piasecki/Getty Images The Office for Civil Society has appointed David Knott as its next director. Knott was promoted from being deputy director of the OCS and has previously worked in Prime Ministers Strategy Unit, the Cabinet Office, Department for International Development, and as an adviser on public administration reform. He holds two economics degrees and a Masters of Public Policy from the LSE and is a Fellow of the RSA. The OCSs former director, Mark Fisher, joined the Cabinet Office in the summer after three years in the role. The director of the OCS is a senior civil servant responsible for youth volunteering programmes, social investment and strategic engagement with civil society. He will report to Helen Judge, the director general for performance and strategy at DCMS. The OCS has a budget of 350m per year and 90 staff. Social Enterprise UK, the infrastructure body for the social enterprise sector, has criticised the governments industrial strategy for its lack of focus on social value. SEUK has also published a report from Chris White, the former MP who introduced the Social Value Act to Parliament, calling for the government to take much stronger action to include social value in procurement. And it has reiterated a call for the social enterprise brief to be moved out of the Office for Civil Society and into the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), saying the OCS does not have the power to influence other departments on behalf of the sector. Peter Holbrook, chief executive of SEUK, said the government industrial strategy, published yesterday, did not go far enough. This is a step forward when what is needed is a step change, he said. It is bewildering that the government has chosen not to address procurement and particularly social value in the industrial strategy given the support for this across the business community, public sector procurement teams, the voluntary sector, and think tanks. Brexit looks to have blinded our government from seeing the levers it has at its disposal to reshape the economy and kick-start growth. Despite the energy and ambition of our new minister, it appears clear the Office for Civil Society is unable to exert any influence over BEIS for the benefit of the sector and wider society. It is time to move responsibility for social enterprise to BEIS so that our voice can be heard and our ideas considered. Social value report published Chris Whites report into social value, Our Money, Our Future, makes a series of recommendations to improve the focus on social value. These include: The Act needs to be extended horizontally by including goods and works, but also to planning and assets and wider infrastructure. The Act needs to be extended vertically by changing consider to account for in the language of the Act, and requiring this throughout the commissioning cycle, including contract management. Social value needs to be included as a precursor and core element in devolution agreements, requiring devolved areas to include it in their joined-up commissioning and procurement. These changes need to be supported by clearer statutory guidance by central government, including case studies, example weightings and removing thresholds. A biennial State of Social Value Audit should be conducted independently but with the support of the government. Editors note: In the five years since this piece was published, journalism has continued to evolve in its approach to covering race. At CJR, we capitalize Black, but not white, when referring to racial groups. The killings in Charleston, South Carolina, heartbreakingly elicit another focus on race. In our case, not about race as a social construct, but race as it appears in print: Specifically, when to use capital letters or not for people who are identified with the label black or white. A website originally registered to the man accused in the Charleston killings, Dylann Roof, capitalizes White, but not black, as do many other white supremacist sites. Publications aimed at blacks often capitalize Black, but not white, and there are strong feelings that Black should be capitalized. (The home page of the church target in the attack, the Emanuel AME Church, does not capitalize black.) To start with, let us stipulate that any discussion involving race is fraught: Even thinking there is such a thing as race is controversial, since many anthropologists believe that people cannot be so grouped biologically. Sign up for CJR 's daily email Though there are more arguments for capitalizing Black than for capitalizing White, some have argued that Black and White should both be capitalized, the way Asian, Hispanic, Arab, etc. are. One difference is that those are all proper names, describing not the person, but the geographical or ethnic origin or ancestry of that person. And just as people might describe themselves as Japanese or Chicano rather than Asian or Hispanic, people who are black or white are just as likely to describe themselves as African American or Irish. Black and white are equally broad descriptions of skin color, not ethnicity or origin. Most journalism-related style guides, like those of the Associated Press and New York Times, call for putting both white and black in all lowercase letters. Others, like The Chicago Manual of Style, allow capitalization if an author or publication prefers to do so. Dictionaries also allow both capitalization and lowercase versions. In other words, its fielders choice whether to capitalize black and white or not. As the excellent Grammarphobia blog noted, The American Heritage Dictionary is conflicted on whether to capitalize Black but not White. Orthographic evenhandedness would seem to require the use of uppercase White, but this form might be taken to imply that whites constitute a single ethnic group, an issue that is certainly debatable, the dictionary says. But using lowercase white in the same context as uppercase Black will obviously raise questions as to how and why the writer has distinguished between the two groups, the usage note says. There is no entirely happy solution to this problem, American Heritage concludes. In all likelihood, uncertainty as to the mode of styling of white has dissuaded many publications from adopting the capitalized form Black. So why does it matter? Capital letters jump off a page, and signal an Importance greater than that of the uncapitalized words. One reason partisans capitalize White or Black is to denote its importance in messages, even subliminally, magnified by lowercasing the other. As always, we believe that labels can oversimplify, and that a specific description is better. But if someone prefers African American, use that term rather than a more generic black. And, as always, use such descriptions only if theyre relevant, if the reader understands the relevance, and if they are applied equally to everyone mentioned. DiversityInc. has a column called Ask the White Guy, and in 2009 its author, Luke Visconti, explained Why the B in Black Is Capitalized at DiversityInc. His reasoning, in part, is that Our capitalization of Black is both a reflection of reality and of respect. [M]any Black people describe themselves simply as being Black, and this reality is reflected in a body of literature, music and academic study. I do not believe white needs to be capitalized because people in the white majority dont think of themselves in that way. I dont think theres anything wrong with thisits just how it is. That opinion, though, creates a typographical inequality, if not a sociological one, that may subliminally convey a bias. Language can reflect and foster bias and even invite violence, so respectfulness should always trump style or linguistic ambiguities. There may be contexts where bias is appropriately intentional, but absent that, equality should rule. Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Merrill Perlman managed copy desks across the newsroom at the New York Times, where she worked for twenty-five years. Follow her on Twitter at @meperl. When it gets really humid in your home, envelopes stick together and mold can begin to grow. When humid air gets to the steel cables which support one of the worlds largest suspension bridges it can create a $1 billion problem. To prevent any future failures of part of the cables which hold up the twin spans, operators of the Delaware Memorial Bridge put a $35 million dehumidification system into operation Tuesday afternoon designed to protect the bridges. Its only the second bridge in the U.S. to employ this new technology. This is an investment in the future and something that will lengthen the life span of this bridge, said Delaware River and Bay Authority Executive Director Thomas Cook. Its a small investment which will pay dividends for years. The South Jersey Times reports that Cook was one of several authority officials and members of the team which installed the cable preservation system who donned hardhats and safety vests and made their way down the narrow stairs and catwalks inside the New Jersey anchorage on the Delaware-bound span of the bridge. They made their way into a new, small room which houses the dehumidification plant. Identical ones have been installed in each of the three other anchorages on the twin spans. With the flick of a switch, DRBA Commissioners Doug VanSant and Michael Ratchford, the chair and vice chair of the authoritys Project Committee, actually put the system into operation for the north cable on the span of the bridge. The primary goal is to extend the lives of the main cables that form the suspension bridge and carry the load from the suspended spans, said DRBA Project Engineer Shekhar Scindia. The main cables are the most critical components of the suspension span. American Bridge Company of Coraopolis, Pa., was awarded the contract to install the system in early 2016. The project is expected to be finished in the spring of 2018. Part of the project includes installing airtight wraps around the two 4,100-foot-long cables on each of the two two bridges. That process has been the most visible for those who drive across the bridges with the suspended walkways the workers use following the cables from the road surface to the top of the bridge towers. This painting work on the Delaware Memorial Bridge is perhaps the most important one in years. Multiple coats of paint are coming off for the first time ever. Inside the bridges anchorages the high-tech dehumidification plants were installed and air injection and exhaust ports were positioned along the cables. The system works by forcing dry air through the entire length of the cable which pushes out the moist air. The cables are made up of about 8,000 single strands of steel wire which air can travel between. Scindia says officials want the humidity levels in the cables to go as low as possible. He said that once humidity levels fall to around 30 percent corrosion rates drop to nil. Inspections done more than five years ago found some signs of corrosion already taking place on the bridge cables so the dehumidification system was seen as a proactive step, officials said. If the main cables fail its better to build a new bridge, said Vince Meconi, the DRBAs chief operations officer. Officials said estimates for a single new span like one of the twin bridges could cost anywhere from $800 million to $1.2 billion. Meconi said the dehumidification system is key to the bridges future. This is what infrastructure maintenance looks like, he said of the new system. The first span of the bridge was opened in 1951 and the second in 1968. The system paid for through toll receipts is equipped with remote sensors and advanced monitoring systems to insure it is functioning as intended, officials say. Carrying about 70 million vehicles each year, the bridges connecting New Jersey and Delaware are a key transportation link along the Northeast Corridor between Washington, D.C. and New York City. According to the DRBA, there are about 25 suspension bridges in the world equipped with a cable preservation system. In the U.S., the only other system like that being installed in the Delaware Memorial Bridge is on the Bay Bridge linking Annapolis and Marylands Eastern Shore. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Rahul Gandhi and PM Modi are to visit Somnath temple on Wednesday but Narendra Modi might not go, owing to the Congress V-P's arrival there. By Jumana Shah: Somnath temple, the picturesque pilgrimage site on the coast of Gujarat in Saurashtra is going to be at the centre of India's attention on Wednesday. Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Gujarat, and between them will be an odd distance of about 50 km. Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to arrive at Somnath temple for darshan at 1 pm while Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a public rally 1.20 pm in Prachi, a town some 23 km from the temple. advertisement Sources claim, owing to Rahul's scheduled visit to the temple at around the same time, Modi will not be going for darshan at the temple, which he would have otherwise not missed. Besides the aforementioned fact, the security agencies and local police are already in a tizzy over the VIP visits at the same time in this otherwise quaint place. SOMNATH'S POLITICAL SIGNIFICANCE The Shivalinga in Somnath tmeple is one of the 12 jyotirlingas in India, where Shiva is believed to have appeared as a fiery column of light. The trustees of Somnath temple include Narendra Modi, LK Advani, Amit Shah and it is headed by Keshubhai Patel as its chairman. Another historical significance is that Advani's Ram Rath Yatra started from here in 1990. A young Narendra Modi came to political limelight in this Rath Yatra as Advani's trusted aide who managed his affairs at the time. Moreover, in 1947 after independence, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel desired to reconstruct this temple as the deputy prime minister and went with the proposal to Mahatma Gandhi. While Gandhi agreed on the idea of reconstruction. Mahatma Gandhi said that the funds for this should be raised from the public and not given by the government. This is also an issue raised by the BJP. THE VISITS Rahul Gandhi has visited 20 temples in his four-phase Navsarjan Yatra to Gujarat over 12 days in the last two months. Rahul's temple visits have drawn flak from the BJP, with allegations ranging from Rahul compromising national interest by 'celebrating the release of Hafiz Saaed' to claiming he never visited temples before and is doing so now, only to get votes. In this visit, Gandhi will travel from Somnath to Amreli through Visavadar in Junagadh, which is former Gujarat chief minister Keshubhai Patel's constituency. PM Modi meanwhile is scheduled to address four rallies across Gujarat on Wednesday. Starting from Morbi, Prachi in Gir-Somnath district, Palitana in Bhavnagar and Navsari in South Gujarat. Morbi is significant as it is a hub of the ceramic tiles manufacturing industry. The industry has been badly affected by global recession, followed by demonetisation and now GST. Prachi is a destination to meet with fishermen of Veraval, which is a big fishery export hub. advertisement PM Modi's other significant stop is Palitana town in Bhavnagar district, which is a very important pilgrimage place for the the Jain community. The community, believed to be the BJP supporters, have had a long standing demand that Palitana be declared as a religious city on the lines of Ambaji, but it has not been done by the BJP so far. It's a busy day for Gujarat as allegations and counter-allegations are expected to fly thick and fast in Saurashtra on Wednesday. --- ENDS --- Americans have grown accustomed to hearing apologies from everyone from cheating car-makers to cheating presidents, but a Fortune 500 chemical company with a pollution problem in North Carolina is following a different model: dont apologize, dont explain. For six months, Wilmington, Delaware-based Chemours Co. has faced questions about an unregulated chemical with unknown health risks that flowed from the companys plant into the Cape Fear River, which provides drinking water for hundreds of thousands of people. The company has said virtually nothing in its own defense about chemicals it may have discharged for nearly four decades, and it skipped legislative hearings looking into health concerns. Earlier this month, North Carolina environmental regulators said they might fine Chemours, revoke its license to discharge treated wastewater into the nearby river and open a criminal probe. State officials said the company chose silence over reporting a chemical spill last month as required. In a rare response, Chemours said its committed to operating the plant, which employs about 900, in accordance with all applicable laws and in a manner that respects the environment and public health and safety. New tests have detected the chemical GenX, used to make Teflon and other industrial products, at levels beyond the states estimated but legally unenforceable safety guidepost in 50 private water wells near Chemours Fayetteville plant and at a water treatment plant in Wilmington, about 100 miles (62 kilometers) downstream. There are no federal health standards addressing GenX and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classifies it as an emerging contaminant to be studied. Lack of information about the chemical, its prevalence and health effects has disturbed people across eastern North Carolina. John Fisher, 77, said when he moved into his home 20 years ago the companys predecessor, DuPont, would invite neighbors through the gates for picnics and plant tours. But the only contact hes had with Chemours was a notice a couple of weeks ago that his water well needed testing, and its outside vendor arranging to drop off bottled water. They havent officially gotten a hold of us saying, hey, we feel sorry for you, this is what were going to do for you, Fisher said. Fisher said he wonders whether GenX or other chemicals in his well water caused the cancer deaths of his dog and his daughters dogs next door. They would get big balls hanging off their bellies and they were all cancerous, Fisher said. We couldnt figure out why all our dogs were dying of cancer. DuPont began using GenX to replace another fluorinated compound after neighbors of the companys Parkersburg, West Virginia, plant claimed in more than 3,500 lawsuits that the compound made them sick. DuPont spun off Chemours into a separate company two years ago. A jury in July 2016 found the two companies liable for a mans testicular cancer that he said was linked to a chemical emitted by the West Virginia plant. The two companies this year agreed to pay nearly $671 million to settle further lawsuits. Chemours zipped-lip strategy is likely a defensive crouch against the threat of costly lawsuits at a time when its financial future looks bright, said Geoffrey Basye, a public affairs consultant and former Federal Aviation Administration spokesman under President George W. Bush. Bond rating agency Moodys has upgraded its opinion of the company and Chemours stock price has more than doubled since the start of the year. Not only can a stocks performance play a pivotal role in how a company chooses to respond, or not respond, major shareholders and the board can also influence a companys public affairs posture, Basye said. The companys caution could make people think its hiding something, he said, but he noted that industrial companies like Chemours tend to have a different culture from enterprises that deal directly with consumers. Companies who tend to operate in the shadows before a crisis occurs have a tendency to stay in the shadows once the crisis hits, Bayse said. Chemours silence runs contrary to legal lessons and social science research that suggest addressing mistakes eases hard feelings and saves corporations money, said Maurice Schweitzer, a Wharton business school professor who teaches negotiation and corporate decision-making. Studies have found an apology for medical mistakes can be enough to satisfy aggrieved patients, leading to fewer malpractice actions, greater willingness to settle lawsuits and lower demand for damages, Schweitzer said. The natural tendency to keep a low profile, hope things blow over, is exactly what anyone whos been harmed by some action doesnt want, he said. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. By PTI: By Aditi Khanna London, Nov 28 (PTI)AMyanmars de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been stripped of the Freedom of Oxford award over her "inaction" in handling the raging Rohingya refugee crisis and turning a "blind eye to violence" in the country that forced over 600,000 people to flee to Bangladesh. Oxford City Council voted unanimously last night to permanently remove the honour given to 72-year-old Suu Kyi in 1997. advertisement "Today we have taken the unprecedented step of stripping her of her citys highest honour because of her inaction in the face of oppression of the minority Rohingya population," Councillor Mary Clarkson said. "We hope that today we have added our small voice to others calling for human rights and justice for the Rohingya people," she said in a statement. More than 600,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled to Bangladesh following a military crackdown in Myanmars Rakhine state, creating one of the worlds most dire refugee crisis. Last week, Myanmar signed a deal with Bangladesh to allow the refugees to return home. While the United Nations has described the violence and mass exodus as "a textbook example of ethnic cleansing", Suu Kyi has dismissed all allegations. Oxford City Council said that when Suu Kyi had been given the Freedom of the City it was because she reflected the citys values of "tolerance and internationalism" and as a celebration of her opposition to oppression and military rule in Myanmar but now any association with her would tarnish the citys reputation. "The burning of their [Rohingya] villages has been independently confirmed by satellite images, and the UN has called the situation a textbook example of genocide ? yet Aung San Suu Kyi has denied any ethnic cleansing and dismissed numerous claims of sexual violence against Rohingya women as fake rape," it said. "Oxford has a long tradition of being a diverse and humane city, and our reputation is tarnished by honouring those who turn a blind eye to violence," it added. A series of UK institutions have been distancing themselves from the Nobel Peace laureate in the wake ofAthe Rohingya crisis. AAportrait of the leader hanging prominently at the entrance of St Hughs College, Oxford University, where she studied was moved into storage back in September. In October, under-graduates at the college where she read politics, philosophy and economics between 1964 and 1967 voted to remove the Myanmar leaders name from the title of their junior common room. So far, Oxford University has decided not to reconsider an honorary doctorate bestowed upon Suu Kyi in 2012 but has expressed its "profound concern" over the treatment of the Rohingya minority in Myanmar. At the start of November, musician and Love Aid founder Bob Geldof returned his Freedom of the City of Dublin award because it was also held by Suu Kyi. advertisement The City of London Corporation has also been debatingArevokingASuuAKyis Honorary Freedom, bestowed upon her earlier this year. PTI AK MRJ AKJ MRJ --- ENDS --- China's securities regulator has suspended approval of Hong Kong-focused mutual funds, according to the industry newspaper China Fund, potentially slowing the pace of Chinese money into Hong Kong stocks. New funds with "Hong Kong" in their names - which rules dictate must allocate at least 80 percent of their portfolio into Hong Kong-listed stocks - have seen their approvals suspended by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), China Fund said on its website, citing two unidentified fund sources. The move could delay the launch of 59 products that are backed up in the queue, although funds that invest less than 50 percent of their portfolio in Hong Kong will not be affected, according to the newspaper, which is affiliated with the official People's Daily. The sources, who were notified by the CSRC, said the body did not explain why it was suspending Hong Kong-focused funds. But they speculated that regulators may hope to cool fervor in a market that has soared over 30 percent this year, aided by Chinese money inflows, according to the newspaper. A Chinese start-up is aiming to raise $11.5 million in a digital token sale starting Tuesday. The company, Walimai, is launching the sale in Singapore for funds to expand its technology and develop a loyalty program both frequent explanations in the booming initial coin offering market. What makes this company different, though, is that its product isn't financial technology like most of its ICO peers, but rather a play on the fast-moving consumer goods space. Walimai created anti-counterfeit labels that use a smartphone app to let buyers confirm the authenticity of the product they're buying. The labels can communicate directly with some phones (and the company had originally advertised that others could use QR codes for a "just as secure" experience, but a spokesman now says that's untrue). A key feature of the labels, the company said, is that they're physically tamper-proof because once they are taken off products, they stop working. Issuing digital tokens through ICOs is an increasingly popular fundraising vehicle for start-ups where investors send some form of digital currency usually bitcoin or rival token ether to the companies. In exchange, they get an entirely new token that has some sort of assigned worth. That is, it can be used to redeem a service offered by the firms, or even theoretically give investors an equity stake in a company. However, since China banned all new digital token sales earlier this year, Walimai's founders set up a new company in Singapore called the WaBi Project. That company will issue 46 million WaBi coins for $0.25 per token to participants, excluding Chinese citizens (who it filters out by checking identifying documents, internet protocol addresses and phone numbers). It will also develop a blockchain-based loyalty program for Walimai customers. There are about 100 million WaBi tokens in total. Those tokens can be used instead of cash to buy products with Walimai labels, the company said. Customers can also "mine" additional WaBi coins by continuously scanning the labels. Walimai's current focus is in the baby food market in China, but it plans to expand into areas such as wine bottles, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. In 2008, many Chinese infants fell ill, and some died, after drinking contaminated milk formula; it was one of China's major food safety incidents in recent years. Most anti-counterfeit companies have primarily focused on developing their technologies for fashion brands, Yaroslav Belinskiy, Walimai's co-founder, told CNBC. Instead, he explained, his company opted to address infant formula, for which the "cost of buying fake" is much greater. "We decided that (with) fashion labels, people actually know when they buy fake. If you pay $50 for a fake bag, you kind of know that it's a fake," he said. A villager walks as Mount Agung volcano erupts in the background in Kubu, Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia November 27, 2017. Indonesia's transportation ministry said on Tuesday it will extend the closure of Bali's I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport for a further 24 hours because of ash from the eruption of the island's Mount Agung volcano. A report from local aviation navigation authorities showed that "aircraft flight channels are covered with volcanic ash" the ministry said in a statement. Bali airport, about 60 km (37 miles) from the volcano, will be closed until 7 a.m. local time on November 29, it said. Ten alternative airports have been prepared for airlines to divert inbound flights, including in neighboring provinces. A separate notice showed Lombok airport had been reopened, after an earlier closure overnight due to the eruption. Agung rises majestically over eastern Bali to a height of just over 3,000 meters (9,800 feet). On Monday, authorities ordered 100,000 residents living near the volcano to evacuate immediately, warning that the first major eruption in 54 years could be "imminent." An 8-10 km (5-6 miles) exclusion zone has been imposed around the summit. Agung's last eruption in 1963 killed more than 1,000 people and razed several villages by hurling out pyroclastic material, hot ash, lava and lahar. On Tuesday, life continued largely as normal in villages surrounding Agung, with residents setting up traditional markets and offering prayers as the volcano continued to spew tall columns of ash and smoke from its crater. Many residents evacuated in September when the alert was last raised to the highest level have returned to their homes and farms due to worries over their livelihood and livestock. Indonesia's Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Centre (PVMBG), which is using drones, satellite imagery and other equipment, said predictions were difficult in the absence of instrumental recordings from the last eruption 54 years ago. It warned that if a similar eruption occurred, it could send rocks bigger than fist-size up to 8 km (5 miles) from the summit and volcanic gas a distance of 10 km (6 miles) within three minutes. Recordings now show the northeast area of Agung's peak has swollen in recent weeks "indicating there is fairly strong pressure toward the surface", PVMBG said. The Law Commission now feels that it is time to hunt for fake judges too, and not just fake lawyers. By Harish V Nair: Law Commission chairman Balbir Singh Chauhan has expressed shock over the recent finding of Bar Council of Tamil Nadu that revealed one P Natarajan served as a judge for 21 years without possessing a valid law degree. By the time the fact came out, he had already retired. And now piled up letters to the commission have been seeking information about status of orders passed by Natarajan and steps to prevent "fake judges" from holding office. advertisement "I have got three letters asking what the sanctity of the judgments and orders passed by this particular judge is?" said Justice Chauhan, while addressing a law conference, adding it is a very relevant and serious question. Natarajan, who served as a judicial magistrate and now practices as a lawyer and even draws pension for his judicial stint, has been served a show-cause notice by Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherrry as to why his enrollment cannot be cancelled. The shocking fact was revealed during a lawyers certificate verification drive ordered by the Supreme Court in 2006, following reports that said the country had several such fake lawyers. In his defence, Natarajan had said, "I got my legal degree from a private college in Karnataka. I was not informed at convocation that my degree was valid only for academic purposes and not employment". Justice Chauhan spoke about the "deteriorating standard of legal education due to indiscriminate recognition to substandard law institutions, law degrees from ghost universities, colleges and enrolment of several thousand lawyers cancelled in the recent past for want of valid law degrees". About the fake judges issue, he said, "In this very week, it has been reported that a person not only succeeded in entering into the judicial service, but also completed his whole tenure and retired. Now it came to the notice of the High Court and Bar Council that he did not posses even the law degree". In January this year, chairman of the Bar Council of India, Manan Kumar Mishra claimed that nearly 40-45 per cent lawyers in the country might be holding fake degrees. Mishra had recently said that an ongoing drive had revealed that only 55-60 per cent of lawyers currently roaming court corridors would be left, and the fake ones would be filtered out. "The number of practicing lawyers will come down to 55-60 per cent after the verification process. This will certainly improve the quality of our legal profession." --- ENDS --- Parked between an Emirates A380 and an Embraer Lineage 1000 at this year's Dubai Airshow was the world's only flying eye hospital. The new Boeing MD-10 has been converted into a working hospital by charity Orbis International. It flies to developing countries to provide training for doctors and nurses, as well as delivering sight-saving surgeries. The plane is made up of nine modular compartments. There's the admin office, which has a hidden stairwell down into the converted cargo hold. No longer a place for luggage, it's now used by the plane's maintenance team. Next it's the audio visual room that not only takes care of the on board Wi-Fi but monitors the many cameras inside the plane. These allow surgeries to be broadcast around the world, as well as streamed live to a 3-D TV for students sat in the classroom at the front of the plane. Towards the back of the plane is the operating room kitted out with microscopes, scalpels and 3-D monitors. Right at the back of the plane is a large recovery room for patients. The plane is also self-sustaining. They make their own hospital grade oxygen, burn their own jet fuel to power their equipment and have a water purifier that, according to Director of Aircraft Operations Bruce Johnson, is designed "to kill every bacteria known to man." has named the executive to take over as its new sales chief once long-serving John Leahy steps down in April next year. Eric Schulz will join the aircraft manufacturer after leaving , where he currently serves as president of civil aerospace, in January. He has been with Rolls-Royce in a number of senior positions since 2010. At the open of trade Tuesday, shares in Airbus fell but quickly recovered all losses. Schulz will report to Airbus Chief Executive Officer Tom Enders, who said in a press release that his new sales boss held "a deep understanding of airline operations and aero engines." Despite a mammoth order for its A320 family of airplanes at the recent Dubai Airshow, Airbus has struggled to keep pace with rival Boeing 's new orders during 2017. In his statement, Enders added that that Schulz was the right pick "at a critical juncture of our company's development." U.S. service members walk off a helicopter on the runway at Camp Bost on Sept. 11, 2017 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. After just under 100 days so far of President Donald Trump's new Afghanistan strategy, there are signs the Taliban insurgency is lowering its ambitions as it suffers greater losses, the top American commander in the country said Tuesday. Army Gen. John Nicholson, commander of NATO's Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan, also said in the press briefing that the Taliban has essentially become "a criminal or narco-insurgency." He vowed airstrikes by joint U.S.-Afghan forces would continue to target the organization's source of money from the drug trade. "The president has left no doubt in terms of our will to win," he said. "The goal of our strategy is reconciliation a negotiated settlement which lowers the level of violence," Nicholson said. Nicholson also spoke about how the U.S. has tripled the amount of airpower and munitions dropped so far this year in the 16-year Afghanistan war. He said as more warplanes get released from the ISIS fight in Iraq and Syria, "we expect to see more assets come to Afghanistan." At the same time, Nicholson said the Afghanistan war is "now conditions-based, not time-based. We will be here until the job is done." Nicholson said there were significant changes to the Taliban's strategy in the last year, including moving away from trying to seize provincial capitals because "they suffered heavily when they did so." He said the enemy had more setbacks after targeting Afghan districts this year so by August and September it took another shift: a guerrilla style of warfare with hit-and-run attacks as well as suicide attacks. "Each of these shifts represented to us a lowering of ambitions by the enemy," he said. The U.S. general also maintained that the Afghan government forces went on the offensive this year and have become "more capable" after several changes, including new leadership. He said with the changes and international support the "momentum has shifted in their favor." Meantime, the general also said there is a regional dimension to the new Afghanistan-South Asia strategy announced by Trump in August, specifically to limit interference by Taliban enablers and others and generally to seek more cooperation from Afghanistan's neighbors. Nicholson went on to say the goals would be achieved by applying three forms of pressure on the enemy, including military actions and stronger security measures. He also said diplomatic, social and other forms of pressure will be applied to enablers of the enemy. "In the face of this pressure, the Taliban cannot win," he said. "Their choices are to reconcile, live in irrelevance, or die." He also said the Taliban is making more money than they need to operate from activities in the drug trade. Still, he said the U.S. military effort is necessary but by itself not sufficient for success in the long run. According to Nicholson, airstrikes last week on drug facilities in Taliban-controlled areas in northern Helmand Province have removed between $7 million and $10 million of revenue from the Taliban's wallets. And he estimated the overall cost to the drug-trafficking enterprise approached $48 million. "So these strikes were just the first step in attacking the Taliban's financial engine, and they will continue," said the general. Nicholson also said the Taliban makes its money from kidnappings and illegal mining operations. He estimated the Taliban continues to control about 12 percent of Afghan territory. Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., center, appears during an a announcement in the Capitol's Rayburn Room on tax reform with Republican House and Senate leaders on September 27, 2017. Goldman Sachs sees greater than 50 percent odds that a tax bill will be enacted this year and 80 percent by early next year. The Senate Budget Committee was expected to vote on the bill later Tuesday, and there are expectations the bill would pass the full Senate by the end of the week. But GOP leadership continues to work on about the deficit and other aspects of the bill, and Sen. Ron Johnson, both on the budget committee. Goldman's economics team said a final agreement between the House and Senate could become law by December if the Senate modifies its version to be more in line with the House on the issue of property taxes. Both bills take , an issue for high-tax states like California, New York and New Jersey. The House bill allows for a deduction for up to $10,000 in property taxes. The question is how quickly the bills can progress. "If Senate passage slips beyond this week, enactment by year-end will become more difficult, in our view," the Goldman economists wrote. Cowen political analyst Chris Krueger sees the same issue of property taxes as an important sticking point, and if that is modified, the House could vote on the Senate bill this weekend. But Krueger is skeptical that Congress will even approve a tax bill. It also has to take up a spending bill before the end of the session. "Any slippage and momentum goes [the] other direction with Alabama Senate election and shutdown negotiations next week," he wrote in a note. Alabama voters go to the polls Dec. 12 to elect a new senator, and the Republican candidate has been weakened by accusations of unwanted sexual advances against teenagers. Krueger notes that the current balance on the tax bill could be tipped if three GOP senators vote against it. There are about a half dozen who are on the fence or who could lean against it. Greg Valliere, global macro strategist at Horizon Securities, said he sees 55 percent odds of tax legislation becoming law, and he says Sen. Paul Rand's support Monday was important. "What concerns us is that the fixes required to keep dissident Senators happy will cost money, and a logical place to find money is the corporate tax, which may not reach 20 percent, as Donald Trump demands," Valliere wrote. "Any major changes could provoke Trump, who's a bull in this very delicately constructed China shop." Valliere added, "We continue to nervously predict that the tax bill will get enacted." Congress also faces a Dec. 8 deadline to extend spending authority and avoid a shutdown. Some analysts have raised that deadline as an issue for the progress of tax votes if there is a Congressional showdown over it. But the Goldman economists said they expect a short-term extension of spending authority to Dec. 22, with a longer-term bill enacted later in the month or in January. "Negotiations are underway to raise the caps on discretionary [defense and non-defense] spending by around $90 billion [0.5 percent of GDP] per year in FY2018 and FY2019. This would come in addition to the $44 billion the White House has proposed to spend on a third installment of hurricane relief, which would bring the total to $95 billion to date," the Goldman economists wrote. Valliere also sees the potential for a short term extension in spending authority. He said key for the Democrats is a deal on immigration for "the dreamers" and an increase in domestic spending. "This could become an irritant for the markets, which don't like uncertainty. Defense firms and other federal contractors have been in limbo since the fiscal year began on Oct. 1, and while they will get their increased funding, the issue is when. And for the Federal Reserve, a rate hike on Dec. 13 amid concerns about a shutdown could become a closer call," Valliere wrote. An estimated 17,000 Chinese tourists are currently in Bali and China's consulate in Indonesia has said it will arrange 100 buses to take tourists to catch ferries for the nearby island of Java. The airport has been closed since Sunday night, impacting flights from Singapore Airlines , AirAsia , Qantas , JetStar and others. BALI, Indonesia Passengers in Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport were stranded for a second full day as the Mount Agung volcano here continued to spew ash and authorities called a potential eruption, "imminent." Patrice Copeland and two friends were on vacation in Bali and planning to fly to Singapore Monday morning, where they were hoping to see the sights before heading home to the U.S. "I don't live in Bali, so I haven't been watching Bali news for the past three months, so I didn't know there was a volcano," she said. Copeland said she's been moving her luggage around the airport every few hours. When CNBC spoke with her Tuesday morning, she had been there for more than 24 hours and had no information about when she might be able to leave. Some airlines have been providing full accommodation at nearby hotels, while others have left passengers, including Copeland and her friends, on their own. "Perhaps I'm spoiled coming from the states, but I would have expected, if not a hotel accommodation for everyone on the flight, at least a comfortable space in the airport," Copeland said. "Yesterday I spent all my time bouncing from restaurant to restaurant just to sit." Copeland had not yet heard if the airport will open Wednesday, "They're not saying anything," she said. "I was just told, 'There's lots of restaurants around, you can go and sit.'" She looked into a ferry option to get out of Bali, but said she thinks it would be a risk. Some stranded passengers are taking a roughly 11-hour trip to Surabaya, which involves a one-hour ferry ride. From that city, travelers can find flights to Singapore or Jakarta. Outside of Bali's airport on Tuesday morning, many local drivers were soliciting rides to Surabaya from Bali for around $200. More companies will leave Britain as Brexit negotiations drag on between the U.K. and the European Union (EU), the secretary-general of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) said. Angel Gurria said Monday that until a deal can be agreed, the British economy will face ongoing headwinds and, as a result, chief executives will take action. "A number of companies are moving elsewhere or at least partially moving elsewhere," he said. "And this is going to continue in the next few months, perhaps the next couple of years until the actual exit takes place." The U.K. is set to leave the EU in March 2019 and EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier has said he wants to complete the terms of the departure by fall 2018. But this timetable has come under pressure from the slow progress between the two parties. An employee manually counts 20 sterling pound notes in this arranged photograph at a Travelex store in London, United Kingdom, on March 6, 2013. The British pound spiked higher Tuesday afternoon after a report that the European Union and the United Kingdom reached a deal on the so-called Brexit bill. Both British and EU sources told UK-based The Telegraph that an agreement-in-principle has been struck over the EU's demand for a 60 billion euro (roughly $71 billion) financial settlement. Sterling was last up 0.3 percent to $1.3356. The currency was volatile after the initial report, when Reuters reported that a British government official said they did "not recognize" The Telegraph's account. But the pound resumed its upward course after the Financial Times confirmed parts of The Telegraph's initial report. The currency then seesawed following the Reuters report, but ultimately rose again after the Financial Times confirmed the original Telegraph report. The FT reported that the UK would assume EU liabilities worth up to 100 billion euros, although "net payments, discharged over many decades, could fall to less than half that amount." This precedes a crucial lunch next week between UK leader Theresa May and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. Investors have been on edge for months as the details of the so-called Brexit unfold, awaiting a final accord from the European Union and May. May will formally present the agreement next week as part of a package deal if agreement can be found on other issues, including citizen rights, according to the Financial Times. In a shocking incident, the principal of a government school allegedly forced the girls students to clean the toilets. The incident came to light after a video of the students mopping the floor of the toilet went viral earlier today. By Akshaya Nath: Girl students of a government school in Tamil Nadu's Tiruvallur district were allegedly made to clean toilets by their principal. The incident came to light after a video of the students mopping the floor of the toilet went viral earlier today. The incident took place at RM Jain Government Girls Higher Secondary School, which has about 1,000 students studying from class 6 to 12. There are 10 toilets in the school and a monthly allowance of Rs 2,500 is given by the government of Tamil Nadu for the cleaning process. advertisement However, in a shocking incident the school principal allegedly forced the students to clean the toilets this month. Apart from instructing the students to clean the toilets, the school faculty allegedly threatened the students of termination in case they refused to take up the task. The girls have been cleaning up the school toilets since November 24. Fed up with the school's attitude, some children on Monday complained it to their parents who immediately rushed to the school to confront the principal. They were reportedly were sent out by the school authorities. Later, a complaint was made with the Collector, following which the district education secretary visited the school. The officials investigating the case have also assured necessary action will be taken against the faculty. WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Girl students forced to clean toilets in Tiruvallur government school --- ENDS --- China's stock market has been steadily rising all year, but according to one technician the charts are beginning to show signs of weakness. The index has declined a little more than 2 percent in the past week, and is showing "a few cracks" after a solid monthslong upward trend, said Miller Tabak equity strategist Matt Maley. This recent weakness comes on the heels of a sharp downturn late last week. While the Shanghai composite is still well above its lows hit in 2016, it has dipped below its trend line from this spring, Maley said Monday on CNBC's "Trading Nation." "It's also breaking below the bottom end of what's called a broadening top formation, or a 'megaphone' formation. These formations are quite rare, and the fact that it's breaking below that is little bit of a concern," he said. Part of this decline comes as China has made efforts toward deleveraging and controlling its high levels of debt, Maley said. "Now that their National Congress is behind them, they seem to be back on that trail of deleveraging," he said, adding that rates on Chinese bond yields have risen meaningfully in the last couple of weeks. The recent downturn in Chinese equities appears to be a period of consolidation after advancing for the bulk of this year, said Max Wolff, chief economist at the Phoenix Group. Indeed, the index has advanced a little more than 7 percent year to date. "Clearly, China has had a pretty good run until fairly recently. That being said, there were these sort of hangovers that have been with us a long time, about the ability to organically sustain the growth rate," Wolff said Monday on "Trading Nation." China reported third-quarter gross domestic product last month that met expectations, though reflected a slightly smaller expansion than the quarter prior. The Shanghai composite rose modestly on Tuesday. Chobani is trying to protect its place in the yogurt case. The brand sparked the Greek yogurt craze and rattled the category, leaving stalwarts Dannon and Yoplait scrambling to create their own versions. Chobani's now trying to disrupt the space again, this time with a new design, a big marketing push and a reduced-sugar line. Growth in the once sizzling Greek yogurt category has dwindled. Dollar sales fell nearly 5 percent in the 52 weeks ended Oct. 28, compared with a nearly 15 percent increase in the 52 weeks ended Nov. 1 in 2014, according to Nielsen. Chobani insists the slowdown reflects struggles among its peers, but shelves have become crowded with brands like Siggi's and Noosa that introduce new styles of yogurt and are resonating with millennials. And Chobani itself debuted a non-Greek option earlier this year. The brand has freshened its logo and packaging. The new design distinguishes itself from established brands and mimics the more artistic approaches upstart brands have taken. The brand is also debuting a line of Greek yogurt that uses less fruit to cater to the growing number of consumers trying to cut back on sugar. To support these efforts, Chobani plans to spend 35 percent more on marketing next year, with the bulk of spending occurring in the first half of the year, said Chobani's chief marketing and commercial officer, Peter McGuinness. He didn't provide a specific dollar amount. The efforts are part of a broader plan to spark interest in yogurt again and "bring the magic back to the yogurt shelf," said McGuinness. Dollar sales of yogurt dropped nearly 2 percent for the 52 weeks ended Nov. 5 in total multi-outlet with convenience stores, according to IRI, a Chicago-based market research firm. "And oh, by the way, we're not going to do this for nothing," he said. "We're the leader, so we'll disproportionately benefit, so the more the category grows, we're going to grow. So it's not all like we're out to grow the category. We're fierce competitors, too, and we want to maintain our No. 1 standing." Chobani now uses a curvy and lowercase font, a dramatic departure from the straight and capitalized style that marked founder Hamdi Ulukaya's brand since it hit shelves nearly 10 years ago. Fruits on the packages look like they're painted rather than photographed, and containers have a matte finish instead of a glossy look. The redesign will help Chobani expand into new foods outside of yogurt, McGuinness said, though he declined to elaborate on what those possibilities could include. Tubs of plain yogurt now list possibilities to use it in addition to eating it straight. Smooth, Chobani's non-Greek line, and Flip, packages of yogurt and mix-ins, are noticeably more colorful than their peers to try to grab casual shoppers. All three products align with yogurt makers' efforts to bring their products beyond breakfast and lure more consumers into the category. They see opportunity in mix-ins and drinkables because they're snackable and portable. They're convinced there's room to boost the amount of yogurt Americans eat because consumption levels are still below those of other countries. While Chobani is the top brand, Danone is the market leader when all of its brands are combined, with a 37 percent of share, according to Euromonitor International. Its goals for the category are aligned with Chobani's. "Overall we believe that yogurt is a product that's still under-consumed compared to other countries, and we're looking to identify ways to bring incremental usage opportunities (i.e., snacking)," Dannon spokesman Michael Neuwirth said in an email. Dannon, the American unit of French conglomerate Danone , and rival General Mills released their own Greek yogurts in 2010. They haven't gained quite the following that Chobani has cultivated. Both have continued tinkering with variations of Greek, rolling out new products as recently as this year. However, they say there's opportunity elsewhere. Danone sees potential for yogurt made from plants, as shown through its acquisition of nut milk brands So Delicious and Silk parent WhiteWave earlier this year. Neuwirth said almond-based and soy-based yogurts represent "a bright and growing spot" in the category. General Mills thinks consumers will want to try French yogurt next. It tried to get ahead rather than play from behind this summer with the release of Oui. The new line helped offset some losses from Yoplait Greek and Yoplait Light last quarter, the company said, though it still posted a double-digit net sales decline. "Oui is doing well, because it's fundamentally unique and it's giving consumers what they want," CEO Jeff Harmening said at the Morgan Stanley Global Consumer & Retail Conference earlier this month. Chobani's McGuinness pointed to too many products, too much duplication and imitation, as well as a lack of innovation in yogurt for declines in the category. "I'm hoping if they all redesign, they do it originally and they come up with a unique idea and it's not redesigned in a duplicative way," he said. "And I hope they do redesign ... I have a healthy amount of respect for competition, but we should all do the right thing, right?" Dr. Lora Melnicoe, Pediatric Primary Care with Denver Health examining Denesif Dixon 6, during her normal rounds as her younger brother Noah Woodard 4, watches. Dr. Melnicoe is also a large part of a program to help foster kids get proper medical and dental care, even as they switch to new families. The state of Colorado began warning residents Monday that a health insurance program for children will cease operations next month if Congress fails to approve funding for it. While Colorado's warning is dire, the state's Children's Health Plan Plus program actually has enough money in its coffers to continue operations through Jan. 31, even as Congress drags its feet on renewing funding. Other states are not so lucky and are even closer to running out of cash to operate their own programs that had received funding from the federal Children's Health Insurance Program. Almost 9 million kids are currently covered by CHIP, along with about 370,000 pregnant women. CHIP, which had cost about $15 billion annually in federal funding, provides health benefits to low-income children who do not otherwise qualify for Medicaid. Nearly a dozen states are preparing to join Colorado in alerting enrollees in their kids' health program that CHIP funding is on the verge of running out. Governing.com reported Monday that Minnesota appears to be the first state to actually run out of CHIP funds. But the state will tap $35 million of its own money to keep its program going for several weeks. While CHIP is popular across political lines, authorization for spending on the 20-year-old program expired at the end of September. Since then, Congress has been unable to agree on a deal that would newly authorize $75 billion in CHIP spending for the next five years. Arizona, California, the District of Columbia, Minnesota, Ohio and Oregon are on track to drain their kids' health program by the end of 2017 or in early January, according to Georgetown University's Center for Children and Families. And in addition to Colorado, five other states will run of CHIP money by January or February: Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Washington. The majority of states are "projected to exhaust funding by March 2018," the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said in a letter on Nov. 9. That letter also said that states would have to transition CHIP enrollees to Medicaid or notify customers that they should apply for Obamacare coverage. On Monday, Colorado health officials sent out letters to enrollees urging them to begin researching their options for obtaining private health insurance in the event that Congress doesn't approve new funding. More than 75,000 children in Colorado and almost 800 pregnant women are covered by the program, which is available to low- and middle-income families. A U.S. district court on Tuesday denied a temporary restraining order to prevent President Donald Trump from naming an interim director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. A lawsuit requesting the temporary restraining order was filed by Leandra English, an Obama-era appointee and deputy director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau who claims to be the rightful acting director the agency. On Tuesday, Judge Timothy Kelly said the agency was part of the executive branch and he saw nothing in the law that prevented budget director Mick Mulvaney from holding the two positions. The Trump administration had warned that granting English's order would be an extraordinary intrusion into the executive branch and harm the agency. English was tapped on Friday by outgoing CFPB Director Richard Cordray, a Democrat appointed by the Obama administration, to lead the agency until a new director was confirmed by the U.S. Senate, a process that could take months. Hours later, Trump said Mulvaney would lead the agency on an interim basis, sparking an unprecedented showdown. The CFPB was created to crack down on predatory financial practices after the 2007-2009 financial crisis, but it is reviled by Republicans who say it is too powerful. Trump has long sought to weaken or abolish the 1,600-employee agency, saying too many regulations are suffocating lending. Democrats say the agency needs to oversee consumer financial products such as mortgages and have power over large non-bank financial companies to protect borrowers. On Tuesday, English was at work at CFPB headquarters "taking calls and meetings with external stakeholders and bureau staff." Mulvaney again on Tuesday told CFPB staff to "disregard" instructions from English, who he said had sent at least one additional email on Tuesday "purporting to act as the Acting Director." The European Central Bank's vice-president position, currently held by Vitor Constancio who has until May 1 to stand down, will probably go to a Spanish candidate, Economy Minister Luis de Guindos said in comments published on Tuesday. Spain has not held a position on the ECB's executive board since 2012 after the exit of Jose Manuel Gonzalez Paramo. "I'm convinced that the position will go to Spain," de Guindos said during a meeting with Accenture Strategy and newspaper El Economista. The ECB's executive board is charged with implementing monetary policy for the 19 member states that use the euro and consists of the president, vice president and four board members. All executive board members are appointed for an eight-year term that cannot be renewed. De Guindos also dismissed rumors that he was a candidate for the position of Eurogroup head, currently held by Jeroen Dijsselbloem. De Guindos has been considered in Brussels political circles as one of the main candidates for the job leading euro zone finance ministers. President Trump will head to Capitol Hill today to rally Senate GOP on taxes and will also enter into negotiations with Democrats. Two GOP senators, Ron Johnson and Bob Corker, said they could oppose the tax package that GOP leaders hoped to vote on later this week. (AP & Reuters) * Senators scramble to advance tax bill that increasingly rewards wealthy (NY Times) * Some Wall Street pros see tax plan as too much of a good thing with too high a price (CNBC) The fight for control of the U.S. consumer watchdog agency has intensified as Mick Mulvaney, President Trump's pick to run the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), imposed a hiring freeze and halted any new regulations. (Reuters) President Trump once again called Sen. Elizabeth Warren "Pocahontas" during an event honoring Native American veterans. Trump previously sparked backlash by using the term, which Warren and others have called racially charged. (CNBC) Democratic Rep. Luis Gutierrez, a prominent critic of Trump's efforts to deport millions of undocumented immigrants in the U.S., is reportedly expected to announce today that he will not seek re-election next year. (Politico) Democratic Sen. Al Franken returned to Congress this week to begin what he called a process of rebuilding trust shattered by allegations he had groped or inappropriately touched women, vowing "this will not happen again." (Reuters) Evidence that embattled bank Wells Fargo had swindled some of its clients emerged in a June conference call led by its managers, according to two employees who were present during the call, The Wall Street Journal reported. A volcano gushing towering columns of ash closed the airport on the Indonesian tourist island of Bali for a second day today, disrupting travel for tens of thousands, as authorities renewed their warnings for villagers to evacuate. (AP) Elon Musk's SpaceX has raised another $100 million as part of its latest funding round, according to new regulatory documents. Since August, it has raised nearly $450 million, valuing the company at $21.5 billion, according to Equidate. (CNBC) * Tesla truck will need energy of 4,000 homes to recharge (FT) Japan's SoftBank Group is offering to purchase shares of Uber at a valuation of $48 billion, a 30 percent discount to its most recent valuation of $68.5 billion, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters. Microsoft (MSFT) and SAP (SAP) have agreed to expand the use of each other's cloud-based products and services delivered via the internet, they said today, as they laid out a common product roadmap for joint customers. (Reuters) Cyber Monday sales were on pace to hit $6.59 billion by the end of Monday, Adobe Insights revealed. That would make Cyber Monday the largest digital shopping day in U.S. history, with sales climbing more than 16 percent from a year ago. (CNBC) Former Fortress hedge fund manager Michael Novogratz says that bitcoin can multiply more than four times in roughly the next 13 months. But Novogratz doesn't recommend retail investors put any more than 1 to 3 percent of their net worth in cryptocurrencies. (CNBC) Collins' bill calls for allocating $4.5 billion over two years to fund state reinsurance programs. Those programs would subsidize the cost to Obamacare plans from customers who have heavy medical needs. "That includes passing the Alexander-Murray bill and also a bill that I have with Bill Nelson that would protect people with pre-existing conditions. And yet lower premiums through the use of high risk pools," Collins said. Collins opposed the idea of including repeal of the mandate in a pending Senate tax bill supported by GOP leaders, who are still struggling to attract the 50 Republican votes needed for passage. A House version of the tax bill does not include the mandate repeal. In recent days, a number of Republican senators, particularly Maine's Susan Collins , have pushed the idea of approving so-called reinsurance funding for Obamacare as part of a deal that would repeal the law's individual mandate. That mandate requires most people to have some form of health insurance or pay a penalty. That, in turn, could reduce, or eliminate increases in premiums that would result from repeal of the individual mandate. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that repealing the mandate would lead insurers to tack on an extra 10 percent increase in premium prices each year beyond the normal year-to-year price hikes. The other part of Collins' proposal is passing the Alexander-Murray bill, which would restore billions of dollars in federal reimbursements to insurers to compensate them for discounts in out-of-pocket charges they must grant, by law, to low-income Obamacare customers. Larry Levitt, an Obamacare expert with the Kaiser Family Foundation, told CNBC that "Alexander-Murray, as it's currently drafted, wouldn't really do anything to mitigate the effects of repealing the individual mandate." But funding reinsurance programs "could offset any premium increase" resulting from repeal, Levitt said. Totally offsetting such price hikes from repeal would require some additional funding, and extending reinsurance beyond the two-year span outlined in Collins' bill, he said. However, "it wouldn't do anything to deal with the fact that more people are likely to be uninsured" as a result of the mandate's repeal, Levitt said. If the mandate is repealed, the CBO estimates that 13 million more people would become uninsured by 2027 than are currently projected. "Most of the losses [in insurance coverage] are due to the fact that people are not getting pushed into getting coverage," Levitt said. Earlier this year, a series of Republican proposals to repeal and replace major parts of Obamacare failed to pass Congress and were broadly unpopular with the general public in large part because they were projected to lead to big drops in the number of Americans with health insurance. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., who co-authored the Alexander-Murray bill, told The Washington Examiner, "I support reinsurance, but it won't solve the problem they created," referring to the mandate repeal. "The bill we designed has not been written to block the premiums they're creating," Murray said. Republican lawmakers as a group are less likely to be concerned with the increase in the number of uninsured people. "The premium increases on middle-class consumers is probably the most troubling part of repealing the individual mandate, particularly for Republicans," Levitt said. Many middle-income Americans earn too much to qualify for Obamacare subsidies that lower monthly premiums. That means those people bear the full brunt of premium increases. The battle to avoid a government shutdown with a budget deal between the White House and the Democrats has been smoldering since September. The key stumbling block has been immigration. But Tuesday that battle exploded after, (what else?), another tweet from President Donald Trump: "Chuck & Nancy" of course are Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. And when they saw that tweet, they announced they weren't going to a scheduled meeting with the president on a budget bill that needs to be passed by December 8th or there will be a government shutdown. Bad move. To be specific, both of them recently started down a path of playing hard ball with President Trump over their demands for including an extension of the so-called "Dream Act" or "DACA" in the government funding bill. That is the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals that President Trump has called for reforming before he agrees to continue it. So far so good, because the polls show the so-called "Dreamers" and any government protection of them is extremely popular with the American people. So what do Schumer and Pelosi have to lose by going to the mat against President Trump on this issue? It turns out, the answer is: "A lot." You see, it's one thing to tell a pollster you favor government protections for the children of illegal immigrants who have finished high school or served in the military with no criminal record. But the answers will be a lot different if pollsters ask the American people if they favor preserving those protections without any additional border security, and at the expense of a government shutdown that could last indefinitely. Virtual signaling is easy, when it comes at no actual advertised price. The other reason why this is a bad move for the Democrats is that there's no lock on who will take the blame if a shutdown occurs. The last time a government shutdown seemed somewhat likely was back in April, and polls taken at that time showed that voters found almost no issue was worth shutting down the government. And Democrats were seen as being more opposed to a possible shutdown than Republicans. The Democrats and most of the news media will work hard to present any looming or actual shutdown as President Trump's and the Republicans' fault. But that's a dice roll, especially when President Trump's inevitable tweets making the opposite argument will get at least equal time in front of the public. It's not that the Democrats don't have a legitimate beef here. President Trump originally seemed to endorse a continuation of DACA simply in return for more general border security spending and a focus on deporting criminals. Then, he moved the goal posts by putting the border wall specifically back on his list of demands along with provisions against sanctuary cities and new rules on refugees. But they need to be very careful of using a nuclear shutdown option. And declining to even meet with President Trump Tuesday doesn't look like something people truly wanting to avoid a shutdown would do, even if it comes after a provocative tweet. The Democrats have a lot to gain by looking tougher and above the Trump Twitter fray. Backing out of the meeting did not accomplish that. The smarter thing to do would be to go into these meetings with the president promising to negotiate based on what the White House published about DACA the first time. Using not just President Trump's tweets, but an official White House statement on the issue is a much more effective way of pushing back than simply not showing up. By staying away, Schumer and Pelosi have handed President Trump a potential win as this shutdown battle looms ever closer. They can still remain relatively obstinate during actual negotiations with the president and congressional Republicans. This is a battle the Democrats can win for themselves and for those who want to find a way to beat back any tougher restrictions on immigration. But ditching a meeting is what we call "bad optics." And those optics will get worse if the government actually does shut down next month as we get closer to Christmas. Commentary by Jake Novak, CNBC.com senior columnist. Follow him on Twitter @jakejakeny. For more insight from CNBC contributors, follow @CNBCopinion on Twitter. Albertsons , the nation's second-largest grocer, announced a deal on Tuesday with Instacart, expanding the grocery delivery start-up's service to more than 1,800 U.S. stores by mid-2018. As Amazon's surprising acquisition of Whole Foods threatens to disrupt an entire industry, American grocers are increasingly looking for ways to boost their e-commerce offerings and are increasingly finding a partner in Instacart. Just three months after the Amazon-Whole Foods deal, Instacart has now signed up the top five U.S. grocers: Kroger , Albertsons, Ahold, Publix, and H-E-B. Instacart also expanded its partnership with Costco , and earlier this month announced a deal with Canada's largest grocer, Loblaw, its first international foray. "Ever since the Amazon-Whole Foods deal happened, things are very different," Instacart CEO Apoorva Mehta told CNBC's Deirdre Bosa. "After that deal happened, we were every major retailer's first call." For traditional grocers, partnering with Instacart is a way to boost their e-commerce platforms and push deeper into the grocery delivery business as Amazon applies its technology and logistics network to Whole Foods. With Instacart, Albertsons is doubling down on grocery delivery. Earlier this year, it began rolling out same-day delivery for its Safeway and Albertsons brands. In September, it acquired the meal-kit company Plated. The growing number of partnerships Instacart signed in recent months is a way for the five-year-old start-up to look beyond 2021, when its exclusive deal with Whole Foods expires and, presumably, Amazon takes over. Mehta said he didn't know whether Instacart would continue its partnership with Whole Foods after the contract's official end. Also as part of that deal, Whole Foods invested an undisclosed amount in Instacart. It's a twist that becomes more complex as Instacart signs up more Whole Foods competitors. In the new grocery landscape, a shakeup is brewing and Instacart is increasingly putting itself in the middle. Instacart was last valued at $3.4 billion and is backed by some of the biggest names in venture capital, including Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia and Kleiner Perkins. --CNBC's Sara Salinas contributed to this report. Investors should be concerned about a potential war between Israel and Iran that could spread far beyond the Israeli border, Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Thomas Friedman said on Tuesday. "From an investor point of view, if I'm ranking my event risk, North Korea is No. 1, but Iran versus ... Israel in the Syria-Lebanon theater, that is definitely high up there," he told CNBC's "Squawk Box" on Tuesday. "People better pay attention to that. That one can come out of nowhere." The best-selling author, who began his career covering the Middle East and writes the "Foreign Affairs" column for The New York Times, is concerned because he sees little standing in the way of a confrontation between Israel and Iran which has long called for the destruction of the Jewish state. The Quds Force, an Iranian military group active throughout the region, has established a foothold in the Golan Heights, a disputed territory on the Syrian-Israeli border, Friedman notes. Further, recent reports suggest Iran is building a permanent base in Syria, where it has backed President Bashar Assad in a five-year civil war. "If that happens, the Israelis are going to go after it," Friedman said. Arab Peninsula and Persian Gulf source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Friedman acknowledges that the Iranians are skilled at advancing their regional agenda through proxy forces. But he says Tehran may be taking for granted its ability to wage war on Israel's ground mainly through its Lebanese ally Hezbollah, whose southern stronghold straddles the northern Israeli border. That is because Israel has been bulking up its submarine fleet over the last 10 years, according to Friedman. "They've been buying submarines, and I guarantee you those submarines are in the Persian Gulf right now and they have cruise missiles on them," he said. The entrance to the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, is one of the two most important strategic passages for the oil industry. Last year, 19 million barrels a day of petroleum products passed through the strait, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Across the Persian Gulf from Iran is Saudi Arabia, which has entered into a tacit alliance with Israel against Tehran, said Friedman. "Anyone who thinks this war is just going to be the next war between Iran and Israel, is just going to be in the Golan or in South Lebanon, I think is fooling themselves," he said. "I think it's one of the most dangerous theaters in the world today." World oil transit chokepoints Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has become a "kingmaker" in the region, Friedman said. "The Israelis have to go to him and say, 'Hey, you better restrain these Iranians. Don't let them get any closer,'" Friedman said. "We have to go to him now that we may be keeping some troops on the ground in Syria." But Friedman believes Israel cannot count on Russia to restrain Iran, he said. The Kremlin, which is also allied with Assad in Syria's civil war, has been able to extend its influence on the Arab world on the cheap, he says. The understanding is Russia provides air power while Iran and Hezbollah handle ground operations in Syria. By PTI: Chennai, Nov 28 (PTI) Income Tax sleuths today conducted searches at 33 premises related to business groups for suspected tax evasion and links to shell companies in Tamil Nadu, a senior official said. The raids involved four independent assesse groups including a textile firm and a company with interest in real estate. Also a firm running a cinema house here and another company that owns a sugar factory were searched. The operation took place this morning and covered 21 locations in the city and 12 in other parts of Tamil Nadu. advertisement "They (assesse groups) are suspected to be involved in shell companies and tax evasion," a senior tax official told PTI here. The searches were launched on the basis of information the income tax department received on the shell companies and data following demonetisation last year, he said. The I-T department had recently conducted multi-city raids as part of its Operation Clean Money and detected undisclosed income of Rs 1,430 crore in respect of ten assessee groups which included those linked to jailed AIADMK leader V K Sasikala, her kin and their associates. PTI COR ROH TVS DV --- ENDS --- Frances Fitzgerald, current Irish Deputy Prime Minister and then-Minister for Justice and Equality, at Dublin Castle on Nov. 10, 2015 in Dublin, Ireland. Irish Deputy Prime Minister Frances Fitzgerald resigned Tuesday, avoiding a potential collapse in government and new elections. The resignation came amid intense pressure for Fitzgerald to step down from within and outside of her own Finn Gael party, which leads Ireland's minority government and is headed by Prime Minister Leo Varadkar. "It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve in government, but I believe it is necessary to take this decision to avoid an unwelcome and potentially destabilizing general election at this historically critical time," she said in a statement.# "Throughout my career I have always sought to act with integrity and responsibility, and that is why I have decided on this occasion to put the national interest ahead of my own personal reputation." On Friday, opposition party Fianna Fail, on which the minority government depends for support, tabled a motion of no confidence in the deputy prime minister following allegations that she mishandled a whistleblower case while holding the position of justice minister in 2015. Fitzgerald's resignation prevents the vote from going forward, which if successful would have triggered a government collapse and snap elections before Christmas. The political turmoil could have also complicated Brexit talks next month with the Irish border being one of the key issues still to be resolved in the negotiations. In government talks over the weekend, Fianna Fail leaders laid out the condition that the only way the vote could be prevented was if Fitzgerald stepped down. The development is widely seen as a win for Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin. Mark Cuban remembers the exact moment he became a billionaire, and how he celebrated. He did a "little naked billionaire dance," and bought himself a plane. The "Shark Tank" investor and technology entrepreneur is the first to admit that reaching billionaire status has a lot to do with a fortunate twist of fate. "Being a billionaire requires a lot of luck, a lot of great timing," Cuban says during an interview on "The Jamie Weinstein Show" podcast. But that's not all it takes. Cuban has also noticed three traits in billionaires that he's seen contribute to financial success, according to the podcast. And all three are habits anyone can adopt. Here's what Cuban's noted billionaires have in common. Mark Cuban Eric McCandless | ABC | Getty Images 1. They are constant learners His number one answer? "The desire to always learn." "Just continuously learning, because particularly in the tech industry, the only constant is change," Cuban explains. "So you've got to stay up, because otherwise, there is some 12- or 18-year-old kid that is coming in with a better idea to kick your a--." On his blog, Cuban writes that he spends "more than three hours almost every day" reading in order to keep an advantage in his field. And, it was something he did to jump start his early career. "Back in the day when I was that young kid, that's how I got an edge," he says on the podcast. "I would stay up nights, you know, teaching myself how to program. I spent seven, almost eight years just writing software for local area networks and it was just part of an ongoing learning process." 2. They are skilled at sales Up next, Cuban says billionaires are usually top notch at "knowing how to sell." To him, no matter what you're selling, it is crucial to know how to convince people of something's worth. "Almost every super wealthy person that has built their own wealth as opposed to inheriting it, they all have the ability to sell their vision, their product, their service," he says. If Cuban lost all of his wealth tomorrow, he says he would turn to his talent in sales to rebuild it. To be more persuasive in your own career, try a technique Warren Buffett uses highlighting a mistake or misstep you've made to show vulnerability before the rest of the pitch. 3. They put in the effort North Korea on Tuesday fired a missile that traveled about 1,000 kilometers before crashing into the Sea of Japan, the Pentagon said in a statement. The Department of Defense said that initial assessments indicated the missile was an intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM. In a news conference, Japan's Defense minister also said it seemed to be an ICBM. The missile went higher than any shot North Korea had previously taken, according to Defense Secretary James Mattis. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ordered an emergency meeting of Cabinet ministers following the launch, North Korea's first since Sept. 15, when one flew over northern Japan and into the Pacific Ocean. "A missile was launched from North Korea which appears to have landed within Japan's exclusive economic zone," Abe's office tweeted. "As soon as new information comes in, we will let you know." The exclusive economic zone is a legal designation established by the United Nations Law of the Sea. The South Korean military conducted a "precision missile-firing drill" as a response to the launch, a South Korean military official told NBC. Former Fortress hedge fund manager Michael Novogratz told a conference Tuesday that the digital currency market will be a wild roller coaster ride full of froth and shady behavior. "I think this [crypto] is going to be the biggest bubble of our lifetimes by a longshot," he said at the CoinDesk Consensus: Invest conference in New York. "To be fair, this is a bubble and there's a lot of fraud mixed in. We look at tons of projects. And some get funded, and they literally look like Ponzi's. There's a lot of froth and fraud in something that's exciting as this." Novogratz's comments come a day after he gave an aggressive price forecast for bitcoin next year. "Bitcoin could be at $40,000 at the end of 2018. It easily could," Novogratz said Monday on CNBC's "Fast Money." "Ethereum, which I think just touched $500 or is getting close, could be triple where it is as well." Oil producers are unlikely to extend a deal to cap their output by nine months, a move that could result in a sharp pullback in prices, Citi Research analysts warned on Tuesday. Citi made the call just two days before OPEC and other oil exporters led by Russia are due to deliver the closely watched decision in Vienna, Austria. Analysts say current oil prices reflect the market's expectation the deal will be extended through the end of next year. "Our expectation is that something short of a nine-month extension is delivered, likely either a shorter extension or a deferral of the decision until" the first quarter of 2018, when the deal is set to expire, Citi analysts wrote in a research note on Tuesday. If Citi's call is correct, it expects traders to liquidate their crude positions, leading to a sell-off likely to exceed the $3 per barrel swing in May when OPEC's last meeting disappointed the market. U.S. crude performance since November 2016 Oil prices slightly extended losses on Tuesday after Reuters reported a technical committee of OPEC and other producers backed a nine-month extension to the deal, but with an option to review the agreement in June. The entire group is scheduled to discuss the accord on Thursday. The deal to keep 1.8 million barrels a day off the market has helped drain a global glut of crude oil and boost prices to 2-year highs. However, the 14-member OPEC cartel and its partners have not yet achieved their goal of driving down the world's stockpile levels to the five-year average. Citi says it believes top producers Saudi Arabia and Russia are not yet in agreement over a nine-month extension. Doubts about Russia's resolve, fueled by protests from Russian oil giants, have undercut the market's confidence in the extension this week. Russia's domestic policy is the biggest stumbling block to locking down the extension, Citi says. In the bank's view, the Russian central bank worries that higher oil prices could cause the Russian ruble to gain in value, potentially denting economic growth. watch now Oil traders eagerly anticipating an extension of the current OPEC-led production cut could be left sorely disappointed this week, according market analysts including RBC Capital Market's Helima Croft. OPEC oil ministers will be in Vienna Thursday and there is widespread expectation that members will decide to extend oil output cuts beyond a deadline of March 2018, a move that has helped to stabilize prices. However, there is some anxiety that the biggest non-OPEC producer that also signed up to the output cut, Russia, could pull out of an extension, sending markets sharply lower. Croft, the global head of commodity strategy at RBC, told CNBC that Russia or specifically Russian President Vladimir Putin was the wildcard that could disappoint markets. "We still think the most likely outcome is to extend through 2018 because that was a Putin plan," Croft said Tuesday. "It was Vladimir Putin who raised the issue of a full-year extension in October but since then a number of his corporates have said 'we're not so excited about that and we want to exit on schedule' so the end of (the first quarter of 2018)," Croft added. OPEC appeared to take Putin's comments to heart with the cartel's Secretary General Mohammad Barkindo saying in October that Saudi Arabia and Russia's energy minister were taking their "cue" from Putin when discussing a possible extension to the end of 2018. watch now But, Helima Croft noted that Putin had led the market on with talk of a full-year extension, saying it could disappoint traders if Russia decided to break up its oil pact with Saudi Arabia. "Before he (Putin) said that no one was thinking about a full-year extension and then OPEC went to work on a full-year extension so now that is the market expectation. So we're set for a disappointment if Russia doesn't show up for the 'bromance' (with Saudi Arabia) anymore," she said. The price of oil collapsed from near $120 a barrel in June 2014 due to weak demand, a strong dollar and booming U.S. shale production. OPEC's reluctance to cut output was also seen as a key reason behind the fall. But, the oil cartel soon moved to curb production along with other oil-producing nations in late 2016. The exporters reached the current deal last November and have already extended the agreement once through March 2018. Now, oil markets are already showing jitters over the OPEC meeting this week, which will be attended by Russia. Oil prices slipped on Monday night amid the uncertainty and on Tuesday morning, a barrel of U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for January delivery was fetching $57.75 and a barrel of benchmark Brent crude was $63.62. watch now Putin is under pressure at home to not overdo the extension of output cuts, with a number of Russia's largest oil companies reportedly showing displeasure at a possible extension to the current deadline of March 2018. There are also differing budgetary needs between Russia and its OPEC ally Saudi Arabia that Putin has to consider. While Russia is basing its 2018 budget on an oil price of $40 a barrel, OPEC's de facto leader Saudi Arabia needs a higher price per barrel to break-even, requiring $70 a barrel in 2018, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and as such sees cutting for longer as a way to achieve this. The 1.8 million barrels a day cut has been widely credited with setting oil markets on a path towards rebalancing, helping to balance the global supply of oil so that it matches demand, and helping to raise prices as a result. "The Russians are essentially saying 'mission accomplished'," Helima Croft said. "They're saying that prices are where they want them and if we continue the cuts longer then all you're going to do is give a lifeline to U.S. shale oil producers. Also Russian corporates have lower breakevens so from their standpoint, they are profitable in this price environment and they don't want to forego future projects and they basically want to exit on schedule," she said. watch now Investor Ray Dalio founded Bridgewater Associates in 1975 out of his two-bedroom New York City apartment. Today, it's the world's largest hedge fund, managing about $160 billion in assets. Throughout his career, the 68-year-old self-made billionaire studied some of history's greatest business leaders, including Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates and Elon Musk, and he discussed what he has learned in a recent podcast with Tony Robbins. When Robbins asked Dalio about the commonalities among these titans of business, three specific traits came to mind: 1. They have a vision The most successful people "can visualize a future and see a present, and see the gap," Dalio tells Robbins, adding that they "have a compelling need to eliminate that gap. It's a compulsion." No matter how many people try to tell them they're wrong or they won't succeed, they pursue their vision, he says: "And they pursue it smartly with perseverance. In other words, they understand risk and reward." Beyond seeing the big picture, the most successful people also pay attention to the small details, Dalio notes. He gives the example of Elon Musk, who wants to colonize Mars: "It's a grand idea. And at the same time, he can pay attention to the most minute details. His range is a big deal." 2. They don't mind making people uncomfortable The most successful people don't let anyone stand in their way of achieving their goal or fulfilling their vision. Sometimes, this requires making others feel uncomfortable, says Dalio: "You've got to get the job done. Even if it means discomfort for people, you've got to work yourself through that." At Bridgewater, Dalio encourages his employees to criticize him. "Don't let 'loyalty' stand in the way of truth and openness," the billionaire writes. "No one has the right to hold a critical opinion without speaking up about it." 3. They stay humble and receptive Researchers at the Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT) have managed to develop a "graphene ball" which could transform the way we think about batteries. In a statement on Tuesday, South Korean tech giant Samsung described the graphene ball as a "unique battery material" which allows a 45 percent increase in capacity, as well as charging speeds that are five times faster than standard lithium-ion batteries. In 2004 researchers at the University of Manchester, in England, managed to isolate graphene for the first time. According to the university, graphene is the thinnest material on the planet, is 200 times stronger than steel, transparent, and is also the world's "most conductive material." Samsung said that their research offered "promise for the next generation secondary battery market," especially in relation to electric vehicles and mobile devices. It added that "standard" lithium batteries needed at least one hour to fully charge while theoretically, a battery based on the "graphene ball" material required just 12 minutes to fully charge. Moreover, the battery is able to keep a stable temperature of 60 degrees Celsius. "Our research enables mass synthesis of multifunctional composite material graphene at an affordable price," Son In-hyuk, who led the project on behalf of the SAIT, said in a statement. "At the same time, we were able to considerably enhance the capabilities of lithium-ion batteries in an environment where the markets for mobile devices and electric vehicles is growing rapidly," In-hyuk added. "Our commitment is to continuously explore and develop secondary battery technology in light of these trends." SAIT worked with battery manufacturer Samsung SDI and researchers from Seoul National University's School of Chemical and Biological Engineering. Their research was published in the journal Nature Communications. The bold anti-corruption campaign by Saudi Arabia's crown prince and his aggressive foreign policy threaten to undermine his effort to promote a more moderate form of Islam, warns Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist and best-selling author Thomas Friedman. The New York Times columnist, who began his career covering the Middle East and Israel, recently interviewed Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is widely expected to take the throne in Saudi Arabia. The 32-year-old prince is leading an economic transformation in the world's largest oil exporter and the center of the Sunni Muslim faith. Friedman said Mohammed's campaign to roll back the strict religious atmosphere that has dominated the kingdom since 1979 is the most consequential item on his reform agenda. It would allow the Saudis to overhaul their education system and help rein in a militant strain of Islam that has spread throughout the world, he said. Saudi Arabia recently announced it will lift a long-standing ban on women driving. Under Mohammed, the kingdom can now host concerts and women and men are able to mingle more freely, Friedman said. This marks a dramatic change from the recent past, when Saudi authorities would arrest extremists at the United States' request, but refused to tackle the "war of ideas" in Islam that fueled extremism, Friedman said. "He's taking these guys on at the idea level. What it's doing is it's going to give permission now to everybody else to do that. That is so important. There is nothing more important than taking this on," Friedman told CNBC's "Squawk Box" on Tuesday. Republican Sen. Bob Corker told CNBC on Tuesday he's on the fence about the crucial tax reform vote because he doesn't want to "damage the nation over the long haul." During an interview with "Squawk Box," Corker suggested he could oppose the Republican tax bill in a procedural Senate Budget Committee vote Tuesday. He said a trigger mechanism to curb future budget deficits could help to win his vote. The full Senate may vote this week on the tax package. Republicans hold 52 seats in the 100-member Senate, so the administration cannot afford to lose more than two GOP votes since Democrats are united in their opposition to the proposal. Since Trump took office, the GOP-led Congress has failed in several major initiatives, including the repeal and replacement of Obamacare. The Tennessee Republican, who recently spoke out against President Donald Trump, said it is "ridiculous" that anyone could claim he would vote against something "that's good policy because of some rift that's occurring." "It's just absolutely untrue," Corker said. "I've been in the Senate for 11 years. I've been a deficit hawk for 11 years," Corker added. "I've been working with the administration on almost every level throughout this entire episode." Corker said White House Chief of Staff John Kelly called him to "thank him" for working with the administration on the tax bill. "So, it's ridiculous statement to think that on a policy this big, that's going to affect what you might do." Corker, who is not seeking re-election next year, called Trump last month an "utterly untruthful president" and suggested the president should stay out of the tax-writing process. Trump at the time contended the Tennessee Republican is "fighting" tax cuts and "couldn't get elected dog catcher." By PTI: (Eds : With additional quotes and details) Kalaikunda (WB), Nov 28 (PTI) Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen today hailed Indias indigenously-built multi-role light combat aircraft Tejas as "very very capable". As the first civilian foreigner to fly on Tejas, Ng took a half-an-hour flight in the two-seater plane piloted by Air Vice Marshal A P Singh at the Kalaikunda airbase here. advertisement "It is a very very capable plane," Ng told reporters here after flying on Tejas. Hailing Tejas as "very impressive", Ng said, "This is the reason why our air force trains with your air force. Pilots are superb, planes are pretty good." Praising Air Vice Marshal Singh as a "superbly confident and supremely professional" pilot, Ng said he felt as if he was riding a car and not flying in a fighter aircraft. "In fact the plane ride was so smooth that despite the G-turns and manoeuvres, I managed to even take some selfies," Ng said. Singh, who flew Tejas, is the project director of the National Flight Test Centre -- Aeronautical Development Agency. Asked whether Singapore is interested in buying the Tejas fighter aircraft, the minister said he was not a pilot and it was up to the technical people to take a call on it. Indian defence sources, however, said Singapore has evinced interest in Tejas. During the Bahrain air show where Tejas aircraft was showcased, some Middle Eastern countries had also shown interest, the defence sources said. Two Tejas aircraft were flown in here from Bangalore so that the Singapore defence minister can have a look at the aircraft. Tejas aircraft was designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency and the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the Indian Air Force and the Navy. The Singapore defence minister is scheduled to meet his Indian counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman in Delhi tomorrow. "Bilateral defence ties between our two countries are strong and it is getting stronger," Ng said. Asked whether they would discuss maritime security, Ng answered in the affirmative. This would be Ngs second dialogue with Sitharaman. They had also interacted in Manila during the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting in October. Singapore Air Force is holding joint military training with their Indian counterpart at the Kalaikunda airbase. Asked about the joint military training, Ng said, "I hope this will continue for long." The first joint military training between the Indian Air Force and the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) was held at the Gwalior air force station in 2004. advertisement Such an exercise was first held at Kalaikunda in 2007 and since then regular joint training has been held at the air force station here. PTI AMR KK ASK ASK --- ENDS --- watch now The Senate Budget Committee on Tuesday approved the Republican tax bill, a crucial procedural step toward a vote by the full chamber later this week. With the party-line 12-11 vote to advance the plan, Republicans overcame one possible roadblock in their push to chop tax rates for businesses and individuals by the end of the year. Two GOP members of the panel had separate concerns that threatened to upend the bill's momentum. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., wants a "trigger" to raise revenues should the bill's economic growth effects not go far enough to make up for the nearly $1.5 trillion in estimated tax cuts over 10 years. The senator had fears about expanding budget deficits and suggested Monday that he could vote "no" to advance the proposal. In a statement Tuesday, Corker said he backed the bill after reaching a tentative deal on a "trigger" to "ensure greater fiscal responsibility should economic growth estimates not be realized." The senator added that the proposal needs to be finalized but said he is "encouraged." Meanwhile, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., sought to further reduce the tax burden on pass-through businesses, which pay individual rates. He argued that those businesses got worse treatment under the plan than corporations, which would see their tax rate chopped to 20 percent from 35 percent. Both senators ended up voting to advance the bill. Johnson later said he got assurances that his concerns would be addressed either in the Senate bill or in a joint bill with the House. Senators going to the hearing were greeted by protesters shouting "Shame!" and "Kill the bill!" Republican Senate leaders want to pass the plan later this week. As it holds 52 seats, the GOP can lose only two votes and still approve the bill under special budget rules, assuming all Democrats and independents oppose it. Sky Chief Executive Jeremy Darroch has said that American internet companies such as Amazon and Netflix will not destroy the television industry. Darroch said that while the two U.S. content platforms produce "fantastically high-quality programs," they are aimed at global audiences, which could be a disadvantage. "Even when produced outside the U.S., there is a necessary uniformity to the creativity," he said Monday at a conference in Tallinn, Estonia. Darroch added that Sky , which broadcasts in the U.K., Ireland, Italy, Germany and Austria, could create shows that represent European storytelling but with international appeal. Sky chief executive Jeremy Darroch at a conference in Dublin, Ireland in 2015 Sportsfile | Getty Images "America simply does not have our rich historic tapestry to tap into and, while U.S. drama formats set the benchmark for quality, they cannot compete for diversity and cultural resonance," he said, according to an online transcript of his speech. The rush for eyeballs between online movie and TV streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon and traditional content-makers continues apace, with Disney set to remove its movies from Netflix and launch its own streaming service in 2019 and Amazon Prime on track to be in half of U.S. households by the end of 2017. Darroch added that the mixture of public and commercial broadcasters in Europe meant the region is able to compete with U.S. shows. "Much of the debate about the future of Europe's audio-visual industry has been colored by a fear that the internet will destroy our business models. I hope I have convinced you that is not happening," he said. watch now Societe Generale said on Monday it plans to close more branches and cut staff in its French retail banking network while selling assets, as part of a three-year plan to boost returns. Chief Executive Frederic Oudea, who took the top job following a rogue trader scandal in 2008, is under pressure to boost profitability in the face of tougher regulation and client demand for increasing investment in new technologies. France's third-largest listed bank unveiled a 1.1 billion euros savings plan that will cut 900 jobs in its French retail bank, close 300 branches and reduce the number of back office centres. It is also seeking to increase revenue by more than 3 percent annually - with the slowest growth seen coming from French retail and the strongest from international retail banking and financial services. The bank's shares have underperformed peers so far this year amid fears that pending legal disputes could hurt dividends. But SocGen said it was targeting progressive dividend growth, with a 50 percent payout ratio and 2.20 euro floor - matching what it paid on 2016 results - to apply from 2017. It also said it could sell or close sub-scale businesses accounting for around 5 percent of the group's risk-weighted assets, which stood at 353 billion euros as of Sept 30. Elon Musk's SpaceX has raised another $100 million as part of its latest funding round, according to new regulatory documents. In August, the space exploration company sold $349.9 million worth of shares, a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing showed. That amount has now risen to $449.9 million, a new filing showed on Monday, adding an extra $100 million onto the current fundraising effort. The latest injection of cash values SpaceX at $21.5 billion, according to Equidate, a platform that facilitates the trading of shares in private technology firms. SpaceX was not immediately available for comment on the valuation when contacted by CNBC. SpaceX's SEC filing did not disclose the investors. Musk's space company has been ramping up its rocket launches. SpaceX has developed rockets that are able to take off, deliver a payload into space, then land back on a droneship stationed in the Atlantic. The company says this helps reduce the cost of space missions as well as increasing the number that are able to take place. Earlier this year, SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell told Reuters in an interview that the company was aiming to launch missions every two-to-three weeks. As well as regular launches for large customers, Musk has bigger ambitions. In May, SpaceX laid out plans to put 4,425 satellites into space to provide high-speed internet. Musk plans to start this in 2019. And the billionaire eventually wants to get to Mars. Musk has already laid out plans for an "interplanetary transport system" capable of taking 100 people to the Red Planet in order to colonize it. The SpaceX CEO said he wants to land at least two cargo ships on Mars by 2022. Washington is shaping up for a long December. As Republicans push to get their tax bill to President Donald Trump's desk by Christmas, they will also have to strike a deal with Democrats to keep the government funded. A flurry of activity toward those goals is starting this week. Senate Republicans aim to pass their tax proposal this week. Meanwhile, Trump was scheduled to meet with bipartisan congressional leadersTuesday to hash out an agreement to avert a government shutdown next month. Democrats, however, pulled out following an inflammatory Trump tweet. Here are some of the issues Congress will face before the end of the year: Airbus , Rolls-Royce and Siemens have teamed up to develop a passenger plane powered by a hybrid-electric motor. The aim of the project dubbed the E-Fan X is to replace one of four gas turbine engines on a short-haul airliner with the motor for a test flight by 2020. If successful, a second gas turbine motor would then be swapped out. "We see hybrid-electric propulsion as a compelling technology for the future of aviation," said Paul Eremenko, Airbus' chief technology officer, in a press release Tuesday. The next big step is for German manufacturer Siemens to develop a two-megawatt motor to take power from a new Rolls-Royce generator. The wattage is comparable to about seven times the peak output from a Tesla Model S. Airbus has previously estimated that a regional short-haul plane able to carry around 100 people would need a combined power output of about 20 megawatts. The European aircraft manufacturer said it is building on its small two-seater hybrid-electric plane, the E-Fan Plus, which debuted in summer 2016 at the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh air show in Wisconsin. Plans to develop that jet for commercial use have been shelved as the ambition for electric flight has now been upped to include short-haul passenger aircraft. The intercontinental ballistic missile launched by North Korea on Tuesday has the power to reach Washington, D.C. and much of the rest of the United States, experts said. In contrast, Pyongyang's earlier ICBM test in late July was believed to be capable of hitting a bit more than half of the continental U.S., but not Washington. The latest ICBM, fired during the middle of the night in North Korea, soared as high as 4,500 kilometers above Earth and landed nearly 1,000 km from its launch site, falling into the Sea of Japan. During the 50-minute test, the missile "went higher, frankly, than any previous shot they've taken," said Defense Secretary James Mattis. If the missile had flown on a standard trajectory rather than Tuesday's lofted trajectory, it would have a range of more than 13,000 kilometers, according to David Wright, co-director of the global security program at the Union of Concerned Scientists, a non-profit advocacy group. "Such a missile would have more than enough range to reach Washington, D.C., and in fact any part of the continental United States," Wright said in a note. If the missile had flown on a flatter trajectory, it could have traveled more than 13,000 km, which "would be far enough to reach, for example, Washington, DC," echoed Scott Seaman, Asia director at consultancy Eurasia Group. A statement released by North Korean state media on Wednesday said the latest missile was indeed capable of reaching the U.S. Some experts, however, highlighted the unknowns about the missile's range. An ICBM capable of reaching the west coast of the U.S. mainland is still a year away, according to Michael Elleman, a senior fellow for missile defense at the International Institute for Strategic Studies and an analyst for watchdog group 38 North. Uber faced fresh allegations on Tuesday that it deliberately took steps to keep "unlawful schemes from seeing the light of day." Hours of testimony on Tuesday centered around a letter from a former Uber security analyst's attorney to an Uber lawyer. The former analyst, Richard Jacobs testified that there was a directive for Uber employees to use disappearing chat apps like Wickr. In his letter, Jacobs said that Uber sent employees to Pittsburgh (where it's developing its autonomous vehicles) to "educate" them on how to prevent "Uber's unlawful schemes from seeing the light of day." He reportedly made other bombshell allegations in the letter, including that employees at Uber were trained to "impede" ongoing investigations, multiple media outlets reported. Tweet: Ex-Uber employee: Uber had "non-attributable devices" for communciations with vendors and others so information would disappear, not be traced back to company. Tweet: Ex-Uber employee says Uber attorney trained employees on how to "impede, obstruct or influence" ongoing legal investigations, including use of ephemeral messages Uber hired several contractors that employed former CIA agents to help infiltrate its rivals' computers overseas, Jacobs said during questioning, as reported by the Associated Press. Jacobs said he has spoken with government officials about his allegations. He also backed away from some of the allegations in the letter, much of which was redacted from public view. Ed Russo, a current member of the Uber risk and threat analysis team, also disputed some of the allegations in the letter in testimony on Tuesday. He told the court that it was never the role of him or his team "to engage in theft of trade secrets." For UnitedHealth Group the focus next year is more about getting ahead of potential competition from tech heavyweights such as Amazon and Apple than getting bogged down in the twists and turns of health reform in Washington. That was the underlying message from new CEO David Wichmann at the health-care company's analyst day in New York. "People have asked me, 'What's going to be different now that you're CEO?' My short response is that very little will change and everything will change," said Wichmann, who succeeded Stephen Hemsley as chief executive in September, after serving as UnitedHealth's chief financial officer for five years. "This is a restless company, dissatisfied with the status quo in health care," he said. UnitedHealth is forecasting 2018 revenue growth of roughly 12 percent, to $223 billion to $225 billion, which is above the consensus estimate of analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters. The main growth drivers are expected to be the company's Optum data analytics and health-care services business, and growth in the Medicare Advantage membership on the health insurance side. Executives said the return of the Obamacare health insurance tax next year will pose a 75-cent-per-share headwind to profits. They are projecting full-year earnings of $10.55 to $10.85 per share, excluding items. Beyond its financial goals, UnitedHealth executives outlined a number of programs that tap Optum's data and apply machine learning to improve patient engagement and outcomes with both commercial employer members and Medicare enrollees. Asked about the potential threat of Amazon and other tech giants entering the health-care market, Larry Renfro, the chief executive of the insurer's Optum unit, said the company is trying to catch up when it comes to early-stage companies. Renfro announced the launch of Optum Ventures during the meeting, which is committing $250 million to fund digital health-care firms. Among the fund's first investments are Apervita, a cloud-based analytics platform; SHYFT Analytics, a cloud-based pharmaceutical research platform, and Mindstrong Health, which uses machine learning to help patients assess their mental health disorders through their smartphones. "Optum Ventures is uniquely positioned to help develop and grow start-ups and early-stage companies through capital investment, Optum's decades of experience in health care, and our access to the health-care marketplace," said Renfro. In addition, the firm recently completed its $1.3 billion acquisition of the Advisory Board's consulting unit. As a result of that deal, UnitedHealth has a 5.5 percent stake in hospital IT firm Evolent Health , making it the firm's largest stakeholder. The Advisory Board acquisition was one of three transactions the health insurer made this year, including a $2.3 billion deal for Surgical Care Affiliates, and a $2.8 billion deal for Chilean insurer Banmedica. UnitedHealth's acquisitions have helped drive double-digit revenue growth in the current decade. In the wake of failed health insurance mergers earlier this year, some of its competitors are now eyeing the UnitedHealth model of vertical integration. Sources tell CNBC that CVS Health has explored a merger with Aetna , valued at upwards of $66 billion. Both companies will hold their investor updates next month. UnitedHealth's new CEO may not be looking over his shoulder with worry, but he told investors he's not going to rest on the company's laurels. "We know we can perform better," Wichmann said. "We are more than willing and capable of stepping up our game." UnitedHealth's shares were down more than 1 percent in the premarket, following the company's initial guidance for 2018, but shares turned positive as the company's presentation concluded late morning, and closed Tuesday up 1.7 percent. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has used the powers of his department for the first time in 20 years to self-initiate antidumping duty and countervailing duty cases against the People's Republic of China. The investigations launched Tuesday cover more than $600 million worth of imports of common alloy aluminum sheet from China. Commerce officials explained to CNBC the investigations were self-initiated under the authority granted to the secretary under the Tariff Act of 1930. Ross told CNBC these cases are based on the promise President Donald Trump made to American businesses, workers and farmers. "President Trump said he would vigorously enforce our trade laws and be more enforcement-minded than our predecessors. Today's action shows that we intend to make good on that promise to the American people." According to Ross, there is available evidence that indicates Chinese producers are selling aluminum sheet in the U.S. at prices that are less than fair value and that the Chinese government is providing unfair subsidies to producers of aluminum sheet. "We have available evidence that also indicates U.S. producers of aluminum sheet are suffering injury caused by these imports," stressed Ross. The secretary told CNBC these cases are not part of the pending Section 232 investigation into aluminum. Self-initiate cases put the government in between the country in question and the industry, shielding the companies from any feared retaliation. The last self-initiated anti-dumping duty investigation occurred in 1985 on semiconductors from Japan, according to the department. "Imports of aluminum sheet from China into the United States have been significant since 2005 and have increased rapidly over the last three years," said Ross. "In light of the systemic and significant over-capacity in the Chinese aluminum industry, U.S. producers face the potential for further increases in imports of aluminum sheet from China. We seek trade relationships that are free, fair, and reciprocal simple principles all should support." During his confirmation hearing in January, Ross told senators he considered himself "an activist" for U.S. industries and would be willing to provide "people power" to enable the department to self-initiate anti-dumping and countervailing duty cases, "By picking strategic cases and initiating them, it will send a message to the people on the other side that we are getting more serious about this," he said. According to the International Aluminum Institute, Chinese demand for aluminum is more than half of the global demand with an estimated 60 million tonnes this year. This announcement comes just two weeks after Ross and Trump visited China as part of the president's tour of Asia. Next Steps: Senior officials tell CNBC, while the Commerce Department investigates, the ITC will conduct its own investigations, determining if the imports have hurt the U.S. aluminum industry and workforce. The ITC's preliminary determinations are expected on or before Jan. 16, 2018. If the ITC determines there is injury or threat of injury, the Commerce Department investigations can continue. A preliminary countervailing duty determination is scheduled for February 2018 and a preliminary anti-dumping determination is scheduled for April 2018. Those deadlines can be extended. If the Commerce Department find dumping or unfair subsidization has happened, it will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to start collecting cash deposits from all U.S. companies importing the subject aluminum sheet from China. Final determinations by the Commerce Department are scheduled for April 2018 for the countervailing duty investigation, and July 2018 for the anti-dumping investigation. Those dates can be extended as well. The committee also found that the jail staff could not justify the violence against the inmates post a routine search. On the night of November 21, Tihar Jail inmates were allegedly beaten for no reason by prison staffers. The injured were not even hospitalised, except one. By Sneha Agrawal: Violation of fundamental, human and legal rights of prisoners, who have alleged they were subjected to severe physical torture at Tihar Jail, on Monday came under the Delhi High Court's scanner as it ordered further enquiry into the matter. The inmates lodged in Tihar's high-risk ward were mercilessly beaten and injured on the night of November 21 - with no provocation by the jail staff, says an inspection committee report. advertisement The body was formed after one of the injured inmates handed over a blood-soaked vest to his counsel that he had used to wipe his wounds - as an evidence. Based on the petition from the counsel of the inmate, the Delhi High Court on November 23 formed the committee of judicial officers for an immediate inspection. The incident took place in wards C and F. CCTV footage of these wards show that there was no visible retaliation from the inmates and also that few were beaten selectively. The committee also found that the jail staff could not justify the violence against the inmates post a routine search. According to the findings, 18 inmates were injured and only one of them was taken to the hospital. Based on the committee's report, the high court on Monday has formed another fact-finding three-member committee to further probe into the incident and directed jail authorities to take the inmates to AIIMS for medical examination in batches. The committee added that the incident has harboured into the inmates a fear of dying inside the jail. The footage that the CCTV at ward C recorded showed a closed main door with no inmates outside. TSP officials could suddenly be seen throwing three pillows out. According to the report, as an alarm rings at 9:21pm, followed by which, several TSP personnel can be seen entering the ward and beating inmates mercilessly using batons, buckets and lathis with no resistance from the prisoners. At 9:36pm they left the inmates bleeding and bruised. In the ward F, some prisoners were seen arguing with the in-charge of search operation. However, nothing was found in the footage that could justify the violence against the prisoners. According to the report, during the routine searches, the inmates had objected to the removal of the pillow covers. The routine search had begun around 8:30pm - supervised by the search operation head. After carrying out searches in C-9 ward the team locked the cell from outside. 15 minutes later, sounds were heard that suggested people were being beaten. The inmates told the committee that such an incident had occurred for the first time. They also informed that for the since the previous 15-20 days, under the current search operation incharge, staff had been very aggressive in their approach during the routine searches. advertisement The committee found out that the QRT staff had entered their cell with lathis and even used buckets to beat them. Except for one inmate, who was hospitalised, none was were even treated inside the jail. The jail authorities in their replies to judicial officers said that the inmates had abused the jail staff, tried to hinder the search operation, passed incendiary remark and created a mutiny-like situation. The committee has however, concluded that the reason put forth was baseless and that it was nothing but a blatant effort by the jail authority to conceal the facts. --- ENDS --- A slew of data releases are set to keep investors on their feet. First off, the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices and Federal Housing Finance Agency house price index data are due at 9 a.m. ET. At 10 a.m. ET, consumer confidence and the Richmond Fed survey of manufacturing activity are due out, which will then be followed by the Dallas Fed's Texas services sector outlook survey at 10:30 a.m. ET. On the earnings front, , and are some of the companies set to publish their latest financial figures. Looking to the U.S. central bank, two speeches by the U.S. Federal Reserve are set to take place. New York Fed President William Dudley is expected to be in New York at the third annual conference on evolving structure of the U.S. Treasury market. And Philadelphia Fed President Patrick Harker is set to appear at the Philadelphia Fed conference on elderly financial health. The Senate is due to vote on a bill aimed at . Investors have been eagerly awaiting tax reform since the election in 2016, yet doubts over whether the Republican-led Congress could achieve this before the year is out continues to weigh on sentiment. If the Senate bill is approved, then a joint bill with the House would have to be created. The House passed a bill on a few weeks back to cut taxes on businesses and individuals, but it differs from the Senate bill in some key areas. [The stream is slated to start at 3:45 p.m. ET. Please refresh the page if you do not see a player above at that time.] Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin will address a conference of bankers and Treasury bond traders at the New York Fed on Tuesday. The conference is about changes in the function of the $14 trillion Treasury market, and the evolution of clearing and settlement of Treasury security transactions, but many traders and bankers will be interested to hear whether trading data will be made public. Regulators began collecting trade statistics for Treasury security transactions a few months ago. In October, Jerome Powell, the nominee to succeed Janet Yellen as Fed chairman, said the central bank wants to gather more data on trading. Other speakers include Jay Clayton, the chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Christopher Giancarlo, the chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and William Dudley, the soon-to-retire president of the New York Fed. Looking for a great city to retire to may be too broad a search. Some neighborhoods are more favorable for retirees than others. Personal finance website GOBankingRates conducted a November study into the top U.S. neighborhoods to enjoy your golden years. The list offers a wide variety of options whether you're focused on affordability, climate, or other attributes: 1. Century City Los Angeles, California 2. La Jolla San Diego, California 3. Norwood Park Chicago, Illinois 4. Hayfield Dundee Louisville, Kentucky 5. Clintonville Columbus, Ohio 6. Spuyten Duyvil New York, New York 7. Alamo Heights San Antonio, Texas 8. Montibello Charlotte, North Carolina 9. Regent Square Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 10. Colonialtown South Orlando, Florida "Everyone's looking for something slightly different," said Jared Scharen, co-founder of relocation guidance site eRetirements.com. About half of the top 10 neighborhoods are expensive, while the rest are cheaper. For example, the California locations are sure to stretch your budget, but price estimates for health care and groceries in Colonialtown South, Orlando, are lower than the national average plus, Florida doesn't have a state income tax. The world's largest bitcoin exchange by trading volume is launching in the U.S. BitFlyer, based in Tokyo, announced Tuesday it became the fourth digital currency exchange to receive a "BitLicense" to operate in New York. The exchange said it also has licenses to operate in 40 other states. Coinbase, Circle and Ripple are the three other exchanges with a "BitLicense," which is granted by New York's Department of Financial Services. Bitcoin trading volume in Japanese yen regularly accounts for 60 percent or more of global trading volume in the digital currency, according to CryptoCompare. BitFlyer has nearly 80 percent of that bitcoin-yen trading volume, the site shows. In contrast to some governments' more heavy-handed approach, the Japanese government has recognized bitcoin as a legal form of payment and licensed several exchanges. The digital currency has multiplied more than 10 times in price this year to a record high of $9,929.61 on Tuesday, according to CoinDesk. "Bitcoin in 2018 transitions from something that is viewed as a social phenomenon and very quickly transitions into an established institutional phenomenon," Bartek Ringwelski, bitFlyer's U.S. COO, told CNBC in a phone interview. "As regulation increases in the space people are going to feel more and more comfortable about bitcoin." Trading platform screenshot 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. Types of obituaries The Missourian publishes two types of obituaries family obituaries and life stories. A family obituary is the version submitted by a funeral home or family. Please see the submission form for details on cost and deadlines. Family obituaries A life story is a closer look at a person's life and involves a reporter contacting family and friends. Life stories are based on newsworthiness and consent of the family. Life stories. By PTI: (Eds: Updating with fresh inputs) By K J M Varma Beijing, Nov 28 (PTI) A top Chinese General has committed suicide to escape a probe against him over his alleged links to two corruption-tainted former PLA generals, becoming the first senior army official to have killed himself in the anti-graft campaign of President Xi Jinping. Zhang Yang, 66, a member of the Central Military Commission (CMC) - Chinas highest military body - hanged himself at his home in Beijing on November 23, state-run Xinhua news agency today quoted the CMC as saying. advertisement In its first comment on Zhangs death, the Chinese military has termed the suicide as a "shameful" attempt to escape punishment. An article posted on the website today of the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Daily, official mouthpiece of the Chinese military, said "Zhang, a paramount and powerful heavyweight, used such a "shameful way to end his life". It described his suicide as a "bad move to escape punishment", the Hong Kong based South China Morning Post quoted the PLA Daily as saying. Since October last year, Zhang was under investigation over his links to Guo Boxiong and Xu Caihou, two former Vice Chairmen of the CMC who were expelled from the ruling Communist Party, the report said. Guo was convicted of corruption and sentenced to life in 2016. Xu died of cancer in 2015 while undergoing a probe. Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post quoted sources as saying that Zhang hanged himself in his home and the news of his death had been conveyed to all PLA theatre commands. He is the most senior military officer to have killed himself during ongoing graft investigations targeting the PLA, the report said. Zhang was head of the powerful Political Work Department of the CMC when he along with the then chief of general staff General Fang Fenghui reported to have faced investigations since October last when they were not seen in public. Both Fang and Zhang faced anti-corruption investigations ahead of last months once-in-a-five-year Congress of the party. The CMC is headed by Chinese President Xi Jinping who was re-elected by the party for a second five-year term. He has also reconstituted the CMC reportedly with men loyal to him. The "ousting" of Fang and Zhang is further proof that Xi is "cementing his control over the military", the Post reported at the time. Fang was replaced by Gen Li Zuocheng, a decorated veteran of the Sino-Vietnamese war, and Admiral Miao Hua, formerly the PLA Navy?s political commissar, has been appointed as head of the Political Work Department. advertisement Over a million Communist Party officials were punished since Xi launched a massive anti-corruption campaign when he took over power in 2015. Over 13,000 Chinese military officials of various ranks including over 40 top Generals have been punished in the anti-graft campaign. PTI KJV ZH UZM --- ENDS --- October 2020 brought a lighter-than-usual crop of patches. For the first time in recent memory, there were none at all for Internet Explorer or the (Chromium-based) Edge browser. The cumulative updates went in with few reports of problems, although there were many complaints about printers not working after the update. Strange things happened, though, outside the usual monthly patching schedule. The day after Patch Tuesday, Microsoft announced a(nother) fix for a security hole in the HEVC codec CVE-2020-17022 distributed, once again, only through the Microsoft Store. HPs Secure Click Enterprise started falling over immediately after installing this months Windows cumulative updates. HP released a Win10 update-friendly version a couple of days later. It continues to astound me that a mainstream product from a major manufacturer isnt tested before the cumulative updates roll out. There was a security hole plug specifically for Visual Studio programmers, CVE-2020-17023. Then theres the security patch for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Commerce, CVE-2020-16943, that was announced but never appeared. Its still missing in action. Something in there about counting chickens before theyre hatched. As usual, we had dire warnings galore from the usual patch-right-now sources (Microsoft warns beeeelions of customers to patch immediately!). As usual, we havent seen any immediately exploited security holes, with the possible exception of SharePoint Server 2016 and 2019. The usual grab-bag of bugs Every month for the past year or two, weve seen a big accumulation of bugs arrive on the heels of Patch Tuesday. This months no exception. You can see a motley collection of blocked update error messages, error codes, blue screens, crashes, and peripheral problems in Mayank Parmars article in Windows Latest, Lawrence Abrams piece for BleepingComputer, Venkats rundown in Techdows, Gunter Borns post in Borns Tech and Windows World, and countless parrot sites around the web. I dont see any particular pattern to any of it, which has become increasingly common. New patches just seem to bring along a trove of unrelated bugs, any one of which can be hugely frustrating but none of which seem to be particularly widespread. The one exception: Ive seen many reports of printers that stop working after the latest cumulative update gets installed. In every case Ive seen, pulling the plug on the printer and plugging it back in solves the problem an easy task for individuals, not so much for admins. 'Windows cant verify the publisher of this driver software' Some people are reporting an unexpected error when installing certain drivers. Microsoft describes the situation in the Resolved issues portion of the Windows Release Information Status page: When installing a third-party driver, you might receive the error, Windows cant verify the publisher of this driver software." You may also see the error No signature was present in the subject when attempting to view the signature properties using Windows Explorer. This issue occurs when one or more of the following is present in a driver package: An improperly formatted catalog file is identified during validation by Windows. Starting with this release, Windows will require the validity of DER encoded PKCS#7 content in catalog files. Catalogs files must be signed per section 11.6 of describing DER-encoding for SET OF members in X.690. A driver catalog file extension is not one of the supported extensions. Thats a feature, not a bug. Microsoft suggests that you contact the driver manufacturer and ask for an update. If your hardware vendor isnt real interested in keeping up with Windows 10, well, jokes on you. Gunter Born puts it succinctly: Windows is a huge hardware exterminator, rendering still working devices as electronic waste, because drivers can no longer be installed. 'Optional' .NET previews arent optional any more Weve seen this problem for several months, and it still hasnt been fixed. Windows Update doesnt handle the .NET Preview monthly rollups the way you (or at least, I) would expect. Cumulative Update previews have to be manually approved by clicking a Download and install link. .NET Previews dont even offer the option. Theres a convoluted set of rules about Windows automatically installing .NET Previews. @abbodi86 has unrolled the behavior this way: The new .NET Previews are nothing different from all previous non-security .NET cumulative updates. They just have the term Preview in label. If youre a seeker (click Check for updates in Windows Update), the .NET Preview update will be installed regardless of your other settings. If you arent a seeker, when a normal update scan takes place, one of two things will happen. (1) If the previous .NET Security update is not yet installed, the .NET Preview update will be flagged as potentially superseded, and Windows Update will not offer it. (2) If the latest .NET Security update is already installed, the .NET Preview update will be installed. If that isnt confusing enough for you, @abbodi86 has full details here. I have no idea why Microsoft thinks that its preview (i.e., not-yet-ready-for-prime-time) patches should be installed on machines without any warning or opt-out capability. But there you have it. Microsoft pulls back on potentially unwanted PWA apps When is a PUP installer not a PUP installer? When its a Windows beta, of course. Somebody at Microsoft decided it would be a good idea to jury-rig some beta test versions of Windows 10 so they automatically installed the new PWA (progressive web app) versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote. Several beta testers took umbrage at an operating system that cavalierly installed potentially unwanted programs. A couple days later, Microsoft changed course, claiming that the pushy behavior was a bug. Right. Sean Hollister at The Verge has details. Office 2010 and Exchange Server 2010 hit end of life As of Oct. 13, both Office 2010 and Exchange 2010 fell off the support cycle. You wont get any more patches. A pity, really, because Office 2010 (in spite of its interface peculiarities) was a real workhorse. Patch Lady Susan Bradley has details. Version 20H2 (or is it 2009?) rolling out Microsoft is starting to make Win10 version 20H2 available for the masses although you have to click Download and install to get it. At least, thats the theory. Considering version 2004 had almost no new worthwhile features, and 20H2 has fewer still (theme-related shading on Start tiles? Alt+Tab switching Edge tabs? Puh-lease), the push to 20H2 is now under way. Think of it as yet another cumulative update, except it doesnt plug any new security holes. If you ever needed a concrete example of why twice-a-year upgrades for Win10 make absolutely no sense at all, now you have it. Patching problems? Hit us on AskWoody.com. Henry Newman is Director of Open Europe. By the start of next week, we will know whether the EU is likely to agree that Britain has made sufficient progress in the Brexit negotiations to start talking about trade and its future outside of, but alongside, the EU. The final decision will be made in the room at the European Council meeting, but (as is the way of these things) the conclusions will be drafted in advance. On the first of the three withdrawal issues, citizens rights, only technical details remain to be resolved. Regarding the second, money, the Prime Minister has reportedly made a new contingent commitment for the UK to pay a proportion of the EUs total liabilities. The final issue Northern Ireland/Ireland remains as yet unresolved and Brussels is suggesting that it has the potential to delay progress in the negotiations. If that happens, the chance of reaching any sort of deal will fall dramatically. As I have argued previously, the EUs decision to separate out these three issues from the wider talks about Britain and the EUs future is regrettable and wrong. There is no requirement in EU law to arrange the talks in this phased way. Brussels repeatedly seeks to claim that its sufficient progress test is a technical assessment of the level of the talks, which must be passed on all three issues, but it is in fact a political judgement. I was told by senior diplomats of a major member state that they insisted on the EU using the term sufficient progress precisely because it was not an exact test. On Northern Ireland/Ireland its particularly difficult for the UK to demonstrate that its made progress so far. While it has committed to protecting the Belfast Agreement, the UK Government has long argued, perfectly reasonably, that its hard to make commitments now about the border without knowing what sort of trade or customs relationship we will have in the future. But they have promised that they want to avoid a hard border and published a position paper outlining various policy options to avoid physical infrastructure at the frontier. These have been dismissed as magical thinking by the EU. Meanwhile, Ireland has ramped up the pressure and is playing hardball. Tony Connelly, the RTE journalist, says that his discussions reveal a carefully co-ordinated escalation by Ireland and the [EUs Brexit] Task Force. Clearly Brexit does create some serious problems for Ireland, as Paul Goodman outlined in his article on Sunday. Its perfectly legitimate for Ireland to seek to defend its interests in these negotiations and indeed, since the Anglo-Irish Agreement, the UK has recognised that Ireland has a legitimate interest in the Province as well. There are also domestic motivations: the new Irish Prime Minister is leading a minority government and is facing an unfolding political crisis which could force him to early elections. And the Irish are also well aware that this is their moment of maximum leverage in the negotiations. If they green light trade talks now it will be much harder unilaterally to force concessions later. Although the Peace Process was not exactly an EU success story, it is now intertwined with EU law. There are complex North-South questions to resolve and cross-border issues such as energy and power networks. It is unavoidable that the border between the Province and Republic will become an external frontier of the EU. The question is not whether there is a border but whether it is a hard-physical border with barriers or a light-touch border with intelligence-led checks conducted away from the frontier. On the movement of people, there is strong political will to maintain the free movement of Irish and British nationals via the Common Travel Area (which after all predates the EU, and already includes a non-EU territory the Isle of Man). Goods are somewhat ironically proving more complicated than people. Ireland rightly recognises that the return of a hard border, even for goods, could endanger the peace process. Yet rather than working with the UK to pressure Brussels to avoid the need for such a border, the Irish Government has called for either the whole of the UK, or Northern Ireland alone, to remain in the Customs Union. Its worth noting that contra recent calls by the Labour Party and by a small number of Tory MPs for the UK to stay in the Customs Union no non-EU member other than Monaco is in the EUs Customs Union. Even members of the European Economic Area such as Norway, Lichtenstein, and Iceland are outside the Customs Union. Turkey has a partial Customs Union with the EUs Customs Union but the effect of this, as Open Europe argued in our Nothing to Declare paper, is that Turkey cannot sign independent trade deals or vary its external tariffs, yet is not automatically included in the EUs third-party deals. It makes no sense for the UK to remain in the Customs Union after Brexit. Ireland has reportedly gone even further. Tony Connelly has suggested that the price of sufficient progress for the Irish would be a form of words on how the UK would avoid a border which should reflect no regulatory divergence on either side of the border. Although Irish sources have suggested to me that this report was over-written, some within the Irish political establishment are clearly demanding that post-Brexit the UK cannot ever diverge from the rules governing the Single Market or the Customs Union. The danger seems to me that the Irish are creating impossible conditions for the UK. If sufficient progress is denied in December, because the UK (rightly) refuses to commit to being a permanent rule taker from the EU, the domestic pressure for Theresa May to abandon the talks entirely could quickly become unsurmountable. Equally, the message which Irish diplomats in London are seeking to promote, namely that the UK will have no stronger ally or closer friend during the second phase of the talks, will certainly be drowned out. Relations could seriously break down between the two neighbours. The EU may argue that the impact of no deal would be worse on the UK than the EU27, but Ireland would take the biggest hit of any EU member, and that would guarantee a hard border. But there is a path through. Yesterday the former Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, spoke out with words of wisdom. He endorsed the UK view that technology could ameliorate the border, and correctly suggested that the EU may have to turn a blind eye to certain movements of items. For its part, the UK has already accepted that maintaining the Common Travel Area will mean that EU nationals can enter Great Britain by crossing the Irish border. The key point is that Britain and Ireland have forged a path through their troubled history with a political commitment to work together. A shared determination to trust one another and to find a solution to the complexities of Brexit is urgently needed. James Frayne is Director of communications agency Public First and author of Meet the People, a guide to moving public opinion. The focus of this column is Theresa Mays conservatism for ordinary working people. Conservative strategists believe theyre on the brink of an electoral breakthrough in the industrial Midlands and North: that theyre going to be most competitive at the next election in seats where longstanding Labour voters are fed up with Corbyns ambivalence on the EU and his metropolitan obsessions. Three things will enable the Tories to break through in these constituencies: implementing Brexit, thereby reducing immigration; showing the Party can improve healthcare; and offering these areas a positive future through an attractive economic policy. On the upside, other than the Governments accommodation on a big Brussels pay-off, the Conservatives have given voters confidence that leave means leave. But on healthcare, despite the pledge for more money for the NHS in the Budget, the Party will still be in deficit massively to Labour without further intervention. And on the third, this is what the industrial strategy White Paper was supposed to deliver. So did it? First things first: the launch spin was excellent. Government White Papers on technical subjects are hard to sell. Lining up big firms to essentially endorse the strategy with meaningful announcements about jobs and investment gave the document news value. These endorsements are incredibly difficult to pull off in the first place, and to align them with the announcement means the BEIS and Number Ten comms teams deserve serious credit. Looking through the document, its doubtful therell be many opportunities to squeeze more campaigning days out of it before the next election. The Government did announce a 1.7 billion fund to improve transport links within cities outside London but this is likely to only play out over the long term, with most of the credit going to local mayors rather than the Tories nationally. Furthermore, raising R&D spending, improving technical education, and backing particular sectors for future growth offer only medium-term opportunities for campaigning. Other announcements like promoting AI or creating a new Industrial Strategy Council offer little by way of campaigning opportunities. If anything, promoting AI needs particularly careful handling and could backfire. AI offers huge opportunities for the economy, but what excites one constituency with its promises of technological advances, worries another with its threat of worker replacement. Its hard to express disappointment that the Government is looking at long-term challenges. Governments do precious little of that. But with the polls showing that the next election could return a Labour Government, its nonetheless concerning there werent more announcements that could make a more immediate impact on local economies or indeed on local news agendas. So what of the long-term substance? Its the Governments role to provide the conditions for economic growth and the Conservatives commitment to greater spending on infrastructure and technical education are to be welcomed. But your overall confidence in this White Paper to deliver ultimately rests on your belief in the Government to intervene to create the conditions for a positive economy. For, as Mark pointed out on this site yesterday evening, this document is very interventionist with its sector deals and its new institutions. Gone is the Conservative certainty of reducing taxes to promote businesses own investment and growth. Personally speaking, and as someone that now wrestles with the realities of trying to grow a business, that feels like a backward step. Its hard to see how government intervention can encourage businesses to grow more effectively than allowing them to keep more of their own money would do. While the Government should be promoting industries that will benefit the country in the future, like AI, it would surely be better to focus on the overall climate that will enable businesses to achieve great things themselves: yes, improving the technical ability of school leavers, and yes improving infrastructure. But also easing access to international talent; ensuring a light regulatory framework on our world-beating higher education system, and introducing tax breaks for those that want to invest in local areas that need it. There are fewer and fewer genuine free marketeers in the Conservative Party at all levels from officials at Downing Street to volunteers on the High Street and this document reflects that. Whenever a friend succeeds, a little something in me dies, Gore Vidal once said. Colleagues are not always friends. But a little something certainly died in some of Gavin Williamsons when the former Chief Whip became Defence Secretary. Part of the reason was his youth (Williamson is 41). Another part was his inexperience (he had never spoken at the despatch box before his appointment, and has no background in defence matters). Another was his term as Chief Whip, in which he was extremely effective (he never lost a vote) but not universally popular though who is? But is is hard to believe that his promotion would have raised as many hackles had he been elevated, say, to Work and Pensions, or Education, or International Development. The fact is that the Ministry of Defence has a talismanic quality for a large slice of the Conservative Parliamentary Party. During the last Parliament, some one in 13 MPs had served in the armed forces. ConservativeHome carried a photo of 36 of them. All except three were Tories. The proportion wont have changed all that much since. For Conservatives, Defence is almost on a rank with the four great offices of state. Tory places on the Defence Select Committee are fiercely contested. So no wonder Williamsons appointment caused resentment. We wrote when it happened that, if the generals fear that he will simply do the Treasurys bidding, we suspect that they may be agreeably surprised. Our reasoning was that the new Defence Secretarys very youth, inexperience, and lack of a defence background will make him more likely to dig in against the Treasury than otherwise, precisely because he has a point to prove. He is also an ambitious man with a thorough understanding from his previous role of what makes his colleagues tick. Many of them duly turned up to press for more spending during his debut at Defence questions yesterday. Not so long ago, much of the debate about defence tended to be polarised between advocates of a bigger navy and a bigger army. Now there is a third element. Are we really ready to switch resources from conventional weaponry and platforms to spotty youths in computer centres? James Gray wrote on this site in August. He was referring to the cyber-threat from Putins Russia as well as from Islamist extremists. Then there is Trident. There is a backbench campaign to take the 600 million cost of the submarine replacement programme out of the Defence budget altogether. Williamson will also be well aware of the Francois Review into army recruitment. Labour quizzed him yesterday on whether he had specifically pressed the Chancellor for more defence cash pre-Budget. He refused to be drawn. I want to ensure that we have the arguments ready, we understand the threats that this country faces and we deliver for our armed forces, he said. I have had many conversations with the Chancellor, and I look forward to having many more. This sounds like a man who is still reading and thinking his way into the job. But he went out of his way to rule out very little, including ring-fencing the Trident spending, and said that he sees the NATO two per cent commitment as a base as opposed to a ceiling. There is a National Security Capability Review. Tory backbenchers fear that its purpose is to slash spending and, as a former Defence Secretary himself, Philip Hammond will know the negotiating ropes. Williamson got the headlines he will have wanted this morning: Defence minister prepared to fight chancellor for extra funding, declares the Times. Cynics will suspect stage management and perhaps they are right. But given the pressures on the Defence budget, new forms of threat as well as familiar ones, the agitation of his colleagues and his own aspirations, we suspect that Williamson really is as some Tory MPs put it on manoeuvres. 11/27/2017 Photo via YouTube The countrys biggest retail season is in full swing, but shoppers who see great deals on popular electronics may want to consider those discounts could come with an invisible price tag: child labor. Last week, Chinese manufacturer Foxconn found itself at the center of a Financial Times report indicating one of its plants was employing middle school-aged interns, pulling 11-hour work days. Foxconn is one of the worlds largest contract electronics manufacturers whose more notable clients include Apple and Hewlett-Packard. The company was contracted to help produce the iPhone X, which made its U.S. debut in early November. Foxconn responded to the Financial Times story stating it had acted immediately to reduce the interns work day to eight hours. Not uncommon Linda Diane Mull, Executive Director of the International Initiative on Exploitative Child Labor, says the situation uncovered by the newspaper is not uncommon in the technology industry. "Oh absolutely [its common], and in China, definitely," Mull told ConsumerAffairs. China has implemented laws to protect young workers, specifically mandating the minimum employable age is 16, and 16-18 year olds shifts must not exceed eight hours a day. Unfortunately, Mull says abuses can still take place. A 2013 investigation by the Fair Labor Associationrequested by Applefound working conditions at three Foxconn plants assembling Apple products had improved. However, the report cited the company for hours that exceed Chinas legal limit. The investigation also followed an incident involving more than a dozen suicides by Foxconn workers that may, or may not have been related to employment practices. Between 2010 and 2013, 16 employees at Foxconn's Shenzhen, China factory reportedly took their lives. There have been other attempted and successful employee suicides since then, but their connection to Foxconn is unclear. "The government of China does not allow many organizations to go into the country to do inspections," she notes. "The bottom line is whether or not there are laws and regulations, whether or not they are enforced, and whether workers have the right to organize to request better working conditions and better wages." Enforcement still a concern The International Labor Organization recently documented a ten percent drop in cases of illegal child labor in the last five years worldwide. But a recent report by international health advocacy group La Isla Foundation highlights lingering problems. The 2015 report found children in Nicaragua were working under hazardous conditions in sugarcane fields, despite the fact that Nicaragua had ratified all of the core international covenants governing child labor. Mull says labor advocates are still trying to prove to governments that workers can be paid more and work fewer hours and simultaneously be more productive and produce higher quality work. She admits it can be a tough sell among all involved. "The problem is the workers want to work the 11 hour days in order to make the income," she said. "So you have to convince the workers that change is in their best interests." CORNWALL, Ontario The Friends with Hearts chapter in Cornwall is organizing their fourth Christmas fundraiser in support of families from Maison Baldwin House. Some guests at Schnitzels European Flavours in Cornwalls downtown might have seen the beautifully decorated Christmas tree near the entrance. The tree is decorated in lights and ornaments and also gift tags. The gift tags describe the type of gift and type of person it is for. Gifts are then donated based on the information on the tag and Friends with Hearts wrap the gifts and send them to Maison Baldwin House, who get the gifts to pre-selected families. The families have all recently left Baldwin House and are now in new safe homes. The gifts range from things like a new crib to simple things like shampoo and conditioner. In their first year, Friends with Hearts raised about $2, 000 in cash donations and Justine Viray-Levac of Schnitzels says that it grows each year. In addition to the gifts, Friends with Hearts also donates gift cards for the families. We try to make sure each kid in each family has an equal amount of gifts, said Viray-Levac. We also fill stockings for them and get gift cards for mom. They (Baldwin House) dont ask us for it, but we like to add that on. To get a gift, first take a tag from the tree at Schnitzels or find one on their wish list on the Friends with Hearts Cornwall Facebook Page. All items should be dropped of at Schnitzels by Dec. 16 and on Tuesday, Dec. 19 there will be a wrap party at Schnitzels from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friends with Hearts Cornwall was started by Justine Viray-Levac, Amberly Leger and Christie Camplin who help run the charity every year. CORNWALL, Ontario Erika Bourgon and her friends, Carolyn Lafleche, Allyson Ayotte and Torie Bourgon worked together to help bring Christmas to the less fortunate. Over the summer, they held yard sales to raise some money and then used the move they raised, a total of $520 to buy gifts. In total, they bough 25 gifts which they will be donating to the Blessed Sacrament Church in Cornwall and the church will be distributing them to less fortunate families so that their children can have a Christmas. Not all kids can get what other kids have for Christmas, said Erika. We wanted to give someone else a chance to feel what we feel at Christmas. They explained that most of the gifts were gift cards to places like the theatre or for clothing stores so that kids can choose their own gifts based on what they want. All four girls are students at La Citadelle high school and say that they school helped them promote their fundraiser. They say that this was a great experience for them and they want to do more in the future. AIDA Cruises said in its latest sustainability report that it will gradually be supplying the AIDAperla with LNG while docked in Barcelona, Marseille and Civitavecchia. The AIDAprima launched the lines first LNG operation in port in 2016 and has been able to operate a dual fuel engine on LNG in Hamburg, Southampton, Le Havre, Zebrugge and Rotterdam. Moving the AIDAprima to the Canary Islands and Madeira, AIDA said it is also working to set up the ships LNG supply in Madeira. Next fall, AIDA will be introducing the AIDAnova, the first cruise ship to operate on LNG as its primary fuel while at sea and in port. Uber's CSO has been fired, according to a story in The New York Times. That begs the question did Uber throw Sullivan under the bus, turning him into a scapegoat for the recently disclosed year-old hack? Sullivan's reputation may suffer irreparable harm as a result of the high-profile termination, which is receiving widespread media attention. That may be OK by the ex-CSO if Uber paid him a 6-figure (or, dare anyone speculate, 7-figure) fee to keep quiet (as part of a non-disclosure, severance or some other agreement) same as they did for the hackers who stole data and were paid $100,000 to destroy it. On the other hand, Sullivan may be getting exactly what he deserves if in fact he knowingly violated the law. California's new data security laws, which require businesses and government agencies to disclose hacks in a timely fashion, went into effect Jan. 1, 2016. By PTI: By Lalit K Jha Washington, Nov 28 (PTI) The Taliban can now either "reconcile, live in irrelevance or die", the top US and NATO commander said today, asserting that due to sustained pressure the terrorist group can no longer win the war in Afghanistan. However, Gen John Nicholson, in a video conference with Pentagon reporters from Kabul, said reconciliation with the Taliban will take some time. advertisement After the announcement of the US new South Asia strategy by President Donald Trump in August, the Taliban has adopted guerrilla-style warfare, with hit-and-run and suicide attacks. "Each of these shifts represented to us a lowering of ambition by the enemy. Now, reconciliation will take some time. Well have to continue to apply the three types of pressure, engage within the region and leverage all of the instruments available to meet our goals," he said. "In the face of this pressure, the Taliban cannot win. Their choices are to reconcile, live in irrelevance, or die," Nicholson said. Asserting that Taliban is not a popular insurgency, he said the Afghan people outrightly reject them. Up to 90 per cent of Afghans believe that a return to Taliban rule would be bad for the country, he added. Nicholson said the Taliban, in some ways, have evolved into a criminal or narco-insurgency. "They are fighting to defend their revenue streams. They have increasingly lost whatever ideological anchor they once had. They fight to preserve and expand their sources of revenue. This includes narcotics trafficking, illegal mining, taxing people throughout Afghanistan, kidnapping and murder- for-hire: all criminal endeavours," he said. Observing that the US has tripled the amount of air- delivered munitions it has deployed, he said as assets free up from Iraq and Syria and the successful fight against ISIS in that theatre, he expects to see more assets come to Afghanistan. "The momentum is now with the Afghan security forces and the Taliban cannot win in the face of the pressures that I outlined. Again, their choices are to reconcile, live in irrelevance, or die," Nicholson said. PTI LKJ KUN --- ENDS --- The Department of Justice charged three Chinese nationals working for an internet security firm in China with hacking three companies and stealing hundreds of gigabytes of data and trade secrets from Siemens AG, Moodys Analytics and GPS maker Trimble between early 2011 and May 2017. Both the malware and the organization to which defendants Wu Yingzhuo, Dong Hao and Xia Lei belonged have previously been linked to the Chinese government. Soo C. Song, acting U.S. Attorney for Western Pennsylvania, charged the Chinese men with conspiracy to commit computer fraud and abuse, conspiracy to steal trade secrets, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. Yingzhuo, Hao and Lei, according to the Justice Department, worked to steal hundreds of gigabytes of data regarding the housing finance, energy, technology, transportation, construction, land survey, and agricultural sectors. The indictment, filed in September, was unsealed on Monday. The federal charges indicate that the trio used spearphishing emails to gain access to the companies computers, used malware to infect the networks, and used third-party networks as hop points to hide their tracks. These conspirators masked their criminal conspiracy by exploiting unwitting computers, called hop points, conducting spearphish email campaigns to gain unauthorized access to corporate computers, and deploying malicious code to infiltrate the victim computer networks, Song said. FBI Special Agent in Charge Bob Johnson said investigators relied on missteps to identify the hackers, but he would not elaborate on those mistakes because it potentially could jeopardize future investigations. While the Justice Department maintains that the Chinese trio worked for the Chinese internet security firm Guangzhou Bo Yu Information Technology Company, according to TribLIVE, Song said, There does not appear to be a link between the cyber attacks alleged in the most recent indictment and the Chinese government or military. Its interesting that Song claimed there didnt appear to be a link between the Chinese government or military and the cyber attacks alleged in the indictment especially since the Justice Departments press release claims, The three Chinese hackers work for the purported China-based Internet security firm Guangzhou Bo Yu Information Technology Company Limited (a/k/a Boyusec). Links to Chinese government-sponsored APT3 Boyusec, according to the anonymous group Intrusion Truth, was a front for APT3, aka Gothic Panda, Buckeye, UPS Team and TG-0110. The group traced domain name registration data from APT3 tools and domains to Wu Yingzhuo. In May 2017, the security firm Recorded Future agreed that Boyusec is a Chinese government contractor linked to the APT3 group. The company attributed APT3 to the Chinese Ministry of State Security and Boyusec with a high degree of confidence. Although the Justice Department doesnt come right out and say the hackers were working for the Chinese government-sponsored APT3, the press release did state, In many instances, the co-conspirators sought to conceal their activities, location and Boyusec affiliation by using aliases in registering online accounts, intermediary computer servers known as hop points and valid credentials stolen from victim systems. The Chinese internet security firm Boyusec was disbanded this month, according to the Wall Street Journal. Hacking allegations The hackers allegedly used spearphishing campaigns, exploited vulnerabilities or used malware to obtain and maintain unauthorized access. The DOJ said they used hop points to misrepresent their IP addresses and locations while identifying, collecting, packaging and stealing data from the victims. The indictment also claims the defendants used UPS Backdoor Malware to remotely access and control infected computers within the victims networks. The defendants used multiple versions of the UPS Backdoor Malware to misrepresent their status as authorized users of the victims computers in order to issue commands to search, identify, copy, package and steal data stored on such computers. The DOJ claims Hao hacked Siemens network and obtained usernames and passwords of employees in 2014. In 2015, the hackers managed to steal 407 gigabytes of proprietary commercial data pertaining to Siemenss energy, technology and transportation businesses. Siemens refused to comment upon internal security measures, only telling the Trib that it rigorously monitors and protects its infrastructure. By 2011, the defendants allegedly gained access to Moodys Analytics email server in order to forward all emails sent to the employee used as the companys branding asset. Lei is accused to accessing the emails, which contained proprietary and confidential economic analyses, findings and opinions. A spokesperson for Moodys told the Trib that the company does not believe any confidential consumer data or other personal employee information was exposed in the alleged hack. In 2015 and 2016, the hackers allegedly accessed Trimbles network and stole at least 275 MB of data, including hundreds of zipped files and trade secrets. A Trimble spokesperson told the Trib that no client data was breached and the attack had no meaningful impact on its business. Despite Trimbles quotes, attorney Song called the losses to the targeted companies targeted considerable, adding, The fruit of these cyber intrusions and exfiltration of data represent a staggering amount of dollars and hours lost to the companies. How will the U.S. actually get its hands on the accused? Song suggested the defendants could be arrested while traveling. The leadership of the CFPB was in the hands of a federal court Monday, after the agencys deputy director filed suit challenging President Trumps right to appoint an interim director. Leandra English filed the suit contending that she, and not Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney should be running the agency after CFPB Director Richard Cordrays resignation Friday. However, the White House Monday morning released a photo of Mulvaney in the directors office. The confusion began Friday afternoon, when Cordray appointed English deputy director and then resigned. He and English contend that Dodd-Frank allowed the director to designate an acting director when the director is absent or unavailable. Here's where to find deer on public hunting grounds in Pennsylvania Whenever guys tell me theres no deer, I just say yep, youre right, said one hunter, with a laugh. To receive Tylers analysis directly via email, please SIGN UP HERE Talking Points: USD/CAD Technical Strategy: strong support at 1.2666, upside favored above CAD net long positioning from institutions continues to decline since early Oct. US/CA 2Yr Government yields spread widens in favor of USD Sentiment Highlight : aggressive bearish shift in retail positioning provides Bullish outlook The US Dollar has been selling off against leading G10 currencies in the second half of November, but the Canadian Dollar is one currency that is having a difficult time holding gains. Despite the price of Crude Oil trading at 2-year highs this month, the Canadian Dollar has remained relatively weak alongside other commodity currencies like the Australian Dollar and New Zealand Dollar despite short-term gains in a low-volatility environment. When looking at markets for an explanation, there appears to be a bevy of reasons to favor further CAD weakness. First, institutional positioning or Hedge Funds per the CFTC continue to drop their net-long exposure of the Canadian Dollar. Since early October, the Commitment of Traders Canadian Dollar reading has fallen from 67,297 net long contracts to 23,218 as of last week, the lowest reading since July. Another argument, besides sentiment to be covered below, is the yield spread between US & CA government debt. When CAD was strengthening across the board over the summer, the yield spread differential between US & CA had a near perfect positive correlation. The reading bottomed out in early September at -26bps with the Canadian 2Yr yield trading at a premium to the US 2yr yield. The day the yield spread bottomed (Canadian government yields largest premium) was the same day USD/CAD bottomed. Today, the yield spread continues to widen in favor of US yield to Canadian yield by 31bps or a 55bp reversal. While the correlation has weakened somewhat, should the pair catch up to the yield spread, we could soon see USD/CAD testing resistance in the 1.2837/2971 zone. The technical outlook also focuses on a further rises against the broader downtrend that began in early May absent a USD/CAD close below 1.2666. Recently, the November 10/9 lows at 1.2666/68 have provided price support and trading above these levels aligns with sentiment to focus on further upside. Currently, a hold above 1.2666/68 on a closing basis area favors a march to 1.2837 (Nov. 21 high), followed by 1.2 the 200-DMA at 1.2971. A break and close below 1.2666/68 would turn attention to October support near 1.2450. Unlock our Q4 forecast to learn what will drive trends for the US Dollar through year-end! Chart created by Tyler Yell, CMT. Tweet @ForexYell for comments, questions USD/CAD Insight from IG Client Positioning: overall selling bias provides ST bullish outlook The sentiment highlight section is designed to help you see how DailyFX utilizes the insights derived from IG Client Sentiment, and how client positioning can lead to trade ideas. If you have any questions on this indicator, you are welcome to reach out to the author of this article with questions at tyell@dailyfx.com. USDCAD: Retail trader data shows 46.7% of traders are net-long with the ratio of traders short to long at 1.14 to 1. The number of traders net-long is 7.0% higher than yesterday and 12.0% lower from last week, while the number of traders net-short is 5.8% lower than yesterday and 45.2% higher from last week. We typically take a contrarian view to crowd sentiment, and the fact traders are net-short suggests USDCAD prices may continue to rise. Positioning is less net-short than yesterday but more net-short from last week. The combination of current sentiment and recent changes gives us a further mixed USDCAD trading bias (emphasis added.) --- Written by Tyler Yell, CMT, Currency Analyst & Trading Instructor for DailyFX.com To receive Tyler's analysis directly via email, please SIGN UP HERE Contact and discuss markets with Tyler on Twitter: @ForexYell Argentina is in grief and the world is anxious. Days have passed and leads on the disappearance of submarine ARA San Juan and its 44-member crew have turned cold. The Argentine Navy said there was an explosion near the last known location of the submarine. In brief, here is what happened: Midway through its journey from the naval base in Ushuaia to the one in Mar del Plata, on November 15, the ARA San Juan surfaced and reported a short-circuit in the batteries of the submarine. That was resolved. At 7.30am, the submarine stated it would submerge and reach Mar del Plata. Nothing was heard from the boat thereafter. Argentina's missing submarine: ARA San Juan commander's final message before disappearance revealed https://t.co/6AEQj2qUke Rachel Middleton (@NewswithRachel) November 28, 2017 Watching these developments is the small community of Indian submariners. As one of the largest navies operating 15 submarines most of which are nearing or past their shelf lives, the concern is genuine. There is one more reason. "Our Shishumar-class of submarines (Type 1500) is similar to the missing Argentinean sub in design and equipment fit (ARA San Juan is a German-designed Type 1700 submarine built in 1983 in erstwhile West Germany)," said vice admiral KN Sushil, a veteran submariner, who retired as the head of the Kochi-based Southern Naval Command. Subsurface, like space, is where nature did not envisage human presence. Thus submariners leave nothing to chance. To start with, the underwater arm is a volunteers-only affair and "earning your Dolphins" is as challenging a task as it can get. While in other arms of the service as well as in other services, an individual is expected to be the master of his/her domain, the underwater arm requires an individual to master all domains. The most important part of their training is how to escape, should the worst happen and the boat is rendered dysfunctional. Proof of how intense and treacherous the exercise is lies in the fact that the Indian Navy provides every trainee with a trainer. Depending on the depth, personnel are imparted the skill to self-evacuate using tubes meant to fire torpedoes. Caution goes beyond training. Ingrained in the very design of a submarine is layer after layer of redundancy to ensure the worst does not take place. "In fact, our Shishumar-class submarines have a rescue sphere which allows the entire crew to escape when all efforts have failed and if the submarine continues to descend below operational depth," said the admiral. Those onboard ARA San Juan did not have the rescue sphere. But they still had multiple mechanisms to guide rescuers. "All submarines have emergency indicator buoys which when released help locate the submarine and have a search and rescue beacon. In addition, there is an underwater pinger which can be picked by sonars and sonobuoys. If the submarine is sunk at depths from which escape using escape suits is possible, the crew can abandon the submarine and float on the surface. These submarines also have life rafts which can be released from a depth of 150m," added vice admiral KN Sushil (retd). What if an Indian submarine suffered a similar fate? Though the Indian Navy did lose INS Sindhurakshak in a tragic explosion inside the Mumbai Naval Dockyard in August 2013 where the crew on board was killed, it has never lost a submarine at sea. "Operation centres keep a track of submarine positions. During peacetime a 'check' signal from the sub, sent over Very Low Frequency (VLF) transmission is received and anything to be conveyed is relayed. If there is no 'check' signal for 24 hours then in the 25th hour, the hunt with all available assets will begin," explained a submariner who did not want to be quoted. Within 48 hours of India requesting, based on a pre-existing arrangement with the United States, the US Navy would fly out its Deep Search and Rescue Vehicles (DSRVs) to aid the Indian efforts. "The entire logistics of flying out the DSRVs, bringing it and welding on to a ship which would take the material to the sea has been worked out," revealed an officer aware of the matter. By the end of 2018, India will operationalise two DSRVs of her own using which distressed submarines located as deep as 650m can access. It will help pull sailors to safety. Since 2004-05, India has also been a participant to various international arrangements like NATO's Submarine Escape and Rescue Working Group under which even non-NATO countries come together on a single platform to cooperate in case of submarine mishaps. "The best of what is available in the world can be pooled in. We've worked out these arrangements and practised the drill over the years," said a source. But all of this and more is at play in the waters of Argentina. Yet, the admiral said, "There are no happy stories of a lost submarine crew having been rescued alive using these techniques." In searching for an unresponsive submarine, ironically, its biggest strength becomes the biggest hurdle - stealth. "A submarine's build and shape prevents the ships from getting its picture. Bad weather can make a difficult job, more difficult," said commander Ashok Bijalwan (retd), who has served onboard the Indian Navy's Foxtrot and Kilo class submarines. Another factor is crush depth - the depth at which the submarine will collapse inwards by the pressure exerted on it. Crush depth comes into the picture when the submarine is in a freefall, a downwards spiral. "Generally the crush depth is two times the maximum depth to which a submarine can dive and operate. However, since the ARA San Juan is more than 30-years-old, the chances of it imploding even at lesser depths are possible". The takeaways for India are clear. A group of relatives of the ARA San Juan crew left the President of Argentina Mauricio Macri speechless when they asked him why he couldn't invest the state budget into buying newer and safer submarines. By PTI: By Lalit K Jha Washington, Nov 28 (PTI) US President Donald Trump today cracked a "Pocahontas" joke against Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren during an event honouring native Americans for their role in the second World War. Warren, said to be the potential Democratic presidential aspirant, accused Trump of using a "racial slur". "You were here long before any of us were here, although we have a representative in Congress who, they say, was here a long time ago. They call her "Pocahontas"," Trump said during an Oval Office event to honour the native American code talkers. advertisement The three code talkers did not respond to Trumps remarks, but drew sharp reaction from Warren. "It is deeply unfortunate that the president of the United States cannot even make it through a ceremony honouring these heroes without having to throw out a racial slur," he told MSNBC in an interview. "This was supposed to be an event to honour heroes, people who put it all on the line for our country," Warren said. The White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said Warrens comment was a "ridiculous" response. "I think what most people find offensive is Senator Warren lying about her heritage to advance her career," Sanders said in response to a question at her daily news conference. "I think that Senator Warren was very offensive when she lied about something specifically to advance her career. I dont understand why no one is asking about that question and why that isnt constantly covered," she said. PTI LKJ AQS --- ENDS --- UP Anti Terrorist Sqaud along with NIA busted a Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist from Varanasi. LeT terrorist busted in Varanasi by UP ATS and NIA By Kamaljit Kaur Sandhu: A Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist named Abdul Naeem was reportedly arrested from Varanasi by National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Uttar Pradesh Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS). The terrorist referred to as Headley 2 is said to have close ties with another accused terrorist Abu Jindal. Abdul Naeem aka Headley 2 comes as a big catch for UP ATS. NIA remained tight-lipped but confirmed the arrest of the terrorist. advertisement The agency refused to share more details as joint raids are being carried out across the state in search of Naeem's associates. Naeem was on a recce mission and is said to have made several videos of army camps in Kashmir. He recorded shots of power plants and people from Israel were also filmed in Kasol, Himachal Pradesh. According to sources, Naeem had earlier escaped from custody in 2014 when police was taking him to Kolkata from Mumbai. With LeT boss Hafiz Saeed on the loose, there is an imminent threat from Lashkar-e-Taiba, the organisation which was also behind the biggest terrorist attack in India - the 26/11. India observed the 9th anniversary of the attack this year. --- ENDS --- GMS Inc. distributes wallboard, ceilings, steel framing and complementary construction products in the United States and Canada. The company offers ceilings products, including suspended mineral fibers, soft fibers, and metal ceiling systems primarily used in offices, hotels, hospitals, retail facilities, schools, and various other commercial and institutional buildings. It also provides steel framing products, such as steel tracks, studs, and various other steel products used to frame the interior walls of a commercial or institutional building; and insulation, lumber and other wood products, ready-mix joint compound, and various other interior construction products, as well as ancillary products comprising tools, fasteners, and safety products. In addition, the company distributes acoustical ceilings, steel framing, insulation, and related building products, as well as commercial and residential building materials. It serves professional contractors and homebuilders. As of April 30, 2022, the company operated 300 branches across 44 states and the District of Columbia, as well as 6 provinces in Canada. It also operates a network of approximately 300 distribution centers. GMS Inc. was founded in 1971 and is headquartered in Tucker, Georgia. 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. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Roper Technologies: AC Analytical Controls B.V., AC Analytical Controls Holding B.V., AC Analytical Controls Services B.V., Abel Pump, Acton Research, Acumen PM LLC, Aderant Canada Company, Aderant Company, Aderant Holdings Inc., Aderant International Holdings LLC, Aderant Legal (UK) Limited, Aderant Legal Holdings (AUS) Pty Ltd, Aderant Legal Holdings (NZ) ULC, Aderant Legal Holdings Inc., Aderant North America Inc., Aderant Parent Holdings Inc., Advanced Sensors Limited, Advanced Sensors Ltd., AiCambridge Ltd., Alpha Holdings of Delaware I LLC, Alpha Holdings of Delaware II LLC, Alpha Technologies B.V., Alpha Technologies GmbH, Alpha Technologies Japan LLC, Alpha Technologies Services LLC, Alpha Technologies U.K., Alpha Technologies s.r.o., Alpha Trust Corporation, Alpha UK Holdings LLC, American LegalNet Inc, Amot Controls Corporation, Amot Controls GmbH, Amot/Metrix Investment Company Inc., Amphire Solutions Inc., Amtech Systems (Hong Kong) Limited, Amtech Systems LLC, Amtech World Corporation, Antek Instruments, Archisnapper BV, Ascension Technology Corporation, Assureweb Limited, Atlantic Health Partners Inc., Atlas Database Software Corp., Avitru, Bellefield Systems, BillBlast, C/S Solutions Inc., CBORD Holdings Corp., CBORD Holdings Corporation, CIVCO Holdings Inc., CIVCO Medical Solutions B.V., Centurion Research Solutions LLC, Chalwyn Limited, Civco Holding Inc., Civco Medical Instruments Co. Inc., Clackamas Pump LLC, CliniSys Group, CliniSys Group Limited, Clinisys Scotland Limited, Clinisys Solutions Limited, Cointec Ingenieros y Consultores S.L., Commerce Pump LLC, Compressor Controls (Beijing) Corporation Ltd., Compressor Controls Corporation B.V., Compressor Controls Corporation Middle East, Compressor Controls Corporation S.r.l., Compressor Controls LLC, Compressor Controls Mauritius Ltd., Compressor Controls Pty Ltd., Compressor Controls Saudi Arabia LLC, ComputerEase Software, ConceptShare, ConstructConnect, ConstructConnect Canada Inc., ConstructConnect Inc., Cornell Pump Company, DAT Solutions LLC, DATSolutions Private Limited, DCMH Group Holdings Inc., DCMH Group Holdings LLC, DCMH Holdings Inc., DI Acquisition Subsidiary Inc., DI Dutch Holdings LLC, DI Hong Kong Limited, Data Innovations, Data Innovations Canada Ltd., Data Innovations Cooperatief U.A., Data Innovations Europe S.A., Data Innovations LLC, Data Innovations Latin America Ltda, Dawning Technologies LLC, Deltek, Deltek Ajera Inc., Deltek Asia Pacific (HK) Limited, Deltek Australia Pty Ltd., Deltek Danmark A/S, Deltek France SAS, Deltek GB Limited, Deltek GmbH, Deltek Inc., Deltek Nederland B.V., Deltek Netherlands B.V., Deltek Norge AS, Deltek Sverige AB, Deltek Systems (Canada) Inc., Deltek Systems (Colorado) Inc., Deltek Systems (Philippines) Ltd., Deltek TNSCore Holdings LLC, Deltek WST LLC, Dominion I Inc., Duncan Technologies, Dynamco Inc., Dynamic Instruments Inc., Dynisco Enterprises GmbH, Dynisco Enterprises LLC, Dynisco Europe GmbH, Dynisco Holding GmbH, Dynisco Instruments LLC, Dynisco Instruments S.a.r.l., Dynisco LLC, Dynisco Parent Inc., Dynisco S.r.l., Dynisco Viatran LLC, Dynisco Viatran (M) Sdn Bhd, Dynisco-Viatran Instrument Sdn Bhd, EPSI, FMS Purchasing & Services Inc., FSI Holdings Inc., FTI Flow Technology Inc., Flow Technology, Fluid Metering, Fluid Metering Inc., Foodlink Holdings Inc., Foodlink Holdings Inc., Foodlink IT India Private Limited, Foundry, Foundry Visionmongers (Ireland) Limited, Freight Market Intelligence Consortium, Gatan, GeneInsight Inc., Getloaded Corporation, HRsmart Canada Inc., HRsmart France SAS, HRsmart Germany GmbH, HRsmart Inc., HRsmart International, HRsmart International Holdings LLC, HRsmart Mexico, HRsmart SA (Pty) Ltd., HRsmart Talent Management Solutions Europe Limited, HRsmart Ventures LLC, Handshake Software Inc., Handshake Software Inc., Hansco Automatisering B.V., Hansen Technologies, Hansen Technologies Corporation, Harbour Holding Corp., Hardy Process Solutions, Horizon Lab Systems LLC, Horizon Software International LLC, IDS, INPUT Inc., IPA Acquisition Subsidiary Inc., ISL Finance SAS, ISL Holding SAS, ISL Scientifique de Laboratorie - ISL S.A.S., Impact Financial Systems, Industrial Products Investment Company, Innovative Product Achievements LLC, Innovative Product Achievements LLC, Inovonics Corporation, Instill Corporation, IntelliTrans Limited, Intellitrans LLC, Intellitrans Sweden AB, JLT Mobile Computers Inc., Job Access LTDA, Laser App Inc., Link Logistics Holding LLC, Loadlink Technologies Corporation, Logitech, Logitech Limited, Lumenera Corporation, MASD, MED Professional Services LLC, MEDTEC Inc., MEDTEC LLC, MHA Long Term Care Network Inc., MHA Long Term Care Services Inc., MIPS Austria GesmbH, MIPS Deutschland GmbH, MIPS France Sarl, MIPS Nederland B.V., MIPS Schweiz AG, MIPS Software Iberica SL, MPR Readers Inc., Managed Health Care Associates Inc., Media Cybernetics L.P., Medical Information Professional Systems NV, Medina Acquisition LLC, Metrix Instrument Co. L.P., NDI Europe GmbH, NDI Holding Corp., Navigator Group Purchasing Inc., Neptune Technology Group (Canada) Co., Neptune Technology Group Holdings Inc., Neptune Technology Group Inc., Neptune Technology Group Mexico S.de R.L. de C.V., Neptune Technology Group Services Inc., Nippon Roper K.K., Northern Digital Inc., Omega Legal Systems Inc., On Center Software LLC, Onvia Inc., PAC (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., PAC Denmark ApS, PAC GmbH, PAC Instruments (Thailand) Company Limited, PAC Instruments Asia PTE. Ltd., PB Bidco Limited, PB Holdco Limited, PB Midco Limited, PB Topco Limited, PGP UK Limited, PMC/Beta, Petroleum Analyzer, Petroleum Analyzer Company L.P., Petrotech, Phase Analyzer Company Ltd., Photometrics, PowerPlan, PowerPlan Canada ULC, PowerPlan Holdings Inc., PowerPlan Inc., PowerPlan Intermediate Holdings Inc., PowerPlan Operations ANZ Pty Ltd, PowerPlan Operations Ltd., Princeton Instruments, Project Aloha Merger Sub Inc., Project Diamond Intermediate Holdings Corporation, Project Torque Intermediate Holdings Inc., Project Viking Holdings Inc., Project Viking Intermediate LLC, QSC 1208 Limited, QSC 1209 Limited, Quantitative Imaging Corporation, RF IDeas, RF IDeas Inc., RI Marketing India Private Limited, RIL Holding Limited, RMT Inc., RT Merger Sub Inc., Rebate Tracking Group LLC, Redlake Imaging Corporation, Resonant Software Inc., Roda Deaco Valve Inc., Roper Acquisitions Holdings Inc., Roper Brasil Comercio E Promocao De Productos E Servicos LTDA, Roper Canada Holdings LP, Roper Canada UK Limited, Roper Denmark UK Limited, Roper EUR Pte. Ltd., Roper Engineering s.r.o., Roper Europe GmbH, Roper GM Denmark Holdings ApS, Roper Germany GmbH, Roper Germany GmbH & Co. KG, Roper Holdings Limited, Roper IH LLC, Roper Industrial Products Investment Company, Roper Industries Denmark ApS, Roper Industries Deutschland GmbH, Roper Industries Inc., Roper Industries Limited, Roper Industries Manufacturing (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Roper Industries Mauritius Ltd., Roper Industries UK Limited, Roper International Holding Inc., Roper International Holding Limited, Roper International Holding SCS, Roper LLC, Roper Luxembourg Finance S.a.r.l., Roper Luxembourg Holdings S.a.r.l., Roper Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Roper Middle East Ltd. FZCO, Roper NL1 UK Limited, Roper NL2 UK Limited, Roper Operations Company I LLC, Roper Operations Company II LLC, Roper Pte. Ltd., Roper Pump Company, Roper Scientific B.V., Roper Scientific SAS, Roper Scot LP, Roper Singapore Holding LLC, Roper Southeast Asia LLC, Roper Swiss Finance GmbH, Roper T1 LLC, Roper T1000 Corp., Roper T2 LLC, Roper Tech. Middle East Ltd. FZCO, Roper Technologies (Ireland) Limited, Roper Technologies (Scot) LP, Roper UK Investments Limited, Roper UK Ltd., Roper-Mex L.P., Ropintassco Holdings L.P., SHP Group Holdings Inc., SIRA LLC, Shanghai Roper Industries Trading Co. Ltd., Sinmed Holding International B.V., Societe de Distribution de Logiciels Medicaux, SoftWriters Inc., Softwriters Holdings, Softwriters Holdings Inc., Sohnar Pty Ltd, Star Purchasing Services LLC, Strata Acquisition Subsidiary Inc., Strata Decision Technologies LLC, Strata Decision Technology LLC, Strata Parallel II Inc., Strategic Healthcare Programs Blocker 2 Inc., Strategic Healthcare Programs Blocker LLC, Strategic Healthcare Programs Holdings LLC, Strategic Healthcare Programs Holdings LLC, Strategic Healthcare Programs L.L.C., Struers, Struers (Shanghai) International Trading Ltd., Struers A/S, Struers GmbH, Struers Inc., Struers K.K., Struers Limited, Struers SAS, Sunquest Europe Limited, Sunquest Holdings Inc., Sunquest Information Systems (Europe) Limited, Sunquest Information Systems (India) Private Limited, Sunquest Information Systems (International) Limited, Sunquest Information Systems Inc., Sunquest Information Systems Pty Ltd, TLP Holdings LLC, Team TSI Corporation, Technolog Group Limited, Technolog Holdings Limited, Technolog Holdings Ltd., Technolog Limited, Technolog SARL, The CBORD Group Inc., The Foundry Topco No.2 Limited, The Foundry USCo Inc., The Foundry Visionmongers Ltd., The Tidewater Healthcare Shared Services Group Inc., The Washington Management Group Inc., Torque Acquisition Holdco Inc., Transcore Atlantic Inc., Transcore CNUS Inc., Transcore Holdings Inc., Transcore ITS LLC, Transcore LP, Transcore Nova Scotia Corporation, Transcore Partners LLC, Trinity Integrated Systems Limited, Trinity Integrated Systems Ltd., UHF Purchasing Services LLC, Union Square Software (International) Limited, Union Square Software Inc., Union Square Software Limited, Union Square Software Pty, United Controls Group Inc., Uson L.P., Uson Limited, Utilitec Limited, Utilitec Services Limited, Utility Data Services Limited, Verathon Canada Holdings Inc., Verathon Holdings (Delaware) Inc., Verathon Inc., Verathon Inc., Verathon Medical (Australia) Pty Limited, Verathon Medical (Canada) ULC, Verathon Medical (Europe) B.V., Verathon Medical (France) SARL, Verathon Medical (Hong Kong) Limited, Verathon Medical (Japan) K.K., Verathon Medical (UK) Ltd., Vertafore, Vertafore Canada Inc., Vertafore Inc., Vertafore India Private Limited, Viastar Services LP, Viatran Corporation, WELIS, Walter Herzog GmbH, WorkBook APAC Ltd., Workbook Software A/S, Zetec (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Zetec Canada Ltd., Zetec France, Zetec Inc., Zetec Korea Inc., Zetec Services Inc., iPipeline, iPipeline (TCP) Limited, iPipeline Canada Inc, iPipeline Co. Ltd., iPipeline Holdings Inc, iPipeline Inc, iPipeline Limited, iSqFt Holdings Inc., iSqFt Parent Corporation, iSqFt Sub Inc., iTradeNetwork Inc., and mySBX Corporation. Read More Pareteum Corporation, a cloud software communications platform company, provides communications platform-as-a-service (CPaaS) solutions in the United States and internationally. Its platform offers mobility, messaging, and connectivity and security services and applications. The company's platform hosts integrated IT/back office and core network functionality for mobile network operators, as well as for enterprises to implement and leverage mobile communications solutions on a software-as-a-service (SaaS), PaaS, and/or infrastructure-as-a-service basis. It also delivers operational support system for channel partners with application program interfaces for integration with third party systems, workflows for complex application orchestration, and customer support with branded portals and plug-ins for various other applications. In addition, the company provides software solutions, which layer over disparate fixed, mobile, and IP networks to enable the deployment of converged communication services and applications for enterprise communications and core telecommunications markets; and Wi-Fi access on mobile devices through its SaaS platform. It serves the markets of Internet of Things, smart cities, and application developers, as well as mobile virtual network operators, enablers and aggregators. The company was formerly known as Elephant Talk Communications Corp. and changed its name to Pareteum Corporation in November 2016. The company was incorporated in 1962 and is headquartered in New York, New York. On May 15, 2022, Pareteum Corporation, along with its affiliates, filed a voluntary petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. Video of Girish Mahajan carrying a pistol while searching for the man-eater has gone viral on social media. By Mayuresh Ganapatye: Maharashtra water resources minister Girish Dattatray Mahajan has shot himself in the foot - figuratively, of course. Video clips, which went viral on WhatsApp, have surfaced of the minister carrying a pistol while being part of a search operation on the lookout for a man-eating leopard. The animal had created panic in the Chalisgaon area of Jalgaon district in north Maharashtra. Villagers claim that the leopard had killed three people over the past four months and the forest department had issued a notice to take the animal down. advertisement The area falls under Mahajan's constituency. The five-time MLA is not new to controversy. Earlier in November he had said that sales of alcohol would soar if brands were named after women. A couple of years back he was photographed attending a function for differently-abled school's children in Jalgaon district with a gun tucked in his waistband. As with the earlier incidents, the leopard episode has drawn flak from the Opposition in the state. "This is not the first time Girish Mahajan has been caught on camera with a gun. We demand that he should be arrested immediately for violating wildlife law. He should be suspended immediately and a case should be registered against him. If the government fails to do that we will raise this issue with the concerned authorities," said Nawab Mailk of NCP. Congress joined the chorus of condemnation. "It is high time that [Devendra] Fadnavis government's minister should stick to their official duties. This is not job of any minister to go hunting with his pistol. They better start working for people and look into the administration," said senior Congress lead Sanjay Dutt. WATCH VIDEO | Maharashtra cabinet minister on a mission to kill a leopard --- ENDS --- The following companies are subsidiares of Sysco: 2234829 Alberta ULC, 2234842 Alberta ULC, A. M. Briggs Inc., A.M. Briggs, Almacen Fiscal Frionet Caldera S.A., Almacen Fiscal Frionet Limon S.A., Appert's Foodservice, Arnotts (Fruit) Limited, Asian Foods, Bahamas Food Holdings Limited, Bahamas Food Services Limited, Brake Bros, Brake Bros Foodservice Ireland Limited, Brake Bros. Foodservice Limited, Brake Bros. Holding I Limited, Brake Bros. Ltd., Brakes Foodservice NI Limited, Buchy Food Service, Buckhead Beef Co., Buckhead Meat & Seafood of Houston Inc., Buckhead Meat Company, Buckhead Meat Midwest Inc., Buckhead Meat of Dallas Inc., Buckhead Meat of Denver Inc., Buckhead Meat of San Antonio LP, Buzztable Inc., CAKE Corporation, Central Seafood Co., Christys Wine & Spirits Limited, Clafra Aktiebolag, Colorado Boxed Beef Co - Specialty meat-cutting division, Corporacion Frionet Sociedad Anonima, Crossgar Foodservice, Crossgar Foodservice Limited, Crown I Enterprises Inc., Cucina Acquisitions (UK) Limited, Cucina Finance (UK) Limited, Cucina French Holdings Limited, Cucina Fresh Finance Limited, Cucina Fresh Investments Limited, Cucina Lux Investments Limited, Curleys Quality Foods Limited (Third Party), Davigel Belgilux S.A., Davigel Espana S.A., Desert Meats & Provisions, Distagro, Doerle Food Service, Doughtie's Foods Inc., Dust Bowl City LLC, Eko Fagel Fisk o mittemellan AB, Enclave Insurance Company, Enclave Parkway Association Inc., Enclave Properties LLC, European Imports, European Imports Inc., Figg Inc., Freedman Meats, Freedman Meats Inc., Freedman-KB Inc., Fresh Direct (UK) Limited, Fresh Direct Group Limited, Fresh Direct Limited, Fresh Holdings Limited, FreshPoint, FreshPoint Arizona Inc., FreshPoint Atlanta Inc., FreshPoint California Inc., FreshPoint Central California Inc., FreshPoint Central Florida Inc., FreshPoint Connecticut LLC, FreshPoint Dallas Inc., FreshPoint Denver Inc., FreshPoint Hawaii LLC, FreshPoint Inc., FreshPoint Las Vegas Inc., FreshPoint North Carolina Inc., FreshPoint North Florida Inc., FreshPoint Oklahoma City LLC, FreshPoint Pompano Real Estate LLC, FreshPoint Puerto Rico LLC, FreshPoint San Francisco Inc., FreshPoint South Florida Inc., FreshPoint South Texas Inc., FreshPoint Southern California Inc., FreshPoint Tomato LLC, FreshPoint Vancouver Ltd., Freshfayre Limited, Fruktservice i Helsingborg AB, GHS Classic Drinks Limited, Gilchrist & Soames Inc., Gilchrist & Soames UK Limited, Guest Packaging LLC, Guest Supply, Guest Supply Asia Limited, Guest Supply Singapore Pte. Ltd., International Food Group, Isakssons Frukt & Gront AB, J & M Wholesale Meats, J. Kings Food Service Professionals, J. Kings Food Service Professionals Inc., Kent Frozen Foods, Les Ateliers Du Gout, Liquid Assets Limited, M&J Seafood Holdings Limited, M&J Seafood Limited, Manchester Mills LLC, Mayca Autoservicio S.A., Mayca Distribuidores S.A., Menigo Foodservice AB, Mitshim Etatu Supply LP, Newport Meat Company, Newport Meat Northern California Inc., Newport Meat Pacific Northwest Inc., Newport Meat Southern California Inc., Newport Meat of Nevada Inc., North Star Holding Corporation, North Star Seafood, North Star Seafood Acquisition Corporation, North Star Seafood LLC, PFS de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Palisades Ranch Inc., Pallas Foods, Pallas Foods Farm Fresh Unlimited Company, Pallas Foods Unlimited Company, Pauleys Produce Limited, Promotora del Servicios S.A. de C.V., Restaurangakdemien AB, Restaurant of Tomorrow Inc., Rohan Viandes Elaboration SAS, SMS Bermuda Holdings, SMS GPC International Limited, SMS GPC International Resources Limited, SMS Global Holdings S.a.r.l., SMS International Resources Ireland Unlimited Company, SMS Lux Holdings LLC, SOTF LLC, SYY Netherlands C.V., SYY Panama S. de R.L., Serca Foodservice, Servicestyckarna I Johannes AB, Servicios Ameriserve S.A. de C.V., Shenzhen Guest Supply Trading Co. Limited, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) Bianchi Montegut, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) De Boiseau, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) De Garcelles, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) J.D. Lanjouan, Societe Civile Immobiliere (SCI) Le Dauphin, Specialty Meat Holdings LLC, Stockflag Limited, Stockholms Fiskauktion AB, Supplies on the Fly, Sysco Albany LLC, Sysco Asian Foods Inc., Sysco Atlanta LLC, Sysco Autoservicio S.A., Sysco Baltimore LLC, Sysco Baraboo LLC, Sysco Bermuda Partners L.P., Sysco Boston LLC, Sysco Canada Holdings S.a.r.l., Sysco Canada Inc., Sysco Central Alabama LLC, Sysco Central California Inc., Sysco Central Florida Inc., Sysco Central Illinois Inc., Sysco Central Pennsylvania LLC, Sysco Charlotte LLC, Sysco Chicago Inc., Sysco Cincinnati LLC, Sysco Cleveland Inc., Sysco Columbia LLC, Sysco Connecticut LLC, Sysco Corporation, Sysco Corporation Director's Deferred Compensation Plan Trust, Sysco Corporation Employee's 401(k) Plan Trust, Sysco Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan Trust, Sysco Corporation Good Government Committee Inc., Sysco Corporation Retirement Trust, Sysco Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Trust, Sysco Corporation Supplemental Unemployment Benefits Plan Trust, Sysco Detroit LLC, Sysco Disaster Relief Foundation Inc., Sysco EI VI S. s.r.l., Sysco EU II S.a.r.l., Sysco EU III S.a.r.l., Sysco EU IV Capital Unlimited Company, Sysco EU IV S. s.r.l.., Sysco EU V S. s.r.l., Sysco Eastern Maryland LLC, Sysco Eastern Wisconsin LLC, Sysco Foundation Inc., Sysco France Holding SAS, Sysco France SAS, Sysco George Town II LLC, Sysco George Town Limited S. s.r.l.., Sysco Global Finance LLC, Sysco Global Finance LLP, Sysco Global Holdings B.V., Sysco Global Resources LLC, Sysco Global Services LLC, Sysco Grand Cayman Company, Sysco Grand Cayman II Company, Sysco Grand Cayman III Company, Sysco Grand Rapids LLC, Sysco Guernsey Limited, Sysco Guest Supply Canada Inc., Sysco Guest Supply Europe Goods Wholesalers LLC, Sysco Guest Supply Europe Limited, Sysco Guest Supply LLC, Sysco Gulf Coast LLC, Sysco Hampton Roads Inc., Sysco Hawaii Inc., Sysco Holdings II LLC, Sysco Holdings LLC, Sysco Indianapolis LLC, Sysco International Food Group Inc., Sysco International Inc., Sysco Iowa Inc., Sysco Jackson LLC, Sysco Jacksonville Inc., Sysco Kansas City Inc., Sysco Knoxville LLC, Sysco Labs Europe Limited, Sysco Labs Pvt. Ltd., Sysco Leasing LLC, Sysco Lincoln Inc., Sysco Lincoln Transportation Company Inc., Sysco Long Island LLC, Sysco Los Angeles Inc., Sysco Louisville Inc., Sysco Memphis LLC, Sysco Merchandising and Supply Chain Services Canada Inc., Sysco Merchandising and Supply Chain Services Inc., Sysco Metro New York LLC, Sysco Minnesota Inc., Sysco Montana Inc., Sysco Nashville LLC, Sysco Netherlands Partners LLC, Sysco North Central Florida Inc., Sysco North Dakota Inc., Sysco Northern New England Inc., Sysco Philadelphia LLC, Sysco Pittsburgh LLC, Sysco Portland Inc., Sysco Raleigh LLC, Sysco Resources Services LLC, Sysco Riverside Inc., Sysco Sacramento Inc., Sysco San Diego Inc., Sysco San Francisco Inc., Sysco Seattle Inc., Sysco South Florida Inc., Sysco Southeast Florida LLC, Sysco Spain Holdings SLU, Sysco Spokane Inc., Sysco St. Louis LLC, Sysco Syracuse LLC, Sysco Technologies Cayman Ltd., Sysco Technologies LLC, Sysco UK Holdings Limited, Sysco UK Limited, Sysco UK Partners LLP, Sysco USA I Inc., Sysco USA II LLC, Sysco USA III LLC, Sysco Ventura Inc., Sysco Ventures Inc., Sysco Virginia LLC, Sysco West Coast Florida Inc., Sysco Western Minnesota Inc., The SYGMA Network Inc., Upsys, Victua SAS, Walker Foods Inc., Waugh Foods, and Wild Harvest Limited. Read More WABCO Holdings Inc., together with its subsidiaries, supplies electronic, mechanical, electro-mechanical, and aerodynamic products worldwide. The company engineers, develops, manufactures, and sells braking, stability, suspension, steering, transmission automation, and air management systems primarily for commercial vehicles. The company's products include pneumatic anti-lock braking systems, electronic braking systems, electronic stability control systems, brake controls, automated manual transmission systems, and air disc brakes; and various conventional mechanical products, such as actuators, air compressors, and air control valves for medium and heavy-duty trucks, buses, and trailers. It also offers pneumatic and hydraulic braking and control systems for off-highway vehicles; conventional braking systems; electronic and conventional air suspension systems; steering technologies; and vehicle electronic stability control and roll stability support products, and advanced driver assistance systems. In addition, the company supplies electronic suspension controls and vacuum pumps to the passenger car and SUV markets, as well as provides remanufacturing services. Further, it offers replacement parts, fleet management solutions, diagnostic tools, training, and other expert services for commercial vehicle aftermarket distributors and service partners, and fleet operators. The company sells its products primarily to truck and bus original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), trailer OEMs, and car manufacturers; and manufacturers of heavy duty and off-highway vehicles in agriculture, construction, mining, and other industries. WABCO Holdings Inc. was founded in 1869 and is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. By India Today Web Desk: Zaheer Khan and Sagarika Ghatge's wedding celebrations came to an end last evening with a grand wedding reception. The couple, who had a registered marriage on November 24 in Mumbai, threw a lavish party for family and close friends at a five-star hotel. While Sagarika looked beautiful in an ivory and gold Sabyasachi lehenga, Zaheer looked dapper in a blue bandhgala. advertisement It was during Yuvraj's wedding last year that Sagarika and Zaheer's closeness grabbed eyeballs. However, the two remained tight-lipped on their relationship status. But the two took everyone by surprise when they announced their engagement in May this year. In an earlier interview, Ghagte said, "I am very very happy that I am going to spend the rest of my life with the right person. Quite excited that he is the one, and I will be spending my life with him." Sagraika and Zaheer met through common friends and dated for almost years before making their relationship official. The Chak De! girl says that they are like any other couple. "Zaheer is so easy to be around and so grounded despite achieving so much. I have so much respect for him," Sagarika told Mumbai Mirror. (Photos: Yogen Shah) ALSO WATCH: Yuvraj-Hazel to Bipasha-Karan, biggest celebrity weddings of 2016 --- ENDS --- Arch Resources, Inc. produces and sells thermal and metallurgical coal from surface and underground mines. As of December 31, 2021, the company operated seven active mines. It also owned or controlled primarily through long-term leases approximately 28,292 acres of coal land in Ohio; 952 acres of coal land in Maryland; 10,095 acres of coal land in Virginia; 306,033 acres of coal land in West Virginia; 81,470 acres of coal land in Wyoming; 234,543 acres of coal land in Illinois; 33,047 acres of coal land in Kentucky; 362 acres of coal land in Montana; 248 acres of coal land in Pennsylvania; and 19,018 acres of coal land in Colorado, as well as smaller parcels of property in Alabama, Indiana, Washington, Arkansas, California, Utah, and Texas. The company sells its products to utility, industrial, and steel producers in the United States, Europe, Asia, Central and South America, and Africa. The company was formerly known as Arch Coal, Inc. and changed its name to Arch Resources, Inc. in May 2020. Arch Resources, Inc. was incorporated in 1969 and is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. Honda Motor Co., Ltd. develops, manufactures, and distributes motorcycles, automobiles, power products, and other products in Japan, North America, Europe, Asia, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Motorcycle Business, Automobile Business, Financial Services Business, and Life Creation and Other Businesses. The Motorcycle Business segment produces motorcycles, including sports, business, and commuter models; and various off-road vehicles, such as all-terrain vehicles and side-by-sides. The Automobile Business segment offers passenger cars, light trucks, and mini vehicles. The Financial Services Business segment provides various financial services, including retail lending and leasing services to customers, as well as wholesale financing services to dealers. The Life Creation and Other Businesses segment manufactures and sells power products, such as general purpose engines, generators, water pumps, lawn mowers, riding mowers, robotic mowers, brush cutters, tillers, snow blowers, outboard marine engines, walking assist devices, and portable battery inverter power sources. This segment also offers HondaJet aircraft. The company also sells spare parts; and provides after-sale services through retail dealers directly, as well as through independent distributors and licensees. Honda Motor Co., Ltd. was founded in 1946 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Robert Half International Inc. provides staffing and risk consulting services in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The company operates through three segments: Temporary and Consultant Staffing, Permanent Placement Staffing, and Risk Consulting and Internal Audit Services. It places temporary services for accounting, finance, and bookkeeping; temporary and full-time office and administrative personnel consisting of executive and administrative assistants, receptionists, and customer service representatives; full-time accounting, financial, tax, and accounting operations personnel; and information technology contract professionals and full-time employees in the areas of platform systems integration to end-user technical and desktop support, including specialists in application development, networking and cloud, systems integration and deployment, database design and administration, and security and business continuity. The company also offers temporary and full-time employees in attorney, paralegal, legal administrative, and legal secretarial positions; and senior-level project professionals in the accounting and finance fields for financial systems conversions, expansion into new markets, business process re-engineering, business systems performance improvement, and post-merger financial consolidation. It is involved in serving professionals in the areas of creative, design, marketing, advertising, and public relations; and placing various positions, such as creative directors, graphics designers, web designers, media buyers, front end developers, copywriters, digital marketing managers, marketing analytics specialists, brand managers, and public relations specialists. The company provides internal audit, technology consulting, risk and compliance consulting, and business performance services. It serves clients and employment candidates. Robert Half International Inc. was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in Menlo Park, California. Equifax Inc. provides information solutions and human resources business process automation outsourcing services for businesses, governments, and consumers. The company operates through three segments: Workforce Solutions, U.S. Information Solutions (USIS), and International. The Workforce Solutions segment offers employment, income, criminal history, and social security number verification services, as well as payroll-based transaction, employment tax management, and identity theft protection products. The USIS segment provides consumer and commercial information services, such as credit information and credit scoring, credit modeling and portfolio analytics, locate, fraud detection and prevention, identity verification, and other consulting; mortgage services; financial marketing services; identity management services; credit monitoring products; and online information, decisioning technology solutions, as well as portfolio management, mortgage reporting, and consumer credit information services. The International segment offers information service products, which include consumer and commercial services, such as credit and financial information, and credit scoring and modeling; and credit and other marketing products and services, as well as offers information, technology, and other services to support debt collections and recovery management. The company serves customers in financial services, mortgage, employers, consumer, commercial, telecommunication, retail, automotive, utility, brokerage, healthcare, and insurance industries, as well as state, federal, and local governments. It operates in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Brazil, the Republic of Ireland, Russia, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates. The company was founded in 1899 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Flowserve Corporation designs, develops, manufactures, distributes, and services industrial flow management equipment in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Flowserve Pump Division (FPD) and Flow Control Division (FCD). The FPD segment offers custom and pre-configured pumps and pump systems, mechanical seals, auxiliary systems, replacement parts, upgrades, and related aftermarket services, including installation and commissioning services, seal systems spare parts, repairs, advanced diagnostics, re-rate and upgrade solutions, retrofit programs, and machining and asset management solutions, as well as manufactures a gas-lubricated mechanical seal for use in high-speed compressors for gas pipelines. The FCD segment provides engineered and industrial valve and automation solutions, including isolation and control valves, actuation, controls, and related equipment, as well as equipment maintenance services for flow control systems, including advanced diagnostics, repair, installation, commissioning, retrofit programs, and field machining capabilities. This segment's products are used to control, direct, and manage the flow of liquids, gases, and fluids. The company primarily serves oil and gas, chemical and pharmaceuticals, power generation, and water management markets, as well as general industries, including mining and ore processing, pulp and paper, food and beverage, and other smaller applications. The company distributes its products through direct sales, distributors, and sales representatives. Flowserve Corporation was incorporated in 1912 and is headquartered in Irving, Texas. The following companies are subsidiares of Illinois Tool Works: A V Co 1 Limited, A V Co 2 Limited, A V Co 3 Limited, ACCU-LUBE Manufacturing GmbH - Schmiermittel und -gerate -, AIP/BI Holdings Inc., Accessories Marketing Holding Corp., Advanced Molding Company Inc., Allen France SAS, Alpine Engineered Products, Alpine Systems Corporation, Anaerobicos S.r.l., AppliChem GmbH, Avery Berkel France, Avery India Limited, Avery Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Avery Weigh Tronix, Avery Weigh-Tronix Finance Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix International Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix LLC, Avery Weigh-Tronix Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix Properties Limited, Avery Weigh-Tronix Suzhou Weighing Technology Co. Ltd., Azon Limited, B.C. Immo, Beijing Miller Electric Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Berkel Ireland Limited, Berrington UK, Brapenta Eletronica Ltda., Brooks Instrument B.V., Brooks Instrument GmbH, Brooks Instrument KFT, Brooks Instrument Korea Ltd., Brooks Instrument LLC, Brooks Instrument Shanghai Co. Ltd, Buell Industries Inc., CCI Realty Company, CFC Europe GmbH, CS Australia Pty Limited, CS Mexico Holding Company S DE RL DE CV, Calvia Spolka z Ograniczona Odpowiedzialnosci, Capital Ventures Australasia S.a r.l, Capmax Logistica S.A. de C.V., Celeste Industries Corporation, Coeur, Coeur Asia Limited, Coeur Holding Company, Coeur Inc., Coeur Shanghai Medical Appliance Trading Co. Ltd, Compagnie Hobart, Compagnie de Materiel et d'Equipements Techniques-Comet, Constructions Isothermiques Bontami C.I.B., Crane Carrier Company, Denison Mayes Group Limited, Despatch Industries, Diagraph Corporation Sdn. Bhd, Diagraph ITW Mexico S. de R.L. De C.V., Diagraph Mexico S.A. DE C.V., Dongguan Ark-Les Electric Components Co. Ltd., Dongguan CK Branding Co. Ltd., Duo Fast de Espana S.A.U., Duo-Fast Korea Co. Ltd., Duo-Fast LLC, E.C.S. d.o.o., E2M Production B.V.., E2M Technologies B.V.., E2M Technologies Inc.., ECS Cable Protection Sp. Zoo, ELRO Grosskuchen GmbH, ELRO Holding AG, ELRO-WERKE AG, Elro Group, Eltex-Elektrostatik-Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Envases Multipac S.A. de C.V., Eurotec Srl, Exhibit 21, FEG Investments L.L.C., Filtertek De Mexico Holding Inc., Filtertek De Mexico S.A. de C.V., Filtertek SAS, GC Financement SA, Gamko B.V., Gun Hwa Platech Taicang Co. Ltd., HOBART Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Hartness International, Hobart Andina S.A.S., Hobart Belgium B.V., Hobart Brothers International Chile Limitada, Hobart Brothers LLC, Hobart Dayton Mexicana S. de R.L. de C.V., Hobart Food Equipment Co. Ltd., Hobart International Singapore Pte. Ltd., Hobart Japan K.K., Hobart Korea LLC, Hobart LLC, Hobart Nederland B.V., Hobart Sales & Service Inc., Hobart Scandinavia ApS, Hobart Techniek B.V., Horis, ILC Investments Holdings Inc., ITW AEP LLC, ITW AOC LLC, ITW Aircraft Investments Inc., ITW Ampang Industries Philippines Inc., ITW Appliance Components EOOD, ITW Appliance Components S.A. de C.V., ITW Appliance Components S.r.l.a, ITW Appliance Components d.o.o., ITW Australia Holdings Pty Ltd, ITW Australia Property Holdings Pty Ltd., ITW Australia Pty Ltd, ITW Automotive Components Chongqing Co. Ltd., ITW Automotive Components Langfang Co. Ltd., ITW Automotive Japan K.K., ITW Automotive Korea LLC, ITW Automotive Parts Shanghai Co. Ltd, ITW Automotive Products GmbH, ITW Automotive Products Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Bailly Comte, ITW Befestigungssysteme GmbH, ITW Belgium B.V., ITW Brazilian Nominee L.L.C., ITW Building Components Group Inc., ITW CER, ITW CP Distribution Center Holland BV, ITW CS UK Ltd., ITW Canada Inc., ITW Celeste Inc., ITW Chemical Products Ltda, ITW Chemical Products Scandinavia ApS, ITW China Investment Company Limited, ITW Colombia S.A.S., ITW Construction Products AB, ITW Construction Products AS, ITW Construction Products ApS, ITW Construction Products CZ s.r.o., ITW Construction Products Italy Srl, ITW Construction Products OU, ITW Construction Products OY, ITW Construction Products Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW Construction Products Singapore Pte. Ltd., ITW Construction Services Manila Inc., ITW Contamination Control B.V., ITW Contamination Control Wujiang Co. Ltd., ITW Covid Security Group Inc., ITW DS Investments Inc., ITW DelFast do Brasil Ltda., ITW Denmark ApS, ITW Deutschland GmbH, ITW Diagraph GmbH, ITW Dynatec, ITW Dynatec Adhesive Equipment Suzhou Co. Ltd., ITW Dynatec GmbH, ITW Dynatec Kabushiki Kaisha, ITW EAE B.V., ITW EAE Mexico S de RL de CV, ITW EF&C France SAS, ITW EF&C Selb GmbH, ITW EU Holdings Ltd., ITW Electronic Business Asia Co. Limited, ITW Electronic Components/Products Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW Electronics Suzhou Co. Ltd., ITW Epsilon Sarl, ITW Espana S.L., ITW European Finance Co. Ltd., ITW European Finance II Co. Ltd., ITW European Finance III Co. Ltd., ITW FEG Hong Kong Limited, ITW FEG do Brasil Industria e Comercio Ltda., ITW Fastener Products GmbH, ITW Fluids and Hygiene Solutions Ltda., ITW Food Equipment Group LLC, ITW GH LLC, ITW GSE ApS, ITW GSE Inc., ITW Gamma Sarl, ITW German Management LLC, ITW Global Investments Holdings LLC, ITW Global Investments Holdings Y Compania Sociedad en Comandita por Acciones, ITW Global Investments Inc., ITW Global Tire Repair Europe GmbH, ITW Global Tire Repair Inc., ITW Global Tire Repair Japan K.K., ITW Graphics Asia Limited, ITW Graphics Thailand Ltd., ITW Great Britain Investment & Licensing Holding Company, ITW Group France Luxembourg S.ar.l., ITW HLP Thailand Co. Ltd., ITW Holding Quimica B.C. S.L. Sole Shareholder Company, ITW Holdings Australia L.P., ITW Holdings I Limited, ITW Holdings II Limited, ITW Holdings III Limited, ITW Holdings IV Limited, ITW Holdings IX Limited, ITW Holdings Inc., ITW Holdings V Limited, ITW Holdings VI Limited, ITW Holdings VII Limited, ITW Holdings VIII Limited, ITW Holdings X Limited, ITW Holdings XI Limited, ITW ILC Holdings I Inc., ITW IPG Investments LLC, ITW Imaden Industria e Comercio Ltda., ITW India Private Limited, ITW International Holdings LLC, ITW Invest Holding GmbH, ITW Ireland Holdings Unlimited Company, ITW Ireland Unlimited Company, ITW Italy Holding Srl, ITW Japan Ltd., ITW Korea LLC, ITW LLC & Co. KG, ITW Limited, ITW Lys Fusion S.r.l., ITW Materials Technology Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW Meritex Sdn. Bhd., ITW Metal Fasteners S.L., ITW Mexico Holding Company S. De R.L. de C.V., ITW Mexico Holdings LLC, ITW Morlock GmbH, ITW Mortgage Investments II Inc., ITW Mortgage Investments III Inc., ITW Mortgage Investments IV Inc., ITW Netherlands Administration BV, ITW Netherlands Beta B.V., ITW Netherlands Finance Alpha BV, ITW New Universal LLC, ITW New Zealand, ITW Ningbo Components & Fastenings Systems Co. Ltd., ITW Novadan Sp. Z.o.o., ITW PPF Brasil Adesivos Ltda., ITW Packaging Technology China Co. Ltd., ITW Participations S.a r.l., ITW Pension Funds Trustee Company, ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids Japan Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids Korea Limited, ITW Performance Polymers & Fluids OOO, ITW Performance Polymers ApS, ITW Performance Polymers Wujiang Co. Ltd., ITW Performance Polymers and Fluids Group FZE, ITW Peru S.A.C., ITW Poly Mex S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Polymers Sealants North America Inc., ITW Pronovia s.r.o., ITW Pte. Ltd., ITW Qufu Automotive Cooling Systems Co. Ltd., ITW Real Estate Germany GmbH, ITW Residuals III L.L.C., ITW Residuals IV L.L.C., ITW Rivex, ITW SMPI, ITW SPG Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., ITW Simco-Ion Shenzhen Co. Ltd., ITW Slovakia s.r.o., ITW Spain Holdings S.L., ITW Specialty Film LLC, ITW Specialty Films France, ITW Specialty Materials Suzhou Co. Ltd., ITW Sverige AB, ITW Sweden Holding AB, ITW Test & Measurement Equipment Shanghai Co. Ltd, ITW Test & Measurement GmbH, ITW Test and Measurement Italia Srl, ITW Test and Measurement Services Industry and Trade Ltd., ITW Texwipe Philippines Inc., ITW Thermal Films Shanghai Co. Ltd., ITW UK, ITW UK Finance Beta Limited, ITW UK Finance Delta Limited, ITW UK Finance Gamma Limited, ITW UK Finance Limited, ITW UK Finance Zeta Ltd., ITW UK II Limited, ITW Universal II LLC, ITW Welding, ITW Welding AB, ITW Welding GmbH, ITW Welding Products B.V., ITW Welding Products Group FZE, ITW Welding Products Group S. DE R.L. De C.V., ITW Welding Products Italy Srl, ITW Welding Products Limited Liability Company, ITW Welding Produtos Para Solgdagem Ltda., ITW Welding Singapore Pte. Ltd., ITW de France, ITW do Brasil Industrial e Comercial Ltda., Illinois Tool Works Chile Limitada, Illinois Tool Works ITW Nederland B.V., Illinois Tool Works Inc., Impar Comercio E Representacoes Ltda., Industrie Plastic Elsasser GmbH, Inmobiliaria Cit. S.A. de C.F., Innova Temperlite Servicios S.A. de C.V., Innovacion y Transformacion Automotriz S.A. de C.V., Instron Brasil Equipamentos Cientificos Ltda., Instron Foreign Sales Corp. Limited, Instron France S.A.S., Instron GmbH, Instron Japan Company Ltd., Instron Korea LLC, Instron Shanghai Ltd., Instron Thailand Limited, International Leasing Company LLC, Isolenge - ITW Sistemas de Isolamento Termico Ltda., Itw Spraytec, KCPL Mauritius Holdings, Kester, Kleinmann GmbH, Krafft S.L., Loma Systems, Loma Systems BV, Loma Systems Canada Inc., Loma Systems sro, Lombard Pressings Limited, Lumex Inc., Lys Fusion Poland Sp. z.o.o., M&C Specialties Co., MAGNAFLUX GmbH, MEHB Holdings Limited, MGHG Property LLC, MTS 2 LLC., MTS 3 LLC., MTS China Holdings LLC, MTS Europe Holdings LLC, MTS Holdings France S.a.r.l., MTS Japan Ltd.., MTS Korea Inc.., MTS Systems China Co. Ltd., MTS Systems Corporation, MTS Systems Danmark ApS., MTS Systems Europe B.V., MTS Systems Finance C.V.., MTS Systems Germany GmbH, MTS Systems Holding B.V.., MTS Systems Hong Kong Incorporated, MTS Systems Limited, MTS Systems Norden Aktiebolag, MTS Systems S.r.l, MTS Systems., MTS Systems.., MTS Sytems Do Brazil, MTS Testing Solutions India Private Limited., MTS Testing Systems Canada Ltd., Manufacturing Avancee S.A., Meritex Technology Suzhou Co. Ltd., Meurer Verpackungssysteme GmbH, Miller Electric Mfg. LLC, Miller Insurance Ltd., NDT Holding LLC, NOVADAN APS, North Star Imaging Inc., Nova Chimica S.r.l., Orbitalum Tools GmbH, PENTA-91 OOO, PR. A. I. Srl, PT ITW Construction Products Indonesia, Pacific Concept Industries Limited Enping, Panreac Quimica S.L., Paslode Fasteners Shanghai Co. Ltd., Peerless Machinery Corp., Polyrey, Premark FEG L.L.C., Premark HII Holdings LLC, Premark International, Premark International LLC, Prolex Sociedad Anonima, QSA Global Inc., Quimica Industrial Mediterranea S.L., R&D Engineering A/S., R&D Prague s.r.o., R&D Steel ApS., R&D Test Systems A/S., R&D Tools and Structures A/S., RDGDK Engineering Private Limited, Ramset Fasteners Hong Kong Ltd., Rapid Cook LLC, Refrigeration France, S.E.E. Sistemas Industria E Comercio Ltda., ST Mexico Holdings LLC, Sealant Systems International Inc., Sentinel Asia Yuhan Hoesa, Shanghai ITW Plastic & Metal Co. Ltd, Simco Japan Inc., Simco Nederland B.V., Societe de Prospection et dInventions Techniques SPIT, Speedline Holdings I Inc., Speedline Holdings I LLC, Speedline Technologies GmbH, Speedline Technologies Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Speedline Technologies Mexico Services S. de R.L. de C.V., Stokvis Celix Portugal Unipessoal LDA, Stokvis Danmark ApS, Stokvis Holdings S.A.R.L., Stokvis Promi s.r.o, Stokvis Prostick Tapes Private Limited, Stokvis Tapes B.V., Stokvis Tapes Benelux B.V., Stokvis Tapes Deutschland GmbH, Stokvis Tapes France, Stokvis Tapes Hong Kong Co. Limited, Stokvis Tapes Italia s.r.l., Stokvis Tapes Limited, Stokvis Tapes Limited Liability Company, Stokvis Tapes Norge AS, Stokvis Tapes Oy, Stokvis Tapes Polska Sp Z.O.O., Stokvis Tapes Shanghai Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes Sverige AB, Stokvis Tapes Taiwan Co. Ltd., Stokvis Tapes Tianjin Co. Ltd., Stolvis Holdings II S.A.R.L., Subsidiaries, Technopack Industria Comercio Consultoria e Representacoes Ltda., Teknek China Limited, Teknek Japan Limited, Teksaleco Ltd., The Miller Group Ltd, Thirode Grandes Cuisines Poligny, Tien Tai Electrode Co. Ltd., Tien Tai Electrode Kunshan Co. Ltd., Unichemicals Industria e Comercio Ltda., VR-Leasing Sarita GmbH & Co. Immobilien KG, VS European Holdco BV, Valeron Strength Films B.V., Veneta Decalcogomme S.r.l., Versachem Chile S.A., Vesta, Vesta Global Limited, Vesta Guangzhou Catering Equipment Co. Ltd, Viltronics Soltec, Vitronics Soltec B.V., Wachs Canada Ltd., Wachs Subsea LLC, Weigh-Tronix Canada ULC, Weigh-Tronix UK Limited, Wilsonart International Holdings LLC, Wynn Oil South Africa Pty Ltd., Wynn's Automotive France, Wynn's Belgium BVBA, Wynn's Italia Srl, Wynn's Mekuba India Pvt Ltd, and Zip-Pak International B.V.. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Prudential Financial: 210-220 E. 22nd Street SSGA Owner LLC, AIG Edison, AIG Star, AREF Cayman Co Ltd., AREF GP II Pte. Ltd., AREF GP Ltd., ASPF II - Feeder Fund GmbH, ASPF II - Verwaltungs - GmbH & Co. KG, ASPF II Management GmbH, ASPF III Scots L.P., ASSURANCE, AST Investment Services Inc., Adlerwerke CB Investment LLC, Administradora de Fondos de Pensiones Habitat S.A., Administradora de Inversiones Previsionales SpA, Aoba Life Insurance Company, Aoba Life Insurance Company Ltd., Asia Property Fund III GP S.a.r.l., Assurance IQ LLC, Assurance Intelligence LLC, BSC CP LP, Braeloch Holdings Inc., Braeloch Successor Corporation, Brazilian Capital Fund GP Limited, Broad Street Global Advisors LLC, Broome Street Holdings LLC, CB German Retail LLC, CLIS Co. Ltd., COLICO INC., Capital Agricultural Property Services Inc., Chadwick Boulevard Investment Holdings Co. LLC, Cibecue LLC, Coconino LLC, Colico II Inc., Columbus Drive Partners L.P., Commerce Street Holdings LLC, Commerce Street Investments LLC, Coolidge LLC, Coral Reef GP, Coral Reef L.P., Coral Reef Unit Trust, Cottage Street Investments LLC, Cottage Street Orbit Acquisition LLC, DICKENS AVENUE HOLDINGS VI LLC, DICKENS AVENUE PARTNERS VI Ireland L.P., DICKENS AVENUE PARTNERS VI US L.P., Dale/P Minerals Limited Partnership, Don Cesar Investor LLC, Dryden Arizona Reinsurance Term Company, Dryden Finance II LLC, EVP II GP S.a r.l., EVP II Horizon GP S.a r.l., EVP II Sprint GP S.a r.l., Edison Place Senior Note LLC, Essex LLC, EuroCore GP S.a r.l., European Value Partners GP S.a.r.l., Everbright PGIM Fund Management Co. Ltd., Flagstaff LLC, GA 1600 Commons LLC, GA 333 Hennepin Investor LLC, GA BV LLC, GA Bay Area GP LLC, GA Bay Area Investor LLC, GA Belden LLC, GA CLARENDON LLC, GA Cal Crossings LLC, GA Collins LLC, GA E. 22nd Street Apartments Holdings LLC, GA East 86 Street LLC, GA JHCII LLC, GA MENLO PARK INVESTOR LLC, GA Manor at Harbour Island LLC, GA Metro LLC, GA TRITON INVESTOR LLC, GA W Paces LLC, GA/MDI 333 Hennepin Associates LLC, GIBRALTAR BSN HOLDINGS SDN BHD, GIBRALTAR INDIA SOLUTIONS LLP, Gateway Holdings II LLC, Gateway Holdings LLC, German Retail Income CP LP, Gibraltar BSN Life Berhad, Gibraltar International Insurance Services Company Inc., Gibraltar International Service LLC, Gibraltar Reinsurance Company Ltd., Gibraltar Universal Life Reinsurance Company, Glenealy International Limited, Global Portfolio Strategies Inc., Gold GP Limited, Gold II L.P., Gold L.P., Graham Resources Inc., Graham Royalty Ltd., Green Harvest Asset Management LLC, Green Tree GP, Green Tree L.P., Greenlee LLC, Halsey Street Investments LLC, Hirakata LLC, IVP Fund GP LLC, Impact Investments Bridges UK S.a.r.l, Inter-Atlantic G Fund L.P., Inversiones Previsionales Chile SpA, Inversiones Previsionales Dos SpA, Ironbound Fund LLC, Jennison Associates LLC, Kyarra S.a r.l., Kyoei Annuity Home Co. Ltd. Kabushiki Kaisha Kyouei Nenkin Home, LINEUP LLC, Lake Street Partners IV L.P., Lotus Reinsurance Company Ltd., MC GA COLLINS HOLDINGS LLC, MC GA COLLINS REALTY LLC, MC Insurance Agency Services LLC, Manor at Harbour Island LLC, Marble Canyon LLC, Maricopa LLC, Market Street Holdings IV LLC, Montana Capital Partners, Morenci LLC, Mulberry Street Holdings LLC, Mulberry Street Investment L.P., Mulberry Street Partners LLC, Mullin TBG Insurance Agency Services LLC, MullinTBG Insurance Agency Services, National Family Assurance Group LLC, New Savanna, Northbound Emerging Manager Fund A LP, Northbound Emerging Manager Fund II - A LP, Orchard Street Acres Inc., PAI Bay Farm LLC, PAI Bayrock Groves LLC, PAI Belvidere Farms LLC, PAI Big Cypress Farm LLC, PAI Corcoran 640 Ranch LLC, PAI DeKalb Farm LLC, PAI Delano 1500 Ranches LLC, PAI Desert Falcon Farms Manager LLC, PAI Flicker Orchard LLC, PAI Good Hope Farm LLC, PAI Hawk Creek Ranch LLC, PAI Hills Valley Ranches LLC, PAI Holly Hill Groves LLC, PAI Hunt Farm LLC, PAI Jackson Bayou Farm LLC, PAI Lake Placid Groves LLC, PAI River Bend Ranches LLC, PAI Wallula Gap Vineyard LLC, PCP V Cayman AIV GP L.P., PEREF II Co-Invest 1 GP S.a r.l., PEREF II GP S.a r.l., PFI EM-Tech Fund I LLC, PG Business Service Co. Ltd, PG Collection Service Co. Ltd., PG Friendly Partners Co. Ltd., PGA Asian Retail Limited, PGA European Limited, PGI Co. Ltd, PGIM AC Co-Invest GP Pte. Ltd., PGIM AVP IV GP S.a r.l., PGIM Advisory Shanghai Co. Ltd., PGIM Agricultural Investments GP LLC, PGIM Australia Pty Ltd, PGIM Broad Market High Yield Bond Fund L.P., PGIM Broad Market High Yield Bond Partners LLC, PGIM Capital Partners Management Feeder VI LLC, PGIM Capital Partners Management Fund VI L.P., PGIM Custom Harvest LLC, PGIM DC Co-Invest GP Pte. Ltd., PGIM DC JV GP Pte. Ltd., PGIM DC Solutions LLC, PGIM European Financing Limited, PGIM European Services Limited, PGIM Financial Limited, PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives Fund II L.P., PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives Fund L.P., PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives GP LLC, PGIM Fixed Income Alternatives II GP LLC, PGIM Foreign Investments Inc., PGIM Holding Company LLC, PGIM Holdings Limited, PGIM Hong Kong Ltd., PGIM INDIA ASSET MANAGEMENT PRIVATE LIMITED, PGIM INDIA TRUSTEES PRIVATE LIMITED, PGIM IRELAND LIMITED, PGIM Inc., PGIM International Financing Inc., PGIM Investments Ireland Limited, PGIM Investments LLC, PGIM Japan Co. Ltd., PGIM Korea Inc., PGIM LTIF Berlin GP S.a r.l., PGIM LTIF Berlin MLP S.ar.l., PGIM LTIF GP S.a.r.l., PGIM Limited, PGIM Loan Originator Manager Limited, PGIM M Campus GP S.a r.l., PGIM Management Partner Limited, PGIM MetaProp Investor LP LLC, PGIM Netherlands B.V., PGIM Overseas Investment Fund Management Shanghai Company Ltd, PGIM Private Capital Ireland Limited, PGIM Private Capital Limited, PGIM Private Placement Investors Inc., PGIM Private Placement Investors L.P., PGIM QUANTITATIVE SOLUTIONS LLC, PGIM REF EUROPE SCSp, PGIM REF Europe GP S.a r.l., PGIM REF Europe Member LLC, PGIM REF Intermediary Services Inc., PGIM Real Estate CD S.a.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Capital VII GP S.a r.l., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest GP LLC, PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest GP S.a r.l., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest L.P., PGIM Real Estate Carry & Co-Invest SCSp, PGIM Real Estate Co-Invest Holdings LLC, PGIM Real Estate Debt GmbH, PGIM Real Estate Finance Holding Company, PGIM Real Estate Finance LLC, PGIM Real Estate France SAS, PGIM Real Estate Germany AG, PGIM Real Estate Global Debt GP LLC, PGIM Real Estate Global Master Fund GP S.a r.l., PGIM Real Estate Inmuebles II S de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate Inmuebles S. de R.L. de C.V, PGIM Real Estate Italy S.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Japan Ltd., PGIM Real Estate Loan Services Inc., PGIM Real Estate Luxembourg S.A., PGIM Real Estate MVP Administradora IV S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Administradora V S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Inmuebles IV S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate MVP Inmuebles V S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate Management Luxembourg S.a.r.l., PGIM Real Estate Mexico S.C., PGIM Real Estate S. de R.L. de C.V., PGIM Real Estate U.S. CORE Debt Fund GP LLC, PGIM Real Estate U.S. Debt Fund GP LLC, PGIM Real Estate UK Limited, PGIM Scots Limited, PGIM Securities Investment Trust Enterprise, PGIM Senior Loan Opportunities Management (Feeder) I LLC, PGIM Senior Loan Opportunities Management Fund I L.P., PGIM Shanghai Company Ltd., PGIM Singapore Pte. Ltd., PGIM Strategic Financing LLC, PGIM Strategic Investments Inc., PGIM Taronga Investor GP LLC, PGIM U.S. Agriculture Fund LP, PGIM USPF VI Manager LLC, PGIM Wadhwani LLP, PGIM Warehouse Inc., PGLH of Delaware Inc., PIFM Holdco LLC, PIIC Limited, PIISC Holdings UK Limited, PIM KF Blocker V Holdings LLC, PIM USPF V Manager LLC, PLA Administradora Industrial SRL, PLA Administradora LLC, PLA Administradora S. de R.L. de C.V., PLA Asesoria Profesional II S. de R.L. de C.V., PLA Asesoria Profesional S.de R.L. de C.V., PLA Co-Investor LLC, PLA Mexico Industrial Manager I LLC, PLA Mexico Industrial Manager II LLC, PLA Retail Fund I Blue LP, PLA Retail Fund I Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund II Aggregating Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund II LLC, PLA Retail Fund II LP, PLA Retail Fund II Manager LLC, PLA Retail Fund II U.S. Carry/Co-Invest LP, PLA Services Manager Mexico LLC, PLAI Limited, PMCF Holdings LLC, PMCF Properties LLC, PPPF General Partner LLP, PR GA SCP Apartments LLC, PRAMERICA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED, PRAMERICA PRECAP VI GP LLP, PRAMERICA PRECAP VI GP SCOTS FEEDER LLP, PRECO Account IV LLC, PRECO Account Partnership IV LP, PRECO III GP LLP, PREFG Hanwha Manager LLC, PREI Acquisition I Inc., PREI Acquisition II Inc., PREI Acquisition LLC, PREI HYDG LLC, PREI International Inc., PRIAC Property Acquisitions LLC, PRICOA Management Partner Limited, PRISA Fund Manager LLC, PRISA II Fund Manager LLC, PRISA II Pooled Manager LLC, PRISA III Fund GP LLC, PRISA III Fund PIM LLC, PRREF Debt Fund Manager LLC, PRREF II Fund Manager LLC, PRU 3XSquare LLC, PRUCO LLC, PRUDENTIAL CAPITAL ENERGY PARTNERS MANAGEMENT (FEEDER) LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP MEMBER LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP REIT LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP VENTURE 2 LLC, PRUDENTIAL MORTGAGE SKP VENTURE LLC, PT PFI Mega Life Insurance, Passaic Fund LLC, Pine Tree GP, Pine Tree L.P., Platinum GP Limited, Platinum II L.P., Platinum L.P., Pramerica Business Consulting Shanghai Company Limited, Pramerica EVP CP LP, Pramerica Financial Asia Headquarters Pte. Ltd., Pramerica Financial Asia Limited, Pramerica Fixed Income Funds Management Limited, Pramerica Fosun Life Insurance Co. Ltd., Pramerica Holdings Ltd, Pramerica Hong Kong Holdings Limited, Pramerica Insurance Agency China Company Ltd., Pramerica Luxembourg CP GP S.a.r.l., Pramerica PRECAP I GP LLP, Pramerica PRECAP II GP LLP, Pramerica PRECAP III GP LLP, Pramerica PRECAP IV GP LLP, Pramerica Pan European Real Estate Scots LP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital I GP Scots Feeder LLP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital I Scotland Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital II Scots Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital III Scots Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital IV GP Limited, Pramerica Real Estate Capital IV GP Scots Feeder LLP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital IV Scots Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital V Netherlands GP LLP, Pramerica Real Estate Capital V Scots Limited Partnership, Pramerica Real Estate Capital VI Scots Limited Partnership, Pramerica Scots CP GP LLP, Preco III Scotland Limited Partnership, Pru 101 Wood LLC, Pru Alpha Partners I LLC, Pru Fixed Income Emerging Markets Partners I LLC, PruVen Capital Partners Fund I L.P., Pruco Assignment Corporation, Pruco Life Insurance Company, Pruco Life Insurance Company of New Jersey, Pruco Securities LLC, Prudential 900 Aviation Boulevard LLC, Prudential Affordable Mortgage Company LLC, Prudential Agricultural Property Holding Company LLC, Prudential Annuities Distributors Inc., Prudential Annuities Holding Company Inc., Prudential Annuities Inc., Prudential Annuities Information Services & Technology Corporation, Prudential Annuities Life Assurance Corporation, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Captive Company, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Term Company, Prudential Arizona Reinsurance Universal Company, Prudential Bank & Trust FSB, Prudential Capital Energy Opportunity Fund L.P., Prudential Capital Energy Partners L.P., Prudential Capital Energy Partners Management Fund L.P., Prudential Capital Partners Management Fund IV L.P., Prudential Capital and Investment Services LLC, Prudential Chile II SpA, Prudential Chile SpA, Prudential Commercial Property Holding Company LLC, Prudential Equity Group LLC, Prudential Financial Inc., Prudential Fixed Income Global Liquidity Relative Value Partners LLC, Prudential Fixed Income U.S. Relative Value Partners LLC, Prudential Funding LLC, Prudential General Services of Japan Y.K., Prudential Gibraltar Agency Co. Ltd. Prudential Gibraltar Agency Kabushiki Kaisha, Prudential Global Funding LLC, Prudential Holdings of Japan Inc., Prudential Huntoon Paige Associates LLC, Prudential IBH Holdco Inc., Prudential Impact Investments Mortgage Loans LLC, Prudential Impact Investments Private Debt LLC, Prudential Impact Investments Private Equity LLC, Prudential Insurance Agency LLC, Prudential International Insurance Holdings Ltd., Prudential International Insurance Service Company L.L.C., Prudential International Investments Advisers LLC, Prudential International Investments Company LLC, Prudential International Investments LLC, Prudential Investment Management Services LLC, Prudential Japan Holdings LLC, Prudential Legacy Insurance Company of New Jersey, Prudential Mortgage Asset Holdings 1 Japan Investment Business Limited Partnership, Prudential Mortgage Asset Holdings 2 Japan Investment Business Limited Partnership, Prudential Mortgage Capital Asset Holding Company LLC, Prudential Mortgage Capital Funding LLC, Prudential Mortgage Capital Holdings LLC, Prudential Multifamily Mortgage LLC, Prudential Mutual Fund Services LLC, Prudential Newark Realty LLC, Prudential QOZ Investment Fund 1 LLC, Prudential Realty Securities Inc., Prudential Retirement Financial Services Holding LLC, Prudential Retirement Holdings LLC, Prudential Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company, Prudential Securities Secured Financing Corporation, Prudential Seguros Mexico S.A. de C.V., Prudential Seguros S.A., Prudential Select Strategies LLC, Prudential Servicios S. de R.L. de C.V., Prudential Structured Settlement Company, Prudential Systems Japan Limited, Prudential Tax Services LLC, Prudential Term Reinsurance Company, Prudential Trust Co. Ltd., Prudential Trust Company, Prudential Universal Reinsurance Company, Prudential Workplace Solutions Group Services LLC, Prudential do Brasil Seguros de Vida S.A., Prudential do Brasil Vida em Grupo S.A., Prudential/TMW Real Estate Group LLC, Pruservicos Participacoes Ltda., QMA JP EM All Cap Equity Partners LLC, Quartzsite LLC, Residential Services Corporation of America LLC, Rio CP LP, Rock European Real Estate Holdings S.ar.l., Rock Global Real Estate LLC, Rock Kensington Limited, Rock Marty GP S.a r.l., Rock Oxford S.a r.l., Rock UK Real Estate II S.a.r.l., Rockstone Co. Ltd., Rosado Grande LLC, Ross Avenue Energy Fund Holdings LLC, Ross Avenue Minerals 2012 LLC, SCP Apartments LLC, SENIOR HOUSING PARTNERS VI GP LLC, SENIOR HOUSING PARTNERSHIP FUND VI GP LLC, SHP IV Carried Interest LP, SHP V Carried Interest L.P., SMP Holdings Inc., SVIIT Holdings Inc., Sanei Collection Service Co. Ltd. Kabushiki Kaisha Sanei Shuuno Service, Senior Housing Partners V LLC, Senior Housing Partnership Fund V LLC, Sterling Private Placement Management LLP, Stetson Street Partners L.P., Strand Investments Limited, TBG Insurance Services Corporation, TENSATOR HOLDINGS LTD, TF Proveedora S.C., TMW ASPF I Verwaltungs GmbH & Co. KG, TMW ASPF Management GmbH, TMW Management LLC, TMW Real Estate Group LLC, TMW Realty Advisors LLC, TMW USPF Verwaltungs GmbH, TRGOAG Company Inc., The Gibraltar Life Insurance Co. Ltd., The Keynes Dynamic Beta Strategy US Fund GP LLC, The Prudential Assigned Settlement Services Corp., The Prudential Brazilian Capital Fund LP, The Prudential Gibraltar Financial Life Insurance Co. Ltd., The Prudential Home Mortgage Company Inc., The Prudential Insurance Company of America, The Prudential Life Insurance Company Ltd., The Prudential Real Estate Financial Services of America Inc., The WMF Group, Thurloe Commercial Guernsey Limited, USPF V - Verwaltungs - GmbH & Co. KG, USPF V Carry LLC, USPF V Co-Invest LLC, USPF V Investment LP, United States Property Fund VI GP S.a r.l., VIP Australia Holding Company LLC, VIP Australia Trustee Pty Ltd, Vailsburg Fund LLC, Vantage Casualty Insurance Company, Wabash Avenue Holdings V LLC, Wabash Avenue Partners V L.P., Wadhwani Capital Limited, Waveland Avenue Holdings I LLC, Waveland Avenue Partners I Ireland L.P., Waveland Avenue Partners I US L.P., Wellness Services Ecossistema De Bem Estar Ltda., Wellness Services SRL, Yamato Life, and Yavapai LLC. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of CVS Health: ACS ACQCO CORP., ADMINCO Inc., AE Fourteen Incorporated, AHP Holdings Inc., AMC - Tennessee LLC, APS Acquisition LLC, ASCO HealthCare LLC, ASI Wings LLC, AUSHC Holdings Inc., Accendo Insurance Company, Accordant Health Services L.L.C., Active Health Management Inc., Administrative Enterprises Inc., AdvancePCS SpecialtyRx LLC, AdvanceRx.com L.L.C., Advanced Care Scripts Inc., Aetna, Aetna (Beijing) Enterprise Management Services Co. Ltd., Aetna (Shanghai) Enterprise Services Co. Ltd., Aetna ACO Holdings Inc., Aetna Asset Advisors LLC, Aetna Behavioral Health LLC, Aetna Better Health Inc., Aetna Better Health Inc., Aetna Better Health Premier Plan MMAI Inc., Aetna Better Health of California Inc., Aetna Better Health of Florida Inc., Aetna Better Health of Illinois Inc., Aetna Better Health of Indiana Inc., Aetna Better Health of Kansas Inc., Aetna Better Health of Missouri LLC, Aetna Better Health of Nevada Inc., Aetna Better Health of North Carolina Inc., Aetna Better Health of Oklahoma Inc., Aetna Better Health of Tennessee Inc., Aetna Better Health of Texas Inc., Aetna Better Health of Washington Inc., Aetna Capital Management LLC, Aetna Card Solutions LLC, Aetna Corporate Services LLC, Aetna Dental Inc., Aetna Dental of California Inc., Aetna Financial Holdings LLC, Aetna Florida Inc., Aetna Global Benefits (Asia Pacific) Limited, Aetna Global Benefits (Bermuda) Limited, Aetna Global Benefits (Europe) Limited, Aetna Global Benefits (Middle East) LLC, Aetna Global Benefits (Singapore) PTE. LTD., Aetna Health Holdings LLC, Aetna Health Insurance (Thailand) Public Company Limited, Aetna Health Insurance Company, Aetna Health Insurance Company of Europe DAC, Aetna Health Insurance Company of New York, Aetna Health Management LLC, Aetna Health and Life Insurance Company, Aetna Health of California Inc., Aetna Health of Iowa Inc., Aetna Health of Michigan Inc., Aetna Health of Ohio Inc., Aetna Health of Utah Inc., Aetna HealthAssurance Pennsylvania Inc., Aetna Holdco (UK) Limited, Aetna Holdings (Thailand) Limited, Aetna Inc., Aetna Insurance (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Aetna Insurance Company Limited, Aetna Insurance Company of Connecticut, Aetna Integrated Informatics Inc., Aetna International Ex Pat LLC, Aetna International LLC, Aetna Ireland Inc., Aetna Life & Casualty (Bermuda) Ltd., Aetna Life Assignment Company, Aetna Life Insurance Company, Aetna Medicaid Administrators LLC, Aetna Network Services LLC, Aetna Partners Diversified Fund LLC, Aetna Pharmacy Management Services LLC, Aetna Resources LLC, Aetna Risk Assurance Company of Connecticut Inc., Aetna Rx Home Delivery LLC, Aetna Services (Thailand) Limited, Aetna Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Aetna Student Health Agency Inc., Aetna Ventures LLC, Aetna Workers Comp Access LLC, Alabama CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Alaska CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Allina Health and Aetna Health Plan Inc., Allina Health and Aetna Insurance Company, Allina Health and Aetna Insurance Holding Company LLC, American Drug Stores Delaware L.L.C., Arbor Drugs, Arizona CVS Stores L.L.C., Arkansas CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Badger Acquisition LLC, Badger Acquisition of Kentucky LLC, Badger Acquisition of Minnesota LLC, Badger Acquisition of Ohio LLC, Banner Health and Aetna Health Insurance Company, Banner Health and Aetna Health Insurance Holding Company LLC, Banner Health and Aetna Health Plan Inc., Beauty Holdings L.L.C., Best Care LTC Acquisition Company LLC, Busse CVS L.L.C., CCI Foreign S.a R.L., CCRx Holdings LLC, CCRx of North Carolina LLC, CHP Acquisition LLC, CP Acquisition LLC, CVS 2948 Henderson L.L.C., CVS 3268 Gilbert L.L.C., CVS 3745 Peoria L.L.C., CVS AL Distribution L.L.C., CVS AOC Corporation, CVS AOC Services L.L.C., CVS Albany L.L.C., CVS Bellmore Avenue L.L.C., CVS Cabot Holdings Inc., CVS Cabot Holdings Inc. Coram Clinical Trials Inc. 99.72%/Aetna Inc. .28%, CVS Care Concierge LLC, CVS Caremark Advanced Technology Pharmacy L.L.C., CVS Caremark Indemnity Ltd., CVS Caremark Part D Services L.L.C., CVS Caremark TN SUTA LLC, CVS Foreign Inc., CVS Gilbert 3272 L.L.C., CVS Health Applications LLC, CVS Health Solutions LLC, CVS Health Ventures Fund GP LLC, CVS Health Ventures Fund LP, CVS Health Ventures Management LLC, CVS Indiana L.L.C., CVS International L.L.C., CVS Kidney Care Advanced Technologies LLC, CVS Kidney Care Health Services LLC, CVS Kidney Care Home Dialysis LLC, CVS Kidney Care LLC, CVS Management Support LLC, CVS Manchester NH L.L.C., CVS Media Exchange LLC, CVS Michigan L.L.C., CVS Orlando FL Distribution L.L.C., CVS PA Distribution L.L.C., CVS PR Center Inc., CVS Pharmacy Inc., CVS Pharmacy Overseas Online LLC, CVS RS Arizona L.L.C., CVS Rx Services Inc., CVS SC Distribution L.L.C., CVS Shaw Holdings Inc., CVS Shaw Holdings Inc. Coram Clinical Trials Inc. 99.72%/Aetna Inc. .28%, CVS State Capital L.L.C., CVS TN Distribution L.L.C., CVS Transportation L.L.C., CVS Vero FL Distribution L.L.C., CVS-SHC Kidney Care Home Dialysis of Austin LLC, CVS-SHC Kidney Care Home Dialysis of Los Angeles LLC, CVS-SHC Kidney Care Home Dialysis of Philadelphia LLC, CVS-SHC Renal Holdings LLC, Campos Medical Pharmacy LLC, Canal Place LLC, Care Pharmaceutical Services LP, CareCenter Pharmacy L.L.C., Carefree Insurance Services Inc., Caremark Arizona Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Arizona Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark California Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Florida Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Florida Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Hawaii Mail Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Hawaii Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark IPA L.L.C., Caremark Illinois Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Illinois Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Irving Resource Center LLC, Caremark Kansas Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark L.L.C., Caremark Logistics LLC, Caremark Louisiana Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Maryland Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Massachusetts Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Michigan Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Minnesota Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark New Jersey Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark North Carolina Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Ohio Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Pennsylvania Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark PhC L.L.C., Caremark Puerto Rico L.L.C., Caremark Puerto Rico Specialty Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Redlands Pharmacy L.L.C., Caremark Repack LLC, Caremark Rx L.L.C., Caremark Tennessee Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Texas Mail Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Texas Specialty Pharmacy LLC, Caremark Ulysses Holding Corp., Caremark Washington Specialty Pharmacy LLC, CaremarkPCS Alabama Mail Pharmacy LLC, CaremarkPCS Health L.L.C., CaremarkPCS L.L.C., Central Rx Services LLC, Cofinity Inc., Compscript LLC, Connecticut CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Continental Life Insurance Company of Brentwood Tennessee, Continuing Care Rx LLC, Coram Alternate Site Services Inc., Coram Clinical Trials Inc., Coram Clinical Trials Inc. CVS Pharmacy Inc. 75%/Aetna Life Insurance Company 25%, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Alabama, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Florida, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Greater D.C., Coram Healthcare Corporation of Greater New York, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Indiana, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Massachusetts, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Mississippi, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Nevada, Coram Healthcare Corporation of North Texas, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Northern California, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Southern California, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Southern Florida, Coram Healthcare Corporation of Utah, Coram LLC, Coram Rx LLC, Coram Specialty Infusion, Coram Specialty Infusion Services L.L.C., Coventry Consumer Advantage Inc., Coventry Health Care National Accounts Inc., Coventry Health Care National Network Inc., Coventry Health Care of Illinois Inc., Coventry Health Care of Kansas Inc., Coventry Health Care of Missouri Inc., Coventry Health Care of Nebraska Inc., Coventry Health Care of Virginia Inc., Coventry Health Care of West Virginia Inc., Coventry Health Plan of Florida Inc., Coventry Health and Life Insurance Company, Coventry HealthCare Management Corporation, Coventry Prescription Management Services Inc., Coventry Transplant Network Inc., Credentials Inc., D & R Pharmaceutical Services LLC, D.A.W. LLC, Delaware CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Delaware Physicians Care Incorporated, District of Columbia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., E.T.B. INC., Echo Merger Sub Inc., Eckerd Corporation of Florida Inc., Employee Assistance Services LLC, Enloe Drugs LLC, Enterprise Patient Safety Organization LLC, EntrustRX, Evergreen Pharmaceutical LLC, Evergreen Pharmaceutical of California LLC, Express Pharmacy Services of PA L.L.C., First Choice of the Midwest LLC, First Health Group Corp., First Health Life & Health Insurance Company, Florida Health Plan Administrators LLC, Garfield Beach CVS L.L.C., Generation Health L.L.C., Geneva Woods Health Services LLC, Geneva Woods LTC Pharmacy LLC, Geneva Woods Management LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy Alaska LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy Washington LLC, Geneva Woods Pharmacy Wyoming LLC, Geneva Woods Retail Pharmacy LLC, Georgia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., German Dobson CVS L.L.C., Goodhealth Worldwide (Asia) Limited, Goodhealth Worldwide (Global) Limited, Goodyear CVS L.L.C., Grand St. Paul CVS L.L.C., Grandview Pharmacy LLC, Group Dental Service Inc., Health Care Management Co. Ltd., Health Data & Management Solutions Inc., Health Re Inc., Health and Human Resource Center Inc., HealthAssurance Pennsylvania Inc., Highland Park CVS L.L.C., Holiday CVS L.L.C., Home Care Pharmacy LLC, Home Pharmacy Services LLC, Hook-SupeRx L.L.C., Horizon Behavioral Services LLC, Idaho CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., IlliniCare Health, Indian Health Organisation Private Limited, Innovation Health Holdings LLC, Innovation Health Insurance Company, Innovation Health Plan Inc., Interlock Pharmacy Systems LLC, Iowa CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., JHC Acquisition LLC, Kansas CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Kentucky CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., LCPS Acquisition LLC, Langsam Health Services LLC, Lo-Med Prescription Services LLC, Lobos Acquisition LLC, Longs Drug Stores, Longs Drug Stores California L.L.C., Louisiana CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., MHHP Acquisition Company LLC, MHNet Specialty Services LLC, MHNet of Florida Inc., Main Street Pharmacy L.L.C., Managed Care Coordinators Inc., Managed Healthcare LLC, Martin Health Services LLC, Maryland CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Med World Acquisition Corp., Medical Arts Health Care LLC, Medical Examinations of New York P.C., Melville Realty Company Inc., MemberHealth LLC, Mental Health Associates Inc., Mental Health Network of New York IPA Inc., Meritain Health Inc., Merwin Long Term Care LLC, Minor Health Enterprise Co Ltd., MinuteClinic, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Alabama L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Arizona LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Arkansas LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Colorado LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Florida LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Georgia LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Hawaii L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Illinois LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Kentucky L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Louisiana L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Maine L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Maryland LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Massachusetts LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Nebraska L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of New Hampshire L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of New Mexico L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Ohio LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Oklahoma LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Oregon LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Pennsylvania LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Rhode Island LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of South Carolina L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Texas LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Utah L.L.C., MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Virginia LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Washington LLC, MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Wisconsin L.L.C., MinuteClinic L.L.C., MinuteClinic Online Diagnostic Services LLC, MinuteClinic Physician Practice of Texas, MinuteClinic Telehealth Services LLC, MinuteClinic Telehealth Services of Texas Association, Mississippi CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Missouri CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Montana CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., NCS Healthcare of Illinois LLC, NCS Healthcare of Iowa LLC, NCS Healthcare of Kansas LLC, NCS Healthcare of Kentucky LLC, NCS Healthcare of Montana LLC, NCS Healthcare of New Mexico LLC, NCS Healthcare of Ohio LLC, NCS Healthcare of South Carolina LLC, NCS Healthcare of Tennessee LLC, NCS Healthcare of Wisconsin LLC, NIV Acquisition LLC, Navarro Discount Pharmacy, Nebraska CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., NeighborCare Pharmacy Services LLC, NeighborCare of Indiana LLC, NeighborCare of Virginia LLC, New Jersey CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Niagara Re Inc., North Carolina CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., North Shore Pharmacy Services LLC, NovoLogix LLC, OCR Services LLC, Ocean Acquisition Sub L.L.C., Ohio CVS Stores L.L.C., Oklahoma CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Omnicare, Omnicare Indiana Partnership Holding Company LLC, Omnicare LLC, Omnicare LLC Aetna Inc 0.28%/CVS Cabot Holdings Inc. 49.86%/CVS Shaw Holdings Inc. 49.86%, Omnicare Pharmacies of Pennsylvania West LLC, Omnicare Pharmacies of the Great Plains Holding LLC, Omnicare Pharmacy and Supply Services LLC, Omnicare Pharmacy of Tennessee LLC, Omnicare Pharmacy of the Midwest LLC, Omnicare Property Management LLC, Omnicare of Nebraska LLC, Omnicare of Nevada LLC, Omnicare of New York LLC, Oregon CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., PE Holdings LLC, PHPSNE Parent Corporation, PP Acquisition Company LLC, PRN Pharmaceutical Services LP, PT Aetna Management Consulting, Pamplona Saude e Beleza LTDA, Part D Holding Company L.L.C., PayFlex Systems USA Inc., Pennsylvania CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Performax Inc., Pharmacy Associates of Glenn Falls LLC, Pharmacy Consultants LLC, Phoenix Data Solutions LLC, Precision Benefit Services Inc., Prime Net Inc., ProCare Pharmacy Direct L.L.C., ProCare Pharmacy L.L.C., Prodigy Health Group Inc., Professional Risk Management Inc., Puerto Rico CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Red Oak Sourcing LLC, Resources for Living LLC, Rhode Island CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Roeschens Healthcare LLC, RxAmerica, Schaller Anderson Medical Administrators Incorporated, Scrip World LLC, Sheffield Avenue CVS L.L.C., Shore Pharmaceutical Providers LLC, Silverscript Insurance Company, Soma Intimates, South Carolina CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., South Wabash CVS L.L.C., Specialized Pharmacy Services LLC, Stadtlander Drug Company, Stadtlander Pharmacy, Sterling Healthcare Services LLC, Superior Care Pharmacy LLC, Sutter Health and Aetna Administrative Services LLC, Sutter Health and Aetna Insurance Company, Sutter Health and Aetna Insurance Holding Company LLC, T2 Medical Inc., TCPI Acquisition LLC, TargetPharmacy, Tennessee CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Texas Health + Aetna Health Insurance Company, Texas Health + Aetna Health Insurance Holding Company LLC, Texas Health + Aetna Health Plan Inc., The Vasquez Group Inc., Thomas Phoenix CVS L.L.C., Three Forks Apothecary LLC, U.S Healthcare Holdings LLC, U.S. Healthcare Properties Inc., UAC Holding Inc., UC Acquisition LLC, UNI-Care Health Services of Maine LLC, Universal American - Medicare Part D Business, Utah CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., VAPS Acquisition Company LLC, Value Health Care Services LLC, Vermont CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Virginia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Virtual Home Healthcare LLC, Warm Springs Road CVS L.L.C., Washington CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Washington Lamb CVS L.L.C., Weber Medical Systems LLC, Wellpartner LLC, West Virginia CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Westhaven Services Co LLC, Williamson Drug Company LLC, Wisconsin CVS Pharmacy L.L.C., Woodward Detroit CVS L.L.C., Work and Family Benefits Inc., ZS Acquisition Company LLC, Zinc Health Services LLC, Zinc Health Ventures LLC, bSwift LLC, and iTriage LLC. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of HP: 3Com, 3PAR, ABB CADE, AOME Holdings Ltd., Albacore Holdings Jersey Ltd, Alpha Holding One B.V., Alpha Holding Two B.V., Anatolus Holding B.V., Apogee, Apogee Corp, Apogee Corporation Ireland Limited, Apogee Corporation Jersey Limited, Apogee Corporation Limited, Apogee Europe Limited, Apogee France Holdings SAS, Apogee France SAS, Apogee Germany Holding UG, Apogee Group Limited, Apogee Rentals Limited, Apollo Computer, AppIQ, Applied Optoelectronic Tech, ArcSight, Arnon Holding B.V., Arteis, Artivision Technologies, Aruba Networks, Atos Origin, Atos Origin Middle East group, Autonomy Corporation, Avantek, BAS - Burosysteme GmbH, BT & D Technologies, Balreed Digitec Group Limited, Balreed Digitec North Limited, Balreed Digitec SE Limited, Balreed Digitec UK Limited, Bamberga Holding B.V., Bitfone Corporation, Bluestone Software, Boonton Radio, Bristol Technology Inc., Bromium, Bromium UK Limited, CEC Europe Service Management, CGNZ, CaLan, China HP Co. Ltd Hangzhou Branch, China HP Co. Ltd., China HP Co. Ltd. Chengdu Branch, China HP Co. Ltd. Guangzhou Branch, China HP Co. Ltd. Jiangan Branch, China HP Co. Ltd. Nanjing Branch, China HP Co. Ltd. Shanghai Branch, Choose Packaging, City Docs Limited, City Docs Solutions Limited, Colorado Memory Systems, Colubris Networks, Colubris Networks, Compaq Cayman Holdings Company, Compaq Cayman Holdings General Partnership II, Compaq Information Technologies, Compaq Information Technologies LLC, Computing and Printing Global Services Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Computing and Printing Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Consera Software, ConteXtream Inc, Convex Computer, David Vision Systems GmbH, Dazzle, Digipro Limited, Division, EDS (Electronic Data Systems), EEsof, EYP Mission Critical Facilities, ElseWare, Eon Systems, Eucalyptus Systems, Eunomia Holding B.V., ExcellerateHRO, Exstream Software, Extreme Logic, F&M Scientific Corporation, F. Smith & Co Office Equipment Limited, F.L. Moseley Company, Flame Holding B.V., Fortify Software, Four Pi Systems, GNA Biosolutions GmbH, HP Austria GmbH, HP Belgium BV, HP Bilgisayar ve Baski Teknolojileri Limited Sirketi, HP Brasil Industria e Comercio de Equipamentos Eletronicos Ltda, HP Brasil Industria e Comercio de Equipamentos Eletronicos Ltda. - Branch 01 Tambore, HP Brasil Industria e Comercio de Equipamentos Eletronicos Ltda. - Branch 2 Sorocaba, HP Brasil Industria e Comercio de Equipamentos Eletronicos Ltda. - Branch 3 Porto Alegre, HP Canada Co. HP Canada Cie, HP Canada Licensing L.P., HP China Holding B.V., HP Chongqing Co. Ltd, HP Chongqing Manufacturing Export Procurement and Settlement Co. Ltd, HP Colombia SAS, HP Computing and Printing Middle East FZ-LLC, HP Computing and Printing Nigeria Ltd, HP Computing and Printing Systems India Private Limited, HP Computing and Printing d.o.o., HP Deutschland GmbH, HP Deutschland Holding GmbH, HP Europe B.V., HP Europe B.V. - Abu Dhabi Branch, HP Europe B.V. Regional Dubai Branch, HP Europe BV Amsterdam Meyrin Branch, HP Finland Oy, HP France Holding SAS, HP France SAS, HP Global Trading B.V., HP Global Trading B.V. Kazakhstan Branch, HP Health Solutions Inc., HP Health Solutions Spain Sociedad Limitada, HP Hewlett Packard Group LLC, HP Inc AP Hong Kong Limited, HP Inc Argentina S.R.L., HP Inc Bulgaria EOOD, HP Inc Chile Comercial Limitada, HP Inc Costa Rica Limitada, HP Inc Czech Republic s.r.o., HP Inc Danmark ApS, HP Inc Gulf, HP Inc Hong Kong Limited, HP Inc Magyarorszag Kft., HP Inc Peru S.R.L., HP Inc Polska sp. z o.o., HP Inc Romania SRL, HP Inc Slovakia s.r.o., HP Inc Thailand Ltd., HP Inc Tunisie SARL, HP Inc UK Limited, HP India Sales Private Limited, HP Indigo B.V., HP Indigo Ltd, HP Information Technology R&D Shanghai Co. Ltd, HP International Pte. Ltd., HP International Pte. Ltd. Taiwan Branch, HP International Sarl, HP International Trading B.V., HP International Trading B.V. Puerto Rico Branch LLC, HP Israel Ltd, HP Italy S.r.l., HP Jade Holding LLC, HP Japan Inc., HP KSA Ltd., HP Korea Inc., HP Licensing Holding LLC, HP Luxembourg S.C.A., HP Malaysia Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd., HP Nederland B.V., HP New Zealand, HP Norge AS, HP Onyx Holding L.P., HP PPS Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., HP PPS Australia Pty Ltd, HP PPS Costa Rica Limitada, HP PPS India Operations Private Limited, HP PPS Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., HP PPS Maroc, HP PPS Philippines Inc., HP PPS Sales Sdn. Bhd., HP PPS Services India Private Limited, HP PPS Singapore Sales Pte. Ltd., HP PPS Sverige AB, HP Pakistan Private Limited, HP Panama Sales and Distribution S. de R.L., HP Print Services Ireland Limited, HP Printing Korea Co. Ltd., HP Printing Shandong Co. Ltd., HP Printing and Computing Solutions S.L.U., HP Printing and Personal Systems Hellas EPE, HP Production Company Limited, HP Puerto Rico LLC, HP R&D Holding LLC, HP R&D Singapore Pte. Ltd., HP Schweiz GmbH, HP Scitex Ltd, HP Singapore Private Limited, HP Solutions Creation and Development Services S.L.U., HP South Africa Proprietary Limited, HP South Africa Trust, HP Taiwan Information Technology Ltd., HP Technology Holdings LLC, HP Technology Ireland Limited, HP Technology Israel Ltd, HP Technology Shanghai Co. Ltd, HP Technology Vietnam Company Ltd, HP Trading Kunshan Co. Ltd., HP Trading Shanghai Co. Ltd., HP Trading Shanghai Co. Ltd. Dalian Branch, HP Trading Shanghai Co. Ltd. Zhangjiang Branch, HP UK Development Limited, HP US Digital LLC, HP USA Manufacturing LLC, HPCP Computing and Printing Portugal Unipessoal Lda., HPI Bermuda Holdings LLC, HPI Brazil Holdings LLC, HPI Federal LLC, HPI J1 Holdings LLC, HPI Luxembourg LLC, HPQ Holdings LLC, Heartstream, Hewlett-Packard A.O., Hewlett-Packard Angola Lda., Hewlett-Packard Company Archives LLC, Hewlett-Packard Copenhagen B.V., Hewlett-Packard Development Company L.P., Hewlett-Packard Enterprises LLC, Hewlett-Packard G.K., Hewlett-Packard Global Holdings B.V., Hewlett-Packard Global Investments B.V., Hewlett-Packard Industrial Printing Solutions Europe BV, Hewlett-Packard Ireland 1 Limited, Hewlett-Packard Ireland Holdings Ltd., Hewlett-Packard Japan Holding B.V., Hewlett-Packard Japan NK Holdings C.V., Hewlett-Packard KSA Ltd. Qatar Branch, Hewlett-Packard Lisbon B.V., Hewlett-Packard MENA FZ-LLC Libya Branch, Hewlett-Packard Mercator B.V., Hewlett-Packard Sunnyvale B.V., Hewlett-Packard West Indies Limited, Hewlett-Packard World Trade LLC, Hiflex Software, HyperX, IBRIX, IndiGo, Indigo America Inc., Iseo Holding B.V., Kale Holding B.V., Kale Holding B.V. Puerto Rico Branch LLC, Knightsbridge Solutions, Kopiervertrieb Rhein-Ruhr GmbH, Lefthand Networks, Limited Liability Company HP Inc, Logoworks, Lyra Holding B.V., MacDermid ColorSpan, ManageOne, Manzana Bidco Limited, Manzana Holdings Limited, Melodeo, Mercury Interactive, Metrix Network Systems, NUR Macroprinters, Neoware, Nihon HP Nin-I Kumiai, Novadigm, NuView ManageX, OOO Hewlett-Packard RUS, Office Perfection Limited, OneFlow Systems Limited, Opelin, Opelin, Open Skies, Opsware, Opsware, Optimization Systems, Optotech, OuterBay Technologies, OuterBay Technologies, PERSIST Technologies, PIXACO, PROLIN, PT Hewlett-Packard Indonesia, Palm, Palm, Peregrine Systems, Perigee Holdco UK Limited, Perigee Midco UK Limited, Perseus Holding B.V., PipeBeach, Poly, PolyServe, PrinterOn America Corporation, Printware Limited, Qosnetics, RLX Technologies, Regor Holding B.V., SPI Dynamics, Samsung Printing Solutions, Scitex, Scitex Vision, Scope Communications, Security Force Software, Shunra Software, Shunra Software, Silverwire Holding, Simpress Comercio Locacao e Servicos Ltda, Snapfish, StorageApps, Stratavia, Synstar, Tabblo, Talking Blocks, Tall Tree Insurance Company, Technology Partners, Telegra, Teradici Corporation, Teradici Inc., Teradici UK Limited, The Danwood Group Limited, The Technology Partners, Tower Software, Tower Software Engineering Pty Ltd, Transoft Networks, Trellis Software & Controls, Triaton, Trinagy, TruLogica, Trustgenix, VeriFone, Verifone, Versatest, Vertica Systems, Vital Technology Pte Ltd, Voltage Security, VoodooPC, Xact Document Solutions Limited, and Xera-Logic Group Limited. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Mohawk Industries: A&S Energie NV, A&U Energie NV, Aladdin Manufacturing Corporation, Aladdin Manufacturing Of New York LLC, Aladdin Manufacturing of Alabama LLC, Alsace Logistique S.A., Avelgem Green Power CVBA, Avon Pacific Holdings Ltd, B&M NV, BGE Mexico S. de R. L. de C.V., Berghoef GmbH, Berghoef-Hout B.V., Bienes Raices y Materiales del Centro S. de R.L. de C.V., C.F. Marazzi S.A., Canterbury Spinners Ltd, Carpet Foundation Ltd, Cevotrans BV, Ceramus Bahia S/A Produtos Ceramicos, DT Mex Holdings LLC, DTM/CM Holdings LLC, Dal Italia LLC, Dal-Elit LLC, Dal-Tile Chile Comercial Limitada, Dal-Tile Colombia S.A.S., Dal-Tile Distribution Inc., Dal-Tile Group Inc., Dal-Tile I LLC, Dal-Tile Industrias S. de R.L. de C.V., Dal-Tile International Inc., Dal-Tile Mexico Comercial S. de R.L. de C.V., Dal-Tile Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Dal-Tile Operaciones Mexico S. De R.L. De C.V., Dal-Tile Peru SRL, Dal-Tile Puerto Rico Inc., Dal-Tile Services Inc., Dal-Tile Shared Services Inc., Dal-Tile Tennessee LLC, Dal-Tile of Canada ULC, Daltile, Daltile, Dekaply NV, Durkan, Dynea NV, Eliane Argentina Sociedad Anonima, Eliane S/A - Revestimentos Ceramicos, Emilceramica India Pvt Ltd., Emilceramica S.r.l, Emilgermany GmbH, Emilgroup Asia Ltd, Explorer S.r.l., F.I.L.S. Investments Unlimited Company, Feltex Carpets Ltd, Feltex Carpets Pty Ltd, Feltex New Zealand Ltd, Fibremakers Australia Pty Ltd, Flooring Foundation Ltd, Flooring Industries Limited S.a r.l., Flooring XL B.V., Floorscape Limited, Godfrey Hirst & Co Pty Ltd, Godfrey Hirst (Singapore) Pte Ltd, Godfrey Hirst Australia Pty Ltd, Godfrey Hirst Group, Godfrey Hirst NZ Ltd, Hytherm (Ireland) Limited, IVC BVBA, IVC Far-East Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., IVC France S.a r.l., IVC GROUP LIMITED, IVC Green Power NV, IVC Group, IVC Group GmbH, IVC Luxembourg S.a r.l., IVC Rus OOO, IVC US Inc., International Flooring Systems S.a r.l., International Vinyl Company - Vostok OOO, KAI Group, KAI Keramica Ltd, KAI Mining EOOD, KERAMA CENTER OOO, Kerama Baltics OOO, Kerama Export OOO, Kerama Marazzi OOO, Kerampromservis (LLC), Khan Asparuh - Transport EOOD, Khan Asparuh AD, Khan Omurtag AD, Koninklijke Peitsman B.V., Kraj Kerama OOO, MG China Trading Ltd., MI Finance SRL, MUD (Holding) Brazil Ltda., Management Co EAD, Marazzi Acquisition S.r.l., Marazzi Deutschland G.m.b.H., Marazzi France Trading S.A.S., Marazzi Group, Marazzi Group F.Z.E., Marazzi Group S.r.l., Marazzi Group Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Marazzi Iberia S.L.U., Marazzi Japan Co. Ltd., Marazzi Middle East FZ LLC, Marazzi Schweiz S.A.G.L., Marazzi UK Ltd., Mohawk Assurance Services Inc., Mohawk Australia Pty Ltd, Mohawk Canada Corporation, Mohawk Capital Finance S.A., Mohawk Capital Luxembourg SA, Mohawk Carpet Distribution Inc., Mohawk Carpet Foundation Inc., Mohawk Carpet LLC, Mohawk Carpet Transportation Of Georgia LLC, Mohawk Commercial Inc., Mohawk ESV Inc., Mohawk Europe BVBA, Mohawk Factoring II Inc., Mohawk Factoring LLC, Mohawk Finance S.a r.l., Mohawk Foreign Acquisitions S.a r.l., Mohawk Foreign Funding S.a.r.l, Mohawk Foreign Holdings S.a r.l., Mohawk Foreign Investments Inc., Mohawk Global Investments S.a r.l., Mohawk Holdings International B.V., Mohawk Industries Inc., Mohawk International (Europe) S.a r.l., Mohawk International (Hong Kong) Limited, Mohawk International Capital N.V., Mohawk International Financing S.a.r.l, Mohawk International Holdings (DE) LLC, Mohawk International Holdings S.a r.l., Mohawk International Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk International Netherlands B.V., Mohawk International Services BVBA, Mohawk KAI Luxembourg Holding S.a r.l., Mohawk KAI Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Capital S.A., Mohawk Luxembourg Financing S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Holdings S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Investments S.a r.l., Mohawk Luxembourg Pacific S.a r.l., Mohawk Marazzi International BV, Mohawk Marazzi Russia BV, Mohawk New Zealand Limited, Mohawk Operaciones Mexicali S. de R.L. de C.V., Mohawk Operations Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk Pacific Investments S.a r.l., Mohawk Resources LLC, Mohawk Servicing LLC, Mohawk Singapore Private Limited, Mohawk Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd, Mohawk Unilin Luxembourg S.a r.l., Mohawk United Finance B.V., Mohawk United International B.V., Mohawk Vinyl Financing S.a r.l., Molber Beheer B.V., Monarch Ceramic Tile Inc., P.F. Onroerend Goed B.V., PF Beheer B.V., Pergo, Pergo (Europe) AB, Pergo Holding BV, Pergo India Pvt Ltd, Polcolorit S.A., Premium Floors Australia Pty Limited, RR Apex LLC, Rata International Pty Ltd, Recubrimientos Interceramica S. de R.L. de C.V., Riverside Textiles Pty Ltd, S.C. KAI Ceramics SRL, Sibir Kerama OOO, SimpleSolutions USA LLC, Soft Step (Australia) Pty Ltd, Spano Group, Spano Invest BVBA, Spano NV, Stroyagromekhzapchast ChaO, Stroytrans OAO Orelstroy, Summit Wool Spinners Ltd, The Flooring Federation Ltd, Tiles Co OOD, Unilin (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Unilin ApS, Unilin Arauco Pisos Ltda., Unilin BVBA, Unilin Beheer BV, Unilin Distribution Ltd., Unilin Distribution Ukraine LLC, Unilin Finland OY, Unilin Flooring India Private Limited, Unilin Flooring SAS, Unilin GmbH, Unilin Holding BVBA, Unilin Insulation BV, Unilin Insulation SAS, Unilin Insulation Sury SAS, Unilin Italia S.R.L., Unilin North America LLC, Unilin Norway AS, Unilin OOO, Unilin Panels SAS, Unilin Poland Sp.Z.o.o., Unilin SAS, Unilin Spain SL, Unilin Swiss GmbH, Unilin s.r.o., World International Inc., Xtratherm, Xtratherm Limited, Xtratherm S.A., and Xtratherm UK Limited. Read More OFG Bancorp, a financial holding company, provides a range of banking and financial services. It operates through three segments: Banking, Wealth Management, and Treasury. The company offers checking and savings accounts, as well as time deposit products; commercial, consumer, auto, and mortgage lending services; financial planning and insurance services; and corporate and individual trust, and retirement services. It also provides securities brokerage and investment advisory services, including various investment alternatives, such as tax-advantaged fixed income securities, mutual funds, stocks, and bonds to retail and institutional clients; and separately-managed accounts and mutual fund asset allocation programs. In addition, the company engages in the insurance agency and reinsurance businesses; administration and servicing of retirement plans; various treasury-related functions with an investment portfolio consisting of mortgage-backed securities, obligations of U.S. government sponsored agencies, and U.S. Treasury securities and money market instruments; and management and participation in public offerings and private placements of debt and equity securities. Further, it offers money management and investment banking services; and engages in the asset/liability management activities, such as purchases and sales of investment securities, interest rate risk management, derivatives, and borrowings. The company operates through a network of 50 branches in Puerto Rico and 2 branches in USVI. OFG Bancorp was founded in 1964 and is headquartered in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Palo Alto Networks, Inc. provides cybersecurity solutions worldwide. The company offers firewall appliances and software; Panorama, a security management solution for the control of firewall appliances and software deployed on a customer's network, as well as their instances in public or private cloud environments, as a virtual or a physical appliance; and virtual system upgrades, which are available as extensions to the virtual system capacity that ships with physical appliances. It also provides subscription services covering the areas of threat prevention, malware and persistent threat, URL filtering, laptop and mobile device protection, and firewall; and DNS security, Internet of Things security, SaaS security API, and SaaS security inline, as well as threat intelligence, and data loss prevention. In addition, the company offers cloud security, secure access, security operations, and threat intelligence and cyber security consulting; professional services, including architecture design and planning, implementation, configuration, and firewall migration; education services, such as certifications, as well as online and in-classroom training; and support services. Palo Alto Networks, Inc. sells its products and services through its channel partners, as well as directly to medium to large enterprises, service providers, and government entities operating in various industries, including education, energy, financial services, government entities, healthcare, Internet and media, manufacturing, public sector, and telecommunications. The company was incorporated in 2005 and is headquartered in Santa Clara, California. 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. Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides newborn, maternal-fetal, pediatric cardiology, and other pediatric subspecialty care services in the United States and Puerto Rico. It offers neonatal care services, such as clinical care to babies born prematurely or with complications within specific units at hospitals through neonatal physician subspecialists, neonatal nurse practitioners, and other pediatric clinicians. The company also provides maternal-fetal care services, including inpatient and office-based clinical care to expectant mothers and unborn babies through affiliated maternal-fetal medicine subspecialists, as well as obstetricians and other clinicians, including maternal-fetal nurse practitioners, certified nurse mid-wives, ultrasonographers, and genetic counselors. In addition, it offers pediatric cardiology care services comprising inpatient and office-based pediatric cardiology care of the fetus, infant, child, and adolescent patient with congenital heart defects and acquired heart disease, as well as adults with congenital heart defects through affiliated pediatric cardiologist subspecialists and other related clinical professionals; and specialized cardiac care to the fetus, neonatal and pediatric patients. Further, the company provides other pediatric subspecialty care services through pediatric subspecialists, such as pediatric intensivists, pediatric hospitalists, pediatric surgeons, and pediatric ophthalmologists, as well as pediatric ear, nose, and throat physicians; and support services in the areas of hospitals, primarily in the pediatric emergency rooms, labor and delivery areas, and nursery and pediatric departments. As of February 17, 2022, it operated a network of approximately 2,700 physicians. The company was formerly known as MEDNAX, Inc. and changed its name to Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc. in July 2022. Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc. was founded in 1979 and is based in Sunrise, Florida. 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. 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. Last Friday (24 November) saw the Journal of Intellectual Property Law & Practice (JIPLP) and GRUR partner up once more to host a half-day event at Allen & Overy LLP discussing the developments in trade mark law in the UK and EU. Heres what Natasha writes: The first panel focussed on recent and upcoming changes in EU law, and featured Yann Basire (Universite de Haute Alsace and CEIPI - Universite de Strasbourg), Karin Sandberg (Harmsen Utescher and GRUR Board Member), Marius Schneider (Attorney-at-law at the Brussels and Mauritius bar and JIPLP Co-Editor), David Stone (Allen & Overy and JIPLP Board Member), and Gert Wurtenberger (WK-IP and GRUR President). The moderator was IPKats own Eleonora Rosati (University of Southampton and JIPLP Co-Editor). relief. David Stone also underlined the need for harmonisation of the unfair competition regime across the EU. He was supported by Marius Schneider, who confirmed that you cannot for example rely on unfair competition law as an alternative to IP rights in Belgium, but you can in other jurisdictions (such as Germany). Trade mark enforcement was a hot topic on the panel, in particular the need for harmonised enforcement across the EU, through (e.g.) pan-EU interim injunctions and Trade mark enforcement was a hot topic on the panel, in particular the need for harmonised enforcement across the EU, through (e.g.) pan-EU interim injunctions and quia timet relief. David Stone also underlined the need for harmonisation of the unfair competition regime across the EU. He was supported by Marius Schneider, who confirmed that you cannot for example rely on unfair competition law as an alternative to IP rights in Belgium, but you can in other jurisdictions (such as Germany). The panel discussed at length the impact of the recent EU Trade Mark Regulation (EU 2015/2424) : Gert Wurtenberger and Marius Schneider highlighted the implications of Article 9(4) for goods in transit, whereby customs authorities will now be allowed to detain goods in transit bearing an identical/similar mark no matter where they are destined. However, controversially, this right will be lost if the declarant or holder of the goods can prove in infringement proceedings that the EUTM holder is not entitled to IP protection in the country of destination: both reversing the previous burden of proof and putting new onus on EUTM holders to consider where their trade marks are protected. David Stone separately commented on the Regulations positive impact on sound marks, which no longer need to be graphically represented in musical notation: allowing for sounds like the MGM lion roar, or the HBO TV static sound, to be more accurately represented on the register. Karin Sandberg took the floor to discuss the complexities of the Louboutin case (C-163/16) , which is pending before the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), and its potential impact on shape and position marks. In particular, she raised and put to the audience the question of whether the value of the mark in question is derived from the colour of the sole, or from the reputation of the trade mark owner itself: a point made by the Advocate General in his recent Opinion (see here ). Yann Basire discussed the interplay between copyright and trade mark law, with a thought-provoking analysis of the recent of the EFTA Court in the case ( ), and the subsequent of the judgment by the Norwegian Intellectual Property Office ( ). The keynote address was delivered by Sir Richard Arnold, who addressed the requirement for a trade mark applicant to have intention to use and its current status in EU and UK law. The well-known High Court judge, who took the audience carefully through various key cases on the topic (such as the CJEU case (C-529/07) and the case ([2012] EWHC 1929 (Ch)), focussed specifically on the link between intention to use and the requirement for the EUTM holder not to register the trade mark in bad faith. Mr Justice Arnold considered that on the basis of the case law the lack of intention to use can be proof of bad faith. However, it would not be sufficient proof simply to show that the applicant has a contingent intention to use the mark in the future, or has applied to register the mark in a very broad range of goods and services (where the applicant had a reasonable commercial rationale for doing so). Security forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets and demonstrators blocked roads and burned police vehicles around the site of the sit-in. (Photo: AFP) Islamabad: Pakistan's government called on the powerful military to deploy in the capital Islamabad Saturday after deadly unrest broke out when police moved to dislodge a protest that has paralysed the city for weeks. At least six people were killed and around 200 injured - around 137 of whom were security personnel - in fierce clashes as police tried to disperse the demonstration earlier on Saturday. Security forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets and demonstrators blocked roads and burned police vehicles around the site of the sit-in. As the violence intensified, protests sprouted in the major cities of Lahore and Karachi, as well as smaller towns across the country. "According to figures we have, at least six people were killed in violence," Deeba Shahnaz, a spokeswoman for the Provincial Rescue department, said. A security official also confirmed the death toll. Authorities had been attempting to clear a relatively small protest by the little-known hardline group Tehreek-i-Labaik Ya Rasool Allah Pakistan (TLYRAP) that has blocked a main highway into Islamabad since November 6, causing hours-long traffic snarls and enraging citizens. It was not clear how many protesters remained in the streets of the capital late on Saturday. There had been roughly 2,000 as the operation began, but AFP reporters said dozens more were arriving throughout the day. Many were galvanised by posts on social media, despite apparent efforts to block sites including Twitter. Police and paramilitary forces retreated following the clashes, with the Islamabad Capital Territory authorities making the request for the army to step in soon after. An interior ministry order said the federal government had authorised the deployment of "sufficient troops" to "control law and order" in the city until further notice. There was no immediate comment from military officials and no sign of troops in the streets late on Saturday. The demonstrations have threatened the beleaguered Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) government ahead of a general election due to be held in 2018. The PML-N is already reeling from a Supreme Court decision to oust former prime minister Nawaz Sharif over graft allegations in the summer, while finance minister Ishaq Dar - also embroiled in a corruption scandal - has taken indefinite medical leave. Sharif had repeatedly clashed with the military, which has ruled Pakistan for half of its 70-year history. Analysts and critics accused the government of bungling its response to the protests, with authorities hesitating for days over fears of violence as the city's commuters seethed in the traffic choked streets. During the unrest Pakistan's media regulator barred local TV channels from broadcasting live images. Twitter said it was "monitoring" reports of the government blocking the site, adding "We... hope service will be fully restored soon". Alarmed residents The TLYRAP are demanding that Pakistan's law minister Zahid Hamid resign over a hastily-abandoned amendment to the oath that election candidates must swear. Demonstrators have linked it to blasphemy - a highly contentious issue in Pakistan - and claim the oath was softened to enable the participation of Ahmadis, a long-persecuted Islamic minority sect. Earlier, police in Karachi said some 200 protesters had blockaded a major road in the southern port, with at least 27 injured - including 22 people with gunshot wounds - brought to hospital, according to doctors. Markets and shops were shuttered in the megacity, Pakistan's commercial hub, as alarmed residents stayed inside, while hardline clerics urged more people to take to the streets. An AFP journalist in Lahore, the capital of Punjab province, said a main artery road was closed by police due to protests. Smaller rallies were reported in other towns across the country. Earlier in the day Pakistan's powerful military chief phoned the prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to urge the situation be handled "peacefully". General Qamar Javed Bajwa called for both sides to avoid violence "as it is not in national interest", army spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor said on Twitter. 'Explosive' situation The protesters come from the Barelvi sect of Islam that has strong ties to Sufism, a mystical branch of the religion that is seen as moderate. However the execution in 2016 of Barelvi follower Mumtaz Qadri - who assassinated liberal Punjab governor Salman Taseer over his stance on the country's blasphemy laws - led members of the group to take a more hardline stance against any moves to reform the legislation. "These people already had a grudge against the government and the government just provided them the opportunity to vent out their anger," said political analyst Hasan Askari. But weeks of inaction from authorities sparked the wrath of Pakistan's judiciary, with the Supreme Court issuing a blistering statement earlier in the week and the Islamabad High Court threatening to hold government officials in contempt. Analysts said the government had allowed a minor issue to grow into a headline-grabbing and potentially dangerous situation. Even before Saturday's clashes the sit-in had cost the life of an eight-year-old child whose ambulance could not reach a hospital in time due to the blocked roads. "Politically driven procrastination has its own costs and this is what the government is paying," analyst Imtiaz Gul said, adding that the situation was "explosive". PLDTs chairman and CEO Manuel Pangilinan has stated that the company may form a strategic partnership with a Chinese firm, either for its digital arm Voyager Innovation or for the operator as a whole. The digital arm was spun off as an independent subsidiary in 2013, and Pangilinan noted that it is in the process of looking for strategic partners, and its possible that we may have a Chinese partner. He described this approach as a rather novel idea which we should consider at the PLDT level. The Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte has called for Chinese investment in the countrys mobile market in order to break the duopoly of PLDT and its rival Globe Telecom. The president has criticised both operators for failing to improve their services, and in October 2016 threatened to invite competition from Chinese companies if they did not increase their lacklustre broadband speeds. The most recent data (May-July 2017) for the Philippines from OpenSignal, which maps wireless coverage, pegged the countrys average download speed at 8.6Mb/s well below the global 4G average of 16.2Mb/s. PLDTs mobile unit Smart splits the market with Globe, with each having a share of nearly 50%. Philippine Telegraph and Telephone (PT&T) is looking to move back into telecoms via a partnership with a foreign investor, and could become a major rival. The firm was established the 1960s and has outlined plans to deliver broadband across the Philippines in the next three years. Electric cars are certain to increase in numbers in the near future. While many nations have already made progress in establishing charging stations across regular intervals, the realm of EVs is still at its nascent in India. We are still at the discussion and planning stages for electric vehicles, where the roadmap for electric cars in India are being chalked out. The Government of India is seemingly putting more emphasis on electric cars, having announced tax benefits and withdrawing the same from hybrid cars to hasten the adoption of fully electric vehicles across the country. All of these seem to be finally having tangible impact, with the month of November being particularly active in terms of electric cars across the nation. India misses out on Tesla Mercurial upstart Tesla was reportedly in extensive talks with the Indian government about possible tax benefits to set up shop. However, it is to be understood that a suitable deal could not be struck so far, which would have met Tesla's demands of tax benefits. The beginning of November saw Tesla announce that China will become the company's first EV production base outside of its homeground. The Chinese government reportedly succeeded in relaxing a few policies, which will allow Tesla to set up a wholly owned production facility in a free trade zone. This will help it lower production costs and reach out to a wider range of buyers in what is growing to become the world largest market for EVs. Tesla's entry to India has been much awaited, and earlier this year, a tweet by Tesla CEO Elon Musk clearly suggested that the company has been eager on entering India. However, no clear deal on setting up factories or establishing charging networks have come forth as of now. Government to grant Rs. 105cr to cities Under the FAME India scheme, the Government of India announced earlier this month that it will grant up to Rs. 105 crore to each city eager to undergo large-scale adoption of electric cars. Cities with population above 10 lac are being considered for this, and the first steps towards electrification will begin with the public transport modes. An additional amount of Rs. 15 crore may also be allotted to each city, for setting up charging station networks, all of which will help increase the number of electric cars on road and reduce pollution in the long run. This move will also be restricted by the nature of EVs to be adopted, and fall under the Government's rising interest to convert major metropolitans and cities in India into smart cities. As of now, only five states in India have shown a considerable amount of rise in the number of EVs plying, with Gujarat and West Bengal topping this list. NITI Aayog plans infrastructure The Government's think-tank is reportedly considering setting up of a charging station network across the National Capital Region (NCR) to abate the threat of severe pollution. Work on this network has already begun, and the network will be spread along the Gurgaon-Airport-South Delhi-Noida corridor, which happens to be the busiest sector in NCR. The entire network will include 135 networks - 46 DC fast charging and 89 AC slow charging, and be spread across 55 locations. Seeing how most new EVs come with at least 100km of travelling range, this move should provide ample charging stations to encourage everyday usage of EVs. Mahindra makes first delivery to EESL M&M and Tata Motors had received the first order from the Government-overseen body, EESL for a total of 10,000 electric cars as part of the Government's fleet. Mahindra has made the first delivery of the charter, beginning the delivery of EVs with its sedan, the Mahindra e-Verito. Tata Motors has reportedly earmarked its Tigor compact sedan to be delivered in this deal, but that is yet to be delivered. The initial deadline was by the end of November, but has since been extended to accommodate the requirements of both the companies. Suzuki, Toyota sign MoU Maruti Suzuki holds the largest market share among consumer cars in India, and it does not intend to give its position up. The company admitted earlier this year that India's sudden shift towards EV had taken it by surprise, and that the company will be monitoring government policies to strategically enter the Indian EV market, soon. Now, the company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Toyota to create a joint strategy for introducing their own EVs in the country by 2020. The two companies had earlier struck a deal back in February 2017 on similar terms, and the partnership will begin with a market study on how the Indian EV market is shaping up. Uber strikes deal with Mahindra After already having initiated a pilot commercial EV project with Olacabs, Mahindra & Mahindra has struck a new deal with Uber. The deal will see the company deliver hundreds of Mahindra e2o and e-Verito to Uber as part of its initial trial runs in Delhi and Hyderabad. The deal, according to the statement released by M&M, will also include insurance, maintenance and financing, and other public and private sector companies will also be involved in setting up a common charging network across the country. Jayem Automotives building Tata Nano Electric Indian company Jayem Automotives is bringing the Tata Nano back up in a new avatar. The "most affordable car of India" will soon be offered in an all-electric trim, with its electric powertrain being made by Indian EV specialist company, Electra EV. It will be rebranded as Jayem Neo, and the first batch of 400 cars, expected to be unveiled tomorrow, will be delivered to Olacabs. The Jayem Neo will have a 48V electric motor producing 23bhp, and while that seems to be way too underpowered, sources believe that this will be enough to serve as city taxis. The Jayem Neo is said to have total travelling range of 200km, which will come down to 140km with four people seated and air conditioning. As of now, the Jayem Neo will only be a commercial fleet plier, and consumer variants will only be introduced later. Renault Kwid EV en route? The Renault Kwid has received a reasonable amount of success, particularly owing to its burlier pretensions. Now, the popular hatchback may be brought to India in its all-electric form. In an interview with Automotive News, Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn stated that the Kwid EV is at an advanced stage of development, and even though it is primarily being built for the Chinese market, it may soon be announced for other similar markets like India and Brazil. However, the launch may not happen too soon, as Renault has to first find a way to optimise its production costs and then plan for the launch. Hyundai electric sedan concept expected at Auto Expo Apart from word regarding the Kona electric SUV being considered for India, Hyundai has not revealed much on its plans to join the Indian electric car market. The latest word around the Internet suggests that Hyundai will finally have an EV in India, and it will be an all-electric sedan that will be shown off in concept form at New Delhi Auto Expo, 2018. The new sedan may compete in the same segment as Mahindra e-Verito and Tata Tigor, although no further technical details are available as yet. According to Jefferies & Co, display manufacturers could make a 6.5-inch OLED panel for Apple in 2020 while the entire smartphone industry will start releasing foldable phones by 2019. Even though its been less than a month since the iPhone X saw the light of the day, its never too soon to speculate what Apple will do two years down the line. Citing investments in Apples supply chain, Chuljoong Kim of Jefferies & Co. thinks Apple will launch three variants of the iPhone in 2020, all with OLED panels. According to Kim, the 2020 iPhone will be called the iPhone XI S and the largest of them all, the iPhone XI S Plus will sport a mammoth 6.5-inch OLED panel. The bump in the screen size will happen because the iPhone X is pushing the technology even further. Smartphone models featuring flexible OLED will likely increase sharply thanks to the positive market response to the iPhone X, he said. Apples interest in OLED panels will be a boon for the entire supply chain of OLED displays, including LG electronics which could see its shares re-rated as an OLED company, Kim writes. OLED-based screens could see a bump in their size from the current 5.85-inch iPhone X, to a mammoth 6.5-inch on the iPhone XI S Plus. The bump in the screen size will likely put pressure on the suppliers and manufacturers. Some panel makers are already experiencing production yield issues, and a larger screen will mean fewer finished OLED panels from a mother glass. Currently, the iPhone X can yield 230 panels out of a 6G glass, according to Kim while a larger 6.5-inch panel will only yield 180 panels per sheet. And as a result, the OLED market is unlikely to see oversupply until 2019, Kim concludes. However, Kim expects the entire smartphone industry to start testing foldable OLED panels before 2020, that will fold in half like the old flip phones. Kim opines that phone makers will spend 2018 prototyping, producing only a small number of units. Full-scale commercialisation of foldable smartphones will begin from 2019 which will add to the pressure on panel makers and additional investments will be required in 2018. Nevertheless, the added pressure will only drive up the demand for the production of OLED panels and companies like LG display and Samsung will play a role in meeting the demand. Liquid biopsy company Angle announced on Tuesday that its Parsortix system is the subject of a further peer-reviewed publication in the journal Oncotarget, detailing work undertaken by Professor Robert Zeillinger's Molecular Oncology Group at the Medical University of Vienna. The AIM-traded firm described Zeillinger as a key opinion leader in the field of liquid biopsies use in oncology. It said Zeillinger's group developed and tested protocols to allow the molecular characterisation of the circulating tumour cells (CTCs) and residual blood cells harvested by the Parsortix system, without the need to separate out the CTCs. That was said to have been possible as the Parsortix system provides high purity cells with very efficient removal of white blood cells. With alternative approaches for CTC enrichment such as density gradient centrifugation, that had not been possible, according to the Angle board, as high levels of contaminating white blood cells remained with the CTCs captured. The Medical University of Vienna had identified specific genes which were expressed preferentially on CTCs earlier and, evaluating a panel of such genes, were able to get positive results in 95% of primary - that is, localised disease that had not spread - gynaecological cancer patient samples, 100% of recurrent gynaecological cancer patient samples and 92% metastatic breast cancer patient samples. Angle said the workflow established by Zeillinger's group provided the opportunity for use in detection of cancer, as well as the molecular characterisation of CTCs for the purpose of assessing which drugs could be most effective for a patient during their disease progression. In the study we have demonstrated that Angles Parsortix system addresses key limitations of other approaches for CTC liquid biopsy through the combination of its sensitivity in isolating circulating cancer cells in blood and the high purity of the harvested cells enabling their direct molecular analysis, Professor Robert Zeillinger explained. Angle founder and chief executive Andrew Newland added that the published study further demonstrated that the Parsortix system outperformed other approaches for harvesting circulating tumour cells from the blood of cancer patients, in the fast emerging liquid biopsy market. The capability to harvest cancer cells with high purity to allow direct molecular analysis of the cells strongly differentiates our system, which should facilitate adoption in clinical practice, Newland said. Hummingbird Resources announced on Tuesday that, in line with the imminent commencement of gold production from its Yanfolila Gold Mine in Mali, it will be producing single mine origin pure gold coins, originating from Yanfolila, called the 1oz Hummingbird. The AIM-traded company said the 1oz Hummingbird would be part of a collection of seven coins to be launched officially in 2018, offering the rare opportunity to own an item of single mine origin gold. In line with equator principles, the board said each coin would seek to exemplify Hummingbird's commitment to quality and best practice. For every ounce of gold Hummingbird produces from Yanfolila, the company would be investing in its community-based projects across West Africa, it added. The 1oz Hummingbird is intended to be a collectable coin minted with the portrait of Musa I of Mali, the richest man in history, Hummingbird explained in its statement. The collection will comprise of six other coins representing Hummingbird's industry, journey and company values - explore, develop, mine, produce, community, and conserve. It said full sets of seven gold coins would be presented in a commemorative box, and all coins would be priced based on the spot gold price at the time of purchase. Hummingbird is prepared to purchase any sold coins directly back from the customer for 98% of the spot gold price at the time of the re-purchase. Systems provider Physiomics announced on Monday that after the successful completion of its Virtual Tumour (VT) project, it had inked a new multi-year master services agreement with American pharmaceutical group Merck. Physiomics, which had been working with Merck on pre-clinical and clinical predictions since 2012, was set to earn a minimum of 500,000 over the first twelve months of the deal. The Oxford-based group highlighted the "significant external validation" of its VT technology, saying that its ability to model the combined effects of different treatments at a cellular level and its ability to scale up to allow meaningful predictions of overall tumour growth had provided "valuable insights". Dr Jim Millen, chief executive of Physiomics, said, "We are very proud to be working with Merck, one of the world's top pharmaceutical companies, in an area as important and rapidly growing as oncology." "We believe this agreement marks the beginning of a new longer term relationship with this important client," he added. As of 0840 GMT, shares had rocketed 64.10% to 1.60p. Shares in Ocado surged after the online grocery retailer said it has signed an agreement with Groupe Casino to develop the Ocado Smart Platform in France. Ocado had already said back in June that it had signed an agreement with a "regional European retailer" but that the retailer wanted to remain anonymous until it launched its online business, in order to remain competitive. The group said on Tuesday that it will provide Groupe Casino with its full software platform, know-how and support services to create "an efficient and intelligent online grocery business", with orders initially fulfilled from their manually operated centralised warehouse. The agreement includes the construction of its latest generation, state-of-the-art automated warehouse - for which Ocado will invest to install its grid and its robots - its "best-in-class" front-end web site functionality, last-mile routing management and big data, real time implementation. Casino will pay an upfront fee to Ocado for access to OSP, together with ongoing fees that are based on the volume of products sold online. Ocado said the the arrangement should be earnings and cash neutral in the current and 2018 financial years, and increasingly accretive thereafter. Chief executive officer Tim Steiner said: "We are delighted that our partner has decided to adopt OSP for its online operations. This is an exciting step in the evolution of our business and in the delivery of our strategy. "The benefits of our integrated solution are clear. As this particular retailer looks to develop its online offering the agreement we have signed provides the flexibility to expand its capacity efficiently in the future. We look forward to working closely with our new partner in the months and years ahead. "Our discussions with other retailers across the globe are ongoing and we continue to expect to sign multiple deals in the medium term." Neil Wilson, senior market analyst at ETX Capital, said: Tim Steiner has finally delivered the major international tie-up long promised to Ocado investors. This is a transformative deal for Ocado as not only will it expose the firm to a large chunk of the French market, it could also be the launch pad for many more international partnerships. Casino has more than 11% of the French supermarket sector. "Shorts could be in for a rough time and a short squeeze means this stock could open up +20% or more, even after yesterdays pre-announcement moves." Wilson added that investors should be relatively hopeful that this is just the start of a number of new deals around Europe. However, "they may want to watch just how much the technology investment eats up earnings and whether these deals increase the cash burn". Shore Capital said: "Whilst we genuinely welcome the broadening of Ocados customer base, we continue to worry about cash burn in the business and the materiality of its expansion programme from a financial perspective, noting ongoing outlay in the UK where Amazon is more likely to be a competitor than a suitor; we shall also be interested to see the sales momentum in its core market and when. "Ocado to our minds remains a capital hungry group that flatters to deceive, gaining a substantial valuation for years of underachievement in financial terms, having effectively being rescued three times including its IPO. The groups shares could and probably will respond positively to the announcement of internationalisation in France. However, experience pays dividends for this non-dividend paying business, after seventeen years of trade, that has had a somewhat charmed existence to our minds. Hence, noting the moment, investors may do well to be very, very patient to see material financial rewards from the Groupe Casino tie-up, whilst we also await to see if trade stories on a relationship with ICA hold true." George Salmon, equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: Theres never been much doubt about Ocados technology, but to what extent the group can monetise its wondrous whirring machines has long been debated. The news that a major French retailer has signed an agreement to utilise its software should go some way to swaying investors sentiment more conclusively in Ocados favour. "While well need to see more deals come through, this development has kick-started Ocados transformation from niche British retailer into an international provider of game-changing technology. At 0930 GMT, the shares were up 19% to 304.60p. Unilever said it has yet to make a decision on its Anglo-Dutch corporate structure, but is moving towards unifying its two classes of share into a single class. A day ahead of its annual strategy event, Unilever confirmed the current year remained on track and said its review of its dual-headed legal structure was ongoing but that it considered a share unification with a single share class "would be in the best interests of Unilever and its shareholders as a whole". As a "geographically diversified business with a very small corporate centre", the board envisage the process will lead to the slimming down to a single "lean, agile" head office. Some analysts and investors had hoped the outcome of the review by the board of directors, or at least a strong indication, would be announced this week but Unilever said the announcement will be made "in due course". Whatever the outcome, upon any unification, the board said it intends to maintain listings in the Netherlands, United Kingdom and United States; will continue to apply both the UK and Dutch corporate governance codes; and terminate the NV preference shares, all subject to the appropriate approvals. Presentations at the investor event on Wednesday and Thursday will include an update on Unilever's 2020 programme to accelerate sustainable shareholder value creation. On Tuesday, the company said the Connected 4 Growth programme was expected to deliver market-beating growth, translating into underlying sales growth of 3-5% per year between now and 2020. The 5-S supply chain savings and zero-based budgeting programmes were "delivering faster than planned", which, along with the integration of foods and refreshment into a single business unit, were said to enable increased reinvestment in brands as the company works towards achieving an underlying operating margin target of 20% by 2020. UK advertising giant WPP expects to extend its contract with the Ford Motor Company after being "verbally informed" of the car company's intentions overnight. Such is the importance that WPP places on the news, the FTSE 100 group put out a regulatory news item to say that Ford, as it considers its future marketing model, "want to enter into a further agreement with WPP for a period to be agreed in 2018". WPP said it was "considering the proposal and is in discussion with Ford on next steps". London's FTSE 250 was up 0.5% to 19,985.76 in afternoon trade on Tuesday, with Ocado pacing the advance following news of a long-awaited international deal. Shares in Ocado surged after the online grocery retailer said it has signed an agreement with Groupe Casino to develop the Ocado Smart Platform in France. Ocado had already said back in June that it had signed an agreement with a "regional European retailer" but that the retailer wanted to remain anonymous until it launched its online business, in order to remain competitive. Food producer and supplier Cranswick jumped as it reported a rise in profit and revenue for the first half as it hiked its dividend by 15%. In the six months to the end of September, adjusted pre-tax profit rose 17% to 44.4m on revenue of 714.6m, up 23% from the same period a year ago, driven by growth across all product categories. Growth was supported by contributions from Crown Chicken and the Ballymena pork processing business which were acquired in the previous financial year. SIG was on the front foot as Jefferies upgraded the stock to 'buy' from 'hold' and lifted the price target to 200p from 150p saying the recent strategy day mapped out a credible turnaround plan, while Cineworld was boosted after Numis raised it to 'buy' from 'hold' and bumped up the target price by 10% to 825p following recent share price weakness. On the downside, Pets at Home slipped after its interim results and as it announced CEO Ian Kellett will step down from the role, to be replaced by Peter Pritchard, who is currently CEO of the retail division. UDG Healthcare was weaker despite posting a rise in full-year profit as it announced that chief financial officer Alan Ralph plans to retired by the end of next year, while Dixons Carphone was hit by a downgrade from Stifel. Risers Ocado Group (OCDO) 305.70p 19.32% Cranswick (CWK) 3,274.00p 8.52% IP Group (IPO) 149.98p 7.05% SIG (SHI) 173.05p 5.20% Genus (GNS) 2,325.00p 5.16% Cineworld Group (CINE) 686.00p 4.81% FirstGroup (FGP) 107.00p 4.09% Paragon Banking Group (PAG) 481.60p 3.97% Ultra Electronics Holdings (ULE) 1,264.00p 3.44% Acacia Mining (ACA) 187.40p 2.91% Fallers Pets at Home Group (PETS) 163.50p -9.02% Sophos Group (SOPH) 602.50p -6.73% Dignity (DTY) 1,752.00p -5.60% UDG Healthcare Public Limited Company (UDG) 817.50p -5.05% TalkTalk Telecom Group (TALK) 144.90p -4.10% Kaz Minerals (KAZ) 769.50p -3.99% Hansteen Holdings (HSTN) 137.40p -3.65% Dixons Carphone (DC.) 152.59p -2.99% TBC Bank Group (TBCG) 1,550.00p -2.33% Virgin Money Holdings (UK) (VM.) 267.50p -1.87% We all know that a great coffee can be the defining factor between mentally murdering your boss at 9am or waxing lyrical to them about last nights EPL score. Well for lovers of the bean, theres now even better news from scientists. Researchers from the University of Southampton are claiming that we can actually enjoy more coffee a day than what was previously thought as safe. More specifically, these lab coats are suggesting that the overall benefits of drinking coffee actually outweighs the risks. Take that, high blood pressure. The study as published in the BMJ is oddly based off 220 other existing studies on coffee and suggests that drinking up to four cups of the brown stuff a day may have substantial health benefits. These benefits included the reduction in risk of liver disease, diabetes, dementia and some cancers. The study even went as far as claiming that coffee drinkers were less likely to die from stroke. Looking at the figures even closer, it was revealed that three to four cups a day equated to a 17% reduction in the chance of death from all causes. For those who go all out and drink up to seven cups a day? Congratulations youre far from dying of an exploding heart with the study claiming a 10 percent reduced chance in death with this amount. Naturally these claims should be taken on board with caution and the knowledge that the health benefits are not universal. Pregnant women for example are warned against high coffee consumption. Were assuming the same also goes for those with heart problems (which is kind of odd if youre trying not to die by drinking coffee). This new study backs up the British National Health Services caffeine recommendations which states that non-pregnant adults can consume up to 400mg of caffeine per day. In coffee speak thats four mugs of coffee with 100mg of caffeine per mug, three cups of filter coffee with 140mg of caffeine per cup or five cups of tea with 75mg of caffeine per mug. As noted by Refinery29, these health claims are all based off observational data that supports existing studies rather than solid evidence. Factors such as age, whether people smoked or not and how much exercise they took could all have had an effect, Professor Paul Roderick, co-author of the study, told the BBC. His insight did however support the consumption of coffee. There is a balance of risks in life, and the benefits of moderate consumption of coffee seem to outweigh the risks. Perhaps cold brew coffee could be the answer? Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and others may pose a threat to American democracy, suggests a new report from The Omidyar Group. The report follows recent disclosures about targeted dark post advertising, fake news and other abuses propagated by Russian troll farms during the 2016 presidential election. Among the questions the report raises is whether the U.S. government may need to take steps to protect the public from future influence campaigns that could undermine the very foundation of a free society, wrote billionaire eBay founder Pierre Omidyar in a Washington Post op-ed published earlier this week. For all the ways this technology brings us together, the monetization and manipulation of information is swiftly tearing us apart, he wrote. From foreign interference in our elections to targeted campaigns designed to confuse and divide on important issues, groups looking for an important way to infiltrate and influence our democracy have found generous hosts in the world of social media. Bias, Manipulation, Intolerance There are six major ways social media directly threatens democratic ideals, according to the report: Facilitating echo chambers and hyperpartisanship; Spreading false or misleading information; Conflating popularity with legitimacy; Providing tools for political manipulation; Allowing microtargeting to influence behavior change; and Amplifying hate speech, intolerance and exclusion. Facebook plans to release information regarding the extent of Russian efforts to target U.S. voters, COO Sheryl Sandberg told Axios in an extensive interview, but she hedged when asked specifically whether the company was aware of collusion between Russia and the Trump presidential campaign. Facebook previously handed over direct evidence to congressional investigators, Sandberg said, and it has hired 4,000 additional people, employed machine learning, and taken several other major steps to better police its internal systems. I See You There needs to be greater transparency about election-related ads on social media sites, said Darrell West, director of the Center of Tech Innovation at Brookings. Right now, it is impossible to see who is behind large advertising campaigns, and that is corrosive of American elections. Voters need to know what is happening in order to judge a political campaign, West told TechNewsWorld. Its difficult to know the exact impact of these campaigns on voter behavior, but large online campaigns can be important, he added. People rely on social media platforms to communicate with each other, conduct business and form opinions, said Dan Nadir, vice president of digital risk at Proofpoint, but the Internet wasnt designed with trust in mind. Often our confidence in an email, a website, a social account, or even a mobile app has no technical basis, he told TechNewsWorld, and we need to recognize how easy it is to abuse it. Omidyar does a good job laying out some of the election-related problems with social media, but the solutions offered, while well intended, miss the mark by a bit, observed Charles King, principal analyst at Pund-IT. Though hes spot on in criticizing how online media can be used to promote bogus information and spread partisan messages, simply regulating social media sites isnt likely to succeed, King told TechNewsWorld. The Omidyar proposal would require the federal government to go on a new and highly radical round of business and financial regulations, King said. In addition, such a change would likely eliminate or drastically reduce anonymity of online social media users. It would be ideal if social media firms like Facebook, Google and others voluntarily adopted some of Omidyars suggestions, he suggested, but doing so would hurt their revenues significantly. Unless a larger number of voices call for major reform, wholesale changes are unlikely to happen, King said. Despite legitimate concerns about the role of social media in the 2016 election, a lot of what took place was new for everyone, and social media executives should not be treated as though they were capable of seeing the future, said Chris Calabrese, vice president of policy at the Center for Democracy & Technology. I dont think we want to pick on a particular tool and say this is the problem, he told TechNewsWorld. Nor do I want to say the solution is some kind of government censorship. Thats not something we want to endorse. Its not surprising that Russia or any other outside entity would try to influence U.S. elections, said Richard Forno, assistant director of the UMBC Center for Cybersecurity. However, I think the broader danger is that social media was part of a concerted effort to undermine not just the outcome of the election, but to sow distrust in the electoral system, he told TechNewsWorld, and the very sources of information that a citizenry needs to make informed decisions about their political status and/or future. Construction sites for hydroelectric dams are popping up all over southeast Europe and endangering mountain rivers and the regions unique biodiversity, according to researchers. More than 2,700 hydropower plants are in the planning phase across the Balkans, with 37 percent of dams slated to be built on land with high protection status, according to Save the Blue Heart of Europe, a coalition of NGOs. Within that 37 percent, 118 dams will be constructed in national parks, while another 547 will be built in Natura 2000 areas, an EU-designated network of nature protection areas. Albania, already home to 30 hydropower plants, hosts a number endemic species now under threat. Earlier this year, a team of scientists found an unnamed fish, previously unknown, in the Vjosa river. Beyond unidentified species, researchers noted that the Vjosa river alone and its flood plain also host another five strictly protected fauna species, describing the region as a haven for aquatic species that have vanished across large parts of Europe. The majority of these viable communities are expected to irrecoverably go extinct as a result of the projected hydropower dams, the report states. The Albanian government disputes these concerns. These designs have been based on the best environmental practices that are being applied today for minimizing the effects of high dams on the circulation of aquatic faunas, Damian Gjiknuri, Albanias energy minster told the Guardian. According to Gjiknuri, most of the dams being built were run-of-the-river hydropower, meaning they generate less than 10 megawatts of energy. The Vjosa river Gregor Subic / Save the Blue Heart of Europe Conservationists warn that these dams, which require no impact assessment due to their size, arent as benign as the Albanian government implies and often cause cumulative impacts. Balkan rivers host 69 endemic species and more than 40 percent of Europes endangered freshwater mussels and snails, according to researchers. By Joe McCarthy The Enewetak Atoll is all but invisible on Google Maps. Halfway between Australia and Hawaii, the ribbon of land is home to a small indigenous population that has seen their way of life eroded by decisions far outside of their control. For more than half a century, the atoll, which is part of the Marshall Islands, has been contaminated by nuclear explosions and waste, according to ABC Australia. The decades ahead could leave it submerged by rising sea levels. In this way, Enewetak is at the intersection of two of the biggest problems of the last century and this century, nuclear weapons and sea level rise, Michael Gerrard, the chair of Columbia Universitys Earth Institute in New York who has studied the atoll, told Global Citizen. Both of these problems are at risk of converging, ABC Australia reported, because the main holding container for the atolls nuclear waste is being compromised by rising waters. The atolls problems began in the 1940s and 1950s when the U.S. began using it for nuclear bomb tests. The people of Enewetak were evacuated and 67 nuclear bombs were dropped, devastating wildlife, spreading nuclear toxins far and wide, and creating massive craters. One of those craters was on Runit Island. In the late 1970s, the U.S. began to partially clean the nuclear waste from the island. Some of the radioactive chemicals had relatively short half-lives, Michael Gerrard wrote in an op-ed, and were left to naturally decay despite their risks. Another toxin, plutonium-239, has a half-life of 24,000 years and had to be dealt with. The 100-meter wide crater on Runit Island was deemed a good place to dump as much soil contaminated with plutonium as possible. Chunks of unexploded plutonium-239 were also disposed of in the hole. When the cleanup was finishedfar below standards that would be deemed sufficient in the U.S., according to Gerrarda massive concrete shell was built to cover the hole. No reinforcements were made to the bottom and sides of the hole, meaning the waste directly interacts with the soil and a dumpsite for radioactive waste fails to meet standards for normal trash landfills, Gerrard said. The displaced people of Enewetak Atoll were finally allowed to return in 1980, despite the widespread contamination of their home. Traditional forms of fishing, farming and gathering had to be abandoned because the wildlife became too contaminated, ABC Australia reported. And despite the ongoing threat posed by the non-reinforced radioactive dumpsite, no adjustments have been made to it, ABC noted. Thats because the radiation outside the dome exceeds the radiation inside of it, according to the U.S. Department of Energy report, so the release of the waste wouldnt make a major environmental difference. Rising sea levels have compromised the dome in the years since its construction, a problem that has only grown worse in recent years, and a powerful typhoon could destroy it, according to the report. The Marshall Islands are around six feet above sea level, and large parts of Enewetak are at risk of being submerged in the years ahead. Current flooding rates are already making the islands uninhabitable once again, according to ABC Australia. Its important to recognize that the Marshall Islands are doubly screwed, Gerrard said. They were the site of nuclear explosions by the U.S., and one of the things that they left behind was this nuclear dome and the other thing is the country is going underwater because of greenhouse gas emissions for which the U.S. is major contributor. Ultimately, the people of Enewetak may once again be uprooted from their native lands, especially if contamination becomes worse, ABC Australia noted. That dome is the connection between the nuclear age and the climate change age, Marshall Islands climate change activist Alson Kelen told ABC Australia. Itll be a very devastating event if it really leaks, he said. Were not just talking the Marshall Islands, were talking the whole Pacific. The threat faced by Enewetak reflects a larger nuclear threat around the world, Gerrard said. Globally, nuclear power facilities are generally built along coastlines, because of how much water they use and to be close to cities and towns. The destruction of the Fukushima nuclear reactor in Japan made clear just how precarious this arrangement can besix years after the disaster, nuclear waste is still pouring out of the facility. Rising sea levels could put other reactors and dump sites around the world at risk, especially if extreme weather continues to intensify as expected. The people of Enewetak know all too well what its like to live in what is essentially a nuclear dumpsite. Keeping the atoll safe by both mitigating climate change and further cleaning its islands could show the rest of the world how to navigate a potentially perilous future. Reposted with permission from our media associate Global Citizen. Starting Tuesday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA) will hold its only public hearing on the proposal to dismantle the Clean Power Plan (CPP) in the coal-producing state of West Virginia. The EPA is headed to the heart of coal country to hear from those most impacted by the CPP and get their comments on the proposed Repeal Rule, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt said this month about the hearing. In comparison, former President Obamas EPA held 11 public listening sessions before it proposed the CPP in addition to four hearings during the public comment period, Reuters observed. Former Obama EPA spokeswoman Liz Purchia Gannon told Reuters that Pruitt is just checking a box and making it more difficult for Americans across the country to weigh in. But the EPA has criticized the Obama administration for avoiding a hearing in West Virginia and denying coal workers a chance to testify. The Clean Power Plan, Obamas signature climate strategy, limits carbon emissions from coal-fired plants. The CPP never took effect due to extensive legislation from states opposed to it. President Donald Trump and Administrator Pruitt have called the CPP a war on coal and vow to bring back coal jobs. But experts say that coals return is unlikely as demand has dropped steadily due to cheap natural gas, new wind and solar projects, energy efficiency initiatives and other market forces. Coal miners, lobbyists, environmentalists and others will offer testimonies over the two-day meeting in Charleston. Coal stakeholders will argue that the CPP increases costs to utilities and will result in loss of mining jobs. This is the first time in history, I think, that Ill testify in favor of something [the] EPA is doing, Bill Raney, president of the West Virginia Coal Association, told the Charleston Gazette-Mail. Maybe were going to have a chance to sit down and talk about preserving our jobs and our communities and our people. In contrast, proponents will argue how the CPP will avert dangerous climate change and how enacting the plan will save billions of dollars due to the public health benefits of slashing polluting emissions. Dr. Jeremy Richardson, a senior energy analyst at the Union of Concerned Scientists will testify. In prepared remarks, hell argue: It is the job of the Environmental Protection Agency to protect human health and the environment. It is not the job of the EPA to protect the coal industry. In fact, the EPA is bound by law to address air and water pollutants from producing and using coal. Many of these pollutants are hurting the health of communities right here in Appalachia, where acid mine drainage and coal ash contaminate our waterways, and are also causing harm around the country where people live downwind from coal-fired power plants. The EPA is also legally required by the Clean Air Act to curtail global warming emissions from power plants because science shows that climate change poses risks to our health and the health of future generations. David Doniger, the director of the Climate & Clean Air program at the Natural Resources Defense Council, will also testify. He states: We can have both. We canand we mustprotect Americans health and preserve the stability of our climate. As the four hurricanes and massive wildfires this fall demonstrate, we must clean up our power plantsas well as our vehicles and other industriesto curb the pollution thats driving extreme weather and other climate impacts and causing thousands of deaths and illnessesboth here in West Virginia, in states downwind, and across the country. According to Reuters, comments will also be heard on a new plan that the EPA proposed in October that would go easier on power plants than Obamas CPP would have. The EPA will also receive online comments about its proposal and any requests for additional public meetings until Jan. 16. The hearing is scheduled to start at 9 am Tuesday at the state Capitol. Climate change is pushing the wintering grounds of millions of migratory birds north from Africa into the Middle East, Israeli experts report. 500 million birds are staying put in parts of Israel that used to serve as a pit stop along their migration route south. Frequent droughts and desertification in Africa have made food scarcer for the birds. In the last few decades Israel has become more than just a short stopover because many more birds and a greater number of species can no longer cross the desert, Shay Agmon, an avian coordinator for the Hula Wetland Park in Israel, told Reuters. Since the 1950s the number of cranesone of the most abundant species to pass through the Hula wetlandsstaying put until the end of winter has risen from 1,000 to 45,000. Its harder for the birds to cross a much larger desert and they just cannot do it. There is not enough fuel, there are not enough gas stations on the way, so Israel has [become] their biggest gas station, their biggest restaurant, Agmon told Reuters. The influx of birds is pressuring farmers as well. Migratory birds are fanning out into the fields and consuming farmers crops. Experts caution that changes in migratory patterns could alter global food cycles as birds eat insects and protect crops. Workers at the reserve have attempted to lure the birds into the wetlands with feeding sites. As the climate warms, environmental pressures will push more birds wintering grounds north. They will stay here for longer and eventually the whole pattern of migration will change, Agmon said. In an open letter Monday, nearly 70 faculty at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln accused Gov. Pete Ricketts and several state senators of using an Aug. 25 political incident in a sustained attack to damage the university. Posted to the Nebraska chapter of the American Association of University Professors' website, the letter raised concerns that decisions involving the university are being made without transparency or proper governance and under improper exertions of influence by the legislative and executive branches of the state government. "We believe it is imperative to express our alarm now, before irrevocable damage is done to the mission of the university and the value it contributes to the state of Nebraska," the letter states. In an earlier statement Ricketts had said "the August incident has highlighted concerns about the liberal bent of academia." "The University of Nebraska has an opportunity to set itself apart as a public university that fosters spirited debate and a supportive learning environment for students across the political spectrum," he said. Following an Aug. 25 confrontation between graduate student and lecturer Courtney Lawton and Kaitlyn Mullen, a second-year student recruiting for a conservative group, state Sens. Steve Erdman, Tom Brewer and Steve Halloran said UNL is hostile to students with conservative viewpoints. UNL removed Lawton from the classroom in September after a video surfaced of her calling the student a neo-fascist and making an inappropriate gesture toward her. Lawton said she was told she was removed for safety reasons and not for disciplinary reasons. In October the three senators penned an editorial criticizing UNL for being unfriendly to conservatives and they took aim at a list of core beliefs posted on the English departments website, saying it did not reflect what they said should be taught in English courses. Top university administrators responded on Oct. 31, saying the senators criticism included "falsehoods and distortions," adding UNL was taking steps to make all students feel welcome on campus. Their responses drew further rebuke from the state senators, who demanded to meet with administrators to communicate their expectations to the university. On Nov. 16, UNL Chancellor Ronnie Green and NU President Hank Bounds met with the senators at the Capitol. Brewer, of Gordon, said in an interview last week the senators told the administrators during the meeting they thought the graduate student should be fired. A day after the meeting, UNL ended the graduate students employment at the university. Two communications staff also resigned after emails were made public showing a communications strategy discussion to counter what they called a right wing narrative continuing to focus on the Aug. 25 incident. The Nov. 17 firing and resignations drew alarm from the faculty, which they said was evidence of a sustained attack on the university that has greatly surpassed the scope and import of the initial incident, and led the lawmakers to call for an end to tenure, further budget cuts and censorship of members of the English department. Under the pretense that the university is unsafe for conservative students, the governor and his surrogates are opening the door to ideological intervention at the university from outside entities, the letter states. Their lack of consistency in protecting and respecting students political views, particularly those that diverge from their own, reveals the political nature of this manufactured crisis. The faculty also said they have been aggressively targeted by sweeping open records requests made by the governors allies, including a request to faculty critical of the state government to turn over private email addresses and emails. The faculty asked "no radical changes" be made to UNL's administration, academic programs, allocation of funds, or support for campus initiatives without "appropriate faculty governance, transparency and respect for academic freedom, which are core values of a healthy university." Both Erdman and Halloran said in phone interviews last week they intend to sponsor free speech legislation in January requiring the university to create new rules protecting speech and expression in public areas on campus and adopting disciplinary sanctions for anyone who interferes with that free speech and expression. Erdman said the senators plan to blend two models being considered in other states, including one put forward by the Goldwater Institute, a conservative and libertarian think-tank based in Arizona, and another recommended by the American Legislative Exchange Council, or ALEC. He said the bill is not a conservative protection thing, but rather protection for free speech and free expression on campus. All students need to feel protected and be welcomed to share their concerns and ideas without any repercussions, its not just one certain group. Faculty in other states -- seven have adopted some form of the bill, 10 others are considering it -- where free speech legislation has been signed into law have opposed those measures, saying the bills diminish the ability of a university community to govern itself. If the Nebraska Legislature proposes legislation that would affect academic freedom and freedom of speech I am assured the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Faculty Senate would discuss the matter thoroughly and take action if necessary, said Sarah Purcell, the faculty senate president. UNL's graduate students have also expressed concerns over external pressures on the university system following the Aug. 25 incident. "Many graduate students have approached us about this issue because they feel that the August 25 incident has egregiously distorted perceptions about their work, and because they fear that decision regarding Ms. Lawton set a precedent that compromises their security in this community," the Graduate Student Assembly wrote in an email. The assembly said they will work "to create a climate on campus in which all students -- graduate and undergraduate -- are safe and valued, no matter their political viewpoints." In their letter, the faculty asked the administration to stand for the values of the University of Nebraska, a large community of diverse people with diverse viewpoints, that constitutes the most significant institutional asset in the state. We insist that all levels of the administration respect the governance structures currently in place, and categorically reject political interference in the good work being done at our states flagship institution, the letter concludes. By Julia Conley Calling on the federal government to bring its full resources to bear on the crisis in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.-I) unveiled a $146 billion recovery package for the U.S. territories on Tuesday, two months after Hurricane Maria left destruction across the islands. Sanders and the Democratic co-sponsors of the new bill argue it is necessary to treat the recovery as the emergency it is, but that rebuilding the islands battered infrastructure should not mean simply returning to things as they were. It is absolutely without any sense at all to rebuild Puerto Ricos antiquated, centralized and inefficient electric grid that was dependent on expensive and dirty imported fossil fuels, Sanders said in a press conference where he introduced the bill, adding that with the nickname La Isla Del Sol, the island could be leading the way in the use of solar power and other sustainable energy. Before the storm Puerto Rico only had two percent of its electricity coming from sustainable energy, remarked Sanders. Beyond rebuilding damaged facilities, our bill makes a major proactive investment in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands infrastructure. The billformally called The Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands Equitable Rebuild Actwas referred to as a Marshall Plan for Puerto Rico by Ramon Luis Nieves, former lawmaker on the island. It would give $62 billion to the territory to help it pay off its debts, $51 billion for economic development, and $27 billion for infrastructure. Sanders noted in his press conference with Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and other coo-sponsors, that more than two months after Maria made landfall, half of the people thereAmerican citizens allstill have no electricity, many are still struggling to get clean drinking water and more than 100,000 people have left Puerto Rico. But despite the dire situation, Trump has requested just $29 billion for Puerto Rico, Florida and Texas combined, to help with the recovery from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma as well as Maria. San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz, who has been sharply critical of the presidents approach to Puerto Ricos recovery, expressed her approval of the bill in a statement: The bill that Senator Sanders has introduced in the United States Congress is a comprehensive plan that provides the blueprint for the transformation of Puerto Rico. While dealing with all major areas of immediate concern: energy, health and education it also sets the foundation to make Puerto Rico a more equitable, just and fair society for all. In addition to humanitarian relief and improved infrastructure, Warren stressed the need for full, true debt relief. As President Donald Trump brought up in the days after the storm, Puerto Ricos debt exceeds $70 billion, brought on partially by a lack of tax revenue after Congress repealed a tax break for businesses on the island in 1976. This caused companies to flee and take the economic growth Puerto Rico experienced following World War II with them. The island fell further into debt as vulture hedge funds saw an opportunity to buy up the islands debt, only to sue its government when it defaulted on paying the funds backforcing Puerto Rico to file for bankruptcy four months before Maria hit. Similar firms swooped in following Hurricane Maria. Puerto Rico needs full debt relief, Warren said. This is critical. The vulture funds that snapped up Puerto Rican debt should not get one cent from the island. Not one cent. Warren also criticized Trumps callous and insufficient response to the islands crisis, and urged him and Congress to support the bill. From the start, President Trumps response to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands has been too little, too late. Ive been telling President Trump, Do your job. Well, this bill is an opportunity for President Trump to step up and do his job. The senators press conference was broadcast on Facebook Live: [facebook https://www.facebook.com/senatorsanders/videos/10156534441932908/ expand=1] Reposted with permission from our media associate Common Dreams. From hurricanes to floods to fires, natural disasters can take a devastating toll on not only people, but on schools and critical technology infrastructure. Districts should have emergency preparedness plans in place to be ready to respond to both human and natural disasters, from hazardous material spills to tornadoes. And when it comes to natural disasters in particular, they should keep in mind the kinds of threats that are likely to affect their regions and build facilities with an eye toward withstanding those regional threats. Here are a few tips for school officials in factoring school facilities into their emergency preparedness: 1. Think at the building level, not just the district level Each building should also have a disaster response plan. Since school facilities are often used as shelters, such plans should be shared with local and state first responders and emergency management officials. The district should also make available to the public the portions of the plan that can be shared. 2. Disaster-proof your backups In some cases, this will mean ensuring that computer servers storing essential information (both yours and your equipment and service vendors) are kept in multiple locations. Increasingly, school-technology officials also recommend moving critical software and storage to the cloud. A good example is the Houston school district, which has moved to the cloud both critical instructional software (including an online learning-management system that hosts a wide range of information that teachers and administrators rely on in class each day) and key administrative software (so services like payroll can proceed without interruption, even in the event of disaster). What are the two most important things that need to get done [during a disaster]? You need to cut purchase orders and pay people, said Lenny Schad, Houstons chief information technology officer. The cloud just takes away disaster-recovery [complications] and makes it very seamless. 3. Prepare your vendors If a hurricane or other natural disaster hits, theres likely to be facilities damage to everything from roofs and windows to laptop charging stations and Wi-Fi routers. And your district will likely be far from alone in trying to order replacements. Thats why its important to notify vendors in advance of a potential disaster about the equipment and supplies you may need afterward, and also to make sure a plan is in place that will allow you to get emergency replacements quickly. We asked our larger vendors to have equipment on hand for us, in stock and ready to go before Hurricane Irma hit South Florida, said Debbie Karcher, the chief technology officer of Miami-Dade schools. If you have a close relationship, that isnt a big thing for them. 4. Authorize emergency spending ahead of time Set up a separate account to which staff can charge expenses. After a disaster, there is no time to seek out the business manager or superintendent to sign off on spending large sums of money on big-ticket items, according to Michael Eugene, the chief operations officer in Floridas Orange County School system. This separate account also makes it easier to track disaster-related spending, which also comes in handy when the district gets around to filling out Federal Emergency Management Agency applications or other paperwork for aid, grants, or reimbursement for disaster-related spending. 5. Have the information you and others will need, including maps and documents After a disaster, youre going to be sending crews out to multiple areas in the district and tracking where the damage is and where people are going, Schad said. Have a good district map, and have building maps. Its also important to know in advance exactly what FEMA and your insurance providers are going to require. There likely are rules around how damage must be documented, how information is to be tracked and shared, and more. Theres a lot of money that can be lost if this isnt done correctly, Karcher said. 6. Dont overlook the basics If possible, unplug computers, copiers, printers, and other electronics in advance of a potential disaster. If flooding seems likely, make sure portable facilities (and the equipment within them) are secured in advance. Maintain ample reserve fuel suppliesgetting gasoline after a hurricane might not be easy. Ensure there is food to last at least five days. During prolonged closures districts often continue to provide meals for low-income students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals. And after a disaster, staff and volunteers may find themselves needing to navigate hazardous buildings. Make sure you have plenty of masks, boots, flashlights, gloves, and other staples. 7. Coordinate teams in advance Facilities and information-technology staffers will likely be working hand-in-hand to monitor networks and power, respond to help-desk calls, make site visits, assess damage, decide whether its safe to reopen buildings, and provide key information to be made available to the public. In the chaos and confusion that inevitably come with natural disasters, Schad said, consolidation and coordination are key to making sure all those tasks go smoothly. There needs to be a really tight integration with the technology team and the facilities team, he said. You want to be very clear in what youre providing. 8. Consider risks when picking school sites Districts should think seriously about where they build schools and the possible expense related to placing schools in certain areas. Is a school located in a flood zone? Are there frequent expenses tied to clean-up from flood damages or flood-proofing schools? How about relocating the school? According to a Pew Charitable Trust brief released in August, more than 6,300 schools across the country are located in flood zones. One school, McDowell Elementary School in McDowell, Ky., was flooded five times between 2007 and 2015, with a 2013 flood leaving behind $60,000 in damages. After paying out so much money and considering the age of the school, the county school board shut down the school this summer and relocated students to a new school on the grounds of a high school campus in an area not prone to flooding, according to the report. The Pew report also recommends that districts use federal reimbursement dollars in ways that will reduce future risks. In my last year as a school administrator, a new student arrived. She had issues with defiance and a history of violence against herself and school officials. These behaviors bubbled to the surface as soon as she enrolled, and she became a frequent flyer in my officeconstantly in and out for difficult behavior. Our school resource officer jokingly referred to me as the head jailer, to which I responded with a laugh. But inwardly, I cringed. Wasnt my job to help counsel and support students to make better choices so that they didnt become repeat offenders? I didnt want to just dole out punishment. Our pre-K-8 school had more than 900 students from all walks of life, and our fastest-growing demographicafter an increase of government housing in our areawas students from low-income households. A majority of those students had a history of traumatic experiences in their homes, leading to chronic stress and anxiety that affected their ability to function well in school. I was clearly missing something important in counseling the new student and others, and I also needed to better support teachers with their classroom management. At just the right moment, Kristin Souers and Pete Halls Fostering Resilient Learners: Strategies for Creating a Trauma-Sensitive Classroom came across my desk. The authors discussed the importance of creating trauma-sensitive classrooms and helping students become resilient learners. Whereas many schools follow a discipline plan in lockstep fashion regardless of extenuating circumstances, a trauma-informed care approach can dramatically reduce the recurrence of difficult behaviors while creating meaningful relationships with students. Trauma doesnt discriminate. It can happen to children of all ethnicities, backgrounds, and socioeconomic levels. At the heart of trauma-informed care is sensitivity to students past and current adverse experiences and a deeper understanding of why they may be acting out. Instead of negatively reinforcing students external behavior through punishment, educators can support students through providing methods of self-regulation, emotional coping skills, and asking questions like How can I help you? rather than Whats wrong with you? Thus began my journey to shift from being a reactive disciplinarian to becoming a proactive student advocate and viewing student behavior through a trauma-informed lens. The lessons I learned may be useful for teachers as they tweak their own classroom management strategies to be more responsive to students needs. Understanding Frequent Flyers My most common clients in the office, including my new student, all had repeated physical or emotional outbursts. One student had observed his father setting his mother on fire; another student saw his father selling his belongings to purchase drugs and was subsequently removed from his home; a third student lived in fear of her mother being deported to her native country. These students understandably lived in a state of constant hypervigilance and fear, leaving school at the bottom of a very long list of more important things to worry about. As a school, we began looking for better ways to support these students, rather than indiscriminately following inflexible board policies for discipline referrals. We collaborated with community agencies to provide more mental-health services. School leaders, social workers, school counselors, and therapists worked together to prepare individualized student care plans. We formed a trauma committee of teacher leaders who could mentor those learning to implement trauma-informed strategies. At the heart of trauma-informed care is sensitivity to student' past and current adverse experiences and a deeper understanding of why they may be acting out." I encouraged teachers to use school administration as a support system to give students a break from the classroom when the inevitable meltdown occurred, which allowed them to continue instruction with the rest of their students. Teachers were also educated about when it was appropriate to refer students for behaviors and when it was appropriate to keep them in the classroom: Offering students an alternative, like taking a break in a calm corner or meeting with a school counselor, would often help them calm down. On a personal level, I began walking with students to talk about their behaviors and asked how I could help them make their daily lives at school better. I offered students grace when it was evident theyd had a rough morning at home, and they were struggling to get it together. Most importantly, I began treating each situation on a case-by-case basis rather than doling out consequences in a prescriptive manner. A Culture of Safety We often only see the tip of the iceberg when it comes to our students lives. The problem often lies hidden beneath the surface or away from school grounds; in many cases, it will never be fully revealed. When I began implementing trauma-informed strategies with my new student, she threw furniture, pulled at her hair, and screamed in my face that she hated me and didnt care what I said to her. Rather than relegating her to the in-school suspension room one day after an outburst, I asked her to draw me a picture. She responded with sudden enthusiasm; her anger and energy suddenly had a new direction. I expected a dark, graphic image, but instead she drew me a beautiful picture of a horse, full of vibrant colors and intricate details. I asked her why she chose to draw that, and she shrugged nonchalantly and said, I know you like horses. Hadnt she said she hated me? I suddenly realized that I had become a safe person for her, someone to whom she could vent her frustrations and who wouldnt return the same treatmentsomeone who listened and genuinely cared. From that point forward, we began building a positive relationship. My office became a calm down spot for her instead of a punitive location. When the stresses of her home life became such that she had a nervous breakdown, she asked to come to my office because she felt safe there, and I let her stay as long as she needed, offering comfort and reassurance. The journey of trauma-informed care is one that requires trial and error; it often tests the boundaries of ones own comfort zone. That child tested my resolve in more ways than I can explain, but I saw firsthand the transformative potential of responding to student behaviors with love, empathy, and patience, and I had the same results with others. Over time, discipline referrals decreased, and we began to see more smiles from our struggling studentseven my new student, who sang a solo at our schoolwide talent show. All educators have a responsibility to shape the lives of their students by looking beneath the surface for the root causes of their behaviors. Its not always an easy path, but its one we must travel to do whats best for them. Police crack down on outstanding fines Police are urging those with outstanding fines to pay up or risk being arrested. The Central Neighbourhood Policing Team warns that the Isle of Man Courts and police are actively enforcing warrants against those with unpaid fines. Officers insists those who don't settle their debt are risking arrest and potential imprisonment. Fines can be paid in full at Police Headquarters, while those with queries about their fines can contact the Isle of Man Courts of Justice. Roads police issue drink drive warning Motorists are being reminded of the dangers of drink driving in the run up to Christmas. The Island's Roads Policing Unit has issued a warning ahead of the festive period. Officers insist there is no fool-proof way to drink and stay under the limit, with factors such as age, weight and metabolism all affecting how a person processes alcohol. The RPU also says sobering up tricks don't work, and that someone who has been out drinking the night before could still be over the limit the next day. The police, Public Health and Bus Vannin launched a safety campaign last week urging Manx residents to drink responsibly over Christmas. EDMONTON -- An Alberta-led clinical trial has shown Fecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT) is as effective in treating clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infections whether delivered by colonoscopy or by swallowing capsules. The finding, published Nov. 28 in the Journal of the American Medical Association, could revolutionize and broaden the use of FMT, which restores the healthy balance of bacteria living in the intestine by transferring a healthy donor's stool to the gut of a person with C. difficile. "This will transform the way people think about how we deliver Fecal Microbiota Transplant," says Dr. Dina Kao, the lead author of the study, an associate professor with the University of Alberta's Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, and an Alberta Health Services (AHS) gastroenterologist. "Capsules have numerous advantages over colonoscopy. They are non-invasive, they're less expensive, they don't have any of the risks associated with sedation and they can be administered in a doctor's office." Capsules containing frozen donor bacteria taken orally were shown in Dr. Kao's study to be 96 per cent effective in treating C. difficile, the same success rate as those receiving transplant by colonoscopy. The pills have no scent or taste. Dr. Kao's work is funded with $500,000 from AHS and $357,000 from community donors through the University Hospital Foundation. Humans are host to hundreds of different species of gut bacteria, which together help the digestive and immune systems to function properly. However, when a harmful infection requires treatment with antibiotics, those same antibiotics can disrupt the healthy balance of the gut bacteria, allowing opportunistic microorganisms such as C. difficile to move in and cause illness. People with C. difficile infections suffer from diarrhea, cramping and other gastrointestinal difficulties. In advanced cases, it may be necessary to remove the large intestine. Although rare, C. difficile can be extremely debilitating and resistant to treatment by antibiotics. In some cases, it can be fatal. In Alberta, there are about 200 C. difficile cases every year, of which between 20 and 40 are fatal. Karen Shandro of Ardrossan, 30 kilometres east of Edmonton, came down with what was thought to be a routine sinus infection early in 2015. After a course of antibiotics, a tenacious C. difficile infection set in and knocked her off her feet. Further courses of antibiotics did little to help. "I felt awful. My health deteriorated. I had unbearable diarrhea, no appetite, chills and fever, and I couldn't keep any food in me," says Shandro, whose condition became so grave her husband phoned an ambulance and she was taken to the emergency department at the Fort Saskatchewan Community Hospital. Shortly after, Shandro learned about Dr. Kao's study on FMT and agreed to be enrolled in the trial. She was selected at random to receive the transplant via capsules. Although Shandro says there was no unpleasant taste or aftertaste to the pills, the sheer number she had to take was a bit of a challenge. Each participant had to take 40 capsules within an hour. "Afterwards I went home and slept for four hours, then woke up starving, which was something new to me at that point," she recalls. Her health continued to improve and within two days, she felt upbeat and like her normal self. Today, she considers her C. difficile infection conquered. Dr. Kao says a unique feature of the two-year research study is that this is the first to compare different delivery methods using the same amount of donor stool. It is also unique in that it looks at patient preference and experience. She says on the strength of the research, she can now begin offering patients a choice between delivery methods for FMT. Work is also underway within AHS to examine ways to offer FMT by capsule more broadly. Dr. Kao notes the oral method of FMT would likely save the health system a minimum of $1,000 per patient. ### Dr. Thomas Louie, Calgary FMT co-lead, and senior author on the paper, pioneered the development of the FMT pill. Louie is a clinical professor with the University of Calgary's Cumming School of Medicine and an AHS specialist in internal medicine. Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans. The Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry at the University of Alberta is a leader in educating and training exceptional practitioners and researchers of the highest international standards. The faculty's mission is to advance health through excellence in teaching, research and patient care. It is home to one of the top 100 ranked medical schools in the world. For more information, please visit http://www.ualberta.ca/medicine. The University Hospital Foundation raises funds to support innovation and excellence at the University of Alberta Hospital, Kaye Edmonton Clinic and Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute. RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, November 28, 2017 - Wesley B. Bruce of BASF Bioscience Research has been named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Election as a AAAS Fellow is an honor bestowed upon AAAS members by their peers. This year 396 members have been awarded this honor by AAAS because of their scientifically or socially distinguished efforts to advance science or its applications. New Fellows will be presented with an official certificate and a gold and blue (representing science and engineering, respectively) rosette pin on February 17, 2018, at the AAAS Fellows Forum during the 2018 AAAS Annual Meeting in Austin, Texas. This year's AAAS Fellows were formally announced in the AAAS News & Notes section of the journal Science on November 24, 2017. As part of the Biological Science section, Bruce was elected as an AAAS Fellow for distinguished contributions to the field of plant genetics, including developing technologies that enable basic research in plant biology and improved maize production. The tradition of AAAS Fellows began in 1874. Currently, members can be considered for the rank of Fellow if nominated by the steering groups of the Association's 24 sections, or by any three Fellows who are current AAAS members (so long as two of the three sponsors are not affiliated with the nominee's institution), or by the AAAS chief executive officer. Fellows must have been continuous members of AAAS for four years by the end of the calendar year in which they are elected. Each steering group reviews the nominations of individuals within its respective section and a final list is forwarded to the AAAS Council, which votes on the aggregate list. The Council is the policymaking body of the Association, chaired by the AAAS president, and consisting of the members of the board of directors, the retiring section chairs, delegates from each electorate and each regional division, and two delegates from the National Association of Academies of Science. ### About BASF BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 17,500 employees in North America and had sales of $16.2 billion in 2016. For more information about BASF's North American operations, visit http://www.basf.us. At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. The approximately 114,000 employees in the BASF Group work on contributing to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into five segments: Chemicals, Performance Products, Functional Materials & Solutions, Agricultural Solutions and Oil & Gas. BASF generated sales of about 58 billion in 2016. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (BAS). Further information at http://www.basf.com. About the American Association for the Advancement of Science: AAAS is the world's largest general scientific society and the publisher of Science - which has the highest paid circulation of any peer-reviewed general science journal - as well as Science Translational Medicine, Science Signaling, Science Advances, Science Immunology and Science Robotics. Founded in 1848, the nonprofit AAAS encompasses nearly 250 affiliated societies and academies of science, serving 10 million individuals. It is open to all and fulfills its mission to "advance science and serve society" through initiatives in science policy, international programs, science education, public engagement and more. For the latest research news, log on to EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS. The behavioural ecologist Professor Dr. Oliver Kruger from Bielefeld University is the speaker; the evolutionary biologist Professor Dr. Joachim Kurtz from the University of Munster, assumes the role of vice-speaker. A new Transregio Collaborative Research Centre (CRC/TRR) with the abbreviated name "NC3" will link the sub-disciplines of behavioural biology, ecology, and evolutionary biology. Its goal is to elucidate how animals succeed by individually adapting to their environment and thereby finding and exploiting their individualised ecological niche. The German Research Foundation (DFG) has now approved funding for CRC/TRR 212. Starting in January 2018, it will be supporting this new direction in research with a total of roughly 8.5 million Euros. The behavioural ecologist Professor Dr. Oliver Kruger from Bielefeld University is the speaker; the evolutionary biologist Professor Dr. Joachim Kurtz from the University of Munster, assumes the role of vice-speaker. Individuals differ from each other. This seemingly trivial statement - already expressed 2400 years ago by Aristotle - stands for a new vision in organismic biology that is addressing the diversity of living creatures and their relationships. "This notion shifts the focus away from means and other averaged data for a population or species. It emphasises instead that animals inherit but also develop their own individual abilities. Due to these individual abilities, they differ in how they cope with their environment," says Oliver Kruger. "Our goal is to re-define the niche concept on the level of the individual,"says Kruger. The scientists are studying both the genetic make-up of animals just as much as their behavioural adjustments which result in specific phenotypes. Joachim Kurtz explains: "The central assumption is that the interaction between individual phenotypes and the environment leads to individualised niches, and this development involves three processes of adaptation and adjustment: niche choice, niche conformance, and niche construction." Scientists with different backgrounds will be working together on this topic across nineteen sub-projects. They do not just come from behavioural biology, ecology, and evolutionary biology. Further disciplines involved in the CRC are, for example, philosophy, statistics, and theoretical biology. The guiding principle that individual animals differ has exerted a major influence on research in several sub-disciplines of biology. For example, behavioural biology has established the concept of the animal personality in order to study stable differences in the behaviour of individuals across time and contexts. Ecology is currently emphasizing that individual animals, plants, and micro-organisms specialise, and that this means that the ecological niche of a species or a population is structured more subtly than previously reported. In evolutionary biology, differences between individual members of a species or population have always been significant. However, it places more emphasis on the interaction between genes and environment today: "The phenotypes to which the genetic constitution leads depend more strongly on the environment than had been assumed for a long time," says Kurtz. "NC3", the name of the Transregio Collaborative Research Centre, stands for "A Novel Synthesis of Individualisation across Behaviour, Ecology and Evolution: Niche Choice, Niche Conformance, Niche Construction". Collaborative Research Centres are long-term, university-based research institutions in which researchers work together within a multidisciplinary research programme. They are financed by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and allow researchers to tackle innovative, challenging, complex, and long-term research questions. Ideally, funding lasts for twelve years, broken down into three four-year funding periods. Two or three universities can apply for a Transregio Collaborative Research Centre (in short: CRC/TRR) together and then carry out research as roughly equal partners in the consortium. Through the approval of CRC/TRR 212, Bielefeld University has now four Collaborative Research Centres (CRC). In the CRC 1288, researchers in several disciplines including history, sociology, and literary studies are working on practices of comparing. CRC 1283 is carrying out research on randomness from the perspective of mathematics. The physicists in CRC/TRR 211 are studying strong-interaction matter under extreme conditions (together with Goethe University Frankfurt and Technische Universitat Darmstadt). ### Physician-researchers from the Cardiac Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) recently presented new findings on pediatric cardiovascular disease at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2017 in Anaheim, Calif. Among many abstracts presented were research on racial disparities in bystander CPR methods in children with sudden cardiac arrest, and findings that children with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy may be at risk for sudden cardiac death. Both abstracts were highlighted in the featured oral abstract sessions during the Resuscitation Symposium and the Congenital Heart Disease Session at the conference. Race, ethnicity and neighborhood socioeconomic characteristics are associated with the use of bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for pediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Researchers from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia analyzed the Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival database for pediatric non-traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the United States from January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2016. There were 5,049 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in children. White and black children comprised the largest racial/ethnic groups, followed by Hispanic and other groups. Bystander CPR was provided in 49 percent of cases. Bystander CPR was more common in white neighborhoods, where it was provided in 54 percent of cardiac arrests, than in non-white neighborhoods where it was provided in 38 percent of arrests. Bystander CPR was also more common in neighborhoods with higher income and lower unemployment. Higher socioeconomic status was associated with increased bystander CPR and increased survival with favorable neurological outcome. "Our previous work (published in JAMA Pediatrics) had shown a racial disparity in bystander CPR provision and outcome following pediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest," said Maryam Naim, MD, pediatric cardiac intensivist at CHOP and the study's lead author. "However, we were unsure if this was a true racial disparity or possibly related to socioeconomic factors such as income and education. Our current work shows that the racial disparity exists in the provision of bystander CPR, but as most CPR is provided by family members, this is likely because of lack of training on bystander CPR and recognition of cardiac arrest. Targeted CPR training in low-income, non-white communities may increase the bystander CPR rates and improve outcome from cardiac arrest in children," added Naim. Maryam Y. Naim et al. Race/Ethnicity and Socioeconomic Factors are Associated with Bystander CPR in Pediatric Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest in the United States: A Study from the Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (CARES). Presented at the AHA Scientific Sessions. Children with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) may be at risk for sudden cardiac death (SCD). Researchers from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia collected retrospective data on children with HCM at 35 U.S. and international centers, to perform risk stratification. The study included 614 patients aged 20 or younger, of whom 448 (73 percent) had implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). Posterior left ventricle wall thickness was the most important risk factor in this study. Other risk factors evaluated for SCD in this pediatric population included history of fainting, family history of SCD, interventricular wall thickness, co-existent Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and inferior leads on ECG. Left outflow tract obstruction was not associated with SCD. The researchers recommend establishing an international prospective registry of children with HCM to gain more insight into risk factors. Seshadri Balaji, Maully Shah et al. Risk Stratification for Sudden Death in Children with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: an international multi-center study. Presented at the AHA Scientific Sessions. This research received the 2017 American Heart Association's Council on Cardiovascular Disease in the Young's 2017 CVDY Outstanding Research Award in Pediatric Cardiology. ### Note to media: For more information, or to speak with the author of either abstract presented at the A.H.A. Scientific Sessions, please contact Joey McCool Ryan at McCool@email.chop.edu or 267-426-6070. About Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was founded in 1855 as the nation's first pediatric hospital. Through its long-standing commitment to providing exceptional patient care, training new generations of pediatric healthcare professionals and pioneering major research initiatives, Children's Hospital has fostered many discoveries that have benefited children worldwide. Its pediatric research program is among the largest in the country. In addition, its unique family-centered care and public service programs have brought the 546-bed hospital recognition as a leading advocate for children and adolescents. For more information, visit http://www.chop.edu. How drug-resistant bacteria can be made sensitive to antibiotics again? Is your home really such a safe investment? Can there be a more efficient way to study the most abundant element on Earth - oxygen? These are just some examples of the challenges at the frontiers of knowledge that the new grantees of the European Research Council (ERC) are going to take on. The ERC has announced today the awarding of the Consolidator Grants that go to 329 top researchers across Europe. The funding, part of the EU's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, is worth in total 630 million and will give them a chance to have far-reaching impact on science and beyond. On this occasion, Carlos Moedas, European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, said: "The Horizon 2020 programme will be funding 329 new ERC grants with 630 million euro to boost the EU's scientific excellence and competitiveness. Such grants contribute to increasing the EU's attractiveness as a place for research and innovation. I'm also pleased to see that the share of grants attributed to women researchers is growing in ERC competitions. We still have much to do, but it has always been my ambition to deploy all efforts possible to achieve gender equality in the realm of research and innovation." The President of the ERC, Professor Jean-Pierre Bourguignon, commented: "On behalf of the Scientific Council, I'd like to congratulate the new ERC grant winners. I also express my gratitude to the over 3,000 top scientists and scholars for their pain-staking work, evaluating and identifying the most ambitious proposals submitted to the ERC. The funding will encourage these mid-career scientists to explore further the unknown and develop their most daring ideas at their own initiative. By leaving them freedom, the ERC is enabling breakthroughs. This conditions the capacity of Europe to respond to a number of challenges and to improve the lives of its citizens if the appropriate policies are adopted." The grantees will carry out their projects at universities and research centres in 22 different countries across Europe, with as leading locations the United Kingdom (60 grants), Germany (56), France (38) and the Netherlands (25). In this competition, researchers of 39 nationalities received funding, amongst them are notably Germans (55 grants), Italians (33), French (32) and Britons (31). The research projects proposed by the new grantees cover a wide range of topics in physical sciences and engineering, life sciences, as well as social sciences and humanities. (See more examples) The ERC has evaluated 2,538 research proposals this time, out of which 13% will be funded. Thirty-two percent of grants were awarded to female applicants. The grants will create an estimated 2,000 jobs for postdocs, PhD students and other staff working in the grantees' research teams. (See more statistics) List of all selected researchers in alphabetical order Lists of selected researchers by domain (in alphabetical order): Discover more projects in this Consolidator Grant competition Background The ERC Consolidator Grants are awarded to outstanding researchers of any nationality and age, with at least seven and up to twelve years of experience after PhD, and a scientific track record showing great promise. Research must be conducted in a public or private research organisation located in one of the EU Member States or Associated Countries. The funding (maximum of 2 million per grant), is provided for up to five years and mostly covers the employment of researchers and other staff to consolidate the grantees' teams. ### About the ERC The European Research Council, set up by the European Union in 2007, is the first European funding organisation for excellent frontier research. Every year, it selects and funds the very best, creative researchers of any nationality and age, to run projects based in Europe. The ERC has three core grant schemes: Starting Grants, Consolidator Grants and Advanced Grants. An additional funding scheme, Synergy Grants, was re-launched in 2017. To date, the ERC has funded over 7,500 top researchers at various stages of their careers, and more than 50,000 postdocs, PhD students and other staff working in their research teams. The ERC has an annual budget of 1.8 billion for the year 2017, which is around 1% of overall spending on research in Europe. With a budget of over 13 billion for the years 2014 to 2020, the ERC is part of the EU research and innovation programme, Horizon 2020, for which European Commissioner Carlos Moedas is responsible. The ERC is led by an independent governing body, the Scientific Council, chaired by the ERC President, Professor Jean-Pierre Bourguignon, since January 2014. More information ERC website Horizon 2020 Too much, too little, just right. It might seem like a line from "Goldilocks and the Three Bears," but actually describes an important finding from researchers in Florida Atlantic University's College of Engineering and Computer Science. They have developed a technique using machine learning - a sub-field of artificial intelligence (AI) - that will enhance computer-aided diagnosis (CADx) of melanoma. Thanks to the algorithm they created - which can be used in mobile apps that are being developed to diagnose suspicious moles - they were able to determine the "sweet spot" in classifying images of skin lesions. This new finding, published in the Journal of Digital Imaging, will ultimately help clinicians more reliably identify and diagnose melanoma skin lesions, distinguishing them from other types of skin lesions. The research was conducted in the NSF Industry/University Cooperative Research Center for Advanced Knowledge Enablement (CAKE) at FAU and was funded by the Center's industry members. Melanoma is a particularly deadly form of skin cancer when left undiagnosed. In the United States alone, there were an estimated 76,380 new cases of melanoma and an estimated 6,750 deaths due to melanoma in 2016. Malignant melanoma and benign skin lesions often appear very similar to the untrained eye. Over the years, dermatologists have developed different heuristic classification methods to diagnose melanoma, but to limited success (65 to 80 percent accuracy). As a result, computer scientists and doctors have teamed up to develop CADx tools capable of aiding physicians to classify skin lesions, which could potentially save numerous lives each year. "Contemporary CADx systems are powered by deep learning architectures, which basically consist of a method used to train computers to perform an intelligent task. We feed them massive amounts of data so that they can learn to extract meaning from the data and, eventually, demonstrate performance comparable to human experts - dermatologists in this case," said Oge Marques, Ph.D., lead author of the study and a professor in FAU's Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science who specializes in machine cognition, medical imaging and health care technologies. "We are not trying to replace physicians or other medical professionals with artificial intelligence. We are trying to help them solve a problem faster and with greater accuracy, in other words enabling augmented intelligence." Images of skin lesions often contain more than just skin lesions - background noise, hair, scars, and other artifacts in the image can potentially confuse the CADx system. To prevent the classifier from incorrectly associating these irrelevant artifacts with melanoma, the images are segmented into two parts, separating the lesion from the surrounding skin, hoping that the segmented lesion can be more easily analyzed and classified. "Previous studies have produced conflicting results: some research suggests that segmentation improves classification while other research suggests that segmentation is detrimental, due to a loss of contextual information around the lesion area," said Marques. "How much we segment an image can either help or impede skin lesion classification." With that in mind, Marques and his collaborators Borko Furht, Ph.D., a professor in FAU's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Computer Science and director of the NSF-sponsored CAKE at FAU; Jack Burdick, a second-year master's student at FAU; and Janet Weinthal, an undergraduate student at FAU, tested their hypothesis: "How much segmentation is too much?" To test their hypothesis, the researchers first compared the effects of no segmentation, full segmentation, and partial segmentation on classification and demonstrated that partial segmentation led to the best results. They then proceeded to determine how much segmentation would be "just right." To do that, they used three degrees of partial segmentation, investigating how a variable-sized non-lesion border around the segmented skin lesion affects classification results. They performed comparisons in a systematic and reproducible manner to demonstrate empirically that a certain amount of segmentation border around the lesion could improve classification performance. Their findings suggest that extending the border beyond the lesion to include a limited amount of background pixels improves their classifier's ability to distinguish melanoma from a benign skin lesion. "Our experimental results suggest that there appears to be a 'sweet spot' in the degree to which the surrounding skin included is neither too great nor too small and provides a 'just right' amount of context," said Marques. Their method showed an improvement across all relevant measures of performance for a skin lesion classifier. ### This research is supported by the NSF CAKE at FAU working in collaboration with industry partners as well as international collaborators from Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (UPC), Barcelona. About FAU's College of Engineering and Computer Science: Florida Atlantic University's College of Engineering and Computer Science is committed to providing accessible and responsive programs of education and research recognized nationally for their high quality. Course offerings are presented on-campus, off-campus, and through distance learning in bioengineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, environmental engineering, geomatics engineering, mechanical engineering and ocean engineering. For more information about the college, please visit eng.fau.edu. About Florida Atlantic University: Florida Atlantic University, established in 1961, officially opened its doors in 1964 as the fifth public university in Florida. Today, the University, with an annual economic impact of $6.3 billion, serves more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students at sites throughout its six-county service region in southeast Florida. FAU's world-class teaching and research faculty serves students through 10 colleges: the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, the College of Business, the College for Design and Social Inquiry, the College of Education, the College of Engineering and Computer Science, the Graduate College, the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing and the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. FAU is ranked as a High Research Activity institution by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The University is placing special focus on the rapid development of critical areas that form the basis of its strategic plan: Healthy aging, biotech, coastal and marine issues, neuroscience, regenerative medicine, informatics, lifespan and the environment. These areas provide opportunities for faculty and students to build upon FAU's existing strengths in research and scholarship. For more information, visit fau.edu. Expansion of sugarcane cultivation for biofuel in areas not under environmental protection or reserved for food production could also reduce global emissions of carbon dioxide by up to 5.6%, according to a study by researchers in Brazil, the US and Europe Expansion of sugarcane cultivation in Brazil for ethanol production in areas not under environmental protection or reserved for food production could potentially replace up to 13.7% of world crude oil consumption and reduce global emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) by as much as 5.6% by 2045. These estimates come from an international study with Brazilian participation, whose results were published on October 2017 in the journal Nature Climate Change. The study set out to investigate how the expansion of sugarcane ethanol could help limit the rise in average global temperatures to less than 2 C by reducing CO2 emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels, as agreed by the 196 countries that signed the Paris Climate Agreement in December 2015. The study was conducted as part of a project supported by the Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP and by the National Institute of Science and Technology for Bioethanol - INCT Bioethanol. The participating researchers are affiliated with the University of Campinas's Agricultural Engineering School (FEAGRI-UNICAMP) and the University of Sao Paulo's Bioscience Institute (IB-USP) and Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (ESALQ-USP). They collaborated with colleagues at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), Iowa State University and the National Center for Supercomputing Applications in the United States, the University of Copenhagen and Danish Energy Association in Denmark, and Lancaster University in the United Kingdom. The researchers used software developed at UIUC to simulate the growth of plants such as sugarcane hour by hour based on soil composition, temperature, rainfall, and drought, among other parameters. They used three different environmental policy scenarios to simulate sugarcane expansion in the context of climate change projected for 2040 and 2050 by the five main general circulation models. Under Scenario 1, sugarcane expansion was limited to existing pasturelands that could be replaced with the crop according to the Sugarcane Agroecological Zoning Plan (ZAE Cana) established in 2009 by EMBRAPA, the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation. Under Scenario 2, sugarcane production was expanded not only to areas available for the crop identified by ZAE Cana but also to areas that will not be needed to grow food crops and animal feed, even assuming a rise in demand for food in the coming decades due to population growth. Scenario 3 was the same except that it included natural and semi-natural vegetation that can be legally converted to cropland. All three scenarios excluded environmentally sensitive areas such as the Amazon and Pantanal, which cannot be used for agricultural or industrial activities. The analysis showed that sugarcane cultivation for ethanol production could expand to between 37.5 million and 116 million hectares under the three scenarios and that sugarcane ethanol could supply the equivalent of between 3.63 million and 12.77 million barrels of oil per day in 2045 given the projected climate change, while at the same time ensuring conservation of forests and areas reserved for food production. As a result, it would be possible to reduce oil consumption by 3.8%-13.7% and net global emissions of CO2 by 1.5%-5.6% by 2045 compared with data for 2014. "Our findings show it's possible to reconcile the two key goals to which Brazil committed as part of the Paris accord: conservation of natural environments, especially the Amazon, and increasing use of renewable energy," said Marcos Buckeridge, a professor at IB-USP and one of the authors of the article. "The study highlights Brazil's courage in inventing sugarcane ethanol as a biofuel and implementing it as a nationwide solution," Buckeridge told Agencia FAPESP. "This potential expansion of sugarcane wouldn't work without integration between the agricultural and industrial segments, and this, in turn, underscores the importance of concentrating strongly on the science and technology of sugarcane in the coming years. We must complete the job we began, which means second-generation ethanol." Scalable solution The authors of the study note that sugarcane ethanol is a near-term scalable solution to the problem of reducing CO2 emissions in the global transportation sector. Production of fuel ethanol from sugarcane in Brazil is far more efficient than corn ethanol production, they argue. Its CO2 emissions correspond to only 14% of oil's. Moreover, emissions resulting from land-use change to sugarcane cultivation can be offset in just two to eight years. "Rapid scalability is fundamental: this is what's needed to accelerate society's responses to climate change," Buckeridge said. "All the evidence suggests the average global temperature rise will exceed 1.5 C in 2030. That's not far off. Brazilian ethanol can be a great help to the planet." ### About Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) The Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) is a public institution with the mission of supporting scientific research in all fields of knowledge by awarding scholarships, fellowships and grants to investigators linked with higher education and research institutions in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. FAPESP is aware that the very best research can only be done by working with the best researchers internationally. Therefore, it has established partnerships with funding agencies, higher education, private companies, and research organizations in other countries known for the quality of their research and has been encouraging scientists funded by its grants to further develop their international collaboration. For more information: http://www.fapesp.br/en. TauRx Therapeutics Ltd today reported the full results from its second Phase 3 clinical study of LMTX, the first tau aggregation inhibitor in Alzheimer's disease, published online in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease ABERDEEN, Scotland and Singapore, Nov. 27, 2017 - TauRx Therapeutics Ltd today reported the full results from its second Phase 3 clinical study of LMTX, the first tau aggregation inhibitor in Alzheimer's disease, published online in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. Results from this study (TRx-237-005) are consistent with those from the first Phase 3 study, recently published in The Lancet [(TRx-237-015) Gauthier et al. 20161] in mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease, in supporting the hypothesis that LMTX might be effective as monotherapy at a dose as low as 4 mg twice daily. The latest study (TRx-237-005) investigated the efficacy and safety of LMTX in 800 patients with mild Alzheimer's disease at a dose of either 100 mg or 4 mg (intended as the control dose) twice daily over an 18-month treatment period. The results of the earlier study showed significant differences in favour of two higher doses of LMTX (75 mg and 125 mg twice daily) when taken as monotherapy compared with the intended 4 mg control dose taken as monotherapy or as add-on therapy to currently approved treatments for Alzheimer's disease in prespecified post hoc analyses. In a further analysis, the same difference in favour of monotherapy compared with add-on treatment was found in patients taking the 4 mg twice daily dose. Therefore, prior to database lock and unblinding, the primary analyses of TRx-237-005 were modified to compare 100 mg LMTX twice daily as monotherapy with the intended control, and 4 mg twice daily as monotherapy compared with the same dose as add-on therapy as non-randomised cohort analyses. The aim was to test whether the findings from the first study could be confirmed as primary outcomes in a second independent study with strong controls against statistical error. Results of the second study showed the same significant differences in favour of LMTX monotherapy at the required statistical threshold of p < 0.025 in both comparisons on the co-primary clinical efficacy endpoints for the cognitive (ADAS-cog) and functional (ADCS-ADL) outcomes. In both the LMTX monotherapy and add-on therapy groups, whole brain atrophy (measured via MRI scans) initially progressed as expected for patients with mild Alzheimer's disease. However, after 9 months of treatment, the annualised rate of whole brain atrophy in monotherapy patients reduced significantly and became typical of that reported in normal elderly controls without Alzheimer's disease. The comparable rate seen in the add-on therapy group progressed as reported for patients with mild Alzheimer's disease. Similarly, additional findings from FDG-PET scans in TRx-237-005 indicated that the decline in temporal lobe glucose uptake in those patients receiving LMTX monotherapy was significantly less than that typically reported for patients with mild Alzheimer's disease. When the various analyses were corrected for potential differences in severity or diagnosis at baseline between monotherapy and add-on therapy cohorts, the results remained robustly significant. "While the monotherapy subgroups in the first and second Phase 3 LMTX studies remain small - 15% and 20% respectively - the confirmation of the same pattern of results in the second independent study means they are unlikely to be a chance finding," said Prof. Claude Wischik, of Aberdeen University and executive chairman of TauRx Therapeutics Ltd. "The overall retention rates in the second study were similar in both monotherapy and add-on treatment groups, so differential withdrawal rates cannot be the explanation. Likewise, seeing the same results in the second study conducted only in North America, Western Europe and Australia means that the first study was not atypical in some way through its inclusion of non-western countries. Finding the same pattern of results in the clinical and imaging outcomes also means that they cannot be explained as placebo effects in patients coming into a treatment setting for the first time." Prof. Wischik went on to comment: "Although these results come from non-randomised cohort analyses, a number of things point to real treatment effects and not just differences between patients taking or not taking the standard treatments. The analysis showing a slow-down in the brain atrophy rate is a before-and-after analysis in which the monotherapy patients were their own controls, and so does not depend on a comparison with add-on therapy patients. We are also starting to understand the pharmacologic basis of the negative interaction between LMTX and the standard treatments since we have now seen the same thing happening in an animal model of tau protein aggregation." "These highly significant results support further validation of tau-based therapy in Alzheimer's disease," said George Perry, Dean of Sciences, University of Texas at San Antonio and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. The lead author of the study, Gordon Wilcock, Emeritus Professor of Geratology and Honorary Clinical Senior Research Fellow in the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Oxford, commented: "These data indicate the need for a further randomised controlled trial to evaluate efficacy of low dose LMTX in patients not taking current treatments." Further randomised controlled studies of LMTX are set to commence shortly in which the 4 mg twice daily dose will be compared with placebo in patients with Alzheimer's disease who are not receiving other approved treatments for this condition (cholinesterase inhibitors and/or memantine). ### For further information on the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease publication of study TRx-237-005 visit https://content.iospress.com/download/journal-of-alzheimers-disease/jad170560?id=journal-of-alzheimers-disease%2Fjad170560 About Study TRx-237-005 Approximately 800 patients were enrolled in this Phase 3, randomised, controlled, double-blind trial, across 98 sites in 12 countries. Co-primary efficacy outcomes were scores on the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog) and the Alzheimer's Disease Co-operative Study-Activities of Daily Living (ADCS-ADL); secondary outcomes included changes in regional brain volumes (as measured by MRI) to assess potential therapeutic effects on the rate of brain atrophy, and changes in brain glucose uptake (as measured by FDG-PET) to assess effects on brain function. The trial is the second of two Phase 3 trials of LMTX in Alzheimer's disease that reported top-line results in 2016. Dr. Amanda Botticello of Kessler Foundation was awarded a $605,000 subaward by the National Institute on Disability Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research. She is site investigator for a study testing a cognitive-behavioral intervention Nov. 28, 2017. Amanda Botticello, PhD, MPH, received a $605,000 subaward from the National Institute on Disability Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research to study a cognitive-behavioral intervention in the outpatient population with spinal cord injury (SCI). Craig Hospital in Denver, Colorado, is the lead site for the five-year grant, titled, "Reinventing yourself after SCI." The two sub-sites are Kessler Foundation in West Orange, New Jersey, and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Investigators plan to enroll more than 250 individuals in this randomized controlled trial of this cognitive-behavioral intervention. Participants must be at least 4 weeks post discharge to the community. The intervention is a six-week structured program of group therapy based on helping individuals develop the confidence and skills necessary to fully participate in the community. "We will look at the effects of this intervention on self-efficacy, emotional wellbeing, and community participation," explained Dr.Botticello, research scientist in SCI and Outcomes & Assessment Research at Kessler Foundation. "We anticipate that gaining a positive perspective on living with SCI will help individuals adjust to their disability, support their efforts to fully engage at home, at work, and in their community, and result in improved outcomes for this population." ### Funding source: NIDILRR grant 90DPHF0002, PI: Susan Charlifue, PhD, Craig Hospital. About SCI Research at Kessler Foundation Kessler Foundation is one of the most active centers for SCI Research in the country. Under the leadership of Trevor Dyson-Hudson, MD, and Steven Kirshblum, MD, scientists conduct investigator-initiated and industry-sponsored studies and clinical trials in SCI and Outcomes Assessment Research. The Northern New Jersey SCI System, one of 14 model systems in the nation, provides a continuum of care, research, and outreach aimed at improving the lives of people with SCI. Research funding sources include the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living & Rehabilitation Research, the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Department of Defense, the Veterans Administration, the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation, the New Jersey Commission for SCI Research, and Kessler Foundation. Foundation scientists have faculty appointments at Rutgers University; selected researchers are affiliated faculty at NJIT. About Kessler Foundation Kessler Foundation, a major nonprofit organization in the field of disability, is a global leader in rehabilitation research that seeks to improve cognition, mobility and long-term outcomes, including employment, for people with neurological disabilities caused by diseases and injuries of the brain and spinal cord. Kessler Foundation leads the nation in funding innovative programs that expand opportunities for employment for people with disabilities. Learn more by visiting http://www.KesslerFoundation.org. Stay Connected Twitter | http://www.twitter.com/KesslerFdn Facebook | http://www.facebook.com/KesslerFoundation YouTube | http://www.youtube.com/user/KesslerFoundation Instagram | http://www.instagram.com/kesslerfdn iTunes & SoundCloud | http://www.soundcloud.com/kesslerfoundation Contacts Carolann Murphy, PA; 973-324-8382; CMurphy@KesslerFoundation.org Patrick M. Woster, Ph.D. of the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) is among the 396 members selected as a 2017 AAAS Fellow due to their distinguished efforts to advance science or its applications. The AAAS is recognized as the world's largest multidisciplinary scientific society and a leading publisher of scientific journals, including Science. As part of the AAAS' Section on Pharmaceutical Sciences, Woster was elected for his contributions to the field of medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry, particularly for the study of polyamine analogues and small-molecule epigenetic modulators as potential therapeutics in cancer and infectious disease. Woster, who is an Endowed Chair in Medicinal Chemistry through the SmartState Center of Economic Excellence and a member of the MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, serves as chair of the Department of Drug Discovery & Biomedical Sciences and director of the MUSC Drug Discovery Core. Woster's research interests include the design, synthesis and evaluation of antitumor agents as well as the development of analogues with potent activity against a variety of cancer cell lines. Most recently, he has been working to develop a new gene-modifying sickle cell disease treatment, which could be fast-tracked to human clinical trials in as little as three years. "Dr. Woster's commitment to innovation and discovery is reflected in the significant contributions he makes to scientific knowledge through his own research as well in the inspiration he provides as department chair. His leadership continues to drive new advancements in innovative research and teaching, productivity and collaboration and development of novel programs and initiatives," said Philip D. Hall, PharmD, FCCP, BCPS, BCOP, dean of the MUSC College of Pharmacy. This year's AAAS Fellows were formally announced in the AAAS News & Notes section of the journal Science on 24 November 2017. The tradition of AAAS Fellows began in 1874. Currently, members can be considered for the rank of Fellow if nominated by the steering groups of the Association's 24 sections, or by any three Fellows who are current AAAS members (so long as two of the three sponsors are not affiliated with the nominee's institution), or by the AAAS chief executive officer. Fellows must have been continuous members of AAAS for four years by the end of the calendar year in which they are elected. New Fellows will be recognized at the AAAS Fellows Forum during the 2018 AAAS Annual Meeting in Austin, Texas. ### 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 We live on a solar-powered planet. As we wake up in the morning, the Sun peeks over the horizon to shed light on us, blanket us with warmth and provide cues to start our day. At the same time, our Sun's energy drives our planet's ocean currents, seasons, weather and climate. Without the Sun, life on Earth would not exist. For nearly 40 years, NASA has been measuring how much sunshine powers our home planet. This December, NASA is launching an instrument to the International Space Station to continue monitoring the Sun's energy input to the Earth system. The Total and Spectral solar Irradiance Sensor (TSIS-1) will precisely measure what scientists call "total solar irradiance." These data will give us a better understanding of Earth's primary energy supply and help improve models simulating Earth's climate. "You can look at the Earth and Sun connection as a simple energy balance. If you have more energy absorbed by the Earth than leaving it, its temperature increases and vice versa," said Peter Pilewskie, TSIS-1 lead scientist at the Laboratory for Atmospheric Physics (LASP) in Boulder, Colorado. Under NASA's direction, LASP is providing and distributing the instrument's measurements to the scientific community. "We're measuring all the radiant energy that is coming to Earth." But it's not so simple: the Sun's output energy is not constant. Over the course of about 11 years, our Sun cycles from a relatively quiet state to a peak in intense solar activity -- like explosions of light and solar material -- called a solar maximum. In subsequent years the Sun returns to a quiet state and the cycle starts over again. The Sun has fewer sunspots -- dark areas that are often the source of increased solar activity -- and stops producing so many explosions, going through a period called the solar minimum. Over the course of one solar cycle (one 11-year period), the Sun's emitted energy varies on average at about 0.1 percent. That may not sound like a lot, but the Sun emits a large amount of energy - 1,361 watts per square meter. Even fluctuations at just a tenth of a percent can affect Earth. In addition to those 11-year changes, entire solar cycles can vary from decade to decade. Scientists have observed unusually quiet magnetic activity from the Sun for the past two decades with previous satellites. During the last prolonged solar minimum in 2008-2009, our Sun was as quiet it has been observed since 1978. Scientists expect the Sun to enter a solar minimum within the next three years, and TSIS-1 will be primed to take measurements of the next minimum. "We don't know what the next solar cycle is going to bring, but we've had a couple of solar cycles that have been weaker than we've had in quite a while so who knows. It's a pretty exciting time to be studying the Sun," said Dong Wu, the TSIS-1 project scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Goddard is responsible for the overall development and operation of TSIS-1 on the International Space Station. TSIS-1 data are particularly important for helping scientists understand the causes of total solar irradiance fluctuations and how they are connected with the Sun's behavior over decades or centuries. Today, scientists have neither enough data nor the forecasting skill to predict whether total solar irradiance has any long-term trend, said Doug Rabin, deputy project scientist at Goddard. TSIS-1 will continue a data sequence that is vital to answering that question. These data are also important for understanding Earth's climate through models. Scientists use computer models to interpret changes in the Sun's energy input. If less solar energy is available, scientists can gauge how that will affect Earth's atmosphere, oceans, weather and seasons by using computer simulations. The input from the Sun is just one of many factors scientists used to model Earth's climate. Earth's climate is also affected by other factors such as greenhouse gases, clouds scattering light and small particles in the atmosphere called aerosols -- all of which are taken into account in comprehensive climate models. TSIS-1 will study the total amount of solar radiation emitted by the Sun using the Total Irradiance Monitor, one of two sensors on the instrument. The second sensor, called the Spectral Irradiance Monitor, will measure how the Sun's energy is distributed over the ultraviolet, visible and infrared regions of light. TSIS-1 spectral irradiance measurements of the Sun's ultraviolet radiation are critical to understanding the ozone layer -- Earth's natural sunscreen that protects life from harmful radiation. "Knowing the Sun's behavior and knowing how Earth's atmosphere responds to the Sun is even more important now because of all the different factors that affect climate change. We need to understand how all of these interact on Earth's system," said Pilewskie. ### For more information, visit: NASA's TSIS-1 Keeps an Eye on Sun's Power Over Ozone NASA's website on the Sun and climate connection NASA's TSIS-1 overview website TSIS-1 project website by University of Colorado Banner Image: For nearly 40 years, NASA has been measuring how much sunshine powers our home planet. This December, NASA is launching an instrument to the International Space Station to continue monitoring the Sun's energy input to the Earth system. Credit: NASA/Rani Gran The nation's opioid epidemic kills 91 people a day, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The death toll would be even higher, were it not for emergency responders' heavy reliance on naloxone as an antidote that rapidly reverses the effects of overdose. However, a new systematic review of evidence by clinicians and researchers at OHSU in Portland, Oregon, reveals important gaps in knowledge about the safety and effectiveness of widespread off-label use of naloxone among patients, families, friends and emergency responders. The study published today in the Annals of Internal Medicine. "Naloxone is effective, but we really need to know the best way to administer it," said senior author Roger Chou, M.D., director of the Pacific Northwest Evidence-based Practice Center at OHSU. "This has both cost and clinical implications." The U.S. Food & Drug Administration in 2015 approved two prescription versions of naloxone - an auto-injector and a nasal spray formulation. However, many first responders have been using the less-concentrated injectable formulations of naloxone to reverse the effects of opioids. In those emergency situations, they administer it through the nose. Such off-label permutations have been effectively used by law enforcement treating unconscious overdose victims, but it is uncertain how much of the non-approved formulation of naloxone is absorbed and how reliably it is administered. Both of these factors could impact the effectiveness of off-label administration of naloxone compared with the more recent FDA-approved versions. "The majority of naloxone being administered nasally is probably the non-approved formulation," said co-author Mohamud Daya, M.D., professor of emergency medicine in the OHSU School of Medicine. "The sad thing is, we don't know much about the new formulations. They've not actually been well studied in the way that you'd want them to be in a large population of patients." One thing clinicians and first responders do know: The new FDA-approved formulations are expensive. The auto-injector, for example, carries a price tag exceeding $4,000. Researchers reviewed 13 published studies to determine how the route of administration and dosing outside the hospital affects mortality, reversal of overdose symptoms and harm. The evidence appeared to show similar effectiveness between the intramuscular and intranasal delivery for heroin or prescription opioid overdose, but the intranasal naloxone studied was at a concentration different than the FDA-approved nasal formulation. Researchers also noted that little is known about the efficacy and safety of off-label use of naloxone for treating overdoses related to newly emerging illicit uses of more powerful opioids such as fentanyl and fentanyl derivatives. "The off label may be fine for most overdoses related to standard heroin or prescription opioids, but may not be strong enough for these other drugs," Chou said. It's important for new research to examine the effect of these off-label uses, he said. "These jury-rigged intranasal devices have not been tested the same way," Chou said. "The fact that we have no evidence on the off-label uses for these devices is concerning, especially because many first responders feel compelled to use them because of the cost differences." ### The study was funded by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, contract No. HHSA290-2015-00009-I. Achim Doberman, Director and Chief Executive of Rothamsted Research, welcomed the white paper's focus on agriculture, and called for concerted action now so that UK can see the benefits of "Clean Growth" on the ground, and fast. "We need to accelerate the excellent science we clearly have in the system," says Dobermann. "And we need to manage investment in a new way, so that it very quickly addresses the challenges in agriculture and we can position the UK well for the post-Brexit period. He adds: "The UK needs a strong and competitive agricultural industry that is efficient, competitive and diverse, and farming that is sustainable - that's clean agricultural growth." Angela Karp, Rothamsted's Director for Science Innovation, Engagement and Partnerships, emphasised that it is what we do with the UK's great science that matters. "We need a dynamic, new model that focusses on the fuel that drives the engines of innovation," says Karp. "That means less time thinking about new buildings, and more on how we ensure the research we do is translated into impacts that benefit the UK; less time planning and reviewing, and more time on co-development and on 'lean' approaches, where innovation is tested through sharing and engagement, and either succeeds, or fails, fast." ### Industrial Strategy: building a Britain fit for the future Rothamsted Research is the oldest agricultural research institute in the world. We work from gene to field with a proud history of ground-breaking discoveries. Our founders, in 1843, were the pioneers of modern agriculture, and we are known for our imaginative science and our collaborative influence on fresh thinking and farming practices. Through independent science and innovation, we make significant contributions to improving agri-food systems in the UK and internationally. In terms of its economic contribution, the cumulative impact of our work in the UK exceeds 3000 million a year (Rothamsted Research and the Value of Excellence, by Sean Rickard, 2015). Our strength lies in our systems approach, which combines science and strategic research, interdisciplinary teams and partnerships. Rothamsted is also home to three unique resources. These National Capabilities are open to researchers from all over the world: The Long-Term Experiments, Rothamsted Insect Survey and the North Wyke Farm Platform. We are strategically funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), with additional support from other national and international funding streams, and from industry. BBSRC invests in world-class bioscience research and training on behalf of the UK public. Our aim is to further scientific knowledge, to promote economic growth, wealth and job creation and to improve quality of life in the UK and beyond. Funded by Government, BBSRC invested over 469M in world-class bioscience in 2016-17. We support research and training in universities and strategically funded institutes. BBSRC research and the people we fund are helping society to meet major challenges, including food security, green energy and healthier, longer lives. Our investments underpin important UK economic sectors, such as farming, food, industrial biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. CHICAGO - Migraine sufferers have significantly higher sodium concentrations in their cerebrospinal fluid than people without the condition, according to the first study to use a technique called sodium MRI to look at migraine patients. The findings were presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Migraine, a type of headache characterized by severe head pain, and sometimes nausea and vomiting, is one of the most common headache disorders, affecting about 18 percent of women and 6 percent of men. Some migraines are accompanied by vision changes or odd sensations in the body known as auras. Diagnosis is challenging, as the characteristics of migraines and the types of attacks vary widely among patients. Consequently, many migraine patients are undiagnosed and untreated. Other patients, in contrast, are treated with medications for migraines even though they suffer from a different type of headache, such as the more common tension variety. "It would be helpful to have a diagnostic tool supporting or even diagnosing migraine and differentiating migraine from all other types of headaches," said study author Melissa Meyer, M.D., radiology resident at the Institute of Clinical Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Mannheim and Heidelberg University in Heidelberg, Germany. Dr. Meyer and colleagues explored a magnetic resonance technique called cerebral sodium MRI as a possible means to help in the diagnosis and understanding of migraines. While MRI most often relies on protons to generate an image, sodium can be visualized as well. Research has shown that sodium plays an important role in brain chemistry. The researchers recruited 12 women, mean age 34, who had been clinically evaluated for migraine. The women filled out a questionnaire regarding the length, intensity and frequency of their migraine attacks and accompanying auras. The researchers also brought in 12 healthy women of similar ages to serve as a control group. Both groups underwent cerebral sodium MRI. Sodium concentrations of migraine patients and healthy controls were compared and statistically analyzed. The researchers found no statistical differences between the two groups for sodium concentrations in the gray and white matter, brain stem and cerebellum. However, significant differences emerged when the researchers looked at sodium concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid, the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, providing a cushion for the brain while also helping to ensure chemical stability for proper brain function. Overall, sodium concentrations were significantly higher in the brain's cerebrospinal fluid in migraine patients than in the healthy control group. "These findings might facilitate the challenging diagnosis of a migraine," Dr. Meyer said. The researchers hope to learn more about the connection between migraines and sodium in future studies. "As this was an exploratory study, we plan to examine more patients, preferably during or shortly after a migraine attack, for further validation," Dr. Meyer said. ### Co-authors are Alexander Schmidt, Justus Benrath, Simon Konstandin, Ph.D., Lothar R. Schad, Ph.D., Stefan O. Schoenberg, M.D., Ph.D., and Stefan Haneder, M.D. Note: Copies of RSNA 2017 news releases and electronic images will be available online at RSNA.org/press17 beginning Monday, Nov. 27. RSNA is an association of over 54,000 radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical physicists and related scientists, promoting excellence in patient care and health care delivery through education, research and technologic innovation. The Society is based in Oak Brook, Ill. (RSNA.org) For patient-friendly information on brain MRI, visit RadiologyInfo.org From 2018 Springer will collaborate with the Canadian Public Health Association to publish its official journal Springer will be the publisher for the Canadian Journal of Public Health starting 1 January 2018. This new collaboration will allow Springer and the Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA) to work together to streamline publication processes for the journal and disseminate peer-reviewed articles on all aspects of public health to an international audience. The Canadian Journal of Public Health aims to advance public health research and practice in Canada and around the world. It was originally founded in 1910 as The Public Health Journal and is currently self-published by the CPHA. The journal is headed by Editor-in-Chief Louise Potvin, who is professor in the school of public health at the University of Montreal in Canada. Topics covered within the scope of the journal include all aspects of public health and preventive medicine such as health promotion, epidemiology, and environmental health with a special focus on population health intervention research. The journal therefore contributes to improving the health of populations and reducing health inequalities. Target readership is researchers, policy-makers, practitioners, academics, students, and professionals in the fields of public, global, and population health, as well as health promotion and equity. Authors may submit original research articles, reviews, and correspondence in English or French and have the option of publishing open access. The journal's online manuscript submission system is now accepting new submissions here. Bill Tucker, Editorial Director of social and behavioral sciences at Springer said: "We are excited about the opportunity to collaborate with the Canadian Public Health Association to publish the Canadian Journal of Public Health. The journal will be an invaluable publication in the Springer public health portfolio because it is already well established and esteemed in its field. By publishing with us, we aim to support and enhance the journal's international profile and reach." Louise Potvin, Editor-in-Chief, Canadian Journal of Public Health said: "We are excited to lead our journal into this new phase of its life cycle. This partnership with a professional publisher will help us improve our interface with authors and reviewers. Ultimately it will provide better dissemination for cutting-edge Canadian public health research." Ian Culbert, Executive Director of the Canadian Public Health Association said: "This collaboration with Springer will help the Canadian Journal of Public Health reach its full potential as a leading contributor to the growing body of evidence and knowledge about population and public health. As the only independent Canadian journal focused exclusively on population and public health, the Canadian Journal of Public Health plays a critical role in contributing to the improvement of the health of populations and the reduction of health inequalities." ### Springer is a leading global scientific, technical and medical portfolio, providing researchers in academia, scientific institutions and corporate R&D departments with quality content through innovative information, products and services. Springer has one of the strongest STM and HSS eBook collections and archives, as well as a comprehensive range of hybrid and open access journals. Springer is part of Springer Nature, a global publisher that serves and supports the research community. Springer Nature aims to advance discovery by publishing robust and insightful science, supporting the development of new areas of research and making ideas and knowledge accessible around the world. As part of Springer Nature, Springer sits alongside other trusted brands like Nature Research, BioMed Central, and Palgrave Macmillan. Visit http://www.springer.com and follow @SpringerNature Founded in 1910, the Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA) is the independent voice for public health in Canada with links to the international community. As the only Canadian non-governmental organization focused exclusively on public health, CPHA is uniquely positioned to advise decision-makers about public health system reform and to guide initiatives to help safeguard the personal and community health of Canadians and people around the world. DES PLAINES, IL--A risk score can identify children at low risk for submersion-related injury who can be safely discharged from the ED after observation. That is the primary finding of a study to be published in the December 2017 issue of Academic Emergency Medicine (AEM), a journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM). The lead author of the study is Rohit P. Shenoi, MD, associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine, attending physician, Texas Children's Hospital, and coordinator of the Houston Trauma Link Coalition. Dr. Shenoi is active in research and surveillance of accidental pediatric injuries (due to automobile crashes, submersions, and other causes) in Houston and Harris County, Texas. His activities include the preparation of injury fact sheets and maps on accidental childhood injuries at the city, county, and regional levels using fire/EMS, crash, and state trauma registry databases. This data is used to guide injury-prevention programs by organizations such as the Houston Police Department and Greater Houston Safe Kids. His research group prepares the Annual TCH Non-Accidental Injury Report and is spearheading efforts in developing a state-wide electronic surveillance system for submersion injuries. The study by Shenoi and colleagues suggests that while the pediatric submersion score is useful to a health practitioner in most clinical settings, further study is recommended to determine if the discriminative ability of the submersion score could be improved by including laboratory tests or chest radiographs. Otwell D. Timmons, MD, a pediatric intensivist at Levine Children's Hospital at Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, North Carolina, commented: "Emergency physicians frequently face the question whether a pediatric submersion victim must be admitted to the hospital or if the victim can be safely discharged to the community. Considerable judgment is necessary. Data to support consistent high-quality decisions is lacking. "With further study and validation, the effort by Dr. Shenoi and colleagues will be important in future management of low-risk childhood submersion. They have collected information expressly to answer the clinical question whether submersion victims may safely go home from the emergency department. Collecting these data is a significant advance, and Dr. Shenoi's team used sophisticated statistical methods to develop a proposed guideline, the Pediatric Submersion Score, from the evidence. "As the authors have noted, their single-center experience must be validated in other institutions before physicians can confidently change their standard of care. It is likely that the proposed guideline can be improved over the coming years. Their contribution is a significant beginning. It should increase the safety and cost-effectiveness of this common emergency." ### The Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to the improvement of care of the acutely ill and injured patient by leading the advancement of academic emergency medicine through education and research, advocacy, and professional development. To learn more, visit saem.org. Collectively, the articles in the December 2017 special issue of SLAS Discovery on Advances in MALDI Mass Spectrometry within Drug Discovery present a snapshot of innovation in the MALDI application space as it stands today. Guest Editors Michael D. Scholle (SAMDI Tech) and Shannon Cornett (Bruker Daltonics) showcase the use of MALDI to characterize the secretory proteome of Streptomycin-resistant M. Tuberculosis as a first approach to understanding how best to treat resistant strains; a survey of buffers and additives that reports their effect on detection of analytes to guide biochemical assay development that is funneled into high-throughput mass spectrometry (HTMS) campaigns; and a high-throughput screening (HTS)-compatible strategy that uses self-assembled monolayer desorption ionization (SAMDI) to screen non-covalent binding of small molecules to target proteins. Other articles in this special issue illustrate how MALDI mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) is used to study diseases and therapeutics, such as how to use MALDI imaging to analyze sections of eye after treatment with brimonidine to gain insight into transit and distribution of the drug through the eye; and how to map the distribution of glycosphingolipids in a Gaucher Disease model mouse brain to gain significant insight into the pathology of this disease. Documenting how scientists combine disparate technologies to create synergies with MALDI TOF are articles by authors who use molecular imprint technology to capture and detect progastrin-releasing peptide (in addition, these authors have developed a visualization tool for MALDI data that can be quickly applied to the analysis of large datasets); and authors who discuss the identification of inhibitors of salt inducible kinases, in situ MALDI for screening the receptor tyrosine kinase cMET, and quantitative imaging of tryptophan and kynurenine metabolites in antitumor immune response. Guest Editors Michael D. Scholle (SAMDI Tech) and Shannon Cornett (Bruker Daltonics) believe MALDI technology will continue to grow as instrumentation and scientific innovation further push the boundaries of its capabilities. Advances in MALDI speed, resolution, and sensitivity will continue to invigorate the imagination as new possibilities for this powerful technology are explored. ### Visit SLAS Discovery Online at http://journals.sagepub.com/toc/jbxb/22/10 to read the special issue on Advances in MALDI Mass Spectrometry within Drug Discovery. SLAS Discovery is one of two PubMed:MEDLINE-indexed scientific journals published by SLAS. For more information about SLAS and its journals, visit http://www.slas.org/journals. About our Society and Journals SLAS (Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening) is an international community of nearly 20,000 professionals and students dedicated to life sciences discovery and technology. The SLAS mission is to bring together researchers in academia, industry and government to advance life sciences discovery and technology via education, knowledge exchange and global community building. SLAS DISCOVERY: 2016 Impact Factor 2.444. Editor-in-Chief Robert M. Campbell, Ph.D., Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN (USA). SLAS Discovery (Advancing Life Sciences R&D) was previously published (1996-2016) as the Journal of Biomolecular Screening (JBS). SLAS TECHNOLOGY: 2016 Impact Factor 2.850. Editor-in-Chief Edward Kai-Hua Chow, Ph.D., National University of Singapore (Singapore). SLAS Technology (Translating Life Sciences Innovation) was previously published (1996-2016) as the Journal of Laboratory Automation (JALA). Follow SLAS on Twitter at @SLAS_Org. Follow SLAS on Facebook at SocietyforLaboratoryAutomationandScreening. Follow SLAS on YouTube at SLASvideo. Follow SLAS Americas on LinkedIn at Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS Americas). Follow SLAS Europe on LinkedIn at Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening Europe (SLAS Europe). Do the reproductive choices of prospective parents truly align with their values and priorities? How do doctors, reproductive technologies, and the law influence those choices? And why should certain women receive medical assistance to establish a pregnancy, while others are put in jail when they miscarry? A new Hastings Center special report, Just Reproduction: Reimagining Autonomy in Reproductive Medicine, considers these and related questions. It is a supplement to the Hastings Center Report, November-December 2017. The report originated from presentations given at the Center for Bioethics at Harvard Medical School's 2017 conference entitled "The Ethics of 'Making Babies.'" Editors of the report are Louse P. King, assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School and the director of reproductive bioethics at its Center for Bioethics; Rachel L. Zacharias, project manager and research assistant at The Hastings Center; and Josephine Johnston, The Hastings Center's director of research. "In today's dialogue about reproduction, medicine, and ethics in the United States, old ethical issues--such as whether women ought to be allowed to access pregnancy termination--are more contested than they have been in decades, while new technologies--like those used to edit the genes of human embryos--suggest that our species could face unprecedented questions about who should exist," states the introduction. In addition, there are socioeconomic and geographic disparities in access to assisted reproduction technologies, as well as in the enforcement of laws that affect reproduction. Questions addressed in the report include the following: What financial and other constraints limit an individual's reproductive choices? The choices of many U.S. fertility patients about which kinds of fertility treatments to use and how aggressively to use them may be heavily constrained by financial concerns, write Johnston and Zacharias in "The Future of Reproductive Autonomy." And while women may freely consent to prenatal screenings, some may feel that consent is what their clinicians expect of them. In the face of financial, clinical, familial, cultural, and other pressures, when can one say that an individual's reproductive choices are truly autonomous? This essay proposes that attaining a "reproductive autonomy worth having" means identifying constraining pressures in making reproductive decisions and fostering conditions for people to act in true accordance with their values and priorities. Johnston is the principal investigator on The Hastings Center's current project Goals and Practices for Next-Generation Prenatal Testing. How does the "criminalization of pregnancy" cause racial disparities in reproductive autonomy? In 2003, the South Carolina Supreme Court upheld the conviction of Regina McKnight, an African American woman who was convicted at the age of twenty-two for committing "homicide by child abuse." She became the first woman in the U.S. to be arrested, prosecuted, and convicted for experiencing a stillbirth. "How the Criminalization of Pregnancy Robs Women of Reproductive Autonomy" explores how laws previously understood to protect pregnant women from domestic violence, such as fetal protection laws, now serve as the vehicles for prosecuting pregnant women, particularly disadvantaged women of color. The author, Michele Goodwin, a chancellor's professor at the University of California, Irvine, examines the differential treatment of poor women of color, who may be criminalized during their pregnancies, and advantaged white women, who may place their pregnancies at risk via their use of reproductive technologies but are not subject to similar policing. Should doctors ever limit their patients' requests for fertility treatments? In reproductive medicine, patients may select from an ever-widening array of options, including ones they've found online. In an effort not to impinge on a woman's or a family's exercise of individual autonomy, physicians in reproductive medicine might feel compelled to comply with decisions they find ill-advised. These might include requests to select the sex of an embryo for nonmedical purposes or to transfer multiple embryos, despite the increased risks. In "Should Clinicians Set Limits on Reproductive Autonomy?," Louise P. King, a gynecologic surgeon with a focus on infertility, explores the extent to which clinicians in reproductive medicine should follow patient requests that they disagree with or instead try to persuade the patient to choose a different option. ### Also in this special report: * "Freezing Eggs and Creating Patients: Moral Risks of Commercialized Fertility" * "A Call for Empirical Research on Uterine Transplantation and Reproductive Autonomy" * "Parenting in the Age of Preimplantation Gene Editing" The full text of the report can be found here. For more information or to interview Josephine Johnston, contact Susan Gilbert, director of communications The Hastings Center 845-424-4040 x244 gilberts@thehastingscenter.org (PHILADELPHIA) -- Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy in the United States, resulting in an estimated 14,100 deaths and 22,500 new cases in 2017 alone. This high mortality is primarily caused by resistance to therapy and the diagnosis of ovarian cancer after it has already metastasized, which occurs in approximately 80 percent of patients. A new study from Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center (SKCC) at Thomas Jefferson University investigator Christine Eischen, PhD, provides new insights into the mechanisms contributing to ovarian cancer. The Eischen group focused on the role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), which have emerged as key regulators of genes. By evaluating the molecular changes that occur in large cohorts of ovarian cancer patients, the researchers were able to identify several lncRNAs that are linked to the disease. These lncRNAs were reproducibly altered in patients, and are responsible for a shift in cellular function that contributes to the metastatic properties of the cancer cells. The research, which appears in a recent issue of Nature Communications, was spearheaded by lead author and bioinformatician Dr. Ramkrishna Mitra, a postdoctoral associate in the Eischen laboratory. Dr. Mitra undertook a large-scale bioinformatics approach to evaluate over 700 ovarian cancer molecular profiles from four patient cohorts. This analysis led to the identification of several lncRNAs that are overexpressed in a particular subset of ovarian cancer, those that are thought to be the most aggressive. Further analysis revealed that overexpression of these lncRNAs in turn changed the expression of proteins that regulate a well-known developmental process, termed the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT is important for cell migration and invasion - two characteristic of metastatic cancer cells -- strongly suggesting that the link between lncRNAs and EMT contributes to the metastatic progression of ovarian cancer. Following up on this idea, the researchers found that one of the lncRNAs was directly implicated in patient outcomes. "Overexpression of one of the lncRNAs, DNM30S, was significantly correlated with worse overall ovarian cancer patient survival," said Dr. Eischen. Based on these observations, the researchers suggest that targeting of the lncRNAs might represent a viable treatment strategy for ovarian cancer. To test this idea, they experimentally reduced the expression of the DNM30S lncRNA, which resulted in reduced ovarian cancer cell migration and invasion. In future work, the Eischen laboratory aims to further understand the role of lncRNAs in ovarian cancer, and potentially translate their findings into clinical applications to reduce ovarian cancer metastasis. ### For further information, see: Mitra R, Chen X, Greenawalt EJ, Maulik U, Jiang W, Zhao Z, and Eischen CM. 2017. Decoding critical long-coding RNA in ovarian cancer epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Nat Commun. doi:10.1038/s41467-017-01781-0. Published online November 17, 2017. MEDFORD/SOMERVILLE, Mass. (Nov. 28, 2017) - Xiaocheng Jiang, assistant professor of biomedical engineering in the School of Engineering at Tufts University, has been awarded an early-career award from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) for his work developing graphene-based microfluidics for ultra-high-resolution, dynamic bio-imaging. The Air Force's Young Investigator Research Program annually awards funding to U.S. scientists and engineers who show exceptional ability and promise for conducting basic research. Jiang will use the $450,000 grant to harness microfluidic technology in order to study cellular processes more closely. Jiang will take advantage of the unique properties of graphene, a single-layer of closely-packed carbon atoms, to build a carbon-based microfluidic platform. The platform could enable the observation and tracking of molecular and cellular processes using atomic-resolution electron microscopic methods that traditionally have been incompatible with inspecting living biological specimens. "This is a high-risk but potentially very high-reward direction. The new platform has the potential to transform the way that biologists study biomolecules and cells," says Jiang. "This award from AFOSR makes that innovation and development possible." According to Jiang, observing and analyzing cell dynamics at this level may provide new insights about many biologically significant processes, such as bioelectrical signaling, cancer metastasis and intracellular drug delivery, which are difficult to achieve with traditional microscopic methods. Jiang's research in this area is also supported through the Tufts' undergraduate research program with the work of sophomore biomedical engineering student Lydia Vignale. Vignale has been actively contributing to the research project, including idea formulation and proof-of-concept experiments, since 2016. The Jiang Lab at Tufts is interested in exploring the unique physical and chemical interactions between living and artificial systems. Its main goals are to develop minimally-invasive engineering platforms to probe, interrogate and direct biological processes, and to pursue bio-derived materials and bio-inspired approaches for a broad spectrum of engineering applications ranging from biomedical sensing to energy harvest and storage. Prior to joining the Tufts faculty in 2015, Jiang was an American Cancer Society postdoctoral fellow at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. He was awarded a 2017 Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) earlier this year. The AFOSR announced this year it will award more than $19.1 million in Young Investigator Research Program grants to 43 scientists and engineers. According to AFOSR, the selection committee received 285 proposals in response to the office's broad agency announcement in major areas of interest to the Air Force. These areas of interest include: aerospace materials for extreme environments, aerothermodynamics, biophysics, computational mathematics, organic materials chemistry and space power and propulsion. The objective of this program is to foster creative basic research in science and engineering, enhance early career development of outstanding young investigators and increase opportunities for the young investigators to contribute to the U.S. Air Force mission and its related challenges in science and engineering. ### About Tufts University Tufts University, located on campuses in Boston, Medford/Somerville and Grafton, Massachusetts, and in Talloires, France, is recognized among the premier research universities in the United States. Tufts enjoys a global reputation for academic excellence and for the preparation of students as leaders in a wide range of professions. A growing number of innovative teaching and research initiatives span all Tufts campuses, and collaboration among the faculty and students in the undergraduate, graduate and professional programs across the university's schools is widely encouraged. Business schools in Africa must equip future business leaders with political skills, if business education is to play a significant role in combating systemic corruption, says research from the University of Bath. Dr Tahiru Azaaviele Liedong, Assistant Professor of Strategy in the School of Management, says that business schools cannot solely rely on developing an individual's ethical outlook to counter corruption; they must also give students pragmatic political skills to draw on in the face of bribery and corruption in the public sector. He calls on business schools in Africa to nurture students into future 'institutional entrepreneurs' by exposing them not only to the sources of corruption and the effects of corruption on firms and communities, but also to the approaches and strategies that could be deployed by the business community to bring about political transparency and public accountability. He notes that business schools should add corporate political activity to their curricula, as this would give students a grounding in strategies that firms can use to influence their political environments, from mobilising other stakeholders to shape government policy and speaking out against corrupt practices, to spearheading collective attempts to change values and behaviour. In 2016, the United Nations estimated that corrupt practices cost developing countries $1.26 trillion a year - money which could be used to fund public infrastructure, provide social services or alleviate abject poverty. The private sector is not the major source of the corruption related problems in Africa, but often finds itself the victim of corrupt procurement and adverse policy decisions. Managers who try to combat the menace often get isolated, victimised or 'burned out'. Others are simply unable to withstand the pressure of systemic bribery because they lack the skills required to stamp it out. Dr Tahiru Azaaviele Liedong said: "The onus is on business schools in Africa to empower future business leaders to act to strengthen State institutions and ultimately eradicate corruption." "Much has been written about the menace of corruption in Africa and considerable work has been done to curb it, but the gains are not significant. We need new ways of using business education to fight corruption because ethical business leaders will always struggle to fight systemic corruption if their main response is to fall back on passive resistance, such as refusing to collude or pay bribes." Dr Liedong says that training students to become politically skilled 'institutional entrepreneurs' and managers will help companies to play an active corporate citizenship role, adding: "The key to combating corruption in Africa is good governance and well-functioning institutions, and business schools can take a prominent role in this regard by acting as agents for positive and institutional change across Africa." Dr Liedong has rich industry experience, having worked in investment banking, treasury, development banking and management consulting both in Africa and the UK. He hopes that his research will generate dialogue that will make African business education relevant and effective in the fight against corruption in Africa. ### Combating Corruption in Africa through Institutional Entrepreneurship: Peering in from Business-Government Relations is published in Africa Journal of Management: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23322373.2017.1379825 DOI:10.1080/23322373 Grid operators need to do more than simply distribute the electricity generated by wind farms and photovoltaic plants. They also have to ensure a consistent quality of supply. Achieving this with the available systems and components is a complex issue. Researchers at Friedrich-Alexander-Universitat Erlangen-Nurnberg (FAU) are currently developing a hybrid compensation plant system with partners from the fields of science, energy supply and business. To this end, the researchers have combined in a single system an energy storage element and a very powerful converter that can influence the form of the signal in the power grid. The aim is to reduce the number of individual systems. The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) is funding the collaborative project with EUR 2.5 million. Not all electricity is the same Wind power and photovoltaics play a major role in the generation of electricity. Such energy facilities are frequently based at decentralised locations in rural regions. However, it takes a complex system of distribution networks and transformer stations to deliver sustainably produced electricity all the way to the consumer. Solar power plants, for instance, feed the direct current they generate directly into the medium-voltage and low-voltage network via power converters, which transform it into alternating current. However, the conversion process produces harmonic currents that distort the voltage, impairing the signal in the distribution network and therefore the quality of the electricity, which in turn can have a significant impact on the functioning of equipment and machines. Combined in a single system Network operators provide system services to ensure the quality of the electricity they provide. These services are supplemented by energy held in reserve to offset unforeseen additional requirements at short notice. The energy reserves are then replenished during performance peaks. However, operators have to date made use of the required systems only as individual elements. Researchers working under the lead of TU Dortmund have now combined system services and energy reservoirs in a hybrid compensation system. 'The aim of our project is to extend the potential fields of application of battery storage systems and reduce the number of facilities needed to provide system services,' explains Ralf Bohm, research associate at the Institute for Factory Automation and Production Systems (FAPS), whose team designs the important control technology that joins the system's individual components together to form a whole. The system is equipped with a flywheel energy storage system and a battery in addition to a freely adjustable current converter that can influence the form of voltage signals. Flywheel energy storage systems are used to make major quantities of energy available at short notice while a so-called redox flow battery - a complex liquid chemical battery - with its high capacity is ideal for storing energy over the long term and releasing it on demand. The researchers want to test the compensation system in the future using a demonstration model installed in the medium voltage distribution network of the Hafurt public utility company. The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy has provided development funds of EUR 2.5 million as part of the HYBKomp collaborative project, of which EUR 400,000 have been allocated to FAU. ### The University of Granada (UGR) and the Geological Survey of Spain have proven, thanks to an analysis of the variations of the ground (subsidences and elevations), that the Vega de Granada area (Granada basin, SE Spain) sinks up to one centimeter per year during dry periods. For this, they have processed radar images obtained since 2003 by three different satellites, thus achieving millimetric precision for their study. In parallel, the exploitation of the Vega de Granada aquifer for the last 13 years has been monitored. This has allowed the researchers to know in which areas has been the aquifer exploited the most, based on the decreases and increases in the phreatic level of the aquifer. Additionally, the study includes a geological examination of the ground by interpreting a series of explorations carried out in the Vega de Granada area since the 70s. The results show that during the dry period 2003-2009 the aquifer was exploited with greater intensity in the area where the villages of Armilla, Atarfe, Chauchina and Santa Fe are located. This caused land subsidence of up to one centimeter per year in areas located north of Chauchina, the urban center of Santa Fe and east of Vegas del Genil, as well as in Atarfe and the south of Maracena. Interestingly, these areas coincide with a greater presence of clays in the subsoil, which are compacted during the decreases of the groundwater level of the aquifer. During the rainiest period, between 2011 and 2014, the foci of land subsidence disappeared, although significant subsidences of almost 13 millimeters per year were detected in the vicinity of the airport and in the urban center of Cijuela due to earthmoving works that caused land displacements in both areas. In the last years (2015-2016) only small subsiding nuclei have been detected in the northeast of Maracena, although their origin is unknown. The director of the UGR Department of Geodynamics, Jose Miguel Azanon, and Rosa Maria Mateos, from the Geological Survey of Spain, Research Centre in Granada, are responsible for this research, which has been published in Journal of Hydrology. Azanon and Mateos point out that the data obtained "are not alarming, and do not imply any risk at the moment. These data are of enormous interest for an adequate management of the aquifer, especially during periods of drought, such as the one we are currently experiencing". "In very vulnerable areas, with high content of clays, decreases of just a couple of meters in the phreatic level could cause land subsidence. An accumulation of displacements could lead to a subsidence of several centimeters per decade, which would represent a long-term danger for the villages located in the Vega de Granada area", the researchers point out. Azanon and Mateos highlight the detection of cracks in streets and sidewalks at the municipality of Otura caused by this phenomenon. "The real risk comes from differential deformations, that is, the fact that subsidence occurs in certain streets or zones and not in adjacent areas. However, most of the deformations detected are not very dangerous, since they have occurred jointly". ### Bibliographic references: 1. Mateos, R.M., Ezquerro, P., Luque-Espinar, J.A., Bejar-Pizarro, M., Notti, D., Azanon, J.M., Montserrat, O., Herrera, G., Fernandez-Chacon, F., Peinado, T., Galve, J.P., Perez-Pena, V., Fernandez-Merodo, J.A., Jimenez, J. Multiband PSInSAR and long-period monitoring of land subsidence in a strategic detrital aquifer (Vega de Granada, SE Spain): An approach to support management decisions (2017) Journal of Hydrology, 553, pp. 71- 87. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2017.07.056 2. Notti, D., Mateos, R.M., Monserrat, O., Devanthery, N., Peinado, T., Roldan, F.J., Fernandez-Chacon, F., Galve, J.P., Lamas, F., Azanon, J.M. Lithological control of land subsidence induced by groundwater withdrawal in new urban AREAS (Granada Basin, SE Spain). Multiband DInSAR monitoring (2016) Hydrological Processes, 30 (13), pp. 2317- 2331. DOI: 10.1002/hyp.10793 Leading lung cancer specialists are urging EU countries to take action to initiate life-saving lung cancer screening programmes as soon as possible. The EU Position Statement on Lung Cancer Screening (EUPS) has been published today in Lancet Oncology. It presents the available evidence and the major issues that need to be addressed by policymakers to ensure lung screening programmes are successful - with a strong recommendation that Europe must start planning for implementation within the next 18 months. The EUPS has been developed by Professor John Field at the University of Liverpool, UK and Professor Matthijs Oudkerk at the University of Groningen, Netherlands together with 20 clinical specialists in lung cancer screening throughout Europe, including Austria, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Poland and the UK. The EUPS provides a detailed set of recommendations as to how Europe can successfully implement lung cancer screening and a hard hitting 'Call to Action' for planning to start now for implementation over the next 18 months - with the ambition to start lung cancer screening afterwards. Issues highlighted across Europe include a need for investment in static and mobile CT scanner units, the need to recruit and train sufficient radiologists, and a plan for how to identify and invite high risk individuals for screening. Lung cancer causes 1.6 million deaths each year worldwide representing almost one-fifth of all cancer deaths. Within the EU, lung cancer is responsible for almost 270,000 annual deaths. However, if a patient's lung cancer is identified at an early stage, then their outcome is greatly improved. The UK Lung Cancer Screening Trial (UKLS), led by Professor Field at the University of Liverpool, reported in 2016 that patients with a high risk of developing lung cancer can be identified with early stage disease, who can be treated with surgery, have a significant chance of surviving for five years or more. Results from the US National Lung Cancer Screening Trial (NLST) on reduced lung cancer mortality and from seven pilot screening trials within Europe (including the UKLS) provide "sufficient evidence for Europe to start planning for lung cancer screening", the statement says. Corresponding author, Professor John Field, Clinical Professor of Molecular Oncology, University of Liverpool said: "Quite simply, lung cancer screening saves lives. There is now a consensus opinion across Europe that we should start to plan for the implementation of lung cancer CT screening immediately. "Following the publication of the UKLS trial data the Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) have made a major investment into the Liverpool Healthy Lung Programme and have successfully identified individuals from the hard to reach communities and offered them Lung CT scans, identifying early stage disease with a very high proportion suitable for surgical intervention. Similar early detection lung cancer demonstration studies are currently underway in Manchester, London and Nottingham, with plans for Yorkshire next year." Professor Field added: "While there are a number of early detection demonstration studies offering screening to high-risk patients currently underway across the UK, these are all time-limited due to their funding. We should be laying the foundations now for a comprehensive long term lung cancer CT screening programme and undertake the required planning within the next 18 months." Professor Matthijs Oudkerk, Medical Scientific Director at the Center for Medical Imaging, University of Groningen said: "The EUPS provides Europe with a detailed 18 month time line in which to implement lung cancer screening that will have an enormous impact on the disease. "The EUPS recommends the introduction of forefront radiological lung cancer volumetric biomarkers together with precision medicine management approaches to be applied to lung cancer screening, which will minimise the harms and have a positive impact on decreasing lung cancer mortality." ### Five years of research in the SPHERE project on Science Productivity, uncovered global shifts in scientific productivity, science capacity building and regional development since 1900. Global shifts and the centre of gravity The 20th century has seen major shifts in regional scientific output. At the dawn of the century, a few regions like Western Europe and North America contributed most to the development of scientific research. The core of scientific production moved from European countries in the early 20th century to the United States, where higher education and research expanded quickly through private and public funds. In East Asia, massive investment and support in the last decades, for instance in Japan, China, South Korea and Taiwan, triggered explosive growth of scientific capacity and production. Europe and North America remain essential players in the science arena, with established institutions being projected as role models. The triumph of the research university Throughout the world, demand for higher education has steadily grown during the 20th century. This led countries to invest in higher education, science (particularly in STEM+ fields) and cooperative efforts, leading in turn to robust infrastructure, growth in number of scholars and scientific output. Among other types of organizational forms doing research - extra-university research institutes, government agencies, private companies, and hospitals - research universities have remained the driving force behind the global growth of scientific production. These organisations are the main producers of basic research, which in turn represents the main bulk of scientific publication and production. Despite economic crises and conflicts, science production in STEM+ fields has progressively augmented since the beginning of the century. Networks creating competition and cooperation As a result of systematic internationalization, and in the case of Europe, Europeanization, the authors of The Century of Science observe growing global competition, in particular among dominant science-producing regions (North America, Europe and East Asia). Yet at the same time, they find more international collaboration between individual scientists and organisations is happening, much encouraged by communication technologies and accessible international travel. On 9 November, "The century of science: The global triumph of the research university", received the 2017 Award for Significant Research on International Higher Education from the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE) in the USA. At the heart of the Greater Region In an article in the journal Minerva entitled "Science Production in Germany, France, Belgium, and Luxembourg: Comparing the Contributions of Research Universities and Institutes to Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Health", two researchers of the University of Luxembourg, Justin J.W. Powell and Jennifer Dusdal, assess the development of universities and research institutes in Luxembourg, Belgium, France, and Germany. In all four neighbouring countries, the research university represents the key organisational form of science production, although these countries have divergent policies for R&D, higher education and research systems. Despite their relatively modest proportion of funding, universities remain the key contributor of STEM+ publications. The volume of scientific publications has massively increased, especially since the 1970s, in all four countries. ### High-power white LEDs face the same problem that Michigan Stadium faces on game day -- too many people in too small of a space. Of course, there are no people inside of an LED. But there are many electrons that need to avoid each other and minimize their collisions to keep the LED efficiency high. Using predictive atomistic calculations and high-performance supercomputers at the NERSC computing facility, researchers Logan Williams and Emmanouil Kioupakis at the University of Michigan found that incorporating the element boron into the widely used InGaN (indium-gallium nitride) material can keep electrons from becoming too crowded in LEDs, making the material more efficient at producing light. Modern LEDs are made of layers of different semiconductor materials grown on top of one another. The simplest LED has three such layers. One layer is made with extra electrons put into the material. Another layer is made with too few electrons, the empty spaces where electrons would be are called holes. Then there is a thin middle layer sandwiched between the other two that determines what wavelength of light is emitted by the LED. When an electrical current is applied, the electrons and holes move into the middle layer where they can combine together to produce light. But if we squeeze too many electrons in the middle layer to increase the amount of light coming out of the LED, then the electrons may collide with each other rather than combine with holes to produce light. These collisions convert the electron energy to heat in a process called Auger recombination and lower the efficiency of the LED. A way around this problem is to make more room in the middle layer for electrons (and holes) to move around. A thicker layer spreads out the electrons over a wider space, making it easier for them to avoid each other and reduce the energy lost to their collisions. But making this middle LED layer thicker isn't as simple as it sounds. Because LED semiconductor materials are crystals, the atoms that make them up must be arranged in specific regular distances apart from each other. That regular spacing of atoms in crystals is called the lattice parameter. When crystalline materials are grown in layers on top of one another, their lattice parameters must be similar so that the regular arrangements of atoms match where the materials are joined. Otherwise the material gets deformed to match the layer underneath it. Small deformations aren't a problem, but if the top material is grown too thick and the deformation becomes too strong then atoms become misaligned so much that they reduce the LED efficiency. The most popular materials for blue and white LEDs today are InGaN surrounded by layers of GaN. Unfortunately, the lattice parameter of InGaN does not match GaN. This makes growing thicker InGaN layers to reduce electron collisions challenging. Williams and Kioupakis found that by including boron in this middle InGaN layer, its lattice parameter becomes much more similar to GaN, even becoming exactly the same for some concentrations of boron. In addition, even though an entirely new element is included in the material, the wavelength of light emitted by the BInGaN material is very close to that of InGaN and can be tuned to different colors throughout the visible spectrum. This makes BInGaN suitable to be grown in thicker layers, reducing electron collisions and increasing the efficiency of the visible LEDs. Although this material is promising to produce more efficient LEDs, it is important that it can be realized in the laboratory. Williams and Kioupakis have also shown that BInGaN could be grown on GaN using the existing growth techniques for InGaN, allowing quick testing and use of this material for LEDs. Still, the primary challenge of applying this work will be to fine tune how best to get boron incorporated into InGaN at sufficiently high amounts. But this research provides an exciting avenue for experimentalists to explore making new LEDs that are powerful, efficient, and affordable at the same time. ### This work was supported by the Designing Materials to 282 Revolutionize and Engineer our Future (DMREF) Program under Award No. 1534221, funded by the National Science Foundation. This research used resources of the National Energy Research Scientific Computing (NERSC) Center, a DOE Office of Science User Facility supported under Contract No. DE-AC02-05CH11231. Related publication: [1] L. Williams and E. Kioupakis, BInGaN alloys nearly lattice-matched to GaN for high-power high-efficiency visible LEDs, Applied Physics Letters 111, 211107 (2017). DOI: 10.1063/1.4997601 Related conference presentation: L. Williams and E. Kioupakis, Predictive Modeling of BInGaN Alloys Lattice Matched to GaN for Efficient High-Power Visible LEDs, MRS Fall Meeting 2017, EM04.03.02 Keck School of Medicine of USC researchers have identified a human protein that could prevent cancer by restricting a type of herpes virus from replicating. The scientists examined the human herpes virus 8, otherwise known as Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus. Kaposi sarcoma is a cancer that causes lesions in soft tissue, including skin, the oral cavity, lymph nodes and internal organs. Shou-Jiang Gao, senior author of the study, has been studying this eighth type of herpes viruses for almost 25 years. The current study, published in Nature Microbiology on Nov. 6, is the first to map healthy cells and those infected by a large DNA virus, Gao said. "Understanding how the herpes virus switches from being dormant to causing cancer is important because of the health problems the herpes virus causes worldwide," said Gao, a professor of molecular microbiology and immunology at the Keck School of Medicine. More than 3.7 billion people under 50 years old -- 67 percent of the population -- are infected with two common herpes viruses that cause genital herpes or cold sores around the mouth, according to the World Health Organization. Most herpes viruses remain dormant until someone's immune system weakens due to factors such as age or a disease like human immunodeficiency virus or HIV. When the immune system cannot keep diseases in check, some of these herpes viruses can cause cancers. "The findings from this study can potentially be translated into novel therapeutic approaches for cancers that are caused by viral infections," Gao said. Kaposi sarcoma is more common among people with HIV, transplant recipients and men of African descent. In some areas of Africa, more than 90 percent of the population shows signs of herpes virus 8 infection, according to the American Cancer Society. Roadmap to cure viral-induced cancer Scientists looked at messenger RNAs, which carry genetic messages from DNA to help make proteins -- long chains of amino acids that form structural components of body tissue such as muscle and hair. Specifically, they studied N6-methyladenosine (m6A) and N6, 2-O-dimethyladenosine modifications to messenger RNAs. Through mapping proteins that can restrict viral infections, the researchers found a protein called YTHDF2 that can help regulate the human herpes virus 8 by detecting the m6A modification on viral messenger RNA. The protein is the key switch that regulates human herpes virus 8 replication. "How the virus infects and replicates has a direct influence on how the cell becomes a cancer cell," Gao said, adding that you cannot cure cancer without some kind of roadmap. "If a person has a disease and the problem area is in the hand, you wouldn't want to treat the head. That's why you need to map the disease pathway. In this case, the YTHDF2 protein detects the m6A modifications on messenger RNAs." ### Brandon Tan from the Keck School of Medicine was the lead author of the study. Hui Liu, Suzane Ramos Silva, Hongfeng Yuan and Oceane Sorel from the Keck School of Medicine; Songyao Zhang, Lin Zhang, Xiaodong Cui and Yufei Huang from the University of Texas at San Antonio; and Shaowu Zhang from Northwestern Polytechnic University also contributed to this study. The study was completely supported by the federal government with National Institutes of Health grants totaling $300,000 (CA096512, CA124332, CA132637, CA213275, CA177377, DE025465, CA197153 and GM113245). TORONTO, ON - When renowned University of Toronto (U of T) geophysicist J. Tuzo Wilson cemented concepts in the emerging field of plate tectonics in the 1960s, he revolutionized the study of Earth's physical characteristics and behaviours. Decades later, successor researchers at U of T and Istanbul Technical University have determined that a series of volcanoes and a mountain plateau across central Turkey formed not solely by the collision of tectonic plates, but instead by a massive drip and then detachment of the lower tectonic plate beneath Earth's surface. The researchers propose that the reason the Central Anatolian (Turkish) Plateau has risen by as much as one kilometre over the past 10 million years is because the planet's crust and upper mantle - the lithosphere - has thickened and dripped below the region. As the lithosphere sank into the lower mantle, it first formed a basin at the surface, which later sprang up when the weight below broke off and sank further into the deeper depths of the mantle. "It seems the heavy base of the tectonic plate has 'dripped' off into the mantle, leaving a massive gap in the plate beneath Central Anatolia. Essentially, by dropping this dense lithospheric anchor, there has been an upward bobbing of the entire land mass across hundreds of kilometres," said Professor Oguz H. Gogus of the Eurasia Institute of Earth Sciences at Istanbul Technical University (ITU), lead author of a study reporting the findings published in Nature Communications this month. It's a new idea where plate shortening initially squeezed and folded a mountain belt, triggering the thickening and dripping of the deep lithosphere, and then increasing the elevation of most of central Turkey. Puzzled by the presence of such a process at a significant distance away from regular plate tectonic boundaries, the research team set about identifying why, in an area of high heating and high elevation, is the lithosphere below completely gone - something that was recently discovered from seismology. They tested high-performance computational models against known geological and geophysical observations of the Central Anatolian Plateau, and demonstrated that a drip of lithospheric material below the surface can account for the measured elevation changes across the region. "It's a new variation on the fundamental concepts of plate tectonics," said Professor Russell Pysklywec, chair of the Department of Earth Sciences at U of T and one of the study's coauthors. "It gives us some insight into the connection between the slow circulation of near-solid rock in Earth's mantle caused by convection currents carrying heat upwards from the planet's interior, and observed active plate tectonics at the surface. "This is part of the holy grail of plate tectonics - linking the two processes to understand how the crust responds to the mantle thermal engine of the planet." Pysklywec carried out the study with Gogus, who received his PhD from U of T in 2010, and fellow researchers at ITU including Professor A. M. C. Sengor, and Erkan Gun of the Eurasia Institute of Earth Sciences at Istanbul Technical Institute. Gun is also now a current graduate student at U of T, supervised by Pysklywec. The research adds to decades of groundbreaking work in plate tectonics at U of T, and builds on Wilson's seminal work. "Tuzo Wilson is a towering figure in geophysics internationally and the person most responsible for pioneering the ideas of plate tectonics in the 1960s," said Pysklywec. "I am pleased that we are continuing his legacy in geophysics with our work." While Pysklywec notes there are many locations on Earth missing its lithosphere below, he is quick to reassure that no place is in imminent danger of sinking into the mantle or boosting upwards overnight. "Our results show that the Central Anatolian Plateau rose over a period of millions of years. We're talking about mantle fluid motions and uplift at the pace at which fingernails grow." Gogus highlights the links of the tectonics with human history saying, "The findings are exciting also because of the link with the remarkable historical human activity of Central Anatolia where some of the earliest known civilizations have existed. For example, Central Anatolia is described as an elevated, dry, cold plain of Lycaonia in Strabo's Geographika in 7 BC, and even cave paintings in the region dating to approximately 7000 BC record active volcanic eruptions on the plateau." ### The study, titled "Drip Tectonics and the enigmatic uplift of the Central Anatolian Plateau", was published November 16 in Nature Communications. The research was made possible with support from the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK), Istanbul Technical University, and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). MEDIA CONTACTS: Russell Pysklywec Department of Earth Sciences University of Toronto 416-978-3021 (W) 416-537-2683 (M) russ@es.utoronto.ca Oguz Gogus Eurasian Institute of Earth Sciences Istanbul Technical University goguso@itu.edu.tr Sean Bettam Communications, Faculty of Arts & Science University of Toronto 416-946-7950 s.bettam@utoronto.ca What does a marine snail's ability to kill prey with two shots of venom have to do with the opioid epidemic ravaging the United States? More than you could imagine. A multi-disciplinary team of researchers with expertise in biology, anesthesiology, pharmacology, and medicinal chemistry at U of U Health received a grant from the Department of Defense to identify new, natural compounds to develop non-opioid drugs for pain management. The approximately $10 million grant will be distributed over four years. Chronic pain lingers, affecting the patient long after an injury has healed. With few options, patients often turn to opioids and anti-inflammatory drugs that work through a limited number of molecular pathways and require increasingly higher doses to continue the analgesic effect. "Societal dependence on opioid drugs has created an urgent need to find alternatives to these medications to treat chronic pain," said J. Michael McIntosh, M.D., professor of psychiatry at U of U Health and contributor to this project. "This project turns to ocean organisms to identify the next generation of therapeutic pain medications." Since antiquity, scientists have exploited plant sources for pain drugs, including medications from the poppy plant (opioids) and willow bark (aspirin). Few, new natural medications have been developed in the past half century. In this study, the researchers will isolate various compounds from the venom of marine organisms to evaluate their analgesic and anesthetic qualities. More than 10,000 species of sea snails, slugs and other marine mollusks roam the ocean. These organisms lack arms, nets or teeth. Despite these deficiencies, they are effective predators, having evolved an array of venoms to numb, stun and eventually subdue prey. The numbing properties of venom are central to this study. Previous work by this research team identified the potential analgesic properties of the venom isolated from Conus regius, a small, predatory cone snail common to the Caribbean Sea. This project will expand on this preliminary research to explore compounds from venom isolated from a variety of different marine mollusks. Beyond compound discovery, the team will also explore underutilized biological pathways to reduce the sensation of pain and inflammation. The aim is to identify novel drugs that have the beneficial effects of opioids, but lack the adverse actions. "We don't want to find another drug that works [on the same pathways] as opioids, because it will probably have the same problems with addiction and respiratory depression, among other side effects" said Russell Teichert, Ph.D., research associate professor in the Department of Biology. The researchers will evaluate the candidate compounds identified in this study using three rodent models that mimic chronic pain in humans to evaluate their effectiveness for future clinical trials. "Pain is not a disease," Teichert said. "It is an important sensory response. Our intent is not to block pain, but to block abnormal (neuropathic) pain, especially if it becomes chronic." The potential compound identified from C. regius will be taken one step further in this larger study. The team aims to develop a stable drug that can be metabolized in the body and can elicit the analgesic effect, similar to opioids for chronic pain. "We really hope that we will find a drug that could be as effective for severe pain as opioids but has far less side effects and is not addictive," Teichert said. The team is building on their previous success in which a compound was isolated from the venom of the cone snail C. magus that inhibits pain by blocking calcium channels. The isolated compound was developed into the drug Prialt, which was approved by the FDA in 2004 to treat severe pain resulting from cancer, AIDS, failed back surgery and certain nervous system disorders. The drug has restricted application as it must be administered by a doctor directly into the fluid surrounding the spinal cord. ### This work was supported by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, through the Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program under Award No. W81XWH-17-1-0413. Opinions, interpretations, conclusions and recommendations are those of the author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Department of Defense. University of Utah Health is the state's only academic health care system, providing leading-edge and compassionate medicine for a referral area that encompasses 10% of the U.S., including Idaho, Wyoming, Montana and much of Nevada. A hub for health sciences research and education in the region, U of U Health touts a $291 million research enterprise and trains the majority of Utah's health care professionals at its Schools of Medicine and Dentistry and Colleges of Nursing, Pharmacy and Health. Staffed by more than 20,000 employees, the system includes 12 community clinics and four hospitals -- University Hospital; University Neuropsychiatric Institute; Huntsman Cancer Hospital; and the University Orthopaedic Center. For eight straight years, U of U Health has ranked among the top 10 U.S. academic medical centers in the rigorous Vizient Quality and Accountability Study, including reaching No. 1 in 2010 and 2016. COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa Council Bluffs leaders said they'll go to court to try to stop a Native American tribe from building a casino near their city. The Council Bluffs City Council is preparing to take legal action against a recent National Indian Gaming Commission decision that approved a plan by the Ponca Tribe to build a casino in nearby Carter Lake, Iowa. Carter Lake is just northwest of Council Bluffs and northeast of Omaha, where officials also oppose the proposed casino. The tribe has been pursuing the project for about 10 years. Earlier this month, the commission approved a 2007 decision permitting the tribe to build a casino in the area. "We are going to file a lawsuit," said Council Bluffs Mayor Matt Walsh. "We feel it would be detrimental to Council Bluffs and the state of Iowa." Some council members have said the proposed casino would compete with Council Bluffs' three casinos. The issue was discussed Monday during a council meeting attended by Carter Lake's outgoing mayor, Gerald Waltrip, and the man who will replace him, Ron Cumberledge. Waltrip said Council Bluffs and Omaha officials treat Carter Lake like a "punching bag." "I don't recall us ever interfering when Council Bluffs built three casinos," Waltrip told the gathering. Cumberledge said he couldn't understand why Council Bluffs would spend tax dollars fighting a business in another community. The project is anticipated to bring 1,500 jobs to the area, according to Cumberledge. The proposed casino includes 2,000 slot machines, 50 table games and a 150-room hotel. "I think it's a win/win for everybody involved," said Cumberledge. Council Bluffs officials said they anticipate having a legal strategy on opposing the casino within the coming weeks. A hard Brexit will have a catastrophic impact on the European meat industry, leading to job losses and price hikes, according to a stark new report. Crisis - The EU Meat Industry in a Hard Brexit Scenario report, commissioned by Europes meat industry body UECBV, analyses the potential impact of a hard Brexit on the European and UK meat industry. It found that a no-deal outcome would lead to a collapse in trade, with a 90% drop in beef exports and 53% drop in lamb exports from the UK to the EU. In this scenario, meat products would face greater burdens than almost any other sector. According to the report, the industry would face higher WTO tariffs than any other sector, and face additional costs of veterinary checks, in addition to the customs checks faced by all goods. It also warns of major disruption to supply chains, and chaos for just-in-time fresh meat delivery systems. Conservative estimates in the report put exports from the UK to the EU falling by up to 90% for beef, 56% for pigmeat and 53% for sheepmeat. UECBV explains that it would be "very difficult" for UK suppliers to find alternative markets for these products domestically, as the UK tends to export cheaper cuts not demanded locally. This will in turn hurt British farmers and businesses, leading to job losses across the UK. 'Massive price increase' Similar reductions of meat imports from the EU will lead to shortfalls in the supply of beef, pork and sheep products, especially higher value cuts such as steak, bacon and leg of lamb. The report warns that this will lead to "massive" price increases for British consumers on meat products, pricing traditional British meals out of reach for families. The report finds that a hard Brexit will have a profoundly negative impact on the European meat market given the major trade flows between EU27 and UK. As the UK has a principal deficit meat market, it says the negative impacts will be felt throughout EU. As meat-processing involves the disassembly of carcass to a myriad of consumer cuts and products, it thus has to find markets for all parts of the carcass and therefore the impact will be transmitted throughout the single market to affect all countries, even those with limited direct trade with UK. The report warns that the magnitude of shock of a hard Brexit would be significantly greater than the industry crisis created by the Russian food import ban 2014, and it would be more difficult to find alternative markets for diverted products. Solutions are given by the report, including a transitional period to allow businesses to adjust to new arrangements and a future trading relationship that creates minimal burden for business. It also recommends a continued regulatory convergence between UK and EU and market support mechanisms, including increased market access, internationally simplified transit systems, and investment in port facilities. British workers will have to be prepared to take up the food and farming jobs currently carried out by migrant workers if European labour is lost to British businesses following Brexit according to an industry expert. Mark Williams, the chief executive of the British Egg Industry Council (BEIC), EU migrants currently accounted for up to 60 per cent of people employed in UK egg packing centres and as many as 40 per cent of those employed on farms. Availability of labour is vital to the industry which is currently seeing a shortage of seasonal workers, despite official figures showing there is a record number of EU workers in the UK. The industry was trying to promote careers in the egg industry, but he said some British people were not necessarily keen on the hard work involved in the agricultural industry. "There are too many Brits who are not prepared to bend their backs in the broccoli fields of East Anglia in the middle of winter. That culture is going to have to change as we go forward," Mr Williams said. The implications of Brexit were the focus of much of the debate at this year's Egg and Poultry Industry Conference (EPIC) which was held in Wales. Concerns about freedom of movement across the European Union is believed to have been one of the factors that led British voters to vote by 52 per cent to 48 per cent to leave the EU in last year's referendum. 'Labour is business critical' But ever since the surprise leave vote, farming leaders have been warning that losing access to European workers would be disastrous for British agriculture. Gary Ford, the NFU's chief poultry adviser, told EPIC delegates: "We all know that labour is business critical to the poultry sector. We as an industry have been doing a lot of work with the Migration Advisory Committee, which recently called for evidence," he said. "We have, as part of our submission, put a number of case studies in there. We can all talk about the importance of access to labour but it really does help illustrate the point when we put specific case studies in." One case study, he said, was a medium sized poultry meat processor employing 240 staff. He said that 80 per cent of those workers were non-UK labourers. "When you start to talk about numbers and give examples it really does help to drive our argument," said Mr Ford. 'Prepared to work' Mark Williams said that, following the referendum, the BEIC had conducted a survey which showed that between 55 and 60 per cent of those working in packing centres were from other EU countries. Between 35 and 40 per cent of those working on farms were from other EU countries. "Continued access to labour is of vital importance to all of you sitting in this room no matter what type of business you are involved in," he said. Mr Williams said that the foreign workers did "a fantastic job. They are prepared to work. They are prepared to work long hours as well." However, he said that it was becoming increasingly difficult to attract the labour the industry needed. New recruits were harder to attract and foreign workers already here were going back to their own countries. "There are people going home now. The UK was seen as a beacon, having a strong economy when the Eurozone was suffering. That's why people were coming here," he explained. "Some of them are going home because of the Sterling effect. They are not taking as much money home in their pay packets now. But, of course, there are the reports of people not feeling welcome. All of this is having a cumulative effect. Even the labour agencies are saying now that the tap is being slowly turned off." Unemployment low Mr Williams said that the BEIC was making an effort to attract people into the industry, but unemployment levels in this country were currently very low - just 4.3 per cent. Agriculture had to compete with other industries for smaller of numbers of people. "You have all seen UK unemployment figures. We are approaching full employment in the UK. Never before - not for many years, anyway - have we had so few people unemployed. That, in itself, adds further pressures on your businesses. "I have been ringing around a few people last week knowing I would be here today just asking them, 'Where do you sit now? What's happening in terms of your labour.' They were saying that there is competition from other sectors. If an Ikea distribution centre opens down the road from an egg packing centre, obviously that's competition." John Reed, chairman of the British Poultry Council, said that 60 per cent of workers in the chicken meat sector were from outside the UK and the industry would need a flexible visa system put in place once the UK withdrew from the EU. Re-locate Tim Rycroft, corporate affairs director of the Food and Drink Federation said the FDF had asked its members what the effect would be of no longer having access to a supply of EU migrant labour. He said 17 per cent had said they would have to re-locate overseas and more than a third had said their business would no longer be viable. The Government's chief vet, Nigel Gibbens, said the Government did understand the industry's concerns about the impact of Brexit on the availability of labour. "We get it. Access to labour is really important," he said. "For me, I am working with the Royal Veterinary College and the British Veterinary Association to look at the very specific veterinary issues. You share some of those, but it's much broader than that. Other workers can be absolutely crucial. "Actually, with vets we might have quite an easy sell because they have scarce skills, although they are not recognised as such at the moment. Other workers may be less so but it is probably a case for you to make." Mark Williams said it was the role of Government to ensure that there was a visa system put in place no matter what happened in the future. The Countryside Stewardship scheme will be simplified into four new streamlined offers which will launch in January, Defra Secretary Michael Gove has announced. Announcing the plans at the CLA's annual Rural Business Conference on Tuesday (28 November), Gove said support for farmers will become more simplified as the UK leaves the EU. He set out how Defra will make "practical and pragmatic" changes to existing farm support systems, streamlining the process to free up farmers' time. Gove has previously called the the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 'environmentally damaging and socially unjust'. He has again acknowledged the daily challenge farmers face with the "burdensome" policy. The Defra Secretary called the current system of farm support "inefficient, ineffective and inequitable". He outlined the need to change the way the UK invests in the countryside so farmers can more readily access support to protect wildlife, enhance the environment and improve land use. As a first step, Gove has announced simplifications to the Countryside Stewardship scheme through the creation of four new streamlined offers which will launch in January next year. These new offers will have a simpler application process, with the government promising half as much paperwork as before. It will introduce four packages, arable, upland, mixed and grass for agreements starting in January. 'Just the beginning' Speaking after the conference, Gove said: "Today I have set out plans to improve our current schemes, starting with simplifying support for farmers to protect and enhance our landscapes and countryside. "But these measures are just the beginning - the first steps towards a simplified system of support. Over the coming weeks and months, well be working closely with our farmers to make sure we listen to what they want as we design a new approach and realise our vision for the future of UK food and farming outside the EU." CLA President Tim Breitmeyer said he welcomes Gove's commitment to streamlining and focusing support. He said: "Farmers and landowners want to continue providing the country with high quality, affordable food while protecting the environment and supporting wildlife. We look forward to working with him to drive up participation in crucial schemes to protect and enhance landscapes and the environment." The Defra Secretary also spoke about the opportunities for British farmers to take advantage of changing consumer tastes and "reap the rewards" of quality and provenance in production. He celebrated measures set out in the governments recently announced Industrial Strategy to work towards a food and drink sector deal and announced further support including a further 45 million top up to the RDPE Growth Programme to help rural business development. Gove said the government will also look to publish an Agriculture Bill in 2018 and will consult with all those who have an interest in the New Year. Following the outstanding success of the 2017 Australian Exchange, Holstein Young Breeders (HYB) is thrilled to announce its fortunate travel candidate for 2018, as the trip returns for another exciting year. Heather Martin of Northern Ireland is the 2018 winner and will board a flight to Australia in early January for a month-long adventure filled with learning, development, and of course, some cultural sightseeing. The competition was open to HYB members during October and after an overwhelming number of applications, the entries were whittled down to just one very deserving individual. Heather Martin said: I'm absolutely delighted to have been picked for this once in a lifetime experience. I am really excited to meet dairy breeders on the other side of the world and find out what not only I, but also other farmers back at home can learn from Australian farming methods. I have heard a lot of good things about Australian dairy genetics and can't wait to see it first-hand. The HYB Australian Exchange competition offers one member the chance to spend a month in Australia to gain first-hand experience of its dairy industry, visiting farms and attending both Youth Camp and the International Dairy Week. The trip is an all-expenses paid adventure, completely funded by Holstein UK and Holstein Australia and is a once in a lifetime opportunity; a chance to gain knowledge and experience of other cultures. As part of the exchange, an Australian young breeder will come over to the UK in September to coincide with some of the UKs leading dairy events including UK Dairy Day, the Dairy Show and the All Britain All Breeds Calf Show. Enthusiastic member Heather has been an enthusiastic HYB member for over 20 years, joining at the age of three when her parents taught her to show calves. HYB is an integral part of Heathers life she is a proactive member of the Northern Ireland Club, has been treasurer for several years and regularly helps to organise major Club events such as the annual calf show, embryo auctions, raffles and this years HYB Rally. Heather adds: As much as I enjoy taking part I also strive to encourage younger members to try new things. Although not a professional clipper, I have learned the basics through HYB training and would love to further this in Australia. I want to encourage young ones to have the same opportunities I have had. I have been fortunate to work with some of Northern Irelands top herds, including Hiltara, Ards and Clandeboye, and would love to experience some of Australias top herds too. Ultimately, I want to learn, experience, compete, build friendships and develop a career. I have always wanted to travel to Australia to milk and work with cows, so this trip really is a dream come true. 'Hugely beneficial' Miriam Bagley, Events & National HYB Coordinator for Holstein UK said the Australian Exchange is one of its "most desirable" opportunities. The whole experience is hugely beneficial to the lucky winner - not only from a social and personal development point of view, but, most importantly, to develop breeding, husbandry, showmanship and dairy management skills. Seeing first-hand how other farmers run their businesses and breed productive cattle in other countries, with different climates and production methods, is the best way to progress, innovate and make improvements to farming back in the UK. HYB wishes Heather the most amazing trip and we look forward to her full report when she returns. New safety laws have been introduced to give police powers to prevent unsafe or criminal use of drones, amid increasing worry to farmers and landowners over their use. The new government measures are intended to allow drone users to continue flying safely and legally. Farmers have in the past frequently called for tougher rules on drone use to protect privacy of property owners in the countryside. The number of incidents in the UK involving drones reported to police has increased more than twelve-fold over the past two years. The draft Drone Bill, which will be published next spring, will give police officers the right to order operators to ground drones where necessary. Officers will also be able to seize drone parts to prove it has been used to commit an offence. New measures will also make it mandatory for drone owners to register to improve accountability. And drone operators will be required to use apps so they can access the information needed to make sure any planned flight can be made safely and legally. NFU Vice President Guy Smith said there are 'exciting' developments in the pipeline for on-farm done use, but warns of dangers. There are exciting developments, such as crop applications, which could keep British farming at the cutting edge and internationally competitive. However, we are also very aware of instances of irresponsible use of drones by members of the public and have already seen the first instances of sheep worrying by drones." The government will publish a draft Drone Bill for consultation and introduce secondary legislation amendments in spring 2018. 'Real worry' CLA, a rural organisation which represents farmers, said drones have "huge potential" in the agricultural industry, but regulations must be in place. CLA Legal Adviser Andrew Gillett said: For reassurance that drones are being flown legally, professionally and safely we have actively called for compulsory registration so we are pleased the Government has listened to our concerns and legislated for new measures to control drone use. However, an increase in the use of recreational drones with cameras is a real worry to farmers and landowners over their privacy, the potential for damage to property and the safety of people and livestock on private land. We will continue to push for a change to the Civil Aviation Act 1982 so that recreational drone users would need to seek the landowners permission before flying over private land. Tips for responsible drone operation Fly safely and understand the law; you are legally responsible for every flight and could be prosecuted if found to be operating a drone in an unsafe manner Respect the privacy of others and obtain permission before flying over privately owned land or property Never fly within 50 metres of people or buildings Animals can be easily frightened by drones which can cause injury to them and others Use common sense when operating a drone: keep it in sight at all times and do not fly above 400 feet. More than half (58%) of Welsh consumers did not know if any of the items of their Christmas dinner last year were produced in Wales, according to a new survey. The findings of the survey by farming union NFU Cymru and conducted by YouGov, show that only 18% of Welsh consumers had Welsh turkey for Christmas dinner in 2016, while only 29% ate Welsh potatoes. The survey did, however, show that shoppers recognise the hallmarks of Welsh produce. The findings show that consumers associate Welsh produce with quality (78%), high production standards (66%), high environmental standards (59%) and good value for money (53%). In a bid to encourage more shoppers to buy more Welsh during the festive period this year, NFU Cymru has launched a new Proud to Produce Your Christmas campaign at this years Royal Welsh Winter Fair, highlighting the role that Welsh farmers and growers play in producing the ingredients of a traditional Christmas dinner. The initiative aims to underline that it is possible to source the staple items of a traditional Christmas meal in Wales, while also encouraging the public to support the Welsh food and farming sector by buying Welsh produce for their Christmas dinner this year. A very Welsh Christmas The campaign features a video of a Welsh Christmas feast and shows some of the producers across Wales who are responsible for producing the ingredients. The video includes turkeys reared in Meirionnydd, potatoes from Pembrokeshire, Brussel sprouts grown in Monmouthshire and pigs in blankets produced in Clwyd. The short film also highlights that PGI Welsh Lamb and Beef are also enjoyed in homes throughout Wales during the festive season as an alternative to traditional Christmas fayre. NFU Cymru President Stephen James said food and drink play an important role in bringing people together during the festive season. He said Welsh farmers are proud to play their part by producing world-class produce for people's Christmas dinners. This is a potentially prosperous period for the food and drink industry here in Wales, but its clear from the findings of our survey work this is an opportunity that isnt being fully capitalised on, Mr James said. Theres a role for all of us in raising the profile of Welsh produce to shoppers in the lead up to the festive period and encouraging more people to prioritise Welsh food and drink when it comes to sourcing the ingredients for their festive meal. Our campaign highlights that consumers do not need to look further afield to construct their festive feast all of the ingredients are available right on their doorstep in Wales. We are proud that so many consumers associate Welsh produce with quality, good value for money and high production standards. Mr James added: We hope that by underlining the link between producers in Wales and the food they produce, more people will prioritise Welsh this Christmas and support our hardworking Welsh farmers and growers in the process. Scottish farmers are to take part in a project to assess the value of natural assets to help them make decisions that will protect the environment and the land that they work on. The trial will apply the international Natural Capital Protocol to land-based businesses on two estates in Moray which are run by Crown Estate Scotland. It is hoped the initiative will help put Scotland at the forefront of developing new ways of assessing how farmers manage land and environment. Crown Estate Scotland will contribute insights on its work at the World Forum on Natural Capital which takes place in Edinburgh on Monday and Tuesday (Nov 27-28). The pilot project will be completed in March 2018. Natural Capital covers natural assets including geology, soil, air, water and all living things, which provide societies with a wide range of services. These include food, water and the plant materials, as well as climate regulation and natural flood defences provided by forests, the billions of tonnes of carbon stored by peatlands, and the pollination of crops by insects. The pilot will cover the entire 23,000 hectare Glenlivet Estate, an upland tenant farm on that same estate, and a lowland arable business on the Crown Estate Scotlands Fochabers Estate. 'Sustainable decisions' Head of Property, Andy Wells, said the pilot project would help Crown Estate Scotland identify if Natural Capital Protocol provides a practical way of helping rural businesses understand their impact and dependency on the natural environment. He said: Its a toolkit which helps businesses identify how natural resources contribute to their long-term profitably and how their activities impact those resources. Using the protocol enables businesses to make more sustainable decisions and account for the elements of nature that provide important services to people. By running the trial on a full estate as well as two different types of farms we will be able to see how land businesses can potentially use the information to make better business decisions. The rural sector in Scotland and across the UK is facing a lot of uncertainty and, with the EU subsidies and funding likely to be phased out in coming years, this project may provide some useful insights into different ways of measuring the impact of what we do to our land. Crown Estate Scotland is responsible for managing 37,000 hectares of rural land with agricultural tenancies, residential and commercial properties and forestry on four rural estates, Glenlivet, Fochabers, Applegirth and Whitehill. The uranium that Cameco Corp (CCJ -3.07%) mines is the fuel that powers nuclear reactors. Nuclear power has a bad rap thanks to a small number of high-profile disasters, and that's led to a supply/demand imbalance that has pushed uranium prices to multi-year lows. Cameco is the top stock to consider buying in uranium now, however, because it has the financial strength to make it through this downturn. The uranium backstory U 235 is an unstable version of the element uranium. To greatly simplify a very complex process, this means that U 235 can be broken split relatively easily to create energy and a more stable version of itself (U 238, which is far more common in nature). This is called nuclear fission, and it's what powers nuclear bombs and nuclear electric power plants. When fission is controlled it's a very safe and reliable way to generate electricity. Uncontrolled fission reactions are, to put it mildly, very dangerous. Uranium miners like Cameco and Rio Tinto (RIO -1.18%) dig up vast quantities of uranium, but since most of that ore is U 238, it must be processed to pull out the heavier U 235 to create the fuel with which nuclear reactors are powered. So while uranium is surprisingly abundant in the world (it's more common than gold), the useful variety is a lot harder to come by. We've learned a great deal about harnessing the power of uranium. A nuclear bomb is basically uncontrolled nuclear fission, and a nuclear power plant attempts to control that process, using the energy created to generate steam to spin an electric turbine. But the learning process has happened over time, and accidents have taken place. Some of the notable names associated with uranium and nuclear power are Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and, most recently, Fukushima. The 2011 Fukushima reactor meltdown was a perfect storm of sorts, caused by an earthquake followed by a tsunami that overwhelmed this Japanese nuclear power plant's safety features. The meltdown was watched in real time the world over. In hindsight, the plant's safety features weren't as robust as they could have been. Japan shut all of its nuclear power fleet in response (it's starting to bring plants back online today), with other developed nations quickly announcing plans to reduce their use of nuclear power as well. This event, and the backlash it caused, led to a severe supply/demand imbalance in the uranium market. Prices have been in a downtrend since that point. That said, nuclear power plants are still being built around the world. And newer plants have taken the painful lessons learned to increase the safety of these facilities. There are 56 new reactors under construction today, mostly in developing nations in Asia. Cameco expects more will be built. Electricity demand in these countries is expanding quickly as they move up the socioeconomic ladder, and nuclear power still appears likely to be a key player in meeting that demand. However, nuclear power plants are time-consuming to construct, so demand has yet to pick up. But major players like Cameco are working the other side of the equation by reducing production. So there's a change coming on the demand side, and the supply side is rationing in an effort to bring supply and demand back in balance sooner rather than later. The end of the uranium downturn is impossible to predict, of course, but at this point, Cameco can buy uranium at spot prices for less than it costs to mine its own. Since Cameco's mines are generally efficient, low-cost operations, that's a big statement about the current state of uranium prices -- but it's also a step in the right direction to push prices higher in the future. Getting from here to there When it comes to buying a uranium miner there are a few different ways to go. There's giant, diversified miners like Rio Tinto, but Rio only gets around 1% of its net earnings from the nuclear fuel, so it's not a good option for getting exposure to uranium mining. Then there are names like Cameco, which is totally focused on uranium mining, processing, and trading. It's not alone in the space, but it is easily the largest pure-play uranium miner. To put a number on that, Cameco's market cap is $3.75 billion. Its pure-play peers include Uranium Energy Corp. and Energy Fuels Inc, with market caps of $220 million and $130 million, respectively. These tiny players simply don't have the same scale or reach as Cameco. And then there's $300 million market cap Denison Mines (DNN -3.97%), which is building a uranium mine, but doesn't actually have a mine in operation today. So if you are looking for a direct way to play uranium, Cameco is the cleanest option. It's also the strongest financially, which is important today. Denison Mines is burning through cash as it builds its Wheeler River project. Since the mine isn't expected to be up and running until 2025, the red ink will likely last a long time yet. Energy Fuels, meanwhile, has made money only once in the past decade. Uranium Energy has lost money every year over that span. That's a troubling trend given that uranium spot prices were much higher a few years ago then they are today. While Cameco's earnings dipped into the red in 2016, and look likely to do so again in 2017, it remained in the black between 2007 and 2015. That's largely because it makes use of long-term contracts that allow it to charge higher than spot prices for the uranium it sells, protecting it, somewhat, from the commodity downturn. Those contracts will only last so long, but it has an important buffer against low uranium prices. Its efforts to adjust to the changing uranium market, including the costs of shutting mines, have been a driving force in the losses it has recently experienced. But that's an issue of preparing for the worst-case scenario. When the uranium market finally turns higher again, Cameco will be ready to take advantage of the upturn. That's partly because it's backed by a rock-solid balance sheet: the company's current ratio, a measure of its ability to pay near-term bills, is an impressive 5.4 times. And long-term debt only makes up around 25% of the capital structure. Financially speaking, Cameco is well prepared for bad times, and ready to bring production back online when things start to look up again. Only one option You could buy a smaller miner than Cameco that struggled to turn a profit even when uranium prices were higher, or one that's burning cash to build its first mine. But those are unnecessary risks taking. And owning shares in a giant diversified miner like Rio Tinto doesn't provide material exposure to uranium. The combination of focus, financial strength, and business model really make Cameco the best option for investing in the troubled uranium market today, assuming that you have the stomach to wait for the next industry upturn -- which is hard to predict, even though new nuclear power plants are being built and giants like Cameco are taking the steps (like cutting production) to help get supply and demand back in balance. Ever since the article appeared on the front page of the Journal Star, we have received numerous phone calls, emails and in-person visits from worried people asking us: Is our aquifer really drying up? What can we do about it? There are valid issues in the article ("Water levels drop in aquifer," Nov. 14) that must be addressed in each of the states impacted by declining groundwater supplies. However, we can reassure our fellow citizens that in almost all of Nebraska, our water supply is doing fine. We start with this statistic: According to U.S. Geological Survey reports, Nebraskas High Plains aquifer has experienced a net loss of only one-tenth of 1 percent of its volume of water, which in 2009 was 2.040 billion acre-feet. Nebraskas vast groundwater supplies are stored in subsurface rock formations (i.e., the aquifers) and are being carefully managed by our local Natural Resources Districts in conjunction with the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources. Great credit is also due to the many farmers and producers who are using new technologies and conservation methods to help sustain those waters. The Nov. 14 article accurately describes dire situations in parts of eastern Colorado and western Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. There, groundwater pumping has been the culprit in drying up nearby streams and rivers. Here in Nebraska, we also have a few areas of concern. Pumpkin Creek in the panhandle has dried up, impacting the surface water rights held by the Spear T Ranch. In the Republican River drainage, stream depletions are continuing despite regulations, metering, and new technologies. But, as a whole, Nebraskas groundwater situation is enviable, not just nationally but internationally. We have more than 100 years of hydrogeologic research conducted by the University of Nebraska-Lincolns Conservation and Survey Division and the USGS. That research has proven the connection between groundwater and surface water. Those scientific findings were then communicated to the Legislature, which has passed a series of enlightened groundwater management acts, beginning in 1975 when the NRDs were given the authority to manage groundwater, continuing through the 2004 Integrated Management Act and coming into the present with the creation of the Water Sustainability Fund, managed by the Nebraska Natural Resources Commission. A particularly significant geologic finding is that Nebraskas portion of the water supply in the High Plains Aquifer is roughly two-thirds of the total amount in storage in the eight-state area of the aquifer. Furthermore, the rock units that make up Nebraskas portion of the aquifer (the Arikaree, Ogallala and Broadwater formations and the glacial-age sands and gravels) are cut off from the aquifer to the south by the Republican River. So it is not true that groundwater pumped onto a field in Texas lowers the water table in Nebraska. Nor is it true that our aquifer groundwater flows into the states to the south of us. Just as significant, we are extremely fortunate to have the Sandhills, which overlie the Ogallala formation and are therefore the perfect conduit for recharging the aquifer whenever it rains on those lovely hills. In Nebraska, groundwater belongs to all the citizens of the state for their beneficial use. Producers, legislators, elected and appointed representatives and everyday people are working hard to ensure that our water riches will remain abundant, providing that beneficial use not just for our children and grandchildren but also for our descendants far into the future. As noted by Dr. Kenneth Cassman, UNL's Robert Daugherty Professor of Agronomy: Most of the worlds major aquifers that support irrigated agriculture are heavily over-appropriated. Only in Nebraska do we have a system that has proven effective at sustaining aquifer levels and supporting a vibrant irrigated agriculture. The reason for this success is the NRD system that places responsibility and authority for protecting groundwater in the hands of local citizens. This is unique in the entire world, and truly visionary. 2000 delegates from over 60 countries to take part in Tbilisi Silk Road Forum - GeorgianJournal Atmospheric pressure optimization technology makes them perfect for avid travellers Sony's new noise cancellation wireless headphones are adaptive to the surroundings and usage patterns of the users. The new headphones come equipped with personal and atmospheric pressure optimization technology that adjusts to individual listening style and one's altitude to deliver an immersive audio experience. Sony gave us a demo of the built-in noise cancellation technology on the premium WH-1000MX2 headphones, and it was by far the most effective noise cancellation audio I have experienced till date. The battery life of WH-1000XM2 is claimed to last for 40 hours with 30 hours of wireless or an audio cable charge. We still need to get our hands on a unit to verify all the claims. Immersive audio and Premium design The new headphones feel and sound premium and have an aluminum-coated LCP diaphragm. The sealed ear pads are soft to ears and minimize bass leakage for comfortable audio experience. The new headphones also come equipped with Sony's DSEE HX technology that we have tested in company's premium smartphone line-up. Personalized sound output Humans have different set of ears that need and understand different audio notes. Sony's new wireless headphones feature integrated technology called "SENSE ENGINE" that offers a personalized experience for all sounds including music and ambient sound which has been customized for individual needs. Sony also launched "Headphones Connect App" which lets users to fine-tune music. "WH-100M2" and "WH-H900N" also features "Quick Attention Mode" that offers a smart way of controlling listening experience on the go. Sony goes True Wireless with WF-1000X I have tested some of the recently launched true wireless headphones from Jabra and Samsung, and Sony's latest WF-1000X are of same league. However, they do not come equipped with any bundled fitness sensors as WF-1000X are largely engineered to deliver immersive audio experience sans wires. Sony WF-1000X weighs just 6.8 gms and also feature company's noise cancellation technology. The headphones have smart listening and activity recognition and are said to have a battery life of three hours with standalone earbuds and additional 6 hours from the charging case. Pricing and Availability Sony's new noise cancellation headphones- WH-1000M2, WI-1000X, WF-1000X and WH-H900N are priced at Rs 29,990, Rs 21,990, 14,990 and Rs 18,990 respectively. They are available at all Sony centers and electronics stores in India. Stay tuned on Gizbot for a detailed review of Sony's new headphones. Moto Z Play spotted with Android Oreo on Geekbench and screenshot News oi -Chandrika Recently, Motorola was looking for Moto Z and Moto Z2 Force to participate in a soak test for Android 8.0. Although it has been three months since the launch of Android Oreo, only 0.3% of Android devices have the latest iteration of Google's mobile operating system. Apart from Google Pixel and Nexus phones, and a few Sony handsets, most of the manufacturers are still aiming to roll out the Android Oreo update to their smartphones. In case of Motorola, none if its smartphones has received the Oreo update so far. However, that may change soon. Recently it was reported that in Brazil, Motorola is looking for Moto Z and Moto Z2 Force to participate in a soak test for Android 8.0. Only a few days later, the Motorola Moto Z Play has now been spotted on Geekbench with Android 8.0 Oreo in tow. This clearly implies that the software is being tested and the company could push out the version shortly. That being said, the update will arrive only when the testing is successful and there are no bugs or glitches which can possibly affect the performance of the device. In addition to the Geekbench test, a screenshot allegedly showing the "About phone" menu of the Moto Z Play reveals the presence of Android Oreo along with the December security patch. Notably, just because the Moto Z Play has been spotted on Geekbench and the screenshot with Android Oreo, it doesn't mean that it will be the first Motorola smartphone to receive the update. Manufacturers usually follow the "Last launch, first updated" method. Unless Motorola wants to deviate from it, the 2017 models of Moto Z2 should be first to get updated to Android 8.0. Back in September, Motorola had released the list of Moto smartphones that are eligible for Android Oreo. The smartphones include Moto Z, Moto Z Droid, Moto Z Force Droid, Moto Z2 Force, Moto Z Play, Moto Z Play Droid, Moto Z2 Play, Moto G5, Moto G5 Plus, Moto G5S, and Moto G5S Plus and also the Moto G4 Plus. Via Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications UK smartphones sales remained flat annually in Q3 2017, Apple continued to lead: Counterpoint News oi -Priyanka UK smartphones sales remained flat annually in Q3 2017, while the overall handset market (including feature phones) declined by 8 percent year on year. According to the latest research from Counterpoint's Market Pulse service, Apple continued to lead the smartphone market with just over 34 percent share despite sales declining sequentially. Samsung was the second largest brand, slightly behind Apple. Meanwhile, UK smartphones sales remained flat annually in Q3 2017, while the overall handset market (including feature phones) declined by 8 percent year on year. Parv Sharma, Research Associate at Counterpoint Research said, "the Chinese giant Huawei was the third largest brand, with consistent double-digit market share, leveraging a diverse portfolio across all price-tiers, but still some distance behind Samsung and Apple that represent something approaching a virtual duopoly." "Like we see in the US market, Apple & Samsung together control more than two-thirds of the UK smartphone market in sales volumes and more than 80 percent in sales value." Samsung was the second largest brand, slightly behind Apple, with flat market share YoY. The Chinese giant Huawei was the third largest brand, with consistent double-digit market share, leveraging a diverse portfolio across all price-tiers, but still some distance behind Samsung and Apple that represent something approaching a virtual duopoly. Like we see in the US market, Apple & Samsung together control more than two-thirds of the UK smartphone market in sales volumes and more than 80 percent in sales value," Sharma. Counterpoint said that Chinese vendors Huawei, Alcatel and Motorola capture the next positions in the UK smartphone market and in the premium segment Apple led the smartphone market followed by Samsung. On premium smartphone market Research Director, Peter Richardson, said, "The UK is one of the strongest markets for Apple globally and this is reflected in the premium segment's share of the market overall. Despite Apple being at the tail-end of a product cycle through most of the 3Q, the premium segment (>USD 500 wholesale) still grew both in terms of volume and value, while the overall market volume fell. Apple dominated the premium segment and was the main contributor to overall market value share - especially as the Average Selling Price (ASP) of the newly launched iPhone 8 was higher than the iPhone 7's launch price. Samsung also enjoyed a strong position, accounting for almost one-third of the premium market volume during the quarter. Apple and Samsung together leave very little room for other players." Richardson added, "The Apple iPhone 7 was the bestselling smartphone and contributed to 15 percent of the total smartphones sold in Q3 2017. Samsung's Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus were second and third. Samsung also has a strong range of all price bands and it, together with Huawei, provided a strong volume platform that was resilient to attack most other brands." Speaking about UK distribution channels, Peter Richardson said, "The UK operators and retailers have developed one of the best multi-channel distribution systems worldwide; few other countries offer quite the same level of sophistication. However, the limited range of brands offered in volume by the main operators means that market share is concentrated among just a few players. We don't see this changing anytime soon as distribution power is, if anything, is increasingly focused on the main operators." Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications Xiaomi moved to the leadership position in major 50 cities of India: IDC News oi -Priyanka The Samsung Galaxy J2, J7 Max, J7 Prime & J7 Nxt together make up to 50 percent volumes for the vendor. According to a new report by International Data Corporation's (IDC), Chinese smartphone company Xiaomi moved to the leadership position in major 50 cities of India, registering 120 percent growth in the Q32017. The firm said that Redmi Note 4 alone contributed to more than 40 percent of the volumes and is also the highest selling model within the top 50 cities of India. Offline expansion through 'Preferred Partner' programmes and Mi Stores, further added to this growth. Meanwhile, major 50 cities of India accounted for 50 percent of smartphone sales in Q32017 with a sizeable growth of 27 percent from the previous quarter. Tier I cities of India continue to be the key volume driver for Indian smartphone market with 29 percent sequential growth in Q32017. Bhopal, Gurgaon, and Jaipur from the Tier II cities have emerged as the fastest growing cities with each growing more than 40 percent from the previous quarter. Mega-online sales by prominent e-tailers acted as the catalyst for the robust growth across city tiers with e-tailers now contributing around 40 percent of the market in top 50 cities of India," says Himanshu Jain, Market Analyst, IDC India. "However, the offline channel saw only average traction during the festive season," adds Jain. Commenting on the vendor's channel expansion, Navkendar Singh, Associate Research Director, IDC India adds, "Almost all vendors have now decided to go aggressive on offline channel expansion. It will be interesting to see how they are able to match the distribution strength and retail spends by offline dominant players like Samsung, Oppo, and Vivo. Considering the huge hitherto tapped demand from smaller cities and towns, eventually, these vendors will be forced to tweak their strategies to reach out to the customers in these markets." However report pointed out that Samsung continues to dominate in the majority of cities, thanks to its deep penetration and reach. The Samsung Galaxy J2, J7 Max, J7 Prime & J7 Nxt together make up to 50 percent volumes for the vendor. Lenovo (including Motorola) remains at the third position growing steadily at 8 percent from the previous quarter. New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru contributing around 40 percent of its volumes with majority sales of Lenovo K6 Power, Moto E4 Plus & K6 Note. Chinese brands Oppo and Vivo settled in fourth and fifth positions. Oppo moved to the fourth position as its models Oppo F3 and F3 Plus gained attraction from the consumers. Furthermore, the newly launched Oppo A71 added to the company' sales. Lastly, Vivo slipped down to the fifth position as the company' sales declined in the last quarter. However, the sales of the company might increase with the recently launched Vivo V7 and V7+. Best Mobiles in India Facebook, To stay updated with latest technology news & gadget reviews, follow GizBot on Twitter YouTube and also subscribe to our notification. Allow Notifications For people who ventured onto the internet in the past week, odds are high that they were greeted with an urgent message to protect net neutrality that's under attack. The colorful graphics and dire language underscored an important message: The idea of a free and open internet that treats all traffic the same without providers blocking, slowing or charging for particular content would be wounded or eliminated under a plan released last week by the Federal Communications Commission. The internet has become the great connecter for communicating, regardless of geography, and the great equalizer for businesses of all sizes. Widespread, affordable internet access has grown from a luxury into a necessity, one that must be preserved and protected. The plan, as introduced by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, a former counsel for Verizon, would end provisions that bar internet service providers from prioritizing or slowing particular websites and reassign regulatory authority to the Federal Trade Commission. The measure is expected to pass. Telecom giant Comcast, which had previously expressed support for rescinding net neutrality regulations, recently launched an ad campaign that promised the company would not block, throttle or discriminate against lawful content. The desire of major internet service providers to have this ability, though, undermines their argument. Under the proposed structure without the net neutrality safeguards, internet service providers would have the ability to levy additional fees beyond subscription costs to access online content. A Forbes columnist likened the structure to bundling charges to use certain websites to that of cable channels. A country where internet subscribers would have to pay extra to access Facebook and Twitter, where the quality of streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu were determined by how much extra one paid, where small businesses faced additional financial hurdles to maintain a digital presence all of that would be permitted under weaker or nonexistent net neutrality laws. Many of the tech companies whose services are now ubiquitous to the point of being a verb including Google, Amazon, Twitter, Facebook, Airbnb, Spotify and Reddit have expressed staunch opposition to the FCCs plan since day one. Thats why companies of all shapes and sizes correctly pointed out their ability to start and conduct business online would face serious disadvantages in a pay-to-play internet. This isnt a matter of partisan politics; its one of fundamental fairness to American consumers and businesses. In a world where so much communication and commerce are conducted online, the freedom to continue operating in a free, open and content-neutral internet is a must. As such, the existing net neutrality measures must be allowed to remain in place. Inherent Resolve Strikes Target ISIS in Syria, Iraq From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release SOUTHWEST ASIA, Nov. 27, 2017 U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, conducting 11 strikes consisting of 36 engagements Nov. 24 and 25, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today. Officials reported details of the most recent strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports and adding that no strikes have yet been reported as having taken place in Syria or Iraq yesterday. In addition, officials today reported details of a Nov. 23 strike consisting of one engagement near Abu Kamal, Syria, for which the details were unavailable in time for the most recent previous report. The strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS vehicle. Strikes in Syria On Nov. 24 in Syria, coalition military forces conducted four strikes consisting of seven engagements against ISIS targets: -- Near Abu Kamal, three strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed two ISIS vehicles. -- Near Shadaddi, a strike damaged an ISIS supply route. On Nov. 25 in Syria, coalition military forces conducted five strikes consisting of eight engagements near Abu Kamal, engaging six ISIS tactical units and destroying four ISIS vehicles and a headquarters. Strikes in Iraq On Nov. 24 in Iraq, coalition military forces conducted two strikes consisting of 21 engagements against ISIS targets: -- Near Baaj, a strike engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed six ISIS vehicles and two ISIS-held buildings. -- Near Mosul, a strike damaged an ISIS supply route. No strikes were reported in Iraq for Nov. 25, officials said. Part of Operation Inherent Resolve These strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to destroy ISIS in Iraq and Syria. The destruction of ISIS targets in Iraq and Syria also further limits the group's ability to project terror and conduct external operations throughout the region and the rest of the world, task force officials said. The list above contains all strikes conducted by fighter, attack, bomber, rotary-wing or remotely piloted aircraft; rocket-propelled artillery; and some ground-based tactical artillery when fired on planned targets, officials noted. Ground-based artillery fired in counterfire or in fire support to maneuver roles is not classified as a strike, they added. A strike, as defined by the coalition, refers to one or more kinetic engagements that occur in roughly the same geographic location to produce a single or cumulative effect. For example, task force officials explained, a single aircraft delivering a single weapon against a lone ISIS vehicle is one strike, but so is multiple aircraft delivering dozens of weapons against a group of ISIS-held buildings and weapon systems in a compound, having the cumulative effect of making that facility harder or impossible to use. Strike assessments are based on initial reports and may be refined, officials said. The task force does not report the number or type of aircraft employed in a strike, the number of munitions dropped in each strike, or the number of individual munition impact points against a target. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Attack in Egypt Highlights Need for U.S. Involvement in Region, Official Says By Jim Garamone DoD News, Defense Media Activity WASHINGTON, Nov. 27, 2017 The Nov. 24 attack on an Egyptian mosque in northern Sinai that killed at least 305 men, women and children is an example of why the United States must remain involved in the Middle East, Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Rob Manning said today. The United States must help partner nations build their own defense and police capacity to "ensure [the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria], al-Qaida and like-minded groups cannot plan and carry out attacks," he said. Manning gave an overview of the area during his weekly press gaggle with Pentagon reporters. He said there are roughly 500 U.S. forces in Syria and around 5,000 in Iraq. Defense Department officials are working on providing a better run-down of U.S. forces in the countries as security considerations permit, the colonel said. Iraqi forces are working to improve security in areas they have retaken from ISIS control, Manning said. This includes going into areas to clear them of improvised explosive devices, clearing out weapons caches, disarm booby traps and rooting out ISIS hold-outs. "In Syria, in the last 24 hours, the [Syrian Democratic Forces] has reinforced positions near the Iraq-Syria border, repelling an ISIS reconnaissance element," he said. Coalition forces aided the SDF as it advanced along the southern bank of the Euphrates River. "Also coalition forces provided counter-IED training to Raqqa internal security force soldiers," he said. The coalition also passed over communications gear to Raqqa force personnel. Over the weekend, President Donald J. Trump spoke with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and discussed the U.S. supply of arms to the SDF. Turkish leaders are worried that arms supplied to the Kurdish portion of the SDF could end up in the hands of the [Kurdistan Workers' Party] -- a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization. "Consistent with that policy, we're reviewing pending adjustments to the military support provided to our Kurdish partners [in the SDF], in as much as the military requirements of our defeat-ISIS and stabilization efforts will allow us to prevent ISIS from returning," Manning said. "We remain very clear in that we are going to continue to target ISIS and remain committed to protecting our NATO ally Turkey." Weapons provided to the SDF are limited and mission specific, the colonel said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address USS Fitzgerald returns to Fleet Activities Yokosuka aboard MV Transshelf Navy News Service Story Number: NNS171127-01 Release Date: 11/27/2017 5:33:00 AM From U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) returned to Fleet Activities (FLEACT) Yokosuka today aboard heavy lift transport vessel Transshelf. Fitzgerald returned to repair two punctures in her hull caused by the heavy lift vessel's steel support structure during on load at anchorage. Repairs are expected to extend the on load process by a few days, after which Transshelf will transport Fitzgerald to Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) in Pascagoula, Mississippi for further repairs and upgrades. Fitzgerald was towed to deep water to begin the heavy lift process Nov. 24. In the months prior to her departure from Yokosuka, technicians and shipbuilders at Ship Repair Facility Yokosuka made significant progress in preparing the ship for the journey, including dewatering, defueling, hull and superstructure repairs, and placing key systems in layup maintenance. In October, she was moved from dry dock to a pierside location in anticipation of the move. Fitzgerald was involved in a collision with the Philippine-flagged ACX Crystal on June 17. Seven Sailors lost their lives and the ship was damaged on her starboard side above and below the waterline. The Navy released a comprehensive review of the incident Nov. 1. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Nimitz Carrier Strike Group Arrives in Hawaii Navy News Service Story Number: NNS171127-04 Release Date: 11/27/2017 7:58:00 AM By Carrier Strike Group 11 Public Affairs JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii (NNS) -- The Nimitz Strike Group (CSG 11) arrived in Pearl Harbor Nov. 25 following a six-month deployment to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG 11), along with the air wing and strike group staff, departed San Diego for a regularly scheduled deployment June 5. The strike group consists of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 9, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59), and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Howard (DDG 83), USS Shoup (DDG 86), USS Kidd (DDG 100), and USS Pinckney (DDG 91). CVW-11 consists of Lemoore, California-based Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147, VFA 154, VFA 146, Whidbey Island, Washington-based Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 142, Norfolk-based Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 121, and San Diego-based Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 323, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8, Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 75 and Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30. The strike group sailed more than 78,000 miles during the deployment (equivalent to approximately five times around the world), flew 1,322 combat sorties into Iraq and Syria, and dropped 904 pieces of ordnance. The strike group conducted training and operations with the French Marine Nationale, Indian Navy, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Republic of Korea Navy, Royal Australian Navy, the United Kingdom's Royal Navy, and Royal New Zealand Navy. These included Malabar 17 in the Indian Ocean, Intrepid Sentinel in the Gulf of Oman, and landmark Three-Carrier Strike Force Operations in the Western Pacific. In addition, the strike group conducted visit, board, search and seizure drills, close-in coordinated maneuvers, flag hoisting drills, sea surveillance, replenishments-at-sea, maritime patrol and reconnaissance, explosive ordnance disposal operations, and air, surface, and anti-submarine warfare training. "Our entire team is excited to visit the great state of Hawaii," said Rear Adm. Gregory Harris, commander, Nimitz Strike Group. "After a very successful combat deployment in 5th Fleet, everyone is looking forward to being able to rest and relax before returning home. A couple days enjoying all that Hawaii has to offer is a fitting conclusion to a deployment during which Sailors and Marines across the Strike Group demonstrated an outstanding commitment to excellence." Over the six-month span, the strike group conducted port visits in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; Colombo, Sri Lanka; Chennai, India; Manama, Bahrain; Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Hamad, Qatar; Duqm, Oman; Pattaya, Thailand; and Sasebo, Japan. Sailors participated in numerous volunteer events, including interacting with children at schools, visiting patients at hospitals, and socializing with animals at shelters. Pinckney Sailors also participated in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations 50th anniversary celebration in Thailand, which included an International Fleet Review, conferences, and a parade. Nimitz Strike Group is part of U.S. 3rd Fleet, which leads naval forces in the Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary for an effective global Navy. U.S. 3rd Fleet constantly coordinates with U.S. 7th Fleet to plan and execute missions based on their complementary strengths to promote ongoing peace, security, and stability throughout the entire Pacific theater of operations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Same song, second verse. Two years ago, after traveling through Kansas, I wrote a letter to the editor ("Focus on roads," Sept. 28, 2015) about the drastically different highway conditions between Kansas and Nebraska. The comment was directed to Gov. Pete Ricketts and his campaign pledge to "grow Nebraska" and "fix our roads and bridges." Obviously, minimal work has been done to fulfill his promise. This past weekend, I traveled over 650 miles on Kansas highways and marveled, again, how much better shape their highways are than Nebraska's. The notable difference is immediate upon crossing the border. So, again, I'm asking Gov. Ricketts, "What is being done?" Maybe his time would be better spent governing Nebraska vs. "governing" the Republican Governors Association. Plenty of issues here in Nebraska need his attention more than accepting a leadership position in that group. His predecessor took time away from Nebraska by accepting a position with the association and left his successor with multiple problems. "Growing Nebraska" will not be accomplished when a governor is not in the state to lead. Robert D. Zuehlsdorf, Kearney China denies role in Zimbabwe's power transition Iran Press TV Mon Nov 27, 2017 03:41PM China's Foreign Ministry has denied playing a role in the recent political developments in Zimbabwe that led to the ouster of long-time ruler Robert Mugabe. "China always upholds the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs and this remains unchanged," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said Monday while congratulating Zimbabwe's new President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Geng also denied claims that a visit by Zimbabwe's army chief General Constantine Chiwenga shortly before the political crisis erupted in Harare earlier this month was a sign of China's role in the developments that led to Mugabe's house arrest. Geng said Chiwenga's visit was pre-planned and had nothing to do with the political situation in Zimbabwe. "It was planned long before and it was also approved by the former president Mugabe," said the official, adding that the visit was a "normal interaction." For nearly half a century, China has maintained a huge influence in Zimbabwe as it originally supported anti-colonial guerrilla fighters in the 1960s and then helped their leader Mugabe rise to power in the South African country. Beijing backed Mugabe during his 37 years in power and has been among Zimbabwe's major trade partners. Mnangagwa, who served as Mugabe's deputy for years, also received training in China during the liberation struggle of the 1960s. The spokesman said Mnangagwa, whose sacking by Mugabe sparked the political unrest in Zimbabwe, could further steer Zimbabwe toward progress. "We congratulate President Mnangagwa on his inauguration ... We firmly support Zimbabwe following a path that supports its own national conditions and we believe under the leadership of Mr. Mnangagwa Zimbabwe national development will make further progress," Geng said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Aoun holds consultations on government's future with Lebanese political leaders Iran Press TV Mon Nov 27, 2017 03:14PM Lebanese President Michel Aoun has held talks over the future of Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri's government with the country's political leaders after the latter decided to suspend his shock resignation, which he announced in Saudi Arabia earlier this month. A senior Lebanese official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the consultations at the presidential palace in Baabda were aimed to help Hariri's administration "get back on its feet." "The consultations might end with Lebanon reaffirming the ministerial statement that implicitly includes disassociation," the official pointed out. Leading Druze politician and leader of the Progressive Socialist Party, Walid Jumblatt, said after meeting Aoun that it was important to talk about "disassociation", and how to achieve it. He said it would be wise not to bring up the question of weapons in the hands of Hezbollah resistance movement in discussions. Christian leader Samir Geagea also told reporters that his political party, known as Lebanese Forces, will not resign from the government. "Disassociation should be in action and not through words. This means actively keeping out of regional conflicts," he said. Aoun separately met on Monday with Mohammad Raad, who chairs Hezbollah's political wing Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc in the Lebanese parliament, who later told reporters they discussed "reactivating" the government. The Lebanese prime minister arrived in Beirut late on November 21, more than two weeks after unexpectedly announcing he had quit his post. All political factions in Lebanon had called on him to return back home. Top Lebanese officials and senior politicians close to Hariri had earlier said that he had been forced to resign, and that Saudi authorities were holding him captive. Aoun had also refused to accept Hariri's resignation. Hariri announced his resignation in a televised statement on November 4, citing many reasons, including the security situation in Lebanon, for his sudden decision. He also said that he sensed a plot being hatched against his life. Hariri accused Iran and Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement of meddling in Arab countries' affairs; an allegation the two have repeatedly denied. Hariri became prime minister in 2016 after serving another term between November 2009 and June 2011. Iran has vehemently rejected Hariri's remarks, saying his resignation and rehashing of the "unfounded and baseless" allegations regularly leveled by Zionists, Saudis and the US were another scenario to create new tensions in Lebanon and elsewhere in the Middle East. "The sudden resignation of Mr. Hariri and its announcement in another country are not only regrettable and astonishing, but also indicative of him playing in a court that the ill-wishers in the region have laid out," Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi commented. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hamas says weapons a 'red line' after talks with Fatah Iran Press TV Mon Nov 27, 2017 11:21AM The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has refused to be disarmed as part of a recent national reconciliation deal with rival party Fatah, stressing that its weapons are not up for discussion. "The resistance's weapons cannot be dividedand all the red lines are under it," senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya said in a news conference in Gaza on Monday, noting that the movement has the right to resist the Israeli occupation until it ends. Hayya further expressed concerns over recent remarks by senior Fatah officials but stressed that Hamas "will continue the path of reconciliation to end the Palestinian division," despite obstacles created by the rival group. Meanwhile, Hayya urged the Palestinian Authority to lift sanctions against the Gaza Strip and called on the government to resolve the issue of employee payments. Hamas and Fatah inked a historic reconciliation deal in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, in October to put an end to their decade-long rivalry. Fatah and Hamas have been at odds ever since the latter scored a landslide victory in Palestinian parliamentary elections in 2006. Since 2007, Hamas has been governing Gaza while Fatah has been based in the autonomous parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The two rival Palestinian factions finally agreed on a unity government in April 2014, but it fell apart months later. According to the accord, Fatah will lift an array of punitive sanctions that it imposed on Hamas earlier this year. In return, Hamas will join the Palestinian Authority to form a unity government, which will exert its full control over the blockaded coastal sliver from the beginning of December. The deal also requires some 3,000 members of the Palestinian Authority police force to be redeployed to Gaza, an unnamed member of the negotiating team told the AFP. Another party to the talks, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the accord would also see the unity government's forces take control of Gaza's borders, including the Rafah border crossing, a key gateway to Egypt. Some serious hurdles, however, remained unsettled in the agreement, including the status of the Hamas military wing, known as the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, and its estimated 25,000 fighters, who have defended Gaza against three deadly Israeli wars over the past decade. Hamas had already said that the force was non-negotiable. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia, U.S., Britain Aid Search For Missing Argentine Submarine November 27, 2017 Russian, U.S., and British teams are aiding the 14-nation search for a missing Argentine Navy submarine, 11 days after the vessel lost contact following an explosion. Aircraft from Argentina, Britain, and the United States for several days have crisscrossed the South Atlantic in search of the San Juan submarine with 44 crewmembers aboard, and a Russian Antonov transport plane has now brought equipment to aid the effort hampered by rough seas. "The bad weather conditions really are adverse," navy spokesman Enrique Balbi told a news conference on November 26. "We've been searching for 11 days, but that does not remove the chance that [the crew] could still be in an extreme survival situation." Despite the comments, many officials and family members have lost hope of rescuing crewmembers alive. The Russian Antonov craft brought an underwater robot that can search the ocean floor as deep as 1,000 meters. Russia also sent an oceanographic research ship, while the U.S. Navy provided an underwater rescue capsule. The Argentine Navy reported there had been an explosion aboard the submarine, possibly related to the vessel's batteries. The submarine originally went into service in 1985. The search zone is 400 kilometers off the Argentinian coast north of the British-ruled Falkland Islands, which are known in Argentina as the Malvinas. "There is no precedent in history for a [recovery] deployment of this extent," naval engineer Horacio Tettamanti said. "The United States and Russia are the most developed in this field, a legacy of the Cold War," he added. Based on reporting by AFP, Reuters, and dpa Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia- argentina-submarine-united-states- antonov-rescue/28878612.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address No Signs of External Influence Behind Argentine Submarine Explosion - Navy Sputnik News 20:34 27.11.2017(updated 20:46 27.11.2017) The Argentinian Navy has concentrated its efforts to find the missing San Juan submarine in the area where an explosion was recorded. BUENOS AIRES (Sputnik) According to Argentine Navy spokesman Enrique Balbi, they have no evidence that the explosion recorded by Argentina's missing San Juan submarine was caused by an underwater mine or by an external attack. "There are no signs of an external attack or a submarine mine producing the explosion," Balbi said. Meanwhile, the San Juan submarine, with a crew of 44, stopped responding and went missing on November 15, while en route from Ushuaia to Mar del Plata. The Navy said a likely explosion had been registered in the area close to where the last contact was made. Earlier, the Argentinian Navy official also stressed that there is no established time limit for the submarine's search. A large-scale search and rescue operation was launched in the area where the submarine could likely be, with multiple vessels and aircraft from different nations, including Norway, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States, having joined the efforts. Moreover, Russia will be joined in the search for the submarine ARA San Juan. For instance, the Russian oceanographic vessel Yantar will arrive in Argentina on December 5 according to Argentine Navy spokesman Enrique Balbi said Monday. Earlier in the month, Russia's Antonov An-124 transport aircraft delivered equipment for the search of the missing San Juan submarine. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Same Old Game: Norway Demonizes Russia in 'Hybrid War' Rant Sputnik News 13:49 27.11.2017 Norwegian Armed Forces officials have created a stir by suggesting that Russia's nuclear weapons arsenal could draw Norway into a hybrid war, despite assurances to the contrary from Norway's diplomat corps, police in the border region and Russia itself. Colonel Lieutenant Tormod Heier at the Armed Forces College has ventured there was a high probability that Norway's sheer proximity to Russia's nuclear arms in the north could result in a hybrid war. According to Heier, Russia's measures could include: cutting police data traffic in Norway's northernmost Finnmark County, disseminating propaganda about the US radar array in Vard to scare the locals, contaminating drinking water in Bergen, staging threats against Norwegian Prime Minister, Defense Minister and high-ranking military officials, and even killing key people in several ministries. "The Russians believe politics between states is a continuous state of warlike situations," Tormod Heier told Norwegian broadcaster NRK. According to Heier, an escalation of conflict in the Baltic States or elsewhere in the world could pose a direct threat to Norway, as Russia would seek to safeguard its nuclear arms on the Kola Peninsula. Heier went so far as to suggest Russia could possibly carry out regular military attacks against radar stations, surveillance outposts and vessels. Senior researcher Njord Wegge at the Norwegian Department of Foreign Affairs concurred that Norway could be affected by a Russian hybrid war to prevent the Nordic country from receiving help from NATO, should a conflict elsewhere in the world be spread to northern regions. According to Wegge, both Norway and NATO were ill-prepared to counter this threat, that "eradicates the line between war and not war." These insinuations spurred a strong reaction from Russia's Embassy in Norway. "Non-existent hybrid threats and similar gibberish are sought to force the Norwegian people to believe in Russia's "aggressive" intentions, the embassy wrote in a Facebook post. "Using alleged 'hybrid threats' they are trying to eradicate Russia from the mass consciousness as an inseparable part of European civilization, which has repeatedly saved Europe, Norway included, from imminent destruction, as well as create a wall of alienation and distrust," the post continued, suggesting that the notion of hybrid war itself was a Western innovation, frequently utilized by NATO in former Yugoslavia, Libya and Iraq. The Russian Embassy accused the broadcaster NRK and its experts of attempting to inspire Norwegians with Russophobic attitudes to justify the Nordic nation's policy and its already inflated defense budget. "Such comments muddy the atmosphere of bilateral relations without meeting any response from the authorities," the post concluded, expressing love and respect for the Norwegian people. The Norwegian Defense Ministry refused to comment on the divisive article, yet informed NRK that Norway had a "neat" relationship with the Russian authorities and a good dialog in many areas. Former foreign minister Brge Brende previously argued that everything was good in the north. Ellen Katrine Htta, police chief of Finnmark police district, expressed doubt that the threat scenarios listed by the defense experts were real. "We have a very good and clear relationship with the neighbor in the east. We have the same forms of cooperation that we have always had, about border assignments and other things. For me, it's hard to see any change locally. I think Russian authorities are very keen to have an open and good relationship with us," Ellen Katrine Htta told NRK. Gunnar Angeltveit, senior adviser in crisis management at Kruse Larsen, argued in a tweet that Russia was being "demonized." Another user argued that the US, China and Brazil could potentially do the same that Russia was accused of and enquired rhetorically what Norway has undertaken to parry that threat. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EXCLUSIVE: Karzai Says 'Afghanistan Can't Build Relations Based on US Interests' Sputnik News 09:00 27.11.2017(updated 09:01 27.11.2017) In an exclusive interview with Sputnik, former IRA President Hamid Karzai commented on the current situation in Afghanistan, criticized the new strategy of the US and spoke about the difference between the Taliban and Daesh, as well as ways to resolve the military conflict in the country and the role of Russia in the Afghan settlement process. 'The Convocation of the Council of Elders Will Help to Overcome the Crisis' Sputnik: Dear Mr. Karzai, first of all, on behalf of the news agency Sputnik, we thank you for your kind agreement to receive us and to talk. Afghanistan has been the focus of international attention for many years now, mainly because it has been losing the war on terror and violence for almost 40 years. As the most vivid representative of the political elite of Afghanistan, what can you say about the situation the country is in now? What are the most acute problems it is facing? How can these problems be solved, and what is needed to solve them? Hamid Karzai: We hoped that with the arrival of the United States and its allies in 2001, and as a result of the assistance we got from the United Nations and neighboring states, peace would finally come to our country. At first, the situation actually, outside intervention, decreased or ceased altogether. We became full masters of our country and our life and gradually began to solve our problems. Afghanistan again became home to all Afghans, and we began the process of nation-building: We started creating state structures and drafting a new Constitution. However, later we witnessed renewed riots, which intensified every day, and it became clear that the presence of foreign forces is not a factor of security. Terrorism didn't go anywhere and it even increased leading to new destruction and death. Today, we, the Afghan people, should think about ways out of the crisis, and this should be done our own way. Ensuring security is an issue that no one else can solve, and we must solve it in cooperation with neighboring countries and countries of the region, which are facing the same challenges and threats. We must develop a wide range of measures to end the crisis also through the convening of the Loya Jirga [All-Afghan Council of Elders Sputnik], uniting all our people and come to a national consensus on this issue. Sputnik: During your presidency you took a number of important steps to establish peace and stability in the country, in politics and also in the defense and humanitarian areas. What were the most important steps taken along this way? What has changed since you stepped down from the presidency? Hamid Karzai: When I was president, all important issues were discussed at Loya Jirga meetings. The Loya Jirga decided on issues like relations with Pakistan, the process of peaceful settlement in the country, the Constitution, a bilateral security treaty with the United States, negotiations with the Taliban, who are also our compatriots, and so on. I believed that people should participate in the decision-making [process] on these issues and engage in across-the-board nationwide consultations. After I stepped down as president, it became clear that, contrary to our expectations, the security treaty did not bring long-awaited peace and did not improve the security situation in the country. On the contrary, the threat of terrorism is growing, and we are confronted with Daesh, which is invading our country and threatening our population. Why did this happen? Why, despite the security treaty, we have no peace and our relations with our neighbors and countries in the region have deteriorated? Moreover, someone is trying in every possible way to split the Afghan society. Who needs this? Who is behind this? If these attempts come from people who are inside the country, among us, then why do they do it? I want to get answers to these questions not only from the Afghan government, but also from the United States, which came to our country to fight terrorism and is going to expand its presence here. Why, despite the presence of international forces, is the process of national reconciliation now at risk? Who is hampering it? Is it Afghans themselves or some foreign forces who do not want to leave Afghanistan? I know that they are not Afghans. I know that the Afghan people want peace and harmony, to see their country peaceful and prosperous. 'I Believe That Friendship With Russia Will Ensure Afghanistan's Stability' Sputnik: Many see you today not just as the former president of Afghanistan, but also one of the most charismatic political figures in the region. You often attend major international summits, participate in various high-level meetings. You are well known and respected in Russia, you are a frequent guest of the Russian Federation. Tell me, what is Russia for you personally? How do you assess the current state of Russian-Afghan relations and their future? Hamid Karzai: Russia had longstanding friendly ties with Afghanistan since the times of the czar, before the Soviet Union. We can say that our relations go back centuries. Formal relations between our two countries number three centuries, but relations between our people began developing even before that. After the Soviet Union was established, our relations became closer and deeper. The USSR was one of Afghanistan's closest and strongest allies of Afghanistan at the time, but the invasion of Afghanistan was a mistake. This invasion caused resistance from the Afghan people and did serious damage to our relations, which actually led to their cessation. The breakup of the Soviet Union and the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan, opened a new chapter in our relations, characterized by armed conflicts and bloodshed and ending with the formation of a new government in 2001. After coming to power, I did everything to revive relations with Russia, and we succeeded. Despite the presence of NATO and US forces, which compete with Russia in many fields, we maintained our cooperation, including in the fight against extremism and terrorism, and this cooperation was both at the state level and at the level of contacts between peoples. Our two countries have very close ties now. Russia as a neighboring country, with which we have long historical ties and traditionally friendly relations, can contribute to the peace process, and we believe that friendship with Russia will become an important factor of stability and sustainable development of our country. Relations with Russia are of vital importance for us, and no matter what government we have here in Afghanistan, it must preserve, develop and strengthen these relations. Sputnik: What role do you think Russia could play in the process of ending the long-standing military conflict in Afghanistan? After all, it is not a secret for many today that it is thanks to the efforts of Russia, its diplomats and President Vladimir Putin that today the protracted armed conflict in Syria is waning, and Daesh terrorists are being defeated. Does it make sense, in your opinion, for Moscow to similarly join the Afghan process? What or who can prevent it from doing this? Hamid Karzai: Russia, which even before the military operation had a military base in Syria, had brought about a dramatic change in the situation in Syria. Russia's military operation in cooperation with Iran and Turkey dealt a crushing blow to extremism and terrorism in Syria and pushed Daesh to the brink of total destruction. The Syrians regained their country and became its masters again. As for Afghanistan, there is no need for a military operation by Russia. We do not want this. Neither do we want the Americans to continue their military operations, endangering our cities and villages. We want the cooperation with the US to be aimed only at combating terrorism and not to damage our positions in the region and our relations with our neighbors. Afghanistan should be a place for cooperation, rather than regional rivalry. Earlier, when Russia and other neighboring countries supported the US anti-terrorist operation in Afghanistan, the American presence was benefiting our country. Now however, we are increasingly confronted with its negative consequences. In this regard, we would like to say the following. First, we want the widest possible cooperation with Russia in the political, economic and diplomatic fields; this cooperation is in our best interest and will contribute to stability in our country. Secondly, we want Russia to enter into a dialogue with the United States and other countries on the issue of Afghanistan in order to see what is really happening in Afghanistan and how they can help. Thirdly, the United States should reconsider its policy towards Afghanistan so that Afghanistan is no longer seen as an object of rivalry. And, fourthly, Afghanistan, an independent sovereign state, cannot build its relations based on US strategic interests in the region. We must build up relations with Russia and other neighboring countries on a bilateral and mutually beneficial basis, based on our interests and the interests of these countries.The American strategy in Afghanistan has been a failure. Sputnik: One of the most sensitive and perhaps vital topics for Moscow in its relations with Kabul is the question of the opaque and aggressive US policy in Afghanistan. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov recently criticized the new US strategy in Afghanistan. You share this standpoint. What in your opinion are the weaknesses and mistakes of the American strategy, both new and previous? Hamid Karzai: As I said, Russia cooperated with the US on the issue of Afghanistan. At a conference in Shanghai in 2008, I met with President Putin and voiced my unhappiness with the US actions, saying that bombing cities and villages, opening prisons and attacking civilian houses only undermine the fight against terrorism and lead to new losses among the Afghan people. Mr. Putin then said that Russia and the United States had a lot of disagreements on different issues, but when it came to the issue of fighting terrorism in Afghanistan, Russia shares the US position. It was in 2009, 2010 and 2011, but then Russia saw that extremism in Afghanistan was growing, the situation was deteriorating, and at the same time there were always new excuses being made to justify the ineffectiveness of the fight against terrorism. Russia has doubts about America's true intentions and its readiness to confront terrorism, and these doubts have been confirmed both by the example of Syria and Afghanistan. You know that I had previously expressed doubts about the US operation, that's why I did not sign a security treaty with the US. I told them that they must ensure peace and security in Afghanistan before we can sign a deal. So Russia is right, the US should recognize the failure of its strategy. If it does, it should explain the reasons for this defeat. If it isn't failing, then what is it doing? Why is the situation in the country and the region worsening every day? Sputnik: In 2018, NATO will send an additional 3,000 troops to Afghanistan. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that half of them will be US soldiers and officers. The Russian president's special representative for Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, insists that NATO's plans to increase its contingent in Afghanistan will not solve the Afghan problem. Do you think [this military buildup] will bring any results? Hamid Karzai: No! We do not want war; we do not want to continue the military operation and do not want new victims among the Afghan people for the sake of other states. If the US wants to use Afghanistan to achieve its global goals, including in the region, then it should look for other means! We do not want to see our houses bombed and our people killed; Afghanistan is no longer willing to pay such a price to please the interests of others. Sputnik: Then what are the ways of solving the Afghan crisis? Hamid Karzai: This should be a path that does not lead to an escalation of the war, but to the establishment of peace, security and stability in Afghanistan. We are tired of the fratricidal war imposed on us and the bloodshed, and the only way for us to survive is the path of national harmony. I believe that the first step towards national consensus should be the convening of the Loya Jirga, where we can discuss the current situation and decide what we want and where we should move from here. We need to decide whether we want an endless war or the time has come to for us to decide our own future, to establish peace and ensure our own security. If the Americans really want to help us, then they should help strengthen our national security forces. They can also provide financial assistance so that the Afghan government and the Afghan people are able to counter terrorism and take the situation under their own control. The American presence and the escalation of the war will not change the situation: the failure of this path has already been proved. Afghanistan is another springboard for Daesh. Sputnik: A number of Western media equate Daesh with the Taliban. Is such a judgment correct? Hamid Karzai: There is a difference between the Taliban and Daesh in that the Taliban are Afghans, they come from Afghanistan, they know the Afghan people, they know our customs and you can find them in any city and any village. For example, in Kunduz and some other provinces, you can see two flags hanging next to each other: the white flag of the Taliban and the national flag of Afghanistan. The war with the Taliban is a civil war, and our task is to find ways to reconcile so that we can stop it as soon as possible. Unlike the Taliban, Daesh is a foreign product. It was created by foreigners, trained by foreigners and financed by foreigners. For them, Afghanistan is another springboard, they use Afghanistan in the interests of their masters, and we must drive them out of our country. Sputnik: But the Taliban is killing civilians too Hamid Karzai: Yes, it is so! The Taliban's actions also lead to the death of civilians, and we categorically condemn it. I just wanted to emphasize the difference between these groups: Daesh is an international terrorist organization, and the Taliban is Afghans. We know that Daesh militants are well equipped; they move around in helicopters without identification marks, they are supplied with weapons, and this proves once again that Daesh is supported and financed by foreigners. Sputnik: Much has been said about why US troops are in Afghanistan. Not for the sake of peace, but for their own benefit: natural resources, the drug business, etc. Hamid Karzai: It is clear that the US pursued its own goals when it entered Afghanistan. The Americans said from the very beginning that they did not come to help the Afghan people, but rather to ensure their security. Later, we realized that they see Afghanistan only as a tool for implementing their geopolitical plans in the region, and once we realized this, it became clear that we needed to find our own ways of normalizing the situation in the country. I believe that to achieve peace we need a broad national consensus that will help unite our people and make fundamental decisions to overcome the crisis at the national level. Only after we have ended this crisis will we be able to move to elections, the formation of a government and parliament and the creation of conditions for the further development of our country. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Situation of Extreme Survival': ARA San Juan Crew Could Still Be Alive - Navy Sputnik News 04:36 27.11.2017(updated 04:33 27.11.2017) The crew of the missing Argentina's San Juan submarine might still manage to survive even though the search for the vessel has been continuing for many days, Argentinian Navy spokesman Enrique Balbi said on Sunday. The Argentinian Navy official also stressed that there is no established time limit for the submarine's search. "I can say that there is no clear certainty about the situation with the submarine, nothing can be said. We are trying to be respectful. Even though the search has already been continuing for 11 days, it could not be ruled out that they [the crew] might be in a situation of an extreme survival," Balbi said at the press conference, as quoted the Todo Noticias broadcaster. On Saturday, a brother of one of the submarine's junior officers told Sputnik that the number of people on board of Argentina's missing San Juan submarine allegedly exceeded the prescribed number as 44 were on board instead of prescribed 37 crew members. Alleged Explosion Likely Caused by Hydrogen "Considering the information on the explosion and the fact that there were no torpedoes on board, meaning that they could not explode, we could assume that an explosion could have happened due to the concentration of hydrogen. If hydrogen is the reason, we do not know why the concentration has occurred," Balbi said at the press conference. Norwegian offshore supply ship Sophie Siem carrying a US mini-submarine has begun searches for Argentina's missing San Juan submarine at 17:00 GMT, a senior official of the Comodoro Rivadavia port told Sputnik on Sunday. The ship's departure for the search zone was initially scheduled for Saturday but was postponed due to strong winds. The US mini-submarine could rescue up to 16 people at a time. The San Juan submarine with a crew of 44 stopped responding and went missing on November 15, while en route from Ushuaia to Mar del Plata. The Navy said a likely explosion had been registered in the area close to where the last contact was made. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN strongly condemns attack that kills peacekeeper in Central African Republic 27 November 2017 Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the Security Council have strongly condemned Sunday's attack allegedly perpetrated by the anti-Balaka group against a convoy of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic, in which one peacekeeper from Egypt was killed and three others were injured. "The Secretary-General offers his deepest condolences and sympathy to the family of the victim and to the Government of Egypt. He wishes a swift recovery to the wounded," said a statement issued by his Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq following the attack, which took place on the Bangassou-Kongbo axis in the country's southeast. With this latest attack, hostile acts have claimed the lives of 13 peacekeepers in the Central African Republic since January 2017. The statement said that the Secretary-General firmly recalls that attacks against UN peacekeepers may constitute a war crime and calls on the country's authorities to investigate the attack to swiftly bring those responsible to justice. The Secretary-General reaffirms the determination of the UN to advance the implementation of the mandate of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), recently renewed by the Security Council, in particular to protect civilians and to help advance the political process in the country, the statement added. In a statement issued to the press on Monday, the Security Council condemned the attack "in the strongest terms." Reiterating that attacks against peacekeepers may constitute war crimes and reminded all parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law, the 15-member body called on the Government to swiftly investigate this attack and bring the perpetrators to justice. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Targets IS in Somalia Airstrike By VOA News November 27, 2017 One terrorist was killed in a targeted airstrike in Somalia conducted by U.S. forces in coordination with Somalia's government, the U.S. military said Monday. The strike against Islamic State fighters was carried out around 3pm local time on Monday in northeastern Somalia, U.S. Africa Command said in a statement. "U.S. forces will continue to use all authorized and appropriate measures to protect U.S. citizens and to disable terrorist threats. This includes partnering with AMISOM and Somali National Security Forces (SNSF) in combined counterterrorism operations and targeting terrorists, their training camps, and their safe havens throughout Somalia and the region," the statement read. Monday's strike brings the total number of U.S. airstrikes in Somalia this year to 30 - 28 of them having been carried out against al-Shabab. It is the second targeted at Islamic State fighters, the first having been carried out earlier this month. Intensified airstrikes and renewed battles between government forces and militants have forced over 10,000 people to flee from their homes in Somalia, according to the Norwegian Refugee Council. In a statement, the NRC said new ground fighting in the Middle and Lower Shabelle regions has displaced thousands of people "We are seeing a spike in families fleeing fighting that are arriving in overcrowded camps in Mogadishu. The camps are already overfilled with people affected by drought." Victor Mose, the NRC's country director in Somalia, said in a statement Monday. Moses said people affected by both the conflict and drought "have to endured multiple crisis at once and this can push them over the brink." According to the United Nations, half of Somalia's population is in need of humanitarian aid as parts of the country try to cope with a severe drought. Abdulaziz Osman of VOA's Somali Service contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address MOUNT PLEASANT The local development agreement with Foxconn Technology Group was made public Monday and shows a couple of distinct improvements from previously signed deals between the company, Racine County and Village of Mount Pleasant; and between the State of Wisconsin and Foxconn. The local development agreement, with the county and village acting as partners, outlines the responsibilities of Foxconn, Racine County and Mount Pleasant, along with guarantees and protections for taxpayers. The deals improvements pertain to local job creation and $60 million in up-front money from Foxconn for land acquisition. The Mount Pleasant Community Development Authority and Village Board Monday both voted to approve the 33-page development agreement that became public at 6 p.m., with the CDA recommending it on a 5-1 vote and the board voting unanimously. The next steps will follow quickly. The Racine County Board will consider approval of the development agreement Tuesday evening, Nov. 28, and the Joint Board of Review is scheduled to sign off on it Wednesday. Local officials expect a public, three-way signing of the document on Friday, which would make the pending deal official. Taiwanese-based Foxconn, a designer and manufacturer of liquid crystal display, or LCD, panels and finished products, plans to build a $10 billion manufacturing campus of 32 million square feet in the southwestern corner of Mount Pleasant, with construction starting next year. The campus is expected to employ up to 13,000 people excluding an estimated 10,000 construction jobs and many thousands more indirect jobs. The agreement contains a provision that the states agreement with Foxconn which was signed Nov. 10 does not. The state agreement ties $2.85 billion in tax credits for the company to create both construction and manufacturing jobs. To earn up to $1.5 billion in tax credits for creating and maintaining up to 13,000 manufacturing jobs, they must all be in Wisconsin. The local deal goes a step further, requiring more than half of those jobs to physically be in Racine County. Racine County Executive Jonathan Delagrave cited that as one important way that the local agreement betters the states deal with Foxconn. The county has to quickly and efficiently devise a local and national workforce solutions plan, so were already taking the steps to do that, Delagrave said. I feel like we have a really good plan in place, not only nationally, but locally to employ as many people as we can, and that includes those that have significant barriers to them. And some of those people may lack the means to get to those future Foxconn jobs. We need to address the transportation piece and develop a system as efficiently as we can, Delagrave said. Thats to be determined as to what that framework looks like. All I can tell you is its something that needs to be looked at and addressed in the near future. Foxconn guarantees The local development agreement also provides a brand-new provision that goes beyond what had been set down and signed in the memorandum of understanding between Foxconn and the village-county partnership. The company has agreed to deposit $60 million in the bank for Mount Pleasant to draw from for the acquisition of land in areas II and III. (Area II is for future Foxconn development and Area III is for construction staging and later, future development). Originally, Racine County and the Village of Mount Pleasant were going to borrow roughly $35 million for land acquisition in Area III. Foxconn is not coming into this no money down, Village President Dave DeGroot said Monday. Thats money thatll be in our bank, in our county, in our name, and the land will stay titled in our name first until theyre ready for their partial releases. DeGroot said Foxconns $60 million, which is expected to be provided by Dec. 15, gives him a good feeling about the project moving forward. It tells us that were sitting in a really good position, that we are keeping our promise to the taxpayers that the taxpayers will not be on the hook for this, DeGroot said. Backing initial investment The $764 million local financing deal with Foxconn will be done mostly through a new tax incremental district, along with some borrowing. The plan hinges on Foxconns plan to create $1.4 billion in additional property taxes, which would then close the TID. But the two municipalities must invest about $195 million initially for all the necessary infrastructure. The development agreement contains these protections against that investment: Foxconns $60 million cash investment. SIO International, a company of Foxconn founder, Chairman and CEO Terry Gou, agrees to cover any remaining gap, beginning with a $135 million guarantee at the time of the initial bond issuance. Foxconn will give Mount Pleasant and Racine County a first-lien mortgage even as the company takes possession of additional land. It will eventually own the land for free, but Foxconn gets paid last. DeGroot said the deal puts some teeth in the previously signed MOU. Racine County plans to do a bond issue on Dec. 5 to raise up to $80 million; about $70 million of that is for land acquisition in Area I, where Foxconn plans its initial manufacturing campus. That area lies between Interstate 94 and Highway H, and Highway KR and Braun Road. The state plans to provide the county with workforce development funding; the 2018 county budget also includes $750,000 for that purpose. A lot of that (programming) is going to directly benefit not just Foxconn, but some of the existing businesses or businesses coming in, Racine County Corporation Counsel Michael Lanzdorf said. Those programs will be developed in collaboration with Foxconn, but theyre not going to be targeted solely for Foxconn. All of the Foxconn-related documents are available to the public at www.foxconnracinecounty.com. Cut in Dialogue Seen Briefly Empowering Philippines Rebels By Ralph Jennings November 27, 2017 Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's order this month to stop peace talks with a violent group of communist rebels may spark new clashes but eventually weaken the group's already waning influence. Duterte announced Thursday an end to peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front-Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army, the presidential office website says. Duterte found the communists lacked "sincerity and commitment" because of recent attacks on people and property, his office said. "I think Duterte knows very well and the armed forces know very well these groups are not large enough to mount a serious threat to the government," said Eduardo Araral, associate professor at the National University of Singapore's public policy school. On Saturday, the National Democratic Front's chief political consultant, Jose Maria Sison, called Duterte "a big liar." The president had vowed to form a coalition government before he was elected in May 2016 but does not want one, Sison said in a statement. Risk of short-term violence The break in talks, though not a first, raises the threat of new attacks by the disgruntled New People's Army (NPA), the armed side of Asia's oldest communist insurgency, analysts say. The rebels had hoped for a coalition with the government. But those attacks would end quickly as the army strikes back and the communist movement is losing support anyway, experts add. "Perhaps they will be more active now in pursuing the NPA or members of the Communist Party, and that can also lead to a response on the part of the NPA to be more active in challenging the government forces," said Maria Ela Atienza, political science professor at University of the Philippines Diliman. People who "sympathize" with the communist groups may be "subjected to harassment" as well, she said. Five decades of rebellion The 50-year-old insurgency traditionally draws support in rural areas where their ideology appeals to poor people facing a perceived "social inequality" such as a lack of land reform, said Carl Baker, director of programs with the think tank Pacific Forum CSIS in Honolulu. In June a unit of the New People's Army attacked an army base in the Bicol region east of Manila, killing one soldier and injuring at least four. The government blamed the same forces for killing four police officers on the southern island Mindanao in June. More force, less support The military, increasingly supported by China as well as long-time backer the United States, has shown resolve to quash rebels since Duterte took office in June 2016. Duterte's troops stepped up a fight against the Islamic State-backed Abu Sayyaf Group last year and this year defeated the Maute Group, also Muslim rebels, in a conflict that left more than 1,000 dead. His government declared war against the armed communist group in February after talks broke down then and said existing firepower would be enough to win. Strikes against the communist army would create little backlash as few Filipinos support their cause or tactics, analysts say. "The group is treacherous," said Dexter Feliciano, Filipino voter and founder of a startup firm in Metro Manila. "This administration is the most serious of all administrations in ending the conflict. These are all criminal elements now. These are actually terrorists." Some Filipinos worry the communist front's nominal leadership lacks control over its chain of cells, including some outside the capital Manila that have extorted taxes from businesses. The communist organization's armed unit relies on 4,000 combatants, down from a peak in the 1980s, according to the local news outlet Rappler.com, citing military sources. The party claims about 70,000 members. Talks struggled to take shape Talks between government negotiators and the communist group in Norway have stopped three times, the National Democratic Front of the Philippines says in a statement on its website. "It has been the sad experience of the NDFPas well as the (government's) own personnel, to be subjected to the whimsical and arbitrary outbursts of President Duterte," the statement says. Duterte probably felt slighted after he agreed last year to the release of 20 political prisoners but got "nothing" in return, Araral said. The government also announced a unilateral ceasefire in July. By stopping talks, the government denies the rebels a chance to show force and prove for negotiation purposes that it's not "spent," he said. The president had wanted the negotiations as part of a "long-standing commitment" to pursue peace and be known as the president who attained it, Araral added. Through the peace talks, Araral said, the president "learned his lesson." Peace anyway, or more presidential power? The Duterte administration "remains committed to achieving a secure, progressive, and peaceful nation 'by ensuring durable security, public order, and safety,'" the presidential office website said Friday, quoting a proclamation on the end of talks. The Communists say Duterte just wants more power. "Now, he is being carried away by his obsession to establish a fascist dictatorship through charter change under the pretext of adopting a pseudo-federal system under his over-centralized despotism and terrorism," Sison said on the National Democratic Front website Saturday. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Cambodian Rights Group Next in Firing Line By David Boyle, Hul Reaksmey November 27, 2017 An NGO founded by Cambodia's jailed opposition leader Kem Sokha is set to become the latest casualty of Prime Minister Hun Sen's ongoing campaign to crush critical voices in his country. Sokha's Cambodia National Rescue Party has already been dissolved and its senior members banned from politics, but the premier's assault on critics shows no sign of abating. A claimed foreign revolutionary conspiracy plot that has been used to jail, threaten and outlaw government critics far and wide was dragged out by Hun Sen again on Sunday. The Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR), which was founded by Sokha in 2002, must close because it is deemed a front for nefarious foreign meddling, Hun Sen told garments workers. "In fact, the Cambodian Center for Human Rights should be shut down because it follows order from foreigners. It is because foreigners created it, not Khmer," he said. CCHR Response Calls to the phone of CCHR President Chak Sopheap went unanswered Monday. In a statement released Sunday, CCHR said it was "one of the very few groups in Cambodia which has faced backlash from both the ruling party and the opposition as a result of its principled criticism of their policies, actions or rhetoric." CCHR firmly believes that any independent and impartial investigation into CCHR would find no wrongdoing whatsoever on the part of the organization," the statement read. "CCHR calls upon the Royal Government of Cambodia to enter into a meaningful dialogue with CCHR representatives in relation to these allegations, in the firm belief that any misperceptions about the nature of CCHR's work and neutrality could be clarified, and the matter resolved." The statement also pointed to the diversity of CCHR's programs, including human rights education, the empowerment of rural communities affected by land disputes and the promotion of LBGT equality. Former CCHR president, Ou Virak, said the conspiracy plot was hard for the public to believe as most viewed the West favorably, while the government's cozy relationship with Beijing hurt its credibility when alleging foreign interference. "It looks to be desperate measures to hold onto power, but I think every time he shuts down an NGO like CCHR for example he's basically going to draw more criticism and frustration from the Cambodian public," he said. "It's interesting to see why he would want to do that now. Strategically it doesn't make any sense to shut down and organization like CCHR." Spokesman Sok Eysan of the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) told VOA concern from human rights groups over the targeting of CCHR was itself an expression of foreign support for the now dissolved opposition party. "I think that it's not relevant to Cambodia's independence and sovereignty, so that we can't accept what they said - meaning that Cambodia is an independent and sovereign Cambodia," he said. "And as for the possibility of reviewing the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, we must clearly check the facts and legal bases. If the facts and legal bases prove that it is obviously guilty, we can't keep it," he added. Crackdown spreads Naly Pilorge, director of rights group Licadho, said the threat of closure was being coupled with a raft of other intimidatory measures such as an August 4 Ministry of Interior directive to provincial authorities to make sure NGOs notified them of "any activities" they were conducting. "You know even if we're not closed, and most NGOs are not, the environment is so difficult, there's so much restrictions not just on what we say but also what we do. I mean that affects the entire society so it's quite serious," she said. Not only are NGOs being targeted, but journalists and even everyday citizens are being thrown in prison for comments they posted on Facebook, she said. Two journalists, Yeang Sothearin and Oun Chhin, were charged this month for allegedly continuing to work for Radio Free Asia after it shut its offices in Phnom Penh in early September - actions the Cambodian courts determined amounted to espionage. In a statement, Human Rights Watch said the Cambodian government's attacks on the opposition, independent media and human rights groups were "nearing the point of no return". "The United States and the European Union have threatened action in response to the crackdown, but should do more," the statement said. "Cambodia's donors and trade partners, including Australia and Japan, should also impose targeted sanctions, including asset freezes and travel bans, on Hun Sen and senior members of the CPP and armed forces." Kem Sokha was jailed on September 3 for alleged treason and is still awaiting trial. He left CCHR in 2007 to pursue his political career, initially as the head of the Human Rights Party. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sinai Villagers Say Jihadists Threatened Attack Prior to Mosque Massacre By Jamie Dettmer November 27, 2017 Villagers in Bir al-Abd in Egypt's northern Sinai, scene of a devastating jihadist attack on a crowded Sufi mosque Friday that left more than 300 dead, have added to doubts about the competence of the country's counterterror efforts. They argue security forces missed the warnings signs of a pending jihadist attack. Amid the mourning for the 305 dead, villagers are expressing frustration to local media about what they say was a lack of alertness by local security forces, who should have been ready for an attack. They say they received increasing jihadist threats prior to Friday's assault, the deadliest terrorist attack in Egyptian modern history, warning them of a possible assault on Rawda mosque, according to interviews with Al-Masry Al-Youm, a privately owned newspaper. "We received warnings about 10 days ago from the gunmen not to [perform Sufi rituals]," said Abo Jarir. The militants said Sufi practices are "contrary to Islam," he added. Other villagers told local media that threats against the mosque, which was packed Friday with about 400 worshipers, first started a year ago when the Islamic State terror group singled out Rawda mosque in its weekly online newspaper. Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi announced three days of national mourning following Friday's attack, which also left 128 wounded, and promised brutal retaliation. Hours after the assault involving about 30 gunmen, who set off explosives and sprayed worshipers with automatic gunfire in a 25-minute-long slaughter, Egyptian military launched airstrikes on the hideouts of IS-tied militants they say were behind the killing. New style of attack The attack was well-planned, according to public prosecutors, who say between 25 to 30 bearded gunmen dressed in black started the killing spree by opening fire through the mosque's doors and windows and threw in fragmentation grenades. They chased worshipers who managed to flee the mosque and gunned them down in the streets. No one has claimed responsibility for the assault, but it is assumed by analysts to be the work of the Islamic State affiliate, Wilayat al-Sinai (Sinai Province). Officials say the gunmen carried black IS flags. The attack marks a change in tactics for jihadists in Egypt. Until now thy have focused their attacks on security forces and Christians, launching assaults on Coptic churches and military barracks, killing hundreds. Last year, they beheaded a Sufi cleric who they accused of witchcraft. But Friday's assault was the first in Egypt on a mosque controlled by Sufi Muslims, who revere saints and use music and dance in their worship. IS and other Salafi-jihadist groups accuse Sufis of mysticism and heresy and while they have not been targeted en masse before in Egypt, their shrines have been attacked in neighboring Libya and Pakistan. Egypt launched a counterterror effort in northern Sinai, a highly marginalized and neglected area, in August 2011, but a rising death toll since and strikes beyond the peninsula by the militants have led to criticism by analysts and locals of the tactics being employed, which have focused under Sissi on brute strength with little efforts made to win hearts and minds or to tackle root causes of radicalization. Egyptian authorities have been accused by rights groups of torturing suspects, extra-judicial killings as well as demolitions of homes, forced evacuations and destruction of property and farms as well as the use of heavy artillery and aerial bombardment of residential areas. Roots of radicalization U.S. and European officials have urged Egyptian authorities, mainly in private, to adopt a more sophisticated counter-terror approach. On Saturday, Alistair Burt, British foreign minister for the Middle East and North Africa, argued that confronting extremism requires a variety of approaches, including addressing the underlying causes of radicalization. In the past two years the militant insurgency in the Sinai would appear to have gained in strength, fueled partly by local resentment with the behavior of the security forces and an influx of militants from neighboring Libya and the Levant, where the IS has collapsed. High-handedness by the security forces has, critics say, been accompanied by blunders, too. In a study of the Sinai insurgency published last month by the journal Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, Omar Ashour, an academic at Britain's University of Exeter, warned the combat capacity of the jihadists is unprecedented in Egypt's history of insurgencies and that in military terms the militants have "waged an unusually effective guerrilla war," while the Egyptian government has "waged an unusually ineffective counterinsurgency campaign, consistently marred by gross human rights violations." As well as pursuing the common tactics of urban terrorism with attacks on cities and towns using car bombs, suicide attacks and targeted assassinations, the jihadists have honed their guerrilla warfare tactics with small and highly mobile units launching hit-and-run attacks with a proficiency associated more with professional special force units of state governments. The combination of tactics as well as the military proficiency of the jihadists have undermined "both the morale and the capacities of the regular forces; a historically incompetent one with limited success in conventional warfare and counterinsurgency campaigns," Ashour warned. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Indian Aerospace Behemoth Reveals Why Indo-Russia FGFA is Most Feasible Sputnik News 22:30 27.11.2017(updated 22:13 27.11.2017) Any new fighter jet procurement deal by Indian Air Force would require the foreign vendor to set up a production line in India a time taking process. In this backdrop, HAL's claim that it can immediately start co-producing the FGFA with Russia from existing facility holds immense significance. New Delhi (Sputnik) India's state-owned defense aircraft manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has said that it would not take long for the Indo-Russia joint venture to roll out the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) should the Indian government decide to go ahead with the project anytime soon. HAL has said that the existing state-of-the-art production facility in the Indian town of Nasik that is currently being used to assemble and manufacture Indian Air Force's frontline fighter aircraft Su-30MKI can be used to start manufacturing the FGFA so that the aircraft are delivered in a timely manner to the intended buyers. "Definitely, it (Nasik plant) can be used for the FGFA. It will need a little bit of augmentation. We will not need major investment," T Suvarna Raju, the chairman and managing director of HAL, told PTI. Raju hopes India's Ministry of Defense would soon sanction the project while claiming that the first aircraft would be ready in three years from the date of approval as there would be much in common including structural similarities between the FGFA and the Sukhoi 30MKI jet. The Indo-Russia FGFA project was initiated in 2007 when both countries signed an intergovernmental pact. The two sides completed the preliminary design in 2013. India has spent $240 million to date towards the project, which in India is called the "Perspective Multirole Fighter." However, delays were caused with New Delhi and Moscow disagreeing over many fundamental aspects of the joint development project, including work and cost share, aircraft technology, as well as the number of aircraft to be ordered. "I will not comment on the justification on expenditure on the project. But, as a country, if we are looking for fifth-generation technology and if somebody has offered it to us, then definitely I would like to go for it regardless of the expenditure," Raju said. Indian Air Chief BS Dhanoa had said in October this year that the Varthaman committee A high-powered panel appointed by India's defense ministry to examine different aspects of the multi-billion dollar FGFA project has already submitted its recommendations and that the final go-ahead should come from the government. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address India Holds Massive Military Exercise Near Chinese Trade Chokepoint Sputnik News 21:33 27.11.2017(updated 22:09 27.11.2017) Amphibious ships, warships, P-8I patrol aircraft and landing docks are the permanent assets at the Andaman Nicobar Island, reflecting India's attempt to renew its maritime policy and to ensure its dominance is not challenged by China in the Indian Ocean Region. New Delhi (Sputnik): India has conducted a major military exercise involving all the three services- Army, Navy & Air Force- under the aegis of the Andaman & Nicobar Command, which is few nautical miles away from Strait of Malacca- China's gateway to the Indian Ocean. "The main objective of the exercise was to practice & validate the procedures and drills of all the Command forces aimed at defending the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Accretional forces from the mainland, including fighters, special forces, naval ships and heavy-lift transport aircraft participated in the exercise," India's Ministry of Defense said in a statement after the culmination of five days of exercise that started on 20 November. The extensive exercise included all the resources available with the tri-service command- the country's only theatre command. Exercises included fighter operations, night para-jumps at sea, the slithering of troops from helicopters and landings of troops using amphibious ships. After the exercise, the Commander-in-Chief of Andaman and Nicobar Command, Vice Admiral Bimal Verma, urged all "to focus on the takeaways from the exercise for being fully prepared for any eventuality in future." India's state-owned Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) is setting up a land-based long-range missile facility at south Andaman's Rutland Island, approximately 200 kilometer from the Strait of Malacca the chief transit way for most of China's trade and 80% of its energy shipments. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Videos Of Detainees Seen As Attempts By Iran To Pressure U.S., U.K. Governments RFE/RL November 27, 2017 Iranian state television has broadcast videos focusing on a detained American graduate student and an Iranian-British woman, moves seen by their spouses as an effort to pressure the U.S. and U.K. governments ahead of decisions of critical importance to Tehran. The November 26 broadcasts came weeks ahead of a deadline for the U.S. Congress to decide whether economic sanctions lifted under the 2015 Iran nuclear accord should be reimposed, while Britain is considering whether to make a $530 million payment to Tehran. One broadcast focused on American Xiyue Wang, a Princeton University student arrested on August 8, 2016, while conducting research for his dissertation on Iran's Qajar dynasty. The Iranian authorities accused him of "spying under the cover of research," charges his family and the university have strongly denied. He received a 10-year prison sentence in July. "He traveled to Iran solely to study Farsi and to examine historical documents from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He described his research plans in advance to the Iranian authorities and the libraries and archives he planned to visit, and he only sought access to materials that he needed for his dissertation," the university said. The program broadcast on November 26 alleged that Wang attempted to scan 4,500 pages of sensitive documents and pay thousands of dollars to access confidential areas of Tehran libraries. The video showed him in what appeared to be an Iranian courtroom and of him speaking emotionally to a camera. "About Iran in that regard, the more knowledge the United States possesses about Iran, the better for its policy toward Iran," he said in the video. "There is no doubt about it. It is quite obvious." In July, U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Iran faces "new and serious consequences" unless all "unjustly detained" American citizens are released and returned. Wang's wife, Hua Qu, noted to the Associated Press that the video airing came ahead of the deadline for the U.S. Congress to decide whether to reimpose sanctions on Tehran that were lifted under the 2015 nuclear accord in exchange for restrictions on Iran's nuclear activities. In October, Trump refused to recertify the deal while accusing Iran of "not living up to the spirit" of the agreement. His move, which did not constitute a U.S. exit from the accord, left its fate to Congress, which will likely decide in mid-December. Earlier on November 26, Iranian television also broadcast footage of imprisoned British-Iranian national Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, including new allegations of spreading propaganda that could add 16 years to her already- imposed sentence of five years. Zaghari-Ratcliffe was convicted on charges of planning the "soft toppling" of Iran's government while traveling there with her toddler daughter. Authorities in Iran reportedly have set a trial date of December 10 on the propaganda charges. London is considering repaying Tehran some $530 million from a pre-Revolution arms deal from the 1970s. Both sides say the money isn't related to Zaghari-Ratcliffe, although the United States made a similar payment to Iran after Tehran released four U.S. citizens in 2016. Zaghari-Ratcliffe's husband told the AP that the Iranian report on his wife appears to be timed to exert pressure on the British government. He denied his wife was carrying out any illegal activity in Iran. Zaghari-Ratcliffe is one of several dual nationals held in Iran by hard-liners in the country's judiciary and security services. Iran does not recognize dual citizenship, which means they cannot receive diplomatic protections such as consular visits. Critics and family members of several detainees have suggested the hard-liners are using the prisoners as bargaining chips for money or influence, while a United Nations panel in September described "an emerging pattern involving the arbitrary deprivation of liberty of dual nationals" in Iran. With on reporting by Reuters, AP, and the Guardian Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-princeton-student-prison-united -states-britain-tehran/28878610.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iraq to build new pipeline to export Kirkuk oil Iran Press TV Mon Nov 27, 2017 07:59AM Iraq says it plans to build a new pipeline to export its crude oil from the northern province of Kirkuk to Turkey scrapping plans to rehabilitate an existing pipeline that was damaged by Daesh. The announcement was made by Iraq's Oil Ministry that said in a statement Minister Jabbar al-Luaybi had ordered the related documents to be prepared for the project and would soon invite tenders. The new pipeline would stretch for around 250 kilometers from the city of Baiji in the province of Salaheddine and would span until the Fish-Khabur border area with Turkey before finally reaching the Turkish port of Ceyhan. It would replace an old and severely damaged section of the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline which Iraq's Oil Ministry said in a statement was "too damaged by attacks by Daesh terrorist gangs to be rehabilitated". Iraq had exported 250,000 to 400,000 barrels per day (bpd) through that pipeline before the start of Daesh insurgency halted the supplies. Kirkuk's oil was previously being exported via the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) pipeline to Ceyhan. Exports from oilfields in Kirkuk have been on hold since Iraqi government forces took control of them from the Kurds last month in retaliation for a Kurdish referendum on independence which was widely opposed by Turkey, Iran and Western powers. Iraqi oil officials accuse Kurdish authorities of not responding to requests made by the oil ministry to use the Kurdish pipeline to resume exports from Kirkuk, Reuters reported. The Kurdish region operates a pipeline that connects to the twin Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline at Khabur on the border with Turkey. Earlier this month, al-Luaybi said Iraq aimed to double the output of Kirkuk oilfields to one million bpd after retaking the province from Kurdish forces in October, according to a report by AFP. Iran and Iraq also recently announced an agreement to truck 30,000 to 60,000 barrels of Kirkuk oil per day in a swap deal. The deal envisages taking crude oil to Iran's Kermanshah refinery. Iraq is the second-largest crude oil producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) after Saudi Arabia, and holds the world's fifth-largest proven crude oil reserves after Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Canada, and Iran, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iraqi forces comb over 170 villages for Daesh terrorists Iran Press TV Mon Nov 27, 2017 12:19AM Iraqi forces have successfully combed some 175 villages located in the desert regions between the Anbar and Nineveh provinces on the lookout for lingering Daesh terrorists. "Army, Federal Police and al-Hashd al-Shaabi, backed by military jets, concluded the first part of the second phase of the operations," said the country's War Media cell on Sunday. It added that the focus of the combing operations was on the villages and regions between south of Hatra and north of Rawah. "Our forces were able to comb 175 villages, five bridges and crossings as well as an airport on an area of 14,100 square kilometers," it said, adding that large amounts of equipment left behind by the terrorists were discovered and destroyed. Meanwhile, Major General Abdul Amir Yarallah stated that combing operations in four villages in north of Rawah on an area of 740 square kilometers were also successfully completed. On Thursday, Yarallah announced the launch of the second phase of the offensive aimed at clearing the vast desert near the border with Syria, which extends to the northern provinces of Nineveh and Salahuddin and the western province of Anbar. The forces ended the first phase of the offensive on November 17, when they drove out the Daesh extremists from their last urban stronghold in Iraq and raised the Iraqi flag over buildings in the western town of Rawah and nearby border areas north of the Euphrates River. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pakistani Islamists End Protests After Law Minister Resigns RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal November 27, 2017 Pakistani Islamists were celebrating a victory over the government after the country's law minister resigned under pressure from fundamentalists who had been demanding his ouster during a three-week-long protest rally. After Zahid Hamid's resignation, the Tehreek-i-Labaik Ya Rasool Allah party said its members were dispersing peacefully from protest camps across the country on November 27 under a deal with the government. "Our main demand has been accepted," Ejaz Ashrafi, spokesman of the Tehreek-e Labaik Ya Rasool Allah group, told the Reuters news agency early on November 27. Protests demanding Hamid's resignation had grown increasingly violent in recent days, with six people killed and more than 200 others injured. The Islamists claimed Hamid was behind what they called a blasphemous bill to amend the country's electoral oath because he omitted the name of the Prophet Muhammad from the parliamentary bill. Hamid apologized and blamed the omission on a clerical error. Violence in Islamabad had prompted Pakistan's Interior Ministry on November 25 to authorize the deployment of "sufficient troops" from the country's military to "control law and order" in the city until further notice. About 2,000 protesters had maintained the protest camp since November 6, blocking a main road into Islamabad that is used by thousands of commuters. Early on November 26, it was clear that the protest rally had grown to even larger numbers, including several thousand members of the Tehreek-e Labaik Ya Rasool Allah party. Protests also spread to nine other cities, including Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi. Despite the operation involving 8,500 elite police and paramilitary troops in riot gear and the use of tear gas and batons by authorities the security forces on November 25 were unable disperse those at the protest camp. With reporting by RFE/RL Radio Mashaal correspondent Abdul Hai Kakar; Reuters, AP, AFP, dpa, and BBC Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/islamabad-pakistan- rally-law-minister-blasphemy/28878680.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pakistani Law Minister Steps Down Amid Protests in Capital Sputnik News 10:43 27.11.2017(updated 12:42 27.11.2017) On Sunday, Pakistan's opposition Tehreek-e-Insaf party demanded the resignation of the interior minister and prime minister over the failure of the government to deal with the national unrest caused by mass protests. NEW DELHI (Sputnik) Pakistani Law and Justice Minister Zahid Hamid resigned amid the ongoing protests of religious activists in the country's capital Islamabad, local media reported Monday. According to the Express Tribune newspaper, Hamid voluntarily tendered his resignation to Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. Hamid's stepping down was reportedly one of the protesters' main demands. Hamid indicated that this decision had been taken in order to lead the country out of its critical situation. The official pledged to make a full statement regarding his retirement later, the newspaper added. Pakistani religious activists agreed to end their ongoing protest in the country's capital of Islamabad after Pakistani Law and Justice Minister Zahid Hamid voluntarily resigned from his post, local media reported Monday. The leader of the opposition Tehreek-e-Labbaik party, Khadim Hussain Rizvi, officially appealed to the protesters to disperse, according to the Geo TV broadcaster. Despite an agreement with the government and Rizvi's appeal, the demonstrators were still present at many sites across the country. The Pakistani capital Islamabad has been gripped by protests over the past several weeks. The social unrest was triggered by the decision of Pakistani authorities to amend the election act by excluding the provision which required candidates to recognize the Prophet Muhammad as God's final prophet. Earlier, the Pakistani government decided to use the army to disperse the protesters in the country. Pakistani authorities called on the activists to disperse and resorted to force after the rioters refused to obey. According to local media, the clashes between the Pakistani security forces and protesters have resulted in six deaths and 200 were injured. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pakistan Criticized for 'Surrendering' to Protesting Islamist Group By Ayaz Gul November 27, 2017 A controversial deal the government in Pakistan struck with an Islamist group Monday has forced the federal law minister out of office and eased angry demonstrations that claimed several lives and had for weeks paralyzed the national capital. Thousands of activists of the radical Tehreek-e-Labaik party led by Khadim Hussain Rizvi earlier this month had blocked the main entrance to Islamabad and refused to disperse unless the government ousted Law Minister Zahid Hamid for allegedly committing blasphemy. The government led by the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) party dismissed the demand and ordered a police crackdown on Saturday to clear the protest site in the face of growing public pressure against the siege. The action resulted in clashes with demonstrators, in which seven people died and nearly 200 others were wounded. In reaction, Rizvi's supporters took to the streets in other major Pakistani cities, blocking roads and motorways, with some carrying out attacks on houses of federal ministers, including that of Hamid. The spillover of violence to the rest of Pakistan forced authorities to suspend the police crackdown and enter into negotiations with rally leaders. The agreement the two sides concluded early Monday called for the immediate removal of Minister Hamid and bound the government to release all detained activists and pay for any damage to public property. Critics have denounced the government for giving in to the demands of the Islamist group, saying it will encourage extremism in the country. One part of the controversial agreement has particularly raised many eyebrows in Pakistan as it credited army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and his representative team for their "special efforts" to negotiate the deal. "We are thankful to him [Gen Bajwa] for saving the nation from a big catastrophe," said the document bearing signatures, among others, of the country's interior minister and and a major-general rank officer of the country's main spy agency, ISI, who signed the deal on behalf of Bajwa. Criticized as appeasement The chairman of the Pakistani Senate was outraged at the controversial deal. Raza Rabbani slammed the government for not consulting parliament on an issue of national importance. "The magnitude of the issue is such that your law minster had to resign, but the prime minister goes abroad that very day. Is the Riyadh summit more important or what has happened internally in this country more important," he inquired from the deputy interior minister during a debate on the matter. Pakistani rights activist Tahira Abdullah denounced the deal as a cause for "grave alarm and outrage." This "agreement" she lamented, is an "abdication of state authority, along with the abdication of the state's obligation and responsibility under the constitution. "A sad day when the state surrendered to the extremists. Now there is no stopping of those bigots," tweeted senior Pakistani journalist, Zahid Hussain, who has authored books on rise of extremism in the country. The allegations against the Pakistani law minister stemmed from amendments in the wording of oath taken by incoming lawmakers that protesters maintained amounted to blasphemy for undermining the fundamental Muslim proclamation of Mohammad as the last prophet of Islam. The government blamed the changes on a clerical error and promptly restored the original wording under pressure from allies and opposition parties in the parliament. But the protesters would not agree on anything less than the removal of the law minister for even tabling the controversial bill in the parliament. The only significant concession the government received from Rizvi was an assurance the group would not issue an edict to provoke attacks against the minister after he stepped down. While announcing Monday's deal to his supporters, Rizvi asked them to pack up soon after their detained activists are released so they could go back to the eastern city of Lahore, where the group is headquartered. He also personally thanked the Pakistan army chief for facilitating his group's agreement with the government. "The panicked PML-N government has entirely appeased and ceded ground to the militant jihadi extremist forces, and has even agreed to most of their outrageous and illegal demands, thereby losing whatever moral high ground it held," noted Abdullah. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address S Korea warns North not to repeat armistice violation Iran Press TV Mon Nov 27, 2017 09:22AM Seoul has warned Pyongyang against violations of an armistice agreement between the two sides, several days after North Korean border guards shot and seriously wounded a fellow soldier as he defected across the border into the South. South Korean Defense Minister Song Young-moo said Monday that the North's troops committed several violations of the agreement that ended the 1950-53 Korean War during the shooting incident, and that it must not do so again. "Shooting towards the South at a defecting person, that's a violation of the armistice agreement. Crossing the military demarcation line (MDL) is a violation. Carrying automatic rifles (in the Joint Security Area), is another violation," Song said. Some two weeks ago, the 25-year-old North Korean soldier, identified by his surname Oh, defected to the South by crossing the heavily-protected Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas. The North Korean military opened fire as he was trying to escape. The defector was critically wounded, but managed to cross the border. He was later found by South Korean soldiers under a pile of leaves. Oh is now in a stable condition after undergoing operations to treat his wounds. The South Korean defense chief issued the warning during a visit to the DMZ, where he commended the soldiers for saving the North Korean. The North has not publicly responded to the defection at the sensitive border; however, South Korean lawmaker Kim Young-woo said Pyongyang has replaced nearly all the soldiers along the frontier. North Korea has reportedly replaced its border guards, dug a trench and planted trees to further fortify the border. The defection of a North Korean soldier comes at a time of heightened tension on the Korean Peninsula. North Korea is under all sorts of politico-economic pressure by the international community to stop its nuclear and missile programs. Pyongyang has, however, resisted the mounting pressure, voicing its deep distrust of its enemies. Pyongyang says it will not stop the development of its nuclear and missile programs as a defense mechanism against potential foreign aggression. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Former Russian Economy Minister Rejects Extortion Charge, Accuses Rosneft Chief Of Lying RFE/RL November 27, 2017 Former Russian Economy Minister Aleksei Ulyukayev, who is being tried on an extortion charge, has adamantly protested his innocence and accused state oil company chief Igor Sechin of lying to investigators. Ulyukayev was speaking at a November 27 hearing that was skipped by Rosneft CEO Sechin, who has repeatedly been summoned to testify but said he was too busy to do so. Ulyukayev is charged with extorting $2 million from Sechin in exchange for government approval of Rosneft's acquisition of Bashneft, a regional oil company. "I never threatened Sechin that I would deliver a negative conclusion" about the acquisition deal, Ulyukayev said in court. "And his testimony that I threatened him bears witness to deliberately false slander against me on Sechin's part," he said, referring to alleged remarks to investigators that were leaked to media last week. A lawyer for Sechin denied that he had lied. Sting Operation Prosecutors say Ulyukayev was caught red-handed in a sting operation in November 2016, with $2 million that Sechin had given him found in a locked bag in the trunk of his car. Ulyukayev says he was set up and believed the bag contained bottles of wine. He has said the case against him was a provocation perpetrated by Sechin and his allies in the Federal Security Service (FSB). "The bag had a lock on it, but its shape made it look like it contained bottles of wine. Sechin gave me the key," Ulyukayev said earlier according to testimony read out by the prosecutor in court on November 27. "I took it as a friendly gesture on the part of Sechin, who gave me the expensive wine he had promised me" at a meeting during a BRICS summit in the Indian resort city of Goa in October 2016, he was quoted as saying. Sechin, who has been summoned four times to testify at Ulyukayev's trial, skipped the November 27 hearing. He said through his lawyer that he would not be able to attend the trial before the New Year due to a tight business schedule. Gaunt And Grim Judge Larisa Semyonova read out a statement from Sechin's lawyer, Nikolai Klyon, saying that Sechin had nothing to add to the "truthful" statements he initially gave investigators and that therefore his absence at the trial can therefore be excused. The oil company chief's failure to appear in court has attracted additional attention to a case that has already highlighted rifts between members of Russia's ruling elite. Sechin is a longtime former deputy Kremlin chief of staff and is seen as one of President Vladimir Putin's closest allies. Ulyukayev is being held under house arrest and has looked gaunt and grim in his court appearances. He is one of the highest-ranking officials to be arrested in Russia since the Soviet era. With reporting by Vedomosti, Rapsinews, TASS, and Interfax Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ulyukayev-trial -sechin-extortion/28880750.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Amnesty International urges Greece to scrap Saudi arms sale amid war on Yemen Iran Press TV Mon Nov 27, 2017 05:26PM Amnesty International has demanded that Greece scrap a controversial arms sale to Saudi Arabia as the Riyadh regime has been leading a brutal military campaign against Yemen for more than two years. In a statement released on Monday, the leading global rights organization voiced deep concern over the proposed deal, saying the weapons could be used against civilians in the ongoing war in Yemen. "Amnesty International calls on Greece to immediately rescind the sale and transfer of military equipment to Saudi Arabia and to refuse approval of the transport of every type of conventional weapons, ammunitions and war materiel to points of conflict in Yemen," the statement read. Elsewhere in the statement, the Britain-based group said that there was a "real danger" that thousands of artillery shells would be used by the Saudi-led military coalition against the impoverished country. The deal, worth an estimated 66 million euros ($78.3 million), has been strongly criticized by Greek opposition parties, while at least two lawmakers in the ruling left-wing Syriza party have also called for its cancelation. During a parliamentary debate, Communist party leader Dimitris Koutsoumpas accused the Greek government of helping the war in Yemen that has resulted in "slaughter, famine" and the strengthening of radical militant groups across the Arab country. Other parties, including the main opposition New Democracy, suggested that Defense Minister Panos Kammenos had negotiated a shady deal through an unauthorized middleman instead of dealing directly with the Riyadh government. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, however, accused opposition parties of resorting to unfounded allegations to undermine his government that is steering Greece out of eight years of crushing economic crisis. "They want to foment conditions of instability because they don't want this government to lead the country out of this crisis at all costs," the Greek premier told parliament. This comes amid increasing concerns over the Saudi military's bombing in Yemen, which has so far killed more than 12,000 people and destroyed much of the country's infrastructure, including hospitals, schools and factories. In May, Amnesty International slammed the Saudi regime and its allies for dropping cluster bombs on residential areas in Yemen despite the global outcry against the use of such internationally-banned weapons by the Riyadh-led coalition. Amnesty also condemned the United States and the UK in March for their "shameful" weapons transfers to Saudi Arabia, saying Washington and London were fueling the serious human rights violations and war crimes committed by Riyadh in Yemen. Other International rights group such as Human Rights Watch have also censured Western countries' rush for profiting from arms sales to Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries that are key contributors to the Yemen war. According to recent statistics by the Department for International Trade (DIT), the UK sold 836 million worth of arms and military hardware to the Saudi kingdom between April and June, up from 280 million between January and March. In September last year, the administration of former US president Barack Obama offered Saudi Arabia $115 billion in arms sales, a report seen by Reuters found. The offer, including weapons, other military equipment and training, was the highest the United States has offered in its decades-long alliance with the monarchy. France, the world's fourth weapons exporter, has also authorized arms licenses worth billions of dollars to Saudi Arabia. Over the past two and a half years, Yemen has been under heavy airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition as part of a brutal war against the Arabian Peninsula country in an attempt to crush the popular Houthi Ansarullah movement and reinstall the former president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, a staunch ally of Riyadh. Last month, the United Nations blacklisted the Saudi-led military coalition for killing and injuring hundreds of children in Yemen and attacking dozens of schools and hospitals in 2016. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian bombers hit IS targets in eastern Syria People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 10:51, November 27, 2017 MOSCOW, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Six long-range TU-22M3 bombers on Sunday launched airstrikes on targets of Islamic State (IS) terrorist group in the province of Deir ez-Zor in eastern Syria, the Russian Defense Ministry said. "After taking off from an airfield on the Russian territory, the aircraft hit terrorists'strongholds and areas with high concentration of militants in the Euphrates valley," the ministry said in a statement. The destruction of all targets was recorded by unmanned aerial vehicles, the ministry said. Su-30SM and Su-35S fighter jets based at the Khmeimim airbase in western Syria provided air cover for the bombers, it added. The Russian military have launched dozens of strikes on terrorists in Syria since the beginning of November. According to the Russian Federation Council's Defense and Security Committee, the fight against IS in Syria will possibly be over by the end of the year and Russia may be able to withdraw its air force. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia dismisses allegation about bombing village in Syria's Dayr al-Zawr province Iran Press TV Mon Nov 27, 2017 05:32PM The Russian Defense Ministry has strongly rejected an allegation by the anti-Damascus Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) that Russian long-range bombers, in their counter-terrorism operations, have bombed a village in Syria's eastern province of Dayr al-Zawr. "Russian Aerospace Force planes have not been used to attack al-Shafah village in Dayr al-Zawr province," the Ministry said in a statement on Monday, a few hours after the so-called group alleged that Russia's Tupolev Tu-22M3 long-range bombers on Sunday pounded a residential area in the village, killing more than 50 people. "All information about such facilities is checked and verified on-line via various channels on the ground and by drones. Claims by the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights that Russian planes have raided al-Shafah are another in a series of fake news," further read the ministerial statement, adding that the bombers only attack positions of international terror outfits and only far from of residential areas. On Sunday, the ministry announced that six of its large bombers, which flew from an airfield in Russia, hit "terrorist strongholds" in the valley of the Euphrates River in the volatile province once again. For the past few weeks, Russian Tu-22M3 bombers have been continually pounding positions of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group in Dayr al-Zawr, paving the way for Syrian ground troops to advance more swiftly towards the last militant-held areas in the region. Russia has been conducting air raids against Daesh and other terrorist outfits in Syria at the Damascus government's request since September 2015. Moscow has also maintained a naval group in the Mediterranean since the start of its anti-terror campaign in the war-ravaged Arab country. Syria conference in Sochi postponed until February In another development, Russia's RIA news agency, citing an unnamed diplomatic source, reported that a Russian-sponsored peace congress aimed at resolving years-long crisis in the Arab country, due to be held in the Russian city of Sochi next month, has been postponed until February. On Sunday, an official source at Syria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates said that Damascus would welcome the Syrian National Dialogue Congress, affirming that a delegation from the Syrian government would attend the event, which is expected to bring Damascus and opposition groups to the negotiating table. The source also said that the government would also welcome all agreements reached in the congress, which includes a committee for discussing the current constitution. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN Says Syria Hasn't Confirmed Will Attend Geneva Peace Talks RFE/RL November 27, 2017 The United Nations special envoy for Syria, Steffan de Mistura, says the Syrian government has not yet confirmed its participation in the next round of peace talks in Geneva this week. "Last night, we received a message that the government would not travel to Geneva today. Naturally we hope, and indeed expect the government will be on its way shortly," de Mistura told the UN Security Council on November 27. The latest round of UN-sponsored talks aimed at finding a political solution to Syria's six-year civil war -- the eighth since 2012 -- is due to start in the Swiss city on November 28. De Mistura said it would focus on getting to an "inclusive process" to draft and ratify a new constitution. He also said he would "not accept any preconditions by any party" to the negotiations. After arriving in Geneva on November 27, the head of the opposition delegation, Nasr Hariri, said that the group was aiming for the removal of President Bashar al-Assad. The pro-government newspaper Al-Watan earlier reported that the Damascus delegation would delay its arrival in Geneva because of the opposition's insistence Assad step down. The opposition has accused the government of refusing to seriously engage. More than 330,000 people have been killed in Syria and millions have been driven from their homes since the conflict began in March 2011 with a crackdown on antigovernment protests. Russia supports Assad's government and provides air support for government forces. Iran also backs Assad, while the United States and Turkey support differing rebel groups. Russian President Vladimir Putin repeated his call for a negotiated political settlement to end the conflict during a surprise visit by Assad in Russia's Black Sea resort city of Sochi on November 20. Expressing thanks for Russia's role in the Syrian conflict, Assad said, "especially since we've attained victory over the terrorists, we want the political process to progress." Talks sponsored by Russia, Iran, and Turkey are being held in the Kazakh capital, Astana, to deal with battlefield issues, such as cease-fires and the creation of "de-escalation zones." The zones have led to reduced violence in many areas, although deadly air strikes have continued. Russia, Iran, and Turkey have also proposed holding a "national congress" of government and opposing forces in the Russian city of Sochi, although no date has been set. With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and AP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/syria-un-government-hasnt- confirmed-attend-geneva-peace-talks/28882668.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN Envoy: No Signs Damascus Will Participate in Latest Geneva Talks By VOA News November 27, 2017 President Bashar al-Assad's government has not confirmed its participation in peace talks with the Syrian opposition scheduled for this week in Geneva, the U.N. special envoy for Syria said Monday. Staffan de Mistura told the U.N. Security Council the Assad government said it would not be sending representatives to Geneva on Monday. But de Mistura held out hope saying, "We know and indeed expect that the government will be on its way shortly, particularly in light of President Assad's commitment to [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin when they met in Sochi." Putin hosted Assad last week for a meeting, during which Syria's president said he was "ready for dialogue with all those who want to come up with a political settlement". Russia has bolstered Assad's rule with airstrikes since late 2015 against groups trying to overthrow his regime, with Iranian and Lebanese Hezbollah fighters also supporting Damascus. Tuesday's talks in Geneva will be the eighth on a political settlement in Syria after previous meetings achieved little progress to stop the war that has left at least 400,000 people dead and 13 million Syrians in need of humanitarian aid. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address White House Ready to Stop Providing Military Support to Certain Groups in Syria Sputnik News 01:27 28.11.2017(updated 01:21 28.11.2017) The White House press secretary noted that the readiness doesn't mean it would necessary stop all support of Syrian opposition groups. WASHINGTON (Sputnik) The United States is now in a position to stop providing military support to opposition groups in Syria as Daesh terrorist group is being crushed in the country, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said during a press briefing. "Now that we're continuing to crush the physical caliphate we're in a position to stop providing military equipment to certain groups, but that doesn't mean stopping all support of those individual groups," Sanders told reporters on Monday. Last month, the SDF announced the complete liberation of Raqqa, which was seized by Daesh in 2014 and proclaimed the group's capital. On Friday, Turkey's government said President Donald Trump assured his Turkish counterpart President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that the United States would halt all weapons deliveries to the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), which is part of the Syrian Democratic Forces. The US weapons deliveries have angered Turkey, which sees the YPG as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a designated terrorist group in both Turkey and the United States. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Military Denies Claims of Airstrikes on Village in Syria Sputnik News 17:16 27.11.2017(updated 17:58 27.11.2017) The UK-based Human Rights Observatory has reported that airstrikes, allegedly by Russia, hit residential buildings in the village of Al-Shafah in Syria's Deir ez-Zor province. MOSCOW (Sputnik) The Russian Defense Ministry dismissed on Monday allegations of attacks by the Russian combat planes on a settlement in Syria. "The Russian aircraft have not delivered airstrikes on the settlement of Al-Shafah in the province of Deir ez-Zor," the ministry said in a statement adding that reports about the alleged airstrikes are "nothing but new false information." The ministry's statement was issued after a number of foreign media outlets, citing the UK-based Human Rights Observatory, circulated reports about the alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Al-Shafah in Syria's Deir ez-Zor province. Successful military actions in the province of Deir ez-Zor led to the almost complete expulsion of Daesh militants from the area with the west bank of the Euphrates River remaining the only area where terrorist units are currently still operating. After the last major Daesh stronghold in Syria, the town of Abu Kamal, was liberated, Russian Aerospace Forces continue to support the offensive in the Euphrates River Valley conducted by the Syrian army. The Russian Defense Ministry stressed that the attacks of Russian combat planes in Syria "are always carried out away from settlements and only against the targets of international terrorist groups." Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Senior Gulenist captured by Turkish agents in Sudan Iran Press TV Mon Nov 27, 2017 06:09PM A high-ranking member of the movement of Pennsylvania-based opposition figure Fethullah Gulen, whom the Ankara government accuses of having masterminded the failed July 2016 coup, has been captured by Turkish intelligence agents in a joint operation with their Sudanese counterparts. Security sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Memduh Cikmaz, who is referred to as the "money vault" of the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), appeared at a court hearing in the northern city of Corum via video link as he was being transferred to Bakirkoy Court in Istanbul from the city's Ataturk International Airport. Cikmaz told the court he had been living in the Sudanese capital city of Khartoum, and was a partner in a brick factory. The court remanded him in custody, saying there was "strong evidence of crime" and suspicion "he may flee." Cikmaz was sought with an arrest warrant for "leadership of an armed terrorist group." The security sources said agents from Turkey's National Intelligence Organization (MIT) found about the whereabouts of Ckmaz two months ago. He has apparently transferred millions of dollars to FETO from Sudan. Also on, Istanbul's 26th Heavy Penal Court began the trial of 50 former soldiers accused of attempting to occupy a municipality building during last year's botched putsch. The assault left 14 people, including professor Ilhan Varank, the older brother of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Chief Adviser Mustafa Varank, dead. Meanwhile, a Turkish court has ordered an academic, who is on hunger strike in protest against her dismissal after last year's failed coup, to stay in prison despite the prosecutor's call for her release. The court decided to keep Nuriye Gulmen, who is on trial on terror charges, behind bars even though the prosecutor had stated that there was no risk of her absconding. Her lawyer Omer Faruk Eminagaoglu said he did not know why Gulmen was kept in custody after the judges at her trial at Sincan prison complex in Ankara province gave no explanation. "They gave their decision and soon after left the courtroom, because of this, it is not possible to understand why they made this decision," he said. The development comes after last month's release of teacher Semih Ozakca, who is also on hunger strike and facing similar charges as those of Gulmen. Gulmen and Ozakca first began a protest late last year after their dismissal in the wake of last year's failed coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. They started the hunger strike in March. Turkish official arrested the pair in May on charges of affiliation to the far-left Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C) militant group. They both deny the charges and describe them as fabricated. Ozakca was released on October 20, but was ordered to remain at home and only allowed outside for any approved hospital visits or to attend court hearings. Human rights activists have warned against the heath condition of the academics, who have been on hunger strike for 264 days. They say the hunger strikers only consume salty or sugary water, herbal tea and vitamin B1. Gulmen was transferred into intensive care in September. Her family claim this was against her will. On July 15, 2016, a faction of the Turkish military declared that it had seized control of the country and Erdogan's government was no more in charge. The attempt was, however, suppressed a few hours later. Turkey also accuses Gulen of being behind a long-running campaign to topple the government via infiltrating the country's institutions, particularly the army, police and the judiciary. Gulen has denounced the "despicable putsch" and reiterated that he had no role in it. "Accusations against me related to the coup attempt are baseless and politically-motivated slanders," he said in a statement in July. The cleric has also called on Ankara to end its "witch hunt" of his followers, a move he said was aimed at "weeding out anyone it deems disloyal to President Erdogan and his regime." Turkish officials have frequently called on their US counterparts to extradite Gulen, but their demands have not been taken heed of. Turkey, which remains in a state of emergency since the failed coup, has been engaged in suppressing the media and opposition groups suspected to have played a role in the botched coup. Tens of thousands of people have been arrested in Turkey on suspicion of having links to Gulen and the failed coup. More than 110,000 others, including military staff, civil servants and journalists, have been sacked or suspended from work over the same accusations. The international community and rights groups have been highly critical of the Turkish president over the massive dismissals and the crackdown. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Despite Claims of US Concessions on Kurds, Turkey Rebukes Washington By Dorian Jones November 27, 2017 Senior Turkish ministers have strongly criticized the United States and its policies toward Turkey and the region. The criticisms come after Turkish officials said the Trump administration met a key Turkish demand to end the arming of a Syrian Kurdish militia. U.S. officials have not confirmed the Turkish government's claim and have only said that President Donald Trump informed Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan of "pending adjustments" to the military support provided to U.S. partners on the ground in Syria. Turkey accuses the YPG militia of supporting Kurdish insurgents inside the country and officials were enraged by what they saw as U.S. support of a group Turkey considers a terrorist organization. Despite Turkish reports of a concession by Trump, Turkish ministers have continued to criticize Washington. On Sunday, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu issued a thinly veiled threat. "I am talking to the Western powers who are trying to play games over Turkey. You are going to suffer a historic slap and you will be sorry; you cannot trick Turkey," Soylu said. The angry words followed remarks by Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, who spoke at a rally of party supporters Sunday and said the U.S. will, in his words, be educated on how to talk to Turkey. Anti-U.S. rhetoric plays well with ruling AK Party voters ahead of elections in two years; but, international relations expert Soli Ozel of Istanbul's Kadir Has University sees the rhetoric as a sign of the deep distrust that exists between the NATO allies. "Overall, there is a problem specifically between the U.S. and Turkey," Ozel said. "Trust is a word that has been struck out of the shared vocabulary of the two countries, neither side trusts the other. And that is not really a good way of keeping an alliance or keeping a partnership." While several ministers have called for the U.S. leadership to honor what they interpret as Washington's commitment to stop arming the Syrian Kurdish militia, observers say Ankara remains uneasy about what Washington has actually said, compared to Ankara's takeaway from conversations between U.S. and Turkish leaders, which was that the U.S. would end support for the Kurdish militia immediately. A White House statement last week said that consistent with previous U.S. policy, President Trump had "informed President Erdogan of pending adjustments to the military support provided to our partners on the ground in Syria," a move the statement said was possible "now that the battle of Raqqa is complete" and the effort has progressed into a "stabilization phase to ensure that ISIS cannot return." Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim stepped up pressure on Washington, calling for it to take back the arms it has already given to the Kurdish group, something he said the U.S. had earlier promised. Even if differences over Syria are resolved, other issues of tension remain. Turkish government spokesman Bekir Bozdag on Monday alleged that an Iranian sanction-busting trial in New York against Turkish-Iranian businessman Reza Zarrab was a plot against Turkey. "They want to impose certain sanctions on Turkey through the Zarrab case, but the trade between Iran and Turkey is in line with our laws and international laws," Bozdag said. Zarrab, along with a senior state Turkish banking official and former ministers, are accused of circumventing U.S. sanctions to avoid paying billions of dollars. Jury selection for the trial started Monday with proceedings scheduled to begin Dec. 4. The trial comes as Ankara and Tehran are increasingly cooperating in Syria and the wider region. On Sunday, the two countries signed a deal to enhance trade with Qatar and help ease Saudi Arabia's blockade of the Gulf state. Deepening Turkish-Iranian cooperation will cause unease in Washington, analysts say, especially as Turkey is seen as key to curbing Iran's growing regional influence. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkey Demands Trump Honor Purported Pledge to Cut Off Weapons to Kurdish Militia By VOA News November 27, 2017 Turkish officials say they are watching to see whether the United States will honor a promise, which they claim was made by U.S. President Donald Trump to his Turkish counterpart last week, to cut off the supply of arms to Kurdish militias that played a key role in defeating Islamic State militants in Syria. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu announced the promise at a press conference shortly after the two presidents spoke by telephone Friday. "Mr. Trump clearly stated that he had given clear instructions, and that the YPG won't be given arms and that this nonsense should have ended a long time ago," the Associated Press quoted Cavusoglu as saying. However, a White House statement issued after the call with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was more circumspect. It said Trump "also informed President Erdogan of pending adjustments to the military support provided to our partners on the ground in Syria, now that the battle of Raqqa is complete and we are progressing into a stabilization phase to ensure that ISIS cannot return." ISIS is an acronym for Islamic State. The lack of clarity continued Monday, threatening to exacerbate already serious tensions between the United States and its key NATO ally, or alternatively to undermine the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units or YPG, a U.S. ally which bore the brunt of the fighting to clear IS forces from their self-proclaimed capital in Raqqa, Syria. Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag said in a television interview Monday that Turkey needs "to see the concrete reflections of [Trump's] statement on the land. Has the PYD/YPG terror organization been given weapons by the U.S. after the statement was made? Turkey will certainly monitor this pledge." A day earlier, Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu issued a thinly veiled threat: "I am talking to the Western powers who are trying to play games over Turkey. You are going to suffer a historic slap and you will be sorry; you cannot trick Turkey." White House statements U.S. officials, however, continued to offer ambiguous statements Monday. White House spokesperson Sarah Huckabee Sanders declined to confirm how the U.S. is changing its relationship with rebel forces who have been a partner in the fight against the Islamic State. "Once we started winning the campaign against ISIS, the plan and part of the process is to always wind down support for certain groups. Now that we're continuing to crush the physical caliphate, we're in a position to stop providing military equipment to certain groups, but that doesn't mean stopping all support of those individual groups," she said. "The United States is committed to the defeat of ISIS and other terrorist groups in Syria and to ensuring that they cannot return to liberated areas," said a National Security Council statement. "We have always been clear with Turkey that the weapons provided to the Syrian Democratic Forces, which includes the Kurdish People's Protection Units [YPG], would be limited, mission specific, and provided incrementally to achieve these objectives." A State Department official said the United States "is reviewing pending adjustments to the military support provided to the SDF in as much as the military requirements of our defeat-ISIS and stabilization efforts will allow to prevent ISIS from returning." U.S. military officials, meanwhile, appeared to indicate that the YPG is still needed. "We have always said we would arm the SDF in a limited, metered way," Army Col. Ryan Dillon, spokesman for the counter-ISIS coalition in Iraq and Syria, told VOA. "There are still areas that have to be cleared in eastern Syria," he said, adding that the U.S. is remaining "open and transparent" with Turkey. Strained relations U.S. relations with Turkey have long been strained over U.S. support for the YPG, as well as other issues since a coup attempt against Erdogan in July 2016. There have been concerns about Turkey's growing ties with Russia and Iran since then, including the possibility that Washington could be cut out of peace talks on Syria and that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime could be allowed to continue its brutal rule. Erdogan met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani last week to discuss the future of Syria. Both Russia and Iran helped to drive ISIS from areas now controlled by Assad's forces, and they want U.S. forces to leave Syria. Abdulkareen Sarokhan, president of the administrative council of Jazera, the largest of four cantons in the autonomous Kurdish region in northern Syria, said he did not believe that the U.S. would not cut off support to all Kurdish fighters, and suggested that Turkey is pitting Washington against Moscow. "Erdogan's message to U.S. is that if you do not stop your support to Kurdish fighters, Ankara will ally itself with Russia," Sarokhan said. "At the same time, he tells Russians that if they do not accept Ankara's conditions regarding these meetings, Ankara will take the U.S. side in its policies in Syria. "What is important for us [Kurds] is the fight against terrorism; moreover, we do not believe that U.S. will stop its support to FSA [Free Syrian Forces] because that will create a vacuum space for Islamic militants. Americans know that ISIS has established its bases in Northern Syria. Yet, we do not know how the White House statement 'adjustment of military support' would be implemented." VOA's Steve Herman, Pete Heinlein, Dorian Jones and Carla Babb contributed to this report, along with VOA Turkish and Kurdish services. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Depleted British Military Faces More Cuts for May's Cyber War Against Russia Sputnik News 15:17 27.11.2017(updated 15:18 27.11.2017) The British government is expected to deny further funding to its Armed Forces, diverting the much-needed funds to cyber security measures that are likely to target Russia in a move that split Theresa May's Conservative Party. A new report by the Telegraph revealed that the latest National Security Review has delivered a striking blow to the British military, whilst allocating significant chunks of the budget to cyber warfare. The UK military establishment had hoped to evade the crippling cuts if the new Review would have recommended Theresa May channel some 2 billion to the Ministry of Defense (MoD) in order to fight terrorism more effectively and improve veteran care. According to the Telegraph, however, those hopes are now shattered as National Security Advisor Mark Sedwill suggested that the money would be better spent on conducting cyber activities. The Review, which was ordered by British Prime Minister Theresa May after terrorist attacks in London and Manchester, has allegedly stated that the MoD will not receive any more funds over its annual budget of 36 billion and proposed additional cuts to military personnel. Amongst his suggestions, Sedwill played with the idea of sacking 1,000 Royal Marines, delaying the Royal Airforce's order for the F-35 fighters and dropping two Royal Navy ships. The British Army is also expected to be gutted out as the number of servicemen may be reduced to less than 70,000 against the recommended target of 82,000 soldiers and officers. The proposals sent shock waves through the British Army, which is currently at its smallest in over 350 years, falling behind its target size by some 4,000 servicemen. Disquiet in Tory Ranks Minister for Defence People and Veterans Tobias Ellwood threatened to resign if Sedwill's proposals are adopted by the government. Nicholas Soames MP, the senior conservative and Winston Churchill's grandson, urged that "the Conservative party has a duty now to unite against further defence cuts to capability." Pressure has been building on new Defence Secretary, Gavin Williamson, to meet with Chancellor of Exchequer Philip Hammond Telegraph's source close to Williamson highlighted that the Defence Secretary was "taken aback" by the proposed cuts to personnel. "He does not feel like this is something that he can make any negative changes and feel all right about. He is willing to take his message to the Treasury and we will see how much of an impact he makes", the source said. A ministerial source told the Telegraph that the chief cause of the military's outcry is Sedwill's questionable decision to prioritize cyber activities over the actual needs of the Armed Forces. "The problem is the NSA [Sedwill's nickname within the MoD, a reference to the US National Security Agency that is responsible cyber warfare] is driving a 'within-the-costs-envelope' approach at everyone." "[He] is determined to screw over MoD", the source added. The reason behind Sedwill's plans to boost the UK's cyber warfare capabilities is not entirely unclear, yet it is likely that he is acting on Theresa May's promise to wage a cyber campaign against Russia. Speaking at the annual Lord Mayor's Banquet in London earlier this month, May accused Russia of a "sustained campaign of cyberespionage and disruption" that was "threatening the international order" "So we will take the necessary actions to counter Russian activity," May proclaimed. The Russian government has staunchly denied these allegations, arguing that it does not engage in offensive cyber activities and pointing to the lack of proof to that fact. It may well be the case that the British servicemen and veterans will suffer from devastating cuts for the sake of May's wild goose chase after the non-existent "Russian threat." Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine 'Extremely Concerned' Council Of Europe Caving To Russian 'Blackmail' Christopher Miller November 27, 2017 KYIV -- Ukrainian officials and politicians have reacted with alarm to reports that the Council of Europe is considering lifting sanctions imposed against Russia over its military intervention in Crimea out of fears that Moscow might otherwise leave the body. "We are extremely concerned," Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine's ambassador to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), told RFE/RL from Strasbourg on November 27. "The issue now goes far beyond interests of Ukraine. It's in the interests of the entire region to defend the Council of Europe from Russian blackmail and leaning toward Russia." Kuleba's comments came after the Financial Times (FT) reported on November 26 that Moscow was demanding that its voting rights in PACE -- which were revoked in 2014 in response to Russia's seizure of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula -- be restored, and that the secretary-general of the Council of Europe was lobbying in support of the idea. FT said Secretary-General Thorbjorn Jagland had been touring European capitals warning that Moscow could withdraw from the 47-member Council of Europe, which oversees the European Convention on Human Rights and the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), unless its demands were met. "It would really be very, very bad if Russia was to leave...because the convention and court has been so important for Russian citizens," FT quoted Jagland as saying. "It will be a negative development for Europe, because we will have a Europe without Russia. It would be a big step back for Europe." The interview with Jagland sparked anger in Kyiv. In a Facebook post, Volodymyr Ariyev, Ukraine's PACE delegation head and a lawmaker for the ruling party of President Petro Poroshenko, accused Jagland of suffering from "Stockholm syndrome," suggesting he had become a hostage to Russian interests. But some do agree there would be a serious downside to Russia's absence from the Council of Europe, PACE, and by extension the ECHR. Russia-related cases account for some one-third of the Strasbourg-based court's caseload. Tanya Lokshina of Human Rights Watch in Moscow told the FT that the court "has been the most successful international protection mechanism" for Russians' rights, adding that it was the "court of last resort in a situation when they cannot find justice in domestic courts." Russia has tried to claw back its vote for months, and in June it canceled its payments to the Council of Europe in retaliation for its delegation there being stripped of voting rights, Reuters reported at the time. The Independent, citing Russia's Foreign Ministry, said also that "persecution" of its delegates was another reason for the move. Russia's reported push to restore its PACE voting rights comes as a new European commissioner on human rights is to be elected in January. Moscow has said it won't recognize the winner of the election as long as it has no vote. There have also been suggestions that, should Russia's voting rights be restored, it could be held up as a victory by President Vladimir Putin ahead of Russia's presidential election in March. Putin has not announced his candidacy, but he is widely expected to do so soon, and to win. Should Russia return to PACE in January, Kuleba said, "it will be an excellent gift to Putin on the eve of elections." Kuleba, who has worked since starting his role in Strasbourg in the summer of 2016 to keep Russia from returning to PACE until all obligations are met to lift the sanctions, said the issue of allowing Moscow an unconditional return has been "evolving in shadows, as no one seems to be interested in the Council of Europe staff." If Russia is given back its voting rights now, Kuleba said, Ukraine would remain a member of the Council of Europe, "though our parliamentarians [would] seriously consider pulling out from PACE." "The government in its reaction will not violate our legal obligations before the council but will review all types of cooperation based on goodwill and recommendations," Kuleba said. "Ukraine needs a strong [Council of Europe] to defend human rights in Ukraine and in the territories occupied by Russia, and to help us with reforms," Kuleba said, referring to the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, where government forces are still fighting Kremlin-backed militants in a war that has taken more than 10,000 lives. "If Russia is allowed to return to PACE without paying a price, [the Council of Europe] will become weak and lose credibility in Ukraine." He added, "Make peace with Russia at the expense of Ukraine -- that's exactly what's happening." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-fears -council-of-europe-caving-russian -blackmail/28882603.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kremlin Says Change Of Separatist Leadership In Luhansk Won't Affect Minsk Process November 27, 2017 The Kremlin says a change of leadership for Russia-backed separatists in Ukraine's eastern region of Luhansk will not affect the implementation of the Minsk peace agreements. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on November 27 that "continuity" remains, "especially on the issue of the implementation of the Minsk agreements" and on "initiatives" to exchange prisoners. Separatist leader Igor Plotnitsky's resignation was announced by a website of the Luhansk-based separatists on November 24 in the midst of a fierce power struggle that unfolded over several days. The website said Plotnitsky resigned for health reasons and that Leonid Pasechnik, the self-proclaimed security minister of the separatist formation, would be acting leader "until the next elections." The website also announced on November 24 that Plotnitsky had been named as the separatists' representative to the Minsk process, which is aimed at resolving the conflict. After occupying and illegally annexing Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in March 2014, Moscow began fomenting unrest in parts of eastern Ukraine. Moscow has provided political, military, and economic support to separatists who gained control over parts of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions, sparking a war that has killed more than 10,000 people since April 2014. Moscow denies involvement in Ukraine's internal affairs, despite compelling evidence to the contrary. Based on reporting by Interfax, TASS, Gazeta.ru, and RIA-Novosti Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/kremlin-luhansk-leadership -minsk-process-plotnitsky/28880660.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Question Answer The Jordan River is a 156-mile-long river that flows north to south from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea. It lies on the eastern border of modern-day Israel and the western borders of both Syria and Jordan. Because of its great length and central location, the Jordan River is mentioned in the Bible over 185 times.The Jordan River is mentioned indirectly in Genesis 13, where Lot and Abraham are dividing up the land to which God had led them. Abraham allowed Lot to choose his share first, and Lot chose the Jordan Valley, which was lush and well-watered due to the Jordan River (verse 10). This was a pivotal moment, as it not only established that Lots character was selfish but also directed Lot toward the evil city of Sodom, which God later destroyed (see Genesis 1819).Many years later, as the Israelites journeyed from slavery in Egypt to the land God had promised them, the Jordan River acted as both an obstacle and pathway. The people had wandered in the wilderness for 40 years as a punishment for distrusting the Lords care when He first brought them to Canaan; Moses himself was denied entry into the Promised Land and was only allowed to view it from a mountain across the Jordan before he died (Numbers 27:12; Deuteronomy 31:2; 32:4852). It was the next generation of Israelites who stood on the banks of the Jordan, ready to enter Canaan at last. Only the Jordan River stood in their way now, and it was at flood stage (Joshua 3:15). At Gods command, Joshua (the peoples new leader) instructed the priests bearing the Ark of the Covenant to stand in the water of the river. They obeyed, and the Jordan immediately stopped flowing to make a way for the people to cross over on dry ground (Joshua 3:1517). Then began the conquest of Canaan; the tribes of Gad and Reuben and half of Manasseh settled on land on the east side of the Jordan River, but they helped their fellow Israelites with the taking of the Promised Land first (Joshua 1:1218).After the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River, Joshua had the people set up two memorials: twelve stones from the Jordan River were placed on dry ground, and twelve stones from the banks of the river were placed in the middle of the river where the priests had stood. Thus the location of Gods demonstration of power on behalf of Israel was marked for generations to come (Joshua 4:19).The Old Testament mentions the Jordan River many more times, usually in stories of the Israelites battles and disputes. The river served as a strategic site in the war against the Midianites, led by Gideon (Judges 7:2425). Later, King Saul and several of his sons perished in a battle near the Jordan River (see 1 Samuel 13). Several other passages mention the Jordan being crossed in order to engage an enemy (2 Samuel 2:29; 17:22; 19:1718). The prophets Elijah and Elisha were associated with the Jordan River on many occasions: Elijah lived for a time near the Jordan (1 Kings 17:5), Elisha told Naaman the Syrian to bathe in the Jordan to be healed of his leprosy (2 Kings 5:10), and Elisha caused a sunken ax head to float on the Jordan (2 Kings 6:16). Both prophets crossed the Jordan River by miraculous means in 2 Kings 2:714.In the New Testament, the Jordan River played an important role in preparing people for the ministry of Jesus Christ. John the Baptist preached at the river regularly and baptized everyone who repented (Luke 3:23). Jesus Himself came to John at the Jordan River to be baptized (Mark 1:9)not to show repentance but to fully identify with us and to fulfill all righteousness (Matthew 3:15). It was at the Jordan River that God the Father proclaimed His love for and pleasure with the Son and the Spirit descended upon Jesus at the commencement of His ministry (Luke 3:2122). TWIN LAKES The suspect who is in custody after reportedly shooting and killing two men Friday in Twin Lakes has been named. Nathan A. Kivi, 25, of the Trevor area of the Village of Salem Lakes, was named as the suspect in the shooting of Richard Samuel, 28, and Kenneth Samuel III, 31, both of Twin Lakes. The two died Friday after a shooting near Beach Bar, 402 S. Lake St. Twin Lakes police were called to the bar in southwestern Kenosha County at about 2 a.m. for a shooting that occurred outdoors, behind the establishment, according to a news release. Officers found Richard Samuel dead in the parking lot with multiple gunshot wounds. Kenneth Samuel III was found in the same location, also with gunshot wounds. He was taken to Aurora Memorial Hospital of Burlington, where he later died, the release states. Kivi reportedly fled the scene before police arrived, according to the release. He was later located by the Monroe County Sheriffs Department and Wisconsin State Patrol near Tomah and taken into custody. Witnesses at the scene told police there was an altercation between the victims and suspect before the shooting occurred. The shooting appears to be an isolated incident, police said. The Racine area's population is not growing, and construction costs are rising. Those factors are guiding how the Racine Unified School District is planning to spend the funding from its 30-year, $1 billion referendum. The district's long-term plans have been somewhat changed in the past two years. Here's where they sit now (and yes, inflation plays a big factor)... American to resume Dallas flight from AVL for summer travel Related Stories American Airlines will reinstate nonstop service to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) this summer with flights on Saturdays, beginning June 7, operating through August, the Asheville Regional Airport announced. "It is very good news for air travelers that a nonstop option will be available this summer," airport director Lew Bleiweis said. "The Dallas area is a top destination market for our area's travelers, and the nonstop option will help make travel even more convenient and easy to and from AVL." American offered summer seasonal nonstop daily service to DFW in 2010 and 2011, and then discontinued the route at the time the airline was merging with U.S. Airways. A reinstatement of a nonstop option to DFW is an indicator of the airline's confidence in the western North Carolina market. The airport encourages travelers to book the nonstop flight, because success of the Saturday service could lead to an extension or expansion of nonstop flights to DFW in the future. And as a reminder, when not traveling on a Saturday, American does offer frequent daily connections to DFW from AVL through Charlotte Douglas International Airport, which is also a convenient and easy option. Additionally, DFW is a gateway to numerous west coast, Latin America and Asia destinations - many of which are only offered by American Airlines. Highway Patrol honors Sgt. Hipp, Trooper Jeffries Related Stories Two Hendersonville-based State Highway Patrol troopers won special awards during a ceremony Tuesday. "We are proud to recognize the tremendous efforts and sacrifices that our members nobly make when called upon," said Colonel Glenn M. McNeill Jr., commander of the State Highway Patrol. "To come together and acknowledge their actions is a joyous occasion for our organization and the State of North Carolina." Sergeant Brent E. Hipp won the Humanitarian Service Award, which is presented in recognition for an employees outstanding volunteer public service that significantly contributes to individuals, groups, organizations, or communities in North Carolina. Sgt. Brent HippOn Sept. 15, 2004, Trooper Jack D. Ferree's son, Joshua, passed away unexpectedly from natural causes. He was 24 years old and was attending Cleveland Community College for his Criminal Justice degree. In 2005, Hipp and his wife, Melony, started the Josh Ferree Memorial Softball Tournament to fund a scholarship at Cleveland Community College for students seeking a degree in the criminal justice field. In four years, the tournament raised approximately $15,000. Since 2010, Hipp has been actively involved in the Special Olympics North Carolina Law Enforcement Torch Run. He has raised over $20,000 by leading special events throughout his community. His efforts provide district members the opportunity to interact with their community in a positive manner while presenting a caring, professional, and inclusive image of the Highway Patrol. Sgt. Hipp has consistently been involved with his community since joining the Highway Patrol in 2002. Sgt. Hipp was recognized for his long and extensive outstanding public service to his community. Trooper Christopher M. Jeffries won the Highway Patrol Samaritan Award, which recognizes a member of the patrol who went beyond the call of duty to aid or assist a fellow citizen. On Feb. 14, Valentines Day, Jeffries was on routine patrol in Henderson County when he was approached by a motorist advising him they had observed a distressed young adult female standing on the overpass of U.S. 25 which crosses over Trooper Chris JeffriesI-26. He located the distraught female who had stepped over a guardrail and was standing on the open side of the U.S. 25 overpass. After contacting Highway Patrol Communications to request assistance, Jefferies approached the female. Observing that she was upset and crying profusely, Jefferies engaged in conversation with her, attempting to calm her down. Eventually, she sat down on the edge of the bridge while talking with Jeffries. Continuing the conversation, he stooped to both knees. Jeffries seized an opportunity to grab the females arm to keep her from falling. Trooper Mark Corbin arrived on scene and assisted Jeffries by pulling the female to safety. She was placed into custody of the Henderson County Sheriffs Office where she was provided further assistance. The selfless act demonstrated by Jeffries and Corbin quite possibly saved the life of this young lady. Both Hipp and Jeffries are stationed in Hendersonville with Troop G, District 3. Mary Grace of the National Lottery with Roger McMahon, manager of the store where the 5.8m ticket was sold The winner of a 5.8m Lotto jackpot remains a mystery and has yet to make contact with the National lottery to claim their life-changing prize. Speculation was rife over the weekend that a syndicate from a Dublin Garda station were the country's newest millionaires after unconfirmed reports they had struck gold while on a Christmas party in Limerick. Phone lines for the winner or winners to claim the prize opened yesterday morning but they closed at 5.30pm without the jackpot being claimed. Jackpot The winning ticket, a 5 Quickpick, was bought in the General Post Office on Cecil St, Limerick on Saturday. The winning numbers were 4, 16, 18, 24, 32, 35 and the bonus was 6. Yesterday, representatives from the National Lottery visited the GPO in Limerick where they celebrated the jackpot win with staff. Delighted workers, including manager Roger McMahon, posed for cameras and opened a bottle of champagne to celebrate the post office selling the winning ticket. Chief executive of the National Lottery, David Griffin said: "We're advising all of our Limerick Lotto players to check their tickets to find out if they have won this life-changing prize. "If you are the lucky ticket holder or holders, sign the back of the ticket and contact the National Lottery Prize Claims Team on 01 836 4444." A spokesman for the National Lottery quipped: "Whoever wins it will have enough for a decent Christmas anyway." Meanwhile, Lotto chiefs have also urged another millionaire to come forward and collect their 1m winnings from Friday's Ireland Only Raffle. The winning code found on that ticket was I-CWQ-43032 and was sold in a SuperValu store at Kilbarry Centre, Tramore Road, Co Waterford. The win is the second time a winning Lotto jackpot ticket has been won in Limerick this year. A lucky winner took home almost 3m in September after buying the ticket at Coughlan's Gala store on Quinlan Street. At the time the manager of the store said that "speculation was rife", and since then the lucky winner has made contact with the National Lottery. Our exclusive pictures show Ciaran Ryan being arrested in possession of a gun at Connolly Station in July A 23-year-old man who pleaded guilty to possession of a gun at Connolly Station is suspected of being on his way to deliver the firearm to senior Hutch mob associates in the North when he was busted by gardai. Ciaran Ryan (23), of Summerhill, Dublin, yesterday admitted at the Special Criminal Court to the possession of a semi-automatic pistol at Connolly Station on July 19 this year. Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding, sitting with Judge Patricia Ryan and Judge James Faughnan, remanded Ryan in custody until December 20, when he will be sentenced. It is suspected that the handgun was being delivered to a hideout in the North where at least half a dozen Hutch gang associates were hiding out at the time. These included cartel targets James 'Mago' Gately, Keith Murtagh and a young criminal who is suspected of involvement in the Regency Hotel attack last year. The young criminal has since been extradited back to the Republic and is in custody here awaiting sentence for serious criminal charges. It is understood that Gately and Murtagh have been spending time in England in recent months. One theory which was investigated by gardai is that the weapon was to be used in an attempted hit on Kinahan cartel figure Gareth Chubb (29) from Drimnagh, who had been based in Belfast at the time. Just days after gardai arrested Ryan at Connolly Station, Chubb was cleared by a Dutch court of the attempted manslaughter of a drug dealer who tried to sell him baking soda. Loaded However, Chubb was jailed for six months for possession of a loaded gun he pulled out at an Amsterdam cafe earlier in the incident last February. Ryan is a close pal of slain Gary Hutch's cousin Eddie Staunton, who survived a murder attempt in March. At a previous court sitting when Ryan was refused bail, Detective Garda Gary Wood told the court the 23-year-old man had links to Spain, Holland and worldwide and that he was a flight risk. He made no reply when charged. He was also caught with two rounds of 7.65 Browning calibre ammunition and one shotgun cartridge. The minimum jail sentence for the possession of a firearm is five years in jail except in special circumstances including a guilty plea, while the maximum sentence is 14 years. In the aftermath of Ryan's arrest, the Herald obtained exclusive photographs of the moment that Ryan was taken down by armed detectives in Ireland's busiest train station. A doctor who went missing from her Dublin home for almost two weeks has returned home, putting an end to the worry and anguish of her family and friends. Dr Ciara Farrell (45) had been reported missing after she left St Vincent's Hospital in Mount Merrion on Tuesday, November 14, at around lunchtime. Her phone was not answered and there were no sightings of her at her address in nearby Kilmacud, south Dublin. On Friday, November 17, two witnesses who know Dr Farrell reported they had seen her talking to a taxi driver at the junction of South Avenue and Lower Kilmacud Road. She appeared to be carrying a bag, but there was doubt as to whether she got into the taxi or not. Family and friends began frantically searching for Dr Farrell, a mother of a six-year-old girl and a grown up daughter in her 20s. Towed Expand Close The Rise in Mount Merrion, where the Hyundai i20 driven by Dr Ciara Farrell was found / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Rise in Mount Merrion, where the Hyundai i20 driven by Dr Ciara Farrell was found Her car, a white Hyundai i20 with a 151 D registration, was then found outside a florist's shop on The Rise in Mount Merrion at the weekend. Gardai had it towed away for a technical examination on Sunday. Those close to her were about to issue a fresh appeal for information yesterday, hoping the taxi driver that she was seen talking to might come forward. However, Dr Farrell then turned up at her parents' house in Goatstown late yesterday afternoon. In a statement gardai confirmed that she had been found safe and well. They thanked the public for their assistance. Susan Farrelly with her kids from l to r, Nova, 5, Romey, 15 and Vega, 2 and a half, they were attacked by seagulls while eating chips in Howth, Dublin. Photo; Damien Eagers Two sisters have warned of the danger of aggressive seagulls after they were attacked while eating fish and chips on a family walk at the seaside. Laura Grehan (37) and Susan Farrelly (40), both from Castleknock, were at Howth Harbour at around 2pm on Sunday when a seagull swooped down and stole a chip from Ms Farrelly's mouth. Less than a minute later, what the women believe was the same bird struck again, this time targeting Ms Grehan. Ms Farrelly suffered a cut to her bottom lip, but her sister's injury was more serious and left her mouth dripping with blood. She needed a tetanus injection and antibiotics. Funny Ms Farrelly's children Romey (15), five-year-old Nova and two-year-old Vega, and Ms Grehan's children Jacob (13), Summer (10), seven-year-old Elijah and two-year-old Aurora were with them during the attacks. Ms Farrelly told the Herald that after the first incident the children thought it was funny. However, they got a fright when the bird struck again, especially Elijah who thought it might be his fault after he dropped a handful of chips. "As I went to put a chip in my mouth the seagull came down and put its beak in my mouth," Ms Farrelly said. "He cut my lip and I went hysterical. My sister was laughing at me, but within 60 seconds the same seagull came back and ripped my sister's whole lip. "Her lip is all swollen. It went from inside the lip. Her mouth was pouring with blood. "We think it was the same seagull because it had a big red mark on the bill." Ms Farrelly, a musical the-atre teacher, said it was "like a scene from an Alfred Hitchcock movie". "There were loads of them. It was like a scene from The Birds," she said. "I suppose it was funny for us as adults, but if it had been the kids it would have been more serious." After the attack, she said they warned other people eating fish and chips of the danger and some went to finish their snacks in their cars. "It's absolutely horrific for it to happen, as much as we were laughing about it," said Ms Farrelly. "My sister got a tetanus. It cost her 60. I didn't because I wasn't going to let a seagull put me into debt." Ms Grehan, who is a stay-at-home mum, said she was surprised by the attack. "I was shocked when it happened to Susan, we thought it was just a freak thing," she said. "I've never seen anything like it. "When we phoned the out-of-hours doctor service, I thought they would think it was a wind-up. "But they said it was actually very common." The sisters said they were hoping the council would put up a sign at the harbour warning people that seagulls can be aggressive. While there are signs advising people not to feed the birds, they felt these do not make it clear that the gulls can also attack. "The seagulls are vicious and they do attack," Ms Farrelly said. She and her sister said they would support a cull of seagulls as called for by Fianna Fail senator Ned O'Sullivan in 2014. Feeding "I know a politician called for it a few years ago and he was laughed at," Ms Grehan said. "A lot of people have been att-acked." Mr O'Sullivan said last night he would rather not comment. Dermot McCabe, of Bird Watch Ireland, said the behaviour described by the sisters was the result of people feeding gulls and the birds becoming habituated. "I don't know what can be done about it," he said. "It wouldn't be attacking - they're following through on the notion they that this is a source of food. "Gulls have a hook at the end of their bills, not the same as a bird of prey but approaching that. "They're big birds and they can do damage. It's simply looking for grub - that's the danger." A spokesperson for Fingal County Council said Howth Harbour was the responsibility of the harbourmaster. "We would urge people, as with any animals that they can be unpredictable," a spokesman for the harbourmaster said. It was not clear if a sign could be erected at the harbour warning about the seagulls as requested by Ms Farrelly and Ms Grehan. After polls, ballot box safety major concern A day after the first phase of the House of Representatives and Provincial Assembly elections, the Election Commission (EC) on Monday was busy collecting and securing ballot boxes with security agencies and political parties increasing their vigilance. How good are these two guys, Penn State fans? It may surprise you ... football Bomb explodes at NC candidate's house in Udayapur A bomb was exploded at the house of Nepali Congress (NC) candidate Home Karki at Triyuga Municipality-7 in Udayapur on Tuesday morning. Powerball numbers for Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022 Here are the winning Powerball numbers and results for the lottery jackpot drawing on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022. A new neighbourhood called 399 NW9 is emerging on the site of Oriental City, an erstwhile Asian food and restaurant hub in Colindale, north-west London, that was controversially bulldozed to make way for redevelopment. The 150 million regeneration project brings 183 homes and a new food hall with 33 outlets, all close to the Northern line Underground station. Close to the M1, this is where Metro-Land begins. Its an area of playing fields, parks and avenues of tidy interwar semis that traditionally have been popular with middle-class families whose breadwinner commutes to the City or West End. Recently designated a housing growth zone by the Mayor of London, Colindale is getting an injection of homes for young Londoners priced out of the centre. From 399,999: apartments at 399 are spread across low-rise blocks and landscaped public space - Help to Buy is available. Call 020 7043 8888 Apartments at 399 named for its position in Edgware Road are spread across low-rise blocks and landscaped public space. Prices start at 399,999. Help to Buy is available. Call 020 7043 8888. Nearby Beaufort Park is another large new project, being built on the site of a former RAF aerodrome. Set in 25 acres, it will have 2,800 homes plus spa, shops, bars, cafes and other on-site amenities. Cornelia Apartments is the latest phase. Prices start at 399,950, with a free Habitat furniture package. Call 020 8511 8600. Caan, Jica to sign pact on air safety project next week The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (Caan) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) will be signing an agreement for the implementation of a Rs1.51 billion project to improve safety and efficiency of air transport in Nepal. Giving travellers more choice is often touted as the way to personalisation, customer loyalty and more sales. If only it were so simple, writes Tom Bacon Choice is the buzzword in travel merchandising. Give travellers choice of where to sit on the plane, whether to check a bag, how much flexibility they have to change their flight, and so on. But, with choice has come considerable new complexity. Perhaps rather than presenting the menu of choices in a generic way for all annoying basically everyone with too much choice, with too cumbersome a purchase process, with new levels of anxiety and stress (!) the presentation of choice needs to be more personalised. This is not personalised pricing; it is personalised choice! the presentation of choice needs to be more personalised There are many possible approaches to 'personalised presentation of choice'. In a sense, it is easier than the conventional vision of personalisation since it doesn't actually require selection of one best alternative. In fact, choosing one alternative runs counter to best practices in e-merchandising. Presenting one alternative, even if it is targeted to the individual traveller needs, takes control back from the customer. Offering multiple alternatives, on the other hand, gives even more control to the customer than too many choices since it can be both targeted (displaying the 'right' alternatives for any individual customer) and transparent (fewer choices, each with clear differences and benefits). Source: Reuters Events (former EyeforTravel) 3 ways to display less choice There are, nevertheless, many different ways to pare down the options and display less 'choice'. Display of 'best' choices : Most likely, the 'best' choices for a subset of customers are those combinations most frequently selected by that segment. For most business travellers , an economy fare that includes checked bags may be the 'best', or most popular, alternative. But, since some business travellers choose to carry on their bags, a fare that includes carry-on bags, may be another option displayed. And, if 20% of business travelers choose more features, a sell-up fare can also be offered. Display choices with distinct differences : If the most popular choices are close in price ($15 or less), potentially, a more useful display for many customers would replace one of those alternatives with a more distinct set of features priced $30-to-$50, or more, apart. Too narrow a choice may not be deemed much of a real choice by some travelers. Display of alternatives for better framing : Behaviour theory applied to pricing recommends offering useful pricing 'anchors'. A middle fare can be framed between a lower fare where the fare savings comes with clearly fewer amenities and a much higher fare that may appear too rich the middle fare is shown to be 'good value'. Here, personalised 'choice' is designed to help the traveller see the value of the middle fare as he contemplates his choice. Although each of the above presentations could help travellers more easily decide on the travel experience best suited to them, they represent quite different philosophies: 'Best' choice presumes the e-merchandiser can properly categorise the customer in a sub-group and that the customer will behave similarly to others in the same category. A broad range of choices is perhaps most useful when the e-merchandiser can't properly categorise the customer and determines it must present a greater range of alternatives. It presents the widest range of choice, ensuring that the merchandiser is not over-riding customer control. merchandiser The 'sell-up' mode, although it may be characterised as travel supplier-centric rather than customer-centric, can actually produce the highest customer satisfaction as it most clearly conveys relative value across the options. The customer may be manipulated by behavioural science but in the end he may appreciate the presentation and easily make his choice. Given the new menu of choices in airline product features, both across airlines and within any individual airline, travel sites need to make the selection process easier and less stressful. By making choices for travelers, travelers will see fewer remaining choices and be able to make their travel decisions more easily. There are many ways to reduce choice and display alternatives in more customer-friendly ways. Travel sites will experiment with each as they become more sophisticated in e-merchandising. 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 View source Whilst hotels in the Middle East and Africa successfully recorded a 1.9% year-on-year increase in GOPPAR this month, the periods of decline recorded across 2017 threaten to undermine the positive months of performance, according to the latest worldwide poll of full-service hotels from HotStats. This month, a 3.1% decline in achieved average room rate, to $178.09, was more than offset by a 4.8-percentage point increase in room occupancy, to 68.5%, which underpinned the 4.1% increase in RevPAR, to $121.96. In addition to the growth in Rooms Revenue, hotels in the Middle East & Africa recorded increases in non-rooms revenues this month, including Food and Beverage (+1.4%) and Conference and Banqueting (+1.2%), which contributed to the 2.7% increase in TrevPAR, to $208.13. However, challenges remain in the economy of the Middle East & Africa, particularly in the oil exporting countries, which has impacted trading performance in the medium-term. This is not only illustrated in the achieved average room rate in the region, which has fallen by more than $22 over the last 36 months, but in revenue from other departments, which have dropped by approximately 16% during the same period, to $86.17 in the 12 months to October 2017. Profit & Loss Key Performance Indicators Middle East & Africa (in USD) October 2017 v October 2016 RevPAR: +4.1% to $121.96 TrevPAR: +2.7% to $208.13 Payroll: +0.4 pts to 25.9% GOPPAR: +1.9% to $81.42 Despite a 0.4-percentage point increase in Payroll, to 25.9% of total revenue, hotels in Middle East & Africa achieved a GOPPAR increase of 1.9% to 81.42 in October. This is equivalent to a profit conversion of 39.1% of total revenue. In spite of this month's increase, year-to-date GOPPAR levels at hotels in the region remain 5.9% behind the same period in 2016, at $70.51. And, at $74.77 in the 12 months to October 2017, profit per room has dropped by almost 30% in the last 36 months. "The rollercoaster performance of hotels in the Middle East & Africa continued in October. Although hotels in the region have successfully recorded six months of year-on-year profit per room growth in 2017, the remaining five months have seen GOPPAR levels declining at a more rapid rate. As a result, it is hard to see hotels in the region recording a positive outcome for the year," said Pablo Alonso, CEO of HotStats. Hotels in Beirut seem less impacted by the issues facing the rest of the region, with a growing economy, led by an elevated tourism proposition driving a strong month of trading. Profit & Loss Key Performance Indicators Beirut (in USD) October 2017 v October 2016 RevPAR: +20.7% to $80.67 TrevPAR: +17.7% to $112.71 Payroll: -4.8 pts to 36.3% GOPPAR: +70.9% to $26.20 For hotels in Beirut, a 20.7% year-on-year increase in RevPAR was driven by an 8.6-percentage point increase in room occupancy, to 69.5%, in addition to a 5.7% increase in achieved average room rate, to $116.00. This month, the achieved rate at hotels in Beirut was driven by a 28.7% year-on-year increase in rate in the leisure segment, to $146.18 in October, contributing to the year-to-date increase of 9.9% to $136.59. This is well ahead of the achieved rate in the corporate ($89.28) and residential conference ($64.46) segments, illustrating the strength of tourism to the city. In addition to the growth in Rooms Revenue, an 11.0% increase in Other Revenues helped hotels in Beirut record a 17.7% increase in TrevPAR, to $112.71. The considerable growth in top line revenues meant that Payroll levels for hotels in Beirut fell by 4.8 percentage points to 36.3% of total revenue this month, contributing to the 70.9% increase in GOPPAR to $26.20, albeit from a very low base of just $15.33 during the same period in 2016. Whilst this was a very positive month of performance for hotels in Beirut, there is still room for improvement, with GOPPAR conversion recorded at just 23.2% of total revenue. "The Lebanon economy is driven by the service sector and tourism in particular. In the first five months of the year, the number of tourist arrivals increased by 12.8% year-on-year. And with the recent election of President Aoun and subsequent formation of a unity government, this should mark the beginning of a period of stability for Lebanon, which will be positive for its hotels," added Pablo. In contrast to the positive performance of hotels in Beirut in October, properties in Manama had a month of mixed results. Whilst hotels in the capital of Bahrain successfully recorded a 1.3-percentage point increase in room occupancy, to 51.6%, this was not sufficient to offset a 3.8% drop in achieved average room rate, to $162.28, and RevPAR fell by 1.3% this month, to $83.76. Profit & Loss Key Performance Indicators Manama (in USD) October 2017 v October 2016 RevPAR: -1.3% to $83.76 TrevPAR: -3.1% to $136.21 Payroll: -0.4 pts to 34.8% GOPPAR: +4.0% to $33.07 Further declines were recorded in non-rooms revenues, including Food and Beverage (-5.1%), which contributed to the 3.1% drop in TrevPAR, to $136.21. However, the drop in revenue was overturned with cost cutting, which included a 0.4 percentage point saving in Payroll, to 34.8% of total revenue, enabling hotels in Manama to record a 4.0% increase in profit per room, to $33.07. Despite the efforts of hoteliers in Manama this month, GOPPAR for year-to-date 2017 fell by 7.7%, to $42.52. About HotStats HotStats provides monthly P&L benchmarking and market insight for the global hotel industry, collecting monthly detailed financial data from more than 8,500 hotels worldwide and over 100 different brands and independent hotels. HotStats provides more than 550 different KPIs covering all operating revenues, payroll, expenses, cost of sales and departmental and total hotel profitability. David Stephens Operations Manager - HOTSTATS HotStats Limited Adria Hotel Forum is the leading Southeast European hotel investment conference held every year in Zagreb, Croatia and visited by international and regional hotel industry experts. The sixth edition of Adria Hotel Forum (AHF) will be held on February 14th and 15th, 2018 at the Sheraton hotel in Zagreb with the following theme: OUR OWN RESPONSIBILITY It is related to the geopolitical situation in Europe and the main questions: Are we managing growth or is it happening to us? And are we competitive? On the subject of these two important issues, as well as other topics like: Facing the challenge of human capital shortage, the latest Investors strategies, Comparison on hotel market in the region, Hospitality trends and what are the global players doing to face them, What are new products which are expanding successfully, we will be discussing in February in Zagreb. In one place, AHF gathers all the relevant actors including international experts, presidents and members of the boards of the largest regional and global hotel companies, ministers, investors, institutional representatives, financial institutions, consultants, architects, lawyers and other experts. Until now AHF has gathered more than 1500 attendees, 200 panelists, 90 round-table discussion sand presentations, and more than 140 partners. Panelists are, among others, representatives of the largest international hotel and affiliated companies such as: Accor Hotels, InterContinental Group, Hyatt International, Hilton Worldwide, Marriott International, Colliers International, HVS, Delta Group, GIHE, STR Global and many others. Organizing committee of Adria Hotel Forum 2018 are Takuya Aoyama, Vice President Acquisitions & Development with Hyatt International; Dirk Bakker, Head of EMEA Hotels at Colliers International; Sanja Cizmar, Senior Partner at Hotel & Destination Consulting; Kristian Sustar, Member of the Board of HUP Zagreb, and Marina Franolic, organizer of Adria Hotel Forum. For more information, please visit: www.adria-forum.eu MCM Elegante Hotel Beaumont Texas Without Power and Water, Houston Operators Worked To Keep Guests, First Responders, and Staff Safe All the stories you have heard about hurricane Harvey are true. The devastation was terrible. We had serious flooding at our MCM Elegante Hotel in Beaumont. We were full during the storm and were still full, said Ed Lasater, President of the MCM Family of Hotels. There were so few rooms available in Southeast Texas during Hurricane Harvey that we kept our doors open. When The National Weather Service warned Houston residents and businesses on August 28 that this event is unprecedented and all impacts are unknown and beyond anything experienced, many South Texas hoteliers were prepared to keep their doors open and shelter local residents. We have been through three hurricanes since we acquired our Beaumont hotel in 2004 and our disaster preparedness team was ready for Harvey. We lost power, but when it came up our Maestro property management system came up perfectly with it, said Lasater. Our GM Steve McGaha and his entire team did a great job during the storm and after. Our owners also made a large donation to Red Cross aid to hurricane victims. We were fortunate to be able to give this year. Red Cross is a very effective channel for aid. Ten MCM Hotels with more than 2,000 rooms in 3 states use Maestro. The company installed Maestro Multi-Property Management to tie MCMs hotels together on one database for more effective cross selling and centralized CRM. There is good reason to be proud of our industry, said Maestro PMS President Warren Dehan. Hotel operators have always shown a spirit of hospitality and assistance during periods of hardship. If people need shelter or a warm bed they will be welcome at a hotel. We followed hurricane Harveys impact on our Houston clients. Maestros support team responded to many help calls in several hard hit areas. Dehan noted that Schlitterbahn Resorts uses Maestro PMS at 3 properties on the Gulf Coast. They did a great deal to help their communities during the storm. We are proud to be partnered with them and play a small role in helping them help others. Our Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort in Corpus Christi kept its doors open during the storm to provide rooms for FEMA and other emergency first responders, said Winter Prosapio, Corporate Director of Communications and Government Relations. The communities around us were hit very hard. One neighboring Gulf town lost all its businesses. Our New Braunfels resort sheltered families and friends who could not return to their homes in Houston. We have learned to always be ready to help out during storms like this. Our Gulf Coast resorts prepare by stocking up emergency supplies. Schlitterbahn Resorts contributed to post-Harvey relief by offering Texas Strong Tickets at their waterparks. All our Texas Strong ticket proceeds went to support rebuilding efforts. Maestro PMS delivers revenue-generating property software tools and services that increase profitability. Maestro property software drives direct bookings, centralizes operations, and provides personalized guest service to keep guests coming back. Click here for more information on how to reserve, engage and socialize with Maestro PMS. About Maestro PMS Maestro is the preferred cloud and on-premise PMS solution for independent hotels, luxury resorts, conference centers, vacation rentals and multi-property groups. This PCI certified and EMV ready enterprise system offers 20+ integrated modules on a single database including web and mobile tools to increase profitability and enable operators to engage guests with a personalized experience. For over 37 years Maestro's Diamond Plus Service has provided unparalleled 24/7 North American based support and education services to keep hospitality groups operational and productive. Click here for more information on Maestro. Contact: Maestro PMS Macarena Lorenzini 65 Allstate Parkway, Suite 100 Markham, ON L3R 9X1 Canada Phone: 905-940-1923 Toll Free: 1-888-667-8488 Email: info@maestropms.com www.maestropms.com Media Contact Julie Keyser-Squires, APR Softscribe Inc. 609 SW 8th Street, Ste 600 Bentonville, AR 72712 Phone: 404-256-5512 Email: Julie(at)softscribeinc.com www.softscribeinc.com Cane farmers get paid after one-year delay Sugarcane growers have finally received payment for their crops from Eastern Sugar Mills which had delayed paying them for a year. The farmers said the sugar factory owed them Rs310 million in total. Brand Debuts First Property Featuring New Latin America Prototype in Mexico Homewood Suites by Hilton, part of Hiltons (NYSE: HLT) All Suites portfolio, announced today its newest property, Homewood Suites by Hilton Silao Airport. As part of the brands expansion in Latin America, the hotel represents a landmark opening as the 55th Hilton hotel in the country and the first new build hotel featuring Homewood Suites region-specific prototype design that preserves the signature differentiators of an extended stay hotel, combined with new amenities addressing local market demand. Offering 139 suites, Homewood Suites by Hilton Silao Airport is ideal for leisure or business guests who want to travel on their own terms. "We are thrilled to expand our presence in Mexico with the opening of Homewood Suites by Hilton Silao Airport, and look forward to introducing our unique offering of comfort and convenience to business and leisure travelers, said Adrian Kurre, global head, Homewood Suites by Hilton. "A milestone that cements Homewoods focus on growth throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, this hotel helps answer the growing demand for extended stay product in the region. Homewood Suites now has two properties open in Mexico and a growing pipeline of upcoming hotels that includes locations in Dominican Republic and Peru, as well as additional properties in Mexico. The opening of Homewood Suites by Hilton Silao Airport is a welcomed addition to our growing portfolio throughout Mexico, where we currently have more than 50 hotels, said Jose Munoz, area vice president of operations, Mexico and Central America, Hilton. The hotels close proximity to the airport and local attractions is ideal for travelers who want to feel at home, no matter why they are traveling. Developed and owned by Edco Turismo Bajio and managed by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton Silao Airport offers a combination of studio and one-bedroom accommodations, featuring fully equipped kitchens with a microwave, full-size refrigerator, dishwasher, stove, and utensils, and separate living and sleeping areas. Guests are also provided all the essentials needed for a smart, reliable and convenient stay including complimentary daily full-hot breakfast, evening social Tuesday-Thursday, Wi-Fi and a grocery shopping service*. Homewood Suites by Hilton Silao Airport also makes it easy for travelers to unwind with an outdoor kitchen and grill area, fitness center and outdoor pool. The property also offers 1,450 square feet of flexible space ideal for meetings and social events. For guests staying at the hotel for an extended period, these amenities will allow them to maintain their routine while travelling for business or leisure. Located at Carretera Federal 45, Tramo Silao Leon Km. 158 + 300, Silao, Guanajuato, Homewood Suites by Hilton Silao Airport offers guests convenient access to El Bajio International Airport. The hotel is also located 34 km (21 miles) from Cerro del Cubilete with the statue of Christ the King, 38 km away (27 miles) from Guanajuato City UNESCOs World Heritage Site, 24 km away (15 miles) from Leon and its commercial area. The hotel is surrounded by the main industrial parks in the Bajio Area: Guanajuato Inland Port, Fipasi, and Colinas. International companies in the area include: GM, Volkswagen, Pirelli, Purina (Nestle), Continental, Thyssenkrup among many others. Homewood Suites by Hilton Silao Airport participates in Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest-loyalty program for Hilton's 14 distinct hotel brands. Members who book directly have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount, free standard Wi-Fi and access to the Hilton Honors mobile app. Hilton currently has a portfolio of more than 100 hotels and resorts open and welcoming travelers in Latin America. The company is actively pursuing additional Latin American growth opportunities and currently has a robust pipeline of more than 70 hotels throughout the region, including nearly 30 projects in Mexico. The slave trade that is taking place in Libya has sadly been happening for some time. A better chunk of the world has finally been notified of the matter through CNNs recent expose and artists such as T.I. and Chris Brown trying to bring awareness via their social media platforms with a high number of followers. Another hip-hop emcee to go vocal on the matter is Cardi B who spoke to her fans over Instagram Live sharing her opinion on Africans being sold for farm work. I dont understand why [the United Nations] not making it they [priority] to help whats going on in Libya, she says in the video.You wanna know why they not making it their priorityor why they havent tried to help Libya? She then explains how the country has not had a leader for a significant amount of time, leaving the country chaotic and war-torn. You know wanna why they dontbecause its convenient for them Cardi explains. They want free resources..they want they free goods and thats why they dont give a fuck. Cardi then brings up how the U.N. are now having a fake meeting since CNN released the video, reminding her fans again and again that the organization does not care about Libya Thats a motherfucking fact, Cardi ends her PSA. As posted earlier, many are blaming Hillary Clinton for the modern day slave happenings. When George W. Bush was president in 2003, he made a pact with Libyas former leader, Col. Moammar Gadhafi, that he will not depose him as long as he gave up his weapons of mass destruction. When Barack Obama was in office, Hillary lead an operation to break the pact and displaced Col. Moammar anyway. Her move is what threw the country out of whack leaving the people with no ruler. However, she thought she made a great decision where she mentioned in an interview, we came, we saw, he died. What do you guys think of Cardi Bs opinion? Libya is currently undergoing a modern day slave trade where migrants and refugees are being auctioned off for as little as $400. These tragic happenings have been taking place for some time as Libya is the main transit hub for those trying to reach Europe by sea, looking for a better life since NATO-backed forces overthrew ruler Col. Moammar Gadhafi in October of 2011. A recent expose by CNN revealed that human auctions happen one to two times every month in Libya. In the video by the publication, secret cameras show the leaders of the auctions presenting the merchandise to potential bidders as they wear black ski masks to hide their identity. To think that slavery is still taking place in 2017 is not only a tragic thought but leaves many people puzzled on who is to blame since every shooting has people pointing fingers at the National Rifle Association and President Donald Trump. A recent article by USA Today, explains how Hillary Clinton is the political leader to blame for the current state of Libya. Back in 2003, President George W. Bush made a deal with Col. Moammar that the U.S. would not depose him if he gave up his weapons of mass destruction. More recently while Barack Obama was president, in an operation led by Hillary, the publication reports that the U.S. went ahead and displaced him anyway. This overthrew the way of life in Libya where civil war and chaos became the norm and many attempted to migrate to Europe. Hillary, however, thought her efforts were a triumph where she said, we came, we saw, he died after Col. Moammars life was ended. Hillary has had no fingers pointed at her since her so-called successful strategy is the reason why Libya has backtracked to a horrible time in history by selling Africans as slaves for farm work. Chris Brown and T.I. expressed how they are truly disgusted by the Libya slave trade, while many other artists and Twitter users have taken to the platform to call out Hillary and speak on the matter. Check out more Twitter reactions below. When Big L was shot and killed in New York City in 1999, there was a sense that the rap world had lost their next one. At just 24 years of age, the emcee born Lamont Coleman had already made a significant mark on the hip-hop community from a writing standpoint and seemed destined to take that big next step into the realm of superstardom. In fact, Jay-Z was supposedly about to sign him to Roc-A-Fella right before his passing, a move that wouldve no doubt vaulted him to much greater heights. These days, hes remembered for being a man with stark truths to tell about a life lived mostly in the pressure cooker that is the inner city streets, his harsh words dancing over lilting jazzy melodies and funky drum grooves, almost incongruously so. The word poetic has often been attached to his rapping style a quality that he shares with another NYC legend, Nas. While his career wasnt cut nearly as short as Big Ls, Nasir Jones has nonetheless had his share of ups and downs over the course of his career. Born in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, the young rapper cut his teeth in the citys underground scene, just as Big L had, gaining tons of momentum that ultimately helped thrust him into the spotlight after the release of his sterling debut, Illmatic. The peoples history of hip-hop from the era will tell you that Nas had a debut that continues to be widely considered to be one of the great releases of that decade, if not of all time. However, sales-wise, it performed way below expectations, taking nearly two years to become certified Gold by the RIAA. It was a case of big label effort with indie label returns attached to it, a fact that didnt necessarily line up all the way with historical perception. Of course, Nas has built himself a fine career and carved out a place in the rap lexicon as a man who is acknowledged as a master of his craft. With singles like If I Ruled The World (Imagine That) and Made You Look to his name, hes hardly missed out on the financial spoils that come with being a top-tier hip-hop artist either. However, there are two theories that continue to dog Nas, even after hes seemingly done everything to prove his critics wrong. For one, hes been called out in some die-hard circles for losing his edge over the years, much in the same way that Eminem fans talk about their beloved firebreather and how hes mellowed considerably with the onset of middle age. Second, and perhaps more importantly, Nas at times feels like he cant shake the shadow that Illmatic cast upon his career, trying to live up to impossibly high artistic standards, probably knowing full well that trying to make lightning strike twice is a fools errand. Every subsequent release from had at least one person pipe up and say Its good, but its no Illmatic frankly, not much is. If Nas Illmatic is the Boston of the hip-hop world, then Big L might be more akin to a Jim Morrison-type figure a bright light who was deeply admired while he was alive but perhaps only truly appreciated as he left us. Like the legendary Doors front man, L never quite achieved the universal success that his talent potentially deserved, but the quality of his brief musical output continues to earn new generations of fans that keep his name in the conversation of New Yorks finest rap figures. Had his life not been cut short, who knows if he wouldve built up a reputations and a following like Nas has managed to do but then again, its a task that would be easier said than done when Mr. Jones is the comparable. Who will take home of the crown for having the better debut album between Nas & Big L? Lets find out. Production The jazzy stylings on the production side of both records brings the mind (and the ear) back to a time when everything sounded somewhat similar, yet still unique on a certain level. Featuring mellow beats with some twinkling brass or keyboard accents over top, the contrast that you get on both debuts is a study in what stripping away the excess can do to let the lyrics breathe. In actuality, that was probably the best decision that could have been made in either situation, seeing as how the production work, while rock solid and admirable in their own rights, never detract from the main attraction, which in both cases is the writing and vocal delivery. Illmatic boasts a host of well-known NYC names on the credits list, including Large Professor, DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Q-Tip and L.E.S. Premier in particular is said to have influenced the combination of simple loops over heavy-set beats that run through the entire album. In truth, Nas debut isnt particularly long, clocking in at just under 40 minutes total, but the impression made in that short time cannot be underestimated. The little snippets of other records mesh perfectly with the low-key grooves running underneath, with the horns that punctuate N.Y. State of Mind being one of the all-time examples of how one minute addition to a tracks production scheme can make all the difference. That particular example is far from the only highlight of this nature from Illmatic, with the keyboard samples on The World Is Yours and Represent being up there on the list of memorable loops that pop up again and again on this album. All that being said though, is there a better 90s sample moment that the cascading duh-duh-duh vocal rip on It Aint Hard To Tell? You can almost picture the words melting into this smooth waterfall that, if you stand under, will jar you at first, but ultimately soothe and caress you. As for Big Ls Lifestylez ov da Poor and Dangerous, Lord Finesse took care of the lions share of the production, alongside his fellow Diggin In The Crates Crew members Buckwild and Showbiz. There are some recognizable samples used here, most notably the unmistakable DeBarge assist that is now the glue holding the song MVP together, but mostly its another instance where small loops make all the difference on the instrumentals. The brass section plays a bigger part on Lifestylez than Illmatic, softening the edges on at least half of the tracks to downplay the horror-core nature of some of the rhymes. Does it make the tracks that much softer? Maybe in the beginning, but that effect gives way to the end of the record, which takes on a far more intimidating tone. Songs like I Dont Understand It and the eponymous track seem to willingly throw away any attempt at overt commercialism and focus instead on channeling the bleak energy that comes from the lyrics. On Fed Up Wit The Bulls**t, the horns take on an angrier quality, almost as if theyre warning the listener to keep their distance. Its a remarkable move that, over the booming beat of the song, makes it one of the strongest production moments on the album. Lyrics It is in this area where Nas and Big L really distinguished themselves from their peers, even if youre just using the other New York-based hip-hop titans for comparison. No one quite did the street-centric tale from years past quite like Nas, intertwining a level of personal experience and, by extension, unchecked humanity that wasnt all that present on the East Coast scene at the time. Everyone else was too busy trying to craft that perfect hook, like The Notorious B.I.G., in order to gain crossover radio airplay, or they were wildin out like the Wu-Tang Clan (and specifically Ol Dirty Bastard) did on their debut. Not ineffective approaches to music making, but still not Nas. There is this almost indescribable realness with his lyrics, not just in terms of content, but in delivery as well. Even if you dont come from the same background, same part of the world, everyone whos ever listened to Illmatic latches onto the confessional picture-painting that he does so well, pulling you into a specific type of nightmarish New York reality and never letting you go. Nowhere was that more evident than on N.Y. State of Mind, where he gives two variations on the same line, with the second just as terrifying as the first: Inhale deep like the words of my breath I never sleep, cause sleep is the cousin of death I lay puzzle as I backtrack to earlier times Nothings equivalent, to the New York State of Mind It drops deep as it does in my breath I never sleep, cause sleep is the cousin of death Beyond the walls of intelligence, life is defined I think of crime when Im in a New York state of mind. Big L was no stranger to meaningful prose on his first record, detailing his lifes experiences in a similarly bulls**t-free manner. However, the key difference is that L often positioned himself as the one doing the damage on the streets. As an example, check out this excerpt from his hit single, Put It On: I run with sturdy cliques Im never hittin dirty chicks Got 35 bodies, buddy, dont make it 36 Step to this, youre good as gone Word is bond, I leave mics torn when I put it on There was also this sense that Big L had an idea that fate prevented his rap career from finding the break it need to go national, if not global. On I Dont Understand, the rapper makes no bones about the fact that, in 90s-era New York where every thug considered themselves a bar-spitter, some decidedly less-talented emcees were getting their shots at fame and fortune before he did, evoking this sense of barely contained rage that was sitting just below the surface. And that really gets on my nerve When a rapper gets the credit that he dont deserve Goin platinum and dont have no soul Some rappers are mad nice and dont even go gold I dont like the way its goin down Because it should be the other way around Both men were incredible lyricists, albeit dealing from different points of view while operating mostly in the same physical space, or at least the mental images that their songs collectively conjure up. With some added time spent walking among the living, who knows what other pearls of street wisdom Big L might have dropped on the masses. Impact Its almost unfair to make this argument with all the previously mentioned baggage attached to Illmatic, hence why I got it out of the way earlier. Yes, the calls for it to be named the greatest rap album of all time are not unfounded and it most certainly resides on many peoples Mount Rushmore when talking about hip-hop records. However, while flying mostly under the radar, Big Ls Lifestylez ov da Poor and Dangerous left a similar mark on critics and listeners alike. The Source stated that his prose were full of metaphors that stun, a description that is more than apt. Overall, Illmatic is one of those albums that is unquestionably must-listen to material for novice listeners of the genre, but what about Lifestylez? Its almost as if, on one side, youre looking at what is, and on the other side, what couldve been. It may not fill that gap, but it also makes it far smaller than some might lead you to believe it is. PREVIOUS INSTALLMENTS: The Game Vs. 50 Cent Drake Vs. Kendrick Lamar G-Unit Vs. D12 Eminem Vs. DMX Dr. Dre Vs. Snoop Dogg Nelly Vs. T.I. Kid Cudi Vs. Wale Gucci Mane Vs. Jeezy Kanye West Vs. Jay-Z It appears Swizz Beatz is working hard on his upcoming album. After taking a break to concentrate on his education, which saw him graduating from Harvards Business school last weekend, Swizz hopped on Instagram to inform fans that hes getting back to work in the studio. Now back to the music zone!!!!!!, he shared last week on IG, and it turns out hes not lying. Since he informed us about getting back in the studio, Swizz has been spotted working with Brooklyn newcomer Tekashi69 and super star J. Cole recently, and now he was back in the lab with Chicagos Chance The Rapper on Monday. I told yall Im in Mode!!!!! Happy Monday #albummode, Swizz captioned his IG photo of him & Chance sitting side by side. Unfortunately, Swizz didnt give us any snippet or preview of what the two mightve cooked up, but you already know its going to be dope. Theres no time table as for when we might expect to hear Swizzs forthcoming album Im With The Smoke, but just know its coming, and is shaping up to be a monster. In addition to Chance, Cole & Tekashi, Swizz also previewed an unreleased Lil Wayne collaboration a couple months ago, which got fans hella excited to hear, but were still without the final product. Its safe to assume that collab will see life on Im With The Smoke, but guess time will only tell. This photo of Swizz & Chano surfaces just a week or so after finding out that Chance The Rapper and Jeremih are reportedly teaming up for another Christmas album this year. While that hasnt been confirmed, producer Bongo By The Way says its almost done being recorded so look out for that as well. Check out the photo of Swizz & Chano hanging out together (below) and let us know your thoughts. What other rapper would you like to see Swizz work with on his album? Swizz Beatz x Chance In case you missed it last week, CNN published a report on modern day slavery in Libya, featuring a video that reportedly was shot in August and appeared to show a man selling African migrants for farm work for only a couple hundred bucks (see clip below). Big strong boys, the man said in the video, according to a CNN narrator. 400 700 800, he called out the mounting prices. The men were eventually sold for about $400 each, CNN reported. The Libyan government said it has launched an investigation into slave auctions in the country. After the video surfaced online showing the migrants apparently being sold at the auction in Libya, people all over the world have been calling for action & justice, including some of hip-hops own like T.I. & Chris Brown. Rappers T.I. and Chris Brown both hopped on Instagram Monday night and informed their fans of the reality of the real world, and Tip is livid. This is PURE EVIL!!!!! Im LIVID!!!! Satin is BUSY as a muuufucka. Spiritual Warfare in full effect.What side u on? Fight Back Repost!!!! For more info just google slave trade in Libya, Tip captioned his disheartening IG post along with a picture of slaves. Tip also shared a couple more posts on the trade slave, first saying Absolutely no words. Bringing awareness to this atrocity is THE ABSOLUTE LEAST we can do. Im truly disgusted by the thought of this being possible in this day & age. Its repulsive!!! Dont let this ride. repost. Kill Your Masters!!!! @killermike voice. Chris Brown on the other hand went ahead and shared the same meme asking for social media to address the Slave trade in Libya like it does with other world events. While Chris didnt leave a caption, the photo is enough to bring awareness to fans who may not be aware of whats going on in overseas. Check out both Chris & Tips posts (below) and peep the CNN report while youre at it if you havent already. T.I. Actor/comedian JB Smoove recently linked up with Complexs Joe La Puma for an episode of Sneaker Shopping at Flight Clubs Los Angeles location, wherein the Curb Your Enthusiasm co-star dished some fashion advice and discussed what happened when he interrogated Scottie Pippen about Michael Jordans infamous Flu Game. In addition to JB Smooves love for Nikes, which includes the Ewings, Pennys, KDs and Scottie Pippens signature shoes, he also showed some love for the Adidas Stan Smiths a sneaker he says can be worn without socks so long as your ankles arent ashy. Also in the episode, JB spoke about Larry Davids sneaker game, and picked out what shoes his character Leon would wear if he were browsing the shelves of Flight Club. At the end of his visit, JB walked out of FCLA with $1,478.24 worth of sneakers including the Royalty Air Jordan 4s, Playoffs Air Jordan 8, the Nike Special Field Air Force 1 High and an Air Max 1 PRM SC. Check out the full episode below. Donald Trump is constantly a source of controversy. Whether its his morning rants on Twitter or comments he makes during press conferences, he definitely holds nothing back and the worst part is, hes never apologetic for what he says despite who it may offend. Earlier today, the White House hosted an event to honor Native American military veterans. While honoring these veterans, he took a moment to fire a shot at Senator Elizabeth Warren by calling her Pocahontas due to her Native American background. This isnt the first time hes called her that and likely not the last time. Hes caught flack for using the term as a racial slur. However, his press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, denied that it was racial in any way. During a press conference earlier today at the White House, Huckabee was asked why the president thought it would be okay to use a term thats offensive to others. Instead of directly responding to what he asked, she flipped it on Warren to say people are more offended that she lied about her heritage to further her career. What I think most people find offensive is Senator Warren lying about her heritage to advance her career, Huckabee said. She later responded to Warrens claims that Pocahontas is a racial slur by saying its a ridiculous response to what Trump had said. A few questions in, someone asked why Trump thought it would be okay to use a racial slur in any context. Which was the moment when Huckabee completely denied that he did. I dont believe that it is appropriate for him to make a racial slur, or anybody else, Sanders said, I dont think that it is [a racial slur] and I certainly dont think that was the presidents intent. The comments in which they were referring was when he was honoring the Native Americans who served as code talkers in WWII. You were here long before any of us were here. Although we have a representative in Congress who, they say, was here a long time ago. They call her Pocahontas, he said about Warren. Despite the comment, Huckabee assured everyone that his respect for the Native American code talkers were reflective in his actions of inviting them to the White House. You could watch both clips below: Innovate+Educate Announces Three New National Partnerships Posted by Press Releases on Tuesday, 11-28-2017 2:45 am Currently 0.0/5 Stars. 1 2 3 4 5 0.0 from 0 votes Today, Innovate+Educate (I+E), is pleased to announce their continued partnership with Tufts Medical Center as well as two new grants to advance core foundational skills as a measure of competency and performance on the job. I+E is a national nonprofit that has multiple employer-driven projects across the U.S. with a focus on developing strategies for new employment pathways based on skills and competencies.Tufts Medical Center partnered with I+E in 2016 through a Rockefeller Foundation funded initiative supporting a national employer council to pilot innovative strategies in training and hiring. Tufts Medical Center commits to continuing the work of validating the efficacy of skills-based hiring and training in 2018. The work was recently recognized by the Boston Globe in the Top Places to Work section.See the article here: https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/specials/top-places-to-work/2017/11/19/what-resumes-can-show-about-job-candidates-skills-tests-can/i3My0w4oDYnePrECg4NUsN/st... Close Forgot Your Password? Enter in your email address and we will send it to you. 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You have successfully verified the account Continue Hi your HR.com account is ready Your Profile completion: 30% Complete your profile Congress courts Madhesi, fringe forces to contain left As the parties reach the last leg of campaign for the second phase of federal parliamentary and provincial elections, We work towards an equitable, gender-just, self-reliant and sustainable fisheries, particularly in the small-scale, artisanal sector We work towards an equitable, gender-just, self-reliant and sustainable fisheries, particularly in the small-scale, artisanal sector We work towards an equitable, gender-just, self-reliant and sustainable fisheries, particularly in the small-scale, artisanal sector We work towards an equitable, gender-just, self-reliant and sustainable fisheries, particularly in the small-scale, artisanal sector IED goes off in Bhaktapurs Balkot In yet another incident of blast in the Capital valley, an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) went off at Balkot of Suryabinayak Municipality-3 in Bhaktapur on Tuesday evening. IEDs detonated targetting ballot boxes An unidentified groups detonated improvised explosive devices (IEDs), targeting the ballot boxes as they were being taken to the district headquarters in Bhojpur and Kalikot. In Madhya Pradesh, Goat Born With Human-Like Face Becomes Centre of All Attention Ireland's Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has vowed to be a beacon for truth after his deputy resigned to avoid a snap election over her handling of a whistleblower scandal. Paying tribute to Frances Fitzgerald as a good woman who did not get a full or fair hearing, Mr Varadkar said parliamentary questions on issues related to the affair will be reviewed. "She always supported whistleblowers and enshrined a code of ethics in An Garda Siochana to protect them," he said. "In the past few days a drip-drip of information may have made certain things seem greater than they are. "There was a feeding frenzy, and it became impossible for her to get a fair hearing based on the full facts. "I hope that will change in the period ahead." Mrs Fitzgerald became embroiled in a scandal over the handling of Sergeant Maurice McCabe after questions began to be asked over a month ago about who knew what and when about an aggressive strategy being employed by lawyers for the then Garda commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan against the whistleblower. She initially said she had forgotten an email which notified her of the approach. Subsequently it emerged she had received at least three emails on the issue in 2015. She was told not to intervene. Mrs Fitzgerald initially insisted she had done nothing wrong and that she had no hand, act or part in the strategy. She was also backed to the hilt by the Taoiseach. But she resigned with the scandal threatening to bring down the minority Government as the opposition party Fianna Fail insisted it would not row back on its no confidence motion, breaking a key pledge in the confidence and supply deal that has kept Fine Gael in power for the last 18 months. Her departure salvaged the Government as next month's Brexit negotiations reach make or break point on the question of the Irish border. But Mrs Fitzgerald walked away adamant about her handling of the affair. "It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve in Government, but I believe it is necessary to take this decision to avoid an unwelcome and potentially destabilising general election at this historically critical time," she said in a statement. "I have always believed in fairness and equality and these principles have guided my work." Many on the opposition benches believe the affair has done long term damage to the minority Government and an election is now only weeks or months away. Mrs Fitzgerald said she was putting the national interest ahead of her personal reputation. She also praised the Taoiseach and said he had shown the same courage and determination to protect her as he showed in 2014 when he defended Sgt McCabe. "What I admire most about the Taoiseach is that he has always believed in doing what was right, not what was popular or politically expedient," she said. "I will always be grateful for his confidence and support and for giving me the opportunity to serve in a Government that is making a real difference in people's lives at a critical time in our history." Mrs Fitzgerald said she would be vindicated at the Disclosures Tribunal, which is investigating the treatment of Sgt McCabe and a smear campaign being perpetrated against him in some Garda, media and political circles. The Taoiseach described Mrs Fitzgerald as an exemplary member of government and colleague and one of the most reforming justice ministers in the history of the state. He said he believed she would be vindicated and repeated his insistence that she had no hand or part in the legal strategy employed against Sgt McCabe. "I hope calm, measured reading of the evidence will show that the Tanaiste acted appropriately, and I hope the Charleton (Disclosures) Tribunal will establish this conclusively in the weeks ahead, and that she will have her good name vindicated," he said. "I expect her to continue to play a full role in political and public life including at the highest level." The Taoiseach gave a commitment that future parliamentary questions on justice issues will be dealt with as fully and openly as possible. "These events have reminded us of some of the ways Maurice McCabe was undermined, when he shone a light in some very dark places," he said. "As Taoiseach I am determined to shine the brightest of lights into the darkest of places, so that we arrive at the truth and have true accountability." Left bloc organises grand election assembly in Baneshwor, commuters at the receiving end CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Centre), who are jointly contesting the federal parliamentary and provincial assembly elections by forming a left alliance, organised a grand election assembly at Naya Baneshwor area of Kathmandu, one of the busiest junctions of the capital city, on Tuesday. Ireland's minority Government looks set to narrowly avoid collapse and the prospect of a snap election in the run up to Christmas after the Republic's deputy prime minister quit over her knowledge of the treatment of a whistleblower. :: How did it come to this? The last 18 months have seen a flimsy arrangement where the arch-rivals of Irish politics - Fine Gael and Fianna Fail - worked together in the hope of ensuring a stable three-year government. It was known as a confidence and supply deal whereby Fianna Fail agreed not to back motions of no confidence in the minority Fine Gael government and in return there were compromises on legislation. Ultimately, the deal came to a head when Fianna Fail demanded Frances Fitzgerald's resignation after it emerged she was aware of an aggressive legal strategy being employed against a whistleblowing Garda by lawyers for the then Garda commissioner. :: And what does she say? Initially she refused to budge. She claimed she could not have intervened in an approach being taken by another organ of the state because of the principle of separation of powers. She also had the support of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. :: But then? Common sense prevailed. She was in a lose-lose situation. It was either brazen it out and face down the party keeping the minority Government in power or go. Essentially she would have lost her job one way or another as the government would have fallen in the face of the no confidence motion and the Taoiseach would have faced the unedifying prospect of being one of the shortest serving leaders in Irish history. Never mind that personal blot, but he would have been considered a caretaker head of government during next month's crucial Brexit summit where the question of the Irish border will be front and centre. :: So, what was the case against Frances Fitzgerald? A series of emails from May and July 2015 show she was told about the "aggressive" approach being taken by Garda lawyers against Sergeant Maurice McCabe at the judge-led inquiry into his allegations of bad policing. The O'Higgins Commission, as it was known, was held behind closed doors. Mrs Fitzgerald previously claimed she did not know about the strategy until 2016 when transcripts of the hearings were leaked. The emails contradict that. And they suggest she took no action when she was informed, only that she had "noted" the information. :: But what could she have done? She insists that she did as advised and that it would have been wrong to interfere. Her critics would say she should have voiced her dissatisfaction with the approach being taken by Garda lawyers. She could also have notified the then Taoiseach of her thoughts on the issue. She could have asked the Attorney General for formal advice on whether she could have intervened. There is also the unanswered question as to why these emails were not already handed over to the public judge-led inquiry being held into the treatment of Sergeant McCabe. :: Ah, the whistleblower. Who is he and should we believe him? Maurice McCabe. And yes. His disclosures date back to 2006 and the fallout from his revelations have led to repeated political crises. In the time that his allegations have been swirling there have resignations or retirements of a swathe of big players in the justice arena including two Garda commissioners and a justice minister. Mr McCabe also faced extraordinary false allegations in a smear campaign spread among some garda, some sections of the media and political circles which related to an unfounded sex abuse complaint. That is what the public inquiry is examining. :: But parking that for a minute, why would Taoiseach Leo Varadkar not want to go to the polls, he seems to be a popular leader? If an election is called before Christmas it will be right in the teeth of what is, from an Irish point of view, the most delicate and divisive stage of the Brexit negotiations. And there the Taoiseach holds an ace card - a veto on the talks which he could play at a Brussels summit in mid-December. But it remains to be seen how a caretaker leader would be viewed among the political chiefs of European politics. It is bound to prompt deep criticism from the hardline Brexiteer camp in the UK. Notwithstanding that crisis, would you want your door knocked by canvassers just when you're trying to get into the festive spirit? That certainly seemed to be the message many backbenchers were hit with as they canvassed opinion last weekend. :: Surely Brexit is not the only big ticket issue Ireland is facing? Yes, you are right there. There's also the small matter of a referendum on the future of Ireland's strict limitations on abortion. It is provisionally scheduled for the middle of next year. That could be delayed if a parliamentary committee cannot finish its work on advising government before Christmas. And there is also the not-insignificant matter of legislation waiting to be passed on the budget to allow for old age pension. Good luck winning the grey vote with that one. :: And what's the future for the Taoiseach? Has he been damaged? Questions over his leadership skills may swirl in the coming weeks but there's no doubt that the wider impact will be on relations between his Fine Gael party and Fianna Fail. Many experienced political heads see it as only a matter of time before the Government falls and a new election is ordered. Frances Fitzgerald promised a new era for policing In Ireland when she assumed the justice portfolio in May 2014. The Fine Gael stalwart had replaced previous Justice Minister Alan Shatter after he was consumed by a whistleblower controversy that had become emblematic of societal concerns about the state of the nation's police force. "This is a new era and new culture so the Irish people and Irish citizens can have confidence in our policing system," Mrs Fitzgerald declared with confidence, as she took on the biggest challenge of her political career. Three and half years later, having apparently navigated her tenure in a job seen as the cabinet's poisoned chalice, the 67-year-old politician had surely pause to reflect on those words as she tendered her resignation as Ireland's deputy premier, having been brought down by the very same whistleblower crisis. Mrs Fitzgerald, the Limerick-born daughter of an Irish Army officer, had a career as a social worker and family therapist, working in inner city areas of Dublin and London, before entering the political arena. Her public profile had already been on the rise prior to her first election victory in 1992. She had been chair of the Council for the Status of Women, what is now known as the National Women's Council, and the Women's Political Association and had become a vocal advocate for rape victims in Ireland. A graduate of the University College Dublin and the London School of Economics and married to eminent child psychiatrist Michael Fitzgerald, she joined Fine Gael inspired by her namesake, former taoiseach Garret FitzGerald, and secured a seat in the Dail as TD for Dublin South East. Sharing a name with a party heavyweight certainly did not harm her chances on the ballot paper. Her journey toward high office was not straightforward and, within a decade, her political career seemingly lay in tatters after losing her seat in what was a disastrous 2002 election for Fine Gael. The mother of three sons narrowly missed out on winning it back in 2007, having also failed to secure a nomination to run for Fine Gael in the European and local government elections. Missing out on a Dail return she took a seat in the Seanad. It was there her political renaissance began. Appointed leader of the Seanad opposition she developed a close working relationship with party leader Enda Kenny. It was an alliance that would serve her well when the veteran Mayo TD swept to power in 2011 in the wake of Ireland's economic crash. Mrs Fitzgerald, who secured a return to the Dail having switched to run in the Dublin Mid West area, became one of Mr Kenny's trusted allies in government. She was handed the role of minister for children and youth affairs. During her tenure she oversaw the creation of Ireland's child and family agency, Tusla, and a referendum that bolstered provisions for the rights of the child in the state's constitution. Having forged a reputation as a safe pair of hands, her appointment as justice minister came as no surprise following Mr Shatter's controversial departure. Issues around Garda accountability, encapsulated by the damaging claims of malpractice made by whistleblower Maurice McCabe, dominated her in-tray throughout her three-year stint in the job. She was battered by further revelations about Mr McCabe's treatment by the state; a scandal about falsified drink drive figures; and a bloody gangland feud that claimed more than a dozen victims. But she appeared to have weathered those storms, notching up some notable achievements along the way. She counted the passing of legislation to legalise same sex marriage in 2015 as her proudest political moment while she also introduced measures to provide enhanced Garda oversight through the creation of the Policing Authority. In May 2016 she was appointed Ireland's Tanaiste, while retaining the justice brief. But if she thought she had left the whistleblower furore behind her when she finally left the justice department in June 2017, she was wrong. Having supported Leo Varadkar's leadership bid to succeed Mr Kenny, she was retained as Tanaiste when the new look administration was put together. Her justice job however was passed to another party veteran, Charlie Flanagan, as she took on a new role as Minister for Enterprise and Innovation. But it was her actions, or inactions, in justice that returned to haunt her. The whistleblower scandal claimed yet another scalp. Few believe it will be the last. A young farmer who drove his tractor onto the roof of a parked car in Kilkelly has been disqualified from driving for three years. Keith McHugh (22) of Barnacogue, Swinford, was arrested on Saturday, October 22, 2016, after he drove his blue Landini tractor through the east Mayo village, mounting a Skoda Octavia that was parked on the street. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. The incident occurred around 9.50pm, after Mr McHugh had been drinking. He was subsequently arrested for drink driving. A subsequent blood test showed that he had a concentration of 232mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, almost five times the current limit. We need your consent to load this Social Media content We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preference Inspector Tom Calvey explained that after hitting the parked car, the tractor ended up on its roof. Mr Brendan Donnelly, solicitor for the defendant, said his client had never been in trouble before. When asked what Mr McHugh had been doing on the night, Mr Donnelly said he had been drinking in a pub. He explained that when Mr McHugh left the pub, got into his tractor and drove off. He had then been unable to take a turn, ending up on top of the Skoda. Mr Donnelly said his client had pleaded guilty to the charge, stating Mr McHugh fully cooperated with the gardai on the night, and this was verified by Insp Calvey. Judge Mary Devins noted this co-operation when passing judgement. She fined Mr McHugh 300 and disqualified him from driving for three years. A LEGAL dispute between two farmers and a company of the billionaire Comer brothers over five acres of land in North County Dublin has been resolved. The action was brought by Rory Bridgette and Albert Murphy over land at Turnapin, Cloghran, Swords, which they claimed they used for grazing their horses for many years. The case was against Sainfoin Property Company, which is part of the Comer group of companies. Migration, terror blamed for low voter turnout Rolpa recorded the lowest voter turnout among 32 districts where the polling for the federal and provincial elections took place on Sunday. Only 55.09 percent of registered voters turned up at the polling centres in the district. Ornua has confirmed it has significantly reduced staff numbers in its Dubai office due to a fall-off in sales. Ornua Middle East was established in 2008 and is responsible for the sales and marketing of Ornua foods and ingredients, including Kerrygold, Beo and Palatina for the regions of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Levant (Lebanon and Jordan), Mauritius, Seychelles, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Turkey and Sri Lanka. In its annual report for 2016, Ornua hinted at challenges in this market noting the challenging macro-economic environment in the region. However, this week in a statement Ornua confirmed that it has had to reduce its sales and marketing team in its Ornua Food Middle East office. It cited the economic impact of a sustained fall in oil prices in the Middle East and declining consumer spending locally, as the critical factors behind the decision. Two years of low oil prices have caused governments around the region to cut spending and impose new taxes, slowing economic growth. Meanwhile, rising tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran over instability in Lebanon and the conflict in Yemen have increasingly worried investors in the region. However, Ornua said the Middle East remains a key strategic investment market for the business. "We continue to employ over 90 staff across both the Food and Ingredient divisions in the region including a cheese production facility in Riyadh which continues to see significant growth in the B2B sector," it said. Eventful November has been an eventful month for the former Irish Dairy Board with a fire severely damaging a mozzarella production facility in Spain. Also this month, Ornua opened a 5,000-square-foot Innovation Centre in Chicago and launched Kerrygold butter in an eye-catching silver box in the Korean marketplace. Kerrygold also returned to the shelves of retailers in the State of Wisconsin this month after a long-running legal battle. Ornua delivered earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation, and amortization of 43.1m for 2016, up 18pc on the previous year. It continues to be Ireland's largest exporter of primary Irish dairy products with turnover increasing 9pc in 2016 to 1.7bn. Facebook Ireland has recorded a huge increase in revenue through its Irish base, with revenue rising from 7.9bn to 12.6bn last year. The company has filed accounts here showing that its profit before tax in Ireland has risen from 109.6m to 174.3m, a 59pc increase. As a result, the web giant paid tax here of 30.4m last year, a rise from 14.1m paid in 2015. Like other multinational firms, Facebook organises its revenue reporting in a way to minimise its international tax bills. Alongside Apple, Google and others, the company is regularly criticised for minimising its tax payments. The European Commission may soon propose new rules around tax consolidation across the EU following support for such a measure from the French president, Emmanuel Macron. Facebook has seen significant increases in the number of people using its services. Facebook now has 2.1bn global users, with most checking the service daily. Instagram, which it also owns, has 800m global users while its WhatsApp messaging app has 1.2bn global users. In Ireland, recent research from Ipsos MRBI indicates that Facebook has 2.4m users, while Instagram has 1m users and WhatsApp has 2.1m users. Marketing research estimates that Facebook captures around a fifth of global digital advertising revenue. Between them, Google and Facebook have over half the world's digital advertising revenue, which is the fastest-growing sector in the advertising industry. As the home of our international headquarters, Ireland is an important part of Facebooks story and our growth in 2016 demonstrated that," said Gareth Lambe, head of Facebook Ireland. "There are over 2,000 people currently working at our Dublin offices and we recently announced that hundreds more jobs will be created in 2018, making it the largest Facebook site outside California. Were also expanding the Clonee Data Centre, further demonstrating our long-term commitment to investment in Ireland. IT giant Kainos, which employs around 1,000 people, has reported a 5pc increase in pre-tax profits to 6.8m (7.6m). The firm, which recently announced the opening of a new office in Denmark, also announced a 2pc increase in sales to 41.4m for the six months ending September 2017. CEO Brendan Mooney revealed it is also seeking new offices for its Belfast workforce as growth continues. "All this recruitment means our office space is maxed out. We are looking at new premises so whether we opt for additional smaller offices, or a brand new complex - we are talking around that at the moment." The firm has been based at Lower Crescent close to Queen's University. "There is a real vibrancy in the Queen's Quarter and a quarter of our staff are under 25. It's a good place to be, so we'd like to stay close." Mr Mooney added: "This is the eighth year in a row of increased revenue and profits. "Sales performance is a good leading indicator for the rest of the year, and we now have over 63m of new contracts for national and international clients." He said the company was "pretty relaxed" about the impact of Brexit. "There's nothing I or Kainos can do around Brexit so we are just taking a wait-and-see approach." But he said its international presence - the company has offices in Birmingham and Frankfurt - would help it "absorb local shocks around Brexit more easily". Mr Mooney said the firm's digital services division was continuing to carry out work with UK Government clients. However, the commercial sector was the strongest-growing segment in digital services. The National Broadband Plan, the Governments initiative to provide high-speed fibre internet connections to every home in the country, has been hit with setbacks, budget cuts and delays almost since its inception. The National Broadband is facing further delays with regional authorities being informed that construction work may not begin until the middle of next year. Executives in rural development authorities have been told by Department of Communications officials that "shovels in the ground" are now unlikely to happen in the first three months of 2018. Instead, it now looks like physical construction will not commence before the summer or Autumn of next year. The move means that few of the 540,000 rural homes and businesses waiting for the program to begin will see broadband at any point next year. It also comes as the two remaining shortlisted companies for the state-funded contract, Eir and Enet, bed down into a detailed competitive tendering process. The government has declined to put a date on when fibre built under the National Broadband Plan will reach Irish homes, although it insists that almost all of it will be completed by 2021. Siro, the joint venture between Vodafone and the ESB, recently pulled out of the shortlisted tender process, complaining that it couldn't see a viable process. The company now says that its own fibre broadband services is now available to over 110,000 Irish homes and businesses in large Irish regional towns. Read More Eir is also building out a privately-funded fibre broadband network, saying that it is on track to reach 300,000 regional homes and businesses by the end of next year. However, neither company will service the 540,000 rural homes without state funding through the National Broadband Plan. Recent statistics from the European Commission showed that Irish small businesses out perform European counterparts when they have access to high speed broadband. Regional authorities have had to allocate large portions of their budgets to help finance the state-backed National Broadband Plan, which is set to cost the taxpayer hundreds of millions of euro. NA defuses powerful bomb in Saptari A bomb disposal squad of the Nepal Army (NA) has defused a powerful pressure cooker bomb planted near the office of Armed Police Force (APF) in Saptari along the Rajbiraj-Kunauli road section on Tuesday morning. Among the popular festive reads this year is the Sherlock Holmes adventure 'Unquiet Spirits' Some of our bestselling authors have put the 'C' word in their book titles. It's hard to avoid 'Nollaig' with fairy lights festooned across shopping malls eight weeks in advance, while Messrs Douglas Fir, Norway Spruce and Scots Pine stand erect, draped in glittery baubles. If you'd rather not defer your fictional pleasure until party time is over, there are some great winter thrillers just published. Hollywood producer Bonnie MacBird's second Sherlock Holmes adventure, Unquiet Spirits (Harper Collins 18) is out. It is December 1889 and Sherlock is the target of a deadly vendetta in London. His brother Mycroft dispatches him on an urgent assignment to the Riviera, where Holmes and Watson encounter treachery and the typical, terrible discovery. The duo escapes to the snowy Scottish Highlands, where, in a haunted castle, they and their beautiful client continuously face mortal danger. In a classic moment of Holmesian enlightenment, he realises that three deadly cases are one fatal conundrum. MacBird has done Sherlock fans another good favour. Not since Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol have there been so many haunting stories set in the last week of December. In Ghosts of Christmas Past, edited by Tim Martin (John Murray 11) are seasonal chillers that poke beneath the festive cheer, uncovering the dark spirit of Christmas, mixing contemporary horror with spooky tales by masters of the macabre including medieval historian MR James, Edith Nesbit, author of The Railway Children, and Jerome K Jerome who wrote Three Men in a Boat. A supernatural story by Louis de Bernieres is an oddity, more melancholy than horror, while Muriel Spark retains her austere approach in The Leaf Keeper. For a bit of British wit,in Seven Days of Us (Little, Brown 15) by Francesca Hornak, the Birch family is in claustrophobic confinement, due to the eldest child being in quarantine, having battled an epidemic in Liberia. For seven days, no one can leave the Norfolk ancestral home and no one can enter. Can you imagine? Family conflict is dredged from the past to the present; characters are full of intrigue, in a very filmic style, making it a great debut. The tragic impact of World War I is well known, but Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb, co-authors of Last Christmas in Paris (Harper Collins 18) narrate a searingly romantic crisis of the Great War and its destruction of family and lovers. When Evie's brother, Will, and his best friend, Thomas, depart for the front, Evie believes - as everyone does - that it will be over by Christmas, when they plan to celebrate the holiday in the chic cafes of Paris. The tale runs to Christmas 1968. With failing health, Thomas returns to Paris - a cherished packet of letters in hand - determined to lay to rest the ghosts of his past. But one final letter is waiting for him. Hold your breath..... Video of the Day If you'd like to indulge in 'oh what fun it is to ride' before the bells jingle, then there's The Mistletoe Matchmaker by Felicity Hayes McCoy (Hachette 16) set in the wild west of Ireland. Cassie Fitzgerald, just landed from Toronto, encounters a huge cast of characters in a place cloaked in mystery. But one man, the handsome, humorous Shay, is intent on making her visit an exciting one. This book is one for the female diaspora, unveiling the thrill of coming home. Deirdre Purcell's The Christmas Voyage (Hachette 16) is the alternative to a grey Christmas in Ireland with the glamour of a cruise liner setting off under the blue skies of Barcelona. On board is New York ex-model Kitty Golden and her millionaire husband, the picture of cool, and classically deceptive. A boisterous Irish family of eight - how odd! - has also taken to sea. A young writer, Roxy, is intent on finding inspiration for her second novel by observing them all, only to end up embroiled in the action. Sheila O'Flanagan's Christmas With You (Hachette 10) is set in the Sugar Loaf Lodge. With snow-covered mountains outside and fires roaring inside, the lodge is an ideal venue to celebrate a winter break, but what about heartbreak? Or a lying husband, and a secret past that haunts you. Each character's story is interlinked full of twists and the odd bit of love. For the youth brigade, for whom Christmas is full of promise, particularly when the boyfriend pops the question, Falling Softly (Hachette 10) by Maria Duffy, brings a touch of reality to the small world we live in. Holly and David are just engaged, and have new neighbours, parents-to-be, Josh and Stephanie. Holly and Josh have history. Gosh, fiction is full of lies, some people are too, and Falling Softly reveals that shallow sort. Happy holiday reading. Bruno Mars will return to Ireland in 2018 with one Dublin date on his European tour. Mars, who blew the roof off the 3Arena in April this year on his 24K Magic World Tour and garnered rave reviews, will bring his magic to Marlay Park on July 12. Tickets go on sale on Monday December 4. The Marlay Park gig, which is subject to licence, is one of just six exclusive European summer shows in Spain, France, Germany, Scotland, and Ireland in June and July of next year. Currently Mars is on the South American leg of his sold out 24K Magic World Tour, produced by Live Nation. The 24K Magic World Tour marked Mars first full-length outing since 2013s hugely successful Moonshine Jungle World Tour, which sold 2 million tickets worldwide across 155 sold-out dates. BRUNO MARS 2018 EUROPEAN DATES: DATE 20 June Barcelona, Spain Estadi Olimpic Video of the Day 22 June Madrid, Spain Wanda Metropolitano 30 June Paris, France Stade de France 2 July Dusseldorf, Germany ESPRIT Arena 10 July Glasgow, Scotland Glasgow Green 12 July Dublin, Ireland Marlay Park The High Court has made directions for an urgent hearing of Labour Party Senator Joe Costellos action aimed at securing the enactment of laws increasing the number of members of the Dail before any general election. Mr Costello is not pursuing an injunction preventing dissolution of the current Dail before any such laws are introduced and is rather seeking various declarations, the president of the High Court, Mr Justice Peter Kelly noted. After the basis of the case was outlined to the judge today by Conor Power SC, for Mr Costello, the judge made directions for service of the legal documents on the State and Oireachtas and returned the matter to tomorrow morning. (Tuesday) The judge said the proceedings were just issued today and declarations were sought , including that the defendants have failed to number of TDs accords with the requirements of Article 16.2.2; that, unless amending laws are introduced, the makeup of the next Dai would breach the Constitution and that members of the Dail have failed in their duty to enact the necessary laws and remedy the breach of Article 16.2.2. Article 16.2.2 provides the total number of members of Dail Eireann shall not be fixed at less than one member for each thirty thousand of the population or at more than one member for each twenty thousand of the population. The case also included an application for an injunction, if necessary, to prevent any dissolution of the Dail until the relevant laws were enacted, he said. However, the court was told no such injunction would in fact be sought and what the court was being asked for instead was an urgent hearing in light of what is taking place elsewhere and an apprehension a general election might be called tomorrow, the judge said. Expand Close Labour TD Joe Costello / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Labour TD Joe Costello Whether or not an election was called was not something the court had any say in and Mr Costellos claim is that his rights as a citizen are being infringed due to failure to enact the necessary laws. The judge said he was satisfied to permit service of the legal papers at short notice on the state and Oireachtas and that the case would warrant an early hearing. He returned the matter to 10.30am on Tuesday. Earlier, Mr Power, for Mr Costello, said they were concerned there is a significant risk of an election and, if so, the makeup of the next Dail would breach the requirements of Article 16.s2. Arising from the 2016 Census and 2017 Constituency Commission Report, the next Dail must have more members than the current Dail to stay within the rules as set by Article 16.2.2, counsel outlined. The next Dail must have at least 159 members to comply with Article 16.2.2 and the commission has recommended the next Dail have 160, he noted. If an election is held, that would return 158 TDs which would breach Article 16.2.2. which creates a mandatory obligation not to breach the limits, he said. An election would mean three TDs being returned for Senator Costellos Dublin central constituency when that should be four, counsel said. The kind of issue raised in the case has never previously arisen, he said. Unless the legislation was introduced urgently, the next Dail could have its constitution and authority questioned, counsel argued. The situation required to be immediately addressed but, while there was a Bill in draft stage to act on the commissions recommendations, that had not being put before cabinet. There is a serious public interest in the case as the next Dail could be unconstitutionally constituted, counsel said. Mr Power also said he was not at present seeking an injunction and would not pursue that matter if a declaration was sufficient to meet the situation. If declarations were granted, it would be very unusual for the executive not to abide by those. The case arose after the 2016 Census revealed a growth in population of 170,000 since the previous census in 2011. Mr Costello says the recommendations of the commission clearly underline that an increase in Dail membership and a change in Dail constituencies is required due to the substantial population increase and to fulfil constitutional imperatives. The commission has advised that arising from the 2016 census the next Dail must contain between 159 and 238 members, and has recommended it have 160 members. Mr Costello says Dublin Central, following the increase in numbers demonstrated in the 2016 Census, falls outside the parameters of the 20,000 to 30,000 population specified in the Constitution. To remedy this democratic deficit the Boundary Commission has recommended an additional cohort of population be added to Dublin Central and that it have an extra TD, to again become a four-seat constituency. A man has been sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to the unexplained murder of a stranger he kicked to death. Raymond Walsh (24) had been due to go on trial before the Central Criminal Court earlier this month for the murder of Kevin Molloy (41), between January 23 and February 1, 2015. But Walsh, of Carnlough Road, Cabra West, Dublin, pleaded guilty and appeared yesterday for sentencing. Detective Inspector Thomas Lynch said Mr Molloy had lived alone at Glendhu Road, Navan Road, Cabra. "Not having heard from him for some time, his father went to investigate and found his body in the house. He had suffered head injuries," he said. Det-Insp Lynch told Gerry Clarke, prosecuting, that fingerprints and DNA had linked Walsh to the house. "Over five interviews, the accused denied being in the house at all times and has never given an explanation as to why he was in the house," he said of Walsh, who was 21 at the time. In a victim impact statement, Mr Molloy's father, Bartley, described his only son as a loving son and brother to his sister. He said he was generous and kind, and that was how the family would like him to be remembered. Mr Molloy said his son had been a completely innocent person who had done absolutely nothing to deserve what had happened to him. Nobody would ever realise the trauma the family had gone through "on that fateful day", he added. "To think that we went to see him and will never see him is heartbreaking," he said. "We never got a chance to say goodbye." Patrick Gageby, mitigating, said his client had taken his time to consider the decision he had made. Walsh, who had no previous convictions, had asked Mr Gageby to express his remorse. "He is deeply sorry and it's that desire not to cause any further distress that informed his decision to plead guilty," Mr Gageby said. The Court of Appeal has been told that a man serving life for the murder of Melanie McCarthy McNamara is suffering from a psychiatric illness. Daniel McDonnell (22) of Brookview Lawns in Tallaght had pleaded not guilty to murdering the innocent 16-year-old on February 8th 2012 at nearby Brookview Way in Tallaght. McDonnell, then aged 19, was unanimously found guilty by a jury at the Central Criminal Court and given the mandatory life sentence by Mr Justice Paul Carney on January 24, 2014. He was due to appeal his conviction today. However, the Court of Appeal was told that he was medically unfit to attend court and that he was suffering from a psychiatric illness. Expand Close Daniel McDonnell / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Daniel McDonnell Counsel for McDonnell, Bernard Condon SC, asked the court for time to get an up-to-date report on the psychiatric circumstances. Mr Condon said his side had been ready to proceed today and that the information before the court had come from a registered doctor. It was put back to December 18 next when a new date is expected to be fixed for hearing. The Central Criminal Court trial heard that Melanie was shot in the head as she sat in a car with her boyfriend and his friend in Tallaght on the date in question. The trial heard that a stolen black Hyundai Santa Fe had pulled up alongside the car in which Melanie was sitting in the back seat. A shot was discharged from the Hyundai and Melanie was hit in the head. Her boyfriend, Christopher Moran, and his friend, Sean Byrne, rushed her to hospital. However, she died a short time later due to the shot gun wound to her left temple. Expand Close Melanie McCarthy McNamara's godmother Jennifer Roche. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Melanie McCarthy McNamara's godmother Jennifer Roche. The Hyundai was found abandoned and out of fuel in Citywest shortly after the shooting. The stolen sawn-off shotgun and two discharged cartridges were recovered nearby. There were no fingerprints on the vehicle, weapon or cartridges. McDonnell was one of two men arrested on suspicion of murder the following week. He was detained at Tallaght Garda Station and made no comment to questions in more than a dozen interviews. Instead, he daubed incriminating graffiti on his cell wall. This included: 2 in the head. The b**h is dead ha ha Moran scummy nacker Moran scum. Ill do 25 on the toilet while youre crying Pikey. 2 in. The State said that Moran and Pikey were references to Melanies boyfriend, a settled Traveller. Expand Close Melanie McCarthy-McNamara / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Melanie McCarthy-McNamara A few weeks later, while detained in St Patricks Institution, McDonnell continued to brag about his involvement in the murder, this time in two letters. He handed the letters to a prison officer for posting, knowing that they would be read in accordance with prison protocol. Staff passed the letters on to the gardai. The first one, addressed to Lee McDonnell, included the lines: Close-range head shots. Thats what Im going for Two in the head. The b***h is dead. Ha ha Little did he know I had a loaded 12-guage. Left his b***h all over the Sunday World front page. In the second letter, to former girlfriend Stephanie Tuite, the accused wrote: That other thing wouldnt have happened if Id known she was in the car. It was meant for that other smell bag. He wont get away with bullying my Ma. McDonnells barrister had described his clients writings as rants to his friend and girlfriend. He named two Irish men, who had confessed to murders they had not committed. However, the prosecution said there was no explanation for the letters other than as admissions of guilt. After four hours and 17 minutes deliberating, the jury reached a unanimous verdict of guilty. Dressed in a grey suit, McDonnell gave no reaction. Superintendent Brian Sutton then outlined his previous convictions, which included possession of firearms and ammunition in suspicious circumstances, threatening to kill or cause serious harm, and violent behaviour in a garda station. He said McDonnell had a disruptive history and upbringing and had left school at 14. Melanies Godmother, Jennifer Roche, then gave an emotional victim impact statement on behalf of the teenagers family. Melanies parents, Stephen McCarthy and Melissa McNamara, were not in court. Our Melanie was a girl who lived life and never got a chance to live it, she said. They should have taken us too. She was her mothers best friend Melissa feels if she died tomorrow, it would not be too soon, she continued. She was every mothers dream daughter. She was Melissas life, her world, her everything. Melanie's last words to her mother were: Bye Mummy, I'll be in early in the morning. However, Melissa was still waiting, she said. The statement said there were 15 years between the couples two daughters, and as soon as the second was born, the first was taken from them. To hear their little girl was shot in the head shattered their world, she read. If the man in front of us has a heart, he will tell us why he took her from us, said Ms Roche. We cant wait to see you again, she sobbed, before leaving the witness box. Mr Justice Paul Carney then imposed the mandatory penalty for murder on the accused, imprisonment for life. As he was being led away, a woman could be heard shouting abuse at gardai. Thats what youll go down for stitching a f***ing child up, you animal, she said. Melanies family and friends left the Courts of Criminal Justice quietly, without making any further comment. A woman who threw a pint glass at another woman who attempted to come to her aid during a fight in a pub has received a two year suspended sentence. Celina O'Driscoll (47) pleaded guilty to one count of assault causing harm to Maria Delaney and one count of resisting arrest at a pub in Blanchardstown, Dublin on July 31, 2016. Her victim received three stitches to her forehead in the attack, which was described in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court as completely unprovoked. O'Driscoll of Parnell Green, Ladyswell, Blanchardstown, Dublin told gardai she remembered very little about the night. She got drunk before the incident because she was nervous about a night out with work colleagues, the court heard. Sentencing O'Driscoll today, Judge Martin Nolan said that the mother-of-two had behaved in a disgraceful fashion towards gardai after the attack. He said though it was a serious crime, it would be unjust to her children to imprison her. He ordered that she hand over the 500 she had in court as compensation to gardai and gave her one year to raise a similar amount for her victim. Garda Gary Brennan told Noel Devitt BL, prosecuting, that the victim was having a drink in the Greyhound Inn on the evening in question when she noticed her friend was standing in between a man and a woman who appeared to be fighting. The man was pushing O'Driscoll, the court heard. Ms Delaney and her friend told the bouncers about the man's behaviour and he was told to leave the pub. However, shortly afterwards the victim noticed O'Driscoll making hand gestures at her. O'Driscoll then picked up an empty pint glass from a table, walked over to Ms Delaney and threw it at her head, before she jumped on her, pulling her hair. Security guards separated the pair. Ms Delaney was brought to hospital where she received three stitches to her head. Gardai were called to the pub and arrested O'Driscoll who lunged at officers when they were trying to arrest her, Gda Brennan said. She was extremely aggressive, he said. It took me by surprise. When eventually interviewed by gardai, O'Driscoll initially said Ms Delaney had pushed her on the dance floor. She also said she remembered very little about the night. She continued to maintain that she did not intend to throw the pint glass at Ms Delaney, and instead only meant to throw drink at her. She has seven previous convictions, mostly dating from the 1990s, including for larceny and possession of drugs. Her victim declined to give a victim impact statement. Pieter Le Vert BL, defending, said his client has two teenage children. She has worked in the past as a cleaner and currently works as a receptionist in a gym. She became addicted to heroin at the age of 17 but had gone through rehabilitation and had been drug-free now for seven years, the court heard. Mr Le Vert said that his client normally didn't drink much and got drunk because she was nervous about a night out with work colleagues. She maintained she did not remember much about the night but she was remorseful for her actions. A 23-year-old pregnant woman, who made life intolerable for her neighbours due to her antisocial lifestyle, has lost her local authority home on the direction of a judge. Judge Jacqueline Linnane said the behaviour of Zoe Byrne, of Pearse Street, Sallynoggin, Co Dublin, was "nothing short of a disgrace" and granted Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council a possession order that will leave Ms Byrne homeless this Christmas. She said in the Circuit Civil Court that Ms Byrne was only 10 days in her attractive, modern apartment at Pearse Street when the first complaint from neighbours started to arrive at the council offices. Judge Linnane said Ms Byrne had made herself homeless by her behaviour with all-night-long parties, where party-goers kept up a constant din of shouting, jumping and loud music. She said two of Ms Byrne's neighbours, one of whom suffered from MS and had four children to look after, had told the court life was intolerable following Ms Byrne's arrival. Ms Byrne had been taken before the district court where the judge, despite having heard a litany of anti-social activities, had given her a last chance following an undertaking to the court that she would change her ways. Liam O'Donovan, a manager in the council's housing department, said that Ms Byrne had not lived up to her word, and she had received visits and written warnings about her behaviour. On one occasion, armed gardai had to be called to Ms Byrne's home to remove a man who had no right to be there. Judge Linnane said that Ms Byrne had appealed a decision of the district court, which had granted the council a possession order after she had breached the undertaking she had given earlier. Ms Byrne told the court that she had a drugs and drink problem, but had now mended her ways. Judge Linnane dismissed Ms Byrne's appeal, and refused to grant her a stay before the possession order takes effect. The judge also made an order for costs against her. No violence please Election violence usually occurs in countries that are transitioning to democracy. Following the successful completion of the local elections which were held after a gap of two decades and the first phase of parliamentary and provincial elections on November 26, Nepalis will vote in the second phase on December 7. A TV fitness expert has been spared jail for punching the mother of his children in the face after she accused him of cheating on her. Francis Usanga (31) was today ordered to carry out 100 hours of community service to avoid a five-month prison sentence. Judge Bryan Smyth made the community service order after reading a victim impact statement written by Usangas ex-partner, model Emma Murphy. Last month, the former RTE Today Show fitness guru was found guilty of assault causing harm to Ms Murphy outside his gym, FX Fitness in Santry on July 3, 2015, Usanga, of Lanesboro, Finglas had pleaded not guilty, claiming he only pushed her with an open hand in self defence. Dublin District Court heard a Facebook video Ms Murphy shared after the assault went viral and Usanga claimed this was done in an attempt to destroy him. Expand Close Emma Murphy leaves the Dublin District Court after her ex-boyfriend Francis Usanga was found guilty of assaulting her / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Emma Murphy leaves the Dublin District Court after her ex-boyfriend Francis Usanga was found guilty of assaulting her Sentencing had been adjourned previously when Usanga objected to an earlier victim impact statement, the contents of which his lawyer had described as outlandish" and "untrue." Today, a new victim impact statement was handed to the judge, who read it to himself but did not disclose its contents to the court. Defence solicitor Michael Hanahoe questioned whether Judge Smyth could continue to deal with the case because he had read some of the previous victim impact statement. Mr Hanahoe argued that the first statement was prejudicial to his client. Expand Close Emma Murphy and Francis Usanga / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Emma Murphy and Francis Usanga A State solicitor asked Judge Smyth to proceed to sentencing and disregard the previous statement. Judge Smyth referred to case law from the Court of Criminal Appeal which stated that a victim impact statement should be submitted to a judge and defence lawyer in advance of it being read out. This was so both a judge and legal representatives can make sure it contains nothing untoward. The person making the statement could be found in contempt of court if they departed from the conditions. If it did contain scurrilous allegations, this could be taken into account in mitigation, Judge Smyth said. He said he had only read the first line of the earlier victim impact statement. Mr Hanahoe said the case was different from the normal type of domestic assault. He said Usanga had made attempts to get away from a confrontation. The victim threw a phone and he struck a blow, Mr Hanahoe said. Usanga had made a good life for himself, had been a participant in an RTE programme and had owned a leasehold on a gym and was quite successful. He "lost that," Mr Hanahoe said. The leasehold had to be sold once Ms Murphys video went viral. From his very good financial position, Usanga was now reduced to working on an enterprise scheme through social welfare and was earning 193 per week. He was out of his family home, away from his children and was living with his mother. The victim had made a TV programme of which the accused was the subject, Mr Hanahoe said. She initially bypassed the whole system and put out a version of events and Usanga had suffered greatly from that. He said Ms Murphy had appeared on English television and had travelled to other countries and addressed conferences, becoming a cause celebre. She was entitled to do this but it had had an effect on Usanga, Mr Hanahoe said. Usanga, wearing a grey blazer, black trousers and red and white runners, did not address the court today. A woman who alleges she was attacked by a man she met on Tinder did not tell gardai about eight minutes spent with the man before the alleged attack, a court has heard. The 36-year-old Dublin man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to sexual assault of the foreign national at UCD campus, Belfield, south Dublin on July 23, 2014. On day six of the trial Garda Declan Ryan told the court that he interviewed the complainant on two occasions, on July 25 and July 28. He said that two days after the alleged attack he travelled to UCD campus with the complainant. He said she identified the Nova running pitch as the location of the alleged assault. He said he later obtained CCTV footage from UCD showing the blue BMW driven by the accused on the night. The jury have previously watched this footage which shows the car driving into a laneway described as the observatory. The CCTV footage shows the car leaving this area approximately eight minutes later. The car is then filmed by another camera driving up towards the Nova running pitch before driving off from this area about a minute later. Gda Ryan told Paul Flannery SC, defending, that there was no discussion with the complainant about the eight minutes the car spent down the laneway. Mr Flannery said that if the complainant is to be believed the car went down this laneway and turned around and drove back. He asked the witness how long he thought it would take to do this. Gda Ryan aid he couldn't say as it would depend on the standard of driving and how far the driver drove down. The witness told Paul Burns SC, prosecuting, that he never asked her about going down the laneway. The main location we were interested in was the Nova pitch where she alleged she was sexually assaulted, he said. Judge Cormac Quinn told the jury of six men and six women that evidence will end tomorrow and closing speeches will begin. As the political crisis continues there is a growing disquiet in Fine Gael, with many TDs considering calling on the Taoiseach to urge Ms Fitzgerald to stand aside. From early this morning, several Fine Gael TDs and senators have been privately discussing calling on Leo Varadkar to seek Frances Fitzgerald's resignation, Independent.ie understands. For his part the Taoiseach has cancelled his weekly meeting with Fine Gael ministers to go straight to Cabinet to address political crisis. The Independent Alliance will urge the Taoiseach to avoid an election during crisis meeting this morning. It had been indicated that Shane Ross and Finian McGrath would not call for Frances Fitzgerald's resignation but sources now suggest this could happen. The Alliance are to raise "deep concerns" about the controversy which is threatening to collapse the Government. Sources told Independent.ie the Alliance remain of the view that an election should be avoided and will urge Leo Varadkar to do everything in his power to do that. The Taoiseach and Micheal Martin are due to meet again today in a further round of talks to avert a snap election but a time has not yet been decided. Expand Close Independent Alliance. Photo: Steve Humphreys / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Independent Alliance. Photo: Steve Humphreys In public a number of Fine Gael representatives have continued to show support for Ms Fitzgerald. Minister Simon Harris speaking as he arrived in Government Buildings this morning said the Tanaiste has continued support from the party. Senator Jerry Buttimer also defended her record as Justice Minister on RTE Radio One this morning. However, Independent.ie understands that a number of senior figures in the party last night predicted that Ms Fitzgerald's ministerial career may come to a swift end, with one minister describing the situation as a mess "from top to bottom". Expand Close Simon Harris arriving at Government Buildings this morning (picture: Gerry Mooney) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Simon Harris arriving at Government Buildings this morning (picture: Gerry Mooney) The Taoiseach has remained firm in his support of the embattled former Justice Minister. Meanwhile, Fine Gael TD Hildegarde Naughton has questioned whether Frances Fitzgerald can continue on as Tanaiste. Amid growing disquiet in the party ranks, the Galway representative told Raidio na Gaeltachta it would be very difficult for her to remain in office given the latest email revelations. Meanwhile, Sinn Fein's deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald this morning said she believes the Fine Gael leadership is now in a state of "delusion". Speaking on RTE Radio One's Morning Ireland, Ms McDonald said she now believes the Taoiseach's judgment is "questionable." "I think the Fine Gael leadership is in a state of delusion "The Fine Gael leadership should reflect on the fact that the Dept of Justice under the leadership of the current Tanaiste withheld fairly extensive documentation from the tribunal. "The leadership of Fine Gael should not keep insisting on this strategy of minimising the crisis. It is a matter of great seriousness." She continued; "I don't think anybody planned a Christmas election - we are all aware of the stresses and strains at this time of year. I have a young family myself, I realise that Christmas is by no stretch of the imagination a good time for an election. "It was clear last week it was time for Frances Fitzgerald to go. I hope people see it's clear now. "The judgment of Taoiseach Varadkar is questionable... it shows him to be either very weak or very arrogant." Meanwhile, Labour's Alan Kelly said it would be "total and utter madness" to have an election now. "I've come to the conclusion that if we have an election now - the only reason must be that Fine Gael and Fianna Fail actually WANT an election rather than deal with these issues," he told the programme. "I was refused answers and because I was refused answers I went back and asked even more questions. "The Department shut down all my questions. "As a result of that, and the drip drip drip of information, as we kept probing along with others, eventually we are where we are. "I have questions for Charlie Flanagan. "Why did he refuse to cooperate with the democratic process? Why did his department refuse to answer my questions? What is he doing over a department that refused to cooperate fully with a tribunal? "At the very least he needs to launch an inquiry and ask why these documents hadn't been found. "The evidence produced in the last 24 hours shows there was an awareness level as to what was going on. This means that "Frances Fitzgerald's position is absolutely untenable. "The minister needs to resign or the Taoiseach needs to act." AN Irish mother admitted her Christmas wish has come true with a special license being issued to allow her little girl access to medicinal cannabis treatment. Vera Twomey confirmed that she plans to return to Ireland with her daughter Ava (7) after the way was cleared for the child to receive cannabis oil treatments in her native Cork. The family had brought Ava to Holland so she could access the medical treatments she so desperately needed. The delighted mother confirmed the news as she posted a special Facebook message to thank the thousands of Irish people who had backed the family's campaign. "We have some really, really good news," she said. "Ava has been granted the license for the medical cannabis and we are coming home." "I want to thank everybody - the support and everything (has been wonderful). We will be home for Christmas and she is doing really, really well." "I just can't wait to get her back to Aghabullogue and she will be even better there." "We are going to be home as soon as we can," Vera said as she fought back tears. The family admitted their Christmas dream has now come true. Expand Close Campaigning: Vera Twomey with her seven-year-old daughter Ava Photo: Michael Mac Sweeney / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Campaigning: Vera Twomey with her seven-year-old daughter Ava Photo: Michael Mac Sweeney Read More The granting of the special license will allow Ava to receive medicinal cannabis treatments for a life-threatening condition which sees her suffer from severe daily seizures. Vera and her husband Paul waged a brave three year campaign to get the treatment for Ava who suffers from the debilitating condition, Dravet's Syndrome. The couple confronted Health Minister Simon Harris during a Cork hospital visit earlier this year over the impasse in getting Ava the treatment she needed. Vera had also staged a 300km walk from her Aghabullogue home in Cork to the Dail to highlight the plight of children who need access to cannabis oil treatment. Now, Vera confirmed that a license has been received which will allow Ava be treated in Ireland with the only medication that can tackle her condition. In desperation, the couple eventually brought Ava to Holland last summer so she could access the treatment there. Since she started the treatment programme in Holland, Ava's condition remarkably improved. However, in Ireland medicinal cannabis treatments can only be given with a special license. At one point, Ava suffered 16 seizures alone over a single 36 hour period. Children with Dravet eventually reach a point where normal medications become increasingly ineffective in controlling the seizures - with medicinal cannabis oil the only known treatment option. Read More "My daughter is extremely ill and she desperately needs this treatment," Vera said. The mother of four pleaded with TDs to fast-track a situation where doctors in Ireland can legally use synthetic cannabis oil for the treatment of children facing life-threatening illnesses. "A lot of politicians have told me that the situation is very complicated. I fully accept that. "But children like Ava need help." Also known as Severe Myoclonic Epilepsy of Infancy (SMEI), Dravet affects just one in 60,000 children in its most catastrophic form. With Dravet Syndrome, a sufferer can initially have their seizures treated by normal epilepsy medicines. However, over a short period of time, the seizures become immune to the medications and increase both in their frequency and severity. The only known long-term treatment for Dravet Syndrome involves the use of cannabis oil. However, the controversial product is not openly licensed in Ireland. Its medicinal uses, in specific cases, has led to cannabis oil being permitted in parts of the US, Australia, Brazil and even Columbia. Vera and her husband, Paul, had launched a high profile campaign to help children like Ava in Ireland and highlight the need for reforms of the system. There are five people with Dravet Syndrome in Ireland and all would likely benefit from treatment with cannabis oil. One trial in the US indicated that a person with Dravet Syndrome who was suffering 300 seizures every day managed to reduce those to just two seizures a month thanks to cannabis oil. All we are asking for is a little commonsense. That and the realisation that children like Ava dont have any other alternatives, Vera said. It is heartbreaking to have to take Ava to an emergency department when she gets severe seizures despite knowing that there is nothing they can do for her. The couple, who are based in Aghabullogue in mid Cork, have three other children, Sophia (5), Michael (4) and Elvera-Mae (2). All we are asking is that Ava has some chance of a normal life. Surely every Irish child has that right, she said. Details of Vera and Pauls campaign for Ava is available from Facebook on CBD For Ava Support. The boy passed away in hospital as a result of his injuries. Stock Photo A 16-year-old boy has died in hospital after he was struck by a van on his way to school on Monday morning. The student was crossing the Clane Road in Sallins, Co Kildare, when he was struck by a van at approximately 7.45am. He rushed to Naas Hospital with serious injuries and later removed to Beaumont Hospital. He passed away on Tuesday evening as a result of his injuries. It's understood the driver of the van was uninjured. Gardai are launching an investigation into the incident. Gardai are appealing for witnesses who may have been on the Clane Road, Sallins or in the area between 7.40am and 7.45am on Monday morning, and particularly any motorists with a dash cam in their vehicle to contact Naas Garda Station on 045 - 884300, The Garda Confidential Telephone Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station. Gardai have smashed a high-tech cocaine smuggling operation where clothing heavily embedded with the drug was being imported into Ireland from South America. Four people, all aged between their 20s and 40s, were arrested in west Cork after an intelligence led operation by Garda anti-drug units. An estimated 200,000 of drugs was seized at a property in west Cork. It is now being analysed by Forensic Science Ireland to determine both its street value and purity. Initial indications are that the drugs were being sourced from Columbia or Venezuela. It is suspected the gang were importing clothing from South America supposedly for sale here. However, items of clothing were heavily embedded with cocaine during a special soaking process. Once in Ireland, the items of clothing would be subjected to a special chemical wash process where the cocaine was carefully recovered, dried and then prepared for sale. It represents one of the most sophisticated drug smuggling operations foiled by Gardai over recent years. The four arrested were detained under the Misuse of Drugs Act and can be questioned for an initial period of 24 hours. However, that can be further extended if required. Several are being questioned in Bantry Garda Station. Gardai said they believe they have smashed a major drugs operation which was preparing cocaine for the Christmas and New Year markets. The elaborate operation was foiled as the street price of cocaine has again started to soar in Ireland. Department of Justice secretary general Noel Waters has retired early just hours after Tanaiste and former Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald resigned her position. Mr Waters had been due to retire in February, but told colleagues at the department he was bringing forward his retirement to today. His decision came after Taoiseach Leo Varadkar made a speech in which he was scathing of the dysfunctional department. Mr Varadkar announced he was ordering an external inquiry into why important emails were not found and therefore not sent on to the Charleton Tribunal. The emails revealed Ms Fitzgerald had been told about the aggressive stance then Garda Commissioner Noirin OSullivans legal team was taking against Sgt Maurice McCabe at the OHiggins Commission. Mr Varadkar also said the Government was accelerating reforms already in train and was planning radical action to restore public confidence in the Department of Justice. In a letter to colleagues this evening, Mr Waters said many of the claims made about the Department of Justice in the media and in the Dail are not true. The Department has been subject to a barrage of unwarranted criticism in recent days and most particularly today, he said. Expand Close Secretary General of the Department of Justice & Equality Noel Waters Picture: Tom Burke / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Secretary General of the Department of Justice & Equality Noel Waters Picture: Tom Burke Mr Waters said it was a particularly difficult time for the department but said it was making an important contribution to Irish society, a contribution that more often than not goes unseen and unnoticed. He urged staff not to lose sight of your contribution to public service and continue to give of your best. The Secretary General added that in so far as is humanly possible, this Department has sought at all times to act appropriately, upholding the law and the institutions of State. He concluded by noting that he was leaving the Department entirely of my own volition. Read More Mr Waters' resignation came shortly before Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan issued an apology to Labour TD Alan Kelly, who he alleged was engaged in a smear campaign against him. Speaking in the Dail tonight, the under-fire minister apologised to Deputy Kelly on two counts. He said: "First, my intemperate comments in the House on November 15t when I stated that Deputy Kelly was engaged in a smear campaign against me. I had been told by some people in my constituency that Deputy Kelly had made very negative comments about me in their presence, he said. I always considered Deputy Kelly a good colleague both in parliament and in government and I confess that I was taken aback and offended when these allegations were made to me. I fully accept that I reacted badly and I apologise to Deputy Kelly and to the House and withdraw my remarks. Earlier in the Dail, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the events of recent days again exposed major problems within a dysfunctional Department of Justice, including the way important emails were not found and therefore not sent on to the Charleton Tribunal during discovery. Read More Mr Flanagan also said it wasnt good enough that questions tabled by the Tipperary TD relating to the treatment of garda whistleblower Maurice McCabe had not been answered. He announced an external review of the way the information was handled. I want to record my thanks to Deputy Kelly for his PQs which led to the unearthing of an email that had not been sent to the Tribunal. The minister poured blame on officials at the Department of Justice, saying it has been a major challenge at every step to obtain complete information in a timely manner, indeed, on a few occasions recently, information has been provided to me, to the Taoiseach, and then to this House, which has proven subsequently to be inaccurate. More to follow... Edward OGrady carries the coffin of his late wife Maria for burial in the graveyard CHAMPION Irish horse trainer Edward O'Grady fought back tears as he paid a moving tribute to his "feisty, courageous, generous, fiercely loyal and brilliant" wife, Maria, who died in a freak hunting accident. Hundreds gathered in Tipperary for the Requiem Mass of the mother of two and former Irish TV producer who was killed in a fall while out hunting with Tipperary Foxhounds last Saturday. Mourners were told by Fr Jimmy O'Donnell that the Tipperary woman: "Died doing what she loved on Saturday - in the sport she lived for." Mr O'Grady (68), in an emotional eulogy to his wife, said the 18 happy years he had spent with her wasn't so much a successful marriage as one long, uninterrupted honeymoon. "I would like to thank you (Maria) for the past 18 glorious years - the happiest of my life," he wept. "Goodbye, my darling, thank you for everything - the honeymoon is over." "I decided I would wear the same suit today (as worn for their wedding) as I did 18 years ago." The trainer had also asked for the funeral to hear the first song that he and Maria had ever danced to after their wedding. Mr O'Grady, quoting a tribute from his wife's dear friend, the award-winning actress Dillie Keane, said her brilliance and love of life had enchanted everyone she ever met. "I always thought you were a star, Maria, a true supernova but I think I might have gotten it wrong - we are going to remember you as a comet- a great, brilliant comet that lit up the sky," he said. Expand Close Fatal accident: Maria OGrady / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Fatal accident: Maria OGrady Family friend, David Williams, told mourners that Maria had met Edward when she got her hunting hat snagged in a low tree branch while she was out riding. "Edward dismounted and retrieved her hat - that was the first time they met," he said. "Edward and Maria had an 18 year honeymoon - every morning, a kiss started the day and every night a kiss ended the day, without exception." Read More The Offertory Gifts reflected Mrs O'Grady's life interests including her hunting hat, a family picture and flowers. Mrs O'Grady's Requiem Mass at the Church of St Joseph the Worker outside Moyglass, Co Tipperary proved a who's who of the Irish sporting world. The mourners included leading equestrian and sporting figures such as Mouse Morris, Niall Quinn, Henry de Bromhead, Barry Geraghty, Charlie Swan, Charles O'Brien, Andrew McNamara, Christy Grassick, Arthur Moore and Fozzy Stack. Mrs O'Grady died after a freak accident while out hunting last Saturday. She was a member of the Tipperary Hunt and was thrown from her horse during a hunt with Tipperary Foxhounds in Grantstown, Co Tipperary. Mrs O'Grady suffered severe head and neck injuries in the fall. She was pronounced dead before she could be rushed by air ambulance to hospital. Special guards of honour were provided by Tipperary Hunt, Tipperary Foxhounds, Tipperary Pony Club and Moyglass National School. The Ursuline Convent Choir from Thurles sang at the Requiem Mass. Her stepson, Jonathan, said Mrs O'Grady was "a beloved wife, revered mother and ardent friend - she will be inordinately missed." Ms O'Grady was originally from Ballymackey outside Nenagh but had lived with her husband over recent years at Ballynonty outside Thurles. The mourners were led by her husband, Edward, her daughters Mimi and Rosie Mae, her extended family Jonathan, Amber and Lucy, her sister Katherine and brother-in-law Konrad. Mr O'Grady ranks as one of Ireland's most highly respected trainers. With a total of 19 winners at the famous Cheltenham National Hunt festival, he ranks as Ireland's third most successful trainer at the Cotswolds track. The trainer celebrated his first Cheltenham winner in 1974 with Mr Midland. Old foes back in race after 23 years Nepali Congress leader Mahalaxmi Dina Upadhyay and CPN-UML leader Birodh Khatiwada are in the Makwa-npur-2 race under the first-past-the-post category of the federal parliamentary polls scheduled for December 7. Ireland's political unrest has made headlines across the world in recent days, signalling that Ireland is currently centre stage against the backdrop of continuing Brexit negotiations. With a crucial deadline looming, and the fate of the Irish border to be potentially decided in just over a fortnight, the political crisis and the imminent resignation of Frances Fitzgerald has unsurprisingly drawn attention the world over. German establishment newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung commented that Brussels was looking nervously at Ireland ahead of the latest development which is set to see the country pulled back from the brink of a snap General Election. Meanwhile, BBC news broke the story of Fitzgerald's resignation with the headline: "Ireland's Deputy Prime Minister is to resign, Irish TV says, in a crisis that has threatened the ruling coaltion." Sky News opted for: "Irish deputy PM to resign - Sky sources." While, the UK Independent reports: "Irish deputy Prime Minister Frances Fitzgerald reportedly resigns, throwing into doubt snap election" The importance of the upcoming Brexit talks was lost on no one - particularly the outgoing Jobs minister who cited Brexit while announcing her intention to step down to her Cabinet colleagues. It now remains to be seen if the resignation of the Tanaiste will be enough to quell any anxiety in Europe as the focus switches back to the task at hand ahead of next month's crunch talks. THE VICE chairperson of the European Parliament has written to the body tasked with dealing with complaints of harassment after MEP Luke Ming Flanagan branded a young female worker a puppy. Fine Gaels Mairead McGuinness issued a statement this evening following remarks made directly about her personal assistant by Mr Flanagan. She confirmed that she has made contact with the body set up to deal with complaints of harassment. The body is known as the Advisory Committee dealing with Harassment Complaints between Accredited Parliamentary Assistants and Members of the European Parliament and its Prevention at the Workplace. I have asked for guidance from the Advisory Committee on this matter, Ms McGuinness said. I have not sought, either directly or indirectly, an apology from the MEP involved, Mr. Luke 'Ming' Flanagan, nor do I intend to. I will be making no further comment, she added. Independent.ie revealed yesterday that the woman was labelled the term puppy while representing Ms McGuinness at a meeting in the EU parliament in Brussels last week. The event, which was attended by about 20 people including a number of MEPs and officials, was organised on behalf of VOCADS - a group that represents survivors of sexual abuse. Sources say Mr Flanagan strongly criticised the lack of presence from the Fine Gael delegation. He then pointed at Ms McGuinnesss personal assistant, who is in her twenties, and labelled her a puppy. Mr Flanagan did not respond to a series of questions sent by the Irish Independent this week. He instead took to twitter, confirming that he described the assistant as a puppy but insisted it was merely a term of phrase. The Midlands-North-West MEP tweeted: So instead of any of the four turning up they sent an assistant. I commented 'You dont send a puppy to win the greyhound derby' @MaireadMcGMEP now looking for an apology for calling her assistant a puppy. In the meantime VOCADS continue to be treated like dirt. #priorities. So instead of any of the four turning up they sent an assistant. I commented "You dont send a puppy to win the greyhound derby" @MaireadMcGMEP now looking for an apology for calling her assistant a puppy. In the meantime VOCADS continue to be treated like dirt. #priorities https://t.co/4zN4VJoT0d Luke 'Ming' Flanagan (@lukeming) November 27, 2017 VOCADS is a group that represents survivors of sexual abuse. The Midlands-North-West MEP refused to apologise for the use of the term yesterday. He also attacked the personal assistant in question, telling presenter Keith Finnegan that the woman doesnt understand what an idiom is. He added: Why are we focussing on an idiom when these people have been snubbed and insulted. And he attacked the Fine Gael delegation for not turning up. People who are looking for justice and was there anyone there (from Fine Gael) to meet them - no there wasnt. When Leo Varadkar officially launched his Fine Gael leadership campaign last May, Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald appeared by his side, hailing him as the man who could renew the party and take on the Opposition. Just days after Enda Kenny had announced his departure, Fitzgerald once considered a leadership contender herself was the most significant figure yet to throw her support behind the would-be Taoiseach. And it gave Varadkar serious momentum in the early days of the campaign which helped him sweep to victory. Frances Fitzgerald had clout in Fine Gael where she was a proven survivor despite electoral setbacks and turbulent times for the party. Often spoken of as the presidential candidate that could finally see Fine Gael win Aras an Uachtarain, there is some disbelief in the party that she found herself in her current predicament. Accused of inaction by the Opposition after receiving the now infamous 2015 email outlining a clash between legal teams for the Garda and whistleblower Sergeant Maurice McCabe, both Sinn Fein and Fianna Fail called for her head. Fine Gael and Varadkar, who considers Fitzgerald as something of a mentor were clear in their view that she hasnt done anything wrong and in fact would have acted improperly and in contravention of advice in the email had she intervened. Those who know her in the party expected the defiance shown in recent days and didnt expect her to resign, with one saying: I dont think its in her make-up. They added: She is a fighter beneath the matriarch role. Shes steely and people are finding that out this week. Others pointed to her experience backing Kenny in the ill-fated 2010 heave, saying this instilled a sense of not giving up in Fitzgerald. The 67-year-olds history with Fine Gael dates back more than 25 years but before she joined the party Fitzgerald was a social worker. A mother of three adult sons, she is married to TCD Professor Michael Fitzgerald, an expert in child psychiatry and autism. A campaigner for womens rights throughout her career, Fitzgerald rose to prominence as the chairperson of the National Womens Council between 1988 and 1992. The current director of the National Womens Council of Ireland, Orla OConnor, says Fitzgerald has a really strong track record in promoting womens leadership in politics and business. She also credits her with championing measures to combat domestic and sexual violence during her time at Justice. On the liberal wing of Fine Gael, Fitzgerald worked her way through the political ranks long before gender quotas were event talked about. She was in favour of introducing divorce in the 1990s and campaigned hard for marriage equality in 2015. Appointed Business, Enterprise and Innovation minister by Varadkar when he became Taoiseach, she is one of the ministers with a key role in preparing for Brexit. Fitzgerald was first elected to the Dail in 1992 but spent time in the wilderness during the Rainbow coalition after she failed to back John Bruton when his leadership was challenged in 1994. Originally a TD for Dublin South-East, Fitzgerald lost her seat during Fine Gaels election disaster in 2002. She persisted however and moved constituency to Dublin Mid-West where she is said to have worked hard to build the partys organisation in an area where it wasnt particularly strong. Fitzgerald didnt get elected to the Dail in 2007, but took a Seanad seat and three years later backed Enda Kenny in Richard Brutons heave. It was support Kenny didnt forget and he appointed her to Cabinet when she returned to the Dail in 2011 as the first ever minister for Children and Youth Affairs. She established Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, and led the charge in the 2012 Childrens Rights referendum which was blighted by low turnout and a Supreme Court finding that government information wasnt impartial. But the referendum passed. Fitzgerald was seen as a safe pair of hands when the crisis-ridden Department of Justice brief became vacant after Alan Shatter was forced to go as minister in 2014. The Department hasnt exactly been free of controversy since. Issues that emerged during her tenure included the revelations about the legacy of serious financial irregularities at the Garda College at Templemore and the scandal of the recording of up to 1.9m bogus breath tests by gardai. Throughout her stormy time at Justice, Fitzgerald didnt waver in her support for the embattled and now departed Garda Commissioner Noirin OSullivan. The whistleblower controversy and alleged smear campaign against Sgt McCabe blew up at the start of the year, leading the Government to establish the Disclosures Tribunal led by Mr Justice Peter Charleton. Fitzgeralds defenders say she drove a reforming agenda while she was at Justice, pointing to her support for whistleblowers and establishment of the Policing Authority. With the country on the brink of going to the polls, Varadkar was challenged on RTE as to why he wont simply remove Fitzgerald to avoid an election. What that would mean is me throwing a good woman under the bus for political expediency... that would be the wrong thing to do, he replied. But the release of new emails showing that Ms Fitzgerald was briefed on how to handle media queries about Garda taking an aggressive stance against Sgt McCabe at the OHiggins Commission proved fatal. She will now look to her own creation, the Charleton Tribunal, in order to prove she did nothing wrong. But regardless of its findings the damage has already been done. 27/11/17 Taoiseach Leo Varadkar leaving Government buildings after talks with Fianna Fails Micheal Martin about the no confidence vote in Tainaiste Frances Fitzgerald. Picture:Arthur Carron A row over the future of Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald could lead to a snap election TANAISTE Frances Fitzgerald has vowed to fight on despite release of fresh emails relating to the treatment of whistleblower Maurice McCabe. The minister released a brief statement on Twitter today indicating that she will not give in to Opposition demands for her resignation. And a spokesperson for Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told Independent.ie that he retains full confidence in his deputy. Documents released tonight show that Ms Fitzgerald noted the email at the centre of the controversy threatening to bring down the Government. She told the Dail last week that she does not remember receiving correspondence in May 2015 although she admits she probably did read it. 2/2 The Tribunal will objectively judge the appropriateness of my conduct. I look forward to giving my evidence to the Tribunal early in January. Frances Fitzgerald (@FitzgeraldFrncs) November 27, 2017 New emails also show that Ms Fitzgerald was briefed on how to respond to media queries about an aggressive stance being taken by lawyers for Garda Commissioner Noirin OSullivan against Sgt McCabe in July 2015. The Tanaiste has always said she was not aware of the legal strategy taken by Gardai until it became public knowledge a year later. Officials in the department have been conducting a search for emails that may be relevant to the Charleton Tribunal which is investigating allegations of a smear campaign against Sgt McCabe. Speculation was rife within Fine Gael that Ms Fitzgerald would step down on foot of the new revelations, but Ms Fitzgerald has now tweeted: "As Justice Minister I could not interfere with the O'Higgins Commission. "This is confirmed twice in today's documents & has been confirmed by the AG (Attorney General). She added that the Charleton Tribunal will objectively judge the appropriateness of my conduct. Expand Close 27/11/17 Taoiseach Leo Varadkar leaving Government buildings after talks with Fianna Fails Micheal Martin about the no confidence vote in Tainaiste Frances Fitzgerald. Picture:Arthur Carron / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp 27/11/17 Taoiseach Leo Varadkar leaving Government buildings after talks with Fianna Fails Micheal Martin about the no confidence vote in Tainaiste Frances Fitzgerald. Picture:Arthur Carron I look forward to giving my evidence to the Tribunal early in January, she said. Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney defended the Tanaiste saying Fine Gale wanted breathing space for six weeks to allow her give evidence to the tribunal. The two emails that were published today were very clear advising the strongly not to interfere with the Commission that was taking place.She would have bene damned if she intervened and damned if she didnt, he said. Speaking on RTEs The Claire Byrne Show, he added: What is the problem here with waiting six weeks to allow a tribunal do its work. If shes given the opportunity to do that in a fair way she may well be vindicated. Fianna Fails justice spokesman Jim OCallaghan said the minister has been at fault. There are serious errors in what she did. We need some leadership from Fine Gael to stop the country slipping into a general election. Read More Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin held a meeting tonight in a bid to find a compromise that will save the country from a general election in the days before Christmas. The meeting ended shortly after 11pm without any breakthrough. They are to have one final attempt at averting an election in the morning. A spokesperson for the Taoiseach said there was serious engagement on both sides, and all remain keen to avoid an election in the interest of the country. It's understood the two party leaders discussed two email threads which were publicly released by the Department of Justice tonight. The first is an unredacted version of the email in which Ms Fitzgerald is alerted to a dispute between lawyers for ex-Commissioner Noirin OSullivan and Sgt McCabe at the OHiggins Commission in May 2015. Ms Fitzgerald has said that while she probably read the email she cannot remember it. However, the documents released tonight the Ministers private secretary tells another senior justice officials: The Minister has noted the below. A separate email from July 4, 2015 now also shows that Ms Fitzgerald was made aware of press queries from RTE which suggested Sgt McCabe was looking to be taken out of the traffic unit in Mullingar. It also questions whether the Garda Commissioner had instructed her counsel to adopt an aggressive stance towards Sgt McCabe at the OHiggins Commission. A briefing note by the Deputy Secretary General in Justice for Ms Fitzgerald states: I understand that some weeks ago Sgt McCabe indicated to his authorities in Mullingar that he no longer wanted to stay in his post in the Traffic Unit. Apparently he blamed the Commissioner for this though he said he could not be more specific as he was bound by confidentiality. This coincided with hearings at the OHiggins Commission (these hearings are being held in private and there is a prohibition on disclosing evidence given at them). Sgt McCabe remains in his post at the traffic unit, though, in practice, his time recently has been taken up giving evidence to the Commission. The official advises Ms Fitzgerald that it is a matter of public record that at various times Sgt McCabe has raised various concerns regarding his position in the Force. The justice official suggests a reply that the Minister could make in which she would say that she must conscious that Sgt McCabe no more and no less than any service member of the Force, is entitled to confidentiality in his dealings with the Garda authorities. So it would not be appropriate for me to comment publicly in any way on those dealings. The proposed response continues: In particular, I think it would be very unfair to Sgt McCabe for me to do so. In another email the minister is briefed on the response of Garda Commission Noirin OSullivan to the same query. On that occasion the Deputy Secretary advised Ms Fitzgerald it would be completely inappropriate for you to comment in any way on the workings of the Commission. There is no evidence of Ms Fitzgerald having replied to any of the emails directly. Irish MEP Luke 'Ming' Flanagan is facing a formal complaint after branding a female worker a "puppy" during a private meeting in Brussels last week. The Irish Independent can reveal that Mr Flanagan used the term to describe the parliamentary assistant of Fine Gael MEP Mairead McGuinness. Ms McGuinness is now preparing to make a formal complaint against Mr Flanagan - who took to his Twitter page last night to attack Fine Gael and his parliament colleague. The incident took place at an event in the European Parliament Buildings in Brussels on Wednesday. The event, which was attended by about 20 people, including a number of MEPs and officials, was organised on behalf of Vocads - a group that represents survivors of sexual abuse. Sources said Mr Flanagan strongly criticised the lack of presence from the Fine Gael delegation. He then pointed at Ms McGuinness's personal assistant, who is in her 20s, and labelled her a "puppy". This newspaper has confirmed Ms McGuinness is set to make a formal complaint to the parliament's authorities over the treatment of her assistant. Upset Sources say the woman in question was left deeply upset. Mr Flanagan did not respond to a series of questions sent by the Irish Independent yesterday. He instead took to Twitter, confirming that he described the assistant as a "puppy". The Midlands-North-West MEP tweeted: "So instead of any of the four turning up they sent an assistant. I commented "You don't send a puppy to win the greyhound derby". @MaireadMcGMEP now looking for an apology for calling her assistant a puppy. In the meantime Vocads continue to be treated like dirt. #priorities." It's understood another female worker who witnessed the incident has said she is prepared to make a statement on behalf of Ms McGuinness's assistant. The event was chaired by Sinn Fein MEP for Ireland South Liadh Ni Riada. Ms Ni Riada said she did not witness the incident as she focussed on chairing the event. "It is up to Luke 'Ming' Flanagan to deal with this but certainly this kind of behaviour shouldn't be tolerated," Ms Ni Riada said last night. "For me though, the focus should be on the people who came over to tell their story. They have gone through a far more harrowing experience." With just hours to go to avoid a snap election, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin are meeting in Cork. If Fine Gael Taoiseach Leo Varadkar fails to end the stand-off with main opposition party Fianna Fail by Tuesday, a snap pre-Christmas election looms. Mr Varadkar and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin held talks over the weekend to try to avert a government meltdown at a time when ministers are preparing for December's crunch EU summit, when the fate of the Irish border post-Brexit could effectively be determined. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin met in Dublin on Sunday night and sources close to the pair said "some progress was made". Today, the duo will meet in Cork. Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast morning Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty said it is clear nobody wants an election except Sinn Fein and said the onus now falls on Fianna Fail to avoid one. Minister Regina Doherty said she is still optimistic that an election can be avoided. "What we have all discovered at the weekend is the level of dysfunction in the Department of Justice - I was going to say shocked us all - but it hasn't," she said. Ms Doherty said it is "clear to me is that the country wouldn't be in any different position than we are today", except for a weakened position in relation to Brexit and Northen Ireland. She continued her defence of Ms Fitzgerald and dismissed claims by her constituency colleague Thomas Byrne (FF) who said the fact that the minister did not know of the call from the Garda Commissioner was enough to warrant her stepping aside. Ms Doherty said it is clear nobody wants an election except Sinn Fein and said the onus now falls on Fianna Fail to avoid one. "When you have people sitting around an table telling you they don't want an election well then it becomes their responsibility to make sure we don't have one," she said. "I'm always optimistic... there is nothing that can't be solved in the next 24 hours so we don't need an election," she said. Meanwhile, on RTE Radio One's Morning Ireland, Sinn Fein's Justice Spokesperson Donnchadh O'Laoghaire said the only solution to the crisis is for Frances Fitzgerald to resign. Sinn Fein Justice Spokesperson Donnchadh O'Laoghaire said he does not think it is a sufficient solution for Frances Fitzgerald to step aside temporarily. "The Dail has lost confidence in her, I would say. If it came to a vote, I think it would be clear. "The Fianna Fail deputies last week had no confidence in her. "It could be a situation where she perhaps stands aside, but continues to hold a prominent role in proxy, because she does not have the confidence of the Dail." He continued; "Frances Fitzgerald is a likeable woman, but this doesn't mean this issue can be set aside. "She did wrong. She failed to do anything to support Maurice McCabe." He also said he did not think an apology or a reworking of the Department of Justice was sufficient. "While there are issues in the Department of Justice, this is an issue of political accountability. "It is very clear the Dail does not have confidence in Frances Fitzgerald. "It is very clear that the case for defence is unravelling. "The claim that there was no prior knowledge has been dismissed. "That she couldn't do anything about it has been disproven. "The point that it was so insignificant she couldn't remember or didn't know about it has been dispelled. "The case for the defence has collapsed. "The only resolution to this is Frances Fitzgerald to resign." Pressure Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald remains under intense pressure to resign over her handling of a 2015 email that revealed attempts to discredit a Garda whistleblower, Sergeant Maurice McCabe. The email has raised questions over Mrs Fitzgerald's denials, a year later, that she knew nothing of the contentious legal strategy deployed by the Garda to question the motives of Mr McCabe during a 2015 tribunal that examined his claims of police malpractice. The controversy took another twist on Sunday when it emerged the then Garda Commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan had discussed the strategy in a phone call with a senior Department of Justice official while the tribunal was still ongoing. Read More The revelation raised further questions about the extent of contact about the matter between the Garda and the Department of Justice at the time. Mr Martin, whose party is keeping Mr Varadkar's coalition government alive through an 18-month-old confidence and supply agreement, has refused to back down on a motion of no confidence in Tanaiste Mrs Fitzgerald. It is scheduled for Tuesday night and, if Fianna Fail follow through with it, the confidence and supply pact would be broken and the Government would fall. One way out of the impasse could be for Mrs Fitzgerald to fall on her sword but Mr Varadkar has made clear he does not want her to walk away. If the Dail is dissolved, Mr Varadkar would be reduced to the role of caretaker Taoiseach when he travels to Brussels for the summit. The crisis has erupted at a time when Ireland's stance on Brexit - in particular its call for Northern Ireland to adhere to an EU customs framework - is threatening to thwart the UK government's desire to progress negotiations with Europe on to a future trade deal. Read More On Saturday, Mr Varadkar provided Mr Martin with an update on an emergency trawl of documents within the Department of Justice to locate any additional information on the whistleblower furore. That trawl unearthed details of Ms O'Sullivan's phone call to the Department of Justice official. Mrs Fitzgerald has defended her handling of the email issue amid allegations she was aware of the campaign by lawyers for the Garda Commissioner and took no action. On Sunday, she faced fresh questions as to whether she discussed the email with Ms O'Sullivan when she attended a memorial event with her the day after she received it. Additional reporting: PA A father whose family endured a terrifying ordeal when a number of masked men broke into their home said the sound of smashed glass can "bring it all back". Three men broke into the home of Gerry and Anne Garvey in Pallasgreen, Limerick in April 2012. The raiders broke into the family home and tied up Gerry and Anne, and their four children, and assaulted them. The gang also threatened Mr Garvey at gunpoint, before they fled the house with cash. Just weeks later, Gerry and Annes three elderly neighbours were subjected to a brutal and frightening assault when they were attacked and robbed by two of the same men. In May 2012, two men broke into the isolated rural home of pensioner siblings Willie, Nora and Chrissie Creed, at Ballyluddy, Pallasgreen. The three men, 54-year-old Patrick Roche, his son Philip Roche aged 24, both with addresses in Clondalkin in Dublin, and a son-in-law Alan Freeman with an address in Tipperary town, were recently given lengthy prison sentences for their parts in the two violent robberies. Speaking on Today with Sean O'Rourke, Gerry described the moment he knew something was wrong. "I was doing a study course studying for an exam, it was 8.30pm on a Monday," Gerry said. "Everything was quiet, the kids were watching TV next door. "I heard a loud bang. I initially thought, 'what have they broken now?', with teenagers next door. "Then I heard a second bang, smashing glass, and a few seconds later I saw the butt of a sawn-off shotgun and four raiders were there. "They were absolutely masked, head to toe." Anne was having a bath upstairs at the time and said she had "no idea what was going on downstairs." "My son came up, he gabbled there was something, but he couldn't say it properly what it was. "I did get an opportunity to sit up and cover myself. I was in the bath, which is your worst nightmare." Anne added; "He came in and it was fairly shocking. To be honest, I thought it was a joke at first." Anne said she was concerned for her children. She described how one of the men put his foot on one of her son's shoulders after they were told to lie down. Her husband Gerry told of his fear after he was forced down to the ground and handcuffed. "The shotgun was forced into my forehead for some time. "It was a frightening moment. I felt helpless, there was nothing you could do to help yourself or your family. "We just went into survival mode, thinking we have to get through this. "If they want something, let them, so long as we're safe." The raiders opened a safe in the house and took dollars and sterling that the family had for an upcoming Disney World Florida holiday. "There was the usual shouting and screaming, saying 'we'll blow your head off', ''we'll take your children'," Gerry said. "It probably felt a lot longer than it was. We estimated they were here for four minutes. "We got the distinct impression they wanted to get in and out as quickly as possible." He continued; "Our front gates were never locked up to this event. "Time is a great healer, and we have moved on. You'll move on and you'll get over it but you'll never forget it. "If someone were to smash a glass now at this minute, it would bring it all back." Gerry and Anne said they felt their family got justice once the three men were sentenced to sentences of 17, 15 and 14 years. "What I find difficult to believe is someone who has 139 previous convictions can be out, I think the whole system needs to be changed," Ann said. "The children are good, getting on with their lives. "Again, they're pleased with the result. One of the biggest things we got was support from our local garda." Anne said they also felt justice for their neighbours who had endured a two-and-a-half-hour attack in which "they were left for dead". "it's been nearly six years and they don't go out. "We don't see them," Anne continued. "I remember bringing Willie Creed home and arriving into the farmyard and meeting Chrissy and she was snow white. "Like the last time I had seen her, she had black hair, I was just shocked. "I've since been told she doesn't go out, not even to Mass." Trinity College Dublin has announced that use of the term 'freshman' is to be phased out and be replaced with the gender-neutral term 'fresh'. In an email to all staff and students announcing the news today Vice-Provost Chris Morash and Students' Union President Kevin Keane say a proposal from the Equality Committee that "the title given to first and second year undergraduates students be changed from 'Freshman' to the gender-neutral term 'Fresh'" had been approved. Currently, first and second year students are called junior and senior freshman. Calling it a "small but important change" the email said the change will be phased in over the next three years in a bid to make it "cost neutral with minimal disruption". Adding that this move "is a concrete expression of the university's commitment to gender equality" the email said that "the commitment of everyone will be crucial to ensuring its implementation". The announcement ends with a statement that "as we approach 100 years of womens suffrage in Ireland in 2018, it is timely to reflect on changes in our student body since Freshman first came into use, and to ensure those changes are reflected in the name we give them." Speaking to Independent.ie this afternoon, Trinity College Student Union President Kevin Keane said he felt the move was "very sensible" and that the Union had fully supported the change. "Trinity College can be an intimidating place for new students so anything that can be done to reduce that is important and welcome," he said. "We want Trinity to be as inclusive as possible." Gender-neutral toilets were opened in the College's Arts Block last year and Keane told Independent.ie that all new buildings on the campus now must have gender neutral toilets as part of the College's policy . Party representatives dispute over boarding chopper A Nepal Army chopper on Monday returned without picking up ballot boxes from Kanda Rural Municipality in Bajhang following a dispute between representatives of political parties over boarding it. Losing a loved one is never easy, but the pioneering Hospice Friendly Hospitals programme, now in its 10th year, makes it a little easier to bear. Those coping with the loss of a loved one tend not to remember the finer details of the hospital experience; yet they never forget if their loved one's last days weren't handled with the respect and reverence they deserved. That was one of the key takeaways when, in 2008, the Hospice Friendly Hospitals Programme commissioned the National Audit of End-of-Life Care in Hospitals in Ireland - the first of its kind in the EU. The report, which was published in 2010, collected data on the end-of-life experiences of 1,000 patients who died in acute and community hospitals from the perspectives of nurses, doctors and relatives, and it highlighted considerable shortcomings. "Although there were pockets of very good care in some hospitals," says Margaret McKiernan, chair of Hospice Friendly Hospitals, "what was evident was that it wasn't consistent. "There were big gaps around infrastructure - spaces where people could be brought if they were getting bad news, or just spaces where they could go if they needed time alone. "A lot of the mortuaries would have been very functional spaces," she adds. "They wouldn't have been places that you would have wanted to bring families." The findings from the audit helped HFH, in partnership with the HSE, identify areas where end-of-life care was lacking, and the programme introduced a number of new initiatives on the back of it. The programme wasn't embraced immediately, though. "Anything new can be a hard sell, culturally, in an organisation," admits McKiernan, "and while some members of staff were willing to embrace it, there was still suspicion out there and, I suppose, a little bit of resistance." The national roll-out of the programme - coupled with the feedback from bereaved families - has since helped to allay those doubts. Forty-eight hospitals across the country have now incorporated HFH principles into their practices. Twenty of these hospitals have access to end-of-life care coordinators, and 11.5m has been invested to date. Ann Hayes, development coordinator for end-of-life care, and former clinical nurse manager in oncology, has seen the benefits of the programme first-hand at Sligo University Hospital. "At the time [of the audit], Sligo University Hospital would have fared as one of the poorest in the country in relation to facilities for bereaved relatives," she explains. Following the audit, the hospital received a Design & Dignity grant, co-funded by the Irish Hospice Foundation and the HSE, to improve the mortuary facility. The new building went on to win a National Healthcare award in 2016. "The family bereavement rooms beside the mortuary have made the biggest difference to the hospital in dealing with end-of-life and bereavement," she says. The first mortuary project to be completed under the Design & Dignity scheme was at the Mercy University Hospital in Cork, where McKiernan is the director of nursing. "It was a transformative project for our hospital," she says. "Previously, you would have been walking with families past a waste compacter: it was a very bleak, functional area where post-mortems would have been carried out at one time. "Now we have a protective corridor when you're on your way down to the mortuary - it's bright, it's airy, it's peaceful and it made a huge difference to staff as it gave them a great sense of pride to be able to bring people into this space. "The environment that you're in isn't everything," she adds, "but it's certainly a contributing factor at that particular time." Hayes, who has a Diploma in Bereavement and is currently completing an MSc in Bereavement Studies, has helped to introduced a number of other end-of-life initiatives at Sligo University Hospital - some before the HFH programme was rolled out. While managing the oncology unit, she introduced a sympathy card for bereaved families; in later years, she won a National Healthcare Department Initiative Award for introducing 'Keepsake Quilts' for bereaved parents. "Research shows that holding something tactile is very comforting at this time," she explains. More recently, she has been helping to incorporate the National Maternity Bereavement Standards at the hospital. "We delivered an education day for midwives and staff around maternal loss, and we have a grant from HFH to support that continued education," she says. The way in which belongings were handed back to bereaved relatives was another concern that came to the fore through the end-of-life audit. "It's one thing to manage a situation with someone who is naturally upset but it's another thing if they are put in a situation where they are having to give people property back in a plastic bag because that's all we have," says McKiernan. "It doesn't send out a respectful message. "And if we get it wrong, it can be so hard for people who are stuck afterwards." HFH has a high-quality, specially designed bag for this purpose, which, says Marie Lynch, Irish Hospice Foundation head of healthcare programmes, "promotes a dignified and sensitive way of returning the deceased patient's personal belongings to the family". The bags are decorated with the end-of-life symbol, which was introduced to hospital settings as part of the HFH programme. "The symbol has its roots both in Christian and non-Christian beliefs," explains McKiernan. "It's an ancient symbol seen in places like Newgrange. It's a connection back to a deeper spirituality that isn't just about religion. "What a lot of hospitals have done, including ours, is that they have put up a little information piece on the symbol as you come into the hospital or on a notice board," she continues. "It's very visible and very distinctive and people often ask about it when they see it for the first time. "The purple drape that goes over mortuary trolleys is also very distinctive, and you'll find that people will step back on the corridor or come out of the lift to allow you to be alone," she adds. "There is a sense of ceremony about it: people realise that something important and significant has happened." Healthcare professionals in Queensland, Australia, recently followed Ireland's lead and developed their own end-of-life symbol and handover bag. Wendy Pearse from Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service's (SCHHS) End-of-Life Care Committee said she learned about HFH on social media. "After being inspired by the Irish programme, we developed an Australian take on handover bags and a few other resources," she explains. "The aim of the handover bags is to convey to the family and staff that whilst the person was a patient with us, we cared for them and respected them." The handover bag, like the other HFH initiatives, brings compassion to a practice that was considered to be cold and clinical. And it's just one of the many little touches that makes a huge difference, says Sandra Hannan, a clinical nurse manager based in Limerick, whose mother passed away in University Hospital Limerick in January 2014. The hospital joined the Hospice Friendly Hospital Programme six years previously, and Hannan says the hospice principles promoted at the hospital made a deeply traumatic experience a little bit easier to bear. "The care my Mam received; the dignity she was shown; the privacy she was given. Deep conversations were held at 3am, 4am, 5am... time was no obstacle. "When Mam was near the end, a crowd of friends and family had gathered in the waiting room: they too were allowed to be with her in the room when she took her final breaths. It was exactly what my Mam would have wanted." A few weeks later, the Hannan family received a condolence card from the pastoral care team in University Hospital Limerick. HFH advises participating hospitals to send a sympathy card to bereaved families before they post a bill. It was a small, yet meaningful, gesture that the Hannan family will always remember. And that, says McKiernan, is one of the HFH programme's primary goals. "You really only get one chance to get this right," she says, "so it's important that it's done well." THE hospice END OF LIFE SYMBOL * This symbol has been developed by the Hospice Friendly Hospitals Programme (HFH) to respectfully identify items connected with the end of life. The symbol is inspired by ancient Irish history and is not associated with any one religion or denomination. The spiral can be explained as follows: The 3-stranded white spiral represents the interconnected cycle of life - birth, life and death. The white outer circle represents continuity, infinity and completion. Purple was chosen as the background colour as it is associated with nobility, solemnity and spirituality. High flying: Ettore Bilottas new uniform for Etihad Airways cabin crew, pictured by Vogue and Vanity Fair photographer Norman Jean Roy in Abu Dhabis Liwa desert What exactly does it take to become a flight attendant? Soo Kim looks at the requirements, past and present. The cabin crew industry has undergone a raft of changes in its history, from a dizzying array of uniforms to an evolution of the exact specifications applicants must meet. While traditionally considered a role for women, the first flight attendants were all male before the first "stewardess" was hired by Americas United Airlines in 1930. Soon after, female flight attendants, or "air hostesses", became the norm. A 1936 New York Times article described the ideal air hostess as "petite; weight 100 to 118 pounds; height 5 feet to 5 feet 4 inches; age 20 to 26 years. Add to that the rigid physical examination each must undergo four times every year, and you are assured of the bloom that goes with perfect health." While height, weight and age restrictions have remained today, stricter physical attributes - varying from teeth and hair to arm reach and ability to swim - as well as mental health and specific additional training, have joined the industrys evolving list of cabin crew requisites. Here we highlight some of the more unusual requirements... Height and arm reach Expand Close Southwest Airlines flight attendants attempt to stow a skateboard. Photo: Robert Alexander/Getty Images, 2013 / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Southwest Airlines flight attendants attempt to stow a skateboard. Photo: Robert Alexander/Getty Images, 2013 Most airlines require flight attendants to be between 52 and 62 in height (without shoes), and sometimes slightly taller for male flight attendants. Some require a specific arm reach height - such as Etihad, which says cabin crew must be able to reach 210cm without shoes, while Emirates flight attendants must have an arm reach of 212cm while standing on tiptoes. "We also need our crew to be able to stretch to reach six feet, three inches (6'3") or higher," stipulates Aer Lingus. British Airways' (BA) detailed functionality requirement says its flight attendants must have a vertical functional reach of at least 2.01 meters (6 feet 7 inches), i.e. when you are standing with your feet flat against the floor, the fist on your dominant armwhen fully extended is at least 6 feet 7 inches above the ground Air New Zealand says all of its cabin crew applicants must be able to lift a 10kg weight to a height of 170cm without shoes and with both feet flat on the floor. Read More Weight and body mass index (BMI) Expand Close NEW YORK - JUNE 1950: A Stewardess exits an American Airlines Douglas DC-3 at La Guardia Airport. Photo by Ivan Dmitri/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp NEW YORK - JUNE 1950: A Stewardess exits an American Airlines Douglas DC-3 at La Guardia Airport. Photo by Ivan Dmitri/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Airlines generally require flight attendants to be in proportion to your height. What might be considered a healthy weight may be determined by your body mass index, as seems to be the case with Czech Airlines. BMI is used to calculate weight ones body weight in kilograms is divided by the square of ones body height in metres. BMI = body weight (kg) divided by square of height (m). A BMI = 19-24.9 is considered satisfactory, the airline states. Last year, Air India warned 600 of its 3,500 crew to lose weight within six months or risk being taken off flights. The airline announced plans to remove nearly 130 workers from cabin crew duty because their BMI levels remain above the prescribed limit. The airline said that the normal BMI for an air hostess is between 18 and 22, overweight between 22 and 27, and obese for a value above 27. For male attendants the brackets were 18 to 25, 25 to 30, and above. The NHS says a healthy BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9. Read More Nostril hairs, teeth and other features Expand Close Flight attendant with cabin crew and an airplane / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Flight attendant with cabin crew and an airplane Several airlines are reported to have specific guidelines for the physical appearance of their cabin crew, such as American Airlines which is said to advise that: "Noticeable hair in nostrils and in/on ears or underarms must be cut or otherwise removed. Good teeth and oral hygiene also make the list of requirements for American Airlines, which says: "Teeth should present a clean, natural appearance. Employees must have a full frontal complement of teeth. Dental retainers must be gum toned or clear. Braces should be clear or silver." Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air says: Good oral hygiene should be practiced to ensure that the teeth present a clean, natural appearance. Breath sprays and mints are encouraged. Read More Hawaiian Airlines is reported to advise that: Hands and nails should be kept well groomed at all times, with nail length not exceeding an eighth of an inch beyond the finger tip," while United Airlines outlines that finger nails may be no longer than inch measured from the fingertip and should be even in length and shape". United Airlines also takes a strong stance on facial hair on men, saying trendy facial hair styles are not permitted (e.g., small patch of hair growing below lower lip)" for men and "mustaches may not extend more than inch below the sides of the mouth". Meanwhile, Jet Airways is said to require a clear complexion (scars, pimples and blemishes not acceptable)". Tattoos and piercings Expand Close 1970: Crew on the first commercial flight of the Boeing 747 from New York to London for Pan American. Photo: AFP/Getty Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp 1970: Crew on the first commercial flight of the Boeing 747 from New York to London for Pan American. Photo: AFP/Getty Images A Pan-Am crew in 1970. No tattoos, please! Most airlines do not allow any tattoos or piercings visible when the cabin crew are wearing their uniforms and most, such as BA, Emirates and Etihad, do not allow any visible tattoos to be covered with cosmetics, plasters or even jewellery, as cabin crew are expected to have excellent personal presentation, style and image, according to Etihads requirements. As all our uniform shirts are white, you will be required to wear an appropriate white undergarment if you have a tattoo on your upper body in the blue area so that your tattoo is in no way visible through the uniform shirt, BA states. Tattoos on the feet are not permitted, as they cannot be concealed. All shoes must be of the classic court style, which leaves the top and side of the foot exposed. The maximum permitted hosiery density is 15 denier and does not cover up tattoos. You will be required to remove any items from your tongue for training and duty. Tattoos are not permitted on wrists. Watches must be of a discreet design with either a small silver or gold metal bracelet, or brown/black leather strap the airline said. Hair and makeup Expand Close High flying: Ettore Bilottas new uniform for Etihad Airways cabin crew, pictured by Vogue and Vanity Fair photographer Norman Jean Roy in Abu Dhabis Liwa desert / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp High flying: Ettore Bilottas new uniform for Etihad Airways cabin crew, pictured by Vogue and Vanity Fair photographer Norman Jean Roy in Abu Dhabis Liwa desert Etihad crew in their new Ettore Bilotta uniforms Airlines generally require flight attendants to have a groomed look that meets conventional standard, as BA describes. For women, you will need to have a styled look with hair and makeup that would be appropriate in a professional environment and complements our uniform. For men, your hair must meet a conventional style which is appropriate for a professional environment, shaven or sculptured styles and long hair are not permitted. Dyed hair must be of a natural colour for both men and women. American Airlines believes "hairstyles may not be more than three inches in fullness and may not wave or curl outward to extreme volume" while Hawaiian Airlines believes unacceptable hairstyles include, but are not limited to, extreme or unnatural colors (e.g., pink, purple), top-knots, dreadlocks, cornrows and Mohawks." As for makeup, "male flight attendants may not wear make-up on United Airlines flights, while "Lipstick or gloss are required and should complement the facial features. Lip liner should be used in moderation" by Allegiant Air flight attendants. Makeup should be freshened as necessary, but never in view of the customer" American Airlines believes. Uniforms Expand Close Ryanair cabin crew model the airline's new uniforms. Photo: Taine King / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Ryanair cabin crew model the airline's new uniforms. Photo: Taine King Ryanair's new uniforms. Guidelines around airline uniforms, which have a varied history, are also provided with specific details by some airlines such as United Airlines, which says the "length [of skirt] may not exceed 1 inch above or 1 inch below the crease of the back of the knee. US budget carrier JetBlue tells cabin crew not to tie your sweater around your waist; it can be worn around your shoulders and "don't wear accessories that clash with your uniform". "Hoop earrings are permitted and may be no larger than 1 inches in diameter and/or inch wide on the surface" for Hawaiian Airlines cabin crew and United Airlines is reported to allow "a total of four rings to be worn, with "no more than two on each hand by each flight attendant. Read More Physical strength and health Expand Close Portrait of female flight attendant / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Portrait of female flight attendant Flight attendants with Canada's WestJet "must successfully pass a functional assessment and must be able to lift 50 pounds from floor to waist and 22 pounds overhead". Air New Zealand believes good health is essential and if you progress through the selection process, you will be required to undertake a medical examination while Etihad warns all flight attendants must be "willing to comply with UAE and GCAA visa, medical and health screening requirements. Alaska Airlines is also said to require applicants to be free of all nicotine use for at least 6 months prior to submitting an application." Swimming skills Flight attendants for different airlines must be able to swim at least around 20 metres (i.e. Ryanair). EasyJets cabin crew must be able to swim 25 metres without any assistance and tread water for at least a minute. Etihad says applicants must be "confident in water and be able to swim with the aid of a flotation device". Mental health tests and jungle training Most airlines require a minimum of high school level education or the equivalent from their cabin crew, but some airlines require additional training and aptitude testing, such as with Czech Airlines, which states: At first, your identity and education are verified then there is a written and oral assessment of your language skills. If you pass through these stages successfully, you undergo a psychological testing at the Institute of Aviation Medicine assessing the aptitude of the applicant for the position of cabin attendant." Following a final medical check at the Institute of Aviation Medicine and you are deemed fit to fly, you will be enrolled in an intensive six-week daily training course, the airline states. The Brazilian carrier TAM Airlines puts its cabin crew through their paces in a maze-like space set up inside a totally dark building filled with smoke, according to Airlinereporter.com. Teams of flight attendants must go in and communicate with each other to try and work through the maze, find the [dummy] passenger, and get him to safety, writes David Parker Brown. The airline is also said to have a designated area where their flight attendants are made to complete jungle survival training to learn how to survive in the jungle in case a plane goes down. It is actually required by the Brazilian government that any airline based in Brazil needs to offer this sort of training. I have never seen this sort of training with any other airline, so it was quite interesting. The area is used to train flight attendants how to gather bits and parts of the crashed plane to build shelter and, hopefully, be rescued in a timely manner. Alaska Airlines is reported to require their cabin crew to have "at least two years of customer or community service experience. Marital status Expand Close Flight attendant fastening seat belt to boy for a safe trip / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Flight attendant fastening seat belt to boy for a safe trip Jet Airways is reported to require an unmarried status as only a standard for "inexperienced" crew; people applying as "experienced" cabin crew are said to be allowed to be married. Last September, Qatar Airways relaxed its controversial policies which saw cabin crew sacked if they became pregnant or got married within the first five years of employment. The restrictions, which had been condemned by UN agency the International Labour Organization (ILO), had been phased out "over the past six months", a spokeswoman for the company told AFP at the time. "Our policies have evolved with the airline's growth," the spokeswoman added. Under the new regulations, women who become pregnant are now offered temporary ground jobs and staff can also get married after notifying the company. Other regulations which had drawn complaints from staff - such as women crew members can only be picked up from work by their father, brother or husband - are thought to remain in place. Age While all UK-based airlines are not allowed to set age restrictions on their employees following the age discrimination act of 2006, all international airlines tend to have a minimum age requirement between 18-21 years for their flight attendants. The majority of international airlines are to welcome applications for flight attendants up to around 56 years of age. Last year, a 59-year-old grandmother of 11 who took up her dream job as a flight attendant just shy of her 60th birthday was among the stars of a documentary about Virgin Atlantic. Katrine Haynes from Eastbourne was one of more than 2,000 people who applied for the role in just 48 hours. Read more: Our visitor maps out a perfect day in Florida's surprise package... 10am: Stroll through Ybor City Ybor (above) is a city within a city - Tampa's 'Latin Quarter' with a whiff of New Orleans, and formerly the cigar-making capital of the world. Take a guided tour of this grid-patterned red-brick enclave where chickens roam free. Stepping into Jose Marti Park puts you on Cuban soil without having to produce a passport while the former 'mothership' cigar factory is now a Scientology centre. How: Ybor City Museum, 1818 East 9th Avenue; ybormuseum.org 2pm: Art by the river The Tampa Museum of Art enjoys a great setting next to a large public park by the river. It's got collections of Ancient Greek and Roman treasures, but the exciting part is its contemporary scene, with fantastic travelling exhibitions and a thrilling mix of Cuban and North American influences. Even the museum itself is a great piece of modern art, seen to most dramatic effect when the sun goes down. How: 120 W. Gasparilla Plaza; tampamuseum.org. 5pm: Go Gourmet Take a spin along Bayshore Boulevard to the more sedate side of town, admiring millionaires' homes while joggers and cyclists flash past the lagoon-like Hillsborough Bay. One of the most exciting places to overindulge in Tampa is the Elevage Restaurant at the Epicurean - a hotel/restaurant/cookery school concept infused with a real, feel-good atmosphere. They also happen to have the world's largest private wine collection. How: 1207 South Howard Avenue; epicureanhotel.com 8pm: Head Downtown Expand Close Tampa Riverwalk / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Tampa Riverwalk Tampa's reputation for its rundown city centre has been radically turned on its head. The energetic night-time atmosphere is enhanced by the colour-lit 4km-long Tampa Riverwalk, offering a lively selection of venues in its path. Visitors can drink alcohol as they stroll, as long as they buy it from approved vendors along the way and carry it in specially designated cups. Recommended pitstops include Ulele and Aloft's outdoor poolside bar. How: thetampariverwalk.com Do it Aer Lingus (aerlingus.com) flies direct to Orlando 3-4 times a week. Tampa is a 1.5-hour drive from Orlando. For more to see and do around Tampa Bay, see visittampabay.com Harvey Weinstein is being sued under sex trafficking laws by an aspiring British actress who claims she was sexually assaulted by the disgraced Hollywood producer in Cannes. Kadian Noble, 31, said in the lawsuit lodged in the US on Monday that Weinstein attacked her in the French city after grooming her in London with the prospect of a role in one of his films. The action came after what is believed to be the first civil suit of its kind in the UK was filed against Weinstein by a woman seeking damages over a series of sexual assaults. Expand Close Harvey Weinstein / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Harvey Weinstein Noble, who has waived her right to anonymity, said Weinstein groomed her when he visited London and she was introduced to an executive assistant of his, the suit filed in New York claims. She claims she was then recruited and enticed to Le Majestic hotel in Cannes in around February 2014 where she was asked to show him her showreel. Weinstein massaged her and told her if she was a good girl and did whatever he wished then they would work together, the lawsuit alleges. Expand Close Kadian Noble (picture supplied by actress) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Kadian Noble (picture supplied by actress) Noble, who is living in London, claims that despite her resistance and telling him to stop, he forcibly pulled her into the bathroom where he stripped and assaulted her. Kadian has suffered severe injuries and emotional distress, pain and suffering, mental anguish, inconvenience, loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life, inability to lead a normal life, shame and humiliation, lawyer Stuart Mermelstein writes. Video of the Day Noble is demanding a jury trial under a federal sex trafficking statute and is also suing Weinsteins younger brother Bob Weinstein and the studio they co-founded, The Weinstein Company. She alleges they knew or were in reckless disregard of the fact that he would use force or coercion to engage in sexual activity with her. A spokeswoman for Weinstein said: Mr Weinstein denies allegations of non-consensual sex. Mr Weinstein has further confirmed that there were never any acts of retaliation against any women for refusing his advances. In a separate case, a woman filed a lawsuit against Weinstein in the High Court in London, with her lawyers saying she likely wanted in excess of 300,000 in damages over alleged incidents many years ago. Monday also saw Weinstein, 65, resign from the Directors Guild of America as the union investigated claims against him. He is also facing criminal investigations in London, New York and Los Angeles after various women, including stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie and Rose McGowan, spoke about his alleged mistreatment of them. A volcano with a deadly history is continuing to erupt on Bali, one of the world's most popular resort islands, spitting ash more than two miles high and stranding tens of thousands of tourists for a second day. Lava is welling in the crater of Mount Agung, but it remains unclear how bad the eruption might be or how long it could last. Authorities have raised the alert to the highest level and told 100,000 people to leave an area extending six miles from the crater as it belches grey and white plumes into the sky. Agung's last major eruption in 1963 killed about 1,100 people. Expand Close A flight information board shows cancelled flights at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali, Indonesia, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency says the airport on the tourist island of Bali is closed for a second day due to the threat from volcanic ash. (AP Photo/Ketut Nataan) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A flight information board shows cancelled flights at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali, Indonesia, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency says the airport on the tourist island of Bali is closed for a second day due to the threat from volcanic ash. (AP Photo/Ketut Nataan) Officials extended the closure of Bali's international airport for another 24 hours due to concerns that jet engines could choke on the thick volcanic ash, which was moving across the island. Airport spokesman Ari Ahsanurrohim said more than 440 flights were cancelled on Tuesday, affecting nearly 60,000 passengers, about the same as Monday. Without aircraft, getting in or out of Bali requires travelling hours by land and boat to an airport on another island. Experts said a larger, explosive eruption is possible or Agung could stay at its current level of activity for weeks. Expand Close Mount Agung is seen spewing heavy volcanic ash from inside the car on November on November 28, 2017 in Karangasem, Island of Bali, Indonesia. (Photo by Andri Tambunan/Getty Images) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mount Agung is seen spewing heavy volcanic ash from inside the car on November on November 28, 2017 in Karangasem, Island of Bali, Indonesia. (Photo by Andri Tambunan/Getty Images) "If it got much worse, it would be really hard to think of. You've got a huge population centre, nearly a million people in Denpasar and surroundings, and it's very difficult to envision moving those people further away," said Richard Arculus, a volcano expert at Australian National University, adding that an eruption in 1843 was even more explosive than the one in 1963. "There are many examples in history where you have this kind of seismic build-up - steam ejections of a little bit of ash, growing eruptions of ash to a full-scale stratosphere-reaching column of ash, which can presage a major volcanic event," he said. A Nasa satellite detected a thermal anomaly at the crater, said senior Indonesian volcanologist Gede Swantika. That means a pathway from the storage chamber in the volcano's crust has opened, giving magma easier access to the surface. Indonesian officials first raised the highest alert two months ago when a rash of seismic activity was detected at the mountain. Expand Close Police officers wear masks as they patrol in a village in Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. Indonesia authorities raised the alert for the rumbling volcano to highest level on Monday and closed the international airport on tourist island of Bali stranding thousands of travelers. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Police officers wear masks as they patrol in a village in Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. Indonesia authorities raised the alert for the rumbling volcano to highest level on Monday and closed the international airport on tourist island of Bali stranding thousands of travelers. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati) More than 100,000 people living near the volcano fled their homes, many abandoning their livestock or selling them for a fraction of the normal price. The seismic activity decreased by the end of October, prompting authorities to lower the alert level. Tremors increased again last week and officials upped the alert and ordered another large-scale evacuation, with nearly 40,000 people now staying in 225 shelters, according to the Disaster Mitigation Agency in Karangasem. Tens of thousands of villagers have remained in their homes because they feel safe or do not want to abandon their farms and livestock. Flows of volcanic mud have been spotted on Agung's slopes, and Mr Arculus warned more are possible as it is the rainy season on Bali. "They're not making a lot of noise. It's just suddenly coming like a flash flood out of nowhere," he said. "You do not want to be near them. Stay out of the valleys." Indonesia sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" and has more than 120 active volcanoes. Prep works on at ICC for new Lower and Upper Houses The Parliament Secretariat has started restructuring the halls at the International Convention Centre in New Baneshwor to accommodate the federal parliament that comprises the House of Representatives and the National Assembly. The scene outside the Altena restaurant after the attack (Markus Kluemper/dpa via AP) Andreas Holstein suffered a neck injury when he was stabbed at a kebab restaurant (AP) The mayor of a small German town says he is happy to be alive after being attacked with a knife by a man who confronted him over his welcoming stance towards refugees, before slashing his neck. The knife attack on Andreas Hollstein, the 54-year-old mayor of Altena in western Germany, prompted widespread shock and condemnation from officials including Chancellor Angela Merkel. Authorities said the incident on Monday night was probably politically motivated. "I'm shocked by the knife attack on mayor Andreas Hollstein - and very relieved that he is back with his family," Mrs Merkel said. "Thanks also to those who helped him." The attacker was identified only as a 56-year-old German man and was described as drunk by local media. Mr Hollstein, a father of four and a member of Mrs Merkel's conservative party, appeared shaken as he answered reporters' questions the day after the attack. "I feared for my life," he said adding that it appeared the man had intentionally chosen him as a victim. "If you ask me whether that knife in his pocket was for me, I'd answer with a yes," he said. The mayor said he was at a local kebab restaurant when the attacker approached him, held a knife to his throat and took him to task over his policies towards refugees. It was only with the help of the restaurant's owner and his son that the man was overpowered, and police later made an arrest Mr Hollstein was taken to hospital but discharged later on Monday. He said he had a 6in cut on the left side of his neck. The mayor became known nationally for voluntarily taking in more asylum seekers than Altena was obliged to since the height of the refugee crisis two years ago. He said his attacker had probably been incited by the poisoned atmosphere fuelled by parties such as the nationalist Alternative for Germany, which has campaigned against migrants and their supporters. But Mr Hollstein said the attack would not deter him from continuing to stand up for refugees and others who needed his support. Armin Laschet, governor of North Rhine-Westphalia state where Altena is located, said: "The security agencies assume the attack has a political background." The incident in Altena has been compared to a knife attack two years ago in which a far-right assailant stabbed a politician campaigning to become mayor of Cologne. The attacker was angered by the government's refugee policy. Henriette Reker, who was in charge of housing refugees in Cologne at the time, was elected mayor the following day while still in an induced coma. Germany took in more than a million asylum seekers between 2015 and 2016, mostly from war-torn countries such as Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq. The influx saw an outpouring of support from many Germans who wanted to help the refugees, but also a sharp rise in the number of attacks against migrants. AP There is a tree painted on the wall of a care centre for separated children in Aleppo, and each branch carries a picture of every child brought in. "We take pictures as soon as possible in case a parent comes back a long time later and doesn't recognise the child," Mohammed Makki, the general manager, explains. If a child is reunited with family, their picture comes down. A younger Nour remains on one of the branches. We don't know her surname. She is three and a half now, at a guess. Last December she was picked up by a soldier in east Aleppo. Amid the chaos, the bombings and the destruction as the drawn-out siege drew to an end, Nour was found alone, covered in debris, with a broken leg, on the side of a street. "She was old enough to cry 'Mama' and 'Dada' but wouldn't say more than that - not even her name. Nobody came for her and she ended up with us," Mr Makki recalls, as another 15 or so children under the age of five play nearby in the rented facility in the Chahba neighbourhood. "She was in terrible condition, physically and mentally. She isolated herself in the centre, wouldn't speak or play or go outdoors or talk. We tried and failed to get her out of psychological trauma." Still no one came for her. What happened to her parents? Did they, like many others, die in the final push by government forces to retake the rebel-held section of the city? Did they somehow get separated from her as thousands were evacuated to Idlib province when President Bashar al Assad secured a crucial victory in the (then) six-year conflict? Expand Close Fatima Rejab at a Return to Learning centre in Aleppo Photo: Mark Condren / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Fatima Rejab at a Return to Learning centre in Aleppo Photo: Mark Condren Fortunately for Nour, there was someone else. "We had a caregiver who was responsible for her," Mr Makki explains. "Over time, Bayan Lejeen was able to bring Nour out of her shell." Although adoption is against the law in Syria, Ms Lejeen was determined and committed enough to pass strict criteria allowing her access to Nour at the weekends. The change in the little girl with the sad brown eyes has been remarkable. "She has a family now, grandparents and aunts and cousins. It has turned her life around completely. She has started to mingle with the other kids here, and is going to kindergarten. She is even speaking. Bayan's name is shortened to 'Bet' and Nour calls herself 'Nour Bet' now. She's thriving." Read More The resilience of young children is often remarked upon. But the stories about young girls from east Aleppo are nonetheless remarkable. Unicef was doing a polio vaccination here when a 13-year-old girl holding a baby walked up. The health team asked her for a parent's card so they could administer the medicine. "I'm the mother," the young girl replied. Aya got married at 12, when her family was among those besieged in east Aleppo. Her father told her: "In war, I need someone to take care of the girls," and gave her no choice. Expand Close Three-year-old Nour, who was found alone and injured on the streets of Aleppo, stands in front of a tree decorated with the photos of other children who have been brought to a care facility for separated children. Photo: Mark Condren / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Three-year-old Nour, who was found alone and injured on the streets of Aleppo, stands in front of a tree decorated with the photos of other children who have been brought to a care facility for separated children. Photo: Mark Condren Today, her husband is missing, and her father is dead. The healthcare team asked her a few questions. Aya didn't recommend marriage as a child. "Not at all, I would never let my daughter get married - she would lose her childhood," she said. Marrying at a very young age was an option - rather than a demand - put to Fatima Rajab, but she rejected it. She's a proud 16-year-old, and a little stubborn. But that appears to be a family trait. When rebel fighters started to take control of parts of east Aleppo in the summer of 2012, the population of that area, which includes the ancient old city, was estimated at one million. By the time the government regained control last December, just 40,000 remained. Fatima remained in the once-thriving Sukkari neighbourhood, now a dusty hive of shelled-out buildings, with rubble and debris littering the streets, intermittent electricity and almost total poverty. Her mother and father remained. Her six older sisters married and left. One of her older brothers, Mohammed, was killed in a bomb attack. The other, Abdo, has been missing for many months. "There was no food, but we just had to survive. I was terrified all the time. I thought at any time that I might die," she says, speaking quietly at first but growing in confidence as she tells her remarkable story. "My father spent all the money he had saved to build this house and he would not go even when we wanted to. He said, 'You go and leave me alone' but we stayed with him." Night after night, week after week, month after month, the Rajab family lived in fear - fear of bombs, of mortars, of snipers, of hunger, of dehydration, of illness. Their nightmare began when Fatima was nine. The siege was lifted when she was 15. She missed the intervening six years of school. But now she is back in education, and wants to be an IT engineer. "I've an exam in May and it will be difficult. I cried when I came back because it was so difficult to catch up but gradually it got better," she says. "I'll hopefully pass, but I need high marks to get into the IT school so I need to work." That she will is guaranteed. "One of the most inspiring aspects of our mission here in Aleppo is the sheer resilience of the women we have encountered," Peter Power, executive director of Unicef Ireland, says. "They must be commended not only for surviving the awful conflict during the past six years and more, but also for resolutely planning to secure their own futures and those of their families. It's remarkable." And the importance of education to anchor those plans repeatedly stands out. Elham Shekhou (25) was going to work when she and her husband Firass were struck by a mortar. She was six months pregnant. "I was very afraid for my baby," she says. "I had to undergo many surgeries and X-rays, and had a lot of warnings that things wouldn't turn out well and I was expecting they wouldn't." Fortunately, Miriam is now a thriving one-year-old. "It's a miracle," her mother says. While her husband was soon able to return to work, Elham has extensive injuries, including severe damage to her left leg, meaning standing is very difficult. We meet her as she stands in front of a classroom in Deir Hafer in rural Aleppo, where she is now working as a teacher. "I hope [Miriam] has a very good life, goes to university, and that is why I'm standing here with some difficulty doing my work," she says. "Our house was destroyed in the crisis so I'm also working to help support my husband. "But my little girl needs someone to take care of her when I'm at work, and my husband's family is here so I moved and he works in the city. "I am surprised by my own strength," she admits with a shy smile. Ghouson Mukaddam (42) has also shown remarkable patience. She was made principal of Ammar bin Yasser school in Maysaloun in 2010. It is a densely populated area near the old city, and was controlled by the rebels until last December. Ghouson lived directly across the road from her school. Both her home and school were destroyed within a short period in 2014. Fortunately, she and her family had already left. Indeed, almost all the buildings around the school were hit. "It became very dangerous and I simply couldn't stay there," she says. "I can't start to describe what it felt like to leave, it was very difficult. But I was determined to start again for the children, but I had to wait." Plans for the new school finally began in February of this year, and she was a major contributor from the start. It was a huge undertaking. It included clearing part of the former site, installing 10 new prefabricated classrooms, amalgamating with other schools in the area which had also been destroyed, and sourcing new teachers because so many men are still fighting, injured or dead. "We were waiting for the opening by the second. This land means a lot to us because of what we had before and what we have gone through," she says. "The minute you see the children in the classroom, there is a huge happiness. I, too, am happy here, and looking forward." Old men start wars, the saying goes, and young men fight them. But it is the women of east Aleppo who are picking up the pieces and shaping a future for them, their families, and maybe even their beleaguered country. A man who survived the Las Vegas shooting and helped bring victims to hospital has been killed in a hit-and-run incident. Roy McClellan had weeks earlier escaped Stephen Paddocks barrage of gunfire which left 59 people dead at the Route 91 Harvest music festival, in one of the deadliest mass shootings in modern US history. The 52-year-old was hitchhiking along a motorway in southern Nevada, around 50 miles west of Las Vegas, when he was struck by a vehicle in the early hours of 17 November. He was pronounced dead at the scene. His widow, Denise, said her husband was suffering from depression and had been undergoing therapy since the shooting, adding: It was really messing with his head. Expand Close Flowers and candles surround the famous Las Vegas sign at a makeshift memorial for victims of the mass shooting (AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Flowers and candles surround the famous Las Vegas sign at a makeshift memorial for victims of the mass shooting (AP) She told KSNV: Im angry. Im angry. I feel that he was under the influence of something or drunk and didnt want to get caught, so he bailed and left my husband laying there in the street. He doesn't deserve that. This isnt what I wanted for him. I dont understand why he wasnt taken at the shooting, but a month later he was taken this way. I hope my husband found peace and hes safe now. The Nevada Highway Patrol said the victim was illegally walking in the right lane of the motorway when he was hit by a vehicle and are investigating the incident. Police are searching for the driver of a Chevrolet Camaro. Last month, a couple who also survived the shooting died in a car crash near their home in California. Read More A GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover Mr McClellans funeral costs. Expand Close Dennis and Lorraine Carver were killed in a car crash weeks after surviving the Las Vegas shooting (Image: Facebook) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Dennis and Lorraine Carver were killed in a car crash weeks after surviving the Las Vegas shooting (Image: Facebook) Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022] Shares in online grocer Ocado rocketed after it announced a long-awaited international partnership, signing a deal with French supermarket giant Groupe Casino. Ocado said the deal will see it construct an automated warehouse, or customer fulfilment centre, that will serve the Greater Paris area, as well as the Normandie and Hauts de France regions. Groupe Casino will pay Ocado upfront and ongoing fees as part of the deal. Investors warmed to the news, with shares advancing 24% in morning trading to 318p. FTSE 250-listed Ocado announced its first international deal in early June, although it has so far kept the customer anonymous. The online firm has been under pressure over its delay in striking a deal after missing a self-imposed deadline of the end of 2015 to expand overseas. Ocado said it expects the Groupe Casino tie-up, which will see it develop what it calls Ocado Smart Platform, to be earnings neutral in 2018. Groupe Casino sub-brand Monoprix.fr will be the first to benefit from the deal, and Ocado also expects to sign similar deals with other retailers. Jean-Charles Naouri, chief executive of Groupe Casino, said: This agreement is a major leap in terms of quality: 50,000 food items will be offered in the first stage to customers in the Greater Paris area with precise and speedy delivery at home and through a platform which makes it achievable to do this profitably. Ocado started out life delivering food from upmarket grocer Waitrose but has since struck a deal with Morrisons. In its most recent trading update, the group posted a 13.1% rise in retail revenues to 312.7 million for its third quarter to August 27. Including earnings from its tie-up with Morrisons, group revenues lifted by 14.3% to 344.5 million. It is also increasing the capacity at its new centre in Andover, while also working on its fourth and biggest centre in Erith, Dartford, which is set to open next year. Ocado boss Tim Steiner said of the French deal: We believe that the scalable, modular end-to-end solutions provided by the Ocado Smart Platform will allow retailers such as Groupe Casino to build their online grocery offer in a way that is profitable and sustainable, creating value for customers, suppliers and shareholders. We continue to make investments to commercialise our proprietary platform and expect this deal to be one of many successful collaborations with leading retailers to use it the world over. Saving the ghost A big cat with chatoyant grey-green eyes, thick spotted fur and a long curling tail is a vulnerable species that inhabits the majestic mountain ecosystems of the Himalayas, Hindu Kush, Pamirs, the Tibetan Plateau, and the Mongolian steppes. New Delhi, Nov 28 (IBNS): After winning the Miss World crown, Manushi Chillar, is all set to focus on bringing change in the society as the winner will be working on menstrual hygiene with an aim to empower women. Manushi, who has returned to the country last week, interacted with the media on Tuesday. Speaking about her missions after winning the beauty pageant, Manushi was clear in her mind that she wants to bring to change in the society. "I am trying to bring change step by step and menstrual hygiene is one such step." Manushi, who is from Haryana, expressed her joy as her own state has ended a long time practice of gun firing in the marriage which were done to show male domination. The 20-year old Miss World said the kind of respect she is getting after the win is beyond her expectations. Revealing the kind of celebrations she is witnessing in her house, Manushi said: "The celebrations are continuing for last one week and I think it will go on for a month now." After spending 40 days abroad for the competition, Manushi is presently longing to eat foods cooked by her mother, whom the Miss World hugged first after winning the title. Manushi, however, said she is not feeling any pressure rather "enjoying". Manushi's win came 17 years after Priyanka Chopra bagged the coveted title in 2000. The 20-year-old medical student left behind top five contestants from England, France, Kenya and Mexico to win the crown. The event was held in Sanya in China. Participants from 118 countries participated in The Miss World beauty pageant. Images: twitter.com/ManushiChhillar Five bullet-riddled bodies of ethnic Punjabis were recovered by Levies Force personnel in the Tajaban area of Turbat tehsil (revenue unit) in the Kech District of Balochistan on November 18, 2017. The Levies Force disclosed that all the victims had received multiple bullet injuries and belonged to the Gujrat District of Punjab. Three days earlier, 15 bullet-riddled bodies were recovered by Levies Force personnel in the Buleda area of Turbat tehsil in the Kech District on November 15, 2017. Makran District Commissioner Bashir Ahmed Bangulzai said that all the victims apparently belonged to various districts of Punjab, and were allegedly en route to Iran through an infrequent route illegally. Each of them received multiple bullets wounds from a close range. According to District Commissioner Kech Darmon Bhawani, "Armed men had kidnapped these men near the Iranian border and shot them near Goruk." Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) had taken responsibility for the attack. An alleged BLF commander, Younas Taukali, involved in the incident was later killed on November 17, 2017, during a Security Forces (SFs) operation. Inter-Services Public Relation (ISPR) claimed that BLF leader Taukali was killed by the Frontier Constabulary (FC) near Alandur, Abdur Rehman village in Kech District. 2017 also witnessed several other major incidents (each involving three or more fatalities) where non-ethnic Baloch people were targeted. Prominent among these were: August 20: Three Punjabi labourers, who were abducted by unidentified militants four days earlier, were found dead in the Hoshab area of Kech District in Balochistan. These labourers, who belonged to the Rahim Yar Khan District of Punjab, were working on a development project in the area. The bodies were found with multiple bullet injuries. No group claimed responsibility for the attack. May 19: Unidentified militants shot dead three labourers and injured another in Hoshab town, Turbat District. The slain labourers were part of a team working in the coastal Makran Division on a major highway linking the port-city of Gwadar to the provincial capital of Quetta. No group claimed responsibility for the attack. May 13: At least 10 labourers were killed and two were injured when unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants opened fire at a construction site in the Pishgan area of Gwadar. Senior Levies Official Muhammad Zareef stated, "All the labourers were shot at close range." The slain labourers belonged to the Naushahro Feroze District of Sindh. Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) had claimed responsibility of the attack. According to partial data compiled by the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP), a total of 198 settlers have been killed in Balochistan since the killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti , leader of the Bugti tribe and President of the Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP), on August 26, 2006. Bugti was killed in a military operation in the Chalgri area of the Bhamboor Hills in Dera Bugti District. Out of the 198 'outsiders' killed, at least 75 were Punjabis. 23 Punjabi settlers have already been killed in the current year (data till November 26, 2017). 2016 witnessed no attack on Punjabis, while the number of such fatalities stood at a total of six in 2015; 17 in 2014; 29 in 2013; 26 in 2012; 13 in 2011; 21 in 2010; 18 in 2009; and one in 2008. No such fatalities were recorded in 2007 and 2006. While Punjabis have been the main targets, other ethnic groups, like Urdu-speaking people from Karachi and Hindko-speaking settlers from Haripur District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), have also been singled out in acts of ethnic violence. A series of attacks on Punjabi and other non-Baloch settlers in Balochistan, as well as the destruction of national infrastructure have followed the killing of Akbar Bugti. These killings have been orchestrated by Baloch militant organizations such as the BLA, BLF and the Baloch Republican Army (BRA), among others, who began to voice anti-Punjabi sentiments in their slogans in the wake of the military action against Bugti. A media report published on June 28, 2011, had noted, "Almost all non-Baloch are on their hit-list." Muhammad Khalid of Balochistan-Punjabi Ittehad stated, "The militants began to target the Punjabi settlers after Nawab Bugti was taken out by the military (in August, 2006). Before that there were occasional incidents in which Punjabis were targeted." Significantly, most of the Punjabi settler killings are recorded in South Balochistan (principally in Bolan, Kech, Gwadar, Panjgur, Khuzdar, Sibi and Lasbela Districts) which accounts for 156 killings; followed by 27 in North Balochistan (mostly in Nushki, Quetta and Mustang District). The overwhelming concentration of such killings in the South is because of the presence and dominance of Baloch insurgent groups in this region, while the North is dominated by Islamist extremist formations such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), who are primarily engaged in sectarian killings within Pakistan. The latter groups of Islamist terrorist formations enjoy the tacit support of Islamabad, which has, for long, used Islamist extremist violence as an instrument of domestic political management. These groups are engaged in a selective campaign against the Baloch people, and have sought to aggressively backed efforts to alter the region's demography. The targeted killings of non-Baloch persons can also be attributed to the rampant extra judicial killings and forced disappearances by the Pakistani SFs in the region. According to the SATP database, the Province has recorded at least 6,726 fatalities since 2004, which includes 4,000 civilians, 1,486 militants and 1,240 SF personnel. The maximum number of fatalities in the 'civilian' category was the result of extra-judicial killings by SFs in retaliation to target killings of SF personnel by ethnic Baloch insurgents. Of the 4,000 civilian fatalities recorded in Balochistan since 2004 [data till November 26, 2017], at least 1,152 have been attributable to one or other terrorist/insurgent outfit. Of these, 395 civilian killings (225 in the South and 170 in the North) have been claimed by Baloch separatist formations, while Islamist and sectarian extremist formations - primarily LeJ, TTP and Ahrar-ul-Hind (Liberators of India) - claimed responsibility for another 757 civilian killings, 674 in the North (mostly in and around Quetta) and 83 in the South. The remaining 2,848 civilian fatalities - 1,693 in the South and 1,155 in the North - remain 'unattributed'. A large proportion of the 'unattributed' fatalities, particularly in the Southern region, are believed to be the result of enforced disappearances carried out by state agencies, or by their proxies, prominently including the Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Aman Balochistan (TNAB, Movement for the Restoration of Peace, Balochistan). The large number of unattributed civilian fatalities strengthens the widespread conviction that the Security Agencies are busy with "kill and dump" operations against local Baloch dissidents, a reality that Pakistan's Supreme Court has clearly recognized. According to the Federal Ministry of Human Rights, at least 936 dead bodies of 'disappeared' persons, often mutilated and bearing the signs of torture, have been found in Balochistan since 2011. Figures obtained from the Federal Ministry of Human Rights by the BBC Urdu on December 30, 2016, pointed to large-scale extrajudicial killings by state agencies and their proxies. Most of the bodies were dumped in Quetta, Qalat, Khuzdar and Makran areas, where the separatist insurgency has its roots. None of the mainstream media reported such state sponsored atrocities, as media reporting from these areas is strictly forbidden. The International Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (IVBMP) claims it has recorded 1,200 cases of dumped bodies, and there are many more it has not been able to document. According to IVBMP, Pakistani Forces (military, Frontier Corps, intelligence and Paramilitary) have abducted 480, killed 26 persons including women and children, and torched at least 500 properties in more than 100 offensives just between March 1 and March 31, 2017. Only 30 persons among those abducted have been released thus far. None of the abducted persons have been presented to any court or given the right to defend themselves. Balochistan's Dasht, Tump, Mand, Dera Bugti, Kohlu, Quetta, and Makran regions have been the most affected areas, where Pakistani military carried out attacks and offensives against Baloch civilians. Recently on July 8, 2017, three civilians were killed and 265 were abducted by the Army from Dera Bugti and Mastung. The Army also reportedly 'stole' civilian property and valuables, including 300 camels. While the SFs are engaged in a systematic campaign of extermination of the ethnic Baloch people through enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, Baloch militants, in turn, frequently target non-Baloch people, particularly Punjabis, in acts of revenge, and as a measure to block the state-backed project of the demographic re-engineering of the Province. This cycle of the systematic genocide of Baloch people and retaliatory targeted killings is unlikely to end in the foreseeable future. On November 20, 2017, a 'commander' of Communist Party of India (CPI-Maoist)'s 'Jan Militia (People's Army)', identified as Baman Kawasi aka Chaman, carrying a reward of INR 100,000, was arrested by Chhattisgarh Police from neighbouring Telangana. Acting on specific inputs, the Chhattisgarh Police arrested Chaman from the Husnabad area in the Khammam District of Telangana. Chaman was a native of the Kuwakonda Police Station area in the Dantewada District of Chhattisgarh. The 'People's Army', with an estimated current strength of around 12,000 cadres, forms the backbone of the Maoists' operational capabilities, and is responsible for intelligence gathering, spreading ideology and also mobilizing people into joining the group. On the same day, Akash Singh (24), an 'area commander' of the People's Liberation Front of India (PLFI), a breakaway faction of CPI-Maoist, surrendered before Simdega (Jharkhand) Superintendent of Police (SP), Rajiv Ranjan Singh. Akash Singh of the Kolebira area in Simdega District had joined PLFI in 2012 and carried an INR 200,000 reward on his head in Jharkhand. On November 17, 2017, Police claimed that two CPI-Maoist 'commanders' were killed in an encounter with the Police in the Kanhaiguda Forests of Sukma District of Chhattisgarh. Each of the two slain Maoists carried a reward of INR 800,000. Interestingly, however, their identity was not revealed in media reports. On October 31, 2017, a PLFI 'area commander', identified as Maina Gope, and three other cadres were killed in an encounter with Security Force (SF) personnel at Palsi village under Karra Police Station in the Khunti District of Jharkhand. On October 25, 2017, SFs killed three Maoists, including Rakesh Dugga and Ranjit Nureti, 'commander' and 'deputy commander', respectively, of the Pallemadi Local Operation Squad (LOS); and Mahesh Potavi of the Madanwada LOS. The three operated together in the Kopenkadka village forest in the Khadgaon Police Station area of Rajnandgaon District in Chhattisgarh. While Rakesh and Ranjit carried head money of INR 500,000 each, Mahesh carried a reward of INR 300,000. Dipanshu Kabra, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Durg Range, disclosed, on October 26, "After last night's [October 25] action, the Pallemadi LOS has virtually been finished off." The Pallemadi and Madanwada LOSs were instrumental in the July 12, 2009, attack at Manpur in Rajnandgaon District in which cadres of the CPI-Maoist had killed 29 Police personnel, including Rajnandgaon Superintendent of Police (SP) Vinod Kumar Chaubey. The Pallemadi LOS, according to reports, was looking after Maoist activities in tri-junction forests of Rajnandgaon, Kanker and Balod; all Districts of Chhattisgarh. According to partial data compiled by the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP), at least 949 leadership elements of Left Wing Extremists (LWEs) across the country have been neutralized since 2010 (data till November 26, 2017). These included at least 19 national level leaders, 214 state level leaders, and 716 local level leaders. In 2017, at least 131 LWE leadership elements were neutralized across the country, including 23 State level leaders and 108 local level leaders. While SFs killed 125 of these 949 leadership elements (three national level leaders, 20 state level leaders and 102 local level leaders), they arrested 513 (15 national level leaders, 163 state level leaders, and 335 local level leaders). Mounting SF pressure also resulted in the surrender of 311 Maoist leaders: one national level leader, 31 State level leaders, and 279 local level leaders. In 2017, SFs have killed at least 29 LWE leadership elements across the country (two State level leaders and 27 local level leaders), while another 58 were arrested (10 state level leaders and 48 local level leaders). 44 Maoist leaders surrendered in 2017 (11 State level and 33 local level). At the time of its formation in 2004, CPI-Maoist reportedly had a 16-member strong 'politburo', the outfit's highest decision making body. Those listed in the 'politburo' included: Muppalla Laxmana Rao aka Ganapathi, Prashanth Bose aka Nirbhay, Cherukuri Raja Kumar aka Uday aka Azad, Mallojula Koteshwara Rao aka Prahalladaka Kishenji, Nambala Keshavarao aka Basavraj aka Ganganna, Kobad Ghandy akaSaleem, Pramod Mishra aka Ban Bihari aka Janardhan, Sumanand Singh aka Sujith Da aka Sumith, Malla Raji Reddy aka Meesalanna aka Sathenna, Mallajula Venugolpalaka Bhupathi, Katakam Sudershan aka Anand aka Mohan, Mishir Besra aka Bhaskaraka Sunirmal, Akilesh Yadav aka Prabodh aka Satish aka Prashant, Balraj aka B.R.aka Arvind, Sushil Roy, B Narayan Sanyal aka Naveen Prasad aka Bijoy Dada. Of these, two have been killed: Cherukuri Raja Kumar aka Azad (killed on July 2, 2010) and Mallojula Koteshwara Rao aka Kishenji (killed on November 24, 2011). Another two died due to illness: Sushil Roy (on June 18, 2014) and B. Narayan Sanyal akaBijoy Dada (on April 17, 2017). Four have been arrested: Kobad Ghandy aka Saleem (arrested on September 21, 2009); Balraj aka B.R. (arrested on February 8, 2010); Pramod Mishra aka Ban Bihari (arrested on May 11, 2008, acquitted on August 2, 2017); and Akilesh Yadav aka Prabodh (arrested on June 12, 2011, and acquitted in 2015). There are, at present, only eight members of the original 'politburo' 'in position' or whose whereabouts are not known. Similarly, at the time of its formation in 2004, the CPI-Maoist reportedly had a 34-member strong 'central committee (CC)', the second highest decision making body in the outfit. The 'CC' included all the 16 members of the 'politburo' and another 18 members: Ashuthosh aka Bipul, Chandari Yadav aka Prayag aka Pralay, Ranjit Boseaka Kanchan, Vijay Kumar Arya aka Dilip Ji, Jantu Mukherji aka Shahebda, Rohit akaMohit, Mohan aka Mahesh, Thipparthi Tirupathi aka Devuji aka Chetan, Jinugu Narisimhareddy aka Jampanna, Akkiraju Hara Gopal aka Ramakrishna aka RK, Krishnan Srinivasan aka Vishnu aka Sreedhar, Kuppu Dev Raj aka Kuppu Swamy, Anuradha Ghandy aka Janaki, Sande Rajamouli aka Prasad aka Murali, Gajanand akaParesh, Lanka Papireddy aka Ranganna, Dev Kumar Singh aka Aravind, and Varanasi Subramanyam aka Sukanth. Of these latter 18, at least two have been killed, nine arrested, and one surrendered: Sande Rajamouli aka Prasad (killed on June 22, 2007), Kuppu Dev Raj aka Kuppu Swamy (killed on November 24, 2016), Ashuthosh akaBipul (arrested in March 2009), Ranjit Bose aka Kanchan (arrested on December 3, 2010), Vijay Kumar Arya aka Dilip Ji (arrested on April 29, 2011), Jantu Mukherji akaShahebda (arrested on April 30, 2011), Rohit aka Mohit (arrested, date not specified), Jinugu Narisimhareddy aka Jampanna (arrested on August 8, 2010), Krishnan Srinivasan aka Vishnu aka Sreedhar (arrested on August 19, 2007), Gajanand akaParesh (arrested in May 2013), Varanasi Subramanyam aka Sukanth (arrested on April 20, 2011), and Lanka Papireddy aka Ranganna (surrendered on February 2, 2008). Further, Anuradha Ghandy aka Janaki died due to illness on April 12, 2008. Thus, at present there are only five of these 18 'in position' or whose whereabouts are not known. Moreover, at least five members appear to be added to the 'alternate CC': including Pulluri Prasad Rao aka Chandranna, Kadari Satyanarayana Reddy akaSadhu aka Gopanna, Modem Bala Krishna aka Bhaskar, Pankaj, and Patel Sudhakar Reddy aka Vikas. Of these five 'alternate CC' members, Patel Sudhakar Reddy was killed on May 24, 2009, while the whereabouts of the remaining four are not known. Thus, only 17 members of the 39-memebr 'CC', including the 'alternate CC', are 'operational': eight 'politburo', five 'CC', and four 'alternate CC' members. Further, according to a September 27, 2017, report, another three have been added to the 'CC' - Milind Teltumde (54), Ravalu Srinivas (53), and Sudhakar aka Oggu Burlal Satwaji (60), all of whom are reportedly underground. Further, Madvi Hidma, according to unconfirmed reports, has been promoted to the 'CC'. Crucially, the existing leadership is rapidly ageing and many top leaders are chronically ill. According to a September 27, 2017, report published in Telangana Today seven of the existing 19 active 'CC' members (17 according to the SATP database) were 60 years old, or more: Muppalla Laxmana Rao aka Ganapathy (66), Katakam Sudershan (61), Ranjit Bose (61), Dev Kumar Singh (60), Malla Raji Reddy (60), Sudhakar akaOggu Burlal Satwaji (60), and Prashant Bose (70). Indeed, the report stated that, in a meeting of 'CC' members in February 2017, it was decided to relieve the 'veteran comrades' of crucial responsibilities, if they were unable to discharge their duties due to physical or health reasons. A resolution on this issue adopted in the 2017 'CC' meeting was the culmination of a discussion on this serious problem of ageing leadership taken up during an earlier 'CC' meeting in 2013. These developments have had cumulative impact on Maoist activities across the country. According to partial data compiled by SATP, the number of total fatalities recorded in LWE-linked violence in 2017 stands at 285 (data till November 26) as against 411 during the corresponding period of 2016. More significantly, the number of civilian fatalities has come down considerably, from 123 in 2016 to 88 in 2017. It is only for the second time since the formation of the CPI-Maoist that fatalities in this category have remained within two digits - in 2015 there were 93 civilian fatalities (lowest ever recorded in a single year) - though there is still over a month to go in the current year. Indeed, Union Home Minister (UHM) Rajnath Singh stated, on November 3, 2017, During the meeting, it was brought out that the declining trend of LWE (Left-Wing Extremism) violence continues across the country which has seen an overall reduction of 21 per cent in violent incidents over the corresponding period of last year. The LWE continue to remain under pressure with ever shrinking influence, both in terms of geographical spread and public support. The Maoists are manifestly in decline. According to another report published inTelangana Today on September 27, 2017, the CPI-Maoist 'CC', which met in February 2017 to review the progress of the 'revolutionary movement' in the country, had passed a resolution admitting that their movement was going through a 'difficult' stage all over the country. Several expressions, such as 'weak', 'set back', 'difficult state', and 'stagnation', were used in the resolution to describe the status of the 'revolutionary movement' in areas falling under four of their Regional Bureaus across India: Clearly, the Maoists are a worried lot. In an effort to restore activities, efforts to strengthen their top leadership has been initiated to overcome this "difficult phase". According to unconfirmed media reports, the 'chief' of 'Battalion No.1' of the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA), Madvi Hidma (32), has reportedly been 'promoted' to the 'CC'. If this is confirmed, Hidma would be among the youngest ever 'CC' members. Moreover, it seems that the Maoists have made 'strategic shift' in identifying future leaders. An unnamed senior Police officer observed, "The ramifications of his (Hidma's) promotion are many. This could be a new era of Maoist leadership as this is the first time that a Bastariya will be given command of the region..." In the past, the 'CC' almost entirely comprised Telugu leaders from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and had long been accused of ignoring local tribal 'commanders' of the Bastar region, despite the fact that Bastar had emerged as a Maoist stronghold over the last many years, particularly after the set back the Maoists suffered in undivided Andhra Pradesh . An unnamed senior officer noted that, though informers had confirmed Hidma's promotion, things were still not clear: "We can confirm only when we see it in any Maoist literature." With their top leadership in doubt after suffering tremendous losses over the past years the Maoists are now at in disarray. This is an opportunity for the state to consolidate its power and activities, to fill the existing vacuum in areas of past Maoist 'disruptive dominance', and to restore governance and public services. The Maoists are certain to attempt a revival; their success or failure will depend essentially and inversely on the failure or success of SFs and the administration to take advantage of the present reverses the rebels have suffered. Hyderabad, Nov 28 (IBNS) : US President Donald Trumps daughter, Ivanka, arrived in Hyderabad on Tuesday to attend the Global Entrepreneurship Summit, 2017, reports said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the three-day event, the theme of which is Women First, Prosperity for All. Ivanka, who came to the country with around 350 officials, will address the summit jointly with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to reports, Ivanka is leading a delegation of senior White House officials and entrepreneurs. The summit will be held at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre and Hyderabad International Trade Expositions. More than 1,200 young entrepreneurs, a majority of whom are women, from 127 countries will attend the summit he summit will be attended by a huge number of entrepreneurs, mostly women. The theme for the summit in 2017 is 'Women First, Prosperity for All' as PM Modi tweeted. Ivanka, who is undertaking her first solo foreign visit, was asked by Modi to attend the summit when the Indian Prime Minister visited the US this year. The US President's daughter is expected to address a session also on Wednesday. On the occasion of Ivanka's India visit, Hyderabad has been virtually shut down with deployment of huge security personnel. Modi will also be busy in inaugurating a metro project in the city on Tuesday along with attending the summit with Ivanka. New Delhi, Nov 28 (IBNS): Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh held meeting with Secretary, Security Council of Russian Federation, Nikolai Patrushev in Moscow on Monday. Both sides reinforced their determination to further strengthen their cooperation in the sectors of security and counter-terrorism. They also reviewed the implementation of the Agreement on Information Security signed in October 2016. Both sides also welcomed the ongoing cooperation and the regular exchange of visits between the two National Security Councils, read a government statement issued on Tuesday. Union Home Minister also met Minister for the Emergency Situations of the Russian Federation, Mr. Vladimir Puchkov and held detailed discussions on cooperation in Disaster Management. They reviewed the progress made on the Agreement on Disaster Management signed in 2010. Both the sides agreed that EMERCOM of Russia would cooperate with India in the establishment of the National Crisis Management Centre (NCMC) in India. They also agreed on a programme of training of specialists and sharing of each others experiences as well as best practices in the field of Disaster Management. The two leaders later signed a Joint Implementation Plan for the years 2018-19 for cooperation in Disaster Management. During his three-day visit to Russia, Rajnath Singh will visit the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB) and hold talks with FSB Director Alexander Bortnikov today. Later he will attend a reception by the Indian community. Image: HMO India Twitter page New Delhi, Nov 28 (IBNS): Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation Nitin Gadkari has called upon Indian business leaders in UK to come forward and cooperate with the Indian Government in its Namami Gange project to clean the river Ganga. Addressing a gathering of business leaders in London, Gadkari said that while Nirmal Ganga is the foremost priority for the Government, peoples participation is also vital for maintaining the rivers pristine glory. Gadkari said that there are projects worth more than Rs.10,000 crore for development of ghats, crematoria, waterbodies, parks, sanitation facilities, public amenities and river front development which need additional funding. He informed that projects worth over Rs 2500 crore, available for private funding have been published as a booklet and are also available on the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) website as an e-booklet . The Minister appealed to the business leaders to select projects of their choice for funding. He said the list of projects is only illustrative and will be updated. "As of now there are projects in the category of development of ghats and crematoria, modernisation of existing ghats. development of Smriti Vans (tree plantation at select places of choice), in-situ treatment of drains by using innovative technologies such as bioremediation and modular sewage treatment plants," Gadkari said. Speaking about the work being done by the Government for ensuring Nirmal Ganga, Gadkari said that more than 119 ghat projects have already been taken up in five states at the cost of Rs.650 Crore. "NMCG has taken up the execution of various sewerage infrastructure projects. 97 towns have been identified along the main stream of river Ganga, for generating 3603 Mld (estimated for year 2035) of sewage treatment capacity. The existing sewage treatment capacity in these towns is 1580 Mld. In the first phase, 85 sewerage projects have been taken up in 55 of these 97 towns. These projects will create another 1424 Mld STP capacity at a cost of Rs. 11105 Cr. In the remaining 42 towns, fresh interventions are not required either due to interventions already taken up under other schemes or due to low pollution load / impact," said he. Gadkari further informed that the Government is spending more than Rs.20,000 crore on sewage treatment to ensure Nirmal Ganga. Following Gadkaris appeal some business leaders gave their commitments for projects in Patna and Kanpur. "More such commitments and MoUs in this regard are slated to be signed during a Namami Gange Road Show being organized on November 29,2017 in London. A large number of NRIs, PIOs are expected to join this session," said he. Gadkari expressed the hope that he expects commitment of more than Rs. 2000 crores from business leaders during this road show. Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 28 (IBNS): 24-year-old Hadiya Jehan is back in her college in Tamil Nadu's Salem after the Supreme Court on Monday allowed her to come out of her father's custody in order to resume her studies. Hadiya reached Sivaraj Homeopathy Medical College in Tamil Nadus Salem on Tuesday night amid tight security, said media reports. The development comes after a three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud passed the interim order in an open court on Monday. Being Hindu, Hadiya's marriage with Shafin Jahan was declared annulled by a lower court earlier after the girl's father complained that she had been indoctrinated into Islam religion. On Monday, Hadiya expressed her wish to finish her studies in Homeopathy medicine (BHMS). She had also insisted that her husband should be made her guardian so that he can fund for her studies. Hadiya had told the apex court that she wants to be with her husband even as her parents are opposed to it. The Supreme Court had directed the university concerned to re-admit Hadiya and grant her hostel facility. It had also asked Kerala police to provide the woman with security. Tara Air aircraft crashes during take-off in Humla (With photos) Five people, including a pilot, were injured when an aircraft of Tara Air crashed after failing to take-off at Simikot Airport in Humla on Tuesday. Panaji, Nov 28 (IBNS): Morocco born French Director Robin Campillos drama film 120 BPM or 120 Beats Per Minute has won the coveted Golden Peacock Award at the 48th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), which concluded in Goa on Nov 28. The film, set in France in the 1990s deals about homosexuality and the AIDS epidemic. The film, starring Nahuel Perez Biscayart, Arnaud Valois and Adele Haenel, had its world premiere at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival. It had its India premiere at the IFFI 2017. The Golden Peacock Award carries a cash prize of Rs 4 million (Rs 40 lakhs)to be shared equally between the Producer and the Director, Trophy and the citation. Chinese director Vivian Qu won the Best Director Award for her 2017 film Angels Wear White. The film is about the travails of two teenage girls who are assaulted by a middle aged man in a seaside town in China. Vivians hard hitting social drama provides a social context for violence against women. Best Director gets the Silver Peacock Award and a cash prize of Rs 1.5 million (Rs 15 lakhs) The Best Actor (Male) Award goes to Nahuel Perez Biscaryat for his portrayal of AIDS activist Sean Dalmazo, an effective member of ACT UP to represent all the horror of the epidemic in the French film 120 BPM . A caring lover and firm in his beliefs, Sean isnt simply an ideologue, but someone who binds his activism to the strongest will to live. The Best Actor (Female) goes to Parvathy T K for her portrayal of a nurse who wages a battle for the release of her husband held hostage by the rebel army in the war-torn Iraq in Mahesh Narayanans Malayalam film Take Off. Parvathy, who hails from Kozhikode, Kerala mostly stars in South Indian films. She has won many awards and accolades including the Kerala State Film Award and Filmfare award. Both Best Actor Male and Female are honoured with the Silver Peacock Trophy and a cash prize of Rs 1 million (Rs 10 lakhs each) Mahesh Narayan also walks away with the Special Jury Award for his directorial debut Take Off which focusses on the dramatic rescue of Indians trapped in Tikrit. Survival films is a genre of cinema in which one or more characters find themselves pitted against seemingly insurmountable odds and have to look within themselves to find the strength to escape/survive. Special Jury Award carries a cash prize of Rs 1.5 million (Rs 15 lakhs), a Silver Peacock Award and the citation. Bolivian director Kiro Russo has won the Silver Peacock for the Best Feature Film of the Director. Russos debut film Dark Skull offers a darkly beautiful subterranean study in atmosphere and mourning. Manouj Kadaamhs Marathi film Kshitij has won the ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal. The criteria for the Gandhi Medal reflect UNESCOs fundamental mandate of building peace in the mind of men and women, particularly human rights, intercultural dialogue, promotion and safeguard of diversity of cultural expressions. One of Canadas most celebrated art house directors, Atom Egoyan was honoured with the IFFI 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award. The prestigious award consisting of a cash prize of Rs 1 million (Rs 10 lakhs), Certificate, Shawl and a Scroll is conferred upon a master film maker for his /her outstanding contribution to cinema. Egyptian born French Canadian filmmaker Egoyans work often explores themes of alienation and isolation, featuring characters whose interactions are mediated through technology, bureaucracy or other power structures. Egoyan's films often follow non-linear plot structures, in which events are placed out of sequence in order to elicit specific emotional reactions from the audience by withholding key information. His films have been presented in several retrospectives across the globe. Exotica (1994) , The Sweet Hereafter (1997) and Remember (2015) were screened at IFFI 2017. The Indian Film Personality of the Year Award was presented to Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan amidst thunderous applause. Keywords: IFFI, 120 Beats Per Minute Image:wikimedia commons Kolkata, Nov 28 (IBNS): Tollyood actor Dev on Tuesday announced that trailer of his upcoming movie Amazon Obhijaan will release on Dec 1. "Trailer releasing on 1st of December ...#AmazonObhijaan22Dec ," the actor tweeted. Kamaleshwar Mukherjee directorial upcoming Bengali film Amazon Obhijaan on Nov 4 unveiled the world's largest poster, breaking the previous record of Indian film Baahubali, released in 2015. Amazon Obhijaan's lead actor Dev, along with Mukherjee and music composer Debojyoti Mishra, have launched the film's poster. Its size is 60,800 sq.ft. (5640 sq. meters). Baahubali's poster size was 51,598 sq.ft. It was also approved by The Guinness World Records. Amazon Obhijaan is a sequel to a 2013 Bengali film Chander Pahar, which was based on writer Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay's novel with the same name. Chander Pahar was also directed by Mukherjee. The film is slated to release on Dec 22. International players are clearly looking for some common ground based on the implementation of Security Council resolution 2254 (2015), and are urging Syrians to begin to find some common ground too, UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura told a Security Council meeting in New York via video link from Geneva. As mandated by resolution 2254, the talks focus on governance, a schedule and process to draft a new constitution and the holding of elections as the basis for a Syrian-led, Syrian-owned process to end the conflict. de Mistura said that in preparing for the eighth round of intra-Syrian talks, he called for real diplomacy, with his messages focused on several points, such as that the Government and a united opposition should engage in negotiations in Geneva without any preconditions and that all other initiatives should support this UN mediation process. He noted that some important meetings have recently taken place in Viet Nams DaNang, Russias Sochi, and Saudi Arabias Riyadh that might help the Geneva process. In DaNang, Russian President Vladimir Putin and United States President Donald Trump affirmed that the political process must include full implementation of Council resolution 2254. In Sochi, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad expressed, after meeting President Putin, his intention to talk with anyone who is really interested in a political settlement. de Mistura, however, noted the Government has not yet confirmed its participation in the new round of the UN-facilitated Geneva talks. In Riyadh, an expanded opposition conference was convened last week, with all three groups mentioned in resolution 2254 present. The Syrian Negotiations Commission formed in Riyadh is travelling to Geneva. United support of international community and Security Council, vital for progress "Assuming that both parties arrive in Geneva, we will be looking to move them into beginning serious discussions and hopefully negotiations. Let me make one thing clear: we will not accept any preconditions from either party, he said. He also stressed that more than 200 civil society actors will be engaged in the UN-led political process in Geneva over the next weeks. He said he is invited to participate in a preparatory meeting on Tuesday that France organized to bring together representatives of the five permanent members of the Security Council China, France, Russia, United Kingdom and the United States in Geneva. As for a large gathering on Syria in the near future that Russia is planning, de Mistrua said it is premature for him to say anything about that initiative. I will continue to view this proposal and all other initiatives through the same prism: does it contribute to effective UN-led intra-Syrian negotiations in Geneva to implement resolution 2254, he said. Syria has been at war for the last six years. Half of its population have fled their homes, and, according to the UNs relief wing, some 13 million people require humanitarian aid, including nearly three million trapped in besieged and hard-to-reach areas. Reconstruction will cost at least $250 billion. We see the emergence of international consensus, and we must begin to stitch the process into concrete results, enabling Syrians to determine their own future freely, de Mistura said. The united support of the international community, centred on this Council, will be vital if negotiations are to move forward in a concrete way. UN Photo/Kim Haughton Source: www.justearthnews.com "Yesterdays success cannot be a one-off, Geert Cappalaere, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa said Sunday at a press briefing in Amman, Jordan, welcoming the reopening of Sanaa airport, which enabled the agencys first humanitarian delivery in three weeks. Vaccines are urgently needed for a planned campaign to vaccinate 600,000 children across Yemen against diphtheria, meningitis, whooping cough, pneumonia and tuberculosis. On Monday, it is fair to say that Yemen is one of the worst places on earth to be a child, he said. The reason behind this is very straightforward: decades of conflict, decades also of chronic underdevelopment. On Monday it is estimated that every 10 minutes a child in Yemen is dying from preventable diseases, he added, noting that the outbreak of acute watery diarrhea and cholera this year is not a surprise, because the water and sanitation system throughout the country is almost entirely devastated and the health system is on its knees. The war in Yemen is sadly a war on children, he said, calling on all parties to the conflict to stop fighting. Nearly 5,000 children have been killed or seriously injured over the last two and a half years alone, thousands of schools and health facilities have been damaged or completely destroyed, and two million children suffer acute malnutrition. Unfortunately, the vaccines stocks, despite the 1.9 million that UNICEF delivered on Sunday, are running out, Cappalaere said, calling for more vaccines to be delivered. He also stressed the urgent need for affordable fuel, as pumping water requires using generators in the absence of a national power grid. Meanwhile, on Saturday, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that following the announcement on 22 November by the Saudi-led coalition that Sanaa airport and Al Hudaydah seaport will be reopened for humanitarian and relief efforts, the UN submitted notification of humanitarian movements and static locations to the coalition to resume the transport of aid personnel and humanitarian cargo to northern parts of Yemen. Almost three weeks after the blockade was imposed, essential commodities like food, fuel, safe water and medical supplies have started running low in the country or have seen their prices skyrocket. There continues to be a grave risk of further death, disease and starvation. On 20 November, the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FewsNet) warned that should the blockade continue, many areas of Yemen are likely to experience famine within three to four months, said OCHA. UNICEF/UN0147212/Madhok Source: www.justearthnews.com New York, Nov 28(Just Earth News): The Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organizations (UNIDO) was reappointed for a second term on Monday as the 17th UNIDO General Conference opened in Vienna, Austria. The Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organizations (UNIDO) was reappointed for a second term on Monday as the 17th UNIDO General Conference opened in Vienna, Austria. In his opening speech to the General Conference, Director General LI Yong said he was humbled by the trust placed in him to lead UNIDO for another four years, adding that he felt a sense of profound responsibility. The global community is still facing a number of unresolved and urgent challenges, added Li. Poverty, unemployment, and hunger remain the most persistent and daunting tasks for our world. Climate change, resource-depletion and environmental degradation, as well as the potential impact of the latest technological revolution, add another dimension, he said. Li stressed that the only way to solve the challenges ahead of us is in partnershipin partnership with governments, UN sister agencies, the private sector, and civil society. In a video message, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres congratulated the Director General on his re-appointment, calling UNIDO a key voice on technology transfer, investment flows and skills development. Your efforts can help support economic transformation in Africa and in other regions, and, as we combat climate change, your work can facilitate the transition to low-carbon growth, underscored the Secretary-General. The UN General Assembly president also congratulated Li, saying that he looked forward to working with him. Speaking to the General Conference, President Miroslav LajAak said: Industrialization of the past may have earned a bad name. It may have made us think of pollution, wastewater or labour exploitation. But when industrialization is inclusive and sustainable, the results are positive. He pointed out that it leads to decent jobs and improved livelihoods; fosters youth employment; and enable resource preservation and environmental protection, these outcomes propel us towards eliminating poverty and hunger and reducing inequalities, he asserted. Under the theme Partnering for impact achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, hundreds of participants, including UN senior representatives; Heads of State, ministers and other high-level government officials; and prominent leaders from the private sector, civil society and academia gathered to showcase UNIDOs initiatives, achievements and partnerships. As its highest policymaking organ, the General Conference assembles UNIDOs member States and approves the programme and budgets for the forthcoming biennium. It will also use interactive discussions to explore issues, such as gender, circular economy, and industry 4.0 and will spotlight UNIDOs leading role in the Third Industrial Development Decade for Africa. The Conference will offer a fully immersive experience for participants, including innovative formats for the events, integrated exhibitions and networking spaces. Photo: UNIDO Source: www.justearthnews.com Image: Pinterest Melbourne, Nov 28 (IBNS): Australian police have arrested a 20-year-old man, who they suspected of planning a terror attack during New Year's Eve, reports said. The perpetrator may face a life term in prison. Officials said that he had initially planned to shoot at random strangers using an automatic gun at Federation Square, Melbourne. Victoria Police deputy commissioner Shane Patton was quoted in the media as saying, "What we will be alleging is that he was intending to use a firearm to shoot and kill as many people as he could." "This is a person who would become particularly energised, for a lack of a better word, when overseas events occurred and would express a great deal of interest in committing an attack himself," Patton added. Divulging details about the perpetrator, Patton said that he was in Police's radar as a man of interest ever since January this year. Though he has not been identified by name, the man in question was born in Australia to Somali parents. He also had links with other extremists but was a lone wolf. Around 500,000 people celebrate New Year's Eve in Federation Square last year. Image: Pinterest Nairobi, Nov 28 (IBNS): Security has been bolstered in Kenya's capital Nairobi ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of the President, who will be entering his second term in office, reports said. Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta won the general elections in August, by 54 percent, which was ultimately nullified by the country's Supreme Court citing irregularities. In a re-run, which was blocked by the opposition candidate Raila Odinga, Kenyatta won 98 percent of the votes, in which the voter turnout was around 39 percent. Kenyatta will be sworn in for the second and final five-year term along with his deputy William Ruto on Thursday. Meanwhile, the opposition coalition have urged supporters to ban the celebrations and join them for a protest march, against national police's order. Following the original results, the apex court took an unprecedented decision and termed the same as "neither transparent nor verifiable". However, after a rerun date was announced in October, Odinga boycotted it citing the lack of reforms since the original elections. According to commentators, Kenyatta faces a huge challenge of uniting Kenya, which has been left deeply divided following the original results. The swear-in ceremony is expected to attend by 20 heads of state and senior ministers, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and Rwandan President Paul Kagame. All free download.com Karangasem, Nov 28 (IBNS): With ashes from erupting volcano Mount Agung sweeping Bali for the second day, the Indonesian government kept the island's airport closed on Tuesday, media reports said. This created problem for the tourists as thousands of them were left stranded on Tuesday. According to reports, a total of 443 flights, including both domestic and international, were affected. The authorities also tried to persuade villagers living near the crater to leave their homes. Violence, Rohingyas, Bangladesh, Myanmar, UN New York, Nov 28(Just Earth News): While their numbers have dropped in recent weeks, hundreds of Rohingya refugees are still crossing the border into Bangladesh from Myanmar every day, the United Nations migration agency said on Tuesday. People are still arriving in the settlements with horrifying accounts of physical and sexual abuse, harassment and murder. All of them fear for family members left behind in Myanmar, said Andrew Lind, the International Organization for Migration's (IOM) Emergency Coordinator in Cox's Bazar. Over the past three months, more than 600,000 Rohingya refugees have crossed into Cox's Bazar, fleeing violence and oppression in Myanmar's Northern Rakhine state. The most recent influx of some 1,800 in the past week, brings the total population of Rohingya seeking safety in the district to more than 836,000. One 30-year-old woman who arrived in the Balukhali settlement on Monday with her five children told IOM that she fled seven days ago when her village was burned to ground, saying that while one group of attackers kidnapped people another set houses on fire. The family hid for two days in a nearby village before making their way to the border. She explained that with no access to healthcare in Rakhine state, her husband died several months ago. Like the other refugees, the family arrived with almost nothing to the congested settlement, where the humanitarian response tries to catch up with the vast needs of a desperate population. Concerns raised over water safety, security and fear-mongering on the ground Meanwhile, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) found that over 60 per cent of water sources tested in the settlements were contaminated with E.coli. Shallow wells located less than 30 feet away from latrines are culpable, with full latrines and a lack of space to drain them contributing to the potentially life-threatening problem. To date, IOM has drilled a total of 374 deep tube wells and installed 4,973 permanent and emergency latrines in the Cox's Bazar settlements and host communities. Security concerns are also growing as the settlements have become a target for human traffickers. IOM is seeking funding to help better protect the refugees and offer support to survivors of exploitation and human trafficking. In other news, Pope Francis, who is currently in Myanmar, has condemned politicians who propagate alarm over immigration, arguing that fear-mongering engenders violence and racism. In a message about migrants and refugees that the Vatican sent to heads of State and Government before the Pontiff's trip, he said: Those who, for what may be political reasons, foment fear of migrants instead of building peace are sowing violence, racial discrimination and xenophobia, which are matters of great worry for all those concerned about the safety of every human being. After Myanmar, Pope Francis will travel to Bangladesh, where he is expected to meet a small group of Rohingya refugees. Photo: UNICEF/Brown Source: www.justearthnews.com Ottawa, Nov 28 (IBNS): Days after apologising to the First Nations people over the abuses in schools, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has drawn a comparison with his father over apologies, media reports said. Trudeau has recently said his father and former Canadian Prime Minister, late Pierre Elliott Trudeau, was an academic when the matter comes to apologies. "My father might have a different perspective on it than I do.," Trudeau said. "He came at it as an academic, as a constitutionalist, I come at it as a teacher, as someone whos worked a lot in communities" the PM added. The present Prime Minister believes apologies are important for any community to move forward. Also the PM considers apology as a way to state that such mistakes won't be repeated in future. Trudeau on Friday apologised to hundreds of first nations' people who had undergone abuse in a boarding school system. The indigenous people were forcefully placed into a system of boarding school but the system was full of abuses. Trudeau apologised to the indigenous students who had to attend the residential schools in provinces like Newfoundland and Labrador. "Today, we apologize to former students of Newfoundland and Labrador residential schools and to the families, loved ones, and communities for the painful & tragic legacy these schools left behind.." Trudeau said on Twitter. Along with the apology, the PM acknowledged the many Innu, Inuit, and NunatuKavut children who were neglected and abused, and who suffered lasting damage to their culture and language because of the residential school system. Trudeau said: "For every Innu, Inuit, and NunatuKavut child in Newfoundland and Labrador who suffered discrimination, mistreatment, abuse, and neglect in residential schools we are sorry. While this long overdue apology will not undo the harm done, we offer it as a sign that we as a government and as a country accept responsibility for our failings." "It is our shared hope that we can learn from this past and continue to advance our journey of reconciliation and healing. We have the power to be better and to do better., the PM added. The Prime Minister even said the government needs to acknowledge the past where intergenerational trauma had affected the first nations people. However, according to some media reports, the local leaders feel Trudeau's apology is just not enough. Students, who were separated from their parents, had to endure emotional, physical and sexual abuses in the boarding schools. (Reporting by Suman Das) Image: facebook.com/pg/JustinPJTrudeau With no money and job, migrants cry for help Nearly 150 Nepali migrant workers employed at one of the leading construction companies in Kuwait have been stranded for the last six months with no money and no valid visa. Prevent Unauthorized Transactions in your demat / trading account Update your Mobile Number/ email Id with your stock broker / Depository Participant. Receive information of your transactions directly from Exchanges on your mobile / email at the end of day and alerts on your registered mobile for all debits and other important transactions in your demat account directly from NSDL/ CDSL on the same day." - Issued in the interest of investors. 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California Launches Coup Detat Over Tribal Sovereignty By Leland McGee On November 16, 2017, the Bureau of Cannabis Control (BCC), a newly created regulatory body within the California state government, released a set of Emergency Medicinal and Adult Use Cannabis Regulations 5009. Limited Waiver of Sovereign Immunity (a) Any applicant or licensee that may fall within the scope of sovereign immunity that may be asserted by a federally recognized tribe or other sovereign entity must waive any sovereign immunity defense that the applicant or licensee may have, may be asserted on its behalf, or may otherwise be asserted in any state administrative or judicial enforcement actions against the applicant or licensee, regardless of the form of relief sought, whether monetary or otherwise, under the state laws and regulations governing commercial cannabis activity (excerpt). Their purpose? To meet a January 1, 2018 deadline for implementation of the recently enacted Medical and Adult Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act (MAUCRSA). Their problem? The California Code of Regulations Title 16, Division 42 Bureau of Cannabis Control, contains the following: This action is nothing less than a calculated political assault by the state of California on established legal policy over tribal sovereignty. This affront impacts all 108 federally recognized Indian tribes with lands throughout the state. Considering the decades of established government-to-government relations between the tribes and the state, including sound doctrines on tribal sovereignty and its legal jurisdictions, this BCC action is highly suspect and completely unacceptable. As it stands, without a state-issued license, tribes are barred from engaging in cannabis operations and commerce within the states legal cannabis space. Without a tribes waiver of their sovereign immunity under 5009 (above), a tribe cannot be granted a state license. The rules further restrict any state licensed cannabis entity from engaging with any non-state licensed entity or operation, including non-state-licensed tribes. Such waivers of sovereignty by tribes will lead to state laws and policies applying on all Indian lands of a tribe that conducts commercial cannabis operations. Arguments and opinions abound as to why the state has taken this action. We all know the legal jigsaw puzzle that the state and the federal government has created for tribes attempting to enter the highly lucrative, state-legal industry. Questions also arise as to why a newly formed regulatory body such as the BCC wields so much power to change established tribal-state policy? Tribal Lands Lands recognized as Indian Country within the meaning of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1151. Tribal Authority Savings Clause Nothing in this Policy shall be construed to amend or modify in any way the authority of California Native American Tribes to regulate cannabis cultivation on tribal lands recognized as Indian Country within the meaning of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1151. As a comparison, lets review the Californias State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) draft policies over the cannabis industry. Arguably the most powerful regulatory body in the state, for decades it has controlled and regulated every aspect of Californias water resources, usage and rights held within and outside of the state. The SWRCBs Cannabis Cultivation Policy and Guidelines for Cannabis Cultivation include: Such language reveals that the very powerful SWRCB intends to adhere to established legal policy in recognizing and respecting tribal sovereign rights and jurisdiction over commercial cannabis activities conducted on Indian lands within the state. Yet in contrast, the BCCs regulatory language makes no mention of tribal sovereign rights, other than to mandate a limited waiver of them by any tribe seeking to do business in the states cannabis space. This just one example of current inconsistencies applied to tribal sovereignty by the various state agencies charged with developing regulatory policies over commercial cannabis activities. Most disturbing is the threat of other state agencies following the BCCs lead, effectively preventing a tribe from participating in a projected $7-10 billion-dollar industry without first submitting to a forced waiver of their sovereign immunity as a cost of doing business. An opportunity still exists in the California state legislature to correct this encroachment on tribal sovereignty. Assembly Bill 924 , introduced early in the 2017 legislative session, requires the state to enter into a compact with federally recognized Indian tribes seeking to legally engage in the states cannabis industry. This bill has passed the Assembly, currently awaits Senate passage, then enactment by Governor Brown. With the current session having ended for the year, it is critical that California tribes and their supporters rally passage of this legislation throughout the pending 2018 session. Without AB-924, no legal cannabis commerce will be allowed within the state by an Indian tribe (off of their reservation) without a state-issued license, severely restricting tribal economic opportunities in this burgeoning industry. All tribes throughout the United States should recognize the dangerous precedent California is establishing in state-tribal relations throughout Indian Country. This is not just about a Tribes decision to voluntarily participate in a state-legal cannabis industry. Removing tribal sovereignty as part of any tribal-state relationship is wrong, regardless of the circumstances surrounding such action. Considering the billions of dollars in gaming revenues tribes have contributed to Californias budget over the past few decades, the state should be ashamed of itself for now taking advantage of those same tribes seeking to participate in Californias legal cannabis space. Join the Conversation Sagarika Ghatge and Zaheer Khan are not just ruling our social media feeds but our hearts as well. The couple tied the knot in a court wedding on 23rd and their celebrations with the loved ones had just begun. After Mehendi and Sangeet, the couple hosted a grand reception at The Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai where the close ones from their respective industries came together to celebrate their new beginnings. The long list of invitees consisted of Sushmita Sen, Bina Kak, Amrita Kak, Nora Fatehi and her Chak De!India co-stars among others. Viral Bhayani Have a look at the pictures. Instagram Viral Bhayani Viral Bhayani Viral Bhayani Instagram #ShreyasIyer with former Miss Universe #SushmitaSen. A post shared by Circle of Cricket (@circleofcricket) on Nov 27, 2017 at 9:14pm PST Most gorgeous bride my darling saka I still cant believe you are married. All the love and happiness to you. May u remain forever wonderful & gorgeous @sagarikaghatge #sagarikazaheerwedding #chakdeindia A post shared by Chitrashi Rawat (@chitrashi) on Nov 27, 2017 at 3:53pm PST A post shared by Bina Kak (@kakbina) on Nov 27, 2017 at 12:10pm PST @amritakak @rij79 @sagarikaghatge A post shared by Bina Kak (@kakbina) on Nov 27, 2017 at 5:53pm PST #mybestfriendswedding ..saccaaaaaa love love love you sooo happy for you ..n now gonna miss u guys so much @sagarikaghatge @zaheer_khan34 have a super life together .. lots of love #fabtimes A post shared by Amrita (@amritakak) on Nov 27, 2017 at 11:37am PST Virat-Anushka danced to glory at the reception. Congratulations again, you two! Traffic constable Suresh Kumar has been suffering from breathlessness since November 9. This is ironic because he has been manning a border post to regulate the entry of trucks into Delhi to prevent them worsening the polluted air of the capital. And while the border restriction may have reduced pollutants, many of the 600 policemen deployed for the job have been exposed to the very hazard they were trying to curb. bccl/representational image Over 600 policemen have been deployed on the border posts through the day to keep a check on 70,000-80,000 trucks that enter the city each day. Around 3,777 drivers have been challaned for driving polluting vehicles, data from the traffic police stated. Special commissioner, (traffic) Dependra Pathak, who was monitoring the operation since November 9, had ordered all the senior officers to be on the ground overseeing the work. "All the 23 border points were sealed, while the rest were manned by local policemen and PCR teams. We ensured that all the vehicles entering Delhi were checked before they were allowed entry," said Pathak. bccl/representational image A PCR team was put on standby at all these posts to chase and intercept trucks if they managed to slip by. Joint commissioner, Garima Bhatnagar and her team coordinated with the IGs and other senior officials of UP and Haryana for better coordination and swift traffic flow. The idea was to keep fumes emitting from these vehicles down. The drivers were also asked to keep their ignition off while waiting. bccl/representational image During the operation, cops booked 85 drivers for driving vehicles that were over 15 years old; 70 more were booked for carrying uncovered building material, the data stated. As many as 7,473 trucks were checked, of which 5,609 were made to return from the borders between November 14 and 16. Police said the policemen, who were posted at these borders, were asked to wear face masks and take precautionary measures. Despite this, some of them have been complaining of breathlessness. Senior officers said all support would be given for their checkups. Officers said that the number of trucks increased after the corporation had stopped collecting toll at the border posts as they did not have enough manpower to check every vehicle. The biggest challenge for the traffic police was to stop entry of vehicles after the restrictions came into effect, police said, India had an estimated 22.2 million Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and around 35 million chronic asthma patients in 2016. According to a study report by Centre for Science and Environment, this is largely caused by the alarming air pollution in the country. AFP Air pollution from vehicles and industry, global warming also increases the risk to respiratory health. Global warming has extended the duration of the pollen season and altered the timing, production, and distribution of aeroallergens. Both pollen and air pollutants have risen simultaneously in the environment, leading to an enhanced airway inflammation, thereby increasing the frequency of respiratory allergy and incidences of asthma. BCCL Other than air pollution from vehicles and industry, the report found that global warming also increases the risk to respiratory health. More than causing respiratory diseases, the study has found that air pollution is behind 30 per cent of all premature deaths in the country. With the national capital New Delhi being one of the worst polluted cities in India, the study has shown some alarming trends. BCCL "Every third child in Delhi has impaired lungs while air pollution causes 30 per cent of all premature deaths in the country," the report said. The report comes even as the air quality in Delhi once again slipped back to being "very poor", which can cause respiratory illness on prolonged exposure. The Delhi government has already issued a health advisory, urging people to avoid stepping out during the early morning and late evening hours. Do not come up, I will Handle them, these words are still remembered every year on 26/11 and by some throughout the year. These are the words of the brave son of the nation, Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, the martyr who sacrificed his life battling the terrorists at The Taj, Mumbai. He not only rescued 14 hostages before being hit in back by terrorists but also, perhaps, saved a few of his fellow NSG Commandos when he entered into that area of the hotel and told his fellow soldiers that he could handle them. Nine years have passed since he left this world, but his sacrifice is hailed and remembered every time we discuss 26/11. Here is all about martyr who sacrificed his life so that many of us could live. India will forever indebted to this great soul. Also read: Nine Years Have Passed, Kasab Is No More, Yet Peace Eludes The Minds Of 26/11 Survivors bccl 1. Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan was born on March 15, 1977. He was the only son of retired ISRO Officer K Unnikrishnan and Dhanalakshmi Unnikrishnan. 2. Major Sandeep joined Indian Army in 1999 and this was no fluke as he always wanted to join the army. bccl 3. Major Sandeep too has shortcomings and one of them was that he was scared of water, but in order to join the army he conquered his fear and learnt how to swim. 4. His friends in NDA days call him selfless, generous, calm and composed person ready to do his duty at all expenses. Also read: Mumbai Police Claims To Be More Equipped & Trained, But Can It Tackle Another 26/11 Style Attack? Reuters 5. On November 28, Major Unnikrishnan led a team of 51 SAG commandos and entered the Taj where people were held hostages by the terrorists. 6. Leading a team under Operation Black Tornado, Major Unnikrishnan rescued 14 people of hotels sixth floor. BCCL 7. Major Unnikrishnan even managed to evacuate his fellow soldier Sunil Yadav after he got injured during the exchange of fire. 8. Major Unnikrishnan was shot from behind by the terrorists which resulted in severe injuries. The last message of the courageous officer to the men was, Do not come up, I will handle them. AFP 9. He kept fighting until the very end before succumbing to his wounds. He died on the spot on November 28 at the age of 31. Major Unnikrishnan's funeral was held with full military honours. 10. Major Unnikrishnan was awarded Ashok Chakra, the highest gallantry award in peacetime. These are a few things from a truly inspirational life of a braveheart. Mumbai terror attack mastermind and Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief Hafiz Saeed has petitioned the United Nations to get his name struck off the list of terrorists proscribed by the world body, Times Now reported on Tuesday. Saeed was designated a terrorist by the UN under UNSCR 1267 (UN Security Council Resolution) in December 2008 following the November 2008 attack in Mumbai. Reuters ALSO READ: Modi-Trump Meet Works? Pakistan Bans 26/11 Mastermind Hafiz Saeed's Terrorist Group In fact, the US had named him a specially designated global terrorist much earlier, in May 2008. The Mumbai terror attack had led the US to also announce a $10 million bounty for Saeed. The JuD is believed to be the front of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba, which was responsible for the 26/11 attack. Saeed's petition comes on the heels of his release from house arrest in Pakistan. Saeed last week walked free after a judicial body in the neighbouring country refused to extend his detention and ordered his release citing "insufficient evidence." Moments after his release, he said he will gather people across Pakistan for the "cause of Kashmir" and help Kashmiris secure "freedom". ALSO READ: Pakistan Seeks Ban On 26/11 Accused Terrorist Hafiz Saeed's Party Which Wants To Contest Polls AP India had expressed outrage when news about Saeed's imminent release broke and had termed it an attempt by Pakistan to "mainstream" terrorists. ALSO READ: Terrorist Hafiz Saeed Walks Free In Pakistan Ahead Of 26/11 Anniversary, Promising To Fight For Kashmiri Cause The US, too, had expressed deep concern over Saeed's release, calling for him to be arrested and charged with his crimes. "The United States is deeply concerned that Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) leader Hafiz Saeed has been released from house arrest in Pakistan. LeT is a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization responsible for the death of hundreds of innocent civilians in terrorist attacks, including a number of American citizens. The Pakistani government should make sure that he is arrested and charged with his crimes," the US State Department said in a statement, a day after he was freed. Reuters On January 31, Saeed and his four aides - Abdullah Ubaid, Malik Zafar Iqbal, Abdul Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Hussain - were detained by Pakistan's Punjab government for 90 days under the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 and the Fourth Schedule of Anti-Terrorism Act 1997. Evansville, Indiana Attorneys for Plaintiff, SCLC, Inc. of Evansville, Indiana filed suit in the Southern District of Indiana alleging that Defendants, Marie Kettering of Trenton, New Jersey, and Lanny Tyndall of Enfield, Gansu, Canada, infringed the rights of SCLC. Plaintiff is se eking a nationwide injunction, compensatory damages, and attorneys fees. Plaintiff owns the rights to the Shoe Carnival trademark, and owns and operates shoecarnival.com. The complaint alleges that the Defendants operate shoe sale websites that infringe upon the trade dress of the Shoe Carnival website, and infringe upon the Shoe Carnival trademark by displaying the registered mark on the websites. Specifically, the Defendants websites mimic the look and feel of Shoe Carnivals website, including the layouts, placement of photos, borders, frames, colors, and overall impression. Further, Plaintiff alleges that the offending websites used the Shoe Carnival registered mark without permission in an effort to generate sales, which Plaintiff claims has caused consumer confusion. Practice Tip: Although the Plaintiff alleges personal jurisdiction over the Defendants in the complaint, they do not allege any specific facts, such as infringing sales, which occurred in Indiana. This may cause issues for the Plaintiff in trying to secure personal jurisdiction over the Defendant. In a similar case in 2014, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit ruled that an out-of-state business accused of trademark infringement did not have sufficient contacts, arising out of the accused activity, with Indiana to subject it to personal jurisdiction in the state. The case was assigned to District Judge Richard L. Young and Magistrate Judge Matthew P. Brookman in the Southern District and assigned Case 3:17-cv-00193-RLY-MPB. Complaint Yadav to move court against EC for revoking his candidacy After the Election Commission revoked the candidacy of CPN (Maoist Centre) candidate Shiva Pujan Raya Yadav for Sarlahi-4 on Saturday, Yadav said he was preparing to file a writ petition in the Supreme Court against the ECs decision. GBPAUD Consolidation Around Weekly Chart Downchannel Resistance Near Complete Tradable Patterns - Wed Nov 16, 11:32PM CST The (GBPAUD) appears to be in the advanced stages of consolidating near downchannel resistance (on the weekly chart). Any break above triangle resistance (on the 4hr chart) today will dramatically increase... ^GBPAUD : 1.76911 (+0.13%) G-20 leaders end summit condemning Russia despite divisions AP - Wed Nov 16, 7:54PM CST Members of the Group of 20 leading economies have firmly condemned the war in Ukraine and warned that the conflict is worsening the global economy $SPX : 3,958.79 (-0.83%) $DOWI : 33,553.83 (-0.12%) $IUXX : 11,699.09 (-1.45%) Poland, NATO say missile strike wasn't a Russian attack AP - Wed Nov 16, 5:05PM CST NATO's chief and the president of Poland say there are no indications that a missile that fell on Polish farmland and killed two people was a deliberate attack $SPX : 3,958.79 (-0.83%) $DOWI : 33,553.83 (-0.12%) $IUXX : 11,699.09 (-1.45%) Hogs Close Higher Barchart - Wed Nov 16, 5:03PM CST Afternoon strength moved the hog futures market back into plus territory as the front months went home mixed but mostly higher on gains of as much as 27 cents. The USDA National Average Base Hog Price... HEZ22 : 85.575s (+0.29%) HEJ23 : 95.625s (+0.13%) KMZ22 : 95.900s (unch) Red Close in Cotton Barchart - Wed Nov 16, 5:03PM CST Cotton futures faded their midday gains to close the midweek session in the red for Dec and March. December ended the day a net 30 points weaker, but off the intraday high by 141 points. The deferred contracts... CTZ22 : 88.41 (-0.03%) CTH23 : 86.64 (-0.14%) CTK23 : 85.69 (-0.21%) An unlicensed home improvement contractor who left an elderly womans home in ruins has pleaded guilty. The Salem News reports that 49-year-old Jaime Fords guilty pleas Monday to 42 charges including larceny, forgery, insurance fraud, and being a common and notorious thief came a week before his trial was scheduled to start. He faces up to four years in prison at sentencing in January. Prosecutors say he charmed a Beverly, Mass., octogenarian looking to update and expand her modest home and left behind a shell and piles of construction debris, including asbestos. He also bilked an insurance company, which paid him workers compensation benefits and covered a $100,000 operation for injuries that he claimed hed suffered while working for his brothers demolition company. Fords attorney declined to comment after the hearing. Information from: The Salem (Mass.) News Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Massachusetts Contractors Thank you! % of people found this article valuable. Please tell us what you liked about it. Submit No Thanks Independent residential property managing general underwriter SageSure Insurance Managers, a subsidiary of Insight Catastrophe Group (ICG), has appointed Suzanne Morrow as regional vice president of Sales for the companys western region. Based in Florida, Morrow will lead the sales team as she supports the companys continued rapid growth. Morrow has more than 30 years of insurance experience, including 20 years with Allstate and 10 years with Universal North America. She maintains 13 personal lines insurance licenses as well as the professional designations for Chartered Property & Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Associate in Risk Management (ARM) and Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC). SageSure has experienced a 30 percent growth rate for the past three years. Currently the company offers 33 products in 12 states and serves more than 134,000 policyholders. Source: SageSure Insurance Managers U.S. Supreme Court justices on Monday appeared divided over whether a federal agencys in-house process for challenging patents violates the constitutional rights of patent owners, leaving the fate of a system that has led to a high rate of patent cancellations uncertain. In one of the most important patent cases to come before the Supreme Court in years, the nine justices heard an hour of arguments in a dispute over the U.S. Patent and Trademark Offices patent review proceeding known as inter partes review (IPR). A decision to strike down the reviews could fundamentally change the way patents disputes are litigated in the United States. While some of the courts liberal justices voiced support for the process, conservative justices raised concerns that the government might be able to revoke patents too easily. The reviews have become a quick and cheap way for companies to try to invalidate patents owned by competitors and others, and have been especially popular with high technology companies such as such as Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. that are common targets of patent infringement suits. The case arose from a dispute between two rival Houston-based oilfield services companies, Oil States International Inc. and Greenes Energy Group over a patent on protecting wellhead equipment used in the hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, of oil wells. In challenging the review process, Oil States argued that patents are private property that may be the revoked only by a federal court, and that the administrative procedures violate the U.S. Constitutions right to be heard by a federal court and jury. The standard for canceling a patent is higher in federal courts than in the review process. Liberal Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor noted that the patent office has long had the power to grant patents and invalidate wrongly issued ones after the fact. There must be some means by which the patent office can correct the errors its made, Ginsburg said. Sotomayor added that what saves the system is the fact that any invalidation can be appealed to the Washington-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit for full judicial review, as happened in this case. CONSERVATIVES RAISE DOUBTS Conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch raised doubts, countering that judicial review is available only if someone appeals a patent review proceedings decision, which does not always happen. Conservative Chief Justice John Roberts said Supreme Court precedents have frowned upon the government offering benefits on a conditional basis in which you have to take the bitter with the sweet. The court is due to rule on the case by the end of June. An Oil States subsidiary sued in 2012 claiming Greenes infringed its patent. Greenes responded by filing an inter partes review at the patent offices Patent Trial and Appeal Board, which later canceled key parts of the patent. The Federal Circuit upheld that ruling last year. The U.S. Congress created the reviews as part of a 2011 law called the America Invents Act to deal with the perceived high number of poor-quality patents that had been issued by the patent office in prior years, which helped fuel the business model of so-called patent trolls that make money off patents rather than products. In about 1,800 final decisions up to October, the agencys patent board canceled all or part of a patent around 80 percent of the time. The case attracted attention from industry heavyweights. Backed by the President Donald Trumps administration, Greenes has the support of some large technology firms like Alphabets Google and Intel Corp. hoping to curb abusive litigation. Small business and inventors groups supported Oil States, as did name-brand pharmaceutical companies such as AbbVie Inc., Allergan plc and Celgene Corp. (Reporting by Andrew Chung; Editing by Will Dunham) Topics USA Energy Oil Gas Hidden in the Trump administrations $44 billion emergency budget request is a plan to expand an Obama-era effort to make cities and towns resilient to the more frequent storms tied to climate change. While President Donald Trump has dismissed global warming as a hoax and his administration has moved to end efforts to curtail carbon emissions, the White House budget office is seeking $12 billion for a competition for flood-prone communities that scientists say are facing more numerous storms and greater flooding because of climate change. Given the Trump administrations position of climate change, and its apparent rejection of the basic science behind it, its surprising to see a $12 billion proposal for creating greater resilience, Joel Scata, an attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council. The New York-based environmental group has fought Trumps efforts to reverse climate rules, but praised this idea. As part of the $44 billion emergency budget request for the recovery from Hurricanes Irma, Harvey and Maria, which was sent to Congress Nov. 17, the White House said it wants to direct $12 billion to a competition to help cities and towns become resilient to flooding. Among the policies the White House said its considering are large-scale buyouts in areas of high flood risk. Other activities could include structure hardening, forward-looking land-use plans, adoption of disaster resistant building codes, the White House Office of Management and Budget said in a summary of their emergency funding request. The contest would be run through the Department of Housing and Urban Development, providing community development block grant funds to states and territories that have had more than one major flood disaster in the last four years. Thirteen states, including Texas, Louisiana and Florida, would meet the criteria for the contest, according to an NRDC analysis. To be sure, the funding request must be approved by Congress, and lawmakers of both parties have already expressed skepticism of the size and other details in the funding proposal. The proposal, which is similar to resilience competitions on a smaller scale held by the Obama administration in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, is an idea long championed by groups worried about the risks of climate change. Its not a new program but the fact they are putting a new amount of money behind it is great and essentially gives life back to the program, said Laura Lightbody, director for the Flood-Prepared Communities project at the Pew Charitable Trusts in Washington. Its a good step in the right direction. Copyright 2022 Bloomberg. Topics Flood Climate Change Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello said the island has agreed to give the Federal Emergency Management Agency unprecedented power to oversee disaster-relief spending, a step that may mollify Congress as the territory seeks billions to recover from Hurricane Maria. Rossello, who has requested $94 billion in aid from Washington, said at a press conference Monday in San Juan that he agreed to let the agency pre-approve the use of any federal funds. He said that FEMA has never taken that step before. We want to embark in the most transparent, effective, and efficient recovery process in the history of our nation, the governor said. We want to create a certain set of controls that have been unprecedented, robust in nature and that work in collaboration with all of the federal agencies. Puerto Rico came under fire from some in Congress this year after it was revealed that the islands electric utility hired a little-known Montana firm for a $300 million contract to repair its grid. The revelation led the islands federal control board to try to install its own chief to oversee the utilitys reconstruction, though that move was blocked by a federal judge. Maria caused almost $100 billion in damage when it came ashore in September, causing widespread devastation and complicating Puerto Ricos record-setting bankruptcy. Copyright 2022 Bloomberg. Almost 200 new volunteer firefighters have joined rural fire departments in Oklahoma two years after successful legislation eliminated the age limit for new volunteers, according to state lawmakers. House Bill 2005, authored by Rep. Mike Sanders and Sen. AJ Griffin, took effect Nov. 1, 2015. The law eliminated the 45-year-old age limit for new firefighters by giving them the ability to join a department without the requirement that they be added to the states pension plan. In the two years since the law took effect, 183 new volunteers have been added to fire service roles. Sanders said about 85 percent of the firefighters in Oklahoma are volunteers. Of the states 915 fire departments, 855, 93 percent, are certified with the Rural Fire Defense Program. With so many of our states fire departments dependent on volunteers, it became incredibly important to find a way to increase the number of volunteers eligible to serve, said Sanders, R-Kingfisher, in an announcement released by the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Public safety has always been my number one priority as a lawmaker. Im pleased to see that two years after drafting this measure, our rural fire departments are seeing such growth. Sanders said he decided to draft the legislation after being shown research that depicted a nationwide and statewide decrease in the number of volunteer firefighters, and realizing one of the hindrances was state law. Prior state law prohibited willing volunteers over the age of 45 from becoming firefighters because the states pension and retirement plan could not afford them. Sanders said he asked constituents above the age of 45 if they would be interested in volunteering and about whether or not they needed a pension. Most said they already had pensions but would be more than willing to serve. Sanders also worked with former Council of Firefighter Training (COFT) Executive Director the late Jon Hansen and rural fire coordinators from across the state in drafting the bill. In addition to saving lives and property, Sanders said the law also can help lower insurance rates. The legislation was approved unanimously in the Oklahoma House of Representatives and approved by the Oklahoma Senate before being signed by the governor in April 2015. Source: Oklahoma House of Representatives Topics Legislation Oklahoma Anna Alexopoulos Farrar will join the Department of Financial Services (DFS) as Communications Director, according to a statement by Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis. In this capacity, she will oversee the communications strategy for the department. Alexopoulos Farrar has more than 10 years of experience in public and private communications. She joins the department after nearly three years at a top Florida public relations firm, On 3 Public Relations (On3PR), serving most recently as vice president of accounts where she led communication strategy and message development for major companies and organizations. She previously served as press secretary for DFS under former CFO Jeff Atwater, and managed media relations for a national disaster safety nonprofit. Patronis said Farrars experience and her knowledge of the department will help DFS advance its efforts to connect with Floridians on top issues that impact them. Her first day on the job was Monday, Nov. 20. She succeeds Ashley Carr who announced her resignation to accept a position with the Florida Healthy Kids Corporation. Topics Florida A judge has given preliminary approval to a $4 million class action settlement over a January 2015 tanker truck diesel fuel spill in southern West Virginia that briefly shut down tap water supplies for about 12,000 people. According to The Register-Herald , Greenbrier County Judge Robert Richardson gave the initial settlement approval Nov. 20 in the lawsuit against Kenneth Pritt, Woodford Transportation and Woodford Oil Company. The spill occurred when a tanker truck went into a tributary near Neola that feeds Anthony Creek. The tanker separated from the truck and started leaking. Contaminants flowed from the creek into the Greenbrier River and caused Lewisburg officials to shut down water treatment plants before the spill of nearly 4,000 gallons of diesel fuel could reach the intake for the Lewisburg Municipal Water System. The system serves Lewisburg, Frankfurt, Ronceverte and Renick. Water supplies were exhausted the next day and people were left without tap water for drinking, bathing, cooking and cleaning. Tanker trucks were set up to provide people with clean water. Officials began restoring water service the day after that. The county health department ordered businesses, schools and daycares to close temporarily. Affected residents and owners or workers of businesses are eligible to collect. The terms allow a one-person household that lost water to receive $250, and homes with more people able to recover $150 more per each additional person. Workers at businesses that shut down due to lost water and who werent paid as a result can receive $240 a piece, while business owners can collect up to $3,100 each. Pritt, the driver of the truck, has not been criminally charged in the spill. The incident came about one year after a January 2014 spill of a coal-cleaning chemical in Charleston that sullied the water supply and spurred a ban on tap water for about 300,000 people for days. Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Virginia Bedrock Insurance Group Holdings LLC (BIGH), based in New York, has agreed to acquire Deerfield Insurance Holdings Inc. and its operating subsidiary Ashmere Insurance Co. (AIC), a workers compensation specialty insurance company. Founded in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. in 2016, AIC operates as a workers compensation specialty insurance company focused on rural, low volume insurance producers working with small commercial customers. Ashmere is licensed in 15 states. AIC is an affiliate of Patriot National Inc., a Fort Lauderdale, Fla., based technology and outsourcing provider that has provided business process outsourcing services for AIC. These BPO services include underwriting, claims settlement, loss control, technology software and premium audit. Patriot National is currently embroiled in reorganization and bankruptcy proceedings stemming from another of its affiliates, and its biggest customer by far, Guarantee Insurance, being placed in receivership by Florida regulators. AJ Ambuj Jain, an advisor to BIGH on this transaction, said the company will contribute substantial capital to Ashmere and plans to build partnerships with the rural agents who serve small to mid-size accounts. John Rearer, chief executive officer of Patriot National, said the sale to Bedrock does not mean an end to Patriot Nationals relationship with Ashmere. The commitment of additional capital will allow for significant growth and will enable us to continue to expand Ashmere to our broad network of trusted agents, he said. The acquisition is subject to closing conditions, including regulatory approval. Debevoise & Plimpton LLP acted as legal advisor to BIGH in connection with the transaction. BIGH says it invests globally throughout the insurance industry and seeks to work with underserved, local independent agents who target small to mid-size insurance markets. Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Walmart offers two types of credit cards: the Capital One Walmart Rewards Card, which can be used anywhere, and the Walmart Rewards Card, which can be used exclusively at Walmart. Both are administered through Capital One. To close either of these credit cards, contact Capital One by sending a letter to the address shown on your latest billing statement or by calling the companys customer service number (you can find it on the back of your card, on your monthly statement, or online). Key Takeaways Walmart has two credit cards: the Capital One Walmart Rewards Card, and the Walmart Rewards Card. The fastest way to cancel your Walmart card is by calling Capital One customer service. How to Cancel Your Walmart Credit Card If you need to close your account right away, call the customer service phone number on your statement. A customer service representative can help you cancel your card. Otherwise, you can close your Walmart credit card by sending a letter to Capital One at the address on your statement. For delivery assurance, you may want to send the letter via certified mail. Include in the letter your name, billing address, and account number, as well as a request to close the account. You dont have to explain why you are closing the account, but if the letter is a follow-up to a phone call, then you should include the date and time of the call, as well as the name of the representative with whom you spoke. What Happens When You Close Your Walmart Card? Under most circumstances, you are still liable for the full outstanding credit card balance, even after you have canceled the card. To prevent accumulating additional charges by any other authorized users of your Walmart credit card, collect all the cards that were issued and destroy them. If any authorized users dont live near you, notify them about your plan to close your Walmart card right away. Until you settle the account in full, the variable annual percentage rate (APR) on your card will apply to any remaining balances. If you have accumulated rewards on a Capital One Walmart Rewards Card or Walmart Rewards Card, then you may lose them when you cancel the card. Users of the Capital One Walmart Rewards Card earn 5% cash back on purchases at Walmart.com, 2% back on restaurants, travel, and purchases at Walmart physical locations and gas stations, and 1% back on purchases wherever Mastercard is accepted. Users of the Walmart Rewards Card earn the same rewards on Walmart purchases, with 5% back on in-store purchases for the first 12 months. How Closing Your Walmart Card Affects Your Credit Score Capital One reports your credit card activity to the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). Closing your account may negatively impact your credit history, depending on how long you have had the card. If your Walmart credit card is your oldest credit card, then consider paying off the full balance but keeping your account open; otherwise, the average age of all your accounts will go down, which can reduce your credit score. Walmart offers several payment options for its credit cards, including online, over the phone, by mail, and in-store (at both Walmart and Sams Club, if youre a Sams Club member). From the Archive Ex-Political Prisoner Makes Art From Plastic Refuse San Zaw Htway at his studio in 2014. / The Irrawaddy San Zaw Htway, a former political prisoner cum artist known for his collages made from recycled plastic bags, has been diagnosed with advanced liver cancer brought on by the dire prison conditions he endured as a political prisoner and poor healthcare after his release. The Irrawaddy revisits a profile about the artist published in the October 2014 edition of the Irrawaddy Magazine to help raise awareness about his condition and elicit support for him. For those who would like to help San Zaw Htway, please make a donation here. RANGOON Give him plastic bags of any color, and this former political prisoner will turn them into a work of art. Instead of acrylic paint and brushes, San Zaw Htway opts to work with not only plastic bags, but also cardboard, instant coffee packets and other recycled goods. He taught himself to make painting-like collages with these materials while he was serving time under the former military regime. Theyre all I need, boasted the 40-year-old, pointing to scissors and adhesive containers littered across the floor of his studio in Rangoon. In one corner of the second-floor studio sits of a pile of smoothed plastic wrappings that otherwise would have been destined for a garbage can. Since his release from prison in 2012, San Zaw Htway has held five solo shows in Burma, in addition to teaching his collage techniques to orphans and children living with HIV. Now his work is gaining international attention. He has been shortlisted for the 2014 Artraker Award, which recognizes artists who are making a difference in highly challenging environments. The works of 12 candidates from 10 countries, including Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, will be exhibited from Sept. 18-25 at Londons a/political gallery. Being shortlisted means a lot to me because recycled collage art is still not well embraced in Burma, said San Zaw Htway at his home, while preparing for his trip to the capital of England. Despite my access to paint and brushes now, I still stick to recycled collage art because its environmentally sustainable and I want the art trend to develop in Burma, he added. Painting was a childhood hobby for San Zaw Htway. When he was sentenced to 36 years in prison for his anti-government political activities in 1999, he was only a college freshman majoring in history. He spent 13 years in prison, during which time he was put in solitary confinement and he went on hunger strikes. Burmese prisons are notorious for their squalid conditions and restrictions on prisoners rights, with even reading and writing prohibited. San Zaw Htaw said he saw art as a way to defy prison authorities. I intentionally did it to show them that they cant control everything in our lives, he said. But the problem was how to make it happen, since painting materials were not allowed. The student activist decided to make collages with materials within his reach. When his family sent him foods wrapped in plastic bags, he turned the bags into a canvas on which he plastered colorful cuttings from instant coffee packets and shampoo sachets. He scavenged prison garbage cans for plastic sheets in colors that caught his eye. He washed them, smoothed them out and applied them onto the makeshift canvas with the help of a smuggled scissor and glue. Working late at night under the faint glow of a light bulb that dangled on the ceiling of the corridor outside his cell, he was careful to hide his work from prison authorities, taking days to finish a single collage. He produced portraits of Burmese democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi and collages of peacocks, the emblem of Burmese student and democracy movements. Some of his works reflected his longing for freedom, including Blue Moon on the Highway, one the three collages that have been chosen for the exhibition in London. I was lying awake one night in 2009 and I heard the occasional swishes of buses on the highway outside the prison. I felt a surge of longing to be on one of those buses, so I poured out my feeling onto the collage, he said. Htein Lin, a prominent Burmese contemporary artist and another former political prisoner, said San Zaw Htways nomination for the Artraker Award and his participation in the exhibition would be a source of pride for Burmese artists and their country. I like his recycled artwork, not only for its promotion of environmental sustainability, but also for its reflection of an important message behind all forms of prison artwork: You can lock up our bodies, but not our emotions and our creativity, he said. Apart from being a collage artist, San Zaw Htway is a counselor for former political prisoners and their families. Earlier this year he joined a training programorganized by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) with support from Johns Hopkins Universityand now he offers counseling sessions five days per week. As a former political prisoner myself, I know very well to what extent we and our families have been mentally affected by what we faced for years. Counseling is one of the best ways to cure their traumas, he said. When asked how he felt to be participating in the exhibition in London, he said he was happy. My prison experience has taught me that no matter how dire the situation is, there is a way to achieve what you want to do, he said. That is my message to anyone who sees my art. In Person Karen Minister Envisions Development Through Coal Power Karen State Chief Minister Daw Nan Khin Htwe Myint. / Moe Myint / The Irrawaddy Karen State, 283 kilometers southeast of Yangon, has been devastated by years of fighting between ethnic Karen armed groups and the government army. Peace was restored to the region in 2012. The state is home to more than 1.5 million people and relies mainly on border trade with neighboring Thailand. But only two foreign companies, employing about 880 people, have started up since the end of the Thein Sein administration in 2010. The National League for Democracy (NLD) government has been in power for almost two years, but economic growth in the state remains slow. To attract foreign investment, the state government is attempting to address power shortages by building a coal-fired power plant. The Irrawaddy interviewed Nan Khin Htwe Myint, chief minister of Karen State, at her office over the weekend about her commitment to economic reform. Dont even think about development without electricity, she said. The NLD government has been in power for two years. What significant improvements have there been since you took office? We have precise policies for the transportation, electricity and agriculture sectors. To deal with our states electricity requirements pragmatically, we want a coal-fired plant to provide power quickly and are still contacting [companies] to set up hydropower projects as a long-term solution for electrification. Some interested investors have also come to observe the situation on the ground. I think the state government can implement [the project] in early 2018 because we have completed 90 percent of the paperwork and are just awaiting a final decision from the Union government. When will you start work on your first project? The coal-fired plant will start in early 2018. Will the plant be able to power the entire state? It can supply the whole state, all seven townships. Which sector provides the state with the most revenue, for example agriculture or trade? At the moment we basically export about $80,000 [worth of goods] to Thailand and import nearly $2 million every day. We have only three, maximum five, types of products for export to Thailand, but the traders import about 45 to 50 [types of] products. If I am not wrong, we earned 300 million kyats [about $220,000] in revenue last year. The agriculture sector is not very satisfied with us, so I can say border trade is the main source of income for the state. Do you have any plans for the states economic reform? I think we can transform seven townships if we really have electricity in the coming years. For example, the Myawaddy, Kwakareik and Hpa-An regions could be designated economic zones. Thandaung and some regions of Hpapun are dominated by agriculture. So we want to improve the agriculture sector, for example by cultivating coffee that grows like a tree and bamboo plantation as well. We can lease land to interested companies in the forest and on vacant land. I do believe that if we can overcome the regions power shortage then factories and industrial zones will arrive automatically, and I hope they can offer lots of jobs to locals, especially those who are working abroad. But the Kyain Seik Gyi region still needs to remove landmine if we are keen to expend the agriculture sector there. What are the main challenges facing your state government at the moment? One of the major challenges is simply manipulation of uneducated people. For instance, most locals have no idea about coal-fired plants. They would agree with the governments plans to carry it out, but a group of people is purportedly undermining our ambitions, probably for political reasons and business interest, probably companies from the neighboring country who sell electricity to our state, and also maybe some political parties that want to disrupt our success. It has become a big obstacle for us at the moment. What type of coal is the plant going to burn? Will it be lignite or something else? I dont know about technical issues as I mainly focus on policy guidelines. I think the relevant ministries can explain the specifics. As far as I know, our state possesses lignite coal. Where is that coal located? There are at least three coal-rich sites in our state. We can get coal in the Kyauk Khet region of Myawaddy Township, Hpa Pun and Kyain Seik Gye. But the rest of them are not legally approved for mining projects as the regions were [restricted] for years. Peace has been restored to those regions now, so we can legally allow mining projects. The explosive power of Karen States coal is much higher than that of Shan coal. Certainly there is sufficient lignite for the company in the state, but the company will import from abroad, maybe from Indonesia. Does that mean the government would allow coal mining in those regions? Of course we must allow it because we have coal resource in the state. It will be very helpful for Karen State. If the price and quality of imported coal and domestic coal are the same, then we prefer to use the local product. Have experts told you about the advantages and disadvantages of generating electricity from coal? We studied [coal plants] ourselves instead of consulting with experts because we observed them with our own eyes [referring a visit to the Tijit coal plant]. We must have a business perspective if we want economic growth. Its impossible to have economic development without electricity. Coal is a quick path to bringing economic growth to the state if we can sell the electricity to others. And we can get a share of the revenue from it when our state becomes a federal state; as you know, ethnic people are demanding democratic federal union. Has the Toyo Thai Power company explained the potential advantages and disadvantages of the clean coal technology that will be used at the plant? From what I have learned about clean coal technology, it cannot prevent harm to the environment 100 percent. Any kind of project has negative impacts on our environment. But we have to understand that our country has done worse things before this clean coal project. Can you give some examples of the worst cases? For example, the cement factory that currently operates in Karen State; it produces 900 tons of cement but emits a lot of carbon because it uses limestone. A new cement factory capacitive 4,000 tons can pollute too, but its not much if we compare it with the old one because it uses the latest technology. We went to see the Tijit coal-fired plant in Shan State and it had been upgraded in recent years. We learned that the situation in Shan is better even though the coal plant is not applying the latest technology. We will try to have a clean-coal plant and have already instructed the company to meet Japans standards on clean coal. And we will also allow interested experts to check the quality of the coal plant if there are any accusations about the plant in the future. The previous government was planning to build the Hatgyi hydropower project on the Salween River but delayed it for several reasons. What is the status of that project now? That place is located in an area controlled by the Karen National Union Brigade No. 5, and we havent reached an agreement regarding the hydro project. It seems they are not willing to do it even though they have signed off on the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) with the government. Because the issue is controversial I dont want to go into details. We are looking for some areas for hydropower projects that are located in peaceful regions and have found four or five places. They are studying the details. But we cant get many megawatts from them; they might be 15-20 megawatt mini-hydro projects. What is the situation of foreign direct investment in Karen State and which country dominates in that sector? China and Thailand are the main investors here. Mostly they are interested in investing in electrification projects such as hydropower, coal-fired plants, solar panels and wind turbines. But very few companies have come to inquire about wind turbine projects. Solar power projects do not meet our requirements because sunlight is available for only seven months a year. If they distribute electricity in practice, one unit could cost around 400 kyats. So it was canceled. On the other hand, foreign companies are not interested in investing in small-scale megawatt projects, such as 30 or 40 [megawatts]. So we have only a big [coal plant project] with Japan. You know the Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA) and Nippon Foundation helped us a lot with the peace process; they even provided structures for displaced people. The Hong Kong-owned Fulltex Sweater factory currently operates with 800 employees in our state. Thats the only big foreign company here. Another one, an underwear company, is from Thailand; it has only 80 workers. We have some small businesses like candle and concrete blocks producers. Nothing special here; thats it. Burma Hundreds Displaced in Recent Myanmar Army, AA Clashes in Need of Assistance Displaced people sheltering at Shin Let Wa village, Paletwa Township, Chin State, Nov. 3, 2017. / Chit Min Tun / The Irrawaddy CHIANG MAI, Thailand Hundreds of displaced people from Paletwa Township, Chin State, are stranded at Shin Let Wa village near the Kaladan River and in need of support, while reports of others fleeing to India continue. Since early this month, more than 330 ethnic Chin, Rakhine and Bamar people from Paletwa Township fled their homes due to clashes between the Myanmar Army and the Arakan Army, according to relief workers. The Indian Express reported last Friday that more than 1,200 people from Myanmar had sought shelter in Lawngtlai District, Mizoram, northeast India, after crossing the Myanmar-India border. Until this week, the sound of gunfights could be heard near the border, said Paletwa resident U Kyaw Khin, who is also a member of the Paletwa Township social relief team. U Kyaw Khin, who went to meet the displaced people in Shin Let Wa last Thursday, said: The refugees are still stranded on the bank of the Kaladan River. They are sleeping in the school and healthcare buildings. They need healthcare, U Kyaw Khin said, as one woman had recently given birth without the assistance of trained medics. Relief groups and the Chin State government have donated medical supplies, but there are not enough healthcare workers in the area to properly treat the displaced. The route between the inland Paletwa and the border to India has been closed at Kalet Chaung tributary since Nov. 4 by the Arakan Army (AA). On Nov. 5, the AA warned locals to avoid using the waterways on the Kaladan River and nearby tributaries as the Myanmar Army had intensified offensives in AA-controlled areas. We could not make contact with or visit the villages near the border since Nov. 4, added U Kyaw Khin. People who continued using the waterway were sandwiched between the fighting. Two died and three were injured in the second week of November. A college student who was travelling by boat was fatally shot on Nov. 8 and a 60-year-old woman was also shot and killed on a boat on Nov. 11. The AA has also suffered casualties. Last week, its spokesman said two of its members were killed and four were wounded in the latest round of clashes between the Myanmar Army and its troops in Paletwa and Buthidaung townships. The clashes between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army in Buthidaung Township in northern Rakhine State have added to the burden placed on local villagers. The area has been restive since Myanmar Army clearance operations following a militant attack in late August, which caused more than 620,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee to neighboring Bangladesh. Some 30,000 Arakanese villagers and its subgroups were also displaced, but many have returned to their villages with the help of the government, according to U Tun Aung Thein, a Rakhine State lawmaker from Buthidaung. U Tun Aung Thein said the majority of those recently displaced to India were likely from Paletwa and not Buthidaung. Paletwa villagers were also displaced in 2015 when the AA and Tatmadaw forces engaged. Burma Indonesia Extends Bali Airport Closure Due to Agung Eruption Glowing light of hot lava is seen during the eruption of Mount Agung as seen from Amed in Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia, Nov. 27, 2017. / Reuters JAKARTA/AMED, Indonesia Indonesias transportation ministry said on Tuesday it will extend the closure of Balis I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport for a further 24 hours because of ash from the eruption of the islands Mount Agung volcano. A report from local aviation navigation authorities showed that aircraft flight channels are covered with volcanic ash the ministry said in a statement. Bali airport, about 60 km (37 miles) from the volcano, will be closed until 7 a.m. local time on November 29, it said. Ten alternative airports have been prepared for airlines to divert inbound flights, including in neighboring provinces. A separate notice showed Lombok airport had been reopened, after an earlier closure overnight due to the eruption. Agung rises majestically over eastern Bali to a height of just over 3,000 meters (9,800 feet). On Monday, authorities ordered 100,000 residents living near the volcano to evacuate immediately, warning that the first major eruption in 54 years could be imminent. An 8-10 km (5-6 miles) exclusion zone has been imposed around the summit. Agungs last eruption in 1963 killed more than 1,000 people and razed several villages by hurling out pyroclastic material, hot ash, lava and lahar. On Tuesday, life continued largely as normal in villages surrounding Agung, with residents setting up traditional markets and offering prayers as the volcano continued to spew tall columns of ash and smoke from its crater. Many residents evacuated in September when the alert was last raised to the highest level have returned to their homes and farms due to worries over their livelihood and livestock. Indonesias Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Centre (PVMBG), which is using drones, satellite imagery and other equipment, said predictions were difficult in the absence of instrumental recordings from the last eruption 54 years ago. It warned that if a similar eruption occurred, it could send rocks bigger than fist-size up to 8 km (5 miles) from the summit and volcanic gas a distance of 10 km (6 miles) within three minutes. Recordings now show the northeast area of Agungs peak has swollen in recent weeks indicating there is fairly strong pressure toward the surface, PVMBG said. Burma Parliamentary Committee to Urge Govt to Privatize Failing State-owned Factories Myingyan Steel Factory. / Ministry of Industry NAYPYITAW The Lower House Investment and Industrial Development Committee, which has been inspecting 24 state-owned factories operating at a loss, is set to submit its preliminary report in December that will urge the government to privatize these factories. Weve decided that the factories should be privatized in different ways depending on the conditions of each factory. For example, they may be transformed into public-private partnerships or joint ventures or run on a profit-sharing basis, U Aung Kyaw Kyaw Oo, a lawmaker from Yangons Hlaing Township and a member of the parliamentary committee, told The Irrawaddy. There are difficulties in assessing the causes of the loss at each factory, and it has been difficult to obtain accurate and reliable data, he added. The committee formed two teams comprised of officials from the Ministry of Planning and Finance, the Ministry of Industry and representatives of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) to assess the profits and losses of these factories set up by the military regime. We dont have much capacity to write technical, economic and financial reports for each factory. So, we only assessed policies. We will highlight some interesting figures from each factory in the report, he told The Irrawaddy. Well submit the preliminary report by the end of this month. This is just initial report and well submit recommendations later. We will inform the public after presenting the report, Banks and Monetary Affairs Development Committee chairwoman Daw Khin San Hlaing told The Irrawaddy. Among the factories operating at a loss are steel plants in Mandalay Regions Myingyan and Shan States Pangpet, paper mills in Irrawaddy Regions Thabaung Township, and heavy industry in Bago Regions Thagara, as well as textile factories. U Than Lwin, advisor to one of Myanmars largest conglomerates Kanbawza Group, suggested that the government should not privatize all of the factories but continue operating some such as the Burma Pharmaceutical Industry (BPI) at a loss for the public good. Though mismanagement is to blame for the losses at certain factories, the National League for Democracy (NLD)-led government should not overgeneralize the situation and privatize them all, he added. Looking at public health, operating BPI at a loss is a good thing, done with good intentions, U Than Lwin said. But on the other hand, establishing steel factories concerns government policy. If it continues operating this, it should at least break even, he added, calling on the government to only keep operating factories at a loss if they benefit the public welfare. Union Industry Minister U Khin Maung Cho told reporters in Naypyitaw on Nov. 9 that the NLD-led government has been able to make one of textile factories in Myingyan Township of Mandalay Region that was operating at a loss profitable after 18 months of overhaul and partnership with a private company. Burma Pope Meets Myanmars Military Chief in Shadow of Rohingya Crisis A girl embraces Pope Francis as he arrives at Yangon International Airport, Myanmar Nov. 27, 2017. / Reuters YANGON Pope Francis held talks on Monday with Myanmars military chief at the start of a delicate visit to a majority-Buddhist country that the United States has accused of ethnic cleansing against its Muslim Rohingya people. The leader of the Roman Catholic church will also visit Bangladesh, where more than 620,000 Rohingya have fled to escape what Amnesty International has called crimes against humanity. Myanmars army has denied accusations of murder, rape, torture and forced displacement that have been made against it. The popes first meeting in Yangon was with military commander Senior General Min Aung Hlaing in St. Marys Cathedral in the heart of the Southeast Asian nations largest city. They discussed the great responsibility of authorities of the country in this time of transition, Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said after the 15 minutes of talks, which were followed by an exchange of gifts. Francis presented the general with a commemorative medal of his visit, and Min Aung Hlaing gave the pope a harp in the shape of a boat and an ornate rice bowl, Burke said. The army chief told the pope that theres no religious discrimination in Myanmar and theres the freedom of religion, according to a statement on the Facebook page of Min Aung Hlaing. Every soldiers goal is to build a stable and peaceful country, the army chief was paraphrased as saying in the statement. Members of ethnic minority groups in traditional dress welcomed Francis at Yangon airport, and children presented him with flowers as he stepped off his plane. He waved through an open window at dozens of children waving Vatican and Myanmar flags and wearing T-shirts with the motto of the trip love and peace as he set off in a car. Only about 700,000 of Myanmars 51 million people are Roman Catholic. Thousands of them travelled by train and bus to Yangon, and they joined crowds at several roadside points along the way from the airport to catch a glimpse of the pope. More than 150,000 people have registered for a mass that Francis will say in Yangon on Wednesday, according to Catholic Myanmar Church spokesman Mariano Soe Naing. We come here to see the Holy Father. It happens once in hundreds of years, said Win Min Set, a community leader who brought a group of 1,800 Catholics from the south and west of the country. He is very knowledgeable when it comes to political affairs. He will handle the issue smartly, he said, referring to the sensitivity of the popes discussions about the Rohingya. Large numbers of riot police were mobilized in Yangon but there were no signs of any protests. Sensitivity Over Word Rohingya The trip is so delicate that some papal advisers have warned Francis against even saying the word Rohingya, lest he set off a diplomatic incident that could turn the countrys military and government against minority Christians. The Rohingya exodus from Rakhine state to Bangladeshs southern tip began at the end of August, when Rohingya militants attacked security posts and the Myanmar Army launched a counter-offensive. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson last week called the military operation ethnic cleansing and threatened targeted sanctions for horrendous atrocities. Myanmars government has denied most of the accusations made against it, and the army says its own investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing by troops. Myanmar does not recognize the Rohingya as citizens nor as members of a distinct ethnic group with their own identity, and it even rejects the term Rohingya and its use. Many people in Myanmar instead refer to members of the Muslim minority in Rakhine state as illegal migrants from Bangladesh. Francis is expected to meet a group of Rohingya refugees in Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh, on the second leg of his trip. The most tense moments of his Myanmar visit were expected to be the private meeting with the army chief and, separately, with civilian leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on Tuesday. Vatican sources say some in the Holy See believe the trip was decided too hastily after full diplomatic ties were established in May during a visit by State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The state counselors reputation as a Nobel Peace Prize laureate has been tarnished because she has expressed doubts about the reports of rights abuses against the Rohingya and failed to condemn the military. The pope has already used the word Rohingya in two appeals from the Vatican this year. Asked if he would say it in Myanmar, Burke said Francis was taking the advice he had been given seriously, but added: We will find out together during the trip it is not a forbidden word. A hardline group of Buddhist monks, previously known as Ma Ba Tha, said it welcomed the popes visit but warned, without elaborating, of a response if he spoke openly about the Rohingya. I hope he doesnt touch on sensitive issues that Myanmar people couldnt accept, said Tawparka, a spokesman for the group, who goes by a single name. Theres no problem if he talks about Islam, but its unacceptable if he speaks about Rohingya and extreme terrorists. Burma Pope Stresses Unity in Diversity, Avoids Mentioning Rohingya Pope Francis attends a welcome ceremony with Myanmars President Htin Kyaw at the Presidential Palace in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Nov. 28, 2017. / Reuters YANGON Pope Francis met leaders of several faiths in majority-Buddhist Myanmar on Tuesday, stressing the importance of unity in diversity but making no mention of the Muslim Rohingya who have fled en masse to Bangladesh after a military crackdown. The pope held private talks with Myanmars military chief in Yangon on Monday, the first day of a visit fraught with tension after the United States accused the Southeast Asian nation of ethnic cleansing against its Muslim Rohingya people. The leader of the Roman Catholic church will also travel to Bangladesh, where more than 620,000 Rohingya have fled to escape what Amnesty International has dubbed crimes against humanity. Myanmars army has denied accusations of murder, rape, torture and forced displacement that have been made against it. Unity is always a product of diversity, Francis told leaders of the Buddhist, Islamic, Hindu, Jewish and Christian faiths in Yangon, according to Vatican officials who gave a briefing on the 40-minute meeting. Everyone has their values, their riches as well as their differences, as each religion has its riches, its traditions, its riches to share. And this can only happen if we live in peace, and peace is constructed in a chorus of differences. Aye Lwin, a prominent Muslim leader who was at the meeting, told Reuters he had asked the pope to appeal to Myanmars political leaders to rescue the religion that we cherish, which could be hijacked by a hidden agenda. Only about 700,000 of Myanmars 51 million people are Roman Catholic. Thousands of them have travelled from far and wide to see him and more than 150,000 people have registered for a mass that Francis will say in Yangon on Wednesday. Tension Over the Word Rohingya The pope was later flying to the capital, Naypyitaw, where he will meet government leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel laureate and democracy champion who has faced criticism from around the globe because she has expressed doubts about the reports of rights abuses against the Rohingya and failed to condemn the military. Francis trip is so delicate that some papal advisers have warned him against even saying the word Rohingya, lest he set off a diplomatic incident that could turn the countrys military and government against minority Christians. The pope is due to deliver a speech after meeting Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The Rohingya exodus from Rakhine state to Bangladesh began after Aug. 25, when Rohingya militants attacked security posts and the Myanmar army launched a counter-offensive. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson last week called the military operation ethnic cleansing and threatened targeted sanctions for horrendous atrocities. Myanmars government has denied most of the accusations made against it, and the army says its own investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing by troops. Myanmar does not recognize the Rohingya as citizens nor as members of a distinct ethnic group with their own identity, and it even rejects the term Rohingya and its use. Many people in Myanmar instead refer to members of the Muslim minority in Rakhine state as illegal migrants from Bangladesh. Francis is expected to meet a group of Rohingya refugees in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, on the second leg of his trip. Vatican sources say some in the Holy See believe the trip was decided too hastily after full diplomatic ties were established in May during a visit by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The pope has already used the word Rohingya in two appeals from the Vatican this year. A hardline group of Buddhist monks, previously known as Ma Ba Tha, said on Monday it welcomed the popes visit but warned, without elaborating, of a response if he spoke openly about the Rohingya. News Pope Francis Preaches Unity on Visit to Myanmar Pope Francis and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in Naypyitaw on Tuesday. / State Counselor Office YANGON Pope Francis said religious differences need not be a source of division and distrust during his speech in Myanmars capital Naypyitaw on Tuesday. The leader of the Roman Catholic Church arrived in Myanmar on Monday for a four-day visit, becoming the first pontiff to visit the Buddhist-majority Southeast Asian country where Christians make up less than 6.2 percent of the population and Muslim account for less than 5 percent. Religious differences need not to be a source of division and distrust, but rather a force for unity, forgiveness, tolerance and wise nation building, he said in a speech delivered to government cabinet members, officials and guests from different faiths in Naypyitaw after his meeting with the countrys President U Htin Kyaw and State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on Tuesday afternoon. I would like my visit to embrace the entire population of Myanmar and to offer a word of encouragement to all those who are working to build a just, reconciled and inclusive social order, said the pope. The papal visit to Myanmar coincides with international pressure on the country over human rights abuses against the Rohingya Muslim minority. More than 600,000 Rohingya have fled to neighboring Bangladesh after army security clearance operations in late August and allegations of killings, rape and arson. Last week, Myanmar and Bangladesh reached an agreement for a repatriation process. Pope Francis was warned, including by Myanmars Cardinal Charles Bo, to avoid using the term Rohingya during his visit so as not to upset the host country or trigger a backlash, as the government, military and a majority of the people reject the term and instead refer to the Rohingya as Bengali, implying they are immigrants from Bangladesh. During his speech the pope avoided the term and did not mention the plight of the Rohingya. Pope Francis also expressed his appreciation for the peace efforts of Daw Aung San Suu Kyis government through the Panglong Peace Conference in an attempt to end violence, to build trust and to ensure respect for the rights of all who call this land [Myanmar] their home. As the nation now works to restore peace, the healing of those wounds must be a paramount political and spiritual priority, he said. In her greeting speech to the pope on Tuesday at the same event, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said Myanmar was trying to achieve mutual understanding and harmony among the different communities in Rakhine State. Papal understanding on peace, national reconciliation and social harmony that me and all Myanmar people have been longing for brings strength and hope for Myanmar, said she. The pope will hold a mass for the Catholic faithful in Yangon on Wednesday. He will leave Myanmar for Bangladesh on Thursday to visit Rohingya refugee there. Prior to his meetings with the president and state counselor, Pope Francis on Monday received Myanmar military Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who has been internationally condemned for alleged human rights abuses against the Rohingya by his troops. On Tuesday, the Pope met 17 representatives of several faiths including Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists and Hindus at the Archbishops House in Yangon. U Aye Lwin, a Muslim representative who joined the meeting, told The Irrawaddy that the pope focused on unity and peace and did not talk about Myanmar specifically. He said diversity has its value and dignity. Harmonizing the diversity is peace, urging us to seriously value diversity as it leads to peace and loving kindness, said U Aye Lwin, paraphrasing the pope. The Muslim representative said the papal visit was symbolic and will help the country cope with the challenges it is facing. Tuesday, Nov 28th, 2017 (8:10 am) - Score 1,855 Somebody claiming to be the owner of troubled Kent-based UK broadband ISP True Telecom appears to have successfully had one of our articles pulled from Google, which is despite the fact that the somewhat verbose reasoning given in the complaint appears to set a very low bar. The article in question references our piece from 21st October 2016 (here), which summarised the fact that Ofcom had launched an investigation into how the provider handled consumer contracts and service migrations. However the target of this complaint appears to have been at least some of the 39 anonymous comments that accompanied our piece, rather than the article itself. The vast majority of the comments referenced alleged problems with service migrations (allegations of slamming etc.), poor customer support, billing and cold calls. Since then most of the issues have been verified by industry regulators. For example, the ICO fined True Telecom 85,000 for making illegal nuisance calls (marketing) that gave the impression they were from BT (here), which the ISP later blamed on a technical issue. The above is on top of a 400 fine applied by the ICO on 15th March 2017 after the ISP was found guilty of breaching section 17 of the Data Protection Act 1998 at Medway Magistrates Court (here), although that was such a small issue that we didnt write anything about it at the time. Most recently Ofcom has also slapped them with a 300,000 fine for mis-selling their landline telephone services (here). The regulator said the ISP had engaged in a particularly aggressive form of mis-selling (slamming switching a service without consent), placing repeat transfer orders after end-users had tried to cancel, entering residential users into banned 36 month contracts and failing to keep or retain records of consent. Suffice to say that few were surprised when the ISP announced this month that it had gone into administration (here), which occurred because the company was unable to manage its cash flow requirements to meet its liabilities. But last week a number of readers wrote in after they spotted that our October 2016 story had been removed from Googles search index following a legal request made during Jan 2017, which seems to set a very low bar (here). The request also affected two other websites, one of which is Martin Lewiss popular Money Saving Expert forum. The fact that it combined the request for three very different websites with very different content only makes it that much harder to understand the somewhat verbose wording and examples being used in the complaint. At this point there are a few things that need to be noted. The request states that the customers in question have never existed in my database (many of the gripes were about cold calls, thus not from customers) and that the comments were all untrue, although recent findings from Ofcom and the ICO would seem to disagree. Not to mention the many negative reviews found elsewhere around the web. The complainant then claims to have attempted to contact each complainer to try and resolve any issues (except there are no contact details on public comments) and says they have traced the IP addresses back to a competitor (except there are no public IP addresses on comments, but this may reference one of the other two sites). The complaint then veers off to waffle about disgruntled former staff, emails and pensioners that doesnt seem relevant to ISPreviews article or its comments. We assume this is related to the other sites but therein rests the problem with combining a legal complaint for three very different sources. It would be all too easy to put the blame for this squarely upon Googles shoulders, although the law leaves them with very little choice other than to automatically comply with such requests to cover liability because it would be impossible to fight every single one in a court (they receive millions of take-down requests). We did attempt to contact True Telecom about this but have had no reply and neither has The Register, which also covered this. Usually if theres concern over a specific piece of content or comment then ISPs will email us directly about it first (Notify and Remove), but on this occasion we received no such request. Sadly there doesnt seem to be a straightforward way to appeal and this situation is perhaps another example of the flaw with the whole Right to be Forgotten approach and similar laws. Building work on the Australia Singapore Cable has passed the halfway point, crossing a number of critical milestones, Vocus Communications says. The $170-million-dollar project, owned by Vocus, will link Australia with Singapore and Indonesia. Luke Mackinnon, head of Vocus International said the laying of the main cable would begin in February next year and continue throughout March. "We will perform the final splice in April, enabling the commissioning to begin. That will take place in May and June, giving us a ready-for-service date soon after," he added. Manufacturing work on the ASC is nearing completion. The cable is being made in Calais, France, by Alcatel Submarine Networks. On the other side of the English Channel, the company is finishing work on the repeaters at a factory in Greenwich in the UK. Once the cable and repeaters are ready, ASN will assemble them at the Calais site. Next month the components will be loaded on a ship and brought to Singapore. We expect it to arrive either in late December or early January. At this point we will offload a third of the cable and repeaters at Singapore. The Ile de Re cable laying ship will pick them up in January and start laying in February, Mackinnon said. The other two-thirds of the assembled cable is to be transferred from ship to ship in January near Christmas Island. From there, a second cable laying vessel, the Ile de Batz, will lay the cable as it travels south from Christmas Island to Perth. The Ile de Re will start in Singapore and head south to Christmas Island. Mackinnon said two ships were being used because the two legs would use different cable-laying techniques. From Singapore to Christmas Island the cable will be buried up to four metres below the seabed using a 40-tonne plough. This is far slower than the usual cable-laying technique; the ship can only move at a few hundred metres per hour. He said while it was unusual to bury a submarine cable, it was necessary in this instance because the ASC travelled through the Java Sea which is shallow and highly trafficked. An earlier cable running through this area was frequently broken, mainly due to fishing boats cutting the cable, and this could take weeks to fix, Mackinnon pointed out. He said there were issues getting permits for ship movements in the area and Indonesian maritime law requires contractors to use local crews. "The situation is quite different on the ASC leg between Christmas Island and Perth. The southern cable section passes through a deep ocean. Here the cable is simply laid on the sea bed. The boat laying this section can move far quicker, covering kilometres in an hour." Graphic: courtesy Vocus HPE has launched "a new suite of solutions targeting customer workloads" designed, delivered and operated by HPE Pointnext with "a simple, pay-per-use model". Hewlett Packard Enterprise has launched "HPE GreenLake," a suite of pay-per-use solutions available for top customer workloads". These offerings include: big data, back-up, open database, SAP HANA, and edge computing. And, as part of its continued focus on providing customers flexible consumption offerings, HPE says it is "also rebranding and making enhancements to HPE GreenLake Flex Capacity, a market leading infrastructure consumption service". HPE says IT teams are "under more pressure than ever to deliver solutions fast, while minimising company risk and cost". "The shift to consumption and everything-as-a-service accelerates businesses, but often with the loss of control for IT. To answer this challenge, businesses require flexible infrastructure environments on-premises that offer cloud-like capabilities for workloads. "HPE GreenLake simplifies the IT experience and offers customers choice in where workloads should live and how to flexibly consume them." Here's HPE's GreenLake video the article continues thereafter: The outcome-based IT consumption solutions include: HPE GreenLake Big Data offers a Hadoop data lake, pre-integrated and tested on the latest HPE technology and Hortonworks or Cloudera software. HPE GreenLake Backup delivers on-premises backup capacity using Commvault software pre-integrated on the latest HPE technology with HPE metering technology and management services to run it. HPE GreenLake Database with EDB Postgres delivered on-premises and built on open source technology to help simplify operations and substantially reduce total cost of ownership for a customers entire database platform. HPE GreenLake for SAP HANA offers an on-premises appliance operated by HPE with the right-sized, SAP-certified hardware, operating system, and services to meet workload performance and availability objectives. HPE GreenLake Edge Compute offers an end-to-end lifecycle framework to accelerate a customers Internet of Things (IoT) journey. Raj Thakur, vice-president and general manager of Hybrid IT at HPE South Pacific, said: Building on the leadership and success of consuming infrastructure with HPE GreenLake Flex Capacity, we are taking the next step in consumption. HPE GreenLake offers an experience that is the best of both worlds a simple, pay-per-use technology model with the risk management of data thats under the customers direct control. As you'd expect, HPE proudly boasts its GreenLake "is the next generation of on-premises consumption services that go beyond pay-per-use infrastructure to pay-per-use outcomes". Included in each HPE GreenLake outcome-driven solution is: Advisory and professional services from HPE Pointnext to help customers quickly define, deploy, and integrate your solution, as well as provide HPE recommendations for continual optimisation of systems and processes. Purpose-built reference architectures, based on the latest technologies (hardware and software) and optimised for each solution, to help deliver results quickly. HPEs proven pay-per-use HPE GreenLake Flex Capacity model to consume a wide range of infrastructure from HPE using a unique business metric. Remote monitoring and management of the solution by HPE Pointnext, offloading routine infrastructure management tasks from the IT department and providing both skills and knowledge of the new technologies from day one. Enterprise-grade support along with an HPE Digital Learner subscription to e-learning content, providing the digital skills needed for IT to do its best work. HPE has more info on "how consumption-based IT is driving business growth" in this Q&A with Ana Pinczuk, with this timeline offering added context. So, HPE says, "the foundation of new offering is HPE GreenLake Flex Capacity", billed as "an innovative service delivered by HPE Pointnext that brings on-premises infrastructure consumption to customers today". Depending on need, level of expertise required, and in-house IT resources, it should come as no surprise to see HPE state "businesses can choose between HPE GreenLake complete solutions or HPE GreenLake Flex Capacity based infrastructure solutions". In addition, HPE is "also announcing enhancements to HPE GreenLake Flex Capacity that include": New modular, pre-packaged infrastructure choices to help customers get started faster and stay ahead of demand with active capacity planning. Expanded technology choices with high performance computing (HPC), Microsoft Azure Stack, and HPE SimpliVity to help customers design their infrastructure solutions and consume them the way that they need. We're also told that these "latest enhancements to HPE GreenLake Flex Capacity come on the heels of recent announcements with Rackspace and Wipro Limited that reflect the companys ongoing growth with consumption-based services through partnership and innovation". The national broadband network being built by NBN Co should be geared towards the digital future, Australian Greens NBN spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John says. Instead, he said, there were only further delays to an already outdated system. Senator Steele-John's statement comes in the wake of an announcement by NBN Co on Monday that there would be six to nine months' delay in providing connections over HFC cable due to network issues. Yesterday it was announced there would be up to nine months delays for customers slated to connect to the NBN via Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) to perform further testing," Senator Steele-John said. "In practice, this will mean those customers are simply waiting nine months longer for sub-standard connectivity, . He said the Turnbull Government must acknowledge the mixed-technology compromise using outdated fibre-to-the-node technology would cost far more in the long term and hamper Australians' capabilities relative to other countries. Access to the Internet is a human right, and fibre-to-the-premises technology is the only long-term solution to meet Australias current and future broadband needs," Senator Steele-John said. We have an opportunity to build a high-speed, national system that would raise Australias digital readiness and bring our speeds into line with world leaders such as South Korea and Japan. Australians are fed up with the NBN compromise and want access to a network that meets our current and future digital needs. The Australian Greens will continue to champion that right.